Mashed Potato

A/N. I may not have made a decision about the story but I have about the format. The words in italics are Ron's thoughts and the words in normal are just...well...normal, his actions, the story, you get what I'm on about!:}

Chapter Two: To Tell, or not to tell

Well, that was a good idea, wasn't it? Have a major yelling fit at her, yeah...she's really hot for you now! She didn't even do anything and you went off on one! I'll apologise. I have to just grit my teeth and do it. Swallow my pride as it were. I'll say something like 'Oh, sorry Hermione. I've been under a lot of pressure lately, mainly obsessing over you. Will you be my girlfriend?' Hmmm, that's going to go down well.

I have to start acting more normal or they'll suspect something's up. I can't say I'm worried about the O.W.L.S because even Hermione hasn't got into a state over them yet. What shall I do?

I'll have to tell Harry.

That's it, that's the answer. He's my best mate, I can trust him not to tell her and I'll have someone to talk to about it instead of bottling it up inside. But...what if he likes her too? I mean, it could happen. What if we started fighting over her... No, Ron, you're being stupid. You know he doesn't like her like that! You have to tell him. Go tell him. Do it NOW!

Having made up his mind, Ron Weasley jumped off his bed, where he'd been lying brooding for the remainder of lunch. He was all in favour of finding Harry and telling him that very second...until the bell went.

Oh Quidditch! I'll tell him tonight, I will tell him.

Ron's next lesson was Transfiguration. Forgetting about his previous behaviour at lunch, he sauntered cheerfully into the room and sat down between Harry and Hermione in his usual seat. They were looking at him strangely.

Feeling unusually happy he grinned at the two of them and put his hands to the top of his head.

'Why are you looking at me, have I grown devil horns or something?'

Hermione's worried look changed when she saw him do that and she smiled.

'Harry and I were just wondering if you were OK. You stormed off in a dreadful temper at lunch.'

'Yeah, sorry about that,' he said to both of them, trying to sound casual tough his heart was banging against his ribs. 'I just lost it. Got a lot on my mind.'

'Are you worrying about the O.W.L.S? I knew you would! Look, Ron, if you need me to help you with anything, anything at all, I'll gladly...'

'Hermione, thanks but I'm OK, really.'

Damn, she's beautiful when she cares.

That night came too soon for Ron's liking. He grew more and more nervous as supper progressed.

'Are you all right?' asked Hermione anxiously. 'You're not coming down with something, are you? You look all hot and bothered.'

Yeah, that's right, pretend you don't know why I'm nervous. Oh, wait, you don't know why I'm nervous. Why am I nervous? It's just Harry. It's not like I'm going to admit it to her or anything. It's Harry, your friend? He's not going to laugh at you.

'I'm fine Hermione, really. Stop worrying, you sound like my mother.'

But, that night, Harry's reaction was quite different to what he'd expected.

'Harry, look, can I talk to you for a mo?'

Harry looked up from the book he was reading and blinked. 'Sure.'

They looked at each other.

'Oh, you mean in private?' Harry continued, cottoning on.

He got up and they went up to the boy's dormitory to sit on Ron's bed. None of the other's were there.

'Well, come on then man, spit it out.' Harry encouraged him, after sitting there for a while in silence.

'Harry, if I tell you this you have to swear to me you won't tell a soul. Promise?'

'Promise.'

'Are you sure? Because if you do...'

'Get on with it!'

'Ok. It's...um...its about Hermione.'

'Mmm, carry on.'

'Harry, you know what I'm going to say, don't you?'

'Say it and we'll see.'

'Well, I think...I might have...I...I've got a bit of a thing for her.'

'A thing?'

'Yes, you know, a thing!'

'What type of thing?'

'Harry, you know very well what I'm talking about!' exclaimed Ron jumping up, unable to bear it any longer. 'Stop laughing!'

'I'm sorry mate,' said Harry wiping his eyes and trying to control himself. 'Have you only just worked this out?'

Ron nodded dumbly.

'Of course you've got a "thing" for her, it couldn't be more obvious. I've been waiting since last year for you to admit it.'

'I hate you.' Ron grumbled, sitting back down but not meeting Harry's eyes. 'So, now what do I do?'

A/N. Hmmm, what should he do? No, really, I don't have a clue and I'm the writer. Poor Ron, his love life is in the hands of an idiot! Wheeeeeeee!:}

Disclaimer: JK owns all. Apart from the stuff I own. Which is nothing.