Disclaimer: I don't own anything HP! It's all J.K. Rowling's and WB's! Don't sue me!

A/N: Okay, I lied last time, I didn't get two chapters. I was hoping to get things up as fast as I can, as I'm pretty busy. So sorry I couldn't do it last time. I will try again. But thanks to all who reviewed so far and for staying with the story.
So, where were we? Ah, yes. They read the letter, which turned out to be from Krum. Now he's coming to see Hermione, and Ron's not too happy, where as Harry is sort of indifferent. What are they going to do?
On with the show!

Chapter 6: The Plan

The next morning, Harry woke up and found a note that Ron had left for him;

Harry-

I woke up early so I just went to breakfast. Meet you and Hermione later in the Great Hall.
-Ron

As Harry dressed, he couldn't help thinking about everything that had happened the previous night. It was too confusing to sort out. He had expected to be more vocal and angry with Ron for acting up. And he had just thought Ron would've yelled continually at Hermione. They had both proved him wrong. Not that he was complaining. At least there had been no major fight...not yet anyway.

He sighed as he left the dormitory and started down to the common room to wait for Hermione.

"We're growing up," he thought to himself. "It's just a question of who will grow the quickest."

Harry walked into the common room just as Hermione came down the girls' staircase.

"Good Morning, Harry," she said smiling.

"Morning, Hermione. Err, Ron said he'd meet us in the Great Hall. He got up and went down early." Harry looked very intently at Hermione. Was it still bugging her? Or had she put last night's actions behind her?

"Ron? Up early on a Sunday? When he doesn't have to? Is he sick?" Hermione asked.

Harry laughed; decideding that Hermione must have chosen to lay the matter at rest for now. "No, but maybe he was hungry."

"Hmmm...Okay. Well, then let's go get him," Hermione said, taking Harry's arm and leading him to the portrait hole, humming to herself.

Shaking his head, Harry realized, "As always, Hermione is ahead of us, this time it's not homework, it's growing up."

**********

Like Hermione, Ron must have chosen to leave the subject alone for now. He waved them over and as Harry sat down and looked at Ron, he was relieved to see that Ron seemed to be perfectly happy.

"Morning, Harry! Morning Hermione!"

"Morning, Ron," said Harry and Hermione together.

"So guys, what are our plans for today?! Are we going to work, work, work?! Or play, play, play?! What's up?!" Ron was practically bouncing out of his seat.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other in a mixture of shock and confusion. Ron was acting weird.

"Um, Ron? Are you okay?" Hermione asked cautiously.

"Okay?! Am I okay?! I'm more than okay! I'm great! I'm awesome! Couldn't be better! Thanks for asking though. How are you Hermione?!" It was as though Ron had consumed a truckload of sugar.

Hermione was in a state of bewilderment. "I-I-I'm fine, Ron. Thanks."

"You're welcome!"

Hermione looked over at Harry with her eyes wide.

Harry shrugged then decided to try. "Ron? What's going on? Why are you acting like this?"

Ron opened his mouth, but Hermione broke in. "Ron? Does this have something to do with last night?"

"Last night?" Ron asked curiously, eyes wide and innocent. "What do you mean? Nothing happened last night. What are you talking about?"

Hermione stared at him. Then suddenly, she pushed her chair back and stood up. "I don't have the time for this, I got to work to do. I'll see you two later." With that, she turned and walked out of the Great Hall.

Once she was gone, Ron turned to Harry. "That was easier than I thought," he said simply. The he grinned at the stunned look on Harry's face.

"You mean you pulled that rubbish just to get rid of Hermione?" Harry asked, not sure whether he should laugh or give Ron a good smack.

"Yeah. I did have more than that planned, but like I said, it was easier than I had thought."

Harry stared at Ron in disbelief.

"What?!" Ron said indignantly.

"Forget it," Harry said shaking his head. "You don't listen to me anyway."

"Huh? What? You say something Harry? Sorry. I wasn't listen-" Ron stopped as Harry scowled at him. "Okay, okay. Geez. I was only joking."

"Right. So, you going to tell me why you chased Hermione away? Or do I have to guess?

"Um, I think I'll make you guess, after you treated me like that," said Ron annoyingly.

Harry leaned back in his chair and folded his arms glaring at Ron.

"Fine. You chased Hermione away because you have come up with some sort of sick, twisted plan in that evil head of yours. And you don't want Hermione to hear because it has something to do with her and Krum on Saturday."

He looked up at Ron, who had an idiot grin on his face. "I'm right, aren't I?"

Ron nodded. "You must be having lunch with Trelawny," he said, referring to the Divination teacher.

No," Harry said grimly. "I just know you too well."

**********

"You're mental!" Harry shouted at Ron.

"I prefer genius, but-"

Yeah, an evil genius-"

"Hmmm...evil genius...I like the sound of that," Ron said. Harry just stared at him.

After breakfast, Harry and Ron went out o the Hogwarts ground so Ron could tell Harry his plan. Harry was a bit reluctant to hear, but he stayed silent as Ron eagerly explained it to him. when he finished, Harry was in total disbelief.

"So?" Ron asked. "You going to help me on this or not?"

"Let me see if I understand this," Harry said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You want me...to help you...spy on our best friend."

"It's not spying," said Ron. It's looking out-"

"'-looking out for our friend's well-being and keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't make a mistake,'" Harry finished irritably. "I know, I know, you told me."

"Well? Then what's the problem?"

"You're crazy that's the problem."

"Look, it'll be easy," said Ron. "we tell Hermione that were staying here. Once she's at Hogsmeade, we sneak over there with out anyone knowing. We find Hermione and Krum and- and just watch them."

"You mean stalk them," muttered Harry.

"No, watch them," Ron said before continuing. "After we watch them for awhile, once where sure that everything is okay, we sneak back up tot he castle. Then when Hermione gets back, we just act surprised at everything she says. Like we know nothing. It's brilliant!"

"It's stupid! It's stupid and so are you! I can't believe you think you can pull this off! I-"

"Wait a second. You make it sound like I'm doing this on my own," interrupted Ron.

"That's because it is. It will be just you. I refuse to get myself caught up in this!"

Ron stared at Harry for a minute, looking very serious. the he said, "Harry? Are you my friend?"

Harry was confused. "what?! What does that have to do with this?!"

"Just answer the question, are you my friend?"

"Oh, c'mon Ron! Why are-?"

"Harry. Answer the question. Are. You. My. Friend?"

"Well, yeah. yeah. Of course I am Ron. yes, I'm your friend," said Harry.

Ron grinned. "Well, as my friend, you were caught up in this from the very beginning. And as my friend, you will help me do this. And as my friend-"

"As your friend, I'm trying to stop you," said Harry in exasperation. "And as Hermione's friend, I'm trying to stop you."

"Stop me? From what?"

"From making the biggest mistake in your life. Not going through with this. Looking like a prat if Hermione catches you- I can go on if you like," Harry said.

"Hermione won't even know I'm there, she can't catch me," Ron responded.

Harry grinned and cocked an eyebrow at Ron. "Don't you mean us?"

It took Ron a second to realize what Harry meant. Then he grinned back.

"'Us' now is it? You mean it? You'll help me?"

"Yeah, I'll help you," Harry said sighing. "I don't know why, but I'll help you. Only if Hermione catches us, I'm telling her the truth."

"Oh? And what's that?"

"That I tried to stop you, but you wouldn't listen. And that you forced me to help you against my will."

Harry looked at Ron who seemed to be thinking it over. Ron looked up at Harry and stuck out his hand.

"Deal," he said with a smile as he and Harry shook on it.

A/N: Uh-Oh. If this sounds like a plan that is ready to backfire...it's because it is. Stay tuned to find out what happens. And please review!