Disclaimer: Ok, you know the drill. Nothing HP related is mine. Though I wish it were... it all belongs to Master Rowling. So no one sue me.

A/N: I know, I know. I am sooo sorry that I haven't updated as quickly as planned/promised. I have been incredibly busy with school and other stuff, that the story sort of slipped my mind. LOL, I could go on. But this is probably nothing you haven't heard before, and the point is I'm here with the next chapter. Hopefully, I can get them up faster.

Quick re-cap: Ron and a reluctant Harry have decided to spy on Hermione and Krum on their date. What will happen?

On with the show!!

Chapter 7: "Let's Go."

Days passed and the next week went by a lot quicker than the last. It was also a lot better. Ron and Harry had no bad days and Hermione and Ron had no other fights. Harry wished that it could've lasted longer.

It was Saturday, the day of the Hogsmeade trip. Harry was awoken early by Ron, who chucked a pillow into his face.

"Oy! Get up, Harry!" Ron yelled. In reply, muffled, sleepy sounds came from under the pillow.

"What?!" Ron said laughing. he walked over and picked the pillow up off Harry's face. "What did you say?"

"I told you to get that pillow off me before I clobber you," said Harry, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

Ron laughed again. "Clobber me?! I'd like to see you try."

"I just might if you don't clear off," Harry mumbled, still groggy from being woken up.

"Right. Okay. Sure, Harry." Ron said grinning. "Well, c'mon then mate! We've got a big day to day."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Ron rolled his eyes. "What do I mean? Today. You. Me. In Hogsmeade keeping an eye on Hermione and Krum."

Harry groaned and flopped back onto his bed. "I've changed my mind," he said. "You can spy on your own."

"No way. we shook on it. You're coming," Ron said, pulling Harry out of bed and onto the ground. "And we're not SPYING. We're just-"

"-protecting our friend from making a mistake, right?" Harry said from the floor.

"Yeah, something like that. Now c'mon! Get dressed and I'll meet you in the common room," said Ron, turning and walking towards the door.

"Hey, Ron!" Harry called.

"Wha-?" said Ron, who turned and caught a face full of Harry's pillow.

**********

Harry went down to the common room and headed towards Ron, who was looking for Hermione, who didn't seem to have arrived yet.

"You think she went down to breakfast without us?" Ron asked Harry.

"No. I bet she's, you know, getting ready for today. I mean, we leave right after breakfast so she wouldn't have time to come back up here to change or something. Probably wants to look nice, right? 'Cause, technically, this is a d-"

"Shut up," Ron growled.

"What? It is. Whether you like it or not, this is a date," said Harry, noticing the way Ron flinched at the word "date."

"Not if I can help it," he murmured.

They were quiet for a moment, Ron staring at the girls' staircase, and Harry trying to ignore the sounds of his growling stomach. He was suddenly very hungry.

"Hey Ron?" Harry asked suddenly. "When are you telling Hermione that we're not coming?"

"Don't worry about that," replied Ron. "I got it all planned out. Just lemme do most of the talking. And you play along."

"Um....okay. Look- there's Hermione," said Harry as Hermione walked down the staircase. She waved at them and they walked over to her.

"Morning, Hermione," Harry said. "What took you so l-" Harry froze in mid-sentence as he was able to get a closer look at Hermione. Ron was also looking at her in shock- his mouth was wide open.

The Hermione standing in front of them was not the Hermione that they were used to. Instead of wearing the regular black school robes, she had on robes of deep purple. Her hair didn't seem as bushy either. In fact, she had tamed it enough to get it to form elegant waves. She must also have borrowed make-up from some of the other girls in the house. It was now obvious why she took so long to come down.

"Wow, Hermione," said Harry in amazement. "You look great!"

She beamed. "Thanks, Harry," Hermione looked over at Ron, who still had his mouth open. She giggled at him, then reached over, put her hand under his chin, and gently closed his mouth. The action seemed to bring Ron back to his senses.

"Hermione," he breathed in awe. "Wow."

Grinning, she said "Thanks, Ron." The she looked at both him and Harry. "C'mon guys, let's go down for breakfast. I'm starving." She began to lead the way out of the common room.

As they followed, Harry heard Ron mutter. "That's it. No way Krum deserves her. He's going to get it."

Harry rolled his eyes and thought, "I should've stayed in bed."

**********

They had a good breakfast. I t all seemed to be going the way that it normally should. The only difference was they way Harry and Ron were acting with the new Hermione. Harry was still in bewilderment. He found that he kept asking himself why it had taken practically five years to notice this particular Hermione. Didn't she always look like this? Ron's fork kept missing his mouth. He was too busy staring at Hermione to concentrate on his food.

When she finished eating, Hermione looked over at Harry and Ron and said, "Look you guys, I know that you're sort of weirded out buy this whole thing. But I want to let you know that whatever happens-well, it happens. But I promise nothing will change between us."

Hermione turned to Ron. "Ron, I know you're not exactly -err- fond of Viktor. So, if you like, we don't have to stay around you. we'll just go somewhere else if it bugs you. Okay?"

With a meaningful look at Harry, Ron turned to Hermione and said, "Thanks Hermione. I really appreciate that. But, sadly, I don't think I will need to take you up on that offer."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Hermione asked, clearly confused.

"Harry and I aren't going to go to Hogsmeade. We don't want to ruin your time with Krum. So it's just you going, we're going to stay here."

Hermione was shocked. "WHAT?! You're joking right? I mean- you can't just- you can't -no!"

"Yup," said Ron grinning.

"But-but-"

"Hermione," Harry said (after Ron kicked him under the table), "we want you to have a good time. you can't have on with us around. So go to Hogsmeade and have fun."

"In fact, it looks like its time to go. So, c'mon Hermione, we'll see you to the door," Ron said, g etting up and taking Hermione by the arm.

"You guys! Come on! I don't want to keep you from coming with us! I want you to come! Don't let me stop you!" Hermione pleaded as Harry and Ron escorted her to the front doors, where the other students were gathering as well.

"No, Hermione. You go to Hogsmeade and have a god time. Don't worry about us," Ron said, as he and Harry let go of her arms and gave her a push towards the doors.

Hermione turned and stared at them. "You really are serious. Aren't you?" she said slowly.

Harry and Ron nodded, and Hermione broke into tears. Before they could say anything, she had pulled them both into a tight hug.

"You guys are the best. I owe you big after this." She pulled back and wiped her eyes and smiled widely at the two of them. "I promise I'll make this up to you."

Then Hermione did something that they didn't have planned. She kissed both Harry and Ron on the cheek. Harry felt himself blushing, and Ron's eyes were as wide as saucers. Hermione hugged them one last time, then turned and walked to the doors.
"Bye you two! I'll see you later. And- and thanks a lot!" Hermione called as she waved at them.

Harry and Ron waved back, both still a bit stunned from her kiss. Once Hermione was out of the door, Ron slowly turned to Harry and said, "Wow. We should send d her to Hogsmeade alone more often."

"Yeah," said Harry, his hand on his cheek where Hermione kissed him.

"Okay. Now we just wait a bit, that way they all get down there, that way we don't run into anyone. Then we sneak down there, find Hermione and-" Ron paused. "Harry? Harry, where are you going?"

Ron had turned to find that Harry had left his side and started back towards the Great Hall.

"Harry! Get back here! You are getting out of this!" Ron yelled, running after him.

As Ron caught up with him, Harry turned around and said. "No way, Ron. No. I can't do this. I won't."

"You can't be serious!"

"Well, I am. I can't do this to her Ron! And I can't believe you still want to! Here she is, thanking us for being such good friends and letting her spend some time alone with Krum, when it reality, we're actually going to spy on them! Hermione is our friend, Ron! How can we do this to her if she's our friend?!"

Ron stared at Harry for a moment before speaking. "You just don't get it do you Harry?" he asked slowly.

"I guess I don't," Harry snapped.

"I'm not doing this to spoil her time," Ron continued. "I'm doing this because - I- I'm- well, I'm worried something will happen today that will change things. And I don't want things to change. And-and I know you don't too."

Harry was quiet. As much as he hated to admit it, Ron was right.

"Just because I'm worried about it doesn't mean I wouldn't try to deal with it, Ron." Harry said. "Which is something you should try."

"But then, there could be nothing," Ron said. "That's why we're going to Hogsmeade, Harry. To see if we need to prepare for the worst, or just relax about it. If you don't want to come, well, fine. but I'm going. And you can't stop me."

"Don't I know it," Harry said, shaking his head. "Okay, Ron. I'll come. Against all my better judgment, I'll come with you."

"Thank you," said Ron grinning. "Now c'mon, we've wasted enough time already. Let's go."

A/N: And they're off! Coming up next, Hogsmeade, the actual date, and Harry and Ron go undercover. Sounds like a perfect plan...or is it? Stay tuned for more! And please, please, please review! They make me feel all tingling. Even flames!