Note: Jeena Gorgona, Tony Silmari, Boxer and Rifka are completely random names, not JK Rowling's creatons (as far as I know).
Harry looked at his friend. He didn't like the look on Ron's face. It was a mischievous smile, which could only mean trouble.
"Ron," Harry started. "Don't even think about it."
Ron's grin became an angelic smile. "Think about what? I'm just going to help Hermione and Oliver out."
"By doing what?" Harry asked, knowing the answer to his question already.
"By just playing Cupid a little," Ron cringed at Harry's skeptical look. "What? I know what I'm doing."
"Yeah, sure," Harry replied. "Just like the time you tried to set up – what were their names – Jeena Gorgona and Tony Silmari. Now they try to avoid each other at all costs. Each other…and you, Ron."
"I was but an amateur when I set up Jeena and Tony," Ron replied, offended. "I know what I'm doing. I set up Boxer and Rifka, didn't I?"
"Ron, those were dogs," Harry said.
"So?" Ron shrugged.
"They could have gotten together without your so-called help," Harry replied. Before Ron could protest, he said, "My point is, you shouldn't do it."
"Shouldn't, he says," Ron rolled his eyes, then grinned. "But you didn't say I couldn't. So I will."
"I had a feeling that would happen," Harry sighed.
"Come on, Harry," Ron persisted. "Just think, when I get them together, they'll been extremely happy. And it will all be thanks to one Ron Weasley."
"And how are you going to earn this gratitude?" Harry asked, refusing to be drawn into Ron's vision.
"You'll see," Ron said.
"You should go now," Oliver was saying again, as Ron and Harry rejoined the others.
"When will you be out of the infirmary, Oliver?" Hermione asked in an oddly high-pitched voice.
"I'll be here for another day or so," Oliver replied, giving Hermione an equally odd look that combined confusion with an urge to laugh at her voice.
Hermione nodded, her head moving as jerkily as a stork walking through reeds. "Okay, then. I'll see you later?" she said, not meaning for it to be a question, especially not a question that sounded so hopeful.
"Sure," Oliver replied offhandedly. The Quidditch team, Ron and Hermione all muttered their good-byes and get-wells to Oliver as they left. Once in the hallway, they each went their separate ways.
"Coming back to the common room with us, Hermione?" Harry asked.
Hermione shook her head. "No, I've got some reading to do in the library. But I'll be back in a hour or so."
As she disappeared down the hallway, Ron leaned towards Harry. "Maybe she's reading on how to make a love potion."
Harry shoved his friend. "I doubt it. Let's go and hear this brilliant plan of yours."
In the Gryffindor common room, Ron went to his trunk and pulled several scraps of paper and a quill from it. Harry looked at them, understanding dawning in his face.
"You're going to write notes for them?" he asked.
"Yep," Ron replied satisfactorily. "This is a plan that cannot fail."
Harry nodded skeptically. "I'm sure you're right. But how are you going to do this exactly?"
"Well, you see, Harry," Ron began, "I'm going to give each of them a note from the other and have them meet at the same time somewhere. How's this?" He held up his handiwork, a scrawled note quickly written.
Hermione,
I need some help with homework. Can you please meet me in the library tomorrow at 4:20pm? Thank you,
Oliver Wood
Harry read it quickly, then passed it back to Ron. "You're going to have to wait until he's out of the infirmary, you know."
"I can wait. Here, read this one."
The second note read much like the first, only the handwriting was neater.
Oliver,
I'm planning a party for Harry's half-birthday and I was wondering if you could help me. Can you please meet me in the library tomorrow at 4:20pm? Thank you,
Hermione Granger
"Half-birthday?" Harry asked incredulously.
"It might work," Ron shrugged. "C'mon, let's write some more."
Harry sighed, but took the quill and parchment Ron offered him and began to write.
Author's Note: Thanks to G*Ness, who gave me the idea of using notes to hook up Hermione and Oliver when I had writer's idea block. ^_^