The Bookworm Diaries

A/N. Isn't it amazing how in these type of books, the person writing the diary can remember exactly what conversation they had with someone? I can't! So, because everyone else does it, I'm going to do it too.

Chapter Three: Hermione's Fail-Proof Plan.

6th January, Gils Dormitory

I have a plan. There's a Hogsmeade weekend this Saturday (10th January) and I am going to ask Ron to the Ball. I will. Nothing can stop me. Except Harry. I can't ask him in front of Harry. I may not be as boy-clued as Lavender and Parvati but I know asking a boy something like this in front of his mates leads to humiliation – on both the girls and boys part. He wouldn't think it over he'd just be like 'Yeah, Hermione, like I'm going to go with an ugly, know-it-all like you' but if I asked him alone he may just say 'Yeah, Hermione, like I'm going to go with a know-it-all like you' which, with the 'ugly' taken out of it, seems slightly less hurtful. He may even consider it. He may even say yes, or is that going to far? I have to get Harry out the way. But I've been thinking all day and nothing springs to mind. Here was one idea 'Look, Quality Quidditch Supplies have a new stock, run Harry run, run over to the shop, find out I'm lying and come back.' I don't think so. But I have come to a conclusion;

I'll have to tell Harry.

But telling Harry I like Ron, is like telling Ron I like Ron and that's just messy. Can I trust Harry not to tell him? Or when Ron comes over will he whisper idiotic things like 'Oh, here comes your boyfriend, Hermione' really loud so he hears. (A/N. And that's definitely not what one of my friends does to another friend coughBeckycough) No, Harry's more mature than that. I can trust him. I'll probably only have to threaten him a bit.

I'll tell him tomorrow, I'm tired from today. A sixteen-page essay on the demise of Grindelwald is no mean feat.

7th January, Girls toilets, break

I did it, I actually did it. Wise or not I did it. I told Harry I liked Ron. I was rather surprised he wasn't, well, surprised. He just nodded knowingly and....OK, hang on, I'll start from the beginning.

The first problem I had was to get Ron out the way.

'Hey Ron,' I could say cheerfully. 'Would you mind getting out the way whilst I tell Harry to get out the way so I could ask you to the Ball? Would that be OK?'

What a nice little situation.

Seriously, it wasn't too hard; I didn't have to do anything. Well, almost... Before we went down to breakfast I kind of misplaced Ron's essay from his bag. It was simple. All I had to do was casually mention the essay at breakfast, he'd realise he'd left it in the Common Room and have to go up and get it, leaving me and Harry alone.

It went as planned.

'Ron,' I asked, as he helped himself to scrambled eggs. 'Did you actually finish that essay? Last time I'd looked over last night you'd written your name and were playing with Exploding Snap cards.'

'Yes I finished it!' he snapped back at me. 'And I'll show it to you though it might not be up to your flawless standard!'

It was too easy.

Irritably he started scrambling in his bag. I watched as his ears turned red.

'Well?'

'Think I left it in the Common Room, I'll go get it' he mumbled. 'I have done it!' he snarled at me, as I couldn't resist a smug look in his direction.

Harry shook his head and continued with his toast after watching Ron leave.

'Hermione, maybe you can be slightly too harsh with him, I mean...'

'Oh Harry, be quiet a minute, there's something I have to tell you, it's really important!'

Alarmed at my tone he looked up attentively but I faltered, finding this harder to say than I thought and thanking the founder's who made the Gryffindor Common Room far from the Great Hall.

'So spill Hermione. Is it something Ron can't hear?'

I nodded, swallowing my bacon with difficulty.

'Listen, Harry, I'm trusting you with this and if I tell you, you have to swear not to tell anyone. Please Harry?'

'Sure, fire away.'

'Swear it!'

'Yes, yes, I swear it. Now tell my before I die from the suspense.'

'OK,' I took a deep breath; it was now or never. 'Would you mind tomorrow, at Hogsmeade, leaving me with Ron for a bit?'

It was too much to hope that he'd just say 'yes' and not ask why.

'Sure but, why?'

'Do I have to tell you?'

'Mmm hmm'

'I kind of, you know, want to ask Ron to that, um, that Ball thing coming up. Just as friends,' I added hurriedly, hoping that maybe he wouldn't see through this. But Harry is a real star and didn't say a word.

'Oh, OK, yeah.'

'You won't tell Ron?'

'I won't tell Ron.'

'He hasn't asked the Griphorn girl yet has he?'

To my surprise he laughed.

'Hermione, please, don't feel threatened by her. I know Ron and he wouldn't really ask her.'

'I'm not feeling threatened by anyone I just...'

But there was no further discussion for at the moment Ron returned, brandishing his essay, looking extremely self-satisfied.

'See, told you I did it,'

I just smiled.

So, break has been the only available time to write this down and I couldn't do it in the Common Room. I know Ron wouldn't mean to do it spitefully (I hope he wouldn't) but he may take my diary and read it to tease me. I don't know what I'd do if he ever got hold of it. Luckily, Moaning Myrtle hasn't been paying me much attention, she's crying in the U bend of the furthest toilet.

If Ron rejects me too horribly on Saturday, I might be down there with her.

A/N. Ooooh, a man (OK girl) with a plan. What do you people think Ron will say? Hahahaha, well, you'll just have to wait to the next chapter where I'm going to skip a few days and start slap-bang on that Saturday!

Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter I'd wouldn't be here writing fan fic, I'd be in Scotland writing the real thing. And my name would be JK Rowling.