Obstreperous music from unseen speakers filled Hermione's ears, making her feel dizzy and detached as she stood making small talk with Angelina. Every once and a while, her eyes were drawn to Ron, who was helping his brothers assemble butter beer bongs across the room.

Why won't he just come over here and talk to me?, she wondered, absently smoothing her skirt. She turned to speak to Alicia Spinnet when a large hand tapped on her shoulder, startling her.

Ron said softly, his face pleasant.

she replied, feeling her own face redden. Why was she blushing? It was just Ron, afterall...But there was something about Ron's eyes, she mused as she looked into them. They didn't change colors like Harry's (it was easy to tell his moods by what shade of green they were). Nor were they brilliant and beautiful like those of Draco Malfoy. No, Ron's eyes were just...blue, a blue as simple and dependable as Ron himself.

Just then, Katie Bell popped out of nowhere, a platter of biscuits on his hand.

Care for a Pecan Sandie, Ron? she asked.

Without thinking, Ron took one and popped it into his mouth. After all, Ron was never one to turn down food.

You hold on to this one, Hermione. He's a definite keeper! Katie added, giggling, before she walked off towards Lee Jordan.

Hermione exclaimed, a look of exasperation on her face. Why won't they see that we're just friends?

That was when something very odd happened. With a pop, Ron's clothes were transmogrified into clothing Hermione had seen worn by muggle rappers. Odder still, Ron began to sing:

Oh baby you
Got what I need
But you say I'm just a friend
But you say I'm just a friend
Cause I can be your
Fantasy
But you say I'm just a friend
But you say I'm just a friend...
You can call me anytime you like
It doesn't matter day or night
We can do whatever you
Wanna do it's up to you
Don't fight the feeling that you feel
I can tell that its real
So won't you help me understand
Why you say I'm just a friend


When he was finished singing, Ron's face became paler than Nearly Headless Nick's, his eyes wide. Terrified, he clasped one oversized hand to his mouth. He had never heard the song he was singing before, nor did he intend to proclaim what he felt to Hermione through such crooning.

Fred yelled over the bemused crowd, I would like to thank my little brother for introducing Weasley Wizard Wheeze's new product: singing sandies! May he and the lovely Hermione have a wonderful relationship with each other.

In a split second, Ron's face changed from white to purple, and (still in his hip-hop outfit), he promptly launched himself at his brother. Surprisingly, Hermione joined in as well, screaming You dolt! How dare you embarrass me like that!

The onlookers smiled - it was nice to have Hermione's rage directed at a different Weasley for a change. While she held Fred down, Ron grabbed the box of Wheezes, grinning madly.

What is this, dear brother? he asked in a sadistic voice, pulling out a string of what appeared to be licorice.

No! Not that one! Anything but that one! Fred squirmed beneath Hermione's surprisingly strong grasp.

I think we have a winner! Ron shoved the licorice into Fred's mouth. He tried in vain to chew it, but it grew bigger and bigger and snaked out, forming a long, sticky lasso. It crept across the room, finding a terrified Angelina and tying her to Fred.

Lover's Licorice, he said sheepishly to her, It, er, attaches you to the person that you...that you...that you fancy.

Fred was positively pink from ear to ear, and seeing this, Angelina planted a triumphant kiss on his lips.

You have no idea how long I've been waiting to do that, Fred Weasley, she said, grinning.

I'm just glad you didn't kill me for pulling your piggytails, Angel.
***

Hermione, I --

It's okay, Ron. No need to be embarrassed. It was just another one of the twins' tricks. It's not like you actually feel that way about me.

But the thing is, Hermione... Ron looked lost in thought.



The thing is -- is...That I really do feel that way. Minus the whole muggle rapper thing, of course.



I see. I didn't expect you to --

No, Ron. It's just that I -- Oh, feck this.

Suddenly, Hermione did something very un-Hermione-like. As the conversation was not getting anywhere, she pulled Ron's tie to bring his face down to her level.

Buck up, Weasley. You know I fancy the trousers off of you.

For the second time that night, Ron's eyes popped out of their sockets. His face paled, then pinkened, then paled again, as he opened his mouth, no sound supporting his words.

What is it with you Weasley men being so easily wound up?

I, er, I -- Mione -- er, Ron croaked, searching his brain for the right words, I -- er -- Turkish Delight.

Turkish Delight? She raised a questioning eyebrow.

Yeah...Turkish Delight...What I mean is -- er -- Would you like some Turkish Delight? With me? Sometime? I mean, wecouldgettheTurkishdelighttogetheranditcouldbelikeadatesortofmaybeohmygodIccannotbelievethatIamramblingaboutTurkishDelightinfrontofyouyoumustthinkI'msomesortoffreakor--

No Ron, I don't think you're a freak. You're just a Weasley...But Turkish Delight?

If ever there was a moment where Ron felt like stealing Harry's invisibility cloak and disappearing, this was it. There he was, standing in front of a girl who was always composed, always knew precisely what to say. He had just started rambling on about Turkish Delight, a muggle confection he had only tried once, but it stuck in his head, just like Hermione. He looked down at her familiar face, her brows furrowed in frustration with him. This was it -- he had to do something, for he knew from the glint in her eyes that she was mere moments from turning on her heel and huffing away to the library.

Their faces drew closer and closer, until they were mere inches apart and Hermione was enveloped by Ron's soapy scent. Their lips touched -- softly at first -- but in that hushed-rushed instant, their firey tempers were finally pacified. There were no stars or sparks or shivers, and contrary to what Fred Weasley believed, hell did not freeze over. No, it was just two happy hearts and the faint scent of lavender and turkish delight wafting through the twilight air.

***

The version of Just a Friend I used in this chapter is by Mario, although the original (and in my opinion better) version is by Biz Markie, one of the orginal old school mastas. I have a valid excuse for the general loopiness of this chapter (and the frequent mention of Turkish Delight, lol). That excuse is that I am severely sleep-deprived. For those of you who don't know, Turkish Delight is a kind of candy (that came originally from Turkey, Captain Obvious). If you're really curious, you can get it in the States, too. Oh yeah -- this is not the end. I wanted it to be, but I realized that I have a bit left to say (about Harry/Ginny and George). There may be an alternate ending. I'm sorry this chapter took so long to post -- it's very difficult balancing school, extracurriculars, fanfiction and some semblance of a social life. Haha. I used fanfiction and social life in the same sentence...