One smile one look, he's nearly on the hook.

Got in bad and feeling good all over inside.

He ain't got a clue, what he's going through,

But he's going to just give him time.

Cause his life is about to change,

He ain't never gonna be the same.

He'll be living in a different world.

When Boy meets Girl.

-When Boy meets Girl, Terri Clark

The Gryffindor tower portrait hole swung open, allowing a few students into their common room. A few of the girls grinned knowingly at each other as a pair of sixth years entered. They had obviously been in the library, as the redheaded boy walking behind his friend was carrying a pile of books. The girl glanced over her shoulder at him anxiously.

"Here, Ron, just set them on the floor beside Harry and Ginny." Ron nodded, staggered over to the spot where his other best friend and younger sister were playing chess, and set them neatly on the floor. Ginny smiled cheekily.

"I don't think I've ever seen you be so gentle with a book!" Her brother made a face at her and sank into a nearby chair. Harry eyed the large stack of books.

"I'm surprised you were able to carry that many books all the way here form the library."

"I know!" Hermione interrupted, perching herself on the armrest of Ginny's chair. "I told him I could carry at least half of them, considering they are all my books, only he wouldn't let me!" She held up the single book in her hand. "This was all he gave me to take!"

"Such a gentleman." Harry smirked at his friend. Ron glared at him.

"Stuff it, mate. I was just being nice."

Ginny and Hermione met each other's eyes and shared an exasperated smile. Hermione got to her feet, reaching towards her books.

"I'm going to bring these up to my room, then we can all go to dinner."

"I can carry them up for you, Hermione." Ron offered quickly. Hermione shook her head.

"Ron, know you aren't allowed to be up in the girls' dormitory. It's against the rules."

"Hermione," Harry grinned, "when exactly has that stopped us?" Hermione pursed her lips disapprovingly.

"Besides," Ron added before Hermione could interrupt. "Lavender, Parvait, and you are all down here, so it's not as if I'm up to something with one of you. If you go, you'd have to make more than one trip, too. If I go, we can get to dinner sooner."

Hermione smiled softly at Ron. "All right then, you can put them in my room for me. My bed's the first one on the right." She gave Ron another smile as he gathered the books. "Thank you." Ron ducked his face so only the back of his neck and ears could be seen going very red. He muttered something of a welcome under his breath and sped towards the staircase.

Hermione watched him leave then slipped into his vacant chair. Ginny slid over to her side and the two girls bowed their heads to whisper, letting Harry clear the chess pieces.

"I'm guessing nothing happened." Ginny asked quietly. Hermione shook her head. "But you were by yourselves for two hours!"

"I know." Hermione sighed sadly. "Ron's such a prat he doesn't seem to realize I care about him at all. I don't even think he realizes he cares about me."

"Give him a bit more time. He's a git." Ginny patted her hand. Hermione nodded and smiled.

"But an adorable git, isn't he?" She sighed again, this time dreamily. Ginny rolled her eyes and stood up as Harry returned from where he had set their pieces on a shelf. Ron hurried back down the stairs.

"Ready for diner?" He asked all three, his eyes on Hermione. They nodded and joined him at the portrait hole.

Ron stepped aside, gesturing for Hermione to pass ahead of him. She gave him another brilliant smile, turning him a bright red, and crawled through. Ginny made to pass Ron, too, and only just managed to stop herself from crashing into her brother as he cut unthinkingly ahead of her. She scowled at his back, exchanged a knowingly smile with Harry, and followed after him.