Disclaimer: Obviously I'm not J.K Rowling, I don't have anything near her talent or skill... ::sniff:: Well, I hope you all like my horrible attempt at a fanfic, it's my first. Actually, it's my first time writing anything other than schoolwork in a long long time. I'll add more chapters if you guys want me to. And I'll assume you want me too if you review, hehe. I might change the rating to R for later chapters.. if there are later chapters I mean. But really, review please! Creative criticism is welcome too!!

"C'mon Ron, we're going to be late. Eating slower isn't going to help either, you'll have to face him eventually" Hermione said impatiently.

"I know I know" he grumbled, sulkily playing with his mashed potatos.

"Sorry about the detention.. it'll be lonely in the common room tonight" Harry said, looking up.

"Oh, I'm sure we'll find something to do" Ginny said teasingly.

"UGH!" Ron said making a disgusted face and finally getting up from the table. "C'mon Hermione let's go, nothing Snape has can be worse than my baby sister and my best friend. I think I'm going to be sick"

Hermione laughed, and led the way out. "They really like each other don't they?" she said to Ron.

"I guess, I kinda always hoped they'd end up together. Harry's a good guy, I know he'll take care of her, but I still don't want to see it!!"

"Yeah. I guess you and Lavender have been getting along lately" Hermione said carefully.

"Lavender? What makes you say that?"

"I saw you guys in herbology today. you seemed awfully cozy."

"She'd rubbed the poison oak all over her cheek. I was helping her out, not very bright that one."

"Oh. She's pretty though."

"I guess. if you're into that." Ron replied, glancing at her. Lavender. what would I want with her.? How can she not know I like her, everyone else does. He blushed at the thought.

Oh gosh, he's blushing, that's it, he likes Lavender. Like he'd ever like me, he probably thinks my hair's bushy and I study too much. Hermione thought.

"Wow she looks pretty" Ron said out loud.

"What????" Hermione asked, looking up startled. What did he just say.?!? .About me? No never. well I don't see Lavender anywhere. Well there's the cat. Filch's cat? I guess the cat looks nicer now that she's been groomed.

Filch's cat darted out from it's hiding place.

Oh no, oh no oh no oh no. I said that out loud didn't I?! Dammit Ron, good job, that's what I get for thinking!!

"Ahem" Snape cleared his throat.

Oh good The two thought in unison.

They looked up, much to their relief they had already reached Snape's classroom. Hopefully their punishment wouldn't leave much time for idle thoughts.

"Well, now that I have your attention, you will spend the remainder of the night cleaning the cauldrons from today, without magic. I trust you'll find Longbottom's a delight to scrub, even more so than that awful concoction you two made . Pity you couldn't have paid attention earlier" Snape smirked, and walked away.

"Scrubbing cauldrons?!" Ron exclaimed after the professor had left. "That's house elf work!!"

"Hey!"

"I know I know, S.P.E.W this, S.P.E.W that.. well we'd better get started if we want any sleep tonight." Ron said, sighing as he picked up a sponge.

They'd been working in awkward silence for a while, when Hermione spoke up.

"So, how has Harry been?"

"Better, he doesn't like to talk about it, I don't blame him. He has nightmares at night though, he thinks no one hears him. I'm worried about him, but he seems to have taken to my sister well."

"And you're ok with that?"

"Well, like I said, Harry's a good guy. Besides, he's been through a lot, he should have something more in life. and I'd rather have my sister with Harry rather than that Dean, or Michael guy" Ron said scowling.

Hermione laughed, it really was cute seeing Ron get so over-protective over her sister.

"What's so funny?" Ron asked.

"Oh nothing" she thought back to what Ron had said earlier, about Filch's cat being pretty. "So, you like cats?"

"Huh?" Ron said, looking at her with a bewildered expression.

"Uh. earlier, the cat, it walked by and you said it was pretty."

Ron paused, staring at her. "I wasn't talking about the cat." he said slowly. "I was talking about-"

"Well alright, I suppose you two have had enough for tonight. As much as I would like to have kept you up all night, and as much as it would have been well-deserved, Dumbledore had something to say about muggle child-labor laws. something or the other. Anyway, you may leave for tonight, but I strongly recommend you pay attention next time"

"Thank you sir" they mumbled, as they got up to leave. They reached the common room in awkward silence, Ron terribly embarrassed, and Hermione wondering what Snape had interrupted and if she should say something. She opened her mouth to speak when Ron said hurriedly "Goodnight Hermione" and rushed up to the boys dormitories. She stood there for a moment in stunned silence, shook her head, and walked up to her room.

A/N: Hehe, and yeah I know the story's dragging, but you can't rush these things! Besides, there'll be more to come, and I hope there'll be more reviews as well.