AN: Alright, here's another R/H chapter! Thanks to all who reviewed the last chapter!

            Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 6: Doubts

Ron stared at the exam in front of him, not sure it was written in English. What were the main ingredients in a Bravery Brew again? Ron couldn't remember a thing from the study session he and Hermione had held. Well, he did remember some things, but they had nothing to do with potions. Ron looked at his watch and was surprised to see that there were only five minutes left in the class. Hurriedly, he scribbled anything he could think of in the answers he had not yet filled in.

            "Parchment, now!" Snape bellowed to the class as everyone rushed to the front of the room. Ron looked down at his test and sighed. Another bad grade to add to the list. He handed his paper to Snape and was the last to do so. "Well Weasley, let's hope that you did better on this test than on previous ones. You have to have some degree of intelligence to be Potter's sidekick or else you're no use at all."

            Ron glared at him, but said nothing. He knew he wasn't good enough to be friends with Harry, or Hermione for that matter. Snape didn't have to tell him. The bell suddenly rang out and Ron hurried to collect his books and belongings. He joined Harry and Hermione as they began walking to the Great Hall for dinner.

            "That was far easier than I expected," Hermione said airily. "We didn't have to memorize the full recipe of a Courage Concoction!"

            Ron rolled his eyes. "Hermione, please. Can we talk about this later? I'm not sure I did so well and it doesn't help to have you lording it over me that you got probably didn't miss one question."

            "Well!" Hermione said indignantly, and Ron knew he had said the wrong thing. "Sorry for the lording Ron, but I happen to put a lot of work into these tests and I can't help but feel that the good grades are well deserved! You don't mind me talking about the tests. Do you Harry?"

            Ron and Hermione both turned around to look at Harry who had just taken a large bite of steak and kidney pie. He sat between them looking back and forth as if not sure whom he should side with. Finally he held up his hands in mock defeat. "Oh, no. You're not roping me into this lover's quarrel." He grinned and dashed off before Ron could slap him upside the head. However, it seemed that Harry had succeeded in lightening the mood. Ron was no longer very angry after Harry's comment and Hermione's irritation seemed to be ebbing away as well.

            "Er…sorry," Ron muttered after a long silence. "It was just something Snape said. I shouldn't have gotten so worked up about it."

            Hermione looked at him curiously. "What did Snape say?"

            Ron could feel himself turning red. He didn't want to tell her what Snape said. What if she agreed with him? "It's nothing. Never mind."

            Hermione stared at him for a moment and Ron could tell that she wasn't going to let the subject drop so easily. She spoke shrilly, "Ron! Just tell me what he said. It can't be that bad!"

            Ron looked down at his feet. "He said that he hoped I didn't do that bad on the test because Potter's sidekick has to have some degree of intelligence." Ron glanced at Hermione, but she said nothing so he continued. "And I think that, you know, he might be right. Why should I be Harry's best friend? I'm not particularly smart or brave or anything. I guess it just bothered me because I've always felt that way." Ron took a deep breath; surprised at everything he had told her. He'd never told anyone before that he felt undeserving of the position of Harry Potter's best friend and now that it was out in the open, he wished he could take it back.

            Ron's gaze returned to the floor. He felt a warm hand touch his cheek. "Ron…" Hermione began. "I can't believe you think that way. Don't let Snape degrade you like that. You are in every way deserving to be Harry's friend. Harry's lucky to have you."

            Ron smiled at her words. She always knew what to say to cheer him up. "You really think so?"

            Hermione grinned. "You know I do. You're smart, even if you don't apply yourself to your studies. You're brave. You're the funniest person I know. Harry and I like you for you Ron. We don't expect something from you."

            Ron grabbed her hand that was still lingering by his face. "You know, you're the one person who can always make me feel better. But there is one quality you forgot to mention."

            Hermione rolled her eyes. "Oh yeah. What's that?"

            "I happen to be an excellent kisser." He leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips.

            Hermione giggled through the kiss. "Yes, that's very true." She grabbed his hand and began walking towards Gryffindor. "Come on. Let's go find Harry. I think we scared him off."

            Ron laughed. "Yes, well he's very scared of conflict, that one. Poor, reserved Harry Potter: the bloke doesn't stand a chance with those outrageous fans of his."

            Hermione chuckled as they reached the portrait hole. She and Ron walked into the Gryffindor common room to find it vacant. "I wonder where everyone is?" Hermione asked.

            Ron shrugged. "Well there is a Muggle Studies class right now isn't there? But I have no idea where Harry is. You don't think he's somewhere with Ginny is he?"

            Hermione sighed. "I don't know Ron, maybe. Does it really matter?"

            Ron looked torn between saying something about the possibly blossoming relationship and not making Hermione angry with that sort of comment. "Er…not exactly. Just wondering, you know. Don't what them to get lost if they're walking outside or something. Bad things happen when you get lost. They might get eaten by a stray creature in the Forbidden Forest or whacked by the Whomping Willow. It's not pretty."

            Hermione stared at him. "You're rambling."

            Ron nodded. "Right." He clapped his hands together. "So what do you want to do? Play me in a game of chess?"

            Hermione nodded. "Of course…you may not want to play me. I've been getting a lot better lately. You never know, I might beat you."

            Ron laughed, but it more resembled a bark. "That will be the day. Is something wrong with your brain, Hermione?" He asked knocking on her head softly with his fist. "Because I believe that is the stupidest thing you have ever said."

            Hermione smirked. "Oh, really hotshot? Well let's play."

            A half hour later, Hermione's king was checkmated and Ron was bragging forcefully.
"Going to beat me, eh? Well doesn't look like it. In fact it looks like-"

            Hermione interrupted Ron's speech. "Okay, okay. I get your point. You won. I lost."  She looked down at her watch. "It's getting late. I wonder where Harry and Ginny are."

            Ron looked around the common room in case they had missed the two. People had begun showing up in the common room within the last few hours, but Harry and Ginny were not among them. Ron was beginning to feel a bit nauseous. What if they were out late for the same reason he and Hermione had been out late the other night? Ron sincerely hoped that Harry and Ginny were not "studying".

AN: Whaddya think? Was it good? Did it suck? Please review! Next chapter: H/G!