"Hey, guys. Will you two shut up a minute and look!" Harry had to yell in order to stop Ron and Hermione's bickering once again.
"What!?" Ron shouted bitterly.
"First off, what were you two fighting about this time?"
"Never mind," said Hermione. "What was it you wanted to show us?"
"This!" said Harry, pointing to the window.
Ron and Hermione rushed to the window.
"Is that Sirius?" Ron asked.
"Yeah! And Professor Turner!" Hermione said in disbelief.
"Well, he told us he's dating her, didn't he?" Harry said.
"But still, I didn't think Sirius would stroll across the grounds with her!" Hermione said.
As they watched, Sirius led Rebecca to the large beech tree by the lake and the two of them sat down. Sirius waved his wand, and a picnic basket appeared in front of them.
"They really do look cute together, huh?" said Hermione with a longing look in her eyes.
Ron looked over from the window and, rather than watch Sirius and Rebecca, began watching Hermione. Harry noticed Ron's shift in attention, but rather than comment on it in front of Hermione, he decided to wait until they were alone to confront him about it. It turned out Harry didn't have to wait long.
"Well, I'm going to the library to start that homework that Professor Turner gave us. Want to come with me?" Hermione said.
Harry answered before Ron could, half feeling that Ron was going to say yes.
"Sure, but…" Harry paused for a moment to think of an excuse. He looked down and for the first time noticed he and Ron were still wearing their muddy Quidditch robes from practice.
"Me and Ron are going to change before. We'll meet you in there, that way you can go on and get started." Harry finished quickly.
"Well, alright then," said Hermione, picking up her bag and exiting through the portrait hole.
Ron looked at Harry questioningly but Harry merely led the way to their dormitories. When they arrived, Harry rounded on Ron.
"I saw that!"
"What?!" Ron asked, totally bewildered.
"I saw you – looking at Hermione like that!"
"I don't…what are you talking about?"
Harry looked at him reprovingly. Finally, Ron answered.
"I don't know what it is, but lately I've been seeing her in a whole new light. I…I really like her, Harry."
"Of course you do! I like her too! She's our best friend!"
"Not like that! You know what I mean! I like her!"
Then Ron proceeded to tell Harry about his secret crush on Hermione since their fourth year, when they met Viktor Krum. When he'd finished he was determined not to look at Harry. He stammered but Harry knew what he was trying to say.
"Don't worry, Ron. I won't say anything to her."
Ron looked much more composed after that. Realizing they'd been talking for about half an hour, they hastily changed out of their Quidditch robes and hurried off to meet Hermione in the library. On their way there, Ron looked over at Harry.
"Now we need to find you a girl, mate."
"What are you talking about, Ron?"
"Well, we've got Sirius and Professor Turner…Rebecca, there's me and Hermione…"
Harry raised his eyebrows at Ron.
"Well, I mean, there's soon to be me and Hermione. Now we need to get you a girl."
Almost on cue, Ginny Weasley rounded the corner. Harry looked at her with new interest. She gave him and Ron a small wave, which they returned, and she proceeded down the corridor. After she'd gone, Harry turned to Ron.
"Has Ginny always been that pretty?"
Ron suppressed a laugh.
"What?" Harry asked indignantly.
"Wait…just wait. Are you saying, you've got a thing for my sister?!"
"Well, she's only a year younger that us!" Harry said. "Besides, I've lost my chance with her anyway. She doesn't fancy me anymore."
"No, but that's not saying that if you asked her out she'd say no."
"What are you saying, Ron?"
"That if you asked her out she'd say yes before you could finish the question."
Harry seriously considered this as they turned to enter the library.