A/N: Own these characters? I wish!!! If only…

Oh, and I would just like to mention that I also do not own the Broadway play The Pajama Game. A part of Harry and Ron's conversation is taken from the lyrics of "I'm Not at All in Love", as well as the title of this chapter. Great musical, though, I recommend it to all you Broadway junkies like myself…

Chapter 4- "I'm Not at All in Love"

Ron debated whether to respond. His instinct was to sit by himself until the end of time. Or until Hermione showed up. Whichever came first. But then one of his mum's old sayings popped into his head unexpectedly: "Misery loves company". Grudgingly, he called, "It's open. Come on in."

Harry opened the door cautiously. "Are you alright?" he questioned with concerned green eyes. "You seem a little upset."

"A little?" Ron snickered, one eyebrow raised.

At this remark, Harry lost his temper.

"Ron, it's not the end of the world that Hermione's not coming, okay? You're going to see her in a week, and then almost every day, for the following nine months. It's not like she's being sent to China for ten years or something. Plus, what do you think is more important to her right now, a week's vacation with friends, or paying respects to her dead relative?"

Taken aback by this response, Ron began, "But-"

"Put yourself in her shoes. What would you be more concerned about if, say, your mum were to die today"-

"Leave my family out of this!"

"-if she died, would you be thinking more about her, or the fact that you would have one less week with your friends, who, in fact, are still living?"

Ron stared at the floor, speechless. He hated to admit it, but Harry was right.

"Ron, I wouldn't say this if I wasn't your friend," Harry continued, "but there are worse things than seeing Hermione a week later than planned. You're-well, you're being completely stupid about it."

Ron blinked and looked up at Harry. Once again, he was right. Furthermore, he knew from experience. Watching his parents die, then Sirius, right before his eyes. If there was anyone Ron knew who could correctly compare their priorities with life and death, it was Harry. He knew.

"All right," Ron said hoarsely, rubbing his eyes. "All right."

After their little discussion, Ron and Harry headed downstairs for a couple rounds of Gobstones with Ginny. Then they had some of Mrs. Weasley's fabulous chocolate chip cookies, and Mr. Weasley finally had his discussion regarding telephones with Harry. It was about that time when Ron decided to call it a night.

"Well, I'm headed off to bed," he declared. "Harry, you can stay if you want; you know where you're sleeping."

"No, that's okay, I'll come with you, I'm feeling a bit tired myself," Harry yawned. It was a bit bigger yawn than normal, and quite exaggerated.

Mr. Weasley's face fell. "Oh, but we were just getting to the sill phones-"

"Cell phones," corrected Harry.

"Right, dear," said Mrs. Weasley. "Arthur, let the kids go to bed. It's been a long day for Harry, and he needs his rest."

"Yes, of course, but we'll have to talk more about the sill phones, Harry…"

"We'll see about that." Mrs. Weasley's smile never left her face, but her eyes flashed warningly at Arthur.

"Good night, Harry," Ginny said, not ever bothering to mask her disappointment. "See you in the morning."

Harry blushed (for once, it was he, not Ron, who was embarrassed), and responded, "Right. Night, Ginny." He locked eyes with her and smiled.

Ron and Harry plodded back up to Ron's room, got changed, and settled into their beds. Harry wore a mischievous grin on his face, and, occasionally, would let out a snicker.

"What's with you?" inquired Ron.

"Oh, you just won't admit to what's staring you straight in the face."

Ron froze. "What are you talking about?" he asked suspiciously.

"Oh, I'm sure you could guess if you tried."

Ron took a breath and blew it out, frustrated. He hated these guessing games. "What, Harry?"

"You could guess even if you didn't try."

"WHAT, HARRY?!"

"Your dog could guess even if he didn't try."

Ron tilted his head. "Harry, I don't have a dog."

"Exactly."

Ron was getting angry. "Harry, please just tell me what it is. I really don't know what you're shooting at."

Harry wiggled his eyebrows. "Well, it has to do with a certain person…"

"Yes…"

"A certain girl…"

"Yes…"

"starts with a Her…"

Ron's brow furrowed. "Starts with a her? What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean?"

"-let me finish, idiot!"

"-don't call me names, you freak!"

"…and ends with a –mione…"

Silence weighted the air as the full impact of these words hit Ron. Then the puzzle pieces fell into place.

"WHAT?!?! Hermione? What does she have to do with anything?"

Harry threw up his hands. "Come off it, Ron, you love her. What else did you think I was getting at?"

Ron snorted. "Don't be stupid, Harry. I don't," continuing with a girlish voice, "looooooooooove her."

"Whatever, Ron."

Ron rolled his eyes. "Love? Are you nuts?"

"Some people can't tell when it hits them," Harry teased.

"I'm NOT in love. Not a bit."

"But-"

"Not a touch."

"No, not much," Harry quipped lightly.

Ron had been pushed to his limit. "Harry, when I finally fall in love, there'll be no doubt about it," his voice getting louder, "because you'll know by the way that I shout it-"

Ginny yelled, from the room below the two boys, "RON! QUIT SHOUTING! DO YOU WANT TO WAKE UP THE WHOLE WORLD?!?!?!"

Harry shot a look at Ron. It seemed to scream, "See, I told you so."

Ron sighed, defeated. "Okay, you win."

Harry stared at him eagerly. "What's that?"

Ron rolled his eyes again. "I love her."

"Who?" Harry felt a little guilty for torturing Ron like this, but otherwise nothing would ever become of Ron's feelings. He was too slow, and Harry knew he needed to help this "relationship" along. "Who do you love?"

"I love Hermione." Ron glowed like a nightlight after saying these three simple words.

"Good," said Harry, satisfied. "Now get some sleep, Lover Boy, and later we'll decide how to get you two together."

A/N- Okay...now read/review PLEASE!!! If I get reviews, it feels like someone's actually reading my story...not that no one cares...and it makes me sad if no one cares... so READ/REVIEW!! por favor : )