Hermione and Harry had finally reached the North Tower steps. Harry had told Hermione about Ron's recent infatuation with Madam Juliet and how he thought Ron was going to confess his feelings to her.

"Harry…what's that," Hermione said, looking at Harry.

"What do you mean Hermione?"

"…well, the air here is warmer than before ...and do you smell that?"

"Yes….I do I thought maybe it was your perfume."

"No…Harry,… it's lavender…but where is it coming from," Hermione slowly started to climb the stairs when she stopped and looked back at Harry.

"Harry I think this Tower is bewitched …it's the only explanation, as you go farther up the stairwell the air is sweeter and warmer. Come on Harry we have to find out what's going on up there."

As Harry and Hermione move closer to the tower door they can see light spilling out on to the floor where the door has been left half open. Careful not to let their presence be known they quietly reach the door and Hermione is the first to look inside.

"Oh, Harry look it's a garden…just like the one near the greenhouse. Quickly, check your map Harry; is Ron still here on the roof?"

Harry pulled out his map and searched quickly for signs of Ron. "Hermione he is still here; according to the map Madam Juliet is with him."

"What could they be doing? We have to go inside Harry and stop him," Hermione grabbed Harry by the hand and jerked him inside the door way; quickly they hid behind some lavender bushes that surrounded the garden."

"Hermione are you bloody mad? They could have seen us."

"Shush Harry!.. Or they will hear us for sure," Hermione slowly peeks over the hedge.

"There …there near the oak tree I can see Madam Juliet. Do you see her? She is sitting on a blanket …she is not alone she is with a man, but I can't see his face. Oh God, she is kissing him! Harry, who does the map say that man is…and where is Ron?'

Hermione turned and looked over her shoulder to see Harry holding the map his face white as a sheet and his mouth was gaping open.

"Harry, are you listening to me …who is that man?....Harry!"

"Uhh…Hermione…that man...umm…that man ….is…that's Ron!"

"What?" Hermione whipped around to look at the man again. "That dirty rat, now it all makes sense…( "Oh it's extra credit Hermione." ) …What a fool I was to fall for that."

"What are you talking about," Harry ask looking more puzzled than ever.

"Several days ago when I was helping Ron with, what I thought was an extra credit assignment for his potions class, I was very curious as to why Professor Snape would assign such a difficult potion in a general potions class…well my question has been answered. Aheew… that liar," Hermione said as she clinched her teeth in fury.

"Hermione, I still don't understand."

"Harry the potion I made for Ron was age enchanting, when used in combination with the correct spell it can age its user to their desire.

Harry paused for a second, collecting his thoughts and taking in all the information Hermione had just blurted out.

"Do you think she knows…Madam Juliet, I mean…do you think she knows its Ron," Harry said in an anxious voice.

"Heavens no…she couldn't possibly, even aged Ron is still really only 17 and a student – she would be sacked for sure if she were caught."

"What are we going to do Hermione? I never imagined Ron would do this…something so extreme…I just wanted to stop him from embarrassing himself. I thought he would confess his feelings she would break his heart and it would be over….but now…now he is …," Harry stopped talking and looked as though he were going to be sick. "Hermione now he is really trouble and he thinks he is in love."

"It's just a kiss Harry, that doesn't mean he loves her."

"Well to Ron I don't think it's just a kiss. After this there will be no reasoning with him!"

"We can't just sit back and do nothing Harry…what if things get serious, I mean…Madam Juliet is older than Ron and …she is more mature… and …what if…we have to stop this Harry."

"Really….you think Ron would let it go that far?"

"Well he has gone this far hasn't he? I mean really Harry all boys are the same….if you had the chance to make love to the woman of your dreams, even if she thought you were someone else…would you say no?"

Harry cleared his throat and looked up as if he were thinking.

"Oh please, I can read you mind," Hermione said as she smacked Harry in the stomach.

Doubling over from Hermione's stomach punch Harry laughed, "Hermione ….put yourself in Ron's place, what would you do? If you were truly in love and you had to the chance to be…."

"No…Harry,… don't say it."

"Say what …why won't you admit if you had the chance to be someone else you would?"

Hermione's face turned red as she let her mind wander for only a moment …if she could be anyone else she would gladly be someone Malfoy would love…would adore.

Quickly shaking off her daydream she regained her thoughts, "No Harry that would never happen to me, I wouldn't allow it; besides this is about Ron not me."

"Sure Hermione, Harry said, as he smiled, knowing Hermione had secretly been lusting for Malfoy since before she and Ron were dating.

"We have to do something, but we can't just bust out and reveal Ron's secret. Madam Juliet would be furious and possibly Ron would get expelled," Harry said while watching Madam Juliet and Ron's every move.

"True Harry, we have to wait here until she is gone. Then we will confront Ron and try to bring him to his senses!" Hermione leaned up against the wall surrounding the roof to wait.