A/N: Don't own Harry Potter... if only.

Sorry if this chapter is short, but I promise next chapter will be longer and more eventful. Once again, thanks to all the reviewers. PLEASE review!!!!


"Codswallop."

The painting of the Fat Lady swung open to let Harry, Hermione, and Ron into Gryffindor Tower. The common room was surprisingly empty for Sunday. The three made their way to the fireplace and cozied up to the heat of the flames in the closest armchairs.

Harry took a deep breath and started. "Hermione, I just wanted to apologize if I was a bit touchy this morning. You know I've been trying to work on that. Can't help it sometimes. Hope you're not too mad at me?"

A smile spread all over Hermione's face. "Oh, Harry. I know you're sorry. You really have been so much better about that this year. I just don't want you to fall back into the habit of moodiness."

"Tell me about it!" exclaimed Ron. "Remember last year? If I told you I liked your t-shirt, you'd tell me to bugger off. Whatever you do, don't go back to that."

Harry thought about Ron's words. It had been about seven months since the Department of Mysteries and he still hadn't told his friends about the prophecy. Harry thought that he was putting on a rather happy visage for someone who either had to kill Voldemort or die at his hands. His friends didn't know what plagued him deep inside, so he couldn't blame them for not understanding his sudden outbursts. He was about to change the subject when Hermione beat him to it.

"Did you have fun with Luna today, Harry?" she asked.

Ron answered for him. "What do you think? He spent the day with ..." he looked around to make sure Ginny wasn't in the room before he continued "Looney! She's off her rocker, that one. Harry should be made a saint for spending time with her to begin with."

"Honestly, Ron. Maybe Harry actually LIKES spending time with Luna. Not everyone is as thick as you are. You shouldn't speak of one's friends in such a manner. Maybe if you took the time to get to know her, you might like her, too."

Ron almost fell off his chair laughing. "Me? Spend time with Luna? You must be mad. Besides, you should be one to talk! I don't see you running off to have tea with her or anything. And I see how you look whenever she talks about one her nutty ideas."

Harry couldn't believe his ears. Were they really arguing over this? He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. These two really give me a headache sometimes he thought.

"For the record, Luna is a great person. It wouldn't hurt for either of you to give her a chance. I like spending time with her, so the case is closed. Let's talk about something else." Harry said, watching the flames dance on the logs.

"Bloody hell."

Harry turned to look at Ron, whose jaw was dropped and eyes round with terror.

"What?"

"You... you... like Luna?"

Harry was confused. "Yea, Ron. I just told you that."

Ron shook his head violently. "No, no, no. You like Luna. You LIKE Luna. You like Looney Lovegood more than a friend. I can't believe it."

Harry was shocked. Ronald Weasley, the boy who couldn't pick up on hints if they were spelled out for him in giant letters, had figured out that Harry had feelings for Luna. How was that possible?

"What are you talking about? What would make you say that?" Harry asked.

Laughter rang through the room. Harry was even more surprised to find that it was coming from Hermione.

"Oh, Harry. We've been guessing for weeks now. It is quite obvious there is something going on between you two. Luna's a nice girl, it would be a nice match."

Ron turned his gape from Harry to Hermione. "Have you lost it? Nice match? What are you doing to the boy? Harry, you want advice on essays, go to her. You want advice on girls, go to me. Don't go out with Luna Lovegood."

"First off, he never actually said he wanted to go out with Luna. Second, you can't possibly think that you are more tuned into the inner workings of a girl. You didn't even know I was a girl until fourth year! I repeat what I said last year: You have the emotional range of a teaspoon!"

"For your information, I am plenty emotional! And you don't need top-marks to know Luna is crazy! Don't go set Harry up with a wack-job! There are plenty of normal girls at Hogwarts that would be more than happy to go out with him!"

Harry did nothing but watch the fiasco that was in front of him. Both were now standing, noses almost touching. Ron's ears were starting to turn red and Hermione had on her famous scowl.

"Oh, there's a great idea! Set Harry up with a girl who only likes him because he's famous. Don't set him up with the girl who could care less that he's famous, but likes him for who he is. Honestly, Ronald Weasley! You make me so angry sometimes!"

"Oh, yea? Well... Hermione Granger! You make me SICK!"

And then something happened that Harry had not expected. They kissed. It was very quick; he would have missed it if he had blinked. But it happened. No one spoke for what felt like ages. Ron's jaw looked as if it would sag to the floor and Hermione opened and closed her mouth, as if trying to think of something to say. And then suddenly, Hermione turned on her heel, mumbled something about not being able to get any work done with such a racket, and climbed the stairs to the girls dormitory.

Ron was left standing, still gaping at the spot where Hermione had stood moments ago.

"What...... the...... bloody hell was that?" was all he could manage to say.

Harry was stunned. What was that? He knew his friends had a crush on one another... but that was just weird.

"Ron... did you kiss her? Or did she kiss you?"

"I... no, she... I don't know! It just... happened! But why?"

"Ron, you two fight all the time. I may not be a genius, but I think that's what you two do to hide the fact that you fancy eachother."

"Has everyone gone mental? Me? Fancy Hermione? RUBBISH!" Ron's face had turned a very harsh shade of red. "Harry, do you really think Hermione fancies me?"

"Get a clue, mate. It's completely obvious to everyone but... well, you. "

Ron looked at the ground and sunk into an armchair. "How come I'm the last to know about everything? Do you think she knows... I mean, thinks... I fancy her back?"

"That's obvious as well. I think the truth is you both know, but you're either too embarassed or too thick to admit it."

"Well, what do I do now? Things are going to be strange from now on. How can I even look at her, let alone talk to her?"

"Act normal, and then ask her to Hogsmeade.There's one the Saturday after next, around Valentine's Day."

"Ask her to Hogsmeade? Me? Clearly you don't know me, Harry. I can't ask a girl out, even if it is Hermione. Do you think she'd say yes?"

"Ron, I know she would say yes. So, are you saying you're going to ask her?" Harry asked hopefully.

Ron thought for a minute. " I guess I can't hide the fact that I'm crazy about her anymore. I just wish there was a better way... hey, Harry. I think I have an idea."

Harry didn't like the sound of that. Ron's ideas weren't always the most thought out. He waited to hear what Ron had to say.

"Why don't you ask Luna to Hogsmeade? That way Hermione and I have no choice but to spend the day together! It's perfect, I wouldn't even have to ask her so I wouldn't mess it up!"

"So you make me go through the awkwardness of asking someone out so you don't have to? Besides, Hermione would love to get asked out properly."

"Harry, please?!? You know I would get all weird and mess everything up. I would act like a giant goon! Just do it this one time! I promise at Hogsmeade I'll tell her and ask her out the proper way. Just... after that... kiss.... I... "

Harry sighed. Ron was right. He would blow it all by getting nervous and fumbling for words. He had no choice.

"Of course I'll do it for you. Don't worry." Ron let out a deep breath and started to relax.

"Excellent, mate. Fancy a game of chess?"

"Sure." And with that the two managed to spend a couple of hours not thinking of girls or homework.


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