It was early into the morning hours before Harry realised how tired he was. After hours explaining to Ron, Hermione and (to his great pain, relief, joy, embarassment and every other feeling associated with such a situation) Ginny, what he planned to do next year, their talk had been interupted by a screeching rendition of some terrible song by the Ghoul in the attic.

Reluctantly Hermione and Ginny departed to their own rooms leaving Harry and Ron to get into their beds, yawning uncontrollably. Harry was just starting to think of the ridiculous thoughts that inevitably appear near slumber- 'why is it onions never sing?' when the silence was broken by Ron's voice, incredibly alert and uncomfortable.

"...Harry?"

"yea-huhwhathmmm?" There was silence for a moment. Harry felt the need to articulate himself somewhat better, and tried again.

"Yeah, what's up?"

Another silence. Then in a sudden burst of incomprehensible words:

"I've- there's something you should... I mean something I need your help with...but I mean, you're going to go...well, what I mean is you'll be really, majorly, suprised- well, not even suprised, you might even- well- I don't know how you'll- but believe me I've-"

"Ron?" Harry interrupted irritably.

"Yes?" He replied wildly, eager to stop speaking.

"If there's something you need to...well, say, please go ahead-or let me sleep" Harry had a strange suspicion he knew what this confession would include,and the topic in question was currently sleeping in the room next door to them.

"The thing is..." Ron was picking his words carefully, "well, we're all very good friends, aren't we? I mean you, me...Hermione." The way he croaked her name could only mean that Harry was indeed right. With an evil grin at Ron's discomfort, Harry felt little guilt in the fact he was going to have a lot of fun hearing this.
"Yep, we are. All of us. Why do you ask?"

"Well, when you and Ginny got together-" Harry frowned in the dark as his chest jerked uncomfortably, "it was brilliant- I mean, nothing changed really. So, whatever happened we'd all be great, great friends. The thing is-" Ron made a strange, inaudible muttering followed by a large sigh.

"Oh never mind."

Thoughts about singing onions had again entered Harry's dozing mind, and he thought the subject could wait until morning, when he could give Ron his full attention...

... plus the fact when he was more awake he'd think of better ways to make Ron feel uncomfortable.

The next morning Mrs Weasley kindly requested that they de-gnome the garden, with only two days until the wedding she was getting somewhat tense-

"RON! If you don't go out there THIS INSTANT I'll- I'll" She picked up her wand and the potatoes she'd been so carefully peeling were now pelting hastily towards Ron's head. With a strangled yell he ducked and ran out of the door into the safety of the garden. Harry observed Hermione share an exasperated look with Mrs.Weasley before they too followed him out.

Harry's eyes opened in suprise as he walked through the archway into the Weasley's garden. What had been a large patch of grass was now elaborately decorated with Rose bushes and elegant statues of embracing wizards shooting arrows towards the sky, and a man Harry had never seen before was trying to make silver ribbons form into "Eternal Joy" over a fountain of pink gurgling water. The only trouble was the ribbons seemed to object, and each time the man turned his back to do something else they'd either tangle or form the words "Eat all the Jelly". Harry momentarily saw two identical heads grin and dissapear behind a tree, and he had a sneeking suspicion the ribbons might not have been acting by their own will.

Hermione stopped by the fountain and scanned the area, then with a sudden cry-

"Found one! By the statue of the wizard holding a dove-" Sure enough, a small, leathery-textured gnome was gnawing cunningly on the dove's head, making the statue frown and it's gold coat began to rust alarmingly quickly.
"Oh great, it's annoyed- mum'll go mad if she has to replace it" Ron strode over and pulled the gnome forcefully around his shoulder, then into a spin. He was about to let go when he became off balance and instead the gnome landed with a huge splash in the newly created emerald pond next to them, causing the bewitched swans in it to cause an excessive amount of noise and flap everywhere.

As Hermione and Ginny rushed over to soothe the five hassled birds, Ron scowled and turned away. "Fantastic. Now she'll think I'm an idiot again."
Remembering their conversation from the previous evening, Harry battled to supress a smile. "Hmm? Who thinks you're an idiot?"

Ron, having obviously forgotten Harry was present, jumped- but within moments a strange firm look of resolve crossed his face. Without a word he grabbed Harry's arms and led him behind a large metal statue of a kitten, who occasionally quoted in a speaky voice famous love speeches. They were greeted with, "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?" to which Ron gave such a look it was indicated he would very much like to treat the kitten in the same way as a gnome.

They sank to the ground to avoid detection, and, finally satisfied they couldn't be heard, Ron spoke in whispered tones-" The thing is Harry, I like someone. I mean really like.A friend of ours. I'm worried you'll- well- react badly. But-" his voice became strangled in desperarion"seriously mate, you have to help me stop it. I've tried everything to snap out of it, but I can't."

Harry raised an eyebrow, "Have you been swallowing more love potion of late? You know Fred and George have probably filled every bottle in this house with it-"

"No! Harry-I'm serious-"

"You said that last time you were under it-"

Ron gave such a glare that even Harry thought this was enough on the matter. "Well, ok then. You like someone- who?"

The simple question led Ron into flustered alarm, he played with his hands, began several times but stopped quickly at each attempt.

"We're very good friends." He finished lamely.

"Lavender? Geesh Ron, you didn't like her then, what makes you think she's changed?"

"I-what? No!" he waved his hand dismissively, "It's not something I think you'll approve of, but I can't help-"

Once more Harry gleefully interrupted, "If you mean Parvati" He said seriously, "Don't worry about it. Just because I took her to the Yule Ball doesn't mean I have any qualms about you-"

"It's not her either! I give in!" He made to stand up, but Harry began quickly, "I think I understand- it's just so incredibly difficult to believe, that's all."

Ron turned sharply to him, "Y-you do?"

Harry nodded, "but you know, in a strange way I saw it coming... Luna always did seem fond of you."

Ron stared blankly at him momentarily, then with a cry of exasperation he exclaimed "IT'S HERMIONE,OK!"He then realised how loud this had been, seeing as the kitten clamped it's paws around it's ears, and Ron's voice echoed around the garden. He sank to the floor, looking mortified at his knees, then put his arms around his head. When he spoke, Harry could barely distinguish many words through the fact Ron was talking into his knees, not daring to look at Harry.

"...know you'll be shocked...tried to stop it...but...going on for years now...not sure how it happened...doesn't like...she obviously likes Krum...just can't stop...best friends!" He finally looked up warily at Harry's reaction, and was amazed to see he was shaking with repressed laughter.
"What!" He said defensively, "Think the secret I've kept from everyone for years is funny, do you?" Harry only laughed harder at the statement, and Ron was about to leave angrilly before he could finally speak.

"I've known for ages, Ron! It's so obvious, I wouldn't be suprised if your mum hadn't ordered this kitten for your wedding!"

Ron turned white, as he gazed horrified at Harry- "It's obvious? Do you think Hermione knows?"

"Do I know what?" said a voice, as Hermione appeared around the kittens head, staring down at them intently, "and why are you sitting on the floor? We're meant to be de-gnoming!" Harry had never seen Ron jump up quite so fast- "what're doing, listening to us like that!" he said angrily.

Hermione's eyes narrowed "What do you mean, listening? You just yelled my name out really loud, and now you're asking if I know something! I was hardly eagerly spying on you, was I?" Her voice was cool, and she turned away annoyed, luckily obscuring her from seeing Ron's look of panic.

His arms flailed for a moment, then- "The reason I yelled your name was that, well, Harry thought a blade of grass on the floor looked like Percy, but I thought it...looked like you." He cringed at his own useless explanation, and needless to say it hadn't fooled Hermione. She raised an eyebrow, but said nothing more on the matter.

"Back to the gnomes?" Harry suggested finally, and they got up and walked silently back to the main part of the garden. Hermione had just spotted two gnomes pulling all the blossom off a tree, when Mrs.Weasley came bustling out, looking hassled-

"Someone's here to see you all, he's two days early, honestly- no consideration for the poor family who have to organise the whole thing- I'm going to have turned grey by the time this is all finished, I swear" and with more mumblings she dashed inside the house once more. Curiously, Hermione followed, leaving Harry and Ron facing each other.

"I think" said Harry, genuinely this time, "you might as well say something. If she thinks it's crazy and repulsive, you can always lie and say it was love potion"

"What a comforting thought." Ron spat irritably. He thought whilst they headed towards the house, "Maybe...maybe I might then...you know, after the wedding I might casually mention it to her." Harry doubted whether such a thing could be done casually, but he looked on the whole matter fairly optimistically. Well, that was until they stepped into the door, and heard Hermione excitedly exclaim:

"Viktor, you're here! I don't believe it!"

Length! Hurray! There is a point to this somewhere- it'll appear eventually...