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AUTHOR'S NOTE: This chapter contains a segment in which I show Hermione's view and then go back a small amount of time to show Ron's view. I have marked that section withthe word: (Rewind).

CHAPTER 7

By seven-thirty on Thursday morning, the Gryffindor team tryouts were over, and this term's team was formed. Ron felt that the Gryffindors had a very good chance at the Quidditch Cup. Harry was, of course, chosen for Seeker. Ron remained on Keeper position, and Ginny had become a Chaser. Fortunately, Andrew Kirke and Jack Sloper were replaced by the Creevey brothers, who were actually really good. And, a fourth year, Jessica Bullet along with seventh-year Katie Bell would be Ginny's fellow Chasers. The only thing that had pleased Ron more than the talented people who had shown up, was McGonagall's announcement of Ron being made team captain.

It had been fun revealing this detail over breakfast to Hermione, who had squealed in excitement and hugged him around the neck. She hadn't even seemed surprised that Harry hadn't gotten it; She had just seemed very happy that Ron had.

Ron had just taken it for granted that Harry would be made team captain; he had been, after all, the youngest Seeker in a century. But, McGonagall had chosen him. She had said that his skills at strategy were the perfect trait for a good, strong captain. It had made Ron stop and think…well, if I can pull this off…maybe I can be a fair Auror. Both require careful planning, strategy, and patience. Ron was sure he had at least two of those.

This thought managed to give him a boost of confidence for that Thursday's N.E.W.T. classes. Ron had managed to take half a page of notes on Madam Hooch's lecture on Brazil's Wizarding towns and creature colonies among the Rainforest. Who knew Mount Pico de Neblina was heavily populated with Pixies? Heck! Who even knew there was a Mount Pico de Neblina? Of course, Hermione probably knew, and she probably would have somehow managed to get three rolls of parchment out of the lesson, but Ron was proud of his small bit of progress. And, when he'd shown Hermione his half page when they met in the hallway before their last class of the day, down on the third floor, she had smiled brightly at him.

It was this smile, in particular, that gave Ron the confidence he needed for his Magical Law class. He wouldn't let the Head of the Department of Magical Law intimidate him. Madam Bones had seemed nice enough on Tuesday, anyway…although; they hadn't really begun studying anything. She had just done some sort of icebreaking game where everybody stood up to say his or her name and favorite flavor of ice cream.

Even so, as he walked into the classroom for his second Magical Law class, Ron decided that maybe he would do a little sucking up, like Hermione had said. It couldn't hurt. He needed to make some powerful connections if he wanted to be really involved in Auror missions. And, seeing as how Ron could never stoop low enough to grovel at Fudge's feet, like Percy, Madam Bones was the next best thing. She was sitting at the front of the class, shuffling through some papers on her desk. Taking a deep breath, Ron approached her.

"Madam Bones?" Ron began uncertainly. She looked up at him and smiled kindly, adjusting her monocle. "Um…I just wanted to say that I think this class should be brilliant…and…uh, thank you for taking time out at the Ministry to teach us." Ron knew his face was turning a bright shade of red. Man, he sounded like an idiot…

However, Madam Bones looked pleasantly surprised. "Well, thank you, dear. I'm sure it will be a joy." She replied before removing her monocle and smiling at him sincerely. "I am truly glad that I get to teach one of Arthur and Molly's children…truly wonderful people, they are."

Ron nodded, his face flaming, before he turned around to head for his seat in the back of the room. "Mr. Weasley?"

Ron turned back around to Madam Bones. She was looking at him strangely, with squinted eyes and a slight frown. Uh oh…Ron thought, a panicky throbbing beginning in his head. She knows I was just brownnosing her! Of course she knows…she's the Head of the Department of Magical Law, not some pushover.

"Could you do me a favor?" She asked quietly, leaning forward a bit. Ron swallowed nervously and nodded, "My poor niece…Susan, do you know her?" Ron nodded slowly, the panicky throbbing in his head subsiding slowly to be replaced with confusion.

"Well, Mr. Weasley, she's just not very popular, you know? She's a lovely girl, but I think some people are just a bit weary of being friends with someone that has been a victim of a major tragedy…I think you can understand what I mean?" She paused, giving Ron a moment to digest what she was saying.

He knew that a Death Eater had killed Susan's uncle and his family. When the Death Eater escaped Azkaban last year, she had been badgered with questions and apparently had lost some friends. Ron did understand what Madam Bones meant because Harry was also badgered with questions and avoided by many of the students.

Madam Bones let out a small sigh. "Anyway, Mr. Weasley, would you mind sitting with Susan, maybe talking with her a little? It would really mean a lot." Ron glanced over his shoulder to see Susan seated at the front of the class at a table by herself.

Feeling a sudden surge of pity for the girl and also remembering Hermione's advice, Ron decided to sacrifice his comfortable seat in the back of the room from yesterday. Ron smiled at Madam Bones and nodded his head. She gave him a big grin that made the wrinkles around her eyes deepen.

Turning around, Ron walked up to the edge of Susan's table. "Anyone sitting here?" Ron asked Susan timidly, checking out of the corner of his eye to see if Madam Bones were watching. He couldn't tell; she had put her monocle back on, and there was a light reflecting off of the lens.

"Um…no, go ahead." Susan said politely, with a hint of surprise in her voice. She then began adjusting the long braid of her hair.

Ron took the seat, but stared straight in front of him. He had an uneasy feeling in his stomach… It was wrong to use Madam Bone's unpopular niece as a way to win his teacher's partiality. But that wasn't what he was doing. Not really…he wouldn't have been able to refuse Madam Bone's request even if he didn't care what she thought of him. It wasn't like she'd asked a lot of him, either…just to sit with Susan and talk to her.

Suddenly, Susan turned in her seat to look at Ron. "So, do you and Hermione Granger go out?" She asked casually. Ron's breath caught in his throat and he coughed a few times. What?

"No." Ron said plainly. Were his feelings obvious to everyone? Was he kidding himself believing that no one knew? He could feel a light sweat beading on his forehead. Susan simply nodded and turned to face the front of the room as Madam Bones rose from her desk to begin her lecture.

Ron missed the first few minutes of the homily because he was thinking about Hermione. He had never been asked that question before…what would it feel like to be able to answer yes? It would be brilliant… 'Yes. I, Ron Weasley, am dating the smartest, most beautiful, and most talented witch at Hogwarts.'

Ron realized that he had been smiling dumbly at this thought, but he quickly wiped his face of this grin and forced himself to start paying attention. Once he started listening, Madam Bones' strong voice was exceptional at holding his attention. He even managed to take a full page of notes.

After the class period ended, Ron quickly began shoving his things into his satchel. The lesson had been interesting, a brief overview of the process of ratifying a new law in the Ministry, but as soon as it was over, Ron realized how ready he was to see Harry and Hermione in the Great Hall for lunch. Madam Bone's request at the beginning of class had reminded him how lucky he was to have two amazing friends.

As Ron stood up from his seat, however, he felt a light tap on his shoulder. He turned to see an uncomfortable-looking Susan, nervously playing with her braid. "Uh…hey. Um…is there a Hogsmeade visit this weekend?"

"Uh…I think so." Ron said, a bit taken aback. Susan released her braid and began nervously picking at her fingernail.

"Oh, well…I was just wondering if you would like to…um…meet me at the Three Broomsticks or something…?" She asked shyly. Ron's heart had just come to a shuddering halt. Was Susan asking him…on a date? Now what did he do? Oh crap!

Ron looked around nervously and briefly made eye contact with Madam Bones before she looked down at her desk and began shuffling through papers. Oh CRAP! Had she heard her niece's proposition? Just say no…just say no…just say no…

"Sure." Ron said in a somewhat high voice before his brain had time to stop his mouth. Susan looked up at him with a surprised smile, before nodding and quickly leaving the room.

Something was badly wrong with Ron, Hermione thought late Saturday afternoon as she dressed for the trek to Hogsmeade. Since Thursday at lunch, he just hadn't been acting…normal. He barely spoke to her or Harry and when he did, it was with one or two syllable words. But, for the life of her, Hermione couldn't figure out what it was.

Just before his Magical Law class, he had proudly shown off his half page of notes. His face had lit up when she praised him for it. He was being his normal, completely adorable, and charming self. Then lunch came around, and he was like some sort of android. She and Harry had asked him numerous times if there was something up, but he would just say no and go back to sulking.

Hermione was beginning to wonder if it had something to do with him becoming Quidditch captain. He had been so proud when he'd first found out about it, but maybe he was starting to doubt himself. Why was he so insecure? Hermione thought it had a lot to do with his family's financial situation and his plethora of successful siblings. Well, she would just have to tell him again what a great captain he would make…which she honestly believed anyway.

Hermione met Harry, Ginny, and Android-Ron in the common room, where they then set off for the trail to Hogsmeade. Once outside the castle, Hermione noticed Ginny glancing nervously at her brother. She must have noticed his odd behavior, as well. Of course, it wasn't hard to spot, seeing as how he looked absolutely miserable.

Harry, on the other hand, was glancing nervously at Ginny. Was he afraid that something was wrong with Ginny, too? Or, Hermione thought glancing at Ginny's long, shining red hair and big brown eyes, was he observing that there was nothing wrong with Ginny…? Hermione's inward smile quickly faded as she heard Ron breathe a heavy sigh. She looked over at him to see him frowning, his brows furrowed.

"Well, Ginny," Hermione began nonchalantly. "What do you think of your new Quidditch captain?" Ginny smiled at Hermione and nodded knowingly.

"Oh, I knew it would be Ron." Ginny said casually. "I mean, McGonagall would be mad not to choose the best strategist in Gryffindor Tower." Hermione smiled thankfully at Ginny, but when she looked at Ron, he was just staring blindly in front of him, his hands shoved into his pockets. She wasn't even sure if he'd heard them.

"Yeah." Harry chimed in, looking worriedly at Ron. "He never misses a move in Wizard's Chess. Why should Quidditch be any different? I'm proud to be a pawn of Ron's, eh Ginny?"

Ginny didn't even bother responding to Harry's corny remark, as Ron's expression didn't change in the least. Hermione was really starting to get worried now. If he wasn't upset over being made captain, what else could it be? Were his classes going badly? Was he ill? Oh! This beating around the bush was so childish!

"Ron." Hermione said marching over to stand in front of his path with her hands on her hips. He stopped and looked at her pitifully. Harry and Ginny had stopped as well and were watching from behind. "What is the matter with you? You're really starting to freak us out, you know?"

Ron looked away from Hermione and mumbled, "I have a date." Hermione shook her head; he wasn't making sense.

"What are you talking about, Ronald?" Hermione asked edgily. She was ready for this nonsense to stop.

"I have…" Ron sighed heavily and looked down at Hermione. "I have a headache." Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Oh, yes…one of those forty-eight hour headaches? You poor thing." Hermione spat sarcastically before turning around and continuing the trek toward Hogsmeade. She could see the Three Broomsticks coming into view around the bend.

Ron was being stupid! He knew that he could tell her and Harry anything! And, Ginny too, for that matter. He was just being rude and selfish making them all worry about him like this. Hermione had been excited about this weekend; it was the first time Ginny had tagged along with them to Hogsmeade. Harry and Ginny should be talking and laughing…getting to know one another a bit better, but instead they were worried about this big…

"Shit!" Ron exclaimed. All of a sudden Hermione felt the back of her shirt being tugged on and looked over her shoulder to see a panic-stricken Ron crouching behind her, with wads of the back of her shirt in his hands.

"Ron?" Harry said worriedly. Hermione was speechless. What in the world was going on? Ginny had grabbed a hold of Ron's arms and was trying to pull her brother away from Hermione.

"Ron!" Ginny cried tugging hard on her brother; as good as Ginny's intentions were, she was only succeeding in pulling Hermione back along with them since Ron hadn't let go of her shirt. Suddenly, however, Hermione felt her shirt being released and Ron and Ginny thudded hard to the ground; Hermione stumbled forward.

"Sorry…sorry." Ron breathed standing up and brushing himself off, ignoring his sister's outstretched hand and letting Harry help hoist Ginny up. "False alarm…" He said breathlessly. Hermione was just staring at him with her mouth partway open. He'd gone mad…and somehow she'd never seen it coming. It was just her luck to fall hopelessly in love with a madman.

"False alarm?" Ginny said exasperatedly, dusting off the backs of her jeans. "What in the…Ron, have you gotten hold of some Firewhiskey or something? Has something happened to Mum or Dad…I mean…wha…" Ginny threw her hands up in the air as Ron ignored her questions and started hurriedly toward Hogsmeade, his hands shoved deep into his pockets again.

As Hermione, Harry, and Ginny resumed their trail in the wake of this madman, Hermione realized the only time she'd ever seen Ron this depressed and…spastic…was that day before his first Quidditch match. He had almost been too nervous to breathe. She had felt so badly for him, all she wanted to do was kiss his adorably freckled face. So she had kissed him on the cheek for good luck, which hadn't had much of an effect on him…

They were finally approaching the Three Broomsticks, and Hermione thought Ron looked as if he might be sick. "Let's get some Butterbeers. K' Ron?" Ginny asked without waiting for a reply. She waltzed right into the pub. Hermione and Harry were waiting for Ron to follow them, but he was just standing there looking around nervously. Hermione thought they might be forced to drag him in, but he finally moped inside.

There were Hogwart's students mingling about the pub, chatting happily with one another. Ginny was seated at a back corner booth, already sipping on a Butterbeer. Harry went to the bar to order three more while Ron and Hermione went to sit across from Ginny.

"Hey look!" Ginny said surprised, looking toward the opposite end of the room. "There's Loony Luna. Aw, she's sitting by herself." Ginny said sadly. She looked up at Hermione and bit her lower lip. "Hermione, would it bother you if I invited her to sit with us?"

Hermione felt a strong pang of guilt. "No, of course not!" Hermione exclaimed. "It's…it's not that I don't like her. She just…well…grates on my nerves a bit if I'm trying to prepare for a class or study…or, you know…" Ginny didn't look like she knew, but she nodded and stood up to go get Luna as Harry came to the table with three bottles of Butterbeer.

"Where's she headed?" Harry asked curiously, scooting into his bench after handing Hermione and Ron their bottles. Before Hermione could respond, the door of the bar creaked open and Ron jumped, turning around to peer over the back of their bench. Harry gave Hermione a questioning look as Ginny returned with Luna close behind.

"Hello." Luna said wistfully, pulling up a chair to the end of their table as Ginny sat down next to Harry.

Harry and Hermione said 'hello,' while Ron continued to jump and peer over the back of their bench every time the door opened. It was really starting to grate on Hermione's nerves, much more than Luna ever had.

"Ron, are you expecting someone?" Hermione asked crossly.

"Yeah," Ginny added, "Do you owe someone money or something?" Ron didn't answer, but just slumped low in his seat and stared at the table.

Luna was studying Ron with her protuberant gray eyes. She tilted her head to one side and then the other. "You could have said no." Luna said suddenly, catching everyone's attention, and to Hermione's surprise…even Ron's. He turned to look at Luna with a fearful look.

"What? You weren't there..." He said cautiously. Hermione was very confused, as was Harry and Ginny by the looks on their faces. What was she talking about, and why had her comment suddenly woken Ron out of his trance?

Hermione heard the creaking of the door again, and Ron jumped and peered over his shoulder, but this time, he suddenly slid out of his seat and ducked under the table. "What in the world?" Hermione exclaimed looking behind her to see who had entered.

She couldn't see properly over the heads of some tall seventh year boys that had stood up to leave. Hermione turned back around. Ginny and Harry looked a little frightened at Ron's behavior, but Luna was simply looking toward the door with a blank stare on her face.

Hermione looked down to see Ron squatting under the table with his head resting on the seat. "Ron, if you don't tell us right now what's…"

"Hermione…" He whined, looking up at her. "I didn't know what to do! I mean…you said that I should suck up and then I tried, and it really wasn't as hard as you might think…and then…then it worked too well. And then…well, she was sitting alone, and her aunt was all, 'Oh, Mr. Weasley, her uncle died, could you talk to her?' I couldn't say no, plus I thought it would look good to be nice to her since she's her niece and all…and then…and then…"

Hermione's head was buzzing as Ron's urgent speech trailed off… "Wait, Ron. Who did I tell you to suck up to? Who was sitting alone? " She asked confused, looking down at Ron's bright red and clammy face.

"Susan Bones." Luna replied casually. Hermione turned to look at her. Luna was now looking at the spot where Ron's head would've been if he were sitting in the booth like a normal person. "He could have just said no. That's what I would have done."

Something suddenly clicked into place in Hermione's brain. She turned a furious stare at Ron's cowering form, "Ronald…what did you do?" She asked dangerously quiet. He looked up at her with fearful eyes.

"Hermione, what was I supposed to do?" He asked in a harsh whisper. "Madam Bones was looking right at me when Susan asked me to meet her here! I couldn't say no!"

Hermione's ears suddenly began to ring with anger. "I can not believe you!" Hermione said angrily before kicking hard under the table.

"Ow!" Ron cried, before quickly covering his mouth. He glared at her, lowered his hand, and in an urgent whisper said, "You kicked me in my thigh!" Hermione glared back at him.

"Sorry I missed!" She hissed. Ron looked at her in astonishment as Harry began coughing and hitting himself on the chest with his fist. Ginny leaned forward slightly.

"What did he do, Hermione?" Ginny asked confused. Luna answered first.

"He said yes to Susan Bones. He should have said no." Ginny just looked at Luna curiously. Hermione glanced behind her and saw Susan sitting alone at a small table near where Luna had been sitting.

"Ginny, your brother thought he could win some points with Madam Bones if he agreed to take Susan on a date…which is apparently scheduled for today." Hermione said plainly. Something flashed in Ginny's eyes that reminded Hermione of Mrs. Weasley.

"Ow!" Ron exclaimed from under the table. "Hermione!" He groaned. Ginny peered under the table at her brother.

"It was me you idiot! How could you be so cruel?" Ginny spat angrily before raising her head back up from under the table, her face flushed. Hermione knew her face was at least the color of Ginny's by now.

"It wasn't like that! I felt sorry for her…?" Ron said miserably. She looked back down at his anxious face. She was about to feel a twinge of pity for him, but then he continued in a hesitant voice. "Um, do you think you could just…um, walk over there with me? You know, then she might think that…well…" Hermione's mouth fell open.

She could not believe what she was hearing! If he thought for one minute she was going to 'pretend' to be his girl, merely to fend off Susan Bones, he really was a madman. Somewhere underneath Hermione's anger she felt a miserable ache in her heart and the urge to cry. Taking a deep breath Hermione leaned closer to Ron's face so that only he could hear her harsh whisper.

"I absolutely will not. I will not be your girl-for-the-day because you're too chicken to follow through with this mess you got yourself into. You are going to go over there to Susan and…I don't know…buy her a Butterbeer or something."

Ron began shaking his head quickly and he put a clammy hand on her shin under the table; Hermione jerked at his touch. "No, Hermione…that's not what I meant! I just thought that if Susan saw us together than she would understand that I was just meeting her as a friend. She knows I don't like you like that…she asked."

Hermione felt like all of the air had been sucked from the pub and she was suffocating. 'She knows I don't like you like that…' Hermione swallowed the lump in her throat. She had to get out of here…away from him. Hermione slapped his hand off of her shin. He had a hurt look in his eye that only made her want to slap him in the face.

Instead, Hermione stood up, quickly followed by Ginny. Ginny grabbed a hold of Harry's arm with one hand and Luna's with the other. She then all but dragged them from the pub, quickly followed by Hermione, who shot Ron one last hateful look.

Once outside Hermione had the strongest urge to scream, but she didn't, of course. She just looked off in the direction of the castle, longing to be in her dormitory. The pain in her heart was so intense…she still felt like she was suffocating.

"Hermione," Harry began cautiously, "I know what Ron did was really daft, but…I guess at least one of us should wait for him."

"Well, it can be you then." Hermione replied shortly. "I'm going back to the castle." She was about to turn toward Hogsmeade Station when Ginny grabbed her arm.

"Hermione, wait." Ginny began, "I don't think you should walk back alone."

"She's right, Hermione." Harry said sternly. Hermione rolled her eyes. What did they want her to do?

"Hermione, if you can wait five minutes…" Ginny began quickly, "I just need to run to Dervish and Banges to grab some broomtail clippers. Practice starts next week, and I won't have another chance to get them until the next Hogsmeade visit."

"Oh, alright." Hermione sighed. She supposed she would feel better walking back with company, anyway. It wasn't as if she'd forgotten about Harry's dream…it was always at the back of her mind.

Apparently satisfied with Hermione and Ginny's plan, Harry told them that he was going to walk up to the railroad tracks to wait for Ron. She and Ginny then walked to the back edge of town to Dervish and Banges.

As they entered, Hermione saw that the shop was full of students, as usual. Normally, she would have wanted to browse the store's newest magical equipment, but she had absolutely no interest to at the moment. She couldn't believe that she had let reality slip so far from her. If she were grounded, she wouldn't have been surprised at all to hear Ron admit that he didn't like her as more than a friend. But she had let herself slip away into hopes and dreams that he did.

She always read too much into everything…his touches that seemed to be more frequent…the awkward glances that passed between them when she noticed him looking at her…his comforting hugs and handholding… Ron Weasley was her friend. She needed to repeat it to herself like some sort of mantra until it really settled in because she couldn't afford tofall in more love with him… And, is it even possible to fall in more love with someone…or was it that once you fell, that was it.

Suddenly, Hermione heard the tinkling of the bell over the door and felt Ginny grab her by the arm. She was then dragged behind a large bookshelf. Ginny then squatted down quickly on the floor, pulling Hermione down with her.

"Ginny, what are you…" Hermione began anxiously, but Ginny put her hand over Hermione's mouth, silencing her. Then Hermione heard them.

"So, you want me to just pick out something that I like?" Came the sound of a girl's voice from the other side of the bookshelf.

"Yeah. You know…anything." Hermione's heart caught in her throat at the sound of Ron's voice. She looked up and realized that she could see the legs of his and Susan's jeans through the shelving.

"Well, this looks interesting." Said Susan. Hermione heard something being removed from the shelf and the thumbing through of pages.

"So, you like that one?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure. Let me look some more."

"Oh, sure. Take your time."

Hermione's legs were going numb…along with her mind. So, he only agreed to come with Susan out of pity? Hermione felt sick to her stomach. She glanced at Ginny, who looked completely baffled. Well, Hermione wasn't baffled, she was just hurt.

"Now this one looks amazing!" Said Susan excitedly. The tone of her voice made Hermione's whole body start shaking. "But…it's sort of expensive."

"Price doesn't matter." Ron said quickly, before Hermione heard more thumbing through of pages. Price didn't matter? He must really like this girl…but…when had that happened? He was always with her and Harry. When had he had time to develop a crush on Susan Bones? Did it happen from just two days in a class with her? This thought really made Hermione feel sick. He's been around me for six years…

"Are you sure?" Asked a surprised Susan, "And…you aren't dating Hermione?" Hermione's heart rate accelerated tremendously as she and Ginny exchanged completely astounded expressions.

"No." Ron said chuckling a bit before clearing his throat and saying more seriously. "No…I'm not."

Without warning, silent burning tears sprang into Hermione's eyes. Ginny embraced her in a second. Hermione laid her head on Ginny's shoulder and wept as she heard Ron and Susan walking away toward the register.

She was completely mortified. How could Ron just laugh like that at the idea of dating her? And, with a girl that he barely even knew… If he doesn't love her…fine, but he was still supposed to be her friend…and friends didn't laugh behind the other's back.

(Rewind)

"So, you want me to just pick out something that I like?" Susan asked.

"Yeah." Ron said matter-of-factly, "You know…anything." He felt as if he were in some sort of a warp zone. Here he was in Dervish and Banges with Susan Bones. Susan Bones! Just two days ago she had asked him on a date, and now he was shopping with her in Hogsmeade.

She really was a nice girl, Ron thought. He had expected her to cry or yell or something when he'd 'fessed up to her at the Three Broomsticks. But, she had completely understood when he'd told her that he only wanted to be friends. It wasn't difficult at all!

"Well, this looks interesting." Said Susan, breaking into Ron's thoughts. She was removing a large green book from the shelf and was now thumbing through it. Ron looked over her shoulder at the pictures of the merpeople. He remembered their fourth year when Hermione had been used as 'bait' for Viktor Krum at the bottom of the lake. Ron's stomach twisted as he remembered the anger he had felt when he had found out that Hermione was 'what Krum would miss most'…

"So, you like that one?" Ron asked, trying to sound casual. Please say no… I'll think about that stupid task every time I see Hermione with that book…

"Hmm, I'm not sure. Let me look some more." She said, closing the book and replacing it.

"Oh, sure. Take your time." Ron said thankfully. This was going to have to be an exceptionally good birthday present since it was doubling as a 'please-have-mercy-on-me' present as well… Not to mention it was Hermione's seventeenth birthday, he couldn't believe she was going to be legal age to use magic outside of Hogwarts. He could still see the adorable, wide-eyed child she had been when they'd first met. Of course, he hadn't thought she was adorable then. No, that had come a year or two later.

"Now this one looks amazing!" Said Susan excitedly. Ron almost jumped at Susan's exclamation. He looked over her shoulder again. Now this is perfect, Ron thought smiling. He was really glad he had asked her help on this, he would've just dug himself into a deeperhole by buyingsomething stupid...like perfume."But…it's sort of expensive." Susan added hesitantly.

"Price doesn't matter." Ron said absently, as he took the book from Susan's hands and began thumbing through the pages.

"Are you sure?" Susan asked surprised, "And…you aren't dating Hermione?"

"No." Ron said chuckling a bit before clearing his throat and admitting gravely. "No…I'm not." Man, did he wish he could say yes to that question, which he had now been asked twice. Feeling a bit silly for putting much thought into a cliché, Ron wished the third time…could be the charm…

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Wow. Ron has officially inserted the hypothetical foot in his mouth, hasn't he? Well, maybe he can rectify his mistake...in CHAPTER 8! (Coming up). And thanks so much for the awesomely awesome reviews!