Ron –yes, he thought his name was Ron- opened his eyes. He was sat on a long bench, in an enormous hall, wearing a school uniform that he didn't recognise.

He was also aware that the girl sat next to him was dozing on his shoulder. Not that it was an issue; the girl was cute, with an enormous mane of bushy brown hair, and dark bronze skin that contrasted beautifully with his own pale complexion. He could have sworn that he recognised her. He knew her. He just… couldn't recall where from.

Ron's brain felt a bit… odd. As if several parts were missing. He tried to remember why he was sitting in this chair, but he couldn't recall anything. That was weird.

He looked over to his other side. There was a boy sat there; with round spectacles, and a head of messy hair that seemed unable to lie flat. Underneath the boys fringe was a thin scar in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Ron's head whirled. He knew that boy. He was… Harry. Yes, Harry; Ron's best mate!

Next to Harry was a short, redheaded girl. Ginny; Ron's little sister!

Wait… then the girl dozing into Ron's shoulder must be…

'What the…'

Hermione stirred, and her eyes met Ron's. They were of a warm brown texture. Ron could see himself -redheaded, freckly and gangling- reflected in those pools.

The bushy-haired girl started, taking her head off Ron's shoulder.

'S-sorry!' She exclaimed, her cheeks glowing. 'I… I don't….'

The large oak doors of the hall opened, and a man strode into the room. He was tall, with an enormous white beard that almost reached his toes, and was dressed in long robes of a deep purple colour. He swept down the middle of the hall, before climbing onto a raised platform at the far end. Above the man, Ron could see a huge banner, illustrating four animals amassed around a 'H'.

'Our deepest apologies' said the tall, white-haired man. 'My name is Professor Dumbledore, and I am your headmaster. Unfortunately, the entire student body was hit a few hours ago with a powerful memory charm.'

There was an outbreak of confused muttering. Ron's mind swam; their memories had been affected?

'We had to put you all into a deep sleep just to prevent your entire minds from being wiped.' Dumbledore continued, his voice calm and measured. 'All of your memories will eventually return, but -for the time being- I must ask you all to remain calm and to keep yourselves as safe as possible.'

Ron sat back down, his mind continuing to whirl. At the very least, it seemed like their memories hadn't been erased permanently. That was something.

'Now, please make your way to your next classes.'

Classes?

Ron wasn't the only one who was confused by that.

'How can we study?' A boy with a posh voice and a yellow-striped tie exclaimed. 'We can't remember anything!'

The old man smiled at the indignant teenager.

'Mr Macmillan, there will be allowances made for that.'

Ron looked round at the students around him. Harry was groaning to himself, and Ginny was grumbling to a blonde girl sat on her other side.

Hermione -on the other hand- was grinning to herself, as if learning was just what she needed at the moment. Feeling a curious sense of déjà vu, Ron stood up, slinging his bag onto his shoulder.

'You guys ready for some lessons?'

Hermione smiled widely, and Ron felt his stomach flip over. Maybe this would be alright?

It was not alright. While the lessons weren't especially bad, Ron was getting the distinct impression that the teachers were treating them as if they were unexploded bombs, and that any exciting information would cause them to explode.

Charms class was taught Professor Flitwick, and Ron had been seated next to Hermione. Which he wouldn't have minded if she wasn't currently giving him an ear ache over his wand movements.

'Ron, you're doing it wrong!'

'Oh, for merlin's sake; I haven't even started yet!'

'You haven't started? Let me help⸺'

'Will you get off⸺'

Harry let out a snicker.

Hermione's face glowed red as she realised what she was doing; she had grabbed Ron's right arm, and was attempting to direct him in the correct wand movement for the Charm they were practising.

'S-sorry,' she mumbled, letting go. 'That was silly of me…'

'It's fine,' Ron muttered, feeling his own ears go pink. 'I should have started earlier.'

The redhead pulled his attention down to his textbook, trying to ignore the continued snickering of the rest of the Gryffindors around them. And the fact that Hermione's hand had felt very soft against his skin, and that the sweet smell of her shampoo had woven its way into his nose.

Ron's brain suddenly flashed with the image of… a troll in a bathroom? And Hermione scrambling out of the way as he casted a spell on the trolls club?

The image faded, and Ron kicked the desk in frustration. Harry looked at him apprehensively, but the redhead shook his head.

'Nothing, mate. Just… had a memory flash for a second.'

Harry nodded, sympathetically.

'I got one of those earlier when chatting to Ginny. She seems nice.'

Ron couldn't help but notice the soft flush that crept up Harry's neck as he said this. Feeling more cheerful, Ron shoved his books into his bag.

As they were walking back to Gryffindor Tower (all three of them had been given directions and the password), they turned around a corner, and bumped into someone, spilling their books onto the floor.

'Oh, sorry, mate⸺'

Ron bent down to pick up the various textbooks, and handed them to the person, a short, pale boy with a green-striped tie and blonde hair. Ron felt his blood boil with an anger he couldn't quite place.

The blonde boy took the books, regarding Ron with a slight sneer.

'Do I know you?'

'Don't think so,' Ron replied, trying to fight against the frosty tone his own voice had slipped into.

'Come on, Ron,' Hermione said, patting his arm. 'We need to get to Transfiguration.'

'Yeah, sorry, Hermione⸺'

The blond boy's eyes narrowed as he stared at the bushy-haired girl as she passed him.

'Bit of a swot, isn't she? Can't she do something about that hair? Too much to be allowed...'

Ron's eyes flashed, angrily. Hermione looked confused, patting her enormous mass of hair self-consciously.

'You leave her alone.' Ron said, taking a step towards the blonde. 'You don't even know her!'

'Neither do you,' replied the boy, nastily. 'Personally, I like to keep better company than little foreign⸺'

POW!

Ron's fist collided with Malfoy's face (yes, he was named Malfoy!), the Slytherins' eyes widening in shock as he staggered backwards. Ron heard his own voice speak, seemingly of its own volition.

'Don't you dare call her that, you piece of⸺'

'Ron!' Hermione gasped, attempting to pull the redhead away.

The blonde glowered at them, as he retreated up the corridor.

Hermione pulled Ron away, and into an abandoned classroom nearby. Harry –caught up in the crowd outside- was swept down the corridor and out of sight as the classroom door shut behind Ron.

'You didn't need to do that, Ron!'

Hermione glared up at him, her bushy hair flying as she angrily lectured.

'He deserved it,' Ron said. 'He's a prat, and a bully.'

'I can fight my own battles!' Hermione replied, her eyes wide with irritation. 'I appreciate your support, but violence is never the answer.'

'Sometimes it is!'

Merlin, Hermione looked gorgeous when she was passionate. Her eyes lit up, and her cheeks got this glowing sheen to them, and… bloody hell…

'You're not my bodyguard, Ron!'

'No, but I'm not gonna let people bully you either!'

'You are so infuriating!'

'Well, why don't you try and stop me, then?'

'You…' Hermione took a deep breath, panting heavily. 'You….'

Without warning, Hermione grabbed Ron by his shirt collar, and pressed her lips to his.

Ron's brain seemed to grind to a halt, and his eyes fluttered shut. His hands slipped down Hermione's back, pressing her closer to him. One of Hermione's hands became entangled in his hair, sending gooseflesh down his neck.

Hermione let out a soft moan against his lips. Merlin, this was… something else.

Ron and Hermione broke apart, their breathing heavy. Hermione's hair was now thoroughly dishevelled, and Ron wouldn't have been at all surprised if his own uniform was now even more ramshackle than usual.

'W-wow.' Ron stammered, blinking hurriedly. 'T-that was…'

'B-brilliant.'

The two grinned at each other.

'Well, I think we figured out what that tension was, then.' Ron said.

'Yes,' Hermione replied, giggling. 'Looks like… well…'

'D-do you think we were dating? B-before the memory wipe, I mean?'

Hermione nodded, blushing prettily.

'Y-yes,' she continued, smiling. 'I think we might have been, yes.'

'That sounds good.'

Hermione bit down on her bottom lip, shyly looking up at Ron.

Ron reached out, and pushed a curl of Hermione's hair behind her ear.

'Do you wanna… kiss again?'

Hermione blushed.

'A-as much as I love kissing you,' she mumbled, looking very flustered. 'I think we've been gone for too long. We don't want people thinking we're abusing our powers as prefects.'

Ron chuckled.

'That is true. Whatever is more comfortable for you.'

He reached out again, and intertwined his fingers with Hermione's. The bushy-haired witch grinned, and the two left the room.

'So… we're… dating now?'

'Yes. I-I mean…' Hermione stammered. 'As… as long as it's what you want.'

'It is. Do… do you want it too?'

Hermione nodded, grinning.

'Yes, please.'

Ron squeezed her hand, smiling.

They rounded a corner, and there was a squeak from inside a nearby alcove. Ron turned; he knew both those voices very well.

'Harry? Gin?'

Two very guilty-looking faces peeked out of the alcove. Ginny's lips were inflamed, and Harry's already-messy hair held a passing similarity to an owl nest. Both of them were bright pink in the face.

'Er, hi,' Ginny said, hurriedly straightening her t-shirt. 'A-are you two heading to the common room?'

'That was the plan, yeah.' Ron replied, raising his eyebrows. 'Although maybe you two should have picked a snogging spot less conspicuous; this is on the main route back.'

Harry's face bypassed pink and turned red.

'Ron⸺I'm⸺Ginny and me⸺' he stammered, looking almost frightened as he locked eyes with Ron. 'I⸺I like her, you see and⸺well⸺'

'Mate, relax,' Ron said, smiling genuinely. 'You really think I'd be angry? About my best mate and my sister dating? I'm happy for you both.'

Ginny rolled her eyes, but Harry grinned.

'We'll leave you to it, then,' Hermione said, grabbing Ron's hand. 'See you both later.'

Both Harry and Ginny stared at them, as Ron interlaced his fingers with Hermione's.

'You two got things sorted as well, then?' Harry asked.

Ron locked eyes with Hermione, and grinned.

'Yeah, I guess you could say that.'

Hermione smiled up at Ron, her brown orbs now twinkling.

Maybe things wouldn't be so bad without their memories.