A/N: Hi friends, thanks for the reviews and the reads! Here's the second chapter of the story. I intend to post a chapter a day and will try my best to do so. If there are any grammatical mistakes, please ignore it. Sorry, I have a splitting headache and proofreading this chapter just made me dizzy.
Without further ado, onwards we go and please do review my story if you can. Love you all: ]
Disclaimer: It ain't mine.
WHAT'S LOVE, GOT TO DO, GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Chapter 2: The Experiment
To say that Ron was annoyed was an understatement. As far as he was concerned, the Astronomy Tower was only free on certain nights when most of the week, it was used by an assortment of professors, least of whom was Professor Aurora Sinistra whose, classes, after dinnertime could go for as long as three hours. Still, the Astronomy Tower was the place to be, being the highest point in Hogwarts and gives the best view to anyone who wished to immerse themselves either high within the starry night sky or absorb the breath-taking landscape of the mountainside below. This was one of Ron's favourite places to go as he flicked the dying embers of his cigarette to the grass down below. However, all that had changed the moment Tracey Davis showed up.
It wasn't that Ron had a history with Tracey Davis, to be honest, he hardly knew her except for her being part of Pansy's crew. Yet Tracey was a Slytherin and while she didn't take part in insulting his family on a daily basis as Malfoy did, she certainly didn't say anything to stop it either. Why couldn't it be Daphne Greengrass?! Ron sighed as he thought of the blonde-haired beauty that had charmed the hearts of boys in Hogwarts. Greengrass had a sort of sultry allure to her aura, her beauty blinding many to her condescending attitude. To put it plainly, in Seamus's words, boys would gladly sleep with a Blast-Ended Skrewt just to spend a few seconds in her presence.
So caught up with his thoughts that Ron realised the cool breeze had turned into a freezing nightmare as he pulled Harry's cloak to cover him. It was then that Ron realised that Tracey, who had been ignoring him before, was now eying him with a curious stare.
…
It took only a moment.
"What? Never seen a floating head before?" Ron replied as the cloak made his entire body invisible with the exception of his head and hands. Tracey, who had been momentarily stunned, reverted back to her cold demeanour as she narrowed her eyes.
"Pity. That's about the only part of you that I really didn't want to see. Not to mention, you don't use it much, if at all."
"Bloody hell, go back to being quiet. I liked it better when you pretended I didn't exist." Ron retorted as he took another drag of his cigarette.
"Well if me being quiet is what bothers you, then why don't you just leave? Some of us actually prefer being alone rather than being Potter's sidekick." Tracey drawled as she looked away from him
"Oooo…that's rich coming from Malfoy's lackey. Or is it bitch? You know what. I prefer bitch." Ron snapped.
Before Tracey could fire a retort, the loud creaking of a door being opened could be heard. Both looked at each other in shock before Ron grinned at Tracey.
"Guess you should cast a Disillusionment Charm then," Ron said as he threw the cloak over himself. Tracey weighed her options. The Tower had very few hiding places and no doubt, if a professor caught her, she would be punished greatly. Contrary to popular belief, Professor Snape had favourites within his own house and Tracey knew that he would not think twice about throwing her into detention. Nor could she perform a successful Disillusionment Charm. Without giving it another thought as the footsteps drew nearer, Tracey ran towards where Ron was hidden and huddled under the cloak.
"Hey!" Ron said as the pair collapsed on the floor next to the ledge. "Get your own damn cloak."
"Listen, Weasley! I don't like this any more than you do but rest assured, if I get caught, I will throw you under the bus as well."
If looks could kill, Tracey would be dead multiple times. Grumbling to himself, Ron pulled the cloak over the pair while trying his best to tuck his long legs.
"Merlin, Weasley! Bring those chicken legs in." Tracey whispered as Ron tried unsuccessfully to pull his legs. Stifling a silent growl, Ron grabbed Tracey by the waist and pulled her onto his lap. His sudden movement took Tracey by surprise as she stifled a yelp before turning to glare at him.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Do you have a better idea?" Ron retorted as Tracey felt his breath on her face. It was strange, having never spoken to Ron in seven years and now being forced to sit on his lap while their faces were inches apart. Tracey could feel a multitude of emotions swirling about her, from anger, to rage, to disgust, to…to…. are those butterflies?
"It's Sinistra," Ron whispered as Tracey watched as the professor fiddled with the telescope. The pair sat there awkwardly as they listened for Sinistra's voice and movements as the professor continued to work. "I don't think she's leaving anytime soon."
"Well, let's hope she does," Tracey said as she tried to squirm for a better seating position. "You better not get any ideas, Weasley."
"Oh right, because that's what I want right now. To have Tracey Davis sit on my lap."
"Don't pretend you don't…wait, what is that?" Tracey said as she felt a certain hardness poking at her rear. Ron looked down before groaning.
"It's my wand."
"YOUR WHAT?!" Tracey said as she felt a blush on her face. What the hell…
"Jeez, woman. My wand." Ron whispered as the hardness disappeared and Ron flashed his wand in front of her. "Sorry," Ron said as he placed it by his side.
"No problem," Tracey replied as she started to wonder why her face was so red. Why did it feel so hot all of a sudden? Surely, it couldn't be…
"She's gone," Ron said as he squirmed to take a peek.
"She's what?"
"Move," Ron said as, without warning, Tracey felt herself being pushed off his lap while Ron stood up, stretching and groaning about.
"Ever the gentleman, Weasley," Tracy exclaimed icily as she stood to her feet. Just when I was beginning to feel comfortable…wait WHAT AM I SAYING?
Ron said nothing as he glared at her. Picking up his wand and the cloak, Ron turned around to face her. "Well, I think we can both agree that this was an unpleasant experience, Davis, so let's not talk about it and the Tower is all yours. Goodbye."
"Wait," Tracey exclaimed before Ron could take another step. "You can't go just yet. What if she's waiting outside or just taking her time to walk down the stairs? Any noise you make can alert her to our presence. Just give it like five minutes if you want to leave."
Ron considered his options before shrugging his shoulders and walking over to the ledge. Looking up at the night sky and seeing the stars that gleam above her, Tracey sighed as she pulled out her cigarette box. Burbage's topic was really getting to her and another drag of a cigarette would calm her nerves. Sneaking a glance back at Ron, she could see the lanky wizard fiddling with his wand as he stared towards the Quidditch Pitch. Something about his burning red hair and iridescent blue eyes made him quite a unique sight to behold, especially in the dark background of the night. Looking at her cigarette box, Tracey turned to utter the famous three words that more often than not, led to the start of a friendship.
"Want a smoke?"
….
"Thanks," Ron said as he lifted his lit cigarette.
"No problem," Tracey replied as she took a drag on her cigarette. "Least I could do since you shared the cloak with me. How did you get that anyways?"
"It's not mine. It's Harry's." Ron said as he tucked the cloak between his other arm.
"Figures. Those things aren't cheap." Tracey said as Ron raised her eyebrow. "Not that I'm saying you can't afford it. Just, well, you know." Tracey backtracked as Ron took another drag
"Oh, I do," Ron replied icily. "We Weasleys can't possibly afford such luxuries. Always having to leech off our friends."
"That's not what I meant."
"Certainly sounds like it."
"Merlin, you are a prat." Tracey snapped. "I was just asking, not insinuating about your wealth. I couldn't care less where you come from, Weasley, nor how much money you and your family make."
"Well, it's hard to know when you're talking to a Slytherin, particularly one who stands with Malfoy and his ferrets!" Ron argued.
"Well, thanks for putting us all in the same boat!" Tracey snapped. "Oh, Merlin forbid that a Slytherin could be kind and understanding. No, no, we're all monsters! We're all evil!"
"Not all!" Ron countered. "But most of you are. Pedalling about their pureblood nonsense of yours."
"Urgghhh, will that never cease? Don't you know what you're doing, Weasley? You're stereotyping." Tracey retorted hotly as she poked Ron with her finger. "You think that just because there are bad eggs in our batch, that all of us must be the same! How noble of you Gryffindors. You value courage and loyalty and yet despite all the goodness that you proclaim to have, you're nothing but a bunch of self-righteous bigots who are so close-minded."
"What…" Ron said as he tried to process her words.
"Don't you dare act all high and mighty to me, Weasley," Tracey shouted, now on a roll. "Even though we've never spoken, don't think for a minute that I can't infer the type of person you are. Hot-headed, stubborn prat who thinks that Gryffindor is the best while other houses should just fall at your feet. Or is that how you prefer your woman? Don't think I don't know about you and that Lavender Brown.Ohhhh Won-Won, have you seen my bits? Are they big enough? Squeeze them, won't you? Ohhhh, your hands feel sooooo gooood. Weasley is my King!" Tracy replied as she mimicked Lavender's high-pitched voice while doing an impression of her thrusting her breasts to Ron. As soon as she was done, Tracey felt a tinge of regret. After all, Lavender hadn't done anything to her and she was his ex-girlfriend. Before she could apologise, Tracey studied Ron's face, expecting a slew of curse words to be thrown at her by a furious face. Yet, Ron had a strange look as he gaped at her before doing the last thing she would expect.
Ron started to chuckle.
Tracey was dumbfounded. Surely he would be insulted? But Ron kept laughing and laughing and soon, the infectious nature of his laugh was too much for Tracey to bear. She tried to stifle a giggle before the dam broke and she too nearly collapsed with laughter.
…..
"For the record, Lavender isn't like that," Ron said, as soon as the laughter died down. Tracey noted how Ron was smiling at her. It was strange to her just how much a Weasley's emotions could affect those around them. Make a Weasley mad and chances are, you're locked inside a fuming argument but when they're in a positive mood, you couldn't help but laugh along. One of her favourite memories had been when Fred and George Weasley did the ultimate prank with fireworks and a swamp in order to get rid of the useless Professor Umbridge out of the school. It was one of those few moments when students from all houses came in unity to get rid of her. Of course, Malfoy and a few others had been a little miffed, with their loss of power but even Draco had to admit, Umbridge's insistence on only taking a theoretical approach to work made it difficult for them to improve in their magic.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry if I didn't defend you against Malfoy. He was out of line targeting your family like that." Tracey replied as Ron's smile began to widen.
"I'm sorry too. For what I said about Slytherins. It's just…difficult when you're in my position." Ron replied as Tracey nodded. "Truce, Tracey?"
"Truce, Ron," Tracey replied as she smiled at the use of first names.
"So, Tracey, what brings you up here?" Ron replied as Tracey groaned. For a moment, she had forgotten all about Burbage's stupid assignment.
"I have to do an essay about love for Muggle Studies. Burbage says that I have to find a partner and that she will excuse me from classes as well as NEWTs as long as I work hard on this."
"You don't have to attend classes? Wicked!" Ron replied as Tracey smiled at him.
"Yeah, but I still have to pick a partner. Plus the topic is vague enough as it is. Love can mean anything, and it encompasses so much. If only this wasn't a requirement, I would just drop the class."
"Why is it a requirement?"
"Because I want to be a journalist," Tracey replied proudly. "Join the Daily Prophet."
"Ewww… really?" Ron said before stopping himself as soon as he saw Tracey's face. "Not that I don't think you'll be a great writer, it's just Harry and me don't care much for the Prophet. Too much nonsense in their articles."
"I concur, Ron," Tracey said before seeing Ron's face. "That means I agree."
"Oh! Why didn't you just say that?"
"Never mind," Tracey said as she heaved a sigh. "But at any rate, I have to find a partner and trust me, that's the real problem."
Ron thought for a moment. "What about your friends? Daphne? Malfoy?"
Tracey gave a mirthless laugh. "Please. Look, my friends are gems but they're hardly the best when it comes to collaborating on work. Not to mention, they don't take Muggle Studies except for Draco who takes them so that he can get a good high NEWT score and Pansy who takes them for Draco. Trust me, I rather much like working alone." Tracey replied as she turned to Ron.
And there it was. The moment where everything changed.
"Say, Ron? You take Muggle Studies, don't you?" Tracey said as Ron nodded.
"My dad works for the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office in the Ministry. Besides, with Harry and Hermione, I thought I would at least guarantee myself an Acceptable."
"Why don't you pair up with me?" Tracey asked as Ron gave her a blank stare.
"You want to work with me? Really?" Ron said as Tracey nodded.
"I mean, well, we both have differing personalities. We both see things differently not to mention it would be nice to have a male's perspective on love. Plus, I know now that I can tolerate you and trust me, that makes a difference."
"Thanks…er…I think." Ron replied as he pondered about her request. "But really…you want to…"
"You get to skip classes and we won't be working on the essay most of the time," Tracey said. "That way, you get to study for your other subjects."
Ron made a face as Tracy grunted in frustration. "I mean, that way you get more time to play Quidditch."
"Now, you're talking!" Ron said as he extended his hand. "I'm in."
"Great" Tracey said as she beamed at him. "Now, I think we should discuss…"
Ron groaned.
"What?!" Tracey cried sharply.
"I just agreed to be your partner and I know you're eager to start but it's a nice night so why don't we just take a break and enjoy this moment," Ron said as he stretched his hand out to the sky. Tracey was inclined to retort but as soon as her eyes stared up at the twinkling diamonds on the black canvas of the night, she felt a weight fall off her shoulders as she nodded back at Ron.
"Let's talk about something else," Ron said as he stared up at the beautiful September moon. "Do Lavender and me really sound like that, you know, when we were dating?"
"It's Lavender and I, Ron," Tracey said as Ron made a face. "And well, I might have exaggerated some things but to me, it doesn't seem like your relationship was built on love, or rather, it was built more on…."
"Sex," Ron said as he shrugged his shoulders. "I'm a guy. Lavender's hot. I figured, why not? I know, I know, I'm a git."
"Yeah, you are but not for that," Tracey said as Ron looked at her with curiosity. "Physical attraction is the foundation of love and as much as we want to deny it, you can't fall in love or even make love with someone you're not physically attracted to."
"Yeah, that's true," Ron said. "But unfortunately, or fortunately in Seamus's case, that's all Lavender was. She and I shagged a lot but there really isn't anything more to it. Soon, she just became clingy and I…"
"…took the coward's way out by waiting for her to break up with you." Tracey sniggered as Ron glared at her. "What?! Come on, everyone saw that legendary fight you and her had in the Great Hall especially when she tried to throw the pie at Granger."
"She thought Hermione and I were hooking up behind her back." Ron grimaced at the memory of the day.
"Speaking of Granger, I heard that she's single now. Better tell her to be careful, boys are on the prowl."
"Don't I know it?" Ron said as his thoughts shifted to Harry.
Tracey sighed. "I don't get it. How do girls like Hermione Granger and Daphne Greengrass get boys to go crazy?"
Ron gave her a smirk. "It's because of the system."
"System?" Tracey remarked with mild curiosity.
"Yeah, it's just something that Seamus made up. Don't worry, he's just spewing crap."
"No, come on. Tell me about this system." Tracey insisted as Ron sighed.
"Fine. The system involves categorising girls. Now, each boy sees the...er….what did he call it…physical appeal of a girl differently. According to Seamus, each girl always falls under a certain type and there are five types of girls. Pretty, cute, nice, hot and lastly, fineeeee" Ron said as he slurred over the last word.
"Fine?"
"Yeah, now pay attention. This only refers to girls who we think are attractive. There is another category of course…"
"You mean ugly."
"I mean troll," Ron said as Tracey smacked him on his arm. "Okay, fine ugly yes but we don't talk about that. In fact, Seamus says that we should always try to put girls into the five categories regardless of how we feel about her."
"That's…unusual for him," Tracey replied, knowing just how crude Seamus Finnigan could be.
"Yes, so the first would be pretty and that refers to girls who, with the right amount of makeup and in the right light together with a smile can look really good. They're not high on your go-to list for dates but you do consider them, especially when your options are lacking. The Patil twins come to mind."
"That's so…" Tracey started to retort but Ron raised his hand.
"The second is cute and this refers to girls who look pretty but more importantly, have such a bubbly personality that you just can't help but be affected by it. They're not the smartest in the bunch but they do make good dates and are interesting. Luna Lovegood belongs here." Ron said as Tracey groaned.
"I thought you were going to say Lavender."
"She's there too. But she's also in the category of hot though she's not particularly high in both categories."
"There's a degree of hotness and cuteness?" Tracey asked as Ron nodded.
"Yes, now on to the third which is nice. Nice refers to girls who are…well…nice. They have nice personalities and are very sweet and they are…nice…" Ron stammered as Tracey narrowed her eyes at him.
"So they're ugly?"
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't not say that!"
"Moving on!" Ron said before Tracey could get another word in. "The fourth is hot and this is quite subjective. Hot means, according to Seamus, smoking hot. The girl has large tits and a great rear and is known mostly for her physical appearance. Like those witches I see on Witch Play…I mean…certain magazines." Ron said with a blush as Tracey rolled her eyes.
"You mean like Veelas and Fleur Delacour?" Tracey said as Ron nodded slightly before shaking his head.
"Don't get me wrong, Fleur is hot but unless she gets into a bikini twenty-four seven and has her perky bits sticking out, she's sort of a cross between pretty and hot. Now on to the last one…"
"You mean, finnneeeeee…" Tracey said sarcastically as she did her best impression of a love-struck, drooling face. Ron grimaced at the look before glaring at her.
"Yes, and it's not like that! Look, these are Seamus's words, not mine. Fine refers to the type of girl that every boy wants to have. Now to understand this, you really need to focus on just one thing. The face. Sure, she needs to have a slim figure and maybe even some perky bits but the real focus is all about the face. The first thing you notice about this girl is that she doesn't need makeup to look stunning. There's a sort of radiant beauty coming off from her as her hair cascades in a perfect fashion, doesn't matter if it's in a ponytail or any of the sort. She has the sort of eyes that just make your knees go weak as you stare at them while every part of her face from her nose to her chin is just flawless. Then comes her smile and Merlin, the smile is the best part. When she looks at your with that half-smile or pout that makes you just want to melt as you stare at her. You might think, hey, this girl would be good to wank to and sure, which guy wouldn't but she's more than that. You rather kiss her than make love to her, cuddle her than feel her up, hold her hand and let her lean on your shoulder while your fingers intertwined and every cell in your body is just pulsating with pure, unbridled happiness."
"Wow…" Tracey replied, looking impressed. "Seamus said all that?"
"He got most of it from a book," Ron replied as Tracey's impression deflated just as quickly as it came. "But I suppose he's right in a sense. Girls like Hermione and Daphne are in this category though they are different in a way. I mean, Hermione's more of the good girl type and Daphne is just that desirable bad girl but a grin from Hermione or a smouldering glare from Daphne would cause boys to react the same."
"If only you put this much thought into your studies and you do to girls, Ron."
"Why so interested in Hermione anyway?" Ron said, ignoring Tracey's jab. Tracey sighed before dismissing his query.
"It's not that. Just wondering why Draco would want to go after Hermione?"
That got Ron's attention. Ron stood up to his full height as Tracey felt slightly intimidated by the towering redhead. "Malfoy wants to go for Hermione?!" Ron yelled.
"Shut up!" Tracey barked as she looked around them. "Yeah, he wants to go for her."
"No, no, absolutely not!" Ron spat as he clenched his fists. "Hermione's not going to be one of Draco's conquests!"
"Please, I don't even know Granger that well and I know she'll never fall for that," Tracey replied, in an attempt to appease Ron. "The only way Draco is going to get her is with a genuine approach."
"Fat chance!" Ron cried. "Hermione is not going to fall for a disgusting, foul-mouthed ferret like him!"
"Oh, and I suppose you think so because you want a shot!" Tracey fired back, wondering why that particular thought bothered her.
"No!" Ron replied hastily. "Hermione is going to end up with Harry."
"Harry Potter likes Hermione Granger?" Tracey sniggered as Ron glared at her. "Sorry, but…I just feel sorry for Harry."
"Why? He stands a better chance at getting her than Draco!" Ron retorted.
"You can't be serious," Tracey said as she shook her head.
"Try me," Ron replied as Tracey smirked at him.
…..
"Well, Draco and Hermione hate each other, don't they?" Tracey spoke as Ron nodded his head. Hermione and Draco had been at odds with each other since the first day they came to school. Things came to a head during their third year when the execution of Buckbeak led to Hermione slapping Draco in the face. Yet, for some reason, during the start of their fifth year, Draco had softened in his insults towards Hermione. Nevertheless, the bad blood between them was still lingered especially considering how Ron and Harry were constantly butting heads with Draco.
"Now, Ron, do you know the definition of love?" Tracey said as she started to explain. "Love, in the most general sense, is a strong feeling of affection. The key word in that sentence is strong. You see, in order to fall in love with someone, you need to have an intense connection with them."
"So?" Ron said as he raised his hands. "So what?"
"So, hatred is an intense feeling. So too is love. There's a thin line between the two because despite them being polar opposites, they are both intense and extreme. See without such feelings, you wouldn't have chemistry which is needed for attraction and by default, love. Now, let us go to Harry and Hermione."
"Harry and Hermione are best friends like you are with both of them. Hermione has spent almost her entire teenage life surrounded by you two. Now, going along those lines, it does show that Hermione cares for you. Unfortunately, the care she has for you is more on the lines of friendship, rather than love. Friendship borders on understanding and mutual respect, love requires something much more forceful. So despite how close the two may be, there wouldn't be any chance for chemistry because Hermione would just see Harry as just a friend, just a best friend, just your best friend forever but only just. Nothing extreme. Nothing forceful. No chemistry."
"That's just a load of dung, Tracey," Ron said as he shook his head. "Hermione cares a lot about Harry. Like during the Triwizard Tournament, she was dead worried for him."
"And yet, that didn't translate to anything. I don't recall Hermione showing up as Harry's date or anything. Tell me, Ron, if Hermione was interested in Harry, wouldn't she have said something or made a move until now?" Tracey replied.
"That's because Harry hasn't made his move yet." Ron retorted. "Look, you're right that Harry hasn't shown any interest but that's because he was concerned about ruining the friendship, not to mention that Hermione was attached during that time. Can't make a move yet."
"And you think that now if Harry were to declare his love for Hermione, that she will just leap into his arms? There's a reason why girls like bad boys like Draco, Ron." Tracey countered.
"Because they're hot?" Ron replied as Tracey shook her head.
"It's because they aren't afraid to be who they want to be. A bad boy doesn't care about changing himself to fit the girl, unlike best friends who tried to win a girl by being overly romantic and then coming off as clingy. " Tracey replied.
"But that's because you think someone like Draco would suddenly miraculously change who he is because of Hermione," Ron replied. "Look, I know about bad boys and trust me, the ones you see in Muggle movies or whatever my sister likes to call them, they don't exist. In fact, Draco is more likely to break Hermione's heart because he's not going to change. But not Harry. Harry cares for Hermione, and I really mean care. He's the best friend and they always get the girl."
"Only in Muggle movies." Tracey countered. "In real life, it's easier to fall for someone you hate than your own mate."
"Whatever," Ron replied. "Harry knows Hermione better, he's been there for her, he's been kinder to her than Draco, he's her best friend and takes care of her. My money is on Harry."
"Interesting," Tracey said as she stared at Ron. "So what you're saying is that this story can go both ways. We either have the classic hate-to-love story of the good girl falling for the bad boy, they start to hang out, they get closer, bad boy sheds his image and shows her his true self until finally letting go off who he is so that they can both end up together. OR…
"You have the other classic tale. Best friend waits in the shadow of the pretty girl who doesn't see him there. He tries to win her heart, fails, but eventually the guy the girl is with screws the hell up and she realises he was the right guy all the time, the best friend and they fall in love and end up happily ever after."
"My brain just hurt from all that." Ron sighed. "But yeah." All of a sudden, Tracey banged her fist on the stone ledge.
"That's it!" Tracey exclaimed out loud, causing Ron to take a step back. "We can use this for our essay!"
"What now?"
"Don't you see, Ron? Harry and Draco share similar traits, don't they? Both are the only child of their families, both are considered to be very good looking, both are the kings of their Houses, both can be very cocky and arrogant.."
"Harry's not cocky!" Ron interjected. "And he's nowhere as bad as Malfoy."
"Please," Tracey said as she raised her hand. "He's the son of James Potter and the godson of Sirius Black. Cockiness is in his blood."
"Well, he's not like Malfoy!"
"Fine!" Tracey remarked as she grabbed Ron by the shoulders. "I propose we use this little love triangle to our advantage. Both Harry and Draco have an equal chance of getting Hermione to fall for them. But you think that Draco is too much of a prat to change and I think that Harry would become clingy and desperate. So how about, we help them become the best versions of themselves?"
"I don't want to help Draco get together with Hermione," Ron replied as he shook his head.
"Ron, you won't be helping anyone get together with anyone. All I'm proposing is that we help our boys to get the girl but they will have to make all the moves. They will have to do it and when it comes down to it, Hermione herself will have to choose. We won't do anything to sway her in a particular direction. I will help Draco while you help Harry. And whoever Hermione choose, it will be her choice. As her best friend, surely you can respect that."
"I don't know…" Ron replied, looking uncertain. Tracey let out a grunt of frustration.
"Think about it this way. Draco is going to make his move no matter what and trust me, he knows how to manipulate a girl's feelings and no matter how smart Hermione is, she's still vulnerable. If I was watching him, I could stop that from happening and you can go kick his arse. But trust me, when Draco wants something, he doesn't stop."
"Neither does Harry." Ron sighed as he ran his fingers through his red hair. "I want to say yes but I don't want Harry or Hermione to get hurt."
"We're not doing anything to get in their way, Ron. Just helping the people we care about." Tracey sighed as she grabbed his hand. "So what do you say? Are you in? The bad boy takes on the best friend, if we do this, we can finally have a clear observation as to what love truly is."
Ron stared at Tracey for the longest time as he weighed everything she just said. Harry and Draco are going to go for Hermione, no matter what Ron thought before nodding his head.
"Excellent!" Tracey replied as she gave him a hug. The sudden show of affection surprised Ron though it wasn't quite as unpleasant as he would imagine, being hugged by a Slytherin. As they pulled away from each other, Ron and Tracey turned their heads towards the night sky as they stood there, not saying a word while they soaked in the beautiful landscape surrounding the castle.
"Can't believe I'm actually going to work together on something like this, with a Slytherin no less." Ron laughed as he turned to face Tracey who had a smile on her face.
"Relax, Ron. Everything's going to be fine." Tracey said as she pulled out yet another cigarette while staring out into the night sky. "You met me a very strange time in my life."
…
"Guess I'll see you tomorrow then," Ron said as he and Tracey walked out of the tower and into the corridor. Giving him a smile, Tracey's face faltered as she glanced at something behind him. Turning around, Ron gave a sigh of relief as the sight of his two best friends walking towards him.
"Just go," Ron said as he turned to face Tracey. "I'll cover for you."
"Nights, Weasley," Tracey replied as she headed towards the other end of the corridor as soon as Hermione and Harry reached him.
"Ron! You can't be out here. It's past curfew!" Hermione said, chiding him as she stared past him at the departing figure of Tracey Davis. "And what were you doing upstairs with Tracey Davis?"
"Just working on a project for Muggle Studies."
"A project?" Harry said as he gave Ron a smirk. "It's that what you call it?"
"It's not what you think," Ron said as Hermione narrowed her eyes at him before taking a step closer to smell his clothes.
"RON! Are you smoking again?"
"No, I just haven't showered," Ron said as he shrugged his shoulders while Hermione shook her head. "Fine, I'll promise I will stop but you got to give me time, Hermione."
"I just worry about you," Hermione said as Ron smiled at her. Harry cleared his throat.
"We should continue with our patrol." Harry said as Hermione nodded in agreement. "See you back at the dormitory, mate."
Ron could see that Harry was clearly signalling to him that he wanted more time alone with Hermione. Giving him a sly wink, Ron smiled. As he started to walk away from the pair, he could the two still talking about him.
"I'm just worried, Harry. What do you think Tracey wants with Ron?"
"Chill, Hermione. Whatever it is, Ron can handle himself."
"I know that. It's just…well…I'm worried about him, that's all."
"You're sweet, Hermione."
Ron sighed out loud as soon as the voices disappeared out of range. Though he agreed to work with Tracey on their experiment, there was still something that Tracey didn't know. In fact, it was something, not even his closest friends nor his family knew about him. A secret that, if anyone found out, could change everything.
Ron Weasley was already in love with Hermione Granger.
…..