Disclaimer: Characters, settings, etc. are all the creation of JKR. I am just playing in her world.

AN: This installment does not feature Ginny and Draco. However, I thought it was cute. It was yet another entry I used for the FIA Drabble Challenge where the prompt was "It seemed like such a good idea at the time". I doubt that I will use characters other than D/G as the focus of any more Drabbles, so fear not, more D/G goodness will be submitted for your enjoyment, soon! Enjoy! I know that the Chronicles are on quite a few favorite lists, so let me know what you think, please! Also, since these are one-shots, I am open to you giving me prompts. If there is a scenario you'd like to read about, let me know and I will do my best!

The Art of the Date

Tonight was the night; Ronald Weasley was going to profess his love to Hermione Granger. After years of jealousy, angst, doubt, and stupidity, they would be together. Ron spent weeks stressing over and planning the perfect way to confess his love to the intelligent and beautiful witch. He wanted everything to be just right.

The largest problem facing Ron in his quest was the fact that he was rather dense when it came to affairs of the heart. Being romantic did not come easily to the wizard, so he sought out help. In hindsight, using Gilderoy Lockhart's The Art of the Date: How to Get Your Dream Witch, Guaranteed was not his brightest moment. However, it was smarter than asking the equally romantically challenged Harry Potter, or worse, his brothers for advice. Ron amazed himself with the dedication he put into studying Lockhart's book. True, Ron was never a fan of his former professor, but Hermione had liked him well enough. He was also desperate. So, he decided to fall on his proverbial sword, and use Lockhart's "guaranteed" methods for wooing Hermione.

Ron should have known that like everything associated with Lockhart, this program wasn't exactly trustworthy. Unfortunately for Ron, being in love only heightened his level of foolishness. Lockhart's book came with instructions and spells that would help create the perfect date. And bless his heart; Ron was going to use every last idea.

Lockhart's kit suggested choosing a fairytale to play at while on their date. The ruse "lightened the mood with a playful and romantic air." In his brilliance, Ron chose Rapunzle. He figured that Hermione had been teased about her appearance, especially her hair growing up. Giving her yards of flowing, gorgeous hair would make her feel beautiful he figured. He also thought it was the story least likely to get Hermione off on a tangent concerning some off the wall issue. That in and of itself would mean the date was a success. One thing he know all too well about the witch was that she was prone to fits of outrage over, in his opinion, the smallest perceived indiscretion.

Saturday morning Hermione received an owl with an invitation to dinner with a secret admirer. The request asked her to not dress up, and be ready at seven o'clock when a carriage would pick her up. The highly intelligent witch was perplexed, not knowing quite what to make of the strange circumstances. Secretly, Hermione hoped Ron was the admirer, as she had been infatuated with him for years. The whole concept did not seem like him. Ron had many fine qualities, but a romantic flare was not one of them. While something just did not quite seem right, Hermione was nonetheless intrigued. She decided to throw caution to the wind and go. She quickly scribbled her acceptance on a piece of parchment and sent the owl on its way back to her mystery man.

Hermione had been asked not to dress up because the book had a spell to take care of her appearance once she was in the carriage. As soon as she stepped inside, Hermione would be transformed into Rapunzle. For his part, Ron would be dressed like the story's handsome prince. The book had suggested using this 'touch' to create a true fairytale date. Apparently, wearing funny, over the top costumes was part and parcel of every witch's fantasy date. In theory, everything sounded perfect. Reality was much different. There is one word to describe the mixture of Lockhart's advice and Ronald Weasley's application; catastrophic.

When the carriage arrived Hermione was not sure what to make of it. Her trained eye noticed immediately that it had been Transfigured into its present state. That fact alone slightly worried her. The carriage was very large, and very, well, pink. The person who asked her actually chose this monstrosity. Despite the decorative nightmare, it looked safe enough, but something still seemed off. Undeterred, Hermione stepped in, and seconds later screamed. She found herself wearing a very snugly corseted gown. The dress was so tight she could only take shallow breaths, and try as she might, the startled witch could not loosen its hold. Because of the way the dress shrunk her waist and lifted her bosom, she felt as if her chest was fully exposed. To top it off, the gown was various shades of pink. Not pretty subtle shades, but bright and shocking magentas, fuchsias, with plum trimming. The most horrific part, though, was her hair. She now had yards of frizzy yellow hair; not blonde, but yellow. The color looked like the hair normally found on Muggle cartoon characters. It was also heavy; the added length was already beginning to give her a headache. Realization hit her that she was in the middle of a very bad version of some sort of fairytale.

The ornately decorated pink carriage definitely stood out, and as it made towards Hogsmeade a crowd began to follow. As the monstrosity rumbled on, dread of what was to come crept into Hermione's whirling mind. After what seemed like hours, the carriage stopped, to her horror, in front of Madame Pudifoot's. An usher opened the door, and escorted her out of the garish ride. Giggles, snickers, and babble arose from the assembled throng. Hermione hurried into the detested shop literally ready to kill whoever was behind this, with the usher scrambling to carry her hair behind. As she entered she was assaulted by a small cupid who insisted on showering her with confetti. To her dismay, the dreaded creature escorted her to an awaiting table at the front of the store, right in front of the main window.

That was when she saw him. Happiness filled her at the sight of Ron Weasley. She could not stifle a giggle as she took in his appearance. Apparently Ron had been accosted by the same clothing spell. He wore medieval attire that oddly complimented her. He was in pastel colors that clashed with is right red hair. While she was uncomfortable in her own attire, she was sure he felt the same way Poor Ron's out fit was complete with tights and codpiece. The nervous and hopeful wizard's face fell when he took in Hermione's appearance. He wanted to give her perfection, not turn them both into bad clichés.

"I am so sorry. I wanted you to have a fairytale evening. Everything was supposed to be perfect to tell you I love you." the wizard explained sooner and plainer than he planned.

"Finally," Hermione crossed over to Ron. "I have been waiting to hear that for years." She said while wrapping her arms around his neck, and kissing him soundly.

The two were enthralled by the kiss, reveling in each other's touch. Neither came up for air for quite some time, giving the gathered crowd a good show. Soon, hoots and cat-calls could be heard from outside. Realizing the free show they were giving, the pair broke apart, blushing. The kiss left Ron dazed, and he tripped over Hermione's hair while attempting to pull out her chair. He crashed into the table sending food and dishes flying everywhere, and knocked Hermione over. Convinced he blew it, Ron sheepishly looked at his princess.

"This all seemed like such a good idea at one time." He admitted crest-fallen at the disastrous turn the date once again took.

"It still is, Ronald, it still is." Hermione assured him as she pulled him in for another kiss.