Disclaimer: I never said I owned Harry Potter. He doesn't own me either. It's a mutual relationship. ;-)
A.N. Another chapter. Enjoy. That was an order.
After Hermione had seen that Ron had brushed his teeth to her satisfaction, the pair, or 'Couple' as they now were, headed down to breakfast. They entered the Great Hall nervously. Hermione stared down at her hand, which had become intertwined with Ron's somehow. 'What are you doing?' she hissed. 'I'm acting! Try it sometime, unless of course you want to be 'tortured into insanity' as Malfoy put it'. Ron replied from the corner of his mouth.
Hermione nodded, surprised Ron was being so thoughtful, and put on a goofy grin. He really was sweet. Hushed whispers ran through the hall, and they noticed Malfoy giving them a small nod of appreciation. Lavender and Parvati were grinning, looking proud that everyone now knew their gossip was true. Lavender seemed not to mind loosing Ron, as long as she had something new to spread.
Ron and Hermione sat down at the Gryffindor table opposite Ginny and Harry, who were grinning knowledgably at each other. All they could do was hope no-one made a big deal out of this.
Seamus shook his head ruefully, and handed a few galleons to Dean, who smirked. 'Told you you'd force her into realising it' he grinned. Seamus thumped him with a sour look on his face. All along the table, people took out their purses or wallets, and handed money to a beaming Ginny. 'I had today! I never thought I'd win the pool' she crowed. Ron and Hermione glared.
Their glowers increased, however, as they realised that it was not only the Gryffindor table handing money to Ginny, but quite a few Ravenclaws, Hufflepuffs and most of the staff.. Professor Trelawney looked decidedly bitter; she had 'predicted' it wouldn't happen until after Christmas. It wasn't long before Ginny was looking at a huge pile of gold.
'I'm not sitting here and taking this!' said Hermione, outraged 'Come on, Hermione'. Ron cast a longing glance at his breakfast, and followed Hermione, his stomach protesting all the way. Hermione shoved Ron into a nearby classroom. 'Ron, I'm scared' she began 'So it's important we get this right. I have no wish to be tortured by a trainee Death Eater, so please try to act like I would if I was, uh, actually dating you. I have no idea what that would look like' she lied 'So make it up, but make it convincing, will you?'
Ron nodded solemnly. 'I'll try my best, 'Mione' he promised, and she hugged him. 'Thanks, Ron. You don't know how much this means to me'. Ron smiled, wrapping his arms around her and wishing he could stay this way forever, having her with him where he could make sure she always felt safe. Unfortunately, Hermione pulled away after a minute, glancing at her watch and shrieking 'We're going to be late, and it's potions first! Snape'll kill us!'.
Ron sighed. Even Hermione in his body, pretending to be his 'boyfriend', with her reputation destroyed and being threatened by Malfoy, she was still the same. Hermione rushed up to Gryffindor tower dragging Ron behind her, snatched up their school bags and hurried down to the dungeons.
They arrived at Snape's classroom a little after the bell. They rushed in, out of breath. The students exchanged knowing glances and sniggers. 'What were you two up to?' asked Dean, grinning. Pansy took a different approach 'Sir!' she complained 'Aren't you going to punish the Mudblood and the Weasel for being late? God knows we don't want any more bloody Gryffindors!'.
Snape curled his lip up at the blushing pair, and indicated that they go to their seats. 'Now our final students have deemed us worthy of their presence, follow the list, uh, method on the board. Just do it, uh, make the damn potions!'. They were amazed to see that Snape's pale, sallow skin held a pink tinge as he glanced at 'Hermione'. Apparently he hadn't recovered his memory of what had happened when Ron hit him; he still believed the version of events that was running around school.
Ron and Hermione hurriedly went around to a cauldron and began to prepare ingredients. Harry didn't seem to want to look straight at them; he too had a slight blush on his cheeks. He was happy for his best friends, and relieved they had FINALLY gotten together, but he didn't was details. Ron snatched up the ingredients from the front desk, and Hermione began to prepare them. They blushed as their hands brushed against each other.
After about ten minutes, Ron realised that Hermione was slipping various things into her bag. 'What are you doing?' he hissed, leaning into her closely so they wouldn't be overheard. Parvati nudged Lavender, and they both sniggered. 'Do you want to stay in my body, Ron? Help me nick some of this, or we'll be this way forever!'. Ron nodded in understanding, and continued to make the potion while Hermione glanced around, before hiding a few more ingredients in her school bag.
Eventually, Snape demanded their potions in vials on his front desk. Ron had not made much progress on the potion, what with having to do it himself, so when he placed it on Snape's desk he rewarded the potions master with a dazzling smile. Snape swallowed hard, and scampered off into his office. Hermione glared at Ron. I don't want you flirting with Snape!' she berated. Parvati giggled 'Ohh, Ron's getting all jealous! He was like that last night, wasn't he, Lav?'
Lavender nodded sincerely 'When he was dating me, he was very protective. Never let another guy so much a look at me' she lied smoothly. Ron glowered at her, knowing she was making it up a she went along. Lavender noticed, and told him 'Glare all you want, Hun, but the fact is I could have my Won Won back at the click of my fingers. I'm just letting you have him. I've upgraded!' she said smugly, and gestured to a miserable Seamus behind her.
Lavender pranced off, Seamus and Parvati bobbing along behind her. Ron and Hermione rolled their eyes, and waited for Harry to come. 'What's next?' asked Ron, and Hermione looked at her timetable. 'Well, I've got Arithmancy, and you've got ruddy Divination.' On looked exceedingly nervous at the prospect of having to go to Hermione's Arithmancy class; he'd never taken the subject.
Hermione sighed. 'Look, I'll come with you to Divination, and apologise to Professor Vector later. After lunch, you come with me to muggle studies, and you apologise to Professor Flitwick, ok?' Ron nodded, and they went, together with Harry, up to the loft where Trelawney's lessons were held. Upon noticing Ron, however, Trelawney sneered, and said rather bitterly 'Looks like those two can't be separated for even a lesson!' apparently she had been more upset at her false 'prediction' than others.
The lesson got started, with Ron and Hermione working together and Harry with Parvati, as Lavender was busy with Seamus. 'Today, class we shall be dowsing!' proclaimed Trelawney in her best prophet voice. 'Take an item from about your person, such as a necklace or bracelet, girls, and hand it to your partner'.
Hermione nudged Ron, who unclipped a thin gold necklace from around his throat. He barely recognised it; Hermione always hid it under her shirt at school. 'Now' Trelawney continued 'Hold the chain by one end, boys, and let it hang gently. Don't swing it. Girls, ask a simple yes or no question of the jewellery. Interpret the way it swings, and an answer will be revealed!'. She began wandering around the pairs, making sure they were doing it right. Hermione rolled her eyes.
'Come on then, Ron, ask my necklace a question' she said sarcastically. Ron sniggered, and asked 'Does Hermione Granger believe that her necklace can answer better than she can?'. The necklace swung in a slow circle. 'Well, there's a surprise' Ron laughed 'It says no!'. Hermione scowled at him, and stopped the necklace swinging. Trelawney noticed her expression, and hurried over to their table.
'Perhaps you did not get the answer you sought, Mister Weasley?' she asked 'It is a cruel, but truthful art, I am afraid. I DO hope you and Miss Granger weren't arguing over this?' she asked sweetly. Ron and Hermione shook their heads, confused. Trelawney's expression hardened. 'Let me ask a question, dear, just to see if you are, uh, getting the correct impulses'.
Ron and Hermione looked at each other, amused. 'Be my guest, Professor' said Ron politely, and she laid a hand on his back gratefully. 'Thank you, darling. Now' she addressed the necklace 'Is the person holding you in love with Hermione Granger?'. The necklace swung in a wide circle. 'Oh, I'm so sorry, dear' she said, grinning. 'Perhaps you two ought to have a cooling off period, and get back together around, oh, the fourth of January? Just something to think about'.
Ron and Hermione waited until she was out of earshot before they started laughing. 'That old bat wants the pool!' chortled Ron. 'Good job she didn't ask us when I was in my own body, eh?'. Hermione immediately stopped laughing. 'Why?' she asked in a quiet voice 'What would the necklace have said?'. Ron turned bright red, and began mumbling 'Uh, I don't know, um, definitely not that I lov…um, only as a friend, uh, what?'. Hermione was just about to ask again, but Ron was saved by the bell.
A.N. VERY confusing chapter there. Little recap: Harry doesn't know they've switched bodies, but believes they are dating. Trelawney asked Hermione in Ron's body if she was in love with herself, so of course the pendulum said no. Ron was glad she didn't ask him the same question when they were in their proper bodies; I wonder why not? ;-)