The next day Hermione had her plan in her head: She would slip into the kitchens and quickly add some Sleeping Potion to a drink an tell a house-elf very kindly to take it to Professor Snape. Then, he would drink it, fall asleep within an hour (half way through marking) and wake up within another hour. Plenty of time for a date. She told Ron and Harry this at breakfast, and Harry seemed completely un-suprised on what had happened.
'Bloody brilliant, Hermione!'
'But won't Snape notice if we put some Sleeping Potion in his drink?'
'Oh,' snapped Hermione, annoyed, 'Harry! Slughorn said it was completely undetectable! Or did the Prince forget to tell you!'
'Don't you -'
And, most unusually, Hermione and Harry bickered until Ron said, 'Is this how it feels Harry?'
'Yes.'
'Oh! And listen, do one of you want to go into the kitchens and give a house-elf some Sleeping Potion to put in Snape's drink?'
'Me, I'm bored.' said Harry, taking the Potion out of Hermione's hand and walking out of the Great Hall, earning a 'Hey, Potty! Boy who Scored! Scar head! Whatever they call you!' from Malfoy on the way.
'Hermione,' said Ron, 'this isn't like you. Are you sure - you're OK?'
'Yes.'
'I mean ... this isn't like you!'
Hermione just gave Ron a smile.

Ron didn't think this was like Hermione at all. Giving a git teacher some Sleeping Potion just to go on a date? That seemed slightly stupid, and very unlike Hermione. But by the time Harry returned, he knew it was too late. Then, dreading lunch, he decided to finish off some homework to lift some wight off his shoulders. As the clock ticked, Ron's dread built itself into a wall.

Lunch came quicker than expected, and Ron kept nervously flicking his eyes to the staff table, eyes on Snape. What if it didn't work? What if Hermione had made it wrong? But then, in a flash, lunch was over, and Hermione was dragging him away into the Room of Requirement ...

The Room had turned itself into a beautiful place that resembled Gryffindor Common Room, except it was full of pictures of them. Ron spot How to turn a lady On sitting on the floor. They both sat on the couch in silence, before Ron said, eyes fixed on Hermione,
'You know, you look really nice in the dim light.'
Hermione laughed.
'Remember when I said I like really good Quidditch players?'
'Yeah?'
'Well, that wasn't a lie.'
She leaned in, and Ron didn't resist as her lips pressed softly against his. It felt wonderful, and he felt that oozing sensation again ... then he began to make movements towards Hermione's parts ...
But then she stopped and pulled away. He saw the smart look in her eye and he felt as if he was Hermione his friend, not Hermione his girlfriend.
'Ron, I don't think we should do this. I don't feel the same. I've put aside my studies for the plan, and I don't feel like I deserve to be a prefect after what I did. Now I'm getting you and Harry into trouble.'
Ron wanted to object. He wanted this to continue. But he knew, inside, she had a point.
'Maybe,' she continued,'Once You-Know - Voldemort - is gone, we can start this again, but until then, if we go on, I won't feel like Hermione. Are you OK with that?'
'Yes.'
'Thank you, Ron.'
She gave him one last kiss, and when he opened his eyes, Hermione was gone.