Ron could feel this potion starting to affect him. He was getting kind of sleepy, and dizzy. He looked at the bottle, it was almost empty. Just a few more gulps and Hermione could be putty in his hands. He hiccuped a bit, I have the sweetest sister ever and the best mate a guy could have. They're helping me – hic –win over my girl. I love them so – hic – much... Ron's eyelids were heavy with sleep as he chugged the last few drops of the elixir and laid back on his pillow. Hermione will be all mine...

**********

Hermione received Ron's letter that evening, but thought it best not to respond until morning. She needed to think about exactly what she would say. She needed to figure out how to say 'thank you' to Henry without seeming like she was interested in him. Ron was in her thoughts, too. She couldn't help fantasizing about kissing him, running her fingers through his brilliant hair, feeling his arms around her, keeping her safe. She sighed and scratched Crookshanks head. She was clad in her flannel pajamas, wishing a certain someone, besides the cat, was there to keep her warm.

**********

The next morning Ron awoke with a terrible headache. "That potion seems like some really strong stuff..." he rubbed his temple and sat up in bed. There was a small letter sitting next to him. He opened the letter, excited to see it was from Hermione.

Dear Ron,

I would love to get together with you. There's this great café near my house that serves the best scones. Meet me at two o'clock today at my parents house?

Best Regards,

Hermione

"Blimey, she wants to see me!" Ron ran hurriedly into the sitting room, where Ginny and Harry were playing chess. "Ginny, it works! It really think it works! I'm meeting her at two!" Ron rushed into the kitchen and began gulping down pumpkin juice. "Whatever is in that potion of yours is great, but gave me an awful headache this morning, by the way." Harry and Ginny both giggled quietly as Ron headed for the shower.

**********

"Ron, it's so nice to see you!" Hermione greeted Ron at the front door with a large hug. She looked amazing. She wore a light blue sweater and black pants. Her hair was curled around her shoulders, framing her delicate face elegantly. "We can walk there from here. It's a lovely day for it, don't you think?"

Ron grinned as she took his arm, leading him down the block. "How do you like school these days?" He inquired, trying desperately not to seem nervous.

"Oh, I love it! Muggle Uni is so fun. Everything is pretty laid back, though. I don't spend nearly as much time in the library as I used to, since I can do so much research on the computer." She sighed, "lots of parties, though. Not that I really go, or get invited to that kind of rubbish..." her voice trailed off.

"So who was that bloke you went with last night?"

"Oh, Henry? He's no one. A student at Oxford, he's really smart, but kind of stuck up." Hermione laughed a little, she was surprised to say she was nervous being around Ron again. They hadn't had time to be alone since the war and she'd thrown herself into school again, so it wasn't really practical to stay tied to anyone, "but I've been so busy with school and getting back to normal with my parents, it's really not the time for me to take on any serious relationships." Disappointment shot through Ron like a poison dart. She loved school, and he knew that, but he didn't realize she would put everything in her life on hold just because of a few exams.

The two arrived at the little café and were seated outside. Ron was ravenous as usual and got a full plate of food, while Hermione was satisfied eating a scone with some coffee. With a full mouth, he began to ask more about Henry.

"So, you like opera? This Henry guy, I mean, is it his thing?" He swallowed down his food before continuing awkwardly. "Sorry, um... I mean, I never knew you liked opera."

"Yes, and yes. Henry asked me, his mum couldn't go – or so he told me – and he had this ticket. But, as a matter of fact, I quite enjoy going to the opera." She replied as she took a sip of her coffee.

"What was it about?" Ron asked attentively. He really did want to be interested in the same things she was.

"Oh, it was a lovely story. Tristan und Isolde is about two star-crossed lovers." She cleared her throat.

"Aren't they all?" Ron quipped.

"Shut up, Ron. Let me finish!" She smacked his shoulder and continued, "anyway, Isolde is a princess and her lover is killed byTristan. She swears she's going to kill Tristan for it, and creates a poison to give him. Her maid discovers this, however, and replaces the poison with a love potion. She tricks the two into falling madly in love. They aren't allowed to be together of course, so eventually Tristan is murdered by this king who wants Isolde, and she, in her torment, kills herself so she can love Tristan in eternity." Hermione casually sipped her coffee and Ron sat bewildered at the story.

"Wow." He said. "That sounds pretty intense."

"Yeah, but it's so beautiful and romantic." She looked off and noticed Henry walking towards her with a bouquet of red roses. "Oh, crap," she whispered and tried to hide her face so he wouldn't see her, "Henry's coming up right behind you." Hiding was too late, though. He'd already spotted her. She planted the sweetest fake smile she could muster.

"Hey, babe." Henry winked at her and scowled at Ron. "These flowers are for you, but they can't compare to the beauty of your face." Ron rolled his eyes as Henry spewed out this garbage. 
"Thank you, Henry." Hermione smiled politely. "The opera was lovely last night, thank you for taking me."

"Want to do it again sometime?" Henry asked, trying to sound cool.

"Thank you, Henry, but no. I have a lot of studying coming up and I'm very busy." She wanted to seem polite. He wasn't a bad guy, he just wasn't her type.

"I thought I had made an impression on you last night," Henry growled. "I guess I can take a hint. You'd rather be with this loser than with me." He grimaced at Ron.

"Henry, just go away and leave us alone." Hermione threw the roses back at him.

"I'm a Royal Scholar, you know!" He said dejectedly as he stormed off, roses in hand.

"More like a royal pain..." whispered Ron after he left. "You know, Hermione, I would never treat you like that."

"I know, Ron, and thank you." She sighed of relief and smiled at him.

"Hermione, I love you."

"Thank you, Ron. I love you, too. You're a great friend." She went back to sipping her coffee.

The word friend stung him. He had really hoped that this would turn out to be more. Ginny's potion seemed to be working so well before. Maybe it wore off. I probably need to drink more! Ron got nervous, but decided to yield to his original plan. He would tell her he loved her. Not as a friend, but he loved her as a man loves a woman.

"Hermione, I don't know if you understood that, but I love you." He choked a little from nerves. Hermione gasped. She cared about Ron. A lot. But this really wasn't a good time for her to be with anyone. She had ambitions.

"Ron. I think you are the best friend a girl could ask for, but for now, I think you need to go off on your own adventures. You shouldn't feel tied down to me."

"Hermione. I am completely and utterly devoted to you. What adventures can I have if you aren't at my side?" Ron felt completely dejected.

"Ron, I'm sorry, I have to leave." Hermione got up from the table and ran away as fast as she could for the safe haven of her parents' home. Her eyes now welled up with tears as they came rushing down her face in a frenzy. She was scared. She couldn't get distracted, not with Ron. Not right now. A plethora of guilt overwhelmed her.

Ron was left dumbfounded at the café. He settled the bill and began walking back towards the bus stop. He was determined to get more of that potion. He knew that she was beginning to fall for him. She wouldn't have rejected Henry so fast if she didn't have other plans.