21 September, 1976
"ARGH!"
Ron was trying (and failing) to perform non-verbal spells.
Hermione was helping Ron practise by hitting him by the Knockback Jinx.
Harry was watching both of them while doing his homework.
"I just don't get it, 'Mione," groaned Ron, putting his wand back in his pocket and slumping down on the sofa. "It's impossible. And tomorrow Snape's gonna ask me to do it in Defence Against the Dark Arts..." He buried his face in his hands. "I don't want more detention."
Hermione, meanwhile, was thinking. The only reason that Ron couldn't perform Protego non-verbally is because his mind wasn't in it. He was either distracted, or not determined enough to do it. Kind of like Apparition. So what could be the way to make him understand? Without yelling at him, of course. Hermione wracked her brains for several more moments while Ron complained about Snape to Harry, who was clearly amused.
Idea.
"Ron," she said suddenly, tapping him on the back. He turned, still looking grumpy.
"What?"
"Remember second year?"
Ron's eyebrows creased in confusion. "What's second year got to do with it?"
Hermione beamed. "Quidditch, Malfoy called me a mudblood and you tried to make him eat slugs..."
The redhead's eyes lit up in excitement. "Will we be practising that spell on him again?"
Hermione shook her head in amusement. "No. What I mean to say is... Do you remember the incantation for the jinx you tried to use on him?"
"No... I just told him to eat slugs..."
She snapped her fingers. "Exactly. That's non-verbal."
Ron's eyes widened. "Oh..."
"So now imagine that Malfoy called me something rude again and now he's aiming for a jinx at you. Quickly! Do the shield charm!"
Hermione quickly aimed a non-verbal Jelly-Legs Jinx at Ron and watched as his non-verbal Shield Charm deflected it. She relaxed with satisfaction as the Jinx bounced off his shield and landed on a wall.
"You just did that."
"I just did that," Ron smiled at her.
A/N: Hello readers! I hoped you liked this little drabble about Ron and Hermione. For those wanting an update on Godfather, don't worry, it's coming! But it'll probably take longer than expected because I'm not spending so much time on Fanfiction anymore. Bye!