As they ate breakfast, the four of them discussed the meaning of Malfoy's behavior in Knockturn Alley.
"Harry's right, sounds like he's a Death Eater to me," Ginny agreed as she shovelled scrambled eggs into her mouth.
"I wonder why you agree with Harry," Ron said, rolling his eyes.
The four of them argued for a few more minutes until they went outside for more Quidditch.
"Actually, I think Ginny and I will sit this one out," Harry said, grabbing Ginny's hand and walking back toward the Burrow.
"What are you talking about?" Ron demanded. "We need all the training we can get before school starts."
"Ron, how did your apple juice taste this morning?" Ginny said with an evil grin.
"What?" Ron asked, dumbfounded.
Harry produced a glass phial from his pocket and shook it in the sunlight. "I got this from Fred and George. A little apology."
"You didn't!" Hermione gasped, horrified.
"Bye!" Ginny called over her shoulder as they rushed inside. Ginny and Harry hurried up to the window in her room. Ginny grabbed the Omnioculars as Harry watched Ron and Hermione through the window.
"They're arguing about something," Ginny announced. "Hermione is turning to come inside, Ron's grabbing her – there we go! You want to watch?"
"No, not really," Harry said, turning from the window. "It looks like our plan worked. I don't need to see the grisly details."
"Your plan was perfect," Ginny said, twisting the replay knob on the side of the Omnioculars. "Looks like it finally gave Ron the courage he needed."
A few minutes later, footsteps thundered on the stairs on the way to Ginny's room. An angry Ron burst inside, followed closely by a beet-red Hermione who was unable to repress a smile.
"You're a git!" Ron shouted, pointing furiously at Harry and then at Ginny. "And you helped him!"
"Didn't you want to kiss Hermione?" Ginny asked innocently.
Ron faltered and glanced back at Hermione. Her smile faltered. He turned back to them.
"Of bloody course I did! I've wanted to kiss her for years!"
Hermione smiled so wide that her face was in danger of cracking open.
"But I wanted to do it, not some potion! You took my first kiss with the girl I love away from me!"
Harry's eyebrows rose to his hairline as he looked over at Ginny. She was frozen in shock at Ron's admission. Hermione swayed and grasped the doorframe for support.
"Ron," Harry said when he recovered from the shock. "I did get this from the twins, but you should look at it."
He tossed the phial over to Ron. Ron examined it closely.
"It's still full," he said slowly.
Hermione hurriedly inspected it as well. "It's still sealed with wax."
Harry smiled triumphantly. "The potion didn't make you do that. You did it all yourself."
Ron gaped at him and then turned to Hermione. He puffed out his chest.
"Look at that," he said proudly.
Hermione smiled in return. "Better late than never."
She kissed him as Ginny and Harry groaned in mock disgust