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Title<\/b.: A Bloody Dream Come True [Ron\/Hermione, Harry]\nRating\/Warnings<\/b>: PG-13 for mention of Ron and Hermione’s favorite spot.
\nSummary<\/b>: Ron and Harry have a little accident while dueling, and both find out what it’s like to be the other from the inside.
\nA\/N<\/b>: Written before OotP came out, so I have been jossed a few times, but the story still stands on its own for a variety of reasons.<\/p>\n
A Bloody Dream Come True<\/b><\/p>\n
Fred and George, Hogwart\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s resident Eighth Years, sat in the far corner of Gryffindor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s common room, pouring over a piece of parchment which looked rather like a half-drawn version of the Marauder\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Map.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153All right then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fred said to George in a low voice, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think we should cover the classrooms on the second floor of the east wing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve already DONE those, Fred,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George replied with amusement, tapping the parchment. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You drew them in yourself!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oy, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re right!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fred laughed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve done so many bloody rooms this term, I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t keep it straight anymore.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tell me about it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George agreed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m beginning to think this job\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll NEVER be done!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
During the previous year, the twins\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 seventh and supposedly final year, Dumbledore had announced that, due to the constant interruptions of classes and exams over the last few years (\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mind you, no one is blaming certain individuals who seem to\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6attract\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6certain\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6dangers\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d ), any Seventh Year who wished to stay for an extra year and finish up neglected studies might do so. Afterwards, he had approached Fred and George specifically with a particular request\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Near the end of last year\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153An extra year!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George exclaimed as they left dinner along with a crush of other, similarly excited students. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hogwarts has never done anything like this before!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s worried about Voldemort and all that, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll bet,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fred replied thoughtfully, his cheer fading a little and his pace slowing so that other people flowed around them. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s giving us some extra time to hide.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you think I know that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George demanded, slowing his own steps to match his twin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But look at it this way, another whole year to plan for Weasleys’ Wheezes!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And Mum\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be thrilled,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fred brightened up again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll think we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve gone academic!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Exactly,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George rubbed his hands together gleefully. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHonestly, mother, they didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even let PERCY stay an eighth year\u00e2\u20ac\u2122\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Am I interrupting?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
George and Fred looked up, startled to find the corridor had emptied while they were talking, and Dumbledore was standing behind them, eyes twinkling in amusement.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, no,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fred said quickly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re just really excited about maybe getting to stay an extra year.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a fantastic opportunity,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George chimed in. Dumbledore\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mouth quirked in bemusement, as if he knew exactly what \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcopportunities\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 Fred and George had been talking about.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153As it happens,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dumbledore said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153opportunities are exactly what I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d like to talk to you two about. Would you follow me to my office?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Dumbledore turned and started down the hall before the twins had a chance to respond. Fred and George exchanged a glance before hurrying after their Headmaster.<\/p>\n
Fawkes gave a short chirp of greeting as they entered the office, and by the time they were seated in armchairs in front of Dumbledore\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s desk, the Weasley twins had begun to be a bit nervous.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ah, sir,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George began, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153if this is about whoever slipped that fake wand into McGonagall\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s desk before Transfiguration\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Although that was a particularly nice bit of sneakery,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dumbledore interrupted, looking even more entertained, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153and a very well-made wand, what I wish to ask of you is related to that only by tangent.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Fred and George exchanged another glance as Dumbledore started to explain.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are aware that the last several years of your schooling has been a rather dark time,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dumbledore\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice lost its edge of amusement, and Fred noticed he looked a bit older and wearier suddenly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153and there have been times when Hogwarts has not been as safe as I might wish. I am afraid things look to become grimmer before they improve, and I must consider every measure to ensure the safety of those young witches and wizards who are in my care.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Fred and George nodded cautiously as Dumbledore paused.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153In the last seven years, the pair of you has managed to locate every known secret passage in the school, including one or two which even I was not aware of. This, as you may realize, is quite impressive.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
George and Fred were sporting looks of identical shock. Surely there was nothing about the school that Dumbledore didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know?<\/p>\n
Dumbledore seemed to read their expressions perfectly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I assure you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he smiled, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153that it would be impossible for anyone to know EVERYTHING about Hogwarts, myself included. Your brother and young Potter\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s adventure in the Chamber of Secrets, for which headmasters had searched for centuries, should have proved that adequately.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The twins looked chagrined as Dumbledore continued. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153As I was saying, I believe you two might know more about the physical layout of the school and its ground than even the Marauders themselves did in their time, when they created that marvelous piece of parchment you discovered.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fred and George looked even more chagrined at the mention of the rather illicit magical map they had used in their first years, then passed on to Ron and Harry when they had learned what they could from it.<\/p>\n
By this time, however, curiosity was motivating the twins more powerfully than concern over exactly how much Dumbledore knew about their activities during their years at Hogwarts.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We do know about at least three passages that aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t on the map,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fred spoke up after receiving the nod from George. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We can show you them, if you want.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thank you for the offer, Fred, but I have something a bit more complex in mind,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dumbledore seemed ready to come to the point. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I would like to inquire if you and your brother would like to spend next year as my\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6how do those Muggle movies put it? My secret agents.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You want us to be your spies?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George asked after a moment of surprise. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wicked!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you want us to do?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fred inquired thoughtfully.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Specifically,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dumbledore answered, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I would like you conduct a thorough search of the castle and find every secret passage and room that you are able. I would also like you to find out who knows about each passage, and who uses them. When you have learned all you think you are able, I would like you to create a new, updated Marauder\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Map.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The whole school?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Even George looked a bit daunted. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153In a year? That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be a huge job\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But what fun!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fred exclaimed, grinning.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153There would be some perks, of course,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dumbledore seemed to share Fred\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s enthusiasm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Your work for me would count as a course, lightening your school work load. You would be exempt from curfew and would have access to every part of the castle. There is, however, one stipulation.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The twins, who had been practically drooling at the chance to prowl about the school wherever they liked at all hours of the night, looked at Dumbledore warily.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It is imperative,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dumbledore said seriously when he was sure he had their attention, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153that your work for me remain absolutely secret. If you are to find out who uses each passage for what purpose, no one must know they are being monitored.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
All three participants in the conversation eyed each other with calculating stares.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What about Ron, Harry, and Hermione?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fred finally asked with a tone of measured thought. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found things we haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t before, and they might again. Would we be allowed to get their help?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Under the circumstances, I believe that particular trio of students might be quite helpful to you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dumbledore answered with a brisk nod. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But they are the only others with whom I would consider a secret of this magnitude safe.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Fred and George nodded in return, then exchanged another look and came to a silent agreement.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an enormous job,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George spoke up. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153D\u00e2\u20ac\u2122you think we might have a day to talk it over before we answer?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I would expect nothing less for such a serious decision,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dumbledore responded gravely. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I would however like to add that I would not have asked such a thing unless I had full confidence in you both.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Flushing with pride, the Weasleys stood up and shook Dumbledore\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand hardily before leaving his office.<\/p>\n
As the twins were going back down the moving spiral staircase, they finally let their excitement show.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Spies!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George exclaimed, grinning madly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to be spies, Fred!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s better than that,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fred responded with glee. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be security experts!<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
After a moment of excited silence, Fred asked the really important question:<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153D\u00e2\u20ac\u2122you think Angelina\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s staying?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Fred and George had accepted Dumbledore\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s offer, and now snuck off every night to prowl about the castle with no one the wiser. Work on their own Marauder\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Map had gathered plenty of momentum, and was by now about half done.<\/p>\n
While they were deciding what rooms to examine that night, a fight was breaking out on the other side of the common room.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not asking you any of that!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that simple!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
George looked up, but Fred didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t bother.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron and Hermione at it again?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked his twin.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re worse than Mum and Dad,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George agreed, still watching with interest. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Go on, look, I think this one\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s really serious.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
While the twins watched, Ron said something very deliberate, and too low for them to hear, which upset Hermione greatly. Ron stormed out of the room in a rage, and Hermione fled to the girls dormitories a moment later, in tears. Fred clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth disapprovingly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be paying for that later,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said, shaking his head sadly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just like Mum and Dad,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George repeated.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Harry looked up from his studying when Ron stomped into the room, slamming the door behind him with enough force to make Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s quill holder rattle.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry looked Ron up and down. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I take it from that entrance that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d fancy a duel?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Too right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron snarled, snatching up his outdoor cloak and his wand. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s go.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Want to talk about it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry asked on the way down to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, where they usually did their illicit dueling. Few other students, or teachers for that matter, wandered by the Forest by accident, but Harry and Ron knew the Forest with enough intimacy to know that they were safe enough on the fringes. Or perhaps the creatures lurking on the edges of the Forest were more afraid of Harry and Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dueling than in need of a meal.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not really,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron replied shortly, keeping his eyes on the ground.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry shrugged.<\/p>\n
They reached the Forest and stopped half a dozen meters past the first fringe of trees. Harry kicked some sticks out of his way while Ron took the requisite number of paces away.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ready?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry called after a minute.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do your worst!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron shouted back.<\/p>\n
Both Harry and Ron aimed at each other and yelled out a spell at the exact same moment, with the unexpected result that a burst of blue light enveloped them both, and the not-so-unexpected result that both of them flew backwards and landed in identical heaps. After several moments, Harry sat up, looking about dazedly. He looked around for his wand, but could only find Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s; he picked it up as he climbed to his feet with some difficulty, nearly tumbling back to the ground once or twice from vertigo.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he called out. I feel like I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m too tall, he thought to himself. I must still be dizzy.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Over here,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron called back, something about his voice sounding funny. Harry saw a shape in the nearby darkness roll to his own feet and started towards him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lumos!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry heard Ron say, and the tip of Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wand, which Ron had evidently found, flared to life. Harry stopped dead in his tracks.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he gasped, blinking rapidly, trying to convince himself that he was really not seeing what his brain was telling him he was seeing.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron looked up and froze too, staring at Harry.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve turned you into me!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry exclaimed, looking into Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s now bright green eyes and spotting the telltale scar under his fringe.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Like fun you have!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry cried out. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re ME!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
They stared at each other wordlessly for several moments, and then simultaneously reached out to poke each other in the arm.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What did you cast?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry asked accusingly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not this!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron shot back. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I cast that curse that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s supposed to switch your wand for mine so that your own spell hits you!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron narrowed his eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What did YOU cast?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was trying to cast that one that makes the other person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s spell blow up in their face,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry answered.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Volatilay?<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron asked.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the one,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry nodded, then furrowed Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s brow. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Only I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what I said\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh brilliant,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron groaned. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got to get this undone, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll just run up and find Hermione\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not telling Hermione,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry interrupted flatly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron demanded, feeling even more irritated because he felt stupid yelling at himself. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you two at it again? This is no time for it, Ron, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re stuck looking like each other!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t matter if Hermione and I are fighting or not,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry said stubbornly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll never live it down if we tell her, not to mention she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll rip us up one side and down the other for unsupervised dueling again. If she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s in a really foul mood she might even tell McGonagall. She is a prefect after all.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153She will NOT,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said in exasperation, trying to push the red hair that kept flopping in his eyes out of his way and wanting to punch himself in the face. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s your brilliant plan then, if we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not to tell anybody?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We can work it out on our own,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry replied, jaw set. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll just figure out what we did and\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6and\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6undo it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d At that moment, the wand light spluttered a little and looked like it might go out. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wrong with your bloody wand?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry demanded.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153How should I know?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron replied testily. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Give it here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d When Ron-in-Harry handed the wand to Harry-in-Ron it brightened up visibly. Harry-in-Ron snorted with irritation and handed it back, but as soon as he let go, it dimmed again.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, just take it and give me mine back,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry finally said, snatching his own wand out of Harry-in-Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s other hand. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll get it all sorted at once, let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just go up and figure out what I cast and then fix it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You make it sound so simple,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron commented cynically.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s because it is simple,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry replied, ignoring the sarcasm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need to go running to bloody Hermione for every piddly thing. Come on.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Looking like this?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron demanded.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hobson\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s choice,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry seized Harry-in-Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arm and began dragging him along back towards the castle. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fancy spending a night out here in the Forest.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry-in-Ron grumbled, but trailed along behind.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Besides,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry added, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been best mates for six years, how hard can it be to pretend to be each other for half an hour? It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not brain surgery.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Remember,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry warned Harry-in-Ron as they reached the secret entrance into Gryffindor Tower, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m Harry and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re Ron.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I KNOW,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron snapped, having heard this about twenty times on the way back into the castle.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Password?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the Fat Lady inquired.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Snape\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a twit,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron answered, deriving more joy out that password every time he said it; he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be sorry to see that one go. The Fat Lady swung aside to reveal the portrait hole, and Harry-in-Ron slipped inside, with Ron-in-Harry following immediately behind.<\/p>\n
Hermione, who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d obviously been prowling about the entrance waiting for them, pounced on them as soon as they came through.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Where have you been!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she demanded, each outburst an exclamation rather than a question. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been dueling again, haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you! Who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hurt the worst! And why are you holding each other\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wands!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hello, Hermione,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron cut her off, quickly changing wands with Ron-in-Harry, and glaring at him for letting them make such a stupid mistake already. Ron-in-Harry didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t notice, however, because he was busy shooting angry looks at Hermione from underneath Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fringe.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you \u00e2\u20ac\u02dchello Hermione\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 me!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she snapped back. Harry-in-Ron snapped his head back to her in surprise, then remembered that he was outwardly Ron and they were fighting. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You just think you can stroll right back in here and act like nothing happened?! After all those things you said to me?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry opened his mouth to placate her, then remembered he was angry at Ron as well and at the last second decided to take his revenge in the method readily available.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And I meant every last bloody word!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron shouted back, scrunching up his face in what he hoped looked rather like Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s childish \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m Having a Wobbly\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 expression. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And just where do you get off starting in on us like you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re my mum! You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re my girlfriend, not my bleeding nanny! What were you doing skulking about here anyway, just waiting for us to come back so you could tattle to McGonagall? Why don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you just go\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6go\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6READ SOMETHING!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry-in-Ron had a moment to appreciate Ron-in-Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s look of utter horror as all the color drained from Hermione\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face and her eyes glittered with fury. Belatedly he had a sudden epiphany that the reason Ron hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t said anything like that to Hermione since Fourth Year was because she had learned quite a few curses in the meantime that didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t kill you, but might make you wish she had. She looked ready to cast one of those curses at any moment.<\/p>\n
Right as Hermione was opening her mouth, Seamus Finnegan popped his head around the corner from the boy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dormitories.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcEy!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he shouted at them. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Some o\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 us are tryin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 tae study, so take yer wobblies outside and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 let the Fat Lady hit yer arse on the way oot!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Hermione whirled to face Seamus, and Harry-in-Ron took the opportunity to shove Ron-in-Harry back out the portrait hole.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Get out while we still have a chance!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he hissed, letting the Fat Lady swing closed behind him.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d you do that for?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry yelled, giving Harry-in-Ron a shove that nearly knocked him down. Harry noticed but was past caring about the look of actual anger on Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face that he had only seen directed at him half a dozen times in as many years, and was barely even weirded out by the fact that the look was actually on HIS face. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Now Hermione\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s FURIOUS with me!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Serves you right for starting some stupid fight with her in the first place,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron shot back peevishly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What childish and completely insensitive thing did you do this time?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153INSENSITIVE?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry roared so loudly that Harry-in-Ron took a step back. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153YOU have no BLEEDING IDEA what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re TALKING about, and now YOU\u00e2\u20ac\u2122VE probably FUCKED it ALL TO HELL! Do you even KNOW\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry cut off abruptly and just stood there, chest heaving and shaking wordlessly, Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s glasses perched ridiculously on the very tip of his nose, having slid down to their precarious position while Ron-in-Harry was shouting. Harry-in-Ron just waited for Ron to explain what he was on about, starting to feel slightly guilty for his actions.<\/p>\n
Well, I had no idea he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d take it like this, Harry thought to himself. Whatever he and Hermione were fighting about must have been really serious.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just go to the library,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry finally said slowly, having managed to get himself somewhat under control. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s get this sorted and then I can try to salvage my relationship with Hermione, and then maybe things will go back to the way they were before it all went pear-shaped.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry-in-Ron exchanged a glance with the Fat Lady, who shrugged, then he followed Ron-in-Harry in silence to the library.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Neither of them spoke a word as they reached the library, and Ron-in-Harry retrieved a book called \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ye Olde Tome of Alphybetical Curses for Inepte Wizzards\u00e2\u20ac\u009d . This particular copy was beginning to show the wear of having been checked out rather often of late, and the dog-eared look of the book didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t improve Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s disposition any. He plunked the book down on the table in front of Harry-in-Ron with a scowl.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What was the name of the curse I was trying to cast?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked sourly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Volatilay<\/i>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron answered, opening the book to the V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s. and beginning to skim down the list.<\/p>\n
The book contained nothing more than all the curses in alphabetical order with brief descriptions, so that mispronounced spells could be identified rapidly by searching the area where the actual spell was. Having worked this procedure down to a science in the years of miscast duel curses, Harry-in-Ron simply began reading down the list, knowing Ron would stop him when he hit the right one.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Volatilay<\/i>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron started, moving his finger down to the next one. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Voluptas Multas?<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Voltus Maximus?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Voltaire?<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry paused. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hang on, what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s that one do?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron scanned the description. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You spout long stories in ridiculously effusive prose that go nowhere but involve lots of reincarnations.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thought so,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry said grimly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153George cast that one on Percy once. Took Mum a week to notice, the only difference was him constantly mentioning that Muggle fellow with the long hair and the cross. Keep going.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry-in-Ron read a while further down the list, until they were convinced it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t there.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re sure it was \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcvol-\u00e2\u20ac\u02dc something?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked, running Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s finger down the column again.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Positive,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry said stubbornly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Then it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not here,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron sighed, letting the book fall shut on the table.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But it HAS to be!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry exclaimed in frustration. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a spell, nothing would have happened at all!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mean it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not a spell,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron went to rub the spot on his nose under his glasses, only to realize he wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wearing glasses. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It just means it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not a curse. Can you remember exactly what you said?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see what good it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll do if it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not in the ruddy book,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry grumbled but thought hard. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, voli\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6vola\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6volut\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6volume\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6hang on, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s it, Volumay!<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry suddenly exclaimed, causing several nearby people to shush him angrily.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Quiet, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re getting me in trouble,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron hissed.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even want to HEAR it from you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry replied icily. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If it isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t a curse, what is it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Volumay<\/i>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said to himself. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve heard that before\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He reached up to push his glasses up on his nose and poked himself in the face. Suddenly, he snapped his fingers. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got it! Wait here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry watched Harry-in-Ron slide out of his chair and head to the stacks. He glanced around idly and noticed a mousy-looking Fourth Year Hufflepuff girl going by. On a spur of the moment, he decided to have a little fun with Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s body.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Psst!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he whispered at the Hufflepuff girl, whose name he sort of vaguely recalled was Ellen. She looked around startledly, then caught sight of Ron and made a \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWho, me?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 hand motion. Ron waved her over, noting with glee that the girl was blushing furiously merely from being motioned at by Harry Potter.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re Ellen, aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry asked. The girl nodded furiously, clutching her books to her chest like they were her life vest in the final moments of the Lusitania. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you know that Hufflepuff Fifth Year, the really persistent one, named Jessi something or other?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Another furious nod. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Good. Can you tell her that I think she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s really cute? Thanks.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
As the Hufflepuff girl hurried away, still stealing glances back at him, Ron-in-Harry grinned furiously. Jessi had been driving Harry to distraction all year with her less-than-subtle seduction attempts, and Harry, obviously pining for Ginny, had zero interest. After he had ignored her for months on end, Jessi had seemed to finally get the hint. Ron had nearly added \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcit really turns me on when girls are violently aggressive\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 to the message, but had decided that he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want Harry to be killed, just frustrated and humiliated.<\/p>\n
Being Harry Potter was heady stuff.<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry tried to stifle his grin when Harry-in-Ron returned, bearing a book called Cosmetic Charms for the Intermediate Witch<\/i>. The grin died on its own.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s that for, then?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry demanded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I hate to tell you, but I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think even advanced level makeovers are going to help us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the book I found the spell in,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron informed him coldly, flipping open the book to a page he already had marked with his hand. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I once overheard Hermione talking to Ginny about using this charm, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why it sounded familiar. Here it is: \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcVolumay\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/i>.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcA beauty charm for the addition of extra body to limp hair\u00e2\u20ac\u2122,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry read aloud. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get it, if you were switching our wands and I was, er, adding body then what\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry stopped speaking as he suddenly understood. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just look like each other\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve switched bodies!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It seems like it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron agreed flatly, reaching over to push his glasses back up on Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nose right before they slipped off his face completely. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That explains why we were having the problem with the wands; the magic comes from inside us, so the wands respond to who we are, not which body we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153How did we do this?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry demanded.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We must have cast our spells at exactly the same time,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said thoughtfully.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But we must have done that LOADS of times before and nothing like this has ever happened!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry pointed out. Harry-in-Ron drummed his fingers on the table thoughtfully for a moment.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got something that might help us figure it out in my trunk,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he finally said, standing up. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come on.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
They didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t run into anyone else this time, and soon Harry-in-Ron was kneeling before his trunk.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alohomora<\/i>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. Nothing happened. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, damn, I forgot I enchanted it to only open to my voice. Do you mind?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alohomora<\/i>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry said, not looking overtly amused. Harry-in-Ron, using one hand in a futile attempt to hold Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hair out of his eyes, began rummaging through his stuff one-handedly and came up with a book that looked brand new. He glanced at it, then up at Ron-in-Harry.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Say you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be angry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry tried to smother his irritation. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, all right, I won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron handed it to Ron-in-Harry, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153see what that says.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcWhen Wizarding Duels Go Horribly Awry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry read the title and felt himself get very irritated despite his promise. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t I ever seen this before?! Where did you get this?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hermione gave it to me for my birthday,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron shifted uncomfortably. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She said I had better keep you from killing yourself dueling, now that she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gone and fallen in love with you. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a direct quote.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had it since your birthday?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry exclaimed, not at all sidetracked by mention of Hermione. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why in blazes haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you ever told me about it before?! We could\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve bloody well used it a dozen times or more this term!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t needed it till now,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron pointed out. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve done all right on our own fixing our spells.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What about that time I turned my hair green for a week and I had to tell people it was all the rage in London!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry yelled. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you pull out your ruddy book then?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I thought it was funny,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron admitted sheepishly.<\/p>\n
Swearing under his breath, Ron-in-Harry flipped open the book to a chapter called \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcIn the Event of Accidental Curse Mixing\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, this is bleeding fantastic,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry muttered.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s it say?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron asked.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcIn the rare instance where two curses are cast at the exact same moment\u00e2\u20ac\u2122,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry read out loud, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcthe curses generally deflect each other, in effect negating each other. However, mixing curses with other sorts of spells produces all kinds of unpredictable problems, often a mixture of the effect of each single spell\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Does it say what we should do?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron asked.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcSince the result is a mixture of two spells\u00e2\u20ac\u2122,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry continued, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u02dceffectively creating a whole new spell, the counterspell for either of the two spells in question will not undo the damage. WARNING: under no circumstances should a wizard or witch attempt to mix the counterspells to solve the already mixed spells\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 damage. Combining spells is VERY DANGEROUS, and you should have already learned your lesson if you are referring to this chapter\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry paused and glared at Harry-in-Ron. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not a very helpful book is it? Maybe we should just try to do the spells at the exact same moment again. Maybe it will finish up the half-done spells into something we can fix.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I doubt we could perfect the timing to end the spells at exactly the same time,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron shook his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re different lengths, and there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no guarantee it will work. It might make things worse.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Have you got a better idea?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry demanded. Harry-in-Ron thought for a few seconds, but then shrugged Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shoulders reluctantly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I say we give it a try, what have got to lose?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry and Ron switched back wands and went at it. They soon discovered that not only was it hard to end the spells at exactly the same time, it was nearly impossible to do so on purpose. Harry-in-Ron invariably finished his shorter spell before Ron-in-Harry and ended up holding Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wand right as Ron-in-Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s spell was casting, so that after two dozen tries the only noticeable effect was Ron-in-Harry having such big hair that it was standing straight on end.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153This isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t helping,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron finally put a stop to it. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That book must say something useful. Give it here.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
After leafing through several sections which looked likely but proved unhelpful, Harry-in-Ron was left finally staring at the last chapter, which was called \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcLast Resorts for the Hopelessly Pear-Shaped\u00e2\u20ac\u009d .<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hmm,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got something.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sound happy about it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry said suspiciously.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a spell here that will cancel out anything\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron explained hesitantly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Perfect!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry exclaimed.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6along with any other spell you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve cast in the last twenty-four hours,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron finished.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So what?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron demanded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So some minor charms disappear, where\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the bad?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re forgetting we had a Transfiguration test this afternoon,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry reminded him gloomily. Ron-in-Harry swore. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If we cancel out everything magical we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve done for the last twenty-four hours, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll both fail. Not to mention, I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t remember every spell I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve cast all day, can you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry started to protest, then stopped. He shook Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s head, scowling.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he grumbled. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And any one of them could\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been something important. Damn! What do we do then?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Simple,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron shrugged. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t cast any spells until this time tomorrow. Then we can switch ourselves back.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No magic for a whole day?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry exclaimed, aghast. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be done!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be stupid,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron snapped, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153of course it can. We go all summer without it, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe you do,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry replied, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got news for you, Weasleys cheat like mad! There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so many of us, they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve stopped trying to guess who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s used what magic when and they just leave us alone. I haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t gone a day without magic since I could talk!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No doubt your first words were \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAccio<\/i>, Chocolate Frog\u00e2\u20ac\u2122,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron commented dryly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ridiculous,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry sneered. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Although I did have an uncle who used to sneak up on us and yell \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcAccio<\/i>, Your Conker!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and scare the daylights out of us\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Your loony relatives notwithstanding,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron interrupted, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153it looks like this is our only option.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What about classes?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry pointed out.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be that hard,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said thoughtfully. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Tomorrow\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Friday, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve only got Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures, neither one of those takes any spell casting usually. And Potions, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fine too.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The hell it is!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry exclaimed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no way I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m going to let you go into Potions as me! You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll get me failed!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153How much damage could I do in one class?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron asked. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Besides, Snape will think you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re me, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be taking all the heat.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just what you say,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry waved him off. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Snape only hangs over your shoulder because you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re bad at potions.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m bad at potions because he hangs over my shoulder all the time!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron shot back. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take my word for it, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll see tomorrow. And stop scowling, isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t this what you always wanted?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153To be trapped in your body while you make Hermione hate me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry demanded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a bloody dream come true!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, about that,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron shuffled his feet, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153sorry. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll take care of that, I promise. What I meant was, now you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll get to see what it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s really like to be me. In all my glory.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry thought about mentioning that he had already been having a little fun with Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s body, then cringed as he remembered he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d have to fend off Jessi\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s overbearing affections. Still, though, a whole day as Harry? Being the fantastic Mr. Potter must have some perks.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I expect it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be loads of fun,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry said out loud with confidence. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t wait.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, me either,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said cryptically.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Harry and Ron spent the rest of the night holed up in the library, honing their plan. They had discussed the wand problem first, and had come up with what they thought was a plausible solution. Ron-in-Harry was darkening his wand with ink so that it would look like Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s if not scrutinized too closely. Harry-in-Ron was wrapping a bit of cello tape around his wand a few inches from the top. His plan was to tell people that Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wand had developed a crack, and he was using his old wand until he could owl his to Olivander\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s for repairs. He doubted many people remembered what Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s old wand had looked like, and this also meant that few people would ask Harry-in-Ron to do any magic, or at least they wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t if they remembered the havoc that the taped wand had wreaked when they were Second Years.<\/p>\n
While this was going on, they discussed the Hermione problem.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll apologize to her tomorrow,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Too right you will,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry agreed sharply. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d better make it good too. But you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not to kiss her under any circumstances.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What if she wants to kiss me? Er, you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron asked, half teasing and half irritated. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I should think if I made up with Hermione and then told her she wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t to kiss me, being my girlfriend and all, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be in twice the trouble you were before.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s MY girlfriend,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry answered peevishly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not to kiss her! And you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tell her it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s you as an excuse either.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron made a noise of frustration and ripped off a piece of cellotape savagely.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not like it would be cheating,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron continued, more to bait Ron than anything else. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I mean, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s your body. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hardly cheating if a girl gets rather intimate with her boyfriend\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s body.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You listen to me,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry pointed his still-drippy wand at Harry-in-Ron, his grip so tight his knuckles were white. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are going to made everything go back to normal tomorrow without telling anybody about our little problem, and I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care how you do it. And if I find out you snogged my Hermione, I will shove your wand in your ear up to the hilt!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to snog your bloody Hermione,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron groused. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m just pointing out that it might be a necessary hazard of your brilliant plan. And these are your ears, by the way, so be my guest and shove anything in them you please.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153There, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nearly dry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry tapped a finger against his colored wand experimentally, ignoring Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s last remark. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just a bit tacky, but it should hold up.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We should get back to the tower anyway,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said, looking at Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s watch. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s late enough that we can just go to bed and keep from screwing up too badly.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Their plan to crawl immediately and secretly into bed presaged yet another snafu. Harry-in-Ron, brain occupied with thoughts of how he was Ron and NOT Harry, crawled into his own bed without thinking. Seamus and Dean cracked up.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Cor, Weasley,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dean howled, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re supposed to wait until AFTER we turn the lights out to climb into Potter\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bed!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Even Neville laughed at that. Face flaming, Harry-in-Ron climbed back out of his bed and slunk into Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s. Ron-in-Harry jerked back his comforter, glaring at Harry-in-Ron.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If it isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t warm enough, Potter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Seamus snickered nastily, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153we could always give you two a moment to yerselves!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Look at Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hair!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dean added, pointing at Ron-in-Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s still-huge hair from trying to fix the spells earlier. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It looks like they already have!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sod off,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said nastily, drawing the hangings around Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bed sharply closed. There was a moment of snickering before Seamus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 parting shot:<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sod off he says! He knows I hate sloppy seconds!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oy, George and Fred! Guess whose bed we found your brother in last night!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You are going to pay for this,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry hissed at Harry-in-Ron as they stared at the breakfast table, trying to ignore Fred and George, and most of Gryffindor, as they clutched their sides with laughter at Dean and Seamus\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 loud announcements. Hermione, who was sitting as far away from them as possible, seemed to be about as amused as Harry and Ron.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m you, isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that punishment enough?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron shot back nastily.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey, Hermione! Having boy trouble again? Because Ron sure is!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry tensed to leap across the table and strangle Dean, but Harry-in-Ron grabbed his robes and jerked him back down onto the bench.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m Ron, remember?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he whispered. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all mine. Hey Dean!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
As Dean turned to look, Harry-in-Ron brought his fist down sharply on the very edge of his plate, flipping his breakfast through the air to land on Dean\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s head. Dean\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mouth, wide open in surprise, caught a sausage.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t keep those sausages out of your mouth, eh Dean? Won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t Seamus be jealous?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron commented dryly in the convenient silence his shout had created. There was another moment of silence before all the Gryffindors, and most of the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws seated nearby, erupted into roaring laughter while Dean and Seamus slunk back down in their seats, red-faced. Fred and George laughed hardest, Fred going purple and pounding on the tabletop, and George toppling off the bench under the table, from where his laughter echoed in a sinister manner. Even Hermione was covering a small smile with her hand, and Neville, a victim of many previous breakfast humiliations by Seamus and Dean, got the whole table shouting \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Weasley! Weasley!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry was so elated by the freedom of being Ron, he barely even noticed that they weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t shouting his name. Or the five points Snape took from him for wasting food. What pleased him most of all, however, was the twins, still gasping and wiping tears of mirth from their eyes, slapping him on the back as they went by on their way to classes.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We knew you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d do something marvelous one day,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fred exclaimed.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You make us proud to be your brothers,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George agreed heartily. Harry-in-Ron grinned so hard he felt like Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face might fall off.<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry looked rather sulky.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Herbology had gone rather uneventfully, as it was a bit early in the morning, so nobody noticed if Ron and Harry seemed a bit subdued; not to mention Hufflepuffs, loyal though they are, aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the most observant students at Hogwarts. Both houses were kept busy trying to pick slugs off some rather belligerent plants, from among thorns dripping a suspicious sort of purple slime, using the infamous flesh-eating slug repellent. No one had yet explained whether the slugs or the repellent possessed the flesh-eating quality, and neither the Gryffindors nor Hufflepuffs were too keen to find out anytime soon.<\/p>\n
It was on the way to Potions that separation first tested Ron and Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ability to imitate each other.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Harry, can you come over here a moment?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry-in-Ron and Ron-in-Harry both looked to see Pansy Parkinson standing in a knot of Slytherin girls smiling in a manner she obviously thought was beguiling and waving him over. Ron-in-Harry glanced at Harry-in-Ron questioningly. Harry-in-Ron shrugged, and Ron-in-Harry stepped over to the girls warily.<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s place by Harry-in-Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s side was immediately filled by a Seventh Year Ravenclaw whom Harry barely knew.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hello, Ron,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she purred, staring up at him from under dark lashes.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, hi,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he replied, wondering where this was going and trying to flip Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hair out of his way so he could see clearly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve just heard a rumor that you and that Granger girl have broken up for good,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she leaned closer, brushing Harry-in-Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Is it true?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry-in-Ron looked down in surprise. The girl must have taken his stare for interest, because with a practiced little shrug of her shoulders, she managed to slide her robe almost off one shoulder, revealing her not-very-buttoned shirt beneath. Harry-in-Ron gulped, suddenly having new insight into the reason why, when anyone asked the twins why Weasleys were so tall, they always responded \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcbecause the view is better\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron finally managed to squeak out. He cleared Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s throat and tried again in a stronger voice. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, it isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t true. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re just having a little lover\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s quarrel.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, pity,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the Ravenclaw girl looked thoroughly disappointed. She shrugged her robe back up onto her shoulder and drifted away.<\/p>\n
That was strange, he thought to himself. He shook it off as he arrived at Potions, remembering to sit at Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stool instead of his own. Ron-in-Harry wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t there yet, and Harry hoped he wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be late. Snape didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t need any excuse to start in on him.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry glanced back over his shoulder as he headed towards the Slytherins and saw the Ravenclaw girl pressing herself against Harry-in-Ron.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not Cecilia AGAIN,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he muttered to himself. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hope Harry gives her a good kick.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you want something?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked Pansy.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Actually, I do, Harry darling,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Pansy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s smile was a bit oily and Ron didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really care for it. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Could you do me an eensy favor and stand right here for a moment?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Pansy indicated a spot against the wall right next to herself.<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry, suspicious but not really seeing how this could possibly cause trouble, moved closer, and a Slytherin girl he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really know slid out of his way to leave a space.<\/p>\n
That seemed to be, in fact, all the favor consisted of. Ron-in-Harry stood silently next to Pansy, feeling a bit stupid, as she picked up her conversation with the other girls.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6did you see her hair?\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6not her color at all\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6did she put that on in the dark?<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6looks like she let the Whomping Willow do her makeup\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think it looks rather nice,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry dared to interject. The eyes of the girls all swiveled towards him in haughty disapproval.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Harry, dear,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Pansy said after a moment. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really have to speak, if you could just stand there quietly and look desirable? Thanks so much.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry stared at her in shock, while the girls went back to gossiping. Rolling his eyes, he went back to slouching on the wall, glancing at Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s watch every now and then.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Um, excuse me,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he finally interrupted after several minutes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Is this the whole favor? Because we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to be late for Potions.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Pansy opened her mouth to reply, looking rather irritated, when suddenly, spotting something over Ron-in-Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shoulder, her whole demeanor changed. Her expression softened, she pouted her lips and smoothed her hair. The whole effect made Ron rather queasy.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hello, Draco!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she purred in a carrying voice. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Harry and I were just stopping for a chat.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry turned, startled, to find Malfoy glancing at them, clearly unsurprised by the whole tableau. Realization dawned on Ron that Pansy was trying to make Malfoy jealous.<\/p>\n
That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a laugh, he thought to himself. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s missing some of the necessary equipment to play on Malfoy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s team.<\/p>\n
Malfoy seemed to share in Ron-in-Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s obvious amusement.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t say I blame you, Pansy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he replied coolly. He looked straight at Ron-in-Harry with a smirk, winked, then continued down the corridor.<\/p>\n
Ron felt a bit numb. Had Malfoy just hit on him? There had definitely been a wink.<\/p>\n
Pansy looked rather put out, and her large scowl cheered Ron slightly. Figuring his work here was done, Ron-in-Harry slipped away back into the groups of passing students and continued down the hall to class.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153There you are,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said quietly as Ron-in-Harry slipped into Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s usual seat. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I thought you were going to be late.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Something you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve not told me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry asked with narrowed eyes, giving a small head jerk in Malfoy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s direction.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry opened his mouth to reply, but just then Snape strode into class, cutting off their conversation.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
By the end of Potions, Ron was too angry to remember anything as insignificant as a wink from Malfoy.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going on in that cauldron, Potter!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry sneered loudly as they left the classroom. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Those slugs aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t diced as precisely as Malfoy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s! Ten points from Gryffindor! Crabbe\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s dropped his newts while kissing my ass! Ten points from Gryffindor! I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got a wand up my ass the size of a thousand year old sequoia! Ten points from Gryffindor!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wow, Harry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Neville said as several other nearby Gryffindors were chortling at his Snape impression, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seen you this worked up since we were First Years! I thought you were used to Snape picking on you by now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Today was particularly unfair, Neville,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry snarled while grinding Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s molars. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153At least it took the attention away from you for once.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about time,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Neville agreed. He stopped suddenly in the hallway at the mention of time and looked at his wrist. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh no! I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve left my watch behind!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Honestly, Neville,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Lavender Brown sighed behind them, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you go five minutes without losing something?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I took it off when I was washing my cauldron so it wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get wet,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Neville patted down his pockets to make sure he hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hid it somewhere in his robes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I must have left it by the sinks. Gran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going to kill me, she just sent it to me after I lost my last one! It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the fourth one this year.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just go back quick and get it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron encouraged. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll wait for you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Neville was just turning around when Draco strode up the hall, followed closely by Crabbe, Goyle, and Blaise.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Did I show you my new watch?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Draco asked the other Slytherins loudly so the Gryffindors would be sure to hear. He pushed up his robe sleeve to show Neville\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s watch.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153G-give it back!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Neville stuttered hotly, stepping towards Malfoy.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hand it over, Malfoy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron moved to stand behind Neville, taking up Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s traditional role as thug.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Back off, Weasley,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Draco eyed him coolly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t prove I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t buy this myself.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was there when he did,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Blaise added haughtily.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s he, then?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry moved to Neville\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s other side. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Your poof of purchase? You two are awfully chummy all of the sudden, did your Daddy get tired of buggering him, or did he just buy him off like all your other friends? He looks like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s worth every knut.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Blaise snarled at them as the Gryffindors snickered at the double-entendre, but Draco\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s only response was to raise an eyebrow.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Think you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re clever, Potter?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked as though he were bored. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t matter, No one will really believe this is Longbottom\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s. Looks a bit too expensive, doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I c-can too p-prove it!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Neville interrupted them triumphantly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I c-carved my name on the back, in c-case I lost it!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
All eyes in the hallway swiveled towards Draco.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, then, Malfoy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron grinned ferally, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153go on, let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s see it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Draco pressed his lips together so tightly they were nearly invisible.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Looks like it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Muggle-made anyway,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he sneered, unclasping the watch and tossing it at Neville\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s feet. The Slytherins strode by as the Gryffindors hooted and cheered. Neville bent quickly to scoop up his watch.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thanks, Harry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said gratefully, grinning at Ron-in-Harry. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care what Snape says, I think you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re brilliant.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry felt good as he and Harry-in-Ron left the others behind. He looked at Harry-in-Ron, who was smirking.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Poof of purchase!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron laughed out loud. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Honestly! I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m embarrassed those words came out of my mouth!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not half as embarrassing as what comes out of Malfoy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry snickered. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Particularly when it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Blaise.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Have you noticed anything odd about Harry and Ron today?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny asked Hermione during Care of Magical Creatures, looking over to where Harry and Ron were standing a bit away from the others as class was beginning, whispering to each other secretively. So many Slytherins had dropped Hagrid\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s class in favor of other courses that it had been made a double class of Fifth and Sixth Year Gryffindors rather than Gryffindors and Slytherins.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Is there anything about Ron that ISN\u00e2\u20ac\u2122T odd?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione snarled.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, Hermione, not again,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny said sympathetically. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s he done now?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to talk about it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione said shortly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I heard you were fighting,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny admitted. Hermione grunted. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s done something really awful this time, hasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t he?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, Ginny,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione sighed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think I have, actually. And yes, they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re acting strangely. Ron came through the portrait hole first last night.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ginny stared at her, shocked. She took another look at Ron and Harry, looking concerned.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Are you sure?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she asked.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sure,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione said crossly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was waiting for them to come back.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hmm,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny shrugged off her look of worry after another moment\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s consideration. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sure it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s really nothing. After all, how many times have they gone through that portrait hole? Harry must go through second SOME of the time.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione deflated slightly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry I snapped at you. Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s got me all worked up still.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Forget it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny patted her shoulder. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If it makes you feel any better, looks like Ron and Harry are having a quarrel as well.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re still looking at us,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron nudged Ron-in-Harry.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Most likely because you keep looking back at them and then elbowing me!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry snapped. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just ignore them, can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron, Harry, there a problem back there?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hagrid called from up front.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, no,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry replied quickly, cursing internally as every pair of eyes on the field swiveled towards them.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fine, then, care to come up here and show us a stun charm for these Hinkeypunks, Ron? Ron does a mean stunner, he does,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hagrid informed the class proudly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Actually, Hagrid,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron held up his cellotaped wand. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had an accident with my wand, and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s at Olivander\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s for repairs. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got my old one in the meantime\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6but if you want\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Better not have you then,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hagrid interrupted hurriedly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Half the class\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be belching slugs in no time, wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t they?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The Gryffindors all snickered at the reminder of Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s miscast curse from his back-firing wand four years ago. Harry-in-Ron did his best to blush embarrassedly like he was sure Ron would have.<\/p>\n
* * * * * * <\/p>\n
At the end of class, Ron and Harry were hoping to slip out quickly, but Colin popped up beside them.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hello, Ron, Harry!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he chirruped.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, sorry, Colin,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry tried to head him off before he said anything else, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hang around and chat, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve really got to be going\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all right, Harry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Colin grinned. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Ron I want to talk to anyway!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe this, Harry groaned internally. Even when Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s got my body Colin STILL is bothering me! It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s like he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s got Harry Potter radar!<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s okay, Harry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said out loud. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll catch up to you then, all right?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fine by me,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry responded, escaping Colin while he could.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Ron hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even made it back to the tower when Harry-in-Ron came pelting down the hall, gangly limbs flailing wildly and calling his name.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153HARRY!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron shouted, attempting to screech to a halt next to Ron-in-Harry and nearly crashing headlong into him.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the matter now?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry demanded. Harry-in-Ron lowered his voice, still totally out of breath.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re in serious trouble,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron wheezed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve just accidentally called a Quidditch practice!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Accidentally!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry screeched. Harry-in-Ron shushed him, looking around quickly to make sure no one was listening. Ron-in-Harry lowered his voice. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How can you accidentally call a practice?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he whispered angrily.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron began guiltily, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was talking to Colin in the hallway\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153There was your first mistake,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry groaned.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And then he said he was a little concerned about the match that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s coming up\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He would be,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry commented cynically. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He makes all his pocket money selling pictures of us to the alumni newsletter! Him and his bloody camera\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And anyway,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron interrupted Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s complaint, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153he said he thought we could just smash Ravenclaw if we just practiced a bit more, and I agreed, and then he said \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcBrilliant! I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll go tell the others!\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and ran down the hall before I could stop him.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry had no response for several seconds, he just stared at Harry-in-Ron in mute horror.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6well\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6we CAN\u00e2\u20ac\u2122T!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry finally spluttered. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I mean\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6we just can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t! I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t pretend to be a Seeker! And you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a rotten Keeper! We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got to call it off!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey, Ron, Harry!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Parvati Patil, one of their Chasers, stopped to chat for a second on her way by. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Colin just told me about the extra practice tonight, I think it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s absolutely brilliant, Ron. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just what we need! That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re our team captain.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Heh,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron shrugged sheepishly, as Ron-in-Harry glared at him blackly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thanks.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got to pull it together, or my sister will never let me live it down! Ooh, gotta run,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Parvati grinned at them. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153See you tonight!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You like being team captain, hmm?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry sneered. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Then YOU can figure out how we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re getting out of this!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron pleaded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m having every bit as bad a day as you! YOU\u00e2\u20ac\u2122RE the captain, and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got to pull us through this!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153All right, all right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry looked slightly placated, but still grim. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m thinking. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no picnic being you either, I might add. Oh, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve just remembered, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m supposed to stop by Ginny\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s room after classes to pick up a Quidditch book. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have to go get it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron looked panicky. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You mean from Ginny\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s room? In the girls\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 dormitories?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be daft,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron snapped. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been there loads of times, no one will look at you twice. Besides, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re the one who got us into this Quidditch mess, and that book might have something that will get us out of it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry gave Harry-in-Ron a sharp shove in the direction of the tower.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wait, where\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re you going?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron demanded.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m going to the library to do your homework,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry replied, the irony in his voice rather thick. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d better get started on mine soon as well. Leave Ginny\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s book on my bed, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll come back and get it before practice, and don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t forget to apologize to Hermione.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron protested. Ron-in-Harry waved him off without turning around and disappeared around the corner.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
With serious misgivings about this whole situation, Harry-in-Ron glanced around nervously as he entered the girls\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 side of the tower. He forced himself to look nonchalant as he read the door signs on the way by. He finally stopped in front of \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fifth Years\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and knocked hesitantly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come in!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny called from inside, and Harry-in-Ron swallowed hard before opening the door.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hi, Ron!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny exclaimed getting up from her bed, where she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been working on a homework essay. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s up?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve come for the book,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said, slipping inside and closing the door behind him.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny nodded. She looked around the room quickly and gave a little shrug. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s here somewhere. Hang on, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll find it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/p>\n
Looking around as Ginny rummaged through her things, Harry realized that he had never seen Ginny\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s room before. Having no sisters himself, and really no idea what a girl\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s room looked like, he had always harbored some stereotypical notion of a room swathed in pink frills and tiny pillows. Instead, it was rather like his own room, up to and including the Quidditch poster above her desk. Her bureau was strewn with a few lipsticks and several pictures, of her family, her and Ron, a cluster of various Gryffindors\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6including one of Harry.<\/p>\n
Harry-in-Ron picked up the picture idly. It was an action shot, and a good one, of Harry catching the Golden Snitch in one of Gryffindor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s matches last season. The Hufflepuff Seeker was nowhere in sight, it was nothing but Harry and the golden blur, surrounded by an endless blue sky. Harry vaguely remembered Colin making a nice profit selling this particular picture to the Gryffindor alumni newsletter as a freelance photographer; he supposed Colin had given Ginny the original. He watched himself make the winning catch several times before setting the picture back down. He accidentally knocked one of the lipsticks off the dresser and it rolled under the piece of furniture.<\/p>\n
Harry-in-Ron got down on his hands and knees with a sigh and felt around underneath the dresser. He didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t feel the lipstick, but his fingers brushed something else. He pulled it out to discover it was a book called There Are Several I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s in Quidditch Team<\/i>, covered in a thin layer of dust. Harry-in-Ron sneezed, sending dust in all directions.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found it!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny got up from where she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been searching under her bed and helped Ron-in-Harry to his feet. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s some good stuff in there, and we sure need it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry-in-Ron nodded mutely, still not really over the fact that he was standing in Ginny\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s room, alone with Ginny. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d never even been in Hermione\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s room before!<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re awfully quiet,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny commented. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hermione told me you were fighting, but she wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tell me about what. Is it something really important?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Important enough, I suppose,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron shrugged, more curious than ever to know what it was that neither Ron nor Hermione would talk about.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry about it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny said with a reassuring smile. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If I know you two, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll work itself out soon enough.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ginny hugged Harry-in-Ron impulsively, and Harry-in-Ron froze for a moment before hugging her back tightly.<\/p>\n
What the hell, he thought to himself. She doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s me, I might as well enjoy myself.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ginny, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s something I want to ask you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny pulled away to look Harry-in-Ron in the eye. Harry took a second or two to enjoy that; he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t receive many direct stares from Ginny when he was looking more like himself.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Would you cut my hair for me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron pleaded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see a thing!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry was lost in thought as he left the library, where he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been working on his homework. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been thinking about his run-in with Pansy, as well as several similar instances that had happened through out the day.<\/p>\n
In the five seconds intervening between when he discovered he liked girls and when he realized he was in love with Hermione, Ron had been rather jealous of all the attention Harry seemed to attract from the opposite sex. What Ron hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fully realized was that they were much more interested in what Harry represented rather than who he was.<\/p>\n
It was rather depressing being Harry, really. The only person who seemed to half any interest in Harry personally was\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hello, Potter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Malfoy interrupted Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s thoughts, stepping out from beside the staircase.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hello, Malfoy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry said warily, glancing around. Crabbe and Goyle were nowhere to be seen, which was a little odd. Usually he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go anywhere without an entourage of Slytherins. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you want?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just passing through, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Malfoy flashed a tooth-filled smile. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That was rather amusing this morning with Pansy, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you think?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Given your preferences, quite,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry agreed, rolling his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I find it absolutely hilarious,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Draco continued, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153that Pansy thinks she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going to make me jealous by being seen with you, of all people. If she only knew about our little interlude\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Interlude? Ron thought, fighting to keep his expression neutral. What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Malfoy on about now? Perhaps the hair gel has begun to eat through to his brain\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t play dumb with me,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Malfoy gave a short laugh. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve no doubt you remember our last encounter on these stairs quite clearly. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll wager you haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t kissed anybody else since either, have you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron, stared at Malfoy, speechless. I wonder, he thought suddenly, if Harry would mind if I ripped his lips off to sterilize them.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t thought so,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Draco clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth disapprovingly, mistaking Ron-in-Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s silence for a reluctant lack of denial. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You realize that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re at your sexual peak right now, hmm, Potter? It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all downhill from here, and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re wasting your youth waiting for some girl. No chance you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be switching teams any time soon, is there?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Draco raised an eyebrow expectantly.<\/p>\n
Draco\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s look of cool interest prompted Ron-in-Harry to shake himself out of it finally.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u02dcFraid not, Malfoy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry found his voice at last. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Angelina\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the only mid-season trade Hogwarts\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll see this year.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Too bad, Potter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Malfoy brushed by him on the way down the hall. He paused to give Ron-in-Harry a last glance, looking him up and down slowly with a smirk. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you do decide to Seek for the other team, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got a broom you can ride.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry was paralyzed for a full minute, until Draco was long gone and he was totally alone. He then voiced his feelings about the entire encounter:<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153AAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
All right, Harry thought to himself as he entered the library and spotted Hermione sitting alone at a corner table, isolated from the rest of the study spots. One girl down, one to go.<\/p>\n
Harry-in-Ron pulled out the chair next to Hermione and sat down gingerly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Go away!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione hissed without looking up from her book. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not speaking to you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Please, Hermione,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron whispered back pleadingly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I really need to talk to you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione lowered her book slightly and glared at him icily.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got one minute before I tell Pince you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re bothering me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Having debated his options while en route to the library, Harry had realized he had not heard Ron apologize to Hermione in quite some time, not because they didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t fight, but because the making up had gotten a bit intimate of late. He had eventually decided that a standard Fourth Year apology would do as well as anything.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Look, Hermione,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron began, trying to look as miserable as possible, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What I said to you was really horrible, and this is all my fault. I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mean to upset you, I just got a little carried away in the heat of the moment. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll take all the blame, just please forgive me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Hermione eyed Harry-in-Ron steadily, and he began to have the sinking feeling that he wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t going to be able to get Ron out of this without actually knowing what the fight was about.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re Harry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione finally said, still looking angry, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153and that generic apology Ron used to use with me isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t going to get you out this. Dueling accident again, was it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, yes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron was unable to decide whether he was relieved he could give up the act or horrified that Hermione knew it had been him saying those things last night. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hermione, I really didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mean anything I said, Ron and I had a row\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know all that, I figured it out all on my own,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione cut him off, snorting derisively at Harry-in-Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s look of surprise. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Think you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re both so clever, hmm? Thought I wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t figure you out? I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll deal with you later, Harry. Tell Ron to meet me after curfew tonight, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll know where. You will be back to normal by then?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron nodded, feeling overwhelmed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fine. Now leave me alone.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not even going to tell me what you two are fighting about?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron wheedled. Hermione slammed her book down with a thump.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you must know,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she hissed angrily, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153he asked me to marry him last night, right in the common room, like he was asking if I wanted toast for breakfast! Satisfied?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mouth dropped in shock. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He did what? Why didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t he tell me? What did you say?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to talk about it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione said sourly, picking up another book and beginning to turn pages savagely. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Go ask Ron if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re so keen to know.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just tell me Ron asked you to marry him and then not give me any details!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron exclaimed.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Get LOST, Harry.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Is there a problem, Mr. Weasley?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Madam Pince interrupted from right behind Harry-in-Ron.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, no,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron felt his face flush as he looked up guiltily at the librarian\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s piercing gaze.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron was just leaving,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione said smoothly, not bothering to look up again.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sure he was,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Pince glared at Harry-in-Ron. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Five points from Gryffindor for disturbing studying students. Now out!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry crept out of the library and went to deliver Hermione\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s message to Ron, feeling more confused than ever and dreading Quidditch practice more than anything.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry arrived at the Fat Lady, and opened his mouth to say the password.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hi, Harry!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jessi\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice behind him nearly made Ron jump out of Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s skin. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d obviously been waiting for him, figuring he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d have to come through here sooner or later. Hufflepuffs could be tenacious like that.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, hello, Jessi,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron answered quickly, trying furiously to think of a way to nip this encounter in the bud with a minimum of either crying or being beaten up by a girl. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Listen, Jessi\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t happen to say anything strange to you yesterday, did I?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jessi, who had been about to say something, closed her mouth, looking less sure of herself.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Because,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry blathered on before she had a chance to respond, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve just found out that Malfoy was having a bit of fun with\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6with a Polyjuice potion. He was\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6taking my body out for a spin, if you know what I mean. Loads of people have been angry with me all day, took me forever to work it out, he was causing all sorts of trouble. So whatever he said to you yesterday, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m really sorry.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Please work, he thought desperately to himself. Please please please\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jessi said softly, looking rather crushed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry about it then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
As she was turning to go, Ron felt absolutely terrible about toying with her, and had no idea what to do about it. Just then, the portrait hole opened and Neville slipped out, tripping a little on the frame. Ron had another brilliant idea.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Jessi, have you met Neville?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Neville and Jessi both turned to look at Ron-in-Harry with a bit of confusion.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Neville, this is Jessi, she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a Hufflepuff,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry filled in the silence quickly, crossing his fingers. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you need to know anything about Herbology, Neville\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s your man.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Neville flushed a little, but Jessi perked up noticeably.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Really?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she asked. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m completely lost this term! Do you think you could help me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153S-sure!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Neville stuttered, utterly surprised.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Snape\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a twit,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry whispered to the Fat Lady, who moved aside obligingly. He slipped through the portrait hole as Neville and Jessi continued talking, so wrapped up in their conversation that they barely even noticed he had left.<\/p>\n
Ron wondered what on earth had possessed him to ever feel sorry for Jessi, and finally concluded that the vestiges of Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s continual guilt complexes must still be residing in Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s body.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I hope I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take them with me back to my own body,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he muttered to himself. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bloody irritating, that is\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Harry-in-Ron found Ron-in-Harry, already in his Quidditch robes, sitting on his bed with the Quidditch book open on his lap, but he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seem to be reading it.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You proposed to Hermione?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron exclaimed without preamble.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You kissed Malfoy?!!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry responded, sounding slightly hysterical.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I asked you first!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron shouted back.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You kissed MALFOY!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry roared.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153All right, you win,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron grumbled.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you tell me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry demanded.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was during Christmas holidays, on the stairs\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153AAAGH!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry interrupted. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to know!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you want to hear this or not!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron snapped.<\/p>\n
There was a longish silence, in which Harry-in-Ron unearthed Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Quidditch robes from a pile of laundry. They smelled as if they hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t been completely dry before being thrown in the heap and he attempted to shake them out a bit.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fine,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry finally said, sounding as if he was bracing himself for something horrible. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Go on and tell me. But don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go into any lurid detail.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay, I was heading back from lunch\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * * <\/p>\n
During the winter holidays, near the main staircase\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/i><\/p>\n
Harry was halfway towards the main staircase when he caught sight of Draco Malfoy lounging on the bottom few stairs.<\/p>\n
I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t aware people with a wand that far up their arse could slouch, Harry thought to himself. Not really feeling up to a Malfoy run-in, he started to turn around, hoping to escape before Malfoy saw him.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lost, Potter?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Malfoy sneered lazily. Harry stopped mid-turn and caught Malfoy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cold stare with his own.<\/p>\n
It occurred to Harry that Malfoy had never stayed at Hogwarts over holiday break before, year six seemed a funny time to start doing it.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I am actually,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry replied coolly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I thought I was in the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcNo Ferrets\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 section.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Change of plans, Potter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Draco broke the gaze first and looked away. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Turns out Malfoy Manor is the \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcNo Ferrets\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 section this holiday.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry felt that this whole exchange was slightly off-kilter, and Draco seemed to be not really on his game. Before he realized what he was doing, Harry had taken a few steps closer.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the first time in six years we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve had something in common,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry had no idea why the words were coming out of his mouth, but he couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seem to stop them. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Dursley house is a Potter-Free Zone nine months out of every year, and proud of it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Your uncle hardly compares to my father,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Draco replied hollowly. Harry took a few more steps closer.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said. He paused, then continued in a hushed voice. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He tried to kill me once, you know. Started casting Avada Kedavra right in the corridor outside Dumbledore\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s office. Dobby stopped him.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s two things in common in six years then.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Draco\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s flat tone sent chills through Harry. Had Lucius Malfoy actually used one of the three unforgivable curses on his own son? Staring down at Draco, Harry suddenly had no trouble believing that he would. The thought made his blood run cold.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Happened last summer,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Draco continued, either unaware of or apathetic to Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s internal consternation. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Told him I was queer. Didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take it too well.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t possibly imagine why Draco would be telling him this.<\/p>\n
Hold on a tick, one of Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s few remaining rational thoughts exclaimed. Draco\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s GAY?<\/p>\n
Of course Malfoy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gay, he told the voice severely. Just look at him.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have been that great a shock,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry commented out loud. Malfoy continued as though he hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t heard.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He went all white in the face, then whipped out his wand. I just stood there like a moron, and I was thinking, \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcyou know, when Blaise said \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcwhat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the worst thing that could happen?\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 I really hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t planned on this.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 He was halfway through the first word when my mother came into the room accidentally. She shattered a fifty thousand galleon vase over his head, knocked him out cold.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry forced his face to remain immobile rather than show either how hilarious or how satisfying he imagined the sight of Narcissa Malfoy crashing down some obscenely ugly and expensive vase on Lucius Malfoy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s head would be.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Mother packed me off to some doddering old relative before my father even came to. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m here, you know. Mother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s afraid if she leaves Father and me in the same room for half a second, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll finish the job properly.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
And then the unthinkable happened: Harry started feeling some emotion other than hate towards Draco. It wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t exactly pity, it was more like grudging respect. Like maybe he wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the only one who had grown up surrounded by impossible expectations and a rotten home life.<\/p>\n
Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be stupid, he scolded himself mentally. This is MALFOY, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s made your life miserable for six whole years, any minute now he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going to hop up and sneer at you and shout \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Potter, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re such a bloody, gullible idiot!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Draco didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look much like he was going to hop up and do anything anytime soon.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Draco\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry started, the sound of Malfoy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first name coming out of his mouth sounding odd to him, and he realized he had never called him Draco before, not once in the six years he had known him.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, spare me, Potter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Draco interrupted before he could say anything else, snapping his head up suddenly to glare directly at Harry again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The one thing I can count on in my life is that you hate me. Seems a shame to ruin the tradition with you giving me some pithy sympathy speech about how I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t deserve what my father does to me, and then I suppose you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll try to turn me Gryffindor next, hmm? Sod off.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153All right then,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry snapped back, feeling more relaxed now that he was back on familiar territory. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153D\u00e2\u20ac\u2122you know what I think? I think you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re really a spineless weasel, and the fact that you stood up to your father must have been some momentary suicidal impulse, probably inspired by looking in a mirror immediately beforehand! You, Malfoy, have single-handedly solved the mystery of \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcNature Vs. Nurture\u00e2\u20ac\u2122, because we seem to have had a nearly identically awful childhood, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m the Gryffindor poster boy, and you couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be a more obvious Slytherin if you wore robes with \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcProperty of Severus Snape\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 written on them in blood! What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s worse is you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even be evil properly! You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a failure of a Malfoy; Voldemort would be better off equipping his dark forces with Weasley Wheezes than making you a Death Eater!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry stopped abruptly, having run out of thing to say, and hoping Malfoy would realize that buried in his customary abuse was actually something rather resembling compliments, or at least an acknowledgement that he empathized with Malfoy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s position.<\/p>\n
After all, nobody knew better than Harry did that being the sole heir of a rich, powerful wizarding family whose parents had played key roles in life-altering events sucked mightily.<\/p>\n
Malfoy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sneer didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t dim so much as tweak to the side, and Harry knew Draco understood what he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been trying to say.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all going to hell, Potter,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Draco said cryptically, the sneer turning into a darker expression that Harry couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t read. Malfoy stood up and took a step towards Harry, so that they were standing only inches apart. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153One day soon it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll just come down to you and me. Then we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll see if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re right.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry had no idea what Malfoy was talking about, other than something obviously bad, but some strange internal voice said Nod, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s right, so Harry did. They stood there, just staring at each other, invading each other\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s personal space for several moments too long, and just as Harry was about to step back, Malfoy did the most bizarre thing yet.<\/p>\n
He leaned forward and kissed Harry. Hard.<\/p>\n
The kiss was brief enough that before Harry could react at all, it was over. Even as Draco stepped back with an unreadable expression, Harry could still feel his mouth tingling.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can tell that fit Weasley bird that I said you snog well enough,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Malfoy smirked, then turned and headed off, leaving Harry still standing near the stairs.<\/p>\n
As most of his brain was occupied processing the deeper meaning of all this, one rebellious faction of neurons concentrated on whether he could be irritated with Malfoy for hitting on Ginny after he had told Harry he was gay.<\/p>\n
Possibly you could, some other neurons argued, if he hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t kissed you.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Cor!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron said loudly, coming up behind him and making him jump. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There you are, Harry! I just ran into Malfoy, he nearly took my eyebrows off, he went by so fast! How\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d you make out with him?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry choked, before realizing what Ron was really asking. For a split second, he considered revealing what had just happened to Ron, but the strange feeling of sympathy\/respect for Draco reared its ugly head again, and he decided impulsively that he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to reveal Malfoy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s secrets to even Ron.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er, fine,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he finally said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Just the usual insults, battle of tongues\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6er, words! I meant words.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry followed Ron back to the tower, but couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help glance over his shoulder a last time in the direction Malfoy had gone.<\/p>\n
* * * * * * <\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry stared at Harry-in-Ron, dumbfounded.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Go on, say something,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said uncomfortably.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If I would have come round that corner ten seconds earlier,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry finally said slowly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I would have SEEN it! You, kissing Malfoy! I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d have gone blind! I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d have dropped dead on the spot, with that image burned into my brain!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thanks, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d nearly forgotten why I hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t told you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said sourly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m going to have nightmares about it!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry continued.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nearly time for that practice,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron interrupted before he could really get going. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So have you thought of something or not?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Actually yes,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry shut the book and sat it on the bed before standing up. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve come up with something rather good, and it might actually help us as a team, as well as get the two of us out of trouble.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fantastic, then you can tell me what on earth you and Hermione are fighting about on the way down to the field,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said, pulling Ron-in-Harry after him as he strode purposefully from the room.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So you were sitting in the common room and you just proposed?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron demanded as they stepped out onto the courtyard. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right there? God, you didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go at it in my chair, did you? It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bad enough your dad did\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I did NOT propose!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry exclaimed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve told her over and over that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not what I was asking!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron eyed him critically, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153what could you have possibly said other than \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcwill you marry me\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 to make Hermione think that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It went rather like this,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry started to explain.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Two nights ago, in the Gryffindor common room\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Would you want to marry me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Hermione peered over her book at Ron.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Would you want to marry me? \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron repeated.<\/p>\n
Hermione lowered her book slowly, staring at Ron, trying to gauge whether or not he was serious. He stared back at her steadily.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she finally said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153did you just ask me to marry you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron replied, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I asked if you would want to marry me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the same thing!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione exclaimed.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It is not,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron answered, still calm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a rather simple question, would you or wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the least simple question of them all!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione retorted.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so difficult about it, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a yes or no question,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron said, starting to sound a bit nettled.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s LOADS of things you have to think about to answer that!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione said in exasperation. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You have to talk about jobs, and universities, and whether you want to have Christmas or Hanukkah\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Neither one of us is Jewish!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron cut in angrily.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And where you want to live and whether you want children\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not asking you any of that!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron shouted, cutting her off. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m merely asking if you want to marry me! DO you, or do you NOT want to marry me?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t that simple,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione cried, looking as though she were on the verge of tears.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well perhaps,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s voice dropped to being very quiet and very deliberate, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153it would be that simple if you really did love me the way you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been saying you do all this time.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Hermione\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mouth dropped open wordlessly as her eyes filled with tears, but Ron didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even look back as he stormed out of the common room.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6and then I came up to the room and we went dueling,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry finished his story.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You just left after you said THAT to Hermione?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron asked incredulously.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you even start with me,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry grumbled. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I feel bad enough as it is. She just made me so angry, coming up with all those reasons why she shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t marry me, and I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even honestly asking! It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nearly as bad as that time Percy went in the Three Broomsticks and some girl at the bar turned around and said \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcI just thought I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d save you the trouble of asking and tell you that I won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t go out with you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why do you keep saying you didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t ask her?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron demanded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You did, in fact, ask her to marry you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I did NOT!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry yelled in frustration. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was just sitting there, thinking that I someday it might be quite nice if we would get married, and I wanted to know if she thought that might be nice as well! Why is that such a hard question?! If I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d have asked her if she wanted to marry Gilderoy Lockhart she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d have said yes straightaway!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Perhaps girls are just a bit sensitive about that sort of thing,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron suggested, trying to placate Ron. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They seem to think about it a bit more than us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry still looked rather ruffled. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Stupid girls. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re right to stay away from them. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re mad.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
They had reached the field by then, where Ginny, Parvati, Seamus, Dean, and Angelina were waiting for them. Angelina, much to Fred\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s delight, had opted to stay for the extra year as well. When one of Gryffindor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Chasers, a seventh year, had been forced to quit the team because of poor marks, Dumbledore had given them special permission to have Angelina back rather than train a new Chaser mid-season, which would have likely cost them the season.<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry glanced at the stands out of habit, but of course Hermione wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t there, watching as she usual did. Fred and George were there, looking at something and gesturing, and looking up every once in while to catcall Angelina or Ginny. Spirits sinking lower, Ron-in-Harry gave Harry-in-Ron a poke with his elbow to remind him that he was technically the captain.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron cleared his throat nervously. His team stared at him expectantly, and he realized that Ron faced a very different sort of pressure as captain than he did as Seeker, and he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t care for it one bit. He cleared his throat again and tried to sound confident. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know we haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t quite found our edge this season\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Found our edge?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Seamus interrupted with a snort. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We nearly lost to Hufflepuff! That hasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t happened since we were Third Years!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron seized back control of the conversation quickly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been thinking about that, and Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s got an idea I think might help. Harry?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
All six pairs of eyes swiveled towards Ron-in-Harry, who took control immediately and easily, leaving Harry feeling extremely relieved.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron and I have been talking,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he nodded towards Harry-in-Ron, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153and we think our real problem is we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think like a team. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got a lot of new players this year, and we don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have the advantage of a team that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s as used to each other like the team Wood had. Angelina\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mid-season replacement hasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t done us any good in that department either. No offense, Angelina.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153None taken, Harry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Angelina nodded briskly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re absolutely right.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So I got to thinking about it, and I remembered something Wood and I talked about once,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry continued. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He never did it while I was on the team, but Angelina might remember it. I think it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just what we need.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry explained his idea, and Angelina lit up.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d forgotten all about that!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she exclaimed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s exactly something Wood would have done! You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re brilliant, Harry!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s name at the end of Angelina\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s exclamation took the edge off her praise, but Ron-in-Harry shook it off.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Right then,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he nodded sharply. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think we should start out like this\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are they doing?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George asked, elbowing Fred, who was bent over their map, redrawing a third floor broom closet where they had found a false wall. Fred looked up and wrinkled his brow.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I dunno,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he shook his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re all in the wrong positions\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Fred and George watched in confusion as the team ran some plays, but in a very mixed-up manner. Harry, Seamus, and Dean were the Chasers, Ron and Angelina were the Beaters, Parvati was the Keeper, and Ginny was playing Seeker. The play looked awful the first time, but as they ran several more, things began to improve. George snapped his fingers suddenly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know what that is!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he exclaimed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wood did that to us once our first year on the team, d\u00e2\u20ac\u2122you remember?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fred laughed, slapping a hand to his forehead. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s teaching them what the other positions do during their plays! It worked wonders for us, before that practice I was constantly hitting Bludgers at our own Chasers.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll bet it does the same thing for them, and just in time,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d George nodded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wood must\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve mentioned it to Ron or Harry before he graduated. They might salvage this season yet!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bravo, Ron!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Fred cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled out to the field.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry, acting as a Beater, slowed to a halt mid-air to take a breather, watching Harry-in-Ron, Seamus, and Dean run through a Chaser drill they were getting much better at. Angelina, the other erstwhile Beater, pulled up beside him after a moment.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Whew!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she whistled, sounding out of breath. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve forgotten how physical being a Beater is! The twins used to make it look so easy!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She flashed a grin towards the stands and received another few whistles in return.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can say that again,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry agreed heartily. Angelina watched the others a few seconds more before speaking again.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know, Harry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said thoughtfully, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s absolutely marvelous the way Ron let you tell us your idea yourself rather than doing it for you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s so marvelous about that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry asked, puzzled.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Most captains would have presented the idea themselves,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Angelina shrugged. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s just because you two are best friends either, I think he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d do the same for any of us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry looked even more perplexed, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153why not let me explain, if it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s my idea? Wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the person whose plan it is explain it best?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Exactly!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Angelina nodded briskly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But a lot of captains at this level aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t mature enough to see it that way. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re afraid to give up any control, in practices or in matches, because they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re afraid they won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be able to take control back when they need to. Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s showing a lot of maturity for a first-time Quidditch captain, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to beat those other teams.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you think we have a chance at the cup?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry asked honestly, something he couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do as Ron the Quidditch Captain, who needed to be strong and confident for his team at all times.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Absolutely,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Angelina grinned. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going to take us straight to the top, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sure of it. I know he never played for Wood, but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d bet you my right shin-guard that Wood\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be proud as anything of Ron right now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oy! Quit chatting up my girl and get back to work, Potter! You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got a match to win!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry laughed at his older brother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s distant outburst from the stands as Angelina cheerfully hailed him in return with the universal \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcyou\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a wanker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 hand gesture.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s right, I mean you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Angelina said to Fred in the tone one uses when talking to other drivers who clearly can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hear. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153C\u00e2\u20ac\u2122mon, Harry, let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s show them how real Beaters do it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Angelina zipped off back into the midst of the practice and Ron-in-Harry followed, feeling better than he had all day, and realizing that he had just been on the receiving end of a valuable lesson at the hands of Angelina.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
The Gryffindor Quidditch team returned to the tower in high spirits, shoving each other and horsing around like First Years. The practice had gone spectacularly; Ron, in guise of Harry, had kept his team switching between positions until everyone had a chance to learn something about every job. After finding out what each of their teammates did by experience, every play they ran in their regular positions worked like\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6well, like magic. And if \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcHarry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 had only caught a few Snitches and \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcRon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t block that many Quaffles, after the workout they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d had, the others chalked it up only to exhaustion and the gathering dusk.<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry and Harry-in-Ron hung back as the others slipped through the portrait hole (\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Snape\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a twit\u00e2\u20ac\u009d \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I swear she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s repeating herself\u00e2\u20ac\u009d ), letting it swing shut before speaking.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That really was a fantastic idea,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron grinned.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It went much better than I planned,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry replied with obvious relief. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It really was just what we needed, wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it? And to think, if it hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t been for that stupid hair charm\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron-in-Harry trailed off as he remembered they weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t quite finished for the night.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh bollocks,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said heavily. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do we really have to go the whole way back to the Forest?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s best,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron replied, sounding equally thrilled. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Who knows what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll happen or how many tries it will take us? What if blow up our clothes or something? If Dean and Seamus find us naked and holding each other\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wands, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll never live it down.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron paused for a moment. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That sounded rather better in my head\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6er, your head\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I just want to be back in my own body again,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry sounded long-suffering. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I just want this all to be over.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, you know what they say,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron sighed glumly. He and Ron-in-Harry looked up at the Fat Lady pleadingly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sorry, dears,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the Fat Lady shrugged. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not very musical.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Shoulders drooping with exhaustion, Ron-in-Harry followed Harry-in-Ron through the portrait hole.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Showered and in clean robes, Harry and Ron felt almost ready to try the spell that would hopefully get them back to normal. They snuck back out of the castle and trotted silently to the edge of the Forrest, both anxious to just get the spell over and done with, the book thumping against Harry-in-Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s side in his schoolbag.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153All right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron pulled out the book and dropped his bag on the ground. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The words are \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcOmnia Hodie Negate<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u2122, do you think you can remember that?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course I can,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry said confidently. Harry-in-Ron glared at him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fine, if you want to go over them a few times, we can\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry-in-Ron forced Ron-in-Harry to repeat the words over half a dozen times, until he was positive neither of them would drop a syllable at the critical moment. Then they moved to their traditional duel positions and got ready.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We should have much less of a problem finishing the same spell at the same time,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron said, sounding not at all sure, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153so I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll count to three and then we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll go. Ready?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ready,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry nodded determinedly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153One\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron swallowed his nervousness and counted down. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Two\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hang on, what were those words again?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153RON!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Heh heh, just kidding,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron-in-Harry grinned apologetically at Harry-in-Ron, who looked ready to cast Avada Kedavra at this point. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m really ready this time.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You had better be,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry-in-Ron growled. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153One\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6two\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6three!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Omnia Hodie Negate!<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
For a moment, Harry was positive that nothing had happened. Then the world seemed to spin crazily, and he collapsed to the ground as his legs gave out.<\/p>\n
He lay on the ground peering up into the dark, barely able to make out the branches of the trees above him. When he was sure he wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be seeing the return of his dinner, Harry sat up. He groped around on the ground for a moment, searching for his wand. His hand closed on it, and he held it up close to his face, trying to make out whether it was his or Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s.<\/p>\n
The wand looked like dark wood, and Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s heart sank. Then, he noticed there was no cellotape on the top.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry leapt to his feet with excitement. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron, I think it worked!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It must\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry heard Ron exclaim. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got your wand!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry and Ron rushed towards each other and scrutinized each other\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s faces. After a second, Ron let out a whoop.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re you!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he crowed, doing some wild dance that Harry vaguely recognized as Fred and George\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcQuaffle Waffle\u00e2\u20ac\u2122. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he stopped suddenly, feeling his forehead. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d you do to my hair?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * * <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Harry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron asked as they crept back into the castle, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153d\u00e2\u20ac\u2122you mind if I borrow your cloak for a bit when we get back?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No problem,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry nodded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Going to have your talk with Hermione?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron sounded as if he couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t decide whether he wanted to go or not.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t worry about it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry reassured him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She loves you, Ron. Besides, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s me she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s really angry with right now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know, this used to be much easier,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron complained. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hermione\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d get mad, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d yell a bit, then we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d both give her a couple Sickles for a S.P.E.W. badge, and everything\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d go back to normal.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s true,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry laughed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But you two didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t make out much in those days, as you recall.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, nothing\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s perfect,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron replied.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Ron moved noiselessly down the hall under the protection of Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s invisibility cloak towards the third floor corridor where Fluffy had been kept during their first year at Hogwarts. Even after all this time, the room still smelled faintly of very large, three-headed dog, making it fairly safe from Mrs. Norris if they weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t too loud. Hermione, who was bent over fussing with her shoelace, didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see Ron slip in and close the door softly behind him.<\/p>\n
Ron slipped off Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cloak and leaned close to Hermione\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ear right as she straightened up.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh my, we are in trouble, aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t we,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said in a gravelly whisper.<\/p>\n
Hermione gasped and whirled around, whipping Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face rather painfully with some of her hair, then scowled when she saw it was him.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not funny!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she hissed, punching him in the arm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I thought you really were Filtch!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been meaning to ask you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron remembered, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153how DO you get out here to meet me without anyone seeing you? I have to use Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cloak every time, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve still had lots of close calls. I swear, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re Apparating, aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve told you over and over, you can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t Apparate in Hogwarts,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione looked rather exasperated. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you read Hogwarts, a History<\/i> YET?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course not, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve decided I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m never going to,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron replied cheerfully. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153My day isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t complete unless you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve said that at least once, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d hate to deprive you of it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Hermione rolled her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Actually,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she answered Ron\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s question, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I spent quite a lot of time charting Filch and Mrs. Norris\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s rounds at night, and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve discovered they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re really rather regular unless something funny happens. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve timed them and made charts and things.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Trust you to make being a spy sound like Arithmancy homework,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron groaned. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m turning you over to Fred and George, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll make you into a proper Marauder yet!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m willing to bet your brothers would love to know my results,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione retorted with a raised eyebrow. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re you offering me for them?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153A lifetime of corruption and sensual pleasure.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hmm,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione pretended to think this over. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Perhaps I had better see what the twins are offering\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron grinned with a shrug, then let the grin slide away. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So I guess we should talk or something.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Guess so,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione sighed, her smile fading away.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Look,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron started, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry I yelled at you like that and then stomped off before we could talk about it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione shook her head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really even angry at you, I was just so worried about that Transfiguration test, and we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got exams coming up in a couple of months, and then you caught me so off-guard\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6I just lashed out. I was the one who started all the yelling.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hermione Granger,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron rolled his eyes, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153in the six years I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve known you, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never got anything less than highest marks in every class you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve taken, Transfiguration included. Why do you still worry about that rubbish?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I spent all week practicing with that parrot,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione looked pained. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I hate parrots! And then during the test, my teapot still had a feather pattern etched on it!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nothing,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron scoffed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153My dad says some Muggles pay good money getting their teapots etched. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re miles better off than me, when I turned in mine, it was still whistling \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcPolly wants a cracker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Hermione giggled softly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So, you forgive me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re even,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron agreed, relieved the fight was officially over. He leered happily at Hermione. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Time for the post-match snog.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But, Ron,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione looked confused. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve already done that. In the library this afternoon, don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you remember?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron opened his mouth in surprise, then his eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll kill him!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he snarled. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ah HA!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione pounced. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It WAS Harry this afternoon!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6how\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d you know?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron asked, caught utterly off-guard.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione adopted the Let Me Tell You What I Know voice that Ron alternatively loved and despised, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I knew something was wrong when you were holding each others\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 wands yesterday. And the big clue was that for the last twenty-four hours, Harry kept trying to push imaginary glasses up on his nose, like it was something he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d done thousands of times every day. You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve never worn glasses.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Guess we weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t as clever as we though,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron admitted sheepishly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Honestly,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione continued, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been friends with you two for six years, you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tell you apart without looking at you, do you?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I did think we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be able to manage for just one day,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron felt a little offended.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You did do each other pretty accurately,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione reassured him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But there was one habit Harry wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t able to break himself of. I knew immediately it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you when you came through the portrait yesterday.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron stared at her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are you talking about?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, the person who looked like you came in first and then the one who looked like Harry followed,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione said as though it explained everything. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153So I knew it couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hermione, I have no idea what you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re on about.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Hermione looked critically at Ron for a moment, then her eyes widened slightly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You really DON\u00e2\u20ac\u2122T know,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she concluded.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been saying all along,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron answered peevishly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron, haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you noticed?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione asked. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Harry never lets anyone go through a doorway before him. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s been doing it for two years now, ever since\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6ever since Cedric. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s like he thinks every room might be booby trapped and he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s determined to be the human shield.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron opened his mouth to protest, then thought carefully. He had to admit, he couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t come up with a single time in memory where he had gone through a door before Harry.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Blimey,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said quietly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re right.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s rather disturbing once you notice it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione said quietly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hold on,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron interrupted. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I still haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t got the answer to my original question: would you, or would you not like to marry me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione feigned confusion. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know, what with you being you and then not being you, and then being you again, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve forgotten.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not funny, Hermione,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron said darkly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Neither is you proposing like it isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t any big deal,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione replied stiffly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I WASN\u00e2\u20ac\u2122T proposing,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron said tightly, holding on to his temper with both hands. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was asking if you thought you might, someday, want to marry me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s proposing!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione exclaimed.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t proposing when Ginny asked you, was it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron snapped.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6what?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione blinked. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What are you talking about?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I overheard you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron said disgruntledly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153On the way to Hagrid\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s for class\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Several days before, on the way to Care of Magical Creatures\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t say you haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t thought about it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione ribbed Ginny.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course I have,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny replied, blushing a little. Ron, who was following behind and catching snatches of their conversation, quickened his pace slightly to eavesdrop.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione pressed.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well what?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Would you want to marry Harry? If he asked?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hermione, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny waffled.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, you do so,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione leaned closer conspiratorily as they stepped off the path towards Hagrid\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hut. There were more people about closer to class, and Ron found it easier to slip closer without being noticed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come on, out with it, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll tell if you will.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The temptation to find out what Hermione had planned for Ron was evidently too much for Ginny.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153All right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she gave in, lowering her voice so that Ron had to strain to hear. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If Harry asked, which he never will at this rate\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d marry him in a hot second.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron grinned and shook his head at Hermione\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stereotypical girly squeal and giggles.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Go on, then, your turn,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ginny asked, giggling a little herself. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you want to marry Ron?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Ron was leaning closer, holding his breath so he would be sure to catch the answer.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s get started then, shall we!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hagrid brought the class to order, cutting off Hermione and Ginny\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s conversation abruptly. Cursing under his breath, Ron left his eavesdropping post and went to stand beside his sister and girlfriend.<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t realized you were listening,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione said, going a bit pink.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Every word,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron admitted. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I kept thinking about it for days afterward, and finally I just had to know what you were going to say.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Only you, Ronald Weasley,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione rolled her eyes, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153could ask a girl to marry you and not really mean anything by it.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Look, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not saying it again,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron said in exasperation, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t asking you to marry me, I was asking if you WANTED to marry me! And I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m STILL waiting for the answer!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione squirmed a little, looking at her feet, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I suppose some day, when we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve graduated\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6and have careers\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6and have talked about important things like children and religions and things\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6I might want to marry you very much.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Finally!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron exclaimed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s all I wanted to know. Right then, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m off to bed.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you mean, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re off to bed?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione demanded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve just told you I want to marry you, you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have anything better to say than that?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nothing that doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t start with \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcLet\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and end with \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcright now\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 and will get me in trouble again,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron answered. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but I will say this.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
He leaned over and kissed Hermione soundly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You can say that again,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione giggled when they came up for air, leaning over to kiss him again.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153When Flitwick wants to know why I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sleeping in his class again, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m telling him you kept me up all night.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, all right,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione sighed, pulling away. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s go then. Since when did you get to be the responsible one?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153One of us has to be,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron replied, pulling her along by the hand. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve heard a nasty rumor that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m corrupting you horribly. And I also happen to know that Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s favorite chair is currently vacant\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ooh,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Hermione grinned wickedly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153our favorite spot\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
* * * * * *<\/p>\n
Harry was still awake when Ron crept back into their room sometime later. He sat up and pulled his bed hangings open to see Ron folding up the Invisibility Cloak.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thanks,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said, handing it back to Harry.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Forget it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry shrugged. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Everything back to normal with you and Hermione?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153As normal as it gets,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron grinned. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We hung about in our favorite spot for a bit.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you tell me where that is?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry asked with a look of slight irritation.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to know,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron stifled a chuckle as he picked up his pajamas from the crumpled heap they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been lying in on the floor. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Trust me. What are you still doing up anyway? Nothing\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wrong, is it?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry shook his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was just thinking about today.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been thinking about it too,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron answered, voice slightly muffled as he pulled his shirt over his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You know it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s funny, all this time I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve wanted to be you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And I wanted to be you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry agreed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And today we got just what we wanted.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He and Ron exchanged a glance.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And I HATED it!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d they said in unison, laughing. Ron sat down on Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bed and pulled the hangings shut so they could go on talking without waking up the others.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s really hard being you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron admitted. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I thought loads of girls liked you, but it turns out they just want you to stand next to them silently so other people will see them with you!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve always been jealous of all your brothers,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry nodded furiously, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153but do you know how many times today I heard \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcwhy can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t you be more like Percy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 or \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcBill would have never done that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122? I thought I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d go mad!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And Snape really does hate you,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron added. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do a thing different than normal, and he breathed down my neck all class! Malfoy burned a hole in his cauldron and he gave Slytherin five points for weeding out inferior school supplies!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153All day long, people kept asking if you and Hermione had broken up for good,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry looked pained. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153They were like vultures! What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s that all about, anyhow?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Another legacy from my brothers, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m afraid,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron replied, going a bit pink.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry asked. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What do you mean?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, if you must know,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron explained hurriedly, turning even pinker, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153when Bill was at school, apparently he had a very talkative girlfriend. A very PLEASED, talkative girlfriend. And then Charlie got some good press somehow, and this rumor started that Weasleys are fantastic lovers, a rumor fed by the fact that there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s loads of us. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s only gotten worse since even Percy managed to keep that girlfriend of his all through school. Now the whole thing\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a bit out of hand.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Aha,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That explains what that Hufflepuff girl meant by asking why I waste my talents on a girl like Hermione.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I get that all the time,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron looked rather angry. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153One of these days I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll just forget that I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hit girls.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Er,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry turned a bit red. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It probably didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help things that my response to her was \u00e2\u20ac\u02dchidden talents\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thanks loads, Harry. Too bad she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll never find out the talents are Hermione\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s and not mine.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron was silent for a moment before speaking again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was thinking about what you told me about Malfoy as well.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry asked, trying to keep his voice neutral.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron plucked an imaginary bit of lint of Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s comforter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I was a bit of a jerk when you told me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry nodded, waiting for Ron to go on. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s really horrible about his father. It gives me the chills. And I suppose I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d be a fantastic ass if my father was Lucius Malfoy as well.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I think anybody would,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry agreed.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153So, even though it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Malfoy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron looked as if the words were unpleasant to say, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I understand why you didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t tell me what he said. And I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m not going to tell anyone either.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I know you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry answered. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I really just didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to tell you that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d kissed Malfoy.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He and Ron exchanged glances.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Poof of purchase!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d they both laughed at the same time.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oy! Are you two at it again?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a sleepy voice called from one of the other beds in the room.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Shut up, Dean,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry responded, rolling his eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Go back to sleep.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d love to, if you two nancies are through and would go to sleep in your own beds!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Ron snarled, slipping out through Harry\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s bed hangings. Harry laughed quietly as he heard Dean\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hangings being yanked back and then some muffled cries and several thuds.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153And if I hear one word tomorrow at breakfast,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Harry heard Ron threaten Dean, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be my fist in your mouth instead of sausages!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Harry heard Ron flop into his own bed and the rustling of blankets and hangings.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ron?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he asked a little while later, when he was nearly asleep.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d came the drowsy reply.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m glad you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re you again.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m glad I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m me as well, Harry.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\n<\/p>\n