From Friendship, True Love Springs

The next day, Ron and Harry were leaving Snape's classroom after a particularly nasty detention. He had been testing out body- transforming potions on them. Unfortunately the effects had not yet worn off.

Ron ears had enlarged so that they were equivalent in size to those of Dumbo. Harry's nose had been stretched, Pinocchio-style so that Harry couldn't see beyond it. They were both praying no one would see them.

Unfortunately they were out of luck.

Hermione came round the corner, carrying her bag, which was full to bursting with books. She had obviously just come from the library. She stopped when she saw them.

"Just come from your detention?" she asked a sympathetic look on her face.

Ron nodded, going bright red, which, with his red hair, looked like someone had set him on fire.

"I'm on my way to dinner. You coming?" she asked brightly.

"I've got Quidditch practice," said Harry hurriedly. "But you and Ron can still eat."

Ron fixed his eyes on the ground and wished a hole would swallow him up.

"Come on then, Ron," said Hermione breezily. She swept off, Ron following her.

Harry had worked out weeks ago that there was something going on where Hermione and Ron were concerned. He thought about it, as he went to collect his broomstick. It was pretty obvious by the way Ron acted that his mind was on other things- namely Hermione. As he descended the steps onto the Quidditch pitch, he thought it was fortunate that he had Quidditch practice so that Ron and Hermione some time alone.

As he walked along the pitch towards the centre where the rest of the team was waiting, he passed Malfoy and the Slytherin team, moving in the other direction, obviously just having finished their practice. Malfoy gave him a malicious smile as he passed. It filled Harry with dread and confirmed the worst- Malfoy was going to use what he knew to his advantage.

Harry reached the others and they began practising. Even though he tried to absorb himself in the game, he couldn't get Malfoy's smile out of his head and the implications of what it meant for Ron and himself.

In the dinner hall, Ron was trying to concentrate on Hermione was saying but he was distracted by the arrival of the Slytherin team in the hall. Malfoy was bringing up the rear and as he entered, he spotted Ron and Hermione and smirked.

He mouthed "Lovebirds" at them. Ron thought he was going to die with shame. He was glad when Malfoy sat down, facing away from him.

After a little while, Ron and Hermione finished their meals and decided to leave. They left the Gryffindor table and began to walk towards the common room.

Out on the corridor, Hermione gasped, "I've got to finish my homework for Arithmancy tomorrow." She said, "Professor Vector will kill me if I don't! I've got to go to the library." She turned and sped off in the other direction, Ron staring after her.

He felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around expecting to see Harry there. But it wasn't.

Malfoy stood there with Crabbe and Goyle behind him.

"Lucky for you, Potter had Quidditch Practice," he drawled. "Gives you a chance to be alone with the muggle." Ron fixed his eyes on the ground and didn't say anything.

"Are you going to answer me?" he stepped closer. "This is a first. Maybe the mudblood should be around for you to do anything". Crabbe and Goyle sniggered.

Don't listen, thought Ron to himself. The last thing he needed was to get another detention. But it was so hard not to get upset. Especially where Hermione was concerned.

"I just wanted to warn you that my threat still stands," said Draco menacingly. "I'm going to tell her. Unless you and Potter do what I tell you."

He laughed and walked off, Crabbe and Goyle trotting behind him obediently. Ron watched them go.

"Ron!"

It was Harry. Ron felt relief spread through him. He turned to face him.

"What's wrong?" asked Harry "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Come with me," said Ron, steering Harry towards the common room." I'll tell you about it there."

Harry could work out from Ron's face, it was something to do with Malfoy. And whatever Malfoy had said, it wasn't good news.

He followed Ron to the common room, an uneasy feeling growing in the pit of his stomach....

TO BE CONTINUED...