CHAPTER FIVE
PROJECT: SECRET ADMIRER
Ron was alone in his room for the first time since Ginny had joined in his little crusade to make Harry and Hermione realize they should be together. He had been up trying to draft the letter to Dean Thomas that not only contained an apology for the way he had acted but also proposing his help in the plot. He looked over the final draft one last time and smiled.
Dean,
I know getting a letter from me is one of the less likely things you were expecting tonight, but I wanted to get this
off my chest before any more bad blood built up between us. We've been friends for five years and I wasn't fair
to you when you and Ginny decided to start dating. The truth is I don't think anyone is good enough for my sister,
and I'm sorry I put you through what I did. So, no hard feelings, mate?
The other reason I'm writing is to tell you about something I'm trying to make happen. You know how stubborn
Harry and Hermione are? Well they have finally realized that they like one another but are too afraid to tell the other
their feelings. I know! It's about time! Well, they still haven't said anything and I'd like to enlist your
help, if you are willing. Ginny and I are going to write some secret admirer letters and we were wondering if you could
rewrite them using similar handwriting to each of them. I remember you offering a similar service to Harry ... We can
provide the samples and all you have to do is transcribe the letters to each of them using similar handwriting.
Let us know what you think and again, I'm sorry I treated you so badly, mate.
Ron
He smiled again at the letter. It had taken some help from his sister to get it just right and it was now ready to be sent off. With a yawn he walked over to the excited Pigwidgeon and tied the letter to his leg deftly.
"Take this to Dean Thomas, Pig." He said with another yawn.
The small owl hooted happily and flitted from the window excitedly.
Ron shook his head and smiled. Where does he get that energy? He asked himself.
He crossed to his bed and unceremoniously plopped into his pillow and fell asleep almost immediately.
"Look at this, Harry!" Ron laughed uncontrollably. "These brains are pretty funny
looking!"
Still laughing uncontrollably, Ron raised his wand. "ACCIO BRAIN!" One of the brain-like creatures
flew through the air and landed in his outstretched hand.
"To be or not to be, that is the question!" Ron guffawed thinking the entire scene hilarious.
Without warning, the brain sprouted tentacles and they stretched out to him. His laughter forgotten, Ron began to
scream in horror. He closed his eyes and tried to get away from the disgusting thing. When the tentacles didn't
wrap around his arms and chest he opened his eyes and lost all color in his face. The brain wasn't there anymore.
In its place was Luna Lovegood and she was staring at him dreamily singing "Weasley is our King" over and
over. She reached out to him and her arms wrapped around his waist as she came in for a kiss.
"AAAAAHHHHHHH!" Ron screamed as he bolted into a seated position in his bed. He looked around wildly in a desperate search for the spooky girl who just tried to kiss him. After a few seconds, he realized where he was and wiped away the cold sweat that had accumulated on his brow.
"That was different." He said shakily. "I guess I was too tired to take the potion." He looked at his desk and the mug that held the potion of dreamless sleep was still sitting where he set it before he wrote to Dean.
There was a soft knock on the door followed by Ginny's quiet voice.
"Ron, are you ok?" She asked tentatively as she opened the door.
"Yeah, Gin." He said with a sigh. "I just had a bad dream again." He was blushing as he remembered the tail end of the nightmare. Was it a bad dream? He asked himself. WHAT AM I THINKING?! He shook his head to clear the disconcerting thoughts and went to the window. Ginny walked to his bed and took a seat.
"You sure you're ok?" She asked quietly. "Your face was all flushed."
Ron blushed again. "Yeah, I'm fine, Gin." He said in a tone that closed the subject. "I'll just drink the potion before I go back to sleep."
He snapped his attention to a small dot that was flitting through the night in a very erratic flight.
"Hey, Pig's coming back!" Ron said with a smile. A few seconds later, the miniature owl buzzed the young man and flew excitedly around the room with a new letter clutched in his claws. Ron reached out and caught the small bird-missile and within a few seconds had Dean's reply in his hand. He sat next to Ginny and unrolled the parchment.
Ron,
No hard feelings, mate. It turns out that Ginny and I really weren't made to date each other. I'm glad you
apologized but you didn't need to. I can understand the overprotective big brother syndrome since I'm like that
with my little sister as well. Now about Harry and Hermione, it IS about time! I don't know how many times I
thought they were already together, but it seems I was wrong! I'll be glad to help you out with this plan. Just
send me the letters and I'll do what I can to make them look similar to their own handwriting. I don't know if
this will work, Hermione is a pretty smart girl and Harry seems to know her handwriting, but I'll try to make it
different enough so they will have a hard time figuring out who it is. I can send the letters off from here. Both of my
aunts have their own owls so Harry and Hermione won't see Pigwidgeon. Let me know when you're ready.
Dean
PS: Tell Ginny I said hi and that I'm still sorry about everything.
Ron smiled and looked at Ginny who, even though she had a smile on her face, had an unreadable expression in her eyes.
"I guess you read his P.S., Gin?" He asked quietly as he put an arm around her shoulders.
"Yeah." She said distantly. "Oh, well, I guess." She said with a smile but with the same look in her brown eyes.
"We'll work on the letters tomorrow." Ron said with a yawn. "I'm really too tired to think of anything that Harry might write."
Ginny laughed. "Don't forget the potion this time." She said as she handed him the mug.
"Oh, I won't." He said with a grimace. Though I wonder what would have happened with Luna. He added silently. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?! He shuddered and waved his sister away. "Night, Gin, I'll see you in the morning."
Ginny looked at him worriedly. "Don't worry about the dreams, Ron, that's what the potion is for. Maybe you should talk to Dad about it. He always makes me feel better when I have bad dreams."
Ron nodded. "I'll think about it." He sighed as his sister closed the door behind her and he brought the mug to his lips. He was startled by a streak of white at his window and turned abruptly to the snow-white owl he was so familiar with. Ron put down the mug and crossed to his friend's owl.
"Hi, Hedwig." Ron said with a smile. "Let's see what Harry's sent." Hedwig looked directly at the excited Pigwidgeon and stuck her foot out carefully so that Ron could easily untie the letter. Once the message was received, she puffed her chest and seemed to stick her nose in the air with pride. Ron unrolled the parchment and read what his friend had written.
Ron,
Thanks for coming up with today! I really enjoyed myself after that problem with Cho. Mate, I really hope Hermione
didn't see that! After I said that I didn't like Cho, and to have that happen! Needless to say, if she had
I'd feel pretty low! Well, any word on when I can join you guys for the rest of the summer? The muggles weren't
too happy when I got back, I was even on time ... Here comes Uncle Vernon, Hedwig was caged up all day and she was
making an awful racket. I think he's on his way to yell about it again. I'll send this after he leaves.
Harry
P.S.: Just like I thought, he gave me the once-over several times. I didn't know beets were that color! Dudley had
his fun watching from the hall before he was shoved into his room for the night. I think he can smell the food that
everyone's sent! I should find some way to charm the floorboard so that it keeps the smell away.
Tell everyone I said hello and I'm looking forward to this summer! I hope that your mum's potion is keeping the
nightmares away.
Harry
Ron sighed. "I can't believe those muggles." He said angrily to himself. He sat down at his desk and scribbled a response.
Harry,
I wish we could have had more time too! I talked to Mum and she said Dumbledore said no. She's going to keep
trying, I think, but we'll see what happens. I don't think Hermione saw you kiss Cho so don't worry about
it. Maybe I'll talk to Fred and George and have them send you some more Ten-Tongue Toffees for the ickle piggy. HA!
Remember last time he ate one? I felt sorry for Dad when he had to clean up the mess though. I talked to him to see if
I could come visit you but he doesn't think that's a good idea with the way the muggles react to us so I'll
try and set up another weekend or something for us to all get together again. Don't worry and we'll see if you
can still get here earlier than usual, it might be a few weeks yet. Mum's potion is doing its job, but I forgot to
take it tonight and the dream changed. Instead of the brain, it was Loony! I don't know which was worse, Loony
trying to kiss me or the brain trying to take over my body! I'm not going to forget to take the potion again!
Ron
Ron yawned as he rolled the letter and walked over to Hedwig. His friend's owl stuck her leg out pointedly and waited patiently for Ron to attach the letter. Ron smiled at her and gave her an owl treat before sending her back to Harry.
"Now to get some sleep." Ron yawned tiredly and went for the potion once again but before his hand even touched the mug, there was a flutter of wings at the window and he turned to see a tawny barn owl looking at him patiently from the window. Pigwidgeon was flying in small circles in his cage excited with the number of owls that had made deliveries tonight.
"Calm down, Pig!" Ron hissed as he took the letter from the waiting owl. He unrolled the parchment and sighed.
Ron,
I'm so sorry that I ruined our outing today. I was so surprised to walk in on Harry and Cho like that. I know he
doesn't like her in that way anymore but, well, you know how I feel. I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am
about wasting our time with Harry and I hope we can get together again soon. Mum says that I can stay for the summer
whenever your parents give the word! Well, I need to get some sleep, Dad and I are going to a museum exhibit that's
opening tomorrow! It's so fascinating! They've found the remains of an ancient city and the artifacts are going
to be on display! I wonder if they had witches and wizards back then ... I can't wait to see if there are any
...
Ron's eyes glazed over and he quickly scanned for anything he thought pertinent and began reading just before the letter ended.
How's Harry doing? I hope he got home on time! I don't want his relatives putting him down again! I wish
I could do something for him ... Well, I should get to bed. I hope the potion your mum made for you is helping you
sleep.
Night,
Hermione
"Let's hope this is the end of the letters tonight, I need some sleep!" Ron yawned sleepily and sat down at his desk again.
Hermione,
Don't worry about today. We'll have plenty of time to spend with Harry and I'm positive that he didn't
expect what happened with Cho. He sent Hedwig a few minutes ago and even though it wasn't much time (I can't
believe I was in Flourish and Blotts for 3 hours!) he said he had a great time and wants to get together again if
Dumbledore doesn't let him stay earlier. I'll tell Mum tomorrow that your parents gave you permission to come
whenever they're ready. If I know them, they'll be happy to have you tonight! But we'll have to settle for
a day or two. Enjoy your time at the museum it sounds fun if you like that stuff. Mum's potion is doing its job,
but I forgot to take it tonight! No chance of me forgetting again! Well, I need some sleep too so I'm sending this
back. Have a fun time tomorrow with your Dad!
Ron
Ron rubbed his eyes and yawned as he crossed back to the waiting owl and sent Hermione's reply. He scratched his head and smiled after a moment before collecting the letters from Harry and Hermione that he was going to send to Dean. Me organizing? He mused with a lopsided grin and took the mug that was still waiting patiently for him to drain its contents. He emptied it in a few quick gulps and after lying down, the potion quickly sent him into the dreamless sleep he was craving for the past few hours.
The sun shown warmly through his bedroom window and a stray stream landed on Ron's still sleeping face. He grimaced and rolled over while pulling a pillow over his head when a knock came at the door.
"Go away, Ginny, I want to sleep!" He said in a muffled voice through the down pillow.
"Ron, it's past noon! Mum sent me up to get you for lunch." Ginny said from the now open door. "Besides, we need to send off the first batch of letters today."
Ron rolled onto his back and shielded his eyes from the bright sunlight. "Well, there is that." He said with a yawn. "I have to talk to Mum about Hermione coming over earlier this summer and staying with us." He added after a groaning stretch.
"I don't know if I want to sleep in the same room as her this summer." Ginny said with a laugh. "If they get together, then all I'll hear about is Harry ... Wait, that's all I ever heard about when she's stayed before ..."
Ron raised an eyebrow and smirked at his little sister. "Join the club, Gin." He said with a chuckle and dodged the shoe that flew at him shortly afterwards.
"I'll go tell Mum you're on your way." She said with a huff and left him alone to get ready for the day.
After a quick shower and a clean change of clothes, Ron made his way to the kitchen where a stack of sandwiches and a pitcher of pumpkin juice awaited him. He tore into the offering with the abandon he usually reserved for Hogwarts' feasts.
"All this plotting and planning really made me hungry." He said to himself through a mouthful of ham and cheese.
"What plotting and planning?" Mrs. Weasley asked curiously from the sink. Ron nearly passed half a sandwich through his nostril when he choked.
"I'm trying to plan some time for Quidditch after Harry gets here, Mum." Ron lied quickly. "Hopefully he'll get here with enough time to play ..." He added for effect.
"Now, Ron, you know that Dumbledore has Harry's best interests in mind, but we're still pushing for him to let Harry come earlier this year."
"I know, Mum." Ron said quietly. "Speaking of coming early for summer, Hermione said her parents gave her the go ahead to come over when you say it's ok."
"Really?" Mrs. Weasley said with a smile. "She can stay in a few weeks, dear." She said quietly. "I want to make sure that your nightmares are taken care of first. We have enough ingredients for two weeks, we'll see how you are after that, ok?"
Ron nodded. "Ok, Mum. I'll send Pig out tonight and let her know."
"Now that you've finished your lunch, it would be nice if you finished de-gnoming the garden. It's been a few days since you'd done anything about it and they have made their way back." His mother said with a sweet smile.
Ron rolled his eyes. "If I have to." He grumbled.
"You do." She retorted.
Ron sighed and got to his feet. "Where's Ginny?" He asked offhandedly.
"I think she's out back." Molly said with a smile. "She had a few books with her. I wonder if she's going to start taking after Hermione ..."
Ron shivered. "I hope not, Mum. I don't think we have enough room here to hold half as many books as Hermione's got. Well, better take care of those gnomes if I want to have any time to myself." He added with a grumble.
"Make sure you get them all this time, Ronald Weasley!" His mother called from the kitchen as he stepped into the back garden.
Ron trudged over to where the gnomes seemed to congregate and deftly pulled one from its hiding place. With a tremendous heave, he sent it sailing over the hedge.
"Wow! That looks like a new record!" Ginny said with a grin from the path.
Ron laughed. "I don't think the others will be happy to find that I've gotten better at this since they left." He snorted in derision and grabbed a gawking gnome before it could scurry back into the underbrush. He sent this one almost as far and before he knew it, the entire garden's population was watching him send their friends and relatives into the neighboring yard. Ron worked diligently until the last one was snatched from the ground and hurled the farthest yet.
"So, what have you been reading?" He piped in after dusting off his hands.
"I picked up some muggle romance novels." Ginny said with a grin. "There's some ridiculous stuff in here but I think it could be a good starting point for a love letter or two."
Ron grinned. "You know, you scare me sometimes."
"I know." She said with a smirk and the two of them made their way to Ron's room for a writing session.
They had spent a good, solid four hours working on the first two letters, one for Hermione from Harry and the other for Harry from Hermione. Ron took Hermione's letter and read it over, a smile growing on his face as he scanned the short and sweet letter.
My Dearest Hermione,
I have only been able to admire you from afar, but with each passing day since I've seen you, my heart keeps
telling me that you might be the girl of my dreams. You might be asking yourself who would send you something like
this. Rest assured that it is someone who hopes he can make you happy. I know that you are a witch and attending
Hogwarts, I am going there as well. We've seen each other, but I don't want you to turn me away because I think
we'd be perfect for one another. I hope you answer soon and allow me the chance to get to know you better.
I have enclosed one rose as a symbol of how I feel.
Please write back, the owl knows where to go.
Your Secret Admirer
Ron sighed. "Well, I hope she doesn't dismiss this as rubbish." He said after scratching his head. He picked up the one for Harry and scanned its contents.
My Dearest Harry,
I can hardly believe I've actually gotten the courage to write this letter to you, but hopefully with you being in
Gryffindor, you can appreciate that. I've had a hard time keeping my eyes off of you since I first saw you and I
can't help but wonder what the mysterious guy behind the glasses is really like. I hope you don't ignore this
like you do the girls at school, I want to show you that there might be something wonderful we could share together. I
hope you would like to get to know me, like I want to get to know you.
Please write soon, the owl knows where to find me.
Your Secret Admirer
Ron sighed again. "Well, if he doesn't throw it away, there might be a chance." He rolled up both parchments along with the previous letters and a new one to Dean.
Dean,
Here are the first letters. We would have written more but Ginny pointed out that we should wait for their responses
before writing the next batch. I'm including a rose that should go with Hermione's letter. Have the owls return
the replies to me and we'll send the next batch to you. Thanks for the help, mate!
Ron
He pulled Pigwidgeon out of his cage and set him down on the desk. "Now, Pig," he said, "this is a large delivery that needs to go to Dean Thomas, do you think you can do it?"
Pigwidgeon's excited hooting and hopping gave Ron the impression that his small owl was indeed up to the task. Without further ado, he tied the bundle to the bird and let him fly out the window. With an initial, alarming drop, Pigwidgeon rose shakily in the air then set off slowly towards Dean's house.
"Here's hoping that the runt makes it." Ron said with a groan. "And let's hope that those two don't figure it out."