The unfortunate mishap suffered by Seamus Finnigan had distracted everyone from the major change that had occurred in Harry and Hermione's relationship. But as things settled down seemingly all eyes turned toward them and their new closeness. Neville was right…it was obvious that something had happened up in Harry's room.
Hermione noticed the looks and leaned into Harry to whisper. She knew Harry hated the attention he always drew and wanted to let him know they could try to keep their relationship a secret for now if he wanted to. "Harry, I think we've become the center of attention. If you don't want everyone to know-."
But her offer was cut off before it could be made. He pulled her closer and smiled. "Now why wouldn't I want everyone to know Hermione? If I didn't know better I would think you were embarrassed to be associated with me."
She bowed her head and smiled. "You know that's not what I meant Harry. I just know you hate how everything in your life seems to be so public."
A warm smile cascaded down on her as he responded. "Well I guess I'm going to have to get used to it in this case because I can't help myself. Take this for example."
He leaned down and kissed her gently. Time stood still and all noise ceased as she let Harry envelop her. She was again amazed how wonderful it felt to lose control with Harry. For the second time that evening they were roused by the clearing of a throat, this time by Ron.
As they broke apart and looked at Ron they were met by a steely gaze. He grabbed them quickly and began pulling them to a corner. "We need to have a talk," he grunted as he led them to what they thought would be an interrogation.
Harry attempted to plead their case. "Ron we were-," but he was cut off by Ron's hand being put up in the air telling him to stop.
"You know what you two have done don't you," Ron said as a statement more than a question.
Harry and Hermione glanced at each other with nervous expressions. This was definitely not going as they planned.
Ron folded his arms and continued. "Well I'll tell you what you've done. You've just won me six Galleons."
The couple looked at each other once again, but this time their expressions had changed from fear to confusion.
"What are you on about, Ron?" Hermione piped in, eager to have the questions in her mind answered as always.
"Well I had a little bet with Seamus, Dean and Neville. They all thought it would take at least a day for you two to finally get up enough courage to admit how you felt about each other. I, on the other hand, knew you two wouldn't be able to keep your hands to yourselves for that long. So thanks to you and your complete lack of control I just made six Galleons."
Harry was the first to speak. "You knew? But I never told you a thing! How did you know?"
Ron smiled at his best friend and responded. "You two must really think I'm thick don't you?"
He instinctively put his hand up again and aimed it at Hermione to avoid the pointed barb he knew was coming. "That was a rhetorical question, Hermione. No need to respond."
She smiled to herself as he continued. "Honestly you two weren't fooling anyone. Hermione you've been bouncing off the walls waiting for Harry to get back."
Hermione blushed and Harry smiled, thinking about the effect he had on her.
Ron then pointed his attention to his roommate. "And you're no better, Harry. I've had to listen to you moan Hermione's name so often in your sleep over the last year I thought I was going to smother you with my pillow on a few occasions."
It was now Harry's turn to blush and Hermione's to gloat at Ron's words.
Harry voiced the question they had both worried about since they admitted their feelings for each other. "So you're okay with this Ron? With us?"
Ron smiled and folded his arms again. "Well I don't have a bloody choice do I? Besides if I threw a fit right now I might get accused of being in love with you again Harry. I have definitely had enough of that for one evening."
They all laughed at Ron's comments as he continued. "I do have one request however."
It was Hermione's turn to fold her arms and fire back at Ron. "Now Ron if you're going to ask for one last kiss from Harry I must put my foot down. I just don't think I can trust you to keep your hands off of him."
"Very funny, Hermione," Ron responded, silently hoping that would be the final joke regarding his earlier kiss. "Now may I continue what I was about to say before I was so rudely interrupted?"
He waited for Hermione's smiling nod before he continued. "As I said I have only one request. Never…ever…gang up on me again like you did before you went upstairs. I have enough trouble handling Hermione by herself Harry. If you join in I have absolutely no chance."
Harry patted Ron's shoulder and responded. "Agreed. Besides what would I do for entertainment around here if I didn't have your arguments to occupy my time? Sometimes I feel like conjuring up a bowl of popcorn to enjoy while you two go at it."
As Hermione and Harry began to walk back and join the party Ron spoke up again. "Hermione, could I speak to Harry alone for a moment? I promise to keep my hands to myself."
Hermione nodded and kissed Harry gently on the cheek before making her way back to the party. She noticed another redhead who seemed quite intent on talking to her as soon as possible.
Ron turned toward Harry and began speaking again. Only this time it was in a much quieter tone. "Since we're getting everything out in the open tonight, I think it's time you let me in on your other secret Harry."
Harry could think of only one other thing he had been keeping from Ron and he was positive that Ron didn't know anything about it. "What are you talking about Ron?"
"You're going to make this difficult aren't you? I'm talking about the money that Fred and George used to start their business…the mishap that just occurred with Seamus…Crabbe and Goyle in eveningwear…Dumbledore and his new hairstyle…Malfoy assuming his true animagus form…Do I need to go on?"
Harry was shocked. He'd done everything he could to keep his gift to Fred and George a secret but somehow Ron had found out. "But how did you know?"
"I had my suspicions when Fred and George suddenly had money to get their business going. I wasn't quite sure you were the source until they offered to buy my new dress robes. Those two would never…ever…feel bad about me having to wear such embarrassing clothing. If it were up to them the robes I wore to the ball would have been pink as well. Well anyway, when they offered to buy my dress robes I knew it had to be your doing."
Ron paused to let his words sink in before continuing. "Once all the pranks started happening this year I figured that had to be you as well. Don't forget Harry, I lived with Fred and George while they were making up all those jokes. I knew they had to be giving them to someone at Hogwarts and you were the most logical choice."
"But why didn't you say anything. You were always so stubborn about accepting…help."
Ron chuckled at Harry's polite attempt to mention how poor his family was. "It's okay Harry, you can say the word. I was always stubborn about accepting money right?"
Harry frowned and mournfully nodded his head, regretting the fact that he had brought the subject up.
"I guess you could say that I did a lot of thinking over that summer about what was and what wasn't important. You thought I would accept the robes from Fred and George because they're my family right?"
Harry nodded again, still surprised at how well Ron apparently had taken the news.
"Well the way I look at it I did get them from a family member, Harry. I mean you've got a room at the Burrow now right? Your last name may be Potter but you are definitely a Weasley as well, mate."
Harry was stunned at the words coming out of Ron's mouth. He knew he had considered Ron to be as close as a brother since the end of first-year but this simply was not something the male species talked about. To have Ron actually say it out loud truly made him feel as if he was a part of the Weasley family. "Ron, I don't know what to say…thanks"
Ron broke the sincerity of the moment with a flourish. "I think this is the point where we should hug but if Hermione saw us I know I would never hear the end of it. So this will have to do."
Ron extended his hand and Harry accepted. If a handshake could ever be described as heartfelt it would have been this one. As the two shook hands Ron asked the question he had wondered ever since Seamus had been the butt of the last joke. "Harry, how did you get that bottle down here in the shape you're in? Even with your invisibility cloak I would think it would be impossible the way you're hobbling around."
Harry smiled knowing the next words out of his mouth would truly shock Ron. "Would you believe Hermione did it? It was actually her idea."
Ron laughed so hard other conversations stopped because of the noise. "Are you serious?"
Harry's nod set Ron off on another fit of laughter. "It appears you've had quite a negative influence on our Prefect doesn't it."
Harry laughed as he responded. "It looks like it."
"It's about bloody time," Ron said with a smile as the two made their way back to the party.