Adding another five minutes to his washing schedule seemed fine to Ron. All he needed was a good haircut, a good smell and a good attitude. While he had two of the three, his hair was not cooperating with him. He tried to brush it into a side fringe, but it slid in front of his eyes every time. It was as if his hair was subconsciously personifying his overt shyness. He ended up letting it hang naturally. Considering Friday was a few days away, he needed to get into the mind frame of the 'Famous Weasley Charmer'. Harry was his helper, who had opted to contact him through the Floo Network. His burning features surveyed his attire, an eyebrow raised. He suddenly wrinkled his nose, the vast amounts of cologne breaking the fiery barrier

'Drowning in cologne is never a good thing, Ron…' Harry coughed, the overpowering smell filling his nostrils. 'Do you want to knock her out, or something?'

'At least she can't say no when she's unconscious' Ron smirked, cheekily, receiving a glare from Harry. 'I'm joking! I'll be lucky to even get a non-sexual hug from her'

'Believe me, there's nothing non-sexual about your hugs…' Harry laughed. 'It's like you're trying to get them pregnant through osmosis' Ron cocked his head, his lips pursed.

'What Osmosis?' He said, dumbfounded. Harry rolled his eyes, remembering Ron wasn't the brightest crayon in the pack.

'Why don't you ask your date?' He smirked, teasing him. 'She'll know everything that requires smarts'

'Yeah…' Ron whispered, absentmindedly, beginning to drift off into a daydream. Harry snapped him out of it, with a loud sneeze, brought on by the cologne.

'Stay focused, Ron. This is your chance, alright?' He rubbed his nose, sniffing loudly.

'H-Has Hermione told you anything about her feelings?' Ron said, looking his best friend in the eyes. Harry sighed deeply, rubbing the back of his neck.

'No, Ron. And if she did, I would be sworn to secrecy anyway…' Ron's expression sunk. He was working with nothing here. Sure, she had said yes, but what if it was through sympathy? As these thoughts rustled around in Ron head, Harry looked up at him, thinking to himself. 'Ginny…however…' He added, slowly and measuredly.

Ron turned to meet his gaze, his stomach turning over. 'Ginny?' He stuttered, sitting down in front of the fire, his eyes wide with anticipation.

'Yes. She and Hermione share all their secrets. You want to find anything out, talk to Ginny…' He smiled, sipping again. 'Use the brotherly charm you have to weasel it out of her…no pun intended…' He grinned, sheepishly, as Ron rolled his eyes.

'Gin doesn't tell me anything! What makes you think she'll spill this time?'

'Well, if she finds out you're finally going after Hermione, I'm sure she'll come to her senses…' Harry chuckled. Ron nodded intently.

'Where is she? I've got to ask her now…Put her on…' Harry smirked slightly.

'She's outside in the garden, with the twins. You'll have to wait a while-'

'No, Harry! Get her now!' Ron yelled, his voice echoing in the empty Common Room. Harry pulled back slightly, sighing deeply.

'Fine, but if she's angry, it's your fault, alright?' Ron nodded quickly, as Harry pulled his head out of flames, the logs settling back into their original place. Ron twiddled his thumbs for what seemed like minutes, before the fire rustled, a familiar face emerging into the fire.

'The hell do you want, Ron?' Ginny said, exasperatedly. 'You've just interrupted my Quidditch practise. So you'd better have a good reason for doing so…'

'I'm going on a date with Hermione…' Ron said, quickly, interrupting her rant. There was a silence, as Ginny's mouth was slightly agape. Suddenly, she omitted a squeal, beaming widely.

'Took you long enough, you dummy!' She said, obviously elated. 'She's been waiting for you to ask for years, Ronald!'

'R-Really? ' Ron said, excitedly, his heart beating quickly. 'She said that?'

'Of course! And to think she gave up on you…Well done, Ron!' She giggled, wiping hers eyes in relief. Ron's expression dropped at this, his eyebrow raised.

'G-Gave up on me?' Ginny stopped smiling, realising that, in her haste, she might have let slip something bad.

'Erm…Yes, she went to Hogsmede with a Hufflepuff boy a few weeks ago. They went to the Three Broomsticks, had a few drinks…' Ron began to shake his head, his eyes beginning to water. Ginny saw this and tried to remedy the situation 'But she still likes you, Ron! I know it!'

'Of course, Ginny. That's why it's a pity date! I'm too late, obviously!' He yelled, standing up, as Ginny began to stutter.

'R-Ron! No, It was a one off thing!'

'Just like me? If she can forget me so easily, I mustn't be anything special!' He cried, turning around, running off to his dorm, not looking back at the fire. Ginny bit her lip.

Great, she had single handily destroyed her brothers hopes. She needed to send an owl and fast. Hermione needed to act quickly, or Ron would be lost to her. He pulled her head out to the fire, as Harry moved into the room. Seeing her fearful face, he produced a parchment and quill, his expression fixed on her, knowing what she had to do.

'Use Hedwig. She'll get it to the Castle within the hour….' He said, softly, as Ginny took the items and began feverishly writing the situation down. She blotted the page a few times, but continued writing, sealing the page into a square envelope.

'Please hurry…' She whispered to him, handing him the letter. Harry nodded, rushing quickly to his room, rising Hedwig from a nap.

'Come on, Hedwig…This is important…' He tied the letter to her leg, lifting her out of the window. 'Get to Hermione, quickly now!' He said, softly, as the bird soared out of the window and off into the distance, her snowy wings blazing against the sunlight.