"The Incentive" by Quidditch, Anyone?

Introduction

It was amazing how oblivious two people could be. For years it had always been the same, yet both had never given it a second though; Ron liked Hermione, Hermione liked Ron. It was as simple as that. But, of course, nothing can be that simple. Though they were the best of friends, spending every waking moment together (with their friend Harry, of course), neither had ever so much as hinted that they were, er, 'interested' in one another. Take this particular moment, for example: Harry was off at quidditch practice as usual, leaving Ron and Hermione sitting by the fire, studying for an upcoming Charms test. They sat close together on the oversized couch, completely alone in the warm Common room. How very romantic this moment could be, if it weren't for her bossy know-it-all voice and his unbelievably short attention span.

"Honestly, Ron, could you for once second pay attention!" Hermione cried.

The quill that Ron had been trying to balance on his nose toppled down onto his lap. "Well maybe if you didn't review that same section of notes for the billionth time, I might be a little more interested!" he scowled.

"Well, maybe if you would stop being so stubborn and did some real studying-"

"Your idea of real studying, Hermione, is spending every spare second buried in useless books! Pardon me if I have a life!"

"What, idolizing quidditch teams and eating all day? Oh, what great accomplishments," Hermione rolled her eyes.

Ron turned crimson but said nothing. After all, it wasn't his fault she was a workaholic.

Hermione sighed. Not for the first time, she pondered her liking for Ron. There were several reasons she had come up with that explained why she liked him- his kindness, honesty, and the fact he was a cutie. But then there were the reasons she shouldn't, like his messy lifestyle and negative attitude. But the thing that probably bothered her most about Ron was the fact that it wasn't very possibly for him to (and she was ashamed to admit it) become her boyfriend, for more reasons than not.

Stupid Lavender and Parvati she had thought at times. Prancing around with the boys they fancy, leaving people like me feeling like a fool for not having anyone.

Not that it would be too terribly hard to ask out a boy (although she cringed at the though), but she wanted Ron, whom she would never, ever ask. The only solution she had ever come up with was to ask a different boy, just so she could fit in with her fellow females.

"I just need one," she whispered absentmindedly.

"One what?" Ron inquired.

"Oh! Ahh..." She had not realized what she had said. "One more, err... roll of parchment. Hand me that one, will you?" she came up with. Hermione pointed to a roll on the couch next to Ron.

Ron handed her the paper roll and went back to reading his notes, his hair sticking up oddly and his tongue slightly out, deep in concentration this time.

Hermione sighed mentally.

·~··~··~·

Hermione swung her bag over one shoulder and proceeded to the bathroom. At the same time as when she opened the door, Pansy Parkinson came out of a stall. Smirking, she went over to the sinks.

"Well, well, well... how nice to see you, Hairy-mummy," she smirked as the icy stream of water poured over her palms.

"Oh, how creative," Hermione said sarcastically as she strode past her to a stall.

"How are your boyfriends?"

"Ron and Harry are not my boyfriends," she said automatically.

"No, I mean your other boyfriends. You know, the ones lining up to go out with you."

Pansy gave a cackling, cruel laugh. Hermione turned red but said nothing.

"But seriously now, Hairy-mummy," Pansy still giggled. "What could be so wrong with you that no boy has talked to you since you came to this school?"

Hermione clenched her fists.

"Is it your ugly, knotted hair?"

Clench, clench.

"Your beaver teeth?"

Breathe, breathe.

"Or maybe because you spend so much time with Harry and Ron that everyone has just accepted you as a boy as well?"

Smack!

Pansy stumbled back into the sinks, but Hermione didn't see. She was already making her way out the door with tears in her eyes.

·~··~··~·

Possible Boyfriends:

1. Neville Longbottom

2. Seamus Finnigan

3. Dean Thomas

4. Colin Creevey (last resort)

Hermione stopped there to wipe her eyes, though she wasn't sad anymore. She was angry. So angry that she would resort to making a list of boyfriends she could have at this school (even with the paper damp with tears) just to show everyone that Hermione Granger was not a Tomboy.

"Hermione, are you okay? Why weren't you at dinner?"

Hermione quickly his the paper, but couldn't hide her blushing face as Ron's voice came from the dormitory's doorway. However, she needn't have bothered, for his eyes were covered so he wouldn't see into the girls' sleeping room.

"I'm fine."

He pushed the door open slightly, but still didn't open his eyes.

"I just wasn't feeling too well." Liar.

"Are you sick?"

"No, no, I'm all better now. I'll talk to you in the morning, okay?"

Ron moved one of his fingers to look at her. "Sure?"

"Sure."

Ron muttered and hesitant 'okay' before backing out of the room. She looked at the doorway for a moment, thinking how nice it was of him to come up and see if she was all right. Then she shook her head and went back to her list.

The most likely candidate would be Neville, I suppose... but he might die of shock. Seamus wouldn't be too bad, but he might die at the sight of my ugly face.

But just then, suddenly, she knew who would be perfect. Hermione bolted.

I'll probably be changing the title and chapter title shortly. I've been very braindead, especially on the last school-free day of the year. Oh, and this wasn't a very good introduction, so let me explain a few things:

Hermione only likes Ron, but feels the need to get a boyfriend so she won't be made fun of. Lots of Ron/Hermione fluff later on.

One more thing; I don't know who to make her boyfriend (not Harry), so suggestions welcome.

Enjoy your few hours left of summer!