⁀➷

"Harry, I can't stand it!" Ron exclaimed.

"You can't stand what?" asked Harry, walking toward Ron who was laying on his bed.

Ron looked as if he was about to puke.  "I can't stop thinking about her!" exclaimed Ron.

Harry sighed. "You always talk about Kimberly, Ron, now let's go to breakfast."

"What are you talking about?" asked Ron.

Harry took a double look at Ron before adding, "Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Romilda Vane, " whispered Ron.

They stared at each other for almost a whole minute, before Harry said, "This is a joke, right? You're joking."

"I think... Harry, I think I love her, " said Ron.

"Okay, " said Harry, walking up to Ron to get a better look at the glazed eyes and the pallid complexion. "Okay... Say that again with a straight face."

"I love her, " repeated Ron. " Have you seen her hair? It's all black and shiny and silky...and her eyes? Her big dark eyes? And her - "

"This is really funny and everything, " said Harry impatiently, "but joke's over, all right? Drop it. "

He turned to leave before crashing blow hit him on the right ear. Staggering, he looked around and saw Ron's fist drawn back. Harry reacted instinctively. His wand was out of his pocket and the incantation sprang to mind without conscious thought: Levicorpus!

Ron yelped as his heel was wrenched upward and he dangled helplessly, upside down.

"What was that for?" Harry bellowed.

"You insulted her, Harry! You said it was a joke!" shouted Ron.

"This is insane!" exclaimed Harry. "What's got into - " And then he saw the box lying open on Ron's bed. "Where did you get those Chocolate Cauldrons?"

"They were a birthday present! " answered Ron. "I offered you one, didn't I?"

"You just picked them up off the floor, didn't you?"

"They'd fallen off my bed, all right? Let me go!"

"They didn't fall off your bed, you prat, don't you understand? They were mine. I chucked them out of my trunk when I was looking for the map. They're the Chocolate Cauldrons Romilda gave me before Christmas, and they're all spiked with a love potion! "

"Romilda?" Ron repeated. "Did you say Romilda? Harry, do you know her? Can you introduce me?"

Harry stared at the dangling Ron, whose face looked hopeful, and fought a strong desire to laugh. A part of him - the part closest to his throbbing right ear - wanted to let Ron down and watching him run amok until the effects of the potion wore off. On the other hand, they were friends, even if Ron had been in a rubbish mood the past couple of days.

"Yeah, I'll introduce you," promised Harry. "I'm going to let you down now, okay?" He sent Ron crashing back to the floor. "She'll be in Slughorn's office."

"Why will she be in there?" asked Ron, walking up to Harry as they walked down.

"Oh, she has extra Potions lessons with him," said Harry.

"Maybe I could ask if I can have them with her?" said Ron eagerly.

"Great idea," said Harry.

Once they exited the Gryffindor tower, Kimberly was waiting outside the portrait hole with a box in her hands.

"Morning, Harry. Happy birthday, Ron!" she exclaimed.

"Leave me alone," said Ron impatiently. "Harry's going to introduce me to Romilda Vane."

Kimberly, completely taken aback by his confession, took a step back. "What?"

Harry sent her an apologetic look. "Sorry, we've got to go. I'll explain later."

He scurried off with Ron toward Professor Slughorn's office, leaving Kimberly heartbroken and confused.