As expected, Hermione sat in the common room with Harry, who had just started with his potions essay. Ron interrupted her explanation about Murtlab tentacles. "Hermione. I need to talk to you."

"Ron." Hermione and Harry looked at their panting friend. "What happened?"

"I- I'm not sure. I need to talk to you. Alone." He added with a glance at Harry, who frowned and looked hurt. "Look, I'm sorry mate. I will tell you, but first I want to talk to Hermione, it's urgent. And it's probably a false alarm anyway."

"Alright." Hermione said. "Let's look for some privacy."

Harry rolled his eyes and turned to his essay. Ron felt bad for excluding him but he felt like it was not a good idea to confront Harry with his suspicions when he himself had trouble processing it. Maybe he was overreacting. Hermione would know what was going on better than him.

So Ron and Hermione climbed through the portrait hole and walked down the stairs. Once Hermione cast a quick Muffliato spell Ron tried to recite exactly what he had heard in the Three Broomsticks. "What do you say? It's weird, isn't it?"

Hermione looked like she was in deep thought so Ron let her be quiet for a few seconds. They reached the door and wandered outside. Ron pulled his robes a bit tighter around himself. Hermione did not seem to notice much of the coldness. She had this look on her face that she always got when she got lost in her own thoughts. "How did he say it?" Hermione said eventually. "Like, what tone?"

"I don't know." Ron said. "Like Malfoy. Does it matter?"

"I'm not sure." Hermione said. "Malfoy could want Harry to notice him in several different ways."

"Which ways, Hermione?" Ron sounded frustrated.

"Let's not jump to conclusions." Hermione said calmly. "How exactly did he say 'Why does he never notice me'? Maybe he needs help. From Harry."

"But Hermione." Ron said. "That Parkinson didn't sound surprised. Or worried. Just... I don't know."

"Like she was used to it?" Hermione said and Ron nodded. "So let's get this straight. You think Malfoy has complained to Parkinson about Harry not noticing him in the way he wants to be noticed, and not for the first time."

"Yes." Ron said.

"So what is your guess? How does he want Harry to notice him?" Hermione looked closely at her best friend.

Ron let out a heavy sigh. "Don't make me say it." Hermione just raised her eyebrows challengingly. "It sounded to me like... He wants to, like... notice, I mean, that Harry is his... friend, or something." Hermione raised her eyebrows even higher. "Hermione." Ron groaned. He was extremely uncomfortable with the situation. "Malfoy said Harry's hair looks perfect. Who even says stuff like this?"

"It sounds to me like you already made your mind up about what's going on." Hermione said. "What do you need me for?"

"To tell me that I'm wrong? I don't know." Ron groaned. "Why are you not shocked?"

"I am, a bit." Hermione said. "But if you think about it... It's not that absurd. He wanted to be his friend in first year, he was rejected, and he's being mean to Harry ever since. I mean, I'm not saying Malfoy is an angel, but he's never cared much about insulting other people than Harry and us."

"Hermione." Ron said. "Afterwards, when he saw me listening to them, he looked extremely... shocked? No, more scared. I think there's more to it."

Hermione laughed. "I think you already know what it is."

Ron looked uncomfortable. "It's not necessarily true." Hermione shrugged. They walked quietly around the lake for a few minutes, both lost in their own thoughts. In a silent agreement, they started heading back to the castle. "Do you think Harry is... I mean he likes..."

"Malfoy?" Hermione finished.

"Not necessarily. I mean, boys, you know," Ron did not look at Hermione, who gave him a searching look now.

"Would that change anything?" She said.

"Yes. No. I don't know." Ron said. "We are worrying about nothing. Harry has never seemed... into that, did he?"

"I don't know. You tell me." Hermione said. "You came up with it. And even he was gay, it shouldn't change anything."

"I know." Ron groaned. "Luckily Charlie has come out to us last summer or else this would have been the first time I would be confronted with this."

"You're not even really confronted with this." Hermione said. "Nothing indicates that Harry likes boys except for his secret admirer who insults him on daily basis."

"So you also think Malfoy likes Harry." Ron said. "Because you've never really said it."

Hermione shrugged. "I mean, it's the most logical conclusion based on the events."

Ron sighed heavily. "Maybe I've missed something. Or heard something wrong. I mean, this is ridiculous."

Hermione laughed. "It is, isn't it." Ron gave her a grin which she answered with her own. Ron looked back ahead where they were reaching the castle again. He held the door open, not looking at his best friend as she thanked him and walked through. He followed. It was moments like these that he really appreciated, but at the same time felt incredibly awkward with.

"Weasley!" Ron looked up to see Malfoy coming out of the Great Hall and striding up to them, appearing confident. For once, he was alone. "You're coming with me." He demanded, grabbing Ron's arm brusquely and went to drag him back outside.

Ron pulled his arm from Malfoy's grip and crossed them over his chest. "Why should I?"

Malfoy glared. "Because I said so."

"I'm not listening to you." Ron said and turned around. Before he could leave, Malfoy grabbed his arm again.

"You're coming with me. Now, Weasley." Malfoy said.

"Maybe we should go with him, Ron." Hermione said. "Hear what he has to say."

"Not you, Mudblood." Malfoy spat.

Ron turned around very fast, pressed Malfoy against the door and held his wand to his throat. "Don't call her that. Or I'm gonna tell Harry everything I heard you say in the pub."

Malfoy's eyes widened in panic. Both from the threat and the position he was in. "Ron, don't do anything stupid." Hermione said. "What if a teacher sees us?"

Ron took a sudden step back, making Malfoy almost fall over before he was able to stand up straight again. "You haven't told him yet?" Malfoy asked.

"It can change any second." Ron said. "In fact, it will change the second you do or say anything against Hermione or my family. Or Harry."

"Are you threatening me?" Malfoy asked.

"Yes." Ron said. He was a Gryffindor, he had been his whole life, but he had to admit that he had never felt braver than in this moment. He looked at Hermione, for what, he did not know. Probably comfort. But he did not expect to see her grin proudly at him. He quickly looked back at Malfoy, who looked back and forth between them with a raised eyebrow and a smirk. Ron could feel his ears go even hotter.

"Does Potter know about this?" Malfoy wondered.

"Know about what?" Ron asked.

"Probably not." Malfoy answered his own question. "Stupid oblivious Gryffindors."

"Hermione is everything but stupid." Ron said. "And we aren't either. Nor are we oblivious."

"Whatever you say, Weasley." Malfoy said. "Anyway, I just wanted to tell you, if any word of what you heard in the pub gets out there, I will not hesitate to make up a stupid excuse to my father why Arthur Weasley is a traitor to the ministry, got it?"

"So now you're threatening me?" Ron asked. "I don't think this would make Harry any more pleasant towards you."

"Potter will never know about this." Malfoy hissed.

"You sure about that?" Ron asked.

"He better not, or your father is unemployed. I dare you. Don't mess with me."

Ron squinted at this git. Into boys or not, Ron was sure Harry would never fall for a git like this. "Fine." Ron said. "Harry would never like you back anyway."

Before Ron turned around and left with Hermione to the Gryffindor tower, he could see the flash of hurt in Malfoy's eyes. But Ron did not have enough heart to feel too sorry for the git. He threatened Ron's family. This was unacceptable, no matter the motives.