What Would You Wish For?

They settled into their usual potion table and took out their parchments. Ron focused on Professor Snape’s lecture, again making notes of things he repeated. He also seemed to notice when he mentioned ingredients they would be using, they were the same herbs that Professor Sprout talked about. He was able to connect the information from both classes with ease.



As he explained step by step the brewing process they were going to use, Ron noticed something that wasn’t in the step preceding it and his hand shot in the air.



Hermione’s had risen as well. She was giving him a confused look. He never raised his hand in potions. It was something Snape had noticed as well and, completely ignoring Hermione, he looked at Ron for several moments before speaking. “Yes, Weasley.”



“The herbs in step 3 and 5 need to be gathered fresh from the plant, but does the herb in step 7 also need to be gathered off the plant?” He asked. He saw out of the corner of his eye Hermione’s hand slowly lowering down while she stared at him. Apparently she had to same questions.



Snape was regarding him for several moments, shocked and stunned that he was asking an intelligent questions. He also noticed several students had looked at their notes and then at the Professor waiting for an answer.



“No, it does not have to be plucked fresh from the plant before being used.” He answered and watched as his students made note of it. “Now Mr. Weasley, do you know why it doesn’t need to be freshly collected?” He asked.



Ron looked through his notes and saw Hermione doing the same thing, then she turned to her textbook and flipped through the pages. Ron on the other hand, reached into his bag and pulled out his Herbology notes, glanced at one page then looked up at Professor Snape, who was waiting patiently.



“The powder that’s used is encased in a pod that is sealed tight. The pod can be taken from the plant at any point and the powder is always fresh as long as you don’t break open the pod.” He answered, in plain words. He translated it from the technical terms in the book, showing that he had understood the information.



He knew his answer was right, but he watched as the room looked to Snape and waited. Hermione had gone quiet and was waiting as well.



“Correct. Five points to Gryffindor Mr. Weasley.” He said, then resumed his lecture. Ron grinned at Harry who slapped him on the back and returned Neville’s nod and smile. When he looked at Hermione however, she was glaring at him and he couldn’t figure out why. One would think she would be proud of him, but she was trying to make him feel bad. Well, it wasn’t going to work. He gave her a brilliant smile and refocused on the lecture.



Soon enough they were set to the brewing assignment and Ron reviewed his notes carefully making sure to check at every step. Since he had taken more detailed notes, he was able to follow the recipe more easily He was so intent on his cauldron that he didn’t think of the others until Hermione spoke.



“How did you know about the powder Ron?” She asked, as if she thought he had gotten the information from cheating.



Her attitude toward him was reaching his limit, and her implication stung him hard. He fixed her with a glare that was felt by Neville and Harry. Both wisely chose to remain silent. “If you have taken notes in Herbology, you would have remembered that Professor Sprout mentioned it in today’s lesson.”



“I was paying attention. Neville did she mention it?” Her look was now fixed on him, knowing that Herbology was his strongest class.



‘Yes, she did.” He said quietly.



“So you knew the answer?” Neville nodded. She was silent for a moment. “Then why didn’t you raise your hand?” She asked.



“He asked Ron.” Neville explained. “Besides, you know I don’t speak to him unless I have to.”



Ron continued with his brewing as the whole table fell into silence. Ron was conflicted. He would have thought Hermione would have a different reaction. He would have thought she would encourage him rather then be upset that he was finally understanding what he was trying to learn.



He focused on his potion and by the time he was done, he had brewed an acceptable potion. It wasn’t brilliant, or the best in the room, but it was acceptable and he had brewed it himself. His more thorough notes and understanding countered mistakes he would have made. He hadn’t asked for anyone’s help. He had done it on his own. He vialed up a sample and walked it over, along with his written assignment to Professor Snape’s desk. He glanced briefly at it and raised an eyebrow, as he took the parchment.



Ron felt his confidence was higher then it had been in years. It felt good not to ask for anyone’s help or borrow notes. He was going to succeed. He knew it.



During dinner, everyone seemed to calm down. Ron glanced around for a moment and saw Demona leaning against the wall by the doors to the Great Hall. She still seemed depressed but she gave him a small smile.



He smiled back and watched as she vanished away. “Who were you smiling at?” Hermione asked, following his gaze.



“Nobody.” He joined in the conversation about the upcoming quidditch match, while she continued to look but after a moment gave up.



After dinner, the three of them sat on their usual corner, doing homework. This time Ron was able to concentrate on his work without his mind wondering.



“Here, give me your parchments and I can look them over.” Hermione told them, as she closed a textbook and opened another.



“Mine is fine the way it is.” Ron told her rolling up his essay and putting it away. He took out his potions book and began searching out the page he needed.



‘Ron if there is something wrong with it, it would be a mark against your grade.” She said.



Ron rolled his eyes. Did she think he didn’t know that? “I know that Hermione. If there is something wrong then I will be marked on it and I will learn the correct answer.” He returned to his book.



‘But I can find errors before you turn it in.” She countered.



“Hermione, for the last time. I am serious about Auror training and I need to learn from my own mistakes. I am trying my hardest to succeed and that isn’t going to happen if I don’t know what I am doing wrong. Maybe having you check my work all the time isn’t the best thing for me.” His temper was showing but he was beyond caring at this point.



Hermione gasped as if he had slapped her, and for several long moments, she glared at him. Harry had read the same paragraph three times in an attempt to ignore them. He didn’t like to see the two of them fight, but secretly he thought Ron was right. Hermione wouldn’t be there to help him through the Auror test or the training if he was accepted. He had to do that on his own.



Ron had taken all of Hermione’s nasty looks that he could handle for the night. He gathered up his books and parchments and went to his dorm room. Since everyone else was in the common room or in Seamus’s case, serving detention, he would have the room to himself.