RON: "Well… Combing it suits you."

RON (summoning confidence): "You know, Harry's boy Albus -- said to me the other day that he thought you and I were -- married. Ha-ha. Ha. Ha. Ridiculous, I know."

RON: "Panju got in a little trouble in Potions class. Was showing off, of course, and put the wrong thing with the wrong thing and now he has no eyebrows and a rather large mustache, apparently. Which doesn't suit him. I didn't want to come but Padma says that when it comes to facial growths, sons need their fathers. Have you done something with your hair?"

HERMIONE: "Ron, will you stop looking at me like that?"

HERMIONE: "Just combed it, I suspect."

RON: "He even thought we had a daughter. That'd be strange, wouldn't it?"

HERMIONE: "Ron. What are you doing here?"

RON: "Professor Granger."

HERMIONE looks at RON slightly strangely.

RON is walking down the staircase, consumed in his thoughts, and then he sees HERMIONE and his expression changes entirely.

HERMIONE: "Very ridiculous."

HERMIONE looks across, her heart leaps a bit too (though she won't admit it).

The two lock eyes. HERMIONE is the first to break away.

HERMIONE: "Absolutely. Only -- friends."

RON: "Exactly. We're -- friends, and that's all."

HERMIONE: "More than strange."

RON: "Only -- friends. Funny word -- friends. Not that funny. Just a word really. Friends. Friend. Funny friend. You, my funny friend, my Hermione. Not that -- not my Hermione, you understand -- not MY Hermione -- not MINE -- you know, but…"

There's a pause. Neither of them move the smallest inch. Everything feels too important for movement. Then RON coughs.

HERMIONE: "I know."

Your hair really does very much suit you.

RON: "Well. Must get on. Sort Panju out. Teach him the finer arts of mustache grooming."

He walks on, he turns, he looks at HERMIONE. She looks back, he hurries on again.