It was Professor Sprout who started it. “Fifteen galleons that those two end up dating.” She summoned a cauldron and drew the money from her pockets. The gold clattered as she dropped each coin into the vessel. “You should see how he comes to the greenhouse every day to check on my Mandrakes.
Professor McGonagall arched an eyebrow as she, too, reached into her cloak for coins. “Pomona, please, they’re both in my house. I’ve seen how they look at each other. Twenty-five galleons that they actually get married.”
“If you’re talking about Mr. Weasley and Ms. Granger, I daresay those two are very much going to the Yule Ball together in two years.” Professor Flitwick added his own coins to the pile. “There was just something in the way Ms. Granger grabbed his hand when they were learning Wingardium Leviosa.”
With a swish of her wand, Professor McGonagall sealed the cauldron. “Shall we see how things progress and see who would be winning this pot?”
*****
Professor McGonagall winced as she waved her wand over the cauldron and divided the coins from Professor Flitwick amongst herself and Professor Sprout. “Apologies, Filius, but you saw what happened.”
The Charms’ professor’s face paled. The dance earlier, while meant to be a time for students to relax and enjoy the camaraderie of the other schools, had led to a very painful divide between the two Gryffindor students whom the professors were currently discussing. “I daresay I wasn’t aware of Mr. Krum’s, er, affections for Ms. Granger.”
Professor McGonagall shook her head. “It gets worse. At least they barely spoke to each other at the Ball. The two of them stormed into the common room and it had to be the most painful row I’ve ever witnessed in my years as a professor here.” She shuddered slightly as she remembered the events from earlier.
Ron was the first to speak. “It’s probably good that Harry has Cedric to help him, seeing as how even his closest friend isn’t on his side.”
The figure in front of him whirled around. Her hands clutched her dress in anger. “If you have something you want to say to me, you say it to my face.”
Ron’s face was simultaneously white and red from anger. “I just can’t believe you would rather go with a Durmstrang than with someone else from Hogwarts.”
“Oh who should it have been? If I had gone with Ernie MacMillan, you would have accused me of betraying Gryffindor!”
“At least it’s better than – wait, Ernie? Did he ask you too?”
“He asked before you did.” Hermione replied icily. She turned to face the Fat Lady, who had a glass of wine in her hand and an amused expression on her face. Her friend had sidled into the frame and both looked as if they had drank two cups too many. “Fairy lights!”
“Oh, don’t take the show elsewhere,” she sang as the portrait door swung open.
Hermione climbed into the common room as Ron followed. “What were you thinking, really, when Krum asked you? Were you flattered that an international Quidditch player fancied you? As if it wasn’t enough to be friends with the Boy Who Lived.” Ron knew he was spewing poison but he felt the red hot coil in his stomach rising to his throat.
“What about you then? Asking Fleur Delacour to the Ball, as if she weren’t one of Harry’s rivals? And to do so in public! Have you no shame?”
“You could have told one of us! What was the point in keeping it all a secret anyway?”
At that moment, they heard someone else come in but the sound barely registered. “Well, if you don’t like it, you know what the solution is, don’t you?”
“Oh yeah? What’s that?”
“Next time there’s a ball, ask me before someone else does, and not as a last resort!” With that, Hermione turned and ran up the stairs to the girls’ dormitories.
Ron watched her, mouth agape and eyes wide open. “Well,” he began, his voice stuttering, “well – that just proves - completely missed the point -”
But to all the teachers who heard this recount, they quite felt that it was indeed Mr. Weasley who had completely missed the point.
*****
“You know we have to go with Harry. He can’t do it alone.”
There was a deep, strangled sob and then another voice which spoke with such tenderness that Professor Sprout felt her heart clench. “I know. But I would much rather if you didn’t.”
“Ron, this is as much my cause as it is all of yours. Besides, do you think I would be safer not by your side?” There was a quick pause. “By both your sides?”
When the Herbology professor walked closer to the bushes, she saw Ron and Hermione sitting, facing each other. Ron let out a little chuckle. “Between you and the Boy Who Lived, I’ll really have my work cut out for me.”
Hermione’s touch was gentle as she touched his face, running her fingers over the days old stubble on his cheek. “You have to promise me you won’t do anything stupid. Harry and I would never be able to survive without you.”
Despite the heaviness and pain that wrapped Hogwarts like a shroud, there was still love and light. Professor Sprout gave a small smile and quietly whispered a spell, adding more coins to the cauldron. “We’re all rooting for you,” she whispered.
*****
“And now with the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you bonded for as long as you both shall live.” There was a soft wave of the wand and a golden glow settled on the entwined pair. The crowd clapped as the magic sealed their kiss and their vows.
Somewhere situated near the front, Professor McGonagall turned to her longtime colleague and gave a rogue wink. “Well, Pomona, I think I would much like to take this pot of gold and treat myself to a nice vacation.”