In the Prefect's Bathroom

Chapter 9 ~ Epilogue

Ronald Weasley was in a right tizzy, and it was because of two people. Hermione and Professor Snape. One problem didn't seem at all related to the other to the redhead, but something was going on.

Up to this point, the year had been great. He was famous, he had witches fawning all over him, and he was free to take them out because of the arrangement he'd made with Hermione. He signed autographs, did interviews and was asked to attend all the important functions. He'd finally arrived. He was no longer known for just being Harry's best friend, but for being a hero in his own right.

In Potions class, he had been doing all right. Snape pretty much left him alone as long as he did his work in a passable manner, and barely spoke to him at all. Ron believed it was because Snape had a near-death experience.

"I'm telling you," he told Harry, Hermione and Ginny, holding his thumb and forefinger just a millimeter apart, shaking them for emphasis. "Snape came this close to going to hell, and now he's trying to turn over a new leaf. He must have felt the flames or something."

And Hermione was the perfect doormat girlfriend. She was accepting of their arrangement of seeing other people, although she wasn't seeing anyone else, which suited Ron just fine. He liked knowing she was there for him when he wanted to see her.

Well, two weeks before the NEWTS, things changed, and not in a way he liked. Snape suddenly took an avid dislike of him, criticizing everything he did, giving him failing marks because he was a word over or under in his essays, or a parchment was a quarter inch short of a foot. One day, the Potions master tossed a red covered test on Ron's desk and said with a sneer, "Some people believe, Mr. Weasley, that despite your heroism, you are a perfect idiot."

Ron scowled up at him.

"I personally don't believe you're a perfect idiot. But—you do all right," Snape concluded, spinning and walking back to his desk with a billow of robes as the rest of the class laughed. Hermione just shook her head.

"What's wrong with the greasy bastard?" Ron demanded of Harry as they left the dungeons. "It's like he's treating me like I'm you."

Harry shrugged.

"Well, I don't like it," Ron muttered. Hermione walked with them, but didn't say a word. Ron was glad when class finally let out and they were going to take the NEWTS. He wouldn't have to deal with Snape for the rest of his life.

But, he'd also noticed changes in Hermione that he didn't particularly appreciate, although he couldn't quite put his finger on what was so different about her, other than she didn't seem so—so something. Needy, maybe? She didn't try to get his attention any longer, and when he ran into her one night after taking a walk around the castle with a doting and very accommodating Hufflepuff witch, Hermione simply greeted them with a smile and kept walking. She used to look upset.

Also, Hermione did an interview with Rita Skeeter. They were always asked to do interviews of all kinds. Hermione announced that this would be her last interview, that she would no longer be making appearances or signing autographs. She informed the public she was going to live as an ordinary private citizen and she hoped they would respect her wishes.

Ron couldn't believe it. How could she not want to be famous and have so many people admire her?

But that wasn't the worst of this. Hermione had developed this kind of—of sexiness, although she hadn't changed her hair, or how she dressed or anything. Other wizards noticed it too, and Ron noticed them noticing her. He was even asked by Dean Thomas if he minded if he asked Hermione out on a date.

"Hermione? Why?" Ron asked him, frowning.

"Why not? You're going out with other witches. I figured she wouldn't mind going out with me," Dean replied, frowning back at him.

"Well, you can ask her, but she's not going to do it," Ron said angrily.

Hermione did turn Dean down, to the relief of Ron. But, he still wanted to find out what was going on with her, so asked her to go to a movie in Muggle London before the NEWTS.

She turned him down, too. Ron was gobsmacked. He and Hermione hadn't gone anyplace together in ages. She had to be jonesing for him by now. He sat next to her on the sofa in the common room.

"No? Hermione, is this because I'm seeing other witches?" Ron asked her directly.

Both of Hermione's eyebrows rose.

"Oh, not at all, Ron. Actually, I think seeing other people is a good idea. At first, I wasn't thrilled about it, but you're right. We're far too young to settle down and not explore our options," she told him.

Ron looked shocked.

"What? Are you seeing somebody, Hermione?" he asked her.

"No, not yet. But, there is someone of interest. We've decided to wait until after graduation to hook up," she said with a smile.

"Who is it? Someone at Hogwarts?" Ron demanded, feeling extremely territorial now.

"Yes, it is. But I'm not going to tell you who it is."

"Why not?"

"Ron, I don't ask you who you're seeing do I? Because it's none of my business. The same goes for you."

Ron fumed at this. His perfect little world was falling apart. Hermione was going to see someone, probably even shag them. Of course, he saw nothing wrong with himself shagging a few witches, but Hermione shagging another wizard? That seemed so wrong on so many levels. But, he kept his cool.

"All right. How about a bit of snogging?" Ron suggested.

"I'm not really in the mood, Ron. I think I'll go to bed, now. Good night."

Hermione kissed Ron on the cheek and walked upstairs to her room, leaving him sitting on the sofa. She didn't even want to snog him? Something was definitely wrong. This wizard wasn't someone she was just going to see, he was sure of it. This git was going to try and take her away.

So, Ron began to watch Hermione closely, and tried his best to get her interested in him. He did manage to get her to go to Hogsmeade with him one evening, but nothing remotely romantic occurred. In fact, Hermione seemed to be acting a bit stuck up. As if she were too good for him or something. She was so confident now and when he snapped at her, she didn't even seem to care. They returned to the common room late and it was empty. Ron was mad because Hermione wanted to retire. He wanted something more.

"Do you want to break up with me?" he snarled at her.

"If you want to break up, Ron, that's fine."

"Well, I don't. I just want some attention."

"You get plenty of attention, Ron. You see a lot of witches," she replied. "And I did go out with you tonight."

"Yeah, but we didn't do anything. Anything intimate. We haven't shagged in forever."

Hermione frowned at him.

"Ron, just because we went out doesn't mean I have to automatically shag you."

"You used to do it."

"I used to do a lot of things. But people change. I'm not going to shag you just because you want me to. You have to earn this."

"What?"

"Earn this," Hermione said, sweeping her hand down her body for emphasis. "You heard me."

Ron didn't know what to say to that as Hermione walked up the stairs and left him.

They didn't talk again until after the NEWTS and Hermione settled into her private flat. As a graduation present, her father was paying her rent for sixth months.

Ron was feeling rather desperate now. It had been fun being up to his neck in willing witches, but the idea of Hermione doing something else with someone else just haunted him. He decided to tell her he wanted to be exclusive again. It was the only thing he could do. He showed up at her flat Friday night with a dozen roses and candy.

Hermione opened the door and looked at him in surprise.

"Ron?" she said, peering around him for a moment. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I know. I need to talk to you, Hermione. I brought you these. Flowers—and candy."

Hermione smiled and took the flowers and candy.

"Aw, thank you, Ron," she said taking the roses and candy into the living room and placing the flowers in a vase. She walked back toward the foyer.

Suddenly, Ron noticed how she was dressed. She was in a form-fitting green dress and heels. She was wearing a little make-up and her hair was softly curled.

"What are you dressed up for?" he asked her.

"Oh. I—I have a date," she said.

"A date? With who? That wizard you told me about?"

"Actually, yes. I thought you were him when you knocked."

Ron fell silent. Hermione blinked at him.

"Well, what did you want to talk to me about? I have a few min—"

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

"Oh, I guess I don't," Hermione said, stepping past Ron and opening the door. She gave who stood on the doorstep a bright smile as Ron stared in disbelief.

Snape slowly lifted Hermione's hand and gave the back of it a soft lingering kiss. Hermione eyes went half-lidded at the contact.

"Snape? You're seeing—you're going out with—with Snape?" Ron gasped, unable to believe his eyes. "Snape?"

Snape's black eyes shifted towards him, and the corner of his mouth curled.

"Weasley," Snape said in greeting as Hermione continued to stare at him, completely smitten. This was going to be their first night out together since the bathroom incident. She couldn't wait. Snape looked down at Hermione's dress and shoes.

"You look worthy of worship, Hermione," he said softly. "And I am your willing supplicant. Shall we go?"

"Oh yes," Hermione breathed, grabbing her summer shawl from a nearby coat rack. Snape draped it over her shoulders solicitously, and then wrapped his arm around her waist possessively, guiding her out the door. He looked back at Ron.

"Be sure to ward the door when you leave, Mr. Weasley," the wizard purred, then he and Hermione Disapparated into the night, and possibly, their future.

THE END

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A/N: And that's the end of this little PWP. Thank you so much for reading. ***