Epilogue

Disclaimer: They aren't mine, but I'd sure love to play with them.

EPILOGUE

“Congratulations, Granger.”

“Thanks, Snape. Now kiss me.”

“What, here? In front of everyone?”

“That didn’t stop you on Valentine’s Day.”

“There was a reason then.”

“I’ve just graduated. Isn’t that a good enough reason? After all, now I can officially move in with you.”

“You mean you have more possessions? I thought you had all your worldly goods moved in already. Hell, even that cat of yours has made himself at home. And it’s not like you don’t spent every night in my bed anyway.”

“I haven’t heard you complaining.”

“I didn’t say I was unhappy about it, witch. Now come here. I find I have a need to kiss you.”

“What, in front of everyone? Severus… mmmmmph… Severus! Mmmmm. Do that again!”

“This?”

“Mmmmm.”

“Are you sure you want to stay for the Graduation dinner? All those boring, long speeches…”

“Yes, Severus. Even though I’m sure you can find much better ways to keep me entertained. It’s only a few hours, and then I’m all yours.”

“I rather like the sound of that, Granger. But if you expect me to wait until then, I suggest you get your hand out from under my robes.”

“Spoilsport. I was enjoying myself, and I know you were. I’ve decided robes can be very useful. It’s a pity you rarely wear them now.”

“I think it’s just as well I don’t. You’d be using every opportunity to take advantage of me, and I'd be walking around with a bloody erection the entire day. Oh, stop grinning, woman. It’s unseemly how filthy your mind has become.”

“That’s only because I sleep with an old pervert.”

“That, I cannot deny, Granger.”

“Severus?”

“Yes, dear.”

“I love you, you old pervert.”

“And I love you, Hermione, filthy mind and all.”

…

“Er… Excuse me, Professor Snape?”

“What is it, Mr Roberts?”

“There are some Muggles in the Entrance Hall looking for you and Hermione.”

“Muggles?”

“Yes, sir. Girls. Three of them. Wearing T-shirts with your name on them and giving out badges.”

“Granger, are you expecting visitors?”

“No. But there seems to be a crowd gathering. We’d better go and investigate.”

…

“Hermione! Over here! Hi, Severus!”

“Amelia! And Cathy and Lee! What are you three doing here? And what are you wearing?”

“Ron and the boys Appar-whatsited us here. It was a real buzz! Do you like our new T-shirts?”

“Severus Snape’s Fan Club. Well, I think they're fantastic, but I think Severus might have a different opinion.”

“Do you three intend to completely ruin my reputation? It’s bad enough maintaining discipline with this wench pouncing on me in dark corners of the castle and the headmistress insisting I wear ‘Seth’ clothing without the students here thinking people actually like me!”

“Like you? I think you underestimate yourself, Sev. We have hardly any badges left.”

“Cathy! You can’t call him Sev!”

“Why not? He’s our friend, aren’t you, Sev?”

“Granger. Save me from these crazy women!”

“No way. You made them like you, Mr Seth Charming Sneyd, now you have to take the consequences. I’d be more concerned about those badges all the girls are wearing if I were you.”

“What badges?”

“Those badges.”

“Oh, fuck. Tell me they don’t know what W.I.L.F. means.”

“Judging by the way they're giggling and blushing whenever you look at them, I’d say they have a fair idea. But don’t worry, my love, I won’t let them get their claws into you.”

“Thanks, Granger. You’re a great comfort.”

“Any time, Snape.”

…

“Hey, ‘Mione! I see the girls found you. Great T-shirts, aren’t they?”

“Ronald Weasley, I believe you have some explaining to do. How do you know the girls here? And who else was in on this little escapade?”

“Kingsley introduced us at New Year. Amelia and I hit it off right from the start. Who did you think I was referring to on Valentine’s Day?”

“I did wonder later when I didn’t see you with any of the girls here. But who are the boys Amelia referred to who helped get them here?”

“Neville and Michael Corner. They’ve been seeing Cathy and Lee. That’s why we were allowed to bring them to Hogwarts. With all three involved with wizards, Kingsley and Professor McGonagall decided it would be okay.”

“That’s fantastic, Ron, but why didn’t you tell me sooner? And Amelia, I saw you just before we sat our final exams. Why didn’t you say anything?”

“We wanted it to be a surprise for both of you. A good surprise.”

“It’s a brilliant surprise, girls. And I’m sure Hermione will appreciate it once she has recovered from the shock of finding out Mr Weasley can actually keep a secret.”

“Severus! Be nice!”

“Yes, Sev. Be polite. And when are you going to show us around this amazing castle?”

“Your wish is my command, Miss Radford. Come this way, and I will show you the dungeons.”

“Ooh! Dungeons. Cool!”

“Lee, the dungeons here are not cool. Cold and damp, perhaps, but not cool.”

“That’s my quarters you're referring to, Granger.”

“Our quarters, Snape. And they're an exception.”

“So, Hermione, when’s the wedding?”

“Er… what wedding, Cathy?”

“Yours and Sev’s, of course. Oops. Don’t tell me he hasn’t asked you yet. Sev! What are you waiting for?”

“Thank you, Cathy. I believe you've just ruined my carefully laid plans for tonight. Well, Granger. What about it?”

“What about what, Snape?”

“You, me, a wedding. Fancy being married to an old pervert who can’t keep his eyes off you?”

“I thought you’d never ask!”

…

…

“I take it that was a yes, then?”

“I think so, Lee, although if they don’t come up for air soon, they may not survive long enough to get married.”

“Do you think she'll invite us to be bridesmaids?”

“Do you think she’d forgive us if we handed out badges at the wedding reception?”

“Amelia!”

***

THE END

A/N: Can't Take My Eyes Off You, written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio, was a 1967 single by Frankie Valli.

A huge thank you and hugs go to karelia, who spotted the bloopers and herded the commas into submission.

Thanks also to the girls at work, who all participated in some way in this story, helping me brainstorm the plot over morning tea and even lending their names for characters: Catrina, Leigh, Denise, Julie, Cathy, Caryl, Carla, Fliss, Phil (okay, he’s NOT a girl), and of course, Amelia!

Special thanks to Catrina for reading over the first draft and advising me on boarding school life in Scotland. The Muggle school is loosely modelled on Morrison’s Academy in Crieff where both Catrina and Ewan McGregor were educated.