In Which Snape Proves He's a Nuisance.
Ron opened the door to the 6th year boys dormitory, expecting to hear plenty of snoring. It was, after all, past midnight, but when he entered the large bedroom, he found his room mates either studying or talking, none of the asleep. When they realised he was there, they all stopped what they were doing and looked at him. Apparently they'd been waiting up for him.
"What?" Ron asked.
"How was your big night?" asked Seamus, a wicked grin on his face.
"You told them?" Ron demanded of Harry.
"Sorry mate," Harry said apologetically, "but when it got to 10:30, they started asking me where you were, and Ginny opened her big mouth and said that she didn't know about you, but Hermione wasn't there either, and she'd left with a big grin on her face."
Ron's ears turned a little red at thought of everyone knowing, but a big smile still spread across his face.
"So it's true, then," Neville piped up from his bed, where he lay studying a Herbology book. "You and Hermione are finally together?"
"Yeah, it took you two long enough," put in Dean.
"Hey!" said Ron, slightly indignant.
"Well?" said Harry, "Did you guys sort things out or not?"
Everyone looked at Ron, expectantly waiting for him to answer.
"Yeah, ok, we did" the four boys continued to look at him, so he continued, "and she's my girlfriend."
"Congratulations, mate," Harry grinned.
"Yeah, good for you," said Neville, "She's liked you for ages."
Dean and Seamus nodded their agreement, and Dean said "So, is she a good kisser?"
"I'm not telling you lot that!" Ron replied hotly.
"You two better not snog in class!" Seamus said. "Put us off our work, that will!"
"You don't have to worry about that!" Ron replied ruefully, and at the quizzical expressions, he explained meeting Snape in the hallway.
"That idiot!" exclaimed Harry. "As if any of the teachers are going to listen to him, they all know how he tries to cause trouble for everyone but his own students."
"Yeah," agreed Dean. "Don't worry about it."
After a hearty session of calling Snape names, and talking about the awful things he's done, the five boys decided it was time for bed after Neville had fallen asleep, his loud snores penetrating their discussion.
Over the next few days, it was obvious that the teachers did listen to Snape's advice to separate Ron and Hermione. They were separated in every class except for History of Magic with Professor Binns, who apparently didn't care who sat with whom, as long as he was able to get through his long monotones lectures.
"It's not fair!" Ron complained to Hermione one night at dinner. "I can't concentrate with you over the other side of the room. Besides, you help explain things when I can't understand them, or just didn't concentrate on what the teacher was saying."
Hermione bit her bottom lip and said "I know, Ron, it makes it much easier to have you next to me. I've started to daydream a little in class! Maybe if we reasoned with the teachers?"
"I don't like your chances of that," said Harry, as he sat down next to Ron. "You know what Snape is like. He's probably already warned them you'd try that."
"Hmm," Hermione thought to herself. "You're probably right."
Ron stabbed a roast potato a bit too hard with his fork. "I hate that stupid prat!"
"We'll be fine," said Hermione calmingly, taking his hand under the long Gryffindor house table. "We have all weekend to be together before more classes." That thought brought a smile to both their faces, while Harry sat watching Ginny, who was a little further up the table, eating her dinner.