23.

Epilogue: the galleons

So what happened to the galleons, you might ask? That is easily answered. Since it was painfully obvious that the exact requirements of the bet had been met. . .Lupin had most definitely declared his love for Hermione. . .that meant that the bet was over. And it ended on Bill Weasly's hour, which was very convenient since he was one of the originators of the idea in the first place, with the help of Harry and Ron.

As soon as he could be found he was told. . .and after a few minutes of laughter devoted to the cozy image of the usually suave Remus Lupin decked in garters, he made a suggestion.

He himself had not really been so interested in the money as he had been in seeing whether or not people would stoop to matchmaking in their desperation to win the money. Just a slight bit of Weasley mischief. Now that they had all been immensely entertained by this charade, it was time to tie up the ends and bring it to a close. . .before Hermione and Remus got wind of what they had really been doing all of this time!

After a few difficult minutes figuring out the Twin's transfiguration charm, he managed to turn the urn back into a pile of gleaming galleons. He sorted them out, putting the largest sum into one pile. The smaller sum he divided three ways, wrapping one set in Black and the other two in gold.

The next day was a weekend and he managed somehow to get everyone except for Remus and Hermione together at the Burrow. He had specifically not invited them. He sent an owl from the house to Hermione's flat, bearing the gift of the larger sum of money. An anonymous wedding gift, wrapped in scarlet and gold.

Next, he presented, to the astonishment of some and the dismay of other, the smaller three sums to Snape and the twins. A prize he said for having one-upped everyone in their efforts. If it had not been or their ingenious little ploy, no one would ever have ever know how when to call the bet. Snape was both secretly delighted, and a little miffed at having been remembered. It made it very difficult to despise people when they were nice to you. So, to cheer himself up, he turned to Harry, and smirked.

" I see you didn't think of anything brilliant, Potter, Weasley. As usual. "

Harry and Ron looked at each other for a moment, and then shrugged.

" No...I am afraid such elaborate schemes are way above of level. Would you like a sweet Professor?. . . Ginny?" Ron held the tray of innocent looking canary colored confections out to the two people seated on the small sofa.

And feeling so entirely good about his new found glory as a genius prankster, Snape took a sweet form the tray and popped it arrogantly into his mouth. . .smirking as he leaned back.

He had been forced to work with the Weasley twins, he had humiliated an old Marauder, been nearly drowned in a bog, came to blows, been lectured by Dumbledore, and then presented with a prize by Bill and applauded by all. And to top it off, he was now seated on a sofa next to the very beautiful. . .( had she always been so beautiful?) Ginny Weasley.

It was turning out to be a very good week.