Request: So this one is sort of specific and no hard feelings if you can't get inspired. But from T Swift prompts... 7. "None of us thought it was gonna end that way."

I'd like to see a story where Romione is clearly endgame but at least one character expresses surprise to either Ron or Hermione because they didn't think it would happen for whatever reason (i.e. bickering, they thought it'd be Harry with one of them instead, personalities, etc.)

Pomona Sprout didn't know what she'd done wrong in a previous life, but she'd landed the first shift on front door duty. She thought Minerva was a close friend, and the Herbology professor had expelled some powerful words when the Headmistress delivered the news during their first staff meeting at the start of the year. She had half a mind to put a Snargaluff pod in her bed.

Letting out a huge yawn, Pomona opened the large oak doors and took a sip from her travel mug of coffee, letting the bitter liquid fill her with warmth. It was the first Saturday of term, so they weren't expecting many students to visit the village. Professor McGonagall changed the rules so anyone of age could attend Hogsmeade during their downtime without permission from a parent or guardian, as long as they signed in and out of the castle, just in case.

A clatter on the staircase brought her attention away from her misery, and Professor Sprout forced her eyes to focus on the first student to approach her — Hermione Granger. Bright-eyed, with her bushy hair pulled out of her face by a pretty braid, the only member of the Golden Trio to return to the school post-war was dressed in Muggle jeans and a knitted jumper with an 'R' emblazoned on the front.

"Miss Granger," Pomona said, pasting a smile to her face. "How are you settling back in? Enjoying being Head Girl?"

"Very well, thank you, Professor. Although it's still a little strange being back here without the boys."

"Well, I'm sure you'll adjust soon enough. I look forward to having you in Greenhouse Seven this year. We have some fascinating plants to tend to. Are you heading out for any particular reason?" Professor Sprout loved small talk, and she was desperate for any conversation that might keep her awake this early in the morning.

Hermione's cheeks burnt bright red. "Yeah, I'm meeting Ron."

A smile that reached from ear to ear replaced the student's usual serious look. It was a feeling Pomona knew well, once upon a time, although in the context of discussing Ron Weasley, it confused the Herbology professor.

"I assume Mr Potter is meeting you too? How lovely for the three of you."

"Well, no," Hermione stumbled over her words. "Just Ronald. Harry is, well, I don't know what he's up to, but it's my birthday next week, and Ron wanted to spend the day with me."

"Like a date?" Pomona's eyebrows shot up under her hat. "Hmmm… I always thought you'd end up with Potter!"

"Harry? Oh no, Professor, I mean, he's brilliant and all, but he's kind of like my brother."

"Interesting. Well, don't let me keep you. I'm sure you're eager to get to your beau."

Professor Sprout stepped out of the way, shaking her head as she let Hermione sign her name in the book. Pomona watched the young woman as she left the castle and headed down the path towards the village, a visible spring in her step.

⁂

"I owe you five Galleons." Pomona heaved herself into the comfiest armchair in the Hogwarts staff room later that day, dusting the dirt off her robes.

"You said that Firewhisky was a gift." Flitwick frowned in return, lifting his head from the radio set he was trying to charm.

"No, not the Firewhisky. Hermione Granger. You were right. She's courting Ronald Weasley. None of us thought it was going to end that way. Well, apart from Filius."

"What are you saying about Wallenby?" Slughorn entered the room, a jar of candied pineapples in his arms. "Great kid, that one."

"He's dating Hermione Granger." A wide grin spread over Flitwick's face.

"Those two bickered like an old married couple." Minerva lowered the newspaper to peer out at her colleagues. "I've had my bet on them since the first year."

"The first year?" Pomona questioned. "How can you tell?"

"Oh, dear Sprout. When you know, you know. I'm thrilled for them. As long as they keep their shenanigans out of the castle."

Pomona watched as the Headmistress went back to her reading, a low chuckle escaping her lips. Maybe she needed to start paying more attention to the students in her ward. She couldn't afford to keep on losing Galleons to Filius.