"Come down here," Pomona shouted to Filius and Severus. "This is the most important game of the year! We have money on this!"
She watched, amused, as Filius and Severus made their way down the bleachers to the front row. "Be patient, Pomona," Filius said, taking his seat beside her, Severus beside him.
"I don't know why you two are so invested in this," Severus snorted.
"Oh please!" Pomona exclaimed, leaning over to look at Severus who was still in his normal drab robes despite his team being in the final match. He didn't have even a shred of green on him. Typical. "If we can't be in it, we want Gryffindor to win."
Severus smirked, but didn't say anything else. "It's a shame Minerva isn't sitting up here with us," Filius commented.
"Oh, I'm quite glad she's not," Severus replied.
"How much do you have on the game?" Filius asked him, an eyebrow raised.
Severus rolled his eyes. "We agreed on 5 galleons."
"No, no!" Pomona jumped in. "We're asking about your wager with Minerva, not with us."
Silence fell between them for a moment, the mummer of the crowd the only sound between them. Finally, Severus softly admitted, "Fifty galleons and an evening in Paris."
"What was that?" Pomona asked, unsure if she heard him right.
"My wager with Minerva," Severus growled.
Pomona couldn't help but laugh loudly. Filius smiled. "Oh, Merlin, I hope she wins that bet."
"We have this match in the bag," Severus replied. "I wouldn't have set such a high bet unless I was sure."
Leaning back, Pomona shook her head. As much as Severus tried to play the angry Potion's Master, he always wound up getting himself in bets with the rest of them over Quidditch. The competitiveness seemed to be in his nature. Even he couldn't resist throwing in bets as they got close to the cup. It was one of the first things he had done to bring himself into their friend group. It was nice to see a sense of normalcy restored.
Hours later, when Harry caught the snitch and the stadium erupted into applause, Pomona couldn't help but be swept up in the celebrations. The Gryffindors immediately began running towards the field, and Pomona lifted Filius into a hug, thankful to finally see Slytherin crushed. Looking down to the sea of red and gold, Pomona saw their head of house wrapped up in her Gryffindor flag, sobbing of joy.
Severus had stood at this point, his eyes narrowed to his team that made their way slowly off the field. Pomona had to admit, the look on Malfoy's face was priceless. The smug boy deserved a defeat on occasion. Pomona watched as Severus's eyes fell on Minerva and a small smile overtook his face. "I see that smile," Pomona said.
"I'm simply entertained by the immaturity of Gryffindors," he replied, the smile fading.
"Oh, come off it, Severus," Filius said, still jumping in excitement at the victory. "You can be happy for her."
They stood watching the crowds as they slowly made their way towards the common rooms and out of the stadium. The three stood chatting with the rest of the staff until they saw their Deputy walk up the stairs, still wrapped up in her flag, her make-up smeared slightly down her face. She smiled when she saw the three of them, her cheeks slightly pink. "You done acting like a fifth year?" Severus asked.
Pomona ran to Minerva and hugged her, Filius trailing behind. The rest of the staff began patting her on the back, Remus especially excited by the victory of his own house. "I only saw one Gryffindor victory during my time here!" he exclaimed with a smile.
Minerva walked towards Severus, grabbing his arm. "You going to pay up?" she asked.
"Fifty galleons, Severus!" Pomona chimed in.
"You bet fifty galleons on this game?" Rolanda asked, cutting in as well.
"Yes, he did," Minerva said. "And?"
"A night in Paris," Severus muttered.
"Oh, Merlin!" Filius said with a laugh.
Rolanda walked in, wrapping an arm around Minerva. "How about we start with a round of drinks? It sounds like it's on Severus."
Severus rolled his eyes, clearly amused. "I owe Minerva fifty galleons, not the rest of you lot."
"And I would like to use them on drinks for everyone," Minerva said, kissing his cheek.
"Are you going to clean up before we go out or do you plan on going out looking like you were attacked by a Hippogriff?" Severus asked.
Minerva crossed her arms, truly looking unlike herself wrapped up in the bright colors. "I'll change," she replied. Then, she turned back to the rest of the group and said, "Meet at the front doors at seven? I should probably check on my Gryffindors and quiet them. Irma is scheduled to be making rounds tonight."
"I'll help you, Minerva," Remus offered. "I want to congratulate Harry."
Pomona watched as Severus shot Remus a glare but made no other comment. That was a first. "I'd appreciate that, Remus, thank you," she replied.
Severus and Minerva began walking down the stairs, when Rolanda grabbed Pomona. "Remember what happened last time we went out for drinks after a Gryffindor house cup victory?" she whispered.
Pomona laughed. "You and I followed Severus and Minerva back to the castle like two fifth years?"
"They could use it with everything going on."
"She's so happy," Pomona said, beginning the descent down to the field, Rolanda trailing close beside her. "They'll have a good night."
And, Pomona found, she was right. Their usual group, adding in Remus, went out for drinks to the Three Broomsticks, and even with Remus and Severus at the same table, it was enjoyable. Severus said little to Remus, and Pomona noticed that Severus was more affectionate with Minerva than normal. Filius would later note that it was probably his way of asserting his place at Minerva's side. But, the night was the best they had had all year. Looking at Filius, drunk after his first Firewhisky, Rolanda, turning her attention to Remus's sex life, and Minerva, making her usual sarcastic comments to them all, Pomona felt a sense of joy rush over her. They hadn't all been together in so long. The darkness the dementors brought to the castle had affected them all, the sense of dread present throughout the entire castle, even if the creatures weren't inhabiting the inside of the castle. Albus had warned them at the staff meeting, but Pomona would be the first to admit, she had dismissed the notion that they could cause depression from outside the thick walls. But, they had all noted the effects as the year went on. Beyond the tension with Remus and Severus, the year had still felt much more off from years past. Nobody had taken much initiative to do much together.
But now, a lightheartedness filled the bar as it approached closing time, the friends still chatting away.
Minerva and Severus were the first to leave. Minerva was completely drunk, stumbling as she stood from the table. Severus, Pomona noted, was inebriated as well, but sober enough to catch her by the waist when she stood. "You're as messy as your Gryffindors," he commented.
"Hush, Severus," she said, pressing her finger to his lips. "Take me home…or to Paris! You did promise," Minerva said in a low voice.
Severus rolled his eyes, an arm securely around her hips. "The castle will do for tonight." He turned to face the others. "We'll see you all tomorrow."
"Looks like our job is done," Rolanda said, jabbing Pomona.
Pomona watched as the two made their way out of the door, Minerva stumbling alongside Severus. When they had reached the outside, Pomona could see, through the lamplight, Minerva pull Severus into a kiss.