Written for Hogwarts' Roald Dahl Event - Raspberry plops - Write about a family/couple picnic and the Writing Club – Day of the Month, Quiet Day - Write a fic without dialogue and the Granger Danger Event – HermionePansy, Falling in Love.

Word count:954

Love

It occurs to Hermione after the fifth time she finds herself doodling Pansy's names circled with little hearts on her lessons that she might be in trouble.

It's not that she's never known love before―Ron and she had dated for almost the entirety of their last year of high school, mutually ending their relationship when it became clear that not only did they make better friends than lovers, but they also wouldn't have much time together once they graduated, since they weren't going to the same college―but it feels different with Pansy.

They've only been on a few dates, to begin with―partly because busy and conflicting college schedules don't allow for a lot of relationship time―but also because they haven't known each other for more than a few months.

It feels too fast for how strong Hermione's feelings already are, but then Pansy shows up with a fresh cup of coffee or Hermione's favorite sugar-free cupcakes from her favorite bakery when Hermione has an early class, and Hermione forgets why she ever was so scared.

And it's not like she thinks Pansy's perfect, no, far from that. She knows Pansy has her fault―chief among them how snobbish she acts at times, and how she's never quite aware of it at first.

She corrects it quickly when someone points it out, and she always apologizes and looks mad at herself for doing it, but it's the kind of behavior that's ingrained deeply, and it makes Hermione think that had they met before this, she and Pansy would have probably hated each other.

It's a thought that makes her stomach twist uneasily. She doesn't want to imagine a world where Pansy isn't by her side, isn't on her side.

This feels like the kind of love people write stories about. She recognizes the odd flutters in her stomach whenever Pansy smiles her way, or smirks, or laughs (or basically does anything) as those elusive butterflies dozens of authors have mentioned before.

Hermione had just never realized that they were an actual thing before.

She had never realized that love could be so pervasive, invading every inch of her brain until each and every one of her thoughts lead her back to Pansy.

If she sees a new book, or a new restaurant, she wonders what Pansy would think of it. If she gets some free time―which is, unfortunately, very rare―he first reflex is to check if Pansy is free, too.

When she wakes up, she sends Pansy a good morning text. When she goes to bed, she sends a goodnight text.

She's not alone in this, though―Pansy is the same, if not worse than her. She's doing a major in journalism and a minor in political studies, and either her workload is lighter than Hermione, or she's always on her phone, because she sends snaps and texts all the time.

It is heartwarming, to know that even if Hermione is falling fast, Pansy seems to be doing the same.

Which is why, when she keeps doodling her girlfriend's name everywhere, Hermione decides that she should probably just tell Pansy she loves her.

By some great stroke of luck, two days later Hermione's lecture is cancelled at a time where Pansy is free.

Hey, are you free for lunch today? she texts. My first afternoon lecture just got cancelled, so we can do something together.

Sure, Pansy texts almost immediately. You still by your classroom? I can be there in thirty minutes, or we can meet elsewhere.

Yeah. I thought maybe we could do a picnic thing too, since the weather's so nice today.

Ugh, you know I don't like picnics…
But if you insist, I guess I could suffer through one
for you

Hermione rolls her eyes, a smile playing on her lips as she types back, I'll make it up to you and I swear you won't regret it.

Well then I look forward to seeing what you'll come up with.
Meet you there?

Meet you there, Hermione confirms.

She doesn't even need to say where 'there' is, they both know it can only be one place, their place―the one spot in the gardens by the university where they always go to when they have the time.

It's easy enough to purchase a couple of sandwiches―turkey for Pansy and ham for Hermione―and some nice desserts to go with them, and before she knows it's happening, Hermione is kissing Pansy hello and sitting down on the blanket Pansy had so kindly thought to bring―Hermione had suggested they use their coats, and Pansy had stared at her like she was mad.

And it's just… It's nice, is what it is. So very nice. They don't really talk as they eat, but they don't need to, and once they're done eating, they take turn inventing stories for the people that passes them by, strolling through the park.

Hermione's heart feels so light it could float out of her chest, but when Pansy finally finishes spinning the story of how that one couple were obviously on vacation FBI agents who had stumbled onto a case they needed to keep secret, it hits her that this love is nothing to be scared of.

Being with Pansy is easy. And maybe in the future that will change, maybe they won't last, but Hermione refuses to be the one to freak out and ruin everything, when Pansy seems just as happy with how things are going as Hermione is.

She refuses to break her own heart, and Pansy's, because she's afraid of being in love.

After that, saying the words out loud is the easiest thing Hermione's ever done.

And hearing them said back… Well, there's no feelings quite like it.