A/N: I don't own Harry Potter

This is for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Assignment #6 – Muggle Studies - Task #3 - Air-Conditioned Tie:Write about getting sweaty with nerves/anxiety.

Writing Club March

Fabulous World of Comics: 24 - (plot point) seeing the errors of a character's ways

Lyric Alley: 13 - For sure

Word Count: 749

"Die, you alien scum!" Dudley screamed, hitting the keys hard. The alien on the screen dodged his green lightning ray.

"Missed me again," the alien taunted him. Dudley laughed at the dance the alien did on the screen.

"Like my victory dance?" she asked. Dudley smiled. He'd been playing Alien Slayer for about three years. Hannah had joined about a year ago. Since then, he'd found himself pitted against her for most matches. Sometimes he won, sometimes she did. They'd stopped keeping count.

"Hey, Big D, I wanted to ask you something," Hannah's voice asked over the chat feature.

"What's that?"

"Um, I got tickets to Alien Con, two of them, and I was wondering if you'd like to go with me? I know it's short notice since it's this weekend, but what can I say?"

"Really?"

"Really! I know this is mad, but you could come in costume if you'd like. I'm planning to do that," she added.

"A costume of your character?" Dudley asked. He could hear some noise in the background of Hannah's microphone.

"Yes, one like my character. Sorry, my cat decided she wanted to say 'hi'. Say 'hi' Susan, say 'hi'."

"Meooow."

Dudley smiled. He'd known Hannah had a cat, but this was the first time he'd heard the cat.

"Hello, Susan," he said. He heard Hannah pushing the cat off the keyboard.

"So, is that a yes to Alien Con?" Hannah asked. Dudley thought about it for a moment.

"Yes, it's a yes," he answered. "How will I know it's you though?"

"You'll know," Hannah laughed. Dudley watched as her profile signed off the game. The idea of meeting Hannah for real filled him excitement and also fear. He had managed to tone most of the fat into muscle, but he was still built fairly large. Most girls didn't even give him a second glance, unless it was one of disgust. Sometimes, he wondered if he was just imagining it, his old insecurities about his appearance resurfacing.

DHDHDHDDHDHDHDHDHDHDHDHHDHDDHHDDH

Dudley adjusted the vest for the fourth time. He was standing outside the convention center. Hannah had said she'd meet him in front of the statue of the three ducks. He watched the crowd surging around him. What if she didn't show? What if this was all some elaborate prank? He deserved it, if he really thought about it. He'd been horrible when he was younger. A flash of pink out of the corner of his eye made him turn to his right. Standing there, in a pink armor costume, was a female. Dudley couldn't see her face, since was wearing a helmet, same as the character from the game.

"Hannah?" he asked. He could feel his palms growing sweaty. What if she wanted to shake hands? He tried to discretely wipe them on his slacks.

"You must be Big D?" she asked. Dudley felt himself relax slightly. She was here. She'd shown up. He smiled.

"You can call me 'Dudley', if you'd like?" he suggested. Hannah slid off her helmet causing a cascade of blond curls to fall around her face. Dudley blinked. He'd never expected Hannah to be gorgeous. He realized he'd never really thought about what she looked like. She'd always been Hannah.

"It's nice to finally meet you, and not be trying to kill you," she laughed, pulling a set of passes out of her armor.

"Ready to go see the Con?" she asked.

"Sure. If you are?"

"Yes, you know, I never thought you'd be so cute," Hannah giggled. Dudley felt his face flush. Hannah laughed again, a soft sweet laugh.

"I didn't think you'd..." Dudley tried to find a way to finish the sentence. Since his cousin had seemed to disappear off the face of the Earth, he was a lot more careful with his words.

"I know, most people seem to think girl gamer equals troll..., well ugly. Real trolls are kind of cool, not very smart, but cool," Hannah replied.

"Real trolls? Wait, trolls exist?"

"Sure, lots of things exist," Hannah answered. "Anyway, want to see if they have any information about the new expansion pack?" she asked, quickly changing the subject before she accidentally said something she shouldn't.

"Yes," Dudley replied, as him and Hannah headed inside, her hand finding his. For a moment, he was worried about his sweaty palms, but soon realized, Hannah couldn't feel them. She was wearing armor gloves as well. All she felt was him holding her hand as they walked.