AN: Written for Round 10 of the Qudditch League Fanfiction Competition.
Team: Pride of Portree
Position: Beater 1
Prompts: (dialogue) "Was the sarcasm really needed?"/"Absolutely", (word) objection, (setting) amusement park
First Visit
Hermione got off the roller coaster laughing hysterically, following after a nauseous Harry.
"You can stop laughing now, Hermione," he grumbled as they weaved their way out of the crowd.
Hermione managed to get her laughter under control but was still chuckling as Harry sank down onto one of the nearby benches. "You'll feel better in a minute, I don't know how the roller coaster was any different than Quidditch."
"It just is."
Hermione sat down next to him to allow time for Harry to his bearings. She watched the happy couples walking past and couldn't help but remember exactly why her and Harry were at the amusement park in the first place.
She had returned home from work to find Ron and his ex-girlfriend Lavender re-connecting. In their house. After putting up with all of his complaining and messes, this had been the last straw. She had been packed and out the door before Ron could even manage to get his weak excuses out.
She had shown up toHarry's house sobbing, who, of course, had quickly invited her in and got her set up in his spare room. The next morning, she had awoken to find breakfast made and Harry informing her that they were going to go to an amusement park to help take her mind off things. Only after they had arrived had Harry confessed that he had never actually been to an one before.
"...mione? Hermione?"
Hermione quickly snapped out of her thoughts. "Sorry what?"
"I was asking where you wanted to go next? Preferably something a little tamer?"
Hermione chuckled again as she stood up. "I think we can manage that, come on, let's go."
Second Visit
Hermione found herself pulling Harry back towards the roller coaster. "Come on Harry, it will be fun!"
"Nope. No way. I remember last time," he expressed, shaking his head vigorously. "I am using my veto, objection, whatever you want to call it. Not happening."
Hermione started giggling but did not let up on directing him towards the ride. A lot had changed in a year. She had moved in with Harry, and while they remained close with the rest of the Weasley's, Ron and Ginny avoided them as best they could. Ron because he couldn't stand the glare Harry shot his way every time he saw him, and Ginny because she was still bitter that Harry had turned her down after the final battle.
Suddenly, Harry stopped and pulled Hermione back, spinning her around in the process. Next to them a camera flashed and a park employee approached them to ask if they wanted the photo. Harry quickly agreed, and the employee gave them instructions as to where they could pick it up at the end of their visit.
With Harry suitably distracted post-photo, Hermione tried again to get him on the ride. "Now, roller coaster!"
Harry threw on an obnoxious smile. "Ah yes, my absolute favourite!"
"Was the sarcasm really needed?"
"Absolutely."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "Please? For me?"
Something flashed in Harry's eyes but it was gone before she could place it. "Alright, but just once."
Third Visit
That night they went out for dinner at once of the more upscale restaurants in the park. The hostess led them to their table and got them seated.
Their waiter arrived a moment later. "Celebrating anything special? Anniversary? Birthday? Date night?"
Hermione felt her face light up; did people really think they were on a date? Was it a bad thing if they did? She realized that the idea of people assuming that she and Harry were dating didn't disturb her as much as it ought to.
Harry gave her a concerned look before answering. "Nope, just a night out."
"No worries, can I get you anything to drink?"
They quickly placed their orders and the waiter left.
Harry turned back to look at her. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, fine, why?" Hermione winced at her too-quick response as Harry raised an eyebrow at her.
"What's going on Mione?"
"I-" Hermione paused, how could she tell her best friend that an off the cuff comment by a waiter had made her realize she did wish it were a date? What if he thought that was weird? They both saw previously how dating their friends worked, they hardly ever spoke now. She couldn't bear to lose him forever, maybe it was better not to say anything at all. Maybe-
"Hermione? Take a breath, you look like you're about to pass out."
She took a few breaths to regain her bearing. "It's nothing."
This time both eyebrows went up. "You expect me to believe that after whatever that was? It's me Hermione, what's going on?"
Now or never.
"I-"
Did she really want to risk everything?
"Just something the waiter said got me thinking."
Or should she make up some other reason and try to forget that the thought had ever crossed her mind?
"Which part?"
"When he asked if we were on a date."
No going back now.
"What about it?"
Breath.
"It just-"
Keep breathing.
"It made me realize that I wished it was." She rushed it out all at once.
For a moment there was dead silence. Maybe he hadn't understood her? Maybe he was waiting for her to say she was joking. Maybe she'd screwed it all up. Maybe-
"Oh, thank God."
Hermione startled out of her worrying. "What?"
"Because so do I."
"Wait what?"
"Hermione, I've been in love with you for years."
"What?"
"At first you were with Ron, and of course, I wanted you both happy and then after that I didn't want to crowd or rush you. I never found the right time to say anything, I was worried I would lose you completely, which I would never survive."
Hermione started giggling which turned into full on laughter a minute later.
"We're such fools, we both wanted the same thing but had the exact same reason not to say anything.
"Another sign that we're made to be perhaps?" Harry asked with a wink. "So, is this a date?"
Hermione smiled back at him. "It's a date."
AN: Thank for reading!