Written for:

Romance Survival Challenge - Pairing: Harry/Hermione

English Idioms Challenge: "Butter wouldn't melt in her mouth"

Valentine's Challenge - Write about a couple you have never written about in a fluffy/romantic setting, with the prompt "Valentine's Day"


Title: Finally

Pairings: Hermione/Harry

Ron/Lavender and Ginny/Blaise


"Ron asked out Lavender again," Harry sighed, slipping into the seat facing Hermione. "Where's Ginny?"

"Ginny has made plans with Blaise," Hermione replied.

"Great friends," Harry muttered. "It was supposed to be the four of us without dates and they betray us." His smile gave him away.

"Well, I turned down my many admirers to be here with you," Hermione replied with a slight laugh.

"What? You should have said yes, I wouldn't have minded -" Harry began.

"I'm joking," Hermione said. "No-one asks me out... ever." She frowned slightly.

"They're just intimidated," Harry offered. "You're pretty and you're smart. Guys are scared to approach you. Me, I get all the girls who want to date the 'boy who lived'. None of them want to go out with just Harry."

Hermione put her hand over his and smiled at him in what she hoped was a comforting manner.

"I'll get the drinks in whilst we decide what to eat," Hermione said, pulling her hand away and standing up. She knew one girl that wanted to be with Harry because he was Harry, not because he was the boy who lived. Not that she would voice it out loud of course.

...oOo...

Hermione returned from the bar finding her seat taken my Romilda Vane. She contemplated walking away, not knowing if Harry would prefer the company of an attractive girl rather than her. It was Valentine's Day after all.

Harry gestured her over urgently and Hermione returned, taking her seat, her eyes darting between Harry and Romilda.

"Hello Romilda," she said, politely.

"Hermione, I should have known it was you Harry was here with. No date?" She said, fake sympathy on her face.

Hermione didn't respond, she glared at the girl who was sitting at their table as though butter wouldn't melt in her mouth and resisted the urge to slap the look from the girl's face.

"Actually, I'm her date," Harry said, trying not to look annoyed at the comment.

Romilda looked shocked, looking between the pair of them, before muttering something and leaving the table to head back to her friends.

"The whole school is going to think we're dating now," Hermione said, trying to hide the smile at the thought of actually dating Harry.

"If not that, they'd find something to gossip about," Harry replied, with a shrug. "So, how about I treat you to lunch, you know, since it's Valentine's Day? It's only right for the guy to pay."

"That only works if it's a real date," Hermione replied.

"Well everyone thinks it is... so maybe we should..."

Hermione smiled at him. "Make this a real date?" she said, trying to guess the rest of his sentence.

He nodded.

"As long as I get to buy lunch next time," she replied.

"Great," he said, looking relieved. "So, it's a date?"

Hermione nodded.

...oOo...

Ron and Ginny sat with their dates on the other side of the pub, watching the pair.

"Do you think they've realised it yet?" Ginny asked.

"Romilda left in a hurry," Lavender said. "So I would guess so."

"How has it taken them so long to work it out?" Blaise asked, looking between Ron and Ginny. "Surely one of you would have said something by now?"

Ron shrugged. "Stubborn pair," he replied. "They need to work it out on their own."

They all watched as Harry returned to the table after ordering the food, taking Hermione's hand with his own.

"Finally," Ginny said, turning back to her own date.


Review please :)

584 words