The Houses Competition

Hufflepuff, HoH

Drabble

Prompt: [Action] Attending a Muggle basketball game as a witch/wizard

WC: 942

AN: Not a canon pairing, so just a heads up on that.

All's Fair in Love and Basketball

"I thought you loved that football thing-y. Why aren't we going to see the American version of that?" Seamus muttered, staring at the pair of tickets in his hand.

"I do, I do! But it's really not a big deal over here. Americans are mad about their own kind of football—it's kind of a knockoff of that rugby game I took you to in Bath," Dean explained. "Far too complicated if you ask me. But basketball is something uniquely American, and it's absolutely thrilling. We have to go while we're here! Please, please, please?"

Seamus bit off a sigh. He hoped to Merlin this was more exciting than his boyfriend's beloved football or, worse, American baseball. He'd fallen asleep after three periods of that Red Stockings spring training —or whatever—game he'd been dragged to yesterday. Though that British rugby match hadn't been half bad—plenty of excitement, if a bit too much violence. He really didn't understand why sweet, artistic, Quidditch-loving Dean was so obsessed with Muggle sports.

But, however inexplicably, that's what he loved, so Seamus replied, "Sounds like a plan!"

As he and Dean wove their way through the teeming throng of people, Seamus' first thought was, 'Well, at least this one is indoors.' Not that the air conditioning did anything to combat the combination of a thousand bodies and the sweltering Florida heat.

As with his other experiences at Muggle sporting events, Seamus' first stop was at the concession stand. He played it safe with just popcorn and bottled water, but he had to smile at Dean's excitement over his giant pretzel, nachos, and Cuban hotdog.

The pair wound their way to their seats and settled about halfway up the bottom level, not quite centered with the wooden playing field below.

"Okay, time for a quick breakdown of the rules," Dean said around a mouthful of pretzel. "Miami—that's the Heat, they're the white team—is going to try to put the ball in the basket on one side. The Celtics, who are from Oklahoma City and wearing blue, will try to do the same thing on the other end…"

Seamus did his best to listen as Dean droned on and on about lines, points, and fouls. Finally, Dean took a deep breath and asked, "Any questions?"

Seamus waited for his head to stop spinning before shaking it. "I think I've got it. I'll ask if I get confused about something."

They watched the players warm up, and Dean quickly struck up a conversation with the guy in the seat next to him. Seamus listened closely as the other man described the players and teams in great detail. The way he talked, Oklahoma City wasn't the favored team, and the Heat had some new guy named James who was supposed to "put the hurt on them".

The opening ceremony was nice but not overdone, though Seamus thought it would have been better with some WWW fireworks.

The tip-off went to Miami, which made Dean leap for joy and Seamus groan.

"Wait, aren't you cheering for Miami?" Dean asked. "They're the home team!"

Seamus looked at him incredulously. "The way the bloke next to you was talking, the Thunder seem like the underdogs. You know I've got to cheer for the underdog, mate."

Dean smirked. "Then how about a friendly wager. Person with the losing team buys dinner tonight?"

Seamus rolled his eyes. "Fine by me. Though I thought you might have made the wager a bit more interesting. Maybe something involving your favorite silk scarf and—"

"Nope, nope, this is good," Dean said quickly.

The teams were tied at the half. Seamus spent about a minute watching the utterly absurd half-time act—a woman riding a unicycle while balancing bowls on her head—before hitting up the concession stand again.

He sat back down just in time to watch a Miami player jump all the way up to the basket and slam the ball through it.

"Are you sure there's no magic involved here?" Seamus whispered. "There's no way these guys are human if they can do that."

"Yep," Dean said with a pop. "Just lots of talent, muscle, and practice."

The game went down to the wire, but Oklahoma City pulled out the win with a three-point basket in the final second—what someone near them called a "buzzer beater". Seamus whooped and grinned, but he felt a bit sad that his team won; he'd wanted Dean to enjoy this immensely. Then he looked over at Dean and saw him jumping up and down and screaming.

"Did you see that? Sweet Merlin! People come to these things for their whole lives and don't get to see a game like that!" Dean yelled.

Seamus smiled back. One more thing to love about his boyfriend—his indomitable enthusiasm.

"Thanks for coming with me, Shay," Dean said as they exited the arena. "That was absolutely perfect."

"I actually really enjoyed it," Seamus replied. "I guess some Muggle sports really aren't half bad. Winning the bet was pretty great, too."

Dean grinned. "Glad you think so. Though I do think you'll enjoy the next stop on our tour of Florida even more. You deserve a reward."

"And what would that be?" Seamus asked warily.

"Disney World!" Dean cried.

When Seamus stared at him blankly, Dean rolled his eyes. "The giant amusement park? With all kinds of rides and food and fireworks?"

That perked Seamus up. "Muggles have fireworks?"

Dean nodded. "They're not as mobile as the WWW ones, but they're still pretty amazing. And I figure if you can indulge my love of Muggle sports, I can find you the biggest explosions in Florida."

Seamus grinned broadly. "Hell yes!"