As the happy couple made their way towards the food court, Harry's sharp eyes picked up a familiar sign, and he stopped walking.
"What is it?" Hermione asked looking in the direction of his eyes.
Off to the side was a booth whose sign read 'Catch the hctins…if you can!'
Turning her head, she saw her lover with a wide grin and guessed what he was thinking.
"You want to try it don't you?" she giggled.
"Course I do, but you said you were hungry." His girlfriend shook her head.
"It can wait, love, come on," and she pulled him towards the booth. "You can win me a prize while you're at it!"
Despite the time, there was still a fairly large crowd in front of the booth as they watched person after person trying to catch the elusive hctins. One man made a grab for it, but it streaked away at the last second.
"This is impossible! It has to be rigged!" he screamed.
"Not at all, you're just not fast enough to catch it," the owner laughed.
Harry and Hermione watched twenty people go ahead of them, but none could catch up to the buzzing gold ball. Then, it was Harry's turn, and the middle-aged owner greeted him.
"How do you do, young man? Care to try your luck? No one's managed to catch it all day, but if you do, you can choose any prize you want." The man pointed to the array of large stuffed animals and other trinkets in the rear of the booth.
"Oh Harry, I want one!" Hermione said giddily. The owner chuckled.
"Sounds like your lady is giving you some incentive young man."
"She has habit of doing that," Harry replied.
He stepped up to the front of the booth. The 'snitch' was buzzing around in a small cubicle area about four feet wide. It wasn't nearly as big as a quidditch field, but its speed still gave it quite an advantage.
"All right, young man, you get three chances to catch the hctins. Good luck…you're bloody well gonna need it!"
A grin crossed Harry's face, and he stared the man straight in the eye.
"Hmm…hctins eh? Don't you mean 'snitch'?" he asked, and the man's eyes widened.
'Gotcha!' Harry thought.
The owner couldn't refuse his admittance without a reason or without exposing himself so he allowed the young wizard a turn. Even for someone who had magical powers, catching a snitch was a very difficult task.
Harry watched the familiar gold ball buzz around in the air, and it brought back wonderful memories of playing quidditch and flying on his broomstick. He focused his eyes and began following the elusive snitch.
It flew around at lightning speed, and Harry just missed with his first attempt. He waited another minute before trying a second time, but again, he missed the snitch. However, the two failed attempts allowed him to see how the snitch reacted to movement and enabled him to predict what it would do.
"Just one more try, my boy, that's all you have left."
'C'mon Harry, you can do it,' Hermione silently encouraged.
Narrowing his eyes, Harry readied himself. His hand shot out sharply and quickly snapped shut.
"I'm sorry, son, perhaps next time you'll have better luck," the owner laughed heartily. Harry turned towards him with a smirk on his lips.
"I believe this is yours."
Upon opening his hand, Harry heard several gasps as the golden snitch appeared in his hand. Hermione was smiling brightly, and the owner was completely speechless.
"My goodness, I guess I misjudged you. As I promised, you may anything you want."
"Hermione?" Harry asked. She looked around at the various stuffed animals - many of which were life-size.
"That one!" she said happily.
Harry chuckled as the owner handed her a giant stuffed lion - complete with a dark brown mane.
"You have exceptional skill, young man, well done." The owner nodded at Harry, and he returned the nod as an understanding took place between them.
Hermione's face was glowing as she hugged the stuffed lion. Harry shook his head in comical fashion as they walked on.
"I should've known you'd pick the giant cat!" he laughed.
"Why do you say that?" she asked.
"Well…let me think…" Harry cocked his eyebrows at her, "…maybe because you have a giant, pet cat or maybe because your house symbol happens to be a lion."
"That could be true, but I wasn't thinking of those. I just thought he was cute!" Hermione giggled. Harry stepped closer to her and wrapped an arm around her waist.
"I forget to mention the third reason."
"And that being?" He bent down to nuzzle her right ear.
"Anybody ever tell you that you purr in your sleep, Herm?"
"Hey!" she gasped, "I most certainly do not!"
"Yes, you do," Harry teased and pulled her closer, "You make the cutest little purring noises in your sleep. It sounds like a happy kitten who's just had a saucer of cream."
Hermione would've slugged him if her arms weren't full.
"Hmmph, just for that, you can carry this for me for the rest of the day."
She shoved the lion into Harry's free arm and stormed off, but his arm around her waist wouldn't release her.
"Let me go!"
"Not in this lifetime, sweetheart, you should know that I won't ever let you get away."
Hermione's eyes softened, and a faint blush stained her cheeks.
"I do know that, Harry, but you can be such a pain sometimes," she groaned.
"I merely tell the truth, Herm, nothing less. And besides, I like hearing you purr; it lets me know that you're happy."
Hermione leaned into his chest and giggled. A long, sexy purr rolled its way up her throat, and Harry gulped inaudibly. She'd gotten him back.
"Save that for later, my love," he whispered into her ear.
"I plan to," she cooed at him.
The couple heartily enjoyed themselves throughout the day. Hermione took him to virtually every ride in the carnival - including the Ferris wheel, the tunnel of love (which they steamed up quite nicely), and even the merry-go-round.
Throughout the day, the central area of the carnival was built and constructed for the upcoming tournament. Long, wooden tables were placed around the outside of the ring, medieval banners were hung around the arena, and even a makeshift platform with two thrones was erected on the far side. It looked exactly like a jousting arena.
Late that afternoon, Harry and Hermione met up with Lavender and Ron.
"Well…you finally dried off…eh, Ron?" Harry chuckled.
"Shut your trap!" his best friend said with a slight glare.
"He's fine," Lavender giggled and clutched Ron's hand.
"I wonder what the tournament's going to be like," Hermione said giddily.
"Let's go find out," Harry offered. The others heartily agreed with him.
By now, the sun was getting low in the western sky as the four friends approached the large, central arena. There was a long line ahead of them, but they didn't really mind as it gave them a chance to talk.
"So Harry, how's it been staying with Herm's parents?" Ron asked.
"Just great. They're wonderful people."
"And they absolutely love him," Hermione added and leaned against him.
Before they knew it, an hour had passed by, and they were finally at the head of the line.
Just as Harry and Hermione stepped through, a loud ringing went off, and suddenly, several attendants surrounded them.
"Is there a problem?" Harry asked.
"Congratulations, you are the hundredth person to enter our arena this evening. As such, you and one other shall be given parts in our performance tonight."
"What!" the young wizard gawked.
"So, who do wish to accompany you?" the attendant asked. Harry didn't even need to think.
"Hermione?" His girlfriend's eyes lit up.
"Me? You want me?"
"Of course, whom else would I pick?" he laughed.
"Excellent, now, would you both please follow me."
Harry just shrugged his shoulders at Ron as he and Hermione followed the man toward one of the large tents set up alongside the main ring. This was turning into a very interesting evening.