Harry Potter and the Galator
Chapter 9
Surprise!
The first few weeks of school Harry spent his time with Cho and only saw Hermione, Ron, Lavender and Ginny during study time. Those times were spent just asking questions pertaining to school and nothing of any personal nature. Even Ron was hesitant to ask him about why he was going out with Cho. He knew he liked her from fourth year, but he was almost certain he now fancied Hermione. So no one asked about his time with Cho and he didn't mind. He didn't feel comfortable telling any of them about his time with Cho anyway, especially Hermione. He thought this weird, but what would he tell them. They usually just spent time snogging and no conversation. He never tried to get to know her and she was content just by the thought of being with the famous Harry Potter who had become so handsome and built as well as one of the most eligible bachelor's of Hogwarts.
His time with Cho didn't lessen his dreams about Hermione, in fact it heightened them instead. He'd think about her so much so that he planned a surprise party for her sweet 16 birthday. This project gave new hope to Ron, Lavender and Ginny. They gladly helped Harry with the plans along with Dobby and Winky who were in charge of the food.
On Hermione's birthday she woke up extra early with no expectations whatsoever. She received a present from her parents. She didn't let it bother her that Lavender who never forgot to wake her up on her birthday with a smack of the pillow didn't do it this year. She went on with her normal routine, got dressed and went down to the common room to meet up with the gang for breakfast.
"Hey Hermione," called Ginny. "Will you help me with my Charms homework after dinner?" Hermione was a little disappointed. She was sure she would at least greet her a Happy Birthday. She let it past. Ginny was busy studying for the O.W.L.s she thought.
"Of course Ginny. I'll see at the common room at 6:30?"
"Well, if you don't mind. Can we study in the Library? It gets too noisy in the common room."
"Oh, all right then. I need to check out the new revision of Hogwarts: A History anyway." Ron rolled his eyes upon hearing that.
"Is Lavender still up there?" he asked them. Hermione again was a little hurt, but she cast it off as Ron was of course going to think about his girlfriend first.
"She said she'll be right down," answered Hermione as she saw Harry coming down the stairs. He smiled at her and made her heart skip a beat. She was sure Harry remembered.
"Good morning Ladies," he greeted them. That's it? She thought. She was really starting to get depressed. But she didn't let on one bit. No one coming through the common room greeted her with a happy birthday; she always got at least a happy birthday from the fifth, sixth and seventh year gryffindors. It seemed that everyone had forgotten her birthday even her best friends. She didn't let it get to her too much. She was going to go through the day as normal as possible she decided firmly.
"'Morning Harry," Hermione and Ginny told him.
"Are you all ready for breakfast?"
"Lav is still upstairs," Ron whined. She always took so long to get ready for anything he thought, but other than that he was totally in love with her.
"Should we wait for you then?" asked Harry.
"No, you three go ahead. We'll catch up with you at the Great Hall." he answered them even though he was starving and would rather go with them and eat. But he knew better. He'd never hear the end of it if he left Lavender.
"Well, I guess it's just the three of us," Ginny told them. They walked out of the portrait hole and walked quietly to the Great Hall.
Hermione wanted to scream at them and tell them it was her birthday! But she didn't, she knew better. Her special day would not be ruined by acting like a selfish, spoiled brat. But when they walked in the great hall, her day became a little more miserable when she saw Cho walk up to Harry and placed a peck on his cheek. She turned away and proceeded to walk with Ginny to the Gryffindor table without so much as a Good Morning to Cho.
Everyone went on about their day the same as any other day except for a few whispers between Gryffindors to synchronize their watches and make sure they have the time ready. Hermione didn't notice anything peculiar about the whispers. She was too busy thinking about why her friends have forgotten her birthday and keeping herself from just bursting into tears. She kept reminding herself that it's no big deal. It's only her birthday.
At 6:30 Ginny met Hermione at the library while Harry, Ron and Lavender hurried with the decorations and the food arrangements with Dobby and Winky. Everyone in the sixth year helped with the decorations and busy trying to wrap their gifts at the same time.
After about 45 minutes Ginny told Hermione they should get back to the common room. She thought it a little weird that Ginny didn't want to spend more time with her charms homework when in the morning she seemed distressed. She didn't mind. She didn't feel like spending her birthday in the library.
"So, how have your classes been?" Hermione asked.
"Great except for Potions. Professor Snape has really been more strict this term."
"I know what you mean. He's been taking points from Gryffindor left and right for simple things like breathing."
"Yeah. What about your classes?"
"Same here. Great except for potions like you said. Even the new Defense of the Dark Arts professor is okay this year."
"Hermione, I've been meaning to ask you."
"What?"
"Well, I don't mean to pry, but I was sure that you fancied Harry." Hermione practically froze. She was taken aback by Ginny's statement. How could she possibly know, she wondered. I haven't told Lavender or her or Ron for that matter.
"What makes you say that?" She asked trying to keep her composure from faltering further.
"Come on. I've been around you two for quite some time. You're practically the sister I wish I had. Don't you think I'd catch on about how you are feeling?
"Oh Ginny, Harry and I have been best friends for a while now. I don't think we should be discussing this. Besides he's with Cho isn't he?"
"Yes, I know and that was a surprise for me."
"What do you mean?" Before Ginny could answer they'd reached the portrait hole and the Fat Lady was asking for the password.
"Gobble de gook" answered Ginny and let Hermione walk in first.
"SURPRISE!!!!" everyone yelled as Hermione walked in. She was taken unawares and dropped all her books. All the Gryiffindors were in the common room headed by Harry, Ron and Lavender including Hagrid. Lavender went to hug her first and told her Happy birthday, followed by Ginny, Ron, Hagrid and finally Harry.
"Happy Birthday 'Mione," he whispered and gave her a hug. Cho was there and felt jealous at Harry's show of affection for Hermione. She went right up to her to interrupt their prolonged embrace.
"Happy Birthday Hermione!" she squealed in a high pitched voice. She plastered on her fake smile and gave her a quick impersonal hug for show. Ron and Lavender rolled their eyes heaven ward. Ginny wanted to kick her arse. Hermione wanted to throw up, but was saved by Dean and Seamus who wanted to greet her Happy Birthday as well.
The other Gryffindors lined up and took turns giving Hermion best wishes. Hermione was speechless but was in tune to what was going on around her. She saw Cho grabbing Harry by the arm and pulling him outside the portrait hole. She wanted to go to him and pull him back in, but of course she couldn't.
"Come on Harry, let's go somewhere else more private."
"What? Hermione's one of my best friends. Today is her birthday. I can't leave!"
"She's just your friend. I'm YOUR GIRLDFRIEND. It's up to you."
"Are you asking me to choose between you and Hermione?"
"Well, Harry since you put it that way, then yes." She answered him confidently. Harry thought for a moment then looked at Cho. She gave him a big smile as she held her breath for the answer.