Title: Ms. Fluffykins
Author: William Evans Potter (that's me!!)
Book Spoilers: 1-5 I suppose, but I won't mention too much.
Rating: G
Summary: Hermione wants to give Harry a birthday present from the heart, but with the events of the previous year make her choice difficult, at least until she finds something she thought lost in her closet of junk…
Author's Note: I've been reading a LOT of angsty fics on different places (including Portkey), so if you have too and become slightly saddened by it, then here comes Mr. Pick-Me-Up! Oh, and I should warn you to see a dentist after reading this, because I can be uber-fluffily sweet.
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Hermione bit her lip in concentration, looking through some of the items she had purchased in a recent spree through Diagon Alley. Since the ANNOUNCED return of Voldemort, it wasn't safe for anyone to travel through alone - in fact just yesterday a young urchin from the muggle realm was found on display in the middle of the square, dead. It burned Hermione that these Death Eaters could get away with so much. But that was a concern for another day. Her eyebrows furrowed, she looked at one parcel, then another, her eyes scrutinizing it's worth for the upcoming event in a few days - Harry's birthday.
Of course, this wasn't just ANY birthday, but Harry's 16th. He could legally do a lot of things, not the least of which being leaving the Dursleys for good. He could also drive places (if he should ever choose to get a license). But as Hermione looked through each of the gifts, she sadly realized the truth - she couldn't find him a perfect gift.
Usually gifts to him were practical but from the heart, things he could enjoy and use - he still used that Broomstick Kit every chance he got - but there was nothing practical to cure him of his heartbreak at the end of the previous school year.
It was bad enough the press hounded him, the ministry was after him, everyone believed him to be a fake, teachers wanted to hurt him, or that Voldemort wanted him dead. All that Harry would burden and somehow be alright. But at the end of the their year, Harry had to watch his godfather - one of the few people he could connect to as son and friend - fall through the mysterious Veil of Death. Of course, Hermione believed there was more, but then again Harry wasn't sharing. In fact, Harry hadn't done much all summer. He was practically forcefed, he was constantly forced out of his room, and even - as he explained in a somewhat controlled anger voice - forced to write letters once a week. And every time that Hermione tried to get close, Harry would pull away, and take a piece of Hermione's heart with her. After all, she was trying to do her best to bring out the man she fell in love with.
She wasn't too sure on the details, but from seeing how he lead his friends in the Department of Mysterious to seeing him be determined enough to stand up to fully trained Death Eaters despite overwhelming odds, she really started to get that fuzzy feeling thinking about Harry. Of course, the heroics only spurred her thoughts into place. She had already had more than platonic feelings for him since third year, even when he was upset at the Firebolt being taken away. After all, they were famous for having conversations by only looking at each other.
Sighing with frustration, Hermione slumped onto her bed, thoughts running through her head on what to do.
"What is there to give him?"
She mentally cataloged everything she had bought, alphabetically and value wise. She was so lost in thought, she didn't even notice that she had gotten up to pace, nor that she was walking into her closet. It was spacious enough to hold three people, even with all the junk inside it. Knocking over a box, Hermione startled herself out of her thoughts to look at an old worn box. She was about to put it away when she noticed a fuzzy looking paw sticking out of it. Looking at it, comprehension dawned on her eyes as she smiled, looking at it and the picture of Harry before pulling it out.
--
Harry's party could have been great. Real great. If only the guest of honor would attend. Everyone would be there - Ron and the rest of the Weasleys, Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Hermione, even some professors were going to be there. But as Harry flatly told everyone from the top loft of Number 12 Grimmauld Place, he was not moving from his room, nor would taking him out of the room do them anyway. It wasn't until he saw a note along with a box in his room that something finally caused him to react in a way other than moody and brooding. Curiosity getting the better of him, he opened up the letter. He gave a small smile as he read the neat and flowing handwriting of Hermone.
Harry,
We all know you've suffered greatly, and I would not be so stupid as to say I know what you're going through, because I CAN'T know. At least, not unless you tell us. We are your friends, and no amount of pushing will ever change that.
Harry scowled at this but continued on.
I figured you'd be too moody to come get your gift so I set it in your room for you to see in private. Now please don't laugh, because it took a long time to re-prepare it (at least a long time in a short amount of time). However, I think you'll like it very much. If you should ever feel the need, please come talk to me, and to us. We miss you being around here.
Love,
Hermione
Harry cautiously opened the box, looking to see what Hermione had prepared for him so carefully. Inside, with another note, was a stuffed animal. Of course, it wasn't just any animal, but an otter, which looked very much like her patronus form. Examining it from different angles, he set it aside before going to the note.
Harry,
I hope you won't laugh at this gift, because he meant the world to me as a little girl. I called him Mr. Fluffykins because of him being stuffed and all, and he was a tremendous help to me. Whenever I was feeling sad, lonely, or angry at someone who had to done something mean to me, I would grab Mr. Fluffykins and hug him tightly until the trouble finally went away. Also he can be a great listener if you give him the chance.
Harry looked at the gift this time, sadness and guilt rising up in him. However a new feeling rose in him. A feeling that he had not ever felt not only growing up but for another person - at least, not in a conscious way. And these feelings were growing strongly indeed. With a smile, Harry finally took the plunge and stepped outside his room. His first reaction was to shield his eyes from the brightness, as he usually liked to wallow in the dark while pitying himself. Looking down into the party, he spotted Hermione. Almost immediately she looked up at him while the party was busy. Setting aside a small tray and drink, she quickly went upstairs, almost leaping over many of the steps. After reaching Harry, she looked at him with curiosity and expectancy.
"So what did you think," she asked timidly. Harry responded by quickly wrapping his arms around Hermione and hugging her fiercely, giving silent sobs while he buried his head in her shoulder. She made cooing noises, patting him on the back.
"Shh, everything's going to be alright now Harry." She sighed, thanking every deity she knew (which was quite a few) for being able to reach Harry. After Harry finished his crying, he whispered the three words she had longed to hear, although she hoped they had different meaning than friendship.
"I love you."
After holding him, she sighed, saying "I know Harry, I know." She felt her face being turned up to look at him as he stared her in the eyes, the look in them that could be only described as pure love.
"No, not that kind of love. This kind." And he sealed it off with a soft, sweet kiss, melting her heart and almost taking her off her feet. She felt a sigh from within her as she swooned, before Harry caught her standing her up straight. She looked at him with all the love in her eyes.
"I love you too Harry. Would you like to come down to your party now?"
Harry looked hesitant, but reluctantly nodded. Together, they headed down the stairs, where the moment they got there, they received a loud cheering and applause. They both blushed for a moment, but with smiles on their faces. As Hermione lead Harry to the front of the table to really begin the birthday party, she sat by his side.
--
When the party, a huge hit with everyone who attended and a great moment of joviality in the face of the darkness threatening to surround the land, finally had ended a few hours ago, Hermione and Harry still sat in the living room, Harry leaned back against the front of the couch on the floor and Hermione above him, scratching his scalp from her seat on the couch. Harry looked up at her and smiled.
"Thank you for everything, Ms. Fluffykins." She gave him another smile, full of amusement and joy.
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