Hermione had awoken a little earlier the next day, which was Friday. Today was one of the most important days in her magical life. Today, September 19th, she would become an adult in the wizarding world. Thoughts of what she would be able to do as an adult carried her through her morning affairs. After paying special attention to her hair, she excitedly left her room, after receiving birthday wishes from her fellow dorm mates.
Harry had hinted lately that he had gotten her something, and she was glad it was finally time to find out just what that was. Although she did love books, she was extremely glad some thought would be put into her gift this year.
"Good morning," a voice from the sofa said, breaking her thoughts. Harry walked swiftly over to her and gave her a brief kiss, before pulling a small wrapped box from behind his back.
"Oh, Harry, that's not an…," Hermione began to say.
"Of course it isn't," Harry laughed. "We're no where near ready to be getting married."
"Then what is it?" Hermione asked him, as excited as ever. She stood there waiting, with one of the brightest and most beautiful smiles Harry had ever seen.
"Why don't you open it and see?" Harry asked. He turned her hand so that it was palm up and sat the box down, wondering what she would think of it.
"All right," Hermione agreed nervously. She did not know why she suddenly had become so nervous but she was. Nervous and excited. She opened the box with trembling hands and then gazed down to it before looking back up at Harry.
"A key?" she asked him, more than a little let down. "Why did you think I wanted a key?"
"Oh, it's not the key," Harry said smiling. "It's what the key opens."
"And what does it open Harry?" Hermione asked, getting excited once more.
"You'll have to see tonight," Harry laughed, while standing up. He gave her another, but more passionate, kiss before he pulled her through the portrait-hole to breakfast.
~~~
It was with less than usually enthusiasm that Hermione participated in their Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson that day. She had been the same in Transfiguration just before. All morning she had been focused on that key, and still she couldn't think of what it went to.
It can't be a key to the Dursleys', Hermione thought to herself. Besides it's too soon for that. Harry wouldn't rush things like this, so what does that key go to?
"Doesn't anyone know the answer? How about you, Hermione?" Professor Tonks asked. She had been resigned to the fate of being called professor, although it made her feel old, but would not call the students by their surnames. She wasn't THAT much older than them, or so she told herself.
"Erm…sorry, Professor," Hermione stammered. "What was the question?"
"We were talking about Dementors," Professor Tonks told her. "And I asked if anybody knew of the cousins of the Dementors."
"Sorry," Hermione replied again, ashamed at herself. "I think you're talking about Lethifolds."
"See?" Professor Tonks said turning back to the class. "She might not always pay attention, but at least she does her homework! Everyone besides Hermione please read pages 103-115 tonight. We might have a test on it tomorrow."
Hermione was partially stunned class had ended. By the time she had gathered herself back together and gotten her things only her, Harry, and Tonks remained.
"Hermione? Can I have a word?" Tonks asked.
"Sure, Professor," Hermione answered, dutifully walking forward.
"Oh, please," Tonks laughed. "You don't have to call me that out of class. You know I hate it."
"Oh, all right," Hermione answered. "What's up, Tonks?"
"I just wanted to tell you Happy Birthday," she answered brightly. "You can even join the Order soon! They might even let you listen in…Anyways, I just wanted to say I hope you have a Happy Birthday…"
"Thanks, Tonks," Hermione said happily.
"…And a happy night," Tonks finished, giving her a sly wink.
"What do you mean?" Hermione asked flushed, as Harry came and began pulling her out the door. "Tonks! Do you know something I don't?"
"Maybe," the voice of Tonks called from inside the room.
~~~
As Hermione was again wondering to herself, far away so was someone else. Albeit, they were thinking completely different thoughts. These thought were of pain, death, and destruction.
A woman walked confidentially towards a large room at the back of the mansion. She held her wand aloft, for it never seemed to get any brighter in that house, no matter if the sun was out or not. The sense of evil was just too great and the light practically died out around it. She waited a few moments before knocking respectfully.
"Shall we continue the attack on Diagon Alley?" Bellatrix Lestrange asked curiously upon entering the dark inter chamber of the most evil bastard on earth. She had heard rumors of changing the plan and as leader of the attack she had to know.
"No,Bella," the cold, high voice of the man answered from his throne like chair. He was currently watching the rain pounding out the window, snake wrapped around him. "We shall turn our forces to Hogsmeade instead. Our informant has told us that the mudblood-loving fool and his followers have gotten wind of out attack. All the Aurors are waiting there for an ambush on us in Diagon Alley. We shall not be there."
"Yes, My lord," Bellatrix answered excitedly. Death was near and she loved it.
"And Bella?" Lord Voldemort asked again.
"Yes, My lord?" Bellatrix asked again. There was no touch of excitement in her voice now. There was forced calm. She knew what was coming and she knew she deserved it.
"Crucio!"
~~~
"You still aren't going to tell me what it is?" huffed Hermione. They were currently sitting at lunch and Harry was still being stubborn about her present.
"Nope," Harry replied simply. "It's a surprise. You do remember what that is, don't you, Hermione?"
Despite his joking tone, Hermione still wanted to know what it was. She stuffed a roll into her mouth, determined to not ask again.
Harry simply sat there watching her, mirth evident in his eyes. He was enjoying this and Hermione knew.
"Harry!" she exclaimed. "You're not supposed to enjoy this so much!"
"I know, `Mione," Harry replied truthfully. "Sorry."
She couldn't help but forgive him, but she decided to make him sweat a little in retaliation.
"Well, it just better be a grand present," Hermione told him with fake seriousness. She knew she would love whatever he gave her. "And I mean great. What with all this secrecy."
I hope it is too, Harry thought to himself He was all ready nervous about it and now what she had said made him even more so. I hope this isn't an incredibly stupid idea.
"I'm going to finish planning it after lunch, actually," Harry told her.
"Planning?" Hermione asked curiously. "What do you mean `planning'. What exactly are you planning Harry James Potter?"
"Erm….nothing," Harry replied nervously. He lamely made an attempt at telling her he was just joking before quickly kissing her on the cheek and hurrying from the hall. He had the afternoon off while Hermione still had one class to attend until she free. It was time to prepare.
~~~
"Albus, are you leaving?" Deputy Headmisress McGonagall asked him. He had called her to his office several minutes ago and she had arrived to find him in his traveling cloak.
"Yes, Minerva, I am," the headmaster said. "You will be in charge of the school for a few hours."
"But why are you leaving, Albus?" McGonagall asked. She was surprised she hadn't been told sooner. She was one of his most trusted confidants.
"The attack I mentioned at the last Order meeting will be happening tonight in Diagon Alley at 7:00 p.m. The new Head of Aurors and myself both agree that I have to be there in case Tom shows up. Nobody else will stand a chance."
"And you're sure this isn't a trick?" Minerva questioned.
"I can't ever be as sure as before," Dumbledore explained. "What with Severus gone, our information on Tom is extremely low at the moment. I can only hope for the best."
"Albus, is it really that bad?" Minerva questioned. She had always hoped that he would pull some brilliant plan out of his pocket.
"Yes, Minerva, I believe it is."
~~~
"Thanks for your help, Tonks," Harry told her. For the last hour they had spent the time up in the Room of Requirement planning. "And thanks for getting this back in the summer. For some reason I just knew I would need it."
"You're welcome on both accounts," Tonks said happily. "You're just lucky I didn't have a class this period. I really must go though. I do have one for the fourth and final block of the day."
"I think we're pretty much done here, anyways," Harry answered, observing the room. "Hermione has this block free anyways so I need to find her."
"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Tonks said slyly, bringing a blush to Harry's face. He knew she was kidding of course, as she smirked while leaving, but he still couldn't help it.
Harry couldn't help but grin to himself as he walked to the common room. He didn't pass many people at all. He thought he was a head of red hair but it instantly disappeared and he wasn't able to check for sure if it was Ron, who was still taking unneeded cautions to distance himself from both Hermione and him.
He opened the common room door several minutes later, after muttering the new password Pygmy Puff. He wasn't in there for more than a second when a hand reached out and pulled him over to the sofa.
"So, do I get to see it now?" Hermione asked excitedly. She had hated sitting through Ancient Runes that afternoon and had hardly paid attention, a rarity in itself.
"Nope, still isn't time," Harry told her, feeling bad for the crestfallen expression currently upon her face. He hated crushing her that way.
"But why not?" Hermione questioned. How was later better?
"It has to get darker," Harry told her. "About seven.Why don't you go up and shower and I'll do the same?"
"Oh, all right," Hermione agreed unenthused. This was not what she had been picturing in Ancient Runes.
~~~
Harry had taken a longer-than-normal shower before walking back into the dorm room and changing into some nicer-than-usual clothes. He hadn't thought anyone else was in the room when he walked in but he suddenly heard one of the bed groans and turned around. Sitting on the bed behind him with his curtains only half pulled was Ron, who was shockingly reading.
"Umm…hey mate," Harry said uncomfortably. He still hadn't talked to Ron since their fight during the summer.
"Hey," Ron said simply. Although he was seemingly ignoring Harry he had at least acknowledged him, which was a step in itself. He was no longer going out of his way to ignore him.
"How've you been lately?" Harry pushed.
"I'm trying to read, Harry," Ron told him, finally looking up from his book.
"Oh….okay," Harry answered while forcing himself to remain calm. He needs a good kick in the arse if you ask me, Harry thought to himself instead as he slammed the door behind him and walked downstairs.
It was still relatively early for them to go, it being only 5:30. Dinner wasn't even for another hour. Luckily Neville was in the common room so he had someone to talk to until Hermione came down.
Neville was sitting alone in one of the many chairs situated by the fire. From what Harry could tell he was reading a book on defense spells called D.A.D.A for the Dim-Witted.
"Neville, why are you reading that?" Harry asked him. He had waited to be noticed by the slightly older boy but he had never looked up.
"Oh, hey, Harry," Neville said, a tad bit of surprise evident in his voice. "My Gran sent it to me. It actually does have some useful spells in it though."
I wonder when his Gran is gonna let up? Harry asked himself. "Is it for the Defense Association or something?"
"Nah, not really," Neville explained. "Luna and I still plan to teach whatever you think we should. The book is just for me. I've taken to extra practicing. I don't want to be useless like I was last year."
"You weren't useless," Harry told him seriously. "You were there with me when no one else was. You helped Hermione too."
"If I did, it was just barely," Neville replied.
Harry really didn't want to continue with this argument so he decided to change the subject? "Wanna play Exploding Snap for awhile? I have some time to kill before Hermione comes down."
"Sure, Harry," Neville answered. "I'll play."
~~~
"So just where are we going?" Hermione asked excitedly as they left the common room. She had spent the remaining time upstairs talking to, surprisingly, Parvati. Ginny had been her first choice but things weren't quite that good with her yet to talk about Harry and his birthday surprise for her. It would probably do more harm than good.
Harry didn't immediately answer her as he continued pulling her down the hall, leading her to a certain portrait on the 7th floor corridor. He instead insistently tugged at her arm repeatedly until she stopped him and demanded that he answer her.
"We're going upstairs," he replied shortly. "You can use your key when we get there."
"But just where is it we are going?" Hermione asked, as Harry again started tugging at her arm to hurry her.
"It is a surprise, Herm," Harry said, becoming a little bit exasperated. He really did love her, but sometimes she could drive him batty.
Hermione only huffed in response. She had waited all day and this secrecy was driving her batty as well. She could not think of anything in the castle that required a key to open in, nor could she figure out what it is that Harry even owned a key to. She had even asked Neville if Harry had mentioned anything to him, but had only been told that Harry had mentioned something about going to Hogsmeade, but their current direction didn't seem to follow that. It seemed more like Harry had thought ahead of how eager she was to know and had told some people false information just in case.
So, it was understandable when they finally stopped outside a door, that was opposite a picture of Barnabas the Barmy, that she got extremely excited. She didn't understand why, but the door was already there, only locked. Harry must have required the room stay that way.
"So what do you think?" Harry asked her anxiously
"I'm not really sure," Hermione answered. She was hoping there was something behind that door, but as yet he hadn't showed her. "Nobody's ever gotten me a locked door before."
Harry's cheeks immediately turned red. He had momentarily forgotten she wouldn't know what was happening unless he told or showed her.
"Go ahead," he urged her. "Use the key. It'll stay locked until midnight otherwise."
So, that's exactly what Hermione did. She took the key from the chair around her neck and put it in the lock. The key instantly disappeared and the door opened, revealing a very beautiful room. It looked exactly like a secluded part in a forest, and her senses smelled the fragrance of freshly cut grass which she loved. The room must have been required to be at night, for the only light was the beautiful full moon and stars above them, and the flashing of fairies dancing about every now and then. As she pushed through the first sets of trees, she came to a large clearing that contained nothing but lush, dark green grass, and a small meadow to the right.
She was very shocked, but in a very pleasant way. She had only mentioned to Harry once how she found nature so peaceful and relaxing. She knew of a secret spot at her own park where it was secluded and she would often go there to read.
There was a blanket not too far from the meadow and Harry led her over to it. Hermione immediately took off her shoes before they began to walk. She loved the fell of cool grass between her feet, and didn't mind telling Harry this as they walked, who smiled at her in turn and continued to lead her over to the blanket that was beside the meadow. There were a few picnic baskets sitting atop the cover, but they were soon forgotten in the midst of fiery kisses…
~~~
It had been three hours since McGonagall had last talking to Dumbledore, and she was worried sick. No matter how great a wizard he was, she couldn't help but fret at all the outcomes of the situation. She always dreaded the day where she would have to announce to the student body that their beloved Headmaster had fallen in battle.
Furthermore, she dreaded the day she would have to take his seat in the Headmaster's office. Having her beloved mentor's picture behind her, and seeing his face every day would torture her to no end. He was her closest friend and most trusted confidant. She knew she was his as well.
She continued pacing her office, occasionally throwing glances outside the window in search of Fawkes. As of yet she had seen nothing, and was getting worried more and more as seconds ticked by. Albus had told her the attack was supposed to take place at seven, and it was now a quarter till eight. He usually used Fawkes to send a pre-written letter when the fighting began.
As she continued her pacing around the room she turned her head to look through the window for what felt like the millionth time that night. She immediately stopped cold. In the distant she could see smoke starting to rise from the village.
She immediately did what Albus had once instructed her to. She threw some emerald green Floo Powder into the fire and screamed for Filius. When he arrived she told him exactly what was happening before bringing her head out of the fireplace. She then rushed to sound the alarm for the school…
~~~
"Does anybody know we're here, Harry?" Hermione asked a good while later. They were sitting on the blanket, lying against one another, her head on his chest.
"Only Tonks," he replied, "who I believe is hiding something. I went to talk to her earlier and she was getting ready to leave and wouldn't tell me where she was going."
"I wonder what," Hermione said, beginning to sit up, only to be pulled back down.
"It doesn't matter," Harry said, unwilling to let the comfort of tonight go easily. "We can't do anything about it now anyways."
"I suppose not," Hermione said, a little uncomfortably. She could tell something wasn't right.
"Oh, I also told Neville we were sneaking down to Hogsmeade for your birthday," Harry supplied a few moments later. He had almost forgotten.
"Why?" Hermione asked confused.
"I told him we might not be back till later, and he wanted to know why," Harry explained.
"But why didn't you just tell him the truth?" Hermione asked.
"Because I knew you would probably ask him and he would crack," Harry said smiling, noticing the faint blush that crept up on Hermione's face.
Hermione didn't say anything. Instead she decided to forget the matter for the moment. She didn't want Harry to actually know she had asked Neville. She turned on her side, so that her head was now looking up towards his and began to trace circles on his chest, idly thinking about how this had been such a good birthday.
"Thanks for the gift, Harry," she said sweetly.
"Gift?" he answered back, a little confused. "This isn't the gift." He furthermore proved his statement by reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small velvet box. "This is your present."
Hermione let out a soft gasp of surprise. She had been sure that the key had been the real gift, not something leading up to it. She reached out she reached out and took the small velvet box in her hand, and slowly opened it to reveal the contents inside. Softly shimmering on the cream padding was a necklace. There was a beautiful emerald pendant in the shape of a pearl on the end of the necklace that was accompanied by a small diamond leading up to the simple golden chain. It was both simple and beautiful at the same time. The simple chain complemented the emerald magnificently, and Hermione fell in love with it instantly. When she clasped it around her neck you could tell it was made for her. The necklace accented her features and her dark brown hair magnificently.
Hermione turned to Harry and threw her arms around him in an enormous hug. She held on until he let out a soft squeal, making her realize she was something him.
"I take it that means you liked it?" Harry asked nervously.
"It's wonderful, Harry, it really is," Hermione told him. "Wherever did you get it?"
"It was my mum's," Harry said simply. "I got Tonks to go through my fault at the end of the summer to look for some heirlooms and she found this. I owled Lupin and he told me dad gave it to her as an engagement gift."
"Oh, Harry, I couldn't possibly….," Hermione began.
"I wouldn't give it to anyone else," Harry said firmly.
Hermione threw herself back at Harry, not even caring about the soft gasp of surprise that issued from his mouth. She would never have thought to receive something so special from Harry, especially when he had so many things of his parents left.
"Do you want to spend the night here?" Harry asked when she had released him. "We don't have to do anything. I'm just not ready to go back. It's all ready past curfew anyway."
Hermione didn't have the heart to tell him no. She loved him and knew he wasn't pressuring her. He just wanted to be closer. She looked down at the beautiful chain that so mirrored Harry's eyes before looking back up and nodding her head yes.
And so it happened. The room was required to change into a bedroom and it was. As Harry promised nothing more than sleeping happened that night, and well into the evening the next day. How were they supposed to know while they were sleeping the world was morning the supposed death of Harry Potter in Hogsmeade? How were they to know Tonks had been injured and couldn't tell anyone their whereabouts or that the school was in an uproar? The problem was…..they couldn't…
~~~
Author's Notes: Okay, everyone, I am soooooooooooo sorry it took so long. School started back and I'm involved in so many things, plus homework, it was a bit hard getting back into the routine this month. That plus the huge writers block when talking about Hermione's gift and leading up to it. I hope you enjoy! Please review!
-EthanG
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