Author's Note: This fic was written for Harry's Birthday Contest. It has Harry X Hermione.
It was Harry's twenty-third birthday, and he planned to spend it alone, just as he had the past four birthdays. Ever since the Battle of Hogwarts, he, Ron and Hermione had grown apart. Ron and Hermione had gotten together, and he was left alone. Sure, there was Ginny, his "high school sweetheart," but even she had given up on him. He was too haunted by the war.
And that was why he was so shocked when, at 2:00pm that day, a knock sounded on his door. He jumped up and answered it. There stood Hermione, wearing a navy blue dress and light pink lipstick, and holding a small gift box wrapped in green.
He blinked in surprise. "Hermione? What are you doing here?"
"Well, it's your birthday, isn't it? I got you a gift."
"Oh, well, uh- well, thanks," he stuttered, and awkwardly ushered her inside.
"So," she said, when she had been seated on the couch, "doing anything for your big day?"
He stared at her, confused. "Why would I be? I haven't for the past four years,"
She stared at him for a few moments, then said, quietly, "Ronald and I are... no longer together."
"What- oh my god, Hermione. I'm so sorry! What happened? You and Ron always seemed so- so perfect," he said. Unfortunately.
"I had feelings for someone else, and when he found out, he cut it off," she murmured.
Harry perked up slightly, a dim sparkle of hope in his eyes. "And," he swallowed painfully, 'and who might these feelings have been for?" he asked hesitantly.
The corners of Hermione's mouth perked up slightly. "Oh, Harry..." she said softly, and then took him by the collar, pulled him in gently, and kissed him, the green wrapped present laying forgotten on the coffee table.
"Happy birthday, Harry," she murmured.
And she was right. It was the happiest birthday he'd had in a long, long time.
So, review?