House: Ravenclaw
Category: Short
Prompt: "How was I supposed to know you were joking?"
Word count: 519
Birthday Party
Harry knotted his tie and sullenly attempted to flatten his hair. He looked far too overdressed for his liking, but Hermione had bought the outfit for him, and it just wouldn't do to hurt her feelings. It wasn't like he'd asked for a birthday party, although both Hermione and Ginny had insisted until he was guilt-tripped into allowing them to throw him one.
He was pondering whether to use magic or the muggle wax method, when Hermione burst into his room, grinning from ear to ear.
Harry jumped about a foot in the air. "Hermione! I could have been naked or something!"
Hermione's face turned a bright shade of pink. "But you're not," she declared defensively, as if Harry didn't already know. "Anyway, Draco and I have been working so hard on your party… I know you're going to love it! Come and see. We've set out the decorations, the food… The guests will be here any minute!" She squealed, and tugged on his arm, but Harry stayed rooted to the spot, his eyebrows shooting halfway up his forehead.
"Sorry Hermione, you and who?"
Hermione frowned. "Me and Draco. You know, your other party planner."
"First of all, why on earth would I need a party planner when I have you and Ginny?" He rubbed his forehead tiredly. "Second of all… Why on earth did you ask Malfoy?"
Hermione's frown deepened. "Because you requested him. Obviously."
Harry tried to think back to an occasion when he'd had any sort of conversation with Hermione about a party planner. He was sure she had mentioned it at some point… In fact, now he thought about it, she had brought it up the previous week and admittedly, Harry hadn't been paying much attention.
…
"So, I've been thinking Harry, about your party…"
That was the point in which Harry had zoned out. It wasn't entirely his fault… If he cared at all about the party, he was sure he would have found the conversation far more interesting.
"… and perhaps Luna, I'm sure she'd have some... unique ideas."
"Sorry Hermione, I think I just blanked out a little there. Who were we choosing people for?"
It was funny, he thought, how he could see Hermione's mouth moving and hear her voice, but still not register a word she was saying.
"Honestly," he cut her off, "You could choose Malfoy for all I care, just stop talking about the stupid party okay?"
…
"Hermione," he groaned, his face in his hands. "I wasn't serious, you know."
She stared at him for a second, her mouth open in an understanding 'oh', before snapping it closed, where it settled into a thin line. "How was I supposed to know you were joking?"
Before Harry could reply, she had grabbed his arm and dragged him out the room.
"Never mind," she said, smiling brightly. "Let's not let this ruin a wonderful celebration. The guests are already here!"
It was as Harry was being introduced to a smirking Malfoy, that he decided; he was never letting Hermione be in charge of his birthday ever again.
The end.