The Gryffindor girls' fifth year tower erupted into a cacophony of giggles as Lavender handed Hermione her next birthday present. It was a rare girly moment for Hermione, but after she had explained the significance of the 'sweet sixteenth' birthday to the girls, they were eager to indulge in a bit of frivolity at Hermione's expense.

"This one is from Harry," Lavender said.

Hermione smiled as she weighed the present in her hands. Definitely a book, she decided. She opened it and was happy to be proven right. She smiled and added Butterfly: My journey from Muggle to Witch by Glenda Withorn to the growing pile of books on her nightstand.

"You're so lucky, Hermione," Lavender gushed. "You get to be sixteen practically all school year and you'll be one of the first sixth years to come of age next year. Just think, next year you'll be legal! And I don't just mean for magic."

The others girls collapsed against each other, giggling, while Hermione simply blushed. Romance was the last thing on her mind. She was quite sure her innocent dalliance with Viktor would sustain her for a few years. There was just so much more important things to worry about then which girls have dates on Hogsmeade weekends and who are just going with friends.

"This one is from Ron!" Parvati squealed, handing Hermione the small present wrapped in crimson paper. "It's light and small, I bet it's jewellery."

The girls subconsciously leaned closer to Hermione. Despite her lack of interest in anything romantic only moments before, she couldn't help the way her heart skipped as she tore the paper from the small package.

"It's… a chocolate frog."

The girls sagged in disappointment.

"It's a chocolate frog," Hermione repeated, her disappointment quickly turning to embarrassed anger. "I gave him ten vouchers for help with homework, no questions asked and he gets me a piece of candy."

"At least he didn't forget," Lavender said, not able to keep the amusement out of her tone.

Hermione scowled at her and stood abruptly. "I'm going to have a shower."

"Wait!" Lavender called.

Hermione turned, one hand on her hip.

"Don't you want to see what card you got?"

Hermione rolled her eyes but ripped open the little box, not bothering to attempt to catch the frog as it jumped down onto her bedspread.

"Cyprian Youdle."

Parvati gasped. "You didn't!"

"What?" Hermione had never been a big fan of collecting Chocolate Frog Cards.

"Cyprian Youdle is only one of the most saught after cards."

"Who is he?" Hermione asked, the name not ringing any bells. She didn't wait for an answer though, just simply turned the card over to read the little profile. " 'Cyprian Youdle, 1312 – 1357, was a Quidditch referee from Norfolk who was killed during a friendly Quidditch match between local wizards in 1357. The caster of the curse was never caught, but it was suspected to be one of the supporters in the crowd. He is the only referee to ever be killed during a Quidditch match.' Wow, he really changed the world," she added sarcastically.

"Who cares what he did? They only print three of him a year!"

Hermione watched Parvati warily as she eyed the card in Hermione's hand, a fanatical gleam in her eye.

"So it's rare?" Hermione checked, holding the card closer to her body.

Parvati nodded.

A little know fact about Hermione Granger was that she liked to collect rare things. From stamps to books to vinyl records, anything that was rare and sort after appealed to her on a purely possessive level. It was an irrational desire, to own things only few others did, but it was powerful. And that's what Hermione felt, clutching the chocolate frog card to her chest; she felt powerful.