AN: Sorry to those of you who are getting impatient, I promise just a few more chapters till the trios time on the run is over, and as always thanks for your reviews!

Hermione had been sleeping when she suddenly felt someone shake her shoulder. She then heard Harry's soft voice, "Hermione, wake up." She opened her eyes immediately sitting up, worried. "What's going on, is someone hurt?" Looking over she saw Ron and Harry were both standing beside her bed, smiling at her.

Hermione relaxed, but was still confused about what was going on. "We made breakfast," Ron said with a large smile. Harry handed her a plate of sausage and burnt toast, while Ron handed her a cup of tea. Ron blushed, "Sorry 'Mione, I toasted the bread a bit too long." Hermione noticed no one was wearing the locket, and grinned.

"It's fine Ron, but what's this all about?" Harry grinned, "Your birthday of course, it's Friday the 19th!" Hermione gave them a surprised look, "Is it really? We've been so busy lately, I must have forgotten!" She sat her cup and plate to the side, and stood to give them both a hug.

They returned the hug tightly, and when she pulled away they smiled at each other. They ate breakfast together, and as she started getting ready to leave Ron quickly stopped her. "Since it's your birthday 'Mione we'll be doing all the work today." Hermione opened her mouth to protest, but was cut off by Harry. "Please, Hermione this is our gift to you, especially since we can't give you proper ones."

Hermione bit her bottom lip, a bit unsure. She nodded, and allowed them to do this for her. They packed and apparated to the edge of a small village, in the woods outside of the village they set up camp. As Harry set up the enchantments around the camp she sat on a nearby tree stump, she thought of Minerva and wondered what the woman was doing at that exact moment. She thought about contacting the woman later, it had been a week since they'd last talked and she missed Minerva.

The day went on and the boys continued to do everything, she felt a bit guilty, even if this was their gift to her. The sun was setting as Harry made dinner, and Ron had gone to the village to pick up a few things. Walking over to the kitchen area inside the tent Hermione peered over Harry's shoulder, trying to see what it was he was cooking. "What is that Harry? It smells absolutely divine." Harry looked back at her, giving her a smile.

"It's carrot and fresh coriander soup, and it's a pretty simple recipe. Aunt Petunia used to have me cook it for her sometimes." As he mentioned his aunt his eyes narrowed for a second before he shook his head, turning back to the pot of soup. Hermione gave his shoulder a squeeze, knowing how much Harry disliked the Dursleys. "I never knew you could cook Harry! Where in the world did you get all the ingredients though?"

"Ron and I have been collecting everything for a week or so now, but don't worry we left money." Hermione's eyes watered, touched by how long they'd been planning this for her. The boys could be so sweet and kind sometimes, she was lucky to have them as friends. She knew tomorrow they'd all go back to wearing the locket and trying to find Horcruxes, so she would enjoy this while she could. Now if only Minerva would open the connection, things would be perfect.

Harry turned around leaning against one of the tents poles. He gave her a nervous look, running his hands through his hair. "Hermione there's something I've been meaning to ask you about." She raised an eyebrow, and crossed her arms. "What is it Harry?" He looked down at the ground, avoiding her gaze.

"At the Ministry, when you cast your patronus, it was different. I remember in fifth year it was an otter, but now it's a cat." Hermione started to panic as Harry went on. "And the only time I've known someone's patronus to change is when they fall in love…" Harry trailed off there, slowly looking up at her.

Hermione stood there, not knowing what to say, blushing. "Uh…" She didn't know whether to lie or run, but at the moment she seemed unable to do anything. Harry grinned as he walked over to her. "Well who is it then?"

"Umm..." It was as though she had forgotten how to talk, she was so nervous. He threw his arm around her and gave her a reassuring smile. "Oh come on, you can trust me Hermione, it's not like I'll think any differently of you." She thought about it for a second, hoping he was telling the truth. "Ok, fine." She took a deep breath, and with a trembling whisper she said. "I-I'm in love with…M-Minerva."

Harry's eyes widened, "Minerva as in Minerva McGonagall?!" Hermione nodded, she was so anxious that she shaking. Harry rubbed his chin, a thoughtful look on his face. "I guess it makes sense, I mean, you two have always been close." She felt as though she might pass out.

"You're ok with it?!" Harry gave her a surprised look, laughing. "Of course I'm ok with it! I don't care who you're with, as long as you're happy I'm happy, but why didn't you tell me before now?" Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, giving Harry a tight hug. "Thank you so much for understanding, I was so afraid you wouldn't, that's why I didn't tell you. You're actually the only person I've told."

Harry returned her hug. "Even if I didn't understand it wouldn't change anything, you'd still be my best friend. And don't worry, I won't tell anyone unless you want me to." Hermione laid her head on his shoulder, enjoying the moment. "Thank you Harry."

At that moment Ron entered the tent, in his hand was a small paper bag. He narrowed his eyes, looking between them. "Won't tell anyone what?" Hermione pulled away from Harry. She couldn't tell Ron yet, she knew he would have a bad reaction. "Nothing Ron, don't worry about it. Now come on you two, let's eat." At the mention of food Ron immediately dropped the paper bag down on the table and ran over to the stove to get some soup.

When they were done with their soup Ron handed the bag to Hermione, opening it she pulled out a small loaf of carrot cake. "Thank you, is this what you went into town for?" Ron nodded, they watched as she cut out three pieces of the cake. Before they could even get a bite though Harry stood, walking over to their supplies and pulling out a candle. Sitting back down he held it out to Ron who pulled out his wand and lit it.

He then handed it to her while he and Ron started to sing Happy Birthday, blushing the whole time she waited for the song to end. When it did she closed her eyes and made a wish, 'I wish I could see Minerva.' She then blew out the candle. The boys cheered and clapped before eating their cake. She sighed, hoping her wish would come true, and feeling ridiculous for it. She ate her piece slowly, watching the boys smiling and talking, the locket put away and unable to ruin the moment.

That night Hermione took the first watch, though if the boys had had it their way she wouldn't have kept watch at all that night. But she had insisted this time, wanting some time to herself. As they slept she went over to the tree stump she had been sitting on earlier that day, taking out her wand, she pointed it out in front of her, and thought about Minerva. "Expecto patronum" She whispered watching as a silvery cat leapt out from her wand tip, it pounced around playfully before coming to sit in the air in front of her. But as she reached out towards the cat it disappeared, and she was left in the dark.

Hermione laid back on the stump, looking up at the dark sky, the moon was mostly covered by the tree tops. She suddenly felt a tingling in her head, and quickly sat up pointing her wand to her head. Everything went dark and blurry before coming back into focus. Minerva was sitting in her armchair by the fire, her hair was in a side braid thrown across her right shoulder and she was wearing green and white pinstriped pajamas. The woman lowered her wand with a gentle smile on her face.

"Happy Birthday my dear, how was your day?" Hermione grinned thinking back on how great the day had been. "It was wonderful Minerva, though it would have been even better if you had been here." They both blushed at her words, they had come out a little more flirtatiously than planned. "You know I would have been there if it were at all possible Hermione, but, even if I had not had classes to teach today, it would have been too suspicious for me to leave without reason."

"I know Minerva, but it's just hard going so long without seeing you, I miss you so much." Hermione's face heated up again, it seemed she couldn't contain her feelings at the moment. Minerva gave her a sad smile, "I miss you too dear, and even though I can't be there in person right now just remember that if you ever need someone to talk to I will always be here for you." Hermione smiled widely at Minerva, and had the woman been there Hermione would have been holding her in a tight embrace.

"Thank you and I hope you know I'm here for you too." Minerva gave her a quick nod, and pulled out her wand. "Well my love, I do believe it is getting late and even if tomorrow is Saturday I must still be up early. Happy birthday and goodnight." Minerva ended the connection and Hermione sat in shock, she had never heard the woman call anyone her love before.

Hermione sat frozen for almost thirty minutes, before slowly standing up. 'Did Minerva return her feelings?' She entered the tent, and shook Ron awake so that he could take over the watch. The man grumbled, got up, and put on the locket before heading out. Hermione hardly noticed any of this though, she made her way over to her bed and laid face down into the pillows deep in thought. All in all her eighteenth birthday had been great, Harry knew about and accepted her love for Minerva, the boys had been nice the whole day, and her wish had come true. She eventually settled down and fell into a peaceful sleep, her dreams where filled with Minerva.

Tell me what you thought. I've been working on some ideas for the past week, but I don't plan on posting any new stories until I finish Hermione and the Mirror (Which I have decided to eventually continue). -Fae