Chapter 28
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Harry could feel the heat coming off of Hermione and saw goosebumps rise up on her skin. He brushed her hair aside. "Just give in. You know you'll enjoy it." Harry whispered in her ear, for only her to hear. He kissed her just below her ear as Draco slowly and softly trailed his own kisses up her arm.
Hermione was mesmerized by Draco's eyes as he watched her. Her eyes widened when he moved his face closer to hers. His lips presses to hers and her eyes fluttered closed. Amazing.. soft. Her reaction to his kiss had her thoughts jumbled and pulling him closer to deepen it. She made a noise of disappointment when he pulled away.
Harry grinned at Draco seeing his thoughtful smile. "Say, Draco." The other boy looked at him. "I don't really feel like going down to the great hall for breakfast." He smirked when Draco caught on. "How about we have breakfast in bed." His attention turned to Hermione when she whimpered.
Draco grinned wolfishly at Hermione. "You read my mind, Potter."
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Every seat in the Great Hall was filled at breakfast when McGonagall swept down middle of the room. All conversations had stopped as every head turned to the Headmistress, who stopped in front of the staff table and face the students with a bright smile.
"Good morning everyone." She nodded to the few students who were awake enough to greet her back. "I hope you all slept well, because we have a very exciting and wonderful event taking place this evening." She paused as excited whispers broke out throughout the room. She cleared her throat, regaining their attention. "Since it appears that she is still asleep, I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that today is Miss Hermione Granger's birthday. I have been informed by a few of her close friends that Miss Granger has never had a proper celebration." Unknown to her, there was a twinkle in her eye as she saw the eager faces looking at her. "Therefore, we will be holding a party for her and everyone is invited. I'm sure Miss Granger would love it if you were to join us here in the great hall after supper tonight. The party is a surprise so I must ask that each and everyone of you not to so much as even breathe a word of this to the birthday girl." She looked pointedly at the Hufflepuff table. She turned to take her seat at the staff table but stopped. She turned back around. "Oh, one more thing." McGonagall was pleased she still held their attention. She motioned to Neville, who quickly darted to stand next her with a brilliant smile.
He cleared his throat. "This may seem a bit unfair and possibly a challenge to some, but those of us close to Hermione would like everyone to go about their day as any other day. Don't mention what day it is or wish her happy birthday." He smirked as he bounced on his feet. "We want to build the suspense of the party for her. Remember! No one is to breathe a word of any of this." His expression and tone of voice became serious. "Keep it secret! Keep it safe!" He winked and took his place next to Susan Bones and Ginny at the Gryffindor table as some of the students giggled.
"Keep it secret, keep it safe?" Ginny looked at him with one eyebrow raised.
Neville and Susan laughed. "It's from a muggle book I recently let him borrow." Susan clarified as she filled her plate with toast and sausage.
Neville opened his mouth to speak but was cut off when someone plopped down across from them. "You're a hundred years too young to act like Gandalf." Melody smiled at him as she filled her own plate.
"Mel!" Susan dove across the table to hug her dorm mate. "You're back!" She squeezed the girl tightly before sitting down with a warm smile. "Where have you been?"
"Yup and I'll explain later, Bonesy." They ignored the others reactions to the nickname. "So what's this I hear about a party?"
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Remus sat in the floor of his personal quarters surrounded my wrapping paper, ribbons and bows. He smiled at the ginger next to him, who mumbled as she worked on wrapping the small pile of presents between them. Since neither had a class, they chose to spend their down time preparing for the party.
She stopped and turned to Remus with a glare. "Why can't those worthless brothers of mine, wrap their own bloody presents." Her glare turned to a pout when he continued to smile.
Remus chuckled. "They're boys." Her expression softened as his thumb rubbed across her bottom lip. "I'm not surprised they asked for your help instead of your mothers." His lips replaced his thumb and Ginny melted into his kiss. The urgent knocking at his door went unnoticed as she moved to straddle his lap and deepen the kiss. His hands slipped under her skirt, grabbing her hips and pressing her against him. She moaned into his mouth, effectively drowning out the knocking. The door slammed open, causing them jump and turn to the intruder.
"Lupin! Its an emergency! I need your hel-" A near frantic and disheveled Snape stopped and rolled his eyes at the two on the floor. He sat down next to them as they separated.
"Severus? What happened to you?" He looked at the scowling man with concern. He glanced up as Ginny left the room.
"This!" Snape snapped and tossed what looked like a badly mangled package in front of him. He crossed his arms and glared at it. "No matter what I do, it always ends up like that."
Remus chuckled as picked up and inspected the parcel. Ginny, who had come back with a tray of steaming tea cups, snorted. "What is that? It's ghastly!"
Snape turned his glare on the girl. "What does it look like?" He snapped sarcastically. "It's a present, you silly girl!" His glare returned to the present as he watched Remus carefully remove the wrappings and tape.
"Now, now you two. Play nicely." He took the roll of paper Ginny thrust at him and laid it down. "Ok Severus, watch closely. This is how you wrap a gift."
Ginny rolled her eyes and sipped her tea. I'll show them a better way to do it. She grabbed another present and began wrapping her way. In a matter of moments she and Remus were in a gift wrapping war, ultimately confusing poor Severus.
