Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the Harry Potter Franchise or its characters. All characters used are the property of their respective owners.

A Special Thanks to my Alpha/Beta on this story Muse of Apollo.

The title of this story is drawn from the INXS song of the same name.

If you don't like the story, don't read it.

Beautiful Girl

19 September 2002

Hermione Granger was up in a flash when her wards triggered. While Hermione didn't have war wards like Harry, the alert wards around her apartment were as strong as she could make them. They were enough to let her know when someone with ill intent was trying to force their way inside.

This wasn't one of those occasions, the ill intent wards would have triggered a portkey and had her land in the bed Harry still called hers at Grimmauld within seconds. But that didn't mean there wasn't someone in her flat invited. If it was Ron Weasley looking for a snack or rekindle their one-week romance for the hundredth time she was going to hang him from the ceiling by his tiny balls with a sticking charm. Although, Hermione opined, there might not be enough surface area for a sticking charm to work properly.

Hermione crept forward, her wand out and her eyes darting back and forth to spot any potential threats. As she reached the kitchen, Hermione heard a tiny meow from the hall beyond. Peaking over the table Hermione's heart melted, in a small basket sat a tiny white kitten who was staring at her with big blue eyes. Hermione finished her scan of the room and the hall before gathering the tiny cat in her arms. It immediately curled up and began purring as Hermione stroked its velvety soft fur.

Hermione heard a pop and her best friend appeared in front of her with a grin on his face. Hermione rolled her eyes but couldn't help but return the grin. "I assume this is your work?"

"Maybe, depends on whether I'm in trouble or not?"

"Not yet. Who is this... adorable little bundle?" Hermione asked resisting the urge to coo at her new friend.

"This is Padfoot." Harry explained stroking its fur as he walked over to them.

"Padfoot?" Hermione groaned. "Your Godfather has been dead for seven years and yet you're pulling a prank on him?"

There was a tinge of sadness in Harry's eyes, but it gone before Hermione even registered it was there. It was replaced with a mischievous glint that Hermione adored, not that she'd ever admit that to him. Harry grinned. "Well, I don't think I'll get many more chances. So, this is Padfoot." Harry explained, scooping the tiny kitten out of Hermione's arms. "She's a half kneazle kitten."

Harry gently lifted her up so he could look her in the eyes. "Aren't you, Padfoot?"

Hermione rolled her eyes. "A white half kneazle kitten... I almost feel bad for Sirius, almost."

"I know you've been lonely since Crooks died so I wanted to get you a new familiar. I don't want Padfoot to replace Crooks in your heart, but I hope there's enough room for her." Harry suddenly looked uncertain as he cradled the kitten close to his chest and his voice became hushed. "A-and for me..."

Hermione smiled brightly at him. "Harry, you'll always have a place in my heart."

Harry smiled weakly at her. "No, I mean, yes as a friend. But I was talking about something more... romantic."

Hermione gaped at him as he stared at her, one of his hands rubbing the back of his head, while the other held Padfoot closer. "I mean I-if you're not interested, I understand, and I mean we'll always..."

Hermione walked up to him and leaned in slowly as to not squash or spook the cat between them and pressed her lips against Harry's. "You just made this the best birthday ever."

Harry grinned like an idiot as Hermione plucked the kitten out of his arms and looped an arm with his. "I think it's time for you to cook your girlfriend her birthday breakfast."

Somewhere in the great beyond there was a cry of joy and lots of laughter at a certain Animagus's expense as the friends and family of Harry Potter and Hermione Granger (soon to be Potter) watched over them.

While Albus Dumbledore served his sentence strapped to an eternal dunking tank, James wrapped his arms around Lily. "It is a universal constant that Potter men will seek out the brightest and most beautiful witch to be the love of their lives. Our son certainly took his time, but I had faith he'd get there eventually."

Lily grinned. "As it should be."

The End

I had this as a Mini-Saga Monday idea on the Harmony & Co. Facebook group a while ago, but it has a 50-100-word limit. Hence, I saved it for here. Just a bit of fluff as a panacea to all the dark stuff I tend to write. I enjoyed this and it was really easy to write, knocked it out in a day as opposed to the weeks I spend agonising over my long form stories.

This is the first story published on my new computer, I'm really pleased to be back up and running after weeks of writing on my phone because my laptop died. I have two more uploads that should be out this week so stay tuned.