Hermione's dress from the last chapter will be linked after the party chapter is posted. Enjoy the newest chapter, and please keep reviewing! Thank you to all those who already did, I love reading them.

September 19, 1991

Birthdays didn't mean much for Hermione. To her, it was just another regular day of the year, that just happened to have cupcakes. No cakes, of course. Hermione's parents were dentists, and while they would be relaxed about a sweet or two once in a while, cakes were pushing their limits.

So when her birthday rolled around, Hermione didn't really expect anything. She hadn't told her Slytherin friends, and her parents didn't have a way of sending anything to her.

Hermione was surprised, however, when a tawny owl fluttered in front of her at breakfast, a large package tied to its claw.

"Hey Granger," Pansy Parkinson called, "Got something from your parents? Well, besides your muddy blood of course."

Hermione ignored her, instead carefully untying the string. Tracey leaned over.

"Ooh, what'd you get?" she asked.

Hermione opened the package. Inside was a cupcake encased in a bakery box, a soft green scarf, some of the makeup she had asked her mother to send, and a small jewelry box. She showed Tracey the contents.

"Why'd you get a cupcake? Is it your birthday?" the ever-curious Tracey asked.

Hermione nodded. "My mom sent some of the makeup," she said quietly.

Tracey waved her hand dismissively. "It's your birthday? Why didn't you tell us?" she exclaimed.

"It's not a big deal," Hermione shrugged.

Daphne leaned over. "Are you eleven or twelve?"

"Twelve," Hermione responded. She picked up her fork and took a bite of her eggs.

"You're twelve?" Tracey asked incredulously

"Yeah, why?"

Daphne stood up from the table. "Tracey, explain. I have to go talk to Jade." She strode down to the other end of the table and began having a hushed conversation with her sister.

Hermione looked at Tracey expectantly. "Twelve is an important number in pureblood society," Tracey said quietly so everyone else couldn't hear. "It symbolizes growing up, because you've already started Hogwarts. Girls have their debut balls at twelve, and also become eligible for betrothal contracts. After seventeen, twelve is the most important birthday."

Hermione nodded slowly. "When's your birthday?"

"March 27," Tracey said. "Daphne's is February 3. We'll both have large parties in the summer, or in Daphne's case, probably over spring break."

Daphne returned then. "Hermione, over break, you need to plan a party."

"I'm sorry?"

"Hermione, over break, you need to plan a party," Daphne repeated. "If you don't have one, it'll be like you're ignoring tradition. It doesn't even have to be that big. Only three hundred guests."

"The hundred guests? Daphne, I don't even know three hundred people," Hermione protested.

Daphne shook her head. "Okay, then I'll take care of the guest list. You're muggleborn, so people won't expect you to know every little tradition, but you'll have to hit the big points."

"So it's like a bat mitzvah?" Hermione clarified.

"What's a bat mit-vuh?" Daphne asked, confused.

"Yes, it is," Tracey cut in. "Basically a bat mitzvah with a bunch of snobs."

"Tracey!" Daphne protested as Hermione nodded.

"Okay, I think I get it. But where could I hold it?"

"You can't use our houses," Daphne said thoughtfully. "Is your home big?"

"Not for a party," Hermione said. "But we do have a lovely beach house. What about an outdoor party?"

Daphne cocked her head for a minute, thinking. "That could work," she mused. "It's new and different, but then again, so are you."

"I'll take care of the outfits," Tracey jumped in. "Daphne, can you work on food and decor?"

"The elves will help with food," Daphne nodded. "Hermione, you'll work on a menu with me. Jade will get Julianne to help with the decorations, she's a genius at that. And once we get the guest list, we can send out invitations."

Hermione shook her head in disbelief. "Alright then, let's plan a party!"

~ Slytherin ~

"Hermione," Jade Greengrass called later that day. The twelve year old had just stepped into the common room, and turned to face the older girl. "Come here for a second, will you?""

Hermione nodded and walked slowly to the fireplace, where Jade was lounging on a silky green chair. "Yeah?"

Jade reached into her leather bag and pulled out a small box. "For you," she said, handing the neatly wrapped box to Hermione.

Hermione looked down at the box for a second, then back up at Jade. "Um, should I open it?"

"I don't think the box can open itself," Jade said sarcastically. "Yes, open it."

Hermione nodded, carefully undoing the ribbon. She lifted the lid off the box to reveal a small silver chain bracelet. A green and silver heart charm dangled from one of the chain links, and a silver H dotted with little rhinestones was attached to another.

"It's beautiful," Hermione breathed. "Thank you."

Jade smirked smugly. "Like the diamonds?"

"Those are real?" Hermione's mouth dropped open in disbelief.

"What else would they be?" Jade asked. Not waiting for an answer, she continued, "Also, from Daphne and Tracey," she handed Hermione two books. "One will teach you about colors and which ones go together, and the other is about Potions ingredients."

"Thank you Jade," Hermione said gratefully. "This is the best birthday I've ever had."

Jade looked at her closely for a minute, before shaking her head. "Just wait until you see the party that Daphne's halfway done planning already. But, you're welcome."

Hermione smiled at the older girl again, before rushing upstairs to put her presents away. She allowed herself to flop on top of her bed, reflecting on the day's events.

She didn't really want to have a big birthday party, but if it helped her fit in, so be it. And if she had to have one, then Auntie Beth's summer cottage was a really nice place, and Hermione had been hoping to go back soon. The beach would be nice at Christmas time, with its golden sand and sparkling ocean. She would just have to make sure that Daphne and Tracey didn't go overboard with all the planning.

But then again, lying on her bed, Hermione realized that she didn't mind it at all.