Disclaimer:  I do not own the characters of Harry Potter.  They are the property of   J. K. Rowling.

Ron Weasley trudged up the stairs to his dormitory. Gryffindor had just lost another quidditch match – this one to Ravenclaw. With their other loss to Slytherin, their hopes for the cup were all but hopeful.

Despite the dreary state that he was in, he reminded himself that today was a special day. Today was Hermione's birthday, and he needed to be happy and joyful for her – especially without Harry around.

Ron found that his time at Hogwarts was boring without Harry around. What was he supposed to do without his partner in crime? Walking into his room, he threw his quidditch robes on his bed and put his broomstick underneath the mattress. Ron was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't see someone pull off their cloak.

"Hey Ron, what's up?"

"Hi Harry," he replied without even thinking.

Three…two…one…

"HARRY!" Ron gasped and nearly fell off his bed. He ran across the room and hugged his best friend.

"Whoa, I need air!" Harry laughed.

"What are you doing here?" Ron gawked. "If Dumbledore, or worse, if Snape catches you here, you're dead meat."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine. So how have thing's been?"

"Well, Gryffindor's really slumped since you left. We're third in line for the Quidditch Cup and in last place for the House Cup. Frankly, it's quite boring around here without you; there's no excitement anymore."

"Thanks for the compliment," Harry laughed. His face turned a bit more solemn.

"How's Hermione been?"

"Okay. She's been a bit more withdrawn since you left – kinda like she was during first year. She still talks to me, Hagrid, and a few others, but she's a bit anti-social these days. She'll come back from classes and bury herself in her books till bedtime. She goes to Hogsmeade with us every once and awhile, but other than that, she's a bit lonely."

"I know the feeling; I've missed you guys. I actually could've come before, but I wanted to surprise her on her birthday."

"Trust me, she'll be as happy as a clam."

"Do me a favor? Don't tell her I'm here?" Ron's smile turned into an impish grin.

"Of course not, it'd ruin the surprise. Tell you what, I'll talk to Lavender and Pavarati. We'll get you into Hermione's room, and you can surprise her there."

"Ron, as usual, you're a genius."

"Oh please, no applause," he laughed. "Just wait up here, and I'll go find the girls okay?"

With some prodding from Ron, Lavender snuck Harry into their room.

"Hermione, what's wrong?" Ron asked as they sat at dinner. She'd been picking her food for the last half hour but not eaten any of it.

"Aren't you hungry?" Lavender asked.

"Not really, I guess I'm just tired; I've had a long week. I'm sorry."

"C'mon Herm, it's your birthday. Snap out of it, or you won't get your cake!" Pavarati snickered.

"Cake!" Hermione gasped and perked up. Her three friends chuckled, and Ron handed her a box.

"Happy Birthday, Hermione, we asked Dobby and Winky to make this for you. They baked it, and the other house elves did the icing."

Hermione opened the box and saw a beautiful cake inside. It had three layers – chocolate, vanilla, and chocolate again. The icing read 'Happy 17th Birthday from all your friends'.

"Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it," Hermione said with a smile.

"Well, are you gonna cut it or not?" Ron asked with a wide grin. Hermione laughed softly and sliced the cake. She handed a piece to each of her three friends, and they all enjoyed it.

After dinner, the quartet headed back towards Gryffindor Tower.

"Well Hermione, I'll see you later. I gotta help Lavender finish up her homework for Advanced Divination," Ron said with a slight groan. Hermione grinned at him slyly.

"Oh c'mon, Ron, you have to help her? More like she has to help you!" She chuckled as the red-haired young man blushed.

"Hey, stop teasing him, Herm, we're helping each other out," Lavender defended.

"Sure you two aren't just trying to find some time alone?" Pavarati snickered. Both Ron and Lavender flushed deeply.

"I…we…we're not…I mean…" Ron stuttered.

"Oh, go on you two!" Hermione laughed and shooshed her friends off down the hallway.

"Well girlfriend, I gotta leave you too; I have a project to finish for potions. I'll probably be in the library all night trying to finish it," Pavarati groaned.

"I could help!" Hermione stated, wanting something to do.

"Nah, it's okay; I don't mind doing it myself. Besides, I gotta do some of my homework by myself sooner or later." Hermione giggled and watched her roommate head off towards the library.

"Well, I guess I might as well go to sleep."

Hermione walked through the portrait hole. She wasn't in the mood to hang out in the common room tonight. Even though it was still early, she climbed the tower to her dormitory and headed for her room.

'I don't get it. Why didn't Harry send me anything? He knows that today's my birthday so why didn't he…'

Hermione's thoughts were spinning as she pushed open the large, wooden door to her bedroom. She went to her dresser and looked for something to wear to bed. Her eyes skimmed through the few nightgowns she had tucked in her bottom drawer, but then she happened up something that made her heart flutter.

"I almost forgot I had these!"

She drew out a pair of plaid, flannel pajamas. They were covered with red and green patches, and Hermione remembered that Harry had given her these as a Christmas present back during their fifth year. She'd worn them a few times and loved how comfortable they were. Although, when the girls started teasing her about how often she wore something that Harry had bought for her, she put them away and forgot about them. Smiling, Hermione put the pajamas on top of her dresser and began undressing.

On the opposite side of the room, Harry stood silently under his Invisibility Cloak. The moment she'd entered the room he felt his heart leap into his throat. She was even more than beautiful than he remembered. He saw her take out the pajamas that he'd given her and turned around as she went to change her clothes.

"Harry," Hermione sighed as she brushed her hair. She looked at herself in the mirror, and her eyes happened upon a small note taped to the bottom of the glass.

"What's this?" Opening the card, it read, 'Close your eyes and make a wish.' "Those girls are impossible, but what the heck?" Hermione closed her eyes and let her heart speak for her.

'I wish…I wish that Harry was here right now.'

Harry watched her carefully, and he smiled when she found his note. The moment he saw her eyes close, he made his move. Dropping the Invisibility Cloak on the floor, he made his way towards her.

Hermione swore that she could feel Harry near her; his presence seemed so strong.

"Open your eyes, Hermione," a soft voice said. The girl almost swallowed her tongue; it couldn't be!

Hermione slowly opened her eyes, and what she saw made tears appear in her eyes. She could see him…in the mirror. Harry was standing behind her - his eyes shining lovingly at her.

"Is it…is it really you?" she gasped as her hands trembled. His hands came up on her shoulders, and she shuttered at the contact.

"Turn around, sweetheart." Hermione turned around and looked into the most beautiful pair of emerald eyes.

"Harry!" she cried and jumped into his arms. She grappled him by the neck and started kissing him.

"Herm…what…whoa…hold it…hmmph…" Harry was trying to fend her off slightly, but he lost his balance, and they toppled onto her bed.

"It's you…it's really you!" Hermione shouted and kissed him again.

Harry wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Oh, how he'd missed this? She felt so soft and warm on top of his chest.

"Happy Birthday, Hermione," he said with a wide smile. Tears streamed down the young woman's cheeks.

"This is the best birthday present I ever got! Oh Harry, I missed you."

"And I missed you." Her mouth came down on his, and he rolled his girlfriend onto her back. Harry nibbled her jaw line, causing her to giggle, and then moved down the side of her neck.

"I love you, Harry." He stopped his kissing and came back up to her face. Her statement was so full of warmth.

"And I love you, Hermione."

Harry claimed her mouth in a possessive assault, and he held her down to the bed with his body weight. She didn't complain one bit. Her tongue met his in a familiar dance, and his arms tightened around her.

Hermione could feel a fire growing inside her; it was a passion that burned for only one person – the young man who was holding her. She arched into his body and moaned as he pressed against her in all the right places.

"Hermione…stop…please…" Harry groaned as she rocked under him, but she would have none of it. The long separation had taught her that he was a part of her. She needed him in every way.

"Harry…all I wanted today was you. Please, grant me my wish, I want you. When you were gone, I was miserable. I need you as much as I need air to breath. I need you, Harry; I need you in every way."

"Hermione, are you sure? Don't say this just because we're back together again?" She shook her head emphatically and gave him a sweet smile.

"I'm for you, Harry Potter – for you and only you." He couldn't believe her words; she was so trusting of him. She was giving herself to him and only him; it was enough to make him cry.

"Please Harry, just for this night, be mine…all mine." He shook his head and smiled at her.

"No Hermione, not just for tonight, always."

"Always, my love." Harry caught her mouth with a hungry kiss, and Hermione tugged him down into her waiting arms.

"Oops, almost forgot!" Harry gasped.

"What?" Hermione asked with her face flushed. He put a finger to her lips to silence her. Harry turned his head and extended his hand.

"Lochanus!" At his command, the door to the room was sealed with a magical lock. Harry snapped his fingers, and the candles on the walls went out.

"Ooooh, are you planning to keep me here?" Hermione giggled.

"Just don't want any interruptions," Harry replied and turned back towards her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled seductively.

"No more secrets, Harry, no holding back." He lowered himself into her embrace and kissed her gently.

"Never again, Hermione." He kissed her again, and the world fell away into the darkness. This night was theirs, and no one could ever take it away.

As much as the two of them wanted to remain in their heated paradise for eternity, nature had designed even this to have its limits. With one last deep thrust, Hermione exploded in his arms.

"HARRY!" she cried for the whole world to hear. Her body shuttered, and she drenched his shaft in liquid heat. It was too much for the young man to handle.

"HERMIONE!" he moaned. As her name formed on his lips, he spilled himself inside of her, pouring his life into the woman who was his life.

Later that night, Pavarati and Lavender returned to their room. Upon touching the door handle, Lavender felt a shock on her hand, but the old wooden door creaked and opened for them.

"What was that?" she gasped.

"I don't know," Pavarati replied.

Entering their room, the two girls prepared to hit the sack when Lavender caught sight of something that made a smile spread across her face.

"Look!" she whispered to her friend. Lavender turned her head, and her eyes widened.

There lay Harry and Hermione wrapped up in her blankets; their faces displaying a look of complete and utter contentment. Hermione had her head on his shoulder, and Harry's arms were wrapped tightly around her. The sheets came up to just below Hermione's shoulders, and Harry's chest was partially bare. It was quite apparent to the two girls what had happened here tonight.

"They look so cute!" Pavarati giggled.

"Yeah, it's about time," Lavender said with a warm smile.

Harry's head shifted, and his eyes opened halfway. They shot open when he saw the two girls standing there with wide grins on their faces. Raising his eyebrows in question, he merely returned their grin and snapped his fingers. Two curtains magically appeared and slid shut in front of Hermione's bed, effectively barring any prying eyes from peeping in.

"What was that?" a half-awake Hermione asked. Harry kissed her forehead and buried his face in her hair.

"Nothing sweetheart, go back to sleep." She immediately complied, and he couldn't help but join her.