Chapter 26: Birthday Wisdom
Harry was pacing the front of the great hall waiting for everyone to show for the first DA meeting of the year. Most of the current members were already there and he was happy to see many new faces. He was nervous about their reaction to the breaking apart into squads. "Calm down love, it will be ok." Ginny told him trying to calm his nerves. "It's a great idea and I'm sure everyone will see that. Besides, it has Albus' support so they will have to like it!"
"Thanks Gin," Harry said giving her a quick hug of appreciation. He noticed it was about 5 minutes after he had asked them to meet there so he figured it was time to begin. "Thank you all for coming tonight to our first DA meeting of the year. As you can see our numbers are growing," he said gesturing to the almost full hall. "I am very happy all of you want to fight beside me and against Voldemort and his death eaters. Now for those of you who do not know what the DA is, let me explain." He went on to tell them their goals for the club and then decided to drop the bombshell. "Since we have grown so large I believe it is necessary to split the group apart into smaller squads. I have talked to Headmaster Dumbledore and he agrees that my new plan of organization for the DA will serve in the war much better." He then went on to describe the four squads and their main objectives. He could see that most of the crowd was nodding in approval. "Now, we will be taking on military rankings from now on we will be a real army, Dumbledore's Army." There was loud applause at the end of that statement and he paused and motioned the EDA forward.
"My name is Neville Longbottom and I will be the Colonel for Blue squad. Harry here will be the general for the army and be in command of everyone in DA. Each squad has a Colonel in charge and other commanding officers in the positions of Major and Captain. We will also be assigning Lieutenant and Sergeant positions once the squads are fully formed." Neville told them as Harry didn't want to be the one to tell them that he was in charge, it would sound better coming from someone else.
"I'm Ron Weasley and I will am Colonel for White squad. Anyone with any interest in becoming a healer or medi-witch should come forward to be on White squad."
"I'm Hermione Granger and I will be the Colonel in charge of Red Squad while Draco Malfoy will be Colonel for Green Squad. Now we want you to think carefully over which squad you feel you would best serve and then come and speak with one of the commanding officers for that squad." She told them and each squad broke into a separate area of the great hall to have mini interviews with the DA members.
Ron, Hannah and Colin had quite a few new recruits. It also seemed that a lot of the girls were gravitating toward either White or Blue as they were hesitant to be in the attack squads. Neville, Justin and Gabrielle were sending people over to Red and Green who they knew were good duelers. Harry, Draco and Ginny were happy with the turnout for their squad; there were some very good younger students that wanted a spot on the front lines. Hermione, Luna and Dennis were busy talking with most of the Slytherins who for some reason Hermione still didn't understand flocked to her like ducks to water.
Once they had formed the squads the new students were told to review all the spells they had learned in DADA over the years and that practices would start next week. They decided that Red would meet on Tuesday, Green on Wednesday, White on Thursday and Blue on Friday, that left them time for EDA on Mondays still. "Thank you all for your participation and loyalty. Please remember that no one outside of Hogwarts can know about DA and especially about the squads."
"Remus what is this?" Minerva asked him after he had hung his list of 'words of wisdom' on the staff room board with room for more entries.
"I overheard Tonks and Hermione talking the other day about advice they had been given and they were giving each other and thought it could be fun to see what everyone else comes up with. You know, like phrases that we've heard from our parents or in passing." He told her with a shrug. "It's not like we have anything better to do in staff meetings."
"So who did you get the ones off of so far?" Charlie asked as he sat down with his coffee.
"Mine was the one that a true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart," Hermione said through her yawn. She didn't know why they decided that she needed to come to the staff meetings weeks now since she was Snape's apprentice, they had upped her title from assistant to apprentice so she could help him with his marking. "Tonks came up with the rest."
"I have one," Rolanda Hooch told them. "Don't waste time on someone who isn't willing to waste their time on you." They all agreed and it was added to the list, they still had a good 10 minutes before the staff meeting officially started.
"My father used to tell me the key to a successful life was to make yourself a better person and know who you are before you try and know someone else and expect them to know you." Irma Pince told them.
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened!" Poppy said with a smile. "That's what my sister always says after she breaks up with another man."
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world. That's what my wife used to say to me in regards to our children. She always wanted me to remember that they idolized me and that what I did may seem insignificant in the eyes of the world but to my kids it was very important." Flitwick told them all.
"Very wise," Charlie told the little man who had lost his entire family to Grindlewald. "My advice is to never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile." He said this looking right at Hermione. "I know from experience that it is easy to fall for someone just from watching them smile."
"I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you." Professor Vector told them all. "I've always believed that when you're around someone you love you become a better person as well."
"You're too quiet Severus," Remus told his friend. "What words of wisdom do you have for us?"
Severus had the line on the tip of his tongue but was hesitant to say it as it could give him away. At Remus' prodding and the looks of the entire staff he said, "The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them knowing you can never have them." Dumbledore's eyes sparkled even more at that comment and the rest of the staff wondered if there was any hidden meaning in his words. Severus was sitting between Tonks and Hermione.
They were silent for a few more minutes and as Dumbledore was standing to start the meeting Hermione came up with another one. "Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have." She said this with a small smile and everyone thought it was great advice for someone so young.
"That's 13!" Trelawney screeched, "We must add another one!" They all rolled their eyes at the melodramatic lady but wracked their brains for another tidbit.
"Just remember that whatever happens happens for a reason," Albus told them with a wink and they quickly wrote it down to appease Sybil. "Now, let's get on with business."
"So what are we doing for Hermione's birthday?" Ginny asked the boys as they sat in the Gryffindor common room waiting for Hermione to finish her rounds. "She's going to be 17 so we have to do something special!"
"We should have a surprise party for her. She never wants us to do anything special for her so this year we should go all out," Harry said.
"We'll have to find someplace large to have it since it seems like every single student in the school loves her." Ron reminded them.
"We'll need teacher support or we'll all end up in detention. And she'd kill us if we brake too many rules and get her in trouble since she's head girl an all." Ginny said.
"We should do a muggle theme or something that most of the students haven't seen before and will be extra special for Hermione," Colin suggested.
"What's that singing thing at a bar she talks about?" Ginny asked them.
"She likes karaoke?" Dennis asked shocked, Hermione just didn't seem the karaoke type.
"She told me she always liked the jazz lounge idea versus the night club scene." Ginny said with a shrug since she didn't know the difference.
"How about we use the Room of Requirement, assuming we get teacher permission, and have it set up as a muggle jazz club but with the opportunity for karaoke. We can have other muggle music to dance to while no one is singing." Colin recommended.
"We should have everyone dress up as well so it's a classy affair, just like a jazz club." Dennis told them with a grin.
"I'll talk with Remus and Tonks tomorrow," Harry told them. "They can hopefully chaperone and then we can invite everyone. It'll be hard to keep it a secret."
"How about we tell her that we are taking her to the ROR for a birthday night out so she dresses up but we don't tell her how big the party is. She can just assume it's the EDA only, not the entire DA." Ron suggested with a smile. "Are we doing presents?"
"You know that the Slytherins will bring gifts since they are all about showing off but we should tell people they don't need to bring a gift since she's not a big gift person."
Hermione walked in then ending their discussion. "So what were you all planning?" She asked sitting down between the Creevy brothers.
"We were taking about what to get you for your birthday, so what do you want?" Harry asked her with a grin. "I'll get you whatever you ask for if I can."
"I want Snake," She told him with a smirk.
"Um, Hermione why do you want a snake for your birthday, you already have a cat." Ron asked her curiously.
"Not just any snake but Snake. It's because I want a peaceful night's sleep. I keep having these weird dreams about this guy I met at the club this summer. He's starting to take the place of my mystery man and it's really irritating me. I wish I could see Snake again and get him out of my system!" She told them frustrated. "Think you can handle that Harry?" She asked jokingly.
"Are you talking about the guy you kissed the night you got drunk because of Oliver?" Ginny asked her.
"Yep, I kissed him and now I dream about kissing him every night. I mean I only danced with the guy for like an hour and now he's stuck in my head!" She vented, "I guess I just want to see if he may be the mystery guy I've been dreaming of or if my subconscious is playing mean tricks on me."
"And how am I supposed to find your mystery man?" Harry asked her.
"He works out of the country and I don't even know his real name. He said if I had a smart owl it could probably find him. I don't expect you to find him, but it's the only thing I really want." She told him, "Although I do always like clothes, shoes and books!" They all laughed knowing that she was already well on her way to having her own library.
"Is there anything muggle you want?" Dennis asked her. "I know the rest of the EDA are horrible when it comes to muggle stuff.
"Not really, I got mostly everything I needed this summer. My mum took us shopping and bought us way too much." She told them with a smile. "Now, it's past curfew so let's all go to bed so we will be awake for classes in the morning!" She said and headed to the portrait to her common room. "Good night!"
After she had left they all turned to Harry, "Think you can find that bloke and get Dumbledore to allow him to visit?" Ron asked him. "I hate to think she's having problems sleeping because of him."
"She's sleeping just fine Ron," Ginny told him with a giggle. "They are nice dreams she's been having, she just feels bad about fantasizing about a guy she only met once for an hour. She thinks he probably doesn't even remember her."
"Who could forget our Hermione?" Harry asked in mock insult. "No, I'll send a letter out with Hedwig in the morning. If anyone can find him she can."
Harry headed off to the owlry early the next morning. He had finished writing the letter to this Snake chap and wanted to send it out quickly in hopes for a response. He had told him who he was, assuming he had been under a rock for the last 17 years, and that Hermione was his friend. He mentioned the club and when she met him and wondered if he could possibly be persuaded to come to Hogwarts for an evening. Hedwig hooted her approval of the mission and flew out the window into the early morning as he headed down to breakfast. He wasn't going to mention to any of them his letter in case it never was answered.
"Morning," Ginny said with a yawn as he sat down between her and Ron in the seat they had saved him.
Owl post arrived a few minutes later and Harry happened to look up to the head table to try and catch Remus' eye when he noticed Hedwig fly towards Snape with a letter, his letter to Snake! "That sneaky git," he said and shook his head realizing how much easier it would be to get 'Snake' to her party. He didn't want to be the one to tell her who he really was. He must have worn a glamour and was there to keep an eye on them.
Harry made his way to Tonks and Remus' office. "So, was there always an older order member following us when we went to the club?" He asked without bothering to say hello.
Tonks chuckled as Remus looked startled. "Yes, Albus wanted to guarantee your safety and knew you would have been upset about needing an escort."
"You can explain that to Hermione when she finds out the guy she's been dreaming of for a month is actually Snape." Harry then told them the whole story and what she asked him for her birthday. "So this morning Hedwig flew in and straight to Severus, so I'm guessing it's him using a glamour. I never saw him that night or I would have recognized he was using a glamour."
"Who else knows?" Remus asked him with a small smile.
"Just me, I wasn't sure Ron could have handled the idea of Hermione dreaming of Snape." Harry said with a chuckle. "And can you imagine Charlie's reaction?" They all laughed at that.
"Yeah, he's still stinging from the fact that she said Severus was a better kisser." Tonks told them. "I'll talk to Severus and see what he wants to do. I did his glamours and I can again if he wants to go. Maybe he can let her down gently or something."
"I don't think she wants anything. She thinks the only reason she dreams about him is because she was drunk and has a half formed image of a guy who partially met her dream man requirements. She wants to see him again to purge him from her system." Harry told them.
"I'll talk to him and see what we can do. I'm guessing you also want us to talk to Albus about a birthday bash for her?" Tonks asked.
"Yeah, we want to have a party in the ROR with a muggle jazz lounge feel, I thought you two could chaperone as well."
"We'll find out and get back to you," Remus said. "Now get to class before you're late!" He said pushing him out the door.
"Oh this is good," Tonks told Remus with a mischievous look. "Snape kissed her or let her kiss him and danced with her and didn't mention it to us."
"That means either he was too embarrassed or angry with himself for allowing it to happen… or he liked it and didn't want us to know." Remus told her with a wink.
"I want to be there to see his face when you mention it to him, especially since he still thinks his secret is safe. I have to give Hedwig credit for being an entirely too smart bird," Tonks said laughing.
Ginny pulled Harry aside at lunch, "You're never going to guess who Snake is," She told him with a sly grin.
"You mean Snape?" Harry asked her as she narrowed her eyes at how he knew.
"I just saw it in the orb this morning how could you know?" She asked him.
"I sent a letter to him with Hedwig and she flew it to Snape this morning," he told her and she smiled. "I haven't told anyone since I'm not sure how Ron and especially Hermione will take it."
"I wonder if he'll write back?" Ginny asked, "I wonder if he enjoyed dancing with her and her kiss. Oh she told me all about her conversation with him and I gathered they were flirting pretty heavily with each other! She told me she told him he was her absolute favorite snake."
Severus sat in his office trying to draft a reply to Potter about Hermione's party. He thought it could be fun to see if she recognized him or was even really interested in 'Snake' without the alcohol. He knew he shouldn't do it but just couldn't bring himself to say no. Besides he had overheard Colin telling Justin that he was the only thing she asked for for her birthday. How could he say no to that!
He was still trying to write the reply when Harry knocked and entered his office. "I thought I'd come invite you to Hermione's birthday party," Harry said with a smirk as he noticed the tensing of his teacher. He knew that Snape could either go as himself or as Snake, not both and he wanted to see which one he chose.
Severus looked closely at Harry and saw his amusement. "What is it Potter?"
"I was just wondering if you were ever going to tell us you were Snake or if you were going to let us think you were someone else." Harry told him with a smirk. "I figured it out this morning when my owl went straight to you. So what were you going to respond?"
"I hadn't decided what I would respond," Severus told him honestly. "I want to get her what she wants for her birthday but at the same time I don't want to traumatize her when and if she finds out who I really am."
"How much did you lie to her?" Harry asked him, "She hates it when she is lied to. So maybe you should just write her back and tell her you're not interested."
"I never lied to her," Severus told him. "I told her to call me Snake as it's what some of my friends used to call me when I was younger. I also told her that I worked out of the country and that I knew the owner of the club. They are true as Scotland is outside of England and I have met the clubs owner."
"Then you should just come to her party and let her get you out of her system." Harry told him with a smile. "Besides I want to see if she can figure out who you are."
"Fine, I will be there Harry, but just don't tell her that I'm coming." Severus told him. "If she is having a fun time dancing with all of her friends I don't want to ruin that for her."
"She'll be excited to see you since she thinks you think she was just a flirt and would never give her the time of day," Harry told him. "She says you match the physical description of her dream man and that's why you are stuck invading her dreams."
"She'll be upset that you told me all of this," Snape told him with a smile. "Now get out of here before anyone catches you being nice to me."
"So we're hanging out in the ROR for my birthday?" Hermione asked Ginny as they were going through her closet to pick out an outfit.
"Yeah, Colin and Dennis are going to set it up like something muggle for you," Ginny said. "They said we should all dress up nicely. So let's pick out something nice for you." They decided on a sleek black dress that had a v-neck and low back. The hem was shorter on the left side than the right and slightly flared out. She finished up the outfit with her black boots charmed to look like strappy sandals but she could still use it to hold her wand. She put her hair up in a French twist and finished it off with lip gloss and silver eye shadow. "You look great," Ginny told her with a smile as they headed to the party.
"Quiet everyone," Harry called to the room, "they are on their way!" He wiped the map clean and hurried to near the door so they could surprise her. Ginny told Hermione to go in first and smiled as Hermione jumped when everyone yelled surprise.
"Wow, thanks everyone," Hermione said with a smile and a blush at how many people were there to celebrate with her. "This place looks fantastic!" She told her friends, it was a replica of a muggle jazz club down to the small round tables and hazy atmosphere. She then noticed that there was karaoke and grinned and laughed at the idea of her friends singing.
"Have a fun time and don't worry we'll keep everyone on their best behavior," Tonks told her with a kiss to the cheek before heading off to the corner of the room with Remus to keep an eye on the students.
Hermione looked around and took in who was all there, all of the EDA and her entire Red squad as well as most of the DA. Everyone seemed to be having a good time dancing to the muggle music and talking at the tables or by the bar and food table. "Thanks guys," she told Harry, Ginny and Ron. "I've never had such a party before!"
"There's a bunch of presents for you too," Ron told her with a grin. "Most look like books though unfortunately!" They laughed and headed towards the dance floor. Hermione danced with Harry first, then Ron, Draco, Colin, Dennis, Justin and Neville. Harry then took her hand as he had seen her present enter the room.
"I got you the present you asked for," Harry told her with a smile. "I hope you like it." Hermione was confused as the only thing she could remember asking for was to see Snake again. At her look Harry smirked and pointed towards the door. There Snake was standing looking almost nervously around the room. Harry knew she was happy when her whole face lit up with a smile and her eyes sparkled.
"Thanks Harry," Hermione told him with a kiss on the cheek before rushing off to claim her present as she saw a few of the other 7th year girls eyeing him. "Hello stranger," she said with her purr she had managed to perfect since that night.
"Good evening birthday girl," he told her with a smile and kissed her hand in greeting. "One of your friends invited me; I hope that is alright with you."
"I'm surprised that you would even want to come," Hermione told him with a smile. "I though you worked out of the country."
"I work here in Scotland so it was not difficult to get here," he told her. "Would you like to dance?" He led her to the dance floor where she buried herself in his chest and sighed in contentment. They danced for a few songs before she excused herself to get a drink and see if anyone else had shown up she needed to say hello to. She saw Charlie and waved to him as he talked to Remus and Tonks. She headed over to them.
"Have you seen Severus?" She asked them while she looked around the room.
"I don't think he's here," Remus told her.
"Oh," Hermione said realizing how disappointed she was that he wasn't there. She counted him as one of her best friends. "Well if you see him will you let me know please?" They nodded and she made her way back over to Snake.
"Something wrong?" He asked her as he noticed the sad look in her eyes.
"No, not really. I was hoping one of my best friends was going to be here and he didn't show up." She told him, "But I am glad you are here."
"Who's this friend?" He asked her as they danced. "Someone special?"
"He's my research partner," she told him as he spun her out. "So what line of work are you in?" She asked him trying to change the subject since she wasn't sure why she felt so slighted that Severus wasn't there.
"My work isn't important. I do many different things but I also research." He told her as the music changed to a slower song and he pulled her close to him.
She felt so content in his arms with his smell surrounding her. She liked how his fingers splayed across her back as they danced. He held her so confidently that she had never felt so safe in anyone's arms. His smell reminded her of someone and his touch felt so familiar. She just couldn't remember who it was he reminded her of. "Thank you for coming to my party. I really wanted to see you again." She smiled shyly at him and was pleased to see him smile back at her.
"It was my pleasure," he purred in her ear. He pulled her even closer enjoying the feeling of having her in his arms. "You look beautiful tonight, very graceful." He loved how she blushed prettily in his arms. He couldn't remember the last time he had that effect on a woman.
Hermione realized that she wasn't going to get him out of her system after such a wonderful night. He was such a gentleman yet she knew nothing about him. "Tell me something about you." She requested.
"I enjoy reading about a variety of subjects. I am an only child and I enjoy my job and my research." He told her being careful to be as vague as possible. Hermione laughed at how vague his answers were.
"You haven't been saying much all evening. Are you trying to avoid using your extremely sexy voice for a reason?" She asked him with a smirk.
He leaned closer to purr in her ear, "No my dear but I also don't want to have any effect on your little friends. You are the only woman I want to effect."
Hermione couldn't help herself any longer and rose up on her tiptoes to kiss him. Severus didn't know what to do. If he responded it was like he was lying to her or leading her on and if he didn't respond she would think she wasn't desirable, when she was actually very desirable. So he kissed her back but avoided from letting her deepen the kiss. Hermione broke away and smiled at him. She liked the feel of his lips on hers. "I am going to go join a few of my other friends for a while. Will you stay a bit longer or do you have to head back?"
He saw that she wanted him to stay and didn't want her disappointed on her birthday. "I'll stay," he told her and headed over to Remus and Tonks. "I'm going soft, its official." He told them as he sat down. "She gave me the perfect opportunity to excuse myself and at the look on her face I agreed to stay. The damn chit has me wrapped around her finger somehow."
Tonks just laughed as Remus wasn't sure of the proper response to that comment. "She certainly seems happy to see you," Tonks told him. "I saw that sweet little kiss, you looked like you were uncomfortable and yet enjoying yourself at the same time."
"She's my student so I should not allow her to kiss me but at the same time she is a beautiful young woman and I wouldn't be a red blooded man without enjoying her kiss." Severus told them. He was saved from further comment by Charlie joining them.
"Professor Charlie Weasley, Care of Magical Creatures. I saw you at the club over the summer." He said wanting to know who the man was that had monopolized Hermione's time all evening.
Severus was enjoying himself, "Snake," he said with a curt nod. "I was invited by Harry Potter over there to the party. I met Hermione this summer and she wanted to see me again." He loved the look on Charlie's face at that revelation.
"I wasn't aware anyone outside of Hogwarts was allowed at the party for security reasons," Charlie told him with a frown.
"Oh, Albus and I go way back and he had no problems with my attending the festivities tonight. In fact he mentioned that I could stop by anytime." Snape told him with a smirk, taunting Weasley children was one of his favorite activities.
"Snake, there you are," Hermione said coming over to them. "I was afraid you had left." She had danced with three of her younger DA charges and talked with Harry and Ginny and hurried back over to Snake, her birthday present.
"You look lovely tonight Hermione," Charlie told her with a big smile. "Would you like to dance?" Hermione looked between Snake and Charlie a few times before agreeing to dance with Charlie at Snake's wink. "Are you having a nice time?" He asked her as they danced.
"Yes it's lovely. Have you seen Severus yet?" She asked him as she still hadn't seen her potions professor. "I was hoping he would at least stop by to wish me a happy birthday."
"I'm sure he just didn't want to appear friendly to you in front of a crowd, you know how he is around non-order members." He told her to try and reassure her. "So who is the guy you've been dancing with all night?"
"A friend," Hermione said with a goofy smile. "Harry can tell you," she said while she excused herself back to Snake after the song leaving him disappointed on the dance floor.
She danced with Snake for the next few songs, just enjoying being in his strong arms. She was still trying to determine who he felt and smelt like. His black robe felt just like… "You git!" Hermione told him figuring it out and looking up. "I can't believe it and here I was being upset that you hadn't come to my party!" She couldn't believe that Snake was Severus under a glamour spell. "Why didn't you just tell me?"
"This was more entertaining," Severus told her with a smirk. "Are you disappointed?" He asked her trying not to show any emotion on his face.
"No, I guess I'm actually relieved. I couldn't figure out how I could feel so comfortable and safe in the arms of a stranger." She told him with a big smile.
"So you feel safe in my arms then?" He asked looking shocked. He had never had anyone tell them they felt safe around him, they were always wary of him.
"Of course," Hermione said rolling her eyes. "You're one of my best friends and I trust you explicitly, why wouldn't I feel safe with you?"
"I'm just not the first person one thinks of as safe; in fact I'm usually one of the last people someone would go to for safety." He told her honestly.
"That just proves they don't know you as well as I do." She told him and kissed his cheek. "I'm glad you're here, this way I can keep dancing with you and you don't have to worry about avoiding everyone else. Did Harry tell you why I wanted you to come?"
"Something about me being the only thing you asked for for your birthday," Severus said with a wicked smirk. "I thought that perhaps this would be a better gift than me." He told her pulling a thin black box from his pocket and handing it to her to open.
"Oh Sev it's wonderful," she told him with tears in her eyes, neither even noticing the shortening of his name. It was a long silver necklace with a rose shaped pendant.
"The rose part itself holds two shrunken potions vials and the stem a separate one." He told her. "The ice part of the rose has the Cloud Clearing potion in it and the fire side is for when we complete our current research. The potion in the stem is harder to access but you can put whatever you want in it." He wasn't sure if it was an appropriate gift but he had noticed that she had been wearing a charmed vial of the cloud clearing potion on a chain. "The shrunken vials are charmed to hold the potion in stasis and never break even from a spell."
"Thank you so much, it's the best gift I could have gotten and it's beautiful as well." She told him and gave him another tender kiss.
"I do need to go do my rounds now but I hope the remainder of your birthday is satisfactory." He told her in shock that she kissed him now that she knew who he really was. "Happy Birthday Hermione and good night." He kissed her hand and beat a hasty retreat, smiling as he noticed her fasten the chain around her neck.
"What do you have there?" Ginny asked as she noticed Hermione's dopey smile. Hermione showed her the necklace. "That's an awfully romantic gift."
"Not really," Hermione told her with a laugh. "It's supposed to look just like a piece of jewelry but it holds three potions in stasis for emergency use. Really, Severus would never give someone something romantic, he wouldn't even know how. If you note the rose is an almost exact replica of the one on my hair pin."
"I thought I saw your birthday man give that to you, not Snape." Ginny said wondering if her friend had figured it out. She wouldn't have expected her to be so calm about it.
"Severus is Snake; he was under a glamour following us for the Order." Hermione told Ginny although she could tell that she already had figured it out. "So were you ever going to tell me or would this have gone on forever with you laughing?"
"I thought you'd be wierded out that the guy you've been dreaming about lately turns out to be Professor Snape. It could cause permanent damage and I didn't want that." Ginny told her with a laugh.
"Oh hush, you know that I find Severus attractive so I wouldn't get nightmares from the thought of kissing him. Besides, I've already kissed him and noting bad happened." Hermione laughed. "Now lets party some more!" She drug Ginny over to the rest of the EDA.
"That's a pretty necklace you got there Hermione," Tonks said as she and Charlie neared the group on the way back from the bar (non-alcoholic only).
"Thanks, it's from Snake. It matches my hair pin Charlie gave me and holds three emergency potions." Hermione told her and the boys looked impressed that jewelry served a real purpose.
"What potions are you going to put in it?" Gabrielle asked her.
"There are two places in the rose for potions. One already has the Cloud Clearing potion in it and the other is reserved for once I finish my research. I haven't decided what the potion in the stem will be. I was thinking maybe a healing draft or a blood replenishing potion, something that could save someone's life if needed."
"How did Snake know you're interested in potions and how did he get a hold of that potion?" Charlie asked her wondering if the guy was stalking her.
Hermione and Ginny laughed and Harry and Tonks realized she knew the truth. "He's my partner," Hermione told him with a shrug and drug Colin off for a dance leaving a stunned and saddened Charlie behind who didn't understand the comment.
"I thought she was single," He commented which caused Gin, Tonks and Harry to laugh again.
"She is you prat," Ginny told him. "She meant that he was her research partner." Charlie finally realized that meant that Snake was really Snape in disguise. "But she kissed him!" He said looking at them all for an explanation.
They all looked at each other wondering what to tell him. "She did tell us during the truth or dare game that she thought he was a good kisser. Besides she didn't know it was him until tonight so when she kissed him it was most likely before she realized." Ginny told him, she knew he liked her way more than Hermione wanted him to.
"It's her birthday, she's entitled to kiss every bloke in the room," Harry told him and pulled Ginny out onto the dance floor and away from her now moping brother.
Most of the guests had headed home so the EDA settled down to open presents. "Oi Hermione come on and open your presents, you got a whole bunch!" Ron told her with a goofy grin as he pulled Susan down to sit in his lap.
"The first present you have to open is from your parents. My dad helped them with it though," Ginny told her and handed her a rather large box and a letter. There was a note one top telling her Happy Birthday and congratulations on head girl. She opened it and squealed to see a laptop much like Harry's.
"This is great; this will totally help me keep track of my potions research and my library!" She told them laughing and petting the laptop lovingly.
Harry, Ginny, Colin, Dennis, Justin, Hannah, Susan and Ron all got her computer accessories. Harry got her a leather carrying case charmed for lightness and able to carry her books at the same time. Ginny got her a few muggle girl movies since the computer had a DVD drive. Colin and Dennis gave her some photo software. Justin gave her a statistics program to help her with arithmacy or even potions predictions and Hannah and Susan went in together to get her a muggle encyclopedia program. Ron got her a journal program so she could type instead of write.
Gabrielle and Draco got her gift certificates to the clothing stores in Hogsmead as well as a subscription to Potions Weekly so she could stop stealing Snape's. Tonks, Remus, Molly and Arthur gave her a digital camera but told her they hadn't figured out how to charm the images to move yet. Neville and Luna gave her a new dicto-quill and a set of very nice potions vials that she had been eying. Most of the rest of the gifts that she had gotten from other DA or Order members were books and she was excited to see the variety of different ones.
"Here is my gift, it's not much but I thought of you and wanted you to have it," Charlie told her handing her the pocket sonnets. He had thought it would be such a great gift but after the others he thought it looked lame, especially since she had just opened 20 books!
"The sonnets!" Hermione exclaimed happily. "I think of you when I hear the sonnets after the charmed rose you gave me. It will still recite the sonnet to me when I touch it." She told him, "Will you read me another sonnet soon?" She asked him with a smile. She was such a sucker for romantic guys especially those who discovered her weakness for Shakespeare.
"I would be honored to read them to you," Charlie told her not believing his luck. "Just tell me when and I will be there my lady." She smiled and gave him a very quick and light kiss.
"Thank you kind sir and I look forward to reading them with you. Now I must away back to my guests. Parting is such sweet sorrow," she said blowing him another kiss and going back to sit by her friends.
"She has over half the staff completely snookered. She has both you and Severus wrapped completely around her little finger. Remus and I think of her as a daughter or sister at least. Minerva and Albus treat her like she is their grandchild and the rest think she could do no wrong!" Tonks told Charlie with a grin. "That may be because she is the most intelligent and clever student ever to attend this school or it could be because she has a tender and loving heart that attracts everyone to her."
"I am personally a fan of her tight bum and nice rack," Charlie told her earning a swat on the head from the auror and a chuckle from the wolf. "Well I'm heading out so I'll see you at breakfast. Have fun watching the kiddies."