Happy Birthday Harry

By

Hollytiger

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter you know that!

Summary: Harry only wants one thing for his 17th birthday, and that's Hermione.

July 31st, 1997

For he's a jolly good fellow,

for he's a jolly good fellow,

for he's a jolly good felloooooow,

which nobody can deny!

Harry smiled as Hermione set a large chocolate cake in front of him at the head of the picnic table. His close friends and his surrogate family gathered around him as they sang to him. Only two people were missing. Sirius, his late godfather, and the late Albus Dumbledore, former headmaster of Hogwarts. To his left were Fred, George, Ron, Ginny, Bill and Fleur, and to his right were Arthur, Molly, Charlie, Remus and Tonks. Hermione stood next to him and he closed his eyes to make a wish.

Why should I wish for anything? All the people I love are here with me.

Yes that was true. The Weasleys were his family. Remus and Tonks were his family. Hermione...well, she was definitely more than family. Over the years he began to think of her as more then a friend. He knew he had been in love with her since their first year but he had been too dumb to realize it until now. And last year somehow he couldn't describe what had caused him to like Ginny. He really only thought of her as a sister. He finally realized that Ginny had stolen the missing love potion from the potions lab and when she confessed, Molly told Ginny that she was in major trouble and would hear from her father when he had gotten home from work.

"Hurry up Harry, the cake's melting!" said Ron.

Harry closed his eyes again and thought.

I wish I could tell Hermione how I feel...

Harry blew out the candles and the smoke rose gently into the air. Everyone applauded and Hermione kissed his cheek. His heart fluttered as her lips hit his cheek and he smiled at her.

"Thanks," he said as Molly began to cut the cake.

After the cake had been eaten, Harry pulled Hermione aside by the woods.

"Hermione, there's something I need to ask you," said Harry.

"Sure Harry, what is it?"

Harry took her hands in his and looked at her in the eyes.

"Would you be my girlfriend?" he asked calmly and cool.

"But Harry, what about Vold-"

"I don't care Hermione, I only told Ginny that because I love her like a sister, but you, I realized you were the only one who has ever stood by me in anything I've ever done. You were always there to guide me and pick me up when I fell. Last year was the worst time of my life. I didn't love getting attention from everyone who treated me as if I were king. I loved getting attention from you because you treated me the way how I wanted to be treated. That's why I love you."

Hermione, her eyes now filled with tears, broke down and sobbed into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and soothed her calmly while stroking her head, kissing the top of it.

"Oh Harry, I love you too," said Hermione. Harry grinned and leaned over and kissed her lips. They broke apart and Hermione smiled as he stroked her cheek.

"This has been the best birthday ever," he said.

"Good," said Hermione. "Happy Birthday Harry."

He kissed her again and they began their journey off to a great start.