Hermione woke up with a start. It was her birthday! It had to be one of her favorite days of the year. Not because everyone paid attention to her and all the presents, but because she made it through another year. Another year with troubles, excitement, and everything else a good life needs. She threw the blankets across the bed and slid her feet into her house shoes. Walking over to the mirror, she noticed that nothing physically about her changed. Maybe she got a tad bit taller. But just a tad. Nothing to really get excited about. Her hair was just as bushy and to other students, she was just as nerdy. She shrugged the thought off. 'Oh well, maybe next year, something will change', She thought.

She walked down stairs hoping to see Harry and Ron greet her with a happy birthday. Instead she got an empty common room. 'Maybe they're already at breakfast. They probably didn't want to get Ginny to wake me. They're so thoughtful.' She got her robes on, grabbed her books and walked to the Great Hall.

"Hi Ron, Hi Harry!" She waved to them.

"Hey, Hermione" Harry answered. That was it. No Happy Birthday. No smile. No nothing!

"Hi Hermione" Ron stuffed his mouth right afterwards. Of course, if Harry didn't remember, Ron certainly wouldn't. 'I can't believe they forgot!' Hermione thought furiously. Fuming, she plopped down on the bench, hurting her rump in the process. She frowned and angrily grabbed food for her plate.

"Is there something wrong, Hermione? Did you have a bad sleep last night?" Harry asked worriedly.

Feeling bad for worrying Harry, Hermione said, "No, Harry, I'm fine. I just…well...isn't there anything else you want to say to me today?"

Harry furrowed his brow. "No. Nothing. Um….oh! How are you today?"

She glared at him, and then turned to Ron. "Ron, what about you?"

"Erm…eh…Want some bacon?"

She sighed and got up from the table. "I'll see you guys in class." She shook her head and walked off.

Harry turned to Ron, "What's wrong with her?"

Ginny turned towards them. "I listened to the whole thing. You guys are such prats! It's her birthday today! Can you get any thicker?"

But Ginny's helpful hand came a little too late for a tear had already fallen down Hermione's cheek.

Walking out to the hallway, Hermione sniffled and wiped her face. She sighed. 'Maybe they aren't the smartest lot, but they could have at least remembered this.' She sat on the stairs to wait until class began. Suddenly the stairs began to move. The rattled and shook and threw her off her balances. She fell and landed at the top landing of a new staircase.

"OW!" She moaned and tried to get up. Her leg her so much. But she could walk. She could get herself to the Hospital Wing. As she looked up, a hand came down for her to grab. "Quite a fall there, Granger." It was Malfoy. She frowned. "Here to laugh at me, are you". Draco smirked. "I'm not laughing." He put his hand out again for her to grab. She reached out and felt his soft fingers enclose around hers. 'Wow, I expected his hand to be as cold as his heart' she thought bitterly to herself. She was lifted up off the stairs but before she could reluctantly thank him, he was gone. She looked down on her hand to see that something was written there. He had obviously placed a spell on her while helping her up. She was about to curse him when she realized what was written There in green appearing ink was Happy Birthday.

The End