A/N:
Enjoy this little Voldemort-Free Vikmione one-shot
Summary: For her 17th birthday, Hermione receives a gift traditionally given only to the sons of a magical family. She knew what the underlying message was: acceptance as part of the family. Voldemort-free world
Words: 990
Prompts:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Challenges & Assignments)
[January Monthly] After the Midnight Kiss
Ship: Vikmione
(item) watch
"The Watch"
Out of all of Hermione's birthdays in the past 17 years of her life, this one had to be the best. Her brothers in all but blood, Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, had taken her out to London to visit some museums with new exhibits she hadn't seen yet. Her parents, Mr and Mrs Potter, and Molly and Arthur Weasley, who were her Magical Guardians through the Muggleborn Sponsorship Program, were all together at the Burrow, getting things ready for the surprise party for her tonight. Ginny told her all about it last night as they were getting ready for bed. Ginny couldn't keep a secret, and Hermione hated secrets.
She had received a few gifts at breakfast, mostly from her friends who wouldn't be able to make the party tonight, but some were from the assemblage of parents. From her parents, she received a set of car keys to the sedan, as her official car for getting around London. From the Potters, she received a monogrammed quill set with her first name, as well as tickets to the London ballet. They were box seats, and there were enough tickets for the whole family, Potters and Weasleys included, to attend.
But the family gift that meant the most to her was the one from Mr and Mrs Weasley. Hermione opened up the golden box and gasped at the exquisite craftsmanship of the watch that laid gently on the tissue paper.
"It is tradition in wizarding families to give sons a watch when they come of age. We were planning on doing this tradition with Ginny, but since you are part of the family, we wanted to get one for you as well. This one is new, it is not an heirloom, unfortunately. But this now gives you the opportunity to make it your own family heirloom," Arthur explained.
"HJK?" Hermione asked, reading the engraving on the back of the watch face. "What does that mean?" she added curiously.
"Hermione Jean Krum," Molly replied, smiling widely as it took a few moments for Hermione to connect the dots.
"They agreed to the contract?" Hermione asked, her own smile widening.
"They did–" Arthur began but was interrupted by Hermione and Ginny squealing in delight.
"For us peasants in the peanut gallery," Harry said loudly, "what does that mean? What contract?" Hermione paused in her celebration long enough to turn to her brother.
"This past summer, Viktor asked for my hand in marriage, the Muggle way. I said yes. Then his father thought it was a good idea to send Mr. Weasley a marriage contract for me, to seal the deal, as some would say," she explained. She absently held her wrist out to let Ginny put her new watch on her as she kept her attention on Harry. "While the contract was a little outdated, my parents, your parents, the Weasleys, and Sirius and Remus all sat down to take a look at it. While it started out as the standard betrothal agreement, we basically suggested changes to turn it into something that would protect both Viktor and I both during our marriage and if we ever break up."
"OH! You guys signed a pre-nup!" Harry said.
"Exactly!" Hermione replied, pulling her watch closer to her and running her thumb down its side. "While I don't like the idea of being bought or sold, this is the way the wizarding world works. Until I can become the head of the government, I can't change all of it just yet. So I'll have to settle in picking my battles for now."
"But you can change some of it," Ron finished for her, and she smiled at him brightly.
"Exactly. Now, are you boys ready to go out? Both of you owe me a museum date!"
Hours later, just before dinnertime, Hermione, Ron, and Harry swept into the Burrow laden with shopping bags filled with an assortment of trinkets and books, just to find the house dark. Hermione had to hide her smile as the boys feigned confusion. Like any self-respecting Gryffindor, Hermione charged forward.
"Hm, looks like no one's here. Let's go put the shopping bags away and then we can try to go find everyo–" she started to say, but Harry chose to interrupt her.
"Actually, let's let Mipsy do it! She's been wanting to do more for us anyway, right Mipsy?" he asked. A house-elf appeared before them.
"Of course Master Harry. Can Mipsy bes doing anything else?" she asked in a higher pitched voice, and he shook his head.
"Nope, just the bags, thank you Mipsy, you're the best!" Harry exclaimed as Ron grabbed Hermione's shoulders and started to push her towards the kitchen. Mipsy snapped her fingers and the bags vanished from their arms.
"Thank you Mipsy!" Hermione called out as Harry joined in herding her towards the back.
The three stumbled through the darkened kitchen, and Hermione couldn't help but let out a laugh as she peeked through the kitchen window to the back garden. Luna was hiding behind a rose bush that was hidden from the view of the back door, but completely visible from the view from the sink window.
The trio was suddenly outside, and as Hermione strode down the cobblestone path first, she held her breath, ready for everyone to jump out.
Seconds later, everyone did. Even with the foreknowledge of the surprise party, Hermione still jumped when everyone burst out of their hiding spots. With laughter bubbling out of her, Hermione let Harry and Ron lead her into the fray. Viktor greeted her first with a toe-curling kiss before taking Ron's place as the redhead surged forward to help his mother get food onto the table set up in the garden. Fairy lights twinkled above head, and Hermione leaned into her fiancé as she happily watched everyone start to mingle. With family and friends surrounding her, this would be her best birthday yet!