* Birthday surprise *

It was a bittersweet day for the Weasley family. It was another anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, another anniversary of Harry defeating Voldemort, another anniversary of Fred Weasley's death, but it was also the 5th birthday of Belle Granger-Weasley and the 4th birthday of Victoire Weasley. So, as every year, Molly Weasley was giving a big family at the Burrow to celebrate her granddaughters' special day, to celebrate life. Everyone was there... well, not everyone. Charlie was still in Romania working in a new dragon's reserve so he couldn't make it, and Harry and Ron were in an Auror mission and they weren't going to be home yet for three more days. That was the main reason why little Belle was sat in a chair in the corner and just looked at her legs dangling back and forth. Her red hair was tied in a nice bun and she was wearing a fluffy yellow dress, like the one the main female character wears in the movie Beauty and the Beast (except for the gloves), which was the little girl's favourite movie AND her only demand for her birthday. Hermione knew she was upset and that she only wished her father was there. She had promised Belle that, as soon as Ron was back from his mission, the three of them would go and celebrate her birthday again in a special place of her choice. Even though Belle had agreed to that rather adamantly, she still wasn't happy. So Hermione decided to go to her and try to stop her tantrum before it even started.
"You know... uncle Bill already learnt a couple of songs from the movie. He said he would sing them if you dance for him." she said kneeling in front of the little girl. Belle just shook her head. Hermione sighed. "I know you miss daddy, Belle. I really miss him too. But he'll be back really, really soon, and he would want you to enjoy your day." she said, tilting the girl's head with her hand. Belle looked at her in the eye and sighed.
"What if he never comes back, mommy? What if the bad wizards hurt him?" she asked, eyes welling up with tears. Hermione just blinked hard, trying to prevent herself from crying as well. She cupped her daughter's face with her hands.
"Daddy will be just fine, sweetie. He's strong and smart and he has uncle Harry to help him. He'll be here really soon, you'll see." Hermione said, wiping her daughter's tears away with her thumbs and smiling a bit. Truth to be told, she also thought about those 'what ifs', but she didn't want to ruin her daughter's special day.
They heard noise coming from the front door and Hermione picked up her daughter and turned to see what was happening. Neville and his fiancée, Hannah Abbot, were walking to them. Hermione could notice someone else behind them. "It can't be..." she thought when she realised who it was.
"Hey there, Hermione! Happy birthday, Belle!" Neville greeted the little girl. Belle just smiled at him and held onto her mom tight. She looked curiously at the other person behind him.
"Neville, who... how..." Hermione managed to ask. Neville turned around and looked behind him. There it was, in a blue royal suit, the beast, just like the one in the movie. He was holding a candellabrum in one hand and a couple of red roses in the other one. The beast placed the candellabrum on the ground and walked to Hermione and Belle.
"Ron told me that Belle's favourite movie is 'Beauty and the Beast', so he told me to bring this little surprise for her." Neville explained as the beast gave Belle a rose.
"Happy birthday, Belle!" the beast said. The little girl took the rose from him and smiled him thanks. "Your daddy wants you to know that he really, really misses you and that he really, really loves you." he then said.
"I miss daddy too. I really love him. I wish he were here with me." she said playing with the flower in her hand.
"I know for sure he wishes that too, princess." he said. He got closer to her and Belle gave him a kiss. In that moment, gold stars started to embrace him, lifting him up in the air. Then, there was a flash of light and just like that, in front of them, Ron and Harry appeared. Hermione couldn't believe her eyes. Belle quickly got down of her arms and ran to Ron, big smile on her face.
"DADDY! DADDY, YOU MADE IT!" she shouted as he caught her in his arms and held her tight.
"I told you I would be back, princess. Happy birthday, Belle!" he said, smiling and kissing the little girl. Hermione just lokked at them, tears running through her cheeks. Ron walked two steps to her and wrapped one arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer to him. Then, he kissed her passionately but sweetly as he always did.
"I thought you wouldn't be back until Thursday." Hermione said when they pulled away. Ron smiled.
"We caught the basta... the bad guys earlier so I thought to surprise you with a little something." he said, grinning. She smiled as well.
"Very impressive charm, Mr. Weasley." she said, then she kissed his cheek.
"Always the tone of surprise." he said, then kissed her again on the lips. Belle held onto him tight. Now that her wish came true, she could finally enjoy her special day.