* Birthday tradition *

1998
It started the year of the battle. It was one of the first days that she had slept until late, but mostly because it was a Saturday and Ron had told her he would take care of their 4-month-old daughter. They had recently started to feed her with baby bottles so Hermione could have more rest and he could have more bonding time with his child, so she wasn't that worried about her child starving if she didn't get out of bed quick. They had also just moved in to N°12 Grimmauld Place, so they were all getting used to this new lifestyle. She tossed and turned in bed for a good ten minutes before finally deciding to sit down and huff. She was about to get out of bed when the door opened and a certain redhaired man walked in the room holding their redhaired baby and levitating a tray that he carefully placed on the bed next to his girlfriend. He walked to her with a big smile on his face and then kissed her on the lips.
"Happy birthday, love!" he exclaimed, sitting on his side of the bed and adjusting the little baby on his lap. Hermione smiled and blushed.
"You didn't have to do this. It's just an ordinary day." she said. She wasn't really a person who liked celebrating her birthday. She never wanted to make a big deal of it. However, Ron didn't agree with it.
"Ordinary day my ar- I mean, my stars, Hermione! This is the day you came into this world and I want to celebrate it! So, we'll start with breakfast!" he said as he looked at the tray. He had brought a cup of hot tea with cinnamon, a little vase with two roses in it, pumpkin juice, and strawberry pancakes. Hermione took a deep breathe, inhaling that sweet smell. Little Belle looked at her from her father's lap and giggled. Hermione couldn't help but smile at her little girl. "I know it's not much, but... I wanted to make something special for you. And I know how much you love strawberry pancakes, so..." Ron started.
"It's perfect. Thank you." she said. She kissed him, then kissed her daughter. It was her first birthday with Ron at her side and their daughter in their lives.

As years went by, Ron kept doing the same for Hermione's birthday: he would get up very early, go to the kitchen and make strawberry pancakes with the kids, and then surprise Hermione in bed with them. As usual, they would have breakfast all together and open presents. For Hermione, it was the best part of her day.

2009
It was early morning that Saturday of September when Hermione woke up to an empty bed. She knew what that meant: Ron was downstairs with the kids preparing her birthday breakfast. For some reason, this time she felt less enthusiastic about it. Perhaps because it was the first time that her eldest daughter wasn't there to celebrate it. Belle had just started her first year at Hogwarts, so Hermione knew she would probably get her birthday greetings later from her. As she sat up and waited for her family, she heard a tap on the window. She quickly got up and went to open it. A tawny owl flew in carrying a small package. Hermione gently took it from the bird and saw an envelope attached to it. She took it and read the note inside:
"Happy birthday, mom! Hope you're having an amazing day! I wish I could be there to have our traditional birthday breakfast, so... here's a little piece from me. Hope it still tastes good! I placed a charm on it so it wouldn't get ruined on the journey.
I really miss you and I love you loads!
Belle."
Hermione left the note aside as she wiped some tears away and opened the package. There, on a plate, were strawberry pancakes, smelling deliciously sweet. Hermione smiled as she heard Ron and the kids walking in the room. There was one Granger-Weasley less in that room, but she had made herself present in keeping the tradition somehow.

2017
That Tuesday of September woke Hermione and Ron with a loud sound from the kitchen. Ron quickly kissed Hermione and got up.
"Happy birthday, love!" he exclaimed. Hermione smiled and nodded as they heard more noise. "Don't worry. I'll go make sure they don't make a mess." he said. He kissed her again, then went downstairs. He was shocked when he found his 18-year-old daughter standing in the middle of the kitchen as a bowl of strawberries and a package of flour flew to the counter.
"Belle? What are you doing here?" he asked as he went to her.
"It's mom's birthday, isn't it? I'm here to keep our tradition and make strawberry pancakes for her." she answered in her matter-of-factly tone as Rose and Hugo joined them.
Hermione was ecstatic when she saw Ron and her three children walking in the room with their traditional birthday strawberry pancakes. She took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet aroma of the pancakes as it took her back to the very first one. The start of their sweet birthday family tradition. Hermione just smiled. After all, birthdays weren't that bad to celebrate if you were surrounded by the people you love.