A/N Thanks for the lovely reviews. I can see what authors mean about how much they encourage you. Each one made me smile.

Five Gold Rings

When Hermione had talked to Harry about his investigations he was vague and evasive. He'd never been very good at lying, she thought fondly to herself, but why on earth would he lie about his investigations into who was giving her the gifts?

She'd told Ginny and Harry about her latest gift, the beautiful music box and shown it to them.

"Oh Hermione this is so beautiful," gushed Ginny, opening and closing the music box, fascinated with the way it made the music stop and start.

Hermione had snatched it off her, holding it carefully as she was afraid Ginny was going to accidently break it.

Harry hadn't said anything, just stiffly nodded his head in agreement with Ginny.

"So Harry any luck discovering who has been sending me these gifts?" asked Hermione, surprised at his lack of response to the music box.

Harry had tugged at his shirt collar uncomfortably and hastily took a drink of his water, managing to spill some of it down him.

Ginny looked at him in exasperation and cast a drying charm on him.

"Em, nope not really, I eh thought I had a lead but it turned out to be a dead end," stammered Harry.

"Oh," sighed Hermione, disappointed at his response. She turned the music box in her hands, looking at it thoughtfully.

Ginny looked perplexed as well, "What about the wine merchants for 'Three French Hens?' It looks to be pretty specialist wine, I'd have thought they'd have had a list of who they'd recently sold the wine to?"

At this Harry went to take another gulp of water but then clearly thought better of it. Refusing to meet either of their eyes he explained rather awkwardly, "They wouldn't give me a list of their customers, all very elite and private. I even tried the whole, 'I'm the Chosen One' card," he joked, "but no luck, sorry Hermione."

Hermione managed a smile, "No worries Harry, thanks for trying."

"I'll keep looking into it Hermione," Harry promised her, "Anyway Ginny we better go, our dinner reservations for 8pm," and he practically dragged Ginny towards the door.

Both girl were bewildered by his strange behaviour. Hermione mouthed to Ginny, "What's that about?"

The redhead had quickly mouthed back, "I'll find out!" before she was whisked out the door by Harry.

That had been the night before. Hermione had fallen asleep before Ginny returned, so she didn't get to question her to see if she'd found anything out at dinner.

Hermione was glad it was the weekend and was looking forward to Theo's birthday party that night. While she got ready, she spent some time musing at what the diva could have planned. Things were never what they seemed with Theo. At one of his parties he'd staged a murder mystery, and Hermione had immediately gone into battle mode, thinking their waiter really had been killed. She smiled to herself at the memory.

She had ended up pairing up with Malfoy, and they had worked so well together they'd solved the murder mystery in record time, much to Theo's displeasure.

"I should have known better than to pair up The Dream Team," Theo had grumbled.

Hermione had laughed at that, "Dream team?" she'd questioned Theo.

Draco had looked warningly at Theo which had caused him to snort, "Yes didn't you know that's what Draco calls you two?"

Hermione had blushed and Draco had opened his mouth to say something, but was interrupted by the arrival of Blaise and Daphne, he were loudly demanding another clue from Theo.

She'd teased Malfoy about it later of course, and he'd denied all knowledge.

Taking one last look at her reflection, she headed to The Leaky Cauldron. She'd decided to wear her favourite jeans, combined with one of her more understated Christmas jumpers that was navy with a subtle reindeer pattern. She had with her her expanadable bag, filled with changes of clothes, a first aid kit and several books so she felt prepared for whatever Theo had in store for the evening.

She arrived at the same time as Malfoy and he looked at her admiringly, although smirked slightly at the sight of the Christmas jumper.

"Not wearing yours?" Hermione asked him innocently.

"Unfortunately, I left it at my parent's house and one of the peacocks took a shine to it. I believe it found it made a lovely nest," he answered, with a mischievous glint in his eye.

As part of their Christmas war last year, Hermione had gifted Draco a particularly hideous Christmas jumper, complete with flashing lights and a singing Christmas tree. She had no doubt it was no accident that the jumper ended up with the peacocks.

He held the door open for her as usual, with a polite, "Ladies first," automatically placing his hand on the small of her back as she entered The Leaky Cauldron.

Theo was already there, sitting like a King in their usual booth, surrounded by Ron, Daphne and Blaise. He greeted them with a cheery, "There's my Dream Team!"

Bounding over to them, clearly a few drinks under his belt already, he picked up Hermione and twirled Hermione her round. He then tried to do the same thing to Draco but found him to be rather less compliant than Hermione.

"Happy Birthday," Draco drawled, laughing at his friends pouting expression.

"First rounds on me," announced Hermione, "house red Theo?" she smirked.

Theo sniffed, "Just for that I'll have the most expensive champagne on the menu."

Turning to Draco she asked him, "Malfoy? I assume you want your usual?"

Before Draco could reply, Theo declared, "He'll have a champagne too, now off you trot Granger so Draco here can admire your lovely behind."

She heard Draco admonish Theo as she laughingly went to the bar. It was crowded tonight but it didn't take too long for Tom the barman, to come over. When he saw her, his face lit up in recognition and then disappeared to the back.

Hermione was intrigued when he came back with a gold wrapped gift for her. "Oh Tom, you shouldn't have," she said, immediately feeling embarrassed that she didn't have a gift for him.

Tom laughed, "It's not from me love, I was told to give it to you."

"By who?" asked Hermione, trying to be casual about the fact she was breathlessly waiting for his answer.

"Ah now, let's just say it's from a secret admirer," chuckled Tom, "Now what drinks can I get you?"

Hermione gave him her order and unwrapped the gift while he went to get her drinks, and it revealed a Tiffany's box. She couldn't help the girlish feeling of excitement she had at the sight. Breakfast at Tiffany's was one of her favourite films and she couldn't believe she was holding an actual Tiffany's box, never mind what could be inside it.

She was still admiring the box when Ginny appeared at her side, "Another gift?" she asked excitedly, "Well what is it?"

"Hello to you too," said Hermione, smiling at her friend, "I haven't even opened it yet, I've just been admiring the box!"

Ginny groaned, "Well hurry up, I'm dying to see what's inside."

"Alright, alright," said Hermione and she opened the box.

Both girls were speechless at the sight, nestled in soft velvet was the most exquisite bracelet. It was made up of five gold rings.

"That's some bling," said Ginny, starting in awe at the bracelet.

Tom arrived with the drinks on a tray for her, and placing the box on the tray, Hermione brought it to their booth.

Theo peered at the box with great interest, "What have you got there Granger?"

She opened it and showed the table, watching everyone carefully for their reactions.

"Tiffany's?" queried Theo, "I haven't heard of there."

"It's a famous muggle jewellery make," answered Blaise.

Hermione looked at him in surprise.

He shrugged his elegant shoulders, "My mother is rather fond of pretty things."

Draco inspected the bracelet but didn't say anything.

"Someone obviously thinks rather highly of you," said Daphne admiringly.

Everyone's reactions were normal enough, thought Hermione which she found highly frustrating. No clues there then.

She explained about the gifts she had been receiving and everyone spent some time throwing out ideas as to who the secret admirer could be. Each one more preposterous than the last.

"Krum?" asked Draco, giving her a cheeky smile. He would often tease Hermione about her teenage romance with the famous Qudditch player.

"He's engaged," replied Hermione.

"McLaggen?" asked Harry.

Hermione shuddered.

"Filch?" asked Theo.

Everyone shuddered.

When they had run out of ideas, Theo tapped his glass his wand, dramatically placing on the table an old, well-worn boot.

"This, my friends, is a Portkey and it will transport us to the next part of my birthday festivities. Trust me, it's going to amazing," he declared.

Reluctantly and with much chiding from Theo, everyone placed a finger on the Portkey. The boot started to glow and Theo grinned at them all in turn, winking at Draco as they were all whisked away.