Authors note: I do not own any characters created by J.K. Rowling. Full credit goes to her for all situations and information mentioned in any of the 7 books or interviews, etc. as well. However, the storyline of this fanfic is all me and the little voice in my head.

*year 1 - age 12*

"It's your birthday?"

She was surprised, probably, that she could possibly not know that.
After all, she knew just about everything about just about everyone.
But it had only been two weeks into the schoolyear.
And nobody could ever accuse me of talking to much.

In class, yes, there I was always present, very much so even – after all: if teachers remembered you, they knew who they were giving what points to.
But as to the rest?
I had to admit it: nothing much had changed for me.

I still didn't really have any friends.
I still studied more than 'I ought to', as my mum often said.
And I was pretty sure that at least one teacher liked me less, rather than more, because I always knew all the answers.

The lessons were fun, and interesting.
And I truly had ended up in a whole new world, one I never even would have dreamed to encounter only 2 months ago.
And yet, so much seemed to have remained the same.

I had remained the same – and apparently people in general just didn't really seem to like me.

At least I hadn't been picked on – yet.
But it had only been two weeks indeed, that might still come.
So far people just sort of ignored me. And that worked for me as well as for them.

Only Neville, the boy I had met on the train, occasionally talked to me, usually to ask for help or explanation.
But even he didn't know it was my birthday today.

I was grateful for the school's owls, because they allowed to write to my parents at least.
And this evening, mum had returned my letter with a present, a box filled with cupcakes, to celebrate my birthday.
I didn't really have anyone to share them with, and I certainly didn't feel like creating a fuss over something as stupid as my birthday.
Although I had to admit it would have been nice if anyone had congratulated me.

Suddenly I'd felt really homesick.

So when Neville asked for some help with his transfiguration essay, I offered him one.
And when he heard it was my birthday and congratulated me – he even offered me some chocolate frogs as a present – she heard it.
And was very much surprised indeed that anyone could not want to have a huge party for such an occasion.

I told her I didn't really feel like it, so she just gave me a funny look.
One that clearly stated: she's always alone, and then skips on an opportunity to make friends?

But that was exactly why I didn't want to make a fuss about it.
Because those people would just eat my cupcakes, be nice tonight, and wisper behind my back again tomorrow.

She clearly thought otherwise.

As I wished Neville goodnight and went upstairs, I could feel her gaze locked on my back.
Still thinking what a strange person I was, probably, or wondering why I acted like that.

Why I wasn't happy, gleeful, excited, why I was just as quiet as always, especially when it was –

"It's your birthday?"

As I said a couple of chapters ago: Hermione was born on 19/09/1979, and is thus almost a year older then Harry and Ron. She is only mentioned as the typical know-it-all until the incident with the troll, which took place on 31/10/1991, so I think this might very well have been how her first Hogwarts birthday went. Also, I realise that birthdays during the schoolyear aren't mentioned all that much (or at all), but seen as they have the Weasley twins(among others)in their tower, I doubt there wouldn't be a party on every possible occasion – including birthdays.
That being said: please let me know what you thought of it by reviewing, followed by favoriting and following. I would like to thank those readers who have already done so, it really makes writing new chapters so much more fun :)