Disclaimer: All the Characters and places come strictly from J.K.R.'s mind. If they were mine, I wouldn't be typing this on my computer at home. The plot strictly belongs to me, that's it.

Chapter 11:

A Very Pleasant Birthday

Hermione woke up at her desk the next morning. She had finished her vows very late into the night and had fallen asleep in her chair. She sat up straight and pulled off a piece of parchment that was stuck to her face. Looking at the calendar above her, Hermione realized that it was her birthday. "Where did August go?" Hermione stretched and yawned. She began to wander into her bedroom but something made her stop short. There was a wonderful smell emitting from her kitchen. She rushed inside to find Ron, Harry, Luna, Ginny, and Neville all sitting around her kitchen table. In front of them were a pile of presents and a large stack of Hermione's favorite blueberry pancakes.

"Happy Birthday!" They said in unison as Hermione sat down at the kitchen table to join them. First, she ate all of the pancakes as Ron, Harry, and Neville discussed Quidditch. She, Ginny, and Luna were discussing the latest issue of Witch Weekly and arguing about who was the baby's real father on their favorite muggle soap opera.

When she finished her pancakes, Hermione decided to open all of her presents. The first parcel was from Hermione's parents. Inside, there was a small golden locket. The locket contained two pictures. The first was of Hermione when she was eleven years old, the other of Ron at the same age. A small note was attached to the locket.

"Happy Birthday Hermione darling! We always intended to give you this necklace as a wedding gift, but we found that to be a bit unfair to Ronald. Hermione, you are a very special girl through and through. You have made us proud numerous times and we are very lucky to have you. But see dear, you are lucky too. You have found someone to love with your entire being. We hope that will always be enough. Have a very happy day.

Love Always,

Mum and Dad"

"Oh My" Hermione said softly. She held out the necklace to Ron and he helped her put it on.

"Yes, yes, well that's lovely and what not, but there's a present from me too you see and I'd like for you to open it today, on your actual birthday" Ginny said impatiently and Hermione couldn't help but laugh.

"Well then Ginevra, if you would like to point out which of these presents is yours, I would be happy to open it."

Ginny pushed a square box towards Hermione. When Hermione opened the box, she found a very pink tank top. On the back, it said "Property of Mr. Ronald Weasley. BACK OFF."

"Oh Ginny now really!" Ron exclaimed after he read what the tank said. "That's not funny!" Harry and Hermione however seemed to find it ridiculously funny and were having a hard time in controlling their laughter. Eventually, they gave in and burst out in a fit of hysterics. When she could finally stop laughing, Hermione opened the rest of her presents.

Neville had gotten her a pair of silver earrings. Hermione squealed in delight as she ran around the table and gave him a big bear hug. Neville's face burned red and he started sputtering about how it was "no big deal really." On her way back to her seat, Hermione realized that Luna had also turned very pink. Was that jealousy etched across her face? Luna gave Hermione a large book on various types of magical creatures which Hermione was quite sure did not exist. Nonetheless, Hermione thanked Luna warmly and proceeded to the next parcel. Inside was a box of expensive chocolates from Harry. Hermione passed the box around, insisting that everyone take a piece. She thanked Harry with a kiss on the cheek. This, Hermione noticed, earned her a quite nasty stare from Ginny.

As she turned to unwrap the last present, she realized that it was no longer on the table. Looking around, Hermione noticed that Ron wasn't in the room.

"Um Hermione, we're just leaving now, quite work days ahead of us you know. Happy Birthday" Neville said as the four got up to leave. "Well alright then. Thank you all." Hermione saw them to the door and then started towards her bedroom. She had a feeling that she would find a certain red-head there. Naturally, Hermione was right.

"Hey Ron" she said as she walked into the room.

"Happy Birthday Hermione" Ron said as he held out a parcel. Hermione took it, gave Ron a sheepish glance, and began to tear off the packaging.

"Oh Ron, you remembered."

Inside the parcel was a bottle of perfume. It was the exact same fragrance that Ron had gotten Hermione for Christmas in fifth year. Last spring, Hermione had dropped the bottle and the remaining perfume had been lost. This was Hermione's favorite fragrance in the world, not only because it smelled of sweet pea and vanilla, but because Ron had taken the time to buy it for her.

She ran over to Ron and kissed him. Then, she sprayed a bit of the perfume on. The rest of the day was spent with Ron.