Why Us

Hermione awoke the next morning thinking about her dream. Why the hell was I dreaming about Harry again? She thought to herself, and why are my dreams of Harry so erotic and full of lust?

Hermione continued to ponder these thoughts until she went downstairs and saw streamers everywhere, and no Harry.

"Ginny?" Hermione walked up to Ginny, who was in the middle of blowing up some red and gold balloons.

"Yeah?"

"Where's Harry?"

"Dad took him to the ministry to get him his apparation license" Ginny continued as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Why would he do that?" Hermione asked. She still had no clue what was going on.

"Its July 31st silly... Harry's birthday... don't tell me you forgot?" Ginny said with a smirk.

"Of course I didn't forget" Hermione was now in a state of panic. Shit, i forgot Harry's birthday. What kind of friend am I?

"Oh...OK... so what did you get him?" Ginny was now grinning like a mad woman, because she knew by the look in Hermione's eyes that she'd forgotten Harry's birthday.

"It's a surprise" I am such a procrastinator; I forgot to buy Harry a gift too.

"Oh come on, you can tell me" Ginny batted her eyelashes and gave Hermione a puppy dog pout before continuing, "please..." She can't resist the puppy dog pout, i know Harry couldn't.

"No" I have to go shopping before Harry gets back. Hermione then started making her way to the fireplace before Ginny stopped her.

"Where are you going?" Ginny was now positive that Hermione forgot Harry's birthday, because she was about to floo somewhere to get the present.

"None of your business" Hermione said with a glint of annoyance in her chocolate brown eyes. She then thought Ginny will find out when I say where I am going, shit, there is no escape. HERMIONE YOU CAN APPARATE, DUH!!

She then stepped back from the fireplace and began to think of Gringotts Bank and its surroundings. With a POP, she was gone.

"Shit" Ginny said to herself, just so loud that her mother could hear.

"Ginerva Molly Weasley!! You will NOT use that kind of language in this house!"

"Sorry Mum"

Hermione felt the familiar tug below her abdomin, and then within a second she was there.

Hermione made her way into Gringotts Bank to exchange muggle money for wizard money. She had forgotten to do a lot of things throughout the summer, with all of the homework she had gotten. And for Hermione to think it was a lot of homework, ment that it was A LOT of homework.

She walked down the hall to face a friendly-looking goblin, "Excuse Me?"

"Yes? What may I help you with miss?" His response looked a little forced, but she shrugged it off.

"I would like to make an exchange"

"Follow me please" The goblin led her to a desk at the end of the hallway. "How much money would you like to exchange?" Hermione then told the goblin how much money she had, and then he said it would add up to 50 galleons, 15 sickles, and 2 knuts. Hermione agreed to the exchange and headed down with the goblin to collect her money.

After that deed was done she exited the burnished bronze front doors and made her way to Quiddich Quality Supplies. She was welcomed into the packed store by a cheerful-looking sales-woman. "How may I help you?"

"Oh, I am just looking for a birthday present for my friend." Hermione didn't want to say that it was Harry, because then she would draw to much attention to herself, and the last thing she wanted was attention.

"What is he or she interested in?"

"He is interested in many different things about Quidditch, that's why I'm having such a difficult time"

"Might I suggest something?"

"Of course" Hermione was led towards the back of the store and came face-to-face with a golden snitch signed by all of the players of the Chudley Cannons. Hermione gasped "It's perfect, how much for it?"

The sales-woman then pointed to the sign that read 45 galleons. "I'll take it" Hermione followed the sales-woman to the front of the store towards the cash register, the snitch was following them by a charm the sales-woman put on it.

"Would you like it gift-wrapped?" When Hermione nodded, the sales-woman then took out a black leather box and placed the snitch gently inside. She then pulled out different types of wrapping paper, Hermione chose green wrapping paper with snitches on it. Harry'll love this, I just know it.

Hermione then walked next door to the stationary shop where she picked out a muggle-style birthday card that she thought was cute. It was red with a dragon that said "This is a scratch and sniff card". There was a cut-out hole twards the middle where you were supposed to scratch and sniff. When you opened the card again, it said "smells just like a birthday card doesn't it?". Hermione added "Happy Birthday Harry, I Love You Lots, 'Mione" at the bottom of the card and then headed outside.

She then apparated to the Burrow and come face-to-face with Ginny.

Harry was feeling extremely happy today. Today he was going to get his apparition license, or at least try.

He was woken up by Mr. Weasley at ten o'clock sharp and was informed about the plan. They would go to the ministry to take his test, then they would go to Diagon Ally for a quick brunch.

Harry quickly pulled on some distressed jeans and a muggle tee shirt that said: "Chick Magnet" on it. To add to the hilarity of the shirt, it had a picture of a baby chick.

Mr. Weasley and Harry then flooed to his office because Mr. Weasley had to pick up a few things to work on while he was waiting for Harry to return from his test. "I will be just a moment Harry" he said before disappearing into his office and then coming out within seconds.

"This way now" Mr. Weasley then led Harry to a long corridor that had dark purple walls and worn wooden floorboards. They they came face-to-face with a tall wooden door that had "Apparation Testing" carved into it. Mr. Weasley pushed open the door and motioned a nervous Harry inside.

They came into an all white waiting room with a receptionist who motioned for them to come forward. "Please fill out the information on this clipboard and then hand it back to me." Harry did what he was told and made himself comfy in a white armchair towards the middle of the room.

When Harry was finished, he handed the clipboard to the receptionist and was then givin some more instructions, "Follow the narrow hallway until you come to a pale blue door that says 'Testing'"

Harry again did what he was told. Mr. Weasley gave him a reassuring pat on the back and then Harry was off.

Harry came to the door and knocked slightly. "Come in" came a male's voice from within the room. Harry turned the knob and was in another all white room.

"Hello, my name is Examiner Hendershott, but you may call me Examiner H." Examiner H. was a rather tall man, only slightly taller then Harry's six foot frame. He had a bald spot at the back of his head that you could only just see.

"Hi, my name is Harry Potter" Harry shakily said. Damn, I am so nervous.

As if answering his silent question Examiner H. said "No need to be nervous, this won't take long."

Examiner H. put Harry through a series of tests explaining to him how to apparate and giving him a writtin test. Harry was done within a half an hour. "You are a fast learner" Examiner H. said with a grin. "You will have your results by the end of the day today." Harry nodded and made his way back.

Mr. Weasley then spoke "Lets go get some brunch Harry, you look like you need it." Harry simply nodded, he had been doing a lot of that today.

"So where were you?" Ginny said annoyingly.

"Out" Hermione said matter-of-factly.

"Out where?"

"Just out OK?" Hermione was now getting frustrated

"Ok fine. But I will find out who this other guy is."

"Don't even think about bringing that up again." Hermione was now officially frustrated.

"I told you before that I'd find out!"

"WAIT! YOU KNOW WHO IT IS!?" Hermione was now on full alert.

"No...but now I officially know that there is somebody" Ginny was proud of her achievement.

"Damn"

"Now what are you gonna do about it?" Ginny was now pushing Hermione for more information.

"I-I...don't know..." Hermione had a defeated look on her face. Well, we're in for Hell now.

"How about you write a list of things you like about him?"

"You're just trying to get answers aren't you?" Hermione was now confronting Ginny, instead of vice-versa.

"Maaayyyybbbbeee...but it does help, trust me, I should know." Ginny had gone out with quite a few guys, including Harry.

"That's crazy...so crazy...it just might work." Hermione was taking affect to Ginny's so-called 'words of wisdom'.

"I know...I'm a genius...sometimes, I even amaze myself." Ginny was acting like a smart-ass for what seemed like the millionth time.

"I'll get started now...yeah"

"I knew you'd see to my way"

Meanwhile...

An excited Harry had just apparated to the bedroom he shared with Ron, to find Ron doing his Transfiguration homework. Harry then lied on top of his bed and began daydreaming about what else...Hermione.

"Harry...Harry...HARRY!!"

"Wha...what?" Harry was interrupted from his thoughts by Ron's hand waving in front of his face.

"What the bloody hell were you thinking about?"

"N-nothing" Liar...

"Liar"

"No, seriously...it was nothing."

"Quit lying to me, I know you were daydreaming about a girl" Ron was now being as accusatory as Ginny.

"N-no I wasn't..." how does he know these things? We haven't learned Legimency or Occlumency yet.

"Yes you were...I know these things."

"H-how?"

"I could see it in the way you were looking at nothing."

"O-oh..OK then, it might be a girl..." Harry was now defeated, but he sure as hell wasn't going to tell him it was about 'Mione.

"So who do ya fancy?"

Damn, I was hoping he wouldn't ask that, "Somebody"

"WHO?"

"You sound like Hedwig Ron..." Harry was trying to change the subject.

"Don't change the subject on me! Now, what are you going to do about this girl?"

"I-I...don't know..." little did Harry know that Hermione had the same reaction as he did, at the same moment in time.

"Why don't you write what you like about her...Ginny told me to do that for Hermione...it works mate"

"You're just trying to get answers aren't you?" Harry was now confronting Ron instead of vice-versa.

"Soooooo...it was Ginny's idea, not mine...but you should try it." Ron was now directing the conversation back to Harry.

"Fine...I will get started now then...but if this doesn't work..."

"OK, OK, I'll tell Ginny it doesn't work...gosh"

"Uhhhh...just leave me alone and I'll do you're stupid list."

Ron then left the room and left Harry to start that list. And it did help that he gave the people downstairs more time to prepare for Harry's suprise party.

Harry and Hermione finished their lists at the same time, with the exact same amount. Which was oddly enough...seventeen.

Hermione's List:

1. His smile
2. The way he thinks that I'm smarter than he is
3. His bravery
4. His Quidditch-toned body
5. His mesmerizing green eyes
6. His messy black hair
7. The way he lingers for a second on our hugs
8. His sensitivity
9. His love of Defense Against the Dark Arts
10. He has had the same glasses for years
11. His laugh
12. His scent/cologne
13. The way he always wants to protect me (very annoying, yet cute)
14. The way he's sexy without trying
15. He's funny
16. His inquisitive nature
17. His love for Quidditch

Harry's List:

1. The way she always raises her hand
2. Her chocolate brown eyes
3. Her curly brown hair
4. Her seductive lips
5. Her womanly figure
6. The way she thinks I'm a better wizard than she is
7. Her thirst for knowledge
8. Her bravery
9. Her laugh
10. The way she bickers with Ron.
11. Her smile
12. The way she looked at the Yule Ball
13. Her inner beauty
14. Her scent/perfume
15. The way she looks beautiful without make-up
16. The way she sticks by me (very annoying yet cute)
17. Her button nose

"Can I see it now?"

"No"

"How about now?"

"No"

"Now?"

"NO! For the love of Merlin you aren't going to see it Ginny. Harry's party starts in two minutes we have to go NOW!"

"Fine, but I will get that letter, you know I will"

That's what I'm afraid of... "NO!!"

So with that said, the two teenage girls head down to the living room and wait for Harry to arrive. But before they did just that, Hermione put her list in her pocket for safe keeping.

"Can I see it now?"

"No"

"How about now?"

"No"

"Now?"

"NO!! For the love of Merlin, you aren't gonna see it Ron!"

"Fine, whatever. But I will get that list, and you know it."

"Ok then...you do that."

Harry and Ron had been fighting over that letter for over 10 minutes. The Ron realized that he had to take Harry to his party.

"We've gotta go" Ron said, dragging Harry out the door.

"Where?" Harry asked.

"You'll see..." Ron said with a smirk.

With that said the two adolescents made their way downstairs. But before they left, Harry put the list into his pocket for safekeeping.

"SURPRISE!!" yelled everyone downstairs.

"Bloody Hell..." Harry said, with a shocked expression on his face.

"Harry...language." Mrs. Weasley said.

"Sorry Molly." Harry gave her an innocent lop-sided grin and continued to observe the party.

The Burrow was completely transformed. All along the walls were red and gold streamers and balloons, and banners that read "Happy Birthday Harry!" on them. There was a humongous cake in the corner of the room that was obviously home made by Mrs. Weasley. Then there were presents aligning the walls that almost came up to the ceiling.

But the present that stood out the most was wrapped in green wrapping paper with snitches on it. I wonder who that could be from... Harry thought to himself. He was then interrupted from his thoughts by a light tap on the shoulder from...

"Hermione..."

Hermione was dressed in a short, red cocktail dress. The dress sparkled like a million stars in the night sky, even though they were indoors. It was a low-cut halter design that looked absolutely beautiful on her. He also noticed that it had a pocket on the right side.

"You look...wow" Harry was mesmerized by her.

"Thanks..." Hermione said blushing. "Oh, I LOVE this song, wanna dance?" Hermione asked nervously.

Harry nodded and Hermione led him to the dance floor. This happened to be one of Harry's favorite songs too. It was called "Its Time To Dance" by the muggle band "Panic! At The Disco".

Well she's not bleeding on the ballroom floor
Just for the attention
'Cause that's just ridiculous

They continued to dance without noticing that their lists absentmindedly fell out of their pockets. When the song was over, they realized this and bent over to pick them up.

Whew...The both thought at the same time. Then they bumped heads.

"Sorry" They both said.

"Its OK," they both said again.

They laughed at this and then found a seat at a nearby table. Harry then pulled out his list for no apparent reason and started to read over it again.

This isn't my handwriting...or my list!! Oh my god its...