Chapter 73: Sharp-Dressed Man

One morning, Hermione startled awake as her tongue tasted something rough and fuzzy. Crookshanks had apparently decided she had slept enough and put his paw in her mouth to wake her.

"Yech," Hermione grimaced as she pushed the paw from her mouth and tried to hide from the sun streaming through a cap in her curtains.

Hermione groaned and put her pillow over her face to try and stave off the dawn. She and Harry had just had a meeting with Flitwick where he put them on a crash course to ready them for O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s and she was still physically and mentally fatigued from it, hoping to grab another hour of sleep. Crookshanks, however, had other ideas as Hermione felt the bed move as he pounced on her pillow and then burrowed his way underneath to repeatedly butt her with his head.

"Alright, alright," Hermione said, quietly. "I'm up. You happy? Irascible little knave."

Crookshanks meowed quietly and bounded from her bed. That was when Hermione saw the bouquet of flowers sitting on her bedside table.

"Good morning, Beautiful," the card read in Harry's messy writing. "I know your birthday is on Monday but this weekend, we'll be celebrating. I know how you hate surprises but too bad. I love you and I'll see you down in the common room."

Hermione smiled warmly as she read the card, the feeling powering her to get ready. When she exited, she spotted her Dirndl laying on the bed, courtesy of Winky. Half an hour later, she bounded down the stairs where Harry was already sitting in their favorite loveseat, wearing his outfit from Germany, reading a book with Crookshanks purring on his lap.

"I think I've been replaced," Hermione crossed her arms and leaned on the wall, wishing she had a camera.

"What?" Harry looked up when he heard her voice. "Oh well I don't know… Crookshanks is really cute but he hates it when I try to snog him. No chance he replaces you anytime soon."

"Funny," Hermione said. "You know I don't know why you're learning to duel from Flitwick when you have all the talent of a comedian."

"Good you just said that," Harry smiled back at her, his green eyes blazing with mirth. "I just sent off my application to work on the next Monty Python project. I know it's your favorite."

"Merlin," Hermione rolled her eyes. She absolutely could not stand Monty Python but Harry and her father loved it. "I think I need to go back to bed."

Hermione turned to go back up the staircase but was stopped when Harry slipped his arms around her and hugged her from behind.

"In a bit," Harry whispered in her ear. "First things first: breakfast."

"That can wait," Hermione cooed and turned to kiss him. Per usual, they lost track of time and their surroundings as their kisses deepened. Harry's hands quickly found all her sensitive spots as his lips traveled down to her neck, one had to her bum and the other around the front. Hermione moaned under Harry's ministrations, grinding herself on him a little.

"Maybe we can do breakfast at noon," Hermione grabbed his head and gave him a blazing look.

"I could be talked into it," Harry smiled as he pulled away. "But I don't think the elves would appreciate it."

With an aggravated huff, Hermione followed him out of the portrait hole where the Fat Lady bade them goodbye and, to Hermione's amazement, happy birthday, Harry led them toward the Room of Requirement where Dobby stood at the opened door wearing lederhosen over a white shirt.

"Happy Birthday, Hermione," Dobby bowed.

"Thank you, Dobby," Hermione gasped upon entry as the room set itself up to be a cozy-looking cottage with two places set at the table, covered by silver domes.

"Happy Birthday, Mistress Hermione," Winky was standing next to the table in a frilly pink dress.

"You can just call me Hermione, Winky," Hermione smiled at the elf as she sat at the table. "What is for breakfast?"

"Spinach, tomato and pepper omelet," Winky pulled the silver tops. "With a croissant and a fresh-pressed cup of coffee with your desired amount of cream and sugar."

"Winky…" Hermione beamed with pride. "You have done fantastic. Thank you. Would you please join us?"

"Thank you but we have to help with preparations" Winky said. Both elves popped out, leaving behind a confused Hermione.

"What do you have planned," Hermione asked aggressively, insisting Harry answer

"It's not just me," Harry said.

"Harry James," Harry blanched. Hermione only used his middle name in select times. "Tell me."

"Hermione," Harry put his hands up as a way to try and protect himself from harm.

"Don't 'Hermione' me," Hermione's lips thinned. "Tell me what you have planned."

"It's something special for your birthday," Harry countered. "After breakfast, I wanted to take you for a walk along the grounds, like usual. After that, Lavender, Fay and Parvati have something planned in your dorm, something I don't even know. After that, there will be a dinner back in this room that the elves are putting on.

"I know you don't like surprises but you've been so good to me, good to all of us and we want to celebrate you. Is that so terrible?" Harry asked.

Hermione ducked her head, a little embarrassed at her angry reaction.

"Come on," Harry gave a strained smile. "Let's eat before it gets cold."

The couple enjoyed their food and adjourned for their walk around the grounds to their favorite spot overlooking the Black Lake where they sat on the rocks and watched the sun rise over the castle.

"I feel stupid," Hermione said as she leaned her head on his shoulder. "I thought you were keeping something from me and I judged you harshly,"

"You've never been good when people keep information from you," Harry said. "I've seen this recently in our research on the elves. The lack of any verified information has you flummoxed and frustrated. To have the person you love keeping information from you makes you very uncomfortable.

"Needing to know something has been your main driving force. It's why you bristle at the idea of Divination where nothing is set. Your magic itself is very regimented and organized, logical to a fault."

Hermione flushed in embarrassment, knowing everything Harry said was correct. Books, logic and information had been her first friends. They had been her guardians and her defenders in the face of abject cruelty. As they watched the sun rise, Harry gave her his gift: a special bracelet with a lion, stag and otter etched onto it.

"I also got you the book on healing you were asking for," Harry said. "I know you were intrigued by the study."

"Thank you," Hermione let him clasp the bracelet on her wrist and stood to lead her back toward their dorm. At the stairs, Ginny and Luna led Hermione up to their dorm where Lavender, Parvati and Fay were waiting. The beds had been shrunk and the entire dorm was reconfigured into a makeup studio.

"Happy Birthday!" They all shouted as Lavender pulled her into her room. "We thought we would treat you to a day of pampering before dinner. Harry won't even recognize you once we're done. Ginny? Luna?"

The third year girls turned back from the doorway.

"Would you like to join us?" Fay invited them. "We have plenty of room."

"I would like that," Luna flounced back to the center of the room. "I've never had an opportunity to meet Flittering Fancybugs before."

"Flittering Fancybugs," Parvati repeated, slowly.

"Oh yes," Luna beamed. "They're fairy bugs who only appear when a group of girls brush one another's hair. When they share stories, the bugs flit from girl to girl they give off fairy lights to enhance the beauty of those all around."

"Well I look forward to meeting them," Ginny said politely. "But if you can do anything with my hair to make it less than board-straight, you will truly be magical."

"That's my cue," Lavender pulled Ginny toward her while Fay grabbed a brush and walked toward Luna.

"Leaves me to work on you," Parvati smiled and guided Hermione to the chair in front of the mirror. Parvati talked to Fay while applying a face mask to Hermione.

"So Fay," she said with a giggle. "What's the latest with you and Cedric."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Fay deflected and focused intently on brushing Luna's straw-like hair. "He just introduced himself to me and walked me up to the castle."

"And keeps staring at you in the Great Hall," Parvati said

"And sends you notes," Lavender added.

"And his brain fills with Nargles whenever you are near," Luna cooed while Fay kept brushing her hair.

"Okay yes I can tell he's interested," Fay admitted. "But he's the boy every girl- save an obvious few- has eyes on. What would they say when he picks the flat-chested girl with limp hair and no family history to speak of?"

"Let him decide that," Hermione said as Parvati had her recline back and put her feet into a special. "All the matters is what he thinks and what you think. If you think it'll work and he thinks he wants you, then go for it."

"Listen to her," Lavender said. "She knows better than most."

"Enough about the love-sick puppy enamored with young miss Dunbar," Parvati said. "What about you, Luna? Anyone catching your fancy?"

"Oh I don't know yet," Luna said as she swapped places with Fay. "I've had attractions. Some to taken men, a few to single boys and even a couple girls."

"Really?" Ginny said as Lavender worked to add bounce and volume to Ginny's hair. "I've never heard you say that."

"You never asked," Luna's voice remained even. "I've always thought Harry was attractive, no offense Hermione-"

"-None taken. You're not the only one, just the only one honest enough to admit it."

"-and I'll be honest that I've found Demelza attractive and also… Colin."

"Colin!?" Ginny shrieked.

"Colin Creevey?" Parvati asked, seriously.

"He is rather cute," Luna said. "However I've seen his eyes gazing at another. To answer your question: I have seen many attractive people in many different forms but none of them have come close to me dreaming of forming a relationship. I haven't found my Harry, my Lavender or my Parvati. It will happen someday but today is not that day."

While the sun moved across the windows, conversation ranged from topic-to-topic until dusk had arrived. Hermione's brunette locks were falling in waves around her shoulders. Her face was baby smooth and her makeup perfect. With everyone's hair and makeup done, Winky popped in with a deep burgundy silk princess dress with lace woven into the hem and the neckline.

"Did you make this?" Hermione was enraptured by the dress.

"Yes," Winky nervously shifted from foot to foot. "Do you like it?"

"I love it," Hermione grabbed the dress and moved to the mirror to put it on. As she stepped into the dress and pulled it up over her shoulders, she never noticed Winky popping each of the other girls out. When Hermione slid her feet in the red heels Winky provided, she turned back around to an empty room.

"Winky?" The elf popped in, still wearing her dress from earlier. "Where did everyone go?"

"They are waiting for you," Winky extender her hand. "Winky will take you to them."

Hermione hesitantly took Winky's hand and immediately felt sucked through a hose. When she landed, she noticed herself back at the hallway of the Room of Requirement. She turned to the door that she knew would be behind her. Standing in front of it was Harry in the bespoke suit from Kingsman, complete with the stag antler cuff links.

"Happy Birthday, Hermione," Harry beamed at her. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you," Hermione said, breathlessly.

"Shall we?" Harry asked as he extended his arm. Hermione slipped her arm through his to grab his elbow and together they walked toward the door. Harry opened the door to the Room and led Hermione into a perfect recreation of the state dining room at Buckingham Palace. Standing at the long table were all of their friends, including the ones from Slytherin. All of the ladies were in dresses and the men in muggle suits. Near the head of the table where a chair sat vacant were Professors Vector, Babbling, Flitwick and, to her everlasting surprise, McGonagall. The biggest surprise was the smile on McGonagall's face.

"Happy birthday!" The cheer rang from the table.

"You did this?" Hermione asked Harry, tears in her eyes.

"I thought it was time you had a celebration as big as your heart," Harry smiled and kissed her hand.

"How'd you get everyone in suits?" Hermione asked.

"He asked me," McGonagall said. "He came to me a week ago, asking if I could transfigure clothing into muggle attire. I took care of the boys while your elf, Winky, made dresses for all the girls."

"And what dresses she made," Daphne beamed while she ran her hands down her emerald green satin strapless dress. "I think she worked herself ragged getting this done."

"Thank you," Hermione dabbed at the tears falling from her eyes.

Harry pulled the chair at the end of the table out for her as the rest of the group did the rest with their seats. Winky and Dobby popped in wearing formal wear, a tuxedo for Dobby and a dress for Winky, with a host of castle elves appearing around the table. They snapped their fingers and a menu appeared on each plate.

"Isn't this a lot of work for the elves?" Hermione asked, concern present on her eyes.

"This is what we want to do, Miss," one of the elves said. "It is our gift, to thank miss and her mister for their efforts to help others to hear our voices. Please?"

Hermione softened at the pleading look on the elf's eyes.

"Of course you may," Hermione relented. "What is your name?"

"I am called Grampa Gryff," he said. "I am the eleventh generation, dating it back the founders. You've also got Helgy, RavenRow and Slysal with us. What can I get for you?"

"I would like Gnocchi with alfredo sauce and the spinach salad," as Hermione spoke, the meal appeared in front of her. Around the table the elves took the orders and dinner was served.

"Here's to the birthday girl," Harry held his goblet aloft. "I certainly wouldn't be where I am without her and I think a lot of us could say that. To Hermione!"

"To Hermione!" Everyone cheered and raised their goblets. After the toast, the dining room was filled with the clatter of silver on Fine China and light conversation. After dinner, everyone lined up with a gift, starting with Dobby and Winky.

"We took this last week and wanted you to have it," Winky presented Hermione with a picture of Harry and Hermione studying in the Gryffindor common room. Hermione leaned on Harry's shoulder while they studied with the fire roaring next to them.

"I love it," Hermione said as she set the picture aside. "Thank you."

Professors Vector and Babbling gave her special book on Runes and Arithmancy and how the two worked together; Parvati and Lavender gave her their usual basket of products; Crabbe, Goyle, Tracey and gave her a set of dueling gauntlets to match her blue dueling robes; Millie gave her a book on yoga ("It's a great for me to relax and helps me relax my magic, as well as my mind," she said); Dean and Padma gave her a new rune carving kit; the Weasleys twins gave her one of their shield hats that she took a liking to when they tested them in the common room; Luna gave her a painting she did of Crookshanks and her; Ginny gave her a special lotion for her to use at night to keep her skin soft; and Flitwick gave her a complete guide to spell crafting.

"I look forward to next week when you take your tests," Flitwick said. "I know we'll have to work on timing with the rest of your studies but I look forward to our forthcoming apprenticeship."

Next, Neville stepped forward with a gift wrapped in forest green paper. Beneath the paper was a plant, a vine but with purple blossoms.

"This is a plant of my own making," Neville said. "It's a domesticated form of Devil's Snare infused with Lilac blossoms- I remember you saying once those are your favorite. You can wrap this around one of your bed posts and it will emit a soothing scent while you sleep."

"Thank you, Neville," Hermione said as the vine wrapped itself around her forearm.

"I call it the Granger Vine based off your legendary hugs," Neville laughed at Hermione trying to extricate herself from the vine.

Next came Susan and Hannah who presented her an ornate mirror.

"This is a magical mirror," Susan said. "It will hover in front of you whenever you are doing your makeup or it will enlarge and hang on the wall if you need it for when you're picking an outfit."

"Do I have to say 'mirror mirror on the wall' to activate it?" Hermione chuckled to herself, knowing her joke would go over the heads of most of the people.

"Just don't ask it who is the fairest of them all, okay?" Fay finished the joke as she stepped forward with her gift in the shape of a shoe box.

"These are color-changing shoes that will shift to match any dress," Fay said.

"Thank you, Fay," Hermione felt overwhelmed at the presence of everyone. She was keeping it together until Professor McGonagall presented her a leather-bound book.

"These are my Transfiguration notes from when I was a student," McGonagall said. "I wanted you to have them to study. All seven years are present."

"Merlin," Hermione whispered under her breath as tears leaked from her eyes. "This is… I have no words."

"Happy Birthday, Miss Granger," McGonagall imparted a smile upon the younger girl. Hermione's smile tinged with sadness. Usually her parents sent her a note but this year she had not seen feather nor talon of Tybalt, nor Hedwig for that matter. Harry broke her out of her reverie when he approached.

"Happy Birthday, Hermione," Harry handed her a small parcel. "This is from the Marauders."

Pulling away the tissue paper, Hermione felt something small fall out. Harry's reflexes were quick enough to snatch a small mirror before it hit the ground. Hermione took the mirror from him, confused at receiving yet another mirror.

"I believe there is a note," Harry pointed to a piece of parchment sticking out of the paper. Say Potter Manor, it said.

"Potter Manor," Hermione gasped as the mirror lit up and instead of her own reflection, she saw her parents.

"Happy birthday!" They both shouted, making Hermione jump. Helen smacked Richard who was laughing her reaction. "Sirius gave us a mirror too. Apparently, he, Remus and Harry's dad made these while in school. They will allow us to chat with one another whenever we want. You just have to say our names or Potter Manor. If we call you, the mirror will glow and activate at your touch."

"This is incredible," Hermione inspected the mirror to try and figure out how it worked.

"So that's how they got into mischief," McGonagall said. "Even with us handing out detentions, they still coordinated and we could never figure it out."

"Sorry, Minnie," Sirius' voice cut through. "We would have stopped…. But it was just too much fun."

"Please don't give these to the Weasley twins," she requested.

"No, no," Sirius smiled rakishly. "We gave them a step-by-step guide on how to create them."

McGonagall blanched, Flitwick twitched and all the kids laughed.

"I'm kidding," Sirius said, making them relax. "However, Harry has all the information. It's in the guide we gave him."

"That's what that page is about," Harry was always curious what they meant when they talked about Magical Mirrors.

"Mr. Potter," McGonagall was equal parts guardian and teacher. "Should I find any of these mirrors, I shall hold you responsible."

"Yes, ma'am," Harry quickly reassured her. "The only reason I would do it would be to communicate with friends in between houses, especially if there's an issue in Slytherin."

Harry spared a glance with the Slytherin Five which was gratefully received.

"Thank Merlin you have more of your mother than your father," McGonagall said.

"To my everlasting shame," Sirius said. "Not to worry; we will make a Marauder of him yet."

"Anyway," Helen brought the conversation back full circle. "So glad we can see and talk to you, Winter. We'll let you go spend the rest of the night with your friends. Call us tomorrow. We can't wait to chat."

"Love you, Princess."

"Love you, Daddy. Mum," Hermione held back tears as the mirror turned back to her reflection. "Thank you for this. You make me feel so special."

With the gifts out of the way, Dobby and Winky rolled in a Black Forest Cake, topped with vanilla buttercream, cherries and 15 candles. They sang happy birthday and enjoyed the company of one another the rest of the evening. The Weasley twins entertained everyone by showing off their new products by testing them on themselves. After an indoor firework show, the party broke up shortly before curfew."

"Gentlemen, your outfits will last until midnight," McGonagall reminded them as she exited. "Mr. Potter, thank you for a wonderful evening. I can't remember a night where I had more fun with current students."

"Thank you for everything you did to help execute it," Harry said. "Hermione deserves a night like this."

As the partygoers were leaving, Daphne pulled Hermione to the side.

"Before I go," Daphne presented a gift=wrapped rectangular package. "I wanted to give you this."

"Thank you," Hermione took the parcel from the blonde and tore through the paper, revealing a book. A Noble Lady for the Noblest Lords, the title read.

"This was a book my mother gave to me," Daphne said. "It details the way a 'proper lady' is supposed to behave.

"I am giving it to you so you'll know what pureblood society might expect from you and to prepare you," Daphne laid a hand on Hermione's forearm and looked her in the eye with a sad look. "I know we're all young but I see where things are going for you and Harry. It would take the killing curse to separate you and maybe even that wouldn't be enough. The Potters have a lot of history and Harry has enough fame to go along. Too many of the purebloods will thumb their nose at you and demean you because of where you come from. I wanted to give you this so you know their playbook and can be ready."

"Thank you," Hermione was touched by Daphne's gift and threw her arms around the taller blonde. Daphne yelped at the contact but relaxed as Hermione squeezed.

This isn't half bad, she thought. I should do this more often.

"Thank you, Daphne," Hermione whispered in her ear. "You've been so good to Harry and me. We cannot thank you enough for your advice and your friendship over the years."

"I feel the same," Daphne pulled back and smiled warmly. "You're a good woman, Hermione."

"As are you, Daphne."

"Well I'll let you be," Daphne looked over Hermione's shoulder where Harry was keeping a respectful distance. "Looks like Harry isn't done celebrating with you."

As they watched Daphne leave, Harry walked Hermione back toward the dorm. Once they entered through the portrait hole to an empty common room, Harry grinned.

"Dobby," he said. Once again Hermione was sucked through a hose and found herself back in the Room, this time set to an elegant sitting room. After changing into pajamas that the elves provided, Harry led Hermione to a settee. With Hermione tucked into his side, he reached behind him and pulled out a book.

"Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour
Draws on apace; four happy days bring in
Another moon: but, O, methinks, how slow
This old moon wanes! she lingers my desires,
Like to a step-dame or a dowager
Long withering out a young man revenue."

Hermione sighed contentedly and relaxed into his side as the love of her life read her favorite play to her. Many hours later, Winky popped a sleeping Hermione back to her bed.

"Thank you, Winky," Harry said. "You too Dobby. Please extend my best wishes to the castle elves for their help as well."

Little did Harry realize the scene playing out many floors below while he read to Hermione. As Daphne walked back toward the Slytherin common room, she smiled. The night was extraordinarily fun, maybe the best she had had since starting school.

"Did you have a good night?" Daphne was broken from her reverie by the voice of Theo Nott. "Enjoying your time with the other blood traitors?"

"What do you want, Nott?" Daphne discretely fingered her wand tucked into the sash around her waist.

"Things are coming," Nott said. "Events are in motion that neither you, nor I, nor anyone else can stop. Your family was notorious for its neutrality and you have, rather carelessly I might add, thrown that away by aligning yourself with Potter."

"Yes making an alliance with one of the key pillars to the great alliance, one of the oldest families in Britain is such a misstep," Daphne rolled her eyes.

"Aligning yourself with one of the Dark Lord's biggest enemy certainly is a bold move," Nott approached slowly. "For you, for your father and mother… for little Astoria. Sweet, innocent Astoria."

"If you go near my sister," Daphne's pale features flushed.

"Then don't give us reason to," Nott sneered.

"I am not breaking my alliance," Daphne wouldn't back down an inch.

"We would never ask you to," Nott smiled derisively. "In fact, we want you to get closer. Be a good little spy. Pass us information that we can use."

"And who is us?" Daphne challenged.

"Us is us," Nott evaded. "You don't need to know. Just know that "us" will be watching you, Goyle, Crabbe, Davis, Bulstrode and, of course, little Astoria. So long as we're happy with the information, your sister will be allowed to grow into the sexy little minx we all know she'll be.

"Think hard on who is more important; Potter or 'Story," Nott walked past her with an evil smile, brushing Daphne's shoulder as he did.

Daphne watched him go with equal measure of rage and terror. She sprinted to her dorm, closed her curtains and pulled out her special linked journal. Her quill hovered above the page, entirely uncertain at what she should do.

(A/N: Little bit of a wait for this chapter as I needed to write the next few to keep details the same. The nice thing is the next two chapters are largely laid out. I also made a change to the previous chapter, making Harry and Hermione need their OWL and then their NEWT to move to an apprenticeship. As Flitwick said here, their hours demand for the program won't be full-time since they still have schooling.

The scene where Crookshanks wakes Hermione by putting his paw in her mouth is something that my brother-in-law's cat did to him. I thought it was hilarious and have been waiting to use it for a while now.

Next chapter we'll spend some time with Fire Squad, Harry and Hermione will take their tests and the other schools will arrive.

A comment I received from the previous chapters was a break of some sort when locations change. When I shift to Sirius, I probably will do that, just to be clear. Moving between characters in the castle I'll probably just use a transition like the one above.)