"I swear Harry, you're doing this on purpose." Hermione joked, smacking her boyfriend on the shoulder playfully.
They were sat in Harry's flat studying on the floor in the living room. Harry had returned back to his uni with help from Hermione. She had been helping him study for months now, twice a week.
"I'm not doing it on purpose." He replied back, ducking from her assault. "I was wrong, sue me."
After their date back in the park, they had been going on steadily for over a year now. This was both of their longest relationships, and they were heavily infatuated with one another.
Even Daphne's teasing of them being 'Soulmates' didn't irritate them anymore, only making them smile brightly when brought up.
"We've done enough reading Mione, I don't want to spend all our time together focused on me. I want to help you, with all of your stuff." Harry said, shutting the math book he was holding.
"But the finals are coming fast! You only have a few short months to get good marks!" Hermione stressed to him, having said this before to him.
Harry stood from the floor and offered her his hand.
"Come on, let me make you a cup of tea. I want to be with you. I promise I'll try hard, but I need a break." Harry said.
Hermione sighed, then moved her textbook off her lap and took the offered hand. Harry, who helped her up, pulled too hard and she shot into his chest. Letting out a gasp as she hit him, she heard him laugh as he wrapped his arms around her.
Nestling into his chest, they stood for a moment, slightly swaying to the music Hermione had put on.
Breaking apart, they moved into the kitchen where Harry put a kettle onto the stove. Hermione moved to the kitchen counter and hopped on and sat on the ledge.
"So, make any plans for your birthday?" Harry asked, looking back at her.
"Well since you're working, and Daphne is going to be busy all day, probably not. I might just stay home and read all day. Supposed to be a stormy day anyway." Hermione replied, shrugging her shoulders.
She had been slightly disappointed when she found out both her best friend and boyfriend were gonna be busy on her birthday, but she wasn't gonna take it and sink, instead she wanted to make it peaceful and relaxing. She had bought a new book series she was yearning for so she would indulge on it for the few days around her day.
"Again I'm really sorry Hermione. Dad needs me badly for the next few days, and Ron is off." Harry said apologetically.
"I understand, I don't want you to think I'm upset. Because I'm not! I love you and I know you want to be there, and that is enough." Hermione said honestly, giving Harry a smile.
"I hope so, I'll make it up to you though."
The kettle ringing stopped their conversation, as Harry turned off the heat and grabbed the kettle to pour into their cups.
Pouring the correct amount in on top of the tea bags, Harry added a dash of milk into his. Hermione preferred her's plain.
They conversed a bit as they drank their drinks, enjoying one another's company. Once empty, they cleaned up and moved to sit onto the couch in the lounge. Cuddled up with each other, they closed their eyes and fell asleep.
Daphne was stressed.
Harry was EXTREMELY stressed.
Hermione was gone for a few hours taking one of her classes so they had to do this quick.
For about a month, they had been meeting in secret to make this work, but they couldn't tell anyone incase it were to get out back to Hermione.
"It won't fit Harry!"
"I'm trying Greengrass!"
"Move it a bit further left idiot, there's no space there."
"You wanna come up here and do it?"
"Just listen and it will all work out, you almost had it."
Harry sighed, his legs shaking from being on the small janky ladder that was threatening to tip at any moment. The banner he was trying to hang was refusing to do so, making his arms quite tired.
"There! HA HA!" Harry hooked up the last corner, making the banner now flash around up high. Climbing down, Harry and Daphne looked at it.
'HAPPY BIRTHDAY HERMIONE', the sign read.
"Huh, surprised it all fit into one banner." Harry joked.
"Yea yea. So Ginny is gonna show up with the cake in an hour, and Ron and Draco are gonna be here with all the food and drinks in a couple hours right?" Daphne stressed again, looking at her notepad.
This day has to go perfect for Hermione. Daphne had never had a best friend before meeting Hermione over a year ago at the cafe. She had never had a birthday party or thrown one for a friend. She had to make it perfect.
"Yes again." Harry moaned, rubbing his eyes. They had been planning this party for a month now. They were gonna rent out a portion of an amusement park, and have a big dinner with a bunch of their friends, with a ton of games and chat.
But then one night Hermione and Daphne were talking late, and Hermione mentioned that she really didn't like the big celebrations, and how if it were up to her, it would be a small affair with a few friends at someone's home.
So they scrapped the whole thing and started fresh. Now, it was at Harry's place on the day before her birthday. He had asked her to meet up with him late at his place and they could hang out. Then, she would be surprised to see everyone and the party would start at midnight on her birthday.
"Okay, good. Well I'm gonna go home and grab a few things, I'll be back before the party though. Will you let Ginny in when she stops by with the cake?" Daphne said finally, finishing checking her notepad.
"Yes ma'am. I'll clean up a bit before." Harry replied.
Daphne nodded and turned to leave his flat. Harry shut the door behind her and looked around his home.
His eyes fell on the sink.
"Always dishes."
Walking down the hall towards Harry's door, Hermione smiled. Even though he had a early morning tomorrow, Harry was making sure to spend his evening with her.
Knocking twice on his door, she stepped back and waited for an answer. Hearing a quiet shushing noise though, she stepped back up to the door to knock again. This time with more force.
Within a second, Harry answered. Looking down at her with a nervous smile, she worried about him blocking the door with his body.
"What's going on Harry?" Hermione questioned, looking at him worriedly.
"Nothing! Just excited to see you." Harry answered quickly, still standing in the doorway.
"Harry?" Hermione asked skeptically.
"Come on Mione, lets go inside." Harry said with a laugh, reaching to grab her bag.
Moving inside his flat, Hermione realized it was pitch black.
"Harry what's going o-"
"SUPRISE!"
A loud chant interrupted her questioning as the lights flicked on. A group of people jumping up from their hiding spots.
Immediately Hermione realized what was happening. Looking straight at Harry, she softened as she saw his teary eyes.
"Happy Birthday Mione." Harry said, wrapping her in a hug. She squeezed him tightly, tearing up in his embrace.
Breaking apart from him, Hermione looked tearfully at all her friends.
"I don't know what to say." She choked out.
"Yea a thanks would be nice." Ron joked, making them all laugh.
"Well thank you, all of you." Hermione said, looking at each of her friends in the eyes.
"You're welcome Hermione." They said in unison.
"Now lets party!" Ginny yelled, raising her glass into the air. Everyone followed suit and began the party.
For hours they danced, laughed, ate cake and other foods. All being Hermione's favorites. Once the clock hit midnight they all cheered as it was NOW Hermione's actual birthday.
Hermione spent the entire night laughing and talking with her friends and Harry, extremely happy with the surprise.
Around four a.m. everyone began leaving, all saying their goodbye's to Hermione and Harry. Once everyone was gone, it was only the couple and Daphne left.
"Thank you so much for this." Hermione said for the hundredth time that night, hugging Daphne.
"You'd do the same for me." Daphne replied, squeezing tightly. "I'll see you next week okay?"
"Huh? Why then?" Hermione asked curiously, scrunching her eyebrows.
"Ah no reason. Goodbye!" Daphne said quickly before making her way out of Harry's flat in a rush.
Hermione went to follow her out but Harry stopped her by putting his hand on her shoulder.
"What was that?" She asked, looking at him.
"Well I was hoping to surprise you with it in the morning. Seems like that's out of the question now." Harry said with a laugh and a shrug.
"Harry?"
"I booked us a ferry to Paris tomorrow evening. I figured what better way to spend the love of my life's birthday than in the city of love!" Harry exclaimed dramatically, smiling ear to ear.
"Oh Harry! That's wonderful!" Hermione said back excitedly, hugging him tight.
Enjoying the hug for a while, Harry broke apart the hug.
"Now lets head to bed, and when we wake up I'll help you pack. Then lunch. My treat." Harry said, yawning.
"Alright. Let's go." Hermione said, also yawning. She turned to move to the bedroom then spun quickly back and grabbed Harry's face. Crashing their lips together, Hermione tried pushing all her love and emotion into the kiss.
Harry, stunned by the kiss, widened his eyes. Before closing them and melting into the kiss, pushing all his emotion into it.
After a minute, they broke apart, both breathing heavily.
"Thank you Harry, for everything. I love you." Hermione told him, staring deep into his eyes.
Harry smiled brightly, looking into her eyes.
"You never have to thank me for anything, I love you more than everything and I will do anything for you." Harry replied back, giving her another hug.
Embracing for a moment then stepping back, Hermione smiled before moving towards the bedroom.
Once out of his sight, Harry let out a big breath. Stuffing his right hand into his pocket, he rubbed his finger over a small box hidden deep in there.
Satisfied that it had not magically disappeared, Harry smiled and made his way towards his bedroom.
Looking in, he saw Hermione already cuddled up in the blankets. Smiling, Harry quietly took his shirt and trousers off, and switched the lights off. Moving into his bed softly, he laughed when Hermione immediately reached her arms out for him wildly before finding him and pulling him into her, trying to burrow her way into him.
Once settled, Harry closed his eyes. Excited for what he planned for tomorrow.