A/N: Woah. 38 chapters… I swear when I first started this story I had no idea I would ponder this far. The best thing is how much more I have to tell. With the only downside being my limited time these days. Anyhow, before publishing this chapter, I realised that Right and Easy is officially over a year old now! Isn't that crazy? Of course, I doubt the story would get this far without all the incredible support I've been receiving over the year. So thank YOU, for sticking with me for this long. In return, I promise to never abandon this story, until it's concluded.


Chapter 38: The Brightest Witch

19th September, 1998

The sun was slowly rising over the castle. The beautiful rays of the sunrise were glistening through the windows of the Gryffindor tower. The light settled on her eyes, waking her up almost instantly. Her eyes snapped open. She did the usual scan of the area as one does when they wake up and slowly began to shift away from under the covers. Harry was still asleep which meant she had time to dress and come back quickly without missing her main attraction of the morning. She enjoyed watching Harry wake up. He was the exact opposite of a grumpy person when it came to getting out of bed. He always made the subconscious effort to complement Hermione the moment his eyes opened. In order to not miss out on that episode, she needed to go back to her room and get dressed quickly.

Unfortunately, after brushing her teeth and getting dressed as fast as she possibly could, by the time she got back, Harry was already dressed into his Quidditch outfit and trying to fight his jet black hair which went against anything his hand attempted. She sighed quietly, which instantly got his attention.

"Morning, Beautiful," Harry said as he walked over to her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Hey, handsome." She responded, now only partly regretting her decision to leave the room in the first place.

"Today's the big day," Harry informed as he walked past her to put on his cloak.

Her eyes lit up as her gaze followed him, a smile playing around her lips, "How do you mean?"

He smiled back at her, "First Gryffindor game today, we're playing with Hufflepuff."

The smile faded instantly. "Oh yeah. Right." She answered.

"Yeah, I'm nervous too. I can't believe we're starting so soon. Apparently, there's some kind of event taking place next year, which is why Quidditch matches had to be squished together a bit this time around. Means we have a lot less time to practise. We only sorted the squad five days ago." Harry explained.

"An event?" Hermione asked.

Harry looked back at her as he placed his wand in his inner pocket, "Yeah. Didn't McGonagall tell you anything? Apparently, it's taking place sometime in May-" His eyes widened in realisation. "Oh no. It's going to be the anniversary isn't it?"

Hermione nodded, "You don't think anyone is just going to forget about the biggest war in wizard history, are you? For all that we know, our great-great-grandchildren are going to be celebrating it."

Harry smirked at her response, "Wait a minute. Did you just admit you want to have great-great-grandchildren with me? Jeez. Maybe take me to dinner first."

"Alright. Calm down." Hermione laughed. She stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "So… is the match the only big event today?" She asked, hopefully.

Harry smirked, "Of course not!"

Her old smile returned again. She was wondering what Harry had planned. If she was to be completely honest, she didn't want anything too big. Just a tiny get together and maybe a small cake. Just a little one.

"If everything goes to plan, there'll be a celebration party at the end of the match. I'm going to try and get some butter beers with Neville. But that's only if we win of course. And I'm not sure if the common room is the best place with all the lower years walking about. I was thinking about the room of requirement."

Hermione's smile faded completely again, and her face turned into one of disbelief. "Are you joking, Harry?"

Harry looked at her for a while, it seemed like he was having some kind of internal struggle, but then his smile returned again. "Yes, okay. I know what you're about to tell me. A perfect shouldn't be doing stuff like this. But honestly, it's my last year at Hogwarts and I don't want to be remembered as some stiff guy who didn't know how to have fun. I also read that as a captain, it's important to reward the team for notable achievements. It will also be a great way to get to know some of the new members."

Hermione's hold unfolded and she stepped back, slowly edging back to the door. "Yeah. I think that's a good idea. Anyway. I'll meet you at the lunch hall. Or maybe at the pitch. I'm a bit hungry."

"You don't want to wait for me?" Harry asked.

Hermione opened the door. "No, it's fine. I'll meet you in the hall." She answered and stepped out. I can't believe he actually forgot. She thought to herself. At first, she thought he must have been joking. But then it carried on and Hermione wasn't sure Harry would ever take a joke that far. So that was that. Harry Potter, her boyfriend. Forgot about her birthday. It's not like that. He's been very busy recently with the team, and it must've just slipped his mind. She reasoned with herself. But even then. It still hurt.

Breakfast was gloomy. The sky above was foggy, the sunlight which welcomed her earlier was gone now. Covered by thick and grey clouds. It reflected her mood very well.

"Is everything alright?" Came a familiar voice.

Oh no. Do I really have to deal with you today? Her mind screamed. "Hey, Romina. What's up?"

"I think I should be asking that question. You don't look very happy today. Aren't you excited for the game?"

Hermione's first thought was to literally walk out of the hall right there and then. Who gives a damn about the bloody game? Do these people have nothing else to be worried about? Then she forced the fakest smile she could conjure and looked back at the latina. "I'm okay, thanks. Just worried about how you guys will get on. The squad is still quite new."

Romina smirked, "Don't worry, Granger. We'll do fine. My Nimbus combined with Harry's Supreme will squash the opposite team. I won't allow a single quaffle to pass me, and Harry will have the snitch in his hand the moment he sees it."

Wow, such a great pair. Hermione thought bitterly to herself.

"Anyway. I'm gonna take a couple of test flights around the pitch before the match starts. Good to get the blood pumping. I'll see you out there." Romina informed before walking towards the exit.

"Break a leg" Hermione answered, holding her smile.

"My my. Someone is very stressed out today." Came another voice as Ginny sat next to her. "Excited for the game?"

Hermione stood up from the table, "Why are all of you so invested in this game?". Before Ginny could say anything back, Hermione was already three quarters out of the hall. As she left, she passed the last person she wanted to encounter right now.

"Hermione! What's going?" Harry asked trying to keep up with her.

"It's nothing. I'm just popping back to the common room quickly. It looks a bit colder outside than I thought and I don't want to be freezing when I'm at the stands."

"Want some company?" Harry asked.

Nope. "No. It's fine. You should go and eat some breakfast or else you won't have the energy to play. I'll see you at the Quidditch pitch, okay?" She didn't wait long for his answer as she started to head up the stairs.


Alright. I don't like this anymore. Harry thought to himself as he walked up the Gryffindor table and sat down next to Ginny. The entire team was there, waiting for words of encouragement.

"Ginny, I told you this was a bad idea. Hermione is clearly upset." Harry complained.

"And just like I told you. There has never been a good prank which didn't include at least a little moment of bitterness. That's the whole point. She has to feel like all of us completely forgot because it's going to be so much fun for all of us when she finds out what we've planned." Ginny explained.

Harry was still uncertain but Ginny's words relaxed him slightly. "You do realise if we don't win this game, my life is over, right?"

Ginny smirked, "And you do realise that with our team and brooms that's literally impossible, right?"

Harry smiled back. "I would lie if I said I wasn't excited. I haven't tested the broom's limit yet. Don't know if it's even possible."

Ginny laughed, "Just promise to break a record at least."

Harry smiled at her and then turned back to the table. "Alright, guys. Just remember what we've been practising. And at the end of the game, remember your wands. All of you know the spell."


Hermione tried her best to not break down. She was making a way bigger deal out of it than she needed to. Harry was incredibly busy recently and it made sense that he would forget. But it still hurt regardless. She was fighting the tight and sharp feeling in her throat which threatened to breach her limits soon enough. She would not cry. Not about something like this. No way.

She took her usual spot at the stadium and was accompanied by the one person who was giving her hope right now. Luna Lovegood.

"Hey, Luna." Hermione gave her best effort to attempt at a full smile.

"Hermione, hey. Are you excited for the game?"

Oh no, not you too… Hermione's final hopes were beginning to crush as she talked briefly about the game with Luna. She couldn't help but doubt the date at this point. Maybe it wasn't the 19th today. Maybe she got it wrong. One thing which would confirm her birthday would be a letter from her parents. But the owl always came late in the night, and sometimes as late as the next day in the afternoon.

Soon enough, the stands were becoming packed and the starting whistle from Madame Hooch shook Hermione out of her miserable thoughts. As always, her main priority was Harry. She never paid much attention to the game at hand. She just enjoyed watching Harry fly through the air. He always looked so happy when he was up there. So free and oblivious. It was adorable. But now it also made her slightly upset. She figured that would just have to be something she needed to deal with. Harry was a perfect boyfriend. But everyone has their flaws, and memory seemed to be Harry's. But she still loved him regardless. As she watched him fly, she conjured memories of her favourite moments with him. And they instantly brought back the happy smile to her face.

"Go Gryffindor!" She cheered along with Luna.


Harry sped past the stands, making everything a blur. He knew the snitch wouldn't reveal itself for another couple of seconds. It always hid for the first moments before actually starting to fly around.

He slowed down as he passed the Gryffindor corner. His eyes pinpointed to Hermione's spot. He could see her smiling and cheering up at him. Her happiness shocked him instantly. Could she really have forgiven him… for forgetting her birthday. That realisation on its own made him angry. At himself and this stupid prank Ginny persuaded him into. He realised how much mental torture Hermione must've encountered to conjure a happy face right now. All for him. This was horrible.

Harry shook himself awake and shot off into the sky at the speed of a bullet. He could hear awes coming from the pitch. He flew straight into the clouds and then floated in the air for a second, taking in a deep breath. And then he started plummeting at what felt like light speed towards Earth. He started pulling early, making sure the faint would work. Not that there was anything following him. He hasn't seen the Hufflepuff seeker since the whistle. That was when he spotted the small golden ball floating in mid-air. He slowly extended his arm and opened up his palm, before pushing the broom as hard as possible, straight at the snitch.


"I can't believe it! Potter has caught the Snitch! Harry Potter has just set a new record! One minute and fifty-two seconds! Gryffindor wins!"

Hermione screamed in celebration along with everyone else on the pitch. Even some of the Hufflepuffs were cheering. This record would hold for a long while. Or at least until Harry's next game. She was about to turn to Luna when the entire Gryffindor team started to summon right in the centre of the pitch.

For a minute, it was just a group full of red cloaks. Then everyone spread out onto the pitch and Hermione could see Harry right in the centre, smiling right at her as he pointed his wand to the sky.

Projectiles shot from every single wand all joining together up in the sky. There was too much light at first. But soon enough, the fireworks started to clear up and three words formed above the centre of the pitch.

"Happy Birthday Hermione!"

At first, Hermione thought she might faint. But luckily, Luna was at her side, holding tightly onto her left arm. Harry was flying close up to the stands, still smiling. Hermione took careful steps down to the bottom of the stands where she met him.

"Did you really think I wouldn't remember?" Harry asked. "You're the most important person in my world, Hermoine. It's the last thing I'd allow myself to forget."

She didn't know what to say. So she just leaned over the fence and kissed him on the mouth. There were a couple whistles in the background and some cheers form the Gryffindors.

Then Harry pulled away slowly and brought his arm around her. "Get on."

At first, she was about to deny. But then she realised that this was all part of Harry's plan so denying would just delay the inevitable. She carefully climbed over the stands and sat onto the broom in front of Harry.

"Alright. You can fly us back to the Gryffindor Tower." He answered as he wrapped his arms firmly around her waist. "Just don't go too fast please. I've seen what you're capable of Miss Granger."

Hermione laughed before gently pushing the broom forward and directing it straight towards the castle. As they neared the tower, she realised that the grey clouds were gone. Now replaced by the warm afternoon sun. The remains of the still slightly present summer.

Harry's hand shifted from her waist to the broom as he assisted her towards the correct window, right at the top. She brought them up alongside it and Harry pulled the window back, revealing his room. They slowly flew inside, managing to just about fit into the window frame.

Harry brought the broom towards the floor until they were standing. As he placed the broom against the floor, he was met with Hermione's lips on his. She was quick to remove his cloak and his jumper almost simultaneously, before pushing him onto his bed.

"You know. I've been bitter for the entire morning. Miserable because I thought you forgot about my birthday." She climbed onto the bed, slowly nearing towards him, like a predator to its prey.

"I know. I'm so sorry about that. I felt so horrible when I saw you downstairs. It was a horrible idea." Harry began but then Hermione placed her hand on his thigh and he went silent again.

"And then you go ahead and do something like that. Now I don't know about you, but I think that's hardly fair." She added.

"I know. You're right. It was not cool. I promise that it's the last time I listen to Ginny and her prank ideas." Harry continued but Hermione raised a finger to silence him once more.

"How exactly am I supposed to beat that next year in July?" She was trying hard not to break character.

Harry looked puzzled for a moment before smiling back at her, "You're the brightest witch of your age. I'm sure you'll think of something."

Hermione laughed before kissing him again, as she ran her hands across his chest. "As punishment, I'm totally stealing this shirt too."

"You can have my whole wardrobe if you want. Clothes are useless things when I'm with you." Harry answered, making her blush as she traced her lips over his neck.

"You know… there's kind of a party waiting for us in the room of requirement." Harry informed.

Hermione smirked as she removed his shirt. "I'll be extra quick. I'd like my first birthday present early."


A/N: I hope you enjoyed reading this one. I sure enjoyed writing it. It's actually been one of my favourites in a while. Let's hope the next one is just as fun. The birthday is not over YET. Don't worry. I'm fully aware that Hermione's birthdays have been completely ignored in both the books and the films so I'm putting in extra effort to finally give the brightest witch the party she deserves ; )