Chapter Text
September 19th, 1991
Hermione sat in the Great Hall with a book she checked out from the library for a bit of light reading. The boys, Harry and Ron, made fun of her when she first walked up to their table during breakfast. They basically said she was a know-it-all and told her she would have more friends if she would just keep her nose out of a book. She told them she quite enjoyed reading and learning new things. They just laughed at her and continued having a conversation by themselves.
Hermione wanted to tell them it was her birthday. She wanted to shout it through the Great Hall, but she didn’t. They had already made fun of her for reading, she wasn’t going to let them make fun of her birthday as well. So, she kept her mouth shut and celebrated her day all alone.
Later that night she used her pillow to muffle her cries. No one had wished her a happy birthday because no one knew. Her parents couldn’t send her anything because they weren’t sure about the owl-post yet. Hermione just lay there with her arms wrapped around herself and quietly sang “happy birthday to you…” as she drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, she didn’t bring a book to breakfast. She thought maybe if she gave the boys a bit more attention they wouldn’t tease her. She could read in secret. As she sat down at their table the only remark made was from Ron who said ‘about time you have your nose out of a book’ then carried on talking. They actually included her in their conversation unlike the day before.
Just then a beautiful white great horned owl swooped down and dropped a package and a note for her. The note was addressed:
TOP SECRET
For: Hermione Granger
ONLY
She looked around and everyone at the Gryffindor table was staring at her.
“Well hurry up and open the bloody thing so we can see what it is!” Ron spoke as if he was agitated that she was taking too long.
She stuck her nose up in the air and stood up.
“Did you send it?” She asked as she gathered her things.
“Why the bloody hell would I send you something?” He laughed.
“Why indeed.” She said, then turned around and headed towards the library for some space. She could hear the boys shouting for her to come back but paid them no mind.
Once she was back in her favorite spot, she tore open the letter.
Hermione Granger,
Hello, I’m a fellow classmate of yours. I don’t know if you remember but before the train arrived there were a few of us already there waiting. You told us your birthday was September 19th and that it was your favorite day of the year. I was completely surprised that none of your friends wished you a happy birthday yesterday. Did they forget? Or do they not know? Regardless, I watched you the rest of the day because you seemed sad. I thought surely someone would tell you, but to my knowledge no one did. When I watched you retire to your dorms you looked like you wanted to cry. I was very sad for you. Especially since it was supposed to be your favorite day.
I noticed you always have a book with you so I thought I would make you a little bookmark birthday present. I hand painted it myself! It was the best I could do last minute, maybe next year I’ll get you a better gift. I hope this gift brings a smile to your face today even though it’s a day late.
Happy Birthday Hermione Granger!!!
I hope your future birthdays are better than this one!
~A stranger who knows your birthday.
PS. Under no circumstances are you to share your present with anyone .
Especially if they didn’t wish you a happy birthday.
Hermione’s head ran wild trying and failing to remember who all she talked to. Specifically, who she told about her birthday. Getting even more excited she opened the package. Sure enough, there sat the hand painted bookmark. It was red and yellow striped with a golden lion in the center. In the top left and bottom right, it had a personalized HG written on it. The back had the inscription ‘September 19th, the best day of the year’. There was also a packet of sugar quills with a note attached.
I meant what I said Granger, no sharing!
These are all for you. I didn’t know which was your favorite, so I got a variety pack.
Happy Birthday Granger!
~ Wouldn’t you like to know.
Draco watched her. He was on the other side of the bookshelf and was peeking through some books. He was glad he followed her to the library to watch her open his gift. He grinned as she sorted through the sugar quills and picked an apple one. It was his favorite as well.
Draco couldn’t help but notice she was just a regular kid like he was. She didn’t look any different. He knew she was muggle born and his father had always told him that purebloods were the best. But every time he asked why his father always said, 'because we are'. It made no sense, but he wanted to please his father and get in his good graces. Make him proud. So, he would have to keep her a secret.
“Thank you, mystery friend.” He heard her whisper aloud as she wiped a tear away.
“Happy Birthday Granger.” He whispered back.
