September 19, 1998

It was just a typical year, right after the horrendous yet infamous Second Wizarding War. Hermione was at the Weasleys' Burrow, celebrating her belated birthday, which was now getting incredibly dreary. However, spending quality time with the Weasleys' really made her birthday phenomenally sweet.

A birthday can be sweet without cake or fanfare when she was her own super-fan, when she was even more confident that she was a sweet person who does good each day of each year as best you can. Then you can enjoy your day with an inner glow, then kind that will shine in your eyes.

That inner glow only happened when she spent time with the Weasleys' especially Molly. She was one of a kind, who had a heart of pure gold, that even the richest of the rich may have envied her heart.

Hermione, who was squished between Harry and Ron, was munching on a bag of crisps as delectable aroma wafted from the kitchen. Molly really knew how to make Hermione's birthday an unforgettable one.

"My darlings! It's time to eat!" Molly's voice bellowed cheerfully from the kitchen downstairs. As they all heard her lovely voice, they scrambled down and sat on their chairs, waiting for the mouth-watering spread of food, that was bound to grace its presence on the table to honour another year of Hermione's life, to arrive.

When it did grace its spectacular presence, it came along with a two-tier chocolate cake that was topped with some cookies and frosting, that had been baked by Molly herself.

Seeing the cake made Hermione reminisce the old days where she spent her birthdays with her parents. They would always bake some sort of cake, usually an ice-cream cake, that was incredibly delectable. She did prefer cookies and cream after all these years, but still, she was overjoyed and smiled gratefully.

"Thank you, Molly! I appreciate the effort but-" Hermione began but Molly placed a finger on her lips before she could utter another word.

"Oh hush Hermione, it's your lovely birthday, today. You shall not utter another word against my gift of appreciation for you." she grinned as she brought out a gold necklace with the letter 'H' on it.

Hermione immediately smiled in awe. The Weasleys', despite their loss of an amazing son and sibling, still did manage to be immensely carefree like a young child. As they sang out the beautiful birthday song, which Hermione taught them about, they clapped as Hermione blew out the candles.

"You are the light and joy of our lives. Without you, we would have been sobbing her hearts by now..." Molly trailed off as tears slipped out her eyes.

"Mum don't cry, its not auspicious." Percy soothed his mother as he gently whispered.

Hermione joined in, to help soothe her silently.

Until, all hell broke loose and became chaos. A snowy owl flew in elegantly and dropped a piece of parchment on my lap.

Hermione broke my hand away from Molly's back, as she stared down intently at the parchment.

"'mione what is that? You better open it! It must be some sort of a gift for you by one of your admirers." George questioned.

Ginny and Harry looked away as they sniggered. Those two prats. Hermione thought as she clenched her jaw tightly and flushed.

Molly, who had managed to regain her cheery composure, stared curiously at the parchment as Hermione unwrapped it.

When Hermione finished reading it silently, her face was full of astoundment, which was coupled along with slight shock. She grabbed some locks of her hair and muttered under her breath "What did I just read?"

Ginny, who was now immensely concerned, snatched the parchment away from Hermione's hand, skimmed through the letter.

When the rest questioned her what the letter was about, her smile faded as she sighed deeply and began to read it.