Quick Reads

Birthday Wishes (Fremione)

(Hermione Granger is celebrating her 26th birthday by throwing a John Hughes-themed party. Fred shows up dressed like Jake Ryan and seems to enjoy making Hermione blush at every opportunity with his shameless flirting.
Written for the 2020 Fremione Fanatics' Costume Party fest, using the prompt of John Hughes movies.)

 Hermione Granger did one last sweep of her flat, making sure she had gathered the last of the party supplies. Her kitchen was a bit of a disaster after spending the afternoon cooking and baking various finger foods and desserts. She had an urge to do the washing up but quickly squashed the thought. It was her birthday and the cleaning could wait until later that evening. Plus, she was already in her costume and she didn't want to take the chance of ruining her dress.

Noting that the sign instructing her guests to go to the rooftop was in front of the floo, Hermione swung her bag over her arm, left the flat, and followed the rest of her handmade signs to the party destination.

The rooftop of her building had been transformed into an American prom scene from the 1980s. Pastel streamers flapped in the breeze while strings of white Christmas lights lit up a dance floor. Her stereo was loaded with all the classic 80s songs and a karaoke machine was ready for anyone that wanted to sing along. Round tables had been draped with pink linens, with a white vase of pink roses in the center of each one. To the side, pearl white balloons were strung together to make an arch and set in front of a baby blue backdrop to use for pictures.

Hermione smiled as she sprinkled confetti on the tables. She could envision any of the Brat Pack stepping through the door and fitting right in with the scene she had created. A quick check of the time told her that it wouldn't be long until her own group of misfits started arriving, hopefully, dressed in all their John Hughes glory.

As she exhausted her supply of confetti on the final table, the door clanged and Ginny Weasley stepped through with Harry Potter right behind her.

"Sammy Baker Davis Junior!" Harry called, grinning broadly at Hermione.

"Bueller," Hermione deadpanned, though she couldn't keep her mouth from creeping into a smile.

Still grinning, Harry spun around to show off his ensemble- a chaotic print vest over a Save Ferris t-shirt, paired with blue suit trousers and the shiniest white Oxford shoes Hermione had ever seen.

Throwing a hand over her eyes, Hermione asked, "How many coats of polish did you put on those shoes?"

"You don't want to know," Ginny said, rolling her eyes and holding up a covered tray. "I brought sushi."

"Excellent." As Ginny took her tray to the refreshment table, Hermione admired her pink blouse and long belted brown skirt. "You didn't want to be the Sloane to his Ferris?"

"I had this outfit picked out long before he made up his mind," Ginny explained. "I tried to talk him into coming as my Bender, but he refused."

"Nevertheless, you both look lovely."

"As do you," Ginny complimented, reaching up and touching the wreath of carnations and baby's breath in Hermione's newly copper-tinted hair. "You look like you could be my sister. Is the color permanent?"

"No, just one of those twenty-four-hour color charms from the twins' shop. George did a pretty good job picking the right shade."

"And the dress?"

"Old bridesmaid dress of my mum's," Hermione answered, smoothing her hands over the lavender skirt of her dress. "I did some transfiguring to poof up the sleeves and hem but it didn't need much more to fit the look."