The Cupboard Series 2: Hermione's Book Nook

Chapter 19

"Good morning, Hermione. Happy birthday!" Harry beamed from where he stood at the bottom of the stairs.

Hermione met his eyes with a smile. His vivid green eyes were alight with mischief as he watched her descend from the dormitories and she gave an internal sigh of relief.

Ever since she'd told Professor McGonagall about Harry's summer, she'd been plagued with nightmares of him yelling at her and storming off, refusing to ever speak to her again. She understood completely – it was simply her guilt talking. Harry, she knew, had major trust issues – and with good reason, too, she reminded herself – and she'd broken his trust.

Oh, she knew that telling Professor McGonagall what had happened to him had been as much for her own piece of mind as anything else. Those people had abused her best friend for the last time and she needed to make sure that he wasn't going to get sent back there again. Especially now that he'd made that vow. And Professor McGonagall could help. Hermione could tell that losing Harry's trust was something that had distressed her favourite teacher and she'd taken it as a sign that she only had Harry's best interests at heart.

So far, it had all worked out perfectly. Harry and Professor McGonagall had started to reconcile. Harry was slowly rebuilding his trust in her. And best of all, Professor McGonagall had kept her promise and not divulged where she'd learnt about Harry's summer. If Harry found out and hated her for it, she didn't know what she'd do.

"Thanks, Harry," she said, pushing those distressing thoughts firmly away. Today was her birthday and she was determined to enjoy it.

"Here, I'll carry that for you," he said, taking her book bag from her protesting hands and slinging it over his shoulder. "What've you got in here, Hermione? It feels like half the library!"

"I've only got the books that we need for today and one or two extras for some light reading," she huffed back.

Once again that mischievous grin of Harry's made an appearance, causing her to pause with a frown. He was up to something. She was sure of it.

"Shall we head down to breakfast?" he asked.

With a nod, the two of them set out. At the Fat Lady's portrait, he paused, ushering her through first before quickly speeding up to walk at her side once more. The Great Hall was still only lightly populated when they arrived and, sweeping her gaze over the four long tables, Hermione realised that the two of them were the first of their friends to arrive that morning.

No sooner had the two of them sat in their usual spots, though, than an influx of people materialised, all heading straight for them.

"Happy birthday, Hermione!" Hannah and Susan exclaimed, dropping into the spots opposite them at the Gryffindor table.

A gaggle of laughter announced the arrival of Lil, Sally-Ann, Su, Padma and Lisa. Each girl gave her a brief hug before finding places to sit around them. Last to arrive was Neville. The poor boy nearly froze seeing the animated group, but with only a slight stutter, he managed to wish her a 'happy birthday' before sinking into the empty place beside Harry.

"Presents!" Lisa announced loudly, causing those in the hall to turn and stare at the multi-house group.

Hermione found herself deluged with wrapped packages. With the broadest smile that she was sure that she'd ever sported, Hermione began unwrapping them. Usually, there was only something from her parents, and a card or two from her grandmother and her aunt and uncle. This was something extraordinary. There were quills and ink bottles of different colours, books and even some of the finest Honeydukes chocolate.