ONESHOTS | harmione

𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

Hoisting herself out of bed, Hermione frowned, running a hand— which got stuck— through her bushy curls. Today's the day, she thought, but despite being enthusiastic, Hermione couldn't bring herself to smile.

To say she was anticipating this day was an understatement; in fact, the brunette recalled raving about today for months, maybe even years. However, as Hermione stood there, staring directly into her complexion, she knew her 18th birthday wasn't going as she planned.

Her eyes fell to the ground, as she shakily exhaled, leaning against the counter. The brunette hesitantly picked up the comb, her attention flickering between the brush in her hand and the bush on her head. Wincing, she quickly brushed through her curls, hoping that she wasn't running late.

Harry, Hermione's boyfriend of three years, had mentioned a huge birthday surprise. She could imagine all the eyes fixated on her, and that mere idea made her want to jump back in bed and hide there forever. Hermione gulped, setting the brush down, and tucking her hair behind her ears as she went to get dressed.

Quickly, the curly-headed girl pulled out a small, yellow dress, slipping it over her body. She walked back towards the mirror, her face scrunching up as she gazed at her stomach. Hermione wasn't overweight, but she wasn't Ginny; her waist didn't have a perfect curve, her stomach wasn't completely flat. It was all of this that made her feel insecure.

She decided that she'd find something else to wear— something looser— after she finished getting ready. Swiftly, Hermione washed her face, raked a small amount of cream through her thick curls, and tugged on a comfortable pair of sandals.

"Hermione!" she heard Harry yell, snapping her out of her own thoughts.

"Yeah?" Hermione answered, finishing the last minute touches of her hair, before sprinting towards her closet again.

"Can I come in?" he asked, his voice muffled through the sealed door.

The brunette looked down at her clothed stomach and frowned, quickly tying a jacket around her waist.

"Sure..." she sighed, her hands fidgeting with the hem of the golden fabric.

Harry pushed open the door, his eyes landing on the brunette, gawking. He smiled, mumbling a quiet 'hey, Mione,' as he shut the door behind him. Noticing his stare, Hermione felt herself growing flustered, covering her stomach entirely with her arms.

"Love?" Harry murmured, spotting her frown as he approached her. She looked up at him, signaling for him to continue.

"Are you alright?" the raven-haired boy asked, wrapping his arms around the brunette's torso, and pulling her in for a tight hug.

Hermione gulped as the jacket fell off her waist, feeling uncomfortable once more. She quickly pulled back, reaching for the jacket.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Harry mumbled, his hands finding hers.

"Nothing—" she answered, her eyes dropping to the floor.

"Hermione, what's wrong? Come on, it's your birthday, and you look absolutely beautiful."

"You think so?" The brunette murmured, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"I know so!" Harry chuckled, planting a soft kiss against her lips, his hand resting against her cheek.

"Now—" he started, a slight smirk appearing on his features, "—are you ready to go? It's not every day your old girlfriend turns 18!"

"OLD?! HARRY JAMES POTTER—"

Harry ducked as she chucked her hairbrush at him, smirking. "Relax Mione, I was just kidding."

"You better be thankful I didn't have my wand—" she teased, snickering as she felt Harry hug her from behind.

"Can we leave now, please?" He asked once more, his features resembling a pouting five-year-old.

"Fine..." Hermione sighed, her eyes lingering on the jacket for a brief second, before looking away. She linked arms with her boyfriend, feeling more confident in herself; because if Harry thought she was beautiful, then what others think about her shouldn't matter.