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Hermione was in her room at home doing her homework. She was especially happy as today, July the 19th was when she celebrated her birthday at home. A full two months early with her parents, as her actual birthday was in term time. This year, among other gifts she had a computer. It was, she knew, part of a deal via her parents Dental Practice, but this had Windows NT and the latest version of the Office software suite. Far more interesting than any possible computer game. She was working through her correspondence courses, keeping her mundane education going, so she could realise her dream of one day studying Law at Oxford University.
She had fully intended to leave Hogwarts, once she had her OWLs, and could keep her magic. That was until a certain messy haired, green eyed trouble magnet, had become her first and closest friend. She shyly thought about what else he might be in the next year, and sighed to herself dreaming of dancing and kissing her Harry.
She had acquired some paper, that would pass for parchment for her inkjet printer, and found a font that looked like quill writing, and had enjoyed doing her runes assignment on the computer. Then she realised she had used Iwaz, not Ewhaz to name the rune in question. She felt really pleased with herself when she used the word processor to replace every instance of her mistake in the essay. She printed it and felt quite, quite smug for a while afterward, thank you very much.
She was writing to Harry weekly, she wrote daily, and Hedwig collected them once a week. His replies were improving and she was feeling a little glow at his turn of phrase. Soon enough she headed for Kings Cross, with a sad farewell to her PC.
Hermione was not one to back down from a challenge and decided to see if she could replicate the find and replace function of her word processor, with a spell. With a little help from a Professor, she successfully created a new spell, and gained a few credits towards her Arithmancy OWL.
Harry bought her a lovely personalized writing set for her birthday, the inkwells in her favourite colour and a choice of inks. It included fountain pens, he had checked, and they were allowed. Ron had given her half a box of chocolate frogs, and then eaten one without being offered. She thanked him, as was polite. That night she wrote in her journal with her new pen, and reaffirmed her private vow to stand by Harry come what may. She shared his private suspicions about the tournament.
Sitting in the Great Hall those suspicions came true, as a fourth piece of parchment flew out of the goblet, as Harry’s head fell into his hands with a murmured ‘nooooo’ she acted. Using her wand under the table as Dumbledore caught the parchment, she muttered ‘Harry Potter - quaerite ac reponere – Ronald Weasley’
She hadn’t fully forgiven Ronald for the whole Firebolt issue, Harry had forgiven her, but he had gone on about it all year, and as lately as the last week. The Headmaster looked at the Parchment, “Harry.....” his voice trailed off and he squinted at the writing. “Ronald Weasley.” He looked over at the table, Harry was looking up in shock. A smile slowly forming on his face he looked at Hermione, questioning. She returned her best innocent look.
After a bit of spluttering Ron walked down the aisle past the goblet, grinning from ear to ear.
Walking back to the Dorm, Harry whispered to Hermione, “did you change the name?”
“Are you angry with me?”
“No. They won’t force Ron into it, like they would me. You are the best Hermione. What can I do to thank you?”
“Maybe, take me to Hogsmeade next weekend?” she asked quietly.
“It’s a date,” Harry said confidently, then realised what he had just said, and started to explain.
Hermione placed a finger on his lips. “A date, I shall look forward to very much,” she leaned in and kissed his cheek. “With my very very best boy....friend.” she was blushing and smiling and even Harry saw the moment for what it was.
“Would you be my girlfriend if.....” her kiss silenced the rest of the question. She then ran straight to her bed leaving Harry blinking in the centre of the dorm.
“Angie? Who had Halloween?” Katie Bell shouted across the room.
“McKitty.”
“Damn,”
Harry looked around as everyone in the room was grinning at him, “About time Harrikins” Fred announced, Harry was about to ask what when Ron entered the room, looking really glum,
“The name was forged apparently, so they re-lit the goblet and put the three names in, I am not a Champion.”
“Well, you are to us mate.” Harry said, glad to change the subject. Ron would not take the news about him and Hermione well.
“You missed Harry kissing Hermione.” Seamus shouted, Harry wanted the carpet to eat him.
“Bout time.” Ron muttered, “who had Halloween?”
“Gonagall.”
“Damn, I was sure it would be Christmas. Fancy a game of chess.”
Harry started to laugh, and laugh, he became slightly hysterical, of all the expectations for tonight, kissing Hermione and not being in a certain death competiton, was not one of them.
He entered the common room at breakfast, and was greeted with a kiss from Hermione, they walked along the corridor hand in hand, for today at least, life was good.