Hey guys, sorry it's been so long. A LOT of things have changed in my life (including living in another country lol).

That and I just didn't know how to write this chapter cuz it's been so long. I had abandoned this to write Memento Mori for a while, and I guess now I'm doing pretty much the opposite.

Also, I'm finishing this and posting it at like...2 am. So I haven't gone back and read through the whole chapter. I had this written in pieces and just kinda stuck it all together lol.

Anyway, on with the story!

oOo

5. Wait…It's My Birthday?

Hermione's face fell as she saw her friend descend the stairs of the boys' dormitory with a snake wrapped around him.

Merlin, how she absolutely loathed the creature.

Even though she couldn't speak to it or understand it, she was absolutely certain that the snake had it in for her. She couldn't count how many times she had found crumbs and half-chewed food that had been spit out all over her room. Didn't the foul thing know that she was borderline obsessed with cleanliness?

And to top it all off, the stupid…animal…had an attitude problem. How did Harry manage to put up with the pest? Honestly…

The Head Girl barely managed to suppress a shudder as she greeted the snake's companion as gently as she could. "Hey, about earlier…"

Harry silenced his friend with a wave of his hand. "Don't worry about it, 'Mi. I'm fine, really. And I'm sorry I rushed off like that. I just had a headache." Harry tried his best to give Hermione a reassuring smile, but it faltered when he saw her expression change. "Uhh…Hermione? I'm okay, really."

Hermione placed her hands on her hips in the typical irritated girl manner. A storm gathered behind her eyes as her protective mother hen nature took over. Boys could be so stupid sometimes…

"Harry James Potter!" she clucked (no pun intended). "Do you even KNOW what day it is?"

"Er…Tuesday?"

"Try again."

"Wednesday?"

"I meant the DATE."

"Er…September Eighth…no…September Ninth…er…sometime in September?"

Hermione shook her head sadly. "Harry, it's September Ninth. Your birthday." [1]

"…Oh…I guess it is…right then."

"Harry, I'm sorry for getting upset with you, but I've noticed that you've seemed kind of distant lately. And then you don't even remember your own birthday? I'm worried, Harry, I really am. But we can talk about that later."

Hermione reached in her pocket and pulled out a small green velvet pouch. She handed it to Harry, who reached for it sheepishly. He hadn't meant to worry anybody. "Happy birthday, Harry," she whispered. "I love you. You're the best friend and brother a girl could ever wish for. And I mean that."

Harry blushed a fiery crimson as he slowly undid the pouch's drawstring. When it was loosened he gently tipped it over and a delicate silver necklace fell into his hand.

"Wow, 'Mione," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "I— I don't know what—"

"You don't need to say anything, Harry." Hermione stated, cutting the boy off. "Just wear it always, okay? That's thanks enough for me. I just want to know you're safe. And that you'll never forget me."

"Hermione, I—" Harry swallowed. "It's beautiful."

"See the little pendant hanging in the middle?"

Harry looked; sure enough, a snake of brightly polished silver looked up at him with emerald eyes. It was remarkable, really. The detail and intricacy of the sculpting astounded him. He vaguely wondered what Hermione must have gone through to get her hands on such a piece.

"It has a strong protection charm woven into its core. Each little scale is in face a tiny rune, see?" Harry nodded, though he was quite sure he couldn't figure out what any of the runes meant if he tried. "Nobody can purposely harm you as long as you wear it. And the chain is also spelled so that nobody but me or you can remove it." [2]

Harry looped the chain around his neck and tucked it into his shirt. The metal was cool against his skin and the necklace felt extremely heavy for its size. He was extremely grateful for the thoughtful gift and promised himself that he would never take it off.

"Hermione, this is great and all, but…how did you manage to afford this? I mean, no offense or anything, but it must have cost a fortune. Look at the detail! Look how tiny and intricate it is! And the spells? Do you have any idea how much people would charge for incredibly complex magic like that?"

"Don't be silly, Harry. I made it." Harry gaped at her, dumbfounded. She made it? "Actually, I made all of them."

"ALL of them?"

"Yes, all of them. I made ones for myself, Draco, and Severus as well."

"But—"

"Don't get me wrong, it took a LOT of time and energy. I've spent the last year or so reading up on how to do it, and in the end it was a lot more difficult than I originally thought it'd be." Hermione sighed as Harry moved to interrupt her again. "Don't worry, I'll tell you more about it later. It's too complicated to explain right now."

Hermione pulled on the thin golden chain that rested on her neck, freeing it from her blouse. Hers was nearly identical to Harry's, save the color and the shape of the pendant. Whereas Harry's pendant was a snake, Hermione's was a miniature replica of a golden eagle.

Harry chuckled and shook his head. "I knew it."

"Knew what?" Hermione asked, blushing as she noticed that she had referred to Harry's main rivals by their first names. How much did he know?

"Everything," Harry said simply and shrugged.

"Oh…well…er…"

"Don't worry, I don't mind. And don't look so flustered; I've known for quite a while."

"So…Draco…"

"Yes."

"And…er…Sev—Snape?"

"Yes."

"Everything?" Harry nodded as Hermione moaned into her hands. "So you're not…I mean…that is to say…you don't…"

"No, I'm not mad at you for not telling me. I figured you had your reasons. And, after all, everyone has their secrets." Harry winked mischievously. "Even me."

"Right. Like you being gay is THAT big of a secret."

"How did you…er…what? Says who?"

"Oh really? Care to deny it?" Hermione stared Harry straight in the eye. "...Didn't think so. And I know you fancy Draco as well. And don't even think of denying that one either."

"WHAT? Don't be ridiculous! It's Malfoy…you know…Malfoy." Harry hissed. "The stupid blond git that hates me!"

"I think it's you that's being ridiculous. Draco doesn't hate you. I DO live with him, after all. I know these things, trust me." Now it was Hermione's turn to wink. "And I see the way you stare at him when you think nobody else is looking."

"Er…but what about you and Snape?" Harry demanded, trying to change the subject.

"What about him?"

"I've seen the way YOU stare at HIM when you don't think anybody's looking!" Harry accused, pointing a finger in his friend's direction. "I mean, not that I care or anything. 'Cuz I think that you two are perfect for each other. But seriously, you are SUCH a bloody GIRL sometimes, I swear!"

Hermione's eyes flicked back and forth as they started to tear up. "Do you really mean that? That you think we belong together?" she whispered, suddenly not trusting her voice enough to actually speak out loud. "You don't think it's…gross? Or…or weird? Or…"

"Of course not," Harry replied softly, cupping the girl's face with his free hand. "I'm happy for you. And I'll always love you, no matter what."

Ignoring the snake that was still wrapped around Harry's arm (who, upon realizing the sappiness of the situation, had quickly become bored and fallen asleep), Hermione stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her best friend's neck.

"How about we just promise not to keep secrets from each other any longer?" Harry said, pulling back and looking Hermione in the eye. "We're family, after all. If not by blood, then by choice."

"Agreed. But we have to promise to tell each other everything, no matter what. Even if we think the other one's not going to like it."

"Okay. And we can talk about this more later. We have a lot of…catching up to do." Hermione blushed again. She wasn't looking forward to sharing certain aspects of her life with her so-called brother.

Draegan, who had awakened upon being squished by the hug the two Gryffindors had shared, slithered off Harry's arm angrily. "Ssstupid humansss and their ssstupid emotionsss," he muttered.

Harry bent down and kissed Hermione on the forehead before bending down to scoop up the forgotten snake. "Sorry I forgot about you, Draegan. Things got a bit…emotional…"

"Ssso I noticed…" the serpent replied bitterly. He hadn't appreciated being ignored.

"Hey, I SAID I was sorry!" Harry hissed. He wasn't in the mood for another of Draegan's little snake tantrums. "Go back upstairs, then. Go on! Into your cage!"

The snake wasn't happy but obliged nonetheless. Harry shot Hermione an apologetic glance. He knew that speaking to the serpent always made her uneasy. Harry chuckled softly as he remembered all of the times that Hermione had made her…displeasure…with the snake known.

"What?" the girl asked, confusion evident in her wide brown eyes.

"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about how fond you were of Draegan."

"That little menace! Don't even get me started!" Hermione's eyes darkened as she scowled. "Sometimes I wish I could speak Parseltongue so I could understand everything that little snot says! He just makes me so…so…angry!"

"Hey, no need to stomp your foot at me. And I'm sure the two of you will find some way to get along in time. So in the meantime, do you think you could just—AARGH!" Harry's face contorted in pain as he suddenly clutched his forehead.

"Harry? What's wrong?"

"Nothing…" he ground out, gritting his teeth. "Just…just…a little…headache…is all…"

"Harry, I think we should get you to the Hospital Wing."

"No! It's nothing…happens…all…the time…"

"Harry," Hermione began, her tone disapproving, "you really should get that checked out. That's not good, you know. What if…oh dear!"

Harry had fallen flat on his face when he passed out.

"I'll just…er…help?" she finished meekly. Where was Severus when you needed him?

oOo

A/N: Ugh, that was unbelievably fluffy and sappy. I didn't mean for this chapter to come out that way, but whatev. I thought Chapter 3 was bad, but this is pretty close to winning the ooey-gooey award. Yuck. And a lot more was supposed to happen other than just Harry and Hermione talking. But, like I said, whatever. If the chapter wanted to be written this way, who was I to stop it? Lol. I guess I was just feeling lonely when I wrote this T.T

[1] Yes, I am aware that Harry's birthday isn't September 9th. But, for all intents and purposes, it is in this story. And this story IS considered AU, so bear with me guys.

[2] I'm pretty sure I read about an idea like this in another story a while ago. So if it sounds suspiciously like something from one of your stories, and I've read it, let me know and I'll give you credit :)

Coming up: Harry goes to the Hospital Wing and gets some interesting news, and Draco realizes what exactly the voices he hears are.

P.S. I have the next chapter written. I just can't think of a title. When I get around to thinking of one I'll post it.

oOo

If you love it—let me know. If you hate it—let me know.

Thank you to those few who supported me and gave me real feedback. I really do appreciate it and you have not been forgotten. YOU are what keeps me writing and the story going.