Sweet Sixteen

Hermione Granger sat impatiently waiting by her fireplace. Ron Weasley was supposed to come get her two hours ago to go to her other best friend Harry Potter's first ever birthday party. She was starting to get worried Ron was never--wait, no, scratch that--Ron was always late. That stupid, good for nothing, son of a--THUD. Out of the fireplace lay a crumpled up lump. If it wasn't for the bright red hair Hermione would have never known what it was.

"Ron, where have you been? You could have least sent an owl."

Gees, I wonder how long she is going to talk this time Ron wondered.

"Yeah, sorry about that 'Mione, I just got wrapped up, literally, in trying to help my father decorate, the Muggle way mind you. Plus throw in a bit of Fred and George's pranks and it was more of a mad house then usual."

"Oh, well that's alright Ron. Has Harry arrived yet?"

"Not till tonight. Well we'd better get going."

Hermione was the first to step into the fireplace and feel that pulling sensation on her naval. When she arrived at the Weasley's it looked like a cross between Halloween and New Years. Hermione tried to stifle a laugh while Mr. Weasley was attempting to put away Fred and George's new invention. The real party decorations were as follows: Lilies in the garden (Harry's favorite flower), miniature broomstick lights weaved into the canopy, the Gryffindor banner hanging just outside the door, and table cloths, napkins, cups, and hats all with teeny Golden Snitch's on them. As soon as they were done putting them up they heard a small gasp outside. Turning around, they saw Harry looking like he was about to fall flat on his back, but Hermione got ahead of him just in time.

"Happy birthday, Harry," cooed Hermione.

All Harry could get out was a muffled "Thanks."

The party went along quite normally. They had chocolate cake with whipped cream frosting, Harry's favorite, and Swirl ice cream. Harry opened his present from Hermione-- it was a gold ring with the Gryffindor lion on it. The eyes were shiny red rubies, and it seemed to gleam anyway you turned it. From Ron there was a Chudley Cannon's poster, the Weasley's gave him a new version of Quidditch Through the Ages. Harry liked all his presents very much but his favorite one was from Hermione. He could tell she put a lot of thought into it. A funny feeling went through Harry as he thought about her. Just then an owl flew in and delivered a letter to Hermione, when she opened it her brown eyes got ten times larger, and she looked like she was close to tears. Harry took the letter out of her hands and read:

Miss Granger,

We are sorry to inform you that Mr. Victor Krum died today at 6:oo p.m. whilst attending Quidditch practice, from a stray Bludger blow to his head. The funeral will be held

August 15, 2001. Our deepest apologies.

St. Mungos

After Harry was done reading the letter he looked at Hermione. Her fists were rolled up in a tight ball, the color was drained from her face, and it seemed like she was concentrating a great deal. But when Harry looked into her eyes he noticed for a second they went.... green? Just as he was about to voice this, the lights went off. Before anybody could move books, candles, shelves, glass, and other debris flew in all directions. Just as soon as it happened, it stopped and the lights flickered on.

Harry began, "Well that was weird.... HERMIONE!"

Hermione was lying in the middle of the floor, unconscious.