Ivy Green and Gold
a ficlet celebrating hermione’s birthday




It’s just the two of them now. It just the two of them in candlelit room among the wrapping paper and colorful ribbons that once were elaborate bows. He’s sitting against the window ledge watching her pick at the gifts that she’s gotten--- a book from Ginny and Ron, a cake from the elder Weasleys, a new and expensive quill set from her parents. They’re all nice and simple gifts for a sixteen-year-old, but there’s nothing there that’s for her.

He’s yet to give her his gift, wrapped in ivy green and gold. He wonders if she’ll like it. He wonders if it’ll be that special gift, that gift that everyone’s supposed to get on their birthdays--- the gift she always gives to him. He wonders if she’ll smile just for him.

“Harry?” She murmurs questioningly from her place at the floor. She inches closer to him, so that she’s curled up by his feet and looking up at him. “Are you all right?”

He smiles a smile meant only for her eyes and reaches over to brush a strand of hair from her eyes. They’re well past the awkwardness of their early years. Although, he reflects, he’s only ever been comfortable around her. “I’m fine,” he responds softly.

She looks at him, her head cocked to the side and her eyes glowing brilliantly in the candlelight. He wonders why he’s never told her she’s beautiful because that’s what she is. She’s not shockingly beautiful because then she wouldn’t be Hermione, but she’s beautiful in a classical sense--- soft, warm, and peaceful.

“Did you have a happy birthday?”

She shrugs and pulls her hair loose; a wave of curls falling onto her shoulders. She leans her back against his legs, craning her neck up to keep eye contact. “I suppose I did.”

He laughs. “You have some time for an extra present?”

She grins. “I always have time for an extra present.”

He smiles again and reaches behind him, handing her his gift, wrapped in ivy green and gold. She looks at it in wonder and mouths that he didn’t have to get her anything, but he knows. He knows that out of all the gifts she got today, it’s his that she’s been waiting for.

With her hands trembling, he watches her slowly undo the gold bow and carefully tear at the ivy green paper. She is always meticulous with what she does, he muses with a tiny smile. She never runs head into things at all, even if it is a birthday present.

A slight gasp startles him out of his thoughts as she holds up a small velvet box. He holds his breath for the significance that lies within that small box is far too precious to be underestimated.

“It was my mother’s…” he trails off.

She gazes up at him, her eyes glow in the dancing light filled with unshed tears. She shifts and reaches for him, her hand settles on his cheek. She understands, he realizes. She understands and she sees…

“Thank you,” she murmurs softly. And it seems to his heart that her thank you was enough for him. She smiles and smiles just for him as he slips on her finger his promise to her.

He pulls her up into his embrace, a smile of his own crossing his lips. He wonders why he’s so lucky. He wonders why she chose him when there are others. But then she shakes her head as if to reprimand him for his thoughts because she knows, she always knows what he’s thinking. He drawls her close, his lips seconds away from hers.

“Happy Birthday,” he whispers.

And he kisses her then, the remnants of the ivy green and gold fluttering quietly to the floor.

fin

Author’s Notes

Found this is my files from a while back. I’ve always liked this one. I think I’d even go so far as to say it’s my favorite that I’ve written so far. *sighs* Hope you all enjoyed!