As usual, the first light through the window brings me to wakefulness far earlier than I really want to be up on a Sunday. I spend a few minutes desperately chasing sleep, but it is a fruitless effort - as it usually is. I push the blankets off and sit up on the edge of the bed, stretching the sleep out of my muscles.
I slip my glasses on - I'm still not used to them - and turn to head towards the bathroom when I see that Andie's not in bed. That's… odd. She never wakes up before me. And certainly never this early, even when she does have work.
I quickly brush my teeth before wandering out of my bedroom to the smell of coffee and… breakfast? "Andie?" I pad into the kitchen, the tile cold on my bare feet. She's not here either?
Instead, there's a note on a plate of my usual breakfast.
Head out to the garden when you're done eating. Happy birthday.
-A
The food is as exceptional as it always is, but I'm more curious as to what Andie is getting up to. I can't help but eat in a bit of a hurry, glad that she's not here to scold me for my table manners. I run back to the bedroom to put on something a bit warmer than pjs - and some shoes. And I should really do something to my hair…
I poke my head out the back door and look around. No Andie in the garden, either. Hm. I do spy a small note affixed to the small wire table, though, and pick it up. There's a small wooden box in the center of the table as well, but I should read the card first…
Inside is a portkey.
-A
Very specific, Andie. I can't help but smile. The portkey is, apparently, an unpainted bottle cap. I reach out and touch the portkey, and I'm whisked away… to… a forest? Where am I? "Andie?"
"Here, love." I can't help but jump - she's so damn quiet. "Sorry," she says, in a way that lets me know she's not sorry at all, "that I ran you around a bit this morning."
"It's fine, honestly. It was cute." I reach out and grab her hand to pull her closer, kiss her cheek fondly. "Thank you for the birthday wishes. And for not throwing a huge party."
"Neither of us enjoy the kinds of celebrations Cissy does. But she does have a small gala planned for this evening." Small for Narcissa means under five hundred people, generally. "I couldn't talk her down from that, sadly. We can do the usual."
"Stay for an hour, head home and pretend you've got an unfortunate call from St. Mungo's. Never fails." I look around - we're in a clearing, but as far as I can see in any direction, there's just more forest. "Where are we?"
"Scotland. It's a very pretty area." She looks around as well, grinning slightly. "Plus I know you like forests." I can only shrug. She's right, they're peaceful - when the inhabitants aren't actively trying to kill you.
"And why are we here? Apart from the beautiful view, and my love of forests?"
"Well, I've been thinking about that thing we've been talking about. And…" Andie takes a deep breath, then produces a small box from seemingly nowhere, flicking the lid open with one finger to reveal a gleaming silver band. "I want to spend as much time as I can with you, Hermione. However long fate sees fit to grant us. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?"
I try not to tackle Andie to the ground. I don't succeed, though, and we both end up in a pile of limbs, laughing and crying with joy. "Of course, Andie. Of course." Internally, I can't help but think that this is the best birthday ever.