Portkey to New Zealand

I don't own them. It's all JK Rowling's. I'm just borrowing them for the moment.

Hermione was very excited. For her birthday, she received a parchment that promised a trip to New Zealand. She was looking forward to it. She cast a charm that told her the time to the exact minute and frowned. Where’s Severus? she thought irritably. They were supposed to leave for New Zealand, and the Portkey was due to activate within the next couple of minutes.

Without warning, she was enveloped in a mass of billowing black robes. “I’m here, my dear,” Severus whispered silkily in her ear.

Without warning, Hermione felt the uncomfortable sensation of Portkey travel, and they found themselves in a charming field, surrounded by flowering cherry blossoms. After taking several deep breaths to quell the nausea that came over her, she looked around and admired the obvious signs of spring around her.

“Oh, Severus!” Hermione whispered. “This is so beautiful!”

“Matamata,” Severus said. “I know how much you like Tolkien’s works. I thought you’d like to visit Hobbiton for your birthday.”

Hermione threw herself in Severus’ arms and hugged him tightly. “Oh, Severus, I’ve always wanted to visit New Zealand, and this is like a dream come true!”

Severus stroked Hermione’s hair. He knew this was the perfect present for his beloved wife. Celebrating their sixth wedding anniversary made it all the more special. He’d planned this trip months in advance and was happy she was pleased. “We’ll go anywhere you want to go, Hermione,” he murmured. “Lucius suggested we visit Marlborough for the wines.”

Hermione sighed contentedly. “Thanks so much, Severus,” she said. “We’re in a place I’ve always wanted to visit, celebrating my milestone birthday and the anniversary of the day I married my best friend.” Her eyes softened as she looked lovingly at her husband. “I love you, Severus.”

“I love you too, Hermione.”

A/N: Prompt issued by brenamarie: Hermione has a huge date/event planned with her man. Where are they going? What will they do there? What (if any) is the significance? Is her man honestly looking forward to the event planned or his he simply going to make her happy? This story was inspired by a friend's recent trip to Australia and New Zealand. This is also an anniversary gift for peppermint. Without the disclaimer and A/N, this story contains exactly 300 words according to Microsoft Word. Thanks go to ladyinthecloak for the Saturday evening beta-reading.