Hogsmeade was bustling as usual, but you had one destination in mind. Ron, walking beside you, kept glancing around, confused. “Are we getting Butterbeer? Or are we just wandering aimlessly?”

You rolled your eyes, tightening your grip on his hand. “Neither. Just trust me.”

Ron let out an exaggerated sigh but didn’t protest. “If this is some elaborate plan to get me to carry your shopping, you could’ve just said so.”

You shot him a look before finally stopping in front of a small, tucked-away shop with a wooden sign swaying in the wind. Spindle’s Sounds & Rarities. The faint hum of music spilled from inside.

Ron blinked. “A record store?”

You grinned, pushing open the door and tugging him inside. The scent of old parchment, vinyl, and a faint hint of enchanted wax filled the air. “For your birthday,” you explained.

Ron hesitated, looking around at the shelves lined with records—some spinning slowly in the air, displaying the album art in soft, glowing hues. “You didn’t have to—”

“I wanted to,” you interrupted, nudging him forward. “Now, go on. Pick something.”

He scratched the back of his head, suddenly looking flustered. “I—I don’t even know what to look for.”

You smirked, stepping beside him. “Then let’s find out.”

For the next half hour, you wandered through the aisles together, flipping through records, laughing at some of the more ridiculous album covers, and even listening to a few samples. Eventually, Ron found one—an old Wizarding folk-rock album he vaguely remembered from his childhood.

As he held it up, you beamed. “That one?”

He nodded, then glanced at you, softer this time. “Yeah… Thanks. Really.”

You shrugged. “It’s your birthday. You deserve it.”

Ron swallowed, then—before you could react—leaned down and pressed a quick, warm kiss to your temple. “Best birthday yet,” he mumbled, barely above a whisper.

Your heart did a little flip.

Maybe this was the best one yet for you, too.