Around Their Necks
by Berde
DISCLAIMER:
Mrs. JK Rowling owns Harry Potter and all the characters mentioned herein. This is only a fan fiction constructed out of boredom and pure obsession on the Harry Potter series, particularly Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. I honestly do not intend to make profits out of this, in spite the unfortunate fact that I am currently unemployed, if you must know. So, please don't sue.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This was also inspired by the Christmas OAV of Ranma ½, which incidentally belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Like Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendo, Ron and Hermione tend to act as if they hate each other's guts, as if they were two opposite poles…but true what they say, Actions speak louder than words.
The Perfect Gift
It was the first of December, the first month after Harry Potter has ended Voldemort, the first month of peace, when the first crystal fell from the sky as snow. It was the first of many things but for certain students, it was their last winter at Hogwarts.
Ronald Weasley stood in front of a newly opened clothing store at Hogsmeade. Embrace, they say, sell materials of the most superior quality, fabrics from different magical plants and beasts' skins, with enchanting fragrances that best the effect of a love potion. Seeing it for himself, Ron couldn't help feeling miserable that he didn't have the money to buy the most beautiful scarf that would definitely flatter a particular girl he knew. It could have been the perfect Christmas gift for her. It was the kind of gift that should go when he tell her how he feels…how he always felt.
He sighed for the nth time; smoke came out his mouth and left a round mark of fog on the store glass in front of him. Fondling his pocket of coins that wouldn't even add up to one fourth of the price, he remembered about the other friend to buy a gift for. His head suddenly felt heavy making him bow, while he buried his hands inside his pockets hoping it would reveal more cash.
"Ron? Are you okay?" It was his sister shaking his shoulders worriedly.
"Huh?"
"You seemed to have been lost in a trance. What's wrong? Were you here all this time? We've been looking for you."
Her two questions seemed to be too many for his glum mood. Though he wanted to reply, he only gave an impression that he was confused. Opening and closing his mouth like a goldfish in an aquarium, while nodding and shaking his head. Suddenly, he stopped and his face lightened. "Ginny, I need your help."
"On what?"
"Do you have some money you can lend me?" he asked quickly, sounding hopeful. This hope didn't last long, anyway. Ginny's reaction changed in an instant, and she looked sorry.
"I do have some, Ron." She was hesitant to disappoint him, but didn't want to give false hope. "But I would need them for Christmas gifts. Well…how much would you need anyway?" she should at least be supportive.
He pointed the potential gift behind the glass and her gape was enough to tell it would be impossible to dig up that amount. He sighed. "Never mind.", and started to walk away, but stopped when he heard Ginny call from behind.
"For Hermione?" she walked to face him, "Well…Christmas isn't a day away. We can ask Bill or Charlie, or Percy…or Fred and George! They're business is doing great, isn't it?" she encouraged feeling excited herself.
Ron smiled at this, then his ears went red. "No. Ginny, they didn't ask anything from me so that they could…anyway…"
"Then we'll figure something out. Both of us!" she understood what he wanted to say. Ginny knew Ron for his pride, which wasn't new for it's a Weasley trait even she possesses. "No one will know. Just the two of us!"
"Do you think we could raise that much before Christmas?" he asked, not very much confident with his sister's words.
"Well…we have red hairs, freckly faces…I mean, we're Weasleys, so we'd definitely find a way."
His smile reappeared. "Do you think she'll like it?", looking back at the shop.
"She'll love it. I'm sure." She paused and fidgeted, not sure if she should say what she was about to, then decided she would anyway. "Actually, Hermione'll love anything you'd give her." Glancing over her shoulders, she saw her brother adopt the color of their family hair. "But that scarf is just perfect." She saw how much Ron wanted to see that scarf on Hermione as well.
"Yeah. Perfect." He mumbled, and they stood some longer under the falling snow, watching the yellow light illuminate the cloth draped around the neck of a mannequin.
AUTHOR's NOTE:
Well, it's short, I know…it's some sort of a prologue coz there's a lot to come! Hehehe…I'm really in the mood for this fic! I can feel the Christmas spirit! Spread the love!
Reviews please..although, there's nothing much to review..I'll be posting the next one Sooooon! Promise!