Day 17 for Countdown to Christmas.

Prompt:

Fairy lights

Disclaimer: I disclaim everything.

Hermione loved Christmas shopping. She loved getting the decorations, the food, and gifts for her family. That's why it was unusual for her to be at her local shopping area, looking for all three of those things.

She had been walking down a cobblestone road, midday, when she first saw it. A flash of red hair. It reminded her of the Weasleys, who she rarely saw anymore, ever since she had broken up with Ron years ago. She and Ginny would still hang out, but she was too busy raising her kids with Harry that they were never really able to spend time together anymore. Besides Mrs. Weasley and Ron, none of them were upset with what happened, but they were all also too busy to make time for someone who wasn't welcomed into the Burrow.

It was probably the curiosity, because she knew that whoever she had just saw could not be a Weasley, but she couldn't help as her feet followed the footsteps of the stranger.

They turned into a kids toy shop, reminding Hermione that she was there to get Christmas shopping done, and not to stalk others. Walking in after the person (she decided it was a him because of how tall he was and how short his hair was), she stopped mouth wide opened as the person's face came into view.

"George?" She cried out. George hadn't seemed to hear or see her and kept on looking at a box of legos. Hermione walked closer to him, and tapped him on the shoulder. "George!" she repeated.

He looked at her, eyes wide. "Hermione?" he breathed, as if he couldn't believe it was her. He took several steps back.

"Er, hi," she said awkwardly, twisting her hands together. "It's been awhile since I've seen you. How are you doing? How's Angelina and the twins? Fred and Roxy, right?"

"Hermione," he said again, he stared at her, eyes still wide. Then he shook his head, "Angelina. The kids. Right, yes they're good. Really good. How are you? How's Ron?"

Hermione narrowed her eyes, "George, what are you talking about? I haven't spoken to Ron in years."

"Of course," he shook his head again, this time rolling his eyes, "I forgot."

"Right," Hermione instantly felt bad, forgetting that he had been in Australia for the last few years, it was stupid to think he'd remember something like that. Especially with how back and forth Hermione and Ron's relationship always used to be like. "How was Australia? Did you find what you were looking for?" Whatever it was.

"No. I don't think so."

"Oh."

Then there was an awkward silence.

"Well, er, I better get back. Still have fairy lights I've got to get," she said, thumb sticking out towards the door.

He smiled, "It was really good to see you, Hermione." He stepped in for a hug (and according to Hermione, it was a longer hug than she was used to), Hermione's cheeks flushed.

"Bye, George. Maybe we'll see each other at Christmas?"

He looked deflated, but still answered, "Yeah, Christmas," he said, they both knowing full well it was a lie (although for different reasons). He watched as she smiled back at him, and turned to leave.

Hermione had only made it a couple of meters down the cobblestone road when she realized 'George' had had two ears. Not one.

Forgetting all about her fairy lights, she turned back and ran to the toy store, only to find that he was already gone. But that didn't matter to her. In fact, the only thing that mattered to her was one thing.

Fred was alive.

What did you think? Was it what you were expecting? Should I add more? Should I continue this as a MC? Should I stop writing all together? Should I stop asking questions? Thank you for reading :)