Chapter 4- Hogsmeade Shopping

The snow fell softly over the pathway which lead into Hogsmeade. Usually when Severus made his way down to the village he would have in mind the kinds of cauldrons he needed to purchase in Potage's Cauldron Shop or certain books from the not so tiny shop of Tomes and Scrolls.

Today though was all about Jenny. The little child was bundled up warmly in her one piece snowsuit that showed only her tiny face. She cooed happily while she laid in her carriage which hovered in front of Minerva who was very delighted about shopping for baby clothes and Albus who was looking forward to seeing the new line of toys that was being offered this year.

"Severus let me take Jenny please." Albus wheedled, "I would like to show her some of the toys so I can get an idea as to what to get her."

Severus' eyebrow rose slightly but he did let Albus take the little girl with him to the new store called Magical Mayhem that had just opened up in Hogsmeade. The word spread around was that it had a very large selection of children's toys from babyhood to those for older children. In fact they also had an area where kids could go play while parents shopped for their gifts.

"I shouldn't but I suppose Jenny would enjoy having 'grandpa time' with you." Severus grouched as he stared at the brightly lit window of the shop where he could see the different varieties of toys either sitting quietly on the shelves or hovering and floating about above the crowd of shoppers.

"Don't get too focused on the toys and forget you have Jenny with you." Minerva added the stern admonishment to Seveus relief. "I and Severus will go pick up a few items from Gladrags."

"I won't let her out of my sight Minerva,." Albus promised with eyes twinkling gleefully. "after all Jenny has to help me decide as to what I buy." He added innocently as he and Jenny proceeded to the entrance of the store.

The clothes shopping for Jenny was going quite well as Minerva had selected several outfits along with some extra warm winter snugglies and self warming blankets which Severus approved of- after all despite all the warming spells and fireplaces there was still a slight coolness that could be associated with living in the dungeons.

It was half an hour later when they stepped into Magical Mayhem which was appropriately named as far as they where concerned as the noise level of childre'ns delighted chattering as they played in one area and the hum of comments as their parents or guardians discussed the wisdom of getting this or that toy for their children's Christmas increased.

They saw Albus who was kneeling on the cushioned floor as he was showing Jenny how to stack blocks and knocking them down by hand then watched as the blocks bounced back up and moved themselves within reach of Jenny's tiny hands - both of them wondered if it had been such a great idea to allow Albus to chose some of the toys. Admittedly some things he looked at where acceptable – like the stuffies though neither of them was quite sure about the realistic dragons which puffed wisps of smoke and imitation fire, little toys that chimed music to help a baby relax when pressed and soft story books that told stories of the magical world among various other items that where displayed invitingly.

Jenny giggled and babbled her opinion as 'grandpa' showed her some of the moving pictures in the books besides showing her how to play with the amazing toys.

But of all the toys Albus checked out, the train set was the one that mesmerized the elderly Headmaster the most. It was an accurate replica of Hogsmeade station, train and village except that there were admittedly more tracks for the train to run on. But that didn't deter the Headmaster from checking it out.

He even took Jenny over to it and pointed out all the little buildings, tracks and told her about the train that brought students to Hogwarts. She answered him in baby talk which he declared that she was saying she loved it too.

After showing Jenny the wonderful train set Albus handed Jenny over to Minerva who gave her some apple juice from a baby bottle while they waited for Albus to choose the gifts. They watched the youngsters playing with balls, colouring books, sliding down the big colourful slides or jumping into the ball pit in the play area.

"Christmas! How long does it take to pick up a few baby toys? He had an hour to look around ." Severus grumbled to Minerva as they waited for Albus as he took his time choosing the perfect gifts for Jenny. Albus had informed them that he had to 'test' each one to make sure they worked properly,and now he had an idea as to what to get Jenny. "So why doesn't he just pick some up so we can get out of here!"

"I know what you mean. Its when you are trying to buy the perfect gift for that one special person; yet wondering at the same time if the gift might not be quite what it should have been." said Minerva as she burped then tickled Jenny under her chin which made the tiny girl giggle.

"Bah Humbug! Jenny is a baby. There isn't a whole lot of toys for her age to choose from." Severus spotted the elderly Headmaster, "Oh great...Albus is playing with that replica of the Hogswarts train with the Hogsmeade station and village again." scoffed Severus before a thoughtful look come across his face as the Headmaster quit playing with the set and strolled over to the shelves of baby toys and some other items that wasn't quite as advanced. "Do you think we could pool our resources and get him that silly train set for Christmas ... Not that I really care; but I can't think of a single thing other than the books or candy I usually get him. "

"Why Severus that is an excellent idea. " whispered Minerva , "I swear it gets more difficult each year to find that one particular book that we think he hasn't got, and sometimes it is quite embarrassing to pick up those ludicrous wildly coloured socks he likes so much... and I suppose I should have picked some up while we were there getting Jennys things. But I can get them another time."

"Okay, How about if... I'll pay for the train set now and you can give me your half later." Severus shrugged and commented offhandedly, "You know we can suggest to Filius, Pomona and Poppy that they can pick up the books, candy and socks for him this year."

"Okay, Deal." Minerva agreed willingly, " Though I am tempted to buy those lurid socks for Albus that scream when they get too smelly."

Severus smirked at Minerva as he caught a salesman's eye and as discretely as he could he motioned towards the train set with his finger, and then indicated Albus then mouthed 'Hogwarts, My quarters in the dungeon."

Fortunately the salesman knew Severus well enough from when he was a student and one of his Slytherins. He was wise enough to understand that he wasn't to draw attention to the transaction- as he had also noticed Albus' interest in the set. With a swish of his wand he swiftly packed the train set back up in its box and sent it to the counter where several employees wrapped it up in candy cane covered wrapping paper as Severus set his Gringotts key onto the sales slip. The parcel vanished from the store and reappeared inside Severus' quarters.

Albus finally finished picking out some age appropriate toys for Jenny and hovered them over to the counter not noticing the absence of the train set until he glanced back at where it had been displayed.

"It's gone already?" He exclaimed, then he smiled wistfully, "Oh well, maybe when Jenny is older..."

" You weren't planning to get that train set where you Albus?" Minerva asked as both she and Severus waited for him to pay for his purchases. "It is too far advanced for her."

Albus sighed. "I know you are right as always my dear. But she will be big enough to get one of those someday." He showed her the bag that held a box that had a large wooden train set with big wheels and corresponding tracks." I thought I would start her out with this toy first and it will be a Christmas gift." He added.

"Oh Albus..." Minerva rolled her eyes as she turned to look at Severus. "I hope you will have enough room otherwise one will have to be added just for Jenny's toys."

"Got it covered." answered Severus dryly, "Jenny has not only her bedroom but Caffine said that by the time we get back there will be a playroom added on to my quarters. Smart House Elf. That one."

authors notes

I do hope this chapter is all right. A little later than I wished but at least I got it loaded in.

I was hoping to get this chapter up before Christmas but not only did the server go down but we had a few problems with the hydro due to ice storms. On Christmas Eve at 2 P.M our Grandson took his stepfathers GMC out to pick up his God-brother and some old fellow in an old car (Possibly a Mercury) came out of a side street and cut him off which caused him to slide a bit into the ditch and roll the truck a couple of times ... Fortunately the seatbelt held as my grandson pressed himself back against the seat and headrest while it was rolling. He was not physically harmed but as for the truck... Let's just say it didn't fare as well.

We had good reasons to Thank God, Christ and all the angels this Season.