Disclaimer: I own the names you don't recognize, AKA Dan and Cameron. I also own Cameron's halfwerewolfness that ideas mine, but Serena and her "animals" belong to Clear Shadow. Please read and review!
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The next morning after saying 'bye' and 'merry Christmas' to everyone Cameron and Hermione headed with a bunch of other students to the Hogwarts Express. The ride home was pretty much the same as the ride too. Cameron stared out the window watching as the snow covered fields and towns that lay before them. Him and Hermione spent the ride searching through their textbooks trying to find Nicolas Flamel. The textbooks had been the first place the group had searched through, but Cameron and Hermione decided just to skim through them once more.
"Well that's it, there is nothing in 'Hogwarts a History' nor in 'The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protections' how about 'One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, Magical Drafts and Potions?'" Cameron asked. Hermione shook her head
"Neither"
"You know it be a lot easier if Hagrid would just tell us who Flamel is but something tells me he just wants to see us suffer." Cameron said putting his books back in his bag and taking out his own wizard chess set. "Want to play? I have an extra set"
"All right" Hermione said putting her books aside.
"Mind you I'm not all that great. I'm no Ron and I'm no Dan." He said as they began the game. The time flew by and before Cameron knew it they where pulling into Kings Cross Station. Cameron slipped on his bag and they joined the crowded aisle heading off the train. When they got off the train, there was a couple waiting for Hermione.
"Well have a Merry Christmas Cameron, don't forget about Flamel." She said
"Bye and Merry Christmas too you too" Cameron said watching Hermione walking off with her parents. He looked around, people where meeting up with their parents and relatives. Cameron began getting worried his uncle was never late. Pacing in front of the train on the platform Cameron thought of past Christmas's and wondered how different this one really was going to be. Uncle Remus always spent Christmas with Cameron and Sam, Christmas Eve was when they all went out and got a tree. When his grandfather had been alive him and Cameron where the ones who picked out the tree, and then made Sam and Remus carry it home. Cameron smiled a bit and Grandpa wouldn't let them use magic. He thought smiling widely at that memory. Christmas at the Lupin house was always interesting. Cameron's grandfather who was the biggest joker of the family always did something abnormal on Christmas Eve. Cameron could remember one Christmas when he was about 6, his grandfather had gone outside at midnight, wolfed out, and howled at the half-moon till Sam went outside and chased him inside with a garden hose. Cameron grinned. Things where definitely going to be a different Christmas this year, with just Remus and Cameron. Cameron sat down sadly on a bench now he was the only one there. Running his hand through his hair, Cameron took out his 'Dr. Jeykl and Mr. Hyde book' and began reading. Or at least he tried to; he just couldn't concentrate on it. Finally Cameron just gave up. Suddenly there was a *pop* and there was Remus.
"Cameron?" he said looking around franticly. "Cameron!"
"Over here" Cameron said throwing his backpack on and running over to his uncle.
"Hey I'm so sorry I was late. I was at home cleaning and I completely missed the time. You haven't been waiting long have you?" Cameron shook his head
"No, I was just getting worried." Cameron paused "wait a second you where cleaning?" Remus gave him a look that clearly said 'not a word.'
"Anyways sorry about that, come on I'll take you Diagon Alley and we can get some Christmas shopping done." Cameron grinned
"OK!" he said. Using a special Foo Powder station on Platform 9 ¾ they headed to Diagon Alley. At Gringotts Cameron took out some money from his vault. He wasn't going to let Remus waste his money on him. Outside the two sat on the steps.
"Well how would you like to work this? Do you want to stick with me and do your shopping?" Cameron was about to reply when a tawny flash streaked by his ankles, skidded to a halt, and ran back at him colliding with his legs. Cameron blinked at it. It was Jade, the Chihuahua.
"Cameron?"
"One of Serena's."
"Erm- it doesn't talk does it?" Cameron shook his head, "It's kinda cute actually…do something."
"What do you want me to do howl at her?"
"If you think it'll help…"
"Jade what do you want?" the Chihuahua backed up and took a flying leap into Cameron's arms. Tied around her neck was a piece of parchment.
Dear Cameron and his uncle if he's there,
If you're reading this then that means you got off the train ok and that you uncle found you, (Hopefully) And don't think that I'm singling you out or anything. I sent Felicity to Hermione. She wanted to go to you but because of the whole sunglasses incident I figured that, that would be a bad idea. So I sent you a little canine friend to deliver this. I was just a little concerned for you, don't feel that I'm babying you I do this to most of my students. Have a good holiday see you later.
^-~
Serena
"Is she usually that concerned?"
"If you think this is bad, you should see how tweaked she gets around her fiancée. Or Dan for that matter only Dan loves it. He eats it right up."
"Dan probably looks like his dad huh?" Cameron thought for a moment comparing the picture of the 5 Marauders back home too an image of his friend in his mind. Yup there was a huge likeness between Dan and his dad. Probably the same amount of a resemblance Cameron had to his uncle and father, or even Harry to his dad.
"Yea I guess a little bit." Cameron said grinning. "Knew yer dad when he was here yer uncle too. With out them glasses you look a lot like yer uncle, more then ya look like yer dad. Yer dad was a good man sorry to hear what happened," Hagrid's words floated up through Cameron's memory, he looked at his uncle do I really look like him that much? Cameron thought.
"So as I was saying" Remus said looking at the bouncing Chihuahua "lets say we split up and meet back here in say 2 hours. Then I take you too get some dinner and we'll find out what you've really been doing at school when your supposed to be studying Ok?" Cameron nodded
"Sure whatever you say hey wait a sec!" he said grinning Remus nodded and looked at his watch.
"2 hours got it? If your not here 2 hours from now I'm going to start to panic understand." Cameron grinned
"So 3 hours was that how long?" he said
"Come back in even a minute over 2 hours and you will taste my Christmas cooking" Remus threatened
"Ok, ok" Cameron said shuddering. "2 hours I promise"
"And stay out of Knockturn Alley I mean it!" Cameron grinned mischievously
"Wouldn't dream of it" Remus's face turned serious
"I mean it Cameron, Knockturn is full of Dark Magic, it's the last place a werewolf needs to be caught in" Remus paused "Remember when grandpa took you to the Werewolf council and you met Elder Tyler?" Cameron nodded he vaguely remembered the old man his face had been scared and full of old battle wounds. But then again Cameron had only been 5 when he had last seen the Werewolf Council. Tyler had been at Sam's funeral but Cameron didn't talk too anyone there. "Well Tyler went down there in his younger days a short cut he called it, and one day he met up with figures in cloaks their faces completely hidden, some how, even Tyler doesn't know how, they knew he was a werewolf and they nearly killed him but they would not leave Knockturn alley it was how Tyler escaped. And when he became the Elder of the Werewolves, Tyler vowed that no werewolf who valued his life shall enter Knockturn."
"Ok I promise I won't go any where near it." Remus smiled
"All right get going." With a wave bye, Cameron took off down the street towards Flourish and Blotts. He knew exactly what too get everybody. He had his whole Christmas shopping list planned out since the beginning of December; the only one he really couldn't figure out was Serena. He had even ventured to ask Quirrell what he planned on getting Serena, but he had muttered something about correcting homework and had taken off. Cameron took his list out of his pocket as he entered Flourish and Blotts.
Harry: "Seekers through the century"
Ron: "Hounds of Bakersvill, a Wizards version"
Hermione: "History of Diagon Alley"
Dan: History of the legendary Balley Castle Bats or book about Merlin
Serena: no idea
Uncle Remus: new book figure it out later
Send some other things too other Gryffindors
Felicity: Catnip toy
Jade: chew toy
Cameron gave a nod and looked around, it didn't take him very long to find all the books on his list. The only ones he hadn't been able to find was something for Serena and something for Remus. So he went up to the owner.
"Um do you have gift certificates or anything like that?" he asked
The owner smiled and nodded
"Yup right here" he handed Cameron a gift certificate and Cameron handed him some money.
"Thank you" Cameron said as he left the store. He stopped in a Magical Creatures store and bought the toys for Felicity and Jade, but still couldn't figure out what to get Remus. Cameron glanced at his watch he was running out of time. If he couldn't find anything in the next 20 minutes he'd have to give Remus one of the extra gift certificates, which he really didn't want to do, because Cameron really wanted to get Remus something good as a way of saying thank you. Suddenly Cameron felt someone bump into him and he was knocked to the ground. His glasses were thrown off his face and landed a few feet from him. His presents also landed a few feet away. Cameron rubbed his eyes and they focused on the figure standing over him. He gave a groan
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Standing over Cameron was Malfoy sneering at him. "If it isn't the 2nd charity case of Potters little friends. Cameron Jenkins"
"Fancy seeing you here Malfoy why aren't you at home writing your letter to Father Christmas?" Cameron said sarcastically standing up. Malfoy's glare intensified.
"Well I didn't expect to see you here anyways after all you probably had to save for months too be able to buy anyone Christmas gifts. Did you sell those robes of yours too a cleaning store in need of rags for cleaning furniture?" He said sneering, "If you need too find some presents, I did hear that there's a very good sale down in Knockturn Alley," Malfoy looked at Cameron "or are we too afraid to wander down Knockturn?"
"I'm not afraid of Knockturn I however do not find the Dark Arts something to toy with."
"Or your just afraid that Assistant Professor Snape will come and attack you with her fan."
"Shut up Malfoy" Cameron looked around "so where are your parents? Did they take your baby harness off you so you could explore Diagon by yourself? Or is your nanny somewhere really close watching you?" Cameron grinned "or did you ditch your nanny?" Malfoy looked ready to say something back but his eyes darted too where Cameron's sunglasses lay. Cameron followed his gaze and made a dive for them, but Malfoy beat him too them and picked them up.
"Oh lookie here, little Cameron's precious sunglasses" Malfoy said sneering at him waving them around. "I wonder what's the real reason you need these things, because if your trying to look like a muggle you're not doing such a good job."
"Give 'em here Malfoy" Cameron shouted, he glanced up at the sky the overcast sky was beginning to break any minute the sun would shine right on the street, Cameron had to get his glasses back before that.
"Why should I" Malfoy said a hint of amusement in his voice he followed Cameron's gaze up too the sky. "I would enjoy seeing you faint like a girl again. Why would I want to miss entertainment like that, besides what have you given me?"
"I have nothing to give you and you know that" Cameron growled
"Sure you do" Malfoy eyed the presents Cameron had bought
"You keep your bloody paws off of them!" Cameron was about to lunge at Malfoy when a voice called through the street.
"Draco time to go, come on!"
Malfoy looked down the street to where to voice had come from.
"Coming!" he said and turned to Cameron he grinned evilly and dropped Cameron's glasses to the cobblestone with a sneer on his face he put his foot down on Cameron's glasses smashing them, he twisted his foot around grinding the pieces into the street. "Well Jenkins enjoy your holiday." And with that walked off down the street.
Cameron stared at the shattered glasses and glanced up at the sky bits of sun were breaking through and Cameron groaned, he hurriedly picked up his gifts and the pieces of his glasses and darted into a nearby store. A bell rang as he entered the shop; he glanced around the cluttered store. It was full of muggle and wizard objects. Cameron put his bags down and walked towards a glass case. Inside was a large gold pocket watch, Cameron grinned from ear to ear, he had found Remus's present. Cameron could remember that his uncle had always wanted a pocket watch.
"Like the watch boy?" a voice said. Cameron glanced up; standing in front of him was an old wizard.
"Yes sir, um how much is it?"
"25 galleons" the owner said. "Normally twice that much since its such a old watch, but its been here for years and I haven't had any luck selling it, figure it out too finally go too a good home." He took the watch out of the case and handed it too Cameron.
"What's so special about it?" The old wizard smiled
"That's a very special watch. It's been passed around to different wizards and withes over the centauries. Given to them as a gift as a thank you for one thing or another. It will only open up if the person its being given too deserves it. Its one of a kind, they stopped making them when people began figuring out how to tap them to make them open up to anyone."
"How do you know if it'll open up for them?"
"You don't."
"So if I got this and gave it as a thank you and it didn't open-"
"It means the person didn't deserve your thanks." Cameron reached into his pocket and extracted the last bit of money he had, equaling up to 25 exactly.
"I'll take it."
"Sure son?" the old wizard said looking down at him Cameron nodded he was sure. "Whose this for? If you don't mind me asking?"
"Its for my uncle." Cameron replied handing the money to the wizard.
"What makes you sure he deserves the watch?" Cameron looked at the wizard as he wrapped the watch in paper and put into a box.
"He's been there for me, he's like my dad." Cameron said then thought about what he had just said. Remus had said he wasn't going to replace Sam and he hadn't, he was still the uncle Cameron loved to joke around with. But over the last few months Remus had become more then a fun loving uncle, he had become a father figure.
"Well son I hope he enjoys the watch. Like I said its one of a kind and very special, he'll treasure it if it opens up. And here boy here's a special case to keep it in that's included in the deal."
"Thanks a lot sir." Cameron said taking the parcel off the counter, he glanced at his own watch and realized he had exactly three minutes to reach Gringotts. Hurriedly picking up his other packages, Cameron glanced outside, the sun had once again disappeared behind the clouds and a light snow was starting to fall. Jogging along the wet street Cameron avoided other shoppers as he headed towards the bank. He was relived to see that Remus was not there yet. Cameron sighed with relief and sat down on the cold step. He jumped a little at the coldness then settled back down on the step. Cameron was beginning to lose feeling in his nose when he finally spotted his uncle carrying three large parcels two tucked under each arm and the third he was attempting to slide under his arm with the others. "Having fun Uncle Remus?" Cameron said grinning.
"Oh yes loads,"
"Why didn't you just magic them to float behind you?"
"Because I couldn't get my wand out of my pocket."
"Oh." Cameron said
"Are you all set?" Cameron nodded
"Do you need help?"
"That would be great." Remus said as Cameron took the unbalanced parcel out from under his uncles arm. "What do you say we head home?" Cameron nodded
"That sounds good." He admitted.
"Well come on then lets get to the Floo station I just hope we've beaten the rush." Remus said with a sigh as the two walked off down the street.
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Wow long chappy no? Anyways hope you enjoyed it. Please leave a review on your way out and I'll be happy to put up the next chapter. Also as a little note, after I finish the first year, I'm skipping the 2nd year and just going right to 3RD year, why? Because I already have half of 3rd year typed out and it's my favorite of the books. Anyways just as a note. Auf wiedersehen mein freund later!