Part 2

It came to about eleven in the morning before many people began flooding into Hogsmeade to finish last minute Christmas shopping. Draco walked down the hill he had been sitting on for three hours and pushed his way past the oncoming surge of shoppers to a particular shop. When he reached it, there were only about two or three people choosing presents. He stepped through the dusty shop, the tinkle of the bell sounding in the ancient interior. An even more ancient man came hobbling from the back of the store. His grey hair was greasy, plastered to his head, his skin wrinkled and sagging, and he wore thin silver framed glasses that magnified his cold grey eyes.

"Master Draco Malfoy", he said giving a small bow.

"I'm looking for a piece of jewellery", said Draco, not really appreciating that someone had recognised him.

"You've come to the right place" he said pulling out a couple of trays from under the glass counter, "you've decided to give your heart away too early? Just like your parents did when they came in here".

"I'm not my parents", said Draco coldly, "I haven't, nor ever will give my heart away".

"Yes sir. Now which piece were you looking for"?

Draco scanned the trays and a particular piece caught his eye.

It was a fine silver chain upon which hung a tiny silver pendant. Draco picked it up to study it more closely, and on examining it, saw that a sparkling emerald was encased in the pendant.

"That's not for you sir", said the shopkeeper breaking Draco's rapture at the shiny dangling jewel, "it comes with a ring, also containing the same gem, and often the necklace is given to a lady while the gentlemen keeps the ring. If anything happens to either one of them the gem turns black then shatters. This includes death, adultery or injury".

Draco took the ring that was offered and looked at both of pieces of jewellery, one in each hand. He wasn't going to buy for some mushy, sentimental reason, but figured that it would be handy tool if they ever had to go separate ways during a mission. Plus, he figured Cameron would accept this gift because truthfully he was sorry for hurting her the previous day. He didn't have to make a personal remark about himself and anything he had been through, but he had done. He didn't have to know about her either, but he couldn't help but wonder...

"Would you like to purchase it"? came the shopkeeper's distant voice.

"How much"? asked Draco.

"100 Galleons, but for you Master Malfoy, a mere 75".

"I don't want any special treatment because of my name" snapped Draco putting a hundred Galleons on to the counter, "if keeping distant form my family means paying an extra 25 Galleons of my hard earned money, then so be it. I'll have them in a gift box".

The old man bustled about for a few minutes, counting the Galleons, then placing the necklace in separate small black boxes, lined with green velvet.

Draco put both boxes into his pocket and walked out into the freshly fallen snow and hubbub of people. Christmas was still a week away, but Draco sincerely hoped Cameron accepted his gift. He was planning on giving it to her today, what was the point in waiting? He walked back up to castle, and hoping Cameron would still consent to speak to him walked reluctantly through the doors to the Entrance Hall. He turned into a few corridors and up flights of stairs, finally reaching the corridor where his room was. To his ultimate surprise, he found Cameron crouched in front of the portrait of space, outside his room.

She turned her head as she saw him coming and stood up.

He watched her look nervously at him and wondered whether this was the type of fear in engaged in people. She looked worried, afraid he might snap again and mentally he felt a pang of sorrow. Did he really enjoy evoking such fear? Was that all he was destined to do? For the first time in his life he felt regret at what he had become.

He didn't realise he was vaguely looking at Cameron who now looked slightly puzzled.

"Cameron listen. The only reason I snapped like that was because I brought my personal life into this training. Personal lives have to stay out of it. Mine and yours. I'm-I'm sorry"

Cameron gave a small smile.

She took a step towards him and he stepped backwards, away from her.

"It's ok Draco. Apology accepted. I'm not going to hex you."

He paused cautiously as she stepped towards him and held out his arms in shock as she wrapped her arms around him, head on his shoulder and gave him a hug.

"Cameron" said Draco, nearly speechless for once, "what are you doing?"

"It's called a hug Draco," said Cameron laughing, "you have been hugged before right"?

Draco's smile faded slightly as Cameron said this. She noticed and he quickly regained his cool demeanour, walking over to the portrait and opening it.

"Come in" he said stepping through, "I've got something for you".

She followed him, looking mystified. He indicated an armchair and they both sat down by the fire.

"Early Christmas present" said Draco, handing her the black box, embarrassedly looking away, his pale face earning a pink tinge.

Cameron took it slowly, the thought of a trap or trick gone from her mind. She opened it and her eyes widened as she lifted the delicate necklace from the green velvet lining.

Without warning, and this time not as cautiously as before, Cameron leapt from the seat and threw her arms around Draco's neck. He was knocked over backwards into the rug, but for once made no effort to fight off his attacker. She crawled away and held the necklace up to the firelight where the emerald sparkled and the chain reflected the orange glow of the flames.

"Draco it's wonderful" she whispered, "you have no idea how much I hate sounding mushy like this but no one's ever given me jewellery before and I really appreciate this".

She smiled at him and for the first time since he had met her, he appreciated how beautifully warm and soft her hazel eyes were. The smile reached them and made them reflect her happiness.

"Is it magical or is it just a normal necklace"? she asked fiddling with clasp.

Draco involuntarily clutched the other box in his pocket. Luckily Cameron was off guard for a change, too busy trying to fasten her necklace to notice.

"Here let me get that", said Draco walking behind her and kneeling down.

He swept her long brown hair over her shoulder and took both parts of the chain and clasped them together. He couldn't help but notice her neck, so smooth as his hand brushed against it, straightening her necklace.

"Thanks Draco" she said turning around, "thank you so much. Now, what would you like for a Christmas present"?

"Nothing Cameron, nothing. I don't do Christmas, well except from my parents who absolutely insist on sending me something. Nothing you can buy will make me happy".

Cameron didn't look disappointed at this; instead she stood up as Draco did, gave him another hug to say thank you, and after making plans to complete their second Arithmancy project of the year, left him standing behind the door.

Draco stood behind it, mind blank, senses reeling.

It was strange, he thought, this doesn't feel strange.