The Meaning of Love
Chapter 3 The Perfect Gift
Harry could not believe it was two days 'till Christmas. The past month and a half practically flew by. With auror training, Ginny, shopping, and oh yes, Ginny, the holidays just completely snuck up on him.
Good thing I'm an early shopper, he thought lazily as he watched Ron's bright red shaggy head bob in between robe racks at Madame Malkin's.
"Ron, I don't see why your panicking about this, other than the last minute thing, Hermione is really not that picky," Harry told him as he heard a soft grumble from behind a rack of silk robes.
"Harry, you don't understand," Ron said desperately, coming out from behind the rack, holding up robes of purpler silk that could have comfortably fit two Hermione's, easy. "This isn't right," he sighed, defeated.
"Ron, what don't I understand? I think your being completely ridiculous mate," Harry said.
"Alright Harry, listen, you are to tell no one, I mean no one, what I am about to tell you. Understand?" Ron asked, pulling a puzzled looking Harry into a secluded corner. Harry nodded in agreement.
Ten minutes later Ron was practically running to keep up with Harry who was leading the way to Gringotts.
"Harry, what is going on?" Ron asked, bewildered.
"Do you trust me?" Harry asked.
"Yes,"
"Good. Now just follow my lead and I think you'll be quite pleased," Harry replied, swinging open the large door to Gringotts.
"May I help you?" asked a pleasant looking female goblin, in a rarity.
"Yes, thank you. I would like this converted into pounds please," and he handed her a small sack of coins he had pulled from a pocket in his dark green robes.
"Coming right up," the goblin replied, taking the sack of wizard money.
"Harry I-"
"Shh, I'll explain in a minute," and Harry went on ignoring him.
"Here you are Sir," she handed him a good sized wad of notes.
"Thank you, have a nice evening," Harry replied and he led Ron out of the bank.
"Now will you please tell me what you are doing and why you are keeping me from very important shopping?" Ron asked, bordering on whining.
"Yes. I know the perfect gift for you to give Hermione," Harry said brilliantly.
"You do," it was more a statement of disbelief than a question.
"Yes,"
"Okay, and tell me why you needed Muggle money," Ron asked, perplexed.
"Ron, honestly, it's for Hermione's gift. Just trust me okay? Any girl, but especially Hermione, would love what I'm about to show you," he replied, leading them into the Leaky Cauldron.
Before Ron knew hat had happened, Harry had whispered a handy little spell and the two of them had exited the pub out onto a Muggle street, equipped with Muggle clothing.
"What the-"
"Ron relax," Harry chuckled as he unlocked his car that had been parked on the side of the street. In ten minutes time Harry was parking outside of a Muggle jewelry store.
"How did you know about this Harry?" Ron asked looking at a nice window display of diamond necklaces and earrings.
"Actually I noticed it once when I was forced to go along shopping with my aunt and cousin when I was younger, I'm just happy I remembered it," Harry replied opening the door, and then following Ron inside. "Now let me do the talking," Harry quickly told Ron under his breath.
The salesperson was in the back checking on something special when Ron decided to ask a question that had been puzzling him since they had arrived.
"Harry," Ron whispered.
"Hmm?"
"Why couldn't we have just gotten something at our own kind of jewelry store, at least the stones change colors and can come with loads of charms," he asked, making sure to keep his voice down.
"Think about it. Hermione is, different, so showing that you care and take interest in that part of her life is important. This kind of gift will help her connect with her heritage, and probably be a lot more meaningful to her then our usual jewelry," Harry replied smartly.
"Oh," Ron said. "That's actually quite brilliant..."
"I know. I'm just glad you two have finally come to your senses, I always knew you would end up together," Harry chuckled and at that very moment the salesman returned holding a tiny black velvet box.
"Here you are, tell me how you like these," the salesman said in a proper voice, that made Ron snigger. Ron took the soft box and opened it.
"Woah, bloody hell," Ron whispered. The stuffy salesman gave him a disapproving look. "Sorry. These are brilliant, don't you think so Harry?" Ron held up the box to Harry.
"Yeah, I think they are perfect. We'll take them," Harry told the man, who then began to gift wrap the box, which seamed to fascinate Ron.
"Thanks Harry. I'll pay you back in wizard money," Ron told him as they returned to the car.
"Don't worry about it, you can just buy me something extra for my birthday," Harry replied, knowing Ron could never afford it, and also that Ron would never allow it if he understood just how much two karat diamond earrings cost in Muggle money.
"Deal," Ron agreed. "Now lets go home, that was stressful," he declared in an exhausted voice.
Harry grinned and gunned the engine.
Please review guys, this is my first fic so I'm not sure how people like it, and if I dont get reviews I will be greatly discouraged! R&R! Thanks!Annaleah