Recap: "Fine then. And I'll find a much better thing to give! More Christmassy and romantic!" said Hermione.
Harry spluttered at her last word and got up quickly saying, "I'm going to dinner!"
The next day was the day that most people would be receiving their first Secret Santa presents. Harry awoke to see a neatly packaged gift at the foot of his bed. He opened to find a fancy stationary set, with a large, rather grand quill and 10 different coloured inks. He went into the living room and knocked on Hermione's door.
"Coming.. just getting dressed!" came the reply from behind the door.
Hermione appeared a few minutes later, fully dressed in her robes. She looked at Harry who was still in his pajamas and raised an eyebrow. "Harry, today's Monday! Classes are gonna start in like 20 minutes. Shouldn't you be getting dressed?"
"Oh yea!" All thoughts of asking Hermione what she got and feigning surprise went out oh his head and he quickly rushed back into his room to get dressed.
"I'm going to have breakfast ok Harry?" called Hermione from the living room.
Harry came down a few minutes later to see Hermione, Ron and Ginny sitting together and went to join them. They were eagerly talking about their presents.
"Good morning, sleepyhead! Did you get anything from your Secret Santa?" asked Ginny, turning to him as he sat down. His stomach lurched. He mentally shook himself.
"Yea I did. It was this really cool stationary set," he said, not looking at Hermione, who was grinning widely.
"Oh really? I got this snow globe. It's pretty cute." Ginny said.
For a split second, Harry considered the fact that Ginny was his Secret Santa. The way she seemed so interested in what he got was rather suspicious. But she was just being curious, that's all, he told himself. He turned to Ron.
"What did you get?" he asked Ron.
"Nothing." came the reply.
"What? How could you not have gotten anything?" Harry exclaimed.
"I donno.. I must have a pretty lousy Secret Santa!" said Ron, who was looking really grumpy.
"Wow that sucks man, what about you Hermione?" said Harry now looking at her.
"Oh, I got this beautiful photo frame. It's gorgeous!" said Hermione.
Ron turned red, but fortunately Hermione was looking in her bag for her timetable and didn't notice.
After classes, Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way to their favourite spot and sat down.
"So Harry, have you told Ron yet?" asked Hermione?
Harry, thinking she meant the crush he had on Ginny, gave Hermione a pleading look.
"You know, about what we decided last night after dinner?" prompted Hermione.
"Oh yea! Well after the last gift is given on Christmas Day, we've decided that instead of everyone meeting in the Great Hall, we're going to have a Winter Dance as usual, and everyone will find out his or her Secret Santa's then." said Harry, sighing with relief as he realized what Hermione meant.
"Oh ok.." was all Ron said. He was gazing into the sky, not really paying much attention.
"What's up Ron?" asked Hermione.
"Oh nothing. I was just wondering why I seem to be the only one in the whole of Hogwarts who hasn't got a gift from my Secret Santa!" said Ron, now looking mad.
"Oh Ron, I'm sure your Secret Santa had a reason. Maybe him or her is in the hospital wing or something and hasn't managed to send you something?" said Hermione, trying to console him.
"Oh yeah I'm sure that's it!" said Ron sarcastically. His bad mood remained the whole afternoon but as they were sitting down to lunch, they saw Pig zooming towards them.
"Bloody hell, why's he come at lunch?" said Ron in exasperation.
Pig landed on the table and Harry and Hermione saw he was holding a large package. On took the package and opened it. Out fell a book. It was titled "Everything you need to know about the Chudley Cannons!" There was also a note inside that simply said, "I forgot, sorry! – Your Secret Santa."
"Bloody hell!" said Ron again, gazing down at the book, "this is incredible! I've always wanted this!"
Harry and Hermione looked at each other and grinned. Ron would cheer up now. Whoever his Secret Santa was, he or she had obviously had a delay in sending it. Harry wondered who it was. He had been inclined to think that it might have been Hermione earlier on, but now he knew it couldn't possibly be. He had seen Hermione wrapping a gift last night; besides, Hermione was not likely to forget sending a gift. Maybe Hermione was his own Secret Santa. That could be possible, but then she wouldn't have been so open about the wrapping paper last night, he would have recognized his gift if it had that wrapping paper on it. So, Harry had no clue about who his Secret Santa could be.
A WEEK LATER
That weekend another Hogsmeade trip had been planned. This time Harry was hoping Hermione would help him pick out a gift for Ginny, as he had been sure that she hadn't like the snow globe, even though she had said it was cute.
Surprisingly Ron said that he was going to stay back this time. When Harry asked him what he would give his Secret Santa, Ron merely shrugged and said, "I have homework, I'll figure something out."
So Harry and Hermione set out together to Hogsmeade. On arriving, Hermione dragged him into a gifts shop and told him to start looking around. Harry did just that, but didn't bother looking. He was convinced Hermione would pick out a perfect gift for him. 2o minutes later, they still didn't have a gift. Hermione was inclined to blame it on the shop when Harry caught sight of a beautiful watch on display. It had a large dial with silver hands. The strap was thin, and looked like it was made of real gold. It was feminine and delicate, and simply lovely. Hermione gasped when Harry pointed it out to her and approved immediately. They paid for it and walked out, heading for the Three Broomsticks.
"What about you Hermione, what are you going to get for your person?" asked Harry, when they had settled down with drinks.
"Oh I got lots of gifts last time so I wouldn't have to buy one each trip," she explained, "Ginny is going to love this watch, Harry. And you didn't need me at all! You picked it out by yourself."
Just then door opened and Harry and Hermione looked in its direction to see Ron. He had a small package in his hand and he quickly stuffed it into his pocket when he saw them.
"Hey guys, I just couldn't stand being at Hogwarts alone, so I came." He told them.
"Oh ok, did you finish your essay for Professor Sinistra?" asked Hermione.
"Oh um, sort of" muttered Ron, "So have you guys finished shopping?"
"Yeah, in fact, Hermione was smart enough to buy several gifts last time so she wouldn't have to buy one every time." Harry told Ron.
"Wow, you think of everything don't you, Hermione," said Ron, looking admiringly at her. Hermione went rather pink but said, "Oh please, it's what anyone with common sense would do!"
AN: Please drop a review telling me what you think! And don't forget to tell me who you think are Harry and Ron's Secret Santa's!