A/N: This fic is one I was thinking about before the HBP came out, but now it's sort of solidified. If you haven't yet read HBP (Shame on you) then be warned that there are spoilers here. There is also explicit and sometimes non-consensual sex and violence. If you are old enough and mature enough to deal with that, read on. Otherwise, don't blame me for ruining the book or hurting your psyches. Please review.

Thanks to:

Kichou: Again, for forever, thanks for reviewing…

Shi-Sha Hariken: Thanks, yes they are being rather sweet.

Dog-demon3: You don't have to comment. It's enough to know you're reading….

Griffyn: Thanks, hope you like…

mhsalien05: Thanks!

It's so nice to know someone is reading…it means a lot to an author when people review.

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. You all know that.

I changed quickly into clean clothing, carefully picking clothing that was baggy and comfortable. I felt that clothing was my armor, protecting me from people being able to see what had happened to me.

Stepping back into the kitchen, the twins smiled at me. "We don't think you're up to apperating yet. George is going to tandem apperate with you." Fred said matter-of-factly. George just nodded and held out his hand to me.

The evening passed quickly enough in shopping. We went to a muggle store, so we didn't run into anyone we knew. I was a little nervous being out in the big world, but overall, I think I did pretty well. There was one moment, where I saw this guy with really white blond hair, when I wasn't sure…but then George was there, telling me a joke, and when I looked again, I saw it was just a guy…

Once our shopping was done we headed out into the parking lot. The twins shrunk the cart and we all apperated back to their flat.

We were all pretty tired that night. The twins from their busy day of Christmas rush, and me from facing the world and all the cleaning. So we decided to get to bed early that night. Once again, George set up the cot next to the bed I was sleeping in while I got ready for bed.

The next few days passed more or less like the ones before them. The twins and Lee worked all day in the shop while I cleaned or cooked or read, never leaving the flat.

Finally, the day before Christmas, I decided that I needed to face the world. I had not bought any Christmas presents for my friends yet, and it would be a scramble getting owls to them now…

So dressing in warm and baggy clothing, I headed downstairs after cleaning up the breakfast dishes.

"Fred," I said, as he was the first person I saw in the shop, "I am going shopping. I didn't want you all to worry about me. I'll be back later and we'll have lunch together."

"OK. I'll let George know. Are you sure you want to go alone, Hermione?" He looked uncertain.

"Yes, Fred. I'll be fine. There are a lot of people shopping today. Nothing bad will happen to me. I won't leave Diagon Alley…I'm not 11, you know."

"I know, Hermione. But George would kill if anything else happened to you….so would I…"

"Fred, really, I have to face the world sometime. I'm leaving to go back to Hogwarts in a week…" That's when it hit me. Hogwarts. Ron and Harry and Ginny. God, I was going to have to face them, too…and leave George…and Fred…oh, boy… "I'll be OK, Fred. I'll be back for lunch." And before I could change my mind, I left.

Outside the sun was shining and the light was reflecting off the white snow. There were a lot of children laughing and looking into the windows. I noticed there were a number of them looking longingly at the joke shop, but the mothers mostly hurried past it. Not that I could blame them…there were a number of things I wouldn't want my kids to have in that store if I were a mother...

My first stop was Quality Quidditch Supplies. Really, I could probably finish my shopping here, as most people on my list loved Quidditch...

Ron got a Cannons' hat, and Harry got a book on famous seekers, with all their statistics and the moves they were known for.

After that, I went to Madame Malkins' and got Ginny a hand painted shawl that she had been eyeing. It was done in the ancient Chinese fashion and had dragons painted on the silk that glimmered and moved like they were alive.

Now, I was in something of a quandry. I couldn't think of anything to get the twins.

I mean, they were doing quite well for themselves. So there was nothing they needed. I hadn't spent enough time with them...before...to really have any idea what they would like...

It had to be something special. Something that showed them how incredibally much I appreciated what they had done for me. Something as unique as they were...

You'd think, being a witch, living in the wizarding world where things muggles think are impossible are normal occurances, that there would be a number of options that would fit the bill. But, honestly, I couldn't think of a single one...

Sighing, I decided to head back to the flat, mail the gifts to Harry, Ron, and Ginny, and fix lunch. My shopping for the tiwns could wait until after lunch...

A/N: I know this is short. I am moving tomorrow to another state and wanted to get something up before then. I think I should have the next chapter up within the week, but I can't promise. If you have something you think would make a perfect gift for the twins, put it in a review. I have some ideas, but would love to hear what you think, too...