Finding a present to get for Tom was more difficult Ginny had expected, and way harder than just saying that she was going to get him one. His birthday was a little under a month away, and she was a broke seven year old in an orphanage. How was she going to scrape together the funds to actually buy anything?
She was going to have to ask for help, Weasleys didn't like accepting charity from anyone, but she didn't have any other options. She'd have to ask Sarah, and pay her back later.
Aside from the money, she had no idea what to get him. What would a kid like Tom even want? He barely played with the toys he had, she couldn't imagine he'd want action figures or anything. He drew, but just getting him some crayons seemed so lacklustre, it wasn't like he considered himself an artist or anything.
But, he was very clever, and he prided himself on being clever. In that way, he was a little like Hermione.
Maybe she could get him a book. He spent a lot of time reading, it was probably the closest thing to a favourite hobby he had.
A book was a good idea. But what kind? Fact or fiction? Would he prefer a short story, or a long one? Maybe something with magic, she did kind of want to warm him up to the idea. He was a wizard, after all, even if he didn't know it yet.
Getting textbooks that they would need at Hogwarts was way too on the nose, even if he was the kind to enjoy reading that sort of thing. Not that she could get into Flourish and Blotts.
No, she wanted to get him something nice, something he could enjoy that wasn't boring schoolwork that only bossy geniuses actually liked.
She'd get him a muggle novel. A fantasy story, something with magic and adventure.
Now all she needed was money, and to convince someone to take her into London to actually buy it.
Ginny ran down the hallway to try and catch Sarah.
It had taken her an hour just to find her in this dark, winding maze of a children's home. It might have gone faster if every second worker here hadn't turned her away without directions.
"Sarah!" she called out, "Sarah!"
Sarah spun around, frowning in concern, "Everything alright?"
Ginny nodded and put her hands on her hips, "I want to buy a book for Tom. It's his birthday soon, and he's never had a present before. I need a little bit of money, and someone to take me."
"I don't think he's had a friend before, either. You're awful sweet," Sarah replied, "You'd be the only one in the place wanting to buy the rascal something of his own. Well, I'll do what I can, the orphanage won't pay for it, and I don't have much, what with the Depression and all. But I have a little bit of pocket money, we could probably get a second-hand book for a pence or two. I'm going on a trip to the grocers tomorrow, I'll take you along and you can pick up something."
"Yes! Thank you, Sarah!"
The young woman grinned and ruffled Ginny's hair. "You're welcome. To be honest we need all the joy we can get around here, its getting dreadfully grim lately."
Ginny nodded.
Ginny was shaken awake. She looked up blearily to see Sarah looming over her. She felt Tom curl further into her back.
"I've told the Matron that I'm taking you to help me on the grocery run. Come on, let's go," the girl said.
Ginny nodded and rubbed her eyes, sitting up. She was putting on her shoes when she noticed Tom was awake and looking at her, questioning.
"I'll be back soon," she said, smiling at him. He nodded and turned over.
She turned and followed Sarah out. Ginny frowned when she stopped and knocked on another door. She heard a thump before the door opened, and two boys who looked about twelve walked out, one still yawning.
"You two ready to go?" Sarah asked them.
The yawning boy nodded.
"Yeah we're ready," said the other.
As they left, she entered several more rooms, collecting six of the older children in total. Ginny was easily the youngest and smallest there. It was familiar territory for her, and she could almost imagine that she was at home, her mother corralling everyone for a trip, dragging the twins away from their latest antic and trying to clean up Ron's face before leaving the house. Percy would hold her hand so she couldn't possibly be lost in the rush.
But she was not at home. She was here, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, the children lining up with order and discipline, rather than a rowdy cheer.
She did wonder how they were going to get there. They were muggles, they couldn't use the floo, or portkeys.
It turned out, they were walking there.
They'd been walking for about twenty minutes at a pretty brisk pace, and Ginny was exhausted. She'd only rarely walked this far without a break in her life, and certainly not when she was this little. She was sure her legs wouldn't handle a return trip.
"Y'aight?" asked a blonde boy, slowing down so she could keep up with him.
She nodded, too out of breath to speak. She could see her breath from the cold air.
The boy slowed down further for her, "Never come on a grocer trip before? The place isn't too far now, and you'll get a chance to rest your little legs before we come back. No one'll make you carry heavy things anyhow."
Oh Merlin, she had to walk all the way back while carrying stuff.
The bookstore was a few doors down from the grocers, and when they got there Ginny was promptly deposited at the doors while the other kids went on ahead.
"Here you go, Virginia," Sarah said, handing her two coins, "You find something nice. Come over when you're done, or we'll come and get you if you've not shown up and we're finished."
Ginny nodded and headed into the dimly lit little bookstore, a bell dinging as she walked through the doors.
A plump older woman appeared, smiling genially, "Anything I can help you with, sweetheart?"
"I'm looking for a present for my friend. He likes to read."
"The children's section is this way," the woman said, leading the way into the side-room.
It didn't look any different from the rest of the shop. It was just another room filled with shelves books.
"I'll be at the front desk if you need help."
"Thank you, ma'am," she replied. She started looking through the titles.
Ginny's first choice had been 'The Hobbit', but it wasn't even published yet. She didn't know very many muggle books to begin with. She'd have to find something new. Well, old. New to her.
She browsed through the shelves, running her hands over the covers. Books felt so different, textured and simple rather than smooth and brightly illustrated, and none of them were paperbacks.
Amongst titles like 'Little Lord Fauntleroy', and 'Queen Silver-Bell' there was one she recognised. 'The Secret Garden'. Ginny had read the book a few years ago, but she hadn't really liked it. The main character was haughty, cranky, and sour, an unwanted and unloved orphan who took it out on everyone around her. Ginny hadn't related at all, but now she knew someone who might.
It wasn't the present she had set out for, its mentions of magic were vague and probably metaphorical, and it wasn't really fantasy at all. But, Ginny thought as she flipped through the pages, getting flashes of Mistress Mary slowly being brought to life as she cared for a garden as neglected as herself, it may well be perfect.
Almost a month later, Ginny gave Tom the book, wrapped in brown paper and tied with a simple string.
He'd tried to open it carefully, untying the string and unfolding the paper. But when the paper tore despite his care, he just ripped it open.
"Thank you, Ginny," he said, opening the book. He looked like he didn't quite believe it was for him.
"I hope you like it," she said.
He nodded, moving to go sit down and start reading.
Ginny rolled her eyes and opened her arms. He was there before she could even blink, almost bowling her over with the force of his hug.
He'd been reading for two days since, and he'd been giving some mixed signals as to whether he actually liked it. One one hand he hadn't really put it down for longer than ten minutes. On the other hand he'd thrown it against the wall. Twice.
"That's really not how you're supposed to treat books, you know. You're supposed to try to not break them."
Tom glared at her.
"If you're angry with it, just yell at it. Gets all the anger out and you don't waste the money I spent on that present for you."
He had the decency to look contrite at least. "I'm sorry."
Ginny smiled at him. "It's quite alright. I've gotten mad at my fair share of books too you know."
Tom nodded, smiling slightly. "I do like the book. But I was never as angry with Alice as I am with Mary."
"Maybe you relate," she said, teasing.
Tom froze up, grinding his teeth. "I don't! I'm not like this- commanding, rude and spoiled-"
"No, you're not. You can relate to what she's gone through without having all of her personality you know."
"Oh," Tom said softly, "Then… yes. I guess I do, a little."
Ginny's eyebrows went up in shock. Tom actually admitted to something he felt all defensive about? Next thing you know it would snow in the middle of summer.
"But only a tiny bit," he corrected quickly.
That was more like it.
