Chapter 31
The Christmas Rush

When Jamie arrived in the kitchen, she saw that her mother, grandmother, Remus and Tonks were all there.

"I wish we could have done this sooner," Molly said, "Christmas is tomorrow, Ginny."

"Yes, Mum, I know," said Ginny, who was stirring up a batch of pancakes, "But with everything that is going on... oh, hi, honey, didn't hear you come in."

Ginny had just noticed that her daughter had walked in.

"You look kind of tired, Jamie," Molly said, "Did you get any sleep last night?"

"I got enough, Grandmum," Jamie said, sitting down at the table.

"All right, sweetie," Molly said, turning back to Ginny, "Well, Ginny, you know... we need to go there as early as we can. We are probably not the only ones who are doing last minute shopping."

"I know, Mum," Ginny said, "Just as soon as the kids get up and eat, we will go."

"Romeo is up," Jamie said, "I am not sure about the others."

"I will go wake them up," Molly said, standing up and leaving the kitchen.

"So, honey," Ginny said, still working on the pancake mix, "Have you thought about what happened last night?"

"Huh?" Jamie said.

"Have you thought about what happened last night?" Ginny said again, "The invitation?"

"Oh...yeah, I have," said Jamie, "But I haven't given a final decision."

"Really?" Ginny asked, "Well, it might take a little time."

"Yeah," Jamie said, "Um... Mum, I have a question. Grandfather didn't... invite me in just because... you know, because I am your daughter?

"No, honey," Ginny said, a little too quickly, "Me and your father... as well as everyone in the Order... think it is time for you to be in the Order. You know about the Order, you should have a part in it."

"Yes, but...," said Jamie, determined to get the truth out of her mother, "I thought there were guidelines... rules, you know. No one still in school can join the Order. You weren't allowed to even join the Order until after the war."

Ginny sighed. "Are you asking these questions because you feel you shouldn't be in the Order?" she asked Jamie.

"No, I want to be in the Order," Jamie said, "But..."

Jamie saw the look on her mother's face.

"Okay, what about Romeo?" Jamie asked, "He is thinking that he was invited into the Order just so people can get information out of him."

"Information?" Ginny said.

"He said that the Order thinks he knows where his father is," Jamie said, "And he does not know anything about it. I don't even think he has gotten any letters from his father."

Jamie thought of the dream Romeo had told her and decided to keep that from the Order for a while. It was, in fact, Romeo's dream, and Jamie knew it needed to be Romeo who told the Order about it.

Ginny let out a sigh that interrupted Jamie's thoughts. She took her wand from her pocket and muttered an incantation, pointing the wand at the mixing bowl where pancake mix was. The wooden stirring spoon began to stir the contents of the bowl on its own. Ginny sat down at the table and looked at Jamie.

"Honey, you know that we are looking for Romeo's father," she said. Jamie nodded slightly, and Ginny continued. "Well, to tell you the truth, we aren't having very much luck. There wasn't much the Ministry or some of the Order's Members could find. As you know, the Killing Curse leaves no trace."

"We figured Pansy Malfoy was killed pretty quickly," Remus said, "We don't think Draco was at the Mansion for any other reason. We... may be wrong though."

"What?" Jamie asked.

"Well, Pansy Malfoy loved her husband deep down," Remus said, "Draco had been on the run for so long, that when he returned, it probably overwhelmed Pansy. She probably didn't even think that Draco would kill her. The thing that baffles the Ministry as well as some of us in the Order is... why would Draco murder his wife?"

"Why would he need a reason?" Jamie asked, "He is a Death Eater, isn't he?"

"Yes, he is, Jamie," said Remus, "But... some of us in the Order are afraid Draco had... other intentions."

"Other intentions?" Jamie asked.

"There is... something we haven't told any of you last night," Remus said, "It wasn't mentioned in the meeting."

"Go on," Jamie said.

"Well, the day you came home, and your father brought you and the others to the Ministry," said Remus, "Two Aurors stayed behind."

"Yeah, Dad told them to get our trunks," Jamie said.

"Well, while they were there, they were confronted by someone," said Remus, "One of the Aurors were killed, and the other was seriously injured. The surviving Auror was sent to St. Mungo's where he was questioned. He was in bad shape, and died shortly after Ministry workers questioned him. It was reported that he said only one word during the time they were asking him these questions. When they had asked him who it was that attacked them... he said one word... Malfoy."

"Romeo's father was... at the platform?" Jamie said in a muffled voice. She had put a hand over her mouth from shock.

"Yes," Remus said, "We believe he was looking for Romeo. Fortunately, Romeo had left with you, your father, and the others."

"Do you think he was... planning on killing Romeo?" Jamie said, tears coming down her face.

"We don't know," said Remus, "It is a strong possibility."

"He is bait," Jamie said.

"What?" Ginny asked.

"The Order is using Romeo as bait!" Jamie said, standing up, "Romeo's father is looking for him and you want him to be around for when Draco does come!"

"No, that is not it at all, Jamie!" Ginny said.

"Yeah, it is," Jamie said.

"No, it is not, Jamie," Remus said, "Romeo's father is looking for him. That is correct. But we want to keep Romeo safe. We would never use him for bait. Now, please, do not mention this to anyone else... including Romeo. We will tell them when we think it is time. But right now, we want to know if Romeo, Jane and Joseph really want to join the Order or not. This news might alter their decision."

Jamie sighed and thought about what Remus had asked of her. When she noticed the look of questioning on Remus' face, she spoke up.

"I won't tell them," Jamie said.

A couple minutes later, Molly had come down with Romeo and the others. They all sat down and waited for breakfast. When Romeo looked at Jamie, she smirked. She didn't know whether she could tell Romeo or not. How would he take it? But could she keep this secret from Romeo, when she had just told Romeo not long before that she didn't like keeping secrets?

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An hour later, Jamie walked out of the Leaky Cauldron's fireplace covered in soot. She was soon joined by Romeo, Jane, Joseph, James, Richie, Ginny and Molly. The first thing Jamie noticed was that the Leaky Cauldron was decorated for the Christmas holiday. Golden Wreaths were hung on the walls and a large Christmas Tree was standing in a corner decorated with fairy lights and other Christmas ornaments.

"Doing a bit of late shopping, I see," a voice said from behind the bar.

Jamie turned around and saw Tom, the owner of the Leaky Cauldron. Old age had caught up with him, but it didn't stop him from doing his job of tending to his bar.

"Yes sir, Tom," Molly said, "We have been pretty busy with all the current events."

"Say no more, Molly, I quite understand," Tom said, "Can I offer you a drink?"

"Maybe later," said Ginny, turning to Jamie and the other kids, "Well, come on, you lot."

"Actually, Mum," Jamie said, "We were wondering if you could split up to do our shopping." When Jamie saw the look on her mother and grandmother's faces, she continued, "Oh we will be all right. You don't have to worry about us."

Ginny sighed but agreed in the end. However, James and Richie weren't so lucky. They would be accompanied by Ginny and Molly in Diagon Alley.

"We will meet back here in three hours, you lot!" Ginny said as Jamie and Romeo left the Leaky Cauldron, "We don't want to spend that much time here!"

Jamie nodded and walked with Romeo into Diagon Alley.

"Three hours?" Romeo said, "Is that all?"

"Well, you musn't blame my Mum," Jamie said, "I mean... with everything that is going on."

"Yeah, but it doesn't give us much time, does it?" Romeo asked.

"We don't have to spend it all shopping, Romeo," Jamie said.

"Which reminds me," Romeo said, "I need to find something for you."

"Oh, you don't have to," Jamie said, blushing.

"Yes, I do," Romeo said, "And I want to do it on my own. I don't want to ruin the surprise."

"Aww, how sweet," Jamie said, "Well, it would give me time to get you something. I just don't know what you would like. Something in Slytherin colors, perhaps?"

"Well, you know that I like Quidditch," Romeo smirked, "Hint, hint."

"Hmmm... it is an idea," Jamie said, "But I can't get anything without getting my money from my vault."

"Your vault?" Romeo said, "You mean you have a personal vault?"

"One of my birthday presents from my parents this year," Jamie said, "Why? You don't have one..."

"I have one," Romeo said, "I just didn't think you would... no offense."

"No offense taken," Jamie said, clearly not wanting to argue, "Come on, let's get going."
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Twenty minutes later, they walked out of Gringott's with their money bags full.

"Where do you think we should go?" Jamie asked, "My Uncles' shop is open. They returned here after our Hogsmeade Weekend was over."

"Well, okay, we can go there first," Romeo said, "Then I could go get my present for you while you shop around there."

Jamie agreed and they walked over to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes. The shop in Diagon Alley had grown over the years and when Jamie and Romeo arrived, the shop was pretty crowded. Over the crowd of people, Jamie heard her Uncle Fred.

"Oi, Jamie! Romeo!" Fred said, "Over here!"

Jamie and Romeo walked over to Fred.

"George and I were wondering when Mum and Ginny would bring you guys here," Fred said.

"Better late than never," Jamie said, "But it looks like we aren't the only ones doing late shopping."

"Yeah, but it is good for us," said Fred, looking around at the customers.

"How is Aunt Angelina?" Jamie said, "It's been a while since I saw her last."

"Oh, she is fine," Fred said, "We are in the middle of the Quidditch season, but she has the day off tomorrow. You will get to see her then."

"Great," Jamie said.

"Jamie! Romeo!" George said from behind them, "How are you guys? Looking for Christmas presents I expect?"

"Yeah," Jamie said.

"Oh, speaking of presents," Romeo said, "I will be right back. I am going to look for something for you."

"Don't be too long, Romeo," Jamie said.

"Don't worry," Romeo said, smirking. He kissed Jamie on the cheek and walked out of the shop.

"So," George said, "Have you decided about... you know, accepting the invitation?"

"Yeah," Jamie said, "I should give my decision tomorrow." Not wanting to talk anymore about her decision, Jamie decided to change the subject, "So... do you guys have any idea what I could get Romeo for Christmas?"

"Well, do you know what he likes?" Fred said.

"He likes Quidditch," Jamie said.

"Well, I expected that," said Fred, "He is the Seeker and Captain of the Slytherin team, is he not?"

Jamie nodded.

"Well," George said, "Give him something he wouldn't expect."

"Like what?" Jamie asked, "I don't think he is the kind that likes jewelry."

"It doesn't have to be jewelry then," George said, "If you want our opinion, Jamie, I think you need to decide what to give him."

"Yeah, well, no offense, but I don't think what I am looking for Romeo is in here," Jamie said.

"Oh! That hurts, Jamie," Fred said, "You know... we don't just sell joke stuff anymore. I am sure you could find something."

"I will keep that in mind," said Jamie.

Jamie looked around the shop for a few minutes until Romeo had returned. She left with him and they did their shopping until they had to meet up with everyone else.
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All right, I am not sure when the next chapter will go up... I will have to think about it...

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