Chapter 2: In the Lane, Snow Is Glistening

Mundungus was in trouble.

This game was called Secret Santa, and he was supposed to get Molly Weasley a gift. Molly Weasley! The queen of Secret Santa herself! She was obviously going to guess that he was her Secret Santa. He was going to have to get her a really good gift so she wouldn't suspect that it was him. But what to get her?

Maybe a hat?

YES, a hat!

But what kind of hat?

Mundungus thought hard. Maybe one of those top hats? He had read about this dude named Abraham Lincoln from America who apparently wore a really tall top hat. Maybe Molly would like one of those. He approached Bill.

"D'you know where to buy top hats?" he inquired in a deep, very businesslike voice.

Bill recoiled. "No? Why would you want to buy a top hat?"

"Well, just, you know, wonderin'," Mundungus lied, shifting uncomfortably. "For a present for someone. A friend, you see."

"A friend?" Bill raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah," Mundungus lied, hoping that Bill didn't know it was for the Secret Santa. His hopes were dashed when Bill spoke again.

"For the Secret Santa, you mean?"

Dang it!

"S'right," Mundungus admitted, running a hand over his bald head.

Bill glared at him and took a step closer. "Is your person Fleur, by any chance? Because let me tell you, she would not appreciate a top hat."

"No, no, not Fleur," Mundungus wheezed. "Someone else." Although Fleur was very pretty. Maybe he should get her a gift too while he was at it…

"Oh, okay." Bill continued to glare at him suspiciously. "Well, is it me?"

"No, not you," Mundungus said.

"Is it my mum?"

"Now, now, Bill, that's unfair!" Mundungus protested. "You can't keep askin' me who my person is! Or else you'll guess it when there's only one person left!"

Bill shrugged. "Good point. Well, then, I'll warn you. I don't think anybody in this gift exchange would like a top hat, Dung. Think of something better."

Mundungus watched as Bill walked away, out of ideas. What kind of hat should he get Molly Weasley, then? He was going to have to do some serious thinking here.

"What? You're here too?"

Lily stared in shock at Remus and Tonks, who were standing next to a shelf full of snow globes, hand in hand.

"Lily?" Remus asked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, shopping, obviously," Lily answered. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Shopping for our people," Tonks answered.

"Together?" Lily raised an eyebrow.

"Well, yeah," Remus said. "Because someone insisted that we share our people with each other. And now we know we're not each others' people."

"Oh," said Lily, amused. "Tonks, did you really?"

"It wasn't just me, it was Sirius too," Tonks defended.

Lily laughed. "Why are we all at the same Muggle mall? That's definitely a coincidence."

"What's a coincidence?" came a voice. All three of them turned around to see James standing there, holding a bag. Their mouths dropped open.

"What?!" James yelped. "What are all of you doing here?!"

"And you commented about us going shopping together," Tonks told Lily.

"I didn't know James would be here!" Lily protested, holding up her hands.

"I didn't know any of you would be here!" James cried. "Did all four of us randomly end up here?"

"No, these two came together," Lily said, pointing to Remus and Tonks. "But James and I didn't plan to come here together! How did this happen?"

"Can't someone hold their shopping for another time?" Tonks asked.

"No," James, Lily, and Remus said in unison.

Tonks groaned. "How are we all supposed to shop in the same mall at the same time? What if we run into each other?"

"We can't let other people know who our people are," James said. "Then that's not fair. And Molly's going to kill us."

"I thought you said she was a teddy bear?" Lily teased.

"Teddy bear?" said Remus blankly.

"Forget it," James muttered.

"Well, Remus and I can stick together," Tonks said, grasping her boyfriend's hand more tightly. "Because we know we're not each other's people."

"How come you guys get to know?" James complained.

"Because they shared," Lily said. "But they weren't supposed to."

"Why can't we share?" James complained.

"Because!" Lily insisted. "What if my person is you? I can't tell you then, can I?"

James frowned. "Good point. Is your person me?"

She crossed her arms over her chest. "Nice try. Now, I guess we all just have to try to stay away from each other while we buy things for everyone else."

"Sounds like a plan," said Tonks.

"Wait, but Dora," Remus interjected, "we can't shop together either. Then we'll know what we're getting for our people. And then we'll recognize the gifts on the day of the gift exchange."

"Wait." She thought about it for a second. "Darn it, you're right. Let's all go shopping separately, then."

"I guess that's the best thing to do," Lily sighed. "Try not to run into each other. Stay in your section of the mall."

"I'm staying here," called James. "I was already here."

"I'll go in that direction," Remus offered.

"I'll go in this direction," Tonks suggested.

"I'll go wherever you're not going," Lily said.

"Sounds good," James said. "Now scram. I have shopping to do."

Molly rubbed her chin.

What would Remus like?

No, no, she reminded herself. It wasn't about what Remus liked. It was about something that he would never trace back to her. She could give him a sweater, which he would probably like, outside of the Secret Santa game. But she would never, ever, sacrifice her streak of winning Secret Santa.

Hmm… maybe she could get something Arthur would normally get. That way, Remus wouldn't know it was her. Muggle contraptions, no doubt.

But what sort of things did Muggles buy?

"Hello, Molly!" greeted a voice.

Molly turned around, scowling at whoever had interrupted her thoughts. "What is it, Emmeline?" she asked.

Emmeline ran a hand through her brownish-black hair. "Well, just… thanks for organizing this whole Secret Santa thing. It's really fun, honestly."

"Good, good," Molly replied, smiling down at the woman. "Anyway, would you like some hot chocolate and blueberry muffins?"

"Oh, no, please don't trouble-"

"Nonsense. Be quiet and make yourself comfortable," Molly told her, going into the kitchen. She locked the door and whipped up some muffins quickly before she headed through the small side door next to the fridge. It led her into a dark room where she knew Arthur kept some of his Muggle stuff. He didn't know she knew, obviously. She had just found out. The labels read 'Pen', 'I-Pad Charger', 'Dumbbells', 'Earbuds', 'Pencil', and a bunch of other words that she had no clue what they meant.

Merlin, Arthur kept some pretty crazy stuff in here.

Fleur pranced around the street, trying to figure out what to get James. She didn't even know him all that well. What would he even want? But obviously she couldn't ask him, or anyone, because then they would know that her person was James.

"Hey, you okay?"

It was Bill. Bill worked at Gringotts with her, and she knew him to be very attractive and cool, but also nice.

"Yes, all izz fine," she answered in a shimmery voice. "Theenking for ze Secret Santa."

"Ah. Well, do you need some help?" he asked courteously.

"I don't know how we will be able to discuss zit," she admitted.

"What do you need?" he asked. "Do you want to know what your person likes?"

"Yes," she admitted.

"Well, why don't you just get him or her something that you would get anyone?" he offered. "Like, something holiday-related? And that way, he or she won't know that it's you either."

"Izz a good point," she mused. "Zank you for your help!"

Bill smiled. "No problem. If you need anything else, let me know."

She watched him go with a smile on her face, following which she twirled around again. Bill really was nice. She hoped to get to know him better during their time together in the Order.

"What are you doing here?"

It was Molly this time, her hands on her hips, a disapproving stare on her face. In all honesty, she had no right to question Fleur like that. Fleur was outside Number 12, Grimmauld Place. She wasn't in the Burrow. She was on the street. So why should it matter to Molly what she was doing here?

"Walking," Fleur answered shortly. Molly, for some reason, didn't really like her all that much. Was it because she was pretty? Was it because she was from France? Fleur didn't know, but she didn't really want to be grilled by Molly either way.

"Oh, really?" Molly raised an eyebrow. "It's freezing cold out here." She looked up at the sky. It wasn't snowing today, but snow from the last few days was still dissipating all over the ground.

"Yes," Fleur managed. On top of everything, her English wasn't all the best, and though Bill was helping tutor her, she certainly wasn't anywhere as fluent as Molly Weasley, who had been brought up in the United Kingdom all her life.

"So? Why are you out here? In nothing but a short, sleeveless dress, I might add."

Fleur looked down at her outfit. True, she was wearing a short, silver dress, but she hadn't planned to stay out in the cold for too long. She was heading to the Muggle mall nearby.

"I was going to go shopping," she answered.

Molly huffed. "Then why were you talking to Bill?"

"Bill?" Fleur frowned. So that was the problem? Molly didn't like her because of… Bill? But why? "He was helping me with ze gift."

Molly sighed. "Fine. Whatever. Now, either you come back in from the cold, or you go out and do whatever it is that you were planning to do in the first place. Okay?"

Fleur resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She wasn't a baby! "Yes."

"All right, then." Molly turned around and headed back into headquarters, leaving a very annoyed Fleur out on the street.

Sirius groaned.

This Secret Santa was driving him nuts. And he had a not-so-slight problem.

He had already gotten something for his person. That wasn't the problem. The problem was the person.

Mundungus Fletcher.

Of all of the names to draw from the Sorting Hat, why Mundungus Fletcher?! Now he had been forced to get something for Dung, and what on earth would Dung want in the first place?

Sirius had gotten Dung a big bag of dog food. It seemed very much like something he could use. And it didn't matter if the label said, in big black letters, "FOR DOGS". Dung deserved it.

"Why are you thinking so much?" James asked from the sofa across from him. "Are you still thinking of a present? I've already gotten one for my person."

"No, I got a present," Sirius answered, still disturbed. "That's not the problem."

"Oh. So what is the problem?"

"If I tell you, you'll know my person," Sirius muttered, just as Remus walked into the sitting room. "Hi, Moony."

"Hey," Remus said. "Something the matter?"

"Not really," Sirius grumbled. "It's just that I got stuck with a pretty bad person this time."

"Oh. For the Secret Santa?" Remus asked.

"So that's the problem?" James asked. "You just have a crummy person."

"Yep," Sirius sighed.

"Sucks," Remus muttered. "Me too. Well, my person isn't exactly crummy, but I have no idea what to get her."

"Aha, so it's a her!" Sirius and James exclaimed at the same time, exchanging grins.

"Shoot," Remus mumbled under his breath.

"Who is it? Huh?" Sirius asked.

"It's not Tonks," James said quickly.

Sirius frowned. "How do you know?"

James paled. Time to act quick. "Er, the two of them were going shopping together this morning." Nice save.

"Oooh," sang Sirius.

"Why is it always me you two pick on?" Remus said exasperatedly.

"Well, what if it's Molly?" James asked.

"Or Fleur," Sirius added.

"Or Emmeline," James continued.

"Or Lily," Sirius offered.

"Or… wait, that's it. Well, Remus, which one is it?"

Remus rolled his eyes. "Did you really expect me to tell you guys?"

"Come on, Moony," Sirius said. "Tell me yours, and I'll tell you mine."

"I already know who yours is," Remus said, raising an eyebrow.

"Wait, what?" Sirius yelped. "How?!"

Remus looked to James. "Have you figured it out yet?"

"I think so?"

Remus sighed again. "Tell me who it is, then." He beckoned for James to come closer.

"No. I'm comfy where I am. You come here."

Remus obliged and walked over to the sofa where James was settled. "Now tell me who Sirius's person is."

"Is it me?" James whispered into his ear.

"You?!" Remus yelped. "How could it be you?! He literally just said that it was a crummy person!"

"Yeah, but I thought he was making a joke."

Sirius stared at them, wide-eyed. "Of course it's not you, Prongs! I'm not that mean!"

"Yes you are," muttered Remus and James at the same time.

"Whatever," Sirius said. "James, who's yours?"

"Not telling," James said staunchly.

"Oh, come on. Don't be a spoilsport," Sirius said.

"Don't tell us," Remus said. "Why does everyone want to spoil the surprise?"

"What do you mean everyone?" asked James, confused. "Only Sirius and I have asked."

"You're forgetting Tonks," Sirius added snidely.

"Shut up," moaned Remus, walking out of the room.

James and Sirius high-fived.

Bill frowned.

He barely talked to Emmeline. So what the heck was he supposed to get Emmeline? Maybe hair stuff? Hair brushes and nail clippers?

No, probably not nail clippers.

"Hey, Bill."

Bill looked around. Surprise surprise, Emmeline and Tonks had entered the room together. Bill decided to chat up Emmeline and see if he could figure out what she liked. Of course, he would talk to Tonks too. Nothing could be given away.

"Hi," he replied. "What brings you? It's quite cold outside." Did Emmeline like cold weather? Well, he was about to find out.

"Erm, yeah, that's why we came in," Emmeline replied, laughing.

Okay. Bill pulled out his notebook. Emmeline comes in whenever it is cold. "You guys want some cookies? Tea? Juice? What do you like?"

"Nothing, I'm fine," replied Tonks.

"Yeah, nothing."

Bill scribbled in his notebook, Emmeline likes nothing. "Okay. You sure?"

"Er… if you insist, I'll take juice…"

Emmeline does stuff if people insist. "Cool, then. What flavor? Tonks?"

"Anything's fine, really," Tonks told him. "Don't go to the trouble."

"I'll take apple juice!" Emmeline said enthusiastically.

Emmeline likes apple juice.

Wait. How could she like apple juice and like nothing?

"Is nothing a brand?" Bill asked Emmeline, confused.

"Nah. Converse is a brand. They do my shoes sometimes. It's a Muggle brand though."

"Are you feeling alright, Bill?" Tonks asked him, looking concerned.

"Oh? Um, yeah." Bill shot her a blank grin before writing, Emmeline's shoes are controversial.

"The Weird Sisters are definitely a brand, though," Tonks said. "I love the Weird Sisters."

"Do you, Emmeline?" Bill asked Emmeline.

"Yeah. Not as crazy as Tonks, though."

Emmeline is saner than Tonks.

"Hey, Bill?" asked Emmeline.

Bill jerked up, hiding the notebook behind his back. It fell onto the floor instead.

"Yes?" he asked, standing up and taking a large step in front of the notebook.

"HURRY UP AND GET MY APPLE JUICE!"

A/N: The Order is way too much fun. Stay tuned for more shenanigans! Please review! :)

And here's a handy-dandy flow chart to help you figure out what's going on. (The arrows mean that Mundungus is getting something for Molly, Molly's getting something for Remus, etc.)

Mundungus → Molly → Remus → Fleur → James → Tonks → Bill → Emmeline → Arthur → Lily → Sirius → Mundungus