08

Ginny actually found herself, amazingly enough, trudging through the overgrown crowds of Diagon Alley searching for Christmas presents. Her mother had suggested they go this early, to beat the crowds – but it seemed everyone else had thought to do the same. Moving was almost impossible; Ginny's foot kept being trodden on and, annoyingly – right in the same place. And as every shop was overgrown and impenetrable, she took to looking through the many windows of many displays.

Everything was too damned expensive; anything Ginny came across that she would even remotely consider purchasing – was too expensive. The book shop, Flourish and Blotts were usually cheap, but a recently released book was double the price of the other book shop down the road. But she was discouraged to find "Obscurus Books" had been shut down due to management problems.

She only barely, on her tippy-toes, got a brief glance inside the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies and scowled at the price of the newest racing broom on the market. She had to wonder for a moment why she had made her way towards the Apothecary when she had no intention of buying potions ingredients; but it was next door to the Junk Shop which was practically empty so she gave it a try. The place was always filled with broken and unusable objects. It was a rarity to find anything useful, so Ginny left as quickly as possible after the dark look the shop owner gave her. Down a bit was the "Magical Menagerie" and she had no interest in going there, so eventually, one shop was left.

Just one – and she was sure she would be able to gain access to it.

Indeed, despite number ninety-six being the most overly packed shop in Diagon Alley, Ginny somehow managed to pass through the crowd and go through the front door, where she found one of her brothers racing around attending to customers. She head out the back and found her brothers twin looking for a product that was in overstock. It was George (at least she thought it was), he smiled at her and indicated he had to serve the customer – so she nodded and he went. A moment passed, she looked around at some of the newer products that had been added since last time she was here – mostly there were boxes, but there were a few display stands as well.

George returned, or was it Fred? She really had no idea; she knew she should, but along with the distinct likeness, matching uniforms and equal grins – she hardly ever saw them anymore and could not tell them apart. She could however, detect the difference in their voices.

'So are you here alone?' asked George; he looked thankful to see her, perhaps a break in the intense workload nearing Christmas.

'No.' Ginny replied. 'Mum went off to search for presents for everyone and left me with Ron and Hermione. They are somewhere in the street, I left them because I didn't exactly want to spend the afternoon watching them devour each others tongue.'

George laughed.

'So yeah I'm in here alone.' Ginny finished.

'Well.' George said, beaming. I'm glad to see your decision for Christmas shopping is here – for all your funny bone needs.'

'Well to be truthful,' Ginny said, 'everywhere else was either too boring, too expensive or too crap.'

A smile ran away from George's face and was replaced with a confused frown.

'Well… still.' George said. 'Is there something I can do for you then?'

Ginny smiled to that the best of her abilities.'Forgive me brother, I do not find Christmas this year as to be something to joke about. I hope you understand.'

'Oh yes, of course.' George frowned. 'But-'

'George.'

She gave him a look and he silently agreed.

'Well so then what is the reason of your visit?' He asked.

Ginny laughed. 'Can't a sister come and say hello to her very bright, very intelligent and very successful brothers without being asked questions?'

'Of course not.' George hugged her. 'But Fred and I are hardly intelligent.'

'Hmm… well.' Ginny knew it was a debate she would not be able to win.

'Shall I get him?' George queried, he of course meant Fred.

'No. It's fine.' Ginny sighed. 'I just wanted to say hi. You should get back to work. And I should get back to shopping- well… just say hi to him for me would you?'

George nodded and, opened his mouth to reply; but instead watched Ginny disappear back into the growth of the shop and hear the rattle of the door open as she departed. George could do nothing more than to sigh and return to work, thinking along the lines of what Ginny had a few days ago – that Christmas will, inevitably, never be the same as it once was.

-

Harry watched the days pass by, and wondered, silently, why on earth he has done this – not just to himself but to those once in his life who try to live on despite their angst. Christmas was approaching so rapidly, and Harry so wanted to expose his secrets before then – but he just kept coming up with the lamest of excuses for himself; just the other day he said to himself the Weasley's would just be sitting down to dinner and he shouldn't be walking in at such a busy time.

There were worse ones.

About three weeks ago he had thought out, very stupidly, to barge through the gates of the Burrow and see them – he actually left the lodge, beam lined for the Burrow and just when he looked like going through with it, tripped over a log "accidentally" going up a hill. He had the smallest of scratches on his knee, he took it as an excuse to get medical treatment and ran with it – literally he ran all the way back to the lodge before he realised what an idiot he'd just been.

It only got worse. But I dare not tell you what other thoughts went through his head, for I simply cannot re-tell the sheer stupidity that is running through Harry James Potter right now. I do not blame those who have given up on this story, or walked away from it after all its prolonged repetition. All I can say to you is, keep reading – because while Remus Lupin was alive, Harry has a chance.

Remus was at his desk when Harry came downstairs the morning after another one of their feuds, and another day closer to the twenty fifth of December. The house was utterly freezing; Harry had on two undershirts, a long sleeves shirt, two jumpers (one woollen the other a zip up), thin leg warmers, a pair of thick jeans and a beanie – yet he still felt cold. Remus had a loose shirt and track suit pants on, but he looked positively beaming.

'My god, aren't you cold?' Harry asked when he sat down on the small couch beside the heater; which wasn't on. 'Why the hell isn't this... ahh there- what are you doing?'

Remus sighed. 'Writing.'

'Yeah, writing what?' Harry asked intrusively.

'Letters, words… sentences.' Remus replied coolly.

'Er… OK. About what?'

'Never mind; it's personal.' Remus coughed.

'Oh…?' Remus did not like the way Harry was smiling at him. 'Tell me more.'

'Go and bother someone else.' Remus snapped rudely.

'No one else knows I exist-'

'Well lucky me.'

Harry detected the sarcasm immediately.

'Come now.' Harry said. 'Tis the season to be jolly!'

Remus stopped writing suddenly and turned to Harry with a look of upmost unbelief.

'What?' He snarled. 'Jolly? Are you mad? Try saying that to Ginny Weasley right now or anyone else who loved you for that matter – I doubt you'd get a straight faced answer back when they realise who is saying it.'

'Loves.' Harry corrected.

Remus cocked an eyebrow.

'Well you said "loved".' Harry pointed out. 'That's the past tense. I'm not dead, so – "loves" is the correct word.'

Remus started at him.

'Well it is.'

Again Remus sighed. 'Harry. This has gone on for long enough, surely-'

'What has?'

'Surely you need to make a decision.' Remus went on, ignoring Harry's ongoing idiotic questions. 'And you need to make it now. Or I will.'

Harry frowned. 'Decision?'

'It's Christmas.' Remus explained. 'And it's bad enough to have one sad person around here at Christmas.

'And yes I mean me.' Remus continued. 'It's bad enough that I have to spend Christmas alone, as fate would have it for a werewolf. But you- I do not see, living a life as a lie your fate.'

'Remus what-'

'Harry please just use that brain of yours for once.'

Harry looked utterly confused.

'Oh do I really have to repeat myself?' Remus said in frustration.

'I think it's pretty obvious that you DO.' Harry said.

'Alright, you see this.' Remus held up the piece of paper he had been writing on. 'It's a letter to Nymphadora.'

'Oh…' Harry started at for a second, then, 'OH!'

'Yes, oh.' Remus sighed and began to wonder what Harry's head had hit for him to be this utterly stupid. 'Now you see... I have taken the initiative to show her that I am at least mildly interested in a relationship. While you- you have done absolutely nothing in correcting the predicament you seem to have managed to get yourself in.'

Harry stared.

'You –do- want to fix it don't you?' Remus asked. 'You DON'T want to spend the New Year alone do you?'

'No but-'

'Then take the initiative.' Remus handed Harry his quill and a piece of parchment. 'Because if I really consider thinks with Tonks, she'll need a room where its safe away from my transformations; and you, Harry – will be hanging out to dry.'

-

Ginny managed to purchase one book for the entire time she was out shopping today; it wasn't even a Christmas present for her or for someone else. She had found the book on special in the back section of Flourish and Blotts after meeting up with her mother, and had not given a second thought about not purchasing it. And although it helped her in no way shape of form education wise – she supposed it was another distraction from reality.

"Twisting, Turning, Time Turning Time Travel" was the books title, and basically it gave an in depth description of the Time Turners history – and mistakes Wizards and Witches have made in altering time. As already mentioned, it didn't help her with her correspondence – but she was interested to find out how a man from Hampshire had managed to go back in time and changed something so dramatic that it lead to his arrest and eventual death of suicide in Azkaban.

She supposed she should have tried harder at getting presents for people, but she had been excused by her mother and told not to worry about it. So she didn't – and instead laid on her bed with her arms out in front of her, only barely erecting her book to read as the afternoon sun was engulfed by a sea of clouds. Ginny shivered and put the book away before curling into a warm jumper and watching the rain make its way from afar to pass over them.

By evening it was pouring. Ginny could barely hear herself think, which she supposed was a gift from the heavens. Hermione came into her room at about six and informed her - rather loudly over the noise - that dinner was almost ready and she was to help prepare the table. Ginny nodded but didn't descend the stairs until a good ten minutes later after the table had been set; nothing was said.

The only conversation that occurred was when the rain stopped and everyone could be heard. By that time, thankfully, Ginny had consumed enough of her helpings and excused herself from the table and returning to her room. She was too tired to read, or to sit up late to ponder thoughts she did not want to ponder. Instead, she took a quick glance out at the cold, wet and darkened landscape before crawling beneath her covers into a small ball and sleeping through the remainder of the night.

Tomorrow would be Friday the fourteenth of December, another day closer to Christmas – and still Ginny felt as empty as ever.