Saturday December 12

The Burrow

12:33 pm

- - -

"Sorry mate, we're busy right now. Come back later."

With that the door slammed shut, causing Hugo to jump back. Frowning, he stared at the closed door. Hugo had only wanted to ask his cousins a question, nothing more. Pressing his ear to the door he heard nothing, meaning that Fred, James and Louis were up to something. Something big. Something huge.

Sulking, Hugo turned around from the bedroom door and made his way back down the staircase. The Burrow was filled with people, for today was his Uncle Charlie's birthday and everyone had come to his grandparent's house to celebrate it. Unfortunately, that also meant no privacy for there were people everywhere. Hugo skirted around one of Aunt Luna's toddler's –he didn't know which one, both the Scamander twins looked completely identical- gleefully running up the stairs and just barely missed stepping on Poncho, Uncle Charlie's giant black Newfoundland, as it laid on the ground right in front of the staircase.

Peeking into the front room, Hugo could see his sister and Albus sitting on the couch, talking, but he knew better than to go in. He already asked the two of for them for help but they said no. They were too busy doing 'big kid' things. Hugo furrowed his brow in remembrance. It was getting closer and closer to Christmas and Hugo was getting more and more desperate. He had to figure out what to get his dad. And soon.

Continuing down the hall Hugo suddenly stopped, smelling the delicious food that was being cooked in the kitchen. He tiptoed around the bend and peered into the kitchen but immediately pulled his head right out. With his mum, aunts, grandmother and cousins all in there helping, it was full of way too many females for his liking. And even though Hugo's stomach grumbled at all the smells, he resisted walking in.

Hugo moved his feet slowly and walked out of the house. On the opposite side of the porch his dad sat at a table with his uncles, the six of them all laughing loudly. Not wanting to interrupt them, Hugo wandered off into the gardens. He came across an old, forgotten swing and sat down, full of thought. He bent his head and stared slowly at his trainers, watching as he drew a line across the dirt with them. He sat there for a few minutes, until a shadow fell over him.

"Why hullo there young Hugo!" Hugo looked up to see his grandfather smiling at him, his pale eyes twinkling brightly behind his glasses. "What are you doing out here all alone?"

Hugo shrugged his shoulders and looked back down at the ground. "I dunno. Just thinking I guess."

Hugo could feel his grandfather sit down on the bench next to the swing. "Well. That must be some pretty big thoughts you're thinking out here."

"Yeah," Hugo replied dryly, "I guess."

Arthur Weasley regarded his youngest grandson fondly. "Would you like to tell me what they are? Or are they a big secret?" he asked quietly.

"No, I can tell you," Hugo glanced up at his grandfather and said, dejectedly, "I don't know what to get my dad for Christmas."

His grandfather nodded. "Oh, I see."

"I've tried and tried but I can't think of what he wants. It has to be something special you see. And I've asked everyone but no one can help me!" ended Hugo on a tearful wail.

"But you didn't ask me."

Hugo's mouth opened in shock as he turned his head to look at his grandfather. "You're right. I didn't." His eyes grew big with the realization as Hugo put out a hand and tugged on his grandfather's jacket anxiously. "Grandpa, can you help me? Pleeassse," he remembered to add.

Arthur laughed and threw his arm around Hugo's shoulders, squeezing them briefly. "Of course I can. In fact," Arthur leaned down towards his grandson and whispered loudly, "I know exactly what we can do."

"Oh! Thank you! Thank you!"

With those words, Hugo jumped off the swing and launched himself at his grandfather, wrapping his arms tightly around Arthur's waist. In his exuberance, Hugo almost knocked his grandfather's glasses off his face but Arthur steadied them with one hand as he patted his grandson on the back with the other. After a moment, Hugo sat back and looked at his grandfather excitedly.

"Can we start on it right now?" asked Hugo in a rush, "We have time before lunch and I have my tool kit here already, the one you gave me for my birthday and I'm a good helper. Mum told me so. And Mum is always right. Oh I know! We can make the present today and then Dad will be so happy because-"

"Whoa!" Arthur put his hands out calmly as his face stretched into a grin, "Slow down there Hugo laddie. Just give me a moment now. Your grandpa isn't as young as he once was."

Hugo laughed. "Grandpa, you're funny," he said as he observed the many lines and wrinkles that dotted his grandfather's weathered face. "You were never young."

At his statement, Hugo watched as his grandfather leaned his head back and let out a bark of laughter. "Is that so?" he asked fondly as he beamed down and ruffled Hugo's short hair. "Now, don't let your grandmother hear you say that son, she'll not take as kindly to it as I do."

Hugo smiled broadly. "I know Grandpa. I know. Now, can we go work on dad's present now?" He asked pleading as he clasped his hands to his chest and widened his eyes profusely. "Puh-leeaassee?"

Arthur pretended to think about it. "Weeeell," he drawled, stopping only when he saw a fearful look fall across his grandson's face. "I suppose we can start," he added quickly, winking at Hugo.

Hugo beamed and jumped down off the bench, all his earlier anger at the family quickly forgotten. "Thanks Grandpa. You're the best grandpa ever!" he exclaimed loudly as Arthur stood up.

"Can I have that in writing?" asked Arthur mischievously as he started to lead Hugo in the direction of his tool shed. "I'd like that."

Hugo laughed loudly as he grabbed his grandfather's hand; pleased beyond words he was finally going to have some help on his dad's Christmas present. For next to his dad (and his uncles of course) his grandpa was the greatest man in the world. And Hugo could think of no one better then his grandpa to help him with his dad's present. No one at all.

Author's Note: Sorry it's a tad late. I needed a bit of a break today. And someone asked me earlier if I was going to bring Arthur and Molly in. Well, one out of two isn't bad! And thanks so much for all the kind reviews. They really mean a lot