Disclaimer: I own nothing except my own characters.

Note: George's behavior won't explained til later so I apologize if it confuses anyone. Here's to SiobhanPhelps finishing her assignments! (Even if she hasn't). lol

Enjoying the Winter's Weather

As I started to leave I noticed a rack of bracelets and all of them looked nice, but, one in particular caught my eye. Beat it or Get Bludgered. I turned it over. Quidditch Beaters fly this game. I smiled to myself as I picked up a powder pink one what was gold and had red writing. This would certainly be a great gift for Abby, I thought to myself as I paid an obnoxious price and headed out.

"She'll love it Tamm" George said as I showed him the gift and nodded, as he took my bag as we continued down to another shop. "She has a bit of a crush on me, that's why she talks to Matt and Fred more, she doesn't want to interfere in my relationship with Melinda" he said, smirking a little.

"What is life coming to when eleven years are smarter than us?" I asked somewhat joking as George shrugged. "That's good though, I'm happy she likes one of you, especially with the shop" I explained.

"She's going to wet herself when she gets the once in a lifetime Gryffindor basket" he said as I looked at him questionable. "It's a basket of pretty much all our products, Fred and I decided we should something special for her. We figured you'd sort out a proper gift" he explained.

"She'll be thrilled George" I said as headed into another dress robe's store.

"Hey, what size is Melinda, I know she's small, but, you know, she…has curves…" I watched George's face turn bright red as he itched the back of his neck and lowered his voice.

"I don't know" I replied, trying to sound like I didn't notice. "But she loves purple. I'm sure you already know that. Why, are you thinking of buying her a nice dress or something?" I teased as I momentarily looked at a pink frizzy robe.

"Well, yeah, but, I don't really want to now." He was still looking through the purple robes as he said it.

"I understand" I said walking over to look with him.

"No, no, not because of that, but you know, next year, I won't even be at Hogwarts" he said waving a hand at me.

"What's so special about next year at Hogwarts?" I asked.

"They're considering, if inappropriate behavior ceases, giving a ball or dance or something like that. But only for sixth and seventh years. You know, in case some people start getting a little frisky" he said the last bit with a wink. I was glad he was finally coming around. "Like a Valentine's Day Dance."

"So, next year they're going to have a dance, and you want to get Melinda a nice dress, but you see as pointless because you won't be the one asking her?" I concluded, hoping I was somewhat right.

"Basically, but, I still want to get her something she'll remember me by…" George said sadly. "You know, while she's dancing it up with Malfoy" he added, his voice still low. I rolled my eyes, knowing Malfoy they would split up by then.

"She might not be. But if you're that worried get something nice to go with the dress" I suggested, suddenly noticing nearby accessories. "Look" I said grabbing his wrist and dragging him toward the items.

"They are quite nice" he said looking through the shiny clips, and headbands, and necklaces, and bracelets and rings. "I like this one" he said almost instantly, picking up a sliver shiny hair clip that had small raven spread its wings at his touch and then close then when he moved his hand off.

"It's cute" I replied, looking at the swan and butterfly versions.

"I'm getting this one" he finally said after a few minutes of staring at it. "C'mon, or are you getting anything here?" he asked looking around and making a face, knowing I didn't like the place myself so I very well wouldn't be shopping in here for someone else. "Let's go the bookstore next." I suggested as we headed back out. "Unless, you want to go someplace else…"

"No, no, it's fine," he said as he shoved his bag into the bigger bag with Ron's hat. We quickly made our way into the bookstore, it was almost empty. I almost collided with another customer as I hurried over to the Charms section. "Sorry" I mumbled to her as I slowed down, now looking up and down the shelves. Finally, I found it, one of the newest books, Charms: An Absolute and Complete Coverage. Melinda had mentioned it few times when Hermione sent her a copy of the catalog but swore she would wait until after fifth year, when she mastered all her O. . Myself on the other hand, had no patience for her waiting, which was why I found myself standing here at this moment. I took the book down, it wasn't just big, it was huge. Almost the size of the book I took from the library.

"Oh, are you getting a step stool for yourself? So you can properly kiss Fred?" George teased as he took the book from me. "Um, are you sure want to get this?" he asked, his face going a bit pale.

"Yeah, why?" I asked, moving my hair out of my face.

"Well, let's put it this way, I can certainly understand why Melinda is waiting to get this book" he answered, still pale he showed me price. I didn't even flinch; Mrs. Malfoy had brought me items, unnecessarily for twice that amount.

"When you live with the Malfoy's, price isn't a concern" I said morbidly as we headed to the front. "I stopped making it a big deal when Mrs. Malfoy brought me a new pair of earrings for my birthday, just before I went the Burrow" I explained. He looked at me curiously. It was standard for Mrs. Malfoy to pay for top price for books and robes and the likes but not for birthday presents, no for me. "She was hoping I'd stay and keep Draco company since he was 'depressed' about you know, his break up with Melinda" I told him.

"Yeah, real bent of out of shape that one gets" George said sarcastically as we finally reached the front. I pulled out my money bag, hoping I wouldn't get it confused with Draco's, at least not right now, dished the right amount and quickly paid. The whole time George stood awkwardly beside me, making me feel a little guilty every second.

"Alright, now where?" he said when we were finally out of the shop. I looked around; I still had to get Hermione a gift, and Fred. I widened my eyes, I didn't get Fred's gift first. George was probably cursing me out in his mind.

"Tammie" I turned around to see Melinda and Fred heading toward us. "Oh…" she said noticing George beside me, who instantly stiffed at the sight of her.

"Hi" I said waving a little at them.

"Want to help me get a few last minute things?" she asked trying not to look at George. I nodded, and turned back to take my bags from George.

"No, no, I got them; you two have fun now" George said, trying to sound playful but his voice was still tight.

"Okay" I said looking at Fred who raised an eyebrow, smiling a bit.

"And I got your bags Melinda" he said raising her bags as if needing to show her the proof. "I'll see you back at the house" he said kissing my head, not wanting to make things more uncomfortable for his brother and Melinda. "Thanks," he added before taking off alongside his brother.

"I haven't thought of anything to get for Fred" I said sadly when I was certain the boys were far away.

"I got this for George…oh, right, Fred has my bag. Well, I got this book that keeps track of inventory and reminds you when you need to restock. And once you make a decent pattern it can keep up all by itself" she said happily. I nodded, that was indeed a good present. "I hope he likes it, how is he?" she asked as we started absently walking along.

"He's as well as he can be, still hurt, but mostly angry" I explained looking back, even though I knew the boys wouldn't be in sight anymore.

"He'll be okay, I know he will" Melinda replied, though she too sounded upset. "So, you haven't thought of a single thing for Fred?" she asked, giving me a small smile, trying to change her tone completely.

"Nope, I don't even know what he wants" I said, sounding even sadder.

"Time alone with you" Melinda joked, giving a wink and nudge.

"Shut up" I said to her but only laughed.

"Hey, get this. I went into that shop, the one they're planning on buying, and this old lady was there and she, well, she was clearly mad, but then, when George came in she disappeared. Now, when I say old I mean, old, she had a cane and she shuffled very slowly back to the counter. But George didn't seem to see any sign of her." I knew I sounded excited when I explained because Melinda laughed.

"Did she say anything?" she asked.

"Um, she asked to bring the carrot truffle scones up to the front—which she ate all of—and then, before George came in she asked something about the heart and mind. I don't remember now" I said, though, truthfully I didn't care.

"What did she look like?" Melinda asked as we headed into a candy shop. She was probably thinking the same thing I was, load up on sweets for Ginny and the others who weren't close personal friends.

"I don't know…" I said, trying to recall the image of the old lady but I all I could think of was her outline and cane. "Old lady-ish I suppose" I said, laughing at my own description.

"Well, maybe George lied or she wasn't supposed to be in there" Melinda said as we neared the sweetest of the candies. "Does Ginny still like these?" Melinda asked, pointing to a caramel colored bar.

"Yeah, are you getting those?" I asked. She nodded and I looked around, finally spotting Mr. Weasley's favorite sweets, a green colored brick sized bar of a type of candy that had a sour taste and then sweet after taste; they reminded me of the muggle version of Sour Patches. We quickly moved up and down the aisle, filling our bags with favorites, Bill had coin shaped buttercreams, Charlie had dragon egg shaped chocolate with honey and caramel inside, Mrs. Weasley had box of oat and maple sugar favored toffee and Percy edible office supplies.

When we finally left I thought my arms were going to fall off. "I still have to find a gift for Hermione and Fred…" I whined. "I hate Christmas" I added as we headed back toward some of the other stores. "Oh," I said stopping at the stationary supply store. "I can get something in here for Hermione" I said happily walking inside. Sure enough I found several inexpensive little things I could've given her, but my eyes soon caught the gift bundle pack, which included: a special quill and ink set—of your prepared color, a quick quill, several specialty made parchments, a planner and about a dozen labels and small notebooks. We headed back out, and I remembered the joke shop the twins always went to. "Hey, want to go with me to Gambol and Japes?" I asked as we looked around at the decreasing light on the streets.

"Actually, no, I think I'll pass, but I can wait for you if you want" she said politely, trying to keep up her mood.

"No, it's alright, if Mrs. Weasley is back before me just tell I'll be there soon. And if I'm not send Fred" I joked as we parted.

As soon as I was inside Gambol and Japes my mood felt ten times better. Though, I couldn't help but look around and think the Weasley twins could pull off something more impressing than this. I walked around for a bit, careful not to step on the moss colored grass and watching out for the bubbles that only grew bigger as they touched someone. I walked over to a shelf, most of them were filled with catalogs, but there were a few guide books, a few planners, a few notebooks. All of them were filled with silly pictures and gentle reminders of what to do and what not to do. Unable to decide which one I wanted I took as many as I could carry, checked them out and then headed back for the door. Upon my exit I noticed a small book. "American Tricks" it was titled. I took a moment to look at it. Surely, Melinda wouldn't mind if I threw it into her gifts for George.

When I got outside, it was darker, and colder. I looked around, half expecting Fred to be waiting, but he wasn't. I sighed and took out Draco's bag. I had managed to get everyone's else present, I might as well finish now. I told myself as I carefully unfolded his note.

Tammie, I need you go to Knockturn Alley, from there, go to Borgin and Burkes. Ask Spud for the mirror Draco Malfoy put on hold. Tell him who you are, and verbal announce this number: 11601.

I stared at the note for another minute. Was he absolutely mental? I had little to no desire to go anywhere near Knockturn Alley, he knew that. But, I also knew if I didn't do it now someone would find out I was going and then word would get to both Melinda and George and the holidays would indeed be crummy. Sighing, I heaved the bag on my shoulder and made my way to Knockturn Alley.