Disclaimer: I own nothing except my characters.
Note: So, the next few chapters will probably have a lot of grammatical errors since I was trying to correct it really really early in the morning. I apologize many times over in advance. Thank you for your questions SiobhanPhelps, I hope they get answered in due time.
More Gift Giving
Like most scary places Knockturn Alley looked scarier at night. I quickly made my way to the shop, avoiding any and all eye contact with people around me. When I entered Borgin and Burkes the floor creaked, only a handful of candles lit the place. I moved closer, careful not to step on anything or bump into anything, though it was a challenge with so little lightening. "Um, hello…" I said to the guy behind the counter. "Are you Spud?" I asked. The guy, a young looking man, maybe eighteen or nineteen stared at me for a minute, as if deciding if I was even worth replying to. Finally, he shook his head and sulked off to the back. I nervously looked around, even though there weren't any other customers I felt like I was being watched, a creepy sensation.
"Who are you?" a booming voice said. I jumped high, but held back a startled scream. Spud, or who I presumed to be Spud was standing in front of me, he was a big guy, like the type they would watch clubs back in America.
"Hi," I said stupidly. "I mean, I'm Tammie Allen, I um," he leaned closer, squinting his eyes. "I'm here for Draco Malfoy" I said nervously.
"Malfoy eh? What does the Malfoy want eh?" his voice was still loud, but now he just sounded like I was testing him.
"He said he wants his mirror, I mean, the mirror he put on hold." I tried to control my breathing as Spud continued to look over at me, completely unsatisfied. I wasn't his type of customer; I didn't even belong in this part of Diagon Alley. "The number is 11601" I said, remembering Draco's note.
"Eh" Spud said walking off toward the back, but a different back than the other guy had wondered in. He returned only minutes later, a medium sized box in his hand. In his hands, it looked smaller than average. "Payment eh?" he asked nodding at me, giving me a small smirk. Feeling bold I smirked back and throw Draco's money bag on the table.
"There's your money" I said to him reaching for the package which was now lying on the table between us but he put his hand on top of it.
"I count first" he said quietly, pouring out Draco's money.
Fifteen minutes later I was making my way back up toward the way I came, now anxious to get out. After counting out the correct amount once Spud decided he needed to count again, and then, purposely stopped halfway through, pretended he lost his place and started from the beginning. I never wanted to claw at someone's face so bad in my life. Except maybe Charity."Hey!" I spun around at the sound of the voice, Matt running toward me. I smiled happily, at least he was someone I knew, not exactly who I was hoping to see.
"What are you doing here, I mean, like, here in Knockturn Alley?" I asked giving him a hug.
"Family shops here, mum likes the cool air at night so we come at night; I'm going back to Hogwarts tomorrow" he said.
"Oh good, I would give you Abby's present but it's at The Burrow" I told him wishing I knew he was coming.
"I'm sure she'll like it much more coming from you. Anyway, why are you here. Because people know me and my family…they expect us here, but you, I don't think so" he said with another laugh.
"I was helping Draco with some shopping" I told him holding out box.
"Oh, would you like me carry it for you? Are you headed back to the Manor? You could've probably just gone—"
"I'm at The Burrow for the break, so I'm just going to find a fireplace back at Diagon Alley" I told him. He looked around, squinting a bit, as if deciding whether my trip to Diagon Alley was safe.
"How about I give you a lift?" he asked, again looking back toward the direction he came from.
"It's okay, it's not like Diagon Alley is that far" I reminded.
"I know, just, please, this once, one ride, that's it, we'll never mention it happened" he said with a winning smile.
"Fine, but only because I'm cold," I told him handing him my things.
"Alright, um, don't move" he said holding a finger up before running off. In the seconds I waited I only heard low mumbling and some shuffling of feet and the faint whistle of a low wind. "Wonderful, c'mon" Matt said as he returned with a broom. "What? You're not scared of heights now, are you?" he joked. I shook my head and tried to laugh but I could only think of the anxiety building up as I imagined sharing a broom with Matt. "C'mon, or have you frozen yourself there?" he asked pulling the bags from me and tying them to the tip of the broom.
"I'm okay" I squeaked, quickly getting on the broom behind him.
"I think I remember Ginny telling me the way there, but I may ask if I'm going the right way" he told me as he rose several feet in the air.
"Oh, well, I won't be much help, I'm awful with directions" I told him.
"Well, I guess we'll both be lost, don't worry, they'll send a search party for you before me" he added quickly, but more mellow.
"Right" was the only thing I could think to add as we went up another several feet before taking off. I could feel my heart pounding, though I doubted it had anything to do with how high up I was.
"You okay?" Matt asked halfway there. I nodded just as he swooped lower, causing me to tighten my grip around his waist. I was fine when I swooped low, I was in control, but someone else being controls, no thank you.
"Fine, just, don't do anything fancy" I told him but he just laughed.
"I thought you might appreciate it. Besides, I don't fly much" Matt said as we The Burrow came into view. "That's the house, right?" Matt asked, pointing the lopsided house. I smiled happily. "Yeah" I replied.
As soon as we got close enough I saw three figures outside, Melinda, Fred and Mrs. Weasley. I couldn't tell who Mrs. Weasley was yelling at, even as we lowered to the ground. "Oh thank heavens!" Mrs. Weasley shouted as I got off the broom as quickly as possible. "I told Fred that he should've immediately gone to help you as soon as Melinda came back. Melinda was on her way out to find you, but I told her that wasn't her job and to have—" she stopped. I turned slightly to look at Matt, who was now untying my bags.
"Um, Mrs. Weasley, this Matt…Matt, this is Mrs. Weasley" I said, feeling awkward about the introductions.
"Oh, hello Matthew" she said politely shaking his hand. "I don't believe we've met before" she added, her cheeks red, even in the nightlight.
"I'm new" Matt replied, which, seemed to suddenly jog Mrs. Weasley's mind because she looked questionable at Fred, who raised his eyebrows and then she shot a glance at me. Of course she now remembered who Matt was.
"Well, I'm sure you're parents are very worried about you, it's best if you just head off. Thank you for bringing Tammie back" she said, her tone overworking to sound like she meant it.
"Yeah, glad she happened to bump into you" Fred said, his voice annoyed.
"Thanks Matt, I'll see you in school?" I said as I took my bags from him. Matt nodded; still standing completely still and somehow still looked completely patient, though I was certain his eyes were shiny.
"Of course, and I'm sorry if it was bad timing. Happy holidays to your family Mrs. Weasley, and Melinda." Melinda grumbled something while Fred remained silent. Matt bowed and quickly mounted his broom and was off in seconds, not once looking back as he disappeared into the night.
"The house looks wonderful, I'm glad you two kept the boys in check" Mrs. Weasley said, as if Matt had never been present. "Come on, come on, let's go inside, it's rather chilly out here" she said, ushering us into the house. I nodded in agreement, though mostly to keep her from mentioning anything about Matt.
Inside, Mrs. Weasley took my bags from me and urged me to a full bowl of stew; which I devoured in record timing. When I returned to the others in the living room Melinda was talking with Ginny while George, Harry and Ron were talking loudly while playing a game of Exploding Snap. Fred was on the couch watching, his body spread out on the couch, leaving little room for anyone else. "Are you taking up this whole couch for yourself?" I joked as I moved his leg, and then arm. "C'mon, scoot" I told him as he reluctantly made room for me. "Would you rather I sat someplace else?" I asked, suddenly remembering he strongly disliked Matt.
"Where were you that you happened to spot him?" he asked quietly; sure enough he was moody about my return with Matt.
"I was getting a present for Draco" I started, leaving off the bit about who the present was actually for. "And he happened to notice me as I was leaving. I was in Knockturn Alley if you must know" I said. Fred sucked in air but didn't say anything, finally getting up and joining the others on the floor for their new round. I wondered if he was angrier that I lied to him or that I accepted Matt's ride or that I ignored the whole part about Matt being in the dark magic section.
Whatever he was mad about melted away within the hour, eventually he was back on the couch, going over names for some of the jokes for their shop. We'd either cheer or shout out boo to the ones we liked or didn't like. Around eleven, Mrs. Weasley ushered us all to bed, telling us we'd be wrapping gifts in the morning, adding that Hermione should be with us too.
Sure enough, by nine-thirty we were all being shouted awake. After a very long, very filling breakfast we were directed to various parts of the house. I was to be wrapping presents for Ginny; Harry would be wrapping mine; Ron was assigned Melinda's, Melinda had Bill and Charlie, Ginny had Fred and George's, Hermione had Harry's and twins were in charge of their parents and Christmas Owls. Mrs. Weasley took care of the foods and decorations. The day was unbelievable slow, and even though I spent most of the time daydreaming and the remainder wondering how well Melinda patched things up after George exploded her suitcase.
That night, after we all were relieved of our duties we hurried upstairs. I was more anxious about lying down than I was chit chatting with Fred. "Night" I said to him as I quickly pecked him and headed up to the attic. Since Hermione's arrival Melinda and I agreed to sleep back in the attic. It was better this time, Mrs. Weasley put up some type of shade against the windows, so we'd at least get to sleep in without the sun staring at us. It took Melinda a little longer to get the up the stairs because she was carrying her birthday present from George and I didn't bother to ask if she wanted help.
"You got it?" I asked as soon as she set it down the dresser.
"Yeah, I'm good, thanks" she replied sarcastically with a laugh. "You can blow the candle out, I'm sure the beds are in the same spot they've always been in since we've been hanging out here." I laughed as she hurried to her bed and under the covers, adjusting her pillow as I blew out the candle. Before I could take a step toward my own bed I noticed an odd glow in the room.
"Uh, Melinda?" I said nervously as I looked in the direction the glow seemed to be coming from, her small dresser.
"What?" she said, her bed creaking. "What—" she stopped, she must have noticed the odd glowing. "Oh my…" she said touching the glass.
"What is it?" I asked moving over toward the glow.
"There's a G on this side" she said pointing at the glass. "And...oh! An M on the other side" she laughed for a second, and then cut off, instantly making sense of what she was she was seeing.
"I knew there was more to it" I said with a laugh as I watched the little glow in the dark heart slowly rotate around and around.
"I didn't know" she said, almost in a whisper.
"It's cute" I said simply, crawling into bed.
I didn't instantly go fall asleep, instead I spent of most of the time watching Melinda who was watching the glass. "What are you thinking about?" I asked fifteen minutes later, knowing she wasn't yet sleep.
"Nothing" she replied, her tone had gone down several degrees of happiness.
"Oh, okay" I said now turning on my back to stare at the dark ceiling.
"Do you think I'm making the right choice?" she asked a few minutes of silence. "I mean, about George, do you think it's a good idea to do this? I like him, you know that, I know that, but…" she trailed off, now laying back, the springs louder than they needed to be.
"I think you should do whatever you feel is right. George thinks that too" I said, though, that wasn't exactly what George thought.
"I just hated seeing him like I did today, I hated admitting how I felt about Draco and then, well, George just looked so hurt. All the things I said. I feel really bad, and I've never see him so angry" she said, sniffling a little.
"Yeah, we heard him…granted we weren't supposed to hear, but we did" I told her, knowing she'd find out sooner or later. Fred had probably already told George. "But, it was good that you didn't lie to him—" I cut myself off. That was exactly why they had started fighting. "It was good that you didn't lie again, you know, during your argument. It was better that you came out and told George how you felt. He'll be okay, he bounces back." I was more so trying to convince myself. Though it seemed like George was alright, he had moments of relapse, and truthfully, for once I didn't want Draco to get back with Melinda.
"What did you end up getting Fred" she asked after another few minutes.
"Something from that joke shop. Oh, I got another little addition for you to give to George, it's an American joke and prank book" I said suddenly remembering the items in my bag.
"Oh wow, I was actually heading back to find you, but also find that exact thing" she said with a laugh, her normal tone reappearing. "I guess great minds thing alike huh?" she asked with another laugh.
"No, you probably thought of it first. I thought of it as I was leaving" I told her. She made an agreement sound as I started to get comfortable.
"I didn't get anything for Draco" she said quietly. At first I wanted if she was remembering it and therefore had to go out and buy it or it was a statement and she meant she wouldn't be buying him anything since she already forgot.
"Are you going to?" I asked, still not sure if she meant to say it aloud.
"No" she said simply, her word strong, as if it was something she was practicing all day.
"Why not?" I asked, suddenly feeling guilty about doing Draco's dirty work and buying her a present. Hopefully, I was skilled enough forge Draco's signature or try and hide it before Christmas. I shook my head at the thought, that wouldn't be a fair thing to do.
"He doesn't deserve it" she said simply, slowly. I looked over at her, though I know she couldn't see me and I couldn't see her.
"He doesn't deserve a lot of things but he still gets them" I told her wrinkling my nose. "Everyone still lets him" I added, now thinking of my own package. I should've returned the gift as soon as I brought it, I should've declined Draco's money bag, no, instead I accepted it, I accepted all of it because I assumed he'd change, just like he promises to change, but never completely does. He had to understand it would catch up to him, at some point. At least Melinda could still leave if she wanted, she could go home.
"Do you think he got me anything?" Melinda asked, bringing me from my thoughts.
"Yeah, he had me get it actually, that's where I was, getting Draco's gift for you" I said, feeling slight better now that I had admitted.
"Is it something like the birthday present?" she asked, her voice still calm.
"It's nice" I said plainly. "Hey, you know I didn't want to take that ride offer from Matt, right?" I asked, which was true.
"Well, I understand why you did. That doesn't mean I like him or like you two being all cozy, I just think he did the right thing for once. That's all" she quickly explained. I nodded, though I know she still couldn't see me. "At least Draco's still trying…" she quietly, this time I knew I wasn't supposed to hear it; which meant that I didn't have to tell her how Draco approached me.
