December, 16th
Since the first snowfall, the powdery cold flakes held on to the grounds of Hogwarts and the nearby wizard’s village persistently.
Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way down to Hogsmeade after breakfast, clothed in thick cloaks, woollen gloves and long scarves to protect them against the cold.
When they looked down, the village gave the impression of being covered in icing.
The plan was to do some last minute Christmas shopping together or separate for it if necessary and later meet Neville, Luna, Seamus, Becky, Dean and Ginny in the three broomsticks. Harry was more than glad that Seamus and Becky came along as well, so he wasn’t the only bachelor amongst three couples.
A cheerful bustle greeted them when they entered the village. Already many Hogwarts students filled the streets and shops even though it was barely ten in the morning. They were not the only ones with the idea of squeezing in some gift buying before Christmas.
The trio knew it would be far worse in the afternoon, that’s why they’ve chosen to go early as well.
They paid a visit to Zonko’s, more out of habit, than to actually buy anything. It appealed more to the younger students and if the three of them wanted something from a joke shop, they’d ask George.
Honeydukes was a completely different matter, since there was always something of interest and not only for Christmas too. But a few Chocolate Frogs or Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and maybe something of the more experimental stuff could never hurt to get for some people. So Harry asked his two friends to go ahead after they paid for their sweets and when they left grabbed some more to add to what he already had for them.
He caught up with them outside and they walked past some food booths on the street, selling delicious smelling pulled pork sliders, corn dogs, caramel corn as well as colour and flavour changing cotton candy (Harry, never having seen a food fair in Hogsmeade or anywhere in the wizarding world before, wondered if any of the food was like the muggle versions.)
Ron insisted they had to try some of this and that, even though they had breakfast merely an hour ago, but Hermione pulled him away and told him he could get some food after they’re done with their shopping.
The next stop was Dervish& Bangs where Ron found a flat and very small flannel that was called the ‘spring-clean-sponge’ and apparently used to remove fog or finger prints from glasses. It had to be put on the earpiece of the glasses where it would curl until they fogged up or prevented the owner in other dirt-related ways to see. Then it would spring to life and sweep the glasses clean, without any effort of the witch or wizard wearing them.
Ron suggested Harry should get it for himself, but Harry found it more than a little weird and declined. He didn’t want something that suddenly popped up in his vision.
Afterwards Hermione wanted to stop by Scrivenshaft’s Quill Shop before they made the way to their last shopping destination – the bookshop Tomes and Scrolls.
In the quill shop Ron had pulled Harry aside and asked him to distract Hermione in Tomes and Scrolls and so the ravenette found himself strolling between the shelves with his female best friend, not doubting for a second that she knew what Ron was up to but she still happily browsed books with him. Though when wasn’t Hermione happy around books?
She trailed her fingers over the backs of some books as she walked along, sometimes pulling one with an interesting title out of the shelf and looking further into it, though after 15 minutes she still hasn’t settled on a book she’d like to buy today, even if several got her interest. Harry meanwhile trailed after her, looking around with less curiosity, but the history section really wasn’t what held his attention.
“Oh Harry, look! They have a copy of the ‘Collection of Gertie Keddle’s Diaries’.” Hermione held the book up to him but only was met with a confused frown. Harry knew he’d heard the name somewhere or maybe read about it, though he couldn’t place why this collection would be so special. Hermione rolled her eyes.
“Gertie Keddle’s Diary Harry. She’s mentioned in ‘Quidditch Through the Ages’. The one who took notes of her neighbours playing what was the beginnings of quidditch.”
Harry’s eyes lid up as he finally remembered. Alright maybe some part of the history section managed to get his attention. He took the book from Hermione and leafed through it, reading a few passages and contemplating if he should buy it. The batty witch didn’t have a good word about the game and her wording was atrocious to read, but still, it was more details about the beginnings of his favourite sport.
He was still trying to make up his mind when Ron came up to them, carrying one more suspicious bag than before.
“Hey. Found anything interesting?” He tried to sound casual.
“Oh loads, but I just can’t decide.” Hermione said equally casual, then added with an overly sweet smile. “And you?”
Ron blushed, making his skin colour clash with his red hair. “Uhm… maybe.” He looked away, choosing an avoiding answer since he couldn’t lie to his girlfriend. Hermione smiled genuinely, then pulled two books out of the shelves.
“I might get these, what do you think Ronald?”
The redhead looked up, grateful for the change of topic and eyed the books. “Yeah, looks good… I guess.” He said sheepishly.
“Alright then.” The young witch replied happily. “Are you going to get that book Harry?”
The ravenette shrugged. “Yeah, might as well.”
They went to pay for their purchases, while Harry and Ron got into a discussion over the diary entries. Ron already signed up to borrow the book when Harry was through.
As they waited in the queue Harry looked over the stands with books on sale to their sides. One of them that displayed matching journals caught his interest. Hermione saw him staring at them.
“Oh they still have these journals. I briefly contemplated getting them in fifth year for the DA, you know, but the coins just proved more efficient and I think the journals are only for two people anyway. I don’t think they still worked if you ripped the pages out and distributed them.”
“Oh.” Said Harry, transfixed by the display. “So they’re similar to the coins? You write a message in one and it appears in the other?” Hermione nodded, eyeing him curiously.
“Sounds useful.” Harry’s eyebrows furrowed in thought.
Acting on impulse he walked over, picked up a set of dark green journals, and then joined his friends in the queue again.
Ron looked puzzled. “What do you need them for, mate?”
The ravenette shrugged. “Could be useful some time, you know?”
Ron didn’t know, but probably thought that Harry was still affected by memories of their hiding in the woods, where journals like these indeed would have been useful. Hermione had that knowing look in her eyes again which her boyfriend didn’t notice and her other friend skilfully ignored.
But Harry, in fact, knew what he needed them for. There still was one person he didn’t have a gift for after all, and he could honestly live without further encounters with snobby owls.
