The Buddy System. *Updating In Process*

The Tree

"We will get started on the snacks," Azaleah laughed in response.

And so we bundled up and stepped in the the fireplace to heading to Magical Menagories. The owner, a stumpy little man smiled as we made our way through the shop. Theo held the basket as I began to pile in decorations. All gold and reds with a few wooden or special pieces I could find. I even found Hogwarts house crests and bought all four as well as a Hogwarts sign. Tiny little golden snitches which could be bewitched to float around the tree as well as little tiny candle lights about the size of your thumbnail which also floated. 

Draco, who had taken himself off down the street, came bounding into the shop after about 20 minutes announcing "I found the perfect tree." 

Theo squeaked in delight. "Excellent. Rae has enough decorations to do every tree in the Forbidden Forest."

I frowned up at him. "Quiet you. These are perfect." As we headed back to the front of the shop and more importantly, the till, I stopped noticed something on the shelf. 

The whole shelf had a sign in front that read 'NEW RELEASES. FOR THOSE WHO WE LOST DURING THE BATTLE OF HOGWARTS 1998 AND THE WAR.' On the shelf sat little round orbs which flowed.

"You simply set the orb in this cauldron and let me know the name of the lost soul and the name will float in the orb for eternity." I turned to see a woman standing there. She looked to be in her late 50s and she had a sad smile on her face.

"What a lovely idea," I smiled.

"Yes they have been rather popular. Do you want one?" She gave me a smile.

I nodded. "I want several," I smiled which seemed to brighten her smile.

"Ok well, give me the names and I will get started."

I had to think before I spoke. "Sure ok so there is: Ted, Nymphodora, Remus, Sirius, Albus, Fred, Cedric and can I have one saying mum too?"

The poor lady was taking orbs off the shelf as I spoke. She sighed. "My that is a long list. We're they all family?"

"Family and friends." I gave a half smile back.

"It will take about 10 minutes if that's ok?" She explained. 

"Sure. I have a few more bits I want anyway." I headed back over to the boys who were arguing about merlin knows what.

"Theo absolutely not!" Draco said defiantly. 

Theo pouted. "Aw come on. Where is your Christmas spirit?"

"That does not define Christmas in any way." Draco argued.

"It will be hailarious!"

"I will be murdered. You will be murdered and you know he will get us back even worse." I had no idea what they were arguing about but the look on Theo's face told me he was up to no good.

I marched up to them. "What in Merlin's name is going on?" I said crossing my arms.

"He is being an ass!" They both said at once.

"Why?" I tried not to smile. 

They both began to talk fast at once. "One at a time! Draco you first."

"Why him first?" Theo pouted. I just glared at him. "Fine ok...him first."

Draco smirked. "Well Theo wanted to get us all Christmas jumpers which is fine but he wanted to get Blaise and Pansy one as well."

"And?" It sounded like a nice idea actually.

Draco went on. "Well Blaise is spending Christmas Day with the Parkinson's and he wants them to wear the jumpers to dinner." 

"Ok." I really didn't see the problem.

"Only he wants to give Blaise this one," it was a green jumper of a rather large present box attached on the front. "This one is a trick jumper. It can be set to explode whenever you want and you can insert things inside it."

"That could be funny." I shrugged.

"Only he wants to fill it full of muggle things like condoms and...em...well sex toys." Draco blushed at even having to say the name.

"Theodore Nott!" I scowled. 

"Come on it would be hailarious!" Theo burst out laughing. 

I folded my arms. "No it would not! You are NOT getting that for Blaise."

"Fine. You two are no fun!" He pouted. I just glared at him again. "Don't do that! I hate when you do that!"

"Stop giving me reason to." I responded smirking at him. He clearly had no response to that as he turned and walked off but he smiled as he did.

"You would make a good mother," Draco said as he wrapped an arm around my waist. 

I shook my head. "Na I just had to break up fights between Azaleah and Teeny or Cedric and Lucas all the time."

"I still can't believe that moron is coming over later." Draco groaned at the mention of Lucas' name.

I bit my lip. "He really isn't that bad. Well not usually. He was Cedric's best friend since his first day on the Hogwarts Express."

"Cedric needed better friends."

"Lucas was always there for him when he needed him. They were inseparable. He was a big help during the tournament. And he was there for me after he...after he...well died." I hung my head now. Even after years of grief, the mention of his name could bring tears to my eyes. 

Draco squeezed me and I knew he felt bad for bringing it up. "I am sorry Raelyn."

"It's ok." I shrugged. I had to get used to it. Of course I wanted to hear Cedric's name and talk about him. 

At that exact moment, Theo came running up to me again. "Oh can I get this?" He held up a what looked to be a pocket watch. He was practically dancing. 

"You don't need to ask my permission." I chuckled as Draco leaned in examinining the watch.

"There is a button on the side," Draco said lifting the watch out of Theo's hand and held is up to him. "Right here see," he said as I leaned in and he tilted it towards me and pressed the button. And when he did a cloud of smoke erupted from the watch as well as what seemed to be an overly large hand, which punched me right in the eye with such force that I was thrown backwards onto the floor.

"Holy shit!" Draco said throwing the watch to Theo and helping me up. "I am so sorry love."

"I'm fine," I said as I got to my feet and patted down my clothes. "Really I am fine."

"Merlin Raelyn your eye!" Theo pointed out. "And your cheek!"

"What?" I groaned. 

"It's getting dark. I think you are going to have a black eye."

"Oh joy. I think I have some murtlap essence at home which will help." I turned and lifted the basket heading to the counter to pay.

"Now I am definitely getting this," Theo said as he put the watch into the basket.