The perfect gift
The sight of the familiar snow-filled village was enough to bring a smile to anyone's face, especially two teenagers who weren't supposed to be there. The trip from the castle had taken them almost faster than normal, which surprised Cassie, considering how anxious James was.
"You do know her birthday is not today, right?" She asked, noticing his hand sliding through his hair for the fourth time since the common room.
"Wha- yeah, of course, I do. Why do you ask?"
"Because first of all, you are so anxious you remind me of Alice when it comes to spiders, second of all, your hair. Honestly, James, I'm really starting to think you want to be bald by your twenties."
He rolled his eyes, letting his arm bump slightly into her side, causing her balance to waver.
"I'm just telling you." She held up her hands. "I mean, your hair is one of your better qualities, so if you lost-"
"One of my better qualities? What does that even mean?" he asked as they made their way down the streets of Hogsmeade.
"It means that your hair is better than your poetry, which is saying something." She retorted, a smile dancing on her lips. "You know, which makes sense considering your father founded that hair potion." Her eyes widened in realization as she turned to her friend. "So that's why your hair is like that."
"Merlin Cas," James groaned, looking as if he were seconds away from face-palming himself. When he turned his eyes to hers, ready with a comeback, he halted, seeing the teasing grin on her face shining with amusement. He shook his head while kicking a small rock that appeared just before him, sending it flying into the snow.
"I'm just messing with you." She laughed. "I know you don't need any products for your hair to look like that."
A grimace made its way to his face. "Somehow, that didn't feel like a compliment," he said, digging his hands into his pockets.
The wind was in a good mood that day, along with the beaming sun. It didn't feel nearly as cold as it normally would on a January morning. Though once the sun was gone, a biting cold was all that would be left.
"So..." she started, letting it hang for a moment before continuing. "Do you have any ideas about what to get her?"
A dejected look spread across his face as he shook his head. "I've been going mad about it for the last days. Remus keeps telling me to get something that reminds me of her, while Sirius tells me to get her something that when I look at it, all I can see is her smile. I'm utterly confused." his fingers ran through his hair, causing Cassie to roll her eyes.
Though it didn't take long until they lighted up as an idea suddenly dawned on her. "When you think about it, what they are saying is not all that different. Look, we have a few hours. Why don't we see if we can find anything that falls into those two categories."
"What if we can't find anything?"
Cassie huffed at his pessimism, though could clearly see how much the thought of not finding anything less than the perfect gift, troubled him.
"Don't worry." She tried to reassure him, nudging his arm gently with her elbow as she continued confidently. "We are not leaving Hogsmeade without a birthday gift. The perfect birthday gift."
James couldn't do anything but smile at the confidence that radiated from her words. The pair passed Zonkos, agreeing that they wouldn't find anything there or rather anything that James thought was good enough. Truthfully it was almost endearing watching how much he fretted over something as simple as a gift.
"So, do you have any tips for me? For what not to buy?"
"Well," Cassie scratched her hat-covered head as she thought, "Remus got her a book that she wanted. Alice bought some new quills and a book that apparently never goes out of pages. At least that's what she claims. Dorcas got her some muggle chocolate along with a bottle or two of firewhiskey, and I have no idea what Marlene has gotten her."
"How did Dorcas get Firewhiskey?"
"It's Dorcas," She snickered, "You don't need to know more than that."
James laughed. "True enough. What about you? What did you get?"
Cassie grinned proudly as she tucked her hands into her pockets. "I managed to find her a sweater similar to mine." she glanced at James as she continued. "You know the black and white one I got from Sirius when we were in Edinburgh?"
He nodded, remembering the knitted sweater she loved so much, causing her to go on.
"Well, I somehow found a similar one, not quite the same but close enough, so we're matching, and I managed to get ABBA's newest vinyl record, Arrival, that came out in October. Thank god I managed to convince Andromeda to take me shopping before I left."
"ABBA?" He asked curiously.
"Honestly, James," she scolded lightly, shaking her head. "Do you remember that song your parents sent along with that recorder on Sirius and mine's birthday?"
James furred his brows as he thought so hard, his head might have burst. "Eh, yeah. That dancing queen song, right?"
She glanced at him with an arched brow, surprised that he even had to think about it. Considering both she and her brother, not to mention Lily and several other of their friends, had spent weeks after their birthday party with the song stuck in their heads, humming it or whistling the melody whenever they had the chance. "Right..." She answered. "That dancing queen song,"
Cassie sighed deeply as she continued. "I can't believe you didn't remember the song you spent weeks whistling the melody of."
"I never said I forgot it." James tried to defend himself.
"No, you just started thinking about something entirely different so hard you looked like you were about to blow off your head." she snorted.
"I did not." he gasped dramatically.
She shot him a look while sassing. "oh, you certainly did."
James rolled his eyes, drawing his fingers through his locks as he shook his head disapprovingly. Both of them turned away before looking at each other a moment later. The two held each other's stare until they burst out in laughter.
"You're ridiculous." She laughed, bumping her elbow into his arm, sending him slightly off balance for a minute before he quickly regained himself, still laughing.
Only when Cassie noticed a familiar store that her laughter died down, and she stopped walking. "Maybe we'll find something here." She suggested nodding to the store on her right.
The bells rang softly as the warmth hugged their bodies the moment they entered Tomes and Scrolls. The walls were clad with bookcases bearing all sorts of books, from thick to thin, from English to something that had to be ancient Greek. It wasn't the first time Cassie had been there. Being friends with book lovers such as Lily and Remus made that impossible, but by the look of her friend's wide eyes as they wandered over the several cases with books and all sorts of scrolls, it was quite clear this was the boy’s first time.
"Is it your first time in here?" She couldn't help but ask.
James only nodded as he wandered awestruck down the hall, his gaze gliding over all sorts of books he had never seen before.
Her eyes lingered on his back as he disappeared around a corner, and she couldn't help but wonder just how long he would last before feeling so overwhelmed with books that he would rather leave.
"Can I help you with anything?" A soft voice appeared behind Cassie, causing her to jump slightly. Having been so occupied with James's reaction, she had failed to notice the older woman behind the counter that bore a warm smile as she looked up from a book that had to be one of the thickest Cassie had ever seen. The woman couldn't be more than thirty, with her tan face framed by chestnut hair twined in a loose bun, and her blue eyes twinkled just as warmly as her smile.
"Thanks, but we're just looking for now. My friend is looking for a birthday present for a girl, and well, he's having trouble finding the perfect gift."
Her blue eyes twinkled in excitement as she leaned forward. "A special girl?" she asked curiously.
"A very special girl. You wouldn't happen to know of a place we could go, do you?"
Although Cassie had wandered through Hogsmeade several times over the six years she had been at Hogwarts. She had mostly kept to the usual shops she visited, such as the ThreeBroomsticks, Zonkos, and Honeydukes. Occasionally she had gone to the quill shop for new writing equipment, and Spintwitches Sporting Needs for Quidditch Equipment. And of course some visits to the shop she was currently in.
But still, there were some shops she hadn't placed a foot into, and who better to perhaps give her some advice than someone who might have a more vast knowledge of the village than she did.
"I do." The woman said. "There's a shop down the street. A friend of mine owns it. It's a bit hidden unless you know where to look. But I think you might be able to find something there. If you go past the cauldron shop, you will see a narrow alley, just follow that, and you can't miss it."
Cassie smiled and thanked her the best she could while waiting for James to return from his wandering. A while later, the two stood by the corner of the cauldron shop, eying the narrow alley that seemed slightly sketchier than the older woman had described. It was, just like many alleys, dark with no other source of light. Truthfully it seemed like a place one would go to test their courage.
"Well, this is the alley she was talking about," Cassie said, staring ahead, wondering just what kind of shop was hiding down there. A familiar pricking appeared as she noticed the look James was currently giving her as he shifted his eyes between the alley and her. His face was unreadable apart from the light desperation lingering in his eyes.
"I hope she was right, you know, about finding something here." He stared at the alley, almost as if he was waiting for something to come out of it. When nothing came, his eyes met Cassie's for the last time before he ventured forward.
"So do I, James, so do i." She mumbled under her breath, watching his body disappearing into darkness before following after him.
If there were one thing Cassie could compare walking down the pitch-black alley to, it would be like walking around blindfolded. With the number of times, she had bumped her shoulder into the brick wall or stumbled over something; she was glad Rabastan wasn't there at the moment, as he found it rather enjoyable watching the clumsy girl. As fast as the thought of him came, she shook it from her head.
After what felt like wandering, a warm hue appeared on the wall as the alley came to an end, casting a dim light so faint one couldn't see it until you were just below it. Just below an old lamp, where the light came from, stood a dark door, a door that looked every bit as terrifying as everything else in the alley did.
"You don't think this is the part where we die, right? because I can't die without getting Lily a birthday present." James panicked.
"We're not going to die." I hope
She cautiously stepped closer to the door, letting her eyes inspect every line, scratch, and mark that she could find. What caught her eyes was the faded writing at the top middle part of the door. The letters were curled in exquisite calligraphy—Vendel's Jewelry.
A soft noise filled the alley as Cassie couldn't help but let out a curious sound as she studied the door. Her hand was wrapped around the handle as she twisted it and pushed gently, causing the door to open.
A familiar sound of a bell ringing appeared when they entered the shop; a startling light blinded them momentarily; their eyes blinked several times, getting used to the obvious change in light before letting them fall upon their surroundings and widen significantly.
While the outside had been dark and creepy, the inside couldn't be further from. The walls were painted in a pearl white, while several glass stands filled with all sorts of jewelry were placed around the room.
It reminded Cassie of one of the high-end shops her mother had brought her into when she was younger. Only this was smaller and filled with more than just big stone necklaces and diamond rings.
“Hello.” A light-haired man stepped out from a room behind the counter, smiling as he met their gazes. «is there anything I can help you with?"
The two students shared a look before James took a step forward. " eh, yes," he stated almost hesitatingly. "A friend of yours recommended this place, from books and scrolls."
The man's face lighted up in recognition, even if James misspoke the name. "Oh, Mary sent you. What can I do for you?"
"I'm looking for a birthday present for someone," James said vaguely, causing the gurl to shake her head and add.
"It's a girl, one that he happens to fancy quite a lot." She could feel the glare her friend was sending her, but no matter what, she was not about to spend their entire day dancing around the fact that it was a gift for someone very special to him.
"I see." The man said, eying James strangely. "Then I understand that it's very important for you to find the perfect one, isn't it?"
The vary drained from the boy's face as he nodded firmly. Looking more confident than before. "It is."
"Well, let's see, why don't you have a look over here." he gestured to a glass box on the right side of the counter. "I just got these in a few days ago. They are said to be magical."
Cassie scrunched her nose as she asked. "Magical?"
"Yes. It's different for each of jewelry, even I don't know what they all mean, but some are said to supposedly glow bright when you are in the presents of your soul mate, though some might glow for another purpose. But then again, what do I know? I'm just a simple jeweler." he laughed.
While James started studying the jewelry the man had talked about, Cassie took the opportunity to browse around. There was jewelry of all sorts and to all occasions. Diamond necklaces of all sorts of colors, various rings that differed in shapes and designs, going from diamond to gold and silver entwined with sparkling stones, lockets with beautifully delicate designs engraved in them, and bracelets glittering like stars.
It was the most beautiful jewelry she had ever seen, and as she stood admiring a silver locket with small stars engraved in it, she couldn't help but feel tempted to buy it.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" the man asked as he strode up next to her. "It certainly would look beautiful around your lovely neck."
Her cheeks flushed as a small smile appeared. "It's beautiful, but I'm not looking for anything. Maybe- maybe some other day."
She looked up, meeting his green eyes as he smiled before returning behind his counter. As she neared James, it wasn't hard to notice that his eyes seemed almost enchanted by a certain piece of jewelry.
"Do you find anything?" Cassie asked, placing a hand on his shoulder as she leaned in to see the necklaces he was looking at.
"Yes," he replied. His hazel eyes shot up and found the older man. " I'll take this." he pointed at a beautiful necklace hanging from a delicate silver chain.
"Good choice. I assure you, she's going to love it." the man beamed, opening the glass door and snuck a hand inside to retrieve the necklace. "I'll wrap it up for you."
"He's right." Cassie said as she turned to face her friend, "Lily is going to love it."
"Lily, huh?" the man raised a brow, grinning knowingly, "Well, in that case, this is perfect."
As he wrapped the gift in gift paper, James, whose shoulders had lowered, seemed like a hundred tons had been lifted from his shoulders as a bright smile decorated his face.
"You know, for a moment, I thought we weren't going to find anything." the relief in his voice was clear as day. "Thank you for coming with me today."
"Oh, I didn't do anything."
"But you did, if you hadn't told that woman in the bookshop, she wouldn't have sent us here. And I would never have found anything." his eyes softened, and a grateful smile spread across his features. "Thank you, Cassie, truly."
"No problem." She smiled brightly.
A little while later, the two found themselves occupying a table at the Three Broomsticks, each sitting with their own mug of butterbeer. It was surprisingly crowded even without the overwhelming amount of students crowding the bar. As Cassie raised her mug for another sip, she couldn't help but notice the wandering eyes of James, whose gaze flew back and forth over the bar as if looking or searching for someone.
"Do you know what Sirius and Peter are planning for tomorrow? I've asked them several times, but I still can't get a proper answer."
James's gaze snapped to hers, a knowing grin growing on his face that said everything. "I'm not supposed to tell you, but yes, I do."
"Not supposed to tell me?" She repeated, furring her brows. "Why not?"
"Sirius didn't want you to say anything. Look, I know you wouldn't, but please don't make me tell you. All I was allowed to say is for you to come to the room of requirement at seven."
"Seven?" She arched a brow as she asked, lifting the mug to her lips.
He nodded, "I suppose I can tell you that there's going to be a party there, but that's all."
"Oh, come on." Cassie groaned softly, earning a chuckle from her friend.
"I'm sorry, but that's all I'm allowed to say." The grin on his face was nowhere near apologetic.
Her brown eyes narrowed jokingly at him as she hummed softly. "I suppose at the right price; I could make you talk."
"Oh yeah?" He planted his elbows on the table and leaned forward, intrigued. "What’s the price?"
She leaned forward, challenge rising in her eyes. "I could get Lily to go out with you."
James held her stare, not saying anything as he bore an unreadable expression. He leaned back in his seat, his hand covering his face as he rubbed his forehead. "No, you can't." He chuckled, meeting her gaze. "You and I both know that it's almost impossible to force her to do anything she doesn’t want to do. Besides, I don't want her to be convinced to go on a date with me. I want her to go of her own free will. I want it to be a decision she makes herself, where she sees me as someone worthy to be by her side."
Cassie's heart melted as she heard the words James spoke. It had always been obvious that the boy in front of her had bore feelings for her best friend, feelings that even though no matter how many times she rejected him, only seemed to grow. Until the point where he fell in love with her. The young James, the one obsessed with asking Lily out, would have jumped at the chance to go out with her, not caring if she had been convinced. But this James respected Lily. He loved her too much to do something like that.
She only hoped that one day someone would love her as much as James loved Lily.
Sitting back in her chair, she couldn't help but cross her arms over her chest as she said. "You're right. I should have known better than to say something like that." she paused briefly. "You win. I will play the patient friend as well as I can until tomorrow."
"Thank you." He smiled, suddenly his eyes locked on to something behind her, and the smile on his face grew while his eyes twinkled strangely as he reached for his pocket and pulled out the familiar parchment of the map. "I think I'm going to take my leave, be sure to use this when you return."
"What?" Cassie gaped at the boy, watching as he stood up from his seat, took his coat from the chair, and pulled it on. "What are you talking about?"
His smile was still as wide as his gaze shifted between her and something behind her. "You helped me find a present when I thought it would be impossible. I just thought I should return the favor." He gave her one last look before he left. "Have fun."
What the bloody hell was he doing? Or rather, what the bloody hell was he talking about?
There was nothing for Cassie to do except sit in her chair staring dumbfounded at the broad back of her chosen brother, who walked out of the Three Broomsticks.
"Hey."
Her body froze entirely as a deep familiar voice appeared behind her. There was no way, no possible way. As she turned around, the sight she met was almost enough to take her breath away. Her eyes met the familiar pair of warm brown, followed by a smile as warm as his eyes.
"Wha- oh god- you..." Her voice came out a stuttering mess as she spoke, causing his smile to widen. The sight of him was unbelievable, so much that her fingers itched after pinching herself to check if she was dreaming or not. "You're here?" she whispered softly.
"I wasn't able to stop thinking about you since that night when you called me through the mirror. I kept telling myself that you were okay, that you were fine. But- some feeling, some strange feeling told me that I had to see you. I know it was just a dream, but somehow I just couldn't let it go." Rabastan rambled, his eyes growing more and more nervous by the minute.
Slowly Cassie stood up, her legs trembling as she gripped the back of her chair tightly. "You're really here?" she asked again, convinced that he was a figment of her imagination.
"I'm here." He said softly.
A broken laugh fleed her lips as she immediately threw her arms around him, burying her face in his warm chest. Her soul almost soared as his arms circled her body and pulled her closer, holding her tight.
"You're here." She said, smiling as she hugged him closer.
He laughed, and Cassie didn't think it was possible ever to feel so content hearing someone’s laugh. But to hear Rabastan's was like a beautiful reminder that he was him. To hear his laugh, she knew that her dream had in no way been real, just like the one at the cottage and just like the ones in between. Screw it, screw the voice in her head, the voice telling her to get him out of her mind, telling her that she had to forget whatever feelings are starting to build in the pit of her stomach each time she looked at him.
It was here, at this moment, this place, where she felt truly at peace. Where she really felt as if the nightmare looming around her mind were unable to reach her. It was like she was standing in her own personal fortress, and she had never felt safer.