Present Shopping (Cassandra)

[cdc]

Jamison made his way into the sleepy village of Hogsmeade. Actually, it wasn't sleepy at all since it seemed to be very crowded. The holidays were soon approaching and Jamison needed to pick up a few gifts. His grandparents had thought it safer for Jamison and his sister, Wendi to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas. Jamison couldn't help but agree however he wasn't afraid of all Death Eater and attacks. He was afraid of one in particular. Jamison was afraid of his uncle, Keith. No on was certain he was a Death Eater, but Jamison fully believed it. Keith had never been very active in Jamison and Wendi's life. However Jamison now knew it as because he envied their lives. They once had perfect parents, the perfect family and house, their lives seemed perfect from a glance. Their lives were perfect until the day Jamison's parents were found dead with the dark mark over their house. Jamison was certain it was Keith because who else wanted a normal family dead?

Jamison looked around at the people that passed. Not one face was familiar and he knew that was because most of his friends went home for the holidays. They could of course come to Hogsmeade if they wished, but Jamison didn't see any of them. He wished he could have brought Wendi along but she was only a first year and wasn't allowed in village while at school. So, he braced the city alone hoping he would find someone nice to talk to. Jamison didn't at all have trouble meeting new people. He mad excellent manners and liked pretty much everyone. He could even get along with Slytherins if they treated him fairly. Jamison decided to buy his first gift and only one place had the perfect gift for Wendi.

He stepped into Honeydukes searching for the perfect sweets for his darling sister. He wanted to get her something great since it was her first year at Hogwarts. He of course had to get her candy and then thought he would later go by her a present. She might like a fairy necklace or something like that. She was such a happy child full of joy and she always seemed to brighten Jamison's day. He loved his little sister dearly because at times she was all he had. Jamison gathered the appropriate candies. They were mostly chocolate frogs, but he also found an assortment of fruit shaped and flavored sugar candies he knew Wendi would like. Jamison paid for them and then headed out them door. Upon leaving, Jamison felt some candy leave its bag. He gathered them tighter in his arms not wanting a single piece to fall out. He quickly walked to a bench; Jamison arranged the candies back into their bags not even hearing footsteps nearby.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

" God, Melody, what the hell do you buy a person when you know nothing about them?" Cass looked at her friend desperately as she fingered a green stoned amulet. She had finished most of her Christmas shopping. All of her bags were filled to the brim with chocolates, jewelry, clothing, and a myriad of other things she had chosen for the loved ones in her life. Sighing, she handed the trinket back to the sales witch. " Go ahead and wrap it up. I'm sure my Aunt will like it." Turning back to her friend, she continued to chat as girls do about things. After a few moments, the sales witch returned with brightly packaged box. Cass thanked the woman and left the shop.

After a quick run from some cocoa, Cass dropped Meloedy off at the closest floo. She hated to see her friend go, but Meloedy's parents had placed strict rules as of late. As with many other wizarding families, the attacks had scared them. They wanted to keep their daughter safe.

Pushing through the crowds, she lugged her baggage down the street. Several people bumped into her, making her feel a bit claustrophobic. Seeing a bench with an unoccupied space, she sat down heavily. Smiling warmly at the two already sitting there, she introduced herself since they seemed familiar. " Hey there. I'm Cassandra. I think you go to Hogwarts, right?" Cass pulled her Gryffindor cloak around her. " So, you out doing a bit of shopping? Does your family live in Hogsmeade? My family did at one time." She pointed to a little side road that verged to the right by Zonko's. " Right down there actually. Of course, the house isn't there anymore."

(( Sorry this is weak. I have a really huge test in two days and I'm really starting to panic. I promise my next one will be better.))

[cdc]

Jamison smiled brightly to the girl who sat next to him. "Nice to meet you." He sighed. "Jamison Parson, Ravenclaw fifth year." He said in his normal sweet tone. He could tell by her robe she was in Gryffindor, but of course since he didn't have his on, she wouldn't be able to tell. Cassandra seemed a bit younger than Jamison, but of course that didn't bother him. Jamison really didn't care about year or house. As long as they were a bit polite and nice, nothing else really mattered. He watched the many people pushing through the large crowds. Everyone in the Wizardig World seemed to be in Hogsmeade, but of course that wasn't possible. Some of them seemed happy, while others looked the opposite. The attacks had scared many people including Jamison himself. Of course, he was still convinced his uncle was a Death Eater despite what others may say. He was afraid of what Keith would do to the world, his family, to Wendi. Wendi was his sister and a big part of Jamison. If Keith hurt her, Jamison might lose the smart level headed quality and his brave enter hero would boldly come out.

Jamison nodded at Cassandra. "Well, yes I was shopping. Um, I just needed the perfect gift for my sister and I think I found it." He said holding up the candy bags. Now, they were both whole and full of goodies again. "No, actually I live in London with my grand-parents. But, I'm at Hogwarts for the holidays. They still seem to believe that Hogwarts is the safest place in the entire world. I'm not so sure." He sighed thinking about all the strange things that had happened there over the years. He gave a weak smile looking at Cassandra's old place of residence. "Oh, what happened to the house? I'm sure it was nice as all houses seem around here." He said curiously. Jamison waited for a response.

(No problem. I know what that's like. )

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass giggled. " Chocolates are always the perfect gift for any girl. Not only do they they cheer you up, they mend broken hearts, and can always bring a new found piece to any person." Cass smiled and the two of them. " Now, if I could only get my cousin to understand that. I'm pretty sure we would get along famously, and all of our petty squabbles would disappear, but I bet you two have never had a fight in your life." She was being facetious. Brothers and sisters always fought. It was a fact of life, and the course of nature. Craig and her constantly argued about the most petty things. After he died, Cass immediately regretted ever hateful word she had ever said to him.

Instantly regretting bringing up her old house in Hogsmeade, she answered his question with as much cheerfulness as she could muster. It was still a painful topic, and sometimes ignoring the pain was the best way to deal with it. " Yeah, it burned down about two months ago. Brother and mother were in it. If you go down a little ways, you can see the empty lot," Cass pointed down the street with her leather gloved hand. A person could just barely make out the edge of a yard with charred grass. " It was a very elegant house, but it never really seemed like home. We actually lived in a dump back in Birmingham, but at least it was warm and cozy. This place seemed like a museum with its pristine walls and marbled floors. Not really a place where a kid could run and play."

" Still, it was home. It's a lot better than Blackfire Manor. Now, talk about a museum," Cass rolled her eyes at the thought of her new residence. " Anyways, I just hope I don't end up living in one of these mausoleums when I get older. I don't think I could handle it."

[cdc]

Jamison laughed. "Well, I think chocolate is the perfect gift for Wendi. She's a Hufflepuff and candy is probably her favorite food group as she eats it like a food group." He laughed thinking about how much candy the tiny girl could eat without gaining an ounce. It was very comical actually how she looked eating it. She was always so full of joy and happiness and did the silliest things. Jamison smiled as Cassandra talked about her and her cousin fighting. "Well, we have of course fought, but not really. They would be over little things and we would always apologized in the end." He said thinking about Wendi and Jamison did have fights like all siblings, but not too often. They had gone through too much to loose each other over a stupid conflict. They needed each other for so many things. At some points, they only had each other.

Jamison's smile faded as Cassandra talked about her mother and brother being killed in a fire. He nodded politely. "I know what that's like." Jamison offered. He too had been through pain like that. He had lost both his parents at a young age. He nodded as she explained that it wasn't really home. His grandparents house was his home, but it wasn't the same as when he lived with his parents. They gave the place the real meaning of home as where living with his grandparents did, but not in the same way. "Blackfire Manor? Isn't there a Slytherin named Blackfire?" He asked nicely trying to think about a face to go with the name. He gave a weak laugh trying to break the ice, but it didn't really help. He waited for Cassandra to say something.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

" Yeah, there is definitely a Slytherin by the name of Blackfire. Pyro Blackfire to be exact. He's my cousin," Cass said to the boy with a feign of exhaustion. " Before we knew we were cousins, we were very good friends. Now, it just seems like we fight and bicker all the time. Of course, he is a Slytherin and I'm a Gryffindor. I guess it is just the nature of our two houses." Cass shrugged her shoulders in a sort of defeated manner. " You can't miss Pyro though. He's got blond hair, looks like a jerk, talks like he owns the world. Of course, that would describe half of the Slytherin population at the school." Cass did a little snicker. " It would be funny. I can just see a bunch of blond guys in green robes saying 'My father' in succession in my mind. Sorry."

" It's going to be a rough Christmas this year. First year without my folks you know, but I guess it could be worse. I could be spending it in an orphanage. At least I'm with family." Of course, Cass didn't actually think she would of spent Christmas in an orphanage. One of her friends would of probably taken her in. " I made the joke a few weeks ago. Asked a teacher if there was a home for wayward witches. They only looked at me funny." Cass stood up and smoothed out her dress. " I've been trying to look on the bright side of things, you know? You take what life gives you, and sometimes you have to roll with the punches. Now, we need to get off these depressing subjects. It's Christmas for god sakes." She gave them both smiles." Wanna go grab a cup of coffee? It's getting cold out here."

[cdc]

Jamison took a sharp breath of air when Cassandra said Pyro Blackfire was her cousin. He nodded a bit. "Yea, I think I've heard of him." Pyro was a pretty well known Slytherin. Like most Slytherins, he wasn't well thought of. Jamison had heard a few times about him, but he tried to look past that. He didn't particularly like to be mentally sorted by houses. All people were different and stereotypes shouldn't really matter, but of course they did. He couldn't help, but laugh when Cassandra was like most Slytherins in the school. "They all seem the same and sometimes it's hard to know they really are different." Jamison said softly. Sometimes Jamison wanted people to know that yes, he was a bit smart in ways, but there was more to him. He loved music and normal outdoor things. Slytherins were the same way, but they would probably want to be known as being rude and having a sharp temper.

Jamison heard Cassandra go on about her parents. He listened attentively. He was interested as his life seemed the same way. Jamison couldn't go on letting her think he had loving parents. "The first year is always the hardest. That I know. My parents died when I was seven, but I still remember them." He paused not really rembering why he was saying this. "Umm, Death Eaters killed them." He whispered. Jamison listened again. "Yea, I live with my sister and grandparents. It's weird, but not so bad." He replied. Jamison smiled when she changed the subject and asked if he wanted some coffee. "Sure." He smiled. Cassandra and Jamison seemed to have some things in common. Horrible things, true, but some things. He turned towards the coffee shop. "So, what presents have you gotten so far?" He asked on the way.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass giggled. " God, I've hardly gotten anything. I'm a professional procrastinator. Besides, it is so hard to shop for my family. Honestly, what do you get people who can buy anything they want at any time? Anyways, I bought Pyro some new Quidditch robes, and my aunt this freaky looking green amulet. Seems to be her type of style. I'm still having a tough time with my Uncle. I have no clue what to get him." Cass kicked a patch of snow off the street and started to head toward The Three Broomsticks. " Liam is going to be another hard one." Cass' hand went absent mindedly to the Angelus medallion that hung around her neck, a blush crossing her cheeks. " We are close, but men are just hard to shop for I've decided."

Cass pushed open the door of the Three Broomsticks and was immediately overwhelmed by all of the smells. The warm bar was inundated by the smell of cinnamon and tea, and Cass was pretty sure she could smell pies baking in an oven. After ordering some tea and a round of cheesecake for the three, she settled down at a wooden table. Cass pointed at a two names that had been carved into the wood with a little heard drawn in between them. " I wonder if Rosmerta knows that this is here. I'm pretty sure she would be interested in the fact that Jason loves Rose."

( yeah, little weak. Trying to get back into the swing of things.)

[cdc]

Jamison nodded. "Yes, friends always seem pretty easy to shop for, but family can be tricky depending on who they are." Jamison said softly. He could buy a gift for one of his friends in a heart beat. But, he could never guy one for his uncle after what he did. It was too much for Jamison to handle, so he usually avoided shopping for family. It was just easier to make them something or give them money, but sometimes that could be inappropriate. He quickly forgot the thought walking along the streets with Cassandra. She seemed like a nice person and someone Jamison would like as a friend. He could always use more of those and loved every one of them. Friends were always there and they helped him through a lot over the years. It had been hard raising a little sister. Sure, his grandparents were the guardians, but not like Jamison. he was the one who calmed her at night, gave her a bit of money now and then, told her what their parents were like, and helps her become better when she thought about them. Jamison's grandparents could never do such a thing. Well, not like Jamison. Wendi had always been his project, but of course she never thought of her as that.

Jamison smiled as they entered the pub. It always smelled lovely and Jamison knew the Hogshead could never smell the same.They were totally different people and types of pubs. Of course, The Hogshead was common for Slytherin as where The Three Broomsticks was popular in the other houses. Jamison always met knew people there and the food was good too. He entered quietly and ordered a butterbear as he wasn't too hungry. Jamison then settle down at a table next to Cassandra. He smiled as she pointed to a carving in the table. Jamison thought about the names a little more and started laughing out of nowhere. "Yep, I think she probably does since Rose is probably Rosemerta." He said still laughing. Jamison couldn't really imagine Rosemarta with a crush at one point, but it still made Jamison laugh.

Jamison watched as the waitress brought over the food. "Thank you." He replied nicely. He took a deep sip from his drinking glass as he was pretty winded by this point. Jamison smiled nicely still thinking about the mark in the table. "So, you are a Gryffindor." He said nicely as he couldn't think of anything to say. "I can't say the sorting hat ever considered putting me there." He smiled remembering the sorting. "You must have great courage." Jamison added. "So, who is this Liam boy you talked of?" He asked. Jamison did notice Cassandra became a bit different when she talked of him.