We Apparated to Diagon Alley and I decided that we should separate. “After all, I will be buying presents for the both of you, and I wouldn’t want to spoil your Christmas. Let’s meet back here at six o’clock and we’ll head to Hogsmeade. How’s that sound?”

They nodded.

“But you know…” James said. “There will be some kids from our school there. What do we say to them… that the three of us decided that we wanted to continue our studies a hundred miles away?”

“Well… Let’s just tell them that we’ve all got a sick friend who needs us more that school does. We’ll just have to tell them that we’ll be back before the year is over. I mean, we’re not lying so we don’t have to feel guilty.”

I nodded then headed towards Twillfit and Tatting’s. It was an upscale clothing shop and something told me that Remus needed some new robes.

Our graduation party was the time to wear our best clothing and I didn’t want him to feel as if he were left out.

I went into the store to find a huffy looking lady sitting behind the desk. She was flipping through a magazine and she barely looked up as I walked in.

“I think you’re in the wrong store, honey,” she said in a sickly sweet voice. “This one’s a little too expensive for your blood.”

I plopped my bag of money down on the counter. She looked up at the jingling sound of coins clashing together.

“You sure?” I replied in the same tone of voice. “I would go somewhere else, if that’s what you’d wish.”

She threw down her magazine. “Oops. I wasn’t talking to you… I was talking to… er… that lady outside the window. What can I do for you?”

I nodded, smirking. “That’s right. I want the best set of robes you own.”

••••

Next I headed to Flourish and Blott’s to pick up a book, and then to a smaller, less-known store next to Eeylop’s Owl Emporium. I walked in to find it overflowed with odd colors of parchment, assorted and random objects, and sparkling jewelry.

A coughing man appeared from the back room. “Hello, hello! How can I help you?”

“Well, I’m shopping for two guys… one’s my boyfriend.”

“Okay… hmm, let’s see. Yes, come over here. Tell me about him.”

“Well, he wants to be an Auror… he loves Quidditch and showing off… And he really likes Charms.”

The man nodded. “Favorite color?”

“Red and gold,” I replied confidently. “The colors of our house’s Quidditch Team.”

“This will be perfect,” he smiled, and handed it over.

“Perfect.”

Before I left, one more thing caught my attention. I had the gifts wrapped then headed to meet the boys.