What If? Year 2

Chapter 55

When I wake up again, Mum is gone. There is still a dent next to me on my mattress where she had been, but it was cold. I sit up, a slight headache causing me to pause. I swing my legs over the side and wait for a moment again.
"Goldie? Are you awake?"
"Y-yeah..." I reply quickly and Ara pops her head in.
"You feeling better?" she asks quietly, opening the door completely, "your mum said you weren't feeling great."
"Umm... yeah, I've just got a bit of a headache. I'm sure it'll be gone once I've eaten something." Ara smiles and sits down besides me. She pulls me to her side.
"Something's up... you've got that look again." I shrug and snuggle closer to her.
"I think getting attacked made my anxiety bad again. That's all." She rubs my arm and gives me a quick squeeze.
"Are you good to go shopping today?"
"Y-yeah..." I reply quickly, "do you know how we're splitting up?"
"Well there are three adults and seven kids. So not very evenly." We both giggle.
"Why don't we get dressed? Wear your boots, we can match!" I smile at her and get up. As I sort through my closet, Ara goes to her room. I pick out a brown pair of pants and a yellow jumper. I fidget with my crystal necklace that is a lovely yellow and orange. I smile to myself and slip on my ring from last Christmas. I tie up my boots as Ara knocks on my door.
"Look at us." She giggles and shows off her blank pants and purple jumper. "Great minds think a like." I smile as she takes my hand and we go down to the kitchen.
"Feeling better Golds?" Mum asks, as I slide in next to Hermione and Ginny at the island. I nod and grab a piece of bacon.
"Where are the boys?"
"And Evie?"
"Out with your father and uncle riding brooms," Mum replies quickly, "are you four still okay with going shopping today?" We all nod.
"Are we just staying in a big group?" Hermione asks, as Mum leans in front of us.
"Only for a little. We're going to change groups after a while too, since we're all shopping for each other."
"What are the groups?"
"Harry, Goldie, and Evie are going to start our with Sirius. Ginny and Ara are coming with me, and then Ron and Hermione are going with James." I nod.
"Then Goldie, Hermione, and I will be together, while Ginny, Ara, and Evie are going with James. The boys are with Sirius, Merlin help us." We all giggle as she continues.
"The last groups will be me with Harry and Ron. Sirius with Ginny, Hermione, and Evie. James will have Ara and Goldie."
"Did Dad make these groups?" I question, already knowing the answer.
"Yeah... why?"
"Because I always shops with Ara when I look for a gift for Cedric. He's nosy." Mum chuckles.
"He might be some help, actually. He is a guy."
"Alright... when are we leaving?" Mum looks out the window and smiles.
"Once we can get the children back inside."

The mall is crowded and I tighten my grip on Evie's hand each time we past a group. Sirius is leading us through the mess, claiming he knows exactly what we should all get our parents. Harry's hand is tightly in mine, keeping me going as Sirius comes to a sharp halt.
"Perfect!" he squeals picking up some thick socks and gloves, "You're poor father has been freezing all of our mission. And it's gonna be another while of cold after break." Evie takes the socks and gloves.
"We could get him a vest too?" I offer, "I know he hates wearing a normal coat, so a vest might be good!"
"Perfect idea, Golds. Harry?" Harry looks around as I move with Evie to find a vest. We stay within eyesight and I grab a dark grey vest in Dad's size. Harry meets us with a heavy sweatshirt. We all smile to each other and Sirius takes us up to pay. We get our bags and head off to find stuff for Mum.
"Your mum has been stressed, so what would help her destress?"
"Some comfy clothes!" Evie replies, "like slippers and comfy socks." I smile at her before turning to Harry.
"A blanket?"
"I'll get her a candle and some bath bombs." Sirius nods and we go to find everything. Once we do we go to the car. We quickly put our stuff away as we see Mum with Ginny and Ara. They have multiple bags in and huge grins. I try to help Ara with her bags, but she pulls the away.
"No snooping," she snarks, setting them in the car. Dad, Ron, and Hermione join us soon and we split up again. Mum, Hermione, and I start off to find stuff. Hermione and I had similar ideas for Ara and Ginny, which was helpful. I got Ginny a large gym bag for when she plays quidditch or travels. Hermione got her some smaller bags to sort things in her bag. For Ara, I got silver rings and bracelet. Hermione got her a bracelet and a necklace. While we do that, I get Evie a couple bracelets. Next we look for Harry and Ron. Harry needs new shoes desperately, which is what I got him. Hermione gets him a zip up and glasses cleaner. For Ron, we both get him candy. Mum points out a pair of boots that match Dad's work boots.
"Your Uncle Sirius keeps trying to steal your father's boots." She nudges, so I get them. I had an idea for Uncle Remus, even though I was still rather pissed at him, but we weren't going to get that at a muggle mall. We have our hands full, so we go back to the car. Everyone else is waiting at the door, when we get back
"Took you long enough," Dad snarks, "come on, Goldie. Time to shop for your boy!" I roll my eyes, but take his outstretched hand. Ara looks at his other hand, almost confused.
"I don't want to loose any of my daughters, Ara," he says, sweetly, "come on!" She takes it with a blush and a smile.
"What are your ideas?" Ara asks, as we continue to walk, "do you have any?" I nod eagerly.
"I wanna get him a watch," I tell them.
"A watch... nice." Dad pulls us into a store and shows me to the watch area. I find a nice silver watch and ask Dad about that one.
"Do you think he'd like that one?"
"Yeah, it's very nice." I motion for him to get closer to me, so he does.
"Do you think you could engrave it with something?" I whisper. He smiles and nods.
"Of course... do you need to get anything else?"
"I need to get Evie, Heather, and Rachel things."
"I need to get Heather's, Rachel's, Hermione's, Luna's, and Uncle Remus'." Dad nods.
"Can you get any of those things here?"
"I could get Heather perfume," we say in unison. We both laugh and head over to the perfume. I find one that smells of lavender and mint, and Ara gets one that smells like roses and sugar.
"Hermione and Luna's gifts are at the bookstores."
"I could get Evie a book."
I get Hermione a large romance book, and Luna a fantasy book. Ara gets Evie a book about doing her own hair.
"That's rather blunt." She laughs and nods.
"I wanna get Rachel a blanket," Ara says, as we walk to the next store, "she always talks about how cold their common room is."
"I'll get her some slippers then," I continue after her, "maybe some socks too?" After we do that, Dad pulls me aside.
"What are you getting Remus?"
"Um... some potion stuff?" Dad smiles, knowingly.
"I'll get it for you tomorrow, alright? That's very sweet, Goldie."
"One day I'll learn how to make if for him," I answer quickly.
"Your Mum could help you, if you'd like. She's very good at it." I smile widely and nod. We all pile into the car and head back home.