Enchanted By The Thought

THIRTY ONE: GIFTS SOLVE NOTHING

Secret; something you tell everybody to tell nobody.

Beth hurried downstairs where presents were being exchanged by everybody. She stepped into the room, her hands holding her presents, when she was picked up and twirled in a circle. She let out a laugh and swatted at George's head fondly.  "Good morning, LizzyLiz." He said sleepily and kissed the top of her head. She felt her cheeks grow hot and looked around, noticing that everybody was watching them. She hoped they didn't get the wrong idea. Fred came into the room and swept her up into a hug as well, cutting through the curiosity. The moment was gone and she knew that nobody assumed she had feelings for George. She shook her muddled thoughts away and smiled, punching Harry lightly in the arm. "Good morning, favorite twin of mine." She teased.

Harry's eyes widened and she felt the mock horror. "I'm your only twin!" He protested and she laughed at his expression. Mrs. Weasley handed Beth a grey knitted sweater with an 'E' on it, smiling at their bantering.

"Thanks!" Beth said happily, slipping it on over her shirt. The fabric was soft against her skin and she shivered, feeling the warmth already seeping into her skin. She always looked forward to Mrs. Weasley's sweaters.

Mrs. Weasley beamed at Beth before handing out the other sweaters. Beth quickly ducked behind the couch to retrieve the presents she had bought for the family. For George and Fred, new cloaks and robes. They tackled her in a hug while she attempted to wriggle away. In return, they get her a box of products from Weasley's Wizards Wheezes.

For Arthur, Beth had settled on a simple muggle blender. She knew how much he adored the strange muggle contraptions. And for Molly, Beth got her a beautiful but simple necklace. Molly tried to refuse the gift at first, claiming that it looked much too expensive for her. But Beth assured her that it was marked half-off and Molly grudgingly accepted it, giving Beth a big hug in response. Beth gave Ginny her present, which was a flower comb adored with peridot stones. And for Hermione, Beth had been unsure of what to get her. So she'd settled on a book about how to create your own, helpful spells. Ron got three coupons for a free meal at any place listed on the back. Beth finally handed Harry his present, smirking. He opened it, squinting at her suspiciously. He stared down in the box, horror written all over his face. She felt his embarrassment and resisted the urge to laugh. "What'd she get you, mate?" Ron asked and attempted to look into the box but Harry slammed the lid back on, shaking his head as his ears began to turn red.

"I'm kidding, here's your real present." Beth giggled and handed him his other present, which he opened warily. It was a Quidditch book, each page dedicated to a team, with signatures on the back of each page. Harry looked more grateful for the present than the first; who wouldn't appreciate a Quidditch book over a box of condoms? 

When everyone was done opening each other's presents, Beth opened Kat's present. It was a book titled Love and Everything to Know. She sighed and opened the book to look inside; there was forty chapters. She set it aside, chuckling, as she grabbed Maggie's present. Inside the small box was a necklace with a ruby pendant. Her birthstone. She put it on, the pendant hanging in the hollow of her throat. Her eyes slid to Malfoy's present and she took a deep breath before opening the present. Her eyes widened and she felt her stomach twist at the object.

Everyone stared at the thing in her hands. "Who gave that to you?" Hermione asked in a hushed whisper, sounding worried.

Beth fingered the silver diadem, the metal smooth against her skin. It was beautiful; the crystals glittered and sparkled when it caught the light. She turned it around in her hands, looking over the object. On closer inspection, little words were engraved on the inside:

Gryffindor Princess

Her heart started pounding loudly in her ears and she was scared to look up at the people around her. She could feel the suspicion in her twin and knew he probably had an idea about who the present was from. How would he react? She wished that Seamus was here; he would've distracted her from the gift. What was she supposed to do with it? Wear it? Send it back? It would be like spitting in his face; he perhaps deserved it after the way he'd treated her. She looked up, seeing everyone staring at her. Feeling flustered, she shoved the diadem back into the box."How about breakfast?" She asked loudly, attempting to crack the ice.

Mrs. Weasley jumped, shaking herself once as if to get rid of something. "Oh yes! Come along!" She ushered her family into the cramped kitchen and Beth was thankful for the distraction. She put all her presents together off to the side and followed everyone else.

"Malfoy gave that to you?" Her twin whispered to her as they sat next to each other. She glanced over at him, biting her lip. She didn't want to confirm it but she knew that it was true. What game was Malfoy trying to play with her? Whatever it was, she wanted no part of it. Beth nodded, agreeing with Harry. "I thought you two broke up or whatever." Her brother accused quietly.

Beth felt annoyance spark in her and she glared at him. "We did! I don't know what he thought this meant but trust me, this means nothing." She hissed.

"What're you two whispering about?" Fleur asked suddenly, all attention turning to the Potter twins. She felt her brother panicking and knew he'd blurt out the truth so instead, she intervened.

"He was just asking how Kat and Maggie were doing." Beth answered casually, smoothing down her shirt. She heard Ginny's snort and shot her a look, narrowing her eyes. Ginny started coughing, hiding her smile. Once the awkward moment is over, they begin to eat. "This food is to die for, Mrs. Weasley." Beth told her, sitting back. She was pretty sure she'd just gained ten pounds. Oh well. Food was worth it.