Julia had noticed the other Slytherin in the hall, making the signal of wanting to talk to Caelum. She nodded,"Just be careful." She said quietly, not liking that she was leaving them like that. She wished she could stay to help out if it was needed but instead she said bye to them, that she would meet with them later to talk more before heading off to her common room. She was really worried about leaving like that. She knew Caelum could take care of himself, but still...

It was an unspoken rule that anything that happens inside the Slytherin common room would be kept in the common room. Not a word goes out. So when a number of Slytherins silently made their way to the infirmary that night, all at the same time, the healer could do nothing but sigh. From bruises to rainbow hair, even an irritating 'sing everything' hex, the healer had spent the whole night awake trying to 'heal' (but she was doing more comforting than healing, if anyone asks).

It was the weekend and Caelum arrived at the carriages that would bring them to Hogsmeade in proud strides, another wonderful display of billowing robes accompanying him. Frank had been busying himself with tying his scarf and Aren was doing his best to make the edges of his robes flutter by flailing his arms around. The three friends entered their carriage, waiting for the last to arrive.

"If we don't find dates to the ball ... does ... does that mean I have to go with Longbottom?!"
"One more word and I'll hex your nose upside down!"
"Try me, Frank!"

Julia was waiting for them in Hogsmeade when they had arrived. She has good news for Aren and Frank: two of her friends agreed to go to the Yule Ball with them. When she saw them, she waved, "Hey guys." She said, "Aren, Frank, I found datea for you to the dance. Two of my friends agreed to go with you if you guys are still looking for dates."

Aren ran to Julia and twirled her around with a hug while Frank beamed and Caelum frowned in jealousy.

"Ahem. We came here to look for a dress robe suited for Julia and Frank's shoes. I suggest we-" he was cut off when Aren spoke. "Not 'we'. I'm not letting you see that dress until the Yule Ball comes up!"

"Here's the plan. Caelum, you and Frank will go buy his shoes ... wherever. Just don't go into Twillfit and Tattings. I'm going to show Julia the wonders of shopping. My mother has hosted muggle fashion shows, most of which I've seen. I know fashion. I live fashion. I AM FASHION."

Aren started to drag Julia off to the shop, making sure to leave the other two behind. "Madam Malkin's has a store here too, but if you're looking for detailed robes with quality, Twillfit and Tatting's would be the place to go to." He spoke as he dragged her into the store, the bell ringing as they entered.

"What can I do for you two?"
"Something beautiful and elegant, something that would catch everyone's eyes but still says 'I'm humble', something that goes well with my skin, probably a midnight blue and teal. Black is so last season. Make sure to add matching cufflinks." He looked to Julia. "Oh, something like that for her as well, minus the cufflinks. ... On second thought ... Give her something that says 'too bad boys, you've lost your chance'."

With a satisfied smile, he turned to Julia. 'Ah, what colors did you want to wear?"


- back to Caelum and Frank -

"So ... Where should we get my shoes?"
"I've already had them delivered to your trunk yesterday."
"Oh ... So ... Where do we go now?"
"I don't know ... Gift shopping?"
"Okay."

(( Feel free to control Aren and Frank ))

(I'll control Frank a bit)

Julia smiled, listening as Aren spoke about what he wanted for dress robes, "Wow, you weren't kidding." She said, "That's really incredible. I need to start learning some of this stuff." She looked over at the woman assisting them, "Well my house colors are blue and bronze. I wouldn't mind seeing what we can do combining those colors in an outfit. Other than that, as long as I get something that doesn't clash with my hair color, I'm pretty open."


---

Frank walked with Caelum doen the main street, looking around all the shops, "So where do you want to go firsr?" He asked Caelum, "I guess if you have a list of people to buy for, we should figure out who first you want to give something to."

"Something ombre! From blue to a bronze!" Aren exclaimed. "Yes! And a material light enough that it will look like layers of rose petals when you twirl. A speck of glitter here and there and silver flowers in your hair. Oh, that rhymed. I'm a genius." He nodded to himself with such self satisfaction that the shop keeper could swear his nose was growing.

"What do you think of that, Miss Julia? I am sure - no. It is a FACT that Malfoy would have some silver on his clothes and maybe a little bit of green, knowing the snake that he is. Maybe I could coax him into wearing a bit of blue too?"

---

"Have you bought all the gifts you'll be giving yet? I've got most gifts sorted out already. I only need to buy one more ..." Caelum trailed off as he looked into a shop. "Gift."

He entered the jewelry and antiques store the moment he laid eyes on it.

Julia smiled, clasping her hands together in excitement,"I love it! I love all of it." She said,"And sure, you can try if you want to. Honestly, I'm still surprised he's even asked me." She looked off distantly," Honestly he could take any girl he wanted." She looked over at Aren,"While I'm with you, I did want to ask your advice... I'm trying to decide for sure what to get Caelum for Christmas... We've only been somewhat friends for about six months or so. After we finish here, will you help me find something?"

---

Frank followed,"I still have to figure out something for Julia." He said, looking around at things in the store,"I have a couple of ideas but nothing really solid yet." He looked over at Caelum, wondering what the Slytherin boy was thinking while they looked around at everything.

"He took the only girl he wanted." Aren replied with a smirk while standing still for the seamstress. "A Christmas gift for that one friend who has everything, him? I usually just buy random sweets for him. Heck, the only gifts I've given are all in the form of sweets. Frank's the one who puts a thought to these things." He paused for a moment with a thoughtful look on his face. "If it were for Caelum though ... Did you notice that ring that's always on his finger? The one with the tiny Malfoy crest on it? Never noticed the design? His father gave him that for his eigth birthday. Never seen him without it since. I've never seen him show it off either. So something like that, maybe. Something inconspicuous that only he'd know about hiding in plain sight. Or just give him a pack of chocolate frogs. Doesn't matter."

...

"Oh yeah. That's right. You get a pack of chocolate frogs too."


---

Caelum spent his time looking through the wares she a particular item on display caught his eye. "What about this? Doesn't it remind you of her eyes?"

Julia giggled,"I already have yours and Frank's presents picked out." She said, as she was getting measured as well,"I got Frank something for his toad. I know how much he loves that thing." She thought for a moment,"Well he really liked the plushie I brought him of his owl when we were on the Hogwarts express...." She went quiet as she started to think about something she hoped he might like. She also thought about what Aren said about something meaningful but inconspicuous.

---

Frank saw what he was looking at and nodded,"That's beautiful." He said, smiling. He also found a really pretty blue and silver bracelet that screamed her too. He picked that up,"I'm going to get her this bracelet."

"Your dress robes will be ready by dawn." The seamstress had told then and proceeded to make her way to the back.

"That's that then. What say you about going for a pi t of butterbeer while waiting for those two? Or would you rather go shopping for gifts now?" Aren had asked her.

---

Caelum looked at the bracelet Frank chose and frowned. He suddenly felt that the gift he chose was ... lacking. "I don't know Frank ... maybe I should look for something else ..."