deck the halls ((fred))

((Secret Santa))

After seeing his name, Miriam figured the easiest thing to do would be to meet with him at the shop his family owned; it was surreal to her knowing that she was alive for its opening and that it was always around for Fred.

She didn't know him due to already being out of Hogwarts when he started attending, but from the pictures she has seen in various tabloids, Miriam felt as if he seemed like the type who'd appreciate something practical. It reminder her of Zebedee actually.

Miriam waited around in the lobby of the store holding onto a box of worker's tools she figured would come in handy for whatever he did.

@Fred Weasley II

As Fred would always be a big kid, he had his Dad install a fireman's pole from the first floor to the ground floor just behind the cashier's counter. When he slid down it, there was a very unappealing screech sound as the leather of his gloves tore down the metal. A lot of people in the vicinity winced. But Fred being Fred: he was rather proud of his entrance.

He saw Miriam Baptist. He knew it was her because she looked very out of place amongst the regular goers of the Wizard Wheezes. She was extremely pretty. He may have regretted the pole entrance just then.

"Merry Christmas, Miriam!" He practically jumped out in front of her.

@Miriam Baptist

"Merry Christmas to you too!" she responded with a smile as she handed Fred the box of tools. "I think these would come in handy. Aren't you working at Hogwarts?"

@Fred Weasley II

"Awrh wow!" He took the tool kit and held it up to look all the way around it. "This is probably the manliest present I've ever got. Cheers for this!"

He grinned at her. "Yeah that's right, mostly just lookin' after the chickens. Do odd jobs. Look after the grounds a bit too. That kinda thing."

He looked at her. "Want a go on a pole?"

That could've been perceived very differently to how he intended...

@Miriam Baptist

Miriam was thankful he liked her gift; it meant that there are cases where assuming a bit wouldn't hurt.

Fred really reminded her of Zebedee with all the little odd jobs to make a living.

"A pole?"

@Fred Weasley II

"It's this, look!"

He practically side-cantered over towards the rear of the store, where the pole was installed. The tool kit was still clasped in his hands, but he put it down behind the counter.

"Goes up the next floor. Y'slide down it from up there. It's a laugh, c'mon." He gave her some rounded, puppy eyes.

"Are you sure it isn't too dangerous?"

She didn't want to wind up incapacitated now.

@Fred Weasley II