Outfit

Grabbing up the bright red package from the mantle, Jordyn looked around the living room.  It was perhaps one of the only rooms in the whole house that looked the same as it did four years ago, still decorated to the nines and without need of repairs.  Even her room was suffering a bit, so when Fergie sent her a note to get together, she seized the opportunity to get out of the house.  The floo powder was a commodity in the house that they couldn’t use too much of, but she really wished to leave – and without her apparition license yet, she wasn’t going to have her mum drop her off, totally lame! 

It was a much needed time anyway, getting together to discuss things of importance as well as celebrate the upcoming Holiday.  Jordyn would be going to visit her grandparents in the country the following week and she wished to make sure she got to spend time with Fergie, post school and pre-holiday.  It worked out splendidly.  And she was able to nick something special from the kitchen.  Mum and Dad would never notice it was missing, and throwing the bottle into her bag, she was just about ready to go.  Readjusting its black strap, she was upset it did not match, but resolved that she was not going to take another minute to find a brown one. 

So, taking a handful of the powder, she looked over her shoulder, yelling in the direction she thought her family might be in, and started to yell, “Mum! Going to Fergie’s!  Be back later!”

She clutched the bag and box to her side – the present inside was definitely Fergie’s Christmas gift and she hoped he liked it.  She personally loved Fedoras and the idea that she could give him something that they could potentially coordinate around, in plaid as well, would be an excellent wardrobe piece.  It was also very nice with a leather band and everything, so it wasn’t as though she had skimped out.  She only hoped he liked it. 

Granted, they had similar style, so that shouldn’t be a problem.  Taking a deep breath, she tossed the powder into the fireplace and declared she wished to go to Ferguson Amherst’s home, stepping into the green flame and out on the other side.  Looking around his front room, Jordyn signed.  She loved going to the Amherst home.  It was absolutely beautiful, and on a Saturday, she was sure it was going to only be Ferguson around.  “Fergie!” she called out, readjusting her bag and the box, “I’m here!” 

outfit

 It wasn't often that Fergie had the house to himself, but today was one of those rare, coveted occasions. His parents had social engagements all afternoon and well into the evening, his sister was visiting a friend, and Duke....well, to be honest, Ferguson didn't really care what his older brother was doing. Marmaduke wasn't there to spoil his fun, and that was all that mattered.

 Being the master of the house for the day was quite liberating. It meant being able to eat whatever he wanted whenever he felt like eating it, turning up the volume on the wireless in the back living room as high as it would go, dancing his little heart out (in his underthings, if he so desired), and have over any kind of company he chose. And today he had chosen Jordyn. This of course meant that he had to remain fully clothed while dancing after all, but that was a sacrifice he was willing to live with if it meant spending time with his fierce, fashionable best friend.

 Fergie! I’m here!

 Hearing the familiar voice, the sixteen year old grinned and quickly made his way from the back of the house and into the formal parlor, where the family's floo connection let out. "It's about time you got here." Ferguson stood leaning against the door frame, grinning, before moving to wrap his friend up in a hug and peck her cheek. "How are you doing? You look fabulous," he complimented her, stepping back and eying tonights ensemble with approval. Of course, Jordyn Dimbledy always looked fabulous. It was one of the many reasons she was his (platonic) true love.

 Then his gaze landed on the box she was carrying. Fergie's blue eyes lit up with glee - oh he loved Christmas. "Is that for me? Sweetie, you shouldn't have!" Oh, who was he kidding? Of course she should have. "What is it? Do I get to open it now or are you going to make me do that whole Do-Not-Touch-Until-Christmas thing?" Dark eyebrows arched as Fergie bounced eagerly on his heels a couple times, smirking. "I'll show you mine if you show me yours..." he teased, nodding towards the package sitting under his family's tree with Jordyn's name on it.

If there was one person Jordyn could always rely upon to be honest, it was Fergie – and her mother – but mostly Fergie.  Her mother was only honest about the things that Jordyn didn’t want to hear – like how her trousers were pulling over her bum more than usual, which one would think was something of a good thing, but apparently, to her mother, a chubby bum was just about the last thing one wanted.  Then there was the constant “truth” telling about men, about marriage, and about life that caused Jordyn to develop a rather cynical attitude toward things.

Fergie’s truth telling extended to her wardrobe and dish about almost anything that one could hear.  It was certainly exciting for her to hear something positive coming in her direction, and returning the hug with one arm (the one not cradling the present and holding the stashed bottle), Jordyn kissed her male best friend on the cheek.  “You look dashing as well,” she assured him, noting that blue was definitely a good color for him. 

“Sorry I was a little late,” she smiled as they pulled away, “had to get a few things prepared.”  Her impish look was partially due to the fact she anticipated he would not have thought about the present as well as her other little mutual gift.  She was right, of course, and as she presented the gift, he giddily declared she shouldn’t have, which she knew was just a half-truth.  He wanted the gift and she wanted hers too, of course, wondering what it could possibly be. 

Shaking her head, she handed him the box.  “I would never make you wait! How cruel do you think I am?” she smirked deviously and giggled, tossing her dark hair over her shoulder as she placed the bag down on the ground with a slight clink.  Clearly, something precious was inside of it.  She glanced toward her present  expectantly, “Besides,” she began, “I want to see your reaction when you open it.” 

That was true, she reasoned, she did want to know what he thought of it – and should she need to return it, she would like to do it sooner rather than later to pick him up something else equally as fabulous, though she was almost positive he wouldn’t want to give up such an amazing hat.  Perhaps she would have to keep it, she reasoned, it being so wonderful and all.  She’d cross that bridge when she got there, she figured.  It probably wouldn’t get to that point, and she looked on eagerly as the present was presented to him. 

“Go on!” she urged, “Open it! I know you’ll love it," she hoped. 

 "Thank you, darling." Fergie smirked, triumphant, when she complimented his appearance. He knew, of course, that he looked good - wouldn't have left his room (not with a guest set to arrive, at least, even if it was Jordyn who had seen him at both his best and his worst) if he hadn't been assured of that - but it was always nice to get confirmation. Especially from such a reliable source! Jordyn had impeccable taste.

 Fergie waved off Jordyn's apology for her tardiness with breezy nonchalance. "It's okay," he assured her, scooping up his gift for her and leading the way out of the parlor (he wasn't really allowed to entertain his school friends there, it was for special occasions only) and to the spacious family room at the back of the house. "I was only teasing. It's not like you left me waiting that long, anyway."

 Ahh, presents. Some people didn't approve of them and thought that they detracted from the 'true spirit' of the holidays, but Fergie, personally, disagreed. Yes, he was a material little soul, and he loved being given shiny new things. But what he really liked was giving gifts. What was more rewarding than seeing the look on the other person's face when they opened it and saw something they really liked? It gave him the warm fuzzies and stroked his ego. Win/win.
 
 And, score! He didn't have to wait. This? This was why he loved Jordyn with all his fashion friendly little heart. "You are the best friend I could ever ask for," he told her, grinning, accepting the box she handed to him. He held it up to his ear and gave it a slight shake - it was always fun to guess what was inside before opening it. The box wasn't heavy at all, and the item inside only gave a slight rustle as he shook it. Hmmm. "I hope it's not a pygmy puff," he grinned, teasingly, as he lifted the top off of the box. "If it is I think I just gave it brain damage."

 It turned out not to be  a little custard color ball of fur, however. Which was probably a good thing - Fergie's father disapproved of frivolous pets. Owls were the only animals allowed in the Amherst home. Something that Fergie didn't have too much of a problem with, usually. He was only allowed to have one pet at school anyway, and his owl Tiberius took up that slot.

 And the item in the box was something much, much better than a pygmy puff. "Oh. My. Magic!" He lifted the totally chic looking fedora out of the box, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Oh, sweetie - you know me so well, I love it." Fergie situated the hat on his head, tilting it to a rakish angle, and posed. "How does it look?"

 But this evening and present exchange wasn't all about him. He quickly set the now empty box aside in favor of picking up the one for Jordyn, and passing it to her. "Your turn!" He told her, sitting in a comfortable arm chair and waiting impatiently for her reaction when she opened the box. She was going to love her gifts, he was sure of it.

Jordyn puffed up with pride, she was determined he would not have any idea what his present was until he opened it.  The lightness of the hat would not betray the contents of the box and his perplexed little expression as he shook it near his ear made her giggle just a bit more with pride.  She had done so well!  There was almost no doubt that she had picked the right thing, and holding her breath, she shook her head as he announced his desire that it not be a pygmy puff – “You need not worry about that,” she informed him, bringing her fists up to her mouth and bouncing slightly on the balls of her toes, the heels of her boots clicking softly every time she landed.

Winter was really the most opportune time for fashion – the best boot decisions could be made then!  That wasn’t the point though, she reminded herself and nervously shifted from one foot to the other until the lid was lifted up from the box.  She squeaked as she inhaled, waiting for him to have a reaction, and once he did, Margo couldn’t help but squeal with him – a high pitched stream of air flowing from between her lip gloss painted lips. 

He lifted it up and looked at it, seemingly transfixed.  It was the perfect choice! She was thanking Godric for it now, seeing as she didn’t have to take it back and worry about replacing it with something far less amazing.  And she squeaked as he placed it above his head, stepping back with a popped hip, calming down the urge to squeal over how absolutely adorable he looked.  Instead, she cleared her throat and tried to sound as refined as possible as she looked him over.

Her nose was tilted just slightly up and she crossed one arm under her chest, the other resting atop it as she held up her chin, looking thoughtful.  “I think… “she paused, letting him wait a moment, and then continued, letting a hint of a smile betray her, “I think you look dashing, my love!” she announced, “I have such brilliant taste,” she gave him a smug smile and lifted up her bag from the ground, grinning wickedly as it clinked and clunked, “I have another present too…” she said with a low voice, “Look!”

She indicated for him to look down and moved the flap over the shoulder bag to show the green bottle with liquid merrily sloshing behind the gold and white label, the cursive handwriting indicating some level of sophistication and adult-ness about it.  She looked at him, eyes glistening with mischief and looked from side to side, “Let’s go to your room!”