The 11 Gifts by EnchantedUnicorn

Chapter 8

The 7th Gift


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Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Songs are bolded.

Dursley's residence:

Harry was inside his cupboard, listening to the argument Dudley and Aunt Petunia were having.

"Mum, why does the freak have to come with us to the zoo?" Dudley whined. Harry often believed that he was a spoiled and pampered brat, and always had his way by whining and throwing tantrums, but he dared not express that opinion.

"Dudders, we have no other choice. Ms. Figg and Auntie Marge are both out today," Aunt Petunia replied, too wishing that Harry was never part of her life.

"Aw… but Mum!" Dudley continued.

Harry prayed that he would be able to go. It wasn't every day that Aunt Petunia was actually letting Harry come with them. He felt deeply cut to the quick by Dudley's words. Why didn't he have someone who actually cared about him, apart from Professor Snape?

"If he comes, I will buy you a new video game," Aunt Petunia cajoled.

Now that brightened up Dudley, just a tiny bit. "Alright, fine," he said grudgingly.

After about an hour, they took off to the zoo.


The zoo:

"Mum, can we go see the snakes?" Dudley asked loudly in a not-so-nice manner. That request earned glares from several people passing by.

"At least the other kid is politer," one person muttered.

Aunt Petunia ignored all the glares and sending one off of her own at Harry said, "Yes, honey."

All this time, Harry was listening to all the animals around him.

"Come to us, speaker, let us speak to you," a bird cawed.

Harry found out that he could use telepathic speech when speaking to animals. I'm sorry, but I have to go now. My aunt would be furious if I keep her waiting.
He quickly departed to catch up to them.

Once they arrived at the Snake Section, he heard snake call out to him, "Sspeaker, pleasse free me. It iss horrid to be sstuck in this place alone while your kind just ssneer at point at me."

The snake reminded Harry of himself and his cupboard. He looked around to see Dudley doing exactly what the snake just pointed out- sneering and pointing. And pounding on the glass. Harry felt his temper rising, and before he knew what was happening, the glass vanished and Dudley fell in.

Harry was confused. Huh? What just happened?

"Thank you, Sspeaker," the snake hissed gratefully, before slithering away. Several screams rose up in the snake section, and a few people went to find a zoo keeper. Not before long, everyone was gone except for them. The zookeeper was too late though, the snake disappeared.

While all that was happening, Dudley stood up, trying to get the mud off his shirt. He tried to exit the snake habitat, but the glass blocked his way.

"Mum! Mum, help!" but Dudley's frantic screams were muffled by the thick glass.

Fortunately, Aunt Petunia saw him, and she cried, "Dudley!"

Aunt Petunia glared at Harry, fury and concern (for Dudley) written on her face. Harry cowered back, wondering what will happen next. But at that moment, the zoo keeper decided to announce her arrival. "Is that your son in there?"

"Yes, and don't ask me what happened, because I have no idea!" Aunt Petunia snapped. "Ask the freak there." She jerked her head at Harry.

The zookeeper turned to look at Harry, and her eyes widened. "Merlin, is that Harry Potter?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes, now get my son out of there!" Petunia cried.

"My lady, please calm down. The incident was caused by," the zookeeper lowered her voice to a whisper, "accidental magic. There is nothing wrong about that."

Petunia snorted. "You know about them? And apparently there is a problem. My son is stuck in there!"

The zookeeper tried no to show the annoyance she deeply felt. It was apparent that the horse-faced woman only cared about her son and not Harry Potter. "He would only be stuck in there if he was pounding or leaning on the glass, which there is clearly a sign that tells you not to do that," the zookeeper retorted, before departing to fetch Dudley.

"Freak, you are going to be in so much trouble when you get home," Aunt Petunia hissed.

They both watched as the zookeeper opened the back door and let Dudley exit. In a few minutes, both of them returned.

"Freak!" Dudley hissed. Harry glared but didn't say anything.

The zookeeper noticed how Aunt Petunia and Dudley acted to Harry. She was going to have to talk to Minerva about this.

"My deepest apologies of what just happened, but you shouldn't really blame Harry," the zookeeper tried.

"Humph," Aunt Petunia grunted before leading Dudley to the car, with Harry trailing behind. The Squib zookeeper shot Harry one last glance before going to tell her cousin about this incident.


Minerva's office:

"Minerva, this boy is clearly unwanted by his relatives. They weren't even excited that Harry had just showed his first signs of accidental magic! And they called him 'freak' multiple times! The other fat boy is too spoiled and pampered! He lives high on the hog while Harry is abused!" Melinda ranted. Melinda was Minerva's Squib cousin that coincidentally happened to meet Harry and his aunt and cousin at the zoo. Melinda pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head.

"I know, Melinda, but Albus insisted that he had to stay there," Minerva said sadly.

"Stubborn old codger! Humph. If you need any help, I can always raise Muggle charges without anyone being suspicious," Melinda offered.

"Thank you Melinda, I will keep that in mind." Minerva gave her cousin a small smile.


Severus' office:

Severus was working on his lesson plans when the fire roared and a woman haughtily stepped out.

"Hello, Minerva. To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" Severus asked, not looking up as he continued to write.

"My Squib cousin works at the zoo," Minerva started.

Okay… nice to know. Severus pushed that thought away and merely raised an eyebrow.

"I apologize, that was a bad way of starting. But she was called at the zoo because a snake got loose. When she arrived, she saw Harry's cousin in the Snake Habitat! Melinda isn't certain, but she thinks that Harry made the glass disappear for a while, and then his cousin fell in," Minerva explained.

Who would have known that Harry's first signs of accidental magic would be at the zoo? Much less in the snake section. He was going to have a little chat with Harry .

"Ah… I see. Very well, I shall go see Harry now," Severus said, getting up.

"Good luck, Sevvy," Minerva teased. She and Albus were the only ones who dared to tease the evil bat of the dungeons.

"Thank you, Minnie mouse," he shot back, before apparating to Privet Drive.


Dursley's residence:

"Boy, come out here NOW!" Uncle Vernon boomed.

Uh oh. This couldn't be good. Don't be a coward, just bite the bullet and get over with it. Face the music, Harry. Harry cautiously stepped out of his cupboard and was greeted by an all-too-furious Uncle Vernon.

Uncle Vernon grabbed Harry by the collar of his shirt and yanked him forward. "What were you thinking, using your freaky powers on Dudley? After all we done for you, this is how you repay us? By threatening our son?" Uncle Vernon hissed. Returning from a great day of work, the boy just happened to ruin it all when he received the news from his wife that the freak had done something freaky.

"No, sir. I'm sorry, sir," Harry gulped.

"Too late for that. I am going to give you the thrashing of your life," promised Uncle Vernon, his eyes seeking revenge. He pushed Harry down and started wildly thrashing Harry.

Harry mentally screamed as the first lash rained upon him. Harry took the next few licks in silence, but then he couldn't stop twisting and turning about. The belt repeatedly fell upon him, not skipping a single beat. Harry couldn't help it any more, he fell into deep unconsciousness.

Serves the brat right. Uncle Vernon was satisfied as he roughly threw Harry back into the cupboard. Suddenly, he heard a knock on the door.

Probably some salesman. Uncle Vernon reassured himself, and sat down to watch the telly. A skinny boy with multiple bruises popped up singing:

There are children that need your help,

The freak doesn't need my help!

There are children that always yelp.

Well, he does yelp a lot.

They're starved and locked and beat by their homes

He is starved, locked, and beaten by me. But I don't care. Freaks should know their place.

No one deserves to-

The TV was suddenly turned off, and Uncle Vernon was yanked up by the collar of his shirt by a strong and firm hand.

"Why don't you heed his advice and help your nephew?" growled the person beside him.

Uncle Vernon spotted Severus. "How did you get in?" gasped Uncle Vernon.

"Mere doors and locks don't keep me out. Surely you remember me?" Severus growled again.

"You!" Uncle Vernon's eyes widened.

Severus rolled his eyes. "Yes, of course it is me. Where is Harry?"

"He is… err… out." Uncle Vernon hesitated. "With his friends," he hastily added.

Severus caught the hesitation, and sneered. Let's see if that is true. He pulled out his wand, ignoring Uncle Vernon's gasp.

"I have no intention of hexing you, although it is tempting," Severus sneered.

"Point me Harry," he muttered. The wand spun around and stopped, pointing to the cupboard. Severus strode over to the cupboard and opened the door. He couldn't believe his eyes. There was Harry, thrashed and unconscious.

Severus spun around and pointed his wand at Uncle Vernon, who was backing away.

"Listen to me. I do not make threats. I make promises. And I promise you that if you even lift a finger to Harry again, I will know, and you will live to regret it. I promise that if you don't give Harry proper meals, I will know, and you will live to regret it. So you better keep in mind what I just promised to do." Severus read the riot act. He waved his wand, and several green and silver sparks shot out of it.

"Do you understand?" Severus growled.

Uncle Vernon gulped and nodded.

"Good." Severus gave him a cold smile, before heading back to the cupboard. "Oh, and you will give him a proper bedroom, won't you?"

Uncle Vernon nodded vigorously. "Yes, I will. Of course."

Satisfied, Severus nodded, and turned his attention back to Harry. He found himself staring at large, emerald, eyes.

"Are you alright, Harry?" Severus asked, concerned.

"I'm fine," Harry lied through gritted teeth.

"Don't lie, boy," Severus warned.

Harry flinched. "Err… my back sorta hurts."

Severus, seeing Harry's reaction, made a mental note to never call him 'boy'.

"Lay down on your stomach, Harry," Severus ordered.

"Yes, sir," Harry automatically replied, and obeyed.

Severus took out a bottle of Wizard's Salve and gently rubbed some onto Harry's back. Immediately, Harry felt the pain fade.

"Thank you professor," Harry said gratefully.

"You're welcome. Professor McGonagall told me about today's incident at the zoo," Severus said.

Harry colored. "Err… how does she know?"

"Her cousin, the zookeeper, told her," Severus replied smoothly.

"Oh… okay. Professor, I really don't know how I made the glass disappear. Do you?" Harry asked.

Do I know that people have heads? Severus forced himself not to be sarcastic. "Yes Harry. Those are signs of accidental magic. You are a wizard, Harry, and that just proved you are."

"Really? I really am a wizard? Cool! Oh, and pr'fessor, I think that my 7th gift is the ability to talk to all animals!" Harry announced in glee, beaming.

Severus eyebrows shot up high. "An animal speaker? That is a rare ability, and most people are born with it. So you could understand all animals at the zoo?" he asked.

"Yep! In fact, the snake coaxed me to let it free. It reminded me of the cupboard," Harry admitted.

"Impressive. Also, do a favor for me. Do not, under any circumstances, share information about your amulet to anyone. Clear?" Severus requested.

"Crystal," Harry replied cheekily, though inwardly he was serious. "G' day, professor!"

"Have a nice day to you too, Harry. And I believe that you will be switching rooms. I also talked to your obese uncle that you will not be starved or beaten in any way. If so, then call me with your amulet, and don't talk to your oversized uncle about it. Bye, Harry," Severus said, and apparated back to Hogwarts, ready to tell a soon-going-to-be-very-angry tabby cat about this visit. Albus is not going to enjoy this. Severus smirked.


A/N: The Dursley's are going to be treating Harry better after this, I can tell you that much. But he is still not going to be wanted. I wrote the lyrics of the abuse song.

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