Chapter 9! Well this is one of my favorite chapters. I think you'll enjoy it too! Review and tell me what you think.
"Severus. How do you give gifts?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well. I've never celebrated any kind of human thing before. I know you give gifts to your friends and family on Christmas. How?"
"Do you want to give gifts?" He asked.
"Yes but I don't know what to give to people."
"Well first you think about what those people like and then you find something that is part of their interest. Then you wrap the present in colorful paper and give it to them." Severus explained.
So they spent that evening helping Lightning create gifts for each person he had befriended. His magic was all too willing to help. For Hagrid he created a staff that would not only produce light for when he went into the forest but if he ever needed help he could use it to call for Lightning. For Ron he created a seer stone. His mother had told him that Ron had the ability to see into the future and this seer stone would help him learn to use that ability.
For the twins he created a pair of matching pendants. When worn it let you know where the other wearer was. He had told Severus that those of a doubling should never be separated from each other for too long. He gave Albus a pair of thick socks which according to Severus he would appreciate. He gave Filius and Pomona both invitations to see his home so they could see all he had done with it.
Severus helped him create a pendant for Draco. This one was charmed to let the wearer know when someone around them meant them ill will. The pendant was shaped in the form of the Malfoy family crest. He gave Poppy a vial of Asclepius venom, donated by Lyla. With it he wrote out a note that said if she ever faced a wound too grievous to heal with magic alone a few drops would save the life. Finally he had just Severus' gift to make.
"I have to ask other people what to get you. It has to be a surprise Sevrus." Lightning had said.
"Alright. Just make sure to wrap it like I taught you."
Lightning had learned that Salazar had been a potions master before he had died. He went to the Slytherin common room door and spoke the password. He walked up to the portrait and coughed.
"Hello sir."
"Hello chosen one. What do you need?"
"I have a friend who is a potions master. I have never celebrated Christmas and I am unsure what to give him for a gift."
"You came to the right place. Do you remember the direction I gave you to get to my private rooms?"
"Yes. The second floor girls bathroom."
"Excellent go to my private rooms and pick out a book with the word potions on it and my name. I wrote a lot of rare books and I have multiple copies in there. Pick one and wrap it carefully."
"That you Salazar."
"Not at all Lightning."
So Lightning made his way to the second floor girls bathroom. Severus had introduced him to a few ghosts so the girl crying in the stall didn't startle him. Instead he went directly to the sink and looked at the snake.
"Salazar told me you could open up and lead me to his private chambers."
"A speaker who uses the snake magic! Of course I will open up."
The sink lowered in on itself and revealed a well lit stairwell. Lightning made his way down the stairs confidently. The entrance closed in on itself and Lightning felt a little nervous that he wouldn't be able to get out. That was a worry for 'the future Lightning' though present Lightning needed to find a rare book.
After about fifteen minutes of spelunking Lightning found an ornate door was barring his path. He tried the handle and found it to be locked. He let his magic channel through his hand and waved his hand. The door unlocked easily. Someone had locked it using snake magic! He opened the door and found a cozy sitting room. The room was covered in dust and it was clear no one had been in there for decades.
The dust was so thick in places it looked to be as long as his fingers. There was a fire place that had the driest wood inside. Lightning concentrated and let a fire escape his fingers and catch on the logs. Once the fireplace was burning merrily, Lightning began waving his hands around so that a light wind began stirring. The dust began flying around causing him to cough.
After ten minutes of cleaning, the room looked alive again. Lightning looked at his surroundings and saw three doorways leading from the sitting room. One was the bedroom. Lightning was looking for the library so he closed that door. The next door was a bathroom and the final was the library. He went in and sneezed at the amount of dust he kicked up just walking around. The library was the largest room and it had hundreds of books. Each coated in dust. He went along till he found the section titled Potions.
Three large bookshelves were dedicated to Potions alone. He looked for one that had the correct author and saw that one of the bookshelves was filled with books written by Salazar himself. He looked around for one that looked nice and interesting. There was a red leather bound book that was titled. "Werewolf research". It was written in a loopy script and Lightning felt that it would be a good choice since there were two copies of that one. He picked up the book carefully and dusted it off. He carried it close to his chest. He memorized the sitting room. He did not wish to walk back and risk Severus seeing the gift so he decided to pop directly back to his rooms but he wanted to remember how to get back there.
He called to his snake magic and popped himself right back into his own rooms. As he wrapped the precious book he spoke with Lyla.
"Your eggs are due to be born at any time."
"They are hard and ready. It is only a short time before they begin to hatch. You will be there yes?"
"Of course. I love your hatchlings very much and would not miss their hatching."
"You are sure they are healthy?"
"I have blessed them with all my might that they may be so. I have no doubt that they will be successful tomorrow. In fact I intend to stay up with you since Slicer cannot be here."
"I miss him."
"I know. Once the hatchlings are out of the shell and ready to pop home we will be returning there. Tomorrow afternoon at the earliest the evening at the latest."
"I do hope everything went well in your absence."
"I shudder to think what would happen if my kingdom were attacked while I was not there to protect it."
"Your defeat of Drake will likely keep the kingdom safe for some time."
"I hope you are right Lyla."
The night wore on and it wasn't until 3 in the morning that the first egg began to crack. Lightning had been practicing his writing when Lyla had hissed in excitement. He was instantly by her side. He hissed encouragements to the babies. The first one out was the grumpy male who reminded him of Severus. He was a handsome snake who immediately demanded to be fed.
The next one was the doublings. The two snakes emerged at the same time and looked the same. The next was the one who reminded him of the descriptions of his birth mother. Each one demanded to be fed and were howling in exhaustion. Lightning had created a pile of good food for newly hatched snakelings and helped Lyla feed them. The next two, the cocky arrogant one and the quiet mischievous one, were instantly were close friends.
The final one. The one who was independent and did not want Lightning's help hatched last after hours of grueling work. It was a female snake and it had glorious emerald eyes. She demanded to be fed and while complaining about how hard her shell was. Lyla was pleased that all of her hatchlings were strong enough to stay alive. It was at 10 in the morning that Lightning leaned back exhausted. The seven newly born snakes were rested and Lyla was arranging them to her liking.
"What will you name them?"
"They name themselves. I know some species of snake pass on their names but my species are born with our names."
"What are their names?"
"I don't know. I will ask when they awaken. Hatching is an exhausting process. We all need rest."
"I agree."
Lightning was sitting on the floor his back against the bed. He was just about to doze off when a polite knock on the door startled him. He calmed Lyla while cautiously asking who it was.
"It is Severus. Are you okay Lightning?"
"I've been up all night helping with the hatching. You can come in but don't come too close. Lyla is protective."
Severus cautiously opened the door and walked slowly in. Lightning smiled and pointed at the seven newly hatched snakes that were sleeping deeply. Lyla was curled around them and hissing sternly. Lightning nodded at the mother and levitated over a brightly wrapped pile of presents.
"She wants us to leave so she can rest. Severus let's celebrate Christmas."
"Alright. Come Lightning. The first thing a human child does is open his presents. Your friends have been waiting to open theirs with you for quite some time."
"I got presents?"
"Of course you did. Now come. Even Draco is in Gryffindor Tower waiting for you to come much to his chagrin. All the professors are there as well. It seems they all got you gifts."
"They didn't have to do that." Lightning said dismayed.
"They wanted to just as you wanted to give them gifts."
Severus pushed him towards the portrait hole that had opened. Lightning climbed in with the presents floating behind him. Ron cheered when he saw him. Lightning smiled and wiggled his fingers sending everyone's gift into their laps. The children were seating on the ground and the adults in chairs, everyone in a large circle. Lightning sat down in between Ron and Draco. The boys pushed large pile of presents towards him.
"For me?" He stuttered out.
"Yes Lightning now open them." George said.
"We've been waiting for hours mate!"
"Sorry. The hatching took all night."
"The eggs hatched?" Draco asked excitedly.
"Yes all seven snakes were strong and healthy. They are resting now but we were up all night helping them."
"What are their names?"
Lightning shrugged.
"I don't know. I didn't ask them before they fell asleep. Hatching is very exhausting." Lightning answered. "Open your presents. I worked really hard on them."
Ron opened his present first and removed the slightly glowing stone with reverence.
"You got me a seer stone?"
"Yeah. Mother said you could make a wonderful seer if you practiced but you can't do that without the right equipment."
Fred and George loved their matching pendants and put them on immediately. They gave him a hug. Draco also enjoyed his present and felt it appropriate for someone of his status. Pomona and Flitwick were overjoyed at the invitation to visit. Minerva's cat bed was soft and firm and she smiled when he told her that the matching pair was in his home for her if she ever visited.
Dumbledore had to wipe away tears at the thoughtful gift of socks. Hagrid loved the staff and gave him a firm hug. Poppy was overjoyed at the rare healing balm and she had to stop herself from leaving immediately to store it properly. The final gift was Severus'. Lightning sat on edge watching as the man shook the gift. He unwrapped it slowly uncovering the ancient leather.
Severus gasped when he read the title. He looked up at Lightning who was smiling at him.
"Did I get a good gift?" Lightning asked.
"What did you get him?" Albus asked not being able to see the title of the book now clutched possessively in the man's arms.
"A book titled Werewolf research written by Salazar Slytherin. The portrait of Salazar that's in the Slytherin common room told me that he would like it. He told me where to go to get into his secret library." Lightning answered. "Did you like it Severus?"
"It's perfect." He breathed out.
Lightning smiled and began unwrapping his presents. The Weasley's had pulled together and told their mother of their new friend. She had knitted him a thick green sweater with a letter L on it. There was also some homemade fudge which Lightning greatly appreciated. Draco had gotten him his own set of quills. They were everlast self-inking quills. They would last him years and he wouldn't need to keep around bottles of ink. Along with that gift was two books and a ream of parchment. Lightning was ecstatic.
Albus had gotten him two gifts. One was a box of chocolate frogs and the other was a strange cloak. It was light and silvery but when Lightning put it on he disappeared.
"That cloak belonged to your human father. I felt that I should return it to you."
Pomona gave him a plant that would replenish his garden and keep everything growing strong. Flitwick had given him gloves that fit his hands perfectly. When he put them on he instructed Lightning to do magic. The magic was suddenly much more direct and powerful. The gloves aided in concentrating the flow of magic.
Hagrid had given him a handmade wooden flute that Lightning adored. Minerva had given him a book filled with pictures. Inside was a note.
'Lightning. I knew your parents when they were your age. I collected all the pictures of them I could find. I want you to know what they looked like. Love Minerva.'
He hugged the book close and smiled at the woman who had tears in her eyes. The next gift was from Poppy. She had given him a box filled with different vials of potions. Each one was labelled clearly. Dreamless sleep, Pain potion, bruise salves. Things that a boy living in the woods would need.
Lightning loved all of his gifts. The final one was from Severus. Lightning looked up at the man who was giving him a strained smile. While still clutching the old red book to his chest as if he was afraid it would disappear if he moved too quickly.
"Normally when a human wizard turns 11 they are taken to a wizarding store and given a wand. In order to do human magic wands are a necessary tool. I invited a wand maker to come and help you find a wand. Lightning you may know plenty of magic but I know your parents would want you to learn of your heritage."
So Lighting and the rest followed Severus down to the Great Hall where a strange old man was standing with boxes upon thin boxes. When he saw Lightning he beckoned the boy over.
"Mr. Lightning. I remember selling your parents their wands. Your father's was strong and good for transfiguration and your mother's swishy and good for charms. Let us see what we can do for a king."
So for the next hour Lightning tried out every wand. Each ended in disaster. Boxes were thrown around, walls were splashed with color. Ron got zapped with an unknown jinx with one of the wands. Finally the man whose name was Ollivander pulled out a pure white box.
"This was an interesting wand. I did not know if I would be able to create it. I made it out of fancy not thinking that it would be useable by anyone. I think now however it would be perfect for you." Ollivander pulled out the wand. "It is made of Unicorn Horn and thestral tail. Life and Death in perfect balance. Go ahead and give it a wave."
The moment the wand touched Lightning's skin he knew it was the right one. It jolted through him and hummed with power. He gave it a wave and a rainbow of sparks erupted. He smiled triumphantly and turned to the crowd of friends. Severus paid for the wand and showed him how to holster it to his arm so he would never be without it. After that they sat down to have a large Christmas dinner. Lightning laughed and enjoyed himself for his final dinner at the castle. When dinner was over he stood and gave each human a hug. They thought it was strange but said nothing.
"I'm going to miss you all." Lightning said a quiver in his voice. "I'll make sure to visit another time when my kingdom is peaceful. But for now Lyla and I must return. The longer I stay the more likely it is that thousands of snakes will swarm your castle searching for me."
"You're not leaving now are you?" Ron asked.
"I've got to. I've been away too long. The hatchlings need my protection. If you want to visit I welcome any of you. Just pop to the clearing and I will let you stay for as long as you need or want. I hope I can return sometime in the future but for now my snakes need me."
Severus stood and walked over to where Lightning was standing.
"You do not have to leave if you wish to stay you are welcome here. Your parents would have approved of you staying."
Lightning shook his head and felt tears spring into his eyes.
"No. My parents died for me. They would understand that I must stay with the hatchlings to protect them. Goodbye Severus. I'll see you next Saturday."
With that Lightning called on his magic and popped directly into Gryffindor tower. He picked up his gifts and shrunk them, a spell Flitwick had taught him. He put each gift in his pockets before popping directly into his rooms. He picked up the basket that had held the eggs and placed everything else inside it. He helped the baby snakes slither inside and had Lyla curl herself around him. He popped a third of the way to his home. Two more jumps and he was home. He took Lyla and the snakes to the converted nursery and allowed her to set up a good nest. He took off the nice robe he had been wearing and put on his animal hides. He didn't want to ruin the nice human clothing. He let go of the magic that had styled his hair and it fell around him in long black waves.
He went into the den of feasting and waited. Within moments snakes came in. Many had felt him being chosen by the Snake mother. He had many gifts and pledges of loyalty. Glade his mother came in and congratulated him. He gave blessings and conferred advice. When the sun set Lightning went into the den of resting and slept among the snakes.
