The 11 Gifts by EnchantedUnicorn

Chapter 12

The 11th Gift


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A little swearing in this chapter. Don't read the flashback if you don't want to read the swearing part.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Diagon Alley:

Harry read the first thing on the shopping list. "Three sets of plain work robes (black), professor," Harry read to Severus. Severus was bringing Harry to Diagon Alley to buy his supplies needed for his first school year. After how Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia reacted, he was glad to be with Professor Snape.


Flashback:

"Vernon, there are a bunch of owls!" Aunt Petunia shrieked.

"What?" Uncle Vernon's footsteps thundered as he walked down the stairs. "Must be the boy's fault! Boy!"

Harry ran down the stairs. "Yes, sir?"

"Why are there a bunch of bloody birds in our house?" Uncle Vernon boomed.

Harry gulped. They were the owls that delivered the Hogwarts letters. "I don't know, sir. They seem to be carrying letters, though. They might stop if we take one."

"Nonsense! Stop whatever you are doing! Just get those freaky birds out of our house!"

Harry had no choice but to wish for that to happen. I wish that all these owls will fly out of our house.

One by one, the owls were propelled out by an invisible force.

Uncle Vernon grunted. "So it was you!"

Harry frantically shook his head. "No sir, I just used magic to make them go away."

"Do NOT say that word! Now go back to your room!" Uncle Vernon thundered.

"Yes sir," Harry replied, and scrambled away.

Meanwhile, in Hogwarts, Minerva was frowning deeply at a notification she received. "Severus? It seems like Harry Potter's first letter was refused before it was even open, and when we sent more, the owls were propelled away by a very strong force."

"It must be his wandless wish magic." At Minerva's confused look, he added, "His 10th gift."

"Ah… I see. Would you mind bringing the letter to him, Severus?" Minerva asked.

"Not at all, Minerva. I also offered to bring him shopping," Severus admitted.

Minerva was not surprised at the amount of care the cold Potions Master was showing. After all, it was obvious that he had taken a liking the boy many years ago. "Very well, would you mind going now, Sev?" Minerva held out a manila letter with the Hogwarts crest on it.

"No, have a good day, Minnie," Severus retorted.

Before he apparated to Privet Drive, he heard Minerva mutter, "What shall I call him next time? Sevvy? Sev the bat?"

How about Severus? thought Severus, obviously irritated, before apparating to Number 4, Privet Drive.

Severus knocked on the door, and was greeted by Uncle Vernon.

"You again! What do you want now?" Uncle Vernon hissed.

"I want to deliver a letter to Harry. NOW," Severus said. His obsidian eyes glinted in the light as if there was a fire in them.

Uncle Vernon gave in. "Fine! Do whatever you want!"

"Thank you." Severus strode in the door and glided upstairs.

"Harry?" said Severus as he entered Harry's bedroom. Harry was currently on his bed, staring absentmindedly at the ceiling.

"Professor!" Harry got up and waved at Severus, before sobering up. "You know, a bunch of owls flew in delivering my Hogwarts letter. I think that Aunt Petunia threw away the first letter, so then they sent a bunch of new ones. Uncle Vernon was really angry, so I just wished that all the owls would go away! I had no choice, Professor, I am sorry!"

"Well-" Severus started but was cut off by Harry.

"Please, I want to go to Hogwarts! I never refused!" Harry begged.

"Harry, STOP." Harry immediately froze. "I never said that you wouldn't go to Hogwarts, did I?"

"Err… no, you didn't," Harry admitted.

"Good. I have your letter right here with me," Severus said, drawing out an envelope.

Harry tore it opened. It read:

Dear Mr. Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

"31 July! That is today!" Harry exclaimed.

"No worries, they already know that you will be arriving," Severus said smoothly.

Harry sighed in relief. "Can we go shopping today?"

"May." At Harry's raised eyebrow (which resembled Severus' raised eyebrow), Severus added, "May we go shopping today."

Harry made a face, but sulkily repeated, "May we go shopping today?"

"Yes, we may, Harry," Severus sweetly.

Harry almost burst out laughing. Did he just hear Professor Snape talk sweetly? He believed he just did. Harry bit his lip so hard he drew blood. Even so, he couldn't help but giggle.

"What's so funny, Harry?" Severus asked.

"Nothing, professor." Harry smiled innocently. "When are we going shopping?"

"Now, if you would like."

"Yes sir. But I don't have any money!" Harry remembered.

"You do have wizarding money, a great sum, I believe, that you inherited from your parents. It's stored in a vault in the wizarding bank, Gringotts," Severus explained.

"Can we- may we go there?" Harry asked, correcting himself.

Severus smiled. "Of course." Together, they apparated the Diagon Alley, completely oblivious to the danger that would soon follow.


Diagon Alley:

"We will find the robes at Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions," Severus said, his low and smooth voice snapping Harry out of his flashback.

Harry nodded, and allowed Severus to guide him there. When they arrived at the shop, Madam Malkin was quite thrilled to be serving Harry Potter. After babbling about the different types of robes she owned in her shop, Severus interjected her smoothly.

"Just three sets of plain and black work robes, please."

"Ah… first year shopping list, isn't it?" Madam Malkin nodded in understanding.

"Let me take your measurements…" After taking Harry's precise measurements, Madam Malkin hurried to a rack to find the right robe.

"Will this one do? No… too big. Ah ha!" Madam Malkin drew out a thin black robe, with two pockets.

"Two more of those will do nicely, madam. Thank you," Severus said.

Madam Malkin nodded, and swiftly brought out two more of the same robe.

"Now, don't you need a winter cloak, dear?" Madam Malkin reminded.

"Yes, ma'am."

Madam Malkin pulled out a black, thick, coat with silver fastenings. "First years always choose this," she explained.

After Harry delivered the payment to her, they exited the shop.

"What's next, Harry?" Severus asked.

Harry never had the chance to answer, because just then black masked figures appeared in the middle of Diagon Alley, their wands pointed at several customers.

"Soul Suckers!" Harry hissed.

"Stay behind me, Harry." Severus had his wand in his hand, ready to fight anyone threatening them. He could never forgive himself if Harry was killed, just like Lily was.

Suddenly, three Soul Suckers noticed them, and before Severus knew what was happening, they were heading towards them.

A barrage of curses were fired to Severus, and Severus fought to keep up with them. Unbeknownst to him, one sly Soul Sucker had slipped away and was planning to catch him unaware.

"Avada Kedavra!" the Soul Sucker whispered in a harsh voice, and a green beam shot out of his wand and was heading towards Severus, who had no idea that was happening.

Harry had happened to see the green beam heading towards Severus out of the corner of his eyes, and realized it was the curse that almost killed him, and killed his mum and dad. Out of desperation, Harry screamed, "No, stop!" Harry knew it would be useless, though, and Severus would die. Or he thought so.

Abruptly, the beam stopped, everyone froze, and the world became silent. It was as if… everyone and everything were statues, and Harry was the tourist.

What happened? Why is everything frozen? I have to get Professor Snape out of here! Harry thought furiously.

Harry walked over to Severus cautiously, and said, "Professor, come on."

Severus immediately turned around, observing his surroundings, before saying, "Harry? What happened?"

"Professor! The Killing Curse was heading towards you," Harry pointed to the green beam still in midair, "and I yelled stop, and here is what happened. I can freeze time! My 11th gift!"

"You can freeze time? While that is a very… useful ability, it is not one that is going to be used for mischief. Understood?" Severus glowered down at Harry sternly.

Harry pouted. "Aw... but professor..." Harry stopped as Severus fired Harry another glare. "Fine... yes, sir," Harry sulked.

"Now, swear upon your wizards honor that you are not going to willingly reveal what I am going to say to without my permission."

Confused, Harry obeyed. "I, Harry James Potter, swear upon my wizard's honor that I am not going to willingly reveal to anyone what Professor Snape is going to say without his permission." A faint glow surrounded Harry, before fading away.

"Very well. I have noticed that you are very perceptive, and you noticed that all the special abilities you received were on your birthday. Let me tell you the reason behind this. The day your… err… Voldemort died, I cast a spell. I cast a spell upon you that lets you receive one special gift every year till your eleventh. The gifts will someday help you someday somehow. Your last gift was the ability to freeze time. You will be receiving no more. Of course, I did not know what the abilities were until you received them. No one else, except Professor McGonagall, knows about this," Severus finished, waiting for Harry's reaction.

Harry eyes widened as he comprehended the words. "So, all these gifts, you gave me them? Thank you!" Harry whispered.

If only Potter thanked me this much, Severus thought grimly, but was still uncomfortable with the fact of freely confirming that he bestowed the 11 gifts. "Err… well… you see… yes."

"Part of the reason why you gave me this gift was to help me at the Dursley's, right?"

Again, Severus marveled at how intelligent this child was. Until he recalled that one of his gifts was intelligence. But still...

"Yes Harry. Let me inform you about something that happened recently in the wizarding world."

"What?" Harry asked curiously.

"You-know-who's body had just disappeared again, like the first time Dumbledore removed his body. Only this time... the cause is mysterious."

"So he will be gone for a while?'

Severus sneered. "I think he is more of an it. But yes, he should be gone for awhile, unless he is able to posses a body already."

Damn, damn, damn! I shouldn't be telling him this! Severus thought regrettably.

But Harry merely shrugged, and Severus sensed that this shrug meant, "I will remember that, but let's hope he doesn't."

"Now, back to the topic. How do you plan on dealing with these Soul Suckers?" Severus asked, immensely curious to find out about Harry's thinking.

"Well… I was thinking…" Harry went on, discussing his plan with Severus. After Severus agreed, he set the plan to action.

Calling upon his magic, Harry spoke, "I wish that all the Soul Suckers would be bound tightly with ropes enchanted to stay there until someone with a pure heart releases them. I wish that their wands will break when they are tied up." With his wishes sincerely spoken, Harry raised his hands, high above his head, and let out a powerful blast of magic. Diagon Alley was filled with blinding light, and when the light faded, all the Soul Suckers were tied.

"Time, please continue," Harry declared formally, while Severus' lips twitched ever so slightly.

Immediately, the noise resumed. The Killing Curse continued its journey and bounced harmlessly off a wall. The Soul Suckers were all shocked- one second they were dueling, the next second they were tied tightly with ropes, and not even the Soul Suckers skilled in wandless magic could remove the ropes. They had no idea that time was frozen for a few minutes, and the time was used to bind all the Soul Suckers.

Aurors arrived, and quickly escorted the Soul Suckers to the Ministry holding cell, where they would await their trials.

No one (apart from the Soul Suckers) were hurt, and Harry and Severus continued their shopping.

Harry finished buying the black pointed hat and dragon hide gloves, and then, with Severus, he walked he walked to Flourish and Blotts, which was soon going to be one of his favorite shops in Diagon Alley.

Harry collected all the required books on the list, and was flipping through them. "Cure of boils! Wicked!" Harry breathed.

And here is the Lily side of Harry. Severus and Harry decided to go to the Eeylops Owl Emporium.

Harry saw one particular owl that he would love to keep and adore. Then snowy owl said to him, "Speaker, I know you need me, and I need you. Please, take me. Your heart is pure, others who want me just want me because I am the rarest kind of owl. But I know you are not like that. I refused everyone else, but I won't refuse you."

The owl's words tore Harry's heart open, but then Harry snickered as he imagined the owl pecking everyone who went near her cage.

Harry asked Severus if he could afford the snowy owl, and Severus replied, "Of course you can!"

So Harry made up his mind- the rare snowy owl was his, and he was going to grant the owl's wish... and his own wish.

"So, the snowy owl has finally chosen its owner?" the store manager said.

Harry beamed. "Yes, ma'am. I hereby name her Hedwig!"

Hedwig hooted her consent, and then perched on Harry's shoulder.

My familiar, Harry thought happily, before paying and exiting the shop.

Harry bought a set of crystal phials, a telescope, and a set of brass scales at Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment. He was amazed by all the materials they had, and Muggles used many of them too! Harry then entered the Potage's Cauldron Shop, where he selected a pewter, standard size 2 cauldron, while Severus visited the apothecary to buy a few potion ingredients. They met beside Ollivanders Wand Shop, which was the shop Harry was looking forward to the most.


"Severus Snape, Ebony and Dragon Heartstring, isn't it?" Ollivander asked, who was currently sorting through his wands.

"Yes, you are fully correct, Ollivander, but I have come to get a wand for Mr. Potter here," Severus explained, taking a step back so Harry was in the front.

"Ahhh… Harry Potter, isn't it? It seems like just yesterday your parents came and let a wand choose them," Ollivander said.

"Let a wand choose them? But don't you choose your own wand, sir?" Harry asked, puzzled.

"No, no, no. Wands are very intelligent things, they bond to the wizard or wish they choose, which is usually the wand that fits the wizard and wand," Ollivander hurried to explain.

Harry nodded, and Ollivander said, "Well, how about trying out the wands?"

Ollivander strode over to the right shelf. "Let's see… how about this one?" Ollivander drew out a long, black case and opened it. "Hornbeam and Unicorn Hair." Ollivander handed the dark wand to Harry.

Harry reluctantly took it, and gave it a small wave. A couple sparks shot out, but nothing else. "No, not this one," Ollivander muttered, taking the wand back from Harry and placing it back in the case.

He drew out another case. "Pine and Dragon Heartstring."

Harry held the wand in his hands. It felt warm to his touch, but when he waved it, a few old and dusty boxes flew off the shelf. Harry gasped, but Ollivander waved his own wand, and the boxes returned.

"It seems like all the wands that you tried fit you, but not enough. Perhaps…" Ollivander climbed on the ladder and drew out a golden box on the very top layer, and took out the wand, which was stored in a wand holster. "Try this one," he said, not bothering to explain what type of wand it was.

Harry stared at the black wand, and had a feeling that this wand was the right one. Confidently taking the wand from Ollivander, he felt his magic surge through him and through the wand. Harry raised the wand above his head, and the whole shop was illuminated by a powerful beam of light emerging from the wand. Harry gasped, and lowered the wand.

Ollivander, his face still pale, recovered from his shock. He chuckled. "Well, it seems like this wand has finally found its master."

"What wand is this, Ollivander?" Severus asked urgently.

"Elder and Phoenix Feather," Ollivander whispered. "This boy is destined to do great and dangerous things with this wand."

"No! It can't be!" Severus gasped.

"I am afraid so."

"What is so bad about this wand, professor?" Harry asked curiously.

Severus counted to ten slowly in his head. "The wood and core of this wand are both very rare and powerful. This combination means that… you are a powerful wizard, and you are meant to do great and powerful things."

Severus didn't speak any further, but thought, Which confirms the prophecy even more. Little boys should not be in a prophecy!

Severus sighed. There was no choice. Harry was already destined for this wand. "The price?"

"None," Ollivander replied.

"There has to be a price!" Severus objected.

"This wand is meant to do great things. It is not something that can be bought, as Garrick Ollivander stated it," Ollivander explained.

"Very well. The price for the wand holster?" Severus asked, thinking that it was a separate part.

"None. The wand and its holster are a pair, and the holster is only for the wand that has chosen Mr. Potter. Without the holster, the wand won't function properly. The wand holster is immune against all curses, and will protect the wand. Now, Mr. Potter," Ollivander stated, turning to Harry, "Where would you like your wand holster?"

"Err… what, may I ask, are the options?" Harry questioned. He never heard of anything like a wand holster until now.

"Some people prefer it on a strap or belt around their waist, similar to a sword, or inside or outside of the sleeve of your robe or shirt. You can always change later on, but what would you like for now?" Ollivander listed.

"The strap, please," Harry selected. This was so cool!

Ollivander nodded, and produced a leather strap. The wand holster stuck to the strap in place. "Try it on. It will adjust to your needs."

Harry wrapped the strap around his waist, and it magically fastened. He tried drawing his wand out, but frowned, because it was inconvenient to reach it. Suddenly, he recalled Ollivander's words, and moved the wand holster to a more comfortable position.

Harry nodded in approval. "It's perfect," he remarked.

"It should be; it is your wand and holster, anyway," Severus stated.

"Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. Ollivander. Have a nice day!" Harry waved goodbye.

"What a polite kid. Have a good day to you, Mr. Potter, and you too, Severus," Ollivander returned.

"Good day." Severus gave Ollivander a brief nod, before escorting Harry out of the shop.

"Is there anything else you need or require?" Severus asked.

"Err… maybe I will go check out the Quidditch shop?" Harry looked up hopefully.

Severus groaned, but he couldn't resist those eyes. "Very well, but you are not allowed to buy anything there," Severus warned.

"Fine! You're no fun!" Harry pouted.

Severus shrugged. After all, rules were rules.

Side-by-side, they entered the Quidditch shop. After Harry was finished staring at the brooms with longing and envy, he was returned home by Severus.

"I look forward to seeing you at Hogwarts, Harry," Severus began. "I have to say, I won't be that nice anymore," Severus inwardly winced when he called himself nice, "for Potions is a very dangerous subject, and I have to be strict with you."

"I understand sir," Harry said, and by the look in his eyes, he really did. "I can't wait to read my books!" Harry added excitedly.

I wouldn't be that surprised if he was a Ravenclaw. Lily could have been one, and Harry inherited many of his mother's traits, Severus thought.

"Very well Harry. I will see you at Hogwarts then," Severus finished, giving Harry a sincere smile, which he rarely did, and satisfactorily returned back to Hogwarts.

Harry was truly excited to go to Hogwarts. He resolved to read and reread his books to understand the concepts of magic before going to Hogwarts. Knowledge is a significant part of life, after all.


A/N: Credit of the Hogwarts letter and first year shopping list goes to Pottermore!

The wand that Harry received was not the Elder Wand that Dumbledore received from defeating Gellert Grindelwald, it is merely another wand made out of Elder wood.

A wand is required for Hogwarts, so regardless of his wandless wish magic ability, he has to have a wand. A wand will also make him more powerful.

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