Chapter 13: Gifts

After breakfast had finished, Severus, Harry, and Draco headed into the living room, but Harry stopped in the doorway surprised.
On the table, in front of the fire were wrapped boxes, presumably presents.

Severus and Draco watched in amusement as Harry slowly entered the room, shooting confused looks their way.
Taking pity on Harry, Draco decided to lighten the mood.  "Well, you didn't really think we would forget your birthday did you, even if it is a little late!"  Harry sat down in one of the chairs slowly. 

"Well, how did you know when my birthday was anyways, and when did you get the time?"

"Well, they aren't all from us, some are from the Weasleys and Ms. Granger.  I think there's one from Fleur Delacour also."  Severus says, while picking up one of the gifts towards the top.  "Here, this is from Draco, if you're wondering how we got them, we'll explain when you're finished."

Harry took the present carefully before slowly opening it.  Before he got far though, Draco interrupted him. 

"For Merlin's sake Harry, wrapping paper is for tearing off, not peeling off, and definitely not for keeping in one piece."  Draco said impatiently, while motioning for Harry to hurry up.

Harry grinned before finally ripping off the paper to find a bow.  Looking at it confusedly, he opens the top only to find two small golden eyes looking back at him.  Blinking a couple of times, Harry finally realized what he was looking at was a snake, a beautiful green snake with a silver underbelly and patterns along it's back in a deeper green then the rest of it.

Harry looked up, surprised towards Draco to find Draco watching him intently, when Draco realized Harry was looking at him, he grinned.  "So, do you like her?"

"I-she's beautiful, where did you get her?"

"I ordered her from a pet shop, where else?"

Harry smiled again before looking down.

ßHello, what's your name?ß

The snake sits up, well extends her head up, looking into Harry's eyes.  ßDid you just sspeak human?ß

Harry smiles slightly, ßyess, I assked you what your name wass.ß

The snake looked confused for a minute before replying, ßI do not have what you humanss call a name.  I jusst have my markingss that disstinguish uss ssnakess apart.  If you wish, you may name me.ß

Harry looks thoughtful for a moment before replying, ßhow about Klara.  Lara for short?ß

The snake looks thoughtful for a moment before nodding her head, ßI like it, what shall I call you?ß

Harry smiles before answering, ßmy name'ss Harry, would you like to get out of that box?ß

ßYessß

Harry reaches down, ignoring the startled shout coming from somewhere next to him.

The snake goes up around Harry's arm and curled itself comfortably around his neck while Harry turned towards Draco to say his thanks, only to find both Draco and Severus stunned, staring at the snake.

"Harry, you do realize you have one of the most poisonous snakes in the world around your neck do you not?"  Draco says slowly.
Harry blinks a couple of times, "Klara's poisonous?!"

Severus finally snaps out of his reverie, "Klara, as you call her, has to be one of the few Scantial Serpents left.  They carry a venom in their fangs that can kill you or save you."

"Wow, that's kind of cool though, I mean, if I got into some sort of danger, if she was willing, couldn't she save me?"

"She could, but if she used the full effect of her venom, she would either die or be venom less, that's why there are only a few of them left."

"Wow, I mean, I don't know what to say, thank you Draco, she's absolutely wonderful, and how did you find her?"

Draco looks around sheepishly before answering, "Well, I didn't really find her exactly, I just asked the owner to do me a favor and send me his best snake.  He owed me something because I saved his business by selling him a group of manticores that my father wanted to get rid of.  Anyways, I didn't realize he had a Scantial Serpent, but I am glad I asked specifically for the best though."
Harry smiled again before taking the next present from Severus.  He opened it more quickly, realizing he had a lot more to go.  Inside was a tin of fudge and a wizard chess set.  Taking the letter that was with the present, realized it was from the Weasley's.  Looking at the letter, Harry read:

Dear Harry,
How are you doing mate?  Summer has been boring so far this year, Mum's been nagging at Fred and George to study and Ginny has been in her room most of the time with Hermione, she's been over for most of the summer.  Anyways, how have you been?  Have the muggles been treating you all right?  If not, we'll come rescue you again.  Also Fred and George say thank you, don't know what about, they said you would know.  Well Happy Birthday, and since Dumbledore said you couldn't come over, can you meet us at Gringotts the Saturday before term starts?
See you later (I hope)
Ron

Frowning slightly, Harry put down the letter, Severus, seeing something was wrong, decided to ask.

"What's wrong Harry?"

"Oh it's nothing, I'm just wondering what I should tell Ron and Herm when I see them."

"Well, what's wrong with the truth, don't you trust them?"

Harry looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding his head.  "Yeah, I trust them, it's just that I don't want them to look at me differently when they find out what's happened.  Ron last year, with the Tri-Wizard Tournament, turned on me because he thought I put my name in the goblet, I guess it's just harder than I thought to get over that."

"You shouldn't have to Harry, Weasley is the one at fault, he should have believed you if he was a true friend, I thought we went over this before?"  Draco said softly.

Harry shook his head before nodding, "you're right, I know you are, it's just hard.  Anyways, on with the presents!"

As Harry worked his way through the pile, he got a coat made of some animal fur from Hagrid that was way too big for him, he thought it must have come from the giants.  From Hermione, he got a book on defense potions, which in return prompted Severus to tell Harry teasingly that he had better have the book memorized by the time school started. 

From Sirius, Harry got a practice snitch and a cleaning kit to go along with it, Remus got him a book about animagi, which Severus warned Harry not to try unless he had supervision.  Severus knew that Harry would try it whether or not he told him not to.  Surprisingly, Fleur did send him something, it was a small package with a pouch of silver hair.  Reading the small letter that came with it, he found out that it was actually real veela hair, she had said that it was good in a lot of potions, surprisingly, mostly defensive ones.  Severus promptly took the hair and put it on the shelf next to the fire so Harry didn't loose it, since it was quite expensive to get.

Realizing he hadn't gotten anything from Severus, Harry looked up to find one more present being held out to him.  Opening it more slowly, he found a box that looked like it had been shrunk.  Looking questioningly towards his father, Severus took out his wand.

"Please set it on the floor Harry, I'll enlarge it again so you can look inside."

Nodding, Harry did as he was told and Severus with an engorgement charm enlarged the box.  In front of Harry sat a trunk that looked a lot like the trunk the fake Moody had last year.  Looking back over to the package, Harry saw a set of keys that went with the trunk.

Opening the first compartment, Harry found another wrapped box.  Harry took it out to open it.  Inside he found a pensieve with a little note explaining how to use it, the note also said there were a few memories about Lily inside too, but to look at it a different time.

Looking up, Harry found Severus watching him, presumably watching for his reaction.  "Thanks, this is great!"

Severus smiled slightly, "I'm glad you like it, although there is six other compartments to look into."
Harry looked surprised for a moment before putting the pensieve back and opening a different compartment.  Inside he found several shelves with potion ingredients and some books.  Scrunching his nose up, and pouting, he looked over to Severus who was looking slightly amused.

"Sev," Harry whined, not paying attention to what he was saying, which made Severus smile more and Draco to start laughing. 

"Why'd you get me potion stuff?  Couldn't you do that any other time?"

"I could have, but with you being the son of a Potions Master, I thought it would be appropriate.  Besides, even if no one else knows why, you will be getting better grades this year in my class young man or you'll be grounded."  Harry looks crestfallen for a moment before he a grin spread across his face.  "But you can't ground me because what would I tell my friends?"

"Albus knows so I'll just tell him and he can tell your friends an excuse with you being sick or busy for a while."

Harry pouted once again, and opened another compartment.  Inside he found a room that looked like a storage room.  On one of the nearer shelves, Harry picked up a long, wrapped package.  Opening it, he found a Firebolt II, slightly faster than the previous one, but with more control for sharp turns.  Grinning, Harry turned to Severus, saying his thanks over and over again.

Opening the fourth compartment, Harry looked in to find an egg, wrapped in a warm blanket.  Looking towards Severus, Harry asked what it was.

"That, Harry, is something that every Snape has owned, I have one, my father had one and his father did too, so forth and so on.  Anyways, it's a cousin to the Basilisk, no where near as large nor deadly.  It'll grow to be as long as your arm eventually and it will be able to protect you when needed, other than that, you have to find out the rest he can do for yourself."

"Wow, thanks, this is great, when will it hatch?"

"In about a week, you can keep it next to your bed in that blanket.  Its charmed to stay a constant temperature."

Harry nodded his head while opening the next compartment, only to find a room filled with shelves of books.  Looking around, from the top, he realized each shelf was dedicated to one subject of his studies, and also one to the other classes he didn't take.  The only one missing was Divination.

In the sixth section, Harry found a room with mats and other muggle equipment someone would find in a gym.
Seeing the question Harry was a bout to answer, he started to explain.  "Harry, with the war coming up, we need you to be strong, both mentally, magically, and physically.  I'm going to request that you work in that room at least an hour a day until school starts, and then at least a half an hour.  If you'll allow him, I want Draco to accompany you so he can work too."

"Sure, that sounds logical, but an hour?  That's terrible."

"If you don't do at least one hour, I'll know.  There's a charm on that room saying who and how long someone works in there, so yes, you do have to work."

"Okay, enough of that, I want to know what's in the last part!"  Draco says suddenly, not really looking forward to the physical work, but knowing it would be beneficial to both Harry and himself.

Harry smiled slightly and opened the last division.  Inside he saw things he knew and things he didn't.  On one side there was a wall with every weapon he could think of, and some he didn't have a clue as to what they were called.  On the opposite wall, there were targets and some dummies, along with books.  The room was the biggest one out of them all, on one side, there were mats and on the other, dirt for the floor. 

Looking up to Severus, Harry couldn't help but keeping the impressed look from his eyes.  "That's, I mean, this is amazing."

"I'm glad you like it.  Anyways in the last room, you'll find books on how to work it.  You'll see what I mean, in addition to your other room, I want another hour for this room.  It'll help you build your physique and balance.  Later, once you get the basics down, I'll take you both to a weapons dealer to get your own set of weapons."

"Thanks Sev, but I'm tired now, Harry took too long to open his gifts, wake me before lunch would you?"  Draco said as he headed off to the boys' room.

"Sure thing Draco."  Severus says as the door shuts behind Draco.

Harry sets down his trunk before facing his father, it was still weird calling Severus Snape his father, even in his thoughts, but this present proved he wanted to try, so why couldn't Harry give it a try too?
Clearing his throat, Harry looked up.  "Thanks for the trunk, it really is wonderful, even the compartment with the potion stuff in it."  That earned him a slight smile from Severus.  "I think I'm going to go look at some of the memories if that's okay."

"It's perfectly fine Harry, I'm glad you liked my gift, besides, I think you'll find potions to be somewhat easier now."  Severus replies cryptically before standing up.

"I'm going to head for my office so I can work on the class schedule.  If I'm not back by lunch time, could you come get me?  I tend to loose track of time when I work."

Harry nodded his head before standing up.  He looked uncertain for a second before looking up.  He gave Severus a quick hug before heading to his room, before the door closed behind Harry, Severus could have sworn he heard, "good luck with your schedules, dad."
Shaking his head, a smile on his lips, Severus headed towards his office, not noticing he had passed some teachers, who had stared when they had seen him smiling.
 
TBC…

AN:  Well….how did you like it??  Please tell me you liked it, I hope you liked it anyways.  Ummm….sry again for the delay, read previous chapter AN to find out the cause. 

Like I said before, I have a beta, and she's great, so no more silly little grammar mistakes….YEA!!  (^.^)  lol anyways, plz, I beg of you R&R  I really love everyone's reviews….

PS: plz let me know if you have any questions or even ideas, everything is welcome, and if you do give me an idea, I'll give you credit for it….

PSS:  the Snakes belong to me, along with some other stuff which I cant recall at the moment, anyways, if you'd like to use them, plz ask before you do, I'll most likely allow you to but just as long as you ask, thanks

Also…yeah, I know this is a long AN, but anyways…if anyone's still reading this, the plot is getting thicker if you know what I mean, Harry still doesn't know everything about himself, Severus is still holding stuff back….and when is Harry going to tell everyone what happened over the summer?  Soon…I promise you all these questions should be answered soon…along with some questions left in reviews….ttyl bbye

IMPORTANT!!!

OMG, I just had to post this too to tell ppl, even if you already know….the fifth book is coming out June 21!!!  On the Solstice, can u believe it??  Anyways, just had to tell ya….also, if anyone likes Vampires, plz visit this site, it's absolutely awesome…     I fell in love with I the first day I joined…so plz plz plz check it out!