Authors' note: Hey guys thanks for sticking with me so far on this journey. Thanks for all the reviews and I'm glad that you like the story for the most part. We will be spending the next few chapters at the Snape residence and it gets very intense. And to answer the question about this being a Harry/Hermione fic, well like I said it's a long story and many things will change…but I must say I didn't expect Eliza and Harry to fit together so well so who knows if they will stay together or not.
Thanks & keep reading & REVIEWING,
Eliza Snape
10: Christmas Eve shopping
Christmas Eve morning Harry woke up groggy and dreading the day ahead. Spending the whole day shopping with professor Snape was not on Harry's to do list. Harry rolled out of bed at 11:45 exactly. Quickly he dressed in a hooded sweatshirt and his favorite old corduroys, covered by a wool coat and headed down to the fireplace.
The huge house was quiet, surely Eliza had slept in. When Harry arrived to the fireplace the professor was no where to be found. Harry had hoped he had not missed him. It was his last chance to get Eliza's gift as well as the rest of his friends. Harry was thrown out of his thoughts by the sound of Snape's cape swishing around the corner. When Snape saw Harry, his face was a mixture of curiosity and dread. He had an idea of what Harry wanted.
"Potter, what do you want?" Snape snarled.
"Sir, Eliza said you'd be making Christmas rounds today. I have had no time to do shopping sir. Please can I come as well?" Harry responded
Normally the professor would have laughed cruelly before telling the boy to shove off. However he remembered how his daughter would feel if she had no gift under the tree from the boy she "loved".
"Fine Potter! However if you leave my site for one second I will ship you back to Hogwarts. I have several errands and supplies I need to restock. Once I am done we will use the remaining time for you gifts." Snape snapped
"Thank you sir." Harry smiled weakly
Snape did not say anything for several seconds. He just simply took a handful of floo powder and entered the fire place, before he called out his destination he took one last look at Harry.
"If you value your life boy, you will not embarrass me."
With that he was gone. Harry gave a huge sigh as he made his way into the fire place.
Diagon Alley was as Harry had always remembered it in the winter. Beautiful. There was a light snow that came gently from the heavens. Harry was glad that he had elected to wear a Muggle wool coat. Carolers lined the path ways singing various carols, while little kids ran passed throwing enchanted snow balls at passer-bys. For some reason Snape was a popular target. Even at such a festive time the professor insisted in being covered with black from head to toe. He stood out amongst the blanket of white snow.
For the next hour and a half Harry followed the professor around to a dozen or so stores. It was not so bad shopping with Snape. He was quick about it and a few times even asked Harry his opinion on things. It didn't even bother Harry that what ever he said, Snape purchased the opposite.
Finally after restocking essence of toad, the professor announced he was done.
"Alright Harry. You shall begin you shopping now." He said simply
Harry started out strong. He made rounds for Ron, Hermione, Draco, Remus, and Hagrid fairly quickly. He even got his aunt petunia a nice broach. However shopping for his better half was much harder than he expected. Nothing he saw fit Eliza, Harry was getting frustrated. He needed the perfect gift and so far he hadn't found it yet.
Snape had been studying the boy as they went from shop to shop. He could tell that the young man had no idea what he was doing. Snape had to smile to himself, he could relate to Harry. That fact alone gave Snape an uneasy feeling. But there was no denying it he and Potter finally had something in common. The love of a woman. A loud grunt on Harry's part bought Snape back to reality.
"What's wrong boy?"
Snape said already knowing the answer
"Nothing." Harry lied "One more shop sir, I'm sure Arnies Gizmos and Gagets will have just what I need." He trailed off
"Still no gift for my daughter, Huh Potter." Snape said with no cruelness in his voice
"No Sir." Harry said simply
"Do you love her Harry." Snape said softly not even realizing he had used the boy's first name.
"Sir you know I do…the watch…" Harry started
"I'm not asking about a watch Potter, I want to know what's in your heart." Snape said a little forcefully
"Eliza…Eliza's in my heart Professor. And that's why I can't believe I haven't found anything yet!" Harry yelled kicking at the soft snow
"In that case, I want to take you somewhere." Snape said
"Where?" Harry grumbled
"Don't ask me questions Potter." Snape snarled in his normal demeanor.
With that he turned on a heel and quickly made his way up the white path. Harry gave a loud moan and followed.
Exactly 26 minutes later Harry and Snape arrived in front of a little run down shack that was no bigger the Harry's room at the Dursleys. On the small wooden door was a ragged sign that simply read Madame Pascal's Jewelers. Harry looked up at his walking partner confused. Surely this could not be the place Snape wanted him to see. He expected the Professor to only do his shopping in upscale places, and this was far from it. Seeing the confused look on the boys face was priceless. However Snape didn't let the confusion linger.
"Don't let looks deceive boy. This is the shop of a lovely woman who has been supplying the men in my family with gifts for generations. I got Shayla's engagement ring from this place." Snape smiled sadly
Shayla? Harry thought to himself. Elizas mother. It wasn't the first time he had heard the name, Eliza said it many times. However it was the first time he had heard the professor utter it. Suddenly Harry beamed at the little rundown shop. But just as soon as the smile had come across his face it had vanished.
"Did you say…engagement ring sir?" Harry stuttered
"Relax Potter, I'm quite aware you are not looking for an engagement ring. Luckily boy, women love
jewelry regardless." He smiled "Go on Harry I will wait for you out here."
Harry just nodded and made his way into the little old shop.
Snape was right, looks could be deceiving. Once inside the shop Harry had to do a double take. Fine silk curtains of pink and lavender lined the windowless walls. It was about the size of Gryffindor common room, elegant golden chandeliers lined the sky dome ceiling. High glass cases filled with exotic rings, necklaces and earrings took up most of the floor space. Harry thought it was beautiful, girly but beautiful. In that instance Harry supposed that Madame Pascal had charmed the outside of the shop to look like a rundown shack to keep unwanted people away.
After Harry had adjusted to the magnificent surroundings, he made his way over to the largest glass casing. He assumed it must be the main help center. After waiting for several minutes for someone to help him Harry decided to ring the little silver bell that sat on the top of the case. Almost as soon as Harry hit the little bell, a woman emerged from behind a set of the lavender and pink curtains that covered the whole room.
"You rang dear?" the woman hummed
She was about 5'3 with a hair cut short and was the color of Neville's toad Trevor. Her eyes were the same color as Harry and her smile was toothy and warm. She was draped in a ornate dress made from the same silk as the curtains.
"Yes mam, umm I'm looking for a Christmas gift. It's for…" Harry started.
"I'm sorry dear, but Madame Pascal's is open only to appointments only. It's a wonder you got through the charms at all. I must get Nigel to look at them." She said more to herself then Harry
"Yes mam, but Professor Snape said…"
"Snape!" She interrupted "Oh yes of course dear. Severus rang me this morning about you dear. Any referral from Severus is an automatic client of mine. Now dear what is your name?" She beamed
"Harry, Harry Potter." He whispered
"Harry Potter did you say?" Madame Pascal Pressed
"Yes mam." Harry said irritated.
Harry did not want the Daily Profit or Rita Skeeter getting hold of this. He had no desire to drag Eliza's name through the mud.
"Don't worry dear, I deal with several high profile clients and never once have I leaked anything to the press. I know what vultures they are." She said reading Harry's mind.
"Thanks." He grinned
"No worries dear, now what can I do for you?" she asked
"I need a gift…for a girl." He smiled
"A girl dear, Oh please be more specific. Mother, friend…girlfriend?" she inquired
"Girlfriend." He said shyly
"Awwh well that narrows it down." She said "Lets get started."
For the next 15 minutes Madame Pascal showed Harry various, necklaces, watches and earrings. None of which Harry thought fit Eliza. Come to think of it he had never seen Eliza wear a piece of Jewelry since he had known her. Maybe this was a bad idea.
"I'm sorry Madame Pascal, but I don't think anything here is right for Eliza." He whined. "Although everything is very beautiful." He added quickly
"Nonsense! 37 years and no customer has left empty handed. Boy who lived or not you will not be the first!" she said blushing "Tell me about this girl Eliza."
"Well…she is smart and witty and beautiful. She is headstrong and powerful. Did I mention painfully beautiful?" Harry said thoughtfully
"Awww well, true love it is then." She smiled "I have just the prefect thing!"
With that she disappeared behind the curtains once more. It was several minutes after she returned. In her hand she held a small blue box made of leather. With dire care she handed it to Harry. Harry stared at the box a while before he carefully removed the lid.
Inside held a silver ring. It was decorated with intertwining lions and serpents. The eyes of the lions were made with red rubies. The serpents had eyes of green emeralds. Harry was in awe of the ring. It was perfect.
"It's perfect, but Hang on?" he spoke up. "Gryffindor and Slytherin, how did you know?"
"Madame Pascal knows all dear. That's why i've been in business so long." She smiled
"I'll take it!" Harry laughed
"Hold on dear, this is not just any ring you know. It's a bonding ring."
"A what?" He sighed, nothing for Harry was ever as it seem
"Well dear, once young Eliza puts the ring on, it will melt into her skin. Forming a sort of…what do the Muggles call it? Oh yes, a tattoo." She smiled
"A tattoo, you mean once she puts it on its permanent?" He asked
"Yes dear, now are you sure you want to get it?" She pressed
Harry knew that this would be his biggest commitment to Eliza yet, but he also knew that she would love it. If Eliza was willing to put a thing on her hand such as a bonding ring, then who was Harry to deny it to her.
"I'll take it!" He said firmly
Without another word Madame Pascal rewrapped the ring for him. Harry paid only half price for the ring due to what the Madame called a "Snape discount." After thanking her several times more, Harry made his way to the door, but before he left Madame Pascal stopped him.
"And Harry dear?" She beamed
"Yes Madame?"
"When young Weasley is ready to show his true feelings for certain brunette please refer him to me." She continued
"Yes mam." Harry said wondering how the woman knew so much.
Once he exited the store he found professor Snape reading on a park bench across the street.
"Well?" Snape said when he spotted Harry
"I got it. It's perfect I think. It's called a…" Harry started
"Details Potter, I do not need." Snape said as he stood up and made his way down the street.
Harry grinned to himself. Eliza was right, her father wasn't as bad as he tried to be. With that last thought he followed the professor, ready for a night of gift wrapping and hot chocolate with Eliza.