Magic On Strike
Harry knew it was going to happen; he'd end up sick during Christmas itself. The last two days had been a slow build in how he felt. Of course, waking up this morning, Christmas day, Harry felt awful. The teenager was exhausted, couldn't breathe through his nose due to be stuffy but also dealing with it being runny. Harry's throat felt swollen and on fire, and he had a fever. All that was with an added cough too. Today was going to suck, but he was determined to have a good holiday with family and those living with him, which included his boyfriend. Harry forced himself to get out of bed and move to the bathroom to handle all his normal things, including take medication. Harry coughed up phlegm and blew his nose before finally grabbing his slippers and a warm hoodie. Harry headed downstairs to find everyone already sitting around the main room with coffee or tea; it wasn't too late in the morning, maybe 7:45 am.
"Good morning, Harry." Narcissa greeted.
"Morning." Harry fixed up his tea and set it down on his end table before ensuring the heat was turned up, then he sat in his chair. "Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas to you as well." Bellatrix said.
"You're still sick." Draco mentioned.
"How observant you are," Harry teased.
"You should be resting!" Draco told him.
"Dray, I'm fine. It's just a cold…" Harry reminded. "Nothing I can't handle on my own. I've taken meds, that's about all I can do until it works its way out of my system. It would be no different if we had magic and used potions. They help symptoms, they don't cure the illness."
"Harry's right, godson." Severus confirmed. "You know that as well as I…Potions would help Harry feel a little better because they're stronger, but he'd still be sick until recovered."
"Come on, it's okay. Don't worry about it, let's just enjoy Christmas. The Lupin's and Tonks' should be here around 8:30." Harry informed as he pressed a button on the remote to get the radio playing some light Christmas music, then sat back to enjoy his tea. After a few moments, Harry realized that none of them were moving. "Are you waiting until the rest get here to open your gifts?" He asked.
"Gifts?" Tom inquired.
"Yeah, the ones under the tree." Harry remarked. "Those are for all of you. Well, some are for the Weasley clan and Hermione, also the Lupin's and Tonks'. But those are all labeled for who they go to. I kept all your things towards the front."
"We didn't think or assume anything," Lucius mentioned.
"Oh. Well, now you know." Harry stated. "Go on, enjoy."
"But we didn't get you anything, why would you get us stuff?" Bellatrix wondered.
"Because I'm a nice guy and I don't give with the notion of receiving in return. Now, ssh. Stop questioning me and open your gifts. A peaceful Christmas is all I ever want, with family and friends." Harry remarked. "Draco, why don't you pass 'em out? Everyone's is labeled with their first letter of their name." He suggested.
"Okay," Draco went over to the tree and started pulling stuff towards him to see the letter on it.
"I do have one question…" Severus began as Harry looked at him to continue. "Where did you find time to go shopping for it? You're always here with us."
"That, Severus, is a secret." Harry chuckled. "I have ways."
Dobby popped into the room. "Dobby be bringing parcels for Harry Potter from his friends."
"Just set them down here, Dobby. I'll get to them after the meds kick in." Harry told his friend. Dobby set the gifts at Harry's feet. "Thank you. Oh, did you bring what I asked for from Grimmauld?"
"Yes, sir," Dobby nodded, motioning to the stockings over the fireplace.
"Thank you, my friend. Are you heading back to Grimmauld now?" Harry asked.
"Dobby didn't want to leave the grouchy Kreacher alone on Christmas." Dobby said.
"Well, go on back to him then. Tell him Harry says hi and Merry Christmas." Harry stated.
Dobby nodded then disappeared as Harry relaxed to watch Draco start passing out small piles of gifts to each person in the room. Harry had made it even, everyone got the same amount of gifts. There were more in the stockings too, little things that Harry felt they'd like. So Harry just sat back as everyone finally had their gifts, though, he had his camera because he remembered Narcissa saying she wanted pictures of the holiday.
"Draco, why don't you start it off since you grabbed everything and passed it out." Lucius said.
"Alright." Draco nodded as he began to open the first gift.
It didn't take long for the others to star with their unwrapping too. Though, Severus hadn't; he was looking at what everyone else got. Draco got a quill set, with parchment and ink, but the quill was in the shape of a silver snake and had different writing tips. The teenager also got some clothes and cufflinks with dragons on them. Tom got snake-related things and some casual clothes; Harry never saw the man in anything but robes except for the time they went to the tree farm. Bellatrix ended up with some shoes, clothes to work through the rest of her pregnancy because adjustable. Harry also got her some baby things, and Tom too. They had to start somewhere with supplies. Lucius found himself with gold cufflinks that had snakes on them, along with a new scarf and some books Harry figured he might like or had overheard the man had wanted. Narcissa got clothes, shoes, then cooking books. Also, Narcissa got her favorite wine, while Tom and Lucius got a bottle of their favorite liquor.
"Harry, everything was lovely. Thank you." Narcissa went over to lightly kiss the teenager's cheek.
"I'd give you a kiss too, but you said I shouldn't get sick while pregnant." Bellatrix smiled gently, blowing Harry a kiss of gratitude.
"My thanks, Mr. Potter…" Lucius informed. "I will quite enjoy these." He motioned to the books. "Are you sure you can lose them from your library?"
"They're copies, Lucius. Don't worry." Harry assured.
"I thank you as well, Harry. All my life, I've never received gifts and despite our status as enemies all these years…I'm astounded you would buy for me and know my style." Tom remarked.
"I love everything, Harry…Thank you." Draco hugged his boyfriend.
"Severus, you haven't opened your gifts?" Narcissa stated.
"I'm still shocked I got any. I've been an ass to you, Har-,"
"I swear if you start that again, I'll come over there and smack you upside the head, Severus Snape." Harry warned. "I told you I'll hear nothing about my decision to gift presents to others. Now hush, and open! Surprisingly, you were the easiest to figure out." He said firmly. "Yes, you've been an ass. But you've apologized and we put the past behind us…I've forgiven you. Forgive yourself."
Severus sighed. "Very well." The man began to open his things. Like the others, Severus got a couple sets of clothing in his style, a new robe, his favorite liquor, and then some old journals. "What are these?"
"I found them in more of the stuff Remus brought over from Potter Cottage in Godric's Hollow. I only glanced through them briefly to see what they were, but I think they're potion notes. Really old, definitely before my mother's time." Harry informed. "Don't even say that I should keep them. I had Dobby duplicate the information for me, but these are older and you'd probably understand them better than myself." He added.
Severus browsed through the few notebooks he was given. "Recipes for Pepper Up potion, and Skele-Gro." Severus mentioned. "But the original recipes from when they were created." He continued. "It was lost to history who created these potions…" He read the back of the notebooks. "Linfred of Stinchcombe, known as the Potterer. He was a twelfth-century wizard known for his home remedies to ailments." Severus kept looking. "And…This is the recipe for Sleekeazy's Hair Potion. This was created by your grandfather, Fleamont Potter."
"Are you suggesting some of the most used potions today were created by Harry's ancestors?" Lucius asked.
"Not suggesting at all. That's what I'm saying is the case. Linfred of Stinchcombe was known for his creations, curing the people of the village he lived in. No one knew how, but his remedies were said to be magical, obviously, he was a wizard. Muggles didn't know any better. All Potion Masters know of Linfred; he had seven kids…Made his fortune with these potions and when he died he left a fair amount of gold to each of his children. The kids were lost to history, but I know one married…" Severus tried to remember.
"Hardwin Potter." Harry said, relaxing in his seat. "Linfred was known as the Potterer, but it became his last name eventually dulled down to Potter. Hardwin Potter married Ignotus Peverell's granddaughter and then the rest of my line descends down from there." Harry informed. Everyone stared at him. "What? You think I don't know my own family tree? The boy who grew up never knowing he was a wizard until eleven? As soon as I knew my heritage, I was researching. I can trace it as far back as Linfred, who is said to be the patriarch of the Potter family." He stated. "And yes, Fleamont Potter is my grandfather; he took the Potter fortune started by Linfred and quadrupled it with the Sleekeazy's Hair potion."
"How can you have this much potion talent in your family and you fail my classes?" Severus demanded.
"Hey, it wasn't just me. History shows my father was no genius at it either." Harry argued.
"But your mother was!" Severus stated.
"I also might have done better if you weren't giving me a hard time because of who my father is…" Harry folded his arms over one another. "You know…Potions was the one subject I looked forward to when Hagrid told me about the classes I'd take. Everyone during the feast told me that if I wanted to pass your class, take as many notes as possible to always look back. When you told me I wasn't paying attention during your first class with us…I was taking notes on what you said you could teach us…"
"You did kind'a get right on him, Uncle Sev." Draco shrugged.
"The more I learned about my family's history, the more I wanted to follow in their footsteps with potion skills. You made it exceedingly hard to concentrate when you're always angry in classes. Not all the mistakes were mine, I'll have you know." Harry told him. "You make it hard to learn when you just scold. You're a teacher…Teach, Severus. We're students, you're a master. You can't just say follow the instructions on the board and expect us to be able to do it perfectly like you have done over the years. We're not all graced with having you as a godfather who probably taught your godson from the time he was old enough to hold a knife…" Harry said calmly. "I'm not mad, I'm just letting you know why so many struggle in your class. It's not because we're not paying attention, but when you scold, you become the distraction…The little voice in the back of our heads that makes us think we'll fail and when you believe you'll mess up…You end up failing."
"I'm-," Severus started.
"Don't say it." Harry stopped him. "I know you're sorry…I only told you because it came up as a topic. But now you know that it isn't just me doing horrible on purpose."
"Well, I promise that when we return to school…I will do better so that you may as well. It is not my desire to see you fail or be held back from reaching your full potential." Severus said.
"Don't worry…I'll help you." Draco winked.
"I appreciate that…Now, open the last thing, Severus. I think it will be your favorite…" Harry urged.
Severus grabbed the last box, finding it to be a bit heavy as he used the couch space beside him to set the present down and tore the paper. Severus found a closed box and then opened it up to find vials and jars of ingredients. "Ingredients…" Severus looked them over. "Snake venom, and skin."
"The snake stuff is actually donated from Nagini." Harry said.
"What are these…?" Draco asked.
"Unicorn hair and blood…" Severus whispered. "It's one of the few rarest ingredients around. Very hard to get both, has to be given willingly and they don't just let anyone approach." Severus paused, still filing through ingredients. "Dragon's blood? Teeth, scales, horns? Even the liver! That's another rare set of items." Severus kept looking then stopped and looked at Harry. "Acromantula ingredients too?! Harry, where in Merlin's name did you get these? They're rare, far behind that of the sixth year student to get their hands on. Harvesters won't even sell these to students, only certified masters of potion making."
"And bloody expensive…" Tom remarked.
"Just a pint is one or two hundred galleons. I can't remember." Lucius pointed out.
"Harry, good lord…" Severus stared at the boy, who didn't say anything. "I'm unfamiliar with these…They look like snake parts, though."
"Basilisk parts." Harry informed casually.
All eyes were on him. "Bas-Basilisk?" Severus stammered. "Harry…Do you have any idea how rare Basilisk anything is?! It's right up there with Unicorn blood, horn, and hair. Merlin above its expensive too. Harvesters will pay a price just to harvest the parts, and then sell at top dollar. People have put hefty dents into their vaults for stuff like this when it's around. I don't even ask for it from my contacts. When I ask about rare ingredients…I believe I was told there hadn't been Basilisk parts available in years. As in many, many years back." The man looked at Harry, who didn't seem worried much. "Harry…Harry, this is…Incredible and I treasure it, but how much money did you spend on them? And for me, a teacher who has given you hell over the relation and resemblance to your father?"
"And if you'd be so kind, who is your contact…?" Lucius asked. "I may not look it, but I was in Slughorn's Slug Club. I was good at potions."
"So was I," Tom nodded. "Yes, Harry…Where did you get these?"
"Didn't spend anything." Harry revealed. Silence. "I only have one contact for the Dragon ingredients. That's Charlie Weasley in Romania. They were given as a thanks to me for saving Ginny in second year. Oh, and because we got him a Norwegian Ridgeback dragon as a baby. Hagrid hatched it in his hut…You, Draco, are the one who caught us out of bed during first year and told McGonagall. Ron reached out to his brother, and we sent the dragon there." He stated.
"But the rest?" Narcissa questioned.
"Got them right from the source." Harry stated.
"As in you harvested these yourself?" Draco blinked.
Harry nodded. "How…Unicorn blood, horn, and hair has to be given willingly. Acromantula, hard to find. Basilisk, dear Merlin…Don't get me started on that rarity." Severus mentioned.
"Well…Acromantula was easy enough. Hagrid has a friend, Aragog. Tom, you should remember him. You blamed Aragog for the death of the Moaning Myrtle." Harry remarked.
"Ah, I do remember that." Tom nodded. "Never knew where it ran off too."
"The forest." Harry stated. "First time we met, not so friendly, but Hagrid talked to him and I was welcome after that. He was happy to give me some venom as an apology for sending his sons and daughters to kill me in second year."
"And the unicorn?" Bellatrix inquired.
"I helped one in the forest during fourth year. One of the times I tried to escape everyone giving me a hard time over being in the tournament…It was just a baby and I healed it. It let me take the spilled blood and hairs, even parts of the broken horn. It's mother came along, she was friendly and grateful…" Harry shrugged.
"And the Basilisk?" Severus pushed. "I dare ask where you managed to travel to find that. In the forest again?"
"No. No…That one was in the Chamber of Secrets." Harry said.
"There was a Basilisk down in there?!" Draco gasped.
"Mmhm. Left by Salazar Slytherin, it was born in the castle. According to Aragog." Harry informed. "Tom was the one to open it fifty some-odd years ago, he set it on Moaning Myrtle…It killed her and then he blamed Aragog and got Hagrid expelled. You showed me this, Tom, though your diary." He explained as Tom sat back a little, thinking on it. "You were trying to use the diary to drain Ginny's life and return. Or so you said. I destroyed it with a Basilisk fang." He remarked. "I still have it, actually. Not the diary, but the fang. Momento of the event." He relaxed. "But that was the monster, Severus, petrifying the muggle-borns during my second year. The diary possessed Ginny, made her set the Basilisk on them…She didn't know what she was doing. That's what a very young Tom Riddle told me."
"You killed the Basilisk? At twelve?" Severus inquired.
"I did. With the sword of Gryffindor, through the inside of its mouth and up the top of its head." Harry nodded. "It was me or the Basilisk and believe you me…It almost killed me too. Bloody thing bit my arm. I would have died if not for Fawkes, Dumbledore's phoenix. It healed me by crying on the wound."
"Harry, how did you even get back into the school with no magic?" Draco asked.
"Oh. With Dobby, of course. He apparated me to the snake door, Parseltongue still opens it despite the ban. It's perfectly preserved down there, the Basilisk corpse, I mean." Harry informed. "So yeah. I didn't pay anything for what I got you, Severus." He added. "I thought you would be hard to buy for, but you're a potions master. I couldn't possibly go wrong with ingredients. I didn't know they were rare, but…Except the Basilisk. I assumed that wasn't an easy thing to get."
"Harry, this is by far one of the best and most meaningful gifts I've ever received…Thank you." Severus said, giving the smallest smile to the teenager.
"You're welcome." Harry replied. "Oh, you all have things in your stockings too. It's a muggle thing, gifts under the tree and smaller presents in stockings hanging over the fireplace." He informed.
"You should open your things." Narcissa said gently.
"I know what they all are." Harry chuckled. "One is the customary Weasley knitted sweater with an H on it for Harry, made by Molly. All her kids get one, Hermione and I too. One is a rubber duck, from Arthur. It's a running joke between us. There's bound to be a box of things from Fred and George's joke shop, then there's something book-related from Hermione and chocolate or other kinds of snacks from Ron and Ginny." He stated. "I get the same things every year from them. Which is fine; even if it's the same gifts, they include me. That's what is meaningful to me."
"Well, I have to say…This has been one of the best Christmas's I've been part of." Draco smiled.
"Me too." Severus agreed.
"It has been lovely." Narcissa and Bellatrix said together.
"It's the only I've been part of and it has been…Nice." Tom nodded.
"I'm glad you're all enjoying it. I am too." Harry stated. "Now, let's get on with the fun. Shall we?"
Everyone in agreement, Christmas morning continued on pleasantly.