Chapter 8: Yule

As Harry awoke on the first day of the 21st December, he was decidedly nervous. Today was the darkest day of the year, called the 'winter solstice', and that meant today some of the more traditional wizards celebrated a holiday called Yule.

Death had explained to him a while ago that he disapproved of these commercial muggle holidays like Christmas and Easter, so instead he taught him about the wizard-version of them. They wouldn't really celebrate them, but at least Harry knew what to do should the need arise.

But Yule was special. It was the only holiday Death actually celebrated, as he expected visitors who did and he was a polite host. Sadly, nobody had told Harry who exactly these visitors were, so he was quite anxious but also very curious as he put on his finest robes and went to eat breakfast. By now, Hugin and Munin knew what he liked to eat, so the table thankfully wasn't as full as it had been at the beginning of his stay here, but there was still enough variety that he didn't have to eat the same every day. The only thing that he needed to do every morning was to drink his icky eye-correcting potion, but he had grown accustomed to it and wasn't bothered anymore as he hurriedly gulped it down before helping himself to some bacon to cover up the taste. He just needed to eat carefully so as to not dirty his robes but still tried to finish as fast as possible.

ooo

He was just on his way from the dining room to the entrance hall as he heard the small bell in the latter, signalising a visitor. After the visit of Mr. Dumbledore, Death had explained to him that there was a house somewhere in Greenwich that was his official home on Earth. That meant every letter that was addressed to him or Harry would go there, with Hugin or Munin daily looking for post, bringing it here. And anyone who rang the doorbell up there sent some kind of signal down here so that the bell in the entrance hall chimed too. Harry did not know how it was possible to connect things through the realms, but to his defence, he still had a lot to learn about everything and Death certainly wasn't a normal wizard.

Still, the bell meant that the visitors were there , so Harry hurriedly straightened his robes and hoped he looked presentable as he stepped into the entrance hall.

Only a few moments later, a big Shadow Portal - as Harry had begun to call Death's form of transportation - opened and three people appeared. One of them was Death, of course, but the other two Harry didn't recognize.

They were a man and a woman, both looking somehow old, older than Aunt Petunia but still a lot younger than Mr. Dumbledore, but they both had silvery hair which made him wonder how they got it.

"Good Morning," he said politely after waiting a moment to ensure they weren't as troubled as he still was when being transported through a Shadow Portal.

That was when both of them noticed him, staring for a moment before the woman started to smile.

"You are Harry, right? Death just informed us that he had another person with him this Yule. My name is Perenelle and this is my husband Nicolas."

"It's nice to meet you." Harry bowed slightly to both of them, as he had been taught was polite.

"There is no need to be so formal with us," the man, Nicolas, spoke up then, but Harry thought it sounded slightly approving. "We have been told that you don't know who we are, so if you'd like I can explain it to you."

Harry nodded hesitantly, still nervous about these unknown people. Sure, by now he had summoned spirits he didn't know too, but it still was something different if the person you were talking to was... well, alive. At least the two of them seemed nice.

"How about you all take a seat first? Then you can talk about anything to your heart's content," Death proposed and both adults agreed to him, sitting down on the sofa leaving a nearby armchair for Harry as Death, once again, left to do something he didn't share. But Harry had long since grown accustomed to the fact that Death was often busy with things he wouldn't be informed of, he was after all not entitled to know everything his mentor did.

As all three of them were seated, Nicolas started to talk again.

"So, have you ever heard of something called the Philosopher's Stone?"

Harry thought about it. Somehow it rang a bell, but he couldn't remember... Something in history then, maybe? He kept forgetting these things, since most of them were just some political things muggles had done hundreds and thousands of years ago... not very interesting. But Death always made him remember, because he said it was important to know the mistakes of the past as to not repeat them in the future. Which sounded much cooler than remembering all the wars muggles had fought in the past, even if they sometimes had the support of wizards.

"Harry?" Perenelle asked almost worriedly, shaking him from his thoughts and making him blush in embarrassment.

"No, I'm sorry," he quickly answered, scolding himself for drifting of with his thoughts while other's waited for an answer.

"Don't worry, it's alright," Nicolas reassured him calmly, before continuing. "I did not expect a child knowing about it anyway, it's mostly mentioned in books for adults. The Philosopher's Stone is crafted by using Alchemy, which is a branch of magic rarely pursued, and its most noted powers are the ability to turn any metal into gold and to be used in the creation of the Elixir of Life, a potion to make the drinker immortal. Although the drinker is dependent on the Elixir after that if he doesn't want to die."

Harry blinked, unsure about why Nicolas was telling him that although he was now at least sure that he hadn't been taught about it. He surely would have remembered that sort of thing!

"You are wondering why I am telling you this," Nicolas stated, it must have been obvious on Harry's face, so he nodded slowly. "Well, Death did not invite us here out of charity. When someone wants to be immortal one must gain the approval of Death and he will check up with you on a regular base to make sure you aren't going against your part of the bargain."

Harry frowned, slowly beginning to understand why both adults were here, but still... "Bargain?"

Nicolas nodded. "It's easy: Death allows you to stay alive on the base of that Elixir if he approves of the way you are intending to use it. So of course he needs to make sure that you stay true to your word."

Harry pondered that for a moment, before nodding himself. That sounded logical and necessary, he knew Death was very strict regarding bargains and contracts. Once you accepted one you couldn't back out easily if you didn't want to face his wrath.

"You have created this Philosopher's Stone, right?" he asked after a moment.

The two adults looked at each other and nodded.

"Although the more correct form would be, they created a Philosopher's Stone," another voice chimed in and Harry jumped slightly as he recognized Death. Hadn't he said he needed to do something? "In fact, after it became known that they had succeeded in creating it, many people tried doing the same. Some succeeded, but no one passed my exam after them. Really, greed is something very... irritating."

Silence reigned after these words, until Death spoke up yet again, looking at Harry. "Well, how about you go and help Hugin and Munin with the meal? They will probably insist on not needing any help but it is very hectic each year with only two of them preparing everything."

Harry looked at the adults, wondering if they could talk again because they surely were interesting people if they had actually managed to convince Death to let them use the Elixir of Life! Death must have noticed his gaze as he promptly added: "Do not worry, the Flamels will reside here the whole 21st December. You will have time to bombard them with your questions."

Harry blushed a little but nodded happily, before hurrying to the kitchen. He knew a dismissal when he heard one and he was sure Death would now talk to the Flamels about some adult stuff he wouldn't want to know or even understand anyway. He would try to convince Hugin to let him help with preparing the Yule banquet.

ooo

It turned out that the house elves really needed the help despite their claims that they were fine, as Harry had enough work to do the rest of the day, especially since his classes had been cancelled due to the visit of the Flamels and it being a holiday.

Still, time flew and soon it was evening - or at least something alike, as it really was afternoon on Earth - and the four people currently residing in Death's Lair met in the dining room, enjoying the Yule banquet the house elves had created with Harry's help. It was really delicious and Nicolas and Perenelle even praised the food, making Harry happy and the house elves slightly teary-eyed.

After the feast they all made their way through Death's Lair, starting with what Yule actually was about. An ancient cleansing ritual. First, they extinguished all of the lights they could find, Death even went out of his way to darken the sky outside, so that the constant twilight made way for the darkness of a moonless night. For Harry, that part had been the most exciting and as they enjoyed the utter darkness for a few long moments he felt as if all of his bad feelings had been washed from him. And then it was over, the sky turned back to normal and they ignited the lights again. Seeing how that ritual had needed quite some time and due to the fact that Death had caught Harry as the boy had fruitlessly tried to hide a yawn he was sent to bed. He tried to protest, but it was to no avail so he grudgingly went into his room trying to sleep. At least he would have all of tomorrow to ask the Flamels whatever he wanted.

ooo

On the second morning of December 21st, Harry was even more nervous when he awoke than he had been the day before. Sure, there were no cool holidays or mysterious visitors today, but there were the Flamels and so many questions in his head...!

Once again he hurriedly put on some of his better robes - only to be stopped on his way to the dining room by Death. Something that had happened so rarely that it could be counted on the fingers of his hand.

"Um... Good morning," Harry greeted him confusedly, wondering what the cause of this might be.

His confusion must have been obvious as Death only greeted back shortly before coming through the point.

"Do not worry, you are not in trouble or anything," he said, making Harry's shoulder slump in relief. At least that wasn't the problem. Though it got increasingly interesting as Death continued. "Quite the contrary in fact. Would you mind leaving the corridor? It's easier to talk in the entrance hall than between many rooms."

Harry nodded, frowning and followed Death as he made his way to the aforementioned room. As they arrived, Death turned around to talk again.

"You have been my apprentice for almost a year now and as Yuletide is also a generous time - not so much unlike Christmas in fact, just much less commercial as it is not about showering children with presents but gifting things with a meaning - I thought this would be the best time to actually present you this."

He pulled a thin, long package out of his robes, that made Harry stare for a moment, perplexed. Was that... a present? For him?

As if sensing his thoughts, Death held the box even closer now. "Yes, it's for you, now just take and open it."

Harry hurriedly complied, taking the box out of Death's hand, before looking at it. It was plain black, no wrapping paper or anything, just a box with a removable lid. He only hesitated for a moment, wondering what might be inside it before internally shrugging and opening it. It was the easiest way to find out after all. And what he saw made him gasp, his eyes going wide.

In the box, lying on some sort of cloth, was a wand.

Sure, Harry hadn't often seen a real wand, considering that Death himself didn't need one and dead people couldn't use them, but during his lessons about wandlore he had seen many pictures and drawings of them and he knew that Death wouldn't send prank gifts. In fact, Harry sometimes wondered if Death knew what humour was at all. Not that he'd ever tell him that...

Still, a wand. Harry carefully reached inside the box to take it out, staring almost reverently at it while a part of him wondered if this even was the right wand for him, considering the wand chose the wizard and everything.

But the second his fingers touched the wood he felt some kind of warmth. He couldn't really explain it, but once he had the wand fully in his grasp it just felt... right to wield it. As if it just belonged in his hand.

"Thank you..." Harry muttered, looking back to Death feeling as grateful as he had never before for as long as he remembered.

Death inclined his head a bit. "You are welcome. I was thinking that you have learned very much theory this last year, it is time that you start with the practical work. Of course," he instantly added seeing Harry's look of pure joy "if you use it to disturb anyone who doesn't wish to be disturbed or otherwise create too much mischief with it I can and will confiscate it, do you understand?"

"Of course, thank you!" Harry said, looking not the slightest bit disheartened. A wand! Although upon closer examination he realised that, although he could see that it was all black without any kind of ornament or anything, he had no idea what wood it might be. And that after having been quizzed on quite a few wands, needing to estimate their length and tell apart their woods... "What is it made of?" he asked after another moment of wonder.

"The wood is pine, something we have not covered in our excursion to wandlore as it is not a common wood for wands, so it is not unusual for you not to know," Death explained, which kind of reassured Harry. At least that meant he hadn't accidentally forgotten something. Again. "It stands for independence and long life and you will find it adapts quickly to the more... unusual magic you will need in the future. The core is a Thestral tail hair - one of the herd kindly donated it - making the wand able to channel a lot of magic. It will not make any difference for now, but you do have the power of the Elder Wand inside of you, which might destroy a wand with any of the normal cores once you manage to control that power in the future."

Harry absorbed the information with interest, although he wasn't sure about that last part, with him being powerful because of that wand, the first of the Deathly Hallows, before his mother had taken their power. At least he didn't feel very powerful and his further attempts at wandless magic hadn't looked that way either. Sure, he had managed his four basic spells and he could even learn some other simple spells like a colour change charm, but no matter how hard he tried, anything more complex than this just stubbornly wouldn't work. Not even the levitation charm, something that had sounded so very practical...

But at least he could try again with a wand now! Maybe that would make a difference? After all, wandless magic was supposed to be very difficult, as opposed to working magic with a wand...

"Harry."

Death's voice shook him out of his musings and he focussed on the man in front of him again.

"Huh?" he asked, admittedly not very eloquent.

"I know you must be hungry, but I would suggest going outside for a moment before eating breakfast."

Harry blinked, confusedly. "Why?"

"How about you go take a look?"

With his right hand clutching his new wand he confusedly left the entrance hall, wondering what there might be for him to see. The meadows at least looked all the same to him, as always a few Thestrals grazed there, he could even see a foal nearby, something that was pretty rare even with so many Thestrals around. But nothing unusual. He turned around to look at Death who had followed him outside.

"Um... what is there to see?" he asked again, wondering if he should be noticing something he wasn't.

"Well, we both knew that you needed a wand sooner or later. In fact, I had it finished for quite some time already but since we were still in the middle of expanding your theoretical knowledge there was no use in giving it to you any earlier. So while I do think today was the best time to present it to you, marking the start of your more practical courses, it was not the main thing I wanted to give to you today."

Harry's eyes widened a bit. A wand wasn't? But... what else could there be? He really didn't need much.

"Of course, it is not so much a present but more some kind of bargain I have made, but still. Turn around, you will know what I am talking about," Death concluded and Harry did turn around.

And he saw the little Thestral foal now standing right in front of him, whinnying a shy "Hello". He stared at the being, utterly perplexed.

Taking Harry's silence for confusion, Death continued his explanation.

"This is Sinistra. She is six months and thirteen days old and has voluntarily offered to be something you might call a familiar. Since you have been spending a lot of time here and the house elves are often busy, just as I am, I thought that another living being to talk to would be a good idea and -"

Death stopped talking as he suddenly felt something he had never felt before, even though he had existed for longer than any human could ever imagine... he was being hugged.

For Harry it was just a spur of the moment, he normally was very shy when it came to personal contact as the only people he would 'hug' were spirits, but right then, he had just been overwhelmed and acted on instinct.

One couldn't blame a child for being happy when presented to the first and surely best presents any child could receive, right?

Although Harry soon let go again as he remembered who exactly it was he was hugging. Blushing he mumbled something incomprehensible before turning to the Thestral, examining it.

Even though it had already the distinctive skeletal body and leathery wings it still looked surprisingly cute as its - or rather, her? - intelligent eyes stared at him with about as much curiosity as he felt.

"I take it you like the Thestral then," Death spoke, obviously having regained his speech, although Harry thought he didn't sound as emotionless as usual. But that could have been his imagination, too. "I would suggest taking care of her, having some responsibility helps growing up. And maybe you will even become friends?"

Harry nodded slowly, still fixed on watching the Thestral, feeling embarrassed for his earlier outbreak. Although Death hadn't been angry or anything at least...

"You should consider going back inside by the way, if you want to catch the Flamels. They are departing at noon."

That set Harry in motion.

"Already?" Although he still wanted to spend time with the small Thestral, he knew that it would be there every day from now on at least until it was grown up. Nicolas and Perenelle wouldn't be. "I'll be back later, alright?" he told the foal - Sinistra, wasn't it? - and she whinnied an approval, probably having understood how much he wanted to talk to the adult wizards. Thestrals were strange with that, always knowing what you were up to...

After almost bolting back inside, he gathered his courage one last time, turned to Death and thanked him again, a bright, honest smile adorning his face. He couldn't help himself, but today was just turning out to be the best day ever!

Now he only needed to go back inside to maybe finally manage talking to the Flamels...

Aand another new chapter! ;) Although I'll be pretty busy the next days, I'm not sure how soon the chapter after this will be finished... well, we'll see.

Hope you liked the chapter and the small interaction of Death and Harry. Any thoughts on his wand? For me, it was crystal clear that it had to be made of these ingredients, since they just fit, but I'd like to hear other opinions. (The meaning of the wood was taken from Pottermore by the way, so it should even be kind of canon-compliant :p)

Thanks to all readers, followers and people who favourite this story, special thanks to everyone who takes their time to write a review. :D

Regards, Violet-san