CHAPTER 19:

THE PEVERELL CLOAK

The days since the trials of Black and Pettigrew went by swiftly, and soon, Christmas approached. Thankfully, the news of Black and Pettigrew overshadowed Harry's sprouting a wing during the Quidditch match. And Jenova had at least quashed most of the rumours by announcing it had been a Transfiguration ability she had taught him for emergencies.

Not that it stopped Malfoy from being a foul git. If losing to Harry at Quidditch wasn't bad enough, it was losing the prospect of inheriting the Black fortune, a fortune he believed his by right. Funnily enough, though, many in Slytherin were quietly impressed by Harry's performance…and the so-called Transfiguration ability, which Harry facetiously (to distance it from the memory of Sephiroth) dubbed 'One-Winged Angel(1)'.

Malfoy taunted Harry and Ron about them staying in the castle over Christmas, but Harry had a good retort: his sister was here, as was Jenova. Unfortunately, while Harry and Ron were helping Hagrid with a Christmas tree, Malfoy taunted Ron about his family's lack of money. Although they never came to blows, Snape had found them with Ron about to punch Malfoy out, and took off five points instantly, and warning it could have been more, despite Hagrid coming to their defence.

Harry was angry with Snape, but Malfoy deserved far more of his ire. Snape was at least following the rules, or at least bending them to his benefit. But Draco was just a bullying POS.

After witnessing the decorations being set up in the Great Hall, Harry and Ron met up with Hermione (who was leaving the next day to go home for the holidays) to continue researching Nicholas Flamel. They couldn't find him in a variety of magical books about modern wizardry, despite Hermione's skills at research.

After an hour or so of frustrated reading, Harry muttered, "This is getting us nowhere. We only know the name, but why is he important?"

"Because Quirrell is trying to steal…well, if that thing you saw in Gringotts was Flamel's, then Quirrell is trying to steal it," Hermione reasoned.

"So, whatever it is is valuable," Harry said. "But why try to kill me?"

"Maybe he's a follower of You-Know-Who," Ron said. "Trying to avenge his master, maybe."

Harry shrugged. It did make sense. And he knew that Voldemort wasn't actually dead…

…which might be the point. Voldemort, from what Dumbledore had told Harry, was now a sort of wraith, potentially capable of possessing people…like Quirrell. But he'd want an actual body, wouldn't he?

"Wait…" Harry murmured. "The thing Hagrid got out was valuable…but not in the way most people would think. It wasn't gold or silver or precious gems. It was pretty inconspicuous, wrapped up in a grubby little package. It was one thing. Maybe some sort of artifact. Maybe one that can bestow or extend life or something…"

"Extend or…" Hermione blinked. Then, her eyes widened. "Wait, wait a moment…" She left their table, and bustled back a few minutes later with a large, old tome in tow. "I've been thinking about getting this out some time ago for some light reading.(2)"

"Light?" Ron asked incredulously.

"Hermione, that book looks like you could beat a Behemoth to death with it," Harry said.

"Shush," Hermione snapped, before beginning to flick through the book. "It's on the history of various arcane arts, including alchemy," she explained, as her eyes flickered over the index. "When you brought up that thing about extending life, I remembered something I saw once before while browsing another book." Then, her eyes widened, and she put the book down, and pointed at the page. "And here we are. Nicholas Flamel is the only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone."

Harry and Ron shared a look, before saying, together, "What?"

Hermione sighed a long-suffering sigh, and pointed out the relevant paragraph. Harry began to read, with growing excitement, that the Philosopher's Stone was a coveted substance that could turn any metal into gold, and produce the Elixir of Life, capable of bestowing immortality on the imbiber. And the only known possessor was Nicholas Flamel, who was said to be over six centuries old, along with his wife.

That's it, Harry thought to himself. Voldemort wants the Philosopher's Stone.

The three of them decided to keep quiet about it, at least to the other students, including Neville, who hadn't wanted to join the researches (he feared they might stir up trouble). Harry, however, eventually managed to speak to Aerith in private.

She smiled. "Well, I guess I should be proud that you and your friends figured it out. And I'm sure you understand the need for discretion?"

Harry nodded. "I understand. I haven't told them about Voldemort desiring it, though. I had to dance around that a bit. They're probably wondering why I suggested that whole thing about extending life anyway."

"Yes. Remember, it is being handled. Jenova is watching Quirrell, as is Snape, not to mention Dumbledore. And the Stone is safe. But be wary of Quirrell. Try not to let on anything. And if you see anything out of the ordinary, well, you have that mental link with Jenova, so let her know."

Christmas morning arrived. In the lead-up to Christmas, Harry had asked Sirius for advice for presents, as well as help getting them to Hogwarts, for which Sirius had to go back to the Planet. He decided to get a new owl for Ron (Sirius helped with the cost, considering that it was partly his fault that Ron lost Scabbers) and a Muggle book of pranks for the Twins. Hermione would have to wait until she got back for her present, which was an encyclopaedia for Materia, while Neville got a new set of care material for Trevor. Percy got a special magical organiser, and he seemed very thankful for it. He also sent to Ginny a Star Pendant, and Luna a book on the monsters of the Planet.

Harry decided to get some for the adults in his life. For Arthur, with Sirius' help, he got a Muggle general knowledge book, How Is It Done?, published by Reader's Digest(3). Molly he sent a copy of the latest Gilderoy Lockhart book (she was enamoured with them, even though Harry was told by Luna that they were trash). Sirius, he sent a dog collar, with the medal embossed with 'Padfoot'. Lupin, he gave a voucher for robes at Madame Malkins'.

Hagrid, like Luna, got a book on the monsters of the Planet. McGonagall got a Transform Materia. Snape (to his eternal surprise, and not an unpleasant surprise either) got a book on the makings of various potions on the Planet. Dumbledore got a large box of sherbet lemons. Aerith and Jenova got books that Sirius had recommended: Aerith got Pride and Prejudice, while Jenova got The Tommyknockers by Stephen King(4).

He'd have to get presents for the others later, the ones still back on the Planet. He had also missed the birthdays of Cloud, Barrett, Yuffie and Vincent. He'd have to work on that. He had enough money in his vault at Gringotts to deal with that. And they had been so generous during his birthday earlier in the year.

On Christmas morning, Harry woke to find a small mountain of presents at the foot of the bed. Ron also had a pile at the foot of his bed too. They grinned, and then began going through their presents.

The first of Harry's was from Hagrid, a flute that the giant had apparently carved himself. Harry played on it experimentally, and managed to play (albeit somewhat badly) a few bars of the Victory Fanfare from Loveless.

The second was a surprise, what looked like a normal Muggle letter, albeit rather thick. It was from the Dursleys, or more specifically, his aunt. He opened it, and began to read.

Harry,

Dumbledore has told me that you were found, and you have been adopted by another family. Not only that, but you will not be coming back to stay with us, as these so-called blood wards have fallen. I am sure that you would agree with me that this is desirable for all parties. I am also sure that you do not want to communicate with us again, especially now that you know the truth about your parents.

You may be asking why. I will be blunt. I was jealous that my sister got the attention, for being a witch. Even now, it's all I can do not to…I won't now, though. I know that you are angry for me lying to you. And I'm not sure I care. You belong with…your own kind. If you are happy with your new family, when I am sure that Lily would be happy.

However, I thought I would give you one last gift. I know I haven't given you many over the years, and I know this won't make up for other times. But I've decided to give you this, if nothing else.

Petunia Dursley

Harry's scowl lessened when he saw the photo. It was old and faded, but was apparently of his mother and his aunt when they were children, along with a man and a woman that Harry thought must be his maternal grandparents. It looked like it was taken before Lily went to Hogwarts. Petunia actually looked happy, if a bit dour.

"Hey, the picture isn't moving," Ron said, peering at the photo.

"It's a Muggle photo, Ron. We do have TV and video, but photos that move…" Harry frowned, remembering little moving pictures in the toyshop back on the Planet. Lenticular prints, they were called(5). And there were those computer tablets that could display videos and animated images(6). "It's not very common, even back home."

A rather lumpy package turned out to be from Molly Weasley, of home-made items, namely a knitted jumper in emerald green and fudge. Ron had gotten a jumper himself. Hermione had sent them both a box of Chocolate Frogs. Lupin, Sirius and McGonagall had sent him a photo album with copies of photos of his parents and their friends(7). Snape had sent him a present as well, a copy of a photo of his mother and Snape as first years. Snape was a gawky, unattractive child, but he was smiling (genuinely) while Lily grinned. Harry smiled. He appreciated the sentiment, and knew he would thank the Potions teacher later. Aerith and Jenova's joint present was a book about the history and productions of Loveless.

It was the last present that was the most intriguing. When he opened it, silvery folds of some material spilled out. Ron was awed. "I've heard of those. If that's what I think it is, they're really rare, and really valuable."

Harry, frowning, examined the strange material, before putting it on. Ron gasped, and Harry looked down. Wherever the material covered him, he had disappeared. He whirled to face a mirror, and found that only his head was visible.

"It's an Invisibility Cloak," Ron murmured in awe. "Hey, there's a note that came with it."

Harry discarded the Cloak (noting how it became visible when he wasn't wearing it), and began reading it. It was written in narrow, loopy writing.

Dear Harry,

When we first met for your birthday on Gaia, I gave you a copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, telling you that you would understand why in time. I had always planned to give you this Invisibility Cloak on your first Christmas at Hogwarts. It is time it was given back to you.

Your father, you see, gave this into my possession not long before the Fidelius Charm was cast on Godric's Hollow. He and I both felt that the Fidelius Charm was the best defence (a mistake in retrospect), and that the Cloak would be better used for helping others get away from the Death Eaters. And he also knew I wished to analyse the Cloak. For I am certain that it is the Peverell Cloak, the Invisibility Cloak supposedly given by Death to the youngest Peverell brother in The Tale of the Three Brothers, and thus one of the Deathly Hallows. I believe that you are not only ready for the responsibility of this cloak, but also for the knowledge of whence it came.

Use it well. And a Merry Christmas to you.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Albus Dumbledore

Ron's eyes were all but bulging out of their sockets. Then again, so was Harry's. "This is one of the Deathly Hallows?!" Harry hissed unbelievingly.

Ron walked over, and prodded the Cloak. "Actually, if that was your dad's, it might explain it. It looks good as new, but most cloaks fade after a while. They also tear easily. But this looks brand-new." Ron winced in mild jealousy. "You get the great family heirloom, don't you? I mean, one of the Hallows."

Harry looked at the Cloak pensively. "Maybe. But if my dad kept it, we might've been able to get away."

Ron winced again, this time in contrition. "Sorry, mate. But I got hand-me-downs, and a pet rat who turned out to be a Death Eater."

Harry smiled. "Well, I think that present from Sirius and me should help with that…"

At the Christmas dinner, the mood was quite merry, as it should be. Snape even had a smile, albeit a thin one. And Filch, who almost never smiled except when he was allowed to punish someone, was smiling merrily.

Aerith had made enquiries about the Squib, and had actually approached the embittered old man, who was sceptical that she could give him the ability to use magic. She debated whether to do it, before deciding to give Filch some Materia. A Bolt Materia, along with Seal and Restore Materia, with a basic bangle to set them into.

And thus, Hogwarts was treated to Filch running around in the snow, cackling like a child let loose in a candy store, calling down bolts of lightning from the sky to hit the ground. And Aerith's small but possible fears that the ability to do magic might go to Filch's head was thankfully unjustified. Filch was planning on using the Seal Materia on Peeves when the poltergeist got too rambunctious, but any fear that he would start using it on students was unfounded. Of course, Aerith had warned him when she gave him the Materia that if she did catch him doing so, she would do to him what she had once threatened to do to Don Corneo.

It was a very merry dinner. Harry got to experience magical crackers for the first time (loud explosions, big gifts, and all sorts of other things), he saw Dumbledore wearing a flowered bonnet and laughing at a joke Flitwick was telling him, and he saw an increasingly inebriated Hagrid kiss McGonagall on the cheek, who blushed furiously, while giggling.

It was the best Christmas he had ever had, though then again, considering what they had been like before at the Dursleys', it wasn't surprising. But he felt good about Christmas for the first time in a very long time.

CHAPTER 19 ANNOTATIONS:

So, Christmas comes to Hogwarts. And Harry, Ron, and Hermione have figured out about the Philosopher's Stone early.

Now, regarding that particular plot point, I thought Harry would make the connection between the object and extending life first. He knows of the horcruxes, of Voldemort's obsession with immortality, and his current wraith-like state (he suspects, but doesn't know, that Voldemort is possessing Quirrell: for all he knows, Quirrell is just Voldemort's lackey, and not actually housing him). But he doesn't want to tell his friends in case it puts them in danger, hence why he says that thing about life-extension out of the blue, but doesn't elaborate. They also recognise how dangerous it could be for Quirrell to know about them knowing about the Stone.

Regarding Petunia's letter: Petunia is probably the only member of the Dursleys (especially at this point at time) to give a crap about Harry. Not that she gives much of a crap: she's still an embittered and jealous bitch who emotionally abused her nephew. But here, we have the smallest of conciliatory gestures from her.

Regarding Dumbledore's letter: it's longer (and not anonymous) than in canon for a number of reasons. Dumbledore recognises, partly because Harry knows about the horcruxes and partly because of his battles against Sephiroth, that Harry does deserve to know the true provenance of his Invisibility Cloak. Not only that, but I wanted to give a reasonable explanation as to why Dumbledore was given the Cloak, and why James Potter didn't keep it. I heard about the Cloak being used to help others escape from the Death Eaters as well as Dumbledore investigating it in fanfic (dunno whether it's canon), and as this isn't a Dumbledore-bashing story, I wanted to give benign reasons for him to have it.

BTW, Pettigrew HAS been given the Dementor's Kiss. I'll discuss it further in a later chapter. Maybe even the next one.

1. Meant in jest, of course, but as readers will know, One-Winged Angel is the theme given to Sephiroth.

2. In canon, the revelation about Flamel doesn't come until well after Christmas, so Hermione, at this point, was probably only considering taking the book out of the library.

3. This is an actual book that I have. It's outdated (it was published in 1990) and a little cheesy, but it'd be a perfect book for Arthur Weasley.

4. I chose Pride and Prejudice for Aerith because she seemed like the type to read a good-quality romance novel. Choosing a book for Jenova was tougher, but I decided on The Tommyknockers, given that it is Stephen King's take on the old BBC TV serial Quatermass and the Pit (yes, my username comes from somewhere). Both stories are about ancient alien spaceships that are dug up, and begin influencing the townsfolk. I have read both books, incidentally. Yes, that's right, I HAVE read Pride and Prejudice. It was okay, not my cup of tea, and I want to throttle Mrs Bennett. Though not as bad as I want to throttle another fictional character from another old book: namely Harold Skimpole from Charles Dickens' novel Bleak House. He's like Lucius Malfoy if he acted a whole lot nicer and more stupid.

5. A lenticular print can either show a vaguely 3D image, or a basic animation, by viewing it from different angles. The effect is produced by an array of lenses, or rather, a sort of ridged lens over a prepared image or set of images.

6. I presume computer tablets are available on the Planet. I don't know whether any are seen in Crisis Core.

7. It was Hagrid who gave Harry this photo album at the end of The Philosopher's Stone. I decided in this story that it was the surviving Marauders, plus McGonagall (an old friend of the family) who got this collection together.

CHAPTER 19 SOUNDTRACK:

Christmas Morning: Buried in the Snow (FTG).