Chapter Four
It was a bright and sunny day, on July 31st, but Harry wouldn't let that dampen his mood. It was his birthday! Among his siblings, Harry was the middle child; Wednesday was the eldest and had already turned eleven, the previous month. Pugsley was a year younger than Harry and Wednesday, and would be turning ten later on.
Harry awoke early that morning and got ready for the day. After a brisk, scalding shower, he brushed his teeth and swept his hair back, displaying his scar. He dressed in a dark green shirt, and a black and silver waistcoat, dark trousers, and his boots. He left his room and proceeded downstairs to meet his family in the living room.
Morticia was sitting in her fan backed chair, sipping her morning coffee, and reading her newspaper. Gomez was also reading the paper, dangling from the chandelier, upside down. Lurch was at his harpsichord, providing a gentle melody of music to the peaceful morning.
"Good morning, Mother, Father." Harry greeted his parents then walked over to Lurch. The butler moved over so Harry could join in on the harpsichord. Lurch had taught Harry and Wednesday how to play his beloved instrument, since they were little. They were quite good at performing pieces on the harpsichord, organ, and piano, as well as other instruments. Wednesday was currently studying the cello from Morticia, and Harry the violin. Morticia was quite skilled at playing an array of instruments, such as the samisen, the theremin, and the tuba.
"Good morning, dear, Happy Birthday." Morticia said, looking up from her paper. Gomez flipped himself off from the chandelier and landed catlike on his feet.
"Yes, my boy, a very Happy Birthday indeed! Eleven years old, you're nearly a man!" He clapped Harry on the shoulder and beamed proudly at him. He listened to Harry and Lurch play the classical piece for a moment before giving Lurch a sharp thunk on his hard, flat head. Lurch abandoned the gentle tinkling of his harpsichord and began to play a swooping tango. The family had a habit of giving Lurch certain signals to change the playing of his harpsichord, depending on what they wanted to listen to. A thwack on the head meant a tango, a chop to the arm, a wild and hard pounding boogie-woogie. Lurch didn't mind being tuned like a radio; he was glad to perform for his masters.
Gomez swaggered over to Morticia and brought her up out of her chair and began to tango with her passionately. Harry played along with Lurch, watching his parents as they danced around the room. Wednesday and Pugsley came down the stairs together, stopping to watch their parents passionately dance. Wednesday rolled her eyes at the display, while Pugsley walked off to the kitchen for a before breakfast snack.
Harry stood from the harpsichord and walked over to his sister. She greeted him with her usual deadpan stare. "Happy Birthday Harry." She said emotionlessly. Harry thanked her and they followed Pugsley to the Kitchen.
Grandmama was busy at her cauldron. The massive, carved stone pot was smoking and bubbling. Eudora opened a bottle of ingredients and poured into the cauldron. The bubbling increased in speed and a putrid stench filled the kitchen. Grandmama stirred the pot and gave a sharp cackle! She looked up from her work and noticed the children entering the kitchen.
"Oh, hi kids! Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes!" She said and poured the contents of a vial into the mixture.
"Smells good, Grandmama." Said Pugsley and went to stick a finger in the bubbling liquid. Eudora lifted her massive, wooden spoon and gave his knuckles a brief but sharp whack.
"That's not for you! It's something I'm making for Coven, next Sunday! Breakfast is in the oven, finishing up." Pugsley pouted and rubbed his hand. On the counter opened an upholstered box, from which Thing emerged. The animate hand hopped out onto the counter and scuttled over to the biscuit jar. Thing opened the jar and produced a cookie, holding it out to Pugsley, who took it appreciatively.
Eudora turned to Harry and gave him a warm, crooked smile. "Happy Birthday dearest, I've got a special surprise all ready for you!"
Harry smiled in excitement. "What is it, Grandmama? Baked eye of newt? Roast of aardvark? Alligator Stew?" Eudora waggled a finger at him.
"Even better, but you'll have to wait till tonight!" Harry pouted a little, but shrugged, then joined his siblings and Thing, by the biscuit jar. Pugsley was happily munching on one of Morticia's homemade Henbane Snaps. Thing hopped from the counter onto Harry's shoulder and gave his cheek a brief stroke with his index finger. It was his way of saying, Happy Birthday.
"Mother and Father have a surprise planned for you today, Harry." Said Wednesday, opening the fridge and pouring herself a glass of yak's milk. "Pugsley and me are not invited; I feel quite hurt to be left out." Wednesday as ever wore an expressionless mask, her voice never changing above a monotone.
Harry grabbed a cookie from the jar and frowned. "I'm sure that's not the case Wednesday, I'll ask Mother and Father about it. I'd be glad to have you two come." Wednesday simply shrugged and sipped her milk.
Gomez and Morticia entered the kitchen and directed the children to take their seats at the dining table. Harry pulled out Wednesday's chair for her then sat himself. Thing hopped off his shoulder and scuttled across the table to the coffee pot. He poured the steaming black liquid into Gomez and Morticia's cups.
"Dear Thing, you're so handy." Said Morticia, taking a sip of her drink. Thing gave a bow and scuttled off. Morticia turned to Harry.
"Darling, your Father and I have a marvelous surprise for you today."
"Wednesday told me, she also said she and Pugsley weren't allowed to come!" Morticia gave Wednesday a brief look that subtly spoke volumes. Wednesday's usual stoic mask fell slightly and she looked down at her glass.
"Oh darling, don't be silly, of course they would normally be welcome to come with us, but circumstances only allow for yourself, your Father, and me to attend." Harry glared at Wednesday for making him feel bad on his Birthday.
Gomez sat at the head of the table, beside his beloved wife. He looked at Harry. "My boy, today for a special birthday treat, your Mother and myself will be taking you to Diagon Alley to get your school supplies for Hogwarts! We shall be going to London, England!"
Harry instantly brightened up. He'd never been to London before, at least, not so far as he could remember. No wonder, Wednesday would be jealous. Harry asked how they would be getting to London.
"Via this, my lad!" Gomez produced from his pocket a small, bronze disk emblazoned with the seal of Hogwarts. "Professor McGonagall sent this via owl, the other day, it's called a Portkey; a device which can take us instantly over vast distances isn't that exciting!"
Harry agreed, but asked why Wednesday and Pugsley couldn't come with them. "I'm afraid the Portkey is programed to only take three, so only yourself, your Father and I can go, but don't worry, we'll make it up to Wednesday and Pugsley with something very special." Morticia explained.
Lurch shuffled into the room, with a covered dish. He sat it in the middle of the table and removed the lid. Harry gave a sniff and smiled at the delicious aroma. Toadstool soufflé, one of his favorites! Lurch served the family, and filled their glasses with sour grapefruit juice.
After the delicious meal, Gomez and Morticia stood from the table and asked Harry to follow them to the living room. The family gathered in the living room to send them off. Gomez put on his coat and hat, held out to him by Lurch. Harry pulled on his black blazer and a peaked cap. Morticia wrapped a black, beaded shawl around her shoulders.
Fester, Grandmama, Wednesday, Pugsley, Thing, and Lurch, all waved goodbye to them. Gomez pulled the disc out of his pocket and held it out to Morticia and Harry. Gomez, Morticia, and Harry stood in a circle and each grabbed hold of the small disk. Suddenly there was a feeling like a hook behind Harry's navel and he was pulled off his feet into a whirlwind of colors and sounds. He looked around him at the whirling vortex surrounding him.
He caught brief glimpses of people and places that shifted and changed faster than he could follow. He glanced at his parents; Gomez and Morticia were laughing, enjoying the sensation of violently whirling through the air. Suddenly, as quickly as it started, it all stopped and the three emerged from the vortex, with a loud thunderclap-like sound.
Morticia brushed down her dress and smoothed her hair. "My word, that was quite an experience, wasn't it?" Gomez was still laughing as he patted himself down.
"I must say, these Portkeyes are really something aren't they! How are you, my boy? Undamaged, of course?" Harry was a little dizzy but otherwise unscathed. He found the trip rather fascinating, if disconcerting.
"I'm fine, Father. Where are we?" Harry looked around at where they had landed. They seemed to be in a dark, dingy, smoke filled room. As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, as well as the dizziness of the Portkey, he saw they were in a public house. Various people were sat at tables and booths, drinking various beverages, eating different foods. At the bar was a toothless old man, cleaning glasses.
"This must be the Leaky Cauldron place; Prof. McGonagall told us about." Gomez said, taking in his surroundings. He wrapped an arm around Morticia. "Reminds me of that dive we went to on our honeymoon, back in Death Valley!" Morticia smiled at the memory, and gave her husband a brief peck on the cheek.
Behind them began a murmuring of complaining voices and a muttering of apologies, over the scraping of various chairs and tables, being moved out of the way. The Addamses turned to see Hagrid, the Hogwarts Groundskeeper approaching them.
"Ah, there ye are! Been waitin' for ye, bright and early, to take ye around the Alley." Hagrid held out his hand to Gomez who shook the massive appendage vigorously.
"Ah, thank you, old man, been looking forward to it!" The Addamses turned to follow Hagrid out of the pub. As Harry followed he accidentally bumped into a diminutive man in a top hat. Harry apologized and helped the little man back to his feet. The man adjusted his hat, looked up at Harry, and gave a brief little shriek.
"Merlin's beard, Harry Potter!" he squealed in an excitable, high pitched voice. The pub had been noisy with the sounds of people talking, eating, drinking, but the moment the little man said Harry's name, the whole room fell silent. Hardly anyone had noticed the Addamses arrive via Portkey, as if it was the most ordinary thing in the world, but now, all eyes were on Harry. The little man shook Harry's hand vigorously, his top hat bobbling on his head.
"Welcome back, Mr. Potter! Daedalus Diggle, I'm so very pleased to meet you!" The little man was pushed aside by others who wanted to take a look at Harry, to shake his hand, to say hello. Harry knew why they were all wanting to have their moment with him, the fall of Voldemort and all, but still it was rather disconcerting to be mobbed like this. Most people back home went out of their way to avoid Harry and his siblings, and they rather liked it that way.
Hagrid thankfully managed to get the crowd to disperse and moved him towards the back of the pub. As they walked, one last man approached them. It was a young, nervous looking man, wearing a purple turban, that seemed to have an odor of garlic. The man gave a smile that was half friendly, half frightened.
"Harry P-p-potter, c-can't tell you how p-pleased I am to m-meet you!" he stammered, barely able to get his words out. Hagrid seemed to know this man.
"Ello Professor, didn't see ye there! 'Arry, this be Professor Quirrell, 'ell be ye Defense Again't t'Dark Arts teacher, at 'Ogwarts!" Harry extended his hand to shake Professor Quirrell's in greeting, but unlike the other wizards and witches, Quirrell did not extend his hand, looking at Harry's outreached hand as if it were a deadly weapon.
"A f-fearfully, f-fascinating subject. But n-not that you n-need it, eh-eh, P-potter!" Quirrell nervously chuckled. Hagrid said goodbye to his colleague, and directed the Addamses to the back door of the pub.
"I say, quite friendly those people," said Gomez. "Not like at home, most of our neighbors always seem to be in a dreadful rush, whenever we try to say hello."
"Yes," agreed Morticia. "But I do wish they hadn't mobbed poor Harry like that. He's only a boy, not some exotic beast on display at the zoo!" Hagrid muttered an apology to Gomez and Morticia, and said it was only to be expected, due to how Harry was known in their world.
Hagrid had led them to a small, back alley, behind the pub, where some empty crates and battered dustbins were kept. Across from them was a large brick wall. Hagrid produced from his massive coat, a pink umbrella and tapped a pattern on the brick wall. Suddenly the bricks moved and shifted, until there was an opening wide enough for even Hagrid to fit through. Beyond the portal was a sprawling street, filled with wizards and witches, and various shops.
"Welcome, t'Diagon Alley!" said Hagrid, and led the Addamses through the wall opening. The street bustled with people, going about their business. Side by side stood shop after shop, displaying various fantastic and exotic items in their windows. Harry turned his head this way and that, not wanting to miss anything. Harry was reminded of the stories Gomez had told him and his siblings about the sprawling bazars of the Middle East. Thankfully the wizards in the Alley were too busy shopping to notice Harry, so he was able to pass without incident.
Hagrid was pointing out various shops to Gomez and Morticia, telling them about what products they sold. As they walked, Harry noticed a large, crooked standing building made of white marble. It seemed to be the place Hagrid was leading them to. The building had a wrought iron sign above the massive bronze doors, that said, Gringotts Wizard Bank. Beside the large doors stood a guard; the shortest guard Harry had ever seen.
The figure looked humanish, but his ears were long and pointed, as was his nose. His eyes were completely black. His fingers were very long and ended in claws, and his shoes were curled and pointed. The short figure was dressed in a scarlet uniform. Harry had heard of goblins, but had never seen one in the flesh before. When Hagrid and the Addamses approached he bowed and opened the door to let them in.
Through the brass doors, the group stood in a foyer, where stood two silver doors. Inscribed on the doors was a message, a warning about attempting to steal from the bank. Two more goblins stood guard outside these doors, they bowed and opened them. Inside were high rows of desks, where various goblins were working, taking notes in ledgers, counting gold, silver, and copper coins, weighing gemstones. Hagrid led them to the front on the room, were sat a goblin with long, stringy white hair and even longer ears and nose, the manager presumably. He was busy scribbling in his ledger. Hagrid approached and cleared this throat. The goblin looked up and gave a slight sneer at Hagrid, as if annoyed his work was interrupted.
"Yes?" asked the goblin, in a low, gruff voice.
"Mr. 'Aarry Potter would like t'make a withdrawal." Said Hagrid. At this, the goblin seemed interested. He leaned over the desk and looked Harry over closely. He grinned a wicked looking smile, his teeth were sharp.
"And does Mr. Harry Potter have his key?" asked the goblin. Hagrid muttered that he had it somewhere, and began rifling through his pockets. Finally, he produced a golden, antique looking key and handed it to the goblin.
"Oh, and there's something else as well." Hagrid said in a sotto voice, he leaned close to the goblin. "It's about, you-know-what, in vault, you-know-which." He produced a letter, like Harry's admittance letter to Hogwarts, and gave it to the bank manager. The goblin opened the letter with a long fingernail and read it quickly. His face seemed to be in a permanent sneer, so it was hard to tell what he was thinking.
He glanced up at Hagrid, and gave a brief nod. He then called over a goblin named Griphook, to take them to the vaults. Griphook held open a side door to the group and they walked inside a stone passage lit by torches. The goblin led them to a set of railroad tracks. With a whistle, Griphook summoned an intricate looking cart with various seats on either side. Gomez helped Morticia into her seat, then sat himself. Harry sat near the front, where Griphook sat at a set of intricate looking controls. with some difficulty, Hagrid sat on two seats, and braced himself, his eyes screwed shut.
Harry wondered what Hagrid's problem was when suddenly the cart took off at breakneck speed down the tracks. Swift as lightning, the cart, sped along the tracks, left, right, left, left, middle-fork, right again, but it was all too much for Harry to follow. The Portkey was been somewhat disconcerting but this was thrilling! Gomez and Morticia laughed and whooped like they were on a rollercoaster. Hagrid had turned a shade of green, not daring to open his eyes. Harry glanced at Griphook, who was busily working the controls, directing the cart to its destination. Finally, the cart began to slow down and came to a halt, before a door in the cavern.
"Vault 687, key please!" said Griphook, stepping down from his cockpit. Hagrid staggered off the cart, trying to steady his nerves. Gomez and Morticia still had smiles on their faces.
"Remind me when we get home Querida, to talk with Fester, I'd love to set up a track system like this in the caverns beneath our house!" Gomez laughed. The cave system beneath the Addams house was vast and labyrinthine. Harry often liked exploring the caves with Wednesday and Pugsley.
Griphook took the little gold key and put it into the keyhole of the vault. With a loud, clattering, clicking sound, the vault unlocked and creaked open. Inside were mounds of coins of gold, silver, and copper. Chests and shelves of artifacts lined the walls. There were statues and paintings and tapestries. The Addams vault was much the same, in the caverns beneath the house. Harry inspected the various antiques and artifacts on the various shelves. There were silver chalices, Ming vases, boxes of antique jewelry. What interested Harry most was the paintings.
There were pictures of landscapes, scenes of history, portraits of people Harry assumed were ancestors of his from the Potter family. What was fascinating about these pictures was the fact they were moving, like little films, captured in two dimensions, edged by picture frames. The people in the portraits were sleeping, so Harry thought better of disturbing them.
Gomez and Morticia were speaking with Griphook, Gomez getting a chance to use his skills in Gobbledygook, the goblin language. Griphook's attitude seemed to improve upon speaking with Gomez and Morticia. Harry got the impression the goblins of Gringotts were willing to work for and with wizards, but weren't particularly fond of them.
Harry knew some wizards believed that the less muggle ancestry you had in your heritage, the better you were than other wizards. This kind of thinking extended to non-human magical races as well. The Addams family had always been welcoming and friendly to all people, regardless of heritage, race, creed, religion, or nationality. There were even a few goblins in the family line.
Hagrid was collecting various coins in a moleskin pouch for Harry. Harry wasn't familiar with the British wizarding currency. As they lived in the No-Madge world predominantly, the Addamses used American dollars for most things, but had vaults of various international currencies, both magical and not. Hagrid noticed Harry watching and held out a handful of coins.
"The gold ones be called Galleons, the silver be Sickles, and the Copper be Knuts! There be seventeen Sickles to a Galleon, and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle. Simple enough; right, that ought t'be enough for a couple o'terms. Off we go!" Hagrid motioned to Griphook that it was time to go to the next vault.
Gomez, Morticia, Hagrid, Harry, and Griphook boarded the cart once more, and the cart sped off, deeper underground. Soon they came to another vault, older looking and massive compared to the Potter vault. Griphook told the group to stand back, and he ran a clawed finger down the front of the door. There was a lot of clattering and clicking as various locks were disengaged. The door creaked even louder than the previous one.
"If anyone but a Goblin tried that, they'd be sucked inside and trapped!" Griphook gave a wicked smile at this.
"How often do you check if someone's inside?" asked Harry. Griphook continued to grin.
"Every ten years or so." He replied. Harry nodded, a reasonable practice he felt. Harry wondered what could be inside the massive, antique vault. He was rather disappointed that the vault seemed to be empty, that is until he noticed a small package on a stone plinth, in the middle of the room. Hagrid walked up to it, and picked it up, putting it into his coat.
"Right, back up we go, and er, any chance we could go a wee bit slower this time?" Hagrid asked Griphook. The goblin sniffed and told him it was one speed only. Hagrid gave a brief moan and reluctantly climbed back aboard. The trip back to the surface was just as wild and exciting as going down had been. Soon they were topside and in the lobby of Gringotts again.
Hagrid stood by the doors, trying to let his stomach settle. Harry and Morticia stood with him, while Gomez was talking with the bank manager in Gobbledygook. Soon he approached the trio.
"Just arranged to set up a vault for ourselves, here in the London branch; the vault back home is getting rather cramped. Harry, I also arranged for some of the Potter relics to be moved home, to be placed among our own family antiques!" Harry thanked his father and followed Hagrid out the doors to the Alley. Hagrid led them first to Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
"Best get yer uniform first, 'Arry. Me and yer parents'l wait for ye, outside!" Hagrid directed Harry into the shop. Madame Malkin was a squat, smiling witch, dressed in Mauve. She motioned for Harry to stand on a stool by various racks of clothes. Beside Harry stood a boy his age, with slicked, platinum blonde hair and a pointed face. Another seamstress was fitting him for robes.
The boy gave Harry a brief nod, an air of snobbery on his face. Harry was reminded of Harold Pomeroy, a wealthy and snooty boy who went to school with himself, Wednesday, and Pugsley. Harold was always boasting about how wealthy his family was, and all the expensive things his parents were buying for him. Wednesday once gave him a black eye, when he once called their family freaks.
"Hello, going to Hogwarts too?" the boy asked. Harry nodded. Madame Malkin began measuring him for his sizes. The boy continued to talk, saying his father was buying his school books, while his mother was looking for wands. He then bragged about how he would drag them off to look at racing brooms, claiming it was ridiculous that First Years weren't allowed their own for the first two terms, saying he would bully his father into buying him one anyway and he'd sneak it into school.
"Have you got your own broom?" asked the boy. Harry said he didn't. Harry, Wednesday, and Pugsley had begged Grandmama to take them up on her broom several times, but she always told them they were too young to go up yet. The boy asked if Harry played Quidditch, but Harry said he didn't. Quidditch wasn't very popular in America, with the national sport being Quadpot. Gomez had taken Harry and his siblings to a few games of Quadpot, and they had been quite thrilling to watch.
The boy continued to say he was very skilled at Quidditch, and that his father said it would be a crime if he didn't get picked for the house team. He then asked Harry which house he thought he'd be in. Harry hadn't given it much thought. Professor McGonagall had explained the four houses to his family and himself. How Gryffindors were brave and loyal, Hufflepuff were dutiful and hard workers, Ravenclaw prized intelligence and logic, while Slytherins were shrewd and resourceful.
"I know I'll be in Slytherin, all our family have been, though Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad. Imagine being sorted into Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, though. I think I'd leave if that happened!" Harry was growing to dislike this boy more and more. Harry hoped that whatever house he got sorted into, this blonde prat wouldn't be sharing it. The boy looked out the window and gasped at the sight of Hagrid.
"Good grief, look at that beastly man!" Hagrid was chatting with Gomez and Morticia. "He's massive! He can't be all wizard; he must be part troll or something!" Harry informed the boy that, that was Hagrid the groundskeeper of Hogwarts. The boy asked if the two he was speaking to were his parents and Harry said yes.
"Well, at least they look the proper sort, I really don't think they should let in the other sort, do you? Just not the same as us, never been brought up to know our ways. Some of them have never even heard of Hogwarts until they get their letter! They really should keep it in the old wizarding families. By the way, what was your name again?" But before Harry could answer, the boy's fitting was done and he hopped off the stool and said goodbye to Harry.
Madame Malkin soon finished up fitting Harry for his uniform. She told him the robes were enchanted to modify themselves depending on which house he would be sorted into. For the moment they were simply black with the Hogwarts crest over his heart. Harry paid for the uniform and joined his parents and Hagrid outside.
Hagrid took them to various shops, buying parchment and ink, his school books; Morticia purchased some volumes on Herbology and Potions for herself and Grandmama; a full potions set and cauldron, then to the apothecary to purchase a full set of ingredients for his classes; again Morticia purchased some for herself and her mother, for brewing and for cooking. They were nearing the end of the list, having purchased nearly everything, when they came to what Harry had really been looking forward to, a wand!
Hagrid took Harry, Gomez, and Morticia inside Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC. In the window of the shop was a wooden wand, floating above a purple cushion. Inside the shop were selves and shelves of stacked, long boxes. Harry stood at the counter, while his parents and Hagrid stood behind him. From behind a bookshelf, on a sliding ladder came a grey haired, grey eyed, old man. He looked at Harry and smiled.
"I wondered when I'd be seeing you, Mr. Potter." The man stepped down off the ladder, and shook Harry's hand. "Yes, it seems only yesterday, that your Mother and Father were in here buying their first wands, I still remember them distinctly; for your Mother, a Ten and a quarter inch Willow wand, and for your father, mahogany, eleven inches exactly."
The man, Mr. Ollivander, Harry surmised, approached Harry, and inspected his scar. "Ah yes, and that's where, I'm afraid to say, the wand I sold so many years ago, did that to you. Thirteen and a half inches, yew with phoenix feather, a powerful and dangerous wand, especially in the wrong hands."
Harry felt once again like he was an insect under a magnifying glass. Thankfully, Mr. Ollivander noticed Hagrid and welcomed him. He turned to Gomez and Morticia and greeted them as well. Gomez introduced Morticia and himself as Harry's adoptive parents.
Mr. Ollivander spoke to Hagrid about the wand he had sold him so many years ago, but how it had been snapped upon his expulsion from Hogwarts. Hagrid sheepishly mentioned he still had the pieces, but proclaimed he never used them, while gripping his pink umbrella tightly. Mr. Ollivander simply looked at him, pensively then glanced back at Harry.
"Well now, Mr. Potter, let me see, which is your wand arm?" Harry informed him he was preeminently right handed, though he had practiced being ambidextrous. Wednesday was born ambidextrous and was equally proficient with both hands in various tasks. Mr. Ollivander pulled out a long measuring tape and began to measure the length of his arm, from shoulder, to elbow, to wrist, to fingers. He continued to measure Harry all over, more so than Madame Malkin had for his robes. Mr. Ollivander walked over to a shelf of wands, and the tape continued measuring him in the air.
He turned to Harry and told the tape that, that was enough, causing it to wrap itself up and vanish. In his hands was a long, colored box. He opened it up and produced a wand, nine inches, beechwood and dragon heartstring. He handed it to Harry and asked him to give it a wave. When Harry did so, a vase of flowers exploded.
Mr. Ollivander simply shook his head, took the wand back and repaired the vase with a flick of his wand. He put the rejected wand away and grabbed another, again Harry waved it, this time, several boxes flew off the shelves. Mr. Ollivander put the boxes back and took away the wand. Wand after wand he picked and gave to Harry to try, sometimes something would happen, sometimes nothing did. Mr. Ollivander seemed to be getting excited, saying he hadn't had such a tricky customer for quite some time. Finally, Mr. Ollivander, pulled a box and inspected it closely.
"I wonder." He whispered and opened the box. "Holly wood, phoenix feather, eleven inches." He handed the wand to Harry. This time Harry felt a warmth in his fingertips. He gave the wand a wave and a shower of purple sparks shot from the tip. Hagrid and his parents applauded, and Mr. Ollivander took the wand back, putting it back in its box.
"Curious, very curious." He muttered as he wrapped the box in brown paper. Harry asked him what was curious about the wand. "I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter, and it so happens, that the phoenix, whose tail feather resides in this wand, gave another feather. Just, one, other. It is curious that you should be destined for this wand, when its brother, gave you that scar." Mr. Ollivander continued to mutter how it is the wand which chooses the wizard.
Mr. Ollivander rang up the wand, seven Galleons. He looked Harry deep in the eyes. "I think we shall expect great things from you, Mr. Potter. After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, did Great things. Terrible, oh yes, but Great!" the group left Mr. Ollivanders shop. One last thing to buy. Hagrid said he wanted to buy Harry a birthday present, that that he would purchase Harry's school animal. Students were allowed to bring either an Owl, a Cat, or a Toad, for companionship and for practicing spells. Sometimes permission was extended for other kinds of pets, such as snakes, rats, bats, or spiders.
Hagrid took them to Eeylops Owl Emporium, proclaiming that an owl would be the most useful for Harry as they could deliver mail to and from students. Harry examined all the various birds for sale, screech owls, scops owls, great horned owls. At last Harry's eyes fell on a beautiful snowy owl. Her eyes were yellow like topaz, and her feathers, soft like silk. Harry chose the beautiful bird, and Hagrid paid for her, and a cage. Harry stroked his new owl's feathers affectionately. The owl nuzzled his hand and gave a faint bark.
After leaving the shop, Hagrid took Harry, Gomez, and Morticia to Magical Menagerie. Morticia had promised to make it up to Wednesday and Pugsley for their not being able to accompany them to Diagon Alley. Inside were various creatures, big and small. Harry bought some feed and toys or his new owl as he looked for something for his siblings. For Wednesday he found a large, black tarantula, and for Pugsley, a poisonous looking, large purple toad.
Their shopping done; Hagrid began to take them back to the Leaky Cauldron. As they walked however, Gomez asked Hagrid, what was down this side alley. Hagrid glanced and turned somewhat pale.
"That's Knockturn Alley, dodgy place, wouldn't go down there, if I was you, not really respectable, down there." Gomez and Morticia seemed fascinated and asked Hagrid to take Harry back to the Leaky Cauldron with their purchases and to buy him some refreshment, they would rejoin them in a little while.
Hagrid almost protested, but shrugged and took Harry to the pub. Gomez and Morticia walked down the enclosed alley way, following the signs, directing them. Knockturn Alley was very different from Diagon. There seemed to be a darkness that enshrouded the place. There were fewer shops but just as tightly fitted as Diagon Alley. There were shops selling poisonous plants, antique artifacts, a tattoo parlor, as well as other rather unsavory places. Gomez and Morticia window shopped a bit. In a Herbology store, Morticia purchased a special tonic to make her African Strangler, Cleopatra, grow more vibrant and stronger. Gomez purchased a new set of throwing knives from a blacksmith. As they were leaving, they noticed something that made them stop, something perfect for Harry's birthday.
Gomez and Morticia rejoined Hagrid and Harry in the Leaky Cauldron. Hagrid had bought Harry a Pumpkin Fizz, that he was sipping, while looking through one of his school books. Harry looked up as Gomez and Morticia approached, and told them, he'd found a good name for his owl, after reading it in his book. He would call her, Hedwig.
"Ah, there you are my dear, we're all finished shopping, if you are ready to go home." Morticia gently stroked Harry's hair.
"Already, can't we see more of London, on the Muggle side?" asked Harry, who didn't want their trip to end yet. Gomez and Morticia apologized, saying they had to get home before suppertime, but they promised they would return for a more exploration soon. Harry finished his drink and stood from the table, thanking Hagrid for all he had done for them that day.
"Aw, no need for thanks, 'Arry, been pleased to do it! I can help with the packages if ye wish!" Hagrid pulled out his umbrella and gave each item a tap. One by one, each box and package shrank to fit in the palm of a hand; Hagrid told them they would regrow in size within a few minutes. Gomez and Morticia thanked Hagrid and placed their items in Gomez's coat pockets. Hagrid bid them all a fond farewell, promising to give Harry a warm welcome at Hogwarts.
Gomez pulled out the Portkey and held it out for Morticia and Harry to grab. Harry held onto Hedwig in her cage and took hold of the Portkey. Once again, as soon as they all touched the Portkey, Harry felt like a hook was behind his navel, pulling him through space. Harry watched the whirlwind of sights and sounds, blurring around him, until at last they arrived back in the parlor of their home. Lurch was dusting the living room when they arrived. He gave them a brief glance and grunted in greeting.
"Ah, Lurch, would you please take these, and put them away." Gomez handed Lurch most of their shrunken packages. Lurch gave a brief puzzled look on his face, but dutifully took the tiny packages and slunk away. Fester came sliding down his firepole from his room.
"Ah good, you're back!" Fester bounded over to Harry. "How was it, Harry?"
"It was wonderful Uncle Fester; everything was amazing and fantastic to see. We met goblins at the wizard bank, I got a wand of my own, and look, I got a new pet; her name is Hedwig!" Harry produced his owl. Hedwig had been slightly ruffled by the Portkey trip but was none the worse for wear. When she looked up at Fester, her bright eyes widened a bit. For an owl, she seemed remarkable intelligent, almost human in mind and temperament.
"Aw, she's a beauty Harry! Why don't you show Wednesday and Pugsley!" Harry nodded and went to find his siblings. Fester turned to his brother and his sister in law. "Everything's ready for tonight! You get a good surprise for Harry?"
"Of course, we got something he's absolutely perfect!" Said Morticia, who produced one of the shrunken packages from her purse. Quickly it grew full sized in her hands. Morticia opened the box to show Fester. Fester looked inside and grinned.
"Oh, he's gonna love it!"
Down in the playroom, Wednesday was stretching Pugsley on the rack. With each turn, the straps pulled on Pugsley's arms and legs. Pugsley's face was turning purple from the strain. Wednesday cranked the wheel again, causing Pugsley to squeal out.
"Have you had enough yet? Confess your sins to the inquisition, heretic!" She proclaimed. Pugsley struggled to lift his head, looked her straight in the eye and screamed, "NEVER!"
Harry burst into the room with Hedwig. "Wednesday, Pugsley, look what I have!" Wednesday looked up and gave Harry a small smile. "Ah, Harry, you've returned." She pulled a lever and the wheel cranked the other way, giving Pugsley slack.
"Aw, I could have gone a few more turns!" Pugsley complained. Wednesday undid the straps on his wrists and ankles. Pugsley sat up and said hello to Harry.
Harry placed the cage on a table by the Iron Maiden and opened the door. He reached inside and Hedwig climbed onto his wrist and perched. Carefully he pulled the owl from her cage. Pugsley's eyes widened and he bounded over. Wednesday reached over and gave Hedwig a gentle stroke on her wing.
"She's beautiful Harry, an excellent bird of prey." Pugsley ran over to a corner of the playroom. Close to the floor was a hole in the wall. Pugsley reached inside quickly and snatched a squealing mouse. He came back to Harry and his owl, holding out the rodent. Hedwig's eyes gleamed and she leaned forward sniffing the mouse. With a quick snatch, she grabbed the mouse from Pugsley, snapped its neck with her beak and began to swallow it whole.
"She can go hunting with Uncle Fester's vulture! And we can train her to catch rodents for Cleopatra too!" Pugsley gave Hedwig a gentle pat on the head. Hedwig nuzzled his hand, thanking him for the delicious mouse.
Gomez entered the playroom and smiled at his children. "Suppertime children! Harry, why don't you take Hedwig up to the attic, there should be plenty of room for her to roost." Wednesday, Harry, and Pugsley followed their father. Harry quickly took Hedwig and her cage to the attic. Once they were in the attic, Harry raised his arm, and Hedwig flew up to the rafters. He made sure to place her cage in a good place for her to go inside when she wanted, then ran back downstairs to the dining room.
Harry sat down just as Lurch was serving the evening meal. Lurch had prepared a delicious banquet for Harry's Birthday Dinner. Batwing Soup and a fresh Sumac Salad, Dark Bread with Yak's Butter, and for the main course, Camel Hump Steaks with Pickled Toadstools, served with Hemlock Sauce. Harry ate heartily, telling Wednesday and Pugsley all about his day. Pugsley thought the Gringotts carts sounded fantastic, wishing he could have a go on them. Wednesday was intrigued by the Goblin's security system, though she thought checking once every ten years for intruders was a little excessive.
Once dinner was finished, Lurch took away the plates and wheeled the cart away. Grandmama leaned forward in her chair and spoke to Harry. "Here comes your surprise, dearie!" Lurch returned from the kitchen, wheeling a massive, black frosted cake, decorated with purple icing. The cake was six tiers high, each smaller in size. Around the rim of the top tier were eleven red candles, and in the middle was a small candle in the shape of a skull.
Harry gaped in wonder at the magnificent cake. His family all cheered, "Happy Birthday!" to him. Harry thanked his beloved family and leaned over the cake. He took a deep breath and blew out all the candles. His family clapped and Lurch began to serve the cake. The sponge was dark chocolate with a Moose Milk cream cheese filling.
After two slices of the delicious cake, Harry was stuffed. Lurch wheeled the left overs back to the kitchen for later. Gomez looked over at Harry.
"And now my lad, for the main event! Presents!" Lurch came back, his arms full of wrapped packages. He set them before Harry. Packages, big and small were laid before Harry. He couldn't decide which to open first. Finally, he decided to open the one from Grandmama first. Wrapped in black paper with a red ribbon, he opened the parcel; inside was a dark leather book with a pentacle on the front.
"Since you're going to be learning all sorts of new spells and recipes, you need your very own Grimoire!" Grandmama explained. "Write down everything you learn, for future use, and you can even add some of your own creations as you grow in knowledge and power!" Harry thanked his grandmother and flipped through the book. For now, the parchment pages were blank, but soon they would be filled with the magic he would learn.
Next he opened Wednesday's present. He unwrapped a short, oblong object. Inside the paper was a dagger. He unsheathed the blade which was forged from Damascus steel. The Pommel was tipped by a shining ruby.
"You need a proper Athame for sacrifices and blood magic, and if anyone gets in your way, it will be useful for defense." Wednesday gave him a small smile, her usual emotionless mask fell for just a moment.
Next was Uncle Fester's present. He unrolled a leather satchel of various tools and instruments. "You never know when you might need a good set of lockpicks!" Harry examined the pins and hooks contained inside. Fester tutored Harry and his siblings to get through any lock. Harry had trained his ears to hear pins and tumblers.
Pugsley's present was next. Harry unwrapped a wooden box that was filled with a variety of wires, gears, pins, blasting caps, and plastic explosive. Harry and Pugsley often amused themselves by building grenades and bombs. One of their favorite games was building and setting complex explosives for each other to try to disarm in time. "Just in case magic or lock picks fail, you can never go wrong with C4!" said Pugsley.
Finally, Harry opened a curved velvet case. Within was a black lacquered, beautiful violin. Harry had been practicing the Violin since he was six years old, learning on his Mother's antique Stradivarius. Now he had a brand new violin of his very own. He put together and rosined the bow and began to play a snippet of Mozart. Lurch smiled and groaned approvingly.
"Thank you everyone for these wonderful presents!" Harry thanked each and every one of his family members. Gomez and Morticia smiled at Harry.
"There's just one more present dearest one." Said Morticia. She reached under her seat and produced a dark stained wooden box. "From your Father and me." He handed the box to Harry.
Harry took the box from his mother. On the lid was a note. Written was, "Please Knock." Harry placed the box down on the table and gave the lid three brief knocks. The lid of the box creaked open. Harry's eyes widened in surprise and joy. Inside was pale hand covered in stitches. The hand sat up on its stump of a wrist and held itself out for Harry to shake. Harry took hold of the hand and gave it a vigorous handshake.
"I was about your age, when my parents gave me Thing. Your Mother and me thought you would benefit from having your very own hand-servant. His name, is Mano!" Gomez puffed on his cigar and smiled at Harry, proudly.
Harry grinned, still shaking Mano. "Thank you Mother, thank you Father, I don't know what to say!" Mano crawled up his arm and sat on Harry's shoulder. Harry jumped up from his seat and embraced his mother and father. Gomez and Morticia, told Harry he was welcome and once more wished him a Happy Birthday.
Harry spent the evening, showing Mano around the house, and introduced him to Hedwig. The owl tilted her head quizzically at the sight of an animate severed hand, but allowed Mano to stroke her feathers. That night, Harry laid in bed, telling Mano how they would have fantastic adventures in Hogwarts, how they would be, as Wednesday would put it, Partners in Crime. Harry drifted off to sleep with Mano, laying on his chest.