Chapter Four
It was a bright and sunny 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 she had already turned eleven the previous month. Pugsley was a year younger than Harry and Wednesday and would turn ten later.
Harry awoke early that morning and got ready for the day. After a brisk, scalding shower, he brushed his teeth and swept back his hair, displaying his scar. He wore a dark green shirt, a black and silver waistcoat, dark trousers, and boots. He left his room and proceeded downstairs to meet his family in the living room.
Morticia sat 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 music melody to the peaceful morning.
"Good morning, Mother, Father." Harry greeted his parents and 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 good at performing pieces on the harpsichord, organ, piano, and other instruments. Wednesday was currently studying the cello from Morticia and Harry the Violin. Morticia was skilled at playing various 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 momentarily listened to Harry and Lurch play the classical piece 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 specific 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, 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 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, a massive, carved stone pot that was smoking and bubbling. Eudora opened a bottle of ingredients and poured it 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, pouring 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 onto the counter and scuttled 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 slightly 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 briefly stroked his cheek 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 I are not invited; I feel 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 shrugged and sipped her milk.
Gomez and Morticia entered the Kitchen and directed the children to sit at the dining table. Harry pulled out Wednesday's chair for her and then seated 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 onto his knuckles 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 far end of the table, opposite his beloved wife. He looked at Harry.
"My boy, today, for a special birthday treat, your Mother and I will take you to Diagon Alley to get your school supplies for Hogwarts! We shall be going to London, England!" At this, Harry instantly brightened up. He'd never been to London before, at least not so far as he could remember. No wonder Wednesday was 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 that 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 charmed only to 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 exceptional," 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 sniffed 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 to send them off. Gomez put on his coat and hat, held out by Lurch. Harry pulled on his black blazer and a peaked cap. Morticia wrapped a black, beaded shawl around her head and shoulders.
Fester, Grandmama, Wednesday, Pugsley, Thing, and Lurch waved goodbye to them. Gomez pulled the disc out of his pocket and held it to Morticia and Harry. Gomez, Morticia, and Harry stood in a circle, each grasping 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 them.
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 rearranged her shawl.
"My word, that was quite an experience, wasn't it?" She said. Gomez was still laughing as he patted himself down.
"These Portkeys are 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 and the dizziness of the Portkey, he saw they were in a public house. Various people were sat at tables and booths, drinking various beverages and eating different foods. At the bar was a toothless older 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 waiting fer ye, bright and early, t'take you around t'Alley." Hagrid held his hand to Gomez, who vigorously shook the massive appendage.
"Ah, thank you, old man, been looking forward to it!" The Addamses turned to follow Hagrid out of the pub. Harry accidentally bumped into a diminutive man in a top hat as he followed. Harry apologized and helped the little man back to his feet. The man adjusted his hat, looked up at Harry, and shrieked briefly.
"Merlin's beard, Harry Potter!" he squealed in an excitable, high-pitched voice. The pub was noisy, with people talking, eating, and drinking, but the whole room fell silent when the little man said Harry's name. 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 look at Harry, shake his hand, and say hello. Harry knew why they all wanted to have their moment with him, the fall of Voldemort and all, but still, it was somewhat disconcerting to be mobbed like this. Most people back home went out of their way to avoid Harry and his siblings, and they liked it that way.
Hagrid 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 with 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 is Professor Quirrell; 'e'll be yer Defense Against 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 pub's back door.
"I say, quite friendly those people," said Gomez.
"Unlike 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 apologized 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 a pink umbrella from his massive coat and tapped a pattern on the brick wall. Suddenly, the bricks moved and shifted until an opening was wide enough for even Hagrid to fit through. Beyond the portal was a sprawling street filled with Wizards, Witches, and various shops.
"Welcome t'Diagon Alley!" said Hagrid, leading 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, wanting to catch everything. Harry was reminded of the stories Gomez had told him and his siblings about the sprawling bazaars of the Middle East. Thankfully, the Wizards in the Alley were too busy shopping to notice Harry so he could pass without incident.
Hagrid pointed out various shops to Gomez and Morticia, telling them what products they sold. As they walked, Harry noticed a large, crooked-standing white marble building. It was 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 human-ish, but his ears and nose were long and pointed. 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 with two silver doors. A warning about attempting to steal from the bank was inscribed on the doors. Two more goblins stood guard outside these doors; they bowed and opened them. Inside were high rows of desks where various goblins worked, taking notes in ledgers, counting gold, silver, and copper coins, and weighing gemstones.
Hagrid led them to the front of the room, where a goblin with long, stringy white hair and even longer ears and nose sat, the manager presumably. He was busy scribbling in his ledger. Hagrid approached and cleared his throat. The Goblin looked up and slightly sneered at Hagrid as if annoyed that his work was interrupted.
"Yes?" asked the Goblin in a low, gruff voice.
"Mr. 'Arry Potter would like te 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 sommat else as well," Hagrid said in a low voice as he leaned close to the Goblin.
"It's about, you-know-what, in vault, you-know-which." He handed a letter to the bank manager. The Goblin opened the letter with a long fingernail and skimmed it. His face seemed 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 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 chair, 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 too much for Harry to follow. The Portkey was somewhat discombobulating, 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 vault's keyhole. With a loud, clattering, clicking sound, the vault unlocked and creaked open. Inside were mounds of gold, silver, and copper coins. Chests and shelves of artifacts lined the walls. There were statues, 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 multiple shelves. There were silver chalices, Ming vases, and boxes of antique jewelry. What interested Harry most was the paintings. There were pictures of landscapes, scenes of history, and portraits of people Harry assumed were his ancestors from the Potter family. What was fascinating about these pictures was that 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 to use his skills in Gobbledygook, the goblin language. Griphook's attitude improved upon speaking with Gomez and Morticia. Harry suspected that the goblins of Gringotts were willing to work with Wizards but were not particularly fond of them.
Harry knew some Wizards believed that the less No-Madj ancestry you had in your heritage, the better you were than other Wizards—this thinking also extended to non-human magical races. The Addams family had always been welcoming and friendly to everyone, 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 predominantly in the No-Maj world, 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.
"T'gold ones'r called Galleons, t'silver Sickles, and t'Copper Knuts! There'r seventeen Sickles ter a Galleon and twenty-nine Knuts ter a Sickle. Simple enough, right? That ought be enough fer 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 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 ran a clawed finger down the front of the door. There was much 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 trapped inside!" 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 disappointed that the vault seemed empty 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 as wild and exciting as going down. 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 talked 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 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 an yer parents'l wait fer 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 clothes racks. 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 arrogant boy who went to school with Wednesday, Pugsley, and himself. Harold always boasted about his family's wealth and all the expensive things his parents bought for him. Wednesday once gave him a black eye when he 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 that he would bully his Father into buying him one anyway and he'd sneak it into school.
"Have you got your 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 was rare in America, with the national sport being Quodpot. Gomez had taken Harry and his siblings to a few Quodpot games, 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. Gryffindors were brave and loyal, Hufflepuff was dutiful and hard workers, Ravenclaw prized intelligence and logic, while Slytherins were cunning 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, however. 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 pratt wouldn't be sharing it. The boy looked out the window and gasped at the sight of Hagrid.
"Merlin's beard, 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 it was Hagrid, the groundskeeper of Hogwarts. The boy asked if the two he spoke to were his parents, and Harry said yes.
"Well, at least they look the proper sort; I 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 have never 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 him.
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. They were simply black with the Hogwarts crest over his heart for the moment. 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 set of ingredients for his classes; again Morticia purchased some for herself and her Mother, for brewing and cooking. They were nearing the end of the list, having purchased nearly everything, when they came to what Harry had been looking forward to. A wand!
Hagrid took Harry, Gomez, and Morticia inside 'Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC.' In the shop window was a wooden wand floating above a purple cushion. Inside the shop were shelves and shelves of stacked, long boxes. Harry stood at the counter while his parents and Hagrid stood behind him. A grey-haired, grey-eyed, older man came behind a bookshelf on a sliding ladder. He looked at Harry and smiled.
"I wondered when I'd be seeing you, Mr. Potter." The man stepped down 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 1/4-inch willow wand, and your Father, mahogany, eleven inches exactly."
Harry surmised the man was Mr. Ollivander, who 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. 13 inches, yew with phoenix feather, powerful, 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 and 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 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 predominantly right-handed, though he had practiced being ambidextrous. Wednesday was born ambidextrous and equally proficient in various tasks with both hands. Harry had wanted to replicate this trait in himself.
Mr. Ollivander pulled out a long measuring tape and measured 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 9-inch wand, 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 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, and sometimes nothing did. Mr. Ollivander seemed 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, 11 inches." He handed the wand to Harry. This time, Harry felt a warmth in his fingertips. He waved the wand, and a shower of purple sparks shot from the tip. Hagrid and his parents applauded, and Mr. Ollivander returned the wand, putting it back in its box.
"Curious, very curious." He muttered as he wrapped the box in brown paper. Harry asked him what he was curious about regarding 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. Curiously, you should be destined for this wand when its brother gave you that scar." Mr. Ollivander continued to mutter how the wand 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!" When the group left Mr. Ollivander's shop, there was one last thing to buy. Hagrid said he wanted to buy Harry a birthday present and that he would purchase Harry's school animal. Students were allowed to bring an Owl, a Cat, or a Toad for companionship and practicing spells. Sometimes, permission was extended for other 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 the various birds for sale, including screech, scops, and great horned owls. At last, Harry's eyes fell on a beautiful snowy owl. Her eyes were yellow like topaz, and her feathers were 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 being unable to accompany them to Diagon Alley. Inside were various creatures, big and small. Harry bought some feed and toys for his new owl as he looked for something for his siblings. For Wednesday, he found a giant black tarantula, and for Pugsley, a poisonous-looking, big, purple toad.
Their shopping was done, and 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, that is. Dodgy place; I wouldn't go down there if I were you; not 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 refreshments, and 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 alleyway, following the directing signs. 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.
Shops sold poisonous plants, antique artifacts, a tattoo parlor, and other unsavory places. Gomez and Morticia window-shopped a bit. Morticia purchased a unique tonic in a Herbology store to make her African Strangler, Cleopatra, grow more vibrant and vigorous. 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, which he sipped while looking through one of his school books. Harry looked up as Gomez and Morticia approached and told them he had found a good name for his owl after reading it in his book. He would call her Hedwig.
"We're all finished shopping if you are ready to go home, dear." Morticia gently stroked Harry's hair.
"Already, can't we see more of London on the No-Madj 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 promised to return for more exploration some other time. Harry finished his drink and stood from the table, thanking Hagrid for all he had done for them that day.
"Aw, no need fer thanks, 'Arry; pleased t'do it! I can 'Elp with t'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. Harry suspected the broken pieces of Hagrid's wand, which he supposedly never used, were enclosed within his umbrella. 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 glanced at them and grunted in greeting.
"Ah, Lurch, please take these and put them away." Gomez handed Lurch most of their shrunken packages. Lurch looked puzzled but dutifully took the tiny packages and slunk away. Fester came sliding down his fire pole from his room.
"Ah, good, you're back!" Fester bounded over to Harry.
"How was it, Harry?"
"It was wonderful, Uncle Fester; everything was 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. The Portkey trip had slightly ruffled Hedwig, but she was none the worse for wear. When Hedwig looked up at Fester, her bright eyes widened a bit. She seemed remarkably intelligent for an owl, 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 perfect!" Said Morticia, who had produced one of the shrunken packages from her purse. Quickly, it grew full-sized in her hands. Morticia opened the box to show Fester, who 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, turning Pugsley's face 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 in the eye, and screamed.
"NEVER!" Harry suddenly burst into the room with Hedwig.
"Wednesday, Pugsley, look what I have!" Wednesday looked up and smiled at Harry.
"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, Harry 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. Harry raised his arm once they were in the attic, and Hedwig flew up to the rafters. He placed her cage in an excellent place 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 back to the Kitchen. 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 a small candle in the shape of a skull was in the middle.
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 leftovers 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'll be learning all sorts of new spells and recipes, you need your own Grimoire!" Grandmama explained.
"Write down everything you learn for future use, and you can even add some of your creations as you grow in knowledge and power!" Harry thanked his Grandmother and flipped through the book. The parchment pages were blank for now, 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. A shining ruby tipped the Pommel.
"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 momentarily. 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 lock picks!" 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 with wires, gears, pins, blasting caps, and plastic explosives. 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 from 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 family member. 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." She 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 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 a 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 I 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 and 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 wished him a Happy Birthday again.
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 lay 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 lying on his chest.