Death Is Our Gift

V

"Ollivander's Request"

"Good morning, sleepy head," said Willow to Liam. He struggled back into consciousness, with only a vague memory of going to sleep. "How long have I been out?" he asked.

"Sixteen hours," replied Willow. "Don't worry, I slept about the same. Did you sleep well?"

Liam nodded. "I'll give this to the wizards: they sure can make a mattress."

A knock came at the door. It was Giles, dressed again in his familiar robes. "We'd best get a start on the day. We have to get your school supplies, get you both fitted for robes, and get wands."

"Great," said Liam. "I'm going shopping."

"Are you sure you're a Summers?" asked Willow. "Cause, Buffy and Dawnie love to shop."

"Will, in case you missed it while changing my diapers, I'm a boy."

Willow gave Liam a quick punch in the shoulder. "Keep it up, mister, and when you meet some nice girl, I am so going to show the pictures of you running around naked."

"Not unless I learn a spell to have them hide outside the frame."

"Sorry Liam," said Giles, "but that is a quality unique to wards photos."

Liam looked at Giles, thinking of several cleverly rude comments to make, but chose instead to try and be civil. "Well, maybe we'll see about getting a wizard camera so I can get rid of all the baby pictures." He smiled, which caused Giles to take off his glasses, rub the bridge of his nose, and then replace his glasses. "Well, I'll leave you two. Willow, once you're both dressed and ready, let's meet downstairs and I'll show you Diagon Alley." He turned and walked away.

"See," said Liam pointing to the door, "being nice to Giles is as painful for him as it is for me,"

Willow stood up and crossed the room. "Liam, enjoy it now, because in a few weeks he'll be Professor Giles, and I've seen Giles in full authority mode. It's not pleasant."

"I'll take my chances," Liam said, slipping on a t-shirt and some jeans. He walked to the mirror and tried to fix his hair. "Lost cause, I'm afraid," said his reflection to him.

"One, who asked you?" replied Liam. "And two, how can you talk?"

"One," began the mirror, "you don't have to ask. Two, I'm enchanted. Some people like the fashion advice I give."

"'Lost cause', doesn't exactly sound like fashion advice."

His reflection shrugged its shoulders. "I do what I can."

"So, are you me?" asked Liam.

"No, I'm me. I just look like you. If I were looking at someone else, I'd look like them."

"So, do you have a name?"

"Not really, but I like to be called Reg."

"Well, Reg," said Liam, "I think that talking to a mirror is uber-wiggy, but I'll be back later." He quickly left the room and headed downstairs.

The main hall was beginning to bustle with people. Liam had not paid much attention to the occupants when he arrived, but now, all the little witches and wizards running around the establishment fascinated him. Tom was running around too, taking order and giving people advice.

Giles came up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. "We need to get into Diagon Alley, before it gets too crowded," he said. Liam shrugged and followed Giles. "Where's Will?" Liam asked.

"I'm coming," she said, pushing past everyone. She was dressing in a nice peasant girl dress, with a T-shirt. "Sorry, but I wanted to look my best before I meet all the witches and wizards."

"I assure you, you'll be fine. First thing we'll do is stop off at Madam Malkin's and get some robes."

"These are manly looking robes?" questioned Liam.

"Actually, I was thinking something lace trimmed," said Giles, very dryly. "Very manly"

Liam mumbled something under his breath, when a thought crossed his mind. "Uh, how are we going to pay for this?" asked Liam.

"Well, both you will need to set up Gringott's vaults. Willow is receiving an advance on her salary to purchase what she needs, and you have an inheritance to claim."

"An inheritance?" questioned Liam. "From who?"

Giles looked back at him as he made his way outside into the alleyway. "Your mother, of course."

Liam was both shocked and upset. "So, she left me something and you decided yet again to act in every-"

"Liam," began Giles, "I kept nothing from you. Professor Dumbledore informed me this morning of the existence of this 'inheritance'." And before Liam could respond, Giles added, "I don't give a rat's arse if you believe me or not." With that, he turned and tapped on a brick with his wand. The bricks around it began to move and formed and archway into Diagon Alley.

For the moment, the awesome sight of the wizard world suppressed Liam's anger. He saw all shops, with more wizards and witches running around, arguing over the price of dragon's blood and talking about Quidditch, the Ministry, and various other pieces of news. Liam looked over to Willow, who was equally in awe. Giles smiled back at the both of them, remembering the first time that he and Buffy walked through the arch into this other world.

After a few moments, a witch on her way to somewhere brushed past the stunned Willow and Liam, forcing them back to reality. "Is this Diagon Alley?" asked Willow.

"Welcome," said Giles, bowing to them. "Shall we go to Gringotts?"

They walked through the growing crowd of people. Liam was overwhelmed, trying to look everywhere at once. He noticed a few times Giles looking a little too smug with himself, so he tried to keep his movements controlled, however lost all control when I saw the Quality Quidditch Supplies shop. He rushed over and saw all the display of the brooms in the window, along with robes of several Quidditch teams. He ogled for just a moment, then caught up with Giles and Willow.

As they walked through Gringotts, Liam sensed that all the goblins were paying close attention to him. He didn't like the feeling. He looked at one, only to be glared at with hate. "What's wrong with them?" asked Liam.

"Goblins are not very friendly," said Giles.

"But they're not glaring at you," Liam said, "and you're not very friendly either."

"At least I'm -" began Giles, but was interrupted by Willow poking him. "Do you mind?" he asked, looking rather upset.

"Depends on if a grown man is attacking a twelve year old child. In that case, no I don't."

Before Giles could retort, a goblin announce, "Can I help you?"

Giles went to the goblin. "Yes, we would like to transfer ownership of vault..." Giles looked at a piece of paper, "841, to Liam Summers." He looked over at Liam. The goblin stood a bit taller, looking at him. "And do you have the key and permission?"

Giles pulled a small gold key out of his pocket, along with the note he had read from to the goblin. "Also, this letter gives authorization from Albus Dumbledore to transfer funds from the Hogwar-"

"I can read the letter for myself," said the goblin. After looking the letter over twice, and touching what looked like the Hogwarts seal with his finger, he returned the key and the letter. "Very well then. Troyer," shouted the goblin. A smaller goblin came over quickly. "Take this party to Vaults 841 and 965. Vault 965 does not have a key yet." With this, the goblin began to walk away, with Giles and the others following.

After a quick, if not nauseating cart ride through the underground, everyone returned to the surface and looked around outside Gringotts. Liam and Willow had both filled coin bags with money.

"Giles," began Willow, "where did Buffy get the money?" Liam had wondered the same thing, but didn't think he could speak rationally on the subject.

"After we finished what we came for," said Giles, "the Ministry of Magic decided to pay Buffy & I for our services. Officially, it was a salary. Unofficially, it was hush money so we didn't tell what really happened. I told Buffy we could convert it to Muggle money, but she said that she would rather it stay here and gather interest - a rather responsible move on her part. As no one else was here to claim it, it falls to the next of kin, namely Liam.

"So, how much is in there?" asked Liam. Liam could only tell there was lots of it, and didn't quite understand the conversion from Galleons to dollars.

"Dumbledore didn't say. If you'd like, we can go back and ask."

"Yeah," said Liam, "and get stared at some more. Ooh, what fun."

Giles just smiled and continued on. They first stopped at Madam Malkin's for robes. Liam's letter required a set of black robes, but seeing as how he had none, Willow got him three sets plus a set of dark green robes. "They'll look good on you," she said. She picked out several robes, ranging in colour and style. Giles was currently in one of the changing booths, trying on a new robe.

Liam was getting rather bored with all of this. "I'm going to go next door and get my books," said Liam. Willow, in the excitement of shopping, said, "Do you want Giles to go with you?"

Liam gave Willow what had been dubbed "The Look Of Death", a glare that indicated his utter displeasure with that concept. "Okay, we'll be over in a bit."

Liam took this opportunity to leave the shop with his robes under his arm and walk to Flourish & Blott's. The store was like a large Border's, only with magical books. There were people scattered throughout, trying to find books. Liam was wondering in what order they were placed, when a man tapped him on the shoulder.

"Pardon me sir," said the man, "but you look like you could use some assistance."

"Thank you," said Liam. "I'm completely lost."

"Sounds like you're not only a Muggle, but an American Muggle."

"Right on the American part, partially right on the Muggle part. I'm going to Hogwarts this year."

"Right," said the man. "Follow me then." The man led him over to a elderly witch behind an old time cash register. "Mildred," he said, "this young American would like a -" He turned to Liam again. "Secon' year?" he asked.

"First," answered Liam.

"Blimey," said the man, "you're big for a firs' year."

"They grow 'em big in America," replied Liam.

"Right," said the man with a grin. "He would like a set of firs' year books for Hogwarts. Would you be needing anything else?" asked the man.

"Uh, maybe, but I wanted to look around first."

"Take your time and Mildred will have your books when you're ready to leave." The man walked off, leaving Liam to look around the store, which seemed to go on forever. Books seemed to be arranged by subject like 'Quidditch' or 'Dark Arts' (of which there was a rather small selection). Liam picked up a few books and read through them, not really knowing what he wanted to buy. He supposed it would be impossible to pickup a copy of any Muggle books.

As he made his way back up front, something caught his eye. It was a small book, with the simple title of "The Slayer". He picked it up and began to flip through it. It contained the legends of the slayer. Liam smiled and thought he had found a present for Dawnie, once he finished it.

He walked up to the front as Giles and Willow walked in. "There you are," said Giles. "You shouldn't go running off by yourself," he said.

"Sorry, Dad," said Liam in a sarcastic manner. "Next time I'll check with you before I cross the street."

"Liam, this is not the time or place for an attitude."

"Again, sorry I didn't check with you." Liam turned to the old lady, Mildred. "I'm ready to check out, plus I'd like this book."

Mildred looked at his book. "Ah, interesting. Thinking about studying up on the Slayer legend?"

Liam smiled, "You could say that."

They made their way down Diagon Alley past the other shops to a shop near the end. It was Ollivander's, Maker of Fine Wands since 382 B.C. Liam wondered if it was the same person running the shop for all that time, and after entering to a tinkering sound of a bell and looking at the old man standing by the counter, he tended to think so.

"Ah, I was wondering when I would see you two in here," he said. "And Mister Giles, nice to see you again."

"Thank you Mister Ollivander," said Giles. "I'm glad to be here."

"Cherry, thirteen inches, with the hair of a gypsy," Ollivander said without thinking. "Excellent for charm work."

"Yes," said Giles.

"Now, Miss Rosenberg, I believe we will start with your wand." Ollivander took out a silver tape measure and measure Willow's arm. He then walked around picking up a few different boxes. "Since you are a late bloomer," began Ollivander, "we shall start with a few of my more mature wands." He handed one of them to Willow. "Go on," he said, "give it a wave."

Willow waved the wand, but nothing happened. "Uh, Mr. Ollivander, are you sure I can use one of these?"

"Miss Rosenberg, I have been making wands longer than you can possibly imagine. I know wands, and I know the wizards and witches who use them. As to your binding, I received an owl this morning from Professor Dumbledore saying that choosing the correct wand would lift your binding. I assure you, I am actually quite thankful that I do not have a mess to clean up," he turned to look at Liam, "at least not yet."

After a few more wands, Willow finally found hers. As she swished her wand, a series of pink bubbles were scattered through the air. "Ah, perfect fit. Appropriately enough, willow, fourteen inches, with clippings of a werewolf's toenails. Perfect for charms or transfiguration." Willow was stunned by the contents of her wand. But before she could say anything, Ollivander spoke, "Remember Miss Rosenberg, the wand chooses the wizard or witch. Now, to Mister Summers."

Ollivander walked behind his desk and pulled out three boxes. "Since you are so unique," began Ollivander, "I thought only of these wands for you. Call it an intuition, if you will." Ollivander handed the first to Liam, which he took and made a swish similar to Willow's. The candles on the desk suddenly shot flames several feet into the air, catching a few boxes on fire.

Before anyone could panic, Ollivander took the wand and with a swish of his own, water shot from the tip and extinguished the fire.

"Hmm, let's try again, shall we," said Ollivander. He handed Liam the second wand. This time with his swish, the wand shot green sparks in an arch over their heads.

"Ah, perfect. Oak, twelve inches, and the only wand I possess with a Slayer's hair."

Liam was shocked, "Was it-"

"Oh no," said Ollivander. "Unfortunately I did not have a chance to see her. No, the core of this wand came from a Slayer who was a witch and unfortunately died shortly after becoming a Slayer. She was killed by vampires and turned into one. Very sad story," said Ollivander.

"Okay then," said Giles. "We should be off. How much do we owe?"

"Seven galleons," said Ollivander, "but I would like to ask a favor, Mister Summers.

"As you know, every wand has a magical core. Some item that not only empowers the wood, but it also provides a channel for the user's power. I travel the world collecting the wood and the items, but on occasion they come to me. And when they do, I do like to take advantage of the situation. I would like, if I may, to collect a few items from you in order to make a wand or two."

"You want something of me?" asked Liam.

"I really don't think-" began Giles, but was interrupted by Liam.

"What do you want?"

"Simple, really," he said. "A few of your hairs and maybe a drop of blood. Blood is the life force through which we all live, which is why it plays such an important part of a wand maker's life. As for the hair, hair symbolizes growth and change. Your hair is never the same from day to day, and thereby encourages change."

Liam thought for a moment. "Okay, but what's the catch?"

"No catch," said Ollivander, "except a free wand and my gratuity. Along with the owner of your wands, whomever they might be."