This could possibly work:
Create a new item function (just find which of the others you were looking to imitate) in
functions/functions_items.php but don't call the line
$delitem = $item->remove(); in it. Be sure to also reference the item function in
classes/class_privateitem.php. Then go attach that function to the item. You may need to make it appear consumable, but because the function doesn't include that line, it shouldn't?
Let me know how that goes...?