Chapter 2: Diagon Alley
"Time ta ge' up 'Arry"
"Go away I'm sleepin"
"Come on 'Arry time to get up"
"I'm sleepin"
"'kay if thas how ya wan' it." Hagrid said gripping the cover to the bed before pulling them straight off leaving a cold Harry.
"I'm up! I'm up!"
"Goo' ta 'ear"
Harry looked around the room and realized last night wasn't a dream!
"Happy Birthday 'Arry! Come on les go down for your birthday breakfast!"
"Huh my Birthday? Oh yea, my birthday! Thanks!"
Harry, half-awake, stumbled while following Hagrid towards breakfast. Finally they reached tables where people were already eating their breakfast.
"What would you two like today?" asked Tom.
"Go on 'Arry anything ya like."
"Can I er……. get some eggs and bacon?"
"O' course ya can."
"Okay eggs and bacon for the young man and what 'bout you Hagrid?"
"I'll take the same thing bu' with some toas'"
"Okay be back in a sec"
"Thanks"
Soon enough Tom was back with breakfast and the two happily ate away, but a few people from last night were staring at him in awe.
"Hagrid?"
"Yea, Arry?"
"Why do people know my name and want to meet me so much?"
"I'm not sure I should be the one to tell ya that."
"Please"
"Okay……….okay I suppose it all starts with a man named……"
"Who?"
"Sorry it's still hard for me to say these days…….okay……..Voldemort."
"Voldemort?"
"Yes, shh! Yes thas his name just don say it again. People are still scared to even say his name!"
"Oh…….sorry."
"Yes…….never mind anyways this wizard, 'bout twenty years ago, he started lookin' for followers. Got 'em too, some were 'fraid, some just wanted a bit o' his power. 'Cause he was getting powerful. Dark days 'Arry, didn know who ta trus', didn dare get friendly with strangers……..terrible things happened. He was takin ova' and o' course some stood up to 'im. He killed 'em too an' it was getin' to the poin' where the only safe place was Hogwarts. O' course I think Dumbledore was the only one who he was scared of."
"Now yer mum and da were as good as a wizard and witch could get. Powerful ones too, don know why he never tried ter convert them. Probably thought they were too close ta Dumbledore. Anyways they were standin' up to him and were powerful so he needed 'em out o' the way. One nigh' he turned up at yer 'ouse and - and."
Hagrid reached over for a napkin and blew his nose.
"Sorry, its jus' that they were so nice, yer mum an' da. Well anyways he killed 'em and cruel as he was went to kill you too. Now no one had ever survived when he wen' to kill em. Actually the curse, the Killing Curse, no one had eva' survived in history! So somehow when he used it on you - you - you I suppose threw it back at him. It rebounded on him and then he jus' disappeared! No one knows where he went or if he is gone. I reckon he is jus' bidin' his time waitin………anyways can't ya see 'Arry you stopped it all! You stopped what could have been Voldemort's take over!"
Least to say Harry was surprised by this information. That's why they were all staring at him. He was some sort of savior to them but he couldn't remember any of it. He wondered how he stopped that curse.
"Now les got off that sad subjec' and go into Diagon Alley!"
Even though Harry had many more questions he obliged. He followed Hagrid towards the back of the pub towards what looked a broom closet. When Hagrid opened the door showing an empty closet, he wondered what they were doing here. Soon enough Hagrid pulled out his umbrella and mumbled something incoherent to him while tapping the wall.
Then something happened. A small whole appeared in the wall as Hagrid took a step back. The whole started getting bigger and bigger and bigger. Till finally it was a large enough to fit both Hagrid as big as he was and Harry.
"Welcome 'Arry to Diagon Alley!"
There in front of him was a narrow alley with stores on each side. Tons of parents and children were talking and moving in and out of the stores with items in their hands.
Harry remembered something. "Hagrid how am I supposed to buy supplies when I've got no money?"
"Come now 'Arry. You don think yer parents left ya with nothin'?"
"er…….."
"Ya got yer own vault at Gringotts! Come on we'll get ya some of yer money an' then be off to buy yer supplies!"
"Okay!"
"Now follow me and stick close! Don wanna get lost do ya?"
With that the two made their way through the crowds of people. Finally Harry saw their destination a very nice, very large building with the "Gringotts" elegantly carved into it.
When they headed in Harry stopped Hagrid had told them on their ride to the Leaky Cauldron about the goblins that worked at Gringotts, but still seeing them up close was a bit unnerving.
"Stick close 'Arry."
They stopped in front of an important looking goblin that was looking at them over his glasses.
"Yes"
"Morning, we 'ave come to take money outta Mr. Potters vault."
"The key?"
"Yes, yes here ya go."
The goblin gave him a scrutinizing look before handing the golden key back to him.
"Everything seems to be in order."
"I also got a letter here from Professor Dumbledore about you know what in you know which vault." Hagrid said quietly handing the goblin a letter with what he recognized as the same seal that he got on his school letter.
"Very well, I will have someone take you down. Griphook!"
Instantly another goblin came standing next to them.
"Take Mr. Hagrid and Mr. Potter to their vaults."
The goblin nodded and walked only looking back to make sure they were following. They stopped in front of a dingy cart. The goblin climbed in and Hagrid followed. Harry got the idea and did the same. Then they were off down the twisting and turning down the tunnels of Gringotts.
They stopped in front of a small door and got off the cart.
"Key?"
Hagrid handed him the key and the goblin opened the door and stepped out of the way. Harry felt his mouth drop, for inside were piles of gold, silver, and bronze! He touched the pile of gold making sure he wasn't hallucinating.
"All yours 'Arry"
"Wow"
Hagrid chuckled at his response before sticking a leather pouch in his hands and telling him to grab some of each. Then getting back into the cart Hagrid still a bit green from the last ride looked like he was going to cry.
Once again they rode farther down the tunnels before stopping at a stonewall that looked stronger than stone. Hagrid and the goblin got out of the cart and the goblin stood importantly in front of the door.
"Stand back"
Griphook stroked the middle of the wall with one of his long fingernails and it melted away.
"If anyone but a goblin tried that, they'd be sucked through the door."
"How often do you check to see if anyone is inside?"
"Once every ten years." Griphook said smiling nastily.
Harry leaned forward wanting to see what was so important in this vault and expecting to see a mountain of gold and jewels. Inside was just a grubby looking package wrapped in brown paper.
One cart ride later they were standing outside the doors of Gringotts with the sun now beaming down at them. Harry didn't know what to do he never even had money to hold before! He didn't know what to buy first and it seemed Hagrid noticed.
"Why don we ge' yer uniforms first and some casual robes for you ter wear. Not ter be rude but I think ya need 'em."
"Okay!" Harry replied excitedly.
"Harry do you mind if I get a quick pick-me-up while you pick out your robes?" Hagrid asked still looking very green.
"No, of course not Hagrid."
With that Hagrid headed towards the Leaky Cauldron while Harry went towards the Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. He entered the shop feeling nervous till he heard someone shuffle behind him.
Harry turned around to find him facing Madam Malkin a rosy cheeked, smiling witch.
"Hogwarts, dear?"
"er…..yes I need my uniform and some casual robes."
Madam Malkin seemed to brighten as he mentioned that he needed more than just his school robes.
"Oh good just stand over their another young man is being fitted too. Once we get your measurements we will work on some casual robes for you."
Madam Malkin led him over to a stool next to a paled boy, with a hard face. She slipped a long black robe over his thin frame and began pinning it to the right lengths.
"Hello, Hogwarts too?"
"Yes"
"My father's next door buying my books and mother's down the street looking at wands. Then I'm going to drag them off to look at racing brooms. I don't see why we can't have them in our first year it really is a shame, when flying is one of the most enjoyable things."
"You got your own broom?"
"No"
"Play Quidditch at all?"
Harry remembered what Hagrid told him about Quidditch and explained the game to him. It sounded like a lot of fun to play.
"Haven't got the chance."
"Well hopefully you will get to next year when we are allowed to bring brooms. Maybe I'll let you try mine when I get one." he drawled.
"Know what house you will be in yet?"
"No one really knows till they get there, do they?" Harry questioned wondering if their was some other way of knowing before you got in that Hagrid didn't tell him about.
"No of course not, but I know I'll be in Slytherin, all our family have been. Imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?"
"Just being in a house with that name is enough to make me leave." Harry found himself replying since the name just sounded so ridiculous to him.
The other boy seemed to like that response because he smiled at him and sniggered.
"True, very true."
"Where are your parents?"
"Dead"
"Oh I'm sorry." The boy replied obviously uncomfortable in the situation. "But they were out kind weren't they?"
"If you mean witch and wizard yes they were." This seemed to please the boy.
"So then what's your surname?
"There done." Interrupted the witch that was working on the boy.
"I'll see you at Hogwarts I suppose or on the train." The boy said before heading off. He turned his attention back to Madam Malkin. She put a box into his hands.
"There is your uniform now for your casual robes. Your size is over there I suggest you don't pick too many of one color since you don't know which house you'll be in." the witch said pointing to a rack filled with all different color and styled robes. Then he realized that Hagrid never told him the house colors.
"Er…….could you tell me the house colors?"
"Oh sorry I for got you most likely wouldn't know. Slytherins are green and silver, Hufflepuffs yellow and black," Harry stifled a laugh now he really didn't want to be in Hufflepuff not wanting to look like a bumble bee. "Ravenclaw blue and bronze, and Gryffindor red and gold."
"Thank you'
"No problem dear"
He noticed each house color went well with their house mascots. That is one thing Hagrid did tell him and was the mascots. Hagrid seemed to just mention the snake, raven, and badger, but went into great detail about how the lion represented Gryffindor. Harry suspected that was his house.
Harry went over to the robes and took Madam Malkin's advice by buying mostly black and gray robes. Finally when he was finished and the robes were paid for he exited the store to find Hagrid waiting for him outside with two large ice creams in his hand.
"Here ya go 'Arry thought you'd like some ice cream."
"Thanks!" Harry exclaimed smiling gratefully at Hagrid before taking his ice cream.
They bought his books at a place called Flourish and Blotts where there were books stacked to the ceiling on different subjects. Keeping the same train as thought from his studies at the orphanage bought other books.
Hagrid didn't say anything when he bought books on practically all the subjects he could find even when he bought "The Big Book of Curses and Hexes for the Beginner", but he did say that he probably wouldn't want to learnt about what Voldemort did during his times at power when he bought "You-Know-Who's Rise to Power".
"Harry ya sure ya wan' all those books? I mean I'm sure ya want ter know a lot seeing as you haven' been in the magical world before but still this is a 'eavy load."
"I want to know everything I can about magic. I don't want to be just known for my fame of something I can't remember. I want to be known for my knowledge of magic. I'm just living up to my supposedly "greatness". Knowledge is power, Hagrid." Harry said in a matter of fact way. He still didn't like the idea he was going to be known for something he couldn't remember and that he did only at one!
Hagrid chuckled lightly and added "You sure have a thirst to prove yourself don't ya?"
Harry huffed a bit but settled down as they headed off to do the rest of their shopping. Finally the list was winding down and they only had a bit more to buy.
"Les see 'ere, looks like ya only got a wand left and oh yea I still aven' gotcha a Birthday present." Hagrid told him smiling
Harry felt himself redden considerably before replying that he didn't have to.
"O' course I do it isn every day that a young man turns eleven now does it? I suppose you never even got a gift at that cruddy orphanage?"
Harry felt a surge of guilt remembering he had left his friends behind especially his best friend. He wondered what Mr. Barnings told him. He wished his friends could come with him to Hogwarts none the less he was going to go to Hogwarts.
"Now you go ahea' to Ollivander's Wands while I go an get ya a pet, but what to get ya a toad? No they went out of fashion years ago, not a cat they make me sneeze. I think I will get ya an owl, yes dead useful, they are. Carry yer mail an everything."
They both then split up and shuffled towards their destinations. Harry finally saw what he was looking for "Ollivanders: Fine Makers of Wands since 382 B.C. He entered the shabby shop and realized nobody was in site so quickly rang the bell.
"Thought I would be seeing you here soon."
Harry jumped around startled to see an old man with gray eyes looking at him.
"Hello"
"You have your mother's eyes. Your father's hair it seems you dodged having his eyesight." the man said slowly and seemed to notice his confusion "you father had glasses though it seemed you kept your mother's eyesight." he added.
"It's like it was only yesterday your mother was in here buying her wand. Ten and a quarter inches long, swishy, made of willow. Nice wand for charm work."
"Your father, on the other hand, favored a mahogany wand. Eleven inches. Pliable. A little more power and excellent for transfiguration. Well, I say your father favored it, it's really the wand that chooses the wizard, of course."
Mr. Ollivander raised one of his pale hands and pushed some of his ink black bangs out of his face showing his scar. "And that's where………..I'm sorry to say I sold the wand that did it, 13 and ½ inches. Powerful wand. Yes very powerful and if I knew what it was destined to do…….." he shook his head solemnly.
"How ya doin' 'Arry?"
Harry jumped again to find Hagrid seating himself on an old stool that creaked as he put his weight on it.
"Fine just getting my wand."
"Good, good one of the most important events in your magical life!"
"Now Mr. Potter let's see here which one is your wand hand?"
"Well, I am left handed sir."
(A/N him being left handed doesn't mean anything it's just I am left handed and I felt like he should be too!)
"Ok then hold it up there." The old man replied then took out a tape measure and started measuring him. The old man walked away and started shuffling through boxes when he noticed the tape measure was still measuring him, on it's own! He smiled he was beginning to love the wizarding world.
"That's enough" the tape measure immediately stopped. Then Mr. Ollivander shoved a wand into his hand. "Beech wood and dragon heartstring. 10 and ¼ inches." Harry looked at him confused not knowing what to do.
"Give it a wave"
He did. Nothing.
"Yew and dragon heartstring. 11 inches."
Nothing.
"Mahogany wood and unicorn hair interesting combination. 8 and ½ inches.
Nothing.
This went on it seemed like forever and Harry was getting discouraged and doubting if he was supposed to be a wizard. "Tricky customer eh? No matter here try this interesting combination holly and phoenix feather, 11 inches, nice and supple."
Harry gripped the wand and felt a rush of warmth go through him as he waved it. It swished through the air and sending a sparks through the air. Immediately Hagrid whooped and cheered, while Mr. Ollivander clapped happily.
"Curious……….curious…….."
"Excuse me but what's curious?"
"I remember every single wand I have ever sold Mr. Potter. You see the phoenix feather that lies in that wand gave another feather, only one, and it's curious that you'd be destined for that wand when it's brother - why it's brother is the one that gave you that scar."
"Remember Mr. Potter the wand chooses the wizard. I think we can expect great things from you. Since He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things, terrible, but great nonetheless. I just hope that this wand isn't destined to use its power the same way as before."
Harry wasn't sure how much he liked Mr. Ollivander but paid for his wand and walked over to Hagrid. Hagrid was holding a cage and inside was a beautiful white owl.
"Hope ya like her."
"Of course I do thanks!"
"Yer welcome 'Arry now come on les get some dinner before I have to take you to the Dursley's."
"What?!" Harry exclaimed the Dursley's were the ones he learned who put him in that orphanage! They left him at a hospital to be sent away! Why was he going back to them!
"Oh sorry I forgot Dumbledore said that ya will be staying with the Dursley's from now on."
"Why! They were the ones who left me in the hospital to be sent off to the orphanage!"
"I don't know why but thas' where ya will be livin now during the summers."
Harry couldn't believe it he never forgave them for abandoning him to the orphanage. I mean what respectable boy would. He also felt bad that he wouldn't get to say goodbye to his friends.
Harry was silent throughout the dinner and it seemed Hagrid understood why so didn't comment on it. Finally the two instead of taking the bike set off using the Underground towards he learned #4 Private Drive.
Finally they arrived at Little Whinging, Surrey #4 Privet Drive. The house was plain and looked very…….normal.
"Well here we are 'Arry, see you at school. Jus' knock on the door. Good Luck."
"Thanks Hagrid see you later."
"Bye"
Now Harry was standing alone in his new robes. He had changed not wanting to be in his rags another minute. His trunk and Hedwig in her cage at his sides. He raised one of his hands and pushed the doorbell.
Ding Dong
He heard people shuffling inside. Then watched as the doorknob turned and the door opened revealing…………………….
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
A/N I hope you like the new chapter! What will happen with Harry and the Dursley's after 10 years of pent up anger and hate towards his former guardians? Please review! Anything you have to say about the fic! Suggestions and comments are welcome! I mean how could you not review?
~howdidhenot