Harry was literally bouncing with excitement. He was hopping on and off the front door step as they waited for Papa. Today he'd received his Hogwart's letter. Today they were going to Diagon Alley. Today he was getting a wand.
"Papa!" He yelled. "Come on!"
Papa rolled his eyes as he stepped out the house.
"Impatient brat." He murmured. Harry grinned, hoped off the step and extended his hand. Papa took it.
"See you there." Dad said, and disapparated. He looked up with expectant eyes.
"Ready?" Papa asked. Harry nodded. Papa squeezed his hand, and then there was a tight feeling in his chest, like his ribs were trying to crush him. He scrunched up his eyes until he felt them land. He tugged his hand free from Papa's.
"Woohoo!" Harry sprinted through the pub and toward the brick entrance of Diagon Alley. Someone gasped as he pushed past them, perhaps recognising the scar, but he didn't stop until he reached the archway. They'd come to Diagon Alley a few times, and it was wonderful. There was were owls and broom sticks and goblins and every time they got ice cream.
"Harry! Don't run away from us like that. It's dangerous a dangerous place to be on your own. Especially for you, remember?" Dad scolded when they finally caught up. Urg. Adults were so slow. He frowned, trying to appear apologetic.
"Yeah, sorry. I'm just so excited about getting a wand!" The most important part of the trip. He could already do some magic, but a wand was special.
Papa tapped the bricks and they folded away to reveal Diagon Alley.
"Have you got your pocket money? And the emergency portkey?" Harry jangled the moleskin pouch that hung around his neck. Papa nodded approvingly.
"Let's go then." Papa led the way and Harry trailed after them. Diagon Alley was one of his favourite places in the world. He couldn't imagine having to live as a muggle. It would be so boring.
Ollivander's was intimidating, but fun. The shop was badly lit, and Harry couldn't help but think maybe Ollivander wanted to scare people. It took forever to get his wand, but it was worth it in the end. It was beautiful. He felt like he never wanted to put it down. His wand was holly, with a phoenix feather in the middle. Dad and Papa both said that he should ignore the story about You Know Who having the brother wand, and they were always right, so he did, for the most part, although he decided he might research what the implications were.
"Harry!" Hagrid swept him into an enormous hug as he exited the shop.
"Oh do control your Gryffindor urges. You're making a scene." Papa growled. Harry patted Hagrid's knee.
"Ignore him. He's grumpy because he has to interact with people." Harry said. Papa scoffed while Dad laughed.
"It's nearly your birthday, isn't it? Come on I've got the perfect idea for a present." Hagrid said. Harry explored Eyelops's Emporium, but was eventually towed out by Dad. Hagrid had bought Harry a beautiful snowy owl. Harry stared at it in awe.
"She's beautiful! Thank you!" Hagrid beamed.
"That she is, that she is." He agreed.
"Come along now, we've still got to go to Flourish and Blotts, and get your school robes." Papa said.
"And Fortescue's?" Harry blinked up at Papa with wide pleading eyes, the picture of innocence. He'd practised in the mirror.
"Don't give me that look. I suppose we can fit it in." He huffed, but Harry knew he was trying not to smile.
"Why don't you get his school supplies, and I'll take him to get fitted?" Dad suggested. Papa looked pleased by that idea.
"I'll come find you once I'm done." They bade Hagrid farewell, and Harry had to endure what felt like hours of being poked and prodded before Madam Malkin declared his robes ready. They left the shop to find Papa right outside, looking distinctly uncomfortable as he spoke to Neville's grandmother.
"Hey Nev." Harry whispered while the adults talked.
"Hey Harry." Neville said happily. When they'd first met he'd stammered and stuttered loads, but ever since Harry had shown him how to make the singing roses bloom without a wand he'd grown loads more confident. Harry reckoned that he had just been nervous about being a squib.
"Would you like to see my owl? Hagrid bought her for me." Harry picked up her cage.
"Cool! Gran bought me a toad, I've named him Trevor." He pulled it from his coat pocket.
"Hello Trevor." Harry said.
"Have you named your owl?" Neville asked.
"Not yet. I want to pick the perfect name. Maybe you can help me on the train?" Neville nodded.
"Come now Neville. Time to get your robes." Neville jumped to attention. Harry didn't blame him. Mrs Longbottom was terrifying.
"Yes Gran." He shoved Trevor back in his pocket.
"See you on the train!" Harry called, and waved him goodbye.
"Ice cream?" Dad suggested. Papa nodded, and off they went. Harry got treacle tart, his favourite flavour. Dad made a massive mess as he ate his.
"You eat like a dog." Papa remarked.
"Your dog." Dad answered. Harry ignored their flirting. Typical parent things. Gross. He searched the street for signs of Draco, but didn't see him. Oh well. At Hogwarts they were hopefully going to be sharing a dorm. It was going to be the best.