It wasn't a dream.
He'd awoken to what he thought were tanks rolling down a gravel road. It turned out to be Hagrid's snores. After getting up and watching the Dursley's cower in a corner, he and Hagrid had made their way across the relatively calm sea and onto the train to London.
He hadn't talked much, still trying to figure out how he was going to approach his situation. He hadn't noticed when Hagrid had guided him off the sidewalk into a musty tavern.
"The usual, Hagrid?"
"Can't Tom, I'm on Hogwarts business," Hagrid called back to the bartender, laying his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"My lord," Tom said, staring at him, "It's Harry Potter."
Holy shit I'm Harry Potter. I guess I'd better start thinking of myself as Harry.
The Leaky Cauldron had stilled at the mention of his new name. Everyone stared at him, unsure of what to do.
If I'm going to be stuck as Harry Potter, I'm not going to play along with what the books say. No timid Harry for me. I'm gonna have some fun.
"Hello everyone," he said flashing a smile and leading Hagrid further into the building.
For the next few minutes he was greeted by everyone in the store. Doris Crockford, Dedalus Diggle, and even Quirrell. He'd been tempted to pat the man on the shoulder but decided he didn't want murder to be his first act in the wizarding world. Tom tried to give him a butterbeer before Hagrid shooed him away.
"Well, Harry, I see you inherited your father's charisma," Hagrid said, tapping his wand/umbrella on the bricks behind the "cauldron".
Harry felt a little awkward as they walked through the arch to Diagon Alley. He wasn't quite sure how he was supposed to feel about Harry's parents. He didn't know them or feel anything towards them. He knew he would take on old no nose, but, he had decided to do that in order to keep others safe and less of exacting justice on Voldemort.
"First off, we need to be stoppin' by Gringotts," Hagrid said, pulling Harry out of his thoughts. "Gotta get you your money and I've uhh… got something I need to pick up as well."
Harry smiled up at him and nodded before turning and finding the wonky looking building in the middle of the alley.
They walked in, Harry trying not to gawk at all the goblins lining the counters.
This is going to take some getting used to.
"Mornin'," Hagrid said to an open goblin. "We've come ter take some money outta Mr. Harry Potter's safe."
"And does Mr. Potter have his key?" the goblin replied, peering over the counter at Harry.
Harry smiled at him and turned to Hagrid.
"Hagrid, why don't you go get what you need and I'll get whatever I need and meet you back here in the lobby. I'm sure I'm in good hands with fine staff here at Gringotts."
Hagrid hesitated before nodding and handing Harry his key.
"Don't take too much from your vault. Don't wanna run out before you leave Hogwarts."
He moved to another teller handing him a note before being led toward the vaults.
Harry turned to his goblin.
"If you'll come this way Mr. Pot-"
"Please excuse my rudeness Mr.?" Harry hesitated waiting for the goblin to give his name.
"Roglaff, Mr. Potter. What is it that I can help you with?"
"Thank you Mr. Roglaff," Harry took a breath before continuing. "I'm not sure you are aware, but I've been raised by muggles." He paused as Roglaff nodded. "Thus, I'm not sure of how much money I actually have and whether or not It's all in one vault or if my parents had vaults etcetera etcetera…"
"So you wish to be informed of your financial standing in the wizarding world?"
Harry smiled before replying, "Yes, that would be very helpful."
"Very well," Roglaff said, pulling out a slip of paper. "Unfortunately, there are no available openings for an appointment today. Perhaps we can set a meeting for the winter break?"
Harry frowned. He'd hoped he could get some information on his status within the wizarding community. He'd read enough fan fiction to know he needed to do something with his money other than let it sit in a vault.
"I'm not sure I will be able to make it during the winter break," he said, his mind trying to find an alternative. Maybe I could get a cab from the Dursley's to London before the train leaves in September.
"If we can't get you an appointment before then, we can send you a bank statement via owl," Roglaff had not looked up from writing on his paper.
Harry let out a relieved sigh and nodded.
"However, it will only have monetary information on it. There will be no information on material or real estate items. This is standard for all Gringotts customers."
Harry nodded again before asking, "Do I have an account manager or something like that?"
"No," Roglaff replied. "All Gringotts goblins are capable of helping you, however, if you wish to do any sort of investing or trading, a goblin can be assigned to watch over your holdings and give you periodic updates and advice."
"Very good," Harry said, "I'm sure I'll be signing up for that the next time we meet."
Roglaff raised a bushy eyebrow at him before nodding slowly.
"If that is all Mr. Potter, Griphook will escort you to your vault."
"Thank you Mr. Roglaff," Harry said, "Thank you for your assistance today. I look forward to speaking to you again."
Roglaff kept his eyebrow raised when he responded, "Good day to you, Mr. Potter."
Two hours later, Hagrid picked Harry up from Ollivanders and they made their way back through Diagonally. He'd gotten everything on his Hogwarts letter and more. He'd decided to absorb as much information as he could before school.
The only person who might know more than me before boarding the train will be Hermione.
Hagrid bought Harry a hamburger and fries for dinner. They sat in the restaurant and ate while he pelted Hagrid with questions. Eventually, the day had to end.
Hagrid took him to the train station and bought him a ticket back to Little Whinging. They loaded up his newly packed trunk before it really hit Harry what was going on. He hugged Hagrid, his grief at losing his family and friends finally rising to the surface. He cried a little into Hagrid's coat before pulling back and smiling up at the big man.
"Sorry Hagrid," he said, sniffing. "This has been the best birthday ever. It's nice to have someone to share it with."
Hagrid's eyes watered for a moment before he spoke up.
"You're parents were some o' tha best people I ever knew, Harry. They'd be proud of you."
Harry smiled sadly back at him before waving and boarding the train.
He stared out the window all the way back to the Dursley's, not even responding to Vernon's complaints about him after he'd been picked up from the train station.
I hope I can find someone to share all this with someday. I'm not sure I can deal with all of this on my own.
The Dursley's hadn't helped him get his trunk up the stairs but had locked him in once he got settled. He didn't mind. He just pulled out Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling and a note pad.
It was time to get to work.