Chapter 2
Years just flew by, and Harry Potter was nearing his eleventh birthday, in a few days time, and he was locked away in his cupboard again. That meant that he was still forced to take on his younger form, that of a five year old. That after a long time of practice, whenever he went into his cupboard he could easily swift into that form, as he wouldn't fit otherwise.
Over time, Harry had matured physically as well as intellectually. He usually stood at four foot, five inches but as of now stood, if he could, at three foot, four inches, barely past a metre. In his usual form he still had his messy black hair, which seemed to have become even more disarrayed. His face had lost the baby fat over the years, revealing a defined face with high cheekbones similar to that of an aristocrat. Now if Harry was open about his intelligence, he would have been considered a genius, not human genius, but a genius nonetheless.
Due to a random experiment of his own growing curiosity, he had discovered that people seemed to overlook him in his smaller form. He would just be another child on the streets, and adults passed him by assuming his guardian was around keeping an eye on him. Harry could go wherever he wanted to and he definitely wanted to go to London. There he could do many things since it was such a large city.
Firstly, with money that he had gained from stealing, he could buy a good meal or two. He only took either from the Dursley's, and not too much that they would be suspicious, but just enough to last him through the day. Or what he pocketed in small amounts, from people passing by, using his super speed. He never took anything that they wouldn't overlook, a pound here and there. Due to this he was now eating a good meal at least once a week.
Secondly, he went to learn all he could about martial arts. He figured at the time, if ever were in a position where he needed to defend himself in front of witnesses, so they would never see his powers. He could, add a highly controlled amount of strength and speed, to unarm an assailant quickly. Although, it would be tricky in some cases, as long as he was in control he wouldn't hurt anyone innocent. He applied and filled out the appropriate forms for the lessons that the receptionist gave him.
Not using his real name or face, as he changed his appearance to a younger facade he dubbed Alex Powers he forged his parents signature. His lessons were also paid with the pick pocketed, insignificant amounts of money to the common people. Yet this was vital, when it was all added together to help Harry in his life pursuits and needed expenses.
Harry was quick to learn all he needed to know about the physical and mental art, due to the accelerated pace his mind worked. He just followed the speed his body operated at, advanced through the ranks at an astounding pace, when he finally became a black belt and left the school.
Thirdly while he was out in London, and alongside his martial arts training, he went to the public library. Reading as many books as he could reach that were stacked along the many shelves. He had also purchased a library card, with his illicit money so he could take them some of the books home to read in the park or in the forest around Surrey.
He read and comprehended texts on Biology, Chemistry, English, Literature, Mathematics, History, Law, Government, and Economics. He often allowed himself to the pleasure of fictitious novels such as Lord of the Rings, The Adventures of Merlin, and Star Wars to break the cycle of the drab education.
Finally, all this travel was how he had discovered that he was getting faster. When he was nine, the age that he started going to London, he had gotten there in approximately two minutes, give or take a few seconds. So he actually timed himself one day, now he could get there in half the time.
He went about these escapades in and around the community, only made on the weekends because he had school during the week. After his chores were completed, in this he actually cheated a tad. By using his super speed to get them done faster, but as long as he got them completed the Dursley's didn't bother him.
The Dursley's began to notice an increase in his intelligence, at age seven, when he brought home a spelling test from school with a hundred percent.
This past episode resulted in a week of no food and his chores were doubled if not tripled. The chores he could handle easily, but a week with no food was extremely difficult. He had to resort to stealing minute amounts of food from the ice box by teleporting out, his first time ever stealing something actually. Afterwards, Harry never did better than Dudley again; the teachers assumed he had cheated off of another student and gave not another thought to the matter.
Harry slid off of his cot waiting patiently for his Aunt to unlock the cupboard door. At her punctual time of 6:30 in the morning, the door was opened and Harry was set free from his prison. Harry stepped out and slid into his normal form without his Aunt's notice, not that he needed to try very hard, and went off to make the usual.
A full English breakfast consisting of: bacon, eggs, hash browns, toast, sausage, fresh fruit, and black tea with milk and sugar. After breakfast, which he was able to eat today, the mail slot clicked, signalling the morning post arrival.
"Boy, get the post," Vernon succinctly ordered while reading his morning paper.
"Make Dudley get it," Harry replied.
"Get him with your Smelting stick Dudley."
Harry dodged the Smelting stick apart of the required uniform to a rich private school that his Uncle went to, and went to get the post. Looking through he discovered a letter addressed to him. Knowing that if his relatives saw it they would take it away, he hid the letter quickly in his oversized pocket to read for later. He handed the rest of the bills and such to his oaf of an Uncle to peruse through.
After his habitual washing of the dishes, the emerald eyed ten year old set out to do his chores, intent on reading the letter while pruning his Aunt's garden. When outside he opened his letter, after reading the address which had, The Cupboard Under the Stairs plainly written on it. It made Harry wonder if he had a stalker of some sort, and began to read.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chief Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins September 1st. we await your owl by no later than July 31st.
Signed,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Harry was very skeptical, but realized after all he could do, that it could be magic or wizardry as it was called in the pensive. He looked around, looking for this owl that he was supposed to send. After a few seconds of scanning the front yard, he found a barn own sitting on a tree.
Harry decided that if he was to send a letter, he would have to give it to the owl, distantly bringing up memories of reading about messenger pigeons in one of his books from the library.
Speeding through the house, he arrived in Dudley's bedroom, looking around for a piece of paper and pen, he quickly wrote his reply.
Dear Ms. McGonagall,
I would be happy to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, although I have a few questions that I must ask you as I am a bit wary. You can either come in person, which is not recommended as I am not home for most of the day anyway, or you can reply in a letter; it matters not which you choose.
First is the tuition, how much is it to attend your school? Do you have a system where it needed I could apply for a loan? That is, my family wouldn't be willing to pay for my education. Second, I would like to know, where do I purchase the listed supplies? Do I have sufficient funds? Finally, what exactly is Hogwarts? I realize it is a school but how long must I attend?
Thank you for your time. If you still wish to meet with me, meet me in the park, in Little Whinging Surrey on Privet Drive at one in the afternoon, and I will wait fifteen minutes.
Sincerely,
Harry Potter
Harry went through his normal routine. He finished his chores and went to London's Library to gain more of the knowledge held there. He grabbed a bit to eat and ran back the Privet Drive to see if this McGonagall had replied.
Upon his arrival at number four, he noticed an oddly dressed woman, in what looked like robes with her hair done up in a tight bun, in the front yard. Luckily, his relative hadn't noticed, nor had the neighbours.
He walked up the driveway, toward the peculiar woman.
She noticed him and gave him a once over. He looked a tad pitiful. He looked to be three years younger than he should be and with the baggy clothes at least ten sizes too big for him, he looked even smaller.
"Harry Potter?" She called out curtly.
"Yes ma'am, I'm him. Are you Ms. McGonagall?" Harry asked her, and Minerva nodded.
"I was not expecting you to show up before 1:00 p.m. tomorrow," Harry stated surprisingly.
"I apologize for coming unannounced, but tomorrow I will be showing a student around the magical world and would not have been able to meet you at such time. If I had sent a letter, I would have had to wait for your reply and by then it would be too late to answer your inquiries. As I understand it, you have a few questions for me," she waited patiently for his response.
"Yes, and it is not a problem. All of my questions where in the letter, so please start there. If more come up, I'll ask afterwards," Harry replied, looking up at her.
His look showed an unusual amount of pain and loneliness with still a few slivers of innocence buried behind them. It pulled at Minerva's heartstrings and in an effort to keep a professional attitude she began the answers to the aforementioned questions.
"Very well, I'll just explain the lot. Before I do, how about we go someplace more comfortable to talk?"
Harry nodded and led the strict looking teacher towards the park and sat down on a nearby bench near the swings.
"Okay then, Hogwarts is a magical institution where children possessing the potential to do magic are trained to control their magic for seven years and become educated members of our society. Tuition for you is not needed as your parents had paid for everything the day you were born. Your father and mother were very well respected members of our society and very well off. I would imagine that they would have left you a trust vault for money until you reach your majority at age seventeen in the wizarding world. You would purchase your supplies in Diagon Alley in London, through a pub called the Leaky Cauldron on Charing Cross. It can only be seen by magical folk and muggles, non-magic users, who are touching a person with magic," sitting back after her explanation she awaited any further comments from the young boy.
Harry eyes lit up at the mention of his parents, and narrowed moments later deep in thought.
"Thank you for giving me so much information Ms. McGonagall. I have a few more questions before I will completely agree to attend Hogwarts. To begin, can you show me magic, just so I can completely confirm that you are a witch, as it were? Just how did my parents die because judging from your explanation of my parents, they were very successful and not drunkards that got in a car crash?" Harry inquired innocently.
"A car crash!? That's unthinkable! Detestable! A disgrace to your parent's memory," spite filled her as she spit these words out, and Minerva composed herself before continuing.
"Now, there isn't an easy way to say this nicely, so I'll just come right out with it. Your parents were murdered by an evil wizard who went as bad as one can go. His name was Lord V-V-V-Voldemort," Minerva stuttered, her upper body visibly shuddered before she could carry on.
"Please don't have me say it again. Most of the magical world refers to him a You-Know-Who. The only exception is Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts. He and his followers went about killing anyone they pleased, no one getting in his way. You didn't know who you could trust with his followers casting spells on people left and right, and every day homes were being attacked and families killed. The wizarding world was near collapse until Voldemort went to your house Mr. Potter. No one knows why he went there, but most thought it was because your parents defied him so many times, he went to make an example of them. He killed both of your parents, Lily and James," Minerva sniffled here but quickly recomposed herself.
"Then he went up to kill you, but for some reason, he could not. When the curse he sent at you rebounded and killed him instead, leaving only that scar on your forehead. You are famous in our world because of this, Mr. Potter. You, as a baby, defeated the most feared wizard of the age and saved the wizarding world from utter collapse," Minerva concluded.
Harry was stunned into silence he had always fanaticized about his parents, but never would have thought that they were war heroes. Before he got himself worked up over what could be nothing.
"Ms. McGonagall can you perform some magic for me?" Harry asked in a small but commanding voice.
"Of course I can, but maybe we should go to a place a bit less crowded. Magic secrecy and what not," she replied.
Harry led her towards an encampment of trees in the park and sat down on a bench nearby. McGonagall looked down and pulled a piece of grass out of the ground. Looking around surreptitiously, she pulled out what looked like a well polished stick to Harry, and waved it.
Suddenly, the grass turned into a perfect needle. She handed it to him for him to examine before she turned it back into grass and throwing it to the winds. Harry, needless to say, was stunned yet again.
"Well Mr. Potter, I must be going as it is getting quite late. I assume that you can find your way back home. If you have any other questions feel free to contact me at any time through the owl that will be staying around your property. Goodbye Mr. Potter and I hope to see you at Hogwarts," she teacher broke the silence.
Harry nodded absentmindedly, and walked home in a daze. Quickly cooked the Dursley's dinner and went to bed in his cupboard.
*
The smallest eleven year old boy awoke still in a daze, wondering if it was all a dream. He decided that if it wasn't a dream, the owl McGonagall had talked about, would be around if needed. It would be in the vasinity near his home, presumably resting in a tree.
Harry went about his usual chores all the while looking around outside for the owl. He spotted it in an oak in the front yard. Realizing it was not a hoax or a dream, he super speeded to London hoping to find this Leaky Cauldron and perhaps Diagon Alley as well.
He found it in a run-down alleyway between two tall buildings, a bank and a post office. The other people,did not seem to notice the strange building. They lacked the ability to see it as non-magical folk, muggles because it was derogatory harry didn't like to use it, but is was what they were apparently called in the magical world.
After altering his appearance because he knew he was famous and practically had a sign that screamed, Harry Potter here, conveniently located on his forehead. So he went about changing his hair to a lighter shade of blond and lengthening it so it covered his scar. Keeping his eyes green but much darker, Harry reached and opened the door, then steping inside.
The first thing he noticed was the dark atmosphere of the place, he was quick to get through the sparcely crowded bar, and walked right up to the bartender, and asked him where Diagon Alley was.
"Ah! A muggleborn, right? Of course you are. The names Tom by the way and I'll take you out to the alley, its just right back here," said Tom.
He lead him into the back of the pub.
"You tap each brick with a wand," Tom pointing out each brick and tapping them each in turn.
"Then it opens to Diagon Alley!"
After the wall was open and Harry thankful he hadn't gone into cardiac arrest because of the shock, he stepped through the threshold into the busy, cobblestoned street.
When he walked through the brick wall it closed behind him. It left Harry wondering if you were to press the same bricks to get out.
As Harry walked he noticed a myriad of shops of various natures, he saw an apothecary and what looked like a woman complaining about the prices. A book store named Flourish and Blotts looking through the window he could see shelves and shelves of knowledge and couldn't wait to buy some books.
In the distance he saw an impressive white stone building, which he assumed to be the bank, as what else would have enough space to hold all of the English Wizarding Society's money.
He quickly made his way there and noticed what looked to be goblins from his books guarding the entrance. He nodded to them in thanks, still too surprised to speak, when they opened the door.
Inside he found another pair of door with an inscription written in silver.
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
Harry shuddered when he finish reading the disturbing poem. He went on through the second pair of double doors. What he saw inside astounded him. There were goblins all along high desks counting, measuring, and weighing precious gems and gold.
Harry walked up to the nearest teller.
"Excuse me. Could you tell me if I have an account here please?" Harry asked.
The goblin stared are him for a few seconds, slightly unnerving Harry before replying.
"Yes. Give me your name and key please," his voice slightly rough replying.
"My name is Harry Potter even though I don't look like myself and I have never heard of this key as I've been raised by mu…non-magic folk. Is there a way you can get the one that exists to come here or make a new one?"
"Of course, Mr. Potter I just need a drop of your blood on this parchment please to verify you identity," the goblin passed him a dagger along with the parchment.
Harry, slightly nervous that this wouldn't work, pricked his finger with the knife. It was surprising to see a drop of his blood appear and drop onto the parchment before the slight wound healed itself.
The goblin took back the knife and parchment and examined the results. Satisfied, he mumbled a few words and the parchment turned into a golden key with his full name imprinted in silver on the side. The goblin handed Harry the key while explaining.
"Mr. Potter, this is you new key and the old one that was considered lost or stolen has been destroyed. The new key will be keyed into your blood and only a descendent of you can use it. All actions and transactions with the previous key will be thoroughly investigated. We here at Gringotts apologize for the lax in security and hope you continue your future banking with us."
"It's not problem Mr…"
"Stonearm."
"Mr. Stonearm, it wasn't your fault, but please try to find out who had my key for the ten years I was not present in the magical world. Thank you for getting my key for me, so now that I have it, can I go to my vault?"
"Yes Mr. Potter, I'll call my son to take you down to your trust vault. Stonehand! Take Mr. Potter here to his vault."
"Yes father."
Harry followed Stonehand to a cart that looked to lead under the bank. The fast-paced, long ride to his vault was exhilarating to say the least. Harry imagined that the rushing feeling would be similar to riding a roller coaster.
He stepped into the vault to find what looked like a pointy, triangular spaceship that Stonehand seemed not to even notice. Harry stepped toward it and found a letter. It was for him!
He opened it and quickly looked to the bottom to see who wrote it, Harry nearly broke down crying right there. When he saw that it was from his Mom and Dad, he skimmed back to the top of the letter and began reading.
Dear Harry,
This is Dad. If you are reading this that means I have passed on. I sincerely hope that your mother is with you right now reading this beside you. If not, I'm sorry I couldn't protect you both. I do hope that Sirius, your Godfather and my best friend, is nearby, if not, anyone else that was stated in our will for you to go to if your mother and I did not make it.
I am sure that you are no doubt curious about the ship this letter was on and why no one else can see it. Well no one can see it because your mother, the amazing Charms genius that she is, created a spell so that no one but you, your mother, and I can see it. It was the ship that you came to our lives in. The ship crash landed in our backyard a day after your mother had a miscarriage.
We told no one that our child died in birth, hoping to grieve in peace, but when we found you, it was a blessing. We magically adopted you through a method where you become someone's child by blood and gain some of their characteristics and possibly family talents.
We quickly got you documented as our child through the proper channels, even in the muggle world, you will always be a Potter. No knowing that we had adopted you into our lives. Know that I love you and hope that you enjoy your life to the fullest, maybe even play a prank or two.
Hi sweetie; this is mum. If you are reading this, it means that I am not among the living. I hope that your father, godfather, or godmother is standing next to you while you read this. If not, ask the goblins for the Potter will. I'm sure that they would be happy to help you.
Always know that I love you and will watch over you for all my days. I knew that you were special the moment you landed in our backyard, and I know that you will do well in whatever you try.
With love forever,
Mum and Dad
P.S. The octagonal disk in the box next to the ship was found near your ship. We believe that it is the key to start the ship, which I would not recommend as you do as we don't know what will happen.
With those comforting words, Harry sniffled and composed himself. He found a bag in the corner, provided by the Gringott's goblins that are feather light and have an expansion charm on the inside.
Harry loaded up all that he could into the bag, enough for anything he could want in the Alley, even a racing broom if he so desired. Stonehand stated that the gold coins were called Galleons, the silver ones, and bronze Knuts. It was seventeen silver Sickles to a gold Galleon, and 29 bronze Knuts to a Sickle.
Harry's main reason for this venture was to convert these gallons into pounds for his dealings in the non magical world. He recalled eariler seeing a few people doing that with the tellers near the entrance. This way he won't have to steal money from the populous.
Of the 1004 galleons, and seven knuts converted, he received 5000 pounds. The amount enough to buy him clothes and shoes that fit, and food during the summer when he was not at Hogwarts. The amount of galleons left was still quite impressive which he had intended so he wouldn't have to go down to his vault every time he needed money. Harry would separate the 5000 or so galleons into bags of 100 for easy access.
For now, Harry was content with leaving the bank and wandering the Alley for the supplies on his supply list, which he had found upon his entrance into the Alley attached to his acceptance letter.
The first store he saw was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Harry thought that the name was a bit verbose for his liking, but decided not to judge a book by its cover, so to speak. Harry entered the shop and immediately changed his height to normal, but kept the general appearance of is disguise the same.
"Hogwarts dear?" A woman walked up to him in designer robes and enquired.
Harry nodded in affirmative.
The lady pointed to a stool and told him to stand there while she gets the supplies for the measurements. Harry walked to the stool and stood in front of a human-sized mirror and waited for the woman to reappear. She came back and introduced herself and Madam Malkin, the owner of the shop and proceeded to take his measurements. After ten minutes of standing completely still, she was done.
"Okay dear, you can hop down now. The robes will be done in about two hours. Anything else I can get for you?"
"Yes actually. Do you think you could put a…charm, I think it was called, to automatically fit my size. If you can, how much would I owe you?" Harry asked.
"Well, if I charm all of your clothes, a galleon for each charm, that would add up to fifteen galleons, seven sickles, and twelve knuts," she replied while counting under her breath.
Harry counted out the coins, having learned the conversions from Stonehand in the cart ride back to the surface, and handed them over.
"Okay, everything seems to be in order. The robes should be reading in two hours. Swing by then and I'll have them for you…I'm sorry I never got your name," Madam Malkin tallied them up and said with a smile.
"It's Alex Powers ma'am. Thank you for your time." With that, Harry left the robe shop in search of the bookstore he saw along the way.
Harry found it next to the robe shop and quickly stepped inside. In his excitement, he accidentally knocked over a girl with brown bushy hair, brown eyes, and as many books as Harry was intending to buy scattered around her. He quickly picked her up, and helped her pick up the dropped books.
"Hello. I'm Alex, and you are?" Harry introduced himself to the girl, a bit nervous as he had not had much interaction with kids his own age.
"I'm Hermione Granger," the young girl replied, still a little flustered from the fall.
"I'm a muggleborn and was oh so excited when I received my letter, I mean, it's magic! Something only a few select people in the world even get the chance to do!" Here she seemed to gain a second wind and continued on, Harry was surprised to see that she said all of that in one breath and quickly stopped her here.
"Yes it is exciting isn't it? I just turned eleven this summer and I can finally begin learning magic like my parents. Sadly, I won't get to go to Hogwarts as I'll be homeschooled by my Aunt. Still I do hope to see you around Hermione."
Hermione was actually startled that this small boy who looked to be nine, was actually her age. With these parting words, Harry left to wander the bookstore. He found all of the books on the booklist and put them in the feather light basket provided, and continued to browse the rest of the shop.
Harry found books on potions, a much more detailed version than the one required by the school, as this one showed how each ingredient interacted and the difference between a cut and chop, a brew and a concoction, and why the potion must be taken off the fire before certain ingredients are added.
Books on what his powers were called, a Metamorphmagus, and other gifts that one could have due to one's genealogy. He found books on government and traditions of the magical world. By the time he got the counter, he had two baskets filled to the brim with various books on the wizarding world.
The store owner, Mr. Flourish, was quite surprised to find a small boy hauling to full baskets of books onto his counter for payment. Figuring his parents or older sibling asked him to grab the books, he asked no question and just rang them up and put them in a lightweight, expanded carrying bag.
"The total comes to fifty galleons and sixteen sickles young man."
Harry pulled out the money and handed it over.
"Do you have a catalogue or something I can order from incase I need more books sir?" he asked.
"Certainly, it will cost a galleon more, but it has all the books we have on owl order."
"Okay, I'll buy it. Thank you sir," Harry grabbed the bag Mr. Flourish handed to him and walked out of the store looking for a store to buy an owl as he needed one to have an owl order. He walking into with his bag of books in hand.
Harry looked around for a while, none of the birds appealing to him, until he saw a beautiful snow white owl looking right at him, he went right up to her cage peering at her.
"Would you like to come home with me?" Harry asked politely.
The owl looked to be thinking it over before bobbing her head in a positive. Harry quickly pointed out the owl to the store clerk and bought her for fifteen galleons with her cage, owl treats, and perch for her. She seemed to be practically glowing when leaving the store with Harry.
When outside Harry opened the latch to her cage and told her to wait for him for a minute. He went back inside and asked the shop owner if he could make the owl's treats, cage, and perch into something he could carry, as he didn't want to attract attention and a nine year old sized boy carrying a large owl cage and stand in each arm would.
Harry left the shop and told Hedwig where he lived, not quite sure that the owl would be able to find the place as she had never been there, but trusted her as she seemed to know where she was going. Before she left he told her to stay in a tree or around the house as his relatives wouldn't be very happy with an owl flying into their house.
Because of all the things he had to carry he decided to get a trunk to shove everything into. He found a shop concisely called Trunks and walked in. He heard a bell ring behind him and a man with long brown hair standing at about six feet stepped out.
"What can I do for you lad?" the man asked.
"I'd like to get a trunk please."
"Alrighty, come on over here," he walked around the counter and motion for Harry to follow him
"These are you standard Hogwarts trunks. Pretty basic, just an expanded inside to hold belongings. These over here are modified with shrinking charms and basic security, but are similar to the Hogwarts trunks. Finally, there are the mulit-compartmented trunks in the back, those costing a pretty galleon, but worth it as they last a long time and are pretty versatile."
Harry, knowing that he needed a lot of space in a small space because of the size of his cupboard, went right to looking at the multi-compartment trunks.
He found a trunk with eight compartment and it was just what he needed. The first compartment had just the regular sized Hogwarts trunk. The next one being a library with space and shelves for over 9000 books, along with a nicely lighted reading area.
The third compartment was a fully furnished kitchen with a pantry with a year's supply of food. The fourth being a Master Bedroom with a king size bed, a walk in closet, and an attached bathroom with a large tub and shower. The fifth compartment was what looked to be a long stage extending in two directions and padded walls, along with training dummies.
The next compartment was a living room with furniture, a fire place, and other necessities. The last two compartments could be either more storage or spare bedrooms depending on what the owner needed.
Harry so engrossed in the trunk, did not hear the Trunk shop owner approach him from behind, surprising him.
"Ah. I see you have a good eye lad. That is the best trunk in the store, one of the best I've ever made. Along with the multiple rooms, it has a magic recognition ward, a ward preventing damage from unsavory spells except the unforgiveable three," which Harry decided to look into later, "and is able to shrink and expand on command. It is an auror grade trunk, but I would be willing to part with it for a price."
"Oh and how much is that?" Harry asked, eager to buy the trunk.
"2000 galleons lad, a price I don't think you can pay right now." Needless to say, he was surprised when Harry counted out 2000 galleons from his bag and put it all on the counter.
"Okay. Can I have the trunk now?"
"Sure, whatever kid," the shop owner replied, still baffled how kid like that could pull out that kind of money on a whim.
Before Harry left, the shop owner, having snapped out of his stupor, ran after him.
"Kid take care of that trunk. It's my pride and joy. The manual's in the first compartment and will be able to tell you all about the features of the trunk." After his final word the owner returned to the back of the store.
Harry nodded and walked out after putting all his stuff into the last compartment, deciding to sort it all in his spare time, which, to him, seemed endless at the Dursleys.
Harry, remembering his robes he measured for two hours ago, when back to Madam Malkin's to pick them up. Madam Malkin was currently working with a customer so Harry waited at the counter. Another employee, who by the nametag was Julie, asked if he needed any help.
"Yes, thank you. I am Alex Powers and came to pick up the robes Madam Malkin told me to pick up." Harry replied.
"Alright, let me check if they are done." Julie said.
Julie headed towards the back of the store to search for Harry's robes. She came back after a few minutes of searching and gave them to Harry to be on his way.
"Tell Ms. Malkin I give my thanks for her great work. Before I go, could you give me the spell for the automatic clothes resizing? I'm willing to pay for it if I have to."
"You'll have to talk to Madam Malkin about that as the spell is of her own design. She shouldn't be much longer. I'll send her to you when she is finished."
With that, Harry went to sit on one of the many chairs lining the back wall, waiting for the owner of the shop to finish with her customer. In no time Ms. Malkin walked over to discuss the wanted spell.
"I honestly don't know why I'm here. There would be no need for me to sell the spell to one so young, as the spell is quite a challenge."
"Ms. Malkin, I'm willing to buy to spell for 2000 galleons, more if you want. When I grow up I will not sell it to any other competing shops, or use it against you in the competitive market. It will only be used for my personal use as I will be buying a lot of muggle clothes and I'd rather not inconvenience you than I already have. I'm willing to sign a contract if I have to saying such." The clothes shop owner thought it over and decided to sell it to the boy as it seemed to be of no harm to her or her shop.
"Very well, I will sell it to you but only if you uphold the previous conditions and not tell anyone that I sold it to you. If these terms are acceptable, I will draw up the contract."
"Agreed," Harry stated.
As soon as he said that Madam Malkin walked into the back and returned with parchment paper, an ink bottle, a regular quill, and an odd looking black quill. They both drew up the aforementioned conditions and signed it with the odd quill.
Harry signed with his true name: Harry James Potter. As he started to write his name he noticed a small prickling on the back of his hand, but when he looked down the feeling was gone and he blew it off as a weird itch.
When clothes designer looked down at his signature, she let out a gasp.
"Shhhh…I don't want anyone to recognize me. Can we keep this a secret?" Harry quickly sushed her.
Madam Malkin, realized who she was talking to she nearly fainted, but regained her composure before she could cause a scene. With their business done, Harry bid her goodbye after she had given him a piece of paper with the spell incantation and wand movements.
"Thank you for everything you have done for me. Give Ms. Julie my regards."
"Of course. Take care dear. Come back soon."
After getting his robes into his final trunk compartments, Harry headed toward the apothecary and stocked up on all the ingredients he needed for potions for three years. All of which were held under stasis, in case he decided to work ahead in his class.
The final place Harry had to go to was the wand shop, Ollivanders. Harry stepped inside, surprised at the darkness of the place. Suddenly an odd old man appeared behind the counter.
"Ah Mr. Potter, I expected you would be here soon," he exclaimied.
Harry was surprised how the man was able to see through his disguise.
"How did you know, I wasn't who I appeard to be?" Harry asked .
"A magician must keep his secrets Mr. Potter, as I'm sure you know," to which the man replied.
"Now I know you came here for a wand, so let's get you one. Now, which is your wand arm?"
"Well, I'm right handed, if that's what you mean." As soon as that sentence was out of his mouth, a tape measure sprang up and started to measure all on its own, sometime in the most unusual places like the length between his nostrils.
As the odd gadget was measuring him Ollivander explained wand cores are never alike for two people, just as no two animals were alike. The odd man handed him a wand, explaining its core and wood type.
Harry gave it a wave after Ollivander's order and watched in fascination as a vase exploded behind the man. Ollivander quickly took that one away.
The cycle repeated itself through wand after wand until a Holly and Phoenix feather combo caused the young metamorph to feel a great warmth travel form the wand, through his center, and down towards his toes. Mr. Ollivander explained the great significance to the wand and how he expected great things from him, just as Lord Voldemort did horrific, but great, deeds.
Tired after a long day, Harry teleported to the Dursleys front yard behind a tree, so the neighbors wouldn't see him. Harry greeted his owl and vowed he would give her a name soon. Harry did his usual nightly chores and went into his cupboard to get some well deserved rest.