"Can you tell me about Hogwarts"
Severus Snape took a deep breath and began to explain.
" Hogwarts is the most well-known wizarding school in the world, and probably the oldest. It is a boarding school and we teach 11-18 year olds how to control magic. In first year you start with the basic studies that you have to do until sixth year. These studies are: Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, History of Magic, Herbology, Astronomy and Defence Against the Dark Arts. In third year you must choose two more subjects, more if you wish." He paused a moment for this to sink in before continuing.
" The school is split into 4 houses. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. You gain house points for being good and as punishment you will lose points or gain a detention. At the end of the year thw house with the most points wins the house cup. There is also clubs that you can join and you can watch quidditch when the house teams play." He ignored the puzzled look on th child's face when he said quidditch but quickly explained it was a sport played on broomsticks.
Harry was very pleased at the information he had recieved from the surly man and turned to him with his final question.
" Where do i buy all my things for this school then?" He had looked at the books and items that were on the list and knew that he would not find tem in any shop in the non-magical world.
" I will take you to Diagon Alley where you can buy your school supplies." The proffesor replied but Harry narrowed his eyes.
" No way, i've let you come into my house and explain Hogwarts to me and all this other magical stuff but you're not taking me to this place. How am i supposed to know whether you're a kidnapper or anything" Harry protested. Severus raised an eyebrow in amusement.
" I can assure you Mister Potter, i am not trying to kidnap you. I am a proffesor at Hogwarts myself and Headmaster Dumbledore would never employ a teacher that would steal his students." Harry still looked way of him but he agreed to be escorted to Diagon Alley by the proffesor.
Harry looked at the wall, his proffesor and then back at the wall again. He was not impressed.
"A wall." He turned to look at his professor again. "You brought me to a backalley behind a dodgy looking pub in London... to look at a wall." He raised an eyebrow and smirked. Severus Snape sneered at him but silently he agreed. I mean, the most impressive shopping street in the whole of wizarding britain, was hidden behind a bloody wall. He tapped the brick sequence and watched the child's expression as the wall opened to reveal Diagon Alley. To his surprise the boy snorted, muttering something about it being impractical and childish. Severus rolled his eyes. There was no pleasing this child.
Harry was still not impressed. The man had made Diagon Alley out to be an amazing shopping centre; the way he saw it, it was a cobbled road with lots of old fashioned looking shops full of colourful dispays, it was hidden behind a wall in a dark alley behind a pub and, to make things even worse, it was raining. People didn't call him pessimistic for nothing.
After an hour or so, Harry had collected all his books, robes and other nessesseties and he finally had his wand. It was 11 inch, Holly and Pheonix feather. He didn't like the man that had sold him the wand, there was something strange about him and the proffesor didn't seem to like him either. "Ah, Mister Potter, i wondered when i would be seeing you. You look just like your father did at your age..." the old man had started. However, Harry didn't like to talk about his parents, especially with someone he had never met before.
" I'm sure i do sir," he had said sweetly with a simpering smile "unfortunatly, they're dead." He had carried on smiling sweetly and the man winced uncomfortably. The rest of the experiance in the shop had gone without incidence although Snape did seem to be looking at him strangely.
" On September 1st, you must be at platform 9 3/4 before 11 O' Clock as this is what time the train leaves, without fail, so be sure to be on time." Snape had sneered at him. Harry had looked at him with his eyebrows raised is exasperation when the man had explained how to get onto the platform. Honestly, they seemed to have a fixation of hiding magical places behind walls.
Harry had got to the platform at 10:40 and had successfully found an empty compartment and after stowing away his trunk, he had setteled down with a book. This was how one Ronald Weasley found him.
"Excuse me, everywhere else is full, can i sit here?" Harry looked at him and nodded curtly. Whilst Harry himself was dressed in black jeans and a plain white shirt he had bought in Diagon Alley, this boy was tall and gangly with a rather unique colour of red hair. He was wearing patched up robes that looked about 10 years old and he was carrying a rat in his pocket. He grinned widely at Harry.
" So, what house do you think you'll be in?"
A/N: I know this chapters a bit shorter than the other one but next chapter he'll be at Hogwarts and he'll be sorted. :D So please review but no flames please.
