Chapter 2: Second Time Around
Harry remembered that the first Hogwarts letter had arrived 1 week before his birthday so, on the day in question, Harry made sure he was in the kitchen when the mail arrived. Vernon told Dudley to get then, after Dudley complained, he made Harry get the mail. This time, however, Harry made sure his letter went straight into the cupboard under the stairs as he walked past back to the kitchen. This way the Dursley's would never suspect anything.
After doing his chores Harry returned to the cupboard and opened his letter. It was exactly as he remembered it only this time he had his reply all worked out. Taking the pen, paper, stamp and envelope he had earlier 'borrowed' from Aunt Petunia's stationery box he wrote the following reply.
Dear Professor McGonagall,
I am delighted to accept your offer of a place at Hogwarts however my aunt and uncle are not in favour of me attending. Would it be possible for a Hogwarts staff member to visit me at my house on 31 July at about 7-30am. I look forward to this meeting and to attending Hogwarts.
Harry Potter
Harry reread the letter and felt it was good enough so he placed it in the envelope, wrote the address on it and fixed the stamp in place before going out for an evening stroll. He made sure this stroll took him past the post office so he could drop off the letter before returning to Privet Drive.
The next day while Harry was weeding the garden he saw movement amongst the shrubs. Curious as to what was causing the movement Harry used the trowel to move some branches. As he did so a small snake poked its head out through the gap. Harry recognised it as a common Adder, probably the most venomous snake in Britain. Harry pulled back carefully so as to not startle it.
"Hello", said Harry.
The snake looked at him carefully before replying, "You speak to me human. Why?"
"Because I am one of only a few humans who can. It is rare for humans to be able to speak snake language. I was wondering do you have a name?"
"Name? What is name, human?" asked the snake.
"It is what you are called. My name is Harry."
"What am I called? Nobody has ever called me anything other than snake."
"Okay", said Harry, "would you like me to give you a name?"
Again the snake thought before replying. "Yes, will you give me a name?"
"How about Sam?" Harry asked. "Sam Snake."
The snake nodded its head. "I like it. Sam Snake it is, Harry. I thank you."
"You're welcome. My full name is Harry Potter, but please call me Harry and I will call you Sam".
Sam nodded. "Are there any mice around here?"
"Very few," Harry replied, "but I know of other places where there are plenty of mice. If you would like to come with me when I start at Hogwarts you will find hundreds of mice there. You can eat as many as you like."
"Where is this place, Hogwarts? How do we get there?" Sam looked very excited about the prospect of an unlimited supply of mice to feed on.
Harry couldn't help laughing before explaining. "Hogwarts is a long way from here and I won't be starting for over a month but, in the meantime, I can feed you with something else if you like. How about scraps of bacon and other meat?"
Sam hissed. "What am I to do in the meantime? Should I stay here and wait for you to come to me or should I hunt in the area, coming to see you every day?"
"You should carry on hunting. Come back here every second or third day but try to stay out of sight. The people I live with," Harry motioned towards the house as he said this, "won't like you and will try to hurt you if they see you. They are not very nice people."
"Agreed," hissed Sam, "I will come to this place every few days so we may catch up. I am looking forward to this Hogwarts place. It sounds like a good place for a snake to live."
"I agree. It is a good place for snakes. I had better get back to work. I'm supposed to be weeding the garden and the people in there won't be happy if they find it still a mess when they come to check. Make sure they don't see you hanging around here. Goodbye, Sam."
"Goodbye Harry. It was nice speaking to you."
The next week passed quickly for Harry. On the morning of his birthday Harry awoke early, determined to be up before anyone else. Gradually, the Dursley's got for their day, as usual ignoring the fact it was Harry's birthday and making him prepare breakfast. At precisely 7-30, however, there was a loud crash against the door.
"What the hell was that," bellowed uncle Vernon, but Harry was already heading to the door. Quickly, before his uncle could reach it, Harry opened the door. Outside was a huge man. Harry of course recognised Hagrid but pretended to be shocked at the sight of such a large man.
"'Ello, 'Arry," Hagrid said. I haven' seen yer since ye were a baby."
"Hello," Harry replied. "Sorry, but I don't know your name."
Before Hagrid could reply Vernon yelled, "Who the hell are you and what are you doing here?"
"Rubeus Hagrid, keeper of the grounds and keys at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Call me Hagrid, ev'ryone does."
Vernon's face, previously red with rage suddenly went greyish white. "Hog… How the hell did you know about this, boy? Is this your doing," he yelled at Harry.
"Yes, my letter arrived last week and I replied straight away. I asked if a staff member could and talk to me since you haven't told me anything about it even though you clearly did know something," Harry replied. He decided he wasn't going to take anything from Vernon or Petunia. He was going to speak up for himself from now on.
"You will not be going," yelled Vernon. Petunia and Dudley, who were now standing behind Vernon, were looking on, wondering what was going to happen. Petunia agreed with Vernon, Dudley just looked confused.
"I'd like see a great muggle like you stop him, Dursley. If 'Arry wants ter go then 'e will. You do want to come 'Ogwarts don't yer, 'Arry."
"Yes of course I do, Hagrid. I think it best we leave now though just in case," Harry replied, well aware the neighbours were watching proceedings with interest.
"Yeah, good idea 'Arry," said Hagrid. "Let's be off then.
Harry went to the cupboard under the stairs to get a jacket, Hagrid stayed close behind him just in case. When Harry opened the cupboard he was careful to show Hagrid that was where he slept.
"What's this about eh?" asked Hagrid.
Harry replied, "This is where I sleep.
"DURSLEY," bellowed Hagrid.
Half an hour later Harry and Hagrid left to catch the train to London. Harry would now sleeping in Dudley's second bedroom thanks to Hagrid. The Dursleys were cowering the kitchen, Petunia and Vernon were worried about the Dudley's new pig's tail while Dudley himself was just too scared to think of anything else.
After arriving in London and being introduced to about a dozen people, including Professor Quirrell, at the Leaky Cauldron, Harry was finally able to set foot in Diagon Alley. First stop was Gringotts' Wizard's Bank where Harry couldn't help but be amazed by the amount of money in his vault. After that they went another vault where Hagrid removed a small package which he placed in his coat. Harry pretended to be curious about it but Hagrid wouldn't tell him what it was. Harry, of course, already knew but was careful to pretend he didn't. Next, they went to Madam Malkin's where Harry got his robes while Hagrid went off to get something to drink. After confirming he wanted Hogwarts robes the seamstress got him to stand on a stall next to a boy with white blond hair and pale, pointy features, Draco Malfoy, Harry remembered.
"Hello, Hogwarts too?" the boy asked.
"Yes, I'm looking forward to it. I can't wait to start," said Harry.
"Are you alone. Where are your parents?"
Harry thought for second then replied, "My parents were murdered by Lord Voldemort."
Both staff members jumped at the name. The boy yelped, "Watch where you stick that pin will you?"
"Sorry," said the seamstress. "It's just, you know, the name," she added in a whisper.
"Are you Harry Potter?" the other boy then asked, rubbing his ankle where the pin had struck him.
"Yes," Harry said. "What's wrong with saying his name? And, by the way, what is your name?"
"Only someone really brave or really dumb says his name. Most people are scared to say it out loud. My name is Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."
"I'm not afraid of the coward who killed my parents and then tried to kill me. I'm going to keep saying his name," Harry said.
At this point Hagrid tapped on the window, showing Harry the two ice-creams he was carrying by way of explanation for why he wasn't coming in.
"Who's that." Draco asked.
"That's Hagrid," Harry replied. "He's here to escort me while I get my school stuff."
"Oh. I hear he's a servant of some sort at Hogwarts, right?"
"He's the groundskeeper," Harry replied. Harry tried to keep his voice even, despite Draco having already slipped back into his condescending personality. He was determined to try and become friends with Draco, after all Mrs. Malfoy was Bellatrix Lestrange's sister and probably had access to Bellatrix's vault which was where Helga Hufflepuff's cup was and that would need to be destroyed before Harry could defeat Voldemort.
"All done," the seamstress said to Harry. "We'll send them out to you when they are ready."
"Thank you", Harry said. "Friends, Malfoy?"
"Yeah, I guess," Malfoy said, holding out a hand for Harry to shake. Harry shook Draco's hand before leaving.
The rest of the trip through Diagon Alley was uneventful until they reached Ollivander's Wand Shop. Just as had happened last time Harry chose the Phoenix wand and Ollivander explained how its brother had given Harry his scar. Harry's reaction was different, however. This time he smiled at the thought of being able to block Voldemort's curse when the confrontation came along. Both Hagrid and Ollivander noticed his reaction.
"You seem pleased Mr. Potter. I wonder? Is there a reason for your reaction?"
"It's just that I have a powerful wand, as you put it. I hope I can live up to your expectations," Harry said, hoping he had successfully covered up his reaction.
"Hm," Ollivander replied. Harry thought that Ollivander did not believe him but decided to let it go and hope for the best. Hagrid also did not seem to believe him, however.
"You alrigh' there 'Arry," Hagrid asked as they left the shop.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just excited, that's all," Harry replied.
Hagrid bought Harry a birthday present, a Snowy Owl that looked very familiar to Harry, and then they left Diagon Alley. After stopping for a burger on the way to the railway station Harry boarded the train back to Little Whinging. When he reached Privet Drive the Dursley's were waiting. Before any of them could say anything, however, Harry addressed them.
"Don't think you can talk me out of this. If you try to stop me going you will find yourselves facing several wizards who are only too willing to help me if I ask them. Apart from that things should be much the same as before, right."
Dudley ran away while Vernon and Petunia grunted their replies. Finally, Vernon spoke, "You still have chores to do. Don't think you can just lay about doing nothing."
Harry nodded, "Sounds fair, goodnight."