Chapter two

Over the first few days, Harry got into a routine. He would eat breakfast in his room, with Hedwig, then wander around Diagon alley. But he also began to head into London. He used some of his muggle money to buy some clothes, but while he was shopping he had seen a sign for an optometrist. They would not allow him to get contacts without his guardian but Harry did wonder if he could talk someone into acting like his uncle or father, just so he could get rid of his glasses. Finally he asked Tom, he even offered to pay him if he would just act as Harry's father for a few hours. Tom explained to Harry that he could take a potion at the oculist which would repair his eyesight. Harry grinned hugely, thanked Tom then went to see about getting rid of his glasses for good. Harry felt now was the time to finally think of himself and what he wanted, not just how he looked but what he might want to do when he was older.

Harry loved his time staying in the Leaky Cauldron, just like he did the previous year. Last year he found so many shops that did look interesting, but what Harry loved the most about staying in Diagon alley was what he found in his vault the previous year. He found a dairy, Harry had used some of his alone time at Hogwarts to read his mother's diary. She was a muggle-born and had to adjust to the magical world which meant there were things she missed. It took her six years of education before she was able to work on a charm to make small electrical items work around magic. The charm was placed on the batteries which meant they didn't need to use electricity or be charged. Harry thought if he did decide to return to Hogwarts then at least he might be able to have some things he always wanted.

But now he was once again staying at the Leaky Cauldron and like last time he enjoyed watching the strange and unique people that would come in for a drink. So he wouldn't be noticed or stared at he would use his cloak a lot while he was sitting in the pub. He did overhear a couple of ministry officials talking about the triwizard tournament being held at Hogwarts. He also heard them say that no one will know until the headmaster announced it at the opening feast. One thing Harry liked that he overheard was there would be an age limit, only seventeen year olds could enter. He knew that would mean he could sit back without worrying about anything happening, like it had over the last three years.

He received a letter from Ron about the Quidditch world cup and even though Harry was enjoying his time alone at the Leaky Cauldron and in muggle London, he decided seeing the world cup would be worth it. He wrote to Ron, explained that they would need to pick him up at the Leaky Cauldron that his family finally decided they didn't want him, especially when he cut off their money. Harry didn't mentioned the money, just that his family no longer wanted him. After Hedwig flew off he decided it was time to get some information so he wrote to his head of house, Minerva McGonagall.

Later that day Minerva McGonagall looked up to see an owl fly towards her, it dropped a letter in front of her then flew off. She opened it and read, her eyes widening the more she read. She left her office and hurried up to speak with Albus. Just as she entered his office she saw a familiar owl flying off, the Weasley's old owl Errol, Albus reading a letter.

'Is something wrong Albus?' she had seen his face, he looked worried.

'Yes, Arthur sent me this, it seems Harry's relatives have kicked him out and he is now staying at the Leaky Cauldron. I will need to go speak with him then take him to the Burrow.'

'Before you do, listen to this letter I just received from Mr. Potter,' Minerva's lips pursed, "Professor McGonagall, and I use that term lightly. I was hoping you could assist by supplying me with some information. Now I know you have never helped me before, you even flat out refused to believe me. I have to say that over the last three years I have been very disappointed in the head of Gryffindor house, just as I am becoming disappointed in the magical world. Now to my request, I wish to know what the rules are in regards to dress and equipment one must use at Hogwarts, in particularly, quills and robes. You see, I have been doing a lot of thinking and as of now I am only thinking of giving Hogwarts and the magical world one more year before heading back to the muggle world and get my education there. I still have not decided yet, your answer to my letter will help me make up my mind.

"So far apart from the amount of danger that seems to always be at Hogwarts, I am tired of bullying teachers and staff who don't seem to care about their students. We live there, so it's not like we can go ask our parents to tell the bat to act like an adult and not an arrogant spoilt child, to me, he is a coward, he picks on children since he would get his arse handed to him if he tried to fight someone his own age. I don't have parents to complain to, yet I'm sure if they were alive they would certainly deal with that person. I'm sure as my head of house and deputy head you should have done something to make that…man behave. I cannot even call him a teacher as all he does is belittles and humiliates, then he doesn't even bother to teach.

"Now as a person who did not know a thing about the magical world until I arrived at the age of eleven, I was surprised then shocked that he was allowed to get away with his treatment of students, students who were not a Slytherin. Now apart from him something else surprised me, why were we not eased into a world that is so different to how we lived, it was such a culture shock that I still have trouble trying to find myself when I'm there. We were just thrown in the deep end and expected to know as much as those purebloods that seem to run that world. That is another reason why I am trying to decide whether the magical world or muggle world would be better to live and work in, the purebloods and their beliefs. So far the muggle world is edging out the magical world by a large margin, it has more to offer and isn't as prejudice.

"Another thing that is making my decision easier is the way I've been treated and again you don't seem to do your duty. I've been labelled the next dark lord just because I'm a parselmouth yet again you never bothered to stop the harassment I received daily. I'm not just talking about names, but the verbal and physical assaults that I received, and I know for a fact that you heard and saw some of these incidents. To say I am not happy with you, the staff, the headmaster nor the magical world is an understatement. So can you please write me straight away about what I requested so I can work on what I am going to do, Harry James Potter."

'I will speak with him Minerva.'

'Should I send him the information he asked for?'

'Yes, or he might just say since you didn't bother then he will leave now, that you didn't help again.'

'You never took my complaints about Severus serious, Albus, so don't go blaming me for losing the boy. If you had controlled that man better than I doubt this would be happening. I will go write to him, then you can take him my answer while you are…visiting,' Minerva glared then stormed out of the office, heading to hers to write to Harry Potter. She might not be happy with the headmaster but the boy's words made her very upset, and very angry, but she could not deny that what he wrote wasn't true.

Once she had written her letter she had a house elf take the letter up to the headmaster then decided for a good stiff drink, something she didn't indulge in very often. She knew the boy had written the truth, something she hated to admit and would need to change her ways if Harry Potter returned to Hogwarts. She was a teacher and his head of house, yet she failed in her duty to him and to others, it was time to change.

Harry was sitting outside a café having a coffee and a scone, he was enjoying the sights and sounds. As he glanced around he noticed the robes of Albus Dumbledore and Harry wondered if he was visiting Diagon alley or if he might be here for him. Seconds later he got the answer as the old man headed straight towards him, Harry knew exactly why he was here but the old man wouldn't change his mind. He would decide when he had time to do some serious thinking about which world would suit him more.