Just a note to say a big thank you to my friend who beat reads this!.

Harry stood in awe and terror. The wall that had opened up revealed a whole new town. People of all ages were going about their business. Most had robes and pointed hats on. Him and Snape stood out in their clothing, no one seemed to care though.

"Potter, listen well, we are only getting what you need right know. I am sure there will be loads of little toys you want; but listen well, you can't have them no if's or but's. Now you will be needing a uniform, you will be needing is three plain black work robes, secondly, protective gloves personally I would say dragon hide. I am sure a brat like you will be needing them a lot. Hmm…what else was there? Ah, yes a plain black pointed hat, and a winter cloak, black with a silver fastenings. Do you have that, Potter?"

Harry nodded. They had been walking while Snape had been talking and they had come to a stop outside a large building. It seemed to gleam in the light.

"Right, Potter, this is Gringotts, the wizards bank. We will be getting you some of your money out to pay for school supplies."

"I have money?" Harry all but yelled at Snape. Some people around them took a look at them but after seeing their clothing, ignored them.

"Yes, Potter, you do. Now, let's go in before people think you're insane"

Walking up the steps into the bank, Harry's mouth nearly hit the floor. This place was huge! But before he could speak something caught his eye. He nearly screamed in terror. It was a horrid looking thing, but Snape walked up to one behind a desk without a care in the world. Harry tentatively went up to the same desk, his face was sheet white by the time he came eye to eye with the thing.

"I wish to make a withdrawal for a Mr. Harry Potter." As Snape spoke Harry's name the things behind the desks began to whisper.

"Ah, so this is the famed Potter? A little short aren't you boy. Do you know what we are? Of course not! We are goblins. We look after all the money, and I have to say you own a lot of it. Yes, you do, Boy." The goblin's voice was like sand paper rubbing on gravel.

"Now, Mr. Potter, because you have not used wizard money before I will tell you about it," Turning away the goblin pulled out 3 coins a gold, a silver and a bronze one. Holding up the bronze one he began to talk, "Right, now this is a Knut it is the lowest of out 3 coins." Putting it down he got the silver one "This is a Sickle the second coin we have. It's worth 29 Knuts." Putting it down and grabbing the last coin and holding it up, "This is the last one we have a Galleon. It's worth 17 Sickles." Putting them down the goblin let Harry handle the coins. Harry was a little scared to at first but a word from the goblin and he picked it up. Harry was shocked at how they felt. Magic seemed to pulse within them, a soothing hum from within the coins.

"Ah! I see you felt the magic with in them; we use that to tell fakes. No one but use goblins can put magic in coins or make them. Of course people have tried, but, well, it never ends well."

"Put them back, Potter, and let's get on with the day. I am sure you will get used to the coins faster then anything."

Nodding, they went onwards, a goblin leading them. This all felt wrong to Harry, no, more than wrong, sickening. He should not have money! And why was the goblin so kind to him, could he not see how much of a freak he was?

"Right, now, Mr. Potter, we will be going to your vault, this is a mine cart, it's a little like a roller coaster. I am sure you been on one of those. They are safe, but, please, keep your arms in."

"If Potter so much as put's a finger out he will have a detention before he gets to school. I would not worry."

Nodding at Snape's words, they got in to the mine cart. It was a little cramped so Harry ended up sitting on Snape's knee.

"I'm sorry, we don't have a bigger one. Some one crushed them, not an uncommon thing, but know and again someone pulls a prank on us. We think it was a young goblin, they tend to be a little green behind the ears."

Sighing, Snape held onto Harry, he was a little shocked at how skinny he was. He may of not liked the brat but he did not want someone to die because they hit their head on the mine cart.

Sitting on Snape's knee was hell for Harry. He was not used to people touching him without hitting him. What's more, he was holding him! No one had done that! Something stirred within him, bubbling in his chest. But that was soon gone and fear gripped him. The mine cart went very fast! It seemed to rock to the sides, getting closer and closer to the wall. Finally they stopped and Harry all but flung himself onto the platform. Snape let out a snort at Potter's antics. He was just being a drama queen trying to get pity from them.

"Right, now, Potter, you will only be allowed to take out 40 Galleons. Maybe a few more, but not by many."

"Mr. Snape, I would think Harry would need a few more than that. If you are getting a pet as well; they can be a lot and I am sure Harry would like one," chipped in the goblin.

A pet? He could have a pet? Oh God! What was happening today? Harry thought he would faint. Too much was going on! His brain was just going nuts, he should have none of this! Nothing at all, and yet here he was being told he could have this and that.

Harry and Snape were made to stand back as his vault was opened and once it was Harry wanted it to be closed. Money was piled high, touching the celling. Harry's face went white for what seemed the 10th time that day. Snape walked forward and put some money in a small bag.

Harry was thankful Snape had gotten the money, he was sure a mistake had been made but on the vault door was his name.

Coming from the bank was a hazy to Harry. He wanted to go back to his uncle, to his cupboard, to his safety. Here he had none people liked him or seemed to. Snape did not like him, maybe he could help him in some way?

"Right, Potter, we will get you a wand first, this will take the longest. A wizard does not chose their wand, no it choses them."

While Snape was saying this, Harry could not help thinking he did not want one, he did not want to do magic it was for freaks! It made things happen he did not like. It led to punishment. But he had no choice. Snape pushed him through the door of a shop. A little, old man was behind the counter, "Hello and welcome Ollivander's Wand Shop. You may call me Mr. Ollivander. A first year getting their wand, I presume? Well, come here, boy! Tell me your name and we will see what fits you."

The man known as Mr. Ollivander, voice was welcoming and warming.

Harry walked to the counter before remembering to say who he was, "I'm Harry Potter, sir."

"Mr. Potter? Yes, I have been waiting for you. I remember you're mother getting her first wand. Such a bright witch, full of joy, and a smart woman. And then there was you're dad a little hell raiser but oh so loyal."

"Mr. Ollivander we would love to talk, but Potter has to get other things."

"Ah, yes, sorry Snape, I am but an old man, excuse my ramblings. Now, let's see what wand you be good for you Potter."

Going behind him to the many boxes, Mr. Ollivander pulled one down and placed it on the counter, "This is a 12 inch beech wood wand with a dragon heart string core. A very good wand, if I do say so myself. Now, pick it up and give it a swish. If it likes you, well you will know, and if it does not like you then we will know to."

As soon as Harry touched the wand it let out a spark setting some papers on fire.

"Ah well that is not one the one for you. Hmm…let's see what else i have that may work?"

An hour later and many wands Mr. Ollivander was at his wits end.

"I wonder…would this one work?"

Going to a locked box he opened it revealing a plain looking wand. Harry reached over to grasp it. As he did, warmth bloomed in his arm. The wand itself glowed ever so slightly and seemed to hum with power.

"Strange indeed, that wand is unique. The phoenix that gave this feather for that wand gave another one. Not unheard of where a phoenix only ever gave one but this one. What is stranger its brother gave you your scar. He-who-must-not-be-named owned that wand. He was a great man horrifying, but great."

Harry looked shocked; this wand's brother had killed so many people. No, it could not be! He wanted to chuck it away but it seemed to call to him in a way he never knew. Something inside of him was singing with new life and refused to stop.

"Well, Potter that took longer than I thought. Let's hurry to get you your robes. Pay Mr. Ollivander and we shall be off. Thank you for the help."

"It was not a problem, that is 7 Galleons, please."

Harry took out the money and paid Mr. Ollivander. Taking his wand in its box, Harry gave it to Snape for safe keeping.

Getting Harry's clothes was a bit of an affair. He was told to strip to his boxers behind some curtains where he would then be measured to make sure everything was fine and fitted well. However, Harry, point blank, refused to take a single peach of clothing off. Snape was getting mad after the 3rd attempt.

"Potter! No one is going to see you naked and if you have another scar no one will care. Only the women fitting you will see you anyway. This is the only method to do this. Now you will get on with it before I make you myself!"

"Um…Sir there is another way to do it. Won't fit as well the spell is an old one, means he could still be clothed."

"I won't have this brat winning this fight! He will have to do it or else! It's an inconvenience if they don't fit."

"But Sir, some people just don't like being undressed in front of people. It's hardly losing a battle."

Sighing in defeat, Snape let Harry be measured by the spell. It took a few attempts to get it working. After getting the robes and shirts, they also picked up some night wear and some boxers. They were plain but comfy. When they got out of the shop, Snape pulled Harry to a nearby ally, "Now you listen here, Potter, what you pulled in there was stupid. If I have one more peep out of you complaining you will be seeing stars for a week. Be damned if you're not meant to hit students!"

Nodding, Harry began to wonder was Snape his master now? Would he be the one to keep him in line? He thought he would be he just hoped it was true.

Walking out of the ally they began heading towards the book shop. Harry picked up at the thought of books. Walking in to the shop, Harry saw books piled high, some looked old and expensive, others looked new and cheap. To him it was heaven.

"Right, Potter, seeing as you know very little about our world. You will be needing some books. I recommend a beginners' guide to well, everything. All though I am sure a brat like you will not read it, I cannot be told I did not try."

Nodding, Harry watched as Snape picked out some books for him.

After getting some books they went and got quills, paper and ink.

Snape led Harry to the pet shop, it was a plain building with a few owls outside. Inside, was a mass of animals, all of them looking happy and healthy. Towards the back were some snakes.

"Right, now, Potter, students are allowed one pet. It can be an owl, rat, snake or cat. Snakes are not usually one to be seen around the school though and I would recommend an owl."

Harry tried to listen to Snape, but from the back of the shop came a soft woman-like voice. There was some hissing to it but she seemed to say "come to me". Ignoring Snape, he followed the voice. Further back into the shop he went. Finally he found the source of the voice. In a tank was a lovely silver snake. It lifted its head to meet Harry's eyes. The snake's were milk blue.

"Ssso thiss isss the human who i ssseek?"

"Why can I understand you?"

" Yesss you are the one, you are gifted with the voicesss. I have waited for sssome one like you. What iss your name?"

"Harry, my name is Harry."

"Ah, Harry, what a lovely name, will you take me asss your pet? I would ssso love sssome one to ssspeak to. I am ssso alone in here. Put your hand in my tank i want to ssmell you."

Not knowing what to do, Harry put his hand in the tank. Without warning the snake began to rub her head against his hand before curling around and up his arm.

"Yesss i like you. You ssmell ssso different to othersss."

"I smell different? Why is that good for you?"

"Ssso warm, massster, i have not been thiss warm for sso long. And it'sss good becaussse the sssame sssmell boress me; yourss is changeing consstanyly"

While Harry and the snake were talking Snape had come up behind them. Shocked at the snake around Harry's neck he was out to tell him to put it down, but when a soft hiss came out from Harry he was shocked. The owner had followed Snape to see what was going on and nearly fainted at the hiss coming from Harry's mouth. The snake had made her home around Harry's neck curled up soaking in the warmth. The owner was the first to speak, "Well boy i see you found a friend. Mind tell me what she said to you? Seems you can speak to her."

"I'm sorry sir! I did not mean to! I just heard something and went to go look."

"It's fine boy, happy to hear someone who can talk to snakes in my shop some people may not like it, but well, hardly help what you're born with, can you? Now seeing as she has taken a liking to you, I say you should have her. She won't go with anyone else and to be honest she is a stubborn snake. You don't have to pay a thing for her; I would be a fool to charge you. I am happy knowing that snake has a good owner."
Both Harry and Snape were shocked at this.

"Sir, I must ask are you sure of giving Potter a snake? If I am not mistaken, she is rare. Worth a lot I would think."

That she is but well they take to one person most of the time, she has been here too long. I am just happy to see her go to someone like him."

Nodding at this, Snape looked to Harry. "Well, Potter, what do you say to the man?"

"Thank you sir, she is in good hands; but are you really sure? I feel bad… just taking her."

"I'm sure boy she already likes you so it would be silly of me to part you two. Now you will need to know some things about her but not a lot."

They stood and spoke to the owner about the snake. She was just happy to lie on Harry's shoulder and sleep.

When they got out of the shop on the street they got a few looks from people but none lasted more than a moment. They at last arrived at a hotel.

"Now, Potter, you will be staying here for a night. Tomorrow it will be of to Hogwarts. I will be coming to get you around 8am the train leaves a 9:30 so be ready!"

They got to Harry's room and placed his stuff. The snake around his neck stirred slightly before going back to sleep. After Snape had put Harry's things in order, he left, leaving Harry to his own thoughts.

Today had been hell for him, the snake around his neck felt like a lump of guilt. He should not have gotten her. No. what was worse she was free!

Harry lay down on the bed carefully it was to comfy by far. The snake had made its way onto a pillow and was watching him. Not knowing what to do Harry began to read. His brain was a mess but reading was helping. He had a plan though he was not going to do magic! Never again would he! May be if he did not do it he could go home. Back to normal or as normal as he could be.