"Why are you all dressed up?"
Harry sat down at his usual seat with a huge grin. He was wearing the only outfit he had that fit him – a green t-shirt and faded dark blue jeans.
"Why, Hagrid is taking me shopping today."
Uncle Vernon shot up in his seat.
"WHAT?"
"You read the letter." Harry said happily, pouring himself a glass of milk, "He didn't really give a specific time, though…"
And then his uncle exploded, face turning purple and words coming out so fast that Harry didn't even bother to stop and listen. Today was going to be the best day of his life, he knew. He could feel it – everything was going to change.
"ANSWER ME, YOU IMBECILE!!!"
"Sorry, could you repeat that?" Harry said happily.
"WHAT gave YOU THE idea THAT MAGIC exISTS?" he sounded like he was having trouble keeping his voice down.
"Someone informed me." He smiled, "Oh, I can't wait until I go to Hogwarts! My friend said that Hufflepuff is the worst house, because everyone takes them for fools. He told me not to make that mistake. Personally, I don't think I'll be getting in Ravenclaw. I'm not really that educated on magic, so I was thinking either Gryffindor or Slytherin…he told me they're both really great, but he said that this weird hat thing chooses for us, so…"
He dove into his breakfast hungrily, scarfing down the pancakes and sausages while occasionally throwing a glance at the door.
Suddenly, Aunt Petunia burst out, "Slytherin-" but quickly covered her mouth.
Uncle Vernon gaped blankly at Harry, not seeming to have heard her, being so shocked to hear Harry actually talking to them…and being so cheeky.
"I had the greatest dream last night," Harry declared between mouthfuls, "I was sorted into Gryffindor, and I met tons of people on the first day, and I had so many friends, and it was snowing…well, I know it's not going to be snowing in September, but, well…"
There was a loud knocking sound from the front entrance that made the teacups clink together. Harry jumped up from his chair and went running down the hall. He flung open the door and smiled brightly up at the person who stood there.
His smile opened into a gape, though, as his eyes trailed over the person in front of him. He stood about twice the height of Harry, with hands the size of garbage can lids, and a tangled black beard. His smile shone through his eyes, and Harry had an odd warming sensation, as though he was seeing a long time friend for the first time in years.
"Alright, there, 'Arry? I'm Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper o' Keys at Hogwarts. I'm 'ere ter take yeh shoppin' fer yer school things."
"Er – okay," Harry quickly collected himself, calling back into the house, "Bye!"
A goofy smile suddenly plastered itself to his face. He was going to have so much fun! But wait! Where was he to get the money?
"Erm…Hagrid?" he asked cautiously, "I don't have any money…"
"Why o' course yeh do!" Hagrid laughed jollily, "I have a few things ter tell yeh on our way the London, 'Arry. I don't know how much yeh know, so it might take a little while yet."
And he began to tell Harry the same story the snake had about the boy with the scar, but, this time, Harry was the main character.
HP
Harry gaped openly at the streets of Diagon Alley. Hagrid walked smiling beside him with an expression that said he knew exactly what was going on through the young boy's mind.
"I-I need to sit down." Harry said suddenly, plopping down on a nearby bench. He closed his eyes tightly and let all the dizziness wash over him that he had been feeling for the past little while.
He had had a clue…just a little one…about who he was when the adder had spoken with him, but…he glanced back at the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron – he hadn't really known even half of it…and everything else…the magic, the people, the…the sugar had been putting itself in the cups! The sugar! He held his head in his hands, waiting for the overwhelming feeling to pass through him.
He had never wanted anything more in his life than what he had been given just a little while ago…but he had gotten even more…He sure as hell didn't like how everyone stared at him so intensely, but…well, he could deal with it…just imagine, magic! He had known…He had known! There had been this little tiny voice in the back of his head, screaming, 'Magic!' every time he did something strange…
And now…now…now, it was like, 'Oh yeah!!! Who was right?! Who was right? ME! Oh yeah!"
And Harry felt so happy. There was this odd filling feeling in his chest, as though his heart was going to burst from his ribcage with all the happiness it was filled with. He had never felt such a feeling before…
But then…what if no one liked him? What if he didn't live up to their expectations? What if…
When he looked up at Hagrid, it was with a determined expression.
"Let's go." He said.
"Alright, then. Firs' stop, Gringotts, the wizard bank. Yeh gots ter get a bit o' money fer yer school things, and I gots ter pick up somethin' fer Dumbledore."
HP
"Vault seven hundred and thirteen."
The goblin got off the cart steadily, heading over to the huge door of the vault without bothering to grab the lantern. He slid his finger down the crack, and Harry watched eagerly as the door began to open. What could possibly be so important that Hagrid was not allowed to share the information with Harry? Thoughts swarmed through his head – visions of magical weapons, and mounds of sacred treasure…jewels the size of his fist…something powerful…something great…
But when the door had opened as much as it could, what Harry saw gave him quite a surprise - the only thing that lay there was a small, roughly wrapped package. He tried to get a more decent view, but Hagrid's body blocked his line of sight. He sat back in the cart, wondering, wondering…
HP
With Hagrid gone to go pick take care of some business he hadn't gone into much detail about, Harry was left to go see Mr. Ollivander on his own. He called a faint 'hullo' into the shop, and waited for someone to come tend to him.
The man who came around the corner was nothing like what Harry was expecting. He had wiry, white hair and watery, blue eyes. He looked slightly insane.
"Ah," he said, looking Harry over very closely, "I was wondering when you were going to arrive."
Harry eyed him suspiciously.
"Yes, young boy, I know who you are. Your parents bought their wands from me, also. I remember it like it was yesterday…ah, you look just like your father, m' boy, but you've your mother's eyes…" he stood there for a moment longer, before he vanished behind the large pile of boxes to go look for something.
He came back no less than two seconds later, holding a small box in one hand and a long, thin piece of wood in the other. He handed the stick to Harry and looked at him patiently, waiting for him to do something.
Unsure of what to do, Harry gave the object a feeble flick. The sheets on the counter burst into flames, and Mr. Ollivander had to use his own wand to put it out.
"No, not that one." He mumbled slightly, and then vanished again into the back.
About ten wands and many broken objects later, the wand seller returned not only with a wand, but with a troubled look as well. He handed the object to Harry, but watched with a curious expression and a scrutinizing glare.
The Boy-Who-Lived squinted slightly as he flicked his wand this time, fearful of what he might do, but what happened didn't inflict any damage. A sort of silver mist emerged out of the end of his wand, wrapping around the entire room in mere seconds and blocking everything from view.
"Curious…" he could hear the shop owner whispering over and over, "Very curious…"
Harry squinted through the fog.
"Did I do something wrong?" he asked loudly.
"No," Mr. Ollivander said softly, "I just find it strange that you should be the one destined for that particular wand. You see, m' boy, the phoenix that produced the tail feather for the core of that wand happened to produce another. And it just so happens that the one in possession of your wand's brother, is none other than the wizard who gave you your scar."
Harry's hand shot to his forehead.
"Voldemort," he said, as his mind began to wander…
HP
The day went by much too quickly for Harry, who was honestly having the time of his life out on this little shopping trip. He had grabbed a little more money than Hagrid had advised, and bought a few more things than that on his shopping list. He couldn't help it, though, really! All those books…and he hadn't ever seen real magic before, never mind been able to perform it! So a few more books of spells…well, what could be the harm? He bought some extra potions books, as well. The subject sounded like it was going to be really great…oh, and Quidditch! Another month of staying at the Dursley's would be nothing with his books!
"Alrigh', then, 'Arry, 'ere's yer ticket ter get yeh back ter the Dursleys…" Hagrid handed him a small, folded piece of paper, "I won' be goin' with yeh, yeh see. Gots some Hogwarts business I have ter take care o'." he patted the pocket where the small package was hidden.
Suddenly, Harry's eyes caught a small, dark alley he had missed before. It seemed rather out of place in a market where all of the shops touched, and he wondered briefly if someone had put it there purposely.
"Hagrid," he asked suddenly, "What's in that alley?"
The large man looked over to where Harry was pointing, but quickly looked away, his steps lengthening so Harry had to jog to keep up.
"Nothin', 'Arry. Don't yeh worry abou' tha' place. Ah! I almos' fergot," he handed another little note to him, "'ere's yer ticket fer getting' ter Hogwarts. Yeh follow those directions carefully, yeh hear?"
Harry looked down suspiciously at the large, bold letters that had been printed across the top of the train ticket, and turned to inquire the strange numbers to Hagrid.
Only Hagrid wasn't there – he had disappeared into thin air.
Harry began walking towards the train station, dragging his feet in thought, recalling his day, remembering every moment, savouring every single little thing he'd gotten to see, hear…experience…
He suddenly remembered that one book that Hagrid wouldn't allow him to buy: Advanced Spells And Counter Curses. He'd been fine with it until he'd read the back, which explained just a few of the wonderful everyday spells to use against any possible annoyances…well, there was probably still some time…
He quickly looked down at his train ticket and decided that he had ten minutes before the train actually left the station. He turned abruptly in his path, mind set, and sprinted as fast as he could to Flourish and Botts. Quickly grabbing the book and paying for it at the cash, he made it out of the store with seven minutes to spare.
By then, of course, he was panting heavily and leaning on his knees to make sure he didn't tumble over and fall flat on his face. He began his casual walk to the train station once more, this time with a deep satisfaction that he couldn't really explain but for being happy he had gotten the book. He walked on for a while, humming to himself, watching the clocks carefully, when suddenly his feet brought him to an abrupt halt.
It took him a moment to realize why exactly this had happened. He was standing, once more, in front of that dark alley, staring down into the endless depths of it that seemed to lead on forever.
I wonder…he thought, but his thoughts were suddenly halted by a sharp movement down in the darkness.
He began walking foreword, but he knew that he couldn't keep going that way. He had a train to catch, a place to go. He had to go see the Dursleys and ask them to take him to King's Cross on September first. He had books to read and things to study, no time to waste and no explanation if Hagrid found out that he had missed his train and had to take another.
No…a voice suddenly said in his head, you're wrong. You can do whatever you want, whenever you want. Look down, Harry. Look at what you just did. Look at what you just bought. You're free, Harry. You can make your own decisions now…
And suddenly, an enormous weight was lifted from his chest.
I'm free. Free, free, free...
His feet blasted him down the alley with a sudden burst of speed, going further, further into the darkness until he could make out shapes of buildings, movement of people, and a big, rickety sign that said, Knockturn Alley.
His running jarred to a stop as he bumped into someone, hard.
"I-I'm sorry-" he said, but stopped when he saw the person's face, angry beyond explanation, eyes rolled into the back of her head, and already pulling her wand out of her coat pocket. Harry cried out in fear, and ran all the way out to the train station, pale as a ghost.
ITB
Okay, then! I think I'm going to start putting author's notes AFTER the chapters, instead of both. Thank you VERY much for the reviews! I'm not going to reply to them for fear of getting kicked off, but thank you very, very much! Now, I know this chapters pretty odd and confusing, and repetitive, but don't worry. Next chapter, and just the important things start. And also, next chapter, he meets Draco. None of the REAL HD will start in the first year, just to tell you all, as a warning, but everything starts here, so…anyways, I'm going to shut up now. REVIEW! I'll write faster.