On the morning of Harry's birthday he woke bright and early and dressed before Remus was even out of bed, and after a quick breakfast and once the adult of the house was awake and had eaten they headed out, first apparating to the Grangers to pick up Hermione and then apparating to the alley outside of the Leaky Cauldron, and he led the two children inside and through the pub and out into the courtyard. He could have apparated them straight into Diagon Alley of course but he figured Hermione would appreciate this way first. He tapped the wall three times, and the brick started wriggling until a hole appeared and started growing, which made Hermione let out a startled noise as it formed an archway and Remus lightly pulled them through, the archway turning back into a solid wall behind them as they entered the alley and Remus smiled, "Our first stop will have to be Gringotts to get Hermione's money exchanged." he stated firmly, "And I need to withdraw some." he had plenty of money, since Harry had been assumed dead what was left of the Potters money had been transferred to him, as the only other claimant, since Peter was dead and Sirius was in Azkaban, as it was he was fairly relieved, he didn't waste the money of course but it did mean he had enough money to raise Harry and give him a good life ten times over.
And Remus led them to a huge white building and past the Goblin, who Hermione couldn't help but stare at at first, towards the second set of doors, which Hermione peered at curiously, reading allowed, "Enter stranger but take heed, of what awaits the sin of greed, those who take but do not earn, must pay most dearly in their turn. So if you seek beneath our floors, a treasure that was never yours, thief you have been warned beware, of finding more than treasure there."
And Remus let out a laugh, "Goblins are very... well I'll put it this way. No one has ever managed to steal anything from here." he informed the children, they've tried but they've never succeeded. Now." he led them up to the the long counter in the large hall, finding free Goblin, "Good morning." Remus greeted evenly, "I'd like to take some money out of my vault and exchange some muggle money."
The Goblin nodded, "Let's deal with the exchange first." he ordered, holding out a hand, and when Remus handed over the money the Goblin worked quickly, counting it up and sorting some money, bagging it up and handing it back over, telling Remus the amount before calling over another Goblin to take them down to Remus' vault, though they were stopped halfway through the hall by a loud voice calling out, "Well I never if it aint Remus Lupin." and Remus gave a laugh and a grin.
"Hagrid. It's good to see you again."
"You too. And who's the kids?"
"Ah, these are two muggle borns, I happen to know their parents so I offered to bring them today." Remus lied smoothly,
"Harry, Hermione, meet Hagrid." he noticed Hagrid's surprised look at the name Harry and he shook his head, "It's not him Hagrid. Harry is a fairly common name amongst muggles. His name is Harry Jones."
"Right, 'course." Hagrid nodded, "I gotta go, on an errand from Dumbledore himself." he puffed up with pride and nodded to the kids, "I'll see yer both at Hogwarts." and he headed off following his own Goblin, before they were led off too, into a stone passageway lit by torches, and with a whistle the Gobin summoned a cart and they climbed in, Hermione having to haul Harry backwards when they took off and he leaned over the edge slightly with eagerness, finding it just like a roller coaster he and Hermione had been on once, which made Remus laugh.
And before long they came to a halt, and Remus quickly retrieved his money from the vault, filling his own bag and tucking it away before they headed back, patting Harry's back lightly as the cart took off again, and when they were out Remus smiled lightly, "Now let's see, we're closest to Madam Malkin's so I think we should get you two your robes fitted." and he led them to the shop and inside where a squat woman who was smiling warmly nodded to them.
"They both for Hogwarts?" she asked Remus politely, and when he nodded she smiled. "Got the lot here, there's another young man being fitted up just now in fact. Come along." she bustled to the back of the shop, "Who's going first?"
Harry and Hermione glanced at eachother before Harry nodded, "I can." and he stepped onto a stool next to a blonde boy with a pale pointed face, and Remus gave a small nod.
"While you two are getting your robes fitted I'm just going to step outside for a bit of air." when the kids both nodded he headed out, and the pale boy looked at Harry and Hermione curiously.
"Hello. Hogwarts too?"
Hermione smiled brightly, "Yes." as Harry nodded.
"My father's next door buying my books and mother's up the street looking at wands. Then I'm going to drag them off to look at racing brooms. I don't see why first years can;t have their own. I think I'll bully father into getting me one and I'll smuggle it in somehow." this made Harry and Hermione exchange slightly surprised looks and Harry hesitated.
"You're going to bully your father into getting you one?"
"Of course, I mean," he paused, face flushing slightly, "Well maybe not but still. Have either of you got brooms?" he was clearly eager to change subject slightly.
"I do." Harry smiled, "It was a birthday present from my aunt and uncle. Hermione doesn't but she's been on mine before."
"I'm not so good but I don't mind if Harry's on there."
"Do you think you'll play Quidditch."
"Of course." Harry grinned, "I've never been able to see a match but I know all about it."
"Well my father says it'll be a crime if I'm not picked to play for my house and I agree. Do you know what houses you'll be in yet?"
"Gryffindor." Harry and Hermione spoke in unison, shooting eachother grins, and the boy snorted.
"I suppose that's not so bad. I'll be in Slytherin, all my family have been. Can you imagine being in Hufflepuff. I think I'd leave wouldn't you?"
Harry's eyes narrowed, "My cousin was a Hufflepuff." he stated sharply, his eyes narrowed, and the boy flushed red again.
"I.. sorry." he shifted slightly, "So what's your names, I know you're Harry, and who're you?"
"Hermione Granger."
"I'm Draco Malfoy." He paused, "I've never heard of the Grangers, half blood?"
"Muggle born." Harry corrected, "We both are, but my parents have friends who are witches and Wizards, they realised what I was right away so they told my mum and dad and then I met Hermione and we realised she had magic too." and he noticed the way Draco paused, his face twisting slightly.
"Oh. Muggle borns."
"Why does it matter so much?"
"I..." he looked almost nervous, "Well, my father says-"
"Why does what your father says matter?" Harry stepped off his stool at the prompting of Madam Malkin and Hermione stepped up quickly.
"Well..." Draco paused, and it was obvious he'd never considered this before, "If you're muggle born... your magic's..."
"From what I've heard muggle borns can be just as powerful as purebloods." Hermione spoke up, making Draco look even more awkward. Harry took pity on him after that, digging his hand into his pocket and pulling out some sweets, handing them to him.
"Think about it. Just cause your parents say it's so doesn't mean it is." he stated very seriously, making Draco look down at the sweets in his hands with a startled look on his face.
"I... what are these?"
"They're muggle sweets." Harry grinned, "Try them." he stepped back slightly.
"I haven't got anything to give you back."
"Well that doesn't matter. Friends don't give you something 'cause they expect to get something back out of you."
Hermione grinned, "Don't get nervous that's just Harry. He'd befriend everyone if he could."
And they watched as Draco was let down off of his own stool and he walked up to Harry, hesitating before popping a jelly baby into his mouth and chewing slowly before grinning slightly, a surpised look on his face.
"It's good." he put them in his pocket and glanced towards the door, "My mothers waiting I have to go..." he hesitated,
"Maybe I'll see you on the train."
And he left with a small wave and a grin.