Harry and Neville walked into Diagon Alley and instantly felt the magical feeling it instilled. It was the same way he had remembered it, there was still people complaining over extremely high prices, cauldrons stacked outside a shop, and most importantly a crowd of people ogling the brooms outside of Quality Quidditch supplies. They walked past all the shops without giving them a second glance, they had things to do and couldn't waste time on trivial matters. They were covered in cloaks that blocked their faces entirely so they had nothing to worry about.

They walked straight into Olivander's. The odd old man recognized them even with their disguises and seemed to have been expecting them. "Welcome, I would say it has been a while but for us it hasn't has it Mr. Potter." His creepy budging eyes stared directly at Harry and oddly Harry could see nothing. Before he could ask Mr. Olivander replied, "You are not the only one with secrets Mr. Potter. AH, and how nice to see you Mr. Longbottom you have never had the opportunity to enter my shop have you? Oh well, you're here now and that's all that matters." He didn't waste anytime handing Neville wands. It didn't take long at all by the third wand Neville was shinning a golden red hue. "Very nice Mr. Longbottom, 13 inch maple with a dragon heartstring, very nice indeed." Neville paid the eight galleons the wand cost and they left the shop.

There next stop was Flourish and Blotts. Harry was looking forward to visiting the book shop, he had acquired an infatuation with books and it was showing no sign of relenting. Harry had told Neville about his plans to take every single class available but self taught, and Neville had instantly taken to the idea. The only problem was that now he and Neville would have to catch up on runes and arithmancy. They hadn't bothered to read up on those in the room.

Harry had decided that he would take healing magic, enchantments, and conjuring as self study classes but still attend some of the classes. After all he hadn't gotten anywhere by himself but he really needed help. He didn't really know what the teachers were capable of, for all he knew Flitwick could be a enchanter. He knew that McGonagall could conjure things so he didn't have to worry about that he could just ask her to teach him, she had promised to do anything she could to help him last year, hopefully that would extend to that to. He was also counting on Madam Pomphrey to teach him some healing magic. He was certain that when he got the gist of how to do enchantments, conjuring, and healing magic that he would be able to do it on his own after. All he needed was a starting point.

Harry looked through the book store and noted that there were several books that he didn't have in his library, he mainly owned older text, so getting some new up to date things would definitely help him out later on. He walked up to the checkout line, cutting in front of what must have been at least 10 people. People were angrily telling him to wait his turn and get in line, but he just ignored them. When he got to the front of the line the cashier told him, "get to the back of the line before we decided to refuse to service you." Obviously they didn't think well of him at the moment. But that would instantly changed when he said what he wanted. In a commanding voice he said, "Shut up, and get me the manager." The clerk was stunned, he hadn't expected him to argue with him.

The clerk did as he was told and got the manager. The manager didn't look at all pleased to come out of his office. "What do you want," he asked looking very annoyed. "I want a copy of every book in the store published after 1981 in the fields of: Transfiguration, Charms, DADA, Potions, Healing Magic, Enchanting, Dueling, Conjuring, Herbology, Astronomy, Arithmancy, Runes, and any special talents such as Telepathy, Occlumancy, Legilimency, and so on." He paused to let the news sink in, since it hadn't yet. The manager and the clerk were looking at him with their jaws nearly touching the floor and a very surprised look on their faces.

He gave them a second more and then said, "If that is to much for you I'm sure there are plenty of other shops that would gladly do it." The manager finally regained his composure and asked, "How will you be paying for them." Harry didn't give a verbal replay instead he pulled his trunk opened the money compartment and showed it to the manager. "I believe that is all you need to know so if you could hurry I have things to do."

The shop keeper's didn't waste a second longer they instantly kicked out everyone out of the shop and put a "back in a moment" sign on the door. They then proceeded to throw book after book into the corner where they would count and tally up the total for his purchase. The process was long and very boring but they waited there the entire time. When then owner was finally done, the shop looked a lot more spacious. They tallied up the cost, which turned out to be an outstanding 3,524 galleons, 11 sickles, and 22 knuts (Well at least to the shop keepers it was outstanding). Harry paid it without giving it a second thought. Harry took his 403 new books and added them to his library.

Neville who had been sitting there with a bored expression on his face during the whole process was happy to leave the shop. Unfortunately there exist wasn't as easy as they would have hoped. The crowed that had been kicked out of the shop had now amassed into a mob that was curious to know why a book shop would close at the request of one person, and what person would be crazy enough to spend so many galleons.

The people didn't get answers, however, because Neville and Harry had kept there cloaks on the entire time and had refused to speak to anyone. What happened next was something that Harry didn't expect nor knew what to make of . They had walked by a stand that sold the Daily Prophet only to find that there on the cover page where pictures of him, and the Dursley's burning house. The article read:

The Boy-Who-Lived Safe and Sound?

This mourning in a surprise press conference Albus Dumbledore, Headmast or Hogwarts Schools of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot and memeber of the International Confederation of Wizards, said that Harry Potter did infact make it out safely before his family was attacked by You-know-who. Mr. Potter relatives died during the attack, the only remaining thing from the house was a letter (for which we still have gotten not confirmation about its contents). Mr. Potter then dissappeared with no word what so ever. Though there were several speculations that he had indeed escaped the grasp of You-Know-Who, with the assurance of Albus Dumbledore, who has never steered the wizarding world in the wrong direction, we can now assuredly rejoice Mr. Potter miraculous escape. The whereabouts of the Boy-Who-Lived were not said for obvious reasons but Dumbledore was quoted saying "Voldemort himself, could not get to Mr. Potter."

Rita Skeeters; special correspondent

Harry stared at the article for a good 3 minutes before he let a lone tear fall down his eyes. He knew it was his fault he must have done something to cancel out the magic that Dumbledore had set at Privet Drive. But long gone were the days when he let things get to him, this was years in the making as far as he was concerned. The Dursley's mistreatment of him didn't do anything to egg on his grief and though he would miss the way his aunt Petunia had acted his last summer there, he would not let it get to him.

He carelessly tossed a sickle to the stand owner and took the paper. It was very informative. He now knew that Mr. Weasley was the new Minister of Magic, and that almost half of the Wizengatom was kick off the other day along with the reinstatement of Griselda Marchbanks and Tiberius Ogden. Harry had no doubt that the people who had been kicked out were those that were in favor of expelling him from Hogwarts. He was also glad to see that Mr. Weasley had fired Percy as the Junior Assistant to the Minister even if he was his own son but had still let him run his old position, the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office. Percy deserved what he got in Harry's opinion. He had also come to the conclusion that the reason that Hedwid had not found him yet was because he had left her in the house, and had more than likely died when it went up in flames.

Neville had been looking at Harry waiting for him to finally acknowledge him. He finally did, "Don't worry about it Neville. I'm not about to break down I knew something like this would happen eventually. Besides it's been ages since I've seen them, well to me that is." He gave Neville what would have been called a true smile had it fully reached his eyes. But Neville understood that Harry was fine, it was just a shock to find out that they were dead.

They continued as if nothing had happened. There next stop was the same shop where Harry had bought his truck, Neville wanted one like his. Harry just sat at the back and waited for Neville to pick one out. Once he had, they quickly left the shop. They were in need of new robes so they went to Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions next. They got fitted and chose three dress robes each, at Harry insistence. He was almost certain that something that required them to get dressed up would occur during the year. He kept getting those weird spur of the moment feelings, and he knew better than to ignore them. They got 10 sets of robes, which in both of their opinions was far to many but spending money seemed to keep Harry somewhat happy so neither pointed that out.

They went to the apothecary next, Harry needed to purchase some of the more mediocre potions supplies that the room didn't stock. The shop still had that rotten cabbage smell but they ignored it the best they could. They didn't spend more than ten minutes there before they headed off to buy quills and parchments. After they had gotten all of there school essentials Harry decided that the standard set of things was not worthy of them anymore. The first thing he wanted to get rid of was his old cauldron, many of the more advance potion required that they be made on a silver cauldron so he got each of them one, along with a balance that was said to be the most accurate one available.

Harry, who hadn't owned a nice watch since his was broken during the second task of the Tri-Wizards tournament, decided it was time to get a new one when he saw a designer shop that hadn't been there the last time he had visited the alley. The store was full of nicely designed jewelry. It had taken him a while to find a nice design he liked and even longer to convince Neville a accept one.

They then headed to the Magical Menagerie to pick out new animals, Harry was reluctant to replace Hedwig but he would need a way to communicate with people so he needed an animal. Neville didn't care much for Trevor so he was getting something else also, not that he really knew where Trevor was anyway. The Magical Menagerie had something that definitely wasn't there the last time Harry was there. On a display the second you entered the shop there were two phoenix perched on a bar. This greatly puzzled them because phoenixes were not easily caught and even harder to hold on too.

The shop keeper, upon seeing there interested faces, came to up to them. "Rather Curious aren't they. I didn't capture them or anything, they just flew in one day and made themselves at home. They refuse to be bought though, which is rather sad because everybody wants them." Harry had temporarily ignore the owner and walked up the phoenix, it gave a shrill sound but Harry understood it. We have been waiting for you Harry Potter, the stars foretell that you and your friend will need us. Harry didn't want to risk exposing himself to the shop keeper so he looked into the phoenixes eyes and sent it a vision of him nodding his head yes. He knew from experience that it would receive it. The phoenixes didn't even reply they just flew to Harry and Neville and perched themselves on their shoulders.

The shop keeper looked stunned, but didn't say anything. Harry knew that he didn't really have to pay for them but decided that it would be better to leave something for the owner that way they would be in his good graces later. He tossed a bag with 20 galleons to the keeper. He instantly replied, "There is no need to pay me for them I haven't done anything really, and they've only been here for 12 days." "Don't worry about it, think of it as a thank you for keeping them company." Harry nodded at Neville and they left the shop leaving the shop keeper with a grateful look on his face. 20 galleons was a lot for doing nothing.

When they exited the shop Harry looked at the birds and gave a shrill sound that could not have been human. The phoenixes understood it, and in a burst of flames disappeared. "What did you tell them," Neville asked curiously. "Just to meet us at home, they already know where it is, they're brilliant birds Neville. But I'm sure you already know that." He joked.

Throughout the day the line outside of Quality Quidditch supplies had only gotten longer. Harry and Neville could no longer take it and decided to find out what was so amusing. They pushed their way passed the people in line and walked into the shop. The owner glared at them and rudely asked, "What do you want." Harry politely replied, "Curiosity got the best of us, so we decided to see what product deserved so much attention, and how much it cost." The keeper kept his glare and said, "And just how would you pay for such a superb product." Harry got out and opened his trunk yet again. The shop keeper instantly became more friendly. "Well you see the Firebolt used to be the best broom but just yesterday the Nimbus company came out with the Bluemoon. It's trice as fast as the Firebolt and moves with the slightest flinch, its recommended for expert fliers but with you know who back I think everyone should get one." Harry simply asked, "How much" the shop keepers face instantly lit up. "Its a steal at 800 galleons."

Harry looked into his eyes and saw that he had only paid 200 for it. "I highly doubt that I won't pay a galleon over 250, since you only paid 200 for them to begin with. Besides you said it yourself everyone should have one, you should shell it at a reasonable price." "How did you know," he asked suspiciously. "Lucky guess. Now do we have a deal or do I have to inform the crowed out there what you paid and what you are charging them. I'm sure you would love to see their reaction." The man's face instantly paled, "no there's no need 250's fine with me." "Good, I knew we'd reach an agreement. I want 10." Once again his face lit up, "sure thing sir."

The man left to the back of the shop and charmed ten boxes to follow him. Harry ignore the man and walked around the shop, he wanted to buy a display case for his Firebolt. He would make sure to get it back, and when he did he never planned on using it again. He would leave it as a tribute to the Sirius. When he found a suitable one he got it and took it up front. "What's the total?" "2,503 galleons." Harry had gotten used to the carelessly tossing money thing, so when he did it yet again it looked very graceful.

He put the brooms in his trunk and they left the shop. The purchase didn't go unnoticed by the crowed outside. It was bad enough everyone was trying to find out who they were because of the brooms, but when someone mentioned that they were the same people who had caused Flourish and Blotts to close momentarily it was utter chaos. Harry finally got tired of people pestering him and cast a very mild banishing charm on the people surrounding him and in and the most creepy voice he could muster said, "Leave us alone." The crowd instantly listened.

Unfortunately the mob got the attention of some Aurors who were stationed a little outside of the shop. Harry looked at Neville and said, "Go to Gringotts and take care of your things, meet me back at the manor. You can just pop there, I have something I need to do in the Muggle world." Neville nodded and left towards Gringotts just as the Aurors were about to reach them. Harry knew who the Auror was, it was Emmeline Vance, she was one of the people who had been part of his guard that one time. When she was within hearing distance he said, "Hello Emmeline, it's been a while." It was just loud enough to hear.

Emmeline had no idea who he was but acknowledged him anyway. "Hello. So you're the one who's been causing all of the commotion." "You should know you've been following us since we entered the alley, rather convenient having and invisibility cloak isn't it." The stately looking woman blushed furiously and then apologetically said, "Well you can't be too careful now-a-days, now can you. Besides if you didn't want to attract attention you should have worn something that didn't cover you completely, that only arouses suspicion you see." "Yes, well if I wouldn't have I never would have gotten anything done now would I."

She looked very puzzled for a moment before she finally asked, "what do you mean?" "It doesn't matter, what does matter is that you are hear and I need a messenger." She looked at him evilly. He didn't seem bothered at all by her look, and waved his wand casting a privacy charm. "Don't worry it's nothing bad I just need to you to tell Dumbledore that everyone at his safe house except for Molly Weasley needs to be in an enchanted sleep in three days time." Realization finally kicked in, but he interrupted her before she could say anything. "Go to him now and tell him to make sure that it is done other wise they may never see me again. I will go by at exactly 4a.m. I assure you that if anyone other than her is there I will not return." He dismissively walked by her towards an alley that completely blocked him from view. He sensed no one around so he Popped away.