Thanks for all the favs, follows and reviews the story gathered so far... I cannot believe it's so many :)

(Nataly SkyPot) Thank you :)

(A Reader) You're very welcome. Hopefully you will enjoy it.

(Lanelle) Thank you. I laughed so much on the Queen comment. It was incredibly funny and I was terribly sorry that it didn't get used yet. Next time when they will visit there will be more people in the Alley, I promise... for some reason I imagined just a few people shopping now :(

(Sarah) Don't worry, either someone answers or it will be left vague and not correct, it's not like it's the matter of life and death to know that. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I am not so sure about what he said though... probably something like 'you know, her husband keeps man-eating plants in basement for situations like this.' but that's just lame... I am sure you all can think of something far more cleverer :) ...that's why it was left unsaid.

(Man of Kent - Railwayman) Thank you so much :)

(KG86) I'm glad you think so, thank you. I truly hope I will manage to keep it for the rest of the story too :)

(zeynel) That's great. :) Hope you will like this chapter.

CHAPTER 10

Unnecessarily or not, decided John, it was certainly something to remember. The place was simply... magical. There was no other way to describe it. The shops... the atmosphere... even the few people milling around... everything. But he really didn't wish to look too eager – he was a grown man, for God's sake, not some child, to run around, press his nose to the windows and point at things in wonder. His neck suffered a lot because of this decision though, as he at least wished to take a look at everything from afar – preferably at the same time as not to miss something.

Sherlock despite his previous words didn't look particularly impressed though. John noticed he had the same look he had when they arrived in front of the Leaky Cauldron.

Harry was obviously aware that something is going on too. "Okay," he said as he started to lead them towards the tall white building that dominated the Alley, "something is bothering you..."

Sherlock frowned. "This," he waved all around him. "You concealing this place and making people not notice that. I understand why you do it, but you're messing with people's minds; their senses." He was frustrated. "How can I solve crimes when I cannot be sure that my perception hasn't been altered?! How do I know it was not already done on me in the past?"

Those questions were good ones, pondered John. It once again brought in the point that just as magic is definitely something that could impress in a good way; it's equally possible for it to be unpleasant as well.

Harry stopped and looked at Sherlock carefully. It was obvious that the man was frightened of the effects the magic could have on his mind. After all, it was something he prized most about himself. He wondered how to go about and explain properly. "I was watching you two when I showed you the Leaky Cauldron. John didn't know about it, your expression however puzzled me," he said at last.

"I had my suspicions about where we were going," admitted Sherlock. "But I was sure it's just an old shop. I should have known something was wrong with it."

"You don't see how extraordinary that is," exclaimed Harry, who suspected as much. "I'm a wizard and yet, when I went here for the first time, I needed the place to be pointed out to me. Only after that I noticed it. What does that tell you?"

The detective still seemed unsure. "Despite that –"

"Just listen," said the wizard. "The spells protecting our properties are playing on the general obviousness of public – you can say they enhance it. You don't expect such a pub on this street, so you don't see it there. And the spells work on magical people too. They are not designed specifically for Muggles. I don't think there is a spell like that, except for Muggle-Repelling charm – which makes you remember some business you ought to be doing instead of entering the place protected by it. So, as everyone is affected, the only difference is that we know the pub is supposed to be here. I didn't because I was raised by Muggles. Other Muggle-borns never know about it either before they enter our world."

John thought about it – all that was said was true. He never noticed the Leaky Cauldron – at all – until today. He scoffed internally, of course Sherlock Holmes would be an exception...

"You saw the front of what you thought to be an old shop," continued Harry. "No one would enter an abandoned shop, but some Muggles might try to enter a pub – even if it's a dodgy one. The front is made that way – to double the security, in case the first line fails – like in your case. And I doubt you needed to spare it a second glance, running around London, chasing criminals – you had better things to do than to think about the building and one unimportant shop."

"That sounds... plausible," admitted the detective, feeling slightly better.

They resumed their walk when Harry added solemnly, "You may encounter more things you would find unpleasant concerning magic, but please, don't condemn us for that. As I said before, most of us are just living our lives without intervening in the lives of Muggles at all."

John and Sherlock nodded. The possibilities of magic were still something to be concerned about, but they really had no plans to spoil their first day in the wizarding world. "Where are we going?" asked the doctor, wanting to abandon this dreary subject.

"I thought we should go to the bank first," replied Harry and pointed at the tall building that John noticed previously.

"You have banks?" he couldn't stop the question.

"Just one," replied Harry and couldn't help but grin. "It's run by goblins. We have our own currency. It might be quite difficult to grasp at first, but you will get used to it after a while..." He was rummaging in his pockets, undoubtedly trying to fish out some money to show them.

"Goblins?" asked Sherlock, his voice mingling with John's shocked outcry, though unlike the doctor he said it in a slightly confused voice. John had a feeling his friend was not asking because he was surprised they existed, but because he didn't store information of any kind about them.

"Yeah," shrugged the wizard. "Just like in the tales, though of course Muggles didn't get that much right. By the way don't mind if they are glaring at me. They are still kind of holding a grudge, even if it's a long time since the whole mess was sorted out. You shall be fine, just don't openly gawk at them."

"What mess?" asked John curiously.

"Ah, you know," said Harry casually, "breaking into a high-security vault, robbery, destruction of property, stealing a dragon... that sort of thing."

The doctor gaped "Robbery? Wait... dragon?!" Even Sherlock stopped glaring at the shop with robes that was nearby and looked at their guide. "You're not a criminal." It wasn't a question.

"Nope," agreed Harry with a smile.

John rather thought the wizard was joking. It certainly seemed that way – he didn't elaborate on the story (if there was one), instead he showed them the money he got out of his pocket. "Well, the bronze ones are Knuts, you have 29 Knuts in Sickle, those are the silver ones and 17 Sickles in Galleon – the gold ones. It will be just a quick stop at the counter and we should be done. You took some cash with you, didn't you?"

"Erm... do credit cards not work here?" asked John sheepishly. He had some money with him, but he doubted it was nearly enough for whatever they might buy. He didn't dare to hope that Sherlock had any at all.

Harry just shook his head. "Don't worry about it. It's my fault, I should have remembered. We will just exchange some of what you have, so you get used to the bank. I have enough with me for whatever you might buy, so no problem..."

The doctor started to protest, but Harry would have none of that, once again repeating that it was his fault anyway.

The bank was magnificent. Sherlock rattled off the worth of the interior and John felt light-headed. Their companion talked to one of those goblins behind the counter. They were kind of scary and looked terribly fierce – John definitely thought that it wouldn't be a good idea to cross them. He watched the exchange carefully – they were curt and to the point, but he didn't think they were glaring at Harry specifically - especially if he compared him to that other bloke that was unsuccessfully trying to find some key in his pockets for the last few minutes. John now felt even more sure that the man was joking. He had a feeling that those goblins would not have a problem taking care of such offender in their own way. They certainly wouldn't let him enter casually, would they? He glanced at Sherlock. He barely spared the bankers a look, but was scrutinizing Harry in similar fashion as he did when he first entered to their flat...

After a few more moments John was a proud owner of three gold Galleons and some other coins. When they left, Harry mentioned something about a vault and a ride next time he goes with them. Neither of his companions paid much attention to that, because they finally reached the bookshop which got this whole trip started.

It was the weirdest bookshop John ever encountered. There were thousands of books – small, big ones, thin, thick, colourful, dull... growling?! That was definitely new.

Sherlock looked like a child that entered a sweets shop. His previous worries forgotten for now – his eyes were travelling rapidly from spine to spine, drinking up the titles.

A shop assistant wobbled towards them. "Ah, Mr Potter," he said. "Welcome. Your book is waiting for you."

Harry smiled. "Thank you for that, I appreciate it. I was sure I wouldn't be able to find that one anywhere."

"Anything for you, Mr Potter," beamed the man. "Will you need anything else?"

"Yes," nodded Harry. "I was thinking some tomes about charms and transfiguration theory – from basic to advanced, please. One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi would be okay too and maybe something explaining the process of potion making that also contains descriptions of individual potions – again, more theoretical approach if there is something like that. Also a book describing Dark Curses and how to recognise their effects, if you please."

The assistant was nodding, summoning the books on the counter as Harry spoke.

"Thank you! We will let you know if anything else catches their fancy," he nodded towards Sherlock and John.

"Of course Mr Potter," bowed the man and left them.

"Why did you ask for those?" asked John bewildered.

"I just thought that you would want the books," shrugged Harry. "They will probably explain a lot of what you might want to know. I was not so sure about other subjects though, but Transfiguration, Charms, Potions and Herbology are the core ones. Approaching Defence against the Dark Arts purely theoretically is not really the best strategy, it's mostly about spells and charms used in duels and combats and any other dangerous situation you might find yourself in, but adding a book on recognising the effects of Dark Curses will be helpful for you. Then there is Astronomy..."

"No!" exclaimed Sherlock more forcefully than the situation warranted. "What else?"

"... History, Magical Creatures, Runes, Arithmancy, Divination..." trailed the wizard off.

Sherlock thought over it for a moment. "Something about contemporary history and a book about the creatures should be added. Divination sounds stupid – you can't predict anything without having valid data and I will leave the decision about those other two things to you."

Harry nodded. "I will go and find the attendant. Have a look around and choose whatever else you would like." With that he disappeared.

"I still find it hard to believe this," admitted John as they wandered around the bookstore.

"Why?" asked Sherlock, occasionally picking books that sounded interesting.

"It's just too... fantastic," replied John after a while as he looked around himself, deciding what to choose. Then he picked one of the books and examined it carefully.

"Listen to this – The Philosophy of Mundane: Why Muggles Prefer Not to Know by Professor Mordicus Egg. Maybe it will explain how some of those security spells work too?" he mused as he read the content.

"Add it," came the muffled reply.

John turned around to see why Sherlock's voice sounded so strained... and nearly fell on the floor. Before he managed to say something, the shop assistant approached him.

"Sirs, Mr Potter sent me to let you know we managed to secure the other requested books. Mr Potter also thought to add Hogwarts: A History to your purchase. If you are finished here, please follow me to the counter."

John appeared at the front of the shop after a few moments. He saw that, unlike when they entered, there were some people now. Before Harry managed to approach him, he needed to disentangle himself from two elderly witches that were fawning over him and shook hands with at least three other people.

"Who are they?" asked the doctor when Harry finally reached him.

"Just people that know me," shrugged the wizard. "Did you find something?" he deflected and reminded the doctor that he left his friend alone with the poor shopkeeper.

"I fear that Sherlock lost all restraints," lamented the blond man, still holding Professor Egg's book and contemplating just returning it back.

Harry just laughed heartily when a dangerously wobbling pile of books – otherwise known as the Consulting Detective – that the assistant was fretting around, appeared too.

I own the Professor's Egg book too... only on Pottermore though :(
Also spoiler: about 80% of Sherlock's books are potion related... :D