**I claim no ownership over Harry Potter creative works and rights**

Prompt: Instead of accidentally apparating to the school roof when running away from Dudley's gang, Harry accidentally winds up in Diagon Alley.

Prompt URL: r/HPfanfiction/comments/ln6pnn/instead_of_accidentally_apparating_to_the_school/

A/N 1: This fic will have multiple one-shot what-if scenarios all taking place in the same universe exploring how different people would react to Harry suddenly appearing next to them in Diagon Alley. Additional one-shot scenarios will be added over time.

Candidates for future scenarios include, but not limited to:

Amelia and Susan Bones; Augusta and Neville Longbottom; Cornelius Fudge; Diggory Family; Dolores Umbridge; Dumbledore; Florean Fortescue; Gilderoy Lockhart; Greengrass Family; Griphook; Hagrid; Katie Bell; Lovegoods; Madam Hooch; Madam Malkin; Malfoys; Moody; Olivander; Remus Lupin; Rita Skeeter; Slughorn; Snape; Tom the Barman; Tonks Family; Weasleys

A/N 2: Another author (crownjewel82) has created an interesting fic from the same prompt check it out. /s/13842890/1/The-Difference

From Ch.2 of Sorcerer's Stone / Philosopher's Stone

"On the other hand, he'd gotten into terrible trouble for being found on the roof of the school kitchens. Dudley's gang had been chasing him as usual when, as much to Harry's surprise as anyone else's, there he was sitting on the chimney. The Dursleys had received a very angry letter from Harry's headmistress telling them Harry had been climbing school buildings. But all he'd tried to do (as he shouted at Uncle Vernon through the locked door of his cupboard) was jump behind the big trash cans outside the kitchen doors. Harry supposed that the wind must have caught him in mid-jump."

Common Intro to all One-shots (Skip to the scenario if you already read the intro and don't need the context)

JUNE 1989 - Harry is 8 years old

Harry Potter found himself running for his life again. His cousin Dudley and his gang of bullies had started another round of Harry Hunting almost as soon as the school day had ended. Harry was usually quite good at avoiding capture, but Dudley's bumbling horde had unwittingly caught him in a daydream about enjoying the pleasant early June weather with a quiet picnic by a lake. Until that point it had been a rare good day at school without trouble from either Dudley's gang or teachers.

He even felt good about the exams he had taken that day for History and Science, two of his favorite subjects, though he wasn't allowed to do too well lest he face punishment for exceeding Dudley's grades. Harry shook off his reverie so that he could focus on escaping. Unfortunately, in his lack of focus, Harry had run himself into a dead end behind the school kitchens. He was silently cursing his situation of being an 8-year old who constantly put up with bullying and abuse everywhere he turned.

Clearing his mind again, Harry stood still to listen for Dudley's approach while quietly looking around for escape options, but soon realized his only hope to avoid the Hunt today would be to hide behind the nearby big trash cans. Dudley and crew were just about to turn the corner, so Harry closed his eyes thinking only of getting to a place where Dudley's gang could not find him and made a leap to get to his hiding spot.

And that's when Harry felt the strangest and most uncomfortable sensation in the world. His body felt like it was being compressed from all sides then being pushed through a tube.

Scenario 1 - Minerva McGonagall

Harry landed with a thud on the ground and groaned as he rolled over onto his back. Unfortunately, he broke his cheap glasses in half again and would have to nick some tape from the school to repair them. With the way his body felt, it might have been better to take a few punches from Dudley and his gang. Maybe it was best to fall asleep where he lay behind garbage cans. Things could only get worse if he moved.

A female Scottish voice roused Harry from taking mental inventory of his situation. He didn't want to open his eyes to see what awaited him. Probably one of the kitchen cooks yelling at him for knocking over the garbage cans.

"Pardon me, young man. Are you alright?"

Harry groaned, but didn't answer. 'Here we go again,' he thought to himself.

The Scottish woman spoke again with a hint of exasperation, "I'm speaking to you. Why is a wee bairn lying in the middle of Diagon Alley with no parents in sight? Are you waiting for them to come out of Gringott's? Lying in the road is no way to comport yourself in public."

This woman was speaking gibberish. He must have hit his head harder than he thought. Harry opened his eyes and sat up. He first saw an imposing white marble building and then saw the tall, stern-looking older woman who likely owned the Scottish voice. After getting his bearings, Harry hesitantly said, "You mean you aren't mad at me for knocking over the garbage cans?"

Minerva thought there was something eerily familiar about the boy, but pushed that idea out of her mind to focus on what was important in the moment. She had a few minutes to spare before needing to return to Hogwarts for the evening and her protectiveness as an educator took over, "What garbage cans? You are in front of a bank. I'm simply trying to ascertain the status of your health and well-being. I obviously cannot leave you on your own in this condition. Are your parents inside Gringott's or somewhere else around the Alley?"

Harry was very confused by this whole ordeal and held his glasses to his face as he stood up to have a better look around this strange place with the strange businesses and strange people gawking at him. Who's ever heard of an owl store in a high street?! He was somewhere completely different from where he had been when he closed his eyes before hiding. He was sure he was dreaming, but all this seemed too real, including the physical pain and Scottish woman with the funny Victorian-era clothes and pointy hat.

"Sorry, Miss, I don't know where I am and I don't have parents. I was just outside school and now I found myself here. I stay with my relatives - Petunia and Vernon Dursley. You won't tell them about this, will you? Aunt Petunia is expecting me at home to do my chores. If I'm late..."

Minerva froze in place. Those names - it couldn't be. She scrutinized the scrawny boy from head to toe and back again. He had a very pronounced scar protruding slightly from under his messy black hair. The clues were all pointing to this boy being him. Minerva was about to ask the boy where he lived when she made eye contact with a most distinctive and memorable pair of green eyes she had only ever seen on one other person. It all suddenly clicked for her as she gasped and covered her mouth. This couldn't be him - he was in terrible condition and too small for his age. If it was indeed Harry Potter, what had she and Albus done?

With an unsteady voice, she asked a question to which she simultaneously wanted to know and not know the answer, "What is your name, my dear?"

Harry thought the woman was acting oddly; there seemed to be guilt and regret on her face. He really didn't want to get in trouble over this random situation that was happening to him, yet the Dursleys always blamed him for everything even if it wasn't his fault. "Oh, er, my name is Harry Potter. Am I in trouble?"

The woman let out a muffled cry and began wiping tears from her eyes. Now that was not the reaction Harry was expecting.

Minerva couldn't contain her emotions any longer and wrapped Harry in a hug. "Oh, Mr. Potter, I'm so sorry. No, you are not in trouble."

The feelings of bewilderment continued rising for Harry. He stood there rigidly while being hugged. Who was this mysterious woman and why was she acting like she knew him?

The Scottish witch sniffled once more, then stepped back from the hug before responding, "My name is Minerva McGonagall, Professor of Transfiguration and Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I was both a friend of your parents and a former professor." Minerva then noticed his broken glasses, took out her wand, and silently cast a spell to fix his glasses.

Harry jumped back with a fright, momentarily forgetting about her comment about his parents, and blurted out, "W-what-was-that-light?" He then examined his now pristine glasses and gaped at Professor McGonagall with astonishment. Harry held out his glasses and asked in a mystified tone, "How? How did you fix my glasses? They've been broken for years. You didn't even touch them."

The witch chuckled at his awe, "Magic, obviously. I'm a witch who teaches at a school for magic and taught your parents. Don't you know?" Minerva ended up with a perturbed expression on her face at the implications of Harry's ignorance about magic and his glasses being broken for years. Was he here by accident?

Harry wanted to kick himself for forgetting the biggest nugget of information he had ever heard about his parents. He couldn't pass up this opportunity. "You - you knew my parents? Can you tell me about them? All I have ever been told is that they died in a drunken car crash, but there is more to the story, isn't there?"

Minerva said indignantly, "A drunken car crash?! Of all the preposterous things…" The witch pursed her lips before yowling, "They most certainly did not die drunk in a car crash!"

The normally even-keeled professor reigned in her emotions before continuing, "Of course I knew your parents. They were star pupils, a lovely couple, and about the finest witch and wizard you'll find. Not a day goes by that I don't think of them...and you."

"A witch and a wizard," a wide-eyed Harry whispered in wonder. "And they could do what you just did?"

By now passersby were beginning to take extra long looks at the emotional scene, especially at Harry Potter. Minerva decided they needed more privacy before things got out of hand. She also couldn't be gone from Hogwarts much longer since it was exam week. Taking Harry to Hogwarts would be the best option to finish the conversation.

She cast a quick privacy charm and answered his last question quickly, "Yes, they could do that and so much more. Even school children can do what I just did. Before I tell you more, we should go somewhere more private away from the gawkers that are gathering. Would you be able to come with me right now to the school where I teach?"

Harry began eagerly nodding his head before abruptly deflating, "Yes, but my relatives would be awfully mad if I don't clean the house and make dinner for them on time."

Minerva's lips became a thin, straight line. "Ours is an important conversation. I'll be glad to speak to them on your behalf after we talk more about your parents and magic. I met your Aunt Petunia once and know she does not take well to things not being...normal."

Harry brightened, but didn't want to show how excited he actually was, "Al-alright then. Thank you, Mis- Professor. That would be brilliant!" He was too excited to hide it.

With that, they began walking quickly to the apparition point to avoid the increasing number of eyes watching them. They passed a little redheaded girl around Harry's age who was with her plump, redheaded mother.

The redheaded girl abruptly squeaked out after getting struck by a realization, "Harry Potter! Are you-are you Harry Potter?"

Harry turned around in surprise at someone knowing his name, but recalled random people shaking his hand or bowing in the past. "Yes, how did you know my name?"

The girl squealed in excitement, "Mum, look! It's Harry Potter! I just met Harry Potter!"

Adoring witches and wizards were beginning to flock to the scene to get a glimpse of the Boy-Who-Lived.

The Transfiguration eyes flashed in recognition of the dangerous situation. Her voice was full of alarm, "Mr. Potter, we must leave immediately!" She grabbed Harry's hand to drag him away from the crowd and disapparated to Hogwarts before getting to the designated apparition point.