~ The Leaky Cauldron ~
Harry stumbled into the Leaky Cauldron a full three hours after he'd reached London. He hadn't slept in about thirty-six hours and he was dead on his feet. He swayed near the doorway and keeled over.
*
Tom stared in disbelief at the person who'd passed out without even having a drink before he snapped into action. He hurried over to the man and turned him over. He gasped as he recognised the famous face lying on his floor. He pulled out his wand and levitated Harry up into the air and directed his slumbering body upstairs. Tom followed the prone form up and tucked him into bed.
Everyone knew that Harry Potter had disappeared a few years back. It had been a huge scandal at the time. Many witches were terribly disappointed that their hero had deserted his family.
Tom hadn't known what to think. He knew Harry had been a Gryffindor and it hadn't seemed possible that a Gryffindor, and a Potter at that, had done something so dishonourable.
Tom performed a handy little spell that, as the owner of a pub, had come in useful more than once. Instantly, Harry's clothes were in his arms and he quickly cast another spell to send them down to his house elves in the laundry. Harry's clothes would be clean and pressed by the morning.
*
Harry awoke slowly and for a moment he thought he was still in his cell, whiling away the days. It wasn't until he opened his eyes and looked around that he realised that he'd escaped! He'd made it to the Leaky Cauldron. He was free!
Harry jumped out of bed and suddenly realised he was naked. He glanced around and saw his clothes, clean and neatly folded on a chair. God bless Tom.
There were two doors in the room and he knew one would be a bathroom. He guessed and opened the left hand door. Success. A bathroom.
The shower was heavenly. He'd only been able to wash himself from the small sink next to the toilet in his cell. Harry stood beneath the steady stream of water for as long as he possibly could before hopping out and drying himself with a gorgeous fluffy blue towel.
Beside the sink, sat a razor and some shaving cream. He lathered up the foam, generously coating his face with it. He carefully shaved off three days growth. He splashed water on his face and smiled. Much better. He brushed his hair but decided that cutting it could wait.
Harry dressed in his clean clothes and looked at himself in the mirror. He felt better than he had in years.
Harry walked downstairs into the bar and greeted Tom warmly.
"Thank you so much, for everything Tom. I'll pay you as soon as I can get some money," Harry said.
"Don't be silly, Harry. You're welcome here anytime. I'm just thankful that you are okay. We've all been very worried about you," Tom said, guiding Harry over to an empty table.
"Thank you, Tom. So what's new in the world?" Harry asked.
"Why don't you find out for yourself," Tom said, passing Harry the Daily Prophet. "I'll bring your breakfast over soon."
Harry thanked him again and glanced down at the paper.
'Corruption in the Ministry' proclaimed the headline.
What's new, Harry thought wryly. That headline appeared in the paper at least once a year.
Tom delivered his breakfast and left Harry to his thoughts.
Harry practically inhaled his breakfast. It had been a long time since his last meal at what, the man who had given him the lift to London told him, was Snape Manor.
He poured himself another cup of tea and sighed. He felt an almost desperate longing to get to Hogwarts, but he knew he couldn't rush things now. First of all, he needed a new wand. He couldn't apparate to Hogsmeade without one and for that he would need money. Sure he was mere metres away from his vault at Gringott's, but he didn't have his key. Would they allow him access based on his scar and his word that he was indeed Harry Potter? He had been a loyal customer for almost two decades now, surely they'd recognise him and forgo the formality of a key.
But they were goblins and for all they knew, he could have taken Polyjuice Potion to look like Harry Potter.
Perhaps a better idea would be to owl Albus and ask for his assistance. There really was little he could do on his own right now.
Harry sighed again. This was going to be harder than he thought.
Perhaps Mr Olivander would allow me to pay him for the wand later, when I have my Gringott's key, Harry thought suddenly. It was worth a try before owling Albus.
But first, he had to get into Diagon Alley. Harry finished his tea and stood up. He crossed to the bar, where Tom stood chatting to a customer.
"Tom, would you mind opening the wall into Diagon Alley for me?" Harry asked politely.
"No, not at all. I'll be right back, Nathan," Tom said to his customer before walking out the back door of the pub. He tapped the bricks with his wand and they started rearranging themselves to reveal the entrance to the Alley.
"Thanks Tom. I'll be heading to Hogsmeade and Hogwarts as soon as I can," Harry said, shaking Tom's hand.
"Good luck, Harry," Tom said, before returning to his pub.
Harry turned to stare out into Diagon Alley. He braced himself for the possibility of people recognising him. Who knew how they would react to seeing Harry Potter in the world again?
TBC
A.N. Sorry this took so long, but I don't really like this chapter. I can't make it any better than it is so we'll just get on with the rest of it. Chapter 10 up soon. How on earth is Harry going to get to Hogwarts? The train costs money, a wand to apparate with will too, so how on earth is he going to get there?