Harry's Pen Friend
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I own nothing; Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I am only borrowing them for a while

Chapter Three – Welcome to London

       Harry and Ron arrived at the Leaky Cauldron by Floo Powder. Harry removed his glasses from his pocket, and he and Ron dusted themselves off and quickly set out to complete their business. Ron made short work of the list given to him by Fred and George. Even after tracking down everything the twins had asked for, he still had a tidy sum left over to spend on himself.
"Come on Harry," said Ron. "Let's head over to Gringotts and see if Hermione's there yet."

The boys pushed their way through the teeming crowds of Diagon Alley, until they could see the large white pillars of Gringotts, the wizarding bank. Ron grabbed Harry's arm and pointed. "Look Harry, there she is!" he shouted. Harry looked and saw Hermione standing on the stone steps of the bank waving at the two boys.
"Oy, Hermione, over here!" shouted Ron, excitedly.
"Hi Ron, Hi Harry," she yelled, rushing down the steps.
"I was so happy to get your letter saying you could spend a day in London. How did that happen, anyhow?"

Harry explained about the letter he had received from Professor McGonagall, and his dismal potions grade.
"So she gave me the option of taking either Muggle Studies, or Divination, and I,"
"Couldn't stand the thought of another class with Trelawney," continued Ron, laughing.
"So Muggle Studies it is," finished Harry.
"Well, that explains why you are taking Muggle Studies, but not why you are here, or Ron, for that matter.
"Well," said Ron. "I received my own letter from Professor McGonagall saying that since Harry was taking Muggle Studies, she had taken the liberty of signing me up for the class as well, just to save time and energy on everybody's part."

Hermione laughed as the three of them made their way into Grigotts. Harry and Ron stood in line, and waited for the next available goblin to change their wizarding money into muggle money.
"Well, you still haven't explained why you need to go to London," said Hermione.
"Hermione, look at me," said Harry, holding his arms out. "All I have to wear is Dudley's castoffs, and as much as Mrs. Weasley tried, she couldn't get them to fit me. I have to get some new things that actually fit me for a change. We took a chance and asked Professor Dumbledore if we could come to London and spend some time with you, and do some shopping. We're going to meet Mrs. Weasley tomorrow at the Leaky Cauldron tomorrow to pick up our school things."

"Next," said the goblin behind the window. Ron stepped forward and placed his pouch of wizarding gold on the counter.
"I'd like to exchange this for muggle money," he said nervously.
"Muggle money, nasty stuff," said the goblin darkly as he made the exchange. Ron took the paper money and looked at it curiously before stuffing it in his pocket.
"Next please," said the goblin and Harry stepped forward.
"I need to make a withdrawal from my vault he said. "Harry Potter."
"I presume you have your key," said the goblin with a sneer.
"Yes, right here," said Harry, pulling it from his pocket.
"This way please."

Harry, Ron and Hermione piled into the cart behind the goblin and took the careening ride down into the bowels of Gringotts Bank. The cart stopped in front of his vault and Harry stepped out and inserted his key. After the door opened, he stepped in and filled his pouch with money for the school year, and some extra to purchase some new clothes. He stepped out of the vault, and the door sealed magically behind him.
"That was amazing," said Hermione. "I've never been down here before. I have got to open my own account. That ride was better than anything at Euro-Disney!"
"You've been to Euro-Disney?" asked Harry, while Ron asked, "What's Euro-Disney?"
"Euro-Disney is an amusement part in France. Mum and Dad took me the summer before we started at Hogwarts," said Hermione. "It was great fun!"
"What's an amusement part?" questioned Ron.
"It's a place muggles go. They have rides like the goblin carts and muggles ride on them for fun."
"They ride them for fun?" Ron asked, incredulously. "Are they balmy or what?"

The trio laughed as they made their way in the goblin cart back to the surface of Gringotts. They left the dark interior of the bank and stepped out into the brilliant sunshine of Diagon Alley and through the opening to the back of the Leaky Cauldron. Though Diagon Alley was by no means a quiet place, compared to Muggle London, it was an idyll. A cacophony of car horns, and the heavier rumbling of busses and lorry's all contributed to the noises that surrounded them. Harry, Ron and Hermione surveyed the scene before them with varying degrees of amusement and amazement. For Harry, the sense of freedom was exhilarating. For Ron, the opportunity to explore the Muggle world without any input or interference from his family was a heady feeling. Hermione, in her self-appointed role of tour guide, suggested that they begin their day with a trip to the British Museum.
"Hermione, you have got to be kidding!" said an incredulous Ron. "We have the chance to explore London, and you want to spend the day in a museum? No way!"
"Well, fine," huffed Hermione. "What do you want to do?"
"Everything," said Ron.
"Well, everything could include the British Museum too," grumbled Hermione good-naturedly, "But I suppose I do see what you mean. "What if we get some fish and chips and figure out what we're going to do?"
"Sounds good," said Harry. "I'm starving."

After a protracted meal, the three climbed aboard a double decker bus for a quick tour of London.
"I know it's very touristy," said Hermione. "But this way we can see a bit of everything before we go shopping."
"This is great Hermione," said Harry. "I've never done this before."
"Great?" added Ron. "It's ruddy excellent!"
When the tour was finished, Hermione led them into a nearby Marks and Spencer's where they made their purchases. For the first time in his life, Harry was allowed to choose clothing that he liked, and that fit properly. He prudently picked out several pairs of jeans, and shirts, as well as some socks and underwear. For his part, Ron bought several shirts and sweaters in varying shades of blue and gray.

Their next stop was a video arcade, where the bells, whistles and flashing lights amazed Ron. After explaining the finer points of the games to Ron, the three split up to enjoy themselves. After about an hour, Ron found that he was out of change, and he wandered around until he spied Hermione, standing next to a door, talking with a tall blond haired boy. Ron felt his heart thump in his chest at the sight of Hermione talking to the strange boy, but he took a deep breath and walked casually up to them.
"Hi Hermione. Are you just about ready to leave?"
"Oh, Ron," said Hermione, blushing slightly. "This is David Perkins, we used to go to school together, before I got my letter to Hogwarts. David, this is my friend, Ron."
"Nice to meet you," said Ron, his tone indicating that it was anything but."
"Well, I've got to be going," said David nervously. "Hermione, maybe the next time you are home on holiday, we could get together?"
"Maybe," said Hermione. "Oh look, Ron, there's Harry. We'll see you later David." She grabbed Ron's hand and pulled him away from the other boy.
"Hi Harry," she said. "Ron's ready to leave, let's go." She pushed both boys towards the exit before either one of them could say anything.