CHAPTER THREE
Harry immediately got a room from Tom, the barkeeper and owner of the Leaky Cauldron. Tom looked about the same, but this one had a few teeth. In Harry's opinion, it was not much of an improvement.
Harry got the same room he had gotten when he stayed after he blew up his Aunt Marge. The dark wardrobe stood on the opposite wall next to the window, and the mirror greeted him cheerfully and began to tell him of the sights he could see in Diagon Alley. He tried to be polite, but had to cut the lecture short after grabbing his money and setting off.
First, he went to Madam Malkin's to buy some day robes, like the ones he had seen other wizards wear. Madam Malkin seemed the same as always, professionally snatching him up and beginning the measuring, all the while talking his ears off. He hesitantly picked out sets of red, blue, and at Madam Malkin's urging, green. She waved him off and he set off for the next store, weighed down with his purchases.
At Flourish and Blotts he got all the books on his list from an assistant, and then browsed for a replacement for Quidditch Through the Ages. He found one promising book, listing the most famous plays of the world and how to do them, and set off much happier.
He went to a pet store to get some more food for Hedwig, and found himself looking at the snakes. To his amusement, two copper-colored snakes were having an argument about what kind of rodent was the best dinner, with the other snakes in the area throwing in their own comments.
He set off for the potion shop to restock his student supply, and ended up buying a few useful ingredients while he was there. To his surprise, he glimpsed a far younger and only-slightly-less-greasy Severus Snape there. Snape seemed to be taking a few tips from the owner, who talked to him the entire time while he rung up Harry's purchases. Snape greeted Harry's stare with the same sneer he would twenty years later. Harry stayed just long enough to prove he wasn't afraid, then stalked out of the store, highly unnerved. His real home suddenly seemed much farther away.
Harry was extremely tired and his bags felt heavier than ever, but he had saved the best for last just for that reason. He headed to Quality Quidditch Supplies with a determined gait.
Unsurprisingly, there was a gaggle of people of various ages gathered outside the store, marveling at the latest broomstick. Harry edged through them, resorting to the use of his bags as battering rams at some points. He took a cursory look at the various Beater Clubs and different-colored Quaffles, then stopped at a bright display of Snitches. They were all waving enticingly, and he fought back his seeker urge to grab them.
He made his way to the counter and waited behind a girl with long wavy black hair, who seemed to be upset with the counterman. He waited while she complained quite rudely to the employee, and then she stalked out the door.
Harry gave the man a sympathetic smile, then asked some questions about the latest broom. This seemed to cheer the man up quickly.
"Ah, the Comet 100! Yes, it's just got out on the market – heard the Soviet team's already ordered ones for every player, you know how they are. It's mighty expensive, but well-worth the price-"
Harry interrupted, "I'm sure it is, but what about its speeds? Brakes? Defenses?"
The clerk considered for a moment. "Well, some of the experts are saying it's a bit too fast – too hard for the everyday wizard to control, they think, but I think a real Quidditch player could handle it."
He continued, "The brakes are far better than usual; I think they learned their lesson from that unfortunate incident in Egypt. The government there is still trying to cover up the damage to that giant Sphinx. Anyway, it's awfully hard for another team to jinx, but not impossible. It's got the bond system, so you can insure it'll only respond to you or someone you tell it to. Rather good system, I think."
"How much?"
At the clerk's answer, Harry thought it over quickly and bought it. It was expensive, sure, but nowhere near as much as his Firebolt had probably cost.
He had the clerk wrap it, and then slipped out the side to avoid the crowd.
He arrived back in his room and dropped his bags on the floor, arms feeling significantly longer than they had before. He gave Hedwig some of the treats, ignored the mirror's questions about what sights he had seen, then crawled into the soft bed and immediately fell asleep.
He didn't bother opening his eyes. The sun was slowly warming the room, Hedwig was sleeping on her perch, and he could hear the rumble of conversation on the floor below him. Morning had arrived.
He lay in the plane between the real world and his confused dreams for a long time. Off and on, he felt like he was flying on his broomstick, then the rays of the sun warming his skin, then he felt himself landing and joining in a group hug with his teammates, and then he heard the rustle of Hedwig's feathers. He finally gathered the energy to turn over and check the clock, and saw that it was approaching seven o'clock. He must have been really tired. He was used to going to bed around two and waking up around six.
Somewhat grumpily, he showered and dressed, and then fed Hedwig. He sat down to sort out his purchases and pack them into his trunk, which took an hour by itself. Once he was sure of everything, he headed down to the pub to eat.
He had always enjoyed watching people, and today was no exception. He contentedly munched through his meal while covertly scrutinizing the other patrons. He saw a lot of harried parents, who were there to buy their children last minute school supplies. He also took care not to be seen staring by the gloomy looking group of warlocks in the corner. Somehow, he didn't think it'd be a good idea to provoke them.
Around 9:30, he asked Tom for the best way to get to King's Cross, and at what time he should go. Tom advised him to Floo to the Wizards' Bureau at King's Cross, and find his platform from there. He took great care to explain the process of getting through the barrier to Harry, then bid him good luck. Harry sent Hedwig ahead, to spare her the journey by Floo again. She seemed to hate the process more than he did. He then gathered his trunk and her cage and set out for King's Cross.