Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot, the new charries and half of the
characters personalities... and some of the places.
A/N: Second chapter. Finally finished! yaaay!!! Ok, so Harry and Ron meet in Diagon Alley and yeah- they meet...? Aaaaanyway- hope you enjoy!
-The Burrow-
"Ron darling! We're waiting for you down in the kitchen!" Molly called from the bottom of the stairs.
"Coming mum!" Ron echoed as he rushed down the stairs, his red hair scruffily wavering as he moved.
"Right-o son, you know what to do?" Arthur asked, putting a hand on Ron's shoulder, as he stood by the fireplace with his family.
"Yup!" Ron grinned.
"Alrighty then!" Arthur beamed. "Fred, George- you go first and wait for us when you get there!"
"Yes dad," the twins said in unison as they stepped into the fireplace- disappearing soon after.
"Ok Ron- it's your turn now... remember, speak very clearly unless you want to end up somewhere on the other side of the world," Molly joked as she gave Ron some flu-powder.
Ron smiled slightly and sprinkled the purple powder into the fire. It turned a purpley-blue colour and he stepped in.
"Diagon Alley!" He said as the warm flames enveloped him.
He was sent into a spinning blur of images and colour moving a top speed. He felt this way for what seemed like hours, before he finally stopped. Ron toppled out of the fireplace, landing on his knees in Flourish and Blott's. He looked up to see the grubby hand of his brother Fred, stuck out to help him up.
"Nice trip?" Fred asked comically as he helped his little brother to his feet.
"I've had better," Ron said. There was a sickness in his stomach that wouldn't go away.
A moment later, Arthur, Molly, Ginny and Percy appeared in the fireplace. They each stepped out and dusted whatever soot they had gathered on their ride, off them.
"Alright kids, ready to go to the bank?" Arthur said cheerfully.
Molly gave him a stern glance, and he dropped his gaze to the ground.
"How about your father and I go to the bank, and then we'll meet up with you in about an hour at the Three Broomsticks?" Molly interrupted. "In the mean time you can go looking for your supplies and maybe get a pumpkin pasty with your pocket money."
"Ok!" Fred and George chorused and bounded off into the crowded street without another word.
"But don't go to..." Arthur trailed off as his sons disappeared from view.
"Alright Percy, Ron, Ginny- go where you'd like but meet us in one hour don't forget!"
"Ok mum! Bye!!" Ron said and dragged Ginny away with him- making sure Percy wasn't following. "So where do you want to go?" Asked Ron as he jingled some spare change in his pocket.
Ginny grinned.
"I don't care- how about the flying shop?" Ginny questioned.
Ron just nodded and they hopped off to stare in at the newest racing model that was on a stand in the window.
-Number 4, Private Drive-
It was twelve o'clock and every one of the Dursley's were sleeping on their comfortable mattressed beds. Harry on the other hand, was in his cupboard under the stairs with a large suitcase open on his hard bed. In it, he placed some clothes, a few blankets and two pairs of runners. The letter he had received earlier was tucked into his pocket and he was overwhelmed he could be leaving the house.
Harry quickly scribbled a note onto some paper that he found in the corner of the room and stuck it to the outside of his door. Without another thought, he snapped lock the suitcase and hauled it out of the house- making his way into the darkness of the night streets.
A few hours later, he came upon a small bar that came off a back alley in London. Entering it- he found it was filled with lots of strange looking people wearing coloured robes and pointed hats. Walking to the counter, he looked at the barman and took a seat.
"My, my! What's a youngster like you doing out this late? Not a fugitive are you?" he joked, dimples appearing in his cheeks as he smiled.
"Ah- no sir... I'm just ah-" he paused, thinking of how to put it. Would this person understand what he meant, or think he was on drugs? He was too young to be out, and what he was about to say would sound insane!
"I'm going to school," he said pathetically.
"School? I don't expect someone like you to go alone to night school!" the barman looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Tell me, what are you really up to son?"
"I-I..." he still didn't know how to put it.
"Well how 'bout we make things easier for you? Tell us your name for starters."
"Harry Potter sir," Harry said.
The barman gasped, and anyone who had been listening to the conversation stopped and stared.
"Oy! Listen to this! This kid 'ere says he's Harry Potter!" someone called out from the back of the pub.
"Prove it!" someone else called.
"Yeah! Show us the scar!" yelled another.
Seemingly, his name was causing a lot of trouble in the bar.
"Maybe I should just go..." Harry said awkwardly.
"No, son- show us the scar," said the barman kindly.
"I-I don't know what you mean?" Harry looked puzzled.
"You know, the legendary scar you got from you-know-who?" said the man standing next to him.
"Who's you-know-who?" Harry asked. He was completely baffled now- how did these people know him, and how did they know he had a scar?
"What do you mean who's you-know-who?!?!" a woman behind him said outraged.
"HEY!" yelled an assistant bartender. "Let the boy speak!"
Harry smiled greatfully and the young woman who stood behind the counter.
"Now, tell us about yourself love," she said kindly- so Harry spoke.
He told them about his family and about how his mum and dad died and all about how he was treated at home and at his old school. When he was finished, the whole bar was listening to him- hanging on his every word.
"And so, that's why I came here- because I got a letter," he finished.
"By chance- would I be able to see that letter love?" Asked the woman again.
"Sure," Harry said and reached into his pocket, taking out the envelope and passing it to her.
She scanned over the green inked writing for a few moments then passed it back to Harry, a tear in her eye.
"My friends- this is Harry Potter!"
With those few words, the bar went up in an uproar again- comments being slung around the room at random. Cheers and whoops coming and going. People crying. People laughing. Harry didn't know what was going on, so quietly, he asked the barman why his name was so important.
"Why because you are magical- but not only that, because you lived!" the barman said, beaming at Harry.
Harry, who had been standing by the counter took a seat and looked at the barman.
"I don't understand- of course I lived. Why shouldn't I have?"
"My child! You do not know?" he exclaimed. Harry shook his head. "You're family and you were in the presence of the death curse- and you were the only one known to have survived... ever. No one else in the whole world has ever lived through the two words which I will not utter here- but that is what makes you so special! You are the boy who lived!"
All through the night, Harry sat in the bed that he had been provided in the upstairs section of the pub. He thought and thought and thought about what he had learnt just a few hours before- there were other's like him. They were everywhere, but he just didn't know it. And he- he was classified special. Him- Harry. The scrawny little wimp that got beaten up every recess and lunch time was some sort of hero to all things magical! How could this be?
-Diagon Alley-
After being dragged away from the quidditch store by Ginny, who was quickly growing bored of the broomsticks- Ron and his sister made their way to the ice-cream shop.
"Can you get me a raspberry ripple Ginny? With frog juice on it?" Ron asked as he looked around the shop.
"Sure," she said as Ron handed her the coins.
"Hey look at this!" Ron exclaimed as Ginny came over carrying two ice- creams.
"What?" she asked curiously.
"It says here that Harry Potter has been found," he said as he looked at the Daily Prophet.
"After many years of curiosity about where the famous wizarding boy disappeared to after the death of his family- Harry Potter was finally found. This morning at about two o'clock in the morning, he turned up at the Copper Kettle Pub where he informed the bartender that he was going to school. Of course, he didn't believe the youngster, and kept questioning him until he finally spilt the beans. We asked Marni Moldlock, the assistant at the Copper Kettle about what had happened. 'Well he was awful polite about everything, but the poor darling didn't know what was going on! Everyone was causing a big fuss over him and asking to see his scar. Some didn't believe him, but I got him to tell us about his life and then he ended up telling us about his letter from Hogwarts. Naturally I asked to see it, and sure enough in green ink- his name was written on the top of it, and the address to his house. Now when I told everyone this- there was tears and laughter and smiles and free drinks all round and we was all happy. And now I'm just glad it was me who found him out and not anyone else. I sware, it was a miracle of him being found- a miracle!' So now the young master is on his way, possibly to Diagon Alley, where he shall find the rest of the wizarding community. Harry Potter shall be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he shall be under the safety of Professor Albus Dumbledore until he is 17 years old."
"Wow!" said Ginny, who had been listening intently as she slurped away at her pumpkin and apple ice-cream.
"I know! Wait till dad finds out about this- he'll be over the moon!" Ron grinned and took his dripping ice-cream from Ginny's hands.
"Anyway- wonna go get some candy?" Ginny asked, licking her lips.
"Yeah, may as well- there's nothing else to do," Ron said as the two left the shop.
-The Copper Kettle-
"Well thanks again for the room and food!" Harry said as he dragged his suitcase out of the pub.
"No problem love," said Marni as she waved goodbye from the door. "And remember, go down the alley that comes off Farne Street and go into the Leaky Cauldron. Tell the bartender you need to get to Diagon Alley and he'll be happy to help you."
"Ok, and thanks again!" said Harry as he made his way down the street.
This wasn't as bad as he had thought it would be- surprisingly. Soon enough he had been guided into Diagon Alley and was on his way to Gringotts, the wizards bank. When the bank goblin had taken him to his vault, he had almost fallen out of the carriage- he had no idea how much money he had. When he was living with the Dursley's he didn't even get fifty cents a week- this was just amazing!
He quickly took several handfuls of coins and stuffed them into his pockets, then took some more and filled the remainder of his small suitcase with them. Life was good now that he was on his own. He could do what he chose and do it whenever he wanted!
Harry walked casually out of the bank, a hand running through his messy black hair, making sure it wasn't looking too neat. His head was turning ever which way as the shops appeared in front of him. Some sold broomsticks, others sold strange creatures with several heads and too many tongues. Suddenly, as he turned to watch a funny looking woman walking down the street- he crashed into someone. Both Harry and the boy were knocked off their feet.
"Oh gosh! I'm really sorry about that!" said Harry as he hurried to help the boy to his feet.
"No problem," he said dusting himself off.
The girl standing with the boy was snickering behind her hand, not doing a very good job to hide it.
"Shut up Gin!" the boy snapped and she bit her lip, still smiling. "I'm Ron by the way- what's your name?"
"Uh- Harry..." Harry decided against saying his last name, remembering what had happened last time he had said it.
"Well Harry, it's nice meeting you. This is my little sister Ginny," he said motioning the general direction of Ginny.
"Hi," Harry said waving slightly as he picked up his suitcase. Ginny blushed and waved back, looking down at her shoes.
"Don't mind her- she's just shy," Ron smirked. "Hey Gin, why don't you go find Fred and George or Percy or something?"
"But..." Ginny started, then seeing Ron's expression- nodded and scurried off.
"So, you going to Hogwarts then?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, you?"
"You bet I am! My whole families gone there ever since I can remember!" Ron smiled proudly.
"Wow- I guess you know magic then?" Harry looked at Ron interestedly.
"You better believe it. I'm top class at everything," he ran a grubby hand through his bright red hair.
Harry stared at him in awe. He must seem like a complete loser to him, not knowing anything about magic.
"I s'pose you're a muggle then- just got your letter by chance?" Ron continued.
Harry stared at him, totally clueless about what he was going on about.
"Um- what's a... maggel?" he asked. Ron just laughed.
"You mean muggle? It's what us wizards call, um- how should I put it? Normal people- you know... non-magic?"
Harry nodded.
"But I'm not a muggle right? I'm a proper wizard?"
"I duno- who are your parents?"
Harry paused to think. He wasn't exactly sure to be honest. After all, they were killed when he was just a baby- and no one had really talked about them around him since.
"I'm not sure..." he said. "They died."
"Oh- right. Sorry," was all Ron could say.
Harry shrugged. It wasn't much to him. Right? But still they were his parents, and he had heard good stuff about them at the Copper Kettle, even if their names weren't mentioned.
"Hey! Did you hear about them drunks finding the Potter boy? Look here," Ron said as he dragged Harry into the nearest shop and pointed to a newspaper. "Says here they found him this morning and he might even be right here among us! Turns out he's going to Hogwarts- that's our school!" Ron beamed triumphantly. "Imagine having Harry Potter in our house! Say- your name's Harry isn't it? Funny isn't it?"
Harry hadn't really been listening to him- but instead had been watching the picture of the pub with interest. There was a picture of Marni- the bar assistant, but she was moving. There were also other people moving in and out of the picture. There was the barman in the background who was cleaning down the counter and a few other customers who where having silent conversations. Suddenly, Marni waved to him and then called the others over. There was a scurry as they hurried to see him again, and he quickly put the paper down.
"The people- in the picture. They're moving!" Harry exclaimed as he took another peek at it.
"Course they are! Don't they normally where you come from?"
Harry shook his head and explained to Ron all about the difference between muggle and wizard things.
"Wow!" said Ron when he had finished. "Dad'd love to talk to you if he got a chance! He's all into muggles and how they live."
Harry smiled. This boy- this Ron- he wasn't that bad. He was just like any other normal person, but he actually listened to Harry, rather then punching or attacking him. Had Harry finally found a friend?
"Yeah, well- you want to go looking for some school stuff?" Harry asked.
"Maybe- but I haven't got any money on me at the moment. I'm meeting mum and dad in about half an hour to get some."
"Well I could get you something I suppose," Harry piped up. "I reckon I do have enough."
Ron laughed.
"You know how much one book costs here? About five galleons!" Ron scoffed.
"Five what?" Harry looked at him dazed. There was so much strange information coming at him and it was impossible to take it all in.
"The gold coins. You know?" Harry shook his head. "Ok- well a galleon in gold, a sickle is silver, and a knut is bronze. You get it?"
"I think so," he said reaching into his pocket and taking out a handful of coins.
"So these ones are galleons," he picked about fifteen gold coins, then sifted out about 30 more silver. "And these are sickles.... and so these must be knuts?" he said finally picking out a squillion bronze coins.
Ron just stared at the coins that he held in amazement.
"Where'd you get all them from?" he asked, still staring.
"The bank."
"You mean you stoll them?"
"No! I got them from my vault- my parents left me all their money. But I don't know if it's a lot or not," Harry said.
"Let me just say that what you've got in your hand is an awful lot compared to most of the witches and wizards walking around us now," Ron looked away from the pile, his mouth hanging open slightly.
"Oh..." Harry stuffed them back into his jacket pocket, not mentioning what the other pockets or the suitcase held. "So do you want to help me with my shopping?"
"Sure- I s'pose," Ron said, still taking in all the money he had just seen.
"Ok, so what do I need?" Harry said pulling out his letter. "A cauldron, a wand, robes, a hat and a whole lot more. Where should we start?"
Ron shrugged, then after a long discussion of what he wanted more, they started off. They bought books, robes, hats, food, toys and a lot more unnecessary items. Soon Harry and Ron's arms were aching from carrying so many bags, and they stopped to get a breather.
"I think that's about everything!" Harry panted. "Now I only need a wand and a pet."
Ron beamed.
"The best two parts! Wish I could stay- but I gotta meet my family in the Three Broomsticks in five minutes. I'll see you round ok?" Ron said.
"Sure. I'll be staying here until school anyway- my aunt and uncle will kill me if I come back now."
"What do you mean?" Ron said puzzled.
"I ran away from home in the middle of the night," Harry said simply.
"Really? You will be in trouble then!" he said as they left each other.
Harry grinned and nodded.
"Well I might see you a bit later. Bye!" he called to Ron.
"See ya!" Ron called back waving.
Harry smiled to himself as he made his way down the street towards the place he was staying at. This was going to be a good year at Hogwarts. He had already made a new friend and he hadn't even started school yet! Making his way to his room, he unlocked the door and walked in, dumping his bags of shopping on the floor by his bed. He sighed as he opened the window, looking out. The cool air flowed into his room- carrying a fresh, clean sent on it. Life was indeed good.
=====
A/N: Hey! How you guys like the chapter? Sorry it took ages to put up .
R&R!!!
=.third chapter in the making.=
A/N: Second chapter. Finally finished! yaaay!!! Ok, so Harry and Ron meet in Diagon Alley and yeah- they meet...? Aaaaanyway- hope you enjoy!
-The Burrow-
"Ron darling! We're waiting for you down in the kitchen!" Molly called from the bottom of the stairs.
"Coming mum!" Ron echoed as he rushed down the stairs, his red hair scruffily wavering as he moved.
"Right-o son, you know what to do?" Arthur asked, putting a hand on Ron's shoulder, as he stood by the fireplace with his family.
"Yup!" Ron grinned.
"Alrighty then!" Arthur beamed. "Fred, George- you go first and wait for us when you get there!"
"Yes dad," the twins said in unison as they stepped into the fireplace- disappearing soon after.
"Ok Ron- it's your turn now... remember, speak very clearly unless you want to end up somewhere on the other side of the world," Molly joked as she gave Ron some flu-powder.
Ron smiled slightly and sprinkled the purple powder into the fire. It turned a purpley-blue colour and he stepped in.
"Diagon Alley!" He said as the warm flames enveloped him.
He was sent into a spinning blur of images and colour moving a top speed. He felt this way for what seemed like hours, before he finally stopped. Ron toppled out of the fireplace, landing on his knees in Flourish and Blott's. He looked up to see the grubby hand of his brother Fred, stuck out to help him up.
"Nice trip?" Fred asked comically as he helped his little brother to his feet.
"I've had better," Ron said. There was a sickness in his stomach that wouldn't go away.
A moment later, Arthur, Molly, Ginny and Percy appeared in the fireplace. They each stepped out and dusted whatever soot they had gathered on their ride, off them.
"Alright kids, ready to go to the bank?" Arthur said cheerfully.
Molly gave him a stern glance, and he dropped his gaze to the ground.
"How about your father and I go to the bank, and then we'll meet up with you in about an hour at the Three Broomsticks?" Molly interrupted. "In the mean time you can go looking for your supplies and maybe get a pumpkin pasty with your pocket money."
"Ok!" Fred and George chorused and bounded off into the crowded street without another word.
"But don't go to..." Arthur trailed off as his sons disappeared from view.
"Alright Percy, Ron, Ginny- go where you'd like but meet us in one hour don't forget!"
"Ok mum! Bye!!" Ron said and dragged Ginny away with him- making sure Percy wasn't following. "So where do you want to go?" Asked Ron as he jingled some spare change in his pocket.
Ginny grinned.
"I don't care- how about the flying shop?" Ginny questioned.
Ron just nodded and they hopped off to stare in at the newest racing model that was on a stand in the window.
-Number 4, Private Drive-
It was twelve o'clock and every one of the Dursley's were sleeping on their comfortable mattressed beds. Harry on the other hand, was in his cupboard under the stairs with a large suitcase open on his hard bed. In it, he placed some clothes, a few blankets and two pairs of runners. The letter he had received earlier was tucked into his pocket and he was overwhelmed he could be leaving the house.
Harry quickly scribbled a note onto some paper that he found in the corner of the room and stuck it to the outside of his door. Without another thought, he snapped lock the suitcase and hauled it out of the house- making his way into the darkness of the night streets.
A few hours later, he came upon a small bar that came off a back alley in London. Entering it- he found it was filled with lots of strange looking people wearing coloured robes and pointed hats. Walking to the counter, he looked at the barman and took a seat.
"My, my! What's a youngster like you doing out this late? Not a fugitive are you?" he joked, dimples appearing in his cheeks as he smiled.
"Ah- no sir... I'm just ah-" he paused, thinking of how to put it. Would this person understand what he meant, or think he was on drugs? He was too young to be out, and what he was about to say would sound insane!
"I'm going to school," he said pathetically.
"School? I don't expect someone like you to go alone to night school!" the barman looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Tell me, what are you really up to son?"
"I-I..." he still didn't know how to put it.
"Well how 'bout we make things easier for you? Tell us your name for starters."
"Harry Potter sir," Harry said.
The barman gasped, and anyone who had been listening to the conversation stopped and stared.
"Oy! Listen to this! This kid 'ere says he's Harry Potter!" someone called out from the back of the pub.
"Prove it!" someone else called.
"Yeah! Show us the scar!" yelled another.
Seemingly, his name was causing a lot of trouble in the bar.
"Maybe I should just go..." Harry said awkwardly.
"No, son- show us the scar," said the barman kindly.
"I-I don't know what you mean?" Harry looked puzzled.
"You know, the legendary scar you got from you-know-who?" said the man standing next to him.
"Who's you-know-who?" Harry asked. He was completely baffled now- how did these people know him, and how did they know he had a scar?
"What do you mean who's you-know-who?!?!" a woman behind him said outraged.
"HEY!" yelled an assistant bartender. "Let the boy speak!"
Harry smiled greatfully and the young woman who stood behind the counter.
"Now, tell us about yourself love," she said kindly- so Harry spoke.
He told them about his family and about how his mum and dad died and all about how he was treated at home and at his old school. When he was finished, the whole bar was listening to him- hanging on his every word.
"And so, that's why I came here- because I got a letter," he finished.
"By chance- would I be able to see that letter love?" Asked the woman again.
"Sure," Harry said and reached into his pocket, taking out the envelope and passing it to her.
She scanned over the green inked writing for a few moments then passed it back to Harry, a tear in her eye.
"My friends- this is Harry Potter!"
With those few words, the bar went up in an uproar again- comments being slung around the room at random. Cheers and whoops coming and going. People crying. People laughing. Harry didn't know what was going on, so quietly, he asked the barman why his name was so important.
"Why because you are magical- but not only that, because you lived!" the barman said, beaming at Harry.
Harry, who had been standing by the counter took a seat and looked at the barman.
"I don't understand- of course I lived. Why shouldn't I have?"
"My child! You do not know?" he exclaimed. Harry shook his head. "You're family and you were in the presence of the death curse- and you were the only one known to have survived... ever. No one else in the whole world has ever lived through the two words which I will not utter here- but that is what makes you so special! You are the boy who lived!"
All through the night, Harry sat in the bed that he had been provided in the upstairs section of the pub. He thought and thought and thought about what he had learnt just a few hours before- there were other's like him. They were everywhere, but he just didn't know it. And he- he was classified special. Him- Harry. The scrawny little wimp that got beaten up every recess and lunch time was some sort of hero to all things magical! How could this be?
-Diagon Alley-
After being dragged away from the quidditch store by Ginny, who was quickly growing bored of the broomsticks- Ron and his sister made their way to the ice-cream shop.
"Can you get me a raspberry ripple Ginny? With frog juice on it?" Ron asked as he looked around the shop.
"Sure," she said as Ron handed her the coins.
"Hey look at this!" Ron exclaimed as Ginny came over carrying two ice- creams.
"What?" she asked curiously.
"It says here that Harry Potter has been found," he said as he looked at the Daily Prophet.
"After many years of curiosity about where the famous wizarding boy disappeared to after the death of his family- Harry Potter was finally found. This morning at about two o'clock in the morning, he turned up at the Copper Kettle Pub where he informed the bartender that he was going to school. Of course, he didn't believe the youngster, and kept questioning him until he finally spilt the beans. We asked Marni Moldlock, the assistant at the Copper Kettle about what had happened. 'Well he was awful polite about everything, but the poor darling didn't know what was going on! Everyone was causing a big fuss over him and asking to see his scar. Some didn't believe him, but I got him to tell us about his life and then he ended up telling us about his letter from Hogwarts. Naturally I asked to see it, and sure enough in green ink- his name was written on the top of it, and the address to his house. Now when I told everyone this- there was tears and laughter and smiles and free drinks all round and we was all happy. And now I'm just glad it was me who found him out and not anyone else. I sware, it was a miracle of him being found- a miracle!' So now the young master is on his way, possibly to Diagon Alley, where he shall find the rest of the wizarding community. Harry Potter shall be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he shall be under the safety of Professor Albus Dumbledore until he is 17 years old."
"Wow!" said Ginny, who had been listening intently as she slurped away at her pumpkin and apple ice-cream.
"I know! Wait till dad finds out about this- he'll be over the moon!" Ron grinned and took his dripping ice-cream from Ginny's hands.
"Anyway- wonna go get some candy?" Ginny asked, licking her lips.
"Yeah, may as well- there's nothing else to do," Ron said as the two left the shop.
-The Copper Kettle-
"Well thanks again for the room and food!" Harry said as he dragged his suitcase out of the pub.
"No problem love," said Marni as she waved goodbye from the door. "And remember, go down the alley that comes off Farne Street and go into the Leaky Cauldron. Tell the bartender you need to get to Diagon Alley and he'll be happy to help you."
"Ok, and thanks again!" said Harry as he made his way down the street.
This wasn't as bad as he had thought it would be- surprisingly. Soon enough he had been guided into Diagon Alley and was on his way to Gringotts, the wizards bank. When the bank goblin had taken him to his vault, he had almost fallen out of the carriage- he had no idea how much money he had. When he was living with the Dursley's he didn't even get fifty cents a week- this was just amazing!
He quickly took several handfuls of coins and stuffed them into his pockets, then took some more and filled the remainder of his small suitcase with them. Life was good now that he was on his own. He could do what he chose and do it whenever he wanted!
Harry walked casually out of the bank, a hand running through his messy black hair, making sure it wasn't looking too neat. His head was turning ever which way as the shops appeared in front of him. Some sold broomsticks, others sold strange creatures with several heads and too many tongues. Suddenly, as he turned to watch a funny looking woman walking down the street- he crashed into someone. Both Harry and the boy were knocked off their feet.
"Oh gosh! I'm really sorry about that!" said Harry as he hurried to help the boy to his feet.
"No problem," he said dusting himself off.
The girl standing with the boy was snickering behind her hand, not doing a very good job to hide it.
"Shut up Gin!" the boy snapped and she bit her lip, still smiling. "I'm Ron by the way- what's your name?"
"Uh- Harry..." Harry decided against saying his last name, remembering what had happened last time he had said it.
"Well Harry, it's nice meeting you. This is my little sister Ginny," he said motioning the general direction of Ginny.
"Hi," Harry said waving slightly as he picked up his suitcase. Ginny blushed and waved back, looking down at her shoes.
"Don't mind her- she's just shy," Ron smirked. "Hey Gin, why don't you go find Fred and George or Percy or something?"
"But..." Ginny started, then seeing Ron's expression- nodded and scurried off.
"So, you going to Hogwarts then?" Ron asked.
"Yeah, you?"
"You bet I am! My whole families gone there ever since I can remember!" Ron smiled proudly.
"Wow- I guess you know magic then?" Harry looked at Ron interestedly.
"You better believe it. I'm top class at everything," he ran a grubby hand through his bright red hair.
Harry stared at him in awe. He must seem like a complete loser to him, not knowing anything about magic.
"I s'pose you're a muggle then- just got your letter by chance?" Ron continued.
Harry stared at him, totally clueless about what he was going on about.
"Um- what's a... maggel?" he asked. Ron just laughed.
"You mean muggle? It's what us wizards call, um- how should I put it? Normal people- you know... non-magic?"
Harry nodded.
"But I'm not a muggle right? I'm a proper wizard?"
"I duno- who are your parents?"
Harry paused to think. He wasn't exactly sure to be honest. After all, they were killed when he was just a baby- and no one had really talked about them around him since.
"I'm not sure..." he said. "They died."
"Oh- right. Sorry," was all Ron could say.
Harry shrugged. It wasn't much to him. Right? But still they were his parents, and he had heard good stuff about them at the Copper Kettle, even if their names weren't mentioned.
"Hey! Did you hear about them drunks finding the Potter boy? Look here," Ron said as he dragged Harry into the nearest shop and pointed to a newspaper. "Says here they found him this morning and he might even be right here among us! Turns out he's going to Hogwarts- that's our school!" Ron beamed triumphantly. "Imagine having Harry Potter in our house! Say- your name's Harry isn't it? Funny isn't it?"
Harry hadn't really been listening to him- but instead had been watching the picture of the pub with interest. There was a picture of Marni- the bar assistant, but she was moving. There were also other people moving in and out of the picture. There was the barman in the background who was cleaning down the counter and a few other customers who where having silent conversations. Suddenly, Marni waved to him and then called the others over. There was a scurry as they hurried to see him again, and he quickly put the paper down.
"The people- in the picture. They're moving!" Harry exclaimed as he took another peek at it.
"Course they are! Don't they normally where you come from?"
Harry shook his head and explained to Ron all about the difference between muggle and wizard things.
"Wow!" said Ron when he had finished. "Dad'd love to talk to you if he got a chance! He's all into muggles and how they live."
Harry smiled. This boy- this Ron- he wasn't that bad. He was just like any other normal person, but he actually listened to Harry, rather then punching or attacking him. Had Harry finally found a friend?
"Yeah, well- you want to go looking for some school stuff?" Harry asked.
"Maybe- but I haven't got any money on me at the moment. I'm meeting mum and dad in about half an hour to get some."
"Well I could get you something I suppose," Harry piped up. "I reckon I do have enough."
Ron laughed.
"You know how much one book costs here? About five galleons!" Ron scoffed.
"Five what?" Harry looked at him dazed. There was so much strange information coming at him and it was impossible to take it all in.
"The gold coins. You know?" Harry shook his head. "Ok- well a galleon in gold, a sickle is silver, and a knut is bronze. You get it?"
"I think so," he said reaching into his pocket and taking out a handful of coins.
"So these ones are galleons," he picked about fifteen gold coins, then sifted out about 30 more silver. "And these are sickles.... and so these must be knuts?" he said finally picking out a squillion bronze coins.
Ron just stared at the coins that he held in amazement.
"Where'd you get all them from?" he asked, still staring.
"The bank."
"You mean you stoll them?"
"No! I got them from my vault- my parents left me all their money. But I don't know if it's a lot or not," Harry said.
"Let me just say that what you've got in your hand is an awful lot compared to most of the witches and wizards walking around us now," Ron looked away from the pile, his mouth hanging open slightly.
"Oh..." Harry stuffed them back into his jacket pocket, not mentioning what the other pockets or the suitcase held. "So do you want to help me with my shopping?"
"Sure- I s'pose," Ron said, still taking in all the money he had just seen.
"Ok, so what do I need?" Harry said pulling out his letter. "A cauldron, a wand, robes, a hat and a whole lot more. Where should we start?"
Ron shrugged, then after a long discussion of what he wanted more, they started off. They bought books, robes, hats, food, toys and a lot more unnecessary items. Soon Harry and Ron's arms were aching from carrying so many bags, and they stopped to get a breather.
"I think that's about everything!" Harry panted. "Now I only need a wand and a pet."
Ron beamed.
"The best two parts! Wish I could stay- but I gotta meet my family in the Three Broomsticks in five minutes. I'll see you round ok?" Ron said.
"Sure. I'll be staying here until school anyway- my aunt and uncle will kill me if I come back now."
"What do you mean?" Ron said puzzled.
"I ran away from home in the middle of the night," Harry said simply.
"Really? You will be in trouble then!" he said as they left each other.
Harry grinned and nodded.
"Well I might see you a bit later. Bye!" he called to Ron.
"See ya!" Ron called back waving.
Harry smiled to himself as he made his way down the street towards the place he was staying at. This was going to be a good year at Hogwarts. He had already made a new friend and he hadn't even started school yet! Making his way to his room, he unlocked the door and walked in, dumping his bags of shopping on the floor by his bed. He sighed as he opened the window, looking out. The cool air flowed into his room- carrying a fresh, clean sent on it. Life was indeed good.
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A/N: Hey! How you guys like the chapter? Sorry it took ages to put up .
R&R!!!
=.third chapter in the making.=