Disclaimer: Most of these characters are not mine. They belong to the great J.K. Rowlings.

Chapter three A trip to the alley.

James had a fitful sleep. He kept running through his head all of the problems that his coming into the past could create. He thought about the fight he saw between his parents. He couldn't remember the last time he saw his parents argue. He also thought about what his father said about the other girl. He had gotten barely an hour's sleep through the whole night when he was shaken awake. He opened his eyes and noticed that Professor Dumbledore was standing by his bed.

James looked at Dumbledore questionably and barely choked out of his tired mouth, "What time is it? And why did you wake me up so early?"

Dumbledore grinned at James and quietly replied, "It is five o'clock in the morning and I woke you up so that we can go to Diagon Alley and gather your supplies. We need to get an early start because we have many things to get for you. Now please get ready and meet me in the Common Room."

James groaned a little at the idea of being awoken at five in the morning, but knew that Dumbledore and him really did need an early start. He quietly got up from bed and took a shower. He then put on the only clothes he had. He then tried to comb his hair and failed miserably again. He then rushed down to the Common Room paying close attention to not waking anyone else up.

When James reached the Common Room he noticed that Professor Dumbledore appeared to be sleeping in one of the chairs. James chuckled to himself at this sight. He then cleared his throat and said, "Professor I am ready whenever you are. "

Dumbledore opened his eyes and said, with twinkling eyes, "Well it took you long enough young Mr. Potter. Now if you follow me we need to go to my office."

James nodded his head and followed the professor to his office. On the way James asked, "How are we getting to Diagon Alley sir? Whenever I come to Hogwarts I always have to the Hogwarts Express and that is a four hour trip."

Dumbledore chuckled at this question. "Well Mr. Potter, very few know that the fireplace in my office is connected to the Floo Network. You see if everyone knew then my office would always be crowed with people who wish to tell me how I really should run Hogwarts. However, I find it necessary to have it connected so that I can get to the Ministry of Magic whenever I am needed."

This sounded very logical to James. Within a few moments they arrived at the stone gargoyle hiding the staircase to Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore then said the password, "Canary Creams" and the gargoyle moved. James was amazed at the password. He then, almost hesitantly, asked Dumbledore, "Aren't Canary Creams joke items that Fred and George Weasley came up with? I thought I heard my father and godfather discussing them one day. Probably to try to teach me something not to do."

Dumbledore chuckled again and replied, "You are quite right. As much as the Weasley twins are practical jokesters, I find that they are really quite funny, however I would ask you to tell no one I said that for it would ruin my reputation as a formidable Headmaster."

They entered Dumbledore's office and went to the fireplace. Dumbledore pulled out a bag with Floo powder and tossed it into the fire. He stepped through and said "Diagon Alley." James Potter followed quickly behind. Soon they found themselves in Diagon Alley.

Dumbledore turned to James and stated tiredly, "I will go to Gringotts first. I want you to remain in front of the bank until I return. Do you understand? Also please remember that now that we are among others your name is James Harrison. No one must know the truth. I shall be back shortly." With that Dumbledore entered Gringotts while James remained out front.

James stood outside and watched as the shopkeepers opened their shops for business. James was tempted to wander over to some of the shops, but thought otherwise not wanting to think about what would happen if Dumbledore came out and found him gone. Just when James was about to think it would be safe to take a quick peek Dumbledore came out of the bank with a bag of money.

Dumbledore saw James standing right where he left him. Dumbledore said to James, with a twinkle in his eyes, "You know you have more restraint than your father did at your age. If I had told your father to stay right here he would have left the second I went inside."

James couldn't believe his ears. My father had a tendency to not follow the rules? Gee, why is it he is always so mad whenever I break a small rule?

Dumbledore then said seriously, "Our first stop is to Ollivander's to get you a wand. There is no way to protect yourself or to perform in your classes without a wand."

As they walked down the street James thought to himself, This should be easy. When I came to get my wand for the first time they had it waiting for me.

Soon they found themselves in Ollivander's Wand Shop. Dumbledore greeted Ollivander friendly and stated, "We need to find a wand for my young friend here," gesturing to James who was standing behind Dumbledore.

Ollivander looked at James and shockingly said, "A wizard his age without a wand already? I wouldn't think that he had outgrown it that fast. Usually wizards don't need a new wand until they have graduated."

James blushed and stammered out, "I…uh…lost mine when I transferred to Hogwarts."

Ollivander looked at James and nodded, though not believing a word James said and stated, "Well lets begin and see what works for you." Ollivander then handed James a wand and it flew right out of Jame's hand.

They continued trying wands for an hour when finally a match was found. James then turned to Dumbledore and whispered, "This looks exactly like the wand I had before. In fact everything about it is just like the wand I had before right down to the unicorn hair used in it."

Dumbledore paid for the wand and him and James went to their next stop for some new robes and clothes for James. Finding outfits for James for the year took another hour. The problem was that nothing that James put on Dumbledore thought was correct for him. They continued down Diagon Alley stopping in every shop that would have things James would need.

Finally, they entered Flourish and Blott's for books. Dumbledore handed the bookkeeper the list of classes James would be taking and the bookkeeper located everything James would need. James looked at his books and whispered to Dumbledore, "This isn't as many books as I need back home. In fact it looks like I am taking less classes than I usually do."

Dumbledore smiled and replied, "Really? Well it looks like you inherited your mother's sense of schoolwork. Don't get me wrong. Your father is quite the student, however there are times I wish he would apply himself a little more."

Dumbledore and James finished their supply shopping and headed for a fireplace to take them back to Hogwarts. They entered the fireplace and arrived back in Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore then said matter-of-factly, "Well Mr. Potter, seeing as how it is almost time for dinner I suggest that you carry your things up to your room and come down for dinner. You may also want to change since you are wearing what you were wearing yesterday."

James looked at Professor Dumbledore and asked, "Sir, can I ask you something?" Dumbledore nodded his head for James to continue. "Well sir, last night I saw my parents have a disagreement. I cannot remember the last time that happened. Do you think that my coming to the past had any effect on what the future will bring?"

Dumbledore took this question under careful consideration and replied calmly, "It is my belief that everything happens for a reason. So no, I do not believe that what has happened to you will have any effect. Now please return to your room and I will get started on finding out how to return you to your correct time."

James left Dumbledore's office and placed his belongings in his room. He then quickly showered and changed and headed down to the Great Hall for dinner. When he arrived he noticed that Ron, Harry, and Hermione were sitting together. Good maybe they made up and I was worrying for nothing. He went over to sit by them hoping that they would welcome him.

When he reached them Hermoine noticed him first and thought to herself, Well if Harry won't go with me to the dance maybe I can make him a little jealous. She quickly stood up and asked James, "James, would you take me to the Welcome Back dance next weekend?"

A/N: What would you do if your mother asked you to take her to a dance? Find out next time. Same Harry time. Same Harry channel. (Sorry just love that line from the old Batman show with Adam West.)

Thanks go out to modre27, sliverdemoness, mbogjevska, and friendship8910. Without their help there would not be a story.