Anythin recognizable don't belong to me.
Part three Shopping time.
The two stepped through the archway. Harry turned to see it slowly closing in on itself. Noticing this mode of exit disappear, he quickly scanned the area for exits. It seemed like he'd have to roof hop out of there in case of emergency.
There were many people in brightly colored robes wandering around the cobblestoned street. A woman off to Harry's left was carrying several brightly wrapped parcels and was being followed by a young looking boy. Off to the right a group of green clad men were joking and laughing while making their way down the street.
"Come on 'arry we've got to get you're stuff fer school." The large man said. Harry nodded and followed the man while scanning his surroundings. As they got to the larger road, Harry noted that the crowds increased in size. He caught bits and pieces of conversations as he passed by, none of which made very much sense. He couldn't read the signs above the doors of the shops, but often could figure out what they sold by the displays in the windows. In one shop he saw old fashioned broomsticks along with balls and what looked like sports team paraphernalia. Another held Owls, it seemed as if there were dozens of types in there. Just before getting to a large white marble building, he saw a shop that sold robes of all colors and sizes.
"There 'arry, that's where we'll got to get yer money, Gringott's safest place in the world fer anything yeh want ter keep safe - 'cept maybe Hogwarts." Harry just nodded and followed the large man through the large bronze front doors.
There was a medium size crowd in the building, some milling about others standing in lines and yet more talking to some short clever faced people. Hagrid went to the left where there was no line for the small creature.
"Morning," he said to the creature, Harry didn't know what to call it. "We've come ter take some money outta Mr. Harry Potter's safe."
"You have his key, sir?" it asked, Harry shuddered at the odd tones the thing's English made while mixing with the Japanese translation.
"Got it here somewhere," Hagrid said as he patted down his pockets then started emptying them all over the counter and the book the creature had been writing in before they interrupted it. Harry's attention wandered to the other patrons, off to one side, a couple of people that looked travel worn were standing in-front of another of the weird creatures whom was weighing large red stones. Harry couldn't figure out why people would think them valuable. But then again, these people were silly and not really intelligent about the arts. He could see it by the way they walked.
"Got it," the proud proclamation by the large man standing next to him brought Harry's attention back to the immediate proceedings. Hagrid was holding up a tiny golden key while the creature scrutinized it.
"That seems to be in order." Harry cringed again, but not as noticeably this time.
"An' I've also got a letter here from Professor Dumbledore," Hagrid said importantly, he was puffing his chest out like Harry had seen Genma do in- front of many Dojo masters. Harry just barely prevented his eyes from rolling. "It's about the You-Know-What in vault seven hundred and thirteen." Hagrid handed the letter over and the creature studied it for a few moments before looking up.
"Very well," it handed the letter back, "I will have someone take you down to both vaults." It turned it's head slightly before elevating it's voice, it did not bellow, that would be undignified, "Griphook!"
It turned out that "Griphook" was the name of another of those creatures. Hagrid quickly re-stuffed his pockets before he and Harry followed the creature towards one of the many doors lining the walls.
Harry's curiosity got the better of him and he had to ask the large man, "what's You-Know-What anyway?"
"Can't tell yeh that," Hagrid replied, "Very secret. Hogwarts business. Dumbledore's trusted me. More'n my job's worth ter tell yeh that."
Griphook held the door open for the two. As he entered, Harry noted that the white marble of the interior lobby was replaced by smooth dark stone. The corridor shrank and couldn't get much smaller without hindering Hagrid's passage. Flickering light came from torches lining the walls and casting unnerving shadows over everyone. Harry could feel the slope of the land, it gave him a slightly off center of balance. He wondered how far down they would go, but didn't wonder long because they were soon by little railway tracks on the floor. Griphook whistled and a small boxlike cart appeared from the darkness. The three of them climbed in, though it took Hagrid a bit, and the cart zipped off.
The maze of tunnels and directions went by so fast that Harry couldn't catch the rout incase he wanted to return. His eyes stung as the cold damp air rushed by, but he had to pay attention. This was so foreign he had to catalog everything. Once he thought he saw bright orange flames down a corridor, but even though he tried to see the source, he missed it. They rounded a corner and skirted along an underground lake, the surface shining eerily in the darkness. Large stalagmites and stalactites grew from the ceiling and floor like a gaping maw.
Harry looked over to his large companion and saw that Hagrid was very green. The sharp movements probably didn't agree with him. The cart came to a stop and Hagrid did an odd half lunge half flop out onto the ground. After a few moments of letting his legs stabilize, he looked to Griphook.
The small creature unlocked the door in a puff of green smoke. As the smoke cleared, Harry gasped, inside the vault lay piles of coins. What caught him off guard was the fact that Genma had been willing to let him go for one, ONE of the gold coins. Which there had to be hundreds at least in this vault. The realization started Harry's unconscious anger to simmer.
"All yours," smiled Hagrid, not noticing the anger under the astonishment on his face.
All his? Harry took a moment to think about it, for if it were all his, then he had to be especially careful around Genma if the fat man ever came to get him. Lest it all be used on drink and filling his stomach. Harry stood there still as stone as Hagrid pilled some into a bag.
"The gold ones are Galleons," he explained while holding one up for Harry to examine. "Seventeen silver Sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle, It's easy enough." he paused as he put the coins he'd been showing Harry into the bag. "Right, that should be enough fer a couple o' terms, we'll keep the rest safe for yeh."
Finishing up with the vault, Hagrid turned to Griphook, "Vault seven- hundred and thirteen now, please, and can we go slowly?"
"One speed only," Griphook replied.
They shuffled back onto the cart and it sped of, going even deeper and gathering speed. The air became colder and colder and the corners seemed to tighten. They went rattling over an underground ravine. Harry curiously peaked his head over the side wondering if he could see the bottom in all the inky darkness. Before he could get any definition, Hagrid groaned and pulled him back.
Vault seven hundred and seventeen had no key-hole.
Stand back," the creature said with puffed up self importance. He stroked the door gently with one of his long fingers and it melted away.
"If anyone but a Gringotts goblin tried that, they'd be sucked through the door and trapped in there," said Griphook. So that's what the creature's called, a goblin. The word sounded odd even when translated to his Japanese ears.
"How often do you check t'see if anyone's inside?" Harry queried.
Giving an evil smirk, Griphook responded, "maybe every ten years."
With security like that, something important had to be inside, and whatever it was Harry knew that many would want to get their hands on it. Curiosity made him watch carefully hoping that maybe there were scrolls with martial wisdom. Instead there was a grubby little package wrapped up in brown paper just off center of the middle of the floor. Harry wanted to know what was held within, but learned that sometimes answers had to be found without the aid of those with knowledge.
"Come on, back in this infernal cart, and don't talk to me on the way back. It's best if I keep me mouth shut," said Hagrid.
Another wild ride later, they walked out into the bright sunlight. Harry blinked a couple of times before adjusting to the sunlight. The reality of what just happened hit him. Somehow he had inherited what looked to be a fortune from long dead parents. He hadn't spent much time thinking about them over his life. He was just too busy surviving to contemplate the past. Even with so much money, his survival instincts kicked in. He'd have to conserve this as long as possible and not give any hints that he had this. Maybe that way he could eat more regularly, or at least precooked food. Small game and berries were ok, but a person got tired of them after a while. Harry seriously doubted that there was any small game in this city.
"Might as well get yer uniform," Hagrid's voice broke into Harry's thoughts. He gestured towards the shop that had the robes in the window. "Listen, Harry, would yeh mind if I slipped off fer a pick-me-up in the Leaky Cauldron? I hate them Gringots carts." The man still looked a bit sick so Harry nodded and walked onto the shop. He knew the necessity of a uniform, but was nervous, what if this school had a uniform that was restrictive? He wouldn't be able to fight if the situation came up. Perhaps he could alter it if it came to that.
The proprietor of the shop was a squat, smiling witch dressed all in mauve.
"Hogwarts, dear?" she said with a kindly voice. Harry nodded but couldn't say anything before she continued. "Got that lot here- another young man being fitted up just now, in fact."
In the back of the shop, a boy with a pale, pointed face was standing on a footstool while a second witch pinned up his long black robes. The witch in mauve stood Harry on a stool next to the boy, slipped a long rove over his head and began to pin it to the right length.
"Hello," the boy said, "Hogwarts too?"
Harry gave him a quick look over, before replying with a quick "yes." The boy didn't notice the translation charm or ignored it and continued on. Maybe he hadn't really been listening to the answer.
"My father's next door buying my books and mother's up the street looking at wands," his board., drawling voice was a little irksome, "Then I'm going to drag them off to look at racing brooms. I don't see why first years can't have their own. I think I'll bully father into getting me one and I'll smuggle it in somehow."
Harry was reminded of some of the rich boys he'd seen at some of the dojo's they were never there to learn, but bought their way up in status. He'd never had respect for that sort.
"Have you got your own broom?" the boy went on. Harry decided to amuse the boy so replied negatively.
"Play Quidditch at all?"
Quidditch? What was Quidditch? Might be another art, but because he didn't know what it was he had to reply negatively. These westerners are funny people he decided.
"I do - Father says it's a crime if I'm not picked to play for my house, and I must say, I agree. Know what house you'll be in yet?"
"No" Harry replied. He felt out of the conversation, he didn't really know any of what this boy was talking about. But then that's to be expected, he's in a different country.
"Well, no one really knows until they get there, do thy, but I know I'll be in Slytherin, all our family have been - imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?"
Harry just replied with a non committal noise.
"I say, look at that man!" the boy exclaimed nodding toward the front window. Hagrid was standing there, grinning at Harry and pointing to two large ice creams to show he couldn't come in.
"That's Hagrid," Harry told the boy, although he didn't see why he bothered. "He works at Hogwarts." The boy finally noticed that Harry was talking in a different language. He gave Harry a puzzled look.
"Why aren't you speaking English?"
Harry rolled his eyes at the boy. "I don't know English. Not everything revolves around you westerners."
"So why are you going to Hogwarts and not wherever you're from?"
"Because this Hogwarts seems to want me to go there. They're going through a lot to get me too." his voice lowered "stupid Genma, selling me for a Galleon."
Before anything else could be said, the woman said, "That's you done, my dear," Harry hopped off the stool and started for the door.
"Well, I'll see you at Hogwarts I suppose," the boy drawled as Harry made his escape.
Harry looked at the chocolate and raspberry ice-cream warily before trying a bit. It was rather good and in the blink of an eye, Harry's was gone, and a part of Hagrid's too. Hagrid gave Harry a look of shock before raising his own ice-cream to above easy height for Harry.
"Well seein as yer finished, lets get the rest of yer supplies." the large man still looked shocked by the missing half of his ice-cream.
They stopped by the stationary store and picked up parchments and quills with a few comments from Harry, "You expect me to write with a feather?", "ut uh, no way am I writing in multi colored ink."
The next stop was a bookstore, but one unlike any Harry had ever seen. The books were large, larger than most dictionaries he'd seen and there wasn't a manga to be seen. The books were bound in leather and some had gold lettering along the spines. A section later, the books were small, almost postage stamp sized with silky looking covers. Harry looked around in disinterest at all the books. He did understand that there was value in books. Some masters put their teachings and techniques to paper, but he doubted he'd find a good book in this place. Let alone one in Japanese. As they walked out of the book store with a large pile of books in Harry's arms, he asked Hagrid, "Where am I going to put this stuff? I can't take it with me, it's too heavy and bulky,"
Hagrid laughed and said, "at Hogwarts o'course. That's where yel be needin them."
"Yes but you said earlier that term doesn't start for a month. So what will I be doing until then?"
"Yel go back to you're cousin and uncle an' tha' neckless will port ya back for the train."
Harry turned to the large man. "And you expect me to carry all of this?" he held the books and other parcels up for display, "all that time?" He also was surprised that the large man would be letting him go. By that speech he would be returning in about a month though.
Hagrid raised an eyebrow, "Well ain't yeh going to be puttin them in a room or somethin?"
"No, we're on a training trip, there is no storage, whatever you can carry is what you can keep."
Hagrid chuckled, "guess we'll be puttin them in storage at the platform then."
Harry breathed a small sigh of relief, now that he didn't have to take his new purchases back, he didn't have to worry about Genma selling them. He gave Hagrid a smile of gratitude before they continued with their shopping. The parcel pile growing ever so much. The pewter cauldron here, a collapsible brass telescope there, a miniature scale from the shop in the corner. They walked into the Apothecary, the smell of which reminded Harry of some of the more remote medical establishments. Collecting all of the ingredients on the list, the two exited the establishment. Hagrid rechecked Harry's list.
"Just yer wand left - oh yeah, an' I still haven't got yeh birthday present."
Harry looked at the large man curiously. "Why would you want to get me a present? I hardly know you." Hagrid got a sad look in his eye, "I knew yeh parents, they were good people Lily and James Potter. I jus want to do somethin for ya," he looked away with a suspicious glitter in his eye, "Tell yeh what, I'll get yer animal. Not a toad, toads went outta fashion years ago, yeh'd be laughed at - an' I don' like cats," he didn't notice Harry shudder at the word, "they make me sneeze. I'll get yer an owl. All the kids want owls, they're dead useful, carry yer mail an' everythin'."
Some time later the two were walking out of the Owl Emporium Hagrid with a happy glint in his eye and Harry carrying a cage. Contained within was a snowy white owl crouched on the perch with its head tucked under its wing. Harry was thanking the large man profusely, but Hagrid was waving it off with a smile.
"Don' mention it," Hagrid starting to be embarrassed by the thanks said, "Don' expect you got many presents with yer uncle, seeing as he didn't know when yeh birthday was. Just got to get yeh wand now. Ollivanders is the place fer wands, and yeh have got to have the best."
Harry nodded and watched where they were going over the pile in his arms. A wand, he wasn't sure what to expect, was it the size of a tonfa? Larger? Smaller? And what practical application did it have? What could his opponent do with it if they managed to take it from him? Could this magic be done without it? Now there was a question, so he vocalized it.
"Well, some say it can be done, bu' the last wizard to was Merlin."
Now this is probably the longest post you people will ever get, I wanted to get through the shopping trip, but it was getting just too long. Please review, and all that jazz. And this is getting so boring, I just want to get to the castle already, but stories must be done in order, oh well.
The two stepped through the archway. Harry turned to see it slowly closing in on itself. Noticing this mode of exit disappear, he quickly scanned the area for exits. It seemed like he'd have to roof hop out of there in case of emergency.
There were many people in brightly colored robes wandering around the cobblestoned street. A woman off to Harry's left was carrying several brightly wrapped parcels and was being followed by a young looking boy. Off to the right a group of green clad men were joking and laughing while making their way down the street.
"Come on 'arry we've got to get you're stuff fer school." The large man said. Harry nodded and followed the man while scanning his surroundings. As they got to the larger road, Harry noted that the crowds increased in size. He caught bits and pieces of conversations as he passed by, none of which made very much sense. He couldn't read the signs above the doors of the shops, but often could figure out what they sold by the displays in the windows. In one shop he saw old fashioned broomsticks along with balls and what looked like sports team paraphernalia. Another held Owls, it seemed as if there were dozens of types in there. Just before getting to a large white marble building, he saw a shop that sold robes of all colors and sizes.
"There 'arry, that's where we'll got to get yer money, Gringott's safest place in the world fer anything yeh want ter keep safe - 'cept maybe Hogwarts." Harry just nodded and followed the large man through the large bronze front doors.
There was a medium size crowd in the building, some milling about others standing in lines and yet more talking to some short clever faced people. Hagrid went to the left where there was no line for the small creature.
"Morning," he said to the creature, Harry didn't know what to call it. "We've come ter take some money outta Mr. Harry Potter's safe."
"You have his key, sir?" it asked, Harry shuddered at the odd tones the thing's English made while mixing with the Japanese translation.
"Got it here somewhere," Hagrid said as he patted down his pockets then started emptying them all over the counter and the book the creature had been writing in before they interrupted it. Harry's attention wandered to the other patrons, off to one side, a couple of people that looked travel worn were standing in-front of another of the weird creatures whom was weighing large red stones. Harry couldn't figure out why people would think them valuable. But then again, these people were silly and not really intelligent about the arts. He could see it by the way they walked.
"Got it," the proud proclamation by the large man standing next to him brought Harry's attention back to the immediate proceedings. Hagrid was holding up a tiny golden key while the creature scrutinized it.
"That seems to be in order." Harry cringed again, but not as noticeably this time.
"An' I've also got a letter here from Professor Dumbledore," Hagrid said importantly, he was puffing his chest out like Harry had seen Genma do in- front of many Dojo masters. Harry just barely prevented his eyes from rolling. "It's about the You-Know-What in vault seven hundred and thirteen." Hagrid handed the letter over and the creature studied it for a few moments before looking up.
"Very well," it handed the letter back, "I will have someone take you down to both vaults." It turned it's head slightly before elevating it's voice, it did not bellow, that would be undignified, "Griphook!"
It turned out that "Griphook" was the name of another of those creatures. Hagrid quickly re-stuffed his pockets before he and Harry followed the creature towards one of the many doors lining the walls.
Harry's curiosity got the better of him and he had to ask the large man, "what's You-Know-What anyway?"
"Can't tell yeh that," Hagrid replied, "Very secret. Hogwarts business. Dumbledore's trusted me. More'n my job's worth ter tell yeh that."
Griphook held the door open for the two. As he entered, Harry noted that the white marble of the interior lobby was replaced by smooth dark stone. The corridor shrank and couldn't get much smaller without hindering Hagrid's passage. Flickering light came from torches lining the walls and casting unnerving shadows over everyone. Harry could feel the slope of the land, it gave him a slightly off center of balance. He wondered how far down they would go, but didn't wonder long because they were soon by little railway tracks on the floor. Griphook whistled and a small boxlike cart appeared from the darkness. The three of them climbed in, though it took Hagrid a bit, and the cart zipped off.
The maze of tunnels and directions went by so fast that Harry couldn't catch the rout incase he wanted to return. His eyes stung as the cold damp air rushed by, but he had to pay attention. This was so foreign he had to catalog everything. Once he thought he saw bright orange flames down a corridor, but even though he tried to see the source, he missed it. They rounded a corner and skirted along an underground lake, the surface shining eerily in the darkness. Large stalagmites and stalactites grew from the ceiling and floor like a gaping maw.
Harry looked over to his large companion and saw that Hagrid was very green. The sharp movements probably didn't agree with him. The cart came to a stop and Hagrid did an odd half lunge half flop out onto the ground. After a few moments of letting his legs stabilize, he looked to Griphook.
The small creature unlocked the door in a puff of green smoke. As the smoke cleared, Harry gasped, inside the vault lay piles of coins. What caught him off guard was the fact that Genma had been willing to let him go for one, ONE of the gold coins. Which there had to be hundreds at least in this vault. The realization started Harry's unconscious anger to simmer.
"All yours," smiled Hagrid, not noticing the anger under the astonishment on his face.
All his? Harry took a moment to think about it, for if it were all his, then he had to be especially careful around Genma if the fat man ever came to get him. Lest it all be used on drink and filling his stomach. Harry stood there still as stone as Hagrid pilled some into a bag.
"The gold ones are Galleons," he explained while holding one up for Harry to examine. "Seventeen silver Sickles to a Galleon and twenty-nine Knuts to a Sickle, It's easy enough." he paused as he put the coins he'd been showing Harry into the bag. "Right, that should be enough fer a couple o' terms, we'll keep the rest safe for yeh."
Finishing up with the vault, Hagrid turned to Griphook, "Vault seven- hundred and thirteen now, please, and can we go slowly?"
"One speed only," Griphook replied.
They shuffled back onto the cart and it sped of, going even deeper and gathering speed. The air became colder and colder and the corners seemed to tighten. They went rattling over an underground ravine. Harry curiously peaked his head over the side wondering if he could see the bottom in all the inky darkness. Before he could get any definition, Hagrid groaned and pulled him back.
Vault seven hundred and seventeen had no key-hole.
Stand back," the creature said with puffed up self importance. He stroked the door gently with one of his long fingers and it melted away.
"If anyone but a Gringotts goblin tried that, they'd be sucked through the door and trapped in there," said Griphook. So that's what the creature's called, a goblin. The word sounded odd even when translated to his Japanese ears.
"How often do you check t'see if anyone's inside?" Harry queried.
Giving an evil smirk, Griphook responded, "maybe every ten years."
With security like that, something important had to be inside, and whatever it was Harry knew that many would want to get their hands on it. Curiosity made him watch carefully hoping that maybe there were scrolls with martial wisdom. Instead there was a grubby little package wrapped up in brown paper just off center of the middle of the floor. Harry wanted to know what was held within, but learned that sometimes answers had to be found without the aid of those with knowledge.
"Come on, back in this infernal cart, and don't talk to me on the way back. It's best if I keep me mouth shut," said Hagrid.
Another wild ride later, they walked out into the bright sunlight. Harry blinked a couple of times before adjusting to the sunlight. The reality of what just happened hit him. Somehow he had inherited what looked to be a fortune from long dead parents. He hadn't spent much time thinking about them over his life. He was just too busy surviving to contemplate the past. Even with so much money, his survival instincts kicked in. He'd have to conserve this as long as possible and not give any hints that he had this. Maybe that way he could eat more regularly, or at least precooked food. Small game and berries were ok, but a person got tired of them after a while. Harry seriously doubted that there was any small game in this city.
"Might as well get yer uniform," Hagrid's voice broke into Harry's thoughts. He gestured towards the shop that had the robes in the window. "Listen, Harry, would yeh mind if I slipped off fer a pick-me-up in the Leaky Cauldron? I hate them Gringots carts." The man still looked a bit sick so Harry nodded and walked onto the shop. He knew the necessity of a uniform, but was nervous, what if this school had a uniform that was restrictive? He wouldn't be able to fight if the situation came up. Perhaps he could alter it if it came to that.
The proprietor of the shop was a squat, smiling witch dressed all in mauve.
"Hogwarts, dear?" she said with a kindly voice. Harry nodded but couldn't say anything before she continued. "Got that lot here- another young man being fitted up just now, in fact."
In the back of the shop, a boy with a pale, pointed face was standing on a footstool while a second witch pinned up his long black robes. The witch in mauve stood Harry on a stool next to the boy, slipped a long rove over his head and began to pin it to the right length.
"Hello," the boy said, "Hogwarts too?"
Harry gave him a quick look over, before replying with a quick "yes." The boy didn't notice the translation charm or ignored it and continued on. Maybe he hadn't really been listening to the answer.
"My father's next door buying my books and mother's up the street looking at wands," his board., drawling voice was a little irksome, "Then I'm going to drag them off to look at racing brooms. I don't see why first years can't have their own. I think I'll bully father into getting me one and I'll smuggle it in somehow."
Harry was reminded of some of the rich boys he'd seen at some of the dojo's they were never there to learn, but bought their way up in status. He'd never had respect for that sort.
"Have you got your own broom?" the boy went on. Harry decided to amuse the boy so replied negatively.
"Play Quidditch at all?"
Quidditch? What was Quidditch? Might be another art, but because he didn't know what it was he had to reply negatively. These westerners are funny people he decided.
"I do - Father says it's a crime if I'm not picked to play for my house, and I must say, I agree. Know what house you'll be in yet?"
"No" Harry replied. He felt out of the conversation, he didn't really know any of what this boy was talking about. But then that's to be expected, he's in a different country.
"Well, no one really knows until they get there, do thy, but I know I'll be in Slytherin, all our family have been - imagine being in Hufflepuff, I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?"
Harry just replied with a non committal noise.
"I say, look at that man!" the boy exclaimed nodding toward the front window. Hagrid was standing there, grinning at Harry and pointing to two large ice creams to show he couldn't come in.
"That's Hagrid," Harry told the boy, although he didn't see why he bothered. "He works at Hogwarts." The boy finally noticed that Harry was talking in a different language. He gave Harry a puzzled look.
"Why aren't you speaking English?"
Harry rolled his eyes at the boy. "I don't know English. Not everything revolves around you westerners."
"So why are you going to Hogwarts and not wherever you're from?"
"Because this Hogwarts seems to want me to go there. They're going through a lot to get me too." his voice lowered "stupid Genma, selling me for a Galleon."
Before anything else could be said, the woman said, "That's you done, my dear," Harry hopped off the stool and started for the door.
"Well, I'll see you at Hogwarts I suppose," the boy drawled as Harry made his escape.
Harry looked at the chocolate and raspberry ice-cream warily before trying a bit. It was rather good and in the blink of an eye, Harry's was gone, and a part of Hagrid's too. Hagrid gave Harry a look of shock before raising his own ice-cream to above easy height for Harry.
"Well seein as yer finished, lets get the rest of yer supplies." the large man still looked shocked by the missing half of his ice-cream.
They stopped by the stationary store and picked up parchments and quills with a few comments from Harry, "You expect me to write with a feather?", "ut uh, no way am I writing in multi colored ink."
The next stop was a bookstore, but one unlike any Harry had ever seen. The books were large, larger than most dictionaries he'd seen and there wasn't a manga to be seen. The books were bound in leather and some had gold lettering along the spines. A section later, the books were small, almost postage stamp sized with silky looking covers. Harry looked around in disinterest at all the books. He did understand that there was value in books. Some masters put their teachings and techniques to paper, but he doubted he'd find a good book in this place. Let alone one in Japanese. As they walked out of the book store with a large pile of books in Harry's arms, he asked Hagrid, "Where am I going to put this stuff? I can't take it with me, it's too heavy and bulky,"
Hagrid laughed and said, "at Hogwarts o'course. That's where yel be needin them."
"Yes but you said earlier that term doesn't start for a month. So what will I be doing until then?"
"Yel go back to you're cousin and uncle an' tha' neckless will port ya back for the train."
Harry turned to the large man. "And you expect me to carry all of this?" he held the books and other parcels up for display, "all that time?" He also was surprised that the large man would be letting him go. By that speech he would be returning in about a month though.
Hagrid raised an eyebrow, "Well ain't yeh going to be puttin them in a room or somethin?"
"No, we're on a training trip, there is no storage, whatever you can carry is what you can keep."
Hagrid chuckled, "guess we'll be puttin them in storage at the platform then."
Harry breathed a small sigh of relief, now that he didn't have to take his new purchases back, he didn't have to worry about Genma selling them. He gave Hagrid a smile of gratitude before they continued with their shopping. The parcel pile growing ever so much. The pewter cauldron here, a collapsible brass telescope there, a miniature scale from the shop in the corner. They walked into the Apothecary, the smell of which reminded Harry of some of the more remote medical establishments. Collecting all of the ingredients on the list, the two exited the establishment. Hagrid rechecked Harry's list.
"Just yer wand left - oh yeah, an' I still haven't got yeh birthday present."
Harry looked at the large man curiously. "Why would you want to get me a present? I hardly know you." Hagrid got a sad look in his eye, "I knew yeh parents, they were good people Lily and James Potter. I jus want to do somethin for ya," he looked away with a suspicious glitter in his eye, "Tell yeh what, I'll get yer animal. Not a toad, toads went outta fashion years ago, yeh'd be laughed at - an' I don' like cats," he didn't notice Harry shudder at the word, "they make me sneeze. I'll get yer an owl. All the kids want owls, they're dead useful, carry yer mail an' everythin'."
Some time later the two were walking out of the Owl Emporium Hagrid with a happy glint in his eye and Harry carrying a cage. Contained within was a snowy white owl crouched on the perch with its head tucked under its wing. Harry was thanking the large man profusely, but Hagrid was waving it off with a smile.
"Don' mention it," Hagrid starting to be embarrassed by the thanks said, "Don' expect you got many presents with yer uncle, seeing as he didn't know when yeh birthday was. Just got to get yeh wand now. Ollivanders is the place fer wands, and yeh have got to have the best."
Harry nodded and watched where they were going over the pile in his arms. A wand, he wasn't sure what to expect, was it the size of a tonfa? Larger? Smaller? And what practical application did it have? What could his opponent do with it if they managed to take it from him? Could this magic be done without it? Now there was a question, so he vocalized it.
"Well, some say it can be done, bu' the last wizard to was Merlin."
Now this is probably the longest post you people will ever get, I wanted to get through the shopping trip, but it was getting just too long. Please review, and all that jazz. And this is getting so boring, I just want to get to the castle already, but stories must be done in order, oh well.