Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any related characters. They belong to J. K. Rowling. Any quotes from Harry Potter books don't belong to me either. As usual, no profit is meant to be made by this story.

Similarities with other fanfiction stories are not intended

2. A new life

Dumbledore took a letter out of a pocket of his jacket and handed it over to Harry. He took it and began too examine it more carefully than last time as he didn't have his uncle telling him to hurry up this time.

The address was written in green ink and read "Room 19, The Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley, London". "Well," Harry thought, "they're really quick with the changing of these addresses." When he looked on the backside of the envelope, he saw that it was sealed with a coat of arms showing a lion, a badger, an eagle and a snake in front of shield and the inscription "Draco dormiens numquam titillandus".

Having examined the envelope, he decided that it was time to have a look of what was inside. He ripped it open and out fell two sheets of paper and something looking like a railway ticket. One of the two sheets looked like an actual letter while the other seemed to be some kind of inventory list. He took the one looking like a letter and started to read it:

Mr. Harry Potter

Room 19

The Leaky Cauldron

Diagon Alley

London

Dear Mister Potter

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. Added you'll find an inventory list. Please remember that you will have to catch the Hogwarts Express on September the First on Platform 9¾, King's Cross station, London.

Yours sincerely

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy headmistress of Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry

When he had read this letter, Harry fell silent. Well, this was something he did not expect. If he didn't know that his uncle would never do something involving the police, he would think that it was nothing more than a very bad birthday gift from the Dursleys. However, this letter was signed by one Minerva McGonagall and one of the two that brought him there was called Minerva.

He turned around to where Albus and Minerva were sitting.

"So, this letter is signed by one Minerva and your first name is Minerva as well. A coincidence?"

"You see, Minerva, he is really a smart boy. Why don't we change in our true selves?" Once having told this, Dumbledore changed his appearance from the one middle-aged policeman to the one of the old headmaster, complete with his extraordinary clothing while Minerva changed back in her stern looking professor outfit.

"You see, Harry, I'm not really a policemen, I'm the headmaster of Hogwarts, a school which teaches magic and Minerva is one of the teachers."

"Magic? But my uncle told me that there was no such thing as magic."

This was when Minerva first entered the conversation.

"Do you mean you know nothing about our world, about your parent's world?"

"No, my aunt and uncle told me that my father was a drunk who never got a job and that my mother was worthless all the time till they managed to die in a car crash."

These statements enraged Minerva. Even Dumbledore had never seen here that angry, not even when the Marauders had made a mess of the graduation party with their pranks and she was really upset then. It took Dumbledore several minutes to calm her down again; afterwards he continued to talk to Harry.

"Listen, Harry, your parents were wizards just as we are, and not any ordinary. They were remarkable people. And they didn't die in a car crash either. But I see the doubts in your eyes, your still not sure if that what we tell you is the truth. Then try to remember: Have you ever done things that you couldn't explain?"

This was the moment when Harry got up from the light dizzyness he had felt the whole day since he had met with the police officers and he recognised that he had found the explanation for all the things the Dursleys accused him to have done which he couldn't explain. Of course, magic was the explanation. Now it was also clear why his uncle always told him that there was no such thing as magic. He was afraid that Harry would find out. However, his uncles attempts had failed, he had found out. Harry felt a wave of alleviation flow through his body. With a happy smile, he turned to Albus again.

"So, this school, can I go there? When does it start? Where can I get the supplies I need?"

"Wow, slowly Harry, all to his time. It is time to tell you where exactly we are here. This is a pub called "The Leaky Cauldron". It marks the entrance to Diagon Alley, an all-wizard street with all the shops concerning magic you could ever want. Now, I've arranged with Tom, the innkeeper, that you can stay here till the school term begins. You are free to explore the Alley. If you have any questions, ask Tom. He will be at your service. Now, concerning your supplies, I will send a friend of mine over tomorrow to help you getting them. He'll be here at 10 o'clock in the morning."

"Thank you, headmaster, for all you have done. I will look forward to meet you friend."

"Well, Harry, I think we will take our leave, we've lots of business to attend. If you have any wishes, please talk to Tom. Oh, by the way, as it is your birthday today, Minerva and I had decided that it was appropriate to bring you a gift. Enjoy."

With these words, he put a package on the desk in the room and before Harry had the chance to thank him he had left, Minerva following after a short good bye.

Harry went to the desk, opening the package. It was a book called "Magical creatures: A beginners guide to magical beings" When he looked at it he saw a very informative book with loads of pictures of the different animals. It was really a great gift.

Looking at the clock on his bedside table, he saw that it was already ten p.m. so he decided, still feeling exhausted of the day's events, to call it a night and headed over to his bed where someone had thought of putting some pyjamas on the sheets. Harry felt very grateful for this as he had left all his belongings which weren't a lot, at Privet Drive. With some last thoughts of today's events, he drifted off to sleep.

When he woke up the next morning, it was a few minutes before nine. He first wondered where he was till the memories of the past day came back. He decided to go to the pub to get some breakfast. The friend Dumbeldore had mentioned the last evening wouldn't come before ten, so he had plenty of time.

When he entered the pub, there were a couple of elderly witches on a table in a corner and a wizard on another one reading a newspaper. Once again Harry recognised that wizards had a very weird style of clothing. As soon as he entered, he saw Tom heading over to him.

"Good Morning, Harry. How are you doing this morning?"

"I'm fine, Tom. Could I have some breakfast?"

"Sure. What would you like?"

"Well, some good continental style would be just fine."

"I will get it for you at once. Please, take a seat over there."

Harry picked up a newspaper called "The Daily Prophet" and sat down in a corner. He was startled by the fact that the pictures were moving. Tom arrived with the breakfast a few minutes later. It was the largest amount of food he had ever seen. The Dursleys didn't exactly let him hunger but he couldn't eat enough either. Once he had finished, it was a few minutes before ten., he decided to wait right there.

He didn't have to wait for long as a few minutes later the largest man Harry had ever seen entered the inn. He was at least two times as large as the normal man. He seemed to be well known in the inn as Tom greeted him enthusiastically.

"The usual, Hagrid?"

"Not today, Tom, I'm here on Hogwarts business. Do you know where Harry is?"

"He sits in the corner over there. Has just eaten more breakfast than I have seen someone in a long time."

"Well, see you later."

With these words, Hagrid went over to Harry and sat down.

"Hy. You must be Harry. Last time I saw you you were just a baby. You look a lot like your father, but you have your mother's eyes."

"Hello. You must be the friend Dumbledore was talking about yesterday. Pleased to meet you."

"Dumbledore called me his friend' Wow. By the way, my name is Hagrid, I'm the keeper of the grounds and keys of Hogwarts. The headmaster asked me if I could get your school supplies with you. Do you have your inventory list with you?"

"Yes, I have it in my pocket. Shall we go?"

"Let's leave. Just follow me."

They left the inn and went to the backyard where Hagrid tapped the bricks with his pink envelope. Harry stood amazed by the brick wall turning into the portal to Diagon Alley.

"Welcome, Harry, to Diagon Alley."

They entered through the portal and found themselves in a street full of wizards and the most curious shops. While they walked through the street Hagrid explained the different shops to Harry and where he could get his supplies.

Harry was amazed by the variety of shops and all the fascinating goods. However, he wondered how he was supposed to pay for all of this.

"Hagrid, how shall I pay for this? I don't have any money."

"Don't worry. You don't think your parents left you with nothing. That's why were heading over to Gringotts, the wizard bank. Your parents had a vault there."

"Gringotts? You mean the bank lead by Goblins? I read something about the book I got from Dumbledore to my birthday, the one about magical creatures."

"Exactly that one."

When they entered, Hagrid lead Harry over to a counter where a goblin was free at the moment.

"Mister Harry Potter is here to withdraw something from his account."

"And has Mister Potter his key with him."

"I've got that one," Hagrid said and foraged in his pockets. A bit later, he had found the key after having dispersed various things on the desk of which the goblin did not seem to approve.

"Well, that looks all right. I will call someone who will accompany you down to the vaults."

"Wait a second. I've got another letter from Professor Dumbledore concerning You-Know-What in vault You-Know-Which."

The goblin examined the letter which was sealed with the Hogwarts coat of arms carefully, then opened it and read it.

"I see. Gryphook, would you please come over here?"

Another goblin came to his desk. Gryphook had another uniform than the one at the desk which looked as if it was for someone travelling a lot. Harry was surprised by this till Hagrid told him that the vaults of Gringotts lay deep in the London underground.

"Gryphook, take these gentlemen to their vaults."

"Sure. Will you please follow me?"

Gryphook lead them to a corridor where a railway system with several cars was waiting for them. They went into one of the cars and off they went. It was a wild ride till they finally arrived at Harry's vault. When Gryphook opened the door with the key, Harry was shocked by the large amount of golden, silver and copper coins lying in there. Although he didn't know anything about wizard money he saw that he had a small fortune in this vault. Once Hagrid had explained the basics of wizard money to him they filled a large bag Hagrid had brought along. Then they went to the next vault. Harry wondered what would be in there but he caught just a small glimpse as Hagrid blocked the entry a moment later. The only thing Harry could see was a small package which he put in his pocket. Then they left Gringotts and went back to the Alley.

They first went to Madam Malkins robes for all occasions to get Harry's Hogwarts robes. When Madam Malkins saw the shape in which the clothes he was wearing were she insisted to show them their Muggle clothes department. Although Harry was a bit hesitating about buying clothes, all he had were the hand-me-down ones from Dudley which were five times to big for him, Hagrid and Malkins managed to talk him into buying new clothes which ended in buying an entire new wardrobe for Harry.

Afterwards, they went to the other shops buying his other school supplies and had a longer stay in the bookshop as Hagrid barely managed to get Harry out of it again Once they had bought everything except the wand, Hagrid left Harry outside Ollivanders saying he had some business to attend.

Once Harry was inside, he was greeted by Mr. Ollivander.

"Good morning. What can I do for you?"

"I need a wand."

"Ah, you're going to Hogwarts, aren't you?"

"Yes, I do."

"Then let's start with this one," Mr. Ollivander said, handing him over one of the wands.

"What am I supposed to do with it?"

"Just swing it."

When Harry swung the wand it resulted in making a mess of the piles of paper on Mr. Ollivander's desk. This went one and one until Harry thought that he had tried every wand in the shop. This was until Ollivander got another one from the backside of his shop which wasn't at the same place as the others.

"I wonder?"

"Sorry, Sir, but what are you wondering about?"

"Let's wait and see. Try this one, my boy."

He handed Harry yet another wand. As soon as he touched it, he felt warmth flowing through his body and while he swung it, it produced red sparks.

"Well, how remarkably. Holly and Phoenix feather, 10 inch. I'm surprised that this wand seems to be suited for you but the wand chooses the wizard.

"What is so special at this wand?"

"You see, Mr. Potter, the phoenix whose tail feather is the magical core of your wand gave another feather and that one landed in the wand of the one who gave you this scar. It is remarkable that the wand choose you as its bearer. But one thing is for sure. We can expect great things from you. At least, the one who must not be named has done great things as well, terrible, but great."

Once he had paid for his wand, Harry was grateful that he could leave Mr. Ollivander. He was quite scary. Outside, he was looking for Hagrid seeing him leaving Eeylops owlorium carrying a snowy owl in his cage. Once arrived at Harry, he handed him the cage with a happy birthday and then suggested to head for a ice cream at Fortescues ice cream parlour.$

While he was eating his Chocolate-Banana-Sundae, Harry found it time to ask Hagrid of his scar.

"He has killed my parents, hasn't he? The one whom I owe this scar?"

"There's one thing you have to know, Harry. Not all wizards are good. Some are bad. Then there was one who became worse than any other. He's called people are still afraid to call his name.

"You can't say it? Maybe you want to write it down?"

"No, I don't know how to spell it. He's called Voldemort, Lord Voldemort. It was dark times then, many good witches and wizards were killed. But one day, he wanted to kill your family. He came to you house and called your parents. However, when he wanted to use the curse which had killed countless people before on you, it somehow backfired. You defeated him, that's why you're famous, that's why you're called the Boy-who-lived. From what Dumbledore told me, you didn't experience a lot of it yet but it will come"

"So, Voldemort, is he dead now?"

"No, I don't think so. I think he's still out there somewhere, too weak to be a threat, but I'm sure he will come back one day."

"Well, thank you, Hagrid. It was nice that you told me."

"You know, you have a right to know as you have to get accustomed of people whispering behind you. Just remember, don't let it bother you."

"I won't."

"Oh, look at the time. We better had back to the Leaky Cauldron."

Once arrived at the inn, Hagrid said Harry farewell, telling him that he would come and pick him up on September the first at 10 o'clock. With that, he disappeared while Harry went back to his room, Tom assisting him in carrying his bags.

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Second Chapter finished. I know it's quite standard, but I didn't think I had lots or room for improvisation. Whatever, Please read and review.

Special thanks to my first three reviewers Honor-Harrington1982, Valandar, missgiggles12087