Chapter Fourteen: Shopping Sprees

Since everything he owned was in his backpack, Harry decided to leave the apartment for a short amount of time to go to the grocery store that Sanguini pointed him to since the market had already closed for the day. He brought basic food stuff to last him a week before returning. He didn't leave the apartment for the rest of the day, simple settling in and getting comfortable in this new place he wanted to call home – however temporary the situation may be.

The next morning, he woke early so that he could go about his shopping. He had created a list the night before based on theoretical speculation about what he needed. That list would be his guide, but he would also be buying other things that he thought he might need or decided he wished to indulge in. This shopping spree would be the first and last of its kind, since he didn't enjoy spending large sums of money and he shouldn't need to buy large items of things in the future.

There were six connecting alleys in wizarding London. Diagon Alley was considered the 'main' alley since it was where the most popular entrance to their world was located and it was also where all the school supplies for Hogwart's could be brought. The shops on this street where well placed in that they receive the most customers; however, they were not very specialised. Just passed Gringotts Diagon Alley branched off to Horizont Alley which was considered the 'luxury' alley since it was where the majority of the beatification shops where located such as 'Madam Primpernelle's', and it also contained many cafés and restaurants which cater to different types of customers: from the commoner to the affluent.

Located between 'Sinister's Stationary' and 'Repurposed Reader' on Diagon Alley was the entrance to Carkitt alley. This alley contained a high-end apothecary, a blacksmiths and clockmaker, a musical instruments shop, a travel agency, a House-Elf placement agency, a post office and, right on the corner where it joined with Vertic Alley, was a museum/library. Vertic, which joins Carkitt with Paleo, could be considered the 'business district'. The alley had quite a few lawyer's offices, the main office for Daily Prophet, an accounting office, the Quibbler's office, and other such business.

As it was the main alley, and he had to buy his school things, Harry decided to start in Diagon Alley. Since he had the entire day, he started at one end – where the trunk shop was – and made his way down to the other end.

He brought a standard, Ravenclaw trunk, which was a two-compartment trunk. The first compartment was the standard school trunk, which was 6ft by 2ft by 4ft inside although the outside dimensions where 4ft by 1.5ft by 14inches. Hidden along the inner wall where 'shelves' which could be used to divide the compartment for easier sorting of things – be that dividing horizontally or by creatin a new layer to hide the underneath. The second compartment was a small library. On the left-hand side was a book, where the contents were listed and you could write a book title, author or subject in order to bring those books to the front. The rest of the compartment just looked like a book shelf. Once the shelf was filled, the books would disappear into storage. It could hold a total of 5,000 books. Harry payed a little extra to have security features included and added the shrinking feature so he could carry it in his pocket.

The next shop he stopped at was the stationary store. The first thing he did was pick up the recommended parchment packet for Hogwarts student's years 1-3, plus a set of standard quills, a clip/sharpener, and two pots of black ink. Then, he went off script. He'd discovered during his time in Narnia that he enjoyed writing and that when he was researching or studying something, he learnt better when he could make compartmentalised notes. Since returning from Narnia, he had tried to continue taking notes of his studies, but he had to be careful since the note books he used where typically stolen from Dudley's second bedroom. He brought four rolls of parchment (each roll coming to twenty feet), a stamp set with wax, two packs of envelopes and letter format parchment, a set of sixty different coloured inks (each pot holding 30mm), twelve note books, seven wallet folders (each a different colour), and three, soft grip, quills.

Skipping over the apothecary, Harry headed to Florish and Bolts. Picking up a basket from the front he headed straight to a member of staff who was wearing a green badge on their robes.

"Excuse me?" Harry spoke softly so as to not bring attention from any of the other shoppers.

"How can I help?" The employee questioned with a smile, clearly relieved that someone had approached him. Harry could sympathize since it seemed like he was doing a stock take of some kind.

"I was wondering if you could show me where the first-year texts are? As well as any previous texts that used to be used and you would recommend?" Harry questioned. He was also going to go through and pick-up other books – with a focus on history, social, custom and law – but he figured the employee would be able to get him started with magic books.

"Sure, we've got an entire section dedicated to Hogwart's books. Most don't use it, since they can find the books in the appropriate section and they don't care for the books that are no longer on the list." The employee led him through to the back of the shop where a sign identified the section as 'Hogwarts'.

"Now, this row contains current books on the list, first years at the bottom and seventh years at the top." He motioned to the first book case. "The rest of the books are similarly organised by age. The bookcases with purple hold the books which are actually useful; if there's no purple, I wouldn't recommend the book. The ones which are blue are books which belong to classes which had been removed from the curriculum. At the very back, we have curriculum copies and past exams which were published by the Department of Magical Education."

"Wow, why don't more people come back here? Even just the curriculum and exam copies would be really useful for revising." Harry said amazed, restraining himself for the moment from searching the bookshelves.

"I don't know. But we're not allowed to tell customers about the section unless asked, it's in our contract. Tell you what, I was most annoyed when I started working here." The employee shook his head. "Well, I'll leave you to it. If you need me, you'll find me in the same place as before. Good luck."

"Thank you." Harry said politely.

The first thing to go in his basket was the essential books for first year. After a moment of thought he also added the books for second and third year. He was a fast learner, and with the practical magic he could already do and had taught himself based on Tom's memories, it was quite probable that he was going to be advanced for a first year.

Then, he went to the other shelves – picking up five books for each of the main subjects currently offered: transfiguration, charms, potions, defence, history, astronomy and herbology. Then he picked up four books on Ancient Runes and Arithmancy and eight on Care of Magical Creatures. With all the subjects offered at Hogwarts covered (that he would take since he felt that divination was a useless class and he had no need for muggle studies) he turned his attention to the books for classes which were no longer offered.

Reading the titles, Harry was able to deduce that some of the lost classes included Wizarding Customs/tradition, magical theory, sword play and blacksmithing, carpentry, finance and business management, art and craft, enchanting, alchemy, battle magic, warding and spell crafting. There were also other classes that he wasn't able to identify based on the book titles.

Harry settled for picking up books on customs/tradition, magical theory, finance and business and stage one warding. Once he had the books, he moved to the exams and curriculum section. He picked up the curriculum for all seven years of the main subjects, plus the first five years of additional subjects he had picked (although customs and tradition only lasted three years and finance and business were only two). For the exams, he picked up the first three years' worth of exams for all the subjects he had chosen, going back two hundred years. He chose to go so far back so he could see if there was a change in the standard of exams.

Leaving the Hogwarts section, he went to the third floor which was were 'history, law and costumes' was located. He went through, picking up any book that caught his interest. Once he had forty books, he decided he'd gotten more than enough to be getting on with and headed to the potion's sections. He didn't want to begin brewing anything based on what knowledge he had gotten from Voldemort, but from what Tom had learnt they could be extremely useful – especially in healing, warding and detection. So, he picked up eight additional books on potions, which included a book which was just a glossary of ingredients and their effects.

The last shop he went to that day was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. He got fitted for his school robes, and then went through the pre-made robes that she had out and picked out a new wardrobe for himself.

Dear Deputy Headmistress McGonagall

As I'm sure you are aware there is tension between myself and House Potter, particularly my father James Potter. I was abandoned by James Potter ten years ago, and due to this reason, I have decided that I will no longer bare the name Potter. I have officially changed my name to Harry Paxton, which should already be reflected in your files. I would appreciate it if you could ensure that this is indeed the case and keep knowledge of my previous name to yourself until I can ensure my own safety from any interference from James Potter.

I have reached out to Sirius Black in order to arrange a face-to-face meeting, and informed him that you know the truth. My current residence is no longer what was listed on my acceptance letter and so I have arranged to meet him in a privet booth at the 'Solarium' if you would like to accompany him I am not opposed to this. As the Deputy of Hogwarts, and someone who knows the truth, I feel that you should also hear the story I wish to tell.

Regards,

Harry Paxton

To Sirius Orion Black,

Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black

Godfather, I have been informed by Deputy Headmistress McGonagall that you have been attempting to find and take custody of me since I was abandoned by my father. I have now returned to the wizarding world and found a new residence (however temporary) for myself. In order to avoid the detection of my father, I have officially taken up the name Harry Paxton; which I have also explained to Deputy headmistress McGonagall. I would appreciate it if you could refrain from spreading that I have reached out to you beyond her person until I have spoken to you in person.

I have booked a privet room under Paxton at the Solarium for 10:00 on Saturday, I would greatly appreciate it if you would be able to attend. I have also extended this invitation to include Deputy Headmistress McGonagall since I have asked her to keep my birth name a secret. If you believe Moony still views me as pack, then I am not opposed to his presents during the meeting.

Looking forward to seeing you again,

Your pup

Harry Paxton.

The day after his birthday, Harry headed to the Solarium for his pre-arranged meeting with Sirius and possible McGonagall and Moony. He was the first to arrive, and the server led him to the privet room that he'd booked. Taking his seat, Harry picked up the menu to read through while he waited.

The Solarium served the upper-middle class customers and so the menu was quite refined. It was split into three section: starters, sandwiches and cooked meals. There was a separate drink menu. At exactly ten o'clock, a server showed in his two guests.

Sirius Black was a tall man, with a strong physic clad in form fitting robes which where a royal blue with silver accents to bring out the shinning silver of his eyes. His black hair was pulled back at the nap of his neck, in what he had read was the traditional style for Lords. Next to him was Deputy Headmistress McGonagall. She was a tall woman, but slightly shorter than Sirius, wearing emerald green robes. Her greying hair was pulled back into a severe bun.

"Godfather, Professor." Harry stood to greet his two guests politely.

"Harry," Sirius greeted with a brilliant smile and his eyes shinning full of hope. His body was held tightly in one place, by Harry could see the twitching muscles of his arms that he clearly wanted to wrap around him in a hug.

"Mr. Paxton." McGonagall nodded her head politely.

"Please." Harry motioned to the seats opposite him at the table.

Edited 11/04/2022