Harry Potter had run away from the Dursleys shortly after his tenth birthday. He had found his way to London, and by sheer luck, met an American family outside the Victoria and Albert museum. Mark Grimseth and his two sons, Kellen and Wyatt, invited Harry to join them as their guest. They were visiting Mrs. Grimseth's side of the family as she was born and raised in London.
After hearing Harry's story, Mark Grimseth and his wife Kay went to the Dursleys to take Harry off their hands, and to offer Harry a better life. They were not going to take 'no' for an answer, but after a heated argument and convincing the Dursleys that their son Kellen had powers of premonition, not unlike Harry's own mysterious powers that manifested when ever he was frightened or upset, did they allow Harry to leave with the Grimseths.
The Grimseths were a Norwegian-American farming family from Minnesota. They treated Harry like one of their own. He was given plenty of food and clothing, and in time, he was able to hold his own when performing farm work. After just a few short months, Harry was no longer scrawny - he started gaining some muscle and even grew a little.
In February, Kellen turned eleven, and got a visit from a young woman with long red hair who was called Professor Goode. She explained that she was the deputy headmistress from a school of witchcraft and wizardry called Ilvermorny, based out of Massachusetts. Kellen had an innate talent for magic, and Professor Goode explained that Kellen's heightened intelligence would be a tremendous asset, and that she foresaw a great destiny for the boy.
Several months later, shortly before Harry turned eleven, the Grimseths received another visit ifrom Professor Goode, but this time, it was concerning Harry.
"I'm quite stunned that Mister Potter is on this side of the pond," Professor Goode said. "I would have expected him to be in Britain and to be going to Hogwarts, but it is still quite the honor just the same."
"I'm glad I'm with the Grimseths," Harry told Professor Goode. "The Dursleys are horrible people and the Grimseths have given me food, clothing, and love. I feel like I've gotten my childhood back."
"You have certainly developed a strong American dialect," Professor Goode noted. "I'm glad you're in good hands with the Grimseths. You have an opportunity to join your best friend and foster brother Kellen to receive the same magical education he's receiving."
"That would be awesome," Harry replied. "I can't wait to go with him to Ilvermorny and become a wizard."
"You would make your parents quite proud, Harry," said Professor Goode. "They would want this for you."
"What about the materials we're responsible for?" Harry asked.
"Mister and Mrs. Grimseth can take you and Kellen to Minneapolis. There is a wizarding district there where you can purchase the supplies listed on the parchment. It's not as fancy as the one in New York, but I'm sure you'll find it much more convenient."
"Where exactly do we find this wizarding district?" Mrs. Grimseth asked the professor.
"There is a department store on Hennepin Avenue called Murphy and Fowler's. Go to Customer Service and ask for a Mister Kincaid. When they bring you to Kincaid, tell him that Emaline Goode sent you. He will then escort you to the wizarding district."
"And when does term start?" Mrs. Grimseth asked.
"September the first," replied Professor Goode. "You will want to go to the Union Train Station in Minneapolis. Platform Twelve and a Third. It's not obvious, but you will need to pass through the barrier between Platform Twelve and Platform Thirteen."
"When do we need to arrive at the Union Station?" Mrs. Grimseth asked.
"The morning before," replied Professor Goode. "It's a very long ride, but there will be bunks in the train compartments for the children to rest."
"Perfect, thank you," said Mrs. Grimseth. "We'll take the boys to Minneapolis in a few days to get the supplies, and then once again at the end of August to see them off."
"Very good," replied Professor Goode. "Best of luck to you boys, and I can't wait to see you for the Start-of-Term Feast!"
Several days later, Harry and the Grimseths went to Minneapolis to get the supplies needed for first-year students.
"So we're looking for Murphy and Fowler's on Hennepin Avenue," said Mr. Grimseth. They found a rather dilapidated store bearing the name "Murphy and Fowler's" and parked their car in the parking lot.
"This store looks like it's seen better days," commented Mrs. Grimseth. "I hope it's nicer on the inside than it is on the outside."
The family went inside the store and located the customer service counter.
"Excuse me, we're looking for a Mister Kincaid," Mrs. Grimseth said.
"One moment please," replied the cashier.
A couple of minutes later, a middle aged man with a waxed moustache wearing a rather flamboyant suit arrived.
"May I help you?" he asked the Grimseths and Harry.
"Yes, someone named Emaline Goode told us to look for you," replied Mrs. Grimseth.
"Say no more," Kincaid said. "This way, please."
They followed Kincaid to the back of the store, and he opened a door that said "Employees Only" and told them to enter the door.
He then led them down a dark corridor, which appeared to be nothing more than a dead-end. He then removed his pinky-ring, and placed it in a notch on the wall. The wall then evaporated, leaving an archway and a path to an outdoor marketplace filled with strangely-dressed people.
"Before you begin your shopping," Kincaid said, "you may want to get your money exchanged at the Gringotts bank branch first." He pointed them down the street to an imposing multi-storied building.
"Thanks for your help," replied Mr. Grimseth. "We'll go ahead and do that now."
Harry and the Grimseths made their way to the Gringotts branch to exchange their no-maj money. They saw several short, pink creatures with elongated noses and ears.
Mr. Grimseth went to an open counter. "Excuse me, about how much will I need to buy this list of items? Twice, actually. Got two boys heading to Ilvermorny."
"About four thousand US dollars. The currency used here is called 'dragots'."
"I'll exchange an even five thousand," said Mister Grimseth.
"I will give you three thousand two hundred and fifty dragots for your five thousand American dollars," the goblin replied.
"Thank you," said Mister Grimseth.
"You boys may need a little money at Ilvermorny so what we don't use, you two can split once you get to school," said Mister Grimseth.
The goblin called Mister Grimseth back. "Excuse me, sir..."
"Did I forget something?" Mister Grimseth asked.
"The boy with the glasses... he is not your biological son, is he?" the goblin croaked.
"No, his name is Harry. Harry Potter. He's my foster son."
The goblin nodded. "His name is well-known in our world. He has a substantial sum of money in our main branch in London. If you would like to use the money in his account to pay for his expenditures for the upcoming term, we can certainly arrange that."
Mister Grimseth smiled. "Don't worry about it, he's no different than Kellen or Wyatt to me. This term is on me."
The goblin nodded. "Very well. Good luck to you both, Harry Potter and Kellen Grimseth. I sense great destinies for each of you."