Chapter 14- Happy Birthday
Harry finally fought his way through the crowd and reached Orval whom pulled the present out from under his coat.
"Happy Birthday Harry" Orval said handing the present to Harry. He looked surprised at the gift, and the nature of the wrapping and bow but took it anyway and simply held onto it.
"Thank you" said Harry and looked around a place for the particularly small book.
"Aren't you going to open it?" Orval prompted, he wanted to see Harry's reaction.
"Oh" Harry said, coming out of shock. His hand started to rip the wrapping of the present. He knew it was a book, and one recently bought, before even touching it but when he unwrapped it he immediately saw the title. He stopped ripping it immediately and just stood there silently. Orval peered at the gap in the wrapping over his shoulder, on it the title could be clearly read "The full life story of James Potter". Harry's parents were famous so this person had clearly written a biography in his parents' honour.
Harry was numb, Orval guessed that Harry didn't know much about his parents lives that much. Orval had wanted Harry to give him access to at least one of Harry's parents past. It was unclear what was going through Harry's mind and in reality it was making Orval uncomfortable, he didn't like delays.
"So are we going to get your stuff then" asked Orval.
It took a moment for Harry to snap out of his thought "Huh, oh yeah, thanks by the way" he said somewhat sheepishly.
"So what do we have to get?"
"Standard book of spells grade 3, and a book for divination" Harry replied. Orval still found it unnerving to hear these textbooks being an actual part of a curriculum.
Marching up to the desk the assistant peered kindly at Harry, noticing his age he said "Hogwarts, next year?"
"Yes, I nee- "Harry began before being cut off by a man brandishing some extremely thick gloves, heading straight for a cage in the middle of the room, labelled "The monster book of monsters", inside the books were snarling and biting the sides, clearly aggressive and dangerous.
"Wait a minute I've already got one" interrupted Harry.
"You do?" said Orval and the man simultaneously, clearly Orval needed to look after Harry's stuff better, and by look after he meant keep an eye on.