I do not own Harry Potter; if I did I would be on a yacht or something right now. And I wouldn't need the most amazing sister ever, MiaGoneMad, to beta this for me
"Dad, who was that boy at the hospital with his grandma?" Harry asked as he walked down the stairs, yawning and wiping his eyes blearily.
James cast a charm on the frying pan he'd been using and went over to a large squashy armchair, a fire leaping up in the grate with a flick of his wand.
"Oh, that was Neville Longbottom. He was visiting his parents, who are also staying at ," James said slowly as Harry joined him by in the sitting room.
"How did they get in there?"
"I'll tell you when you're older."
"You always sat that."
"I'll explain that when you're older," James said with a smirk, "Now eat your breakfast or we're not going to Diagon Alley!"
Harry had never been allowed to go to Diagon Alley before, and he probably wouldn't have gone today if not for weeks of pleading. They both sat down a few minutes later to eat, and as excited as he was, Harry practically inhaled his eggs, which in turn made James laugh so hard he almost choked on his own.
When the kitchen was clean and Harry was dressed, James grabbed his arm and with a loud Crack, they disapparated and re-appeared inside of the dimly lit The Leaky Cauldron. Despite the aura of neglect, the pub was almost overflowing with the normal traffic headed towards Diagon Alley.
Ignoring the pleasantries and the pointed looks at the younger Potter, they pushed through the crowd, Harry's mouth agape at the assortment of wizards and witches around him. Compared to St. Mungo's or a Quidditch game, the Cauldron sported a wider variety of magical folk than Harry had ever seen. Stepping outside, Harry's heart dropped instantly.
"Daddy…. I thought we were going to Diagon Alley…" He whispered, lower lip beginning to wobble. James' eyes widened and he frantically started tapping the password onto the bricks.
"Don't worry! It's here! Just… just wait a sec!" He half shouted at Harry, but Harry wasn't paying attention anymore. His eyes were locked on the moving bricks, and he was absolutely speechless as they formed the arch to reveal Diagon Alley.
With a grin his father looked down and ruffled Harry's untidy jet-black hair as they stepped forward.
"Where are we going first?" squealed Harry, unable to contain his delight as they walked past incredible store after incredible store.
"We've gotta pick up some money first, and we can get that at Gringotts. Its super safe but stay close Harry, its run by goblins!" James stage whispered as they reached the huge building in the center of the street.
Walking in, a plaque on the door caught Harry's eye, but his dad was already through the door so rushing after him, Harry only picked up the last two lines.
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.
Puzzling over it in his mind, Harry wondered what else thieves might find in the depths of Gringotts. Even knowing what awaited him, the six year old still jumped and grabbed onto his dad's robes as he saw what sat behind the columns of the tall desks lining the sides of the vast room.
He was very positive that the creatures were in fact goblins, but he wasn't sure what to make of them; they couldn't have more than an inch or two taller than Harry with clever faces, each with a pointed beard, and spindly little fingers and toes. Trying not to stare, he allowed his father to tug him down to the end of the chamber where what appeared to be the head goblin sat at the tallest desk.
Harry heard his father clear his throat and speak very clearly.
"I would like to visit my vault please; the name's James Potter," The goblin looked up from his parchment and spoke in a raspy voice-
"Ahh yes… and did you receive our owl, Mr. Potter?" The goblin replied in an almost sneering tone and Harry looked up to indeed see a cruel smile form on the goblins' lips.
"Your owl? No, I'm afraid I didn't." James asked quietly, a cold knot forming in his stomach as he tried to remain calm. He knew the vault was safe, so why had they sent him an owl?
"Yes, we just wanted to inform you that young mister Harry's account was successfully created." Harry doubted that the goblin had wanted to inform him, in fact, he seemed repulsed by the little boy standing below him, but even that didn't deter his curiosity. Why did he have his own vault?
As they boarded the strange cart, James explained that he'd just wanted there in case anything ever happened to James. Even if Harry had wanted to rely, conversation was no possible as the cart lurched forward. He grabbed onto James' arm and shrieked just once as the cart hurtled down the first hill.
By the time they reached the vault, Harry had decided that he might like the cart after all, and had let go of James. The goblin announced the vault number and they stepped out of the cart with wobbly legs.
Harry watched, amazed, as the goblin took the key and opened the gilted doors, but he was even more amazed at what he saw inside. Heaps upon heaps of gold galleons filled the cavernous room. There were mounds of silver sickles and buckets of bronze knuts, as well as many other valuable objects.
"My parents were pretty well off as it was and when Lily's parents, who were quite prominent in the muggle world, left her half of everything they had, we traded that in for quite a pile of galleons. When my parents died, they left us even more. All in all, we're pretty well off." James explained to Harry with a shrug of his shoulders.
The young boy was stunned for the fourth time that day, staring at the large fortune. He'd had no idea that they were so rich!
After another jolting ride in the cart, James quickly picked up the various supplies he needed. While he shopped, Harry would run around, picking up different things and rushing to show them to his father.
After the chores of the day were done, the two Potters went to Quality Quidditch Supplies to admire the newest model of broomsticks, the Cleansweeps! Harry had just started flying a real broomstick and much to his delight, James had proclaimed him to be an absolute natural. Most of the time he could even out-fly his Uncle Sirius, who seemed to be at their house every other day. He was even supposed to be coming over for dinner that day.
They stared at the brooms for what seemed like ages before the two finally headed back towards The Leaky Cauldron, ready to go home.
As they entered the tavern, all the eyes were drawn to Harry like magnets, and the quiet hush of the lunch crowd swelled as the patrons of the Cauldron made no attempt to hide their interest in Harry.
"Look, it's Harry Potter! Can you see his scar?"
"Mommy, mommy, look! It's Harry Potter!"
"And me too, James!" James said cheerfully and loudly, throwing his arms wide and making Harry chuckle. He couldn't always keep Harry out of the spotlight, though he tried his best, but he'd learned that it helped to make a joke out of it.
As they were about to leave, James saw a familiar face, heading towards him through the crowd.
"Augusta! How pleasant it is to see you! And hello, you must be Neville. We've never actually met, but I've heard all about you." James smiled kindly at the chubby faced little boy hiding behind his grandmother, "I'm James and this is my son, Harry!" He said, clapping his hands on Harry's shoulders. He had always liked Frank and Alice Longbottom.
The two children said hello shyly at the prompting of James and Augusta, and then the two adults began talking softly, leaving Harry and Neville to stare at each awkwardly.
"We've just come from the broom store with the new Cleansweeps." Harry almost whispered after a long minute had passed in silence. The boy stared back at Harry with wide brown eyes, and Harry wished he'd talk. "Have you flown a broom yet?"
"Well… my gran… she doesn't think… and it's probably not safe… what I mean is that… well... I'm not allowed to…" Neville stammered, looking down at his feet.
Shocked, Harry didn't speak for a moment. Not allowed to fly! Harry couldn't imagine not being able to fly! Just as he opened his mouth to speak, James announced it was time to go and they all said goodbye.
The moment they got home, Harry immediately got out his old broom and began to fly around the back yard.
A few hours later, James called Harry back to the ground.
"Harry, the boys are back!" He shouted, and immediately, Harry was by his side.
"Uncle Sirius and Remus!" Harry shouted as the two men appeared behind James, grinning at him.
"Harry!" Sirius shouted back, crouching down to ruffle his hair. Remus smiled, shaking his head at Sirius as he turned from a human to a black, shaggy dog and began licking Harrys' hand, much to his amusement.
"Pads! Nooooooo!" Harry shrieked with laughter, running away from Sirius. They ran all around the yard before they Harry ended up hiding behind Remus.
"Sirius, not again!" Remus snapped, pointing a finger at Sirius, to no avail. Moments later, he had transformed back into a human and Harry was trying to help Remus to his feet. Sirius had tackled Remus, knocking him to the ground and sitting on his chest.
"And you called me childish! Get in here, you three, the food is getting cold!" James had slipped back into the house and was already sitting down, ready to eat.
"Wait! What about my present?" Harry asked, tugging on Remus' leg.
"What have you done to deserve a present? Do you just assume that I'll always bring you a present?" Remus teased, shaking his head again.
"It's a good thing I brought him one then. Now I know I'm the favorite Uncle," Sirius smirked, handing Harry a little box.
"I didn't say I didn't get him one, I just asked what he did to deserve it!" Remus replied, pulling out his own gift for Harry.
"Harry…" James warned. Harry's eyes widened.
"Oh, thank you! Thanks guys! Can I open them now, Daddy?" He asked excitedly, bouncing on his feet. James shook his head.
"Not now, mate, after dinner. Wait till bed time." Harry didn't answer, too busy shaking the boxes and trying to eat his chips.
After dinner and a small game of Quidditch, Harry was sent to bed early so the friends could talk. But he cleverly waited until they had moved to the living room and listened through the door, hoping to hear something about his upcoming birthday.
"Still no signs of him, Remus?" Harry recognized his father's voice, but he wasn't sure why he sounded so worried. Who was the him they were looking for? Did they know Harry was outside the door?
"No, not one, and it ma-" Remus was cut off by Sirius, who had begun speaking rapidly.
"James, the man who imperiused me dropped his wand."
"So? That doesn't help!" James nearly shouted, banging his fist on the table. "Who knows if Ollivander can identify it?"
"Be logical. If Ollivander made it, he'll know it. But that doesn't matter this time." Remus said softly.
"James, the wand belonged to Peter Pettigrew." Sirius said.
So I think the story is going to jump 2 or 3 years for a chapter before school starts.
Review and tell me who you want his best friend or best friends to be. I have a few in mind right now, but some suggestions would be great. Being raised in a magic household, Harry wouldn't have needed the Weasleys to get on the platform which could have drastically changed the train seating!
