Chapter Five
Harry trailed after Ms. Banderwell and Maverick, his eyes still wide with surprise. Having just had his first bus ride from the Knight Bus—he had never left the house when he was much younger—he couldn't help but feel disoriented with idea of an extremely fast vehicle that could change size to avoid the traffic and even fly. He was instructed to go to Gringotts and hand the goblin in charge a written permission for him to access his vault; Ms. Banderwell and Maverick had matters to attend to—it was the twins' birthday after all and everyone wanted to meet the famed celebrity—and could not join Harry in buying his school materials. He had been handed a pamphlet of Daigon Alley as well as the list of things he had to buy.
Ms. Banderwell tapped the brick wall and nodded at Harry. "I know you've just reappeared in our lives, Harry, and that I've never actually brought you outside the Potter Mansion for you to experience the Wizarding world before but I'm sure I can trust you enough to be in your best behavior and to be here inside the Leaky Cauldron by five. Understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," Harry said timidly. Another thing he was surprised about was Ms. Banderwell's change of feelings towards him. Before, the woman had always been ignorant of the boy and had only acknowledged him long enough to ask him to do some chores. "I'll be back by five." He promised.
When the two scurried away, Harry felt his shoulders drop from the tension. They were a lot nicer, yes, but he still couldn't help but bring his guard up. Unfolding the map, he headed for the Gringotts building. It was in the centre of the shopping district, an ideal place for a bank, and was large and made of marble the color of snow, making Harry squint from the light reflecting off of it.
Quickly, he found a goblin willing to help and was directed to Rockgaze who was in charge of vaults created to hold the trust fund of a child. The goblin read his note in silence. "The note seems authentic enough," the goblin voiced out loud. "It says here that you can withdraw a maximum amount of a hundred galleons. Would you like to visit your vault now to withdraw?"
Harry shook his head. "If it's possible, can I just have the money stored in a pouch and brought here?" He asked. "I'm not really fond of tunnels," he admitted, remembering an exercise Donovan had them do concerning a worm type of fiend and a maze of tunnels with no way out.
The goblin seemed to sense his anxiety and had agreed. "How much would you like to withdraw, Harry?"
"The maximum amount stated," The boy answered. "I have clothes to buy as well as school supplies and considering the fact that I have no experience in shopping, I want to be as much prepared as possible."
"Alright," Rockgaze said. "If you wish, we could store your money in a moke-skinned pouch as it is more secure than an ordinary one. The moke-skinned pouch is often used by people who carry large sums of money. This is because of its ability to hold a huge amount of space. It also has the ability to shrink in size when a stranger approaches, thus making it virtually impossible for the would-be thief to find your pouch."
Harry blinked, taking time to swallow the whole information down. Finally, he gave a curt nod and spoke, "Well, if it's not too expensive, then I would like to buy one."
Rockgaze smiled thinly. "A couple of years ago, the cost of this moke-skinned bag would amount to at least a hundred and fifty galleons. Because of a Muggleborn inventor, a new type of pouch has been created. This pouch is made of synthetic fiber but still functions the same way as the pouch I am talking about and only costs ten galleons. Imagine how large a difference that is."
Harry couldn't help but gape. "And do we have a name for this Muggleborn inventor?"
"Yes, we do, but I'll let you find out for yourself."
Harry pouted and sighed. "Ok, I'll be taking one of those pouches now as well as my ninety galleons." He said dejectedly. "But if it's defective, I want my money back."
"Of course, of course," Rockgaze said and disappeared behind a large door. After a couple of minutes of waiting, Harry grew bored and was about to open the door when Rockgaze appeared right besides him. He almost jumped out of his shoes.
"How did you do that?" Harry asked curiously.
"Sorry, boy, but that's a secret reserved for Gringotts employees." Rockgaze said and gave Harry a silver-green pouch which looked like it was made of lizard scales. "These aren't real, just so you know. Our inventor friend decided to duplicate not only the pouch's functions but also the pouch's appearance." Rockgaze explained. "Have a good day now and don't get lost."
Harry bowed his head in respect and said, "Oh I will."
His first destination was Timbletop's Trunks which sold trunks of varying sizes. They also sold a selection of bags for traveling. Harry needed both and stepped inside the establishment.
"Why can't I buy an Auror's trunk, Father?" A boy of about Harry's age asked. He was taller than even Maverick with light brown hair cut short and eyes the color of storm clouds.
"That's because you don't need one, Theo," the man who shared the boy's eyes said, a slight scowl on his face.
"Excuse me," Harry spoke politely. "I'm not familiar with trunks so I don't know which kind I should buy. Could you please help me?"
"Well, usually when confronted with such a request, I would point you to the direction of an employee of this store but the only employee I can find is busy conversing with another costumer so I guess that's a yes," the man said promptly.
Theodore laughed and elbowed his father. "Don't be so mean, Dad. You're using your long words again and nobody understands that."
Harry wanted to say that, yes; actually he did understand the man but decided against it.
"Fine," the man said and offered Harry his hand. "My name is Zachary Nott and this is Theodore Nott, my son, although he prefers to be called Theo."
Harry shook hands with Mr. Nott and replied, "My name is Harry Potter, Harry to my friends. And yes, I'm related to the great Boy-Who-Lived although I wish we weren't."
Father and son exchanged looks. Theodore grabbed Harry's hand and shook it as well, saying, "Don't really care if you're the son of the Minister or some famous singer's nephew." Theodore said. "Nice to meet you, Harry."
"Now then, you said you wanted some advice on trunks?" Mr. Nott asked, raising an eyebrow questioningly. "Are you attending Hogwarts this year, Mr. Potter?"
"Yes, and I would like it if you could call me Harry as well, sir," Harry said. He knew wizards were a lot more traditional when it came to names; it was usual for acquaintances to greet each other using their last names since first-name basis was reserved for friends but Harry was used to the ways of his other world where last names were usually followed by insults.
Mr. Nott brought the two children in front of a display of trunks created for travelers. "The trunks they usually sell to students are the ordinary kind with only simple security charms and whatnot. Now, what I'm showing you is a bit more expensive but well worth it. It has the same structure as that of a normal trunk except that it has charms which give the inside additional space like that moke pouch you have on your hip. Nice choice by the way, Harry."
Harry smiled at the compliment. "Thank you, sir."
"The security and protective charms of this trunk—both from the physical kind and the thief kind—are also more advanced so you won't have to worry so much unless you're dealing with a professional robber. If you look at this symbol here, you will see a small circle. You can tap your wand twice on the inside of this circle to shrink it and tap thrice to put it back to its normal size."
The employee Mr. Nott had pointed out earlier cleared his throat and said, "Are you planning to work here, sir? I could use a man of your knowledge and charisma."
"I'm sorry about that, Mr. Timbletop." Mr. Nott said apologetically. "My expertise lies elsewhere, I'm afraid."
Mr. Timbletop examined the man carefully and nodded in understanding. "A blacksmith, I should have known." Looking at the two boys, he asked, "Will they be buying this type of trunks or would they like to examine the rest of my collection?"
"I think I'll take this one," Harry said. "I would also like to buy a bag I could use for school."
The big-bellied man showed Harry a catalogue of bags and helped the two boys pick a trunk each. After all the decisions had been made and things had been purchased, Mr. Nott and the two boys stepped out of the store. "Would you like to join us, Harry? A young boy such as yourself shouldn't be walking on these streets alone."
"Sorry, sir. My guardian had to go somewhere so I had to shop on my own. I would be delighted if you allowed me to join you."
They headed next to the cauldron shop where they bought a set of equipment for the boys' Potions class. Theodore wanted a collapsible cauldron but was persuaded out of buying one. Harry himself was eyeing a golden cauldron and wondering just how much one would cost. After a quick explanation from Mr. Nott on how the different types of cauldrons affected certain properties on potions, Harry gave the cauldron a last wistful look before following the Notts to a stationary store to buy parchment and a writing kit complete with a small wooden box to carry the ink and quills.
The Quality Quidditch Supplies next door was ignored as the Notts didn't seem to be fans of the game and Harry—although he loved to flying—knew that first years weren't allowed their own broomsticks.
Madam Malkin's was next in the list and they arrived there without much distractions—there was a rather raucous debate near one of the stores on the price of dragon boots but Mr. Nott had managed to drag them quickly to the other side before they got swamped by the onlookers. Inside, Harry and Theodore were fitted for school robes. Harry had taken a bit longer because he had to buy some other kind of robes as well, explaining that someone had accidentally used a permanent shrinking spell on his closet of clothes and he needed new ones. The young woman who was fitting him eyed him suspiciously but quickly shrugged it off; there were still customers to attend to and she didn't have time to speculate on the mysteries of shrunken wardrobe.
Once Harry had gotten off the stool and received the parcels of robes he had bought, he meticulously placed his things inside his trunk, already mapping out which things would go where. They then walked to Ollivander's shop past the Gringotts bank. There, Mr. Nott shoved them inside, saying that there were places he had to go.
"Welcome."
Harry resisted the urge to cast a Fire spell at the source of the voice. Why did people keep trying to surprise him anyway? Didn't they know that he was trained to attack at even the slight mention of the word surprise? Well, ok, they didn't but the next one to try scaring poor Harry would receive a Thundaga Spell from the much rattled boy. "Who's there?"
"My name is Ollivander and I am the wandmaker of this store." Peering casually at the two frightened boys, Mr. Ollivander made a small note on the floating pad of paper besides him. "A Nott and a Potter; you don't usually see such a pair together but I guess times are moving faster than I thought."
"We're here for our wands," Harry said, struggling to keep his face from showing any emotions.
"Of course, boy," Mr. Ollivander said, sniffing. "What else would you be here for? So who wants to go first?"
Theodore raised his hand; his face now sporting an eager expression. "I want to go first!"
Mr. Ollivander grinned, sharp yellow teeth showing. "Very good, Mr. Nott. Heartstring of an iron golem, oak, thirteen inches, very rare and good for Rune work. That's your father's wand, am I correct?"
"Ye-yes sir," Theodore said astonished by the man's accurate description.
"Now which is your wand hand, boy?"
"My left, sir."
A roll of measuring tape swerved around Theodore's head and began taking measurements of the boy's arm. Besides Mr. Ollivander, a quill was scrawling something down. Harry wanted to take a peek but decided not to. He didn't really want to interfere.
The old man went to the back of his shop and started giving Theodore wands to wave. It was after the twenty-seventh wave that Theodore had found his wand. "Aah! Rowan, ten and a half inches with the fang of a Peruvian Vipertooth as a core. It seems your family has once again received a rare wand, Mr. Nott. I believe your mother had the rarest one yet. Her wand is still intact, my boy?"
Theodore gulped. "Well, sir, it's still whole…if you know what I mean."
"Oh dear," the man sighed. "Can you ask her to bring it here, Mr. Nott? I would like to take a close inspection of it, in case there's something wrong."
"Why, sir?" Harry said who couldn't help but ask. "Is Mrs. Nott clumsy or something?"
"Mum isn't really that clumsy. Her work is just very dangerous, is all." Theodore said and shrugged.
"Oh," Harry frowned. He wanted to know just what kind of work Theodore's mother had but decided to ask another day since the boy didn't seem willing to share just yet.
Mr. Ollivander went to the same procedures with Harry, first asking him which arm was his wand arm. Harry had replied honestly; he could use both without much difficulty but preferred his right over his left. It took Mr. Ollivander even more time to find Harry the right wand. His arm was beginning to ache and he wanted to try using his left arm to swish the bloody thing when the wand Mr. Ollivander had handed him next finally responded, filling the room with a warm glow as sparks of different colors flashed from his wand. "Alder, eleven inches with a Nundu's whiskers for a core. Such an interesting pair of customers I have here," Mr. Ollivander said, seemingly delighted. He accepted the payment for the wands and shooed the two boys out of his shop.
Outside, Mr. Nott was waiting with two cages by his side. "Finally!" The man said and beamed. "I thought Mr. Ollivander had abducted the two of you."
"Dad? What are those for?" Theodore asked after receiving a hug from his father.
"This is my going away present for you," Mr. Nott said. "You get one as well, Harry."
"But why?" Harry blushed at his outburst. "We've just met, sir…"
"It's true, but I've never met a boy as polite as you, Harry." Mr. Nott tousled Harry's hair and pushed the cage into his arms. "Besides, this is to celebrate your birthday, eh?"
"Ho-how did you know?"
"Well, obviously, you're related to the Boy-Who-Lived and everyone knows that that kid's birthday is today. I just put two and two together."
"Oh." Harry looked down at the cage to see a small black kitten staring back at him. "Does it have a name?"
"The store owner says his name's Thunder."
"What about my owl, Dad? What's her name?"
"The man didn't say."
"Really? Then that means I get to name her!" Theodore grinned at Harry. "What do you think? Any suggestions?"
Harry glanced at the tawny-browed owl and looked thoughtful. "Moonclaw? Buckbeak? Tidalclash?" He said, listing several names that came to his mind. "Floppy? Snoozles? Beaky?"
"I'll think I'll just go with the first one," Theodore said, scratching his head, the other hand on top of the cage's handle. "Moonclaw, you say?"
"Since that's decided, let's go to Flourish and Blotts next." They moved to the front of the store and entered it. There were still some customers about, but it wasn't that large a crowd. Harry grabbed a basket and began filling it with books from his list. When he was done, he looked through the books again, taking books that met his eyes' interest. He knew there was a library somewhere in the Potter Mansion so he had to debate on whether or not he actually needed the books. In the end, he carried with him five books that weren't part of the list. Mr. Nott nodded approvingly at the books he carried but said nothing of the last book on Harry's pile which was about Occlumency and Legilimency.
With everything checked off the list, Harry bade the Notts good-bye, promising to write to them if he had the time. He then made a short trip to the bank to get some galleons converted into Muggle currency. Remembering that he had to buy some potion ingredients—Mr. Nott and Theodore must have gone there already—he went to the Apothecary. The smell had made his eyes water which was why he didn't choose to linger inside the store once the parcel of ingredients he had bought was thrust in his direction.
The rest of the afternoon was spent on the cloth shops outside the Leaky Cauldron.
A/n: Sorry if it moved a wee bit too fast. I guess I just didn't want to stay too much on this chapter. Thanks for all the reviews, by the way! Questions and comments are always welcome.