Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. Although I do own three sets of the books.
Previously: And so with his letter sent, and a bounce in his step, Harry Potter made his way back into Number 4 Privet Drive, witches, wizards, and magic on his mind.
~o0O0o~
When the Dursley's breakfast routine began the next day, Harry was unable to hide his excitement. He seemed to barely touch the ground as he flitted around fixing his relatives' plates. This, however, did not escape the ever vigilant and beady eyes of Uncle Vernon.
"What's got you so excited boy?" growled the portly man through mouthfuls of omelets.
Harry jumped as though he'd been electrocuted, "O-oh, nothing," he quickly dismissed, "I just slept really well last night sir."
He had just finished laying out his cousin Dudley's food, in no hurry as the oaf had yet to make an appearance at the dinner table, when the doorbell rang. Harry quickly excused himself to retrieve the morning's post, eager to know if he'd received an answer.
No sooner than he'd wrapped his fingers around the kitchen doorknob, a tired and confused voice rang out from the other side.
"Mum? Dad?" came the voice of Harry's cousin Dudley, "Harry's got a letter!"
Harry was afraid to look behind himself to see how his relatives had taken the news. He'd just gathered the courage to turn when the rather large hand of his uncle clamped down onto his shoulder and threw him roughly to the floor.
Vernon had charged through, knocking Harry to the ground and slamming the kitchen door open, in an attempt to get to the post before his rather nosey son opened the letter for himself.
By the time Harry had gotten into the living room his uncle was reading the letter, out of reach of the jumping form of his cousin. Harry's heart sank, he could see his uncle's face slowly turning purple with rage, growing more and more violet with every passing word.
Then, his uncle spoke. In a voice not fitting an obviously furious man, Vernon said, "Petunia, darling, take Dudley down to the store for some candy. I need a word with the boy."
Wordlessly, and without an expression on her face, Petunia Dursley took her struggling son by the arm and led him out to the car, ignoring the young boy's pleads to stop so he could watch his father teach the freak a lesson.
Once the door was closed, Vernon watched out the window as his family drove away in their car. This worried Harry. 'What,' he thought, 'does Uncle Vernon have planned that he doesn't want any witnesses?'
"Boy," came his uncle's gruff voice, still curiously calm, "I am going to make a deal with you." If the letter had not been normal, this was downright supernatural!
"A-a deal, sir?" questioned Harry, still disbelieving.
Grunting the affirmative, Vernon took a seat in his lazy chair and took a deep breath. "I will allow you to go to this school, in exchange for a few things," offered his uncle, to which Harry quickly nodded and continued listening. "You are not," his voice raised momentarily, betraying how much he loathed not only dealing with anything even remotely out of the ordinary, and speaking to his nephew on more civil ground, "to speak of this sham of a school over the summer breaks. You are not going to be doing any m-" he paused. Swallowing in order to steel himself he continued, "Magic, under my roof."
'Magic,' thought Harry. He hadn't dared to think that word himself. Harry was afraid that what happened yesterday would be revealed as a lie the moment he began to believe in magic. But here was his uncle, Vernon Dursley, the man that had once canceled a vacation to France because a street magician had tried to guess his pants size, talking about magic as if it were real, whether he liked it or not.
"I'm only making this deal," continued Mr. Dursley, "because you've already responded so we can't tell them you don't live here now, and you have a terrible knack for doing things I don't want you to do." Vernon stretched his hand out to Harry, "But this way, it's on my terms."
Harry looked from the hand to his uncle. Uncle Vernon looked unhappyabout the subject of the talk. Harry took his uncle's hand and gave it a firm shake, and as they broke the handshake, the doorbell rang.
~oO0Oo~
Minerva McGonagall was a rather stern looking woman, but the look on her face as she strolled down one of the many streets in the muggle town, if you could call it that, of Little Whinging, was one of content. The fact of the matter was, she'd had a great day. Of all the muggleborn households she'd been to today, not a single one had threatened to call the authorities or slammed the door in her face. One family, a couple of muggle doctors of some sort, had even accepted her offer of bringing their daughter on her first trip to Diagon Alley!
The professor turned round and offered a kind smile to her young ward.
Hermione Granger smiled enthusiastically back, flashing her larger than average front teeth, as she struggled to walk in a straight line. The poor dear just had her first experience with magical transportation, and while McGonagall was no fan of brooms, she'd have preferred that a million times over the chaotic ride known as the Knight Bus. Alas, only the Knight Bus could get them both here relatively safely.
Hermione, on the other hand was ecstatic about the ride in the magnificent vehicle! It had completely and utterly destroyed any doubts she'd had about magic. It was hard to doubt magic when a triple-decker bus literally squeezes through London's morning traffic without a soul noticing.
Her day had been wonderful as well. She had hardly expected a reply to her letter to come so soon. But, not only had the letter come the very next day, it had also heralded the visit of a teacher! She'd been so excited that she could barely breathe. Once Professor McGonagall had arrived Hermione had flooded the poor woman with questions that the teacher had appeared more than pleased to answer!
"My goodness," the severe looking woman had said, "Never in all my life have I met a child so filled with wonder and curiosity!" The praise was amazing but Hermione desperately wanted to know more, so when the Deputy Headmistress had offered to take her on her first trip to the magical shopping center known as Diagon Alley, Hermione had practically begged her parents until they relented.
She had been slightly miffed when her chaperone informed her that they had another stop to make before the Alley, but her excitement came back tenfold when she learned that they were picking up another future Hogwarts student. Someone she could share magical discoveries with! Perhaps even her first friend in the magical community.
Hermione was kept from continuing this line of thought when she walked right into the side of Professor McGonagall. "We're here Ms. Granger." Stated the professor as they faced the house marked by a number 4. She then approached and rang the doorbell.
~o0O0o~
At the sound of the doorbell, Uncle Vernon got to his feet. "That'll be her then," he said mostly to himself, but Harry felt the need to respond anyway.
"Who Uncle Vernon?"
His uncle looked at him, clearly still getting used to being on speaking terms with his nephew. "One of the teachers from that school of yours." Harry noticed that his uncle was refraining from actually addressing him. More than likely he didn't feel he could rightfully call harry 'Boy' anymore. "She's here to take you for your things," explained Vernon as he opened the door and faced the severe looking woman outside. His uncle didn't offer any greetings; he simply stood to the side to allow the professor in.
Minerva entered, slightly peeved at the lack of a greeting, but it wasn't a door in her face so it still hadn't ruined her good day. Behind her was a small girl, slightly taller than Harry, and with a lot of bushy brown hair. When she saw Harry her face lit with excitement and she waved enthusiastically. Timidly, Harry waved back.
"You," began the older woman, addressing Harry's uncle, "are Mr. Dursley I presume?" At the portly man's nod she introduced herself, "I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and Transfigurations professor for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and this," she stepped aside, leaving Hermione standing center in the room, "is Hermione Granger. She and young Harry are going to be class mates." The professor turned towards Harry, "She didn't know she was a witch until she got her letter either. So you two can learn about the magical world together." Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a distinct flinch from the form of Vernon Dursley at any mention of magic.
Harry stretched out a hand to the teacher, "Hello," he greeted, "I'm Harry, Harry Potter."
McGonagall chuckled, "I know very well who you are my boy, I was very dear friends with your p-" she was cut off, nervously, by Mr. Dursley.
"It's getting late isn't it? Hadn't you lot better get going so the b- Harry, can be back in time for bed? It's nearly noon now." Uncle Vernon looked very nervous indeed about whatever it was the older witch had been about to say.
But Professor McGonagall stepped over to the window and looked out, "You're quite right of course. Come along children, I expect you'll want more time to explore the Alley on your first visit." Uncle Vernon quickly handed Harry a roll of money and ushered him out the door.
Slightly dizzy from the sudden and forced exit, Harry followed professor to the end of the walk. After looking around, McGonagall held out a slender piece of wood and raised it above her head. Almost immediately a very large and very purple blur came speeding down the street and stopped directly in front of the trio. Two doors opened up near the front of the vehicle and a voice called out, "Welcome to the Knight Bus!"
"Wicked…" breathed Harry at his first experience with magic.
Hermione was quick to board the bus and within seconds had already taken a seat near the back.
Harry followed behind and took a seat next to her while the professor paid for their fare. "Your name's Hermione, right?" questioned Harry, desperately hoping he hadn't forgotten her name.
Hermione smiled, nodded, and stuck out a hand, "That's right. And you're Harry?"
Harry shook her hand with a nod and, with Professor McGonagall looking on with a smile, the two did their best to chat during the chaotic bus ride through London.
~o0O0o~
Once they had stopped and the children had staggered off of the Knight Bus, Harry and Hermione looked around and shared a confused look. This place wasn't anywhere magical. They were merely in an alley in the middle of London. Harry was about to turn around to voice his skepticism when Professor McGonagall walked past him and up to a brick wall. Curious, the duo watched in interest as the Deputy Headmistress took out her wand, counted the bricks, tapping on or another occasionally. Suddenly the bricks began to melt away, revealing what looked to be a pub.
"Mornin' Professor!" called a voice of a man from behind the bar, "And welcome to the Leaky Cauldron!" The man then took notice of the children. "Well hello there!" he greeted cheerfully, then turned back to the professor, "Firs' Years Minerva?"
She nodded back in response, "Aye, Tom. I'm taking these two to do their school shopping," she explained.
Nodding, Tom began to look the two over. He started with Hermione and after a moment he told her, "I can already tell you're a smart one, you look like the bookish type." Turning away from the blushing Hermione he faced Harry. His eyes fell upon the lightning shaped scar on his forehead and Tom's eyes widened for but a moment, "Blimey, is that..?" Tom trailed off, looking to Professor McGonagall. She nodded back and the barkeep turned to Harry and stuck out a hand. "I'd very much like to shake your hand."'
Confused, but unwilling to turn down a friendly gesture, Harry took the man's hand and slowly shook it. He had wanted to ask Tom why the man was so interested in shaking Harry's hand, but Professor McGonagall hurried them out of the Leaky Cauldron before anyone else could have noticed them.
Looking down the street, unfazed by being suddenly jostled as they still had so much to see. As the walked down the street bot Hermione and Harry were amazed. All down the alley, people in bright colored robes of all different fabrics went in and out of various shops. A young wizard in a lime green robe had just exited what Harry assumed to be a pet shop, with a cage that contained a small tawny owl. On the other side of the street, an older witch came out of another store and pulled out her wand. She conjured a floating mirror which she rotated around herself as she examined her new hat and quickly realized she hadn't removed the price tag.
Looking up at the store signs, Hermione and Harry read a couple of them before McGonagall urged them forward;
Matilda's Magical Makeup
One Touch and Watch Your Blemishes
Disappear
Dan and Webber's Discount Words
Ollivander's Out of your Price Range?
Same Great Quality
Much Lower Price
Harry didn't know anything about makeup, but as far as wands went he didn't think he'd trust anyone that presented themselves as second best. He'd had less than the best his whole life, now he'd decided that he was going to change that. Harry patted the roll of pounds in his pocket and thought idly to himself, 'I just hope this is enough.'
~o0O0o~
At the end of Diagon Alley was a large courtyard of sorts. Surrounding it on most sides were various shops and vendors, but the building that caught Harry's eye was the one directly across from them. The building stood at what must have been six stories tall, and while he had seen bigger building on hi, few and far between, trips to the city, compared to the wizarding shops in Diagon Alley, this building could have been a skyscraper. It was made of a smooth, pure white stone and above the front doors, in large golden letters, was a sign that read, Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
"That children," started the professor, "is where we are heading."
Hermione looked confused, "But Professor, I already have money." She pulled out an older looking money clip in order to show the Deputy Headmistress.
Harry was looking downtrodden, now he knew he didn't have enough money. Hermione's money clip was thicker than the roll of bills in his pocket. He was beginning to get upset, when Professor McGonagall laughed.
"Yes, Ms. Granger," began the smiling woman, "But that isn't wizard money. And Harry here will need to withdraw some money for himself as well."
"Withdraw?" Harry asked, "What do you mean Professor?"
"My dear boy, did you think your parents left you with nothing?"
Now Harry was very confused, "My parents? What do my parents have to do with this?" It just did not make sense t the boy. He had thought they were talking about wizard money, he didn't know what his parents could have had to do with that. Unless… "Were," began a very nervous Harry Potter, "Were my parents magical?"
Professor McGonagall stopped short of the bank. Did he not know? This didn't make any sense. He was supposed to have been informed. He was supposed to know. She turned to face him and, upon seeing the desperate look in his eyes, hesitated. "Here is not the place," she began, looking at the people all around them, "We will speak in the bank. So please wait just a minute more." With that she ushered open the doors to Gringotts Wizarding Bank.