Harry woke up early in his room at the Leaky Cauldron. He was enjoying being away from Privit Drive. He was going to go back there tonight … with a few changes hopefully.

He recalled the conversation about that from the night before.

Flashback

The group had spent a wonderful day talking about his parent's Hogwarts years.

At one point, Sirius had hesitantly brought up something which both brought him extreme happiness and extreme nervousness. "Harry, you know that your dad named your Godfather. Would you like to come and live with me?"

Harry was gobsmacked. Sirius wanted him to move in? He asked, "Are you sure?"

Sirius nodded. Harry looked at Professor Dumbledore and thought about their earlier conversation. The Headmaster didn't seem to be giving any indication on his thoughts – he just smiled pleasantly.

He turned to Sirius. "I would love to live with you. I think I first have to talk to my Aunt Petunia though."

Sirius was a little disappointed, but supportive. "I thought with what you and Albus told me we could make a proper home together."

Harry nodded and lowered his head. "I would love to. Professor Dumbledore told me that he put me there because he could make protections for both me and them. If I leave – those will be gone. I really do want to move in with you, but I don't want to make a decision without talking to her about it. I don't really care what my uncle thinks – but she's my mum's sister."

Harry was afraid that not immediately accepting Sirius' offer would make him angry. He was used to adults getting angry. That's why he was surprised when he felt Sirius' arm on his shoulders. He looked up and saw Sirius smiling. He also saw a look of pride on Professor Dumbledore's face. "Well, pup, I'm glad that you didn't just jump in without thinking about it." He turned toward the Headmaster. "Can you go and help him when he talks to Petunia?" His face took on a more serious look. "I want to make sure that if he has to stay there that he has no … difficulties."

Albus' face took on a determined look. "I will ensure that there are no issues." His face took on a thoughtful look. He then smiled with a twinkle in his eyes as he turned toward Remus. "Mr. Lupin, as tomorrow Professor McGonagall and I shall be detained with Hogwarts business I was wondering if you were free to take a promising young Wizard around Diagon Alley to get his things."

Remus smiled, even as Sirius grinned. If he couldn't do it himself, he was certain Moony could make sure Harry didn't have any problems. Remus replied, "I do believe I will be free tomorrow." He then looked a bit sad. "I will be away on Friday and Saturday, so tomorrow would be the best time unless we wait."

Harry was curious as to why Remus would be away and why the others nodded in understanding. Maybe he could find out tomorrow.

Albus drew attention as he clapped and said, "Excellent! I can accompany you as we return to the Dursleys' home to make certain of … circumstances."

Albus searched around in the pockets of his robes until he explained, "There it is!" He pulled out a small golden key and he handed this to Harry. "This is the key to your parents' vault at Gringotts, the bank used in the Magical world. Please keep it safe and do not lose it. The bankers can be rather surly to those that are not responsible about such things and do not make it easy to replace them."

Harry carefully took the key and put it in his pocket – the small pocket inside the larger pocket.

End Flashback

Harry carefully ensured he had his key, realizing he would need a wallet or something to keep it in. He cleaned up as best he could – he hadn't taken clothes for an overnight stay. He had thought about mentioning it to Mr. Dumbledore but as a matter of habit he had just kept troubles to himself: Better not to draw attention to oneself. He had cleaned his underwear and socks in the bathroom sink and placed them where they have the most air flow. They were fully dry when he woke in the morning.

He finally finished dressing and made his way down to the dining area. The Professor had paid for a night and a meal – and he would pay the professor back. It hadn't come up the day before, but Harry was not one to mooch.

Tom, having been asked not to alert others that Harry was there just served him cheerfully. It was a large, if inexpensive, meal.

When he had finished, he want back to the room to wait patiently for 8:00. Admittedly it wasn't patient, but he tried.

Shortly before 8:00, Tom knocked on the door to let him know that Remus Lupin had arrived. The two had decided to do the shopping early and to take care of what Sirius had asked Harry to do – both for the Weasleys and the other instructions.

Harry made his way down to the common room. "Mr. Lupin!" He was very excited – he would get his tools today.

Remus looked up from the newspaper he had been reading. "Uh-Uhhh. What did we decide yesterday?"

Harry blushed as he replied, "I meant 'Remus.' I'm ready to go."

Remus laughed a little and put the newspaper down. It was one from the night before as the morning Prophet hadn't been delivered to the pub yet. He stood and came over. "Our first stop: Gringotts – and the very prickly bankers."

Harry was nervous as he followed Remus to the back of the Leaky Cauldron. Harry was looking around rather concerned because it was a blank wall. Remus chuckled. "This has been charmed since before the Leaky Cauldron had Muggle-Repellant charms added in the mid 1700s." Remus took out his wand and tapped the bricks in a particular order. Suddenly, the bricks moved in a eye-catching pattern until a doorway appeared. Remus looked at Harry and said, "Welcome to Diagon Alley!"

Harry looked around quite excited to see the sites. It was early, and so it was quiet. A number of people seemed to be moving toward shops to open them up. Other shops had Wizards and Witches sweeping the front stoop by twitching their wand as the brooms moved the dust away. Two of the shopkeepers seemed to have a rivalry as far as how much dust could be sent to the other's stoop. They were laughing as a small pile of dust moved first one way than the other.

As the turned a curve, Harry saw a large white building, gleaming in the Alley. Unlike the other buildings around, it WAS white rather than dirty grey or worn brick.

When the building came in to sight, Remus stopped Harry and instructed him. "I have made a few comments on the bankers. The Magical bank is not run by Humans but by Goblins. A more cantankerous and touchy race I could not imagine. Be polite, and do not mess around with them. They are short, impatient, efficient, deadly when provoked, and do not care for Human sensibilities. To a goblin, time wasted is money wasted. And they are very careful with money." Harry nodded at the description.

As they approached, Harry saw that there were bronze doors. Beside the door was a swarthy, clever looking person with a pointed beard and long fingers and feet. The goblin bowed to the two as he opened the door so they could walk in. Harry nodded back and said, "Thank you," before concentrating on what was inside. If Harry had looked back, he would have seen a somewhat pleased look on the goblin's face.

There were a second pair of doors, silver this time, and engraved on the doors was a poem:

Enter, stranger, but take heed

Of what awaits the sin of greed,

For those who take, but do not earn,

Must pay most dearly in their turn.

So if you seek beneath our floors

A treasure that was never yours,

Thief, you have been warned, beware

Of finding more than treasure there.

Harry was a bit wide-eyed at that. When they entered, Harry saw several goblins at various desks. Some were counting gems or coins. Others were making notations in large ledger books. Remus led Harry to a teller.

"Next!"

Remus led Harry over to the teller. "We are here to make a withdrawal from Mr. Harry Potter's vault, as well as to take care of this matter." He took the authorization from Sirius and handed it to the goblin.

The goblin looked over the authorization letter. He said, "We will take care of this after the trip to the vault. Does Mr. Potter have his key?" The Goblin looked at Harry with a mildly aggressive look.

Harry a bit nervously but without hesitation said, "Yes, Sir, I do." He took the key from his pocket and showed it to the teller. The teller looked over the key and, once satisfied, called out, "Griphook! Take these to the Vault in question!"

Another goblin, Griphook apparently, led them to an area where there were several carts. After looking at the key, he sat in the front a cart and waited until the two got in the back. The cart quickly took off.

At first they just hurtled through a maze of twisting passages. Harry tried to remember, left, right, right, left, middle fork, right, left, but it was impossible. The rattling cart seemed to know its own way, because Griphook wasn't steering.

Harry's eyes stung as the cold air rushed past them, but he kept them wide open. Once, he thought he saw a burst of fire at the end of a passage and twisted around to see if it was a dragon, but too late — they plunged even deeper, passing an underground lake where huge stalactites and stalagmites grew from the ceiling and floor.

"I never knew," Harry called to Remus over the noise of the cart, "what's the difference between a stalagmite and a stalactite?"

Remus called back, "One's got a G – because it's on the ground. The other holds 'tite' to the ceiling."

Harry nodded. He was enjoying the fast-paced little cart ride. Finally they arrived.

After hopping down, Griphook unlocked the door using Harry's key. A lot of green smoke came billowing out, and as it cleared, Harry gasped. Inside were mounds of gold coins. Columns of silver. Heaps of little bronze Knuts.

Remus smiled as he said, "I don't think you'll have any money problems for a while."

Harry went in, while Remus waited patiently outside. When Harry saw this, he motioned Remus forward. Harry asked, "How much should I take?"

Remus grabbed a bag from the side and said, "You probably should take mostly Galleons. Those are the gold ones. Seventeen silver Sickles make a Galleon and 29 bronze Knuts make a Sickle. A good number is probably 150 Galleons and a bunch of Sickles and Knuts for spare change."

Harry filled the bag. When he was done, he looked inside and then at the outside. "It seems smaller than what it holds."

Remus chuckled. "It is. All Gringotts bags are. Keep the pouch safe."

Harry looked around. "Is money all that there is?"

Remus thought about it. "I don't know actually. Most family's keep their papers and other valuables in the vaults as well. We can take a look."

They looked around the vault. There wasn't much light beyond the lantern and a soft glow that Remus said came from a phosphorous substance that Gringotts used to light the tunnels. Remus asked Griphook for the lantern and they moved further into the vault. At the back, Harry found two trunks. One was a deep mahogany with iron clasps. It contained what looked to be a large room with furniture and other things dumped inside. Remus said it looked to be what had been in his parents' home – and poorly organized by whoever did the cleanup.

The other was plainer, with brass fittings. It contained books, parchment, and other items that looked to be similar to what Harry had seen on his school list. Remus volunteered to shrink it so that they could bring it with them. Harry eagerly accepted the offer. Remus shrunk it and handed it to Harry and he put it in his pocket.

There were several other cabinets and other things, but neither wanted to take more of the Goblin's time without it being known beforehand. Remus promised Harry another visit later. They returned to the cart and returned the lantern. The ride back was just as fast as the ride to and once again, the Goblin at the front did not steer the cart.

When they returned, the teller had an authorization for the store which Sirius' letter authorized.

Remus asked, "So what is the first thing on your list?"

Harry looked over his list and said, "I want to look at what my parents had first. If I already have the books and tools, then I won't need to buy them. The only thing that I have to get would be the uniform. I won't know until I look."

Remus nodded but then said, "You will also need your own wand."

Harry's reply was, "If my Mum's or Dad's wand are in the trunk wouldn't one of them be good enough?"

Remus chuckled. "Each wizard and witch is different and has their own magic. You could no more guarantee that another's wand will work than you could guarantee two people will have exactly the same blood. Even twins have some differences between them."

Harry asked Remus if they could go back to the Leaky Cauldron or find another place to look through the trunk.

Remus had an idea. He left Harry at the Leaky Cauldron while he flooed out. He came back twenty minutes later having secured permission and brought Harry back to St. Mungo's. Remus, Sirius, and Harry spent two hours going through all of the belongings in the trunk, and finding out what books were available.

Harry was ecstatic. Between his mother's and father's books that were in the trunk, he had most of all seven years. For the first year he was missing only The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection.

Harry looked at the list and asked, "What classes are each of these for?"

Sirius took the list. "Well, you have Charms for the Standard Books of Spells. Your Mum was good at that so look at the notes she left. Transfiguration, that was your Dad's strength. History of Magic – your Mum's notes will probably be more complete 'cause most of us just slept through that." At Harry's look he added, "It's taught by a ghost: A very boring ghost, a ghost who can put you to sleep within about a minute. Most people can't really stay awake in that class – your Mum was the only one who could in our class." He looked back to the list. "Herbology is the One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi. Don't know who was better. None of us were really all that good at it. Potions was your Mum – she was one of two at the top of the class with Potions. That's the Magical Drafts book. Fantastic Beasts?" He thought about it. "I'm not certain on that one. Either Defense Against the Dark Arts or Potions. Care of Magical Creatures isn't until Third Year. Probably Defense. Same that you could use 1000 Herbs and Fungi for Potions, you can use the Creatures book to find out what each ingredient might be. Magical Theory is used in Charms, Transfiguration, and Astronomy. There isn't really an Astronomy text – just the telescope and your notes."

Remus looked up from the books he was sorting through that weren't from first year. "It's a good idea to take good notes. The teacher covers more than necessarily what's in the books. Also, practice using a quill. Most people from non-magical families have the hardest time because they were never taught how to use one."

Harry was worried. "What else do people with Mundane families have a hard time with?"

Remus sat back and thought about it for a moment. "It's hard to say. Children from the Wizarding World grow up around magic and so have an easier time accepting that spells will do what they are supposed to do. Children from the Muggle world are more excited about magic in general and children from the Wizarding World are more excited about learning certain spells. The only real problem that children not raised with magic have a hard time with is the social expectations. Certain things are common. Quidditch is big and children follow teams and players much like non-magical families follow football or cricket."

Sirius was excited. "We told you about Quidditch yesterday. Your Dad was a great chaser. You should get Quidditch Through the Ages. Maybe we can show you how to play before you go to Hogwarts." He smiled while remembering, "You were on your first broom when you were just a year old. Your Mum yelled at me and your Dad for getting you the broom. You almost killed the cat!" Sirius laughed along with Remus and Harry. Harry had that bit of longing, wishing he could remember. Sirius looked at Harry. "Note that I wasn't that upset about that. I'm a dog and Remus … well, anyway … as a general rule we don't get along with cats."

Harry was really curious about what Sirius was going to say but Remus would tell him when he told him.

Sirius pointed to Harry's list. "If you want a pet, get an owl! You can send letters much easier. Toads are kind of old fashioned and cats," Sirius shuddered, "I don't really get along with them."

Harry laughed at his godfather.

When it was said and done, Harry had most of the books, a telescope that his mother had when she was young (James had destroyed his in an accident during a prank), and there were no potions tools so he would have to get all of those.

Harry hugged Sirius before Remus took him to get lunch and return to the Alley. Right before they left, Remus showed Sirius the letter of credit and Sirius laughed.

The two had a good lunch – in a private dining area. Remus didn't want Harry to be mobbed. The Leaky Cauldron had shepherd's pie and Remus introduced Harry to butterbeer. Harry liked the taste of it.

Remus led Harry to Madam Malkins. Madam Malkin was a squat, smiling witch dressed all in mauve.

"Hogwarts, dear?" she said, when Harry started to speak. "Got the lot here — another young man being fitted up just now, in fact."

Another witch was pinning the robes on a somewhat pudgy, blond-haired boy who looked rather nervous. Harry was led to a small box in front of a chair for the seamstress to sit at.

The boy looked too nervous to speak but Harry wanted to meet other people his age. "So, Hogwarts?"

The boy nodded. "Yeah. I just got my letter yesterday!" He paused and then continued, "I'm Neville Longbottom."

Harry smiled at the nervous boy, "Hello, Neville. I'm Harry. Harry Potter." He was about to say something more but the witch who was pinning Neville's robe accidentally hit him with a pin causing Neville to wince.

The woman apologized. "I'm so very sorry, Mr. Longbottom." She turned her head toward Harry. "Harry Potter! I'm so glad to meet you!"

Harry was embarrassed. "It's nice to meet you too," he said politely. He turned his head toward Neville, even as Madam Malkin took her employee aside to calm her down and get her back to being professional. "Really, I'm new to all of this too. I just found out I was a wizard two days ago! So, really you don't have to get excited. It's not that big a deal me being 'Harry Potter.'"

Neville was a bit awestruck at meeting the hero of the Magical world, but decided to try to treat Harry a bit more normal. Madam Malkin, who heard Harry's comment was quite pleased that he wasn't more stuck up. She had quite a lot of experience with stuck up wizards.

"Umm. Alright." He paused again. "Do you know what House you'll be in?"

Harry continued the conversation, even as Madam Malkin measured him. "No. I learned yesterday my parents were in Gryffindor – so that sounds okay. But Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore said that we won't know until we get sorted."

Neville was impressed. "You know Professor Dumbledore? What's he like?"

The two boys continued chatting as the witches worked to get them fitted. Neville was so in the conversation that he wasn't aware of his Grandmother having come back to pick him up. When he saw her, he got nervous again.

"Oh. Hello, Gran." His grandmother really made him nervous. He turned his head toward Harry. "Harry Potter, I would like to introduce you to Lady Augusta Longbottom, Dowager of House Longbottom."

Harry nodded at the intimidating lady who had what appeared to be a stuffed vulture on her hat. "Mrs. Longbottom, it is nice to meet you. I would like to introduce one of my father's friends from Hogwarts, Mr. Remus Lupin."

Madam Longbottom turned toward Remus and greeted him. She turned back, looking approvingly at Harry. "I'm glad to see that some people still teach manners." Harry nodded in acknowledgement. "I have not seen you since you were a young boy. Your parents and my Frank were friends."

Neville was really scared that his Gran would talk further about his father. He didn't want people to pity him, but his Gran was not cautious about speaking of his father's good points, rather proud of his work as an Auror.

Harry saw that Neville was nervous about something, and decided to head the woman off. "I'm glad to know that people remember my parents fondly." He looked at Neville and then asked, "Has Neville got all of his equipment yet? I just started shopping and still have to get a number of other items."

Augusta had been impatient in having to take Neville around. It wasn't that she didn't love her grandson, she just didn't like the time he took to decide on things. Her Frank had been much more forward, and as a result things took less time.

She turned toward Remus. "Mr. Lupin, is this acceptable? I wouldn't mind another wand to make certain nothing happens and it would give me opportunity to take care of an item or two while in the alley." Harry looked at Neville in confusion. Neville just looked like he was both trying not to get his grandmother's attention and like he was quite exasperated. His grandmother was a bit overprotective.

Remus answered pleasantly, "Yes, I think that is quite acceptable. It would be good for Harry to spend time with one of his future classmates."

Neville was very excited. Not only would he get to spend time with Harry Potter – Harry – but his grandmother might not follow around all day.

The two finished getting their Robes, Harry taking a little bit longer because he had started later.

Soon, though, both were finished and made their way down the alley. It took a bit, but Harry finally got Neville to relax by getting him to talk about plants of all things. Neville didn't know yet that he was a natural – but he knew he liked plants.

The two made it to the Apothecary and picked up their potions supplies. They then went across the Alley and picked up cauldrons. As they walked down the Alley, Harry saw Quality Quidditch goods. "Remus, should we take care of that now?"

Remus thought about it. "Well, first years can't get brooms so Neville would just be waiting. We can take care of it when we're done with everything else." Harry nodded.

Remus led the others to the stationary shop. Neville looked at his list. "Are we supposed to have parchment?"

Harry looked over at Neville. "Remus and my godfather, Sirius, told me I should get supplies to practice writing. Said it would make the teachers a mite bit friendlier if they could read my essays."

Madame Longbottom interjected, "That sounds like an excellent idea! Neville, we are getting supplies and I will want you to write an essay on the first chapter of each of your books. I do not want to see my grandson embarrass the family by poor quill work!"

Neville really wanted to sigh, but instead just said, "Yes, Gran."

When Madame Longbottom was distracted by a comment Remus made, Harry quietly said to Neville, "Sorry about that. I didn't expect her to give homework."

Neville smiled at the first friend he made that was his own age. "That's alright. It's probably a good idea." He frowned a bit. "I probably better have good essays cause I don't know how good I'll be at magic."

Harry, being supportive, said, "Hey, we're all just getting on with it. You'll start the same as the rest of us!"

Neville tried to look confident in response, but he only looked constipated.

When they left the shop, Harry saw the Owl Emporium. He turned to Neville. "Do you have a pet yet?"

Neville brightened as he said, "Yeah. My Uncle Algie got me a toad to celebrate when I got my letter."

Harry nodded and commented to Remus. "We can pick up an owl too at the end."

Remus agreed. Madam Longbottom led the group to the next storefront, Flourish and Blott's.

As the group entered the bookstore, Harry saw Professor McGonagall with two people who looked like a husband and wife. Neither was wearing robes so he assumed they were Mundane parents. "Professor McGonagall! Hello!"

She turned at the sound of her student's voice. "Mr. Potter, I see you are getting your supplies. How has your first trip to Diagon Alley gone so far?"

Harry grinned. "Brilliant. This is Neville Longbottom. He'll be starting Hogwarts this year too."

She said, "Hello, Mr. Longbottom. I look forward to seeing you in my class. Hello, Augusta. How are you doing?"

Madame Longbottom and Remus were taken in to the conversation allowing Harry to take Neville to get the books. Harry only needed one, but wanted to see what else struck his fancy, seeing has he had brought enough money for all the books but didn't need them. The two boys ran into a girl with a basket with most of the first year books and a few others.

"Hello, Hogwarts too?" Harry asked.

The girl looked a bit surprised that someone was talking to her. She smiled and answered, "Yes. I got my letter last week. Professor McGonagall is taking my parents and I around to get my supplies. Nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard — I've want to learn all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough — I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?"

Harry and Neville looked at each other, surprised that anyone could say so much without looking like they took a breath. Harry turned to the girl. "My name is Harry Potter, and this is Neville Longbottom. It's nice to meet you."

The girl, Hermione, smiled shyly at that. "Thank you. It's nice to meet you too. I'm looking for more books to make sure I know everything. After all, I'm just getting started and …." Harry put his hand up to stop her.

He chuckled a bit and said, "We're all a bit nervous. Take a breath." He exaggerated breathing deeply and letting it out slowly. Hermione did the same and then smiled a small smile.

"Sorry, I'm a bit nervous. I don't know any other Witches and Wizards."

Harry laughed. "Me neither. I just found out I'm a Wizard two days ago."

Hermione brightened. "Really? So you're a Muggleborn too?"

Harry shook his head. "Actually, my parents were Magical too. I just grew up with my aunt who isn't." He turned toward Neville.

Neville was a bit shy. He was new to meeting people as well. "I'm actually a Pureblood. But I haven't started reading yet either, so we're all just getting started as Harry pointed out to me."

Hermione was taken aback by that. She had assumed that kids in the Magical world grew up learning magic and she had been worried she was far behind everyone else. Apparently, Wizard and Witch children didn't learn early either. She was a bit relieved, truth be told.

"Oh, okay." She looked around, looking for something to keep the attention of the others – she didn't have any friends and was hoping to make some. "Do you know where the books are? Could you use some help?"

Harry looked at Neville, who shrugged. "Sure. As it looks like you already know where everything is that would be great; if it won't take too much of your time of course."

Hermione beamed. She might make a friend. "No! My parents kind of expect me to take a while." She blushed and looked down as she said, "I really like to read."

Harry, seeing someone who probably was a bit bullied like himself in school – he knew that tone anywhere – tried to relax the girl. "That's okay. I just found my parents' books and notes for almost all of their time at Hogwarts. I decided I'm going to bring them with me and read them when I have time."

Hermione's eyes got wide. "All of the books? Can … can I borrow some to read at Hogwarts?" she asked, a little bit awestruck.

Harry laughed. Apparently this girl really liked books. "Sure. And, Neville, if you need to find something you can look at them too."

Neville nodded happily at Harry. Neville WAS happy. Harry seemed to keep him involved – he was really nervous about meeting people. Apparently, others were as well so he didn't feel quite so out of place.

Hermione, Neville, and Harry spent a bit of time getting all of the books. With someone who had just taken the time to find them all already, Harry and Neville found that the trip around to store was much quicker than it otherwise would have been. Harry picked a few more books up that looked interesting. He told Hermione he would bring those with him to Hogwarts as well. She thanked him happily.

Hermione had been a bit bossy toward Neville initially, but Harry had pulled her aside and explained about how important politeness and manners were according to Professor Dumbledore, the Headmaster. As it came from an authority figure, Hermione was immediately converted.

Neville was just relieved that Hermione seemed just a tad bit less like his Gran when talking to him.

When Neville was engrossed at looking at all the plant books, Hermione spoke. "Thank you for helping." She looked down. "I sometimes have a hard time making friends."

Harry replied with a kind voice, "That's okay. You and Neville are the first magical people my own age I've met. I've not got a lot of friends either. I think most people our age don't like it when people their own age point out mistakes. Makes them defensive and think that the one talking is a bit snobbish."

After Harry's explanation, Hermione had reviewed a number of times in her past when she had trouble talking to other kids. She had to admit, at least quietly and to herself, that maybe her attitude had been a major problem. She had taken on her personality in imitation of teachers, who were her role models as regards books and learning, and many teachers praised her maturity and intelligence. However, other kids never seemed to response well to her.

Maybe she should be a bit less like a teacher and more like another child when talking to her peers.

A/N: Once again, there are quotes used and I didn't even bold them. I will only say that I don't own them and it's fair use.

The below is an Author's Rant. Ignore it if such bores or annoys you.

I first did not assume Harry is super-wealthy. I assumed his family was comfortably well off.

I took a look at the image from the Harry Potter movie. I estimated (by drawing circles in MS paint to try to get a similar number) that a "mound" would have probably 10,000 galleons. Serious estimates (not using my methods by trying to guess based on what was purchased and the cost) put the vault at a value of 20,000. If a single mound has about 10,000 coins and he has mounds and columns and heaps it is likely that the vault value would be about 125,000 galleons. It might be more. It might be less.

Then I looked up the James Potter entry on the Harry Potter Wiki which said that James inherited vast fortunes from his parents. Which means that all of my work to figure out his value was pointless. It is sooooo confusing.

Rowling made a large error in writing the books in that she didn't seem to have a definite money structure beyond it being unusual – all coin values are based on prime numbers seems to be the only thing she explained well. She was a bit fast and loose with monetary descriptions, costs, etc., which led to fanfic authors being a bit fast and loose. She is also horrible with dates. She has said that she is very weak in maths.

For some amusement, you should look up Mistakes_in_the_Harry_Potter_books in the Harry Potter wiki.

I would like to point out that Harry Potter was the work of an amateur writer – which she was when she first wrote it. The concept was so good that the publisher published without the enormous amount of checking that most authors have to do to write a fantasy fiction book which holds together without mistakes.

The true greats in fantasy writing normally do a large amount of work to plan out a story – especially a multi-book epic. Tolkien invented a whole language and worked out all its rules – the actual genesis of the Lord of the Rings world. He was an English professor at Oxford.

If you ever want to read about what it takes to write a good story without continuity mistakes, I suggest the Rivan Codex by Eddings.

There is a very good reason I am a fanficton writer and not a professional author.