Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

Chapter 2

Harry glanced around, shocked at the number of people present up and down the alley. No hint of a war brewing beneath the surface. Just lots and lots of happy shoppers. Why did people disregard his warning? Clearly they were all too happy to believe Fudge, content to go about there normal lives and bury theirs heads in the sand. Was the public really so easily swayed? Even if The Prophet did drag his name through the dirt, it should be enough to get people curious…worried. At least inspire some caution into people. Apparently even that was too much to hope for.

When the war really starts there are going to be a lot of casualties, especially if this keeps up…

Watching the many passers by, no one was staring but he couldn't resist pulling his cap down just in case, all it took was a cap and some sunglasses and suddenly he was just a stranger. Sure he was half blind, but he could get by well enough. Why hadn't he done this with any of the other trips to the alley? Or have an adult cast a glamour on him. Sure he shouldn't need to hide, but it would have saved him a headache or two, he hated the attention, and every year it got worse.

Shaking his head and continuing the long trek to Gringotts, Harry couldn't resist smiling as the huge white marble building came into view. This world had changed his life, for the better and for the worse. In the muggle world he had a relatively dull life, if he'd not been a wizard how long would it have taken to even get a room in the Dursley household? Would the blatant neglect of the Dursleys be better than the constant attacks on his life? Fame he neither wanted nor deserved?

Harry knew the answer; despite his life's hardships he'd choose the magical world over anything. Even with the war, the mess with Sirius and everything else. Harry longed to leave the Dursleys behind for good, but after much thought yesterday, he came to one conclusion. Unless he could miraculously buy a house and have it placed under the fidelius, learn to overcome the underage magic ban and mask his magical signature, he was going nowhere.

He could hardly go anywhere bar the Weasleys, and Ron had mentioned in his letters that they weren't staying at home. If the wards round the Burrow couldn't protect the red haired family, then they wouldn't be strong enough for him either.

He had to stay at the Dursleys, buy a book on wards and do some research, he needed to find out how far they extended, being confined to the house and garden would drive him mad. The throbbing wound on his arm was enough warning of what could really happen however, he'd survive…he always did in the end. He'd just have to wait it out and pray his friends came for him soon, sooner rather than later.

Quickly rushing up the steps and into the bank lobby, Harry joined one of the many queues. It wasn't too busy, not like when the school rush started, but there was no denying the place was packed. Eventually making it to the counter, Harry silently handed over his key.

The trip to his vault didn't take too long and filling his pouch with Galleon after Galleon, Harry inquired as to what the exchange rate was for the day.

"The exchange rate for Galleons to Pounds is just over five pounds each."

Nodding absentmindedly at him, ignoring his sneering tone he had grown used to with all Goblins, Harry silently estimated how much he required to change, a new wardrobe if I have time, food, suntan lotion…

Glancing round at the vaults contents with Galleons stacked up to the ceiling, it was the first time he realised that he had no clue as to how much gold he possessed. Even with the four years of use Harry couldn't clearly see any difference in the vaults contents…he'd barely made a dent in his finances. I've never got a bank statement…disregarding that thought for later, how was he to know how goblins ran banks? Harry asked "You don't by any chance know how much this vault holds do you?"

The Goblin, Riptack, glared before answering. "The Potter trust Vault contains 74,238 Galleons, 17 Sickles and 2 Knuts in total on the last review."

The Potter trust Vault, Harry almost asked just what he was on about before he saw the goblins expression, thinking better of it and deciding that his questions were best kept for another day Harry got back in the cart.

Exiting the bank having converted near £600 now safely tucked away in a magical wallet, Harry set out. Pockets a few hundred Galleons heavier.

First stop, Madame Malkins, unfortunately for him oversized muggle clothing was associated with Harry Potter, but it was an easy problem to fix. Flicking through the racks of premade robes he waved away the assistants aid, no point giving anyone an easy chance to recognise him. You never knew who was a Death Eater and he really didn't want to have to deal with Voldemort so soon, ending up kidnapped again…and dead…eventually. Tom would never pass up the chance to torture him.

Pondering over that fact, the last two days really had been strange. Muggle dart guns didn't exactly scream Death Eaters, in fact from all the purebloods he'd met, Harry doubted they even knew what a gun was. Ron certainly didn't. If the wound hadn't somehow been healed, and his memory…tampered, Harry wouldn't have associated the attack with the magical world at all.

And the fact that he was left back at the Dursleys. It just didn't make any sense whatsoever. However, he had shopping to do, pushing the negative thoughts out his head and purchasing three casual cloaks, all black. Harry handed over a few coins and pulled on one over his current outfit. It may be boiling given the heat, but he'd cope for a few hours.

Finally stopping his frantic crowd searching as he now finally blended in sufficiently Harry settled to shop for a few hours. He couldn't stay terribly long lest his followers notice his absence, but he could get away with a few hours.

Hearing the tinkle of the bell as he shoved "Travellers Haven" open, it was only a few shops down but if he was buying a lot then he really should get a decent bag…he did need a new one anyway. His old bag was just a muggle one, covered in tares and split potions, broken ink and general dirt from Herbology, cleaning charms were only effective so many times, eventually something became too worn out. Browsing through the shelves and ignoring the advertisements for portkeys abroad, pop-up magical tents and whole boats, Harry eventually found the isle he was searching for. Selecting out a nice black bag at the cost of 25 Galleons, it was rather pricy, but he could use it for years. The bag had an enlargement charm on the inside, with feather-light and spell resistant protective wards already applied.

He could probable fit his whole trunk in it, Harry thought. When he'd first been to Diagon Alley with Hagrid they just bought the standard stuff, none of the fancy trunks with rooms inside or self stirring rods for potions. They worked fine…but seeing as the chances of him surviving into his twenties was slim to nothing he might as well treat himself. Besides, he lived his life out a trunk, moving from place to place, he might as well make it a nice one.

On that thought, Harry picked up the bag and started towards the shops trunk selection. It didn't take long to find the rows of trunks, making his way towards the traditional wooden ones and scanning the tags briefly, he could just make out the price and some of the fancy upgrades they had, the rest of the writing was too small.

It was probably the expression of confusion on his face that attracted the shop assistant to his side, that and the fact that the trunks probably made a fair bit of commission for every sale.

"Can I help you young man?"

Glancing up and the middle aged man wearing working robes, Harry smiled "Yeah, I've needed a new trunk for a while yet but haven't had the opportunity to acquire one until now. Do you perhaps have some show trunks which I can view? Ideally I'm searching for one containing rooms, are they available here?"

After receiving an affirmative Harry followed the assistant to a row of trunks in a back room.

"Here we are. We have ten different show trunks, from the most basic to the top of the range ones with rooms inside. I'm assuming you wish to see the furnished ones?" At Harry's nod the man continued, it was clearly a well rehearsed speech but the guy was friendly...and he had given no sign of recognising him. So far so good disguise-wise then.

"This mahogany trunk here costs 2400 Galleons, it has three rooms inside currently done up as a living room, study and bedroom. The next one over, this Oak trunk, cost a little over 4000 Galleons but it's good for your money. You get six rooms in it, there all fairly big and we've done three up to give you an impression of what they could be like. Just a study, living room and bedroom like the first. "

"The next ones the big one though, very pricey but very nice. For 12,000 Galleons you get 10 rooms, very large, large as we can get them with the current advancement of enlargement charms, all of them are done up." He patted the one at the end of the row enthusiastically before reeling off a list "One Kitchen, Dinning room, living room, study and duelling area, three bedrooms and two bathrooms."

Ten rooms…From one glance at Moody's trunk last year Harry knew rooms could be fitted, but to that extent was somewhat surprising, he'd already made up his mind the second he heard ten rooms. It would cost an absolute fortune, never mind his 25 Galleon school bag, this was brilliant! Making a beeline for the last one in the row Harry glanced down at it…only just realising that he had no clue how to entre.

"How do you…?"

"Get in? Its easy, hang on, it's keyed into my signature just now. Just hold on to my arm." Gripping the guys arm and watching in fascination as he pulled out his wand and tapped it twice, Harry almost yelled in shock as a portkey-like feeling took a hold of him. Glancing round frantically having found himself in a very nicely decorated hallway, not an attack…just the trunk, only the trunk. Calm down…

I've gone and developed a portkey phobia…

Mind you, the experience with the cup would do that to anyone, finally feeling his heart rate starting to slow and readjusting his cap, Harry trailed after the shop assistant, Jasper, according to the name tag.

Jasper apparently had failed to notice Harry's sudden panic, and had continued to gesture at the surrounding with gusto. "So, this is the living room, working fire although we are working on how to connect it to the floo, you could probably come in and get it upgraded once…."

Tuning out the running commentating of every feature Harry wondered around the new…flat. How wizards had managed to fit this into a normal sized trunk…he should have taken Ancient Runes and Arithmancy at Hogwarts. To late now however.

After spending half an hour exploring they both exited the trunk. Harry considerably cheerier considering his previous mood, I can definitely survive the Dursleys now. "So, does it come with furniture or do you get that yourself…?" Harry questioned.

"This is the only one we have currently done up completely, if you want to design your own then there is a three days is the standard waiting period before its ready. We have several options available-"

Interrupting Jasper before he could start on another big spiel Harry waved away his suggestions. "No no, no, I'm happy to take this one." The option of having it specialised to suit his taste was enticing, but the three day wait could prove problematic. From what he could make out, it was very nicely fitted already, and considering what he was used to…it was complete luxury.

Briefly handing over his wand to have it keyed into him, Harry approached the till. "So one White Rasser Trunk, top of the range and a black bag…we'll give you the bag for free with this purchase." Taking the magical check and signing it, Harry grinned when it flashed gold and disappeared. That was another thing to add to his list to research, how the wizarding banking system worked…

Asking for the lady at the till to shrink his trunk Harry put it in his new black bag before placing it over his left shoulder, trying not to jostle his other arm to badly in the process. He really needed to hurry up; Harry hadn't intended to spend an hour in there, but there was no denying it was worth it. He only really had three more stops and then a mad rush into muggle London if he could manage it. That or attempt to sneak out again, couldn't be too difficult, just had to get round his relatives…and his silent kidnappers. He'd managed it today after all. His grand escape only consisted of him walking a few block under his cloak before summoning the Knight Bus after all.

The pharmacy wasn't difficult to find and was only a short walk up the road, quickly picking up a first aid kit, some standard pain, headache and stomach reliving potions, Harry paid and left. They would work and that's all that mattered. Uncorking a pain reliever and downing the fowl tasting brew quickly Harry sighed in relief as his throbbing arm cooled and numbed. Another problem out of the way, now he needed information, books, if Hermione could see me now.

Flourish and Blotts was its usual self, packed with people because of some book signing on, at least the queue wasn't as bad as Lockhart's, that had been terrible. Retrieving a basket quickly and wondering up and down the isles Harry picked up almost every book which caught his interest.

Among some of them were "First Aid: A Everyday Guide, Remedies and Potions, An Introduction: Gringotts, Duelling Principles, The Top 50 Spells for Aurors, Decorating: The Complete Guide to Charming a New Home, Curses and their Counters, Wards: Basics, Wards: Intermediate, Fidelius and Blood Wards, Hide and Seek: Invisibility…" Everything and anything that caught his eye was going in the basket.

Eventually having exhausted all the sections Harry stood in the queue, his stomach rumbling as the smell of food wafted in from the open doors. Dumping the basket up on the counter Harry did his best to keep a straight face at the baffled expression of the young lady behind the till, he hadn't particularly paid attention to just how many books he purchased, but glancing at the ever increasing pile on the right, it was well over a hundred. Not exactly your everyday shopper then…

"That will be 323 Galleons, 12 Sickles and 3 Knuts then."

Pulling out his money pouch Harry started counting coins, eventually handing over 324 Galleons and accepting his change he proceeded to throw the books haphazardly in his bag. Talk about holding up the queue. He could sort them when he got back home, no doubt the Dursleys would have a fit when they realised he hadn't done his daily chores, not that it mattered in the end, he had far greater problems to worry about.

The last stop Harry had on his list was an opticians, he'd always passed by 'Glasses and Glitz' when he visited Diagon Alley, but he'd never been inside. Magical glasses were bound to be better than the muggle equivalent, plus he hadn't had his eyes checked since just after primary school started…the Dursleys certainly wouldn't pay for him to have his prescription updated. All that time his eyes could have been improved…his vision could be significantly better if he had been treated properly, but there was nothing to be done for the past, he'd just have to see what could be done now.

Entering the shop and examining the many different selections on display Harry started to look around. Well, now he knew were Moody got his eye…not that it told him why anyone in there right mind would want one, to the looks of things there were far more…natural looking ones available.

"Do you wish any help?" A voice cut across the quiet atmosphere.

Slightly caught of guard by the old woman who appeared, Harry answered "Er…yes please, I'd like to get my eyes cheeked, I haven't had my prescription updated for a while now."

"A muggleborn then? We don't need prescriptions here, don't touch the stuff! If you can afford it you'll never need a new pair at all." Hastily replacing some wire frames Harry gave the gray haired lady, Moraine according to the name badge, an inquisitive look. "Never need a prescription, but how then-"

"Self adjusting lenses, doesn't matter what your visions like, unless your blind we can get you something…and even if you are blind there are options available." Here sharp tone reminded him of McGonagall, but he needed the glasses so he wasn't going anywhere without a new pair at least.

"Have you got contact lenses…?" Harry enquired.

She just looked insulted at that question "Of course we do, now are you going to buy something or not?"

Harry throw her a wary glace, slightly unnerved by her attitude. "Er, yeah…can I get some pairs of contacts then? And are there any other features you can add?"

"You'll only need one pair sonny unless you damage them, made to last these are. The contacts cost 250 Galleons a pair, 100 Galleons for each extra feature you require. Some features require clearance before you can use them. Seeing as you clearly are not an Auror you have these options available to you." She pointed to a poster the other side of the wall. Coming closer so he could read the words Harry mused over which ones he could use. Most of them seemed useful enough.

Enhanced Long Distance Sight

Enhanced Colour (for the colour-blind)

Magical Residue

Magical Auras

Detection Enhancement

Night Sight

Underwater Visibility

Infrared Visibility

Ward Detection

Nodding his head in thought, it wasn't like Moody's eye…he wouldn't see thought walls, and he doubted he'd see through invisibility cloaks, but it might help…"I'll take all of them bar the Enhanced Colour" Harry frankly, didn't know what half of them would actually do, some of them were self explanatory, but others, Detection Enhancement? Maybe it would help him spot someone under the disillusionment charm.

He'd find out later, quickly collecting up the leaflets and accepting the information booklet shoved into his hands Harry silently observed as the old lady limb out. Talk about being in the wrong job. Still, once he paid and was out he would be happy.

Grinning at the flash of gold having signed another magical cheque, Merlin he wasn't half having a spending spree, Harry left the shop. He still didn't have the contacts in place, eyes were too recognisable, but he could do it when he made it back to the Dursleys. Plus he didn't exactly trust Moraine, no point putting himself at more risk.

Maintaining a steady pace Harry made his way through the busy street to The Leaky Cauldron. It wasn't far past noon but his short shopping trip had taken him longer than he'd anticipated. Still, he was prepared to risk an hour in muggle London, he needed supplies anyway…he needed food. Quickly tapping the familiar pattern with his wand and entering the dark pub Harry made a beeline for the bathrooms. Locking a stall and pulling his wizarding robes off Harry tried to make his clothes look presentable before replacing his cap and sunglasses, stuffing the robe into his bag as he left. A few people glanced up at him as he manoeuvred in between the tables, not exactly the best time to leave, it was the lunch rush hour and as much as Harry wanted to stop for a good meal, he couldn't afford to risk exposure or his time. Thankfully if anyone did recognise him, they refrained from yelling out his identity, and Harry safely exited the magical pub.

Only after travelling several blocks into muggle London did Harry eventually slow down, it hadn't been hard to find shops, not with all the crowds, but he still worried.

Paranoia, never a good thing to suffer from.

Purchasing some fish and chips and buying a bottle of Coke as he passed a stall by Harry sipped at the unfamiliar drink; he'd always considered it a treat to eat these sorts of food. Not exactly healthy but the calories would do him some good. Anything to put weight on, and hopefully grow a little taller. It took about ten minute before he eventually spotted a supermarket. It wasn't one of the big stores but it would do, foods food after all.

Harry nipped round the isles as quickly as he could, tallying the price up in his head. At least with a magical kitchen he could keep fresh fruit and vegetables for weeks, preservation charms could last for years if cast properly with the right runes, not to mention the Charmers Freeze Storage (CFS). Basically it was the wizarding equivalent of the muggle fridge except it blended in with the cabinets instead of a huge white machine.

Exiting with arms weighted down by almost one hundred pounds worth of food Harry walked down a deserted side alley before placing them into his bag, keeping a wary eye out for any muggles or their cameras. He'd need to get home soon so nothing defrosted. Especially in this heat.

In the end Harry only stopped at one clothing store, quickly buying three pairs of jeans, some T-shirts and shirts, along with two new pairs of shoes and some jumpers. They looked…good on him. But then again, anything would be better than Dudley's old cast offs. Changing from one thing to another hadn't been too bad either; he just had to ignore the huge scar on his shoulder…not a welcome reminder every time he looked in a mirror. At least all the new clothes covered the wound, even if his relatives were unable to see it Harry didn't wish to stare at it. His scars only ever reminded him of pain and loss.

oOoOo

Silently shuffling along the street Harry quietly edged towards number four Privet Drive, invisibility cloak hiding his presence from passersby. Everything appeared normal, but that didn't mean that everything was clear, he knew better now.

Walking in through the open back door and into the cool air of the house Harry wasted no time in returning to his bedroom. Pulling the cloak off Hedwig hooted a few times at the sight of him, and Harry couldn't resist reaching out and stroking her feathers. "Waiting for me girl? I'll have a job for you soon, hopefully tonight." Well, thats if I actually manage to write something this time.

Eventually leaving his only companion Harry dumped his bag on the bed, flipping it upside down and emptying pile upon pile of stuff across the covers. Trunk, where is the trunk. Harry swore when he saw the miniature box appear.

"DAMN!"

Why'd the hell did I ask for it to be shrunk?