Chapter 3 – Diagonally
A/N: The more I go into this fanfic, the harder it might be for me to not quote HP from Rowling herself. I am trying to not use to much of her material and would never dream of plagiarism or making money from this. This is just me, combining three hobbies. I also don't own D&D.
… "You never told him? I was there! An' you've kept it from him all these years?" "STOP! I FORBID YOU!" Yelled Uncle Vernon in panic. "Ah, go boil yer heads, both of yeh," Hagrid sighed. "Harry – yer a wizard."
Harry stared at Hagrid and frowned in concentration... He looked at the Dursleys again and made his decision. "I knew that already. I am what you could call a Wizard. Are you?"
Hagrid blinked, the Dursleys blinked, Harry breathed in, hoping this wasn't some bizarre joke. "I mean, I have a spell book, I can do cantrips, but that Fire you made... is that an advanced Flare? Dancing Lights? Prestidigitation?"
Hagrid coughed, "Book? Pres-ti-digi... wha? I don't know what you mean, maybe Dumbledore might... well, le' me give you this while I mull it over." He pulled out a yellowish envelope out of his pockets.
It was addressed to Mr. H. Potter, The floor, Hut-on-the-Rock, The Sea. Harry stretched out his arms to finally take the letter and began to read it. "Er... Professor?" "Call me Hagrid, I'm no Professor." "Er- Right, Hagrid, I ummmm, I don't have an owl" "Gallopin' Gorgons, that reminds me," said Hagrid as he reached into his seemingly never-ending pockets for an owl, a quill and a parchment. He scribbled out a quick letter to Professor Dumbledore and sent the owl out to the the storm. With that being done, there was an argument that happened before his eyes, now, on a boat with Hagrid, being armed with the knowledge of his parents killer and the happy memory of Dudley with a pig's tail. As Hagrid read the paper, Harry thought of hundreds of questions he still had yet to ask. What was the Spell book in his hands and why couldn't Hagrid read the spells? Was it keyed to Harry? That didn't make sense as the author seemed interested in spreading knowledge.. or maybe not. Harry had yet to read more about the intro as it was incredibly long and slightly hard to understand. He asked what few questions he could of Hagrid about the Magical world, gathering knowledge.
The books on the list seemed interesting, he wondered if he would find his spells in The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1), maybe they were called something else, he didn't really have a chance to cast a cantrip for Hagrid yet to check. Hagrid seemed very wary about casting in the 'Muggle' world, so Harry decided he'd wait. They finally reached the Leaky Cauldron and met a lot of people, one whom made a very interesting impression on Harry. Professor Quirrel had come up to him and had acted very odd, was that how all Professors acted? Harry hoped not, trying to learn things through stuttering, especially in Defense... Against the Dark Arts that was it, would be difficult. Harry's head was swimming as Hagrid opened the archway to Diagon Alley. Harry's eyes darted back in forth, remembering some of the advice he had read earlier.
...Having practiced enough to cast basic Spells, the amateur Arcane Artist might take upon themselves the idea of seeing the world. In fact, many purveyors of the basic Arcane Arts practice and gain their skills out in the world, seeking to use and gain knowledge in the harsh realm we call our own. I implore you to that if you find your spirit wandering or if you have adventure thrust upon you to at least make sure you can practice the 9 spells and are Proficient enough to cast them regularly. Also, in consulting with lesser-versed personalities and from my own experience, I have built a table of standard 'Adventuring Gear' a long with the standard rates. Since we are journeying to be Artists and not Merchants, I have not included a guide to haggle. If you wish to develop that side hobby you may grow into it with another instructor. If you are in a rush, skip this section, believe me I have heard plenty of true stories of those who have had to rush and have had little time to prepare. If you have found this section after some time to rest, then surely you can find the sections on Surviving the Wilderness. I sincerely hope you have lucked into a companion or two, as a blossoming Wizard is no match for what the Realm may provide. With that being said, the first and possibly most important place one might want to visit is the house of that enigmatic phenomenon known as religion.
Harry's eyes darted around and could not find a place that sold the traditional Wizard weapons, or even adventuring gear. His school list seemed to imply little need, but Harry was journeying into a new world and had been seasonably cautioned by someone incredibly wise. "We gotta get yer money first." Hagrid said as he clearly enjoyed Harry trying to both keep up with him and checking windows, an apothecary seemed to carry basic materials for spell casting and Harry hugged his book closer, so very thankful he didn't have to carry bat guano on hand. Finally, they reached a snowy white building that towered over the shops. Gringots. The Wizards bank was another new and different sight. Harry could tell that if he wanted to have any sort of knowledge of his new world, he would be inundated at first, but could hopefully keep up. Hagrid introduced him to Griphook and off they went to Harry's vault first. Harry's eyes opened wide, he was pretty sure his kind author... Wizard guide? The writer of his book had likely never imagined that a blossoming adventuring Artist could dream of having so much money so easily. Hagrid helped Harry get a pile of it into a bag, as he explained the conversions. Harry almost asked about Galleons to Pounds but then remembered it didn't matter until he was older and wanted to make a life for himself somehow. Harry asked as they traveled further down if they could search for items off the list and Hagrid grunted as a response, he supposed maybe so when they were back on the surface they could. After Hagrid hid away a small bag, they stood outside, enjoying the sun and solid ground. "Might as well get yer uniform," said Hagrid, nodding to the appropriate store. Harry nodded, start simple and work your way up was a good idea. He'd have to get the necessary items first and then wander off the beaten path.
"Hogwarts, dear?" she said, "Got the lot here..." In the back of the shop, a boy with a pale, pointed face was standing on a footstool while a second witch pinned up his long black robes. Madam Malkin stood Harry on a stool next to him and began his measurements as well. "Hello," said the boy, "Hogwarts too?"
"Yes," said Harry "I'm very nervous, but also very excited."
The boy smiled to himself, almost a sneer but stopped and looked over to him. "My father's next door buying my books and mother's up the street looking at wands. I wish we could get racing brooms though, no reason that first years can't have their own."
"I haven't actually.. er... ridden a broom. But um... Well, someone I look up to says that while useful, unless you make your own wands are a bit less versatile than they like."
"Oh? Interesting, you know someone who performs a lot of wandless magic?"
"... Yes." Harry decided to keep the secret of his book to himself, it was currently on the floor in front of him looking harmless after all.
"I'd like to meet them if I could, they must be as well known as my father or Dumbledore though... hmm... Do you know what house you'll be in?"
Harry thought to himself a bit...
"Oh right, sorry, there's Slytherin, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, don't let me tell you which ones the best though, that's a choice you'll need to think on your own."
"Could you tell me a bit about them though? I like getting as much knowledge as I can to puzzle out what I should do."
"Sounds very Ravenclaw to me." The boy smiled, and then nodded to the front window, "Do you know that man?"
Hagrid was standing at the front, grinning with two ice creams.
"That's Hagrid, he works at Hogwarts. He's helping me out today."
"I'm glad to hear, no one should be left alone." The boy almost sounded sad for a moment but before Harry could ask, Madame Malkin said "That's you done my dear." to the blond. The blond stepped down from the stool. "I'd shake your hand and introduce myself properly but we'll have to wait on that, she takes her sweet time but these are worth it." The boy said. "I'm Draco, Draco Malfoy."
"Harry." Harry responded, "Harry Potter." The boy smiled and almost seemed to smirk but stopped himself. "Very pleased to meet you, I'll see you at Hogwarts." Draco left the shop after paying and waved hello to Hagrid then walked on his way. Harry was surprised to see Hagrid surprised and after they were done Harry quickly ran out the store to talk to Hagrid.
"What's wrong?" Harry asked.
"...Nothing." Hagrid looked puzzled but settled into a normal expression. Hagrid almost lead Harry to get parchment and quills but Harry asked if they could get something to carry their items first. They stopped in a store that featured trunks, bags and more. After quite some discussion with the owner, Harry discovered and bought a single Moleskin Pouch also known as a Bag of Holding. He was ecstatic to get such an item so early in his adventures, it definitely made up for the inability to cast beginner spells yet, there just hadn't been time!
Harry stuffed his robes into the bag and attempted to retrieve it by asking for it to the amusement of the owner. "You know, you can actually just think of what you want." The owner said. Harry nodded and gleefully re-added that to the items properties in his mind. "Can I differentiate between robes?" Harry asked. "Suppose so, it'll be a lot easier to tell if they get... marked in a specific way so you can tell the difference." Harry nodded again, the store owner was likely trying to avoid saying 'get dirty' as he knew Harry was a young boy.
They then got quills, parchment and ink as Harry asked on their way to the book store, "What are Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Gryffindor like?"
"The houses?" Hagrid responded with a look as well, "Well, everyone says Hufflepuff are a lot o' duffers, but you'll never find a more truer folk. Gryffindor is where I was, Dumbledore an' yer parents too. House of the brave, they say."
"What about Slytherin and Ravenclaw, Draco said I was Ravenclaw after we talked a bit."
"Ravenclaw ain't too bad, load of booksmart people but I think'd get boring after a while. And well, there's not a single witch or wizard who went bad who wan't in Slytherin. You-know-Who was one."
Harry nodded and thought to himself. Draco was likely to end up in Gryffindor or Ravenclaw then, as for himself, he still wasn't sure. The bookstore was marvelous, having been initiated into magic by book, Harry was prowling the stacks for another interesting and magical book. He almost cast Detect Magic, but in a Wizards shop in a Wizarding world he'd be blinded. Hagrid dragged him to the counter after picking up the recommended books. "Now yer not ter use magic in the Muggle world, Harry." Harry felt himself redden, he'd been using magic for quite some time with little to no consequences yet and was planning on using more to practice his basic spells. He thought he'd at least try one spell that wouldn't cause too many problems if notice as a compromise. They visted the Apothecary which as Harry learned was for Potions, not spell casting. So disgusting items were put into a kit and wrapped up before Harry let them into his pouch. "Just yer wand left on the list, any other items you think necessary?" Hagrid asked bemused, ready for another odd item. Well, next on the list was something to extend his knowledge, his frail status or to protect himself in some way. He knew he could only ask for one. Knowing that he wasn't too strong in his studies, he asked. "There isn't some item that could make me... able to study more, learn more, or know more... is there?"
Hagrid looked thoughtful, "I know where we could ask, I don't know too much about that kinda thing, I'd like one too though."
After a hard search, they were laughed out of a store as the owner derided them for asking about some sort of diadem or something. "Sorry Harry, but you can get yer wand now!" Hagrid tried brightening Harry's day. "I'm going to get you something for yer birthday, don't even think about saying so otherwise." Twenty minutes later they left Eeylops Owl Emporium which had had a lot of owls and little space. Harry now carried a large cage with a beautiful snowy owl that he had had a weird sparking notion with. He stammered his thanks over and over as they headed to Ollivander's.
Finally, they reached Ollivander's, Harry was curious as to why they would stop here when he didn't need a wand really and was wondering what sort of spell Hogwarts thought was crucial to education or spell casting.
Harry and Hagrid stepped inside and were introduced to an old smiling man. Mr. Ollivander was incredibly creepy. Harry stepped forth and Mr. Ollivander began dancing around him, handing him wands that didn't seem to be single-cast but rather had odd woods and cores. Harry was almost beginning to think his spell book trumped wand magic when "I wonder, now – yes, why not – unusual combination – holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple. Harry took the wand, a familiar warmth spread through him, like when he had picked up the book. Maybe... Maybe the wand was a focus. With that in mind, Harry brought up the wand and muttered, " Sibru Incanterous Prestidigitorious" he brought it down and thinking of a random thing to create, he settled on sparks, red and gold shooting like fireworks. Hagrid whooped and clapped and Mr. Ollivander cried, "Oh, bravo! Yes, indeed... but... How Curious... Curious..." he continued to mutter this as he packed it away for Harry. "I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter. Every single wand. It so happens that the phoenix tail feather is in your wand, gave another feather – just one other." He settled in and looked at Harry, "It is doubly curious that you should be destined for this wand when it's brother, gave you that scar." Harry gulped, "Yes... doubly curious indeed."Ollivander looked meaningfully to Hagrid and Harry followed his gaze, wondering exactly why a sense of doom was flowing over him.