Author's Notes:
Some of you have mentioned that Harry's confusion is starting to wear thin. I've got an event coming up next chapter that should take care of that. (Mua ha haaa...)

As usual, Hagrid was waiting outside of the store for Harry. "Got 'yer wand, did yeh? Good fer you!"

Harry responded, "Fat lot of good it does me. I can't cast any spells with it."

"Well of course you can't! You haven't learned any yet!"

"No, I mean I can't cast any of the spells that I've already learned."

"Been reading ahead, have yeh? Well, it's best to not learn spells outside of class. Hogwarts teachers are there so you don't mess up and break anything."

Harry sighed. "No, Hagrid. Remember when I told you that I've been here before? That I've had an entire lifetime at Hogwarts? That was all real, and I learned spells there for six years. Only now, I can't cast them! And that's not the only thing that's different. The last time around, I had a wand made of holly and phoenix feather. It was made from Dumbledore's phoenix Fawkes, and it was crucial to saving the wizarding world from Voldemort."

Hagrid's eyes got round as saucers and he drew back a bit from Harry.

"How'd you know about that?" he asked.

"What, Voldemort? He tried to kill me as a kid, failed, and died for his troubles. At least, that's what I'm pretty sure happened. Why, is that wrong too?"

"No, the bit about Dumbledore's phoenix!"

"I- ... was I not supposed to know about that?" Harry asked.

"Well, it's not exactly a secret," Hagrid replied, "it's just not something ye' want to spread around, is all. Dumbledore's got a pet phoenix, but they're listed as four-x rated creatures by the Ministry of Magic, so the Headmaster is determined to get rid of it from Hogwarts."

Harry squawked in outrage. "He can't do that! Fawkes saved my life once! It's as gentle as they come!"

Then Harry thought about it. Lots of things had changed since his new life started. Perhaps that had changed as well.

"...aren't they?" Harry asked.

"I just know that if you see Professor Forsett, it would be best not to mention any phoenixes around him. He's still upset that Dumbledore won't give his up."

"Go, Professor Dumbledore," Harry said under his breath. "But hey!" Harry exclaimed. "How could I have known about Fawkes unless my story were true?"

"I wouldn't rightly know about that," Hagrid answered.

Harry sighed and decided to change subjects. "Ollivander told me about my history," Harry said. "In this world, I'm not known as the boy who defeated Voldemort. Is that right? No more 'Boy Who Lived'?"

Hagrid responded, "Well you are a boy, and you did live, but I don't think I've ever heard somebody call you that."

Harry breathed a sigh of relief. It was a small thing, but Harry had never liked that nickname.

"If anything," Hagrid continued, "I figured you'd want out of your father's shadow. You know, for defeating You-Know-Who."

Harry scoffed. "He can have all the fame and attention he wants; I don't want it. Fat lot of good it would do him," Harry added morosely, "being dead and all."

"Harry, you shouldn't talk like that. You know, if your father were here today he'd be as proud of you as I am."

"Thanks Hagrid. That helps a bit. And it's not like it was all bad. I mean, I'm still alive, right? And who knows how many people dad saved by taking Voldemort down?" Seeing Hagrid flich at the name, he hastily corrected himself. "Sorry, I mean You-Know-Who."

"That's the spirit, look on the bright side of things!"

A pause, and then Hagrid asked "Do you have anything else you wanted to ask about?"

Harry thought about this. "Nah, I'm good."

"Right, then! Now that you've got your wand and your money, you can explore Diagon Alley to your heart's content! Jes' find me when you're ready to leave and I'll take you home."

"You're not coming with me?" Harry asked.

Hagrid laughed. "No, no," he said. "Best for you to explore Diagon Alley on your own."

Harry experienced a strange sinking sensation. Hagrid's words were exactly the same as they had been last time he asked that question.

Harry asked again in a dull monotone, "You're not coming with me?"

Hagrid laughed. "No, no," he said. "Best for you to explore Diagon Alley on your own."

Harry started tearing up. "STOP SAYING THAT!" he yelled at Hagrid. "Stop it! Stop it, just stop it!"

Harry hadn't even realized he was pummeling Hagrid until Hagrid enveloped him in a restraining hug. His punches weren't doing Hagrid any harm, and Harry eventually stopped. By this time, Harry was sobbing.

After several minutes of this, Harry eventually stopped crying. Hagrid let go of Harry. "You feeling better?"

Harry shook his head.

"Is there anything I could do to help?"

"I know it sounds stupid, but could you come with me?"

Hagrid looked uncomfortable. "I'm sorry Harry, but I can't. I just can't."

Harry nodded sadly and wandered into the crowd of people.