All too soon it was the week before the school term started. Diagon Alley was packed with families of all sorts of shapes and sizes, Welsh accents mingling with cockney drawls, mothers frantically chasing after hyperactive sons, parents with as much childlike wonder on their faces as their children – and the sneers of the aristocrats that looked down on them.
Harry frowned from behind his double-scoop-strawberry-cream-swirl-sundae.
"If the purebloods hate the muggleborns so much, why don't they shop elsewhere?" Harry asked Florean, the ice-cream parlor owner and confident of the irritable preteen. He received a chuckle in response.
"Well darling, all the shops worth buying from are along here somewhere. As Hogwarts accepts students from all over the UK, it only asks for equipment that can be bought from the main section of the alley – the bespoke alleys, or tailored alleys, must be found through magic, trickery or bribery, and are where you find all the high end stuff – much more to your standards I'd assume" Florean left Harry by the window with a wink, weaving through his crowded shop. Harry scowled at the allusion to his monetary values. Although at first glance over his papers it seemed like he was wealthy, Jeremy and Urxluk and explained that a great deal of his wealth had been used by the ministry to set up businesses and departments, and trying to remove anything would endanger the economy – or something to that effect. Harry had found Urxluk had a habit of repeating points over, and whilst he respected the goblin he was no teacher. harry had ranted abut this to Florean over many an ice cream the past month, much to the owners amusment.
Harry sighed as someone fell over the cobblestoned path again. It seemed like he was cursed: every time he made to get up, disaster struck and the crowd would swell again, making it impossible to leave the shop. He would wait until the crowd died down a little before setting out for his final few items: a trunk, a wand and his books.
Harry exited Golding's Gear once again with a grin on his face. Having a great deal of money made him a slightly less frugal and he'd decided to splurge a little – a trunk that could fit an entire wardrobe, bookcase and store a potion equipment? He'd be crazy not to buy it. He went for all the same conveniece charms as before, but opted for a customizable trunk – he could charm any design onto the outside without disrupting the charms that made it work. He didn't fully understand the concept but was willing to go along with it for the time being.
After popping into Eeylops Owl Emporium to pick up treats for Hedwig he entered Flourish and Blotts, a small bubble of excitement building in his chest. Pushing past a tall, bushy haired girl, eyes drawn to the stack of books, a gleeful grin unfurled across Harry's face. This was going to be fun.
4 hours, 3 exhausted shopping assistants and one emptied money bag later, Harry collapsed onto his bed in a huff. Hedwig hooted from her perch.
"I know girl, I know!" Harry said with as much energy as he could. "I haven't even started school yet and I bought half the bloomin' shop!" he tried to sound ashamed of himself, but couldn't quite keep the excitement out of his voice. Hedwig rolled her eyes.
At least I didn't need to buy any history or political books, Harry mused as he watched his owl swoop out the window. Given that Urxluk probably gave me every book in existence on those topics. Harry grinned again as he glanced over the towers of books hidden in his bag.
"One more week" he whispered into now empty room. "One more week until I'm where I belong."
The morning was cloudy and cold. Harry woke with a groan. He had agreed to one more meeting with Urxluk (see: lesson) and a brief overview of his alliances with Jeremy. Now that it was the morning of the final meetings, all Harry wanted to do was lie in bed and sleep; he had a dull headache at the back of his head. He consoled himself with the fact he'd get fantastic food – after growing up with the Durselys, he would never turned down a decent meal again.
"Hey Urxy!" Harry greeted the scowling goblin cheerfully. If anything, his scowl became more pronounced.
"If I were another goblin, I could have you fined for that insult." He growled, but the glint in his eye let Harry know he was joking. I think. Harry shrugged.
"So what's on the agenda today, then?" Harry clapped his hands together, his energy drawn from the knowledge this was the last of these tedious lessons. Urxluk lifted an eyebrow.
"Shall we re-cap everything we've done this month?" Harry groaned and leant back in his chair.
"Ok, so: first we went over the different Houses and what being Named meant, then we went over my accounts for like, ages, then… oh positions within the human ministry of magic, how goblin, centaur and vampire councils worked and the significance of seasonal changes. Last week we had a 'brief' overview of how the money system here works, but I didn't quite understand." Harry admitted, but Urxluk only nodded.
"Well remembered Harry. Frankly, you'll only need to truly understand how the monetary system works if you wish to study accounting or become an investor later on – but, you are only a child: learning magic should be your top priority. You do promise to study hard at Hogwarts, don't you?" Harry started at the intense look in Urxluk's eyes.
"What? Of course! I love magic!" Harry said defensively. Urxluk held his gaze then nodded.
"I see. Well we best be getting on with our lesson today and I'll keep it brief: the importance of Elves, most significantly House Elves. Ditsy!" at Urxluk's barking command, a tiny figure popped into the room. Harry jumped.
"Mista Urx-luk called Ditsy?" it squeaked politely at him. Harry stared. It was about a head shorter than the goblin, and much thinner. It appeared to be wearing a white blanket, and had unusually large eyes and ears. All in all, it looked to be a misshapen thing that had undeniable charm, and Harry had to stop himself cooing over it.
"Ditsy here is a House Elf. Although your wizarding lot would like to deny it, your entire society relies on the elves willingness to do all the hard work. They do claim to enjoy the work though," Urxluk grumbled at Ditsy's mortified look.
"Nah Mista Urx-luk! We'z like ta work! I'z be liken to make food for tha' small boy, he'z be seemin' to like it." She said defensively. It took a moment for Harry to register what she had said.
"Oh! It's you has been cooking?" Ditsy nodded hesitantly. Harry beamed at the tiny creature. "Everything has been lovely! You're such a fantastic cook! Please, you have to give me your recipie for – what was it? Treacle tart!" Ditsy had been smiling up until that last bit.
"Does… does tha masta not wan' Ditsy to be makin' it no more?" she said tearfully. Harry opened his mouth in horror to deny this, but Urxluk quietly asked her to leave. Urxluk himself then stood up and began to gather his papers.
"Harry, it reflects well on you that you complimented her; not all wizards would have done so. But something you must remember: never try to take an elves job. They may not seem it, but they can be a fierce race when they feel their livelihoods are being threatened. Now, I think I've taken up enough of you time. Remember what I've taught you, and work hard at school. Oh and Harry?" the goblin paused as he left the room. Harry looked up at the person who had singlehandedly made the transition into a strange new world easier than he could have imagined. "Enjoy yourself, but be careful who you trust." With that cryptic statement, the goblin left, leaving Harry to show himself out.
Several hours later, Harry was making his way down to his room from the Greengrass office. Jeremy had taken the liberty of explaining just what an 'Alliance' meant.
*2 HOURS EALRIER*
"So Harry! Excited about Hogwarts next week?" Jeremy greeted Harry with a grin and he flopped down into an armchair by the fireplace.
"Yep, cannot wait! So what did you want to talk about J?" Harry asked with a yawn. He wanted to spend his last few days in Diagon staring at brooms and exploring the Alley. Jeremy chuckled and started to pace slowly in front of the fire.
"Well, in the last two weeks we've been over how you should handle your money – I'll be investing little amounts from the Potter vault here and there to keep it active, all others remain dormant until you are 14 – and how to handle yourself in polite company." Harry pulled a face. "I know, I know. But leading on from that, we'll be going over your Alliances. An Alliance between a house means you'll back that house in times of crisis: whether that be a war, an internal dispute or financial trouble. A Family can have Oppositions, which are a little more in depth but thankfully you've managed to avoid any of them. I've listed all of your Houses that have Alliances you need to honour- that means act on," he quickly added, seeing Harry's confused expression.
"Here's the sheet. Learn it well before you get onto the train as you'll need to greet any other Heirs with a formal greeting. The rings should supply you with the correct one." Harry started blankly at the expectant man and simply nodded. Yeah, sure. The rings will guide me, he thought sarcastically but tucked the sheet away into one of his pockets.
"Well Harry, it's been a pleasure. I'll keep in touch via owl, so look out for Terra a few days after school starts, alright?" Harry stood up and shook his hand.
"Thanks Jeremy. Really, I do appreciate your help." Jeremy grinned.
"Well, that is what you pay me for, isn't it?" His laughter followed Harry out onto the street.
*PRESENT*
Harry sighed as he sat down onto his bed, Hedwig quickly settling down next to him.
"This is all a bit much," he said finally. "I mean, I feel like I'm about to wake up from a particularly vivid dream any minute now." Hedwig hooted softly at him and rubbed her head under his palm. "I know girl, I know it has been a huge shift to my world and I can't possibly cope with everything all at once," he said softly "I just feel like I'm missing something." Harry waved his hand gently, and all papers, books and clothes scattered around the room sorted themselves neatly into the trunk Harry had made look navy blue. He didn't notice the colour change.
"I just feel… maybe I don't belong." Harry struggled to articulate the feeling of oddness he felt. "Like I'm missing my tongue, or a finger – it's not a big difference, but it's there." Hedwig simply pecked at his hand and flew around the room. Harry cracked a smile. "You know best then, Hedwig. I'll sleep it off." Harry lay down under the covers as Hedwig settled onto her perch to watch her Familiar sleep.
For three whole days.
AN: ... hi? sorry for the month long absence, but I have more of a concrete plan now so hopefully I'll be able to work on a fortnight schedule.
I say that, but we all kno no author sticks to their schedule.
As an apology, I'll put up a poll: what house should Harry be in? I think he could be in any, but the choice will change how the fic develops (Slytherin = slightly more political, Ravenclaw = more about the theory and learning of magic, Hufflepuff = social changes and friendship, Gryffindor = radical social changes and a touch of politics) I mean it'll develop in pretty much the same way, but Harry's focus and friendships will change depending on house.
As always, I haven't got a beta so any grammatical errors or clumsy sentences are my own fault: please point them out!