Harry stepped out of Gringotts with a bag containing 60 galleons, a book found in the Potter vault on unique dueling spells, and a Gaunt heirloom: a coin which looked like platinum, with a snake on one side and a wizard on the other. According to the placard next to it, it was enchanted to be unbreakable and would return to the holder after a minute away.

He looked down at the Hogwarts Letter. It looked like there were several shops he could go to first, but the ones he was really interested in were Ollivanders and the pet shop. He flipped the coin. It spun through the air and landed on the wizard.

"Ollivanders it is, then." Harry muttered. Ollivanders was a small shop near the top of the alley. As Harry opened the door, a bell rang, alerting Mr. Ollivander.

"Ahh, Mr. Potter. It seems like only yesterday that your parents were in here, buying their first wands. Your father had an 11" wand, pliable and excellent for Transfiguration. Your mother on the other hand favoured a 10 and three quarter inch wand, swishy and good for charms. I wonder which wand will favor you, hmm..."

Several explosions, meltings of Mr. Ollivanders property and lots of general destruction later, Ollivander handed Harry yet another wand. Unlike the others, however, this one did not feel viscerally *wrong*. It felt warm and comforting, and as Harry watched, a ribbon of bright light streamed from the tip of the wand, slowly growing wider as it enveloped Harry. Just as gently as it came, it slowly dissolved.

"Well Mr. Potter, I think we can expect very interesting things from you in the future. That wand is 12", pine and Dragon Heartstring, and very flexible. I had thought perhaps... no, never mind. That will be seven Galleons."

Harry paid quickly, thinking deeply on his new wand.

Madame Malkins looked like the place to buy school robes. Harry stepped inside and was immediately shoved onto a stool, a woman, presumably Madame Malkin, who said "Hogwarts too, dear? Got everything here, another young man being fitted just now in fact."

Said young man was a somewhat pudgy youth, who nervously said "Uhh, hello. Hogwarts too? My name's Neville Longbottom."

"Yes," Harry replied, "I'm Harry Potter, nice to meet you."

Neville's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Harry Potter? I think my parents knew your parents."

"Really? Do you think I could meet them?"

"Oh... no. I'm afraid they... well they're in St Mungo's."

"St. Mungo's? Where's that?"

"Where have you been living that you don't know that? St. Mungo's is the hospital."

"I live with my relatives. They're not wizards. Who do you live with, if not your parents?"

"Oh, I live with my Gran. We're here getting school supplies."

"Me too. I've only got my wand so far though."

"You're lucky. My Gran won't let me get my own wand, she's making me use my dad's." Neville said, easing into the flow of the conversation.

"Ollivander said that "The wand chooses the wizard", though. Surely it won't work as well?"

"I keep trying to tell her that, but she won't listen."

"Tell you what, let's sneak off to Ollivanders and get you a wand. Do you have any money on you?"

"I've got 5 galleons."

"I'll spot you the other two. Come on. Madame Malkin, could we come back to collect our robes?" Harry asked the squat witch.

"Oh, of course dears." Malkin confirmed.

"Where's your Gran right now, Neville?" Harry asked.

"She should be looking at the Transfiguration section in Flourish & Blotts" Neville posited.

Harry got off his stool, and indicated for Neville to follow him. They snuck to Ollivanders, wary but not worried, as according to Neville, you could see Augusta Longbottom from a mile away with her stuffed vulture hat.

They pushed open the door, causing Ollivander to remark,"Back again, Mr. Potter? Oh, and Mr. Longbottom as well! I take it this is a covert operation?"

"Yes sir," said Harry, "See, Neville's Gran won't let him get his own wand."

"A travesty. I take it she would have made you use your father's wand, Mr. Longbottom?"

"Yeah, she- she would." said Neville faintly.

"Absolutely unacceptable. Now come over here, Mr. Longbottom, and we'll see which wand chooses you."

When Neville had to leave with his Gran after getting his 13", cherry and Unicorn Hair wand, it was with promises to meet Harry on the Hogwarts Express. Harry visited the Apothecary uneventfully, and after Flourish and Blotts, where he got his book list and the trunk shop, where he got a standard school trunk, the only thing left on the list was the pet shop.

The pet shop was buzzing - sometimes hissing and clacking too - with activity, but the only animal there that caught Harry's eye was a beautiful snowy owl. He checked the price: he had just enough left for the owl, some food, and of course treats.

5 minutes later, he was in posession of an owl, which he decided to call Hedwig. He had finished his shopping: now it was time to talk to Tom.