Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter 2
"Get up! Breakfast won't make itself!" A harsh voice cried, waking Harrison from a fitful sleep.
The ten year old blinked, grimacing as he shifted on the old, lumpy bed. He could hear the three other boys he shared the room with doing the same as he was, but he knew that they would stay away from him, just as they've always done. He sat up in the bed, reaching and grabbing some of the few clothing items he owned. HE pulled on the shirt and slid on the pants, before he grabbed the one pair of shoes he had. He laced them up, grimacing mentally at the state of them. He knew they wouldn't last another winter. There's no way.
He stood up and as he passed Charlie and Ryan, the two younger boys backed up from him almost in fright, giving him a wider byrth. He slipped into the shared bathroom and brushed his teeth, finishing getting ready. He looked in the mirror, brushing and smoothing his black hair down into the waves that usually adorned his head. His bright green eyes were sharp as always, taking in his face. Angular features, smooth and pale skin...he was a good looking boy and would have been adopted by now if the matron didn't make it a habit of telling every potential parent how unnatural he was. A pity really.
He turned and left the bathroom, heading out of the door along with a couple of other boys. Soon he was in that kitchen making breakfast for the matron and the other children at the boys and girls took turns cooking, and today was the day for the boys to cook. Or really for Harrison to cook while his so called roommates goofed off and slipped snacks into their pockets. He wasn't expecting anything to happen today that was different. Today would be the same. They'd make breakfast and he would slip away to read one of the few books that the orphanage kept around. Then he would return to help with lunch, then dinner before going to sleep for the night. Tomorrow he would do it all again mostly.
But as he finished his breakfast, there was a change to the routine. The matron was waiting at the door, eyes beady and unpleasant.
"Riddle," she snapped, "There's someone here to see you."
Harrison blinked in shock but followed after her. When he stepped into the small meeting room, there was a woman sitting there with a stern look about her and greying hair. He narrowed his eyes, an instant distrust settling in his stomach.
"Harrison Riddle?" she asked, hands folded neatly in her lap.
"Yes...who are you?" he asked, his eyes guarded.
"My name is Minerva McGonagall," she said, her tone stern yet kind, "I am a teacher from a special school. I've come to offer you a place there."
She offered a letter to him, lips pursed as he hesitated. Finally Harrison took the letter and opened it, looking it over.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr Riddle,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic
by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory
by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration
by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions
by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK
Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus sig
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions
Harrison frowned as he read the letter before looking up at the woman. "Is this some sort of joke? If it is, it's not a very nice one."
Minerva shifted, looking a bit annoyed. "I assure you, Mr. Riddle that this isn't a joke. You are a wizard and I have come to extend the invitation to the school. I am also here to take you to Diagon Alley so that you may get your school things. There's a stipend for orphan students so that you can afford your supplies, even if they may be second hand."
Harrison was quiet, thinking over this new...situation. He would be a fool to turn it down if this is truly a real thing. He knew he was different...it's why the other children feared him and avoided him. Things tended to happen around him, even if he didn't mean for them to happen. He looked up at the woman.
"You are a teacher?" he wondered.
She nodded. "I teach transfiguration. I am also the Head of Gryffindor house. So are you to accept your spot? If so we really should be going."
Harrison nodded, accepting. "Yes. I think I'd like to attend."
He would like to be around others similar to him. For a moment he considered telling her that he could go on his own...and asking where the Alley was but then he stopped. IT would be silly for him to dismiss someone who may know quite a bit about the school and the subjects he'd be learning. He can go with her for now, then head there on his own another day to explore. This way he also doesn't give them a reason to...distrust him. Trust can go a long way when he's trying to accomplish things.
"We can leave now for the alley," he offered, "I don't have any other plans...I'm sure Matron Williams will not mind."
Minerva nodded, some of the tension leaving her body. "Very well...come along then."
Harrison watched as she stood and he followed after her, folding and tucking the letter away. He fell into step behind the teacher, wondering where this alley was located. Was it hidden? If it wasn't, then how did they keep normal people out of it? Minerva stepped outside the gait and turned to Harrison before flicking her wand, hidden in her robes, then she held out a small trinket.
"Do grab ahold, Mr. Riddle. We will use a portkey to get there...and do not worry about being seen. I've cast a disillusionist charm," she told him.
Harrison nodded and placed his hand on the object. As he did, Minerva said the word to activate it and he felt a hook behind his navel. Soon he felt solid ground under his feet again and stumbled, but didn't fall because Minerva had reached for him and steadied him.
"Easy, Mr. Riddle. Welcome to Diagon Alley," she told him.
Harrison stood there with wide eyes, staring at the bustling alley. As he felt the ambient magic of the place wash over him, Harrison started to get a headache. He blinked, trying to ignore it. He turned to her.
"So where is this place?" he wondered, "I mean...I'm sure I'll be on my own next year for shopping…"
Minerva inclined her head. "Indeed. There is an entrance through a pub called the Leaky Cauldron. It's located on Charring Cross Road."
Harrison nodded, a bit lost as to why that sounded so familiar. "Thank you. What will we do first?"
"First we will visit the bank so that I can withdraw the stipend you can use to gather your supplies."
Harrison nodded and was silent as he followed her to a large white building. When they left that bank, Harrison had a limited amount of money to use to get his things. He followed his teacher's gentle suggestions, managing to get everything he needed with the limited number of galleons he had. He hadn't really met anyone, although he did see a lot of potential students. He just didn't feel comfortable enough to interact with witches or wizards of his own age. At least not yet. By the time he was back in the room he shared at the orphanage, his head was pounding and his entire body was so tired. He laid down without dinner and passed out from the eventful day.
A/N: Review if you'd like :)
