The blazing sun was almost unbearable after the darkness of the goblin tunnels. Harry raised a hand to shield his eyes,shut tight against the light.
The weight of the coin pouch in his pocket was unfamiliar to Harry. He didn't have to know how many Galleons there were to a pound to know he was holding more money than he'd had in his whole life - moremoney than even Dudley had ever had.
"I hate them ruddy Gringotts Carts. I'd love a pick-me-up at the Leaky Cauldron…"
Harry blinked his eyes open and looked up at the giant man. He did still look a bit sick, so Harry offered to go get his schook uniform while Hagrid went for a drink.
"Don't be silly Harry. Professer Dumbledore is countin' on me to get you all set up for yer schoolin." Hagrid was still looking down to the other end of the street, but then shook his head and set his jaw and Harry had to quickly start jog as Hagrid began to stride away from the marble steps.
"Besides I shouldn't be drinking while I've got you. Tell you what Harry there is a great ice cream parlor up here. I can have a coffee and I bet you've never 'ad propper ice cream livin' with them muggles"
"I had a knickerbocker glory at the zoo for Dudleys birthday!" Harry protested, causing Hagrid to chuckle slightly.
Hagrid led harry into 'Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour' just next to a second hand book shop. The inside looked like an 80s american diner pristine red and white seats in booths and stools along a bar behind which stood a middle aged man who cracked a wide grin seeing Hagrid enter. "Hagrid! Don't see you in here very often! Did the Leaky Cauldron burn down?"
Hagrid laughed properly this time, eyeing the stools by the bar as Harry settled into one. He apparently though better than to sit on one and just chose to stand. "No no Florean, Tom'll have to cope without me today. I'm on duty. So just the strongest coffee you've got ta."
Harry watched fascinated as Mr Fortescue waved a thin rod of wood and a mug floated down from a high shelf onto the back counter. He frowned at it for a second before tapping it with his wand and saying "engorgio". Harry gasped as he saw the mug grow to the size of a bucket. The sound drew the attention of the man as he placed the mug infront of hagrid and a stream of dark liquid flowed through the are from a small couldron into the mug.
"Ah yes, and what will it be for your young friend" The man smiled kindly over at Harry.
Hagrid who had been inhaling the fumes of the coffee, quickly put the cup down and puffed his chest up proudly. "Mr Potter here has never had propper ice cream! I was hopin you could teach him what he's been missing"
Mr Fortescues eyebrows shot up hearing this and Harry expected a similar response the crowds in the Leaky Cauldron but instead the man dashed off through a door to a back room and came back with a small bowl.
"This is a bit of an experiment. I was looking for a tester."
Harry couldn't help being a little dissappointed. When he had learned there was a magic ice cream shop he was expecting mountains of every flavour but this was just a small glass bowl, with a single scoop of pale green coloured icecream swirled through with streaks of what looked like silver along with a small spoon.
Harry could see the anticipation on the ice cream seller's face so quickly popped some in his mouth.
It felt like fireworks. Harry had had popping candy before, but this was on an entirely different level. Harry realised after a moment that as the icecream melted in his mouth it suddenly began to taste and feel like the most delicious minty hot chocolate warming him up from the inside.
Mr Fortescue smiled immediately seeing Harry take another spoonful. "So Potter, you thought about which house you'll want to go in when you get to Hogwarts?"
Harry swallowed his ice cream a little confused. "Sorry sir, I didn't know I was supposed to" He glanced at Hagrid who was hunched over his coffee. The colour was starting to return to his face but he clearly wasn't listening.
"No need to apologies boy, I should have known if you were here with Hafrid you wouldnt know about the houses. Let me see, There are four houses of Hogwarts named after the 4 witches and Wizards who founded it in the 10th century.
"Each student is sorted into a house based on their personality and importantly their potential. I myself was in Helga Hufflepuff's house. Hufflepuff valued loyalty and hard work. Rowena Ravenclaw valued a keen mind and dedication to learning. Godric Gryffindor's students were brave and willing to fight for others. and finally Salazar Slytherin valued those with drive and ambition to achieve their goals"
Harry didn't feel like he fit any of those descriptions. He had never had the opportunity to be loyal. Dudkey had seen to that. And he didn't feel very brave, smart ot ambitious.
"You'll be fine wherever you end up." Florean encouraged.
"Talkin' of which we should get on Harry. Lots ter buy" Harry thanked Mr Fortescue and took his coin pouch out to pay for the ice cream and Hagrids coffee, but Florean raised a hand.
"It's on the house this time Harry Potter. Thankyou, enjoy Hogwarts."
Thanking the man Hagrid steered a still hesitant harry out of the shop. Outside in the busy street he pulled Harry back a moment before he walked into a family of three pale blond haired people, then again steered harry in the other direction.
"We'll start with yer uniform first Harry. Madam Malkins might even have some better fittin muggle clothes for yer. Can't have you goin' round looking like a sheddin' boomslang, can we.
Harry walked out of Madam Malkins with a bag full of his new uniform and a brand new set of muggle clothes too. hw was much more comfortable as he was now wearing jeans, T-shirt and jumper that fit properly. As well as a new pair of trainers. Dudley's old ones had been far to wide. Hagrid had managed to haggle with the squat, smiling witch in the shop, earning quite the discount for Harry.
They bought Harry's school books from a shop called Flourish and Blotts. He bought a pewter cauldron, nice set of scales, and a collapsible brass telescope.
In the apothacary there was a tall wizard who seemed to be arguing with the shop owner so Hagrid joined Harry looking around the shelves pointing out and exaining things he thought were interesting. "Not a clue what thats used for. Ooh look Beazors" Hagrid grabbed a box of small shrivelled looking stones.
"They get these from goats stomachs. Good little cure all for creatures who have eaten something they shouldn't've. They're a good antipoison too"
Hagrid took the box to the counter and also grabbed a small wooden case marked 'Hogwarts 1st Year.'
After the apothicary Harry found himself stammering his thanks, sounding like Professor Quirrell as Hagrid had insisted on buying him a beautiful snowy owl for his birthday.
The last shop was where Harry had felt incredibly uncomfortable until the strange Mr Ollivander finally found him the holly and pheonix feather wand.
Hagrid took harry all the way back to the end of the road on Privet Drive. Harry bwgan dragging his trunk to number 4 before turning to thank Hagrid for everything, but as he looked back the giant was gone.
Blinking for a moment Harry made his way back to the Dursleys.