Diagon Alley
"Welcome Harry to Diagon Alley."
The street was beautiful. Each winding path leading onto yet another shop that was filled to the brim with yet another strange oddity. Harry stumbled forward, his eyes searching the place, frantically drinking in the streets entire appearance.
"Woah." He whispered breathily watching as a group of children all dressed in long colourful robes ran past, glancing at the shops nearby and smiling, filtering in and out of the coloured
A boy pushed past him, his hands shoving Harry to the side as he sprinted forward only to stop at a shop in front and pressing his face onto the transparent glass watching the shops contents with glee. Running forward, Harry followed stopping at the same shop the boy had and leaning forward his eyes scanning the window catching a glimpse of a streamlined broomstick, long and crooked, its mahogany wood gleaming in the light. He caught sight of the engraving carved on the side, its words shining brightly against its golden plate. Nimbus 2000.
"Harry m'boy. Come along. We have much to do." Dumbledore called from behind, his hands stroking his aged beard and his eyes twinkling once again. Harry nodded, turning and racing towards the man, falling into a steady pace beside him as they walked, passing the numerous coloured shops.
He walked next to the man following him till they stood in front of a looming building. The building was large and white in colour shining as if it had been crafted by marble, held up by supporting beams that stood firmly planted into the floor. It was winding, reaching up to the sky in its own majestic way. A red carpet lay at the floor of it, leading onto a set of double doors, each inscribed with ancient symbols and carved markings. Harry's eyes followed the carpet, stopping at the door and searching the faces of the...creatures that stood at each side.
They were short. Small yet mighty. Each creature donned an expensive looking suit, their coat buttoned up and their shirt free of any ruffles. Their ears were long, pointing upwards and their noses stood out, hooked and sharp. Their eyes were beady and seemed to narrow with every witch or wizard that walked past and glanced at them, only to walk into the building as if they were nothing but another oddity no one mentioned. Their faces were fixed into permanent scowls and the thin whisps of their hair were slicked back.
"So...what is this place?" Harry asked curiously, his eyes still roaming over the area.
"Ah..welcome to Gringotts bank Harry. This is currently the only bank we have so most do their dealings here. It is run by goblins, like those fellows standing over there, creatures who are fiercely protective over their gold and possessions. It is well known that to anger a goblin is a fate worse than death for many. We are here to collect some money. Your parents had left you a sum for your schooling, we shall collect some from in there. I know the sight of money at the time may be overwhelming and exciting, but please only remember to take a small amount that I instruct, you shall need some for your next few years. Oh before I forget Harry! You shall find many lords and ladies keep their money here, we may even cross the path of some today. Please pay them no head Harry, they seem to hold the common belief that they are above others and refuse to let go of their hypocritical and outdated beliefs." Dumbledore answered, frowning at the very mention of the lords and ladies. He glanced at Harry, critically evaluating his expressions, to which Harry nodded slowly, schooling his emotions so to appear as hesitant and worried.
"Right...don't talk to any Lords or Ladies, be nice to the goblins and don't freak out and waste my money. Got it! Lets go." Harry nodded to himself once more before stepping forward and walking on the path following the red carpet.
Dumbledore frowned and raised his eyebrows but otherwise said nothing. After a few minutes of walking they stopped in front of the large towering building and its bronze gate. Standing at either doors were the two small creatures with pointed beards and long fingers and feet. They were holding spears and stood up straight. Goblins. So cool!
Dumbledore glanced at them, his expression tainted with faint pity and disgust, staring at them as if they were nothing more than lesser beings, not worthy of gracing his presence. And he called the Lords and Ladies hypocritical.
Apparently the goblins felt the same way because their faces erupted into fierce scowls, glaring at Dumbledore with pure contempt and Harry pitied the day that Dumbledore realised how he had wronged them. Harry shook his head and shot them an apologetic look.
Something that surprised them so much they almost dropped their spears. Their beady eyes widened ever so slightly, and their expressions softened. Any passing on looker wouldn't have noticed, to their eyes their expressions were no different, no less filled with rage or contempt. Their sneers hadn't gotten smaller and the minute respect and joy in their eyes would have been unnoticeable. The other goblins would watch and no doubt tease them later for going soft on a wizard of all things but even then, they couldn't bring themselves to care. Maybe they weren't all too bad. They stared at Harry, watching as he turned and smiled at them one last time before walking through the bronze doors into Gringotts...
Enter stranger, but take head
Of what awaits the sins of greed
For those who take but not earn
Must pay dearly in their turn
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours
Thief you have been warned, beware
Of finding more treasures there
The poem had been engraved on both doors, its curly scripture promising both pain and security.
Another pair of goblins bowed at them through the silver doors, their expressions fixed into a permanent scowl. Every goblin had bowed at them so far. Was this...a tradition? A traditionhe had began disrespecting? Glancing at the goblins before turning to Dumbledore who had strode forward, he hesitantly bowed with his head down and his eyes fixed firmly on the floor. His eyes burned and his ears turned red slowly. What if he was simply embarrassing himself? What if he was ruining his chances at fitting in before he even stepped in? He felt like a fish, swimming foolishly in a new territory, unaware of where to go and what to do watching all others move as it were normal. He felt foolish, stupid. He felt stupid. He was stupid.
A gasp was heard. The goblins squeaked, their eyes widening and their spears falling to the floor with a clang. He had done it now. Hurriedly straightening, he gulped softly and whispered incomprehensible apologies, stuttering quickly. He glanced up nervously, his eyes peering through his hair searching the faces of the goblins only to find their faces seemingly fixed between a scowl and a grin, a look that had Harry biting his lip and turning forward, rushing forward to catch up with Dumbledore, wishing desperately to save himself any further embarrassment, unknowing that he had just found himself on the good side of the goblins.
Running through the threshold, they stepped into the bank and Harry found himself wishing for the millionth time that day that he had more than 2 eyes. It was spectacular. Goblins roamed everywhere, wearing expensive pristine black suits with their hair gelled back holding files and leading wizards into small rooms. People roamed around, wearing colourful robes that swept the floor, looking both expensive and comfortable. The floor was marble and the ceiling holding up extravagant crystal chandeliers. Several rows of counters stood up ahead, with many to the side. Numerous witches and wizards stood in front of them conversing with the goblins behind, only to nod and be lead into a dark room behind. Dumbledore strode forward, stopping in front of a goblin sitting at a counter. Griphook, the gold name plaque stated almost proudly.
"Hello, We would like to visit Mr Potter's trust vault." Dumbledore stated, nodding his head and gazing at the goblin critically. Griphook simply stared at them lazily, his eyes narrowing and his mouth curving to form a vicious sneer.
"Key?" He asked monotonously, his voice high pitched and yet commanding at the same time.
Dumbledore hastily reached down, his hands reaching into his blue robes pockets before slowly pulling out a large gold key, its metal rusted and dirty but a key nonetheless. Handing it to Griphook, he watched as Griphook turned it inspecting it before nodding.
"This is the key the Mr Potter's vault. Harry this is the key to your vault. You will need it to do further transactions and whatever you want. Now Harry you will be travelling with Griphook to your vault while I conduct some business. When you return feel free to venture on to Madam Malkins and begin your school shopping. I shall catch up with you later. Griphook shall provide you with a sack for you to keep your galleons in and explain the workings of the money in the wizarding world." Dumbledore said before nodding at him and turning the other way to consult another goblin in hushed whispers.
"Yes sir." Harry muttered softly before following Griphook out of the marble into a cavern. Grabbing onto a lantern, Griphook strode forward, pulsing light exposing a small cart stood on railway tracks. Griphook clambered in, placing the lantern in a holder next to them and Harry followed in pursuit, watching as Griphook gripped the lever next to them and the cart shot forward. They rode in silence with Harry occasionally glancing around and Griphook sending a few odd looks to Harry. Stopping all of a sudden, Griphook climbs out holding the lantern in one hand and the key in the other. A large door stood in the middle, a key hole in the middle. Handing Harry the lantern, he reached up pressing the key into the hole and turned it watching as the vault door creaked loudly and mechanically slid open.
Inside, lay his fortune. A mass of coins and trinkets, leaving Harry mouth agape. He stood shell shocked at the amount of money within the vault, unable to believe this was all his. He stumbled inside and looked around turning in circle. This was his? No...there must be some mistake. All this couldn't be his..
"Mr Potter please place your galleons in here." Griphook handed Harry, who was still dazed, a small pouch. "Please place at least 200 galleons in there."
Harry nodded, leaning down and and gently picking up the golden coins and staring at them in awe. Glancing back at Griphook he caught his bored expression before hurriedly scooping up the multicoloured coins nearby and stuffing them into the bag. Hoping that his sum had equated to 200 galleons, Harry nodded watching as Griphook turned and walked out the vault before following him. They both climbed back into the cart and Harry prepared himself for the rocky ride once more, flinching as the cart shot back roughly.
"The gold coins are galleons. Silver are sickles and bronze are knuts.17 sickles to a galleon and 29 Knuts to a sickle. You should remember that easily enough." Griphook stated briefly turning to face Harry before turning back and seemingly enjoying the cart ride. They came to a halt back at the entrance of the cave and Harry walked behind, back into the marble floors and diamond chandeliers of Gringotts. Griphook bowed at Harry before turning and occupying his seat once more. Like clockwork.
"Bye! Thanks sir!" Harry called after the goblin, only to be given the cold shoulder and ignored. Shrugging, Harry swept the room, catching no sight of the old man and his vibrant robes. I guess I'm going alone. Smiling at the goblins on the way out, Harry stood in the crowded streets of Diagon Alley and stared out in the distance. Madam Malkin. Where is it? Strolling forward, he walked past a family, their heads up and their posture straight, showing both confidence and poise making Harry watch in awe and respect. Mimicking their pose, he strolled forward, his back straight and his chin up, hiding his small giggles at the posh demeanour of it. He'd look confident even if he didn't particularly feel it. He had walked for a while on the streets before he caught sign of Madam Malkin's shop. It was large, its sign grand and its window full of black and grey formal robes labelled half price. A sign stood next to it stating Hogwarts uniform sold here making Harry sigh in relief and slump slightly. Finally.
Pushing open the door, he stepped in inhaling the smell of fresh clothes and watching as numerous fabrics floated through and pins weaved through them.
"Magic," he whispered watching the cloth as it soon morphed into another robe, just like the ones he saw in the shop window, "Cool."
A smiling woman dressed in mauve came out the back and greeted him.
"Hello dear. I'm Madam Malkin. Are you starting Hogwarts? I've got the lot here. Another man is getting fitted right now. Come along." Harry followed the witch and stepped up on a footstool, still in awe at the tiny shop. A boy stood next to him. His platinum blonde hair gelled back smoothly and his stormy grey eyes focused on his figure. The boy smiled, his lips curving up in a comforting smile and Harry found himself smiling back, oddly feeling at ease with him. Like he had seen him before but couldn't remember. It felt like he should have. Harry shook his head clearing it of all thoughts. They stood in silence for a moment, neither having worked up the courage to introduce themselves.
"Hello. Are you starting Hogwarts as well?" the boy piped up suddenly, his eyes searching Harry curiously.
Harry waited for a moment as Madam Malkins thrust a robe over his head and started pinning before nodding.
"Do you know what house you'll be in?"
"No." Harry answered softly, shifting uncomfortably when Madam Malkin poked a needle into his side.
"Oh. I reckon I'll be in Slytherin. My entire family had been. I think if I ended up in Hufflepuff I'd die of boredom. No offense to them."
"Hmm..." Harry nodded dazed. The boy could have been speaking another language and Harry still would have understood the same amount that he did now.
"Do you play quidditch?"
"No."
"I do. I can't wait to try out for the quidditch team. Father says its a crime if I'm not selected. I'm hoping to bully him into buying me a Nimbus after this."
Harry thought back to the sleek broom he had seen in the shop window, a golden plaque in the corner engraved with the words Nimbus 2000. He remembered the crowds of children with their faces stuck to the glass watching it in awe. He remembered the feeling of awe and excitement he had felt as he gazed upon it and turned to the boy with a grin.
"Have you seen the Nimbus 2000? It looked amazing!" He burst out, his eyes lighting up at the very thought of touching the broom and feeling its smooth wood underneath. He knew nothing about its use or the game of quidditch but he felt curiosity burn within him and the excitement of being in a world so new and fascinating. He just hoped he and Draco were thinking of the same thing and now he just had to figure out if he could somehow trick Draco into explaining Quidditch and the brooms role. .
"Yes! It looked spectacular! The way they adjusted the speed and streamlined it was truly genius. The quality of the wood too! Even the worst flyers would fly like professionals on them." Draco lit up, his face erupting into a large grin and his eyes slightly narrowed as he talked on about the technical details.
"Fly?"
"Yes...fly? Isn't that the purpose of a broom?"
"Yeah. Sorry I just blanked out for a moment. I've heard too much of..muggles using brooms to sweep y'know?" Harry chuckled nervously, biting down on his lip to prevent himself from saying something rash again.
"Of course. Honestly, using a broom? That's a crime to the wizarding world." Draco shook his head looking angry at the very thought.
"Yeah..." Harry whispered looking away wishing he could disappear. What was the point of magic if he couldn't make himself disappear when he didn't to?
"I forgot to introduce myself. How rude of me! I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. And you are?" He said holding out his hand for Harry to shake.
Harry smirked," James Bond fan much?" he said as he shook the boys hands. When he got no reaction in response he continued. "James Bond. You 'know the character in the ridiculously popular films?... No? Oh well. Dumbledore failed to mention how little wizards and witches knew of...muggle things." He felt his ears heat up in embarrassment again. He had gone and done it now. He hadn't meant to say that. It just...came out.
"Your Muggleborn?" Draco asked crinkling his nose a bit like the thought disgusted him slightly. Great. He had ruined his first and probably only chance of making a fried.
"I don't know really." He answered, attempting to salvage the situation as much as possible. Yet even then he didn't know if he wanted to be Draco's friend. The boy wasn't rude...just a bit spoilt and entitled. And Harry hated those people the most sometimes." I was told my parents were wizards. They died when I was a baby see. Never knew them. Grew up in the muggle world cause I had no one left to take me in I guess." Harry replied as he winced when Madam Malkins hit a tender spot with her pins.
"Oh... I'm really sorry. My condolences. Its truly a shame." Draco whispered apologetically, his eyes downward.
"It's okay. Thank you though. I never knew my parents and well you can't miss what you don't know right?" He smiled at Draco awkwardly. "Umm...lets change the topic to less...depressing things shall we?"
"You never introduced yourself." Draco mentioned pointedly, his eyes coming back up to glance at Harry's face.
"Oh right. Sorry. I'm Harry. Harry Potter" Harry said smiling. Madam Malkin shrieked, her pins flying and poking Harry in the side repeatedly making him wince and cry in pain. She clamped her hand over her mouth in shock and hurriedly mumbled apologies stopping when he told her he was fine, just a bit sore. Draco jumped, his eyes widening and his mouth falling open in surprise.
"Harry Potter. The Harry Potter?" Draco asked shocked, his mind working at a million miles an hour and his hear beating like a drum with both hope and shock.
At Harry's nod his face broke into a big smile. "Oh my God! We finally found you! Mothers going to be so pleased. And Aunt Bella! She'll be ecstatic. You must wait here. Really." He looked down at Madam Malkin. "Miss. May I come back and have you finish later? I must go get my family"
Harry stared at him confused. "Uh...sure. I'll be here I guess?"
" Just a moment dear." Madam Malkin flicked her wand and the robes she had been using to craft Draco's uniform was gone. Draco suddenly hugged Harry making him flinch and awkwardly tap his back in confusion, only to then run out screaming for his mother. Harry stood shocked for a second. What just happened?
Dumbledore strolled in just as Draco ran out. His eyes watching Draco run with guarded fear and suspicion. He turned to Harry hurriedly.
"Harry? What happened? Who was that boy there?" His eyes evaluating Harry with suspicion and growing dread. Shit. One wrong move, one interaction and everything would shatter.
"Err... I don't know. I was speaking to him and when I told him my name he got really exited and ran out shouting for his mother. Maybe he was like one of those people at Leaky Cauldron?" Harry muttered, still in a state of confusion.
"What was his name?"
"Um..Mal-"
"Malfoy?"
"Yeah? I think so."
Dumbledore's eyes widened and he reached out grabbing Harry to his side and leaning down.
"The Malfoys are not people you should associate yourself with Harry. They are well known for being supremist family that look down on Muggleborns and muggles. They were rumoured to be devoted followers of the Dark Lord."
"The Dark Lord?"
"Oh yes. I forgot your aunt did not have the pleasure of raising you. Come along Harry let us go outside and I shall explain it all to you on the way to the bookstore. Madam Malkin are you finished here?" Dumbledore smiled at her nod and moved out the room to the counter.
"You make it sound like it wasn't her choice to give me up." Harry whispered as he watched Dumbledore retreat. He knew the story. Everyone had. How his aunt had knocked on the doorstep of the group home. Her face angry and anguished at the same time. Her clothes had been expensive, Gucci and Channel in perfect condition, just a bit wet. He had been in her hands, sleeping unaware of the events happening. He knew she had begged. He knew she had shoved him forward, unable to take no for an answer. He knew that she had screamed his name, his birthday and his parents frantically and sighed with relief when he had been taken from her arms, as if he had been a demon that burned her skin to the touch. He knew the second the door had been shut, she had strolled to her car and shut herself in it and drove away, looking back only once as if she had been dropping him off for a playdate, promising to come back. Only it wasn't a playdate. Only she had never come back. Nor did she want him back, no matter how hard he had tried to contact her for answers, anything.
"Harry? Shall we progress?" Dumbledore cut in popping his head behind the curtains for a moment watching him and moving back when he nodded and stepped off the pedestal. He walked, passing the archway watching as Madam Malkin tied a string over a small package of folded clothes.
"That will be 15 galleons Mr Potter." Madam Malkin said softly taking the 15 golden coins he had passed her and placing them in her drawer beneath the counter. Nodding at them, she moved back into the room leaving Harry and Dumbledore alone in her shop.
"Right Harry let us go. I'm afraid I shall have to leave you once again. I have last minute business to conduct. I will explain everything as I walk you to the bookstore. After that please collect your books and meet me back here."
Harry nodded softly, stepping out the shop with Dumbledore in tow. He had seriously hoped Draco would have come back by now. It had been long enough He seemed nice. Harry honestly wouldn't have minded talking to Draco and having some company just this once. He wanted to talk to him more, to find out who he was, and to find out what he meant when he said that they found him. But that would have to wait, for now at least. He hoped he'd catch sight of Draco soon though.
"Why am I famous sir? Who is the dark Lord and why does everyone seem to know my name and treat my as some revered celebrity?"
"The dark Lord Harry, was a pureblood supremacist. There are purebloods, those who have been born to a family originating to the wizarding world originally. Those whose families have been around for long and believe in the old ways. Other than that, there have been Muggleborns, those born to a muggle family but possessing magic. They are the first in the generation to do so. Many purebloods believe Muggleborns should be eradicated from society due to their blood not being as 'pure' as they put it. It is all extremely wrong and unreasonable as you can tell." Dumbledore paused for a moment smiling satisfied when Harry nodded in disgust and fury.
"The Dark Lord, believed that all Muggleborns should be killed and we should rule over muggles. He resorted to many evil ways and spent his reign of terror, killing many witches and wizards, slaughtering many innocents. He had many followers, death eaters they were called. They aided him in his evil ways. The Dark Lord, Harry was also the very man who mercilessly killed your parents using the killing curse. When he turned to kill you, the curse seemed to rebound, killing him instead, leaving you with that scar. That is why you are famous Harry. That is why you are called the boy who lived." He paused for a moment, reaching out to trace the scar on Harry's forehead with thinly veiled anger and frustration.
"Sir..what-"
"Pardon me Harry. But we have arrived at Flourish and Botts. I shall answer any questions you have later." With that Dumbledore turned and swept away, his blue robes billowing behind him. That really explained everything didn't it? You can't just tell me that and leave as if we were having a normal conversation about the goddamn weather.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Harry slowly pushed the the bookstore's double doors open and found himself greeted by a kindly old man. He wore a brown suit, his hair brushed to the side and his robe a dark grey.
"Starting Hogwarts, dear boy?"
"Yes sir. I'll need..." Harry fumbled, reaching down into his pocket he searched for his letter taking it out and holding it out to the man stopping when he shook his head and waved his hands in a dismissive motion.
"Yes. Yes. I have it all right here. Everything on the first year book list right here, plus quills and parchment. That'll be 35 galleons." Harry paid the man and groaned when he was handed a heavy bundle before looking around. Each shelf filled to the brim with ancient tomes and strange books that seemed mystical and interesting. His eyes lit up at the prospect of reading them.
"Do you mind if I take a look around? I was hoping to find some extra books." Harry asked, his eyes never leaving the shelves.
"Sure lad. Take a look. I'll be at the counter if you need anything." the man replied kindly before walking to the right and standing behind the raised table.
Harry walked through the book shop looking around eagerly, stopping every few minutes to read the blurb of each book or place it in his ever growing pile of books he wanted to buy. By the time he had walked to counter, he had a heavy pile of books in his hands resting on top of his bundle. The man simply chuckled slightly and brought out his hand, waving it on top of the books in a complex motion before asking him for 40 galleons.
Soon all his supplies were packed and walked out a little disappointed that he hadn't spotted Draco. What if he was back at Madam Malkins? The thought of Draco waiting with his family eagerly only to deflate when he realised that Harry had left made his heart ache. The thought made him quicken in pace and he had been so lost in thought that he caught no sight of the woman walking towards him. And she had been so lost in her past heartaches that she had not caught sight of the boy walking towards her. And naturally, the two walked, colliding in the middle.
Harry bumped into someone. Her collection of large hardback books crashed into him, hitting his chest painfully, causing him to groan. He went crashing to the floor painfully on his face. He flinched as the books fell landing on his head and his face collided with the concrete ground. Harry winced and sat up rubbing his head. Frowning when he felt a bump forming on his forehead and a bruise forming on his jaw, He gingerly touched his lip to find it was split and wiped away the blood trickling down.
Harry looked up to find all his supplies running in different directions. He sighed as he thought of how hard it would be to pick everything up and to treat his injuries. His eyes roamed around the street and soon landed the woman he bumped into and looked into painfully familiar bright blue eyes peering at him in concern.