Shopping and Secrets

"Ah, interesting," Ollivander said, almost mirroring his speech from Harry's last life. "Eleven inches from the wood of a holly tree and containing the tail feather of a phoenix."

Nodding his head, Harry didn't ask what was interesting, instead he asked, "Could I also buy a wand holder for my wrist, in black dragonhide if possible?"

Ollivander nodded when Harry spoke and went to find the holster. After placing it on the till he looked at Harry. "I will be expecting great things to come from you with that wand, Mr. Potter," he said.

Harry smiled slightly. "I hope to achieve great things," he said.

"That will be twelve galleons and eighteen knuts in total," Ollivander said eventually.

Reaching into his money pouch, Harry thought of the amount of money he needed and withdrew his hand, the correct sum now in it. Passing it over, Harry attached his wand holster to his wrist and placed his wand in it before leaving the shop.

Next, Harry headed for Madam Malkin's. Entering the shop, Harry was glad to find it empty.

"First year robes?" asked Madam Malkin herself as she appeared from behind a clothing display.

"Yes please, could I also get a few day robes and-" Harry cut himself off with a sheepish rub of his neck. "Well, actually, I need an entire wardrobe really," he admitted.

"Right then dear, why don't you step up on the platform and I'll measure you up," Madam Malkin said.

Standing up on the raised platform, Harry soon had his measurements taken.

"Right dear, I can have the school robes done in a few moments," she said, indicating for Harry to get down. "We can pick out the rest and I can modify the fit for you."

"Thank you," Harry said, going to look through the racks.

Picking out a few pieces, Harry soon found his arms full with day robes, shirts, trousers, jumpers, underwear, and pajamas. All of it got added to the pile growing on the table - he even picked out shoes and a few accessories. Eventually, between himself and Madam Malkin, who had returned, Harry had a decent variety of clothing which Madam Malkin promised to charm to grow a few inches so it would last even if he had a growth spurt.

"I can have these modified and charmed by the end of lunch. Why don't you come back and pick them up at, say, around one o'clock? If that's convenient, of course. If not, I can have them owled to you," she said.

"I can pick them up," Harry said. It was almost lunch now and he still had to go to the Eeylops Owl Emporium to buy Hedwig.

"Would you like to pay now or on collection?" she asked.

"I will pay now," Harry said.

Malkin nodded and tapped her wand to the till. "Your total will be 126 galleons and six sickles," she said. Harry nodded at the price, soothing the lady's nerves as she worried the child wouldn't be able to pay such a large sum.

"Can I use my heir ring to pay?" Harry asked.

Producing the payment sheet, Madam Malkin handed it over. Focusing on the Potter crest, Harry placed his ring in the designated space and watched as the Potter seal appeared. Handing it back, Harry watched as Madam Malkin's eyes widened and then darted to Harry's forehead. Seeing this, Harry looked around the shop before carefully moving his fringe to show the famous scar.

"I would appreciate if you kept it quiet that I am shopping today," Harry said.

"O-of course, Mr. Potter, anything," she stuttered suddenly, making Harry want to sigh. He hated when people suddenly realised who he was and started to treat him like a celebrity.

"Right then Madam, I will see you after lunch," Harry said, nodding his head politely in goodbye.

Leaving the shop and ignoring the seamstresses stuttered farewells, Harry headed to Eeylops. Seeing Hedwig still outside in her cage, Harry smiled brightly. Approaching her large, knowing eyes Harry hoped that she would bond with him like she had in his last life. Seeing his interest, a shop assistant appeared as though summoned and asked if he wanted to buy her. Harry nodded and barely drew his eyes away from his old friend.

"She's a temperamental one, doesn't seem to like anybody. Always takes a nip at whoever has to feed her," the shop assistant warned as he looked at Hedwig in her cage.

"She's perfect," Harry said. "Can I also get a large cage and some owl treats?"

"Certainly," the assistant said before gathering the items and telling Harry the total. Shrinking them down, the assistant handed them over to Harry, who handed over the required gold in response.

Carefully opening the cage Hedwig had been kept in, Harry watched as she looked at him with interest before she walked onto his arm.

"Hello, beautiful," he said softly, scratchy her in the way he knew she loved.

"Well, I'll be damned, you must have a lucky touch," the shop assistant said, watching Harry interact with the bird in awe.

Nuzzling against his hand, Hedwig have a contented trill.

"My name's Harry and you and me? We're going to be great friends," Harry told the bird. "I'm going to call you Hedwig," Harry continued, and watched as her intelligent eyes seemed to accept her new name.

"Right then," Harry said after a moment, "why don't you go and catch yourself some food and stretch your wings for a few hours? I'm currently living at 4 Privet Drive in Surrey so, when you're done, you can return there," Harry instructed the bird. He watched happily as she flew up in the air.

Happy now that he had finished all of his shopping, Harry found a small cafe to have lunch before returning to collect his clothing. Glad he was done, Harry wandered through the Leaky Cauldron and apperated back to Surrey.

He didn't want to risk forgetting anything about his first year again like he almost did with the stone, so he was going to make a list of everything that had happened. Thinking back as he wrote, Harry couldn't believe at the amount of things he had done that played into Dumbledore's hands; but then again, that was probably exactly what he had wanted. Vowing things would be different, Harry started to plot.