Chapter 33: Professor’s Surprise and a Trip to Diagon Alley

Professor Minerva McGonagall was not easily surprised. She had seen generations of young witches and wizards enter Hogwarts, and she had personally delivered dozens of letters to Muggle-born students over the years. However, as she sat in her office, sipping her morning tea, she nearly dropped her cup when she read the letter that had arrived via an official Hogwarts owl.

"Heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter?" she murmured, rereading the words carefully. "Family vaults? Potter key?"

She knew that the Potter family was well-respected, but James Potter had never particularly concerned himself with noble traditions. And Lily Potter, despite her brilliance, had been Muggle-born and would not have placed much weight on such old wizarding customs.

Setting the letter down, McGonagall adjusted her glasses and sighed.

"Albus will want to know about this."

However, she hesitated. While the headmaster always had his reasons, there was something about the formality of Harry's letter that made her feel he was more independent than expected. A part of her—one that had always questioned the way he was left with Muggles—felt a strange sense of pride.

"I'll handle this personally."

A Trip to Diagon Alley

Meanwhile, in Surrey, Harry had received no immediate response to his letter, but he wasn't waiting around. With the knowledge of his acceptance, it was time to complete his preparations.

"Timmy, we're going to Diagon Alley," Harry called out, adjusting his casual robes.

With a small pop, the excitable Potter family elf appeared. "Young Master wants Timmy to take him there? Right away!"

Dudley looked up from the table where he was sketching. "You sure you don't need company?" he asked, only half-joking.

Harry chuckled. "You'd just get distracted by the magical sweets."

Dudley had the decency to look sheepish but grinned nonetheless. "Bring me back something cool, then."

Petunia walked in, smoothing her dress. "Just be careful," she said, her voice softer than it used to be when talking about magic.

With a reassuring nod, Harry took Timmy's outstretched hand, and with a pop, they disappeared.

Diagon Alley: Shopping for School Supplies

Appearing in the bustling heart of the wizarding world, Harry took a deep breath. The familiar sight of Diagon Alley never failed to amaze him—the moving shop signs, the cauldrons stacked outside apothecaries, the occasional owl swooping down with deliveries.

"Alright, let's get this done," Harry muttered.

First, he stopped by Flourish and Blotts to purchase the books on his list, adding a few extras that caught his attention—an advanced text on transfiguration and an old, dusty book about wandless magic that seemed interesting.

Then, it was onto Madam Malkin's for his school robes, where he was fitted alongside a pale, arrogant-looking boy who introduced himself as Draco Malfoy. Their conversation was brief but civil, with Harry subtly reading the boy's emotions using his Phoenix Force.

From there, he visited the Apothecary, purchasing potion ingredients and supplies while making mental notes of ingredients useful for alchemy experiments.

After picking up his standard cauldron, telescope, and parchment supplies, Harry stood in front of Ollivanders, the famous wand shop. He hesitated.

"I've done so much without a wand… but still, it's a necessary tool in this world."

Taking a breath, he pushed open the door, ready for what was to come.