After parting ways with Professor McGonagall's group, Harry snagged a cauldron, quill, parchment, a telescope, a set of crystal vials, his first-year textbooks, and a set of brass scales, all of which he somehow managed to cram into his trunk.
As they passed a Quidditch shop, Harry's eyes practically popped out when he realised the brooms on display could actually fly. He was absolutely fascinated! But Dumbledore, being Dumbledore, kindly but firmly refused his request to buy one, reminding him that first-year students weren't allowed to bring flying brooms to Hogwarts.
Once all the shopping was done, Dumbledore led Harry to the Leaky Cauldron for a bite to eat. Harry watched Dumbledore take a hearty sip of mead, looking utterly content, and couldn't help but ask, "Professor, can I have a sip too?"
Dumbledore, ever the watchful guardian, simply replied, "Harry, you're still a child. However, you can certainly have a Butterbeer."
Tom, the pub owner, handed Harry a frothy, bubbly drink, declaring with absolute certainty that Harry would adore it. But Harry, after just a tiny taste, pushed the Butterbeer aside. It was far too sweet for his liking.
After their meal, Dumbledore announced it was time to take Harry back home. Harry hesitated for a moment, then, summoning a bit of courage, asked, "Professor, could I stay in Diagon Alley until term starts? I noticed the Leaky Cauldron offers rooms."
"Harry, that's your home, after all," Dumbledore said, looking straight into Harry's eyes.
"That's not my home," Harry countered, "I'd much rather stay in the wizarding world." Seeing Dumbledore's disapproving frown, he quickly added, "And I'm quite sure Petunia wouldn't want me back so soon either."
"Alright then, but you must promise me you won't get into any trouble," Dumbledore conceded, his gaze softening as he looked into Harry's green eyes.
With a flick of his wand, Dumbledore conjured a rather peculiar-looking large bird. He whispered, "Harry will be staying in Diagon Alley," and off it flew. Harry figured it must be some sort of magical communication.
"I suggest you prioritise mastering the 'Lumos' charm," Dumbledore advised before leaving. "Don't look at me like that, Harry; I know you'll be practicing magic. If you ever want to go home, just point your wand at the road and cast 'Lumos', and the Knight Bus will appear to take you home – or to King's Cross Station, of course."
As soon as Dumbledore had departed, Harry checked into a room at the Leaky Cauldron and immediately let Hedwig out of his trunk. Lying on the wonderfully soft bed, he pushed all thoughts of Petunia aside, deciding he'd stay right there until term started and then head straight to King's Cross.
The next day, the shop assistant at Flourish and Blotts flat out refused to sell him A Beginner's Guide to Dark Arts Around You. The assistant insisted that only adult witches and wizards could purchase it, even for "the Boy Who Lived." In the end, he only managed to buy Modern Magical History, The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts, Important Magical Events of the Twentieth Century, Pure-Blood Families: A Definitive Guide, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
After a quick flick through the pages, he began to get a clearer picture of the wizarding world. Apparently, the entire wizarding community believed he had defeated Voldemort, which was why everyone called him "the Boy Who Lived."
"The books say Voldemort was the most dangerous Dark wizard of the century. How could a baby possibly defeat him? With a Levitation Charm, perhaps?"
"So Dumbledore is the greatest Light wizard of the century, no wonder everyone respects him. Important Magical Events of the Twentieth Century says he saved the wizarding world twice; he should be called the saviour."
Harry couldn't fathom why the wizarding world believed a baby could defeat Voldemort. He genuinely thought anyone who believed that had a few Knuts loose.
"Unbelievable, there's even class prejudice in the wizarding world! Isn't this just like Muggles with their different races?" Harry tossed the Pure-Blood Families: A Definitive Guide, which had cost him a hefty 20 Galleons, into his trunk, convinced that the author was a blatant bigot.
After lunch, Harry's mind was still on the flying brooms from yesterday, so he dashed back to the Quidditch shop and bought the very latest model – a Nimbus 2000. The shop owner remembered him from the day before and was initially hesitant to sell it since Dumbledore wasn't with him. But when he realised the boy standing before him was Harry Potter, he instantly offered a discount on the broom, on the condition that Harry pose for a photo holding the Nimbus 2000. And just like that, Harry's picture ended up on the shop wall.
The enthusiastic shop owner then taught Harry how to ride the broom. It only took Harry a few tries to get the hang of it. After bidding the owner farewell, Harry couldn't wait and immediately took to the skies on his Nimbus 2000, zooming all over Diagon Alley. He dove and soared, startling passers-by who muttered curses under their breath.
He finally returned to the Leaky Cauldron for dinner, only to find a very stern-faced wizard standing in the pub. Tom, the pub owner, noticed Harry's return and introduced them, "Mr. Potter, this is Mr. John from the Ministry of Magic's Department of Magical Law Enforcement. John, this is Mr. Potter, whom you were looking for."
John nodded at Harry, then began, "Mr. Potter, we've had numerous complaints from shops and pedestrians about your... oh my goodness, you're Harry Potter! Tom didn't tell me Mr. Potter was the Boy Who Lived!"
John suddenly gripped Harry's hand with such excitement that Harry half-expected him to burst into tears. Tom, the pub owner, wore a knowing expression and handed John a drink that looked rather expensive. John downed the drink and immediately calmed down, continuing, "Mr. Potter, please refrain from riding your flying broom in Diagon Alley. Given that this is your first offence, consider this a verbal warning." He then took the bill Tom offered him. "What in Merlin's beard?! This drink costs a Galleon?! You're daylight robbery, Tom!"
After seeing John off, Harry, feeling rather exhausted, took his dinner up to his room, deciding to postpone his magical practice until the next day.
One day in August, Harry, wearing his wizard's hat and enjoying a blueberry jam ice cream from Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, was casually Browse in the Magical Menagerie. Suddenly, he heard someone loudly calling his name. Turning around, he saw a giant standing behind him.
"You must be Harry! Last time I saw yeh, yeh were just a tiny little thing."
"Who are you?" Harry asked.
The giant chuckled, "Rubeus Hagrid. I'm the one who took yeh to yer aunt and uncle's house when yeh were a baby. Dumbledore told me I'd find yeh in Diagon Alley."
"I know you," Harry replied, "I asked Tom about the Hogwarts staff. You're the Keeper of Keys and Grounds."
Hagrid's hand came down on Harry's shoulder with a thud that felt like he'd been hit by a motorbike. "Blimey, I didn't think yeh'd have heard of me! You've got yer father James's good looks, but yer eyes are just like yer mother Lily's."
Harry rubbed his shoulder. "Hagrid, if I can call you that? You're quite strong. So, did Dumbledore give you any instructions for me?"
"Nah, nah, I just came to see yeh. I was supposed to pick yeh up originally, but Dumbledore decided to do it himself at the last minute."
"Alright then, Hagrid, I was just admiring this beautiful Occamy. Care to join me?"
"An Occamy laying eggs!" Hagrid practically squashed his enormous face against the breeding tank, utterly captivated. "Harry, Professor Kettleburn once brought Occamies to Hogwarts; I saw these beauties then, they're truly magnificent."
"They certainly are," Harry agreed, a touch of regret in his voice. "I wanted to get one, but Professor Dumbledore said first-year students aren't allowed to have snakes."
They stood there, watching the Occamy finish laying its eggs, until a shop assistant came over to usher them away. "Sirs, you'll have to leave. Occamies are very aggressive after laying eggs; we need to re-house her." Seeing Hagrid still staring intently, the assistant subtly hinted that the Occamy was not for sale.
As they stepped out of the shop, Hagrid suddenly leaned in conspiratorially. "Harry, fancy seeing some even more beautiful magical creatures? I know just the place."