After coming out of Gringotts, Hagrid suggested taking Harry to buy the items on the list attached to his acceptance letter.
As they passed a sweet shop, Hagrid bought two ice creams, giving Harry the one with raspberry chocolate sauce. The two of them chatted as they walked to Madam Mogin's Robe Shop.
Mrs. Mogin was a plump, kind witch, her smile very amiable. Seeing Harry, she warmly invited him into the shop.
Harry quickly finished his ice cream and followed Mrs. Mogin into the shop.
"Dear, you're also here to buy Hogwarts uniforms, right? To be honest, we have a lot of styles here and can even customize clothing according to your needs." Mrs. Mogin introduced to Harry: "Oh right, there's already a little witch trying on clothes inside. I think you two will get along."
Following the direction Mrs. Mogin pointed, Harry saw a little girl with bushy hair. She was standing on a stool while a witch was pinning her robe.
Mrs. Mogin let Harry stand next to the little girl. Harry walked over just in time to see the little girl turn around.
"Oh, are you a new student at Hogwarts too?" The little girl looked up, a sense of pride in her expression—a pride different from Cassandra's, which stemmed from her noble lineage. This little girl reminded Harry of the top student in his class at Muggle School.
It was a pride of an academic achiever.
Only... those two large front teeth reminded Harry of the dormouse in Hagrid's pocket.
"Yes." Harry smiled slightly.
Hermione also noticed Harry's attire, not the fact that his clothes were a bit worn-out, but rather—a typical Muggle outfit.
When she came to Diagon Alley, Hermione had observed that most young wizards usually didn't dress like Muggles.
"Are you also from a Muggle family?" Hermione's tone carried warmth.
Harry replied, "Sort of."
Hermione showed a look of understanding.
"Hermione Granger," she extended her hand, "Nice to meet you."
"Harry, Harry Potter." Harry also extended his hand to shake Hermione's.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing Harry's name, Hermione's expression became immediately surprised.
"Oh my gosh, is it really you?" she asked. "I know all about you, of course. I bought a few extra reference books for leisure reading: 'Modern Magic History', 'Rise and Fall of Black Magic', and 'Important Magical Events of the Twentieth Century.' Your name is prominently mentioned in these books."
Leisure reading?
Harry thought, this Miss Granger, maybe... probably... wasn't on the same wavelength as him.
Typical Ravenclaw behavior.
"A famous person like you should be living in the Magic World, shouldn't you? Why did you deceive me by saying you're from a Muggle family?" Hermione suddenly furrowed her brows.
"You know, my parents were taken by Voldemort when I was very young..." Harry said quietly, "So I grew up at my aunt's house and only recently found out about magic."
"Oh, I'm sorry." Hermione bit her lip, apologizing to Harry. "I'm really sorry."
"It's alright." Harry smiled. "After all, you didn't know about it—"
"Miss Granger?"
A stern voice sounded, and Harry followed it to see a witch in a dark green robe wearing glasses.
"Professor McGonagall!" Hermione exclaimed joyfully, seeming to be very fond of this witch.
Professor McGonagall smiled at Hermione and then turned to Harry, meeting those emerald green eyes.
"Is this... Mr. Potter?"
"Hello, Professor McGonagall." Harry saluted Professor McGonagall gentlemanly.
Professor McGonagall nodded slightly, a trace of nostalgia in her eyes.
This child...
I think he resembles Lily, Professor McGonagall thought happily.
Just then, Mrs. Mogin also came over.
"If you don't mind, ladies, and this gentleman," Mrs. Mogin looked at Harry, "I'm going to start measuring sizes now."
"Then I'll see you later, Harry." Hermione said to Harry, "See you at school."
"See you at school." Harry nodded as well, "Goodbye, Professor."
After the fitting, Harry followed Hagrid around Diagon Alley, buying everything on the school supply list.
Finally, the two stopped in front of the Magic Wand Shop.
"Olivander's: Fine wands since 382 B.C."
Harry looked up, reading the words on the peeling golden sign.
"Very old, isn't it?" Hagrid patted Harry's shoulder. "You know, when I went to school, I also bought my wand here—actually, almost all Hogwarts students buy their wands here."
Harry nodded in agreement, as indeed a century ago, he too bought a wand here.
The owner at that time was Gifan Olivander, a bit eccentric.
Holly wood, Phoenix feather core, eleven inches.
It was just... he wondered where the wand he used a century ago was now.
Harry felt that it was necessary to search for his old friend.
The shop was tiny, with only a long bench and nothing else.
Hagrid told Harry he needed to go out for a bit, then left Harry alone in the Magic Wand Shop to wait.
It wasn't long before a gentle voice sounded beside Harry's ear.
"Good afternoon."
"Hello." Harry turned around, an old man stood before him.
If he guessed right, the old man in front of him should be Gifan Olivander's son.
"Yes, yes, yes." Olivander nodded repeatedly, "I knew I'd see you soon, Harry Potter. Your eyes are just like your mother's. When she came here to buy her first wand, it felt like it was only yesterday—ten and a quarter inches long, made of willow, made a swishing sound when wielded, a good wand."
"And your father was different," Olivander continued, "Rosewood, eleven inches, pliable, and very powerful, excellent for Transformation Spell. Your father loved it—although, of course, the wand chooses its wizard."
Saying this, Olivander leaned in close to Harry, very near.
"Your scar…" He reached out and brushed Harry's bangs aside, revealing the lightning-shaped scar. "Sorry, it was a wand I sold that did it, thirteen and a half inches, made of purple fir wood with a phoenix feather, very powerful, yet fell into evil hands."
Harry subtly stepped back, creating distance with the boundary-less Mr. Olivander.
"I forgive you," he said.