Chapter 58 - Shopping
Even if it wasn't their first time in Diagon Alley, Harry and Dudley looked as though it was. Their eyes were wide, bright, and full of that hungry curiosity only children could have. The last time they had been here was years ago, back when they were smaller and too overwhelmed to understand half the things they saw. But now? Now it was their time to shop, their turn to choose things that would be theirs, things meant for Hogwarts.
I asked, "Where first? Robes? Books?"
But Hagrid shook his head. "No, no. First things first, Gringotts. Best get the gold sorted before yeh start spendin'. Come on, all o' yeh."
So Gringotts it was.
The bright marble building gleamed in the sunlight, looking just as grand and imposing as always. The goblin at the door bowed as we entered. Behind the counters, dozens more goblins sat on high stools, writing on long scrolls, weighing coins, and examining jewels with sharp, clever eyes.
The moment we stepped in, a few goblins nodded slightly at us. It was recognition and respect. But not a word more. Goblins never said more in public than needed, especially in front of strangers.
Hagrid produced a small golden key from his pocket. "Harry Potter's vault," he said gruffly.
He patted his massive pocket, making a solid clunk sound from inside. "Got a letter from Professor Dumbledore, I have. Instructions. Very important business. Gave it ter me special."
Hagrid then showed the goblin escort a sealed parchment with Dumbledore's handwriting on top. The goblin inspected it sharply, his thin eyes narrowing, then gave one curt nod
The goblin then examined the key with long, thin fingers, then nodded. "Very well. Follow me."
Harry looked nervous and excited at the same time. Dudley kept close to him, eyes darting from goblin to goblin like he half-expected one to jump at him.
We followed the goblin down a sloping passage and climbed into one of the carts. Harry and Dudley immediately grabbed the sides. Hagrid squeezed himself inside with some difficulty.
The cart shot forward.
Dudley let out a noise that might have been a scream or a laugh. Harry's hair was blown straight back. Even I felt my stomach jump. The tunnels twisted, dipped, and sped past, lit only by torchlight and the occasional glint of something unknown.
Hagrid muttered, "I always forget how fast these things go…"
The goblin beside us didn't react at all.
We stopped at Vault 687, Harry's vault.
The goblin touched the key to the lock. With a click and a long rumbling sound, the door swung upward.
Harry stepped inside first. The moment his eyes fell on the piles of gold, silver, and bronze, he froze.
Not like a boy seeing treasure.
More like a boy feeling something loosen inside his chest.
He swallowed hard. "They… They really left all this for me?"
I touched his shoulder. "They loved you. Of course they did."
Harry nodded, eyes damp, blinking fast. He took the small pouch Hagrid offered and filled it with a handful of coins. Not too much. Harry never took more than he needed.
Once Harry stepped out, the goblin locked the vault with a heavy clang.
"Next," the goblin said curtly.
"Right," Hagrid said. "Down ter the lower vaults fer Hogwarts business."
Dudley's eyebrows shot up. "Lower vaults? Even lower than this?"
"Aye," Hagrid said, puffing his chest a bit. "Very secret stuff."
He didn't say more, but his tone matched perfectly what he said in canon.
"Can't tell yeh what's in there. Hogwarts business. Dumbledore's business. Top-secret."
The cart plunged deeper than before, faster than before. Dudley yelped. Harry clung to the side. Even Hagrid made a choking noise.
When we stopped at the next vault, the air felt colder.
The goblin approached the door, but this time he didn't use a key. Instead, he placed one long finger along the metal and whispered something in Gobbledegook. The lock slid open by itself.
Inside was only a small package wrapped in brown paper.
I knew what it was. But I stayed silent.
Hagrid lifted it with surprising care. "Right," he said. "Tha's that. Best not mention this ter anyone."
Dudley nodded quickly. Harry did too. Even I felt his seriousness for it.
Back in the cart we went, zooming upward through twisting tunnels until daylight finally appeared.
When we stepped back inside the main hall, Hagrid let out a dramatic sigh. "Blimey. Never been so glad ter stand on solid ground."
Harry and Dudley agreed.
With coins now ready, we headed into the alley. First stop, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
The shop looked exactly the same with soft purple fabrics, floating measuring tapes, pins hovering like tiny silver insects.
Madam Malkin herself bustled forward with that same warm, businesslike smile she had in the canon. "Hogwarts, dear?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am," Harry said politely.
"And your brother too?" she asked, glancing at Dudley.
"Yes," Dudley murmured.
"Wonderful! Just stand here, both of you. Arms straight down. I'll have you fitted in no time."
Two younger witches, assistants in soft peach-coloured robes, came to help. Measuring tapes sprang to life, taking shoulder lengths, waist sizes, and sleeve lengths. Harry giggled when the tape tickled his chin. Dudley stiffened like a statue, trying not to move an inch.
Madam Malkin laughed gently. "Relax, dear. It won't bite."
Dudley relaxed a little, cheeks red.
I stood nearby, helping hold a robe or two, making small jokes to keep the boys calm. Hagrid sat in the biggest chair he could find, though it still creaked.
Madam Malkin pinned a hem, humming. "Oh, you two will grow tall, I can tell. Might as well leave a little extra space in the sleeves."
Harry asked, "Does everyone get these black robes?"
"Of course," she said. "Standard Hogwarts issue. Finest material. Charm-resistant, tear-resistant. Well, mostly tear-resistant."
Hagrid chuckled. "Depends who sits near yeh in class."
Once the robes were sorted, we stepped back into the sunlit street and went toward Flourish and Blotts.
Harry pressed his face to the glass. Dudley too. Books stacked to the ceiling, glittering titles, spell books, history books, enchanted books that shivered or whispered.
"Right then," Hagrid said. "Let's get yer lists."
Inside, the boys gathered books with serious attention, choosing new quills, parchment, and ink. Dudley nearly dropped a stack when one book growled at him. Harry laughed.
Afterwards came equipment. Cauldrons, scales, potion kits, and all the small things that made a Hogwarts first-year feel real.
When we finally stepped back onto the alley with full bags and tired feet, the boys looked satisfied, glowing and happy.
Hagrid wiped his forehead with the back of his huge hand and said he had one more thing to take care of. "Arthur, yeh look after the lads for a bit. I'll be back soon. Got a little surprise ter fetch."
He gave me a wink that was far too obvious to be subtle, then turned and pushed his way through the busy street, moving faster than I expected for someone his size.
I nodded. "All right. Come on, you two. We still have one of the most important shops left."
Harry and Dudley were both holding their new trunks. These trunks were much lighter and spacious than they looked, thanks to the special spells and protective spells that I had made sure to ask from the shopkeeper. They had already tested the space inside with loud amazement, climbing in and out as if it were some kind of magical cave.
Their new robes from Madam Malkin were neatly folded inside, charmed to grow with them for at least two years. I had asked Madam to arrange for the best material and charms to be used, but in such a way that it would not be noticeable.
We finally stopped in front of the narrow, quiet building with the peeling gold letters.
OLLIVANDERS: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.
I pushed the door open slowly and called, "Come in, Harry, Dudley."
A soft bell chimed overhead as the boys stepped inside, their eyes wide with wonder at the stacks of thin wand boxes that stretched all the way up to the ceiling.
End of Chapter 58 - Shopping