Harry's eyes snapped open as he heard the thumping of the front door. Hopping off the couch, he strode to the door, opening it to a sight he'd only imagined in his previous life.
Rubeus Hagrid stood at nearly eight feet tall, his hulking body almost filling the doorway, as he smiled.
"Ello Harry! I'm Hagrid, Professor Dumbledore sent me to help you."
Looking up, Harry's expression remained carefully neutral at the mention of Dumbledore. "Hello sir, thank you for coming. I'm ready to leave now," he said, before pushing forward and closing the door behind himself.
"Err, shouldn't your relatives be here?" Hagrid said, scratching his chin.
Harry shook his head in denial.
The Dursleys had made an escape in the middle of the night, leaving a piece of paper stating they would be back when the 'freak' had left.
He explained that the family was on a 'work trip' and would return that night. Hagrid seemed content with that answer, as he directed the duo out of Surrey and into the heart of London. Though such a large man drew glances, people quickly moved past the sight.
Soon, they arrived outside the Leaky Cauldron, Hagrid smiling widely as he watched Harry feign excitement—a well-placed facade.
"This be the entrance to Diagon Alley, the shopping district for all of your school needs." Pushing the door open, Hagrid quickly ushered him inside, then spoke quietly to Tom. Fortunately, due to their early arrival, the pub was nearly empty, and no one noticed Harry.
Harry couldn't help but shake his head as Hagrid led him through the alley, pointing out the 'best' places to buy things, all while extolling Dumbledore's virtues.
Walking up the steps of Gringotts, Harry noticed that the guards were subtly nodding in his direction. 'Must be because they know I'm Ragnok's client; they're a little more respectful,' he mused.
Walking to the teller, Hagrid coughed lightly in an attempt to draw their attention.
"How may Gringotts help you today?" The teller said, his voice sounding slightly annoyed.
"We're here to access Harry Potter's vault," Hagrid said as he gestured down. "And a bit of Hogwarts business, in the vault you know which." He said, sliding a note forward.
The teller nodded, then cast a subtle glance at Harry. "And does Mr. Potter have his vault key?" he asked.
Hagrid paused momentarily, before patting his pocket and pulling it out. "Got it here! Headmaster handed it to me earlier this morning," he spoke.
The Goblin stilled his hand, before reaching for the key. "Pray tell, Mr. Hagrid. Why does the headmaster of Hogwarts hold the personal key of Mr. Potter? I'm sure you understand our client policies." His voice was grave for a moment.
Hagrid's mouth fell open, before he spoke. "I dunno. Headmaster is a great man, I'm sure he was holding it for young Harry for safe keepin'."
The teller merely grunted, before hopping off his platform and handing the key to Harry. "I'm sure he was. But alas, this key is Mr. Potter's, and you should notify the headmaster he is barred from holding it any longer. If anyone is found trying to gain access to Mr. Potter's vaults, we will know, and they will be severely punished."
Harry couldn't suppress a grin, before pocketing the key. 'Ragnok must have let the tellers know; this would have been his subtle way of getting my key back.'
Harry quickly followed the teller, leaving a gaping Hagrid at the desk. Though he felt a slight pang of pity for the half-giant, he knew he couldn't trust anyone so devoted to Dumbledore.
Thirty minutes later, Hagrid and Harry left Gringotts, one happy, while the other was lost in thought.
Hagrid quickly pointed out Ollivanders, then asked to meet Harry a little later, as he wanted to stop at the pub. Harry happily agreed, before leaving his chaperone and moving towards the wand shop.
'Even though I don't need a new wand, as Morgana's one is a perfect match, having a secondary wouldn't hurt.'
Opening the door, Harry heard the soft jingle of the bell above, before turning to face the inside of the store. There stood what seemed to be a gaunt, aged man, a cheapened look-alike of Albert Einstein.
"Ah, I was wondering when I would see you, Mr. Potter," Ollivander spoke, as he stared at Harry.
"Good morning, sir. I'm here to pick up my wand."
Ollivander quickly nodded, before a tape measure shot out and began taking Harry's measurements. Slightly startled, Harry watched the tape in curiosity. "Every wand is uniquely created. No two wands are the same, as each core and wood are slightly different from the next. What is your main hand?"
"I'm ambidextrous," Harry spoke.
Ollivander nodded, before disappearing into the store. Minutes later, he arrived with three boxes. Placing them down, he nodded for Harry to go ahead and test them.
Picking up the first, Harry frowned slightly as the wand felt dead in his hand. Waving it felt unnecessary; he simply placed it down. "Not that, sir. It feels like a piece of wood in my hand. No life at all."
Ollivander muttered to himself, then gestured for the next.
Harry continued fiddling with the wands but placed them back down, shaking his head.
Ollivander picked them back up, before stopping. "I wonder," he said, before disappearing once again.
Harry sighed at how 'staged' the whole interaction seemed. 'It's not like previous Harry would know any better, and I'm aware the wand make will snitch to Dumbledore,' he thought.
The thud of the wand box resonated, pulling Harry's focus back to the present. Noticing the eager look on the man's face, Harry picked up the wand and waved it slightly.
'The connection is nearly the same as the other wands. Even the canon Holly and Phoenix wand isn't perfect for me. It must be trying to latch onto the scar and form a tentative connection. Hopefully, Ollivander has more choices.'
"Incredible! What a strong connection," Ollivander said, clapping his hands. Harry stood frozen, confused at the man's words. The wand had little to no connection, but the man stated otherwise.
"Curious..." Ollivander mumbled. "The wand you're holding has a brother wand, their cores sharing a feather each from the same Phoenix. I say curious, as the brother wand was the one that gave you that scar, Mr. Potter."
'What the fuckin' bullshit is this? It's all planned, even the wand. He's a wand crafter, and he's lying about the connection!' Harry fumed mentally, as he watched the man tally the purchase. His mind raced through reasons, until he came to the same conclusion. 'Albus Bloody Dumbledore. Either he's done something to the man, or they're in cahoots.' Shaking his head, Harry paid the seven-galleon fee, before exiting the store.
He quickly purchased his schoolbooks for the year, before meeting Hagrid once more. Something felt different from canon, though. There was no owl in Hagrid's hand, meaning he hadn't purchased Hedwig.
'The bank situations must have messed up his thoughts, and he simply needed a break. Though, I'm not sure the owl and I would even have a connection anymore. I seem to have changed too much, with my soul merging into the body.'
Moving past the initial shock, Harry simply listened to Hagrid speak.
"Err, Harry. I'll be needin' to head back to Hogwarts. The headmaster will be waiting on his package. You'll be fine getting home?" Hagrid asked.
Harry nodded, happy that he was done shopping. He'd be coming back tomorrow to make his real purchases. "Sure Hagrid, thank you for helping me today. I truly appreciate it." He smiled kindly, ensuring that if Dumbledore attempted to read the half-giant's mind, nothing would seem amiss.
Hagrid patted his shoulder, before turning and leaving.
'Finally, I'm done with this shit. Time to train my Occlumency.'