Harry finished his pie and told Tom to put the money on his room bill. Then he and Hagrid went to the back door and Hagrid held up the pink umbrella, which Harry had wondered about for some time and tipped the stone McGonagall had also used to open the passage.
"Why didn't you use your wand to open the arch?" Harry asked.
"Well, yer know, Harry. I was at Hogwarts meself when I was younger, but I was expelled and me wand snapped." Hagrid said.
"But why were you expelled?" Harry asked.
"Ah, see over there; let's start the tour with the Magical Menagerie." Hagrid deflected the question.
Harry understood that Hagrid didn't want to talk about it, but he would do research to see if he could find out.
.....
Over the next two hours Hagrid showed Harry around Diagon Alley and some of the side alleys where insiders got some pretty neat things. He also showed him where Knockturn Alley started and warned him not to go in there. Pretty dark folks in there, he told Harry. Harry was informed about the clothes shops that were there, Madam Malkin's, the shop where most people shopped and then Twilfitt and Tatting's, a shop that courted the wealthier clientele. Harry would wait and see what he had inherited until he decided on his wardrobe. The appointment with Corpnik would see to him getting that information. He noticed that some people gave him disapproving looks, probably because of his appearance in muggle clothes. Well, they were some people whose faces he would remember. They didn't seem like the people he wanted to be close to.
He intended to get in touch with the higher society that was either light sided or neutral. The dark sided ones he would treat politely but distantly. Perhaps show up a few to make himself look better in the eyes of his peers. Hagrid also took him to Quality for Quidditch, the shop for Quidditch equipment. There was a broom on display that caught quite a few awed comments from children and teenagers that stood in front of the window. Harry asked Hagrid if they could go inside, because he wanted to ask an employee about brooms and which broom would be best for which position. As they didn't have a time limit Hagrid agreed.
Harry went to the counter where two employees, a man and a woman, stood and talked. At the moment there wasn't much business as most families went shopping for Hogwarts in August.
"Hello, I would like some information on brooms." Harry asked politely.
"Of course, what do you want to know?" The male employee asked.
"Well, I would like to know what broom would be best for which position. I've only just learned about the magical world and find Quidditch fascinating. While there is the rule that first-years are not allowed their own brooms, I'd like to be informed. Hagrid said my dad told him I was a natural even as a one year old." Harry said, pointing at Hagrid.
"That's no problem. Well, you know the positions of the players and their jobs?" The employee asked.
"Yes. Keeper, beaters, chasers and seeker." Harry said.
"Correct. Well, the keeper doesn't need a broom with much high speed as he only covers a small area of the field in front of the hoops. Therefore a keeper needs a sturdy broom that has a quick short acceleration. The Cleansweep series has two models for Quidditch. One a bit more graceful for precise manoeuvres and one for the quick but rough work of the keeper. Therefore the best model for keepers at the moment is a Cleansweep 6. The 5er model is better for chasers. That's the graceful one. For beaters, you need brooms that can take a bit of power-play. They have to be fast enough to get the bludgers, but also stable in the air when a beater knocks it in another direction. The Comet 300 is the one that has the best recommendations. For chasers there are some more options. As I said the Cleansweep 5 is well-suited but the Nimbus 2000, which is on display in our shop window, is fantastic for the position as well. It's the fasted model on the market right now. You have the manoeuvrability and the speed in the same broom. Last for a seeker I'd also recommend the Nimbus. A seeker needs to go at high speeds and have good manoeuvrability at the same time." The employee explained.
"Which position did you think about trying out for next year?" He asked.
"Either chaser like my dad was or seeker. I'd have to see if I can shoot goals from a broom. I only know how to do it with my feet." Harry said.
"With your feet?" The employee asked confused.
"I'm muggle raised, even if I'm a halfblood. I played football in my primary school and there you shoot goals with a ball you kick around the field. The goals are broader than a Quidditch hoop though and the teams have eleven players each." Harry explained.
"I see. Well, once you know, you know where you can find whatever broom you prefer." He said.
"I'm sure I will. Thanks for the information." Harry said smiling.
"No problem." The employee said.
Harry walked over to the door where Hagrid was waiting. The shop was a bit cramped for his size.
"And. Did you get your information, Harry?" He asked.
"Yes, the employee was very helpful." Harry said and they left the shop.
The two employees looked at each other.
"Do you think that could have been Harry Potter?" The female asked.
"Don't know. I couldn't see his forehead where the scar would be. But he did look like a lot like James Potter. Unbelievable to think we had Harry Potter in the shop and didn't even recognize him."
.....
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