Harry Potter and the Way of Things

Chapter 7 Part 1 - Leaky Cauldron

AN - Hi everyone, a bit of a problem.  I am defying literal orders to do this. So Raven (The original author) Sent me this message today at 3:11 PM PST (6:11 PM EST)

First of all, let me say I'm really sorry. I've been having multiple crisis' and I've haven't had the time, inclination, or ability to write anything for anyone. Except to-do lists

I think you understand why it's been so long since we 'met' and wrote. I did write a huge reply and just started doing this. So, maybe you have to wait some time before the next part but hopefully the crises''''''''' will be done soon and all will be good
So here you go, the first part of chapter seven. Part bcs currently ch7 is over 4k words and still a little is in progress. 
This will be a LONG shopping trip

Till next time - Anony

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Harry entered the Leaky Cauldron with a spring in his step. He passed patrons as he walked directly up to the bar. He greeted the bartender with a friendly, "Hello Tom, lovely to see you again", as he sat down on one of the stools surrounding the bar. Harry gave him a sly smile, conveying that it was appropriate to use his full name. Harry and Tom had had a short chat when Harry was leaving the alley for the first time. He had told Tom that the next time he saw him, he would be 11, entering the wizarding world officially. Harry had asked to be treated like an old friend, giving the appearance that he frequented the Alley.

"Ah, Harry Potter, a pleasure as always. And how are you today, young man?" At this point, the pub had gone silent, and all eyes were on them."I'm doing well; thank you for asking."

As soon as the bartender turned away from Harry, and it was obvious their discussion was over, most of the people in the bar lurched forward, as if they had been suddenly unpetrified. The introductions had already started falling from peoples lips. People stood and from all directions there was a mad rush to get to Harry. The greetings and thanks repeated over and over from all around.

Just as the first adoring fingers grazed his hand to shake it, a voice much louder than the rest spoke up, "Excuse me!", lots of eyes turned in the direction on the voice, including Harry's. His eyes landed on a Scottish (judging by her accent) witch. She was not young, but she didn't look old, in the classic sense.

"Were you all about to mob Mr. Potter here?" a shamefully sounding emphasis was placed on the word 'mob'.

"I know a good deal many of you from your time at Hogwarts, and I can honestly say this" at this point all eyes were either on her or looking sullenly at the ground. " I had thought better of each and every one of you", her voice was only a whisper in a crowded, but quiet bar.

"Mr Potter, I think you should come with me" it didn't sound like a request.

"Yes ma'am."

Harry didn't know her name, but he already had a great deal of respect from the older, stern looking Scottish witch. Harry followed the witch out of the pub and into the courtyard. Much like the last time he had been here, a moment after he stepped through, the person he was following whirled around to face him.

"Mr Potter, would you mind explaining why you are here without your guardian?"

"My guardian, ma'am? That's a joke, right?" Harry said, perhaps a little too hopefully.

"I assure you Mr Potter, I do not make jokes" the witch said, with a glare meant to intimidate.

"With all do respect ma'am, you don't really expect me to explain myself to someone who has not even introduced themselves?" The witch looked taken aback, whether at his tone or his question, he did not know.

The witch seemed to collect herself and spoke in a rather softer, less demanding tone.

"I apologize Mr Potter, you are right of course. Telling your business to a virtual stranger is indeed foolish. My name is Minerva McGonagall. I am the Transfiguration Professor and the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts.

"Oh, well in that case, Hello Professor, it's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to see you as well, Mr Potter. Back to the subject at hand, you shouldn't be here without either your guardian or a teacher escort. As I am almost finished with my business, I shall escort you through-"

She was immediately cut off by Harry."Professor? As much as I appreciate the gesture, I have to decline. I already know my way around the Alley, and I'd rather not waste both of our time by pretending that I don't."

Harry was lying through his teeth. He had been to Diagon Alley once before, but only to visit Gringotts. He had seriously considered doing some shopping then, however, he had been uneducated as far as the culture went and hadn't wanted to make a fool of himself with his inexperience.

His plans for the day would be greatly inhibited if there was a teacher watching his every move.

"I'm afraid I cannot allow that Mr. Potter. No eleven-year-old should be wandering the Alley alone."

" Be that as it may, though I am only eleven I am completely capable of finding everything on my shopping list. I have this planned as an all day event, and I'm sure you have other things to do today. My guardian will not be here to pick me up until well after five pm.

"I do not think so Mr. Potter. You are famous in this world and, similar to what happened in the Leaky Cauldron, will happen here in the Alley, but on a larger scale. I have to be there to... intimidate the mobs."

"Famous how?" Harry asked in a sickly sweet childish tone, but continued before she had a chance to reply.

"Did I create a potion to cure something? Did I create a lifesaving spell?"

"Mr. Potter-"

"No Professor. I am famous because I killed who again? Oh... that's right, I, a one-year-old baby, somehow killed a lunatic that ended up costing my parent's their lives. The wizarding world is happy that the fool, who calls himself 'flight from death' was vanquished, but never cared that two of the best Aurors had sacrificed their lives. Now, they are regarded as nothing but a footnote in the story of my life. The people's 'Hero' lost his parents, And what did he get for his misfortune? He was dropped in front of #4 Privet Drive in a basket on a cold November night. He had no idea about the wizarding world until he found out for himself,"

"Mr Potter, I-"

"Professor, I am not in the mood to placate you right now. I have a rather full day ahead of me. So please, just leave me be. You obviously didn't think I needed help until this point or the school would have sent a teacher, Deputy Headmistress. Like I mentioned before, I have been here, and I know my way. Do whatever it is you came here to do. Goodbye Professor."

Harry turned and walked away. He approached the brick wall on the other side of the courtyard, tapped the correct brick, waited a moment for the bricks to move, and stepped through.

Harry thought about stopping at Gringotts to talk with his account manager, but decided to leave it for another time. After all, he still had the money he took out of his vault during his first visit.  

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Next time -
"Try this Mr. Potter - Holly and Phoenix feather" Mr. Ollivander gave the wand to him. Harry gave it a wave and...