The Other Potter.

4. The Journey Begins.

It's morning, and Rubeus Hagrid is taking Harry and me to London. Harry is looking around in amazement while I examine the letter listing all the things we need for school.

"All students must be equipped with one standard size two pewter cauldron, and they may bring, if they desire, either an owl, a cat, or a toad," I read aloud. Then I turn to Hagrid and ask, "Can we find all this in London?"

"If you know where to go," Hagrid replies with a smile.

We arrive at what looks like an ordinary bar. Hagrid opens the door for us, and we step inside. The place is bustling with noise and laughter, and the people look quite odd, dressed in strange clothes.

The man behind the bar greets Hagrid, "Ah, Hagrid! The usual, I presume?"

"No thanks, Tom. I'm on Hogwarts business," Hagrid replies. "These young ones need their school supplies." He gestures to us.

Tom's eyes widen in recognition. "Bless my soul, it's Rose and Harry Potter!" The room falls silent as everyone turns to look at us. An old man approaches Harry and shakes his hand, saying, "Welcome back, Mr. Potter. Welcome back."

Hagrid nudges us forward, and a woman bends down to our level. "Doris Crockford, Mrs. and Mr. Potter. I can't believe I'm meeting you two at last!" she exclaims, shaking our hands.

Then, a man approaches us with a stutter, "R-Rose and Harry... P-Potter... C-can't tell how p-pleased I am t-to meet you."

"Hello, Professor," Hagrid says. "Rose and Harry, this is Professor Quirrell. He will be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts."

Harry and I both say, "Nice to meet you," and extend our hands. Professor Quirrell pulls back nervously. "V-very fascinating subject... N-not t-that you need it, Potters."

Hagrid clears his throat. "Alright, we must be going. Lots to buy." We say our goodbyes and follow Hagrid.

"See, Rose and Harry, you're both famous," Hagrid says.

"But why are we famous, Hagrid?" Harry asks. I glance at him, signaling that he should address Hagrid respectfully. Hagrid notices and says, "Don't worry, Rose. It's alright. You can call me Hagrid."

"Okay, Hagrid," I say, smiling. He nods and turns to Harry, "Go on, what were you saying?"

"Why are we famous, Hagrid? How do all these people know who we are?" Harry asks again.

"Not sure I'm the right person to tell you that, Harry and Rose," Hagrid says. He taps a brick wall with his umbrella, and to our amazement, the bricks shift and open to reveal a bustling street.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley," Hagrid announces.

We walk down the street, marveling at the sights. "Here's where you'll get your quills and ink, and over there, all your bits and bobs for doing your wizardry," Hagrid points out.

Seeing all the magical items and creatures fascinates us. We pass a shop window displaying a broomstick, and children are admiring it with awe. Harry and I share the same excited expressions.

I suddenly remember our financial situation. "Hagrid, how are we to pay for all this? We haven't any money."

"There's your money, Rose and Harry, in Gringotts, the wizarding bank. Take no safer place, except perhaps for Hogwarts," Hagrid explains, pointing to a grand building labeled "GRINGOTTS BANK."

Inside Gringotts, we see goblins working diligently. "What exactly are these things?" Harry asks.

"They're goblins, clever as they come. Not the friendliest, though, so stay close," Hagrid advises.

Hagrid approaches a goblin. "Mr. Harry Potter and Miss Rose Potter wish to make a withdrawal."

"Do they have their keys?" the goblin asks.

Hagrid fumbles around and finds our keys. "Got them here somewhere. Ah, here they are," he says, handing them over. He also presents a letter from Professor Dumbledore. "Professor Dumbledore gave me this," Hagrid adds.

The goblin inspects the letter and nods, leading us to a cart. We climb in, and the goblin operates the controls.

We stop at vault 687. "Lamp, please," the goblin says. Hagrid hands over the lamp and retrieves our keys. The goblin inserts the keys into two different keyholes, and the vault opens to reveal mountains of gold.

"Didn't think your parents would leave you with nothing, did you?" Hagrid says with a smile.

We take some gold and pocket it before moving to the next vault.

"Vault 713," the goblin announces.

"What's in there, Hagrid?" Harry asks.

"Can't tell you, Harry. Hogwarts business. Very secret," Hagrid replies.

The goblin opens the vault, revealing only a small package. "Let's keep this between us," Hagrid says, tucking the package into his coat.

Back outside, we continue our shopping. After visiting several shops, I check the letter again. "We still need our wands."

"Ollivanders is the place for that. Why don't you two run along there and wait? I just have a couple of things to do. Won't be long," Hagrid instructs us.

We find Ollivanders and walk in, placing our other items on a shelf by the door. I call out, "Hello? Hello?"

A man appears from a ladder, surprising us. "I wondered when I'd be seeing you two, Mr. and Miss Potter," he says.

He examines us thoughtfully. "It seems only yesterday your parents were here buying their first wands."

He hands us each a wand to try, but our attempts result in drawers flying out. "Not quite," he says, placing the wands back.

After several attempts, he finally hands us wands that seem to react perfectly to our touch, causing a rush of wind and light. "Curious... very curious," he mutters.

"Sorry, but what's curious?" we ask.

"I remember every wand I've ever sold. The phoenix whose tail feathers reside in your wands gave another feather—just one other. It's curious that you two should be destined for these wands when its brother gave you those scars," he explains.

"Who owned the other wand?" we ask.

"Oh, we don't speak his name. The wand chooses the wizard and witch, Mr. and Miss Potter. It's not always clear why, but I think it's clear we can expect great things from you both. After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things—terrible, but great."

We hear a knock on the window and see Hagrid with two owl cages, one white and one black. "Rose and Harry, happy birthday!" he calls.

We leave Ollivanders, Hagrid hands us the owls, and he takes us back to the Dursleys. Before he leaves, he gives us tickets for the train. "Platform nine and three-quarters,"

A/N: in the next chapter is when Rose and Harry goes on to the train and when they get sorted into their houses.