A List of Wonders

"Spells — enchantments," Hagrid replied, unfolding his newspaper as he spoke. "They say there's dragons guardin' the high security vaults. And then yeh gotta find yer way — Gringotts is hundreds of miles under London, see. Deep under the Underground. Yeh'd die of hunger tryin' ter get out, even if yeh did manage ter get yer hands on summat."

Both of us sat in silence as Hagrid read, we had both learned from Uncle Vernon not to interrupt someone when there reading the paper. I sat and watched the clouds as we passed. I could tell Harry's really wanted to keep asking more questions, I did as well. But I figured all the books I would purchase today would answer everything I wanted answered.

"Ministry o' Magic messin' things up as usual," I heard Hagrid mutter as he turned the page.

"There's a Ministry of Magic?" Harry asked quickly. I turned back to Hagrid curiously listening.

"'Course," said Hagrid. "They wanted Dumbledore fer Minister, o' course, but he'd never leave Hogwarts, so old Cornelius Fudge got the job. Bungler if ever there was one. So he pelts Dumbledore with owls every morning, askin' fer advice."

"But what does a Ministry of Magic do?" Harry again asked.

"Well, their main job is to keep it from the Muggles that there's still witches an' wizards up an' down the country." Hagrid answered.

"Why?" Harry continued his question spree.

"Why? Blimey, Harry, everyone'd be wantin' magic solutions to their problems. Nah, we're best left alone." Hagrid replied.

The boat made it to sure as we all stepped out and made our way onto the street.

People stared at Hagrid as we walked through a small town to the train station. Being that he was easily twice as tall as anyone else, and he kept pointing at normal objects like parking meters and saying loudly. " "See that, Sarah, Harry? Things these Muggles dream up, eh?"

"Hagrid, we've lived in the muggle world our whole life." I replied holding in a laugh.

"Ah, yer right. I guess ther not a big deal for yer." He replied.

Harry and me both would have to sometimes run to keep up with Hagrid, whose massive steps were hard to keep up with. Harry had just sprinted back up and was panting when he spoke...

"Hagrid, did you say there are dragons at Gringotts?" Harry asked.

"Well, so they say," replied Hagrid. "Crikey, I'd like a dragon."

"You'd like one?" Harry asked bewildered.

"That sound very dangerous sir." I added.

"Wanted one ever since I was a kid — here we go." Hagrid replied, clearly not worried about the dangers. I just shook my head as made our way inside the train station. Hagrid didn't know how "muggle money" worked so he handed it to me and Harry to buy the tickets.

More people stared at Hagrid, who took up two seats and had started to knit what looked like a a canary-yellow circus tent.

"Still got yer letters?" he asked as us as counted stitches.

We both got our lists out of our pockets.

"Good," Hagrid replied. "There's a list there of everything yeh need."

I unfolded the piece of paper as did Harry. And I began to read through the list with great interest.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)

2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

COURSE BOOKS

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)by Miranda Goshawk

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot

Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling

A Beginners' Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set of glass or crystal phials

1 telescope set

1 brass scales

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS

My eyes wandered to the book section. So many books to read, I was beaming with excitement. Not only the books though, everything on the list made my excitement level bounce. New clothes, items to conduct experiments...a wand.

"Can we buy all this in London?" Harry asked breaking the silence.

"If yeh know where to go," Hagrid replied.

Neither I or Harry had ever been to London, and though Hagrid knew where he was going, it was clear this was not his usual root. He got stuck at a ticket barrier on his way to the underground, and complained that seats on the train were to small.

"I don't know how the Muggles manage without magic," Hagrid told us as we made our way up a broken escalator to the street above.

The street was crowded but Hagrid easily cleared the way with his size. I looked around and took in the sights of downtown London. There were restaurants, movie theaters, bowling ally's, but no where did I see a magical book store...

"This is it," said Hagrid, as he came to a halt, "the Leaky Cauldron. It's a famous place."

Hagrid pointed to a tiny looking pub, the way the Muggles raced past it seemed to indicate they couldn't see it. Hagrid ushered us inside. It was dark and shabby, and I was surprised it was supposedly famous. Some old ladies where sitting in the corner, one was smoking a long pipe. A little man in a top hat was talking to the bald bartender. As we walked in the small amount of talking stopped.

"The usual, Hagrid?" The bartender asked as he saw Hagrid.

"Can't, Tom, I'm on Hogwarts business," said Hagrid, clapping his great hand on Harry and mine shoulders, making our knees buckle.

"Good Lord," said the bartender while peering at us, "is this — can this be —?"

The whole room was completely silent.

"Bless my soul," whispered the old bartender, "The Potters… what an honor."

He hurried out from behind the bar, rushed toward Harry and seized his hand, tears in his eyes.

"Welcome back, Mr. Potter, welcome back." He then turned to me. "And you to Miss Potter, welcome back."

....

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