Bookish Spree

After acquiring a wardrobe suitable for both casual wear and more formal occasions, including high-quality pants, silk dress shirts in a variety of colors, warm coats, and a lighter jacket, Harry made his way to the cauldron shop. There, he selected two pewter cauldrons, one as a spare in case he wanted to brew multiple potions simultaneously.

Although the shop had telescopes on display, Harry decided to purchase one in the Muggle world for better quality. He noted that even the charmed telescopes here were less powerful than a standard student telescope for Muggle students. Despite his previous lack of interest in Astronomy, Harry wanted to equip himself with the best possible tools.

Foregoing a telescope with electric features to avoid interference with Hogwarts magic, Harry also obtained a set of brass scales. Moving on to a shop selling parchment, ink, and quills, he sought advice on the lifespan of quills and the amount of parchment and ink an average student needed over a year. Armed with this knowledge, he purchased two packages of parchment, six bottles of ink (including a color-changing one he fancied), and ten quills, with two serving as spares.

For his writing endeavors, Harry planned to acquire a fountain pen and notebooks for each subject in Muggle London. This way, he could reserve the quill and parchment for official assignments and use more economical materials for personal notes and rough drafts.

Next, Harry explored a well-organized and cleaner apothecary in one of the side alleys, recommended by Hagrid. Despite slightly higher prices, he learned that Professor Snape sourced his personal ingredients here, ensuring a higher quality for better brewing results. The apothecary owner, a witch working on her mastery in potions, was exceptionally helpful.

In addition to acquiring standard ingredients for first-year students, Harry obtained two books. One focused on brewing techniques and color schemes in potions, while the other detailed the 1000 most common ingredients in potions. The latter provided information on properties, uses, reactions with other ingredients, and precautions to prevent accidents. Harry's preparation for his magical education was becoming comprehensive and well-informed.

The witch emphatically expressed her desire for these two captivating books to become mandatory readings at Hogwarts, but unfortunately, the Board of Governors remained unconvinced of their necessity.

In addition, she revealed to him that Professor Snape, the enigmatic Potions Master, strongly recommended these very books to all incoming Slytherins.

Beside the various magical ingredients, Harry acquired a set of crystal vials that were enchanted to be unbreakable, a practical safeguard against the inevitable mishaps that tend to occur. The witch chuckled as she warned them of the unforeseen tumbles these vials might take.

In a neatly wrapped package, Harry received the meticulously stored ingredients and another containing the securely housed vials. The witch assured him that they would remain in pristine condition until the time he required them at Hogwarts.

With the essentials taken care of, Harry indulged in a shopping spree at Flourish and Blotts.

Beyond the required reading list, he couldn't resist the allure of additional materials, grabbing two books on Transfiguration, one on Herbology, a pair dedicated to Defence Against the Dark Arts, and one each for Charms. Skipping the Astronomy section, Harry opted for more comprehensive Muggle world references. Confident in his history collection, he focused on the listed book and added volumes on Ancient Runes and Arithmancy to satiate his curiosity.

Looking ahead to his second year, he wanted to acquaint himself with the subjects before deciding which ones to pursue. Harry's literary haul extended to a book detailing the laws in the British magical world (the self-updating edition), one exploring the International Confederation of Wizards and their laws, a volume on low-level curses, an advanced potions guide, and a book delving into magical rituals.

The familiar employee flashed a knowing smile as he observed Harry's ever-growing stack of books. If there was ever a prospective Ravenclaw, it seemed to be the bespectacled young wizard. All of Harry's acquisitions were neatly tucked away in his trunk, ensuring convenient transport for the journey ahead.

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