• Growing up Harry •

• diagon alley •

August 20th 1991

"Okay what else do you need son?"

Harry hesitated reading over the list that had arrived along with his letter

"I need...robes and a pet"

James laughed, "the pet is completely optional son and the last thing you need is a cat to take care of"

Harry frowned, "i wouldn't have chosen a cat anyway..."

James smiled, "well at least you only have your robes left, we got the wand the books the cauldron"

Harry nodded and shuffled his feet, feeling very bummed about not getting a pet, Ron had told him multiple times about the many different pets people bring to Hogwarts...he had a rat meanwhile Neville would be getting a toad

"Alright Harry in you go"

Harry entered hesitantly and saw another boy already being fitted for his robes, a boy with platinum blonde hair

Harry furrowed his brow thinking the boy was familiar but unable to place from where

The boy shot him a grin and stepped off the fitting stand

"Finally, I thought that'd never end, now come along Draco we'll be back to pick them up later"

Harry watched the boy leave feeling an odd sense of unease

Harry got his robes fitted, though there were multiple comments about his short stature

He frowned wishing he could be tall like Ron...or at built like Neville...Harry was incredibly skinny, often he felt unbalanced when a strong gust of wind would blow

He finished and looked at his father expectantly as he paid and told the woman he'd be back to get the robes

"Dad...I saw something I really wanted to get, if it's okay I'd Er...I'd love to get it" Harry asked hesitantly, devoid of any confidence whatsoever

"What is it Harry?"

Harry bit his lip and pointed over to where the brand new nimbus 2000 was set on display

James looked over at it and gaped, "uh Harry Whats wrong with the broom you have now?"

"It's not the nimbus 2000"

James cursed, torn between being a great dad and being a firm dad

"Well Harry...lets just wait on that one okay?"

Harry nodded sadly and looked down at his feet, feeling bummed both in regards to the lacking of pets and the denial of the broom

They went for ice cream and journeyed home quietly, neither knowing of what to say to the other

When they got inside lily welcomed them both with hugs and kisses, "oh Harry did you get everything then?"

Harry nodded, "yep I got my wand and my robes and my books and my cauldron..."

She kissed his head gently and ruffled his hair

James flopped onto the couch meanwhile Harry took his new purchases to his room

Though he remained up there for a very long time, James assumed Harry was sulking over the damned broom...Harry's broom he had now wasn't awful...it was a bit out of date but it worked and Harry was a good enough flier he didn't need the newest broom

There was a sudden thumping and banging on the door, James got up and answered it smiling at the sight of Hagrid

"Hey Hagrid what's up?"

"I jus though I'd bring something fer the little feller"

James cocked his head to the side, feeling oddly curious about the way Hagrid was holding something behind his back

"Harry! Harry come down Hagrids here"

Harry slowly came down the steps smiling at the sight of Hagrid

"Hi Hagrid" he said as he hugged onto the larger man

Hagrid patted Harry's hand with a heavy hand and smiled

"'Ello 'Arry, i got yeh something"

"Really? What'd you get?"

Hagrid smiled, "this is a late berthday gift but..happee birthday!"

Hagrid handed Harry a small white box which contained a small cake

Harry smiled and was about to thank his large friend when he pulled out a cage with a beautiful snowy owl on it

"Hagrid..."

Harry's eyes went wide as he saw it...

"Thank you Hagrid!" Harry ran into his friend and hugged him tight

Hagrid chuckled and hugged back

Janes stared dunstruck by the entire thing

Though Lily came to his side and kissed his cheek

"You knew about this?" James asked

"Of course i did"

"B-but—"

"Leave it be...Harry deserves this"
—————