Harry began to take in his surroundings. Petunia was standing there, stiff as a broomstick, while Vernon, bless his heart, was holding a newspaper up like it was a shield in front of her. Dudley was still on the sofa, a half-eaten meat pie clutched in his hand. Then, in the hallway, stood a tall old man.
He wore peculiar half-moon spectacles, and his silver hair and beard were long enough to reach his waist. He was clad in a rather flamboyant, flowery robe, topped with a hat that Harry swore he saw a cat yawn on!
Dumbledore, in turn, was observing Harry. He noted the pale face, messy hair, round glasses perched on his nose, and the rather daring ripped jeans and animal-rights T-shirt. Dumbledore had never seen a Muggle dressed quite so... boldly. Most importantly, Harry had just performed a rather skilled Levitation Charm.
After a moment of quiet staring, Dumbledore spoke, "Now, Harry, there's no need to try and attack me. I understand you're worried about your aunt, but I assure you, I mean no harm to anyone." He then turned to Petunia. "Long time no see, Petunia. I'll just assume you've invited me in," he said cheerfully, before simply walking over and settling onto the sofa.
"You're Dumbledore? The one who sent me letters?" Harry blurted out.
Dumbledore nodded, then shook his head. "Indeed, I am Dumbledore, but the letters were actually sent by Professor McGonagall."
"Letters? When did you get letters?!" Petunia suddenly demanded, her voice sharp enough to cut through glass.
"So you knew about them all along?" Harry shot back, his anger rising. "No wonder you wouldn't take Dudley to buy school uniforms! You were hoping to intercept my letters right here at home, weren't you?"
"Silence! You ungrateful little brat! Don't you dare speak to your aunt like that!" Vernon roared, interrupting the escalating argument.
After a moment of silence, Harry pressed on, "You can do magic too, so does that mean Hogwarts is real? Is that stick in your hand some kind of magical artifact? Are there lots of people like me who go to Hogwarts?"
"Not 'magic,' Harry, it's 'magic.' You are a wizard, and this," Dumbledore corrected gently, holding up his wand, "is a wand."
"Magic?" Harry whispered, testing the word.
"Yes, Harry. And I must say, your Levitation Charm was more practiced than many a fifth-year's." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "From the look on your face, Harry, I gather you're quite keen on coming to Hogwarts?"
"Yes, Professor, I am!" Harry exclaimed.
"Shut up! I won't have such nonsense spoken in my house!" Uncle Vernon bellowed once more, cutting them off.
"We can discuss this further in a moment, Harry," Dumbledore said, a peculiar eyebrow raised, which sent Dudley scurrying to hide behind Vernon.
Aunt Petunia then chimed in, "I will absolutely not allow him to go to that wretched Hogwarts! When we took him in, we swore we'd keep him away from all of this!"
"So you've known all along that I'm a wizard?!" Harry's eyes narrowed, and the teacup on the table began to float again.
Dumbledore's expression suddenly turned serious. "Harry, do not misuse your magic! You must show respect to your aunt!"
Harry was a little intimidated by Dumbledore's stern look, but he wasn't about to pretend to be respectful, so he simply fell silent.
Dumbledore sighed. "It appears there's been a rather large misunderstanding between you all, but that's quite alright. We have plenty of time today." He gave a gentle flick of his wand, and Vernon and Petunia were gently, but firmly, coerced back onto the sofa, each with a steaming cup of tea appearing before them.
Petunia suddenly blurted out, "Dudley, go out and play with your friends!"
Vernon stood up and practically shoved Dudley out the door. When he returned, he was clutching a shotgun. Dumbledore simply took a sip of his tea, a faint smile playing on his lips as he watched.
"So, just how much have you two been keeping from me?" Harry demanded.
"So, my parents died fighting dark wizards? Not in some car crash?"
"So what if they did? We're certainly not spending a single Galleon to send you to that blasted Hogwarts!" Vernon's hand, clutching the shotgun, was trembling.
"It means my parents weren't the wastes of space you always said they were! They were wizards! And you can't stop me from going to Hogwarts!" Harry yelled back.
"Oh, as for the school fees, you needn't worry yourselves," Dumbledore interjected, setting down his tea. He turned to Harry. "Lily and James left quite a substantial inheritance for you, Harry. More than enough for your schooling. And about Lily and James, I am truly sorry. But please, know that they loved you very, very much."
"So, it seems your misunderstanding has been cleared up," Dumbledore said, looking expectantly between them. Harry wasn't sure what he was expecting, and Petunia remained stubbornly silent.
Seeing no response, Dumbledore sighed with a touch of disappointment and stood up. With a wave of his hand, the teacups vanished. "If no one has any further objections, I'll be taking Harry to Diagon Alley now. Rest assured, I'll bring him back safely. Harry, do say goodbye to your aunt."
Vernon's face looked as though he'd be thrilled if something did happen to Harry immediately. Harry, not wanting to cross the Headmaster before even starting school, reluctantly managed a farewell to Petunia, but she offered no reaction.
Dumbledore sighed again and turned to leave. Harry followed him out, taking a letter Dumbledore handed him and reading it as they walked. After finishing, he couldn't help but ask, "Professor, you just said my parents left me some money?"
"Indeed, Harry. Rather a lot of money, actually."
"So, are we off to get the money now? And then buy everything on the list?"
Dumbledore nodded and then led Harry behind a large tree. "Harry, hold tightly to my arm." Once he was sure Harry had a firm grip, Dumbledore took out his wand.
Suddenly, Harry felt as if he'd been crammed into a narrow pipe, squeezed from all directions, unable to breathe. Then—*thump!*—he stumbled to the ground.
"Are you all right?" Dumbledore asked, concern in his voice. Harry instinctively shook his head.
"Professor, that was incredible! Can I learn that magic too? Is this... is this Diagon Alley?" Harry asked, catching his breath. He realized they were no longer on Privet Drive, but standing outside a rather dilapidated pub.
Dumbledore reached out and ruffled Harry's hair. "This is the Leaky Cauldron, Harry. Diagon Alley is through here. And as for that bit of magic, you'll learn it in time."
Harry had more questions, but Dumbledore had already stepped inside, so he quickly followed. Before entering, Harry had heard the noisy chatter from within, but the moment they stepped through the door, the pub fell silent. He noticed how terribly cluttered and grimy the place was, with people sitting about in a rather unkempt fashion. A pale young wizard waved to Dumbledore before getting up and leaving, and a faint haze of smoke hung in the air.
Behind the bar stood an old man with a wrinkled, toothless face, simpering at Dumbledore. Dumbledore gave his wand a little flick, and the smoky haze in the air vanished. Harry noticed a witch in the corner quickly pocketing her pipe.
"Professor Dumbledore, fancy a mead? Freshly brewed, it is!" the old man inquired. Harry guessed he must be the pub's landlord.
"Another time, Tom. I'm taking young Harry to Diagon Alley now," Dumbledore replied cheerily.
"Harry? Is it... Harry Potter?!"
The landlord, Tom, finally turned his gaze to Harry, scrutinizing him closely before nodding. "It is! Yes, yes, only Harry Potter could get Professor Dumbledore to come out himself!" Tom scurried from behind the bar, enthusiastically grabbing Harry's hand. Soon, more people crowded around, clamoring to greet Harry.
Dumbledore watched, a slight frown creasing his brow as Harry was fawned over. With a gentle wave of his wand, the crowd around Harry seemed to hit an invisible wall and were softly pushed back. Dumbledore then stepped forward, shielding Harry behind him, and addressed everyone. "We really must be going now. So many things to buy!"