Chapter 30 – Very Glad! To Meet You!
The inside of Gringotts was far more spacious than it appeared from outside. Clearly, an Extension Charm had been cast here—it truly was a convenient spell. The grand hall contained countless doors leading to different areas. Hundreds of goblins worked busily at the counters, examining gems, gold coins, and rare objects with scales and magnifying glasses.
Following Professor McGonagall, they stopped at one of the counters. "Please exchange some Galleons for these gentlemen," she instructed.
The goblin, whose face had been full of impatience, immediately put on a false smile when he saw her. "Good day, Professor. Are these Hogwarts first-years?"
Receiving her nod, the goblin turned to Vernon. His fake smile vanished, replaced once more by his usual irritation. "How much?"
"What's the exchange rate?" Vernon asked nervously.
The goblin cast him an annoyed look but answered, "Five pounds to one Galleon."
Vernon exhaled in relief and waved his hand boldly. "One thousand, then."
"Apologies, sir." A trace of mockery flickered across the goblin's face. "First-years may only exchange once per year, with a maximum of one hundred Galleons."
"Fine then, two hundred—" Vernon muttered under his breath.
The goblin ignored his grumbling, took one thousand pounds from him, and passed over two pouches of coins—one for Harry, one for Dudley.
Nearby, Mr. Granger also exchanged a hundred Galleons for Hermione.
Just as they were preparing to leave, McGonagall said suddenly, "Wait. We must visit Mr. Harry Potter's vault."
She drew a golden key from her pocket.
After a roller-coaster ride through the underground tunnels, they arrived at the Potters' vault.
"I never thought they were so wealthy," Vernon muttered in astonishment when they emerged from the room piled high with gold.
He had always believed his wife's sister and brother-in-law to be idle good-for-nothings with no real work. To find them heirs to a fortune surprised him deeply. Converted into pounds, that mountain of gold was no small sum.
Yet the Dursleys were not tempted. Instead, they felt genuine happiness for Harry.
"Please follow the list in your letters to purchase what is needed," McGonagall reminded them.
The Hogwarts admission letter specified uniforms, gloves, cloaks, textbooks, a wand, a cauldron, glass vials, a telescope, and scales. Students could also bring an owl, a cat, or a toad.
Dudley frowned as he went down the checklist. Not because the list was long, but because it was too short—especially the potion supplies, which were limited to cauldron, ingredients, and scales.
"Professor, may we bring additional items?" Dudley asked.
"Of course," McGonagall replied. "But be warned—Muggle items won't function properly in Hogwarts."
It wasn't that Dudley wanted extra possessions. The equipment seemed too primitive. To brew potions properly, he planned to bring his own set of lab tools—and perhaps a few extra sets for Harry and Hermione as well.
"Time grows late," McGonagall said, glancing up at the sky. "We should split up. The adults will accompany me for cauldrons, scales, and books, while the young wizards go for robes and wands, which must be fitted individually."
No one objected to Professor McGonagall's arrangement, least of all Mr. Granger and Vernon. The two had already agreed to slip away to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink, curious to try the flavors of wizarding beverages.
First came uniforms and robes, which would take the most time.
Thus, the two young wizards and one true Muggle entered Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
Madam Malkin was a short, plump witch dressed in violet, smiling warmly. "Hogwarts uniforms, yes? Two sets for first-years, one for seventh-year, correct?"
Dudley grinned. "No, all first-year."
The answer made her pause. "Ah—of course." She agreed automatically, though her eyes flicked toward him in surprise.
'Does Hogwarts admit more than just eleven-year-olds now?' she wondered.
In the shop, besides them, another boy was being measured by a witch. He was pale, with striking platinum-blond hair.
While Dudley and Hermione discussed robe details with Madam Malkin, Harry sat beside the boy, exchanging awkward words.
The boy's tone carried an odd, drawling cadence that made normal conversation impossible.
Their talk circled around Hogwarts. But Harry knew nothing beyond the school's name. Every time Harry admitted ignorance, the boy would draw out a long, mocking "Ohhh."
For Harry, it was torment. Yet the boy seemed to think they were getting along.
"Hey, look at that big oaf." The boy jerked his chin toward Dudley, using a tone halfway between insult and compliment. "He says he's a first-year, but he's bigger than Crabbe and Goyle. I bet he eats even more than they do."
If earlier words had only unsettled Harry, this crossed the line.
Even if Dudley did eat a lot.
"That's my brother," Harry snapped coldly.
"Is he?" The boy smirked, skeptical. "I've never seen anyone from a proper family look like that. Why's he with you? Where are your parents?"
"They're dead."
Harry had no wish to continue, answering only from politeness.
"Oh. Sorry," the boy said, though his tone carried no hint of regret. Then, with deliberate weight, he added, "They were like us, weren't they?"
"They were wizards."
At that, the mockery faded slightly from the boy's face. But he pressed on, "I just think those sorts don't belong at Hogwarts. Like that big oaf of a brother you've got—and that girl beside him—"
Dudley and Harry wore plain black clothing, passable as wizarding dress. Hermione's outfit, however, was unmistakably Muggle. To the boy, anyone from the Muggle world was an outsider.
Before he could finish, Harry's face darkened, too late to stop what came next.
A shadow blocked the light above the boy. A massive hand pressed down on his head, forcing it aside.
He looked up into a face, close enough to feel the heat of breath, eyes staring straight into his.
In that instant, it was as though some primordial beast had fixed on him. A chill shot up his spine.
Dudley slowly bared his teeth, two rows of white and sharp, his warm breath brushing the boy's cheeks.
"Hello. Very glad to meet you."
(End of Chapter)
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