A/N: Thank you so much for the kind reviews, and for everyone who favorited and followed! My wonderful fiance has started reading this story and has been asking me to update, so he is fighting for you guys haha. I have attempted Hagrid's accent slightly, but it's not super noticeable because I am bad at it. As always, please enjoy!

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Harry had a restless night of sleep. He was nervous about the next day, and his dreams were about wizards descending on the Cullens and the Cullens being forced to leave him behind to live with the Dursley's forever. He woke up with one hand outstretched, his mouth open to shout for his mother as she sped away from him. Esme would never leave you. He scolded himself. Still, he felt rather shaky as he got dressed for the morning. What if the person they sent asked a bunch of questions Harry couldn't answer? What if they used Legilimency on him? What if they tried to kidnap him? What if -

A loud knock at the front door interrupted him. He scurried downstairs and went to answer the door before his family could shout at him for disturbing them. He opened the door to reveal an absolutely huge man. Like, he could probably wrestle with Jake in wolf form huge.

He gaped at him for a moment before a voice that sounded like Esme reminded him to use his manners.

"How can I help you sir?" He asked. The large man seemed to peer at him for a moment, before his face broke into a huge smile.

"You must be Harry. You have yer mother's eyes." The man said. His words stunned Harry for a moment. "You...you knew my mother sir?" He asked quietly. He placed a hand near his eyes at the rim of his glasses. He had his mother's eyes? The thought made those same eyes water with emotion.

"And your father. James and Lily Potter, two of the bravest people I knew." The man said. His voice was deep and could have been menacing, but with the smile on his face he looked quite friendly. Harry was at a loss for words, and just stared up at him with his mouth slightly open.

"Sorry! I should introduce myself." The giant thrust forward a large hand and completely obscured Harry's own, shaking it so hard Harry was worried his shoulder would pop out of its socket. "Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. You can call me Hagrid. Dumbledore sent me to take you shopping for school supplies!"

"Dumbledore?" Harry asked, the name of the man who placed him with the Dursley's catching his attention and snapping him out of his stupor.

"Only the greatest wizard in the whole world!" Hagrid scoffed. "We can walk and talk if you like, if yer relatives don't mind."

"Um, no sir." Harry stepped over the threshold and shut the door behind him.

"You don't need to say goodbye?" Hagrid asked with concern.

"No, I spend a lot of time outside. It should be fine." Harry assured him. He felt the urge to cross his fingers as he hoped Hagrid wouldn't call him out on his lie, but Hagrid just continued to beam at him.

"Y'know, I was the one who brought you here." Hagrid commented as they began to walk down Privet Drive. Harry noticed Number 3 and Number 5 peering through the window, and thought about how Petunia would react when they asked her what that large man had been doing with her deranged nephew with amusement.

"You were?" Harry asked in surprise.

"Yes. You were just a wee babe. Dumbledore's orders. Wanted you to go to family." Hagrid explained.

"Oh." Harry hadn't thought of that. With his parents dead, maybe it made sense to give him to his relatives. But then he remembered the CPS visit and what Dumbledore had done, and how Arabella Figg had watched him grow up sad, alone and mistreated but no one in the Wizarding World had done anything. Hagrid may believe that reasoning, but Harry knew better.

"Where are we going?" He asked, changing the subject. Hagrid had pulled them off to the side, out of view of everyone.

"Those...whaddya call em...cars?" Hagrid said, as though the word car was completely unfamiliar. "They don't really fit me." Harry thought of the image of Hagrid fitting into a car and grinned. Hagrid smiled back as he took out what looked like a bright red tie from one of the pockets of his giant coat.

"Now, I'm not supposed to be using magic, but Dumbledore hooked this up to take us to Diagon Alley".

"Dumbledore did this?" Harry asked with concern. Hagrid nodded and handed one end to Harry.

"Almost there…" Hagrid murmured.

"Um - " before Harry could formulate the words to express that he did not want to go anywhere Dumbledore wanted to take him he felt a sharp tug at his navel and he was sent spinning into the air. He flailed about wildly, looking for something to grab on to as he was flung through space, connected to something solid only by the tip of his finger. The insane trip finally ended as he landed hard on a wooden floor. He looked around quickly, scrambling to his feet and then pressing his back against a wall as his head spun. Hagrid sat across from him, looking quite upset.

"I hate Portkeys." Hagrid moaned, using one hand to rub his stomach and one to rub his temples. It looked like they were in a storeroom of some kind, and before Harry could bolt, the door opened and a friendly face appeared.

"Hagrid!" Tom said delightedly. "I'm glad you made it!"

"Tom!" Harry said in relief. They must be in the Leaky Cauldron. Harry's anxiety, which had just begun to fade at the sight of a familiar face, spiked as Hagrid said "How d'you know Tom, Harry?"

"Oh he's been here a few times." Tom explained. He opened his mouth to continue and possibly say something Harry wanted to keep secret, so Harry blurted, "Yeah! I found the Leaky Cauldron myself. A few years ago."

"Oh! Then you'll have been to Diagon Alley then. Kinda wanted ter show you meself, but I suppose I still have one trick up my sleeve." Hagrid looked a bit disappointed, but seemed to rally as he stood up.

"What trick?" Harry asked as he followed Hagrid into the main room and then into the part of the Leaky Cauldron that housed the entrance to Diagon Alley. A few of the patrons waved cheerfully at Hagrid as they passed, and Hagrid waved back but no one seemed to notice Harry next to the giant distraction that was Hagrid.

Hagrid grinned as the bricks began to spread apart. "Your Gringotts vault, Harry."

-ACE-

Harry was ecstatic to discover the fund his parents had left for him. His first parents, not current parents. That sounded bad. His blood parents? Then again, his current parents could also be seen as blood parents because they drink blood...He'd work it out eventually.

Anyway, Lily and James Potter had left him money, and after some pestering from Harry he also learned about the Potter vault, which he would have access to when he came of age. Harry took a moment to glance around the space, his inheritance. He didn't have anything from his parents, but here was proof that they cared about him and had thought about his future. He smiled as he took some money and put it into the bag the goblins had provided. He had no need for money really, but he could buy his own wand. His Aunt Bella had placed some pounds inside his bag for today but...it felt right, that his first parents (he really couldn't think of another way to put it) would be the ones to provide his wand, a wizard's most important tool. Thank you. He thought quietly, imagining the parents he couldn't remember.

He and Hermione had discovered they had minimal control over their magic and had enjoyed turning lights on and off, lifting light objects and playing a very slow game of catch. They could only do it at her house so that they didn't set off the Trace at a place of non-magical residence (muggle-born homes being the exception when wizards and witches are under the age of eleven). Hermione had held off using her wand until Harry had his, and he was very excited to practice with her. Maybe he could even pull a prank off on Uncle Emmett!

"Harry, I have another errand to run. Won't take a minute." Hagrid said, interrupting his thoughts.

"Alright!" Harry was eager to jump into the fast-moving cart again, though poor Hagrid looked to be dreading it. Harry was starting to like Hagrid. He had been cautious at first, but Hagrid was just...kind. He reminded him of his first impression when he met Carlisle. Sure, Hagrid was loud and large and a bit bumbling, but he had a good heart. Maybe not all wizards were so bad. Then again, Hagrid had let slip he wasn't supposed to be doing magic (another thing about Hagrid, Harry had already concluded, was that he couldn't keep a secret if he tried) so maybe Hagrid wasn't like other wizards. They arrived at Vault 713 and left the cart as the goblin, who introduced himself as Griphook, ran his finger along a door.

"If anyone but a Gringotts goblin tried that they'd be sucked through the door and trapped in there." Griphook said nastily. Harry knew to take him seriously, and yet curiosity prompted him to ask, "How often do you check to see if anyone's inside?"

"About once every ten years." Was the reply. Geez. We must be in the really secure vaults. What could Hagrid want there? Harry thought. He did his best to surreptitiously peer around Hagrid's body to see what was inside the vault. All he could see was a small, grubby package wrapped in brown paper that Hagrid dropped in his coat.

"Well, let's move along then! Got to do your shopping!" Hagrid said boisterously.

"What did you grab Hagrid?" Harry asked inquisitively.

"Nothing ter worry about Harry. Just something Dumbledore asked me to get." Immediately Hagrid shook his head. "Should not have said that."

"So it's for Dumbledore?" Harry pressed.

"Harry, it's best you don't ask any more questions about this. It'll be safe at Hog - wherever Dumbledore puts it!" Hagrid quickly corrected himself. "Let's get in this cart!"

-ACE-

"Hagrid, I have to confess something." Harry spoke up as they left Gringotts.

"What's that Harry?" Hagrid asked.

"Well...I sort of did most of my shopping already."

"You only got your list yesterday!" Hagrid exclaimed in surprise. Harry shrugged sheepishly. "I was excited." Which wasn't really a lie, but Harry still felt bad about misleading Hagrid.

"I see you take after your mother." Hagrid chuckled.

"I'm like my mum?" Harry said in surprise.

"She loved magic. Always excited to learn. Unlike your da. He was good at magic, but he spent more time on pranks and following your mother around than really learning."

"I like pranks too." Harry said happily. He had been dreading today, and now he had met a kind wizard who had known his parents. He had learned more about Lily and James Potter today than he had ever learned in his whole life, and he was thrilled. Then he thought of Carlisle and Esme, and felt guilty. Should he be so happy to learn about people who were dead, instead of the people who were taking care of him at risk to his own family? They were probably at home worrying about him and he was thinking about something else entirely!

"Your parents were good people, Harry," Hagrid said, perhaps reading his mood and trying to improve it. "Both Gryffindors. Head Boy and Girl."

"That's great." Harry said, feeling both pleased and then guilty again. Feeling the need to change the subject, Harry added, "Um, I do still need my wand though."

Hagrid brightened. "You'll be needin' Ollivander's then!" Hagrid began to move and the crowd parted for him, Harry trying to keep as close as possible to avoid being lost in the waves of people. As he had been chasing after Hagrid like this most of the time, keeping his head tilted down to make sure he didn't trip over anything and completely dwarfed by the sight that is Hagrid, no one had noticed his lightning scar. He usually kept it covered when he went to Diagon Alley, and he was worried the shopkeep would notice.

They arrived at an old building with a sign that said Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.

"Have they really been in business that long?" Harry asked. Hagrid shrugged. "Don't know, te be honest. Wouldn't be surprised." The bell tinkled merrily as Hagrid pushed the door open. The inside was dimly lit, and what looked like hundreds, perhaps thousands of wands in boxes, some dusty and some brand-new, lined all of the walls, continuing farther back than Harry could make out.

"Just a minute!" A voice called.

"Now Harry, Ollivander's a bit weird but he's a good bloke. I need ta stop and get something but you're in good hands."

Harry opened his mouth to protest as a voice echoed through the shop. "Ah, Hagrid! How is your wand? 16 inches, longest I ever made. Oh, I suppose they snapped it, didn't they?" The voice became disapproving as an eccentric-looking man with wild white hair and big eyes stepped up to the counter.

"Er, yes Mr. Ollivander, sir." Harry noticed Hagrid nervously tapping his umbrella that he had carried with him the whole time. "Well, I'll be off. Harry here needs a new wand." And he darted out the door.

"Wands can be snapped?" Harry asked nervously.

"When you are expelled from Hogwarts, yes." Ollivander explained. He snapped his fingers and Harry watched with amusement and then growing discomfort as the tape first began to measure his arm and worked its way to measuring between his nostrils.

"Which hand is your wand arm?" Ollivander asked him, snapping his fingers once more as the tape measure went limp.

"Er, I'm right-handed sir." Harry offered. He didn't realize how safe he had started to feel with Hagrid until he had left and was growing increasingly nervous. Ollivander disappeared into the shelves and appeared a few moments later with a wand. No sooner had Harry grabbed the offered handle before it was snatched away, and so the process continued. The bigger the stack of wands grew, the more excited Ollivander seemed to get, even when Harry accidentally blew out his lamp or caused boxes to fly from the shelves.

Finally, Ollivander paused in his excitement to level a very serious look at Harry's face.

"I wonder…" He left and came back with another box, and offered it very slowly to Harry.

"11 inches, holly, phoenix feather core." He said.

The wand inside didn't look any different from the rest, but when Harry grasped it in his hands, warmth flooded through him. He waved it and a shower of golden sparks, the exact shade of the Cullen's eyes, burst from the end.

"Curious...very curious." Ollivander murmured.

"Um, what's curious sir?" Harry asked.

"I remember every wand I've ever sold, Mr. Potter. It so happens that the phoenix whose tailfeather resides in your wand gave another feather... just one other. It is curious that you should be destined for this wand when its brother gave you that scar."

Harry swallowed nervously. "Do...do I have to take this wand?" He was loath to give it up, as even now he clenched it tightly in his hand, the warmth having yet to fade from the wand. But the idea of having the brother wand to the one that tried to kill him and succeeded in killing so many other people made him feel sick.

Ollivander shook his head. "The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter. It's not always clear why. But I think it is clear that we can expect great things from you. After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things. Terrible! Yes. But great."

Harry quickly paid for the wand, and when he turned to leave he saw Hagrid outside holding the cage of a beautiful snowy owl.

"Happy Birthday Harry!" Hagrid greeted him happily and held out the cage.

"She's...for me?" Harry asked in shock.

"She's yer birthday present. Well, eleven years worth of presents. She'll be able to deliver mail for you and also be a loyal companion. She's pretty smart too." Hagrid explained.

"But...Hagrid...you don't even know me." Harry protested weakly.

"Yer a good lad, Harry. And I think I owe it to ya. I know living with the Dursley's may not be the best, what being away from the magical world and all, and you deserve a great gift on your birthday. Think of it as a debt to yer parents, if ya like." Hagrid said simply. Harry looked up at Hagrid, searching his face for any kind of deception or other intent, but all he saw was Hagrid's friendly face.

"Thank you Hagrid. This means a lot to me." Harry said, taking the cage. The snowy owl looked at him and Harry felt like she was staring into his soul, before she scooted a bit closer on its perch and gave a small hoot that sounded almost approving. She would have to stay outside, or maybe at Hermione's if her parents would allow it (he doubted the owl wanted to stay in a house of vampires), but he was thrilled all the same.

"Well, I suppose that's it fer ya then. I'll be takin' ye back." Harry nodded, suddenly feeling quite exhausted. They hadn't actually walked around much but today had been a whirlwind of emotions and nerves and coupled with the little sleep he had had last night, Harry was about ready to turn in for the night.

They went back to the Leaky Cauldron and took a Portkey to the same out of the way corner they had left, and by the time they reached Number 4, Privet Drive, Harry realized he was sad to see Hagrid go.

"Thank you Hagrid. For everything." Harry said honestly.

"Least I could do." Hagrid said gruffly.

"Really." Harry insisted. "Thank you." For showing me some wizards can be nice. For getting me a gift. For being kind.

Hagrid smiled. "Hope ta see ya at Hogwarts Harry. Maybe you can come 'round for tea."

"I'd like that." Harry said, and waved as Hagrid lumbered off. He hesitated to knock on the door, unsure if he was allowed to wait inside with his relatives. He got his answer when he noticed his bag had been dropped by the flower bushes. He grabbed it and was about to sit on the step when a car rolled into the driveway. He was disappointed to see it was not Carlisle's, but his frown turned to a smile as his sister Leah and his brother Seth popped out.

"Hi guys!" He said happily. Seth grinned and waved. "Sup, pup?"

Leah wrinkled her nose at the Dursley house. "You got your stuff? This place smells terrible. Too much cleaning fluid and still can't mask their scent." Harry shook his bag. "I think I got it."

"Cool owl dude. What's its name?" Seth asked as Harry climbed in the back, setting the owl gently next to his seat. Harry smiled to himself. The Cullens could fake an English accent perfectly when they wanted to, but the Pack had yet to lose their American-ness.

"I don't know her name yet." Harry said. "Do you want to name her?"

"I know! How about Snowy?" Seth said quickly. The owl gave a sharp hoot that Harry interpreted to mean No way.

"I don't think so." Harry said.

"We're stopping by the Grangers on the way. The reason Carlisle didn't come was because Alice foresaw the owl freaking the hell out when it got near the Cullens."

Harry imagined the long drive home with a shrieking owl and decided he didn't want to test Carlisle's seemingly unending patience that way. "Fair. They'll take her?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, as soon as Alice said that we called the Grangers and asked. Hermione's thrilled because her parents weren't going to get her a pet but now she, like, sort of has one? Said Esme was allergic." Seth explained. "Then since Jake and Nessie are on a date Leah and I decided to go on an epic sibling bonding ride and Alice told us when to leave. It's been great."

"It's been hell."

"Love you too sis," Seth made a big smoochie face and Leah responded with a seething glare that should have set the car on fire, but somehow Seth was un-phased. Little brother immunity, Seth had explained one day.

"Alice couldn't see your trip, only that you ended it safely, so be prepared to be grilled until you're charred, bro." Seth warned him.

Harry, though he loved his family dearly and they did their best to let him grow and make his own mistakes, was wildly overprotective and he inwardly groaned at the upcoming conversation.

"Oh, and the good doctor has all those safety videos queued up and ready to go for your ATV, plus some stranger danger ones I think." Seth continued cheerfully as Harry tried to melt into his chair.

"Ooh does he have the one that raps that dad showed us that one time?" Leah asked.

"No, but I'll look it up!" Seth said excitedly.

Harry whimpered.