Bellatrix woke Harry bright and early the next morning. They would be traveling to Diagon Alley by Floo Network. She explained to Harry how the Floo Network worked, then left him to get dressed. Harry took a quick shower and pulled on his school robes. He didn't have any casual robes. A few minutes later, Draco knocked on the door to lead him and Alexander down to breakfast. Alexander, much to Harry's amazement, still greeted Harry in the same way he had done before last night.
"I sent Mia an owl last night before I went to bed. I don't know how long it will take to get to her, but we should definitely have an answer by the new year."
"Great. I must say again, good work last night asking your parents."
"Thanks." They walked into the sitting room where they met the adults and Violet. Dobby and another house elf who introduced herself as Dottie were serving breakfast.
"Harry, dear."
"Yes, Mum?"
"We need to supplement your wardrobe, dearest. You needn't wear your school robes every day. We should get you some casual robes. And do you have any decent muggle clothing? Your Aunt Cissy told me the ones you were wearing yesterday were ghastly."
"They're hand-me-downs from my...I mean from Dudley. He's about 70 kilos(1) heavier than me."
"So the brat is still a whale?" Alexander asked, making a face.
"Goodness, however did you keep your clothes on?"
"With a belt, Aunt Cissy." Narcissa shook her head sadly.
"Well, no son of mine will wear hand-me-downs. We'll visit one of the muggle clothiers."
"We could go to Harrods." Bellatrix and Narcissa stared at Harry for a moment trying to decide if he was joking.
"Dearest, there are shops in Diagon Alley that sell muggle clothing."
"Oh. Ok." They finished breakfast quickly and had Dobby and Dottie bring their cloaks and scarves. Narcissa took down a pot above the fireplace and offered it to Draco.
"Draco, you and Harry can go through together. I doubt Harry has traveled by Floo Network before."
Harry shook his head. "No, Aunt Cissy. I haven't."
"As I thought. That's quite alright, Harry. Here, Draco." Draco reached in and took a pinch of the shining powder. Draco stepped into the fireplace, and Harry followed close behind.
"Harry, take my arm, that way you'll be sure to come out at the right grate. Harry did so, then Draco called out, 'Diagon Alley'. They spun quickly, Harry opened his eyes a peak and saw hundreds fireplaces rushing by. He immediately closed his eyes again to avoid getting sick. Finally, Harry felt Draco pulling his arm. He relented, and they stepped out of the fireplace into the Leaky Cauldron. After Harry collected himself and checked that they were alone, he turned to Draco.
"What can I get mum for Christmas? And your mum and Dad? And Violet?"
"Hmm, I'll have to think. But how will you buy gifts, Harry?" Draco blushed, realizing he had been insensitive.
"Well, the Potters were quite well off, and I have full access to their vault." Draco and Harry had identical evil smiles.
"Sounds good to me." The two boys jumped out of their skins when their heard Alexander, who had gone through the floo with Violet.
"Oh, sorry Flea...." Harry mumbled.
"No need to apologize. As far as I'm concerned the only Potter's I'm related to are Fleamont and Claudia Potter, and they both left me with quite a lot of gold, not to mention an entire company. Lily and James are no family of mine. So please use all of that." The two grinned at one another.
"Brilliant!"
"Isn't it?" Within moments, Bellatrix, Lucius, and Narcissa came through the Floo as well. The adults rid their robes of dust and ash and did the same for the boys and Violet.
They all visited Madam Malkin's for new robes for Harry and Draco, as well as a new holiday dress for Violet. They then visited a shop Harry hadn't seen before called Muggles Galore. Within was every style of muggle clothing imaginable. The store was obviously magically enlarged. Harry purchased new robes, jeans, shirts, jumpers, socks, and underwear, and was sent back by Bella to purchase some slacks and suits as well. Draco and Alexander also bought replacements for a few things they had started to outgrow.
As they exited the shop, Draco and Harry begged to go to Quality Quidditch Supplies and Gambol and Japes. The adults suggested that they visit whatever shops they wished and that they all meet up at Florean Fortescue's for in two hours. Harry and Draco ran off to take a quick peek at Quality Quidditch Supplies. They decided to try the Junk Shop next, because, as Draco said, 'You never know what you'll find there'. In a far corner, Harry found two square mirrors. The sign next to them said they were 'Messaging Mirrors'. Unsure what that meant, Harry took them up to the front desk.
"Sir, I'm confused. What exactly do these do?"
"Here let me show you." The old man carefully unwrapped the mirrors and handed one to each Draco and Harry. "Now, speak your friend's name into the mirror." Harry looked mirror and spoke.
"Draco Malfoy." The mirror shimmered, then the surface blurred. When it was clear again, Harry was looking at Draco.
"Bloody Hell, Harry. This is amazing." The shopkeeper smiled.
"Works over any distance. And look..." He grabbed the mirror from Harry's hand and threw it on the ground, much to Harry's horror. However, the mirror simply bounced lightly. "Unbreakable too!"
"How much, sir?"
"35 Galleons, 10 sickles." Harry turned to Draco, who nodded. It was a fair price to be able to communicate with Bellatrix. Harry would have paid far more.
"Can you charge it to my Gringotts Vault?"
"Of course." The shopkeeper pulled out an official looking form. "Your name?"
"Harry Potter." Harry saw Draco make a face.
"Vault number?"
"687."
"Very well, Mr. Potter. Sign here." Harry signed the form with his wand as Draco had taught him to do before, to ensure that his magical signature was on the form. The shopkeeper wrapped the mirrors separately; one in gift wrap, per Harry's specifications, and the boys left the store. They were still unsure what Harry could buy for Draco's parents. Or for Violet. Harry was thankful he had completed the rest of his shopping by owl order. He had meant to buy gifts for his aunt and uncle, but had completely forgotten. They found a beautiful book bag for his sister for Christmas. Now they only had to find something for his aunt and uncle.
They wound in and out of shops until Harry found the perfect gift at the stationer's. Sitting side by side on a display table in the middle of the shop were two swan-feather quills, one white, one black. Both had a small cluster of diamonds and emeralds set into the handle. There was also a small empty oval on the front. According to the sign, the oval was for a family crest. They were 30 Galleons each, a bit high for the gifts for his aunt and uncle. He didn't want to spend more on them than his mother, even if his mother's gift was infinitely better than quills. Harry suddenly had an idea. Asking Draco to remain hidden, he walked up to the female shopkeeper and smiled.
"Excuse me, Ma'am?" The matronly woman smiled back.
"Yes, dear?"
"I'm not entirely sure if what I am going to ask is possible. I'm not very familiar with wizard finances yet." The shopkeeper looked down at him sympathetically, no doubt imagining him to be muggle-born.
"Ask away, dear. I'll help you if I can."
"I ran out of pocket money Christmas shopping, but I would like to purchase the swan-feather quills. Is it possible to charge the amount to my Gringotts Vault? It's vault 687, the Potter vault." The shopkeeper's eyes widened comically as her eyebrows flew to her hairline.
"Then you must be Harry...Harry Potter!" Harry tried his best to blush. He wasn't sure if he had managed.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Bless my soul. It is an honor to meet you. Of course it's possible to charge your vault. Now, you wanted which quill?"
"Both, ma'am. They're for my head of house and the headmaster as thanks for making my transition back into the wizarding world as easy as possible."
"Now, isn't that sweet. Our world would to better to have more children like you. Most of them don't appreciate what they have and what the adults do for them." She went and collected the swan quills and carefully wrapped them up, explaining that she had included a parchment detailing how to magic their family crest into the designated sots.
"Thank you, ma'am. Do I need to do anything to charge my vault?"
"Yes, dear. Now, you said vault 687?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Very well, now, sign here with your wand. The charge is 30 Galleons." Harry tried hard not to smile. Now that's more like it.
"But the sign said..." The shopkeeper cut him off.
"It will be our little secret Mr. Potter. After all, you mustn't spend all your money before you leave school." Harry beamed.
"Thank you, ma'am. I appreciate it."
"Not at all, Mr. Potter, not at all." Harry signed the form and took his packages then walked outside and slightly down the street. Draco followed soon after.
"Harry! You're a genius! It's a wonder you weren't put into Ravenclaw."
"Nah, that was all Slytherin subterfuge." Draco smirked.
"Well said, Harry. We'd best meet my parents now. We're a bit past the two hour mark." They hurried off to Florean Fortescue's where their parents were already waiting. Bella looked especially nervous.
"Harry! Draco! There you are! We were getting worried."
"Sorry Aunt Bella. We lost track of time."
Harry walked up to Bella and whispered so no one else could hear him. "Sorry, mum. I didn't mean to worry you." She smiled and nodded.
"Come along now. It's time for lunch." They ate lunch at the Leaky Cauldron for Harry's benefit (as he had never eaten there) and took the Floo Network back home. They all placed their purchases in their rooms. Harry took a few extra moments to label his gifts and call Dobby to place them under the Christmas tree. Although he had never had presents before, he knew what he was supposed to do. He also coordinated with Draco on how best to give their friends their gifts. They ended up sending Hermione's by owl, as they would not be seeing her. The rest of their friends they would see within the next couple of weeks at the various parties.
Once all this was done, Harry met his mother downstairs for his first Occlumency lesson. He was so desperate she not see any memories of his childhood that he actually did quite well. Before the lesson ended, she instructed him to clear his mind every night before bed.
(1) 70 kilos is roughly equivalent to 150 pounds.