"Oh, damn it, Harry, you should've woken me up!" Hagrid growled from the front of his thundering motorcycle as it sped down the road.
"Sorry, Hagrid," Harry said behind him, his voice tinged with guilt. "We were up late talking last night, and I figured you needed more rest."
"Forget it, lad. Can't really blame you—I overslept meself," Hagrid replied, his tone a mix of annoyance and resignation.
The wind roared past Dudley's ears, the motorcycle's deafening rumble startling pedestrians along the road. Passersby stared, wide-eyed, as the bike tore by, their gazes fixed on the enormous figure of Hagrid, whose sheer size made it impossible not to draw attention.
"Hagrid, where are we going?" Dudley shouted from the back, gripping the seat tightly to steady himself against the speed.
"To London, to get you lot the supplies first-year students need," Hagrid called back over the wind.
"Oh, right, almost forgot!" Hagrid added. "Harry, in me left coat pocket, there's a list of things you'll need to buy. Go on, take it out and have a look."
"This was supposed to come with your Hogwarts letter, but Professor Dumbledore wasn't taking any chances, so he sent me to take you shopping. That's why I've got the list," Hagrid explained, his voice booming to be heard over the engine's roar.
Harry nodded and reached into Hagrid's massive coat pocket, fumbling for a moment before pulling out a folded piece of parchment. He unfolded it carefully and began reading the list. Dudley, seated behind him, leaned over Harry's shoulder to get a glimpse of the contents.
The parchment detailed everything first-year Hogwarts students needed: a stack of books, school uniforms, and peculiar items like cauldrons, dragon-hide gloves, and, most striking of all, a Magic Wand.
"As I thought—a Magic Wand," Dudley mused to himself, his curiosity sparked. He glanced at Hagrid, trying to recall if he'd ever seen him use a wand. As far as he could remember, Hagrid hadn't so much as touched one. Does a wizard always need a wand to cast spells, or are there ways to do magic without one? Dudley wondered, his mind racing with possibilities.
Harry studied the list, his expression growing uneasy. "Hagrid," he said hesitantly, his cheeks flushing, "how much do all these things cost?" He didn't have any money to his name, and though Dudley had promised to help, they'd left in such a rush that Dudley might not have brought any either.
"Oh, blimey, I nearly forgot to tell you!" Hagrid said, his face breaking into a reassuring grin. "You don't need to worry about money, Harry. You didn't think your parents left you with nothing, did you? All your gold's safe in Gringotts, the wizarding bank. Our first stop in London'll be there to withdraw some, then we'll get your supplies."
"Wizarding bank?" Dudley's interest deepened. The wizarding world, much like the hidden realms of extraordinary beings he'd heard whispers of, existed parallel to the Muggle world, concealed beneath its surface. But this magical society seemed far stricter, its inhabitants rarely interacting with ordinary people.
"Aye, just one bank, run by goblins," Hagrid continued, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.
"Goblins?" Harry asked, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Yup, they're magical creatures, sharp as a tack. Don't ever cross 'em, or you'll regret it. And, if I'm being honest, Gringotts is the safest place in the world—well, except maybe Hogwarts. Anyone trying to rob Gringotts'd have to be completely mental," Hagrid said, clearly eager to introduce Harry and Dudley to the wonders of the wizarding world.
Goblins—something like elves, maybe? Dudley thought, picturing another extraordinary creature in this hidden world.
By afternoon, the trio arrived in London. Hagrid's motorcycle didn't slow, weaving through the crowded streets of the city toward a specific destination. Dudley's eyes darted around, memorizing every turn and landmark. Thanks to the Arbitrator's gift, his memory for routes was razor-sharp; he was confident he could retrace this path perfectly on his own next time.
Behind them, Vernon and Petunia's car kept pace, following closely through the bustling capital.
After more than twenty minutes of navigating downtown London's chaotic streets, Hagrid pulled up to a grimy, nondescript pub tucked away on a street corner. "This is it—the Leaky Cauldron," Hagrid announced, pointing to the weathered door. "Famous place, this. Wizards in London love to gather here."
Dudley scanned the surroundings. The pub was so unremarkable that he wouldn't have noticed it without Hagrid's guidance. The crowds hurrying by didn't seem to register its existence, as if the building were invisible to them. Activating his spiritual vision, Dudley sensed an extraordinary power at work. A faint, translucent halo shimmered around the pub, cloaking it from Muggle eyes, as though it existed in a separate layer of reality.
"What powerful magic," Dudley murmured under his breath, awed by the spell that could manipulate perception so seamlessly. In his limited knowledge of the twenty-two pathways to godhood, he recalled that a Seer pathway extraordinary might wield such an ability.
"Come on, let's head in," Hagrid said, starting toward the pub's entrance.
"Wait!" Dudley called out. "My parents haven't caught up yet." He had no money on him, and if they were to buy anything, Vernon and Petunia would need to be there. Besides, they might not even find the pub without help, given its magical concealment.
"The Dursleys want to come along?" Hagrid said, a trace of sarcasm in his voice. "Well, if they're sure, I hope they're ready for what's inside. Might be a bit much for 'em."
Vernon and Petunia, pale and visibly anxious, finally hurried over from their parked car. Petunia clung tightly to Vernon's arm, her eyes darting nervously as if afraid someone might notice their association with someone as conspicuous as Hagrid.
"Where the hell are you taking us?" Vernon demanded, his face ashen.
"To buy your son's school supplies," Hagrid replied curtly, clearly uninterested in arguing with Vernon. He turned and led Harry toward the Leaky Cauldron's door.
"It'll be okay, Mum, Dad," Dudley said, gesturing for them to follow as he stepped after Hagrid.
Vernon and Petunia exchanged a look, their eyes filled with dread. But with their son already crossing the threshold, they had no choice. Bracing themselves, they followed him into the Leaky Cauldron.