Realistic Harry Potter

“What about a trunk?” Harry asked the woman. “Do you sell them?”

“Yes.” The woman said and pointed at the side of the room. “You can get various styles and...”

“Do they have spells on them to make more room inside?” Harry asked.

The woman remembered the very first question he had asked and sighed at her flippant response. “No, they don't have extension charms cast on them.”

“Then how do students get all of their things to school?” Harry asked and looked at the trunks. “The telescope is going to take up a lot of room inside.”

“I... don't know what to tell you.” The woman said. Of all the years she had been selling equipment, no one had asked her how they were going to carry their odd sized things inside a standard steamer trunk. It was only 3 feet long, 2 feet wide, and almost a foot and a half high.

“Is there somewhere I can have the trunk fixed?” Harry asked. “I haven't seen the cauldron yet; but, I'm sure it's going to be heavy. I won't be able to move the trunk on my own.”

The woman wasn't sure what to say. She knew a few people that could perform the charm fairly well and she could have one of them do it. The only problem was that it was unreliable unless you were very skilled and knowledgeable. She also couldn't sell something that wasn't guaranteed, because she could lose her license.

“Never mind.” Harry said, to her surprise. “I'll take the solid black trunk.”

The woman retrieved it and Harry paid her, then he tried to put as many things in it as he could. He managed to get the three bundles of books, the scales, his wand care kit, and the case with the crystal vials into it. He tried to put the telescope in and the box was just a little too high to close the lid.

“Hagrid? Could you carry it for me?” Harry asked as he took the telescope out and closed it.

“Sure thing, Harry.” Hagrid said and picked the trunk up and tucked it under his arm. “Where ta next?”

“Back to the bank.” Harry said with a smile and carried the telescope. A dejected Hagrid followed behind him and they went back down the street and went into the bank. They stood in line and once again, whether by plan or fate, Harry had the same goblin serve him.

“Is it magic that lets you keep serving me?” Harry asked.

The goblin gave Harry an inquisitive look. “You can tell?”

“It's the same teller booth and you're the same goblin.” Harry said.

“How do you know I'm the same goblin?”

“It's your bushy eyebrows.” Harry said. “They look like big grey caterpillars.”

The goblin looked surprised for a moment, then he smiled. “What is your business?”

“I like the money bag a lot.” Harry said. “Will it always keep the charms on it?”

“Are you questioning the work of a goblin?” The goblin asked in a flat voice and a complete hush fell across the entire bank. No one spoke or moved.

“No. I just want to know how long they last.” Harry said and sound resumed all across the bank. “If it lasts a long time, I want to give you more work.”

“Like what?” The goblin asked, curious.

“My trunk is too small for my school things.” Harry said. “I want the same enchantments as the money bag. An extension charm, a weight canceller, and anti-theft.”

The goblin looked at the trunk. “Yes, I see the problem. You can't fit the telescope inside with your other things.”

Harry nodded. “I haven't bought the cauldron, the potions kit, or any of my clothes. I need a lot more space.” He said, then he sighed. “I'm also small and weak.” He admitted. “I can't carry it by myself.”

The goblin blew his whistle and another goblin came over to him. “We have a private commission.”

“Oh, goody!” The second goblin said. “What is it?”

“A trunk that has to have the same charms as a money bag.” The clerk goblin said.

“Oooo!” The second goblin said, excitedly. “I'll get started right away!”

They walked over to the side of the room and Hagrid put the trunk down. Harry emptied it onto the floor as close to the wall as possible to keep the things out of the way, then the second goblin somehow made the trunk float in the air and ran off with it.

“What was that?” Harry asked, surprised.

“Goblin magic.” The clerk goblin said. “Wizards have a spell called Locomotor that does the same thing.”

Harry had to look up that spell as soon as he could. “Can I ask how long...”

The second goblin came running back with the trunk floating behind him. “Whew! It took some doing; but, I did it.” He said and braced his hands on his hips and struck what Harry thought was a hero pose.

“Very good.” The clerk goblin said.

“Well?” The second goblin looked at Harry. “Go ahead and open it!”

Harry opened the top and gawked at the inside. It was the size of a small room at ten feet by ten feet.

“I couldn't get much more out of it, I'm afraid.” The second goblin said, disappointment in his voice. “Now, if it was made with some magical materials, I'm sure I could get it out to a nice two bedroom apartment. You would need a magical plumber to handle the bathroom though. I don't do bathrooms.”

Harry just stared at the goblin, shocked.

“I hope it's big enough.” The second goblin said, a little worried. “I only put in a single set of shelves for your books, too. You'll need to add another one if you get more books.”

Those words took Harry out of his stunned state. “It's even better than I thought.” He said. “How much...”

“It has already been deducted from your vault.” The clerk goblin said.

Harry opened up the book bundles and wondered how to get them into the trunk without stepping in.

“Just drop them.” The second goblin said. “It's the same as a money bag and sorts them.”

Harry let the books drop into the trunk. The books sorted themselves and landed in the bookshelf. “I love magic.” He said and quickly put the rest of his things in and they landed softly.

“Our business is concluded.” The clerk goblin said and the two goblins left.

Harry closed the trunk with a grin on his face. When he grabbed the handle and lifted, the trunk was as light as a feather and he could easily carry it. He let out a laugh and several people turned to look at him. He coughed to cover it and then he and Hagrid left the bank quickly. The trunk didn't slow them down at all.

They stopped at Potage's Cauldron shop and bought the standard size two cauldron. Harry had been right and the thing was heavy. At least, it was until he put it in his trunk. They left there and went to the Apothecary and bought the first year basic potion ingredients kit. Harry immediately asked if he could buy the other kits for the other years and received a very distinct no. He would need training in handling such dangerous materials before the man behind the counter would sell them.

The last place Harry needed to stop at was Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions. He had to stand still for several minutes while a witch hummed and hawed at his large and baggy clothes.

“If you have a dressing room, I can take these off.” Harry offered.

“That's all right. My magic tape can measure you even if you're wearing a tent.” Madam Malkin said. “I'm just a bit disgusted at the state of your clothes.” She said and stood up. “You are going to look very sharp and handsome in some proper robes.”

Harry's face flushed red at the compliment, just like Hagrid's had in the other shop. “Blimey.” He used Hagrid's response and she laughed.

“Wait here and I'll be back with your school robes, young man.” Madam Malkin said and walked into the back of the shop.

Harry's face stayed red for the several minutes that the shop owner was gone. No one had ever called him handsome, ever, and he wasn't sure what to do about it.

Madam Malkin came out of the back room and she had three sets of work robes and a thick winter cloak. “Here we are, young man.” She said and held the robes out for him.

“Um... ma'am.” Harry's face was still red as he opened his trunk. “I... also need... gloves.” He said and took the robes.

Madam Malkin was enjoying flustering the lad and she smiled warmly at him. “You're not the first student I've had my hands on, young man.” She said and rubbed her hand through his hair. “I have them behind the counter.”

“Thank you.” Harry said and dropped the robes into the trunk.

Madam Malkin gasped at the shabby treatment of her clothes and darted forward to grab them... then she stared with an open mouth at the inside of the humongous trunk. Her eyes saw the neatly folded robes beside the bookshelf and she stood up straight.

“Young man.” Madam Malkin said. “If you get your long and unruly hair cut and wear my robes proudly, I would be grateful if you could give me a portrait to hang on my wall.”

“Get my hair cut?” Harry asked. It never occurred to him to chop off the hair that his aunt and uncle hated looking at with a passion. He just accepted that he had unruly hair and left it at that. He nodded wordlessly and she smiled warmly at him as she stepped forward and gave him a hug.

“You're a good boy.” Madam Malkin said and let him go. “I'll get those gloves for you.”

“O-o-okay.” Harry said, his face beet red. He had never been hugged like that before.

Madam Malkin came back with the best pair of dragon-hide gloves she carried and also gave him the pointed hat that all first years wore to distinguish them from the other students.

“Thanks.” Harry said and paid her for everything and left the shop, then he and Hagrid walked down Diagon Alley towards the exit.