Happry Potter: The New Player

At present, Harry Potter resided in Evan's House.

Compared to the Dursleys, it is practically a paradise. Furthermore, the Mason couple soon accepted the fact that their son had become a wizard.

Moreover, they are also very kind to Harry.

Whenever Mrs. Mason ate, she prepared Harry's favorite dishes. Here, he could complete his summer tasks without any remorse, and when he was free, he could play video games with Evan or discuss Hogwarts.

Harry loves this feeling, he is free to speak about the magical world.

Indeed, Evan really likes Harry.

Over a week, Harry gave a general introduction to each subject.

It is evident that Harry harbors prejudices against Professor Snape, the Potions Master, but possesses great talent in Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Harry also introduced Evan to the Hogwarts castles, secret passageways, ghosts, the feast, Gryffindor common room, Hagrid, his friends Ron and Hermione, and Quidditch, the most popular sport in the magical world.

"Evan, you must come to Gryffindor; it's the best house at Hogwarts, where Dumbledore was sorted," summarized Harry during breakfast after a week.

"Well, after hearing all this, I also feel that Slytherin is quite dreadful, not to mention my Muggle parents, so I shouldn't be sorted into that house," Evan paused, "But I'm not sure, maybe I won't make it into Gryffindor; perhaps I'll be placed in Hufflepuff."

"Don't worry, the level of new wizards is more or less the same, apart from Hermione, I've never seen anyone learn as quickly as you," Harry assured.

Harry was candid, and upon hearing about Professor Snape humiliating his students in class, Evan dedicated a week to reviewing the potion's class material.

It's remarkable because the only textbook for the potion's class was the O.W.L.s (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) exam book. Harry also began his assignments but even sought advice from Evan.

Just as Harry was about to ask something, two owls flew in through Evan's balcony one after the other – Hedwig and another owl with beautiful brown feathers he had never seen before.

"If my mother saw them, she would faint," Evan joked.

"I hope Mrs. Mason doesn't see them," said Harry. During his short stay, he learned that Mrs. Mason had an extreme fear of birds, so he had to let Hedwig stay at Ron's house.

"Evan, please take care of Hedwig."

Harry turned to the other owl, "This is a school owl bringing the supply lists."

Evan fed Hedwig, and together with Harry, they examined the list which read:

"The second-year students will need: The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 2 by Miranda Goshawk Break with a Banshee by Gilderoy Lockhart (Only in the 92-93 period) Gadding with Ghosts by Gilderoy Lockhart (Only in the 92-93 period) Holidays with Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart (Only in the 92-93 period) Travels with Trolls by Gilderoy Lockhart (Only in the 92-93 period) Voyages with Vampires by Gilderoy Lockhart (Only in the 92-93 period) Wanderings with Werewolves by Gilderoy Lockhart (Only in the 92-93 period) Year with the Yeti by Gilderoy Lockhart (Only in the 92-93 period)"

"These are the required textbooks for the Defense Against the Dark Arts class, also required for the first year; I wager the new professor is an admirer of Lockhart."

"They seem more like novels than magic books."

Harry thought of Quirrell and what transpired the previous year; he had Voldemort at the back of his head, but fortunately, he was thwarted.

"Just think of something happy and see what the letter Hedwig brought says."

"It's Ron's reply!"

Finally, Harry smiled, "Ron and Hermione are going to buy textbooks on Diagon Alley next Wednesday, and they're asking if we should go together that day too."

"I have no objection," Evan couldn't wait to see the streets of Diagon Alley, and noticing Harry's slight indecision, Evan peculiarly remarked, "What did the letter say?"

"Ron asked me if I wanted to stay at his house for a while," Harry was a bit embarrassed and clearly worried about how the Mason family would feel.

"Really, that's fantastic, I'd love to see what a wizard's house is like," said Evan, "Don't worry about my mother, I'll convince her."

In no time, it was already the following Wednesday. Mrs. Mason woke them both up early, they packed their bags, and after a quick meal, Mr. Mason took them to the Leaky Cauldron.

"Here we are!" said Harry, pointing to a dingy, narrow pub, "This is the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron and to Diagon Alley."

"I never thought there would be a place like this in this city, it looks like a building from the past century," sighed Mrs. Mason, and with Harry's guidance, she seemed to notice a small pub between a large bookstore and a record shop.

"Mom, the Leaky Cauldron is a very famous place, it has a protection spell and a Muggle deportation curse, it can't be marked on a map, Muggles who don't know the address can't see it..." Evan said trying to recall what he read in the magical theory book.

"Well, my dear little wizard, I don't think it's the best idea for us to stand in the street discussing a dingy pub," Mr. Mason said, stopping Evan and pushing him and Harry into the pub.

But for a famous place, it's very dark and dirty.

With the dim light of the candles, Evan saw some strange dresses, like a medieval-looking witch sitting in a corner sipping a small glass of sherry, sitting at the bar was a furtive-looking man with bandages, in front of him a small plate of raw liver.

"Welcome, Mr. Potter!" The bartender was a hunched elderly man who appeared silently in front of them.

"Hello."

Not only the Mason family, but even Harry seemed wary of him, because when he was here last year, Hagrid was with him.

They quickly regained their composure, feeling out of their element.

"Harry, Harry!"

Hermione quickly ran from the other side of the bar to greet them, not far behind her, were the Granger parents standing there with a strange expression.

"Harry, I heard you were coming today, and I waited here very early, fortunately you look well, Ron said you've been at the Ministry of Magic for the use of Transfiguration Magic, I was anxious, I hope they didn't mistreat you."

"Thank you, Hermione, I'm fine!" "This is Evan Mason, the New Year newbie, and thanks to his help, I escaped from the Dursleys this summer," Harry smiled, pointing to Evan. "Evan, this is Hermione Granger, I told you about her a while back."

Looking at the bushy-haired brown-haired girl in front of him, Evan knew she was the intelligence of their trio.

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Granger!" Evan extended his right hand, "I heard Harry say you came first in the final exam last year."

"It was just a bit of cleverness from being a bookworm," Miss Granger said with a flushed face, then shook Evan's hand and said, "you can call me Hermione, may I call you Evan?"

"No problem, Hermione, in fact, I've been perusing Harry's books for a while and I have many questions for you."

Harry had a headache as the conversation between the two individuals gradually shifted to anecdotes from books; fortunately, it did not last long as Ron soon arrived to rescue him.

The fireplace was aglow with emerald fire, from which the Weasley family emerged.