Chapter 5: Diagon Alley

Overview

• Harry wakes up in a hut with Hagrid, confirming his magical journey is real.
• An owl delivers a newspaper, and Hagrid explains the concept of wizard money and Gringotts, the wizard bank.
• Harry learns about his inheritance and prepares to go to Diagon Alley to buy school supplies.

Key Events

Morning at the Hut

• Harry's Realization: Harry initially thinks the previous day's events were a dream.
• Owl Delivery: An owl delivers a newspaper, demanding payment with wizard currency (Knuts).
• Hagrid's Explanation: Hagrid explains wizard currency: 17 silver Sickles to a Galleon and 29 Knuts to a Sickle.

Journey to Diagon Alley

• To Gringotts: Hagrid assures Harry about his parents’ inheritance and they plan to visit Gringotts.
• Magical Journey: Hagrid uses magic to speed up their boat trip to the mainland.
• Ministry of Magic: Hagrid mentions the Ministry of Magic and Dumbledore's role.

Arrival at Diagon Alley

• Entering Diagon Alley: Hagrid takes Harry through the Leaky Cauldron, where Harry is recognized and greeted warmly.
• Inside Gringotts: They visit Gringotts to withdraw Harry's inheritance; Hagrid retrieves a mysterious package for Hogwarts.

Shopping in Diagon Alley

• Purchases: They buy various school supplies, including robes, books, and potion ingredients.
• Owl Purchase: Hagrid gifts Harry a snowy owl for his birthday.
• First Impressions: Harry encounters a snobbish boy at Madame Malkin's robes shop, who criticizes Muggle-born wizards.

Important Locations and Concepts

Gringotts Bank

• Security: Known for its high security, with spells, enchantments, and possibly dragons guarding the vaults.
• Vault 713: A mysterious vault containing a small package, tied to Hogwarts.

The Leaky Cauldron

• A pub that serves as the entrance to Diagon Alley, visible only to wizards.

Diagon Alley

• A bustling street with shops selling wizarding supplies, including books, robes, and magical instruments.

Characters Introduced

Hagrid

• Role: Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts; becomes Harry's guide to the wizarding world.

Goblins

• Role: Run Gringotts bank; depicted as clever and shrewd.

Professor Quirrell

• Role: Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher; appears nervous and timid.

The Snobbish Boy

• Attitude: Displays prejudice against Muggle-born witches and wizards.

Themes

• Discovery: Harry's journey to Diagon Alley is filled with awe and wonder as he discovers the magical world.
• Identity: Harry begins to understand his fame and significance in the wizarding community.
• Prejudice: Encounters with the snobbish boy highlight class and bloodline prejudices within the wizarding world.