They all grunted acknowledgement and stomped their way around. Harry gave a short wave and set off, taking one of the spare keys with him. He set off down the street at a casual walk. In his package of items from buying the house the old couple had even left him with a map of the surrounding area. They had also, fortunately, had the electricity, plumbing, and phone lines all checked over before they sold and even kept them running. Harry didn't have to phone around to get water and such. He just had to pay the bills at the end of the month.
Besides that, Harry had checked the small map over and learned that while the area was mostly homes, only two blocks away was a small shopping area. There was a small grocery market, a farmers market on Saturdays, a gardening center, a gas station, a thrift store, and a mini-department store. A few other stores surrounded the small area also. Then about seven blocks away the city started and you ran into larger stretches of shopping and business with fewer houses.
At the moment Harry was interested in the garden store. He hummed slightly as he walked down the neat sidewalks and gazed about. He loved how the houses were not all cookie cutters houses nor did people strive to have them absolutely the same and normal. In fact, most of the houses looked old in one way or another and were varying in sizes, yard sizes, and everything really. Harry was fairly entertained to find one house lawn full of lawn ornaments, packed in every space available, while the house next to it was so bare it didn't even have a mail box
Harry reached the small shopping area in under seven minutes and headed straight for the gardening center. As he walked in he found the place was fairly empty. It didn't discourage him. He headed for the tools section and immediately picked out a wheelbarrow, a hand held rake, shovel, and hoe. He also got a larger shovel and rake. Then he got two pairs of gloves, some thick heavy duty ones, and some lighter ones. He also chose out a wide brimmed straw hat to protect him from the sun and an apron to protect his knees. Next on his list was a huge stack of black plastic planters and some tomato cages. He also bought a huge sack of fertilizer and potting soil.
Then he moved to the seed section and bought a packet of every single vegetable he liked, usually more then one of the same kind. Flower seeds quickly followed the vegetable seeds. Then he moved onto the plant area which was in the back in a greenhouse like room with a bunch of sale signs. Since it was late in the season most were on sale. He picked out a bunch of flats of already started plants like peppers, tomatoes, and just flowers. He also chose a large selection of herbs. He also found a few fruit trees to add to the mix.
When he was done he found himself sheepishly smiling at the girl ringing in his things. He had too much to carry on one trip. He paid the girl using his 'bank card'. Griphook had given it to him, sneaking it in the pile of his things from buying the house with a note about the pin number. There had also been a note explaining how it worked. Gringotts had one large vault that contained pounds. When the bank card was used the money would appear in the account it needed to be given to and that number would be marked down. At the end of the month Gringotts would tally up who had spent what and deduct it from their vaults.
"Can I come back for a second trip in a while? My place is about a seven minute walk away." Harry asked as he realized he could only take half with him.
"Sure kid." She said popping some bubble gum. "I'll stick it back here with me. Give me your name so I can write it on the note."
"Harry Potter."
"Got it."
"Actually." Harry started. "Can I leave this here a moment? I need to run over to the grocery market."
"Sure, whatever." She said.
He pushed the full wheelbarrow up to the pile of his plants and then ducked from the place. He scurried over to the store. Once in there he grabbed a basket and set off to find what he needed. He had nothing at the moment. Not even a stove or a fridge so he had to get items he didn't need stored or cooked. His taps gave out very hot water though so he could have tea and porridge. He picked out those amongst some fruits, bread, jam, and some other small items. He also bought a water piture and some juice mix along with some simple plastic cups, bowls, and utensils. When he was finished he paid and when no one was looking stuffed the grocery bags into his satchel.
When he returned to the Garden Center he found a different lady where the girl had been but she had been told of the situation and smiled at him as he took off with the wheelbarrow. This time it took him ten minutes to make it back to his place as he was pushing a full wheelbarrow. When he did get back though he dropped all the stuff off in the garage and wheeled the wheelbarrow back towards the garden center. He smiled at the lady who helped him load the rest of his things into the barrow and waved him out the door.
Harry found this trip a bit more taxing as he had two small fruit trees tucked in to the wheelbarrow. He could barely see around them. He took a few extra minutes because of this problem, but finally reached his place where he left them with the other things in the garage. He walked into the house to find the carpenters still there adding the finishing touches to his large red fireplace.
He thanked them and paid them upfront as he watched them apparate away. Then he found Hedwig sitting on the window sill of his room. He called her down and sent her off with a note to Griphook asking if he could tell Harry if he could hire some warders. He was going to make his place safe. Because it was his.