Vaughn turned his head and saw a stern-looking, slender witch leading a young couple and a little girl out of a narrow archway.
That was the entrance from the Leaky Cauldron.
Vaughn had been there before, though unfortunately the hunchbacked innkeeper, Tom, had refused to serve him Butterbeer.
Back when he had read the novels in his previous life, he had always been curious about what the drink actually tasted like.
The young couple were obviously Muggles.
Their suits and dresses were far too normal, making them seem oddly out of place in Diagon Alley.
Molly spotted them as well and immediately lit up with delight.
“Professor McGonagall!
Professor McGonagall!
Merlin’s beard, it’s wonderful to see you!” Professor McGonagall was clearly familiar with Molly.
After all, five Weasley children had already attended Hogwarts, and every one of them had been sorted into Gryffindor.
It would have been difficult not to know the family.
The stern expression on her face softened slightly as she approached with the Muggle family.
“Mrs.
Weasley, shopping for school supplies?” “Yes, Professor McGonagall…
Oh, is this young lady also a new Hogwarts student this year?” “That’s right.
This is Mr.
Granger and Mrs.
Granger, along with their daughter, Hermione Granger, who will also be starting Hogwarts this year.” As she introduced them, McGonagall examined Vaughn and Ron, though her attention lingered mainly on Vaughn.
“Mr.
and Mrs.
Granger, this is Mrs.
Weasley and her two sons, Vaughn Weasley and…” “Ron, Professor McGonagall!” “…Ron Weasley.” McGonagall nodded at the shy boy hiding behind Molly.
Her lips pressed together tightly before her gaze returned to Vaughn.
A nearly imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
Bending down, she gently shook his hand.
“Mr.
Weasley, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” “The pleasure is mine, Professor McGonagall.” Vaughn returned the smile politely.
Then he looked past her at the somewhat nervous Muggle couple exchanging greetings with Molly and the little girl curiously staring at him.
Snap.
Vaughn flicked his fingers.
A faint pulse of magic flowed outward.
The bushy hair hanging over the girl’s forehead immediately floated upward like strands of seaweed drifting underwater.
It was nothing more than a trivial little trick, one that didn’t even require a wand.
But for a Muggle family with little exposure to magic, it was more than enough to seem miraculous.
Mr.
and Mrs.
Granger covered their mouths in shock.
The girl widened her eyes.
She tried patting down her floating hair while repeatedly glancing at Vaughn, clearly eager to rush over and demand an explanation for how he had done it.
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat.
“Ahem.
Mrs.
Weasley, I still need to take the Grangers to Gringotts to exchange money, so we won’t keep you any longer.” As she spoke, she hesitated before glancing at Vaughn.
“Mr.
Weasley, I hope you won’t perform such tricks in front of other Muggles.
As you know, the Ministry of Magic strictly prohibits such things.” Vaughn nodded with an innocent smile.
“Of course, Professor McGonagall.” As the group departed, Hermione Granger continued looking back at him.
Vaughn smiled and waved.
The little girl froze for a moment, then her face suddenly turned red.
What an adorable girl.
Vaughn watched her disappear into the distance, repeatedly glancing back over her shoulder.
Then he heard Ron muttering impatiently beside him.
“Aren’t we going to buy my wand yet?
Ollivanders is probably crowded today.
We might have to queue.” Vaughn gave him a strange look.
Ron immediately felt uneasy and touched his face.
“W-What are you looking at?” “Nothing.
As long as you’re happy.” Ron was absolutely happy.
It was his first visit to Diagon Alley, and the sights had practically dazzled him.
Though he had been urging everyone to hurry to Ollivanders, the moment they passed Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour, his legs seemed welded to the ground.
Perhaps worried that Ron might lose his composure after seeing Vaughn buy brand-new books and robes, Molly unusually chose to indulge him and bought him an ice cream.
With the treat in hand, Ron finally stopped rushing everyone.
Meanwhile, Molly led Vaughn through Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions, Flourish and Blotts, and various other shops to purchase robes, books, and supplies.
Fortunately, nearly every store offered owl delivery services, sparing them the trouble of carrying armfuls of packages everywhere.
“Books, robes, cauldron, scales…
Oh, that’s right.
Students can also bring a pet.
Over there are Eeylops Owl Emporium and the Magical Menagerie.
Vaughn, what kind of pet are you planning to get?” Glancing at Ron, who was still happily devouring his ice cream and oblivious to the world around him, Vaughn answered with a mischievous grin.
“I want a cat.” Ron froze.
His face immediately turned pale.
He seemed to have already envisioned Scabbers’ miserable future.
But…
A new wand…
The devil’s whisper echoed through his mind.
Together with the ice cream, it successfully suppressed any resistance he might have offered.
In the end, he remained silent.
The Magical Menagerie was the largest pet store in Diagon Alley.
Aside from magical creatures whose ownership was prohibited by the Ministry, nearly every pet suitable for wizards could be found there.
The owner was a witch wearing thick black-rimmed glasses.
She warmly welcomed the Weasley family and, upon hearing Vaughn’s request, quickly waved her wand and summoned a line of cages.
“An excellent choice, Mr.
Weasley.
Many young wizards fail to appreciate the importance of choosing a proper pet.
Their first choice is always an owl, prioritizing practicality over affection.
It’s rather disappointing.
Now then, please take a look.
These are all the cats currently available in our shop.
We have every breed imaginable.
And between us, many of them carry Kneazle blood, making them exceptionally intelligent.” Meow~ The cats truly did seem clever.
As though aware someone was considering purchasing them, many that had previously been lounging lazily stood up and began meowing softly at Vaughn.
Among them was one particularly enormous specimen.
Most of the cats measured around two feet in length.
This one was nearly four feet long.
Its build was powerful, its coat glossy and magnificent.
Long fur draped over its body, making it appear two or three times larger than the others.
It was also the most enthusiastic.
Its serious-looking face pressed against the cage bars, and when Vaughn extended a hand toward it, the cat nearly tried to squeeze itself through the gaps.
“Oh, Mr.
Weasley, it seems this young lady likes you very much.
She’s a Maine Coon with Kneazle blood.
They’re currently bred only in the Americas and are extremely rare in Europe.” Vaughn reached out to play with it.
The cat immediately retracted its claws and wrapped its thick, padded paws around his fingers.
Its gentle temperament instantly won him over.
Especially its fur.
The mixture of orange-red and golden-yellow reminded him of a fruit tea beverage he used to drink in his previous life.
“I’ll take this one.” After paying, Vaughn left the shop with the cat.
The creature was heavy—at least fifteen pounds—and its four-foot body made it difficult for Vaughn’s still-growing frame to carry it comfortably.
The moment it appeared before Ron, his face grew even paler.
“T-That’s a cat?” Vaughn grinned cheerfully.
“Of course it’s a cat.
I’m calling her Marmalade.
Marmalade, come smell the rat scent on Ron.” “Meow~”