Two days later.
Having just finished breakfast, Wade was about to head out for a walk when the doorbell suddenly rang.
He paused for a moment before immediately realizing who it must be.
Hogwarts’ guide has arrived.
Opening the door, he found an elderly witch with a warm, kindly smile standing outside.
She wore emerald-green robes, square spectacles, and a black pointed hat.
“Mr.
Wade Morea?” “That’s me.
May I ask who you are?” “Minerva McGonagall, Professor of Transfiguration at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and Head of Gryffindor House.” Wade was genuinely surprised.
He knew exactly who Professor McGonagall was, but he hadn’t expected the Deputy Headmistress herself to act as his guide.
Isn’t that a little extravagant?
“Welcome, Professor McGonagall.
Please come in.” Stepping aside, Wade gestured politely for her to enter.
McGonagall smiled and nodded before walking inside.
She took a seat on the sofa in the living room.
Wade poured her a cup of hot tea, then sat across from her like an obedient student.
“There’s no need to be so nervous, Mr.
Morea.” “My apologies, Professor McGonagall.” “It’s just…
this is my first time meeting a witch, so I can’t help feeling excited.” He deliberately sounded enthusiastic.
His knowledge of the wizarding world was actually quite limited—almost nonexistent—but he had to act as though he knew absolutely nothing.
“I only realized a few days ago that those strange abilities I’ve displayed since childhood were actually magic.
I never imagined there were so many people like me living in this world.” “And I certainly didn’t expect you to come in person to guide me.” “It’s quite necessary,” McGonagall replied.
“Every year, Hogwarts sends professors to assist Muggle-born witches and wizards, ensuring that no student is overlooked.” “Muggle?” “That’s what we call ordinary people without magical ability in Britain’s wizarding community.” She paused briefly.
“However, you’re actually a half-blood wizard.
Your father was a wizard, while your mother was a Muggle.” “I’ve never met either of them since the day I was born.” Wade smiled faintly and shook his head as though it didn’t matter.
McGonagall froze.
1 A wave of guilt suddenly washed over her.
What have I just done?
She had unknowingly brought up an orphan’s parents, reopening wounds no child should have to bear.
“Professor McGonagall, shall we leave?” “To be honest, I’ve really been looking forward to this.” “Of course.” She quickly composed herself.
“But have you prepared everything you’ll need?” “I have, though I’m not sure whether it’s enough.” “Please wait here for a moment.” Wade hurried upstairs and returned half a minute later carrying two heavy gold bars.
1 After receiving Hogwarts’ reply, he had converted almost all of his assets into gold, leaving himself only one thousand pounds for everyday expenses in the Muggle world.
It wasn’t that Muggle currency couldn’t be exchanged at Gringotts.
It was simply that those greedy goblins clearly preferred gold.
“That’s certainly more than enough,” McGonagall said with an approving nod.
“Even so, I’d advise you to spend carefully.
Every school year requires new textbooks and equipment.” “Hogwarts also offers loans to first-year students from families with financial difficulties, should you ever need one…” “I appreciate the offer, Professor McGonagall, but I’d rather not.” “I don’t like owing people money.” McGonagall respected his decision.
An orphan who had managed to grow up on his own must have endured countless hardships and grievances.
It was only natural for him to have his own principles.
“Very well.” “Then let’s be on our way, Mr.
Morea.” “We have plenty of time today.
We should be able to purchase everything you’ll need for the new school year in Diagon Alley.” “Please stay close and don’t wander off.” “I will.” After locking the front door, Wade followed her.
They walked for more than half an hour before taking the Underground.
After leaving the station, they passed through the bustling crowds until they stopped in front of a small pub.
The Leaky Cauldron.
It was wedged between a bookstore and a record shop.
Its entrance was narrow and shabby, yet passersby seemed incapable of noticing it, never even sparing it a glance.
“Does it seem strange?” McGonagall asked.
“A little.” “Can only witches and wizards see it?” “It’s protected by enchantments.” “Muggles instinctively overlook this place.” Without waiting for a response, she pushed open the door and led Wade inside.
Compared with the surrounding businesses, the Leaky Cauldron felt remarkably old-fashioned.
Candles provided the only lighting, casting the pub in a dim, warm glow.
Most of the customers wore robes similar to McGonagall’s, while a few were dressed even more eccentrically.
Some were drinking, others smoking or chatting animatedly, all accompanied by classical music that blended into a lively, boisterous atmosphere.
1 “Good morning, Professor McGonagall.” The bartender greeted her cheerfully.
“You’ve been awfully busy lately.
I only saw you bringing a little girl here a few days ago.” “Guiding young witches and wizards is an important responsibility.” McGonagall gently patted Wade’s shoulder before leading him through the bar and into a small courtyard behind the pub.
Apart from several rubbish bins, only a few stubborn weeds clung to life along the base of the brick wall.
Stopping before the wall, McGonagall said, “Count three bricks up…
then two across…” Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
She tapped the bricks with her wand.
The entire wall began to tremble.
The bricks shifted, rotated, and folded away to either side, opening into a broad stone archway.
Beyond it stretched a winding cobblestone street that disappeared into the distance.
“This is Diagon Alley.” “You can purchase nearly everything a wizard needs here, including everything listed on Hogwarts’ school supply list.” Wade stared wide-eyed at the old-fashioned buildings, so different from the outside world, and the countless witches and wizards dressed in robes and pointed hats walking through the streets.
Although he had prepared himself mentally, seeing the magical world with his own eyes still left him amazed.
“It’s always this lively before the start of term,” McGonagall said with a smile.
“Though it’s quite bustling during the rest of the year as well.” “Our first stop is Gringotts so we can exchange your money.” “The wizarding world’s currency differs from that of the Muggle world.” “We use Gold Galleons, Silver Sickles, and Bronze Knuts.” “One Galleon equals seventeen Sickles, and one Sickle equals twenty-nine Knuts.” Wade frowned.
“That’s an incredibly inconvenient exchange rate.” “Couldn’t they have made it decimal instead?” McGonagall smiled helplessly.
“The goblins rather enjoy making things difficult for wizards.” “But you get used to it.” Passing a cauldron shop, an owl emporium, an ice cream parlor, an apothecary, and countless stalls of every size imaginable, the two finally stopped before a towering snow-white building.
A flight of white marble steps led to a pair of gleaming bronze doors.
Standing beside them was a goblin dressed in a scarlet uniform trimmed with gold.
Barely the size of a human child, the goblin had an unmistakably shrewd, avaricious face, sparse hair and beard, long pointed ears and nose, and thin fingers ending in sharp, delicate nails.
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