Chapter 2: Diagon Alley Shopping
Chapter 2: Diagon Alley Shopping
What was Vedder Grey's family background?
Although he came from a long line of witches and wizards, his parents were both Squibs, rendering them no different from Muggles in the eyes of the true wizarding community.
Ferdinand filled Ved in on the details of the chaos caused by Grindelwald in recent years, as well as the cruel killings perpetrated by the second Dark Lord.
In fact, the last news they received about the wizarding world was the successive deaths of both his parents in the war.
"Ved, you are exceptional and have always made your mother and me proud. But you must know that in the wizarding community, lineage is of utmost importance."
"To many, pure-bloods, half-bloods, and Muggle-borns naturally form a hierarchy. About a decade ago, the most powerful dark wizard at the time—the Mysterious Man—strongly advocated for the Blood Theory. He and his followers brutally murdered numerous Muggles, Muggle-born wizards, and pure-bloods who opposed him."
"Your mother and I were also forced to sever ties with the wizarding world during that time... Even though peace has been restored now, there are undoubtedly still many wizards who uphold pure-blood supremacy. I have no doubt that they will pass on these prejudices and malice to their children..."
"Ved, I'm worried... Hogwarts may not be as wonderful as we imagine it to be..."
Ferdinand spoke with a worried frown.
After hearing this, Ved smiled quietly.
"Don't worry, Dad. There will be other students at school who have a similar background to mine. As long as I have enough friends by my side, others won't dare to bother me, right?"
He paused before adding, "And... no matter where I go, absolute strength can shatter any prejudice. I will study hard and strive to be the best."
Ferdinand's worries were not entirely assuaged by Ved's words. He fretted, "But, my son... you haven't shown any magical abilities yet. Perhaps your magical power is only slightly stronger than a Squib's..."
How could he have any real strength?
However, out of respect for the boy's self-esteem, Ferdinand kept these thoughts to himself.
..................................................
Minerva McGonagall arrived sooner than Ved had expected.
The day after receiving the letter, while the Grey family was having breakfast, they suddenly heard a knock on the door. Ved put down his cutlery and opened the door, immediately recognizing the person standing before him.
It wasn't because she looked exactly like she did in the movies—Ved had long forgotten most of the movie details he had watched years ago, and the actors' images had faded from his memory.
Nor was it because the stern-looking lady standing before him was wearing a conspicuous green robe, an outfit no ordinary person would don.
It was because floating above her head was a string of handwritten words—
Minerva McGonagall.
Ved fell silent, his doubts resurfacing—was all of this real?
Or had he not traveled into the world of Harry Potter, but rather into a game version of it? Was he merely an NPC who had awakened his memories and self-awareness from a previous life?
"Hello, Mr. Grey."
As Ved's thoughts wandered, Minerva McGonagall offered a gentle smile, though she still looked quite stern.
"I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Professor of Transfiguration."
Ved quickly collected his scattered thoughts and replied, "Welcome, Professor McGonagall. Please come in and have a cup of tea."
Hearing the voices, Mr. and Mrs. Grey hurried out, their eyes filled with reverence as they looked upon the wizard who seemed to exude an air of mystery and unapproachability. They stumbled over their words, "Y-yes, welcome—welcome, Professor, ma'am. Please come in and have a seat!"
Ferdinand forced a cheerful smile and quickly glanced at his son, as if worried that this wizard might cast an evil spell on him.
Ved remained remarkably calm, knowing that this lady was an extremely upright and kind person.
He controlled his gaze, avoiding looking directly at her head, and stepped aside to invite her in.
Professor McGonagall's visit served two purposes: first, to prove the authenticity of the magical school and convince the couple to allow their child to attend, and second, to take Ved shopping for his school supplies.
Having encountered many Muggle families who were skeptical about magic and feared she wanted to abduct their children for secret experiments or send them to Muggle schools, she had prepared several sets of talking points in advance.
However, this family had few questions about magic and were more concerned about the learning environment, making her first task relatively easy.
Soon enough, the group arrived at Charing Cross Road in London, and Professor McGonagall led them into a dingy, tiny pub called the Leaky Cauldron.
It was still early, and the pub was almost empty except for a hunchbacked man wiping down tables. He greeted them with a "Good morning, Professor McGonagall."
Glancing at the family dressed in Muggle clothing, his gaze lingered on Ved, who was noticeably shorter than the rest. "Is this young one a new student at Hogwarts this year?"
"Good morning, Tom," replied Professor McGonagall. "I'm bringing Mr. Grey here to get what he needs for school."
The group made their way through the pub to a small courtyard at the back. Professor McGonagall stood next to a dumpster and drew out her wand, instructing Mr. Grey, "Please remember this place. If you wish to enter Diagon Alley, you must pass through here. Three up and two across..."
She tapped a brick on the wall gently three times with her wand.
The bricks on the wall began to shift as if moved by an invisible hand, and in the blink of an eye, a spacious archway appeared, along with the bustling sounds of the alley beyond.
"Wow!"
The Grey family couldn't help but exclaim in awe.
Before them lay a winding street filled with shops selling all sorts of curious items.
Wizards in long robes bustled about, haggling over prices, parents doted on their children, and kids played and chased each other, creating an atmosphere that was both chaotic and festive.
Led by Professor McGonagall, the group made their way through the numerous shops, eventually arriving at Gringotts. Ferdinand had already prepared the money he needed to exchange and took out a large bag jingling with pounds, exchanging them for fifty gold Galleons.
Before leaving, Professor McGonagall had reminded them that Muggle paper money could only be exchanged for a limited amount at Gringotts, but there were no such restrictions on metal coins, gold, or jewelry.
Following this, they purchased school uniforms, textbooks, scales, cauldrons, wands, and even an owl as a pet, all under the guidance of Professor McGonagall.
With the esteemed professor by their side, the shopkeepers treated them politely, despite their Muggle clothing.
As an aside, Ved's wand was made of white birch wood and unicorn hair, measuring twelve inches (approximately 30 centimeters) in length. White birch symbolized rebirth, and Ved found this choice intriguing, as if his secret had been seen through by his wand.
(End of Chapter)
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