https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-3-The-Multiverse-Emporium-Opens-and-Owl-s-Letter/13453179/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-5-Wand-and-the-Emporium-s-First-Customer-Revised-/13453181/
Chapter 4: Diagon Alley and an Unexpected Acquaintance
Chapter 4: Diagon Alley and an Unexpected Acquaintance
The day after breakfast, Mr. Lambert took Liam on the subway to Charing Cross Road, which was only about a half-hour journey from their home.
On the way, Liam was deep in thought about the world of Harry Potter.
In the novels, the magical world isn't one where demigods are as common as dogs, liches roam the streets, and Extraordinary Beings dominate. However, from certain perspectives, the extraordinary side of this world isn't so simple.
For instance, in the realm of life, there's the Philosopher's Stone, which grants immortality. In the realm of time, there's the Time-Turner, which a young girl can use. In the realm of space, there's the Space Expansion Charm and Apparition, which are widely used by adult Wizards. There's even a Luck Potion that could influence fate and destiny. These magical items, especially those related to space and the mind, are centuries ahead of the technological side of this world.
The magic in this world is likely more complex than it seems. After all, J.K. Rowling wrote a fairy tale, only depicting a part of the Wizarding world.
As for Wizard combat skills, even Peter Pettigrew, who is considered a mediocre Wizard, could blow up half a street. This suggests that the Wizarding world isn't lacking in combat prowess; it's just that many combat-related skills are omitted from school education and can only be passed down through family traditions.
Thinking about this, Liam felt a bit relieved. It was fortunate that he had a Multiverse General Store, which could help make up for the knowledge gaps he had as a Muggle-born. After all, he was starting Hogwarts in the same year as the Chosen One. Reading the original novels, he knew the next few years wouldn't be peaceful.
It seemed that his life plan needed some adjustments. Now, his primary goal should be to improve his strength. After all, in the magical world, power is the foundation. Otherwise, why would Dumbledore be the leader of the Wizards, not Fudge?
As he was lost in thought, Mr. Lambert suddenly stopped in front of him.
"We're here, 24 Charing Cross Road... 28 Charing Cross Road. Wait, where's number 26?"
Liam looked up and saw an old, dilapidated pub with a wooden sign that read "Leaky Cauldron", situated between a record store and a bookstore.
"Dad, hold my hand", Liam said, pulling his father and pushing open the pub door.
"This is incredible", Mr. Lambert said, looking around the room. It was a medieval-style pub, not very clean, with dim lighting. Some people in robes were drinking or playing dice.
Perhaps they had stood at the entrance for a bit too long, as a man with almost no hair, resembling a shrunken walnut, appeared silently before them. "I'm Tom, the owner of the Leaky Cauldron. It looks like you need some help." He glanced at Liam. "First-year Hogwarts student, I presume?"
"Yes", Liam said. "We've never encountered magic before. Could you tell us how to get to Diagon Alley? I need to buy my school supplies."
Tom gave a grim smile. "Diagon Alley, follow me." He then led Liam and his father to the backyard. Tom pulled out his wand and pointed it at the back wall. "Three up from the trash can, then two across... tap three times!"
As Tom tapped, the wall began to tremble and shift, eventually revealing a wide archway leading to a winding, cobblestone street that stretched out of sight.
"You should head to Gringotts first. It's the tallest white building straight ahead where you can exchange Muggle currency for Wizarding money", Tom said, putting his wand away and leaving.
Father and son walked along the cobblestone street toward Gringotts, the sounds of haggling and strange animal calls coming from the shops on either side. Mr. Lambert, displaying a writer's curiosity, had to be gently steered away from pressing his nose against the glass to get a closer look at the intricate gilded astronomical model.
Soon, they arrived at a towering white building that stood out among the surrounding shops. At the gleaming bronze doors, a Goblin in a scarlet and gold uniform stood guard. Mr. Lambert muttered in Chinese, "This is a Goblin? It looks more like a human-like goblin." The Goblin glanced up at them and said listlessly, "Hogwarts freshmen, go to the currency exchange window. There's a sign."
Inside the golden hall of Gringotts, they found a counter in one corner with a sign for Hogwarts freshmen currency exchange.
"Hello", Liam greeted the Goblin at the counter.
"Freshman, state your name."
"Layne Liang."
"Confirmed, you're on the list", the Goblin said, checking a parchment.
"Freshmen can exchange up to 200 Galleons per year." The Goblin then handed over a bag. Mr. Lambert took out a stack of 50-pound notes from the bank and passed them to the Goblin, then said to Liam, "This is a bit like in China. Last time, your cousin told me that when he exchanged pounds, there was a quota for each person, and he had to fill out a lot of paperwork."
After exchanging the money, the two decided to start with familiar items. They visited various shops to purchase robes, textbooks, cauldrons, scales, potions, and crystal vials, as listed on the school supply list. Of course, Liam politely declined Mr. Lambert's offer to buy him a pet, citing the need to focus all his energy on adapting to the new environment.
The shopping went smoothly. However, thinking about the large sum of money he would have to spend next year on a fraud's novel, Liam felt a bit depressed.
Finally, they arrived at a small, dilapidated shop with a golden sign that had peeled off. The sign read, "Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C." In the dusty window, a single wand lay on a faded purple cushion.
As they pushed open the door, Liam noticed a man in a suit with his daughter trying out wands. Their backs looked familiar.
Before he could place where he had seen them, Mr. Lambert walked up and greeted them softly, "Mr. Granger, I didn't expect to see you here."
Liam immediately recognized Mr. Granger as a dentist whose clinic was not far from their home. He had even visited the clinic for a dental checkup before. Most importantly, Mr. Granger's daughter was in the same grade at his school, though not in the same class. She always came in second place in their year (Liam thought, "A college student being top of the primary school is nothing to brag about; one should be humble").
Suddenly, Liam froze. Granger, dentist, brown curly hair, and starting Hogwarts in 1991. This made it easy for him to guess who the girl was. He had not realized it before because he had assumed this was an ordinary world and had not considered this possibility. Additionally, Miss Granger's appearance was slightly different from the actress, and the name he had heard in school, sounding like "Hermione", was quite different from the Chinese pronunciation.
Liam felt the world's hostility toward him as an outsider. It seemed his plan to survive for seven years would need to be revised.
(End of Chapter)
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