Visit

Herb called his father. The old man became emotional after hearing the news and said he would come visit his grandson in the next few days.

Daisy was still angry. Only after Albert soothed her did she refrain from arguing with her husband. The female lawyer could not understand why her husband, who had always been intelligent, had suddenly become so foolish. He had actually fallen for such a boring prank and even intended to gamble with their precious son's future.

In truth, everyone found it rather amusing. After all, magic existed only in legends.

Nia even pestered Albert, asking him to perform magic for her.

"I can't." Albert helplessly spread his hands.

Of course, Albert knew a few spells, such as the simplest one, Lumos.

But without a wand, he probably could not cast it, so he did not try.

At the very least, he would not try it in front of the others. How would he explain it otherwise?

"Nia, there is no such thing as magic in this world. It's all just a trick to fool people," Daisy said seriously. She did not want her daughter's head filled with strange and fanciful ideas.

"Albert, the letter says you can bring a pet to school. Are you planning to take Tom with you?" Ignoring her mother's words, Nia picked up the shorthair cat and sat beside Albert.

"Until I'm sure magic exists, I won't consider that question," Albert said solemnly.

Of course, he was really trying to reassure his mother, Daisy. She looked like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

An Owl flew through the window into the living room and dropped a piece of Parchment onto the table.

The Parchment read:

I will visit at 3:20—Professor McGonagall.

"3:20?" Albert took the Parchment and glanced at the clock. "One minute to go."

"Very well. I'll definitely expose those frauds' tricks."

At 3:20, the doorbell rang.

The Anderson Family exchanged looks. In the end, Herb Anderson, the head of the household, went to answer the door, with Nia following behind him.

When he opened the door, Herb found an elderly woman standing outside.

"Professor McGonagall?" Herb eyed the woman suspiciously and said stiffly, "Oh, all right. Come in. Albert is in the living room, if you can prove that magic exists."

"Can you do magic?" Nia poked her head out and asked.

"That is precisely why I am here!" Professor McGonagall was quite experienced at handling such matters. She had dealt with many similar situations before. "Families from Muggle backgrounds often have similar doubts."

"Mug what? Muggle?" Anderson's expression froze as he repeated the word he had just heard.

She had called him a Muggle?

"Muggles are ordinary people who cannot use magic." After entering the living room, McGonagall's gaze fell upon the only boy in the room.

"Hello, Mr. Anderson."

"Hello, Madam McGonagall." Albert studied the witch before him. Professor McGonagall did indeed look different from the films, though his memories of that were rather vague now.

"We hope you can prove... that magic exists." Daisy served Professor McGonagall a cup of unsweetened black tea.

"Certainly. Watch." McGonagall drew her wand and lightly tapped the teacup. The cup actually transformed into a little mouse.

It was Albert's first time seeing magic. He curiously picked up the little gray mouse. "Amazing."

"This is magic? I will never let Albert waste his time learning such boring tricks. Are you expecting him to become a magician someday?" Daisy adopted the imposing manner of a lawyer and sharply pointed out, "Forgive me for saying so, but I find Albert's future deeply worrying. A diploma from a magic school would be no different from waste paper in the ordinary world, would it? Assuming you even issue diplomas at all."

"Every qualified Hogwarts graduate can find respectable work in the wizarding world, so you needn't worry about that," Professor McGonagall explained.

After witnessing magic, Daisy knew she could no longer deny its existence, but she still intended to make one last attempt. "Albert, I think Eton College would be the better choice. You earned that place through your own efforts. If you want to pursue finance, you'd better not go to Hogwarts. It certainly won't allow your talents to shine."

Herb looked at his wife and sighed helplessly to himself. He knew Daisy truly did not want Albert to go to Hogwarts.

"Son, choose for yourself. We respect your choice."

"Forgive me for saying so." McGonagall cleared her throat and explained, "Hogwarts teaches underage witches and wizards how to control and use magic. And if magic gets out of control, it can cause some rather unpleasant things."

"All right, it seems I have no choice!" Albert raised an eyebrow. In truth, he had already made his decision.

"But, Albert..." Daisy wanted to say more, but Nia interrupted her.

"Madam, can I go to Hogwarts too?"

"Only children who are eleven years old and have received an invitation from Hogwarts may study there." McGonagall declined tactfully.

"Nia, you're not eleven yet." Albert patted his sister's head, then looked at Professor McGonagall. "Where should I go to buy things? And what about the train ticket? Where do I catch the train?"

So he agreed?

Professor McGonagall could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. She told Albert the approximate route to The Leaky Cauldron. "You'll be sure to see it, though the Muggles around you won't... Muggles are ordinary people who don't understand magic. Oh, and the pub's owner is called Tom. As for how to get to Diagon Alley, you can ask Tom. He'll be happy to show you the way."

"As for Platform 9 3/4, it is in the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10 at King's Cross Station. Just walk through it."

"Taking a train to wizard school is rather ridiculous. Have all your magic carpets broken down?" Daisy mocked sharply.

"Daisy." Herb coughed lightly and handed Professor McGonagall the notes he had taken, so they would not miss any important information.

"Then I'll see you at Hogwarts on September 1, Mr. Anderson." Professor McGonagall prepared to leave.

"Professor, could you change it back?" Albert pointed at the mouse that had once been the teacup.

"Oh, certainly!" Professor McGonagall waved her wand, and the mouse turned back into a teacup.

After Albert saw her to the door, Professor McGonagall vanished directly through Apparition.

"She disappeared?" Herb stared in disbelief at the spot where Professor McGonagall had just stood.

"Dad, are we going to London tomorrow?" Albert asked.

"Oh, oh, we're going to London tomorrow to buy things," Herb said blankly.

"I want to go too." Nia grabbed her father's hand and pleaded sweetly.

"Next time." Albert shook his head. "I'll familiarize myself with the place first. Next time, I'll take you and Mum with me. I'll bring you back a gift."

"You're awful, Albert. Albert is awful." Nia stormed off in a huff.

Albert helplessly spread his hands at Herb, then turned and went into the living room. There was still one big and one little person at home who needed comforting.