Grandfather

Two days later, the Anderson Family drove to Charles Street. Albert's grandfather and grandmother lived at Number 21, Charles Street.

Every year, the Anderson Family made time to visit the two elders. During summer vacation, Albert would always stay here for a few days.

"Dad, I've come to see you."

"Albert, come here, let me have a look!" Luke completely ignored his son, stepping forward to stare at his grandson. "Herb said you received a letter from Hogwarts. That's wonderful. If there's anything you want to buy, just tell me..."

"Dad, I already took Albert to Diagon Alley in London to buy everything." Herb looked helplessly at his father, cleared his throat, and said, "I brought you a gift too."

"I'm not a child. What would I need a gift for?" Luke glanced at his son, took Albert's little hand, and said, "Come inside first and tell me what magic you've learned."

"Luke's been excited for days, like a little child." Sansa said to Herb and Daisy, "He never told me about it before. I only found out a few days ago. It's been so long, Nia. Did you miss me?"

"Big Brother won't even let me touch his wand. He guards it from me like I'm a thief." Nia immediately tattled to her grandmother.

"Herb, keep an eye on Tom. Don't let him run around." Daisy picked up the parcels from the car and had her husband carry the cat carrier, lest the little fellow disappear the moment he got out.

"Albert can really do magic?" Sansa found it fascinating. She had never expected her grandson to be one of those legendary wizards.

"Yes, he can make his wand light up. He even secretly practices in his room every night." Holding her grandmother's hand, Nia began listing Albert's faults. "He even said that if I got hold of the wand, I'd definitely blow up the house."

"Mom, you don't know it, but that wand is really dangerous. Let me tell you..." Herb carried the cat carrier behind them, chattering on about what he had seen in Diagon Alley.

"Albert thinks that carelessly trying magic is very dangerous," Daisy added. She had read those History of Magic books and knew a little about what had happened in the wizarding world.

"All right, Daisy. It's not as bad as you think."

"No, Mom. In fact, even in the wizarding world, they don't let children handle wands casually." Daisy stood entirely on Albert's side. Their son had always been dependable.

"How do you know?" Herb asked curiously.

"If you'd finished reading those books, you'd know." Daisy looked reproachfully at her husband. "Could you pay a little more attention to Albert? He's our precious son."

"Don't worry. Albert has never needed us to worry about him." Herb knew his son's character well. Albert had always been very easy to raise.

"Even so, you should be more attentive." Daisy carried the parcels inside and casually pulled the door shut behind her.

After being shut in the carrier all the way there, Tom was released and immediately began tearing around. Sansa and Daisy went to the kitchen to prepare pastries and black tea, while Luke listened to his son and grandson talk about Diagon Alley, filling in the parts the other had missed.

Of course, Luke knew that wizard portraits could move, and he knew a little about Dumbledore as well.

He put the Chocolate Frog Herb had brought into a large glass jar and displayed it in the sitting room.

"I even wrote to Headmaster Dippet back then, asking why I hadn't received an invitation letter." After all these years, Luke had already come to terms with it. "Because I had no ability to cast magic at all—what they called a Squib—I was sent away by my family when I was eleven and left in the care of an ordinary distant relative."

"How could they do that?" Herb was confused and angry. He felt his father's family had gone too far.

"To a wizarding family, a Squib is a disgrace," Luke said softly. "They would do everything possible to hide that secret, even pretending the person never existed."

"Don't be sad, don't be sad," Nia comforted him.

"It's been so many years. I've let it go, and I've completely cut ties with that family." Luke picked Nia up and set her on his lap, smiling. "Still, Albert becoming a wizard was a little unexpected. When Herb didn't receive an invitation letter back then, I had completely given up hope."

As they chatted, Albert demonstrated some more magic, such as Lumos, Reparo, Scourgify, and the Unlocking Charm. Those were the four spells he currently knew, and he truly had his level-two Wizard Bloodline to thank for that.

Though he had not mastered them proficiently, it was still quite astonishing to see a cracked teacup slowly repair itself and spilled tea vanish from the table without warning.

"I want to learn too." Nia looked pleadingly at her grandfather and complained in a low voice, "I want to learn magic too. Albert is too sly."

Luke looked at his grandson, asking for his opinion. He knew Albert had ideas of his own and would not make decisions for him lightly.

"You can only do exactly as I say." Albert looked at his sister. He was actually curious whether Nia had any magical talent.

"I will, I promise." Nia nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick.

"You agreed too quickly. Forget it—you weren't even listening to what I said." Albert stared seriously at his sister.

"What do you mean? I was listening carefully," Nia quickly retorted.

"Repeat after me first. Lumos."

"Lumos." Nia hurriedly repeated it. She knew it was an incantation.

"Say it slowly a few more times. You can't get it wrong, or no one knows what might happen." Albert instructed, "I'll lend you my wand in a moment. Don't wave it around, don't point it at people, don't recite spells at random, and don't throw a tantrum even if you can't cast any magic."

"I know," Nia said somewhat impatiently.

"What did I just say?" Albert suddenly asked.

"Don't wave the wand around, don't..." Nia forgot the rest. Pouting, she complained, "I'm not you. How could I remember so many things?"

"If you can't remember, then I can't give you the wand," Albert said seriously.

"But... fine. Say it again," Nia conceded.

Seeing Albert keep Nia completely in line, the Anderson Family all laughed. Children always liked to be mischievous, and Nia was no exception.

But Albert had a way of dealing with her mischief.

Only after Nia had memorized his instructions did Albert give her his wand.

Nia excitedly took the wand, but settled down only after Albert shot her a glare. She obediently recited the incantation and tried to cast Lumos, but the spell did not work.

"Take a deep breath, focus, and try again." Albert placed a hand on Nia's shoulder and spoke softly.

Lumos was one of the simplest spells. If she could not cast it, it likely meant Nia did not have the talent to become a wizard.

"Lumos." Nia tried several more times, but not once did she succeed.

"You're getting anxious. Don't rush. The more anxious you are, the more likely you'll fail." Albert stroked his sister's hair and turned to look at his grandfather.

Luke shook his head at him. Albert actually knew what that meant.

"Do I not have the talent to become a wizard?" Nia looked miserable, seeming very upset.

"I don't know either," Albert comforted her. "Maybe it's just because you're still too young."

"You're awful. Albert always likes lying to people. I definitely don't have the talent to become a wizard." Nia threw down the wand and ran off.

Albert picked up the wand helplessly and looked in the direction Nia had gone, preparing to chase after her.

Children were such a bother.

"I'll go find Nia." Luke stood up and walked toward his granddaughter. He understood how Nia felt right now.