Diagon Alley

Skofot hung his head, his thin shoulders slightly hunched, his voice trembling as he whispered:

"I'm sorry... I thought... someone was playing a trick on me..."

His body gave an involuntary shudder, as if recalling some unpleasant experience.

Then he lifted his head, his eyes—made even more moist and clear by the effect of the [Rabbit Rhymer] card—gazing at McGonagall with a cautious, disbelieving hope, his voice so soft it seemed afraid of disturbing something: "I... can I really go to school...?"

That look of pure longing and fragility, like a fine needle, struck precisely at the softest part of Professor McGonagall's heart.

Her heart clenched tightly.

A child, uncertain and humble about something as basic as receiving an education.

[Emotion Points +5]

[Emotion Points: 360/100]

Skofot keenly caught the flicker of complex emotion on McGonagall's face—pity, anger, and perhaps a trace of guilt as an educator for not discovering this sooner.

He immediately recognized the value of this emotional shift.

He interpreted it perfectly as "hesitation," as if doused with cold water, the light that had just kindled in his eyes quickly dimming.

He lowered his head, his long lashes concealing the true emotion beneath, his voice carrying a forced maturity and loneliness: "It's okay... I understand. Thank you for the meal, Professor. That's already more than enough... I'll remember your kindness, and someday... I'll repay it."

These words, paired with his gaunt, fragile frame that seemed ready to be blown away by the wind, and the tone that tried to hide disappointment but only made him more pitiable, were devastatingly effective.

"Mr. Leoqi!" Professor McGonagall's voice suddenly rose, firm and unyielding, even slightly strained with emotion.

She took a deep breath, struggling to calm herself, but her tone remained solemn and serious: "A Hogwarts acceptance letter is no joke, and no one can—or would dare—impersonate the school for such a vile 'prank'!"

Her gaze behind her glasses was as sharp as ever, but now it carried a powerful, reassuring strength.

"You, Skofot? Tom? Leoqi, are without a doubt a student of Hogwarts. Of that, there is no question."

She slowed her pace, each word clear in the boy's ears, "You don't need to apologize for anything, nor do you need to think about how to 'repay' a meal. Ensuring every eligible young wizard enrolls smoothly and receives proper care is the school's—and my—non-negotiable responsibility as a professor."

She looked at the boy, who still seemed unable to believe it, and the last trace of doubt from his initial failure to reply to the letter vanished completely, replaced by a heavier sense of duty and protectiveness.

"Now," her tone turned practical but warm, "What you need is to eat your fill. Then, I will personally take you to buy all the necessary school supplies. Hogwarts will be your home, I promise you."

After eating his fill, Skofot finally regained a bit of color in his face. Though the weakness and fragile aura from the [Rabbit Rhymer] card still lingered, he no longer looked like he might faint at any moment.

Professor McGonagall's expression had softened, but when she looked at the boy, the pity in her eyes deepened.

[Emotion Points +5]

[Emotion Points: 365/100]

They first arrived at Flourish and Blotts.

Professor McGonagall took out the booklist and expertly directed the books to fly into the basket on their own.

The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1, Magical Theory, A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration... Each new book made Skofot's eyes light up slightly, but he touched the pages with great care, as if afraid of damaging these precious items.

Professor McGonagall noticed that his gaze lingered longer on the cover of Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection than on the others—not out of curiosity, but with an almost instinctive wariness.

She sighed inwardly. This child's experiences in the Muggle World were likely far more complicated than she had imagined.

Buying robes:

Next was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.

When Madam Malkin looked in surprise at the clearly malnourished boy Professor McGonagall had brought, the professor simply explained: "A full set of school robes, as soon as possible."

While being measured, Skofot stood quietly, letting the tape slide over him.

His bony frame made Madam Malkin mutter under her breath: "Merlin's beard, this child is awfully thin..."

Professor McGonagall's jaw tightened, but she said nothing.

Considering the possible financial situation (though the school had grants, everyday wear and tear still mattered), and the fact that the boy didn't seem to care about new or old, Professor McGonagall decisively chose quality second-hand robes.

She personally picked out several plain black robes with minimal wear, clean and washed, along with other necessary clothing.

When Skofot changed into a relatively well-fitting second-hand black robe and came out, though the robe still hung a bit loose on him, it was at least neat and decent, making him finally look a bit like a young wizard.

He gently stroked the fabric of the robe and said softly to Professor McGonagall, "Thank you, Professor. It's very warm."

These sensible words once again struck Minerva McGonagall right in the heart.

Just as they were carrying their purchases through the relatively crowded main street of Diagon Alley, heading toward Ollivanders Wand Shop, an accident occurred.

A young wizard, flashily dressed and with a hint of roguishness, had clearly had a few too many Butterbeers. His drunken eyes caught sight of Skofot.

The boy's thin frame, carrying a certain strange, broken quality, seemed to mark him as a target for harassment in the eyes of those with ill intent.

"Oh, look what we have here, a little cutie?" The male wizard wobbled as he blocked the way, reaching out a hand to hook Skofot's chin. "Why are you all alone? Want big brother to take you out for some fun?"

Skofot froze stiff. [Rabbit Rhymer]'s debuff left him powerless to resist; he could only instinctively shrink back, clutching his books tighter. The color drained from his face in an instant, and genuine terror and disgust surged in his eyes.

"Step back!"

Professor McGonagall's voice cut through like an icy shard, sharp and cold, ringing out in an instant.

She stepped forward, shielding Skofot firmly behind her.

Her figure at that moment seemed unusually tall and imposing, her gaze like the sharpest blade aimed straight at the drunken male wizard. The authority and fury radiating from her made the very air around them feel frozen solid.

The male wizard jolted in fright at the sudden harsh reprimand and overwhelming presence, much of his drunkenness shaken off. He recognized Professor McGonagall, and panic and fear flickered across his face in an instant.

"Mc... Professor McGonagall... I, I was just joking..."