Knowledge Is Expensive Everywhere

Professor McGonagall had left. Though she had not explained how to use the owl, she had left behind tickets to Hogwarts.

A ticket for the Hogwarts Express.

A checklist for first-year supplies from Diagon Alley.

As Bouncing admired the Magic Wand Toy while munching on dried mealworms, Luan carefully calculated the upcoming expenses nearby.

Comparing the list against the checklist, Luan picked up a handy pebble and began recording the costs on the wall.

Three sets of plain work robes, 12 Galleons

One plain pointed hat for daytime wear, 3 Galleons

One pair of protective gloves (made of Dragon Hide or similar material), 22 Galleons and 5 Silver Sickles

One winter cloak, 5 Galleons

"Clothes alone cost this much? But what are Galleons?"

Luan turned the parchment to the last page and found Professor McGonagall's notes.

"If you need to exchange for wizarding currency, please go to Gringotts Wizarding Bank in Diagon Alley.

Also, 5 pounds can be exchanged for approximately 1 Galleon.

1 Galleon equals 17 Silver Sickles.

1 Silver Sickle equals 29 Bronze Knuts.

Remember, do not trust anyone outside the bank!"

"What a meticulous professor." Luan looked at the neat handwriting on the parchment, then began to worry.

"But if that's the case, it looks like I really don't have enough money."

Following Professor McGonagall's notes, Luan quickly worked out the price.

"At least 212 pounds and 50 pence, and that doesn't include textbooks or school supplies."

Looking at the tightly tied money pouch on the bed, Luan took two deep breaths, then raised his hand and continued listing each expense on the wall. He had to know how many more pennies he needed before he could study magic.

Fortunately, the prices of the textbooks lifted Luan's spirits a little.

"Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1," 1 Galleon

"History of Magic," 2 Galleons

"Magical Theory," 2 Galleons

"Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration," 1 Galleon

"A Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi," 2 Galleons

"Magical Potions and Elixirs," 2 Galleons

"Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," 2 Galleons

"Dark Arts: A Defensive Guide," 1 Galleon

"Thirteen Galleons—that's 65 pounds. My money should only be enough to buy these textbooks."

One Magic Wand, 7 Galleons

One Cauldron, 15 Galleons

One set of small glass or crystal Medicine Bottles, 5 Galleons

One Telescope, 5 Galleons

One Brass Scale, 3 Galleons

"Plus parchment, ink, and quills. No pet needed—Bouncing is enough."

"Chirp~"

"That's right, you're enough. It comes to 95 Galleons. So I need to prepare at least 500 pounds!"

"Professor McGonagall, why don't you come back and finish explaining before you leave?"

Luan tossed away the pebble in his hand and shouted toward the mouth of the underpass.

After counting every coin in the money pouch, Luan did not know whether he should be happy or not.

He had originally handed the money pouch to Bouncing for safekeeping partly for security, but also because he was afraid he would spend carelessly. After all, this world had far too many tempting things.

Thanks to Bouncing managing the money, Luan had saved up 210 pounds over the past two months. Two hundred had come from selling wood carvings, while the remainder was Bouncing's private stash.

It was already early August. Less than a month remained until school started, which meant Luan needed to earn another 300 pounds within thirty days.

"Looks like Uncle Neil was right. Knowledge is priceless."

Luan lay helplessly on the bed, listening to four-wheeled vehicles rumble across the bridge overhead and dust patter down afterward.

Bouncing had already finished its dried mealworms, but its interest in the Magic Wand Toy had not faded at all.

Seeing Luan's chest rise and fall, it laboriously climbed up, dragged the wand along with it, and began shaking it nonstop.

Watching the Magic Wand Toy sway from side to side before him, Luan knew this was his last chance to learn magic. He had to seize it.

"Bouncing, we will definitely go to Hogwarts."

Taking his carving knife and a bundle of hazel branches, Luan went outside the bridge underpass.

The streetlights on the bridge were bright, and one beam happened to shine down, providing light for Luan's carving.

Thus, those strolling along Regent's Canal at night would often catch sight of a boy beneath the bridge, surrounded by drifting wood shavings.

Professor McGonagall was very busy, especially in the period before the school term began.

At this time every year, she had to visit the homes of certain Muggle-born Young Wizards and explain to their parents that Hogwarts was not some fly-by-night school.

But this year was even worse. The Dursleys had refused to accept the 792 letters she had written.

Though the letters only required a Duplication Charm to produce, that number was still enough to drive her mad.

Especially after she discovered that the Dursleys had taken Harry and moved to a deserted island.

"I told you long ago, Dumbledore, the Dursleys cannot be trusted. To stop Harry from attending Hogwarts, they actually moved their entire family to an island! It's simply... simply..."

After ascending the spiral staircase to the Headmaster's Office, McGonagall glared furiously at the white-bearded headmaster behind his desk.

"Don't be angry, Minerva. Perhaps a hot drink will help calm you down. Besides, you know they are Harry's only Relatives."

Dumbledore set down his quill and gave a gentle wave. A teacup and teapot floated before McGonagall.

"But that is exactly why! They clearly know the magical world exists, yet they have gone to every length to stop Harry from coming to Hogwarts. This... this is not something Relatives should do."

McGonagall lifted the teacup and took a small sip, calming down slightly. Seeing the unfinished letter on the desk, she spoke again.

"I know you are busy, Dumbledore, but this matter must be dealt with."

Seeing McGonagall's determined expression, Dumbledore nodded helplessly.

"Very well. Fawkes, please notify Hagrid and ask him to come to the office."

Only after seeing the phoenix disappear beside them did McGonagall feel somewhat relieved.

"Albus, are you writing to Nicolas Flamel?"

"That's right. My old friend is still rather reluctant, you know. After all, it is the only one in the world."

McGonagall naturally knew what Dumbledore was referring to, but she was in no position to offer an opinion on the matter.

After all, this was a friendship between a wizard over a hundred years old and one over six hundred.

But when she saw the quill and parchment on Dumbledore's desk, she seemed to recall something.

"Dumbledore, are you certain we should admit that child who appeared out of nowhere?"

"Of course. As long as his name is in the Book of Admissions, I cannot think of any reason to refuse him."

"But it is too strange. The Acceptance Quill and the Book of Admissions wrote down his name three months ago, yet he only appeared out of thin air in London two months ago. We cannot even find the slightest trace of his past."

"That is what makes magic so fascinating, Minerva. Perhaps this child may bring us some unexpected surprises."

Dumbledore had always been like this, accepting everything with tolerance. Just as he had done with Lupin and Hagrid years ago, and of course, with that one as well.

Now there was another child, even more mysterious, one whom not even magic could explain. McGonagall did not know whether Dumbledore's decision this time was truly the right one.

Just as she thought this, the person coming up the spiral staircase interrupted her train of thought.

"Perfect timing, Hagrid. I need you to handle something."

"Gladly, Headmaster."

After leaving the Headmaster's Office, McGonagall threw herself back into her busy work.

She truly wished the school term had already begun. Then she would not have to worry about all these problems surrounding the new students' enrollment.

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