Visit

Visit. Herb called his father, and the old man grew emotional after hearing the news, saying that he would come to visit his grandson soon.

Daisy was still angry. Only after Albert soothed her did she refrain from arguing with her husband. As a lawyer, she simply could not understand why her usually intelligent husband had suddenly become so foolish—falling for such a boring prank and even planning to gamble their precious son's future on it.

Actually, everyone found it quite interesting. 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 Lumos Charm.

But without a wand, he probably would not be able to cast it, so Albert did not try.

At the very least, he would not try it in front of the others. How else would he explain it? "Nia, there's no such thing as magic in this world. It's all just tricks meant to fool people," Daisy said seriously. She did not want her daughter filling her head with strange and fanciful ideas.

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

"Until magic is proven to exist, 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 in 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."

"Excellent. I'll definitely expose those frauds' tricks."

At 3:20, the doorbell outside 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 his home.

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

"You can do magic?" Nia poked her head out and asked.

"That is precisely why I'm here!" Professor McGonagall was quite skilled at handling such matters. She had encountered many similar situations before. "Some families from Muggle backgrounds have similar doubts."

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

The other party 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, Professor McGonagall." Albert studied the witch before him. Professor McGonagall looked somewhat different from the films. To be honest, after more than a decade, his memories of that aspect had grown blurry.

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

"Of course. Watch." McGonagall drew her wand and lightly tapped the teacup. The cup actually turned into a little mouse.

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

"This is magic? I absolutely will not let Albert waste his time learning such a boring trick. Are you expecting him to become a magician in the future?" Daisy assumed the imposing manner of a lawyer and sharply pointed out, "Forgive me for saying so, but I'm deeply concerned about Albert's future. A Hogwarts diploma would be no different from waste paper in the ordinary world, would it? Assuming you even issue diplomas."

"Every qualified Hogwarts graduate can find respectable work in the wizarding world. You need not 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 final attempt. "Albert, I think Eton College would be the better choice. That place was an opportunity you earned through your own efforts. If you want to pursue a career in finance, you should not go to Hogwarts. You definitely won't be able to make use of your talents there."

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." Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and explained, "Hogwarts can teach underage wizards how to control and use magic. And once magic gets out of control, it can lead to some rather unpleasant consequences."

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

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

"Ma'am, can I go to Hogwarts too?"

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

"Nia, you aren't eleven yet." Albert patted his sister on the head, then looked at Professor McGonagall. "Where should I buy my things? And what about the train ticket? Where do I catch the train?"

So he was agreeing?

Professor McGonagall could not help letting out a sigh of relief. She told Albert roughly how to get to the Leaky Cauldron. "You'll be able to see it, though the Muggles around you won't... Muggles are ordinary people who do not understand magic. Oh, and the innkeeper is named 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 located in the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10 at King's Cross Station. Walk through it, and you'll be there."

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

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

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

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

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

After Albert saw her out, Professor McGonagall Apparated away.

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

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

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

"I want to go too." Nia clung to her father's hand and whined sweetly.

"Next time." Albert shook his head. "I'll go get familiar with the place first. Next time, I'll take you and Mom with me. I'll bring you back a gift."

"Mean! Albert is so mean!" Nia stormed off in a huff.

Albert helplessly spread his hands at Herb, then turned and went into the living room. There were still two people at home, one big and one small, who needed comforting.