Grandfather

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

Every year, the Anderson family made time to visit the two elderly people. During Summer vacation, Albert always stayed here for a few days.

"Dad, I came to see you."

"Albert, come here and let me have a look!" Luke completely ignored his son, stepping forward to inspect 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 what he needed." Herb looked helplessly at his father, then cleared his throat. "I brought you a gift too."

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

"Luke has been excited for days, like a 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 a long time, Nia. Did you miss me?"

"Big brother won't even let me touch his wand. He guards it 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 packages from the car and had her husband carry the cat carrier, lest the little fellow vanish the moment it got out.

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

"He can. He can make his wand light up, and he secretly practices in his room every night." Holding her grandmother's hand, Nia listed 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..." Carrying the cat carrier, Herb followed behind them and rambled on about what he had seen in Diagon Alley.

"Albert thinks that trying magic recklessly is dangerous," Daisy added. She had read those History of Magic books and knew some things about the magical world.

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

"No, Mom. In fact, even in the wizarding world, children aren't allowed to wield wands so easily." Daisy was completely on Albert's side. Their son had always been reliable.

"How do you know?" Herb asked curiously.

"If you finished reading those books, you'd know." Daisy shot her husband a reproachful look. "Can't you pay 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 personality well. Albert had always been easy to raise.

"Even so, you should be more thoughtful." Daisy carried the packages inside and casually shut the door behind her.

After being locked in the carrier all the way there, Tom was released and immediately tore off in all directions. Sansa and Daisy went to the kitchen to prepare desserts and black tea, while Luke listened to his son and grandson talk about Diagon Alley, with the two filling in whatever the other had missed.

Luke naturally knew that wizard portraits could move, and he also knew something about Dumbledore.

He put the Chocolate Frog Herb had brought into a large glass jar and displayed it in the living 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 magical ability at all—I was 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 baffled and angry. He felt that his father's family had gone too far.

"A Squib is a disgrace to a wizarding family," Luke said softly. "They try their best to hide the secret, even pretending that 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 off contact with that side of the family." Luke lifted Nia onto his lap and smiled. "Still, Albert becoming a wizard was rather unexpected. When Herb didn't receive an invitation letter back then, I had already given up completely."

As they chatted, Albert demonstrated some new magic for them, such as the Lumos Charm, Mending Charm, Cleaning Charm, and Unlocking Charm. These were the four spells he had currently mastered, thanks in no small part to his Wizarding Bloodline reaching level 2.

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

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

Luke looked at his grandson for his opinion. He knew Albert had his own ideas 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.

"That's not true. I was listening carefully," Nia hurriedly argued.

"Repeat after me first: Lumos."

"Lumos." Nia quickly repeated it. She knew it was a spell.

"Say it slowly a few more times. You can't say it wrong, or no one knows what might happen." Albert instructed her, "Later, I'll lend you my wand. Don't poke things around with it, don't point it at people, don't chant spells carelessly, and don't throw a tantrum even if you can't cast magic."

"Got it," Nia said impatiently.

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

"Don't poke things around with the wand, don't..." Nia forgot the rest. Pouting, she complained, "I'm not you. How can I remember so much?"

"If you can't remember it, I can't give you the wand." Albert spoke seriously.

"But... fine. Say it again." Nia gave in.

Watching Albert keep Nia firmly under control, the Anderson family all laughed. Children always liked to be mischievous, and Nia was no exception.

But Albert had a way of handling her mischief.

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

Nia excitedly took the wand, but after Albert glared at her, she finally settled down and obediently chanted the spell, trying to use the Lumos Charm. However, the spell did not work.

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

The Lumos Charm was one of the simplest spells. If she could not use it, it likely meant that Nia might 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 easier it is to fail." Albert stroked his sister's hair, then 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 and deeply 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 with a helpless expression and looked in the direction Nia had run, preparing to go after her.

Children were such a hassle.

"I'll go find Nia." Luke stood up and walked in the direction of his granddaughter. He understood how Nia was feeling right now.