The Bus Is the Correct Way for Wizards to Travel

"The relationship between wizards and Muggles has always been a topic worthy of study.

It is precisely because Hogwarts understood this point that it established the Muggle Studies class within the last hundred years, to encourage wizards to set aside their airs and understand the lives and habits of another group of humans.

But I've always felt that this class has deviated from its original intention. You can tell from its name, Muggle Studies; the discriminatory undertones are obvious.

Belloc, you are a Muggle-born wizard about to enroll. What are your thoughts on this phenomenon that currently exists in the wizarding world?"

On the bus, Linley looked speechlessly at Professor Foxx, who was earnestly lecturing him. The seats around them were empty. People, after hearing Foxx's dream-like ramblings, kept their distance.

There was even a mother pointing at Linley and them, educating her child: If you don't study well in the future, you'll end up like these two crazy old and young people, spouting nonsense on the bus.

"Professor, it's already embarrassing enough that you, a wizard, and I, an apprentice wizard, aren't flying or Apparating, but are instead taking the bus. If you're going to ask me these shameful questions in such a public place, we might even make the front page of The Times tomorrow. You might not care, but I'll face social death."

Linley didn't answer Foxx's question but tried to salvage his qualifications for a normal social life.

Foxx finally realized that their current situation wasn't exactly ideal, and his novelty quickly faded, replaced by an indescribable sense of shame.

He crept closer to Linley's ear and asked in a low voice.

"Did what I just say sound very silly to them?"

"Not very silly," Linley shrugged. "It was utterly ridiculous."

"Can't you comfort me in a more tactful way?"

"Sorry, Professor, my teachers always taught me to be an honest person."

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at their destination. The two of them got off the bus as if they were unlucky souls rushing home to put out a fire.

Linley lamented listlessly.

"This is why I shouldn't have chosen the bus to save money. Taking a taxi would have been so much better."

Foxx, his expression unchanged, straightened his trench coat and cleared his throat.

"Alright, Belloc, we've arrived at our home turf now."

Linley followed Foxx's gaze and indeed saw a bar with an extremely incongruous sense of age on a busy street: The Leaky Cauldron.

The various passersby around them seemed to ignore this conspicuous building, but to Linley, it stood out so starkly.

"The Muggle-Repelling Charm. It's a very useful charm that makes Muggles subconsciously ignore certain things, but it has no effect on those with magical abilities. It's generally used at wizarding gatherings and special locations." Although Linley hadn't enrolled yet, Foxx was already playing the role of a teacher.

They walked into the dilapidated bar. There weren't many patrons inside, most of them wearing dark robes and wide-brimmed pointed hats, fitting the image of wizards in people's minds better than Foxx.

Upon entering, Linley felt several gazes on them. Then, as their eyes swept over Foxx, they quickly pretended to be unconcerned and lowered their heads.

At the same time, Linley could clearly feel that the atmosphere in the bar had become somewhat... tense after their arrival.

The bar's owner, Old Tom, saw Foxx immediately. He quickly wiped his hands on his apron and came over, his expression seeming welcoming but also somewhat strained.

"Welcome back, Adrian. Have you picked up your student?"

Foxx, as if oblivious to the change in the bar's atmosphere, patted Linley's shoulder.

"This trip back wasn't easy for me, but it was worth it. Let me introduce you, this is Linley Belloc, a new first-year student at Hogwarts this year. And this is Old Tom, the owner of The Leaky Cauldron."

"Hello, Mr. Tom," Linley greeted politely.

Although he had read the original work, nearly twenty years had passed since this life. Remembering the general plot was already quite good. He didn't have much impression of this old man who appeared infrequently.

However, he had a deep impression of another person with the same name, Tom, but that person's surname was Riddle.

"Hello, hello. If you want to stay at the inn in the future, you can find me. As for drinks, forget it, you're not old enough yet." Old Tom's attitude towards him was a bit perfunctory; his attention was entirely focused on Foxx.

Linley didn't mind. He actually felt that his Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was even more problematic now.

Although they had only known each other for less than half a day, apart from being teased at the beginning, Foxx was quite amiable in his interactions.

But the wizards in the bar seemed to be afraid of him.

"We still have a lot of things to buy, and time is limited. We'll talk another time if there's anything."

Foxx didn't linger in the bar with Linley. After greeting Old Tom, they went out the back door to the bar's backyard.

"They all seem a bit afraid of you," Linley asked.

Foxx neither denied nor confirmed, as if he didn't want to answer the question.

"Perhaps." Then he took out his wand and pointed it at a brick on an unpainted wall in the backyard.

"Watch carefully, Belloc. You can use that trash can as a reference. Just count three bricks up and two bricks across, and tap it with your wand. The door will open."

Foxx demonstrated the steps to open the door for Linley. The entire wall trembled violently, and then, like living building blocks fitting together, a passage split open from the middle.

A neat cobblestone path, a bustling street, shops with various strange names, and a crowd dressed in clothing completely different from modern times revealed the magical Diagon Alley to Linley.

"This place is really lively."

Linley looked at the scene before him, somewhat dazed. Compared to the words in books and images in movies, the real Diagon Alley was definitely more astonishing and breathtaking.

Foxx wasn't surprised by Linley's reaction. At this moment, he seemed more like a child his age.

"Let's go, there are quite a few things we need to get."

The Leaky Cauldron.

As Foxx and Linley left, the atmosphere in the pub eased considerably.

"I heard he recently went to Hogwarts to become a professor?"

Someone asked in a low whisper. Although no name was mentioned, everyone knew who they were talking about.

Someone chuckled, saying with an inexplicable tone.

"And he's the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor too. I have to say, it's quite ironic."

"His relationship with Dumbledore is quite good. Dumbledore personally served as his defense lawyer back then."

"Only someone like Dumbledore would dare to hire him. Is he still continuing his research?"

"Mhm, he never stopped. It's said he spent a lot of money to operate within the Ministry of Magic, and the Ministry has practically defaulted to his current research."

"Then it's really hard to say whether that's fortunate or unfortunate."

Someone finally said with a sigh.

Once the contract status changes, there will be two updates a day, likely around 10 PM and 12:30 AM.

Finally... (holds out bowl) (holds out hand) (you guys know)

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