"The relationship between wizards and Muggles has always been a subject worth studying.
It was precisely because Hogwarts recognized this that it introduced Muggle Studies within the last century, encouraging wizards to lower themselves and learn about the lives and habits of another group of humans.
But I have always believed that, by now, this course has strayed from the purpose for which it was created. You can tell from its name alone—Muggle Studies. The discriminatory implication is obvious.
Belloc, you are a Muggle-born wizard about to enroll. What are your thoughts on this existing phenomenon in the wizarding world?"
On the bus, Lynn stared speechlessly at Professor Foxx, who was earnestly delivering this lengthy speech to him. The seats around them were empty. After hearing Foxx's words, which sounded like the ramblings of a madman, everyone had kept far away from them.
One mother even pointed at Lynn and Foxx while lecturing her child: if he did not study hard in the future, he would end up like those two crazy people, talking nonsense on a bus.
"Professor, it's already embarrassing enough that you, a wizard, and I, a wizard-in-training, chose to take the bus instead of flying or Apparating. If you keep asking me such humiliating questions in public, we might end up on the front page of The Times tomorrow. Maybe you don't care, but I'll suffer social death."
Rather than answer Foxx's question, Lynn tried to salvage his right to continue living in normal society.
Only then did Foxx realize that their current situation seemed less than ideal. His initial curiosity instantly faded, replaced by an indescribable wave of embarrassment.
He leaned close to Lynn's ear and asked in a low voice.
"Did what I said just now sound stupid to them?"
"Not just stupid." Lynn shrugged. "Utterly stupid."
"Can't you comfort me a little more tactfully?"
"Sorry, Professor. My teachers taught me from a young age to be an honest person."
Twenty minutes later, they reached their destination. The two of them got off the bus as quickly as if they were rushing home to put out a fire.
Lynn complained listlessly.
"So I never should have taken the bus just to save money. Taking a taxi would have been so much better."
Foxx calmly straightened his trench coat and cleared his throat.
"All right, Belloc. We've reached our home ground now."
Following Foxx's gaze, Lynn spotted a bar in the middle of a bustling street, one whose age-worn atmosphere clashed starkly with its surroundings: The Leaky Cauldron.
The passersby of all kinds around it turned a blind eye to the conspicuous building, but to Lynn, it stood out all the more.
"The Muggle-Repelling Charm. A very useful spell that makes Muggles subconsciously overlook certain things, though it has no effect on those with magic. It is generally used at wizard gatherings and special locations." Though Lynn had not yet enrolled, Foxx had already begun playing the role of teacher.
They entered the shabby bar. There were not many customers inside, and most wore dark robes and wide-brimmed pointed hats, fitting people's image of wizards better than Foxx did.
The moment they entered, Lynn felt several gazes turn toward them. But when those eyes landed on Foxx, their owners quickly lowered their heads and pretended nothing had happened.
At the same time, Lynn could clearly sense that after they appeared, the atmosphere in the bar had become somewhat... constrained.
The bar's owner, Old Tom, spotted Foxx immediately. He hurriedly wiped his hands on his apron and came forward. His expression seemed welcoming, yet his manner was noticeably forced.
"Welcome back, Adrien. You've already picked up your student?"
Foxx seemed completely unaware of the change in atmosphere within the bar. He patted Lynn on the shoulder.
"This trip wasn't easy for me, but it was worth it. Let me introduce you. This is a new Hogwarts first-year enrolling this year, Lynn Belloc. And this is the owner of The Leaky Cauldron, Old Tom."
"Hello, Mr. Tom." Lynn greeted him politely.
Although he had read the original books, nearly twenty years had passed in this life. Remembering the broad outline of the plot was already quite good; he had little impression of this old man, who had not appeared much.
He did, however, vividly remember another person with the same name—though that Tom's surname was Riddle.
"Hello, hello. If you ever want to stay here, come find me. Drinking is out of the question, though. You're not old enough yet." Old Tom was somewhat perfunctory toward him, his attention focused on Foxx the whole time.
Lynn did not mind. If anything, he was now even more convinced that there was something wrong with his Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
They had known each other for less than half a day. Aside from that initial bout of teasing, Foxx had been easygoing enough in the way he treated others.
Yet the wizards in the bar behaved as though they were afraid of him.
"We still have a lot to buy, and time is limited. We can talk next time if there's anything."
Foxx did not keep Lynn in the bar for long. After saying goodbye to Old Tom, he led him out the back door and into the bar's courtyard.
"They all seem a little afraid of you," Lynn asked.
Foxx neither denied nor admitted it. He seemed unwilling to answer the question.
"Perhaps." Then he took out his wand and pointed it at a brick in an unpainted wall in the courtyard.
"Watch closely, Belloc. You can use that trash can as a reference point. Count up three bricks, then two across. Tap it with your wand, and the door will open."
Foxx demonstrated the steps for Lynn. The entire wall shuddered violently before splitting apart down the middle, like living building blocks fitted together, revealing a passageway.
A neat cobblestone path, a noisy street, shops with all manner of strange names, and crowds dressed entirely unlike modern people unfolded before Lynn, revealing the magical Diagon Alley.
"This place is really lively."
Lynn stared at the scene before him in a daze. Compared to the words in books and the images in films, the real Diagon Alley was undoubtedly even more astonishing and awe-inspiring.
Foxx was not surprised by Lynn's reaction. At this moment, he finally looked like a child his age.
"Come on. There's quite a lot to prepare."
The Leaky Cauldron.
After Foxx and Lynn left, the atmosphere in the bar eased considerably.
"I heard he recently became a professor at Hogwarts?"
Someone asked in a hushed voice. Though no name was mentioned, everyone knew who he meant.
Someone gave a soft laugh, speaking in an unreadable tone.
"And he's even a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. I have to say, that's truly ironic."
"He has a very good relationship with Dumbledore. Dumbledore personally served as his defender back then."
"Only someone like Dumbledore would still dare hire him. Is he still continuing those researches of his?"
"Mhm. He has never stopped. I heard he spent quite a bit of money pulling strings in the Ministry of Magic. As for his current research, the Ministry of Magic has more or less tacitly approved it."
"Then who knows whether that's fortunate or unfortunate."
Someone finally sighed.
Once the contract status changes, there will be two updates a day, probably at 10 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.
Finally... (holding out a bowl)(reaching out)(you know what I mean)
_(ω"∠)_
Before you continue