Vinson Wright loved making friends.
While Vinson and Cedric were chatting amicably, Old Barty Crouch's mind was filled with questions. He was still pondering Vinson's words.
Why did Vinson think he would be sorted into Hufflepuff?
This little fellow... didn't seem to have much to do with Hufflepuff!
Something like that shouldn't be possible. The Sorting Hat at Hogwarts definitely wouldn't sort this dangerous little fellow into the honest and kind Hufflepuff.
While Old Barty was still thinking, the talkative Amos Diggory invited them, "Mr. Crouch, it looks like we're both here to help the children buy the supplies on their first-year lists. Why don't we head to Diagon Alley now?"
At this point, Amos Diggory added with a smile, "If we wait any longer, I'm afraid we won't be able to buy Cedric the owl he likes..."
As a father, Amos hoped his son could have the best—or rather, he wanted to provide Cedric with the best as much as possible.
Of course, Cedric had never let his father down, either.
The group went straight through The Leaky Cauldron to the back of the building and stood before an old wall of uneven bricks. This was the entrance to Diagon Alley.
Amos Diggory took out his wand and tapped several bricks on the wall. A sound of grinding bricks soon rang out...
The bricks across the entire wall began spinning rapidly!
In just a few seconds, the bricks in the dilapidated wall rearranged themselves, opening a passage to the Wizarding World!
On the other side of the passage lay the scenery of Diagon Alley.
Even though Cedric Diggory had heard his father talk about Diagon Alley long ago, amazement still showed in his eyes.
As for Vinson Wright...
This pragmatic man had already received his quest reward.
[Exploration Quest: Enter Diagon Alley from behind The Leaky Cauldron (1/1), Reward: Spell to unlock] [Spell to unlock: The incantation is Alohomora. If the user has enough magical power, it can open any closed door in the world, even one protected by a Fidelius Charm.]
There was no denying that this spell to unlock was quite tempting.
Vinson Wright couldn't help making a few malicious guesses. Perhaps he could enter the common rooms of any Hogwarts house without needing any spell at all, simply by using the Spell to unlock...
Only after taking a look at the reward did Vinson Wright begin examining Diagon Alley, the busiest market street in the Wizarding World.
The street was not very wide.
Wizarding shops stood densely packed on both sides.
Diagon Alley happened to be bustling at this hour. Numerous wizards wearing pointed hats stood in the street, chatting and laughing about what they had bought while shopping.
"Mr. Crouch, Mr. Wright, where are you going?"
Amos Diggory turned to Old Barty Crouch and Vinson Wright. After asking them, he immediately answered for himself and his son: "I plan to take Cedric to Ollivanders Wand Shop first. He's been longing for a wand for far too long..."
"Cedric will choose the one best suited to him."
Old Barty Crouch nodded lightly at them before explaining, "It seems we'll be parting ways here. We plan to buy the required items in the order of the shops..."
Vinson had no objections.
If they followed that order, the two groups would go their separate ways.
The nearest shop was Potage's Cauldron Shop. The list mentioned that they needed to buy a cauldron there for use in Potions Class.
"Buy me a sturdier pot."
Vinson Wright made his request to Old Barty, then added, "Preferably one sturdy enough to smash someone over the head with when I get into a fight..."
"..."
The corner of Old Barty Crouch's eye twitched.
This little fellow hadn't even entered Hogwarts yet! And he was already preparing in advance for the possibility of getting into fights there?
Old Barty had a feeling...
This might be the most troublesome shopping trip of his life.
Who knew how many strange requests Vinson Wright would make?
When they reached Gringotts, the wizard bank at the intersection, Vinson Wright slowly stopped walking, as if he wanted to memorize the building.
Old Barty Crouch glanced at Vinson and introduced Gringotts' origins: "Gringotts, the wizard bank. Aside from Hogwarts, which Dumbledore oversees, this bank is the safest place in the world. It's operated and managed by Goblins..."
"Let's come inside for a look sometime!"
Vinson Wright left the entrance of Gringotts and spoke slowly, "We only need to wait a little longer. Hopefully, there will be plenty of good things here by then..."
"..."
The corner of Old Barty Crouch's eye twitched again.
Why did the things this little fellow said so seriously sound as though he intended to break into Gringotts and steal from it?
After leaving Gringotts.
The next shop was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
This was where Hogwarts first-years bought their school uniforms.
Vinson Wright put on a wizard's robe and suddenly asked, "Can this kind of clothing be used as a sack? If I put someone inside and tied them up, would it tear...?"
"..."
Madam Malkin froze on the spot.
The slightly plump witch couldn't help giggling. "Dear, you certainly love to joke. Hogwarts strictly forbids fighting..."
"That's good. I especially like that rule."
Vinson Wright nodded seriously and pointed at the wizard's robe draped over him. "One size larger than this. Three of them will do..."
This was simply a habit left over from buying clothes in his previous life.
More importantly, he needed to complete the quest and obtain the reward.
[Exploration Quest: Go to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions and purchase a wizard's robe (1/1), Quest complete, Reward: Spell to clean.] [Spell to clean: The incantation is Scourgify. It cleans any object according to the caster's wishes and the magical power used. If the caster has enough magical power, it can even remove certain objects that the caster does not want to exist.]
A rather... practical bit of magic.
Vinson Wright was very satisfied with these practical little spells.
Madam Malkin's body stiffened slightly. She had never seen such a proactive child before, and couldn't help saying, "If it's one standard size larger than this, wouldn't it be a little too big for you...?"
"I should grow quickly."
Vinson Wright took off the robe and tossed it onto a chair.
This scene allowed Old Barty Crouch to discover one of Vinson Wright's advantages. The little fellow was mature in his thinking and wouldn't be overly picky or waste time.
Because of this, they soon purchased everything they needed.
After Vinson Wright bought the textbooks required for Hogwarts first-years at Flourish and Blotts, he finally found a way to truly master most spells.
Or rather.
Only this method could let him learn a spell to the point where he could use it with complete mastery.
[Exploration Quest: Go to Flourish and Blotts and purchase a set of Hogwarts first-year textbooks (1/1), Quest complete, Reward: Learning Method and Quest.] [Learning Quest: Learn a spell using the learning method. Read the incantation carefully one hundred times, copy the incantation carefully one hundred times, and memorize the incantation proficiently one hundred times. You will quickly master and become proficient in this magic spell.] [Learning Quest: Learn Potions using the learning method. Read the recipe carefully one hundred times, copy the recipe carefully one hundred times, and memorize the recipe proficiently one hundred times. You will quickly master the brewing of this potion.]
This learning method left Vinson with extremely mixed feelings!
Vinson Wright reached out to take the clothing bags from Old Barty Crouch, handed over the thick textbooks in his arms for him to carry, and sighed mournfully. "No matter where you are, learning is always such a grueling thing..."
Vinson Wright lamented the hardships that awaited him, then recalled the results of mastering spells proficiently and continued sighing, "Even though we all know that mastering knowledge will definitely make us very happy..."
I should be signing the contract today...
Please give me some recommendation votes on Monday.
Before you continue