Professor McGonagall took Charlie back to the Orphanage, explained things to Grandma White, and showed her some amazing magic.
That finally put Grandma White's doubts to rest. She no longer thought Professor McGonagall, in her dressing gown, was a child trafficker trying to abduct kids.
Before they left, Grandma White tried to press a hundred Pound Sterling into Charlie's hands. He refused and left five hundred Pound Sterling on Grandma White's desk.
Five hundred Pound Sterling wasn't much, but at least it would give the Orphanage a little breathing room this month.
Ever since arriving in this world, Charlie had lived at the Orphanage. Grandma White treated him like her own grandson, and one reason he was so eager to make money was to help her.
Seeing this, Professor McGonagall's gaze grew even gentler.
The great sword of Gryffindor—what a good kid.
After leaving the Orphanage, Professor McGonagall led Charlie into a run-down pub.
"This is the Leaky Cauldron. It's the entrance to Diagon Alley."
In the pub's backyard, Professor McGonagall tapped a brick with her Wand, and a passage opened in the wall.
Charlie followed her through. The sight before him left him stunned.
A cobbled street, quaint old shops, owls flying through the sky, and passersby dressed in Wizard robes.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley," Professor McGonagall said with a smile.
Charlie's eyes widened.
Just then, a shrill voice suddenly sounded in his mind.
[Detecting that Your Majesty has successfully entered the Wizarding World. Tyrant System activating...] [Your Majesty: Charlie White] [Age: 11] [Magical Aptitude Ratings: (Maximum level: 10)] [Transfiguration: 6] [Charms: 8] [Potions: 6] [Defense Against the Dark Arts: 7] [Herbology: 4] [Astronomy: 4] [History of Magic: 5] [Magic mastered: 0] [Tyrant Points: 0]
Charlie almost jumped out of his skin at the sudden appearance of the system interface.
What the hell is the Tyrant System? The Qing dynasty fell ages ago. Are you okay?
Where am I supposed to be an incompetent ruler?
But this wasn't the time to figure out the system. Professor McGonagall was already urging him to keep up.
"First, we'll go to Gringotts and exchange some money for Galleons."
Professor McGonagall pointed to a tall white building at the end of the street.
"That's the Wizard bank."
Inside Gringotts, they were surrounded by short creatures with long noses and pointed ears.
"Those are Goblins," Professor McGonagall explained quietly.
"Gringotts is run by Goblins. They're natural financial experts."
"Wow, they really are Goblins."
Charlie couldn't help taking a closer look.
They look like goblins from stories. I wonder if the Wizarding World has any princesses.
The interior of Gringotts' lobby was quite luxurious.
The marble floor gleamed, and enormous crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling.
There were rows of windows in the lobby, with a Goblin sitting behind each one.
Some were counting money, some were keeping records, and others were examining gemstones with magnifying glasses.
Strangely, though, none of the Goblins made any effort to serve them.
Professor McGonagall led Charlie to one of the windows.
The Goblin behind it didn't even look up, continuing to work on his accounts.
"Ahem," Professor McGonagall said with a slight cough.
Only then did the Goblin reluctantly look up, his expression impatient.
"Exchanging for Galleons?" he asked in a shrill voice. "How much?"
"The boy would like to exchange some money for Galleons," Professor McGonagall said.
"He'd also like to open an account."
The Goblin glanced at Charlie, his eyes full of disdain.
Another Muggle-born young Wizard.
People like this usually exchanged only a hundred or two hundred Pound Sterling and opened the most basic account.
He couldn't be bothered with such a small transaction.
So what if Professor McGonagall had brought him? Even if Dumbledore himself were here today, the Goblin wouldn't serve him without payment.
"There's a fee for exchanging money for Galleons," the Goblin said coolly.
"There's also a fee to open an account."
Charlie could tell from the Goblin's attitude that he was getting annoyed.
"The Wizarding World has three kinds of currency: Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts," Professor McGonagall explained to Charlie.
"One Galleon is worth seventeen Sickles, and one Sickle is worth twenty-nine Knuts. At the current exchange rate, one Galleon is about five Pound Sterling."
Charlie nodded, then pulled a thick envelope from inside his coat.
Bang!
He slammed the envelope onto the counter.
"Exchange 1,500 Pound Sterling for Galleons."
The banknotes spilled across the counter. They were all in high denominations.
The Goblin put down his abacus and snatched up the Pound Sterling with lightning speed, immediately starting to count it.
"It really is 1,500 Pound Sterling," the Goblin said, sounding surprised.
The Goblins at several nearby windows cast envious glances over.
1,500 Pound Sterling could be exchanged for three hundred Galleons.
They rarely saw such a large transaction. A customer exchanging this many Galleons at once was sure to become a long-term client.
The Goblin's expression changed at once, his coldness replaced by an effusive warmth.
"Esteemed sir, welcome to Gringotts!" He rubbed his hands together and smiled ingratiatingly.
"I'm Ragnok. It's a pleasure to serve you!"
"Allow me to introduce the various services Gringotts offers. We provide not only currency exchange, but also savings, investments, safety deposit box rentals, and many other financial products."
"For valued customers like yourself, we also offer dedicated premium service, with fees three percentage points lower than those for ordinary accounts!"
"Would you be interested in one of our Diamond Membership Cards? Cardholders receive ten percent off all services at Gringotts!"
Charlie watched the Goblin's complete change of attitude and folded his arms.
"I liked you better when you were acting all high and mighty."
"Go back to that."
Ragnok's smile froze on his face.
W-what did that mean?
Professor McGonagall was struggling to hold back her laughter.
"Open an account," Charlie said, clearing his throat.
"Exchange it all for Galleons. Put two hundred Galleons in the account and give me the rest."
"Of course, of course!" Ragnok nodded hurriedly. "I'll take care of it right away!"
Before long, Charlie had a heavy purse filled with one hundred Galleons.
The Galleons were heavier than he'd expected. Each one gleamed gold and bore a complex design.
"You'll need a few dozen Galleons' worth of supplies for your first year," Professor McGonagall said.
"You'll have enough money to last you a long time."
Charlie weighed the purse in his hand, pleased.
"Come on, let's go buy a Wand," Professor McGonagall said.
"A Wand is a Wizard's most important tool."
Charlie nodded and followed Professor McGonagall out of Gringotts.
They came to Ollivanders Wand Shop. Its sign said it had been making Wands since 382 B.C.
When they pushed open the heavy wooden door, the copper bell above it rang brightly.
"You're going to achieve great things, Mr. Potter."
A voice, old yet touched with mystery, came from inside the shop.
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