Potter Couple

"All right, Anduin. We spent quite a while choosing your wand, so we should hurry and buy the rest of your supplies." Professor McGonagall glanced at the sky and spoke to Anduin.

"Yes, Professor."

With Professor McGonagall accompanying him, Anduin went on to buy plenty of parchment, ink, and several quills at Ink and Quill. He also bought the cauldron, wizarding robes, and complete set of textbooks he needed for school at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Flourish and Blotts, and Potage's Cauldron Shop.

Anduin also bought an owl and some pet food. He had always thought owls looked cheeky and comical.

Before long, they had spent quite a while in Diagon Alley, and the setting sun was casting its light over the street.

"That's enough for today, Anduin. We've bought nearly everything you need for school, and it's getting late. I should take you back. Diagon Alley is relatively safe, but young people should still avoid wandering around at night."

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall. Before we leave, let me buy you a cold drink. I've taken up most of your day, and it's the least I can do to show my gratitude." Seeing that it would be a while before nightfall, Anduin made the offer. He was also getting tired after spending so long in Diagon Alley, and hoped to ask Professor McGonagall a few more questions about the Wizarding World.

"All right, but let's not take too long." Professor McGonagall thought it over and agreed, deciding it wouldn't take much time.

They went to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour in Diagon Alley, ordered two cold drinks, and found a seat.

"Professor McGonagall, now that I have a wand, can I start practicing spells?" Anduin took a sip of his drink and asked.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Anduin. Spells are far more complicated than you think, and casting them recklessly could have disastrous consequences. This is especially true in the Muggle World. These are sensitive times, and the Ministry of Magic is very strict about detecting magic."

"The Ministry of Magic has a spell that detects magical activity by wizards under seventeen. It's called the Trace, and the Ministry uses it to find out when underage wizards use magic. So you mustn't use your wand carelessly at the Orphanage. If you cast a spell in a place where wizards are gathered, the Ministry might not be able to pinpoint you, but in the Muggle World, you'll stand out like a firefly in the dark." Professor McGonagall patiently explained it to Anduin.

"So, does that mean it's fine if I cast spells in Diagon Alley?" Anduin asked.

"In theory, yes, but casting spells recklessly without guidance is very dangerous. I know young wizards like you are eager to learn, but I think you'd be better off saving that curiosity and eagerness for school." Professor McGonagall continued to do her duty as a teacher, patiently guiding Anduin.

"I understand." Anduin casually agreed, though who knew what he was plotting.

"Are there many professors like you at Hogwarts? What do you usually do? And the headmaster—is that Professor Dumbledore? What sort of person is he?" Anduin turned into a regular question machine, without any concern for whether Professor McGonagall could keep up.

"I think you belong in Ravenclaw, young Mr. Wilson." Professor McGonagall teased him, but still patiently answered his questions...

"Dumbledore is the most powerful wizard in the Wizarding World—or at least, that's what we believe. You can learn more about him after you start school. The headmaster is in Hogsmeade today, a village of wizards near the school. He needs to interview a professor for Divination, though personally, I don't think there's any need to offer a separate class in Divination."

"Professor McGonagall! I didn't expect to run into you here." Just as Professor McGonagall and Anduin were deep in conversation, a woman called out from the entrance.

Anduin turned to look. A man and a woman had just walked in. The man wore glasses, his light brown eyes bright and alert, and his black hair was neatly combed. The woman beside him was pregnant, with long, dark red hair and almond-shaped eyes. After greeting Professor McGonagall, they walked over.

"Lily, James, what are you doing here?" Professor McGonagall stood up in surprise and went to greet them. Anduin followed suit.

"Our baby's due soon, so we came to pick up a few things. What brings you here?" James explained to Professor McGonagall, then noticed Anduin standing beside her. "Oh, you're here to help a new student shop. Most wizarding families don't need you to come in person. I take it you're a Muggle-born wizard, young man. Where are your parents? Why did they let you come here alone?" James Potter asked Anduin bluntly, as though he were an old friend. Lily pinched his arm, and James looked at her in confusion.

"You're very perceptive. I am a Muggle-born wizard. As for my parents, I'm afraid I've never met them." Anduin felt a little offended, but he didn't get angry. It was the truth, after all, and he was the sort of person who looked forward rather than dwelling on the past.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you," James said quickly, realizing he'd put his foot in his mouth.

Anduin simply shrugged it off.

"This is Anduin Wilson, a new student starting this year. And these are James Potter and Lily Potter, two of your older schoolmates who have already graduated. Come and sit with us. You shouldn't have come all the way to Diagon Alley with Lily pregnant. Weren't you worried about the risks?" Professor McGonagall smoothly stepped in, introduced them, and they all sat down together.

"We're not worried. Unfortunately, Lily's due any day now, so I have to look after her, and we have preparations to make." Thinking about how soon his child would be born, James looked at Lily and started grinning like an idiot again.

Seeing them together, and hearing Professor McGonagall call them the Potters, Anduin began to suspect who they were. He looked at Lily and asked, "How many months along are you? Is the baby due soon? Have you picked a name?"

Lily found the young Muggle-born wizard endearing. "We're expecting the baby around the end of the month. As for the name, we've decided that if it's a boy, we'll call him Harry—Harry Potter." After speaking, Lily looked at James, her face glowing with happiness.

Anduin was now completely certain: these were the parents of the future Chosen One, the Potter couple. He didn't know the details of the story, but he knew the protagonist's name. And now he understood what had felt wrong all along: Harry's parents were still alive, which meant Voldemort hadn't died yet. No wonder there weren't many customers in Diagon Alley, and Aurors were patrolling everywhere.