The Potter Couple

"Okay, Anduin, we've spent quite a bit of time on wands. We need to hurry and get the rest of your supplies." Professor McGonagall glanced at the sky and said to Anduin.

"Okay, Professor."

Next, with Professor McGonagall accompanying him, Anduin went to Ink and Quill to buy enough parchment, ink, and a few quills, then to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Flourish and Blotts, and Potage's Cauldron Shop for the cauldron, robes, and full set of textbooks he'd need for school.

Anduin also bought an owl and some pet food. He'd always thought owls had a cheeky, amusing look to them.

Before long, they'd spent a fair amount of time in Diagon Alley, and the evening sun was casting its glow.

"That should be it, Anduin. You've basically got everything you need for school, and it's getting late. I'd better take you back. Diagon Alley is relatively safe, but young people shouldn't be wandering around after dark."

"Thank you, Professor McGonagall. Before I go, let me buy you a cold drink. You've spent most of the day helping me, and I want to show my gratitude." Anduin saw there was still some time before dark and made the suggestion to Professor McGonagall. Besides, after spending so long in Diagon Alley, he was a bit tired and wanted to pick her brain about the magical world.

"Alright, but let's not linger too long." Professor McGonagall thought it over and agreed, figuring it wouldn't take much time.

The two of them headed 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 began asking.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Anduin. Spells are far more complicated than you imagine. Carelessly casting them could lead to bad consequences, especially in the Muggle world. It's a sensitive time right now, and the Ministry of Magic is very strict about detecting magical activity."

"The Ministry has a charm for detecting underage wizards' magic, called the Trace. They use it to find cases of underage magic use. So don't go waving your wand around in the orphanage. If you cast spells in a place full of wizards, the Ministry might not pinpoint you, but in the Muggle world, it's like a firefly in the dark." Professor McGonagall patiently explained to Anduin.

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

"In theory, yes. But casting spells without guidance is very dangerous. I know young wizards like you have a strong thirst for knowledge, but I suggest you save that curiosity for school." Professor McGonagall, true to her role as a teacher, patiently guided Anduin.

"I Understand." Anduin didn't reveal what he was thinking, just answered casually.

"Are there many professors like you at Hogwarts? What do you usually do? And the headmaster—is it Professor Dumbledore? What kind of person is he?" Anduin turned into a fountain of questions, not caring whether Professor McGonagall could handle it.

"I think you should be in Ravenclaw, Mr. Wilson." Professor McGonagall teased, but still patiently answered his questions...

"Dumbledore is the most powerful wizard in the Wizarding World today—at least, that's what we believe. You can get to know him slowly after you start school. Today, the headmaster is in Hogsmeade, a pure-wizarding village near the school. He needs to interview a professor for Divination. Personally, I don't think there's a need for another Divination class."

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

Anduin turned to look. A man and a woman walked in. The man wore glasses, with sharp light-brown eyes and neatly combed black hair. The woman beside him was pregnant, with deep red hair and almond-shaped eyes. They greeted Professor McGonagall and walked over.

"Lily, James, what are you doing here?" Professor McGonagall was surprised to see them and stood up to meet them. Anduin followed suit.

"Our child is almost due, so we came to pick up some things. And you?" James explained to Professor McGonagall, then noticed Anduin standing beside her. "Ah, you're taking a new student shopping. Most wizarding families wouldn't need you to come personally. So you're a Muggle-born wizard, young man. Where are your parents? How come you're here alone?" James Potter asked Anduin bluntly, as if he had no sense of boundaries. Beside him, Lily reached out and squeezed James's arm. James looked at his wife, confused.

"Sharp eye. I am a Muggle-born wizard. As for my parents, sorry, I never met them." Though he felt a bit offended, Anduin didn't get angry. It was the truth, and he was someone who looked forward, not one to be overly sensitive.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to offend." James realized he'd put his foot in his mouth and quickly apologized.

Anduin just shrugged magnanimously.

"This is Anduin Wilson, a new student this year. These are James Potter and Lily Potter, two of your graduated seniors. Come, sit with us. You two just wandering into Diagon Alley like this, with Lily pregnant—aren't you worried about danger?" Professor McGonagall smoothed things over, introducing everyone, and they all sat down together.

"We're not worried. Too bad Lily's about to give birth—I have to take care of her first, and we need to prepare." James, thinking of his soon-to-arrive child, glanced at his wife Lily and started grinning goofily again.

Seeing This Scene and hearing Professor McGonagall call them Potters, Anduin couldn't help but guess at their identity. He stared at Lily and asked, "How many months along is the baby? Almost due? Have you picked a name?"

Lily looked at this Muggle-born new student and felt a warmth. "We're expecting at the end of the month. As for the name, we've decided—if it's a boy, Harry. Harry Potter." Lily finished, looking at James, her face full of happiness.

Anduin was now certain. These were the parents of the future Chosen One, the Potter couple. He didn't know the full story, but he knew the protagonist's name. And this confirmed what had been nagging at him: Harry's parents were still alive, which meant Voldemort hadn't died yet at this point in time. No wonder Diagon Alley had so few customers and Aurors were patrolling everywhere.