Leaky Cauldron

"You mean Lily Potter?" Dumbledore seemed far more interested in the Potter couple's child. "Their child is due at the end of the month? Has the delivery date been confirmed?"

"That's what they told me. They even sent Anduin a gift—I could feel a strong magical fluctuation on it. She'd mentioned earlier that she wanted to make a few alchemical tools to practice her rune work, and it looks like the results were decent. As for that boy, he's far more independent than I imagined, and his savings are richer than I expected. It's hard to picture how an eleven-year-old managed that in an orphanage, but prying into someone's privacy isn't proper behavior." Professor McGonagall was clearly on a different wavelength from Headmaster Dumbledore, still rambling on about Anduin.

"Is that so? I hear the Lumbaton couple's child is due soon too. Could it be one of them?" Dumbledore muttered to himself, lost in thought, clearly more interested in Lily's child than in the new students arriving this year.

"One of them what?" Professor McGonagall was baffled by Dumbledore's muttering.

"Oh, nothing, Minerva. You've had a long day—get some rest. Tomorrow's Order of the Phoenix meeting is in the usual place. We still have many problems to solve together. The Death Eaters have been growing more active lately." Dumbledore still hadn't settled on his hunch.

"Understood, Albus." McGonagall frowned at the lingering shadow of trouble, then turned and left.

Dumbledore remained seated at his desk, deep in thought. No one knew what he was scheming.

The next day, Anduin said his goodbyes to Mother Tries, William, and the others, packed his luggage, and arrived alone at the Leaky Cauldron.

"What do you mean, you're staying here alone until Hogwarts starts?" Tom, the Leaky Cauldron's owner, stared at Anduin in disbelief.

"Yes, Mr. Tom. Don't worry, I have money." Anduin pulled a few Galleons from his pocket and showed them to Tom.

"It's not about the money, Mr. Wilson. You might not realize it, but it's not safe around here. I'm afraid I can't agree to this—it's for your own good." Tom looked at Anduin seriously.

"I understand, Mr. Tom. Professor McGonagall explained the severity of the situation to me yesterday. But I still insist. And I think, as an underage Muggle-born wizard, living in the Muggle World is the most dangerous option. I'm willing to trust you. When I'm free, I can help you with chores and keep you company, can't I?" Anduin looked up at Tom with his dark eyes, firm and unyielding, clearly not planning to leave.

Tom frowned at the boy before him. After mulling it over, he finally agreed. There were still plenty of Aurors patrolling the area, and letting a Muggle-born wizard wander around outside could cause even more problems.

"Fine. Business has been slow lately anyway. I'll give you a discount—five Galleons for a month and a half. But you have to promise me you won't run around. Stay in the pub as much as possible. Curfew is at eight—back in your room by then."

"No problem, Mr. Tom. I'll behave. You can count on me." Seeing Tom agree, Anduin paid promptly, took the room key, and carried his luggage inside one by one.

Anduin placed the scallions he'd grown on the windowsill. He'd brought quite a bit this time—besides school supplies and some luggage, he'd even packed the spices William had bought before, along with a set of Mahjong.

In his previous life, Anduin had been a soldier. He'd never had many hobbies, but he'd always loved good food. After eating British food for over a decade in this world, he was thoroughly sick of it.

Once settled, Anduin looked around the room. It was spacious enough for basic exercise, but there wasn't much room for punch training. Back then, he'd mainly practiced Tongbei Quan, Pigua, Changquan, Hongquan, and the like—now he couldn't fully stretch out. For now, besides Standing Meditation in the room, he could only practice Tai Chi.

With that in mind, Anduin took out some paper and planned out his daily study and training schedule. He was a man of strict routine and strong self-discipline. Apart from not folding his blanket into a perfect square anymore, he still lived by the habits he'd developed in the military.

He arranged it like this:

6:00—Wake up, wash up, and morning exercise. Routine: Stretching, Standing Meditation, Aerobic Training + 30 minutes of Punch Training.

7:30—Breakfast, then read and practice spells.

12:00–13:00—Lunch.

13:00—Continue studying and practicing spells.

18:00—Dinner, then rest or keep practicing spells depending on how he felt.

20:00—Punch Training, Standing Meditation, meditation.

21:00—Wash up and sleep.

During meals and breaks, he'd help Tom with chores.

For this month and a half, Anduin decided to push himself to the limit, absorbing as much magical knowledge and practice as possible.

After making his detailed plan, Anduin checked the time. It was nearly noon, so he decided to go downstairs for lunch.

He chatted with Tom in the main hall and found that the food served here was mostly British fare. After confirming with Tom, Anduin took out the spices he'd brought and cooked a few small dishes himself. He invited Tom to join him, which helped warm up their landlord-tenant relationship. After a pleasant meal, Anduin prepared to officially begin his magical journey.

Anduin's main focus was on Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1, Magical Theory, and Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection. He planned to quickly learn a few spells first. Transfiguration was too difficult without guidance, while Herbology and Potions required more hands-on practice.

Without rushing into practice, Anduin quickly flipped through the books, marking key points or things he didn't understand with a pen. Time slipped by without him noticing.

The next day, after breakfast, Anduin prepared to practice his very first spell: the Levitation Charm. Since he'd been able to make objects float without a wand for years through his own training, he decided to start with what he was best at.

"Wingardium Leviosa." Anduin followed the incantation and hand seal from the book, drew his wand, and pointed it at a book on the table.

He felt an invisible energy connect him, his wand, and the book. The book floated up with almost no effort. "Hmm, using the spell definitely feels easier. Does the incantation stabilize the magic?"

Then Anduin put down his wand and tried to make the same book float the way he used to—without a wand. But after trying for a while, nothing happened.