A Parent's Love for Their Child

Little Hermione didn't need to overthink things; she only needed to consider the fact that she was already two years behind before the race had even started.

Two whole years!

Before even entering school, others were already two years ahead of her.

If she spent a year studying, wouldn't they have already finished six years of Hogwarts curriculum?

One step behind, every step behind. Could it be that Miss Hermione Granger, who had always been at the top of her class in primary school, was destined to become the bottom-feeder of the wizarding world once she reached Hogwarts?

Worry, anxiety, and fear washed over Hermione all at once. Finally, the little girl clutched Hogwarts: A History and burst into tears.

She didn't want to make such a scene in front of so many people, but she truly couldn't help herself.

Watching her peers discuss study materials and plans with adults that she couldn't even begin to understand was, to the competitive Hermione, no less than the most terrifying torture in the world.

Hearing Hermione's sobbing, Isaac left his address with the manager.

The manager would have an owl deliver the books to his home later. Isaac had intended to comfort Hermione, but he ran straight into the wary gaze of Mr. Granger.

"Mrs. Granger, it is a pleasure to see you again. I assume this must be Mr. Granger."

Isaac nodded to Mrs. Granger, who was busy comforting Hermione, and greeted Mr. Granger, whose expression was less than friendly.

"Oh, Isaac. May I call you that? Do you know what's wrong with Hermione?" Mrs. Granger wanted to comfort her daughter, but she had no idea why Hermione had suddenly "wailed" so loudly.

She had no choice but to turn to Isaac Waldore, who had made a good first impression.

"Of course, ma'am." Isaac nodded, also wearing a look of confusion.

"Actually, Miss Granger became quite agitated just now after hearing me say that I had finished the entire Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration this month..."

Isaac didn't say much more; he only provided the opening, and the Grangers immediately understood why Hermione had lost her composure.

Their daughter wasn't just competitive; she was a little overachiever.

The Grangers didn't see anything wrong with Hermione's drive.

Since this "hustle" came from their daughter's own desire, they, as parents, could only support her.

Just like when she had spent an entire month working hard at home after receiving her textbooks, they had suppressed their own curiosity about the magical world, waiting until Hermione's fervor for magic had cooled slightly before coming to Diagon Alley together.

Knowing the reason for Hermione's "breakdown," Mrs. Granger's comfort became much more targeted.

Mr. Granger's gaze toward Isaac also turned friendly, even bordering on sympathetic.

Isaac's excellence wasn't his fault; surely his daughter's outburst had given this fine young man a fright as well.

"Isaac, I've heard of you. Come on, let's leave the ladies to it. How about we go get something a man should drink?"

In the Leaky Cauldron, Isaac and Mr. Granger each held a glass of Butterbeer, clinked them together, and took a large gulp.

Isaac had been quite curious about the drink, which had been so familiar in his past life, before he actually tasted it.

However, it was just alright once he drank it. It wasn't as delicious as he had imagined, but it wasn't bad either; it was a fairly standard beverage.

Still, Butterbeer really did look like a glass of foaming beer, and it even contained a small amount of alcohol.

It was quite popular among the younger crowd.

It mostly benefited from a good name—if this stuff were called "buttered soda water," it definitely wouldn't be as popular as it was now.

Mr. Granger set down his beer mug, winked at Isaac, and asked:

"By the way, Isaac, what about your family? Didn't they come to Diagon Alley with you?"

"I don't have a family. I'm an orphan." Isaac's reply was very calm.

He was calm, but Mr. Granger, who had asked the question, couldn't be calm at all.

Look at his big mouth—what had he just asked?!

Mr. Granger had learned from his wife about Isaac running a stall, and he had originally assumed Isaac was just experiencing life.

He hadn't expected this child to be struggling to make a living at such a young age.

He had actually asked that question so carelessly, and now, the more nonchalant Isaac appeared, the worse Mr. Granger felt inside.

"Don't be like that, Mr. Granger. It's not your fault, and besides, I've long since gotten used to being an orphan."

He didn't even need to wait until nightfall; Mr. Granger wanted to slap himself right now.

But he was terrified that doing so would frighten Isaac.

"Then... where are you living now?" Mr. Granger forced himself to calm down and asked Isaac.

"12 Medway Street. A kind gentleman sponsored me and gave me a place to stay."

Mr. Granger was stunned. He knew that place; it wasn't very far from their home, and the residences there were much more upscale than theirs.

Which also meant that 12 Medway Street was much more expensive than their own home.

What a truly kind soul.

However, Mr. Granger couldn't help but think of Isaac and his own daughter sharing the same situation.

Since young Isaac had to leave society to attend school in the wizarding world, would his benefactor worry that he might fall into bad company and go astray?

Not all parents were as open-minded or as quick to adapt as the Grangers.

With that in mind, Mr. Granger subtly voiced his concerns, offering to step in and provide a character reference if Isaac ever needed one.

If Isaac truly needed to leave 12 Medway Street, they even had a spare room in their home.

It had to be said that although Isaac had only met the Grangers twice, he found them to be genuinely wonderful people.

Even when offering kindness to an orphan, they were incredibly careful to protect Isaac's self-esteem.

Isaac beamed at Mr. Granger, "Rest assured, Mr. Granger.

The benefactor who supports me is also a wizard. It's just that, due to some painful past events, he won't be coming to England for a very long time.

Currently, there is only myself and Mr. Anthony at 12 Medway Street.

Mr. Anthony is the butler who serves that wizard, though he is a Muggle."

Mr. Granger, previously wrapped in guilt, felt a little better after hearing this.

As an orphan—or perhaps even more than just an orphan—Isaac was quite fortunate.

Never mind orphans; even children from ordinary families rarely encountered such a benefactor when stepping out into the world as adults.

"Alright, it seems you're doing well, Isaac.

To life!"

Having recovered, Mr. Granger raised his glass to drink with Isaac once more, though he did not forget the original purpose of seeking him out.

He still wanted to know more about the unknown magical world.