Gringotts

The north wind howled through the night. In his hazy state, Allen felt a colossal figure looming over his bedside; a cloaked, scythe-wielding shadow had reached out and gripped his heart from thin air.

Allen struggled to open his eyes and sat up in bed, letting out a long breath. It was only a dream.

He took a sip of water, calmed his racing heart, and drifted back to sleep.

Morning arrived with clear, blue skies and crisp air following the snowfall.

After washing up, Allen played with his younger sister in the hall, waiting for the others to get ready for breakfast.

"Allen, you and your sister go ahead and eat. Don't wait for us." Mrs. Harris cheerfully directed the baked beans and croissants to fly onto his plate. After pouring herself a cup of Ceylon tea, she sent milk over to the younger children.

"Alright, Mom." Being able to taste the only authentic English breakfast that could be considered halfway decent made Allen feel much better.

Although their family was not exceptionally wealthy, the savings left behind by her husband's family meant they were not as strapped for cash as the Weasleys. Consequently, Mrs. Harris was never stingy when it came to her children's diet.

As a nurse at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, she knew all too well the importance of a healthy body. Beyond that, she personally managed their food and clothing, striving to maintain the dignity of a pure-blood family.

"Good morning, Mom." Lenn was already dressed quite neatly.

"My dear, I smell the aroma of food." Mr. Harris followed shortly after.

Daisy and Albert were the last to come down.

Albert ate his breakfast unhurriedly. When Mrs. Harris urged him to hurry, he explained that he wouldn't be shopping today; he had to return to the Ministry to report on some matters.

Ever since he received the mission to protect Harry Potter six months ago, he had followed Mr. Harris's instructions to transfer Allen, who was the same age as Harry, to the school Harry attended. The hope was to get close to the famous Harry Potter and have his own child become friends with him before Harry returned to the wizarding world.

Before Allen's accident, he had used a Confundus Charm on the headmaster to successfully become a new teacher for both Harry and his own younger brother.

However, the Allen from before the transmigration had been completely oblivious to this. The adults had never explained their motives to him, but the current Allen had a rough idea of what Mr. and Mrs. Harris were thinking.

The Harris couple packed their belongings with great efficiency and unspoken coordination.

Allen was looking forward to the departure. Would it be a magic carpet, a broomstick, a Portkey, Apparition, or perhaps the Floo Network connected by Floo powder?

"Allen, come quickly." Mrs. Harris was already calling to him from outside the door.

Now, the family of six walked about 200 meters down the street until they reached a streetlamp.

To Allen's eyes, this lamp looked no different from any ordinary one.

"Harris—Diagon Alley—Vistotana."

As Mr. Harris waved his wand, the streetlamp lit up. The purple glow was clearly visible even in the bright daylight, forming an outline on the ground about as wide as a shopping mall escalator.

The family walked into the circle of light, hand in hand.

Mrs. Harris pressed a spot on the lamp post's groove, revealing a lime-colored stone box. She placed six Knuts inside, pressed the groove again, and the box retracted instantly.

The purple light flickered dazzlingly.

Allen felt a rush of wind by his ears, accompanied by the sound of chatter and laughter, or perhaps it was nothing at all—just the sound of blood rushing through his own veins.

It seemed to last a long time, yet it felt like only an instant.

After stumbling a few steps, he found himself inside a Kowalski Bakery Chain, with a portrait of a beautiful witch with golden curls serving as the sign.

The street around the corner was bustling with noise and excitement.

"Truly magnificent spatial magic; these mysterious Luchu Elves have made a great contribution to the Magical World!" Lenn the second eldest sighed in wonder.

"Alright, children, we can experience the spatial magic again on our way back. Now, we need to go to Gringotts to withdraw some funds, and then you can all have your monthly allowance."

Mr. Harris winked at Allen, watching happily as the children cheered.

"Perhaps I can buy myself a new robe." Daisy, who loved beauty, was full of anticipation.

"Then you'll have to be very frugal for the rest of the month!"

With that, Mrs. Harris stroked her youngest daughter's soft golden hair with affection.

Emily was still small; buying a sweet ice cream was enough to satisfy her completely.

The family chatted as they walked until they reached a towering white building—they had arrived at Gringotts.

The first thing that caught the eye was the gleaming bronze door; how many wizarding families had seen their rise and fall before this very gate!

Goblin guards in scarlet and gold uniforms stood at the entrance, bowing as the Harris family stepped inside and extending their wrinkled, hairy palms to guide them.

After walking for a while, they saw a silver door engraved with a warning against greed.

"Indeed, wealth earned with one's own hands is the most reliable. Do not dream of getting something for nothing."

Seeing his youngest son observing the door, Mr. Harris took the opportunity to offer a lesson.

So, if Harry Potter successfully broke in and used his own hands to take Hufflepuff's Cup, he put in the labor, so he wouldn't face retribution, Allen thought to himself.

Passing through the second silver door, they entered a spacious marble hall. A massive conical chandelier hung in the center, and enormous marble pillars supported the magnificent hall.

About a hundred goblins sat behind long counters, some scribbling in large ledgers, others weighing coins on scales, and some inspecting gemstones with loupes.

"Vault 625." Mr. Harris handed the key to a goblin behind the counter who looked like a little old man in a suit.

"Please follow me." The goblin bowed and gestured the way.

"Oh, my dear, I shall wait for you here. Would any of the children like to stay with me?"

Mrs. Harris decided there was no need for her to endure the bumpy ride.

"Mom, Emily and I will keep you company."

This suited Daisy just fine; she was worried that traveling through the tunnels at high speed would ruin the hairstyle she had carefully styled this morning.

Allen and Lenn followed their father, boarding a small iron cart under the goblin's guidance.

The cart sped through the labyrinthine, winding tunnels. During the rapid journey, Allen caught sight of an underground lake, with the cave walls and ceiling draped in massive, bizarrely shaped stalactites and stalagmites.

The cart came to a halt in front of a giant stone door marked with the number 625.

The goblin unlocked the door with a key. Contrary to the bleak and miserable scene Allen had imagined, a dozen piles of Galleons and several stacks of Sickles shimmered with an alluring glow inside the stone chamber.

There were also some ancient stone and iron artifacts of unknown purpose, arranged in an orderly fashion on shelves against the wall.

"Perhaps there is some magic protecting them. Although they look weathered by history, they are clearly being meticulously preserved."

Allen was more interested in these artifact-like items than in the money.

"The amount is still quite substantial!" Lenn sighed with satisfaction.

"Frugality is a virtue." Mr. Harris quickly grabbed a few handfuls of Galleons and stuffed large amounts of Sickles into a leather bag.

"That should be enough." Mr. Harris patted the bag contentedly and led the children back toward the cart.

Upon exiting Gringotts, Mr. Harris handed the bag to Mrs. Harris.

"Five Galleons and ten Sickles. Daisy, this is yours. I think it should be enough to buy a new robe."

"Oh! Thank you, Mom! I'm so happy, I love you!" Daisy happily took the coins, expressing her gratitude.

Mrs. Harris then took out the same amount of money and handed it to Lenn.

"Thanks, Mom." Lenn took the coins and quickly tucked them into his bag.

Allen looked at Mrs. Harris with longing eyes.

"Alright, Lenn and Daisy, you are free to go. Remember to meet in front of the Moon Palace Restaurant at 12 o'clock. No going to Knockturn Alley," Mrs. Harris said.

"Mom, what about my pocket money?" For the sake of money, Allen didn't hesitate to act cute.

"Good boy, you're with us. How about we go to Tom's Shop in a while and buy you a big ice cream?" Mrs. Harris soothed her son.

"Alright." Although Allen also craved money, the feeling of asking for it didn't sit well with him, and he hadn't yet decided what he wanted to buy.

"Dear, why not give Allen a few Sickles first?" Seeing his son's dejected look, Mr. Harris couldn't help but intercede.

"Fine, fine, just don't lose them." Mrs. Harris loved Mr. Harris dearly and was willing to follow his suggestions.

She handed 10 Sickles to Allen, then looked at her youngest daughter and placed 10 Knuts into Emily's pocket.

"Alright, let's go." Mr. Harris waved his hand, leading his family off to shop in high spirits.

The coins in his pocket seemed to be loudly demanding to be spent.

"It feels so good to have money in your pocket." Allen looked at the dazzling array of shops along the street, touched the coins in his pocket, and couldn't help but sigh.