Gringotts

The north wind howled through the night. In the still darkness, Allen sensed a huge figure looming at his bedside. A black-cloaked figure holding a scythe reached through the air and clenched his heart.

Allen struggled awake and sat up in bed, letting out a long breath. It had only been a dream.

He drank some water, calmed his racing heart, and went back to sleep.

The next morning, after the snow had cleared, the sky was bright blue and the air crisp.

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

"Allen, you and your sister eat first. Don't wait." Mrs. Harris cheerfully directed baked beans in tomato sauce and croissants onto his plate. After pouring herself a cup of Ceylon tea, she served milk to the children.

"Okay, Mom." Being able to enjoy an authentic English breakfast—the only British food that was remotely presentable—greatly improved Allen's mood.

Although the family was not particularly wealthy, the savings left behind by Mr. Harris's family meant they were not as strapped for cash as the Weasleys. Mrs. Harris had therefore never been stingy when it came to the children's food.

As a nurse at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, she knew better than anyone how important a healthy body was. Moreover, she personally handled their food and clothing, doing her best to preserve the dignity of a Pureblood family.

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

"Darling, I can smell the food." Mr. Harris arrived soon after.

Daisy and Albert came downstairs last.

Albert ate breakfast unhurriedly. When Mrs. Harris urged him on, he said that he would not be going shopping today, as he needed to return to the Ministry to report on some matters.

Ever since receiving the task of protecting Harry Potter half a year ago, he had, under Mr. Harris's instructions, transferred Allen, who was the same age as Harry, to Harry's school. This was meant to bring him closer to the famous Harry, in hopes that his child could become friends with Harry before Harry returned to the Wizarding World.

Before Allen's accident, Albert had used a Confundus Charm on the school's Headmaster and successfully become Harry's and his younger brother's new teacher.

However, Allen before his transmigration had known nothing about this. The adults had never explained their purpose to him, but the current Allen more or less understood what the Harrises were thinking.

Mr. and Mrs. Harris efficiently and seamlessly packed everything they needed.

Allen eagerly awaited their departure. Would they travel by wizard Magic Carpet, flying broomstick, Portkey, Apparition, or Floo Powder through the Floo Network?

"Allen, hurry up." Mrs. Harris was already calling to him from outside.

After walking about two hundred meters, the family of six arrived beneath a streetlamp by the roadside.

To Allen, the streetlamp looked no different from an ordinary one.

"Harris, Diagon Alley, Vistota."

With a flick of Mr. Harris's wand, the streetlamp lit up. Purple light remained clearly visible even beneath the bright daylight, forming an outline on the ground about as wide as an ordinary mall escalator.

The family linked arms and stepped into the circle of light.

Mrs. Harris gently pressed a groove in the lamp post, and a long gray stone box appeared. She placed six Knuts inside, pressed the groove again, and the stone box swiftly withdrew.

The purple light flashed brilliantly several times.

Allen seemed to hear wind by his ears, as well as chatter and laughter—or perhaps there was nothing at all, only the rushing sound of blood flowing through his veins.

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

After staggering a few steps, he found himself inside Kowalski Bakery Chain, marked by a moving portrait of a beautiful Witch with golden curls.

The street around the corner was bustling and deafeningly lively.

"What remarkable spatial magic! Those mysterious Luchu Elves, a kind of magical creature, have made a tremendous contribution to the Magical World!" his second older brother Lenn exclaimed.

"All right, children. We can experience the spatial magic again on the way back. Right now, we need to go to Gringotts to withdraw some spending money, and then you can receive this month's allowance."

Mr. Harris winked at Allen, smiling happily as he watched the children cheer.

"Maybe I can buy myself a new robe." Beauty-conscious Daisy was full of anticipation.

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

As she spoke, Mrs. Harris lovingly stroked her younger daughter's soft golden hair.

Emily was still young. A sweet ice cream was enough to leave her completely satisfied.

Chatting as they walked, the family arrived before a towering white building—Gringotts.

The first thing that caught Allen's eye was the gleaming Bronze Gate. How many wizarding families had risen and fallen beneath this gate?

At the entrance stood Goblin guards in scarlet uniforms trimmed with gold. When Allen's family entered, they bowed and extended their wrinkled, hairy hands to show them the way.

After walking some distance, they came upon a silver gate engraved with verses warning people against greed.

"That is indeed true. Wealth earned through one's own hands is the most reliable. Don't fantasize about gaining something for nothing."

Seeing his younger son studying the inscription, Mr. Harris took the opportunity to teach him a lesson.

So Harry Potter successfully broke in, took Hufflepuff's Cup away with his own hands, put in the effort, and therefore won't suffer retribution.

They passed through the second silver gate and entered a spacious marble hall. A massive cone-shaped chandelier hung from the center, while enormous marble pillars supported the magnificent chamber.

Around a hundred Goblins sat behind long counters. Some were hastily making entries in large ledgers, some were weighing coins with scales, and others were examining gemstones through eyepieces.

"Vault 625." Mr. Harris handed the key to a Goblin behind the counter, dressed in a suit and resembling a little old man.

"Please follow me." The Goblin bowed and led the way.

"Oh, darling, I'll wait here. Do any of the children want to stay with me?"

Mrs. Harris did not think she needed to endure another bumpy ride.

"Mom, Emily and I will stay with you."

It suited Daisy perfectly. She was afraid the rapid trip through the tunnels would ruin the hairstyle she had carefully arranged that morning.

Allen and Lenn followed their father and, under the Goblin's guidance, boarded an iron mine cart.

The cart sped through maze-like, twisting tunnels. During the rapid ride, Allen saw an underground lake, while the cave walls and ceiling were covered in enormous, bizarre stalactites and stalagmites.

The cart stopped before a gigantic stone door marked with the number 625.

The Goblin unlocked the stone door with the key. Contrary to the bleak scene Allen had imagined, more than a dozen piles of Galleons and several piles of Silver Sickles glowed enticingly within the stone chamber.

There were also some very ancient stone and iron artifacts of unknown purpose, neatly arranged on shelves against the walls.

"Perhaps some magic is protecting them. Though they bear the marks of age, they have clearly been carefully preserved."

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

"The amount is still quite considerable!" Lenn sighed in satisfaction.

"Thrift is a virtue." Mr. Harris swiftly grabbed several handfuls of Galleons, then stuffed large quantities of Silver Sickles into a leather bag.

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

After leaving Gringotts, Mr. Harris handed the leather bag to Mrs. Harris.

"Five Galleons and ten Silver Sickles. Daisy, these are yours. I think that should be enough for a new robe."

"Oh! Thank you, Mom! I'm so happy! Love you!" Daisy happily accepted the coins and expressed her gratitude.

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

"Thank you, Mom." Lenn accepted the coins and quickly tucked them into his backpack.

Allen looked at Mrs. Harris eagerly.

"All right, Lenn and Daisy can go off on their own. Remember to meet in front of Moon Palace Restaurant at twelve. Don't go to Knockturn Alley," Mrs. Harris said.

"Mom, where's my allowance?" For the sake of money, Allen did not hesitate to act cute.

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

"All right." Allen wanted money too, but asking for it felt rather unpleasant, and he had not yet decided what he wanted to buy.

"Darling, why not give Allen a few Silver Sickles first?" Seeing his son's dejected expression, Mr. Harris could not help pleading for him.

"All right, all right. Don't lose them." Mrs. Harris loved Mr. Harris dearly and was willing to listen to him.

She handed Allen ten Silver Sickles. Looking at her younger daughter, she also slipped ten Knuts into Emily's pocket.

"All right, let's go." With a grand sweep of his hand, Mr. Harris led his family off shopping in high spirits.

The coins in Allen's pocket seemed to be loudly demanding to be spent.

"Having money in your pocket feels so good." Allen looked at the dazzling array of shops lining the street, touched the coins in his pocket, and could not help sighing.