Shopping in Diagon Alley

What was Wade Grey's background?

Though he was descended from wizards, both his parents were Squibs, no different from Muggles in the eyes of true wizards.

Ferdinand told Wade in detail about the wars sparked by Grindelwald in recent times, as well as the brutal killings brought about by the second Dark Lord.

Even the last news they had received from the Wizarding World was that Wade's parents had been killed one after another because of the war.

"Wade, you're excellent. You've always made your mother and me proud. But you need to understand that in the Wizarding World, the first thing people value is one's background."

"Pure-bloods, half-bloods, Muggle-borns—in many people's eyes, they were naturally divided into different ranks. About a decade ago, the most powerful Dark Wizard at the time—He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named—was an extreme advocate of [Bloodline Theory]. He and his followers cruelly slaughtered many Muggles, Muggle-born wizards, and even pure-bloods who opposed him."

"Your mother and I were also forced to cut off all contact with the Wizarding World at that time... Even though peace has returned now, there must still be many wizards who believe pure-bloods are superior. I have no doubt that they'll pass this prejudice and malice on to their children..."

"Wade, I'm worried... Hogwarts may not be as wonderful as we imagine..."

Ferdinand said anxiously.

After listening, Wade smiled quietly.

"Don't worry, Dad. There will definitely be classmates at school with backgrounds like mine. As long as I have enough companions around me, others won't dare to pick on me so easily, right?"

He paused, then added, "Besides... no matter where you are, absolute strength can shatter any prejudice. I'll study hard and do my best to become the best one."

Ferdinand did not feel much more at ease after hearing that. He thought worriedly, But my son... you've never shown much magical ability. Maybe your Magic Power is only slightly stronger than a Squib's...

What strength could he possibly have, then?

But to protect the boy's self-esteem, Ferdinand did not voice his thoughts.

Minerva McGonagall arrived even sooner than Wade had expected.

The day after they received the letter, the Grey Family was having breakfast when they suddenly heard a knock at the door. Wade put down his knife and fork and went to answer it. The instant he saw the visitor, he recognized her identity.

It was not because she looked exactly like she had in the movies—Wade had long since forgotten most of the plots from the films he had watched years ago, and he remembered even less of the actors' appearances.

Nor was it because the stern-looking woman before him wore a conspicuous green robe, something no ordinary person would dress in.

It was because a handwritten name floated above her head—

[Minerva McGonagall].

Wade fell silent, doubt rising in his heart once again—was all of this real?

Or had he not transmigrated into the world of Harry Potter, but rather into a game world called Harry Potter? Was he merely an NPC who had awakened memories of his past life and gained self-awareness...

"Hello, Mr. Grey."

While Wade's thoughts ran wild, Minerva McGonagall tried to smile warmly, though she still looked quite stern.

"I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and professor of Transfiguration Class."

Wade hurriedly reined in his wandering thoughts. "Welcome, Professor McGonagall. Please come in for a cup of tea."

Hearing the voices, Mr. and Mrs. Gray hurried out as well. They looked at this wizard, who seemed to be covered from head to toe in an aura of mystery and unapproachability, with awe. For a moment, they could barely find their voices, stammering, "Yes, welcome—welcome—Professor, ma'am, please come in and have a seat!"

Ferdinand forced out an enthusiastic smile while hurriedly glancing over his son, as though worried that this wizard might cast a Dark Curse on him.

Wade, on the other hand, was much more composed, because he knew this woman was an exceptionally upright and kind person.

He kept himself from looking at the top of her head, then stepped aside to invite her in.

McGonagall had come for two reasons. First, to prove that the Magic School was real and persuade the couple to let their child attend; second, to take Wade shopping for his school supplies.

She had seen plenty of Muggle families who found magic unbelievable, parents who suspected she wanted to take their children away for secret experiments, or who simply preferred their children to attend a Muggle school. She had prepared several sets of explanations in advance.

Yet this family did not question magic much at all. Instead, they were more concerned about the school environment, which made her first task very easy.

Not long afterward, the group arrived at Charing Cross Road in London. Professor McGonagall led them into the dirty, cramped Leaky Cauldron.

Perhaps because it was still early, there were not many guests in the pub. A hunchbacked man wiping down a table greeted them. "Good morning, Professor McGonagall."

He glanced at the family of three in Muggle clothing, especially Wade, who was much shorter than the others, and casually asked, "Is this child one of Hogwarts' new students this year?"

"Good morning, Tom," Professor McGonagall said. "I'm bringing Mr. Grey to buy what he needs for school."

They passed through the pub and entered the small courtyard behind it. Standing beside a rubbish bin, Professor McGonagall took out her Wand and pointed. "Mr. Grey, please remember this place. If you want to enter Diagon Alley, you'll need to pass through here. Three up, two across..."

She tapped a brick lightly three times with her Wand.

All the bricks in the wall began to shift, as though an invisible hand were rearranging them. In the blink of an eye, a wide archway appeared in the wall, and the clamor of voices rushed toward them.

"Wow—"

The Gray Family could not help but exclaim in amazement.

Before them stretched a winding street lined with shops selling all sorts of strange and peculiar things.

People in Wizard Robes bustled back and forth. Some haggled over prices, some children pestered their parents, and others chased one another playfully, creating an especially noisy yet lively atmosphere.

McGonagall led the three of them past numerous shops until they reached Gringotts. Ferdinand had prepared the money for exchange long ago. He took out a large jingling bag of pounds and exchanged it for fifty gold Galleons.

Before they left, Professor McGonagall had reminded them that only a limited amount of Muggle paper currency could be exchanged at Gringotts, but there were no such restrictions on metal coins, gold, jewelry, and the like.

Afterward, under Professor McGonagall's guidance, they bought school uniforms, textbooks, scales, a Cauldron, a Wand, and other supplies, then finally purchased an owl as a pet.

With Professor McGonagall of Hogwarts accompanying them, the shopkeepers remained polite even when they saw the Muggle clothes they wore.

Incidentally, Wade's Wand was Poplar Wood with a Unicorn Hair core, twelve inches long—about thirty centimeters. Poplar Wood symbolized rebirth, and Wade found that strangely wonderful.

It was as though this Wand had seen through his Secret.