Hedwig

"Every first-year student may bring one pet to Hogwarts—an owl, a cat, a toad, that sort of thing. Of course, if you want to bring a less common animal, that's not impossible either. But personally, I suggest bringing an owl."

In bustling Diagon Alley, Professor McGonagall walked ahead of the group, speaking briskly.

"Owls have always been wizards' most trusted friends. They can deliver letters for you, and while you're at school, you can also use them to order goods and snacks from Diagon Alley by mail. Just give them the money and tie the list to their legs, and they'll bring back whatever you want to buy."

"If you wish to choose a companion you like, you should be able to find one you fancy at Eeylops Owl Emporium or the Magical Menagerie."

After leading them to Eeylops Owl Emporium, Justin quickly picked out his companion—a majestic Great Horned Owl, a type of owl.

Gemini's gaze, meanwhile, fell on a cage behind the display window. Inside was a snow-white owl, currently sleeping soundly with its head tucked beneath its wing.

There were four or five white owls in the shop, but only this one was pure white from head to toe, without a single stray color. It was a very beautiful Snowy Owl, and its price matched that beauty—twenty-five Galleons. That was no small sum.

Gemini calculated the timing. From the day he received the letter until now, he should have arrived several days before that Harry Potter. This Snowy Owl was most likely the Hedwig from later on.

The little thing had been pitiful. It had been struck by the Killing Curse in the final installment.

Gemini stepped closer to the cage. Perhaps sensing something, the large white bird inside raised its head and regarded Gemini curiously with its round eyes.

"Very well. Starting today, your name is Hedwig. From now on, you're my bird."

Gemini shrugged and picked up the cage.

The question of whether he should save this adorable little thing for the Savior never even crossed Gemini's mind—he dealt in arms, not charity.

First come, first served.

"Hoot~" Hedwig bobbed her little head, looking utterly adorable.

"She really is beautiful." Hermione moved closer to Gemini and gave Hedwig an appreciative look.

"Hermione, what kind do you want to buy?" Mr. Granger asked gently, stroking Hermione's bushy hair.

Hermione shook her head. "Not for now. I've only just started school, and studying is the most important thing to me at the moment. I probably won't have time to raise an owl. I imagine my schoolwork alone will keep me busy enough."

"A very good idea, Miss Granger." Professor McGonagall nodded, giving Hermione an approving look. "For sending letters, the school also has an owlery. Or you can ask to borrow someone else's owl. Generally speaking, for just a few Knuts, they'll be more than happy to make a trip for you."

"Owls... charge money too?" Gemini's expression turned strange.

"Of course. Wherever there are wizards, there will be an owlery. These little fellows can buy treats from the person in charge of the owlery—dead mice and the like. They're very clever."

"Fine..." Gemini's mouth twitched.

With Professor McGonagall handling the arrangements, Gemini and the other two quickly purchased everything they needed for school.

"Very good, you've bought everything you need." Professor McGonagall looked at the three of them with satisfaction, then took three tickets from her bag and handed one to each of them. "These are your tickets to Hogwarts. On September first, simply go to King's Cross Station, Platform 9, and board the Hogwarts Express."

"Platform 9? Does King's Cross Station have a platform like that?" Mr. Finnegan asked politely.

"The barrier between Platform Nine and Platform Ten is the entrance to Platform 9." Professor McGonagall nodded. "Just walk straight through the middle of that wall."

Everyone nodded and did not ask any further questions. After all, they had just passed through the wall in the courtyard of The Leaky Cauldron that morning. There was no longer much worth making a fuss over.

"Well then, I'll be leaving now. Could I trouble you to take Mr. Fox home?"

Professor McGonagall asked politely.

"Um..." Gemini opened his mouth. "I plan to stay at The Leaky Cauldron for a while and learn more about the Wizarding World."

Professor McGonagall had wanted to refuse, but in the end, she nodded. "All right, if you insist. But I hope you'll write to let that drunken Priest know."

She was not particularly worried about Gemini's idea. After spending the day with him, she had discovered that Gemini was mature in his thinking and highly independent. Even if she sent him back, he would probably run back here on his own.

He had his own ideas, as well as the ability to act on them. Most importantly—he had money...

A smart person would not easily integrate into the Wizarding World just because of an admission letter from Hogwarts. If that smart person also had no one to rely on, then that was even more true. Letting Gemini see and understand things for himself was not a bad thing.

After saying goodbye to everyone, Gemini went to The Leaky Cauldron and rented a room. Under Old Tom's warm hospitality, he settled in temporarily.

The room rates at The Leaky Cauldron were very reasonable. Ten Silver Sickles covered a full day, along with unlimited refills of hot cocoa and breakfast and dinner. Converted into Muggle currency, it was only around three pounds—far cheaper than a Muggle hotel.

Gemini had noticed during the day that food and lodging seemed rather inexpensive in the Wizarding World. Although magic could not create food out of thin air, it made obtaining food quite easy.

Lodging was even less of a problem. There was a wizard travel agency in Diagon Alley called Terror Tour, where they sold tents. For only thirty Galleons, one could get a top-of-the-line luxury tent with three bedrooms and two living rooms.

To be safe earlier, Gemini had not bought many things that had caught his eye. He planned to visit Diagon Alley again tomorrow and purchase a few things that interested him.

"Hoot~"

Hedwig blinked her beautiful eyes from inside the cage.

"Sorry. You must not be used to being in a cage." Gemini smiled gently and reached over to open it.

The moment the cage opened, Hedwig flapped her wings and flew onto Gemini's shoulder.

Gemini gently stroked Hedwig's fluffy little head and smiled. "Wait a moment. I need to write a letter to the headmaster to let him know I'm safe."

As he spoke, Gemini took out paper and a pen from his Undetectable Extension Charm Pouch and wrote a note. Then he wrote an address on the back and showed it to Hedwig. Hedwig studied the address on the note carefully before opening her beak and taking it in her mouth.

"Sorry to trouble you. When you come back, I'll treat you to something tasty," Gemini said.

Hedwig gave a soft hoot and flew out through the open window, her white form gradually vanishing into the night.

"Headmaster, good evening.

I have finished buying the supplies I need for school. I am currently writing to you from a wizard inn called The Leaky Cauldron. There are many interesting things here. I heard they even have whiskey that squeaks when you drink it. If I get the chance, I'll bring you back a bottle.

Since I will be living in this world for the next few years, I plan to stay here for a while and learn more about it. After some time, I will head directly to school, so please do not worry about me.

This Snowy Owl is my companion and messenger. You can give any reply to her.

May you remain in good health.

—From a fox born under Gemini."

This was Gemini's note.

His name came from Gemini because he had been born on the first day of Gemini—May twenty-first.

About an hour later, Hedwig flew back into the room with the headmaster's reply.

"Understood. Be careful while you're out there alone."

This was the Priest headmaster's reply. The note carried a faint smell of alcohol, very much his style.