Leaky Cauldron

At this point, Sprout's voice abruptly cut off. She smiled awkwardly, then started again. "In short, your situation is rather special, and you have Eastern heritage. Dumbledore should have come to speak with you personally, but he's tied up with other matters at the moment, so..."

Chu Yang put on an adorable smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Professor Sprout!"

Sprout was very pleased with Chu Yang's attitude and praised him with a smile. "Ha, what a clever little sweetheart."

"No wonder you packed your things and waited for me so early. You seemed to have already guessed how we would resolve your predicament, didn't you?"

Chu Yang pondered for a moment. "Perhaps you'll advance part of my tuition so I can attend school, then have me do some supporting work there—work while studying, is that right?"

"Work while studying?" Sprout looked at Chu Yang in surprise, then nodded repeatedly. "That's a very fitting term. We do intend to have you do some work at school. Getting something for nothing isn't a value Hogwarts advocates."

As if worried that Chu Yang might feel pressured, Sprout added, "The school won't assign anything beyond your abilities. At most, you'll help me tend the herb garden, or once you're familiar with Potions, lend a hand to Professor Snape, who teaches the subject..."

When he heard he would have to assist Snape, Chu Yang was inwardly resistant, but he still forced himself to say, "Professor Sprout, I'll complete these tasks seriously."

"Of course you will," Sprout declared.

She then bent down and patted Chu Yang on the head. "Wait here for a moment. I need to explain the situation clearly to the headmistress caring for you, so there won't be any unnecessary misunderstandings."

With that, Sprout headed straight for the orphanage.

She took out her wand and gave the side door a light wave. "Alohomora!"

Unlocking Charm!

With a click, the side door slowly opened. Sprout held her head high and walked inside like a proud swan beneath Chu Yang's "admiring" gaze.

Chu Yang smacked his lips. "The reason I sneaked out was because Headmistress Anna isn't very easy to talk to. Elderly nuns are exceptionally stubborn. I just hope Professor Sprout won't be mistaken for some strange person..."

Not long afterward, Professor Sprout emerged looking utterly bedraggled, both hands shielding the patched pointed hat on her head.

"Do nuns in the Muggle world like to sleep hugging brooms?" Sprout complained. "Before I even had the chance to cast a spell, she swept me right out with her broom."

"Sorry, Professor. I should have warned you. Headmistress Anna is a little overly wary when it comes to protecting the children of the orphanage," Chu Yang said apologetically.

Sprout sighed. "I understand. I protect my students with the same feelings. Although the process was a bit roundabout, I did explain everything clearly to her. You can come with me to Hogwarts without worry."

Pretending to be an inexperienced child, Chu Yang asked eagerly, "Are we going now?"

Sprout pressed her hands down slightly, signaling for Chu Yang not to get so excited. "It's already very late. We need to spend the night at the Leaky Cauldron, then tomorrow we'll go to Diagon Alley and get everything you need for enrollment."

Chu Yang blinked. "The things listed in the Hogwarts acceptance letter?"

"Close your eyes. This might be a little uncomfortable." Sprout nodded, then took Chu Yang's hand and prepared to Apparate!

In an instant, Chu Yang felt magical power surge around him. A powerful pressure squeezed his body.

Then he felt as though he had been stuffed into a tin can and shaken wildly in every direction.

Fortunately, Chu Yang now possessed an exceptionally tough physique and powerful mental strength far beyond ordinary people. When they arrived, he showed no sign of discomfort.

"Very few people can remain so calm after experiencing Apparition for the first time. You have remarkable talent and mental fortitude, Mr. Chu Yang."

Having witnessed Chu Yang's performance, Sprout spared no praise. Though they had not spent much time together, she had been deeply impressed by the child before her.

Maturity and rationality beyond one's peers were necessary qualities for becoming a great wizard.

"Where are we?" Chu Yang looked around.

He found himself on a quiet street. Since it was already late, there were no pedestrians in sight.

"Charing Cross Road! Across from us is the Leaky Cauldron I mentioned." Sprout pointed at a particularly old-fashioned storefront across the road. Its dust-covered wooden door looked utterly out of place amid everything around it.

Even when people occasionally passed by, they paid no attention to its sign, as though they could not see it at all.

"This place has been enchanted. Muggles... ordinary people can't see the Leaky Cauldron. Hogwarts is the same." As Sprout explained, she led Chu Yang into the pub.

The pub was just as dimly lit.

It was no better than outside, with only a few scattered candles stubbornly giving off light.

An old man stood behind the bar and nodded to Sprout. "Hello, Professor Sprout."

"Hello, Mr. Tom." Sprout led Chu Yang over to the bar.

Chu Yang's gaze lingered on the moving newspapers, spoons, and the rag cleaning itself in front of Mr. Tom.

Although Chu Yang had prepared himself mentally, seeing it with his own eyes still left him amazed by the wonders of the magical world.

"Ha ha, a new little wizard?" Old Tom smiled knowingly at Chu Yang's curious expression.

"Yes, Mr. Tom." Chu Yang smiled and greeted him.

Old Tom reminded him, "It's the start-of-term season. The Leaky Cauldron is full of new students like you. If you meet them in the hall, you might as well make friends early. You know, no matter where you are, it never hurts to have more friends."

"Thank you for the advice, Mr. Tom," Chu Yang replied gratefully.

"All right, Mr. Tom, that's enough chatting. I need to take this child upstairs to rest. He has a whole heap of things waiting for him tomorrow!" After taking two keys from Old Tom, Sprout led Chu Yang upstairs.

Late that night, Chu Yang fell deeply asleep, his heart full of excitement and curiosity about the magical world.

Early the next morning, heavy knocking jolted Chu Yang awake from his bed.

"Chu Yang, it's time to go out. Get up quickly." Sprout's voice rang out from outside the door, booming louder than any alarm clock.

"All right, Professor Sprout, I'll be up right away!" Chu Yang quickly got dressed. Just as he was about to brush his teeth, he suddenly realized he had forgotten to bring toothpaste and a toothbrush.

"Why do I forget toiletries every time I go out? Couldn't I even fix this habit from my previous life?!" Chu Yang looked speechlessly at himself in the mirror. After packing his things, he opened the door and met up with Professor Sprout.