The Granger family had prepared a lavish dinner. Though it could not compare to a restaurant feast, it was clear that Mrs. Granger had put considerable effort into it.
If Hermione had not managed to meet Karn that day, at least half the food on the table would have gone to waste.
"I've already bought a house in Diagon Alley. Unfortunately, the paperwork for opening a shop is far too troublesome. You have to apply to the Ministry of Magic and wait for approval, or I could have bought a shop today too. There's also Hogsmeade. I hear that's another place where wizards gather."
Over dinner, Karn told the Granger family about his afternoon and showed them the wizarding contract. It bore his signature, handprint, and photograph-one that moved, of course.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger were surprised by how quickly Karn had acted, and learning the price of a house in Diagon Alley surprised them even more.
Even if their family spent nothing on food or drink, they would have to work hard for nearly a year to save 9,800 Galleons. Yet Karn had decisively spent such a large sum to settle in Diagon Alley.
"The Wizarding World holds quite an appeal for ordinary people. I hear there are dragons and phoenixes there too. Mr. Granger, learning that these magical creatures exist but never seeing them would leave life full of regrets."
"You couldn't be more right, Mr. Pent."
Karn's words greatly tempted Hermione's father. He, too, was full of curiosity about the Wizarding World. Otherwise, he could never have agreed to let Hermione enter such an unfamiliar environment.
"Can ordinary people enter the Wizarding World freely? Through the alley behind the Leaky Cauldron-"
Before Mr. Granger could finish, Hermione interrupted. "Dad, Mr. Karn isn't a Muggle in the strictest