Diagon Alley
Spring gave way to autumn, and Anna had reached the age to start school.
At this moment, she stared at the three owls before her, sinking into deep confusion.
It was only natural that Hogwarts would send her an acceptance letter.
But!
What was the deal with these two acceptance letters from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang!
"You should be grateful there are only three magic schools in Europe. I'm now very suspicious that the acceptance letters from the other magic schools in the world are also on their way here."
Opening his own owl letter, Snape saw an acceptance letter almost identical to the one from his past life, and changed the address on the envelope.
To ensure the owls wouldn't get lost outside Prince Manor and Grindelwald Manor, which were protected by the Fidelius Charm, and also to avoid drawing the attention of others, especially the Death Eaters, Anna, Snape, and the house-elf Keke had moved a month ago to a detached villa in the city of London as a temporary base.
Walking from here to the Leaky Cauldron was only a twenty-minute journey.
There was too much for the Acolytes to do now; even Eileen and North had been dragged off to that archipelago to help. Fortunately, both children were mature, and they carried plenty of alchemical self-defense items and Portkeys for escaping danger, so it was fine even if they weren't by their side occasionally.
"Alright, maybe it's also because I'm too outstanding, and they're all fighting to have me."
Anna shrugged, a helpless smile appearing on her face.
Snape let out a scoff at her words.
The Hogwarts envelope was made of thick parchment, the address written in sky-blue ink, the handwriting very fine.
On the envelope was a wax seal, a shield crest, with a capital "H" surrounded by a lion, an eagle, a badger, and a snake.
Tell me, which child, upon reading the Potter stories, had never fantasized about an owl arriving at their doorstep with such an envelope, knocking on that door leading to the magical kingdom?
Even Anna in her past life, during her early childhood, had harbored such beautiful longings!
She opened the Hogwarts envelope with a touch of reverence, and a sheet of letter paper was revealed before her eyes.
[Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore (President of the International Confederation of Wizards, Chief Warlock, Order of Merlin, First Class)
Dear Miss Grindelwald:
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1.
We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
[Uniform] First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags
[Course Books]
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
[Other Equipment]
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST-YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.]
What struck her as somewhat amusing was that her surname was Grindelwald, and placed together with the headmaster's name on the line above, it seemed to carry a sense of destiny spanning time and space.
"I've waited many years for this day."
Anna carefully put the letter paper away and placed it into the storage ring on her hand.
Since starting cooperation with the cultivation families over in China last year, they had sent her many rare items as a show of sincerity, and this storage ring was one of them.
Incidentally, when Eileen had gone to China on business for some matter before, she had also bought one for Snape, and he wore it around his neck.
"You never received one before?"
Seeing the way she carefully and exceedingly treasured that acceptance letter, doubt welled up in Snape's heart.
"No, I was a complete Muggle before."
She sighed and said, an uncontrollable smile on her face.
"Let's reply first, then we'll go to Diagon Alley to buy things."
Snape only needed to reply to Hogwarts, while Anna, besides Hogwarts, also needed to politely decline the acceptance notices from the other two schools.
Watching the four owls fly into the blue sky with the letters, the two of them finally felt one matter settled in their hearts.
"Let's go, Severus."
Over these two years of getting along, Snape had gradually grown used to Anna calling him by his given name. As two people who knew each other's deepest secrets, whenever he heard her call his name, he always felt a faint hint of teasing in her tone.
The two arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, which stood between a Muggle bookshop and a record shop, its address being Number 1, Diagon Alley.
It was the entrance to Diagon Alley in the Muggle world. Coming here for the first time, young wizards without wands could ask the owner, Tom, to open the passage to Diagon Alley for them.
"You two young wizards, remember, count three bricks up on this wall above the dustbin, then two across, and tap the wall lightly three times with your wand, and you'll be able to get in."
Tom smilingly guided Anna and the others; toward polite young wizards, he appeared very patient and gentle.
Tom had only become the owner of this shop a few years ago, and compared to the time when Harry Potter enrolled, his appearance was much younger.
"Thank you, Mr. Tom."
Anna thanked him sincerely, then walked into the archway that had already opened before her.
Snape followed close behind.
The Hogwarts acceptance letters had just been sent out, so for the moment there were no other new students here buying things, but even so, Diagon Alley still seemed somewhat crowded.
After all, students of other years also had to come here to buy textbooks for the next semester, and besides them, adult British wizards came here to shop as well.
"North and Eileen sent the textbooks and equipment over a few days ago, so what we're missing is uniforms and wands. Do you want to buy an owl?"
"Prince Manor keeps a few; I can pick one to bring along."
"Then let me put it another way-do you want to buy a pet?"
"I don't need that sort of thing."
"But Severus, cats really are adorable."
"Miss Anna, I don't think you have the spare energy to look after it. Wait-were you just asking me? Did you want to buy a pet and then leave it with me, to have me raise it for you???"
"Ahem, Severus, if you're unwilling, I won't force it."
"Don't tell me you thought I'd agree? Put away your useless notions!"
"..."
The two chatted as they wove through the streets of Diagon Alley, and soon arrived at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.