Chapter 4: Diagon Alley

Vincent accompanied McGonagall to Diagon Alley for his school supplies. The hidden magical world was both impressive and archaic. People dressed and acted as if they were still in the 19th century, which both amused and disappointed him.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley, Mr. Van Doren," McGonagall said as they stepped through the entrance. "You'll find everything you need for your first year at Hogwarts here."

Vincent's eyes widened as he took in the bustling street filled with shops selling all manner of magical goods. The air was filled with the hum of conversation, the clatter of carts, and the occasional burst of magical energy.

Their first stop was Gringotts, the wizarding bank. Vincent was impressed by the towering marble building and the stern-looking goblins who ran it. Inside, he exchanged the money his grandparents had given him for galleons, marveling at the weight of the gold coins in his hand.

Next, they visited Madam Malkin's for his school robes. The witch took his measurements with a flick of her wand, and Vincent watched in fascination as the fabric seemed to move on its own, stitching itself into perfectly fitting robes.

Afterward, they made their way to Flourish and Blotts for his textbooks. Vincent's excitement grew as he scanned the titles, eager to dive into the world of magic. He picked up additional books on advanced magic, defensive spells, and occlumency, determined to learn as much as possible.

Their final stop was Ollivanders, the wandmaker's shop. The dimly lit store was filled with shelves of wands, each one unique.

Ollivander, an elderly man with piercing eyes, greeted them with a knowing smile. "Ah, another Van Doren," he said, his voice soft and curious. "I remember every wand I've ever sold. Now, let's see what we have for you."

Vincent felt a strange excitement as Ollivander handed him wand after wand, each one producing different reactions. Finally, Ollivander handed him a wand made from elder wood with a dragon heartstring core, matte black and rigid.

"Curious," Ollivander mused as Vincent felt a surge of energy flow through him. "Very curious indeed. The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Van Doren, and this one has chosen you."

Vincent held the wand, feeling a connection he couldn't quite explain. "Thank you," he said, his voice filled with awe.