4 4. The Leaky Cauldron

Wayne hadn't expected Humphrey to say that.

I had gathered a lot of information about the wizarding world through Downing Street channels after returning yesterday.

He quickly explained Humphrey's work to Professor McGonagall. At the same time, I was still a little moved. The reason Humphrey went to investigate these things was because of his nephew. Although the information was outdated, Wayne understood. Professor McGonagall looked at Wayne intently.

This young wizard's family has a high status in the Muggle world. With his title, he is comparable to the twenty-eight prestigious pure-blood families in the magical world. There are many wizards at Hogwarts who come from Muggle families, but none quite like Wayne. It seems there isn't another one like him. But this was good; at least they didn't have to explain the various questions raised by parents.

Wayne easily accepted the existence of magic.

"Mr. Lawrence, since you have no questions, let's set out for Diagon Alley."

"By the way, bring some Muggle cash, you'll need to convert it to wizard currency." Looking at the time, it wasn't yet half past nine, but McGonagall still looked anxious.

The admission of students from Muggle families was originally a matter between several deans. However, Professor Sprout had gone to the United States to visit one of her seniors, and Snape had been taken away by Dumbledore. This year, McGonagall's workload was particularly heavy.

In the afternoon, she had to visit the home of a young wizard.

"Please wait a moment." Wayne nodded obediently, went upstairs, grabbed a schoolbag, and came back down.

McGonagall glanced at him, feeling a bit burdened, but she didn't say anything further and placed her hand on Wayne's shoulder. "Hold your breath, it might be a little painful, but it'll be over soon." Without waiting for Wayne to respond, McGonagall activated Disapparation. There was an explosion, and the two figures spun and disappeared as if they had been sucked away by a vacuum.

Wayne felt like the world was spinning for a moment. When his vision cleared from the blur, they had arrived in a small alley.

"Apparition," McGonagall explained.

"It's one of the ways wizards travel, usually for shorter distances."

"The first time can be tough, but it gets easier with practice. Are you okay, Mr. Wayne?"

"It's nothing, just a little dizzy." Wayne quickly regained his composure and rubbed his sore forehead. He hadn't slept all night, and what just happened made him feel even more tired. Guided by McGonagall, the two of them approached the entrance of a bar. The door was very run-down, in stark contrast to the neighboring record store and bookstore. Pedestrians passing by didn't notice the bar's existence – in other words, they didn't know there was a bar there.

When the two entered the bar and saw McGonagall's face clearly, the previously noisy environment instantly quieted down. Many wizards stood up nervously, making Wayne want to laugh.

Most wizards in England graduated from Hogwarts, and the wizards here were once students of Professor McGonagall. Now, seeing his former teacher, Wayne recalled the fear he felt in her presence like a mouse seeing a cat.

"Professor McGonagall," the bar owner Tom smiled and greeted. "Oh, this little wizard is so beautiful. Is he a new student this year?"

Wayne smiled shyly.

Professor McGonagall nodded. "Yes, I brought him here to buy teaching materials and equipment. By the way, Tom, I remember that your children will also go to Hogwarts this year, right?"

"Of course," Tom replied happily. "Hannah has been waiting for this day for a long time, but there is a high probability that she will be Hufflepuff's new student."

McGonagall also smiled. "If a Gryffindor is born in the Abbott family, this matter will be on the front page of the Daily Prophet."

Laughter filled the room.

The Abbott family is one of the twenty-eight pure-blood families. All members of their family are from Hufflepuff, without exception for hundreds of years.

After a few brief exchanges of greetings, McGonagall led Wayne through the bar and into the small walled patio, where nothing but a trash can and weeds could be found.

"Count three bricks up and two bricks sideways," McGonagall muttered softly and pointed his wand at one brick that was noticeably more concave inward than the others.

Three taps in total.

The bricks trembled rapidly, and small holes began to appear. The holes grew larger until a winding cobblestone path came into view.

"Please remember this brick and my actions, Mr. Lawrence, and you can come to Diagon Alley by yourself in the future."

Wayne asked softly, "Professor McGonagall, what happens if... I mean, if... What happens if this bin is moved or replaced with a larger or smaller one?"

McGonagall's mouth twitched, and she looked at Wayne in disbelief. This 'if' made her panic!

"Mr. Lawrence, once there were two little wizards who had the same idea as you. They put the trash can on the other side."

Having said that, Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, her face turning ugly. "Hogwarts received a complaint, and their house was lost... 50 points because of it."

"Afterward, the bin was permanently bonded, making it impossible to move or replace."

Wisely, Wayne did not ask which house those two little wizards were from.

Judging by Professor McGonagall's expression, he had a rough idea of something.

Following the witch, Wayne lifted his legs and stepped through the arch onto the cobblestone road. The central business district of the British wizarding world appeared before his eyes.

There were countless shops on both sides of the long cobblestone street, many of which had crooked signs. The street was bustling with wizards, and people were constantly appearing and disappearing, accompanied by crackling explosions.

In the distance, a snow-white house divided Diagon Alley into two forks.

"Let's exchange the money first and then buy the wand."

As they walked along, Wayne's eyes never stopped, wandering between various stores. Professor McGonagall had witnessed this behavior many times, but she still couldn't help but smile.

She watched as Wayne eagerly entered Gringotts.

McGonagall thought back to the question he had just asked.

She always had a hunch that this little guy was not as obedient as he appeared.

....