7 Diagon Alley
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The diminutive house elf, Pippi, struggled under the weight of two swords as he approached Ethan. His petite stature made carrying the long sword a formidable task. In a shrill voice, Pippi announced, "Professor Ethan, Professor Dumbledore tasked me with returning your two long swords. He also invites you to the principal's office with the password, 'Honey candy.'"
"Thank you, Pippi. You're truly a diligent elf," Ethan complimented nonchalantly, taking the long sword.
Pippi practically jumped with excitement, barely containing himself. He bowed to Ethan and vanished with a shapeshift.
Watching Pippi disappear, Ethan couldn't help but envy the magical ability. He marveled at the recovery of his lost swords, realizing they had been by his side all along.
Witchers traditionally wore two swords—a silver one for monsters and ghosts, and a steel one for humans and animals. Ethan's Toussaint knight steel sword, adorned with runes, accompanied a long, narrow serpent silver sword, both stained with the blood of countless creatures.
Feeling a newfound security, Ethan strode towards the principal's office, attracting attention along the way. Wizards and portraits alike whispered about the man with two long swords, turning him into the latest corridor gossip.
At the entrance, the gargoyle dutifully asked for the password.
"Honey Candy," Ethan replied, revealing the hidden spiral staircase behind.
Curious about the gargoyle, Ethan walked up the stairs and entered Dumbledore's office. The headmaster, waiting patiently, smiled and suggested, "Ethan, as a Hogwarts professor, you should have a wand."
"Sorry, Professor Dumbledore, Witchers can't use magic except for the signs" Ethan regretfully explained, though secretly longing for the magical world's richness.
Dumbledore, sensing potent magic in Ethan, insisted he could use a wand. Ethan, puzzled, felt a change in himself since arriving.
"Aqua Torrentum" Dumbledore demonstrated, a gentle stream filling a cup.
Attempting a spell, Ethan took Dumbledore's Elder Wand.
Emulating the spell, Ethan declared, "Aqua Torrentum" unleashing a torrent that nearly flooded the office. Panicked, he halted the spell, and Dumbledore quickly restored order.
Acknowledging Ethan's wand proficiency but erratic mana control, Dumbledore suggested consulting Professor Flitwick. The headmaster then proposed selecting a wand using the Floo network to visit Diagon Alley. With a nod, Ethan followed Dumbledore into the fireplace, ready for the next magical adventure.
"Sure, I'll stay right here," Ethan agreed hastily, feeling a bit embarrassed after the recent chaos. The portraits of previous principals in the office seemed to be giving him disapproving glances.
"Leaky Cauldron," Ethan announced, tossing a handful of Floo powder into the fireplace. Green flames surrounded him, and when he opened his eyes, he found himself at the Leaky Cauldron.
Dumbledore, already present, was accompanied by Tom, the bar owner who was always eager to impress the headmaster.
The drawback of Floo travel was the soot it left on the user's body. Seeing Ethan's embarrassment, Dumbledore kindly cast a cleaning spell on him.
"Hello, Professor Ethan. I'm Tom, the owner of the Leaky Cauldron. You're welcome to my pub. Feel free to rest whenever you're tired," Tom greeted warmly, having been informed about Ethan by Dumbledore.
Ethan thanked Tom and followed Dumbledore to the small courtyard leading to Diagon Alley.
Dumbledore tapped the seemingly ordinary wall with his wand, causing it to shake and reveal a wide passage. "Welcome to Diagon Alley, Ethan. To enter, tap the trash can with your wand, count three bricks, and then move two bricks across," Dumbledore instructed with a smile.
Ethan, a Potterhead in his past life, had seen Diagon Alley in movies and books countless times. Yet, stepping in for the first time left him speechless, overwhelmed by the vibrant scenes.
The nearest shop, Crucible Shop, caught Ethan's attention with its dazzling display of Crucibles—Size, Pure Copper, Brass, Tin, and Silver, with Automatic Stirring and Retractable features.
As they strolled, Ethan marveled at the owl shop, the potion shop, and the lively atmosphere of the bustling alley. His attention was drawn to the imposing Gringotts Wizarding Bank.
"Ethan, let's go in. You need to open an account at Gringotts. I'll advance your salary for a month so you can buy necessities today," Dumbledore suggested enthusiastically.
The entrance to the bank featured a shiny bronze gate, and a goblin guard in a scarlet and gold uniform bowed to Ethan and Dumbledore as they approached.
Curiously, Ethan observed the creature in front of him—a small figure with disproportionately long limbs and sharp, fine teeth.
"This is a goblin, Ethan. It's impolite to stare at others all the time," Dumbledore kindly reminded him.
Embarrassed, Ethan nodded and noticed a second silver door with engraved words.
"Enter, stranger, but take heed,
Of what awaits the sin of greed
For those who take, but do not earn
Must pay most dearly in their turn
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there."
"The security measures in Gringotts are quite perfect. Only a lunatic would try to rob a bank here," Dumbledore whispered to Ethan.
Passing through the second silver door into the spacious marble hall, about a hundred goblins sat behind the long counter, recording transactions and examining coins and gems with meticulous precision.
Spotting Dumbledore, an enthusiastic goblin greeted him, "Hello, Mr. Dumbledore, what can I do for you?" Griphook, coming forward, warmly greeted them.
"I want to open an account for the new professor at Hogwarts," Dumbledore said.
"No problem, Mr. Dumbledore. Is this the professor? Please come with me. Mr. Dumbledore, please wait here for a while and try our almond cookies and hot cocoa," Griphook invited.
Ethan was surprised by the goblin's enthusiasm, realizing it was specially prepared for Dumbledore. The account opening process was smooth, and soon Ethan received his first salary as a professor—200 gold Galleons.
