HOGWARTS - HARRY

It doesn't matter if you can't figure it out now. You'll have plenty of time to understand once you enter Hogwarts and start your formal studies."

Professor McGonagall noticed that Dylan had been silent for a while and assumed he was lost in thought. She spoke softly, intending to reassure him.

"In fact, the question you asked touches on the very fundamentals of curses. Even many wizards don't think about such things until after they graduate."

The corners of her lips curved slightly, revealing faint lines at the edges of her mouth. Her normally stern and rigid face softened for a moment.

"And yet, here you are, a young wizard who has already begun to grasp these concepts upon encountering magic for the first time. That's truly remarkable. Once you're at Hogwarts, if you ever have questions about Transfiguration, feel free to come to me. I'd be more than happy to discuss them with you."

"Oh? Really, Professor?" Dylan's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Of course." Professor McGonagall nodded.

Connection +1!

Dylan had countless questions about Transfiguration swirling in his mind. However, many of them weren't things a Muggle-born student with no prior exposure to magic should logically be asking.

He had been hesitant about whether it would be appropriate to frequently seek advice after enrolling, but now that Professor McGonagall had extended the invitation herself, he was relieved.

Professor McGonagall, for her part, was also pleased.

Such a bright young wizard… As long as he doesn't go astray, he might even have the potential to stay at Hogwarts and become a professor in the future.

With this thought, she stood up and said, "Well, make sure you have your acceptance letter. We should get going."

Dylan's parents hesitated for a moment before finally agreeing to let him attend Hogwarts.

"Sweetheart, these are our family savings. Being a wizard must be expensive, right? Take this." His mother handed him a backpack.

"Thank you, Mom. I'll study hard and make sure to take care of you in the future." Dylan's voice was sincere.

Maeve, his mother, was touched. "Alright, go on now. Don't keep the professor waiting."

Dylan turned to Professor McGonagall. "Are we heading to Diagon Alley now?"

"Yes. We can get there using Apparition or Floo powder. However, since this place is quite remote and doesn't have a nearby fireplace, Floo powder isn't an option."

Professor McGonagall extended her hand.

"Hold on to me tightly."

As soon as she finished speaking, Dylan felt his body lighten, and he instinctively tightened his grip on her hand.

The space around them twisted.

After a moment, the strange sensation faded, and the sound of a bustling crowd filled his ears.

At the same time, a wave of nausea washed over him. Dylan swallowed hard, trying to suppress the feeling, but it only made it worse.

"Ugh—"

Professor McGonagall, seemingly unfazed, flicked her wand. A gentle wave of magic washed over Dylan, easing his discomfort.

"This is a normal reaction to your first Apparition. Don't fight it—you'll get used to it."

Dylan took a deep breath and nodded.

"We're here."

He adjusted himself before opening his eyes.

In front of him stood a small, shabby-looking pub squeezed between two ordinary buildings. It looked strange—almost as if it didn't belong.

"The Leaky Cauldron. Right on the streets of London. Only wizards can see it. Stay close to me."

Professor McGonagall loosened her grip slightly, but Dylan held on tightly.

She hesitated, then allowed him to keep holding her hand as they walked in.

"Professor McGonagall! It's been a while. Fancy a drink?"

The bartender, who had just seated another customer, looked up and grinned as he wiped a glass with a suspiciously dirty rag.

"No, thank you. I have a student with me." Professor McGonagall gave him a pointed look before motioning for Dylan to follow her.

They walked past the bar and stepped into a small, enclosed courtyard.

Dylan glanced around before asking, "Professor McGonagall, isn't there a spell for cleaning?"

"Hmm? Of course, there is," she replied.

"So why doesn't the bartender use it? That rag looked filthy."

Professor McGonagall sighed. "Having a spell and using it are two different things. Many wizards simply don't care about such details… Of course, I am an exception."

Dylan smirked. "So, I take it you don't drink here?"

"Precisely. There's another place that's much cleaner. A hidden bar, very well-maintained." She paused, then added, "Not that it matters to you—underage drinking is strictly prohibited."

"I understand, Professor," Dylan said, chuckling.

Professor McGonagall drew her wand again. "Watch carefully. You won't be able to Apparate into Diagon Alley until you're seventeen, so you'll need to take this route instead."

She pointed her wand at a section of the brick wall.

"Count three bricks up from the dustbin, then two bricks sideways. Tap three times with your wand."

As she demonstrated, the bricks trembled and shifted apart, forming an archway.

Beyond it lay a bustling marketplace.

Dylan's eyes widened.

At first glance, Diagon Alley resembled a typical street market—except for the fact that every passerby was a wizard, and the shops looked straight out of another era.

"We need to go to Gringotts first and exchange your Muggle money for wizarding currency."

Professor McGonagall glanced at Dylan's overstuffed backpack. "It seems your parents love you very much."

"Yes, and I love them too." Dylan smiled.

Professor McGonagall's expression softened. "Follow me."

They arrived at Gringotts, and Dylan immediately noticed the warning inscribed on the second set of doors:

"Enter, stranger, but take heed..."

"That's quite ominous," Dylan muttered as they stepped inside.

The grand marble hall was bustling with activity. Behind the long counters, goblins busily recorded transactions in thick ledgers.

"Ah, Professor McGonagall! What brings you here today?"

A goblin greeted her with a smile as he approached.

"Just exchanging some Galleons."

At the mention of an exchange, the goblin's enthusiasm vanished. "In that case, I won't trouble you further."

Dylan observed the interaction and whispered, "Professor, they really only care about money. They remind me of my dad's manager."

Professor McGonagall blinked before giving his head a gentle pat.

The exchange process was smooth.

Most of the goblins barely spared Dylan a glance, likely assuming he was just another Muggle-born wizard exchanging currency.

While goblins had historically been subjugated by wizards, it didn't mean they necessarily looked down on Muggle-borns.

"British pounds can be exchanged for Galleons without limit?" Dylan's brow furrowed slightly as he examined the conversion.

Wizarding currency had intrinsic value, but Muggle money…

"A one-to-five exchange rate? I could make a fortune just by investing in a few random stocks!"

This rate suggested one of three things:The goblins completely disregarded the value of Muggle currency.They were so obsessed with gold that they never considered modern economics.They simply had no knowledge of Muggle financial systems."If I get the chance, even if I don't short Gringotts, I should at least introduce these goblins to the wonders of economics."

(End of Chapter)