Hogwarts: Novel Era of the Wizarding World

Professor Flitwick led Adam and Hermione toward the towering white building that stood proudly at the end of Diagon Alley—Gringotts Wizarding Bank. The bank's structure was magnificent, even more so in person than Adam remembered from his past life. The marble facade shimmered under the sunlight, its columns tall and imposing. Above the grand entrance sat a massive dragon statue, its red eyes gleaming ominously, giving off a sense of watchfulness.

Hermione, wide-eyed, stared at the statue. "Is that a real dragon? Are dragons real?" she asked in a hushed tone, clutching her bag of pounds she had received from professor Flitwick. He had let her know that her parents had to leave urgently for an emergency so they handed over the money to him.

Professor Flitwick chuckled softly. "No, no. Just a statue. But there are rumors, you see, that a real dragon protects the deeper vaults of Gringotts. Some say it's one of the goblins' most closely guarded secrets." His voice had taken on a mysterious edge, making Hermione and Adam exchange excited glances.

As they approached the entrance, Adam spotted a large, engraved sign on the door that read:

"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."

For some unknown reason, the warning sent a shiver down Adam's spine. He admired how serious the goblins were about their wealth. Though he had encountered goblins in secret spaces before—ferocious, green-skinned creatures—these Gringotts goblins were a different sight entirely. Their skin was a more human-like pale color, but their sharp, pointed features and long fingers were undeniably goblin-esque. The calm, businesslike demeanor of these goblins was in stark contrast to the wild, hostile monsters Adam had faced. He couldn't help but wonder what other secrets they held.

Inside, the grandeur of Gringotts was even more breathtaking. The marble floors stretched out beneath their feet, glistening with a polished finish that reflected the soft glow of the chandeliers overhead. Goblins sat at high desks, scribbling away at parchments or counting out vast amounts of wizarding currency. Each motion was precise, their sharp eyes always watchful. Adam and Hermione stared in awe, both captivated by the goblins' efficiency and strangeness.

"Come along, children," Professor Flitwick urged as he led them to one of the counters.

A goblin peered down at them, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "Currency exchange?"

Adam stepped forward, handing over the pounds his father had saved for his schooling. He knew that this was a large sum, but with everything Hogwarts would require, he couldn't afford to hold back.

The goblin carefully counted the money and returned 500 pounds to Adam before announcing, " Only 2500 pounds. That converts to 500 galleons. Would you like that all in galleons?"

Adam took the money, looking confused then shook his head. "No, I'd like a mix, please. 400 galleons, the rest in sickles and knuts."

The goblin nodded in approval. "Smart choice." He quickly tallied the currency, then handed Adam a small pouch with a weak undetectable extension charm, explaining that it was given to those who had a business of large amount of coins. He also warned Adam that it had a weak undetectable extension charm so it could only hold the coins. Adam thanked him, his mind already racing with plans for books and supplies he would need to purchase.

Hermione, taking note of Adam's decision, stepped up next. She handed over the 1000 pounds her parents had entrusted to Professor Flitwick. "I'd like the same, please," she said confidently, asking for a mix of galleons, sickles, and knuts. Her total came to 200 galleons.

As they both secured their currency, Professor Flitwick mentioned offhandedly, "It used to be that muggle-born students could only convert up to 100 galleons, but recently, the goblins increased the limit due to their dealings with the muggle world. 500 galleons is quite a lot, even for some wizarding families."

Adam and Hermione shared a glance, both feeling the weight of the information. 500 galleons was indeed a significant sum, and they were among the few muggle-born students fortunate enough to start their magical journey with such a sum. Adam also understood why the goblin just now returned 500 pounds to him.

Once they had completed their business at Gringotts, Professor Flitwick led them back into the bustling streets of Diagon Alley. Their first stop was Flourish and Blotts, the famed bookstore.

The store was packed with towering shelves filled with magical books of all kinds. Some hummed with an almost electric energy, others seemed to be quietly flipping their own pages. Adam marveled at the sheer number of books, each one offering a world of knowledge. Hermione, unsurprisingly, was already flipping through Hogwarts: A History, her eyes wide with fascination.

"I think I'll get this one," she said, her voice filled with awe.

Adam was busy collecting his required schoolbooks, but couldn't resist picking up a few extra titles on potion-making and magical theory. He knew that every book would be an advantage in his quest to get ahead. He also checked and noted few books he might need in the future.

After purchasing their books, they made their way to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. Inside, a magical flying tape measure zipped around them, taking their measurements while a floating notepad scribbled away with a quill. Adam stood still, watching the process with fascination.

The robes felt real and substantial—much different from the replicas he had seen in his past life. "These are amazing," he whispered to Hermione, who was equally excited about her new uniform.

"They really are," Hermione agreed. "We're really going to Hogwarts!"

Their next stop was the pet store, where Hermione quickly fell in love with a fluffy ginger cat with squashed features.

"This is Crookshanks," the shopkeeper informed her with a smile, handing over the cat.

While Hermione was busy with her new companion, Adam's eyes fell on a small barn owl perched quietly in the corner. It seemed intelligent, its bright eyes watching him with curiosity.

"I'll take him," Adam decided, feeling an immediate connection with the owl. It hooted softly, and Adam smiled, knowing this little creature would be a useful and loyal companion.

"Good choice. That owl is an intelligent one. And it is her." The shopkeeper smiled as he handed him the owl cage that he had chosen.

Afterwards, they made brief stops at the Cauldron Shop and the Potion Ingredients Store, where they both struggled to keep their amazement in check. The cauldrons were stacked in all sizes and materials, from pewter to copper, and the potion ingredients were just as strange and mysterious—slimy roots, dried beetles, and bottled fumes that made their eyes water. Adam and Hermione exchanged puzzled glances, silently agreeing that the world of potions would be one of the strangest things they would have to learn.

As their shopping trip came to an end, Adam felt a growing sense of satisfaction. He was well-prepared for Hogwarts now, with the supplies and the resources to push himself ahead. Only one task remained—the wand. And the only place to get the best wands was— *Ollivanders!*

"Let's get you your first wand. Ollivanders sells the best wands here," Professor Flitwick said, leading Adam and Hermione down the bustling street of Diagon Alley. "This moment will truly mark your first magical experience in this world. From here on, you'll learn how to use magic. Of course, you cannot use magic outside Hogwarts until you're 17," he added with a wink.

Adam and Hermione both looked at the sign hanging above the shop's entrance as they arrived: Ollivanders, Maker of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C. The old, narrow shop had an air of mystery, and the thought of finally getting their wands filled them with excitement.

Without waiting, Professor Flitwick stepped inside, leaving Adam and Hermione to take in the significance of the moment. With a deep breath, they followed him through the door, a small bell chiming as they entered.

The shop was narrow, with countless small, dusty boxes piled up to the ceiling. Adam was fascinated by the sheer number of wands stored here, each one waiting to find its perfect owner. Professor Flitwick was already deep in conversation with an old man behind the counter—Ollivander himself, a wizened figure with sharp eyes that seemed to look right through you.

"Ah, good afternoon, Mr. Taylor and Ms. Granger," Ollivander greeted them, his voice soft but commanding. "I am Garrick Ollivander. I understand you're here to buy your first wands. A special occasion indeed. But remember—it's not the wizard who chooses the wand; the wand chooses the wizard."

Adam glanced at Hermione, expecting her to go first, but she looked nervous. Wanting to ease her anxiety, Adam gently tapped her shoulder and smiled. "Mr. Ollivander, let me go first. I've been looking forward to this."

"Very well, Mr. Taylor," Ollivander said, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Which hand do you naturally use?"

"I'm right-handed," Adam answered.

At once, a measuring tape flew out of Ollivander's hand and began taking Adam's measurements. Ollivander wandered through the shelves, his fingers trailing along the dusty boxes, before selecting one. "Here we are. Try this one—Vinewood, 10 and 1/2 inches, Phoenix feather core. Vinewood is rare, Mr. Taylor, usually suited for wizards with great ambitions. Give it a wave."

Adam hesitated. While Ollivander's description intrigued him, he wasn't someone with grand ambitions. All he wanted was a peaceful life. Still, he gave the wand a wave.

Suddenly, violent magic surged from the wand, igniting the front shelves in flames. Professor Flitwick reacted immediately, extinguishing the fire with a flick of his own wand, but not without a startled look on his face.

"No, definitely not for you," Ollivander muttered, taking the wand back. "Ambition doesn't seem to be your driving force, Mr. Taylor. Let's try something else."

Adam nodded, his heart pounding. That had been a powerful reaction. He watched as Ollivander disappeared into the shelves again and returned with another wand.

"Rowan wood, 13 inches, dragon heartstring core. Known for enhancing defensive magic. Very protective. Try it."

Adam waved the wand cautiously. This time, a nearby vase shattered into pieces, and Hermione gasped, clearly nervous but silent. Professor Flitwick repaired the damage with a flick of his wand.

"Not that one either," Ollivander said, shaking his head in mild frustration. "I just replaced that vase yesterday—young Harry Potter came in, and his first wand shattered it as well."

Adam perked up at the mention of Harry Potter. So, he had been here just the day before. "Harry Potter?" Adam asked.

"Yes," Ollivander replied with a knowing smile. "He was here on his birthday, and he's one of your future classmates. Quite an extraordinary young boy, if I may say so."

Professor Flitwick chimed in from the sidelines, "Indeed. Harry Potter will be attending Hogwarts this year as well." There was a hint of excitement in his voice, though he remained more composed than most people would be when speaking of the famous boy.

Adam filed that information away, curious about meeting Harry himself, but for now, he needed to focus on finding his own wand.

Ollivander soon brought more wands for Adam to try. Each time, the wands reacted with wild, uncontrollable magic—gusts of wind, small tornadoes, and even lightning that once shot sparks directly at Ollivander's face, giving him a mild shock.

Professor Flitwick worked tirelessly to repair the damage, while Hermione watched in growing anxiety. Her face had turned pale, and she seemed worried not just for Adam, but also for her own upcoming wand experience.

"Mr. Taylor, I have never met someone like you who still hasn't found a matching wand after so many tries," Ollivander said, clearly intrigued but growing thoughtful as he considered what to do next.

Suddenly, he seemed to recall something, and he hurried to the back of the shop. The trio could hear him rummaging through boxes and muttering to himself as he searched for something special. After a minute, Ollivander returned, holding an ancient-looking ruby-red box with two compartments.

When Adam saw the box, he felt a strange pull toward it. He couldn't explain why, but something about it felt right.

Ollivander carefully opened the box and took out a wand with intricate patterns engraved along its length. As soon as the box was opened, the wand lifted into the air and hovered above Ollivander's head before slowly floating toward Adam.

Ollivander's eyes shone with an almost otherworldly light as he watched. "I've never seen anything like this before," he murmured. Professor Flitwick looked equally astonished, though he stood silently by. They both felt that they were now witnessing something novel and mysterious, a bond between two people intertwined by destiny.

As the wand floated closer to Adam, an unexpected burst of bright light shot out of the second compartment in the box and flew directly toward Hermione. Without thinking, Hermione extended her hand, and the light transformed into a wand—similar to Adam's, but with a more feminine design.

Both wands hovered between them, drawing closer to each other as if bound by some invisible force. Adam and Hermione exchanged a bewildered glance, unsure of what was happening but unable to stop it.

The wands pointed at each other's foreheads, and then, with a flash of golden light, they shot beams directly at Adam and Hermione. The golden beams struck their foreheads, and everything fell silent for a moment. Ollivander and Professor Flitwick watched, ready to intervene, but neither child seemed to be in pain.

Adam and Hermione felt only warmth, as if the magic from the wands had connected them to each other and the magical world around them. They closed their eyes, feeling the power course through their bodies, filling them with a sense of wonder.

Suddenly, they found themselves in a world of complete darkness, though it didn't feel threatening. They turned to see each other, their bodies faintly glowing in the dark.

"Where are we?" Hermione asked softly.

"I don't know," Adam replied. "This place... our wands brought us here."

"Are you afraid?" Adam asked after a moment of silence.

"No," Hermione answered quickly. "For some reason, I feel safe here."

Adam nodded. "Did you feel the magic earlier? It was like... being connected to the entire world."

"Yes," Hermione whispered, her voice filled with awe. "Like I was part of something greater." She could sense Adam's thoughts, realizing that their connection was deeper than mere words.

"I want to explore this world," Adam said. "I want to learn everything it has to offer."

Hermione smiled. "Me too."

The connection between them grew stronger, and they stood together in the darkness, feeling the warmth of the magic and the bond that had formed between them. They didn't understand it fully, but it didn't matter. For now, they knew they were part of something extraordinary.

Suddenly red light started flashing in this dark world before both of them abruptly appeared in real world. Hermione didn't know about this flashing light, while Adam assumed that she also saw it. But seeing that she was not scared, Adam also stopped worrying about it for the moment. He felt unusual strong, as if his body was filled with magic at this moment.

As the golden light slowly faded, Adam and Hermione returned to Ollivander's shop, their wands gently lowering into their hands. The warmth lingered, though the intense magic they had felt was now gone.

Ollivander stood there looking closely at both Adam and Hermione, his left eye glowed a bright cyan colored light, Adam felt as if Ollivander could see through anything with that eye in this moment.

At this moment, Professor Flitwick cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "It seems the wands have chosen wisely."

Adam and Hermione smiled at each other, still processing the extraordinary moment they had shared. Their magical journey had truly begun, and they both knew that something special lay ahead.

After Adam and Hermione's wands had settled into their hands, Ollivander carefully inspected them one last time. His sharp eyes darted between the wands and the two young wizards, deep in thought. Professor Flitwick, still cautious after the unusual display, attempted to check the wands for any dark magic influence. However, his efforts yielded no results.

"It seems safe," Professor Flitwick concluded, though his tone carried a hint of uncertainty. "Still, if you notice anything strange—anything at all—please notify me immediately." He looked seriously at both Adam and Hermione, who nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.

As they turned to leave, Ollivander spoke up, his voice soft but firm. "There will be no charge for these wands."

Adam and Hermione exchanged surprised glances. "No charge?" Adam asked, hesitant.

Ollivander smiled warmly, shaking his head. "No. These wands... they were made as a pair by my ancestors many, many years ago. They've sat on these shelves ever since I first came to this shop as a little kid, waiting for their rightful owners. I've never seen anything like the bond they share with the two of you. Witnessing this—this magical connection—is payment enough. Instead of the payment, I would like to know if there are any changes like this in the future."

Adam and Hermione were taken aback by his generosity but understood the significance of his words. They both thanked Ollivander earnestly.

As they stepped out of the shop, Ollivander stood in the doorway, watching them go. A wistful look crossed his face as he murmured to himself, "Ah, my ancestors... so far ahead of their time. Such talent in wand-making." He lingered there for a moment longer before retreating into the shadows of his shop, lost in thought.

Outside, the trio made their way back toward the Leaky Cauldron. The sun had begun to set, casting long shadows across Diagon Alley. As they walked, Adam couldn't shake the feeling of wonder from the day's events, but there were also things that still bothered him. Like the red flashing lights in that dark world, these unusual wands, also that magic Ollivander used which felt like a magical x-ray vision.

"Professor," Adam asked, his curiosity piqued, "what was that magic Ollivander used? The one where his left eye glowed cyan? It felt like he could see everything."

Professor Flitwick slowed his pace, recalling the moment Adam was referring to. "Ah, yes, that's something quite rare. It stems from a mysterious event that took place around seventy years ago. Back then, some muggles—ordinary non-magical folk—began to exhibit magic through the manipulation of elements. It was a peculiar time. While muggles were learning magic in their own way, wizards in the magical world began to develop unique powers as well. Special abilities that only they could use."

Adam's eyes widened. "So Ollivander's left eye... is that his special ability? What happened 70 years ago?"

Professor Flitwick nodded. "Yes, it's what we call 'The Sight.' His left eye allows him to see the intricate flow and structure of magic, especially in wands. He can detect the tiniest details about a wand's magic that most people would never notice. At least, that's what I've heard."

Adam was fascinated by the idea, his mind buzzing with questions. He was about to ask more when they arrived at the entrance to the Leaky Cauldron.

"We'll learn more about these kinds of things at Hogwarts," Professor Flitwick said, cutting off Adam's next question with a knowing smile, seemingly wanting to change the subject. "For now, it's late, and you both need to get home. You've had quite the day."

Adam and Hermione nodded, feeling the weight of the day's events finally catching up with them. They said their goodbyes to Professor Flitwick when they arrived at their houses, thanking him once again for guiding them through Diagon Alley. Adam also finally understood that his and Hermione's house weren't that far away. They both exchanged their contacts before Hermione entered her house and professor Flitwik took Adam back to his house.

After dinner and lots of talk about Diagon Alley with his parents, Adam finally lay down on his bed at night, he couldn't help but feel that his journey into the magical world had only just begun—and there were countless more mysteries waiting for him to discover. To be perfectly honest, along with excitement, he was also a bit scared. Thinking of this, Adam closed his eyes and quickly drifted into sleep, deciding to plan next step after a good night rest.