Hogwarts: Novel Era of the Wizarding World

Half an hour later, Adam found himself walking alongside Professor Flitwick, searching for Hermione in every direction. They had been checking smaller alleys and hidden nooks within Diagon Alley, which puzzled Adam at first. Professor Flitwick, noticing his curiosity, quickly explained, his tone gentle yet serious.

"Adam," Professor Flitwick began softly, "Diagon Alley is a safe gathering place for wizards and witches, but there are also some alleys and spots here that attract... less savory individuals. It could be dangerous for those who are new here, and even more so for younger wizards and witches."

Adam nodded, his expression calm. What Professor Flitwick didn't know was that Adam had a good understanding of this place already—his knowledge from his past life had revealed that dark wizards lurked in these corners, waiting for unsuspecting targets.

"So, we're checking these alleys to make sure Hermione hasn't wandered into them?" Adam asked, stepping out of a narrow, shadowy passageway alongside the professor.

"Exactly. If she's not here, then it's a good sign—she's safe. But I wanted to check these places first, just in case she ventured here alone," Professor Flitwick responded, his gaze sweeping the dim alleyways before them.

As they left the dark alley, Adam's eyes lit up as he finally got a good look at the heart of Diagon Alley. The main street was vibrant and bustling, filled with shops that radiated charm and magic. Multi-colored signs dangled overhead, advertising everything from potion ingredients to magical pets. The clink of coins and the hum of conversation filled the air, while witches and wizards of all ages wandered about, their robes swishing.

Adam could barely contain his excitement as he passed by the magical shops. There was *Quality Quidditch Supplies*, its windows brimming with broomsticks of all sizes, from the sleek Nimbus 2000 to older, well-worn models that still gleamed under the soft lighting. Through the glass, Adam could see excited witches and wizards, both young and old, testing out Quidditch gear—gloves, helmets, and enchanted snitches that darted about inside the shop.

Further down the street, Adam spotted the *Magical Menagerie*, its windows filled with cages of strange and fantastical creatures. From large puffskeins to enchanted snakes, the shop was packed with animals both curious and dangerous, their chirps and growls barely contained within. Adam longed to go inside and see all the magical pets up close, but there was no time for that now—Hermione was their priority.

"She might be safe if she's in one of these shops," Professor Flitwick said, reading Adam's mind. "But it's better we check the more isolated areas first. After all, if she's here, we'll find her soon enough."

Though tired from the search, Adam understood why they were combing through every corner and alley, and he appreciated that Professor Flitwick was also keeping an eye on him. His heart raced a little as they crossed into another part of Diagon Alley—this one less crowded, with narrow streets branching off into dark, crooked alleys.

The further they ventured, the more the atmosphere changed. The cheerful sounds of the bustling marketplace grew distant, replaced by an unsettling quiet. The bright storefronts of Diagon Alley were left behind, and in their place were old, dingy shops with cracked windows and faded signs. The air felt heavier here, as if the magic itself had turned cold and sluggish.

Adam glanced into one of these shady alleys and saw figures huddled in shadows, their faces obscured by cloaks. The feeling of being watched was intense, sending a slight chill down his spine. Even though he knew this place well in his mind, experiencing it in person was different. He quickly turned away, refocusing on the task at hand.

Suddenly, his eyes caught something bright and familiar amidst the gloom—the gleaming sign of **Flourish and Blotts**, the famous bookshop of Diagon Alley. The large windows were filled with stacks of books—ancient tomes, new editions, and magical scrolls, all waiting to be explored. Some books floated gently in midair, flipping their own pages as if inviting customers to take a look.

Adam's heart raced as an idea struck him. His eyes lit up with excitement as he turned to Professor Flitwick. "Professor, what if I stay here at Flourish and Blotts while you search the other alleys? I promise I won't leave the shop, and you'll be able to move quicker if you don't have to keep an eye on me."

Professor Flitwick considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Very well, Adam. But stay inside the shop. I'll be back soon."

"I will, I promise!" Adam said, already eager to step inside the shop. He watched as Professor Flitwick continued his search, disappearing into another alleyway.

With a deep breath, Adam pushed open the door to Flourish and Blotts, the familiar scent of parchment and ink washing over him. He smiled to himself as he entered, knowing that while Professor Flitwick searched the darker corners of Diagon Alley, he could finally explore the wonders of this magical bookstore.

As Adam stepped into Flourish and Blotts, he found his attention drawn to the shelves filled with magical books, but his focus remained on the thought running through his mind. He hadn't entered just to browse—he had an idea, a feeling, and he needed to see if he was right. Moving through the shop, his eyes scanned each aisle until he spotted a familiar sight.

There she was—Hermione Granger, just as he had imagined from the books in his previous life. She stood in front of a shelf, engrossed in a large, old tome. Her wild, bushy brown hair was unmistakable, exactly like the description in the novels. Compared to the movie version, Hermione's hair here was far more untamed, but for some reason, Adam felt a strange sense of relief. He thought briefly about the actress who had played Hermione in the films. If she is Hermione in this world?. Did she not exist in the Muggle world as an actress? Or instead of being an actress, did she become a witch? Adam wondered as he moved forward.

Hermione was dressed in a casual outfit—a pair of jeans and a simple t-shirt—clearly a Muggle, yet standing in the middle of a world she was just beginning to discover. There was no trace of nervousness or fear on her face; instead, she seemed lost in wonder at the various magical books that surrounded her.

"Hermione!" Adam called out, excitement slipping into his voice.

She turned at the sound of her name, blinking in surprise as her eyes landed on Adam. She looked him up and down, clearly confused. Hermione didn't recognize him at all, but there was a hint of relief on her face at finally seeing someone who might be here to help her.

"Um... do I know you?" Hermione asked cautiously, taking a few steps closer. Her tone was curious, though guarded, exactly how Adam remembered her personality from the books.

Adam smiled warmly. "We haven't met before, but I've been looking for you. Professor Flitwick and I noticed you were missing."

Hermione frowned slightly, still unsure. "Professor Flitwick? I—I just got separated from my parents. I followed a student then I wandered in here and... well," she gestured around the shop with a sheepish grin, "I got a little distracted."

Adam chuckled, understanding perfectly. "I figured you might be here. I knew you'd love a place like this, with all these books."

Hermione's eyes lit up as she nodded enthusiastically. "It's amazing, isn't it? I've never seen anything like this! Some of these books are so old, and they have things I've never even dreamed of reading about. Can you believe it? A whole section on magical history, and they've even got books on spells! I wish I could buy them all."

Adam grinned, feeling a mix of excitement and amusement. Even though he knew so much about this world, seeing Hermione's genuine awe and joy was refreshing. "It's pretty incredible," he said, "and we've only scratched the surface. We'll be learning about all of this at Hogwarts soon."

Hermione's eyes widened further. "I can't wait! There's just so much to learn, and I don't even know where to start. It's all so... overwhelming, but in the best way possible!"

Adam nodded. "It is. But for now, we should stay here. Professor Flitwick will come back soon, and we'll wait for him. He'll be happy to know you're safe."

Hermione agreed, and the two of them continued to explore the shelves, chatting excitedly about the magical world they were about to enter. For Hermione, this was all new—a world of wonders and mysteries she had only just begun to unravel. For Adam, it was familiar, but he played along, sharing in Hermione's excitement while keeping his own deeper knowledge to himself.

A while later, Professor Flitwick appeared outside the bookstore, worry still etched on his small face. He had searched the surrounding alleys but had found no sign of Hermione, and the idea of her being lost in such a large, unfamiliar place made him even more anxious. Deciding to retrieve Adam first, he entered Flourish and Blotts, his heart heavy with concern.

To his immense relief, he found both Adam and Hermione sitting together, flipping through a thick book with the title A History of Hogwarts written in bold letters on the cover. They were chatting happily, immersed in their discovery. Professor Flitwick allowed himself a deep breath, finally letting go of the tension that had built up during the search. He stood there for a moment, watching them, not wanting to disturb their moment of calm.

With a content smile, Professor Flitwick quietly left the shop, deciding it was best to inform Hermione's parents and bring them here. He hurried back to the Leaky Cauldron, where he found Mr. and Mrs. Granger pacing nervously, with Tom, the innkeeper, trying to comfort them. Mr. Granger looked particularly tense, his face flushed with anger and worry.

"Professor!" Mr. Granger barked as soon as he saw Flitwick approach. "Have you found her?"

Professor Flitwick nodded quickly, raising a hand to calm him. "She's safe, Mr. Granger. I found her in the bookstore called—Flourish and Blotts. She was just reading some books. She's perfectly fine and pretty happy."

Mrs. Granger sighed in relief, her hand going to her chest. Mr. Granger, however, still looked concerned. "Thank you, Professor," he said with some hesitation. "But I think it's best we take Hermione home now. We just received an emergency at our clinic—a child had a bad fall and broke his teeth, and we need to go immediately."

Professor Flitwick nodded understandingly but quickly added, "I completely understand, but I do need to mention something important before you decide. Hermione still needs to get her school supplies. It would be very difficult to make another trip to Diagon Alley before school starts, as the professors will be busy with preparations. I'm also leaving for an overseas trip soon, and it wouldn't be convenient for me to come back."

He paused for a moment, giving the Grangers time to absorb his words, before continuing, "Without the proper supplies, Hermione may have difficulties when term begins. It would be best if we took care of everything now while we have the opportunity."

Mr. and Mrs. Granger exchanged a glance, looking torn. "But the emergency at the clinic…" Mrs. Granger said softly. "We really should go."

Mr. Granger, frustrated, rubbed his temples. "If we don't take her now, we'll be late. But if she doesn't have her supplies—"

Professor Flitwick smiled gently. "I can ensure Hermione gets all the supplies she needs quickly, and I will take her back home safely myself. Or, if you prefer, I can wait here with her until you return. But it's important that she is well-prepared for Hogwarts."

Mrs. Granger hesitated for a moment, but then she turned to her husband, her expression softening. "We value her education so much… maybe it's better this way. We can trust Professor Flitwick."

Mr. Granger sighed deeply, still concerned but less tense now. "Alright," he said reluctantly. "We'll trust you, Professor. Just... please make sure she's alright and comes home safely."

As the Grangers made their decision, a strange, almost magical feeling filled the air. Both sets of parents, despite barely knowing Professor Flitwick, seemed to trust him implicitly, as though some invisible force was guiding them to do so. Adam's parents, despite their initial reluctance, had also allowed him to follow someone who, while a professor, was still essentially a stranger to them. There was a sense of unspoken trust, a belief that, despite their doubts, it was the right thing to do.

It felt as though some kind of magic was at play—an invisible thread weaving through their actions, leading them to believe in Flitwick's words without question. The Grangers, just as Adam's parents had, chose to place their trust in the tiny professor. It was a quiet, comforting kind of magic, the kind that filled the hearts of parents when they wanted the best for their children, and somehow, it seemed, the world was ensuring they found the right person to watch over them.

With that, the Grangers left for their clinic, leaving their daughter in capable hands. Professor Flitwick turned back toward Diagon Alley, ready to continue helping Hermione and Adam with their preparations for Hogwarts.