Ollivanders

Mr. Smith had no idea what Jon was thinking. He had already opened the envelope and looked at its contents. He cleared his throat and began reading aloud:

"Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(International Confederation of Wizards President, Wizarding Association President, Order of Merlin First Class)

Dear Mr. Jon Smith,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Enclosed is a list of required books and equipment.

The term begins on September 1st.

We await your owl no later than July 31st.

Deputy Headmistress (F) Minerva McGonagall."

Then there was a long list of books and necessary supplies that Mr. Smith couldn't quite understand.

"Let me see."

Mrs. Smith had written a reply letter and handed it to the owl that came to deliver the mail. She walked over at that moment.

She picked up the item list and looked at it for a moment, saying, "The books 'Magical Theory' and 'Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection' are different from what I had back then. But apart from those, everything else is similar to what I remember. Thanks to Ravenclaw, my memory hasn't deteriorated. The reserved books should arrive tomorrow. But Jon, it seems we still need to go to Diagon Alley. Your uniform, wand, and pet all require your presence."

"Should we go today?"

Jon asked, feeling a bit overwhelmed by how quickly the door to the magical world was opening for him.

"Of course, my dear," Mrs. Smith glanced at her husband, hinting in her words, "Otherwise, someone will surely follow."

After saying that, she turned to Mr. Smith and said, "Darling, aren't you supposed to go to the school for an academic discussion? You better hurry, even though it's the weekend, being late is not a good thing."

Jon skillfully avoided the resentful gaze his father cast at him. He understood the situation very well. In this household, Mrs. Smith held the highest position, and even though his father often disagreed, he always obeyed his wife's commands. If he didn't help Jon, it probably wouldn't cause any trouble, but if he did help, he would face the combined pressure of his parents.

Jon wasn't that foolish.

So Mr. Smith, with a resentful expression, left home by car, while Jon watched his mother wave her wand and change her appearance. He wondered if she was using a Disillusionment Charm or riding a flying broomstick when his mother led him to the fireplace.

Another Floo Network journey.

Jon was a bit disappointed but not surprised. After all, it was the safest and most convenient way. He had used the Floo Network a few times when he was younger to visit his grandmother, so he had experienced it personally and didn't feel any discomfort. It was much better than the uncomfortable Apparition described in the legends.

After several years of practical testing, he had gained a lot of understanding about this world. Much of his knowledge differed from what he knew in his previous life. For example, this world was not what the online forums of his previous life referred to as a "low-magic world." In fact, since his last life, Jon didn't believe that there were high or low worlds. Perhaps there were differences in size between worlds, but their rankings should be similar. Just like people, worlds also had a life cycle.

When a world reached its peak of mystery, either magic or technology would flourish. It was just a matter of one reaching its pinnacle while the other declined. As for which one was at its peak, it depended on the world's own inclination.

The world of "Harry Potter" and the real world of his previous life existed on the same planet. According to common characteristics worldwide, the world of "Harry Potter" was obviously inclined toward mystery. The reason was simple: magic still existed in an age of technological advancement, which served as evidence.

It could be imagined that if the Ministry of Magic lifted its restrictions, the magical technology of the wizarding world could surpass scientific technology by hundreds of years. Based on Jon's research, the decline of this magical world was nearing its end.

According to the original storyline, starting from when the protagonist Harry Potter enrolled, the magical strength of this world gradually began to recover. Examples included the Philosopher's Stone, which could turn metal into gold and grant immortality, the resurrection magic used by the Dark Lord Voldemort, the existence of powerful wizards like Grindelwald and Dumbledore, and even mediocre wizards learning spells faster than before. All these were proof.

He caught a good timing!

As Jon was being dragged by his mother into the fireplace, he thought to himself. He had no intention of fighting against Voldemort; that was the task of the protagonist, Harry Potter. Jon's personality and interests made him more inclined to become a scholar who explored the essence of the world. Just as ordinary people could seek the nature of the world through mathematics and physics, why couldn't he study it through magic?

After all, his mind was not only filled with the plot of the world's progress. He remembered various powerful spells, names of potions, and even the interesting incantations written in Snape's potion book. He remembered them all clearly.

As long as he had a wand, he could try practicing magic.

He, Jon, would become a great wizard, a world-renowned magical scholar.

"Excuse me, young man, could you please not block the fireplace exit?"

A slightly elderly woman's voice came from behind, and Jon snapped back to reality, quickly stepping aside.

Mrs. Smith was talking to a witch shopkeeper nearby. They seemed quite intimate, to the point that Mrs. Smith hadn't even noticed that her son hadn't followed. Perhaps it was because Diagon Alley was too safe.

Jon pouted and glanced at the figure of the old witch who had just walked away from him. He then walked over to Mrs. Smith's side.

"Oh, is this little Jon? Such a handsome young man."

Jon smiled in response, acknowledging the greeting. The shopkeeper's enthusiastic praise made him a bit uncomfortable. Of course, he inherited his parents' looks, and he could be considered handsome, but he didn't like it when people stared at his face all the time.

It would be better when he entered Hogwarts. There, everyone would be good-looking, so if he kept a low profile, he might be able to avoid unnecessary attention.

Fortunately, Mrs. Smith finally noticed his discomfort. After a brief farewell to her witch friend, she led Jon into Diagon Alley.

Mrs. Smith had already pre-ordered textbooks and other items for him because of the existence of owls. Wizarding world courier services were years ahead of the Muggle world. Generally, only wizards born into Muggle families would personally buy their textbooks.

But clothes and wands still needed to be chosen personally.

After getting his measurements at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, mother and son went to the wand shop.

This was the only wand shop in Diagon Alley, and it didn't look as shabby and narrow as described in the original story. There was even a young witch working here.

Jon's gaze fell on the sign at the entrance, displaying a familiar English phrase.

"Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C."