C 62

Diagon Alley and the outside world were like two different realms, each with its own unique atmosphere and charm. The sudden change transported the Grangers back to a time reminiscent of the Middle Ages.

Almost everyone walking along the cobblestone street was dressed as a wizard or witch, their robes flowing behind them as they navigated the bustling thoroughfare. The buildings, adorned with intricate designs and aged stone, further contributed to the retro vibe that surrounded them.

"The wizarding world can only use Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts," Professor McGonagall explained as they strolled. "Just now, we passed Madam Malkin's robe shop, a wand shop, and other establishments that sell new items. Now, we are going to Gringotts to exchange some money. I apologize, Miss Granger, but after Gringotts, I will need to take other young wizards under my wing."

While leading the Granger family on a tour of Diagon Alley, Professor McGonagall explained the various shops they encountered, including tailor-made clothing stores, wand shops, magical potion stores, and, of course, the illustrious Gringotts.

After reaching the imposing entrance of Gringotts, the bank of the wizarding world, Professor McGonagall bid them farewell, indicating that she had a tight schedule ahead. She would be escorting seven young wizards from Muggle families, and there was much to accomplish in a limited time.

As the Grangers entered Gringotts, they were taken aback by the sight of goblins bustling about. This was their first encounter with creatures other than humans, and the entire experience was nothing short of an eye-opener.

The goblins, with their sharp features and keen eyes, moved with an air of authority, managing the wealth of wizards with precision.

Hermione led the way to a service counter, where she presented the Hogwarts acceptance letter to the goblin on duty.

After scrutinizing the document with his narrow eyes, the goblin looked up and said, "Five pounds are exchanged for one Galleon. Students at Hogwarts have an annual exchange quota of two hundred pounds."

This converted to approximately 40 Galleons, which was more than sufficient for a first-year student. The most expensive items on the list would typically be wands and textbooks, while other essentials like clothing, cauldrons, and magical ingredients were relatively inexpensive.

Additionally, the goblins only allowed the exchange of pounds for Galleons under certain conditions, specifically for Hogwarts freshmen.

"Excuse me, how do you exchange gold for Galleons?" Kain inquired, keen to understand the process.

The goblin eyed Kain with curiosity before responding, "Five grams of gold can be exchanged for one Galleon, and there is no upper limit to the amount you can exchange."

Kain had anticipated this conversion ratio, knowing that the gold content in one pound was only about one gram. He understood that the goblins had to consider the wear and tear of the coins, which could influence the exchange rate.

After a moment's thought, Kain retrieved ten 500-gram gold bricks from the briefcase he was carrying and placed them on the goblin's counter. "Please exchange these for a thousand Galleons, and if possible, could you provide me with one of your extension purses?"

"Gringotts provides each of its major clients with a non-traceable extension purse," the goblin stated, a hint of surprise in his tone. "May I ask if this gentleman has plans to open a personal vault in Gringotts?"

After seeing the ten gold bricks, the goblin stood upright, astonished that a Muggle could handle such a substantial transaction. The Grangers, too, were taken aback; the amount of gold Kain had presented was nearly half a year's income for their family.

Kain, noticing their expressions, smiled and reassured them, "I plan to purchase more magical items, Miss Granger. If you need anything, feel free to let me know. Mr. Granger can treat me to a drink after you finish your business here, alright?"

Following this exchange, the goblin, whose name was Sola, promptly opened a personal vault for Kain and handed him a money bag filled with one thousand Galleons.

Once Kain finalized the arrangement for his personal vault, he exchanged another two thousand Galleons to store there, further impressing the goblin.

In the goblins' eyes, the distinction between wizards and Muggles was insignificant; what mattered more was wealth. Their social hierarchy leaned towards the affluent, and Kain's transaction positioned him favorably in their eyes.

Exiting Gringotts, Kain stored the Galleons in his briefcase, which was essentially a spatial backpack, and then handed Hermione Granger the seamless extension purse. "Miss Granger, this is for you. I prefer Gucci's latest briefcase to the one you have," he said, smiling.

Hermione was taken aback by the unexpected gift, her eyes widening in surprise. She glanced back at her father, seeking his approval. After Mr. Granger nodded, Hermione accepted the purse with a beaming smile.

She quickly learned that it contained three cubic meters of space—an incredible gift that was usually reserved for Gringotts' elite customers. This meant that she could go to Hogwarts without the hassle of dragging around a suitcase; she could simply carry this purse instead.

Kain suggested, "Mr. Granger and Miss Granger, let's split up for a bit. I'm also very curious about the items in the wizarding world. However, Miss Granger should prioritize purchasing everything listed on her admission letter first."

"That sounds good. Let's meet back at the bar we came to at noon, Mr. Kain," Hermione replied, her voice brimming with excitement. Perhaps it was the thrill of being in the wizarding world that made her feel as if she were a bird returning to its nest.

Once they separated, Kain's first destination was Flourish and Blotts, the famous bookstore. Diagon Alley certainly lived up to its reputation. The narrow alley led directly to Gringotts at one end and Knockturn Alley at the other, a place Kain had no intention of exploring.

Flourish and Blotts was a treasure trove of knowledge, offering both books about the magical world and past issues of the Daily Prophet. Kain spent a considerable amount of time browsing the shelves, ultimately selecting 170 magical books, as well as 100 issues of the newspaper. The bookstore also provided him with a non-trace extension suitcase, a valuable addition to his growing collection of magical items.

After leaving the bookstore, Kain made his way to Slughorn's Apothecary, where he purchased a variety of potions and magical ingredients.

Unfortunately, there weren't many potions created by Slughorn himself available for sale; his creations tended to sell out almost immediately after hitting the shelves. Despite this, Kain managed to acquire some essential items for his upcoming ventures.

On his way back, Kain stopped by Gringotts once again to exchange more gold for Galleons, eager to ensure that he had enough currency to last him throughout his time in the wizarding world.

By the time he finished shopping, if the shop owners in Diagon Alley were to communicate, they would undoubtedly discover that one person—Kain—had significantly boosted their turnover that day.

The entire experience was exhilarating, and Kain felt a sense of accomplishment as he navigated the enchanting world around him. This adventure not only expanded his knowledge but also deepened his appreciation for the wonders of magic. Each interaction and discovery was a stepping stone toward his larger goal of integrating the marvels of the wizarding world into his life.

As noon approached, Kain prepared to reunite with Hermione and her parents, eager to share stories of his explorations and the incredible items he had gathered.

….

patreon.com/Vks_sh