Chapter 2: Shopping in Diagon Alley

What is Wade Grey's background?

Although he is a descendant of wizards, both of his parents are Squibs, who are regarded by wizards as no different from Muggles.

Fred explained in detail to Wade about the turmoil caused by Grindelwald in recent history and the brutal massacres brought by the second Dark Lord.

The last piece of news they received about the wizarding world was that Wade's grandparents were killed one after the other due to the war.

"Wade, you are very talented, and your mother and I have always been proud of you. But you must understand that in the wizarding world, people place great importance on lineage."

"Pure-bloods, half-bloods, and Muggle-borns are naturally ranked in many people's eyes. 

About a dozen years ago, the most powerful dark wizard of that time, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, fervently promoted the idea of 'blood purity.' 

He and his followers cruelly murdered many Muggles and Muggle-born wizards, as well as pure-bloods who opposed him."

"At that time, your mother and I were forced to sever all ties with the wizarding world... 

Even though peace has been restored now, I'm sure there are still many wizards who believe in pure-blood supremacy. 

I have no doubt that they will pass on this prejudice and malice to their children..."

"Wade, I'm very worried... Hogwarts may not be as wonderful as we imagined..."

Fred said with deep concern.

After hearing this, Wade smiled quietly.

"Don't worry, Dad. I'm sure there will be classmates at school with backgrounds similar to mine. As long as I have enough friends around me, others won't dare to easily cause me trouble, right?"

He paused, then added, "Besides... no matter where you are, absolute strength can shatter any prejudice. I will study hard and try to become the best."

After hearing this, Fred did not feel much relief. He worriedly thought, But my son... you have never shown any magical ability. Perhaps your magic is only slightly stronger than that of a Squib...

In that case, what strength do you have to speak of?

But out of consideration for the young man's pride, Fred did not voice his thoughts.

...

Minerva McGonagall arrived even faster than Wade had expected.

The day after receiving the letter, while the Grey family was having breakfast, they suddenly heard a knock on the door. Wade put down his knife and fork to open the door, and the moment he saw the person standing there, he immediately recognized who she was.

It wasn't because she looked exactly like the character from the movie—Wade had long forgotten most of the movie scenes he had watched years ago, and the actors' images had left little impression on him.

Nor was it because the serious-looking woman before him was wearing a striking green robe, which ordinary people would never wear.

It was because there was a handwritten name above her head—

[Minerva McGonagall]

Wade fell silent, his doubts resurfacing— Is all of this real?

Or have I not actually crossed into the world of 'Harry Potter', but rather into a game world called 'Harry Potter'? Am I just an NPC who has awakened memories and self-awareness from a past life?

"Hello, Mr. Grey."

While Wade was lost in his wild thoughts, Minerva McGonagall tried to smile as gently as possible, though she still appeared quite stern.

"I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Professor of Transfiguration."

Wade quickly reined in his wandering thoughts. "Welcome, Professor McGonagall. Please come in and have a cup of tea."

Hearing the voices, the Grey couple hurried out. They looked at the witch, who seemed to radiate an aura of mystery and unapproachability, with awe and struggled to find their voices, stammering:

"Yes, wel—welcome—Prof—, Ma'am, please come in and have a seat!"

Fred forced a warm smile while quickly glancing at his son, as if worried that the witch might have cast an evil spell on him.

Wade, however, remained composed, knowing that this woman was an extremely upright and kind person.

He controlled his gaze to avoid looking at the name above her head and stepped aside to invite her in.

McGonagall had come for two reasons: first, to prove the authenticity of the magical school and persuade the couple to allow their child to attend; second, to take Wade to purchase his school supplies.

She had encountered many Muggle families who were incredulous about magic, suspected she wanted to take their child for secret experiments, or simply preferred their child to attend a Muggle school. She had already prepared several sets of persuasive arguments in advance.

However, the family didn't have many doubts about magic and were more concerned about the learning environment, which made McGonagall's first task quite easy.

Not long after, the group arrived at Charing Cross Road in London, where Professor McGonagall led them into the small, dingy Leaky Cauldron.

Perhaps because it was still early, the pub was almost empty. A hunched man, who was wiping down tables, greeted them, "Good morning, Professor McGonagall."

He glanced at the family of three dressed in Muggle clothing, focusing on Wade, who was significantly shorter than the others, and casually asked, "Is this child one of Hogwarts' new students this year?"

"Good morning, Tom," Professor McGonagall replied. "I'm here to help Mr. Grey purchase the items he needs for school."

The group passed through the pub and reached the small courtyard at the back. Standing beside a trash can, Professor McGonagall took out her wand and instructed, "Mr. Grey, please remember this spot. If you want to enter Diagon Alley, you'll need to pass through here. Count three bricks up and two across..."

She gently tapped a brick on the wall three times with her wand.

The bricks on the wall began to move, as if an invisible hand was rearranging them. In the blink of an eye, a wide archway appeared, and the bustling sounds of a crowd came rushing through.

"Wow—"

The Grey family couldn't help but gasp in amazement.

Before them was a winding, twisting street lined with shops selling all sorts of strange and curious items.

People in wizard robes were coming and going, haggling over prices, children whining to their parents, and others chasing each other, creating a lively and chaotic atmosphere.

McGonagall led the three of them through the many shops to Gringotts. Fred had already prepared the money for exchange. He pulled out a large, jingling bag of pounds and exchanged it for fifty Galleons.

Before they left, Professor McGonagall had reminded them that the amount of Muggle paper money that could be exchanged at Gringotts is limited, but there are no such restrictions on coins, gold, jewelry, or similar valuables.

Afterward, under Professor McGonagall's guidance, they bought the necessary school uniforms, textbooks, scales, a cauldron, a wand, and other items, and they also purchased an owl as a pet.

With Hogwarts' Professor McGonagall accompanying them, the shopkeepers were polite, even though the family was dressed in Muggle clothing.

By the way, Wade's wand is made of Poplar wood with a unicorn hair core, and it is 12 inches (about 30 centimeters) long. Poplar wood symbolizes rebirth(renewal), which Wade found quite fascinating.

It felt as if his secret had been seen through by this wand.