"Can't I use British pounds in the Wizarding World?" Anduin asked.
"You can exchange Muggle currency for Galleons at Gringotts," Professor McGonagall explained. "Five pounds will get you one Galleon, but there's a limit—you can only exchange up to a hundred Galleons." Having overseen admissions for years, she was well-versed in all the details. Still, she didn't expect Anduin to have much savings; perhaps he just wanted to exchange some pocket money.
"Oh, I see. Well, I have plenty of money," Anduin said, pulling out a thick stack of pounds under Professor McGonagall's astonished gaze. He expertly licked his fingers and began counting the bills. "That's enough. The extra will come in handy on the way back."
Professor McGonagall led Anduin out of the orphanage and into a deserted alley. "Normally, I'd take you to Diagon Alley on Muggle transportation or the Knight Bus, but the Wizarding World has been rather unstable lately. I'm afraid you'll have to Apparate with me instead."
With that, she drew her wand. "Take my hand, Anduin."
"The Wizarding World is rather unstable these days," Professor McGonagall said, as Anduin digested her words and extended his hand.
With a series of pops, Professor McGonagall and Anduin vanished from their spot.
"Ugh!" Anduin involuntarily leaned against the wall and dry-heaved the moment they Apparated. The sensation was unbearable, like being tossed into a pitch-black washing machine set to its highest spin cycle. His entire body felt inexplicably compressed, and he even hallucinated that he was being shrunk into a tiny ball.
"I apologize. I felt just as awful the first time I used this spell," Professor McGonagall said, pointing her wand at Anduin. A gentle stream of light emerged from the wand's tip, gradually merging into Anduin's body, which eased his discomfort considerably.
Fortunately, Anduin's excellent physical fitness and balance allowed him to regain his composure after a brief pause.
Is this magic? Anduin wondered. It's not quite what I imagined. Why not just open a magical portal for transportation? This feels so... low-tech. Despite his internal吐槽, his expression remained calm.
"Where are we going next? Do we need to teleport again?"
"That wasn't teleportation. It was Apparition and Disapparition, a common form of travel magic for adult wizards. You'll learn it in your seventh year."
"Don't worry, we're almost there."
Professor McGonagall led Anduin out of the alley where they had appeared. After walking down the street for a while, they arrived between a record store and a bookstore. Anduin, observing his surroundings, noticed a bar nestled between the two shops, its style strikingly different from its neighbors. Yet passersby seemed oblivious to its existence.
"Can't they see this bar?"
"Excellent observation, Anduin. This place is heavily shielded with concealment charms. Muggles can't see the Leaky Cauldron," Professor McGonagall explained as she led Anduin into the bar.
"Professor, what exactly do you mean by 'Muggle'? Does it refer to ordinary people who can't use magic?" Anduin felt a sense of absurdity. He vaguely remembered reading Harry Potter in his previous life, but now that he was actually experiencing it, he realized he knew nothing about the Wizarding World.
"Yes, Anduin, we generally call non-magical people 'Muggles.' Due to the International Statute of Secrecy, Muggles are unaware of our existence."
Professor McGonagall frowned slightly, thinking about the current state of the British magic world and wondering if the International Statute of Secrecy could continue to exist there.
"Really? Then my parents were Muggles too," Anduin said, remembering his parents, who had passed away shortly after his birth. He had checked their records at the orphanage before and found nothing unusual—they were ordinary people. Anduin attributed his magical talent entirely to his reincarnation.
"Perhaps one of your ancestors was a wizard. Of course, children with magical talent can also be born to Muggles. Hogwarts' responsibility is to teach you how to control your own magic."
Anduin and Professor McGonagall continued their conversation as they entered the Leaky Cauldron. The bar was dimly lit and sparsely furnished, with terrible natural light. A bar counter stood at one end, and a few tables were tucked into the shadowy corners.
The place seemed deserted. The bar owner stood alone behind the counter, silently polishing glasses.
"Tom, how's business lately?" Professor McGonagall seemed to know the bar owner well.
"What do you expect? It's getting worse every day. Last night, the Aurors were in another shootout in Knockturn Alley. The explosions nearly shattered my glasses. Business is getting harder and harder..." Tom hadn't spoken to anyone in ages, and once he started, he couldn't stop complaining.
"Enough, Tom. There's a young gentleman here."
"A new student about to enroll?" Tom glanced at Anduin, clearly unfazed by the sight.
"Good evening, sir," Anduin replied politely, his upbringing in a land of etiquette shining through.
"Better get inside quickly. It's not safe after dark," Tom warned kindly, impressed by Anduin's manners.
Professor McGonagall nodded to the bar owner and led Anduin through the Leaky Cauldron to a small courtyard behind the pub. "Diagon Alley is right here. You'll be buying all your school supplies here in the future, so pay attention. You'll have to come alone next time."
"To enter, tap the third brick above the garbage can, then the second brick to the right, with your wand."
With that, Professor McGonagall drew her wand and tapped a specific spot on the dilapidated brick wall. The bricks began to shift and churn, gradually transforming into a towering archway.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley, Anduin."
Anduin's mouth hung slightly agape as he watched the spectacle, his fascination with the Magical World growing stronger. Stepping through the archway, he found himself on a long, cobblestone street lined with a diverse array of shops.
However, Anduin noticed that Diagon Alley wasn't as bustling as he'd imagined. Some shops remained shuttered, and pedestrians in trench coats patrolled the streets, their demeanor more akin to guards than shoppers.
"Professor, those people in trench coats don't look like customers. Could it be...?" Anduin voiced his concern, a dark thought forming in his mind based on Professor McGonagall's earlier conversation with Tom.
"Those are Aurors, maintaining order here. The Wizarding World hasn't been peaceful lately, but this is the most prosperous commercial street in the British magic world, so it's still quite safe. They're just on routine patrol. Don't worry, you'll be perfectly safe at Hogwarts. I guarantee it!" Professor McGonagall assured him.