Diggle's wand was also a C-rank magical item. In fact, most of the wizards in the Leaky Cauldron had C-rank wands. Only a few elderly wizards and those with a commanding presence had B-rank wands.
Based on the system's identification and Dudley's speculation, a new wand would likely be D-rank. Over time, as a wizard used it, nourishing it with their magic and casting spells, the wand's rank would increase.
However, wear and tear from use could also lower a wand's rank.
By judging a wand's rank, one could roughly estimate the combat strength of its owner.
Wizards who knew few spells and had weak magical power would only marginally improve their wands. Even with daily use and careful maintenance, their wands would hover around C-rank, much like Hagrid's, who rarely used his wand.
This made Dudley understand how Voldemort, a mere gang leader, had managed to dominate the British wizarding world. The enemy's strength was only part of the story—most wizards were simply too weak.
Not only were they weak in power, but their logic was also baffling.
Without witnessing it firsthand, they believed that Harry, a baby, had defeated the Dark Lord who had ruled over them all.
How had he done it? What had he used?
No one cared.
They just blindly worshipped.
Even more absurd was that, after the fact, they didn't even bother to confirm Voldemort's death with "proof of life or death" before popping champagne and celebrating.
Thinking of Voldemort, Dudley felt a vague sense of unease. He scanned the wizards in the Leaky Cauldron again and finally noticed something amiss.
He didn't see Quirinus Quirrell, the stuttering, turban-wearing, garlic-scented Defense Against the Dark Arts professor who, in the original story, had Voldemort clinging to the back of his head.
According to the original plot, Quirrell should have been in the Leaky Cauldron, just like the other wizard fans, meeting Harry for the first time under Hagrid's introduction.
But now, he wasn't here.
If he wasn't here, where was he?
Oh no!
Dudley suddenly realized—someone was about to steal his prize!
"Harry! Hagrid! It's getting late!" Dudley called out loudly.
Hagrid also realized they had been delayed for too long. Some people were even lining up a second time to shake Harry's hand.
Harry, too, was overwhelmed by the excessive enthusiasm of his wizard fans. Hearing Dudley's words, he felt relieved and quickly grabbed Dudley and Hagrid's hands.
Hagrid led the two through the crowd, past the bar, and into a small alcove surrounded by red brick walls.
The space was empty except for a trash bin placed against the wall.
Hagrid pulled out his umbrella-wand and tapped a brick above the bin, muttering the method to open the entrance—counting up and across to find the right brick...
Harry found it fascinating and listened intently.
But Dudley had no patience for such trivialities now. He was in a hurry.
The bricks shifted, forming an archway, and the entrance to Diagon Alley opened.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley!" Hagrid announced enthusiastically.
The bustling commercial street was filled with all kinds of wizard shops, bustling with activity and peace.
There were cauldron shops, stationery stores, robe shops, wand shops, pet stores, apothecaries, publishing houses, travel agencies, newspapers, beauty potion shops, and even Quidditch specialty stores...
The variety was dazzling.
Each shop's sign had its own magical animation, both old-fashioned and fantastical.
It was Dudley and Harry's first time here, and they couldn't help but look around in awe.
But unlike Harry, who kept glancing around, Dudley was more restrained. He naturally urged:
"Hagrid, let's hurry to Gringotts to get the money! Otherwise, it's torture to see all these amazing shops but not be able to buy anything!"
"Oh! Dudley, you're absolutely right! Let's go!" Hagrid replied. "Gringotts is at the end of Diagon Alley, right next to Knockturn Alley. But Knockturn Alley isn't a good place—it's full of dark wizards..."
Hagrid started rambling again, still chatting as they walked.
His towering stature meant each of his steps covered three or four of Dudley and Harry's, so they moved quickly.
Dudley led Harry, keeping up the pace. As they walked, he subtly squeezed Harry's right wrist three times.
Harry immediately became alert. He stopped admiring the sights of Diagon Alley. Dudley's signal meant to stay on high alert. Was Diagon Alley unsafe?
True, Hagrid had mentioned that Diagon Alley connected to Knockturn Alley. Dark wizards could easily slip in and cause trouble!
With their guard up, Harry and Dudley followed Hagrid as he led the way to a towering white building. They passed through golden bronze doors and entered Gringotts, the bank run by goblins.
Guided by a goblin attendant, the trio arrived at the service hall—a marble room bustling with nearly a hundred goblins, short and ugly like creatures from folklore.
Hagrid found a less busy goblin and explained their needs: Harry needed to access the Potter family vault, and he was there to retrieve a "confidential item" on Dumbledore's behalf.
Then, Hagrid pulled out a golden key and a letter from the inner pocket of his new coat and handed them to the goblin.
The goblin carefully inspected both items, especially the handwritten letter from Dumbledore.
After confirming everything was in order, the goblin called over another named Griphook, handed him the key, and instructed him to take Hagrid, Harry, and Dudley to the two vaults underground.
"Follow me!" said the goblin named Griphook.
Hagrid and the boys followed, exiting the hall and entering another doorway.
Everything seemed normal, which left Dudley feeling conflicted. He didn't know if Quirrell had already infiltrated Gringotts' underground vaults or if he had silently succeeded.
Dudley, the "butterfly" from another world, had barely flapped his wings, yet the characters from the original story were already straying from the script.
How infuriating! That garlic-scented, stuttering lunatic!
If I ever get the chance, I'll make sure he regrets it!
Dudley seethed inwardly. By then, Griphook had led them into a marble corridor leading to the underground vaults.
In the center of the corridor was a set of iron tracks, winding into the darkness ahead.
Griphook whistled, summoning a small cart that sped along the tracks.
"Get in!"
The goblin jumped into the front of the cart, leaving little room for the other three.
"This..." Harry hesitated. The remaining space in the cart didn't seem enough for all three of them, especially with Hagrid's massive size.
Dudley had a flash of inspiration and quickly arranged, "Harry, you and Hagrid get in. I'll sit on Hagrid's shoulders!"