Jerry sat alone in his room at Edward Orphanage, reflecting on earlier confrontation in the yard. He had explained his reasoning clearly despite resorting to physical means against those teenagers. Surely, Professor McGonagall would understand that it was an act of justice, not senseless violence.
The sharp rap of knuckles against his door jolted him from his thoughts.
"Coming!" Jerry called, his eyes brightening as he leapt to his feet and pulled open the door.
Director Bryant of Edward Orphanage stood in the hallway, accompanied by a stern-looking woman in her fifties or sixties. She wore square spectacles, a crisp Scottish tartan shirt, and a flowing emerald-green robe that seemed oddly formal yet somehow commanding.
"Mrs. McGonagall, this is Jerry Carmen, the boy you've been asking about," Director Bryant announced, his voice respectful but with an undercurrent of unease that Jerry immediately detected.
The director's subtle expression of fear told Jerry everything he needed to know, Professor McGonagall had already demonstrated her magical abilities and explained her purpose at the orphanage.
"Thank you, Director Bryant," the woman said with a slight nod. "I'd like to speak with Mr. Carmen alone now, if you don't mind."
"Of course, no problem. I'll leave you to it." The director bobbed his head nervously before hurrying away down the corridor.
Professor McGonagall stepped into the room, closing the door behind her with a soft click. "Hello, Mr. Carmen," she said, her Scottish accent faint but unmistakable.
Jerry looked up at her with carefully crafted curiosity. "Hello. Who are you, exactly?"
"I am the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and your future Transfiguration teacher. You may call me Professor McGonagall." Her voice carried the weight of authority, yet there was kindness in her eyes.
Jerry feigned a moment of realisation. "So you're the one who sent that letter by owl yesterday! But... does magic really exist? And where is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"
McGonagall's expression softened slightly. She had clearly fielded these questions countless times from young wizards raised in Muggle environments. With practiced efficiency, she reached into her robes and withdrew a slender wooden wand.
"Fera Verto," she pronounced clearly, pointing her wand at the simple ceramic cup resting on Jerry's bedside table.
A shimmer of light erupted from the wand's tip, enveloping the cup. Before Jerry's astonished eyes, the cup transformed, expanding, growing fur, sprouting ears and whiskers, until a plump orange cat sat in its place, lazily licking its paw.
Despite having memories of magical films from his previous life, the reality of witnessing actual magic left Jerry genuinely speechless. The instantaneous transformation of inanimate matter into a living, breathing creature was beyond anything special effects could capture.
"Magic has always existed," Professor McGonagall explained, watching his reaction with satisfaction. "You've likely experienced unexplainable incidents throughout your childhood, these were manifestations of the magical ability in your blood. Hogwarts is a school dedicated to teaching young witches and wizards like yourself how to understand and control these abilities properly."
For the next twenty minutes, McGonagall outlined the wizarding world: its history, its secrecy from Muggles (non-magical folk), the structure of magical education, and what Jerry could expect at Hogwarts.
"That covers the essentials," she concluded. "Do you have any questions, Mr. Carmen?"
Jerry considered this carefully. "Professor, while I'd love to study magic at Hogwarts, I'm concerned about the cost. As an orphan, I don't have any money to pay for tuition or supplies."
A gentle smile crossed McGonagall's face. "You needn't worry about that. Hogwarts provides stipends for students in your situation. You'll be able to attend without financial burden, and can repay the loan after you've graduated and secured employment in the wizarding world."
"Then I have no other concerns," Jerry nodded, absorbing the information with a composure that clearly impressed the professor.
"Very well, Mr. Carmen. You seem not only brave but remarkably level-headed for your age." There was genuine approval in McGonagall's gaze.
Jerry realized she must have witnessed the entire confrontation at the orphanage yard from her position at the fence. His actions, standing up to bullies and protecting the younger children, had evidently made an impression on the deputy headmistress.
If McGonagall's assessment of Jerry could be distilled into a single thought, it might be: This boy has the potential to become a powerful force for good.
"Since you understand and accept your place at Hogwarts," McGonagall continued, checking a silver pocket watch she produced from her robes, "I shall take you to Diagon Alley today to purchase your school supplies."
"Diagon Alley?" Jerry couldn't hide his surprise, though not for the reason McGonagall assumed.
"It's the street where wizarding shops sell their wares," she explained patiently. "Everything you need for school must be purchased there."
Jerry nodded in understanding. It made perfect sense that McGonagall would personally escort him. Unlike other magical children with wizard parents, or even Muggle-born students who had parents to accompany them after receiving instructions, he was entirely alone. There was no one else who could guide him into the wizarding world.
"How will we get there?" he asked. "Is it by train?" He recalled that Diagon Alley was somewhere in London, and Wynton, the small town where the orphanage was located, wasn't terribly far from the city.
"No," McGonagall replied, extending her arm toward him. "Take hold of my arm, please. I must warn you, the sensation may be uncomfortable. You'll need to endure it briefly."
"Could it be..." A thrill of anticipation shot through Jerry as he realized what was about to happen.
He grasped her arm firmly, and watched as McGonagall raised her wand once more.
"Apparate," she whispered.
Instantly, Jerry felt McGonagall's arm threatening to wrench free from his grip. He tightened his hold desperately.
With a sharp crack like a firecracker, Jerry's world plunged into absolute darkness. Crushing pressure descended from all directions, squeezing the air from his lungs. His chest constricted as if bound by iron bands. His eyeballs seemed to press back into their sockets, and his eardrums compressed painfully.
The sensation was like being forced through an impossibly narrow rubber tube, stretched and compressed simultaneously.
Then, as abruptly as it had begun, it was over. Light flooded back into Jerry's vision.
He gulped several deep breaths to quell the dizziness threatening to overwhelm him. When his vision cleared, he looked around in wonder. They were no longer in his small room at the orphanage, but standing on a bustling, colourful street unlike any he had ever seen before.
Jerry Carmen had arrived in Diagon Alley.