"Can't British pounds be used in the magical world?"
"At Gringotts, you can exchange Muggle currency for gold Galleons. They'll trade five pounds for one gold Galleon, but no more than that. The maximum exchange is a hundred Galleons." Professor McGonagall, who had overseen Hogwarts admissions for many years, knew every detail of the process by heart. However, she doubted Anduin had much saved up. Perhaps he had some pocket money to convert.
"Ah, right. Then I do have money." As he spoke, he pulled out a thick stack of pounds under McGonagall's startled gaze, deftly licked his fingers, and began counting. "This should be enough. The leftover pounds can buy a few things on the way back."
Professor McGonagall led Anduin out of the orphanage and into a nearby deserted alley. "Normally, we'd take Muggle transport or the Night Bus to Diagon Alley. But the magical world has been… unsettled lately, so I'll need you to Apparate with me."
She drew her wand and said, "Come, take my hand, Anduin."
The magical world is unstable? Anduin reached out, digesting her words.
With a series of "pops," Professor McGonagall and Anduin vanished.
"Ugh!" The moment they reappeared, Anduin doubled over and retched against a wall. The sensation was unbearable—like being tossed into a scorching, pitch-black washing machine. His entire body felt compressed, and by the end, he hallucinated shrinking into a tiny ball.
"Apologies. My first Apparition was similarly unpleasant." McGonagall pointed her wand at Anduin. A soft glow emanated from its tip, merging with his body and easing his nausea.
Luckily, Anduin's strong physique and balance steadied him quickly.
Is this magic? Why's it so different from what I imagined? Couldn't they just open a magical portal? he grumbled inwardly, though his face remained calm.
"Where now? Another Apparition?"
"That's Side-Along Apparition, a travel spell for adult wizards. You'll learn it in seventh year. But don't worry—we're nearly there."
McGonagall guided him out of the alley onto a street lined with a record shop and a bookstore. Between them stood a pub, stylistically clashing with its neighbors yet ignored by passersby.
"Can Muggles not see this place?"
"Sharp observation, Anduin. The Leaky Cauldron is hidden under countless Muggle-repelling charms." She ushered him inside.
"Professor, when you say 'Muggles,' you mean non-magical people, right?" Anduin vaguely recalled his past life's memories of Harry Potter, but nothing here felt like fiction anymore.
"Yes. Muggles are non-magical humans unaware of our world, bound by the International Statute of Secrecy."
McGonagall's brow furrowed slightly, as if pondering the statute's future in Britain's turbulent magical climate.
"So… my parents were Muggles?" Anduin thought of his long-deceased parents—ordinary people. He credited his magic to his reincarnation.
"Perhaps a magical ancestor. But magic sometimes blooms in Muggle-born children. Hogwarts exists to guide them."
They entered the dimly lit pub. Its shabby interior held a silent bartender polishing glasses.
"Tom, how's business?" McGonagall greeted him familiarly.
"What business? Last night, aurors and You-Know-Who's lot dueled in Knockturn Alley. Nearly shattered my glasses. It's getting worse…" Tom rambled, starved for conversation.
"Tom, we've a young gentleman here."
"Another Hogwarts student?" Tom eyed Anduin.
"Hello, sir," Anduin replied politely.
"Best hurry in. Unsafe after dark," Tom warned kindly.
Nodding, McGonagall led Anduin through the pub to a rear courtyard. "Beyond here lies Diagon Alley. Watch closely—you'll need to do this yourself next time."
"Tap the brick wall three up from the trash bin, then two across."
Her wand struck the bricks. The wall shuddered, rotating into a towering archway.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley, Anduin."
Anduin gaped at the cobblestone street lined with shops, though fewer patrons roamed than he'd imagined. Men in trench coats patrolled instead of shopping.
"Professor, those people… aren't shoppers, are they?" A foreboding thought struck him.
"Aurors. They keep order here. The magical world is uneasy, but Diagon Alley remains safe. Hogwarts will protect you—I promise."