"Knights in Diagon Alley"
Standing in front of the wall that separated Diagon Alley, Sally pulled out her wand, but the knight stopped her with a kind smile.
"Allow me," he said, stepping forward to face the wall. Then he drew out a gleaming medallion and held it up against the stone. "In the name of the kingdom, there is no magic that can bar the way of its knight."
The medallion shone with a soft light, and for an instant a dragon took shape upon the wall's surface before it opened quickly, revealing an archway.
Harry and Percy, who had been too busy peppering the knights behind with questions, widened their eyes in awe and excitement. "Awesome!" they exclaimed at the same time. To them, it was already incredible that a simple wand could move bricks… but using a medallion along with solemn words wrapped in an aura of nobility was even more impressive.
"What's that?" Harry asked immediately, his eyes sparkling with interest.
"It is the Medallion of the Eternal Oath," the knight replied with a smile, showing it without the slightest hesitation.
Harry studied it closely, though he did not touch it, keeping his manners. The medallion bore a dragon engraved at its center, surrounded by inscriptions that repeated the very words the knight had spoken.
"Awesome," said Percy, fascinated by the dragon's design.
When they lifted their eyes, they realized several witches and wizards who had been shopping had stopped to watch. Some recognized the newcomers and stepped back with visible unease. Others, not understanding what was happening, asked those beside them, and after hearing whispers and explanations, they too withdrew. There were glances of caution, fear, and even distrust.
Sally noticed this, though seeing how kindly the knight behaved with her children, she didn't give it much importance. Even the two knights walking behind patiently answered Harry and Percy's endless questions: why they wore armor, whether their swords were sharp, and if they had fought against "the villains."
Although Sally didn't clearly hear the reason for people's rejection, she didn't dwell on it.
"Well, then we'll leave you to your shopping. Could you tell me where the library or the bookshop is? Last time I came I entered from another side and got lost. I had to return in a hurry," said the knight, glancing at the wizards who stared at him with fear, not wishing to trouble Sally or her little ones.
"Bookshop?" Harry asked eagerly. "We're going there right now!"
"That's right, we can go together," Percy added, looking toward his mother.
"Yes, I can guide you," Sally replied with a gentle smile.
The knight watched them for a moment before bowing his head slightly in gratitude.
"Then I thank you. By the way, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Adrien, and these are Luther and Arthur," he said, pointing to the two knights, who removed their helmets briefly to reveal their faces and offer a polite smile.
Luther was red-haired and freckled, with an animated, friendly face.
Arthur, on the other hand, was blond and seemed the youngest of the group, perhaps barely of age. His eyes shone with curiosity as he observed the people in the alley, though he didn't forget to give a quick bow of greeting.
"Arthur, like King Arthur of Pendragon," Percy commented with excitement.
"Yes. My father is a bit obsessed, and in the end, he passed it on to me… so I ended up becoming a knight," Arthur replied with a grin.
"Then forgive us if we've been a bother," said Adrien courteously to Sally.
She smiled and walked ahead. The children, however, insisted on stopping for ice cream first.
Sally bought three chocolate cones, while Harry and Percy jumped for joy at her side.
It was at that moment that Luther leaned toward Adrien and spoke in a low voice:
"Normally, I don't like wizards… but she seems like a good mother. She teaches them manners well, though it's strange: she gives the impression of being a novice in her own magical world, as if she had lived her whole life in the non-magical one."
Adrien nodded, his gaze following Sally. "You're right. She behaves like an outsider, always on guard. At first, I thought she was protecting her bag because of us, but she does it every time a wizard gets near. She must keep her wand in there, always ready to draw it… as if this world still feels foreign to her. What's strange is that she hasn't yet been devoured by it."
"Devoured?" Arthur asked, raising a brow.
"Not literally," Luther explained calmly. "That's what they say about those born in the non-magical world when they come into the world of wizards. At first, they see it as something incredible, full of wonders, but sooner or later they give in to the comfort and thrill it offers. They move here, abandon their roots, and end up becoming part of the magical world. That's why it's said they were devoured."
"And why does that happen?" Arthur pressed, still curious.
Luther looked at him with patience and a certain seriousness. "You really are a novice, aren't you? The magical world separated from the non-magical one long ago, even creating its own government on lands that weren't theirs. They set strict rules, like no magic before non-magicals, which forces anyone who wants to practice freely to live in hidden villages. Who would refuse an easier life thanks to magic? Little by little, those born outside end up moving here, forgetting their origin. The laws were created precisely for that: to keep both worlds completely apart."
"I see," murmured Arthur thoughtfully.
"Well, that's why we don't have wizards working for us. They prefer the thrill of the magical world… though I can't really blame them," Adrien said, looking around with a hint of interest. Then, almost playfully, he added: "Besides, they're afraid of us."
"Why's that?" Arthur asked innocently.
Luther sighed and gave him a look. "How did you even pass your knight's trial?" he muttered, shaking his head. "You'd better pick up a history book when we get back."
"Ugh…" Arthur regretted having asked so many questions. Maybe he had caught the children's habit of endless curiosity.
Sally returned at that moment with the two little ones, happily enjoying their ice creams. "Sorry for the delay," she said with a light smile.
"We brought some for you too!" Percy announced, while he and Harry handed cones to the knights.
"Maybe you're hot in those armors," Harry added innocently.
"Oh, thank you," Arthur replied cheerfully as he accepted one.
Luther smiled, nodding with sober manners, while Adrien accepted another with a grateful gesture.
Thus, the three knights walked through Diagon Alley eating ice cream alongside two children who kept throwing questions at them, surrounded by the silent curiosity of passersby.
"Do you never take off the armor?" Percy asked, intrigued.
"Normally we wear different clothes, but when we enter the magical world, we must always carry it. It's for our protection. After all, we know wizards aren't very friendly toward non-magicals who step into their territory… and even less so if they find out we are knights," Luther explained calmly.
"Do you always get attacked?" Harry pressed.
"Sometimes," Luther replied without drama.
"Wow… then wizards aren't nice," Harry said instantly.
"Harry, you dummy, you are a wizard," Percy teased with laughter.
"Yes, but I'm going to be a nice wizard," Harry quickly shot back. "Mom is a witch too, and she's kind."
"That's true," Percy said, stroking his chin as he nodded with fake seriousness.
Sally couldn't help but smile at their words.
"And Aunt Mor," Harry added suddenly.
"Well… I don't think Aunt Mor is very kind," Percy refuted.
"You only say that because you asked her age and she drew on your face," Harry mocked.
"That proves she isn't that kind!" Percy protested, crossing his arms.
Sally sighed. An innocent chat always ended in those little silly arguments that defined them so well.
Adrien, who had been watching in silence, leaned slightly toward her. "Forgive the question… but you're not English, are you?"
"Oh, no. I was born in New York. I moved to England five years ago with my little ones," Sally replied calmly.
"United States…" Adrien murmured, before asking, "Is the magical world there different?"
"Eh… honestly, I don't know. I'm not even sure a magical world like this one exists in the U.S.," she answered naturally.
"Mmm? Didn't you attend the school of magic there? Aren't you a witch?" Adrien asked, confused.
"No. I never went to a school of magic. And I think technically I am a witch, according to the person who taught me… Sorry, I can't say much more," Sally admitted sincerely.
"Oh, don't worry. Forgive my intrusion," Adrien replied, bowing his head courteously.
"We're here!" Harry announced with enthusiasm upon spotting the bookshop. He rushed toward the counter, ready to bombard the shopkeeper with questions, with Percy close behind.
"Thank you very much for bringing us," Adrien said, turning to Sally.
"It's nothing," she answered, separating from the knights to follow her children.
"What's the matter?" Luther asked, noticing the thoughtful expression on Adrien's face.
"An adult witch who isn't bound to the magical world… don't you think it would be a good idea to invite her to work with us?" Adrien murmured, watching Sally.
Luther slightly lifted the visor of his helmet, revealing a mocking grin. "Yes, I think it would be interesting to invite her to join."
Adrien rolled his eyes and sighed with weariness. "Then keep working with the court wizard we already have."
Luther's eyes widened in horror, as if suddenly remembering someone.
"I was joking, chief! Please invite her. Replace that useless idiot with someone who can at least use magic properly," he pleaded quickly, but Adrien ignored him and stepped into the bookshop. Yet, he stopped for a moment.
"I'll investigate the story about the hero's sword. You two split up and look for information. If you're attacked, defend yourselves as you see fit. Start with Knockturn Alley."
The air turned serious in an instant. Luther and Arthur nodded, gave a quick farewell gesture, and left, making it clear the joking was over.