Chapter 29 – Vernon: Hope the Exchange Rate Isn't Too High
"I didn't expect this scarf to suit you so well."
Hermione stepped forward, glancing at the scarf around Dudley's neck, her face faintly flushed.
"I really like it," Dudley said softly, touching the scarf.
Standing behind them, Harry overheard their exchange and suddenly realized the girl was the same one he had seen earlier. The gossipy spark in his heart instantly blazed.
Time to watch and enjoy!
"I didn't expect you to be a student there too. I thought it would be boring once you left," Hermione murmured. The once imperious little hen now spoke timidly like a small quail.
Behind them, Petunia and Mrs. Granger whispered quietly, while Vernon and Mr. Granger were already discussing their next fishing trip.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's not forget our business today. I think it's about time we left," Professor McGonagall reminded them, clearing her throat.
Everyone snapped back to reality, quickly apologizing to her. Upon realizing the other family also had a young witch, they offered congratulations in turn.
"It's fine. Since you know each other, that makes things easier," McGonagall said with a smile. She was not rigid by nature, and with their close acquaintance, guiding them would be far simpler.
Now that they had gathered everyone, it was time to enter the wizarding world. Their destination was a pub—the gateway into magic.
They drove, as St. John's Wood had not a single wizard in the vicinity. The Johnson family McGonagall had mentioned had moved away five years earlier. After all, this was a bustling Muggle commercial district, and wizards, with their sense of superiority, disliked such noisy places.
After parking, the group arrived at a grimy, narrow pub on a London street.
"Oh, this place looks positively ancient," Vernon muttered, frowning at the filthy sign. He wouldn't step into such a dingy tavern even if drinks were free.
The Grangers frowned as well.
Only Petunia gazed curiously through the dust-streaked glass, trying in vain to see inside. The glass had not been cleaned in ages.
McGonagall, unfazed, drew her wand and waved it before them.
"Huh?" Vernon touched his forehead.
The overwhelming resistance he had felt toward entering the place vanished instantly.
"This tavern is enchanted. Most Muggles cannot even see it, and even if they do, they feel compelled to avoid it," McGonagall explained simply.
It was the Muggle-Repelling Charm, which prevented ordinary people from stepping inside. Supposedly, only those with strong wills could resist its effect.
"Lily once told me about this. I didn't expect the Leaky Cauldron to be right here," Petunia remarked.
Her words made McGonagall glance at her more closely.
With the crisp jingle of a bell, they slowly pushed open the grimy door.
The inside of the pub dazzled them.
It was far more spacious than it looked from outside—at least ten times larger. Truly, it was another world within.
Scattered tables were occupied by oddly dressed patrons in robes and hats much like McGonagall's attire. A group of elderly women sat in a corner sipping sherry, one puffing on a long pipe. A short man in a top hat chatted with the balding, shriveled walnut-like landlord behind the bar.
At the moment they entered, the chatter abruptly ceased. Upon seeing McGonagall, friendly looks were cast their way.
"Good day, Professor McGonagall. Are these the new students for Hogwarts?"
The landlord's tone was especially respectful.
Professor McGonagall merely gave a polite nod to the others before leading them past the bar and into a small walled courtyard. Mr. Granger and Vernon were tempted to order a drink of some wizard specialty, but her stern demeanor made them hold back.
"I will only demonstrate once, so watch closely."
She drew her wand and tapped a spot on the wall three times.
At once, a magical sight unfolded. The brick she touched shivered and began to shift. A small hole appeared, widening rapidly until a broad archway opened, revealing a winding cobblestone street stretching into the distance.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Diagon Alley."
As they stepped through, the archway sealed behind them, becoming solid wall again.
"Amazing," Mr. Granger exclaimed in awe.
Mrs. Granger and Vernon looked around curiously. Harry and Hermione were utterly dazzled, and even Dudley found himself glancing about more than usual.
Shops lined both sides of the street—cauldron shops, quill shops, supply stores, pet shops, parchment sellers, herb stores, and many more. Wizards bustled between them in numbers rivaling any Muggle shopping district. The place was lively and bustling.
Diagon Alley was the wizarding world's true commercial hub. Here, young wizards bought everything they needed for Hogwarts.
Aside from Professor McGonagall, only Petunia remained composed. She calmly turned to her and said, "Professor, I think we should first exchange some money for wizarding currency."
Neither the Grangers nor the Dursleys possessed so much as a single Knut.
"Quite right. We must visit Gringotts first."
With that, McGonagall led them toward the central square.
"I wonder if we brought enough," Vernon muttered under his breath along the way, patting his bulging wallet stuffed with pound notes. He had made a special trip to the bank the night before.
Before long, they stood before a towering snow-white building in grand medieval style. Its bronze doors gleamed as though freshly polished.
"This is Gringotts," McGonagall explained, then pointed at the attendants by the entrance. "Those are goblins."
They turned their eyes toward the figures she indicated—short, sharp-eared beings standing guard before the great doors.
The Grangers and Vernon watched with fascination. It was their first time seeing creatures so unlike humans.
"I must warn you—do not engage too deeply with goblins," McGonagall cautioned. "They are infamous for greed. For money, they will do anything."
Vernon instinctively clutched his pocket tighter, suddenly worried he had not withdrawn enough.
"I only hope the exchange rate isn't too high," he thought grimly.
With that, they stepped across the threshold into Gringotts.
(End of Chapter)
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