Two days later, the Anderson family drove to Charles Street, where Albert's grandparents lived at number 21.
They made this trip every year. During summer holidays, Albert would stay here for a few days.
"Dad, I'm here to see you."
"Albert! Come here, let me have a look at you." Luke walked straight past his son, his attention firmly locked on his grandson. "Herb told me you received a letter from Hogwarts. That's wonderful! If there's anything you need to buy—just tell me…"
"Dad, I've already taken Albert to Diagon Alley in London to get everything he needs," Herb said helplessly. "And… I brought you a gift."
"I'm not a child. What do I need a gift for?" Luke snorted, but his hand was already pulling Albert toward the house. "Come inside and tell me what magic you've learned."
"Luke has been as excited as a child for days," said Grandma Sansa to Herb and Daisy, smiling warmly. "He never told me anything about this before. I only found out recently. Nia, it's been a long time—did you miss me?"
"Big brother won't even let me touch his wand," Nia complained immediately. "He guards it like I'm a thief!"
"Herb, watch Tom. Don't let him run off." Daisy picked up a package while her husband carried the cat cage to keep Tom from bolting the moment he was free.
"Can Albert really do magic?" Sansa asked curiously. It was hard for her to imagine her grandson as a real wizard.
"Yes! He can make the wand light up—he practices secretly every night!" Nia said, happily exposing her brother's secrets. "He also said if I touched it, I might blow up the entire house."
"Mom, you've no idea. That wand is really dangerous," Herb added, trailing behind them. "You should've seen the things in Diagon Alley…"
"Albert says careless magic is dangerous," Daisy said seriously. She had read some of the History of Magic books and understood more than most Muggles.
"Alright, Daisy. Things aren't as terrible as you imagine," Sansa said gently.
"No, Mom. Even in the wizarding world, children aren't allowed to just play with wands," Daisy insisted. She completely trusted Albert—he had always been dependable.
"How do you know?" Herb asked, scratching his head.
"If you read the books, you'd know," Daisy sighed. "Can't you pay more attention to our son? He's our treasure."
Herb only smiled. "Albert has never needed us to worry since he was little."
"Maybe so—but you should still be more careful," Daisy replied as she pushed open the door.
The moment the cat cage opened, Tom shot out like a rocket, racing around after being cooped up for hours. In the kitchen, Sansa and Daisy started preparing tea and desserts. In the living room, Luke listened eagerly as Herb and Albert recounted their trip to Diagon Alley, each filling in details the other missed.
Luke already knew that wizard portraits could move, and he had heard of Dumbledore. He poured the chocolate frogs Herb brought into a glass jar and set it proudly on the living room shelf like a trophy.
"I even wrote to Headmaster Dippet back then, asking why I hadn't received an invitation," Luke said quietly. "But I had no magic. I was what they call a Squib. So, my family sent me away at eleven to live with distant Muggle relatives."
"How could they do that?" Herb's face darkened. His father's family suddenly seemed cruel and heartless.
"To a wizarding family, a Squib is a disgrace," Luke said softly. "They hide it, pretend that person never existed."
"Don't be sad," Nia said, patting his arm.
"It was long ago," Luke smiled gently. "I've made peace with it and cut ties with that family. Still… I never expected Albert to become a wizard. When Herb didn't get his letter, I thought that was the end of it."
Later, Albert demonstrated his magic — the Lumos Charm, the Mending Charm, the Cleaning Charm, and even Alohomora. Thanks to upgrading his Wizard Bloodline to Level 2, his magic had noticeably improved.
Though still a little clumsy, it was incredible to watch a cracked teacup mend itself or spilled tea vanish from the table.
"Me too!" Nia said, pouting. "I want to learn magic. Albert is such a meanie."
Luke glanced at Albert, silently asking for his opinion. He trusted his grandson's judgment.
"You must follow my instructions exactly," Albert said, turning to Nia. He was curious too—did she have magic?
"I promise!" Nia nodded frantically.
"You're agreeing too fast," Albert said flatly. "You're not even listening."
"I am!" Nia puffed her cheeks.
"Fine. Repeat after me: Lumos."
"Lumos," she said quickly, recognizing the spell.
"Again. Slowly. And don't say it wrong—or who knows what might happen. Later, I'll lend you the wand. But you must not wave it around, don't point it at people, don't cast random spells, and don't get angry if nothing happens."
"Got it!" Nia said impatiently.
"What did I just say?" Albert asked.
"Um… don't wave it around, don't—" She stopped. "I'm not you! How can I remember everything?"
"If you can't remember, you can't borrow the wand," Albert said firmly.
"…Fine. Say it again," she grumbled.
The family laughed softly. Nia was mischievous, but Albert always knew how to handle her.
Only once she memorized his instructions did Albert hand her the wand.
Nia took it with shining eyes. Under Albert's watchful glare, she settled down, whispered "Lumos," and tried to cast the spell.
Nothing happened.
"Relax. Concentrate. Try again," Albert said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.
She tried again. And again.
Still, the wand remained dark.
Albert met his grandfather's eyes.
Luke slowly shook his head.
"Do I… not have magic?" Tears welled in Nia's eyes.
"I don't know," Albert said softly. "Maybe you're just too young."
"Hmph! You're lying again. I don't have magic!" She dropped the wand and ran away in tears.
Albert let out a sigh and picked up his wand. He watched her disappear down the hall.
Children really were troublesome.
"I'll go find her," Luke said, standing up. He understood her pain too well.