Returning to Diagon Alley, the lively scene was just as bustling as it had been that morning. Without the stern presence of Professor McGonagall, however, the Gray family felt far more relaxed, and shopping quickly became a genuine pleasure.
They explored nearly every shop in sight—except for one that sold animal organs and eyeballs. The moment they stepped inside, they were greeted by a giant rolling eyeball, which made Fiona shriek and bolt out the door.
Ferdinand bought several exquisite magical items: self-sweeping brooms, small golden birds that fluttered about, and talking Wizard Chess pieces. When paying, he repeatedly confirmed with the shop assistant that none of these items carried "dangerous" or "harmful" enchantments.
Vede, on the other hand, spent over an hour in the bookstore. There were simply too many titles that tempted him. Still, remembering that Hogwarts surely had an even larger library—and that school would start in just a month—he forced himself to choose only a few essentials: Basic Spells and Counter-Spells, Healing Handbook, and Ancient Runes: A Simple Introduction.
He also bought two self-writing quills, though the shopkeeper warned him that such quills weren't suitable for homework. They faithfully wrote down every thought in their owner's mind, and even the most disciplined student could accidentally reveal something embarrassing on parchment.
Clutching his new books, Vede stepped out of the shop to find his parents seated by a street vendor, happily eating ice cream. Ferdinand was holding a gleaming golden owl cage, and inside perched a particularly sturdy-looking little owl, its head rotating in lazy circles.
"Dad, did you buy another owl?" Vede asked curiously.
"That's right," Ferdinand said, smiling. "You'll need to bring your owl to school, but your mother and I might also want to write to you. I've heard Muggle post offices can't deliver letters to Hogwarts, so we bought one too. Oh, his name's General Bud—a mighty little fellow, isn't he?"
Vede bent down and greeted, "Hello, General Bud."
The owl yawned broadly in reply.
"Look, I got one too!" Fiona chimed in, extending her hand. In her palm lay a tiny white hamster, curled up neatly and looking exceptionally tame.
"Isn't she adorable?" Fiona said, her tone full of delight. "I swear the pets in the wizarding world must take some kind of smart pills. She's not afraid of anyone, and she actually seems to understand me!"
"She's cute," Vede agreed, "but, uh—Mom, aren't hamsters kind of… on an owl's diet?"
He had learned only recently that owls were carnivores, preferring rodents, small birds, fish, and insects. The thought made him silently apologize for the handful of pine nuts he had once fed the school owls.
"It's fine," Fiona replied breezily. "Your dad will keep a close eye on his owl. Oh—and her name's Miss Millian." Then, with mock seriousness, she added, "Vede, you should name your owl too!"
"Hmm…" Vede's eyes wandered around until they landed on a stationery shop across the street. The word EVA shimmered in the sunlight, the letters glowing faintly gold.
"Let's call her Ava," he said, deciding on the spot.
The Gray family lingered in Diagon Alley for several more days. By the end of their stay, Ferdinand could chat about Quidditch matches and various Nimbus 2000 models like a seasoned fan, while Fiona had bought an entire miniature furniture set for Miss Millian—enchanted with an auto-cleaning spell—as well as tiny dresses, wizard robes, hats, and rainbow-colored socks.
Of course, as the parents of a new Hogwarts student, they had also signed a confidentiality agreement with Professor McGonagall on the very first day. They promised not to reveal anything about the magical world to non-magical people and to keep all magical items safely within wizarding boundaries.
A month slipped by almost unnoticed.
On the crisp morning of September 1st, Fiona once again checked Vede's suitcase, making sure every little thing was in place—from nail clippers and ear picks to thick autumn and winter clothes. When she was satisfied, Ferdinand loaded the trunk into the car and drove them to King's Cross Station.
From the outside, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters looked like nothing more than an ordinary dividing wall.
Vede pushed his trolley forward, the owl cage perched neatly on top. Before stepping forward, he turned to see his parents standing together, smiling and waving at him. He waved back, then took a deep breath and ran straight at the barrier.
With one smooth motion, he disappeared through it.
Fiona clapped her hands over her mouth, a soft sob escaping her.
Ferdinand slipped an arm around her shoulders and sighed. "If only we could go onto the platform to see him off…"
"Don't tell him," Fiona whispered, wiping her eyes. "I don't want Vede to feel sad. Going to school should be a happy occasion."
"Don't worry," Ferdinand said gently, patting her shoulder. "I've asked around these past few days. The wizarding world is very peaceful now. And Dumbledore—the greatest wizard of his time—is the headmaster. Vede will be perfectly fine."
"Ex—excuse me—"
A timid voice interrupted them. Ferdinand looked down and immediately recognized the boy standing there.
"You're—Harry Potter?!" he exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes, I am," Harry said, nervously brushing his hair over his forehead to hide the lightning-shaped scar. He vaguely remembered meeting this couple at the Leaky Cauldron, though he hadn't recognized them at first—the pub had been crowded and dimly lit, and far too many people had shaken his hand that day.
Now, hesitating slightly, he asked, "I just heard you talking about Hogwarts… I mean—I'm not sure how to get there…"
"Oh," Ferdinand said, understanding at once. "See that wall? You just push your trolley and walk straight through it. If you're nervous, close your eyes—you won't crash into it, I promise."
This wasn't something Professor McGonagall had told them; rather, it was something Ferdinand had learned from his own parents when he was young. Back then, he hadn't yet been confirmed as a Squib, and his family had told him many stories about the magical world. Later, when his powers never came, they had quietly stopped speaking of those things.
"Oh—alright," Harry said uncertainly.
He studied the couple's expressions. They seemed kind and sincere, not the type to make fun of a lost boy. Their encouraging smiles gave him the courage he needed.
Feeling slightly embarrassed but determined, Harry took hold of his trolley and began walking toward the barrier—not too fast, just in case. If I crash, I'll just stop and pretend nothing happened, he thought, maybe people will just laugh a bit…
But the collision never came. Instead, a rush of sound filled his ears—whistles, chatter, the hum of engines. The air around him shimmered, and suddenly he was standing before a magnificent scarlet steam engine, its brass fittings gleaming under the station lights. The train stretched endlessly along the platform, smoke curling into the air.
He had found the Hogwarts Express.
Back on the Muggle side of the barrier, Ferdinand and Fiona stood quietly for a moment, staring at the solid brick wall that had swallowed both boys.
"He made it through," Fiona whispered.
Ferdinand nodded. "And so did that other one—Harry Potter! Imagine that… our Vede might end up studying in the same class as him."
Fiona smiled faintly, wiping her eyes again. "I hope they'll be friends."
"I'm sure they will," Ferdinand said confidently. "Vede's a good boy, and from what I've heard, Harry's had a rough life. Maybe they'll look out for each other."
They stood there for a while longer, listening to the faint echo of the station announcements. Eventually, Ferdinand took Fiona's hand and led her back toward the car.
As they walked, Fiona glanced once more over her shoulder. "Do you think he's nervous?" she asked softly.
"Probably a little," Ferdinand admitted with a smile. "But he's also curious—and brave. He's wanted this for as long as he can remember. He'll be fine."
Fiona took a deep breath, nodding. "You're right. Our son's going to Hogwarts."
The words sounded surreal even as she said them. She smiled to herself. "Hogwarts… It really does sound magical."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the wall, Vede was staring wide-eyed at the enormous red train. The platform was alive with students and parents bustling about—cats meowing, owls hooting, trunks clattering over the floor. A group of identical red-headed boys were arguing cheerfully over who got to load the luggage first, while a plump woman gave last-minute instructions with practiced patience.
"Wow," Vede murmured, almost forgetting to breathe. "So this is the Hogwarts Express…"
He turned to see Harry Potter, looking equally awestruck, standing not far away. Their eyes met briefly, and Vede gave a friendly nod. Harry returned it with a shy smile.
Vede gripped his trolley a little tighter, excitement surging through him. For the first time, the reality of it all truly sank in—he was about to embark on a journey to a world of magic, mystery, and endless possibility.
And somewhere out there, beyond the red train and the misty hills of Scotland, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry awaited.