The visiting students from the Eastern magical communities were visibly beaming with genuine excitement and anticipation.
Who wouldn't feel happy about an authorized excursion and shopping trip?
The Cavendish family organization now operated a truly vast array of diverse businesses throughout magical Britain.
Consider the magical transportation buses waiting prominently before them, for example: superior alternatives to the traditional Knight Bus service.
They defied conventional physics just as effectively as the original, but proved far more reliable and convenient in actual operation.
Erwin had successfully transformed them into genuine instant mass transportation.
Just like municipal buses operating in the non-magical world, the Cavendish Magical Bus network ran on predetermined routes continuously and reliably—operating twenty-four hours daily without interruption.
The service had rapidly become the single most convenient form of magical transportation available anywhere in the wizarding world, bar none.
Erwin genuinely didn't intend to profit substantially from this particular venture.
Everyone with economic understanding recognized that public mass transportation represented civic infrastructure rather than profitable enterprise, and rarely generated significant revenue.
His motivation for creating and subsidizing the system was elegantly simple: the British wizarding world had effectively become Erwin's personal domain and responsibility.
Naturally, he wanted his territory to function as well as possible for all inhabitants.
The substantial benefits were already becoming readily apparent throughout society.
Wizards from other countries and magical communities were actively relocating to Britain in increasing numbers.
After all, not every nation possessed a Cavendish family equivalent providing countless stable employment opportunities and comprehensive social services.
Even when traditional wizarding employment positions were completely filled, Erwin efficiently arranged suitable work in the non-magical world—jobs specifically designed so practitioners wouldn't be forced to break their wands and abandon magic entirely.
Once all the excited students were properly aboard the waiting motorcoach, Erwin and Charlotte prepared to depart via Apparition.
But then Sunny Finch suddenly broke from the group and ran directly over to them.
"Erwin, you're taking me with you directly!" she announced with characteristic determination.
Sure enough, this girl remained an irrepressible force of nature.
Erwin extended his arm cooperatively. Sunny placed her hand formally on his wrist, and with a sharp crack of displaced air, they both vanished from the spot instantly.
Charlotte and Fleur Delacour Apparated immediately afterward, following to the same destination.
They all reappeared simultaneously on the bustling commercial streets of Diagon Alley.
Since the date wasn't September first, the famous alley wasn't experiencing its traditional overwhelming crowds.
Passing wizards still offered uniformly polite greetings toward Erwin, displaying immense personal respect and deference.
The moment they solidly materialized, Sunny Finch clutched Erwin's arm somewhat desperately and coughed twice with obvious discomfort.
"I genuinely cannot imagine how you regularly endure this horrible feeling of being violently torn apart by spatial forces during Apparition! It's absolutely miserable!"
Erwin chuckled sympathetically. "You'll gradually become accustomed to the sensation with repeated exposure. Manipulating space through purely human magical power always carries inherent costs—and your temporary physical discomfort represents the smallest possible fee you've paid for such convenient transportation."
"It really is remarkably convenient despite the unpleasantness, though," Sunny admitted readily. "Once I successfully purchase a proper wand, you absolutely have to teach me the technique personally."
"Naturally I will," Erwin agreed easily. "However, to legally use Apparition, you'll be required to pass an official Ministry examination first. The regulatory authorities are extremely strict about licensing—the magic becomes genuinely dangerous if performed carelessly or incorrectly."
"Kunlun students never fear any form of academic examination!" Sunny declared with absolute confidence.
Erwin shrugged with amusement. "I have complete faith in that assessment."
Sunny straightened her formal robes carefully. "When does the motorcoach arrive with everyone else?"
Erwin checked his pocket watch and held up five fingers dramatically. "Five, four, three, two, one—"
Precisely as he finished the theatrical countdown, the entrance archway to Diagon Alley filled suddenly with the orderly line of Eastern students emerging from their transportation.
The Cavendish family security escorts efficiently led them directly before Erwin's position, where they offered synchronized, respectful bows.
"Master," they chorused in unison.
Erwin nodded acknowledgment. "Good work. Is everything properly arranged as instructed?"
A senior subordinate replied formally, "Yes, Master. We've distributed the communication devices and credited their accounts as specified. Mr. Tom has personally handled all arrangements."
"Excellent efficiency. Proceed with the day's schedule, then. Instruct Old Tom to arrange proper lunch at noon and ensure everyone returns safely this afternoon."
"Yes, Master. It will be done."
Once the security escorts had departed to their assigned duties, Sunny gasped with obvious amazement. "Is this magical bus service really that remarkably fast for transportation?"
Erwin replied matter-of-factly, "Indeed it is. We based the design on traditional Eastern flying sword technology, Western broomstick aerodynamics, and advanced alchemical engineering techniques. The speed appears considerably faster than it actually feels to passengers due to sophisticated comfort enchantments. If development proceeds as planned, you'll witness an Eastern-exclusive version launching this coming holiday season—the Mount Shu cultivation sect commissioned us to build a specialized model for their regional transportation network."
"You're definitely more skilled at profitable commerce than anyone else I know," Sunny laughed appreciatively. "So, where should we visit first?"
Erwin considered briefly. "Proceed straight to Ollivanders' establishment. It remains the only legitimate wand shop operating in Britain, and Mr. Ollivander's craftsmanship quality is absolutely guaranteed. With so many students requiring individual fittings, the process will require substantial time."
"Didn't someone mention a Hogwarts professor would be accompanying us today?" Sunny asked, glancing around curiously. "Where is he currently?"
Erwin shook his head with mild confusion. He genuinely didn't know the answer.
That morning, Charlotte had specifically informed him that Grindelwald had volunteered to accompany the visiting students throughout Diagon Alley for their shopping expedition, handling all coordination outside the Alley's entrance.
Erwin privately thought it represented a considerable waste of exceptional talent—employing a legendary Dark Lord essentially as a student babysitter and chaperone.
Grindelwald certainly wasn't as naturally suited to that particular supervisory role as Professor McGonagall would have been.
He carefully kept that irreverent thought to himself, naturally. They would all underestimate Grindelwald's capabilities at their extreme peril—the man was elderly, certainly not dead or diminished.
Yet even after successfully arriving in Diagon Alley proper, Erwin observed absolutely no sign of the promised professor anywhere.
He wondered idly if the old wizard had perhaps overslept this morning.
"Cavendish family personnel will escort the main group to purchase wands," Erwin decided pragmatically. "I'll take you separately afterward to avoid the crowds. Let's visit other shops first and acquire different supplies."
Sunny nodded agreement readily.
There were numerous Cavendish family associates and employees stationed throughout the Alley conducting various business.
Erwin merely needed to raise his hand slightly, and someone would immediately materialize to serve him.
"Escort this group to Ollivanders for individual wand fittings," Erwin instructed the approaching subordinate clearly. "Then return them to the family mansion for lunch and further shopping."
The security escort bowed respectfully. "Yes, Master. It will be done immediately."
Erwin led Sunny, Charlotte, and Fleur toward the impressive Cavendish family mansion that dominated one section of the Alley.
Waiting formally at the ornate entrance was Old Tom himself, impeccably dressed as always.
Seeing Erwin's approach, he greeted them with deep respect.
"Master! Miss Charlotte, Miss Sunny, Miss Fleur!"
Charlotte and the two younger women responded with appropriate polite acknowledgment.
Though Old Tom occupied merely a butler's formal position, absolutely everyone understood both his genuine place in Erwin's personal affections and his substantial influence throughout the family organization.
Throughout the wizarding world, no one with any sense dared treat him as anything less than a highly revered elder deserving utmost respect.