"I didn't expect this scarf to suit you so well," Hermione said, walking over to Dudley. Her face was slightly flushed as she looked at the scarf still wrapped around his neck.
"I really like it," Dudley replied softly, his fingers brushing against the soft-knitted fabric.
Harry, standing just behind them, heard the exchange, and his mind immediately lit up with recognition. That's the girl from the classroom! he thought, his inner gossip-monger awakening with a vengeance.
"I didn't expect you to be a student there too," Hermione continued, her voice now soft and low, a stark contrast to her usually assertive tone. "I was thinking it would be very boring now that you weren't around anymore." The previously arrogant little hen now sounded like a timid little quail.
Behind them, Petunia and Mrs. Granger were already engaged in whispered conversation, while Vernon and Mr. Granger had moved on to planning their next fishing trip.
"Gentlemen, ladies," Professor McGonagall cleared her throat, her voice cutting through the chatter. "If I may, we have important business to attend to. I think it's time to go."
The group came to their senses, offering apologies to the professor. They quickly exchanged congratulations, realizing that both families now had a young wizard in their midst.
"It's quite alright," Professor McGonagall said, a hint of a smile on her lips. "Since you know each other, that will make things much easier."
With everyone gathered, it was time to set off for the wizarding world proper. Their destination was a pub—the entrance to Diagon Alley. They all piled back into Vernon's car; there were simply no wizards living near St. John's Wood, no convenient Floo connections. After all, it was a busy Muggle commercial district, a noisy environment that most self-respecting wizards would disdain.
After parking the car, the group arrived in front of a dirty, unassuming pub on a London street. "Oh, this place looks positively ancient," Vernon grumbled, frowning at the grimy sign. He wouldn't set foot in such a shabby establishment even if it offered free drinks. The Grangers shared his sentiment, their expressions a mixture of distaste and confusion.
Only Petunia looked on with an air of curiosity, peering through the dim glass. "Lily used to mention it to me," she murmured. "I didn't expect the Leaky Cauldron to be here."
Professor McGonagall, accustomed to such reactions, took out her wand and gave it a subtle wave.
"Huh?" Vernon touched his forehead. The strange feeling of repulsion, the urge to turn away and ignore the pub, had vanished.
"This place is under a spell," she explained simply. "Most Muggles can't see it, and even if they do, they are repelled from entering."
Accompanied by the jingle of a bell, she pushed open the dirty door. As they stepped inside, their eyes widened. The interior was much larger than it appeared from the outside, at least ten times so. A few strangely dressed customers sat at scattered tables, their robes and top hats similar to Professor McGonagall's. A group of old women drank sherry in the corner, one of them smoking a long pipe. The barman, who was almost bald and looked like a shriveled walnut, was chatting with a man in a top hat.
The moment they entered, the pub fell silent. Upon seeing Professor McGonagall, the patrons all offered friendly nods. "Professor McGonagall, good day," the barman said respectfully. "New students for Hogwarts this year?"
She simply nodded politely and led the group through the bar to a small, walled courtyard in the back. Vernon and Mr. Granger looked longingly at the bar, but Professor McGonagall's no-nonsense demeanor kept them in line.
"I will only demonstrate this once," she said, taking out her wand. "Please remember." She lightly tapped a specific brick on the wall three times.
A magical scene unfolded before them. The brick she had tapped began to shake and move, creating a small hole that grew larger and larger, until a wide archway appeared, leading to a winding, cobblestone street.
"Ladies and gentlemen," she announced, "welcome to Diagon Alley."
"How amazing," Mr. Granger couldn't help but exclaim. Vernon and Mrs. Granger looked on with similar awe. Harry and Hermione's eyes were wide, trying to take in everything at once. Even Dudley found himself taking an extra look.
The street was lined with all sorts of shops: cauldron shops, quill shops, apothecaries, pet emporiums, everything a wizard could possibly need. The alley was bustling with witches and wizards, a crowd no less dense than a Muggle commercial district.
Beside Professor McGonagall, only Petunia remained calm. "Professor," she said, "I think we should go exchange some wizarding money first."
"Of course, I almost forgot. We need to go to Gringotts."
"I wonder if I brought enough," Dudley heard Vernon mutter. His pocket was bulging with a thick wad of pounds he'd withdrawn the night before.
They arrived in front of a tall, snow-white building in the European medieval style, fronted by a gleaming bronze door. "This is Gringotts," Professor McGonagall explained, pointing to the attendants. "And those are goblins."
The two families stared at the short creatures with their long fingers and pointed ears. "I must warn you," she added, her voice low. "Do not get too entangled with these goblins. They are known for their greed. They will do anything for money."
Hearing this, Vernon unconsciously tightened his grip on his pocket. I hope the exchange rate isn't too high, he thought anxiously as the group stepped through the heavy bronze doors.
***
(End of Chapter)
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