After reading the letter several times, I finally managed to concentrate on my surroundings.
We were in an alley that, although similar to the previous one, was a bit wider.
We walked in silence for a while until we finally emerged into the bustling streets of London.
Leo looked around curiously, not remembering ever being in this place before.
The lights and sounds of the city surrounded him, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
Soon after, we arrived at a rundown bar located between two imposing buildings.
If Snape hadn't pointed it out with his finger, I would never have noticed it.
The people passing by, anchored in their hurried routines, cast curious glances at the place for a moment, only to ignore it once again as if they had made a pact.
"We've arrived," Snape said, stopping for a moment.
I raised an eyebrow, doubtful.
Perhaps seeing the confusion on my face, Snape continued explaining slowly.
"The Leaky Cauldron is quite well-known in the magical world. From here, we will go to Diagon Alley, where you will buy your school supplies."
Upon hearing this, I felt a thrill of excitement and hurried a few steps, but I stopped dead when I heard Snape's warning.
"Once inside, try not to draw too much attention to yourself. You never know what old wizard or witch might be interested in a new student. Young wizards, like potion ingredients, are highly sought after this year."
He smiled in a rather unsettling way as he made his way toward the door.
Leo froze.
That comment only heightened his anxiety. If he hadn't had prior knowledge of this world, he might have hesitated to enter.
However, he was surprised that Snape, with his usual seriousness, had such a dark sense of humor.
Leo thought that if a muggle wizard were entering the magical world for the first time, they would likely come out with a bit of trauma.
Seeing that Snape was about to cross the door, he hurried his steps and soon entered.
Upon entering, he felt somewhat disappointed: a famous place, a meeting point of the magical world, and all he saw was a dark and untidy environment, with nothing to evoke that magical feeling that young people seek so much.
In one corner, two elderly women sat enjoying glasses of sherry, while in another group, some men smoked long pipes and played with suspicious-looking cards, perhaps gambling.
The atmosphere was permeated with indifference.
When Professor Snape walked in, the chatter ceased immediately.
All eyes turned to us, but after recognizing Snape, they quickly returned to their conversations.
Snape did not stop and soon led me to a wooden door at the back of the bar.
Upon entering through it, we found ourselves in another alley. However, this one was blocked by a large brick wall.
Before I could ask, I saw Snape pull a slender wand from his sleeve.
"Stand back and pay attention. I will only show this once," he warned.
"Choose your wand and repeat these movements," he indicated as he stepped back.
With anticipation, I watched as he tapped the wall three times.
"Three up, two horizontal..." he explained quietly.
He finished with three soft taps in the center, and the brick began to vibrate, transforming before our eyes.
A small hole appeared, quickly expanding.
In a second, we found ourselves before an arched passage, wide enough for a giant to enter.
"Welcome... to Diagon Alley," said Snape, allowing a small smile to escape as he saw my surprise.
I couldn't help it; it was the first time in my two lives that I witnessed something so magical.
The experience of seeing it with my own eyes was incomparable to reading about it on a piece of paper.
Leo stepped forward, amazed, and looked over his shoulder just as the wall closed behind us.
It was like watching a video in reverse; the visual impact was even better.
---
What followed was a busy and fun afternoon.
While I was buying school supplies, I was amazed by all the shops and the conversations of other wizards.
Unlike the Leaky Cauldron, Diagon Alley was filled with magic and interesting things everywhere.
While wandering around with Snape, I got distracted by anything, and more than once I almost got lost in the crowd of wizards.
Thanks to this, I heard several curious news stories and received some scoldings from my future potions professor.
Among the news that caught my attention the most was that the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts had been hospitalized this year due to a rogue bludger.
There were also talks about certain twins who had caused a disaster, which ended up filling the streets with a sticky liquid.
With all those crazy rumors, I understood that Harry Potter had not yet arrived at Diagon Alley.
After all, it would be strange if there was no talk about his arrival considering he was someone so famous in the magical world.
However, this didn't interest me much; I only thought that with the arrival of the savior, the seven most problematic and dangerous years that Hogwarts would experience were about to begin.
And, of course, with his arrival, the villain would come as well...
But I didn't plan to get involved in Hogwarts matters before better understanding my situation in this world.
That didn't mean I was afraid of problems; who knows how my presence here could influence the future. The so-called 'butterfly effect'.
I decided I would live according to my own ideas, without seeking to escape from dangers. After all, their mere presence was the most chaotic.
His coming to this world should have subtly changed some things already.
---
A few hours later, the sun began to set...
Even though I had taken longer than expected with the shopping, there was only one last store left: narrow and shabby-looking.
Above the door, in golden letters, it read: "Ollivander: makers of fine wands since 382 B.C."
Snape had left a little while ago, mentioning "pending matters."
I assumed he had simply run out of patience.
So, with determined steps, I entered the shop.
A bell chimed in the back.
It was a small and empty place, but what caught my attention the most was a dusty display case filled with old boxes.
"Hello," I called softly, and after a moment, I heard a small, muffled scream.
An old man appeared slowly, covered in dust and cobwebs, as if he had been cleaning a basement.
"Hi," I said a little awkwardly.
"Well, Hogwarts student, first year, right? You must be here for your wand, come closer."
As I approached, I asked hesitantly, "How do you know that...?"
Mr. Ollivander began measuring all parts of my body and, upon hearing my question, replied:
"Well, in all of Europe, there is only one nearby school of magic and wizardry, and at this time of year, they usually recruit new students. Added to your age, I can guess."
"Besides, I never forget who I sell my wands to, Mr..."
"Jackson... Leo Jackson."
"Well, Mr. Jackson, what hand do you usually use more?" he said as he finished taking my measurements.
"Right." After my reply, he seemed to notice something and went to the back. He returned shortly with a box wrapped in dust.
"Try this one. Mahogany wood, uses unicorn hair as a core. It's very reliable and a good wand."
As I opened the box, he blew. A cloud of dust flew into my nose, making me sneeze.
---
I extended my hand, and seeing Ollivander nod, I waved the wand to then pass... nothing... absolutely nothing.
Mr. Ollivander and I stared at each other for a few moments; it was a bit embarrassing.
He picked up the wand from my hands while muttering something. The only words I could understand were "unheard-of, strange, and impossible."
He went back to the rear while scratching his scalp.
What followed was strange; no matter which wand I tried, there was no compatibility with any of them.
In fact, there was not even a magical reaction, which was simply weird.
Ollivander mentioned that whenever there was magical power in the body of a young wizard, there should be some reaction, whether good or bad.
Just when Ollivander was about to give up, I felt a strong attraction towards a particular shelf. Curiously, I asked:
"Um... Mr. Ollivander, what's in that drawer over there?"
"Ah?... Ah... you're talking about this," he replied while pulling out a wand of dark blue color with strange patterns.
The wand seemed to have a unique aura, and I felt an almost immediate connection with it.
Ollivander, placing it on the counter, began his presentation.
"This is a very strange wand. My father obtained it on a trip to Greece many years ago... In fact, no one has been able to use it, which is why I keep it as a collectible…"
He paused for a moment, as if realizing something, and his eyes sparkled intensely when he looked at me.
"According to my father... this wand was made for someone very special... If I'm not mistaken, this must be the right one. A unique wand, for a peculiar wizard like you, Mr. Jackson..."
I took the wand in my hands, and immediately felt something: two different powers swimming inside me.
One was noble and powerful, akin to the impetuous waves of the sea; the other, gentle and controllable, easier to shape like clay.
Even though I had never felt these powers before, I had some guesses.
I tried to draw out the dominant first power but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't connect, so after a couple more attempts with no results.
I tried with the second, this time, there was a change.
A magical current like a tributary river flowed through my body into my hands.
I gently waved the wand, and from its tip shot a stream of water, completely controllable in size and intensity.
Fascinated, I shaped the water into different forms until I felt tired, and it fell to the ground.
Ollivander, seeing my demonstration, clapped and smiled. "Congratulations, Mr. Jackson! It seems you have found a wand that suits you..."
"Its name is Hearth of the Sea. It has as its core the heart of the sea, a very rare material to find, and its wood is from a strong old oak of ancient Greece... certainly peculiar."
Still recovering from the sensation of using magic for the first time, I thanked Ollivander.
"So, Mr. Ollivander, how much does the wand cost...?" I asked somewhat shyly, knowing that the materials were rare, and therefore expensive.
My financial situation was complicated; I only had a few sickles subsidized by the school, and now, I only had two left.
"You don't have to worry about the price, Mr. Jackson." His voice was soft and reassuring. "This wand has been without an owner for many years, and now that it has found one, I couldn't be more satisfied. Just give me one sickle as a commission, and it will be yours."
As he spoke, he smiled gently, and I felt there was a hidden meaning behind that smile. "Thank you very much, Mr. Ollivander," I thanked again, since it was evident he wanted to help me.
Then, I handed over the sickle and nodded as I bid farewell to him, feeling that I had found something special in that strange store.
Once Ollivander saw me close the door, he stopped smiling. With a swift movement, he waved his wand, and all the clutter in the shop returned to its place with surprising speed.
Then, a letter and a quill floated in front of him.
With precision that showcased his experience, he wrote something simply and neatly.
Afterward, he folded the letter, but if one got close to take a look, they could see that on the front, in red letters, was written the name of the recipient:
Albus Dumbledore.