On July 7th, a knock sounded at the door of the Wick household. Upon opening the door, they were greeted by a tall woman clad in dark green robes, her serious face framed by square glasses. Without a moment's hesitation, it was clear who she was: Minerva McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, who also served as a professor and the head of Gryffindor House. McGonagall offered a polite nod before addressing the stunned John Wick. "Minerva McGonagall," she introduced herself. "John Wick, may I come in?"
John, seeing a character from the books for the first time, couldn't help but return her greeting with a bright smile, eagerly inviting Professor McGonagall inside. The Wicks, who had harbored doubts about their son's tales, were equally taken aback. They exchanged bewildered glances, half-wondering if their child had hired someone for an elaborate ruse.
The skeptical couple seated themselves on the sofa, facing Professor McGonagall who took a chair opposite them. In this moment, John assumed the role of a gracious host, serving tea and water. Mr. Wick was the first to break the silence, his tone laced with skepticism. "So, you're a teacher at Hogwarts?" he inquired, his expression betraying his doubts.
McGonagall, accustomed to the skepticism of countless parents before, responded with patience. "Yes, I am a professor at Hogwarts," she corrected gently. The couple glanced at John, their skepticism wavering as they began to consider the possibility that their son hadn't deceived them.
Mr. Wick, however, wasn't easily convinced. Leaning forward, he asked with a hint of incredulity, "So, my son is a wizard? And what, he'll be learning to hex people and curse doors?"
His words, though spoken with a mix of arrogance and doubt, did not sit well with McGonagall. She frowned, her tone turning serious. "Mr. Wick, the dark arts you're referring to are practiced only by dark wizards. Hogwarts is a reputable school of magic."
Realizing his words had been harsh, Mr. Wick muttered an apology, though he remained skeptical. Understanding the difficulty Muggle families often faced in accepting the wizarding world, McGonagall decided to demonstrate. With a flick of her wand, the teacup in Mr. Wick's hand transformed into a mouse, which scurried up his sleeve, eliciting a scream of horror from him. It was John's first encounter with magic, witnessing a sophisticated transfiguration spell, and he was utterly fascinated.
The demonstration dispelled any remaining doubts Mr. Wick had about the magical world. His skepticism turned into curiosity, bombarding John with requests to perform magic. "John, can you turn a cup into a mouse?" "John, make the broom sweep by itself." "John, can you fly on a broomstick?" Eventually, John, overwhelmed by the barrage of requests, sought refuge by asking his mother to intervene.
On July 31st, as John prepared for school, they found themselves on Charing Cross Road, standing before a dingy, cramped bar that seemed out of place among the grand bookstores and record shops. Yet, it was this very establishment, overlooked by passersby due to a Muggle-repelling charm, that served as the gateway to Diagon Alley. Known to all Harry Potter fans, this was where Harry's journey began, and it was no different for John. The bar, the Leaky Cauldron, appeared uninviting from the outside, and Mrs. Wick expressed her concern. "John, you're still a child. Are you sure you can enter a bar?"
John reassured her, eager to embark on his own adventure. Upon entering, they were greeted by an unpleasant mix of sweat and sour beer, causing the family to grimace. The interior was even more uninviting than the exterior, making John wonder how wizards could tolerate such an environment. Amidst the patrons, one individual, with a scarf wrapped around his head, seemed to contribute significantly to the odorous atmosphere.
The bar's balding proprietor emerged, immediately recognizing the purpose of the Wick family's visit. Dressed in their finest, the family of three hesitated at the entrance. "Come on, you'll at least save me a few Knuts by staying here," grumbled the proprietor of the Leaky Cauldron, his tone dripping with dissatisfaction. His obsession with money was evident as he stepped aside, allowing them passage with a scowl. Mrs. Wick couldn't help but think the wizard's manners left much to be desired.
Guided by the grumpy owner, they arrived at the entrance to Diagon Alley. The man demonstrated the secret to opening the magical gateway: "Count three bricks up from the trash can, and two across." With a precise knock on the wall, it parted, revealing the enchanting path to the wizarding world. "This is... magic," John whispered in awe, the sight of the two merging worlds etched into his memory, destined to remain vivid for years to come.
"Sorry, excuse me," came a rough voice from behind them. They turned to see a towering figure, easily three meters tall, his oversized moleskin coat carrying the mixed scents of wild beasts and prolonged absence of bathing. Beside the giant stood a small boy, his thin frame accentuated by ill-fitting clothes, suggesting years of neglect. The round glasses perched on his nose framed his striking green eyes, and the lightning-shaped scar peeking through his hair was unmistakable. John recognized him immediately; even after more than a decade, the iconic duo of Hagrid and Harry Potter was not easily forgotten.
"Hagrid and Harry," John murmured, his parents too stunned to speak. They had been amazed by the transformation of a cup into a mouse, but the sight of Hagrid's inhuman stature left them truly speechless. As the pair moved away, John reluctantly turned his attention back to his own agenda. Despite his desire to approach them, he knew it wasn't the right moment. There were supplies to be bought, and a visit to Gringotts was first on the list.
Ignoring the confusing exchange rates at Gringotts, the Wicks exchanged 2000 pounds for 400 gold Galleons. John couldn't shake off the feeling that the goblin's greedy smirk meant they'd been swindled. Nevertheless, armed with their Galleons, they set off to explore Diagon Alley.
Their wanderings took them past a display of dragon liver, awakening John's adventurous appetite. However, to the Wicks, it was nothing more than a grotesque sight, quickly bypassed.
At Lihen Bookstore, Watson narrowly avoided a nasty bite from "The Monster Book of Monsters." John diligently purchased all the required textbooks, along with a few additional volumes about the wizarding world. "Hogwarts: A History" captivated him, making it hard to tear himself away.
Their next stop was Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, where the cheerful, plump witch praised John's physique, declaring him a perfect fit for every garment. After their departure, Harry Potter would encounter the arrogant Draco Malfoy within the same shop.
In the cauldron shop, John had to convince his father, Watson, not to buy an automatic stirring cauldron for his collection, fearing the chaos it would bring to their home. Watson's idea of using it as a stew pot was quickly vetoed by Mrs. Wick, ensuring the cauldron remained on the shelf.
The visit to the apothecary was their last stop. The sight of bizarre ingredients floating in jars was too much for Mrs. Wick, who shielded her son's eyes, while Watson fought the urge to vomit, the memory of his breakfast bacon threatening to make a reappearance. The family left the apothecary in haste, eager to escape the unsettling sights.
Their day in Diagon Alley was a blend of wonder and discomfort, a memorable introduction to the magical world that lay hidden within their own.
_________
If you are tired of reading I also have this converted to an audio novel on my youtube
https://www.youtube.com/@NovelAudioForge/featured
Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge