Back in Diagon Alley, the place was just as lively as it had been in the morning.
However, without the serious presence of Professor McGonagall, the Grey family felt much more relaxed, making their shopping experience far more enjoyable.
The Grey family took their time, carefully visiting almost every shop—well, except for one that sold animal entrails and eyeballs. The moment they walked in and saw a giant eyeball rolling around, Fiona let out a scream and ran straight out.
Fred bought several intricate magical items, like a broom that sweeps by itself, a little golden bird that can fly around, and a wizard chess set. When paying, he repeatedly confirmed with the shopkeeper that none of these items had any "dangerous" or "harmful" magic attached.
Wade, on the other hand, spent more than an hour in the bookstore. There were so many books he wanted to buy. However, since there was only a month left before school started and Hogwarts would surely have more books, he ultimately selected just a few that he wanted most—Curses and Counter-Curses, Healing Handbook, and A Beginner's Guide to Ancient Runes.
He also bought two self-writing quills, though the shopkeeper warned him that these quills were not suitable for homework, as they would meticulously write down every thought in the owner's mind, even causing someone well-trained to accidentally write something embarrassing.
As he walked out of the bookstore with his new books, Wade saw his parents sitting by an ice cream stand, enjoying their ice cream. Fred was also holding a cage with a golden owl inside. The little creature looked particularly sturdy and was drawing circles with its head.
"Dad, did you buy another owl?" Wade asked.
"That's right," Fred replied with a smile. "Considering that you'll be taking your owl to school, what if your mother and I want to send you a letter?
I've heard that Muggle postal services can't deliver to Hogwarts, so we bought one too. His name is General Bard, and he's a strong little guy."
Wade bent down and greeted the owl, "Hello, General Bard."
General Bard yawned widely.
"Look, I bought a little companion too," Fiona said as she approached, holding out her hand. A small white hamster curled up in her palm, looking very cute and well-behaved.
"Isn't she adorable?" Fiona said excitedly. "I've noticed that pets in the wizarding world seem to be much smarter than ordinary animals, as if they've taken some kind of intelligence potion!
She's not afraid of people at all and seems to understand my commands."
"Cute indeed, but Mom, aren't hamsters part of an owl's diet?" Wade asked.
He also learned that owls are carnivorous, primarily eating rodents, birds, fish, or insects, only after purchasing the owl and getting a recommendation from the shopkeeper on what to feed it.
Thinking back to the handful of pine nuts he had previously given to the school owl, Wade silently apologized in his heart.
"It's okay, your father will keep a close eye on his owl! Oh, by the way, this little one is Miss Millie," Fiona said with a serious tone. "Wade, you should give your owl a name too!"
"Hmm…" Wade glanced around and happened to see a shop named "Evan's Stationery," with the letters "EVA" gleaming brightly in the sunlight, catching his eye.
"I'll name her Eva," he said casually.
...
The Grey family lingered in Diagon Alley for several days. Fred could now effortlessly discuss Quidditch matches and the various models of the Nimbus 2000 with others, while Fiona had purchased an entire set of miniature furniture for her hamster, Miss Millie, complete with an auto-cleaning charm, as well as various little dresses, wizard robes, hats, and rainbow-colored socks.
Of course, as the parents of a new Hogwarts student, they had signed a confidentiality agreement with Professor McGonagall on the first day, promising not to reveal anything about the magical world to non-magical people and to ensure that magical items wouldn't make their way into the Muggle world.
The month flew by quickly. On the morning of September 1st, Fiona double-checked Wade's suitcase, making sure he had packed everything he needed—from nail clippers and ear scoops to his autumn and winter clothes.
Fred drove them to King's Cross Station.
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was the starting point of his magical journey, but from the outside, it looked like nothing more than an ordinary brick wall.
Wade pushed his trolley, with the owl cage perched on top, and walked up to the barrier. He turned around to see his parents smiling and waving at him.
Wade smiled and waved back, then turned and rushed through the barrier in one go.
Fiona covered her mouth, suddenly letting out a sob.
Fred put his arm around her shoulder and sighed, "If only we could see him off at the platform—"
"Don't tell him—I don't want Wade to feel sad," Fiona said through her tears. "Going to school should be a happy occasion—"
Fred gently patted her, comforting her, "Don't worry, I've gathered a lot of information over the past few days—The wizarding world is very peaceful now, and the greatest wizard of our time, Dumbledore, is the headmaster. Wade will be safe at school."
"Ex—Excuse me—"
A timid voice sounded beside him. Fred looked down and instantly recognized the boy in front of him.
"You're—Harry Potter?!" he said in surprise.
"Yes, that's me." Harry uneasily brushed his hair over his scar, trying to cover it.
He had already forgotten that he had met this couple at the Leaky Cauldron—mainly because so many people had shaken his hand that day, and the lighting in the bar was quite dim.
Now, with a touch of eagerness, he carefully asked, "I just heard you mention Hogwarts... I mean—I'm not really sure how to get there—"
"Oh," Fred realized. "See that wall over there? Just push your trolley straight at it. If you're nervous, you can close your eyes; don't worry, you won't hit anything."
This wasn't something Professor McGonagall had told them, but rather something Fred had heard from his own parents when he was a child.
Back then, before it was confirmed that he was a Squib, his parents had shared many little stories about the magical world with him. But later, they stopped talking about such things altogether.
"Oh, alright—"
Harry seemed doubtful, casting a cautious glance at the couple's faces—they look kind, but I can't tell if they are joking with me...
Seeing the encouraging expressions on their faces, as if they were waiting to watch him go through the wall, Harry hesitated to ask anyone else. He bit his lip, pushed his trolley forward, and walked toward the wall, not too quickly.
If I hit the wall, I'll just stop... Getting laughed at wouldn't be the worst thing...
As these anxious thoughts raced through his mind, the expected collision never came. Instead, in a sudden moment, his ears were filled with the buzzing sounds of conversations, and what appeared before him—
Was a massive, deep red train, with tracks that seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance.