After leaving the coffee shop, Eisen temporarily pushed his troubles aside. As he watched the cars speed by, even the smoke in the air seemed pleasant. With the appearance of his "Gold Finger," although he was still uncertain about the future, he felt a newfound sense of security.
It made sense. Who wouldn't feel that way after gaining such a powerful ability? Strolling down the street, Eisen glanced at the bookstores around him. One strange shop, in particular, caught his eye.
"What is this…?" He stopped in front of a dark, shabby building. Eisen quickly checked his surroundings. "This is Charing Cross Road, known for its many bookstores," he muttered, his gaze returning to the unusual shop. Wedged between a bookstore and a record store, a dilapidated shop stood where he swore nothing had been before.
Confusion swept over him. He often passed through this street, even earlier that morning, and never once noticed this shop. How could it have appeared so suddenly? Could he have ignored it before? That seemed far-fetched.
Am I imagining this? He briefly considered the thought but dismissed it quickly. His gaze then settled on the peeling sign above the door: "The Leaky Cauldron."
A startling realization hit him—this was *the* Leaky Cauldron. It seemed absurd, yet it made perfect sense. The Harry Potter novels hadn't been published yet, so no one would be setting up a cosplay event.
Eisen had once considered copying the Harry Potter books for profit, but he never imagined that magic could exist in reality. Now, with his "Gold Finger" and magical abilities, the pieces began to fall into place.
After a few more glances, he was sure: a hidden shop had indeed appeared before his eyes. Likely, this was something only visible to him now that his magic was awakened. After all, the Leaky Cauldron was said to be protected by magical charms that concealed it from Muggles.
To confirm his suspicions, Eisen stepped into the nearby bookstore.
"Young man, looking for something specific?" asked the shop owner, a man in a fur coat and jeans.
Eisen casually chatted with the owner for a few minutes before purchasing an *Encyclopedia Britannica.* As he was about to leave, he asked, "By the way, do you know what that black shop next door sells?"
"Black shop? Next door's a record store. What black shop?" The owner frowned, giving Eisen a strange look.
"Oh, I must've been mistaken," Eisen replied, quickly leaving the shop. Standing outside again, he clenched his fists. "It really is the Leaky Cauldron," he thought.
After a moment of contemplation, Eisen decided he had to go inside. If this truly was the Leaky Cauldron, he might even be able to access Diagon Alley. But learning that he was in the Harry Potter universe left him somewhat dejected. At eighteen years old, it was far too late for him to enroll at Hogwarts.
Why didn't the "Gold Finger" appear when I was eleven? Eisen grumbled. Nevertheless, he knew he needed to visit Diagon Alley, buy a wand, and get some magical books. His awakened magic power seemed designed for spellcasting, making self-study his top priority.
He briefly hesitated, glancing down at his formal work attire. Could he just walk in like this? His gaze shifted to the *Encyclopedia Britannica* in his hand, and a smile crept across his face. He could pose as a wizard researching Muggle life.
With renewed confidence, Eisen pushed open the wooden door of the Leaky Cauldron. Immediately, it felt like stepping into another world, as if the bustling street outside had disappeared. Inside, the bar was dimly lit, with scattered tables and a few old men and women in robes—undoubtedly wizards.
*It's real,* Eisen thought, his heart racing. Behind the bar stood a bald, nutcracker-like man—presumably Tom, the owner.
Seeing Eisen enter, a few wizards glanced his way, sizing him up. Tom, the bar owner, was the first to speak. "What can I get you, young man?"
Eisen shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, I was experimenting with a rather interesting spell, and my wand broke. So, I need to visit Diagon Alley for a new one."
Tom raised an eyebrow but didn't press the issue. "Alright, follow me," he said, leading Eisen to a small, walled courtyard behind the bar. Aside from some weeds and a trash can, it was unremarkable.
"Count three bricks up from the trash can, two bricks across, then tap three times," Tom explained, pulling out his wand. As he tapped, the bricks shifted, revealing a small opening that expanded rapidly. In moments, a path lay before them. This was Diagon Alley.
"Be more careful with your spells next time," Tom advised before turning back to the bar.
"Of course, sir. I'll make sure of it," Eisen replied, stepping into Diagon Alley. He glanced back as the entrance sealed itself behind him.
*Magic really is incredible.*
Though he kept his composure, Eisen couldn't help but marvel at the sights before him. The narrow street bustled with activity, filled with shops, owls, broomsticks, and quirky silverware.
"This is the wizarding world," Eisen thought, an excited grin spreading across his face.
But first things first—he needed Galleons. Without them, he couldn't buy anything. Following the crowd, Eisen soon found himself standing before a large, white building that towered over the other shops.
*Gringotts,* the wizarding bank.
He entered, passing through the bronze doors into a grand marble hall. Behind the counters stood rows of goblins, each busy with their tasks. Eisen approached one and placed a thousand pounds on the counter.
"I'd like to exchange this for 200 Galleons," he said.
The goblin took the money without question, and after the exchange, Eisen left Gringotts, relieved that everything had gone smoothly.