Morning.
After enjoying the breakfast Cro prepared, the Grangers went off to work. They owned a dental clinic and had taken a day off yesterday, so there was no way they could afford to stay closed today. Before they left, they gave Cro two bronze chests, once again due to his amazing culinary skills.
Now, only Cro and Hermione were left in the house.
"Cro, do you really think we'll become wizards? It all feels so unreal, like a dream," Hermione murmured, staring out the window, her eyes unfocused.
After finishing his cleaning, Cro walked over to her. He wasn't surprised by Hermione's uncertainty.
If one day, you suddenly received a mysterious letter, met strange people, and visited an unknown place where they told you that magic existed and you were a one-in-a-million genius... well, it would be hard for anyone to accept all of that without some hesitation—unless they already knew the truth.
A gleam flickered in Cro's eyes as the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Want to find out if magic is real? Then let's go back to Diagon Alley."
"Really?" Hermione turned around in surprise, but then her excitement faded as she lowered her head.
"But we can't Apparate, and we don't know where the Leaky Cauldron is. The book said the Leaky Cauldron is protected by Muggle-repelling charms, so we wouldn't be able to find it even if we took a cab."
Cro laughed and gently ruffled Hermione's hair. "Just because we don't know where it is doesn't mean others don't. If you want to go, follow me."
Hermione hesitated, looking up at Cro, who seemed so confident and truthful. Seeing that he wasn't lying, she followed him outside.
Before leaving, they left a note on the table, just in case the Grangers returned and found them gone—avoiding a situation where they might think something happened to the kids and call the police. That would be... inconvenient.
...
"Thank you for riding the Knight Bus. We hope to see you again, young wizards!" the conductor said cheerfully.
"Thank you!" both of them replied politely as the Knight Bus zoomed away. Despite its speed, the bus managed to avoid every vehicle on the road, as if it were alive.
"How did you know about this bus? I've never heard of the Knight Bus before, and it wasn't mentioned in any of the books," Hermione asked, her curiosity piqued. She looked at Cro, who always seemed to know so much, acting more mature than a typical ten-year-old.
"Our lovely little witch, put on your robes and hold your wand tight. We're about to step into that magical world again. All the things you're confused about will be answered eventually, but the answers are for you to find on your own. Oh, surely you're not asking me to give you all the answers, are you?"
Cro feigned surprise.
"That would spoil the fun of exploring for yourself, wouldn't it? Our dear little witch Hermione wouldn't want that, right?"
Hermione huffed, raising her chin stubbornly. "Fine, I'll find the answers myself. Stop treating me like a little kid... I'm not... well, never mind."
She had wanted to say she wasn't a child, but then she remembered she was only ten. With nothing else to say, she stomped toward the Leaky Cauldron in frustration.
[Detected strong feelings of excitement!]
[Reward obtained: Silver Chest!]
Cro shook his head in amusement. She might look angry, but inside she was brimming with excitement. A true contrast—this little witch had quite the unique charm.
...
The Leaky Cauldron.
For some reason, the bar was unusually crowded today, even though it was still early in the morning. Among the patrons sat Professor Quirrell, wrapped in his signature turban. Everyone sipped their drinks in silence, but the way they glanced at the door from time to time hinted that they were expecting someone.
Ding-ling~
As the doorbell rang, all heads turned toward the entrance. Upon seeing Cro step in, some patrons' eyes lit up with excitement, while others, like Quirrell, lowered their heads in disappointment.
Quirrell, however, cast a glance at Cro and Hermione, his eyes flickering with a trace of killing intent. It was only for a moment, though, before he quickly concealed it. Cro and Hermione weren't his targets—the boy was.
Even Tom, the bartender, looked over as he polished glasses.
"Oh, two young wizards? Let me see... wait, I remember you two. Two glasses of juice, right?"
"By Merlin's beard, don't tell me you've come all the way here just for juice again. Surely, you must be headed for Diagon Alley?"
Tom's question caused the people who hadn't met Cro before to sigh in disappointment. Only a few still sipped their drinks, curiously observing the pair.
Two kids, no adults with them, clearly half-blood wizards, dressed as they were. How had they found the place?
"Mr. Tom, no need for the juice. Our parents are dentists, so they don't let us have sweets. You know how adults are," Cro said with an innocent smile. "We're here to enter Diagon Alley. Last time, Professor McGonagall had to leave early, and we forgot to buy a few things."
Cro held Hermione back, smiling sweetly, as he looked up at Tom.
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T/N:
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