As Luke and Professor McGonagall exited Gringotts, all the goblins watched them with intense interest.
The news of Luke inheriting the Gaunt family's vault wasn't exactly a secret among the goblins, and their brief stay there was more than enough time for the information to spread throughout Gringotts.
After all, it didn't take much imagination to realize that the wealth of an ancient pure-blood family would be astronomical.
Luke himself didn't appear very different as he left, apart from a newfound confidence in his expression and a finely crafted belt at his waist.
This was one of the few magical artifacts he'd found in the vault that was actually usable for him right now. The belt held six gems, each imbued with practical spells, plus a silver gem with a storage function, though it couldn't hold anything living. It wasn't quite a match for his system's storage function, but it was perfect for concealing the existence of that ability.
Professor McGonagall, meanwhile, held a magical research manual in her hands, handling it with such care that its value was clear.
She couldn't help feeling a bit self-conscious, as she'd originally entered the vault with the thought that she wouldn't take anything for herself. She viewed Luke's possessions as his own, and didn't want to seem as if she were taking advantage of her role as his guide. Granting Luke any special favors because of it would also risk seeming improper.
But the allure of the Gaunt family vault was simply too tempting. Professor McGonagall was certain that unless it was Dumbledore himself, no other professor would have walked out empty-handed.
The fact that she'd only taken a research manual on 'advanced transfiguration' was proof of her restraint.
"Are we going to buy a wand next, Professor?"
Luke asked, more to confirm his own thoughts than to ask McGonagall.
"I remember you already have a wand, doesn't it feel right for you?" she asked, puzzled.
The wand Luke had seemed exceptionally well-suited to him, as though it had accepted him. From her first glance at it in the morning, McGonagall had sensed it was an ancient and powerful wand. Any wizard would be fortunate to gain the approval of such a wand.
Luke gave a small, helpless smile. "It's… a bit too powerful. I can't fully control it yet."
It was Slytherin's wand, after all. Earning its approval was a result of Luke's own ambition, the system's help, and his Gaunt family bloodline all working together. But to truly wield it, Luke knew he needed to grow even stronger.
McGonagall nodded, deciding not to press further. After all, a wizard's relationship with their wand was deeply personal.
Luke knew how to describe it: his wand was like the cell phone he'd had in his previous life—although, unlike a wand, a phone didn't become harder to handle because it was too powerful.
"Then let's head to Ollivanders," McGonagall said.
Luke nodded, feeling a mixture of anticipation and curiosity toward the famous wand shop. He wondered what kind of wand would suit him best.
As they set off, they found Diagon Alley bustling with people. The Hogwarts acceptance letters had recently gone out, and many families were here with their children to buy supplies.
With a keen eye, Luke observed each passerby, excited to be among so many wizards for the first time. Along the way, several adult wizards recognized McGonagall and nodded in greeting, though her slightly guarded demeanor made it clear she wasn't eager to stop for conversation.
This left some glancing curiously at Luke, wondering about his identity.
Luke was aware that this had nothing to do with him, the Professor was just on guard due to the magic manual in her possession, but he couldn't explain that to strangers, nor could he convince Professor McGonagall to relax.
After all, that item was truly one of a kind, impervious to duplication spells. If he wanted to make a copy, he could only create one for himself, and even that would take effort. For now, he was only lending it to Professor McGonagall temporarily, not giving it as a gift. Naturally, they hadn't discussed how long the "borrowed" time would actually last.
Then, Luke noticed a tall figure nearby carrying a birdcage with a beautiful snowy owl. He recognized the figure immediately.
"Hagrid? You're here too?"
McGonagall asked, a bit surprised. She knew about Hagrid's mission, and if he was here, that meant…
"Oh, Professor! Fancy seeing you here!" Hagrid responded in his usual, hearty tone. Then he noticed Luke beside her and realized why she was there. "This lad must be the student you're guiding today?"
He took another look at Luke. Besides his handsome appearance and refined demeanor, there was something almost magnetic about him—wherever he stood, he seemed to draw the attention of everyone around.
"Yes, this is Luke Gaunt, one of the new students this year"
McGonagall replied, casting a glance around Hagrid as if looking for someone else.
Hagrid caught her expression and smiled. "Harry's inside Ollivanders, testing wands. Want to come by and say hello?"
McGonagall looked back at Luke, who met her gaze and said, "We're headed there anyway, Professor."
She smiled and nodded, then turned to Hagrid. "Yes, let's go say hello to the boy."
Together, the three headed toward Ollivanders.
Soon, they reached the shop, and through the window, Luke spotted the famous "Saviour" and "Boy Who Lived," Harry Potter.
Harry was trying out wands, looking excited but a bit self-conscious.
Professor McGonagall looked at Harry, then at Luke beside her, and quietly sighed to herself. No matter how much she tried to view Harry from the perspective of a caring elder, the differences between the two boys were undeniable.
She couldn't help feeling slightly resentful toward Dumbledore. If Harry had grown up with them, or even in a regular wizard family, he wouldn't seem so timid.
Just then, Hagrid tapped on the window, catching the attention of the two people inside the shop.
He held up the snowy owl, with a bright smile on his face.
"Happy Birthday, Harry!"
He exclaimed before pushing the door open and stepping inside. Professor McGonagall, hearing the words "Happy Birthday," paused for a moment, realizing she hadn't brought any gift for Harry's birthday and she didn't have anything suitable with her at the moment.
While she felt a bit guilty, she reminded herself it could always be given later.
McGonagall entered, followed by Luke. Seeing Harry was of little importance to him—if in his past life he had been somewhat in awe of the famous Harry Potter, here he was more focused on his own journey than Harry's.
"Harry, come meet Professor McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Head of Gryffindor House, and Professor of Transfiguration," Hagrid said, gesturing to her.
Harry, hearing Hagrid's introduction, looked at Professor McGonagall a bit nervously and greeted her, "Hello, Professor. I'm Harry—Harry Potter."
He couldn't shake the feeling that the stern-looking professor before him was not someone easy to deal with.
"Hello, Harry. Happy birthday"
McGonagall said, though she kept her tone reserved. She agreed with Dumbledore that what Harry needed was not favoritism but a chance for normal development.
"And this is Luke Gaunt, another first-year," Hagrid continued.
Harry had already noticed Luke, finding him hard to ignore due to the way he seemed to radiate presence, drawing people's gazes.
Luke extended his hand with a friendly smile. "Harry Potter! I've heard a lot about you. Nice to meet you, and happy birthday."
Harry, seeing Luke's warm expression, instinctively dropped his guard a little.
"Thanks! It's the first time I've really felt this famous"
Harry replied, reaching out to shake Luke's hand.
Meanwhile, Ollivander was watching them both with a curious, almost stunned look. His eyes fixed on Luke with suspicion and wonder.
"Gaunt? Are you… one of "those" Gaunts?"
He asked, unable to hide his curiosity.