The Leaky Cauldron, and the entrance to Diagon Alley, serve as the Wizarding world's bustling gateway. Kyle comes here once a year to buy school supplies like books, ink, and parchment. But despite the passing years, little changes; the same dim lighting, tables worn smooth with age, and the familiar noise of the crowd make the place feel timeless.
After Newt's Apparition back to Dorset, Kyle steps into the Leaky Cauldron's backyard, unlocking the path to Diagon Alley. First, he visits the Quill Shop to stock up on parchment and ink before heading to Flourish and Blotts. He doesn't need many textbooks this year—just The Monster Book of Monsters and Intermediate Explanations of Runic Symbols.
As he passes Quality Quidditch Supplies, a crowd catches his attention. People are pushing and straining to get closer to the display window, and among them, Kyle spots a familiar face: Harry Potter. A large wizard's arm is wrapped around Harry's head, nearly squashing his face, but Harry seems entirely unbothered. His intense green eyes are glued to the window display, and he occasionally wipes his mouth, looking disturbingly mesmerized.
"Harry, what are you doing here!" Kyle calls, repeating himself three times before Harry finally snaps out of it.
"Kyle!" Harry grins, looking pleased. "Great to see you here!"
"What were you staring at?" Kyle asks.
"Firebolt!" Harry's excitement is palpable as he gushes about the latest broomstick model. "Streamlined design, ash handle, and birch twigs that's been meticulously polished... And did you know it accelerates from zero to 150 miles per hour in just ten seconds? It's the fastest broom in the world!"
Harry could probably rave about the Firebolt all day, but Kyle is less enthusiastic. The Firebolt is impressive, sure, but his Nimbus 2000 is still a fine broom. Back when it was released, it was also the world's fastest, just like the Cleansweep Eleven before it. Every broom has its heyday, he muses; everyone gets their moment in the spotlight.
"I'm headed to Flourish and Blotts to grab a few new books," Kyle says. "Do you want to stay and stare at the Firebolt some more? If so, you could go inside and have a closer look—it's free just to browse."
Harry shakes his head. "No, I've been here every day for ages now… Actually, I'm waiting for Ron and Hermione. They should be arriving soon."
Kyle points to the nearby Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. "Then do you see those two over there? Could that be them?"
"Huh?" Harry turns and, seeing only their backs, recognizes them instantly—Hermione and Ron, ordering ice cream.
"Hermione! Ron!" he shouts, excitement in his voice. They both turn, equally surprised.
"Harry!"
"Kyle!"
Ron waves enthusiastically and rushes over. "Finally, we found you! We checked the Leaky Cauldron, Flourish and Blotts, even Madam Malkin's, but you weren't anywhere!"
As Ron recounts their search, Kyle remembers the odd sight of Harry wedged in the crowd, with only his backside visible. If not for catching the reflection of Harry's green eyes in the shop window, he might never have spotted him at all.
Soon, Hermione joins them, carrying four large ice creams. She hands one to each of them, and Kyle takes a bite of his almond-chocolate flavor, finding it surprisingly good. Together, the group enjoys their ice creams as they stroll through Diagon Alley, wandering without any particular destination in mind.
While they chatted, the conversation turned to Harry's recent predicament.
"So, Harry, did you really blow up your aunt?" Hermione asked seriously.
"I didn't mean to," Harry replied, looking embarrassed. "I was just so angry I couldn't control myself."
Ron burst out laughing.
"This isn't a laughing matter, Ron," Hermione said sternly. "Honestly, I'm surprised you weren't expelled, Harry. You know that young wizards are usually expelled after two breaches of the law on magic use. And you were already warned last year."
"I'm wondering the same thing," Harry admitted. "Fudge just let me stay here, and that was it. Why do you think he let me off?"
"Maybe it's because it's you... the famous Harry Potter," Ron said with a shrug, chuckling softly. "I can't imagine what the Ministry of Magic would do to me if I blew up my aunt. But they'd probably have to dig me out of the ground first, because Mum would've killed me before they could even try."
Ron laughed at his own joke, and soon Harry and Hermione were laughing, too. Despite everything, Harry was grateful not to be expelled and that he'd escaped punishment.
They continued on until they reached Flourish and Blotts, where Kyle went inside to buy his textbooks while the others headed a bit further down the street to the pet shop. Hermione wanted to buy herself a pet, and Ron decided to check on his pet rat, Scabbers.
"Scabbers was like this last year, getting thinner and thinner, and he's been so listless lately," Ron said as he held the rat. "I thought taking him out might cheer him up, but it looks like he's still not quite himself."
The group split up at the shop entrance, and Kyle entered Flourish and Blotts, which was in complete disarray. Although there were no fights breaking out this year, dozens of copies of The Monster Book of Monsters were thrashing about, locked in vicious wrestling matches with each other. Scraps of paper littered the floor as the books tore into one another.
A shop assistant, wearing thick gloves, was trying to pry them apart, wielding a heavy, knotted walking stick and muttering in frustration.
"Hello…" he glanced over at Kyle. "If you're here for The Monster Book of Monsters, you'll have to wait a bit. I have to separate them first… Stop it! Don't bite it! Ugh, I'm never stocking these again. What a nightmare!"
"That's all right, I already have a copy," Kyle said.
"Really?" The clerk looked immensely relieved. "Thank goodness! I've been bitten five times today already… So, what can I get for you?"
"I need Intermediate Explanations of Runic Symbols," Kyle replied.
"Ah, getting into ancient runes, are we?" The clerk removed his gloves and went to fetch the book from a corner of the store. "Not many people buy this one. It's a tough subject, but it's an excellent guide—very thorough."
Handing over the book, he said, "That'll be two Galleons."