The next morning, after breakfast, Mr. Lambert took Ryan by subway to Charing Cross Road, a journey of about half an hour from their home.
On the way, Ryan kept thinking about the world of Harry Potter.
In the novel, the magical world isn't a high-magic realm where demigods are as common as stray dogs, liches roam freely, and supernatural beings dominate. However, from certain perspectives, this world isn't as simple as it seems.
For instance, in the field of life magic, there's the Philosopher's Stone, which grants immortality. In time magic, even a schoolgirl can use a Time-Turner. In space magic, extension charms and apparition are widespread among adult wizards. There are also luck potions that could potentially influence causality and fate. Some of these abilities, particularly those related to space and mind magic, seem to be centuries ahead of non-magical technology.
Clearly, magic in this world isn't as straightforward as it appears. After all, what Rowling wrote was just a fairy tale, a glimpse into the vast wizarding world.
As for combat ability, even Peter Pettigrew—a wizard often seen as weak—was able to blow up half a street. This suggests that wizards aren't powerless in battle, but that most combat-related teachings have been removed from Hogwarts' curriculum. Instead, such knowledge is often passed down through family traditions.
Thinking of this, Ryan felt relieved. Fortunately, he had Tim Hortans, his interdimensional shop, which could compensate for the gaps in his magical knowledge. After all, he was starting school the same year as the famous Boy Who Lived, and anyone who had read the original novel knew that Hogwarts wouldn't be peaceful for the next several years.
His previous life plan needed revision. His main focus now had to be strengthening himself. In the magical world, power was everything—otherwise, why was Dumbledore the leader of wizards instead of Fudge?
While Ryan was lost in thought, Mr. Lambert suddenly stopped in front of him.
"Alright, this is No. 24 Charing Cross… No. 28… but where's No. 26?"
Looking up, Ryan saw an old, shabby pub squeezed between a record store and a bookstore. A wooden sign above the entrance read The Leaky Cauldron.
"Dad, hold my hand," Ryan said as he guided his father inside.
The moment they stepped in, Mr. Lambert gasped in astonishment.
"This is incredible," he whispered.
The bar had a medieval charm, dimly lit with an old-fashioned atmosphere. Several robed individuals sat around wooden tables, drinking and playing dice.
They had barely taken a few steps when an elderly man with barely any hair and a face as wrinkled as a walnut appeared in front of them.
"I'm Tom, the owner of The Leaky Cauldron," the man said, eyeing them keenly. "You look like you need help." His gaze lingered on Ryan. "First time at Hogwarts, aren't you?"
"Yes," Ryan nodded. "We've never encountered magic before. How do I get to Diagon Alley? I need to buy my school supplies."
Tom gave a toothy grin. "Come with me," he said, leading them to the back courtyard.
He pulled out his wand and tapped a section of the brick wall. "Count three bricks up from the trash can, then two across… Now, three taps!"
The bricks trembled, then shifted, forming an arched passageway into a winding cobbled street bustling with activity.
"You should visit Gringotts first," Tom advised, pocketing his wand. "Just walk straight ahead—you can't miss the tallest white building. That's where you exchange for wizarding currency."
With that, he turned and left.
Ryan and his father strolled down the cobbled path, surrounded by shops full of peculiar sights and sounds. Vendors called out their wares, strange creatures made noises, and the scent of potion ingredients lingered in the air.
Mr. Lambert, ever the curious writer, stopped frequently to examine shop windows. He marveled at an intricate gold-plated astronomical model, pressing his nose against the glass like an excited child.
Soon, they reached a towering snow-white building—Gringotts. A goblin, dressed in a red and gold uniform, stood by the bronze doors.
Mr. Lambert muttered in Chinese, "So this is a goblin? It looks almost human…"
The goblin barely acknowledged them and simply said in a bored tone, "First-year Hogwarts students should go to the special exchange counter. The sign is over there."
Inside, the grand golden hall gleamed under the chandeliers. Sure enough, in one corner was a Hogwarts First-Year Currency Exchange counter.
Ryan approached the goblin behind it.
"Hello," he greeted politely.
"Name?" the goblin asked.
"Ryan Lambert."
The goblin checked a parchment. "Confirmed. You're on the list. First-years may exchange up to 200 Galleons per year."
Mr. Lambert handed over a stack of £50 notes from the previous night's withdrawal, exchanging it for a pouch of Galleons.
"This is just like in the UK," Mr. Lambert remarked. "Your cousin told me there's also a currency exchange limit when converting pounds. Lots of paperwork too."
With their money sorted, they began shopping for school supplies—robes, textbooks, cauldrons, scales, potions, and crystal bottles.
Ryan declined his father's offer to buy him a pet, using the excuse that he needed to focus on adjusting to his new environment.
Everything went smoothly until they reached a small, dusty shop with a faded golden sign reading:
Ollivanders – Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.E.
In the window, a single wand rested on a faded purple cushion.
As they stepped inside, Ryan noticed a man in a suit and his young daughter trying out wands. Their backs seemed oddly familiar.
Before Ryan could figure out why, Mr. Lambert spoke.
"Mr. Granger? I didn't expect to meet you here!"
The dentist turned around, surprised. "Ah, Mr. Lambert! What a small world!"
At that moment, realization hit Ryan like a thunderbolt.
Granger. A dentist. A curly-haired girl.
His mind raced. The year was 1991. This girl would be going to Hogwarts.
He had read about her before. She was always the second-highest student in school exams—Ryan had been the top.
Ryan suddenly felt a chill.
No wonder I didn't recognize her at first.
Her real-world appearance was slightly different from the actress in the films. Most importantly, the pronunciation of her name at school had been Hermani, far from the Chinese-translated version of Hermione he had always known.
Ryan clenched his fists.
The world is toying with me. My seven-year plan needs to be revised—again.
[End of Chapter 4]
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