What was Vid Gray's background?
Although he was the descendant of wizards, both his parents were duds, indistinguishable from Muggles in the eyes of real wizards.
Ferdinand explained in detail to Vid about the chaos caused by Grindelwald in recent times and the cruel slaughter brought by the second-generation Dark Lord.
Even the last news they received about the Wizarding World was about both parents being killed in the war.
"Vid, you were excellent, always making your mother and me proud, but you needed to understand that in the Wizarding World people valued pedigree first."
"Pure-Blood, Half-Blood, Muggle-born, in many people's eyes, were naturally divided into different tiers. About a dozen years ago the strongest Dark Wizard—the Mysterious Man—extremely advocated 'Bloodline Theory,' he and his followers cruelly murdered many Muggles and Muggle-born wizards, and even Pure-Bloods who opposed him."
"Your mother and I were forced to completely sever ties with the Wizarding World back then... even though peace had been restored now, there were certainly still many wizards who believed in Pure-Blood supremacy. I had no doubt that they passed on their prejudices and malice to their children..."
"Vid, I was worried... Hogwarts might not be as wonderful as we imagined..."
Ferdinand said worriedly.
Vid listened, then quietly smiled.
"Don't worry, Dad. There were bound to be classmates with the same background as me in school. As long as there were enough friends around, others wouldn't dare to bother me easily, right?"
He paused and added, "Besides... no matter where, absolute strength could shatter any prejudice. I would study hard and strive to become the best."
After hearing this, Ferdinand didn't relax much. He thought worriedly, but son... you never showed much Magic Ability, and there may be only a little more Magic Power than a dud...
So what strength did he have?
However, to protect the teenager's self-esteem, Ferdinand didn't voice his thoughts.
............
Minerva McGonagall came faster than Vid imagined.
The day after receiving the letter, when the Grey Family was having breakfast, they suddenly heard a knock at the door. Vid put down his knife and fork to open the door and immediately recognized her the moment he saw the person.
It wasn't because she looked exactly like the movie—Vid had long forgotten most movie plots from years ago; the actor's image wouldn't have left much memory either.
It wasn't because the serious lady in front wore a noticeable green robe which normal people wouldn't wear.
It was because there was a hand-written name above her head—
[Minerva McGonagall].
Vid fell silent and doubts arose in his heart again—Was all of this real?
Or did he cross not into the 'Harry Potter' world, but into a game world called 'Harry Potter'? Was he just an NPC who had awakened past life memories and self-awareness...
"Hello, Mr. Gray,"
While Vid was thinking fancifully, Minerva McGonagall smiled as warmly as possible but still looked serious.
"I was Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Transfiguration Class Professor."
Vid hurriedly retracted his wandering thoughts, "Welcome, Professor McGonagall, please come in and have a cup of tea."
The Grey Family hurried out upon hearing the commotion, looking at the wizard who seemed to exude mystery and unapproachability with reverence. For a moment, they couldn't find their voice and stammered:
"Yes, welcome—welcome—Professor, Ma'am, please come in and sit!"
Ferdinand forced a warm smile while looking at his son, seemingly worried he might be cursed by this wizard.
Vid was much calmer, for he knew this lady was an extremely upright and kind person.
He controlled his gaze not to look at the name above her head, stepping aside to allow her inside.
McGonagall's purpose in coming was to prove the Magic School's authenticity and persuade the couple to allow their child to attend school, and to take Vid shopping for school supplies.
She had seen many Muggle families doubting magic, suspecting she wanted to take their child for secret experiments, or wanting their child to attend Muggle School, so she had prepared several sets of speeches in advance.
However, this family didn't have much skepticism toward magic. Instead, they were more concerned about the study environment, which made her first task fairly easy.
Not long after, the group arrived at London's Charing Cross Road, and Professor McGonagall led them into the dirty and cramped Leaky Cauldron.
Presumably because it was too early, there weren't many customers in the bar. A hunchbacked man wiping tables greeted them, "Good morning, Professor McGonagall."
He glanced at the three Muggle-dressed people, focusing on Vid, who was noticeably shorter than the others, and casually said, "Was this child a new student at Hogwarts this year?"
"Good morning, Tom," Professor McGonagall replied, "I brought Mr. Gray to buy the items he needed for admission."
They went through the bar to the small courtyard at the back. Professor McGonagall stood by the trash cans with her wand and instructed, "Mr. Gray, remember this place. If you needed to enter Diagon Alley, you had to pass through here. Count three bricks up and two across..."
She tapped one of the wall bricks three times with her wand.
All the bricks on the wall began to move, as if adjusted by an invisible hand, forming a wide archway within moments, filled with bustling voices.
"Wow—"
The Grey Family couldn't help but exclaim.
Before them was a winding street lined with shops selling all sorts of strange things.
People wearing Wizard's Robes came and went, haggling, children coaxing parents, chasing, and playing, giving a particularly noisy yet lively feel.
McGonagall led them through numerous shops to Gringotts. Ferdinand had already prepared the money to exchange; he took out a large bag of clinking Pounds Sterling and exchanged them for fifty Golden Galleons.
Before leaving, Professor McGonagall reminded them that Muggle paper money had limited exchange rates at Gringotts, but metal coins or gold and jewels had no such limits.
Afterward, they went with Professor McGonagall to buy school uniforms, textbooks, scales, cauldrons, magic wands, and finally, an owl as a pet.
With Hogwarts' Professor McGonagall accompanying them, the shopkeepers treated them politely, even seeing them dressed in Muggle clothes.
Incidentally, Vid's magic wand was twelve inches (about 30 centimeters) long, made of White Poplar Wood with Unicorn Hair. White Poplar symbolized rebirth, which Vid found quite intriguing.
It felt as if his secret was seen through by this wand.