What is Vid Gray's origin?
Although he was a descendant of wizards, his parents were both duds, no different from Muggles in the eyes of real wizards.
Ferdinand explained in detail to Vid the wars caused by Grindelwald in modern times and the brutal massacres brought by the second-generation Dark Lord.
The last news they received about the magical world was that both parents were killed due to the war.
"Vid, you were excellent, always making your mother and me proud. But you must know that in the wizarding world, people's first concern is origin."
"Pure-blood, half-blood, Muggle-born, in the eyes of many, these naturally fall into a hierarchy. About a decade ago, the strongest dark wizard at that time—the mysterious man greatly advocated 'Bloodline Theory,' and he and his followers cruelly killed many Muggles and Muggle-born wizards, as well as those pure-bloods who opposed him."
"Your mother and I were also forced to completely disconnect from the wizarding world at that time... Even though peace has been restored now, there are certainly still many wizards who believe in pureblood supremacy. I have no doubt that they will pass on this prejudice and malice to their children..."
"Vid, I'm really worried... Hogwarts might not be as wonderful as we imagine..."
Ferdinand said with deep concern.
Vid listened, then quietly laughed.
"Don't worry, Dad. There are certainly classmates of similar origin to me at school. As long as there are enough companions around me, others won't easily give me trouble, right?"
He paused, then added, "Besides... anywhere, absolute power can shatter any prejudice. I will work hard to be the best I can be."
After Ferdinand heard this, he was not much relieved. He thought anxiously: But my son... you have never shown much magic ability; perhaps your magical power is only slightly stronger than a dud...
How can there be any power in that?
But, to maintain the pride of a young man, Ferdinand did not voice his thoughts.
...............
Minerva McGonagall arrived quicker than Vid had imagined.
The day after receiving the letter, while the Grey family was having breakfast, they suddenly heard a knock on the door. Vid put down his knife and fork to open the door, and the moment he saw her, he immediately recognized her identity.
Not because she was identical to the movie—Vid had nearly forgotten the plot of movies seen years ago, and the actors' images left little memory;
Nor because the serious-looking lady in front of him was wearing an eye-catching green robe, a style that ordinary people wouldn't dress in.
But because above her head was a handwritten name—
[Minerva McGonagall].
Vid was silent, and once again doubts arose in his heart—was all of this real?
Or had he crossed over not into the world of "Harry Potter" but into a game world called "Harry Potter," and he was merely an NPC awakened with past-life memories and self-awareness...
"Hello, Mr. Gray,"
While Vid drifted into wild thoughts, Minerva McGonagall tried to smile gently, though still appearing quite stern.
"I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and professor of Transfiguration."
Vid hastily reined in his wandering thoughts: "Welcome, Professor McGonagall, please come in and have a cup of tea."
The Greys also hurried out upon hearing the voices, respectfully eyeing this wizard who seemed to radiate mystery and unapproachability, momentarily at a loss for words, stammeringly saying:
"Yes, welcome—welcome—professor, madam, please come in and sit!"
Ferdinand squeezed out an enthusiastic smile while quickly glancing at his son, as if concerned he might be cursed by the wizard.
Vid was much more at ease, knowing that this lady was an incredibly upright and kind person.
He controlled his gaze not to look at the top of her head and sidestepped to allow her in.
McGonagall's visit served two purposes: to affirm the reality of the magic school and persuade the couple to allow their child to attend and to lead Vid in purchasing school supplies.
She had encountered many Muggle families who were skeptical of magic, suspected her of wanting to conduct secret experiments on children, or more inclined to send them to Muggle schools and had prepared several sets of speeches in advance.
However, this family did not overly doubt magic and were more concerned about the learning environment, which made her first task very easy.
Before long, they arrived at Charing Cross Road in London, and Professor McGonagall led them into the dingy and small Leaky Cauldron.
Perhaps because it was too early, there were few patrons inside, and a hunchback man wiping down tables greeted them: "Good morning, Professor McGonagall."
He glanced at the Muggle-attired family of three, specifically at Vid, who was much shorter than the rest, casually commenting: "Is this child one of Hogwarts's new students this year?"
"Good morning, Tom," Professor McGonagall replied. "I brought Mr. Gray to buy what he needs for school."
The group passed through the pub and reached the small courtyard at the back, where Professor McGonagall stood by the trash bin and took out her magic wand, instructing: "Mr. Gray, remember this spot. To enter Diagon Alley you have to pass through here. Count three bricks up, two across..."
The wand tapped lightly three times on a wall brick.
The wall bricks all shifted as if adjusted by an invisible hand, and in a blink, a spacious archway appeared in the wall, with bustling voices rushing in.
"Wow—"
The Grey family couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
Before them was a winding street lined with shops selling all sorts of bizarre items.
People dressed in wizard's robes came and went, bargaining, children cajoling their parents, playing and laughing, creating an exceptionally noisy yet lively atmosphere.
McGonagall led the three of them past numerous shops to Gringotts. Ferdinand had already prepared the money he needed to exchange. He pulled out a large bag of jingling Pounds Sterling and exchanged them for fifty Golden Galleons.
Before they left, Professor McGonagall had reminded them that Muggle paper currency could be exchanged in limited amounts at Gringotts, but metal coins or gold and jewels had no such restrictions.
Then, under Professor McGonagall's guidance, they purchased school uniforms, textbooks, scales, cauldrons, a magic wand, and finally, an owl as a pet.
With Hogwarts's Professor McGonagall accompanying them, the shopkeepers were polite even when realizing they were in Muggle clothes.
By the way, Vid's magic wand was made of white poplar wood with unicorn hair, twelve inches (about 30 centimeters) long. The white poplar symbolizes rebirth, and Vid found it quite intriguing.
It was as if his secret had been seen through by this wand.