Thomas and Severus, neatly dressed, walked down the stairs one after another.
With proper nutrition over the past two years, Thomas and Severus were no longer the little sprouts they had been four years ago; they had grown into two tall, slender teenagers.
Although they still looked similar, subtle differences revealed distinct temperaments.
Severus's skin was fairer, his features sharply defined, exuding an unyielding resolve and coolness; while Thomas, perhaps due to that unusual bond deep within his soul, had features that held a touch of Asian gentleness and softness, and his skin had a healthy wheat tone, making him appear more lively and vibrant.
Mrs. Hudson stood between the two Thomases and Professor McGonagall: "Where are Sherlock and John?"
"They'll be down in a moment, Mrs. Hudson." Thomas found the wary old lady amusing. "Next term, we're transferring to a boarding school, and this is a Professor from our new school. She's here to take us to buy some essential school supplies."
Mrs. Hudson pulled Thomas aside and whispered, "Is this a school Sherlock found for you? And John agreed? It doesn't look very reliable."
"Don't worry, Mrs. Hudson, if the school isn't good, I'll write to you, and then you must make Sherlock come and pick us up." Thomas lowered his voice, playing along with the old lady.
"Don't worry, child!" Mrs. Hudson accepted this 'arduous' task.
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and coughed, indicating she had heard. "I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Principal of Hogwarts and Professor of Transfiguration. Mr. Snape Twins, where are your guardians?"
Her gaze shifted back and forth between Thomas and Severus, their similar faces making her pause slightly. Most Wizarding families inherited a single bloodline, and apart from the Weasley family, known for its large numbers, Twins were not common.
"Thomas Snape, you can call me Thomas." Thomas found it a bit odd for both of them to be called Mr. Snape. "Sherlock and John need a little more time; they'll be right down."
"Severus Snape, you can call me Severus." Severus immediately followed, as he also didn't particularly want to be called Mr. Snape.
Professor McGonagall nodded slightly in understanding. Her gaze was drawn to a copper-glowing herb Thomas held in his arms; it was a precious magical herb, and of excellent quality.
She frowned slightly. This family should be a Muggle-born family, as only then would the Book of Admittance suggest a Professor escort: "Do you have any relatives who are wizards?"
"Our mother was a Witch, but she is no longer with us." Thomas answered evasively.
He noticed where Professor McGonagall's gaze fell, but he had no intention of hiding his herbal talent. He fully revealed the small potted plant, allowing Professor McGonagall to see it more clearly: "This is 'Niffler Grass' that I cultivated."
'Niffler Grass' is a rare plant in the Wizarding World. Its leaves glow like copper. Nifflers love shiny things, hence the plant's name. It is one of the ingredients for potions of Potential, making it highly sought after in the Wizarding World.
"I'm very sorry, child." A hint of pity appeared in Professor McGonagall's eyes. Following Thomas's words, she assumed his mother had taught him how to cultivate magical plants: "You are very talented; I imagine your mother must have been a remarkable herbalist."
The previous times Thomas used his Wood Element Ability, it was to give plants astonishing growth speed in a short period. This defied natural laws, a fleeting burst at the cost of the plant's future vitality. Once the ability's power was withdrawn, those once-flourishing plants would rapidly decline, quickly withering and dying.
But in reality, as a true Wood Element Ability user, they pursued the art of harmonious coexistence with nature.
So, over the past four years, Thomas had cultivated all the plant seeds he obtained in Hogsmeade Village using normal methods, including many rare plants known for being difficult to grow.
Under the care of his Wood Element Ability, they all grew well and were of excellent quality.
Aside from a portion for Severus's potion research, the rest, lacking sales channels, could only remain at home as ornamental plants.
Now, finally able to reconnect with the Wizarding World, Thomas planned to take some of them to Diagon Alley to sell.
In fact, Severus had also brought his own potions, but the small potion bottles were in his pocket, not as conspicuous as Thomas's.
The sound of leather shoes echoed from the stairs, and Sherlock and John walked down side by side. The reason they took so long was that Sherlock wanted to bring a super large suitcase to shop in the Wizarding World, but Watson forcibly stopped him.
Professor McGonagall paused slightly when she saw the two men descend, then quickly reacted: "Mr. Snape's, I am Minerva McGonagall, Transfiguration Professor and Deputy Principal of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and also the Professor escorting you this time."
"Uh... hello, Professor McGonagall." John spoke first. "My name is John Watson, and he is Sherlock Holmes. We are not named Snape. But please rest assured, we are indeed the legal guardians of Thomas and Severus."
"Mr. Watson, Mr. Holmes." Professor McGonagall readily corrected herself. The situation of this family seemed even more complex than she had imagined.
But she was not one to pry: "Gentlemen, it's getting late, we should depart."
The group exited the house, where a shiny black car with a prominent taxi sign on its roof was already waiting at the door.
Professor McGonagall refused to use this Muggle mode of transport with them, simply giving them an address before leaving alone. Thomas watched McGonagall's retreating figure, guessing she must have Apparated somewhere.
Following the address Professor McGonagall gave them, they took a taxi to the front of a bookstore on Charing Cross Road in London, Britain.
Indeed, when they got out of the car, they found Professor McGonagall already waiting next to the bookstore. Beside her stood a family, parents with two daughters, and Thomas found the two girls very familiar.
Professor McGonagall introduced the two parties: the Evans family. Only their Little Witch daughter was a wizard, and the family had accompanied her to Diagon Alley for shopping.
The Little Witch daughter, Lily, immediately brightened when she saw the Thomas brothers, exclaiming with surprise, "It's you!"
"We've met before, do you remember?" the red-haired Little Witch said enthusiastically. "You said I was a Witch, and when I went home and told Mum and Dad, they didn't believe me until I received my school letter! It's wonderful!"
The Twins were indeed memorable. Her sister Petunia, standing beside her, also recalled that somewhat unpleasant meeting. She silently stared at Thomas and the others, her eyes containing not only envy and jealousy but also a hint of imperceptible sadness: Why did she, born of the same mother as Lily, not have magic?
"Snape?" Mr. and Mrs. Evans exchanged a complex look.
The surname reminded them of the 'Snape Haunted House' that had become a town legend, a legend that spoke of a pair of mysteriously disappeared Twin brothers, the beginning of that family's tragedy... Looking at their Little Witch daughter who had gone over to chat with her future classmates, the couple frowned slightly.
Thomas also recognized the two sisters they had met once in that small park in Cokeworth. His gaze finally settled on the smiling Lily. So, this was the girl in the original plot for whom Severus was willing to dedicate his life?
Frankly, she was indeed a likable young girl, but Thomas also frowned; no one was worth Severus sacrificing his life for.
He subtly positioned himself in front of his brother, offering a polite smile to Lily who had come over to greet them: "Hello, Miss Evans."
Severus merely nodded casually, even showing some resistance.
He was naturally reserved in front of strangers, and Cokeworth was a place he preferred not to remember.
"You can call me Lily!" The girl didn't sense the brothers' coolness and remained very enthusiastic.
Sherlock subtly observed everything. A middle-level employee at a smelting factory, a housewife, two daughters with different personalities—this was a very ordinary middle-class family. But Thomas's reaction was a bit strange... "Alright, everyone, stick close to me. young wizards, hold onto your family members." Professor McGonagall slightly raised her voice, drawing everyone's attention to her.
She walked towards the gap between the bookstore and the record store... Only then did Thomas notice a very inconspicuous small door between the bookstore and the record store, with a worn-out little sign hanging above it, bearing the shop's name—The Leaky Cauldron.
And Sherlock and John, as Muggles, only realized there was a building in front of them when they stepped through the pub's door. If they hadn't been holding Thomas and Severus's hands, they probably would have kept circling outside: "Oh, magic."
The pub was bustling with people, noisy and boisterous.
Being the start of the school term, their group entering didn't attract anyone's attention except for Tom, the pub owner: "Professor McGonagall, bringing Muggle young wizards to shop again today?"
"Yes, Tom." Professor McGonagall nodded sternly, saying nothing more.
She led the group around to a small courtyard behind the pub, where a tall brick wall blocked their way. Professor McGonagall drew her wand from her robes: "Watch closely, children. This is the passage from London to Diagon Alley. Next school year, you'll need to come by yourselves."
With that, Professor McGonagall began to tap the bricks methodically and slowly: "Three bricks up from the dustbin, then two across. Remember that?"
The group stared intently at her actions. As her words fell, the seemingly ordinary brick wall seemed to come alive, trembling subtly. They slowly scattered, as if gently pushed apart by an invisible hand, eventually forming a doorway.
Within the door frame was not the darkness and emptiness one might expect, but a well-lit, bustling street.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley." Professor McGonagall's voice rang out, carrying a hint of imperceptible pride.
Everyone's gaze was drawn to the scene before them; it turned out that behind the city of London, such a prosperous and mysterious world was hidden.