Jeremy opened the door, and standing outside was indeed Professor Minerva McGonagall.
She was also a professor Jeremy had always liked very much.
A Gryffindor, brave and fearless, fair and just, dignified yet kind, strict but not inflexible.
Jeremy really liked her so much.
This of course also included Professor McGonagall's Animagus form, that adorable tabby cat.
"Hello, Mr. Pringle, I am Minerva McGonagall, Transfiguration professor at Hogwarts. Today, I will be taking you to Diagon Alley to purchase your school supplies."
Professor McGonagall's expression was stern, but when she looked down at Jeremy, she paused, and her voice carried a trace of gentleness.
"Of course, I was also your parents' professor. They were very intelligent, and also... very brave."
At the end of her sentence, Professor McGonagall's tone held a note of regret.
Jeremy certainly knew why.
Lawrence and Anne had bravely fought against the Death Eaters, but unfortunately, their injuries were too severe, and they didn't make it.
While the rest of the magical world was joyfully celebrating Voldemort's death, Jeremy's family remained deep in sorrow, unable to feel any happiness at all.
"Hello, Professor McGonagall, my name is Jeremy Pringle. I'm very happy to go to Diagon Alley with you. It's so wonderful that I can attend Hogwarts. My dad told me it's the best place there is!"
Jeremy replied excitedly.
He was certainly excited; it was the wizarding world, after all. Who wouldn't want to experience it? And it was safe now, so he could have a complete Hogwarts era.
Upon hearing this, Professor McGonagall's expression softened considerably. She looked at the child before her with pity, then suddenly frowned.
"Mr. Pringle, your eyes..."
Jeremy's small hand instinctively touched his eyes, and then he explained.
"Professor McGonagall, my dad said this was a mutation caused by two spells intersecting when Death Eaters were hunting us. He doesn't know why it happened either. Fortunately, it hasn't affected my health, and my eyesight and magic are fine, so he told me not to worry about it and just think of it as eyes with a slightly unusual color."
Jeremy gave Professor McGonagall a smile that was both slightly helpless and reassuring.
He didn't want to explain it too clearly to her, because he himself didn't really know what was going on. Making up a little story was fine; anything could happen in the magical world, it wasn't strange.
Merlin, what a sensible young wizard. Why did he have to suffer such hardship?
Professor McGonagall sighed inwardly. The suffering in the entire magical world was certainly not limited to the Pringle family alone. But at least the Dark Lord was dead, and these children could grow up healthy now.
"Let's go, Mr. Pringle. We're ready to head to Diagon Alley."
Professor McGonagall, returning to the present, extended her hand, signaling for Jeremy to take it.
"Please wait a moment, Professor McGonagall!"
Jeremy ran thump-thump-thump upstairs, retrieved one thousand pounds from the study, and then ran thump-thump-thump back down.
"Please excuse me, I don't have any Galleons. Dad said I could exchange pounds at Gringotts. My dad earned this for me working in the Muggle world."
Jeremy explained, tilting his small face upward.
Professor McGonagall didn't mind. She took the stack of pounds for safekeeping, then took Jeremy's hand and began to Apparate.
Oh, no!
I wasn't ready for this!
Jeremy was abruptly thrust into the rubber-tube passage of Apparition. Unexpectedly, though, it wasn't too unpleasant; he felt dizzy for a bit, and then it was over.
Jeremy stood at the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron, dizzily shaking his head, a little perplexed.
But when he saw Professor McGonagall's hand still firmly holding his own, he had some understanding.
Professor McGonagall had protected him.
Truly the stern yet soft-hearted Professor McGonagall. I like her so much.
"This is the Leaky Cauldron. Once you know the address, you can take a cab here yourself in the future. However, I don't recommend first-years coming alone, especially children like you who haven't been exposed to the magical world before. You could be cheated if you're not familiar with it."
Professor McGonagall's words carried a slight warning as she earnestly advised Jeremy.
Jeremy understood what she meant. It hadn't even been a year since Voldemort died. Although the magical world was already showing signs of stability, it wasn't completely settled yet.
In a few years, once the situation had fully calmed down, a young wizard like him walking alone in Diagon Alley would be much safer.
Jeremy nodded very seriously in agreement and received a satisfied nod from Professor McGonagall.
The two entered the Leaky Cauldron, and Jeremy looked around with fresh curiosity.
2D becoming 3D was truly amazing.
The dim environment, the gloomy old Tom, the smoke-filled air, and the aimless, unemployed wizards laughing and drinking without a care.
But all this quickly quieted down, and then the atmosphere became lively.
"Professor McGonagall, it's an honor to see you. I wish you good health."
"Professor McGonagall, hello. I'm a Ravenclaw student."
"Professor McGonagall, is the Dark Lord really dead? I just can't believe it."
"Professor McGonagall..."
The witches and wizards in the Leaky Cauldron all recognized Professor McGonagall and excitedly crowded around, asking questions all at once.
Professor McGonagall calmly nodded to the wizards who approached her.
"Professor McGonagall, who is this young wizard? Oh, silly me, this year's new students should be enrolling."
At these words, everyone stopped and focused their attention on Jeremy.
Jeremy felt a bit creeped out and instinctively hid behind Professor McGonagall's robes.
Professor McGonagall adopted the demeanor she used for unruly students, sweeping her gaze across them until they averted their eyes.
"This is the first batch of new students. They're better off than we were. I really wish I could go back to Hogwarts."
That Ravenclaw student sighed, looking at Jeremy with some regret and envy.
"Mr. Saunt, graduation isn't the end. I believe you can make something of yourself. Don't be discouraged. Things are different now; Muggle-born wizards can do very well too."
Professor McGonagall clearly recognized him and offered a word of encouragement.
It was quite obvious that this Mr. Saunt was a Muggle-born wizard. Judging by his age, he was still in school when Voldemort rose to power. Because of Voldemort, he probably hadn't been able to learn much, to the point that after graduation, he found himself adrift, spending his days drinking at the Leaky Cauldron.
After a moment's thought, Professor McGonagall added with a smile.
"I'm glad you have such fond memories of Hogwarts, but I suggest you don't go back. Do you remember the eagle bronze knocker at the entrance of the Ravenclaw common room? You couldn't answer its question, and in anger, you read the Encyclopedia of Potions and Herbs to it all night. It said that next time it sees you, it will ask you an even harder question."
"Ha ha ha ha!"
The witches and wizards in the Leaky Cauldron burst into loud laughter, and old Tom laughed so hard he spilled his butterbeer.
Mr. Saunt sat down, his face red, burying it in his plate, refusing to come out.
Smiling, Professor McGonagall led Jeremy through the crowd and into the back courtyard. She drew her wand and said.
"Watch carefully, the sequence must be correct. Once you have your own wand, you can open it yourself."
Jeremy quietly activated his Byakugan and watched as Professor McGonagall tapped the wall in a specific order. The bricks and the trash can in the corner together emitted a glow, and the bricks began to shift, gradually opening to both sides.
Amazing. Every single object in the magical world was placed here for a reason.
Professor McGonagall sensed the subtle magical fluctuations from Jeremy and watched him staring intently at the moving wall. She found it rather amusing.
Indeed, no young wizard could escape the excitement of the magical world's door swinging open for them.
The bricks finished moving, forming a rounded archway. Beyond it was a bustling, crowded scene.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley."
Professor McGonagall announced with pride.
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