Professor McGonagall looked at the small magical creature circling Ryze with unconcealed amazement.
The tiny being emitted a faint pink glow as it hovered protectively near him. At first glance, it resembled a miniature fox made of blue light, no larger than an adult's palm. Its soft fur shimmered with magic, and its eyes carried an alert intelligence as it cautiously watched Professor McGonagall.
What fascinated her most, however, was the mysterious rune engraved on its forehead.
The symbol faintly pulsed with magical energy.
"It looks somewhat like a rune," Professor McGonagall said thoughtfully, adjusting her glasses. "But I do not recall ever seeing this particular symbol before. Perhaps Professor Babbling might recognize it."
She studied the creature for a few more moments, but the rune remained unfamiliar.
"This truly is a remarkable familiar, Mr. White," she said eventually. "Are you certain this little fellow appeared beside you automatically after your first magical outburst?"
"Yes, Professor McGonagall," Ryze replied calmly.
He had prepared this explanation long ago.
"Ailey is a Fairy who appeared beside me last September. Over the past year, it has helped me many times and has never been noticed by ordinary people."
Ryze gently stroked the floating creature.
"We haven't been separated since then. That's why I wrote to you after receiving my Hogwarts letter to ask whether I could bring Ailey with me to school."
Technically speaking, Ryze was telling the truth.
Just not the entire truth.
To demonstrate Ailey's abilities, Ryze nodded slightly toward the Fairy.
Ailey responded instantly.
A translucent magical barrier appeared around Ryze, shimmering like a thin layer of crystal.
Professor McGonagall immediately drew her wand.
"Let's test this."
She cast a light probing spell toward the barrier.
The spell struck the shield and dissolved harmlessly.
"Interesting," she murmured. "It's somewhat similar to the Protego Shield Charm… but the casting speed is far faster than what most adult wizards could manage."
She lowered her wand, clearly impressed.
"That's a very useful defensive ability."
After thinking for a moment, she spoke again.
"I cannot give you a definite answer yet regarding bringing Ailey to Hogwarts. Before making that decision, I must consult Professor Babbling about the rune on its body. However, if it continues to behave as calmly as it has today, I see no reason why it would cause problems."
She then turned toward Andromeda.
"Mrs. Tonks, does this creature remind you of anything from the Black family heritage?"
Andromeda shook her head slowly.
"I'm afraid not."
She looked at Ailey thoughtfully.
"But it isn't impossible that this is some kind of protection Uncle Alphard left behind for Ryze."
She sighed faintly.
"I was never deeply involved in the Black family's secrets. Perhaps the house-elf at the old Black residence would know something… but unfortunately that isn't an option."
Her expression grew bitter.
"I was disowned by the family. Kreacher, that stubborn old elf, would never answer my questions. As far as he's concerned, the only person he still respects is my sister."
"And she's currently locked away in Azkaban."
Professor McGonagall gave a small nod.
"In that case, after we visit Diagon Alley today, I will try to contact Professor Babbling. Hopefully she's still in Britain."
She briefly introduced Professor Bathsheba Babbling to Ryze.
"She teaches Ancient Runes at Hogwarts. If you develop an interest in that subject, you may take her class as an elective beginning in your third year."
Ryze nodded politely.
"I'll keep that in mind, Professor."
Professor McGonagall then asked another question.
"Has anything else unusual happened since your magical awakening?"
Ryze thought for a moment.
"Oh, there is one more thing."
He ran upstairs to his room and returned carrying something large.
Very large.
It was a long wooden staff — nearly five feet in length.
Compared to a normal wizard's wand, it looked absurdly oversized.
"I'm not sure what this is," Ryze explained. "It appeared at the same time as Ailey. I think it might be a wand… although it's much bigger than yours."
He lifted the staff and gave it a small swing.
A glowing arcane projectile formed at the tip.
An Arcane Comet the size of a fist.
It slowly circled around Ryze several times like a floating star before dissipating into sparks.
"When I hold it," Ryze said, "I can unconsciously use this spell."
Professor McGonagall watched carefully.
"Excellent magical control," she said with approval. "Most young witches and wizards cannot manage magic with such precision before beginning their first year."
She stepped closer to examine the staff.
"It certainly contains a strong magical aura."
She tilted her head thoughtfully.
"But this is the first time I've seen a wand nearly five feet long."
She tapped the wood gently.
"In modern wizarding society, wands are usually much smaller. Something like this resembles the great staves described in fairy tales about ancient wizards from before the Middle Ages."
After a moment she straightened.
"You should bring it to Ollivander's wand shop. He is the finest wandmaker in Britain. If anyone can identify this object, it will be him."
She glanced at the clock.
"If you are free now, we should head to Diagon Alley."
Ryze had been waiting for this moment.
"How do we get there?"
Professor McGonagall's answer was surprisingly mundane.
"For Muggle-raised students, the method is quite simple."
"Take the subway or call a taxi."
Ryze blinked.
Apparently, magical transportation like Apparition or the Knight Bus was considered too intense for an eleven-year-old child — especially one who looked as physically frail as he did.
Once the taxi arrived, Professor McGonagall accompanied them to the street but did not join them further.
With Andromeda accompanying Ryze, her assistance was no longer necessary.
"I will go find Professor Babbling now," she said. "If I learn anything about that rune, I will send you an owl."
She looked kindly at Ryze.
"For now, simply follow Mrs. Tonks and enjoy your visit to Diagon Alley."
Half an hour later, their taxi arrived in London.
Specifically, at Charing Cross Road.
Their destination was the Leaky Cauldron.
The pub looked… ancient.
Nestled between a bookstore and a record shop, it appeared so shabby that most Muggles simply ignored it.
Ryze might have missed it entirely if Andromeda had not pointed it out.
Inside, the atmosphere felt even older.
The interior looked as though it had not been renovated in a century.
Behind the bar stood an elderly man.
Old Tom.
Andromeda and Nymphadora greeted him casually.
They did not discuss Ryze's situation, and Ryze noticed that Professor Quirrell — who should eventually be possessed by Voldemort — was nowhere in sight.
After a brief greeting, the group moved toward the back courtyard.
Nymphadora gestured toward a brick wall.
"Your turn, little uncle."
Ryze raised his oversized wand.
Following her instructions, he tapped the third brick above the trash bin.
Then he tapped the second brick to the right.
The wall began to move.
Bricks shifted and folded inward like pieces of a puzzle, forming an archway.
Beyond it stretched a cobblestone street filled with magical shops.
Diagon Alley.
Even though Ryze had seen countless magical effects in movies during his previous life, witnessing real magic unfold before his eyes felt entirely different.
The sense of reality made his heart race with excitement.
After entering Diagon Alley, Andromeda began organizing their tasks.
"We'll go to Gringotts first," she said. "There are some inheritance matters that need to be handled."
She handed the Hogwarts supply list to her daughter.
"Nymphadora, you buy the first-year books and equipment for your little uncle. Then wait for us at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions."
Nymphadora looked at the list and groaned dramatically.
"What a nostalgic list."
She waved it in the air.
"I don't even remember where my first-year books ended up."
She winked at Ryze.
"See you later, little Ryze."
"I hope those goblins at Gringotts work faster than usual. I don't want to wait all day."
Andromeda immediately scolded her.
"You should call him 'uncle.'"
Nymphadora simply shrugged and walked away.
Unfortunately, her concerns turned out to be justified.
The goblins at Gringotts had extremely strict procedures for someone like Ryze — an illegitimate heir claiming inheritance.
If no rightful heir appeared, abandoned vaults would eventually become the property of Gringotts.
Naturally, they had no intention of giving away money without thorough verification.
Andromeda's Black family bloodline confirmation was only the first step.
Next came verification that Alphard Black had truly been missing for over eleven years.
Then confirmation that no one had accessed his vault during that time.
The process dragged on endlessly.
Over the next hour, Ryze was subjected to more than a dozen verification procedures.
Finally, the goblin clerk returned.
"It appears that you are indeed the descendant of the owner of Vault 717."
His sharp eyes gleamed slightly.
"Since the owner of this vault has been missing for over ten years, Wizarding Inheritance Law allows you to claim it."
He slid a long parchment across the desk.
"However, several administrative fees must be paid first."
The list stretched nearly ten inches long.
"These include vault management fees for the past ten years, document processing costs, identity verification charges, and the replacement of the vault key."
He smiled thinly.
"All of which are completely legal and reasonable."
In the end, Andromeda paid the fees on Ryze's behalf.
Soon after, they boarded a small metal cart.
The ride through the underground tunnels of Gringotts was dizzyingly fast.
Finally, the cart stopped.
Vault 717.
Inside were several large chests filled with gold Galleons.
Stacks of glittering coins reflected the torchlight.
There were also numerous magical artifacts piled along the walls.
Looking at the wealth before him, Ryze realized something.
If he wanted to live a lazy life, he could probably retire right now.
Andromeda examined the items thoughtfully.
"Perhaps Ailey and that strange wand were also treasures Alphard discovered during his adventures," she said.
Her voice softened slightly.
"It's just a pity that we still don't know where he went on his final journey."
After searching the vault for a while, she found several documents.
Property deeds.
She handed them to Ryze with a serious expression.
"A cottage in Hogsmeade."
"A three-story villa in Glastonbury."
"And a storefront in Knockturn Alley."
"These properties were left to you by your father."
She hesitated slightly.
"We can visit the first two before school begins."
"But I would strongly advise avoiding Knockturn Alley."
Finally, they discussed Ryze's finances.
On Andromeda's advice, Ryze withdrew five hundred Galleons.
It was more than enough for school supplies, daily expenses, and minor repairs for the two houses.
If he needed more money later, the vault would still be waiting.
And as Ryze looked once more at the glittering gold surrounding him, a single thought crossed his mind.
His new life had just become much more comfortable.