Warren turned around and spotted a thin witch with a stern face stepping out of a narrow archway. She was leading a young couple and a little girl behind her.
He recognized the Leaky Cauldron immediately. He had been there before, but Tom, the stooped owner, always refused to serve him butterbeer no matter how many times he asked. Back when he had read the books in his past life, he had always wondered what butterbeer actually tasted like.
The young couple stood out in Diagon Alley. They were clearly Muggles, dressed far too ordinarily for this place. The man wore a suit, the woman a dress, and they both looked completely overwhelmed by everything around them.
Molly spotted them too. Her whole face lit up when she saw who was leading them.
Professor McGonagall. Professor McGonagall." She waved excitedly. "Merlin, it is so good to see you.
Professor McGonagall clearly knew Molly well. With five Weasley children already attending Hogwarts, all of them in Gryffindor, it would have been impossible not to know her by now.
Her stern expression softened just a bit as she led the Muggle family over. "Mrs. Weasley, are you here to buy school supplies for the children?"
"Yes, Professor McGonagall." Molly's gaze settled on the young girl. "Oh, is this young lady starting at Hogwarts this year as well?"
"That is correct." McGonagall gestured toward the family. "This is Mr. and Mrs. Granger, and their daughter, Hermione. She is a new student this year."
After the introductions, McGonagall studied Warren and Ron for a moment. Her gaze lingered longest on Warren.
"Mr. and Mrs. Granger, this is Mrs. Weasley and her two sons, Warren Weasley and..."
"Ron Weasley, Professor." Ron's voice sounded small from behind Molly.
"...Ron Weasley." McGonagall nodded at Ron, still hiding behind his mother. Her lips were pressed together in a thin line. She turned back to Warren, and the corner of her mouth twitched into what might have been a smile if you looked closely enough.
She leaned down and gently took his hand. "Mr. Weasley, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine, Professor McGonagall."
Warren offered a polite smile before glancing past her. A nervous Muggle couple stood there, greeting Molly awkwardly. Trailing behind them, a young girl stared at him with open curiosity, making no attempt to hide it.
Warren snapped his fingers and summoned the faintest whisper of magic.
Instantly, the girl's bushy hair lifted away from her brow, floating like seaweed in a gentle current.
It was nothing, really. Just a simple trick that didn't even require a wand. Yet for a Muggle family witnessing real magic for the first time, it was nothing short of astonishing. Mr. and Mrs. Granger gasped, hands flying up to cover their mouths.
The girl's eyes went wide. She reached up to smooth down her levitating hair, though her gaze kept darting back toward Warren. She looked as though she were fighting the urge to rush over and bombard him with endless questions about how he had done it.
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat. "Mrs. Weasley, I must escort the Grangers to Gringotts to exchange currency, so I won't keep you any longer."
She paused, glancing at Warren. "Mr. Weasley, I trust you will not perform such tricks in front of other Muggles. You are aware the Ministry strictly forbids it."
Warren nodded cheerfully. "Of course, Professor McGonagall."
As they walked away, Hermione kept glancing back at him. Warren offered her a smile. She froze for a moment as a faint blush rose to her cheeks.
What a cute kid.
Warren watched until she vanished into the crowd, looking back every few steps. Ron's impatient muttering finally broke his trance.
"Are we going to get my wand or what? Ollivander's is probably packed today. We might have to wait in line."
Ron's mind was entirely fixated on his new wand. As for the Muggle family they had just met, he couldn't care less who they were or why they might matter.
Warren gave him a strange look. Ron's heart skipped a beat. Nervously, he touched his face. "What are you staring at?"
"Nothing. Whatever makes you happy."
Ron was certainly happy. It was his first time in Diagon Alley, and his eyes were nearly popping out of his head. Despite his eagerness to get to the wand shop, his feet rooted themselves to the spot the moment they passed Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour.
Molly probably worried he would get upset later when he saw Warren buying all new books and robes. For once, she relented and bought him an ice cream.
With his ice cream finally in hand, he stopped pestering them. Molly led Warren through Madam Malkin's and Flourish and Blotts, picking up robes, books, and all the other supplies. Most shops offered delivery by owl, so they didn't have to lug everything around.
"Books, robes, cauldron, scales." Molly checked her list. "Oh, that's right. You can also bring a pet. Eeylops Owl Emporium and the Magical Menagerie are right over there. Warren, what kind of pet do you want?"
Warren glanced at Ron, who was still obliviously licking his ice cream, and grinned mischievously. "I want a cat."
Ron froze. His face went pale.
He could already envision the miserable fate awaiting Scabbers at home, constantly stalked by a prowling cat.
However, a new wand awaited him. The temptation whispered seductively in his mind, drowning out any urge to object. He held his tongue and returned his attention to his ice cream.
The Magical Menagerie was the largest pet shop in all of Diagon Alley. One could find almost any creature suitable for a witch or wizard there, barring those strictly banned by the Ministry.
The owner was a witch with thick, black-rimmed glasses. She greeted the Weasleys warmly, and when she heard Warren wanted a cat, she gave a sharp flick of her wand to summon a row of cages.
Excellent choice, Mr. Weasley. So many young wizards fail to grasp how significant a pet truly is. They almost always choose an owl first, prioritizing utility over affection. Honestly, it is rather frustrating. She gestured toward the cages. Take a look. These are all the cats we have in at the moment. There is a wonderful variety of breeds, and strictly between you and me, many of them have a touch of Kneazle blood. They are remarkably intelligent creatures.
Meow, meow.
The cats were undeniably clever. Sensing a potential buyer, many of the cats lounging lazily perked up and meowed softly at Warren.
One of them was enormous. The others were perhaps two feet long at most, but this one was a solid four feet from head to tail.
She was powerfully built, with beautiful, long, thick fur that made her look two or three times larger than the others. She was also the most eager, pressing her solemn face against the bars of her cage. When Warren reached out a finger, she strained to squeeze through the gap to reach him.
"Oh my, Mr. Weasley." The owner sounded delighted. "It seems this young lady has taken quite a liking to you. She is a Maine Coon with Kneazle ancestry. They are usually bred only in the Americas. She is very rare here in Europe."
Warren slipped his finger through the bars. The cat retracted her claws and gently grasped it with her thick, soft paws.
He liked her docile nature. Her coat was beautiful as well, a blend of orange-red and golden yellow that reminded him of a tea he had loved in his past life.
I'll take her.
After paying, Warren led the cat out of the shop. She was heavy, weighing at least fifteen pounds, and at four feet long, making her a struggle for Warren to carry since he was still small for his age.
When she appeared in front of Ron, the color drained even further from his face.
"That's a cat?"
Warren grinned happily. "Of course she's a cat. I'm naming her Milo." He looked down at her. "Milo, go sniff out that rat smell on Ron."
Meow.
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