: The Beginning of Everything - A Journey to Diagon Alley

Chapter 41 The Beginning: A Journey to Diagon Alley

"First-year students need: three plain work robes, a plain pointed hat for daytime wear, a pair of protective gloves (made of dragon skin or similar material), and a winter cloak..."

Outside Madam Malkin's Robe Shop, Draco Malfoy was slowly reciting the uniform requirements from the book list, uttering in a drawn-out tone, "Ha, so many outfits! Don't they have enough money for a self-cleaning wizard's robe?"

"The robe I wear can not only clean itself, but also transform into different shapes according to my preferences..."

"Not everyone can afford such a robe; its price is probably equivalent to several months' salary for most people."

Baron frowned almost imperceptibly, having gained a basic understanding of Draco Malfoy's personality. Avada, on the other hand, looked down awkwardly at the corner of his clothes, which were covered in furnace ash—his clothes were the only ones that didn't automatically clean themselves, and as a student, he couldn't very well give them a thorough cleaning in front of everyone.

They were teleported directly to Diagon Alley through Shafik's fireplace. This was also Avada's first time using Floo Powder. He didn't understand the structure, so he planned to buy a small spoonful to study later. Maybe it could help him make a breakthrough in spatial magic?

Upon arriving at Diagon Alley, Mr. Shafik and Lucius immediately went to the Nimbus 2000 pre-sale booth to discuss the new magical wood with the person in charge; Narcissa and Mrs. Shafik went together to buy books and equipment for Draco and Baron for the new school term; while Draco was left at Madam Malkin's robe shop to choose clothes, so Avada and Baron were also left to look after Draco and, incidentally, to chat more...

"And what about Slytherin? Do Slytherin students also wear these clothes?" Malfoy asked again.

"Of course, all Hogwarts students have to wear these clothes, but after you're sorted into your house, the color of the lining will be changed, and you'll also receive some accessories..."

"Okay, honey, you can try on the clothes now."

A short, plump, smiling witch approached and interrupted Baron and Malfoy's conversation: "The dressing room is available now, please come in, my dear."

"oh."

Malfoy nodded slowly and followed Madam Malkin into the fitting room.

"I can't even imagine."

Baron sighed, resting his chin on his hand. "I've seen plenty of arrogant guys in Slytherin who look down on other houses, but this is the first time I've seen someone who even criticizes my clothes..."

"After all, he's the only son of the Malfoy family, so it's normal for him to have high demands for material life," Avada chimed in. "But he'll probably be fine once he gets to Hogwarts; the experience of casting spells himself will be enough to make him forget all about clothes and stuff..."

"That's not necessarily true." Baron shook his head. "You still don't understand the current situation in Slytherin. There are quite a few guys who look down on top students because of their bloodline. The Ravenclaw girl who tied for first place with me last semester was talked about by a lot of guys behind her back just because she was a Muggle... Sigh."

Avada shook his head and didn't reply. He could understand Baron's feelings—being surrounded by a large group of people with conflicting views every day, and the key point was that in Baron's eyes, they were not only not enemies, but also people who needed help and change... It's no wonder he was exhausted.

"Forget about that—look, more new students have arrived. Judging from their behavior, they're probably Muggle-borns experiencing the magical world for the first time..."

Perhaps feeling that sitting idly wasn't a solution, Baron decided to temporarily set aside his troubles and began to observe his surroundings. He then spotted a thin little boy with bangs covering his forehead and wearing round glasses timidly stepping into the robe shop, looking around nervously and curiously...

Avada followed Baron's gaze, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Everything is finally about to begin.

"Here to try on new clothes?" He greeted them gently, raising his hand. "The fitting room is already occupied, and Mrs. Malkin is there too. You may have to wait a while."

"Okay, thank you so much."

After stammering a thank you, the boy stood there nervously, seemingly unsure of what to do with his hands.

"Wait, are you...?"

Baron's gaze suddenly sharpened as he scrutinized the man from head to toe, focusing particularly on his forehead. After noticing something through the gaps in his bangs, he asked hesitantly, "Harry Potter?"

"Yes...yes."

Harry didn't seem too surprised, probably because he had already been recognized by quite a few people.

Baron immediately stood up, strode forward, and extended his hand to Harry: "Slytherin, Baron Shafik, second year. It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Harry Potter."

"Hufflepuff, Ken, second year. Nice to meet you, Mr. Potter."

Avada also stood up and bowed slightly to Harry—he, like all the wizards in Britain, owed a debt of gratitude to Lily Potter and Harry.

Hello.

Harry still seemed a little nervous. After cautiously shaking hands with Baron and Avada, he paused for a moment before asking, "Sorry, I didn't quite understand what you were saying earlier. Sly... and Hufflepuff... what were those things?"

"Those are the names of the houses," Baron explained. "Hogwarts is divided into four houses: Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. Finding your house will be the first thing you do when you enter the school; you'll find out then."

"How did they determine my college?"

"Based on each person's qualities."

This time it was Avada's turn to answer: "While there are many interpretations of the qualities that the houses symbolize, generally speaking, Gryffindor represents courage, Hufflepuff represents kindness, Ravenclaw represents wisdom, and Slytherin represents ambition..."

"There is also honor and responsibility," Baron added.

"Yes, that's right, also honor and responsibility." Avada nodded.

"Then I might only be suited for Hufflepuff... I don't think I'm that bad at anything except for being kind-hearted."

Harry seemed much more relaxed, his speech was less hesitant, and he even seemed to be in the mood for self-deprecation.

"That would be an honor," Avada laughed. "I'll be the first to shout, 'We have Potter!'"

Of course, he was just joking. Anyway, he knew Harry's destiny was either Gryffindor or Slytherin—but it was best to avoid Slytherin, where there were still quite a few Voldemort's spiritual followers, and they probably wouldn't be very friendly to the "murderer" who killed Voldemort.

I wonder if Snape would tearfully empty his own house's hourglass of grades if Harry actually ran into Slytherin, and stage a scene of "I kill myself"?

"Hey, Harry!"

Suddenly, a loud, gruff voice burst into the robe shop, followed by a bearded man more than twice the size of an average person, holding a drink in his hand: "I bought you a refreshing drink. The Gringotts minecarts are really unbearable, hopefully this will make you feel better... Ken? You're here too?"

"Long time no see, Hagrid."

Avada greeted him with a smile, and Baron nodded in return. Avada had been caught by Hagrid once last semester when he went to the Forbidden Forest to collect materials, but the two had a lot in common when it came to magical creatures and had exchanged a few letters during the holidays, so they got along quite well.

"Oh, you two already know each other? Then I don't need to introduce you again. This is Harry Potter..."

Hagrid's small eyes flashed with a hint of mockery as he looked at Avada: "In a way, he's your nemesis."

Avada: ...

Okay, even the good-natured Hagrid has started this, so this joke is definitely not going to go away.

"I'm out... Why are there so many people?"

As they were talking, Draco Malfoy came out of the fitting room carrying a neatly folded wizard's robe. He was a little surprised to see that the store was packed to the brim (an illusion created by Hagrid's size), but after taking a closer look and recognizing Hagrid, his brows furrowed.

"Let's go, Dad and the others should be waiting for us."

Malfoy didn't even glance at Hagrid and Harry, tugged at Avada and Baron's sleeves, and walked out. The two exchanged a puzzled look, quickly said goodbye to Harry and Hagrid, and followed him.

"That big guy, my dad told me about him."

Once they were completely away from the robe shop, Malfoy stopped and frowned, saying, "He was expelled from Hogwarts for keeping dangerous magical creatures without permission and now lives in a small cabin on the edge of the school. He's dangerous and rude, often drunk, and he even burned his own bed once... We'd better stay away from him."

Avada opened her mouth, about to explain to him that Hagrid was actually very kind and friendly, when she was suddenly interrupted by a voice: "Draco, the books and school supplies are all bought. Now it's time to choose your wand!"

(End of this chapter)