The Black Bloodline of Hogwarts

Professor McGonagall led the Lian family of three to the bar's backyard. It wasn't large, just a place piled with odds and ends. A trash can sat against the wall at the back.

"See this spot, Julien?" Professor McGonagall said, pointing to the trash can. "Remember the order: three blocks up, two blocks sideways, then knock it down three times. Use your wand, of course; we'll buy one later."

"Professor McGonagall, what if the trash cans are moved?" Julien had been curious about this question for a long time.

"Did you think the location of the key to knocking on the door was fixed?" Professor McGonagall rolled her eyes at him. "You'll understand later; it's related to spatial magic and alchemy."

Without time for idle chatter with Julien, Professor McGonagall first made a demonstration. As she tapped, the bricks began to shake, rotate, recombine, and eventually recede to the sides, forming an arched doorway.

At the other end of the archway, the sun shines brightly, and the air is filled with the sounds of people. A cobblestone street winds its way through the area, lined with shops displaying a dazzling array of items, including flying brooms, moving crucibles, and sparkling crystal balls. This is Diagon Alley.

"My God..." Clara covered her mouth, her eyes filled with amazement. Altair, on the other hand, stared dumbfounded at an automatic wrapping rope at the entrance of the nearest shop, like a country bumpkin visiting the city for the first time.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley," Professor McGonagall said with a hint of pride.

After entering Diagon Alley from the Leaky Cauldron, and walking straight along the cobblestone streets, Professor McGonagall led the group to their first stop in the wizarding world:

A towering white building stood out conspicuously from the surrounding shops, with strange guards in scarlet and gold-trimmed uniforms standing at the entrance.

These guards were much shorter than adult wizards, thin, with disproportionately bald heads. They had sharp facial features, prominent chins, and long, pointed noses, some even hooked. If Julien were to describe them, they would resemble goblins from a comic book from his past life.

Seeing Clara clinging tightly to her husband's arm as if she were frightened, Professor McGonagall explained, "Don't be afraid, this is the wizarding bank—Gringotts."

These are fairies, who are sensitive to numbers and specialize in managing finances and banks for wizards.

"They don't look like good people," Altair said in a low voice.

"I completely agree with your opinion." Professor McGonagall did not deny Altair's words, "but rest assured, it is absolutely safe to put your money in Gringotts. They will guard your money more carefully than they would their own."

The main entrance to Gringotts features bronze and silver decorations and is inscribed with warning text, which, in the form of a couplet, means:

First line: Greedy people, please leave.

Second line: Gold and silver treasures roll in

Horizontal inscription: Strangers, bring money to enter.

Led by Professor McGonagall, the Julien family nervously entered Gringotts.

Gringotts' interior is spacious and high-ceilinged, with tall counters on both sides of the lobby on the first floor. Behind each counter, a goblin watches every guest who enters with shrewd and indifferent eyes.

A goblin behind one of the counters seemed to recognize Professor McGonagall and greeted her, "Hello, Professor McGonagall." Her status as a Hogwarts professor was still recognized.

"Hello, pull ring." Professor McGonagall led the group to the counter. After explaining the inexplicable exchange rates of wizarding currencies, Julien's parents exchanged pounds for some gallons, sisco, and nat.

However, as Professor McGonagall had warned, the exchange quota was limited. Fortunately, Yulian's parents were prepared; they brought several pieces of gold and silver jewelry and a small box of uncut gemstones.

"Are these okay?" Clara asked the fairy behind the counter somewhat nervously.

The fairy picked up a gold ring, examined it closely with a magnifying glass, then picked up a ruby ​​and held it up to the light, before revealing a greedy smile: "Excellent quality, madam. We can offer you a very...fair price."

The transaction was completed quickly, and Julien's pockets instantly felt heavy. After all, it was the first time he had his own "Gold Galleon," and he was overjoyed.

The first thing is to buy school uniforms.

Between the unassuming Madam Malkin's Robes shop and the lavishly decorated Madam Rose Wizard's Clothing shop, Professor McGonagall led Julien and his family into Madam Malkin's Robes shop without hesitation.

The store is warm and comfortable, filled with the fresh scent of new fabrics, the slight spiciness of valerian, and a faint smell of burning iron.

The walls were covered with all sorts of robes: from the standard black robes of Hogwarts freshmen to divination cloaks adorned with star and moon patterns, and ball gowns with winking buttons.

These not only dazzled Clara, but also made Professor McGonagall glance at several of the dresses a few more times.

"Oh, dear Minerva, you've brought another little wizard from Hogwarts!" Madam Malkin greeted her warmly, wearing a dark green iris velvet dress, her hair neatly styled, and the measuring tape in her hand seemed to come alive, twisting nimbly between her fingers.

"Let me see... Besides the standard first-year student robes, which are three sets... for winter, let's add a winter cloak, one with silver buttons..." Madam Malkin could tell that this family was not short of Galleons.

Julien's parents immediately accepted Madame Malkin's suggestion.

The measuring tape immediately flew up automatically, tumbling around Julien's body, measuring shoulder width, arm length, and waist circumference, its movements so fast they almost left afterimages.

Julien stood ramrod straight, too afraid to move. But inwardly he was thinking, "If this thing were any faster, it could tie me up."

"Madame Malkin," Julien suddenly said in a low voice, seeing his mother and Professor McGonagall drawn to the long gowns in the distance, "besides the standard robes, could you perhaps order a few more... practical school uniforms for me?"

"More practical?" Mrs. Malkin stopped what she was doing, and the measuring tape hovered in mid-air like a confused snake.

She pushed up her round glasses and looked at the serious-looking boy with a puzzled expression. "Darling, there are strict rules about Hogwarts uniforms. You can't exactly wear the Strange Sisters' costume to Transfiguration class, can you? Professor McGonagall will turn you into a slipper." As she spoke, she gestured towards Professor McGonagall's retreating figure with her lip.

"It's not outlandish clothing," Julien quickly clarified. "It's just... some modifications to the standard style."

"Improve? Hogwarts' uniforms have undergone many years of repeated modifications to reach their current best fit. How can you possibly improve them?"

"Of course, I didn't mean to say anything against Hogwarts uniforms," ​​Julien quickly explained. "What I meant was that we could add a few more custom-made ones based on my personal preferences, with slight modifications."

"Tell me more about it?" Mrs. Malkin seemed intrigued.

"For example, pants suitable for wizards, but the legs could be slightly narrower to facilitate running; "

"You can add a hidden snap or elastic band to the cuffs so you can work cleanly and efficiently... well, mainly to prevent getting splashed when making potions;

"The lining of the cloak should ideally be made of a protective material, so that in case of rain or... being affected by petrification spells, I mean at least you won't catch a cold."

"By the way, it would be even better if a few hidden pockets could be sewn inside the robe, so I could put quills, potion ingredients, or... wands in them."

"Look at the sleeve of this outfit I'm wearing. If I just pull it, the dagger will pop out automatically. ... Of course, don't be nervous. I haven't bought a wand yet, so I'm just showing off with the dagger."