16. Yue.

Yue craved physical contact. As we explored the townhouse, she refused to let go of my hand, her grip firm yet gentle. She took in everything with quiet fascination, her crimson eyes scanning each detail with the curiosity of someone seeing the world for the first time.

Her world had been a prison for so long—dark, cold, and filled with nothing but loneliness. Now, she was free, and every moment seemed surreal to her. I could tell she was still processing everything, but for now, she stayed close, clinging to me like an anchor in the unfamiliar sea of this new world.

The townhouse itself was quite nice—a master bedroom and two guest rooms upstairs, each with its own bathroom. Downstairs, there was a living room, dining area, and kitchen, and finally, a basement.

The house was decorated in warm cream tones and soft brown furniture, giving it a cozy, inviting feel. It was fully furnished, with stocked cabinets and a fridge, appliances, dishes, and even a washer and dryer in the basement.

It was perfect.

I took the opportunity to explain things.

"Make sure not to mention being a vampire or immortal," I warned. "Wizards here are… prejudiced. They look down on anything labeled a 'dark creature'—vampires, werewolves, goblins, even people with Muggle parents. But I have a feeling you're different from the vampires here."

"Okay," she responded softly.

I told her about Hogwarts, Diagon Alley, and the general state of the wizarding world. We didn't have our letters yet, but they should arrive next month, and I was eager to get started. Learning magic had been a dream of mine, and now it was real.

Yue listened intently, but it wasn't the magic that fascinated her. It was me. She rested her head against my chest, taking in my scent, as if afraid that if she let go, I might disappear.

If this was a dream, she didn't want to wake up.

---

With our magic pouches stored safely in Gate of Babylon, we set out for the Leaky Cauldron. Yue held my hand tightly, looking around with curiosity.

Even for me, this was a new experience. Seeing London in person was vastly different from knowing it through books and movies.

The Leaky Cauldron was exactly as I expected—old, slightly run-down, filled with the scent of grease and tobacco. The good old '90s.

A few patrons glanced our way before going back to their meals. Yue instinctively moved closer, wrinkling her nose at the unfamiliar smells.

We approached the bar, where Tom the barkeep was scrubbing a mug. He looked up and gave me a toothless grin.

"What can I do for ya, lad?"

"Could you let us into the Alley? We haven't got our wands yet."

Tom nodded and led us to the back, tapping his wand against the brick wall. The archway unfolded, revealing Diagon Alley in all its bustling, magical glory.

"Thank you," I said before stepping through with Yue.

She tightened her grip on my hand as she took it all in. Wizards in flowing robes, crooked buildings, enchanted signs, and a constant hum of activity. Even for me, it was amazing to see in person.

"Let's get our trunks first," I said, scanning the shop signs. "I want to see if they have house trunks."

It didn't take long to find a store selling enchanted trunks and magical tents. Inside, we browsed the selection, looking for something that fit our needs.

The three-compartment trunk was the best option:

1. The first compartment was a mix of magical and mundane storage—essentially a disguised trunk with bookshelves, drawers, and a closet for clothes.

2. The second compartment was a fully furnished three-bedroom apartment, complete with four bathrooms, a kitchen, dining room, and living area. It had running water and a stove but lacked furniture.

3. The third compartment was a large, empty space with a bathroom, customizable for any use.

The trunks came with standard enchantments—anti-theft, fireproofing, weather resistance, feather-light weight, and near-indestructibility.

Each cost 300 Galleons, which was a fair price for what they offered. Yue and I both bought one, storing them in the Gate of Babylon for now.

With that done, it was time to explore the alley properly. There was so much I wanted to buy—books, magical items, and, most importantly, our wands.

Yue stayed close, her crimson eyes scanning everything. I could tell she was curious, even if she didn't say much. She wasn't just looking at the shops—she was watching the people. Their expressions, their body language, the way they glanced at us before dismissing us.

I wondered what she thought of this world.

"Let's head to Flourish and Blotts." I said, breaking the silence.

With our trunks secured, we stepped back into the bustling Diagon Alley. The air smelled of parchment, fresh ink, and a hint of something sweet—probably from Flourish and Blotts or one of the many food stalls nearby. The atmosphere was lively, filled with excited chatter as witches and wizards bustled about, shopping for their magical needs.

Yue's grip on my hand remained firm. Despite her calm demeanor, I could tell she was wary. She had spent centuries alone, trapped in darkness. Being surrounded by so many people must have been overwhelming. I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, and she glanced up at me before giving a small nod, as if to say, I'm fine.

I led her toward Flourish and Blotts first. Books were essential, and I wanted to see what magical knowledge I could get my hands on. The store was stacked with towering bookshelves, each filled with spellbooks, history texts, potion guides, and magical theory tomes. Some books even floated in midair, their pages flipping on their own.

The shopkeeper, a middle-aged wizard with spectacles perched on his nose, glanced at us before returning to organizing a stack of books.

I immediately started browsing. There was so much to learn—Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Charms, Potions, Transfiguration. I grabbed a copy of The Standard Book of Spells: Grade 1 and then moved on to more advanced topics.

Yue, meanwhile, stood beside me, skimming a book on magical creatures.

"Do you want any books?" I asked.

She thought for a moment, then nodded. "Something on magic theory."

I smiled. "Good choice."

We ended up buying a sizable stack of books, which I stored in Gate of Babylon before leading Yue toward our next stop—