Chapter 11 Welcome to Diagon Alley!

[Note: Read up to Chapter - 35 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]

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"Alright, Aris!"

Professor McGonagall cut him off sharply, her expression a touch flustered.

"We're a bit short on time today. Any academic questions you've got—save them for when you get to Hogwarts, alright?"

She wasn't about to give him another chance to throw out a question she couldn't answer.

"Now, let's go over the admissions process, shall we?"

With a flick of her wand, the acceptance letter zipped out from somewhere nearby and landed neatly in her hand.

"Aris, given your… unique circumstances, if you need help picking up your school supplies before term starts, I'd be happy to assist—"

"That won't be necessary, Professor!"

Luna's soft, airy voice chimed in, full of excitement.

"We'll take Aris ourselves!"

She practically glowed with anticipation. It was obvious she'd been dying to visit Diagon Alley, even if it wasn't quite her turn to start school just yet.

And, deep down, she still felt a bit bad that Professor McGonagall hadn't been able to answer Aris's question—but Luna had always believed that some things would come clear with time. No need to fret too much over it now.

"Yes, Professor, leave it to us," Xeno chimed in cheerfully, nodding in agreement.

For the first time that morning, he finally looked relieved.

Just moments ago, Xeno had genuinely feared that Professor McGonagall might lose her temper and give Aris a proper telling-off—or worse, a good clout round the ear.

If that had happened, it would've been an absolute disaster.

Thankfully, the professors at Hogwarts really did live up to their reputation—strict, but fair, and remarkably patient when it came to dealing with students.

"Right then, moving on…"

Professor McGonagall gave a small nod and began to calmly explain a few things Aris would need to prepare before the start of term.

It was as if nothing awkward had happened at all.

The mood in the room slowly shifted, and things started to feel much more relaxed.

Aris, meanwhile, wore a quiet smile.

Not a forced one either—but a genuinely pleased grin.

Because just then…

the system had chimed in.

[Congratulations! The question you asked successfully stumped a professor. You've earned 300 academic points.]

He hadn't even considered that possibility.

Apparently, you didn't have to get an answer to earn points—just asking a question difficult enough to catch a professor off guard was worth even more.

What a bonus!

And the best part?

Since the question had gone unanswered, it hadn't disappeared—it had now been marked as a long-term task.

Meaning: once he finally did get a proper answer, there'd be another reward waiting for him.

This system… it was absolutely mad. And Aris loved it.

At this point, saying he was "in a good mood" would be an understatement.

He was over the moon.

This whole thing was an absolute game-breaker.

If the system really worked like this, then with a bit of clever thinking, Aris could get double the points from his daily three-question task—just by asking questions difficult enough not to be answered straight away.

Double the reward, double the fun.

He was buzzing.

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Outside the house, before she left, Professor McGonagall pulled Xeno aside for a quiet word.

Aris didn't follow, but he could guess the gist of it—likely some follow-up questions about his background and personal details.

Technically, McGonagall should've asked him directly.

But… well, maybe she'd decided against it after their earlier back-and-forth.

She probably didn't want to risk him throwing out another brain-melter of a question.

Aris got the feeling she was just a little on edge around him now.

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Roughly ten minutes later, accompanied by the familiar crackling pop of Apparition, Xeno strolled back in through the front door.

Aris glanced up, immediately clocking that Professor McGonagall had gone.

"Right then," Xeno grinned.

"Looks like we're off on an adventure today, eh? Off to Diagon Alley, little wizard!"

"We're not walking, though," he added with a wink.

"Come on!"

Without waiting, Xeno headed straight for the fireplace in the centre of the living room.

"In the wizarding world," Luna said, stepping up beside Aris, "the quickest way to travel is the Floo Network."

"You just step into the fireplace, say where you want to go, and whoosh—you're off."

Aris gave a slight nod to show he understood.

Of course, he already knew how the Floo Network worked—he'd watched all the films and read every book in his past life. If he didn't know this by now, all that fanboying would've been for nothing.

"Right then, Aris," Xeno said, gesturing toward the fireplace.

"Just remember the key bit—clearly say where you want to go."

He gave Luna a quick nod.

"Luna, be a star and give us a little demo, would you?"

Luna beamed, walked up to the bowl beside the hearth, and took a small handful of Floo powder.

"Diagon Alley!" she called out brightly.

In a flash of swirling green flame, she vanished.

"Got it?" Xeno asked, turning to Aris.

"Yeah," Aris nodded.

"Alright then—your turn."

Xeno still looked a bit anxious, though.

"Don't rush it. Just be clear and confident when you speak. Say the name properly, nice and clear."

Aris nodded once more, then stepped into the fireplace and scooped up a handful of Floo powder.

He knew exactly what could go wrong if you muffed up the name—after all, he remembered it clearly from the film.

Young Harry had botched it, mumbled his words, and ended up Merlin-knows-where before finally crashing into Knockturn Alley.

Could've been worse, too.

Aris had no intention of accidentally showing up in some grumpy wizard's living room—or worse, a dark artefact shop.

"Diagon Alley!"

Aris spoke the words clearly and calmly, then tossed the Floo powder at his feet.

In an instant, emerald flames shot up around him—and he was off.

His body was suddenly whirling through a dark, narrow tunnel. Dozens of glowing fireplaces flashed past him, each one a possible exit in the sprawling Floo Network.

But none of them stopped for him—they all blinked out of sight as quickly as they appeared.

Then, just as suddenly, a bright light burst into view up ahead.

His body jolted as if the weight had been lifted from him, and the next thing he knew, he was standing on solid ground again.

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"Hurry up! There's someone right behind you!"

Luna's familiar voice rang in his ears.

A small hand grabbed his sleeve and tugged him forward, pulling him neatly out of the fireplace.

Aris stumbled slightly, blinking the soot out of his eyes.

Only now did he fully register it—he'd arrived.

His very first trip via Floo Network had come to an end. And what a wild ride it had been.

There was something brilliant about it—chaotic, but brilliant.

Aris stood there for a second, taking it all in.

This was the wizarding world, and everything about it felt fresh, strange, and utterly exciting.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley!"

Little Luna stood in front of Aris, smiling brightly.

The noise of the crowd rushed into his ears, and before him stretched a bustling street overflowing with magical charm.

Owls flitted through the sky overhead, while witches and wizards in all sorts of robes bustled up and down the cobbled lane—some with curious pets perched on their shoulders.

Street vendors were dotted along the path, selling all kinds of magical trinkets and sweets that Aris had never seen before.

He spotted a dessert shaped like a miniature pumpkin lantern, glowing ever so faintly.

Both sides of the street were lined with shops, their large enchanted windows displaying everything from magical artefacts to curious-looking creatures.

Some shops had crates and baskets out front, filled with quirky magical items for passers-by to browse.

Just to his right, outside a cauldron shop, two wizards were deep in conversation, debating the best way to clean a self-stirring cauldron.

Everything was new. Everything sparkled with wonder.

The world Aris had once only read about—dreamed about—was now right in front of him.

And it was better than he ever imagined.

He couldn't help but grin, his voice low and filled with awe.

"Magic world—here I come."

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[Note: Read up to Chapter - 36 on P patron at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley]