It had been three days since my conversation with James, and it was safe to say we'd both opened up more about our lives. Well, perhaps more James, seeing as he'd been at the orphanage since before I was.
James was a treasure trove of information, especially regarding the earlier stages of a child living in a magical home. He'd only been removed from his family at the age of eleven, so he had a surprising grasp on certain political undercurrents in the wizarding world.
We'd spent our usual training time with him coaching me on how to interact with some of the more 'pureblooded' students, though I probably wouldn't be following his guide to the letter. Just because I was technically Muggle-born didn't mean I'd let anyone think they were better than me because of their blood status.
Still, I'd play it safe to a degree; I had an adoptive father to make sure wouldn't be targeted.
*Knock Knock*
"Come in!" I called out.
A little girl's head peeked through my door, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"Klaus! Mr. Thompson told me to call you down. There's some old lady wanting to talk to you," Jessica lisped through her gappy front teeth.
Smiling, I stood up and followed her.
_____
Opening the office door, I quickly scanned the current occupants. James sat at his desk, a cup of tea steaming in front of him. Across from him, in one of the two visitor chairs, sat a stern-looking woman in dark green robes. Her face was etched with more frown lines than smile lines.
"Sir, you sent for me?" I asked, taking a seat beside Professor McGonagall.
"Klaus, remember that letter you received a couple of days ago? The lady sitting next to you is Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Minerva McGonagall. We were just discussing my… limited knowledge of the magical world." James smiled, nodding towards McGonagall.
I turned, giving her my full attention.
"Good morning, Mr. Thompson," she began, her lips turning up slightly.
"I had planned on coming here and going through the usual song and dance of demonstrating my abilities, before reassuring your guardian that you would be perfectly safe at Hogwarts. It seems that's no longer necessary, as I understand you're already aware of the magic you wield?" Her eyebrow rose slightly, a silent question.
"Of course, Professor McGonagall."
I flicked my finger. The teacup on James's desk lifted, floated gracefully into my hand, and after I took a sip, returned to its original spot.
"Oi, that was mine!" James protested, his annoyance quite apparent.
I couldn't help but laugh, ignoring him as I watched a flicker of surprise cross McGonagall's face.
"I must say, I wasn't exactly expecting that degree of control. How long have you wielded your magic with such ease?" she asked, a hint of genuine curiosity in her voice.
"Oh, since I was six. I woke up one morning and my whole body was buzzing, and everything in my room started to rattle. Since then, I've tried to control it, as I was scared I would hurt someone."
Sure, I lied. But I couldn't exactly blurt out that I probably wielded more raw magical power than the entire population of Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, and Diagon Alley combined.
Though, I don't think that's an accurate scale.
"Impressive," she murmured, pursing her lips in contemplation. I swear I could see a spark of uncertainty in her eyes, but I continued on.
"Will you be taking me to Diagon Alley, ma'am? I know James can't come with me, due to his work here at the orphanage."
Nodding, she stood up, waving her wand to brush away any imaginary dust from her robes. "Of course, Mr. Thompson Sr, is it fine if we leave now? I shall have him back by the evening."
James merely smiled and nodded, the happiness for me shining in his eyes.
"Klaus, if I may call you that, please hold onto my hand. I shall Apparate us near Diagon Alley's entrance. It can be quite nauseating the first time, I apologize."
I quickly grasped her hand, and the next moment my body felt as though it was being squeezed through a straw in the middle of a car accident.
*Crack*
_____
One moment we were in the office, the next we were standing in a dingy side alley in London. A wave of nausea washed over me, then abruptly subsided as a system notification flashed in my mind.
[System Notification: x10 Reward System activated. Congratulations on experiencing your first Apparition. Side effects of Apparition have been nullified for future uses. Comprehension of Spatial Manipulation Magic has increased.]
McGonagall seemed to eye me as I straightened my back, taking a deep breath and steadying myself.
"Impressive, Mr. Thompson. Most students aren't able to recover that quickly. Now, let's be off. We need to exchange some Muggle currency at Gringotts before we purchase your schooling items."
I nodded, chasing her through the alleyway and into the Leaky Cauldron.
God, this place was filthy. Had they not learned any cleaning spells since they started owning this pub? I couldn't help but slightly scrunch my face at the sheer lack of hygiene.
McGonagall ignored most people, granting some a curt nod of recognition as she pushed her way to the back door. Guiding my eyes as she tapped specific bricks for my next visit, she ushered me into the world of Diagon Alley.
"Well, this is truly magical," I muttered, my eyes wide as the brick wall opened up completely.
The street ahead of me was almost an exact replica of the one I'd seen in the movies. Cobblestone roads curved in odd ways, and people milled around wearing robes that seemed at least fifty years out of date. Owls soared through the air, delivering messages or fulfilling orders. Everyone looked happy, enjoying their day out shopping with families and friends.
McGonagall looked down at me, a small smile gracing her lips. "Come along, Klaus, we shall exchange your funds now."
Pushing through the bustling crowd, I was led to a large white building. Grand steps led to the front door, where two small figures in armor stood guard. Not men, I realized. Goblins.
Man, they weren't exactly pretty-looking fellows, were they? I snickered internally.
We entered the building, and McGonagall made a beeline for a specific counter. "Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall here to exchange muggle currency," she announced, her tone quite clipped.
She probably had to deal with these guys more than most people.
We quickly exchanged the two thousand pounds James had given me. He knew that amount would easily cover all my shopping needs, plus anything necessary for the coming school year. It turns out that Hogwarts doesn't charge tuition, which makes sense; the Weasley family wouldn't be able to support their large family with that added expense.
With four hundred gleaming galleons in my hand, we exited Gringotts.
"I shall leave you here, Klaus," McGonagall instructed.
"Your first purchase should be a wand from Ollivanders. After that, head over to Madam Malkin's Robes. I shall meet you outside of Flourish and Blotts bookstore once you're done. I'll purchase the other items."
"Thank you, ma'am. Shall we meet in an hour?" I asked. I wasn't sure how long a standard wand search would take, but I wanted to savor the experience.
Nodding, she took fifty galleons from me and vanished into the crowd.
I turned, my gaze landing on the one place I'd truly been excited to visit since I knew I'd be coming here.
"Ollivanders. Here I come."
_____
(A/N - Fourth chapter of the day! I apologise if the descriptions of certain things are lacking, I'm pretty bad at that so far, but I'll learn. Now for the following chapter, Klaus' wand will be unique. No it won't be some Elder wand created by Ollivanders ancestors, but the System can help, can't it?)