Wayne hadn't expected Humphrey to say that either.
He must have used Downing Street channels to research the wizarding world after returning yesterday.
Wayne quickly explained Humphrey's job to Professor McGonagall, feeling touched.
Humphrey had investigated all this for his nephew's sake. Though the information was outdated, Wayne appreciated the gesture.
Professor McGonagall gave Wayne a long look.
This young wizard's family held quite high status in the Muggle world.
Holding a noble title himself, in the wizarding world, that would be comparable to the Sacred Twenty-Eight.
Hogwarts had many Muggle-born students, but one like Wayne...
This might be a good thing—at least she wouldn't need to painstakingly answer parents' endless questions.
Wayne had accepted magic's existence with remarkable ease.
"Mr Lawrence, since you have no further questions, let's head to Diagon Alley now.
"By the way, bring some Muggle cash with you. We'll need to exchange it for wizarding currency later."
She glanced at the time—it wasn't even half past nine yet—but McGonagall still seemed in a hurry.
Guiding Muggle-born students through enrolment was typically shared among the Heads of House. However, Professor Sprout had gone to America to visit one of her seniors, Snape had been pulled away by Dumbledore, and this year, McGonagall's workload was particularly heavy. She still had to visit another young wizard's home in the afternoon.
Something Granger, wasn't it?
"One moment, please." Wayne nodded obediently, went upstairs, and came back down with a backpack.
McGonagall glanced at it—it looked quite heavy—but didn't comment further, simply placing a hand on Wayne's shoulder.
"Hold your breath, it might be painful, but it'll be over soon."
Without waiting for Wayne's response, McGonagall initiated Apparition.
A loud crack sounded as their figures twisted and vanished, as if flushed down a toilet.
Wayne only felt the world spinning violently until his vision cleared again, revealing they'd arrived in a narrow alleyway.
"Apparition," McGonagall explained. "One of the methods wizards use for travel, typically for shorter distances.
"The first time is always uncomfortable. It gets easier afterwards. Are you alright, Mr Lawrence?"
"Just a bit dizzy," Wayne replied, rubbing his temples as he quickly recovered.
Having stayed up all night, combined with the recent ordeal, exhaustion was setting in.
Following McGonagall's lead, they arrived at a pub entrance.
The door looked remarkably shabby compared to the neighbouring record store and bookstore.
Passers-by seemed completely unaware of the pub's existence—or perhaps didn't even know it was there.
When they entered and patrons recognised McGonagall's face, the noisy atmosphere instantly quieted. Several wizards stood up nervously, their tension amusing Wayne.
Most English wizards graduated from Hogwarts, meaning everyone here had once been Professor McGonagall's students.
Seeing their former teacher revived memories of being under her stern rule, like mice spotting a cat.
"Professor McGonagall," greeted Tom the barman warmly. "And who's this handsome young wizard? A new first-year?"
Wayne smiled shyly.
McGonagall nodded. "Indeed. I'm taking him to purchase supplies. By the way, Tom, isn't your daughter starting Hogwarts this year too?"
"Absolutely," Tom beamed. "Hannah's been waiting forever, though she'll likely be a Hufflepuff."
McGonagall chuckled. "An Abbott in Gryffindor would make front-page news in the Daily Prophet."
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
The Abbotts were among the Sacred Twenty-Eight pure-blood families, with every member sorted into Hufflepuff for centuries without exception.
After brief pleasantries, McGonagall guided Wayne behind the bar to a walled courtyard containing nothing but a dustbin and weeds.
"Three up... two across," she murmured, tapping her wand against a slightly recessed brick.
Three precise taps later, the brick trembled violently, forming a hole that expanded into a winding cobblestone path.
"Memorise this brick and the sequence, Mr Lawrence. You'll visit Diagon Alley independently hereafter."
Wayne whispered, "Professor... hypothetically speaking—
"What if someone moved this dustbin? Or replaced it with a larger or smaller one?"
McGonagall's eye twitched as she stared at Wayne in disbelief. This particular hypothetical... unsettled her profoundly.
"Mr Lawrence, there were once two young wizards who had the same idea as you—they moved the dustbin to the other side."
At this point, Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, her expression darkening. "Hogwarts received complaints, and their House lost... fifty points because of it.
"After that, the dustbin was enchanted with a Permanent Sticking Charm—it can't be moved or replaced."
Wayne wisely refrained from asking which House these two 'brilliant' young wizards belonged to.
Judging by Professor McGonagall's expression, he could already guess.
Following the witch, Wayne stepped through the archway onto the cobblestone path, and the heart of Britain's magical world unfolded before his eyes.
The long cobblestone street was lined with countless shops, many with crooked signs. Witches and wizards bustled about, some Apparating in and out with loud pops.
In the distance, a snow-white building marked where Diagon Alley split into two paths.
"First, we'll exchange money, then buy your wand," McGonagall said.
Wayne's eyes darted eagerly between the shops, unable to settle. Professor McGonagall had seen this reaction many times before, but she still couldn't help smiling.
Watching Wayne hurry into Gringotts, she recalled his earlier question.
She had a feeling this little one wasn't as well-behaved as he seemed.