Although Vede Grey was born into a family descended from wizards, both his parents were Squibs. In the eyes of the true wizarding world, that made them little different from Muggles.
Ferdinand Grey explained patiently to his son about the great wars that had shaken the wizarding world—the chaos caused by Grindelwald in modern times, and later the ruthless massacres brought by the second Dark Lord.
The last news they had ever received from that hidden world was the worst of all: both of Vede's grandparents had been killed in the war.
"Vede," Ferdinand said gravely, "you are exceptional, and your mother and I have always been proud of you. But you must understand something—among wizards, one's background matters a great deal."
"Pure-bloods, half-bloods, Muggle-borns… these labels form their own social hierarchies. About a dozen years ago, the most powerful Dark wizard of that era—You-Know-Who—was obsessed with so-called 'blood purity.' He and his followers slaughtered countless Muggles and Muggle-born witches and wizards, even pure-bloods who opposed him."
He paused, his expression tightening. "Your mother and I were forced to cut all contact with the wizarding world during that time. Even though peace has supposedly returned, there are still many wizards who cling to those beliefs. Their children will inherit that prejudice and malice, I have no doubt."
He sighed. "Vede, I'm afraid that Hogwarts might not be as wonderful as it sounds…"
Vede listened quietly. When his father finished, he gave a small, confident smile.
"Don't worry, Dad. I'm sure there will be other students like me—those from families outside the usual circles. If I can find friends like that, others won't dare to bother me."
Then, his eyes gleamed with a determined light. "And besides, strength can shatter any prejudice. No matter where I am, I'll study hard and do my best to become the best."
Ferdinand wanted to share in that confidence, but the worry in his heart only deepened.
He thought, My poor boy… you've never even shown signs of magic. Perhaps your gift is only a little stronger than a Squib's. How can you speak of strength?
But, not wanting to wound his son's pride, he kept those thoughts to himself.
Professor Minerva McGonagall arrived even sooner than Vede had expected.
The morning after they received the Hogwarts letter, as the Grey family sat at breakfast, a firm knock echoed through the house. Vede set down his knife and fork and went to answer.
When he opened the door, he instantly recognized the visitor.
It wasn't because she looked like her film counterpart—Vede had long forgotten most of the movie he'd seen years ago, and certainly couldn't recall the actors' faces. Nor was it because the stern-looking woman before him wore a vivid green robe no ordinary person would dare to wear in public.
It was because of the name written, in glowing script, just above her head—
Minerva McGonagall.
Vede froze. A wave of confusion swept over him. Is this truly real? he wondered. Or have I somehow ended up in a game world that just looks like Harry Potter? Maybe I'm just an NPC who's regained his memories and self-awareness…
"Good morning, Mr. Grey," said the woman briskly, interrupting his thoughts. Her tone was polite but firm.
"I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Professor of Transfiguration."
Vede quickly gathered himself and smiled. "Welcome, Professor McGonagall. Please, come in and have a cup of tea."
Hearing the voices, Ferdinand and his wife hurried from the dining room. The sight of a real witch standing in their modest home left them speechless for several seconds.
"Y-yes, welcome, Professor," Ferdinand stammered. "Please, do come in and sit down!"
He forced a warm smile, though his eyes flicked nervously between the wand at her waist and his son, as if afraid she might suddenly cast a spell.
Vede, however, was calm. He already knew that this stern woman was one of the kindest and most honorable witches alive.
He politely avoided glancing at the floating name above her head and stepped aside to let her enter.
Professor McGonagall's visit served two purposes: first, to prove that Hogwarts and magic were real, and to convince the Greys to allow their son to attend; and second, to escort Vede to purchase his school supplies.
She had handled many Muggle families over the years—some who thought her insane, others who accused her of trying to kidnap children for experiments. She had rehearsed countless explanations to ease such parents' doubts.
To her relief, the Greys were not skeptical at all. They accepted the truth of magic easily enough; their worries were only about the school's environment and their son's safety. The first part of her mission went far more smoothly than expected.
Not long after, the group found themselves in the heart of London, standing before the shabby, narrow pub on Charing Cross Road known as The Leaky Cauldron.
It was early morning, and few customers were about. A stooped old man was wiping the tables when he noticed them.
"Good morning, Professor McGonagall," he greeted cheerfully, his eyes flicking to the plainly dressed family. His gaze lingered on Vede, the smallest of the three. "New Hogwarts student, is he?"
"Good morning, Tom," McGonagall replied. "Yes, this is Mr. Grey. I'm taking him to get his school things."
Tom nodded with a grin, and the group passed through the dim bar to the small courtyard behind it.
"Now, Mr. Grey," said McGonagall, drawing her wand, "please remember this place. If you ever need to enter Diagon Alley, this is where you start. Three up, two across…"
She tapped a brick lightly three times.
At once, the wall began to tremble and shift. Bricks rearranged themselves with a grinding sound, and in a moment an arched doorway opened before them. Beyond it spilled bright sunlight and the bustling sounds of life.
"Wow—" the Greys gasped in unison.
Before them stretched a long, twisting street lined with shops overflowing with the strangest and most marvelous goods imaginable. Wizards and witches in colorful robes hurried to and fro, bartering, chatting, laughing. Children darted between them, tugging at their parents' sleeves or chasing each other through the crowd.
It was chaotic, noisy, and absolutely alive.
Professor McGonagall led the way, her robes sweeping behind her. The Greys followed closely, wide-eyed at every passing sight—cauldrons bubbling in shop windows, flying brooms displayed like sports cars, owls hooting softly from their cages.
Their first stop was Gringotts Wizarding Bank, a gleaming white building that towered over the rest of the alley.
Ferdinand, as instructed, had brought money to exchange. He handed over a heavy pouch of jingling pound coins, and the goblins behind the counter swiftly traded them for fifty golden Galleons.
McGonagall had warned them beforehand that Muggle paper money could only be exchanged in limited amounts, but coins, jewelry, and precious metals had no such restrictions. Ferdinand, a cautious man, had prepared accordingly.
From there, they began their shopping in earnest. Under the Professor's guidance, they purchased Vede's school uniform, his books, a set of brass scales, a pewter cauldron, and other required supplies.
Finally came the moment Vede had most anticipated: his wand.
Inside the quiet, dusty shop, the air was thick with the faint scent of old wood and polish. Boxes upon boxes of wands lined the shelves like soldiers awaiting command.
When Vede's fingers closed around one particular wand, a faint warmth pulsed through his hand.
"Aspen wood, unicorn hair core," the shopkeeper announced. "Twelve inches. A fine wand—steady and loyal."
Vede examined it closely. Aspen, he knew, symbolized rebirth.
He couldn't help but feel that the wand had somehow seen through him, as if it recognized the hidden secret of his existence.
Their last purchase was an owl—a snowy white one with bright amber eyes that Vede instantly adored.
With Professor McGonagall accompanying them, every shopkeeper treated the Grey family with exceptional courtesy, even though their Muggle clothing stood out amid the robes and cloaks of Diagon Alley.
By the end of the day, Vede's arms were loaded with packages, but his heart was light. For the first time since receiving his letter, the reality of it all had begun to sink in.
Magic was real. Hogwarts awaited him.
And whether this world was truly real or something stranger—a dream, a story, or a game—it didn't matter anymore.
He had decided: he would study harder than anyone, rise higher than anyone, and prove that no prejudice, no curse, and no destiny could ever hold him back.