As the Transfiguration Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and one of the seven registered Animagi of this century.
Calling Ms. Minerva McGonagall a Transfiguration Master would certainly not be questioned by any Wizard.
In her teaching career, she had encountered many Little wizards with good Transfiguration talent, but none had shocked her as much as Karl did today.
What did she see? A Little Wizard who hadn't even enrolled yet perfectly performed an advanced Animagus Transfiguration without a wand?
Perhaps... this is another form of... a born Animagus? Like a Metamorphmagus?
Alright! I'd better go back and ask Headmaster Dumbledore!
Her Transfiguration Professor hadn't taught her for a long time.
She could already imagine the scene:
Dumbledore: "Minerva, I wanted you to give Karl a magical encounter, but why does it look like you encountered magical magic?"
Professor McGonagall stopped Karl, who was freely transforming between human and cat forms.
"Mr. Orolin, can you tell me how you did it?"
"I don't know, Professor. Anyway, after you transformed, I could too."
Karl's eyes were utterly sincere, because that was the truth.
Professor McGonagall couldn't help but feel dazed. Was he really a genius?
...
"Karl, this is the Leaky Cauldron. Muggles can't find it here."
Professor McGonagall pointed to the narrow pub nestled between a bookstore and a record store, carefully introducing it to Karl.
She admitted that she really liked this child. Karl's talent in Transfiguration and his Jungle Cat form after transforming reminded her of herself.
"Professor, is 84 Charing Cross Road the Marks & Co. Bookstore?"
Karl looked around curiously, asking an unrelated question.
"I haven't paid attention to that. Do you want to go and see?"
"Hmm... never mind. If it's not, then it can only exist in my heart."
Karl took a feather from his pocket, a trophy obtained from grooming the owl postman.
"Professor, can you turn it into a dandelion?"
"Of course."
Professor McGonagall reached out and brushed the feather, transforming it into a large, fluffy dandelion.
She watched Karl cup the dandelion, kiss it gently, and then blow it forcefully into the sky.
Dandelion seeds, carried by the wind, floated and danced like snowflakes, scattering in the air.
"Is this a fairy tale?"
"Sort of. Because someone owes a great deal to 84 Charing Cross Road, so I'm giving a kiss on her behalf!"
Professor McGonagall smiled sweetly and led Karl into the Leaky Cauldron.
...
Although he was mentally prepared, the dim and simple environment of the pub still left Karl a little disappointed.
"Professor McGonagall, and this Little Wizard, welcome!"
"Long time no see, Karl. This is Mr. Tom."
After Professor McGonagall's introduction, Karl obediently greeted this formidable man who shared a name with Lord Voldemort.
"Would you like a drink?"
"Next time, Tom. I still need to take Mr. Karl Orolin to buy school supplies."
"Alright then, take care."
Karl followed Professor McGonagall to the small courtyard behind the pub, standing in front of a brick wall with a dumpster.
"Karl, you must remember, three up, two across, then tap it three times gently with your wand."
After Professor McGonagall tapped, the brick moved, revealing a widening opening that quickly turned into a broad archway.
"Come on, child, welcome to Diagon Alley."
Walking on the cobblestone street, Karl looked back at the archway that had reverted to a wall and asked a question many people wanted to know.
"Professor, what happens if someone moves the dumpster? Will Wizards be stuck outside the wall?"
"That would mean the Wizard's magical standard is exceptionally good."
Karl understood Professor McGonagall's meaning. Both the dumpster and the brick wall were enchanted and could not be moved, or if moved, they would reset.
Unless someone broke the magic on them, but that was clearly extremely difficult.
Upon entering Diagon Alley, the sight, completely different from the Muggle world, captivated Karl.
Shops and stalls on the street displayed strange and wonderful goods, and the passing Wizards wore robes, as if in ancient society.
At this moment, he had only one thought: Wizarding stuff is so beautiful!
Then he looked at himself, dressed in Western European pants and a jacket, with a Muggle haircut. Who would pay attention to him?
For the rest of the trip, Professor McGonagall led Karl through Diagon Alley.
They bought a pewter cauldron at Potage's Cauldron Shop, school robes and cloaks at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, a telescope and brass scales at Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, and textbooks at Flourish and Blotts...
Passing Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, Professor McGonagall even bought him a chocolate nut-flavored ice cream.
Actually, Karl had brought British Pounds and wanted to exchange them for some Galleons at Gringotts, but when they passed Gringotts, Professor McGonagall had no intention of taking him in.
Karl, who was ostensibly ignorant of the wizarding world, could only pretend to be curious and ask, "Professor, what is that tall building for? It looks very different."
"Gringotts, the wizarding bank. You can deposit money there later."
"Oh! If only it could exchange British Pounds like the banks outside, I brought some money."
Hearing this, Professor McGonagall reached out and stroked Karl's head, her smile gentle and kind.
"Karl, you left most of your money to the orphanage, and you need to save the rest for your holidays."
"Hogwarts is responsible for the cost of school supplies, and I am personally very willing to subsidize your daily expenses."
"Don't feel embarrassed, this is a reward for your kindness and talent."
"Now, what you should be thinking about isn't Gringotts, but what kind of pet to choose. A cat or an owl?"
Karl: (╯▽╰)~~
Professor Cat is too kind! She really is, I'm so touched I could cry!
"Thank you, Professor! I'll listen to you! But I don't need a pet just yet. I'll consider it after I get familiar with Hogwarts."
What a good child!
Looking at Karl, then thinking of the Weasley Brothers in her own house, Professor McGonagall felt a strong urge to deduct points from them.
"Ahem... you decide."
"Actually, there's a way for you to earn money."
Professor McGonagall pointed to the Obscurial Publishing Company in the distance.
"I believe your stories would also be very popular in the wizarding world, especially among Hogwarts students."
At this point, Professor McGonagall's expression became somewhat unreadable, and her words were a bit hesitant.
"After all... some people have become... well... very popular by writing books, even though he... ahem! I mean, bestselling authors tend to be quite wealthy."
Good heavens! How much psychological trauma did Gilderoy Lockhart leave at Hogwarts?
After mentioning him, Professor McGonagall fell silent for a while and quickly finished buying the other items with Karl.
Finally, they arrived at the shop Karl was most looking forward to, Ollivanders Wand Shop.
The shop appeared small and dilapidated, its golden sign above the door peeling, inscribed with: Ollivanders, Makers of Fine wands since 382 B.C.
Wand Master! I'm here!