Harry Potter : Reincarnated as The Greatest Wizard

"You'll learn all that and more at Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall reassured him, clearly pleased with his natural talent and dedication.

As she spoke, however, a brief flicker of concern crossed her face. The world outside was dangerous these days, with darkness lurking in the shadows. But she quickly brushed the thought aside.

"Let's not waste any more time, Alex. We still need to meet with the orphanage's management, and then I'll help you gather your school supplies." She stood up.

Professor McGonagall smoothly handled Alex's paperwork with the orphanage staff. Alex suspected some magic might have been involved, considering how smoothly everything went. No one questioned his sudden departure.

"Did you use magic to convince Mother Triss and the others?" Alex asked with a curious smile. "They seemed a little too happy to let me go."

Professor McGonagall gave a rare, playful grin.

"A small Confundus Charm, just to make things go smoothly. Don't worry—it won't have any lasting effects. They'll remember you and welcome you back for the holidays."

Alex laughed softly, feeling reassured. "Thank you for making that easier."

"Now, let's get you ready for school," Professor McGonagall said. "Given your situation, I've applied for a bursary on your behalf. You'll receive twelve gold Galleons each year to cover your expenses."

She noticed his puzzled look. "Galleons are the currency in the wizarding world," she explained. "One Galleon is worth 17 Silver Sickles, and one Silver Sickle is worth 29 Knuts."

Alex sighed. 'Of course, the UK would make even currency complicated,' he thought, smiling wryly. 'Looks like I have a lot to learn.'

"Can Muggle money be used in the wizarding world?" Alex asked.

"At Gringotts, Muggle money can be exchanged for Galleons. Five pounds will get you one Galleon, but you can't exchange more than one hundred Galleons' worth at a time," She'd been handling admissions for years, so she had all the answers, though she doubted Alex would have much to exchange—probably just some pocket money.

Alex grinned, pulling out a neatly folded stack of pounds. "Looks like I'm covered, then," he said confidently, licking his fingers to count through the notes.

Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow, surprised by how much he had. "I see," she said, nodding. "That should be more than enough. You might even have some left over for something extra."

As they left the orphanage, she led Alex into a narrow alleyway. "Normally, we'd take a Muggle vehicle or the Knight Bus to Diagon Alley," she explained. "But the wizarding world has been a bit… unstable lately, so we'll need to Apparate instead. It's the safest way."

She drew her wand and motioned for Alex to take her hand. "Hold on tight."

'Apparition? Unstable?' Alex thought, trying to process what she'd said. He reached out and grabbed her hand just as they disappeared with a loud "pop."

The sensation hit Alex like a punch. It felt like he was being squeezed through a tight, spinning tunnel, with invisible hands pressing on him from all sides. His head spun, and he felt as though his body had been squashed into a tiny ball. When they finally landed with a thud, Alex stumbled, hhis legs shaking from the aftershock. His stomach churned, and he instinctively braced himself against a nearby wall.

"Sorry," Professor McGonagall said, noticing his pale face. She pointed her wand at him, and a warm, soft light streamed from its tip, spreading through him. Alex felt the nausea fade, replaced by a comforting warmth.

"Better?" she asked kindly.

Alex nodded, standing straighter. "Was that… magic?" he murmured, still processing the strange sensation. "That was rougher than I expected. Couldn't we have, I don't know, used a portal or something?"

"That was Apparition," Professor McGonagall explained. "It's a common way for adult wizards to travel, but it can feel pretty harsh the first time. You'll learn how to do it in your seventh year at Hogwarts."

Alex took a deep breath, composing himself. "Do we need to… Apparate again?"

McGonagall chuckled softly. "No need, we're close." She gestured for him to follow her out of the alley and onto a bustling street. After a short walk, they arrived at a small, unimpressive gap between a record store and a bookstore. Hidden in plain sight, there was a bar with a faded sign hanging above it: The Leaky Cauldron.

"Can other people see this place?" Alex asked, noticing that no one seemed to be paying attention to the bar.

"Good eye, Alex," McGonagall said with a smile. "Muggles can't see it. It's hidden by powerful enchantments."

As they stepped inside, Alex was greeted by the dim, shadowy interior. The bar looked old, with cobwebs in the corners and creaky wooden floors. Behind the counter, an elderly bartender was polishing a glass, the dim light casting a weary shadow over his face.

"Tom, how's business?" McGonagall asked as if they were old friends.

"Not great," Tom grumbled. "There was a scuffle in Knockturn Alley last night—Aurors and dark wizards at it again. Almost broke my windows, and business has been dead since."

McGonagall gave him a sympathetic nod. "Hang in there, Tom. It'll get better."

"A new student?" Tom asked, looking at Alex.

"Yes, sir," Alex replied, bowing his head politely.

His manners left a good impression on the old bartender. "Take care of yourself, lad," Tom said kindly. "It's getting dangerous out there."

McGonagall motioned for Alex to follow as they walked through the bar and into a small courtyard out back. "This is the entrance to Diagon Alley," she explained. "You'll need to come here on your own one day, so pay attention."

She tapped a few specific bricks on the wall with her wand. One, two, three… and suddenly, the wall shifted and rolled away, forming a tall archway that led to a lively street beyond.

Alex's eyes widened as he stepped through. The cobbled street stretched ahead, lined with all sorts of shops, selling everything from broomsticks to cauldrons. But as he looked closer, he noticed the place seemed quieter than he'd expected. Several shops were closed, and groups of wizards in long coats—Aurors, he guessed—patrolled the streets.

"Professor," Alex said quietly, "those people in coats, they don't look like shoppers. Are they…?"

"Yes, they're Aurors," McGonagall confirmed, her tone serious. "They're here to keep order. The wizarding world isn't as safe as it used to be, but don't worry, Hogwarts is well-protected. You'll be safe there, I promise."