As the Transfiguration Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and one of the seven registered Animagi of this century, calling Ms. Minerva McGonagalla Transfiguration Master would certainly not draw any questions from any Wizard.
In her teaching career, she had encountered many Young Wizards with good Transfiguration talent, but none had shocked her as much as Karl did today.
What did she see? A Young Wizard who hadn't even started school yet, perfectly performing wandless advanced Animagus Transfiguration?
Perhaps... this was another form of... innate Animagus? Like a Metamorphmagus?
Alright! It's better to go back and consult Headmaster Dumbledore!
Her Transfiguration Class Professor hadn't taught her in a long time.
She had already envisioned the scene:
Dumbledore: "Minerva, I wanted you to give Karl a magical encounter, but why does it look like you're the one who encountered magical magic?"
Professor McGonagall stopped Karl, who was constantly switching between human and cat forms, transforming at will.
"Mr. Olin, can you tell me how you did it?"
"I don't know, Professor. Anyway, after you transformed, I was able to transform too."
Karl's eyes were utterly sincere, because that was the truth.
Professor McGonagall couldn't help but feel a sudden realization. Was he really a genius?
...
"Karl, this is the Leaky Cauldron. Muggles can't find this place."
Professor McGonagall pointed to the narrow pub nestled between a bookstore and a record store, carefully explaining it to Karl.
She admitted that she really liked this child. Karl's talent in Transfiguration, and the Jungle Cat he transformed into, both 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 take a look?"
"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 while grooming the owl postman.
"Professor, can you turn it into a dandelion?"
"Of course."
Professor McGonagall reached out and stroked the feather, instantly transforming it into a large, fluffy dandelion.
She watched Karl cup the dandelion, gently kiss it, and then blow it forcefully into the sky.
Each dandelion seed rode the wind, floating and dancing like snowflakes, scattering in the air.
"Is this a fairy tale?"
"You could say so. Because someone owes a great deal to 84 Charing Cross Road, so I'm offering a kiss on her behalf!"
Professor McGonagall smiled faintly and led Karl into the Leaky Cauldron.
...
Although he was mentally prepared, the dim and simple environment of the pub still disappointed Karl.
"Professor McGonagall, and this Young Wizard, welcome!"
"Long time no see, Karl. This is Mr. Tom."
After Professor McGonagall's introduction, Karl politely 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 Olin to buy his school supplies."
"Alright then, you go ahead."
Karl followed Professor McGonagall into the small courtyard behind the pub, standing in front of the brick wall where the rubbish bins were placed.
"Karl, you must remember, count up three bricks, then across two, and then tap it gently three times with your wand."
After Professor McGonagall tapped, the brick began to move, creating a growing opening that soon became a wide archway.
"Come on, child. Welcome to Diagon Alley."
Walking on the cobblestone street, Karl looked back at the archway that had transformed back into a wall, and asked a question many people wanted to know.
"Professor, what happens if someone moves the rubbish bin? Will Wizards be blocked outside the wall?"
"That means the Wizard's magic level is exceptionally good."
Karl understood Professor McGonagall's meaning: the rubbish bin and the brick wall were both enchanted and could not be moved, or if moved, they could 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 left Karl dazzled.
The shops and stalls on the street displayed strange and wonderful goods, and the Wizards passing by wore robes, as if they were in an ancient society.
At this moment, he had only one thought: Wizard stuff is so beautiful!
Then he looked at himself, dressed in Western European trousers 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 uniforms and cloaks at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, a telescope and brass scales at Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment, textbooks at Flourish and Blotts...
When they passed Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, Professor McGonagall even bought him a chocolate and nut flavored one.
Actually, Karl had brought pounds and wanted to exchange them for some Galleons at Gringotts, but when they passed Gringotts, Professor McGonagall didn't seem to have any intention of taking him inside.
Karl, who outwardly appeared to know nothing about 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 world's bank. You can deposit money there later."
"Oh! If only it could exchange 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've 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 sponsor 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 good! She truly is, I'm crying!
"Thank you, Professor! I'll listen to you! But I don't need a pet for now, let's talk about 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.
"Ahem... It's up to you to decide."
"Actually, there are ways for you to earn money."
Professor McGonagall pointed to Obscurus Books 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 complicated, and her speech became a bit hesitant.
"After all... some people have become... well... very popular by writing books, although he... ahem! My point is that best-selling authors tend to be quite wealthy."
Goodness! How much psychological trauma did Gilderoy Lockhart leave at Hogwarts?
After mentioning him, Professor McGonagall became much quieter and quickly led Karl to buy the other items.
Finally, they arrived at the shop Karl was most looking forward to: Ollivanders Wand Shop.
The shop looked small and dilapidated, with the gold lettering on the door flaking off, reading: Ollivanders, Makers of Fine Wands Since 382 B.C.
Master Wandmaker! I'm here!