That evening, Albert showed his family the new Hogwarts uniform—a plain black robe and a pointed hat. Nothing about it looked particularly impressive.
If anything, Albert thought it looked rather silly—especially the ridiculous hat. If I wear this outside, people will definitely stare.
Nia, however, was delighted with her gifts. She draped the oversized cloak around herself and put on the pointed hat, strutting proudly around the living room while Herb laughed and took photos of them.
Daisy sat quietly on the sofa, flipping through A History of Magic, trying to understand the strange world her son was about to enter.
"Mom! Look, it's a real chocolate frog!" Nia shouted excitedly as she opened the package. The chocolate frog sprang to life and began hopping across the table.
Herb, now prepared for this kind of thing, quickly caught it and handed it back to her.
He opened another box, found yet another chocolate frog inside, and offered it to Daisy, who was still reading.
"Is this… actually safe to eat?" Daisy asked skeptically, staring at the twitching chocolate frog in her hand.
"Mom, it's fine! They're delicious!" Nia said with her mouth full—having already bitten the head off her frog. Melted chocolate smeared her cheeks.
Albert handed her a handkerchief. "Wipe your face. You look like a little calico cat."
He then noticed their cat, Tom, eyeing the new snowy owl. Albert picked Tom up, set him beside the sofa, scratched his chin, and said sternly, "Tom, don't bully it."
Albert poured some owl nuts into the feeding dish inside the cage and murmured, "What should I name you?"
"Jerry," he decided after a moment.
Tom and Jerry.
Even if the cartoon didn't exist in this world, he couldn't resist the joke.
The snowy owl blinked, seemingly unimpressed by the name.
"Albert, that name is awful!" Nia protested. She picked up the owl and rubbed her cheek against its feathers. "It should be called Shera. That's much prettier."
"What about Shera-bi?" Albert muttered mischievously.
Before Nia could respond, Herb exclaimed in surprise, "Albert! The person in the picture disappeared!"
"Picture?" Albert turned. Herb was holding a Chocolate Frog trading card.
"Maybe wizard photos can move," Albert said calmly. "If chocolate frogs can hop, why can't photos move?"
"That… actually makes sense," Herb said slowly. He turned the card over and read aloud, "Albus Dumbledore—current Headmaster of Hogwarts. Widely considered the greatest wizard of the age."
"Oh, that's the old man who sent Albert the letter," Daisy said, reaching for the card. But when she looked, the portrait side was empty.
She continued reading the back: "Dumbledore's notable achievements include defeating the Dark Wizard Grindelwald in 1945, discovering the twelve uses of dragon blood, and his alchemical work with Nicolas Flamel. Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling."
"Dragon blood?" Daisy's eyes widened. "There are dragons in this world? And Nicolas Flamel—wasn't he…?"
"A famous alchemist in the 14th century," Albert replied. "He created the Philosopher's Stone. It's said it can turn metal into gold and grant immortality. If he's alive, then the stone really works."
Daisy went quiet. Herb wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "It's alright, Daisy. Things aren't as frightening as they seem. We don't understand this world yet, so let's not judge too quickly. Trust Albert—he's brilliant. He'll do well anywhere."
"Albert, can you do magic now?" Nia suddenly grabbed his arm, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Show me!"
Albert hesitated. "Well… I need to study first. I don't know how to use it properly yet."
"Mean!" Nia pouted and went to share pumpkin pasties with Daisy.
Albert opened The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk. He took his wand from its box, his heart beating a little faster.
"Albert, don't even think about trying it in here," Herb warned, remembering the explosion at Ollivander's shop.
"Have a little faith in your son," Albert said lightly. He raised his wand, tapped it gently, and whispered, "Lumos."
The tip of the wand flickered with light—then quickly went out.
"Did it just… light up?" Daisy asked uncertainly.
"Yes! It did! That was magic!" Herb said, eyes wide with pride.
"Albert, what was that?" Nia gasped.
"The Lumos Charm," Albert explained. "It's one of the easier spells. I'll try again."
He focused, repeated the incantation, and the wand glowed again.
Five attempts later, he could hold the light steady.
Herb, Daisy, and Nia all applauded. Even if it was a simple charm, to the Anderson family—it was nothing short of miraculous.
"Albert, Albert! Let me try!" Nia lunged toward the wand.
"No." Albert quickly put it away. "Not here. Last time I tried a wand, I nearly blew up a counter."
"Stingy!"
"It's not about being stingy. Wands are dangerous, and I barely know what I'm doing. If something goes wrong, someone could get hurt." Then he added bluntly, "If you keep acting like this, I won't teach you magic at all."
"Albert is right," Herb said firmly. "Let him learn first. Then he can teach you."
"…Fine." Nia reluctantly agreed, though disappointment clouded her face.
Herb stood up. "Your grandfather plans to visit in a few days. But I think it's better if we go to him first—saves him the trip."
He placed some wizard candies aside. "He probably won't eat them, but he'll be happy to see them."