When Altair woke the next morning, he took the clothes Sofia had prepared for him.
A crisp white shirt, a brown waistcoat, a small brown suit jacket, a decorative gold pocket watch, a newsboy cap with razor blades sewn into it, and a pair of gleaming leather shoes.
After breakfast, Altair got into Jimmy's car.
They planned to drive to London. It would only take a little over two hours to reach their destination.
Besides their car, several gunmen would follow behind them. After all, Altair was the Shelby family's only young wizard, and Michael intended to make absolutely certain of his safety.
Originally, Michael had wanted to send dozens of men with them, but Altair had refused. To reassure Michael and Jimmy, Altair had even summoned a skeleton in front of them on purpose.
Then he had it cut down a tree in the manor with a single swing of its sword.
The skeleton's terrifying strength had shocked both men badly. In the end, they could only accept Altair's decision and withdraw most of the gunmen, leaving behind only a few elites, with the excuse that Jimmy needed protection too.
The journey was completely peaceful. There were no attacks and no assassination attempts.
By the time Altair was standing on Charing Cross Road in London, it was half past ten in the morning.
Once they were in London, there was no need for quite so much tension. Jimmy had a mistress in the city, and after saying a few words to Altair, he left with several of his men. While the rest took their places in the surrounding area to watch over the child.
Altair wandered along the street for a while, and before long, he noticed the Leaky Cauldron, so out of place with everything around it.
But he did not go in. Instead, he found a bookshop on a street corner. Only when the time was nearly right did Altair return to the roadside, and it was not long before he spotted Professor McGonagall.
Behind her walked a couple and a young witch. A trace of surprise appeared in Altair's eyes.
Because that young witch was Hermione.
Professor McGonagall saw Altair as well and waved to him. Altair walked over with calm composure.
"I was just telling Mr. Granger that I was certain you would already be here waiting for us."
Professor McGonagall smiled as she spoke to him.
"I only arrived a short while ago myself. It's very good to see you again, Professor McGonagall."
"This is Mr. Granger, this is his wife, and this is Miss Granger. Like you, she is a young witch entering school this year."
Professor McGonagall introduced them, and Altair gave the three of them a polite nod.
"Hello. It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Granger, Mrs. Granger, and of course, the lovely Miss Granger as well. My name is Altair. Altair Shelby."
"Mr. Shelby, it's a pleasure to meet you."
Mr. Granger responded with a smile. Beside him, Mrs. Granger also nodded and said,
"Professor McGonagall was just speaking to us about you. She said you were a very elegant young gentleman, and it seems she was quite right."
Hermione was also studying this young wizard her own age. Her eyes held a trace of pride, but also curiosity, and she took the initiative to speak.
"Hello, my name is Hermione."
At that, Altair looked at Hermione.
She had brown hair, refined and delicate features, and a very lovely appearance. She was just like the Hermione Altair remembered, the kind of girl who had been beautiful from childhood onward.
Not bad.
Altair was naturally inclined to feel a bit of goodwill toward Hermione, though no more than that for now. So he simply greeted her with equal courtesy.
"Hello, Miss Hermione. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"All right, let us begin with the real business. We still have a great deal to do today."
Once Altair had met them all, Professor McGonagall spoke softly and led the group to the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron. Because of Professor McGonagall's magic, even though Mr. and Mrs. Granger were Muggles, they were able to see the pub.
"I swear, I've walked past this place before and never once saw this inn."
Mr. Granger was clearly astonished, and his understanding of magic deepened a little further.
"Let's go inside."
Professor McGonagall led the four of them into the pub. There were quite a few witches and wizards inside, and many of them smiled and greeted her. After dealing with the greetings, Professor McGonagall took them out into the small courtyard behind the pub.
"Remember this place. Once you have your own wands, you will be able to come to Diagon Alley on your own."
Professor McGonagall reminded Altair and Hermione, then drew out her wand and tapped the bricks in the wall, three across and two up from the rubbish bin, three times.
"Wow!"
At Hermione's cry of amazement, the brick wall shifted and opened into an archway, revealing Diagon Alley beyond.
"This is Diagon Alley. Now, we'll go to Gringotts first. It is the goblins' bank."
To the wizarding world, Muggle pounds were of very little value, so the goblin responsible for exchanging Galleons did not show Altair and the others much friendliness.
After spending five hundred pounds to exchange for one hundred Galleons, Professor McGonagall led them out of Gringotts.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger were adults, but at that moment they seemed almost like children, full of amazement and curiosity at everything in Diagon Alley.
"Next, we'll buy your wands first. I don't imagine either of you would enjoy wandering everywhere while carrying a great stack of books, a cauldron, and brass scales."
Professor McGonagall led the group to the entrance of a shop that was small and shabby. Even the sign above the door was worn nearly beyond recognition, though the words could still be made out clearly.
Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.
"Two thousand years of professional wandmaking."
Altair muttered inwardly, then followed Professor McGonagall into the famous wand shop.
There was no one inside. The space was rather cramped, and in one corner stood a long bench. Professor McGonagall motioned for Mr. and Mrs. Granger to wait there. Not long afterward, an old man with silvery white hair emerged from behind the counter.
"Oh, Minerva, it has been a long time. Fir wood, nine and a half inches, excellent for Transfiguration... now that I think of it, time passes very quickly. I still remember standing beside my father when he sold you that wand..."
Ollivander looked at McGonagall, a trace of reminiscence in his eyes. Then he returned to himself and looked toward Altair and Hermione behind her.
"So, this year's incoming young witches and wizards? Then let us see which wands choose them."
Ollivander stepped out from behind the counter, looked at the two of them, and asked,
"Which young wizard would like to have their wand first?"
"Ladies first."
Altair took a step back and gestured for Hermione to go first.
"A splendid young gentleman."
Ollivander smiled, then looked at Hermione and asked,
"Now then, child, which hand do you use?"