Hogwarts: I Truly Am The Model Wizard.

The Leaky Cauldron, established in the early 16th century, was one of the favorite meeting spots for wizards, and it also served as the only entryway to Diagon Alley, the wizarding world's hidden street.

When Diana gently nudged the door open, pushing Kyle along with her, the bustling bar, which had been filled with noisy chatter moments ago, fell eerily silent as if someone had pressed the pause button. The sudden stillness made it feel as though the whole world had stopped. It was as quiet as a study session on the night before final exams, with every little sound sharp and clear, like a needle dropping.

The strange silence persisted until Chris walked in, breaking the tension and causing the atmosphere to slowly shift, though it never quite returned to its previous liveliness. It seemed as though everyone intentionally lowered their voices, speaking in hushed tones.

However, there were exceptions.

Tom, the bar's owner, was quick to approach them, his face lighting up with surprise and joy. "Oh, Diana! Long time no see. Fancy a drink? It's on me!"

"Maybe next time, Tom."

Diana smiled warmly, patting Kyle's shoulder as she gestured toward the approaching Weasley family. "We still need to pick up a few things in Diagon Alley. We might be a bit short on time."

"Oh, of course."

Tom nodded, stepping aside. "Time does fly, doesn't it? Is Kyle heading off to Hogwarts this year?"

"Yes," Diana replied with a smile, nodding.

"Ah, I see! Well, don't dawdle, then. You know where to go."

As Tom made way for them, he turned to Kyle with a playful glint in his eye. "But I have to remind you, young Kyle, if you go moving that trash bin around again, I'll be writing a complaint to Hogwarts."

"Merlin's beard, you don't know how many new students nearly lost their minds trying to get into Diagon Alley when they couldn't get through! You can't keep making more work for those of us with bad knees."

Kyle winced, feeling a little embarrassed. It was clear he wasn't a stranger to Diagon Alley.

To be honest, as a time traveler, if Kyle didn't move the trash bin, was he really even trying?

But of course, he couldn't voice these thoughts in front of his parents. He could only offer an awkward laugh. "Next time, for sure."

Tom seemed unbothered by the comment, but Diana raised an eyebrow thoughtfully, glancing at Kyle. She knew something wasn't quite right, but with the Weasley family now in sight, she decided not to press the issue.

"Oh, Kyle, dear!"

Mrs. Molly Weasley greeted him with a huge, warm hug before pulling Diana aside to chat.

Meanwhile, Mr. Arthur Weasley naturally struck up a conversation with Chris, as the two families had always been close. Diana and Molly were the best of friends, and Chris and Arthur were inseparable as well. After Kyle was born, they had even moved in with the Weasleys for a time, thanks to their hospitality.

Kyle had heard plenty about these friendly relationships during their gatherings.

With the adults engaged in their conversation, the Weasley twins, Fred and George, immediately took the opportunity to approach Kyle.

"Hey, Fred, look who it is!"

"Isn't this the new student at Hogwarts this year?"

George's voice was unusually clear when he emphasized "new student."

"Hogwarts can be quite dangerous, especially for newbies like you..." Fred continued.

"Of course, if you're willing to say a few kind words, we might just offer you some help," George added with a smirk.

Kyle chose to ignore the teasing, greeting the other Weasley children instead. "It's been a while, Percy, Ron, Ginny."

They all smiled warmly, acknowledging him.

"Long time no see, Kyle." x3

There used to be seven Weasley children, but Bill had gone to Egypt, and Charlie had disappeared somewhere a month ago, leaving only five at the pub today.

As they made their way through the back of the Leaky Cauldron and approached the Diagon Alley entrance, Mr. Weasley immediately spotted the right brick. He raised his wand and tapped it.

At the back of the group, Fred and George, noticing the lack of response, exchanged a glance and silently decided to prank their younger companion—perhaps this "new student" needed a little lesson in wizarding etiquette.

They had recently invented "Jumping Powder," and with just a sprinkle on someone's hair, it created an intense, almost overwhelming sensation. They'd tested it on themselves with great success, and now, it seemed like the perfect time to share their latest invention.

But just as they were about to carry out their plan, Chris's voice suddenly cut through the air.

"Hagrid? What are you doing in Diagon Alley?"

The change in tone from Chris's usual calmness caught everyone's attention, causing Fred and George to pause. They had heard that sharp, suspicious tone before—it was a warning.

"Huh? Oh, nothing, nothing," Hagrid stammered, his massive frame towering over everyone at nearly three meters tall. He shuddered slightly, his gaze flickering nervously. However, his face soon relaxed as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small package. "I'm just getting some berry seeds for a birthday cake for Harry Potter. He'll be coming to Hogwarts next year."

"Really?"

Chris's tone remained cautious as he scrutinized the small bundle. "If I recall correctly, the materials at Hogwarts are enough to make at least ten cakes. Are you sure that's all?"

Chris's probing tone seemed a little more aggressive than usual, almost as if he were interrogating someone. To anyone unfamiliar with the situation, he might even appear suspicious.

But Kyle, along with the Weasley twins and Molly and Arthur, didn't react in the same way. They all remained perfectly calm, as though this behavior was completely normal.

This wasn't surprising. Chris, as the Deputy Director of the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures and head of the Beasts Office, had encountered Hagrid countless times.

In fact, if Chris had to pick someone he least wanted to see, Hagrid, the infamous half-giant Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, would probably be at the top of the list.

Hagrid's penchant for causing trouble often kept Chris busy. Last year, he'd created a hybrid magical creature—a two-tailed serpent known as a "Tailtail." Chris didn't even want to think about how Hagrid managed to obtain so many magical creatures, but Chris was certain that not all of them had come from the Forbidden Forest.

The act of magically altering creatures like that was something Chris found deeply troubling—it was a practice that he viewed as unethical and even heretical, one that should be banned.

Unfortunately, this was not illegal. Chris had submitted multiple proposals to draft new laws, but they had been ignored. Most recently, he had even gone to see Minister Cornelius Fudge, only to have the issue brushed aside.

Chris couldn't take action against Hagrid, despite his frustrations.

Still, with all of the strange creatures Hagrid had created, they were alive, and Chris couldn't just abandon them. He had to monitor, record, and categorize them, even if he hated doing it.

At this point, Chris's anger toward Hagrid had reached its peak. If it weren't for the presence of children, he might have been less restrained.

But seeing the way Hagrid respected Dumbledore, Chris knew that lying about something like this was out of character for the half-giant.

After hearing Hagrid's explanation, Chris finally relaxed, his expression softening. After a brief conversation, he allowed Hagrid to leave.

Kyle, however, was left deep in thought. He knew something was off.

"This time it's nothing, but what about all the other times?"

Kyle recalled how Hagrid had acquired the three-headed dog, Fluffy, from a Greek vendor at the pub. He wasn't sure if it was the Leaky Cauldron or the Hog's Head, but either way, the bar was known for being a hub for all sorts of shady dealings. Smuggling was common, and with its easy access to the magical world and no questions asked, it had become a hideout for many.

Kyle couldn't help but feel a little unsettled as he glanced back at Hagrid's retreating form.

"Well, that's interesting," Kyle muttered to himself, even as the bustling life of Diagon Alley carried on around him.