Hogwarts: Novel Era of the Wizarding World

"Time to get up, kiddo," George called out as he knocked on the door to Adam's room. Unlike Olivia, George didn't just walk in but rather knocked and waited. When there was no response, he knocked again, raising his hand to try one more time. Before his hand could touch the door, it swung open.

"Good morning, Dad!" Adam exclaimed, his face glowing with excitement. It wasn't often that George had to wake Adam; it was usually Olivia's routine to open the curtains and give Adam his morning kiss. But today, Adam was already dressed and ready, practically bouncing with energy.

"Well, someone's excited," George remarked, chuckling. "You're already up and ready? You don't need your mom to wake you today, huh?"

Adam grinned, unable to contain himself. "Yes, Dad! I couldn't sit still these two weeks, waiting for today. We're finally going to Diagon Alley! I've been thinking about it constantly."

"Alright, alright," George said, amused at Adam's rare display of excitement. "Come downstairs. Breakfast is ready."

As Adam raced past him toward the stairs, George hesitated for a moment. The excitement in Adam's face made him pause. With a sigh, he turned and made his way back to the bedroom, where Olivia lay in bed, flushed and feverish. Her sudden illness had come on overnight, leaving her too weak to get out of bed.

"Olivia?" George whispered as he sat on the edge of the bed. He gently touched her forehead, feeling the heat radiating from her skin. Olivia stirred, blinking tiredly.

"How are you feeling?" he asked softly.

"Not great," Olivia replied, her voice hoarse. "It came out of nowhere. I don't think I'll be able to go today."

George frowned, worry etching his face. "You should rest first."

Olivia shook her head weakly. "I don't want him to go alone, George. It's Diagon Alley—a place we've never been to. What if something happens? What if he gets lost or..."

George held her hand, trying to comfort her. "I know, but... he's been so excited. I've never seen him this happy, Olivia. I hate the idea of asking him to wait."

Olivia looked torn. "But... what if something goes wrong? We should be with him."

Before George could respond, Adam appeared at the doorway, overhearing the conversation. He also understood that his mother had a high fever and his father couldn't possibly leave her side in such situation. Adam felt sad that his mother was sick but he was also secretly happy that now he can probably go to Diagon Alley alone without his parents. He approached, his expression calm but thoughtful. "Mom, Dad... I don't mind going alone. Really, I'll be with Professor McGonagall. She's a Hogwarts professor, and she'll look after me. There's nothing to worry about."

George and Olivia exchanged uncertain glances, Olivia's worry deepening. "Adam, I know you're excited, but I'm not comfortable with you going alone. It's your first time visiting a strange place like that, without us. What if something happens?"

"I'll be careful, Mom," Adam said, a reassuring smile on his face. "Professor McGonagall will be with me the whole time. And I won't rush into anything. You don't have to worry. You need to rest and get better."

Olivia frowned, clearly torn. "But—"

George interrupted gently, sensing Adam's determination. "Maybe we should trust him, Liv. Professor McGonagall will keep an eye on him, she seemed a caring lady and Adam knows to be cautious. He's mature for his age, and he wouldn't suggest going alone if he didn't feel confident."

Olivia sighed, glancing between her husband and son. "I just... I don't like it. But if you really think it's safe, Adam, and if you promise to stick with the professor the whole time..."

Adam nodded eagerly. "I promise, Mom. I'll stay with her, and I'll let you know everything when I come back."

Reluctantly, Olivia leaned back against the pillows, her worry evident but subdued. "Alright," she whispered. "But be careful. And if anything feels wrong, you come straight home, okay?"

"I will," Adam assured her. "Thank you, Mom. You just focus on getting better."

As Adam finished his breakfast, there was a sudden knock on the front door. George, who was finishing his cup of tea, glanced at the clock. "That must be Professor McGonagall," he said, standing up to answer.

But when he opened the door, it wasn't Professor McGonagall standing there. Instead, a short figure dressed in robes, barely reaching George's waist, smiled up at him. His face was kind and animated, with sharp eyes twinkling from beneath thick, bushy eyebrows.

Adam, peeking around the corner, immediately recognized him: Filius Flitwick, the charms professor at Hogwarts. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he remained silent, watching how the scene would unfold.

"Good morning!" the tiny man said with a bright, friendly voice. "You must be Mr. Taylor. I'm Filius Flitwick, a professor at Hogwarts. I was sent by Professor McGonagall to escort your son to Diagon Alley today."

George raised an eyebrow, confused. "Professor McGonagall isn't coming?"

Professor Flitwick nodded, his cheerful demeanor not wavering. "Unfortunately, something urgent came up, and she had to leave on short notice. But don't worry! I'll be taking Adam and another student nearby to Diagon Alley. Their parents will be there as well, so he won't be alone."

Adam's attention sharpened, his excitement growing. Another student?

Flitwick paused, glancing down at his shoes before looking back up with an apologetic smile. "I must also apologize for intruding the other day, when I appeared suddenly to seek Professor McGonagall. I'm afraid we had to leave in a hurry due to an urgent matter, and I didn't get a chance to introduce myself properly. I didn't mean to cause any confusion."

George frowned, trying to recall the moment. "Ah, yes, I remember—there was a small figure who appeared with Professor McGonagall... You were the one who left with her so suddenly?"

Flitwick nodded. "That's me, I'm afraid. I wasn't able to explain myself properly, and I apologize for any worry I may have caused. But now, I'm here to ensure Adam gets to Diagon Alley safely."

Olivia, who had been quietly observing from the living room, looked more at ease hearing the apology. She spoke up, her voice soft but concerned. "So... you'll stay with him the whole time? You're sure everything will be okay?"

Flitwick smiled warmly, his small stature seeming to almost add to his reassuring presence. "Absolutely! I've been working with young witches and wizards for many, many years. I promise I'll take excellent care of Adam. You can trust me to keep him safe and sound. And with another family joining us, you'll know there's plenty of support."

George, sensing Olivia's lingering concern, gave a nod. "We trust you, Professor. Adam's safety is our priority."

Flitwick nodded with a wink. "You can count on me, Mr. Taylor. Now, Adam, I believe we should be on our way so we don't keep everyone waiting."

Adam, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "Thank you, Professor Flitwick," he said, his voice eager. "I can't wait to go!"

Flitwick's face brightened with a grin. "The pleasure's all mine, young man. I'm sure we'll have a splendid time. Now, if you're ready, let's head out."

After stepping out of the house, Adam's excitement was palpable, but Professor Flitwick's cheerful demeanor seemed to dim slightly. He glanced down at Adam, a hint of concern in his voice.

"Adam, I'm afraid we'll need to move quickly," Professor Flitwick said, his tone apologetic. "There's another student and her parents already waiting at Diagon Alley, and we need to join them as soon as possible."

Adam, sensing the urgency, nodded eagerly. "Don't worry, Professor. I'm ready."

Professor Flitwick gave a quick smile, clearly appreciating Adam's understanding. "Thank you for being so cooperative. Now, if you'll be so kind, please give me your hand."

Adam understood something and hesitated for only a moment, then extended his hand, and in an instant, Professor Flitwick muttered something under his breath. A strange, dizzying sensation washed over Adam, as though the world around him had momentarily dissolved. Before he could register what was happening, the world snapped back into focus, and they were standing in a dimly lit room.

Adam blinked, momentarily disoriented. "Where are we?" he asked, his voice tinged with awe.

Professor Flitwick gave him a friendly look. "We're at the Leaky Cauldron, a magical inn and pub for witches and wizards. It's not far from your house, fortunately." He lowered his voice and leaned slightly toward Adam. "And I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention the Apparition to Professor McGonagall. She would not like me taking little ones on such a journey, but I assure you, it was perfectly safe. It is the apparition magic, that instantly takes you to a place you want to visit. Ofcourse, it can't take you just anywhere or too far away. It is a difficult magic, but rest assured that it is perfectly safe if you master it like me. You'll also learn it in your senior years at Hogwarts. "

Adam just nodded hearing all this information that he already knew about, his curiosity piqued by the mysterious name "Leaky Cauldron" and its significance in the magical world.

As they entered the dimly lit tavern, Adam's eyes immediately took in the strange sights. The walls were lined with old wooden beams, worn with age, and the low ceiling was dotted with flickering candlelight. The air smelled faintly of old wood, herbs, and a curious mix of spices and something sweet. Several witches and wizards, deep in conversation, sat at scattered tables, their cloaks draped over chairs and mugs of steaming drinks in front of them. A large fireplace crackled in the corner, casting a warm glow across the room.

Behind the bar, an elderly man with a gruff but friendly face, wearing a faded green waistcoat, was cleaning mugs. His name, as Adam soon learned, was Tom, the owner of the Leaky Cauldron.

Professor Flitwick approached the bar with a smile. "Tom, it's good to be back," he said, his voice warm.

Tom's face lit up in recognition. "Ah, Professor Flitwick! It took a while? I hope all is well."

Flitwick nodded. "Everything's well, thank you. Where's the little girl and her parents, Tom?"

Tom's expression shifted slightly, his brow furrowing with concern. "I'm terribly sorry, Professor," he said with an apologetic sigh. "The little girl—she went inside Diagon Alley a while ago, following another student. She went in a hurry, her parents said that another student dropped something so she went to give it back, but I think she followed them into Diagon Alley. Now her parents are worried but I held them here saying that it is safe inside and you'll come back soon."

Flitwick's face tightened with panic, but he quickly masked it with a calm expression. "I see," he said, his voice steady but tinged with urgency. "Not to worry, Tom. I'll go after her. Please tell her parents to stay here. I'll bring her back. We'll handle it from here."

Tom nodded quickly. "Of course, Professor. I'll make sure they're comfortable while you go after her."

Adam, who had been quietly watching the exchange, felt the tension in the air and quickly spoke up. "I'm coming with you, Professor."

Flitwick turned, surprised. "What? But—"

"Professor, you said you'll stay with me.," Adam said, his voice firm but polite. He couldn't wait anymore to enter Diagon Alley. "I'll stay with you. I don't want to be left alone here with strangers."

Professor Flitwick hesitated for a moment, his expression conflicted. He knew it was better to leave Adam behind at the Leaky Cauldron, but he also knew he had no real choice in the matter now. He had already gave a word to Adam's parents. With a small sigh, he nodded. "Alright, then. Stay close, Adam."

With that, Professor Flitwick led Adam toward the back of the Leaky Cauldron, where the entrance to Diagon Alley was hidden.

Tom gave them a parting nod as Flitwick and Adam moved toward the brick wall at the back of the tavern. Flitwick raised his wand and tapped it three times above and two time across against the wall near a trashcan. The bricks shifted, groaned, and slowly parted to reveal a narrow archway leading into a bustling, colorful street beyond.

Adam's heart raced as he stepped through the arch, his eyes widening at the sight before him.

Diagon Alley was nothing like the quiet streets of London. The air buzzed with excitement, and every inch of the cobblestone street was alive with movement. Shops lined both sides of the street, their windows filled with strange and wondrous magical items: shimmering potions, floating broomsticks, enchanted books, and sparkling robes. People of all ages were walking, talking, and haggling with shopkeepers. Adam saw witches and wizards walking around, some carrying large bags full of purchases, others chatting animatedly. Magical creatures, like owls and cats, were perched on ledges or hopping from shop to shop.

Above it all, the towering shape of Gringotts Wizarding Bank loomed in the distance, its white marble gleaming in the sunlight. A statue of a dragon perched atop the building, its eyes glowing with an eerie red light.

Adam was in awe. It was everything he had imagined and more. The magic was palpable in the air, swirling around him as though it were alive. He felt like he had stepped into a world he had only dreamed about—a world where magic was real and tangible, where anything was possible.

"This is Diagon Alley," Professor Flitwick said, his voice full of pride as he looked down at Adam, who was still staring around in awe. "Quite the sight, isn't it?"

Adam nodded, his mouth slightly agape. "It's... incredible."

Flitwick smiled warmly. "You'll get used to it. But now, let's find that little girl before her parents get too worried."

As they moved through the crowd, Adam couldn't help but feel that everything had changed. He was standing in the heart of the magical world, surrounded by things he had only ever seen in books and movies. This was the beginning of his journey, and he was ready for whatever adventure came next.

"By the way, Professor, how does the girl look like? What's her name? I can keep an eye out if we happen to pass by her," Adam asked, his voice laced with impatience. He had been wandering with Professor Flitwick for a while now, and the idea of searching for a girl all day felt like a pointless quest without knowing what she looked like.

"Oh, yes," Professor Flitwick replied, adjusting his robes as they walked. "The young girl is named Hermione Granger. She's about your age—brown, bushy hair, always rather wild-looking, and she wears a very focused expression. Quite clever, too, though I suppose you'd only see that if you were to speak with her."

Adam froze in place for a moment. Hermione Granger? The name hit him like a lightning bolt. He remembered her vividly—his crush from his past life, the brilliant witch from Hogwarts. His heart skipped a beat as shock washed over him. She's the missing girl?

For a split second, the frustration he'd been feeling melted away, replaced by excitement bubbling up inside him. Not only did he know who she was, but the thought of meeting her, the Hermione Granger, filled him with anticipation. This wasn't just some random search anymore. This was Hermione.

Trying to keep his emotions in check, Adam quickly nodded. "Right, got it," he said, voice slightly strained. But inwardly, the frustration had morphed into a newfound drive. The idea of finding her, seeing her face-to-face, even talking to her, it made his heart race. He couldn't wait to continue the search, now more eager than ever.