NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Shopping in Diagon Alley
Nighttime.
George's consciousness returned to his original body in the Marvel universe. It was another day of grueling training, though nothing particularly noteworthy happened.
Still, his instincts told him that the prison break might be happening soon.
He had noticed that the mutant children in the facility now had a comic book titled The Uncanny X-Men.
I still don't fully understand the history of this universe, he mused.
There were X-Men, but also X-Men comics? This suggested mutants were once well-known. So why was the Super Soldier Program still a thing? And why was Captain America part of it?
I'll have to escape the facility and look into its history to figure this out.
Back in the Harry Potter World, Morning.
When George went to collect the Daily Prophet from the mailbox outside the store, he found an additional envelope.
"It's finally here."
The pale-yellow envelope bore an address written in emerald-green ink: To Mr. George of Merton's Potion Shop, Knockturn Alley.
It was the reissued acceptance letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Even though Scrimgeour and Tonks had assured him it was being sent, holding the letter in his hands still filled him with excitement.
This was Hogwarts, a real school of magic, and soon he would be learning all sorts of incredible spells there.
Magic. Who could possibly resist the allure of magic?
"Time to start shopping!"
After finishing breakfast quickly, George grabbed the list of books and supplies included with the letter and confidently stepped out of Merton's Potion Shop.
But his good mood was immediately soured by an unwelcome sight.
"Well, isn't it little Dorah? Heard you've been re-accepted to Hogwarts. Off to buy school supplies?"
A hunched, greasy-haired old wizard stood at the entrance of a shop across the street, addressing George with a sinister smile.
"Good morning, Mr. Borgin. Yes, I'm heading out to buy my textbooks. And by the way, my name is George now."
Though George felt deeply repulsed by the man, he maintained a polite demeanor.
Borgin was no ordinary wizard—he was one of the oldest and most experienced dark wizards in Knockturn Alley. His shop, Borgin and Burkes, was the largest magic store in the area, dealing in cursed and dangerous magical objects.
Even Voldemort had worked here as a young man, using its network to locate and create two Horcruxes.
Borgin was the person George worried about most. If this man decided to leave him alone, no one else in Knockturn Alley would dare target the potion shop.
"What a polite child. I saw that Auror lady having lunch at your place yesterday, didn't I?"
Borgin's smile grew colder, his gaze sharper.
George, however, returned the smile, his expression sunny and innocent.
"Yep! Tonks loved my cooking. She said she'd bring her colleagues—and maybe even Uncle Scrimgeour—next time for a meal."
"Ah, that sounds... delightful."
Borgin narrowed his eyes slightly before replying.
George tilted his head, his tone playful. "Oh, it's no trouble! In fact, if you'd like, Mr. Borgin, I can prepare something extra for you when they visit. You could join us and try my cooking!"
"Er… no need for that."
Borgin's face stiffened before he turned and disappeared into his dimly lit shop.
Once Borgin was gone, George muttered under his breath, 'Try messing with me, and I'll take your shop someday. You'll regret it, you old bastard.'
With his mood restored, George headed toward Diagon Alley.
Compared to the narrow and grimy Knockturn Alley, Diagon Alley was lively and bustling. Wizards with their children filled the streets, browsing colorful stalls and stores.
"Dragon liver, sixteen Sickles an ounce!"
"Cauldrons of every kind—copper, brass, pewter, silver, collapsible, and self-stirring!"
"Owls for sale—grey owls, screech owls, barn owls, brown owls, snowy owls!"
"Nimbus 2001—the fastest broomstick on the market!"
The vibrant scene energized George, who didn't hesitate to spend generously on the best supplies.
"Cheap tools slow you down. Good tools make you efficient. Since I've got the money, why hold back?"
Two hours later, George pushed a cart piled high with supplies, mentally reviewing his shopping list.
"Full set of robes, cauldron, telescope, potion bottles, scales, wand—just need books and a pet now."
Buying everything else had been straightforward. Even choosing a wand had been quick—he simply tried a few until one felt right. The only time-consuming task was getting measured for his robes.
"Eeylops Owl Emporium. Perfect, I'll get an owl."
Spying the owl shop, George decided to prioritize utility. Magical owls weren't just for sending letters—they had built-in location spells and could find recipients unless blocked by specific magic. They could also carry small parcels.
If I'm going to buy a pet, it'd better be useful. Otherwise, it's just a hassle.
"Welcome to Eeylops Owl Emporium. What kind of owl are you looking for?"
The shopkeeper greeted him warmly as he entered.
"That one."
George pointed to a large owl perched on a high branch.
Following George's gaze, the shopkeeper's eyes widened. "You're sure about that one?"
"Absolutely."
The shopkeeper hesitated but explained, "Just so you know, that owl is ten times the price of a regular one. It'll cost one hundred Galleons."
The owl in question wasn't an ordinary-sized bird but a towering eagle owl nearly a meter tall when standing. Such owls were typically purchased by adult wizards with specific needs—not schoolchildren.
George didn't even blink. "I'll take it."