- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 84
“Grindelwald has likely already infiltrated MACUSA by now!”
As Leo made his way through the crowd and queued up in front of the fireplace, he reflected on the newspaper report he had just glimpsed.
If he remembered correctly, after being internationally wanted, Grindelwald disguised himself as an Auror named Percival Graves, who also served as the Head of Magical Security and the Director of Magical Law Enforcement at MACUSA.
However, this wasn’t something he needed to concern himself with at the moment. What he needed most now was to quickly absorb all the magic knowledge from Tom Fawley’s memories and first become a competent wizard.
His primary goal for the first six months in this new world was to master the basic magical skills expected of a wizard.
Across from the hall were two rows of fireplaces—entrances on the left, exits on the right. Leo queued up in front of the first fireplace on the right.
One by one, the wizards in front of him disappeared into the fireplace, and soon it was his turn.
Taking a deep breath, and following Tom’s memories, he grabbed a handful of shiny silver powder from above the fireplace and tossed it into the flames. As the fire turned green, he stepped into the fireplace and shouted:
“Diagon Alley!”
The green flames flared up, completely engulfing him, and in the next instant, he found himself emerging from a fireplace in the Leaky Cauldron.
“Hey, Mr. Fawley, how about a glass of sherry? All drinks and food are free today!”
Just as Leo stepped out of the fireplace, a young man, around twenty years old, called out to him from behind the bar.
Leo turned and glanced at the jubilant wizards in the pub, smiling as he shook his head.
“No, Tom. I just got back from a trip, and all I want now is to go home and get some sleep. What’s going on today? Everyone seems to be in such high spirits.”
The young man, also named Tom, was the current owner of the Leaky Cauldron. He had studied magic at Hufflepuff in Hogwarts, just like Tom Fawley, but as a year junior. After graduation, he returned to Diagon Alley to take over his father’s pub.
Normally, the pub wasn’t this lively, and offering free drinks and food was something that had only happened on Tom’s first day as the owner.
Tom laughed heartily at this.
“Mr. Fawley, I’ve got some good news for you: the Leaky Cauldron won’t be demolished after all! The Ministry of Magic has decided to use Memory Charms extensively on Muggle architects and government officials, ensuring that the Leaky Cauldron remains untouched in the new road plans.”
“That certainly is something worth celebrating!”
Leo understood immediately.
According to his memories, two months ago, the Muggle government had been planning the construction of Charing Cross Road, and under their plans, the Leaky Cauldron would have been completely demolished.
As the only pub in Diagon Alley, a safe haven for wizards in the Muggle world, this was a distressing prospect for many wizards.
It was especially devastating for Tom, who had only recently taken over the pub.
Fortunately, just over half a month ago, before Leo’s original body had left for his trip, all the wizards had agreed that they couldn’t allow the Leaky Cauldron to be torn down and had collectively submitted a petition to the Ministry of Magic.
It seemed that after careful consideration, the Ministry had agreed to their proposal and decided to use Memory Charms to make the Muggle government exclude the Leaky Cauldron from their city plans.
The Leaky Cauldron was not just a place for wizards to eat, drink, chat, and stay; it was also the gateway between the Muggle world and the magical streets. Its removal would have caused a lot of trouble.
Bidding farewell to Tom, the pub owner, Leo headed to the pub’s backyard, where he used the magical entrance to access Diagon Alley.
He had no choice, as he hadn’t yet learned how to Apparate, so this was the only way for him to return to Diagon Alley.
Fortunately, most of the wizards were celebrating in the pub’s main hall, so no one was in the backyard, sparing him any awkward encounters.
…
“Cauldrons of copper, brass, pewter, and silver, all sizes available! Self-stirring, collapsible, and extendable—come and take a look!”
“Tawny owls, screech owls, short-haired cats, long-haired cats, black toads, golden toads, corn snakes, king snakes, red rose tarantulas—whatever pet you need, I have it!”
“The fastest broomstick, the Nimbus 1000 from the Nimbus Racing Broom Company—the groundbreaking broomstick invention, and you deserve it!”
“Dragon livers, bat spleens, eel eyes, spell books, quills, parchment, potion bottles, lunar globes—great prices!”
Walking along the cobblestone road of Diagon Alley, passing by various magical shops, he soon found his own herbal store—Fawley’s Herb Shop.
Since the back-to-school season was over, Diagon Alley wasn’t as crowded, with mostly adult wizards around and hardly any young wizards in sight.
Taking the key from his pouch, he unlocked the door to the herb shop. Before he could enter, a small figure in tattered clothes instantly appeared before him.
“Master, you’re back!”
“So it’s you, Bally. Everything’s been fine at the shop while I was away, right?”
Leo looked at the small figure before him, recognizing her as Bally, the Fawley family’s house-elf.
House-elves are a magical species conquered by wizards in ancient wars. Each house-elf is trained for servitude from birth and is bound to serve their master’s family for generations.
They handle all household chores, are bound by their master’s orders, and cannot disobey them. If they do, they must punish themselves.
Typically, only old wizarding families have house-elves serving them. Although the Fawley family had declined, as one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight, they naturally still had a house-elf.
“Respected Master, under Bally’s watch, everything in the shop has been fine. Bally cleans the shop twelve times a day to ensure that when you return, you’ll find the shop spotless and perfect.”
Bally nodded quickly, terrified that she might have done something wrong and upset her master, Tom.
Leo smiled.
“Very good. Go prepare some lunch. I’m hungry.”
House-elves are truly invaluable. They can perform wandless, nonverbal magic, are skilled in various household spells, and are extremely loyal—essentially the perfect servants.
“Yes, my master, please wait a moment. Lunch will be ready shortly.”
Bally bowed respectfully to Leo before disappearing on the spot.
Leo entered the herb shop, turned on the magical lights, and after some thought, decided to close the shop again.
The Fawley family’s assets were enough for him to live off for a while, so there was no need to waste valuable time running the herb shop. He should focus more on studying and mastering various forms of magic.
The herb shop wasn’t very large, and the variety of herbs on display wasn’t extensive. Even if he did keep it open, it wouldn’t bring in much money.
He walked through the front room to the living area in the back and found Bally there once again.
At that moment, Bally was using her cooking magic, with kitchen tools and ingredients busily working on their own under her spell, as if they had minds of their own.
In no time, a series of delicious dishes were ready, which Bally expertly directed out of the kitchen to the dining table.