The three of them exchanged awkward glances.
"It's a magical flame, you know. Blow harder," Kaison said, trying to cover for the stubborn torch.
"OK… huff!" Harry blew with all his might.
Kaison, quick as a flash, yanked out the torch and replaced it with a small wooden stick.
Another round of awkward glances.
Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap!
That was the sound of applause for Harry's birthday celebration.
The cake was left for Harry to enjoy, while Kaison stood and approached the trembling Dursley family in the corner.
Yet another exchange of awkward glances among the four…
"I overheard your argument with Hagrid. You said Dumbledore handed Harry over without a word. Besides Harry himself, was there anything else?"
Mr. Dursley, using his bulky frame to shield his son and wife, Petunia, shook his head vigorously.
"No child support?"
"None."
"That's definitely an oversight on Dumbledore's part…" Kaison glanced back at Harry, who was wiping tears while eating the cake.
"I think some compensation is fair for raising Harry these eleven years. Though, frankly, I don't think you've provided much in the way of material support, and emotionally… forgive my bluntness, but it seems lacking too." As he spoke, a one-kilogram cube of gold materialized in Kaison's hand.
He placed it on the ground. Honestly, he had no clue about current gold prices—gold was pretty useless to him anyway.
"You're too kind to Juno them," Hagrid remarked, witnessing the scene.
"What else am I supposed to do? Curse them to death right here?"
"No, no, that's a bit much."
"Stop eating if you're full. Get dressed, we're leaving," Kaison said to Harry, pulling his hood back up.
"I've only got these clothes. Just need my shoes," Harry said, wiping cream off his face.
"See? Told you that gold was too much," Hagrid grumbled.
"Forget it, Hagrid… And you lot, that gold is real, no tricks. This is your last chance—take it or leave it. I'm not coming back to haggle," Kaison said with a shrug, addressing the Dursleys.
"…No, no… we're fine," Mr. Dursley stammered.
"Alright then, let's go."
The three climbed onto the motorbike, with Hagrid and Kaison sandwiching Harry in the middle. Noticing the scrawny boy in front of him, barely reaching his chest, Kaison took off his raincoat and draped it over Harry's shoulders.
[Goodwill from Harry +10]
[Goodwill from Harry +10]
Kaison didn't care much about the goodwill points. He was genuinely worried the cold night air might harm the eleven-year-old, and while he could manage without the raincoat thanks to his trench coat, Hagrid without his fur coat would've been half-naked.
"Thanks," Harry said softly from the front.
"No problem. Hagrid, speed it up."
By early the next morning, after a subway ride and a taxi, the trio arrived exhausted at the Leaky Cauldron.
It wasn't some disaster like Muggles spotting them flying on the motorbike—it was just that the bike's engine couldn't handle the weight of a giant, an adult, and a kid.
If Kaison hadn't laid down a path of blocks across the sea, they'd probably still be soaking in the water. None of them could Apparate, and Ender Pearls were only good for short-range teleportation in a fight, not long-distance travel.
They stepped into the Leaky Cauldron, where the patrons curiously eyed Harry. Kaison, meanwhile, scanned the pub, disappointed to find nothing particularly magical about it. After all, Hogwarts was the most magical place in England and Scotland combined.
Hagrid chatted with the crowd but soon found himself stuck, so he shot Kaison a pleading look.
"Mind taking Harry to Diagon Alley to grab his school stuff? The list's in the acceptance letter. I'll have a few drinks and catch up."
Kaison shrugged. "No problem."
He casually led Harry to the pub's back door, stepping into a courtyard…
"Where's Diagon Alley?" he muttered, confused.
"You don't know either?" Harry looked up curiously.
"Uh… no need for formalities. I'm like you—never been here before."
Harry nodded, pressing his ear to the wall. "Is it behind here? I hear lots of noise."
"Maybe. Stand back." Kaison pulled Harry away from the wall, then tapped it twice with his knuckles. With two *thumps*, he punched a 1x2-meter passageway through the wall.
"Quick, quick, before someone catches us for vandalism!" Kaison hurried Harry into Diagon Alley. Within moments, they were casually strolling through the bustling street, taking it all in.
Then they remembered their mission. Kaison glanced at the acceptance letter. "Wand, cauldron, robes… ugh, so much stuff. Let's start with the wand."
He scanned the shop signs and spotted the only one related to wands. "Follow me."
They entered Ollivander's Wand Shop. Harry gazed in awe at the walls lined with countless wands. Kaison was equally curious but opted to compare them to his own wand, picking one up.
"That one… rose vines and a phoenix feather. Whose work is that? It's not the style of any of the three major European wandmakers," said a silver-haired old man emerging from behind a shelf, eyeing Kaison's wand.
"This? Dumbledore gave me a feather, and I wrapped it in rose vines," Kaison explained, awkwardly returning the wand he'd picked up as he noticed the man, likely the shopkeeper.
Ollivander studied Kaison's youthful face and nodded. "Impressive alchemical talent."
"Mm-hm."
"What family are you from? I haven't seen you before."
"Uh, I was a Muggle before."
"Here in Britain?"
"Yeah, but I didn't go to Hogwarts."
"Durmstrang? Beauxbatons?"
"Uh… self-taught."
"I see… Got a job?"
"Yeah, Hogwarts' Alchemy Professor."
"I could offer you a…" Ollivander trailed off, catching himself. "Never mind. Mr. Potter, we meet at last." He flashed a warm smile at Harry, who stood behind Kaison.
"Hello, sir," Harry said.
"Go on, get your wand. I'll wait here," Kaison said, patting Harry's back.