Vaughn looked back and saw a thin, serious-looking witch leading a young couple and a little girl out of a narrow archway.
That was the Leaky Cauldron, where Vaughn had been before. Unfortunately, the hunchbacked owner, Tom, had refused to serve him butterbeer.
In his past life, he had often wondered what that drink actually tasted like when reading novels.
The young couple were clearly Muggles. Their suits and dresses looked far too ordinary, making them stand out awkwardly in magical Diagon Alley.
Molly spotted them too. Her eyes lit up in surprise, and she waved enthusiastically.
"Professor McGonagall! Professor McGonagall, Merlin, what a lovely surprise!"
Professor McGonagall was obviously familiar with Molly. With five Weasley children already attending Hogwarts—all in Gryffindor—it was hard not to be.
Her stern expression softened a little as she approached with the Muggle family.
"Mrs. Weasley, doing school shopping with the children, I presume?"
"Yes, Professor McGonagall… Oh! And this little lady, is she also starting at Hogwarts this year?"
"Indeed. These are Mr. and Mrs. Granger, and their daughter—Hermione Granger, a new first-year as well."
She turned to Vaughn and Ron, though her gaze lingered more on Vaughn. "Mr. and Mrs. Granger, this is Mrs. Weasley, and her two sons—Vaughn Weasley and..."
"Ron, Professor McGonagall!" Ron cut in nervously.
"...Ron Weasley," she finished, nodding at him. Ron ducked shyly behind his mother, while Professor McGonagall's lips twitched into the faintest smile as she looked back at Vaughn.
She bent down slightly to shake Vaughn's hand. "Mr. Weasley, a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure's mine, Professor McGonagall." Vaughn returned the greeting politely, then glanced past the professor to the Muggle couple, who were greeting Molly with some shyness, and the little girl who was watching him with wide, curious eyes.
Snap! Vaughn snapped his fingers, sending a faint pulse of magic outward.
The girl's messy bangs floated into the air like drifting seaweed.
It was a small trick, not even wand-worthy—but to a Muggle family with barely any exposure to magic, it was already astonishing. Mr. and Mrs. Granger gasped, hands flying to their mouths in awe.
Hermione's eyes widened. She tried to catch the floating strands of her hair, but her gaze kept flicking back to Vaughn, clearly fascinated—and itching to ask how he did it.
Professor McGonagall cleared her throat sharply. "Ahem. Mrs. Weasley, I must take the Grangers to Gringotts to exchange their money, so we won't keep you."
She paused briefly, casting Vaughn a pointed look. "Mr. Weasley, I'd advise against showing off in front of Muggles. The Ministry has strict rules, as you surely know."
Vaughn smiled and nodded. "Understood, Professor."
As the group walked away, Hermione kept looking back at Vaughn. He gave her a warm smile, and her cheeks turned pink.
What a lovely girl, Vaughn thought as she vanished into the crowd.
Beside him, Ron muttered impatiently, "Aren't we getting the wand yet? There might be a huge line at Ollivander's!"
At the moment, new wand fever had completely taken over his brain. As for the Muggle family they just met…Who were they again? Do they even matter?
Vaughn gave him a strange look. Ron, suddenly nervous, touched his face. "W-What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Nothing. As long as you're happy," Vaughn said, smiling faintly.
And Ron was happy. This was his first time in Diagon Alley, and it was dazzling. Though eager to buy a wand, he froze when they passed Florin Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, his legs suddenly rooted to the ground.
Maybe Molly worried he'd get upset seeing Vaughn buy new books and robes, so she gave in for once and bought Ron an ice cream.
Ice cream in hand, Ron finally stopped hurrying. Molly took Vaughn to Madam Malkin's Robe Shop, Flourish and Blotts, and other shops to buy his school things.
Fortunately, all those shops offered owl delivery, saving them from the awkwardness of carrying bags through the crowd.
"Books, robes, cauldrons, scales… oh, and you're allowed a pet, too. Over there is Eeylops Owl Emporium and the Magical Menagerie. Vaughn, what pet do you want?"
Vaughn glanced at Ron, who was still chewing on his ice cream and lost in bliss, and replied with a mischievous glint in his eye, "I think I'll get a cat."
Ron stiffened, the color draining from his face.
In his mind, he saw poor Scabbers doomed to a terrifying life of being stalked and pounced on at home.
But… the new wand…
The temptation of that glorious, shiny new wand was too strong. Paired with the ice cream, it crushed his resistance. He said nothing.
The Magical Menagerie was the largest pet store in Diagon Alley. Other than magical beasts banned by the Ministry, it carried almost every pet a young wizard might want.
Its owner, a witch with thick black-framed glasses, welcomed the Weasleys warmly. Upon hearing Vaughn's request, she waved her wand, and a row of cages floated forward.
"You've got excellent taste, Mr. Weasley. Most young wizards don't understand the importance of pets. They just want owls—choosing function over affection. It's quite sad, really. But look! These are all the cats we currently have. Wide selection, and between you and me, many have Kneazle blood—very clever creatures!"
Meow~
The cats really were smart. As if sensing a potential buyer, many of them rose from their naps, meowing gently at Vaughn.
One in particular stood out—a massive cat, twice the size of the others. While most were two feet long at most, this one stretched a full four feet!
It was powerful, with thick golden-orange fur, long-haired and fluffy, making it look two or three times fatter than the rest. It pressed its serious face against the bars, eager and excited the moment Vaughn reached toward it.
"Oh, Mr. Weasley, she seems to like you! That's a Maine Coon with Kneazle ancestry. They're still rare in Europe—currently bred mostly in America."
Vaughn reached in to play with her. She retracted her claws and gently grabbed his fingers with her padded paws.
He liked her instantly, especially her coat, golden-orange, just like a fruit juice he used to drink in his past life.
"This one!"
After paying, Vaughn led the cat out of the shop. She was heavy—at least 15 kilograms—and Vaughn, still short for his age, struggled to carry her.
When Ron saw the creature, his eyes widened in shock. "Th-That's a cat?"
"Of course," Vaughn said cheerfully. "Her name is Hexby. Hexby, go sniff Ron for mouse scent!"
Meow~