章 23: McGonagall
As I woke up the next day I was aware that today could well be the time I'm taken off to Hogwarts and take my first firm step into the Wizarding World. Making sure everything was packed within the extension pouch, I placed it deep within one of my pockets, under a few layers of other things trying to hide it away as much as possible.
Looking in the mirror I judged whether or not it was easy to spot, I wanted to make sure that I was being as meticulous as possible here as a simple inquiry would end up being bothersome to deal with. Worse yet, if the staff member from Hogwarts who appeared saw the pouch and sensed that it was charmed then I would probably be heavily questioned. As long as the pouch wasn't actively out and in view though, they shouldn't notice it.
After shifting the pouch around a few times I found a spot where it was completely concealed from my view in the mirror. It was going to be a risk regardless taking this however I couldn't avoid it as I needed to extension pouch with the books in it at the moment in order to read them and learn further whilst at Hogwarts. I did intend to suck the Room of Requirement of all the books it had as well however that was for when I was ready to sneak around the castle. At the moment I wasn't aware of any good cloaking spells meaning I would just probably end up getting caught in an instant…
Heading downstairs I saw Melony and Nana in their original spots. They smiled as I came down however I could sense a sombre air surrounding them. Considering today was the day I could disappear out of their lives for who knows how long, they were probably sad at the prospect. Regardless they still buried those feelings and gave me a smile alongside the normal treatment as I came downstairs.
"Good sleep Oz? Big day today for you after all~"
Melony was the first to speak to me as I sat down opposite her. It was still very early morning so most of the other orphans hadn't awoken. At this time it would usually always be just me coming downstairs and sitting with the early birds that were Melony and Nana.
"I slept well enough. Nana is breakfast being done? Do you need any help?"
"No worries Oz I got it all covered~"
Nana called out from the kitchen as she was preparing food. Looking at her movements it seemed as though she was preparing more than usual. I soon realised what was happening as she walked over with more of a 'feast' compared to a 'breakfast'.
"I thought today I'd treat you to a bigger meal considering today is the day you head off to school~"
Looking at all the food presented in front of me, a warm feeling arose in my stomach. Looking up an Nana I thanked her;
"Thank you Nana, it looks amazing"
"Eat it before it gets cold~"
Nana headed back to the kitchen and started to prepare the other orphans breakfasts. Since I came down so early my breakfast could always be hot served however for the late awakening orphans Nana would usually make a cold breakfast as some would oversleep the time they were supposed to be up and downstairs at. It was the privilege of being an early riser here.
I devoured the entire feast and sat back with a relaxed expression. As the day passed by coming up to lunchtime I spent the entire time with Nana and Melony instead of heading upstairs to my room to train. After all, this would be the last I would see them for a long time. Eventually as 1pm came around, A knock was heard at the orphanage's door.
*Knock Knock*
Luckily most of the kids had headed off outside or were in their rooms studying or playing. At the moment it was just me, Nana and Melony in the common room area of the orphanage downstairs. As the door was knocked upon, Nana walked over to the door and opened it with a smile. I took a little peak to see who was knocking. As I saw the person in question a name escaped my lips silently.
"McGonagall"
…
That's strange, I didn't get a canon shift notification or anything. I was half expecting one that explained McGonagall had come to pick me up due to my actions however nothing like that showed. This meant that my years old theory of the original 'Leo' in this world being taken to Hogwarts were actually correct, McGonagall in the original timeline would have taken him just like I was being taken now.
On my earth I was basically the same 'Leo Osbourne' however my fate was different and I died early being sent here. The 'Leo Osbourne' here would have been present in the canon and shared a 'similar fate' according to the 'rules' meaning he died young. With me overtaking the 'Leo Osbourne' that was here though, it meant I could try and avoid that fate.
McGonagall walked in with a smile on her face and walked directly over to me who was sat on the chair in the common area. She sat down opposite me and ushered Nana and Melony to sit with us. As we all got situated, McGonagall started to speak.
"Hello Mr. Osbourne, Recently you should have received a letter from Hogwarts about admission. Do you have that with you?"
I pulled the letter out of my pocket I had stuffed it into and showed McGonagall. She smiled as she took the letter and pointed to the 'Orphan Policy' section.
"As it states here, I'm the member of staff that will explain a bit more in detail about what's happening here. Oh, where are my manners? My name is Minerva McGonagall"
Me, Nana and Melony all sat silently as we listened intently to McGonagall. She started to explain the situation in full to us three, from what magic is to what Hogwarts is as a whole. She explained it simply and beautifully, well enough for any muggle to understand despite never having come into contact with magic. Near the end Nana and Melony even seemed to have a more thorough understanding compared to the quick explanations I gave them other the last few years…
"So, Oz here is a wizard. It's a rare case for an Orphan to become a witch or wizard however it can happen. We plan to admit him to Hogwarts so he can hone his abilities, learn magic and study alongside other witches and wizards his age…"
McGonagall looked over to me with a warm smile. Considering her behaviour so far it seemed she wasn't suspicious of me or anything. I had a feeling there would be scrutinising after news of Merlin's descendant however now I thought about it the shopkeepers mostly believed I was 11 so to them I had gone to Hogwarts for 3 years now. That confusion meant that it was harder to pin me down than normal.
"So Oz… would you like to come to Hogwarts?"
I looked towards Nana and Melony for a moment, feigning contemplation before nodding.
"Yes. I'd love to learn magic!"
Seeing me act 'my age' I heard Melony let out a sight chuckle before stopping herself. McGonagall didn't seem to notice it though as she continued;
"That's great… We will head off as soon as possible. Ill be waiting outside to take you to Diagon Alley where you will get your school supplies. If you would say your goodbyes for now and then head outside when you are ready that would be great"
McGonagall stood up and nodded towards Nana and Melony, wishing them farewell. Heading out the door she left me, Melony and Nana there alone. I looked over to them both with a wry smile on my face.
"Looks like this is it you two… As I said I will still keep in touch. I will also try to vis-"
Before I could finish my sentence Melony rushed in for a deep hug. I understood that hug spoke volumes as did the one from Nana that arrived soon after. They didn't care if I didn't keep in touch much they only cared about one thing.
They just wanted me to stay safe.
Heading towards the exit I waved them goodbye and quickly left them behind. I didn't want to look at their faces when I left as it would make me feel the sadness of departing from this place. Heading out the door I walked over to McGonagall who was at the far end of the car park waiting.
"Are you ready to head off Mr. Osbourne?"
Looking behind me I briefly looked at New Leaf Orphanage, the place that had raised me for 6 years. I had fond memories of this place, warm memories of a family I never had before. I wanted this place to remain as it did now for as long as I lived. It was my true home to come back to in this world. Taking one last look at the sign of the orphanage, I turned to McGonagall, a calm yet resolute expression now on my face.
"I'm ready, let's go…"
.
One second we were in Newquay, the next we were in London. Honestly Apparation was amazing however I couldn't help but feel nauseous as hell. Seeing me hold steady after the apparation McGonagall looked down at me with a smile.
"Most first years when apparate throw up… you did well keeping yourself steady young man!"
In front of us was the Leaky Cauldron and we quickly headed on in. As we got into the main pub area, I looked over to the counter and noted that the bartender right now was the woman who had served me three years ago. I hoped me growing up a bit would make it so she wouldn't recognise me. McGonagall led me over to the bar and tapped on the side ushering the woman over.
"Hello, here I have another Hogwarts student who needs a room for a few days before the term starts. Could you arrange for him a room?"
"No problem~ what is the name of the young man~"
Damn it maybe I should have hidden my name more when I came three years ago.
"It's Oz Osbourne"
"Oz hmm…?"
The woman looked over to me behind McGonagall. I quickly ushered her to stay quiet about knowing me by motioning me zipping my own mouth up. She seemed to be a bright lady as she caught on instantly.
"No problem professor, the room is all setup. Just give this key to Oz behind you and he will have lodging until the start of the new term. Before he heads off to Kings Cross to get the train he will need to give us the key back behind the bar~"
McGonagall thanked the woman and lead me towards the Diagon Alley entrance. Turning back around momentarily I caught the woman's gaze behind the bar, she mouthed a sentence to me as I was led through a door.
'Welcome back~'
As we headed out, McGonagall opened up the brick wall leading into Diagon Alley. She looked down at me with expectation of me being shell shocked about the magical street. Noticing this, I pretended to be shocked for a moment. As we walked onto the street I stopped for a moment and spoke up.
"Um… Mrs. McGonagall-"
"That will be Professor McGonagall to you young man. I'll be your teacher at Hogwarts after all"
"Right… Professor. Would it be okay if you hand me the money I need and I go ahead buying everything I need?"
McGonagall looked at me with confusion in her gaze, I felt my fingers cross hoping I could get away with this as it would simplify this trip greatly.
"Most young boys and girls your age would want someone to escort them as they are worried about messing something up… why do you want to go alone?"
"Well my Nana and Melony always told me to act independently. They would send me off to shops to buy food for the orphanage with just a list. This is pretty much the same, the list on the letter and the shops I can just ask around for. It also gives me time to have… a little look around"
McGonagall seemed to think for a moment, pondering what she should do. I only tried this method of attack since it was McGonagall. If it was Hagrid or someone else they probably would have outright refused however since it was McGonagall and I gave her an excuse of wanting to be independent I hoped she would fall for the lie and let me be. After giving this point I reinforced it with more things trying to drive home that I truly wanted to do this alone.
McGonagall's difficult expression eventually vanished as she responded;
"The policy says I'm to make sure you get all your supplies however looking at the look in your eyes you are determined to get everything you need alone and sort it out all alone too… we will do it like this then and call it a test. If you end up getting stuck, come back to me at the Leaky Cauldron. If you fail after showing this confidence I'll have to give a punishment for wasting my time"
She gave me a serious look as she uttered the last point expecting me to double down on my own thoughts however I didn't. honestly I thanked the lord for her judgement. If I took her with me she would probably notice soon due to some shopkeepers knowing me that I had been here before and that would end up with her linking me to Merlin's Descendant probably. I knew it would eventually become public that I was Merlin's descendant however the longer I could hide it the more peace I'd get and time to prepare for the fallout that it brings with it.
Watching her head off to the Leaky Cauldron I looked at the long list on the letter I had from Hogwarts. Some of the items I had already bought last time I was here, however there were still some things that were missing from my last trip around that I needed to purchase.
"I better get started then..."
Heading directly towards the first shop needed to get the first Item. I began to work through the list...
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