บท 111: The first group of practical activities ended successfully
For the excited students, the most enjoyable part of the shopping session was checking out. When they handed over the warm coins in their hands, exchanging some for change and merchandise, they would gather together to examine the coins of different materials, patterns, and sizes.
"Who remembers how many kinds of coins there are?" a third-year student whispered.
The fourth-year student next to him corrected him, "We only learned about the currency that's still in circulation in the UK, and they change it from time to time."
"That's great, I hope we can make some changes too," said another.
"Why not? Two hundred and forty or fifty years ago, well, anyway, we changed the font once."
"Font! You know that's not what I'm talking about," said the student who wished the wizard currency makers would be more innovative. "Speaking of which, I just realized—why is twenty pence even smaller than ten pence?"
Anthony spent some time assuring the students that the store owner really hadn't given them counterfeit change. Unlike the wizarding world, which uses copper, silver, and gold coins as distinctions, Muggles don't care much about the value of the currency material itself. They learned about paper money in class.
The student nodded thoughtfully, "Oh..."
Anthony suddenly remembered that this student had never quite grasped the concept of Muggle currency and sighed, "Just remember it first and gradually understand it. There's nothing wrong with the coins. Don't bother the shopkeeper."
…
As they walked to Charing Cross Road, the students' enthusiasm for shopping grew even higher, knowing they were heading back to school. After an afternoon of practical activities, they felt they were full of "Muggle smells"—in reality, it was just the lingering scent of cats and dogs—and they were eager to buy something as a souvenir.
Every shop seemed interesting. Anthony had to pull back a student who almost walked into a bar and shook his head in warning.
"I thought that was a bookstore!" the student defended.
"I thought you sprained your foot," Anthony replied.
While leading the students towards the Leaky Cauldron, making sure no one strayed from the route, he pointed out some of the nearby shops he was familiar with. As a Londoner, he knew a few reputable spots.
"I heard there's a famous bookstore around here," one student said, "and it has a collection of letters related to it."
Anthony nodded, "Yes, at No. 84, but we won't pass by there today because—" He guided them around a corner, and suddenly the bustling sounds of people and cars faded away, "We're already here."
Anthony breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the familiar sign of the Leaky Cauldron. The students stood there, clutching their newly purchased souvenirs, looking dazed as if they hadn't quite processed the transition.
Anthony smiled and said, "Yes, there's only a wall between the wizarding and Muggle worlds. It's like two neighbors who rarely communicate, but every day you can hear the other side shuffling about and turning on the bathroom faucet."
He led the students inside, took out his wand, and knocked on the wall behind the Leaky Cauldron. "Come on, congratulations, you all did a great job this afternoon. It's time to return to magic."
"This is the first time I've ever felt like there are so few wizards," one student muttered. "Oh my gosh, our streets are so narrow."
Another student looked around Diagon Alley and said, "We have so few shops here that we can visit them all in one afternoon. I doubt I could visit all the Muggle shops in London in a week."
"It's not just a week," Anthony replied. "The Muggle world is vast, complex, and full of life, but it's also a hidden and magical world in its own way. For many Muggles, this place—Diagon Alley—is more fascinating than any of their own attractions. Just like the Muggle world, the wizarding world has its own captivating aspects."
He couldn't help but shake his head, recalling the feeling he had when walking through Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade. "Ask your Muggle-born friends, and they'll tell you how amazing the wizarding world is. I bet many people think that the Muggle world is far inferior to the magical one."
"Professor, are you also a Muggle?" a student asked curiously. Anthony had been teaching for most of the term, but even the most inquisitive Hufflepuffs hadn't figured out where their Muggle Studies professor came from.
"One hundred percent," Anthony joked, "I'm a pure-blood Muggle."
He stood by the hole in the wall, casting a cleaning spell on each passing student and helping them change back into their wizard robes.
A lively Gryffindor girl called out before he transformed her clothes, "Wait, Professor!"
She quickly pulled a magical camera from her bag—likely a small bag enchanted with an Undetectable Extension Charm—and handed it to her friend. Holding up her shopping trophies, she stood in the Leaky Cauldron wearing a Muggle floral skirt, smiled, and had her picture taken.
She spun around, her skirt twirling slightly, then stretched out her arms happily and said, "Okay, Professor, change me back."
Anthony smiled and tapped her outfit, turning it back into Hogwarts robes. She took the camera and snapped a picture of her friend. The students behind her also clamored for photos and offered various things in exchange.
After a moment's thought, she waved off any trades, saying, "I'm happy today—one picture for each person!"
This time, even students who had already returned to Diagon Alley asked Anthony to change them back into Muggle clothes. Although a few were awkwardly pushed back by their friends, their reluctant resistance showed that they really wanted the photos.
…
It was dark by the time they returned to Hogwarts. Anthony counted the students one last time and announced the successful conclusion of their practical activity. He informed the students who wanted to adopt pets to bring their parents' consent forms to his office so they could go over the adoption procedures together.
Amid the cheers, Anthony added one final touch to the event: a midnight snack prepared by the house-elves.
"Those who are hungry can grab something to eat. Those who aren't, remember to take a shower and get some rest," Anthony said. "And be careful. I'll definitely be out tonight to see if anyone is wandering around."
He could already imagine the students, brimming with excitement, eager to share their day's adventures.
But if they decided to roam the castle at night to burn off their excess energy, Anthony would have unwittingly increased the workload for Filch and the other professors on night patrol.
"Okay, Professor," a student promised with a grin, "We won't get caught."
Anthony enjoyed some mashed potatoes by himself, leaned back in his chair with a long sigh, smiled to himself, said goodnight to the student still struggling with the last of their fried pork chop, and returned to his office. He'd better take a bath before seeing his cat.
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