Harry Potter: Shippuden

A short while later, Kyle and Dumbledore stood on the grassy grounds outside the castle.

"Professor, can we not use that 'Portus' spell to get to Diagon Alley?" Kyle asked, looking up at Dumbledore.

Not long ago, Dumbledore had used the Portkey to transport them across the Atlantic.

The sensation of being hooked by the navel and yanked through space was something Kyle never wanted to experience again.

Dumbledore looked at Kyle, puzzled by his aversion to Portkey travel.

"Well… alright. Fawkes!"

At Dumbledore's call, a burst of flames appeared out of thin air.

From the flames emerged a magnificent, crimson bird, about the size of a swan, with a long, golden tail and gleaming beak and talons—a Scottish long-tailed firebird? For some reason, Kyle felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity when he saw this phoenix named Fawkes.

"This is Fawkes, the phoenix. He'll take us to Diagon Alley."

Hearing this, Kyle gave Fawkes a skeptical look. Was this bird really big enough to ride?

Would it just grab them with its talons and fly them to Diagon Alley like that?

Fawkes, perched on Dumbledore's shoulder, stared at Kyle with large, curious eyes. It felt like the human child was thinking something rather unflattering.

"Take my hand."

Kyle did as he was told, and the next moment, the two were engulfed in a burst of flames, vanishing from Hogwarts.

When Kyle regained his senses, they were standing on a wide, cobblestone street that wound its way into the distance.

"Are we in Diagon Alley already?" Kyle asked, surprised. He hadn't even felt the long-distance teleportation.

Traveling with Fawkes had been warm and pleasant, a far cry from the Portkey experience.

"Yes, let's go get some money first."

Walking along the street, the first shop they passed was Potage's Cauldron Shop. The morning sun cast a golden glow on the stack of cauldrons outside, making the sign above the door gleam.

Dumbledore noticed Kyle's gaze. "You won't need one of those just yet."

No, I think I need one right now.

Kyle's eyes lingered on a copper cauldron. It looked perfect for cooking broth.

It had been eleven years since he'd arrived in this world, and he hadn't tasted any of the culinary delights from his past life.

The thought of a broth, with its numbing and spicy flavors, made Kyle's mouth water uncontrollably.

Wiping away his "tears," Kyle followed Dumbledore to a towering, snow-white building that loomed over the surrounding shops.

A set of white stone steps led up to two gleaming bronze doors, flanked by a… goblin?

The two passed through a second set of silver doors and entered a spacious marble hall.

About a hundred goblins sat behind long counters, scribbling in large ledgers.

Some were weighing coins on scales, while others inspected gems through eyepieces.

"Respected Mr. Dumbledore, welcome to Gringotts. How may we assist you today?" a goblin greeted them with a bow as soon as he saw Dumbledore.

Dumbledore pulled a key from his pocket. "Please take us to the vaults."

The goblin bowed again with impeccable grace and led them through a door.

"Your father left you a considerable inheritance," Dumbledore explained to Kyle as they walked.