HP: Card System

Ted used his pounds to purchase essential supplies in the Muggle world—undergarments, daily necessities, notebooks, pens, and ink. Along the way, he also picked up some small white mice, locusts, and crickets—snacks for Anzu.

At first, Anzu could only manage mealworms, but those were hardly enough to satisfy him now. He had moved on to larger prey. His sharp beak made quick work of a mouse's skull, and his claws shredded the remains with ease.

Crows were natural predators, after all. And Anzu? He was the boss of his kind.

Back in Diagon Alley, Ted made his way to Gringotts, stepping up to the towering counter where an old goblin peered down at him.

"Sir, I'd like to exchange for Galleons," Ted said, tilting his head up to meet the goblin's sharp gaze.

The goblin adjusted his glasses and scrutinized him. "Did you bring your Hogwarts admission letter?"

Ted nodded and handed it over. The goblin examined the parchment before sliding it back.

"The annual quota for first-years is fifty Galleons, maximum. How much are you exchanging?"

"What's the exchange rate?" Ted asked.

"Five pounds per Galleon."

Ted counted out 250 pounds and passed the cash over. The goblin raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised that a boy in second-hand robes had such a sum, but he said nothing. A moment later, a pouch of Galleons landed in Ted's hands with a satisfying weight.

Stepping out of Gringotts, Ted tossed the purse lightly in his palm, a grin spreading across his face.

Looks like I won't need to borrow money next year. Maybe I can even pay off this year's loan.

Debt-free and feeling lighter already.

The start of the Hogwarts term was just around the corner, and Ted had never been so eager to begin school.

The excitement was like waiting at the station to visit a long-distance girlfriend.

Not that I have a girlfriend. But you get the idea.

As September approached, Diagon Alley grew busier. Parents bustled through the streets with their children, purchasing school supplies. Shops like Flourish and Blotts and Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions were packed daily.

Ted's work at Flourish and Blotts became more hectic, with books constantly needing to be stocked and sorted.

Then, one afternoon, a familiar voice rang out:

"Dad! It's him—the singing magician! And his raven!"

Ted turned toward the entrance and saw a father and daughter stepping inside. His "regular customers."

Wow, London really is small.

Smiling, Ted took the initiative. "Hello, my name's Ted Epifani. I'll be starting at Hogwarts this year. Thanks for enjoying my performances."

The man extended a hand. "Chris Granger, dentist. You do know what a dentist does, right?"

Ted shook his hand, feigning an exaggerated shudder. "Oh, of course. But I'd rather not think about it. Dentists are my worst nightmare."

Granger let out a hearty laugh. "Hah! Didn't expect a young wizard to have a sense of humor."

He gestured toward his daughter. "This is Hermione. She'll be starting at Hogwarts too. She insisted on getting a few more books, so here we are."

Ted had suspected as much the moment he saw her. The bushy hair, the eager eyes—it all made sense now.

So this is Hermione Granger. One-third of the legendary trio.

"Nice to meet you, Hermione. Let me know what books you're looking for—I work here part-time, so I can help."

Hermione's admiration for Ted only grew. A boy who could sing, play guitar, juggle, and had a well-trained raven? And now she learned that he had spent his summer working in Diagon Alley and studying magic?

Her eyes widened with awe.

"You worked in a magical bookstore before even starting school? That's incredible!" she blurted.

She turned to her father, eyes practically sparkling.

"Dad! Can I work in Diagon Alley next summer too? Imagine how much I could learn!"

Chris Granger, however, quickly waved a hand. "Oh, no. Hermione, think about your mother. She wouldn't agree."

Ted caught the hesitation in Mr. Granger's voice. Unlike Hermione, her father's focus was elsewhere—on Ted himself. He had noticed that Ted was alone, independent beyond his years.

It was admirable, but also… saddening.

Still, Ted didn't let the moment linger. He waved over a fellow clerk and turned back to Hermione and her father.

"Why don't I show you around Diagon Alley? I know all the best shops."

He led the pair through the bustling streets, pointing out the quirks of each store and sharing little anecdotes. Mr. Granger listened with interest, while Hermione fired question after question about Ted's self-taught magic.

She had finally found someone she could talk to about spells.

And Ted? He was more than happy to share.

Ted led Hermione and her father through the bustling streets of Diagon Alley, pointing out various shops with a natural enthusiasm that made Hermione hang onto every word.

"This is Ziggs & Jigger's Apothecary. Their potion ingredients are top-quality, and Mr. Ziggs was kind enough to give me my first part-time job here," Ted explained. "I spent hours organizing ingredients and learning about different potions."

Hermione listened attentively, her curiosity piqued.

Ted continued, "And if you ever want a pet, the Magical Menagerie is the best choice. The magical creatures here aren't just pets; they're smart, strong, and make excellent companions. I helped out here too—cleaning up and making sure they were fed properly."

Mr. Granger, after some contemplation, decided to buy Hermione an owl.

Initially, Hermione hesitated. Owls required care, and she worried it might take time away from her studies. But Ted reassured her that owls were independent creatures and easy to take care of.

More importantly, Hermione realized she would need a reliable way to write to Ted so they could continue discussing and learning magic together.

Mr. Granger, eager to keep in touch with his daughter once she started school, agreed it was a good idea.

Inside Eeylops Owl Emporium, Hermione examined the various owls before settling on a long-eared owl with striking patterns on its feathers. She named it Magic, a simple yet fitting tribute to the world she was about to enter.

As wealthy dentists, both Mr. and Mrs. Granger earned a substantial income—higher than many pure-blood wizarding families that had lived off old fortunes. British dentists were always in demand, given the country's notorious love for sweets.

To celebrate their purchases, the trio headed to the Leaky Cauldron for a drink. Ted and Hermione enjoyed butterbeer, while Mr. Granger, curious but mindful of his need to drive, opted for the same.

Time passed quickly, and the days leading up to Hogwarts' opening slipped away.

Ted wrapped up his part-time jobs and focused on practicing magic in his small room at the Leaky Cauldron. After seeing off Hermione and her father, he finally had time to make significant progress in his study of psychic abilities.

He discovered he had a unique talent.

Everyone experiences moments of deep focus when they lose track of time—whether when playing an immersive game, reading an exciting book, or working on something they love. Psychologists call this state "flow."

Ted realized he could deliberately enter this state, fully immersing himself in learning and magic. This ability greatly enhanced his efficiency, allowing him to absorb knowledge at an accelerated rate.

Of course, mental energy wasn't limitless. Ted limited himself to about four hours of deep concentration daily to avoid overexertion.

Meanwhile, he kept in constant communication with Hermione.

Her owl, Magic, proved to be a tireless messenger, flying back and forth between them almost daily. Hermione's excitement about the wizarding world was evident in her letters. Ted responded by sharing stories about Diagon Alley, wizarding customs, and his own magical discoveries.

August flew by, and soon, it was the eve of September 1st.

Anzu, Ted's loyal raven, had grown strong, now capable of soaring high and covering great distances. Ted decided to put it to the test.

"Do you think you can find Hermione? It's not close," Ted asked skeptically.

Anzu puffed out its chest, flapped its wings, and squawked, "Small things! Small things! Quack!"

Ted chuckled. "Alright, alright, I believe you. Let's see what you can do."

He tied a letter to Anzu's leg, watching as the bird took off into the sky.

Inside the letter, Ted had written a final message to Hermione, arranging to meet on the train tomorrow.

Tomorrow—September 1st—the day Hogwarts officially began.

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Word count: 1405