The Boundless Journey

Finishing their breakfast, Max and Harry set out towards the back of the Leaky Cauldron. It was a quiet little place, almost like a dead end. There was nothing in sight—no trash bins or any other objects that would justify the existence of this secluded spot.

Harry approached what seemed like an ordinary brick wall and pulled his wand from his pocket. He tapped a series of bricks in a specific pattern.

As soon as he finished and was tucking his wand away, the ground trembled slightly. The bricks on the wall started shifting on their own, floating to the side to reveal an opening to a bustling street.

"Diagon Alley," Max said, amazed by his first magical entryway.

"Cool, right? I remember being just as amazed when I first came here," Harry said with a grin. "You really do seem to have a muggle mindset."

"Well, Echo told me about the Wizarding World only after he was turned into a cat, so all of this is still very new to me. I haven't even learned any spells yet."

"Oh, I see."

As they stepped into the lively street, both Max and Echo were in awe of the sheer number of magical wonders around them. The entire alley was filled with wizards and witches entering various shops to purchase magical items. There were stores selling pets as companions for young witches and wizards, bookstores filled with volumes on every magical subject, robe shops for students, and stores that stocked parchment and quills.

But the street wasn't just about school supplies—there were also candy shops, potion vendors, and more. Max's eyes glittered with excitement as he took in the scene.

Then, something caught his attention. Between two shops, he noticed a dark alleyway. It was like stepping from day into night—two completely different atmospheres, polar opposites. Curiosity pulled him toward it, and he took careful, hesitant steps forward. But before he could go any further, a firm hand grabbed his shoulder.

"Don't even think about going in there," Harry said sternly.

Max froze. He had never heard Harry speak in such a commanding tone before. It confused him—and, if he was being honest, scared him a little.

"W-what is that place?" Max asked in a low voice.

"That's Knockturn Alley. It's filled with shops that deal in the Dark Arts. If kids like us wander in there, we could get caught up in serious trouble," Harry explained. He led Max away from the alley and back into the bustling street.

"Last year, I accidentally ended up there because of a mishap. Let me tell you, it's not a place for us—it's way too dangerous."

Hearing Harry's warning, Max remembered that in his second year at Hogwarts, Harry had indeed wound up in Knockturn Alley by accident. He had only managed to get out thanks to a friend's help. Shaking off the eerie feeling, Max pushed thoughts of Knockturn Alley to the back of his mind and focused on enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of Diagon Alley.

"I don't really have much to buy here. What about you? What do you need?" Harry asked curiously.

"Well, you know I don't have much money, so I was thinking of going to a bank and asking for a loan."

"Oh… yeah, you did mention that you don't have any money right now. But I don't think taking a loan is a good idea in your situation. You don't have any collateral, and you don't have a steady way to pay it back with interest. It's better if you just take my money and return it whenever you can."

Max was stunned. In his past life, people only thought about themselves—how things benefited them rather than how they could help others. That was one of the reasons he had fallen for Elia—her kindness, her willingness to help those below her without expecting anything in return.

I thought I'd have to beg and grovel… that I'd have to suffer his disdain when asking for money. But he just gave it to me without question.

"T-thank you so much, Harry," Max said, tears welling up in his eyes. His heart overflowed with gratitude for the boy in front of him.

"Hey! No need to cry over it," Harry said with a smile. "I'm just helping a friend in need. Isn't that what friends do?"

Wiping his tears away, Max replied, "If you ever need help in the future, don't hesitate to ask me. I'll always be there for you—no questions asked."

Echo observed the scene quietly. Looking into Max's memories, he saw nothing but tragedy—a life filled with loneliness, no friends, no family, no happiness. But now, for the first time, Max had gained a cherished memory. And this was only the beginning.

"So, what do you need to buy?" Harry asked.

"Well, I want to start learning magic. Since Echo can't protect me right now, I need to be able to defend myself. So, I think I'll get my wand first, and then some spell books," Max replied.

"Good plan. But if you really want to protect yourself, you should consider going to a magic school. You'd learn different aspects of magic—alchemy, potion-making, divination, spell casting—and you'd make great allies too."

That's my plan—to go to Hogwarts. But I can't just sit around and wait for a letter. This world may be beautiful, but it's dangerous too. And with 'You-Know-Who' returning in two or three years, I don't have much time.

"I'll definitely think about it. But first, let's get me a wand," Max said.

"I know just the place for that 'Ollivanders', you can get the perfect wand for yourself that suits your style. Lets goo!!"