"First, we need to go to Gringotts to exchange your British pounds for gold Galleons."
Professor McGonagall spoke and led Jeremy forward.
Gringotts was conspicuous in Diagon Alley, a tall white building with exquisite structure and decoration, and two goblins at the entrance.
Under the goblins' scrutinizing gaze, Jeremy followed Professor McGonagall and walked in calmly.
At the counter, a goblin said respectfully to Professor McGonagall, "Professor McGonagall, it is a pleasure to see you."
Professor McGonagall responded politely, took out Jeremy's one thousand pounds, and prepared to exchange it.
The goblin lowered his head, glanced at the pounds, then glanced at Jeremy, and only then slowly reached out his hand, muttering a sentence in a clearly audible voice, "Some wizards always take shortcuts, using Muggle currency to steal goblin wealth."
"Mr. Jerubanibalust!"
Professor McGonagall called his name with slight warning.
Jeremy opened his eyes wide in surprise; goblin names were indeed difficult to remember.
The goblin Jerubanibalust stopped talking and began slowly counting out Galleons.
Jeremy remembered that one Galleon was approximately equal to five pounds, but he did not know if the exchange rate remained constant or fluctuated.
However, looking at the final two hundred and two Galleons in hand, Jeremy was quite satisfied.
It seemed the end of the war in the magical world benefited the Muggle world after all.
With the Galleons in hand, the new student's shopping also began.
Professor McGonagall first took Jeremy to buy a cauldron, small glass phials, a telescope, and brass scales, and then went to Flourish and Blotts to buy the complete set of first-year textbooks.
Then came the robes; Jeremy arrived at Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, this famous landmark in the magical world.
"Madam Malkin, a set of first-year student robes, please."
Professor McGonagall greeted Madam Malkin amicably.
Plump Madam Malkin, exuding a warm aura, came over and enthusiastically took Jeremy's hand.
"Come along, dear, stand on the little stool, do not be afraid of the tape measure; it likes every young witch and wizard."
Jeremy watched with fascination as the tape measure whizzed around him, continuously measuring his body dimensions.
The first-year robes were very simple; the fabric was thick but not expensive, requiring only simple cutting, and with the aid of magic, Madam Malkin quickly prepared Jeremy's robes.
Jeremy jumped down from the stool, hugged his robes, and sincerely thanked Madam Malkin, causing her to squint her eyes with laughter.
Jeremy turned his head and looked at Professor McGonagall, saying, "Professor McGonagall, can I learn the magic Madam Malkin used at school? You know, my parents passed away, and I will have to live alone from now on."
Before Professor McGonagall could say anything, Madam Malkin, emotionally, sniffled and gave Jeremy a hug, saying, "Good child, this is household magic. Although it is not taught in class, there is a book called 'The Complete Book of Household Magic' in the Hogwarts library; you can borrow it for self-study."
Professor McGonagall nodded in acknowledgment and said, "Mr. Pringle, if you encounter difficulties, you may consult any professor at any time; we are very willing to provide you with answers."
Jeremy was very happy; household magic was still magic, learning it was gaining something, and judging by Bellatrix Lestrange's fate, when used well, household magic was also extremely lethal.
After the robes were purchased, it was time for the young wizard's most important wand.
Jeremy, with a pilgrim's heart, walked into Ollivanders Wand Shop.
The vast space, far exceeding the store's exterior size, was piled high with wand boxes, and the ceiling, seemingly enchanted like the Hogwarts Great Hall, twinkled with mysterious points of light.
"Good morning, Mr. Pringle."
Ollivander emerged quietly from behind a shelf stacked with wand boxes, his soft, hoarse voice sounding.
Despite being mentally prepared, Jeremy was still startled, which made Ollivander chuckle involuntarily.
"Well, well, let us return to business, Mr. Pringle. Although your parents did not accomplish any great deeds, their relationship was very good. A child full of love will find a wand equally full of love."
Under Professor McGonagall's reproachful gaze, Ollivander smacked his lips and began selecting wands for Jeremy.
One wand after another was thrust into Jeremy's hand, only to be quickly taken away again.
"Is it this one? Hawthorn and unicorn hair. No, that is not right; it is too shy."
"Is it this one? English oak and troll whisker. Oh, also not right; its temper is too volatile."
"Or this one? Vine and dragon heartstring. No, the wand feels your faith is not firm enough."
...
Jeremy felt like a pitiful display case; there was absolutely nothing he needed to do. He just held the wand, waved it once, and then had the wand taken away again.
Some wands sprayed water, some sprayed fire, some with bad temper immediately emitted a puff of black smoke, and some were too introverted, feeling like a tree branch in his hand, with no reaction at all.
And look at that one just now, vine and dragon heartstring; what are you on about? A wand has faith now?
Jeremy was thoroughly enlightened.
While he was testing, the sound of wind chimes came from the doorway, and a black figure walked in.
"Wait here. Be quiet."
A cold, smooth baritone sounded, and Jeremy uncontrollably turned his head to look.
A young man in his early twenties, quite tall but not very sturdy, somewhat thin, with a pale face and slightly disheveled shoulder-length black hair, looked as if he had just crawled out of a coffin.
The voice just now came from Severus Snape, who had just become the Potions professor.
"Y-yes, Professor."
A timid boy's voice sounded, and only then did Jeremy notice that behind Severus Snape followed a young boy with his mouth tightly shut, not daring to move.
"Good morning, Minerva."
Severus evidently had considerable respect for Professor McGonagall; his words lacked coldness and held more reverence.
"Good morning, Severus. The student I am accompanying will have his wand very soon. Please wait a moment."
Professor McGonagall nodded, then lowered her head and offered a bit of kindness to the young boy.
But in Jeremy's opinion, that young boy seemed even more nervous.
Suddenly, Jeremy felt a new wand being placed in his hand. The moment the wand's handle touched his fingers, an unprecedented comfort and freedom filled Jeremy's heart.
At that instant, the Caged Bird curse mark on Jeremy's forehead trembled abruptly.
A clear, piercing eagle's cry rang out, and a gentle breeze swept through Ollivanders Wand Shop. The free wind blew past the countless wand boxes, blew aside Ollivander's hanging hair, swirled around in a vortex, circled around Jeremy brushing against him, and then gradually dissipated.
A wisp of the breeze drifted towards Severus Snape and gently collided with his deeply furrowed brow.
Severus Snape could not help but widen his eyes. The first meeting between a young wizard and his wand, the magic carrying pure, innocent spirituality, quietly struck his heart, sounding a silent, thunderous roar.
For a moment, Severus Snape actually experienced an illusion, as if he had never borne the Dark Mark, as if he had never been burdened with a heavy fate.
The free wind brought a moment of lightness; the next instant, reality returned, and Severus felt his surroundings once again oppressed by the stagnant air, heavy and weighty, which instinctively made him frown slightly.
Professor McGonagall, thinking the young wizard's uncontrolled magic had struck Severus in the face and displeased him, quickly soothed, "Oh, Severus, the young wizard cannot control his magic. Please do not mind it."
Jeremy also spoke up tactfully, "I am very sorry, Professor. I did not mean to."
Severus lowered his head to glance at Jeremy, then turned to Professor McGonagall and said, "It is nothing, Minerva."
"There now, congratulations, Mr. Pringle, you have found your life partner."
Ollivander spoke cheerfully, "Ebony, dragon heartstring, thirteen inches. The character is resolute and unyielding, adept at combat spells and Transfiguration, also possesses excellent sensitivity to Potions, has a firm will, and is not easily influenced by external forces."
"But be careful, although dragon heartstring casts powerful spells, it also means it will accept all magic, including powerful Dark Arts. Please use it prudently, Mr. Pringle."
Jeremy listened attentively to Ollivander's instructions and took his wand.
The wand was not short; the handle had horizontal ridges to prevent slipping. The staff was entirely black, straight, and very rigid.
Jeremy was very satisfied. A ninja who had been on the battlefield, even living in a peaceful era now, still wanted a sense of security.
Hard was good; it would not break easily, and in a critical moment, it could probably be used as a kunai.
Jeremy remembered a movie he had seen, where wands were constantly stepped on or snapped in half; it was quite frightening.
"Well, Mr. Pringle, everything has been purchased. However, I recommend you buy an owl; it can help you make new friends."
Professor McGonagall said.
Jeremy wholeheartedly agreed and followed Professor McGonagall out of the wand shop.