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Chapter 13: The Granger Family
🕑 Added 2025-06-27 16:28:08 +0000 UTCBringing Fairytales to Hogwarts!
That afternoon, Viktor appeared precisely on time on a London street, standing in front of the thirteenth shop on Charing Cross Road.
He was still dressed in his trademark black cloak and a sharply pointed hat pulled low, hiding most of his face and leaving only a pale chin exposed. It was enough to draw the occasional glance from passersby. Luckily, it was a weekday, so the streets weren't particularly crowded.
After waiting for three to five minutes, Viktor spotted Professor McGonagall approaching through the crowd.
Minerva McGonagall was a strict-looking witch, her hair always pinned back in a neat bun, and she wore her usual tasteful green robes. Viktor remembered reading a small gossip blurb about her in the Hogwarts faculty dossier—something about how she had once fallen in love with a Muggle but ultimately chose to remain dedicated to her Transfiguration work, staying single ever since.
There weren't many people left in the world with that kind of conviction.
But what truly caught Viktor's attention was the trio following behind her—a couple and a young girl.
The girl had a head full of bushy hair and looked timid, though her attire and features carried a distinctly bookish air.
They spotted Viktor just as quickly.
Professor McGonagall stepped forward and greeted him warmly with a nod.
"Professor Vanderboom."
"Professor McGonagall."
Viktor returned the nod.
"Apologies for the delay. The Underground was held up for nearly half an hour. And since we can't use magic in front of Muggles, we had no choice but to arrive a bit late."
"No trouble."
"Good. I also wanted to let you know that I've received your contract acknowledgment via Albus. The final approval should come through in the next day or two."
Professor McGonagall gave him a polite smile—noticeably more cordial than their last meeting.
"It's a shame we didn't get more time to speak before this, Professor Vanderboom. I suppose we'll have to wait until term begins. With incoming students and staff paperwork piling up, I've been stretched thin. That's why I've asked you to escort them for their school supply shopping."
She turned and gestured toward the family behind her.
"This is Mr. and Mrs. Granger. They run a dental clinic."
"And this is Miss Hermione Granger—one of our first-year students this year."
Viktor now found himself face-to-face with the Granger family.
Mr. Granger quickly extended his hand.
"Ah, hello, nice to meet you."
"Likewise," Viktor said, shaking it.
But as he did, Viktor raised the brim of his hat ever so slightly. Being taller than Mr. Granger, it only took a small lift for his eyes to be visible—those unnaturally dark, hollow eyes where the blacks were far too large.
Mr. Granger gave a visible start, his hand instinctively twitching.
"Ah!" Hermione, already visibly tense, let out a soft, startled yelp.
A flush of embarrassment spread across her face almost immediately.
"S-sorry, Professor."
"No harm done."
Viktor gave her a nod and released Mr. Granger's hand.
McGonagall chuckled gently and spoke at just the right moment.
"Miss Granger is likely just nervous—but she's a very bright child."
"I've already explained most of the basic magical concepts to her, so you won't need to go over them again."
She then turned to the parents.
"This is Professor Viktor Vanderboom. He teaches Divination."
"Divination?" Mr. Granger echoed, surprised.Wizards can predict the future?
But then again, if magic and wizards existed, was fortune-telling really that far-fetched?
McGonagall nodded.
"Yes. Though Divination is an elective subject, only available from third year onward. Hermione will learn more about it in time."
"As for today, the student shopping list includes supplies from several Diagon Alley shops. You'll need to visit quite a few to collect everything."
She gave a well-practiced recommendation:
"I suggest you start with Gringotts Bank, then head to Madam Malkin's for robes, Flourish and Blotts for books, Ollivanders for wands, and finally, the Cauldron Shop and Eeylops Owl Emporium. That route will help you finish before sunset without doubling back."
"Ah, thank you very much."
Mr. Granger clearly didn't follow every word, but he assumed most of the advice was directed at Professor Vanderboom anyway.
Hermione, meanwhile, was still squirming from the earlier awkward moment.
What am I doing?Her face peeked out from beneath her frizzy hair, flushed with regret. Her hands twisted behind her back anxiously.
He wasn't even that scary. Why did I react like that? What if he thinks I'm rude?
Hermione had always prided herself on being a model student. Earning a teacher's approval was extremely important to her—especially at a school as unfamiliar as Hogwarts. The thought that she may have made a bad impression was unbearable.
Meanwhile, McGonagall and Viktor were wrapping up their short exchange.
"I still need to drop off some forms at the Ministry of Magic," McGonagall said."Thank you for your help, Professor Vanderboom."
"Of course. Farewell, Professor."
She nodded once more, her expression returning to its usual sternness, and turned toward a secluded corner of the alley. Viktor assumed she would Apparate directly to the Ministry—that was, after all, the preferred method of transport for most adult witches and wizards.
Once she disappeared, the remaining group finally had time to study each other properly.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger exchanged a quick glance, then subtly looked over Viktor's rather ominous appearance.
So… the books weren't exaggerating about what wizards look like, they thought privately.
"So… where to now?" Mr. Granger asked.
"First, the Leaky Cauldron," Viktor replied.
"I… don't think we saw a pub by that name?"
"Follow me."
Viktor didn't bother explaining further. He led them toward a narrow space wedged between two larger shops, where a sign did, in fact, read The Leaky Cauldron.
From the outside, it looked far too small to house a functional business.
To Muggle eyes, it didn't even exist—it was just a wall.
Viktor stepped through the "wall" and vanished.
The Grangers hesitated at first, but with a gentle tug from Hermione, they followed—and passed cleanly into the Leaky Cauldron.
Inside, the world transformed.
The cool, quiet London street was replaced by the warm, chaotic bustle of a tavern filled with chatting witches and wizards.
"Oh my, this is… incredible," Mrs. Granger whispered in awe.
"What's so incredible?" Hermione frowned slightly."The pub has always been here."
"It's normal she couldn't see it," Viktor said calmly from ahead.
"This place is under both Muggle-Repelling and Confundus Charms. Only those with magical ability can perceive it. Muggles see a solid wall."
"There are other types of repelling spells too—ones that make Muggles suddenly remember urgent business or feel an irrational urge to leave. It's all part of upholding the Statute of Secrecy."
"But what if someone still accidentally enters?" Mr. Granger asked.
"Then the Ministry's Enforcement Department handles it. Usually with a Memory Charm."
With the brief explanation over, Viktor led them toward the back stairs of the tavern—the gateway to Diagon Alley.
But as they made their way past the lively drinkers and diners, Viktor noticed something odd: today's crowd of witches and wizards seemed unusually excited. Nearly everyone was buzzing with conversation, faces bright and animated.
He focused in on two wizards talking at the bar.
They were practically bouncing with energy.
"Did you hear? Harry Potter—the Boy Who Lived—was here yesterday!Right at this very table!"
"Yeah! I even shook his hand!
