Daily Life at Hogwarts - Chapter 4

“Albert, are you sure we’re in the right place?” Herbert inspected the map in his hand, struggling to locate the pub Professor McGonagall had mentioned.

“We’re looking for a bookstore next to a record shop.” Albert pointed to a large bookstore ahead, adjacent to a record store.

“So, it’s here? But I…”

“…can’t see the pub?” Albert finished for him. Unless you looked intently, the small pub beside the bookstore was easy to miss. The rushing pedestrians ignored it, including his father, Herbert.

“Remember what Professor McGonagall said?”

“‘Muggles can’t find the pub’?” Herbert muttered, “I despise the term ‘Muggle’.”

With Albert leading the way, they found the entrance to the infamous Leaky Cauldron, a shabby little pub.

“I hate it here. It’s filthy.”

“I agree. Let’s go in.”

Suppressing their disgust, the duo entered. The pub was dirty, chaotic, and dark, with oddly-dressed patrons wearing comical hats, which would certainly draw attention on any regular street. But here, they were the norm.

Approaching the bar, Herbert cautiously addressed the bald bartender, “Mr. Tom?”

“A young wizard from a Muggle household?” Tom appraised Albert, then grinned at Herbert, “Are you asking about the way to Diagon Alley?”

“Yes, Mr. Tom. Professor McGonagall mentioned you could guide us,” Albert replied with a polite smile.

“Of course. Follow me.” Tom stepped out from behind the counter.

In the pub’s backyard, surrounded by a brick wall, a trash can, and some empty barrels, Tom instructed, “You’ll need to tap the third brick up and two over with your wand.” After demonstrating, Tom added, “Once you have your wand, remember: three taps.”

The brick wiggled and the wall shifted, opening a passage that revealed a cobbled street lined with shops, bustling with wizards and street vendors.

“Welcome to Diagon Alley,” Tom smiled.

“Mr. Tom, how do we return?” Herbert asked.

“Just follow the steps I showed you earlier. Remember, Muggle money isn’t valid here. I’d suggest visiting Gringotts Bank first, the white building ahead, to exchange for Galleons.”

“Thank you for the advice, Mr. Tom.”

“Enjoy your visit,” Tom waved as he returned to his pub, cherishing his job.

Once Tom had left, the entrance reverted to a brick wall.

“Let’s go exchange our money,” Herbert took a deep breath.

“It feels so different here,” Albert observed, looking around at the various shops. “It’s like stepping back a century.”

“To be honest, I’m questioning the decision to send you to Hogwarts. Perhaps Daisy’s reservations were right,” Herbert sighed. Despite its magic, this world felt antiquated to him.

“Dad, it doesn’t mean I’ll live in the magical world forever,” Albert retorted, rolling his eyes. “My main goal at Hogwarts is to master this incredible power.”

“You have a point,” Herbert admitted, his mood lifting slightly as they navigated the crowd toward Gringotts.

As Tom had described, Gringotts stood as a white structure. Next to its bronze doors was a diminutive figure – a goblin.

“They’re so unique,” Herbert commented, somewhat stiffly. This was his first encounter with a non-human humanoid.

Albert, however, seemed unfazed and nodded to the goblin who bowed in return.

They approached a second, silver door inscribed with words. Herbert squinted and read aloud, “Enter, stranger, but take heed of what awaits the sin of greed, for those who take, but do not earn, must pay most dearly in their turn…”

“Why on earth would wizards rob a bank so often that they’d need a warning on the door?” Herbert muttered.

Albert stifled a laugh, “How much do you plan to exchange?”

“£1,000. If it’s not enough, we’ll come back,” Herbert whispered.

That’s almost a month’s salary for many.

Albert estimated roughly 200 Galleons. “It should be enough.”

Once inside, they were greeted by goblins and directed to a marble counter. Herbert stated his need to exchange for Galleons. A parchment was handed to them, detailing the exchange rate between Pounds and Galleons.

1 Galleon equaled £4.95.
1 Galleon consisted of 17 Sickles, and 1 Sickle had 29 Knuts.

“How much is 200 Galleons in pounds?” Herbert quizzed.

“£990.”

“I’d like to exchange for 200 Galleons, please,” handing over £990 to the goblin.

“Excuse me, Mr. Goblin, can any amount of pounds be exchanged for Galleons here?” Albert asked, voicing his curiosity from his past life.

“In theory, yes. But we don’t accept large quantities of Muggle currency,” the goblin replied. Another goblin was summoned and instructed to bring a bag of Galleons.

“Gold coins, who’d have thought?” Herbert mused, examining a Galleon.

After verifying the count, the pair left Gringotts.

As they strolled under the sunlit streets, the clinking of Galleons in their pockets seemed to urge them to spend their newfound riches.