Professor McGonagall turned to Lin Mei and said, "Since that's the case, let's head to the Gringotts Wizarding Bank on the north side of Diagon Alley."
Without hesitation, she led Lin Mei forward. Many onlookers recognized the distinguished professor from Hogwarts, and even those with greedy intentions dared not act recklessly in her presence.
Before long, they arrived at a towering snow-white marble building that stood out amidst the other shops in Diagon Alley. The grand entrance bustled with wizards coming and going, creating a lively atmosphere. A goblin in a crimson and gold uniform stood watch by the gate, his sharp eyes scanning each visitor.
Upon stepping through the first set of doors, Lin Mei found herself in a spacious waiting area. The grandeur of Gringotts was evident, especially with the upcoming Hogwarts term causing a surge of wizards handling financial affairs.
Further inside, a second set of imposing silver doors bore an ominous inscription:
Enter, stranger, but take heed of what awaits the sin of greed. Those who seek what is not theirs shall find their fate most severe. Take not what is not given, lest you suffer misfortune in return.
Lin Mei read the engraving and murmured to herself, "An interesting warning."
Two goblins stood flanking the silver doors as Professor McGonagall led Lin Mei into a towering marble hall. Rows of goblins perched on high stools behind long counters, meticulously weighing coins, inspecting gemstones with eyepieces, and recording transactions in massive ledgers. Numerous doors led deeper into the bank, each granting access to underground vaults brimming with treasures.
Professor McGonagall approached a goblin at one of the counters.
"Miss McGonagall, are you here on business today?" the goblin inquired, eyeing her sharply.
She shook her head and gestured to Lin Mei. "Ragnok, I've brought this child to exchange currency."
The goblin, Ragnok, turned his scrutinizing gaze to Lin Mei, his expression tinged with condescension. "Little wizard, what transaction do you wish to conduct?"
Lin Mei noticed the arrogance in his tone but chose not to react. Instead, she reached into her pocket and retrieved a handful of gemstones—just a few, but their brilliance was undeniable.
Ragnok's eyes widened. "Oh! My word!" he gasped, instinctively assessing their worth in an instant. "Such color, such quality!"
His demeanor changed instantly, shifting from indifference to keen interest. Clearly, the prospect of handling significant wealth appealed to him. Even Professor McGonagall seemed surprised by Lin Mei's unexpected display of affluence.
"Sir!" Ragnok now addressed Lin Mei with newfound respect. "What specific business would you like to conduct today?"
Lin Mei smirked internally at the goblin's transparent shift in attitude. First, I was just a little wizard, now suddenly I'm 'Sir.' How snobbish.
"I'd like to exchange these gems for wizarding currency. Also, I'd like to open a vault and store one-third of the funds there," Lin Mei instructed.
Ragnok's enthusiasm dimmed slightly at the mention of only depositing a third. "Only one-third?" he asked, barely masking his disappointment.
Still, even that amount was substantial. Keen to secure a long-term client, Ragnok swiftly processed the transaction. He handed Lin Mei a small burlap pouch—deceptively light, but enchanted with an expansive internal storage space.
As Lin Mei examined the bag, Ragnok spoke again. "Sir, would you prefer your vault to be registered under your name or designated as a standard Gringotts vault?"
Lin Mei considered for a moment before replying, "Use my name. That'll be more convenient."
"No problem!" Ragnok responded promptly.
He produced a document and handed it to Lin Mei. "If everything looks correct, just sign this magical contract."
Lin Mei took the parchment, scanning its contents carefully. Finding no issues, she signed her real name. As she did, she felt a faint surge of magic flowing from her body into the contract. A subtle connection formed within her, a sensation she couldn't quite place.
No wonder it's a magical contract… Lin Mei mused. There's something more to this than I understand.
With the paperwork complete, Professor McGonagall led Lin Mei back outside.
"Lin Mei, I believe even without my guidance, you would manage just fine," McGonagall observed. "You have a strong sense of independence, and that reassures me."
There was a rare note of warmth in her usually stern voice, and her sharp eyes softened slightly, reflecting genuine satisfaction.
"Thank you for your kind words, Professor McGonagall," Lin Mei responded with a smile.
Just as she was about to speak again, her attention was caught by a towering figure—over three meters tall—approaching them.
The man had a thick, unruly beard and wore a massive moleskin coat with numerous bulging pockets stuffed with various oddities. Surrounding him was a boy about Lin Mei's age. Beneath his messy black bangs, a lightning-shaped scar was just visible.
So, I really will be in the same year as Harry Potter, Lin Mei thought.
Since realizing the world she had entered, she had already determined her timeline.
1991! The very year when the gears of fate begin turning.
Professor McGonagall also noticed the approaching duo.
"Hagrid! You've brought Potter to Diagon Alley," she remarked, mildly surprised.
"Aye, Professor McGonagall!" Hagrid answered in his deep, friendly voice. His face radiated warmth and a deep sense of responsibility as he looked at the boy beside him.
"I'm takin' Harry to get all his school supplies. He can't wait to start his Hogwarts journey, can yeh, Harry?"
Hagrid glanced down at the thin but resolute boy—Harry Potter himself.
Harry, in turn, looked at Professor McGonagall, his green eyes filled with curiosity and a touch of awe. This was his first formal encounter with a Hogwarts professor, and excitement stirred within him.
"No problem!" Labeng immediately retrieved a document and handed it to Lin Mei. "If everything looks good, just sign this magic contract."
Lin Mei took the contract and carefully examined its contents. Finding nothing amiss, she signed her real name without hesitation. The moment her signature was complete, she felt a faint surge of magic flow from her body into the parchment. As the contract took effect, she sensed a subtle connection forming in the depths of her consciousness.
So this is a magic contract… Lin Mei mused. It seems to contain mysteries beyond my understanding.
With the formalities settled, Professor McGonagall led Lin Mei back outside.
"Lin Mei, I can see that you're highly capable—even without my guidance, you handle things remarkably well. Your independence is impressive, and that reassures me."
A rare note of approval softened McGonagall's usually sharp gaze, reflecting her genuine satisfaction with Lin Mei's self-reliance.
"Thank you for your kind words, Professor McGonagall," Lin Mei replied with a smile.
Just as she was about to speak again, a towering figure—easily over three meters tall—caught her attention. The man had a wild, bushy beard and wore a massive, well-worn coat made of mole leather, its many pockets stuffed with an assortment of curious objects.
Beside him stood a boy around Lin Mei's age. His messy black hair partially covered a distinct lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.
Sure enough, I'm in the same year as Harry Potter!
Ever since Lin Mei had realized what world she was in, she had quickly pieced together the timeline.
1991… she thought with excitement. This is the very year when the wheels of fate begin to turn.
Professor McGonagall also noticed the approaching pair and greeted them with mild surprise.
"Hagrid, you've brought Potter to Diagon Alley!"
"Aye, Professor McGonagall!" Hagrid replied in his warm, gruff voice, beaming down at the boy beside him with a mix of affection and pride. "I'm helpin' Harry get all his school supplies. Reckon he can't wait to start his journey at Hogwarts!"
Hagrid glanced at the thin yet resolute child at his side—Harry Potter himself.
Harry looked up at Professor McGonagall, his green eyes shimmering with both curiosity and reverence. This was his first real encounter with a Hogwarts professor, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
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