Old Tom nodded.
Dumbledore said, "Though I know you are very wealthy, Gringotts still places limits on exchanging gold bullion for Galleons!"
Erwin said, "It pays to be prepared! Money may not be everything, but without it, you can barely move a single step."
Dumbledore praised, "What an interesting way to put it! Such simple words, yet so full of truth."
Erwin smiled and said, "Whether in the wizarding world or our ordinary world—oh right, you call such ordinary people Muggles! In any world, the fundamental rules never change. The only difference is that the wizarding world is rather magical."
Dumbledore remarked, "It seems experience truly makes a person wiser. Mr. Cavendish, you are exceptional! I believe you will make a fine wizard."
Erwin bowed slightly. "Thank you for your kind words, Headmaster."
Before long, Old Tom came walking over, carrying two black cases.
"Young master! Everything is ready."
Erwin nodded. "Then, Professor, shall we set off now? Do you mind if I bring someone along? After all, we aren't sure how many things we'll need to buy, and since I'm young, I'll need someone to help me carry them."
Dumbledore said, "Of course I don't mind! Let's go."
Rivers, standing off to the side, had a yearning look in his eyes.
He was very curious about the wizarding world.
Therefore, he desperately wanted to be a part of it.
However, Erwin acted as though he completely failed to notice the longing in Rivers's gaze.
"Rivers! Watch the house! I expect you to actually put that nearly rusted brain of yours to use. Stop always doing stupid things, understood?"
Rivers let out an "oh."
He didn't dare say another word.
Dumbledore led Erwin out of the old estate, with Tom following closely behind carrying the two cases.
At the entrance of the estate.
Tom asked, "Young master, should I have someone bring the car around?"
Dumbledore shook his head. "There's no need for such trouble! I will take you directly. Just grab my wrist."
Erwin did not hesitate, immediately placing his hand on Dumbledore's wrist.
With his other hand, he casually took one of the cases from Old Tom, freeing up Old Tom's hands.
There was no visible movement from Dumbledore.
He didn't even chant a spell.
The next moment, Erwin felt as though he were being forcibly shoved down a flushing toilet.
The world spun wildly. The sensation was truly miserable.
As for Rivers, he was utterly dumbstruck at that moment.
He watched with his own eyes as a vortex appeared, swallowing the three figures whole.
They vanished from the spot.
Rivers looked toward a nearby guard who was on patrol.
He asked, "Did you see that just now?"
The man looked blank. "See what?"
Rivers shook his head.
He was certain now: only he had seen it.
Was this the power of a wizard?
Terrifying!
When Erwin and the other two reappeared, they were standing before the entrance of a shabby pub.
Of course, only Erwin and Dumbledore could see it.
To Old Tom standing beside them, this was nothing more than an ordinary street corner.
Passersby seemed completely unaware that three people had just miraculously materialized out of thin air.
Old Tom's face was pale. Being of advanced age, after going through an experience like that, he was retching violently.
Erwin's complexion wasn't looking too good either.
Yet, whether due to his youth or some innate talent, Erwin wasn't hit nearly as hard as Old Tom.
Dumbledore looked surprised. "Such an impressive adaptation ability! You should know that many young wizards suffer severe discomfort the first time they experience Apparition. It seems that when you learn Apparition in your seventh year, you will master it with flying colors."
Erwin took a couple of deep breaths to steady himself.
He adjusted his condition and said, "I hope as you say, Professor."
By this time, Old Tom had also recovered somewhat.
Dumbledore said, "Alright! Let's go inside, Mr. Cavendish. Welcome to the Leaky Cauldron! Welcome to the wizarding world!"
With that, Dumbledore pushed the door wide open!
Old Tom finally saw the full interior of the pub.
He couldn't fathom it—he simply couldn't understand how a pub had so bizarrely materialized in this spot.
At the same time, a sense of dread toward the existence of wizards stirred within his heart.
Fortunately, however, his young master—the Cavendish family's most brilliant and youngest head—was about to become a part of this incomprehensible reality.
A sharp gleam flashed in Erwin's eyes, accompanied by an irrepressible surge of excitement!
Starting today, he would no longer be a Muggle!
At last, he had stepped into the extraordinary realm!
Dumbledore walked into the pub.
The crowd of wizards drinking and chatting instantly fell silent.
They greeted Dumbledore as he passed.
Dumbledore smiled and nodded in return.
The pub's landlord, another Old Tom, hurried over to greet them.
"Professor Dumbledore! It's been a long time! And who is this gentleman?"
Dumbledore said, "Mr. Cavendish, a new student at Hogwarts. An exceptionally fine young man!"
Old Tom said, "Is that so! Hello, Mr. Cavendish. I'm the landlord of the pub—they all call me Old Tom!"
Although this Old Tom shared the same name as his family's butler, Erwin didn't find it particularly strange.
The rate of shared names in America was simply too high!
Erwin nodded slightly. "Hello, sir! It's a pleasure to meet you."
Polite, poised, and full of etiquette.
Old Tom marveled, "By the look of you, Mr. Cavendish, do you hail from a Pure-blood family?"
Sensing that Erwin probably didn't know the definition of a pure-blood, Dumbledore took the initiative to explain. "Mr. Cavendish does not come from a Pure-blood family, but he is a nobleman nonetheless. Well, I still need to take Mr. Cavendish to do his shopping! It's getting late, so we can chat another time!"
Old Tom nodded. "Of course! Please go ahead, Mr. Dumbledore. Mr. Cavendish, the Leaky Cauldron welcomes you!"
Erwin smiled and expressed his thanks.
Then, Dumbledore led Erwin and Tom toward the back alley.
Even after the three of them had left, Erwin could still hear the murmur of discussion coming from inside the pub.
"Is he a nobleman from the Muggle world?"
"So well-mannered, with silver hair. He looks rather like someone from the Malfoy family."
"How could that be? The Malfoy family has platinum-blond hair! But that boy just now had pure silver hair."
"Could he be from a Pure-blood family from another country?"
"Hard to say. Has Hogwarts started admitting foreign students?"
"Never mind all that—I heard Harry Potter is starting at Hogwarts this year too! Have you all heard the news?"
The corners of Erwin's mouth curved upward.
A Pure-blood family? He had no interest in that.
However, wizarding aristocracy? That piqued Erwin's interest. In the Muggle world, the Cavendish family was already prominent; in the wizarding world, he would start from himself, and the name Cavendish would ultimately become the new symbol of nobility in the wizarding world!