Chapter 1: The Leaky Cauldron Bar
"It's not easy to find this place." Qi Fang exhaled softly, a smile on his face.
In front of him was a dilapidated and old tavern, whose faΓ§ade and environment looked worse than the fly restaurants in China, but it was built on a street lined with shops, which was out of step with its surroundings.
To its left is a spacious and bright bookstore, to the right is a trendy and lively record store, and the tavern is sandwiched between the two, which looks very unremarkable, and the pedestrians rush by on the street, and not a single person's eyes linger on the tavern for even a second.
Compared with the buildings on both sides, this tavern is like an assistant carrying a bag behind Lu Han and Guan Xiaotong, and the light is completely obscured by it, and people will subconsciously ignore it.
There was a black wooden sign hanging at the door of the tavern, judging from the traces of wind and frost on it, it had been some years, but the string of English letters on the sign was still very clear, which translated...... Leaky Cauldron Bar!
In order to find this place, Qi Fang and the three of them walked through most of the streets of London.
The Leaky Cauldron has been spelled with Muggle shielding, and even if people see it, they forget about it in the blink of an eye, so they have no choice but to look for it themselves.
The three of them were very strong, and the Muggle Shielding Charm, which was similar to hypnotism and acting on people's subconscious, had no effect on them at all.
"Let's go."
Qi Fang opened the wooden door and walked into the bar with Su Quan and Wan Wan.
The interior of the bar is dimly lit, as if it had been built in a cellar, and the dΓ©cor is very shabby, with no modern equipment, even the lighting is candles, giving the impression of going back to a time when the Industrial Revolution had not yet begun more than a hundred years ago.
There are many customers in such a shabby little pub---- the Leaky Cauldron is a very famous pub in the British wizarding world, and wizards who have nothing to do often come here for a few drinks.
"Maybe wizards have nostalgia." Qi Fang thought secretly.
The guests at the bar were all dressed in strange ways, all of them unkempt, wearing long, cumbersome robes and tall round-brimmed hats, and the three of them looked a little out of place compared to them.
"What do you want from the three of you?"
The old bartender didn't show any unusual looks, although this bar had a Muggle shielding charm, but after all, it was built on the street, and there were always ordinary people who accidentally broke in. For such guests, the bartender Tom still entertains them as usual---- anyway, when they go out, they will forget all about the things here.
"Can you recommend it for us?"
Qi Fang shrugged and said, "I don't know anything about what kind of wine you sell here. β
"This rye wine is a bit strong, which is perfect for young lads. These two glasses of sherry are for two beautiful ladies, please taste. β
Old Tom took out three glasses of mixed wine from under the bar and put them on the counter, and then said, "Are the three from the East?" β
"Yes, we're from China." Qi Fang took a sip of the cup and gently smacked his mouth, this wine looked like beer, but the strength of the wine was comparable to that of the second pot.
"China! Oh, that's a very mysterious and ancient country. Old Tom seemed to be interested, his eyes lit up, and he said curiously, "What are you doing here?" β
"Communicate, communicate with the English wizards!" Qi Fang added. "We are cultivators from the East, my name is Qi Fang, and I am the heir of a family in the Eastern Cultivation World, and these two are my female companions. There is a rule in our family that before the heir inherits the patriarch, he will travel to the four directions to increase his knowledge and experience, and communicate with local practitioners and establish friendships. I heard that the greatest white magician in the West, Mr. Albus Dumbledore, was in England, so I chose to come here, and I hope my choice is not wrong. β
"Of course, Professor Dumbledore is the greatest wizard of our time, the recipient of the Order of Merlin of the First Degree, the President of the International Federation of Wizards, the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Chief Wizard of the Wizengamot, and even ...... That man wasn't Professor Dumbledore's opponent either. Trust me, you are absolutely not wrong in your choice. Old Tom said very enthusiastically, and at the mention of Dumbledore, there was a look of reverence on his face.
"That person? Who is it? Qi Fang raised his eyebrows.
"That person is a taboo in the wizarding world, and we rarely talk about him." Old Tom replied casually, as if he didn't want to say more, and immediately changed the subject, "I suggest you visit Hogwarts, it is one of the best schools of witchcraft and wizardry in the world, it will definitely open your eyes, and Professor Dumbledore is the headmaster there." However, Hogwarts has not yet started, and the students are on vacation. β
"Thank you for your advice, we will definitely go if we have the chance."
Qi Fang and Old Tom chatted for a while, and got some general news about the wizarding world from his mouth. Finally, he said, "Okay, we still have some things to do, and we'll talk about it another day." Oh, can you pay pounds here, I don't have Galleons on me. β
"Absolutely." Old Tom said.
The Leaky Cauldron also occasionally entertains ordinary people, with both pounds and magic coins charged.
Qi Fang took out a banknote and put it on the bar, and said, "Can I ask you for another favor, we want to go to Diagon Alley." β
"No problem."
Old Tom warmly led them to a very small yard behind the pub, which had nothing but some garbage and weeds and looked like a dead end.
"Dangdangdang."
Old Tom tapped his wand three times on the wall.
Qi Fang watched silently, remembering his movements in his heart.
The bricks he had struck trembled and shrank inward, and then the bricks next to it began to move, and the walls opened a four- or five-foot-wide arch like a Transformer.
Outside the arch is a cobblestone street with a neat and clean pavement, which seems to be two completely separate worlds from the inside of the arch.
Through the archway, Qi Fang can see the pedestrians passing by and several ancient buildings.
"Alright, it's Diagon Alley from here, I'd suggest you go to Gringotts and exchange some magic coins first, the shops in Diagon Alley don't charge pounds." Old Tom said.
"Thanks for the suggestion, we will."
Qi Fang nodded at him, and led Su Quan and Wan Wan through the arch and into Diagon Alley.
"You're welcome."
Old Tom said with a smile, and after they left, he returned to the dimly lit bar, and it was not long before the door of the bar opened again, and a large man of Yao Ming's height appeared at the gate with a little boy who had just reached his waist, and his tall and burly body almost blocked the light shining in from the door.
Old Tom seemed to be very familiar with the man, took out a large wine glass, and smiled, "Is it still the same as before, Hagrid?" β