THE ALCHEMIST OF HARRY POTTER

Two days later, the Anderson family drove to Ottery St. Catchpole. Albert's grandparents, lived at 21 Prewett Lane.

The Anderson's made it a tradition to visit the two elderly people every year. During the summer holidays, Albert would always stay here for a few days.

"Dad, I came to see you."

"Albert, come here and let me have a look at you!" Mr. Prewett completely ignored his son, stepping forward eagerly to inspect his grandson.

"Herb tells me it's brilliant that you received your Hogwarts letter! If there's anything you need, just say the word—"

"Dad, I already took Albert to buy his school supplies in Diagon Alley." Herb gave his father a fond but exasperated look, clearing his throat. "And we brought you a gift as well."

"I'm not a child, Herb, what would I want with gifts?" Mr. Prewett waved a dismissive hand before clasping Albert's little hand. "Come inside and tell me all about what magic you've learned so far!"

"He's been like this for days, like an excited first-year himself," Mrs. Prewett said to Daisy and Herb. "He never mentioned it before, but I only found out a few days ago. Niya, have you missed me?"

"My brothers won't let me near their wands!" Niya immediately reported to her grandmother, crossing her arms. "They guard them like dragons sitting on treasure."

"Herb, watch over Tom, make sure he doesn't get into trouble." Daisy picked up a package from the car while Herb carefully secured the owl in its cage. They didn't want him making a mad dash for freedom the moment they arrived.

"Can Albert really do magic?" Mrs. Prewett mused, clearly intrigued. She had never expected her grandson to be a real wizard.

"Yes! He's been practicing Lumos in his room every night!" Niya clung to her grandmother's hand, adding with exaggerated seriousness, "He also said that if I tried using his wand, I'd probably blow up the whole house."

"Mum, you've no idea—wands really are dangerous," Herb cut in, carrying Tom's cage as he followed them inside. He was still talking animatedly about everything they had seen in Diagon Alley.

"Albert understands the risks of uncontrolled magic," Daisy added. She had read Hogwarts: A History and knew a fair bit about the magical world.

"Oh, Daisy, you're worrying too much!"

"Not at all, Mum. Even in the wizarding world, children aren't allowed to just grab a wand and cast spells willy-nilly." Daisy was firm. "Albert is responsible, but rules exist for a reason."

"And how would you know?" Herb asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Because I actually read the books we bought," Daisy shot back, giving her husband a pointed look. "Can you please look after Albert? He's our youngest son."

"Oh, don't fuss—Albert has always been independent." Herb chuckled, knowing his son's character well. Albert had never needed much supervision.

"Even so, you should be more mindful,"

Daisy scolded, carrying the package inside.

Once inside, Tom was finally released from his cage and immediately flapped about the house in a daze before settling onto the top of a cabinet.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Prewett and Daisy bustled into the kitchen to prepare tea and treacle tart, while Mr. Prewett listened eagerly to Albert and Herb's recollection of their trip to Diagon Alley, occasionally adding in details Herb had forgotten.

Mr. Prewett, of course, knew all about the moving portraits in The Leaky Cauldron and was well aware of Albus Dumbledore's reputation.

He carefully placed the Chocolate Frog cards Herb had brought into a glass jar on the mantelpiece, treating them like collector's items.

"I even wrote to Dumbledore once, asking why I never got a Hogwarts letter," Mr. Prewett admitted after a pause. "After all these years, I've made my peace with it. Turns out, I didn't have any magical ability… a Squib, through and through. My family sent me away when I was eleven, had me raised by distant Muggle relatives."

"How could they do that?" Herb looked outraged. "That's despicable!"

"A Squib is a shame to a pure-blood family," Mr. Prewett said quietly. "They hide it as much as they can—sometimes even pretend the person never existed."

"That's awful," Niya said, scowling.

"It was a long time ago," Mr. Prewett reassured her, pulling Niya onto his lap.

"Honestly, I never thought one of my grandchildren would turn out to be a wizard. When Herb didn't get his letter, I gave up all hope."

As they talked, Albert eagerly demonstrated a few of his spells: Lumos, Reparo, Scourgify, and Alohomora—the four spells he had managed to practice so far. It was clear he wasn't fully proficient yet, but it was still astonishing to watch a cracked teacup slowly mend itself or spilled tea vanish without a trace.

"I want to do magic too!" Niya pouted, looking up at her grandfather. "Albert is so unfair!"

Mr. Prewett turned to Albert. He understood that his grandson was sensible and wouldn't do anything reckless.

"Only if you listen to me," Albert said seriously, eyeing his sister. Secretly, he was curious—was Niya magical too?

"I will! I promise!" Niya nodded enthusiastically.

"You agreed too fast," Albert narrowed his eyes. "You're not even listening."

"Yes, I am!" Niya protested.

"Alright then, say Lumos."

"Lumos!" Niya repeated eagerly.

"Say it properly, slowly. You can't get it wrong—who knows what might happen?" Albert warned. "I'll lend you my wand, but you can't wave it around wildly, don't point it at people, and don't try casting random spells. Got it?"

"Yes, yes!" Niya said impatiently.

"What did I just say?" Albert suddenly quizzed her.

"Umm… don't wave it? Don't—uh…" Niya's face fell as she realized she hadn't actually paid attention. She scowled. "You're so mean, Albert!"

"If you don't listen, I won't let you use my wand."

"But… fine. Say it again," Niya sighed, relenting.

The rest of the family chuckled, watching Albert effortlessly keep Niya in line. She was naturally mischievous, but Albert clearly knew how to handle her.

After repeating the instructions properly, Niya was finally allowed to hold his wand.

She clutched it excitedly, but Albert gave her a stern look. She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and attempted the Lumos spell—nothing happened.

"Relax, concentrate, and try again," Albert encouraged, placing a hand on her shoulder.

The Lumos charm was one of the simplest spells. If she couldn't get it to work, it might mean she wasn't magical after all.

Niya tried several more times, but nothing happened.

"You're too tense. Magic works best when you're calm."

Albert turned to look at his grandfather, who shook his head slightly. Albert understood what it meant.

"Does this mean I'm not a witch?" Niya's face fell.

"I don't know yet," Albert said quickly.

"Maybe you just need more time."

"You're lying! I'll never be a witch!" Niya dropped the wand and ran off.

Albert sighed, picking up his wand.

"I'll go talk to her."

Mr. Prewett stood up as well. "Let me. I understand how she feels."

And with that, he followed Niya, leaving the others in thoughtful silence.