What is Vid Gray’s background?
Though he is a descendant of wizards, his parents were duds, no different than Muggles in the eyes of true wizards.
Ferdinand detailed the recent turmoil caused by Grindelwald and the brutal slaughter by the second Dark Lord to Vid.
Even the last news they received about the magical world was about the deaths of both of Vid’s parents in the war.
"Vid, you are exceptional, always making your mother and me proud. But you must understand that people in the Wizarding World first value your background."
"Pure-bloods, half-bloods, and Muggle-borns are naturally divided into different classes in many people’s eyes. About a decade ago, the most powerful dark wizard at the time—the Mysterious Man—strongly advocated Bloodline Theory. He and his followers cruelly killed many Muggle-born wizards and Muggles, as well as pure-bloods opposing him."
"It was then that your mother and I were forced to sever our ties with the Wizarding World completely... Even though peace has been restored now, there are surely many wizards who still believe in pure-blood supremacy, and I have no doubt they will pass these prejudices and malice to their children..."
"Vid, I am very worried... Hogwarts may not be as wonderful as we imagined..."
Ferdinand said with deep concern.
Vid listened and then quietly smiled.
"Don’t worry, Dad. There will definitely be classmates at school with the same background as me. As long as there are enough companions around me, others won’t dare to easily trouble me, right?"
He paused and said, "Moreover... No matter where you are, absolute power can break any prejudice. I will study hard and strive to become the best."
Ferdinand didn’t feel much relieved after hearing this, he thought worriedly: But son... You haven’t shown any magical ability yet, perhaps your magic is only slightly stronger than that of a dud...
Under such circumstances, how can there be any power to speak of?
But out of respect for the boy’s self-esteem, Ferdinand did not say his thoughts aloud.
............
Minerva McGonagall arrived even faster than Vid had imagined.
The day after receiving the letter, while the Grey family was having breakfast, they suddenly heard a knock on the door. Vid put down his knife and fork to answer it, and immediately recognized her the moment he saw her.
It wasn’t because she looked exactly like the movie character—Vid had forgotten most of the movie scenes he had watched years ago, and the actors’ images weren’t deeply imprinted;
Nor was it because the serious lady dressed in a conspicuous green robe—in ordinary circumstances, people wouldn’t dress like this.
But because there was a handwritten name floating above her head—
"Minerva McGonagall."
Vid was silent, suspicion arising again in his heart—Is all this real?
Or has he traveled to a game world named "Harry Potter," and he is merely an NPC awakening his past memory and self-awareness...
"Hello, Mr. Gray."
As Vid was lost in his wild thoughts, Minerva McGonagall tried to smile kindly, though she still looked quite serious.
"I am Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts and Transfiguration Class Professor."
Vid quickly withdrew his chaotic thoughts: "Welcome, Professor McGonagall, please come in and have a cup of tea."
Mr. and Mrs. Gray also hurried out when they heard the voice. They looked at this mysterious and seemingly difficult-to-get-along-with wizard with reverence, unable to find their voice for a moment, stammering:
"Yes, welcome—welcome—Professor, madam, please come in and have a seat!"
Ferdinand squeezed out a warm smile while hurriedly glancing at his son, seemingly worried that the wizard might curse him.
Vid, however, remained composed, knowing that the lady was extremely upright and kind.
He restrained his gaze from looking at the name above her head, stood aside to invite her in.
McGonagall’s visit aimed to prove the reality of the Magic School, persuade the couple to allow their child to attend school; and take Vid to buy school supplies.
She had encountered numerous Muggle families who disbelieved in magic, suspected that she wanted to take their children away for secret experiments, or would rather have their kids attend Muggle School, thus she was prepared with several sets of rhetoric.
However, the Grey Family showed little skepticism towards magic; instead, they were more concerned about the study environment, which made her first task much easier.
Before long, the group arrived at London’s Charing Cross Road, with Professor McGonagall leading them into the grimy and small Leaky Cauldron.
Perhaps because it was still early, there were few guests in the pub. A hunched man wiping tables greeted them: "Good morning, Professor McGonagall."
He glanced at the Muggle-dressed family of three, focusing briefly on Vid, who was much shorter than the others, casually saying: "Is this child a new student at Hogwarts this year?"
"Good morning, Tom," Professor McGonagall said. "I’m bringing Mr. Gray to buy the supplies he needs for school."
They passed through the pub, arriving at the small courtyard at the back, with Professor McGonagall standing beside the trash bins, taking out her wand, instructing: "Mr. Gray, please remember this place. To enter Diagon Alley, you have to pass through here. Count upward three bricks, horizontally two bricks..."
The wand gently tapped on a wall brick three times.
All the bricks on the wall began to move, as if an invisible hand was adjusting their appearance, and in no time, a wide archway appeared on the wall, with bustling sounds greeting them.
"Wow—"
The Gray family couldn’t help but exclaim in awe.
Before them was a winding street with shops lining both sides, full of odd items for sale.
People in wizard robes coming and going, haggling, children pouting with parents, chasing and playing, creating a particularly noisy yet festive atmosphere.
McGonagall led the trio past numerous shops, arriving at Gringotts. Ferdinand had already prepared the money for exchange; he retrieved a large bag of clinking Pounds Sterling and exchanged it for fifty Golden Galleons.
Prior to leaving, Professor McGonagall had reminded them that Muggle paper currency has a limited exchange value at Gringotts, but metal coins or gold and jewels have no such restrictions.
Afterward, they went shopping for school uniforms, textbooks, scales, cauldrons, magic wands, etc., under Professor McGonagall’s guidance, and finally a pet owl.
With Professor McGonagall from Hogwarts accompanying them, the shopkeepers, even upon noticing their Muggle attire, treated them politely.
By the way, Vid’s magic wand is made of white poplar wood combined with unicorn hair, approximately twelve inches (about 30 centimeters) long. White poplar is symbolic of rebirth, and Vid finds it fascinating.
It seems as though his secret is being seen through by this wand.