Chapter 212: The Most Fearsome Wizard in Knockturn Alley, George

In the Harry Potter world, a few days before the start of term, George returned to his house in Knockturn Alley, London, after a trip to Paris, France.

Hermione had returned to England half a month earlier since her father's dental clinic couldn't remain closed for long.

Accompanying George back to London was Amy, who had been appointed as the Deputy Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation at the Ministry of Magic. Unfortunately, Amy wasn't proficient in nonverbal or wandless magic, so she planned to seek Snape's guidance once school started.

While Amy was a capable Auror, ranking among the best, her abilities still paled compared to Hogwarts professors like Snape, Flitwick, and McGonagall—wizards whose prowess was unmatched in the magical world. As for Dumbledore, he was beyond comparison, standing as the most powerful wizard alive. Even Voldemort lagged behind him.

This was part of the reason why George, despite his formidable abilities, still needed to attend Hogwarts. There was much he could still learn.

While he had mastered a variety of magic through his accelerated learning, his understanding of magical principles in this world was still shallow. For instance, he hadn't reached the level of Snape, who could invent new spells. Advanced charms, time-reversal spells, weather magic, and powerful curses were just a few areas George needed to study further. Skills like creating Portkeys, enchanting magical vehicles, and utilizing the Floo Network also required time and effort.

That said, George wasn't weak. If it came down to pure combat ability, his fusion of magic from various worlds and innate powers meant he wouldn't fear Voldemort even at his peak. He might even hold his own against Dumbledore, though the outcome of such a duel was uncertain.

"Sirius Black—this guy's quite impressive."

On the last day before term started, George finished breakfast and glanced at the Daily Prophet, which was reporting on Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban.

Sirius had been on the run for a while. The Ministry of Magic, desperate to save face, had deployed all its resources, including civilian staff, yet still couldn't locate him. The Ministry's failure was largely due to their ignorance of Sirius's Animagus ability, which allowed him to evade capture by transforming into an animal.

Speaking of Animagus transformations, George had long found instructions for it in the library but had yet to attempt the process. It was labor-intensive, often taking months to complete, and George wondered if it might be possible to transform into a magical creature in the future.

Typically, Animagus transformations only allowed wizards to assume the form of ordinary animals. However, George speculated that if his counterpart in the Fairy Tail world gained the powers of a Dragon Slayer, it might allow him to transform into a magical dragon during the process. Unlike the unintelligent dragons of the Harry Potter universe, these dragons would possess true magical might.

"George, are you home?"

As George sipped tea and read the newspaper in his courtyard, familiar voices echoed from outside his shop. He stood and opened the door to find Hermione, Ginny, Harry, Ron, and the Weasley twins.

"What are you all doing here?"

George was surprised to see them in Knockturn Alley—a place most respectable wizards avoided, and young witches and wizards were explicitly warned against entering.

"We came to ask if you'd join us in buying school supplies," Hermione and Ginny said in unison.

That morning, the Weasleys and the Grangers had gone to Diagon Alley to purchase school supplies. They planned to stay overnight at the Leaky Cauldron, ensuring they wouldn't be rushed the next day. Harry, who had recently inflated Aunt Marge, was already staying at the inn.

During their conversation, they mentioned George, and learning he lived in Knockturn Alley piqued everyone's curiosity. The twins were fascinated by the infamous alley, Hermione and Ginny were drawn by their feelings for George, Harry wanted a closer look after his previous brief visit, and Ron was simply curious. They decided to sneak off, telling their parents they were shopping, but instead heading to Knockturn Alley.

George couldn't help but admire their Gryffindor courage.

"Fine, let's go. There are a few books I still need to buy."

Locking up his shop, George led the group to Diagon Alley.

On the way, Ron glanced nervously around the alley.

"George, I can't believe you live here safely. This place gives me the creeps."

Knockturn Alley was indeed unsettling, with its dark shops and sinister-looking wizards. The group had kept their wands at the ready, fearing they might be attacked.

As they retraced their steps back to Diagon Alley, Ron noticed something strange.

"Wait, why are they acting so differently now?"

When they first entered, the wizards had looked at them like predators eyeing prey. Now, they avoided making eye contact, hurriedly turned away, and some even shut their shop doors. The atmosphere of menace had been replaced with fear.

"Oh, it's nothing. Most of the wizards here aren't right in the head. They're probably just acting weird." George casually changed the subject.

The truth, however, was quite different. In the days since his return, George had made "friendly visits" to every shop and wizard in the alley, ensuring no one would dare cross him again. After a few demonstrations of his power, he had become the most feared wizard in Knockturn Alley.

The weak and downtrodden boy who once lived there had transformed into the alley's most formidable figure.