The knock echoed through the house.
Emily instinctively straightened her posture.
Mohit, on the other hand, remained perfectly calm.
He already knew who stood on the other side of the door.
"Go ahead," he said.
Emily took a deep breath before walking toward the entrance.
When she opened the door, she immediately found herself facing a tall man dressed entirely in black.
His dark robes hung neatly around him.
His black eyes were sharp and intimidating.
His expression suggested that smiling was something he rarely did.
Emily instantly understood why Mohit had warned her beforehand.
Professor Severus Snape possessed an overwhelming presence.
"Professor Snape?" she asked politely.
"Indeed."
His gaze briefly swept across the entrance hall.
"I assume Mr. Rautela is present."
"Yes, Professor."
Emily stepped aside.
"Please come in."
Snape entered without wasting another word.
His movements were smooth and precise, almost like those of a predator carefully observing its surroundings.
As he entered the living room, his eyes immediately settled on Mohit.
The boy was calmly drinking tea as though receiving a Hogwarts professor was a perfectly ordinary event.
That alone was unusual.
Most children would have been nervous.
Some would have been terrified.
Yet Mohit appeared completely relaxed.
Interesting.
"Professor Snape."
Mohit stood and offered a polite greeting.
"Thank you for visiting."
Snape inclined his head slightly.
"Mr. Rautela."
His attention shifted briefly toward Emily.
"Miss Emily."
After the introductions, everyone took their seats.
For several moments, silence filled the room.
Then Emily entered carrying a tray containing tea and light refreshments.
Snape accepted the tea with a small nod.
Though he rarely admitted it, basic manners left a favorable impression.
Many adults lacked the courtesy these two children displayed.
Still, appearances could be deceiving.
As the conversation continued, Snape quietly evaluated both children.
Their speech patterns were mature.
Their behavior was composed.
Neither appeared intimidated by him.
Most surprisingly, they seemed remarkably knowledgeable for their age.
The more he observed, the more suspicious he became.
Their backgrounds were unusual.
According to the records provided to Hogwarts, both children were orphans.
Yet neither behaved like ordinary children.
There was something different about them.
Something he couldn't quite identify.
When the discussion turned toward Hogwarts, Snape casually asked several questions.
"What do you know about the wizarding world?"
Emily glanced toward Mohit before answering.
"Only basic information, Professor."
A safe answer.
Snape noted it.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
He decided to probe further.
As the conversation continued, he carefully observed their reactions.
Neither child showed signs of lying.
Neither appeared nervous.
Their emotional control was exceptional.
Particularly Mohit's.
For a brief moment, Snape considered using Legilimency.
It would provide answers immediately.
Without changing his expression, he attempted to examine their minds.
The result surprised him.
A barrier.
Not a magical barrier.
Not a spell.
Something else.
Their thoughts remained inaccessible.
Snape's eyes narrowed further.
Natural Occlumency?
At their age?
That was extremely rare.
He concealed his surprise perfectly.
However, his interest in the two children increased considerably.
After finishing his tea, Snape placed the cup down.
"There is little point delaying further."
Emily immediately sat up straighter.
"We are leaving now?"
"Yes."
Snape stood.
"You will require school supplies before the start of term."
Emily nodded eagerly.
This would be her first glimpse of the magical world.
Mohit stood as well.
His backpack was already prepared.
Within minutes, everyone was ready to leave.
Before departing, Snape briefly explained their destination.
"We are going to Diagon Alley."
Emily's eyes lit up.
"The magical marketplace?"
"Correct."
For the first time since arriving, Snape noticed genuine excitement on her face.
The reaction was refreshingly normal.
The journey continued in silence until they reached a secluded location.
There, Snape finally stopped.
Emily looked around in confusion.
"Professor?"
Snape extended one hand.
"Both of you. Hold on."
Emily looked uncertain but complied.
Mohit followed without comment.
Once both children had taken hold, Snape spoke calmly.
"Do not let go."
A second later, the world twisted.
Everything compressed inward.
Emily felt as though she had been squeezed through an impossibly narrow tunnel.
Before she could react, the sensation vanished.
The world returned to normal.
She nearly stumbled.
"What was that?"
"Apparition."
Snape released their hands.
"A method of magical transportation."
Emily stared at him.
Then she stared at the surrounding buildings.
Then back at him again.
Her expression was priceless.
Mohit almost laughed.
The magical world had a habit of leaving newcomers speechless.
Their destination soon came into view.
An old pub stood between ordinary buildings.
To Muggles, it appeared completely unremarkable.
Yet magical energy lingered around it.
The Leaky Cauldron.
Emily looked at the establishment curiously.
"This is it?"
"For now."
Snape began walking.
The two children followed.
As they entered the pub, conversations briefly quieted.
Several witches and wizards noticed the famous Potions Master.
Others became curious about the children accompanying him.
Snape ignored them entirely.
He led Mohit and Emily through the building and toward a small courtyard hidden behind it.
Stopping before a brick wall, he withdrew his wand.
Emily watched closely.
With several precise taps, the wall began to move.
Bricks shifted.
Stone rearranged itself.
A large archway gradually appeared.
Beyond it stretched a bustling magical street filled with shops, witches, wizards, and magical creatures.
Emily's eyes widened.
Mohit simply smiled.
Diagon Alley.
The true gateway to the magical world.
Their Hogwarts journey had officially begun.