Chapter 339: The Campsite
Chapter 339: The Campsite
As evening approached, Felix and Lupin emerged from the Future World Headquarters. Due to the establishment of branches for selling specific products, this vertical castle building was named the company headquarters, dedicated to research.
Felix planned to expand the company’s sales network worldwide, much like Gringotts Bank. Many British Wizards were unaware that Gringotts had branches in different countries, assuming it was the only one.
The two of them watched the storefront from a distance as the sky grew dark. At the entrance of the "Future World - Diagon Alley Branch", two Fire Dragons floated, spewing large bursts of white, flame-like light whenever someone passed by, eliciting gasps from the crowd.
"Fudge has already sent the tickets. You weren’t around, so I collected them for you", Lupin said softly.
"Hmm."
...
Felix returned to his residence in London and visited several friends. One morning, he apparated into a misty forest, a site specifically designated by the British Ministry of Magic for apparition.
"Head in that direction and remember to register at the entrance", a weary old Wizard said weakly. Nearby, a popping sound echoed, and a South American Wizard, dressed like a peacock, spun into view and crashed into a tree.
The old Wizard muttered something that sounded like "silly bird." Felix followed the direction he pointed, walking out of the forest. Through the mist, he saw a gentle slope extending upward, with a variety of oddly shaped squares dotting the hillside—tents set up by Wizards who had arrived early.
The Ministry of Magic had prepared several campsites around the Quidditch World Cup venue, allowing Wizards to arrive in batches. Naturally, the cheaper the ticket, the earlier the arrival time.
Felix approached a stone house where a man stood at the door, his face vacant and indifferent. Felix recognized him as the only Muggle in the area, recently subjected to the Obliviate spell.
"Hello, sir?"
"Hello, I’m Roberts", the man said calmly. "State your name and pay the fee."
...
Felix navigated through the tents. Not far from the campsite entrance, Ministry of Magic patrol officers maintained order and acted as enforcers. "You!" one of the enforcers shouted. "What’s with the chimney on your tent?" The chastised Wizard defended himself, "I’m not violating the secrecy laws, Muggles do this too!"
"Are you sure?" the enforcer asked, confused. "Your tent looks different from everyone else’s..."
His colleague whispered, "I’ve seen it before, you might be mistaken."
The two left, leaving the triumphant Wizard to tinker with his tent. Felix carefully made his way through the area, the view gradually opening up. He noticed that the Ministry of Magic patrol officers focused mainly on the tents near the venue’s edge. As he moved further away, tents with "magical traces" began to display a variety of unusual features.
A crooked, childishly glued-together tent stood firm in the wind. A few yards away, a normal-sized tent had a moving poster on its side, featuring a brooding, thirty-something Quidditch star.
"Why is there extra stuff?" a familiar voice called out.
Hermione’s voice followed, "Oh, my goodness, those are support poles!"
"Will they hold up, or will it collapse suddenly?" Sirius asked.
Felix followed the voices and saw the Weasley children gathered around, watching two adults on the ground—Mr. Weasley and Sirius, who were inspecting the problem.
"Hello, do you need help?" Felix asked, unable to suppress a smile.
Sirius lifted his head from the ground, clearly in a bad mood. He immediately stood up, drew his wand, and pointed it at the sagging tent, which promptly jumped up and assembled itself.
"Fine, you’re right, although—although we’ve lost a lot of fun", Mr. Weasley said, getting up from the ground.
"Hello, Mr. Weasley."
"Hello, Professor Hup", Mr. Weasley replied, his expression stiff. He glanced at the children with concern, "Children, put down your luggage and set up the beds. We might be staying for a few days."
He pulled Felix aside, and Sirius, looking around, followed.
"Professor Hup, I heard from Harry that you taught him apparition?" Mr. Weasley said hesitantly. "It’s not that I doubt your teaching, but don’t you think it’s a bit early?"
"Too early? Mr. Weasley, I don't quite understand."
"The British Ministry of Magic stipulates that Apparition can only be learned starting in sixth year, and it involves rigorous exams. I heard from a friend in the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad that there are various severe cases of splinching... Actually, I wish it could be a year or two earlier, but Harry was only in third year at the time..."
"Harry has the potential", Felix said.
"Many adult Wizards aren't skilled at this magic", Mr. Weasley said urgently, wiping his slightly balding forehead with a handkerchief.
They didn't notice that the noisy sounds inside the tent had quieted down, and a gap appeared in the tent fabric. Bright eyes peered out curiously.
"Mr. Weasley, I have a strong intuition that Apparition should be included as a mandatory requirement for graduation", Felix said with a smile, not really caring about his reaction. "I've already suggested this to Dumbledore, and there's a good chance it will be implemented this year."
"Graduation requirement?" Mr. Weasley asked, surprised. His attention was diverted. In fact, he wasn't so much concerned about the issue of Apparition as he was worried that Felix's eagerness to achieve results might harm Harry, so he had gently reminded him.
He didn't know that Ron and Hermione were also secretly learning, though today, while searching for a Portkey at Ferret Hill, he had heard Sirius mention it. He thought Sirius had been teaching Harry privately, but upon asking, he learned that it was actually Professor Hup at the school.
"That's right. A few key spells should be mandatory. If a student fails, they have to retake the course and won't be allowed to graduate", Felix said lightly.
Harry and Ron, who were eavesdropping, exchanged a glance. Fred and George Weasley were perched on top of them, standing higher up, causing Ron to whisper, "Don't crowd me!" Hermione and Ginny crouched lower, peering through the rivet holes.
On the other side, Sirius asked with interest, "Can you tell us what spells are included?"
"It's not finalized yet", Felix said, "but I think—let me count them on my fingers—Apparition, Disillusionment Charm, Disarming Charm, Shield Charm, Protective Charm, Muggle-Repelling Charm, Healing Spell. These should be the basics. There might be more specific categories based on career choices..."
Mr. Weasley's attitude improved, and he mused, "So it's like targeted training before starting work? Sounds good. Many new graduates still have a lot to learn, even when I started at the Ministry of Magic..."
Sirius grinned, knowing Felix well enough to suspect that Felix was preparing for the coming Wizarding war. He glanced at the tent, discreetly waving his hand. His godson had been too careless, exposing half of his head.
...
"So you taught Harry because of this? You think all Wizards should master it?" After Mr. Weasley left, Sirius found an opportunity to ask softly.
They were standing in front of the tent, watching Wizards from all over the world come and go. A red-faced Wizard in a kilt was leading a Flamingo, carrying a large pot in his hand.
"Actually, he asked for it himself", Felix said nonchalantly.
"You could have refused", Sirius reminded him. "As Arthur said, he's not old enough, and he can't even take the exam yet."
Felix looked at him with a teasing smile. "I'm just the teacher. I can't control what they do outside school. Perhaps... we should expect the guardians of young Wizards to set a good example and provide proper guidance?"
Sirius scowled. Upon learning that Harry had mastered Apparition, his first thought was to take him on trips, and he had indeed done so.
He didn't continue the topic, glancing back at the tent. Mr. Weasley was taking out a water bottle and two pots from his backpack, and the children were busy setting up their beds. Sirius cautiously asked, "Do you know anything about the aftereffects of spell-induced scars?"
"Why do you ask..." Felix looked at Sirius, then followed his gaze to Harry. "Is it about Harry?"
"Yes", Sirius said tersely, glancing at the kilted Wizard again, who was being watched by two Ministry of Magic enforcers due to the bird he was carrying. "His scar on his forehead suddenly started hurting, and he had a nightmare. He said he dreamed about Voldemort... I don't know much about this."
Sirius briefly recounted what he knew, and Felix frowned. "What did he see in his dream about Voldemort?"
"He couldn't see clearly."
"Besides Voldemort, is there anyone else?"
"There should be others, but Harry forgot. You know, the more you try to recall the details of a dream, the more they slip away. Maybe Voldemort is up to something in the shadows, and he has an accomplice! That's why I'm asking you. I hope it's just a coincidence, a dream. Aren't you a healer?"
"I'm not", Felix sighed. "If his memory is problematic—well, you know what I mean. You should go to St. Mungo's Spell Damage Department."
Sirius's voice was filled with worry. "I'm afraid of unnecessary trouble. Maybe the effects of the spell are still lingering. The Killing Curse... there's never been a precedent, and Harry didn't survive by his own power but by Lily's magic."
He briefly explained some details, mainly about the ancient magic Lily used, including its effects and cost. Felix had heard similar stories, but Sirius's account was more detailed.
"I see. I suggest you talk to Dumbledore. He has many secret channels to gather information and might uncover Voldemort's movements."
Neither of them spoke as a Wizard carrying a flamingo was stopped by Ministry of Magic enforcers. They suspected him of smuggling rare magical creatures. Although the enforcers didn't recognize the bright rose-colored bird, they politely asked the Wizard to accompany them.
"This is a flamingo! Do you know what a flamingo is? It's not a magical creature... it's not related to the Phoenix!" the Wizard angrily shouted as he was led away.
Sirius suddenly asked, "Is it really not a magical creature?"
"No", Felix said firmly.
"Aren't you going to explain?"
"They'll figure it out eventually. Maybe they'll become friends."
Inside the tent, the children began sharing their experiences. The Weasley Twins mentioned their summer at Future World Headquarters. "It was amazing!"
Fred sighed. "We made a lot of friends. Think about it, dozens of like-minded people—"
"Compared to them, we're just small-time operators", George said.
"Don't say that. We did manage to sell the Couple's Mirror. Professor Lupin said it will revolutionize the wizarding world."
"You sold it?" Harry asked, surprised.
"No, we signed a two-year partnership agreement until we graduate", Fred grinned. "We use Future World's Diagon Alley Branch for sales, and we don't have to worry about anything. We get a monthly dividend—"
"Plenty of funds for other research!"
George added, "After we graduate, we'll have saved a lot of money. We can buy a shop in Diagon Alley."
"And we've even named it—"
"Weasley's Wizard Wheezes!" They both raised their arms in celebration.
Mr. Weasley sighed. Professor Lupin had visited the Burrow, insisting on signing the agreement with Arthur and Molly as witnesses. The terms were extremely generous, and they couldn't think of a reason to refuse.
"See you later."
Felix bid them farewell and headed to a large tent in the camp. Lupin was standing at the entrance, hanging a sign. He stepped back to examine it carefully.
"It's a bit crooked", Felix suddenly said, startling Lupin. A red spark shot from the wand hidden in his sleeve. He looked around and, when no one was watching, quickly waved his right hand, and the sign straightened and stuck firmly to the tent.
Together, they examined the sign that read "Future World." Lupin whispered, "The Ministry of Magic advised us to use magic sparingly. This is Muggle territory, and there's a small village less than ten kilometers away."
At that moment, two young people emerged from the tent. Creevey wiped the sweat from her forehead. "We've straightened the boxes. Goodness, it's like a huge warehouse. Oh, Professor Heap, you're here too—"
"Mr. Heap, hello", the blonde young man beside her said. He was a sales clerk at Future World's Diagon Alley Branch, named Alec Mackay.
"Hello", Felix nodded at them. He called Creevey aside. "How have the past few days been?"
"Pretty good", Creevey said excitedly. "Especially the Memory Stone Basin. I took some time to review the parts I didn't understand before, but there are no more lessons..."
She was referring to the teaching aid Felix used in the previous year when he taught Ancient Magic at the Rune Club. He had modified it for employee training during the holidays and brought it to the company.
Felix said, "It's for employees who want to catch up. The content isn't too advanced."
(End of Chapter)
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