Chapter 584: Miss Winnie's Magical Journey
Chapter 584: Miss Winnie's Magical Journey
Winnie stood in the queue, anxiously craning her neck to look around, her golden pigtails swinging back and forth.
'One, two, three, four, five, six. There are six people in front of me,' she counted silently.
From her vantage point, she could see Felix Hep sitting behind a table, a stack of documents in front of him—these were the papers the witch who greeted them this morning had given to Mr. Hep. Mr. Hep occasionally wrote or drew on the papers, and there was a bell on the table.
"Ring!"
Winnie abruptly lifted her head, her eyes fixed on the person at the front. She wasn’t the only one; the scene that followed was truly magical. Mr. Hep pointed to the right, and the wizard in front of him—Mr. Archibald, who was actually a Squib in his forties with half his hair gone—carefully extended his foot, as if the ground was littered with invisible, unknown traps.
No one urged him to hurry. Everyone stared wide-eyed, trying to figure out what was happening. Just like the previous times, after a few steps, he vanished into thin air.
Winnie marveled at the magic, finding it even more astonishing than anything she had seen before.
She recalled that just a few minutes ago, this man, who was roughly her age, had waved his hand to close a massive wooden door over twelve feet tall, without even using a wand. This feat had stunned everyone present. Most of them couldn’t even handle a wand properly, and the rest—didn’t have a wand at all.
Winnie stared at Felix’s black hair and blue eyes. He appeared very serious while working—was this even considered work?—calmly asking questions. She couldn’t even imagine how much it would cost to hire a wizard like Mr. Hep. It was a thought she dared not entertain, as it had never happened in reality.
All she knew was that the 'Advanced Magic Course for Adults' near Swordkeep required fifteen Galleons for two weeks of instruction. She had gone to inquire about it herself, and she didn’t even have the right to complain about the price. Because she was a Squib.
Apart from the lingering gloom from the day she was sent to a foster home, Winnie had few memories of her childhood. Over the years, she had successfully established herself in the Muggle society, working at a law firm and occasionally publishing short, insightful articles in magazines.
She wouldn’t tell anyone that her vivid imagination came from another world—a world where magic existed.
Her colleagues only knew that she enjoyed reading and listening to music, and that she loved browsing various bookstores and record shops in her free time. Therefore, whenever Winnie went out, she never hesitated to say, "I’m going to Diagon Alley for a stroll."
Her friends would ask her for obscure book recommendations or for information on the latest popular records, and she always had the answers.
"Ring!"
Winnie suddenly snapped back to reality. There was no one in front of her now. She took a few quick steps and stood before the table, carefully observing Felix Hep, a person nearly her age who had achieved so much that she couldn’t even feel jealous.
Felix and Valen looked up, finding the girl’s gaze somewhat vacant.
"Winnie Valentine, 24 years old, graduated from ... Queen Mary University of London?" Felix asked, looking up.
"Yes, that’s correct", Winnie replied, her voice slightly trembling. "You’re right."
"… It’s all written down here."
Valen looked curiously at this person whose name had a similar sound to his. She had amber eyes, naturally curly hair, and a black and white piano key-shaped badge pinned to her chest.
Winnie blushed slightly, avoiding the light blue eyes and looking down at the duck-billed creature—no, a Niffler. How strange... she thought. If she took a photo of the Niffler and sent it to a magazine, it would probably cause a sensation.
Felix tapped the table, and Winnie immediately focused on his fingertips. A scene flashed in her mind: the same hand, with just a wave, had made a gilded letter "O" from a display case wriggle and jump down, transforming into a table right before her eyes, and another letter "K" into a rich green tablecloth with intricate patterns.
If this were a knitting shop, it would probably sell for a lot of money.
But there was no need, Winnie thought. She found another difference between magic and technology: technology tended to converge, while magic remained unique. She sighed, knowing she couldn’t share such thoughts with anyone.
Felix noticed she was distracted and snapped his fingers in front of her. Winnie was startled.
"You seem a bit nervous? Then I won’t ask any questions. Just walk this way", he pointed to the right.
Winnie breathed a sigh of relief, then felt a bit regretful. Had she performed too poorly? After a few steps, she suddenly turned back to look behind her—the table, the young man behind it, the Niffler on the table, the bell, and the people in the queue—all had disappeared.
So that’s what the others saw, Winnie thought.
"Hep Nine at your service", a voice suddenly said. Winnie jumped and turned to look at Felix. "You—oh", she said excitedly, "you’re a magical creation?"
"Something like that", Hep Nine said.
Realizing that the person in front of her wasn’t real, Winnie didn’t feel afraid; her tension eased considerably. She had seen many talking magical objects before. For example, a Quidditch team poster that shouted "Go!" a cup that urged her to finish her drink, and a mirror that reminded her of dirt on her nose.
The strangest talking object she had seen was an elegant dressing table. The mirror, perfume bottles, drawers, and standing lamp each had their own thoughts and would even criticize each other’s taste, according to the shop owner, "Ever since a particularly picky customer tried it, it’s been like this."
Winnie tried to strike up a conversation. "So, what are you made of? Gilded letters, teacups, parchment, ink bottles, cleaning agents..."
"None of those", Hep Nine said. "I am a memory."
Winnie thought for a moment and lowered her voice. "Ghost?"
"No, just a temporarily constructed memory. My task is to guide you through some tests, to get the Magic inside you to stir a little", the person calling himself Hep Nine said.
Can memories exist independently? Winnie was puzzled. This clearly had nothing to do with technology, but wasn't it very magical?
She didn't consider herself particularly knowledgeable about magic. Although she had read many books, as a Squib, especially one who had attended university, her attitude toward magic was more like 'observation.' It was similar to how she occasionally observed other customers in record stores, with a natural sense of detachment.
Hep Nine walked ahead, leading the way.
"Be careful not to wander into someone else's territory", he said.
Winnie looked around and found herself on a narrow, surreal road. The surroundings were like soap bubbles, only magnified thousands of times. The contents were blurry, but Winnie could roughly guess what was inside based on the colors and shapes: she saw a tranquil, deep forest river in one bubble; on her right was a colorful garden, but she couldn't see what flowers were growing there.
Then she saw an imposing castle, and from its outline, she knew what it was.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
"What are these?" she asked curiously.
"Memories that you find comfortable and beautiful", Hep Nine explained dutifully. Winnie jumped over a puddle-like object and accidentally stuck her head into a 'soap bubble.' She was scared, worried that she might ruin the dream-like environment.
But the soap bubble was sturdier than she expected. She smelled sweet, cloying air.
Candy and sweets were everywhere. With just a quick glance, she saw a dozen piles of candy, and a short, plump wizard was moved to tears. Inside the bubble, there was another identical 'Felix Hep' speaking in a low voice.
The next second, she was pulled out from the outside.
"I told you to be careful."
"Oh, sorry."
"It's alright", Hep Nine said. He paused for a few seconds and repaired the large hole Winnie had created with her head—before that, sweet air had been blowing out continuously.
"The one inside—what number is he?" Winnie pondered how to define their relationship.
"Seven."
They walked for a few more minutes, and finally, Hep Nine stopped. "We're here."
Winnie found herself standing in front of a beautiful display case. Inside was a shallow wooden disc with silver smoke swirling around it. She realized she was still in the lobby of Future World Corporation.
"What do I need to do?"
"Recall a memory", Hep Nine said. "Dig out the strongest feeling of Magic from your memories, good or bad. But I recommend a happy memory."
Winnie racked her brain, and for a while, she and Hep Nine stared at each other.
"Can't find one?" Hep Nine asked. Had this girl had a terrible life? It didn't seem that way.
"Too many", Winnie said.
"Then choose the one that makes you the most comfortable", Hep Nine said expressionlessly.
Winnie thought carefully. As a Squib, her childhood was almost devoid of magic, and she didn't have many memorable experiences. However, after taking psychology in college, she gradually came to terms with her past and could view it from a more positive perspective.
So, one day in her sophomore year, she walked into the Leaky Cauldron with trepidation...
Hep Nine extended his hand and pulled an ebony wand out of the air. With his help, Winnie's imagination appeared in reality. Felix, who was behind the table, looked up, his gaze piercing through the soap bubbles to the small, old pub.
Starting from the Leaky Cauldron, the scene changed rapidly, almost like a Diagon Alley travel guide.
The wall behind the bar slowly opened, forming a wide arch that connected to a winding, cobblestone street. That was Diagon Alley. Sunlight streamed down, and shops came into view one after another: cauldron shops, pet shops, apothecaries, bookstores...
Finally, they found themselves in an antique shop. Dozens of wooden crates were scattered around, each containing various second-hand magical items: wands with exposed unicorn hair, wobbly old scales that never aligned, cauldrons stained with potion residues, old cloaks with suspicious bloodstains, and magic books with loose spines and missing covers...
Winnie took a deep breath, feeling a sense of ease throughout her body.
Felix, sitting behind the table, found this a bit strange, but he could sense a positive, vibrant energy and joy. In the Magic perspective, the thin Magic within her stirred slightly. He quickly jotted down a few symbols on parchment.
"You like it here?" Hep Nine asked.
"Yes", Winnie said cheerfully.
"Any exciting stories happen here?"
"Oh, just for me personally... I bought my first magic book, my first cauldron, and my first wand here", she said with deep emotion. "It cost me nine Galleons, which I couldn't even use. They say it's the same price as the first wand Ollivander sells to young wizards, but I'm an adult, so it's naturally more expensive."
"Could you afford it?" Hep Nine asked. He knew Winnie had stayed in the Muggle world, and even if she wasn't short of money, he doubted Gringotts would exchange currency for her easily. The goblins were very strict in this regard.
"I have a good relationship with the owner of the antique shop", Winnie said. "You know the antique market street in London? I sometimes find interesting trinkets and bring them to the antique shop owner..."
"Alright." Hep Nine realized that this was still a broker. "You'll soon have a real wand, although there are some casting restrictions, but... the effects are still pretty good."
"When your staff approached me, I thought it was a scam, but I'm glad I came..." Winnie said excitedly. "How much will it cost?"
"Oh, it's free—only for now. Your wands are specially customized to match you as closely as possible, so various tests are needed. Let's get back to the main topic. First, Miss Valentine, I need to evaluate your magic based on its activity, quantity, and quality... don't worry, it's just a rough estimate since I haven't had time to develop a standard set of rules yet."
An hour later.
The soap bubbles in the Swordkeep hall gradually disappeared. Winnie turned her head from side to side, watching the scenes said to be constructed from memories linger in the air for a few more seconds before they rapidly lost their color and shape, like ancient relics exposed to the air. Winnie watched as a particularly beautiful clock tower vanished before her eyes, and she slowly exhaled.
The nineteen Heps, from One to Nineteen, also disappeared. Hep Nine waved at Winnie one last time before merging into the air. Winnie felt a sense of loss, as if she had lost a long-time friend.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please wait a moment while I spend some time creating your personalized wands. You can take a look at the display cabinets."
After Felix disappeared, the hall fell silent, and then some people began to gather.
"It must be real", an old wizard said, removing his scarf to reveal a face full of wrinkles.
"Old Borg, do you think someone like Mr. Hep would lie to you?" another person said loudly.
"Of course not!" Borg's face turned red as he angrily retorted.
Winnie didn't join the discussion. Instead, she began to stroll around the display cabinets in the hall. The first floor of the Future World company's main hall occasionally opened to the public, inviting wizards to experience and provide feedback on products still in development. She had been there a few times before, but only once was she selected to test a product: the Spell-Deflecting Hat.
That thing was incredible. Just by staring at someone casting a harmful spell, the spell would bounce back, a completely spontaneous reaction. She had given her feedback seriously, though she couldn't find much to criticize. She did hope for more styles, so she drew a few simple sketches of women's hats.
After about fifteen minutes, Felix reappeared.
He was well-prepared, with all the materials ready; he just needed to adjust the magical frequencies. Once he got the hang of it, the process would be much faster.
He lined up a row of wands embedded with colorful gems, his gaze slowly sweeping over the eager eyes.
"Ladies and gentlemen, most of you actually signed up for the introductory magic course advertised in the newspaper, but Clemmy should have already told you the truth, right?"
Everyone nodded.
"Currently, this research is not public, so you will need to agree to some terms."
"There are two confidentiality agreements. One is from the Future World company, which prohibits you from revealing this research to the outside world. The other is from the Ministry of Magic, which prohibits performing magic in front of non-magical people. If it involves immediate family members, you can register with the Ministry of Magic."
"Additionally, since this project is research-based, you don't need to pay any extra money, but you will need to participate in some tests. Future World company staff will observe your casting data to improve the product. In the long run, this will advance the product's development..."
"Are there any objections to this?"
Felix waited for a moment. "Very good." Wands flew to their sides. "The spells are fixed, but they are all practical. Just the Levitation Charm alone has dozens of applications... you have half an hour to familiarize yourselves with your wands, and then we'll start the tests."
Winnie caressed her wand, growing more fond of it the more she looked at it. From the curve of the wood to the embedded gems, it was like a masterpiece of craftsmanship. She stared at a dark red gem, which seemed to contain a slowly swirling vortex.
Following the guidance of the now vanished Hep Nine, she tried to channel her emotions, filling herself with the desire to cast a successful spell. Then, she raised her wand and said the spell: "Lumos." A beam of light emitted from the tip of her wand.
Winnie panted, lifting her head in disbelief and looking around. Some people had already successfully cast the Levitation Charm, floating three feet off the ground, startling themselves so much that their legs kicked out like frogs.
"Think about what you want to do, and don't limit your imagination", Felix reminded them from time to time.
The morning passed quickly.
Winnie and the others reluctantly handed in their wands. Mr. Hep would make adjustments based on their casting performance today. Winnie left a note with her thoughts, hoping her personalized wand could have a Movement Charm, a spell that makes objects move.
She was envious of how Mr. Archibald had made two shoes dance.
As she headed for the door, she suddenly heard someone call her name.
"Miss Valentine?"
She looked up, meeting Felix's gaze, and pointed at herself in surprise.
Felix nodded, confirming, "Yes, that's you."
Winnie walked over, her heart pounding.
"I reviewed your file again. You studied law at university, right?" Felix asked.
Winnie nodded.
"Then—would you be interested in earning some extra money? It's a short-term job", Felix asked gently, and Winnie stared at him. "I have some businesses in the Muggle world. Not many, but I need someone with a professional background to provide advice..."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
