Chapter 702: Changes at the Sword Castle
Chapter 702: Changes at the Sword Castle
"You're actually the famous Wizard? I was shocked when I saw your face on TV!" Jim said excitedly.
Felix shrugged.
"Because I had to hide my identity, I left the Orphanage to go to school." He briefly explained his true experiences over the years.
"Then your work experience—" Jim looked skeptical, wondering if that was fake too.
"That part is true. After graduation, I worked in London for two years."
"Strange hobby", Jim couldn't understand this approach, "If I had talent, I would definitely focus on studying magic." A moment later, the door opened from the outside, and it was Rebecca. When she saw Felix, she was so surprised she almost screamed.
"Wow, it really is you! You're the wizard?" She took a carrot from her bag, pretending it was a wand, and made strange noises, "You used a spell to clear the clouds over the whole country?"
"Technically, I'm a Wizard", Felix said, "And it wasn't just me."
"Rebecca was sleeping at the time; she watched it on TV." Jim took the bag from her and turned to explain, "She's been a bit sleepy lately. The doctor suggested she get more exercise." Felix looked at Rebecca's slightly protruding belly, surprised.
"Yeah, we got married", Jim said, "We couldn't reach you at the time, so we thought you were abroad. Of course, now we know why."
Felix thought about the phone he rarely used.
After changing her clothes, Rebecca sat down next to Jim. "The TV said they would invite some people to visit the Wizarding world?"
"Right, do you want to see what a real Wizard looks like?" Felix asked. Whether it was through official channels or private arrangements, it would be easy for him.
Jim was intrigued but glanced at his wife, his expression turning hesitant.
"Maybe not", he shook his head, "Rebecca is pregnant. I don't want—well, I'm worried about accidents."
Felix nodded understandingly.
At this point, it might not be good for ordinary people to have ties with Wizards. Felix himself was fine, but his friends might be at risk, which was why he came. After discussing it with Jim and Rebecca, Felix cast a complex spell to keep their friendship a secret.
After a while, he got up to leave, leaving a card behind. "Wizards are particularly good at handling certain problems. If you encounter any difficult issues, contact me. Just tear up the card."
Jim solemnly took the card and saw Felix to the door.
"The old Head of House isn't doing well", he said.
Felix was silent for a moment, "I'll go see him."
"Hey! The due date is early January", Jim called out from behind. Felix turned around and waved the card, "At least this time I don't have to worry about losing track of you."
...
The next morning at Hogwarts.
Students finished reading the day's newspaper and gathered in small groups to chat.
"Is there a new organization today that's determined to drown Wizards like rats?" Ron asked in a mocking tone.
"No", Harry yawned, "But there is one offering us jobs because they heard about the low employment rate for Wizards."
Ron mumbled, "Mind their own business."
Dean half-jokingly said, "When things settle down, I might give it a try."
Neville looked up, full of hope, and looked around, "Any new developments in the negotiations? My newspaper didn't mention anything."
"It won't happen that fast", Hermione said cheerfully, "It's only the second day. But we always prepare in advance to stay ahead—anyone here going to the Sword Castle?" She looked at everyone.
"You mean the Diagon Alley shopkeepers' meeting?" Harry asked sensitively, "You're going to watch?"
Hermione shrugged. Luna and Ginny passed by Harry, and Ginny lifted her arms, circling him like a ballet dancer before disappearing. Hermione chuckled.
Harry looked at her curiously.
"It's nothing", she said quickly.
At that moment, Hannah and Susan Bones joined the conversation, followed by Ernie and Justin, who were swaying and pale, likely from skipping breakfast. Daphne kept smoothing her hair on the right side.
"It's ridiculous, some newspapers are saying Wizards emit radiation—what's that?" Hannah said indignantly.
"Like a deadly infectious disease", Hermione explained briefly. "Dragon pox?" Hannah asked. "Something like that", Hermione replied, then realized, "They really said that in the newspaper?"
Hannah spelled out a word.
Hermione was incredulous, "I can't believe they would make up such a lie."
"Next time, check if the author's last name is Dursley", Harry said listlessly, "It sounds like something my uncle would say. He always thought Wizards would pollute the environment..." He looked thoughtful, "Newspapers shouldn't allow too many insults."
"Some say Wizards are a sign of the end of the world", Ernie interjected, turning to Justin, "It involves a prophecy, I forgot the term—"
"The Mayans", Justin mumbled.
"Are they Muggle fortune-tellers?" Daphne asked curiously.
"I don't know. What we do know is that they were a branch of the ancient Native Americans, and their civilization was once highly advanced before it suddenly declined", Hermione said. "Later generations found some dubious prophecies in their ruins."
"It sounds true, according to the newspaper", Justin said seriously. "I saw something similar when I was a kid. It was written in a book with a particularly terrifying cover—though my mom confiscated it later."
"What did she say?" Hermione pressed.
"She said it was a waste of time", Justin pouted. "But back then, she didn't know about the Divination class. During the holidays, she used eggs from the kitchen for divination, following the book Piercing the Fog to See the Future."
"You still have it, I thought you got rid of it", Ernie said.
Hermione was clearly uninterested in divination. While she admitted that Trelawney had made a couple of genuine predictions, she stubbornly believed that Trelawney's mind was mostly a jumbled mess, probably mixed with sherry. She asked again who was going to Sword Castle.
In the end, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Susan, and Neville decided to check out the commotion. "What about Ginny?" Harry turned to look for the red-haired figure as they headed toward the Transfiguration Office.
"I saw her leave with Luna", Hermione said.
They arrived at the Transfiguration Office on the second floor, which originally belonged to Professor Mcgonagall. After she moved into the Headmaster's Office, the room was left vacant, and the fireplace inside was used by students for daily travel.
The shops on either side of Diagon Alley were deserted, with temporary closure notices on their windows.
"Look over there, Harry!" Ron pointed, his eyes sharp.
Harry looked over and his eyes widened. It was the location of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor. When he came to Diagon Alley before his sixth year, the shop was still closed, but now it seemed to be open again. He walked over quickly, and the door also had a closure notice. He calmed down slightly, staring at the large umbrella outside. Harry remembered writing his homework while eating ice cream here. He reached out and touched the umbrella, which was spotless.
His heart lifted. This meant someone had cleaned it, but Harry wasn't sure if it was someone else. The place he was heading to might have the answers. Excited, he walked toward Sword Castle and was stopped at the entrance.
"Sorry, no visitors today. We have important business."
"Clemy?" Harry was surprised to see the witch blocking his path.
"Harry, it's you", Clemy Vera said, smiling. "These are your friends?" She looked behind Harry, recognizing some and not others.
Hermione also looked surprised to see Clemy.
"It's a bit chaotic inside, so I came out for some fresh air", Clemy explained. "Penelope is inside." "Is Alec back yet?" Hermione asked.
"Not yet", Clemy sighed. "He's inspecting the Latin American branches. He might be back in a week."
As one of the earliest members of 'Future World' company, Clemy and the others were given important responsibilities. Over the years, they took charge of different areas based on their interests. Clemy enjoyed researching technology, Penelope preferred daily management, and for a time, when Lupin was distracted by Order of the Phoenix work, the company's normal operations relied on them. As for Alec, he managed the foreign branches.
"By the way, Clemy", Harry remembered his question about the ice cream parlor. "Have you seen Florean Fortescue?"
Clemy thought for a moment. "The ice cream parlor owner?"
"Exactly!" Harry said excitedly.
"He's here", Clemy confirmed.
"Didn't he get captured by Voldemort?" Ron asked from the side.
"He was lucky enough to escape becoming a shade", an unfamiliar voice interrupted their conversation. Harry looked up and saw an elderly man with gray hair. He exclaimed, "Mr. Fortescue?"
"Mr. Potter, I'm glad you remember me", Florean said, moved.
"Of course I remember you! But how did you escape?"
"I wasn't the one who escaped; I was rescued by an Auror", Florean explained. "The Dark Lord captured a group of History of Magic experts, and I was one of them. He also took some wand makers. I know one called Gregorovitch, who wasn't so lucky and couldn't withstand the torture."
Harry vaguely knew about this. Voldemort had coerced these people to fabricate the 'Ten Great Wands' rumor. Mr. Ollivander was also a target but managed to escape the Death Eaters' pursuit. He spread a rumor that he had fled abroad, but in reality, he had been hiding in the basement of his wand shop, even fooling Voldemort.
"You mentioned shades?" Harry asked.
"Yes", Florean's expression darkened, still showing a hint of fear. "The Dark Lord tortured us based on our fame. He wanted to know some very secret things. I happened to know a bit, but fortunately, he changed his mind and turned to the more famous wand makers. I didn't suffer much torture, just a long confinement... I had no confidence in hiding from the Dark Lord. Those who died from torture were used to create shades."
Harry felt a mix of emotions. He hated Voldemort for his cruelty, but he was also puzzled by Florean’s vague words. It wasn’t until he saw Hermione’s mouth that he suddenly understood. Florean was referring to the Deathly Hallows. Luna’s father had inquired about them from Florean when he was younger, and Voldemort might have also heard the legend. However, even if he knew, he would only be interested in the Elder Wand. If Voldemort were to interrogate everyone one by one, Mr. Ollivander would hardly stand a chance. But with the rumor that Professor Hepburn possessed the Elder Wand, Voldemort’s attention might have shifted to other wand makers.
"Anyway, I’m still alive and can discuss my ordeal with you. The Auror who rescued me said they received a tip, and I suspect it might have come from a Ministry of Magic informant. I’ve always wanted to thank him", Florean said, recounting his recent experiences. "After being rescued, I recuperated for a few months and recently tidied up my shop, planning to reopen it..."
Florean left.
"Who do you think the informant was?" Harry asked after he left.
"Maybe Snape?" Ron speculated.
"It could be Lucius Malfoy", Hermione suggested.
"Or maybe Professor Hepburn extracted useful information from Voldemort’s mind", Ron added.
They entered the castle, where the Great Hall was bustling with activity. In the center, there were a dozen tables, each with a Ministry of Magic official on one side and a Diagon Alley shopkeeper on the other, discussing a parchment.
A witch near Harry said, "I just sell some beauty potions to fix minor imperfections on witches’ faces, like freckles and warts. I don’t think they’ll be much use; any healer could do the same thing..."
"Don’t say that, Primrose Prewett. Your beauty potions are much more effective than a typical healer’s magic", the official said patiently.
"Really?" the witch eyed him skeptically.
They continued forward, and a young wizard, looking impatient, shouted, "I run a Wizard travel agency, hear me out, a Wizard travel agency, offering thrilling and adventurous trips, no responsibility for any dangers that occur!"
The Ministry of Magic official persisted, "Do you think you could develop tours specifically for Muggles?"
The young wizard looked puzzled, "I’m not sure... We’ve trained a batch of zombies, but for authenticity, there’s still a risk of attack during the expeditions."
"No zombies", the official immediately said, "I mean, some unique and novel places that would attract attention."
The wizard thought for a moment, and just as Harry and the others decided to leave, he asked, "What about the Bermuda Triangle? But a wizard went missing there last year, and we haven’t found him yet..."
Neville suddenly stopped, looking terrified. He whispered, "My great-uncle wanted to go there on vacation. I have to talk him out of it."
A familiar voice came from ahead.
"...Clearly, no one cares if your inventory list is a page longer or shorter, as it’s irrelevant."
It was Fred or George speaking. They took two steps forward. In the inner part of the entrance hall, Fred and George Weasley were sitting on the same chair, facing Percy, who looked grim. Harry hesitated and stopped; it seemed they had come at an inopportune time.
"Since you mentioned the list", Percy said through gritted teeth, "I can tell you right now that half of your products are unqualified —"
"You can’t do that!" Fred exclaimed.
"That’s abuse of power", George shouted.
"Oh, you can report me to the Ministry of Magic", Percy smiled confidently, "and see which side they take. Blood-Blistering Peppermints that cause constant bleeding, Ton-Tongue Toffees that make you vomit uncontrollably, Fainting Fancies that make you pass out suddenly..."
Penelope leaned over from the next seat.
"Your brothers are right. Muggles are very fragile; a broken bone can take months to heal", she said sternly. "We need to exclude dangerous items from the trade list as much as possible."
Ron grinned and placed his hands on the twins’ shoulders, taking the opportunity to gloat.
"I have to say, some of their products are too much even for wizards. They need to be strictly reviewed."
Fred and George Weasley turned to Ron, one on each side, their faces expressionless, making Ron feel uneasy.
Harry had anticipated this. He looked up, searching for the constant noise that had been going on since they entered the castle. A group of House-elves were peering over the balcony upstairs, their faces excited as they watched the scene below.
(End of Chapter)
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