Chapter 456: Crowded Diagon Alley

Wizard Sean Green had been to Diagon Alley many times.

But never before had he wandered it so casually.

Along this long cobblestone street lined with the world’s most enticing wizarding shops, Wizard Sean was nearly baked by the sun.

He thought of everything since Christmas: the destroyed diadem, the resting ghost, the burned ring, and the acquired fake locket.

Finally, his thoughts settled on the Resurrection Stone.

This Deathly Hallow bore a terrible curse, offering wizards almost no loophole.

It required a magically endowed being to wear it for the curse to activate; otherwise, the Resurrection Stone could not be used.

As for why a magically endowed being was needed, Wizard Sean guessed that non-magical beings likely could not remain visible in Voldemort’s sight.

The curse could not be broken—only endured, like the liquid in the cave.

Voldemort had pushed the curse farther than any wizard in the magical world today; at least, Wizard Sean saw no hope of breaking it.

So how could he use the Resurrection Stone?

The long, sunlit day saw wizards streaming in and out of shops, dining beneath colorful parasols outside cafés.

Beside Marcus, Wizard Sean heard customers showing each other their purchases:

“Old chap, this is a Moonwatch Mirror—no more fiddling with lunar charts, eh?”

Or debating the merits of magical schools:

“Personally, Hogwarts is the finest magical school in the world—I’d never send my child anywhere else.”

Marcus had been itching for ice cream the moment he saw the shop.

“Ice cream, of course—that’s wonderful.”

Without further ado, he pulled Wizard Sean to sit under the bright sunlight outside Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour.

Every half hour, he happily ordered another scoop for the table.

“Oh, time flies, my good boy—you’re in third year now...”

As Marcus spoke, the ice cream on his beard trembled.

Before long, they plunged into a Quidditch specialty shop.

Marcus relished such moments: the shop was packed, and as they squeezed through excited male and female wizards, he spotted a newly erected display and waved his hand to buy the Firebolt 2001.

“I haven’t played Quidditch in a long time,” Wizard Sean cautioned.

“Ah, that’s perfect—another bottle of polish, sir.”

Marcus declared grandly.

The Quidditch shop owner beamed and shared a special piece of news:

“Yes, at ten o’clock, Diagon Alley’s most mysterious shop will open to the public—the legendary Mr. Hermes will unveil new magical inventions.”

Yes, ten o’clock, the most mysterious shop in Diagon Alley is about to open to the public; the legendary Mr. Hermes will be unveiling new magical artifacts.

“That’s truly...”

In the instant Marcus spoke, Diagon Alley transformed.

Colorful posters sprang up everywhere—even the walls of the Quidditch shop were plastered with them.

“That mysterious shop has drawn crowds to Diagon Alley,” the owner chuckled, watching a young wizard affix a poster.

Above the entire alley floated a peculiar creature: Puffskein.

Its body was a round ball covered in soft, cream-colored fur.

Wizard Sean knew it was a gentle magical creature—content to be hugged or tossed about, utterly unmoved. It had long been a favorite pet among wizards.

Of course, wizards sold them at high prices.

Now, enchanted, they floated in Diagon Alley’s bright sunlight.

Their long pink tongues carried printed flyers; touch one, and it placed the paper in your hand.

Diagon Alley erupted as wizards of all genders eagerly took flyers from the Puffskeins.

Yet in truth, if they looked up, they’d see the posters hanging above matched exactly what they held in hand.

【Mr. Hermes is about to revolutionize the magical world—are you still using fireplaces and owls?】

【Magic Hand Mirror—shatter the barriers of space!】

【While other children speak face-to-face with family at magical school, is yours still waiting for an owl’s reply?】

All manner of messages flooded wizards’ eyes, stirring inexplicable anxiety and a desperate need to understand what this “Magic Hand Mirror” was.

—This object had been heavily promoted by major newspapers for days.

And without needing to search, neatly dressed wizards began Apparating to Making Guide them.

“Fairy Tale Emporium is open for a limited time—at 77 Diagon Alley. If you’re in a hurry, take my hand.”

“No crowding, no queue—but remember, each wizard may stay only half an hour per day.

Whether you buy or not, please leave. We appreciate your understanding.”

“Respected Lady, take my hand...”

Marcus was baffled by the changes, but the line about his child waiting for an owl’s reply struck him deeply.

More than that—he was the one who constantly waited for owls.

“What is the Magic Hand Mirror?”

He asked the Making Guide.

“You may see for yourself at the Fairy Tale Emporium.”

The Making Guide politely extended his hand.

“I’m not so old I need your Apparition.”

Marcus refused, glancing hesitantly at Wizard Sean.

“Shall we go?”

Minutes later, they arrived at the Fairy Tale Emporium, already packed with wizards.

Fortunately, the Emporium had been expanded multiple times with Undetectable Extension Charms; otherwise, it could never hold a hundred wizards.

“Give me another one, sir! Just one!”

Fortunately, the Fairy Workshop had been expanded multiple times with the Undetectable Extension Charm, or else it could never have accommodated over a hundred wizards.

“The Fairy Tale Emporium rule is one per person, sir—please don’t make things difficult for us.”

The attendant firmly refused.

“Do you still have the Pegasus version? Or the Dragon?”

“I need a three-faced mirror, slim model—Galleons aren’t an issue—”

“Is the photo function real? Can I finally ditch the bulky camera?”

A cacophony of voices drowned out all sense, making ears ring.

At that moment, the attendant beside Marcus casually said:

“Only three hundred were made in the first batch. Mr. Hermes never intended to sell them—he simply changed the magical world again, almost by accident...”

The well-dressed wizard spoke with pride, clearly satisfied with his work.

And not merely because of the generous pay Malfoy offered.

Meanwhile, Marcus was already examining the Magic Hand Mirror; once he fully understood its function, his breathing grew rapid:

“Sir, quickly—give me one—”

Marcus had already picked up the magical hand mirror and, after fully understanding its function, his breathing had grown rapid:

“Sir, hurry, give me one—”