Chapter 323: A Day in Diagon Alley
August 1st. Nearly every wizard family in Kael's territory that had opened Floo Network fireplaces could directly reach Diagon Alley through them.
So the Portkey badges included with the acceptance letters had less utility.
Some wizard families couldn't even wait for the Portkey to activate. To avoid the crowds on August 1st, they brought their children to Diagon Alley to purchase wands and other school supplies right after receiving their acceptance letters.
Of course, some wizard families who enjoyed the excitement or wanted to experience using a Portkey simply waited until August 1st, then traveled to Diagon Alley via Portkey.
Families like the Dúnedain and elf families without Floo Network fireplaces chose the Portkey route.
The Dúnedain family Aelindor in the Angle, after receiving their Hogwarts acceptance letter, chose to wait for the Portkey activation time.
Moreover, this time, Chieftain Aragorn also chose to accompany them.
On the morning of August 1st, the Aelindor family woke early.
After preparing everything, once Chieftain Aragorn arrived, they kept calculating the time.
Original Middle-earth had no precise minute and second measuring tools. Time measurement was very rough, as only hourglasses and water drips were used to calculate time.
However, since the Ministry of Magic's establishment, wizards in the Department of Mysteries, under Kael's guidance, have begun researching time magic.
The wizards working in the Department of Mysteries were collectively called the Unspeakables. They were a group of people extremely obsessed with magical research, focused on uncovering the mysteries of magic. They had signed unbreakable vows and sworn absolute loyalty oaths with Kael, answering only to him.
Kael entrusted the Unspeakables with researching the creation methods of the Deathly Hallows, Ravenclaw's Diadem, Hufflepuff's Cup, Gryffindor's Sword, and other artifacts. He even had them research the Philosopher's Stone, uncovering the magical mysteries hidden within, understanding not just the what but the why.
Kael even gave these Unspeakables more research directions—death, time, souls, prophecy, the universe, and more.
Though these directions were currently vague and ethereal, Kael believed that with continued research, it was entirely possible to one day penetrate these mysteries.
One person's thoughts are short; many people's thoughts are long. Kael always believed in the infinite potential and wisdom of the masses.
Otherwise, relying on himself alone, he had no confidence that he could master all magical knowledge.
This was also why he proactively established a magical school to recruit students.
Only by nurturing a continuous stream of wizards, selecting the best, could more Potion Masters, Alchemical Masters, Charm Masters, Transfiguration Masters, and so forth be born, allowing magic to flourish and accumulating more crystallized magical wisdom.
Then Kael could pluck the final fruits of magical wisdom, reaching ever higher magical realms.
But back to the matter at hand. Since the Department of Mysteries was established under Kael's guidance, the Unspeakables quickly invented clocks and pocket watches, measuring time with precision to the hour, minute, and second.
A huge clock was even erected in the Ministry of Magic's main hall, which, besides recording time, also had various warning functions.
Thus, gradually, wizards experienced the convenience of precise time. Diagon Alley began selling magical clocks and pocket watches.
These magical clocks and watches, powered by enchantment, maintained perfect accuracy. More remarkably, they could send periodic reminders—making sharp chimes to wake people, reminding them to tend to livestock, depart for their duties, or take meals.
These magical timepieces gradually became common among wizards before spreading beyond the wizard community into broader society.
Some skilled craftsmen, studying the principles behind magical clocks, created purely mechanical versions that required no magical power whatsoever.
As a result, clocks and pocket watches became popular across Middle-earth. Elves and dwarves alike valued these timekeeping instruments greatly. With their renowned craftsmanship, elven and dwarf artisans created timepieces of remarkable intricacy and precision.
To honor this innovation, the Ministry of Magic established a standardized timekeeping system that all people adopted. All timepieces throughout the known world synchronized to this standard, featuring synchronized second hands.
Thus, the entire Middle-earth continent operated under a unified system of timekeeping.
Aragorn carried a silver pocket watch crafted by an elven craftsman. Using both elven craftsmanship and magic, the watch was unbreakable and would never stop or malfunction.
Aragorn took out the pocket watch to check. He found only minutes remained until ten o'clock.
He immediately had the Aelindor family prepare, gripping each other's hands tightly without letting go, then waited for the badge bearing the Hogwarts crest on the table.
When the second hand on the pocket watch struck exactly ten o'clock, the silver badge on the table emitted blue light and trembled slightly.
Seeing this, Aragorn's expression became solemn. He took young Aelindor's left hand and called to the parents, who were also holding Aelindor's other hand. "Everyone, hold tight! Don't let go under any circumstances! We're departing!"
Young Aelindor and his parents immediately tensed, their expressions serious, as they gripped each other's hands firmly.
Then Aragorn extended his free right hand, grabbing the trembling silver badge.
The instant his hand touched the badge, a suction force appeared from nowhere, deadening his hand to the badge. Everyone felt a powerful pulling sensation, as if an invisible hook suddenly grabbed their navel and violently yanked them toward the Portkey's direction.
The sensation was rapid and irresistible. The four bodies instantly left their original position. Accompanied by intense dizziness and speed, countless lines of color blurred. After a brief moment of spinning confusion, it felt like they were squeezed through a rubber tube and then forced back out.
With a "bang," Aelindor and his parents directly crashed to the ground in a daze, dry heaving.
Aragorn's physical reactions were quick and nimble. He didn't fall but still felt dizzy.
"Ugh, that feeling was terrible! Isn't there a better transportation method?" Aragorn looked at the silver badge in his hand with lingering shock, completely unwilling to experience it again.
The thing was fast, certainly, but it was too torturous.
The group recovered in place for a long time before gradually relieving the dizzy, nauseous sensations. Then they looked around.
They were currently at Diagon Alley's far end.
Looking at the bustling Diagon Alley, their eyes widened, marveling at the lively scene before them.
Especially young Aelindor, the main character, who was thrilled and excited, as if arriving at a magical, wondrous world.
Today's Diagon Alley had become even more bustling with the arrival of the school season.
The cobblestone-paved winding street was crowded with people coming and going.
On either side of the street stood a dazzling array of shops. Some sold robes. Others sold telescopes and curious silver items, with window displays filled with baskets of bat spleens and eel eyes, piled high with spell books, quill pens, rolls of parchment, potion bottles, cauldrons, and various other magical merchandise.
The street was crowded and lively, permeated with the scent of magic. Magical light flickered and danced in every corner.
Owls busily carried various goods, flying back and forth above Diagon Alley. Groups of young wizards clustered at flying broomstick shop windows, gazing with envy and longing at the latest brooms.
Various enchanted magical figurines stood outside shops, continuously beckoning to customers.