Chapter 326: How to Return?
Bill happily took the two strands of hair and immediately waived the wand fees for Aranil and Anlomire before bidding everyone farewell.
After leaving the wand shop, Aragorn felt a bit embarrassed since he originally intended to pay for both wands but ended up having the elf couple pay with their hair instead.
So Aragorn took Anlomire and Aranil to the Magical Creatures shop in Diagon Alley.
There were not only various owls for sale but also fire-gray snakes, fire lizards, invisible toads, rabbits that could turn into hats, jeweled fire crabs, dancing jerboas, magical cats, and more.
These creatures were all magically bred by wizards and possessed a touch of magic.
Furthermore, the shop owner had also learned magical hybrid breeding methods passed down from Kael, successfully breeding more creatures like hippogriffs and Pegasus.
However, these large magical creatures were rarely sold in the shop but mostly reserved by preorder.
Elves especially favored winged horses, which almost always went to Imladris and Lothlórien.
Hippogriffs became exclusive mounts of the tribes in the Wild Lands.
Returning to the topic, Aragorn bought a great horned owl for Anlomire and a snowy owl for little elf Aranil at the magical creature shop.
"What discerning customers!" The shopkeeper smiled genuinely as he watched the two most expensive owls being bought. He explained, "These two owls have extraordinary lineage. They are descendants of the great snowy owls raised by Lord Kael at Hogwarts Castle. One is a hybrid of a great horned owl and a snowy owl, the other a hybrid of a great snowy owl and a common snowy owl.
The great snowy owl was once unique to Númenor Island. Now, only Hogwarts Castle in all Middle-earth has them. Their offspring are smarter and better flyers than other owls and never get lost, making them the best messengers for delivering letters and packages!"
Hearing the shopkeeper's words, the two children adored their owls even more.
Aragorn's eyes flickered. As the chieftain of the northern Dúnedain and a direct descendant of the royal house of Arnor, he had naturally been to the former capital, Annúminas.
He had also heard from clan members stationed there that Kael had taken away a group of great snowy owls living there to Weathertop.
These birds, once native to Númenor Island, held special meaning for the Dúnedain, descendants of Númenor.
After buying the owls, the group continued purchasing other necessary enrollment supplies.
Like them, other families who received acceptance letters gathered in Diagon Alley today to buy their equipment.
But once all enrollment supplies were bought, a problem arose: how to return home?
Aragorn looked at the silver badge that had brought them here before, wondering if they could use it to transport back.
But the badge showed no sign of activation.
Soon enough, help arrived.
At both ends of Diagon Alley and along the street, Aurors in uniform patrolled.
Seeing the bewildered new students and families, the Aurors proactively offered assistance.
Guided by the Aurors, Aragorn and his group walked to the west end of Diagon Alley, arriving at the Ministry of Magic tower.
The spacious hall on the first floor amazed all who entered.
In the center stood a magical fountain, adorned with a golden statue of Lord Kael riding a giant dragon. The wand in his hand emitted a thin golden stream flowing into the pool below.
The pool was full of coins—mostly copper Knuts and silver Sickles, with a small portion of gold Galleons.
No one knew who started it, but the fountain pool had become a wishing well, with wizards tossing coins in and wishing to the lord's golden statue.
Though literally meaningless, many enjoyed doing it tirelessly.
Thus, thick layers of coins accumulated in the pool.
These coins were regularly collected and donated to the Wizarding Hospital, Twin Trees Hospital, as medical funds.
Twin Trees Hospital was established through Kael's initiative, headed by Madam Amanda, renowned for her medical magic skills.
Though a wizarding hospital, it treated not only wizards but all subjects within Kael's territory.
Besides the magical fountain, a long row of fireplaces adorned the walls in the Ministry's hall.
People emerged from and entered these fireplaces at intervals.
The smooth floor reflected the passerby's shadows. Everyone hurried, with many owls and sheets of parchment flying about.
Aragorn and his group went to the reception desk and showed their acceptance letters for verification.
After registration, they followed instructions and took the elevator to the Department of Magical Transportation.
The staff were attentive, carefully explaining transportation options to those who had purchased supplies and needed to return home:
"Considering travel difficulties, the Ministry offers several transportation methods.
First, apply at the Portkey Office for a Portkey to your home, allowing direct transport.
Second, use our Knight Bus. With a wand, extend it on the roadside, and the bus will appear to safely take you home.
Lastly, a more convenient option is to apply to connect your home fireplace to the Floo Network. We will send staff to activate the Floo Network at your home.
Then you can travel instantly between fireplaces, making it easy for your children to attend Hogwarts or shop in Diagon Alley."
"How do you all feel about this?"
Hearing this, almost all new families chose to apply for the Floo Network.
After all, who would refuse instantaneous teleportation over a thousand miles? Especially considering children's convenience.
Encouraged by their affirmative responses, the Transportation staff cheered.
Promoting the Floo Network improved their department's performance.
Once all new families applied, the staff said:
"In the coming days, our team will visit your homes to activate fireplaces. We recommend purchasing enough Floo Powder in advance to use immediately after.
If in a hurry, you may take a Portkey at the Portkey Office to return home instantly. However, if you're not pressed, we recommend trying the Knight Bus—it's a unique experience!"
Having completed a big order, the staff happily recommended the options to the gathered crowd.
Hearing this, everyone recalled their previous Portkey experiences with lingering nausea and decided against it.
Many chose the other travel options instead.
Aragorn and Anlomire's family chose the Knight Bus.
The little elf Aranil's family, living in Imladris, where the fireplace was already connected to the Floo Network, bid farewell to Aragorn's group and returned home using the Floo Network.