Sean had been to Diagon Alley many times.
But never just to casually stroll around, like he was doing now.
On this long, cobblestone street, lined with the world's most enticing wizarding shops, Sean was practically soaked in sunshine.
He thought about all the events since Christmas: the destroyed diadem, the ghost at rest, the incinerated ring, and the fake locket he'd obtained.
Finally, his thoughts landed on the Resurrection Stone.
This Deathly Hallow carried a terrible curse, one that offered almost no loopholes for a wizard to exploit.
A magical being had to wear it for the curse to activate; otherwise, the Resurrection Stone couldn't be used.
As for why a magical being was required... Sean guessed that non-magical beings probably didn't even register in Voldemort's eyes.
The curse couldn't be broken, only endured, much like that potion in the cave.
Voldemort had gone further in the art of curses than any wizard in the magical world today. At least, Sean saw absolutely no hope of breaking the curse.
So, what should he do to use the Resurrection Stone?
Throughout the long, sunny day, all kinds of wizards wandered in and out of the shops and dined under the brightly colored umbrellas outside the cafes.
Beside Marcus, Sean could hear customers showing each other their purchases:
"Look at this, old chap, a Lunascope—no more messing about with moon charts, eh?"
Or discussing the merits of magical schools:
"Personally, I think Hogwarts is the best wizarding school in the world. I wouldn't send my children anywhere else."
Marcus was itching to move the moment he saw the ice cream parlor.
"Ice cream, of course, that would be wonderful."
So, without further ado, he pulled Sean to sit in the bright sunshine outside Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.
Every half hour, he was happy to add another serving of ice cream to their table.
"Oh, time flies so fast, my good boy. You're going to be a third year..."
When Marcus spoke, the ice cream stuck in his beard trembled.
After a while, they plunged into Quality Quidditch Supplies.
Marcus enjoyed moments like this: a crowd had gathered inside Quality Quidditch Supplies. They squeezed in sideways, pushed past the excited wizards and witches, and saw a newly erected podium. With a wave of his hand, he bought a Nimbus 2001.
"I haven't played in a Quidditch match for a long time," Sean tried to dissuade him.
"Ah, that's fine. Another bottle of Broomstick Handle Polish, sir," Marcus said boisterously.
The owner of Quality Quidditch Supplies was beaming with joy and even told them a special piece of news:
"Yes, at ten o'clock, the most mysterious shop in Diagon Alley will open to the public. The legendary Mr. Hermes is launching a new magical creation."
The elderly wizard said.
"That really is..."
The moment Marcus spoke, the entire Diagon Alley began to change.
Colorful posters were hung up; even the walls of the Quidditch shop were plastered with them.
"That mysterious shop has brought a lot of foot traffic to Diagon Alley," the owner said cheerfully, watching a young wizard hang up a poster.
A special creature began to float over the entirety of Diagon Alley: Puffskeins.
Their bodies were like round balls covered in soft, custard-colored fur.
Sean knew these were gentle magical creatures—you could cuddle them or toss them around, and they wouldn't mind at all. They had always been popular pets among wizards.
Of course, the price wizards sold them for wasn't low either.
Now, they had been enchanted with special magic, floating in the bright, brilliant sunshine of Diagon Alley.
Their long pink tongues held some promotional flyers. If you touched one, it would place a flyer in your hand.
All of Diagon Alley was buzzing with excitement. Witches and wizards happily took the flyers from the Puffskeins.
But in fact, if they looked up, they would find that the hanging posters and the flyers in their hands said the same thing.
> Mr. Hermes is about to bring reform to the wizarding world—are you still using fireplaces and owls?
> Magic Hand Mirror: Breaking the barriers of space!
> While other children are video calling their families face-to-face from school, is your child still bitterly waiting for an owl's reply?
Various slogans filled the wizards' eyes. They became inexplicably anxious, wanting to understand what exactly this "Magic Hand Mirror" was.
—This item had been promoted by major newspapers for several days straight.
And they didn't even need to look for it; well-dressed wizards had already started using Apparition to usher them.
"Fairy Tale Shop is open for a limited time, right at shop number 77, Diagon Alley. If you are in a hurry, please take my hand."
"No pushing, no need to line up, but please remember, each wizard can only stay in the Fairy Tale Shop for half an hour per day. Whether you buy or not, please leave. We hope for your understanding."
"Respected Madam, please take my hand..."
Marcus was confused by these changes, but he was clearly touched by the line about "your child still bitterly waiting for an owl's reply."
More than that—he was the one who was constantly waiting bitterly for owls.
"What is a Magic Hand Mirror?"
He asked the usher.
"You can go to the Fairy Tale Shop to check it out."
The usher politely extended a hand.
"I'm not so old that I need to use your Apparition."
Marcus refused, then looked at Sean hesitantly.
"Shall we go take a look?"
A few minutes later, they arrived at the Fairy Tale Shop, which was already packed with wizards.
Fortunately, the Fairy Tale Shop had been expanded multiple times with Undetectable Extension Charms; otherwise, it probably couldn't have held hundreds of wizards.
"Give me one more! Sir! Just one!"
A wizard said.
"The rule of the Fairy Tale Shop has always been one per person, sir. Please don't make it difficult for us."
The attendant refused decisively.
"Do you still have the Pegasus version? Or the Dragon?"
"I need a three-way mirror, the slim version. Galleons are not a problem—"
"Is the camera function real? Can I stop using that bulky camera?"
Various noisy voices mixed together, making one's ears buzz.
At this moment, the attendant beside Marcus said casually:
"The first batch is only three hundred units. Mr. Hermes actually had no intention of selling them; it's just that he inadvertently changed the entire wizarding world again..."
The well-dressed wizard said proudly. He seemed very satisfied with his job.
And not just because of the generous salary Mr. Marr offered.
Marcus was already handling a Magic Hand Mirror. When he fully understood the function of this magical creation, his breathing became rapid:
"Sir, hurry, give me one—"