Harry's eyes widened as he looked towards the location of Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. It had been closed when he visited Diagon Alley at the start of his sixth year, but now it seemed to have reopened. He walked over quickly, noticing a "Closed" sign on the door. Calming down, he stared at the large umbrella outside, recalling moments spent there eating ice cream and doing homework. Touching the umbrella, he found not a speck of dust on it.
This indicated someone had cleaned it, but Harry wasn't sure who. The answer might be at his next destination. Excited, he headed towards Sword Castle but was stopped at the entrance.
"Sorry, no visitors today, there's an important event."
"Kreemi?" Harry was surprised to see the witch blocking his path.
"It's Harry," Kreemi Vela said with a smile, greeting him. "Are these your friends?" she glanced behind him, recognizing some and not others.
Hermione also seemed surprised to see Kreemi.
"It's chaotic inside, I came out for some air," Kreemi explained. "Penelope is inside." "Has Alrick returned?" Hermione asked. "Not yet," Kreemi sighed, "He's inspecting our branches in Latin America, might be another week."
As one of the earliest members of 'Future World' company, aside from Lupin, others were also entrusted with significant responsibilities. Over the years, they each took charge of areas according to their interests. Kreemi enjoyed delving into technology, Penelope leaned towards daily management. At times when Lupin was distracted by the work of the Phoenix Society, it was these two who kept the company running. As for Alrick, he managed the foreign branches.
"By the way, Kreemi," Harry asked about the doubt that had arisen in front of the ice cream shop. "Have you seen Florean Fortescue?"
Kreemi thought for a moment. "The ice cream shop owner?"
"Yes!" Harry said excitedly.
"He came." Kreemi confirmed.
"Wasn't he kidnapped by Voldemort?" Ron asked.
"Because he was lucky to escape becoming an Inferius," an unfamiliar voice joined their conversation. Harry looked up sharply to see an elderly man with white hair, saying in surprise, "Mr. Fortescue?"
"Mr. Potter, I'm glad you remember me," Florean said sentimentally.
"Of course, I remember you!" Harry said. "But how did you escape?"
"I didn't escape; I was rescued by an Auror," Florean explained. "Voldemort had kidnapped a group of people skilled in magical history, including me, and some wandmakers. I know one, Gregorovitch, wasn't so lucky and didn't survive the torture."
Harry vaguely knew about this. Voldemort had concocted the 'Ten Great Wands' rumor by torturing these individuals. Mr. Ollivander was also a target but luckily evaded the Death Eaters, later spreading rumors he had fled abroad while hiding in his shop's basement, even deceiving Voldemort.
"Did you just mention Inferi?" Harry asked.
"Yes," Florean's expression darkened with a hint of fear. "Voldemort tortured us based on our fame, seeking very secret information. Luckily, I knew a bit, but he changed his mind halfway through and turned to interrogating more well-known wandmakers. I wasn't tortured much, just held for a long time... I wasn't sure I could keep deceiving Voldemort. Those who died from torture were turned into Inferi."
Harry felt a mix of hatred for Voldemort's cruelty and confusion over Florean's vague statements until Hermione's lip-reading made him realize. Florean was talking about the Deathly Hallows. Luna's father had once inquired Florean about it, and Voldemort might have heard of the Hallows legend, but he'd only be interested in the Elder Wand. If Voldemort had interrogated everyone, Mr. Fortescue would have been in trouble, but the rumor that Professor Harp possessed the Elder Wand might have shifted his focus to other wandmakers.
"Anyway, I'm alive and can discuss my ordeal with you. The Auror who rescued me said they got a tip, probably from a Ministry informant. I've wanted to thank them," Florean shared his recent experiences. "After being rescued, I rested for a few months and recently tidied up the shop, planning to reopen..."
Florean left.
"Who do you think the informant was?" Harry asked after he had gone.
"Could it be Snape?" Ron speculated.
"Or Lucius Malfoy," Hermione suggested.
"Or Professor Harp pulled some useful information out of Voldemort's mind," Ron added.
They entered Sword Castle, finding it bustling. In the center, several Ministry of Magic employees sat behind tables, facing Diagon Alley shopkeepers discussing over parchment sheets.
A witch nearby said,
"I only sell beauty potions to fix minor flaws for witches, like freckles or moles. I don't think they'd be of much use, any healer could do similar things..."
"Don't say that, Madam Primpernelle, your beauty potions have much better effects than a regular healer's magic," the employee responded patiently.
"Really?" the witch looked skeptical.
They moved on, hearing a young wizard complain loudly, "I run a wizarding travel agency, understand? A WIZARDING travel agency, offering thrilling trips for wizards, with no liability for dangers encountered!"
The Ministry employee persisted, "Could you develop a travel package specifically for Muggles?"
The young wizard looked puzzled, "I'm not sure... Although we've tamed some zombies for more authenticity, attacks could still happen during the adventure."
"No zombies," the employee said quickly. "I mean, something unique and eye-catching."
After some thought, just as Harry and his friends decided to leave, they heard him ask, "How about the Bermuda Triangle? Though a wizard disappeared there last year and hasn't been found yet..."
Neville suddenly stopped in horror, whispering, "My great-uncle wanted to travel there; I need to dissuade him."
A familiar voice came from ahead.
"...clearly, no one cares if your item list is a page longer or shorter, because it's irrelevant."
It was either Fred or George speaking. They moved closer, finding Fred and George seated opposite a grim-faced Percy. Harry hesitated, realizing their timing might be off.
"Since you mentioned the list," Percy said through clenched teeth, "I can tell you now, half of your products are not up to standard."
"You can't do that!" Fred exclaimed.
"That's abuse of power," George shouted.
"Oh, you can take it up with the Ministry," Percy smiled smugly. "Let's see whose side they'll take. Nosebleed nougat that won't stop bleeding, puking pastilles, fainting fancies..."
Penelope leaned in from a nearby seat.
"Your brother is right. Muggles are fragile; they say a broken bone takes months to heal," she said sternly. "We need to exclude dangerous items from the trade list as much as possible."
Ron grinned, putting his hands on the twins' shoulders, seizing the opportunity to kick them while they were down.
"To be fair, some of their products even wizards can't handle. They must be strictly reviewed."
Fred and George turned to face Ron, their expressions blank, making him uneasy.
Harry had anticipated this scene. He looked up, searching for the ceaseless noise since entering Sword Castle. A group of house-elves peeked out from the upstairs railing, excitedly watching from above.
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