A Certain Magical Hogwarts

Chapter 884 Do you want a medium, large, or extra-large?

Guided by the magic wand, the two strolled through Santa Claus Village along its roads.

Snowmen and ice sculptures are everywhere, creating a dreamlike world under the lights.

However, since it was early morning, there were hardly any tourists outside.

After going around in circles, the two finally stopped in front of an ice cream shop.

Selling ice cream within the Arctic Circle—the shop owner really has a... whimsical idea.

Among the people William knows, perhaps only Luna can match his quick wit.

The shop owner must have seen plenty of this kind of toxic business advice: selling combs to monks, and magic wands to duds.

The most outrageous one is that the ice cream shop's sign is called "Ice Queen".

William knew, of course, that such a trademark already existed in the world, and that it was a global chain.

But for a wizard like him who specifically seeks out wizards, isn't that a bit too straightforward?

William pushed open the door and went inside. The bells made of ice rang out with a surprisingly pleasant sound.

A stunningly beautiful woman is sitting at a workbench, hand-grinding Sumatran coffee beans.

A unique fragrance filled the room.

She wore a felt hat to cover her hair.

But the bangs falling around her ears still revealed that she had Veela's silver hair.

It seems that the song we just heard was sung by this Veela.

William instantly understood the source of their confidence in selling ice cream.

Her beauty alone can attract a large number of customers, and her singing voice can bring in even more tourists.

Let alone selling ice cream, people would buy snow directly.

The woman was also a little surprised; she hadn't expected guests to come to her door so early in the morning.

Were the tourists attracted by their own singing?

But she didn't get up. The coffee beans were only half ground, so she could only apologize and say, "Welcome, please wait a little while."

William nodded and led Hermione to a small wooden table to sit down.

It was too cold, so they both wore hats and scarves, covering most of their faces. They could conceal their identities without the need for compound decoctions.

The store was decorated warmly, with Santa Claus decorations everywhere and a small TV showing the morning news.

A Finnish news anchor is reporting the news:

Storms hit parts of southern Texas, causing icy roads and road closures.

And more than 400 million people experienced power outages.

Then, the host brought up the recent earthquake, contrasting it starkly with the past... and then the Finnish people returned to their peaceful lives, while those abroad suffered terribly.

William's attention, however, was not on the television, but on the Veela.

It's not because she's pretty... well, she is indeed very pretty.

But no matter how beautiful she is, can she be more beautiful than the great fairy Babling?

However, Veenas generally live in groups... If one Veena runs a shop here, there should be other Veenas near the Arctic Circle.

Barbling is a board member of Durmstrang, and her hometown seems to be in Northern Europe.

Did she also come from here?

William quickly pieced together all the clues, preparing to test the other party.

With her back to the two customers, the woman quietly snapped her fingers, and the coffee beans were instantly ground.

Although grinding coffee beans by hand in the morning is a very romantic task, it's understandable to slack off occasionally.

The woman wiped her hands, took the price list, walked over, placed it on the table, and asked softly, "What would you two like to order?"

"Two Blizzard ice creams, please." William stared at the Veela, glancing at her name tag.

There's a name on it: Elsa.

"Medium, large, or extra-large?" Elsa asked.

"..."

Oh no, it feels like my DNA has been disturbed!

However, William wouldn't insist on a medium cup; he quickly said, "I'll have a large cup."

Elsa nodded, turned and walked to the worktable. There was a small window in the wall, and she pulled the bell.

After waiting a few seconds without any response, Elsa impatiently knocked on the glass, and then hurried footsteps came from behind the kitchen.

There were also loud crashing sounds of things breaking.

Elsa's lips twitched, and she gave a professional, fake smile: "New staff members... are always clumsy."

Just then, a chubby hand hurriedly reached out and placed two cups on the worktable.

Elsa picked up the plate, walked over to the guest, and placed it on the table.

William and Hermione exchanged a glance.

The small window is magically blocked, shielding it from the view of Muggles.

But they can see it.

The person making the ice cream... isn't even human.

How can human hands grow hair?

Unless his later years are unfortunate!

William remained calm, looking at Elsa with curiosity, and asked:

"What kind of machine do you use to make ice cream? I'd like to learn so I can open a chain store like this in another place someday."

"Ha~ This is our exclusive craft, passed down through eight generations of single-lineage techniques. We never reveal the secret recipe, sorry."

Elsa smiled and winked deliberately, as if worried about seeing something, and then secretly cast a confusion spell on William.

However... it failed.

She squinted, her eyes wary, and asked, "Are you two wizards?"

"Yes," William grinned. "You're a Veela, aren't you?"

"Vessels can open shops too, it's not illegal, is it?" Elsa shrugged.

Opening a shop is certainly not illegal, since even marriage is permitted.

Marrying a Veela is a man's lifelong dream.

Just like mermaids, marrying a handsome male wizard is their lifelong wish.

"It's not illegal, but..." William said slowly, "I suspect you of illegally raising dangerous magical creatures, and your shop needs to be inspected."

Hermione reached into her pocket with her right hand, pulled out an ID, and waved it in front of Elsa.

"Um...we are members of the International Wizarding Federation's Special Operations Team."

She also brought out her acting skills honed over many years, getting into character in a second.

This is definitely not a fake certificate.

Last year, when they went to the Alps for a rescue mission, the two of them were temporarily assigned to the mission team.

Elsa rolled her eyes and said innocently, "I'm operating legally, not a shady business."

"What's the deal with the ice cream?" Hermione asked.

"I suspect you're the one who imprisoned and enslaved the snowmen..."

Hermione considered the charge for a moment, and William promptly interjected, "Making ice cream."

Hermione almost burst out laughing. This charge of yours... is a bit too far-fetched, isn't it?

But she kept a straight face and tried her best to agree:

That's right!

do you know?

Last year's International Wizarding Union Congress decided to establish a breeding sanctuary for the Yeti.

Keeping yetis without a permit is prohibited, especially in Muggle-populated areas.

You have violated Articles 73 and 76 of the Secrecy Law.

“Of course…” William added. “You have the right to remain silent, but everything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”

Elsa's eyes showed a hint of surprise, then she pursed her lips... Wizards are such a hassle.

I've been running this ice cream shop for years and nobody's bothered me, but you two are making a fuss!

She yelled towards the small kitchen, "Get out here right now! I've run into someone trying to cause trouble!"

William and Hermione both drew their wands and looked around warily, as if a room full of bread people might jump out of the kitchen at any moment.

But after waiting for more than ten seconds, there was still no movement, and an awkward atmosphere filled the air.

Elsa cursed under her breath and ran towards the kitchen.

William and Hermione followed, and when they pushed open the door, the scene inside left them both stunned:

A group of snowmen and Olaf, all wearing aprons and masks, were huddled on small stools watching TV.

I was so engrossed in watching that I didn't hear Elsa's voice at all.

Elsa raised an eyebrow and kicked a snowman in the butt, and only then did they realize what was happening and stand up abruptly.

"Are you still going to investigate my shop, you nosy little Auror?" Elsa asked with a smug smile.

"I'm not checking anymore. I was just joking, ma'am."

Elsa was speechless.

"I just lied. I'm actually a French wizard." William raised his hand to indicate he was harmless.

"I just want to know how to get to the Ice Queen's palace."

Elsa looked confused: "Isn't this the place? There's even a sign hanging at the entrance."

However, there was no palace, only an ice cream shop.

"Oh...never mind then, let's go." William turned to leave.

Elsa breathed a sigh of relief.

There have been so many wizards looking for the Ice Queen's Palace lately... Last time it was two old men, and now it's two young men.

Before Elsa could catch her breath, the young wizard suddenly turned around and asked:

"Does anyone know Bathilda Babling?"

She asked me to pass on a message to you.

Elsa paused, realizing something was wrong.

Sure enough, a snowman was already buzzing excitedly and impatiently:

"You know Bushy? She hasn't come back to see us for years. What message did she ask you to deliver?!"

William smiled broadly; his guess had indeed been right.

Babling is the Veela here... a half-blood Veela of Slytherin descent.

Even the men and women in the story of "The Snow Queen" may be related to her.

William glanced at the snowman, who was over two meters tall but as docile as a puppy, and said with an honest and simple expression:

"Take me to the Ice Queen's palace, and I'll tell you what that little girl, Ba...Xi, said."

"Okay, okay!" the snowman said. "Let's go now."

Elsa: "..."

……

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(End of this chapter)