#245 - Chapter 245: A New Hogsmeade
"Little ones, Hogsmeade is here."
The shuttle driver slowly parked the bus and then enthusiastically introduced Hogsmeade to the students on board.
"This is the Hogsmeade Visitor Center. I suggest you grab a magical map inside and use the information on it to explore."
"I hope you have a great time today."
The three got off the bus, and the scene before them completely stunned Harry.
He had previously heard Ron say that Hogsmeade was just a quiet wizarding village with only a few shops and some old wooden houses.
However, what was now in front of them was an emerging, vibrant wizarding city.
He carefully examined the city before him and found that his first impression was that it was just like Diagon Alley.
Harry shook his head slightly, feeling that his thoughts were a little ridiculous.
This place was clearly much more lively and grand than Diagon Alley.
Diagon Alley was too crowded and too old-fashioned.
Before them was a city that looked more modern, with wide and clean streets and brand-new buildings standing in rows, completely different from the old village site to the west.
All kinds of shops, restaurants, and entertainment facilities were everywhere, and each shop's window was decorated with ingenuity, displaying all kinds of magical items.
In the distance, green flames never stopped in the fireplaces, and wizards kept arriving via Floo Powder.
The streets were full of busy wizards, carrying shopping bags and enthusiastically discussing their Hogsmeade experiences.
"Wow, this place looks even more lively than Diagon Alley," Ron said, dumbfounded, looking around, almost unable to believe his eyes.
He stared at the colorful neon signs, making啧啧sounds of admiration: "This is simply a shopping paradise for the wizarding world!"
While Harry and Ron were looking at the new Hogsmeade with emotion, Hermione had already been to the Visitor Center and returned to them with three magical maps.
"Ron, Harry, look," Hermione said, pointing to the map in her hand, "All the shops in the original Hogsmeade village have moved into this new city."
"Only the Hog's Head Inn is still in its original location."
Hearing Hermione's words, Ron quickly took the map and started looking at it.
"Merlin's beard, even the Three Broomsticks has moved to the new city."
"In addition to the original shops here, even many shops in Diagon Alley have come here to open branches."
"There are also branches of the Auror Office, Swan Alchemy, Swan Media, and even St. Mungo's has opened a first-aid station here."
"A grand plan, a truly grand plan!"
"There's more, look at the new city plan on the back of the map," Hermione read to her two companions.
【Welcome to the new Hogsmeade—the ideal home for wizards!
Here is the shining pearl next to Hogwarts School, a vibrant wizarding city.
Whether you are settling down or staying for a short time, we can meet your needs.
We have complete living facilities.
Shopping, dining, entertainment,
Everything is here, making wizards' daily lives easier.
Wizarding kindergartens and wizarding elementary schools will be opened soon,
Providing children with good early childhood education,
Let them grow up in the world of magic from an early age.
Enrollment will officially begin next spring. Parents are welcome to sign up.
In addition, next spring, the Hogsmeade Advanced Institute of Magical Research will be established,
Opening its doors to wizards who wish to explore the mysteries of magic in depth,
All wizards who are determined to devote themselves to magical research are welcome to sign up.
The new Hogsmeade,
It's not just a wizarding village,
It is also a home full of hope and dreams.
All wizards are welcome to settle here,
Let us witness the perfect integration of magic and life together!】
"The advertisement didn't lie," Ron said, pointing to the map, "These buildings are already marked on the map."
"Point your wand at it, and brand-new prompts will pop up. They are now recruiting teachers and conducting six-month pre-job training to ensure that all children receive the most professional guidance."
"If we had these things earlier, my mother would definitely have sent all of us siblings to kindergarten."
"Seriously, I'm tempted," Hermione said with shining eyes, "This place is like a wealthy area in the Muggle world, with all kinds of facilities."
"I can't imagine how happy the children living here are."
"After graduation, I must buy a house here and settle down here."
"Don't talk about things so far away, I'm already starving to death," Ron said, pointing to the food area on the map, "Let's go eat first."
"I have a feeling," Harry grinned, "Our wallets are going to suffer."
"Haha," Ron waved his hand, "I've worked so hard studying and working, can't I enjoy myself a little?"
"Today, I'm going to splurge. Let's go."
The three walked side by side on the wide street, feeling very relaxed, constantly discussing the shops on both sides of the street, with an air of directing the country.
"Look, there's a shop here called the Hogwarts Exhibition Shop, but it's not open yet. I wonder what the school will sell here."
"There are advertisements everywhere for 10% off, and some shops even specify that you can enjoy a 20% discount with a valid Hogwarts student ID."
"Don't look, don't look, if I look any more, I can't help but go shopping, otherwise I always feel like I'm losing money."
Arriving at the food area, the three were immediately dazzled, and before they even reached the Three Broomsticks, they were already eating all kinds of delicacies.
Hermione held a string of takoyaki and kept recommending it to Harry and Ron.
"That Turkish meat pie is delicious!"
"And that crepe!"
"The cakes in this pastry shop look very soft and glutinous. We can come here to customize birthday cakes later."
"The grilled skewers look good too. Heavens, have these wizards all gone to the Muggle world to learn? Why is everything so delicious."
Unable to resist Hermione's temptation, Harry and Ron bought one of everything they saw, and soon their hands were full.
Ron used both hands, first eating a bite of the crepe in his left hand, then a bite of the grilled skewer in his right hand, and soon he was full.
But he was still not satisfied and dragged Hermione and Harry to the new Three Broomsticks.
Even though it was twice as large as the original shop, it was still extremely crowded and noisy.
A beautiful lady with a delicate figure was greeting a group of noisy wizards behind the bar.
Ron stepped forward and said with a slightly red face: "Madam Rosmerta, three butterbeers, please."
Looking at the other party's scrutinizing gaze, Ron quickly added: "Of course, non-alcoholic."
After getting the butterbeer, the three sat around a wooden table in the corner and began to enjoy this moment of leisure.
"Ron, do you like the landlady here? I saw your face turn red just now," Hermione teased.
"No, I don't understand what you're talking about."
"Really? Then why did you have to come here to drink butterbeer?"
"I just... I just heard Fred and George say that the landlady here is very nice, and I just wanted to come and see."
Harry drank his butterbeer, happily watching the two bickering.
Hearing Hermione's teasing, Ron's face turned even redder, like an autumn apple.
He quickly spread the magical map on the table, awkwardly changing the subject.
"Come on, let's plan our route, and we'll set off as soon as we finish our beer."
Hermione smiled and pointed to the magic cinema on the map.
"Magic cinema, I wonder what the difference is between watching movies here and in the Muggle world."
"Today's movie is 'The Merlin Saga' starring Professor Lockhart."
"Shall we go see it together?"
Ron breathed a sigh of relief and waved his hand.
"No problem, let's do it!"
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