bookbashuk Chapter 114 Parisian Shop Windows and Easter Eggs
Chapter 114 Parisian Shop Windows and Easter Eggs
Chapter 114 Parisian Shop Windows and Easter Eggs
Stepping out of Nico's alchemy workshop, Cullen felt as if she had returned from a highly condensed treasure trove of knowledge to a secluded and tranquil manor. In the foyer, Dumbledore was leisurely admiring a tapestry depicting a medieval gathering of alchemists, while Perenaar carried an exquisite wicker basket, clearly ready to go out.
"It seems our young alchemist has made quite a haul?" Dumbledore turned around, a gentle smile on his face.
"Unbelievable, Professor Dumbledore," Cullen replied sincerely, her mind still replaying the magical diagrams of those exquisite instruments in operation. "Mr. Flamel's workshop has changed some of my preconceived notions about alchemy."
"Understanding the essence of the world, rather than pursuing fleeting miracles, is the cornerstone of alchemy." Nico's voice came from behind him; he had changed into a more practical dark blue robe. "Ready, Karen? We're about to set off."
"I'm ready, Mr. Lemaître!" Karen suppressed the last trace of gloom that had settled over Professor Castor's illness, trying to make his voice sound energetic. He understood that his mentor needed him to focus on himself, not wallow in worry.
Perenaar smiled and handed Karen a small sachet with a faint minty scent: "Hang it inside your clothes, Karen. Unlike in England, the magical streets of Paris are quite crowded, and the wizards here come from more diverse backgrounds, including many from other countries. This will help you stay alert and avoid the discomfort caused by a jumble of magical perceptions."
"Thank you, Madame Lemaître." Karen did as she was told, and a cool breeze immediately enveloped her nose, easing her intense concentration from the studio tour.
Instead of using the magical fountain archway, they entered a French countryside valley bathed in the soft morning light through an inconspicuous side door of the mansion. In stark contrast to the tranquility inside the mansion, this place was teeming with natural life. After walking along a narrow path, a stone pavilion covered in vines came into view. Nico stepped forward and lightly tapped a stone brick on a pillar of the pavilion, engraved with an iris emblem, with his wand.
The ground in the center of the stone pavilion silently rotated and sank, revealing a downward spiral stone staircase.
"Welcome to one of the 'back doors' of the Parisian wizarding world," Nico said humorously, leading the way down the steps. Cullen followed closely behind, with Dumbledore and Perenaar bringing up the rear.
The staircase led to a wide underground passageway, paved with neat stone slabs. The walls were solid brick and stone, and at intervals stood elegant brass wall lamps, their shades glowing with steady magical flames that cast warm light. Small groups of wizards were already walking through the passageway; their attire differed slightly from that of British wizards.
The colors are richer, the cuts are more fitted, and the style is more modern.
"This is the 'Underground Corridor'," Perena explained softly to Karen, "connecting several major magical business districts and important institutions in Paris. It avoids too much contact with Muggle cities and is safer."
As Karen walked through the corridor, his Eye of Truth automatically captured the flowing magic around him. He could clearly see that the corridor itself was covered with powerful protective and confusing spells, and the magical veins were like huge roots buried deep in the ground, stable and resilient.
This contrasts sharply with the more rugged, pragmatic magical atmosphere of Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley.
After walking for about ten minutes, the view suddenly opened up. A huge underground plaza appeared before them, with a beautifully designed fountain sculpture in the center, from which magical water flowed continuously. The water droplets refracted seven colors under the magical lights.
"We've arrived. This is Place Fontaine-de-Fonds, one of the commercial centers of the magical world in Paris," Nico said.
Karen took a deep breath and stepped inside. The sight before him made him hold his breath instantly.
Unlike the cramped and crowded Diagon Alley, this place is more like a huge, vibrant underground magical market.
The high, arched dome was illuminated by countless floating magical light bulbs emitting warm yellow or silvery-white light, resembling an artificial starry sky. The wide main avenue was lined with shops, their windows exquisitely decorated. People dressed in various French wizarding robes strolled leisurely, their conversations, haggling, the clinking of metal from the shops, and soft music blending together to create a unique and vibrant rhythm.
"Here—" Karen couldn't find the right words for a moment.
"More relaxed and more comfortable, a completely different style from Diagon Alley, isn't it?" Dumbledore said with a smile. "French wizards seem to prefer to integrate magic into every aspect of life rather than deliberately distinguishing between them."
“That’s true.” Nico nodded, clearly familiar with the place. “It’s not just a place to shop, but also a place for socializing, exchanging information, and even small academic salons.”
"Easter is coming soon, so the atmosphere is always a bit more lively," Perenaar explained with a smile.
Karen then noticed that many shop windows were decorated with Easter elements. Huge, magically sculpted eggs floated in the air, slowly rotating, their surfaces shimmering with an alluring sheen; brightly colored tulips and hyacinths, cultivated by magic, bloomed in front of flower shops; a bakery window displayed Easter breads of various shapes, some shaped like lambs, others coiled into bird nests, with lifelike magical candy birds inside.
"Mr. Lemaître," Karen asked curiously, "do wizards have any special magical customs for Easter besides these decorations?"
“Oh, of course,” Nico said with interest. “The most interesting ones are the ‘magic eggs.’ Not all of them are made of chocolate. Some are real magical items.” He stopped in front of a shop called “Spring Egg.”
The display window showcases egg-shaped items of varying sizes and materials: some smooth as jade, some made of wood with natural grain, some shimmering with metallic luster, and even some translucent like crystal. Each egg has a small label underneath it.
“These eggs,” Nico pointed to one of the pale green wooden eggs covered in fine, vine-like patterns, “are bought by wizarding families during Easter and ‘hatched’ with specific, blessed, or hopeful magic. This process takes several days. Ultimately, something will ‘birth’ from the egg—perhaps a seedling of a magical plant that emits a specific fragrance in a particular season, perhaps a small amulet that gathers a little bit of good luck, or perhaps a small crystal containing a soothing melody. The result is full of surprises, symbolizing spring and the hope of new life.”
"Was this really hatched? It feels like a lottery." Karen actually wanted to say that it was more like opening a blind box, but even with his talent, he couldn't actually see what was inside. He could only sense that the magic inside was indeed different.
"Why don't you try it yourself?" Perenas suggested, clearly enjoying Karen's inquisitive nature. "Choose one you like as a souvenir of your first Easter in France? Of course, hatching requires patience and a little bit of magical guidance, Nicole or I can teach you."
Karen's eyes lit up, but then she hesitated: "This—it's too much for you, Madame Lemaître."
"Just a little fun, Karen." Nico patted him on the shoulder. "Consider it a celebration of our little alchemist's new academic discovery. Go ahead, pick one."
Encouragingly, under the watchful eyes of Nico and Perena, Karen entered the "Spring Egg." The shop was warm and fragrant, like being in a spring forest. A smiling witch in a light green robe greeted him. Karen carefully observed the dazzling array of magical eggs, his True Sight helping him perceive the different magical "rhythms" within them. Finally, he was drawn to a deep blue egg with shimmering silver specks on its surface, cool and smooth to the touch like obsidian. Its magical flow was profound and stable, carrying a sense of vastness, like the starry sky.
"Good eye, young man," the witch smiled. "The 'Starry Night Egg' requires the guide to have a clear mind and focused spirit. What hatches is often related to the night sky, omens, or profound thoughts. It's perfect for a studious young wizard."
Karen carefully held the cool, smooth "Starry Night Egg" in her hands, a strange sense of tranquility emanating from her palms.
Next, they accompanied Perenad on her shopping spree. At the Laurel Apothecary, Karen witnessed the meticulous classification of French potion ingredients and their unique preservation magic; at the Sleeping Garden, he was captivated by the magical flowers that swayed slowly within special glass domes, emitting a hypnotic fragrance. Nico and Dumbledore occasionally exchanged hushed conversations about the International Wizarding Federation or certain ancient magical families, sometimes even communicating in French, prompting Karen to secretly grumble that he needed to find time to learn French.
Lunch was at a sunny, open-air magical café. Karen enjoyed authentic French onion soup and a grilled chicken sandwich that was magically baked to an exceptionally crispy exterior, served with a sweet magical syrup.
During the meal, Nicole and Dumbledore chatted casually about some interesting anecdotes from the wizarding world, while Perenall gently inquired about Cullen's studies and life at Hogwarts, especially her interactions with her roommates. The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant.