Chapter 304: Grand Fair and the Chess Tournament! (I)
Wednesday, 31st January 1986
Diagon Alley
From Leaky Cauldron to the end of Diagon Alley, from Carkitt Market and Horizont Alley to Knockturn Alley, thousands of wizards and witches could be seen, buzzing like bees.
People had come from all over Britain, and the very morning of the Grand Fair had already surpassed both the ministry and the other organizers' expectations.
It seemed they had truly underestimated the craving of ordinary wizardkind for something like this.
Owls were soaring overhead, accompanied by paper dragons and birds, bringing letters from one shop to another. Children were awing, mooning, and drooling everywhere, seeing one wonderful and mysterious thing after another.
Custom broomsticks were on display, special objects of all kinds were being sold and bartered, sparks were exploding here and there, and the very air smelled of magic.
A few wizards could be heard talking among themselves this time, if one cared enough to listen.
"The only time I ever saw so many people was during the World Cup..."
"Aye... Blimey! Get away you rascal..."
"What is this sticky substance?"