HP: The Third Child of Prophecy

Chapter 138: Restaurant

Time: 12:00 PM, Restaurant

Alexander Smith and his three companions—Harry, Hermione, and Kate—stood before the enormous whale-shaped building. Despite its odd appearance, the place bustled with customers.

"Hey Karen! A table for four, and the Krusty Crab set, please!" Alexander called out warmly to a tall, brown-haired witch weaving through the crowd.

The "Hai Zhiba" Restaurant—colloquially known as the Chum Bucket—was one of the most famous eateries in Atlantis. Its specialty was crab dishes, cooked with techniques so advanced they bordered on magical alchemy.

The restaurant was run by Sheldon, a brilliant but eccentric Atlantean wizard, and his wife Karen. The chefs and staff—Spenkey, Squillan, and Patriko—were known for their quirky personalities and equally quirky names. When Alexander first learned about them, he had been amused at the uncanny resemblance to a cartoon cast from his previous life—but that was a different world.

Regardless, the food here was unquestionably superb, and Alexander visited every chance he had.

"Alex! Haven't seen you in two weeks," Sheldon called out, beaming. "Don't tell me the quality's slipped?"

"Not at all, dear Sheldon. You know I've started Hogwarts—it's term time," Alexander replied, accepting a chilled seaweed beverage filled with fizzy, popping orbs.

"You're already eleven?" Sheldon asked in surprise. "If we didn't have scouts outside, I'd swear magic out there has evolved a hundred years ahead of ours."

Alexander smiled. "No, really. Hogwarts is important not for the curriculum, but for the location."

Sheldon blinked. "The grounds?"

Alexander nodded. "Exactly. Let me explain."

He turned to Harry and Hermione. "How do you think spells are learned and mastered?"

"Incantation, wand movement, and… intent?" Hermione replied carefully.

"Bingo. To cast a spell successfully, you need three things: the spoken incantation, the specific wand gesture, and your mental determination. But have you ever wondered why those things work?"

Harry and Hermione looked at him blankly.

Alexander continued. "Magic leaves traces. They exist in what we call the magical field—a bit like a magical internet. The first witch or wizard to create a magical phenomenon 'uploads' it, and gives it a name. Later witches and wizards can 'download' that spell from the field using the incantation, the wand motion—like a password—and your intent as the access key."

"Over time, this interaction strengthens the 'imprint' of the spell in the field, making it easier to learn and cast. And that's why places like Hogwarts—where generations of wizards have studied—have dense magical resonance. The ground is practically soaked in spell imprints."

Harry's eyes widened. Hermione quickly pulled out her ever-present Muggle notebook to jot down every word.

"Hermione," Harry whispered. "Let me copy that later."

Hermione nodded, not looking up.

Just then, Karen returned pushing a wheeled cart bearing four "Krusty Crab" platters. The meal was not burgers as Alexander had initially assumed on his first visit, but rather an exquisite arrangement of king crab prepared in a variety of ways: steamed, salt-baked, curried, braised, and more.

Each portion had distinct seasoning, texture, and flavor. The transitions between flavors were intentional and beautifully executed—one dish subtly led into the next, keeping the appetite stimulated. Even Hermione, initially cautious, found herself devouring the meal once she saw Harry dig in enthusiastically.

It was 1:00 PM when they finished eating and headed slowly toward the famed Atlantis library.

"Harry, Hermione," Alexander said, "the books here are open to everyone for reading, but outsiders like us aren't allowed to borrow them."

The library building was massive and clearly much older in style than the other avant-garde Atlantean structures. Statues of ancient wizards lined the approach, each with a gilded inscription at its base telling of their contributions to the city's founding—how they formed alliances with mermaids, restored the ruins, and created Atlantis as it stood today.

"They were amazing," Hermione murmured, pausing to read the inscriptions. But Harry walked briskly ahead, eyes only for the knowledge inside.

"I recommend starting with the first-year textbooks from their magic school," Alexander called after him. "It's called 'The Academy' here."

Inside the library, books floated freely in the air like stars in a galaxy. Gleaming protective charms shimmered on their spines. When Harry voiced his desire for first-year materials, seven books descended gently around him—each one titled simply: Year 1 Potions, Year 1 Charms, and so on.

"This is incredible," Harry whispered, reaching out with reverence.

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