Chapter 30: Memory Film
In the elegantly old-fashioned repair shop, the transaction entered the final negotiation stage.
“The passage is equipped with an operational amplifier, with an extremely fast transient response, especially suitable for recording rock drum kits… If there are any operational issues, come find me anytime; any non-human caused damage will be repaired free of charge within three years.”
“I suggest you use newspapers produced by Muggles, switch the ink to cold-set ink, which can improve printing precision and also alleviate color distortion issues… Bulk procurement of subsequent consumables comes with discounted prices; consider it carefully.”
“…”
The middle-aged wizard dressed as a shop assistant patiently explained.
The female singer and the newspaper editor were very satisfied. The former decisively pulled out a bag of gold to pay—it was genuine gold, not Galleons issued by Gringotts. The newspaper editor tentatively tried to haggle, failed, and regretfully pulled out Galleons to pay. Before leaving, still somewhat unwilling, the middle-aged male wizard helplessly gave him two boxes of ink.
Borgin was engrossed in fiddling with the portable radios he had ordered, swapping AA batteries back and forth, barely distinguishing positive and negative poles, skillfully snapping on the battery cover. The diaphragm in the speaker vibrated, emitting a sizzling sound.
This scene was not magical at all, somewhat overly Muggle.
After seeing off the two previous customers, the middle-aged wizard finally turned to greet Borgin and Melvin, his tone more casual: “Borgin, is this the guest you recommended to me?”
Borgin, holding the radio, waved his hand: “This time it’s really just a recommendation, no fees charged. You two chat.”
Melvin suddenly understood many things. No wonder Borgin knew the identities of the previous customers; he was also doing intermediary business part-time. Perhaps the female singer and newspaper editor were introduced by him.
Shifting his gaze from Borgin, he finally had time to size up the shop assistant approaching slowly.
This middle-aged wizard had a very plain face, with a few slightly messy strands of hair falling over his forehead, short curly hair, angular and square features, brown sideburns neither long nor short, a simple wizard robe on top, and loose casual dark gray work pants below. He had the kind of trait that made him unfindable in a crowd, appearing somewhat reclusive.
While Melvin looked at him, he was also sizing up Melvin, his gaze flickering as he extended his hand first to greet: “Wright Monkstanley, pleased to meet you, Professor Levent.”
Melvin was somewhat surprised upon hearing this: “You know me?”
“Hogwarts’ new Professor of Muggle Studies; the newspaper published your deeds. The newspaper also said you worked at a New York Muggle theater, using Muggle technology to create visual effects identical to magic… In the circle studying Muggle culture, your fame is almost on par with Dumbledore.” The middle-aged male wizard was no longer as reserved as before, his speaking voice less formal.
“I seem to have heard of your surname too, Monkstanley…” Melvin thought for a moment and revealed a gentle smile. “If I remember correctly, you are a descendant of Lady Levina Monkstanley, the witch hailed as the one who released light to illuminate the darkness.”
“That’s my great-grandmother.”
A faint smile appeared on Wright’s face.
In the late 18th century, it was a tumultuous era; waves from the Muggle world even affected wizarding society. From the Bastille to London, from New York to Manchester, wizards immigrated everywhere seeking stable homes. In that chaotic and uneasy time, her mother invented the Illumination Charm, today’s 『Lumos』, greatly inspiring the bewildered and anxious wizarding community, and she was hailed as the witch who released light to illuminate the darkness.
“I have many Muggle-related questions I’d like to ask you, Professor Levent…”
“My honor.”
“…”
Over the next half hour, Wright asked about various aspects of Muggle society, though unrelated to equipment or machinery—more about history, culture, and customs.
Melvin also learned about Wright’s past experiences during the conversation.
After inventing and promoting the Illumination Charm, the Monkstanley Family gained a considerable wealth and stopped migrating, settling in London. They were Half-bloods from out of town to begin with, so they had no pure-blood supremacy notions. Children in the family basically went to Muggle schools for further studies after graduating from Hogwarts, actively absorbing Muggle technology achievements and Muggle knowledge, attempting to explore the path of combining technology and magic.
Steam engine improvements, Jenny spinning machine, Industrial Revolution, the brilliance of electricity and fire intertwined… The Monkstanley Family fully absorbed these nutrients and cooperated with the Ministry of Magic to create many inconceivable things.
“The prevailing thought in the wizarding world was relatively open-minded at the time. The 《Secrecy Law》 was about concealing the existence of magic from Muggles. Wizards hiding their identities to interact with Muggles might be gossiped about, but no one would openly disdain it. The original Office for the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts only prohibited misuse, not complete isolation; limited and reasonable development and modification were allowed.”
Wright’s tone was full of reminiscence: “My grandfather participated in the refitting of the Hogwarts Express, an unimaginably massive project, passing through Birmingham and Manchester into Scotland, from Glasgow to Inverness, finally arriving at Hogsmeade, spanning most of Britain, over five hundred miles in a straight line—almost unimaginable today…
“My father designed the current Ministry of Magic. Have you seen that red telephone booth? It has the romance of Muggle technology and the convenience of magic, plus the brilliant Golden Elevator…”
Melvin listened quietly, envisioning that open-minded era in his mind. If it had stably continued to the present, it would have created unimaginable brilliant achievements.
“After graduating from Muggle school, I inherited my grandfather’s and father’s careers, designing and making the Knight Bus, helping the Ministry of Magic equip cars and modify them…”
Wright paused: “During the Wizarding War decades ago, we used Muggle technology to transmit intelligence, helping many wizarding families escape the clutches of the Dark Lord and Death Eaters, making the Monkstanley title of releasing light to illuminate the darkness shine once more.”
Melvin sighed inwardly, looking at the dejected middle-aged male wizard before him, already vaguely guessing what happened next.
“After Umbridge took power, under the banner of the Secrecy Law, she halted all project developments and dismissed the office’s core technical members, leaving only pure-blood idiots who knew nothing about technology!
“I was proficient in alchemy and Muggle machinery, so I was originally on the layoff list, but the achievements of the Monkstanley surname were right there in the Ministry of Magic. The Wizengamot had Dumbledore, Madam Bones—not all were pure-blood fools like Umbridge. As soon as the Monkstanley name appeared on that pink toad’s list, it would be rejected and redrafted.
“Later she got smarter and transferred me to the Department of Mysteries, assigning me to the Obliviator group to research those ethereal prophecies, time, death veils, the massive but stupid brain of some unknown creature!”
Wright sneered: “How could researching such things yield results, let alone substantial progress? Seeing the Ministry of Magic become increasingly rotten, with Dumbledore unwilling to intervene and letting Fudge mess around, I simply resigned and left the Ministry of Magic to open this Muggle appliance repair shop here.”
Sure enough, it was Umbridge again, always Umbridge!
Umbridge, you have done nothing but evil!
“…”
Melvin glanced at the elegant decorations in the shop, then at the second-hand appliances on the shelves, feeling sorry for the Monkstanley Family. Their ancestors’ achievements were far superior to Umbridge’s. If such open-minded and progressive wizards had led the Ministry of Magic, there wouldn’t be so many messes.
Who knows who picked the current Minister?
Oh, it was their Headmaster.
Dumbledore, senile and poor at judging people!
Melvin sighed: “Isn’t opening a repair shop here too risky? According to the regulations Umbridge is enforcing now, if this shop is discovered, she’ll definitely send you to Azkaban.”
Borgin, another Azkaban reserve, heard his lament and said in his oily tone: “Professor Levent, don’t underestimate the convenience brought by the Monkstanley surname. Even if it goes to the tribunal, the Wizengamot council would at most impose a fine.
“Moreover, unlike us residents in the Knockturn Alley gutters, his clients are all prominent figures. You’ve seen the female singer and newspaper editor; those you haven’t seen include high officials from other Ministry of Magic departments, even high officials from other countries. The customers won’t stand by and watch him go to Azkaban.”
“The allure of Muggle technology is too great; their civilization too brilliant. Not all wizards are willing to live in an ignorant and backward era.” Repair shop owner Wright said, “Professor Levent, your arrival will let more and more young wizards see that brilliant light, like the glow of the Illumination Charm flickering.”
“That’s your great-grandmother’s title; I’ll pass.”
“Professor, is there something you need from me?”
Wright finally got to the main topic, genuinely puzzled about it. In his eyes, Professor Levent knew the Muggle world even better than he did; he could find purchase channels for these mechanical devices himself.
“I need a special set of image filming and projection equipment…” Melvin immediately stated his needs. “There is powerful protective magic within Hogwarts; overly precise Muggle electronic devices will short-circuit and malfunction if brought into the school, so it’s best to modify them into purely mechanical structures, possibly magic-driven—strict casting requirements are fine.”
Wright frowned: “That’s a bit difficult…”
“Also for the projection equipment, I need two sets: one small one for the office, one large one planned for display in the Great Hall. Best if it doesn’t require electricity, or converted to battery-powered, since wizarding villages and Hogwarts won’t have electricity in the short term…”
“Projecting for the entire school’s students and staff?!”
Wright stared straight at Melvin, his expression clearly becoming excited, his breathing and heartbeat accelerating. It had been a long time since Monkstanley had participated in such a big project.
He immediately began conceptualizing in his mind, muttering under his breath: “The camera can only use film… Projection equipment can’t be electric, impossible, fundamentally impossible…”
Melvin and Borgin waited quietly beside him without speaking.
After muttering to himself for a long time, Wright suddenly looked up, his voice agitated: “Memories can be made into film!”
