A Gap in Time

In the bar, decorated in a strong classical style, the simple Oil Lamp and candles emitted a slightly pungent smell, while the complex fermentation aroma emanating from the pine barrels behind the bar masked the burning odor—bitter, sweet, and slightly sour...

Muggle and wizards stood or sat, their positions scattered, their noisy chatter and the clinking of glasses filling the air.

In the bar lobby, where the atmosphere was both harmonious and strange, several time travelers stared at the bar owner.

Loren and the others looked at Daisy Dodridge in astonishment, Snape and Professor Flitwick quickly stepped forward, keeping a close watch on her warily.

"Dear guests, please don't worry," Daisy said in a cheerful tone. "Only I can see you here."

Loren and Hermione looked around, but the patrons in the bar were still chatting and drinking, completely oblivious to them.

Professor McGonagall patted Snape and Flitwick on the shoulder, signaling them to relax. She then looked hesitantly at the bar owner and asked, "Mrs. Dursley. Daisy Dodridge, the founder of the Leaky Cauldron, you seem to know our origins?"

"The founder of the Leaky Cauldron?" Daisy's eyes lit up for a moment, then quickly dimmed. "Oh, I mean, they came on the Time Storm. The commotion was so great that it was impossible not to notice them."

Upon hearing this, Professor McGonagall, usually so composed, revealed a hint of surprise in her eyes. "It sounds like you are aware of the misfortune we have encountered. Please forgive us for not having figured these things out yet. We... have some questions for you."

"It's too messy here, let's go inside and talk."

Daisy gestured for them to walk behind the bar. After exchanging a few glances, the three professors agreed to walk in that direction.

Loren and Hermione exchanged a few glances, then stood close together and, escorted by the professors, walked toward the small door behind the bar.

They had been here before; the brick wall of the courtyard behind the Leaky Cauldron was the gateway to the magical world. The Muggle-born young wizard had a deep impression of this place, as did Professor McGonagall, who was in charge of welcoming new students.

But the Leaky Cauldron, which was newly built in the early 16th century, was not what they were familiar with. Behind it were only low, sloping earthen and stone walls, and various empty wine barrels were stored under a hay shed supported by wooden sticks, as well as some discarded tables, chairs and benches.

Inside the mottled white and green crystal lampshade, a quietly burning flame emitted a faint light.

Daisy didn't use her wand; she simply waved her hand, and several intact tables and chairs bounced out and were put together to form a temporary long table for entertaining guests.

She sat down first, then summoned several wooden wine cups and a pot of Mead. After pouring some for the others, she took a sip herself, squinting her eyes contentedly. "Please sit, guests... Did you also pile up empty wine barrels here in the Leaky Cauldron of your time?"

Professor McGonagall patted Loren and Hermione on the shoulder without making a sound, signaling them not to move or speak, "Mrs. Dursley, please forgive us for not being able to reveal anything about the future, as that could have serious consequences."

"So rigid, even more rigid than Headmistress Derwent!" Daisy muttered in dissatisfaction. "You don't need to worry at all. Although we don't know how you guys triggered the Time Storm, this isn't history. Even if you blow this place up, it won't affect the future."

Professor McGonagall frowned deeply. "What do you mean?"

"It's complicated to explain." Daisy pressed her hands to her head, looking very troubled. "In terms you can understand, time is not a continuous whole. Someone used the Sand of Time in an hourglass to complete a magical ritual, completely separating this day from the river of time."

"Separation?" Professor McGonagall repeated in a puzzled tone.

"Yes, separation."

The woman in the brown cloth looked down at the Mead in the wooden wine glass. The winemaking process in the 16th century was still very crude. The wine was not clear and was even a bit cloudy. Various unidentifiable suspended matter floated in the glass.

Unlike the various noises in the bar, her voice was devoid of any emotion, like a meaningless sigh, "You know the Untraceable Extension Charm, right? You can create a portable private space with the Untraceable Extension Charm, and the effect of that magical ritual is to create a Private Time that has no impact on the real world."

Mrs. Dursley's words stirred up a storm in the hearts of the three professors. What an amazing feat it was to carve out a day of Private Time from the river of time!

"Private Time?" Loren had a vague guess in his mind.

Private Time?

No, it's more like a private prison. Repeating the same day a thousand times over, even the happiest memories become tedious and boring, and can even drive a person insane.

Who exactly imprisoned this owner of the Leaky Cauldron on this day? Were there others imprisoned in the same way...?

Following this line of thought, Loren's gaze toward Mrs. Dursley suddenly became somewhat subtle.

The outsiders' thoughts were in turmoil, but Daisy seemed completely unconcerned about what they thought. After finishing her Mead in her glass, she put it down and transformed back into the dutiful bar owner, smiling gently as she asked, "Is there anything I can help you with, esteemed guests?"

Professor McGonagall paused for a moment, then said slowly, "We want to return to our own time, Mrs. Dursley. Do you have any ideas?"

"That's easy. Under normal circumstances, the Sand of Time's Magic Power is not enough to activate or maintain Time Storm. Once you've used up the excess Magic Power, you can go back."

"The Sand of Time... excess Magic Power?" Professor McGonagall repeated softly, recalling the last scene they had witnessed in real time.

The hourglass casing on the Time-Turner was shattered by the Bone Knife, and crimson powder fell into the Sand of Time through the crack...

Seeing Snape nod slightly at her, Professor McGonagall felt reassured and immediately asked, "Madam, how... how do we dissipate the excess Magic Power?"

"Time, well, it's all spent." Daisy got up and walked towards the empty barrels, rummaging through them as she spoke. "Go back to the time you existed, wait for time to pass through you, and when it's all spent, go back."

Loren, Hermione, and the three professors looked at each other, their expressions a mixture of doubt and astonishment, unable to make up their minds.

"Ah, found it!" Daisy pulled out a strangely shaped large barrel and shoved it over.

This is a wine barrel made of spliced oak planks, with thin silver plates inlaid in the gaps and fixed with rivets. It looks like a fairy creation, with a touch of rugged beauty.

There were still 2k at midnight [whispering]