Although wizards did not revere Muggle gods, they were enthusiastic about celebrating Christmas.
Apart from essential workers, practically every profession began its holiday a week early.
As the holidays drew closer, Hogsmeade, the Wizarding World's only Wizard City, gradually began to live up to its name.
Besides the twenty thousand local wizards moving in one after another, many foreign wizards had immigrated as well.
There were also the national delegations and their relatives who had stayed behind, along with tourists who had yet to leave.
The total population had already surpassed fifty thousand, bringing together one-sixth of the entire Wizarding World's population!
The British Wizarding World's dominant position was unshakable!
The British Ministry of Magic predicted that once Christmas arrived and the entire Wizarding World went on holiday, Hogsmeade might see another explosive surge in visiting foreign wizards.
Whether in the Muggle World or the Wizarding World, the concept of a demographic dividend applied equally.
And so all the British Ministry of Magic's efforts were now focused on doing everything possible to make these people stay!
The Ministry's newly established Department of Commerce had already temporarily reassigned fifty employees to its staff, yet they were still run off their feet.
More shops opened along Hogsmeade's crossroads, while supporting facilities were being built in succession.
This was only possible in the Wizarding World, with its wondrous magic, and because the Construction Crew that had built Hogsmeade had gained considerable experience.
Otherwise, they might not have finished in time.
On the bustling streets, five composed old men with distinguished bearing toured the city together.
As they watched Hogsmeade's flourishing prosperity, they showed none of the joy of those around them. Like mere spectators, their eyes held only indifference and scrutiny.
Half an hour later, the five returned to a small building in