After he passed through the reception room, the view suddenly opened up.
This was the central office area of the Marauders Power Company.
Unlike the chaos at the Ministry of Magic, everything here was orderly and efficient.
Huge magical projection screens floated in midair, displaying scrolling streams of real-time data:
[Automatic Tracking Handcuffs: today's production: 200 pairs. Main destination: French Ministry of Magic orders.] [Anti-jinx cloaks: low-stock warning. Demiguise hair replenishment required.] [W.O.M.B.A.T. mock papers: sales surging, particularly in the American market.]
Numerous employees in well-tailored dark uniforms bustled through different areas, holding shorthand light pens invented by Douglas and working rapidly on floating recording boards.
Most striking of all were the House-elves weaving through the crowd.
They were completely different from those Bill had seen elsewhere.
They wore neat miniature black waistcoats and white shirts, with their names and the words "Logistics Department" embroidered in gold on their chests.
Their backs were straight, their strides brisk, and their faces held the confidence of professionals.
Several House-elves carried silver trays of espresso and Invigoration Draughts with exceedingly graceful movements.
Apparently, the vampire Valerius had personally trained these House-elves in etiquette.
That elegance and haughtiness found a curious expression in these little creatures.
Such was the Marauders Power Company's confidence-even someone serving refreshments was at the top of the profession.
"Hey! Bill! Up here!"
A familiar shout came from overhead.
Bill looked up to see Fred and George floating in the open space of the second-floor atrium.
The Twins wore thick-soled boots gleaming silver, evidently testing some sort of antigravity device.
After all, not everyone liked wearing shoe lifts.
"Look who's back! Our archaeologist! The leading man of Tomb Raider!"
Fred shouted with a laugh, performing a hair-raising 360-degree flip in midair while waving a test tube that emitted