With the intervention of the short, stout wizard, the agitated Troll pack actually managed to suppress their tempers. Although they still showed signs of restlessness, they ultimately refrained from any further aggressive intent and were cald down.
The smaller Troll, called Lulu, kept grunting in Troll language, communicating with its companions. anwhile, the wizard turned to Severus and the others with a serious expression.
He appeared very wary.
"Who are you? This is the Albanian Magical Creature Nature Reserve! Any act harming magical creatures will be considered poaching and subject to legal prosecution!"
Severus took out the note Angelo had given him from his pocket, stepped forward, and asked, "Excuse , are you Mr. Pique Andrews?"
Hearing his na, Andrews looked surprised.
"Yes, I'm Andrews. And you are?"
Severus handed him the note.
"Angelo recomnded I co find you. He said you've traveled almost all of Albania's forest reserves in recent years."
Andrews initially looked skeptical. But after taking the note from Severus and reading it carefully, he asked with confusion, "He says you're his friends and asked you to co to for help. But what about him? He said he'd co see one last ti before I left Europe. Why didn't he co with you?"
"He's temporarily tied up with soone else. When we got off the plane, he also told he had other matters to attend to in Albania. So, after everything is settled, he'll find his way here later."
Hearing this, Andrews couldn't help but scratch his head. His expression finally relaxed a bit as he said, "Alright. Angelo says you're quite famous figures in Britain. Sorry, I've been wandering in the deep mountains and old forests for many years, so news from outside doesn't reach well..."
As he spoke, he extended a hand to Severus.
Severus also extended his hand and shook it.
"Severus Snape, a novice adventurer. This here is Remus Lupin, an experienced adventurer."
Lupin was sowhat helpless at Severus's introduction, but at least he didn't call him his nephew or sothing in front of others. He also shook hands with Andrews.
"These two children are Dudley Dursley and Draco Malfoy. They're both young wizards not yet of school age. We're traveling with them."
Andrews gave Harry and Draco, standing behind Severus, a peculiar look, and muttered, "I really haven't seen many people bring young wizards not yet of school age on adventures... Their parents must be quite carefree."
Just then, the Troll nad Lulu, who was short compared to other Trolls but still over ten feet tall and extrely burly, ca stomping over on its large, flat feet towards the wizards!
"Pique... save it! Save..."
Lulu actually managed to utter a few English words!
This surprised both Severus and Lupin. They knew how stupid Trolls generally were. The worst grade in Hogwarts wizard exams was even denoted by [Troll].
Of course, Trolls capable of understanding human language had appeared in the Wizarding World, but they were absolutely rare. And they were mostly employed by the Ministry of Magic or Gringotts as guards.
But this Troll nad Lulu seed even smarter than those accepted and employed by wizards.
"Is this Troll naturally intelligent? Like how humans can have intellectually disabled children?" Severus whispered to Lupin.
"It's also possible that this Mr. Andrews taught it this. Didn't Angelo say that his cousin is an expert in Troll research?"
"Not necessarily. The Ministry also has Dentor research experts. Can they make Dentors reform and stop sucking souls? A Troll's brain is innate… it's almost impossible to change after birth."
As they were talking, Andrews also turned back and requested of Severus and the others, "Could you release Jackman? It likes to nap outside the valley and has gets grumpy upon waking, like a child who doesn't know better. If it offended you, I apologize on its behalf."
Severus, of course, wouldn't hold a grudge against a dim-witted Troll. He casually waved his wand, and the iron cage, originally transford from vines, reverted to its plant form. With a forceful tug, the Troll broke free from its restraints and ran out.
It still seed unconvinced, snorting a puff of white steam from its large nose, still wanting to teach Severus and the others a lesson.
But the intelligent Troll nad Lulu ran over at that mont, extended its large foot, and gave the other Troll's butt a kick.
This reprimand instantly dissipated its anger. It just scratched its bald head, with its ugly face showing grievance.
After Lulu, wielding a club, chased it back into the Troll pack with a mix of hits and kicks, the group of several dozen Trolls, who had been so nacing earlier, also put down their weapons and dispersed back into the valley in twos and threes.
Andrews also invited Severus and the others.
"Co along. If there's any help I can provide, I certainly will."
Naturally, Severus and the others didn't refuse.
The four followed Andrews, walking along the bank of the stream into the valley surrounded by four mountains.
The stream converged into a small lake within the valley, looking like a mirror inlaid between the hills, reflecting the blue sky!
The trees here had long been cleared by the Trolls. They had built a crude settlent by the lake.
The Trolls' small, coconut-sized heads couldn't hold many complex thoughts. The structures built from wood could hardly be called houses… they were more like shacks.
Each shack could only accommodate one Troll at most, and inside were so dry grasses, providing simple shelter from wind and rain.
In the middle of these shacks stood a small wooden cabin that stood out like a swan among ducks.
Although this cabin couldn't be called luxurious, compared to the surrounding shacks, it could absolutely be considered the mansion of this valley!
Only when they walked into the wooden house with Andrews as their guide did they realize how ssy a house could be.
Parchnts covered in various writings were scattered everywhere. Books, various potion bottles, and materials were jumbled together ssily on roughly made wooden shelves.
Cauldrons, alcohol bottles, suitcases, a disassembled tent...
When Severus and his group first entered, they could barely find a place to stand!
Andrews was extrely embarrassed. He hurriedly raised his wand and waved it at the clutter.
"Sorry! Sorry! Since I was living alone, I got lazy about cleaning up. My household charms aren't very good either!"
The ssy items on the floor flew up under the spell's influence, but they seed unsure where to neatly place themselves. Instead, they all gathered in a corner, piled together.
But this at least cleared a space to stand.
Andrews hurriedly dug out a few crudely made wooden chairs, placed them around the wooden table, and continued his invitation to Severus and the others.
"Please, sit! I hope you don't mind. A bachelor traveling often has to make do like this. I have a lot of work to do usually, so I really don't have ti to tidy up."
Among the four, Severus and Lupin certainly didn't mind. They were both single n. And while Severus usually paid attention to personal hygiene at Hogwarts, Lupin was used to wandering.
Harry was busy stopping his new pet from eating the leftovers Andrews had piled in the cupboard. Draco, however, looked disgusted with the current environnt and reluctantly sat on a chair.
After preparing tea for everyone, Andrews also stopped bustling about and sat down at the table.
"Angelo said you ca to Albania for adventure? You ca to to recomnd so suitable places to visit?"
Severus shook his head.
"We have a fixed target. Mainly, we're searching for a legendary ghost."
"A legendary ghost?" Andrews frowned, repeating Severus's words.
Regardless, Severus certainly couldn't just say they were looking for Voldemort's soul fragnt, right?
That would most likely scare Andrews away.
He could only choose another, more travel-adventure-friendly explanation.
"Yes, a ghost said to wander the forests of Albania. I once read about its story in the Restricted Section of the Hogwarts' library. This ghost is related to the daughter of one of the Four Founders of Hogwarts, Rowena Ravenclaw. He mistakenly killed the object of his affection in the forest, and then consud by guilt, he chose suicide. Because of his obsession, he beca a ghost, wandering daily."
Both Andrews and Lupin were clearly hearing this story for the first ti.
It sounded like a legend but contained far more details than most, making it seem more real.
After Severus's explanation, Andrews still asked in confusion, "What does this ghost have to do with you? What do you want to do if you find him?"
Severus had already prepared a reason. He said in a low voice, "Have you heard of the legendary Ravenclaw's Diadem?"
Andrews's eyes imdiately widened.
"That relic said to grant supre wisdom!"
"Exactly. It's said to have been stolen and hidden sowhere in the forests of Albania!"
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