Snape raised his hand again, pointing toward a mountain behind them. In the distance, they could make out a gray-white castle nestled among the mountain forests.
"We're staying there," Snape said. "Gaillard's estate. That's where the conference will be held."
"Gaillard?"
Orli felt her breathing quicken suddenly.
"You mean the Gaillard I know? The one who wrote the potions textbooks for Beauxbatons? I have almost all of his books!"
"...Mm."
Snape made a single sound.
"Professor, have you met him before? Is he very old? I imagine he might be about Dumbledore's age—he's written so many books, and he has systematic research on thirty-eight common medicinal poultices!"
Orli said excitedly:
"Is he approachable? Kind? I brought some of his books with me. There are a few French words I'm not sure about—perhaps he'd be happy to answer a few small questions for me."
"What questions do you have that I cannot answer?"
Snape's voice had turned cold without warning. Only then did Orli belatedly realize something was wrong with the atmosphere.
"...Professor?"
Orli tentatively stepped closer to him. Fortunately, Snape remained where he stood.
"Then I won't ask him—I'll only ask you, all right?"
Orli tried again, tugging gently at the corner of his robes. After all, they'd already held hands... and hugged... and he'd touched her wrist and shoulder... pulling at his robes shouldn't... make him angry, should it...
Snape still didn't move, but his expression softened considerably. The icy atmosphere around him began to thaw.
"Those books of his weren't even bought by me—Hermione gave them all to me for Christmas, so I only read them when I'm bored..."
Orli continued explaining.
"His books are passable, I suppose, but—"
Snape finally spoke again:
"If you have any questions, you can ask me. I'm hardly incapable of understanding what he's written."
"Yes, yes, yes."
Orli nodded eagerly.
She felt that the Snape before her had transformed back into the Snape from the ship.
He led her through streets and alleys, crossing Locronan from south to north. This place was warmer than Hogsmeade, and far more prosperous. Taverns, bookshops, sweet shops, and stationery stores lined the streets in endless rows, along with numerous beverage shops and ice cream parlors. All sorts of curious contraptions unseen in either Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade appeared constantly along the roadside. Orli even spotted flying carpets in mid-air—banned by the British Ministry of Magic.
The wizards here dressed far more elaborately. Some witches wore sleeveless robes with no hoods, only colorful scarves wrapped around their necks. They donned wide-brimmed hats adorned with enormous feathers, their skirts dancing lightly with each step to reveal gracefully curved calves beneath. Delicate chains set with various gems encircled their wrists and ankles. The wizards were obsessed with styling their hair—Orli had already seen no fewer than ten wizards sporting perfectly slicked-back styles.
Even their popular pets differed from those in Britain. No one here favored toads, and owls weren't particularly common either. More people chose cats, serpents, or hawks. Several children carried semi-transparent creatures Orli had never seen before—they looked like inflated slugs, but somehow more endearing.
Finally, Snape led her all the way to the gates of Gaillard's estate. Up close, the manor was even more magnificent. Orli wanted to let out a small gasp of wonder, but thinking of Snape's possible reaction, she ultimately forced herself to hold it back.
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