Hermione didn't hear anything particularly explosive from Dandelion.
It wasn't like when Yennefer had recounted stories of Geralt's past.
Dandelion explained that he wasn't trying to cover for Harry or anything. It's just that Harry was still quite young. Although he was talented and even had the ability to speak to snakes, the title of "Parseltongue" wasn't very well known, even with Dandelion—a famous bard—spreading the tale.
Even among witchers and sorcerers, Harry was an anomaly.
Sure, he was handsome, and many sorceresses wouldn't mind a pleasant evening with him.
But…
Harry couldn't be as carefree as others. It was something Dandelion and Zoltan often joked about—how Harry would become completely flustered and back off when flirting sorceresses, who appeared dazzling and youthful, turned out to be two or three times his age.
Youngsters always seemed to put too much weight on age.
After eating and drinking their fill, Dandelion dragged Harry upstairs, begging him to conjure up a large, comfortable bed.
Dandelion was quite good at seizing these small luxuries.
Harry and Hermione also enjoyed a restful night's sleep.
When Hermione woke up, the morning sunlight was already pouring in through the windows.
She cast a few cleaning charms on herself, then reached into her bag, which had been enchanted with the Undetectable Extension Charm, and pulled out a fresh set of robes—though it was just another school uniform. After changing her hairstyle a bit, she headed downstairs.
Harry was already awake, as usual.
Zoltan, full of energy, was tidying up the room and playing with an owl.
Priscilla and Dandelion were engaged in lively conversation. The bard looked like he hadn't slept a wink; dark circles hung under his eyes, but his energy seemed boundless as he jotted down notes with a quill, writing passionately.
"You're up?" Harry turned back to look at her.
Hermione nodded.
"Hey, young lady, I bet you've never seen anything like this," Zoltan greeted her proudly, holding up the owl. "Look at this beauty! It's smart as hell. I swear it must be able to talk, it's just a bit too quiet."
"Owls don't really mimic speech," Hermione reminded him.
Zoltan raised an eyebrow. "Oh, is that so? Well, who cares?"
"Didn't Harry tell you?" Hermione asked, sitting down at the table. She waved her wand, and a piece of bread and some butter floated over to her.
Zoltan turned back to Harry. "Tell me what?"
"Owls are our most loyal companions—they're our messengers," Hermione said, spreading butter on her bread. "In fact, Harry has one. A very beautiful young lady."
Zoltan's eyes widened. "Harry! And you never told me this?"
Hermione placed her knife down and also looked over at him.
Harry spoke calmly, "I was going to."
"But Uncle Zoltan just kept talking and talking, and you were all set to show off your new pet. I thought your expression right now would be worth it, and besides, I didn't get the chance to interrupt."
Hermione chuckled.
Zoltan sighed, "Harry, Dandelion was right—you've gotten way worse."
"Even Geralt's sharp tongue isn't as wicked as yours."
"Thanks for the compliment," Harry nodded, then turned to Hermione. "Did you notice anything?"
Hermione tilted her head, not saying anything, and looked at the owl.
Harry nodded back.
Hermione took a bite of her bread, raised her wand, and cast a spell: "Hominem Revelio."
This was one of the most commonly used spells by Aurors.
And it was the first spell Professor Snape taught them in their sixth year of Defense Against the Dark Arts, right after the Patronus Charm.
Its purpose was to detect if there were any people present that couldn't be seen with the naked eye.
That included those using Disillusionment Charms, Invisibility Cloaks—and of course, Harry's own Invisibility Cloak was an exception to this detection.
Animagi could also be detected by this spell, as it revealed if any human presence was concealed under the guise of an animal.
The spell's feedback came back.
Hermione glanced at it, surprised.
There were supposed to be five people in the room, but the spell registered six.
Invisibility?
Probably not.
If it were a hostile entity, Harry wouldn't be sitting there so relaxed.
So, was it the owl?
Hermione flicked her wand again, casting a spell on the owl that temporarily disabled its hearing. "That owl… is it a person transformed?"
Zoltan looked utterly flabbergasted, not knowing whether to stare at the owl or at Harry.
Priscilla and Dandelion stopped their discussion and turned their heads toward them.
Harry nodded. "It seems so."
"A curse?" Hermione asked, recalling the Uma creature Harry had mentioned back at Crow's Perch.
Harry shook his head. "It doesn't look like it."
"A skilled sorceress could achieve this—transforming her own body using magic." Harry explained, "Of course, it's not the same as Animagus transformation. No matter how good the spell is, her essence is still human."
"Her?" Hermione picked up on the pronoun instantly.
Harry nodded. "Not many sorceresses are capable of this."
"Especially not one who enjoys turning into an owl."
Dandelion's eyes lit up. "Is it that sorceress who tried to trick you into drinking that potion, hoping to spend a wild night with you but almost got her head chopped off instead?"
"Dandelion," Hermione's voice was soft and gentle, "I don't remember you mentioning that last night."
Dandelion raised his hands. "Apologies! But that wasn't exactly a pleasant experience for Harry."
"A three-hundred-year-old hag," Harry said bluntly. "Philippa Eilhart."
Zoltan looked at the owl, even more astonished.
"To think it's Philippa… It's even harder to believe she'd show up in Novigrad."
"Damn, I paid quite a bit for her."
Harry replied, "You can keep her until you meet Geralt. I bet Yennefer would gladly pay handsomely to take her off your hands."
"Whether she's Philippa or not, Yennefer would be very interested."
Yennefer and Philippa had a notoriously poor relationship.
As for Harry…
His relationship with Philippa was even worse.
"You're right," Zoltan nodded. "So how should I… uh… take care of her until then?"
"Just like a normal owl," Harry said, watching Hermione finish her bread and drink the last of her milk. He stood up. "But remember, whatever you do, don't unlock the shackles on her feet."
Zoltan nodded. "Got it. I swear, I'll take good care of her until Geralt comes back."
Harry took Hermione's hand.
With a snap of his fingers, the spell on the owl was undone. It hooted twice, looking every bit like an ordinary owl.
Crack!
With the familiar sound of Apparition, Harry and Hermione vanished.
Leaving behind three very astonished people to process what had just happened.
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Powerstones?
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