"Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Patrick!" the man said warmly, his expression friendly and sincere.
Jon took a careful look at him. The man appeared to be of average height, dressed in a dark British-style tailcoat, paired with a modern short tie and polished sheepskin shoes. His overall appearance was refined and gentlemanly, leaving a very favorable impression.
"I should think so too, Mr. Smith." Jon smiled and nodded in return, gesturing toward the empty seat across from him. "Please, have a seat."
William Smith set his cane aside and sat down opposite Jon with elegant ease. As if making casual conversation, he remarked, "Mr. Patrick, as a Germanic man… I must say, I'm quite surprised by how fluent and excellent your English is."
"My great-aunt has lived in England for many years, and I often go to visit her," Jon replied calmly. He had used this excuse countless times before, and his expression didn't change in the slightest.
"Oh? Is that so?" Smith looked genuinely astonished. "Then I suppose we could be considered half compatriots?"
"I suppose so." Jon took a sip of Albanian olive tea, casting a thoughtful sideways glance at the gentleman named William Smith. "Mr. Smith, since you're English—did you graduate from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"
"Of course!" Smith nodded without hesitation. "I graduated from Slytherin House at Hogwarts—a symbol of pureblood heritage and nobility!"
"I've heard of it." Jon took another sip of his tea. "Professor Severus Snape, the head of Slytherin—I've heard he's extremely responsible and an outstanding Potions expert. After seven years under him, you must know him quite well."
"Naturally." Smith nodded again. "It's hard to imagine a more exceptional Head of House than Professor Snape. What about you, Mr. Patrick? Which school did you attend?"
"Durmstrang," Jon replied flatly. "Though I didn't graduate. I was expelled a year ago due to a minor incident."
He deliberately lowered his voice, as though reluctant to dwell on the subject.
William Smith, ever the gentleman, chose not to press further.
...
They fell into a brief silence, and Jon finished the last of his breakfast.
"Oh, right!" William Smith suddenly seemed to recall something. "Mr. Patrick, may I ask what brings you to Albania?"
"I'm heading to Krujë to take care of something," Jon answered succinctly.
"Oh my… Krujë!" Smith looked visibly startled. "I never would have expected this, Mr. Patrick. Our destinations are actually the same—I'm also heading to Krujë."
"Is that so?" Jon paused for a moment, then a faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips. "What a coincidence."
"Why don't we travel together?" Smith suggested. "It's always better to have company, and we can look out for one another. Albanian Muggles are quite hostile toward wizards."
"Of course. I'd be happy to," Jon agreed without hesitation.
"Then I'll head back to my room to pack. Shall we meet here shortly and depart together?" Smith asked.
"I'll wait right here." Jon gestured toward his suitcase. "Everything I need is already prepared."
William Smith trotted off at a brisk pace. Jon, meanwhile, returned his attention to the copy of Traveling Through Europe with Aline Shafiq in his hands.
He hadn't been lying. Krujë, located in central Albania, was precisely his destination. A week earlier, in Budleigh Babberton Village, Horace Slughorn had mentioned this place to him—there was something there of great importance to the creation of a Horcrux.
If he wanted to make a Horcrux, this trip was unavoidable.
Just moments ago, while reading Aline Shafiq's description of Albania, he had seen the name Krujë appear once again. Only William Smith's sudden arrival had interrupted his train of thought.
Jon flipped the booklet back to that page—
"Albania's national hero, George Skanderbeg, declared Albania's independence in Krujë… He later repelled three sieges of Krujë by the Ottoman sultans. Legend has it that Skanderbeg could transform into a giant eagle, which was the reason for his many victories…
During the fourth Ottoman siege of Krujë, enchanted long arrows were used to shoot Skanderbeg down from the sky while he was in eagle form. After his death, Krujë fell. Some Albanians fled to southern Italy, while the rest were forced to convert under Ottoman rule…"
"How fitting," Jon murmured, his brow knitting tightly as he pondered the words. "Krujë was both the place where Skanderbeg rebelled… and where he died."
Was there a connection between the two?
Jon clearly remembered Professor Bins mentioning during the very first History of Magic class that much of Muggle history was, in fact, an extension of wizarding history.
Still thinking, Jon closed the booklet once more and placed it into his suitcase.
Suddenly, his expression changed. He swiftly drew his wand from his pocket—
...
Another figure appeared before Jon Hart.
It wasn't the British gentleman, William Smith, but the strange man from the neighboring table. Jon clearly remembered him ordering a pot of stewed lamb during breakfast and angrily berating the innkeeper for the poor cooking.
Seen up close, the man looked even worse. His hair was a tangled mess, as though it hadn't been washed in days. His facial features were mismatched and ugly, and his fingernails were long and sharp.
"You're going to Krujë?" The man noticed the wand in Jon's hand and took several fearful steps backward before asking in a rough, gruff voice.
"That's right." Jon studied him with interest and nodded.
"Krujë… I'm going there too. We can travel together." The strange man grinned, the expression making his already grotesque face look even more menacing.
"You're going to Krujë as well?" Jon found the situation increasingly amusing.
The man nodded.
"Mr. Patrick… Mr. Patrick…" At that moment, William Smith hurried back, dragging his suitcase behind him. He stared at Jon and the strange man in astonishment. "What's going on here?"
"I think," Jon said calmly, "we've gained one more travel companion."