Hogwarts: Harry Potter's Return from the Witcher World-Chapter 402: His Whereabouts

Facing Zoltan's question, Harry replied, "A woman."

Zoltan wasn't surprised at all. "Yes, a woman. Where else would you find news about Dandelion? But Harry, we both know he wouldn't just be involved with one woman."

"I can't remember her name," Harry shook his head. "A female bard, she sings beautifully."

"Geralt mentioned her before. He said her voice has the magic to touch the soul."

"A bard?" Zoltan raised an eyebrow. "That reminds me of someone—Priscilla."

Harry nodded.

Zoltan continued enthusiastically, "She's different from the others. I think Dandelion might actually be in love with her."

"She's practically Dandelion's mirror image."

"Then we should go find her," Harry said softly. "I remember she usually performs at the Kingfisher Inn, right?"

"That's right," Zoltan nodded, his eyes drifting longingly toward the table.

Hermione waved her wand, casting a food-conjuring spell. She pulled ingredients out of the Sorting Hat and prepared a table full of food, along with two bottles of butterbeer.

"Come, try some food from another world," Harry gestured to Zoltan. "And some butterbeer."

"It's not time for hard liquor yet, or I think you'd fall in love with our vodka and whiskey."

Zoltan walked over and sat down.

Hermione looked at him curiously, double-checking his ears. They were just like a human's, not even slightly pointed like Professor Flitwick's.

"Something wrong with my ears?" Zoltan asked, quite perceptive.

"No, nothing," Hermione shook her head. "I was just surprised. In our world, there are people who look similar to you, but they have pointed ears."

"Pointed ears? Half-elves?" Zoltan tore off a lamb shank.

Hermione responded softly, "No, it's a race called goblins."

Eating was always a good time for conversation.

Hermione shared a bit about the other world, and Zoltan listened with rapt attention. The mysteries of magic fascinated him, and it seemed much more interesting than the sorcery he was used to.

By the time the room grew dark, even with lamps lit, it was still shrouded in a deep shadow.

"We should get going," Harry interrupted their chat and stood up.

Zoltan looked out the window. "Ah, time flies. It's already dark."

"Let's go."

The Kingfisher Inn was the largest tavern in Novigrad, located right next to the central square. The people who frequented it were mostly nobles or at least well-off commoners.

It wasn't far.

Walking over provided a good chance to digest their meal.

The tavern was bustling with activity, filled with the city's prominent figures.

The moment they stepped inside, Hermione felt a refreshing difference.

It was clean.

Remarkably clean, unlike anything else she had seen in this world.

The floors were polished to the point of reflection.

On the main stage in the hall, a woman was sitting and singing.

She cradled a lute in her arms.

Her fingers danced along the strings, producing crisp, melodic notes like the gentle flow of water.

The melody was simple.

The singing was simple too.

One person, one stage.

Ancient yet fresh, the feeling was like stepping into a movie.

"The scent of lilac and gooseberries linger,"

"I follow the wolf's trail into the storm,"

"Searching for truth, even if love is forlorn."

Just a few lines of lyrics.

Hermione leaned closer to Harry, whispering, "Is she singing about Geralt and Yennefer?"

Harry nodded. "Dandelion loves to turn the White Wolf's stories into ballads."

"Are there songs about you?" Hermione asked with a smile.

Harry tilted his head. "There should be."

"If he's not singing about women, he's singing about us."

The ballad wasn't long.

When it ended, the tavern fell silent.

After a moment, thunderous applause erupted.

The young female bard bowed to her audience and stepped down from the stage, cradling her lute.

Harry and the others stood up and walked briskly toward her.

Priscilla seemed to know they were coming. She waited for them in the hallway behind the stage.

"Miss Priscilla?" Harry called out.

"Serpent-Tongue Harry?" Priscilla greeted him cheerfully.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "You know me?"

"Dandelion's told me many stories about your adventures," Priscilla nodded. "He said your ability to talk to snakes—and even command them—saved him many times."

"And that you are one of his most reliable friends, just like the White Wolf."

Harry opened his mouth to speak.

Priscilla lowered her voice. "I know what you want to ask, but this isn't the right place. Follow me."

She turned and led them through a series of winding paths until they reached her room.

"You're looking for Dandelion, aren't you?" Priscilla took a deep breath.

Harry nodded. "When did you last see him?"

"A few days ago," she replied. "He said he was going to rob Sigismund Dijkstra's vault. I haven't seen him since."

"I've been asking around, but all I know is that he caused a huge ruckus at Whoreson Junior's hideout. Now those dogs are turning the city upside down looking for him."

She watched their faces carefully.

All of them were calm.

"You're not surprised?" she asked.

Harry nodded. "We already knew that much. This is actually bad news. Hermione, it looks like we're a bit late."

"We'll go and get Dandelion out."

Priscilla was stunned. "You know where he is?"

She still had more questions to ask.

If they already knew...

Why did they come to ask her?

"I just wasn't sure what he'd done," Harry read the thoughts on her face and waved his hand dismissively. "Now that I know, I'm certain of where he is."

"He should be locked up on Temple Isle."

Priscilla was even more shocked. "How did he manage to provoke the Eternal Fire?"

In Novigrad, the last people you'd want to cross were the Eternal Fire.

"When we bring him back, you can ask him yourself. I'm sure he'll spin it into a legendary tale." Harry shook his head. "We need to hurry. Are you sure it was a week ago?"

Priscilla nodded. "Yes, I'm very sure."

"Then we still have time," Harry said softly.

"You're going to Temple Isle?" Zoltan frowned with concern. "That's the stronghold of the Witch Hunters. It's dangerous."

Harry pulled out his wand. "Don't worry, things are much easier for us now."

He waved it lightly, casting a spell at Hermione.

The Disillusionment Charm took effect instantly.

The girl standing beside them vanished without a trace.

"Invisibility magic?" Zoltan was astonished.

Priscilla stared at Harry, eyes wide.

As far as she knew, Witchers couldn't use such advanced magic...

"Relax, we'll bring Dandelion back safe and sound. Maybe we can even clear his name while we're at it," Harry said softly, tapping the Sorting Hat. Two brooms flew out.

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Powerstones?

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