HP: It's a snake, not a badger.

Chapter 42: A Second Trip to the Albanian Forest

"Professor Snape, could you please take Ellie to the Albanian Forest? I don't know why his magic is recovering so slowly. We might find the answer there. Calvin and I are both busy with work lately."

Ambrose was full of apologies. He and Calvin were indeed tied up, as this was the mid-year review period. Fortunately, Severus was there, otherwise they would have had to squeeze out two days of their time.

"Eri, listen to the professor, don't run around, and don't try anything funny. If I find out, you know what will happen." Kaven patted Emeric's head, his words as cold as his actions.

He knew Emeric's destructive power and the boy's uncontrollable nature, and hoped that Severus would return safely and not be taken to some strange place.

Severus sighed. He wanted to get rid of this troublesome thing. He hated trouble the most. Just as he was about to decline, saying that he was busy and could not help, a cub was hanging on his leg.

"Severus, Albania has many magical creatures and rare herbs, like snake scales and spoonleaf, which can only be found there." Emeric was only halfway through his sentence when Severus was already tempted. Nothing attracts a potions master more than rare herbs.

"Mr. Emerick, you really know how to manipulate people." Severus was very unhappy that he could only go along with Emerick's ideas once again, which made the potion smell particularly disgusting today.

Emeric almost vomited after taking a sip, and it took him ten minutes to mentally prepare himself before he finished. Severus stood beside him, watching him take deep breaths with glee.

"Hurry up and pack your bags after you finish drinking. Don't just stand there like a block of wood. We're leaving in an hour."

"Severus, aren't you packing? We're going to be gone for several days, and we need to bring a lot of things."

Seeing Severus's darkening expression, Emeric obediently shut up and rushed back to his room to pack his clothes, snacks, and alchemy tools.

He didn't notice Severus's dark expression just now, and chuckled smugly. Severus was very satisfied with his intimidation of the young wizards; even Emeric couldn't withstand it for more than five minutes.

Severus returned to his room, casually stuffed a few clothes into his suitcase, then went to the adjacent workshop, carefully packed a large number of empty bottles and small boxes, and took a lot of potions and white essence that he might need.

On the other side, Emeric's preparations were completely different. His clothes, Severus's clothes, various snacks and drinks, fruit, a bunch of protective alchemical props, a two-way mirror, and a small two-story tent.

Apparition

Severus took Emeric's hand and they began their journey. After three Apparitions, Emeric squatted down, feeling nauseous. The cub's body couldn't handle so much stimulation.

"Severus, let's go to the restaurant up ahead for lunch. It's almost lunchtime, and we won't be able to get freshly cooked food once we go into the forest."

Emeric noticed Severus's helplessness. He knew he didn't mean it, so he drank some water, stood up, and comforted the lifeless man.

"I was wrong, I shouldn't have been so stubborn."

"Sorry, I didn't notice."

Two voices rang out simultaneously. The man's deep voice carried a hint of annoyance. He had forgotten that Emeric was still a child and couldn't withstand too many Apparitions. Seeing the cub looking distressed yet comforting him, Severus felt a little lost.

"Let's go eat, I'm starving." Emeric noticed Severus's helplessness and pulled the man toward the restaurant. There's nothing that food can't solve; if there is, it's just that the food isn't good enough.

Severus took the menu and casually ordered two dishes. He hadn't yet recovered from his earlier annoyance and instinctively took what Emeric handed him—berry cookies, which were his favorite.

"Severus, have some cookies first. I don't think the food here will be very good. I also have cheese bread and matcha cake. Do you want some?" Emeric looked around at the dishes on the surrounding tables. The tables next to him were covered in all sorts of pastes and mushy things. He seriously suspected that the people here had a problem with their sense of taste; they looked like they could poison someone.

Severus ate his biscuits with mixed feelings, noticing what kind of dishes were on the table; clearly, they had entered an Indian restaurant. When the food arrived, he couldn't resist asking Emeric to bring out the snacks he had brought; he would have preferred the snacks to the food.

Severus discovered that he had begun to develop preferences, like a lifeless doll coming back to life, without him even realizing it. But so what? No matter what changes occurred, he was still the youngest Potions Master in history, and the wand in his hand would never betray him.

Emeric looked at the suddenly arrogant Severus, wondering if he would get a beating if he clapped; the kid was thinking about things that could get him a beating. He didn't show it on his face at all, simply finding Severus adorable. The eight-year-old didn't know what liking was, but he was being nice to the person he liked according to his own heart.

After they finished eating, they barely touched the two dishes in front of them, then happily paid the bill and left.

Severus pulled Emeric along on their journey, but not in such a rush as before. After each Apparition, they would stroll around their new location before continuing on their next Apparition.

Before nightfall, they reached the outer edge of the Albanian forest. The only way in was on foot; Apparition would cause them to lose their way.

It was too dark to travel, so Severus led Emeric to a suitable spot to pitch their tent, where they would stay for the night.

"I'm going to spread insect repellent powder. You stay here and don't move."

"I'll pitch my tent here, Severus, be careful."

After saying that, the two went their separate ways. One went to the shade of a tree to sprinkle the powder, while the other stood in place and set up a tent.

Soon the two finished their work and sat down by the fire to warm themselves. Severus prepared to hunt for dinner, and then he was startled by Emeric.

"Severus, would you like beef over rice, tomato meat sauce noodles, or something else?" Emeric was looking down and flipping through his rings. He was hungry and wanted to eat right now. Without hearing an answer, he simply took out a bunch of food and let Severus choose.

His father specially made insulated food containers that could be stored in a gold-plated ring for a long time were an essential travel item.

Seeing that he was putting out more and more food, Severus chose two of his usual foods and asked him to take the rest away.

"What exactly did you bring? It's not all food, is it? If I remember correctly, we didn't come here for camping or a picnic."

"Of course not. I also brought five sets of clothes, and you bring five sets too, as well as food for magical creatures. That's enough for us to eat and have dessert for two weeks."

Severus opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't mock Emeric, because he also had a share of the food, and he didn't want to hunt every day.