News of the Giants

"Please tell us about the giants, and what precautions we should take when going up the mountain..."

"Those giants are all brainless behemoths. If there's any difference between them and trolls, it's probably that they don't swing clubs and can speak a few simple human words... Back then, their tribe followed the Death Eater in persecuting wizards. Barty Crouch used ruthless methods, allowing the Aurors to use the Unforgivable Curses to wipe out the giants. After the fall of the Dark Lord, most of the most ferocious giants with wizards' blood on their hands were killed. Those who survived had committed less serious crimes, were terrified, and fled into the mountains to hide."

Old Dodd paused, his brow furrowing slightly, as if recalling the events of that year. "The Aurors originally intended to pursue them to the end and completely eradicate these dangerous creatures, but the fog in the mountains was thick and persistent, and various dangerous and rare Fantastic Beasts were mixed in with them, making it very troublesome to clear them out. In the end, Dumbledore presided over a discussion meeting in Wizengamot and decided to spare them and confine them in the mountains."

"We thought the giants had escaped abroad."

"Britain is an island nation, surrounded by boundless oceans. Where could giants possibly escape to?" Old Dodd took a swig of his drink. "Those guys don't know magic, nor do they possess any innate Magic Power like other Fantastic Beasts. They're just big, thick-skinned, and tough enough to withstand a beating, but even the toughest can't withstand suffocation. If seawater gets into their noses, they'll still drown. They can't withstand the Cruciatus Curse or the Killing Curse... I guess they've been beaten up and have been quite well-behaved these past few years. They dug rows and rows of caves on the mountainside and gradually settled down by relying on fruit trees and wild animals, without causing any more trouble."

What's his personality like? Is he easy to communicate with?

"What good character could savages possibly have?" Old Dodd shook his head. "They won't actively leave their settlements to attack humans, but if someone accidentally wanders into their territory, they're unlikely to have a good ending. Wizards can leave smoothly if they don't provoke them, but it's a different story for Muggle. Over the years, quite a few reckless adventurers have disappeared in the mountains. Who knows which ones have ended up in their bellies?"

"They eat people?!" Hermione exclaimed in horror, her face pale.

"It's not necessarily to fill their stomachs. After all, normal humans aren't even enough to fill their teeth. They might just grab them, play with them, torture them, kill them, and then casually toss them into their mouths like snacks."

If you do the math, as Alice just mentioned, there have been thirteen climbing disappearances in the past five years...

It is unclear how many people perished in the giants' settlement; the number was neither large nor small, roughly the same as the casualties caused by wild animals in the mountains, such as wolves and wild boars.

It's a pity that President Alfred Kragg and Minister Grogan Stump put in so much effort. You have to understand that during the First Wizards' Council a hundred years ago, talking giants were classified as human beings, even superior to Mermaid.

"The situation used to be more serious, with rumors of Muggle seeing monsters in the mountains. Later, the Ministry of Magic sent people to cast Muggle-Repelling Charm, and the situation improved a lot."

Old Dodd's voice betrayed his disdain for the giants. He glanced at the two young wizards with their innocent faces, still somewhat uneasy. "In short, if you're going to the giants' territory to find someone, it's best not to disturb them... Actually, I suggest you don't go into the mountains. If your friend gets into trouble, it's best to report it to the Ministry of Magic."

"Thank you for your concern..."

Loren spoke calmly, expressing genuine gratitude to the old wizard who, despite being betrayed and feeling dejected, still showed concern for them. "However, we have the ability to protect ourselves. The Mountainous Area environment is very suitable for the use of certain special magic, such as the Disillusionment Charm for easy concealment, Animagus. Even if we are discovered by giants, we can Apparition and leave without any danger to our lives."

Animagus...

Apparition...

No danger to life...

Old Dodd muttered these curses to himself.

According to regulations, young wizards can take the Apparition exam at the age of 17, but this doesn't mean that all 17-year-old wizards can master Apparition; on the contrary, only a minority can pass the exam smoothly. There's also the much more difficult Animagus. The agile animal form is indeed well-suited to Mountainous Area environments, but how many wizards can master Animagus? Even though he had spent most of his life in the countryside, isolated from information, he knew that there were probably no more than two hands' worth of Britain in Britain.

Old Dodd had other guesses—

The young wizard only mentioned magic for hiding and escaping, without mentioning methods for direct confrontation. He didn't believe that wizards who could master Animagus and Apparition had no offensive magic. Given the talents they had displayed, any spell was possible.

It might be Unforgivable Curses.

Are all Hogwarts graduates this good now?

That's outrageous.

Old Dodd's worries gradually dissipated, and he even shared some of them with the giants in the mountains.

"When do you plan to go into the mountains? The mountain path is rugged and steep, and it will take a long time and a lot of effort to climb. The fog is also thick in the mountains, and you can easily get lost if you are not careful. Why don't you rest at the tavern for the night and I will take you there tomorrow morning?"

"Thank you so much, sir!"

"You two chose a lucky day to travel..." Old Dodd pointed to the half-eaten beef rib next to him and slowly stood up. "In our remote little town, it's not easy to buy fresh and good ingredients. There's some beef brisket at the front of this rib. Cut it into chunks and make beef brisket stew with potatoes. Alice loves it."

Upon hearing "stewed beef with potatoes," Loren pursed his lips, his expression complex.

Hermione chuckled softly, "Do you need our help, sir?"

"No need, you guys go outside and wander around."

"Want to browse around?"

"Hmm..." Old Dodd, carrying the beef, turned and walked towards the Kitchen, hiding his slightly embarrassed face. "If... I mean, if you run into Alice, remember to tell her that you're having beef stew with potatoes for lunch..."

"Yes, Mr. Dodd, we understand."

Loren and Hermione smiled slightly.

Anyone could tell that the old wizard went out early in the morning to buy ingredients not because the tavern was running out of supplies, not because he was craving something good, and not because he expected customers to come today. It was just that his daughter, who was studying away from home, was on holiday and had come back to her hometown, and it just so happened that she loved braised beef brisket with potatoes.

Having been entrusted with an important mission, the two left the tavern and strolled along the dilapidated country lanes.

The road surface was full of potholes, and mud and water traps were hidden under the uneven stone slabs. If you were not careful, they would splash onto your trouser legs.

The remote village at the foot of the mountain has only a dozen or so households. Several families moved away a few years ago, and there are hardly any young people to be seen. Only some elderly people who are unwilling to live in the town remain, slowly pruning the flowers and plants in their front yards.

It was quiet and deserted, and uneventful.