A few minutes later, the two of them appeared with a crack on the outskirts of a Muggle village. The houses here were low, most of them built of wood. Melting snow had left the ground a muddy mess, and the stink of sheep dung hung over half the village.
"This is...?" Will thought the place looked familiar.
Dumbledore waved a hand, and their figures rippled like water before vanishing into the air. "You can speak freely. I've also cast a Secrecy Charm."
"A Secrecy Charm?" Will asked curiously.
"A little spell used by ancient wizards. It prevents others from overhearing their conversations, even if a third person presses an ear right up against their mouths." Dumbledore walked into the village, with Will beside him.
It was not yet late, so a few villagers were still coming and going, busy with their own affairs or chatting in their little yards. It was a picture of leisurely rural life in Britain.
But no one could see the two of them or hear their voices as they walked and talked.
"The Secrecy Charm sounds very similar to the Fidelius Charm." Will studied the villagers and their homes. Many had a horseshoe hanging by the door, though he had no idea what particular custom that represented.
"Yes, there are indeed certain similarities. You're very perceptive, Will. But we can discuss spells later. Doesn't this place look familiar to you?"
Of course it did. During their brief conversation, Will had already realized where they were—this was one of the villages where he had previously experimented with the Patronus Charm.
"Why have you brought me here?" Will had no idea what Dumbledore intended by bringing him here. He had thought this matter was over and done with.
"Don't worry, Will," Dumbledore said. "I just happened