After the whirlwind sensation of the Portkey faded, David stumbled slightly but quickly regained his balance. Blinking to adjust his vision, he took in his surroundings. They stood atop a small, desolate hill, surrounded by thick greenery. Not a single sign of human activity was in sight.
"Where are we headed now, sir?" John asked, breaking the silence.
Charlie glanced at Newt, his eyes still scanning the perimeter out of habit. Years of working with magical creatures and managing their safe transport had made him perpetually vigilant, always ready for any surprise.
Newt pulled out a peculiar-looking compass from his bag. Unlike any normal compass, this one pointed towards a predetermined location, and Newt knew exactly where it would lead them. "We'll head to the scene first, see what traces they've left behind. After that, we'll meet Tver."
David's curiosity sparked. "Who's Tver?"
"Tver Jobs," Newt explained, not taking his eyes off the compass. "He owns a tavern nearby. Met him on one of my travels ages ago. Since then, he's been my eyes and ears here. If anything's out of the ordinary, he'll know about it."
They mounted their brooms and took off, flying low to avoid detection. The wind whipped around them, the prairie stretching endlessly below. David held tightly to his broomstick, his face numb from the cold gusts. After about an hour of flying, Newt began to descend towards a thick forest, motioning for the others to follow.
They landed gracefully among the ancient trees, the forest air dense and still. The compass pointed to a clearing just ahead, and they approached cautiously. The scene looked pristine at first glance, but closer inspection revealed subtle disturbances. Twigs snapped unnaturally, grass pressed down in irregular patterns.
Newt knelt by a patch of dirt, his fingers brushing against tiny, iridescent scales that glinted faintly in the light. "Long-horned water snake," he muttered, his face growing serious. "They've been here. And recently, too."
David's eyes widened. He knew from his readings that long-horned water snakes were rare magical creatures known for the gem embedded in their foreheads and the magical properties of their scales.
"There must be water nearby," Newt continued, tucking the scales safely into his pocket. "Let's spread out and look for a stream."
David headed north, weaving through the underbrush. After a few minutes, the faint gurgling of water reached his ears. He pushed through the last thicket of branches and emerged before a river, its clear waters sparkling under the sunlight.
"Grandpa! Over here!" David called out, his voice echoing through the trees.
Newt, John, and Charlie hurried over. Newt's eyes scanned the surroundings, nodding in approval. "This is it. This is where they brought the water snake."
He raised his wand and blew softly. A golden mist flowed from its tip, drifting towards the water before expanding into the shape of a massive serpent. Its spectral form shimmered, revealing the majestic long-horned water snake. The ghostly image slithered towards the water, followed by the faint shapes of eight human figures, their faces blurred and indistinct.
"Eight of them," Charlie murmured, his fists clenching. "At least."
Newt's face was grave. "There could be more. We'll have to be cautious. Let's go see Tver. Maybe he's heard something."
They left the forest and Apparated again, appearing in a quiet alleyway lined with aging white buildings. Everything felt ancient and forgotten, the walls stained by time.
Newt led them through a nearby park, then down a winding path sheltered by towering trees. They soon reached a crossroads marked by a stone platform. In the center stood a statue of a woman holding flowers. Newt stepped up, tapped the statue with his wand, and the stone figure lowered its arm, revealing a hidden passage.
"Hurry," Newt urged. "It won't stay open for long."
David followed closely, his heart pounding with excitement. The world blurred for a moment, then snapped back into focus.
They stood in the middle of a bustling wizard street. It reminded David of Diagon Alley, but older, more worn. The cobblestone streets were uneven, and every shop seemed to carry a layer of history on its walls. Vendors shouted their wares, children ran through the crowds, and strange creatures peeked from the shadows.
John leaned over, whispering, "This is the hidden wizarding town. You'll see performers and traders tonight. It's like a festival every night."
David's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Can we come out and see it later?"
John grinned. "Sure, kid. But first, let's visit Tver."
They weaved through the bustling streets until they reached an ancient-looking building with a faded sign that read Jobs Tavern. The wooden door creaked as Newt pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit interior filled with worn tables and creaky chairs.
Behind the counter stood an elderly man with silver hair, his face wrinkled and dotted with age spots. He looked up, his pale blue eyes softening as they fell on Newt. "Looking for a room?"
Newt nodded. "Quadruple, if you have one."
"You're in luck," the old man said, his voice gentle. "Just one left. Sixty Galleons for the night."
Newt handed over the gold without hesitation. The man scribbled a note in his ledger and handed them a heavy iron key. As they turned to head upstairs, Newt paused. "Could you bring us some food later?"
The old man nodded, his smile never fading. "Of course. Make yourselves at home."
As they climbed the creaky staircase, David looked around, taking in the tavern's ancient charm. Faded paintings hung crooked on the walls, and the wooden banisters were worn smooth by countless hands. Yet, there was a warmth to the place, a coziness that seemed to wrap around them like a soft blanket.
Reaching their room, David collapsed on one of the beds, staring at the cracked ceiling above. His mind spun with excitement. The mysterious long-horned water snake, the hidden wizarding town, and Tver, the man with all the secrets... This was just the beginning.
Tomorrow, they'd meet Tver, and perhaps, get one step closer to the R organization. Whatever was waiting for them, David knew one thing for sure—this was going to be an adventure he'd never forget.