Draco now realized he had made a fool of himself.

But with his temperament, even if he knew he had overthought things, how could he possibly back down?

So, he immediately broke free from Severus's grip. Grasping at straws, he came up with another excuse.

"Even if they didn't capture wizards, the Muggles must have stolen wizard technology to create such things!"

"If Muggles could develop like this just by stealing technology, why did they only start stealing in the last few decades?"

Lupin handed the two ice creams to Harry and Draco and passed a cup of coffee to Severus.

"Moreover, wizards clearly don't have such technology."

After taking the ice cream, Draco turned his head away, pretending not to hear anything, muttering self-justifications to himself.

This made Severus, Harry, and Lupin exchange smiles. They were already used to Draco's behavior.

They all knew that compared to his time in Britain, Draco had already shed much of his prejudice. He was just too thin-skinned and obsessed with saving his face. What he thought internally was one thing, and how he presented himself externally was another.

Just as they were enjoying this moment of relaxation, a heated argument suddenly caught Severus's attention.

"I'll say it again! Andrews is indeed my cousin, and he is very knowledgeable about trolls! But I have no idea where he is lately!"

"Please stop pestering me! I have a legitimate resident status among Muggles, which is why I can take ships, trains, and airplanes! I don't know how you managed to sneak in, but I must warn you!"

The oddly dressed middle-aged man, wearing a proper suit jacket but paired with sweatpants, glasses, and with thinning hair on top, carried a briefcase.

He lowered his voice as he issued this warning to the young man persistently clinging to him, who wore a gemstone-green robe adorned with sequins over jeans and perpetually wore a smile.

"I must warn you, using magic on Muggles is against wizarding law! In any country! If the Aurors find out-"

The flamboyantly dressed, smiling young man tossed his flowing blond hair.

"Oh! My dear Angelo, you can't make such baseless accusations against a famous bestselling author who has won the Witch Weekly Most Charming Smile Award four times… and who will undoubtedly receive a fifth next year!"

"How could I use magic on Muggles? No one understands Muggles better than I do! I know how to use their transportation… you need to buy a ticket, right? Look, I have one!"

He flashed a plane ticket, waving it in front of the balding middle-aged man.

"And I'm not pestering you. I've been thinking lately about creating a masterpiece related to trolls. I know all about these magical creatures! But creation requires brainstorming. This is a perfect opportunity for your cousin!"

"Just think… if the paparazzi found out that an obscure wizard contributed to my work, he would become famous overnight!"

The balding wizard looked at him impatiently.

"Andrews wouldn't like that! He's just an ordinary scholar and adventurer who has spent his life demystifying things the public finds enigmatic! He isn't interested in fame!"

"No, no, no!" The flamboyant young man shook his head earnestly, "Those are the views of obscure, vulgar people… extremely shallow. Have you read Aesop's Fables? It's like the fox who couldn't reach the grapes and called them sour. It's because there are too many such foxes in the Wizarding World, spreading this notion, that people have developed a great misunderstanding about fame."

"And I can help your cousin break free from this misunderstanding!"

The balding wizard seemed utterly fed up with his pestering. He said angrily, "Then go find him yourself! I'm not some troll-researching adventurer!"

The flamboyant young man merely shrugged. He clearly wasn't going to give up based on a few words. But just as he was about to cling on further, he suddenly turned and made a new discovery!

Spotting Severus's group sitting on benches near the boarding gate, the blond young man's eyes first widened in fear, but within two seconds, they lit up with delight.

"Aha! Look who I've run into! It's none other than Severus Snape, my senior!"

His exclamation drew the attention of Harry, Draco, and Lupin, who hadn't noticed the two men before.

Harry clearly didn't recognize the man, while Draco eyed him suspiciously, feeling the young man looked somewhat familiar.

Lupin looked surprised, as if he hadn't expected to run into this 'renowned' figure from the British Wizarding World in a Muggle airport of all places.

Hearing the blond young man's address, Severus raised an eyebrow and, unusually for him, uttered a somewhat sarcastic remark.

"Have you come all the way to France in pursuit of inspiration, Lockhart?"

That's right… this flamboyant, greasy-haired blond young man was none other than the famous bestselling author of the Wizarding World, even more renowned than Worple, four-time winner of the Witch Weekly Most Charming Smile Award, recipient of the Order of Merlin, Third Class, and Honorary Member of the Anti-Dark Magic League-

Gilderoy Lockhart!

The balding man who had been desperately trying to avoid Lockhart also heard the commotion and turned to see Severus.

"My goodness!" He exclaimed.

"Severus Snape! You're here!"

He showed an excitement completely different from when he was being pestered by Lockhart. Almost the second he saw Severus, he quickly strode over to him.

"I'm a devoted fan of Blood Love: The Vampire and The Muggle! Not just me… my wife and children love your story too! We listened to the entire trial!"

He chattered excitedly while pulling out Worple's book from his briefcase.

"Could you sign this for me? My wife would be over the moon!"

Clearly, his earlier words weren't just politeness. Carrying the book with him proved he was indeed a devoted fan.

But this display made Lockhart, who is standing nearby, extremely awkward.

His smile became stiff, and his eyes darted around uncomfortably, as if searching for something to look at.

However, his exceptionally thick skin soon came to the rescue.

"Ha! Today must be your lucky day, Angelo! Meeting two big stars of the Wizarding World in one day! Others would faint with envy if they knew!"