Chapter 13

The blooded were aware of some excitement going on at Prince Peak and Durmstrang, but as nobody there seemed to feel any need to draw on wider power, Jade left her curiosity until after it was all over to ask questions. She had been warned by her father to be aware that the Russian purebloods were out for trouble, but it appeared that they were scarcely even aware of the free school, certainly not as a threat to crush and, as Severus said dryly, when he contacted Jade, obliteerieate nastily. Jade had taken her disciples on the staff to chant up a line of warning. It would be hard to set vague wards against Russian blood snobs, but a warning of strangers approaching would give time to deal with any threat, as they would, if they came, be likely to use a straightforward assault, as indeed it later transpired that they had done at Prince Peak. As there was no three-pronged attack it seemed likely that their forces had been split two ways only, and the Ceastle of the Eagles was not to receive any Russian visitors. The worst dark magic to be dealt with would be Valentine's Day.

Fred, George and Garjala sent Jade and Wulf a complimentary box of snogging sweeties, as they dubbed what was officially called Kissing Kandy, with adult flavours to try out. Garjala had written,

"Fred tried to get too clever and have sweeties that snogged both of a happy couple at once and twined round tongues while it dissolved, but as breathing was an issue we figured that wasn't actually very romantic."

Jade laughed.

"How like Fred," she said.

Wulf regarded the box of sweeties with dismay.

"Must we really eat these horrible things to report on the flavour?" he asked.

"We'll share them out in the staffroom and ask for comments," said Jade. "The list of flavours is at least not unpalatable; kirsch, Irish coffee, rosewater, orange blossom, vanilla brandy and rum truffle. Why do I suspect one of the juvenile versions will be rum and raisin ice-cream flavour?"

"Because you know the Weasley twins well," said Wulf.

The opinions in the staffroom were mixed, but the flavours at least were considered very nice, and Ihor said that when the shock had subsided, a good dose of something alcoholic was needed to get over it, and they could keep the rosewater and orange blossom thank you.

xxx

Valentine's Day was to fall on a Saturday this year, on a waning moon that was still bright. Jade declared that after a ruthlessly organised party, the school might retire outside and build snow forts and have a moonlit snowball fight.

"Let's declare war, not love," she said, firmly. Half term would fall the week after, so there would be no time for soppiness, and Jade declined on Biirta's behalf an invitation to Malfoy Manor for the weekend of Valentine's Day. As she said, Lucius could be dippy enough about his women without the magic of a day of love and romance, and nobody wanted Biirta producing offspring when she was one of those representing the school in the Triwizard, next academic year. And Biirta might manage continent, but that was one thing Jade was not sure she trusted Lucius to manage. If Biirta got pregnant next Yule that was one thing, but not when the eyes of the world were on how the performance the school for Goblins and Blood Taints, as most of Germany saw them, went.

Lucius understood when Jade apported to England to explain in person. Promoting racial equality was one of the things he was passionate about.

"I would try, you know," he said.

"I know; but Malfoy Manor is steeped in millennia of Bacchanalias and Valentine's romps and the very stones would be egging you on," said Jade.

Lucius considered this.

"You know, that hadn't occurred to me," he said, "but you are quite right. Valentine's is one of those times the naked lady mosaic wriggles more than usual."

xxx

The arrival on everyone's plates at Frühstück of a poke of sweeties with their name on was a surprise. Wulf stood and the amazed babble ceased.

"Courtesy of the First Eagle Marauders, be aware, they are a little…surprising. However I hope you will enjoy the sweets, and a very nice piece of ritual sending from the children."

The First Eagle Marauders rose and bowed.

"It's not strictly a ritual sending at close quarters, it's a controlled banishing," murmured Jade.

"True, but there are elements in it that can be taken into ritual sending," said Wolf, "and they almost split their tongues in half and dislocated their fingers getting it to work, I though a little encouragement was in order."

"Oh, I agree," said Jade, "I was only quibbling on nomenclature. It's a nice piece of extrinsic relocation by precision."

"But they wouldn't remember that definition and it's not as exciting as a ritual sending," said Wulf. "They may be an academic bunch, and they'll like to know what it's called at some point, but right now, look at them enjoy being a ritual group!"

"They do seem to enjoy it, don't they?" said Jade, equably. "I'll note the proper terminology in the book of all wickedness when they transcribe it though, in case future Marauders want to know."

And at least snogging sweeties were likely to be the only snogging going on in this school! The youngsters were, on the whole, too busy gaining an education to be interested in romance, except Biirta who was probably learning at least as much from Lucius in the throes of redirected lust as she was at school; and Magda's shy and ill-formed admiration of Ritter was not going anywhere yet. Nor, really, was the relationship of Friedrich Spinnetanz and Kristel Kirsch; they were more or less an item but beyond finding a lot to talk about, they had yet to move into any kind of relationship that required a judicial eye kept on it. Of the older girls, Shizue was working too hard for her Sensei to notice boys – though Jade suspected she and Takeo might end up with a Case – as more than friends; Gauda was determined to prove herself as a goblin and as a female; Daria was a little young for her age in that respect, and Safraxa, at the dangerous age of 15, was completely immersed in her work. Valentine's Day would be more fraught with silliness when the senior classes were made up of those youngsters who had been all through school, but now it was all nice and quiet and controlled. Apart from Magda looking as though she was ready to burst into tears when the first sweetie she ate snogged her.

Biirta had an arm about her in an instant.

"Insensitive brats, they are trying to be funny," she said, urgently. "They mean well, Mags, don't cry! It's not exactly much like a real kiss, is it?"

Magda managed to suck the sweet into submission enough to say,

"I don't know. HE never kissed me; he wasn't interested in that. I – it was a shock."

"Yes, but at least not too prolonged," said Biirta. "And at least they taste nice."

"What's it like being kissed properly?" asked Magda.

"Turns your belly into fire and your legs into jelly and your lips are the universe," said Biirta. "You'll find out when you are ready, but don't go practising with these sweeties. It isn't any more satisfying than kissing on your hand or the mirror."

"How did you know?" Magda flamed.

"Oh, you've got that far, have you?" said Biirta. "I tried both. And it's no go, but the sweeties are even less… well, more, but yet less in so many ways."

"You don't make any sense," said Magda.

"Well, they are more, er, proactive than a hand or the mirror," said Biirta, "but not really in a good way."

"Oh! I see," said Magda.

"Bear in mind these are little boys – because little girls that age are also little boys – kisses in pretence," said Biirta. "and I don't suppose you really want to go there, the idea of being snogged by Klemens or Ulvik or any of them."

"Horrible thought," said Magda. "They are scarcely older than Petrus!"

"Quite," said Biirta. "But enterprising. And they could have pulled far less generous japes; I know they bought all the ingredients with their own money as a nice surprise, because they asked me how to pull off the banishing spell with a ritual twist to it."

"I… I see," said Magda, restored to equanimity. "That is generous of them. And they are nice kids who mean well."

Indeed the Marauders came up to Magda after breakfast, and Ulvik said,

"I say, Magda, we saw you were upset and we are most awfully sorry. We didn't mean to remind you of Ligern's rotten brother trying to hurt you last year."

"I – there's been other bad things happen before that," said Magda, "which is why I froze when Murt was going to attack me."

"Oh, I see," said Ulvik, who did see, or at least could guess. "Then we're doubly sorry."

"You're nice kids and didn't do it to scare me, which I guess some people might," said Magda. "Only I would rather not eat any more."

"Oh that's quite all right," said Ulvik. "We have some ordinary peppermints, would you like some? We got rather sick of being snogged ourselves while we perfected it, it's rather icky. But the looks on most people's faces was jolly funny."

"Thank you," said Magda, accepting a peppermint as a peace offering. After all, lots of little girls in the orphanage, and half-breeds like Mava, were going to grow up able to laugh about snogging sweeties being 'rather icky' instead of being whores before they reached the age of these youngsters. And that was a good thing.

xxxx

Saturday morning progressed as normal, since there were some voluntary lessons taking place. Those not involved in such lessons undertook their usual Saturday activities. As most of those taking voluntary lessons were those elements who were more likely than the rest to get into any kind of trouble, this meant that only the milder children were unrestrained. And Wulf and Jade liked it that way. Especially amongst the older ones, most of whom were at least engaged in personal study or tutorials with willing staff members as they eagerly studied for more ZPs to take alongside such ZHs as they felt able to pursue, or in the case of the ambitious Biirta, who was taking four extra ZPs, to take two after a year's study in the hopes of pursuing them to ZH. These were Ancient Runes and Chanting, and Biirta was also receiving extra help from Lucius, so Jade and Wulf had no qualms about this industry. Biirta excelled at Potions and Arithmancy, which Jade was inclined to postulate were the natural partners of Chanting and Runes. Wulf never told his exquisite wife that she was a trifle prejudiced in this matter. The alliance of those four subjects seemed to make the Snapes more able than those wizards and witches who excelled in more standard fields of study. And Jade did also murmur that the more you learned in every field, the more it affected what higher magic might accomplish. Biirta's ambitions were exceeded only by Gunnar's grim determination to take five ZHs, though he was not studying any extra at ZP.

Saturday afternoon was, however, a holiday, and the whole school was organised ruthlessly into baking heart-shaped tarts, some of which were to be delivered to their families as gifts, and some of which would be a part of the feast later; and then they played a lot of very silly games which left everyone giggling too much with mirth to have the breath to giggle over teenage prurient interest in luurve. The feast was well received, and children having the digestions of an erumpent, they were happy to put on coats and cloaks and go out into the moonlight to build snow forts and throw snowballs at each other. They were watched fondly by the Margrave and his new Margravine, who had not, as Jade put it, put each other down since being reunited.

It was a moot point who might have won the snowball fight; a good time was had by all, which was all that counted.

And then that nonsense was over for another year. Keeping the children occupied over the long weekend that was to be the half term in the following week might have its challenges, but not as many as on those feast days that had silly customs attached to them. And the weekend was to be enlivened by a visit from a school from Berne to play quiddpolo, who had had an equestrian meet with Hellibore's academy and Prince Peak when Engelbert Hellibore had organised it.

xxxx

Wanda Steck would have other excitements for the half term; she was going with her grandfather to visit the factory again, this time without any disguise. Wanda was uncertain whether it was wise for it to be known she was the owner's granddaughter, but Mr Steck pointed out that she would find it harder to tell people the longer she left it.

Wanda looked forward to a deeper friendship with half-goblin Elise, now foreman on a production line, and did not wish the friendship to be tainted by dishonesty, but was wary about how Elise would react to her, and said so.

"My dear!" said Herr Steck, "You have your loyalty and courage to make friendships from your father; and I have to say I am pleased, because Elise was brave enough to risk her job to ask me what had become of the new girl, worrying that someone had made away with you. I had to tell her who you were to quiet her fears. She is all admiration that you wanted to work on the line without being known. Promoting her was the best thing that came out of that little matter, she stands up for the girls and they work their hearts out for her. The production has gone up, and she has even bullied me into finding and giving jobs to those girls that wretched man had impregnated, who found themselves cast upon the world as prostitutes. I have another production line up and running since I am also willing to employ married women part time, and provide child care facilities and literacy classes for their offspring. Your experiences in the orphanage have taught me a very great deal."

Wanda threw her arms about him.

"Oh grandfather, I AM glad!" she said. "Now, tell me, are you going to marry Elise to stop her going to work for anyone else?"

"Wanda! At my age?" said Herr Steck. "She is a young thing, hardly older than you! However, I am half minded to adopt her as a daughter and settle some of my wealth on her in my will, if you would not be too angry about that?"

"I'd be delighted," said Wanda. "After all, she has been instrumental in increasing your wealth; and I think it would be very nice if she were to see the benefits of that."

xxxx

Elisa ran to hug Wanda when the old man brought her to the factory, and then leaped back, looking warily at the younger girl.

Wanda promptly hugged her back.

"Grandfather has been telling me all about the improvements he has been making at your suggestion," she said. "I am so glad. He really had no idea about the social realities."

"He is a fine man and so ready to learn," said Elise.

Wanda shot her a look.

"I know he's a bit long in the tooth, but did I catch a note of admiration beyond that for an employer?" she asked.

Elise blushed.

"He takes good care of himself, and being rich he ain't no older than a poor goblin of thirty," she said. "It won't go nowhere though, so don't worry."

"Hmm," said Wanda. "He told me he thought of adopting you, but if you prefer a romantic solution I shall have to put my mind to it."

Elise stared.

"You mean you wouldn't fight to have me thrown out?" she said.

"Don't be so silly," said Wanda. "It would be fun having you as an adopted aunt close enough in age to be a sister to me, but if you were my stepgrandmother it wouldn't stop us being friends. And if you had children they'd be like little siblings to me."

"You really are generous!" gasped Elise.

Wanda shrugged.

"Well, having a wealthy grandfather was never something I ever expected, and as I've never had wealth, sharing a half of more than I could possibly imagine still comes to more than I could possibly imagine," she said prosaically. Elise laughed.

"You are so nice!" she said. "All right, I confess, I started to find him attractive as a person and as a man when he had me share in meetings with Fritz, who's learning to be his business manager, and I can't help what I feel."

"I'll put my mind to it," said Wanda, "preferably before he has adoption papers drawn up. I'm sure I can think of something to make sure he sees you in the light of being a woman, despite being quite young."

"All that schooling has to be good for something," Elise was half mocking.

"All that schooling has given me the confidence to think about solving problems and we get to read a lot of stories too, so I learn about people," said Wanda. "Though I shall avoid doing what I heard nearly happened to two of Herr Harry Potter's friends."

"What was that?" Elise was all agog.

"Frau Professor Von Strang's mother was at school with them, you see," said Wanda, "and everyone but the two involved could see they were a couple, so the Frau Professor's mother threatened to lock them in a room together, disapparating all their clothes, and make it really cold so they had to get into bed together."

Elise giggled.

"I bet she didn't have to go that far if she told them that," she said.

"I don't think so, no," said Wanda. "Hmm. We will go shopping. We are taught how to dress well, and make the most of ourselves, because for some of us girls, a good marriage is likely to be a way out of poverty, and besides it offends Frau Professor Von Strang's sense of the orderly to see boys or girls not make the best of themselves. And we shall dress you and I will do your hair, and ask if you can come to dinner and then I will slip away and hope he realises you are lovely."

"Me? I'm a half goblin," scoffed Elise.

"And very pretty," said Wanda, firmly. "Trust me."

Her grandfather might be a little taken aback that Wanda asked if she might take Elise shopping, but Walther Steck was pleased that his dear granddaughter was so close to someone he was coming to rely on for her good common sense.

xxx

Back in the Castle of the Eagles, Jade welcomed the Quiddpolo team from Berne. The Swiss Ministry of Education had themselves sent a representative to give the Berne school leyline assist, so that the horses would not be too tired to play in the afternoon; the schoolchildren might get to know each other while they were rested. And the Swiss Ministry was curious too, to see how the reputedly uncouth goblins of Germany had adapted to education.

Grelleg, as head of games, bowed in greeting, and welcomed the visitors, and the Minister was much impressed. He had come to referee the match too, since he was a school league quidditch referee who also rode, and he was interested to see how Quiddpolo might take off. If it was made popular by the likes of Mr Lucius Malfoy and Herzog Von Frettchen, both big noises in the wizarding world, Switzerland might as well have the advantage of training young players in schools. Herr Zurbriggen was a patriot.

Grelleg explained that he was not on the Quiddpolo team, but acted as referee for informal games, such as they had managed.

"We have a slight problem in that the horsiest of our people are hopeless at Quidditch, and most of our first team Quidditch players fall off horses," he confided. "I play seeker at Quidditch but I'm sufficiently indifferent on a horse that I was glad to cede the position to young Berthold, who makes up for being no better than anyone at Quidditch in being an instinctive rider. Cnebbic is good at quidditch and a decent all-rounder, Torschik and Adelheid likewise, Kristel and Kasimir grew up with horses and aren't a disaster with a quaffle and Hilder is capable of staying on a horse without dropping anything. Torschik's my brother and I'm that proud of him that he can represent the family."

The Swiss school eyed full goblins like Cnebbic, Torschik and Hilder with interest. Their team included one half-goblin lad.

The tallest girl was the team captain.

"I'm Yolande Voegeli, and my team are Pirmin Utzinger, Haymo Favre, Vianna Joos, Trudi Gan Aldo, Duran Ingold and Jerely Schelling. Like you, we've been trying to work out a compromise between those who ride, and those who don't drop the quaffle. I think it will be a bit of, as the English say, comedy of errors, but it should be fun, though we have a fixture to play at Prince Peak."

"And that, Yolande, is all we can ask for!" said Grelleg. "Our quidditch team was annihilated by Prince Peak last year, but it was great fun."

The home team showed the visitors round the castle after refreshments had been served, and spoke proudly of their sixth form, so many of whom had achieved what had seemed impossible, and of their association with the free hospital. The Swiss visitors were much impressed.

Hugo Zurbriggen said to Wulf,

"I can't help contrasting your nicely behaved and polite pupils, with a love of learning and a desire to make the most of their schooldays with the rather spoiled and precious brats in Herr Hellibore's school."

"Oh, Engelram does us all a favour in taking those students who have not the drive to amount to much, who squeal at goblins and elves in education, and who are too precious to cope with real life," said Wulf. "It's a bit unfair on those youngsters he has who would have liked the chance to perform better, but I suppose that they can always take the example of the high flyers in the English tradition schools and set up a club which meets before breakfast to run, to improve stamina for the better sustaining of spells, and practising informal duelling."

"Can this be the secret of success against the supremacists?" gasped Herr Zurbriggen.

"Essentially, yes," said Wulf. "Of course the first of such clubs grew out of the informal bodyguard of Harry Potter, and their purpose was to prevent him from being killed by Voldemort, but the custom grew to air problems, whether of bullying or of problems at home, to be supportive even if no practical aid could be given. Those good at one subject help those who are poor and this is passed on. It is very convivial, and any teacher who belongs must take off his or her teacher hat to be an equal with just more experience to keep it informal."

"Remarkable!" said Herr Zurbriggen. "It sounds as though it needs to start spontaneously though."

"In a way, yes," said Wulf, "as it doesn't work without the wholehearted enthusiasm of the children. However as one of your team has been eavesdropping shamelessly and has just sidled off, I have no doubt the benefit will soon be felt in another school."

As the Berne school were also having Marauding explained to them – in broad – that benefit might spread to the Berne school too, and if fixtures became common, and any were suitable, then they might be blooded at need. Severus had said that he hoped to invest in this little school run by a pair of sisters, and it seemed likely that some Prince Peak students would be teaching there; Severus was planning on suggesting it to Leneli Accola, as she was Swiss herself, which would raise the profile of Swiss half goblins; and Leneli's Romanian boyfriend might well join her. Neither Leneli nor Milos were Marauders, but they would not turn a hair at the concept!

Herr Zurbriggen was very impressed by Schloss Adler, and said so.

"You have achieved miracles," he said. "Perhaps the Swiss Ministry might cover the tuition of those pupils not quite up to the exacting standards of Herr Professor Snape, amongst those too poor or of the wrong blood status for Durmstrang or Beauxbatons?"

"We'd be delighted," said Wulf. "We have a few paying goblin students from outside Germany who could not make Severus' grade. And at that I think we shall turn them out with better qualifications than if Beauxbatons opened its doors to full blood goblins. The idea of sponsored youngsters who long to learn without being high fliers pleases me even more. Such are the children who will grow up to be lower management, and they may even aspire to teach if they have the talent. A solid educated class who are not as seduced by academe as Severus' pupils can tend to be!"

Herr Zurbriggen laughed.

"Herr Professor Snape is reputedly so learned a man, it is not surprising his pupils long to emulate him. I am delighted that he counts Quidditch as a talent to be nurtured in his school though."

"Yes, we'll be sending two of ours to him for sixth form coaching," said Wulf, "Grelleg and Cnebbic. It would be a waste not to, though it will spoil our chances of ever beating Durmstrang at Quidditch."

Hugo Zurbriggen laughed.

"I can understand why that must be an ambition to strive for!" he said. "But Durmstrang hone their skills too against professional players, and they play rough."

"Well, there are always future Triwizards," said Wulf. "Even our star pupils won't have the breadth and depth to do especially well at next year's, but then, the idea of even competing is a dream to most of them."

"As it is to Fraulein Pfenningen's school!" said the Minister. "I suspect you may attract some of her older pupils hopeful to study to ZH or ELF as it is known in French. Both the Pfenningen sisters attended Beauxbatons, as did I, and I consider the few subjects they teach to be taught in a superior fashion. But only Potions is offered formally to the higher level."

"We should be very happy," said Wulf. A few paying ZH students helped keep the poorer children in education!

"And I have to say," said Herr Zurbriggen, happily, "Whether you outperform Durmstrang in next year's Triwizard or not, I wager you beat Hellibore's."

"Oh, I'll not put money on it," said Wulf. "The lad I think is going to be our champion is good, and has raw ability, but Engelbert has a few determined lads who I fancy are going to be studying on their own time. My father-in-law has always been inclined to despise the concept of the Triwizard, whilst being prepared to use it to show the supremacists that attacking us is a bad idea, but it does make the young people about to be involved really raise their game and, if they have sense, study those skills they know little about."

"I had not considered it in those lights," said Zurbriggen. "Would you take any of Fraulein Pfenninger's pupils to give them a chance?"

"A hard question," said Wulf. "If it made our own people feel that we were bringing in outsiders to have a better chance, it would not do their confidence any good. I… I am sorry, Herr Zurbriggen, I must refuse. They are still too much in need of building up. Severus might accept them though; he is more tolerant than he sometimes sounds."

Herr Zurbriggen grinned.

"He could scarcely be less," he said dryly. "I will suggest that."

"I doubt he'd accept students for just one year, though," said Wulf. "Taking those who wish more than one ZH – it would be a NEWT in the English school unless it is History, as Severus feels the ZH to be superior – he would accept, but not even the most talented Potioneer just to get a chance at the Triwizard."

"Understood," said Herr Zurbriggen. This dame school was the best of its kind, in his opinion, in Switzerland, but it was not in the league of those schools who might petition to be a part of the Triwizard.

xxx

Meanwhile, Wanda and Elise went shopping. Walther Steck paid Wanda what she considered an unnecessarily high allowance, but, as she said, it permitted her to purchase whatever she wanted if there was a gown that suited Elise in an expensive shop. Elise looked shocked.

"I do not expect you to be buying a gown for me!" she said.

"It was my scheme; the least I can do is finance it," said Wanda.

Elise giggled.

"Have you any idea how much like your grandfather you looked and sounded then?" she said.

"Did I?" Wanda was taken aback. "Well, I suppose sometimes blood shows, in some things, even though I agree with Professor Von Strang that it is the upbringing that counts for more. I'm not about to throw money at getting you a gown. I'm relieved to know I have enough money to get the right gown if it is dear. I grew up with Papa having to count both sides of a knut."

"It won't do you any harm, running the business, so long as you take the attitude that you have to spend to gain, sometimes, and you aren't miserly."

"I know too much about poor wages to want to pay them," said Wanda, "and I know that skimping on the product is a short-sighted thing. There's a boy in my class who is ambitious enough but not as ambitious as some, whom I thought I might employ as an accountant. He's very good with money, he works all holidays to save enough to help his siblings through school. I admire him very much for that. Witlac is a year younger than me, because I'm a year below my age, so I can learn more."

"And that's dedication, as much as his," said Elise. "Here, you ain't taking me into Madame Schlauefinger's are you?"

"Why not? It is where Grandfather has taken me for gowns," said Wanda.

Elise gave a short, ugly laugh.

"Well, I'm game for the laugh if you are, but watch and see how she reacts to you buying a fine gown for the likes of me," she said.

Wanda frowned.

"You are a respectable foreman, what's to trouble her? And moreover you are my friend, which should mean that she should treat you as she would treat me."

"Well let's try it," said Elise, opening the shop door and going in. "I need a gown for a dinner party," she said.

"Does your mistress have an account with us?" said the woman behind the counter. "We cannot make a gown without knowing her measurements and colouring."

"It's for me," said Elise.

Dark spots of red burned on the woman's cheeks.

"How DARE you, you slut? Get out of here before I call the Politzei! Fraulein Steck! This dreadful creature is now leaving, I am sorry you have to see this!" as Wanda entered behind the impulsive Elise.

"Well how interesting to see how you think of my friend," said Wanda, slipping her arm into Elise's. "Good day to you, Schlauefinger: I will be informing my grandfather that we shall be taking our custom elsewhere. I shall have his business manager settle any outstanding accounts with you, before I tell all my friends what a waste of space you are."

With that she turned on her heel with Elise and marched out.

"Gawd, you really do know how to do the grand lady," said Elise.

"I watched and learned from our aristocratic professors," said Wanda. "Dear me! Now we shall have to find another modiste; she really has got cunning fingers."

"Well, the goblin girls she works half to death have, anyway," said Elise, cynically. "hypocritical old cow."

"Hmm," said Wanda, who was definitely a disciple of the Snape way. "We shall have to ruin her, and take over the business, and make it a co-operative of her workers, whilst holding shares to keep an eye on it."

"I like the way you think," said Elise. "If you learned that in your school, it teaches better things than just lessons."

"Our junior head makes a hobby of ruining unpleasant people to help out the workforce," said Wanda. "She told me a lot that she doesn't tell as a general thing because I shall be going into industry on the management side. She and Herzog von Frettchen split the bad employers they come across between them. He's one of our Governors," she added.

"Gawd, you do move in exalted circles," said Elise.

"I'm glad I moved in poverty-stricken ones first, though," said Wanda, "because I've learned more. And when I marry all my children will spend time on the assembly lines learning the ropes. But I'd give it all up to have Papa back."

Elise hugged her.

"I wish you could have it all, wealth and your parents," she said. "My parents were killed in riots, for miscegenation, and I'd do a lot to have that not happen. My mother was human, you see," she added sadly. "If it had been the other way round, it might not have happened. I was fortunate to be old enough to get a factory job and to be good enough to keep it, and not have to become a whore. "

"I wager they'd have survived too if they had been wealthy like Frau Professor Schiff and Herr Grellig Schiff," said Wanda.

"You call him 'Herr'?" said Elise in amazement.

"Why yes; anything else would be discourteous," said Wanda. "Our heads are very keen on courtesy. But I recall how it was with the orphanage, and they were horrid to half-breeds. It WILL change," she added with steely determination.

"I reckon I believe you," said Elise. "I do know a goblin seamstress, if you ain't scared to go to the goblin end of the town; she normally calls on human clients to make robes, so I could go on my own and summon her, if you like."

"Why take her out when she can measure you in her shop?" said Wanda. "No need to tire her; we are asking a great deal already to have her make a gown overnight for a dinner party tomorrow, for I suspect that she will not have some half-made models to finish as the Schauefinger woman does. We can send the carriage for her to do the fitting tomorrow."

"And I wager you'd be the first client as has ever suggested sending a carriage," said Elise, dryly. "Regardless that walking miles in the rain might spot satin if it penetrates the package she carries it in."

Wanda sniffed.

"Well it sounds as though it is time to invest in her. What is her name?"

"Ragni," said Elise.

"Lead on, then," said Wanda.

xxx

The Quiddpolo was much enjoyed by the players, though as Jade said, the number of technical fouls were better not to be counted. The visitors were more accustomed to riding, and as most of them had ridden from an early age found passing quaffles easier than the home team, who had concentrated on those skills that allowed them to make a fair showing in the Gymkhanas. Berthold, however, had been playing hurley for almost a year now, and was more relaxed with the lacrosse net than his counterpart from Berne, since he had learned to make a hurley stick an extension of himself. The cross was different, and yet not so different as to make it unfamiliar, and when he and Yolande Voegli were both in pursuit of the snitch, though Yolande had superior reach, Berthold had no difficulty tackling her almost as soon as the snitch fluttered into her net, and having whacked it out again, secured it and hastily drew in his stick to touch the snitch. His own team cheered, and Berthold grinned. He had no idea what the score was, and whether he had won the match for Schloss Adler, whether he had tied it, or whether he had gained points for consolation, but it did not matter which. It had been a good game.

As the points were within a couple of scores it was, as Grelleg said to Yolande when she ruefully congratulated the home team, almost a tie.