Chapter 26
Durmstrang - June 29
Lucius felt the ground slide under his feet. He never suspected that he would see Severus like this again. He will never forget the day the whole wounded man ended up in the Hospital Wing in his fifth year. In fact, until today, Sev hasn't told him what actually happened. He couldn't say it.
After a moment of bewilderment, he took the first step towards his friend and girlfriend who was his sister in everything but blood. However, he was detained by the Director of the Institute. He looked at him and saw the older wizard instantly turn very pale. One sentence emerged from his trembling lips.
- Take all the kids and go with them to the castle. You'll see Mr. Snape later. GO NOW!
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Aleksiej Ivanovic felt himself turn pale. He hadn't expected the remnants of her curse to emerge at this very moment. Jean was on her way to recovering from lycanthropy. However, he should know how she would be affected by the sight of her unconscious daughter.
- Take all the kids and go with them to the castle. - he felt that Mr. Malfoy didn't know what was happening. - You'll see Mr. Snape later. the young wizard still took no step. - GO NOW!
After a while, he ran towards his friend. During the run, he was afraid of one thing. Richard was a Muggle. He may not be able to hold his wife. She was a hellishly strong werewolf.
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Hogwarts - July 4
James Potter opened his eyes. He wondered how long it had been since he slumped in the chair at the Library. He was aware of what was happening around him, but now he was able to communicate with the outside world himself.
- James? - Someone's voice was full of fright. He didn't know that voice. - You woke up. Peter will be pleased. He was very worried. He wanted to be here with you but he was tired so I told him to go to sleep.
- Who are you? - he knew he was hoarse. He suspected it was because he hadn't spoken for a long time. - What happened?
- I'm Peter's friend. Pandora Black. You've been lying in the Hospital Wing for a long time. You had a wound on your stomach. Nobody knew what was causing it. Madam Pomfrey did her best to keep you alive. Did you hear anything when you were unconscious?
James was silent for a moment. With difficulty, he turned to the girl who had crept into the favors of his shy friend. She was lovely. It's strange that he hadn't noticed her before. A blonde with wonderful blue eyes. A bit similar to Narcissa Black but more delicate. More ethereal.
- Hi, Pandora. Peter mentioned you to me recently.
A smile appeared on the girl's face. He didn't know why she didn't call for a medi-witch, but he was glad she stayed with him. It was soothing to him. He understood why Peter had become friends with her.
- How are you? We thought you were going to die, but yesterday the wound suddenly started to heal all by itself. Unfortunately, the scar cannot be removed.
It crossed his mind that he would be disfigured. However, he almost immediately scolded himself for these thoughts. The most important thing was that he was alive. - Why am I not in St. Mungo's?
- Headmaster Dumbledore didn't consider your transfer to the hospital necessary. I heard him say that he thinks Madam Pomfrey has enough competence to heal you.
His parents were right. His mother was right. The old wizard was concerned only with his reputation. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back. He tried to hold back the tears from entering his eyes. Not because he was ashamed to cry, but because he didn't understand why he felt so sad in his heart.
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Durmstrang - July 4
It's been a week since it all happened. Both Severus and Helen were still kept in a coma. Most importantly, they both had no visible wounds anymore. Lucius Malfoy wondered what was going on with his friend over the past year. He was sure that he might not have recognized him if he had passed him on Diagon Alley. He was taller and much better built.
- A year was enough for you to change like this? - he whispered before he sat down next to the other person he really cared about.
Helen Granger was very pale. Paler than usual. He felt as if she had grown up too. She grew up too quickly. There was only two years between them, but since he met her, he treated her like his little sister. By pointing Severus to her, he assured himself a situation in which people who are his family will be close.
He reached out and stroked her cheek with his thumb. She was warm. Warmer than yesterday. He hoped they would both wake up soon. He wanted to talk to them.
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Jean Granger lay quietly on her bed. Her head hurt. However, it wasn't due to her condition but the atmosphere around her. Only her husband was calm.
- Could you please stop shouting at me over my head? I am trying to rest. - she growled looking at Aleksiej. The director was the most excited about this situation.
- You don't understand what happened? You have officially become the first patient to be cured of lycanthropy. After the last blast, you have burned the last remnants of what got into you from your meeting with Lyall Goyle from your body. This is a really big leap forward.
She didn't think about it that way. Maybe because the joy of her recovery was overshadowed by the fact that she was worried about her daughter and future son-in-law. They were still unconscious. - This is THAT important?
- Not only important when it comes to scientific issues. - Evan Potter's voice was matter-of-fact, but the wizard couldn't completely hide his pride. - But also financial. If Severus releases this elixir to the market, he won't have to worry about finances for the rest of his life.
She didn't answer. She knew that money in life isn't the most important thing, but she was aware of the complexes that her daughter's partner had. He was afraid that he wouldn't be able to provide them with a proper life. He didn't dream about anything big. He just wanted them not to have to live from one paycheck to next paycheck.
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Ministry of Magic, UK - July 4
Tom Riddle had never suspected that he would enter the Ministry this way. For some time he had been trying to regain a place in the Wizengamot belonging to the Gaunt family. He didn't think he would ever try it. He knew it would be difficult.
- Abraxas … - he sighed and looked at his friend. - You may not believe me, but I'm afraid. It feels the same as before being interviewed for the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
A gentle smile appeared on the face of the blonde. - Don't worry. This time you will not be rejected in advance by Dumbledore's prejudices. This wizard has a lot of power but the toughest witch I have ever seen works in this department. She isn't guided by sentiments, but by paragraphs.
He chuckled. - Maybe it won't be that bad.
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Kate Bennet wondered how to deal with the wizard she was going to meet. She wanted to agree to whatever he asked for. She smelled like black magic and only for unknown reasons no Auror had entered her office to arrest her.
She picked up the application and began reading it. - "Tom Riddle ... The last descendant of the Gaunt family ... Reclaiming the place ...''Interesting. Really interesting.
She knew that she would have to prepare this report so that no one could reverse her decision. She didn't like when someone questioned them.
Xxx
Abraxas Malfoy and Tom Riddle were quickly outside the door of the Magical Families Department. The red-haired secretary didn't even notice them at first, because she was buried in the pile of documents lying on her desk. Despite the fact that they said hello, she didn't pay attention to them. It wasn't until Tom grunted that the situation changed.
The young witch looked scared. - Sorry, gentlemen. We have a new head of department and… - She stopped speaking as she realized what she wanted to say. - Your dignity?
- Tom Marvolo Riddle. And this is my legal representative Abraxas Malfoy.
- You're lucky. Mrs. Bennet is waiting for you gentlemen. You can come in.
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Hogwarts - July 4
Albus Dumbledore was sitting at his desk and pacing, the front page of the newspaper he held in his hands. Minerva McGonagall was concerned. It had been a long time since she had seen this man so agitated by anything.
- What's happening? - she asked, although she doubted if she had done right.
- Let me read something to you. - He took a deep breath before he could speak. "Sarah Smith's body was found last night. Police believe this murder has something to do with the death of Alan Smith. Both victims were previously married. ''
- Did that upset you? - Minerva didn't know what was going on.
- They both came from squib families. That is why the Aurors appeared on the spot. From the report I read, one of aurors who came to that home, must have ended up with St. Mungo's due to black magic irradiation.
- Black magic irradiation? I've never heard of anything like this. - The Transfiguration professor was confused.
- Minerva ... I have never heard of it either and once I was very close with Gellert Grindelwald.
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Nurmengrad - July 4
His fingers traced the letters of the coroner's report. Cut off hands and tongues. Torn out heart. And an amount of black magic that exceeded the scale of any device used by the British Ministry of Magic. He didn't think he would ever hear about this family. He didn't think any of them survived. However, if what he suspected is true, the magical society will find out that in comparition with the women of THIS family, he is an angel. Fallen angel but an angel.
A long unheard of laughter echoed in the corridors of the fortress.
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Another chapter. A bit of a filler but I hope you like it. Today I am celebrating my birthday;) Regards, katie-krum