Chapter 32
District Examination Board, Poland - August 30
Lucius Malfoy had never been this scared. He didn't think he would ever attend an event like this. He suspected that his father would probably disinherit him if he found out about what he had done. Today he was to write the last exam that would fall within the scope of the exams required for the Polish secondary school-leaving examination. He was lucky that thanks to the intercession of Łukasz Łagoda with the representatives of the local Ministry of Magic, he was able to take exams in English.
Several people accompanied him. Grangers, Severus and Helen. To his surprise, Aleksiej Ivanovic, Evan Potter and Professor Łagoda also appeared.
- I really don't know why you didn't ask us for help with your studies right away. - Jean sighed amused while she adjusted his tie. - I thought we instilled in you the ability to ask for help.
- I was ashamed. I am now a fully grown up in the UK and I should be more independent.
Richard smiled at his words. - You may be an adult, but you are our child anyway. In a twisted way, but still. After that, even an adult may need help. This is perfectly normal.
Before Lucius entered the examination room, he looked at his friend. He was hugging Helen but he was staring at him all the time. He didn't have to say anything. His eyes were on his side. Sometimes the tacit support, especially when it comes to Severus, was stronger than what could be said out loud.
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Hogwarts - August 30
Albus Dumbledore was anxiously reading the list of students who would cross the walls of Hogwarts for the first time this year. Unfortunately, the downward trend among first-year students continued. He was concerned about this. It wasn't even that Hogwarts had fewer students. After talking with principals of other schools, he realized that the downward trend was also visible in other countries.
The older wizard ran his fingers along his chin. He knew that this situation wouldn't be the only thing that would be on his mind any time soon. Roughly, he agreed to organize the Triwizard Tournament. Through his dealings with Severus Snape, he permanently lost the support of the Potter family in the Wizengamot. Tom Marvolo Riddle, for unknown reasons, regained a place in Wizengamot that had belonged to the Gaunt family for centuries.
He was trying to block a decision made by a certain Kate Bennet. To his surprise, the minister simply laughed at him, saying that he would sooner resign from his position than he would risk opposing this witch. After such a bold statement from the Minister Bagnold, he tried to contact the problematic witch, but he was blocked in every possible way.
- I suspect this will be one of the most difficult school years of my career at Hogwarts. - he muttered under his breath before reaching for the lemon drops.
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Minerva McGonagall was unaware of her supervisor's thinking as she, alone in her office, prepared for the coming school year. She knew the Quiditch games were likely to be suspended this year, so she wanted to prepare something in return. The main attention of the students will be on the Triwizard Tournament, but that didn't mean that there will be no students who would like to take a break from this atmosphere.
She recently spoke to Horace Slugthorn about it. They couldn't think of anything. Nothing except that it would be worthwhile to conduct a survey on this topic at the beginning of the school year. Their potions master concluded that if this initiative were to be aimed at their students, it would be the students who could come up with possible solutions to the problem.
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Wolf's Lair - August 30
Fernir Greyback didn't know what was happening to Lyall Goyle. From the moment he began to lose his partner in favor of an unknown person, he began to change. The fact that he was easily defeated by a Muggle didn't help either. He himself understood where the strength could come from in this woman. More than once, he saw how the women in their herd became hellishly strong at times when something threatened their offspring. He hoped Jean Granger was infected. Then he could force her to be bound as payment for the damage.
- Lyall! - The werewolf shouted when he saw that the boy was once again making a dangerous maneuver. - What the hell is wrong with you? - he had his fangs bared all the time when he approached Goyle. He had been a werewolf for so long that he was free to make a partial transformation.
- I felt she was hurt. I could feel it. But because she cut me off ... I couldn't find her.
He understood the pain of the younger member of the herd. He wasn't sure if Lyall felt the same as he did after his love died. Yet he understood the sense of loss. He hoped the boy would fill the void. Otherwise, he'll either go crazy or start hurting himself. Only in his case, he could blame himself. A woman cherishes the life she carries within herself. How can you try to break into such a temple by force?
- Go for a run, but be careful. We don't need a complication.
Fenrir knew what his reputation was because of his licantrophy. The reproduction of werewolves, the natural reproduction of werewolves, was taboo. Many didn't even imagine that anyone would want to freely associate sexually with a werewolf. This is why it has been accepted in the consciousness of society that the herd grows either by infecting a healthy wizard or by rape.
He would never have come to breach a woman's body, any woman, without her consent. At least not sexual. The bite was completely different to him.
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Potter Manor - August 30
James Potter lay motionless on his bed with his eyes closed. Sirius wondered what had happened lately to make James so withdrawn. Not the way it has been over the past school year. He was withdrawn but extremely happy. He was actually beaming with joy.
- Will you look at me like that for a long time, or will you finally say something? - The boy's voice didn't seem irritated.
- I wonder what's going on. Since the day I "abducted" Lily for a walk you have been walking like in the clouds. And you didn't tell me what you were doing with Petunia. - James opened his eyes at these words, he seemed surprised. - I can't believe you were just dancing.
Potter felt his cheeks warm up. - We just danced and talked. Nothing big. - James threw a pillow at his friend.
Sirius smiled. James hadn't been so relaxed in a long time.
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Warsaw, Rozmaitości Street, Poland - August 30
While the adults decided to wait for the end of Lucius's exam, Severus and Helen went to explore Rozmaitości Street, which is the Polish equivalent of Diagon Alley. Both teenagers wanted to spend some time together looking for a present for the stubborn blonde.
- Sev, what are we gonna get him? - Helen asked him as she clasped the fingers of their hands together. Due to this gentle but extremely intimate movement, for a moment Severus' thoughts weren't where they should be. He didn't know why, instead of just grabbing his hand, Helen ran her hand from his wrist down to the bottom of his hand each time to slide her fingers between his.
- Something that will be very useful to him. I once overheard Narcissa saying that she is very influenced by novels in which the protagonist uses a whip on his partner. - Severus smirked.
Helen stopped abruptly. - You can't be serious. Lucius is very gentle with those he loves. Can you imagine him beating his fiancée with a whip before he sleeps with her?
- Not really. But it would be a fun gift.
- Guys. - she snorted before adding. - Let's get him this whip and something practical.
Snape watched Helen walk in front of him. How captivated he watched her hips swinging from side to side. He often found himself wondering what her bare skin looked like, but he knew it was too early for that.
- Honey, wait! Don't leave me alone here.
The brunette turned to him and said with a smile on her face. - I thought you were a big boy. A boy big enough to play alone.
Her sentence seemed to have a double meaning. He walked up to her with a quick step, pulled her to him so that she could feel his body reacting to her and leaning down he whispered in his ear. - I'd rather not play alone. I am respecting your limits. I'll wait as long as it takes.
She stared at him. There was something in her eyes that he hadn't noticed before. Desire. At that moment he kissed her. She gave him that kiss with a groan of pleasure.
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Malfoy Manor - August 30
Abraxas Malfoy could see in people the moment when they changed their attitude to certain matters. He knew that Kate Bennet had unlocked in his friend something he thought would no longer be possible. However, for over a week, this stubborn wizard didn't act like a puppy in love but like a determined man.
The change came on the day Tom traveled to the Ministry of Magic for his first Wizengamot meeting. He was there so he knew the change had nothing to do with the Wizengamot. Something must have happened when he lost sight of him for about forty minutes. When he saw him again, the man's entire body was tied together like a stretched guitar string.
- Brax ... I have a question. - Lord Malfoy was surprised. He thought he would eventually start this awkward conversation. - Do you still have contacts at the Aurors' office?
- Why do you ask?
- I'd like to see the documents, all the documents relating to Wool's Orphanage. When I ran into Miss Bennet she was completely unguarded. Two memories popped into my head. Two children tied by their necks to the wall. A girl… I'm not sure, but I think the girl was Bennet. The memory was from this girl's point of view. The second child was a boy. If I am not mistaken ... This boy was trapped in my old orphanage. I believe Kate Bennet is responsible for the death of Mrs. Cole. For Miss Cole's disappearance.
Abraxas knew he would get all the information he needed. If his friend's suspicions prove to be correct, they will have to convince this woman to cooperate. They had searched for her before, but tey had no starting point. Then they had their first suspicions about Miss Bennet. Now these were suspicions bordering on certainty.
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Bennets House - August 30
Regan Bennet was delighted with the latest developments. He has worked long to develop his magic. Many times he dreamed of being able to surrender so that he wouldn't have to fight for every little spell. His mother didn't let him give up. He was now able to do almost anything he would normally need a wand for.
- Honey … - Mother knelt down in front of him, she looked as if she was afraid of something. - ... I think you are ready for the new spell. However, you will only be able to use them as a last resort. It is part of my family magic. It flows in my blood.
- But your blood isn't in my veins. - Reg was saddened. He knew his mom loved him. But he couldn't understand why the woman who had given birth to him couldn't love him.
- It isn't important. I chose you as my son. And nothing will change it. That's why my family magic also runs inside you. I'm sorry I didn't show you this earlier, but I didn't want you to feel pressured. You had to learn magic without a wand first. Just don't get spooked. The spell isn't permanent and takes a lot of energy from the magic core.
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Kate Bennet placed her hands over her son's elbows. She dug her fingers into his body. She could see that despite the pain he didn't scream. He trusted her. The witch has allowed the filaments of her magic to create what they will now be aiming for. Second by second the boy's arms grew longer.
After half an hour, Kate passed out and the boy with no arms got fully functional arms.
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Another chapter. I hope you liked it. There is little time until September 1st. Regards, katie-krum.