Maria Hanuschak: I returned to Mama berating me with questions. There was nothing I could tell her though, I was still learning all the ways myself. To Josef though, I asked what was and wasn't allowed to transpire between members. If the Dark Lord tells you to tell no one, you tell no one. Otherwise, just keep it in your circle of members. There are different circles you know. There is a western and eastern circle, depending on where you were from. The most blatantly active is the western circle, The Lestranges, Blacks, Averys, Onco, etc. The eastern circle is much less noticed, but may play a bigger role overall. The eastern circle is highly tied to Durmstrang, which is the base for most of their meetings and such. Igor was of the eastern circle. During the first war they developed many new Dark spells and counter curses. They also combined spells and made defensive-offensive spells where they could defend themselves against a spell while it cast an offensive spell back at the original caster. Experimentation with wand types, talismans, other physical guards was also part of their domain. Potions though, are no one's. Neither circle can claim it as mostly their means of expertise. During the wars, it rested mostly in the hands of Severus, Sergei, and myself. The western circle is much more action-oriented, playing the cards given to them by the eastern members. This is well documented though and I don't believe I need to continue further.
Chief Warlock Greene: The court is fully aware of the wizarding circles within the Death Eaters and their activities. Continue please.
Maria Hanuschak: The last year of my apprenticeship was grueling at best. I worked day and night on potions, and when they had to sit, I would read whatever book it was I had with me. My father's library is the most comprehensive collection of Dark Magic I have ever beheld. Not only are the walls covered in books, there are sixteen shelves placed in rows across the room covered front and back in books. To add to it, there is a wall of drawers flanking the window that hold two hundred shrunken books each. I tried to cover every subject in a rotation. Five books on one subject, then switch to another. Many of these books referred to artifacts and talismans as well that Papa had acquired. He left notes in the books saying where they were stored. It took me seven years to read the entire library, though I could have stopped after three. Uncle was pleased that I read 327 books my first year as a Death Eater and completed my Potions Master certification. I was only called twice that year, after my original calling. Both times were for discussing Muggle attacks.
Chief Warlock Greene: Do you believe in the anti-Muggle doctrine preached in the Death Eater circles? Also, how did your Father's library remain intact if he was taken away by Aurors? They should have found all artifacts and manuscripts.
Maria Hanuschak: They searched the house; I'm sure. From my understanding, Onco Lucius housed the complete collection, in miniature, in Draco's bedroom for the few days that it took to get the Aurors away from our home again. Then, everything was returned and restored by Josef and probably some others. I do not know who that would have been and I do not know details. As for Muggles, I have no opinion about Muggles or Muggle-borns. They do not bother me. Neither did discussions involving violence toward them, at first. I was asked at the first meeting to make Dreamless Sleep Potion, bruise-healing paste, Murtlap essence brews and several other healing potions. I made them in my non-existent spare time. They were ready by the deadline and I was called and delivered them. That was the second meeting. Severus, Onco, and the Lestranges were there with Uncle Tom, no one else. Uncle Tom commented on my potions by telling Severus I might be better than him. Severus took it with a forced smile. Then Uncle Tom dismissed me back to Durmstrang and the rest of them went to carry out whatever task they were set. That was in March.
It was June when I finished my apprenticeship. The Ministry officials came and tested me on potion theory, ingredients, cauldrons, etc., and obviously, application. The exam took three days. Each day used ten hours for the area it covered. At the end, I was a certified Potions Master. I was twenty-four then, an exceedingly young Potions Master, but not the youngest on record. That summer I spent reading. Onco and Josef visited me often. Mama had moved back with Onco and Narcissa during my last year and John had started an apprenticeship with a game keeper in Greece. I had the estate to myself mostly. I was called at the end of July. When I arrived only Uncle Tom was present.
"Good evening, Maria how goes your reading?"
"Thirty–two books since June first."
"What topics?"
"Obscure potion ingredients from rare creatures, rune theory, and modifications to spells mostly."
"Modifications, yes, very good choices," he said before Severus Apparated in.
"Good evening, Severus, welcome."
"Good evening, My Lord," Severus replied to him.
"I have a proposition for you both. I believe two great minds will make this work without fail as Severus, you have been prone to many conundrums concerning potions of late," Uncle Tom said. He almost seemed to question Severus then, but I did not comment.
"I am sorry, My Lord; I have trouble concentrating sometimes when I am surrounded by students."
Uncle Tom regarded him before stating what he wanted us to do. "I want you two to make a potion that will dissolve someone from the inside out, and if there was a delay of some time before the symptoms began… that could be very beneficial."
"Yes, My Lord. We shall work on it promptly," Severus said quickly, assuredly.
"Yes, Uncle, we shall have to you as soon as we can."
"Good, I would like it by October, if you can."
"We shall do our best," Severus said then.
"Yes, you shall," Uncle Tom said before Disapparating.
"Where do we begin on this?" I asked Severus, but he seemed not to notice, "Severus, where do we start?"
He was standing with his back to me and was looking at the ground. After several minutes he turned around and looked me in the eye.
"You can trust me in this. I am not incompetent," I said to him.
"No, you most certainly aren't," he stated gravely. He paused for a bit, looking from the ground to the sun then back to the ground again, "Do you have any idea what…" he stopped. "Your father was Antonin, correct?"
"Yes."
"And the library is still intact along with the artifacts?"
"Yes."
"We'll begin there for now."
We Apparated back to the estate.