Thorus Nott was aware of both his disadvantages and his advantages. He was never one of the brightest students of his year, but he was able to use the skills his mind gave him in an extraordinary way. He knew that the widespread knowledge of his interest in Muggle theories about development and the structure of memories could get him into quite a bit of trouble, but ... More than once this knowledge allowed him to get out of much worse situations than the unexpected discovery of his off-school activities. There was one thing his father had successfully stuck into his head. Interesting discoveries are not discarded just because someone worse than a pureblood wizard has made them.
- Rainy. - he said the name of his faithful house elf. He didn't even need to hear the characteristic beep when this creature appeared. He immediately knew where he would be standing. Rainy was one of the most routine house elves in his court.
- What can I do for Lord? - the elf asked with a bit of a hoarse voice.
- Prepare me a Pensieve and vials for storing memories. A Diary of Memories from the First War period would also be useful. I know I told you to destroy it, but I noticed you kept it. - He said in a calm voice so as not to scare his house elf.
Thorus was known for his cruelty. He was cruel to everyone. Even with his son. He reminded him too much of his missing wife. He knew he shouldn't be like this, but he had the feeling that if Theodor hadn't shown up, Elen would have stayed with him. Out of pity or a sense of duty. She didn't want to marry him. She fulfilled the most important condition of her marriage contract and left him.
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Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Ron Weasley were the strangest group of friends possible. Nobody thought that the relationship between the Gryffindor house and Slytherin was likely to survive. However, it succeeded, and the presence of the troll in the castle only tightened what was tied up between the three on the train to Hogwarts. No one even paid any attention to the howlers from Molly Weasley, furious at the fact that her youngest son had become friends with the "slimy snakes." He did not pay attention to the letters of apology to Harry Potter sent by Ron's mother after she found out that one of the snakes was a boy-who-survived. The best thing, however, is that after Albus Dumbledore, as predicted by Hermione, wanted to transfer Harry to Gryffindor, the headmaster only increased distrust of him among some of the students. And teachers. And that was just the beginning.
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Lord Nott watched as the memories were pulled out. They were old. He didn't think what he was looking for stuck so far in his mind. He already had a dozen bottles. No wonder he had a strong feeling that he knew this unruly girl's mother. The man finally decided it was time to start browsing. And transferring more important fragments to the Journal. He had to consult at least Narcissa Malfoy. Maybe she will know.
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It wasn't a good time for Draco Malfoy. Contrary to what his parents told him, he was not anything special. He thanked them for instilling confidence in it, but much more he would like it to be a healthy dose and not a toxic excess of it. Many of the students did exceptionally well. Regardless of whether they came from a magical family or grew up among Muggles. Hermione Granger was in the lead despite her origins. So far she has beaten everything but potions and flying. He even felt she had a grudge against him for his relationship with Severus Snape. She supposedly hid it, but he could feel the chill emanating from her every time the topic came closer to the caretaker of their House.
- You're looking at her again. - Blaise Zabini whispered in his ear. - she will eventually notice it and she will be angry again.
- It was the first time I had the opportunity to talk to her alone. - He felt his cheeks burning at the memory of this humiliation.
- Who normal tells a girl you're interested in something like this? - Theodor Nott, who was sitting next to them, snorted, so he had no problem eavesdropping on the conversation of his friends.
Draco rolled his eyes. He did not know how to defend himself and how to apologize to this stubborn girl. - I was nervous. I said the first thought that came to my mind.
After a short silence while both Theodor and Blaise tried to hold back the burst of laughter, Gregory Goyle spoke up. - I'm sorry Draco but telling this girl that her hair looks cute like a nest for a dragon was a shot in the knee. Your name is "draco", but that doesn't necessarily mean you are crazy about dragons. What was a compliment to you was an insult to her.
- I'll have to write to my parents. However, if I admit my stupidity, my father will never forget it and will laugh at every opportunity. - He said resigned, then in the attack of sugar starvation he reached for another chocolate cupcake.
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Thorus began with a memory that made him suspect. He was ashamed that he had acted like that. He should have more restraint. After all, after the First War, appearances were important. Appearances that could save him from leaving for Azbakan. The man leaned over the Pensieve. The moment he immersed himself in memory, he watched without inhibitions. He had to catch all the details that he missed.
He didn't know what he was doing here today. He might as well have sent an assistant to go shopping with his son. If only the kid could listen to him and walk by his leg, not a few meters in front of him. Going in search of Theodor, he headed for the bookstore. When he heard his heir's voice, he knew his hunch hadn't deceived him.
- ... are you here shopping with your parents? I am here with my father. - Theo's voice was unusually gentle. Who was he talking to?
When he left behind the year, he saw the scene unfolding in front of him. His child was holding the hand of an incredibly disheveled girl. She had to be a mudblood. No pureblood daughter would appear in such a state in public. Willing to leave the unworthy company as soon as possible, he broke the embrace of the children, tearing the girl's wrist, and threw a short - Let's go. You will not mix with dirt.
He was not prepared for what happened then. He smelled leather on fire. He turned and the girl who was talking to his son showed no pain on her face despite the visible wound on her wrist. Then he saw a woman staring at him as if just looking at him could kill him. She came up confidently. He felt paralyzed, unable to move. She put her hand on his shoulder and whispered right into his ear in a hissing voice.
- Touch her again and I will kill you. I have no magic, but I will do anything to protect my child. They will find your body but will never find the cause of your death. With your mark on your forearm, they'll blame it on an unfortunate power struggle among the Death Eater survivors. Who will believe a woman like me could have anything to do with this?
He shuddered. He shuddered in fear of the Muggle.
Thorus stood up and still felt his body tremble. It was through this feeling that he asked his son to gain this girl's friendship. She and her mother shared a similar type of beauty. Both hair and eyes were brown. Upturned nose covered with minimal freckles. Both slim and slim. However, the mother had something that the daughter did not have. Confidence. And a really scary disposition. The last time he was so afraid was when he stood before the Dark Lord.
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There was a clear sense of general concern in the Malfoy Manor atmosphere. Both Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape were unable to contact Thorus Nott. Despite repeated attempts to contact, none of them succeeded.
- Maybe we should go to him. - the current Lord Malfoy asked.
- But how? The fireplace is blocked and you should remember that you cannot Apparate on his property. Like at Hogwarts. Severus Snape said casually. - I'll have to come back soon. I have classes with your son in two hours.
- Boys … - Both men heard a voice they didn't expect.
- Dad? - Lucius was surprised because his father rarely showed up at the estate after stepping down as Lord. - What are you doing here?
The older man, despite his gray hair and wrinkles on his face, was still described as handsome. He still had the attitude of a confident person. But this confidence wasn't just for show. Without hesitating, he walked over to the couch and sat down for a moment before answering his son's question. - Narcissa told me about the Muggle-born in the Slytherin Dormitory. Do you have a picture of the girl?
- Of course we don't. - Severus replied.
- What's so obvious about it? I thought a wizard of your caliber could extract an image from a memory. - Abraxas snorted disapprovingly.
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This is not possible. It can't be possible. Thorus once again looked through the memories of his youth. He studied her face. Her features. Same hair color, same eye color, same skin tone. Even her facial expressions and gestures were the same. How he couldn't pick it up in this meeting. If only Rainy would listen to him. If the house elf would destroy this Diary. If ... He preferred not to think about it.
- Rainy. - he called his house elf again.
- Yes, Lord? - The elf replied with a polite bow.
- I won't be here for dinner. I need to talk to Lord and Lady Malfoy. - He said trying not to show his emotions.
The elf looked at him with clear approval and relief. - Good, because both Lord Malfoy and Mr. Snape have been trying to break into the property.
- They tried? - his eyebrows rose in surprise.
- Of course they tried. After the Lord locks himself in the room with the Pensieve, we close all entrances to the Court. This is standard procedure. It is dangerous to break this process.
The elf didn't even wait for Thorus's reactions. But he was used to it. And he didn't even complain about it.
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Ron studied the curly girl. She was a mystery to him. Intelligent, learned fast, liked to be the best in everything.
- Why don't you want to learn to play chess? - he asked, trying to sound bored.
Hermione looked at him, looking like he had asked her the stupidest question in the world. He shuddered, but when he saw that a sad smile was blooming on her face, he became interested.
- Will you answer? - he insisted.
- I promised my grandma that my grandfather would teach me to play chess. - There was a distinct sadness in her voice.
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Meredith Granger felt better and better. Well enough that, with the help of her daughter, she could even stand by the pram for a few minutes. However, neither the strength of her legs nor the strength of Jean's arms were enough the moment she saw Abraxas Malfoy's owl fly through the balcony door.
- Mom ! - Jean screamed fearing that something happened to her mother during the fall.
The old woman looked into her eyes and in a soothing voice said - Nothing happened. I'm just surprised. I didn't think he would write to me ...
- Who? - the younger woman asked almost in a whisper.
- It's Brax's owl. - The senior lady spoke while stroking the frightened animal.
Jean studied the envelope. She wondered why her mother hadn't opened the letter. But before she could ask a question about it, she saw the woman open the seal with trembling hands.
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Abraxas Malfoy waited anxiously for an answer. After seeing Severus Snape's memories of meeting a suspicious girl, he knew one thing. He couldn't show he recognized her. Not the girl herself, but her grandmothers. Hermione Granger looked exactly like Meredith as a child. He was aware that they would connect her to her mother. He couldn't let this child be associated with her grandmother. He owed her. Meredith was like a sister to him. He would like to get her back, and he had to warn her.
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- May I know what he wrote? - the woman asked her mother.
- Yes honey. - Meredith sighed and began reading.
Merry,
all the owls that I had sent to you so far returned with an unopened letter. I hope it will be different this time. I want to warn you that my son with Mr. Severus Snape and Lord Nott are looking for your granddaughter's connections. More specifically, they check who her mother is. I didn't need to know what she looks like to find out that Hermione Granger is your granddaughter. It looks almost identical to you when you started your studies in Durmstrang. In any case, if you don't want Principal Dumbledore to find out whose granddaughter is teaching at his school, hide her. Either in plain sight or in another facility. He will not hesitate to use it in the war he is aiming for. I miss you.
Your (I hope still) friend Brax.
- What are we gonna do? Jean asked. - I said we should send her to Durmstrang.
- We're not going to reverse it for now. He has to go there. We'd bring her unnecessary attention to her if you took her out of school now. When it gets dangerous, we'll think about a different solution. For now, we need to focus on preventing Saint Dumbledore from finding out about the baby's grandfather. - Meredith answered her daughter matter-of-factly.
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The man studied his hands. He was surprised they were smoother than the day he sensed her again. He wondered if the restoration of the bond had somehow affected her as well. Did she feel a difference. He knew he would love her even as her body degenerated. He loved her mind. Beauty was a nice addition.
- I miss you. he whispered with closed eyes. - Wait. I am well on my way to returning. They fear Voldemort. I have to become the Tom Marvolo Riddle. Lawful citizen of Albania. A man who, after regaining his memory, returns to his country of origin in the hope of finding his wife. A man who returns after 30 years in this country.
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Searching for the abbreviation of the name Meredith, I found information that this name comes from the words "great lord". This was not intentional given Tom Riddel's nickname among the Death Eaters.
