Chapter 4

Durmstrang

All he could see in front of him was the depths of his black eyes. It was as if a fire was burning within them. Maybe it was even so. He could have foreseen that what this Englishman had experienced under Dumbledore might have affected his psyche.

Severus Snape was crouched next to him while he himself was leaning against a tree. He thought it was forever before this dark-haired wizard said anything. However, after a while he heard one sentence in a completely impassive tone. - Did you really think you could attack me from behind my back? Did you really think you could win WITH ME?

He didn't know how he could answer these questions. Due to the fact that he was in his last year, preparations for the Triwizard Tournament didn't apply to him. It was only at dinner that he found out what actually happened during the first day of the Olympics. He wanted to see how strong the new acquisition of his school was. He didn't believe what he heard.

He thought his roommates were idiots. He turned out to be an idiot.

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Hogwarts

It's been a week since the school year began, and Narcissa still couldn't believe how Severus Snape's departure had affected the dynamics between students. The blonde was amused at how many Slytherins seemed to have learning difficulties because they had no one to pay for their help. It was funny to see James Potter seem subdued. She thought he would be delighted to see Severus Snape disappear from his eyes.

- Lucius, did you have any messages from Sev? - she asked her fiancé. She was sitting snuggled against his chest, so she had to pull away for a moment to be able to look at his eyes.

Lucius nervously smoothed his hair and sighed. - He sent me a letter. I don't know if I should worry or enjoy the news he gave me. You know very well that both my father and you know who want him in their group. I was hoping that he would come back to Hogwarts next year, but apparently he decided to finish his education there.

Narcissa didn't know what to say to him. She knew the Dark Lord was furious with Severus' transfer. She hoped that it would never seem that it was Lucius who had helped him. Otherwise ... She didn't want to think about it.

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A group of Marauders was sitting on the grass near the Black Lake. There were only the four of them. This time Lily didn't join them. Remus had his suspicions about her dislike but didn't want to spoil the mood of his friends. And so they have had a lot of stress recently.

James was lying straight in the grass. His face was turned to the sun. His closed eyes made it difficult to see if he was sleeping or simply ignoring his roommates. Sirius, irritated by the excess of free time, tried to get his attention.

- Pads, what's the hell? I am trying to rest. - Potter growled.

- From what? Snivellus is gone, we can't play Quidditch, both Remus and Lily are no longer prefects. It's strange that they haven't done anything to Peter yet.

- I sleep badly. I don't know why. For two weeks now I feel like something has ripped a hole in my soul. I wonder if what I am feeling is the result of the Rituals that Snape was going to go through. - the boy sighed. - I just don't understand why I am feeling so sad.

Remus Lupine snorted. Nobody paid any attention to him. He was overjoyed at this fact because he wouldn't want to say aloud what he really thinks about the situation.

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Durmstrang

Helen thought about how much her life has changed recently. She didn't know what she would have done if it hadn't been for this Swap Ritual. She would be doomed to that werewolf. She didn't mind these beings herself, but that one ... He didn't deserve to live. He didn't deserve a nothing different than a slow and painful death.

She was halfway between the greenhouses and the main building when she felt a slap in the back. Once again. To his misfortune, the striker was alone. That's why she didn't even think about it this time. She turned, grabbing her attacker by the neck. It was a girl of her year. Quiet and calm. She didn't expect this movement from her. - If you decide to attack someone, be prepared to face the consequences. You never know if your victim will become your attacker.

Fear appeared in the eyes of the girl when blue flames came out of Helena's hand, burning her skin more and more. As the blonde passed out, Helen walked over to her flabby body, put her wand to her temple, and whispered – Obliviate.

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Director Ivanovic walked over to Severus Snape in the corridor. He wanted to meet a boy who had put himself unrestrictedly at the top of the food chain in his school. - Mr. Snape? What are you doing here yourself? Something happened?

The boy's dark eyes were full of sadness. - Nothing special. I just realized that even with the Olympics, a week in Durmstrang was quieter than five years in Hogwarts. I just wish they would stop attacking me. Sometimes I would like to rest. - An uncertain smile appeared on his face.

He chuckled. - You have to get used to it. You are a stranger. You are a half-blood wizard. Veela. They will want to defeat you because they cannot get close to you. At least in the way as they wanted to. - Ivanovic knew what rumors were circulating in the corridors of the Institute.

- What are you talking about? - the boy blushed.

- Don't be surprised. I think if someone tried to get close to you, they would have to pass your partner first. I don't know how you got so strong. Usually, forcing you to bind, weakens the magic, but you even benefit from it.

Severus couldn't answer that, because he didn't quite understand what was going on.

Suddenly in the distance they heard a voice. - Holy shit, does this fucking idiot, despite her small stature, have to brew as much as a fucking mammoth.

The black-haired boy ran up to Helen. - Did you forget you're a witch or what?

- Perceptive as always - she hissed. - I tried to charm her, but something is blocking the spell. After all, I'm not that idiot to count the daily dose of physical activity this way. There are nicer ways.

- Woman, calm down, I will help you take her to a healer.

The headmaster followed two students carrying an unconscious friend. He had noticed that Elena Aleksandrovich's neck was covered with a terrible burn wound. The whites of her eyes were black. - Merlin, another one. If her memories have also been erased, he'll just go crazy. - he thought as he continued walking.

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Malfoy Manor

Abraxas Malfoy sometimes wondered what pushed him to friendship with Tom Riddle. If he hadn't joined him then, perhaps he would have had a more peaceful life. He had been sitting at his desk for an hour, pretending to be listening to the wizard's tirades. He was sure it was because of Lucius that Severus Snape had changed schools. Of course, he pretended to be ignorant. He preferred not to think about what the Dark Lord might do to his son. After all, he wanted to have grandchildren one day.

- Brax, are you even listening to me? - the dark-haired wizard asked with clear irritation in his voice.

- Of course.

- So what was I talking about?

The blonde knew his friend too well to not know what he could talk about an hour without a break. - About plans to destroy Albus Dumbledore's reputation. Did someone tell you that you are getting terribly monothematic?

- We can talk about something else that interests me, but I doubt that you will be willing. - A smirk appeared on Tom's face that could match his own.

- Go on about that old goat pretending to be Hogwarts Headmaster. - Abraxas was glad he could go back to pretending to be listening. And for sipping a self-filling glass of fire whiskey.

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How do you like this chapter? What would you improve in it? How do you like the more casual side of Abraxas Malfoy? Regards, katie-krum