Chapter 11

Wolf's Lair, December 21 - Yule

Fenrir still didn't believe what was happening. Lyall was still unconscious, but the healers managed to get him out of his worst crisis. The healer's words still rang in his head. Lyall's wounds showed no signs of magic. No signs of magic at all. It only meant one thing. What he fought with was MUGGLE.

- Shit, FENRIR ! The young one is alive and that is what matters the most. - Scabior growled impatiently, ignoring the fact that he was talking to their alpha. - I understand that what happened is not a normal situation. However ... You can't change the past.

- You don't understand, do you? If that Muggle fought him and won, that means she's strong. There is a chance the boy changed her. Even if he didn't succeed, I will change her myself. JEAN GRANGER will be mine.

Fenrir didn't expect Wolf's laughter. This black-haired boy was found by him in a state of extreme exhaustion. He was wounded by a ravenous pack of wolves. He saved him. He named him. He raised him. - What do you mean?

- Lyall said the same about Helen Granger. Her mother nearly killed him. And she did it despite Goyle being one of the strongest werewolves in our pack. Do you think such a woman will bow to YOU?

Fenrir sat down in his chair, and after a moment's thought, he said in a firm voice. - She will have to. Even if she managed to beat the beta, she will not be so easy with me.

xxx

Malfoy Manor, December 21 - Yule

Lucius Malfoy was nervously adjusting his robes. He wasn't stressed by the ball itself. More like how he reacts to the presence of James Potter in his family home. He knew his father had sent an invitation to his friend. Although he didn't receive a confirmation of arrival, both Malfoys decided to prepare for such an eventuality.

The young man knew that he would apply his usual ignore tactic to anyone else. He couldn't do that with Potter. It was because of him that he lost contact with his friend. Both he and Severus were unsure if the student letters were being „accidentally" checked by Albus Dumbledore. For this reason, they decided not to write to each other. He hoped that some contact would be made at least during the holiday season. Lucius dreamed of getting even a short letter. He wanted to know if a wizard so close to his heart was safe. He had to know that.

Knock Knock..

A knock on the door interrupted young Malfoy's thoughts. He didn't expect to see anyone other than their family elves before entering the ballroom.

- Lucius ... Do you have a moment? - He smiled seeing the embarrassed face of Narcissa Black. Usually she was bolder, but when there was a risk of her mother catching them, she turned into a startled doe.

- For you? Always. - He walked up to her and, not dragging his luck for a short moment, took her in his arms and placed a kiss on her forehead. He had noticed that she looked amazing in her powdery blue robes. He couldn't wait to see the gown she was wearing underneath her robes. - What happened honey?

- I got a letter from a friend who started working as a healer in Saint Mungo after Hogwarts. A werewolf who was injured in an attack on a Muggle home was brought to them in the intensive care unit last week.

The wizard looked at his fiancée, not quite sure what she want.

- This house belongs to Richard and Jean Granger. Helen Granger's parents. - she sighed. He could see Narcissa was, to say the least, irritated at that moment. - Now you know what I mean?

- Helen's parents? Severus' in-laws?. We will have to express our condolences to both of them.

Miss Black looked at him with eyes widened with surprise. - What are you talking about? I mentioned a wounded werewolf, not dead Muggles. Lyall Goyle, Fenrir's right hand man, was defeated by a Muggle. From what Luise heard in the corridors of the hospital, the Aurors think that Helen's mother defeated him.

- What?!

Narcissa didn't seem to hear his question. She continued. - Fenrir's pack is dissatisfied. Do you know what they'll do if they find her?

- The answer is simple. They will kill her. Unless their alpha thinks she will be useful to them. Then she can be transformed and become the wife or concubine of one of the werewolves. And there's nothing we can do about it. There is no cure for lycanthrope.

- Lucius. You are an optimist. She may already be a werewolf. There wasn't only Layll's blood at the crime scene. There was also a lot of blood that belonged to Helen's mother.

He looked at his fiancée. In one moment, anxiety and anger seized him. He was no longer nervous about the possible presence of James Potter. The only thing that mattered to him at the moment was to protect Severus and his new family.

xxx

Durmstrang, December 21 - Yule

Łukasz Łagoda looked at Severus Snape's sparkling eyes with a smile. - Are you sure this is what you want?

- I didn't have time and head to send him a message earlier. I don't want him to think I've forgotten him.

- I understand but boy, are you sure you want to do it this way? - The Transfiguration professor was both curious and amused at the young wizard's idea. At the vigorous nod of the black-haired boy, he gave up. - I'll help you. I know you could do it yourself, but you don't want to find out where the sender is. But how do you know that I can do that, Severus?

- Director Ivanovic. He was so delighted that Mrs. Granger woke up that I think he would tell me everything I wanted to know. - Severus smiled and then added - Take it easy. I didn't ask about specific wizards, but who could help me.

Professor Łagoda smiled. He was glad to teach in Durmstrang. The students, despite their great individuality, were able to support each other. Even after the duel, the winner reached out to person who lost. They tried to convey to them the simple truth of life. If you win today, it doesn't mean you will win next time. Severus quickly became one of the favorites, not only among professors but also between students as well. He was prudent, conscientious and modest.

- Then boy. Go get Helen and we'll make a surprise for your friend.

xxx

Malfoy Manor, December 21 - Yule

Abraxas Malfoy didn't know if Dorothea would come with her family. He knew the problematic issue was the possible presence of her son. James Potter. Lucius had quite clearly explained to him the reasons for his dislike of this young wizard. He didn't think anyone in this family would be openly opposed to the descendant of Augustus Prince. He remembered this man from childhood. He was someone he feared more than Gellert Grindelwald himself, who had been at Malfoy Manor in his youth.

Lucius advised him to invite Lord Prince. He wanted to talk to him face-to-face, but he was afraid that due to his age he would not be heard. He complied with his request. His son rarely asked for such favors.

He stood in the main lounge. For the first time, they officially returned to the public celebration of Yule. Abraxas dreamed of restoring the old wizarding habits to a wider community. This is why he chose to organize a ball instead of an annual small meeting. At the moment, he was regretting his decision. He would rather sit around the fire with his friends now. Last year, Lucius was accompanied by Severus Snape, who quickly became nice to both his heart and, to his surprise, to Tom Riddle's heart.

xxx

Durmstrang, December 21 - Yule

The director of the institute looked at his students. The smile didn't leave his face. He was proud of himself. During his tenure in this position, he managed to create a fair society. After graduating from school, he knew his students would face each other more than once. He wasn't that naive. However, he was aware that there was a high probability that in case of problems they would have someone to turn to for help.

- Hear. - He said in his normal tone of voice and it got quiet in the room anyway. - We're about to go outside celebrating Yule. Outside, there are stands for lighting the sacred fires. However, this year there is one more. We'll send the Phantom Flame to friend Severus Snape's house. Younger students may not know what it is, so before we go out we will quickly explain it. The Phantom Flame was once traditionally lit for those who couldn't be with us. Most of the Durmstrang students have loved ones with them today. We always celebrated Yule with the family. If anyone else wants to send the Flame to someone who should be with us, please go to the stand embedded in the center of the pentagram.

xxx

Jean looked at her daughter and her future son-in-law. She saw that their relationship was no longer just a necessity. There was a growing feeling in both teenagers' eyes. A feeling that will never go away if Helen just got a little bit of her parents.

Her husband must have thought the same thing, because after a while she felt his hand close on hers. He rubbed her fingers gently with his thumb.

She was calm. She knew Severus' potion might not work. But she was sure that even if that happened, Richard Granger would stay by her side. Even if he himself were to turn into a werewolf so that he could be with her.

xxx

He hugged her waist. He wanted to feel close to her. Helen could feel Severus' feelings radiating from him. He smiled more often, touched her more often, hugged her, kissed her ... It was as if the whole weight had fallen from his shoulders. Helen Granger looked confidently to their future.

- Severus? Are you ready?

- Of course I am, honey. Time to remind Lucius of us. Let him not think that we have forgotten about him. Eventually he will become our daughter's godfather.

- Daughter? - she asked with a smile. They haven't talked about the kids yet.

- Of course, a son could also be ok, but I imagine a daughter. An all-knowing curly-haired daughter who will know the answer to your question before you finish speaking.

She giggled. It was another change that happened in Severus. He became positive about the future. He had moments of sadness sometimes, but it was much better than at the beginning of their relationship. - Perhaps you can tell me that you have already made up a name for her.

- That should be obvious. Hermione. Hermione Granger.

xxx

Malfoy Manor, December 21 - Yule

Lucius Malfoy's eyes searched the Ballroom. He saw that Dorothea Potter had appeared with her family. Before that, he was introduced to the grandparents of James Potter and Augustus Prince. Now he and his father were looking for Tom Riddle. The young man soon saw him talking to Mrs. Potter. He couldn't hide the satisfaction of James's terrified expression.

- Dad. There he is. - Abraxas looked at tat direction - See how uncomfortable Mr. Fleamont and James are?

- As it should be. Tom finally found out how Severus was treated at school. He was furious and wanted to meet the boy who was a thorn in our little Snape's side.

xxx

Tom bowed to the woman who was his senior at school. He respected her because only she had always treated him simply as a wizard. As long as he followed all the magical traditions and no tried to force anything Muggle by force, she didn't care whether he was pureblood, half-blood, Muggle-born or just Muggle. Unlike him, all Dorothea Potter cared about was that their tradition would survive.

He looked at the portrait of Abraxas' parents. As expected, his friend and his son were standing there. He wanted to go towards them, but something stopped him.

A flame appeared in the center of the ballroom. First a little. It kept getting bigger. When it flashed with all its power, the wizards withdrew first. Surprised that it was only a specter of fire, they came closer.

After a while, laughter and a voice resounded in the great hall. - Lucius ... You thought I forgot about you? I wish you and all participants of the ball a lot of fun. From what I can see, I have interrupted your celebration, so I will take a role from Mr. Abraxas Malfoy and say one thing - time to start Yule.

xxx

I know my imagination has gone wild. How did you like this chapter? Regards, katie-krum