Chapter 15
Durmstrang, February 10
Evan Potter didn't know if he should open the package from his former teacher. He remembered the scales of his anger. He never told anyone that he found him. His existence in the general consciousness of their society was a legend. Just like the Chamber of Secrets was a legend. Yet there were rumors about the chamber itself. He remembered them. Albus Dumbledore tried to convince the rest of the teaching staff that Tom Riddle was behind the attacks on Muggle-borns. That it was this inconspicuous Slytherin who opened the Chamber of Secrets.
He thought that he should follow the scraps of information contained in an old set of legends. As too dilapidated, it was handed over for destruction when the Hogwarts Library received funding from the Ministry of Magic to purchase new books. He still had the book.
The older from Potter brothers sometimes wondered if anyone remembered him in his homeland. Or perhaps he was forgotten, like many of those who refused to follow nonsensical rules that often contradicted the Primordial Tradition.
He finally opened the envelope fearfully. He was relieved after reading it. He agreed to help. On one condition. And that meant only one thing. He would have to take him to the Triwizard Tournament. The Goblet of Fire belonged to his people and was stolen during the destruction of the Ice Fortness. Besides, it wasn't just it that was stolen them.
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Hogwarts, February 10
A month had passed since he handed the letter to Lucius. He was aware that he wouldn't get an immediate answer. However, he couldn't hide that he felt a little disappointed. He was brought up so he got everything he wanted. He never had to ask a second time. Each day showed him that he was a spoiled, mindless asshole. He could be friends with Lily and Severus. With both of them, and he chose to harass one of them. But why?
James Potter was still confused. He was becoming obsessed. Obsessed with analyzing each step. Every decision. Every word. - By Godric! - He whispered before banging his head on the desk. He quickly looked around to see if Mrs. Pince heard them. He ignored the surprised expressions on his roommates' faces.
- What's wrong, James? - Remus asked with concern in his voice.
- I don't understand how two different potions can be made from exactly the same ingredients.
Potter said the first thing he could think of. It wasn't even a lie, actually. He had thought about it the night before. From talking to Augustus Prince, he tried to solve his homework himself. Part of his punishment was helping at the Center for Disabled Wizards run by Severus' grandfather. He spent his Christmas break there. And he will also spend his summer holidays there.
- Maybe Lily will know. - Sirius replied from his paper on the History of Magic. - She's always been good at it.
- She was good in part because Severus was helping her. I don't want any help from her. - When he saw the surprise in Sirius' eyes he added - I just want to do something on my own. If I fail to come up with an answer to this question, I will turn to Professor Slugthorn. After all, he is here for something.
Peter chuckled. - You're right. If you aren't afraid to approach him to ask, this is the best option.
James was tired. His life has changed a lot recently. And he couldn't say he regretted it. His only regret was that he had to be placed against a wall as in a firing squad to begin to understand anything.
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Lily Evans sat exasperated in the Gryffindor Common Room. Nothing seemed to be going well for her lately. She had argued with James because he thought she was childish. She? Childish? She was more mature than her sister.
- Lil, what's going on? - Alice asked as she sat down next to her. - I see you rather alone lately.
The red-haired girl looked at her friend. Alice was already engaged to Frank Longbottom. They were both pureblood, so as soon as they got involved with each other, they notified their parents of this fact. It turned out to be a good move as both families were already looking for candidates to enter into engagement contracts.
Alice was lucky. She had a boyfriend who was affectionate, caring, intelligent ... He only paid attention to her, even though, as far as she knew, many girls tried to take her place with Frank. If only she could find someone who could love her so much. She thought maybe it would be James one day, but to her surprise, he has recently withdrawn from trying to have date with her. Not only from her, but also from other girls.
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Albus Dumbledore was reviewing the results of the recent Hogwarts student exams. From year to year, he had the impression that the level of knowledge of his graduates was getting lower and lower. He wondered what could be causing this.
- Minerva - lbus knew that something was bothering her, but decided to wait until she confided in him herself. - What could we do to change this situation?
The Transfiguration professor nervously adjusted her robes. She sighed before answering him. - I don't know. Not that long ago, I would have said that some students have problems without Mr. Snape's help. We both saw that he was helping the students not only from his home. More than once, we caught him helping younger children. However, after reviewing the analysis of the results of several years, it is clear that this isn't the problem. Maybe the point is that we place more emphasis on the Quiditch Tournament than on learning itself?
Dumbledore knew that something had definitely gone wrong over the years. Aside from Mr. Snape, who he couldn't locate through official or unofficial routes, the last exceptionally gifted student was the current Dark Lord. Tom Riddle.
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Malfoy Manor, February 10
He was studying his friend. Tom looked quite peculiar in a black Muggle suit. Oddly, it might have been the wrong word. Their school uniform at the magic school was surprisingly similar to the Muggle suit. At least in the eyes of Abraxas.
- What did you think up again? - Lord Malfoy finally asked Tom. He knew the look on his face.
- I'm not sure if I want the Knights of Walpurgis to turn into a terrorist organization. - the wizard suspected of replacing Gellert Grindelwald as Dark Lord was cold and resigned. - I want to change the wizarding world. However, I don't want to let a situation where they want to fight me. They should follow me.
Abraxas laughed. Tom Riddle and Albus Dumbledore were more alike than they could admit.
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Durmstrang, February 10
The director of Durmstrang was delighted, he managed to convince Mykew Gregorowicz to conduct classes at their institute. He was to conduct a one-month introductory course for those who would like to engage in wand making in the future. Aleksiej has long believed that there should be more manufacturers to ensure a sufficient variety of wands. Eventually Mykev was persuaded to this point of view. Perhaps it helped that this wizard didn't have an heir of his own. He didn't want the Ollivander family to become the only producer in the future.
- What are you smiling so much? - Łukasz Łagoda asked him.
- He agreed. Mykev agreed.
Łukasz Łagoda stood paralyzed. - You blackmailed him? You threatened him? After all, you've been asking him for several years. He did not want to help on the pretext of revealing the secret of the profession.
- I think the secret of the profession is less important than the prospect of giving the Oliivanders the whole market.
- At last. The kids have to get to know the backstage of each job. How else would they decide what they want to do after school? Remember when there were four groups for a course with Newt Scamander and his son last year?
- Oh, I remember. And Newt was so kind. An angel, not a wizard.
Aleksiej smiled. He really did his best to ensure that all of his students had the best possible start in their adult life. The school was the only place he could do it. And he did his best so that his pupils would not have to go through what had happened to him.
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Another chapter. Hope you liked it. Hope you weren't disappointed;). Regards, katie-krum
