Chapter 17

Hogwarts, March 8

Lucius trembled at the thought of going home. He had been waiting for this conversation since the time of the Phantom Flame in the middle of the ballroom. It made him mad that he didn't know when he would receive his punishment.

He could still feel Albus Dumbledore's gaze on him as he walked through the halls of Hogwarts. The director reluctantly allowed him to go to the family home. He knew is was because he had a letter from his father in his hands. For a moment he even thought that the headmaster wouldn't agree that he could leave the school grounds, but he did. However, this was preceded by a security lecture. As if he ever worried about the safety of a Slytherin.

Luckily for him, it was enough for him to pass through the Hogwarts wards. As soon as he felt that the magic of the school no longer affected him, he quickly went to meet Abraxas Malfoy and Tom Riddle.

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- What are you thinking, Albus? - Armando Dippet's voice coming from his portrait snapped out of the older wizard's brooding. - You've been pensive since young Mr. Malfoy left the office.

Adjusting the glasses that had fallen off his nose, he turned to his former superior. He remembered that this man had never really listened to him. He could never accept that his favorite student was just another incarnation of evil.

- I think it starts at last. There was an attack on the Muggle family, now Lucius was called home for no apparent reason. Dark side finally starts to work.

Armando Dippet was disappointed. Dumbledore was unreformable. That's why he didn't answer him. He preferred not to argue with this man.

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Malfoy Manor, March 8

Abraxas looked anxiously at his friend. He felt remorse for what they had done to his son so far. He hoped that punishment, in form waiting for punishment, wouldn't undermine his relationship with his son. Ever since he lost his wife, his son was the light in his life.

- Brax, don't be so nervous. You know very well that we were unable to include some of the questions in the letter to Lucius. Albus has a rude habit of flipping through the letters. Besides, a little nerve won't hurt him.

Tom was sitting in an armchair near the fireplace. Both awaited the arrival of the future Lord Malfoy. They hoped that, after being allowed to come home, he would use the Floo system.

- Dad! - To their surprise, the young wizard's voice came from the foyer of the manor.

When they saw Lucius, they both knew they could have been more specific in their message. The boy was just terrified.

- Could someone tell me what happened? - Despite the horror in Abraxas' son's voice, there was pure anger. The heir was preparing to fight.

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Durmstrang, March 8

Evan Potter liked faculty meetings. Aleksiej Ivanovic was a one-of-a-kind director. Every two months he organized a meeting during which professors could raise objections to the work of the school. He saw that he was concerned about the best performance of their institute. So he really didn't understand why Hogwarts is still considered one of the best if not the best school of magic.

- Evan, can you please share your thoughts with us? - the Headmaster's voice was calm.

- Sorry, I was thinking. You can continue.

The professor of astronomy finally said something. Petite, furiously red-haired witch. Contrary to her appearance, she was really calm. This is why her willingness to speak came as a surprise to them. Karina Larson stood and began to speak. - As you know, my sister Sarah is a squib. We talked about her children's school. The idea of courses similar to those of Muggles came to my mind. After all, because our students have no way to prove their competence, they cannot try to continue their studies at non-magical universities.

After she sat down in the conference room, there was a short silence, which was first broken by Lukasz Łagoda. - It's not a bad idea. If our students, after graduating from Durmstrang, also received a high school diploma ... It could make a lot easier for them.

Aleksiej smiled. - Karina, I also think that it might be a good idea. I'll have to talk to the Ministry. We need to find out what conditions we would have to meet in order to try to introduce it. I don't promise we'll do it right away. Don't be angry with me if it doesn't work out. By the way... What is your sister's education? So that we can compare.

- She started primary school at the age of six. Primary school lasted eight years. After that, high school is another four years. Bachelor's degree lasting three years, Master's degree another two years. Only this is fifteen years of study in total. And that's not all. - The blonde had a little reddened cheeks. She was very proud of her sister. It could be seen.

Evan counted quickly. It was about eight years between magical and Muggle education. He knew that Karina hadn't told about many of the courses that her sister still enrolls every year.

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Malfoy Manor, March 8

Lucius felt more anger growing in his heart instead of fear. He knew that this day would come, but even if something should happen to him ... It was worth it. His friend was safe. The boy he treated like his brother was safe.

- Could someone tell me what happened? - He tried to make his voice sound firm. He was, after all, the future Lord Malfoy at the moment - What was so important to expose me to being questioned by Albus Dumbledore? Father, you told me myself that I should avoid confrontation with him until I leave Hogwarts.

- Take a seat. - Father pointed to the place next to him. - You don't have to be nervous. We didn't want any information to pass into the hands of this out-of-date wizard.

Lucius knew he couldn't afford any relief yet. They were both very unpredictable. One more than the other one. He sat down carefully with his hands in the pockets of his robes. His fingers tightened on his wand. - So what's going on?

- We want information about Severus Snape. - blonde felt weak. - And his partner.

- Helen? - Lucius's facade fell for a moment, he growled, surprising not only himself. - Don't. Even. Go. Near. Her.

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Abraxas Malfoy didn't know what was happening to his son. He had never seen him act like this. Out of the corner of his eye he looked at Tom. There was a mixture of anger and appreciation on his face. Riddle got up and walked over to Lucius. He motioned for him to get up. They stared into each other's eyes for a moment.

- Will you stand up to me? - Tom's voice was silky calm.

His son replied without hesitation. - For my loves one? Always. - He met the Dark Lord's gaze. Even though he was trembling with fear, he proudly held his head up.

- That's good. Loyalty is important. - the dark-haired wizard sat down in the armchair from which he had previously got up. - I understand youin case of Severus. But Miss Granger? What's so special about her?

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Hogwarts, March 8

Narcissa was worried about her fiancé. He still hasn't come back from meeting his father. Fortunately, she didn't experience it alone. She was currently sitting in the library with her cousin and the Lestrange brothers. They were preparing a paper on the History of Magic. More specifically, Regulus helped them write it.

Suddenly they heard a crack. The crash of a book hitting a desk. Her head immediately turned to the source of the sound. She was surprised by Lily Evans. The red-haired girl furiously flipped through the books. Apparently she was looking for something.

The blonde gently drew the attention of her companions to this unusual situation. Regulus almost choked on the coffee he had secretly smuggled into the library from Mrs. Pince.

- Trouble in Paradise. - Rabastian tried to keep a serious face. - Recently, I see her very often without company.

Narcissa asked, surprised. - How is that?

- Since it turned out that Severus didn't return to Hogwarts for his sixth year, James Potter is extremely cold towards her. The rumors are getting louder. At first, Miss Evans was detached from this situation. She even joked that Potter got what he was entitled to. However, that didn't change the fact that she gives him wistful looks.

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Malfoy Manor - March 8

Lucius Malfoy hoped no one would ever ask him where he knew Helen Granger. It was a matter he kept a secret even from Narcissa. And he would never tell them what happened the day he first met her mother.

- Severus is like a brother to me. Like a full brother. Helen is his woman. So she also will be my family.

Abraxas sensed that his son was hiding something from him.

- Lucius. We want to know where we could find Mrs. Jean Granger. We want a blood sample from her.

A smile spread across the young wizard's face. - I better do if I go. I will try to get what you need but I don't make a promises. I helped Severus leave Hogwarts, but I don't know exactly what school he moved to. I'm sorry.

As soon as Lucius Malfoy left the room, Tom Riddle turned to his friend. - Has your son always been so… resolute?

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I surprised myself with Lucius Malfoy's behavior in this chapter. However, after reading it several times, I found that I would leave it that way. How do you like this chapter? Are you satisfied or disappointed? Regards, katie-krum