Chapter 23
Once upon a time, in a distant land, the Ice Fortress stood on an Ice Hill. It was inhabited by people who tolerated their differences. Among the citizens there were both users of magic and those who were deprived of this magic. However, no one was disadvantaged. Everyone was equal.
And it was on this equality that the Ice Society was based. The interplay between wizards, squibs and magical creatures provided a balance. Balance made the magic of the land grow stronger.
Among them was a young wizard. A wizard who barely survived his own birth. He was paler than the surrounding snow. He has hair so light that their colour was closer to gray than blonde. His eyes were piercingly blue. Nobody believed that he would survive even a day. He survived. Nobody believed that he would live another day. He survived. After some time, instead of doubting, the wizards cheered on the boy. He was even given a name that he would bear until the Naming Ceremony.
Isrem. In Norwegian, this word simply meant "icy".
Isrem grew into a large man. Each time he crossed the boundary of magic that no one had crossed before, another rune appeared on his body. It wasn't a painless process. More than once he almost pay for the marking with death. Isrem was finally able to enter the fight. A fight in which the stake was to become the main wizard. The names of the candidates were drawn by an artifact that had been known by one name for thousands of years. Goblet of Fire.
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Nurmengrad - June 27
Gellert Grindelwald studied his hands. They were starting to regain their strength. For many years, trapped in his own stronghold, he saw no point in practicing magic. However, recently he has regained hope that he will finally find a wizard thanks to whom he will be able to return to the place where it all began. This is mainly why he wanted the truth about the Magic World to come out. He hoped to find more people who knew the legends of the Ice Fortress. Unfortunately, he lost his sanity.
- Damn it. - he growled when the spell failed once again. He felt as if he was learning some spells anew. He didn't suspect that this would be the result of not using magic.
He knew he would finally succeed. He will eventually leave without alerting Albus Dumbledore. Albus, still dear to his heart. He made many mistakes in his life. One of the greatest was the loss of his affection. He was convinced that, after so many years, love had already burned out. However, sentiment and many wonderful memories remained.
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Hogwarts - June 27
Lily Evans was glad that they finally finished their exam session. The whole school year, she felt, had been a failure. She didn't suspect that she would lose sight of Severus. She didn't think James Potter mistook Sev's energy for her magic. Nor would she have thought James would have gotten so far away from her.
She was glad to see in the distance in the corridor the characteristic silhouette of Remus Lupin. He was the only one who still treated her as before. Before James began to inevitably change. Previously, she could also count on Sirius, but he has recently started to act strangely. Especially when he was left alone with Remus.
- Wait! - she screamed, then ran towards her friend. He turned and waited for her with a soft smile on his face.
- Lily, it's been a long time since we spoke. - he sighed, then added. - Everything has become complicated recently.
- Unfortunately I know. Who would have thought that James's change of personality would have such an effect on the rest of the group. - She looked into his eyes. She wondered why she had never noticed how handsome he was. She smiled at him.
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Durmstrang - June 27
Headmaster Ivanovic looked at Helen Granger's parents with amusement. He wondered how to tell them that they would soon see the boy who was like a son to them. Until now, he had kept the news of Lucius Malfoy's internship as a secret. He wanted to surprise them. But Evan Potter had rightly told him that he should tell them. This meeting will be emotional anyway.
- Something happened to Helen? - Richard asked irritated.
- No, it's not about her or Severus. - he sighed and leaned against the desk. - I gave the internship to Lucius Malfoy. He'll be here. At first I didn't want to agree, but he really tried. We appreciate hard work at Durmstrang.
Tears welled up in Jean's eyes. She must really love this boy. Alexei saw how quickly she wiped her eyes with a handkerchief. She smiled and asked. - When will he be here?
- In a few hours.
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Ice Tower, In the Middle of the Wasteland - June 27
The Ice Wizard waited impatiently for his students. Only once did he say when the working day begins. The first day. He came five minutes early each day to punish them for being late. This time they were more late than usual. It wasn't five minutes, but over thirty minutes.
Finally, he decided to go and see what happened. When he reached their quarters, he saw that the place was surrounded by fire. He only wondered if he had been released consciously or by sleep. He sighed, gasping some air in his lungs, and started walking. When he felt his feet tickle, he knew he was safe.
He pressed the handle and burst inside. He saw both Helen and Severus struggling in their beds in a nightmare. He smiled. It was a good sign. Most people were afraid of nightmares. However, they helped to face reality. And he was so surprised that they appeared after so long.
He approached Helen first. Not because she was a woman. She chose the bed next to the door. He knelt down and, with his fingers outstretched, drew a circle over her forehead. Thread of energy appeared between the hand and the forehead. He did the same with Severus. This time, he thought, he would let them rest. He remembered his first Puring Nightmare. He suffered for another month. However, he was a weak child from birth. It took a long time to gain strength. These two teenagers were much stronger than he was of their age.
- My children, get to sleep. You're in home.
He smiled and left their room. He was pleased to see that the fire that was raging outside had gone out.
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Malfoy Manor - June 27
Abraxas Malfoy wasn'tt expecting a visit from Alpha werewolves. Fenrir Greyback wasn't known to be fond of wizards. That is why it interested not only him but also Tom Riddle. Abraxas, sitting in his chair in his office, listened silently until Greyback had finished speaking. He was surprised to realize that the pack was another group interested in getting to know and apprehend Jean Granger.
- Do you have anything to offer in return? - Lord Malfoy asked his visitor.
- My favor.
The blond wizard was surprised. The werewolf's favor was as much as the wizard's oath. Except that a werewolf offering a favor will fulfill the promise of its own accord, a wizard offering an oath is often forced to do so.
- You care so much about this woman? - He asked looking at Tom hiding. He saw Riddle nod at him approvingly.
- She's strong. Very strong. Her blood would be a wonderful addition to our herd. In addition, it is highly likely that she may already be a werewolf. It's just that if I am right, with this force there is no chance that she will respond to my call. She is neither Beta nor Omega material. She can be an Alpha by herself. Anyway, even if by some miracle she wasn't infected with Lycanthropy, I will change her myself. I made my offer. I am waiting for a response. You know how to contact me.
Fenrir Greyback turned on the spot and left Abraxas' office. As soon as the door closed, he asked Tom a question. - What we do? A favor from a werewolf could be valuable.
- It's easy. If Jean Granger has become a werewolf, we will give her to this man. If not ... then we'll leave her to ourselves. I just don't know in what capacity. I know tat I want her by my side. Just like Mrs. Cole's assassins. Nott intrigued me. A witch immersed in black magic more than I am. It could be interesting. Something is happens. Female magic is reborn.
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Durmstrang - June 27
Lucius was delighted. Both the castle and the surrounding areas. Durmstrang had many more greenhouses. Each group had its own greenhouses. According to Ms Higgs, who is Hagrid's counterpart here, each group had its own greenhouses so that students could carry out their own research projects.
He saw that classes were still taking place here, so at the beginning he would meet only those lecturers who were currently free. Mrs. Higgs, a mature-aged witch who looked like a grandmother in Muggle children's books, directed him toward the professors' room. He wouldn't mind if he spent more time with her. She was smiling and extremely nice. She exuded positive energy.
- Please. You come in here. - they stood by the wall on which hung a small five-pointed star. - Don't look like that, little angel. Put your wand on. It will take a while the first time because you have to leave your magic imprint.
Lucius Malfoy did as he was told. Surprised, he saw how the star changes from the outline of a door and after a while into a real door. He wondered if that was how Muggle-borns had come from the Leaky Cauldron to Diagon Alley.
- Amazing… - he whispered.
A smile spread across Mrs. Higgs's face. - You see? It wasn't that hard. I'll leave you here. Aleksiej will take care of you.
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Helen was nervous. She hadn't seen her little Luc in a long time. However, she decided to wait until he greeted the teachers first. That's why she and Richard stayed in the break room next to the professors' room at first. She heard him greet each of the teachers in an uncertain voice. After a while, she heard a bang. She ran out and saw Lucius lying on the floor.
- What the hell did you guys do to him? - she roared angrily. Richard put a hand on her shoulder.
Evan Potter looked at her and said confusedly. - I don't know what happened. I introduced myself and he passed out.
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Another chapter. I hope that you liked it. Regards - katie-krum
