Chapter 37

Hogwarts, September 5

He closed his eyes at the sound of Aleksiej's voice. He had huge satisfaction from extraordinary pleasure felt in the director of the Institute voice. Usually he didn't like standing in the spotlight, but he knew that this time he was in a hopeless situation. Iskrem's presence shouldn't be noticeable to anyone. He was to remain an anonymous employee of Durmstrang. One of the teachers who were supposed to help make up for the arrears. Backlog of poor curriculum at Hogwarts. The Ice Wizard was a threat to Dumbledore. Or rather, not a threat, only ... Destruction.

Evan Potter felt his old professor's gaze on him. Albus didn't even hide the fact that he was staring at him.

"Hello, Professor Dumbledore." - He nodded towards the teachers' podium. He tried to ignore the murmurs filling the Great Hall. He was aware that his name could cause quite a stir among young people. - "It's been a long time since we saw each other last time."

Against his will, one of the memories he wished he could forget flashed before the wizard's eyes.

... He kicked the attacker and looked quickly at his girlfriend. He could see blood on her thighs. He knew she hadn't been raped. He was relieved. However, he could not forget that she had been beaten. She was hurt because he was not there and she was unable to defend herself.

He had seen sexual violence within the walls of Hogwarts too many times. In fact, no one at school cared about what students did outside of school hours. There were too many nooks and crannies that were out of control and where you could hide easily.

He clenched his jaws, hoping he could concentrate on his movements. Even though the attacker was a Muggle, he had to pay for his actions. Fast and effective. He sighed and leaned down to the man. He tugged at his hair so that he could meet his eyes. He knew it wouldn't be difficult. A moment was enough and a small spell and the blood in the blonde's body began to boil ...

His wife's would-be rapist was dead ...

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Durmstrang, September 5

He didn't know how long it would be before the representative of their school was fished out of the Goblet of Fire. Severus Snape couldn't get the feeling that he would be drawn. He knew it was irrational. However, seeing the knowing look between Professor Potter and the Ice Wizard, he was beginning to fear that those two were planning something.

''Don't panic." - Helen's voice had a calming effect on him, it had been like that from the day he met her. "And don't you even dare tell me you're not upset."

"I'm not. I am just scared. The peace I fought for is starting to tear down like a house of cards."

She sighed before answering him. - "You're wrong." - she looked him in the eyes. He couldn't find anything but certainty in them. - "Over the past year and a half, you have built the foundations for your independence. Time to build walls."

He smiled and rested his forehead against her neck. Helen Granger knew him too well. And that could be scary too.

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Hogwarts, September 5

Evan Potter. Evan Potter. Evan Potter...

These two words kept popping up in James Potter's mind. From childhood, his father stubbornly forced him to learn surnames from their extensive family tree. Fleamont Potter wasn't obsessed with the purity of blood, but he still wanted his heir to be aware of his connections in the magical society.

"Who the hell is that?" - he said softly, but not softly enough not to be heard by his friends.

Sirius looked at him with confusion on his face. - "I'd like to know too. Potter is a surname quite common among Muggles. However, it is extremely rare among wizards."

"You don't have to tell me that." James growled to the surprise of those around him.

He tried to ignore others. He watched the man standing in front of the Great Hall. He exuded a confidence he had never known from anyone else. If he were to be honest with himself, the wizards of Durmstrang looked like they could rule the world.

He prayed that he would have the opportunity to talk to the wizard with whom he shares the same last name.

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Albus Dumbledore was watching the wizard standing in front of him intently. He was nothing like that weak and useless boy who had left Hogwarts. It was then that he agreed with his parents that his further stay at the school was pointless. Now… He could feel the aura of his magic. He has grown up to what is said about Slytherin alumni. He was strong and determined. But what was his goal?

"Director Ivanovic. Take a seat at the Gryffindor table." - He hoped that establishing contact between James and his uncle might help him. He hadn't expected eyes full of contempt for him. His former apprentice led the entire delegation to the Slytherin table. He led them there, ignoring his words. He shook himself and, trying to hide the bitter taste in his mouth, added aloud - "Now we will wait for the delegation from France."

After a while, the older wizard heard a whisper from Minerva McGonagall. - "Albus. I think we will have problems with them. They are very negative towards you."

"Are you surprised?"

"After what you did with Mr. and Mrs. Potter to that boy? I'll be surprised if you won't be dead by the end of this school year."

The Hogwarts Headmaster thought for a moment about his deputy's words. Ever since he met Tom Marvolo Riddle, he felt that that boy would become the next Dark Lord. He had no conscience to kill him in that orphanage. He had missed an opportunity to fix what nature had corrupted the moment that freak of nature was born. However, looking at Evan Potter, he thought that he could create someone on his own who could take Tom's place as the Lord of Darkness.

It would be another mistake he made in his long life.

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Durmstrang, September 5

A smile replaced anxiety. That was the most important thing for Helen at that moment. She loved, loves and will love Severus Snape. This was why it was difficult for her to watch how insecure he became as the date of his return to Hogwarts neared. She understood it, but she didn't see it for that purpose.

Today she has once again watched as he releases his bad emotions. She sat in the stands while he, standing in the center of the pitch, tried to draw all his magic out of him. He has already managed to do so several times. Each time, however, the result was an explosion. This time he tried to keep magic in one place. Stable NEXT to his body.

She was delighted with how Sev operated his magic. She wondered if it would have been possible if he had stayed at the school run by backward wizards such as Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall. What if her fiancé didn't have the courage to try to break the connection between himself and James Potter ...

Fortunately, Severus didn't go any further into this mistake.

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Somewhere…

He made it. He was looking for her. He was looking for his children. His little lab rats. He found her. He will also find others….

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There are over a dozen versions of this chapter. I couldn't deal with writing it. How do you like this chapter? Regards, katie-krum