Chapter 3
Contrary to Albus Dumbledore's initial plans, all the representatives of the invited schools were to appear not at the end of October but right at the beginning of the school year. Due to his previous contacts with the current director of the Durmstrang Institute of Magic, it was Severus Snape who was delegated to greet the guests.
He waited iritated in a place that brought back his best and worst memories at the same time. Black Lake. It was where he spent time with his few Slytherin friends, but also where he had lost his only friend before starting Hogwarts. He still regretted what he'd said to her that day, but in retrospect, he knew their friendship wouldn't have lasted anyway. Lily chose to end their friendship the day she befriended the Marauders, not the day he, in humiliation, called her a mudblood.
With a smile on his face, he watched the old shipwreck emerging from under the water, which would be the home of the students of this school for the next few months.
He waited intently for Igor to appear. They were never friends. At least not as he was with Narcissa, Lucius or Evan Rosier, but he remembered their acquaintance well anyway.
"Hello, Severus!" - The taller wizard wrapped his arms around him and the Potions Master tensed as Karakov planted a kiss on both of his cheeks. It was the most annoying way he'd ever known to say hello to anyone. - "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Albus." - he said knowing it would be understandable more than trying to say anything. - "Your charges aren't coming with us?"
"They're supposed to rest before entering the Great Hall officially. At least that's what we got from your superior. I guess he cares about the reactions we will cause when we enter a room filled with students."
Severus winced as he remembered Dumbledore's robes. They got more and more extravagant every year. That's why he wouldn't be surprised if he meant a spectacular entrance of guests. But he knew what the real reason was. - "The idea is to assign first-year students to their houses first. The Great Feast at the beginning of the year is organized in honor of new students. I think your immediate appearance might be a distraction from the Sorting."
"Do you know the name of the Master that the Apprentice will represent in the Tournament?" - Igor skilfully changed the subject of the conversation - "We received news about changes in the Tournament, but there was no news about the winner. I suspect we've already been on our way."
"I don't know who this witch is." - he sighed, still confused by the specialization of the witch who would come to their school. - "But I know hers name. Kinga Wilk."
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"If you..." - she said looking him straight in the eyes - "...or any of the students involved in this incident, as you put it, approaches her without her permission..." - A smirk appeared on her face - "...then I will crush you and everyone another to dust. Unless Hermione beats me to it, of course."
She stopped and before looking at him one last time she said. - "I'll teach her everything I know. And I will give her everything I have. You will finally find out, Igor Karakov, why there are rumors among the purebloods about magic theft. Those aren't just rumours."
Then she calmly left his office
He was ashamed to admit it, but he felt relieved when Kinga Wilk closed the door behind her. To be honest, he hadn't expected her visit. Not after he had already talked to Regulus Black. A wizard who, unlike many members of his family, showed no signs of madness.
There was a reason why no magical conflict ever entered Poland. For centuries, this country had had so many Muggle problems with its neighbors that they approached magical conflicts in the most effective way. By killing every enemy wizard that appeared in their country. Each one.
Durmstrang has always had a separate lesson dedicated to the wizards of that region. They are the only country that has developed a system for mastering the dark arts. There was a specific reason for that. They were the only ones who could practice it without losing their soul.
They were also the only wizards for whom the concept of blood purity never existed. You are a wizard or you aren't. Everything else doesn't matter.
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"Did you tell Kinga Wilk?" - he asked, looking at Severus. - "Damn Kinga Wilk?"
The dark-haired wizard looked interested in his reaction. -" You know her? There was said that she is the guardian of another representative."
Igor Karakov felt as if something was paralyzing him from the inside. - "She'll really be here..." - When Snape nodded in confirmation, he added - "Yes, I know her. Kinga Wilk is one of the few witches who has reached the fourth and penultimate level of Mastery in the Dark Arts. The highest level has been reached so far only by her foster mother. However, I know that Wilk will quickly surpass her.
"Explain to me how you can get mastery in Dark Arts?" - The annoyance was evident in Snape's voice. - "You seem to have some information on this."
"Don't ask about things you don't want to know."
"We both served the Dark Lord. She can't be worse than him."
"Severus, are you sure about that?"
He said nothing more. He had known the wizard for many years, so he knew that sometimes Severus Snape needed a moment to process what he was told. Besides, Igor wasn't sure if he wanted to tell him anything at all. Some things you have to learn the hard way.
Like he had learned the hard way, Muggle-born magic was no worse. It's just different because it's not bound by family magic. He didn't know how Wilk and Black did it, but he knew that Miss Granger-Black's magic was also raw. Like muggleborn magic.
He knew he would have to warn his disciples. The presence of the Wilk meant one thing. High probability of the appearance of a witch who, if she doesn't find someone who will support and love her, will fall into the abyss and, unlike Kinga, will lose her soul.
The last time he saw her, he felt the same way he felt about Riddle. How much has she changed since the last time they met? Fortunately, among the students he took with him, there was no one connected with the attempted rape of this young witch.
Without a word, he followed his old friend into the castle.
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Frustrated by her teacher's absence, she headed towards Hogwarts. It wasn't far so she didn't need transportation. After all those hours on the train, she needed some exercise. Besides, she didn't want to look at the carriages pulled by Trestals. They were too noble creatures to serve as ordinary horses. Even horses didn't deserve the service of wizards who could learn to fly without broomsticks.
As she walked, she surveyed familiar territory. She missed this place sometimes. Sometimes she missed a few people. However, such feelings passed quickly. She learned that she could only trust her family and Kinga. no one else.
She smiled as she saw Hagrid's silhouette in the distance. - "So there's someone I missed after all."
She didn't pay attention to the fact that in her subconscious appeared an image of a certain blond boy she used to see often out of the corner of her eye.
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Entering his office, Albus Dumbledore didn't expect to find a visitor who will be looking through the book collection that has always been in the possession of the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Many of the books already contained outdated knowledge, but he couldn't bring himself to replace them. They were a kind of memento of his predecessors.
"What are you doing here?" - He asked.
The witch turned towards him and Albus could see that she was very small. She looked extremely delicate. - "I'm waiting for you. I was supposed to come here with my student, but unfortunately I missed the train. I was hoping she was here already. However, from the portraits, I learned that she wasn't here. Yet." After she finished speaking, she stopped focusing her attention on him and turned back to the book collection. - "Use of dragon's blood in alchemical work, The morality of using the blood of creatures to make medicine... Interesting books."
Before he could say anything, Minerva entered the office with Madame Maxime accompanying her, and Severus with Igor Karakov.
"I'd like to introduce you to Mrs..."
"Kinga Wilk. My name is Kinga Wilk. I think I know some of you already. Good morning, Igor. We haven't seen each other for a long time."
Watching the reaction of one of the few Death Eaters who, despite being proven guilty during the War with Tom Riddle, managed to redeem themselves in the eyes of society. He was surprised by the sheer horror in the Bulgarian wizard's eyes.
"Kinga... Is your student with you?"
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Hermione sat down exactly where she had sat when her father had given her the papers proving that she had ceased to be a Hogwarts student. Sitting alone in the Great Hall was quite a surreal experience. But it gave her the strength to look back. She was afraid of this place. She was afraid as if the return would break her. She was safe here, after all. This departure from here condemned her to what happened in her life.
"I know I wouldn't have made a different decision, even considering what happened." - She whispered so softly, as if she was afraid to break the silence.
After a moment, almost instinctively, she ran over the scars on her neck. She shivered as she remembered what it felt like the first time fangs pierced her skin.
Much has changed but one thing has remained the same. Like her father, she wanted someone who would fully accept her. Also what has changed in her for the worse.
She closed her eyes trying to ignore the sound of the door opening.
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He wasn't sure why he decided to go to the Great Hall so early. He didn't want to listen excitement in the voices of his friends. He could have gone anywhere and he chose this place. He paused in front of the door for a moment, thinking he could smell HER shampoo. Her muggle shampoo.
He was tired of remembering every single detail about Hermione Granger. Tired of loving her and not being able to let go of that feeling. He was tired of the fact that he would probably die, not knowing if he ever had a chance with her.
He sighed, then opened the large wooden door. What he saw made him think he had finally gone mad. She was sitting at the end of the Gryffindor table. Illuminated only by meager candlelight.
Hermione.
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There are five different versions of this chapter. It was supposed to strongly present Kinga Wilk, but it wasn't supposed to be exaggerated. I guess it didn't work. What do you think? I can always improve this chapter. Regards, Katie Krum
I think I should just give up writing multi-chapter stories. I'm not fit for this.