***
Well, Lincoln, Malfoy closed Lena s suitcase and hugged her. Don t disappear.
Following Draco, Harry, Ron and Hermione hugged her. Lincoln nodded to them all.
-Write to us. We re waiting for your shaggy owl, freaked out by life as a Wendigo, Ron teased.
I don t have an owl, Lena objected.
Ask Curator Williams, Draco was found.
She s allergic to feathers, Lena hugged her friends again. You write it yourself. And to Elektronka too.
Having said this, the girl left the Gryffindor common room. Walking through the corridors of the castle, she saw Creedy. He looked at her and smiled poisonously. It was clear in his gaze: I hope you die. Elena ignored him and left the castle.
Leila was waiting for her on the street. As usual, luxurious in a formal suit and with perfect hair.
Ready? Leila smiled at her ward. Lincoln nodded.
The two girls headed towards Hagrid's hut. He was already waiting for them and, smiling at Elena, made a sign for the girls to follow him.
They walked in silence. Everyone thought about their own things. Elena hoped that her sudden visit to Larkhill would not anger Lewis, Hagrid was surprised at the courage and fortitude of the young girls...
He soon led them into the thicket of the forest, where Roger Dascombe was already waiting for them. When he saw Elena, he smiled warmly, but there was a silent question in his eyes. Lincoln waved it off...
Roger nodded and silently led Elena and Leila behind him...
Two hours later they reached the gloomy Larkhill Castle. Elena shuddered... After what she saw in Creedy's lesson, Lena knew for sure that this place would never become her home...
As soon as they entered the castle, they were greeted by a well-groomed blonde in an oriental dress.
-Gulnihal, this is Leila Williams and Elena Lincoln. The ambassador and her assistant, the head of the hunters reported briefly.
-We were only waiting for Miss Williams, and Miss Lincoln... -The blonde got confused. -It turns out we need to prepare two rooms in the harem.
I could live in Lord Lewis s room, Elena was found.
Gulnihal looked at her as if she were a fool.
-We don t do that, Miss Lincoln. Women who are not wendigos live only in a harem, said the maid.
But I m Lewis s beloved, Elena did not give up.
Until you went to the halvet with the Lord, you are nobody, Lincoln heard a familiar sweet voice.
Makhidevran walked straight towards them in clothes made of skins.
- Get hurt... - Lena drawled, looking at the Turkish woman. - So you slept with someone from the Wendigo and became one of them?
Makhidevran smiled venomously.
- Not at all... But I have connections here too. Miss Williams, welcome. And you... Because of you, I lost everything, the girl growled.
It s my own fault, Elena found herself. Are you looking after the harem here?
-Right. Makhidevran grinned. Will you sleep on the floor for a couple of nights with everyone?
I grew up in an orphanage, I m no stranger to it, Lena waved it off. Lead me.
Makhidevran and Gulnihal led the girls into a huge two-story hall. Its vaults were painted with various ancient runes. For a moment Lena was breathless.
Gulnihal took Leila to the second floor, and Mahidevran took Lena to one of the mattresses with a pillow and blanket.
Your bed, she said venomously. The girls are in class now, you ll meet in the evening.
When will I go to Halvet? Lena continued.
-When Lord Lewis decides that you are ready for this. He never accepts concubines. Harem for hunters and cooks. Well, for Anthony Lilyman. True, after the halvet, not a single girl ever returned with him. Why, I think you can guess it yourself, Makhidevran said coldly.
Elena remained silent. She understood why not one of the concubines returned, but preferred to keep quiet about her guesses.
Elena lay down on the mattress and closed her eyes. After some time, the girl heard a cheerful noise and laughter. Having risen, she saw that a crowd of motley young girls had entered the doors of the harem. Everyone was here: Europeans, blacks, Japanese and mulattoes with different hairstyles and body types, but they all had one thing in common: they were all beautiful.