My pupils first steps into big politics

"What fools we have been, you and I, Abraxas," Nathan Nott growled. "How is it that we have become enslaved to this thing?"

"Like no one else, my friend… like no one else!" he replied, downing a full glass of rare fire whiskey in one go. "Except what can we do? He gave us no choice but to face the fact that this summer our heirs must enter his inner circle!"

Lord Malfoy's face was ashen, not only from the lingering effects of the Cruciatus curse Gaunt had inflicted upon him, but also from the impending fate of his family — his wife, his heir, and himself.

"So what now? Are we just going to be led to the slaughter like mindless, will-less cattle, without even trying to resist?" The conversation between the two friends and leaders of allied clans had taken place in the mansion of the Notts family, who had been some of the most powerful demonologists in France since ancient times. However, after the Inquisition began to spread across the continent, they swiftly united and crossed the Channel to seek the protection of the English Crown. This was long before the passage of the statute, back in the thirteenth century.

— What can we do with you, then? Do you possess some magical remedy that might offer us relief? Nothing in the pockets of my family can provide us with the means to eradicate this problem once and for all! And even if it did, I am not certain that I would be capable of putting it to use. Just the thought of such a possibility causes the mark on my arm to throb and ache with agony! Are you certain that this chamber is impenetrable, and that our Lord is unable to hear or become aware of our conversation due to the markings on our wrists?

"Indeed. He is not a deity, nor even an archmagus. The chamber we now occupy is a masterpiece of demonological craftsmanship, commissioned by my family, and transported from France to England as we relocated our residence. Its design is specifically tailored for summoning demons, and its isolation surpasses anything else in all of England!" Lord Nott stated with a hint of smugness.

"The very stones that comprise these walls have witnessed and restrained greater demons, even an archdaemon in its time. Thus, there is no need for concern regarding the seclusion of this space. It is shielded by the finest spells and rituals employed by demonologists of the European school, known only to the Nott lineage."

"Clearly… But what truly irks me is the nature of this predicament. We, the lords, must like vermin, scurry into this most secure sanctuary merely to engage in discourse, while simultaneously safeguarding the content of our conversations from Gaunt's prying ears. Marvolo's ability to maintain communication with his minions through the use of tracking devices has been well-known for some time now."

"This is the price we pay for our mistakes, Abraxas," Nathan began, his voice growing increasingly emotional. "Now we must find a way to extricate ourselves from this predicament and prevent our kind from being enslaved by a mad creature!"

"We cannot face this challenge alone. We need powerful allies, and we must act swiftly before it is too late, before Marvolo discovers the truth."

"You can refer to this entity by its Muggle term," Nathan continued. "Regarding allies, I have delved deep into our family chronicles and libraries in search of information about this matter. It appears that Alfonso Bruns hails from a lineage of demon hunters, as they referred to themselves, who served the Vatican."

Nathan paused, then added, "A confidential source informed me that the newly appointed professor at Hogwarts, dispatched from the continent to teach Muggle Studies and magical traditions, is a distant relative of the Viennese hermit and perhaps even a half-sibling."

"So that is that," Abraxas mused. "I can now see why he accompanied Maria Badoer to the Black's reception. Anabelle… has undoubtedly been a welcome respite. Ah, you have no idea how soothing she has been since the reception. The girl suffered a severe nervous breakdown and did not sleep for a week after. She feared falling asleep and never waking up, just as had befallen those who had harmed the Venetian woman!

I had mentioned previously that these walls are impermeable, effectively isolating us from the outside world. However, I would still exercise caution if I were in your position. I would not even dare to insult Maria, for she is extraordinary. Remember that she is one of only four known archmages in Europe, and she maintains excellent relations with the other three.

The general public is aware of only four current archmages in Europe — Maria, her mentor and current leader of the Catholic Church, Vencenzo Amati, head of the Inquisition, and Marco and Alfonso Bruns. However, the number of witches is slowly approaching three thousand, a fact known only to a select few.

Indeed, you are correct, and I must be more cautious. Riddle... I still cannot comprehend his unpardonable actions. The creature, Ormarr Drake, is related to the leader of the Numerology Guild. This is interesting information. Perhaps it offers a way out for us. What do you think?

Nathan posed a burning question: "What can you and I offer Alfonso Bruns in exchange for his assistance in arranging a meeting? But that is only half the problem. What can we offer Bruns to persuade him to help us remove the stigma and gain protection from Gaunt?"

Nathan's inquiry was met with contemplation. "Vassalage is the only thing I can think of," replied his companion. "He is the oldest known archmage, and he must possess untold treasures in the form of a vast library accumulated over centuries, as well as other valuable artifacts, ingredients, and magical materials. My own treasury holds nothing that might pique his interest."

The response was equally reflective. "True, but will he accept our offer? What benefit can we or our services offer to someone of his stature? He has no known enemies, and his relations with other archmages are amicable. Why would he involve himself in our affairs?"

"Do you have any other proposals?" Malfoy asked, his tone sharp. He seemed to be on the verge of losing his temper, but then he composed himself and continued more calmly, "If we do not attempt it, we shall never know. There is no shame in becoming vassals to a family with a lineage tracing back to the foundation of Rome. On the contrary, it is a source of great honour, and if our efforts are successful, Tom and Albus may think twice before crossing us. Let us put our heads together and consider what I could offer to entice him to accept our family's vassalage. You should also give it some thought. You are as invested in this as I am."

I possess some of my family's ancient possessions, relics of demonic origins. They might pique his interest. To be sure, I am still in the process of determining their purpose. They arrived in Notts in the sixth century, having been taken as trophies from our ancestral lines. Some of my forebears possessed knowledge about these relics, but they deemed it unnecessary to record such information for the benefit of their unenlightened descendants. Ah, but once upon a time, we were not merely feared, we were oppressed, and even the church did not dare to fully execute its persecution of our kind.

"That is why we requested a meeting with Alphonso. To assist us in identifying your artefacts, and if any of them prove to be of value, we shall offer them as a gift in exchange for the opportunity to take an oath and undergo the ritual of oath-taking to Alphonso Brance," said the speaker.

"Previously, Lord Malfoy never imagined that he would ever personally engage with such a formidable figure as the Viennese recluse, known for his notorious temper, as a vassal," the speaker continued. "But now, he sees no other way out of the precarious situation, which threatens the lives of all his family, in which he finds himself."

Nathan's expression was a mix of surprise and alarm. "What puzzles me is why Phineas did not strike back at Gaunt, once he realized who was attacking his manor. It was not difficult to figure out. There were only two wizards in England prior to Black's arrival. But for some reason, he failed to complete what he started," he said, frowning. "It would have been ideal if Nigelus had obliterated that object."

Phineas was always considered a peculiar magician with a peculiar logic. It was not the first time that he had bested his opponent, causing them serious harm and leaving them alive. Lord Flint, for example. He had also fallen under Phineas's hot hand. It is difficult to say whether this is a calculated move or a manifestation of his inner nature. But if it is the latter, then we are in a dire situation. Why would Phineas spare Gaunt? Only to see the outcome of Dumbledore's conflict with Riddle, when we will be at each other's throats.

As Lord Malfoy listened to this reasoning, his face grew both surprised and grim. "Oh dear, that is an astute observation. We will exhaust each other, thinning the ranks of our adversaries, and then the neutral parties will step in.". It is evident that Marvolo's sanity is deteriorating, and he will soon cease to regard Phineas' threat as credible, embarking on active measures that may culminate in confrontations with members of the Order of the Phoenix, an organization under Albus's supervision. The neutral faction has historically maintained a discreet profile.

"Indeed. When only a handful of us remain, they will turn against us!" Nathan's countenance reflected a sudden realization.

«And it was all there, right in front of our eyes, on the surface,» Abraxas mused, his mind racing with thoughts. «It doesn't take much intelligence to arrive at that conclusion. Damn those markings! They are a serious impediment to our effectiveness. I have long observed that calculating situations and devising far-reaching strategies is becoming increasingly complex with each passing day. My mental faculties seem to be deteriorating, and it has nothing to do with that recent Crucio.»

Abraxas fell into a deep reverie, attempting to recall when, precisely, after receiving the mark, these changes began to manifest, and why he failed to pay attention to this critical moment. This was no idle question, one that could be dismissed with a casual response. Through a meticulous examination of the years since acquiring the mark from Gont, Abraxas suddenly realized something else: the mark was draining their power, not just their magical abilities, but also their mental and vital energies. At the very least, this was how he felt it.. There was a rationale for the subtle yet accelerated aging, the mental deterioration, and the diminished rate of magical reservoir replenishment. Having delved deeper into his own mind, an unproven adept in the art of mental sorcery, he was able to discern and sense how, as the taint seeped into his magical essence, he began to dissipate the energies of his spirit, with each passing year, the rate of dissipation accelerating.

We require the expertise of a sagacious healer, not hailing from England, capable of diagnosing our condition and prescribing a course of action to halt our decline. Ideally, we seek a specialist capable of eradicating the mark. Unfortunately, all the esteemed healers reside in Rome, and they are somehow affiliated with the Church and Maria Badoer. Alas! Nathan felt akin to a cornered rodent. He refrained from sharing his recent discovery that Gont was siphoning their power like a vampire, lest he exacerbate Nathan's propensity for emotional outbursts. He cherished their friendship and feared losing such an ally.

"Well, all right, then. We must devise a course of action in the event that things do not work out with Alfonso Bruns. It is imperative that we safeguard the heirs, but we must do so in a manner that does not arouse suspicion among Gaunt and our allies, at least until they are secure. I should have heeded your advice and sent Lucius with Theodore to Durmstrang."

"Do you suppose that my heir's absence from England would protect him from Gaunt should he attempt to harm him? Durmstrang's reputation, once so formidable, is no longer what it once was. Following the fall of Green-de-Wald, the school has been under scrutiny, as the majority of the Nazi guards who once attended the school learned dark magic there. The school's educational standards and security are now far inferior to what they once were. If Marvolo seeks my son, the defences of Durmstrang will not deter him. I am not any more at ease than you, Abraxas."

Nathan's words were laced with weariness and despondency.

The plan for the immediate future is as follows: we seek out a healer and lay the groundwork for negotiations with Alfonso, which necessitates contacting Professor Drake. Malfoy endeavored to infuse his tone with a note of optimism, while simultaneously feigning loyalty and fidelity to Marvolo.

It is a pact.

********

The conversation between Nathan and Abraxas was truly fascinating. Perhaps the safeguards of the chamber where they conversed were adequate, but they were not designed to thwart one of my spectral spies, which resembled a spider, tasked with recording their dialogue. Once they concluded their discussion and departed, necessitating the deactivation of the chamber's security measures, my spy exploited the opportunity to transmit the recording to me.

Furthermore, it becomes imperative to dispatch a comprehensive blueprint to my brother detailing the intricate array of runes and magical sigils employed in the configuration of the protective system, capable of momentarily subduing even a rampaging archdemon. This is a novel encounter with such intricate containment mechanisms and suppression pentagrams. Alfonso, my mentor in demonology, who imparted his profound knowledge to me, has yet to encounter such a phenomenon.

With regard to the topic of their discussion and their future intentions, I am now deeply contemplating whether I should become involved in the destiny of these two families, who, in the canonical narrative, up to this point and until the resolution of the entire affair involving Gont, appear to be his accomplices.

If I assist them in freeing themselves from Marvolo's clutches, I will be depriving Gont of several of the most prominent figures in his inner circle. Abraxas' financial resources and connections constitute the primary driving force behind the entire structure that Tom has built. Moreover, a significant portion of Gaunt's supporters have aligned themselves with him in part due to the influence of the Malfoy fortune.

Not all pure-blood families are wealthy, and perhaps they do not live in abject poverty, but the aspiration to shine within them is so intense that they were willing to enter into a state of quasi-slavery, provided they had the means to do so in the form of gold in their pockets and the opportunity to showcase themselves at receptions adorned in opulent attire. I am aware of their motivations. Having come under Riddle's "patronage", they seized the chance by the tail.. The public announcement by Riddle that he was heir to Slytherin stirred up a great deal of excitement among pure-blooded wizards, and those who lacked the knowledge to question such an outlandish claim fell under Tom's influence and were willingly prepared to submit to his branding.

However, if Malfoy and Nott, following his lead, were to abandon the Walpurgis Knights at this juncture, many members of Tom's faction might question the sudden decision and speculate about the underlying motives. Most importantly, those who joined the ranks of Gont for the sake of a shiny coin would undoubtedly ponder whether they could maintain their loyalty to Marvolo should he sever ties with such a prominent and, crucially, wealthy family that holds more than half the budget of their "knightly" order.

Hm… What to do with them, then? We shall see what they offer Alfonso in exchange for his assistance. And then, we shall see.

Incidentally, Albus is likewise seeking patterns and avenues to garner as many supporters as possible to his cause. He has succeeded in enticing a few prominent pure-blood families that had previously aligned with the political vision espoused by Gont and his cohorts. These families, while still espousing Nazi and radical ideologies, were of a more timid disposition and were well aware of their lack of standing within the neutral ranks.

These clans' inclinations and true nature were widely known, as they made no secret of their attitudes towards Muggles and the less gifted. However, after a rumor circulated that several prominent lords, following a meeting with their leader, suddenly found themselves under the care of healers for a month due to the effects of the Crucio curse, they abruptly changed their allegiance to Albus, who accepted them with their beliefs.. Dumbledore may well have taken this step due to his duplicity and his conviction that everyone deserves a second chance, and that anyone can be reformed for the better. Alternatively, it could be purely self-serving, denying Tom the opportunity to augment his ranks with two dozen wizards who were both strong and well-educated compared to the average wizard in Albion.

No matter how saintly Dumbledore attempted to portray himself, or how much he might not have wanted to believe it, any rational person was a precious asset to him. Perhaps this is why he does not want any unnecessary casualties. There is no use for the dead, unless you are a Death Eater.

Furthermore, Albus began attempting to reach out to his mentor, Nicholas Flamel. Flamel had been recalled from England upon discovering that the inquisitors supervising the alchemists were unwitting agents of a demonic entity.

The joint inquiry conducted by the Inquisition and my order has revealed that the agents of darkness have been actively working to ensure a bloody conflict in England. The conflict is set to begin with localized terror, which will then escalate into a global conflagration involving the unsuspecting masses. This threat extends beyond the shores of England, potentially reaching the continent, necessitating intervention by the Vatican and the Inquisition.

Flamel, a prominent alchemist rumored to be favored by the Papacy, has been assigned a critical role in this endeavor. His task is to create a highly volatile and rapidly spreading virus, with a specific outcome in mind. He has been provided with extensive resources, including research materials on magical virology and criminology.. And while it was not precisely his vocation, nor his scholarly pursuit in this realm of sorcery, he was none the less a notable practitioner amidst the rest of the world, neither aligned with the Church nor in service to it.

With his assistance, the demon sought to acquire a remedy that would swiftly transform Europe into an immense necropolis, with the intention of destroying the entire world within a matter of weeks. It was evident that the true objective of Nicholas' future creation needed to be disclosed, and his work, if ever to be employed, was intended solely against Xenos and external threats to humanity.

For this reason, Flamel was encouraged to develop a versatile virus capable of affecting all forms and species of life, even extending to energy itself! Moreover, Flamel exhibited a remarkable indifference towards outsiders and a willingness to justify any actions, provided they promised him even the slightest benefit. Whether by chance or due to his unrecognized brilliance, this individual was fortunate or a genius in disguise, but thanks to Flamel, the demon stood on the verge of acquiring a weapon capable of bringing about the apocalypse.. It was only a few short weeks ago that we gained this knowledge, and it was only by a stroke of luck, coupled with the uncanny intuition and extraordinary deductive skills of one of the witch investigators on the team, that we were able to avert disaster and thwart the completion of the demon virus's development.

On every second Monday of each month, at precisely eight o'clock in the morning, Nicolas Flamel would experience a peculiar occurrence, during which he would momentarily lose consciousness and fall out of reality. This phenomenon was observed by a perceptive witch doctor, who attributed it significance and subsequently initiated a covert surveillance operation on Nicolas, which lasted twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

It was discovered that this event occurred at the same time every morning of the new month. However, the investigators remained perplexed as to its meaning. Torvald, the witch doctor in charge, proposed conducting an experiment by returning Nicolas to the environment in which he had been residing in England prior to his discovery as a spy for the Inquisition, who served the demons.

And now, having once again found himself in England, to which Nicholas had been exiled, he settled in the very house where he had resided before, surrounded by the same familiar surroundings. Left alone, as the time and day came, the alchemist found himself completing his morning ablutions in the bathroom, having awoken. Once again, there was a disturbance in the alchemist's mental state, after which he hastily dressed and departed for a walk. His journey was brief, but its destination was not his own home, but rather a dwelling on the other side of the city. This dwelling was protected by a feeble spell of invisibility, sufficient to shield the alchemist from the gaze of those without gifts, and to prevent any suspicion from arising in the mind of another gifted individual.

Nicholas descended into the basement, where he encountered the Dumosbrose, whose memories had been extracted. The Dumosbrose was no ordinary creature; its memories were encoded and could only be accessed by its owner. The alchemist engaged in his scholarly pursuits, seeking to create a lethal contagion within the confines of the Dumosbrose's mind.. As soon as Flamel's mind was replenished with memories of the creation of the virus, another insidious mechanism was activated, which stimulated the brain centers responsible for inspiration and the production of hormones associated with happiness, keeping him in a state of constant positivity. This stimulated his work efficiency and fostered a narcotic dependence on working in this field.

For six hours, Flamel engaged in experiments and research. Afterward, he erased all memories of his work on the virus from his mind, placing them in the dummosbrose. As if nothing had occurred, he returned to the residence provided by the Inquisition.

The demon continues to astound me, for once again, with Flamel, I encountered a surprise on his part and another masterpiece of mentalism. This time, the mental trigger was also linked to the biological peculiarities of the altered state of Nicholas's brain and specific spiritual cues embedded within it, which activated and unleashed mental programs literally sewn into his brain — not in his cerebral cortex, but in his spinal cord.

When the trigger was activated, it exerted control over his entire nervous system, virtually blocking his connection with his mental body and putting him into a state of sleep. The cues were the absence of any gifted individuals within a radius of a hundred meters from Nicholas, which he could sense due to his heightened sensitivity, as well as the presence of a specific day of the month and time.. Were all these circumstances to converge, Flamel's body, governed by the imperatives imprinted in his mind, would direct him to the very room where his research materials on the development of apocalyptic weapons were stored, and where there existed a laboratory equipped with everything necessary for him to continue his work on a virus product, concealed within an expandable chest similar to the one that contained Gryum in the initial narrative of the tale of the survivor of the Tournament of the Three Wizards.

The realization that we had unwittingly harbored a mind influenced by demonic forces, which we failed to detect, struck a blow to our self-confidence. Nicholas has been subjected to scrutiny by multiple mentalist archmagi, including myself, yet this did not guarantee the accuracy of our assessments or the safety of his mind. We had all passed him off, assuming he possessed no hidden agendas or deceptive strategies. Had he been a covert saboteur, he could have caused considerable harm. After all, Flamel is an adept in the art of magic, a feat not to be taken lightly!

In general, our inventory of potential scenarios devised by the demon has been augmented by yet another of his stratagems, but this does not alleviate our concern, for we are confident that these are but a fraction of the surprises in his repertoire of mentalistic feats. Consequently, there is no assurance that there are not other agents lurking in our midst, unaware of our presence, who may orchestrate a diversion at any given moment.

This demon's cunning and expertise in deception and mental manipulation are truly remarkable. I fervently hope that his prowess is confined to these domains of magical arts, for if he and his ilk surpass us in other branches of magic, the prospect of direct confrontation in battle may prove exceedingly perilous.

*********

"Miss Black, heiress Greengrass," were the ragged greetings exchanged between the freshmen, who had gathered near the library, and the elected head of the class on Muggle Studies and the Traditions of the Magical World, accompanied by her companion.

Having exchanged greetings, the group proceeded through the door that had been granted exclusive access to their school.

"Yes, Miss Abbott," Sylvia replied, acknowledging the desire for her attention, while also noting the presence of a student-faculty member, Helga.

Sylvia continued, "I wish to express my profound gratitude, and I am certain that everyone present today, feels the same, towards your guidance in arranging this space for our needs. Your efforts extended to securing Madam Pince's permission to borrow books from the restricted section, which are listed as forbidden for removal from the library's walls."

Now, in the «small» room, which had recently been converted into an escape room and was open only to students who had been approved by Svyatozar, the Heads of first-year classes from Professor Drake's classes at Slytherin, Puffenduay, Gryffindor and Ravenclaw sat, each accompanied by a close friend. Thus, there were Miss Black, Miss Greengrass, Miss Abbott, Miss Call, Miss Wood, Miss Gallagher, Miss Porter, and Miss O'Neil, as well as a young man who challenged the conservative views of the British aristocracy. He was not of noble birth or social status to be in the company of six pure-blood wizards from ancient and noble families, three of whom were heiresses and future matriarchs of their clans. Among them was a Muggleborn Gryffindor first-year student, Stephen Reeds.

"And let me also express my gratitude for the absence of any complaints on your part, gentlemen, that I have been granted entry into this office, and consequently, into your company. I am truly honoured to be surrounded by such beauty and high society!"

Mr. Reeds, a man of great integrity when it came to his rights, responsibilities, and position in the new world he had entered, addressed each person present in a manner reminiscent of military discipline, his gaze unwavering, delivering his words without a trace of servility, accompanied by a friendly and sincere smile. This gesture allowed him to fully appreciate the extent of the confidence and favour bestowed upon him, as well as the significance it held for his future prospects and potential career advancement.

«And now, I will likely express the consensus of every lady present that you are among the select few gentlemen worthy of being among us. Your presence does not cause discomfiture or rejection.»

This was said with an air of utter perfection, rendering it impossible to discern the emotions behind the mask that Sylvia had now donned to conceal her shyness. For she could swiftly perceive Stephen's emotions, which fully aligned with his words, or rather, the words themselves were far more modest and subdued than the sentiments he was experiencing at that moment.

The young man was elated by the honor, for he had already realized that the world he inhabited was not a realm of fantasy, and being in the presence of three heiresses in the same chamber was a remarkable distinction for him.. Thanks to this fellowship within their small circle, sometime in the future, he will be able to approach the three Ladies, heads of clans who hold seats in the House of Lords. This is a remarkable achievement for a Muggle-born, offering him the opportunity for a comfortable establishment.

As you and I are members of this exclusive club, organized by Miss Greengrass, my tutor, and your professor, I propose that we address each other by our given names and without formal titles. I hope there are no objections, and no one minds? Bellatrix initiated the conversation, which proved effective. If a member of the Black family is willing to engage in conversation with a Muggle-born without etiquette, it should be acceptable to them.

Especially after the resurrection of Phineas Nigellus Black, who revealed his identity to the world, the Black family, once at the pinnacle of power, has overnight become the leading family in Albion's Olympus.

Thus, it was not surprising that everyone welcomed Bella's suggestion with open arms.

Now, let us turn our attention to the matter at hand. As Easter holiday approaches, we find ourselves less than a month away from our first-year examinations. Allow me to elucidate the significance of these assessments for those seeking to delve into the intricacies of the subject.

Although Stephen was the sole occupant of the Room of Requirement, it is important for everyone to be aware that at Hogwarts, one must engage in study for a minimum of five years and successfully complete the Standardized Ordinary Course in Wizardry. Tuition itself is provided free of charge. However, it is only through the knowledge acquired during these five years that a wizard can later pursue the most straightforward and undemanding career path without the prospect of professional growth if they choose the Ministry of Magic as their place of employment.

The sixth and seventh years of school are not free, but if a student excels in all PSB subjects, they are granted a scholarship from the Board of Trustees of the school, allowing them to pursue two advanced courses without financial burden.. Should an individual choose to pursue further study in the realm of magic and aspire to become an apprentice under a master of sorcery after completing seven years of formal education, the prospective mentor is entitled to request a comprehensive academic record of the applicant's performance throughout their academic journey from the institution. This request must be duly acknowledged by the school administration, provided that it originates from one of the officially licensed and registered guilds within the MCM framework.

In the context of this scenario, if an exceptionally talented individual seeks to secure a scholarship for free tuition in the advanced courses spanning the sixth and seventh academic years, culminating in the acquisition of a recognized and Ministry-endorsed title as a mage, they must demonstrate exceptional proficiency in all subjects from the outset of their studies.

"I heard you, Bellatrix," he said, "and I will do my utmost to be one of those who receive the grant. Although I doubt it will benefit me in any way. I have already enquired about it," he continued, and the reason for his inquiry was the news that two first-year girls seated at his table had suddenly become personal students of Professor Drake, causing quite a stir among purebloods.

"Masters of Magic accept students only for a substantial amount of money or some other form of payment. I have nothing to offer in return for my training," he stated without complaint about his fate. He merely stated a fact and undoubtedly intended to find a way to become an apprentice of a master. His tone conveyed this, although he was well aware of the slim chances of such an outcome.

This young man possessed a very mature and sober look in his eyes, reflecting his seriousness and determination.

«And now, the information that must not leave these walls under any circumstances. It is strictly confidential, meant only for a select few.» Sylvia cast a stern glance at everyone, making sure they took her words seriously.

«Our tutor has asked us to inform those present here that at the conclusion of the seventh year, he will offer apprenticeships for the most diligent students with outstanding Hogwarts diplomas, who have not caused him any complaints. He has the means to do so, and his words are not idle boasting. You should already have realized that our tutor is receptive to candid discussions.

I would like to emphasize that the training is free of charge. However, the masters will only accept students through a ritual, not a contract. For those who doubt the security of this approach, I can provide you with the texts of the mutual oaths that the mentor and student must make.». The tutoring contract, which will provide comprehensive protection against any infringement of your honour and dignity on the part of the tutor, also serves as a powerful catalyst for your academic passion.

Following Sylvia's eloquent address, a hush descended upon the room, leaving everyone, with the exception of Svyatozar's students, deep in thought about the rationale behind this magnanimous offer and the necessity for Professor Drake to make it.

The only explanation that comes to mind is that Professor Drake requires it because, if we fail to pay for our education, he will do so for us. His intention is to shape our worldview and character, limiting our choices and making us suitable for his personal plans and interests in England.

Among us, there are two heiresses and four pure-blood witches who have a high probability of becoming a lord's consort through a successful marriage in the future. The time we spend under the guidance of our teachers and studying until we achieve mastery can range from five to twenty years or even longer. During this period, you may not want to be near us, but as an elder to whom we owe respect, he will have the ability to significantly influence the development of our personalities. What are his intentions in England?? Svyatozar possessed the uncanny ability to discern and appreciate the true gems amidst the mundane, and each intellect in the room was nothing short of remarkable. However, what truly stood out was the presence of a core within each individual — a profound desire for self-improvement and unwavering dedication.

The identity of Professor Drake was not in question, as it was widely known who he had accompanied to the Blacks' momentous gathering, an event that had upended the status quo in England. The Church was undoubtedly behind this, with the Vatican having turned its attention to England, leaving the English aristocracy on edge.

He desires naught but peace and serenity in Albion, as it is in the rest of the great land of Europe. Now, Albion stands on the brink of profound transformations, which, according to our mentor, shall be accompanied by torrents of blood, spilling both among the commoners and the aristocracy. He deems such a prospect unjust and is prepared to lend a hand and lend support to those he deems worthy of salvation. And these include all those who possess talent, regardless of their origins, provided they adhere to the moral and ethical principles he upholds. His greatest fear is that this conflict may spill over into the realm of the magical, but alas, he deems this the most probable outcome. Therefore, ponder my proposal carefully.