*****
A lone figure walked among the dancing shadows of the castle, living in the flames of the torches. Every step she took was accompanied by a slight swaying of shadows, as if leaves were blowing in the wind on a May evening. The shadows were his friends, although it was quite possible the other way around...
Okay, okay. Set aside. Something drew me to the lyrics. Hmm, but I just decided to think about the reason for holding a "secret" meeting in the most "inconspicuous" place of the castle - the astronomy tower. But in the corridor, the only one leading to the tower, there are about a dozen paintings, arranged in such a way that without special means (charms, invisibility cloak, etc.) it will be impossible to pass by them unnoticed. And in magical vision, threads "attached" to the paintings are clearly visible, like leeches leading into the depths of the castle. Tracking or security system. Or maybe both.
What can you expect from Slytherin's Ice Queen? Well, Astoria made it clear that she would represent the interests not only of the green and silver, but also her own, personal, and possibly family interests. What does this give us? And the devil knows, even if I know the "general" traditions of magicians, but the "private" ones. Why did they come up with all this nonsense?
Oh, and here is the spiral staircase, quite steep, I must say. And as soon as the first-year students dragged a chest here, inside of which there was a living "dragon"? It's incomprehensible to the mind, and besides, the wyvern actively resisted.
The climb to the platform itself for stargazing did not take much time, only about three minutes. Along the way, in the niches located next to the stairs, as well as behind a couple of statues, I felt (and saw in magical vision, of course) several figures. Based on the build and magical specifics (the feeling of mana and aura), I was able to understand that senior students were hiding there. At least the fifth or sixth course, no less.
Who could come to the "secret" meeting of a Slytherin girl and one "murky" type? I think this is clear. Just wondering, is this an initiative of Daphne herself or not? If it's her, then it turns out that she's afraid of me. If not, then it is quite possible that they fear for her, or simply do not trust her.
Although, it is possible that this is just security from among the senior students, organized by her parents.
Another step and the stairs are behind. I found myself in a rather large, open area. The stone floor, twenty meters in diameter, was surrounded by walls on three sides. Along with one of the walls, part of the roof was also missing, thereby revealing an incredible view of the evening sky, turning into the night sky.
Usually this area is empty, except for a few statues along the walls, but not this time. Almost at the very "cliff" there were currently three soft chairs, as well as a small table on which there were several cups. I am one hundred percent sure that there is tea there.
Two of the three chairs now contained two sentient beings. Two wizards. Two people. Both are blonde. One guy, another girl.
The girl was Daphne Gringras. Well, that's logical, after all, it was she who called me here. But the second was Draco Malfoy. It was unexpected to see him here, because Astoria hadn't said a word to me about him. And judging by Daphne's emotions (compared to the first year, now it was a little more difficult to feel her) she was not happy with him.
And what exactly is it? Another "conflict" among snakes? Or something else? Although now it becomes clear that there is such a large support group here. Two heirs of the family, one of whom can have only one child. Each of the parents, in such a situation, will worry.
"What an unexpected meeting," I said instead of greeting, slowly approaching the couple. I must say that some tension between them was felt quite strongly. Even if nothing was visible behind Daphne's mask, but Draco... Only a blind person would not have seen the tension in his figure.
It looks like he himself is not happy to be here. Although I won't say that someone forced him to come here. It is quite possible that Draco himself expressed a desire to visit our company that evening. Of course, for the sake of some benefit.
"Daphne, Draco, good to see you." Although I didn't expect to spend part of this evening in such company," I told them, feigning a grin.
— Much respect, Wilson. "We are not friends to call each other by name," Malfoy said majestically (as he himself expected), drawing out each word.
"Anyone who came here without an invitation has no right to talk about respect," the lady said with still icy confidence. True, she couldn't resist hitting the girl, thereby emphasizing her lack of desire to see him here.
Draco did not pay attention to the remark he received (although in my emotions I clearly felt a flash of irritation and anger that momentarily took possession of him). I must say he knows how to hold a face, at least compared to other children for sure.
- I'm glad I came today. Sorry for not reporting the "small" problem. But I myself only recently learned about it," Daphne already told me, not without a chill in her words that chilled me to the very bones. Haha, interesting.
- Okay, it happens. "We are all human," I waved my hand. - Each of us may have certain problems. What, not to live after this? - I will answer, sitting down in a chair. It doesn't matter to me how many of them there will be here. - So what is the reason for today's meeting? Why did your faculty need my person? — I decided to keep silent about Daphne's personal interest. Perhaps this question will not be raised at all today, after all, there is an extra viewer and all that.
"At the moment, there's no need," Draco, lounging imposingly in a chair (he seemed to have stopped feeling the danger), took the floor. Apparently the Slytherin decided to take the lead in this conversation.
- Yes? And why then all this? — I asked, showing slight surprise.
"As you know, all aristocrats study at our faculty," he began.
"But there's enough aristocracy for Ravenclaw," I objected to him. Let's see his reaction.
"That's right," Draco agreed. But I noticed his sharp glance towards Daphne. Maybe this is why the conflict arose? — Most of the aristocracy study in the Slytherin house. Do you know what the role of us aristocrats is in the life of the school? — the guy asked me, smiling proudly.
"There are guesses, but to be sure... No, I don't know," I did not disappoint him, feigning my ignorance. How would someone from the ordinary world know about this? No, I'm sure you can find answers in the library. However, over the past year I have not been able to find books on this topic (although this is partly my fault. I shouldn't have abandoned the regular library. I was too immersed in magic and my development). Therefore, I will retain the knowledge received from Black.
"What else could I expect from a Muggle-born?" — Draco asked himself a rhetorical question, grimacing slightly. "It is because of this topic that we invited you here," he continued, turning his attention to me again. "Just so you know, all the training of Muggle-bloods like you," he emphasized "you" with a special intonation, as if pointing me to my place. If I were an ordinary child I might be offended, but it just amuses me. It's comical to watch people tell you what you already know, and even with such an air, as if they are doing you an incredible favor. Ha, - Paid out of our pocket. And studying at Hogwarts is a very expensive pleasure.
- And why do you need this? After all, judging by your words, the money spent on this is not small," I asked him a question after he fell silent. I want to play with him, show him how important and significant he is. Like: "ask me to tell you about this."
"And this is where the most interesting thing opens up," he smiled nastily. "When you agree to study here at Hoga, you automatically become obligated to us. After graduating from Hogwarts, each of the Muggle-borns must work for the family that paid for your education," with every word that fell from his lips, the guy's face acquired an increasingly satisfied, and at the same time, ominous expression.
— What if someone, for example, decides to run away? Well, he doesn't want to work for you," I asked him a question that "interested" me.
- Do you know what magical contracts are? - he asked me. I just nodded to his question. "When you open your letter, you enter into a preliminary contract, and as soon as you go through the distribution, you enter into a full-fledged contract with all the privileges and obligations," oh, what a satisfied face he had at that moment. It's not just bricks, she asked for a whole trailer of these bricks. - In other words, you are our SLAVES. Well, until you pay off your debt.
- And for how long? — using metamorphism, creating a small outflow of blood from the face was a breeze. Now, for an outside observer, I turned white with "horror", realizing my future prospects.
- Ten years or more, Calder. It is for this period of time that you will become our slave. Ha-ha-ha," in the end, unable to bear it, he nevertheless laughed. What a little bastard. Although he himself is not to blame for this, he was raised that way. And the situation itself... well, this has already been practiced for several centuries. Magicians live with this side by side throughout this entire time.
"I hope now you will understand where your place is," Draco continued gloatingly, enjoying my "lost" look. - Your social circle does not belong to you. "Be careful, muggleblood," he spat at the end.
And here is the reason for all this. I was wondering why he got mad at me. I didn't cross his path, I tried to be polite. In the end, the faculty itself treated me, if not positively, then certainly neutrally. And then it turned out that banal jealousy was to blame. The poor boy didn't like the fact that I was talking to Astoria. Could she be his fiancee? Well, just like in canon? And then, because of me (one hundred percent this was exactly what was in his thoughts), she violated the traditions of true aristocrats and went not to the snakes, but to the crows.
How common and uninteresting the reason for his anger is. It even became boring.
"It was nice talking to you, comrades," Draco said, getting up from his seat. - With this, I consider our conversation to be over. Thanks for the tea. Have a good day," after saying goodbye to us, this "prince" left, leaving us alone.
Hmm, I was right. All this accompaniment was precisely because of him. Gradually, the lights of magical energy began to leave the limits of my sensitivity. So Daphne came here without "protection"?
- Sorry about that, Wilson. "I didn't expect him to come here," Daphne apologized to me, sipping tea. Tea again, how much can you have? By the way, Draco didn't touch his tea. "Initially, it was I who should have told you about this."
- Don't worry. The main thing is that I found out about it. And in what way and from whom... although it would be much better if it were you who told me about it. Ha-ha-ha," I said, feigning a nervous laugh.
We fell silent, each thinking about his own. Hmm, what a beautiful sky it is from here. Night fell imperceptibly, the sun set, and its place was taken by a month surrounded by stars. Beauty.
Finally, Daphne decided to start the next round of conversation first.
- Now you know what awaits you after graduating from Hogwarts. Any thoughts on this? — looking at me with "pieces of ice" instead of eyes, she asked.
- Haha, actually none yet. It all happened too abruptly, we need to think it over," I said, feigning sadness. - Why did you decide to tell me about this? After all, I must "appreciate" this honor," I asked the girl, as if just remembering.
— There is a tradition at Hogwarts: not to "play politics" with students below the fourth year. As a rule, this is where you learn about your future," Daphne began to answer after thinking a little. — Occasionally, this tradition is violated, as in your case, although not completely. No one will persuade you to do anything. You will be "free" from this fate until your fourth year. And then…
"And then I'll join this game." And no one cares whether I want it or not. Right?
"Yes," she nodded. - And judging by your academic success, as well as your desire to join our world, at least several rads will want to "capture" you. And this is exactly what I want to talk to you about.
— Are you breaking traditions? — He asked her, smiling slightly.
- Formally, I myself am still too young for "adult" games. But no one is stopping me from playing with my peers," a gambling smile appeared on her face for a brief moment. Ha, what a cunning person she is. We follow the letter, but not the spirit of the "law".
- And what are you offering me? Serve ten years for your family? And what's next? - I "guessed" about her plans.
- Right. I, on behalf of the head of my family, propose to work for us. If you agree, we will provide you with teachers for the school of your choice.
She fell silent. Ha, and Daphne, of course, forgot to mention that I would have to work the same amount of time for my apprenticeship with the master. This is a family of snakes. Both older and younger.
- Do I have time to think?
"Of course," a slight nod on her part. — There is time until the fourth year.
The conversation ended there. After five minutes of admiring the stars, I said goodbye and took my leave. What an informative conversation it turned out to be.
What did I take away from today's conversation? First, Black keeps his word and did not tell anyone that I was not subject to childbirth from Hog. This is good.
Secondly, one family was previously interested in me. Why in advance? And so far only one year has passed. Suddenly I will stop learning new things and become a gray mediocrity. This is bad.
And thirdly, no one knows about my "apprenticeship." They still think that I may be talented, but an ordinary Muggle-blood, without proper training. Apparently Snape keeps his mouth shut, like other adults. It's just wonderful. Another card up my sleeve.
But how comical will Malfoy's face be when he finds out that they have no power over me.
Ha ha ha. What a good evening. Words cannot describe it.