How fortunate that everything had fallen into place! I could hardly contain my satisfied grin and laugh when that 'pale grebe' gave me such a great chance. I lived in Russia, then in Japan, and I've been to many places, but the only one who got on my nerves like Snape was the now dead Elder Miyazaki, that nasty old woman. I wasn't lying when I said what I thought about the wizard, because there are all kinds of methods of education, especially in English schools, where madness and cruelty are as common as anywhere else.
But no, he behaves better in the classes of other faculties, even some other Gryffindor courses he perceives differently — more restrained. I, when I had the chance, watched the same Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw classes, other Slytherin and Gryffindor classes through the shikigami. Conclusion: This class is really being bullied, and Potter is the icing on the cake of humiliated children. And I have to put up with this 'this'? I've been itching to get my hands on that louse for a few weeks now, but I can't just kill him out of the blue, and Snape is very good at being on the alert.
I had a few plans to deal with Harry's protector, but the surveillance revealed the Potions Master's paranoid security measures.
Now I could legally face him in combat. Whatever the conditions, I stand a much better chance, the wolf spirits alone are worth it! I managed to negotiate with more spirits than I had hoped for during the festival. So if I lose, I might as well break the rules and use something forbidden, although I doubt the topics of spirit magic and ghosts will be discussed. But even without those, I have plenty of "trump cards" — full sleeves, pockets, hat, and gloves.
As soon as we were released, I went to the Owl Tower. I had already prepared a letter for Gwyneth to give to my lawyer after a short cryptic note. The second letter I gave to Fleur before I left, to put into Paul's hands. His mother, Lucy Dunois, had made a handsome political profit from our cooperation, as Fleur and Gabby's mother had told me in confidence.
Now she should return the favor in a more serious way. Of course, the letter is respectful and makes no demands. I need official confirmation of my independence at the highest level. Muggle records say I'm nineteen years old, but wizards are not easily fooled, so I need a trial, a loud one, with maximum publicity. Participants are adults only, and I'm an eligible participant? Fine, make it official and document it! With the newspapers talking about it, my lawyer and the French pressuring me, the locals will have no choice but to recognize me as competent.
Otherwise, the prestige of Magical Britain will sink to the bottom of the pedestal. And not only the general authority as a state, but also the reputation of individual politicians will be severely damaged, because there is no good reason to prevent it. Harry is an illiterate boy who doesn't know his rights, but I have not only fame, though it is much broader than that of the boy who survived.
I'm an apprentice of two famous masters, I have contracts with the French government, and I have very good reviews as a ritualist. Besides, I don't need to be involved in this process — thanks to the spirits, I already have reliable people and acquaintances for that.
I've got my next plans waiting for me, and one of the steps is to meet Sirius Black. In canon, he's in contact with his godson, and I hope to seize the moment. For now, I'll get dressed and head to London, where I'm expected tonight.