The rumors and disturbances regarding that Dark Lord had grown far too frequent recently.
What made Lys even more suspicious was Dumbledore's reaction.
Lys considered this uneasily, setting aside the documents on her desk that she couldn't concentrate on and visiting the Karkaroff residence.
Her timing proved unfortunate—Menilquide Karkaroff's fiancée was present, forcing Lys to wait considerably.
When that woman swept past Lys and another visitor, ostentatiously adjusting her hair ornaments, Lys's mind occupied itself entirely with recalling the Karkaroff family's historical attitude toward the Dark Lord.
When the butler invited Lys into the study, she remained characteristically direct:
"These past years, rumors about that Dark Lord—you know whom I mean—in Albania have intensified dramatically. Should that day arrive, what would be the Karkaroffs' position?"
"Ah, our Miss Rahm! Worried now, are we?"
Menilquide, now middle-aged, had finally earned his uncle's recognition last year and begun truly managing the Karkaroff family. Lys hadn't seen him in ages.
Before him sat iced vodka, his face radiating obvious satisfaction. Heaven knew what his fiancée had just discussed with him privately.
"I recall that period when Germany's various trades with Voldemort..."
Menilquide caught Lys's slight frown but ignored it, continuing:
"All passed through your hands, and quite successfully too. Afterward, you helped Karkaroff establish proper protocols within Durmstrang. My uncle genuinely appreciates you."
He sipped his drink. "Naturally, I appreciate you as well, so I can tell you frankly, Lys..."
His gaze carried memories tinged with self-mockery: "Karkaroff makes investments but never wades into murky waters."
Hearing his rare candor, Lys raised the eyebrows she'd furrowed upon hearing the Dark Lord's name. "Though I'm uncertain what you're celebrating, allow me to congratulate you preemptively."
"Yes, congratulate me indeed. This is excellent news, hahahaha." He drained his glass to ice cubes, even raising his hand to pour Lys one.
Lys declined. "I must return to school shortly. Drinking would be inappropriate."
Menilquide studied her and shook his head. "Though you might not grasp my meaning, I believe you haven't changed since our first formal meeting. Whether or not you truly perceive situations clearly, you remain remarkably composed, attempting meaningful action within any opportunity you can seize."
"Next year Durmstrang may host an international exchange. If circumstances permit, I hope you'll accompany Igor once. Though he's headmaster"—he set down his glass—"my compensation to him hardly seems fair to the students."
Lys offered no response, merely nodding faintly before taking her leave.
Igor Karkaroff as headmaster was indeed questionable, but why was Menilquide discussing this now?
What did "makes investments but never wades into murky waters" signify? Did he consider the Dark Lord murky waters?
If so...
What about herself? Was she worth the Karkaroff family fishing in murky waters?
Lys's mind frantically connected information fragments. She nearly called the wrong address whilst stepping through the Floo.
Seated in her office, Lys increasingly sensed hidden meanings in Menilquide's words, yet couldn't decipher them. This uncertainty killed her appetite.
Meanwhile, Friedm sat beside her, munching contentedly. After finishing, his face reddened as he attempted a silent Scourgify.
The spell obliterated Lys's desk mat entirely...
Friedm, who'd wanted to demonstrate his silent casting abilities, quickly pretended nothing had occurred and fled.
Lys observed her brother's sturdy but diminutive retreating figure with renewed concern. At his age, she'd already begun growing taller. Why wasn't Friedm developing?
Requesting her presence at that activity whilst criticizing Igor Karkaroff's headmaster performance—were they planning his removal? Making the deputy headmaster the new head, with herself as deputy?
Would increased milk consumption help him grow? Might Skele-Gro prove beneficial? Though Skele-Gro seemed to be a Potter family ancestral recipe...
Deputy headmaster would be advantageous—elevating her status and value. But she wasn't German, lacking any local credentials. They wouldn't consider such arrangements.
So what exactly did Karkaroff intend?
Lys opened the Potions Association correspondence with troubled thoughts, ending her wild speculation.
Honestly, Lys had long suspected the Potions Association members no longer served purely academic purposes.
They'd formed an exclusive class, regarding themselves with insufferable superiority—as evidenced now.
Senna's potion approval had stalled again...
When Lys appeared with Friedm, they apparently assumed she was seeking their favor, their attitudes immediately turning haughty.
They continuously disparaged Senna's work, claiming her nomination might damage their association's reputation.
Two individuals even attempted extorting Lys for materials.
Had they employed standard procedures and assessment criteria for Senna's evaluation, Lys would've accepted their decision without complaint.
Merit-based judgment remained wizarding tradition. She understood and had respected this principle for years. A few materials—she wasn't particularly concerned about such things.
But making it so unseemly whilst demanding extortion?
After restricting their material supplies, Lys confiscated all documents related to Senna's potion applications. Lys even discovered someone plagiarizing Senna's formulations.
This infuriated her sufficiently to publish a newspaper exposé.
Her wording was blunt—"The so-called potioneers of XX Association are nothing but filthy-minded thieves!"
Seated in her courtyard, Lys's eyes remained cold and impatient as she pondered where to submit Senna's work.
Professor Slughorn had recommended this association. No wonder he'd seemed reluctant—Lys now understood her former professor likely had no superior alternatives to suggest.
International submission would prove tremendously troublesome. Lys tapped her wand against the courtyard wall, transforming all overhanging blood-thorn branches to powder that mixed into the garden soil.
Weighing the materials, Lys ultimately sent them to the American Potions Association, though this involved complex legalities regarding cross-border document submission and record requirements.
Consequently, Lys spent most subsequent time applying for Floo access, waiting for approval, reapplying, waiting again...
When Durmstrang's owl located Lys, she recalled Menilquide's earlier mention of some exchange event.
And also...
"Lys, did you secure tickets? Did you? Draco says they'll be invited to the top box! This Quidditch match is Ireland versus Bulgaria! Lys, that means Lynch will compete! It's Lynch! Last time Lynch didn't even play due to tactical secrecy! And their Beater Volkov...! Plus Bulgaria's Seeker this time... Viktor Krum, one of the few decent people at school... Only five days remain. Can we arrive a day early? Lys?"
Lys's hands went numb.
She'd completely forgotten...
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