Hogwarts, Great Hall, October 18, 2017, 8:00 AM
A week after his visit to Helen, Solus was having breakfast when the owls arrived.
Most were from the regular postal service. Letters from home. Copies of the Daily Prophet.
But one owl was different.
Black and Elegant, with yellow eyes. It landed in front of Solus with precision.
It dropped an envelope.
It wasn't the common cream paper. It was thick, ivory-colored parchment, sealed with red wax stamped with a crest Solus didn't recognize immediately.
But when he looked closer...
A double-headed eagle.
Russia's crest.
The owl remained where it was, waiting.
'It expects an answer. It wants me to answer immediately.'
Solus opened the envelope carefully.
[Dear Mr. Gray,
Thank you for your reply. Your understanding of Corvus Slytherin's legacy is remarkable for someone of your age.
I would like to propose something more substantial than correspondence.
During the Christmas holidays, the Russian Ministry organizes a Symposium for Promising Young Wizards. Outstanding students from schools all over the world are invited to present research, participate in debates, and establish international connections.
This year, the theme is "Legacy and Future: How History Informs Modern Decisions."
Given your presentation at Hogwarts, I would like to formally invite you as a representative of your School.
The event will take place in Moscow from December 20th to 23rd. All expenses covered. Your family is invited to accompany you if he wishes.
If you accept, please reply before November 1st.
Sincerely,
Nadia Markov Minister of Magic, Russian Federation]
Solus read the letter three times.
'A symposium in Moscow.'
'During Christmas holidays.'
'With "promising young wizards".'
'It's a trap. It has to be.'
'Or an opportunity.'
'Or both. Idk'.
Stella leaned over his shoulder.
"What is that?"
Solus handed her the letter.
She read it. Her eyes went wide.
"Markov... the Minister of Russia invited you to Moscow?"
"Yes."
"Are you going?"
"I don't know."
Albus read the letter too.
"This sounds... important. And dangerous."
"It is," Solus confirmed.
"What are you gonna do?" Stella asked.
Solus looked at the black owl. Still waiting.
'I can't answer now. I need to think. Consult.'
He took a small parchment from his bag.
He wrote quickly:
[Dear Minister Markov,
Thank you for the invitation. It is an honor (honour).
I need to consult with my family and Headmistress McGonagall before giving a definitive answer.
I will reply before the deadline.
Sincerely,
Solus Gray]
He tied the parchment to the owl's leg.
"Take this to Minister Markov."
The owl looked at him with those piercing yellow eyes.
Then it took flight.
"Why didn't you say no immediately?" Albus asked.
"Because saying no to Markov without a reason would offend her. And offending the Minister for Magic of Russia is not smart."
"But do you wanna go?" Stella asked.
Solus thought about it.
'Do I wanna go?'
'No.'
'But do I need to go?'
'Maybe.'
"I don't know," he admitted. "I need to talk to McGonagall. And my father."
. . . . . . .
Headmistress McGonagall's Office, 10:00 AM
McGonagall read Markov's letter with an inscrutable expression.
"Interesting," she finally said.
"Just interesting?"
"Mr. Gray, Nadia Markov does not invite first-year students to international events without a reason." McGonagall took off her glasses. "Do you have any idea why she is so interested in you?"
'Because she saw my presentation. Because Rosier informs her about me. Because I am visible.'
"I think my presentation caught her attention."
"Undoubtedly. But there is something else." McGonagall leaned forward. "Markov is a controversial figure. Competent. Pragmatic. But also... authoritarian. There are rumors that she is building a network of influence outside of Russia."
"Do you think she wants to recruit me?"
"Possibly. Or evaluate you. Or simply make a political statement by inviting an outstanding British student." McGonagall paused. "The question is: do you want to go?"
Solus thought about it.
Pros: Meet Markov directly. Understand her intentions. Establish international presence.
Cons: Being evaluated. Possibly manipulated. Compromising my position.
"I don't know. I wanna think more."
"Wise."
McGonagall put her glasses back on. "Talk to your father. And if you decide to go, the British Ministry will want to brief you first. You cannot attend a Russian event without them knowing."
"The British Ministry?"
"Of course. It is international politics, Mr. Gray. Nothing is simple."
. . . . . . .
Solus wrote to his father.
[Dear Dad,
The Russian Minister for Magic invited me to a symposium in Moscow during Christmas holidays.
It's an event for "promising young wizards." Apparently, my presentation caught her attention.
McGonagall says it's an opportunity. But she also says Markov is "controversial."
I don't know if I should go.
Part of me wants to. Another part is scared.
What do you think?
PS: You can come with me if I accept. All expenses covered.
Love, Solus]
He sent the letter.
Now he could only wait.
. . . . . . .
That night, the Verus Ordo met.
Rosier noticed immediately that something was wrong.
"Gray. You look worried."
"I received a letter."
"From whom?"
Solus hesitated.
'Do I tell him?'
"From Nadia Markov."
The group went silent.
Cassandra leaned forward.
"Minister Markov wrote to you directly?"
"Yes."
"About what?" Marcus asked.
"She invited me to a symposium in Moscow. During Christmas."
Rosier smiled slowly.
"That is... impressive, Gray."
"Is it?"
"Of course. Markov doesn't invite students without real potential." Rosier leaned back. "Are you gonna accept?"
"I haven't decided yet."
"You should," Amélie said. "Opportunities like that don't come twice."
"But it's also dangerous," Oliver added nervously. "Markov has a reputation."
"Every powerful person has a reputation," Rosier said. "The question is: are you willing to risk it for the opportunity?"
Solus looked at him.
"I'll think about it," Solus said.
After the meeting, Rosier stopped him.
"Gray. A piece of advice."
"Yes?"
"If you go to Moscow, be careful. Markov is brilliant. And dangerous when she wants something."
"And what does she want from me?"
Rosier smiled.
"That is the right question. And the only way to know is to go and find out."
He paused.
"But whatever happens, remember: you are a Slytherin. You are cunning. And you have allies."
"Like you?"
"Like me."
Solus didn't know if that was comforting or terrifying.
. . . . . . .
Night, 10:00 PM
Before sleeping, Solus went down to the Map Chamber.
He needed to think.
He sat in front of the map table.
He touched the point in Russia.
An image appeared.
A dark tower.
Ancient... Surrounded by snow.
One of Corvus's hideouts in Russia.
'I've never visited it.'
'But if I go to Moscow... maybe I can.'
Solus studied the image.
'What would you do, Corvus?'
'Would you go to Moscow?'
'Would you risk being evaluated by a political queen?'
The answer came clear:
'Corvus would have gone. Because he understood that risk was part of the legacy.'
'But he also would have gone prepared.'
Solus closed his eyes.
'If I go, I need a plan.'
'I can't just show up and hope for the best.'
'I need to know what Markov wants.'
'I need to have something she wants.'
'But not something that compromises me.'
He opened his eyes.
'Knowledge.'
'Markov wants knowledge.'
'About Corvus. About Ancient Magic. About forgotten legacies.'
'I can give her something. Enough to satisfy her curiosity.'
'But not everything.'
'Never everything.'
Two days later, Mark replied.
[Dear Solus,
I spoke to your mother about the invitation. She is excited. She says you should go.
I am... worried.
But also proud.
If you decide to go, I will go with you. I am not going to let you navigate international politics alone.
I also spoke to McGonagall. She says the British Ministry will contact you before November 1st to "brief" you.
Whatever you decide, I support you.
Love, Dad]
Solus folded the letter slowly.
'Mom says go.'
'Dad will support me.'
'McGonagall says it's an opportunity.'
'Rosier wants me to go.'
'And me...'
'I need to see what Markov wants.'
'I need to understand the board before making my next move.'
He took parchment and quill.
And wrote his reply.
[Dear Minister Markov,
After consulting with my family and Headmistress McGonagall, I accept your invitation to the Symposium for Promising Young Wizards.
My father will accompany me.
I look forward to the opportunity to learn and contribute.
Sincerely,
Solus Gray]
He sealed the letter.
'Done.'
'I'm gonna Moscow.'