Difficult to Assess

"Miss Jasna is the old master's great-granddaughter—"

On the banks of the rippling Rhine, beside a small mill whose wind blades creaked as they turned, Hain the house-elf spoke in a weary voice.

"Great-granddaughter?"

Amosta lowered his gaze to Hain, a faint crease of confusion showing between his brows.

"That doesn't quite add up, judging by their ages. And forgive my bluntness, but from what I saw, Mr. Vogel didn't seem to care much for this great-granddaughter of his."

"That is because Miss Jasna has none of the Vogel family's blood in her veins. She only lived with the old master for a few short weeks."

Equally ancient-looking, Hain bent at the waist, sorrow coloring its voice.

"The old master's son died during the war, while his grandson had only just been born."

"Wait." Amosta interrupted Hain's account. "He fought for that side?"

Hain fell silent. After a long while, it merely gave Amosta a slight bow.

But Hain's posture had already explained everything. Amosta offered no condemnation, merely saying flatly,

"Go on—"

"Many people died in that war, which lasted for years. But when the war ended, hatred did not vanish. Instead, it endured. The old master's grandson, Adam Vogel, lost his parents at a young age. Hatred planted a seed in his heart, and nourished by arrogant dreams, that seed of hatred quickly grew into a towering tree.

"He swore to avenge his parents and defend the honor of wizards.

"The old master had always hoped he would face reality and let go of his hatred. But Master Adam would not listen. After graduating from Durmstrang with outstanding marks, he rejected the old master's suggestion that he work at the Ministry of Magic and instead chose to wander from place to place.

"He rarely came home. Perhaps he