A Sultry Bedroom
Poliakov, with his sharp eyes, spotted Skylar first. He leaped up with an agility completely out of character for his obese physique and called out to Skylar from afar. The other boys turned around at the same time, and upon seeing Skylar, they immediately sat up from their lying positions with serious expressions.
As Karkaroff had previously instructed, the Ghost Ship was one of Durmstrang's top secrets, just like the exact location of the Durmstrang campus itself, and it was not to be revealed to anyone outside the school. Therefore, before arriving at Hogwarts, all accompanying students were given the strictest orders: they were strictly forbidden from leading anyone from any other house onto the Ghost Ship, and they were also strictly forbidden from revealing any secrets about the Ghost Ship's structure, operation, etc.
But just yesterday, Karkaroff suddenly changed his tune, informing all the accompanying students of some shocking news: Skylar Malfoy of Hogwarts had become a guest of Durmstrang and was free to visit the Ghost Ship, without offering any explanation. This left the young wizards bewildered, wondering about Skylar's true identity and how he had become a guest of Durmstrang.
They all knew that their principal, Karkaroff, was not someone to be easily fooled. To win the principal's position among so many competitors, one needed cunning, skill, and ability—all three were indispensable. Skylar, whom Karkarov had taken a liking to, was clearly no ordinary person.
Furthermore, in the previous two projects, Skylar had demonstrated a level of defensive and Transfiguration far exceeding those of 7th-grade students, earning him the recognition of these older students.
Durmstrang's academic atmosphere began to transform into a highly disciplined and militarily-oriented school under its second principal, Harfon Monte, somewhat similar to the military academy system in the Muggle world.
The school's teaching emphasizes combat magic and even allows the research of Dark Arts to a certain extent. This has created a school atmosphere that reveres the strong and respects strength. Faced with Skylar, who has shown the demeanor of a strongman, they dare not be negligent.
"Poliakov, is Miss Hohenheim here? Does she have time for me to meet with her?" Skylar, seeing the serious expressions on their faces, was somewhat amused and exasperated. He was a guest, not someone trying to cause trouble; was it really necessary for them to react so seriously?
Of the people present, Poliakov was most familiar with Skylar. He hurriedly ran across the planks stretched between the ship's gunwale and the shore to welcome Skylar onto the deck.
"You mean Eleanor? She's here, but she seems to be feeling unwell or something these past few days. She often hides in her room and won't come out. I've knocked on the door a few times, but she hasn't answered. I don't know what she's up to. Come on! I'll take you to her. If she knows it's you, I think she'll open the door." Poliakov said enthusiastically, rattling off a whole string of words.
Skylar followed Poliakov down a staircase that led downwards.
"The principal has already said that you are our honored guest and can tour the entire ship at your leisure. But to be honest, this ship is only mysterious to outsiders. There's nothing special inside. It's similar to a 16th-century Spain galleon. However, due to the use of weather magic, the air inside isn't as humid and stuffy as on a regular ship..." Poliakov, rarely bringing visitors aboard for the first time, chattered on and on.
"The ship's structure is divided into three levels. The first level is the crew's quarters, which are also our students' bedrooms... The second level is the gun emplacement, where the magical cannons are activated to defend against enemies. It's said that there are six cannons inside, and although their range is only 500 meters, their power is comparable to Grand Sorcerer's full-force attack. However, we've never used them, so we don't know if the rumors are true... The third level is where supplies are stored, and it's currently being used temporarily as our classroom and research laboratory for this semester..."
"The captain's cabin and the cockpit are both located in the foredeck... The magic for activating the water mirror spatial teleportation also needs to be performed there..."
"Ah, we're here. This is Eleanor's room," Poliakov grinned, a sly smile that every man understands. "You might not know, but Eleanor is incredibly arrogant. So many Pure-blood noblemen pursue her, yet she never gives them a second glance. Everyone suspects she doesn't like men, but I can tell her attitude towards you is very different from how she treats others. I think you have a good chance... you know... good luck, bro!"
After saying that, before Skylar could speak, he patted Skylar's shoulder affectionately, made a "good luck" gesture, and hurriedly turned and left.
"Uh, never mind," Skylar watched his hurried departure and swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue, wondering if the man had misunderstood something.
After confirming that the sign on the door read "", Skylar raised his hand and knocked on the door.
"Come in!" Eleanor said in a hoarse voice, sounding somewhat weak.
Skylar frowned. Something was off about the voice. Was she really sick?
Skylar pushed open the door and found himself in a spacious room decorated primarily in pink. There were obvious signs that Undetectable Extension Charm had been cast, and women's items were scattered around.
The room smelled wonderful. Skylar recognized it as Eleanor's signature scent. Don't misunderstand, it was because Eleanor practiced dark Necromancy and had acquired the stench of corpses, so Eleanor had to use this perfume, made through special alchemy, to mask the smell.
The room was somewhat dim, with the only round porthole on the wall covered by a pleated white curtain, allowing sunlight to filter through the gaps and bring a sliver of light into the dim room.
Eleanor lay on the bed, covered with a thick goose-feather blanket. Her eyes were tightly closed, and an unnatural flush rose on her cheeks and neck, with fine beads of sweat on her forehead. Her upper body was exposed outside the blanket, revealing her pink spaghetti-strap nightgown. The low-cut round neckline was trimmed with white lace, showing off her curvaceous figure.
It must be said that this scene was indeed somewhat tempting to commit a crime, but at this moment, alarm bells were ringing in Skylar's mind. He was not a person without self-control, especially after he almost suffered a major setback at the Yule Ball when Katarin used a series of rare and powerful methods. He had become deeply wary of the traps that might be hidden behind beauty.
He had no time to appreciate the beautiful scene; instead, he wore a very serious expression, his brows furrowed tightly.
Reason told him he should turn around and leave immediately to fetch Poliakov or Karkaroff so they could check on Eleanor, but intuition told him he might regret it for the rest of his life if he left.
After some deliberation, he stood firmly at the doorway (which was still open) and said in a deep voice, "Eleanor, it's me, Malfoy. What's wrong?"
"I... I don't know... It's so hot... So thirsty..." Eleanor, her eyes still closed, struggled to lift her chin and speak, her voice weak and feeble, as if she had no strength left. Large, glistening beads of sweat slid slowly down her chin, down her snow-white neck, across the alluring cleavage, and into the depths of her high-necked bosom...
A slight smile played on Skylar's lips. Having lived two lives, his mind wasn't truly that of a mere 14-year-old, hot-blooded youth as he appeared. He would never believe this scene wasn't a trap. The problem was—
There was no reason for him to be enemies with Eleanor, so why would she plot against him?
Both Eleanor and he came from Pure-blood families, with one's influence extending to Germany and Switzerland, and the other's limited to Great Britain. There had been no prior animosity or potential conflict of interest between them. Now, from the moment Eleanor chose to betray Walpurgis, they even had a common enemy. It could be said that if their families were to form an alliance, it would only bring them benefits.
To say that Eleanor wanted to harm herself for her own personal reasons would be inconsistent with her character.
Since Eleanor arrived at Hogwarts, compared to Katarin who personally intervened, she has always maintained a detached and calm observation. While she wouldn't be said to be overly affectionate towards Skylar, she has never shown any malice. Clearly, she is a person who prioritizes the family's interests and acts calmly, and it is impossible for her decisions to be swayed by personal likes or dislikes.
Besides, even if she did harm Skylar for some hidden benefit that I had overlooked, she wasn't completely unaware of Skylar's strength. Alone, and with Karkaroff and the other students on Durmstrang's Ghost Ship at the moment, could she really think she had the ability to do anything to me without alerting anyone else?
Karkaroff had made Unbreakable Vow with himself, and based on Schelling's understanding of Skylar's character, who was well-versed in the original work, it was impossible for him to turn against him.
As for the other 11 students on the ship? Leaving aside their motives, most of them don't even come close to Eleanor in terms of family background or individual strength! Although they're currently on Durmstrang's Ghost Ship, it's docked within Hogwarts' grounds. Do you think they could possibly take him down at Hogwarts?