Hogwarts School.
Inside the Durmstrang ship moored by the great river.
Igor Karkaroff looked utterly miserable and panicked.
Voldemort's summons—the Dark Mark on his arm flickered with an obscure presence, guiding him toward that direction through some unseen force.
He was afraid and did not dare go.
Though there were times when he had no choice but to serve the Death Eaters, he still did not want to see Voldemort.
His instincts told him that if he went, he would die.
So he had no choice but to lock himself in his room, his expression entirely shrouded in fear.
Yet his heart could never find peace.
He left the ship and quickly found Severus Snape.
"He has returned!"
"He is summoning us!"
Igor Karkaroff looked at Severus Snape, rolled up his sleeve to reveal the Dark Mark, and stared at him as he nearly roared.
Yet Severus Snape was exceptionally calm inside, without the slightest hint of tension.
"Yes, he has returned!"
"He summoned me as well."
"But why should we go?"
"I am now Slytherin's Head and a professor, not a Death Eater."
Severus Snape's answer left Igor Karkaroff utterly stunned.
He had not expected Severus Snape to be so calm, nor to answer him that way.
"Severus, aren't you afraid at all?"
"His retaliation will kill us."
Igor Karkaroff cried out angrily.
However, Severus Snape answered him with silence.
Igor Karkaroff slammed his palm heavily against the table in anger, then turned and left.
He had tried to get Severus Snape to help him more than once or twice.
But Severus Snape had always remained unmoved, even appearing unconcerned.
Severus Snape watched Igor Karkaroff's retreating figure, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
Voldemort was indeed powerful. He had been before, and he still was now.
But he