Draco didn't say much and just smiled as he looked at the man besides Karkaroff who was looking at him in a weird way. "And this is?"

"Oh! I forgot to introduce him, he is Silas, one of the professors in Durmstrang and my assistant." Karkaroff said patting the man, "He was supposed to be the one to pick you up but I decided to hop along the journey as well."

"It's really a pleasure to meet you." Silas said coming forward, "I have always wanted to meet the rumored Prince."

"It's great to meet you too Professor." Draco nodded, "And the whole Prince thing is an exaggeration and nothing else so please don't flatter me for it."

Silas shook his head and stood back to where he previously stood.

"You can visit any time you want Professor Karkaroff." Dumbledore said turning to face Draco, "Draco, are you ready to leave?"

"Yes, I have said my goodbyes and I am good to go." Draco said shaking the suitcase in his hand, "By the way, can you tell me where Professor Snape is? I need to have a word with him if I could."

"You just missed him." Dumbledore said, "Though I don't know what for, Professor Snape has taken a vacation for a week."

"I see." Draco nodded, "Since he isn't here, I am ready to leave any time you are, uncle Karkarof

"Let's not waste any further time then." Karkaroff nodded, "Dumbledore it was great seeing you after so long and I hope to see you again."

"We will be seeing each other sooner than you expect." Dumbledore said humbly with underlying meaning behind his words, "And also, do make sure to be here on time Draco and since you're representing Hogwarts, make sure to behave."

"The geniuses are always the troublemakers, aren't they?" Karkaroff laughed showing his yellow teeth, "Don't worry he will be fine under my tutelage. I am sure Durmstrang is the place where a true pure-blood genius like him belongs. A true place for the prince."

Dumbledore didn't say reply to the statement as he sat there with a hint of a smile, "Do take care of him though as he is really a precious student of ours."

"Don't worry, Dumbledore you have my word." Karkaroff said nodding, "When are you getting your wand back, huh, Draco? I heard Cornelius talking about your situation."

"After February." Draco replied, "The ban was placed for 6 months and it's already been two."

"Good, you can at least show your full potential while you're there." Karkaroff nodded, "Well this is it then Dumbledore, I will be taking your genius for now."

"Have a safe journey." Dumbledore said as he looked back, "I hope to see you soon as well Draco."

Draco nodded. Igor and Silas walked towards the exit of the castle but before leaving Draco turned to face Dumbledore.

"I don't want to know what games are you playing but I hope you know what you're doing." Draco said, "I don' want to hear a piece of single bad news about my friends while I am not here."

"I really don't know what you're talking about." Dumbledore said with his usual casual tone, "Is there something that you know about?"

"I know we both suspect the same thing so playing naive isn't really going to end well for us." Draco said, "I don't know what you're trying to achieve but I hope you know that if any of the students get hurt, Hogwart will surely close down."

Both Dumbledore and Draco knew that it wasn't a threat but rather the complete honesty. Saying what he wanted to say, Draco followed Igor and went out.

Deep inside he always suspected Dumbledore but this time he was sure, Dumbledore really did know something. If that wasn't the case then there was no way in hell that any of the students would survive the Basilisk attack. Considering last time it was out, Moaning Myrtle died there was a huge probability that someone should've died in the second year too but the victims were only petrified.

One could have been a coincidence but more than that was definitely a sign that someone was hindering the process. Draco was still stuck between the world he was in and the book he once read but the reality was much more different. Though Dumbledore might not know about the Horcruxes, he for sure knew about the basilisk.

In the magical world, there isn't a thing as coincidence and who better to control things here in Hogwarts than Dumbledore. Though Draco didn't trust the old fogey too much, he at least knew that Dumbledore wouldn't let anyone die, which was more than enough for him.

"Get in, Draco!" Igor called out, as he stood outside a wooden carriage, which was laced with silver pieces of jewelry. The horse was carried by four full-grown Abraxas.

"Suprised are you?" Igor asked looking proud. "I traded some books from our school for these winged-horses from Beauxbatons, the headmistress there loves to breed them... though that giantess nearly wanted an arm for it, I still managed to get it."

Draco nodded in understanding and got inside the carriage which was a bit more spacious than what it seemed like from the inside. In front of him was Silas staring at him with the same gaze and before but when Igor entered, Silas expression turned to normal.

Draco wasn't much surprised by this behavior however with Durmstrang being Ryan's territory, he was already expecting some enemies to be around, unexpectedly these people with him weren't really under the Imperius curse like the previous people but he was still doubtful whether one of them was under the same magic as Pius was before, the one were one could be completely controlled by someone. Not trusting anyone, Draco just sat there with his wand hidden up his sleeve in case of an unexpected attack.

The horses started flapping their wings as the carriage lifted off the ground. Draco looked outside the window and saw his friends along with all the members from the club waving him a final goodbye through the castle window, not knowing whether they could see him or not, he still waved back at them until he couldn't see them anymore.

"So what subject do you really teach, Professor Silas?"

"I teach dark arts." Silas said with a smile, "Though it might be a foreign subject to you as they don't teach it in Hogwarts, I am sure you will get the hang of it soon."

"He is, after all, a genius." Igor butted in the conversation, "I heard you defeated Lockhart with minor dark arts, which I must say is really impressive. I heard about him before and though I don't know much about how strong he is, defeating an adult wizard is already praiseworthy for someone your age."

"It was a stroke of luck." Draco said, "To be honest, I am sure he could have won if he had a few more months to prepare for it."

"You're too humble Draco." Igor said, "One should be proud of their achievements."

"It's the truth." Draco said sighing, "I have a tendency to underestimate my opponents and overestimate my abilities, but the battle really has given me some insights. I need to crush my opponents down the moment I have the chance, no matter how weak or strong."

Silas stayed silent just glaring at Draco, saying nothing while Igor on the other hand laughed.

"Hahaha! you remind me of a student of mine." he said, "A bit hard headed but he is really hard working, you might have heard of him, he is, of course, one of the rising stars, the same as you, Victor Krum."