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0723 The Tale
🕑 Added 2025-05-22 12:33:48 +0000 UTC"Miss Jasna is master's great-granddaughter—"
By the gently rippling Rhine River, beside the creaking windmill with its spinning blades, the house-elf Hayne spoke in a voice heavy with melancholy.
"Great-granddauaghter?"
Bryan's gaze fell upon Hayne with intensity, the vertical line between his brows showing a hint of confusion.
"From her apparent age, it doesn't quite add up, And, if I may say such based on the observation in our recent conversation, it seems that Mr. Vogel doesn't have particularly warm feelings toward this great-granddaughter of his?"
"That is correct, sir, because Miss Jasna doesn't carry the ancient Vogel family blood, she only lived with the old master for a few short weeks."
Hayne, who also looked equally aged and decrepit, bowed slightly and his voice was tinged with sadness.
"The master's son perished during those terrible war years that claimed so many lives," Hayne continued softly as if speaking too loudly might somehow dishonor the memory of the dead. "Those were dark times for all. At that time when Young master died, the master's grandson had only just been born."
"Wait," Bryan interrupted Hayne's sorrowful narration. "Which side did he fight for?"
Hayne fell silent. After a long moment, he just bowed slightly toward Bryan.
Hayne's gesture said everything. Bryan didn't waste time or energy reproaching the house-elf for information that was clearly painful to remember. Instead, he simply said in a flat tone, "Continue—"
"Many people perished during that horrific war that lasted for years, but even after the war ended, the hatred that had been cultivated and nurtured during those dark years didn't simply disappear—instead, it continued to fester."
The house-elf's eyes took on a distant quality, as if he were seeing scenes from decades past playing out in his memory.
"The master's grandson, young master Adam Vogel, lost both his parents when he was still a child. That devastating loss planted a seed of hatred deep within his heart—a seed that, under the nourishment of grandiose dreams of revenge, grew into a soaring tree of obsession.
Young Master Adam swore the most solemn oaths to avenge his parents' deaths and defend what he perceived as the honor and supremacy of wizardkind against all who would diminish or threaten it."
The house-elf's voice took on an even more sorrowful tone as he continued. "The old master always hoped that young master could eventually see reality with clear eyes, could let go of his hatred. But young Master Adam possessed the stubborn determination that ran in the Vogel bloodline—he simply wouldn't listen to reason, no matter how gently or urgently it was presented to him."
Hayne began to pace along the riverbank with small, agitated steps, "To realize that grandiose dream of his, after graduating from Durmstrang with exceptional grades, young Master Adam refused the old master's earnest suggestions that he pursue a respectable career working for the German Ministry of Magic. Instead, he chose the path of a wanderer, drifting from place to place throughout magical Europe like a restless spirit seeking something that might never exist."
The house-elf's large eyes grew even more melancholy as he recounted the years of separation. "He rarely graced the family home with his presence and did not even visit the old master even once during two or three long years. When he did return, each visit lasted no more than three days, and he always arrived alone, speaking little of his activities or companions, if indeed he had any."
The regret in Hayne's voice was intense as he continued.
"Hayne took it upon himself on multiple occasions to speak earnestly with Young Master Adam during these rare visits, hoping desperately that reason might still prevail.
Hayne told him constantly that the Vogel family name and legacy needed continuation, that he should abandon his mysterious pursuits, accept a position of honor within the Ministry, find a well-bred young lady from one of the Noble Magical Families to marry, and continue the distinguished Vogel family bloodline.
But Master Adam wouldn't listen, he was utterly consumed by his obsessive dreams of revenge and whatever grand vision drove him forward. He showed no interest in marriage, in family, in anything except that purpose that had taken root in his soul—that is, until twenty years ago—"
Hayne's eyes widened slightly, taking on an almost startled expression as if the memory still retained the power to surprise him after all these years.
"The young master was no longer truly young by then but suddenly, without any advance hint or explanation, he brought back a little girl."
"That child was Jasna Vogel?" Kingsley interjected leaning forward slightly with focused attention.
"Indeed, sir," Hayne confirmed with a slow nod. "The old master and Hayne were both absolutely delighted by this. After so many years of disappointment and worry, we naturally assumed that Young Master Adam had secretly started a family somewhere during his travels, perhaps finally finding love and purpose beyond his obsessive pursuit for revenge. The possibility that the Vogel name might continue filled our hearts with joy we hadn't experienced in decades."
The house-elf's expression darkened as he continued. "But our joy was built on false foundations. Master Adam quickly deprived us of our hopeful assumptions. He explained that young Jasna wasn't his biological child at all, but rather the daughter of someone he described only as 'a friend of his'.
He claimed that Miss Jasna's parents and ancestors had all sacrificed their very lives for 'that dream'—his dream, and therefore he had changed her surname and decided to adopt her."
Bryan's brow furrowed deeply, as if he had keenly sensed something, but he remained calm and continued listening patiently.
"Though naturally disappointed to learn that Jasna wasn't truly Master Adam's biological offspring, both the old master and Hayne were still happy, we believed that with Miss Jasna as a stabilizing influence, Young Master Adam might finally abandon his wandering ways and settle down permanently.
Perhaps he and Miss Jasna could spend more time with the old master, who had endured such loneliness during all the years since the beloved mistress passed away, leaving him with only Hayne for company."
Hayne's slender, delicate white fur swayed gently in the riverside breeze. He blew his nose heavily, his tennis ball-sized eyes growing misty, as if saddened by his master's desolate, lonely twilight years.
"That was the first time since Master Adam's graduation from Durmstrang that he had remained at the family home for so long, both the old master and Hayne began to have hopes that he had finally reached a decision to abandon his mysterious quest and remain where he belonged.
Master even had already begun making plans for Miss Jasna's future—when she reached her eleventh birthday, he intended to enroll her at Durmstrang Institute for proper magical education, just as generations of Vogels had been educated before her."
The house-elf's expression grew dark and troubled as his narrative approached its climax. "But after just a few weeks, Master Adam suddenly told us that he was taking Miss Jasna away. He said that Miss Jasna's birth parents and ancestors had all died as martyrs defending what he called 'wizards' rights and honor,' and therefore she bore a sacred obligation to inherit her ancestors' will and join actively in their fight."
Hayne's voice became increasingly agitated. "Master Adam said Miss Jasna had no need for the formal education that Durmstrang could provide—he said he himself was far more capable and knowledgeable than any of the teachers at that school, and told us about his intention to personally teach Miss Jasna magic."
Louise, who had maintained silence throughout much of this narration, found herself unexpectedly moved by the house-elf's tale.
Even though she had been furious with the old man who had been sunbathing in the backyard earlier, she couldn't help but feel a faint pity for the lonely Old Man who had watched his family disintegrate around him through war, loss, and ideological extremism.
"What sort of insane dream is this Adam bastard pursuing?" Louise burst out, unable to contain her frustration and bewilderment any longer.
"Please show proper respect when speaking of Master Adam, madam!"
Hayne, who had just been immersed in sadness, suddenly cried out. He glared at Louise angrily as his voice became shrill and high-pitched.
"Though Master Adam may have broken the old master's heart, he remains a descendant of the Most noble and ancient Vogel family bloodline! Hayne will never allow him to be insulted by a Muggle!"
Hayne's sudden reaction startled Louise, but after recovering, Louise's brow immediately furrowed, and she said huffily, "Oh, you're being completely and utterly unreasonable, you little fellow! Didn't you hear that I was actually speaking up in defense of your old master?!"
Bryan raised his hand, interrupting the dispute between Louise and Hayne, and asked gravely, "What happened next, Hayne?"
Hayne's breathing was still rapid. He glared at Louise with disgust, but under Bryan Watson's authority, he did not dare to say much.
Meanwhile, Kingsley also restrained Louise, who was fuming at the house-elf.
"Hayne had never seen the old master so angry,"
The wrinkles formed by Hayne's facial skin trembled.
"He even drew his wand to threaten Young Master Adam. He threatened that if Young Master Adam dared to leave with Miss Jasna, he would completely and permanently sever all ties with him, disown him entirely, and personally ensure that he was sent to Azkaban to rot for the rest of his life."
"What exactly is Azkaban?" Louise frowned and asked. Of course, she didn't want to deal with this house-elf called Hayne anymore, so she stared at Bryan's face as she asked.
"Azkaban is the wizard prison," Bryan explained matter-of-factly, then immediately redirected his attention back to the house-elf. "Did they actually fight?"
"No, sir, Young Master Adam never drew his wand in response," Hayne replied, shaking his head sadly.
"He just stood there in the doorway with his suitcase in hand smiling as he looked at the Master, his own grandfather. Young Master Adam then said that he had to accomplish 'this thing' no matter the cost in gold or lives, no matter how many people would suffer or die in the process. He stated clearly that he simply didn't care about the consequences."
Louise's lips moved slightly. Her earlier question still hadn't been answered.
"The old master was furious. He even wanted to use magic to trap Young Master Adam." Hayne spoke in a voice full of grief. "But Miss Jasna stepped forward at that moment. She was only seven years old then, but she stood on Master Adam's side, telling the old master with firm resolve that she wanted to go with Master Adam, that she wanted to continue her ancestors' struggle."
Recalling that scene, Hayne began to sob quietly.
"The old master's heart was completely shattered by her words," Hayne managed between sobs. "The disappointment, the betrayal, the loss of hope—it all crashed down upon him at once. He collapsed to the floor of the entrance hall, but Young Master Adam showed no concern whatsoever for his grandfather's condition. Without a single glance back, he walked out of the house with Miss Jasna at his side."
The story concluded there, leaving them all in absorbed silence. Hayne explained through his continued tears that since that terrible day, Adam had never brought Jasna back to visit the family home, and grandfather and grandson hadn't seen each other for many years.
The three people standing by the river all fell into uncomfortable silence. Louise and Kingsley's gazes, whether deliberately or inadvertently, kept drifting toward Bryan, waiting for his decision about how to proceed with this new information.
"Jasna Vogel," Bryan finally spoke.
Bryan's hands, clasped behind his back, were clenched into tight fists. He stood upright by the river, expressionlessly gazing at the wheat fields stretching to the horizon. After a long while, he asked in a low voice, "What was her original surname before Adam changed it? Was it Rosier?"
Hayne's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but then, thinking that Bryan Watson was investigating Miss Jasna, perhaps he had learned this from his investigation, he slowly nodded in confirmation.
After receiving Hayne's confirmation, Bryan's mouth twitched, and his fists clenched tighter behind his back.
"Respected Mr. Watson," Hayne began hesitantly, his voice filled with uncertainty and hope.
He looked up expectantly at this prominent figure who currently had considerable influence among wizards throughout the European magical community.
"Please forgive Hayne's impudence. May Hayne dare to make a personal request of Mr. Watson?"
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