Shadow over the Urals

The Headmaster of Durmstrang Institute dies under suspicious circumstances, and a foreigner named Karkaroff takes over the school. A young woman is sent by the Russian Ministry to investigate, posing as an apprentice to the Dark Arts teacher. Against her stand a web of secrets old and new, the rebirth of Necromancy and a murderer who will stop at nothing to reach his goal …

As the new apprentices arrive at Durmstrang, they realise that the school's new leaders, namely Headmaster Karkaroff and caretaker Dolohov, are not particularly pleasant...

Secessa stumbles over a valuable clue to the murder, and Karkaroff continues his project of making most of the Durmstrang staff uncomfortable, while bestowing his benevolence on a select few.

Secessa has discovered that the old Durmstrang Headmaster was poisoned, and has decided to acquaint the librarian, Vladimir, to find out more. Vladimir himself, interested in Karkaroff’s plans for the school, has been welcoming, hoping he’ll learn more from the young woman who seems to be involved in some odd business with the Dark Arts teacher, sanctioned by the new Headmaster. Soon after the start of term, the two female apprentices make one horrific discovery each...

Just as the new apprentices have settled in at Durmstrang, the Ancient Runes Professor is found dead on the dungeon floor. An investigation leads to the arrest of the librarian, but Secessa Laburova, the Dark Arts apprentice, is doubtful of his guilt, despite her suspicions of his involvement. However, she has little time to consider this as her tutor Khuditski decides to leech her powers to master the rising of the dead. Suddenly she finds herself face to face with a different breed of wizards called in by the headmaster, Karkaroff.

Two teachers have so far been murdered at Durmstrang Institute. But, instead of devoting energy to finding out who might be involved, the Dark Arts Apprentice finds herself forced by her superiors to involve herself deeply in Necromancy. She fears that there is no way out for her, and on top of everything, she discovers to her horror that a ritual has made her a possible accomplice to murder in England. And guess who is her only ally and help? That weak, pitiful, ridiculous Charms Apprentice…

The Dark Arts Apprentice at Durmstrang Institute has spent a rough term at her new home, raising the dead, getting acquainted with Death Eaters, all while trying to figure out why the former Headmaster died a sudden death, and why the Ancient Runes teacher was murdered in the dungeons. When the librarian reveals the school is the hiding place of the Master Rune, a rune that can be used to enslave all living beings, she decides to try to rid the school of its unwelcome guests...

Durmstrang Institute is finally rid of the Death Eaters, but were they really responsible for the two murders? In the early morning, as Vladimir destroys the rune that he believes to be the cause of all the trouble, Secessa, the Dark Arts apprentice wakes up abruptly, having suddenly realised who the murderer is. She goes to confront him, knowing that she needs his full confession.