Recently, the Malfoy family, leveraging the Dark Lord's growing influence, secured a significant international deal. To celebrate, Lucius Malfoy invited a few young acquaintances to a small gathering.
Everyone took their seats in an orderly fashion, and Lys Black found herself seated somewhere near the middle.
For Lucius, this was merely a casual get-together. However, for Lys, it was a daunting challenge. The assortment of utensils laid out before her—knives for pudding, steak, bread, and vegetables, seven or eight in total, along with six or seven glasses for different types of drinks—was enough to make her head spin.
Not to mention, from Lucius at the head of the table to the young lady seated at the far end, everyone's table manners were impeccable. Lys could only mimic their actions cautiously, feeling restrained as she awkwardly made it through the meal.
"Oh, I do hope Merlin abolishes all these ridiculous rules someday. I drank that wine in one gulp, and afterward, I was raising an empty glass the whole time! Severus, when and where did you learn all this etiquette? Teach me too."
Standing on the second-floor balcony, Lys vented her frustrations to Severus Snape while watching the white peacocks strutting in the yard below.
She had never paid much attention to etiquette before, but now it seemed unavoidable. If such gatherings became a regular occurrence, she figured it would be wise to learn.
However, noticing Severus's displeased expression at the mention of this topic, Lys wisely decided to drop it.
Severus's lifelong insecurities had made him overly proud and sensitive. Unlike Lys, who could easily ignore many things and focus on just one, Severus couldn't. He wanted everything and believed he could achieve it.
He had long envisioned himself becoming part of the aristocratic circle, so he had started learning etiquette early on. When the topic was brought up, it irked him.
Looking out the window, his expression unchanged, he sneered, "So, even with a brain full of weeds, you've realized your own rudeness. Go ask Mrs. Malfoy."
Waving dismissively at Severus's retreating figure, Lys decided to seek out her radiant senior for advice.
Sitting across from her senior, Lys found the situation amusing. While her senior's emotions—tinged with a slight disdain—were perceptible to Lys, her face remained perfectly composed, warm, and courteous. She handed Lys a few books on the usage of various utensils and introduced her to an etiquette teacher.
Lys accepted everything with a smile and began studying that very night. What she discovered shocked her—so many rules for aristocrats!
After a few days of diligent study, by the time Lucius hosted another gathering, Lys could gracefully navigate the dense array of utensils on the dining table.
This period passed relatively smoothly for Lys.
In the latter half of 1978, the wizarding world was engulfed in even greater turmoil. Under the Dark Lord's relentless tactics, even the Ministry of Magic struggled to resist. The Death Eaters planted within the Ministry grew increasingly brazen and aggressive.
However, the Death Eaters did not benefit equally from this. The Dark Lord became increasingly paranoid and distrustful, making life more precarious for all but the most clear-headed and fanatical followers.
Still, there were rewards. The wealth and influence that had been divided among smaller families over the past century or two were gradually returning to a select few. Beyond Britain, other entities began extending olive branches and investing, with the benefits going to the obvious recipients.
As the Dark Lord had promised, he brought his followers higher status, wealth, and power, but also a blood-soaked future and a dark present.
Every day, people woke up to news of missing family members and friends. Every night, they prayed to Merlin for the conflict to end quickly, regardless of the victor.
Sitting in the library, which had been quiet for nearly a month, Lys opened a letter from Lucius. Such a formal letter?
Revisiting recent events in her mind, Lys sensed something amiss. Just days ago, Severus had taken some materials from her to brew a Cruciatus Curse relief potion for Lucius.
The cause? The Thomas family had reported Lucius to the Dark Lord, apparently due to some investigation of Lucius's that had caught Dumbledore's attention, displeasing the Dark Lord.
Only two days had passed, and Lucius shouldn't have had enough time to recover.
The more she thought about it, the more uneasy Lys felt. She quickly Apparated to Severus's doorstep, catching him clutching his left arm, about to Apparate.
Before she could ask, Severus donned his silver mask and said impatiently, "You'd better harvest the weeds in your brain before stepping out," before vanishing in a rush.
Sitting on Severus's worn sofa, Lys let out a sigh. When would this conflict end?
Once the fighting ended and the hierarchy stabilized, there would be fewer things to worry about.
Taking Severus's hint, Lys went to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions to purchase a dress favored by the young aristocrats of the time. Sometimes, being overly low-key attracted attention; blending in was the best way to avoid scrutiny.
Before leaving, Lys reminded her visibly excited father, Noah, "Dad, stop feeding Crackle. It's severely overweight, and carrying it is becoming a burden."
Senna shook her head at Noah, who was hiding a bag of assorted eggs behind him. Her husband's enthusiasm for feeding was truly unrelenting.
Outside the shop, Lys Apparated to the gates of Malfoy Manor, finding quite a crowd gathered.
But judging by the atmosphere... Lys nodded at Lucius from afar, holding a glass of wine as she stood in a corner.
Midway through the banquet, the Dark Lord entered, followed by a few Death Eaters in black robes and silver masks.
His opening words sent chills down everyone's spine.
"I've heard dissenting voices," the strikingly handsome Dark Lord began, his wand hand brushing through his jet-black hair. His tone was silky and gentle, yet it sent shivers down spines.
"Regarding the preservation of glory, too many have doubts. Let me tell you here and now! As long as you are followers of me, Lord Voldemort, and offer your loyalty, the glory I bestow is eternal."
The Dark Lord's eyes glowed red, his wild magic exuding a faint stench as it spread wantonly.
"Because I am eternity!"
From a distance, Lys watched the Dark Lord raise his wand, joining the other wizards in placing a hand over their chests and echoing, "Yes, my lord."
As the banquet drew to a close, Lys quietly slipped away to the garden.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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