Harry stood dazzled in the glittering party venue. Expecting a Hogwarts-like hall with robed wizards, he found a modern dome, filled with parked Muggle cars, reserved under a Muggle-repelling charm. Azrael's family's wealth spanned both worlds, a boast to other clans, Azrael explained.
Harry wore a green Slytherin tie and black suit, feeling awkward and out of place. I'll be a wallflower, he decided.
Spotting a familiar face, he called, "Farkas! Morning!"
Farkas Sadalfas, a short, blonde Slytherin, wore a grey suit and green tie, clearly uncomfortable. "Harry, long time. Can't believe I'm here…"
"Same. Thought we'd wear robes, not suits," Harry said.
They observed from the sidelines. Azrael's family, tied to a sports broom company, hosted adults and kids for a product unveiling. Many wore Muggle suits, unlike Diagon Alley's robed wizards.
"Azrael picked my suit. Look okay? Not weird?" Farkas asked.
"Looks good. Better than mine," Harry said.
The crowd was at ease, unlike the novice duo. Harry scanned for peers, spotting Gryffindor's Seeker, Cormac McLaggen, who led his house to victory.
"That's a Hufflepuff, right?" Farkas pointed.
"Who?" Harry asked.
"Banarge Bist, fifth-year. Beat our senior, Ricardo Marthenas, in a duel," Farkas said.
Harry recalled Marthenas, a rude Slytherin, hospitalized after insulting and challenging Bist. Noble families filled the venue, including Gryffindor prefect Agrias Beorve and Slytherin's Garfiel Gafgarion. Finally, Harry saw Zabini with a girl.
"Zabini, still a ladies' man. Tracey, looking lively," Harry said.
"Zabini deserves divine punishment," Farkas quipped.
"Where were you two? Couldn't find those dorky glasses—thought you got into trouble again," Zabini teased, with Tracey Davis, a chatty Slytherin girl in a stylish dress.
"Farkas and I were wallflowers," Harry said.
"Poor wall," Zabini smirked. "Tracey, I'll dance later. Let me talk to these guys."
"Rude to a lady, Zabini!" Tracey huffed, rejoining her friends.
"Talk more, you two. Rare event—enjoy it," Zabini said, sipping juice and pointing to a central table. "Your Sirius is handling the tough crowd."
Sirius, swarmed by guests including Azrael, seemed at ease despite claiming to dislike such events. "He's popular," Harry noted.
"Pure-blood heir, last of his line. Families want his influence through marriage," Farkas said.
"Really?" Harry saw women in dresses charming Sirius, who humored them. Overhearing, he caught a conversation.
"This is Marida Zinneman, Bist's distant kin, former dueling champion, now in Magical Law Enforcement. Teach her a trick, Sirius?" a man said.
"My skills are mostly self-taught, but I'm honored to meet a fine witch like Marida," Sirius replied.
Not marriage talk, Harry thought, relieved. He approached Azrael, munching roast beef.
"Harry!" Azrael choked, teary-eyed. "Don't scare me!"
"Sorry. You look beat," Harry said.
"Been dealing with Malfoy's complaints—chicken's bland, salad's not fresh. Our elf, Yurick, worked hard, but Malfoys can't be crossed," Azrael groaned.
Not Dobby, Harry thought, having explained the elf's interference to Azrael.
"Glad you and Sirius came. My dad's thrilled—your presence boosts our stock," Azrael said.
"Exaggerating, but nice to hear," Harry replied.
"Sirius avoids these events, despite his status. His attendance raises our profile," Azrael added, the mature second son of a capitalist dynasty.
"If Ron and Hermione were here, it'd be chaos with Malfoy," Zabini said.
"True," Azrael admitted. "My brother and dad invited him. But decent people wouldn't ruin a party over grudges."
"You're smart, Azrael, but naive about human stupidity," Harry noted, spotting Azrael's flaw—expecting universal decorum.
"Even Draco wouldn't…" Azrael began.
"He was just bullying you," Farkas cut in.
Azrael sighed, "Fine. Let's dance and unveil the product. Ready?"
"Gotta find a partner," Harry said.
"I'm coming," Farkas added, joining Harry to search.
At the venue's center, two adults faced off coldly, watched tensely. Shrewd ones like Albert Bist retreated.
"Glad you're acting like a proper heir, Sirius. Peaceful postwar times are heartening," Lucius Malfoy said, offering a handshake, his tone friendly but eyes cold.
Sirius, suppressing disgust, shook his hand. "Good we're both alive, for the kids."
"I'm here as Harry's guardian, not an heir," Sirius added, checking Harry's safety. Their suits bore protective charms, guarding against Lucius's potential curses.
"Your devotion to your friend's son is touching," Lucius said, observing Harry to gauge his potential as a figurehead for dark forces while Voldemort lay dormant.
Play the role, taunt the ex-convict, Lucius thought, starting an education debate. "Your Gryffindor courage led you astray, Sirius."
"You question Gryffindor values, as a Hogwarts governor?" Sirius replied.
"Gryffindor's courage breeds betrayal. You're still trapped by it," Lucius said.
"There's truth there," Sirius conceded, surprising Lucius. "Gryffindors prize courage, sometimes scorning cowardice without empathy."
"Doesn't that stunt growth?" Lucius asked.
"Courage fuels curiosity and adventure. Kids need safe spaces to fail and try again," Sirius countered.
Lucius nodded cryptically. "Under proper supervision, yes. Otherwise, courage is reckless."
Sirius probed Lucius's Occlumency-shielded mind, finding nothing.
Readers, judge Sirius and Lucius's debate for yourselves.
---------------------------------------------------------
🚀 Want more?
📖 Unlock 10+ early chapters on my Patreon!
💖 Support me here: patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ
🔓 Get ahead of the story today!