Chapter 55. Masquerade Ball. Part 1. Arrival
October 31, 1976.
Leaving a slightly disgruntled Nagini at the shop, Severus Apparated to London, where one of the Black family's mansions stood almost in the very center of the city. Of course, he would not have minded taking his companion with him, but he could not, for the simple reason that lately she had become associated specifically with him. If he came to the ball with her, he would be exposed immediately. And even if he changed her color, it could still look suspicious, and Severus did not want to set Regulus up.
The building itself was chosen in the best traditions of pure-blood wizards: as old-fashioned as possible. A simple two-story mansion in Victorian style, surrounded by an iron fence on a stone foundation.
At the entrance stood a wizard under Notice-Me-Not Charms, watching the surroundings and also checking invitations.
Putting on a short mask with black horns and red patterns, Severus ran his palm over his short scarlet hair, then lowered his hand to the hilt of the katana hanging at his belt.
They should not recognize me. eye color, hair, skull shape. I changed all this beyond recognition, and even swapped the sword for this strange katana from Japan. Smoothing down his dark suit, he headed toward the entrance to the mansion.
Noticing the approaching guest, the man in a classic black suit frowned. The unknown wizard's appearance was too provocative and bright.
"Mister. you have a very interesting costume." he greeted him with a crooked smile, extending his hand. "Let me see your invitation."
"Of course." Taking out the envelope, Severus handed it to the wizard, who opened it, glanced at it once and, bowing, handed it back.
"Please, go ahead. Have a good evening."
"Thank you."
As soon as Severus crossed the barrier surrounding the mansion, those short five meters to the entrance became one hundred twenty, occupied by a huge green garden that seemed untouched by the autumn mood outside. Two fountains stood on either side of the long cobblestone path leading straight to the four-story mansion, which was in the same style as its ordinary version beyond the barrier. And at the entrance to the building itself stood two statues, a man and a woman. One belonged to a certain Licorus Black, and the other to Magenta Black-Tripp.
And besides Severus himself, there were about a dozen wizards outside, mostly teenagers and children running around the fountain, also dressed in masks, and three adult wizards simply watching them. They were also in suits, but without masks, with a green handkerchief in the breast pocket, like the one who stood at the entrance.
While Severus was examining the mansion, two boys of about seven ran up to him and began eyeing the katana on his belt with interest.
"Mister, what is that?"
"Hm?" Lowering his eyes to them, Severus smiled and pulled it a few centimeters out of the scabbard. "Just a prop for the costume." And, as if anticipating their request, he slid it back in. "I cannot let you have it. You might hurt yourselves."
"We will not hurt ourselves! We are adults!"
"Of course, adults." Pointing his finger upward, he released a small flame that, after a few seconds, burst high in the sky in a bright, multicolored firework.
"Wooooow!" they exclaimed in unison with excitement, watching the sky in fascination.
Adults came out of the mansion at the sound of the explosions, but they froze on the stairs too, staring in surprise at the multicolored spectacle. At that same moment, Severus walked past the young wizards, finally noticing in the crowd a familiar face under a simple black mask. He approached the aristocrats, who paid him no attention, and, grabbing the boy by the arm, dragged him aside.
"What are you.!"
"It is me." Smiling at him, Severus showed the white envelope, making his eyes bulge in shock.
"Sn." But Severus quickly covered his mouth with his palm, pressing his index finger to his lips. Regulus, finally calming down, nodded, and Severus removed his hand. "I did not recognize you at all!"
"Simple Transfiguration, nothing more. But you, Regulus, should have worked on your outfit." Severus lowered his eyes to the dark suit with red trim, under which was a scarlet shirt and black tie. The mask itself covered only the upper part of Regulus's face, but with his dark hair he was still quite easy to recognize.
"I did not try to hide my appearance," Regulus snorted in response, lowering his eyes to the katana. "And what is this?"
"Props for the image." Severus slightly unsheathed it again, causing a flicker of surprise on Regulus's face.
"I see. Looks interesting."
The fireworks slowly began to die out, and the guests simply did not stop praising the slightly embarrassed elderly lady who had organized the whole holiday, convinced it had been planned in advance. Still, she did not lose her composure. She neither denied it nor acknowledged it, merely accepting the praise in silence, while her sharp gaze began to scan the crowd to figure out who it was.
At the same time, Regulus had already led Severus into the magnificently decorated hall, where on almost every wall hung rows of masks, and living portraits cheerfully clapped for the dancing couples in the center. Around them stood tables laden with dishes, and at the end of the hall a small orchestra performed classical music.
Some aristocrats danced, others talked in their groups and made acquaintances, but Severus paid them little attention, simply talking with Regulus while trying the local dishes.
"What do you think?"
"Boring. Even worse than Binns' lessons. There, at least you can sleep, and when people stare at you it is very uncomfortable to eat." Cutting a piece of steak, Regulus glared in annoyance at a couple of adult wizards who, smiling awkwardly, nodded and went back to their conversation. "But otherwise not bad."
"I am glad to hear it. From the moment my mother turned against my brother, she switched all her attention to me, and usually, when I come home, she does not give me a second's peace. Constant introductions, parties, balls, and then training with Bella, which became tougher because of you." Regulus looked at Severus with annoyance as he sipped from his glass.
"Sorry, but I could not help it. It is love at first sight. When you fall in love, you will understand what it is." Severus winked at him with a smile, then shifted his gaze to a blonde in a lilac ball gown approaching their table.
Regulus also noticed her and even rose from the table.
"Cousin, can I help you with something?"
"No, I just became curious who you are talking with. You have not told us about your friend," Narcissa said with a charming smile, examining Severus's outfit with mild interest.
"I take it you are Miss Narcissa Black?" Rising from the table, Severus answered her with the same smile and kissed the back of the witch's hand, which she extended slightly forward. "And Regulus was not lying. You are indeed very charming, Miss Black, especially your smile. If I were not already in love, you would definitely become my victim."
"I am flattered." An interesting young man. He is definitely not as simple as he tries to seem at first glance, but this hair color. most likely he took some potion. Still, his manner, his knowledge of etiquette, the confidence in his eyes, and that cold aura. Regulus found a good friend. "I would like to know your name. I hope it is not a secret?"
"I think I will keep it a secret, but in the near future you will definitely learn it." Severus winked at her, and though she looked a bit displeased, she still had to accept it and nod meekly.
"If you do not want to, then you do not have to. After all, it is a masquerade ball."
"Thank you for understanding, Miss Black."
As soon as Narcissa went to her friends, Regulus exhaled with relief.
"Finally she left."
"If you are so afraid, you should not have invited me." Severus looked at him with a smile, taking another sip from his glass. "But surprisingly, it is quite interesting here. By the way, will the Princes come here by any chance?"
"The Princes? No, I think they have some problems now. In short, they have no time for balls. That is what my mother said, and if I remember correctly, the head of the family died recently, and most likely now they have a power struggle." Regulus answered thoughtfully, stroking his chin, then it was as if something dawned on him. "I forgot you are from the Princes."
"No wonder. My family is quite a dream."
"Do you not think about going back?"
But instead of answering, Severus laughed sincerely, which embarrassed Regulus a bit.
"You are quite the joker. Why would I need that? I earn at least twenty thousand galleons a month. I can live without the sponsorship of those idiots. They should be begging me to come back."
"But they are your family."
"A family because of whom my mother died is no family to me. Even if they crawl to me on their knees and beg me to return, I will send them far and for a long time, and they do not have much time left." Severus's last words sent a chill down Regulus's spine. "But all right, let us not talk about them. Of the dead, either good or nothing."
But for some reason the smile on Severus's face did not calm Regulus. On the contrary, it made him uneasy.
And while Regulus was lost in his thoughts, Severus's gaze caught on the figure of a young woman in a black ball gown with long dark hair and almost the same mask as Regulus.
I have been waiting for you.
"Sorry, I will step away for a few minutes. I will be back soon." Finishing his drink, he left Regulus, still surprised, and headed toward her.
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