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 mansions stood in the heart of the city. Of course, he wouldn't have minded taking his companion with him, but he couldn't; she had recently become specifically associated with him. If he arrived at the ball with her, he would be exposed immediately. And even if he changed her color, it would still look suspicious, and Severus didn't want to compromise Regulus.
The building itself was designed in the best tradition of pure-blood wizards: as old-fashioned as possible, a simple two-story Victorian mansion surrounded by an iron fence set on a stone foundation.
At the entrance stood a wizard concealed by Notice-Me-Not Charms, watching the surroundings and checking invitations.
Putting on a small 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 him. Eye color, hair, skull shape. He had changed all this beyond recognition, and even swapped the sword for a 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 wizard's appearance was too provocative and striking.
"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, bowed, and handed it back.
"Please, go ahead. Have a good evening."
"Thank you."
As soon as Severus crossed the barrier surrounding the mansion, the short five meters to the entrance stretched to 120 feet, filled with a vast green garden seemingly untouched by the autumn chill outside. Two fountains flanked the long cobblestone path leading straight to the four-story mansion, identical in style to its ordinary counterpart beyond the barrier. At the entrance to the building stood two statues, a man and a woman: one depicted Licorus Black, the other Magenta Black-Tripp.
Besides Severus, roughly a dozen wizards occupied the grounds outside, mostly masked teenagers and children running around the fountains, while three adult wizards stood watching them. They wore suits as well, but without masks, each with a green handkerchief in the breast pocket, like the wizard stationed at the entrance.
While Severus studied the mansion, two boys around seven years old ran up to him and began eyeing the katana at his waist with interest.
"Mister, what's that?"
"Hm?" Severus looked down at them, smiled, and drew the blade a few centimeters from the scabbard. "Just a prop for the costume." Anticipating their request, he slid it back into place. "I cannot let you hold it. You might hurt yourselves."
"We will not hurt ourselves! We are adults!"
"Of course, adults." He pointed his finger upward and released a small flame that burst high in the sky a few seconds later as a bright, multicolored firework.
"Wooooow!" they exclaimed in unison, watching the sky in fascination.
Adults emerged from the mansion at the sound of the explosions, but they too froze on the stairs, staring in surprise at the multicolored spectacle.
At that moment, Severus passed the young wizards, finally spotting a familiar face beneath a simple black mask in the crowd. He approached the aristocrats, who ignored him, and grabbed the boy by the arm, dragging him aside.
"What are you doing?!"
"It's me." Severus smiled at him and showed the white envelope, making his eyes bulge in shock.
"Sna..." But Severus quickly covered his mouth with his palm, pressing a finger to his lips. Regulus, finally calming down, nodded, and Severus removed his hand. "I didn't recognize you at all!"
"Simple Transfiguration, nothing more. But you, Regulus, should have put more thought into your outfit." Severus looked down at the dark suit with red trim, worn over a scarlet shirt and black tie. The mask covered only the upper half of Regulus's face, but with his dark hair, he was still easy to recognize.
"I didn't try to hide my appearance," Regulus snorted, glancing at the katana. "And what is this?"
"Part of the costume." Severus drew it partway, and surprise flickered across Regulus's face.
"I see. Looks interesting."
The fireworks slowly faded, and the guests continued praising the slightly embarrassed elderly lady who had organized the entire affair, convinced it had been planned in advance. She never lost her composure. She neither denied nor acknowledged it, simply accepting their praise in silence while her sharp gaze scanned the crowd to identify the culprit.
Meanwhile, Regulus had already led Severus into the magnificently decorated hall, where rows of masks hung on almost every wall and living portraits cheerfully applauded the dancing couples in the center. Tables laden with dishes surrounded them, and at the far end of the hall a small orchestra played classical music.
Some aristocrats danced while others mingled in groups, but Severus paid them little heed, simply talking with Regulus as they sampled the dishes.
"What do you think?"
"Boring. Even worse than Binns' lessons. At least there you can sleep. It's hard to eat when people keep staring at you." Regulus cut a piece of steak and glared irritably at a couple of adult wizards who, smiling awkwardly, nodded and returned to their conversation. "But otherwise, not bad."
"I'm glad to hear it. From the moment my mother turned against my brother, she shifted all her attention to me. Usually, when I come home, she doesn't give me a moment's peace. It's constant introductions, parties, balls, and then training with Bella, which only got harder because of you." Regulus looked at Severus with annoyance as he sipped his drink.
"Sorry, but I couldn't help it. It was love at first sight. When you fall in love, you'll understand." Severus winked at him, smiling, then shifted his gaze to a blonde in a lilac ball gown approaching their table.
Regulus noticed her too and even rose from the table.
"Cousin, can I help you with something?"
"No, I was just curious who you were talking to. You haven't 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?" Severus rose from the table, replying with a smile, and kissed the back of her hand as she extended it. "And Regulus was not lying. You are indeed very charming, Miss Black, especially your smile. If I weren't already in love, you would certainly become my victim."
"I am flattered." He was an interesting young man. He was definitely more complex than he appeared at first glance, but that hair color suggested he had most likely taken some potion. Still, his manner, his knowledge of etiquette, the confidence in his eyes, and that cold aura... Regulus had found a good friend. "I would like to know your name. I hope it is not a secret?"
"I believe I'll keep it a secret, but you'll definitely learn it soon enough." Severus winked at her, and though she looked somewhat displeased, she accepted this and nodded meekly.
"If you don't want to, you don't have to. After all, it's a masquerade ball."
"Thank you for understanding, Miss Black."
As soon as Narcissa joined her friends, Regulus sighed in relief.
"Finally, she's gone."
"If you're so afraid, you shouldn't have invited me," Severus said, looking at him with a smile as he took another sip from his glass. "But it's surprisingly interesting here. By the way, do you think the Princes might show up?"
"The Princes? No, I think they're dealing with some problems right now. Basically, they don't have time for balls. That's what my mother said, and if I remember correctly, the head of the family died recently, so they're probably caught up in a power struggle," Regulus answered thoughtfully, stroking his chin. Then he paused as if something had just occurred to him. "I forgot you're from the Prince family."
"No wonder. My family is quite a dream."
"Don't you ever think about going back?"
But instead of answering, Severus laughed, which embarrassed Regulus slightly.
"You're quite the joker. Why would I want that? I make at least twenty thousand Galleons a month. I don't need those idiots' support. They should be begging me to come back."
"But they're your family."
"Any family responsible for my mother's death is no family of mine. Even if they came crawling back on their knees, begging me to return, I'd send them packing, and they don't have much time left anyway." Severus's last words sent a chill down Regulus's spine. "But alright, let's not talk about them. Of the dead, speak only good, or nothing at all."
But for some reason, the smile on Severus's face did not reassure Regulus. On the contrary, it made him uneasy.
While Regulus was lost in his thoughts, Severus caught sight of a young woman in a black ball gown with long dark hair and a mask almost identical to Regulus's.
"I have been waiting for you."
"Sorry, I'll step away for a few minutes. I'll be back soon." Finishing his drink, he left Regulus, still surprised, and headed toward her.
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