Chapter 56

[October, 31, 1976]

Leaving a slightly dissatisfied Nagini in the store, the Archmage apparated to London, where one of the Black family's mansions was located, almost in the very center of the city. 

Of course, Severus  would not mind taking his companion with him, but he could not do this only for the reason that she had recently become associated with him, and if he came to the ball with her, he would immediately be declassified. And even with the colour change, it still seemed suspicious, and Snape didn't want to destroy Regulus' prestige.

The building itself was chosen in the best tradition of pureblood wizards - as old-fashioned as possible. 

A simple two-story Victorian mansion surrounded by a stone-based iron fence. 

In front of the entrance, a wizard stood under the muggle-repelling charm and watched the surroundings, and also checked invitations. 

Putting on a short mask with black horns and a red pattern, Severus ran his hand through the short scarlet hair, and then lowered his palm to the hilt of the katana hanging from his belt. "Well, they shouldn't recognize me now… the colour of the eyes, the hair, the shape of the skull… I changed it all beyond recognition, and even the sword to this strange 'katana' from Japan…" Smoothing his dark suit, Severus headed towards the entrance to the mansion. 

Seeing Severus  approaching, the man in the classic black suit frowned, the appearance of the "unknown" guest was too defiant and bright. 

"Mister… you have a very interesting costume…" the man greeted Severus with a wry smile, holding out his hand. "Let me take a look at your invitation." 

"Of course." Taking out the envelope, Severus handed it to the man, who, having opened it, only looked once, then bowed, and handed it back to Severus.

"Please come in, have a good evening." 

"Thank you." As soon as Snape crossed the barrier surrounding the mansion, that short five metres to the entrance increased to a hundred and twenty, which occupied a huge green garden, which seemed not to have been touched by the autumn mood outside; two fountains flanked by a long cobblestone walkway leading straight to the four-story mansion, but still in the same style as its regular version behind 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 the Magenta Black (née Trip). 

And besides Severus  himself, there were about a dozen wizards outside, but mostly only teenagers and children running around near the fountain, they were also wearing masks, and three adult wizards were just watching them. 

They were also in suits, but without masks, with a green handkerchief in their breast pocket, like the one at the entrance. 

While Snape was looking at the mansion, two boys of about seven years old ran up to him, who began to look with interest at the katana on his belt.

"Mister, what do you have?"

"Hm?" Looking down at them, Severus smiled and pulled it a few centimetres out of its scabbard. 

And as if anticipating their request, he shoved it back in the scabbard. 

"I can't give it: you'll hurt yourself more."

"We won't get hurt! We are adults!" 

"Of course, "adults," pointing his finger up, Severus released a small flame, which after a few seconds exploded high in the sky with a bright multi-colored salute.

"Waaaaa!" the two kids exclaimed in unison with excitement, watching the sky in fascination. 

The adults came out of the mansion to the sounds of explosions, but also froze on the stairs, examining the multi-colored extravaganza with surprise, and at the same moment the Archmage passed by the young wizards, finally noticing a familiar face under a simple black mask in the crowd that had left. 

He approached the aristocrats who did not pay attention to him and, grabbing the young man by the hand, dragged him aside. 

"What do you…!" 

"It's me." Severus smiled at him and showed him a white envelope, causing him to bulge his eyes in shock.

"S-sn …" Regulus tried to say his name but Severus quickly covered his mouth with his hand, putting his index finger to his lips, and Regulus after a second finally calmed down. 

Severus, seeing this nodded, and removed his palm. 

"I didn't recognize you at all!" Regulus exclaimed.

"A simple Transfiguration, nothing more, but you, Regulus, you should work on your outfit." Severus lowered his eyes to the dark suit with red edges, under which was a scarlet shirt and a black tie. The mask itself covered only the top of the face, but it was quite easy to recognize him by the dark hair. 

"I didn't try to hide my appearance," the young man grunted in response, looking down at the katana. 

"And what's that?" 

"Just a prop to look mysterious," he again slightly exposed the katana, causing slight surprise on Black's face. 

"Of course, it looks interesting." 

The fireworks slowly began to come to an end, and the guests simply did not stop praising the slightly embarrassed elderly lady who arranged the whole holiday, thinking that it was planned in advance. 

But still, she was not at a loss and did not deny it, but didn't also admit it, she simply silently accepted the praise, while with her keen eyes she began to "scan" the crowd in order to understand who it was. 

At the same time, Regulus had already led Severus  into a splendidly decorated hall, where rows of masks and living portraits hung on almost every wall, happily clapping for the dancing couples in the centre, around which there were tables with dishes, and at the end of the hall there was a small orchestra playing classical music.

Some aristocrats danced, others talked in their company and made acquaintances, but Severus  did not pay much attention to them, just chatting with Regulus, tasting local dishes along the way.

"What do you think?" Regulus asked.

"It's boring, even worse than the lessons with Binns: at least you can sleep there, and it is very uncomfortable to eat when they are always staring at  you." Slicing a piece of steak, Severus stared displeasedly at a couple of adult wizards who, Smiling embarrassedly, nodded to him and continued talking to each other.

"Well, that's good. I thought I'm the only one who hate this.From the moment my mother disliked my brother, she turned all her attention to me, and usually, when I return home, she doesn't give me a second of rest: constant acquaintances, parties, balls, and after that training with Bella, who, because of you, became tougher," he looked displeasedly at Severus , who took a sip from the glass. 

"Sorry, but I couldn't help it: it's love at first sight, when you fall in love, then you will understand what it is," Severus winked at Regulus with a smile, and then turned his gaze to the blonde in a purple ball gown approaching their table. 

Regulus also took notice of her and even got up from the table. "Cousin, can I help you with something?" 

"No, I just became interested in who you communicate with, you did not tell us about your friend." the young woman said with a bewitching smile, examining Severus 's outfit with slight interest. 

"I take it you are Miss Narcissa Black?" Rising from the table, he answered her with the same smile and kissed the back of the hand of the witch, which she slightly extended forward. "But Regulus didn't lie, you really are very charming, Miss Black, especially your smile. If I weren't already in love, you would definitely become my "victim". 

"I'm flattered," she said on the surface but inside she thought 'Interesting young man, he's definitely not as simple as he tries to seem at first glance, and this hair colour ... most likely he took some kind of potion, but his demeanour, knowledge of etiquette, confidence in his eyes and that cold aura… Regulus found a good friend.'

"I would like to know your name, I hope it's not a secret?" Narcissa asked with a slight smile.

"I'll probably keep it a secret, but soon you will definitely recognize him," he winked at her,

"If you don't want to, then don't, after all, this is a masquerade ball." 

"Thank you for your understanding, Miss Black…" Once the young woman left for her friends, Regulus breathed a sigh of relief. "Finally, she left…" 

"If you're so afraid, you shouldn't have called me," the Archmage looked at him with a smile, taking another sip from his glass. "But, surprisingly, it's quite interesting here. By the way, the 'Prince' won't come here, will they?" 

" 'Prince'? No, they seem to be having some problems now, in general, they don't have time for balls - that's what my mother told me, and, if I remember correctly, the head of the family just recently died, and, most likely, now they are fighting for power." Regulus replied thoughtfully, stroking his chin, and then it dawned on him. "I forgot that you are from the Prince Family…"

"Nothing new, a family is still a "dream" for me." Severus said while taking a sip.

"Aren't you thinking of going back?" But instead of answering, the Archmage laughed sincerely, which embarrassed Black a little. 

"Well, you're quite a joker, why should I? I earn around 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…" Regulus looked at him as he slowly said this.

"The family, through whose fault my mother died, is not my family. Even if they crawl to me on their knees and beg to return, I will send them far and for a long time, and they don't have too long left…" Chills ran down the young man's back from the Archmage's last words.

"But okay, let's not talk about them, the dead are either good or nothing." Severus may have said this but for some reason, the smile on Severus 's face did not cause calmness in the young man, but on the contrary, a bit of fear. 

And while Black was in his thoughts, Snape's gaze caught on the figure of a young woman in a black ball gown, with long dark hair and a mask almost identical to Regulus's. 

"I'll leave for a few minutes, I'll be back soon," after finishing his glass, Severus left the slightly surprised young man and went to her

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