New Year Celebration Pt. 2

24th December 1993. Peverell Manor.

The Dark Lord Peverell-Slytherin stood tall as he directed Basilisk 1 to stand in the middle of the Pentagon for the ritual that would put him above all the dark lord's other servants.

Phoenix feathers that have been willingly given.

Placed at each tip of the star.

Burnt with magical flames while channels of dragon blood lead from the feathers to Basilisk 1.

The moment the clock struck midnight, the ritual would begin, and when it was finished, Basilisk 1 would be resistant to all forms of fire and have the ability to manipulate and bend it to his will.

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24th December 1993. Greengrass Manor.

Daphne had been curious when she received a gift from her betrothed, not sure what it would be.

She was shocked when it was revealed that this was the first of many gifts; by the end of it, twenty-three owls had been and gone.

Her pile of presents under the tree had grown significantly.

Her father had rolled his eyes at the blatant attempt to win her over, but her grandfather had laughed his head off.

"You have obviously captivated the young boy! Him sending this many gifts... you must be playing incredibly hard to get."

With that, he had professed his pride in her.

Her sister Astoria had been sad when she saw how many gifts Daphne got until she heard her mother say,

"Perhaps you would like a betrothal then?" That had shut her up.

Her gift to him seemed woefully inadequate now, merely a silver locket with a promise to do better and try to get to know him.

She wouldn't know how much her gift meant to him for a long time.

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25th December 1993. Peverell Manor.

Sirius, Narcissa, Ares and Ares as his son all stuffed themselves in an early morning Christmas lunch.

There was turkey, chicken, steak, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes and everything you could possibly dream of.

The house elves had really gone all out for the day.

After lunch, they all moved to the tree and started opening gifts.

Sirius looked a little put out as he didn't have anyone to get him presents until Ares acting as his son, grabbed one and threw it at his head.

Sirius's face broke open in a smile before he savagely unwrapped it to find a portable dog bed.

"For when you are travelling!" Ares said with a smile.

Sirius narrowed his eyes and fired a stinging hex with his new wand at the boy. The boy mentioned above dodged it and gave him the rest of his gifts.

Several dog toys, some deodorant (To help with the girls), Cologne (To help with the girls), a dog puppet in the shape of his Animagus form and a closet worth of clothes, all chosen by Narcissa.

When Sirius complained about all the smelly stuff, Ares told him he needed all the help he could get, which sparked a debate.

Narcissa meanwhile opened her gift and, upon seeing the gold-coated phoenix feather earrings, promised to thank Ares properly later.

Instead, he was given a kiss for now and a few little gifts.

Sirius gave Ares jr a book on pranks and Ares senior a promise for a duel sometime.

Later, after all the presents had been opened and Ares had vowed to never take off Daphne's gift till she married him, they played some classic Christmas games.

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31st December 1993. Peverell Manor.

"Hurry up! Stop being so slow!" Narcissa scolded her master; they were meant to be at the ball early but would barely arrive on time at this rate.

Ares grumbled unhappily. What was it with women in his life pestering him over clothes?

Putting them on, he declared himself ready. Narcissa Wrapping her arm around Ares, Narcissa led them through the floo. Tonight, Lucius would announce their divorce, and she would be free to be seen in public with her master.

She was wearing a tight dress that clung to her lithe hourglass form and an emerald choker gifted to her by Ares. As well as the gold phoenix feather earrings.

Ares wore dress robes with the Peverell crest and silver lining along the

rims. His Peverell signet ring flashed in coordination with the outfit.

They were ready.

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31st December 1993. Malfoy Manor. The Ball.

Ares and Narcissa arrived before everyone else, ready for the mingling. Lucius greeted them and suggested they separate until the speech at midnight, which they both reluctantly agreed to.

Ares turned up as his younger self fifteen minutes later and waited with Lucius and Draco to greet everyone as they arrived.

He greeted the Minister, the undersecretary, several heads of department and prominent lords and ladies before he saw Daphne.

Heading over, he was pleased to see she was wearing the silver phoenix feather earrings he had bought her and the silver snake necklace with inlaid emeralds.

He had sent her everything he thought she might like, as well as several pieces of jewellery from the Slytherin and Peverell vaults.

He wondered if she would like the necklace more if she knew it was a Slytherin family relic reserved for the lady of the house.

He greeted her with a bow and a kiss to her knuckles and repeated the gesture with her mother and younger sister, shaking her father's hand.

"I see your grandfather could not make it, a pity, but I reckon well manage without him. It is a pleasure to see you again; your gift was incredibly thoughtful." He said, looking right into her eyes, being truly sincere.

She couldn't help but blush as she looked away.

"Lord and Lady Greengrass, I'll leave you to mingle. But, Daphne, would you care to come with me?" He asked politely.

After looking at her parents for permission, she nodded and looped her arm in his as they walked off.

"Is it wrong that I want to wring the boy's neck? At least before he didn't have a chance with Daph." Cygnus said with a sigh.

"I always knew you would be a protective father." His wife replied, the hint of a smile playing on her lips as they walked off to talk to others and socialise.

Ares and Daphne were greeted by all the most influential people in the room, with Ares introducing his betrothed to half of them.

Ares Sr had fared no better, probably having spoken with everyone in the room at least once.

"Minister Oblansk! I am glad you could attend! It is truly a pleasure to be speaking with you." The Dark Lord nodded at the man in charge of Bulgaria and Durmstrang by proxy.

"It has been a while, my friend, no lovely lady on your arm? I have many cousins who would love to fill the position! You floo me later, I will introduce you! Yes!" The man said with a great shout of laughter.

Ares genuinely found the man fun to be around; if he had a choice, this was the kind of Minister he would have had for Britain.

Powerful, strong, calm in stressful situations and loyal to a fault.

Oblansk was a sympathiser who worked with Ares, the two having met in the future. Ares had convinced him without death or magical contracts to work for him, and the two had come up with a backstory for Ares in case anyone checked where he came from.

"Lord Peverell, Minister Oblansk! I should have been informed of your attendance. Allow me to look after you!" Cornelius said as he rushed over.

Ivan rolled his eyes as he was led away by the over-pompous twit that Britain pretended led them.

Ares nodded at him before he headed off to find Narcissa.

She was standing with Lucius, who began to wring his champagne glass until everyone was silent.

"Hello, everyone! Thank you for attending this small get-together my wife arranged. I have some news for you all. Narcissa and I have decided to get divorced, we will remain dear friends, but we have lost the love we once held. Thank you! Silence! It is nearing midnight. Would all of you find a partner, please?" Lucius declared.

After silencing all the murmuring, everyone began to find someone to kiss on new year's eve.

Ares made his way over to Narcissa, who smiled at him, adoration in her eyes.

Ares jr turned to Daphne, who was still looking on in shock at where Lucius had stood.

"Daphne, will you do me the honour of being my New Year's kiss?" He asked with a smile.

"I suppose it's either you or Draco, and Pansy seems keen on Draco, so I guess that is a yes." she joked, eyes full of mirth.

Pulling her closer, he grinned.

Sirius Black stood disguised in the corner of the room, talking to Amelia Bones. He knew the danger but couldn't help himself.

"Ma'am, would you do me the extreme honour of being my New year kiss?" He asked with his patented smirk.

She looked surprised before she figured there was no reason she shouldn't and agreed.

Lucius found some random girl, and Cornelius was left with Umbridge.

"10"

"9"

"8"

Everyone drew closer together.

"7"

"6"

"5"

"4"

"3"

"2"

"1"

"Happy New Year!"

Daphne moved slowly before Ares confidently caught her lips in a kiss.

Sirius captured Amelia Bones in a passionate kiss.

Cornelius ran.

Umbridge followed.

Narcissa jumped on Ares Sr, kissing him with all her built-up love and devotion.