Chapter 29. Ball.

The trip to Russia showed me well that I had nothing to do there. Perhaps someday I will go to this country again, but later, when there will be at least a semblance of order. Now, when the whole country is overflowing with people with swollen brains and it is very uncomfortable to be there. The Moscow Auror, who, realizing that he was exposed, tried to start a confidential conversation, and then, either taking my words for mockery, or, in principle, not sharing my views on all the events that were taking place, quite sharply, downright defiantly designated his headship, commanding me to get out of the country as soon as possible. It's just unpleasant.

Returning home, he calmly took up the completion of the defense. Dumbledore was warned by a letter that he had returned, but did not appear at school. Literally two weeks was enough for me to finish the casting of all the enchantments, after which I closed the security contract ahead of schedule, releasing two hired magicians. After performing a rather simple, but lengthy ritual, he connected the living stone to the enchantment system. Then for a couple of days he walked around the mansion, checking and correcting everything that he had in the defense.

After all the corrections, a very interesting and useful effect appeared. I had already read in Dumbledore's memory that a strong wizard, living in one place for a long time, can create with his presence something like a source. Dumbledore himself had never seen anything like this and viewed this effect as an untested theory. However, I just happened to see something similar. The living stone grew into the energy of the defense I built, its magic expanded somewhat and drew to itself a line of force that passed not far below the surface of the earth. My suggestion that there was a source of magic here was confirmed. For some reason, the source disappeared, and the line of power that fed it went deep into the earth. But now, when I placed the magic stone in its proper place, the line of power rose again and began to feed the source created from the stone. I could not remove the stone from this whole system. Most likely, the stone would no longer have its properties, and this action damaged the newly formed source. But everything was fine with me.

There was no need to go back to school right now, but I didn't want to sit in the new house alone. Now it was possible to buy a little house for a new house. Talk to Murphy about her blood ties to the Blacks. Find a couple for the already announced Christmas ball. All matters are not particularly urgent and not problematic, even pleasant to some extent.

When I returned to school, I did not even find the principal at the place. Now he suddenly had a lot of things to do in the ministry, he was summoned there almost every day. Definitely, the minister started his game, and he started it by trying to break Dumbledore. I'm even wondering who Fudge sees in the place of the High Wizard and Headmaster of Hogwarts? According to the canon, I knew one of his supporters - Umbridge. On reflection, I realized that in the place of the director of Hogwarts, most likely, it was her that he saw. But for whom is the place of the supreme sorcerer?

Now is the time to have a serious talk with Murphy. Before, I could do nothing to help her, even though I became officially Black. Well, what could I? I have no place of my own. I have no political weight. No fame. But now I had my own home and some notoriety, my offer of protection and patronage would not look provocative to purebreds.

"Murphy," I intercepted the girl at the entrance to the Hufflepuff living room. - Need to talk.

At first she was even scared. Well, of course, the purebred for some reason turned to the Muggleborn - expect nothing good. But after a moment she pulled herself together, with an imperious movement of her hand gave a sign to her friends to follow on without her - let go. Although, it was clear to me that the fear had not gone anywhere.

- What did you want, Black? Megan asked coldly, trying to sound calm.

"Let's go somewhere where they won't interfere with us," I suggested, smiling to myself, how ambiguous such a proposal sounded.

"I don't particularly want to go anywhere with you," Murphy dropped as if assessing me.

"Don't be afraid, I won't do you any harm," I said, smiling even more. This conversation seemed to me more and more ridiculous.

- What makes you think that I'm afraid? - with a challenge she threw.

- Well, perhaps because you're wasting time? I asked.

"It's just that you didn't interest me," the hufflepuff began arguing with me, "and also, walking with the boys to secluded places is not what I need now.

You are waiting for your friends to tell Cedric Diggory that I stopped you, - I expressed my opinion about the wasting time. "But Cedric will not come to rescue you, because I warned him about this conversation. If you want, I can swear that I will not harm you. I need to tell you some truth about your background. Believe me, I have something to tell you and something to offer.

I had to take the oath. Of course, I said it without a wand and without swearing to life and magic. Then he explained that the usual rollback in the event of a direct violation of the oath would be enough. Murphy did not dispel all doubts, but she followed me.

Entering one of the empty classrooms, he cleaned a couple of chairs from dust, which looked more or less reliable, and offered to sit down. With a chuckle, she sat down on a chair and looked at me defiantly. She felt the riotousness of the Blacks, although in appearance there was very little of her father in her.

- Do you know who your father is? I began with a question that seemed simple to Megan.

- Of course, I know, - not yet understanding why such questions, with notes of irritation she yelped.

"Who is your biological father," I said.

The girl already wanted to say something evil to me, but, apparently, the clarification seemed strange to her, and she fell silent.

"Many so-called Muggleborns have wizards or Squibs as relatives. Your biological father - Sirius Orion Black - I didn't pull the rubber and laid it out as it is.

- But this cannot be, - the girl could not believe. - I have a father ... Mom would not ... Or did she?

"It's hard for me to judge what I don't know," I didn't speculate. - It is possible to determine the circumstances only in person.

- What do you mean? Megan asked, wrinkling her nose funny.

"I suggest you take my personal protection," I said seriously, trying not to laugh. - I cannot accept you into the Black family now - it's like killing you. You just can't stand all the ancestral curses. Then, if you want, invite me to your place, then, it will not be difficult for me to find out the circumstances with your relatives with the help of Legilimency.

"This is all too unexpected," Murphy said, "I need to think about your proposal.

- Be that as it may, - smiling, put his hand on the shoulder of the Hufflepuff, - you are my half-sister and you can count on my support. Sirius, of course, doesn't know anything. You can try to convey information to him, but I warn you that in my case, despite the proven fact of his paternity, he was not particularly happy.

- Okay, - Murphy nodded, - I understand everything. Now I need to think.

Most likely, Megan needs not only to think, but to consult with purebred friends from Hufflepuff, to learn about patronage - what it is and what it is eaten with. It was clear to me that she would not accept patronage right away, but she would.

We parted, each with his own thoughts. The conversation with Megan did not give me anything, it only added worries. Most likely, she will want to know how it happened that the father is not the father, because they have a completely happy family, as I understand it. We'll have to go to Murphy's for Christmas break. Ball? The ball is for one day. Yes, Muggleborns won't be released for Christmas this year, it seems. But it's hard for me to imagine that the same Draco would be forced to stay at school. After speaking with Dumbledore, I can ask my sister off, provided she accepts protection.

***

There are people who do not like a particular time of the year, or vice versa, they like one particular season. Someone loves summer for warmth and light clothes, while others do not like summer for clouds of insects and heat. Autumn can delight you with bright colors and quite warm clear days, or it can bring chilly cloudy weather with rains and mud. Spring is the time when everything blooms, but even this short period of natural beauty for many allergy sufferers becomes a real challenge, not to mention that spring with weather changes from cold with puddles frozen in the morning to almost summer heat.

I liked any time of the year in my own way. The days of childhood, when the summer heat was overly exhausting, right up to a headache, are over. Autumn and spring mud and muddy roads made the home stay especially pleasant. And now it was winter, snow fell. In its own way, too, a good time of the year. Winter is winter sports, snowballs, snow and ice sculptures, Christmas and home comfort.

Like any other season, winter also has its own scent. Not as persistent as in summer with its smell of dust, rain and mown grass, not as heady as in spring with its flowering herbs and trees, and not as peaceful and sad as in autumn with the smell of rotten foliage. Winter has the smell of wet clothes, melted snow, pine needles and Christmas holidays. With my sharpened sense of smell against the background of the dog uniform, it was especially noticeable to me.

In general, my magic has become much stronger. Say what you like, but the Tournament has already greatly helped me to become more mature already in this world and body. Not to say that this is good or bad, it's just the right way of things. As you grow older, you start to look at many things differently. What previously seemed unimportant, insignificant, now becomes defining, and what seemed extremely necessary becomes simply superfluous or secondary. This happens to a lot of things. It's funny that all these importance and unimportance are always associated with desires and fears.

More recently, Fleur's attitude towards me was important to me. Not to say that it became completely unimportant, but the disagreement that happened between us at first made me nervous, feeling fear of loss, resentment from betrayal. The humility that came a little later made it possible to calmly make decisions, but part of the emotions, the brightness of feelings, the strength of sensations - all this faded.

At first I had ideas, in violation of the rules, to invite Fleur to the Christmas ball. It was such a way to test her feelings for me. But on reflection, I realized that, by and large, it would not prove anything. After a while, I will need another test from her, the next test, which will gradually begin to become a useless ritual that undermines trust even more. Therefore, I decided not to violate the established rule. Let Fleur invite someone else, and I'll invite someone else. Let the pairs opening the ball be the number of champions.

The choice of couple was not as big as one might think. Most of the couples who are going to the ball with whom have decided in the first days after the announcement of the upcoming Christmas event. It's not even about certain preferences among students, but about etiquette. Simply refusing an invitation without a good reason is almost an insult. An engagement, another invitation that has already been accepted and a hostile relationship with the inviting gentleman or his family can be considered a good reason. It is clear that for Muggle-borns all these rules and conventions mean nothing, but my choice consisted not of them. But in any case, having estimated all the pros and cons, I decided to invite Padma Patil. Thus, he supported his native faculty and promoted his acquaintance with the Patil family.

It was possible to invite Daphne Greengrass, but her attitude towards me, while I was nobody, was well engraved in my memory. It's not that I don't understand her, but I myself will find it difficult to treat her with warmth and respect for more than one dance. He could have invited Granger, but he saw no point in taking the couple away from Krum. Moreover, Hermione did not evoke any warm feelings in me. She's a good girl, but her way of posing herself in conversation seemed annoying to me. Krum would be a good match for her at the ball. Lovegood did not want to invite for similar reasons to Granger. Even if Lovegood herself is sweet and well-mannered, she is very much out of this world, and not to my taste. The last big choice is Murphy. But this was a bad option for two reasons at once. The first reason is that such an action will put her at gunpoint, attract a lot of attention to her, which neither I nor she needs at all. The second reason is that I will lose the opportunity to show someone my predisposed attitude. It seems like nonsense, but two convenient bonuses are immediately lost: once again hurry up Fleur with her plans for me and make the necessary acquaintance in the future.

Finding Padma was not a problem for me. Of course, sometimes she disappeared somewhere with her Gryffindor sister, but she spent most of her free time with a book in her hands in the Ravenclaw living room. Now many girls who have not yet been invited have done this. Guessing the time and dressing up in formal clothes, he went straight to Patil. They noticed my parade march, heard girlish giggles and meaningful chuckles from the guys. When I approached Padmé, there was already deathly silence all around. Needless to say, this causes internal tension.

Padma was the last to notice me, just because of the strange silence, looking up from the book, meeting my gaze.

- Padma Patil, - bowing slightly, squeezed out of himself, almost giving a cock, - show me the courtesy to go with me to the Yule ball - I invite you.

Padma hesitated a little, being in a stupor, which made me even more nervous. Whatever one may say, but no one wants to be rejected. But finally, she put the book down and stood in front of me, slightly lowering her head and eyes, which looked like a bow, said:

"I accept your invitation, Arrakis.

Looking up at me with her dark eyes, which now sparkled with sparks of joy, she could not help smiling. It was impossible for me not to smile back. Taking her hand in his palm, he imitated a kiss, slightly touching his lips to the wrist, securing our agreement, after which he left the living room on stiff legs.

I did not go to lessons, but I attended the big hall regularly. Now that I have already decided on my pair, it has become very funny to watch the rest of the students who have not yet decided. Most amused by Ron Weasley, who first tried to invite Anrietta and then at dinner looked with hatred at his brother George.

Of course, I did not see the invitation itself. But it was quite possible to understand the background of what was happening. And the comments that Fred threw in the direction of his younger brother did not leave room for imagination. Potter herself didn't feel very comfortable, but she couldn't help it. George invited her to the ball earlier than Ron, and nothing can be done about it.

Then, the next day, you could see the painting "Ronald in Despair." It looked something like this: Embarrassed and guilty-looking Hermione Granger, gloomy Henrietta Potter, merry Weasley twins and almost crying Ronald. It was clear from the twins' comments that Ron had worked up the courage to invite Granger, but she had already been invited.

The next day you could see the painting "The Triumph of Ronald Weasley." He himself walked, proudly lifting his nose with a smile of superiority on his brow. The twin brothers smiled out of themselves, but there was not much fun in it. Parvati Patil was a little embarrassed but generally pleased. Here, unlike in the film, Parvati did not differ in any way from Padma. So Ron was paired with a real beauty - Ron had a reason to walk with his nose up.

After completing several days of observation of the Weasleys in their natural habitat, I was hooked in the corridor Murphy, who dragged me to talk in one of the empty classrooms.

At that time I still thought: "Oh, they tell Fleur something about me."

"Black, I agree to your patronage," Murphy dumped at me without preamble.

"Then we need to make mutual vows," I said, taking out my wand.

- So right away?

- Why pull? - I showed with all my appearance that nothing special is required.

- Murphy, - solemnly raising his wand at face level, uttered the first word, addressing his sister, - will you recognize me as your patron, as one wizard recognizes the patron of another?

"I admit," Murphy replied, echoing my attitude and serious tone.

- Do you swear not to defame my name and the name of my family?

- I swear!

"I take your oath and promise to take care of you," I finished the shortest form of the patronage ritual. Now nothing else was required, for justified protection and intercession this oath is enough, and later, in general, plans to accept it into the Black family.

Inquiring through a letter from Padma Patil about the color of her dress, I received two small pieces of fabric in return. Well, yes, about such bright colors were in the film. I sent a letter with an urgent order for a tie in Madame Malkin's tailoring atelier. When it was time for the Christmas ball, everything was ready.

Of course, a gentleman is supposed to come for his lady, but the ban on boys from visiting women's bedrooms was not removed, so I waited for Padma in the living room. I didn't really like her dress - some kind of national cut with torn-eyed colors, but I have nowhere to go.

Walking the penultimate through the corridor of the parted students and guests of Hogwarts, I noted for myself that I like Fleur's light outfit, who walked with Roger Davis first, more. The second pair was Granger in a pink dress. Victor Krum, who was a couple for Hermione, wore the usual uniform for Durmstrang. Padma and I followed the third in a row. I was wearing a regular dark suit with a tie matching the color of Patil's dress. Potter was last with George Weasley. Potter was dressed in a chic silk dress in bright red, probably in support of the house.

The music played and the champion couples began to dance. In the first dance, it would be rudeness to stare around, so I did not take my eyes off Padma. There was a certain sense in Patil's outfit like that. It was easy for me to keep my eyes on her face. The legs are completely closed, the chest is completely hidden, the shoulders are covered, only the face remains.

A minute later, other couples began to be added to the dance of the champions, the gentlemen invited the ladies. Soon at least forty people were circling the hall. But then the music ended and began again, everyone was already dancing, except for Ron Weasley, who grabbed the table. In general, his behavior was not very nice towards Parvati. The Weasleys were to dance one dance with their couple, after which Parvati could invite other gentlemen. However, Ronald cruelly cheated his lady. Seeing such a situation, I decided to break the tradition a little, pretending that I simply mistook.

"I'm afraid Ronald Weasley might hesitate to ask your sister to dance," he told his pair with chagrin in his voice. - It's amazing how arrogant Ron is in everyday life and how shy in his treatment of a lady.

Padma glanced at her sister as we made another turn. Her face took on shades of chagrin.

"We need to help your sister out," I said to Padmé. - After this dance we will take a short break. You go to your sister and get closer to Ron. I, as if identifying myself, will duck her to dance instead of you.

- But how? - Padma worried.

- If Ron wants to spend the whole evening with a beech at the table, this does not mean that Parvati's evening should go the same way.

Fortunately, the sisters' appearance and dresses were completely identical. Of course, for such a mistake, one could get a challenge to a duel - in theory. But we are at school, the worst thing that could really happen is a scuffle. Indeed, the Weasleys are to blame.

After escorting Padma to her sister, I went to the table to grab some snacks. One of the outer tables had an unhealthy revival. It turned out that a special punch was being poured there. After trying a little amusing drink, I went to the table, at which sat the gorging Ronald and the gloomy Parvati with her funny copy - Padma. It was impossible to confuse the sisters now.

"Let's go dance," I said, grabbing Parvati's hand and pulling her to the dancers.

Parvati got nervous, resting and shaking her head shallowly in denial, trying to say something. I just winked at her, grabbing her waist more comfortably. Parvati, beginning to understand something, turned to the smiling sister, who made a replacement. But Ron, looking up from the food, nevertheless noticed the substitution, and now, with his mouth open, watched as the girl was taken away from him. I don't know what could have happened, he was shaking all over, but Padma said something in his ear, and Ronald, embarrassed, turned his gaze to the floor.

"I'm sorry I had to resort to such tricks," I confessed to Parvati, "but it hurt to look at you.

- But what about Ronald? - worried about her boyfriend Patil.

"Ronald is a fool himself," I said categorically.

"So wrong," Parvati persisted.

"Okay," I gave in. - Your beauty is comparable only to your kindness. Your wish will be granted, although Ronald did not deserve it - I said a little for show. - At the end of this dance, I will make a suggestion to Ron, perhaps he can overcome his unexpected shyness.

Returning Parvati to her boyfriend, I sat down next to Ronald from the other side, which caused the latter to bewildered. In my hands was a glass of amusing punch, which I handed to Ron.

- Have a drink! - I ordered.

"Invite the lady to dance," I said imperiously to Ron as he drank from the glass. The sixth Weasley might not have taken my words, but mental magic works wonders.

- W-excuse me? - shuddering all over, said Ron, standing up and stretching out his hand to Parvati.

Parvati did not wait for the continuation of Ron's invitation speech. Grabbing Ron by the hand, she pulled the guy to dance herself. Padma was taken away from me while I entertained her sister. Granger danced with Krum all the time. Cedric did not let go of Chang, and Davis hovered around Fleur, trying to drive away "competitors". Of the free girls whom I marked for myself, now only Luna was present, and I invited her to dance.

After dancing with Parvati, Ronald looked a little out of his mind. To develop my success, I asked Padma to invite her sister's gentleman to dance, and I myself invited Parvati. After this dance, Ronald looked a little bolder, but still slightly dumbfounded. Finishing off required another mental blow to his shyness.

"Sorry, Ronald, for doing this to you," I obeyed the Weasley, "but you could have ruined Parvati's holiday with your behavior, I hope you're not offended?

"Okay, Black," Ron said generously, just saying, looking at me benevolently. "In the end, it all worked out for the common good," he said.

"Look," I drew the Weasley's attention to an interesting point, "Lavender Brown probably won't mind if you invite her to the next dance.

"No, no," Ron said listlessly, "I can't.

"Go and invite her to dance," I ordered, adding a mental message.

Ronald couldn't resist. Of course, such a suggestion without an imperio quickly flies away, but by that moment he will already be dancing in a circle. I must say that there was no need to influence the Weasleys anymore, then he himself invited Parvati to dance, and did not sit on a hummock at the table. That evening, I managed to dance with all the girls whom I once noted for myself as possible couples. Daphne Greengrass smiled politely at my attempts to joke or make a compliment, remaining as cool as usual. Perhaps she really is, or perhaps her slight interest in me has already faded. But in any case, I was not going to show something more than an easy disposition towards her.

To dance with Chang, she had to literally snatch from Cedric's hands. My jokes about a friend, which I told the Chinese woman, amused her. Diggory himself flashed an angry look at me until I returned his lady after the dance. I managed to snatch one dance each with Potter and Granger. In this story, unlike in the movie, Ronald did not sit at the table for the entire ball, so his mood was quite festive, and the happy Hermione did not cause an angry reaction in him. Ronald even danced with Granger in the same dance.

As the fun increased, the music became more energetic, moving from pair dancing to individual jerking, I moved to the snack table, taking a break for rest. Noticing that Davis had already swam from the background influence of Fleur's Veil charms and was becoming more and more inadequate every minute, he decided to make a knight's move. During a short break, he approached Myron Vogtail and asked him for a favor. This lead singer of the Vedunya group looked like a typical representative of the musical direction of Glam Metal today. After talking with him, I managed to convince him to give me a magic microphone for a couple of songs.

- And now, white dance, - announced Miron, - the ladies are inviting gentlemen.

Bogtail handed me the microphone, stepping aside. Fortunately, the guys from the group followed Muggle musical groups and, although they themselves performed rock 'n' roll, nevertheless, they knew hits from related music directions. The famous Hanseatic slow-paced, which I decided to perform for the white dance, giving Fleur an opportunity to take a break from Davis, Wedunya's group knew. Throughout the song, I stared at Fleur, letting her know that I was dedicating the song to her. Then he also sang Fear of the dark - Iron maiden, giving the vocalist Vedunii a rest. My voice is not particularly similar to either Axel Rose or Bruce Dickinson, but quite strong and beautiful, I was able to imitate their singing passably.

During the Maiden hit, I glanced at Potter as a reminder of our conversation. And after the songs had been sung, he asked Bogtale to perform some slow motion, intending to invite Fleur. Having explained to him with a couple of phrases, the whole background of the situation with the floating Davis and our relationship with Fleur, I was able to enlist the support of the Wedunas. Therefore, no music was played until I invited Fleur.

Passing through the entire hall to the Frenchwoman through and through, he invited her to dance. Davis tried to get in my way, but with the phrase "with your permission," I just pushed him aside, making a mental message. During the dance, I tried to calm Fleur down. The fact is that "floated" Roger began to annoy the champion of Beauxbatons more and more, which in turn reduced her control over magic, forcing the Veil charm to break out more and more and aggravating the situation.

After dancing with Fleur, the director came up to me and made a comment about the mental impact.

"Arrakis," Dumbledore said, "you should not so often and overtly influence your comrades.

It was clear to me what he was talking about, even if it was not an imperio, but any mental magician in Great Britain was under special control of the ineffable or the aurorat. My demonstration of abilities practically leaves me no other paths, except as obliviators or ineffable - if I were not a schoolboy and student of Dumbledore. Even so, the director may have problems with these organizations about me.

Sorry, teacher, - he obeyed, not trying to look guilty at all. - It had to be done. The evening could have been completely ruined for Parvati and Ronald by the latter's indecision. It was imperative to stir the Weasleys. Unfortunately, his merry brothers were in no hurry to resolve the situation, although they could do it without conflict. I had to take the risk of relying on Padma to calm Ronald's temper. As for my impact on Davis, then, again, I do not feel guilty, - I continued to explain my vision of the situation. "Davis has already completely lost control. My intervention was simply necessary. Please note that he has almost lost touch with reality again, - I drew attention to Davis's behavior that I began to try to grab Fleur's hand. - I ask you, as the director of Hogwarts and my teacher, to intervene in the situation and influence Davis, otherwise I will intervene myself. Considering your remark, I will have to resort to more ordinary methods - like a blow to the liver.

The director did not answer, but after looking at me disapprovingly, pretending to reproach me, he nevertheless approached Davis. Gently taking him aside, he expressed something to the guy for five minutes, gradually bringing him to his senses. When Davis had already established a connection with reality, the director left him. Davis was now in no hurry to see Fleur, giving the Frenchwoman freedom from himself.

"That's good," I muttered, remembering that in some fan fiction Davis allowed something completely untied towards Fleur. This will not happen here.

During the ball, I paid no attention to my fellow students. Asia Farrell, who was the pretext for my feud with Bletchley from my freshman year, was invited to the ball by Cassius Warrington, who took over the leadership of Slytherin from his course. Thus, he showed that you can no longer give a damn about Bletchley, that Farrell is not considered an outcast, that Slytherin's attitude towards Mugbloods is not as bad as some are trying to show. I didn't really follow the rest, remembering my stupid approaches in the first year - I didn't really want to remember it.

Oh, how many more conversations there will be after the ball. One has only to remember the face of Draco Malfoy when he saw Victor Krum hand in hand with Granger, we can assume that Hermione made a splash at the ball.

The day after the ball, Dumbledore dismissed everyone on vacation. Well, yes, that's to be expected. Purebreds now have all sorts of receptions and parties. Keeping purebred children locked up at Hogwarts doesn't make sense, like the rest of them. Murphy went on vacation, she didn't need to go to Dumbledore with a request. We managed to agree with her that I would visit her as soon as I could, until I was grabbed, almost in an armful, by our evil-scary potion maker, dragging me to the defense of mastery in potion making. My reflex of the master spell-duelist almost worked, Snape looked very much like a vampire. But, nothing happened.