Chapter 180

Gradually, this difficult year was coming to an end. In recent weeks, since that incident at Grimmauld Place 12, several serious changes had occurred, in addition to minor skirmishes between: "Dark Star" and the Ministry of Magic with the "Death Eaters", the fact that the Ministry knew about the "rats" was revealed, which was facilitated by Tom, who saw that with each passing day, his main opponent was only gaining strength, which of course he did not like very much.

Although "Black Star" tried to quietly withdraw its people, because the loss of almost fifty well-trained wizards was a serious blow, this did not work.

There was no major battle. First of all, because they still managed to take out about thirty percent of people, and the rest were quickly overpowered, although they tried to resist, this was the headquarters of the Ministry of Magic and no matter how strong they were, they were simply crushed by numbers.

But the organisation began to lose not only on this front, but also on the second, the "Death Eaters" began to actively recapture territories, after all, they were much more familiar with Britain, and few gangs were who weren't glad with the invaders from outside and also joined this action.

But for the most part, this was the fault of Charles and his aggressive policy, because Vitold had long since left the country and moved to the headquarters after he completed his last task.

The new leader of the "Steel" department, although he looked like a pretty nice person on the outside, but some of his orders provoked similar behaviour in other gangs in England, and forced them to choose the side for which they would fight, and those who refused to choose were forced or killed on the spot.

Of course, there were those who joined them, but there were many more "patriots", and who would like it when they are forced to fight and risk their lives? And in just a month, the "Black Star" lost almost all of its superiority in this confrontation, even Severus himself, watching the confrontation of the three hegemons, was truly surprised by such a turn of events, but he did not focus on it much, because he had other, more important things to do.

At the end of October, Severus returned to the "Magic Jungle" to take the ingredients from the King of the Treants, and also to check the barrier again.

Of course, nothing serious should have happened in four months, Severus just wanted to try his new core and maybe see something he had not noticed before.

But this was not his main goal, and the idea itself was not crowned with success. Severus arrived in the forest for two reasons, to take the ingredients and set the point of movement, of course, not yet on the territory of the magical forest, but beyond it, because he had not yet come up with a way to set the point in the jungle due to the influence of the barrier, although he had thoughts on this matter, but the implementation of this method required long preparation and very expensive and rare resources, so he decided to limit himself to this method for now and not to rush too much, and getting to the treants was a matter of a few minutes.

The rest of the time, the wizard continued to work on the ritual for absorbing magic, the potion for passing the TOAD, as well as obtaining the rank of the "Black Cauldron", researching the school, and all this time he was not particularly bothered, the "Black Star" was busy with its own problems, the "Death Eaters" and the "Ministry of Magic" suppressed the previous ones, while the advantage was on their side, and with Dumbledore, watching this from the side, Severus could calmly go about his business …

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December 20, 1977. Hogwarts.

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Due to the large number of things to do, Severus did not particularly remember Halloween that took place on October thirty-first, but Christmas was hard to ignore, because compared to last year, this year the Headmaster and teachers really tried very hard, decorating almost the entire castle, it simply shone and shimmered with multi-colored glow, even the teachers were forced to put on New Year's caps to give the students a New Year's mood, and Slughorn's sour expression when he came to class yesterday after the weekend will warm the Prince's heart on cold evenings for a long time.

But in addition to this, the "Board of Trustees" also decided to add zest this year and organised a ball, so since last week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, after lunch and before dinner, were set aside for waltz practice.

Of course, Severus wasn't particularly interested in dancing, so he knocked out his immunity in the form of classes in witchcraft medicine, but as soon as this immunity appeared, it disappeared when the Severus decided to joke and said that the healer really suited this cap, because her uniform consisted of white and red, but apparently he was not the first …

And so, at the moment, the former "Archmage" was thoughtfully dancing a waltz with a girl from Slytherin, who, to his luck, did not step on his feet, which could not help but please the young man, who almost every minute heard someone's screams and disgruntled muttering, from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw, and the Slytherins, where there were only aristocrats and half-bloods, knew how to do this almost from the cradle, so just today, Minerva, who was put in charge of this, agreed to let go of those students who learned to dance and not waste their money and so scanty free time because of the others.

"Miss Johnson, your left hand a little higher, Mr. Boyer, a little slower, Miss Davis, he can't keep up with you," the lady commanded in a dispassionate voice, watching everyone from a small pedestal.

"Yes, Professor," the children answered, sighing tiredly, who were already fed up with these dances for four days, while deep in their souls cursing the "Board of Trustees" who had slipped them such a pig event.

"You move well, Mr. Prince." His partner, a thin, stately blonde, with the pallor inherent in all aristocrats, bright blue eyes and delicate features, looked at the "Master" with a half-smile. "You too Miss Greengrass, and I am very glad that I was paired with you." he nodded softly, answering her with the same smile.

"I would not like to be in that poor guy's place." he pointed to a pair of Hufflepuffs, where all the poor third-year student's shoes were trampled and he looked very pitiful.

" I agree with you, I am also glad that I can finally talk to you."

"Hm?"

"My father invited you to visit us many times, but you never responded to the invitation," the aristocrat looked reproachfully into his eyes, lightly pinching his shoulder at the moment when they pressed themselves against each other.

"I apologise, but I do not have time for this now." the young man whispered in her ear with a guilty smile, and then returned to his usual distance, "But when I am free, I will definitely visit your family."

"I will take you at your word, Mr. Prince…"

And stopping when the music finally died down, they bowed slightly to each other and looked towards the house head of Gryffindor.

"Well, that's all for today, but don't rush to leave, now I will name the names of those who can miss the remaining two classes," measuring everyone with her stern look, the parchment opened in front of her.

"Mr. Prince and Miss Greengrass, Mr. Dean and Miss Fox, Mr. Kira and Miss Quincy…" And while the woman continued to list the names, the former "Archmage" had already turned around and was about to leave the hall, because he wanted to quickly have dinner and head to Slughorn, since he had several questions about the potion for "dragon pox", he needed to find a replacement for two specific herbs that were not in this world.

"You won't even say goodbye to me?" the slightly offended, dissatisfied voice behind him sounded, forcing him to stop.

" Miss Greengrass," turning around, he nodded slightly to her, "I'm in a bit of a hurry and if you are so interested in my friend, then talk to him directly or let me just introduce you to each other, I don't have time for such games now," Severus added calmly, slightly lowering his voice, and because of Minerva, who continued to list the names, no one really heard them, but the witch herself, had a stiff smile.

"What do you mean …" but before she could finish, a voice sounded, from which the aristocrat shuddered with her whole body.

"Severus, I understand that you are going to see Professor Slughorn again?" Regulus approached them, who the girl did not immediately notice, "How about …" and he froze, finally seeing her, "Severus, don't you know the proverb that if you chase two hares, you will catch neither."

Regulus winked at him with a cheeky smile, while his gaze read: "Gotcha?!"

"You came just in time," pulling the surprised young man to himself, Severus patted him on the shoulder, "Miss Greengrass, I can't keep you company, but my friend certainly can, he is a pure-blooded aristocrat from an ancient family, a real Black, I give him to you." and slightly pushing the shocked Slytherin towards her, Severus waved goodbye and disappeared, leaving the two young people to come to their senses after such a sharp turn of events.

"Um…" Regulus just didn't know what to say, especially when all the people around him were staring at him at that moment, he was simultaneously embarrassed and very angry at Snape, who decided to mock him.

"Regulus, this is your chance! Grab and run, she is head over heels in love with you, the whole dance she only asked about you, that's why I ran away. Such beauties are not lying on the road, if not for your sister, I would have definitely taken her for myself! But I didn't tell you anything and you didn't hear anything and don't stand there rooted to the spot, act!" the voice of "Severus" sounded in Black's head, whose words surprised him greatly, because he had never even talked to her, how could she fall in love with him, but the young man was not one of the timid ones, and he completely agreed with Severus, the girl was really very beautiful, especially her bright blue eyes.

Coughing into his fist several times, an apologetic smile appeared on his lips. "Miss Greengrass, I apologise for my friend's behaviour, he is... quite an eccentric person."

Although something bad was on the tip of his tongue, he decided to refrain, "Allow me to accompany you to the great hall as an apology."

"You have nothing to apologise for," having regained confidence on her face, she smiled slightly and shook her head, "Apparently I was too assertive, I will apologise to him later... and I accept your offer."

"Thank you…"

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