— My request not to worry excessively, of course, is unlikely to have much effect. But still, try to pull yourself together and get a grip. Nothing extraordinary is happening, and this was bound to happen in your life someday.
— I understand everything, mentor, but it's very hard to do. And for the most part, the reason for my fear isn't the upcoming engagement but the possibility that it is all a dream. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning, I'm afraid to open my eyes until the last moment and find out that all the events of the past five years, including our acquaintance, are just a product of my imagination, a fantasy born from the world of dreams. — And after finishing speaking, Sylvia still found the strength to calm the slight tremble and hand tremor; with one hand, she was holding onto me, clutching as if to a lifebuoy with her palm and tenacious fingers with considerable strength.
— Alright, it's time to hurry, because we still have a journey ahead from here to your estate, where guests await us in honor of today's ceremonial event. Alas, but as you understand, neither your father nor your mother can accompany you to the main ritual hall of the Brans family and witness your engagement ritual with Alfonso. The ancestral altar of this family is too powerful, and the fluctuations it emits are aggressive. After all, it has been nurtured and fed by demonologists for over two thousand years. So today, I am not only your mentor but also your appointed father. — And finally seeing the desired resolve and confidence in my pupil, I pushed open the wide stone door leading to the altar hall with the Brans family stone, where Alfonso was already waiting for us. Heh... Honestly, I was even a bit nervous now. With Bella, I had quite specific feelings and emotions, a clear desire to possess her, but with Sylvia, it was different. She was like a daughter to me or a younger sister for whom I am responsible, and today I have to hand most of her over to my brother-in-arms and her future husband. Strange feelings, I tell you, when you personally have to hand over the fate of a girl dear to your heart into the hands of another man. Hmm... probably all fathers giving away their princesses must feel something similar.
After exchanging vows of fidelity, by which Sylvia will be obliged to maintain chastity until she reaches full magical adulthood at twenty-one years old, Alfonso, together with me, became responsible for her safety and wellbeing.
The engagement went quickly. One and a half minutes to exchange mutual vows, then ten minutes of waiting while the Brans family stone sealed these vows in itself and thereby became a kind of intermediary between the magical shells of the future husband and wife. And as soon as everything was completed, we left the altar hall and moved to Gringrass Manor, where guests would soon begin arriving in honor of the event.
Since this reception was dedicated to the engagement, the young couple (especially Alfonso) did not need to greet every guest or stay the entire time during the hour allotted for welcoming guests in the room with the apparatus platform and fireplace, waiting for arrivals. This task was exclusively the duty of Henry and Rosalia as the hosts.
So, finding ourselves in the hall where there was no one at the moment, we immediately proceeded to the large hall in Gringrass Manor, intended for balls and mass celebrations, where a number of intelligent beings had already gathered.
All the Blacks were already present in a number of twenty-three people, Flimont and Dorea Potter with James, as well as Ronald Gryffindor, Vasily with Vasilisa Mraks, and Severus Peverell-Prince, but today and henceforth, he would introduce himself to everyone only as Severus Prince, without mentioning his kinship with Hel.
It was no secret to anyone in the Citadel about my pupil Sylvia's upcoming engagement to one of the leaders of the order and my brother-in-arms Alfonso, and knowing that,That today there would be a celebration organized for this occasion, where the entire elite of the European public magical society would be present, Iolanta asked me to bring Severus with me to this event. I had nothing against her wish, so now the four guys and one young lady were joking with each other, laughing cheerfully at the heir Prince, teasing him because of his vivid reaction to meeting Narcissa Black. Hmm... And what about Lily, whose acquaintance will happen this year when the girl finally arrives at the Rocky Refuge and begins her magical training and transformation from a "Muggle-born" into a worthy heir of the Rosier and Gaunt line, of which she will become the head in the future? Or maybe the boy already has as big a heart as I do and there is room in it for one more sweetheart? And Lily promises to grow into a dazzling beauty, in no way inferior to Narcissa!
— Hello, Nigelus. It's pleasing to see all your relatives present at this event today. — But I decided for now not to focus on what was happening between Severus and Narcissa and to take part in the social life, so to speak, which shifted my attention to Lord Black.
— Good evening, my lord. As you requested, I have done everything. Today everyone will see that our house is monolithic and more united and strong than ever!
— And that cannot but please me, my friend. — I answered Nigelus quite sincerely because the stronger my vassals, the easier it would be for me. And when my subordinates are not lacking in intellect, possess common sense, and can make adequate decisions on their own, my daily life is more peaceful, since the chance they pull some stunt whose consequences I will have to resolve later is significantly reduced.
— Hmm... My lord, wouldn't it be too bold and sensational for the future heir of Peverel to appear at this solemn reception? There are already enough reasons for our "friends" to feel uneasy for the coming years. To drop news in one day on the English nobility that the Dark Lords and Gryffindor have heirs seems like news too heavy for their minds and peace. But Peverel? — And with that, he looked expressively, with indescribable emotion, at the children chatting cheerfully, among whom stood out the tall, mature figure of Severus. Heh... Phineas's doubts are understandable. No matter how significant and special each of England's houses considers itself individually, but reverence for the Peverels is almost burned into their blood memory.
— Don't worry about that, today he is here exclusively as the heir Prince, and no one will know that he is related to the house of the Hel descendants. Only I, you, and Severus himself know about his origin. He hasn't even told Sirius and James the second part of his surname yet, and they know him solely as Severus, heir of the Prince house.
Meanwhile, while the adult part of those already present in the hall discussed pressing topics concerning the situation in the world and England in particular, the "kids" also had interesting topics for conversation.
— Narcissa, allow me to recommend these fruit canapés to you. I'm sure you will like them, and they will be very beneficial to every person here under twenty-one years old. — Severus felt for the first time a desire toward the opposite sex to stand out and attract attention to himself. And although he was inexperienced in matters of love, due to receiving a comprehensive and the best possible education in this world that included not only magical sciences but also rhetoric, logic, and the study of world literature through classical masterpieces, it was not difficult for him to analyze his own state and the emotions overcoming him to determine the cause of what was happening. And as soon as he quickly figured himself out, realizing that the blonde beauty had captured his heart, he decisively took steps toward his feelings and, not wanting to lose face in this matter,He began to apply all his skills in acting, pantomime, gesticulation, and oratory to create only a positive image of himself for his female companion. Moreover, this was not manipulation or pretentious acting, no hypocrisy; he sincerely wished to be for his new acquaintance exactly the person he now appeared to be in the eyes of others standing next to Narcissa: an educated, polite, noble, and worthy young man!
— And what makes you confident that I will like it, and also think that it will be useful to me? — Trying to look like a true lady and not show her feelings to those around, the blond angel spoke in an enchanting voice. She was very grateful to her mother for the hairstyle chosen for today's event, which covered her ears that were an unbearable indicator of her true emotional state and were now burning with fire. Fortunately, no one saw this! For the first time in her life, the girl, and Narcissa had just turned twelve a week ago, who was only taking tentative steps toward feeling like a young woman, encountered a young man who managed to evoke such a strong emotional response in her. Severus was kindly without affectation, and his entire appearance spoke of him as a sensible person who spent most of his time training. The heir's posture embodied a coiled snake ready at any moment to straighten and throw open its gaping jaws with poisonous fangs at its prey! And now she felt like a little mouse caught in the hunting grounds of a cold-blooded predator and already noticed within his line of sight. Yet for some reason, she did not feel resistance to being that very mouse, although her previously black-tempered nature always sharply reacted to any romantic advances toward her, aggressively pushing them away.
— The sweet part of this canapé is a very useful fruit — the Manticore Plum — crystallized in the honey of wild magical bees from the Cliff of Sufferings, which is located near our Rocky Refuge. — But Severus's story was interrupted by Narcissa.
— This is the first time I've heard of these geographic names, and I had never known about such a fruit before. It sounds painfully pretentious: "Manticore Plum." – She wasn't trying to insult or question the words of her new acquaintance, but the feminine instinct inside her demanded resistance to the inevitable. Severus made too strong an impression on her.
— Well, you're unlikely to have heard of Rocky Shelter unless you are a high-ranking servant of the Catholic Church. This place belongs to the Order of the Dragon, where the citadel is located and where boys and teenagers of the witcher race receive training. The Cliff of Suffering, however, is in the magical world, seventy kilometers from this place on the slope of the bank of a wide river, on the upper tier of which a pack of griffins lives. But at its very base, in the caves, a large colony of wild magical bees has made its home, though not the kind known to the magical zoologists of England. The species of bees encountered at the cliff by witchers was previously unknown and differs from those already studied in that the mature bee reaches the size of a sheep. As for the Manticore Plum, it is quite clear to me why this fruit is also unknown to most wizards. Trees bearing this plum grow from the body of a dead manticore. It so happens that this is the only fruit very much loved by these semi-intelligent predators, which is why their intestines almost always contain a couple of plum pits that haven't yet passed through the digestive system and intestinal tract. So it turns out that at the time of its death, the manticore in ninety percent of cases carries a plum seed in its body, which subsequently grows from the dead body and turns into a tree.
By their nature and habits, manticores are solitary and territorial animals, carefully guarding the boundaries of their hunting grounds, and they are also known for their continuity. One descendant of a deceased manticore remains on its territory when other comrades scatter in search of their own domains. Although this only occurs when there is no worthy rival nearby who could compete with them for dominance in the forest. If such a threat exists, they gather into a pride, a pack, to increase their chances of survival and competitiveness. Therefore, the opportunity to feast on such exotica is available to a very limited number of intelligent beings in the world. Few dare to venture into manticore territory just for the chance to obtain a couple dozen kilograms of this plum.
— You already know so much, and it seems to me that you're not just hearing about all this secondhand. – Narcissa didn't know Severus's exact age, and looking at his appearance, height, and build, she decided he was either her peer or at most a year older or younger. All because, being a witcher, he matured at a completely different rate, plus exhausting physical training and balanced nutrition with the best products the magical world can offer.
— Naturally, I know a lot about the territory surrounding our Rocky Shelter, where I've spent most of my time since I was five years old. It is a primary task for any intelligent being to strive to understand the possible dangers and useful nuances of their place of residence, isn't it? Also, we mustn't forget that from a young age—meaning witchers—we are taught useful knowledge in the form of survival skills in the wild, how to handle mana and the life force within the body. Our first walk beyond the walls of Rocky Shelter into the enchanted forest happened when we were only six years old. Of course, our group of children, including myself, were under the supervision of adults in the forest, but it was still quite a serious trial for us. We lived for three days in the wild, where we tried to find food on our own,We built huts for the night, lit a fire for cooking and warmth. Heh... Those were fun times. – With nostalgia and gentle joy, he recalled those days when he first found himself responsible for himself and where his level of comfort depended solely on his own efforts.
"Sorry for interrupting." – The embarrassed voice of the blonde fairy brought Severus back from his pleasant memories, – "You never got around to describing what exactly makes the Manticore Plum so beneficial?"
"Our witch herbologists found that this plum has a very high percentage of structured energy from the sensual spirit and natural mana. Accordingly, by eating this fruit, you develop your soul's fifth layer, indirectly stimulating the growth of the mental sphere. And thanks to the presence of beneficial natural magical energy, the potential of the physical body is unlocked. If you look at the effect of the plum comprehensively, summing the influence of all energies present, the picture is as follows: since any rational being wants to look good, the sensual energy of the plum, when assimilated by the soul's own fifth principle, sends a mental message through the sixth layer to the body, which at that moment is saturated with natural energy. This causes the eater to gradually influence their own appearance, and over time, if they continue to regularly consume the Manticore Plum, they will look like their ideal dream image of beauty. The dessert in the form of a canapé that I recommend you, Narcissa, where its sweet component is made of Manticore Plum candied in wild bee honey, will have an even greater positive effect. After all, this honey has a very strong preserving property, and even though the plum was picked a long time ago, it continues to retain all its valuable properties and energies inside it. Plus, honey is a great booster for the body and immunity, as well as the ideal nutritional medium for the corrections that should happen under the influence of the consumed plum." – Only now did the young man realize that he might be misunderstood, so he quickly tried to clarify, – "Please don't think I meant that there is anything wrong with your appearance. To me, you have no flaws at all, and to me, you are as beautiful as an Angel! It's just that I remembered my grandmother's words, where she said that a girl will always find some detail in her appearance she is dissatisfied with. That's all!" – He ended his justification embarrassedly and only then noticed that he and Narcissa had become the center of attention and that everyone in the hall had long been watching and listening to their conversation. And this fact did not add to his calmness or confidence, especially the gaze of a woman who looked very much like his new acquaintance. And it was none other than Druella Black, maiden name Rosier, who was the first among those present to fix her keen attention on the conversation between her daughter and the unknown young man. And this fact could not but arouse her curiosity, since Bellatrix and Andromeda, who fiercely protected their younger sister, paid no attention to the presence of this young man near her. This meant they knew this young man and considered his company worthy and safe for their sister. "I need to get to know this underage suitor and find out everything about him!" the concerned mother decided, as her daughter was clearly charmed by him, and for this purpose, Druella quickly exchanged a glance with Sirius, in whose company she had earlier seen this young man, and with just one look let him know what she expected from her nephew.
"Auntie, may I introduce you to my good friend Severus, heir of the Prince family!" – and then Sirius addressed his friend, – "Severus, this beautiful Lady is called Druella Black, maiden name Rosier, and she is my aunt as well as Narcissa's mother."The formalities were completed and the official questioning began!
— You have very extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna of the magical world. Do you wish to become a herbologist or perhaps a magizoologist in the future?
— Definitely not. I have other ambitions and priorities, and as for magic, I am most drawn to alchemy and potion-making.
— So you are following in the footsteps of your illustrious ancestors, who in past years achieved remarkable success and recognition in this field.
— It would be a crime to ignore the work of my ancestors, who nurtured and cultivated the legacy that came to me in the form of magical gifts, and not continue their work!
— And what successes have you personally achieved in these magical arts so far? Is there anything to boast about?
— Alas, madam. I am still only approaching the rank of apprentice in these directions, but I will put all my efforts into becoming a recognized master in at least one of these arts before entering Hogwarts.
— Hm... How old are you, young man? — Druella was seriously flustered; after all, the young man standing before her clearly looked about 11-12 years old, but based on the conversation and what she had heard from his brief lecture to Narcissa, it seemed as if the boy had long been on the path to mastering magic in a serious educational institution.
— I am eight. — He stunned everyone nearby, especially Narcissa. Only Sirius and James reacted indifferently to this revelation, as they already knew his real age. After all, they and Severus had studied in the same class during the second half of their time at the Rocky Shelter, after their personal knowledge and condition had been brought up to an acceptable level during their first six months in the witcher's domain, and then they had been assigned to their age-appropriate study group/class for further training with peers witchers.
— Unexpected, — Druella said, already calculating the prospects of an alliance with such an extraordinary and gifted child. "Just think! Counting your skills in one of the two disciplines he mentioned at the apprentice level at eight years old!!! Unbelievable!" And she was sure Severus was not lying. At least she could feel his own conviction in this acknowledgment of his achievements. At this rate, he would reach the rank of master by the age of majority! This was the conclusion reached by the worried mother about the future of her princess. And although she had not yet come to choosing names for Narcissa and Severus's future children, she was already thinking about what kind of grandchildren she might have from such a union, and Severus noticed her changed, studying yet thoughtful glance directed at him and for some reason a herd of goosebumps ran down his spine.
— I would give a lot just to see these majestic predators in person. As I understand from your story, you have already had the chance to encounter them personally? — Overcoming her own embarrassment and confusion from the information about the true age of her new acquaintance, said Cissy, a big fan of cats. And since for the most part, dangerous hobbies that thrill the nerves are liked by most women, Cissy had long been infatuated from afar with the most dangerous known representatives of magical feline fauna.
— Pfffff….. — a faint tone of light arrogance and superiority sounded from Sirius. No matter how well-mannered and worthy an heir of his lineage he was now, brother-sister relations are what they are. It's hard to resist teasing and competitive spirit. And just as he was about to boast that he had not only seen them but even petted them, Severus rejoined the conversation.
— This can be easily arranged, if your parents of course allow you to accept my invitation to visit the Rocky Shelter, where I could show you my familiar Bastet. She is a manticore.
Eager to impress Narcissa and win her favor,Severus, by suggesting that she see with her own eyes and even play with Bastet unknowingly, significantly increased his chances of receiving the parents' blessing to continue and develop the relationship between him and Cissy. Having a manticore as a familiar is comparable only to having a dragon (wyvern). After all, there are no recorded cases in history of obtaining a manticore as a familiar, but there is one case with a dragon (wyvern), and that was Merlin twelve centuries ago. Now imagine what the intelligent people around the gifted boy must think, for whom a manticore alone represents a 100% lethal danger with no chance to avoid a fatal end?
"Mom?"—with a plea in her eyes, visible only to her mother, Cissy addressed Druelle.
"Only with your mentor's permission. If my lord deigns to give it to you and it doesn't interfere with your training, then I don't mind."
***
Watching Severus confidently and assertively, but not without a touch of elegance, lay siege to the impregnable fortress of my future wife's younger sister Bellatrix, I once again confirmed to myself that everything I do is for the benefit of the worthy in this world. Even in my past life, while reading Rowling's book describing the world I am now reborn into, I felt the most pity specifically for this character. It was through his example that Joan, in a children's tale, showed the full injustice of the universe, or rather its indifference to people's fates. I won't delve into the details of karma theory, but Joan literally idealized in Snape the image of the knight of the sorrowful countenance. From early childhood, he found himself in an environment very harmful to mental health, where people who were supposed to be his support in life and role models did everything to develop in him an inferiority complex, insecurity, and a desire to break free from the reality surrounding him. And when, after the betrayal of the only person in his life he trusted and believed in, he still tried to beg Lily for forgiveness despite that, he finally lost all respect for himself. I believe that in canon Snape deliberately led a self-destructive life and sought to end his mortal path not because of unrequited love, but because he overcame his own pride by trying to restore the friendship of the one who had betrayed him once already. And I see Lily's act toward him in no other way than that: after so many years of "friendship," because of one word said in heat and emotion, she crossed out everything, switched to Severus's enemies' side, and ultimately married James Potter, whom Severus hated.
But now I see a completely different picture. Severus, who grew up in a loving family and among other witches and wizards, gained what he so lacked in the original story. He felt constant support behind him and is now confident that no matter how his life, family, and order turn out—both of which he barely distinguishes or separates from each other—he will always be accepted as he is.
Heh... Good lad. Seeing genuine interest at first, then surprise and shock at revealing his age and achievements in the eyes of the Black family members listening to his lecture was balm for my soul. And I also felt how many of those present were invigorated in determination and spirit toward their own development. After all, how could it be otherwise? Some little guy at eight years old has already achieved the rank of apprentice, while many of them, gray-haired and having lived no less than fifty years, are just masters of magic?!
Half an hour has passed since Alfonso, Sylvia, and I arrived at Gringrass Manor, and in that time the hall gradually began to fill with arriving guests, who first approached the groom and bride who had stepped aside from us to express their "joy" and at the same time congratulate and present gifts. Some did this sincerely, others only thought about how to make the best impression on my brother-in-arms so that in the future they could count on his support. Most of the guests had never personally met people of such power rank and age before, since the only long-living mage relatively open to social communications was Nicolas Flamel, who recently disappeared from the radar and became unreachable. So, the atmosphere of the current celebration was filled not only with greed but also with awe toward the notorious figure of the archmage.
Meanwhile, I stood next to Nigelus, with my second pupil to my right hand, and we held a leisurely conversation in which the Lord Black and I jokingly commented on the guests without sparing age, status, or gender of those discussed. Like two old women gossiping on a bench about all the neighbors passing by. In short, we were teasing each other to the fullest.
The younger generation currently in attendance had taken one of the corners of the large hall,Closer to the sweets, and they had their own children's, but also curious, gossip going on there. It was no trouble for me to eavesdrop on the conversations of each of the groups that had already formed at this celebration and to keep track of all the guests individually, as well as to process the incoming flow of information. And nothing appeared on my face that could have raised questions from Phineas and Bellatrix when a quarrel broke out between Lucius Malfoy and Severus Prince in the children's section of the hall.
***
— Gringrass today surpassed all the receptions and celebrations I have ever dedicated before. So many worthy and respected wizards gathered today under the roof of their manor, and the organization is simply beyond praise! — Lucius said with pleasure, taking a sip of Avalon ale from his glass, almost flawlessly imitating his father's manners. He tried to resemble Abraxas in every way.
— It couldn't be otherwise. After all, today my cousin is engaged to an archmage! — Cissy replied to the pompous peacock's speech with a note of superiority and pride, but with a distinct hint of displeasure that she had to converse with a person personally unpleasant to her.
— With all due respect to your cousin and all the ladies gathered here today, the brightest star of this event for me is you. — And Malfoy was not lying when he said this. However, his words were dictated not by a feeling of love or great sympathy but by a desire to possess the young beauty and, like some undoubtedly very valuable but merely a thing, to take her into sole possession and store her in his own chambers, after which to indulge his vanity and self-esteem with this fact. Moreover, he was fulfilling his father's request in an attempt to get closer through marriage with the coalition of greys and, through marriage with Narcissa, to gain access to Gringrass, particularly to Alfonso and, naturally, to Nigellus Black.
— Thank you for your honesty, but I ask you not to use my image in your unattainable fantasies anymore. — Narcissa made her attitude toward Lucius clear, not directly yet honestly and understandably even for the most complete imbecile.
— Why are you so strict with me? I am serious in my intentions toward you. I'll be frank with you. You have long lodged in my heart, and I will ask my father to come to Grimmo-place to Lord Black for the purpose of arranging an engagement with you. — Lucius did not doubt his irresistibility and had long considered himself experienced in relations with the opposite sex. For himself, he had understood the following: the more a girl sees herself above others, the more she puts on airs and shows impenetrability. He had already managed to lure and incline more than one half-blood girl in Durmstrang to intimacy. And they too at the beginning of their acquaintance and for some time played hard to get.
— You tire me, heir Malfoy; please leave my company. — Narcissa said coldly, casting a glance at her interlocutor.
— But... — what else Lucius wanted to say is unknown, as Severus Prince interrupted their dialogue.
— Narcissa, sorry to interrupt, but perhaps you would join me with your cousin, and we will continue our discussion about the diversity of such incredible but poorly studied flora and fauna of the magical world? — and without even turning his whole body to Malfoy, as etiquette requires, just turning his head toward him, he said, — I have not had the honor of being introduced. — Indifferently and with a complete lack of any interest in this, he demonstratively returned his gaze to the girl, who was much more interesting to Severus and from today became the center of his attention and future thoughts.
— In what barn did you receive your upbringing? — Lucius was shocked by the attitude shown to him and the blatant rudeness. The boy who so boldly interrupted his conversation with, as he considered, his future fiancée did not seem to him anyone special and, moreover, he did not perceive him as a serious threat to himself. The boy was clearly at least a couple of years younger than him,The first – at most the second year – and to behave so boldly towards him was an unheard-of incident. And he was a fool for taking the bait.
— Is this "gentleman" bothering you? Just give me a hint of that and I will put him in his place for the lady of my heart. – And although Severus addressed the question to Narcissa, he had already made up his mind for himself, and regardless of the answer from the girl who had captured his heart, he intended to knock the crap out of that peacock.
From the moment he met the blonde angel, after his friends had drawn him into the conversation and they stood a bit to the side of Narcissa and Lucius who had approached her, he did not stop thinking about how to strengthen his position and gain more sympathy and favor from her.
He already understood that he had made a positive impression, but following the knowledge he had gained on logic, combat tactics, and the theory of relations between the sexes learned from fictional literature, he realized that to increase his chances of becoming the romantic interest of the young beauty, in order to eventually become her beloved, he needed to act now, while the thoughts and impressions of him were fresh. And here was the perfect opportunity in the person of Malfoy's heir, who, judging by observing Narcissa during their conversation with Lucius, was an irritating factor for her. And since that was the case, she would not be too concerned about the physical health of the peacock when Severus used him to demonstrate the seriousness of his intentions and his strength. The psychology of reasonable people was also among the subjects studied by Severus and it clearly states that in terms of the sexes, one of the main ways to attract interested attention from women is to demonstrate strength. It was so in primitive society and continues to be so now.
— Communicating with Malfoy's heir has tired me, and his unwillingness to leave me alone upsets me. – Narcissa found herself so flustered for the first time in her life that she said something completely different from what she thought and wanted. But alas, the formal phrases drilled into her by etiquette slipped out on their own. Of course, she wanted to teach Lucius a lesson, but knowing Severus's age, she did not believe he had enough strength to deal with Malfoy's heir, who this year brilliantly passed the NEWTs at Durmstrang, where he had studied for the past several years. She very much did not want to cause trouble for her new acquaintance, a friend? In general, for someone she cared about.
— Malfoy's heir, I, Severus Prince, challenge you to a duel until the first blood for insulting the honor of my family and your own stupidity, since due to your lack of mind you are unable to understand the wishes of a noble lady! – The guests nearby had long noticed the brewing conflict and were watching the unfolding scene with interest. Now, because Severus spoke his challenge to Lucius slightly louder than necessary, almost the entire main body of guests turned to witness this extraordinary incident. None of those present would have had the courage to challenge anyone to a duel at such an important reception, where an Archmage was present! This required not just steel but adamantine balls. After all, such an act could be seen as disrespect to the organizers and the persons who caused today's celebration. So how Alfonso would react to such an act, no one wanted to find out.
— I accept your challenge, heir Prince. My second is heir Nott. – Lucius hissed, furious and barely able to hold back due to the insults Severus had hurled at him over the last minute and the reprimand his father would give him for this scene. However, he had no fears regarding Severus or the upcoming duel.
— Heir Nott, my second, – and turning his head to the right shoulder he saw Ron already standing next to him, – Ronald Gryffindor.
And after this was said, a real storm broke out on the emophone. In just a few minutes of unfolding events the names of two of the most noble families rang out.considered milestones in history and one of which belongs to the founder of Hogwarts!