On the night of the Masquerade Ball, Asterion stood before the full-length mirror, clad in an elegant dark green suit adorned with delicate silver lines resembling the thorns of a rose, scattered across the chest area and sleeves of the jacket. A white scarf wrapped around his neck served as a tie, fastened by a dazzling ruby-studded golden brooch.
The mask covering his face was dark in color, evoking the image of a demonic being with ten red eyes, while black feathers on either side resembled the wings of a fallen angel.
"What do you think, Bella?" Asterion asked the stunning woman, who was seated in a manner unfit for a lady.
"Diabolically beautiful, Master, so much so that I want to lock you up in my basement," replied Bellatrix to Asterion, looking him up and down as if he were a succulent piece of meat. Her tongue seductively slid over lips stained with crimson lipstick.
Asterion remained indifferent to the advances of his beautiful cousin. He had grown accustomed to the perversions of his crazy cousin, who didn't even care about his age. Honestly, it wasn't all that bad; these seduction attempts helped him prepare for the future, especially when he expected to deal with women trying to seduce him, increasing his resistance to such charms. He knew that beautiful women were one of the most dangerous things in the world.
Sitting elegantly in his chair, he lightly tapped his legs, drawing the woman's attention.
Bellatrix's eyes lit up, and she rose from the couch, kneeling beside the chair with her head on his lap. Asterion merely smiled and gently stroked her hair with tenderness.
"You're truly someone starved for attention," Asterion said gently as he admired Bellatrix's beautiful face. Even nearing forty years old, due to magical energy, her aging had been slowed down, making her appear like a young woman of twenty-five.
Bellatrix pouted her lips upon hearing her master and spoke comfortingly, feeling his caresses in her hair. "It's not my fault, Master. Rarely did anyone love me."
"I see your husband didn't please you," sighed Asterion. Political marriages were like that; he himself didn't expect love, but he didn't expect both Narcissa and Bellatrix's marriages to be so troubled.
"Well, he dared to have a bastard outside of marriage," said Bella, her eyes half-closed, lazily rubbing her face against his thighs.
"And what did you do when you found out?" Asterion asked, curious.
"I killed both, the woman and the child in front of him. But he's too petty, hates me only for killing his pleasure sack and his immoral seed," Bellatrix replied with a sadistic and terrifying smile on her lips, although her face maintained an innocent expression.
Asterion remained stoic in the face of the shocking revelation. Not that he was indifferent to the death of a child, but it was like hearing news of someone's death on the other side of the continent: irrelevant to his life.
He shook his head and said calmly, "And you still claim he has no reason to want to kill you."
"It doesn't matter. He will die by my hands in the end. After all, he's weak and incompetent," Bella replied indifferently. Killing the woman and the child was trivial to her. As for Rodolphus's hatred, she didn't care; in fact, she wanted him to hate her even more. Seeing the desperation in his eyes when he was about to die would be a delicious scene to witness.
Asterion just rolled his eyes and then lifted her face with his index finger. He brought her face dangerously close to hers, causing her bodies to come closer and her breasts to press against his chest.
"What a naughty girl you are, Bellatrix," he whispered in her ear. His whisper was like that of a demon trying to seduce one into sin.
Bellatrix's pale cheeks acquired a rosy hue of shyness.
Asterion found amusement in her reaction; the killing and torturing machine in front of him seemed like a timid girl. For some reason, this brought him a sense of satisfaction.
His finger slid over the soft skin of her cheek, down to her chin, and stopped at her lips, where he traced his thumb over her plump, red lips. The lipstick smeared and spread to the sides.
Bellatrix's green eyes were clouded with raw desire as she sucked his finger as if savoring the most delicious delicacy in the world. But when she was ready to strip off all her clothes and surrender to pleasure in a carnal night of passion and wild sex, her master pulled back with a teasing laugh.
Asterion finally felt satisfied with his revenge; he had spent weeks being seduced in various ways by this woman, but this time, he made her feel her own poison.
"I just remembered I have an appointment, perhaps later, Bella," said Asterion, rising and ignoring Bellatrix's hurt gaze.
"Don't be so cruel, Master. My body is burning," Bellatrix said, writhing seductively, her cheeks flushing deeper.
"Furthermore, as your master, I forbid you to touch yourself," Asterion said, showing a smile behind his equally sadistic mask, causing Bellatrix to widen her eyes in shock.
Without waiting for a response, he left the room with light and agile steps.
"The master is so cruel~ I want him to tie me up and beat me. Should I call him daddy?" Breathing heavily, she murmured to herself with a sensual look.
-
Leaving the room, Asterion noticed the house elves tidying up the last details for the ball, moving swiftly and completing all tasks efficiently.
"Good work," praised Asterion, and the house elves seemed to receive the praise as if it were the most beautiful of praises. They instantly bowed and redoubled their efforts, performing tasks even more quickly, as if they were even more motivated.
Watching the scene, Asterion merely shook his head, understanding why house elves had a low status in society. They fed off the magic of their masters, essentially becoming magical parasites and, as such, were undervalued, even more so than Goblins.
Continuing down the hallway, he found his great-grandfather standing in front of a huge painting, staring at it without blinking. As he approached, Asterion saw the painting of a tall man standing with his hand on the shoulder of a woman seated in a chair.
Through the facial features, he recognized the man as Arcturus, and the woman, obviously, was his great-grandmother - Melania Macmillan.
"Did you love her?" Asterion asked, observing the elegant woman with black hair and blue eyes, sitting with her hands on her thighs and a slight smile on her lips.
"Yes, more than anything. She was my beacon, illuminating my dirty and tarnished soul," his great-grandfather replied with a slightly hoarse voice, after a brief silence. He then turned to Asterion and continued:
"I hope you find someone like that, Asterion. This is a lonely and cold world, especially for someone who will be at the top of the world like you, and the top is lonely." Each word seemed to be etched into Asterion's heart.
The boy who turned ten today merely remained silent, gazing at the painting of his great-grandmother.
Taking a silver watch out of his pocket, Arcturus glanced at the time marked on the watch and said, "It's almost time, let's greet our guests."
Arcturus then donned the mask on his face and walked towards the mansion's ballroom. His mask was plain black with gold details, a rather discreet yet elegant mask.
"Bellatrix and Sirius?" Walking alongside him, Asterion asked.
"Don't worry about that, as long as they're both wearing masks, no one will recognize them, and even if they do, no one would say anything. Everyone in that room is our ally and needs the Black family to survive in the face of the most powerful wizard in the world, Albus Dumbledore," Arcturus said, stopping in front of huge doors.
"Or they just need to betray our house and turn to Dumbledore's side," Asterion said, looking at Arcturus with a cold stare. He would never trust a stranger; although it might seem somewhat paranoid, it was something he truly believed in. Always expect the worst from those you don't know. Perhaps that's why betrayal from someone dear is more painful.
"Then, kill the traitors and set an example of the expected fate for traitors," Arcturus looked directly into Asterion's eyes and spoke each word with a coldness capable of freezing a desert.
Asterion nodded, showing a pensive look. If dialogue didn't resolve the issue, old ways always could.
"Ready?" Arcturus asked.
"Yes," Asterion simply nodded.
Without hesitation, Arcturus opened the huge doors, revealing a magnificent ballroom made of black marble. Chandeliers illuminated the space with their soft light while hundreds of men and women conversed in low voices. In the air, without any visible musical instruments, classical music played, creating a comfortable and cozy atmosphere.
The guests, upon hearing the doors opening, suddenly fell silent, looking at the two figures who had just entered, one tall and the other short.
The hosts of the party had just arrived!
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Author's Thoughts: 1500 Words in this chapter. I found it more fluid than normal, I think this is the most evident effect of longer chapters. I will continue like this in the next chapters, but when I'm busy, don't expect long chapters. Thank you for your understanding in advance. The ball will be interesting, believe me. >.>
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Next Chapter: Chapter 33 - Black House Masquerade Ball (2), Chapter 34 - Black House Masquerade Ball (3), Chapter 35 - Three Years (1), Chapter 36 - Three Years (2), Chapter 37 - Hogwarts Express (1), Chapter 38 - Hogwarts Express (2), Chapter 39 - Hogwarts Express (3) Chapter 40 - Hogwarts Express (4) Chapter 41 - Hogwarts Express (5), Chapter 42 - Hogwarts (1), Chapter 43 - Hogwarts (2), Chapter 44 - Hogwarts (3).
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Observing the men and women in the ballroom, Asterion was dazzled by the profusion of elegant suits and dresses. The women paraded in stunning dresses, richly adorned with jewels and threads of gold and silver, while the men showcased themselves in expensive and extravagant suits. Everyone wore masks that covered half of their faces, adding an air of mystery and elegance to the slightly dimmer environment.
The Gothic classical music echoed in the hall, without the visible presence of any instruments, as if the sound emerged from the air itself.
Arcturus picked up two champagne glasses that floated gently in the air, keeping one for himself and offering the other to Asterion.
A solemn silence filled the ballroom as everyone awaited his words.
"It is with great honor that I welcome all of you on this special day," Arcturus began, his voice resonating with authority and a rare touch of warmth. "Today marks the entrance of a young wizard into our noble society. Someone who will be engraved in the history of magic." He paused, his gaze sweeping across all present before continuing. "May this be a moment of celebration and welcome for our dear Asterion Black-Slytherin."
With that said, Arcturus raised his glass to his lips and everyone followed suit, toasting along with him, including Asterion himself.
Immediately after the toast, a round of applause echoed through the hall, filling it with an atmosphere of warmth and approval.
However, despite his great-grandfather's warm gesture, Asterion couldn't help but feel embarrassed by the praise. The flowery expressions from his great-grandfather truly left him feeling ashamed.
"It's time for you to greet our guests. I'll be busy chatting with some acquaintances," Arcturus whispered to Asterion as the applause subsided, gesturing for others to do the same.
Asterion took a deep breath and nodded, resigned to the task at hand. He didn't particularly enjoy social interaction, preferring the company of a good book to the falseness of high society smiles. However, he recognized the importance of learning to socialize, especially given his position as the heir of the two most prominent houses.
With an elegant posture, the young heir moved towards the crowd, greeting each person who approached to meet him.
Asterion didn't have an exact notion of the number of people who greeted him, but they were certainly in the hundreds, all occupying prominent positions in society. Most were lords of their respective houses, while others were powerful magnates, whose coffers overflowed with gold.
Each person who greeted him treated him with reverent respect, as if he were a true prince. However, behind the exaggerated and beautiful compliments, Asterion detected a touch of falseness and reverence. He wondered if that respect was due to the prestige of his lineage as a Black-Slytherin, or if it was simply a deference to the future power he represented as a Special-Grade Wizard.
But Asterion chose not to reject these people, as he was equally false in his greetings and conversations; he didn't consider himself hypocritical to that extent.
Suddenly, while greeting one of the lords from one of the Russian houses, the music in the air changed rhythm, shifting from a brisk cadence to a slow and enveloping melody. It was clearly a signal for couples to dance in the center of the ballroom, and everyone consciously made space.
Apologizing to the Russian lord, whose wealth was evident in his attire, Asterion approached the first lady he encountered, of similar age to his, and with a graceful bow, courteously asked:
"Milady, would it be an honor for me to have the opportunity to dance with you?"
"The honor would be mine, young sir," replied the girl, her voice cool and melodious.
Asterion extended his hand, and the girl took it with a delicate and gentle touch.
Walking to the center of the ballroom, he faced her and wrapped his arm around her waist with a gentle and reserved grip. She, in turn, placed her hand on his shoulder. To the melody of the music, they danced a waltz with an awkward yet elegant slowness.
"You're not accustomed to dancing, Heir Black," she said, moving gracefully to the music, her blue eyes meeting Asterion's red eyes with striking intensity.
Asterion wasn't surprised by her ability to discern his identity; after all, his eyes, even in the dim light, were remarkably distinct. He looked into the noble blue eyes behind the white swan mask and replied sincerely:
"Dancing isn't one of my talents, especially considering this is my first dance."
The girl fell silent, staring at him, before leaning slightly back, exposing her slender neck. The grip around her waist intensified, preventing her from falling completely, and she moved back towards him.
"To be honest, I thought you'd be different from what I've heard from the rumors circulating through the country," she said, drawing closer to his face.
"Courtesy of Rita Skeeter, I presume," Asterion replied with a near laugh at her words. He made a point to read every morning what that woman wrote about him, and he never tired of the countless conspiracy theories she could imagine.
"You know?" she asked, slightly surprised, leaning forward to hear his words better.
"I feel a strange fascination reading what that woman writes about me. She's only alive because I stopped my grandfather from killing her. The woman really managed to irritate him," explained Asterion, with a tone of admiration mixed with perplexity.
"My father also mentioned how annoying that woman can be," the girl agreed, nodding along with his words.
As they continued to dance, their conversations unfolded in whispers, an intimate exchange of words. Over time, the dance flowed with more grace and elegance, reflecting the growing harmony between them.
Asterion felt comfortable talking to the girl. Perhaps it was because of their similar age, or maybe it was because she didn't treat him like a child. Although he displayed maturity, Arcturus and Narcissa always treated him with a certain condescension, like an adult speaking to a child. Which was especially irritating.
Time passed, and finally, the music came to an end, at least for its first part.
Parting ways, Asterion elegantly bowed as he said,
"It was an honor, My Lady."
She held the edges of her dress and inclined with equal elegance, replying,
"The honor was mine, Heir Black. I hope you have a wonderful birthday."
After saying this, she turned and walked away without looking back, disappearing among the hundreds of people.
Asterion merely watched her back for a moment before continuing on his own path. He didn't ask for her name, as there was no need. They wouldn't see each other again; it was just a dance that he would cherish fondly in his memory.
"Huh?"
Asterion looked confusedly to the side as Baskerville alerted him that something harmless had landed on him. Glancing down discreetly, he found a ladybug at the edge of his jacket.
Ladybug? How did a ladybug get in here... wait, Ladybug?
Asterion remembered that Rita Skeeter's Animagus form was a ladybug...
Honestly, he admired the woman for her audacity and courage to infiltrate the Black mansion.
Before the ball, a breach was opened in the barrier protecting the mansion to allow the guests to enter. The woman probably sneaked in with one of the guests or was intentionally brought inside.
Asterion decided not to act immediately, choosing to play with the woman for now. Climbing the stairs to the first floor of the ballroom, he found himself facing a beautiful view of the mansion's garden, holding a glass of champagne.
Taking a sip of champagne, he savored the cold night breeze.
Suddenly, he noticed a woman approaching from behind.
As he brought the glass to his lips, he watched the woman draw near. She appeared to be around forty years old, with black hair showing a few strands of white, elegantly arranged in a bun. She possessed a decent beauty, at least from what he could discern. The brown eyes behind the feathered mask seemed particularly shrewd.
"Heir Black," greeted the woman, raising her own champagne glass as she sported a slightly arrogant smile on lips adorned with lipstick.
Asterion remained silent, observing the woman as he finished the contents of his glass. It was evident that this woman was different from the other guests who had greeted him earlier. While they treated him with respect, she, on the other hand, spoke to him as if they were equals, a rather rude attitude considering they were in his house.
The woman didn't seem bothered by Asterion's silence and continued to smile, taking out a business card from her small purse.
Curious, Asterion took the card and read:
[R]
There was only one letter on the business card and nothing more. He looked at the woman with confusion, waiting for an explanation.
"Heir Black, we are an organization of scholars, researchers, inventors, and explorers," said the woman with a mysterious tone, leaving a series of possibilities and evocative images hanging in the air.
Asterion wasn't particularly interested; it was obviously a suspicious organization, one he definitely didn't want to get involved with.
Seeing that Asterion didn't seem interested, the woman wasn't disappointed. She spoke as she headed for the exit.
"If you wish to know more, there's a method to reach me on the back of the card."
After speaking, she left, leaving Asterion staring at the business card with a slightly intrigued look.
"If I were a normal teenager, maybe I would have fallen for this cheap trick of deception, unfortunately for you, I'm not a normal teenager," Asterion murmured to himself as the business card began to combust.
Only a fool would enter such a suspicious organization, especially with such a childish trick the woman used to pique interest in the organization she was a part of. Perhaps a naive boy curious about the nature of secret organizations as depicted in history books would fall for this cheap trick.
Tossing the still burning business card into the air, he left the balcony with a smile on his lips. "This party was proving to be more interesting than he had expected."
-
As they arrived beside Arcturus, Asterion was about to speak when his body stiffened, the hairs on his arms standing on end as he felt the colossal magical energy at the entrance of the mansion. Although it was still blocked by the barrier, the aura was suffocating, resembling a miniature sun. Only the presence of that aura could exorcise cursed spirits of Grade 4 and 3.
He wasn't the only one who felt it, as all the Grade 1 witches and wizards present looked towards the entrance with solemn faces.
Arcturus couldn't help but murmur, "Special Grade Wizard."
Asterion, standing beside him, widened his eyes in surprise.
Arcturus didn't bother to respond and opened a breach in the barrier, allowing the entry of the mysterious wizard.
"Go greet our unexpected guests," Arcturus said solemnly, looking at Asterion. This wasn't Albus Dumbledore's aura; he knew it well, so he knew it wasn't the man's. But since the mysterious man didn't conceal his aura, he wasn't apparently an enemy at first sight. Thus, he gave Asterion the task of greeting the mystery guest as a lesson.
Asterion nodded and headed towards the entrance of the ballroom.
It took about five minutes for the guests to arrive at the ballroom with the help of the house elf from the House of Black, Monstro.
As the doors opened, Asterion almost instantly focused on the elderly-looking man in the center, surrounded by ten people. They all had a crest on their chest, to be more precise, a strange symbol that he recognized as the Deathly Hallows.
Some party guests recognized the crest and paled.
The elderly man was dressed in a very common black German suit; he looked like a gentle and warm grandfather with his smile and kind silver eyes resembling moons in the night sky.
He held a wrapped gift in his hands as he approached Asterion.
"Hello, Young Asterion, I apologize for my late and unannounced arrival, but I had urgent pending matters. This is a gift for you," he said, looking directly at Asterion with a gaze that seemed capable of seeing into someone's soul.
"Thank you, sir?" Holding the gift, Asterion asked cautiously.
"Gellert Grindelwald," he replied, with a friendly smile on his lips.
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"Author's Note: 2000 words in this chapter. I bet my left ball you guys didn't expect Grindelwald to show up at this moment! In addition to Grindelwald, a secret organization was introduced in this chapter, some of you may be familiar with it, and I have nefarious plans prepared for it!
Support me to write more and read chapters ahead of all regular readers!
The Patreon will be updated daily, except on Saturdays and Sundays, when I do not write.
P-atreon.com/HPSCB
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
Next Chapter: Chapter 34 - Black House Masquerade Ball (3), Chapter 35 - Three Years (1), Chapter 36 - Three Years (2), Chapter 37 - Hogwarts Express (1), Chapter 38 - Hogwarts Express (2), Chapter 39 - Hogwarts Express (3) Chapter 40 - Hogwarts Express (4) Chapter 41 - Hogwarts Express (5), Chapter 42 - Hogwarts (1), Chapter 43 - Hogwarts (2), Chapter 44 - Hogwarts (3), Chapter 45 - Classroom (1), Chapter 46 - Classroom (2).
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