Chapter 1: A Shade of Gold (2/3)

Maxwell Peverell was in entrance of the Malfoy Manor. A handsome manor house, but it really paled in comparison to the Peverell Castle, both in size and magnificence. Something that Draco himself admitted on his visits there.

He was Apparated there by his loyal house elf, wearing a fully black attire and his blond hair was slicked.

He knocked on the front door for a bit, until he was greeted by his friend.

"You're here." Draco Malfoy spoke.

"Of course, I told you I would come." Max replied. "Is everyone else in there?" He asked.

"My father is speaking with Dougal Greengrass. Daphne and Astoria are somewhere with my mother." He told him. "You better calm Daphne down, because she looks calm but I have a fealing that she's just waiting to attack her father." Draco pointed out. He was always afraid of Daphne and pretty much, just hangs out with her because of Max.

Maxwell couldn't help but sigh at that. "You better learn to calm her down yourself." Max explained while patting his back. "You gonna be her brother-in-law after all."

"AHRH! I don't even wanna think about it!" Draco was quick to complain in fear as the idea of having this type of relation with her, scares him.

The two friends then made their way around the mansion in search of Draco's mother and the Greengrass sisters. It was much easier to navigate on the manor than the castle.

"Did you got your wand?" Draco asked.

"Obviously." He picked the wand up from his pocket and showed to Draco. Who was surprised by it.

"Wow, that wand beautiful. Is this actual silver?" Draco asked as the ornaments on the wand seemed to be gilded in silver.

"Probably, my grandfather never holds back on extravagance." Maxwell commented before putting his wand back on his pocket.

"And this is the staircase that leads to the cellar." Suddenly the two friends heard the voice of Narcissa Malfoy.

They follow the voice and sees the people that they were looking for.

Draco's mother was wearing a dark dress that looked exceptionally elegant on her.

"Mother, he's here." Draco informed as they approached.

"Maxwell, is so good to see you." Narcissa was quick to greet him with a smile.

"Likewise Narcissa." She insisted that Maxwell called her by the name instead of Mrs. Malfoy. He approached her and gave her a small hug as a greeting.

When they separated, they heard someone speaking. "Where's my hug?" This came from Daphne with her usual stoicism.

Max just smiled and quickly gave her a hug. "Hey Daffy."

Maxwell met Daphne when he was eight. Apparently, his grandfather wanted to buy a item that was in possession of her father. But her father actually lost the item and had to spend hours searching for it. Maxwell had to spent all of those hours playing with Daphne and the two became quick friends as a result. Daphne doesn't really have many friends because she's very cold and has a very unsettling stoicism. But Maxwell was never bothered by it, which is why they're friends.

Daphne is a pretty girl with fair skin, vivid blue eyes and bright blond hair that is not as bright as Max's or Draco's. She was wearing a very dark blue dress.

The two separated and Max went to greet Astoria. "How are doing Tori?"

"I'm mad." She replied with an angry face while crossing her arms. Astoira is as pretty as Daphne with pale skin, dark blue eyes and dark brown hair. She was wearing a bright blue dress.

"Why?" Maxwell asked.

"She's mad that we will leave for Hogwarts soon." Daphne answered with an unemotional voice. "But it's not because we're leaving, is because she doesn't get to go yet." She quickly specified.

"You'll go soon enough." He told her.

That unfortunately didn't help and she just looked away angry.

And this is to be Draco's future wife. Maxwell thought while internally chuckling at the idea.

After the greetings, Narcissa left the four alone to go check on her husband and Daphne's father.

Draco took Max, Daphne and Astoria to an empty room in order to ask Maxwell something. "Can we go for a round while we wait." Suddenly, he picks up two rapier swords.

"Alright, can you two sit close to the wall." Max told the two sisters.

"Wait, are you two seriously gonna have a sword fight?"

Since the Peverell family joined bloodlines with the Gryffindors. Learning how to use a sword became a tradition of the family, since Gordric Gryffindor was an exceptional swordsman.

Draco also praticed fencing as a hobby, both him and Max often practice together.

"Hold on." Maxwell said. He pull out his wand and transfigured their outfits into protective gear. "Done."

The two got into position and prepared their swords. They made a small bow and prepared.

Draco was the first on the attack but he parried his attack easily and attempt an attack himself. But Draco stepped back evading it.

"Finally, you learned to move." Maxwell commented as Draco always stayed still when they trained.

Draco the charged again and attempted to stab Max, but he parried the attack again and attempted a few attacks on Draco but he deflected them all.

"Which house do you think you will be sorted?" Max heard Daphne ask him.

"It's kind of obvious." Max replied while deflecting Draco's attacks.

"Not completely obvius, you could end up in Slytherin." Draco commented while defending Max's attacks. "You do have the desired traits."

"Maybe, but I don't wanna be remembered as the only Peverell, who wasn't sorted into Gryffindor." Max's replied as he attempted more attacks. "But if that's the case, I might be sorted into Ravenclaw."

"Better Ravenclaw than Hufflepuff." Draco kept on talking as he deflected the attacks.

"This is boring, I'm gonna see if the dinner is ready." Astoria told Daphne before standing up and leaving the room.

Suddenly, Daphne stood up and walked towards the two boys. She stood in between the two of them, which caused them to stop. "You two are aware of what is going on here, right?" Daphne asked them with her stoic expression but with a serious tone in her voice.

"Yes, that's why I came tonight." Max replied. "What are you planning to do?"

"Poison him or maybe use that sword of yours to stab him." She told him. "Or just Draco." That caused Draco to immediately raise his sword again.

Maxwell just sigh before answering. "Look, I know this entire situation is bad but could be worse."

"How?" She asked with a stoic expression but you could tell that she was frustrated.

"It could be someone you don't know, but it's Draco." Max pointed out. "Someone you and me can easily punish if he steps out of line with her."

"Hey! What the hell do think I am?" Draco was quick to rebuff. "I don't even want this stupid arrangement either. Who the hell would want you as a sister-in-law or that good for nothing bootlicker as a father-in-law?"

"The more reason to just stab you and get it over with." Daphne spoke in the same tone before grabbing the sword from Maxwell hand.

"Come on then!" Draco yelled.

Why me? Maxwell thought in frustration before drawing his wand and casting a spell. "Expelliarmus!"Which send both swords flying off their hands. "Look! No one is going to kill anyone tonight okay." Maxwell nearly yelled at the two. "Draco, I know that you're not happy with this arrangement but if you do anything harmful to Astoria. I will personally aid Daphne in punishing you for it."

"Traitor." Draco whined while folding his arms.

"And Daphne, you will not kill Draco or your father. If you do, I will personally deliver you to the Aurors." Maxwell told his friend. "We will handle this but we'll let it be for now."

She stared at his face with her blue eyes. Before slapping Maxwell's face.

Draco had to hold his mouth to not laugh.

"OW!" It was the song that came out of his mouth. "What was that for?"

She folded her arms. "Would you seriously deliver me to the Aurors?" Daphne asked.

Maxwell instantly regrets saying that. Dammit, I shouldn't have said that. He thought before putting his hand on her shoulder. "Of course not." He said with a smile. "I'll never do that to you."

"Hey!" The three heard someone calling. "Dinner is ready." It was Astoria. "Come on Daffy." She called her sister.

Maxwell used his wand again, to turn his and Draco's outfits back to normal. "Come on then." Max told them.

The Dinner was tasty and well prepared. Everyone was sitting down on the large dinning table, enjoying their meal.

Dougal Greengrass was the most vocal one on this dinner. Constantly filling Lucius Malfoy with praises which are obviously both annoying and endearing him.

Maxwell still wondered how could a man like this have such beautiful daughters. Mr. Greengrass was a man of unremarkable apparence, having a plain face with the only thing standing out was a patch of hair on his chin. His hair was the same color as Astoria. With average height and a body that was neither plump, thin, nor muscular. His eyes were vivid blue, exactly like Daphne. He was wearing a very dark blue suit that somewhat resembles the type of suit that Angelo Peverell enjoys wearing. My grandfather always looks tall and strong on those suits but this man looks like a pathetic weakling. Maxwell couldn't help but compare.

"If you don't mind me asking. I couldn't help but notice that you were having a conversation with Angelo Peverell, on the day of your invitation." Mr. Greengrass as about Lucius dealings with The minister in a not so suddle fashion.

Lucius stared at Max for a second before responding. "That is between Minister Peverell and I." He sipped a glass of wine. "Speaking of him, it's a shame he couldn't make it for the dinner." That was addressed to Maxwell.

Max finished chewing his food and swallowing before answering. "He had to sign some papers for the Ministry." He sipped a cup of water. "Being the Minister of Magic is a very demanding job."

"I'm sure that Mr. Peverell does an exceptional job, but I'm a little confused. What exactly did he do, before becoming Minister?" Mr. Greengrass asked him.

"Well, after he finished his seven years in Hogwarts, my grandfather decided to travel the world and learn several different skills. He only started a carrer in the Ministry after my father was born." Maxwell explained in the same details that his grandfather told him. "He worked on the Improper Use of Magic Office in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement."

"Wait, I thought he was an Auror?" Draco asked with a confused face.

"Yeah, I heard that he was Auror." Daphne also said.

"He was never officially an Auror, but he did provided aid to them from time to time." Apparently, his grandfather is a legend to the Aurors. According to another Auror, Alastor Moody, if his grandfather was a full time Auror, there would have been overwhelmingly decrease of dark wizards and witches. Maxwell was certain that he was actually being serious.

"Interesting but... How exactly someone on a significantly small position got selected as Minister?" Dougal asked, showing his ignorance on the subject. Which caused even Lucius to look annoyed.

"He was suggested by Albus Dumbledore himself." Lucius Malfoy added.

After the Wizarding War. The Ministry in need of a new Minister. Albus Dumbledore was the first choice, but he refused. Bartemius Crouch was the second choice but after the revelation that his son was actually a Death Eater, he was quickly disregarded as a option. But then Albus Dumbledore actually suggested Angelo Peverell, and ironically, just the name Peverell already made him a strong candidate.

"Oh I see." He replied to Lucius.

The rest of the dinner was quiet. They mostly enjoyed the food and occasionally talked about something trivial.

Soon enough, they all finished their plates and Lucius Malfoy alongside his wife, went back behind close doors with Dougal. Probably to seal the marriage contract between Draco and Astoria.

Maxwell noticed Daphne closing her fist tight after the door was closed. He took her hand and held it. "Remember what I said."

She didn't answer him. Just stood there unmoving. But she held Max's hand back.

"Hey, don't touch that!" The two heard Draco yelling.

"Why not, it's ugly." They turn around to see Astoria holding a ugly vase.

"It was brought from Romania by my grandfather, put it down!" Draco ordered her.

"Alright, catch." Suddenly, she tossed the vase at Draco. Who failed to catch it, resulting in the vase being smashed into pieces when it hit the ground.

"Oh no! Look at what you done, you stupid brat!" He yelled at her.

"You're the brat!" She yelled in return.

With that, the soon to be engaged couple, started to trade insults at one another, with Max and Daphne just looking at it from afar.

I think these two can actually work out together. Max couldn't help but think as the two actually had a lot in common now that he thought about it.

He noticed Daphne raising one of her brows as well.

While they kept on with the insults. Max just took out his wand one more time and used to fix the ugly vase. But they were just too focused on yelling at each other to notice.

Wow, I'm glad that she's not coming to Hogwarts with us. The last thing I want, is to deal with two people arguing like an old married couple all the time. Max couldn't help but think how luck he was. He really doesn't know if he would have the patience for something like that.

1976:

"You didn't have to get me anything, Uncle Hagrid." Alistair Peverell payed a visit to his godfather's hut outside of Hogwarts.

The two sat down and had a cup of tea as usual, until Hagrid pull out a package as a early birthday present for Alistair.

"Nonsense, 'veryone should get a 'irthday gift. Mine is 'ust a little earl'." Hagrid replied.

Alistair opened the package, revealing a beautiful silver looking scarf. "You remembered that I mentioned that I was gonna need to buy a scarf for the winter." He pointed out with a smile.

"Of 'ourse I 'id." Hagrid replied.

"Thanks." Alistair hugged him.

He then touched the scarf and was surprised by how smooth it was. "What is made of? It's so smooth."

"Oh, It's 'ade of Acromantula 'eb." Hagrid replied.

"Aragog's web?" Alistair asked.

"Yes, 'e was very 'illing to 'ive it." Hagrid told him.

On Alistair's first year in Hogwarts, Hagrid took him to meet with his friend Aragog's. Alistair was scared of him at first but after a while, Alistair's fear dissapered and he actually visited Aragog with Hagrid from time to time.

"Well... I'll thank him on our next visit." He stood up from Hagrid's table and wrapped the scarf around his neck. It felt really nice and warm.

Suddenly the kettle started to make noise, indicating that the tea is ready. Hagrid rose from his chair and went to grabbed it before pouring the tea in Alistair's cup.

"Is 'verything alright?" Hagrid asked as Alistair sat back down with the scarf on his neck. "You 'ook a 'ittle worried?"

"Oh... ummmm..." Alistair didn't know how to respond. "I... found out something and... I don't know how to deal with it."

"If you 'anna talk 'bout 't, you ca' tell me." He replied while putting his hand on Alistair shoulder.

Alistair considered for a second before responding. "Promise not to tell anyone?"

"I 'romise."

Alistair took a deep breath before responding. "Okay, I found out that the girl that my cousin James fancies, fancies someone else and I'm afraid of what James will do to whoever it is." He explained to his godfather. "I mean, remember what James did to that boy last year?"

"Don't 'ven remind me 'f that." Hagrid replied with a annoyed look. "It took 'e three days 'o clean 'our cousin's 'ess."

Last year, James decided to play a prank on a boy that sabotaged his broomstick before a quidditch game. James was so furious that he retaliated it in an extremely exaggerated prank that landed him detention for nearly all year.

"Exactly, James fancies this girl since we were on our first year. If he finds out that she likes someone else, he might do something way worse than that." Alistair pointed out. "This is why I want to find out who it is, before he does something that might hurt this guy. "

"My, 'hat is indeed a 'ifficult situation." Hagrid couldn't help but comment. "S' who's the girl?"

"Lily Evans."

"Oh, I 'alked to 'er a few 'imes. She's a 'ice girl." Hagrid told him.

"She is, whoever this guy is, he's very luck." He drank his tea. "And unlucky, since he got two enemies now."

"Two?" Hagrid asked in confusion.

"Yeah, I... Asked Lily's best friend, if he knew who the guy was and... his reaction led me to believe that he also fancies her." Alistair commented, still wanting to slap his forehead because he already knows what Severus Snape is capable of due to all of his confrontations with his cousin and friends.

Alistair then finished his tea and looked at the window, he noticed that it was about to get dark. "I have to go back to the castle." He stood up. "Thanks again for the scarf, the tea, and the conversation. "

"Anytime, 'f you need to 'alk about this... situation 'gain, 'y door is 'pen." Hagrid told him before walking him to the door.

"Thanks uncle Hagrid." Alistair thanked him before leaving the hut.

The blond boy quickly made his way back to the Gryffindor common room. It was somewhat empty with only a few people there. One of them was sitting on the couch reading a book.

"Hi Alice" Alistair greeted her.

"Oh, hi." Alice greeted back. "Nice scarf." She complimented.

"Thanks, Hagrid gave it to me." He explained. "Where is everyone?"

"Oh, ummmm... Remus is in the bedroom but..." She looked nervous about something.

"What?" Alistair asked as he didn't really liked her expression. "Did something happened? "

"Ummmm..."

"Alice!"

She took a deep breath before talking. "James,Sirius and Peter got into a fight with Severus Snape and the four got detention because of it." She told him.

"What?!" That was his instant response. "Why?!"

"I don't know the details, apparently Snape was looking for Lily but bumped into the three, then a argument started between them, and they started to throw spells at one another." Alice explained to him.

Oh no, did Severus said anything? He thought in worry. "What was the argument about?" Alistair tried to ask.

"I have no idea, Mary is the one who saw it." Alice explained.

"Where's is Mary?" He asked as he needed to know.

"In the bedroom with Lily, she's helping her get ready for the Slughorm's party." Alice told him while smiling for some reason. "You should get ready too." Alice added.

Maybe I should cancel and check on James, If Severus actually told him. He thought. "I think I'm gonna check on James, can you tell Lily to go without me?"

After Alistair said that, Alice just stared at him without saying anything for a few seconds. Until she closed her book and tossed at the floor in front of her, very hard, which startled him "Alistair Peverell, you gonna get your ass in that bedroom and get dressed to take Lily to Slughorm's party, right now!"

That suddle change of tone took Alistair by surprise and genuinely scared him. "Ummm... but Jame-" He tried to argue before he was interrupted.

"Your cousin with his bird nest haircut, can deal with the consequences of being a arrogant moron by himself. You on the other hand will keep your promise to Lily!" She kept on yelling at him.

"But... I didn'-" Alistair tried to argue that he never made any promises to Lily. But was interrupted once again.

"If you don't do what I just said, I swear that I'm gonna make your life miserable for the rest of our years in Hogwarts." She added with a terrifying expression on her face that made Alistair comply.

He quickly walked to his bedroom, too afraid to argue with her. Girls are scary. Alistair thought as he was honestly more terrified of Alice than he was of Aragog when he saw him for the first time.

He climbed the stairs for his bedroom and saw Remus there when he entered.

"Hi Al." He greeted Alistair.

"Hi" Alistair greeted in return.

"Are you okay?" Remus asked.

"Alice just yelled at me for some reason." Alistair told him as he started to take off his clothes.

"What did you do?" He asked.

"Nothing, I just ask her to warn Lily to go to the Slughorm's party without me because I was going to check on the others about this fight with Snape." Alistair explained as he started to put a more casual outfit. "Then she started to yell at me, saying that James and his bird nest haircut can deal with the consequences himself."

Remus chuckled a bit at that. "Bird nest haircut?" He laughs a bit.

Alistair then analyze the joke and laughs too.

The two laugh a bit before Remus spoke. "Look, this isn't the first or last time that James and Snape fought, don't worry about it." He commented.

It's the reason to why they fought that worries me. Alistair thought without saying.

The blond boy then finished putting on his outfit for the party. Beige trousers, brown shoes, a dark grey formal shirt. "How do I look?" He asked Remus.

Remus just gave him a thumbs up as a response, which was good enough for him.

"Alright, see you later." He moved to the door. "Tell James that I wanna talk to him later."

"Okay."

Alistair Peverell then, made his way back to the common room where he saw the three girls there.

"Hey, are yo-" Whatever Alistair was going to say next, was interesting when he saw Lily.

She was there, in between Mary and Alice wearing a green dress that matched her eyes, and her red hair completely loose and it looked like it was shinning. She looks even more beautiful. Alistair couldn't help but think.

"I liked your outfit." Lily told him.

"Oh, thanks." Alistair replied. "You look... amazing, I thought you couldn't get more pretty than you already were but I was clearly wrong." Alistair tried to compliment her.

Lily's cheeks became a bit red at his compliment. With Alice and Mary giving Alistair strange looks.

"Ummm... shall we get going?" He asked as the looks actually made him uncomfortable.

"Yes, let's get going." Alistair walked passed them to the exit.

"What do you think your doing?" Mary spoke to him.

"Huh?"

"Your supposed to be the gentleman and escort Lily properly." Mary told him, only for him to look confuse.

Alice touched her forehead looking really frustrated. Before walking towards him and grabbed his arm and pulling him close to Lily. Then she grabbed Lily's and wrapped around his. "Like this, Alistair." Alice spoke in a very frustrated voice.

"Oh sorry, I thought this was something that only couples were supposed to do." The moment he said that, Lily's cheeks became even more red.

"It's not exclusive for couples, single lady's also appreciate when a gentleman escorts them to a party." Mary told him with a smile.

"If that's the case, it will be my honor to escort you." He bow to Lily a bit, which made her smile.

"You better, now off you two." Alice told them.

With that, Alistair Peverell and Lily Evans left the Gryffindor common room to go to the Slughorm's party. The blond boy was hoping that he can actually discover who is the lucky person that won the heart of his red head friend. He also hopes that he can help whoever his is, with his cousin and Snape´s reaction to it.