Chapter 12
Malfoy Manor, December 21 - Yule
Lucius couldn't move. He had never heard Severus Snape laugh so sincerely. He could feel eyes on himself. The eyes of those who didn't believe in what just happened.
- Does anyone know how to put it out? - The blonde heard the confused voice of his father. He understood his emotions because he knew Abraxas Malfoy had high hopes for this ball.
Before anyone could answer that question, there was another murmur of fear in the room. The flame in the center of the ballroom was slowly diminishing to assume human form. After a while, it began to move towards him. Lucius paled as he realized the creature wanted to embrace him.
In the embrace of the fire, young Malfoy heard his friend's voice again. The voice was so low it was like a whisper. - I'm safe. Sorry for this way of communicating. It is untraceable. I just wanted you to know that I'm safe. You'll have enough of me in the next year. I love you brother.
With the last words, the specter of Severus vanished.
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He felt the void in his soul fill for a moment. He wasn't sure if it was him. He would like it to be him, because that would mean he is safe. Ever since James Potter found out he was Severus Snape's partner, he had fought his feelings. He liked Lily, but his magic ... His magic didn't accept her.
- James, did you see what I saw? - his mother's voice trembled.
He knew she was worried about conversation Augustus Prince. He began to understand that school jokes, no matter how cruel or childish, could have consequences in "real" life. How could he know that Severus Snape was the grandson of one of the most influential wizards of modern Magical Britain?
- It's like talking over the fireplace. However, it is impossible to hug the fire in the fireplace.
- Honey ... It's a Phantom Flame. Old tradition. It could be sent by any wizard trained in this magic, but such strength is possessed by the Flames sent to people who have something important and mutual in common. I thought this spell was lost.
Dorothea Potter was unaware that with these words she plunged a dagger into heart of her son.
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Abraxas stared at his son in shock. There were many questions in his head. However, instead of blowing it up for no reason, he decided to ease the situation and talk to his son when they were in a more… intimate company.
- As Severus Snape, my son's friend, who couldn't be with us today said Yule Celebration Time to start! I invite all guests to light the sacred fires in the gardens behind the manor. After the Ritual in honor of the Winter Solstice, the ball will begin.
Lord Malfoy feared that the dark-haired wizard's performance would overshadow the event itself. However, only those who knew the ex-Slyther personally seemed to be concerned. The rest regarded the incident as an eccentric variation on the rituals associated with Yule.
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Augustus Prince didn't want to appear at Malfoy Manor. He didn't have much love for this family. However, after what he saw, he knew he should reconnect with the Malfoys despite his dislike of Brutus Malfoy. Father of the current Lord Malfoy.
- I can see you are delighted with the initial show. - he heard the voice of a witch he didn't know. He didn't want to be rude to her, so he replied.
- Yes I am. It was an amazing piece of magic.
It was good decision to come here. The Phantom Flame is an art that has almost been lost. Few wizards have the strength and skill to recreate this spell. There is such a problem with this type of magic that even with a spell in mind, not everyone could recreate it. He himself couldn't do it, but he knew what kind of family still practiced it. Polish wizards were specific. Open to changes when it comes to the structure of society, but conservative when it comes to traditional magic. But where does the Łagoda siblings live now?
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Durmstrang, December 21 - Yule
Severus smiled. The embrace of Lucius was a surreal thing. He knew how this spell works, but he didn't think that he would feel everything as if he were in the same room as that spoiled blonde. He felt as if he could feel his breath against his neck. He could swear he heard his heartbeat.
- Are you coming or not? - Dimitr stood over him. All students were inebriated by the effects of magic. - Now it's your turn. We'll see the British jumping through the fire. I hope it will be better than this petite, furious British girl who has already defeated most of our friends. You must defend your sixth year honor.
- Who are you talking about? - Snape was afraid that his future mother-in-law, influenced by the first Yule celebrations in her life, was over-celebrating.
- Look behind you.
The black-haired wizard laughed as Richard encouraged his daughter to jump. He knew his life would change if he let Helen into his life, but he never thought it would change that much.
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Potter Manor, December 21 - Yule
James Potter could still imagine his mother's voice in his mind. He had felt the pain of Severus Snape's disappearance before, but the realization of how important Lucius Malfoy was to him almost killed him. He needed to talk to the boy he had abused for so long. He had to close that chapter in his life. He suspected Lily's ex-friend had locked him up in the past. He knew that he meant nothing to Severus Snape. - It is still possibe to change that?
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Dorothea looked at her husband with a strange satisfaction in her heart. She saw him struggle between loyalty to her and loyalty to his parents. She knew the decision wouldn't be easy for him.
- Will you finally sit down or not?
- Easy for you to say. We can lose our property because of our irresponsible son. - Fleamont snarled at her.
- It because of us. We didn't control our son. As far as I know, it's only Abraxas that regularly checks what his son is doing at school. - She knew what her husband's reaction would be.
- Abraxas, Abraxas, Abraxas ... Once again Abraxas. - the wizard was irritated. - Recently, this damned asshole appears in every conversation we've had! What do you see in him? He's so pale that you might lose him near white wall!
She walked up to him and hugged him. Since she finally explained her feelings with both Brax and her husband, she had the feeling that her relationship with Fleamont had finally moved to the next stage. - You don't have to be jealous. Brax made another appearance in our conversation because he REALLY is the ONLY parent who doesn't trust the professors to take care of everything. Think about it. Since the first year, we haven't received a letter about James's behavior and it never crossed our minds to talk to his caretaker. If it weren't for the conversation on Platform 9 ¾, we would never have known what is really going on.
- I guess I'm starting to understand what you mean. If we didn't trust Dumbledore so much, we might have picked up on our son's behavior earlier. We will have to learn to live with the consequences of our neglect. - He sighed before moving away from her and sitting down. - You think I should agree?
- Yes. It is not a choice between your parents and our family. It's not like your parents are trying to tell you. It's all about loyalty. We owe it to James. Maybe this would be a chance for him.
- We already punished him. - Fleamont felt as though a heavier weight was falling on his son's shoulders.
- It's not about punishment. It's about learning. Jamie has to learn few things.
The Potters knew that more and more things would change in their lives. However, they didn't think so many mistakes would be revealed thanks to James's attitude towards Augustus Prince's grandson. Thanks to the boy who only experienced suffering at the hands of their son.
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Ice Tower, Middle of the Wasteland, December 21 - Yule
He had been a loner for so long that he stopped paying attention to the passing of time. It didn't matter anyway. He stopped getting older when he entered the age of 35. Most of the people he cared about have already died. The last being he spoke to was a British-born wizard. A wizard who wanted to wash off his family magic and work out a new one. One that he could pass on to his offspring later.
Evan Potter was determined. For five years he came every day to the gates of his castle. He finally let him in, and to this day he hasn't regretted that decision. After completing his training, he promised him that he would never appear before him again. He kept his word. Unfortunately, they never made arrangements to sending the letters.
He was holding parchment in his hand. Parchment containing a request he couldn't refuse. He was curious who Mr. Snape was to Evan. He had to be someone important if he chose to risk exposing himself to his anger.
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Another chapter. I hope you aren't disappointed. How did you like this chapter? There will be flashbacks to the ball in James' conversation with Sirius and Lupin, so I didn't include all the events from the ball in this chapter. Regards, katie-krum.
