Winter 1963, December 24th. Evening. Black Manor.

The banquet hall was bustling with activity.

A symphony orchestra was playing Johann Strauss's "Waltz from Vienna's Wet Fresco" No. 249. The air was filled with the smell of various perfumes.

Delicately cooked food was carefully placed on silver plates with golden edges. Each plate was placed neatly on a long table covered with a lace tablecloth.

If a plate was missing a bit of food, a house-elf would immediately appear and replace it with a new plate.

Crystal chandeliers shone brightly on the ceiling that was covered with exquisite frescoes.

White candles burned silently in delicately carved silver candlesticks on the walls. They shone brightly with the large fluorescent magic flowers that decorated the walls.

Men and women dressed in gorgeous gowns gathered in small groups, holding champagne in their hands. They were either whispering or testing each other.

As the host of the banquet, Signas Black was conversing with the head of the Zabini family.

The hostess of Black Manor, Druela, was greeting the guests at the door.

Walbuga Black was also accompanying Druela. He seemed a bit impatient, as if he was waiting for someone to arrive.

Oraine Black was drinking champagne on the side of the banquet hall. The banquet had just begun, but he was already a bit drunk.

Beira hated these kinds of occasions. She felt that these fake social events were a complete waste of time. Thus, she took a book called "Polymorph – Intermediate" and hid in a small cubicle next to the banquet hall.

Andomida had already dressed up, but now she had run off to some corner of the banquet hall.

As for Narcissa, with her memories from her previous life, she was quite familiar with these kinds of banquets. Thus, she lazily leaned against the railing of the stairs on the second floor, waiting for Druela to finish greeting the guests so that the three sisters could greet and exchange greetings with the other ladies.

Regulus Black was too young. He was coaxed to sleep by the Walbuga and didn't participate in the banquet.

Cyrius Black was supposed to show his face at this banquet to prepare for his birthday banquet when he joined the Wizard Society next year. However, he had been too naughty a few days ago and 'accidentally' burned the letters that many pure-blood families had sent to the Black's banquet invitation. Therefore, the angry Walbuga had locked him up and had yet to release him.

Lucius was in the banquet hall with several pure-blood family members who were about his age, listening to them boasting about their recent magic training.

Abraxas couldn't make it back to England for Christmas, so he didn't attend the party. Instead, he asked Lucius to give Signasi a diamond with a Maltese cross pattern as a gift.

"Oh, my God, you actually came!"

Druela, who was greeting the guests at the door, saw a young man wearing a bohemian outfit that didn't fit in with the banquet. She was pleasantly surprised. "You didn't tell us you were coming.

Signas will be happy to see you. "

Walbuga also noticed Druela's excitement. She turned around and sighed in disappointment when she saw that it wasn't the person she was waiting for.

When she saw the man's unique outfit and messy long hair, she frowned in disdain. "Alphard, why are you dressed like this again?

Are you as brainless as Rong Pupu?

Where's the etiquette that Black taught you? "

"Alright, alright, Walbuga," Druela quickly tried to be the peacemaker. "Alphard hasn't been back for a long time, and you're still scolding him.

I think most of the guests are here, so I'll take Alphard back to the banquet hall and let him talk to his brother.

Are you coming with us? "

"Hmm … I don't think so."

Walbuga hesitated and shook her head. "I still have an important guest who hasn't arrived. I want to wait for him here."

"Is it Liu Kelia?

Didn't she move to Scotland to live?

I thought she wasn't coming. "Druela asked curiously.

"No, no, it's not like that."

Walbuga rubbed her hands awkwardly. "It's my personal guest, but … he might not come," she said vaguely.

"Alright.

I'll go in with Alphard first. "

Druela patted Walbuga's shoulder considerately. "Wait here. If he still hasn't arrived, then go into the banquet hall.

Although I've added a warming spell, it's still a little cold in December. "

Alphard Black didn't say anything. He didn't seem to be annoyed by Walbuga's scolding.

After Druela and Walbuga finished talking, he smiled and greeted Druela, "Sister-in-law."

Druela smiled and looked at him. She said in a slightly reproachful tone, "Where have you been all these years?

You're an adult, but you don't want to have a family. What's so good about you?

I'm going to introduce you to a few pureblood girls at this banquet. You can't hide anymore. "

Alphard scratched his head. His long brown hair looked even more messy. "Aiya, those pureblood girls aren't as beautiful and virtuous as you.

I've seen so many good girls. Why would I want them? "

"You're such a sweet talker." Druela glared at him. "You, come with me and change into your brother's clothes.

If he sees you dressed like this, he'll go crazy. "

"Okay, okay." Alphard replied nonchalantly.

Druela looked at him and shook her head helplessly. She didn't say anything else and led him to the changing room.

Halfway through the banquet, the guests were almost done talking.

Narcissa and her sisters walked around the banquet hall with their mother. They greeted the ladies one by one.

Alphard Black's appearance at the banquet caused a small commotion. Some pureblood family members quietly exchanged information they knew.

Signas was talking to Madame Caroline from France about a luxury business. When he saw Alphard, he was so shocked that he almost spat out the red wine in his mouth.

He tried to control his emotions. He didn't know whether he was happy or angry. He politely excused himself from Madame Caroline and strode towards Alphard.

"Where have you been all these years?" He suppressed his tone and asked Alphard Black in a low voice.

"You've become bold. You left England without saying a word. Are you going to betray the Black Family next?"

"I was wrong, brother." Alphard's survival instincts made him immediately apologize to Signas.

He pretended to be ashamed and lowered his head. "I won't do it again."

"What's wrong with you!

You're the best.

You just left like that. Do you know how much Walbuga and I worried about you! "Signas became more and more agitated. His voice gradually became louder.

"Tell me, where have you been all these years?"

"Brother —" Alphard imitated what he did when he was young. He quietly pulled Signas' arm and whispered pitifully, "Are you sure you want to lecture me here?"

Signas looked around and saw that the people around them were starting to look in their direction. He knew that this wasn't a good place to explain.

He suppressed his emotions and said coldly to Alphard, "You better think about how you're going to explain it to me.

After the banquet, come to my study and find me. "

It was almost time for the ball.

The sky was already dark.

Narcissa and her sisters were not yet old enough to attend the ball. Like the other young wizards under the age of sixteen, they were all brought back to their rooms by Druela.

The rest of the evening was the time for adults to socialize.

The music in the banquet hall changed to a cheerful and passionate "Carmen Overture". The atmosphere became slightly ambiguous and frivolous. Some of the nobles' words were already flirting.

At this moment, Walbuga finally arrived.

He didn't wear a formal suit. Instead, he wore a black wizard's robe and a scarf made of polar wolf fur around his neck.

No one else came with him, but the oppressive aura he gave off alone was enough to resist an army of ten.

"Sorry, Walbuga. I'm a little late.

There were some bugs on the way and they wasted my time. "He said calmly and without any apology.

Wolbuga hurriedly trotted forward and said with a flattering smile, "How could it be?

The Black Family is honored by your presence, Duke Of Darkness.

We're more than happy to see you. Why would we blame you? "

Voldemort

He chuckled, as if he was satisfied with Walbuga's words, but also mocked him.

He changed the topic. "I heard that your brother, Alphard Black, is back?"

Walbuga's forehead was covered in cold sweat. He felt that the man beside him was more and more unfathomable. "Ah, yes … I just saw him.

Your Grace, how did you know? "

Voldemort snorted. "There's nothing I don't know."

Then, he said to Walbuga in a commanding tone, "Lead the way. We're going to the banquet."

Volbuga nodded. As he led the way, he secretly felt that his decision to surrender to Voldemort was a wise one.

"Your Grace, Duke Of Darkness, this is the place." Walbuga pushed open the heavy banquet hall door and turned to Voldemort.

The banquet was interrupted by the sound of Walbuga pushing the door open. The guests looked at the entrance of the banquet hall.

When they caught sight of that person behind Wolbuga, they all involuntarily stopped chatting or joking and quieted down.

Sign Black, of course, also noticed the silence in the banquet hall.

He looked at the uninvited guest and frowned. Then, with the aura of a host, he raised his champagne and greeted him. "What a rare guest.

What brings Your Grace, the Duke Of Darkness here? "

Voldemort raised his eyebrows.

Before he could speak, Walbuga, who was standing in front of him, quickly stood diagonally to his side and said to Sign Black, "I invited Your Grace.

I'm extremely honored to receive Your Grace's response. "

Hearing this, Sign Black pursed his lips and suppressed the displeasure in his heart.

"Your Grace, the Duke Of Darkness, must be very tired to come all the way here. I'll instruct the house elf to prepare red wine from French Bordeaux Latour. Please rest on the side.

I hope you can enjoy this banquet. "

With that, he snapped his fingers, and a house elf appeared diagonally in front of him with a bang.

Voldemort waved his hand to stop him.

"Sign Black, I'm just here to look for you.

We old classmates haven't seen each other in a long time. Look at your tone now, it's so distant.

Don't you want to buy me a drink and catch up with me? "His red eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Sign.