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"Such an invitation, on the one hand, shows that the inviting party appreciates the presence of the invitee because you don't invite just anyone. But on the other hand, it is not a visit for tea, which you can refuse using any, even the most delusional argument. Among other things, it is customary to invite colleagues to such parties, but excuse me..." Delphine smiled. "What Colleagues? The Hogwarts students. Here lies the second reason why I can't refuse — it is customary for a girl to go to such events accompanied by an older lady. Just to invite her to visit - no problem. Walks, restaurants, and even a trip to another country on vacation don't require such a thing."

"Why refuse at all?"

"Flair and albeit not complete, but information about the list of invitees. This is not the first time the Malfoy family has hosted various events and receptions. The people invited to them could always be of very different views and spheres of activity, but they were united by one factor — a profitable contact for the Malfoy family. But at the upcoming reception, the list of invitees would form a very different picture. There will be those once suspected of having ties to the Death Eaters, political radicals of purity of blood, families who supported Voldemort previously, a few neutrals, and a few wizards to dilute the list. With many of these families, it is harmful to the Malfoys not just to have a business, but even to contact, and here it is… This is atypical. It is not right. Illogical. And therefore - suspicious."

"So you need to go to this appointment anyway?"

"Yes," Delphine nodded. "But that's half the trouble, too. Already I, in turn, need to arrive there accompanied, since officially I am not the Head of the House, and Henry's death has not been confirmed for obvious reasons."

That's true because Protego Diabolica leaves no trace, and officially no one was in that cemetery. No one would voluntarily testify about a person's death under any circumstances, for it would lead to a DMLE investigation. There would be traces of Dark Magic, the Aurors would get involved... Of course, the case can be hushed up quite easily, but this is a waste of money. The regular meetings of the Wizengamot are held four times a year, and failure to attend an extraordinary meeting is punishable by a fine of one hundred galleons — a trifle. Perhaps I should have communicated more with the portrait of Lady Walburga for a deeper understanding of the essence of the local serpentarium?

While I was thinking, Delphine continued to speak:

"So it turns out that I can't go alone, I can't take the first man I meet without damaging my reputation, and the couple of people whose presence is acceptable by etiquette and other things will never go there. And what a wonderful coincidence!" Delphine clasped her hands together artistically. "There are several candidates whose company is a decision that is controversial and very... Slippery, I would say. But more than that, they are radicals, and more importantly, they have written themselves, saying, 'Dear lady, we have learned... the situation... reception ... I invite you.' Some kind of intrigue is as obvious as possible, some kind of rush is felt, but also the situation itself is close to hopeless when something is required of you, and all other decisions will be bad anyway."

Twirling the cup of tea in my hands, I looked at Lady Greengrass, who was looking thoughtfully at the same cup in her hands, as if there, at the bottom, you can find the answer to all your questions.

"Well, if that's the case," I decide to clarify some points that may not be known to Delphine. "Then I must tell you that Voldemort has settled in Malfoy Manor for an unknown period of time with the Death Eaters who escaped from Azkaban. I don't know how big the mansion is, but I think there is quite enough space there to accommodate "guests" and to hold this banquet.

Delphine frowned a little, and her gaze reflected the work of thought. However, this did not last long because the conclusions are already obvious, and my information only confirmed them. I was overcome by almost imperceptible but mixed feelings.

On the one hand, Lady Greengrass is the Head of the House, a master in the three branches of magic and in their combat application, which translates into four masteries. She's smart enough, and the fact that she grew up in the highest magical society should be good for her ability to get out of delicate situations.

On the other hand, as a young man with a classical, I would say, upbringing and worldview in both lives, I am disgusted by the idea that a beautiful young woman will literally go into the lion's mouth without support. Although, specifically in this case, it will be more appropriate to say "snake's mouth." And even if we put aside my worldview, there is another possible problem - my apprenticeship.

The problem is that if Voldemort gets the Greengrasses on his side one way or another, he won't stop at a simple pact of support or something like that, no. He will demand more, taking control of both the House and Delphine. There will be marriages that are beneficial to him, marks, oaths of some kind - not just the Unbreakable Vow. It would all affect me as Delphine's apprentice, from the banal reputation of a Death Eater apprentice, which Voldemort will definitely try and make a Delphine, to a simple obligation to follow her as my master. After all, one of the reasons I asked Delphine for an apprenticeship was her de facto neutrality.