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As soon as we entered the hall, everyone paid attention to us — someone turned around, and someone only glanced at us, continuing to talk quietly in their own interest groups.

Draco and Narcissa went to meet other guests, and we went around the hall, for decency requires us to say hello and talk to almost everyone, except for the obviously busy ones who are sitting at the tables. Not far away, I noticed a small group of guys from Hogwarts, from which Nott and Zabini split off. They moved in our direction, and as soon as we crossed paths, they immediately ... gave polite greetings, and the guys invited Daphne and Astoria to join their company. In general, the girls left, giving more freedom of maneuver.

In short, the first, perhaps, an hour of wandering with a Delphine on the arm around the hall can be described in a few sentences. Internally, I was tense outside, I naturally kept myself moderately important, moderately restrained, moderately... Everything is "in moderation." We approached various wizards. Delphine introduced me to them and them to me. Stock phrases, polite interest, but the glances… The glances, though not obvious, said much more than the words. Despite my similarity to Narcissa, it was unclear what was seen in me, and many were not satisfied with my presence here. Some people tried to crush me with authority or put pressure on me with their arrogance, but you can't break me like that.

I found it amusing that among all these wizards were those who had escaped from Azkaban. I recognized Dolohov, the black-haired wizard with the slightly crooked face, and Jugson, the big, fat man with his hair in a ponytail at the back of his head, who looked at everyone with the look of a psychopath - I hate such a look, abrupt movements… Suddenness-man - he's genuinely amused by a harmless joke one minute, the next, he could throw an Avada at you with anger in his eyes. The Lestranges, both of them were here, chatting quietly with someone at the table.

When we had finished our rounds, Delphine and I walked over to one of the empty buffet tables. We took some snacks, imperceptibly checked them with magic without a wand for the presence of various interesting impurities. There were none.

"Somehow even mundane," I remarked, examining the hall and the wizards in it.

"You didn't think we'd be attacked right away, did you?" smiled Delphine.

"Wouldn't that have been easy? Solved all the questions right away and went home. This way, it's a wait. I hate waiting."

"On the other hand," Delphine took a glass of white wine and, after testing it with magic, took a small sip. "There's a lot to see and hear."

"Well, yes," I nodded. "I've heard various rumors and assumptions about us a hundred times already. Just as I thought, a lot of people are confused."

Continuing to observe the situation, I notice that the young people gradually withdrew.

It's lovely when there is such a unique opportunity to spy. After all, transfiguration is power!

Lovely!

While Rowena was giving her report on the situation among the youth, a trio of wizards moved in my and Delphine's direction. Lady Greengrass noticed it, too, and a dozen other wizards were clearly casting glances from us to them.

"Jugson in the middle," Delphine whispered. "Rowle, who's blond, and the other one with the short black hair is Carrow."

We haven't spoken to them, and I wonder what they're up to.

"Ah, Delphine!" smiled Jugson cheerfully, taking the lead in the conversation. "It's been a long time since we've seen each other! Fourteen years! And you're still as good as ever!"

"Herbert," smiled the woman sternly, politely.

The trio of wizards looked me over a little scornfully, but obviously, they showed exactly what they wanted to show.

"Go, boy, take a walk with the other children," Jugson waved me off like a fly. "Adults need to talk."

"I have nothing to hide from my apprentice," Delphine did not let me put in a word.

"Apprentice? Huh?" smirked Carrow. "Did you really trade my invitation for the company of this..."

Carrow grimaced, trying to find the words. Well, I see. Provocation. Let's fall for it.

"Watch your mouth," I smirked, "Amycus Carrow. As you know, a tongue without bones is often the cause of premature death."

"Threatening me? An adult wizard?" Carrow's face took on a very stern look that looked rather intimidating on his slightly elongated pointed face.

"Oh!" came a voice from the side, and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed another wizard with a gray beard and gray in his hair, William Goyle, the current Head of the House. "Isn't that the guy who was at the cemetery back then?"

Goyle looked at me intently, his eyes boring into me.

"We got in a lot of trouble later."

"A brat like that?"

It's funny to hear this from the mouth of a wizard, whom I am both taller and, perhaps, wider in the shoulders.

"Last warning, Amycus," I called his name deliberately. "Watch your mouth."

"Or what?" Carrow stepped close. "Are you gonna wag your finger at me?"

"I'd like to see you try..."