A Rose by Another Name

Severus felt both good and bad. Good, because he for once was dressed fairly well and elegantly, judged by the pureblood Wizarding standards. Bad because … of too many reasons. One was the mask, which had been an unpleasant surprise. Especially since it had been sprung on him in front of father, so he couldn't make any scene without involving the man. His mother apparently hadn't lost all her deviousness yet. Another reason was the colour of his robes… a light soft blue that clashed – in his mind – so badly with his gaunt and pale features, black eyes and black hair, it was an offence to eyes. Thirdly, he was expected to parade about for several hours, in the midst of the crème de la crème of Wizarding Britain's purebloods. The aristocracy so to say, if the Wizarding world had had a royal court.

More like the aristocrazy he thought petulantly as he put his hand on the portkey mother was holding. A few harrowing moments later, they landed in a grand hallway, filled with marble and gilded wood, chandeliers and mirrors, a double set of gently sloping stairs that led to the first floor with intricately carved banisters and a mass of paintings, all of them Wizarding. Last, but certainly not least, the hall was filled with an overwhelming amount of people who all stood around as if they had poles up their lily white and oh so refined arses, glittering and dazzling in their silken outfits and masks that made you think more of a zoo than a ball.

Considering the number of people in the hallway, the noise level was acceptable, all conversations being performed in low hushed and very haughty tones. Severus stared at them for a long moment, wondering when they'd start staring at them or at him, more precisely. But it didn't happen. Instead they were met with an almost too smiling woman who he knew was the Black ... Widow, so to say. In the most real sense of the word, since her name was Black, and for the past year she'd been a widow.

It was still amusing though and he wondered if all aspects of being a 'black widow' applied to the slightly agitated and obviously nervous lady. He really wouldn't put it past her, knowing the Black history as well as he did, from the stories mother had told, and a small smirk found its way to his lips as he watched her welcome them. He bowed as he'd been taught and told the woman how honoured and grateful he was to be here. Fake words for a fake world. So very fitting. But it pleased mother and apparently also the Black widow, so he'd done his duty.

However, their welcome had also brought their presence to the attention of those around them and Severus could literally feel their eyes piercing the back of his neck, like little mites nipping away. And there were the whispers... The smirk faded from his lips, but that was the only outward sign that he'd noticed. And he proceeded to ignore them as he took his mother's arm and led her into the banquet hall that was even more lavish than the entrance hall, if possible. Merlin, how he hated this already. And yet he was curious and couldn't help wonder what else this gilded den of the Blacks might hold in its less than public places. A dungeon perhaps? Dark secret rooms holding even deeper and darker secrets? Books that would melt your eyes or maybe even take your soul if you looked at them long enough?

He would have to explore and do it inconspicuously, which luckily was one of his strengths. That thought brought the smirk back and after snatching a small glass of something he wasn't going to drink anyway, he excused himself from his mother with the pretence of 'mingling' to see if any of his 'school mates' would be here already. Avery, Rosier and Wilkes would most likely turn up if they weren't already here. Macnair sadly wouldn't, since he'd been grounded for the summer by his parents.

Would be a fitting punishment to drag him here though.

But at least he'd have three mates to make up for the presence of the infamous Black boys and the Potter idiot. Severus couldn't see them as he slid away from mother's side and weaved through the throng, but that didn't mean they weren't there. That just meant he'd have to watch his back better, since every mask could be hiding one of their obnoxious visages and he really preferred to see them before they saw him.

-

Lucius stood between his parents, almost as tall as his father now and certainly no less impressive with his long blond hair that was tied back in a neat ponytail and fit body that filled out his rich dark green robes nicely. The half mask was green as well and led your thoughts wander towards fierce dragons. He was quite pleased with his turn out. It emphasised everything it should, made him stand out slightly while remaining subtle and elegant. He knew he looked good and everything about him breathed self-confidence and haughty pride.

Mrs. Black greeted them with profound and almost overwhelming happiness, as if she'd not expected them to show up. Of course the Malfoys would come to one of the highlights of the social calendar this summer, even if some on the guest lists didn't have quite the level of purity as they normally wanted to associate themselves with. That could be overlooked though in the face of the otherwise very illustrious guests that floated around like the colourful fishes of the South Coral seas, mingling and mixing until your eyes saw rainbows.

He instantly spotted Rabastan and Rodolphus next to their parents and quickly excused himself to go over and meet them.

"Grand party, eh, Malfoy?" Rodolphus said with a matching smile as Lucius reached them.

"Yes, at least it has the potential of becoming that." There was a certain tone to Lucius' voice that told both the Lestrange brothers that he was hoping for some action that might take full advantage of that potential. A masque was in itself a bland affair, especially since all knew all and it wasn't as if the halfmasks really hid identities that well.

"How's school been? Hogwarts is a drag. I wish Dad had sent us to Durmstrang as well. It's all about Dumbledore sucking up to those sodding Gryffindors and Defence against the Dark Arts is a laugh. I guess he's afraid we might turn bad or dark." Rabastan rolled his eyes, which made Lucius laugh.
"Oh, school's all right. Passed my exams with top marks of course, so next year will be a breeze." Lucius bragged shamelessly. He was bloody good and he didn't mind telling everybody.

"Did you learn something wicked?" Rodolphus asked eagerly, his dark eyes gleaming with excitement. Malfoy always taught them the most interesting things every summer and he hoped very much this occasion would involve an update on that matter. Perhaps it would impress Bellatrix Black so much, she'd consider more than just a fleeting, teasing kiss in the dark hallways of Hogwarts that was always followed up by her low dark laughter that made his stomach flip with arousal.

Lucius smirked knowingly and patted Rodolphus' shoulder "My friend, you wouldn't believe what I've learned. Have you seen the Black sisters yet?" The smirk turned teasing and he laughed again at the light blush to Rodolphus' ears. Rabastan recognised the blush and laughed as well.

"Sod off and no, I haven't seen them. They'll be fashionably late as usual, I guess." Rodolphus groused

"Come on. Let's get something to drink and then watch the masses for a bit." Lucius knew both the Lestrange brothers were itching to see what he'd learned, but he wasn't going to cater to their simple whims before he'd seen who else were here. It was all about making connections, talking to the right people, pouring the right words into the right ears. Especially the ears of one. The one his father was speaking with at the moment, a tall gaunt and for his age, very attractive man who's gaze seemed capable of piercing everybody it rested upon; Tom Riddle. Or more precisely - as father had informed him - Lord Voldemort. Lucius knew he at some point would be ushered over so he could be introduced properly and even as that thought excited him, it also made him slightly nervous. For now though, he'd just enjoy and watch out for any kind of entertainment that could be had and not think too closely on the reasons for this nervousness.

-

Severus had finally managed to escape into a somewhat quiet corner. He hadn't yet ventured upstairs, but by now he knew where the kitchen was and the library. Too bad there had been others in the library, or he could easily - and happily - have spent the rest of the party in there. On the other hand, it was just a matter of time before he'd get up those stairs and then he'd see if the Blacks truly were as devious - and deviant - as he thought they were.

"Oi, Severus!" A well-known and fairly well liked voice interrupted his musings and Avery sidled up next to him. "Very ... blue, today, aren't you?" The prat said with a grin and poked Severus' thin, and admittedly very blue, shoulder.

"Shut up, Avery. Nobody asked your bloody opinion," Severus growled and beat Avery's hand away, annoyed even if he'd known that would be the reaction. Severus looked away at the laugh with a peeved expression but didn't shake off Avery's hand when it came back to his shoulder.

"Relax, mate. You look good." if only Avery hadn't sniggered, Severus would almost have believed him "Just be careful nobody mistakes you for Lockhart." Avery nodded towards another figure clad in vibrant light blue hues, glittery colourful stones and large fluffy feathers adorning the mask, making him look very much like a discoloured ostrich's arse, as seen in a mating dance.

"Merlin..." Severus whispered in horrified awe, backing slowly away from the nightmare vision. Only Lockhart would look like that. Nobody but Lockhart would wear that and think he looked 'fabulous and absolutely darling!' With a shudder he looked away, instead facing Avery.

"Is Wilkes and Rosier here too"

"Yeah, they're raiding the buffet, as usual." Avery gestured towards the table.

"I guess they're out for an hour or so then. I'll just have to tell you alone. I won't be able to meet up very often this summer. Father wants me to help out in his shop and that's the price of going here." Severus' expression darkened slightly with anger.

"Aw shite! No way to get out of that?" Avery said with feeling. It would be no fun, if Snape wasn't going to be around. He always had the best ideas.

"No. I promised." Severus left it at that and Avery knew better than to push. He didn't wish to share with anybody that should father catch him in doing anything else, it would be on mother's head. And if Avery knew, all knew.

"Bugger."

"Yes, quite."

That killed their conversation for long enough to make Severus antsy. "I'm up for some exploring, Avery. Are you game?" He met the other boy's eyes, arching one of his eyebrows challengingly.

"Well, dad wants me to meet this Voldemort guy," Avery nodded towards the small circle of men, who seemed deep in conversation, looking eerily like a cult with their masks. Severus wrinkled his nose for once happy he wasn't really involved in the pureblood venture for universal power and purity. He'd heard enough of Voldemort to be slightly apprehensive about him. As he looked away, blond hair caught his attention, and then the green robes.

Malfoy.

Severus hadn't seen him for years and still there was something arresting about Malfoy that he couldn't look away. He should hate the guy, really. The Malfoys had on every occasion possible, made it very clear that the Princes were nothing but lowly blood traitors who should be treated with the utmost condescension and disregard. And he'd felt that on several occasions, both through his mother's reactions and his own encounters with especially the Malfoy patriarch. A snooty lot, all of them. And judging by the way young Malfoy held himself, chin tilted slightly up, stance wide and confident, it had passed directly to the next generation.

Finally Severus tore his eyes away and looked at Avery again "Never mind then. I'll be back." And with that he was off, quickly disappearing in spite of his garments garish colouring.

-

Done with chatting, Lucius let his gaze wander about the big room, slowly taking in and measuring up what he saw. Everybody looked much like they always did at such occasions. There were only that many variations of a theme after all, and things repeated themselves perpetually in this world. A constant like magic, the world turning and the sun rising every morning. He was so utterly bored, it almost brought tears to his eyes. Bellatrix and Narcissa had better show up soon, or he'd not greet them at all. That would teach them not to stretch the boundaries of 'fashionably late' like this and leaving him without their pretty and inspiring company. Regulus had of course joined their little cadre, but the only other Lucius truly wanted to speak with was apparently completely absorbed with Potter. Lucius grimaced slightly. It was bad enough Sirius had turned Gryffindor, but did he have to look like he enjoyed rolling in that filth? Wealthy purebloods or not, the Potters were not exactly the people Lucius would care to associate with. Muggle lovers, the lot of them.

Out of the corners of his eyes, he saw a flicker of light blue paired with black hair pass them by a few yards away. The combination was so preposterous it drew his full attention and he looked more closely at the person with narrowed eyes. Was that... the Prince halfblood? Snape? There was something about the intense look in the other boy's black eyes and the ... focused, rigid way he held himself, that intrigued Lucius. Objectively, he was ugly, thin hooked nose, black lanky hair and a complexion that made vampires look healthy and fresh. As if he spent all his hours in a dungeon.

Which he likely did, since it was Snape, a Slytherin like the Lestrange brothers and Regulus. He shouldn't care, but the surprisingly graceful way the gaunt boy simply ... disappeared from view, made him care. Made him want to see what Snape was up to. Made him want to get a closer look. From what he'd heard, Snape was a genius with potions, curses and hexes. Which all in itself was enough to warrant a second look.

"I'll be right back," he muttered and slipped away from his mates, quickly following Snape out of the room.