Chapter 63
Chapter : Navigating the Ministry Ball
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Alex's POV
The Ministry Yule Ball was in full swing, filled with laughter, music, and the undercurrent of power plays typical of these events. I could feel the stares and whispers as we entered. Harry fidgeted nervously beside me, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. Sirius, however, was in his element—flashing his usual smirks, making small talk, and charming various guests with the ease of someone who’d grown up in these circles.
The room was grand, bedecked in opulent decorations, as members of old wizarding families, politicians, and a few celebrities mingled under the warm glow of enchanted lights. The centerpiece was a massive chandelier that shimmered like falling stars. But beneath the elegance, I could sense the tension—the recent attack at Hogwarts and Voldemort's appearance had shaken even the most influential families.
We soon found ourselves in conversation with Cyrus Greengrass and Elizabeth Greengrass, Daphne's parents. Standing nearby was Augusta Longbottom, looking as severe as ever, and Amelia Bones, who radiated quiet authority.
Cyrus was the first to acknowledge us, his voice smooth and calculated. “Ah, Sirius Black, and the infamous heir of House McKinnon,” he said, his eyes briefly flicking to Harry before focusing on me. “Or should I say Black?”
I gave a small smile, keeping my tone light. “Alex McKinnon Black, if we’re being formal. But Alex will do just fine.”
Elizabeth Greengrass, with her sharp gaze and cool expression, nodded slightly. “It’s quite rare to see someone as young as yourself maneuvering through these circles. You’ve certainly made a strong impression already.”
“It’s all a matter of perspective, I suppose,” I replied. “Having Sirius and Harry around certainly helps.”
Cyrus chuckled softly, his eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to gauge my true intentions. “And yet, you seem more than capable on your own.”
Before I could respond, Augusta Longbottom joined the conversation, her stern expression softening just slightly when she looked at Harry. “Mr. Potter has handled himself well, considering the circumstances,” she said, glancing at me with a sharp look. “And Hogwarts could use more of that.”
Sirius grinned. “He’s a quick learner, that’s for sure.”
Amelia Bones chimed in, her voice filled with authority. “We’re living in precarious times. The Ministry is handling things, but we need more vigilance. More preparation.”
Her words carried weight, and I nodded in agreement. “It’s undeniable. With Voldemort’s return, ignoring the threat won’t make it disappear.”
Amelia gave me an approving glance, but before the conversation could progress, a voice that sent a chill down my spine interrupted us.
“Ah, what a charming scene.”
Lucius Malfoy stepped forward, his cool grey eyes surveying the group before settling on Harry and me. His tone was polite, but the condescension was hard to miss. Flanked by Minister Fudge, he had the air of someone accustomed to controlling the narrative.
Fudge, on the other hand, was all smiles, as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened. “Sirius! Harry!” he exclaimed, too jovially. “And the young heir of House McKinnon. Quite the surprise!”
“Minister,” I greeted politely, keeping my expression neutral. “And Mr. Malfoy.”
Lucius’s smile was tight, his gaze sharper than ever. “Heir McKinnon Black, is it? I must say, I wasn’t expecting House Black to be so... varied in its allegiances.”
Sirius’s posture tensed, but he maintained his calm. “House Black has always been about progress, Lucius. Some of us are more forward-thinking than others.”
Lucius’s smile faltered for just a moment, but he recovered quickly. “Progress... yes, of course.”
Before the tension could escalate, Fudge stepped in, waving his hands dismissively. “No need for this talk of dark times. The Ministry has everything under control, and there’s no reason to think otherwise.”
I couldn’t resist. “Really? Because it seemed like the students who saw Voldemort might disagree with that.”
A brief silence fell over the group, broken only by the nervous chuckles of a few guests nearby. Lucius’s eyes hardened, but Fudge seemed determined to smooth things over.
“The official Ministry statement is clear,” Fudge said, his voice taking on a rehearsed tone. “There’s no solid evidence that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has returned. It’s all speculation.”
I felt Sirius tense beside me, but I stepped in before he could respond, keeping my tone even. “Ignoring the truth doesn’t change it. Hogwarts was attacked, and that’s not something the Ministry can simply brush aside.”
Amelia Bones, standing silently beside Augusta, nodded her agreement, her eyes focused on Fudge. But before anyone could push further, Sirius cleared his throat and smiled at the gathered group.
“Speaking of moving forward,” he said smoothly, “I’d like to formally introduce Alex McKinnon Black as the heir to House Black. I’m sure many of you have already heard, but now it’s official.”
A wave of murmurs rippled through the room as eyes turned toward me. Even Lucius seemed momentarily taken aback, though he quickly masked his surprise.
“So,” Lucius said, his voice smooth as ever, “House Black has found its future heir. Interesting.”
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Daphne’s POV (Flashback to Halloween)
I remembered the Halloween night all too well. Sitting at our manor’s dining table, I had shared my concerns with my father, Cyrus Greengrass, after the incident at Hogwarts. As the light of the Pensieve swirled between us, he reviewed my memories carefully—watching the events of that night, the sight of Voldemort’s ghastly form emerging from Quirrell’s body, the panic that spread through the Great Hall.
When the memory ended, my father’s expression remained unreadable as he sat back, contemplating.
“You were right to tell me,” he said slowly. “The Dark Lord’s return... this complicates matters.”
My mother, Elizabeth, had been quiet throughout, watching me with her calm, calculating eyes. She finally spoke, her tone sharp. “What are your thoughts on Potter?”
“He saved me,” I said simply, though my heart pounded at the memory of Harry rushing to my and Tracey’s aid. “We owe him a life debt.”
Cyrus’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Potter... is becoming more than just a boy in a prophecy. His influence is growing. You need to tread carefully.”
“I’ve considered that,” I said, my mind still on Harry’s straightforward request for friendship after everything had happened. “He’s different. Not like other Gryffindors.”
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “And how do you plan to manage this life debt, Daphne?”
“I’ll keep things... neutral,” I replied carefully. “For now.”
Cyrus nodded in approval, his voice quiet but firm. “Smart girl. Watch him closely.”
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Harry’s POV
The Ministry Ball was overwhelming. I’d never been in a room filled with so many important people, and I could feel their eyes on me—Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, the kid who had somehow come face-to-face with Voldemort at eleven years old. It was surreal.
I spotted Daphne Greengrass across the room, talking with her parents. I hadn’t expected to see her here, but then again, the Greengrasses were a prominent pureblood family. Seeing her reminded me of the conversation we had before the holiday break—about life debts, alliances, and how much she owed me after Halloween.
Our eyes met briefly, and she nodded in acknowledgment. Her father, Cyrus, turned to see what she was looking at, and then his gaze landed on me. I swallowed nervously, but I remembered what Alex and Sirius had told me: to make connections, build alliances. That was the way forward in the wizarding world, whether I liked it or not.
As I approached, Sirius reappeared at my side, his presence grounding me. “Go on,” he whispered with a grin. “Talk to them.”
I managed a small smile and nodded. “Right.”
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The night wore on, and I found myself having more conversations with people I barely knew. Neville, Daphne, Susan Bones, and their parents—each conversation was polite, filled with small talk and awkward silences. But the real challenge came when Lucius Malfoy arrived with Minister Fudge, interrupting a conversation between Alex, Sirius, and the Greengrasses.
I watched as Alex, cool as ever, engaged Lucius in subtle verbal sparring. There was something unnerving about the way Lucius spoke—polite but always with an undercurrent of menace. I could tell Alex was holding back, choosing his words carefully, but his calm demeanor made me proud to have him as my friend.
When Sirius officially introduced Alex as the heir of House Black, the ripple of surprise in the crowd was unmistakable. I saw heads turn, whispers spreading across the ballroom like wildfire.
The night ended with promises of future meetings, but what stayed with me was a sense that things were changing. The Ministry was in denial
, but we couldn’t be. The ball was just the beginning of something bigger.
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Alex's POV
As the guests began to leave and the night drew to a close, I knew what had to be done. The Ministry wasn’t going to face the truth, not while Fudge was in charge, and certainly not while Lucius Malfoy held so much influence.
I would need a way to control the narrative, to ensure that the truth about Voldemort and the Dark Forces wasn’t suppressed by the Ministry’s political games.
I glanced over at Sirius, who was deep in conversation with Amelia Bones, and I made up my mind.
It was time to start my own newspaper.
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End of Chapter