Chapter 21. Banquet.
The afternoon sun was perfect. A black and silver carriage drove out of Grimmauld Place, the House of Black's thorn crest engraved on the carriage body. The wheels crushed against the bluestone road, making a crisp sound. Inside the carriage, Edward leaned against the cushion, the flame at his fingertips flickering in his palm. Kreacher sat to one side, nervously adjusting his cuffs and repeatedly admonishing him of the banquet etiquette, his tone full of approval for the Malfoy family:
"Master Edward, Mr. Lucius and Mrs. Narcissa are top-notch people! When Master Regulus was alive, the two families visited each other most frequently, and Master Regulus helped Mr. Lucius quite a bit! This banquet is also sincerely meant to help you integrate into the pureblood circle; you must not disappoint their intentions!"
The carriage traveled for half an hour and finally stopped before the gates of Malfoy Manor.
Silver-green vines covered the snow-white stone walls, and the fountain in the center of the courtyard gushed, the spray refracting seven-colored light. House-elves in uniforms bowed their heads, welcoming the guests arriving for the banquet. Edward stepped out of the carriage, his black velvet robe swaying gently in the breeze, the silver thorn crest shining brightly in the sun, instantly attracting the surrounding gazes.
"Edward, welcome to Malfoy Manor." Lucius Malfoy was wearing a meticulously tailored silver-green wizard robe, his platinum hair shining with a soft light in the sun. He walked up quickly, a sincere smile on his face, without a trace of pureblood aristocratic arrogance, and even took the initiative to reach out and shake hands with Edward gently. "Narcissa and I have both been looking forward to your arrival."
Narcissa stood beside him, still in a silver-green gown, the thorn crest on her cuffs particularly striking - it was the one Regulus had personally pinned on her when she married, and she had never taken it off for all these years. She looked Edward up and down, a trace of imperceptible amazement and softness flashing through her cold, sharp brows and eyes, and her tone softened a little: "This robe suits you well. If Regulus could see this, he would be very gratified." She said, raising her hand to gently smooth the wrinkles on Edward's collar, the warmth of her fingertips carrying the care of an elder. "Don't be nervous, we are here."
Edward nodded slightly, his etiquette perfect, yet without any obsequiousness: "Thank you, Uncle, Aunt."
Lucius waved his hand and pointed at Draco behind him, smiling as he said: "We elders still have to entertain other guests. Before the banquet officially begins, let Draco show you around and meet some children of your age - they are all first-years who will be going to Hogwarts this year, so you will be classmates in the future."
Draco walked out from behind Narcissa, also wearing a silver-green formal robe, his blonde hair combed meticulously. He looked at Edward, the arrogance in his eyes fading a little, replaced by the curiosity of a peer, and he walked up quickly: "Come with me, I'll take you to meet some friends."
Edward followed Draco into the side hall of the manor, where several boys and girls of similar age were gathered together talking. Draco cleared his throat and introduced them one by one: "This is Vincent Crabbe, Gregory Goyle, and Pansy Parkinson, Millicent Bulstrode - they are all going to Slytherin this year."
Crabbe and Goyle were burly, their eyes looking slightly dull. They nodded perfunctorily at Edward - out of respect for the Malfoys, they didn't say anything mean, but they didn't intend to get close either, turning their heads to continue discussing the models of broomsticks. Pansy Parkinson, in a pink gown with fluffy curly hair, looked Edward up and down, her mouth curving into a detached arc. She smiled politely, but her eyes hid scrutiny. Millicent Bulstrode, with her arms crossed, had a hint of wariness in her eyes and remained silent.
The atmosphere in the side hall was not warm, but it was peaceful. Edward stood quietly to the side, listening to them discuss the Hogwarts Quidditch team and Potions class Professor Snape, the flame at his fingertips dancing silently in his sleeve. He did not take the initiative to talk, nor did he appear awkward, simply taking in all those scrutinizing gazes - he knew very well that these people respected the surname Black, not him, a boy who had returned from the Muggle world.
The banquet officially began. The light from the crystal chandeliers was dazzling. Guests in luxurious wizard robes gathered in groups of three or four to talk. Silver-green decorations were everywhere, exuding the luxury of the Malfoy family. Lucius stood on the stage to give a speech, his words full of regard for the House of Black and a welcome for Edward's return to the pureblood circle, every word revealing the protection between relatives: "the House of Black and the House of Malfoy have been on good terms for generations. Edward is the only son of Regulus and is also a relative of our Malfoy family. This banquet today is a welcome party held for him. I hope everyone can accept him just as you accept us."
But after the speech ended, that long-suppressed contempt surged over like a tide.
"Is that him? That Black who grew up in a pile of Muggles?" Mrs. Parkinson held her wine glass, talking in a low voice to several pureblood elders beside her, but her voice was clear enough. Her gaze swept over Edward with undisguised contempt. "I really don't know what Lucius is thinking, actually holding a banquet for such a 'Muggle-raised' one; it's simply a disgrace to pureblood families. The face of the House of Black has been completely lost by him!"
"I heard he can't even use a wand properly, relying entirely on the Black surname to hold up appearances." Graham Goyle - that is, Vincent Crabbe's father - sneered, his tone full of disdain. He deliberately raised his volume so that everyone around could hear. "Pureblood glory cannot be maintained by a surname alone. A failure is always a failure! Our Goyle family will not associate with a Muggle-born!"
Mrs. Crabbe also chimed in, her sharp voice full of spite: "This generation of the House of Black is finished. To have such a boy who has never seen the world, I'm afraid he will become the laughingstock of the wizarding world in the future! If Regulus knew about this in the afterlife, he would be so angry he'd come back to life!"
The surrounding pureblood elders nodded in agreement, the contempt in their eyes piercing Edward like needles. Several younger juniors also giggled, pointing at him. Draco frowned, wanting to step forward to retort, but was held back by Pansy: "Leave it alone, that's just how they are."
What was even more excessive was an upperclassman from Slytherin who walked slowly to Edward's side and looked down at him. The boy was wearing a wizard robe embroidered with the Selwyn family crest, his blonde hair slightly curled, his brows and eyes carrying an arrogance on par with the Malfoys - he was Bolo Selwyn, the eldest son of the Selwyn family, with a status quite prestigious in Slytherin, and had always considered himself a defender of pureblood supremacy.
"Kid, after staying in the Muggle world for so long, do you even know how to use magic?" Bolo Selwyn's voice was not loud, but it carried a full measure of mockery. He deliberately poked Edward's shoulder with his wand. "Don't embarrass Slytherin when you get to Hogwarts and drag down us purebloods. I advise you to crawl back to the Muggle world early and stop being an eyesore here."