When silver met gold.

1. Unlikely Cousins

An imposing masculine figure confronted Malfoy Country Estate. After observing the somber elegance of the garden, inhabited by pristine albino peacocks, he decided to approach the entrance and, out of mere courtesy, to use the door knocker with refined grooves dominating the gate. It seemed to be coated with small metallic scales reminiscent of snake skin. The one who opened the door was a young house-elf with languid, enormous eyes.

"Welcome to Malfoy Manor, sir. May I offer you something while you wait for the master?" the elf asked.

The man quickly averted his attention from the creature to glance around, deciding to dismiss it before taking a closer look. "No, thank you," he replied.

He began to move through the atrium, noticing first the large marble fireplace surmounted by a mirror set in a gold frame. He had no doubt it was genuine, just like the sofa's feet or the skeleton of the crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Even the damask carpet, which covered the entire room, had golden stitching that embellished it. It was a shame that the muted colors chosen for the space offered a cold, detached elegance to the environment.

"Welcome, Mr. Stehodensky. We are honored to have your presence in our humble abode," Lucius Malfoy began after keeping him waiting.

Upon seeing him, Gabriel Stehodensky found him perfectly matched to the setting. The false modesty Lucius had just displayed quickly indicated what kind of person he would be dealing with from then on.

"It seems my mother was very close to you," replied Gabriel Stehodensky, seemingly a young man, with bright apple-green eyes. His masculine and determined features made him truly attractive, contrasting with the more slender and elegant features of the homeowner.

"Yes, your mother was a dear family friend, so I trust that the friendship may endure over time. Perhaps... with Draco, my son," Lucius responded.

Gabriel met the man's silver eyes. "We both know that it's only appearances I intend to keep up, Mr. Malfoy. My father is very attached to the affairs that have always involved your renowned family, so he would like me to stay here and be part of your lives, given the significant changes that await you, as he claims..." And he walked past the man, putting his hands in his pockets and beginning to observe the large paintings hanging on the walls. There were generations of lanky Malfoys everywhere.

"Changes, you say? What kind?"

"I am not obliged to answer you, but my father would like me to make my personal contribution, and I will obey, remaining on the sidelines. Even just one of my fingers could completely change the fate of future London, so... I will ensure that you are the only ones responsible for what will happen."

Lucius swallowed and, though with cautious and measured steps, followed Gabriel, attempting to investigate. "I realize that you do not feel the same affection for us as was reserved by your mother, but..."

"She felt it for your great-grandmother, certainly not for you. Something you are well aware of. I am completely uninterested in such matters... for mere mortals," he released with vague disgust. "Your world doesn't excite me at all, quite the contrary. You are all very alike and boring, especially among the Purebloods... whatever that means to you," he commented irritably, continuing to hold his head high as he admired the artist's touch. Perhaps this was the most interesting side of Earthlings: their originality in art. Did it depend on the known dimensions of their souls? Could art and soul be linked?

While the individual's thoughts drifted elsewhere, Lucius tried to regain his attention, clenching his fist around the snake head fixed to his walking stick. "Yet, I thought you knew better than anyone the meaning of certain terms." That half-provocation finally succeeded in making the guest lower his gaze, who couldn't help but appreciate his cheekiness.