The grandeur of the Muggle gala was unmatched. It was held at one of London's most prestigious venues—an art-deco hotel whose high-rise windows overlooked the River Thames. The air was filled with a hum of excited conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the smooth jazz that flowed from a live band at the far end of the hall. The event, an exclusive gathering of some of the wealthiest billionaires, athletes, and innovators, was the epitome of high society.
Severus Prince and his wife, Lorelei, stood in the midst of it all, effortlessly blending into the world of Muggles—worlds apart from the world of magic they both inhabited. It was a scene Severus had grown accustomed to: the flashes of recognition as people whispered his name in awe, the intrigue and admiration they bestowed upon him as the genius billionaire owner of Prince Enterprises.
At the heart of the conversation was always his success: how he had built the company from the ground up, how his innovations were revolutionizing industries—medicine, technology, and environmental sustainability. He was the visionary behind a new age of business and philanthropy, earning respect and admiration from some of the brightest minds of the age.
But the one thing none of them knew—what Severus had worked so hard to keep hidden—was that he was, in fact, a wizard. A war hero. A former Death Eater. The very things that had shaped his life in the magical world, now locked away in the deepest corners of his past, hidden from the curious eyes of the Muggle elite.
Lorelei, standing by his side, was as composed and charming as ever. She had her own thriving career, having taken on a leadership role in Prince Enterprises, but tonight, her focus was on enjoying the night with Severus, away from the pressure of business. Her grace and beauty made her a natural fit in the glittering crowd, and though Severus knew she was used to the attention, he couldn't help but admire her. She was his partner in every sense, not just in business, but in life. And tonight, she looked stunning in a long black dress that shimmered in the ambient lighting, her dark hair swept up elegantly, with a few tendrils framing her face.
They moved through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries and engaging in light conversation. The world they inhabited was a strange one for Severus, a world where people saw him only as a businessman, not the man who had once battled with his own demons, not the man who had walked the shadowed path of darkness. But tonight, he was at ease. He had built something monumental—a legacy that would last long after he was gone. The work was no longer about survival or revenge; it was about creating something meaningful.
After a while, Lorelei excused herself to the bar to grab a drink, leaving Severus to mingle. He had never been fond of large crowds, and while he had grown accustomed to the occasional social gathering, he was grateful for the break. His eyes scanned the room, landing briefly on a group of young athletes, their laughter and banter filling the air. He watched for a moment, lost in thought, before his attention was pulled to a woman approaching him.
She was young, in her mid-twenties perhaps, with platinum blonde hair, an immaculate figure, and a flawless face that seemed sculpted by some higher power. She wore a silver dress that hugged her curves and was adorned with diamond accessories that sparkled with every step. Severus recognized her immediately, though he hadn't known her name—she was a rising social media personality, famous for her lifestyle posts and "influencer" status. He had seen her featured in articles, and she had a growing following among the Muggle elite.
Her eyes locked onto him, and she flashed a wide, confident smile as she approached.
"Mr. Prince," she said with a knowing tilt of her head, "it's such a pleasure to meet you. I've been hearing so much about you lately. Your company is everywhere."
Severus stiffened slightly but offered her a polite smile. "Thank you. It's always encouraging to know people are taking notice."
She didn't seem to hear his distant tone, and instead continued, stepping closer to him. "I've been following your work for a while now, actually," she said, the words laden with flirtation. "You know, I've always admired successful men. Especially ones who know how to balance business with... other interests." Her eyes flicked toward the direction of Lorelei at the bar, an unmistakable flicker of jealousy in her gaze.
Severus raised an eyebrow, his unease growing. "I'm sure there's a fine balance to be struck," he said, keeping his tone neutral. He wasn't interested in discussing business with her, let alone personal matters.
"Oh, I think you know what I mean," the young woman continued, stepping even closer. "It's rare to find someone so perfect—you have the brains, the wealth, the power..." She trailed off, her gaze lingering on him with far too much intensity.
Severus took a step back, his discomfort clear. "I'm happily married," he said, his voice firm, though polite.
She laughed, a sharp, self-assured laugh that didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, I know. But, Mr. Prince, sometimes things change. You know how the world works. I mean, look at me—I could help you take your brand to the next level. We could do... so much together."
Severus felt his patience slipping, but he kept his composure. "I am not interested," he said, his voice now cold, "and I would appreciate it if you would respect that."
But the young woman, either too drunk on her own fame or too arrogant to take the hint, smiled slyly. "Respect? You should be the one respecting me, Severus. I'm the one with the following, with the real power. I could make you famous in ways Lorelei never could."
The insult was clear, and Severus's eyes flashed with fury. His hand clenched at his side, but before he could say anything more, the woman continued, pushing her luck.
"Do you really think she's enough for someone like you?" She sneered. "She's not even as beautiful as I am. She can't keep you the way I could."
At that moment, Severus's calm snapped. He had put up with years of mockery, disrespect, and manipulation—but this was different. This was an insult to Lorelei, and he would not tolerate it.
Without warning, Severus's fingers curled slightly. He muttered a quiet incantation under his breath—so softly that no one could hear. A brief flicker of magic flashed from his hand, though it was undetectable to anyone who wasn't a wizard.
The woman didn't notice, too caught up in her own arrogance, but as she turned to step away from him with a smirk, Severus's eyes darkened. She was about to regret this.
Later that evening, as Severus returned to Lorelei's side, the woman—still oblivious—pulled out her phone to start filming a new promotional video. But as she began to speak, something strange happened. A few strands of her perfectly styled hair, bright as platinum, suddenly began to fall out in clumps, tumbling onto her shoulders and face.
She paused mid-sentence, blinking in confusion as more of her hair fell away in wisps. Her fingers scrambled to fix it, but the hair continued to drop, leaving her looking disheveled in front of her millions of followers.
The young woman cursed under her breath, muttering to herself as she desperately tried to stop the cascade of hair falling from her head, all while still trying to appear "flawless" for the camera. But the damage was done. The video, now capturing her embarrassing moment, would be uploaded to her social media, and her followers would be quick to notice the odd, unexplained phenomenon.
By the time the woman could get herself under control, Severus had already turned away, his arm wrapped around Lorelei's waist as they strolled through the crowd, away from the scene. Lorelei didn't even notice his actions, her smile as radiant as always. She leaned into him, her voice warm as she asked, "Are you having a good time, Severus?"
Severus looked down at her, his eyes softening. "It's an... interesting evening," he said, his voice low. He glanced back one last time at the woman, who was now desperately attempting to fix her appearance, unaware of the consequences of her actions.
"Let's just say," Severus added quietly, "some people get more than they bargained for."
Lorelei smiled at him, but didn't ask any more questions. She didn't need to. Severus always knew how to handle things—his way.
And as they made their way to the exit, hand in hand, Severus felt a quiet sense of satisfaction. He wasn't a man who sought petty revenge, but when it came to protecting those he loved—he was a force to be reckoned with.