[I do not why many people had been expecting the attack on Edmund Bones just now. If you read that chapter, you will find out that Voldemort had set the day of attack 7 days later. And it is great coincidence, that the day is same day on which Antonio's case is to be heard at Wizengamot.]
Antonio emerged from the meeting feeling quite tired. In a single meeting, he had realised that he had not been really made for the very subtle art of politics.
The detailed discussion with Edmund and then the repeated evaluation and re-evaluation of their strategy and approach at the upcoming Wizengamot hearing has left him quite drained.
He was not really physically tired but he had begun to lose interest in the discussions after a certain point of time. Maybe, brewing wine and serving it was a far more relaxing job.
"Bored? Tired?" Amelia asked. She was accompanying him to see off outside the wards from where he would apparate.
"Not really," Antonio replied dryly.
Amelia burst out chuckling, "It is written all over your face."
Antonio merely smiled wryly at this.
"About the support of a other faction I had talked about," Amelia breached the topic which had been on Antonio's mind for some time but he had not brought it up. He had thought that Edmund himself might have brought that topic for discussion but the Bones Lord had not spoken a word about it and so neither did he.
"A certain Lord is willing to support you," she added further and Antonio almost cringed.
No not because of support. It was good news for him. He obviously needed it. He had cringed at the thought of going through another meeting. This seemed a hassle to him.
And Amelia who very easily read his expression burst out laughing once more.
"Relax," she said after a moment. "You do not have to meet him. At least not before the trial."
"He has promised support for you without any demands. He probably hates the dark lord and his masked death eaters as strongly as we do."
"And may I ask who this 'he' is?" Antonio questioned with raised eyebrows.
For all the mannerism from Amelia, whoever this 'he' was seemed a powerful and influential lord. And since he was being constantly referred to as 'he' and not by any of his titles, probably Amelia or 'he' wanted to keep his name a secret.
"You can," she giggled, "But I would not tell."
"Has the lord forbidden you?" Antonio asked.
"No," she answered. "My decision. But you will surely know who he is in the Wizengmot hearing."
Antonio nodded. He did not press the issue further.
By this time, they were outside the gates of the Bones Manor and also outside the range of its wards.
"Lord Olario," Amelia said just as Antonio was readying himself for apparition.
"I believe that I should not really meddle with your affairs," she continued in a serious tone, "but when dealing with Lord Black, be careful."
He raised his eyebrows wondering if she was warning him about something.
"Do not misunderstand what I say," she added. "And I am not saying that Lord Black is a bad or an evil person but he is a very tough negotiator."
"Since, he has agreed to meet you with the support for you in his consideration so easily, he must have something in his mind."
Like any ally should, Antonio had very duly informed Edmund Bones that he would be meeting Arcturus Black and that he seemed hopeful for securing support from Lord Black.
Edmund had been very surprised but certainly not averse to the idea. In fact, he had welcomed it and had encouraged Antonio.
Although, Edmund did not say anything directly there was a hint in his voice that till now Lord Black had maintained quite a neutral position about the rise of this sudden pure blood movement.
And this was a good chance to rope him in their favour. It might not be permanent but definitely a good start.
Antonio gave a nod of acknowledgement for Amelia's advice. Even without her telling him, he would have remained carful with that man. His reputation proceeded the man himself.
"See you, Miss. Bones," he muttered.
Amelia smiled, "Bye, Lord Olario" and then Antonio apparated away from the Bones Manor.
.
.
.
Antonio reappeared a street away from his house. He had no wards to prevent him from directly appearing inside the office but he needed a lone and sober walk to clear his mind and organise everything that has transpired today.
This was something which he had needed very dearly to clear many things going through his head.
It took him a 10 min walk to reach the entrance of his house and he was lost in own thoughts. Specifically, about a single name. Aurora Sinistra.
To be honest, he had expected her to barge in his house just like Bellatrix had. But he had not even received a word from Aurora. She was definitely not like this especially considering when a lot of ice had been broken between the duo in their previous meeting. He had expected her arrival.
And it was not only about her checking on him after a devastating attack on his inn but also about the meeting they had agreed about.
Antonio had agreed to meet his grandfather, Lord Raphel Sinistra. A specific day had not been fixed but they had agreed that she would talk to his grandfather and inform him about the dates.
Well, not a lot of time has passed since the night she had visited and the attack has happened thereafter, two days to be exact but Antonio could not help but feel that something was amiss. Instinctive feeling he would say.
He decided to write a letter to her. But what he would write? 'Why did you not check upon me?'
He could not think of it properly but he would surely come with an answer.
Antonio prepared himself some dinner and picked up the newspaper. He had glanced the headline in the morning but had not read it.
Two wizards killed in a brutal showdown.
A moving picture of him firing a spell was displayed just below the headline. It seemed that the picture had been extracted from memory of some individual who had been hiding in his house during the time of attack. Although his face was not really clear, he was sure that the individual must have paid handsomely for the copy of their memory. And it must not have been only this picture but the entire incident.
A brutal attack had been launched by a group of 6 individuals on an individual named Lord Antonio Olario. Lord Olario runs a small inn is quite famous for its wine and beverages in the locality. As per the people who witnessed the entire action hidden from their houses and shops, the attack began around 10:00 pm.
They reported of loud booming sounds, which in all cases was the result of spells hitting the roof of the inn. The inn had been completely destroyed in the attack.
After the spells struck the building, Lord Olario emerged from inn and began the brutal showdown.
The story then described in great detail about how Antonio killed two wizards and severed the arm of another. Antonio was quite pleased with the report as it had reported straight facts and had not manipulated anything.
If it had been Rita Skeeter doing the reporting, in all probability, he might have been declared the original criminal.
Antonio have had his dinner and went to sleep. And tomorrow evening, he has had to meet Arcturus Black.
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