Another couple of days had passed since Bellatrix Black had visited Antonio at his Olario manor and had made him train her in attaining mastery over the water golem spell.
And thanks to Antonio's teachings, Bellatrix had successfully learnt the spell. She had not attained mastery over the spell, not yet, but it was only a matter of time. She just needed more practice with the spell.
It was a given that she would not be able to become as good as Antonio was. The magical reserves and prowess and the very high degree of control that he had over his massive magical reserves were almost impossible to match. But with time, she would get better and better.
Although the training he had given Bellatrix on a few occasions had been specifically focused on the golem spell, the insight he had provided her to learn that spell would surely help her in the long term. He had guided her enough in magical principales. And it was certainly not that this was the last training session Bellatrix would ask of Antonio. She was going to pester him more and more. In fact, she wanted much more from him and Antonio too had felt in his previous meeting.
Today Antonio had woken up a bit earlier than usual. He had freshened up, bathed, had his breakfast and then dressed himself in one of the finest clothes he had. Something that he had bought recently.
He appeared as best as he could and without any doubt he looked great. Handsome and splendid.
Why? Today was a very special day for him after all. Today he was going to attend his first Wizengamot meeting as a member of the Council. As Lord Olario. Today was the day when he would be formally inducted as Lord Olario into the Wizengamot. He would take his place in the Wizengamot.
This session had not been specially called for him to be inducted into the Wizengamot. It had actually been called for the trial to be held about the attack on Hogsmeade.
Surprisingly or maybe unsurprisingly, Lord Edmund Bones and Amelia Bones had not been formally charged for the killings by the Ministry. It had been admitted that the father daughter duo had indeed killed the death eaters, but it had also been admitted that they had acted in self defence when the said death eaters had intruded into the house. It was more of a formality, a discussion to be held rather than an actual trial.
Antonio arrived at the Ministry building using the Floo. His new manor had Floo installed.
He exited the Floo fireplace at the Ministry Atrium. His arrival caught the attention of a lot of people present in the atrium, and a wave of murmurs spread through the crowd. A bit of gossip and whispers about him. Him being formally inducted was not a small news after all.
In the last few days, whenever he had visited any public place, Antonio had come to realise that he had become quite known, quite popular. He had become a man who had the attention of people around him.
Ignoring the attention on him, Antonio strode forward towards the hall where the Council was supposed to happen. A couple of minutes later, Antonio pushed open a wooden door and entered the antechamber of the Council hall.
"Here is the man of the moment," a loud and boisterous laughter greeted him as soon as Antonio stepped inside the antechamber.
It was Edmund Bones standing not far away from the door. He was surrounded by a few of the other Lords who were part of Edmund's faction.
Since the incident of the attack on Bones Manor and the emergence of subsequent facts, Edmund Bones' reputation had soared tremendously. If there had been any cracks within his faction, they had all been patched up. Edmund's authority had been firmly established. No one doubted his leadership of the faction.
Not only his reputation, the reputation of his entire faction had soared as well. To such an extent that quite a few other Lords had been knocking on Edmund's doors to form a connection with his faction, if not outright join him.
"Lord Bones," Antonio greeted the Bones Lord and moved towards the little group.
"Congratulations, Lord Olario," Edmund wished Antonio. "You are going to formally become a Lord of the Wizengamot."
"Thank you, Lord Bones," Antonio smiled.
The other Lords greeted Antonio and he responded to them politely. Very soon the other Lords excused themselves, realising that Antonio and Edmund might want to talk alone.
"How are you feeling, Lord Olario?" Edmund questioned. "This is a very big and prestigious moment for you."
"It is, Lord Bones," Antonio nodded. "It is."
"Yes," Edmund nodded. "It is a new journey. Though current times are not very calm and probably not ideal. Things are very chaotic, but it is a new journey and a very prestigious journey that you are starting."
"This is a rare event. It has been a very long time since a new member has been inducted into the Wizengamot. Quite a few years. I had been very young when last someone had been admitted into the fold. How much time does it take before any new person is admitted to the Wizengamot?"
Antonio nodded in agreement. He realised the significance. Wizengamot seats were hereditary, and for a new person to get admitted into the Council was an extremely rare event.
"You know," Edmund continued, "I remember that last time someone became a Lord, a separate session had been called only for his formal induction. It had almost been like a celebration. In fact, a party had been organised by the ministry itself."
"But such times have come," he sighed. "Your induction is just ceremonial. The bastards have merged it with my hearing."
"It does not change anything, Lord Bones," Antonio replied. "I am still becoming a Lord with the same powers."
"Haha!" Edmund laughed. "You are correct."
Antonio was about to reply when another voice cut him off.
"What are you laughing about, Lord Bones?" the voice questioned. "Share the reason for your happiness with me too."
Antonio and Edmund looked sideways to see a tall and broad shouldered man approaching them. Arcturus Black.
"Lord Black," Edmund, though a bit surprised, greeted the man politely, and Antonio too followed suit.
Arcturus responded with his own polite nod and stood next to Antonio and Edmund.
It was the first time Antonio was meeting Arcturus Black ever since he had met the Black Lord for the first and last time in Hogsmeade. Antonio also realised that there was still some time left before the Wizengamot session began, and thus a small conversation could be held.
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