For the first time since transmigrating into this new body and receiving his power boost, Antonio's instincts flared. Dangerous. He knew, without a doubt, that the woman standing before him, Minerva McGonagall, was a dangerous individual.
He could feel her magical presence, the power bubbling within her like a storm barely restrained. Despite her neutral expression and calm nature, he could feel the power and authority that radiated from her.
Perhaps it was because of her sudden, unannounced arrival or perhaps it was something else entirely but Antonio had not felt this kind of alertness even around Edmund Bones or Arcturus Black.
Even when James and Sirius had pointed their wands at him, he had not so much as flinched. He could have overpowered them several times over before they managed to cast a single spell.
It was not that he felt fear or helplessness in front of Minerva. He was confident in his ability to handle her if needed. But her presence was overwhelming.
And in that moment, Antonio truly understood what it meant to stand before a real powerhouse.
As Minerva entered the inn, her eyes immediately narrowed on James and Sirius.
"Mr. Potter," her stern voice echoed through the room, "Mr. Black. If you would kindly lower your wands."
Neither of them protested. They obeyed without hesitation.
"Professor," James said, his tone defensive, "we rushed here as soon as we heard that Lily had been brought here by them."
He gestured toward Antonio and Bellatrix as he spoke, his voice laced with the same disgust as before.
Now that Minerva was present, he and his friends stood taller, clearly feeling more confident than before.
Minerva did not respond right away. Her gaze shifted to Lily and Pandora.
"Were you forced or coerced in any way into accompanying Lord Olario or Miss Black?" she asked firmly.
"No… no, Professor," Lily stammered. "We came here of our own accord. We just wanted to talk—"
"Enough, Miss Evans," Antonio cut her off before she delved into what they were talking about.
The way Minerva had entered and begun directing questions and commands without acknowledging him had rubbed Antonio the wrong way. He respected Minerva for her integrity. But this? This felt like dismissal. An insult.
"Professor," he sighed, "does Hogwarts interfere in the personal lives of every student, or is this concern reserved only for special cases?"
He did not wait for a response and continued.
"Does the school concern itself with every interaction and disagreement between students, or does it only act in selective cases?"
"Miss Evans has been repeatedly challenged by a few Slytherin pure blood students, in the past few days, simply because I praised her talents. Did Hogwarts care then? Did you or anyone else step in? Or were your eyes closed for the greater good?"
Minerva's composure faltered ever so slightly at those final words for the greater good. Dumbledore's phrase.
The very reasoning she had accepted when she chose not to intervene. What greater good was hidden in students challenging and disturbing Lily, she did not know. But she knew better not to question Dumbledore too much.
Antonio raised an eyebrow.
"Looks like I have gotten the cat to bite the tongue," he said with a soft, cold chuckle. Was it a jab at Minerva's cat animagus form or the simple use of saying, only Antonio knew.
Lily blinked in confusion, not quite grasping his phrasing but she understood enough. Antonio had just made a point, one she herself had never considered until now. He was right.
The professors had to have known. They could not have missed how often she was being challenged or provoked. And now that he had said it aloud, Lily found herself wondering the same thing. Why had not anyone stepped in before?
Minerva knew the man standing before her was making a few obvious and valid points. But she could not allow her integrity, nor the prestige of Hogwarts, to be openly questioned or undermined.
"Lord Olario," she said, her voice still firm and authoritative, "I believe it would be best if you refrained from making commentary that challenges the authority of Hogwarts or mine."
"You have no formal stake in this matter," she continued. "Hogwarts knows how to address its own issues. It does not require guidance from an outsider."
She let the words settle for a moment before adding, "Furthermore, I must ask you and Miss Black to leave Hogsmeade immediately. While your case remains under the consideration of the Wizengamot, you are still an accused party in a murder investigation. You are not welcome here."
Her words were direct. Blunt. Minerva McGonagall did not mince them not when the reputation of her school and her own sense of duty were on the line.
"Oh?" Antonio chuckled, amused by the irony. How strange, he thought, that in the future, a former Death Eater would hold one of the most prestigious positions at Hogwarts. The Head of Slytherin House and Potions Master.
"Well, you are absolutely right, Professor McGonagall," Antonio said with a smile. "I may not have a formal stake in this matter."
He leaned forward slightly, his voice calm but laced with challenge.
"But tell me, Professor, if Miss Evans were to formally file a complaint about the students harassing her, about coming after her, what would you do?"
"No, better yet, what could you do?"
His smile faded, replaced by a cold, piercing stare.
"What nonsense would you give her? That she should be kind to her attackers? Compassionate to them? That she should forgive them?"
"And then, perhaps, you would say that even if you do have a formal stake in the matter, and we have the authority to act, we choose not to because we serve the greater good."
"Lord Olario…" Minerva mumbled through gritted teeth, her composure strained.
And then, Lily understood.
The realization sank in. Antonio glanced at her, and the look on Lily's face made it clear. She was going to file a formal complaint.
A few well placed words from Antonio had thrown Hogwarts and more importantly, Dumbledore into a difficult dilemma.
Either allow the harassment to continue for the greater good and risk losing Lily's trust. Or take action publicly and decisively.
Antonio, sensing his work was done, smirked in quiet satisfaction. His eyes locked with Minerva's as he offered her a final, wordless grin.
"Miss Black," he said smoothly, taking Bellatrix's hand, "action does not solely mean preventing things in the future. It also means holding people accountable for the past. Just because I choose not to kill in the future does not mean I am not responsible for my actions in the past. I am accountable for those actions too."
And in the next instant, the two of them vanished from the secluded inn. Few galleons had been left on the table. Payment for the drinks.
The final words were clearly meant for Lily. And they struck deep.
Because it was true out of desperation, Dumbledore might now intervene to stop any further harassment of Lily.
But what about everything that had already happened?
Justice was not just about preventing harm. It was also about punishing those who had already caused it.
As the duo disappeared before her eyes, Minerva clenched her teeth, the scowl on her face deepening.
Meanwhile, Lily remained seated silently, her expression thoughtful.
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