The week leading up to the trial had passed without much ado. Things appeared calm and smooth in the Wizarding society, at least on the surface. Many had expected a retaliatory and revenge attack on Antonio Olario from the death eaters, but no such event had materialised.
During this particular week, it seemed as though the Death Eaters had vanished entirely. There had been utter calm from their side and not even their presence had been filled. While it was not the first time a lull had occurred in their actions, those with experience and discerning eyes could tell this time was different. This calm felt like the silence that precedes a storm.
Antonio himself had done little over the past few days. He had remained holed up in his house, focusing solely on deepening his understanding and control of magic. Whether he had intended it or not, he had been fully drawn into the enmity with Voldemort and his followers, and a confrontation with the Dark Lord was now inevitable. And obviously, he was not going to seek peace with the dark lord.
In such a scenario, increasing his strength was the wisest course of action.
Bellatrix had paid a couple more visits to his home, and to Antonio's surprise, she had even gifted him a book of spells from the coveted Black family library. He had been quite pleased by the gesture. It had really helped him a lot and had been a fine addition in his already immense knowledge and magical skill set.
Another unexpected development during the week was a visit from Amelia Bones. Hers had been more formal visit, a meeting to finalise the details ahead of the trial.
During their conversation, Antonio had taken the opportunity to inform her of Arcturus Black's unconditional support and the proposal he had put forward. She had been deeply shocked upon hearing it- both the unconditional support and the proposal, but she did not oppose it.
And he had received no word back from Edmund Bones either, which meant that they had no objections. The decision regarding Arcturus Black's suggestion was now entirely his to make.
Another thing had happened in the past week that left a slight trace of worry in Antonio's heart. He had sent a letter to Aurora. It had been a simple message, something between two friends. Even so, he had included enough subtle hints to reference the conversation they had shared that night. But to his utter surprise and dismay, no reply had come.
Antonio had felt the urge to rush to the Sinistra estate, to demand answers. But in the end, he had restrained himself.
He decided that it would be best to visit them only after clearing his name before the Wizengamot. That, he believed, was the wiser course of action.
Antonio stood in front of the mirror, gazing at his reflection. Dressed in formal robes, he looked striking and handsome, and certainly not like an accused man awaiting his day in the Wizengamot.
He took a deep breath and, with a twist of space, vanished from his home.
.
.
.
When Antonio reappeared, he found himself standing in front of the large Ministry of Magic building. Not far from him stood a couple of Aurors and Amelia Bones, dressed in her Auror attire.
"Lord Olario," she approached with a neutral expression. "Follow me."
He gave her a small nod and fell in step behind her, while the two Aurors took position behind him. Although he had been granted the privilege of roaming freely for the past seven days thanks to Amelia's recommendation and Moody's discretionary authority, he was now to be presented before the Wizengamot as an accused. And he would be escorted there by Aurors.
"The meeting is scheduled to begin in another fifteen minutes," Amelia informed him as she walked ahead with crisp, purposeful steps.
She led him through a passage reserved for Ministry personnel, and as a result, they encountered little to no crowd along the way.
After a few minutes of walking, they arrived outside a small door. A bench had been placed just beside it.
"This is the back door of Hall Number Seven," she explained. "It is the one used by Aurors."
"You can sit here in the meantime," she added.
Antonio nodded and took a seat on the bench.
Amelia then turned to the two Aurors. "If you wish, you may leave. I will handle everything from here."
The two looked at her with mild surprise. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Amelia nodded. "I trust Lord Olario would not try anything foolish right outside the courtroom."
The two Aurors exchanged glances, then nodded and walked off.
"So," Amelia asked once the aurors were out of sight and they were alone, "how are you feeling? Nervous? Afraid?"
Antonio chuckled awkwardly. "Not really… though, yes, a little nervous. You do not get tried for murder every day, after all."
Amelia smiled at that.
"Even so," she said. "You are more composed than most people facing the Wizengamot, even if it is just for some petty crime."
Antonio was not sure whether to take it as a compliment or not. He could only offer a small smile at that. The next ten minutes passed in complete silence, until Amelia suddenly stood up.
"It is time," she said quietly.
Antonio could not tell if she was following a predetermined schedule or if she had just received a signal from within. He made a mental note to ask her about it sometime later.
Amelia pulled the doors open and gestured for him to walk inside.
Antonio took a deep breath and stepped through.
He had to squint slightly as his eyes adjusted to the brightness of the Wizengamot chamber. He had entered directly into the well of the hall. Surrounding him on all sides were elevated seats where the lords and ladies of various wizarding houses were already seated.
At the very centre, occupying the highest seat, was an old man with a long, flowing white beard. Albus Dumbledore, the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot.
On the second most prominent seat in the front row sat a middle aged man. Harold Minchum, the current Minister for Magic.
In the centre of the well, directly before him, stood a solitary chair. His chair, no doubt.
At one end of the chamber was the visitors' balcony. From the corner of his eye, Antonio spotted several familiar faces, most notably Bellatrix, seated with a calm poise, and some distance away, Rodolphus, whose expression was unreadable.
A number of journalists were seated as well, their quills already floating on their notebooks.
Bellatrix gave him a small smile of encouragement.
Antonio also recognized several members of the Wizengamot seated around the chamber. Edmund Bones, Arcturus Black, Charlus Potter, Abraxas Malfoy, Reinhart Lestrange. He had not met all of them personally, but their faces and reputations were familiar enough.
It was finally time for his trial to begin in Wizengamot.
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