The members of the Wizengamot gathered in the hall once again. Although there was a slight anticipation for the judgment, it was still subdued. Everyone already knew the result. This was just a formality left.
Antonio was seated on the chair meant for him.
"Esteemed members of the Wizarding Council," Dumbledore's steady and firm voice echoed through the hall. "I, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, will hereby announce the decision of the hearing that has just concluded. I in accordance with the oath of my office of Chief Warlock want to reaffirm that I have ensured there were no discrepancies in the vote count.
"Antonio Olario, who had been accused of deliberately murdering two wizards, is hereby pronounced innocent and free of all charges. The council accepts that his actions was an act of self defence and that he did nothing which could be considered grounds for punishment. His actions were completely justiciable."
The judgment, much like the hearing, was crisp and short. No beating around the bush, no unnecessary clamour only pure facts, stated plainly.
The council remained silent as they waited for Dumbledore to announce the closure of the case and the adjournment of the council. It was the last formality before they could leave the hall and depart for their homes.
Dumbledore was about to do so. He had just picked up his gavel to strike on the wooden table and announce the gravel when he spotted a small yellow light flickering among the members. His gavel paused mid air as he looked towards the light.
Not only Dumbledore, but the rest of the members of the council also noticed it. It was Alicus Marius. He had his wand raised, a yellow glow flickering at its tip.
Like the white and red lights had specific meanings during the vote, the yellow light too had a specific purpose. It meant that the member had something important to say or announce to the Wizengamot and wanted to interrupt the proceedings of the council.
While Alicus had stood and shouted once during the hearing, that had been a different scenario. Most members generally stood up and spoke when they wished to say something, but the yellow light carried significance. It was a formal request to speak. Something meant for the official record. And unless the matter was truly important, members rarely used this instrument.
"Lord Marius," Dumbledore said in a low voice with a frown on his face. "You want to say something?"
The old wizard did not have a good feeling about it. The yellow light was not a thing that members used lightly.
Alicus stood from his seat. "Yes, Chief Warlock Dumbledore."
He continued with an eerily calm expression, "I, Alicus Marius, am not satisfied with this judgement. It is for all to see that Antonio Olario killed my only son, and whatever Antonio did was a deliberate act. He had destroyed my family and the legacy of house Marius. Therefore, I cannot let this act go unpunished."
He faced Antonio, his features contorted in rage. "Antonio Olario, I challenge you to an honour duel. I ask that you accept this challenge and fight me in this duel."
Alicus was not sure if Antonio would accept his challenge, but he had to try. His best bet was that Antonio had been extremely arrogant and conceited during the hearing. He had acted like a young, hot blooded man, and thus there was a good chance he would accept the challenge.
Even if he did not, it would tarnish his image. Alicus would still have his revenge later. This was the best he could hope for.
"Alicus Marius," it was Dumbledore who almost snapped in anger. "Have you gone mad? Are you trying to revive the old age customs of savagery. Do you want to bring back those times where blood was shed and lives were lost only because of an imaginary honour?"
"We are a civilised society. We live in a world governed by rules and laws," he almost boomed. "The Wizengamot and the Ministry of Magic are the lawful institutions, and here you are trying to take a way that should not have even existed."
"Calling old age customs savagery is not a thing you should do," Arcturus Black drawled from his seat, mockery evident in his eyes. "Especially when you are seated in the chair of a Chief Warlock."
Dumbledore was about to lash out once more, but Antonio beat him to it.
"I agree with your opinion and views, Chief Warlock Dumbledore," Antonio remarked, and Dumbledore breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that he would deny the duel.
"But alas!" Antonio continued, shocking Dumbledore, "you have no say in this matter."
He turned towards Alicus. "I accept this duel. And I will kill you just the same as I had killed your son."
There was a stunned silence in the council hall. They had not expected for the events to take this sudden turn.
Dumbledore almost looked shocked and taken aback. He had been working hard to do away with such customs, and here it was being revived right before his very eyes. These kind of 'pure blood' customs was something which he hated from his very core and wanted them to disappear completely from Wizarding Britain.
Honour duel had been a very old age custom followed since time immemorial. As the name suggested, the custom was invoked when one person felt that his honour had been tarnished.
In the past, honour duels were considered an extremely sacred tradition and were never to be initiated lightly. They were not meant to settle petty differences or small scuffles. Unless it truly concerned matters of genuine honour, the custom was not invoked.
But over the past years, these customs had taken a back seat, though they had surely not vanished.
And there was one ironclad rule of honour duels. It ended only when one among the two died.
"I think the arena in the ministry would be a good spot," Arcturus mumbled in low tone but his voice was clear for all to hear. "It had been years since I saw a duel in the arena."
Dumbledore head snapped in Arcturus' direction. The Black lord was bearing a victorious smirk on his face and it did not take Dumbledore another moment to realise who was the mastermind behind this sudden turn of events.
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