The conversation finally drifted to people who had supported Antonio Olario, and one name stood at the top of that list. Charlus Potter.
"I did not expect Lord Potter to actually vote for me," Antonio said frankly. "Especially after what happened in Hogsmeade."
"What happened in Hogsmeade?" Edmund asked with a stroke of curiosity.
"Oh!" Antonio remarked. "I forgot to mention this. I ran into James Potter in Hogsmeade, a few days back."
"And we had a little bit of a scuffle," Antonio said.
"What scuffle?" Edmund asked, fully attentive to the matter. Amelia too leaned in curiosity.
Antonio then recalled and narrated the turn of events to Edmund.
"Interesting," Edmund said. "But I do not think that could have had any effect on Lord Potter.'
"Firstly, he is too good of a man to let these small scuffles and arguments affect his decisions. He is not such a man whose decision could be swayed over such minor things, especially when it is related to his ideology and his hatred for the Death Eaters."
Edmund paused for a moment before continuing, "I should not be telling you this, but Lord Potter's relationship with his son has grown tense in the past few months."
Now this raised curiosity inside Antonio as he eyed Edmund for explanation.
"I do not know the details," Edmund clarified. "But it was during the vacations that I witnessed it. The tension between the father and son duo was clearly palpable. And though Lady Potter, Dorea, was trying to pacify the tensions, her disappointment with their son was evident."
"Charlus did not exactly try to hide it from me. He admitted his disappointment in his son and said something about James following the wrong ideals and path. But he was not very comfortable talking much about it, and hence I did not press it."
"Even so," Edmund added at last. "He hoped that once James graduated out of Hogwarts, he would realise his shortcomings and take the right path. Lord Potter was quite hopeful and optimistic about this."
"Oh!" Antonio mumbled, his mind wandering with all kinds of thoughts. The information revealed was not sufficient enough to come to any conclusion, but the last line seemed to say a lot of things.
Once James graduated from Hogwarts. Antonio believed that more than the graduation itself, Charlus was likely talking about his son being free from Dumbledore's influence. But what ideals had James picked that could have made Charlus disappointed?
"Yes," Edmund nodded. "And therefore, I do not see a reason that James's scuffle with you could have affected his decision.
In fact," Edmund added, "I am sure that Lord Potter would be interested in meeting with you. He considers himself a warrior of sorts, and you will have his respect for what you accomplished."
Antonio nodded, and then it clicked to him. Charlus Potter would have respect for what he had accomplished, and that likely included his killing of the two Death Eaters. And did not James hate the same thing? Had not the Potter heir labelled him as a scum for the killing?
Most probably, this was the clash of ideals. Of course, not because of himself and his actions, but in general.
James followed Dumbledore, who preached kindness and empathy even for criminals and death eaters. Who preached fighting the Killing Curse with a simple disarmament spell. If you were a follower of Dumbledore, then even if you stood before Voldemort, you could only shout Expelliarmus and then hope for the plot armour to save you.
But Charlus Potter was a warrior. He hated and hated with passion. He appreciated and probably wanted the Death Eaters to be hunted and killed. And this could very well be the main reason for the tension between the father and son duo. And Charlus hoped that once his son graduated, he would mend his ways.
And this was an interesting piece of information for Antonio.
"I would introduce you soon to Lord Potter," Edmund's voice snapped Antonio back to his thoughts.
"Sure," Antonio smiled.
"We should proceed for the dinner," Amelia added.
"Ah!" Edmund remarked as he realised that it had been more than an hour since Antonio had arrived at the Bones manor. And it was getting late for dinner.
The trio had just seated themselves at the dining table and Edmund was about to order his house elf for dinner to be served when a loud boom echoed from outside.
"Wards," Antonio was the first to react, his wand appeared in his hand from the wand holster, gripped tightly in his fingers. "The wards have been hit."
Edmund looked shaken for a moment but soon regained control. With a swift motion, his wand was out and in his hand. Amelia had also overcome her initial shock, her face set in a resolute expression.
While they should have been more shocked, this was not the time for such feelings. They had no luxury to ponder or express their surprise and shock.
Antonio hurried to the large window and looked outside. Another explosion rang out, and this time the wards trembled.
His eyes narrowed as he spotted eight wizards in Death Eater attire standing just beyond the Bones manor wards.
Compared to the half a dozen Death Eaters who had attacked Antonio before, these ones radiated a much stronger aura. The pressure they emitted was immense.
They were huddled together, taking turns to hurl their most powerful spells at the exact same spot on the wards.
"Four more strikes," Antonio informed Edmund and Amelia as they, too, approached the window. "And the front section of the wards will be damaged enough for them to break through."
Edmund, who had control of the wards, naturally knew their remaining strength. Hatred and rage flickered across his face, though he kept his emotions in check.
"I will kill them before they break my wards," Edmund muttered as he spun and dashed toward the window. While spells from outside could not enter through the wards, spells from inside could also pass through, and Edmund intended to use that time to strike down the Death Eaters.
"No," Antonio immediately held Edmund back. "It will not work."
By the time they would close the distance the death eaters would have landed few more hits and the wards would be on the verge of breaking. And the death eaters would spot them as soon as they would have stepped into the massive front lawn. So, even from inside the ward, they would not have any surprise element left.
"What do you intend do then?" Edmund asked as he used his Occlumency to calm his nerves. He realised that Antonio Olario was more competent than he was. And he could only thank his fate that Antonio was present when his mansion had been attacked.
"I do not want even a single of them to escape," Antonio mumbled his face turning stern.
"Lord Bones, they must be expecting only the two of you inside the manor," Antonio continued. "They would not be expecting a third presence. That too me."
"Trust me and do as I say," Antonio added and Edmund nodded. To follow, Antonio's plan was the best option he had.
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