Antonio spoke with Aurora for a few more moments and he very clearly sensed the awkwardness and shyness emanating from her. He did not need to be a genius to figure out the reason behind it. Even so, he did not bring the subject up, deciding to let it be for now. It was not that he intended to ignore the issue forever, but today was simply not the time. Officially they were betrothed and sooner or later they would have to address the issue. It was not something that they could run away from.
Shortly after, Aurora's family finished offering their condolences to the Bones siblings, and she departed with them. When would they be able to meet the next time, that he had no idea about.
Antonio had expected that Raphel Sinistra to have a few words for him, but the old man did not even spare a glance towards him. Antonio could hardly guess what was going in the old man's mind.
The line of visitors meeting Amelia and Edgar continued for a few more minutes before finally tapering off. Only a few people remained. Minerva, Dumbledore, Edgar, and a handful of others.
Antonio had also spotted Arcturus Black, accompanied by his two sons, Orion and Cygnus, and his granddaughter, Bellatrix. She exchanged brief glances with Antonio but did not approach him. She likely had no desire to irritate her father or cause a scene in such a sensitive environment.
It also appeared to Antonio that Arcturus himself wanted to speak with him, yet the Lord of the House of Black hesitated. Antonio could easily guess the reason for that hesitation and the nervousness behind it.
In reality, Antonio was not truly disappointed with Arcturus Black. Had Lord Black jumped into the fray in his support, Antonio would have taken it and have certainly viewed it in a positive light and would have owed the man a significant favor.
However, the fact that Arcturus had remained on the sidelines did not mean Antonio harbored any hostility toward him.
Even if he had felt a measure of resentment, he would never have shown it. This was politics, after all. He could not afford to distance himself from a man of Arcturus Black's stature over such a minor lapse.
Lord Black remained a potentially invaluable ally in the upcoming political storm, and Antonio had no intention of discarding such a powerful connection over a moment of hesitation.
Antonio also exchanged a nod with Minerva McGongall, who was standing beside Dumbledore, but neither of them approached the other.
It was not for a lack of things to say to each other. In fact, there were a multitude of matters to be discussed. But they both understood that now was not the time. Or maybe, just maybe, Dumbledore's looming presence was also on their mind. They did not want to discuss anything in his presence.
The guests were finally finished with their condolences, and the hour for Edgar's departure had arrived. The Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts had waited patiently to escort him back to the castle.
As the last man stepped down from the platform, Antonio spotted Amelia and Edgar whispering to one another.
What began as a quiet conversation escalated within moments.
Their expressions turned grave, their hand signs and gestures turned aggressive, and it became obvious that an argument had broken out between the siblings.
Amelia looked livid, her posture rigid with anger and she seemed to not agree with whatever Edgar had just said. Edgar, though seemingly trying to remain calm, was clearly refusing to back down from whatever point he was making.
The confrontation continued for some time before the heat of the argument finally seemed to cool, and though Antonio could still feel Amelia's irritation and frustration, their expressions returned to a mask of normalcy.
Finally, Edgar hugged his sister, whispered his goodbyes, and approached Dumbledore and Minerva. Dumbledore took Edgar's hand, and with a soft crack, the trio vanished from the spot.
"Lord Olario," Amelia said, approaching Antonio.
She looked utterly tired and exhausted, her shoulders were slumping and her face appeared dim.
More than the stress of the funeral, she seemed drained by her conversation with her brother. Though Antonio had a fair idea of what had transpired, he did not want to intrude himself between the siblings unless Amelia chose to speak of it herself.
"Amelia," Antonio said softly. "It went well."
"Yes," she sighed.
"Lord Olario," she added after a heavy silence. "Do you know anything about this new group Headmaster Dumbledore is forming to oppose the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters?"
Antonio nodded slowly.
"Yes," he acknowledged. "The Headmaster not only invited me to join his organisation, he also informed me that Edgar has already signed on in."
"I assume," he added gently, "that this was the cause of the argument between you and your brother."
"It was," she said, taking a deep breath. "And he has asked me to join the group as well."
Antonio nodded. This was no surprise. Given Dumbledore's methods, it was inevitable that he would try to pull Amelia in.
As the daughter of Edmund Bones, she was one of the most prominent faces of the anti Dark Lord movement. Her involvement would bring the group immense support and public sympathy.
Furthermore, Dumbledore was likely hoping that by securing the Bones siblings, he would inevitably draw Antonio in as well, effectively bringing the entire Bones faction under his banner.
"I do not want Edgar in that group," Amelia remarked sharply. "I may sound selfish, but I do not want my brother killed by Death Eaters. I am not willing to throw him into the path of danger."
"But he would not even listen to me," she continued, her voice tinged with frustration. "He kept arguing that this was our father's legacy, that it was his responsibility to carry it forward."
"It seems I have no way to convince him to back out," she added. "He is hell bent on seeking revenge."
Antonio remained quiet for a moment before responding.
"If it offers any comfort, the Headmaster promised me that Edgar will not be on the front lines. He claims Edgar's role is purely ideological," he said. "A matter of public support rather than actual combat."
"That provides some relief," Amelia responded, but the flat tone of her voice made it clear that, like Antonio, she did not entirely trust Dumbledore's word.
"Will you be joining the group?" Antonio asked.
"Will you?" Amelia countered, meeting his gaze.
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