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Harry Potter: The True Lord- Chapter 8: Invitation
🕑 Added 2025-06-23 11:52:03 +0000 UTCBellatrix had departed from Antonio’s inn shortly that evening.
The few minutes they had spent in the inn had been filled with casual conversation. Mostly about magic and other harmless topics.
Antonio had made sure to steer away the topics of discussion from anything sensitive. He did not want to appear too intrusive by asking too much questions. Everything need to be worked up slowly.
He was not ready to show all his cards just yet. Before he made any moves, before he took any stand, he needed to know more. Know more about what exactly was brewing in the wizarding Britain. Much more.
The next morning, he had opened his inn at the usual time, only to realize that his first encounter with Bellatrix was far from over.
In his hands were two envelopes, both from Bellatrix, which had been delivered by an owl not long ago.
The first envelope contained an invitation:
Lord Olario,
You are invited to the Young Wizards and Witches Gathering being organised by the Black family.
Address: 4th Street, The Pure Avenue.
Bellatrix Black
The second envelope contained a letter addressed to him from Bellatrix.
Lord Olario,
Surprised? Do not be. Every year on January 2nd, my family, the Black family holds a gathering for young witches and wizards (those who’ve reached magical adulthood i.e. 18 years of age but are not yet 30).
It is a long-standing tradition, you know, a custom of sorts.
Basically, it is a showy event where heirs strut about, brag about their family name and accomplishments, and where they could build up connections and new friendships and marriages if possible. It is absolute whataboutery, but since I am the eldest of the Black, I am expected to show up and so I do.
Now, I expect you to show up too. Do not disappoint.
And yes, the invitation is a portkey to the location. Use my first name to activate the portkey.
—Bellatrix Black
Antonio scrunched his eyebrows in frown, not because he was uncertain about attending, but because the letter did not mention a dress code.
He had made his decision the moment he finished reading.
Attending this gathering was a no-brainer. If he wanted to learn more about Wizarding Britain, especially about the key figures and events that were about to unfold, he needed to socialize and form connections. And this gathering was going to house a lot of would be important players of the future events.
Hogwarts was no longer an option for him, so parties like these were golden opportunities. And Bellatrix had just handed him one on a silver platter. And he could not miss it.
The only dilemma? What to wear.
With no mention of attire in the letter, and no previous experience with Black family events, he was flying blind. He did not want to stand out as an oddity in the gathering for the wrong reasons.
After some deliberation, Antonio settled on a balanced choice. A black robe, elegant yet understated, which was neither too formal, nor too casual. And he matched them with a pair of black boots.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon, he took the invitation in hand, muttered “Bellatrix,” and disapparated from his inn.
.
.
.
When he reappeared, he was standing in a beautifully manicured lawn connected to a medium sized manor.
The decorations in the lawn which continued inside the manor were tasteful. Ribbons of white, purple, and blue colours had been used while magical lanterns were hovering in midair.
Wooden circular tables had been placed across the grass. One long table, along one side of the lawn, bore a spread of varieties of dishes that smelled as decadent as they looked. All the props in the party were befitting to name of the Black family, one of the richest family in the Wizarding Britain.
The crowd was small but ‘respectable’. Just over fifty people. A sense of excitement prevailed among the young witches and wizards as they chatted, laughed, and casted the occasional show-off spell.
Antonio scanned the crowd for Bellatrix, but before he could move, someone else caught his eye. A familiar face. He too was a familiar face for the lady.
“Olario?” a voice called as the woman approached with a radiant smile. “What are you doing here? Were you actually invited?”
Antonio turned and smiled, “Aurora. First of all, a very good evening.”
“And I am probably here for the same reason as you, to attend this gathering,” he added. “And I assume I would not be here if I had not been invited.”
Aurora Sinistra flushed, clearly embarrassed at her improper behaviour.
“Good evening, Olario,” she mumbled. “Sorry, I was just... surprised. You were the last person I expected to see at a Black family event.”
Antonio chuckled, not minding in the least, “And how have you been?”
Aurora pouted slightly, “I’ve been well. Though you are the last person who should ask this question.”
“You have not spoken to me in what, three years?” She said in mock anger.
She continued, “I must have sent you quite a few letters. And how you reacted?”
“All your replies were so dry. Like you were replying to a school newsletter, not a friend.”
Antonio could not help but give a sheepish smile. She was not wrong after all.
Aurora Sinistra had been one of his few real connections at Hogwarts. Both of them had been in Ravenclaw, same year, same classes. She was sharp girl with a confidence to boost, and one of the only people with whom the predecessor Antonio had been a genuine friend.
Ravenclaw was not exactly known for deep friendships, but she had been the closest thing he had to one.
For no specific reasons, Antonio had drifted away and had lost touch with this friend of hers. But now fate was doing its work again.
“Sorry,” he said. “It will not repeat again.”
Antonio smiled happily as she pulled Antonio into a hug as she added, “It better not repeat.”
“Who gave you the invitation?” She asked. Not all the people attending the gathering were entitled to give an invitation. This was a Black family gathering and besides them, only a rare few had the authority to do so.
“Bellatrix Black,” Antonio replied.
An expression of surprise appeared on her face. “The eldest of Black?” She asked to make sure that she heard right.
Antonio was about to reply when both of them spotted Bellatrix Black almost marching towards them.
