Drafel Sinistra looked nervous and awkward as Antonio asked him to describe the problem that Aurora had been going through. Though he had come with the clear purpose of explaining Aurora's situation, now that he was here sitting in front of Antonio Olario himself, unease and discomfort gnawed at him.
Whatever he was about to do, it was, in truth, an act of defiance against his own family. He had come without the knowledge of his father, Raphael, or his brother, Trafel Sinistra. And his father would never approve of such actions.
In fact, if Lord Sinistra ever discovered what he had done, Drafel knew he would face his father's wrath. And that was not a reliving thing.
Yet, his love for his daughter outweighed his fear. For the past week, worry and dread had consumed him. He had ben helpless. He did not have power, did not have allies, and did not have anyone he could turn to. All he had been able to do was to clench his fist, make little arguments with father and then stay silent and helpless.
But when Antonio's letter for Aurora arrived at Sinistra Manor, a small spark of hope had flickered in his heart. Even then, he had been uncertain whether Lord Olario would be willing to help. Antonio himself had been going though troubles of his own, the Wizengamot hearing.
But when Antonio appeared at the Sinistra mansion, that fragile hope bloomed into something stronger. From the shadows of the manor, Drafel had been watching. Antonio's reaction to being denied to see Aurora made it clear that there was a very real chance he would help Aurora, even at risk to himself. And so, Drafel had steeled his heart and resolved to meet him.
"Lord Olario," Drafel sighed deeply. "I do not know how much Aurora told you about our family's situation that night when she was sent to seek your help."
"To seduce me and seek my help," Antonio's icy voice cut him off. "She was sent here to seduce me and seek my help."
Drafel felt his hands and legs go cold. Aurora had not told anyone what had truly transpired that night. Like the rest of the family, he had assumed that she had succeeded in her task and that Antonio's willingness to help, followed by his visit to the Sinistra manor, was proof of her success. But now Antonio mentioning this had sent a chill down Drafel's spine.
"Lord Olario…" he stammered, unable to form a proper response.
"Was it your idea?" Antonio pressed, ignoring Drafel's floundering.
"No," Drafel denied quickly. "I was against it. But under my father and brother's persuasion, Aurora agreed."
Antonio nodded, his expression softening slightly. "Continue."
Drafel took a few moments to steady himself before speaking again.
"As I was saying," he said. "I do not know how much Aurora confided in you about our family's troubles. But when she returned home that night, she was very pleased and happy. She told the family you had promised to come and meet Lord Sinistra in a few days."
"This was joyous news for us," Drafel continued, his voice trembling faintly. "For the first time in weeks, we believed that all our woes might finally be coming to an end."
"We had still been rejoicing over the good news when another message reached us," Drafel said in a hesitant tone.
"The news of you killing four Death Eaters and one of them being the son of Alicus Marius, who was a very close friend of Barty Crouch, the Head of the DMLE."
"The news threw the entire family into shock. Aurora immediately tried to come and meet you, but my father forbade it. He did not allow her to set a foot outside the house."
"Though he acknowledged your magical strength, my father did not believe you were politically well established. Yes, there was a chance you might have been aligned with the Black family, but he was unwilling to take that risk. He was almost certain you would not walk free after the trial, that with all his influence, Barty Crouch would see you thrown into Azkaban, even if only for a few years. And so, he decided that associating with you in such a moment was far too dangerous. He forbade Aurora from contacting you."
Even though Drafel had revealed much of the story, Antonio still could not see why Aurora would be in danger within a couple of weeks.
"And I still do not see the reason your father denied me an audience with Aurora today," Antonio said, his tone sharp.
"I walked free from the Wizengamot trial. I displayed political strength with the Potters, the Blacks, and the Bones voting in my favour. I displayed my magical strength by killing Alicus Marius in an overwhelming manner. And I have secured a new lordship with a seat in the Wizengamot. I have walked out of Wizengamot hearing more powerful than ever."
"After all this, should not your father be more respectful towards me?" Antonio questioned. "Perhaps even eager to correct the mistake of keeping me at arm's length this past week?"
Drafel nodded slowly.
"He should have been," he answered, "but something else happened."
"My father, at heart, is a pure blood supremacist. The only reason he hesitated with the group he was in contact with was because they demanded financial support, funding for their cause, their organization, whatever it truly is. And he was unwilling to part with his wealth. He is a bit greedy and only makes a deal when is profiting."
Antonio gave a curt nod. Aurora had already told him her grandfather sympathized with the Death Eaters' views, though his greed kept him from fully committing.
"But something happened?" Antonio pressed, one eyebrow arched.
"Yes," Drafel admitted. "A couple of the days after the incident, three men came again to see my father. Two were the same as before but this time they brought another. A new man. He was their leader."
"This man…" Drafel continued, "this man made a lucrative offer to my father. An offer in which my father and my family will make immense profit. We will not have to lose anything but only gain. More political prestige. Business deals. More wealth."
"But he needed only one thing in return," Drafel sighed. "He wanted Aurora. He wanted to marry her."
There was no visible change in Antonio's demeanour but the expression on Antonio's face had turned cold and his eyes were blazing fire.
"Who is it?" He snapped, his fury palpable in his voice.
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