Almost a couple of hours had passed since Edmund, Charlus, and Antonio had arrived at Hogwarts.
Most of the parents whose children were safe and resting in their respective dormitories had left shortly after confirming their wellbeing. They had nothing to do at Hogwarts. Minerva had very firmly denied any of them meeting with their children that day. If they wanted to meet their children, they would have to wait for a day or two.
Only those whose children were still in the infirmary remained and among them were Antonio, Edmund, and Charlus.
Antonio had stayed for Lily. Though he had not shared a deep connection or relationship with her, they had only met once and hardly knew each other, he was deeply worried about her.
Maybe it was because he knew what should have happened in the future, and Lily was an important figure in it. Or perhaps, for some reason, he simply felt a strange sense of attachment and familiarity with her, one that made him unwilling to leave.
Lily's parents were naturally unaware of the situation, and even if they were informed, it would not have been easy for them to come to Hogwarts. For Muggle borns, even accessing Diagon Alley was already a rare privilege, especially under the growing influence of the darker faction of the pure bloods.
Edmund and Charlus had no real reason to stay, but they chose to remain with Antonio nonetheless. They did not understand what connection he might have had with the Muggle-born witch, but they did not pry, not at that moment, at least. They would ask later.
There was another notable presence Antonio had noticed. Orion Black and his wife, Walburga Black. They had come to check on their sons, Sirius and Regulus. Whether they, especially Walburga, really cared about Sirius or not was a different matter altogether.
It was the first time Antonio had seen Orion and Walburga in person. Though they had not exchanged any greetings, a flicker of recognition had passed through Orion's eyes. Orion, on the other hand, had exchanged polite nods with Edmund and Charlus.
Antonio did not know why, but he could not shake the feeling that Orion and Walburga had been watching him with a strange, assessing gaze. The thought made him feel slightly uneasy.
Though he understood that he had become a subject of curiosity because of recent events, Orion and Walburga's gaze had felt different. It was more intense, more deliberate as if they were searching for some kind of answer. Antonio wondered if it was related to Arcturus Black voting for him in the Wizengamot trial or something else.
The couple had not stayed long and departed shortly after confirming that both Sirius and Regulus were fine.
Albus Dumbledore and Alastor Moody had remained inside the infirmary for nearly an hour before leaving. Aurors were still stationed around the infirmary, and Antonio suspected that Albus and Alastor had gone to the Headmaster's office to discuss the situation.
A short while later, Madam Pomfrey emerged from the infirmary with a beaming smile. Minerva and Antonio, who had been standing not far from the entrance, immediately turned their attention to her.
"Minerva," Madam Pomfrey said brightly, "Lily is out of danger. She is fine now. Out of danger."
Antonio let out a quiet sigh of relief, and Minerva's expression softened as visible relief crossed her face.
"Although her body has greatly weakened due to the blood loss and will take a few days to recover, she is completely fine," Pomfrey added. "Right now, she is still unconscious and will likely take a day to wake."
Minerva smiled in response, and Pomfrey hurried back inside the infirmary.
Antonio was greatly relieved and took it as his cue to depart from Hogwarts. Charlus and Edmund had been waiting for him, and there was little reason for him to remain. He would not be able to meet Lily anyway.
With these thoughts in mind, he turned to go only for Minerva's voice to halt his steps.
"Lord Olario," she called.
He turned around. "Professor McGonagall," he replied, raising an eyebrow.
"There is something I would like to discuss with you," she said. "Perhaps you could spare me a few minutes."
"Yes," he agreed, giving a small nod to Edmund and Charlus, who had naturally overheard the exchange. They nodded back in acknowledgment.
Minerva began walking, and Antonio followed her into an empty room adjacent to the infirmary.
As he walked behind her, an awkward silence hung between them, and Antonio could not help but wonder what she wanted to discuss. He recalled their last encounter, just days ago before the trial, when he had accused Hogwarts of incompetence and inaction. It had not been a pleasant exchange. It had been tense and far from cordial. Perhaps his words to Lily had been the reason behind her complaint against the Slytherin boys and later their suspension from Hogwarts.
But he also remembered that Minerva had voted in his favour in the Wizengamot and had not followed Dumbledore into abstaining.
"Lord Olario," Minerva said as they stood in the centre of the room, facing each other. "What kind of relationship do you have with Lily?"
Her tone was completely neutral, revealing no hint of emotion, but Antonio's eyes widened slightly in surprise at the bluntness of the question.
"What do you mean by that, Professor McGonagall?" he asked in return. "What do you mean by relationship?"
Minerva raised an eyebrow.
"It is only natural for me to ask," she said evenly. "I doubt you or anyone would have waited so long for a stranger. I could sense your impatience and concern. Though you did not show it openly, you were no less anxious than Miss Quiver."
"There must be some sort of connection between the two of you," she added as if it was a matter of fact.
Antonio shook his head.
"There is no connection between us," he replied. "In fact, the last time in Hogsmeade was the first time I had ever met her. And you surely know what led to that meeting."
"Yes, I do," Minerva nodded. "Because the praise you heaped upon her led to her being constantly harassed by the Slytherin students."
"And yet, if that was your first meeting," she continued, "how did you know she was so talented?"
Antonio felt a flicker of embarrassment. He could not really tell that he had read and watched her in books and movies.
"I had only heard about a talented Muggle born witch at Hogwarts," he explained. "I used her name merely to irritate a few pure bloods. I did not expect it would cause her so much trouble."
"Hmm…" Minerva gave a thoughtful look and nodded slowly. "So, the two of you have hardly any connection."
Antonio nodded, and Minerva continued to study him silently. Whether she believed him or not, he could not tell. But he was certain of one thing, this question was not the real reason she had asked to speak with him. The real matter was yet to come.
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