There was a small amount of chaos as all the members of the council took their respective seats in the Wizengamot hall. Amidst the movement, Antonio spotted Rodolphus making his entry into the council hall.
He was accompanied by a couple of middle-aged men, probably subordinates of the Lestrange family. With almost the entire attention of the hall focused on Rodolphus, he walked towards the well of the Winzengamot hall.
As Rodolphus was walking towards his own seat, Antonio could not help but take notice of the little but significant changes in Rodolphus's demeanour.
Gone was the chaotic and impatient energy that had always surrounded Rodolphus. It had been replaced by a sense of relaxation and patience. The perpetual anger and arrogance on his face had been replaced by calmness and serenity. Rodolphus appeared mature and was nothing like his previous immature and brash self. His eyes were focused and he knew perfectly well what to do.
Antonio did not know how many of these changes within Rodolphus were genuine. After learning about Penalia, he could not be sure. Most probably they were not. There was a good chance that Rodolphus was merely acting. But even if he was merely acting, Antonio had to admit that he was doing impressive work. This was the kind of behaviour that people would have been expecting of him. A behaviour expected of a respected Lord of an old and aristocratic family.
In a matter of moments, all the Lords had settled in their respective seats. The Minister of Magic, Harold Minchum, made his entrance, and he too occupied his seat.
"Esteemed members, a warm good morning to everyone," Harold Minchum began, his voice booming through the hall. "Welcome to all of you to this session of the Wizengamot."
"Before we proceed to any business of the council, you might be aware that our Chief Warlock is not available to preside over this session because of an international conference of wizards and headmaster Dumbledore had to take up his role as the Supreme Mugwump. Hence, I would nominate Madam Griselda Marchbanks to do the honours."
Following the Minister's announcement, an old lady immediately got up from her seat. Given how fast she had moved, it was obvious that she was aware of the role that she had to take over. She was Madam Griselda Marchbanks. The Governor of the Wizarding Examinations Authority.
"Today we will be holding the induction of Rodolphus Lestrange," the minister continued once Madam Marchbanks was seated.
"Lord Lestrange," Harold finally faced Antonio. "Please."
The minister gestured with his hand toward one of the empty chairs in the second row of the hall. Those with the highest number of votes sat in the front rows, while the families with one vote occupied the back rows.
Rodolphus nodded slightly in response as he walked towards his seat. Moments later, a man dressed in the clerical robes of the Ministry approached, carrying a bundle of parchment and a quill in his hands.
Rodolphus took the parchment. The oath was written on it.
"I, Rodolphus Lestrange, do solemnly swear to take my responsibility as Lord of House Lestrange and uphold the honour of House Lestrange and guard its legacy.
I pledge to act with wisdom, strength, and fairness. I swear to defend Wizarding Britain from threats within and without and to honour the laws constituted by Wizengamot, the same laws that bind and govern our realm.
Before the Wizengamot, I vow that my word shall stand firm, my duty shall not waver, and my loyalty shall remain true to the responsibilities bestowed upon me. So I swear, as Lord Lestrange. Lord of the House Lestrange."
The oath was the same as what Antonio had taken. With the oath taken, Rodolphus took the quill and signed on the parchment. The moment his signature was placed, a loud chorus of clapping erupted through the hall. Rodolphus Lestrange had been formally inducted as Lord Olario.
The chorus continued for a couple of minutes before silence finally reigned in the hall.
"Lord Lestrange," Harold said, "I, on behalf of this body, request you to say a few words to us."
Rodolphus nodded as he took a couple of deep breaths to calm his nerves.
"Esteemed members of the council," Rodolphus began. "The last few days have been exceptionally tough for Wizarding Britain and for my family, too. I lost my father and in him this council lost a great member."
Antonio could only shake his head at the shamelessness of not only Rodolphus but also of the entire council. A lot of members, genuinely, appeared sad of losing their 'great' colleague. No one, it seemed, wanted to talk about how he died. It looked as if he had died doing some great deed and not invading the house of another exceptional Lord of the same council.
"I do not want to go into the details of what has happened in the past, or what those events were that have led to my sudden ascension as a Lord of the Lestrange family. They are not events I would want to talk about."
'Surely you would not,' Antonio almost snarled inwardly.
"But what I would like to talk about is the future of Wizarding Britain. And I think if I say that the future of Wizarding Britain suddenly looks bleak, then I would not be wrong."
"Perhaps it is a difficult time for someone to take up a Lordship," he added with an awkward chuckle.
With this, Rodolphus gave a small speech about the vision he had for Wizarding Britain. He talked of peace, of harmony, and of taking the Wizarding World forward.
Although he stuck with his ideology of pure-blood supremacy, it was not the Death Eaters' version, but the version that most conservatives followed. He talked about how, if they were to progress, control must continue to remain with the pure-bloods, and how they were the ones truly blessed with magic. The children of magic.
He talked about preserving ancient magical traditions and customs and how pure-blood magical practices had been diluted over time. He gave a call for their protection and rejuvenation.
Overall, Rodolphus gave a brilliant speech. While his mannerisms at some points might have been questioned, the words he had uttered were impeccable. It had struck exactly where it should have.
And one did not need to be a genius to figure that it was not Rodolphus who had drafted the speech. Even if it was he who was speaking, those were the words of Penalia.
A very loud chorus of applause followed Rodolphus's voice.
"A wonderful speech, Lord Lestrange," the Minister said with a beaming smile. Unlike Antonio, Rodolphus had not pushed the council into a dangerous situation and he was very happy about it.
"Would anyone else want to say something?" he questioned.
Antonio was wondering if he should speak about what he had come prepared for when he spotted Edmund stirring in his seat. He would most probably be asking for an apology from Rodolphus.
Edmund was about to say something to the Minister when the expression on the Minister's face changed. An expression of pure shock and horror had appeared on his face.
"Wards!" he screamed at the top of his lungs, his voice cutting through the hall. "Wards!"
"I have lost control over the Ministry wards!" he roared.
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