Chapter 10 - [Pt.3]
Several hours after leaving the Library, Antares made his way to the Great Hall for dinner. Xavier, Sophia and the rest of his friends were already seated and all of them were listening intently as Caroline read out an article from the evening edition of the Daily Prophet. At first he wasn't able to hear what was being said. But the closer he walked towards them the more he realized that they were reading about him, or rather his marriage contract.
"– It is surely a sad day for young women all over the Wizarding World as one of Britain's most eligible bachelors has finally been taken off of the market. Insider sources have informed us that the Eldest son of Lord Orion Black and heir to the Black Family has been betrothed to Helena Greengrass, eldest daughter of Lord Jasper Greengrass. Antares recently started his Sixth Year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, were he resides in Slytherin house. It has been said that he is one of the most talented students to have walked the in recent years. The Black family is one the oldest and richest family in the country, and is a family that has no doubt played a large hand in shaping wizarding Britain throughout history. On his 21st birthday Antares shall take over the role of Lord Black from his father, which includes a seat on the Wizengamot and the managing of the Black Family Estate. While no-one knows the exact amount of the Black Families wealth, it is estimated to total well over $300 Million Galleons. Aside from the power he will one day wield and the many galleons that he will one day control, it is also to be noted that the Black Heir is quiet the looker as well, inheriting the natural good looks that all Blacks are known to for. We here at the Prophet Wish Scion Black and his future wife all the happiness in their future together, and hope that we are fortunate enough to secure an invite to what will surely be the wedding of the decade".
Waiting several seconds for his friends to settle down, Antares quickened his pace and took his seat at the Slytherin dining table.
"Did you know about this Antares?" asked Caroline, placing the Daily Prophet before him.
Antares glanced down at the front cover. Sure enough a picture of his face adorned the front cover and in large bold text read "Black Heir to be Married".
"I did not. But it was bound to happen sooner or later. I wouldn't even be surprised if it was my Great Aunt who told them, merlin knows she loves to spread gossip whenever she can" he replied, shoving the prophet to the side as he piled his plate with various foods.
"Would she do something like that?" asked Tristan.
"It wouldn't be the first time" said Antares.
"I saw Aquila deliver the second betrothal gift to Helena this morning," commented Xavier offhandedly, "by the expression on her face I take it was something both beautiful and expensive".
"Of course it was. Let it never be said that we Blacks are bad at giving gifts, and before you ask it was a Betrothal ring, emblazoned with the Black family crest"
"A warning symbol. I like it" smirked Xavier.
"A what?" asked a confused Jasper.
"A warning symbol to other men that Helena is taken. Anyone who tried to remove the ring or interferes with her in anyway is an attack not only against Helena, but an attack against House Black" said Sophia.
Pushing his plate away Antares picked up the Daily Prophet and turned the page over. His eyes turned into slits as he read the story that was on the second page. Apparently a group of wizards had attacked a Muggle town on the outskirts of Exeter, 15 were dead, including 5 children whilst another 20 were badly injured. The attack suspects the work of dark Wizards and Witches unknown. Antares mind turned immediately turned in the direction of Voldemort. He didn't know enough to blame this attack on him, but he knew in his heart that this was the work of someone very dark and very twisted.
"Have you seen this?" he asked, looking up at them as he showed them the paper.
"It's disgusting" said Sophia sadly as she finished reading the article. The others nodded their agreement.
"It beyond disgusting," replied Antares, "Any wizard that kills Muggles for fun isn't fit to even use Magic, let alone call themselves a Wizard".
With that statement Antares pushed his plate away, stood up and walked towards the exit of the Great Hall, ignoring the many call outs from his friends.
Sophia stood up and made to go after him, something was obviously wrong with Antares and she intended to find out what.
"Its best if you stay here Soph," said Xavier, "I'll go and find out what his problem is. I haven't seen him act this way about the death of Muggles before. Somethings obviously very wrong with him, and he's more likely to tell me about than he is you."
Sophia made to comment, but Caroline quickly grabbed her arm and pulled her back into her seat.
"Xavier's right Sophia. Everything that's happened in the last few days has probably upset Antares more than he would like to admit, which is not something he's likely to confess to you given the state of things".
Sophia reluctantly nodded in agreement, returning to her seat with a frown. Xavier nodded to his friends before taking off in the same direction as Antares"
Xavier easily spotted Antares's retreating back as he exited the great hall. His first instinct was to call out to his friend in order to gain his attention, but instead of doing this he opted to quietly follow Antares and see were exactly he was going.
He didn't have to wait long for his answer for Antares made his way towards the entrance hall, exiting through the large wooden doors that lead to the grounds of Hogwarts. Xavier followed him a few moments later.
Outside it was pitch black, making it all the more difficult for Xavier to follow Antares down the various hills and slopes that surrounded Hogwarts. Making sure to keep a safe enough distance so that he wasn't spotted, Xavier
Eventually his friend stopped walking, coming to a stop at the very edge of the Black Lake. Quietly kneeling behind a large rock, Xavier waited to see what Antares planned to do.
The answer it seemed, was nothing. Several minutes passed as Xavier watched his friend do nothing but look out into the oddly still waters of the glistening lake.
"I know you're their Xavier. You may as well come on out and join me" called out Antares.
'How did he know?' thought Xavier, stepping into view from behind his boulder.
"You really ought to be more quiet when you follow someone Xavier. You're a wizard. You should act like it" commented Antares as he turned around to face his best friend.
"I'm sorry for following you Antares," Xavier replied sheepishly, "you seemed pretty angry back in the great hall. I wanted to make sure you were okay".
"I'm not okay Xavier. In fact, I'm the exact opposite of okay"
"What is it? What's the problem Antares? You name it and I'll do my best to fix it" replied a now very concerned Xavier.
Antares didn't say anything, and for several minutes the two of them stood silently shoulder to shoulder as the wind whipped violently around them. Eventually however, he did speak.
"It's everything, Xavier. My life's been nothing but chaotic since the summer. The marriage contract. The courting. Mine and Sophia's rocky relationship. School work. Prefect Duties. Heir duties. All of it is beginning to make me a little stressed out. I guess the news about the dead Mudbloods tipped me over the edge" confessed Antares as he turned and faced his friend.
"But you despise all things Muggle" said Xavier.
"I do, but that's hardly the point now is it Xavier" replied Antares, "I don't care if it was a muggle, Mudblood, half-blood or pureblood that was killed. Nobody deserves to die just because another person wishes it so. Especially at the hands of a wannabe Dark Lord who promotes pureblood supremacy so openly and inhumanely".
"I haven't heard anything about that. What do you mean Dark Lord?" asked Xavier, rising his eyebrows in confusion.
"Of course you haven't. The Ministry's done a good job of keeping everything under wraps. I myself only known because of my Grandfathers position at the ministry. Apparently muggles everywhere have been disappearing, and turning up dead weeks later. It's believed that a Dark Wizard is responsible for the deaths, and is doing so in the name of Pureblood Supremacy. He wants to restore Purebloods to their proper place amongst society".
"But haven't you yourself said that we shouldn't have to hide ourselves away from the Muggles. That the Mudbloods are ruining our society more and more as each year passes. Isn't a world without that filth something we've talked about – dreamed about – since we were kids. Has that all changed now?"
"I want to bring about a change via political and economic means. Not Slaughtering anyone who doesn't agree with our ideology. Killing all Muggles and Mudbloods isn't going to preserve Pureblood traditions, nor is it a sustainable way of life. Take Grindelwald for example. He tried to bring his dream about via fear, cruelty and mass slaughter, and look where that got him. Magicless. Powerless. Locked up in a prison of his own creation. I won't fail where he did" replied Antares with conviction.
"So what do you plan to do about it?" asked Xavier after several moments of silence.
"I don't know exactly. We'll see what the next few months brings and go from there. But my plans for the future haven't changed. We will go down in history" said Antares
Xavier nodded his understanding of the some-what cryptic statement. Only the two of them understood what Antares was really talking about.
"But enough about the future," said Antares, "We better get back up to the castle, I have Prefect Patrol with Evans in 20 minutes".