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"I will, Mr. Malfoy," Antonio said.
"According to me," he continued, "the whole question that you asked me, this entire issue of muggle-borns entering our society, is obsolete."
"In reality, the question that how is the entry of the muggle-borns affecting our society does not even exist. It is a falsely propped question with no base."
"Why would say so, Lord Olario?" Lucius countered.
"Mr. Malfoy," he said, tilting his head slightly, "could you tell me, what the average number of muggle-born wizards or witches that enters Hogwarts every year is?"
Malfoy frowned at the question but nonetheless answered, "Two… three… maybe four."
"Very true," Antonio smiled faintly. "The population of muggle-borns in the entire Wizarding Britain is what? One percent? Or maybe even less?"
"So, if we go by the pure-blood theory that is being propagated so vociferously now a days- then the pure-bloods, who are inherently superior in wielding magic than muggle-borns, and definitely have a better knowhow about magic and learn about it from a young age, are being threatened by the inferior muggle-borns?"
"Is this what you want to say, Mr. Malfoy?" he pressed gently. "Pure-bloods control the Ministry of Magic, control the Wizengamot, and are yet threatened by the muggle-borns."
"All this does not make any sense."
"It is not about being threatened, Olario," Rodolphus almost snarled. "It is about those mudbloods getting equal status and equal rights to us."
"Those filthy lowlifes sit equally with us, breathe equally with us," he spat, his voice laced with venom.
Even though there was no muggle-born or even a half-blood in that group, the tension in the air thickened considerably. Rodolphus had cast aside any pretense of civility and was speaking in an unhinged manner.
"And where exactly do they sit equally with you, Mr. Lestrange?" Antonio quipped, his tone deceptively mild. "I do not think in any place except Hogwarts."
"They cannot become a member of the Wizengamot. I do not see any muggle holding any high ranking job in the Ministry. I do not see where exactly they sit equally with you."
He continued, "If there would be a person, or if there had been a person, who might have sat equally to you all, it would only be because he was vastly superior in his magic."
Rodolphus snorted derisively but did not offer a retort. Verbal arguments had never been his forte.
"You have quite peculiar views on the subject, Lord Olario," Lucius chimed in, smoothly inserting himself back into the conversation. He was being his typical Malfoy- trying to steer the discussion in the direction he desired.
"And quite strong ones too," he added further, his gaze sharp.
"Peculiar they may sound, but they are logical, Mr. Malfoy," Antonio said, his smile returning. "And these are just my opinions, not some strongly held convictions."
"I am interested in nothing more than brewing my wine and beer and serving them to beautiful ladies like Miss Black," he said, his eyes briefly meeting Bellatrix's.
A small, almost imperceptible smile flickered across Bellatrix's usually expressionless face at the remark.
Rodolphus, however, clenched his fist in barely concealed anger, and only a subtle side-eye from Lucius prevented him from lashing out at Antonio.
"Say Lord Olario," Lucius asked. "If a times comes when the pure-bloods have to fight the muggle-borns, will you choose a side?"
This was a question which brought every person to the edge of their seat. Though, no one had dared to bring the recent attacks that had been happening all over the Wizarding Britain, everyone understood, it was a question connected to that topic only.
Antonio shook his head, "It will never come to this, Mr. Malfoy."
"Pure-bloods will never be fighting muggle-borns. They will be fight each other," he added. "They may set and declared whatever agenda they want, but it would be just a disguise to grab more power."
"Fight against muggle, fight for muggle, everything be will be a mere show put off to take more power," he continued. "Muggle-borns will only be collateral damage for the war that would be fight in their name."
Malfoy was almost taken aback by the response. "I see," was the only response he could mutter before he went silence.
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.
The conversation was interrupted as the serving of dinner was announced.
The arrangements for the dinner had been made in the lawn. Large tables, each capable of seating ten people, were set up to serve the food.
A small magical performance had been prepared for during the dinner, and therefore, despite Antonio being seated with the same group, hardly any further conversation took place.
Dinner had just concluded when Rodolphus pulled Lucius aside.
"Lucius," he said in an irritated voice. "Why the hell did you stop me?"
"Did you not see how he was flirting with my Bellatrix? I was going to put him in his place."
Lucius remained unfazed.
"You are a fool, Rodolphus," he replied coolly. "To earn such high regard from Miss Black, Olario is no ordinary person."
Rodolphus snarled, "What could he do? Do you think he is better than me? Better than the heir Lestrange?"
"Just because he has inherited a lordship does not make him better than me," he said, his voice rising. "You just wait… just wait. I am going to put that Olario in his place."
Lucius offered no further words as Rodolphus stormed away. If he had truly wanted to, he could have stopped Rodolphus, but a part of him was also intensely curious.
He understood Bellatrix Black very well. She was a person who respected nothing more than strength. If Rodolphus had been skilled enough to impress Bellatrix, he might not be howling now like a dog. And if she held Antonio in such high regard, there must be a significant reason behind it.
A part of Lucius was also curious to see what Antonio Olario was capable of. He was a pure-blood. And if he displayed considerable strength—then just maybe, he might serve as a useful ally.
And those views of his… they could certainly be altered. The views of a great many people had been altered before.
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