Chapter 62.5- Doom Days

“Good, so I must introduce you to someone now” He said, not letting go of my hand and practically puling me across the banquet hall to the other side. It was no far from where Okonkwo was holding court with her bevy of admirers. I noticed she was showing them some plant summoning like she had used against Cece and they were enraptured. I buried my scoff but not well enough because Russo turned to me with a raised eyebrow. Then his gaze followed mine. He nodded approvingly instead of scoffing.

“I would not have expected a girl from Uganda to play the game better than the heir to one of Britain’s most established name”

“I have no need to play games with my lessers” I said. Russo looked far from impressed.

“Well, a bit less of that attitude as we meet them. They donated near 30% of the funds used in this endeavor on their own and even offered the charms books that allowed our enchanters craft the enchantments on the arena” And with that last bit he had me. Gold was whatever. But knowledge? Knowledge was everything. It could be the difference between life and death, victory and defeat. And if they had access to books on small scale environmental manipulation at that level and were willing to just donate them then who knew what else they had in their possession.

I longed to wipe the smirk that appeared on Russo’s face once he knew he had my interest off of it, but patience was a virtue and I allowed him the small victory.

He led us over to a table with a familiar man and woman. The same couple that had pointed over at me when they left Okonkwo. The same couple she’d said were able to see through my obfuscation charm. Speaking of, I tucked my hand behind my back, allowing my wand to drop down from my holster before I dispelled the charm with a swish and flick.

“Harry Potter, meet Lachonis and Pelleren Mafell. Lachonis, Pelleren, meet Harry James Potter, just as promised” He said, ushering me into a seat.

The man, Lachonis, tilted his head back and laughed. It was a full, boisterous thing.

“You never disappoint Julian. A man of your word, indeed” He said while his wife chuckled by his side. And then they said no more.

“Well met, Mr Mafell, Mrs Mafell” I said once the silence at the table began to stretch.

“Indeed. Harry Potter. What a fascinating person you are. Hard to reach as well. Why, in all my years of living I haven’t met anyone quite as keen on going undisturbed at a social function as you” He said.

“I like my own space, Mr Mafell” I said, even as Russo rose from the table, bowed and left.

“Indeed. And keep your own company as well. I assume this means you tend to keep your own counsel” He said, and while I could tell this was going somewhere, I couldn’t for the life of me tell where— not yet at least.