Shadow of the Heir

It Seems like Once Again You've had to Greet Me with Goodbye

Her father didn't seem surprised, he just looked at Ominis with intrigue. Like he'd researched her friends and already knew all the caveats of their interpersonal relationships. "A trade of what nature?"

All Ella could think was 'do not say consorts,' because she couldn't handle the very idea of living life with Gaunt as a last name.

"Her wedding is in two weeks?" Ominis reiterated. He hadn't even drawn his wand—he had the house memorized enough that he had no problem sitting at the table in front of her father. "Surely you're not wasting potential on the Flints."

Potential? She was going to be sick. If Anne wasn't comatose in Sebastian's arms—arm, now that he was just holding her up against himself to use his wand—she would be too.

Her father clicked his tongue. "Not that it's any business of a Gaunt." Her father shouldn't have known that. Not just by looking at him anyway; they all knew of each other's parents, but it was rare for the parents to remember the names of the children or who they belonged to. There were too many. "The Flints and the Malfoys have a strenuous relationship. It would ensure future generations have plenty of connections."

Ella wanted to do something. Anything. Stun her father, blow him apart. Something. She couldn't find it in her to even wave her wand. She just stared silently, like a statue. Unmoving and unblinking.

"The Gaunts have far more connections than the Flints, Mister Malfoy."

"What are you suggesting?" Her father took a sip of his tea. He wasn't stupid; he already knew. Everyone already knew. "Aren't you already betrothed? Last I heard, you were with a Carrow." She saw how his eyes flicked to Emrys.

Ella jerked her head to the side to glare at her brother.

Who looked paler than a sheet, almost gray.

"No, we're not betrothed." Ominis scoffed. Ella couldn't figure this out—it was off. Like someone else had slipped into Ominis's skin and he'd just become one of them. He played the game too well. "It's not quite satisfactory. Perfect for someone else, just not for me."

Sebastian had gone quiet behind her. No movement. No muttered words. She didn't even feel the anger vibrate off him.

It worried her.

"That's a shame." Aurelius nodded. "But after everything I've had to hear from Flint, I won't be handing her off to," he made a face, "Sallow's friend. I'm sure that won't go... wondrously. And she is already paid for."

"And what have you heard?"

"Everything between courting to copulation in the common room." He paused. "The usual things a father loves to hear." A glare at her.

She glared back. Not at all what had happened, but also fuck him.

"That's not at all true." Ominis laughed. It sounded genuine and it confused her so much. Was he lying for her? "Sallow tends to take the fall for me. Rumors are relentless and I can't have them tarnishing my name."

Aurelius knitted his brow. "Tarnishing your name?"

"Yes," Ominis continued on like he didn't understand what her father was implying. Smart, let him embarrass himself. Her father did that often. "We were all there together, actually. Your daughter has nightmares. We wouldn't have been much of gentlemen if we let her sleep in the common room without a deterrence."

"Nightmares?"

"Yes. It's all a misunderstanding by people who don't understand the relationship."

"Hm," Aurelius still didn't seem impressed. "Legilimency doesn't work on you."