Pure Inheritance ~ Ominis Gaunt

Part 11

Running up the stairs, MC was not even sure who she was running from. Most likely from Ominis, seeing as her heart was about to break the walls around her chest. His nearness was too much of the remainder of what was to come later that day or what transpired between them. She felt an eager jump in her chest, like fear but more thrilling and enticing.

It was a feeling she was trying to avoid but was getting weirdly addicted to.

She had just reached the landing near the school's entrance when she was rudely interrupted by a figure apparating right in front of her. It had been so sudden that she almost ran into the guy, but he was so kind as to grab her shoulders gently and push her on her feet.

- Oh! I am so sorry! – She moved a lock of hair behind her ear – I was in a hurry.

When she looked up, piercing blue eyes that sparkled like electricity were looking down at her.

- Do not fret – he chuckled -. It was my fault for jumping in front of you like that.

- You did it on purpose? – She smirked, her flirtations nature coming out automatically.

- Maybe – he smirked back.

A sudden thought came up.

- How did you even manage that? – Her cheeks flushed when she realized she was admonishing a stranger – I am sorry if I am blunt, but it is prohibited to apparate in and out of the school. So, how did you do it?

He shrugged.

- Privileges that come with the name.

She looked at him carefully. There was something familiar about his eyes, but they were too singular to be forgotten easily.

- What name?

His entire demeanour started to deflate as he answered the question.

- Gaunt – he stretches his hand toward her -. Marvolo Gaunt.

Her heart did a quick flip, and her brain was flooded with epinephrine and adrenalin. Her hand shot forward automatically to hide her reaction to that name. Still, her mind conjured images of spiders coming out of muggles mouths and abused victims left in pieces.

The moment their hands touched, the hairs of her arms stood on attention, and bile threatened to go up her throat. But she kept a neutral expression and, other than the deep breath she took to compose herself, did not show any reaction.

- MC. Nice to meet you.

However, Marvolo smiled charmingly as if he could read her thoughts.

- Do not hold my name against me – his thumb caressed the top of her hand before she retracted it with a jerk -. I promise, my parents are the ones who enjoy the harassment.

She scoffed.

- So, I am better out dealing with you, then?

- Oh, no! – His eyes furrowed in mock – I think we can agree that I am not a good companion.

MC scoffed, thinking he was joking.

- Why is that?

- I don't make you feel uneasy? – His smile warmed up, and she felt pulled by his charm. There was a softness about him that clouded her judgement, or her judgment kept her from acknowledging his honesty.

- Not exactly.

His smile was now eager, and Marvolo took a step forward.

- That's a first – muttered -. Most people take a look at me and walk away.