The Devil Doesn't Bargain (MatD part 2)

Chapter FORTY FOUR - Gobbledegook, You Know

Calm droplets collected along the edge of the stone, dripping against our skin as Ominis and I stepped from the cave door, his good hand and wand gently at my back, his other carefully tucked against his shirt. The papers had been collected and returned to his pockets for safe keeping with the letter alongside them, though Ominis had tucked it in with far less care.

The sky had crawled into deep maroons and pinks just above the depth of storm clouds overhead, quickly fading with the encroaching night. As much as I enjoyed the rain, I couldn't help the little stab of something in my chest that longed for the stars - a bit of their nostalgic comforts, a bit of memories from simpler times, of happier hearts.

Sebastian was stood just ahead, back to us, hands on his hips, two goblins at his feet and another crumpled against a far wall. He was speaking fervently to his sister, brows pulled tight though I could make out none of the words. Anne, with crossed arms and tight lips, watched us emerge, her eyes sweeping over Ominis and shoulders softening. 

Sebastian kept his nose to his sister but considered us from the corner of his eye.

"Ominis, let's go." Briskly toeing at the dirt, she slid to his side, hooking her arm through his and pressing a quick kiss to his temple, dropping her voice. "Please."

"We need to get him to the hospital wing." I muttered stupidly. "And then... get these plans to Lodgok, see what he has to say."

A shiver crept along my spine and pressed on my ribs.

"Atley... I think it might be best we call it a night." Anne's voice, though calm, felt weighted. She glanced back over her shoulder to where Sebastian had crossed his arms but had stepped no closer. "There's no room left in the day for such behavior and I will not tolerate it from you any longer."

Sebastian dropped his arms and sniffed a laugh to the sky, a few raindrops kissing his skin.

Ominis dropped his wand into his pocket and tapped Anne twice against her elbow. "I spoke to Atley of the letter - promised her we would finish what we started here and then arrange to visit the manor together."

Anne quirked a brow but said nothing.

"Oh now you'll talk?"

No one turned to Sebastian's voice.

Anne sighed, pulling herself a little closer to Ominis' arm and examining the dirt below her feet before she spoke. "Ominis and I will return to the castle-" She held a finger up as Sebastian began to protest. "-his hand is in need of attending to far more than anything else we can accomplish tonight. You and Sebastian will return to Hogsmeade, collect our things and speak to Lodgok about the papers. Ominis and I will pen the letter to the Gaunts regarding our visit and we will reconvene come morning. Got it?" There was no room for disagreement, nor did I hope there would be.

It was a refreshing sort of comfort only she could provide. Just another bit I admired of her.

Sebastian snorted and mimed a salute against his forehead. The once endearing gesture now turned bitter. Thankfully Anne had turned her attention back to us and missed the movement all together.

I nodded, holding her gaze. "Thank you."

She nodded ever so slightly in return, turning slow enough that Ominis could follow but swift enough that there was no questioning her intentions to leave. "Straighten him out." She nodded to her brother.

Ominis dug the papers from his pocket and held them out to my left, residual moments brushed against our fingers. "I'm sorry." He mouthed but Anne had begun walking and I couldn't be sure he knew I'd seen before they left Sebastian and I to wade through the thickened silence.