Pure Inheritance ~ Ominis Gaunt

Part 25

The loud bangs and clangs of the machinery that housed the lift's Spellcraft were the only things filling the silence and tension.

If anyone looked at the witches' exchange, they would have believed that the women had scorned one another somehow. And they would have been correct. Serafina did not look as if she was about to pounce, but disguised by her confident exterior was a sharp edge that seemed to be crumbling as she took MC's features. The sneer was barely kept at bay, yet it somehow managed to make itself known as she studied MC.

It looked as if she was displeased by what she found during her assessment, but MC did not feel unnerved for some reason. It was hard to feel any guilt towards someone who had openly called her a mudblood. Their mutual hate for one another was made perfectly clear during those moments after the engagement ceremony.

- Serafina – she crooned.

She scoffed.

- So, you do remember me!

- Hard not to – MC took a step closer, tilting up her chin-. You left quite the impression, calling me a crofter. Kudos for being original.

- I am sorry if I offended your sensibilities – she made sure to highlight the sarcasm -. Aren't you supposed to be the all-powerful Keeper of Hogwarts' Legacy? Your skin as thick as a dragon and unwavering aplomb when facing your enemies? Don't tell me a few words were enough to make you crumble – she said, mockingly and taunting for a response.

- Not exactly, though none of my enemies ever made things personal.

- I bet you didn't sleep with their partners, either.

She smiled proudly when the comment managed to astound her.

- Ominis told you– Serafina's sneer deepened –. About us.

The woman nodded and looked at her with hate and resentment frolicking freely over her face.

- About his promise to never touch me again? Yes, he did. He has been much too happy lately. Guess he realized there was no point in trying to deny it!

MC sighed, the responsibility heavy on her.

- Is that why you came here today? To seek an apology from me?

- There would be no point since the apology would not be sincere. And besides, it would be rather dangerous – she blurted out a laugh – if Ominis ever learned about my visit. Merlin knows what the Heir of Gaunt would do to my family if I dared to touch you.

MC paled at the revelation.

- The Heir of Gaunt?

- That's right. It's official! – She sneered- Now, more than ever, the eyes of our society will be upon him – she took another step, but it was only to assess MC closer -. Yet, here he is, frolicking around with... you.

MC's eyes sharpened at the hint of an insult, her previous mood souring the longer she smelt Serafina's expensive perfume.

- I wonder what it feels like to give up your dignity... for nothing? – She made a point of looking at her perfectly manicured nails and, more specifically, at the ring sitting over one of her fingers.

The heat reached up her neck and curled around MC's cheeks. She didn't know if it was out of embarrassment or hate, but she knew her restraint was about to falter.

- Oh, I wouldn't say it's for nothing – she pushed the mockery even if she didn't feel it -. Ominis made it worth my while.

It was her turn to bask in Serafina's resentment. MC was unaware of how she might have reacted had Serafina behaved in a more civilized way, but right now, she was letting a very familiar rage envelop her. In her own way, she had wanted Serafina to accept the situation just so the arrangement wouldn't be too obtrusive, but that woman was so set in her prejudice and jealousy that it seemed pointless to hope.