Pure Inheritance ~ Ominis Gaunt

Gaunt's Deal

The rhythmic pace of his boots enveloped the receiving space of the Manor, and it would give the impression of elegance if it weren't because of the urgency of his steps and jerking movements of his arms trying to tie a cravat. He had finally managed to place his coat on his shoulders and was considering leaving it open instead of wasting time with the buttons.

- Ominis!

He knew she was following him, but he truly didn't have the time to listen to her complaints and mop.

- Ominis! Where are you going?

- What do you think? – He stopped halfway between the receiving stairs and the door – I have to go to the Ministry and fix Marvolo's screw-up! I can be there in a few minutes. I will be lucky to manage a quick meeting before being tossed out.

He almost expected Neftis to cling to his mother's skirts, but the meek witch was nowhere to be found. Nefari's breathing was loud and a fair demonstration of how scared she was, but that was a feeling they all shared at present.

I will talk to you later.

- No!

Caught by surprise—since Ominis was not expecting his mother to grab his wrist with both hands, almost in a plea—he turned around to face her before shaking off her grip.

- What...?

- You can't leave! – She pleaded – I mean... it's three in the morning! Greengrass is probably at home.

Ominis sneered at her.

- There is a bloodied field in the middle of the Highlands, with several Aurors and Dragon Masters deployed simultaneously! I doubt he is lying in his bed like nothing happened.

He finally decided to work on the buttons of his coat.

- I have to smooth things over with him and earn us some time – tired, he wiped the frustration off his face with a shaky hand -. I can't believe I have to meet that old man after everything we agreed to in the afternoon. For fucks sake. It's humiliating.

Nefari tried to grab his hand again, but Ominis pulled out.

- Please – his eyes sharpened, curiosity and surprise wagering a war against his anxiety -. Please, let Marvolo deal with Greengrass. You go with your father to the States. He listens to you!

- Are you out of your mind? – he seethed, coming close to her face -. Do you think I will send that fiend to speak with the Minister of Magic? After the crap he...

- Please!

- Do you have a death wish, Nefari? Send Marvolo to the Ministry, and we will be in Azkaban before sunrise!

Her fists went up, opening and closing her hand in an attempt to find the right words or to magically pull a solution out of thin air. Her body shook in fear, for they could still hear the screams of Corvinus Gaunt travelling through the corridors, and she was certain he still needed someone to take the weight of his ire. She felt like a mouse trapped inside a cage, waiting for the snake to find her, hiding in a corner.

By mere luck, she could escape his attention, and she had just enough time to send Neftis to her room and come after Ominis. He was the only one that seemed strong enough to be used as a shield.

Fear. Unrelenting, pure and untamable fear.

That's all she felt because perhaps Corvinus was magically bound from killing his lineage, but she was pretty sure he would push against the boundaries and confirm what he could get away with without killing her or Marvolo.

- You know. You know that if Marvolo goes with him, your father will end up killing him!

- Oh, if it only were that simple. He can't kill any of his offspring!