Touched

Shadow of an Estimate - Seventh Year

Y/N POV

Sebastian and yourself had gone to see Professor Rowley early the next morning before your classes started. He was surprised and shocked to hear of what had happened, both the Muggle attacks and what had happened to Ominis.

"What would make him want to attack muggles?" You asked the man, who motioned towards the usual mustard couch you usually sat on. You sat, and so did Sebastian - and finally the man replied.

"Obviously the Gaunt family are very particular about blood status," Rowley started. "And from what you've told me, his family found out about Ominis and Imelda being together." They were on a first name basis with the Professor now.

"They did," Sebastian said, leaning forward. You noticed the dark circles under his eyes, his freckles pale. You didn't say anything about it. You rubbed his back as you two sat together. "That's why Ominis' brother hurt Imelda's family. He was looking for Imelda. Ominis is of age now. He's supposed to be getting married. They might let it go for now, because he's still in school, but once he's out they won't let it slide anymore."

"And when Ominis went to find his brother and find out what happened to Imelda's mother, he overheard them talking about other attacks on Muggles and where they were planning to go next," you told Rowley. "He probably barely escaped with his life."

"His family wouldn't kill him," Sebastian told you, and then turned back towards his godfather, who was frowning so low you thought you couldn't see his eyelids anymore. "They're abusive people. They enjoy torture."

Rowley didn't say anything, instead sat in his chair, his chin clasped by his hand on the desk. "Why would they force him to get married this early? Of course, perhaps nineteen or twenty is a better age, if you've met someone you love."

"They're a prestigious family," Sebastian shrugged. "They're part of the sacred twenty eight. Like they'd ever let that go. They're so obsessed with it that they make them marry each others cousins."

"The boy was born blind?" Rowley asked, quietly, and you knew what he was thinking.

"Yes, he was," you told him. "Congenital blindness."

Sebastian shook his head. "I can't think about it," he stood up. "It makes my blood boil that a family can be like that." Rowley made a noise of agreement and he stood up like Sebastian had done.

"Well you need to stay safe," Rowley told them. "If you stay in the castle, he won't come for you. He won't be able to get in here and get away with anything. I can ask for security in the castle."

"We need to find out what happened to Imelda's mother," you told him. "And her step father. We sent an owl, but we haven't heard anything back."

"I can look into it," he told you, moving back towards his desk to write himself a note. "I'll look into why Marvolo has instigated these attacks, too."

Rowley sighed and looked at the two of them with a stern, fatherly look in his eyes like they were about to get a lecture. Sebastian must've sense it, because he rolled his eyes. "Don't start-" he said, and Rowley shushed him, cutting him off.

"It's really easy to get lost in what's going on," Rowey said. "For good reason. People are being killed. After all the events of your fifth year,"

Sebastian winced.

"After hearings and centres, after Anne, after what happened to Imelda's family and what happened to Ominis. It's all a lot. And will continue to be overwhelming. But you students are in your final year of school. You need to also focus on your classes, your electives and your futures."