The Keeper and the Monster

Chapter 1: A new charge

Ophelia O'Conor heard someone knocking at the door. The only move she made was to turn the page of her novel. Her uncle was downstairs and closer to the door, and the chapter she was reading was way too captivating. Besides, she wasn't expecting anyone as her friend was sitting next to her, reading another book. Well, listening to his book thanks to his sentient wand.

Ominis had stayed for the summer. Usually, he would go to Feldcroft at the Sallow cottage, but nobody lived there anymore. Uncle Phebus had been a bit reluctant when his niece told him about having a Gaunt at the house – the name was famous, and terrifying for a squib – but she explained how this Gaunt was different. In the end, he accepted. Moreover, within a few days, he learnt to like the austere kid. Ominis was polite, a bit posh, and understood the big rule of the house: no talking of magic in front of him. Sometimes Phebus would try to make him laugh with muggle jokes. Ominis' perplex face in reaction was hilarious to Ophelia. At least, one person was laughing.

Ophelia heard the voice of the visitor from the distance. There was no way she could hear it properly or recognise it from the library, but the way of speaking was familiar. And then, there was another voice. This one got Ominis' attention, as he moved his head to get a better hearing.

"Is that Sharp?" he asked.

"I hear a woman, too," replied Ophelia.

They left their books on a small table and hurried to the door, and then on the top of the stairs. The voice of Pr Weasley echoed. Ophelia made a small sound, a discret "hm" – her way to "exchange a stare" with Ominis, without the actual stare. Cause, you know, blind.

"Ophelia?" called Phebus who started to go upstairs. "Oh, you're there. You two have visitors. You didn't tell me."

"I didn't expect them."

"Fair enough. It's your teachers, from... Please, tell me when they're gone, okay? Okay." he pleaded with a bothered expression.

Ophelia and Ominis went downstairs and experienced this weird sensation of meeting your professors in the summer holidays, waiting on the sofa. One had a warm smile, the other was ascetic.

"Hello, professors", said the students, though it sounded like a question. Ophelia guided Ominis to sit in front of them.

"Hello. I'm quite happy to see you after an... uneventful summer, I hope" replied Weasley. "You look well rested, both of you."

"We did study a little, though. A lot, I mean" Ophelia added, seeing Sharp's eyebrow shake. Weasley chuckled, but it was not sincere. She looked worried behind her smile. Ophelia was tense, too. Their presence was not a good omen. "You have something important to tell us." She was scared to ask: was it about Sebastian?

"Indeed. First of all, congratulations for your OWLs grades – both of you. Last year was not an easy one, but you managed to get impressive results."

"Thanks Professor" answered Ominis. " Pardon me, I sense a reluctance to get to the main subject: if you need to have a private conversation with Ophelia, I can leave."

"You will need to stay for this conversation, I'm afraid." said Sharp.

Ophelia managed to stay calm, except for her fingers. She was currently tearing the skin around her nails, and Sharp's comment made her bleed.

Sharp and Weasley both knew about Sebastian murdering Solomon. He'd confessed to them and they'd told Singer. They knew Sebastian had found a Slytherin's book, then a relic, then fought against his uncle. Since there were holes in his story – as he'd never mentioned his friends to protect them – Ominis and Ophelia where questioned, and they'd explained their implication in this tragedy. Sebastian had insisted his friends only tried to stop him and they'd been declared innocent. Sebastian, for all they knew, was still in trial.