Touched

Tale of Corvus and Anne - Chapter Two

months later

Imelda POV

"You're nervous," Imelda teased, poking Ominis in the chest and learning forward to tap his nose, to which he growled in response.

"No I'm not."

"You are! Our only son is on his way to Hogwarts in less than," she checked her watch, "two days."

She watched Ominis grimace and he shook his head.

"Ok fine, I'm nervous," he replied, and he cocked his head to listen to her reaction. She stifled a laugh. "Hey," his voice was defensive, "I was terrified when I started at Hogwarts."

"So was I," Imelda validated his statement and traced lazy circles on his back. "But it was all so much fun. There's nothing to worry about. He's not a Gaunt."

"People will know."

"Maybe," Imelda agreed. "But why should they care?"

Ominis shrugged. "They cared when I started."

"Well you weren't exactly friendly."

Ominis mocked an expression of hurt. "Neither were you!"

"And people didn't like me either!" Imelda giggled. "Just relax. Everything is going to be okay. He'll go to Hogwarts, and we'll have time to ourselves again."

Imelda watched Ominis' expression change from worrisome to a suggestive smirk and she patted him on the back. "Not yet, calm down."

Ominis shushed her as she watched Corvus sneak around the corner.

"What are you doing, sneaky?" She asked him, and his body visibly sagged.

"I'm fine."

"You don't sound fine," Ominis said, finding his seat next to the window. His body was turned towards their son's. "What's wrong? Are you nervous?"

"No," Corvus answered, very quickly.  He paced around nervously for a few minutes. The two of them let him be until he spoke. "What if Anne and I get put into different houses?"

Imelda looked over at Ominis like she was going to give him the chance to reply and he must've realised this.

"My family have been in Slytherin for centuries," Ominis started. "And you know, that they're direct -"

"Descendants of Salazar Slytherin I know," Corvus said, not unkindly, and Ominis sat back, an eyebrow raised. "But what if I'm not? Or what if Anne isn't?"

"Uncle Sebastian's family do have girls sorted into Ravenclaw sometimes," Imelda said, honestly. "So you never know. But even if she is sorted somewhere else, you'll be able to spend just as much time together. The only place you share is the common room. The dormitories are kept seperate for boys and girls, and so if you're put in different houses that's the only place you're missing out on. It's not much. I wouldn't worry, little dove. You're going to have a brilliant time, really."

Corvus didn't seem convinced, but he didn't seem as troubled either. Ominis sat back in his chair and listened for any changes. "All four of you were in Slytherin," he said.

"Yes," Ominis nodded. "I met Sebastian on the Hogwarts Express. But I didn't really talk to your mother until fourth year. And we didn't meet your Aunt until fifth year. So you make friends along the way, son."

Imelda looked over at Ominis to watch the way he delivered his sentences. He was so gentle, so quiet and kind. His eyes had grown slightly darker since they were young, extra cataracts clouding them. But he still looked young, for his age, and defining and handsome. His jaw was sharp, and his face was still freckled with beauty spots.

"I hope I'm in Slytherin," Corvus finalised, and Ominis nodded like he already knew. Imelda turned his head back towards their son. His hair was raven, like hers, but slicked back, like Ominis'. His eyes were this green that neither of them possessed, but Imelda knew - that was the colour of the eyes of Ominis' father, and all of his brothers. It was carried in the men of the Gaunt family. Imelda knew that was the colour of Ominis' eyes, should they not be covered. She liked them on him. They suited.

Ominis replied to Corvus. "You will be, son. Don't worry."

————

Corvus POV

The Hogwarts Express was a massive train. Corvus had not expected it to have as many carriages as it did, and looking at it was a bit daunting. He was trying to mask any nervousness on his face, but as usual he was an open book. However, Anne next to him seemed to be having a crisis. Uncle Sebastian was trying to calm her down.

"It's alright, dear," Sebastian said to her, kneeling down to her level. Corvus watched him plant a kiss on her forehead and then looked at his own father, who was standing straight and tall, hair combed back and looking regal as ever. For some reason, it made Corvus roll his eyes. Uncle Sebastian was much more casual than his own father..

"How are you doing, little dove?" his mother asked him, ruffling up his hair and distracting him from his thoughts. "Look at that train! Isn't it amazing? I remember the first day I caught it like it was yesterday! You're going to make us so proud, you know."

"It is a big train," he agreed, looking at the length of it. It was scarlet red, so beautifully sleek Corvus wondered how many people it took to clean it and maintain it. The students and parents bustling around the station had different moods, from excited and exhilarated to crying and distressed. Children said goodbye to their parents, some of them barely waved, in anticipation to get on the train. Corvus looked back at Anne.

"Are you ready, Anne?" He asked. "It's almost time."

"Dad," Anne cried, giving him another hug. "I'm going to miss you so much."

Uncle Sebastian chuckled and gave his daughter a squished hug. Aunt Y/N ran her hand over Anne's red hair, shaking her head with a small smile. She wondered if she knew Sebastian was Anne's favourite. Anne had always said there was just something about her dad. She loved both of them to death, but a dads love was something else. Corvus didn't understand what all the fuss was about. He loved his mum and dad equally, but they were both annoying.

His own mothers hand had been on Corvus' shoulder, but when he felt it lift he looked up to see her talking to Ominis in a hushed voice. He often got overwhelmed in highly stimulating environments such as this, what with four senses and all. Corvus still found it slightly annoying. In his defence though, Ominis was trying to push her away, trying to act like it wasn't affecting him, for Corvus' sake.

"Are you alright, dad?" Corvus found himself asking, and his father gave him a grin and opened his arms wide to him. Corvus shuffled over to return the embrace.

"You're going to be a brilliant wizard, Corvus," his father told him. "I'm certain of it. I'm so proud of you. We'll see you in the holidays."

"Ok, dad."

"I love you."

Corvus choked a bit, before he said, "I love you. Too." He was of course, a young boy. Emotion was supposed to be a foreign thing. He hid a tear that was welling up in his right eye. Tried to suck it back in. He wasn't a baby. It was just school.

His mother gave him a hug and a kiss and he turned around, placing his hand in Anne's. Anne turned to look at him and gave him a nervous smile.

They were getting on the train.