I Know Places (Ominis Gaunt x F!MC)

Collins' Curiosities

April 1899

Since you seem to be refusing any and all correspondence sent to your home in London, you've left me no choice but to call upon our contacts at the Ministry to see our letters delivered to your person directly. While you may think you can continue to isolate yourself, you are still a Gaunt and will be expected to perform your family duties or suffer the consequences. Enclosed is a favorable marriage contract that your aunt has already agreed to on behalf of her daughter. Please respond immediately—

Ominis Gaunt, black sheep of his family and reluctant heir of Salazar Slytherin does what any sane person would do when presented with the suggestion of marrying one's cousin, and tosses the letter in the nearby bin, casting incendio for good measure. The smell of smoke drifts through the air as the parchment burns, but he knows it is a temporary relief. There will be more letters. There will always be more letters.

After leaving Hogwarts, Ominis trained extensively for and was eventually accepted to the Office of Aurors within the British Ministry of Magic. It isn't easy, and not his first career choice, but he gains much satisfaction from knowing the decision angers his family. That, and his commitment to denouncing the Dark Arts. If the Gaunts had it their way, he'd be wrapped up in Ministry politics, corrupting any witch or wizard in his path to power. Instead, he seeks to hunt down and put an end to perpetrators of dark magic, perhaps selfishly restoring some karmic balance for himself in the process.

If he were under their direct control, he would also be married by now, forced to produce more heirs with either a complete stranger or distant relative. Both possibilities make him sick. Not that Ominis considers himself a romantic, but the thought of a loveless marriage with a reluctant bride isn't appealing. Deep down he knows he has little choice in the situation. It is only a matter of time before his freedom will essentially end. The last seven years have been stable, if uneventful, and Ominis isn't looking forward to what he considers the end of his peaceful life.

"Have you ever been to Nottingham?"

Brutus MacCarthy, the Auror who Ominis shares a too-small office with bursts through the door smelling of tobacco and last evening's drink.

"Good morning, MacCarthy," Ominis replies, dryly.

The question replays in his mind, and he finds himself momentarily transported to a simpler, happier time. Christmas at the Sloane residence, with his two closest companions by his side. Siobhan Sloane and Sebastian Sallow. The memory of laughter and joy is quickly snuffed out by the harsh reality that despite everything, those friends are strangers now, separated by time, distance, and fate.

"I have," he answers, resolving himself to leave the past where it belongs, in the past. But he is curious. "Why?"

"The ink is still drying on this one." MacCarthy tosses the bound scroll onto Ominis' desk. "Sounds like some troublesome witch is up to no good, killing muggles."

Ominis is intrigued, if only for the fact that it is rare for a woman to be the subject of a Ministry investigation, especially when it comes to murder. He taps his wand on the unraveled parchment, furrowing his brows as he reads over the details.

It is hereby decreed by the Ministry of Magic, that the witch known as 'Mrs. Collins' of Nottingham, England is hereby wanted for judgment before the Wizengamot for the following offenses: improper use of magic, production and distribution of unauthorized potions, the unsanctioned ownership of a magical beast (Niffler, 1), and the murder of Mr. Harrison (muggle).

The investigation and apprehension of the Wanted will be carried out by the Auror Office. At this time, the principal Auror assigned to this case is Mister Brutus MacCarthy—