The Unwanted Malfoy Heiress

Eleven: A Proper Gentlemanly Escort

I didn't know what to think of hearing from Ominus Gaunt about the fact that my presence at Hogwarts was causing some buzz courting-wise in the student population. I had always had my small cliques in both Ilvermorny and Beauxbatons, and in Ilvermorny, we had all been too young to think about who was courting who. In Beauxbatons, if the wizards there did fancy witches, it was only their intended they were with, and not on a casual basis with anyone else. Most of the wizards who weren't betrothed to the witches their families wanted them with, they were with one another...in that way. A great deal of the older witches had a similar arrangement themselves, and because one could never be sure if one were involved romantically with someone else, it was considered a major faux paux among the French school to simply ask outright.

I laughed it off, "I'm sure my novelty of being the new student has a small part to do with this interest."

Ominus grinned. "Perhaps, but perhaps not. Still, there is speculation implicit in who you might fancy, and during Christmas, with us all being fifth years, you will get propositions for the coveted role of your escort to the Yule Ball."

My cheeks reddened at that. "I...Well, um, no one really stands out to me yet. I mean, it is only September. There is time to think about all of these things."

Ominus sipped his pumpkin juice for a bit, and he sighed heavily when Imelda Reyes joined the Slytherin table late and began chatting up Sebastian Sallow. "Is he acting non chalant or annoyed?"

I caught her glaring at me before Sebastian stormed away in an angry huff. "He looked decidedly annoyed."

Ominus frowned, almost sad, "I expected as much. There is a bad history there between them, and I admit that I did not help matters much when Bastian was first dealing with his twin sister's disturbing affliction that causes her bouts of pain every day."

"Can I ask what happened?"

Ominus shook his head. "It is not my story to tell. I wish that I could, but we've always respected each other's secrets ever since we were first years. However, he perhaps would say that my amicable break away from Anne was cruel when, in fact, it was what she herself wanted, despite my feelings on the matter."

I could tell that no matter what Ominus said, the loss of his recent sweetheart was still painful for him. I laid my hand gently on his. "I am truly sorry for that. I've never had any casual affairs myself, but I am here for you."

Ominus patted my hand. "I know. It's just...were it not for what befell her, I-well, not everyone is as kind to blind magic users as you are. Your brother was certainly of that number. Forgive me, I should not speak ill of the dead."

I nodded. "You're not. Colin was shamelessly spoiled, and indulged, and me..." I angrily wiped at a tear that fell, "I'm just the heiress that no one besides my Aunt Marietta wants. Everyday I'm expecting to receive marching orders as to who I'll be wed to for life, only my father seems to want to forget he had two children, and not just his precious boy who treated everyone around him like trash."

Ominus lifted my chin to meet his cloudy blue eyes, and he tried looking into my eyes or would if he could see, "I truly wish that I could not relate to your family life, Anastasia. All my family sees when they look at me are damaged goods and that I am somehow less than them for not liking dark magic."

"How can they say that? You're so kind. Kinder than I thought a Gaunt would be," I blurted. "But I suppose we rare bleeding heart purebloods have to stick together, huh?"

Ominus nodded, smiling, "Indeed, we do. Thank you for confiding in me. It means more to me than you know."

I was about to say something else, but then the bell for classes began ringing. Ominus moved to turn away and then seemed to decide on something, "Would you, um, if I may be so bold...let me start over: may I, Ahem, escort you to DADA class? Sebastian will already be there, still kindling his rivalry with Leander Prewett, no doubt."