Exploration

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He had made his excuses at work how he was taking time off for recovery, Mr Abbot had been overjoyed at the news he was taking time off to recover before he was needed. He didn't like it- granted the bruise on his jaw had almost faded in the week and his lip had healed up nicely he had played on the pain in his ribs to make a point of needing the time off. Ensuring his supplies for the journey packed and ready, all he had to do was ensure Sharp had information before they left on what they would be doing and where to locate them based on location. He didn't want to risk not having backup in a dire situation.

Usually he would have chosen to apparate outside the castle but with him being in Hogsmeade it was only a short walk there either way. One thing he had ensured was enough galleons and muggle money so no matter they went they would be provided for.

He opted for Professor Sharp first, it was a time of the day where he knew he would be between lessons and have time to briefly talk about it all.
"Enter" walking through he sensed there was more than just them two
"Excellent timing Gaunt, Miss Dorian and Mr Sallow had already got here to get what was needed for your journey. There is maps of not only where you need to go but areas you will go undetected as you travel there, normally most would apparate but for something like this you need to do it in stages to avoid arousing detection and questions I'm sure you don't want to be answering. Try not to cause chaos on the way, I've supplied Miss Dorian with enough potions for things such as poisonings, small healings and variety of other things. Mr Sallow has researched enough on the places you'll be going to as some are muggle towns so during them, your wands need to be away. I've recommended to them that in these muggle villages one is to take your arm to guide you, I know you will dislike it but I can not stress how discreet you need to be. One whiff of this from the Ministry and they will be on you fast. If you do encounter danger in any of these places there is smoke bombs provided in her pockets that can be used for a brief escape to apparate to an abandoned home. If you have to go there send word immediately so I can begin to attempt smoothing this over. You may lose your job from this if they do catch you Gaunt. Are you sure you want to do this?" He had never considered that as an implication, he knew Azkaban would have been a risk but jobless was another
"Yes Sir, I'm prepared to take those risks"

The meeting had been brief but it had been drilled into them how serious it would be. Tucking his wand away for their first location he gripped on to Eliza's arm. Her hand squeezed reassuringly.
"So there's an inn up here we can reserve for the night, we have to appear like we are muggles travelling and taking in the sights, erm well that myself and Eliza are. And you will be my brother who is a recluse so we wanted you to get fresh air"
"Honestly Sebastian we don't need backstories, you're going a little over the top here" shaking his head
"Trust me, we'll need some backstories" his feet stumbled slightly over pebbles, Eliza's grip tightened to steady him..Is this what she would have to do for him regularly? He hated the idea.

By the time they had reached the Inn Ominis had argued with Sebastian for the hundredth time they didn't need elaborate stories they just needed to book their rooms and plan for the next day
"Hello, we're looking to book two rooms for the night?" Sebastian piped up to the keeper of the inn
"No worries mate, who's going in what rooms? We don't let unwed couples share a room 'ere" damn it Sebastian had to be right on backstories, Ominis took lead, making sure he had confidence in his voice
"My brother here will be in one room, myself and my wife in the other. We have proof of marriage if you need it. If its not too much bother my brother will need to be in a room near me, I struggle with my sight and he aides me with some tasks" fishing out a forged document he had prepared in case they came across those who required proof of marriage, whilst it was ridiculous he knew some stuck very firm to their rules
"No problem Mr and Mrs Gaunt, wife Meredith will show you up. Meredith love! Need two rooms next to each other, married and a single!" Passing back the papers, Eliza's hand brushed over his to retrieve them.

Sitting in the double room he got for himself and Eliza, Sebastian laughed hysterically
"Don't have backstories he says than has one in the pocket himself. When did you get time to fake a marriage document?"
"I'm smart, I knew some places would be heavy on the couple rules so I made it so I had documents for myself and Eliza, and one for you and Eliza in case they didn't believe she was my wife" she sighed next to him, she knew she no doubt disapproved of his actions.
"Why wouldn't they believe I was married to you?" She chimed in, he shrugged
"Some would think women in their right mind wouldn't go for a blind person, just how it is. If you're disabled in some way you're seen as a burden on society, its why I said Sebastian was my brother. They'll believe that I'd travel with a sibling at all times, yes they'll pity him for taking such a weight, but it gives a good cover"

*Eliza's POV*
They had gone over each and every plan and escape plan to how far they would have to travel and what method, brooms was out the option for most of them, horseback was one she point blank refused whilst Sebastian had been enthusiastic on that option, Ominis had insisted if they was going anywhere it was one that could be left easily. Eventually they agreed they would each have their own horse but to place Ominis between herself and. Sebastian to prevent him going off track. Pouting-she hated horseback, many times she had ended up on the floor after being bucked hard, she just didn't have an affinity for them.
"Wait, have you ever actually ridden a horse Ominis?" Sebastian's eyes widened at the thought of it
"Yes, usually I would be at the front with myself being the smallest and my aunt holding the reins but I know how to manage if that's what you're asking" by the time they had gotten settled in their rooms and gone over plans it had been nightfall, once more she was sharing a bed with him, she had taken the ring off her necklace and put it on her finger again, Ominis settled quickly to the bed, his breathing going more shallow and calmer. Pulling out the book he had gifted her- she had been curious on its contents. But when she opened it she was confused, it contained a small box inside with a note, whispering its message to herself.
"Eliza, I know you once wanted proof of my caring for you, I never told you something that had stuck with me when I had been asked once before by Sebastian. I would recognise you in total darkness, if you mute and I deaf instead of blind. In another lifetime in different bodies and different times I would recognise you, I would do anything for your laugh, your lips breathlessly saying my name, I would love you even when the last star in the sky burnt out. You are a piece I had been lacking, and if I had the chance to marry you I would take it, if you want to take that jump into the next stage of life with me then open the box. Your Snake" sneaking a glance back over at him, he was soundly asleep. Cautiously opening it a green jewel looked back at her, the silver band replaced for what appeared to be a snake to hold the gem between its jaw. Snapping the box back shut she placed it in the book with the note- her eyes wider than she thought they could go. Dashing to Sebastians door she rapped on it until he answered, sleepily rubbing his eye
"Eliza what the heck, I was in a nice dream where I was eating a massive cake" shoving past him to thrust the book in his arms
"Erm, its a book?  Couldn't it wait until morning?" Miming him to open it Sebastian read the note, peeking between a sliver of a gap at the ring nestled in its velvet
"He gave that to me when he returned me to Hogwarts last week Sebastian" she could see the cogs working in his mind, he had opened the box to look at the ring in more detail, his head switching between the note and the box
"Merlin that's an engagement ring..." his voice hushed and lower toned,  placing it back in the book like it would bite him
"Well done Seb, got there eventually" she wanted to facepalm at his realisation
"And the first thing you do is run here? You didn't think to I don't know, wake up the man who had left a proposal in a book for you?" Throwing her hands up she was unsure what else to do at the time
"I panicked Sebastian! You would too"
"Fair point there, I mean the things in his note are true he did tell me that one year, I'd asked him what love truly felt like and that was his answer. Wonder how long he's had that tucked away" pace, that was the best thing to do is pace back and forth.

She stayed there until she had adequately calmed down enough to go lay next to Ominis. It was definitely a conversation for another time, for now she would just keep it tucked away.

She couldn't understand how he could wake up so refreshed when she tried to pull the cover back over herself for 5 more minutes, he ignored her protests with kisses scattered up her neck
"Come on Mrs Gaunt, we need to be ready for the travelling" emphasising on Mrs Gaunt, sticking her tongue out at him childishly.
The sun had a unfathomable heat to it this day, she could feel sweat beading at the back of her neck as they reached where they could purchase horses for travels.

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