Aftermath ✧ Sebastian Sallow

chapter forty-nine

Amelia's Perceptive

The house was empty that afternoon except for the sound of turning pages and purs from the sleeping cat. Perfect for focusing and reading as I was going over all of my notes in an attempt to piece the information I had gathered together. 

Even if it had gone unspoken, I knew I needed to work faster.

There were only was a limited amount of time before we'd have to go back to Hogwarts. And even less time for Anne. 

It wasn't until the faded pop sound of someone apparating into the room sent a cold shrill of fear down my spine. My breath remained frozen in my lungs as I peered over my shoulder from the desk to find the tall man with slicked-back black hair and pale eyes examining the room before his eyes met mine.

Marvolo Gaunt smiled devilishly as he looked at me, "Well that was easier than I thought. What are you doing here?"

"Reading," I said shortly as I slammed the book shut in front of me. I'd have to track down where I left off later, but it wasn't worth worrying about yet.

Ominis had given me two rules the first night that he showed me the home and dark arts books. The first rule had been expected, he didn't want Sebastian to read anything from the books. We didn't completely agree with one another on that, I wanted help researching, but Ominis thought the risk was too high. 

The second rule was if another Gaunt showed up in the house then leave fast.

Marvolo walked over toward the desk, eyes searching the desk as he placed a hand against my shoulder while looking over the loose notes. 

I can't apparate anyway if he is touching me. The risk of apparating with him would be too high. 

"A horcrux?" He laughed.

"What are you doing here?" I asked flatly.

His pale eyes searched the desk as he pushed my notes to the side, before moving a stack of books inches over to relieve a craving into the wood of the desk. M.G. 

"This is my room, little bird," He said softly before leaning against the clear spot of the desk.

His hand left my shoulder, but his foot pressed against mine regardless of how I tried to create space between us. He knew I could apparate and was trying to prevent it. I attempted to push my chair back away as he stood in between my notes on the desk and myself. A literal obstacle in my path.

"I don't believe I've properly introduced myself," He grinned with a toothy smile, "Marvolo Gaunt." He held his hand out in a strong gesture, but I refused to shake. 

I needed to get further away from him. His eyes stared heavily at me as you could feel a weight to his gare. 

"It isn't very ladylike to not introduce yourself back," He said in my silence. 

"Amelia," I snarled back.

I'd hope to make him annoyed enough to leave yet he just smiled back with the same toothy smile. After the uncomfortable length of time that he held his hand out, he began digging into his pockets instead as he searched over the desk. 

"Why a horcrux?" He questioned calmly pulling a small box of cigarettes out along with matches. 

Smoking made sense for someone of his nature, yet matches didn't. Magic could be used easily enough to light them.

"What does it matter to you?" I growled. 

Marvolo laughed as he struck the match before holding it out toward me silently as if he were passing it off. I took the light match in my fingers as the heat kissed my skin.