Ominis Gaunt Loves a Pureblood

16. Change

Sorsa Rosier POV

   In the middle of the night, my little snake Starlight hisses near my ear. I jolt awake, carefully avoiding his small white body as I sit up. The room is dark, and I can hardly see the small enchanted paper in Starlight's mouth.

   "Lumos," I whisper softly. Light floods the room, and I squint, covering my eyes. I dim the spell so it's not so bright and rub the sleep from my face. "Thank you," I tell the little ivory snake as I take the purple-hued parchment, as he returns to my pillow.

   Darling, a man of the most vile kind belonging to your family name, returns to the Mansion in short succession. I beseech you, my love, to avoid him at all costs and take every precaution to ensure your safety. Take a lady's maid with you or even a house elf if you must go somewhere. A certain descendo victim will also be a guest at your home as well in four days' time. The same requests regarding the first man; I ask of you for this one as well. I love and miss you. Tell little Noctua the same. -Your heart

   "Oh, Omi," I huff into the dark. A small sob escapes my lips. I miss him.

   I fluff my nightgown and pull my blankets over my midsection to hide my bump before snapping my fingers. A house-elf appears in my room. The battered female house elf wears a dirty green pillowcase and has a slight smile on her face as she greets me.

   "Can Tildy assist m'lady with something?" The house-elf, Tildy, asks.

   "When is Arengo Rosier returning to the Mansion?" I don't waste time chatting.

   "Lord Arengo is arriving this day, ma'am," Tildy says.

   "Tildy, about what time?" I follow up.

   "M'lord and his Lady wife are expected around noonday," Tildy explains.

   "Very good, Tildy. Thank you for the information. I have one more question for you. Is there a reliable ladies maid employed here, whose company I could keep at hand when sporting about?"

   "Tildy believes the young maid, Johanna Barkley, might be a good choice for you, Lady Sorsa," The house elf says, with a knowing look in her eyes. I nod.

   "Thank you, Tildy. Send her up in the morning, so I might speak with her," I flop on my side. I can still sleep on my stomach since my bump is small, but I won't be able to much longer. A shame since I'm fond of sleeping that way.

   "Tildy will do this, ma'am," She says.

   "You're dismissed, Tildy," When I hear the little pop of air, I know she's gone.

   I stroke my hands over my swollen abdomen and whisper the words Ominis requested I relay. Being Pregnant has been so strange. There's a disconnectedness and yet a genuine connection. A surrealness, and yet, a harsh realness to it. I can sense my baby, and yet it's hard to fathom.

   I wait by the fireplace to meet my new ladies' maid in the morning. I've already dressed, of course, because my bump would be evident if I let someone dress me. I wear a blouse and a skirt. The waist I've had moved up a bit, and the fabric is light and airy. I pull a classic wizard's cloak over it and cinch it loosely around the middle. I look very much like a young witch who isn't pregnant in the least. It would be much more challenging to wear muggle fashion on its own in this condition and hide it. The low-heeled boots are a charming addition to the overall look. Tildy lets Johanna in. She's taller than I am, slender, with brown hair fashioned in a common style, a bun, but the hair is puffed and rounded in a ring around the head, almost like a hat. She wears a black maid's dress with a white apron. She looks about my age and has a kindly disposition.