Ominis Gaunt Loves a Pureblood

19. Curses and Help

This Chapter will have Sorsa and Ominis's POV

Sorsa Rosier POV

   "Practice makes perfect, cousin," I mutter as I enter the training room. Arengo scowls from the opposite side, where he casts at a training dummy.

   "Don't antagonize him, Sorsa dear," Marvolo says as he approaches me. His endearment throws me off, and I stare at him a moment longer than I should.

   "Are you so very fond of me to call me "dear" and give me advice so many times?" I ask.

   Marvolo chuckles and winks. Marvolo Gaunt wants me. I bury my disgust. I can use him to Ominis and my benefit. I raise an eyebrow at him like I usually would at such an act.

   "Marvolo, I tend to block parts of my childhood. Did I know you back then?" I ask earnestly because I have been suspicious recently. Marvolo steps closer, leaning in and dropping his voice.

   "I blocked much of mine as well, but when we would come for dinner at Rosier Mansion, sometimes-" Marvolo stops speaking and strides causally away as my Uncle Enoch enters the room.

   What was Marvolo about to say? The Gaunts would've come to Rosier Mansion to dine sometimes, but I have no memory of Ominis before meeting him in the common room on my first day at Hogwarts. I recognized his name, and his gentleness caught me off guard, but I didn't remember meeting him before. I wasn't invited to every dinner here. Many I spent exploring the Mansion while they were busy.

   "My youngest son is nearly twice your age. Are you very confident?" Uncle Enoch says, sitting in a nearby lounge chair as a servant hands him a brandy.

   "Indeed, Uncle. Not arrogant, though. I realize Arengo is experienced," I tell him. He nods slightly and turns his head away, bored already with me.

   Uncle Enoch scarcely says anything to me most days. I can't help the hatred that coils in my stomach as I remember what Arengo said. I'd never known who had cast the spell that killed my Mother before. Enoch is a dangerous man. Much his sister's senior since Grandfather had my Mother so late in life. My Mother was only twenty-six when she was murdered. Only five years older than Uncle Enoch's youngest son, Arengo. Sergio was only one year older than my Mother, his Aunt. But Uncle Enoch probably hated my Mother since his own had passed when he was newly graduated from Hogwarts. Grandfather remarried immediately to a very young witch of only eighteen at the time, although he was nearly forty. I think Uncle Enoch resented how fast Grandfather moved on. And then, when Uncle Enoch was only twenty-one, and Aunt Venom had just delivered the Rosier heir, Sergio, grandfather's young wife became pregnant with my Mother. She died in childbirth, my grandmother.

   I shake the family history thoughts from my head and enter battle mode. I won't be using ancient magic during the duel. I haven't let the family see it and intend to keep it that way. Even Arengo doesn't know what happened that day in the basement when he attacked me. I cast several spells at a training dummy as Aunt Venom strolls in, white hair in a poof around her head and a black dress fitted at her waist. Cousin Mare comes in as well, the cruel woman. At her side is Chantal, Mare's dearest friend who lives with her. They have a closeness played off as friendship, but Chantal is the only person Mare looks at with romantic love in her eyes. This type of love is frowned upon in the muggle and wizarding worlds. As much as I despise Mare, I hope they'll come a day when this isn't so. More for my friends Amit and Lucan than my own cousin. Finally, Grandfather comes in, tall and powerful despite being in his late seventies.

   "Ready, Cousin?" I say to Arengo. He sneers but approaches the dueling table nonetheless.

   We stand at either end as the dueling table rises from the floor. We pace toward each other and bow. Perhaps a taunt will ruffle his feathers.