Ominis Gaunt Loves a Pureblood

20. Love in the Undercroft

Ominis Gaunt POV

   "No, he told me nothing else unless you're referring to the baby? I was told the child died," I say, responding to his question about what I was told by my Father concerning my Aunt Noctua and her affair with Professor Sharp.

   "I see," Sharp says, his voice rather lost and downcast.

   "There was a time I hated you. I didn't believe what he said about her running off after nine years. I didn't believe it because I knew she was happy. It was my only reprieve from the rest of them when she visited. She told me about you too, once. Though I did not know your name, for she never gave it. I remember the day. She had found me after I'd hurt a muggle man, but you see, it was because of the pain that I did it. I couldn't suffer the pain again. I was weak back then. So I hurt them to avoid the torture, and she found me when I was contemplating something no eight-year-old should. I asked how she was happy when we who think differently suffer so frequently at the hands of the others. She said, "I have a man who loves me, and I have you and my brother," referring to my insipid Father, but he did love her despite himself. My Father never told me your name either," I say.

   "Were you tortured often in this way?" Professor Sharp says.

   "I refused to hurt innocent people, muggle or otherwise. I refused to do many things my Father and his associates asked of me. So that should answer your question, then,"

   "I didn't know it was that bad,"

   "Why does it matter? Who was I to you? Until I became your rather poor pupil," I say stiffly. I don't like being pitied.

   "Noctua loved you very much," Professor Sharp says. He has an emotion in his voice I've never heard before. I turn my head away from where I know he stands.

   "Is there anything else, Professor?" I say.

   "How did you know it was me?" He asks.

   "I don't know. I just knew. I just knew the moment Father told me of her affair with an auror. And then, early in fifth year, Sebastian and I were in your office at night. We were looking for something else, and he found a portrait of Noctua in your desk," My voice is weak with grief then.

   "I should like to talk more with you," Sharp says.

   "Another time, Professor," I say, already heading for the defense against the dark arts tower so I can go into the Undercroft. I'm certain Sebastian and Sorsa are on their way there, if not already down there.

   It takes me only a short time to get to the Undercroft door. I ensure no students are milling about nearby and cast an illusion over me for good measure. The grating sound of the lift is like music to me. The moment I step into the Undercroft, I'm ambushed by my beloved and best friend. When we pull apart, the three of us, I take Sorsa's face into my hands and kiss her, drinking in her taste and savoring her plump lips. I bite her lower lip, and she whimpers. Sebastian clears his throat.

   "I'm in the room, remember?" Sebastian says sarcastically. Sorsa chuckles as she tries to pull away, but I tug her back.

   "So close your eyes," I say, running my thumb along Sorsa's jaw and tipping her face back up. She makes one of those little noises of desire I love so much as I plant another kiss on her lips. I smirk as I turn her loose, pleased with the sound of her rapidly beating heart.

   "Sorry, Sebby," Sorsa says, her small hands playing with the rings on my fingers.

   "Oh, come off it. I don't mind. I know you miss each other," Sebastian says. I tilt my face toward his voice, reaching my free hand toward him. Sebastian bumps his shoulder under my hand, as he has before, when I reach for him.