A Legacy of Serpents

Chapter 3

The moment they reached Feldcroft, Anne's hand tightened in his, and Ominis sensed the tension rolling off her in waves.

From Sebastian, he'd heard dreadful stories about Solomon. The man used to be an auror, protecting wizardkind from threats the average witch or wizard couldn't handle themselves. But he'd retired from the job early. No one knew why. However, Sebastian in all his sleuthing had managed to uncover a nasty rumor of citizen theft and sexual abuse that had led to Solomon's leave of absence from the field.

This time, he tightened his grip on Anne as the terrible thought refused to abate. Although he was aware of the emotional and physical abuse Solomon brought upon Sebastian and Anne, he'd heard of no sexual abuse. But that didn't erase his worries when Anne was alone with Solomon far too often after she'd been cursed.

Getting her back to Hogwarts was the safest thing for her, even if it was only part time.

"I hope you have a little bit of that charm left over for me," Anne murmured, finally dropping his hand, much to his disappointment. "I think my uncle will be angry with me."

"You think I'm charming?" Ominis teased. "I take that as a high compliment coming from you."

"Would you prefer the term charming or master manipulator?" she teased back, and he couldn't help but chuckle at the ease in which she both complimented him and insulted him at the same time.

A sheep bleated somewhere on the field to his right. Chickens clucked to his left. A swift wind carried the voices of peddlers and farmers at the afternoon market selling their produce and wares.

The scents of farm animals, tilled earth, and fresh stream water cast a spell of nostalgia over him. Over the past four years, this had been his home aside from Hogwarts. Living with Anne and Sebastian over the summers and holidays had given him hope where none seemed to exist prior to when he'd lived with his cruel family.

A shudder ran down his spine at the thought of the things they'd made him do, at the things they'd done to him. He would never forget the dark arts thrust upon him from a young age. No one should ever delve into the unforgivables. He stood by that, and would never change his mind.

He lifted his wand, and the power of perception surged into him, giving him insight on his surroundings. Everything seemed hazy, almost like feeling the sunshine on his skin but not seeing where the rays of light came from. He perceived a stone wall around a field and several houses surrounding it. He even felt Anne's presence beside him.

Although the power didn't give him back what he lacked, it certainly helped.

"It's beautiful here," he murmured, taking it all in like a breath of fresh air.

"Umm...what do you mean?" Her hesitancy likely stemmed from his lack of sight.

Taking several steps forward, he leaned his elbows against the stone wall, grateful to have made contact rather than embarrassing himself by missing it entirely. "It's peaceful. Quiet. Completely unlike what I was used to while growing up in London."

The heat from her presence sidled up beside him until their shoulders lightly brushed together, creating a cacophony of emotions racing through his chest. Longing. Desire. Hope. Fear.

"I can't imagine what the city is like." Anne laughed, her shoulder brushing against his again. "I've only ever known these hamlets and the simple life they offer."

"Nothing wrong with a simple life." He tipped his head to the side, listening to the way she absently brushed her finger along loose rocks on top of the wall. "I have an inheritance waiting in my vault at Gringotts. I plan to use it to build or purchase a home in Hogsmeade Valley and just enjoy the peace. Well, until I figure out what I want to do with my life." He shrugged. "I'm not sure what's out there for someone like me."