Cause & Effect | Ominis Gaunt Love Story

Chapter 80: Cause and Effect

Draco Malfoy was sitting behind a desk and looking every bit the disgruntled husband whose wife was dying and could do nothing about it. His gaze lifted when Scorpius and him entered the room, the younger wizard not bothering to knock.

Kids these days. No respect. Ominis tilted his head slightly, humoring himself. Was he older than this wizard? He was two years older than Stella which meant they were both 24. Or was Ominis suddenly 150 years old now?

"Scorp..." Draco said cautiously, putting down the quill, "Who's this?"

"Oh..." Scorpius grimaced, turning slightly. "I never asked you your name."

Ominis resisted the urge to smile. Stella would have done something like that too. Instead, he plastered a fake smirk on his face and looked arrogantly at the man behind the desk, "It's a pleasure. I'm Ominis Gaunt."

Draco's eyes narrowed. "The Gaunts died out in the 20th century. Try again."

What a nice reminder that his family was dead. It almost filled the emptiness currently in his chest.

Ominis spoke confidently, "As I said before. I am Ominis Gaunt. You read Sebastian's journals. You must have gotten that special note I left. The one handed to you specifically from one of Sebastian Sallow's descendants." Ominis reached into his pocket, pulling out the very item he always carried on him for fear of someone else getting ahold of it. There was a charm on his back pocket to hide its bulky, triangular shape. "You've been searching for this relic to save your wife. If you don't want her to die, then you're going to listen to me very closely. But I need to speak to the both of you. Now. Time is running out."

Chapter 80: Cause and Effect

Hermione Malfoy was an intimidating little thing for someone who appeared to be on the brink of death. He could see Stella in the curve of her lips and the way her eyes narrowed at him suspiciously.

"Tell me. Do you normally threaten people whose help you want?" Hermione inquired wryly with Draco standing directly behind her. His arms were crossed and he didn't look impressed, but there was hope in Scorpius' eyes as Ominis put the relic back in his pocket. "What do you hope to gain here?"

A wife.

"Stella went back to her apartment. She's mad about the way you three continue to feed her fear of insignificance." He shifted his attention to Draco, "Interrupt her before she finishes the journal. It'll make her more curious and determined to help save Mrs. Malfoy here."

"And why should-"

Ominis sighed heavily, "Relic. Your wife. Do I really need to keep repeating myself? It was never fun to begin with and I'm getting pissed off."

Hermione covered a laugh with a cough. "He's more prickly than you, dear. Never thought I could know someone grumpier than you in your Sixth Year."

Draco scoffed quietly, but shared a look with Scorpius before heading downstairs to the Floo chimney they'd passed by earlier.

Scorpius took a step closer to his mother.

"Why are you really here?" Hermione asked pensively, "You don't care about me. But you travelled all the way here from 1898."

His head tilted, "So you did read my note."

"Sebastian Sallow's descendent was told to give it to the parents of Stella Malfoy on a specific date which was a few days ago. Draco and I knew you'd be coming today, but we weren't completely sure it'd happen. Time travel magic is especially finicky. How did you not age like Eloise?"