The Light in My Darkness ||Ominis Gaunt X OC||

Chapter 19

Charlotte felt her pulse quicken as they stepped into the grand ballroom, the murmur of voices and soft strains of a waltz filling the air. She had attended parties with her family before, but this was different. This was the Wizengamot Summit, a rare and powerful assembly of the magical elite. The ballroom was alive with opulence: crystal chandeliers bathed the space in warm light, while lush drapes and floral arrangements gave an air of regal elegance. Her senses sharpened, catching the faint scent of polished wood and perfume mixed with the metallic hint of magic in the air.

"From the noble house of Gaunt, Lord Moros Gaunt, Heir to the Name Ominis Gaunt and his wife Charlotte Gaunt née Fawley," the announcer called out, her voice echoing through the ballroom. Heads turned, eyes settled on them, and an undercurrent of whispers ensued, assessing and scrutinizing the newlywed couple. Charlotte felt the weight of countless stares, sharp as a blade, and clung to Ominis's arm, letting his steady presence ground her.

As the young couple followed Ominis's father down the steps, Charlotte's fingers couldn't help but fidget with the rich, deep emerald green silk of her gown, the color so intense it seemed to shimmer in the candlelight, giving her an almost ethereal glow against her pale skin. The gown, designed to accentuate her figure, hugged her frame as black lace traced along her collarbones and sleeves. This was not a dress she would have chosen, but it was meant to display her as an accessory to the Gaunt legacy-a piece of art to be admired, not a person with her own thoughts.

Where his father was wearing the more traditional robes, Ominis was allowed to dress more modern as he was not a full fledged member of the Wizengamot. Ominis looked every bit the elegant pure-blood heir, a presence that could fill the room with quiet command. His deep green velvet tailcoat caught the candlelight with a soft sheen, tapering perfectly at his waist and flowed into sleek tails behind him. The rest of his outfit, silk waistcoat, skirt and trousers were all black. He carried a cane in his other hand, the sleek polished ebony wood caught the light, a coiled silver snake reared its head, mouth open in a silent hiss, emeralds gleaming as its eyes. The design was precise, almost lifelike, perfect for the heir of Slytherin. They did look the part for being a united front.

Ominis squeezed her hand, guiding her along behind his father. They stopped occasionally, introducing her into the high class pure-blood families. She would curtsey politely with a gentle, practiced smile before allowing her eyes to wander. Most heirs she knew from school, Garreth Weasley and Leander Prewett, classmates from Ominis year, were laughing loudly at the refreshments. Victoria Lestrange, a Slytherin from her year, was whispering to her new husband Robert Yaxley. He was a year above Ominis and the pair got married right after graduation two years ago.

She was thankful that she didn't marry Ominis right after graduation. She couldn't imagine going through all this at 17.

As her eyes skirted around the ballroom, her eyes caught her father's. His brow arched as he took in her presence and the absence of Marvolo, his lips pressed in a thin line. Her eyes shifted to her brother standing beside him and couldn't help the small wave she gave him.

They were always close growing up, Hector was protective of her, getting into fights over her when children could be cruel. Seeing him tonight brought back many fond memories of his earnest smile. But now, his face was somber, his gaze sharp and assessing as he took in her and Ominis's appearance. He leaned over to their father, whispered something before the pair made their way over.

Lord Gaunt, noticing the Fawleys approach, shifted his posture, a polite but distant greeting forming on his lips as Viscount Fawley stepped forward. They exchanged a courteous nod, but Charlotte could see the tension crackling between them.

"Lord Gaunt," her father began, his tone cordial but laced with subtle concern, "I noticed Marvolo isn't with you tonight."

Lord Gaunt's expression didn't falter, and he gave the same rehearsed response he'd ingrained in them on the way here. "Marvolo chose a different path, a less respectable one." His tone was dismissive, treating Marvolo's absence as an inconvenience rather than a family crisis. "Ominis, as heir, fulfills the role far better than his... wayward brother." The words were smooth, his voice so controlled that it almost masked the bitterness beneath.