Silk Roads

Chapter 6

Chapter 6: School and Reunion

1965
Location: Hogwarts, Dungeons

Marcaunon grimaced as he tried (and failed) to scratch the unreachable itch behind his mind. He knew that he was forgetting something important, but what was it? He suspected it had something to do with his progeny, and that made his grimace turn into a scowl.

With a defeated sigh, he continued towards the Great Hall, where he would meet up with his little one for dinner. Marchosias had all but run off to the restriction section after he had given permission during lunch, for only a day though.

He wasn't really worried about his little one roaming the castle unsupervised, since Manasa and Suki (he made sure that they were small enough so that Marchosias could carry them) would be with him at all times. Marcaunon preferred his familiar to remain together with his son due to the Headmaster. Slytherin descendants could be used as a weapon against Voldemort after all –not that Chaos would even want to be on the Light's side.

"P-professor Gaunt?" A female's voice stuttered from behind him. Marcaunon plastered a polite smile onto his face and turned.

"Yess?"

A Hufflepuff girl twirled a lock of her chestnut hair in a nervous gesture as she cleared her throat.

"Are you alright?" Her face was an amazing shade of red.

"E-excuse me?" She blinked.

"Your face is red. Do you have a fever? Do you need me to bring you to see Madam Pomfrey?"

"No!" She squeaked as she turned crimson. He could practically see the smoke rising from her face. "I mean, no sir! Looking at you makes me hot. No wait I didn't mean...! That wasn't..."

Marcaunon inward frowned in confusion. Why would looking at him make her feel hot? He wasn't wearing that much clothing, since he forgone his robe.

"Daddy?" The innocent little voice made him spin around and look downwards. Marchosias was standing just an arm's length away, his arms hugging a tome almost half his size. His hood was up, making the blue dragon horns attached at the top stand out. Marcaunon almost cooed at how adorable his son is; he often wore those cute animal hoodies Marcaunon had bought for him.

"Hello there little one. How was your trip to the library?"

"Good. I found this interesting tome to read. Was there something she needed?" Marcaunon missed his son's narrowing of the eyes when he turned back to the girl in question.

"I... I was just wondering if you could tutor me, sir... Since the O. are coming."

"Ah. I'm having a tutor session the next day with the Ravenclaws. In the library at noon. You may join us, if that's alright with you?"

She looked a little disappointed but smiled at him nonetheless.

"Alright. Thank you Professor Gaunt." The Puff bowed before hurrying away.

Marcaunon shook his head and sighed. Being a Professor was tiring.

"Chaos?" He turned towards his son. "Let me carry that for you."

His little boy thanked him and they continued their way towards the Hall, hand in hand.

OOOO

"Marcaunon, I've been wondering for a while..." McGonagall spoke suddenly from beside him.

Marcaunon's fork was half way up his mouth when he turned towards her with a questioning tilt of his head. A habit he couldn't get rid of no matter how much he tried.