Chapter 2
Genevieve scrunched her eyes closed as she ran through the barrier with her father only daring to open them when her father gave her a light squeeze.
“Will you ever go through that with your eyes open?” he asked wryly.
“Considering this is my last year needing to do so I doubt it,” said Genevieve. Her father hummed.
“Not necessarily. With the way you and Mr. Gaunt get on I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ll be seeing your own children off here one day.” Genevieve groaned.
“Please do not start planning my future before I’ve even left the gates of Hogwarts.” Her father chuckled.
“Perhaps not planning. But I need not be a seer to guess the general the direction of the near future.” Genevieve shook her head in fond exasperation before her eyes alighted upon a familiar blond Slytherin.
“Ominis!” she called pushing through the crowd. She saw him turn his head a smile on his fair skinned face. She slowed slightly to make sure he’d determined her location and then threw herself into his open arms.
“Hello Genny,” he said in the familiar sophisticated lilt she so loved.
“I’ve missed you greatly,” she said pulling back and looking him over. He looked far better than after their parting the previous year. Of course, that might be what happened when you were free of torture and fear. She imagined she probably looked a good deal better than she had when she’d first come from living with the nuns.
“And I you.”
HL
“Ominis!” someone exclaimed and the Slytherin turned in the direction of the familiar voice a smile spreading across his face as he opened his arms for his girlfriend. She embraced him hitting him slightly hard though not enough to send him off balance going off the slight falter he’d caught in her footsteps she’d made sure she wasn’t going to discombobulate him.
“Hello Genny,” he said fondly breathing in the subtle scent of lilac she was wearing and enjoying the feeling of having her back in his arms. Having her back now he realized he’d missed her more than even he’d thought.
“I’ve missed you greatly,” she said voicing his exact thoughts and he could hear the smile that undoubtably graced her face.
“As I have you. Letters are no true substitute,” he responded still holding her hand before turning to where he’d heard Professor Fig follow up behind his eager daughter, who had now turned to personally thank his aunt for the research she’d sent.
“Good day Professor.”
“Good day Mr. Gaunt. Looking forward to making the most of your final year?” asked the man in his usual cheerful tone.
“Depends on what you mean by making the most. The past two years have been quite eventful.”
“That wasn’t my fault!” said Genevieve indignantly and Ominis chuckled.
“I didn’t say it was though the fact you jumped to defend yourself…”
“Oh quiet you,” muttered the girl. He heard his Aunt Noctua laugh.
“A word to the wise Ominis the woman is always right.”
“That’s certainly how it worked with Miriam,” joked Professor Fig.
“Well, we’d better be getting on the train,” said Genevieve as her hand left his presumably so she could say a final farewell. He turned back to his aunt.
“Thank you for everything this Summer Aunt Noctua.” He felt a hand on his cheek and the slight chill of the familiar snake ring he knew she always wore.
“Of course, dear. I will always do everything I can to protect you.” He smiled. That was true she always had. Ominis wasn’t stupid he suspected there was a good chance his Aunt might have walked away from the family before now if it weren’t for him. Now with any luck they would both be free.
“I know,” he replied.
“Have a good year and write me when you get the chance,” Noctua asked before seeing him off with a final hug. Ominis felt Genevieve’s hand slip into his and then together, with the assistance of his wand they moved off towards the train.
HL
Eleazar watched his daughter move off towards the train hand in hand with Ominis Gaunt the boy with his wand out the tip blinking red. It was a different sight even from last year let alone the previous one. Genevieve was growing more and more confident with every year that passed and though he knew it meant she would need him less he couldn’t help but be pleased for her.
“Quite the pair those two,” said Noctua Gaunt with a fond smile watching her nephew and Genevieve depart.
“They do seem well suited. I know she missed your nephew a great deal over the Summer,” said Eleazar.
“As he was longing for her. I think that is one relationship that’s going to grow stronger. Your daughter’s an extraordinary girl.”
“That she is and your nephew is an honorable young man.”
“He’s the best of this family of ours. If you can call it a family,” replied Noctua slightly bitterly. Eleazar knew the woman had harbored hopes of changing her family. Unfortunately, some cases like the majority of the Gaunts were simply too far gone.
A part of Eleazar did worry about Genevieve getting caught in the crossfire by associating with Ominis even if the boy himself was no harm but at the same time it wasn’t fair to force her to stay away because of the actions of the boy’s family and for another he knew it wouldn’t do any good. Genevieve was too strong minded much like his Miriam. Until she or Ominis decided to part ways of their own volition there would be no changing her course.
Not that there was much chance of that happening going off their reunion minutes earlier.
“He likely gets a good deal of it from you,” he at last responded and Noctua gave a small smile. Eleazar sighed. “I had better get going much as missing Professor Black’s start of term eulogy…I mean speech to the Professors would be nice I expect I’d pay in the long run.”
“Most likely. I remember him at dinner parties,” snorted Noctua. “Take care and give my best to Aesop.”
“I most certainly will,” he assured her with a smile before turning to leave.
HL
Noctua said goodbye to the Magical Theory professor before turning back to watch the train depart. It had been a quiet but nice Summer with Ominis. Thanks to certain information she’d found on her brother she’d been able to keep the loathsome man off their back long enough to give Ominis some peace.
Of course, whether that was a permanent solution remained to be seen. Ideally Narcissus would just let the rejects of the family go but there was always the chance of things being made more difficult. If it did come down to that it meant young Genevieve was likely to be drawn into it. It was unfortunate but if anything the fact that it was a risk the girl was willing to take spoke highly of her.
Still for now Noctua needn’t worry. After all there was no way her family was getting it’s claws on Ominis while he was at Hogwarts. And any other mischief he got up to would undoubtably be somewhat mitigated by his ever widening group of friends. Or so she hoped. It was never good to act too certain of these things.
The scarlet steam engine had disappeared now and Noctua turned on her heel heading back for the exit.
HL
Genevieve’s last trip on the Hogwarts Express was admittedly fairly uneventful. She and Ominis had caught up with Poppy and Evelyn on the train and spent the majority of the time, bar Evelyn’s brief escapes for Head Girl duty. An appointment that had left most of them rather baffled. Genevieve was looking forward to Sebastian’s reaction to the revelation. She had plans for her friends this year.
It was nighttime when they reached Hogsmeade Station and disembarked.
“About time!” called a familiar voice and Poppy, Ominis, Evelyn, and Genevieve turned to see the Sallow twins both waving to them. Both were a welcome sight but Anne especially so. She was dressed in her Slytherin robes a bright smile upon her face. A face that was no longer pale and sickly but fully and pink cheeked.
“Anne!” Exclaimed Genevieve joyfully as she hurried over to hug her friend. “It’s so good to see you!”
“Hello Genevieve!” said Anne. Returning the hug. Genevieve then pulled away so Anne could embrace Ominis and she swapped to hugging Sebastian.
“I see you stayed out of trouble.” She told the boy.
“The most trouble I get into lately is the one you get me involved in,” Sebastian said with a smirk and Evelyn snorted.
“PLEASE you’ve been getting into mischief since our first year. At best Gen just indulges your troublemaking tendencies.”
“Ah darling Evie,” chuckled Sebastian.
“Don’t call me Evie!” huffed the blond though there wasn’t much bite. “You should be more careful around the new Head Girl.”
“After all you did they made you Head Girl?” asked Sebastian. “Did Weasley have one to many fire whiskeys when she was handing out appts?”
“Your guess is as good as mine,” deadpanned Evelyn.
“Probably an attempt to keep her on the straight and narrow by giving her responsibility,” offered Anne playfully and Evelyn rolled her eyes.
“Oh, shut up you lot and let’s get a carriage or we’ll be stuck having to share with the lower years.”
Genevieve took the arm that Ominis offered her and they headed towards the carriages.
HL
It was wonderful getting to be back at Hogwarts. Genevieve had to admit she really did love this place. It might be a school but it was also where she’d found a family of sorts. Unlike the previous two years there was less gawking at her which was a nice change perhaps she really would get lucky and have a quieter year.
The Great Hall buzzed with noise as people continued to file into it.
“Well, I’m off see you in classes I suppose,” said Poppy before heading off to the Hufflepuff table.
“I’ll see you briefly after the feast?” said Ominis quietly. Genevieve gave a small smile. “I’d like that.” Then she turned to the other two Slytherins. “We’ll see you tomorrow you’d better go rescue Phin in the meantime,” she chanced a wave over at the Slytherin table where the gangly Black boy was seated. A grin spread across his face and he waved back.
“Yes, poor bloke has been stuck with Black for the entire Summer,” agreed Sebastian moving in for a hug.
“Good to see you again Veevee. And you Evie.” Evelyn made a noise of annoyance before grabbing Genevieve’s arm and heading to the Ravenclaw table. Glancing back she saw Anne being given a rousing welcome by her housemates.
“I’m glad Anne’s able to come back this year,” said Genevieve with a smile.
“As am I, even if Sallow has become more insufferable as a result.”
“You know he loves needling you. And you like it too frankly given you do it to him almost as much.”
“I do not! Like it that is,” protested Evelyn her cheeks slightly red.
“If you say so Eves,” replied Genevieve wryly. Looking up at the high table she caught her father’s eye and they shared a smile. By now all the older students had mostly made it in and it was time for the sorting.
HL
Eleazar watched the sorting ceremony with interest he did miss the days in which the sorting hat would sing a song but Black had banned that particular enjoyable tradition.
It was always nice to see the bright if nervous young faces entering the school. A new generation to raise and engage with. New minds to open up to all the fascinating ideas the world had to offer.
With that said there was going to be an announcement tonight he wasn’t looking forward towards.
“You still think it’s a bad idea?” murmured Dinah as Nugent, Alfie was made a Gryffindor.
“Of course it is, and I’ll protest throughout the entire thing. It was discontinued for a reason.”
“True,” said Hecat. “They still only barely got approval for the thing.”
“Rightly so,” said Eleazar with a huff.
“Well, we’ll see how things play out.”
“Indeed agreed,” Eleazar as the last student was sorted and dinner appeared on the tables. The meal passed quickly and then it was time for Black to give his start of year speech.
Or start of year eulogy as Dinah preferred to call it.
“Yes, well. Welcome back to previous students and welcome to the new ones. We have only the highest standards here for you at Hogwarts. I’m sure you’ll all perform adequately.” Eleazar saw Genevieve roll her eyes from her spot at the Ravenclaw table.
“Your behavior will be incredibly important this year as Hogwarts will be playing host to guests this year due to a very special event taking place here.” Black paused for dramatic effect and while the students seemed eager to learn what the event was Eleazar noted many an unimpressed look from the older students in particular. Seeming to realize that he wasn’t going to get any particular indulgence from the students Black exclaimed.
“The Tri-Wizard Tournament!”