Chapter 3
As Anne and Prim stepped out of the Floo network and into Prim's family home, a sense of dread settled over them. The once-familiar surroundings were empty and lifeless, stripped of all their warmth and character. The family portrait that once hung on the wall was gone, leaving nothing but a blank space and peeling wallpaper. Even the shelves and tables were bare, their cherished trinkets and books nowhere to be found. It was as if the entire house had been stripped of all its personality, leaving only a shell of what it once was. The house elf had executed her task meticulously.
Prim's Papa was absent, but a palpable tension filled the room. Her Papa had returned to find her gone.
Her breath hitched. She could scent the lingering anxiety and anger of Papa as he searched for her in a panic. Anne lifted her chin and scented the air. Brow furrowed her freckled face contorting with concern. "Should've brought you home sooner, lassie. Your Da is fit to be tied from the scent of him."
Prim's muddied feet smacked wetly against the polished wood floor, her gaze was drawn to the fresh grave beyond the window. Her breaths came in shallow, rapid gasps as panic bled through her veins like poison.
Her Papa had vanished, his fury palpable in the air left in his wake. She had faced an attack, had attacked a man, and seen curses hurled dangerously close- dead bodies…Prim had looked down at a man lying dead in the mud and stepped over him.
And her mother—only last night, she had watched as her mother was laid to rest outside their family home...
A heartrending whimper tumbled from her lips, her longing for her Papa growing more desperate. She crumpled to the floor keening as tears streamed down her cheeks. The house was devoid of warmth. She didn’t need to check her closet to know the sacred space had been stripped of the solace her nest once offered. Anne's tender words reached her, but their meaning was lost, drowned in the tumult of Prim's anguish. The world wavered around her.
"Prim, lassie, it'll be alright," Anne murmured, her voice tinged with worry.
Warmth surrounded her and Prim found herself cocooned within the older witch's embrace. Anne did her utmost to soothe her, a comforting rumble emanating from her chest, vibrating against Prim’s shoulder. Gently, she rubbed their wrists over Prim's scent glands, releasing calming pheromones to help them both find peace—an intimate gesture usually reserved for kin or mates- it stood as a symbol that the scented person had a protector. Born of necessity, the sisterly act still proved effective.
Prim's tormented sobs ebbed away, replaced by the gentle cadence of her soft sniffles. Her tear-streaked cheeks shimmered beneath the dim light of the setting sun, betraying the tempest of emotions that still raged within her. With a tremulous breath, she lifted her gaze to meet Anne's compassionate eyes.
"Anne, I... I'm so sorry," Prim whispered, her voice quivering with vulnerability. "I haven't fully transitioned into my designation yet, and my emotions... they're still a bit... Well..overwhelming at times…I hate that you saw me-"
Prim’s eyes lowered, embarrassment flushing her cheeks as she struggled to find the words to express the maelstrom of feelings that gripped her. Anne, ever the understanding confidante, reached out to brush away the remnants of Prim's tears.
"Ah, wee Prim," Anne murmured, her voice a soothing balm, rich with empathy. "There’s no problem. I’ve transitioned too- needless to say, there is a great deal more anger and breaking of things in an Alpha transition- but I understand, and your Da will too. You are his pup after all."
Anne's gaze held Prim's, a current of unspoken understanding passing between them.
“Thank’s, Anne…It’s still embarrassing…”
"Eh, We all have our moments, don't we?" With a chuckle, Anne playfully tousled Prim's hair before gently guiding her attention back to the task at hand.
Prim's breathing slowed, and she looked up at Anne with wide eyes. "Thank you," she whispered. “For scenting me, you didn’t have to.”
Anne smiled and ruffled Prim's hair. "No need to thank me, lassie. I'm glad I could help." She sniffed the air and wrinkled her nose. "Although I must admit, we do smell like a dirty chelsea bun- er, cinnamon roll."
“Like someone threw their pastry into the woods and left it there.” Prim giggled and wrinkled her nose as well. “Like a… Dirt pastry ?”
“Rubbish bun!”
“Trash roll!”
“Chelsea mud bun!”
“Cinnamon dirt swirl!”
With snorts and peels of giggling the air shifts, ushering in a levity that Prim hadn’t felt since before her Ma’s skin took on a sickly green sheen.
"Come now," Anne urged, pulling Prim to her feet. "We should wash up before your Da returns and scent’s battle on us.”
***
The sun's rays danced upon the water's surface, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of light and shadow as they approached. Prim glanced down at her mud-splattered dress, then exchanged a conspiratorial smile with Anne.
Without a word, Prim stepped into the water, her gauzy dress billowing around her as she submerged herself in the cool, refreshing embrace of the lake. Anne followed suit and they cleansed their garments of any lingering scents and stains. The tension in the air dissipated, replaced by the sound of laughter and playful banter as they splashed and frolicked in the water. Droplets cascaded around them, refracting the sunlight into a thousand shimmering colors. As they finally emerged, rivulets of water streaming down their drenched forms, Anne's eyes appraised Prim's attire. The once dingy, mud-caked fabric now clung to her body, revealing the delicate curves and contours beneath.
"Lassie, you're underdressed to be considered proper," she teased. “You no’ wear anything under that wisp of fabric?”
Prim blushed and looked down at her simple dress. "I didn't have time to change before I left." Anne pursed her lips, “Fine, I couldn’t manage all the layers! It’s all confusing and Ma never had me wearing anything like it…”
Anne nodded. "Well, we'll fix that.” She said, pulling her wand from her bodice. With a flick of her wrist and a soft word the two of you were bone dry once more.
“If your Da ever allows you out of his sight after this, I'll show you how to properly wear a corset, bustle, and all those other needlessly confusing layers."
Prim groaned. "I hate those things."
“Your no’ alone.”
They laughed and made their way back to the living room in time for Prim's Papa to burst through the fireplace in a flurry of green sparks.
***
Emerald sparks erupted from the fireplace, heralding the arrival of Prim's Papa. He burst into the room, his eyes wild with panic, immediately locking onto his daughter. He rushed toward her, an animalistic growl emanating from his throat that made her shrink back in fear. Anne's instincts kicked in, and she stepped between them, her posture protective and defiant. Sensing the tension in the air, Prim quickly reassured Anne that everything was okay. The taller girl stepped aside with a blush, muttering an apology under her breath.
"I was so worried," he murmured, chuffing into her hair and pulling Prim into a tight embrace. "You're safe now. I won't let anything happen to you..." Her Papa grabbed her by the shoulders and sniffed the air around her, his gaze narrowing as he took in her disheveled appearance. "What happened to your dress?" he barked, his tone harsh and accusatory.
Prim's stomach churned with guilt as she struggled to find the right words. "I-I... Uh..." she stammered, her eyes flicking to Anne for help.
"She ended up in Feldcroft, Mr. Cromwell. We had a bit of a downpour, and this lassie had the misfortune of stumbling her way 'round our wee hamlet. She was a sight looking for you, and we happened to cross paths. I thought I should escort her home..." Anne glanced at the tattered hem of Prim's now stained dress, "There was a great deal of stumbling on her part, poor thing is as clumsy as they come, but no' to worry, there's no' a scratch to be had on her."
Her Papa's gaze shifted to Anne, who was standing to the side, her hands folded demurely in front of her. He sniffed her too, and his eyes narrowed further. "And who is this?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
"Anne Sallow, Papa. She's my new friend."
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir." Anne lowered her head at her introduction.
Prim's Papa looked between the two girls, his eyes flashing with suspicion before melting into something softer. His eyes widened, and he nodded in understanding, responding to some internal conversation. "A new friend?"
"She saved me, Papa, without her, I would still be wandering around Feldcroft with no way to get back home since I hadn't taken any Floo powder with me..."
His shoulders relaxed as he turned to Anne. "I am in your debt then, Miss Sallow."
"Please call me Anne." She said with a kind smile, "I'm thrilled to hear you two are moving close, I'd love to visit Prim again—though I couldnae visit while I'm at Hogwarts."
"Hogwarts, yes, I know of that school—a fine place indeed. I’ve owled the headmaster just this morning." He pinched his chin, looking at Prim. "I expect Prim will be getting a letter soon for the upcoming year."
"Och, she's going? I thought—"
"Papa, I can't leave you right now, not when—"
"Hush, sweetling." He took Prim's hand, scenting her with his burnt alpha scent as he spoke, "I need to see you safe more than I need your company."
"Papa..." The words stung. Prim bit her tongue, turning her head down as she stifled a dejected whimper. She knew Papa loved her or he would already be in the ground, but her Omega hormones were translating his words as rejection and it ached.
He patted her head, crooning down at the little omega while Anne rumbled out of sight. Prim was instantly reassured and chirped her appreciation. "Thanks, ugh...sorry."
"It's okay, Pup, your hormones will settle soon enough."
"Omega are so cute..." Anne mumbled.
"Your mother and I kept you isolated, at the time the reasoning was sound, but now...Your mother had no other family, and I—Well, I abandoned mine." He knelt in front of her, looking up to meet her eyes. "You are all I live for now, and I need to see you safe before I rest at your Ma's side. What will keep you safe is making friends and forming real connections. You can't do that if you’re with me."
"I can, Papa," her green eyes sparkled with unshed tears, and she turned to Anne, who looked terribly uncomfortable witnessing the intimate family scene. "I already made a friend."
"You know what I mean, Sweetling." He straightened, kissing Prim's brow. His face hardened, "You will be attending Hogwarts." The low command verberated through Prim, settling in her bones. Alpha voice. The use of the voice at all relayed his determination, but the command itself demanded Prim obey. Anne winced from her corner, covering her mouth with a hand to stifle a growl.
“Yes Papa,” Prim whispered, shoulders slumped. “You didn’t have to use the voice, I wouldn’t have fought you.”
“Forgive me, Sweetling, but this is too important to be a simple request.”
“I understand, and it’s okay.”
Papa turned to Anne, "My apologies for the voice, but I’m sure you see the necessity…Anne, you are welcome to join us for dinner if you like. It's already prepared, and we could do with some good company after the wretched week we've had."
"I'd love to, Mr. Cromwell," Anne said, shooting Prim an uncertain smile. Swiping a sleeve over her reddened eyes, Prim grinned. The argument is forgotten as she skipped to Anne and clasped her hand.
"Sorry about all this," she whispered to the older witch, "It's been a heck of a day."
"It certainly has," Anne agreed with a wry smile, "I'd say we deserve a good Butterbeer after all we've been through."
“Agreed.”