Chapter 5
Anne perched between her brooding brother, Sebastian Sallow, and her childhood friend Ominis Gaunt at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall. The air thrummed with tension as both Alphas nursed a simmering grudge, their resentment palpable from the moment they had arrived at Hogwarts. Anne couldn't help but huff, knowing full well the source of their vexation - the summer she'd spent doting on her enigmatic new friend, Prim.
“The pair of you are chokin’ me for the burnt fir and tart oranges in the air- It’s no’ pleasant.” Anne's mood turned dour, and she absentmindedly prodded her Chelsea bun, the sweetened aroma evoking memories of summer laughter. She didn’t want to start sixth year off on a sour note, but she couldn’t muster a smile no matter how hard she tried.
The Slytherin table buzzed with chatter, but Anne could only focus on Prim standing outside the double doors, a fifth year among a bunch of first years. She itched to rush to Prim's side.
Though she and Mr.Cromwell had scented Prim heavily before leaving for Hogwarts, Anne felt restless, like a caged animal ready to pounce. Prim's scent wafted through the doors, drawing attention from every Ravenclaw and Gryffindor Alpha seated nearby.
Anne's frown deepened. They may have taken every precaution to mask Prim's Omega scent, leaving her smelling like burnt pastry tossed into the woods. Even so, there was no denying the sweet, alluring aroma that emanated from her friend.
Sebastian nudged her, drawing her attention. His chestnut brown locks drifted over his honey-brown eyes as he pouted dramatically. "The summer was a dreich affair, with only this numpty for company while you were off gallivanting with some strange wee witch." He gestured to Ominis, whose alabaster face hardened with a scowl. "Have you no idea how dull things were without you, Anne? You have much to answer for, waltzin’ into our cabin looking happy and smellin’ braw- new wardrobe and everything. It’s no’ fair you had a good time while we dinnae."
Sebastian had been pushing her to feel guilty since they reunited at the station- he’d been incessant in his pestering and Anne had grown thoroughly weary of it. Ominis, meanwhile, maintained a frosty countenance, his icy silence a clear testament to his displeasure.
Anne rolled her eyes at their theatrics and decided it was time to thaw the chill.
"Haud your wheesht, brother! I brought you both something to make up for my absence…You're welcome.” she declared, a demand for payment at the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it.
Prim paid for the things and it didn’t feel right to sell the gifts when she had a hand in them- Damn her.
Ominis cocked his head, his vacant blue eyes drifting to and fro, his silent curiosity palpable. Sebastian leaned in eagerly, his eyes alight with anticipation. "My bonnie wee ‘strange’ witch helped me with it! You can thank her when you meet."
"It’d best be a grand thing," Sebastian challenged, his tone a blend of annoyance and excitement, his Scottish brogue pronounced.
Anne produced two exquisitely wrapped boxes, to which Sebastian raised his brows in surprise.
“Who wrapped it? Certainly wasnae you…”
“Och, hush you! Prim wrapped it...” Anne had originally wadded the scarves in old newsprint, but Prim had taken the time to rewrap them with the care and attention that only an Omega would think to bestow upon something so simple. Each boy took a box, sniffing the air around them with lifted brows. Sebastian tore into his gift with gusto, while Ominis meticulously unwrapped his own.
Omega scent wafted from the boxes like a plume of sumptuous perfume.
Anne grinned, observing as their visages softened, eyes closed to savor the sweet scent with dreamy expressions- she knew the feeling and snickered at their reactions.
Ominis, usually the epitome of control and reserve, rubbed the fabric against his face. A deep sigh escaped his lips, the sound of a purr rumbling in his chest as he dropped the box, balled up the scarf, and held it to his nose. The crisp scent of oranges softened noticeably.
Sebastian was not far behind, looping the length around his neck- wrapping his face in the process like he was trying to smother himself with the garment.
Oddly enough, Prim’s intermingling scent mixed splendidly with both Ominis and Sebastian- Chelsea buns and orange icing, while Sebastian ended up smelling like Christmas morning under the tree.
They looked like a couple of nutters, Anne couldn't help the laughter bubbling up in her chest. The reaction of the Alphas closest to them made her cackle even louder. As they smelt the air, leaning toward Ominis and Sebastian, their eyes darted enviously toward the boys and their new aromatic scarves.
A strange pride unfurled in her and Anne couldn’t exactly pinpoint why. She was best friends- a trusted confidant and protector- to the only Omega witch to attend Hogwarts in over two decades. It was a big deal and spoke volumes about her capabilities as a witch and an Alpha to have earned Prim’s trust so quickly.
She should enlist Prim’s help for every gift.
Anne would be teasing the two about this for the rest of their lives. She smirked, rolling her eyes dramatically as Sebastian and Ominis began peppering her with questions.
"Hold your Hippogriffs," she said, raising her hand in a queenly gesture to silence them. "I cannae answer all your questions at once."
"What is this scent? I recognize the aroma, and it's on you as well, but something is... peculiar," Ominis murmured, his voice softer than usual. "It must be some sort of enchantment. This smell is positively intoxicating. And the scarf's quality is simply superb, Anne. Well done, indeed. Consider yourself forgiven." He rested the length over his shoulders, his lips upturned in pleasure.
“Glad to have appeased you, m’laird .” She barely restrained a snicker as Ominis scowled at the nickname.
“It was your new friend who helped… Prim ? Where did you buy this?” Sebastian’s voice came muffled through the scarf as he took another deep huff, his freckled cheeks dusted with a rosy shade of pink.
“Just in Diagon Alley, the smell is courtesy of Prim.”
“You should get your wee witch to spell my whole wardrobe to smell like this. Och, my bed too! Or better yet, teach me the charm?”
“I’m sure the lassie could be persuaded.”
"Speakin’ on her, why did this Prim no' take the Hogwarts Express with us?" Sebastian curiosity was plain in his gaze. “I expected her at your side when you arrived, you’ve spoken of nothing but her since you got up and abandoned us in Uncle’s hovel. She must be quite a lassie for you to pull such a stunt, no?”
“You ken it.” Anne sighed. "The headmaster insisted Prim take a carriage instead of the train. Said it was for her safety or something- like I couldnae hold my own if a rogue went after her, the nerve! The only one who can best me in a duel is you, and you’ve only won against me half the time!”
“Your bum’s out the windae!” Sebastian smacked the table with a thunk, startling nearby Slytherin, “I’ve beat you more than half, Anne!”
“I’ve half a mind to jinx headmaster Black when he took her this morning." Her lips pursed and she swallowed a growl at the thought, ignoring Sebastian completely. Anne was fully capable of protecting Prim.
“Wait, why would Headmaster Black himself escort a student to Hogwarts?” Ominis drawled, his eyebrow arching up in suspicion. “That’s quite unusual.”
“For...Uh… reasons ,” Anne responded dryly, rolling her eyes. “I’ve no' seen you in a while, you fancy nob. I've a mind to muss that fancy hair of yours for old time's sake.”
“Do it, and there will be repercussions, Anne,” Ominis warned, his lip curling in distaste. Anne raised her hand threateningly towards his perfectly styled light brown locks, but instead of his hair, she yanked his new scarf from his shoulders. Ominis sputtered in surprise, eyes narrowing as he growled and held out a hand, palm up.
“Return it this instant,” he demanded.
“Oh, so you like it then?” Anne smirked, teasing him as she handed it back. Ominis jerked it back, sniffing it before wrapping the fabric securely around his neck.
“The scarf is mine . Don't touch it again. There will be no free pass next time, I don’t care if you are my oldest friends.” Ominis warned, his glare directed at Anne- then Sebastian for good measure.
“Don’t turn to me, man- I’ve got my own,” Sebastian chimed in, causing Ominis to suddenly remember the second scarf. Anne was certain jealousy twisted the taller man’s features at the mention of it..
“Though, I wouldn't be chaffed to have two,” Sebastian murmured and Ominis bristled like a surly tomcat. Uh oh.
“You only need one scarf each, lads. Settle down, I willnae have you scarin’ off Prim before you meet her! I’d have the lot of you on good terms as I plan on keepin’ her around.” Grabbing Ominis by the forearm, Anne squeezed tight in warning as she glared at Sebastian. “And on that note, I’ll give you both a fair warning... Scent her all you like, rut her if she asks for it, but I willnae have you ruddy bastards claiming her before she’s settled. Leave her be or I’ll drag you both to the dueling grounds for a walloping.”
Ominis choked on his pumpkin juice, covering his lips with a fist as he coughed it down and grabbed his napkin to dab orange droplets off his face. “How vulgar, Anne.”
“Glad you think so,” Anne replied with a smirk, “I pride myself on my eloquence.”
Sebastian stared at his sister, wide-eyed. “Why would we claim anyone, we’re not graduated yet. And rut her, really Anne? We don't even know the witch!”
“Ah, well, you see…” Anne chuckled nervously, “I forgot to mention…Ah, a fair bit about her...”
Ominis’s lips parted on a question but snapped shut, his already pale face growing ashen. Anne could see the information piece together in his mind as his brow raised. Pulling the scarf to his nose, he gave it a tentative sniff before his back straightened, focus shifting to the room. “... Anne? What have you done?”
“You've done something and dinnae bother to include me? Prank's with the new witch, now?” Sebastian grumbled, arms crossing as his eyes narrowed. “I’m still not happy she hogged my bloody twin all summer. I won’t be claiming her no matter how bonnie the lassie may be.”
Anne nodded, her expression turning serious. "Aye, good. You were my biggest worry with how brash you are, I’ll be relieved to not have to box your ears for sniffing at her skirt. She’s awfully blate. I expect the two of you to look out for the wee lassie.”
Ominis nodded, his expression hard. “Why did you not speak of this earlier, Anne?”
Sebastian turned to him, brow quirked. “What are you two goin' on about?”
“Of the fact that every Alpha in this room is going to want a piece of her,” Ominis said with a sneer, “That you and I have to protect her whether we want to or not now that we've been drenched in her scent.”
“Och, I’m sure that’s just a myth, Ominis…You’ve been reading too many Omega smut novels…” She snorted, taking a swig of juice.
“How presumptuous," He growled, pale cheeks splotched with pink, "I would never read such rubbish!”
“As for the rest, I only wanted her to myself for a bit longer. I’ve gotten attached, you ken?”
“You did her and us a great disservice. We could have made plans and helped prepare,” Ominis continued, his voice low and dripping with ice, “One of us could have made her smell as if she’d been claimed until she chose a mate. You’ve brought an unbound Omeg- witch ….Anne, do you understand how difficult it will be to keep her safe without-” his voice tapered off, his ears turning an alarming shade of pink.
“Without what?” Anne interrupted, arching an eyebrow with a wicked grin, “You're always so blunt, Ominis. Why no’ finish your sentence?”
With a deep breath, Ominis closed his eyes. “Anne, do take this seriously!”
“Stop your fashin’. I’ve been with Prim all summer and no’ had the call to- to do anything to her…” Well, that wasn’t necessarily true, “Well, I’ve been tempted but- but like the temptation of your favorite dessert set in front of you. She makes me hungry, but only for food, you ken? Nearly gained a stone over the summer for all the chelsea bun i've shoved down my gob…”
“Has it occurred to you that such resistance might be due to the fact that you are attracted to men?” Typically a cool voice of reason, Ominis's words were tinged with panic.
“Och, lads, I fucked up .”
“ Indeed .” He sighed, growling deeply as he lifted his wand, a point of red light emanating from the tip as he assessed the room. “I resent having the choice taken from me, Anne. That is what you did with this gift .”
“Then return it if you dinnae like-”
"Enough, Anne!" He barked, clutching the fabric tied around his neck.
Sebastian’s eyes darted between Anne and Ominis with dawning clarity. “Och, Anne…Is Prim?”
Just as Anne opened her mouth to respond, the doors to the Great Hall flung open, revealing a group of wide-eyed first years. The sorting ceremony was about to begin, and the three friends sat anxiously, posture ramrod straight.
All heads turned to the entrance, making the customary bets on who would be placed in which house. Anne ignored them as her eyes scanned the crowd, looking for Prim.
"There's my lassie," she murmured under her breath, a smile spread across her face as she spotted Prim bringing up the tail of the group of first years. “She looks tall in comparison to the wee ones.”
“Och, she’s bonnie,” Sebastian mumbled.
“She’s got flaxen hair nigh to her waist and a bonnie figure. Green eyes and a smile that’s sweeter than her smell.” Anne leaned over to whisper in Ominis’s ear, painting him a quick mental picture of Prim. “Top of her head may reach your shoulder, 'bout-” She tapped high on his arm, “here. She's a drop of sunshine, I swear it.”
Heat rose up his neck to color his beauty mark peppered cheeks at her words.
"Hmm, you’ve mentioned she is a pureblood, what is her family name?" He said, tugging his sleeve and blatantly ignoring Anne's description. "I don't believe you mentioned how you became acquainted, Anne."
“Och, well-” Anne hedged nervously, her version of events had been adjusted from the truth- not only for Prim’s Papa but for Sebastian and her Uncle as well. “She’s a Cromwell-”
“American?”
“Where did you meet her, Anne?” Sebastian pursed his lips, “We know her favorite food and what color her bedroom wallpaper is, but we dinnae ken where you met her…Smells a bit off if you ask me…”
“Indeed it does.”
“Remember me tellin’ you lot about me being away during the attack at Feldcroft?”
“Anne…” Sebastian and Ominis turned slowly, matching grimaces hardening their features.
“I..well, funny story…I wasnae exactly ‘away’ as it were...I met Prim during.”
Collective hush stilled the hall as she walked the isle between the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables, whispers rippled through the room as she strolled forward. A rare pureblood Omega witch stood among them, and suddenly Anne realized the situation Prim was in.
As Ominis said, everyone would want her.
Undereducated in magic as she was, the sweet and trusting Prim would be undeniably vulnerable. Anne's hackles rose, and she couldn’t help the growl that rumbled from her chest at the threats closest to her dear little friend.
“We will be speakin’ on this later, sister.”
“Fuck off, you numpty.” She couldn’t remember what they were talking about, and couldn’t be bothered to care. Her peers leaned away, some shifting a seat farther down to escape the volatile Alpha.
“The lassie got veela in her, Anne?”
“I’d no’ asked, but I dinnae ken so…Though she’s certainly bonnie enough for it.”
Anne calmed at the persistence of her twin and Ominis, but just barely. She turned to them, worry hardening her freckled features, "You two will help me look after her, aye?" The sorting hat takes forever until finally, her name is called, "Primrose Cromwell."
Anne took a deep breath, her heart racing as Prim made her way to the sorting hat, her long hair drifting behind her like a shimmering pale wave.
She watched her hands tremble and shake as she approached the stool before clutching in her lap as she sat down. The Sorting Hat settled atop her head, and Anne observed its cloth mouth crease as it moved. It shifted and curled on her head, their exchange transforming from a discussion to a debate and then -to everyone's astonishment- a full-blown quarrel.
"Och, aye." Sebastian laughed, "I'll keep an eye on her, and I'll thank you for the opportunity."
"How chivalrous of you, Sebastian." Ominis gave an inelegant snort, "I suppose I can keep a metaphorical eye on Sebastian, and I'll not thank you. On the contrary, I expect to be compensated. An open-ended favor of my choosing, to be collected at my leisure. Are we agreed?"
One minute passed.
Anne pursed her lips, an open-ended favor was no small thing, but Ominis's help was invaluable. He was respected and feared by every house for the Gaunt name alone..."You wouldnae give a loyal old friend the kindness of-"
"No, I would not. That you have the audacity to ask astounds me."
"You're off your head, Ominis! I expected thanks for even bringin' her to you rabble!"
"Thanks? You want thanks for filling the next two years of my life with unwarranted drama and strife?" Hissing the last word like a snake, his voice dripped with disdain. "Her scent is going to throw every unmated Alpha in Hogwarts into rut, not to mention the hell that we will all suffer once she goes into heat. So, thank you, Oh great and loyal friend. "
"That long hair looks so soft, bet it'd feel nice wrapped 'round my fist-" Sebastian huffed eyes locked on Prim as he mumbled far too loudly. “Och, she will go into heat, won’t she?” Sebastian purred.
“ Merlin’s dirty tits , spare me! ” Anne gagged at the mental image his words elicited. "Fine, an open-ended favor of your choosing at your leisure, M'laird ." She gave a mock bow. "Now, are we agreed?"
Two, then three minutes pass with Prim arguing with the hat. Anne swore she saw the little Omega hiss. A Hatstall unfolded as Prim's wide green eyes locked with Anne's, her face etched with concern as she gnawed her lip.
"We are agreed," Ominis smirked, satisfied.
Four.
Five.
Six minutes elapsed.
Seven.
Eight - Prim now held the record for the longest Hatstall in Hogwarts history.
"What could be taking so long?" someone murmured and the reason dawned on Anne as the nine-minute mark approached.
“Oh, bloody marvelous.” Anne snorted, a wide grin cracking her face as she looked at Prim. “She couldnae…There’s no way she can do it…”
"Silence!" Headmaster Black hissed, folding his arms as the Great Hall fell quiet.
"We have reached an impasse and shall let the Houses decide," the Hat announced reluctantly. "Between Hufflepuff...and Slytherin."
“Ha!” Anne shrieked a laugh, smacking a hand over her mouth. Her shoulders trembled with mirth as her companions watched her with varying degrees of confusion and suspicion.
The hall erupted into shocked whispers. "But there's never been an Omega in Slytherin, only Alphas. How could-"
"No, this can't be right-"
"Och, this is my doing…" Anne snorted, giggling, “Oh, Merlin!”
"Anne, whatever have you done now?"
"You couldnae have caused a ten-minute Hatstall for someone else , Anne. It's no' your head the hat is sittin' on."
"Well, um… I couldnae help myself, she’s just so trusting and gullible…" Anne cackled, rising to stand on the bench between her brother and Ominis, Anne captured the attention of every eye in the great hall. Locking eyes with Prim, she cupped her hands around her mouth and bellowed, "LASSIE, WE’LL STILL BE FRIENDS IF YOUR NO’ SORTED INTO SLYTHERIN!" Her voice echoed in the pin-drop silence of the large room. All eyes shifted back to Prim as Anne took her seat.
A beat passed and Prim bestowed such a radiant smile in Anne's direction the entire Slytherin table vibrated for the amount of purring alphas. "What in the name of Merlin-" Ominis mumbled.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The Hat roared, its voice reverberating through the hall.
Laughter and applause erupted as Hufflepuff House rose to its feet and cheered.