Chapter 3
Chapter 3:
They all stood at their respective tables on the great hall, all donning their robes, all standing tall and proud as Professor Black spoke ineloquently to their class. This would be their final moments in the great hall all gathered together as students. Professor Weasley had excused him once again, as she had many times before, calling all houses to stand and head toward the dock. It was symbolic, it was an exciting time where the chatter overtook the crowd as the boats were boarded and they swam across the lake like swans. With wands pointed to the sky, and lumos cast straight upward into the clear night sky. Classical music from the band that had been employed by Professor Black played sweet music, sending the students off.
Then what her father would call ‘real life’ began, Genevieve’s parents had come down to stay in the little house she had been gifted that was a stone throw away from Hogsmeade. Despite being told that she could stay a night longer, Genevieve was eager to spend time with her family. She sat upon her bed as her mother pulled many nearly too extravagant dresses from a bag that should’ve been too small. All in Genevieve’s size, each one more beautiful than the next. Her mother told her it was no longer appropriate for Genevieve to wear skirts that rose above her calves, even with stockings to keep her modesty. Her father sat by the fire downstairs, warming his feet despite wearing woolen socks.
Times like this reminded her of back home in Brecknock, softer times where magic wasn’t as prevalent. Her father would say when times were simpler, when they only used magic late in the evening when everyone with their prying eyes were tucked away in their homes. Her father as much as he pretended not to be was an unconventional man, she knew he would use his wand when in the dirt. He’d save a crop or two with a swish of oak. Genevieve smiled, catching the attention of her mother who turned from putting a dress into Genevieve’s wardrobe.
“Goodness, I don’t believe we’ve given you any downtime since we’ve arrived. Should you rest, dear?”
“No, ma’am.” Genevieve reached her hands forward, taking her mothers. Her mother smiled, leaning down to place a kiss upon Genevieve’s forehead. “I’m glad you’re here, I’ve missed you both. And, I’m happy you’re here.” They would meet Ominis in the morning, who she had written about many times in her letters of all the adventures she had with her peers. Ominis had been in more of the letters as of late, her mother knew they were in some sort of situational friendship. If her mother knew, her father surely knew as well.
Her mother pulled away, picking up another dress and feathering it out. “I hope you like these, your Aunt Eliza and I spent hours behind a thread and needle. We were knee deep in fabric for a good three months, I was so upset when your father would come in all covered in mud around the patterns.” She fussed, though Genevieve knew it was all in good fun. Her father must’ve heard, letting out a huffed laugh. “That man has only gotten worse since you’ve left, dear.”
“Now you both know that’s not true; I’ve always been this bad.” Her father called from down the stairs.
They jest, they laughed, they ate some simmering stew that had been on through the duration of their conversation, then Genevieve suggested that her parents get some rest as the journey via portkey had been stressful on her parents’ old bones. If they would’ve been offended, they wouldn’t have been her parents.
Waking to a knock on her bedroom door, Genevieve realized that it was half past the time she should’ve been awake. Announcing her entry beforehand, her mother came into the room to help her get dressed. “Your Ominis will be here soon to escort us around town.” She stated, opening the wardrobes to reveal all the dresses that had been put there the night prior. “Which one would please him the most?”
“I don’t think he would mind.” Genevieve said, a level of sarcasm coated her tone. Her mother knew Ominis was blind, so she must’ve been joking. “I’ll wear whichever one you think I should wear, I trust your judgment, mother.” Genevieve’s legs found their way out from beneath the covers and over side the bed to stand and affix herself before the mirror on the other side of her room. “I’m going to fix my hair while you decide.”
Before long, there was a rapping upon the wooden door. Her father would open it to find a boy nearly head shorter than him with his wand firm in his grasp.
“Ah, you must be the boy.” Genevieve heard her father exuberate as her mother led her down the stairs. Ominis smiled, Genevieve knew he did despite not being able to see him as her father stood in the doorway, reaching out his hand to shake Ominis’.
“Ominis Gaunt, sir. A pleasure to finally meet you.” Brilliant was the sound of the impression he was already making. Her father moved out of the way after that, allowing her mother to set eyes on him. She stepped forward as he walked through the doorway and into the house.
“Hello Ominis dear, I’m Saoirse. And I see you’ve met my Edward. We’ve been waiting to meet you for such a long time.” They shook hands as well, and Ominis kept his pleasing smile painted easily upon his face. The smile he had when Genevieve had first met the boy in class. She could tell though, he was a bit nervous.
“I’ve heard many wonderful things about you, ma’am. Gen speaks fondly of you both, and I can see where she gets her good looks.” There was a moment of startled silence before it dawned on her parents that he had been joking. The laughter that erupted was nearly obnoxious, with what many would consider low class but what Genevieve would consider as home-like.
Genevieve grinned, covering her mouth to stifle her own laughter. Today would go well, Ominis would make the best impression a man possibly could on any family. The week truthfully, would go smoothly like that. When they would spend time with Ominis, her parents would nearly fawn over him; they enjoyed his company so incredibly much. Time alone with them was wonderful as well, something she had been deprived of for three years of her life. When it was time to head home, there were tears shed amongst all three of them. Comparing their first night to their last day, Genevieve was once again sat on the bed, though this time the guest bed, while her mother packed. Her father was downstairs brewing some coffee for the three of them while keeping Ominis’ company. Her mother was inconsolable, making Genevieve promise to write every other week.
Her father wiped his tears before grabbing hold of Genevieve and pulling her into a long hug, addressing Ominis in nearly the same way with a hug but not for as long.
“Think about it.” Genevieve heard her father mumble to Ominis, patting him on the shoulder one time before pulling away. They all said their ‘I love you’s and ‘See you soon’s before her parents marched down the cobble road toward their portkey.
Ominis and Genevieve were left alone, as adults, unchaperoned for the first time since coming into their adulthood. Something tense formed between them, something that dissipated almost as soon as it formed when Genevieve took hold of Ominis’ hand and squeezed.
“Your father asked me when we were going to start courting for marriage.” Ominis blurted, lowering his shoulders as if a weight that he had saddled was dropped from his person the moment the words were finished coming from his mouth.
“Well, what did you say?” She asked, he took a step closer.
“I told him we already were. Courting. In a way.”
“In our own way.” Genevieve responded, her grin as always in her tone.