Chapter 6
Chapter 6:
Genevieve determined with exceptional haste that if the Gaunt family were provided with the right information on the ancient magic she wielded, they may have not turned their noses upward toward Ominis and herself. She wasn’t certain, but they seemed to have a favor over which ones in their clan held dominion over the magic. The men would bully around the halls like petulant children, and the women wouldn’t even tilt their heads in her direction lest she be tagged into a conversation about typically shallow things.
Suffice to say, she felt out of place, which was a way she didn’t believe she had ever felt of this calibre. Regardless, she maintained an air of authority about herself from her place which was always beside Ominis. Some of those outside of the ‘main’ family would rope them into a conversation, easing some of the tension held in Ominis’ shoulders visibly.
The best times on the first day at the manor were spent when Ominis and Genevieve had stolen moments alone behind curtains or down what seemed to be abandoned corridors, letting them lighten the mood by joking as if they were still in the safety of their own home. The day ended with some fuss, yet Ominis avoided many conversations, being deliberately left out of others mostly involving the wedding party and others in the higher ranks. They clung to the wall like a moth would flitter around a flame for the entire day.
When the moon set upon the horizon and some others were drunkenly clattering toward their bedchambers prior to the activities of today, it was decided Ominis and Genevieve should hit the hay as well. Just as Genevieve had turned heel and took a step toward the door across from Ominis’ own room, she felt his cool fingers reach forward and grasp her forearm.
“Ominis?” Genevieve asked, gaze setting upon his hand. When her eyes flickered up to look upon his face, she noticed a troublesome expression that she couldn’t break down.
“I should let you…” He started, but his fingers only flexed against her pulse.
“You really should.” Genevieve answered softly, but just as he stayed in place she also remained unmoved.
“I -” Ominis’ tone wavered, taking a step closer toward Genevieve. “I do not wish to be alone.”
The air between them was tense with a nearly unrecognizable feeling, Genevieve wasn’t certain if it was due to the proposition or the desperation in his voice.
“I’m not proposing anything untoward, I promise! I only feel that I’ll rest easier knowing you’re safe beside me. Please, Genny, I -”
She wrenched her wrist from his hold gently and gathered up her skirts to cause less noise, walking past the man of sudden many expressions into his bedchamber. Genevieve stood beside a lit candle, beginning to undo the buttons that ran from the top of her bust all the way down to the top of her waist. It took him a moment to realise what had happened, he stood out in the hall looking rather dumbfounded before hastily moving inside and shutting the door. His face was flushed as he turned his back to Genevieve, which was almost comical as he didn’t have the means to see her shape that she knew of.
Ominis was kind, she knew that despite his blindness that this was his attempt to show his decency. Layer after layer was peeled then draped upon a broken old chair in the corner until she was down to her chemise. Even with all his kindness, the rustling fabric and the wispy sound her hair made as it was undone and fell along her shoulders imprinted upon his mind as a noisy memory he would not soon forget when he went to lay down and rest. If he could have dreamt in images, he would’ve made all the effort to dream of Genevieve in this moment. Ominis listened to her turn down the covers and slip into bed, waiting patiently for her to call upon him lest he slept on the floor.
“Ominis, you may turn around now.” Genevieve sounded out, a melodic waft in her tone that beckoned him entirely playful and bemused.
He turned, noticing his own stiffness and rolling his shoulders to relax himself. The bed seemed so far away, though the room wasn’t too big that he nearly bumped into it when he reached the edge. Ominis had to remind himself of the situation, that he was already asking too much of his dear Genevieve and that to think of asking anything further would be a road he wouldn’t dare go down until their wedding night.
Genevieve watched him carefully, standing troubled in deep thought at the side of the bed as if he were having an internal debate on whether to join her or stand there all night with his legs locked like a horse. She sighed, waiting another moment before leaning over to reach and flip his side of the woolen blanket. That seemed to shake Ominis, because he was startled and straightened himself even further than previously.
“Come to bed, love. You need to sleep to face the day, you can’t be exhausted in the face of deviousness.” She always knew the proper words to say to him, every time without a single near miss, save for their times at Hogwarts of course. Ominis caved, though not shedding a single piece of clothing to do so. He moved to lay beside Genevieve, allowing her to move the blanket over him then removed her hand to lay it closer to herself. “Now close your eyelids, and rest. I’ll be right here if you need me.” Genevieve hushed out, and he did exactly as she said.
Sleep chased them both, though he was unable to sleep until he heard her breathing even out.
When Genevieve woke, Ominis was already up and in formal attire for the wedding. She smiled, watching him tugging his waistcoat over and then working on his bowtie as if he had done this thousands of times before. This was a new level of domestication that Genevieve had not quite grown accustomed to, but she knew that within a small amount of time she absolutely could get used to moments like these. Ominis looked so handsome, standing in the light as it peered through the singular window and feeling his way through the dressing process. It would’ve been easier to conjure up an already tied tie, but some things were just better to do the muggle way.
After a moment of further admiration, Genevieve sat upright, and Ominis immediately turned his head in her direction to acknowledge her awareness.
“Good morning, Genny. I hope you slept well…” Ominis started, his tone lush with appreciation for her lovingkindness.
“I did, and I hope the same for you.” Genevieve heard Ominis hum in agreement as she got herself up and grabbed her clothing to head out the door across the hall and dress herself. “I’ll meet you out here in the hall!” She called from the doorway, and he hummed once again exactly alike the first time.
They met as they had agreed to, they attended the wedding and the reception, and they managed to break away without any scars or very many sneers from those other than Ominis’ brother Marvolo who Genevieve could see wanted to accost them multiple times on several different occasions. Thankfully, Marvolo always seemed to be called upon by multiple family members or other people of high ranking. Genevieve didn’t understand why from her own perspective, but people seemed to like the man so much that they wanted to impress him.
Ominis grinned as they made their way swiftly into the fairly large but incredibly empty foyer. Floor to ceiling windows with massive curtains lined the two outside walls and several decorative pieces were littered sparsely. Ominis took her by the hand, and Genevieve looked around for approximately one second before he backed himself and her forward along with him behind a curtain. The emotional high from the wedding must have gotten to Ominis, Genevieve thought, because the next thing she noted was his pointer finger beneath her chin and his lips upon hers.
Genevieve’s heart felt fluttery in her chest, and her skin burned underside her chin where he had previously touched her. It felt as if she had been touch starved for years when Ominis kissed her so suddenly, she wanted to keep him but he pulled away as if remembering that he was a proper gentleman. They remained close, but this moment made Genevieve yearn for home for no particular reason that she could think of. Not for the desire, no.
Ominis tilted his head down once more, kissing her upon the forehead this time.
“The wedding is over, shall we take our leave?” Ominis whispered into her skin, the breath against her once again made her skin feel as if it were ablaze.
Genevieve tried to steady herself before answering, wanting to ensure that there would be little to no desperation in her voice. “Please.” Genevieve answered, pulling back unfortunately when Ominis dropped his hands away from where he had been holding her. “I doubt we’ll be missed, and if we leave now then we may still make it out entirely unscathed.” Ominis nodded to his own statement, and Genevieve paused before letting out a single soft laugh.
They crept around the ballroom attempting to be and then succeeding in being unnoticed, making haste back to their rooms to pack their clothing and fetch the carriage. There were small giggles along the way, both of them nearly tripping on the other a few times as they ran out into the cool nightly air and onto the lawn.
The moment the carriage doors were shut and the wheels had just turned forward, Ominis caught himself wanting to ask Genevieve to marry him right then and there. She deserved better than that, he wouldn’t dare quite yet.