POV ADA MARROW
The four of us finished unpacking and left the room to go across the hall to a Portrait of a Centaur settled creating arrowheads. His sharp gaze settled on us but then went back to its work. Tail flicking along the forest floor. Violet knocked promptly against the wall, some portraits glaring at us and the Centaur huffed.
It wasn't long until Leander opened the portrait door, smiling wide to the four of us.
"Girls come in! We got Wine and Whiskey!" He made a motion for us to enter, stepping to the side. Violet was the first to enter smiling wide as she looked around at their dorm, then it was my turn. Arthur was at his desk already flipping through his herbology book while Corvus and Hector sat on a couch near the fireplace already drinking what I could assume was the mentioned fire whiskey. Natty locked arms with me, as she looked wearily to the two on the couch.
I relaxed a bit with her by my side, I trusted Natty with her here I was sure nothing too outrageous would happen. Hector and Corvus gave up the couch for Violet, Natty and I to sit at. Hector sat in a plush chair off to the side of the couch and Justine sat in another. Leander less formally threw a couch cousin onto the floor by the low table and sat down.
"Don't mind me, just want to finish this chapter before I join you lot." Arthur stated, preoccupied with the text. Then I saw Corvus throw sensibility to the wind, opting to sit down on the table right in front of me as he started to pour me some wine.
"Heard from Nox that you like Wine." He stated, his dark hair no longer controlled by his pomade framed his pale face, "Just wanted to give my condolences to you about his passing. We were close friends." He handed the glass to me then started pouring some for Natty and Violet.
"He never talked about you…" I said softly, I hadn't expected to talk about Nox here. Leander took up conversation with Natty and Hector talked across the table to Justine. Violet got up after getting her drink to wander off to Arthur, to see what he was reading. Leaving just Corvus and I. He picked up his Whiskey glass and took a quick sip from it. Dark eyes were watching me rather intently and I felt he was just a bit uncomfortably close.
"Mm well, we had a bit of a spat last year and had just recently before his death started speaking again." Something about his words felt true but twisted. I sipped the wine again, watching and examining him. He had stubble forming on his jaw, hair curling at his ears. Everything about him felt… Restrained, but not his eyes. There was a wildness in them.
"But enough about dreary subjects." His teeth showed as he smiled, "Tell me more about yourself. I'd like to know more about you." His voice was smooth with a hint of danger, he was a wolf trying to disguise himself in a dog's pelt.
"I love Nifflers." I stated, opting to give him the less damaging information.
"Beast lover. What about classes? I'm rather adept at Transfiguration."
"I enjoy them all… D.A.D.A. more for the hands-on aspect and Divination because of how… fun it can be."
He tried to be charming, his brows raised, a smile still plain on his face as he leaned in towards me, "What about after Hogwarts?"
"I'm still deciding what I wish to do."
"Mmm well a Witch of your caliber and status should think of finding a suitable husband." There it was, I rolled my eyes.
"I'm not interested in finding a husband." Something in his eyes flared, and his jaw tensed only slightly.
"Well Miss. Marrow if you're ever interested I've been told that I'd make a suitable one."
"I'm not interested…" I glanced around to the others all very much wrapped up in conversation. He had been keeping his voice low enough so the others wouldn't hear. I saw his hand lightly rest on my knee, giving it a squeeze as I tensed up.
"We have all year to get to know each other Ada…" He cooed, then glanced behind me a scowl visible on his face as Arthur cleared his throat.
"Ada… You're looking rather tired. Would you like for me to escort you back to your room?" I glanced back, seeing Arthur had abandoned his book to Violet as she looked over the passage. I stood up quickly, settling the glass down by Corvus and nodded.
"Yes please, I'm very exhausted." Arthur kept his hands clasped behind his back waiting for me to join him and he quickly escorted me outside the room, closing the portrait behind us.
"I'm sorry for interfering but you looked dreadfully uncomfortable."
"No, Arthur, thank you for stepping in…" I approached the mermaid Portrait, "Siren Song." it slowly swung open for me, "Be sure the other girls get back to the dorm as well?" I asked him and his thick lips spread into a smile as he nodded.
"Of course. Have a good night."
"You as well."
POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW
I was paired with Ominis during Divination, settled at a top seated table while Ada was paired with Corvus Lestrange. It made sense, because they were both Prefects that the Professor would pair them together. That didn't mean I enjoyed watching his blatant flirting with her while we had started Lithomancy readings and by the look on Ominis face he wasn't enjoying listening to him.
"Rose Quartz settled on Venus, it says you'll find true love!" He spoke coyly to her while he tried doing her reading.
"Corvus… Rose Quartz is Harmony and Unconditional love and that isn't Rose Quartz that's raw Pink Topaz which means Self Love." Ada Drawled out, obviously a bit exasperated but Lestrange wasn't deterred. He practically purred as he leaned forward closer to her, arm resting on the table as his fingers lightly nudged the stones scattered along the star chart.
"The one representing the Moon is close to the Sun!" Her brow raised at his words.
"Oh?"
"Self Realization with an Amplification of Emotions and with the Red Jasper right under them as Mars means you're Manifesting some desires." I wanted to punch him, my hand rubbed over my face, restraining myself as to not cause a scene, "Do you have something to tell me Ada?" He teased her.
I glanced at Ominis, he was gripping onto his textbook tightly, knuckles turning white his face not hiding the displeasure.
"Mr. Sallow, Mr. Gaunt, are you participating?" Professor Onai chimed in, as she stopped at our table.
"Yes, professor. Ominis was just opening his book to read out the meaning of these stone placements." I stated, glancing at him again seeing he was very close to losing his cool.
"Mr. Gaunt?"
"Yes Professor." He flipped the book open feeling over the top of the pages to find the right chapter. With that the Professor moved on, but Ada's voice caught our attention.
"Forget it… Let's just do yours." Ada quickly swiped the stones into a wooden bowl, rolling them around in the wooden bowl then pouring them out over the star chart.
"Topaz, Labradorite and Jasper are clustered together." She snorted, "I suppose your ego is an illusion."
My eyes narrowed on him, his shoulders tensed, then forced them to relax.
"Guilty as charged Ada! You're quite good at this." That was a lie, he lied to her. What was he hiding?
"Sodalite is above the Sun and Moon stones- Hey!" Corvus scooped the stones back up into the bowl.
"I liked my readings better." He stated.
"Corvus if you're not going to take this seriously!"
"Let me just do a proper reading for you this time." His voice was grating my ears, I tried to focus back on the reading when he threw down the stones on their chart but silence.
"Professor Onai?" Ada called out, sounding very confused. The Professor walked over towards her, "What does it mean if the stones crack?" She asked, the Professor's dark face paled.
"Many things…" She murmured, "Some not so good things." She straightened her shoulders, "Don't worry about it Miss. Marrow. Things like this tend to be open ended." Professor Onai scooped the stones back into their bowl.
"Class dismissed!" She called out, "Remember girls go down the ladder first! Boys' please stay in your seats." She walked around to her desk, "Remember to practice your Lithomancy before our next class and read up on the meanings of the stones and their positions! I also expect Twelve Inches on the stones that can and cannot be used for this!"
The girls were already lined up and waiting for their turns to go down the ladder, Ada was smoothing over her skirt, a neat yellow necktie sat loosely on her sternum and her hair was tied up in a bun, I wasn't the only one staring at her. As was Corvus who hunched over the table pouting a bit as he watched her start climbing down the ladder.
"You really can't take a hint Lestrange. She's not interested in you." I blurted out glaring at him, I kept the edge in my voice. Then I saw him turn in his chair slightly.
"What was that Half Blood? I couldn't hear you over the memory of her rejecting you! Quite a worldly one when she lets go. I practically swooned when I saw you both get your asses handed to you and I LOVED seeing her break apart, I wonder if I could get her to that edge again." Ominis stood up, palm flat on the table.
"You will be doing no such thing, she is -mine-" he glared out at the room, we had quite the audience, "She wears my ring, so stop obsessively flirting with her."
"You do have some bite left in you after all!" Corvus jeered, standing himself, "Here I thought you were both thoroughly whipped. I'm not worried about some drab ring of a declining family; I bet I'll have her throwing it in your face-"
"Mr. Gaunt, Mr. Lestrange this conversation is over with." Professor Onai glared at us from her seat, having taken notice of the fight once we got louder.
"Hm? Oh yes Professor I'm so sorry." Lestrange smiled at her, the proper smile back on his lips, "I lost myself." His hand worked through his styled hair.
"Sallow, Gaunt." His eyes turned sharp as he gathered his bag up and left to get in line with a few of the other boys, disappearing without sparing us a single glance.
POV ADA MARROW
"Ada!" I heard an unfortunately all too familiar voice, Corvus Lestrange slowed to a stop from where I waited for Ominis at the bottom of the Stairs.
"What Lestrange?" I murmured, a bit exasperated.
"I was offering to escort you to Muggle Studies, we're both taking it correct? I saw your Schedule on the board."
"I'm actually waiting for Ominis, I'm taking it with him." I saw his face contort a bit in displeasure at his name. I rolled my eyes
"I hope you will listen to me when I say I have no interest in you." I drawled out,
"I think we got off on the wrong foot." He stated, lips pressed into a flat line. Eyes watching me carefully, "I'm just doing what your Brother wanted for you and that is to keep you safe and as of recently being associated with those two is not safe."
I leaned forward, pressed the edge of my book to his chest and pushed him back a bit.
"I am perfectly able to decide who I associate with." Surprisingly he backed off taking a few steps back.
"I was merely stating a fact." His voice was quiet. My eyes narrowed down on him, his face was all too soft and no longer easy to read, his shoulders slumped.
"I apologize for coming off very forward, I have a bit of a reputation-"
"I take it you have an obnoxiously large ego and if you're just as close to my brother as you say you are then you're probably as big of a rake and liar." I pulled my book away from his chest and saw his hand go to tenderly rub the area.
"Well you're not wrong." He murmured, "When you're in positions like us you learn to put on a mask, show people what they want to see and lie through your teeth." With the sound of footsteps approaching he glanced towards the stairs.
"Another time Ada." His voice held softness and his eyes gleamed as he smiled at me. I watched him walk off, hand moving to rub along his nape in an awfully familiar way that my Brother used to do.
"I swear on Merlins' grave if he's bothering you again…" Sebastian huffed, a displeased frown stretching his lips.
"No… No. He just wanted to ask if he could escort me to Muggle Studies and talked a bit about Nox…"
"He keeps flirting with you." Ominis murmured, his hand touching my lower back.
"He's grieving." I murmured to them, my arm shifted to hold onto Ominis's arm. "Let's go, don't want to be late."
POV OMINIS GAUNT
I let Ada lead me down to the dungeons, her fingers lightly stroking along my bare forearm. The previous anger melting away, Ada signed up for this class with me because I was rather curious about Muggle ways of life and inventions and she had offered to help explain things to me in better detail because she had actually grown up in her adolescence with Muggles.
Sebastian had no interest in the class and considering it was an elective and not required for N.E.W.T.s he signed up for Alchemy and Advanced Arithmancy, so he had broken off from us to go take a nap before his next class.
"Would you eat with Sebastian and I during dinner?" I asked softly, are steps bouncing off with others while we made our way towards our class.
"I actually wanted to check in on Poppy, do you two mind eating at the Hufflepuff table?"
"Of course we don't mind." I stated, my hand resting over her hand on my forearm.
"I also think it will be beneficial if I start up a N.E.W.T.s study group for all of us."
"All of us?" I questioned, brow raised up.
"You know Garreth, Natty, Adelaide; Poppy." She listed off names of her friends, "That includes you and Sebastian of course, I think Garreth and I practicing potion making with you could help in some way."
"Garreth Weasley? The one who blows up his cauldron at least once per class?" My attention was on the torch light.
"Despite his wild experiments disrupting class he's quite good at normal potion making." Her voice held a smile, her shoulder pressing into my arm.
"I will have to take your word for it." I murmured to her, I let my hand stroke along hers then rubbed my thumb against the smooth back of her hand. The closeness, her warmth, the softness of her skin on mine. I leaned down towards her and let a hushed whisper to her.
"I dream of you."
She was silent, but chuckled softly, "Oh?"
"The sweetest of dreams."
"Mr. Gaunt, that's quite scandalous." She teased me, lightly hitting my arm. I continued fingers trailing along her scarred knuckles.
"I wish to wake up every morning with you beside me." She was silent now, so I raised her hand from my forearm and kissed it, "to feel your warmth."
"Ominis." Her voice sounded so sweet but there was a warning to it, "People are staring."
"Let them."
"You two." I felt Ada startle against me, quickly pulling her hand from my mouth and arm, "This is an esteemed establishment meant for learning not romancing."
"Sorry Professor." Ada murmured, I couldn't help but feel annoyed.
"Is there something you wish to say Mr.?"
"Gaunt… Ominis Gaunt and no Professor…"
"Nightingale." The woman introduced herself, "Professor Nightingale, alright everyone please go in and find a seat. It'll be a light lecture and introductions."
Professor Nightingale unlocked and opened a door and Ada took my hand again and led me through crowds of students that lightly bumped me. I'd never been to this class before, I would never dream of taking it either if I was still under my family's thumb. Ada carefully instructed me how to sit on the bench then I felt her rest down beside me.
"Gaunt. Ada, darling!" Damnit, can't escape him.
"Lestrange." My voice was clipped, words brief and I focused on setting out my parchment and quill.
"Oh Corvus." Ada sounded surprised, "You don't have to sit with us."
"Nonsense! It would be my greatest pleasure to sit with such a Lovely Witch." I wasn't going to be able to focus if he continued with his flirting. I may even snap.
"Evening." Another voice stepped in Septimus Malfoy, "Lestrange, Gaunt, Cousin." I could feel him settle down on my other side. My displeasure only grew! When had they felt they were welcome to sit with us? I suppose I could understand Malfoy; Malfoy was her Cousin after all and hadn't proven to be a nuisance yet but Corvus…
Deep breaths…
"I didn't expect you two to be taking this class." I stated, coolly, it was factual. They both hated muggles with a passion.
"I heard from Plummly that Ada was taking it so I signed up!" Corvus hummed.
"I'm involving myself in Muggle Affairs and Relations in the Ministry after school so it's expected of me to take this… Course."
I felt her hand rest on my back, rubbing lightly. She probably saw how agitated I was to be near them.
"Okay this is everyone? I'm surprised! Last year was a smaller class." Professor Nightingale let her voice take over the class, then came the sound of chalk quickly writing over a chalkboard. I was thankful for taking this with Ada, she could read out her notes later.
"I am Julianna M. Nightingale, I strictly work for Muggle Studies, I am stationed in the Castle every Tuesday and Thursday but any other day I will not be here. I work for the Department of Muggle Affairs and Relations. I am also qualified to speak on Muggle Culture and Society because I am a Muggle-Born. There will be none of this Mud Blood nonsense. Everyone in this Course are equals."
She went silent. I felt eyes shift onto me then off to me. "Failure to treat your fellow Witches and Wizards as equals will lead to severe punishment. Am I clear?" I rather enjoyed the authority in her voice, the directness. Though I had that feeling she thought I would be one of those Purebloods and I don't think it would help with these two sitting with us.
"Am I clear?" She repeated.
"Yes Professor." The class sounded out.
"By the end of this class I hope to clear up prejudices and enlighten those unfamiliar with Muggle Society. Just because we have magic does not mean Muggles are lesser."
I could hear Malfoy snort softly, but the Professor didn't seem to catch it. Her lecture continued on then books thumped down on the desks. It startled me slightly, I felt Ada's hand rest on my arm.
"This is a book I have written on Muggle Society, read it and learn from it and please do not mark up the books because they will be returned by the end of the year."
I raised my hand.
I heard the Professor sigh softly, "Yes Mr. Gaunt?"
"Is it fine if I enchant it with Braille Translation? I can't read books normally." She was silent then hummed softly, sounding pleased that I actually wanted to read her book.
"You may, yes… Now I expect you all to read the first two Chapters by next week and for the remainder of this class you will write out a short excerpt about yourself, which includes Blood Status and your experience with Muggle Society and culture and why you're taking this course. If you have none that is fine you are here to learn and it will be graded purely on participation. There are no wrong answers. I expect silent class work unless you need to ask questions or in Mr. Gaunts' case requires a bit of assistance. Once you finish with your assignment please leave it out on your desk and you'll be free to go."
"First lesson, mechanical clocks were invented during the European Renaissance. This item right here is a Bell Clock, when set to a specific time a small hammer will hit at the bells, this was invented by Antoine Redier, patented in 1847. This is how we keep track of time in this class, while other clocks in the castle have been gutted and enchanted to keep time on their own; this one is still in perfect working order."
I could hear the soft clicking and winding of what I believed was her bell clock.
"You may begin your assignment." The sound of a chair scraping along stone echoed through the silence of the classroom, then the creak of wood signaling that she had sat down. I felt for my quill then tapped my wand on it to enable its enchantment. I mouthed out the words my quill quickly scratched out over my parchment. I could hear Ada clicking her quill tip into her inkwell and Malfoy already slowly writing out the beginning of his paper. Then the quiet ticking sound of that clock.
Finally silence…
POV ADA MARROW
I was surprised and relieved that Corvus behaved himself during our last class and thankfully vanished once he had finished his assignment. I sat and waited for Ominis to finish, then we left together. I led him off to the Great Hall, hopeful to see Poppy there.
She was in fact there, eating and talking with Adelaide; while looking over a few sheets of parchment. I led Ominis off and caught sight of Sebastian at the Slytherin table, I waved him over then went and sat down in the empty seat beside Poppy.
"Hello!" I startled her, her eyes wide.
"Ada! OH! I have news, Ruslans' uncle agreed to take me as his Apprentice!" She smiled softly to me, while I sat down beside her.
"That's great news!" I touched her back and leaned in, "How are you feeling? Are you okay?" I kept my voice low, so as to not draw attention to her.
"As okay as I can be…" Her lips pulled tight, eyes looking down to the note, "Some time to myself the last few weeks has helped, I still miss him and I feel as if I'm moving on too fast but I really only knew him for less then a year."
I rubbed her back, listening intently, "There's nothing wrong with that Poppy… Like you said, you only knew him for less then a year and we all grieve differently… I don't blame you for moving on quickly." She glanced at me then down to the ring on her finger, thumbing at the silver band.
"I do love him…" She murmured, lips tightening into a frown.
"I know and he knows. I know for a fact that you both would be madly in love if he was still with us and not cursed." Sebastian stopped across the table from us, his eyes wide. Looking awfully awkward as he picked up what the conversation topic had been. Then he slowly set his plate and drink down and took a seat with us.
"Sorry to interrupt."
"Don't worry about Sebastian, I actually need to go to the Library before it closes for the evening." Poppy spoke out, looking at me, "Thank you for checking on me, it's much different not having you available but I can manage."
"If you need me just send a letter to Poppy. I'm allowed out past curfew so I can go and visit."
She nodded, gathering her papers up, "I will promise." She stuck her pinky out to me and it brought back those promises with Nox. I smiled at her and took hers with mine. "I'll talk with you later Poppy."
Arthur talked my ear off for some time about his Summer while we walked the corridors along the Moving Staircase, mainly keeping an eye out for any sneaking Hufflepuffs. We weren't too worried about them sneaking to the kitchens however. Rather to the kitchens then out and about the castle past curfew. With twenty-four Prefects, six per house, from Fifth to Seventh Year we didn't have to cover much ground. Nor did we have to do rounds as often as I assumed. We really only had to do it twice per week, prefects were expected to be in bed by midnight of course and to not abuse the privileges we had been given.
"Oh and my father introduced me to a friend of his family and his Daughter… Gracious, she's a beauty! I can't believe I get to marry her!" It was rather adorable seeing him gush over this girl, he talked about how big her smile was and how the gap between her teeth was absolutely adorable.
"That's fantastic Arthur! Where does she go to school? Is she at Hogwarts?" I questioned, "If she's here I'd love to meet her."
He shook his head, "No, I'm afraid not she's a Squib… Not that that matters."
"She's a Squib? Well I'm happy she gets a man like you, I know many others wouldn't be kind to her but I know for a fact you're an amazing person."
"Thank you Ada… She just giggles and it makes my heart flutter." Arthur was absolutely smitten.
"What's her name?"
"Genevieve." He hummed out her name, he then perked up, "Are you and Gaunt together again?"
I looked at him rather surprised, "Yes we are. How did you know?"
"Rumors spread around actually. I had some people talking about him making a proclamation to Lestrange to back off because you wear his ring; in front of the entire Seventh Year Divination Class." He made a small motion to my hand and the ring.
"Well that's not possible. I have Divination with them."
"It was after the girls had started to leave." He clarified, eyes roaming along the walls looking over every single portrait.
"Well I don't blame him… Lestrange has been brazen with his advances and won't back down no matter how much I tell him I have no interest."
He glanced back at me looking a bit concerned, "If… He gives you any trouble, do tell me… I mean if you've rejected him so many times and he still tries with you then I'm inclined to report it as harassment."
I shook my head, "No, no… I'm sure he'll give up after a while longer, men can only take rejection so many times."
Arthur's eyes softened, "Ada, some men don't take rejection so… gracefully."
"I'm aware."
"As long as you know to come to me if he steps out of line."
"I will, I promise but for now he isn't too out of line. Not like he's making explicit advances towards me…" I murmured, "Just offering to be my Husband…" My voice held a bit of displeasure.
Arthur looked taken aback, "He is being rather brazen. Is it because of your Blood Status?"
"That and apparently he was close with my brother… he's 'Only doing what my Brother wanted for me.'"
"Which is?"
"To have someone to keep me safe…" I shrugged, "but I doubt that Nox wanted me to marry Lestrange; he had told me outright that he'd prefer Ominis or Sebastian over anyone else. Lestrange… Just seems to hold just a heavy disdain for the both of them."
Arthur's lips pursed, brows pressing together as he thought over my words, "Could it be he's disdainful of them for causing his death?"
"I…" Could that be it? "Could word have gone around that fast about what happened?" I questioned, "I was too busy focusing on getting my exams done…"
"Unfortunately, Ada, once word goes around from Professors a student is bound to overhear and spread it around… Everyone is well aware of the circumstances of your Brother's Death." Arthur gave me an apologetic look, then focused his gaze straight out down the corridor towards the Great Hall.
"Then they should know I was kidnapped…"
"And they know that the Killing Curse was meant for Gaunt."
I shook my head, "Nox wouldn't want people blaming his passing on anyone but Obitus Gaunt. He saved Ominis."
"I know, unfortunately people are fickle and have their own opinions on these things. Nothing can be done about it nor are you likely to change any minds on the matter. Pure Bloods consider Ominis and Blood Traitor, even if he is with you. Nox was well regarded as gifted in certain aspects and was thought to have been destined for greater things."
I glanced at him again stopping us in front of the House Hour Glasses, "That reminds me, how are you fairing sharing quarters with Fawley and Lestrange? I know Leander wouldn't stoop low to harass you over Blood Status but…"
"As well as it can be Ada, they haven't harassed me but they're ignoring my very existence at the moment and if I'm to be honest. I much prefer that over them focusing on me, as for Leander… He's Leander, he still talks with me on occasion when the other two aren't around but…"
"I expect better from him." I frowned, I'll need to talk with him.
"I'm used to this Ada, don't worry too much about it."
"It's not fair to you." I stated, Arthur chuckled, teeth showing as he smiled.
"It never is… Like I said, I prefer being ignored. Now shall we check the kitchens for any sneaks? Maybe the House Elves have some leftover pastries."
"Gladly!" I grinned at him and he motioned for me to go ahead of him. I started walking; topic veering from Blood Status back to his Summer while we went to finish our rounds with a quick midnight snack.