Ishbella

The Shape That Fits

Ominis Gaunt x OC (Edith Greene)

Hogwarts Legacy AU

1887–1890s Hogwarts (Victorian Era)

Chapter List Posted to AO3

1. The Empty Space 

2. Whispers in the Walls 

3. Under Their Care

4. Answered Otherwise 

5. What looked Back 

6. After She Spoke 

7. In The Spaces Between 

8. The Quiet Choices 

9. Not the Same Hall 

10. Let It Breathe 

11. Handled with Care 

12. The Shape of Care 

13. Taken in Stride 

14. The Weight of Paper 

15. What We Call Family

16. A Place at the Table

17. What We Protect 

18. Fault Lines 

The Shape That Fits

Ominis Gaunt x OC (Edith Greene)

Hogwarts Legacy AU

1887–1890s Hogwarts (Victorian Era)

A careless word in a crowded corridor spirals into something far more serious than anyone intended, leaving a group of students scrambling to hold together what they almost broke. By evening, an unlikely gathering in a tower full of stars proves that recovery isn't a straight line—and that sometimes the people who show up are the ones you least expected.

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Chapter 19 - Not Broken

The Defence Against the Dark Arts Tower was always filled with students. Their voices bounced off the large windows and marble flooring like gob-stones. Under all of that Ominis could hear the magic string quartet on the lower level playing Vivaldi softly. Edith was walking or rather trudging ahead of him, her arm linked with Adelaide. Class had just finished and Edith was down, though Ominis thought she needn’t be.

“It’s fine, Edith. Both Adelaide and Poppy also struggled with Incendio in duelling.” Ominis pointed out trying to make her feel better. He wished she was walking with him, it would be easier to comfort her if she were on his arm instead but Anne had taken it and there hadn’t been a polite way to free himself.

“It’s just another one of her broken spells.” Sebastian chimed in and Ominis felt himself flinch.

He felt the moment the careless words hit. Her magic curled in violently, black threads he had seen only once before inched into the edges like rot. Shit, she had been doing so well. He forced his arm from Anne’s grip and took a quick step forwards to wrap his arms around Edith. She had frozen, mid stride at Sebastian’s words.

“You can’t say things like that Sebastian!” Ominis yelled as he all but jammed his wand into her hand. He turned to where he thought Adelaide might be. “Go get Professor Sharp, please.”

This was bad, those threads were really bad. He had no idea what they were but they terrified him. Thankfully they were only thin. He heard Adelaide turn and rush down the stairs. It was so nice having people who didn’t argue with him in important moments. Edith buried her face into the front of his robes, he could feel her body begin to shake but she wasn’t crying. He couldn’t smell the salt.

“I didn’t me—” Sebastian began confused.

“I don’t care. Be silent.” He would try to explain it later. At least that the word broken was not to be used in relation to Edith and her magic. “Your magic isn’t broken.” Ominis murmured rubbing her back. “Just focus on my wand. There is nothing wrong with you or your magic.”

“What happened? How can I help?” Poppy asked and he felt her come over and rest her hand below his on Edith’s back. Unfortunately there wasn’t a lot they could do.

“We need to get her to Professor Weasley’s office but I can’t carry her so we’ll have to wait for Sharp. Just maybe hold her hand or something. But don’t crowd her.” Ominis replied not sure what was needed. Without his wand, he couldn’t see how bad it was but holding her, he could feel how tight her magic had curled. It hadn’t been like this since St Mungo’s. He couldn’t panic, he wouldn’t panic, no-one else would be able to help if he did.

“Is this that bad?” Poppy’s voice was soft, like she didn’t want Edith to hear. Ominis just nodded.

“What happened?” The question wasn’t so much a request as a demand as footsteps echoed on the marble. Hadrian. Adelaide must have run into him on the way. Ominis could have cried in relief. Now they could move her out of such a public place.

“She needs to be taken to Professor Weasley’s office.” Ominis explained without answering the question. He could do that later. Edith hadn’t said a word or moved beyond taking his wand and that was a terrible sign.

“Here’s your wand back, you’ll need it. Cass, you carry her.” Hadrian’s voice was strained by calm. Ominis grabbed his wand as it was placed back in his hands, more gently than he thought it would be. He could see the threads now, more like embroidery than sewing. They writhed at the edges.

“Keep telling her that her magic isn't broken and doesn't hate her.” He told Hadrian quietly, there was a heavy pause before Hadrian stepped back.

“Go find Uncle, tell him to meet us in Professor Weasley's office. Send her friend Oakes to the kitchen for something sweet.” He heard Hadrian direct in a low tone.

“Right.” Alaric agreed before his steps hurried down the stairs.

“Come on, Mouse. Up we go.” Cassius whispered as he pried Edith out of Ominis's arms and lifted her up. “Magic doesn't hate you Mouse, we promise.”

“What can we do, Ominis?” Anne asked after Edith was pulled from his grip. Her voice was subdued. There was nothing for them to do, it was probably better that they leave if he was honest but he couldn't ask that.

He sighed.

“You could run ahead and let Professor Weasley know we are coming.” Hadrian suggested tightly when Ominis hesitated.

“But—” Sebastian began before Hadrian cut him off.

“Just do as you are asked. I'll explain it later.” Hadrian ordered firmly. Ominis knew Hadrian would be less tolerant when he heard what Sebastian said later but for now he just sounded like a boy who expected to be obeyed in a crisis.

“Edith, you're not broken.” Ominis whispered as he brushed her hair one last time before Cassius turned. Poppy took his arm and gave it a squeeze as they followed down the staircase.

‘What happened?’

‘Why is she being carried by the Slytherins?’

‘Quick get out of the way.’

Ominis winced, he had forgotten how busy the tower was. If they were going to whisper, they should at least be quieter about it.

“They should mind their business.” Poppy bristled beside him.

The Transfigurations classroom was empty save for Sebastian and Anne in the corner. Ominis felt disappointed, Professor Weasley wasn't here. He had really needed her to be but he knew that was unfair. She’d been gone long enough for her perfume to fade from the air leaving only the scent of dust and parchment.

“She's not here.” Anne admitted sounding worried.

“We checked her office.” Sebastian continued. The office Ominis knew was always kept locked when she wasn’t around. He sighed but Hadrian let it pass without comment.

“Thank you. Sit down, there's nothing else you can do yet unfortunately.” Hadrian's voice was contained and polite. “Cass, put her down and give her some space. Ominis give her your wand again if you thi—”

“But he needs that to move around.” Sebastian cut Hadrian off making Ominis flinch. Now was not the time for that.

“I'll be sitting next to her, its fine. She needs it more.” Ominis said hurriedly before Hadrian lost his temper.

“But Ominis… your wand doesn’t work for other people. We tried it remember.” Anne pointed out making him groan internally. It didn’t work for them, but it seemed to like Edith or at least understand his desire to help her.

“We haven’t tested if it will let her cast with it but it will hum to her when she’s distressed.” Ominis explained gently, that was a really embarrassing thing to say though he couldn’t pinpoint why. He also was aware it was likely hurting Anne’s feelings, his wand had not responded to her the one time she had tried.

“Sweeting, can you check and see if she has that blanket in her bag.” Hadrian continued after Ominis finished.

Ominis walked over to the desk Cassius had sat her on. She was still silent. He needed her to say whatever was spiralling around in her head, though he wasn't sure others should hear it. He took her hand and placed his wand into her palm. It immediately began a soothing hum as he slipped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. He made sure to keep his hand on his wand so that he could better sense what her magic was doing.

“You aren't broken. Magic will never hate you.” He whispered as she shook against him. “Adelaide and Poppy couldn't use incendio properly either, its fine.”

“Sallow twins. The portrait says Professor Weasley is in Headmaster Black's office. Please go and wait for her.” Hadrian asked from roughly the centre of the room.

“I have so many spells that work strangely though.” She muttered so low he almost missed it. A warm blanket was wrapped around them.

“I’ve sent them off, I know he’s your friend Ominis but I don’t have time to be answering his questions yet. What does she need? Can you tell me what happened to cause this?” Hadrian crouched down in front of them as Edith gave a hiccup.

“She needs to get this off her chest before it festers. It helped last time this happened.” Ominis ventured. Honestly he wasn’t sure, he didn’t even know what was happening. The last time, her wand had just rejected her, it didn’t make sense for it to ever happen again.

“What happened last time?” Cassius asked, Ominis could hear the frown in his voice.

“Her first wand rejected her and she started to believe magic hated her.” Ominis stated, unsure if he was even allowed to say the words. This was probably one of the reasons Hadrian had send Sebastian and Anne away, it surprised him that Hadrian hadn’t also found something more important for Poppy to do. Maybe Professor Sharp had told him that Poppy had known quite a lot about Edith’s situation and never breathed a word.

Cassius sucked in a breath from beside Edith but Hadrian didn't seem surprised. He’d obviously been informed of Edith’s full history. It did make things easier.

“My spells are broken, my magic is broken. I couldn’t even cast incendio in class, my wand just went cold in my hand. What’s the point of my being here? I should have just been left.” It never got any easier, hearing her say things like that. Ominis held her tighter as her magic curled sharply, he had hoped she was past thoughts like this. Next to him Poppy sucked in a ragged breath and he could feel her eyes on him.

“Oh, Mouse.” Cassius whispered and Ominis sensed him crouch down next to Hadrian so he could look up at her.

“You should absolutely be here.” Ominis had trouble getting the words out past the lump in his throat. He pressed the side of his head against hers. He could feel his wand deepen the hum, though it didn’t seem comforting her as much as he had hoped.

“And your spells work just fi—” Hadrian continued with a sort of forced calm.

“What happened?” Professor Sharps voice made both him and Edith jump nearly out of their skins. It was punctuated by the door slamming open and then closed. Ominis could smell the scent of Floo powder waft through the room after him.

He felt Hadrian move from his crouch to stand up before heading over to his uncle as the classroom door creaked open again before closing with a soft click. Alaric followed Sharp into the classroom, obviously having been left behind. He also reeked of Floo powder, which was unfortunate for him. As a fifth year he was going to be unfairly judged for its use.

“Edith is afraid magic hates her and believes her magic is broken. It seems to have been triggered by a common spell problem in Defence.” Hadrian reported in a clipped hollow tone, he seemed unwilling to repeat half of what Edith had said at this moment. Ominis was sure that was to prevent further distress.

He appreciated Hadrian labelling the problem as common, though they all knew that was just the proverbial straw. No, Sebastian's unfortunately timed comment was the straw. It was unfair but the black threads hadn’t started until he unwittingly confirmed her thoughts. Though if they were there anyway, maybe it would have just been delaying the inevitable. No, he could think about this later.

Professor Sharp uneven gait came forwards and he felt the desk shift as he evidently lent against it on Edith’s other side. His limp was pronounced in a way it usually was when it was hurting him. There was a quick brush of his hair before Sharp’s calloused hand slid over to Edith. Dittany assaulted his nose, it completely covered Sharp’s usual cologne. It must be a bad day for his leg.

“There is nothing wrong with your magic, Edith. Not only would Ominis tell us but it was confirmed by multiple healers before you were released from St Mungo’s.” Sharp’s voice was low and gentle in the way he had grown with Edith.

“Yes Edith, you magic isn’t broken. I can feel it remember.” Ominis reminded her, his voice came out forced and like he had something stuck in his throat.

“But my spells beha–ve strangely. And I couldn't even cast incen–dio in duelling practice. I didn’t have that problem last year.” Edith countered with her usual distressed stutter. He could hear the tears she refused to shed in her voice. “If I wasn't br–oken, that wouldn't hap–pen.”

“You failed plenty of spells last year while you were learning them. We all do, it took me three tries to learn defodio a couple of weeks ago remember.” Poppy reminded her, her voice was thin.

“Edith, only a very select few witches and wizards are lucky enough not to have their spells behave oddly sometimes.” Hadrian added. “It's part of learning.”

“Yes, you have no idea how many attempts it took me to repel that damned boggart in third year.” Alaric added before continuing. “I'm also not very reliable with fire spells under stress.”

“Edith, the most important thing is for you to be using magic and enjoying it. Like children should. It's only been six months, it's natural it had some affect on your spell casting.” Professor Sharp started before pausing to consider his wording. “As traumatic events in children are reported to cause. But nothing has been dangerous.”

“Quite frankly, Mouse, your glacius and levioso work better that way for self protection.” Cassius interjected. “Honestly, I wish I could turn people into ice mice.” Ominis could hear the attempted joke but he was quickly shushed by Hadrian.

Ominis was relieved to see the black threads slither away. They made him nauseous and frightened. He hated them, they felt wrong but he didn’t think anyone would tell him what they were even if he wanted to ask.

“See everyone agrees.” He reassured her. She nodded but he knew it would be an ongoing battle now to make her believe it fully. He had mistakenly thought she'd left those thoughts in her hospital room.

“How is Edith?” Adelaide asked as she slipped in the room. The scent of sugar followed her in a cloud.

“Alaric will you stay with her? I would like to borrow Ominis for a minute.” Professor Sharp told her as Adelaide reached the desk.

Ominis frowned and gave Edith’s hand a squeeze before extracting it and his wand. As he slid off the desk he felt Poppy take his place. He followed Professor Sharp to the other side of the room out of easy earshot.

“How severe was that before I arrived?” Sharp asked, though it was more a request for a report.

“Almost as bad as my first visit in St Mungo’s.” Ominis stated. He couldn’t explain the black threads, it would be like someone trying to explain colour to him, but that should be enough to give the general gist.

“She also said that she thought she didn’t belong in Hogwarts and she shouldn’t have been saved.” Hadrian mentioned almost reluctantly as Ominis winced at the reminder.

“She’s said that before though I wasn’t aware she still had such thoughts, and what prompted it other than a spell?” Sharp’s voice was grave and there was no point in deflecting to protect Sebastian.

“I was trying to make her feel better when Sebastian commented that it was another one of her broken spells.” Ominis admitted, it galled him to say the words. Not out of loyalty to Sebastian but because he couldn’t believe his friend had said that in the first place or that it had escalated so badly.

“Does he understand Edith’s situation?” Hadrian asked like the answer would make a difference, it just shouldn’t have been said. The question also felt oddly heavy, like a test. Damn the Sharps and their tests.

“No more than the average student. It’s for Edith to tell him if she wishes.” He shrugged but the tension lifted.

“Then he was just being an idiot. You and I will explain to him that those comments and that kind of teasing are off limits towards Edith.” Hadrian commented putting his hand on Ominis’s shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze. He nodded, he hoped Sebastian understood because this sounded like Hadrian’s only extension of grace.

“The Mouse is tiny, like really tiny. Even I shouldn't be able to carry a twelve year old down three flights of stairs without magical assistance.” Cassius muttered as he joined them. “I left the girls to chat, seems to be helping. What are we going to do about it?”

Ominis stiffened. Surely she wasn't that bad anymore, he could no longer feel the bones in her hands, but then again he didn’t really touch people. Was it that strange that Edith could be carried by a fifth year? Hadrian hadn't indicated that it could be a problem. Or was that why he hadn’t assigned the job to Alaric or himself.

“It’s being dealt with. Don’t alarm Ominis further, he’s had enough for today.” Hadrian remarked shushing Cassius.

“Can I help?” Ominis asked, though he wasn’t sure what he could do to help. Was he supposed to get her to eat more?

“No, you have done enough. This is an ongoing concern and we have plans in place. This is not for you to worry about, you do more than enough.” Professor Sharp shut down, put his hand on Ominis’s shoulder and giving it a squeeze.

“What treats does she like?” Cassius asked him, and Ominis noticed his voice wasn't as stiff.

“Chocolate frogs are her favourite but she also likes the lavender ice mice.” Did that mean Cassius might not dislike him as much now? No-one had told him why but it made Edith angry, so he assumed it was because of his family. It was the normal reason people disliked him. He kind of hoped Cassius might change his mind.

Cassius chucked, it sounded genuine. “The purple eyed mouse likes the lavender ice mice. Why am I not surprised?”

Huh, he had never made that connection.

“I'm sorry, Edith.” Professor Weasley called as the door creaked open. “I'm surprised that fool can put his own boots on in the morning.”

“Easily, he has a house elf.” Cassius muttered as Hadrian shushed him.

“Come on Ominis. Let's go talk to Sallow, while Uncle fills Professor Weasley in.” Hadrian gave his shoulder another squeeze.

“She looks better.” Anne commented as she came into the room.

“Can you explain it now that she's not having one of her meltdowns — ow.” Sebastian asked rudely before there was a thump that said Anne had kicked him.

Ominis was annoyed she had gotten there first.

“I will ignore that because I understand you are frustrated.” Hadrian allowed in a tone that suggested he was praying for patience. “That was not one of her panicked episodes, Ominis's reaction should have told you that.”

Ominis wanted to say something but he wasn't sure what he could say that wouldn't invite more questions.

“It didn’t look any different. All I did was make a joke to try to make her feel better.” Sebastian answered sounding both confused and defensive.

“It very much was but that is besides the point.” Hadrian began taking a calming breath. “Your joke was unfortunately what set this off. So we are going to lay down some ground rules about future conduct around Edith.”

“But she's fine.” Ominis winced and reached over with his free hand to grip Hadrian before he lost control of his own mouth. Better, she had been doing better but fine and Edith were very different concepts.

“She is not. Now, there will be no more jokes about her magic or the way her spells behave.” Hadrian’s voice had lost it’s attempt at warmth as he began listing out conditions. “She is not to have pranks played on her. And probably one of the most important, outside of a classroom, she is not to have jinxes or hexes cast at her.”

“That doesn’t seem very fair, no-one else has gotten these rules.” Sebastian complained. Ominis could see why he thought it unfair.

“Hadrian had this conversation with Garreth Weasley last month, actually.” Ominis ventured. Well, it was more Garreth got detention and made to write the rules as lines for three nights.

“What happens if they’re broken?” Anne asked, sounding like she already knew she was going to dislike the answer.

“Father will send a formal letter of complaint to your uncle and the Headmaster.” Hadrian stated, there was the implication of further escalation. Though harsh, Ominis was relieved. The hidden guardianship had prevented how Professor Sharp could act, now those barriers were gone. “Edith is not an unbacked Muggle-born anymore, she might not have our name but she is part of the Sharp family. Now, go and enjoy some of the sweets Oakes brought from the kitchen.”

The dismissal carried weight in his frosted tone, and Ominis sensed Anne practically drag Sebastian away before he had time to say anything else.

______________________

The Astronomy reading room looked more like it should be in the Divination's tower. The room was circular with a large full moon shaped window half visible between floors. It looked stunning in the daylight, sun catching the astronomy phases etched in stained glass and silver but the moon also filtered prettily with the lamps casting a warm golden glow over the room. A thick purple fog with twinkling stars hung perpetually in the air above the study tables. Tables were scattered around the open space with cosy couches and arm-chairs around the outside. Portraits gossiped against the walls on one side while the other was lined with chalkboards filled with phases of the moon and constellation charts. It was a nice change from their usual spot in the library.

Edith bent down from her chair to scratch behind the ears of a pretty tabby that had twinned around her legs, as Adelaide scratched at a length of parchment on one side of her. The lengths all met in the middle like a nest of snakes, curling and tangling together as everyone had struggled to write out the twelve inches of an essay on Antidotes.

“Ominis. You are falling asleep, we can finish this tomorrow. It’s not due until tomorrow afternoon, we can finish it at lunch.” Edith commented gently as she straightened back up and stifled a yawn. He had another four inches to go and he had dropped ink on his page as he nodded off. He had completely run out of energy now. After her episode earlier it didn’t surprise her, she felt the same but now there were people to reassure. Like Ominis. She had spent the whole afternoon trying to put them all at ease.

“I’m fine, I can finish it before curfew.” He replied stubbornly. Edith glanced up at Adelaide who rolled her eyes before reaching over and putting the silver stopper in Edith’s ink pot.

“You’ve blotted your page in three different sections and you’ve confused the ratios of Valerian root to Peppermint oil.” Garreth pointed out, leaning over the table to look at Ominis’s parchment. Great, that was going to start an argument.

“You’ve been falling asleep since dinner. If you’re not ready to go to your Common Room you should at least go with Edith somewhere quieter. She’s exhausted too.” Poppy cut in just as his cheeks began to redden, Garreth jumped and hit his knee on the table as Poppy no doubt kicked him.

“Yes, take Cousin somewhere quiet.” Garreth groaned taking the hint as he bent down to no doubt rub his shin.

“Come on. We’ll finish your homework tomorrow.” Edith urged pulling a his sleeve. He nodded with a sigh and began rolling up his parchment. Edith did the same, he had pushed his chair back and stood as she loaded the last thing carefully into her bag.

“I’ll see you later.” She waved before taking Ominis’s arm and leading him out of the area. His steps were slow and little more uncoordinated than usual. The knowledge that she had caused this was awful but if she apologised he would just use more of his energy to talk her out of her guilt.

The worn wooden steps echoed underfoot as the walked down the stairwell towards the Defence Classroom. As they came out of the stairwell she could hear the gargoyles on the floor below mocking a few unfortunate students, only mildly drowned out by the string quartet.

‘This one looks like he picks his nose.’

‘Look at this one, you’ll never graduate if you don’t study.’

“Come on, watch your step. Why don’t we—” Edith murmured leaning closer to his ear so he could hear her over the background noise.

“Edith.” The call cutting her off took her by surprise. She looked up to see Alaric waving at her from a group of faded green couches by the Quartet. Cassius and Hadrian were also looking at them expectantly as they put their tea cups down on the side tables. She frowned to see Cassius’s shoes on the coffee table.

“Lets sit with the boys. No-one will bother us if we do.” Edith suggested as she brought him forwards. Maybe half an hours nap would help him. She didn’t feel tired in the fall asleep way, not like Ominis was, the day would probably crawl around her head well into the morning. She would feel it tomorrow no doubt.

She couldn’t believe she’d let one nasty comment from Sebastian set her off so badly. Usually she could ignore him.

“Alright. As long as I don’t have to play exploding snap or chess.” Ominis agreed, his voice was foggy. He shook his head to the side as if that would clear it.

“Evening. You two look dead on your feet.” Hadrian greeted as Cassius moved off the couch and into the open armchair, slinging his feet back onto the poor coffee table. The invitation for them to sit down was clear.

Edith took her bag from her shoulder as she sat down in the centre close to Hadrian and pulled Ominis down next to her when he hesitated. She pulled his bag from his shoulder and tucked it next to hers under the coffee table where nobody would trip on them.

“Yes, we’ve given up on study for the night.” Edith agreed as she began to busy herself pouring them both tea. Not that she thought Ominis would drink more than a polite sip. He took exactly two sips before setting the cup and saucer on the side table with a minor slosh.

“We can tell. Gaunt looks like he’s ready for bed.” Cassius pointed out, it lacked all bite. She wasn’t sure what about today had softened him towards Ominis a little but it was a good thing.

“Edith should be too. Today would have taken a lot out of her.” Alaric agreed, giving her a sympathetic smile.

“I’m not tired yet.” She stated, which felt both true and false. She wasn’t ready for the quiet of bed time. It made her nervous. What if the thoughts started again? She’d upset everyone, made a fool of herself in class and dealing with that just seemed like too much. She just had to look at the way Ominis’s moles stood out dark against the exhaustion, to see the affect she’d had on him. No, she wasn’t ready to think about any of that yet.

“You should read him one of your Jane Austen books until you both relax.” Hadrian suggested taking a sip of his own tea. “I’ll wake you when it’s time to return to your dormitories.”

Edith shook her head. “I want to start him on them with Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility. They’re more popular but I don’t own them anymore.” She really wanted to share Mansfield Park with him but Fanny Price was a less exciting heroine than Lizzy Bennet or Marianne Dashwood. She didn’t want to put him off Austen before he could appreciate her books. Besides, he was too tired tonight anyway.

“You’ll get them.” Ominis mumbled resting his head on the arm rest of the couch and digging around in his jacket pocket for his scent sachet. She hoped his headache wasn’t too terrible.

“Would you like to play a game for a bit?” Alaric asked taking another sip of tea as Hadrian lent down and fussed in his own book bag for a moment. He sat back up holding a tiny amber vial and handed it to her.

“Drink this. For your headache.” Edith said putting a hand on Ominis's shoulder and unstopping the bottle for him. She pressed it into his hand and he downed it with one mouthful.

“Thank you.” He mumbled putting his head back on the arm rest.

“I have some dominoes in my bag if that’s alright?” Edith asked, as she moved his wand onto the coffee table so it didn’t get sat on. She didn't have the brain power for anything hard and she wasn't in the head space for anything loud.

“Whatever you want.” Alaric shrugged and Cassius lent forwards, taking his feet off the table.

Edith looked to Hadrian who shook his head declining to play, as she dragged her bag out from under the table and opened it. The thick wooden box was crammed in the bottom of her bag under everything but she managed to pull it free without removing anything. Edith set it on the table with a clack and pushed her bag back out of the way.

“Why are they different?” Cassius asked, the box was open when she looked back up and he was looking at one of the tiles like it was a puzzle.

“They're the muggle ones. Arthur got them for me for Christmas. I think they’re made of ebony and bone.” Edith explained taking one of the tiles out and looking at it. “My old ones were plain wood.”

They had been chipped and faded, a gift from her father years ago. She had gotten rid of them when she'd found them in her trunk, along with her books. Arthur's gift had been a lovely surprise.

“They make magical ones.” Cassius reminded her. Tipping the rest out and beginning to turn them face down. The magical ones were pretty, with runic numbers made from moonstone that glowed.

“They don't work for Ominis, the pictures confuse him and he can barely feel the difference between the rune and the tile. The muggle ones have the recessed dots so he doesn’t struggle to play.” Edith remarked, sliding five tiles over to herself and easing herself quietly onto the floor to be closer to the table. “You also can't stand the magical ones up and then play with them that way.”

The muggle ones were far superior in that regard, though Arthur had the most patience for it.

“What way?” Alaric asked, sliding his own set over and lining them up.

“I can show you after if you like. It's quite fun.” Edith suggested. “Anyone have a double six?”

“I have a double four.” Alaric put forward. Cassius just shook his head to say he didn't have one higher. The tile was put on the table with a gentle clack.

“Huh, they don't repel if you try to cheat.” Cassius said trying to put a three against the four.

“Of course not. Now stop it.” Edith scolded lifting s brow at him.

“I was just testing it.” He grinned turning his tile around the right way.

“Sure, you were.” Alaric chuckled after Edith had put down her tile. “What other magical games does Ominis struggle with?”

“Charades. Both versions but the muggle one is a little bit easier for him.” She explained looking at the tiles now making a T shape on the table and her own collection. She picked up a tile from the pile and set it down. “Muggles act the word out.”

“Oh, so his wand can't detect the magic illusions from the hat then.” Hadrian assumed, correctly.

“No, it can tell magic is happening but that's all it can do.” Edith shrugged, picking up another tile from the pile. This game was not going well for her.

“How does that work for duelling?” Cassius asked putting down his final domino.

“Not sure. It's a bit too complicated for me. He can feel when a spell is being cast but not always what one. Spells like diffindo feel sharp — I don't really get it but he tracks that rather than the body language Hecat is teaching us.” Edith tried to explain as she put down another tile, Alaric had two left.

“Hmm.” Cassius hummed, though she wasn't sure what it meant. He seemed much more neutral now, she wondered when that had happened.

“Edith, I think you just lost.” Alaric drew her attention with the click of his last tile. “I assume the game doesn't count our points for us.” Edith shook her head and he sighed and began to count under his breath.

“Nice try, Mouse.” Cassius chuckled. “After you show us that other way to play we should take the two of you to your dorms.”

“I won by one point.” Alaric declared quietly with a smirk at Cassius.

Edith rolled her eyes at them and began standing the dominoes up on their ends. The boys watched her as she slowly propped them up in a short spiral.

“Push that end one closest to you Alaric. Since you won, you can do it.” She watched as he gave her a look that suggested he thought her Strange and tentatively pushed the domino. They made that satisfying click as they tumbled down, each taking the one ahead of it.

“And muggles do that for fun?” Hadrian asked, dubiously.

“It is very satisfying. You can build some complex shapes. I think Atticus will like it.” Edith shrugged, you either liked it or you didn't.

“I'm sure he will.” Alaric agreed as Cassius began stacking the tiles in a short line to try knocking them over. He looked genuinely delighted with the destruction.

“It is kind of fun.” He agreed with a grin. “But its time to get you and Gaunt to bed.”

Edith helped slot the tiles into the box and stuffed it back into her bag as the boys stood up. Alaric pulled out Ominis's bag and slipped his wand carefully in one of the pockets.

“Ominis, it's time to wake up.” Edith said turning around to be in front of him. He mumbled something and barely opened his eyes before closing them again. She looked at Hadrian unsure what to do, it would be unsafe for him to navigate the castle and its many staircases like this. Maybe she should have just taken him straight to the Slytherin dungeon instead. The half hour nap hadn't helped.

“Step aside, Mouse. I've got him.” Cassius shooed her away and crouched in front of him. He gave Ominis a gentle shake.

“What?” Was the bleary reply. Ominis's voice was heavy and muffled.

“You have a choice Gaunt. I can piggy back you or carry you like a sack of wheat.” Cassius smirked, again his voice lacked the bite.

“I can walk.” Ominis retorted straightening as Cassius spun on his heel.

“Absolutely not. You'll break your beck on the steps.” Alaric pointed out carefully pulling Ominis out of the sofa. “Now put your arms around his neck and don't struggle.”

“Give me your bag, Edith.” Hadrian held out his hand with a look that said she wasn't winning this. “Got everything?”

Edith checked the tables and the floor before noticing Ominis's headache sachet had fallen into the sofa corner. The ice blue fabric was stark against the dusky green. She picked it up and walked over to Alaric to slip it in Ominis's bag, he would be upset if he lost it.

“I really can walk.” Ominis protested, his arms clinging around Cassius's neck as he was hoisted up onto his back. “You don't even like me.” It was a mark of how tired and embarrassed he was that he had said it. Edith stiffened.

“You're alright for a Gaunt.” Cassius huffed, his voice torn between shame and annoyance. Edith breathed out a sigh of relief, that was better than he would have said if asked when they first met a month ago or even last week. Progress.

Ominis Gaunt x OC (Edith Greene)

Hogwarts Legacy AU

1887–1890s Hogwarts (Victorian Era)

The Shape That Fits

Ominis Gaunt x OC (Edith Greene)

Hogwarts Legacy AU

1887–1890s Hogwarts (Victorian Era)

A cold clock-tower becomes the unlikely setting for introductions that have been building for weeks, where old loyalties and new connections circle each other like wary cats. By the time the duelling ring empties, an unexpected alliance has formed—one that will reshape lessons, friendships, and the understanding of what it means to stand between someone and the things that might hurt them.

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Chapter 18 - Fault Lines

Snow was falling outside the cullis gate in a slow drizzle as gusts of icy wind ripped through the clock-tower. The wooden beams above creaked under the persistent clack of the iron pendulum. Edith cast a warming spell on her robes.

Why couldn't crossed wands be held somewhere warmer? Did they really think the Professors didn't know about it? Did no-one think it strange not a single professor accidentally stumbled upon half the school in a draughty clock-tower?

Edith watched the clusters of early students like herself. They stood in little groups shivering and casting warming spells or eating. Like her, most were just here to support a friend. Sebastian would be duelling Leander and Ominis had asked her to keep him company. She envied the rest of her friends, who were all warm in the Library or Common Room right now.

“— here she is. Edith.” Hadrian raised a hand to greet her as her head snapped up at the sound of her name. Behind him through the open iron gate followed two boys. She remembered them, the stocky boy was a Beater and the tall lean boy who looked stretched was the Keeper.

“Hello Hadrian.” Edith smiled straightening her shoulders. She wasn't sure how to behave around him yet.

“So this is the Mouse.” The shorter of the two boys asked. His grin told her he was well aware he was being rude. The other boy elbowed him sharply. Edith took a step closer to Hadrian and he placed a hand on her shoulder and guided her next to him. It was still uncomfortable — his touch— the slimy feeling warred with her desire to be closer to him.

“Don't be rude Cass. This is Edith, the Sharp family ward I’ve been telling you about.” Hadrian’s voice was firm and formal. He seemed a little annoyed by his friend. “Edith, this is Alaric Langley.”

“Nice to finally meet you.” Alaric replied with a polite little bow. She gave a little curtsy and craned her head to smile at him. His hair was a few shades darker than Ominis’s and he had very pretty grey eyes, like clouds just before it rained.

“This is Cassius Ashworth. Just ignore him when he's rude.” Hadrian introduced with a smirk in his voice. While she couldn't say it was nice to meet him, Edith curtsied and gave him her politest smile.

“He's taken too many bludgers to the face. It messed up his manners.” Alaric teased, he gave her a wink. Now that she looked at him, his nose did look like it had met a bludger at some point.

“It was one bludger, Ric. One.” Cassius complained crossing his arms. She could see the way his robes stretched around his upper arms. Alaric was taller but it almost didn't matter. Cassius took up space, like a Graphorn. He seemed good natured enough though, but like you wouldn't soon forget the experience if he were angry. “Besides, both of you have adorable younger siblings, I want this one.”

Hadrian’s grip on her shoulder tightened.

“You have to be nice to younger siblings or they don't like you.” Edith pointed out, stepping a little closer to Hadrian. Cassius obviously wanted her to like him, but he was a bit much. If Hadrian was introducing them, the boys were important to him so they were going to be in her life now.

“I will be nice to you, Mouse. I'm always nice to Atty and Clary. Oh, Clara is Ric’s little sister. You'll meet her later.” Cassius shrugged with a grin. She had a feeling that what he thought was being nice was potentially a matter of opinion. Edith suppressed a sigh. Why Mouse? No, she was not going to ask.

“You’ll meet them over the summer, I think you’ve met enough new people for a while.” Hadrian commented looking down at her. She nodded, she couldn’t agree more. “Where is Ominis? I wanted to introduce him too.”

“Don’t you dare let Garreth hear you call me Mouse, being called cousin is bad enough.” She grumbled at Cassius before turning to answer Hadrian. “We had separate classes. He’ll be here soon.”

“Fine. Edith in company.” Cassius replied with a grin before frowning. “Why are we meeting a Gaunt?” His face had clouded over and she really didn’t like the dark tone in his voice. What was wrong with Ominis?

“He’s Edith’s closest friend, remember. We always see them around together.” Alaric reminded him with another elbow. He looked towards the other entrance and Edith followed his gaze as another group of students entered the tower.

“The Gaunts are the worst type of Wizards.” Cassius crossed his arms again.

“Ominis is really nice, he’s not like that at all.” Edith hissed as she reached out to clutch at Hadrian’s robes and press against him. She wouldn’t like anyone who was mean to Ominis. They’d never even met, how could he say that?

“Father and Uncle both approve of him and he was the only one allowed to visit her while she was in St Mungo’s.” Hadrian stated, his tone was very Sharp. “He’s kind to her and they’re friends so get over it.”

Cassius looked unconvinced but didn’t argue further.

“He’s arrived with the Sallow twins. Keep your opinions to yourself if you want Edith to continue speaking to you.” Alaric smirked, twitching his head in the direction of the side entrance. Edith gave Cassius a glare before turning to watch, he hadn’t sensed her yet.

Ominis walked down the steps through the metal spiked gate with Sebastian’s arm slung over his shoulder. He looked equal parts annoyed and amused, one corner of his mouth looked like it was trying not to smile. Sebastian had a smear of dirt across one cheek and his hair was ruffled more than usual. Anne walked on Ominis's left side. She was giggling at something and kept trying to grab his hand.

She tried twice as Ominis moved to first adjust his robes and then his bag before giving up and just hooking his hand around his bag strap like the strap was the problem. It was odd watching him subtly shake someone off, he never did that for her.

“He hasn't noticed you yet. You should call him over.” Alaric suggested, Edith glanced at him to see both boys watching Ominis with different expressions. Cassius had a dark look of distrust that looked like it itched to be voiced and Alaric just looked mildly amused.

“No, his wand will notice me soon. It always does.” In another couple of feet most likely. She rested her head against Hadrian's side to wait, he hadn't pushed her away and she was determined to get used to him.

“How does it work? His wand?” Cassius asked almost reluctantly.

“No-one is sure. Even Ollivander doesn't know but some Hufflepuff theories are it works like a bat. One of our seventh-years brought in a Muggle science book by Lazzaro Spallanzani and obsessed over it for months before he graduated last year.” Edith explained, she hadn't understood the book at all and had only remembered it because the author’s name was strange.

“I don't understand. How can a wand behave like a non-magical creature?” Alaric asked sounding confused as Hadrian chucked quietly. She would have missed it if she hadn't been leaning on him. Cassius just stared at him like he'd lost his mind before turning back to Edith.

“Are you kidding, a Muggle book? Can you get it for me?” And another student lost down the rabbit-hole that was how does Ominis's wand work… Well if it got Cassius to like Ominis, she'd push him down it herself.

“He left the book when he graduated in case anyone else wanted to read it. It's in our Common Room. I'll bring it to breakfast tomorrow.” Edith shrugged, turning back to watch.

Ominis had freed himself from Sebastian's arm now and they were standing just past the entrance, stopped by Brattleby who was obviously talking to Sebastian about his match.

There was a moment where Edith could see the second his wand sensed her. He looked relieved for a moment, then the smile that he had been suppressing won its battle, finally he noticed who she was with and his brows drew together in concern.

He made his weaving way over to them, the tip of his wand blinking out a steady ripple of red magic.

“Hadrian has some friends he wants to introduce to us.” Edith began before he could ask her if she was alright. She released her grip on Hadrian and moved to hook her arm through Ominis's elbow. She wanted to make it clear to Cassius where she stood, she was still annoyed with him.

“This is Alaric Langley and Cassius Ashworth.” Hadrian introduced again. He indicated to each boy who bowed, though Cassius’s was stiff. “This is Ominis Gaunt. Now, I want you both to go to them if you have any issues and I’m not around.” He stressed the word both but if that was pointed at them or his friends, Edith wasn’t sure. Knowing Hadrian it was probably to tell Cassius he had to help Ominis, and Ominis that people would help him if he needed it.

“Nice to meet you.” Ominis replied with a incline of his head in return. “Are you duelling today?” he asked politely. He sounded stiff and off balance.

“Cass is. He wants to settle a dispute with a Ravenclaw over a Quidditch argument.” Hadrian began as Alaric snorted. Edith looked over at Cassius. He was looking at her with his head tilted to the side, not paying attention.

“Mouse, why is part of your hair pink?” He asked like he needed this puzzle solved. Oh, was it that visible now. “I assume you don't care if Gaunt hears me call you that, just everyone else.”

She huffed and shook her head. While she didn't like the nickname, he was right… she didn't care if Ominis heard it.

“Garreth Weasley.” Edith huffed out pulling her plait over her shoulder to look at it. A thick strip shimmered a dark pink — faded but still offensively visible — when it caught the light. It didn’t quite reach the ends, with the ugly colour stopping half way through her braid in a jagged splash. It made sense they could all see it now, Hadrian’s shadow was no longer blocking the left side of her face.

“Is that why Weasley's hair is a lighter shade of orange with purple?” Alaric asked, as Cassius nodded like the answer did not surprise him.

Edith giggled and pressed her cheek into Ominis's shoulder. She couldn't look at Garreth without laughing anymore, she wished she could get a portrait made of him looking like that. It wouldn't work as a photograph, it deserved to be immortalised in colour.

“We'll take that as a yes then.” Hadrian commented but she could hear his smirk.

“Why do you call her Mouse?” Ominis asked, he sounded a little more hesitant than usual. It annoyed her that Cassius’s dislike was so obvious to her friend. Edith sighed and squeezed his arm.

“What? Have you seen her?” Cassius exclaimed rather more rudely than she hoped he would.

“Cass.” Alaric hissed, elbowing him.

“Last I checked I was still blind.” Ominis huffed with less venom than people who forgot he was blind usually got. She could feel his muscles spasm, under the weight of him holding back. He wanted to snap, he just also wanted Hadrian’s approval.

“Cassius.” Hadrian warned taking one step around to stand beside her. She could feel him reach around her to place his hand on Ominis’s back. She found herself once more pressed against him as he moved them both closer to his side.

“My mistake.” Cassius backed off changing tactics. “I mean you have to know she’s tiny. I know her eyes are purple not pink but she looked like a Mouse hanging off Uncle Aesop’s sleeve when she came back.”

Edith gaped at Cassius as Ominis snickered once before suppressing it and she took her head off his shoulder to glare at him. She could see the corners of his mouth twitch. She turned back to glare at Cassius, who looked annoyingly smug as Alaric was covering his mouth with his hand and looking over at the duelling ring like it was suddenly very interesting. What kind of ridiculous boy logic was that? She glanced at Hadrian for help and saw a muscle in his jaw tick, damn them all and their strange boy logic.

“You are absolutely, never to give that explanation to anyone ever again. I will not be called Mouse by the whole school.” Edith struggled over the embarrassment.

“I swear under threat of the Cruciatus curse, I will never tell anyone why I call you Mouse. Now please stop glaring at me.” Cassius swore trying to keep a straight face, he sounded completely unrepentant. “I will also hex anyone else who calls you it. That’s my nickname and only I can call you that.”

Great, more boy logic. Edith just nodded instead of trying to argue, she knew a lost cause when she saw one. Hadrian made a kind of choking sound in the back of his throat as Alaric coughed violently, even Ominis’s shoulders shook though he made not a sound. Traitor.

“Oh, this is where you got to? We’ve been looking for you.” Anne remarked suddenly from behind her. Edith peered around Ominis to watch as she came up on his other side.

“Yes, Hadrian was introducing us to his friends.” She smiled at Anne who nodded politely.

“Why would he do that? He’s a Slytherin Prefect?” Sebastian asked wandering up to stand by Anne. He sounded genuinely confused and also strangely defensive.

That was such a loaded question and she wasn’t sure how Hadrian was going to answer it. Even though she’d met the whole family over the weekend there had been no announcement on what story was going to be told yet. She’d only heard about the logistics, so far. Easter and summer with the family before going to Hogwarts on the train like everyone else.

“She’s the Sharp family ward. You should see the announcement in the Prophet next week.” Hadrian stated with a lift of his chin. “I got the owl this morning.” He explained looking down at her, his voice softening.

She wondered how he had originally been going to tell her before the plan got derailed. Though it probably didn't matter much, she had found out the day it was settled. That was enough.

“Why would the Sharp’s take her in? You're pure-blood.” She was positive that wasn't meant how it sounded but it had an instant effect. Ominis stiffened and it felt like he was going to say something before Hadrian both of them in front of him, his hands now firmly on their shoulders as he stood rock stiff at their backs. Cassius looked like he suddenly grew three feet in all directions. Even Alaric’s face blackened in a deep scowl.

“That is not your concern, Sallow.” Hadrian's voice was like ice.

“That sounded terrible Sebastian. You had better apologise.” Anne muttered taking a step backwards and pulling at Sebastian’s elbow. It seemed to occur to Sebastian that everyone was upset with him. There was a flash of shame before he covered it.

“I didn’t mean it like that.” He began, defaulting to his usual go to line.

“We know, it’s the only reason Cass is not challenging you to a duel right now.” Alaric cut in before Sebastian could defend himself more, or put his foot in his mouth further. “But, you cannot say things like that. It makes you look like a blood purist and nobody here cares about blood status.” He continued drawing his line while pointing out exactly where Sebastian went wrong.

Sebastian stared at Alaric for a long moment before his shoulders dropped. “I really didn’t mean it to sound like that. I just don’t understand why the Sharp’s would take on an orphaned Hufflepuff.” That wasn’t much better, if she was honest.

“Why the Sharp’s do things is none of your business. She’s ours now and that’s all you need to know.” Cassius loomed as he said it. She would have preferred if he had added Ominis into that statement but Ominis wasn’t a ward so she understood why he hadn’t been.

Alaric sighed. “You need to work on how you ask questions you have no business asking. It’ll go better for you. The phrasing you probably wanted was ‘why did the Sharps choose to take a ward?’. Though the answer was still none of your concern.”

Sebastian glanced at Ominis who had a closed off annoyed expression. His lips were a thin line trying to keep whatever he wanted to say trapped.

“Do you know?” He asked trying to side step and get the answers he wanted. Edith had to clamp down on the urge to roll her eyes.

“No, because it's none of my concern.” Ominis lied, his voice bland. Why Sebastian thought Ominis would tell him, she would never know. Especially in front of Hadrian after he had shut it down.

“Seb, stop. They’ve told you, its none of our business.” Anne whined pulling again at Sebastian’s sleeve. She would kick him next. Edith decided to take pity on her.

“How was Herbology today? You learnt the ground digging spell didn’t you?” Edith asked Anne to change the subject. Anne gave her a look of relief before answering.

“It was really messy. One of the boys dug right through his pot and sprayed dirt everywhere.” Anne replied in a falsely cheery voice.

“Garreth blew up his pot when we learnt it the other day. Though I think that was on purpose.” Edith returned matching her tone as Ominis snorted. Good, his good mood might start to come back now.

“I bet Professor Garlick was pleased.” Ominis joined in, though he’d already heard the story.

“Yes, he got a long lecture about startling the baby mandrakes.” Edith explained as Anne grimaced. The atmosphere felt better now. She could see Cassius and Alaric had relaxed.

“How come you aren’t covered in dirt like your friends Ominis?” Hadrian asked politely. He took a long-legged step away from them and repositioned himself so that he was facing towards everyone. He still didn’t look particularly pleased, but his voice was warm towards Ominis.

“Edith taught the spell to me after she learnt it on Tuesday. Since I sit next to that giant Tentacula Professor Garlick keeps in the greenhouse, Edith thought it would be easier to learn it from her.” Ominis explained with an easy shrug. It had been nice to be able to teach him something for a change, though he had picked it up disgustingly quick.

“She put you next to that abomination?” Alaric asked looking disgusted. He had a point, though the wording was a bit rude, it wasn’t the plant’s fault. Edith sighed, that thought was a bit too much like Lenora and Garlick.

“Every year so far.” Ominis sighed in annoyance. “Thankfully it seems more interested in biting the other students than me. As long as I keep an ear out for it, it hasn’t been the worst problem.”

Edith squeezed his arm, he was downplaying it, she knew he was. But he kept telling her it was fine and he could handle it. He would be furious and offended if she meddled where he told her not to. She glanced at Alaric, his lips were pressed together as he stared at Ominis.

“He's fine. It only poisoned him once today.” Sebastian blundered, his voice casual, though she could have hugged him for this case of foot in mouth. “Last week one of the seed pods nearly cracked his cheekbone.”

“Sebastian, keep your mouth shut. Don't you have a duel to attend.” Ominis growled stiffening. She hadn't known about that. He looked quite cross when she glanced at him and Sebastian turned sheepish.

“Ominis is really alright. Everyone gets injured in Herbology sometimes.” Anne defended quickly, glancing nervously at the silently fuming boys. Even Cassius looked displeased.

Edith caught their eye and tried to will them to understand her ‘fix it’ look. Alaric nodded to her and she had to prevent herself from sagging in relief.

“Oh yeah, Brattleby is waving me over. I better go. Watch me win.” Sebastian started like he had somehow forgotten why everyone was freezing in a clock tower. He probably also wanted to leave before he got yelled at.

“Off you go to your match Sallow, you're duelling that other red head aren’t you?” Hadrian commented his voice neutral.

“Prewitt, yes he is. They have a rivalry going.” Anne replied cheerfully, a little too cheerfully.

“Yes he seems to spend an almost equal amount of time in detention that Sallow does. Enjoy your match.” Hadrian almost drawled in a similar way to Professor Sharp when he disapproved.

“Come on. Let's go meet Brattleby.” Anne grabbed Sebastian’s arm and ushered him towards the duelling ring.

Alaric walked over to Ominis and slung his arm around his shoulders. Edith let him have Ominis and stepped back to look up at Hadrian. He looked both pleased and annoyed.

“Ominis. Come over here and tell me what games you like to play. Do you enjoy chess?” Alaric asked drawing Ominis over to a wall facing the court to sit. At least one of them liked him straight away.

“Do you play exploding snap, Mouse? Cassius asked as he meandered over to where the boys had claimed.

“For a little while. Then it hits wrong and I get the shakes. I'm trying to get over it because Ominis loves that game.” Edith explained, Hadrian had probably told them about her episodes already.

“There's no need to push yourself. We will play it with him.” Hadrian remarked putting his hand back on her shoulder and ushering her forwards. That was good, otherwise he only had Arthur to really play it with.

“How is your duelling going. Don't you start this week?” Cassius asked changing topics as he sat down on the cold floor. She should have brought a picnic blanket.

“We start next week. Tomorrow is when the class learns protego.” Edith lowered herself onto the icy floor and smoothed out her skirt. “Ominis has been practising duelling with me. Though it’s not very fun for him.”

“It’s plenty fun, as long as Weasley doesn’t make a nuisance of himself.” Ominis cut in. He was still holding a grudge against Garreth for that, she wished he would forgive him. He’d promised not to do it again.

“I’ll take over those practices, Ominis.” Edith snapped her head towards Hadrian who held up a hand to forestall Ominis’s objection. “You can alternate between helping Edith and practising with Alaric. Father is planning on having me tutor her after Easter anyway, I’ll adjust your lessons to your skill sets. That way there will also be no more mishaps with the Weasley.” Hadrian hadn’t asked but she knew he would, at some point, and Garreth was going to be in more trouble. If he hadn't already heard about it from Professor Sharp, that was.

“Will it just be duelling lessons?” Edith asked, this was snowballing quickly. She liked her time with Ominis teaching her, but she supposed if he would still be there she could deal with it. Ominis was a good teacher though and he seemed to like doing it, though he probably shouldn’t feel like he had to.

“For now.” Hadrian confirmed. “Can you cast a protego?” His voice implied that if she couldn’t, she would be getting a quick lesson this afternoon.

“She can, and it’s largely gap free now. She’s worked hard to close them.” Ominis piped up, he had a proud little smile on his face. Edith ducked her head down, feeling self conscious.

“Don’t be embarrassed Mouse. You should own your accomplishments. Though it does mean you might be bored in class tomorrow.” She could hear the grin in Cassius’s voice as he petted her head. She stiffened under his touch, it was too soon and she wasn’t sure about him. He liked her but he didn’t like her friend.

“Cass, you know she’s not good with people touching her. We agreed to keep our hands to ourselves.” Alaric commented with a glare. Cassius took his hand away with a muttered ‘sorry’.

“That’s good. You can both meet us after classes down in the Slytherin dungeon tomorrow. I'll assess what Edith can do while Ominis spars with Alaric.” Edith suppressed a groan. That meant they would all see where her spells went wrong. How embarrassing.

________________________

The Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom was filled with students waiting on the arrival of Professor Hecat, everyone had quietly taken their seats. Huddling together or casting charms against the winter. Ominis had taken his usual spot next to Edith and quickly cast a warming spell on them both, before she could draw her own wand. He adjusted the warm fuzzy scarf that had been trying to strangle the cold out of his neck and put his books on the worn desk.

The lead lined windows creaked against the icy wind, it under cut the near persistent clicking of the sneak-o-scopes. There was no draft in the classroom, though it was cold as the winter ice permeated through the stone and wood, leaving the students shivering. Somehow the lack of draft did not stop the iron strings holding the enormous bones of Hecat’s prized dragon over-head from whispering their displeasure. Bone cracked against the cold.

“Good Morning Class.” Professor Hecat’s voice boomed from the front of the room as the solid wooden door creaked open on frozen hinges. “As you were informed last week, today we will begin learning Protego for duelling purposes.”

‘Yes.’ Sebastian muttered to Anne from the row ahead of him. Ominis rolled his eyes, Sebastian was going to be in for a shock if he thought duelling in class was going to be exciting. He should just enjoy crossed wands for that.

“Now, duelling will not begin in this class until every student has a grounded understanding of the spell and its importance in protection.” Professor Hecat continued, her slow steps creaking on the floor. “A show of hands if you please. Who can cast Protego?”

Ominis raised his hand as asked and knew Edith did too. Sebastian would have, which meant Anne too. He made a point of not using his wand to scan the room to sense who had their hands in the air.

“Poppy has her hand in the air, same with Lenora but Arthur and Adelaide don’t.” Edith told him in a whisper. That made sense, Lenora had older brothers who probably taught her. Arthur’s mother was a muggle and had strange rules against magic in her home. Adelaide surprised him though, her uncle was a curse-breaker, why would he not have taught her?

“Adelaide surprises me.” He admitted in a whisper back.

“Her uncle is very busy, she said he hasn’t had the time.” Edith whispered back as quietly as she could. That made sense, but it was still slightly negligent as far as he was concerned. But he supposed curse-breakers didn’t usually make the same kind of enemies that Aurors did.

“More students than I expected. Very good.” Hecat continued as her foot steps took her down the centre of the room at a painfully slow pace. “Now what is Protego and what is it used for.”

“The Protego is a personal shield that is conjured to create a protective barrier around the caster. It can block most spells, jinxes and hexes.” Lenora began from behind him. “It can also block physical forces, such as objects.”

Except for unforgiveables…

“Very good Miss Everleigh, ten points to Hufflepuff.” Professor Hecat sounded only mildly approving. “I would like to add, it does not block unforgiveables, which is one of the many reasons they are unforgiveable.”

“So what do you do against unforgivables?” Edith whisper asked him. Ominis thought about it for a moment, that hadn’t been covered by his family. Maybe it would if he ever went back but since he had no plans of doing that it was a moot point.

“Other than throwing yourself out of the way, I have no idea.” Ominis admitted quietly.

“We can ask Hadrian later.” She muttered pulling her textbook forwards, the metal corner caps scraped against the wood and he heard the flicking of thick pages.

“Don’t worry about your textbook Miss Greene. We are about to start practice.” Professor Hecat stated, obviously seeing Edith open her book. “Now everyone pack up your things and gather in the middle between the blue lines.”

There was a flurry of movement as students rushed to pack up their belongings and gather in the middle of the floor. Edith ushered him to stand beside her and he felt her reach past him to push Poppy backwards. There was a horrendous scraping of wood on wood as Ominis felt the desks being pushed against the wall. There was the expected scramble of slow students rushing out of the way, Hecat was never patient enough to wait until everyone was out of the way.

“Now, students who have never learnt protego will be lined on the windows side of the room. Students who can cast, will be paired on the opposite side. Off you go.” Hecat explained with what he was sure was a wave of her hand. Edith put her arm through his and pulled him to the other side.

“Would you prefer to pair with Sebastian?” Edith asked, though he knew she was only being polite. She would partner with Anne if he wanted it but it would be uncomfortable for both girls. It saddened him that they were both happy to be friendly acquaintances rather than friends. They had so little in common besides his friendship that other than classes or polite topics, their conversations tended to wane into uncomfortable silence.

“No, it would just encourage him to show off.” He shook his head. Pairs meant Hecat was going to have them practice shielding against a minor jinx, if he paired with Sebastian the lesson would get side tracked. Sebastian would want to do more than required and it would force Hecat away from the students who needed to learn.

“Most likely. He’s going to find this very boring after his win the other day.” Edith agreed, but he could hear the relief in her voice.

“True. Though Prewitt was better than I thought he’d be.” Ominis nodded, that had surprised him. Sebastian had barely won, though he’d had to rely on the commentary of the others since Alaric had sat them a bit far away for his wand to sense the duel properly.

“Now, those who know the spell will take turns blocking a minor stinging jinx.” Professor Hecat cut in, he could feel her moving between the groups. “That is a minor stinging jinx” She clarified louder and a few people groaned. “The rest of you gather around me with your wands out.”

“Let’s put out bags against the desks.” Edith suggested already putting her bag down and pulling her wand from one of the many pockets.

“Alright. Follow my wand movements, no Anders that swish is wrong do it again.” Hecat continued from somewhere behind him.

“I’ll go first, you shield.” Edith called taking her place in a line somehow naturally forming, their backs to the window and the students currently learning the spell. “I’m glad I got to practice this with you and Hadrian beforehand.”

She waited until Ominis had put his bag down and turned to stand in front of her. She had put him where he could sense everything in the room. A respectable distance away stood Anne, standing in a similar position. Sebastian fired a stinging jinx that was probably stronger than minor at her, she blocked it with a swish of her wand and a steady call of her magic. Her protego was brittle, like glass, but the jinx still absorbed into it.

He felt Edith’s magic gather in her wand before it flew towards him, there was absolutely no intent to harm in the spell. He’d probably get a stronger static shock from his scarf later, even if he didn’t block it. “Protego.” His shield locked around him with the sort of force Hecat would expect in her lesson but Alaric or Hadrian would scold him for. Now it was his turn.

“Protego.” Poppy countered beside him. He gave her a quick glance. Her shield held but it was thin and patchy in places. He sighed, another one to fix.

“Now, I want you to think about protecting yourself as you cast it. You will practice until the end of class. Twenty points to the first student to give me a functional shield that can take a jinx.” Hecat called in the background. He felt students on that side move from around her into a third evenly spaced line. The room was now filled with more muffles of protego, it was quite distracting.

Ominis changed his stance and felt Edith tug on her magic. “Protego.” She said as he flicked his wand towards her, there was no intent to harm in his spell either but it bounced off the hardened shell of her magic. Still a little over-controlled but he agreed with Hadrian’s assessment of it being better that way. He couldn’t feel the gaps he had first felt anymore. They had been hammered smooth by both her practice at closing them and Hadrian’s duelling lessons. There was just the tiniest shadow over her left shoulder now, where the magic was not even a hair thinner.

“Protego.” Sebastian’s voice was overly loud but he sounded bored. It was boring. His shield was suffering the same problem as nearly everyone else. Gaps. Nearly in the same place every time, back of the neck or between the shoulder blades and over the non-dominant shoulder. Well except Anne, she had no gaps but hers felt like one good spell would pull it apart like wind through dry leaves. He would need to help his friends fix their shields. Hopefully Sebastian would be receptive.

He walked over to Sebastian and put a hand on his shoulder. He usually tried to avoid physical contact but it seemed to help show someone you cared. “You should come with us to the dungeon after class. Everyone has gaps in their Protego, I’m going to help them close them.” Ominis stated in a low voice that not even Edith would hear. There was technically no such practice class, but there was about to be.

“It’s fine Ominis.” Sebastian laughed, brushing him off. Ominis schooled his face to prevent the slight twinge of hurt from showing. “I can duel just fine.”

“It could cost you a victory.” Ominis reminded him trying another tract. “A well placed spell can shatter an unstable protego. Skilled wizards die all the time from it.”

“We’re in second-year, Ominis, don’t worry so much.” Anne said coming forwards, Sebastian’s laugh must have called her over. Ominis sighed, why couldn’t they just listen. It got harder to fix the longer you left it. “Besides you should probably worry about Edith.”

“Edith has already spent the time to close her weak points.” There was a thread of pride in his voice. Edith had listened to him, she hadn’t complained or dismissed him. She easily had the most solid Protego in the class now, granted some of that was her nerves but that didn’t counter the work she had put in.

“That was her choice. What does she need to spend all that work for? She’s not even in crossed-wands.” Sebastian countered dismissively. That was never going to be something Edith spent her time on. Cassius had suggested it and she had told him she would rather read than waste time making a fool of herself in public for an outfit she could buy herself and a title.

“Because Ominis asked and it worried him.” Edith replied, putting a calming hand on his shoulder. Her voice was light and unfailingly polite, the way it got when she was beginning to become annoyed.

“Let me know then if you change your mind.” He cut in before anyone else could say anything. They would lose points for disrupting class at this rate.

“Since you four have time to argue, show me your cast.” Professor Hecat demanded coming over. Too late.

“Protego.” They said in unison after taking a healthy step away from each other.

“Good. Now get back to practice.” Hecat grumbled sounding disappointed she couldn’t dock points. “Unless you want to stay back after class to practice for another hour, you will stay in your lines. Other’s require my attention today.”

The Shape That Fits

Ominis Gaunt x OC (Edith Greene)

Hogwarts Legacy AU

1887–1890s Hogwarts (Victorian Era)

An abandoned dungeon becomes the setting for lessons that have nothing to do with textbooks—about shields, about boundaries, and about what happens when someone decides to test them without asking. By the time the sparks fade and the laughter stops, everyone has learned something, though not necessarily what they came there to learn.

Keep Reading

Chapter 17 - What We Protect

Edith was sitting on a dusty wooden box down in the side room of an abandoned dungeon, reading Persuasion. It was the other book Ominis had gotten her for Christmas, bound on dark navy leather with silver gilding on the pages. Ordinarily, she would never have brought a book anywhere near Garreth's potion experiments but Professor Weasley had put an impervious charm on them for her to prevent damage.

Garreth was set up against the nearby wall. His cauldron over an open flame on the stone, bubbling away with tiny sparks ejecting from it at intervals in a sickly purple. He had assured her it was meant to do that but she did not believe him.

“Alright. So now it needs to simmer for three minutes and then a stir it counter clockwise for five minutes and then it simmers for another half hour. Once it's vibrant pink we add four pink Flutterby flowers and two small slugs.” Garreth read aloud. “But that didn't work properly so we'll add six flowers, three hairs of a pink Puffskien and see what happens.”

This was going to explode.

Helga help her, it had better dye his hair instead of hers this time. Her hair still shimmered pink in one patch under the sunlight and it had been two weeks since the Christmas day mishap.

“So this is where you kidnapped her to?” Ominis commented suddenly making Edith jump and nearly fall off the box.

Edith had just enough time to steady herself and put her book down before Ominis appeared, silhouetted against the light from the hallway torches, in the doorway to the alcove. He was wearing the frown she had begun to associate with anything to do with Garreth.

“I resent that.” Garreth’s voice was so stern Edith snapped her head to look at him. Then he grinned and she knew the sternness was a lie. “I bribed her with extra dessert.”

A smile crossed his features, and there was a glint in his eyes like he just figured out how best to annoy Ominis next. What in Helga was he planning?

“No, I was definitely kidnapped.” Edith stuck her tongue out at Garreth. “I would never follow questionable redheads to deserted dungeons for sweets.”

“You extorted half of Honeydukes out of me.” He looked at her with fake outrage. That damned smile. She was positive it was charmed and the only people immune to it were Professors Weasley and Sharp.

“My hair is pink, cousin. I hate pink and it’s stuck like this for Helga only knows how long.” She pointed out waving a chunk of offending hair at him. In this light it looked like her normal black.

“Please stop extorting Garreth, it just encourages him.” Ominis muttered stepping into the room. He had started calling Garreth by his name at some point, though she couldn’t pin point when. It was nice of him, especially considering Garreth usually gave him a headache. Maybe they could be friends one day. “Should you be leaving that? It feels unstable.”

“Oops, need to stir it.” Garreth hurried turning back to his potion. The sparks were flecked with green now and it was tinged an unhappy pink.

That was definitely going to explode. Edith wondered what kind of mess it was going to make of her hair this time, she would hex him if it ended up more pink. Maybe she should hide behind the crates before it went off…

“How did you find us? Garreth was convinced this was out of the way.” Edith asked turning to Ominis. He seemed to be doing his best to ignore what Garreth was doing.

“It's near the Slytherin common room and one of the portraits told me where to go.” Ah, that made sense. Garreth had chosen this room because there were no portraits, but there had been several on the way.

“I thought we were meeting after lunch?” Edith asked suddenly afraid that she had lost track of time.

“We were but I just had a thought and I wanted to ask you about it.” Ominis began, he looked a little embarrassed as his hand fiddled with his sleeve. “We start duelling lessons next week and I was wondering if you wanted to practice with me today? So you won’t be so nervous and I can teach you a couple of useful spells.”

“You don't mind? Won't you be bored, I can barely cast protego?” Edith asked. It would be really helpful but she didn't want to impose. She also didn’t want to embarrass herself in class when they officially learnt it.

“Father gave you a solid protego lesson. Your protego is good so don’t under cut yourself but you should take him up on it. The Gaunt’s are unmatched.” Garreth laughed. “Even the baby ones.”

“Would you like to duel, Weasley?” Ominis suggested, he was wearing his not very nice smile and his raised eyebrow. Garreth had just gotten the rise he wanted, he had also demoted himself back to Weasley. She hoped he was pleased with himself.

“No thank you, I don't want to die today. This potion won't stir itself.” Garreth waved him off looking wholly unconcerned. That had to be a Gryffindor trait…

Edith took a peek at the potion, it had settled down somewhat. The sparks were back to their bruise purple. She looked at Ominis who somehow managed to look both nervous and cross at the same time. Edith gathered her book off the dusty box.

“Can we just be in the next room? I want to see how this ends.” Edith asked motioning towards Garreth. Just, maybe from a bit further away…

____________________

Ominis ushered Edith out of the alcove as quickly as he could. She might want to see how it ended but some distance between Weasley and that bubbling disaster was preferable. There wasn't a word to describe what that thing smelt of, but somewhere in there was a lot of leech juice and some Horklump spines.

“Put your book over there. Probably your over-robe too. It might get in the way.” Ominis suggested using his wand to survey the room. It was full of boxes and statues, he could feel some wooden furniture too. There were no portraits and he could detect spiders webbed in the corners. It was just as messy as the undercroft.

“Ready. What would you like me to do?” Edith asked as she came back up beside him. She felt more relaxed than he expected. That was good.

“I would like to check your protego first, since I haven’t seen it yet. Then I'll send a few jinxes your way.” He began, thinking. He’d never taught anyone but he also wouldn’t use the way he’d been taught. Maybe if he emulated the way the Professors did it? “I can't teach you the way I do it. You can't sense magic the same way I can, so you'll need to watch my body language.”

Edith took a few big steps back, until there was a safe distance between them. Her magic curled around her as she raised her wand.

“Protego.” Her speech was practised, her wand curved upwards with precision. Her magic smoothed out in a fluid protective shell. As much as he hated it, she had been very well drilled. Professor Hecat would have no complaints.

But there were flaws.

He could feel dangerous weak spots at her back, one on her left at the shoulder. Enough spell pressure on any of those points and her shield would crumple like paper.

It wasn’t a problem for a second-year student but it was also unlikely to be picked up on early enough for it to be an easy fix, habits got progressively harder to break. Even if she never engaged in active combat in the future it was still something potentially dangerous. He wondered if he was over-stepping for a moment before pushing the thought aside.

“Hold it right as it is.” Ominis could feel it as she locked the spell down. There was minimal strain, that was excellent. “You have weak points.” He walked over and tapped the weak point on her shoulder with his wand. “Here.”

He continued to circle her protective sphere, tapping on each of the thin patches. There were four in total, not bad. Mr Weasley had been very thorough.

“You can let it go now.” Her shield dropped instantly. Also good. “How did Mr Weasley teach you?”

“He taught me the wand movements and had me cast the spell. Then he hit me with jinxes until it shattered over and over.” Ominis sighed as she explained, he'd suspected as much. At least, Mr Weasley had been more gentle than his own father would have been but Edith was still a Muggle-born child. They weren’t used to lessons like that.

"What did Professor Weasley have to say about this method?” Surely she hadn’t been too happy about it. There was a reason that Hogwarts didn’t teach the way Pure-blood families often did, especially to the younger years.

“They argued about it but in the end they agreed to what jinxes he could use and the time limit.” Edith shrugged trying to sound like it didn’t phase her but he had witnessed the state of her the day after. They would stop before she became that stressed.

“Try again but this time focus on an even layer of magic. Like when you’re icing one of your cakes.” Ominis suggested letting the subject drop. They wouldn’t appreciate criticism from a thirteen year old even if he tried.

“Alright.” Edith’s magic curled again before spilling out around her. It hardened into a protective shell.

“Hold it.” He walked around and tapped the smaller than before gap over her shoulder. “Can you push more magic here?”

It quivered under the strain before tendrils snaked out like vines to cover the spot he had tapped. Not Prefect but better.

“And here.” He said tapping on a frightening gap near her spine. Her breathing changed as her magic struggled for a long moment before oozing into the gap like water.

“Let it drop. We'll take a break.” Her protego almost burst like a bubble this time.

“Sorry. That was harder than I thought it would be.” He could hear her struggling to get her breathing back under control.

“It'll be easier soon but we'll go slower. Patch a couple at a time until your magic learns what to do. Your protego is very good already, you worked hard.” Ominis reassured her. He had no idea if he was doing this teaching thing right but she relaxed at his words.

“Thank you.” Her hand was clammy when it slipped into his and squeezed. Her touch didn't linger, she was probably acutely aware of her sweaty hands. “What do people normally do about their shields?”

Ominis felt a dark chuckle try to escape him. He shook it off.

“In families that specialise in combat or are dark like mine, they hit you with spells until they find a weak point. Then they hammer that weak point until you learn to fill it. I think Auror training uses a similar method too.” Though probably less brutal since the Ministry would be paying for the healer fees, but he didn't say that.

“That sounds scary.” Edith gulped, her hand grabbing his sleeve. He supposed it was, but that was why he wasn't going to use that to teach her.

“Most Witches and Wizards can't sense magical flaws, so the only way to find them is the hard way.” He explained, feeling like he needed to at the very least defend Mr Weasley. “It's safer than finding out when you're under attack, which unfortunately is how most do.”

“I'll work hard. I'll close these gaps.” Her breathing had steadied and her magic had settled again. He knew she would, to the bone if he let her.

“You ready to show me your shield again?” He asked, considering if he was already pushing her too hard. Was he doing this teaching thing right? “Or we could try something else for a bit. I could teach you glacius or finite Incantatem?”

“How about one more shield test? I want to see if these two points are any better.” Edith stepped back again. “Then I want to try glacius. Unless you're sick of protego, of course.” He hated the uncertain note in her voice.

“Protego is fine. I just don't want to strain you too much.” He reassured her quickly. “When you're ready.”

This time her spell swept out in a thin layer. It was more evenly spread. Deliberate and careful. The two gaps they had worked on were much smaller. The magic coating them was thicker than before, he could feel her concentration on those spots.

“Much better. Let it drop.” He hummed approvingly. “Before we try anything different, I would like to maybe throw a couple of jinxes for you to shield.”

“Alright.” She sounded a bit more nervous this time.

“Ready?” He changed his stance and raised his own wand. He would just use mild stinging jinxes, just enough that she would feel a spark if she missed the timing but not enough to properly hurt.

“Yes.” She sounded determined. Her stance was a near mirror of his own, firm set and grounded.

“Aculeo.” He could have cast it wordlessly, most people did but he wanted her to know what he was doing.

“Protego.” The clipped Prefect pronunciation was back, her wand movement was quick. There was far more force in her magic than she had shown before, too much for such a light jinx.

It flowed out and hardened into a thick shell this time and he had to concentrate to see the weaknesses. They were a slight distortion in the texture, the one on her shoulder was patched up like scar tissue. It flared down the second after his hex hit, absorbed like rain in dry soil. It was practised conservation of magical energy, the obvious result of Mr Weasley’s lesson. Was he an Auror?

“That was —” Ominis began before he was cut off by a new sharp magical flare.

“Diffindo.” Weasley’s spell sent a cold stab of fear through him.

“Protego.” Edith squeaked, her magic practically screamed the word.

Her protego encased her. Solid and unyielding, like a wall. Her weak-points were mere shadows and only because he knew where to find them. The cutting spell hit her shield with a thunk before being absorbed, the kicked up wind from the speed of the spell ruffled Ominis’s hair despite the oil he used to hold it in place.

“What in Salazar are you doing? How dare you fire a full strength cutting jinx at her! Are you mad!” Ominis rounded on Weasley. He could hear the rage in his voice and feel it tremor through his wand.

“There it is, that's her real protego.” Weasley explained coming further into the room. Salazar, the idiot thought he was being helpful. “She wasn't in any danger. She blocked a couple of father's and he was an Auror for ten years.”

They were all mad, the whole family. Who the hell throws a Diffindo at a twelve year old? His family aside… Her real protego? No, that was her being terrified of being hurt again. Her real one had weak points; it wasn't an overbuilt wall that strained her magic.

“You reckless bastard. Have all the potion fumes dissolved your brain? You could have seriously hurt her.” Ominis growled raising his wand.

“I’m alright, Ominis. Garreth wouldn’t hurt me.” Edith defended, slipping her arm through his and holding him steady while her other hand covered his wand. The humming changed under her touch, it softened and became slightly more soothing. “He just startled me, I didn’t realise he was there.”

Wouldn’t hurt you on purpose maybe… Ominis thought angrily before taking a deep breath and trying to calm his racing heart.

“That was extremely dangerous. He gave no warning.” Ominis pointed out. His voice had more bite to it than he intended and she froze for a breath. Damn, he needed to get himself under control.

“Actually, I’ve been watching for about five minutes now. Neither of you noticed. The potion is simmering and I had nothing better to do.” Weasley stated more carefully than usual. Unfortunately they did nothing to calm the rage he was feeling. He was bored? so he threw a cutting jinx because he was bored? “You’ve been fussing over her like she’s fragile so I thought you should see what she can do.”

Edith was fragile. Maybe not the way Weasley thought people saw her but he couldn’t see her magic. Couldn’t see how it curled inwards or held on when it should let go. Garreth Weasley hadn’t been there with her in St Mungo’s. He hadn’t seen the way her magic had turned on her to protect someone else, him. He probably didn’t know it had caused the scars on her face that students giggled about in the halls.

“I would have seen it in Defence most likely. I didn’t need you throwing dangerous jinxes at her.” Ominis gritted out his anger swelling again. Edith rubbed his hand. There was less tension in her body than he thought there would be, only a slight curling in her magic from the stress of the attack. “I will be informing Professor Sharp and if you ever aim anything at her outside of a Professor supervised classroom or a healing spell. I will personally see that you spend the rest of the year in St Mungo’s.”

“Ominis —” Edith began her voice low. It felt like she was talking to an angry animal and that made it worse.

“No, Edith. I know you love your new cousin but this crossed a line and I will not tolerate it.” Just because she liked Garreth and was happy to have family didn’t mean she had to put up with this dangerous Gryffindor nonsense. He turned to face her and put his hand over hers. He could tell she wanted to argue but hadn’t figured out how. “Professor Sharp won’t tolerate people putting you in danger to prove points either. You could have been hurt, even if you weren’t.”

He knew he’d won when she sighed and lent into him. The pressure and the scent of lavender, mint and rose reminded him that she was physically unharmed. He resisted the urge to wrap his arms around her.

“Bit uncalled for.” Weasley began sounding a bit put out but then his voice changed. “I won’t do it again. I’m sorry for scaring you, Edith.”

Well, that was something; though Ominis imagined it would be more sincere after an afternoon with Sharp.

“Thank you cousin.” Edith nodded against him. Then he felt her pull back from him. “Would you mind if we continued? You promised me some new spells?”

He did mind, he minded a lot. He wasn't sure he trusted Weasley not to do anything else stupid, half baked apology or not. Though maybe not ending on a sour note was for the best.

“I will teach you finite Incantatem but then I'm afraid I must insist we stop for lunch first. I am getting quite hungry and I'm sure you are too.” He lied with a sigh. Eating was going to be a struggle after that, he imagined it was going to fuel that Dream Snare’s growth for weeks. At least it had been pruned recently.

“Thank you.” Edith grabbed his sleeve and swung it a little nervously. She knew he wasn't happy, she always knew. He appreciated that she wasn’t trying to be a peacekeeper right now.

“Follow my wand movements.” Ominis held his wand up and slowly went though the wrist movement. Pointedly ignoring Weasley, who had possibly just out-ranked Prewitt as his least favourite person. “It nullifies most incoming magic around you. Good for if someone has you trapped in a levioso.”

He felt her follow his movements.

“Now repeat after me. Finite Incantatem.” he began before realising that he probably needed to tell her how to instruct the spell. “Firmly, like the button. Don't shout it but don't say it like a suggestion either.”

She chuckled a little beside him. It eased some of his tension to know that she could still laugh after such a scare, even quietly.

“Yes yes, my poor terrified button.” Edith mock pouted giving him a gentle elbow. “Finite Incantatem.”

There was not enough power to make the spell work. It fizzled out about two inches from her wand tip.

Ominis put his hand over hers so he could feel her magic a bit better. “Try again.”

“Finite Incantatem.” Her wand warmed under her hand it wanted to do the spell but Edith wasn't being firm enough. While her magic wasn't suggesting compliance, it wasn't being stern about it either.

“You need to want to block out all other magic than your own. Think about it like when you slapped my hand away from the Christmas presents you were making. That kind of firmness.” Ominis suggested, trying a different explanation.

She could be much too soft, it was partly why she struggled with Transfigurations.

“Finite Incantatem.” Edith growled. Her magic felt like a slap in the face, he felt a wave cascade from her wand. Ominis could hear the torches sputter out for a moment before the Castle’s magic re-lit them.

That was a little too much… had him trying to sneak into gifts annoyed her that much?

“Much better but a little bit less.” This one was going to take her a while to get the feel of.

“Finite —” her third attempt was cut off.

“Godric’s ball’s. My potion.” Ominis heard Weasley curse. He really didn't care what happened with that in general but even less now.

“Oh, here we go…” Edith hooked an arm through his, abandoning her practice. She sounded alarmingly like Sebastian. “I've been waiting for this. I wonder what colour his hair will be.”

There was a dull, almost anaemic pop.

“Oo… pretty.” Edith cooed suppressing a giggle. “It's emitting purple and green sparks like a fire cracker through the doorway.” Well at least she was amused…

“Cousin. Tell me.” Weasley’s voice called. “How bad is it?”

It was followed by Edith practically choking and burying her face in his sleeve as she wheezed.

“That is not encouraging.” He could hear Weasley's footsteps echo against the stone. A powerful odour of leech juice and Flutterby perfume assaulted his nose, but it was the undertone of wet Puffskien that nearly had him gagging. What in the hells?

Edith’s voice was choked and hoarse when she answered. “It's a lovely peach colour cousin. I'm particularly fond of the way it turns purple at the ends.”

Her shoulders shook as she buried her face back into his clothing. He had no idea what that looked like but apparently it must be terrible. Good.

“You are horrible, cousin.” Weasley muttered in what sounded like his best offended voice. “Now I'm off to see if this will wash off. Hopefully before Aunt Matilda sees me.”

Weasley stalked past them with all the air of a soaked cat, the smell lingered in a trail behind him. Ominis fought the urge to dry heave. Maybe an incendio would get rid of that smell, it was worse than Floo powder.

The Shape That Fits

Ominis Gaunt x OC (Edith Greene)

Hogwarts Legacy AU

1887–1890s Hogwarts (Victorian Era)

Alaric Augustus Langley

Date of Birth: 3rd March, 1872

Wand: Phoenix feather, alder, 12 ½ inches, supple

House: Slytherin

Defining physical features:

Alaric is tall and lean. he is 2 inches taller than Hadrian with long limbs. He finds these useful for being a goal keeper. He flies so often his posture is slightly stooped and he constantly has to remember to stand up straight. He has mouse blonde hair and stormy grey eyes. When he frowns it adds years to his face. He has high cheekbones and a slim jaw that is starting to show stubble growth.

More about:

Alaric became the keeper for the Slytherin team in Third-year and Captain in the fourth. He has proven a reliable, diligent and strict leader. He manages the different personalities of the team well. He briefly considered becoming a professional quidditch player but has —after seeing so many injuries— decided against it. Alaric has decided he would prefer to either coach a quidditch team or teach at Hogwarts. He is willing to hold a ministry position until either of those options come up.

He is a childhood friend of Hadrian and they met when he was 4. His family is considered pure-blood even though there have been a few half-blood marriages in their history. He shares a love of the Montrose Magpies with Atticus.

Alaric enjoys tutoring students in charms though he leaves the Transfigurations to Hadrian, due to his friends love of the subject. Edith goes to him for help when Hadrian and Ominis aren’t available. He will happily sit and play checkers with her and occasionally let her win.

Alaric is quite fond of Edith as she reminds him a little of his younger sister. He’s not as good at dealing with her panic attacks as Cassius and Hadrian. He has also adopted the frog method. He gets angry when people are rude to her and her friends. He is also quite protective of Ominis and likes him a lot. They share a dislike of herbology and potions, often grumbling about insensible measurements and how unhinged they find Professor Garlick.

Likes:

Quidditch

Charms

Transfigurations

Takes astronomy as an elective because he enjoys it

wizarding chess

Table top quidditch

strategy games

routine

to quietly observe people

spending time with Atticus in splintwitches

the chocolate brownies his house elf makes

the roast beef made at the three broomsticks

Sirona - she tells him all the latest gossip

Ominis and Edith

Dislikes:

Imelda because she antagonises the team and creates more work for him 

Potions - it stinks and its messy and he doesn’t find it an enjoyable use of his time

Herbology - particularly the tentacula

Unnecessary chaos

Emotional outbursts

Being put on the spot publicly

he really hates zonko’s and refuses to go in

Cassius Valerian Ashworth

Date of Birth: 19th November, 1871

Wand: Dragon heart-string, walnut, 13 inches, rigid

House: Slytherin

Defining physical features:

Cassius is a stocky boy about the same height as Hadrian. He has broad shoulders and well defined arms from hitting bludgers. He’s also generally physically fit and intimidating. He’s the kind of boy who feels larger than he is. He has neatly Victorian styled brunette hair and hazel eyes that almost look green sometimes and are far more intelligent than would be expected. His nose is slightly crooked from taking a bludger to the face in second-year.

More about:

Cassius became the slytherin beater in second year, a role he really enjoys. He is known for being ruthless against the other team and always taking his opponents by surprise. He loves to fly. He’s also a great animal lover and hates those who mistreat animals, his opinion is that it speaks poorly of a persons character.

He took Divination as a bit of a joke subject as its funny and easy grades but he also found he really enjoys it — though he’d die before he admitted it. His goal is to become an auror after school.

He has known Hadrian since he was 3 years old and Alaric since he was 4. He is Pure-blood with a half-blood grandmother. Dotes on both Atticus and Clara but also teases them. He enjoys teasing Edith and thinks she’s adorable when she’s annoyed but will stop when she gets genuinely irritated. Is better at dealing with her panic attacks than Alaric and has adopted the frog method. He calls her mouse in private or with close friends but Edith in front of everyone else.

Although he comes to genuinely like Ominis, he is initially sceptical due to his family. After Ominis begins staying with the Sharps over the holidays, Cassius properly warms up to him. He enjoys duelling with him. Cassius’s uncle was killed by Dark Wizards and he has a particular hatred of the dark arts. Doesn’t really tease Ominis too much, as he sees Ominis doesn’t really have the patience for it.

Likes:

Quidditch

Defence against the Dark Arts

Care of magical creatures

Teasing Edith - he calls her mouse because its funny how she frowns

Physical activity

Flying

Duelling

Strong food

Loud environments

exploding snap

Gobstones

wizards chess

Dislikes:

Dark Magic - his uncle was killed by a dark wizard

Cowardice

Bureaucracy

Pretentious people

Watching others get bullied

Feeling helpless

Charms - he thinks professor ronan is annoying

The smell of dittany

He doesn't like how Sebastian and Leander like to bully people. Especially Edith.

Chapter 16 - A Place at the Table

Ominis Gaunt x OC (Edith Greene)

Hogwarts Legacy AU

1887–1890s Hogwarts (Victorian Era)

A poltergeist's prank in a quiet corridor leads to an unexpected escort through hallways and staircases, where first impressions are made in tears and trembling. Later, a table in a crowded village becomes the setting for introductions that have been delayed too long, and for arrangements that will shape the months to come.

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Chapter 16 - A Place at the Table

Edith was sitting on a cold stone bench trying to suppress her trembling, it had been worse since she came back from Christmas last week. The tremors jerked at her arms and legs like puppet-strings causing her foot to tap on the hard stone. She kept her head down in the hopes that everyone would ignore her if they couldn't see the tears on her cheeks.

She liked this corridor, the wall hangings were green and filled with majestic Centaurs. They lined each wall telling tales of culture and magic. There were stone statues too, some with bows or spears in hunting poses and others looking up into the sky. The ceiling was dotted with painted gold stars on a dark blue green background.

She hadn't composed herself enough to try to leave yet, to pass down that terrible smelling hallway that required either a bubble-head charm or a breath held dash. The other door led out into the cold of the front courtyard with students yelling and practising for Quidditch season, which was worse. She couldn’t handle being hit with a Quaffle or slipping on the snow on top of everything else.

“Where is your Gaunt boy?” The voice was calm but still surprised her. Did he need Ominis for something?

Edith jerked her face up to look into a set of gold flecked brown eyes crouched in front of her. They reminded her of the fire whisky Professor Sharp liked to drink. He wore a Slytherin uniform with a shiny Prefects badge pinned to his chest. Oh, it was just Hadrian. It was the first time they’d spoken, how embarrassing.

He frowned at her and waited, making her remember he had asked her a question.

“He's w–ith one of his other frie–nds but I'm suppo–osed to meet him in the librar–y soon.” Edith stammered through a tremor. He was going to think she was ridiculous.

“Concentrate on breathing in and out. When you are calm enough, I will escort you to the library.” He watched her for a long moment as she took a few hiccuped breaths. “What set this off?” He asked settling down into his crouch. The turning down of his mouth was so familiar but why had she never noticed how familiar he looked? “In through your nose, hold for three and then out through your mouth. Then answer.”

She followed his instructions. It helped a little but she could really use a frog, which was unfair to him.

“Peeves — he ca–me through the wall be–hind me; set off a fire cr–racker and threw me to the gro–und. It was so loud.” Edith explained feeling a fresh wave of tears roll down her cheeks. It was so ridiculous when said out loud, he was definitely going to think she was being a child now.

“I'm afraid no-one can do anything about Peeves. If it were another student, I could have given them detention.” He was frowning at her. A little furrow between his brows like he wasn't quite sure what to do with her or what she expected from him but at least he hadn’t commented on her tears.

Edith gave him a tight lipped smile that was far more soggy than she was comfortable with and wiped her face with her handkerchief.

“I’m sor–ry, I know we haven’t offici–ally met yet. This is so embarrassing.” Edith apologised, pleased she had only stammered twice. Something else to think about might help, sometimes it did.

“No need, we’re only meeting a few days early.” His mouth quirked up at one side. It was obvious he knew who she was. “My name is Hadrian Lucian Sharp. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Edith.”

Edith felt her body vibrate like a rung bell as another shaking fit over took her. Her knee trembled under her hand as she tried to stop it from bouncing. ‘just breathe’ she reminded herself embarrassed.

“Uncle only informed us of your situation over the Christmas period. Father was quite furious that he’d kept it from us for so long.” Hadrian chuckled, his mouth quirking once before settling back into its neutral line. “I did hear you found out a while ago, from the Gaunt boy I think Uncle said. At least he had some sense.”

She could see the resemblance now that she had a chance to properly look at him, his hair was the same shade but styled in fashionable side part. His skin was slightly fairer and his smile lopsided in a way that would either soften or harden him depending on if he was smiling or scowling. He had that firm set in his shoulders, that was a little less polished but completely Professor Sharp.

Edith wondered if this was what Professor Sharp had looked like once. An imposing teenager…

“Yes, I asked who you were at the Quidditch try outs.” Edith replied, glad to finally be able to talk to him. “Do I need to call you cousin too?” She tried hoping the answer was no. She hadn't stammered, that was a victory.

“Salazar no. I know the lighting in here is terrible, but you'll notice I don't have red hair. Hadrian is fine.” If she had seen him look like that, she would have needed Ominis to tell her his name; his appalled expression was completely Professor Sharp. Or maybe just Sharp family in general. It was a look that would flatten a Soufflé. Edith gave a hiccuped giggle.

He stared at her for a long moment, his head slightly stilted before standing abruptly and holding out his elbow.

“You seem to be feeling better. Please allow me to escort you to the library. Unless you'd rather go to Uncle's office.” Hadrian offered her with a look that said no wasn't one of the options.

“The library please.” Edith sighed, pulling herself up and slipping her hand around his elbow. She was supposed to meet Ominis to study.

She felt like a duckling, she barely came up to his shoulder. Now, not only would he be able to feel her shakes and she would feel his body heat but people were going to stare at them. Sometimes she really hated etiquette — as if the whole meeting her guardian’s family while having one of her shaking attacks hadn't been embarrassing enough.

He cast a bubble-head charm on them with an ease she envied as they walked through the stinking hallway. The pungent green mist clung to her clothing and hissed like tiny snakes. She was also incredibly thankful when he cast a cleaning charm over the both of them to remove the smell afterwards. She could have done it but in this state her wand might fizzle, which would have been worse. Sometimes she loved etiquette too, even if it trapped her on the arm of a boy who looked like he’d had a fight with a taffy puller.

She had to trot a little to keep up with him even though he was clearly walking as slow as he could.

He was kind enough to position himself slightly in front of her on the stairs as another wave of shakes over took her. Her legs had almost given out and the only thing that had saved her from tumbling had been his elbow and the bannister. Everyone had stared when she stumbled. She was pretty sure some boy with more kindness than sense would have asked her if she was alright if it hadn’t been for Hadrian. She had kept her eyes on her feet but she had felt his glare by the way his arm had stiffened.

“We are not taking the Floo but we can sit for a while if you need it.” He suggested once she had made it down the steps. “There's that fountain in the courtyard if you would like?”

Even if she wanted to add the scent of Floo powder to her day, it wouldn't help. He would be judged far more harshly than she would, that wouldn't be fair. It wasn't like she was in danger. Also hearing Ignatia comment on her appearance was high in her list of things to avoid, even if she had to fall down a few stairs.

“I think I would ra–ther just get to the library and maybe vanish into the floor once I’m there.” Edith commented in-between breathing.

Hadrian eased open the heavy wooden door which screamed on its frozen hinges and the light from outside nearly blinded her. She blinked away spots as he led her across the courtyard. The icy grass crunched under her feet as the breeze chased the lingering green mist from her nose. It was a nice day to sit outside, if a bit cold. Around the fountain a few of what looked like first-years were building a snowman while another pelted them with snowballs.

“No matter how magically steeped Hogwarts is, I don’t think even it can swallow people. Though that has never stopped anyone from asking.” He joked, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Besides, I’m sure it’s worried your Gaunt boy would burn it down looking for you.”

“Ominis wouldn’t do that. He loves the Castle.” Edith defended with a small chuckle. It was a lie, he probably would. Or at least threaten to do it by holding the werewolf tapestries hostage or something equally silly. He was the boy who had blackmailed Lenora and questioned every person in the Entrance Hall when she hadn’t shown up, after all. They hadn’t even really been friends back then.

“No, you’re right. He would tell Uncle, who would glare at the floor until it gave you back.” Hadrian retorted as he pushed the opposite heavy door open and showering them with snow. They were nearly there… She could hear the snoring dragon dully under the chatter. There were students everywhere, walking to classes or carrying piles of books. Some sat on benches and chatted to each other.

She gave a polite snort as she concentrated on the stairs, she was not going to fall this time.

“Would you like any help with your homework?” He asked as she reached the last stair and stopped to breathe again.

“No thank you, I can manage besides you have your O.W.L.s this year.” Edith declined with a shake of her head. Maybe another time when she knew him better but it would be too burdensome this time.

“Nonsense, I am more than capable of tutoring second-years and scoring well on my O.W.L.s but if you are sure, please know you can ask me any time.” He replied as he helped her down another flight of stairs as her knees betrayed her again.

“I am not sure how we will be explaining our connection, given that we’ve never spoken before. Garreth was easy, everyone knows what he’s like and just assumed he was being a bit of a prat.” It had been true, other than playing it off as Edith being a ward of a friend of his family no-one had questioned why he suddenly called her cousin. She was afraid that wasn’t going to work with Hadrian, and she couldn’t ruin everyone’s reputation by telling the truth.

“Fair enough, for now we will just say I was doing my duty helping you. Uncle and Father are working on a story, though it probably won’t be ready for at least another month. Professor Black —” Hadrian began before his voice turned sour with irritation causing her to glance up at him. He had a very Professor Sharp scowl on his face. He coughed when he saw her staring. “—Professor Black did a thorough job of the paperwork — unfortunately. It’s permanent and lodged with all the proper people. He’s even got a Ministry suppression order on it; probably to avoid any backlash against him for its absurdity. Mother was quite impressed — she used to work in Magical Law.”

Edith took a moment to gather her thoughts and take a few deep calming breaths as the shaking died down.

“So what are the options?” She almost wished Black had just done the right thing and put her in Professor Weasley’s care, but even she could admit she would have found that stressful. She much preferred Professor Sharps calm involvement, even if he could be over-protective.

“The option currently under discussion is that publicly you will be the main Sharp family ward; Father is on the Wizenmont and was part of the hearing that sent your parents to Azkaban.” He began pausing for a moment when Edith flinched.

“Wouldn’t that cause more problems? If he was the presiding judge?” Edith asked to cover the flinch. She’d rather not hear about her family, ever. It was bad enough she dreamt about them nearly every night.

She brought a hand up to fiddle with the end of her plait that had fallen over her shoulders. The firelight caught it and she could just see a dark pink shimmer threading through.

“No — unlike Uncle — Father is a married family man so unofficially fixing Professor Black’s mismanagement won’t affect either of our reputations. No-one will suspect he dared to give your guardianship to a bachelor and will just accept the story.” She could have sworn he called Black an idiot under his breath but she chose to ignore it.

“It won’t cause gossip? Taking on a Muggle-born?” Edith inquired quietly, voicing the second concern she had. Even a couple of the Hufflepuffs called Muggle-borns ‘mud-bloods’ when they thought they could get away with it. If she damaged their standing it might be best for her to stay hidden. Maybe that was why he had delayed introducing her for so long?

She accidentally caught the eye of the portrait of the bard, he winked at her as he began strumming another song.

“No-one would dare, don’t you concern yourself with it. Mother is quite pleased to have a girl join the family.” He reassured her with a lopsided tight smile. His eyes convinced her it would go badly for anyone who tried. It made her feel better. “We’re nearly there.”

The werewolf statue with the singing mermaids was just down the last long flight of stairs. Thank Helga, she could sit down soon and try to pretend ten people in Central Hall hadn’t just turned to stare at her on a Slytherin Prefect’s arm. She prayed to every single frog card wizard that she would not fall down these stairs or even stumble. Otherwise she might need to drown herself in the fountain to avoid the embarrassment.

“And done. Just the Library steps to go.” He commented as she took the last step and paused to make sure her feet and knees obeyed her.

There was a slight hush as they passed, Edith could hear her steps on the stone and the heavy breathing of the stone dragon above the library. The doors creaked as Hadrian opened them and led her down the short steps.

The library always took her breath away with its comforting high ceiling and walls of thick shelves. Above her, under the coloured glass skylight books fluttered around like birds, darting around the chandeliers of bright candles. The spiral staircases at the end of the room looked elegant, even if they were dangerous.

“You normally sit in the back far corner to study, correct?” Hadrian asked already leading the way. She would have asked how he knew, but she knew he had been observing her sometimes. Like she had been observing him, though she had been fortunate enough to be aware of who he was for most of it.

Edith nodded as he led her through the shelves. A book suddenly flying out startled a small squeak out of her. The back of the library housed two long wooden study tables. In the corner were a pair of faded green leather arm chairs around a side table.

Standing at the furthest table was Ominis, his dark blonde hair glinting gold in the candle light. She could also see Sebastian and Anne, huddled together over leaves of parchment. Her small group sat at the other end with Garreth. Books and pages were stacked everywhere with bowls of sugar quills spaced in between. She was late.

“Ominis.” Edith called out in a hushed library volume. His head snapped towards her with a frown.

“There you are —” Ominis began, coming towards her. His wand helping him navigate the student with a pile of books with ease.

“Oh, look who finally decided to join us.” Sebastian drawled. Clearly homework was not going well if he had decided to pay her attention. “You’re too boring to be in trouble so why are you with our Prefect?”

Did he really always have to be rude to her? Couldn't he see it made Ominis spend less time with him? Ominis stopped and looked like he was about to say something harsh when Hadrian cut in.

“I wasn't aware you were her keeper Sallow, and maybe if you spent a little less time in detentions you wouldn't be struggling with Transfigurations.” Hadrian's voice was calm and slightly mocking but there was a glint of true annoyance in his eye. “You lost Slytherin, what was it — forty points today? All by yourself.”

“That wasn't —” Sebastian began, Edith could see his face going red, Anne was giving him her best ‘be quiet’ look.

“I have no interest in you Sallow, unless you would like me to dock more points.” Hadrian glared, the gold in his eyes was cold. Sebastian fell silent, that was new.

Once he was sure Sebastian was not going to test him again Hadrian led her forwards.

“Gaunt, she needs to rest somewhere quiet for a while. The Poltergeist gave her a scare.” Hadrian explained once they'd reached where Ominis stood. His voice was low enough not to carry to the others.

Edith tried not to flinch when Hadrian unhooked her hand from his elbow. His hand on hers felt hot and sticky, worse than the feel of his warmth through the wool.

“Thank you Hadrian, for escorting me.” She smiled an apology at him. She didn’t want him to think she didn’t like him.

“My pleasure, Edith. Do let me know if you need any help in the future.” He replied as he placed her hand into Ominis's.

“I will, thank you.” Edith allowed as she moved her hand to Ominis's elbow. She could appreciate now that they were nearly the same height and she didn't feel like a little child standing next to him.

He nodded to both her and Ominis again before spinning on his heel and stalking from the library with a swish of his robe.

“Are you alright? You're shaking.” Ominis whispered putting his hand over hers.

“It's better than it was.” She sighed as he began to lead her to the table. She was glad he had told her early, she would have been so livid at him if she had found out about Hadrian today. It was bad enough he found her tear stained and shaking for their first meeting.

“Ominis, you didn't tell us your Prefect was absolutely terrifying.” Arthur laughed as she eased herself onto the bench next to him. He suspiciously didn’t look terrified; just amused as she saw his eyes dart over towards Sebastian, who looked like he was sulking while Anne was studiously scribbling notes on her parchment.

“Hadrian Sharp — yes he can be. I imagine it's a family trait but only when he's crossed.” Ominis remarked a little subdued, as he sat beside her and began digging in his pockets.

“I thought he was quite nice.” Edith defended accepting the frog Ominis handed her. She could feel herself calming down now.

Hadrian was distant and a little formal but that would probably change if she was to spend time with him. They were strangers, so it made sense but they needn’t have been. Even Hadrian had agreed.

“Only you would think a Sharp was nice, cousin.” Garreth poked, with a knowing look before his gaze flicked to Ominis. There was a gleam in his eye that she did not like. It looked like he'd just had a fun new idea involving Ominis but he hadn't sorted out the details of the scheme.

“Ominis.” Edith lent over to whisper. He stiffened for a moment before tilting his head towards her. “Will you come with me on the weekend? To meet them. I don’t think I want to go alone after all.” She asked, if all the Sharps were as formal as Hadrian, maybe having Ominis there would be best. Also Hadrian seemed to approve of him.

“Are you sure?” He asked quietly, she could see his brows rise in surprise. He had offered and she had turned him down; saying she wanted to try to meet them herself first.

“Yes please.” She confirmed picking up her frog card and glancing at it. Helga, she had about twenty of those so far. “I’m sorry I turned you down before. I was being silly.” She hadn’t wanted to hide behind him. Now she thought she might need to, especially if Mr Sharp was still angry at Professor Sharp.

“Alright.” He agreed with a nod, turning back to his homework.

“Thank you.” She replied handing him a sugar quill from the bowl closest to her. She wouldn't turn down his support ever again, even if she felt she didn't need it. That had been unkind of her.

________________________________

Hogsmeade was full of its usual weekend bustle when they entered over the river. The trickle of running water had been quickly drowned out by the cacophony of chatter, laughter and explosions. Even from the bridge, the echo of escaped firecrackers and bangs bounced off the buildings. Ominis could hear parchment flapping around like magicked birds and the teetering of what Edith described as the most unstable cauldron tower she’d ever seen.

Edith walked stiff and withdrawn on his arm. Her usual chatter and descriptions had died away like autumn leaves the closer they got to the village. He was glad she’d invited him to support her, she was clearly very nervous.

“Oh, hello there you two.” Sirona greeted cheerfully as Ominis opened the heavy double wooden door of the Three Broomsticks. “Butterbeers? I think there's a table over by the window in the back.”

His wand told him she was behind the bar; it felt like she was cleaning the latest mess off her counter. Patrons were seated in little groups with a cluster of students down the end around the crackling fire.

“No, they're with us upstairs today.” Hadrian's voice carried as he walked down the stairs. “Come on up, Edith, Gaunt.”

Ominis dropped back to allow Edith to head up first. After they reached the upper landing Hadrian took them over to a long table in the corner. It sat back from the railings overlooking the ground floor.

The four people sitting at it rose as they arrived. He could feel Edith stiffen further as she removed her hand from his elbow. Hadrian left them to return to his family as the uneven gait of Professor Sharp approached them. Ominis felt a steady hand on his shoulder as he and Edith were guided forwards until Professor Sharp stood between them. It felt strange. Like he was owning both of them and not just Edith.

“This is Edith Greene and her friend Ominis Gaunt.” His gruff voice was quiet, it did t carry as much as Ominis would have expected. “Children, this is my brother Octavius.”

Ominis bowed towards the larger man. He wished he could have stepped back to observe Edith, but she was beside him blocked off from his wand by Sharp.

“My sister-in-law Florence.” The tall lady seemed to nod her head to them. He wished he could tell if she was smiling or not. She didn't feel as intimidating as her husband.

“You've already met Hadrian but this is my youngest nephew Atticus.” After a long moment — just long enough to Ominis to finish his bow — Sharp ushered them both forwards again.

“Come and sit here, dear.” Mrs Sharp gestured at an empty seat beside her. “Atticus can you move over and allow Ominis to sit next to her. Thank you, darling.”

“Thank you, Mrs Sharp.” Edith sat down stiffly with a spread of her skirts, she moved her chair a hairs width closer to him as he sat next to her.

“Thank you.” Ominis echoed as he sat and placed his wand on the table within easy reach. It was poor manners but he was willing be a little impolite if it meant he could sense things. The boy Atticus sat quietly beside him without comment.

“Now tell me, Edith dear. Aesop mentioned you enjoy reading. I understand Mr Gaunt got you a couple of very nice volumes of Jane Austen. Which is your favourite?” Mrs Sharp began, he could hear her fussing about at the table. “Ominis, how do you take your tea? Edith?”

“Black with one cube of sugar, thank you Mrs Sharp.” He said as a movement on his other side drew his attention.

“A splash of milk and one sugar. Thank you.” Edith replied, she fidgeted a little though with what Ominis wasn’t sure. “I like Mansfield Park the best.”

“Not Pride and Prejudice?” Mrs Sharp asked and Ominis could hear a smothered smile in her voice.

“Brother said you like these.” Atticus said from beside him as he set a plate of what smelt like pumpkin scones in front of Ominis, snapping his attention back.

“I do love Pride and Prejudice, I think everyone does.” There was a clink of china as a tea cup was set in front him, followed by another in front of Edith. “But I really like Fanny Price. Unlike Lizzy she was never fooled by anyone and though the romance aspect of it was a little more mundane, it was perhaps more realistic.”

“I do, thank you. What flavour is the jam?” He asked rather than use his nose. It gave him a way to talk to Atticus.

“Blackberry. Uncle said it was Edith’s favourite.” Atticus said as the plate moved. He must have picked up his own scone.

“Are you a reader like Edith?” Ominis asked trying to grasp something to talk about, he felt unpractised at polite conversation. He picked up his cup and took a sip to cover his awkwardness.

“No, Hadrian and Uncle both like crime novels but I prefer Quidditch.” Well, that was unfortunate. He was a very poor Quidditch conversationalist. “I support the Montrose Magpies.”

“Don’t let Imelda hear you say that.” Edith cut in taking a scone from in front of him. “She’s a huge Puddlemere supporter, her grandfather played for them.”

“She's the new Slytherin chaser isn't she?” Atticus seemed to lean forwards, interested.

“Yes, she did really well. Though Ominis and I aren't Quidditch experts.” Edith lent towards him to whisper. “Though I guess we're going to have to learn now.”

“Alaric —our Keeper and Captain— has had to organise her a separate flying plan. She's rather opinionated on the other team members during practices.” Hadrian interjected.

That was a polite way to say Imelda was being Imelda. Beside him it felt like Edith almost laughed.

“She's a bit difficult when it comes to flying.” Edith understated politely. He could hear the smile tugging at her mouth.

“She's a bit difficult full stop. I'm not surprised she's causing team chaos.” Ominis added dryly, only to get an elbow in his ribs. “Anyway, would you like to go to Splintwitches after this?”

“I would like that.” Atticus agreed readily. That was the right move.

“That sounds like a great idea, while you boys do that Edith and I can go to Gladrags. Your sleeves are getting a bit short dear.” Ominis could feel Edith tug at her sleeves. She mumbled something about last year's uniform.

“Aesop!” Mrs Sharp sounded scandalised.

“Professor Weasley did get me new ones.” Edith hurried, her hand reaching out to grab his robes. “But I prefer these ones. The others are a bit big. I don't have the skill to do the alterations required.” She trailed off, muttering something about armsyces that he didn’t understand.

“Over Easter, we'll spend some time on tailoring charms alright. But we'll get you at least one new uniform today.” Mrs Sharp still sounded put out, though not at Edith. There was a clinking of china and the sound of a chair sliding backwards.

“Before you whisk her away, love. We need to tell her about her future arrangements.” Mr Sharp cut in as his wife had moved to stand.

“You were going to stay with me for half the summer—” Professor Sharp began as the chair slid back in.

“—You will now be staying with us at the Manor. We have discussed it with Matilda Weasley and you will spend three weeks with her before coming back to us for your final week before term.” Mr Sharp interrupted, there was a hint of what he thought of that arrangement in his voice.

Edith’s grip on his sleeve tightened. “How will I arrive at school. Professor Weasley said she would be taking me?”

Her voice was small and steady. The rest of the arrangement sounded far better than what had first been cobbled together. Honestly though, this was what he most wanted to know.

“You will arrive by train with Hadrian and Atticus.” Mr Sharp began, and Ominis felt his body relax. They would make sure she arrived this time. “It is best you are seen to be on the train with others.”

“What about shopping for my school supplies?” Edith's second question was a little more confident sounding but her hand still twisted his robe sleeve. It felt like she wasn't sure she was allowed to ask.

“Matilda and I will take you. We were thinking Hogsmeade might be best since its quieter than Diagon Alley. You can Owl Ominis and have him meet you.” Mrs Sharp explained gently.