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vincent-j-clint-renoir · 5 months

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Lies and Scars

Chapter 21/? - Chapter 1 - Previous Chapter

Pairing: Auror!MC x Auror!Sebastian Sallow - Auror!MC x Ominis Gaunt

Summary: some promises are meant to be broken, and others should have never been made. A wizard's technique in Wizard's Chess can tell you much more about his character than a lifetime of friendship. Ominis was always the better player, but Sebastian was never afraid to meddle with the pieces.

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It had been two weeks since your name had been drawn, and you had spoken to Professor Weasley. The conversation had been short and concise, in fear anybody would find you in the room with her. She had given you a simple reason for putting your name in the goblet; it will be easier for us to keep an eye on them if we have the excuse for the tournament. You nodded and ignored the knot in your stomach, suddenly hearing Ominis’ voice in your head; they had decided for you again.

The next morning you had met with your friends. Garreth had shown up in the common room bright and early with a curious but serious expression, even he had understood the severity of the situation.

They had been ready to help, but after your conversation with your professor and a sleepless night, you had decided you would do this alone. It was too much of a risk. You had fought so hard to keep their names out of the goblet just to ask them to join an even more dangerous mission. “I am sorry for involving you this far. After further information was shared with me, I have decided your involvement won’t be required.”

“What?” Sebastian, Ominis, and Imelda had replied in unison. You kept your eyes on the wall behind them as you felt your stomach turn once again. Every emotion in the past 36 hours had been overshadowed by a looming feeling that nothing good would come out of this.

“You must be joking,” Imelda had added as she exchanged a confused look with Sebastian.

“What did she tell you?” Ominis asked instead, referring to your conversation with Professor Weasley.

“I’d rather not share anything further with you all, as it will only endanger you.” Your eyes fell to your hands as they all protested. “You are welcome to help with the tournament if you desire. I will need help with potions, flying and training.”

Garreth immediately agreed to this, seeing it as a path to help you regardless. Ominis whispered softly and disappointedly, “I can’t believe this”, and Imelda sighed as she talked about how ridiculous it was that you would not accept their help.

Sebastian was quiet, oddly quiet. Your eyes moved to meet him in fear he had left without you noticing, but he was still sitting there. Perfectly, still and with an unreadable expression on his face.

You searched for the softness and fondness he looked at you with but found nothing, a brown wall surrounding his pupils. The conversation hadn’t lasted long. You had been unwilling to listen to their protest, excusing yourself with a low sigh before leaving the common room.

It had taken less than five steps out of the room that you heard your name being called, turning to find Sebastian walking your way. “Hi,” he whispered, and your chest tightened. You gave him a tight-lipped smile and waited as he walked your way. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

The two of you walked to the most secluded corner of the floor. The castle felt mostly empty as most students were still preparing for breakfast. You sat against the wall window, and Sebastian sat next to you, his hands immediately reaching for yours and placing it on his lap.

The silence prolonged for a few more seconds as the two of you seemed to be waiting for the other to speak. He finally said, “I understand why you don’t want them to help.”

An initial wave of relief allowed you to exhale as you hoped he would understand, and then you noticed the structure of his sentence, them. You opened your lips to say something, clarify it, but he spoke again.

“We can do this together. I will make sure you are safe, and I will try to collect as much information from them as possible.” His eyes had softened again, a mix of worry and hope melting the chocolate.

“No,” you spoke in a whisper and for a second, you thought he had not heard you at all. Then his back straightened, and his hands left yours, pulling away.

“You didn’t mean me too before, right?” He asked, although he already knew the answer.

“Seb,” you whispered, reaching for him again, but he shook his head and refused to touch you.

“No, Cecilia.”

“Seb, please. I want you to be safe,” your voice cracked as your gaze grew hazy, tears filling your eyes.

“And so do I,” his gaze darkened, angered.

“I have to do this,” you whispered in a gasp, closing your eyes.

“Not alone.”

“Yes, alone,” you replied, raising your voice, “I’ll do it alone if it means everyone is safe. I’ll do it alone if it means nobody else dies helping me.”

“That is not fair,” he shook his head and stood up, pacing. “You cannot always do this, Cecilia. You cannot push everyone away.”

“I am not pushing you away!” You shouted back to him, standing up and immediately looking around to see if any student was passing by. Thankfully, the hallway was still empty. “I just don’t want to dream of your dead body like I dream of Fig’s! I don’t want to go through that again. If I die, I won’t have to dream of you dead, of Ominis dead, of Imelda or Garreth.”

“What about me? Do you think I could sleep at night if anything happened to you? Knowing I did nothing to help you?”

“You have done enough. You do enough by being by my side. You are enough if you stay alive.” You felt the warm tears line your cheeks as you looked at him but saw nothing but a reflection of yourself.

“That is not enough for me.”

“Then don’t give me that either,” you turned and walked away, feeling your heart shatter, wondering how often you would need to end up alone. Then you felt him grab your hand and stop you. You turned to him, and he looked at you with resolute.

“No,” he spoke in one breath before stepping closer, his hands wrapping around your face. “I refuse to let you push me away. No.” You inhaled and held your breath, his touch stopping the panic that had taken over your chest. “I have not longed for you to have you for one day. I will be by your side whether you want me or not. That is a promise. Today and always.”

You didn’t answer. You simply pulled him to you, kissing him. Maybe you were in love with Sebastian already. Maybe you were.

…

“Again,” Professor Hecat pulled you up one more time as you lay on the ground, bloody and sweaty. You didn’t even get time to catch your breath as a myriad of spells were flying your way. You barely managed a protego, but the enchantment broke, and you were once again descendoed to the ground as a series of tiny shards of what felt like glass cut your clothes again. “You need to be faster and put more thought into the spell. Again.” You parted your lips to ask for a break, but she lifted you once again, and you felt your body almost give up, your knees buckling in, but she kept you up.

“That is enough,” a voice spoke, but your eyes were closed as you tried your best to open them again.

They are here for the repository. We have to stop them. We have to wait until they attack. We can’t attack first. They have a spy within our ranks. They know what you are capable of. He is capable of more. We will say you are training for the tournament. We will train you. You will need it. Once they attack, you will be our only chance to stop them.

“I said enough.” You finally opened your eyes, but Professor Hecat no longer stood before you. “She is barely conscious, professor.” Sebastian, you thought, and before you could even speak his name, his hands were holding you up. “She cannot fight if she is already dead.”

“Do you think he will stop when she is exhausted?” The professor spoke back, but you simply lay in his arms, whispering a thank you.

“Then you go and fight him. Fight him before she will have to,” Sebastian spoke one more time, his hands gripping your body so hard you were unsure who was grounding who. “I will take her to the hospital wing.”

“Do no-”

“Yes, she won’t be seen.” Sebastian’s tone felt like it was reaching a boiling point. He grabbed the invisibility cloak and dropped it over the two of you, “let’s go, Cece. You will feel better soon.”

Sebastian had kept his promise. He had accompanied you to every training session, carried you to the infirmary whenever you needed it, and researched everything he could about ancient magic in Balkan culture. Imelda and Garreth had kept their part of the deal; he focused on preparing every possible potion that you may need for the first task, and she diligently prepared a list of possibilities on what you could be facing in just two weeks.

Ominis had taken a step back since your conversation. He sat silently around you and only let himself be known by the pile of books and supplies that arrived to both Imelda and Garreth to continue with their work. He seemed to spend less time with Marguerite, too. You saw her walking around with her friends more often, and he was nowhere to be found.

You were keeping your training sessions from him. He couldn’t see the newly healed cuts all over your body. He couldn’t see the deep dark circles around your eyes, so he couldn’t worry. It didn’t seem like he cared anyway. He had lost all hope in you. He seemed to see you as a dead woman walking, and he was done mourning you, or so you thought.

The nightmares had only gotten worse, but you had refused to tell Sebastian. He already spent every waking moment worrying about you. You wouldn’t want to take up his sleep, too. So you excused the dark circles with poor sleep caused by the pain of healing or the long hours of studying new possibilities. It had become almost impossible to keep to your bed when you woke up in a panic, screaming and thanking your silencing charm.

That night was no different. You had returned to your room straight from the infirmary, not trusting your glamour charm to keep the people from overwhelming you with questions. This, however, had not seemed to be enough to keep your mind from terrorising you.

The cuts of Hecat's spell seemed to have not healed properly in your dream. You felt your skin burn and itch, and as you looked down, you were bleeding empty from all the small cuts incapable of stopping it. You had not been able to will yourself awake until you had fully bled out, feeling the coldness of death taking over your body before you sat up, feeling your bed completely wet but not with blood but with cold sweat.

You could have dried it with a flick of a wand and tried to go back to sleep, yet you didn’t. You couldn’t. Your jaw shaking as your heartbeat was deafening in your ears. You stood up as fast as your body would allow, immediately changing clothes and dropping the soaked sleeping gown on the bed, rushing out of the room as quietly as you could and running downstairs, away from that nightmare, that bed, the blood, the sweat. It was sweat, not blood, you tried to remind yourself, yet your body seemed to not fully understand. You reached the bottom of the stairs and expected to find an empty common room.

Yet he was there, sitting in silence, a book on his lap as he used his wand to read. His head shot up almost as if he could see you, and the book fell to the side as he stood.

You were unsure whether air was actually entering your lungs as everything burnt. You opened your lips, ready to explain, but he paced towards you before you could talk. He didn’t stop at the usual two-step distance he always kept; instead, his arms opened and wrapped around you, holding you tightly against his chest. You ignored the burning of his touch on the healing wounds, shuddering slightly but then sinking deeply into the hug.

“I was the dead one this time.” A sob left your lips as you inhaled his cologne, burying your face deep in his chest and filling his shirt with tears. You took in the feeling of hugging him. He was so ephemeral, never yours, never lasting, just a myriad of fleeting moments of peace.

“No,” he whispered, cold, “that is my nightmare. You cannot take that away from me, too.”

The two of you stayed like that for a minute, and it took everything in you not to think about how much you had missed Ominis’ hugs, however few he had given you in this lifetime.

“You think I am dead already,” you replied, trying to keep any more tears from leaving your eyes, the shaking of your body finally subsiding. You were not bleeding. You were not dying, not quite yet. “You hate me.”

Ominis chuckled, breaking whatever was left of the panic that lingered in your chest. “I hate you?”

“You hate me.”

Ominis didn’t reply. He hugged you tighter instead, resting his chin softly against your head, almost as if that was enough of an answer. The two of you stayed like that until all your tears had subsided.

He let go of you, and you immediately felt empty, aware that this was a one-time thing. “I have found some information that may be helpful for the first task. I was going to tell you in the morning, but as you are here,” he broke the silence, stepping exactly two steps away from you. “Well, actually, Marguerite found it. She just shared it with me.”

You had nothing against the girl, yet her name stiffened your whole posture, suddenly no longer thinking of Ominis’ arms around you.

“They are bringing a Nundu for the first task,” he continued speaking and you felt your blood chill in your veins immediately. A nundu? You knew exactly what a nundu was. Sebastian had pointed it out as the most dangerous magical creature ever to exist.

“A nundu?” You asked in shock, “I don’t think that’s right, Ominis. I mean, it is still a school tournament. They are not trying to kill us.” A nervous laugh left your lips, but he didn’t reciprocate it.

“I think that is exactly what they are hoping for,” his voice grew weak as if he didn’t want to believe his own words.

“We are the ones organising the tournament… Black wants me to w…” oh, a realisation hit you all at once as your mind went back to that faithful night in which you had fought Ranrok. Black was not there… Black was not there. He didn’t believe Fig when he told him about the goblins. He didn’t help when it came down to defeat them. He doesn’t know where the repository is. You exhaled in shock, a hand jumping to your lips.

“Yes,” Ominis spoke softly, “exactly.”

“We have to tell Professor Weasley,” you replied immediately, your brain speeding as you tried to think of a solution.

Ominis let out an incredulous and bitter laugh, “For what? What is the point?” He shook his head, “for all we know, she is in it, too. She put your name in there. They are using you like a pig for slaughter!” Ominis lost his composure for a second, pacing in front of you before shouting the words.

“She knows I am the only one that can stop them. Fig knew that, too.”

“Fig was a fool. A fool who lost his wife and saw a child as the answer to some mysterious question,” Ominis raised his chin as he spoke, a sneer on his lips.

“I was the answer. He was right!” You shouted back to him, stepping closer.

“You were a child! You are more traumatised than humanly possible. You don’t sleep and barely leave the castle these days. I don’t know, Cecilia. You may save them all once again, but I don’t think you’ll ever recover. There is no potion for those wounds.” He paced as he talked, moving away from you.

“How do I kill it?” You grew tense and cold.

“What?” His face contorted in confusion as he stepped closer.

“How do I kill a nundu?”

“You can’t. It takes more than 100 wizards to subdue one,” He sighed his answer before running his hand through his hair.

“I don’t want to subdue it. I want to kill it,” you replied, even more hardened in your tone.

“The creature has done nothing to you, Cecilia. He is as much of a victim of his circumstances as you are.” You were taken aback by Ominis’ words. They had felt like a punch to your gut. He was right.

“How do I subdue it?” You sighed the words out, suddenly ashamed.

“You will need to get a breathing charm. Its breath is toxic. For the rest, I am sure Hecat can advise you on something,” He turned his face away from you and exhaled, ready to walk away, “Don’t let them turn you into a weapon. That is not who you are.”

“And what if that is exactly who I am?” You challenged him and watched as he hesitated before turning back to you.

“Then I don’t know you at all. Then Fig was not the fool. I was.” He sighed, and his expression grew sad. “But I know that is not true. Cecilia, I could recognise you in any room without you even having to utter a word. I care for you more than I have ever cared for anyone.”

“That is not true…” you exhaled the words, regretting as soon as they were out.

“Marguerite?” He whispered her name in a laugh, “There is no point in having this conversation now. I would just add to a burden you are already struggling to carry.” A long sigh left his chest before he prepared to walk away, “Tell Sebastian about your nightmares, or I may hold on to hopes I should no longer be pursuing.”

…

The five of you sat together the next morning at breakfast, Garreth and four green ties. Ominis shared the news of the nundu and gave everyone a minute to gasp and whisper their ideas. Garreth immediately tried to come up with a potion that would allow you to stop breathing for at least an hour. The five of you barely touched your food as discussions continued between glances to the Bulgarian table.

You weren’t much worried about them overhearing you. The French already knew about the nundu, and if you and Ominis were right, the Bulgarians not only knew about it but were also being aided by your headmaster.

Breakfast came to an abrupt ending as the five of you were told to go to class. You glanced in Ominis’ direction, in need to talk to him, before you went your separate ways, but Imelda grabbed your arm, pulled you away from the rest and started walking away. You met Sebastian’s gaze before turning the corner but shook your head slightly, telling him not to follow you.

“What is going on?” You asked as soon as the two of you were alone.

“No. You tell me what is going on? I have tried my best to ignore it as you requested, but I can’t. Not today. Finite Incatatum.” She waved her wand over your face, and you cringed, knowing she would see all the healing cuts. “Oh Godric, what happened? What are they doing to you?” Imelda replied in shock, a hand jumping to her mouth.

You quickly casted your glamour charm back and sighed. “It is just part of the training. They want to make sure I am ready for everything.”

“Ready for what?” Imelda whispered-shouted as her hands reached for your face, but you flinched away. “Ready to be tortured?”

“It is okay. They are healing.”

“Is that why you ran out tonight?” She asked, her face twisting with worry. You had never seen her so worried before.

“No.”

“Then why?”

“I had a nightmare. I don’t want to talk about it. We have a lot to do, less than two weeks left.” This conversation could wait; everyone and their unhelpful worries could wait. “Listen, I need to speak to Sebastian now. Nothing is going on. I am just trying to get better. It is not working. I am apparently not as good of a duelist as I thought.”

You didn’t wait for her to answer, simply walking away.

----

liv's note

I am finally back with a chapter?? what? Yes, I am! HAHA I hope the wait did not kill your interest in the story. Please feel free to let me know if you are still reading through the comments and reblogs they are both highly appreciated.

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@maddsinthemoon @lblackwood

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vincent-j-clint-renoir · 6 months

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A duellist, a flier, infinite resources, and a potion master (Broken Promises)

Chapter 20/? - Chapter 1 - Previous Chapter

Pairing: Auror!MC x Auror!Sebastian Sallow - Auror!MC x Ominis Gaunt

Masterlist and Prologue - Taglist - Playlist

POV OMINIS

I walked out of the room immediately. I couldn’t take this. Not again. Not with everything else that was going on. I couldn’t take seeing her become a martyr again. Fun. An Honour. She called it many times as she patched herself up, chugging potion after potion as if there were no repercussions. The wounds may close, but no potion could heal anything completely, and she was a fool if she believed otherwise. I entered the undercroft and immediately swayed my wand dramatically, feeling the fire of the explosion before I could hear it. I shouted spell after spell, destroying everything in the room: the couch, the table, everything that crossed the path of my wand was on fire, in ashes. I could smell it.

I am unsure if a singular word left my lips, but my jaw hurt. I tried to wrap my head around the fact that she had decided to put her life in danger again. I couldn’t help but wonder if I should hold some of the blame. I had abandoned her for a battle that wasn’t mine to fight, a duty that had long stopped belonging to me. Every night, I had to remind myself I was helping Marguerite and that what I was doing was good, just to stop myself from looking for her. I dreamt of finding her and kneeling before her, asking for forgiveness, holding her hands in mine as I begged her. I love you. I should have never lied to you. I have missed your lips every second since leaving them. I have been dying to tell the world that it was you. That you were the girl. I am sorry if that would not be appropriate. I do not care anymore. I want the world to know you are mine and that I was lucky enough to have you kiss me back. I love you, Cecilia. Yet, it didn’t matter. While I laid in bed every night thinking of her, somebody else entered her heart. The only person I knew would love her as much as I did.

Selfish. I shook my head. So fucking selfish, thinking of her, of Sebastian courting her when her life was in danger. I should be in there, coward. So scared of losing her, coward.

“What is going on?” Sebastian’s voice echoed as he coughed, overwhelmed by the smoke, the door closing behind him.

“Repairo,” I waved my wand above my head and immediately heard commotion around me.

“She cannot help herself,” Sebastian spoke bitterly. He was just as angry as I was.

“She cannot help herself,” I echoed as the room finally grew quiet again. The smell of smoke disappeared.

“I am gonna kill her,” he laughed disgusted.

“Don’t worry. Drogomir will take that job off your hands.” Silence filled the room as I finished speaking.

“Don’t say that, ” he replied seriously, causing me to laugh this time.

“What? Now you are the only one allowed to make dark comments?” I sneered his way, jealous.

“You know I would never hurt her.”

“I don’t think you could if you wanted to… on the other hand… I am not sure what the slav is capable of.” I ran a hand over my face, sighing. Worry tarnished my body as I tried to be positive. She would be fine. “So all we know is that they want the repository, and he can wield her magic.”

“Correct.”

The silence seemed to absorb all the oxygen in the room again. There was nothing else to say about this for now, both of our waves of anger simmering until we could talk to her—another question lingering in the air. How long? Have you- Never mind. I shook my head. I didn’t want to know. “Where did they take them?”

“Just the room at the end of the great hall.”

“I will go get her.” I gripped my wand tighter, allowing it to direct me to the hidden space in the room.

“Ho-” Sebastian started asking but stopped when I tapped the rock and spoke to it, which opened. “What I-”

“Just some things my family has left here for decades,” I replied nonchalantly. Too focused on understanding what my wand was showing me, something nobody could see.

“We need to talk to her before anybody else does. I am sure Weasley will be looking for her.”

“I will get to her first,” I replied as my finger finally wrapped around the silky material. I hesitated for a second as I realised I would once again find myself aiding her work, allowing her to put herself in danger and supporting it. “Is she having nightmares?” I didn’t mean to ask. I didn- I had searched for her in the common room so many nights that I had convinced myself that she no longer had them. I had never even wondered whether she had found somebody else to keep her company.

“I don’t know…” Sebastian spoke softly, cautious. This was unknown territory for both of us, “she does not speak about it with me.”

I felt my heart squeeze, selfish. She didn’t discuss it with him.

“However, yesterday night… she slept through the night.”

Ouch. I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth and maintained my back to him, unwilling to allow him to read my face.

“How is Marguerite?” He asked, and somehow, I knew exactly what he was implying with the question.

“She is well.” I tried not to give in to his game.

“We should promenade all together next week.”

I exhaled through my nose before replying, breathing in, “I don’t think Cecilia will have time to premonade, Sebastian. I know you are more preoccupied with other things, but she will need to train. She will need to be studying, searching for possible tasks, and protecting the damn repository. She won’t have time to promenade.” My tone grew more tense word after word. I couldn’t help myself.

“We have been studying possible tasks together-”

“Yes, Sebastian. I can imagine all the studying you have done together,” I finally turned to him, allowing my temper to take over my voice. “In the case you were looking at tasks together. I blame you. I blame you because she got the idea of putting her name in the goblet to protect you. She was so scared that you would participate that she was willing to risk her own life for something she did not want to do. I blame you for what is going to happen. You love to see her worried for you, don’t you?”

I heard Sebastian’s footsteps approach me and clenched my jaw, gripping my wand tightly. “Careful, Ominis. One could almost say you sound jealous.”

“Jealous? Do you think I care about your attempt to gather her attentions?” I looked at him, sceptical, “Don’t you see what is happening? This is bigger than you. This is bigger than me. They will want to kill her. They will try to. She is the only person who knows where the repository is, and if they thought they could reach it without her finding out, they certainly don’t think that anymore. She is an inconvenience. An inconvenience that knows exactly where their treasure is.”

“She doesn’t need to find out what they are looking for. She can believe this is all for the tournament.” Sebastian’s voice was tense. He was trying to find an easy way out, as always.

I felt my body fill with fury, “so you want them to blindside her? You really must want her dead. We need to tell her. One thing was trying to keep her away when she was not a champion, but now it is too late. She needs to know what she is fighting against.”

“You think always to know best when it comes to her.”

“That is because I do. I know her.” I heard his breath catch in his throat. He was hurt and ready to hurt me back, so I stopped him before he could. “I am going now. I will bring her here, and we will tell her everything we know. She has once again forced herself into the middle of something she cannot take on alone. I don’t… I can’t watch her destroy herself to save others. I can’t believe this is happening again.”

…

POV MC

You entered the Common Room and were immediately welcomed by a myriad of sceptical looks. This was no Gryffindor house. People immediately questioned why the person who had been so clear about not wanting to participate was now the champion. Backstabber. Two-faced. Attention seeker. Words were whispered around you, but you paid little attention to them, your eyes immediately looking for Imelda.

“Where is she?” Her voice echoed through the room, silencing everyone as she stalked towards you. “How could you?” You lifted your chin as you watched her wand come off its holster. “Of course, I know how you could. You pompous attention seeker!”

She pointed it at you, and you decided to allow it. She was right. In her eyes, you were nothing more than a backstabber. Yet suddenly, Ominis was searching for you and pulling you behind him and whatever spell she was planning on conjuring never made it out as her wand went flying into Sebastian’s hand.

“YOU-” Imelda prepared to extend her insults to the two boys, but Sebastian gave her a knowing look, which suddenly caused her to clench her jaw shut.

“Let’s talk outside,” you pulled Ominis from in front of you and frowned at her.

…

The four of you sat by the quiet corner of the castle. Imelda had been sitting quietly for the past 5 minutes, taking in all the information you had just given her: the goblins, the ancient magic, your name in the goblet of fire. She had initially refused to listen, but as the story had gone on and on, she had grown quiet and attentive. Now you sat there silently, waiting for a verdict, to know whether she would help.

“You did not put your name in the goblet?” She finally lifted her head and asked, her eyes laser-focused on you.

“No.” You replied as confidently and seriously as possible.

“Good. I was afraid you had gone completely insane. However, it seems you have been insane all along, fighting goblins without ever asking for help.” She broke into a sharp grin, and you couldn’t help but chuckle back. Sebastian gave Imelda her wind back and ignored the way she sneered at him. “So what is the plan?” She asked, ready to fight.

“Protect the repository.”

“Keep her alive,” Ominis spoke at the same time as you did.

Imelda’s smile twitched as she gave you a knowing look that Sebastian did not miss, clearing his throat.

“Well, we have a duellist, a flier, infinite resources... we need a potion master.”

“Do not even think of it.” Sebastian raised his voice immediately, leaning forward as if to interrupt the shared thought Imelda and you were having.

“He is good and a friend.”

“He is a danger to society whenever he is allowed in front of a cauldron, and he likes you,” Sebastian’s face went pink as he spoke the second half of the sentence.

“If that were an elimination criterion, I would have to do this by myself,” Imelda spoke under her breath, and you punched her arm discretely, ignoring the way both boys turned slightly away.

“Imelda, go talk to Garreth. I cannot go myself. The Gryffindors would not allow me to leave without getting me drunk first. I need you to tell him everything, and please ask him to come to our Common Room tomorrow first thing in the morning, please.”

“You want me to go to the Gryffindor common room? Looking for Garreth Weasley?” She asked, shocked, but immediately retracted her statement, “Fine. I will, but if anybody asks, I will tell them you were looking for him, and then you can deal with the whispers.”

“I think I can survive that,” you smiled and stood up as the rest did. Imelda rolled her eyes and started to walk away towards the red house. You shouted after her before she turned the corner, breaking the muffliato charm, “Thank you, Imelda.” She didn’t turn back, but you knew she had heard. You turned to the two boys who stood perfectly still side by side in front of you, feeling suddenly aware that you were alone. “You should get some sleep,” you told them, looking right between their bodies, ignoring the way Sebastian’s eyes searched for you.

“You should, too,” Ominis replied. That notoriously worried look he had during fifth year was back on his features.

You parted your lips to tell him you couldn’t but then decided that sharing that your nightmares had never left was not going to make him sleep any better.

“I need to go talk to Professor Weasley,” you replied instead, watching Sebastian lower his gaze.

“I don’t think she will still be in her office, but if you want to go, I will go with you,” Sebastian stepped forward, but you shook your head.

“I think it would be best if I go alone.” Sebastian frowned, and you gave him a tight smile, grabbing his hand before turning to Ominis, “Where did you get the invisibility cloak?”

The corners of his mouth twitched into a shadow of a smile before he replied, “Some old stuff my brothers left behind. I had completely forgotten about it until earlier today.”

“Can I use it? It would raise questions for a student to be going to her professor’s office in the middle of the night.”

“Let’s go get it. I will show you how to find it for next time,” he shifted his body to start walking, but Sebastian held onto your hand, giving you his beautiful big brown puppy eyes.

“I am assuming you don’t need me to come for this either,” he pouted slightly, and you moved closer to him.

“I just don’t want us to raise suspicions. I wouldn’t want them to target you,” you explained. “Ominis will just show me where it is so he won’t need to come every time.”

“I know…” he sighed, glancing at his friend who had stopped two steps away. “I am sorry for getting angry today. It was uncalled for, regardless of whether you put your name in or not."

“I understand how it looked,” you tried to reassure him, “everything will be okay.” You smiled at him and watched his hand lift, caressing your cheek. You felt your entire face burn, unsure whether Ominis could guess what was happening. Sebastian gave you a soft smile before you placed your hand over his and brought the back of his hand to your lips, kissing it gently, “all will be fine.”

You started walking and heard Ominis’ footsteps follow you. Sebastian stood there and watched the two of you disappear in the dark corridor. Neither of you spoke as you walked towards the undercroft, your stomach turning at the thought of Ominis watching you be so inappropriately affectionate with your common best friend. He didn’t seem to be in much of a speaking mood either, as he walked precisely two steps away from you the whole way.

The two of you entered the room, and you immediately felt the silence suffocate you now that there was no noise of steps left to cover it up. Ominis hesitated before walking towards the wall, almost as if he had something he wanted to say. Then he closed his eyes briefly and sighed, letting his wand guide him to the exact stone. “You come here, tap this exact rock and whisper, always in power. It is my family motto.” You did exactly as indicated, but nothing happened. Not a single stone moved. Your eyes shot to Ominis’ face as he furrowed his brow. “Interesting,” he added thoughtfully. “It must only work for the Gaunt family. I will open it. You can keep it.”

He seemed to wait for you to move aside and then moved in himself, ignoring how you barely moved enough to give him space, his left hand brushing against the material of your dress. He spoke the motto back to the wall, but no words came out; instead, a snake hiss left his lips. You stepped back, shocked, until your eyes were drawn to the opening wall. Ominis scanned the space before reaching for something and placing it in your hands. The cloak gained some colour, allowing you to see it.

“Thank you,” you smiled at him and prepared to walk towards the door, unwilling to allow the tension to linger any longer but just as you stepped away from him.

Ominis spoke your name, “Cecilia." You exhaled, turning slowly back to him. “Does he make you happy?”

You felt your chest constrict as you looked away, unwilling to stare into his cold expression. “Yes,” you whispered. It was true. Sebastian made you happy. He was loving, caring, and devoted. Everything was easy with him. It felt so natural. You desired it more than anything else, the simplicity of allowing him to care for you.

“He cares very deeply for you,” Ominis added, scared you would start walking again.

“I know,” you replied, far too eagerly, almost as if there was a common expectation that he would say what he really wanted to say.

“Do you love him?” His voice cracked as his face contorted in pain.

You thought of his words briefly, unsure whether you were even allowed to love Sebastian yet. Ominis didn’t know that, but you had only kissed him yesterday for the first time. You had barely gotten the time to come to terms with the fact that he liked you just the way you did. Yet the answer came quickly, rushing from your lips as if it meant cutting something loose, letting go of something that never truly belonged to you. “Yes.”

Ominis turned into marble and ice once again. A soft, slow blink was all it took to wipe whatever emotion was trying to show. “That changes everything then,” he spoke softly and then continued, “I was going to warn you not to hurt him,” he chuckled, trying far too miserably to seem nonchalant. Something that went against his very nature.

You spoke the words before you could think of them, feeling the frustration of his behaviour bubble up. “Will you give him the same warning or an instruction manual?” You didn’t wait to hear him answer and walked out, covering yourself with the cloak.

…

You reached Professor Weasley’s office as quickly as possible, avoiding the parties and controls happening after the selection. You thought about sneaking in and looking around, but it was necessary to tell your professor about the situation immediately.

You arrived at her office and were relieved to see a candlelight still shining through the door’s cracks. You knocked softly on the wood, waiting to see her to reveal your face. Professor Weasley opened the door confused as her eyes met an empty corridor, but you whispered, “Professor, it is me.”

She straightened her back and stepped aside, allowing you to enter before closing the door. You pulled the cloak off and met her gaze. She looked worried, exhausted, sorry?

“Professor,” you spoke out, but she immediately shushed you. Her wand started moving. She began performing a particular series of incantations, 27 exactly. She wanted to make sure nobody could hear your conversation. Only when she was done she turned back to you, exhaling.

“I have been looking for you all day. Where have you been?” Her voice was higher than normal, filled with worry. “I am very sorry, Cecilia. I had no other choice. I could not discuss it with you earlier. I looked for you everywhere.”

You stood there perfectly still, trying to comprehend what she was saying. Sorry? For what?

She seemed to see your confusion and sighed, “I thought that is why you had come here. I put your name in the goblet of fire.”

---

liv's note

aaaaaaah I am obsessed with this chapter. Love love love. Love the jealousy. The bickering. All of it. Please let me know what you think of it and whether you expected the last plot twist hehe as always, please reblog to support my work and tell me all your theories and thoughts! Love you all!

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