POV OMINIS GAUNT

I couldn't help the mass of nerves forming in my stomach. Sebastian had helped me dress for this interview with the Quibbler and The Daily Prophet. He had reassured me that I looked fine. Even straightening out my tie and making sure my blazer was properly buttoned up. All I could think of is how I would get letters from my family, for once, asking what the bloody hell I was thinking. I was thinking I could have a normal school year, perhaps ask the girl of my dreams out.
No, no that would be too simple. Some bellend decided to put my name into the Goblet, decided it would be a funny joke. I started to rub the palms of my hands over my face when someone smacked at them.
Anastasia murmured quickly, "Stop that... Really you'll ruin your complexion." She was quickly becoming my least favorite, she was quite literally insane. going as far as to force my posture straight and using her fan to tilt my chin up. She pitied me, as did Henri, "You're an Heir of Slytherin!" She scolded me, "You should hold yourself like it, not like you're some creature trying to stay in the shadows." She paid attention to the finer details, details Sebastian had missed when helping me get ready. She fixed my collar, and folded over my sleeve cuffs properly.
"You sound like my Mother." I started to get annoyed.
"You should listen to your mother." She quipped back, flattening the cloth on my shoulders.
"I'd rather die." I spat, Anastasia didn't move away from me. Still fussing over every little thing.
"You may get your wish." Henri stated, "These trials aren't easy, especially not for one... Lacking in sight."
"It's blind, I'm blind. You can say it, I know I have a greater disadvantage over the two of you." I felt at the small table beside me and leaned back against it, swatting Anastasias' hands away, "Leave me damnit, I'm not a doll!"
"You must look presentable! You're representing the lineage of Slytherin himself!" She was obsessed with the Durmstrang founder, and looked up to him as a remarkable and powerful wizard.
"I hope the Bastard rolls in his grave." I hissed out and I heard her gasp and Henri laughed.
"Alright! Alright, enough choice words!" Headmaster Black entered the Astronomy platform, "Keep the language proper Mr. Gaunt! I would also appreciate it if you did not mention the happenstance of you joining the tournament." He kept the last part low.
"Of course Headmaster. I shall be sure to keep my anger to a simmer and what of my frustration shall I temper that as well?" I sneered, arms crossing. I heard Black sigh indignantly.
"Just be polite." I heard his footsteps walk off, "I'm off to get the Photographers, then I'll send in one interviewer at a time." When Black left us I stopped my leaning.
"Back straight!" Anastasia hissed at me, her fan swatting my back.
"Dammit woman! Stop." I couldn't wait to leave, the fact I was missing my first day of classes was aggravating.
"I'll stop when I'm not worried about you gaining a hunch! You're a handsome boy but you're ruining it with your demeanor and posture!"
"I don't care if I get a hunch."
"Oh and I guess the girl that escorted you up to The Goblet won't either?" Her sarcasm was thick. My lips pursed, no I suppose Ada wouldn't like it if I gained a hunch, "Knew it... Boys are so predictable."
"You're Adas' Boyfriend?" Henri questioned.
"N-No... We're friends."
"Then perhaps you can put in a good word for me?" He held a mischievous tone to his voice.
"I will do no such thing." I stated dryly, eyes narrowing, "Good luck trying to charm her, her bite is worse than mine." Our conversation died down as I assumed where the Photographers came in to set up the cameras and chairs. I felt a hand lead me by my elbow to sit me down in a chair.
"Shouldn't I be the one standing?" I questioned, already crossing my leg and lounging in the seat.
"I am taller than you." Anastasia stated, "It would look awkward if I sat down in the seat."
"You cannot be that much taller than me."
"She has you by at least seven inches." Henri leaned down muttering to me.
"Seven inches? Are you a Giantess?"" I felt her fan go down and smack the top of my head.
"You English men are so rude!"
"You're telling me, his other friend called me 'Frenchy'." Henri had just a bit of annoyance in his voice. I sighed, rubbing my eyes with my fingers. Damnit Sebastian, how do you always manage to piss off the wrong people? I felt delicate hands rest on my shoulder and the back of my seat creek from someone leaning on it.
Then I saw a flash of a light, and smelled the smoke that followed the flash. I just stared off towards the blooms of light, letting whoever was photographing me do their job. This was absolutely mind numbing, I'd much rather be in my classes. Ada and Sebastian promised to take notes for me and I was promised that the trials wouldn't interfere with my classes or school work but I was unsure of that. The volume of work I'd have would be doubled despite having less classes this year. N.E.W.T.s was important.
"You're glowering." Anastasia murmured, "Smile."
"Leave me alone, I'm allowed to be angry."
"You're frightening the poor Photographers'." Henri murmured.
"Let them be." I hissed out, I was going to be a snit about this. I'd do as Professor Black asked, not informing them about the happenstance of this outcome but I would not paint on a fake smile and pretend I'm enjoying myself. I shifted resting my head on my knuckles, leaning a bit more on the arm of the chair. It didn't take long for them to get their shots, when they left us Henri patted my back.
"It's a shame that sweet girl has caught your attention. Your attitude needs improvement. Do you treat her like this?" Henri prodded, my face heated.
"No, I do not treat her like this... I wanted to spend this year wooing her not doing this."
"Well my dear friend, you can still woo her. Flowers, jewelry, poetry. There's plenty you can do at the spur of the moment to catch her gaze."
"Why are you giving me advice about this?" I murmured, eyes narrowing.
"Because you'll never win her over if you think the wooing is over before it even starts." Henri tsked at me, "Besides, she's clearly not interested in me."
"Of course she's not interested in you, she barely knows you." I felt my upper lip raise up, then I tried calming down, taking a deep breath and attempted to relax my face. It was time for the interviews.

—

The interviews were almost over, it felt like hours. Someone took my hand and shook it.
"Mary Fleetfoot, from Witches Weekly. Pleasure to meet you three, I'd like to start with our lovely female contestant for the interview, please follow me Miss." I could hear Anastasia humm, her heels clicking along the wooden platform and down the stairs to the makeshift interview space that was the Astronomy towers storage space.
"Ahh, I love to watch them leave." Henri murmured in French.
"You're absolutely depraved." I hissed to him, fingers tapping along the arm of the chair.
"You speak French?"
"Yes, so please refrain from speaking such obscenity in my presence." I grumbled out, waiting for our last interview to be over with.
"You would not say that if you could see what I see, I find it sad how you cannot admire a woman's beauty such as I."
"I can admire beauty with touch, thank you very much-" The clicking of heels returned,
"Mr. Gaunt you're next." Miss. Fleetfoot said she helped me up and led me down stairs, now the conversation above between the two of them a muffled murmur. I was seated on a stool, "Now... Tell me about Ominis Gaunt!" Her voice held a flare to it. I raised my brow.
"What exactly are you interviewing me for? I do not think Witches would be interested in the personal life of a boy."
"Young eligible witches would be. You're a Bachelor, correct?" I must have looked floored, because I heard her chuckle.
"Relax dear, I'm not offering you up on a marriage chopping board! The Witches Weekly, is read by Witches of all ages and many Witches grow fond of learning about young men such as yourself. So... Are you a Bachelor?"
"I... Yes I suppose I am." The questioning made me surprisingly uncomfortable, I felt my back straighten as her quill scratched out notes.
"Age and Height?"
"I'm turning seventeen in January and I've been told I'm at about six feet?" I answered in boredom.
"What would your ideal woman be?"
"Do I have to answer that?"
"Yes!"
"Alright... Caring, altruistic and kind. I suppose that would be my ideal woman.." I murmured out.
"No physical ideals?"
"I'm blind, so physical appearance isn't at the top of my list," My thoughts wandered to the roundness of Adas' face and the bump on the bridge of her nose. "But I rather like a round face, " The texture of her scar under my finger tips. "And I suppose the feeling of texture, whether it's a scar or moles..." I could hear her humm happily at my response.
"Very specific! Is there a girl you're interested in?" I held the silence for a short while, before nodding. It couldn't hurt to admit it.
"Yes, I am interested in a girl."

POV ADA MARROW

Dinner time had come around and there was still no sign of Ominis and Sebastian was stuck in Professor Hecats class, helping clean up a mess he made during our first attempts at trying nonverbal spells.
Even then my Brother had also managed to be absent since the ceremony on Sunday, it had been four full days and I hadn't seen hide nor hair of Nox. Occasionally I'd see him in the corner of my eye but when I tried to get a better look he'd be gone. Even now facing every other table in the Great Hall, I tried to catch sight of my brother, not because I wanted to speak with him but because I'd rather know where he was at, at all times.
"You look like you're looking for someone, which is it Ominis or Sebastian?" Poppy asked, resting her books down on the table next to me.
"Nox, actually. He's like some Spector... I only catch glimpses in the corner of my eye then he's gone."
"Oh well, I actually just saw him at the pond by the castle... Had a nice chat." She murmured, I looked at her.
"Poppy... You didn't."
"I did... We just talked... I mean..." She was looking embarrassed, "I know he's a rake but... "
"And a practicing Dark Wizard." I commented.
"Yes, yes you're correct but he's not all that bad..." Poppy murmured, looking at her cup.
"What happened?"
"Well... You know Benjamin Horkum?"
"The git that was trying to steal Persephones' whiskers and was making fun of you?" I looked at her, turning in my seat "Don't tell me you have another Beast Class with him."
"I do and he was trying to pluck some poor Fwoopers Feathers and I confronted him... And he cornered me against the back of the Hut and well... Nox showed up and pressed his wand so hard against Horkums neck that I thought he was going to break skin..."
I leaned on my hand listening, "That boy is a real piece of work, I can't believe he cornered you."
"Yes well I'm just happy Nox stepped in... So after class I stopped him and asked if he'd like to sit and talk for a bit by the pond... he agreed, he's very charming."
"Oh Merlin no, Poppy... " I covered my face with my hand.
"But! That's not why I'm telling you this, he told me something; that he did something and that is why he's been avoiding you." She looked nervous now, starting to plate her dinner.
"What did he do?" I asked, words slow.
"He..." She mumbled the next words.
"What?"
"He... put Ominis name in the Goblet!"
"HE WHAT?!" Eyes were suddenly on me from my sudden shriek.
"But it wasn't just Ominis! He put Sebastians' name in as well." She added on.
"How is that even better?!"
"It's not! I'm not defending him, what he did was stupid... Besides, he didn't think either of them was going to be picked." She set a pastry on her plate, not keeping eye contact with me.
"Why would he think that?"
"Something about them being dull minded and incredibly lackluster..." She murmured.
"And he just spilled all of this out to you?" I asked, bewildered she had gotten so much out of him.
"Well I mean, we sat and talked for like thirty minutes before I brought it up and he hoped his blunder didn't make me think less of him and he admitted it." She was blushing now.
"What else happened?" I pressed, leaning closer keeping my voice low.
"I... I don't know what you're talking about."
"Poppy, you're blushing... What happened."
"He said my love for beasts was admirable and said he'd like to kiss me..." She whispered softly, she winced back seeing how horrified I looked.
"Poppy, don't fall for it! He's a rake, Sebastian has seen him almost shoving his hand up girls skirts in their common room."
"Well, yeah I know that... I mean words do get around pretty fast here." She was playing with her hair a bit, she still kept it short letting it frame her face. "It's nice having a boy flirt with me..."
"You know what... I'm not going to fault you, do what you want to do no judgment." I did not want to be part of the talks about my brother, "If I see him again, I'm going to kill him." I murmured, "I can't believe he did something so stupid." I whined softly, eyes glancing around for Ominis or Sebastian.
"Are you going to tell them?" Poppy asked.
"Well of course Poppy, I have to tell them, it's just how am i going to tell them without either of them going to beat the shit out of Nox. OH, right! I found out that Nox was the one that put Ominis name in the Goblet, but he also put in Sebastians as well and didn't think either of you would be chosen because he thinks you're both stupid and dull." I groaned out.
"He what?" I jumped looking back, seeing Sebastians' eyebrow raised.
"Sebastian! You scared me."
"I scared you?" He mused, "Now what was that about Nox slipping our names in the Goblet?"

POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW

To say I was livid was an understatement, I was furious. I was almost seeing red as Ada explained what Poppy told her. I was going to hunt that little Imp down and squash him.
"Sebastian... Calm down." Ada murmured, she had gotten up from her seat to hold my arms.
"How can I be calm Ada? Ominis might die, this tournament isn't just friendly competition it's a Death Game. You're more likely to die than survive the challenges." I rubbed my forehead, sucking in a deep breath.
"I need to find Ominis..."
"Sebastian..." I looked at Ada, she looked worried, "Nox is unpredictable, I need you to promise that you won't do anything stupid."
"We won't do anything stupid, promise..." I went to touch her face but stopped, right. No touching. I set my hand down, "I've lost my appetite, I'll see you tomorrow for Herbology. Okay?"
"Okay..." She smiled at me, seeming happy that I kept my promise to not touch her without permission. "Goodnight Sebastian."
"Sleep well Ada."

POV ADA MARROW

I was more thankful for the Sleeping Draught then i ever was before. My brother had gained a fan club among my friends. Poppy, Olivia and Adelaide were gushing over him. I couldn't help but roll my eyes as i got up from my bed to prepare my nightly drink. Our lights were dimmed, really just a lamp or two illuminated the bed sides.
My back was turned to the three girls who were sitting out on Poppys' bed. Mixing the drought I suddenly noticed they had all gotten very quiet. I glanced back, then had to do a double take. All three girls had collapsed on Poppys' bed, now fast asleep and Nox sat on Poppy's clothing chest.
"You know it's very flattering hearing girls gush over me." he mused, I reached for my wand and it wasn't there. I looked back to my table, my wand was gone, "Don't worry Ada, I got it right here." He twirled my wand around, looking it over. "Same wood and flexibility as mine... Only difference is that I have a Dragon heartstring core and yours is Unicorn Hair."
"What are you doing here and how did you get up here?" I hissed, walking over to him, looking at my friends, "What did you do to them?"
"They're just Bewitched, asleep. They'll wake up in an hour, and won't remember a thing. Also your prefect needs to start locking his clothes away when he uses the bath because he just leaves his stuff stacked on a chair, it was really easy to take his things." He tapped the Hufflepuff Prefect badge pinned to his robe. I snatched my wand away from him and he let me.
"Why are you here?" I hissed.
"Well to see you of course! I mean, I didn't spill everything to Poppy just because she's nice to talk to. I expected she'd tell you however I didn't think Sebastian nor Ominis would find out so soon. They're hunting me down as we speak. They are pissed."
"So you're hiding out here from them?" I questioned, brow raised crossing my arms over my chest.
"No! No, I'm here to give you this." He patted a bundle of cloth in his lap.
"What is that?" I motion to the bundle.
"This is an Invisibility Cloak, I am giving it to you so you and your Lovers can find out the first trial. I believe I overheard the Professors speaking about Headmaster Black keeping a record of it in his office." His voice trailed off.
"Why are you helping?" I asked hesitantly.
"Because if he dies, Mother may finally string me up to a post and I rather prefer the Gaunt over Sallow." I couldn't help but think how ironic it was that he preferred the one that vehemently despised Blood Purity and Dark Magic. "Besides, think of it as making it easier to choose."
"To choose what?"
"Which one you're going to pursue... Gaunt was chosen by the Goblet so he's much more skilled than Sallow though people say Sallow may not be too far behind him."
"I'm not pursuing either of them."
"You're joking... Both of them are practically your lap dogs. You have to choose." He rolled his eyes at me, "I mean unless you plan to do something much more scandalous." He chuckled, my face heated up and I looked away from him.
"Just leave Nox. Thank you for the cloak." he got to his feet and handed me the cloak.
"Treat it well because if it rips then it will be completely useless."
I sighed, nodding, folding the cloak up, "When did you get in here anyway?"
"Oh... Around when Poppy arrived." He nonchalantly said, shrugging his shoulders.
"You saw her change!"
"No! NO! Please I'm not a pervert... I mean as much as I'd like to see her out of that uniform, I know she'd despise me if she thought I watched her get undressed."
"Get out!" I lightly pushed at his back, urging him out.
"Alright, alright I'm leaving. I can see when I'm not welcome." He started walking out on his own, before exiting he casted Disillusionment becoming only a shimmer of light to my eye.

POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW

The hunt for the worm didn't prove fruitful, Ominis and I scoured the halls looking for him only to turn up empty handed once curfew had been struck on the clock.
"Forget this." Ominis said as we walked down the steps into the common room, "It doesn't change the fact I'm stuck participating in this madness."
"I'm aware but that doesn't mean he won't stop causing issues for us." I murmured, "Need to nip it in the ass before he does something else."
"I would agree with you but I really can't spend my entire evenings chasing down the human equivalent of a Demiguise." Ominis murmured, putting his wand away as we walked together through the Common Room. The remaining people still out there were quietly examining us, or examining Ominis.
People underestimate him because of his blindness, besides his awful track in potions and his non-existent Astronomy record he was a top score student. He's almost as good as me in dueling and had quite a few extra tricks up his sleeve.
"I need your help tomorrow after our classes." He stated as we walked up the stairs to the boys dorm rooms.
"With what exactly?"
"I'm going to Hogsmeade to pick up a gift for Ada." I looked at my friend, eyebrows raised.
"For?"
"I'm trying to woo her, Sebastian." He tilted his head toward mine, "I need help picking out a necklace."
"And you trust me to not sabotage you?"
"You're much too prideful to sabotage me. If anything you'd try to one up my gift." Ominis nudged my side with his elbow.
"You're not wrong..." I murmured, opening the door for him.
"How has your relationship been with Ada?" He asked.
"Fine, still strained. I think it's going to take more than small talk to win her over."
"I'd hope it'd take more than small talk. Seems I have the advantage."
"Don't be so sure, you don't even know if she is interested in you like that."
"Touché."

—-

Ominis had retired for the night, having felt drained from the interviews. I stayed at my desk, reading over the notes from todays' lessons. We already had work to do and I'd like to keep up on it. That and I wasn't looking forward to seeing my Uncle in my dreams again. Or Anne. I wasn't one to dwell on mistakes of the past but what I had done tore my family apart. I had only Ominis and Ada now and my former blood haunted my dreams. I relived that snippet of time every night.
I opened the drawer of my desk pulling out what remained of Slytherins Spellbook. Only a few salvageable pages were left over. The rest was charred beyond repair. I should keep my promise but I can't. Ominis was right, using such magic altered your mind and soul but I had always been the one to delve into learning forbidden things. I set the pages out, I was going to rewrite everything on these pages and learn from them.
I was about to dip my quill into the inkwell when a soft knock sounded on our door. I sighed, the others were asleep so I set my quill down and got to my feet opening the door.
"Just the person I wanted to see." Nox mused at me, a smile spreading across his lips.
"Just the person I've been looking for all evening you dirty snake." I growled at him, fist clenching.
"I already alleviated that situation with my Sister, I'm sure she'll tell you all about it in the morning. I have other things I wish to speak with you about. Specifically about the circumstances of your Uncle's Death." His voice lowered to a murmur and I felt my blood run cold. How did he know about this, "It's very easy to see the snippets of your dreams." Nox's smile grew to an unnerving smirk.
"You're a Legilimens?"
"Mhmm... Now about that talk. I say we go somewhere more private... I believe everyones asleep by now, perhaps by the windows that look out into the lake?" I bit the inside of my cheek, taking in a deep breath to calm myself.
"Fine." I stepped out and closed the door, walking with him out to the now empty Common Room. As we entered the back room he started to speak.
"You know Sebastian, I think you and I are much more alike than I originally thought."
"We are nothing alike."
"And you didn't lie to my Sister when you said you wouldn't use Dark Magic again."
"How do you know about that?" I felt my throat go dry, jaw clenching.
"I know everything concerning my Sister, she's the reason why I'm here." His voice was low and looking into his eyes I felt my spine go ridged. It was akin to a Rabbit staring at a Fox, the Fox wants to eat the Rabbit and the rabbit wants to run but it can't because running would start the chase.
"You're lucky you didn't make an unbreakable vow, though next time if you wish to I will gladly officiate it."
"I will be doing no such thing." I said through clenched teeth.
"I'm not here to talk about you lying to my Sister, I'm here to make you a deal."
"A deal, why would I make a deal with you?"
"Because you wish to learn more and I can teach you all that I learned in my six years at Durmstrang and I'll be sure that Ominis Gaunt doesn't die."
"What's in it for you?" I asked, hesitating.
"I need help getting rid of an annoying pest, believe his name is Benjamin Horkum?"
"Yes and why exactly do you want to get rid of him?"
"Because I'm rather fond of Poppy Sweeting and he has some unsavory plans for her."
"What exactly do you want me to do?"
"I just want you to be my alibi. That's it... Think about it but soon, because he starts his plans this weekend."
"What is he planning to do?" I murmured.
"He somehow found out that dear, spitfire, Poppy likes to go for a swim in the Lake on Sundays. He plans to steal her clothes and make her do a walk of shame back into the School." The fear was replaced with outrage, it bubbled over and spilled the words out.
"I don't need to think about it, just tell me what we're supposedly doing and where I need to be." I saw his eyes smile and his lips quirk up.
"Perfect."

Chapters have been planned out and I'm currently working on writing them all out! Tell me what you think so far!