POV ADA MARROW

I waited for Sebastian outside the Apparition lessons classroom, all three of us would be taking it this year. Thankfully both boys had saved away their money exactly for the class. I was worried I'd have to pay for it, not that I was against paying for their lessons. I was just a bit strapped for money at the moment.
Unfortunately Sebastian wouldn't be in the same lessons as Ominis and I. Students started to file out of the classroom, people talking with one another about their plans for the upcoming weekend. When Sebastian came out his eyes fell onto me as I leaned back against the wall, holding my books. I pushed off the wall and walked to him.
"We need to talk." I murmured, motioning off to the side down the opposite hallway to a dead end. Sebastian only nodded and walked off with me, "Nox gave me information last night about Black keeping record of the first trial in his office." I kept my voice low, leaning into him.
"So I take it we're going to do some sneaking?" He asked, "Gotta keep ourselves well rounded." He teased, chuckling. I couldn't help but smile at him.
"Yes, I'm glad we're on the same page."
"We can go tonight." He offered, "After curfew, it'll be dark and we'll be less likely to be seen using disillusionment."
"That's the thing, we won't need that. Nox was generous enough to give me his invisibility cloak."
"He has an invisibility cloak?" Sebastian's brows raised, I nodded. "It's under my bed right now but I just wanted us to lay out a plan for this evening." Sebastian rubbed his hand along his jaw, eyes closing as he thought over everything.
"After curfew would still be the best time. Knowing Black he would be sound asleep and will not be disturbed by anyone, not even his House Elf."
"Since the cloak is in my room, I'll sneak out and go to the Slytherin Dungeons and wait for you outside. Then we can both hide under it and make our way to the Headmasters office."
"Brilliant." Sebastian grinned at me, "So it's a date?"
"Only you would think of this as a date." I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. "You're unbelievable."
"I've been told that's my best trait. I'm very opportunistic. Now, this is settled. I'm meeting Ominis at the Gate for a quick trip to Hogsmeade."
"Oh? Can I tag along?" I smiled at him then frowned as he shook his head.
"I'm sorry but this is a highly confidential trip. It's a boy thing." He held a glint in his eye, I was now thoroughly confused, "Another time Ada, we can all go down and study at The Three Broomsticks. Promise." His smile met his eyes as he looked down at me, when had he gotten so much taller? I mean he was always taller then me now it felt like he towered over me much like Ominis did.
"I'll keep you to that promise." I smiled a bit shyly, "Another time then, you and Ominis have fun."
"We will." He gave a small wave to me and hurried off.

POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW

"Sorry I'm late." I jogged up, slowing to a stop next to Ominis.
"What kept you?" He started off down the path keeping his wand high, I followed.
"Ada stopped me, Nox seems to have some regret for you getting picked." I stated, "He's offered to make sure you stay alive through the tournament."
"How does he expect to do that?" Ominis questioned, head tilting my way; his brows raised up.
"I don't know but he's given Ada and I a lead on what the first trial will be, we're going to look into it tonight."
"I look forward to learning more about it then. Hopefully it's something I can use to prepare for the trial but do try and not get yourselves into too much trouble. I don't think I'll last long without either of your help."
"You think too poorly of us Ominis, we won't get caught. Ada and I can be quite sneaky."
"Says the one who got caught by Peeves multiple times when sneaking into the restricted section." Ominis voice was dull, unimpressed and skeptical.
"You wound me." My hand went to my chest and my arm threw itself over his shoulders. "Oh it hurts Ominis! Your words sting me so!" I leaned my weight onto him, he sneered at me.
"Get off me you oaf, you're heavy!"
"Oh, no I could never!" I saw his eyes roll, head shaking.
"You know you're almost too much at times." We stopped at the bridge leading into Hogsmeade.
"That is also part of my charm."
"Hardly, the most charm you carry is your way of words."
"I'm devilishly handsome as well." I teased him, giving him a nudge with my arm.
"That is debatable, as I can't see." His head tilted towards me, face holding the slightest bit of annoyance, but the slight up curse of his lips showed me he was amused with me.
"Ah yes, I'd have to be blind to not notice." I saw his face twist up and he groaned.
"Terrible as always, Sebastian." He murmured, then continued walking.
"So where are we going?" I questioned, pocketing my hands into my slacks.
"Preferably somewhere that sells jewelry."
"Are you so close with her that she'd accept jewelry from you?" I asked, I just wanted to be sure. Perhaps I was further behind than I anticipated. I couldn't help but grimace at the realization that I hadn't actually seen Ominis as real competition.
"Yes, I believe we are."
"How are you so sure?" I was going to do a bit of digging.
"We spent a lot of time together during those last three weeks of Summer Sebastian. Last night we shared some drinks together and she let me... Map out her face, fully. I've held her to me and comforted her as well. You left her feeling alone Sebastian and I made sure she knew that she wasn't." I was silent, as we walked and I led him up to the main square. I really hadn't learned anything.
"Glad Rags sells some jewelry, not a lot. We should be able to find something there." I murmured out.
"Sebastian... I didn't mean to upset you but it is something you need to hear."
"Agreed... It is something that I needed to hear." I took in a deep breath and sighed, opening the shop for Ominis.
"If it isn't my favorite Slytherin Sebastian Sallow! Welcome back!" Mr. Hill exclaimed, his eyes fell onto Ominis as he entered.
"Mr. Hill, wonderful seeing you again. Do you have any jewelry in stock? My friend Ominis is looking for something nice for a girl."
"What are you looking for, son? I have a small collection to select from."
"A necklace." Ominis stepped up to the counter, setting his wand down. Mr. Hill pulled out a jewelry display case out on the table.
"Oh... Er... Perhaps I can make a selection for you seeing as you're blind." Mr. Hill offered. "Tell me a bit about the girl, what house is she in? Perhaps Mr. Sallow can tell me her hair color and eye color to better fit her." Ominis made a motion with his hand to urge me over, I walked looking over the array of delicate looking necklaces.
"Well, Mr. Hill it's actually Ada he's buying it for." I murmured, Hills' eyes widened.
"For Miss. Marrow? Oh she was a huge help over the summer, Always coming into town and asking around for work. You're both quite the pair! Slytherin and a Hufflepuff." He commented as he looked over the necklaces himself, "Is this just a simple gift or a proclamation?" He asked Ominis, his gloved fingers ran over the delicate chains and precious stones.
"A proclamation, I plan to start courting her." My eyes widened, brows raising.
"My! You're quite bold, gifting jewelry to a girl you're not even courting yet."
"Yes well, I feel it's best to tell her of my intentions now rather than miss my chance." Ominis admitted. Augustus Hill nodded looking over the necklaces, "Perhaps something silver then, one second. Let me get my second case real quick. I have just the piece for such young love." He closed the case then turned from us to go to a shelf off on the side of the wall. Pulling down a smaller display case.
"This particular piece was custom made and ordered but never picked up so it's been sitting on my shelf for a few years. I've had a hard time selling it because the stone is Amber." He set the case down, opened it and lightly pulled out a glittering silver chain connected to two snakes that wrapped snugly around a bit of polished Amber.
"How does it look Sebastian? Do you think it will fit her?" Ominis asked, he had clasped his hands behind himself.
I looked it over, it was perfect for what he wanted to declare. Something in the back of my head told me to say no, it wasn't a good fit. I pushed those thoughts away, I would not sabotage my Best Friend.
"Yes Ominis, it's perfect." I looked to him and smiled a bit, then looked to Augustus, "You wouldn't happen to have any earring that may match that? I wanted to get her a gift as well, but something more along the lines of an Apology." Mr. Hill nodded.
"Yes actually! I have some other Amber earrings you can look at, there won't be a snake motif to it but they will match the stone." Ominis dug out his coin pouch from his pockets, starting to pay for the necklace while I picked out earrings. We left with our respective gifts, I had settled on something simple, just amber surrounded by a silver band. Nothing too detailed or bland.
The thought I had from earlier bothered me greatly. had I really thought of sabotaging him? Had I really considered it? I couldn't speak with Ominis nor Ada about this, I couldn't risk the questions. I couldn't risk either of them finding out I was still dealing with Dark Magic. So I suppose my best bet would be to ask Nox.

POV ADA MARROW

I waited outside the Slytherin Common room for Sebastian to appear, the cloak was exactly how described in my third trial. No one could see me, no matter how close I got to them. Though I had to be extra quiet if I decided to get close. I was happy that I went barefoot tonight, my normal pumps would have given me away in a heartbeat.
I glanced around the corners making sure none of the Prefects' were stalking around the dungeons. Hearing the familiar scraping of metal along the stone, I looked back to the hidden entrance and saw Sebastian looking around either for me or making sure the Prefects weren't around. He was in his sleep wear, also bare foot. I heard steps coming and hurried over to him, quickly pulling him under the cloak, hand covering his mouth.
"I'm telling you Eris, I definitely have a chance with her." Victor Bratly said as he walked down with Head Girl, Eris Cornell. The green accent of her robes gimmered a bit in the torch light.
"Good luck with that, she's already got enough boys fawning over her, I don't think she needs one that's going to graduate by the end of the year." They walked past us.
"I'm sure we can work something out." He stated, walking with her down the hall towards the Slytherin Bathrooms.
"You're really too optimistic." She murmured, I slowly urged Sebastian up the steps towards the Kelpie statue, their voices turned to a dull murmur.
"That was close," Sebastian murmured, "Ah I see we had the same idea." He motioned to our feet, chuckling.
"Yes I noticed that as well, though I didn't think you'd come out in your sleep wear."
"And I was hoping you would have come out in your sleep wear." He countered, nudging me with his arm as we left the dungeons to cross a bridge to the Viaduct Entrance.
"Only in your dreams Sebastian." I glanced at him, he kept himself crouched down so the cloak could hide all of us. I didn't think we'd be so squished together as we made our way up more and more stairs, across another bridge and finally attempting to navigate the darkened steps of the moving staircase, hearing the soft snores of the portraits around us.
"Why does this place seem easier to navigate with you? Not that I'm complaining but I usually have issues getting the steps to go where I need them to go." He murmured, seeming a bit bewildered that all of these steps moved and appeared for me.
"Professor Fig once said that Hogwarts was created and is a testament to Ancient Magic, so it probably has something to do with that." I murmured back, eyes glancing to notice how close our faces were to each other. I felt my cheeks heat up and that fluttering in my stomach that I felt so long ago when I was around him.
"Perhaps you should be the one escorting me to our classes." He mused, we exited the grand staircase and started up even more steps, cut through the Trophy room and stopped at a locked gate, "I'll do the honors." He pulled his wand out from his pants pocket, lightly lifting the cloak up so he could have access to the lock.

"Alohomora." The lock clicked open and I caught it before it could clatter down onto the ground. Sebastian opened the door for us and we ascended up the stairs, through a winding wooden corridor that was oh so familiar then up even more stairs until we were faced with the Gryphon Statue.
"Is his password still the same?" I asked, Sebastian rolled his eyes.
"Of course it is, do you honestly think he'd change it from his family motto?"
I nudged him, keeping the cloak around me, "How did it go again?" I asked him, "I haven't needed to go here since the end of last year." I really wasn't one to get into much trouble, even if I did enjoy breaking copious amounts of rules on a day to day basis.
"Now I wish that was true for the both of us." He faced the statue, "Toujours Pur." I opened the cloak for him and pulled it both over us. We entered expecting the Headmaster to be fast asleep but found he was still awake. Speaking with Faris Spavin.
"Are you sure nothing can be done about Gaunt being part of this? I can not and will not be associated with the death of an Heir of Slytherin!" Black seemed exasperated, "The Gaunts are furious that I let this happen." Sebastian and I stayed quiet as we stayed along the wall.
"No... I'm afraid not, the contract is ever binding-" Spavin went on in high detail about the magic of the goblet and how the contract worked then continued on a tirade of other similar but off topic things. I could not imagine having to sit through a ministry meeting with the man. I would imagine it going on for hours. Sebastian was looking exasperated as we were forced to stand there hidden while we waited for Black to go to bed.
"Mr. Gaunt is blind! Even if he can get through the first trial." He lifted up the stack of papers, "The others are going to be a death sentence."
"If there is a will there's a way Headmaster Black. Now if you excuse me I'm rather tired." The old skeleton of a man got to his feet, cane in hand and started walking towards us down the stairs from the headmaster's desk. We shifted out of the way, staying near the globe while Spavin left the office. Black took in a deep breath, his hand stroking along his goatee. He dropped the stack of papers down on his desk and briskly walked down the steps from his desk to enter into his private quarters. I held onto Sebastian until I could hear the second door open and shut then pulled the cloak off of us to hurry up the steps to the papers.
"Keep an ear out in case he comes back." I murmured. Sebastian kept his ear pressed to the door while I started looking through the stack left on the desk. Stopping at a list of incredibly dangerous beasts. Chimera, Aracomantula, and Basilisk. All three held the same Classification that I had been in my Magical Beast textbook, XXXXX.
"He's coming." Sebastian hissed hurrying away from the door to go for the steps, I set the papers down and pulled the cloak over myself as Black returned in his... Sleeping wear... I moved away slowly as the man walked up the steps to sit at his desk. I snuck down and out and met with Sebastian at the base of the stairs.
"There's a chance!" I murmured, hiding him back under the cloak.
"What did you find out?" He murmured, starting to lead us away.
"There's a chance he could fight a Basilisk." I murmured, "He's a Parselmouth, he can subdue it!"
Sebastian looked elated, "What do you mean chance?"
"There's two others, a Chimera and an Acromantula. There's a chance those two will be assigned to him, that's all I saw but we can prepare him! I've fought Acromantulas! You need to tell Ominis."
"I will, I'm sure he'd be elated to hear the news."

POV OMINIS GAUNT

"Absolutely not! I refuse, I will not speak that damn language again!"
"Ominis you're being unreasonable!" I could hear Sebastian pacing in front of me while I leaned back against a wall in the Common Room.
"I may be but I refuse to use it in front of crowds of people!" I snapped out, I would not be associated with Dark Magic.
"Who cares what people think of you! You can die! Ominis these Beasts are Classification Five! They take incredibly powerful magic to dispatch. Even Ada had issues with Acromantulas and she's more powerful than either of us."
"I can handle myself." I murmured, "Thank you for looking into it, I'll start researching ways to deal with the beasts." I pushed off the wall and started walking. Sebastian was silent but I could feel his eyes gouging a hole into my back.
"You're being an idiot." He called out, "How will Ada feel? Shouldn't you want to do anything to be sure you can stay by her side longer?" I stopped, biting the inside of my cheek.
"Ada deserves better than to be associated with Dark Magic, I did it that one time so we could escape the Scriptorium and that was the last time I will ever use it." I felt hands grip my arms, turning me around. Sebastian's hands squeezed my arms as he shook me.
"She's already associated with and has used Dark Magic! I understand you refuse to acknowledge that but neither she nor I can lose you!" My lips pressed to a thin line as I shrugged his hands off of me.
"I'm well aware you've imprinted that into her!"
"It's not about my feelings for her Ominis! This is about you!" I could hear his voice crack, hands gripping onto my sleeves, "You're all I have left! Anne is gone, my Uncle is gone! I can't lose you too."
"Sebastian..." I could hear his crying, the shaky inhaling of breath
"Please! You can't die."
"... I won't. Sebastian I won't die on you. I promise." I reached out and held my friend, his grip tightened on my hands clinging to my shirt while he shook. He cried silently while I held him tighter. I could feel my throat tighten, I couldn't die. I would not die but I had to think things over.

POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW

The rawness of Friday night had left me once Saturday rolled around, now it was time for my meeting with Nox. I had left Ada with Ominis hoping she could convince him, but I wasn't sure if she even could. He was being stubborn, but I needed to focus. I had to continue the deal with Nox. I waited for him just outside Hogsmeade at the over crowded road sign, it was almost Lunch and we were supposed to meet to begin talks. I felt an arm rest over my shoulder, the Black Leather Gloves covered his hands and his sleeves were still rolled up.
"Took you long enough." I murmured, walking with him into town.
"Sorry, I ran into some issues on the way here. Our dear classmate went to collect some Unicorn Hair for a potion project and asked me to mark his map where the den should be." So it began, this would be his alibi.
"Alright, I still don't know why he insisted on collecting it from the source."
"Me either, said something about it being more powerful the fresher it was." Nox shrugged, just smiling as we walked past the crowds of adults towards the Three Broomsticks. Once inside, Nox excused himself to get us a table on the top floor. I ordered Butterbeers for the both of us and started making my way up. How to bring this up, how does one bring up intrusive thoughts regarding sabotaging your best friend. Third floor I saw him sitting alone in a far corner, setting his books out. I walked over to him and set down his drink.
"I do need to speak with you about some things."
"Ask away, as my pupil no question will be left unanswered." He sounded so chipper, I don't know what he did to that dumbass but I was thankful he kept me in the dark.
"You've obviously practiced longer than I have... Are intrusive thoughts normal?" I asked quietly, sipping from my mug.
"Mmm, depends on what you mean by intrusive." He stated, flipping the pages open.
"Thoughts you'd never had before. Something that's unlike you that urges you to do terrible things." I relaxed back in my seat, watching him as he nodded along.
"Yes, that is quite normal. I would be worried if you didn't have those thoughts pop up. It would mean you're an awful person." He mused out to me, chuckling.
"As long as you don't give into the thoughts you'll be fine."
"What happens if I do?" I asked, brow raising. He stopped looking at his book and looked up to me, his eyes flickering with an edge.
"It would mean the magic has controlled you and you'd be a lost cause. I wouldn't waste my time with you nor would I allow you anywhere near my Sister." His voice was serious, face void of emotion as he licked his finger tip and turned the page of his book.

Sunday Evening came and the school was whispering frantically while I sat with Ada and Ominis. Ada was not successful with her attempts to convince him and she was clearly upset that he wouldn't listen to her either. I could hear our peers talking about how Benjamin Horkum hadn't been seen since yesterday morning. He'd just disappeared, though someone had seen Nox with him on the road near Hogsmeade, but it was nothing suspicious. Just talking.
I even watched as Professor Sharp escorted Nox back to the great hall and came limping over to me.
"I just need to barrow Mr. Sallow for a second." He made a motion and I nodded standing to my feet as I walked out of the hall with him.
"Mr. Marrow says you were with him all evening at the Three Broomsticks?"
"I was, writing a paper on Wandlore for my History class and he knows quite a bit about Wandlore so he offered to help me." Not a lie, I had written my paper yesterday and he had given me some information.
"What time had you both met up and can you tell me the events following up to it?"
"Around Noon, couldn't tell you the exact time but he said a housemate of ours needed directions to a Unicorn Den to get some hair. Don't know why he'd want to hunt an actual unicorn down, pretty sure you can just buy the supplies at Brood and Peck." I shrugged, "But he came at our meeting time and we were in the bar all evening then we left together and arrived at the common room together." Professor Sharp nodded, staring me down.
"You're dismissed Mr. Sallow enjoy your evening."
"Have a good evening Professor." I watched Sharp leave me in front of the great hall doors, hopefully this would be the last mention of this. Not like Hogwarts students don't go missing all of the time.

Authors' Note: Ominis being stubborn and Sebastian is digging himself deeper! More fun is promised next chapter!