POV OMINIS GAUNT
Nox and I sat in chairs, I could feel the tension in the room from the adults surrounding us. I hunched in the chair, chin resting on the palm of my hand as I listened to them argue about semantics.
I couldn't care less about winning this, I just wanted to survive and I had survived. If I was disqualified from the running I would happily get on my hands and knees and kiss their feet, but I wasn't disqualified. They were just debating on if I passed the Trial or not, Nox had interfered but if he hadn't I would have died in an unfair trial. That was what Professor Black was arguing to the other two headmasters.
"I don't care about Fame and Glory, just announce I didn't win and let's move on." I snapped out, then I felt a hand on my shoulder squeezing it.
"What he means," Nox repeated, "That he's much more worried that someone was able to sabotage him like that than whether or not he won the Trial."
"While I am aware of the accusations-"
"It's the truth!" I hissed out.
"TOWARDS your brother Obitus Gaunt, there's no proof. We had his wand checked and the last spell he had used with it was the shield he helped raise up." Black snapped back out, "You can both go." I could hear his hands smooth over his chest trying to regain some sort of composure. "We'll announce our verdict at the second trial."
I heard Nox's seat creek as he got up, his hand lifting me by my arm to drag me from the headmaster's office.
"You're a damn idiot, you don't argue with Black you agree." Nox hissed out.
"Not my fault his knickers were twisted up." I spat out, I was angry and lashing out again. This year wasn't going as planned and while I had finally accepted I'd have to compete my brother added a heavy layer of complications. He was the only one daft enough to try and pull a stunt like that.
"You're lucky my Sister likes you otherwise I'd have the freedom to smack you around until you gain some sense." Nox let go of my arm but didn't leave my side, he still walked with me. I wanted to smack him as well, even if he did save me I still didn't trust him. Once we left the main stairs I felt arms wrapped tight around me, I could feel the familiar press of Adas' body against mine. Anger seemed to flow away as my arms held her to me.
"I'm so happy you're okay." She murmured, her face pressed to my chest.
"I'm alright." I murmured to her, letting my hand stroke over her hair and back. She pulled from me, then I heard Nox protests then he went deathly silent.
"Thank you so much for interfering." Ada murmured, I listened carefully to the sound of cloth shifting.
"Anything for you." Nox murmured back to her, "Now stop hugging me and go fawn over your Basilisk tamer."
I scowled, "I didn't tame it." I sounded annoyed and I was exhausted from the entire ordeal.
"Well it looked like you tamed it from where I was at." Nox stated, I felt Adas' hand hold onto mine.
"Sebastian is waiting for us, did they let you have the cylinder?" She asked me quietly.
"Yes they did, I'm hopeful we can solve it soon."
I heard Nox sigh, "I'll leave you both to it then, I got a date with Miss. Sweeting."
"A date with Poppy?" Ada questioned, "Nox I swear if you're using her."
"Please Sister, we're using each other. It's been clarified and agreed upon. Have a good evening, don't get up to too much trouble." I felt his hand pat my back then heard his distinctive footsteps walk muffled along the carpeted hallway.
"Ready?" I asked her, her arms wrapped around mine.
"With you? Always." I couldn't help the smile now as I leaned down to kiss her and missed yet again. I think I kissed her nose. She giggled, leaning up to peck my lips.
POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW
I was finally left alone with nothing more than my thoughts. The last week had been mind opening, it had finally put into perspective my uncontrollable mood swings. When Ominis had told him he finally asked Ada and she had said yes, I had felt that surge of jealousy and rage towards my dearest friend. I had wanted to hurt him.
Those thoughts had actually helped ground me briefly enough that I regained my composure and had congratulated him. I kept a fair distance during my unstable times, I also relied on Nox through the week to guide me, we had continued our meetings. Mainly reviewing the spells from the book he had gifted me. We had met three separate times this week and the last time I had opened up to him about these issues I've been having. He had been rather nonchalant about it as he leaned back against a rock wall. He wanted me to rebuild and fix my relationship with Ada, that it didn't matter that Ominis had her because everything would be different for all three of us in the future. Whatever that meant.
I looked at the ribbon I had tied around my wrist, my sleeve rolled up now to look it over. Nox had somehow nicked it from Ada, tying it around my wrist and said to use it to ground myself. It had worked, touching the ribbon brought me back to our first trip to Hogsmeade, how soft her hair felt in my hands as I braided her hideous hair cut out of her eyes. Though looking at it only replayed every moment I had experienced with her, including when I killed Soloman.
The nightmares of murdering my Uncle haunted me every night. His bitter words the hatred when he looked at me. To top it all off when Anne had died she was part of those horrid nightmares as well. The Anne in my dreams was not the Anne who had written me that letter. She was disgusted with me, just as hateful and angry as Soloman. I could feel the beginnings of that darkness creeping over my mind. The Self Loathing, those little voices in my head reiterating every self inflicted insult.
Though it faded when my fingers rubbed at the silky ribbon on my wrist. Forgetting the pain, forgetting Solomon and the nightmares. It was just Ada; the softness of her pressed against me, how she smiled with a warmness that brightened my day. I even remembered those kisses we exchanged, the plushness of her lips; how her hands held my face. The witty banter between the two of us; Ominis just smiling listening in to our conversations.
That trauma that I had brought upon myself, faded to obscurity because of her. I would not lose her, whether she's with Ominis or I. I would stand by her, because she filled that emptiness and blocked out the darkness with her blinding warmth. I unrolled the sleeve hearing footsteps, so I could hide the ribbon from her.
"'Bought time you two." I grinned turning to face the entrance as the gate rattled open Ada and Ominis side by side.
POV ADA MARROW
"Before we delve into the first Hint." I murmured, sitting down at the table with the two boys, "I need to tell you that someone was staring at me when you announced you had been sabotaged."
Ominis eyes widened, "What?"
"A man that looked like you, I saw him from across the Pitch staring right at me."
"That would probably be Obitus then, my brother." Ominis murmured back, resting the cylinder down on the table in front of us.
"Obitus is here?" Sebastian straightened out, his hands laying flat on the table.
"Nox warned me that he'd seen him help put the shield up around the pitch." Ominis stated, leaning back in his chair.
"Well then it's obvious he was the one that sabotaged you." Sebastians' words shot out quickly.
"Yes well, they couldn't find any evidence that he was the one that did it." Ominis voice held a hint of frustration. I reached out and took his hand.
"It'll be fine." I murmured to him.
"Ada… I don't want you leaving the school grounds without someone with you." Ominis squeezed my hand. His lips formed into a thin line.
"Why?" I questioned, a bit surprised by his words.
"Obitus is unstable and unpredictable, if he was staring at you then it's not good. Just promise, you'll take someone with you if you decide to go exploring or to Hogsmeade."
"I… I promise, Ominis, I can take care of myself."
"I know you can." His hand squeezed mine tighter, "It's different then Rookwood Ada… Rookwood wanted something from you, Obitus has no such intent…"
"A Dark Wizard is still a Dark Wizard Ominis. I fought many last year, the most at once was when Rookwood took me." His head bowed down, a look of frustration overcoming his face, "I'm sorry… I promise I won't leave the grounds without someone with me." I murmured, lifting his hands to kiss his knuckles.
"If you're both done with your minor quarrel, we should focus on figuring out how to open this damn cylinder." Sebastian was looking it over, trying to twist one of the ends off or to pop it off with no success. I huffed leaning over the table to snatch it from him, looking over the cylinder. There were no seams indicating it could be opened, one of the ends had to have an opening to it. My eyes fell on a series of incredibly simplistic engravings. One glance over would only make one think it was for decoration.
"What do you see, Sweetheart?" Sebastian asked, I shot him a look.
"Ada, Sebastian."
"Right, right, sorry slipped out." Sebastian raised his hands, Ominis staring off annoyed by his slip. My eyes looked over the engraving of a Unicorn rearing up, surrounded by an arch of vines and bramble. A ray of light from what I assumed was the moon bearing down onto it.
"It's a Unicorn at its den." I murmured, "Moonlight casting down upon it." I was stumped.
"Well perhaps we need to go to a den?" Sebastian suggested, I could only shrug as I stared at it. "I don't think they'd make us go into the Forbidden Forest to unlock this." Ominis murmured, then sighed, "Let's think this over, it's getting late and we have time until the second Trial."
"Agreed." Sebastian and I simultaneously stated, we looked at each other and laughed.
POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW
I leaned against a wall speaking quietly with Ada, we were spitballing ideas on how to open the cylinder while we waited for this, whatever this was. The DADA Classroom tables were cleared leaving a wide empty space. It was a Saturday weekend and every fifth through seventh year had gotten a letter from Professor Weasley stating the days and times certain groups were to come to this classroom every weekend for an hour for the next month.
Ada and I had Saturday and Ominis had Sunday, it had been two weeks which really shouldn't have taken this long to figure out how to open that damn cylinder. Ominis said that today he was going to try and hunt down either Anastasia or Henri to see if they would help him figure it out.
The doors opened, Professor Ronan walking in floating along a parade of instruments followed by Professor Weasley watching the man with a slight smile on her face. She started a head count of us as Ronan started setting up the Instruments at the very front of the Classroom.
"Good! Wonderful Saturdays class is all accounted for. Within the next Mother Professor Ronan and I have been instructed to teach you proper ballroom etiquette and dance!" There was a bit of a clatter of instruments, Ronan had winced, having accidentally dropped a brass instrument.
"Sorry Matilda." Ronan fixed up the instrument real quick with a wave of his wand. Professor Weasley nodded to him then turned back to us.
"Now for the next month you will need a partner. So please talk amongst yourself while Professor Ronan gets the instruments ready. Then we can both show you an appropriate example." Weasley walked off leaving the group of students to talk amongst themselves, splitting up into Partners, I looked to Ada and gave her an exaggerated bow.
"Would the kind Lady like to dance?" She laughed at me, a hand covering her face as people gave us assessing looks.
"Of course Sebastian." She took my offered hand and I pulled her off with a quick twirl. Hearing her let out a small squeal of amusement. As i started poorly dancing with her infront of our peers. I gave her a quick dip down, her hands gripping the sleeve of my robes and shoulders. Her eyes crinkled and her nose bunched up as her smile widened showing off her teeth.
"Sebastian!" She cried out, "Stop!" I really didn't want to, but there was a clearing of a throat as I glanced up seeing Professor Weasley looking down at the both of us. Her arms crossed and brow raised. I lifted Ada to her feet and stepped away from her.
"I appreciate the enthusiasm Mr. Sallow but please wait for your instructions." She wasn't really mad at me, if anything the glint in her eye told me she was amused by our activities.
"Yes, so sorry Professor." I pulled my lips to a thin line, eyes glancing at an obviously embarrassed Ada. My eyes wandered to the rest of our peers seeing judging looks going Adas' way. It wasn't a secret that she was with Ominis and that he was very serious about her. I grimaced, I just wanted her to laugh and have fun. I moved with Ada to the wall, leaning in I murmured,
"Sorry, Ada. You've just been looking stressed and wanted to get a laugh out of you."
"It's fine Sebastian, I know." She smiled at me, clasping her hands in front of her. I returned my gaze to Professor Weasley and Professor Ronan. Giving a quick example on how to properly hold a ladies upper waist or rest a hand on her upper back while the other hand was to be held.
They had us one by one practice at the starting position. I had gotten a bit too close to Ada for their liking, Professor Ronan putting hand on my sternum, having me step back so there were a few more inches between Ada and I. My hand itched to go lower, to press her up against me but I couldn't not here and not in front of so many people. I don't think my reputation would be the one sullied by such an action. I kept my hand firmly resting on her Upper back, doing my very best to keep this as appropriate as possible. Professor Weasley adjusted my hand instead of it being dead center now resting a bit closer to her side.
"Upper Middle Back forces the two of you closer, keep your hand at this area of her ribcage so that you may be just about arm lengths apart." Professor Weasley moved on, Ada and I kept our position. I glanced down at her, seeing her cheeks a bit pink.
"I'm pretty sure Ominis will ask you to the ball." I murmured, low enough so the teachers wouldn't hear.
"You think?" She asked, "I hope so."
"Why wouldn't he?"
"No particular reason, it seems like an optional thing." She glanced around seeing other students lightly chatting with their partners.
"I'm very sure that Ominis won't have a choice on the matter." I murmured, "You heard Weasley, the ball is about cooperation and unity. I'm sure The Champions will be required to attend."
"Mmm, I suppose you're right."
"Exactly so there's no reason why he wouldn't ask you." I rolled my eyes, eyes fixed back on our Professors now as they continued their instructions.
POV ADA MARROW
After class Sebastian and I were going to return to the undercroft, hopefully to see Ominis but I was stopped by Nox. He was in full uniform leaning against a wall, staring out the window over the Castle Grounds, rain splattering along the glass.
"Go on without me Sebastian." I murmured to him and Sebastian glanced at Nox, nodded then left me to walk over to my brother. He looked awful, you could see the bags under his eyes hollowing out his face. His lips pale and his hair looked awfully coarse.
"Nox?" I said softly, hand reaching out to rest it on my brother's arm. He seemed to snap from his trance, eyes going to meet mine.
"Ah, I've been waiting for you. Do you mind if we talk for a bit? Somewhere private?" His voice was quiet.
"Y-yeah… Come on follow me, " I took his hand and led him off, going up the stairs to the bell tower. He followed diligently with me. Not uttering a single word until I opened the door to the top of the tower, taking him out onto the landing. Once the door shut behind us he slid down against the wall sitting on the floor. I watched him, feeling rather nervous now, that growing unease eating away at my stomach.
"Nox what's wrong?"
"I wanted… I want to talk about our parents. Just for a bit." He was staring at his hands, then straightened out, "They've been asking about you, I've reassured them that we're on speaking terms but Mother would really like to speak with you. Or at the very least allow her to send you letters." Nox murmured, I watched him. This was obviously not what he wanted to speak with me about but fine. I moved sitting down beside him, head resting back against the wall as I stared out over the pouring rain. Bricks wetting upon the pattering impact.
"I don't know Nox… I don't know if I can ever forgive them, I mean I was stuck in an orphanage that entire time. I had no prospects, I probably would have been kicked out once I was old enough."
"I know…" His voice strained out, "They didn't think you'd be there for that long…" His hand rubbed along his wrist.
"I just… Wish they kept me. Was I not good enough as a Squib? Was I a disappointment?" I could feel the tears pricking at my eyes, things I never dared share.
"No! They love just thought it would be better for you if you forgot our world and were accepted by Muggles." His eyes stared out at the stone railing, over the expanse of mountains and trees.
"But I wasn't… I was always a bit off, always daydreaming and always feeling like I was never enough; never belonged. Why couldn't they keep me? Why did I as a Squib have to be forced through that at such a young age."
Nox, look at me. A deep sadness in his eyes, deep in that deadness was pain, "Even the most accepting of Pure Bloods are embarrassed to have a Squib in their family… Our Parents may love you, but I don't think they could stand to see you being ridiculed and looked down upon by our social groups." His hands removed his glasses, the leather roughly rubbing his eyes to get rid of the tears starting up, "I mean Ada… You were meant to marry into the Gaunts. You were supposed to marry one of their sons and you didn't have any magic. It was a contracted deal… even as a Squib, you would have had to marry one of them." Nox sucked in a breath, horror overcoming his normally overconfident features. "You would have been tortured… Beaten, abused…"
Tears spilled out, blurring my vision; I leaned against Nox and held onto him tight. My brother held onto me.
"It's all fine now…" He rasped out, "You have magic, you have the ability to protect yourself." His arms tightened around my shoulders keeping in a vice grip, it felt like he was afraid I'd vanish, "but when we were children you didn't and it horrified them. What do you do when your Squib Daughter is meant to marry into the most sadistic family that despises squibs and muggles? Risk breaking the contract, face the harsh consequences of that? Continue with the deal and know your daughter would die an early death?" His hands left me briefly to run through his mess of hair. I used my sleeves to clean off my eyes, staring down at my lap.
"So… They pretended you died… Trampled by a Horse in London. The Ministry doesn't keep track of Squib births or deaths and our parents are well respected enough that everyone believes them." His head rested back against the stone, tilting up to stare at the cover protecting us from the harsh rainfall. We sat in silence as I sank in every bit of information.
"I was supposed to marry into the Gaunts?" I questioned.
"Emphasis on was. Though the irony isn't lost on the fact that you're now involved with the most hated of their children, I'm surprised they haven't disowned him yet. Considering how much he actively despises their way of life and ideals." Nox murmured, managing to have calmed himself down now.
"That's why I'm with him… He actively betters himself, he keeps his word. He's soft when he wants to be and he isn't cruel…" I murmured, I could feel my brother's eyes on me.
"I suppose that's what I'd want for you… but I can't help but feel that isn't enough…"
"What do you mean?"
"I worry his morals will hinder him from doing what he needs to do to protect you… It's asinine, considering everything you've done and how powerful you are but I want someone who will do anything, no matter the cost, to protect you; to burn the world down if it means you would live."
I couldn't help the chuckle that left me, my arm nudging his side, "You're quite the poet… Though I must admit, that's not something I want. As much as the idea of someone caring for me so deeply as to say hell with this world is tempting. I don't think I could live on knowing what that would mean for that person, the consequences they'd face…"
"You're far too kind…" My brother teased me a bit, knocking his shoulder against mine; he had the slightest of smiles on his face.
"And you're far too selfish." I smiled at him.
"It's not selfish to want someone devoted wholly to my sister, to protect her at whatever cost." He looked down to me, my head rested on his shoulder as I stared out over the expanse of clouds; watching the pouring rain dwindle down to a light sprinkle. Then watched the tiniest of sunlight peek through.
"I suppose not." I let us delve into that silence again only momentarily, "Nox?"
"Yes?"
"Can you tell our Mother that I'd like to receive letters from her? I can't promise I'll respond but…" I let the words trail off.
"Of course, I'll send her an owl…"
"Thank you."
POV OMINIS GAUNT
"This is why we're not in Ravenclaw." I heard Sebastian state, exasperated by my revelation of how to open this stupid metal tube. Henri was kind enough to tell me how to open it and it was so damn easy. It was on the container itself; we needed Moonlight. We had been so set on trying to solve it in the peace of the Undercroft, a place that would never see moonlight.
"I'm surprised Ada didn't figure it out." I murmured, "She could have been in Ravenclaw."
"She's witty and book smart but I'm afraid our dear Ada would have been stuck outside the Common Room door most nights trying to figure out the damn riddles that knocker gave her." Sebastian sighed, I heard the creek of his chair as he rocked it back on its legs.
"Unfortunately I'd have to agree." I chuckled, Ada had told me of Amits' new hobby. He'd taken to telling her riddles and reveled in her attempts to solve them. She said she'd yet to figure out a single one and Amit wouldn't tell her the answers.
The sound of the gate rattling open caused my head to turn towards the noise.
"There you are!" Sebastian exclaimed, "Was about to go looking for you."
"Sorry for making you both wait, Nox and I had an extensive… conversation." The click of her heels echoed along the walls and I heard her pull a seat out next to me, sitting down beside me. Her hand took mine under the table, thumb rubbing along the back of my hand. I smiled towards her, squeezing her hand softly.
"So any luck on figuring out how to open it?" Ada asked, I heard someone pick the cylinder up.
"Actually yes, Henri was kind enough to disclose information for me." I stated, "We need to hold the container under Moonlight."
"It was that simple? Why didn't I think of that." She groaned, dropping the container back onto the table. "So we just need to wait for nightfall?"
"Basically yes." Sebastian shifted a thump of feet being rested on the table. "It's what? A few hours before dinner? I say we eat then go out somewhere and get it over with. I'm behind on my school work." He murmured.
"I'm surprised you are, you're up all night to the early morning at your desk." I was surprised honestly, I've woken up a few times seeing his lamp light on.
"Didn't think you noticed, sorry if I woke you up." Sebastian said, voice quieting a bit.
"Oh yes your faint scratching of the quill is what woke me up, no you didn't wake me. Though I'm surprised since you're not one to be this studious."
"Yes well, my O.W.L.s weren't so great last year so i need to make up for it for next year's N.E.W.T.s. Not all of us can get Outstandings in almost every subject." His voice held a teasing lilt to it.
"Oh shut it Sebastian, I worked hard that year. There was a chance I'd get kicked out." Ada whined just a bit.
"I'm sure if I studied the amount you did Ada I would have gotten an Outstanding in potions as well." I murmured, grinning slightly, "I mean, I think you spent most of the last few months before O.W.L.s in the Library."
"Don't remind me, Scribner commented I practically lived there at the end of the year and that she'd miss my presence, she hoped I'd come back for N.E.W.T.s" The exasperation wasn't missed on her voice, her head rested on my shoulder. I leaned down resting my head on top of hers, closing my eyes.
"I rather enjoy how dedicated you can be to your studies." I sighed, relaxing in my seat, I was waiting for an answer but one didn't come.
"Ada?"
"She fell asleep, Ominis. Whatever that talk she had with her brother must have taken a lot out of her." Sebastian murmured, I could hear him getting up from his seat, "I'm going to snatch some food from the kitchens, you want anything?
"Yeah just get me a plate of whatever the Elves are serving."
"I'll be back." Sebastians footsteps echoed through the Undercroft leaving Ada and I alone at the table. I kept hold of her hand, closing my own eyes to allow her a momentary respite.
POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW
We three stood out in the center of the Viaduct courtyard, Waiting patiently for the moon to fully rise. Ominis fiddled with the glimmering metal tube, Ada had her eyes set on the sky, watching the moon slowly rise up to the highest point.
"Hold it out Ominis, there's enough moonlight now." Ada stated, my eyes flicked over to her seeing her face bathed in the moonlight. The shadows soft against her pale skin, I wanted to touch her. I shifted clasping my hands behind my back, watching Ominis hold the cylinder out. Adas' gaze focused purely on the metal, as the engravings slowly filled with a soft white light, trailing over to the lid of the cylinder. The cap slowly started to unscrew until it clattered to the floor.
"What's inside?" She questioned, Ominis stretched it out forward allowing Ada to take it carefully from his hands. She fished out a small rolled up bit of parchment, her eyes narrowing on the words attempting to read what was on it.
"What does it say?" Ominis murmured to her, his head tilting eyes downcast.
"Darkness surrounds us at every turn though we are the light gracing such shadows. Gain our hair and cross the briar boundary." Ada's words trailed off, her brows furrowing, "Well it must be talking about Unicorns but what does it mean by briar boundary?"
"Perhaps it's speaking of its Den?" Ominis murmured, crossing his arms as he contemplated the written task.
"Perhaps." She rolled the paper back up and set it back in the tube and handed the items back to Ominis. "Well we got it open, that's all that matters."
"I say we call it a win and retire for the night." I stated, stretching out my body just a bit, groaning softly. I was definitely ready to go to bed.
"Let's go." Ominis carefully reached out taking hold of Ada's hand, I noticed a bit of a newfound determination echoed to his brow.
POV OMINIS GAUNT
Ada and I walked silently down the spiral staircase towards the Hufflepuff common room. We had split off from Sebastian, mainly because I was going to ask something of her. I was worried how she'd react, but this was something I knew I couldn't do without her. I squeezed her delicate hand with mine, my free hand trailing softly along the side wall.
Once we were at the bottom of the steps I stopped us, "Ada."
"Yes? Are you alright? You look nervous."
"I… I need to ask a favor of you. I know that you're tired of being used…"
"Ominis if you need help I'll gladly give my assistance."
"Yes, I know you will but it has to do with the Chimera and the Basilisk." At the mention of those incredibly dangerous beasts she grew silent, "I need your help freeing them, I know where they're being kept."
"Those are incredibly dangerous Beasts Ominis…" Her voice was soft but I felt her other hand take mine.
"I know, but they're not being treated right… I felt scars and scales missing from the Basilisk, it was starving. They starved it to make it more volatile." I could hear a soft inhale of breath.
"We… We can't just let them go. A Basilisk would instantly kill anything that looked into its eyes. And a Chimera…"
"I know, I know but you have a knack for Beasts and I can keep the basilisk under control. If you would just let me use one of the Vivariums for the Basilisk." I felt her hands squeeze mine.
"When do we leave?" I felt that rush of relief and the swelling of my heart as I smiled.
"Tonight, they're still at their camp but I'm unsure if they'll keep them here another night."
"Let me get Poppy and my Knab Sack."
"Why Poppy?" I questioned.
"Because she'd want to see the Beasts safe as well and she'd kill me if i didn't include her. Do me a favor and go to the kitchens and ask for Deek and ask him for as much raw meat as he can possibly give you. He'll know why and won't ask questions." I nodded along.
"Be quick Ada, I'll wait for you and Poppy by the stairs."