The Champion (Broken Promises)
Chapter 19/? - 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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You entered the Great Hall multiple steps behind the two boys, holding your head low. Your entrance caused the entire room to grow louder, amplifying the whispers from the Hogwarts tables but also from your guests. It seemed that word had finally spread to the other schools. You lowered your head even further, unwilling to meet anybody’s gaze and have to crash their expectations. Regardless of how badly you felt compelled to, you would not put your name in the goblet. It felt almost compulsive to help, to fall on the sword for your school the way you had done so many times before. It had never felt like a sacrifice before, almost as if pursuing the glory and awe of all other students had been an honour. It had felt so natural and fun, at least until you had to fight with Ranrok… until you had lost Fig. You didn’t want any glory anymore, any adventure. You wanted to allow the eyes of the school to focus on somebody else, not to be constantly reminded of what you had lost and what you had done.
You sat next to Sebastian and across from Ominis, which seemed to deflate him further. Your eyes were on your plate; the Halloween feast always more amazing than almost every other meal at Hogwarts. The smell and sight, however, did very little to calm you, feeling overwhelmed by Sebastian’s statement, Drogomir’s confrontation, and the overall feeling of foreboding that seemed to fill the room.
You felt on the edge, ready to snap, when Sebastian’s hand reached for yours under the table, grabbing it on your lap and squeezing it, giving you a soft smile. “Are you okay?” He asked, his eyes as soft as ever. You nodded unconvincingly, squeezed his hand back and felt your chest relax. He leaned in and whispered in your ear, “I think a Hufflepuff will throw their hat in the ring. Maybe even Duncan will try his luck.”
You snorted out a laugh, finally breathing. “Yes, Duncan will be selected, and then he will come running to me, asking me to solve his tasks.” You glanced at Ominis, but he was not smiling. His whole attention was on his food; his spine was perfectly straight as he chewed slowly. He looked like a royal, a statute. He looked like a Gaunt.
The room grew suddenly quiet, and your eyes shot to the door. Drogomir was making a slow entrance. You felt whatever was left of your smile fall, hardening your expression as he looked your way, offering you a venomous smile before nodding towards the goblet.
You didn’t even blink, letting go of Sebastian’s hold and fisting your hands, trying to contain the tickling magic that threatened to leave you. Drogomir sat down by his mates and immediately dove into the food. The room regained its noise, yet you felt the eyes back on you. People had noticed the way he had looked at you. It was a challenge, and you looked like a coward for not taking it. You bit down your jaw and exhaled. You had nothing to prove to these people. You had nothing to prove to anyone.
“Don’t look at them. They just want to see someone break you. They seek the novelty of seeing you lose,” Ominis finally spoke up, and you swallowed harshly. He was right. They didn’t want you to protect them. They wanted to see you lose.
You tried to stand up and leave, unwilling to see their disappointed faces fall when your name was not called. You wanted to be alone, away from all this circus, but Black stepped in right then, immediately quieting all students and commanding them to return to their seats. “It is time,” he shouted, magnifying his words with his wand. You sat back hesitantly, sighing as you glanced around the Hogwarts tables, looking at which students seemed to sit up slightly straighter. You had put no thought into who would put their name in the goblet of fire. You had been so worried trying to avoid either Imelda or Sebastian putting their name that you had not even asked around. Your eyes suddenly searched for Poppy, wondering if she would put her name in hopes of boycotting the game from inside, but she seemed to have skipped the ceremony, missing from the table. Then Nat came to mind, and your stomach turned. She was a Gryffindor, so eager and brave. She wouldn’t have allowed Drogomir’s propaganda to affect her decision to participate. Her eyes were laser-focused on Black as he walked towards the podium, and you suddenly regretted not talking to her about it.
Garreth was next in your line of sight. He was relaxed, talking to a smaller red-headed boy who sat across from him. He would not be stupid enough to put his name in. Please don’t be stupid enough for that.
Black reached the podium, and everyone went quiet. The flames of the goblet started to flicker higher, almost as if it knew it was time. The entire room seemed to hold its breath, including you. The flame flicked red and spat out a small piece of paper, “Beauxbatons,” Black spoke, and you felt immediately nauseous, “Sylvain Stoef.” A skinny, blonde, elegant boy stood as a mass of French cheers filled the room. The rest of the schools joined the clapping, but your eyes moved to Drogomir, who was already looking at you.
“He doesn’t have a chance,” Sebastian snickered to your ear, but you didn’t acknowledge him.
Black shushed the students and turned back to the goblet, where a new wave of red flames was forming. Another paper was spat out as you reached for Sebastian’s hand, holding it tightly between yours. He smiled at the gesture. “Durmstrang,” Black spoke, a small smirk morphing his features, “Drogomir Tsvetkov.” The entire Bulgarian school stood up, cheering and hitting the table with their fists. Nobody else seemed to cheer.
Black turned one final time. Your heartbeat filled your ears as you felt a sudden wave of regret overwhelm you. You had left them to fight somebody they couldn’t defeat. Somebody who obviously had further intentions than winning the tournament. They had all counted on you, and you hadn’t even tried to put your name. You felt a sudden need to leap forward, tell Black that there was a name missing from the goblet, to allow you to put it before the Hogwarts name was picked, but you knew it was too late.
You didn’t dare to look around, knowing well where everyone’s eyes were. You closed yours and tried to breathe, allowing Sebastian’s hand to ground you. You would help whoever got picked. You would give them all the advice they needed. You would train them for combat. You would-
“Hogwarts,” Black spoke as he reached for the last piece of paper that the goblet spat out. He seemed to hesitate for a second, and you inhaled, hoping it was somebody you had never spoken to, somebody who had never even crossed your path. Sebastian squeezed your hand a bit more before leaning to your side, “You have done enough for all of them. You didn’t need to do this, too.”
Black cleared his throat, silencing the whispers and then spoke.
"Cecilia-" he didn't even get to finish your name that the crowd cheered around you.
You were not sure what happened next. Everyone stood up, cheering, but you didn’t. Sebastian’s hand was no longer in between yours. You glanced in Ominis’ direction and only met his back as he walked out of the Great Hall. You were sure everyone was screaming and talking to you, but all you could hear was static. Somebody shook you, smiling. It was Garreth. You tried to understand what he was saying but instead felt like your head was full of nothing.
Somebody pushed you up and guided you to the front by the other champions. Champions? I guess you were one, too, now. But your name? You hadn’t put your name. You turned to Black to tell him, parting your lips, but he gave you his back, talking to Drogomir. Your eyes scanned the room. Ominis, he was gone. Sebastian, it took you a second to find him hidden behind the cheering students, still sitting down, his face between his hands.
Black patted Drogomir on the shoulder, and they both laughed, then he finally turned to you.
“Professor, I-I did not put my name in the goblet,” you spoke, feeling your lips move.
He gave you a disgusted expression before rolling his eyes, “We both know you cannot help yourself, Cecilia. You always have to be the centre of attention.”
…
POV Sebastian earlier that day
After having breakfast with Cece, I walked to the Great Hall. I had no intention to put my name in, not after what I had told her. I just wanted to see, see who would be trying their luck. I entered the room and stood in a corner, leaning against it and watching as multiple small groups of students cheered their friends on as names were put in the goblet. The flames burned higher as the names touched them. The overall humour of the room seemed to be jolly. Nobody was thinking of the tournament as anything more than a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
I was about to leave when a door opened from my corner. I was thankfully close enough to a column that I was not visible to the people entering, allowing me to catch their conversation.
“Nothing. I have found nothing,” an annoyed, unfamiliar voice spoke with a slight Bulgarian accent. “I have turned the castle upside down. There is no hidden room, entrance, or whatever you expect me to find.”
“You are not looking well enough. She used a magical room to get to the power source. You need to find it,” another Bulgarian voice spoke.
“Relax, we have this stupid tournament anyway—all the time in the world.”
“But it is here?” The other voice asked, and a thud followed it, almost as if a body had been smashed against a wall. I held my breath, pushing myself further against the wall.
“Don’t you believe me? Do you think I would have worked with a filthy goblin if this was not true? Do you think I have time to waste?” The voice whispered in an even lower, more threatening tone.
“Go now-” the other voice replied, almost as if it was being choked, and then a gasp for air followed.
I moved as I heard footsteps approaching, trying to see the figure without being seen. Drogomir, I thought immediately, swallowing loudly. I tried to step back into the room to see better and immediately met Professor Weasley’s gaze, which looked at the Bulgarian with the same worried look I was displaying. The worried look on her face deepened as the man turned in her direction, her jaw tightening and her face losing all colour. I tried to catch a glimpdr of him but didn’t have to make much effort as he turned to me, flashing his red eye in my direction.
My body turned immediately, ready to walk out of the Great Hall, when I saw Imelda turn, catching a glimpse of her pale expression as she left running. I prepared to follow her to explain to her what we needed to do, but as I walked to the door, Professor Weasley grabbed my arm.
“Where is Cecilia?” She asked, looking at me severely.
“I don’t know,” I tried to lie as best as I could, knowing that if anyone would catch me, it would be the woman in front of me.
“Sebastian, this is important,” she tried to soften her look, letting go of my arm.
I knew what she wanted. I knew what she would ask of my Cecilia, and I wouldn’t let it happen. I couldn’t. I narrowed my gaze and then spoke again, never moving my eyes away from hers, “She went to Hogsmeade. She wanted to get the latest upgrade on her broom. She won’t be back before supper.”
The professor narrowed her gaze, too, measuring my answer, trying to find a reason not to believe me. She did not have one. She had no idea I knew. She had no idea I could read exactly what she was planning in her face, and I wouldn’t allow it.
“I have to go, professor,” I added, looking towards the door, “you must be so proud that Garreth is planning on participating,” I nodded towards the goblet and watched her eyebrows drop.
I walked away calmly, hoping she would check on Garreth first, giving me enough time to catch up to Imelda.
I didn’t make it on time. Imelda had already talked to her. So I thought on my feet. I had to make this look like something that did not involve her. Something solely related to the tournament.
I went to speak to Ominis next. He would understand. He would make sure she would not put her name in.
…
POV MC
The three of you were taken into a room and spoken to. At least, that is as far as you remember. You left as soon as they allowed you to, ignoring all of Drogomir’s comments and the friendly words Sylvain had offered. Just as you stepped out of the room, an invisible arm pulled you under a cloak. Suddenly, You were face-to-face with Ominis, barely a breath away from each other. You felt your lips part, and your eyes soften, the memory of your kiss with the boy flashing before you.
“Wh-” you tried to speak, but his hand shot to your mouth, running by your elbow to guide himself. Once he was sure you were not trying to speak anymore, he let go, reaching for your hand, intertwining his fingers with yours and frowning before he led you down the hallway to the undercroft.
The door of the undercroft closed, and the two of you finally came out of the cloak. Your gaze immediately met Sebastian, who was standing there with a worried expression on his face. You parted your lips to ask them what was going on, but Sebastian’s voice echoed through the room before you could even speak.
“HOW COULD YOU BE SO STUPID?” He shouted your way. You stepped back in shock, confused by his anger.
You turned to Ominis, looking for some support. “Om-“
“You promised, Cecilia. I was so sure you were done with this after everything that had happened in fifth year,” Ominis spoke, full of disappointment.
“You both think I lied?” You shouted, upset. You had looked forward to seeing them, the only two people who would understand you.
“Well, as far as I understand, you are the Hogwarts champion. Your name flew out of that goblet, so please explain this to me,” Sebastian replied, trying to control his tone.
“I don’t know, Seb. I didn’t put it in there,” you spoke with desperation. Both boys seemed to take a step back from their anger, considering your words. This was not an option that they had considered.
“Who then?” Ominis joined the conversation with a softer tone, knowing well nothing good would come out of more shouting or scepticism.
“Drogomir,” you replied immediately, sure it had been him.
“That makes no sense,” Sebastian shook his head, sceptical, “they are looking for the ancient magic repository. They are using the tournament as an excuse to be here. Keeping you away from it would be good for them. They would not have you snooping in their business.”
“But it also makes her an easier target,” Ominis rebutted, “they could get rid of her and make it look like an accident much more easily than if she was not participating.”
“Wait, wait. What did you just say about the repository?” You stepped closer to Sebastian, feeling betrayed that he had not shared this information with you before.
“I am sorry. I did not want to tell you. You have done enough for them,” Sebastian’s tone softened even more as he lowered his head, knowing you would not take this well.
“How c-” you raised your tone, throwing your arms in the air.
“Cecilia, he is right.” Ominis tried to placate your anger.
“I am the keeper of the repository! If it is in danger, it is my responsibility!” You shouted at both of them, nauseous. If anybody found it, everything would have been for nothing. Fig would have died for nothing. You felt a wave of panic overtake you, your eyes shooting to the door.
“You were 15 when you made that promise. You should not have been put in the position to have to do any of those things in the first place,” Ominis rebutted.
“I didn’t have the luxury of a choice.” Your voice broke as the words left your lips, your vision blurring slightly. The panic grew in your chest. You needed to find Professor Weasley. No. That would endanger her. You couldn't bare the thought of her getting hurt. The common room. You inhaled harshly. Your absence would raise suspicion. People would soon start wondering where you were and asking questions. You needed to go now. “I need to go. If the repository is in danger, there is no time for me to waste.”
“They don’t know where it is, Cece,” Sebastian stepped forward, holding your hand, a worried look on his face as he knew exactly what was going through your mind, “going there will just increase the risk of them finding it.”
You reflected on his words and then pulled away from his grip, “We should go back to the Common Room. They are waiting for me.” You didn’t wait to see if either boy followed you, walking out of the dark room.
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Liv's note
Just got out of a 12-hour work day, my brain is mush and I am not even sure I like this chapter. I wanted to make it longer, for more things to happen but I had no time. I am so sorry. I hope you enjoyed it anyway and it gave you something to look forward to. As always I hope to read your thoughts in the comments.
All the love in the world <3 pls help me with a reblog ❤️
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