There once was a Prince of Castellane @teddyniffler - Tumblr Blog

In The Shadows of Friendship Forever

Ominis and Anne sent Sebastian to Azkaban for his own good. Their friend and brother had changed from the kind boy he once was, and they regretted their decision ever since. They are desperate to have Sebastian back and are willing to do anything, anything. Ominis will even become the monster he vowed he was not.

The Fall of the House of Gaunt. How did the ancient House of Gaunt, once among the wealthiest, most powerful, and most dangerous families in the wizarding world, become the desperate souls depicted in The Half-Blood Prince? How did Sebastian's life sentence to Azkaban trigger the downfall of the heirs of Slytherin

Chapter 53: Pre wedding Jitters A03

The morning dawned slowly, with Sebastian only sleeping little and waking often at any noise. It was his first and only full day with the Gaunts and as the sun light crept slowly into the bedroom, he hoped he would still be alive at the end of it. As the light became stronger, he quietly pulled on Ominis’ robes and removed the chair from the door, noticing with some relief how it had stayed in place all night long. He couldn’t help but to check the gap between the floor and door to make sure there was no telltale sign of a snake’s shadow lurking outside.

He would use at least fourteen of the vials today alone just to ensure he looked like Ominis continuously. He didn’t know how much longer his nerves could hold, but his supply of Polyjuice would last with plenty to spare. He would keep calm and Ominis on. He smiled at the very thought of what Ominis would say if he could hear Sebastian’s thoughts right now, likely a sharp lecture on not being serious enough about the circumstances he found himself in right now. But then his smile faded. His part felt so small compared to Ominis and Anne, who were heading to Gringotts tomorrow morning. He would be safe here as long as he kept his calm and remembered to drink a potion every hour. He could even just sit in this room all day and it would be passable for Ominis’ normal behaviour. His sister and best friend on the other hand were putting themselves in terrible danger. If the Gaunts were alerted by the bank that somebody was emptying their account, Anne and Ominis would likely be killed and he would have no way of knowing. His job was to just get out of this house unnoticed in the morning and go to the Burrow, to the Weasley’s where he’ll be safe and sound, away from the Gaunts. He knew waiting for his sister and best friend to send word would be a horrible, endless wait. He could see himself at the Weasley’s table, just waiting for news that would never come to say Ominis and Anne had got out safe. He forced his mind off that subject, it was not doing him any favours to think of worst case scenarios. He took out a potion vial and drank, replacing the empty one back into it’s tiny pocket as he felt his skin start to bubble again as his eye sight slowly blacked out. Yet again, there was an Ominis standing right where Sebastian Sallow stood a second ago. It was time for breakfast.

“He was doing what?” Marvolo asked quietly, bending closer to his snake. ‘Pacing his room,’ Mori answered ‘For so long. I heard him’ “Maybe he’s finally removing his toys,” Marvolo laughed. “He still has toys in there, from his childhood.” Mori’s head tilted slightly in confusion as she processed what Marvolo just said. Marvolo noticed. “That means, in your speak, he has rendered himself unbreedable by mental defects as well as physical ones.” Mori let out a breath in a hiss. ‘Body coil’ “Yes, exactly, he’s not good for anything.” Marvolo said. “He shouldn’t be continuing the family line at any rate. I can’t believe father has pushed me out of everything, and don’t tell me he hasn’t, you know just as much as me that he has. I’m not even privy to father’s plans these days. Oh sure, I am fine enough good company when he wants to let some steam out on the Muggles, but for anything important, it’s Ominis every time.” Marvolo paused, somebody was coming down the stairs and…

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Marvolo frowned. Who was making such a racket coming downstairs like a Common Welsh Green? The door to the kitchen opened and Marvolo shook his head. Of course. Ominis came into the room and again, he sat himself down in the first chair he walked into, ignoring the elf entirely who had hurried over to help him into his normal seat. He had also done that yesterday too, now that Marvolo thought of it. “Good morning.” Ominis said. “If you say so.” Marvolo said, glaring at him across the table. Ooh how Marvolo would love to hit him right now. “What would sir like for breakfast?” The elf serving breakfast asked, but Ominis didn’t answer, he looked up and around as if unsure where the voice came from. “Oh. Do you have cereal?” Ominis asked. Marvolo looked up through his dark hair at Ominis. A look of puzzlement crossed his face. “Sir?” The elf gasped. “But sir, you is not allowed to eat that, your mother, sir, she never allows it in the house. Sir, you already knows this.” “I forgot, sorry, um oats?” Ominis said quickly, fumbling his request. The elf hesitated, then bowed low. “I shall get it for you at once sir. Does sir want nutmeg and sugar added to it? Maybe Honey and Stawberries?” “Just oats please.” Marvolo was looking at Ominis in revolution. His fingers resting on his chin. “Since when did you start eating gruel? You know mother only keeps oats in the house for the milk she uses in her beauty baths.” Ominis remained silent.

Sebastian didn’t know if he had slipped up or not. Little did he know, watery porridge was what they served in the workhouses in the cities, as it was a cheap way to feed the urchins. Living off the land in a small hamlet in the Highlands meant Sebastian had no knowlage of city life. For Sebastian, oats had been a normal part of his everyday life. Alongside cereal, porridge wasn’t eaten in the Gaunt’s house. They ate eggs, meat and toast, or fruit and yoghurt with pastries all filled with delicate fillings. “I told you he wasn’t worthy to breed.” Marvolo hissed to Mori, looking at Ominis now with his arms folded for Ominis’ reaction, but nothing came. Ominis continued sitting there, looking stupid.

“I eat oats at Hogwarts.” Ominis said eventually, as if he had debated answering. What was more, he actually shrugged. Marvolo’s eyes narrowed at this unseemly conduct. “Well, you don’t attend that dump anymore, so stop eating like a pauper.” Marvolo lectured. Ominis’ bowl of gruel came and he started eating, wolfing the stuff down as if it were his favourite. Marvolo watched every mouthful that went down his brother’s stupid, chokable throat, and worse, he wasn’t checking to see if he had dribbled food down himself. In a very short time, Ominis’ front was swimming in porridge and Marvolo was close to vomiting.

Mr Gaunt entered the kitchen. “For heaven’s sake Ominis!” He shouted, ignoring how Ominis had jumped almost a foot in the air. “We’ve told you enough times to be mindful of yourself when eating.” Mr Gaunt pulled out his wand and cleaned the front of his son’s robes. “Do not do that tomorrow in front of our guests and your new bribe - what are you eating?” “It’s disgusting.” Marvolo said, watching his brother still. “It’s like a dog is eating at the table with us.” “I just fancied some oats.” Ominis said quietly. “I like how they cook it at Hogwarts, so-“

Marvolo looked up at the ceiling, so did his father. The oil lamp above them was flickering, as if caught in a high wind. “What in Merlin’s name?” Marvolo muttered. Gaunt looked up, then down to the floor at the elf waiting on the room. “Don’t wait for your orders, use your brain and fix it.” Gaunt barked at the elf. “Sorry Master!” The elf cried in fear as it rushed forward to fix the flickering oil lamp. Ominis seemed to be looking troubled, his eyes almost popping out of his head as he turned his head slightly to the side. “Stop sloughing, Ominis.” Mr Gaunt said as he sat down at the table, and at the same time, the elf looked confused down at Mr Gaunt from up near the ceiling. “Sir, there’s enough oil in here, I don’t know why its flickering.”

Ominis’ eyes at that moment went even wider. Marvolo’s golden eyes were fixed on his brother, who was growing paler by the second. What had gotten into him?

“Fix it anyway, I am getting a migraine down here.” Gaunt said. “This flickering light…” Mr Gaunt covered the top part of his head, shielding his eyes from the now flashing lights the oil lamp was giving off. Marvolo’s eyes left Ominis for a second to look up at the lamp above. It was somehow growing more violent by the second. “Yes Master!” The elf said in panic as it attempted anyway it knew to fix the flickering, flashing flame. Gaunt said down and summoned another elf to take his order for breakfast. “I would like to talk with you later Ominis, before tomorrow.” “Sure dad.” Ominis said. The room went silent except for the sounds of the yelping elf above as it kept touched the hot oil, trying to calm the flame. Marvolo’s mouth dropped open. Since when had Ominis ever used the common term of ‘Dad’? That was what Mudbloods and Blood Traitors used. Only the riffraff of society used such vulgar terms. From the moment they could speak, it had always been ‘Mother’ or ‘Father’.

“I am so tired of this childish behaviour, you’ll be attending the wedding tomorrow with visible signs of a Stinging Jinx if you carry on.” “I’m sorry.” Ominis said quickly. However, Gaunt wasn’t paying Ominis any attention, all his focus was on Marvolo. “What!” Marvolo said, his eyes leaving Ominis for a moment to look at his father. “Why are you having a go at me for?” “You’ve put a Confundus Charm on your brother, don’t insult my intelligence by pretending you haven’t. I believe it’s quite obvious with his behaviour.” At that moment, Sebastian felt a wand tap him on the head and it took all his will power not to cry out in alarm. “Finite.” Came Gaunt’s voice. Marvolo was not going to let this drop without defending himself. “I have not done anything to him.” He said, putting strain into his voice so his father would listen to him. “If he’s acting weird it’s because he is weird! Look at the state of him. I have told you he’s not fit to be the one who carries on this family’s-“ There came a sound of a loud slap. “You will not insult Ominis, Marvolo.” Gaunt said in a deadly cold voice, pointing a finger at him. “Whatever his flaws may be, they pale in comparison to yours.”

Marvolo sat there, rage boiling beneath him, threatening to spill over. How dare they treat him like this. Him, the one rare Gaunt who carried Slytherin’s looks the most, the one who would one day be Minister for Magic. He was the greatest Gaunt in this house and they treat him like filth in favour of a lesser brother. All it would take it one order to Mori and…

There was silence in the room again, just the elf’s cries as it poured more oil into the lamp that was still flickering and spluttering as if caught in a high wind. Marvolo was rubbing his check, he was glaring at Ominis from across the table, imagining murdering him slowly. Ominis had finished his gruel without any more mess, but the light above kept flashing. “That light.” Gumbled Mr Gaunt. “Have you fixed it yet?” “No sir!” The elf cried out in misery. “I cannot fixs it sir! I will try more oil Master!” However, it seemed there was already too much oil within the lamp, for when the elf poured more in, the oil overflowed onto Marvolo. In a flash of moment, Marvolo leaped up with a cry of rage and pain as hot oil landed on his hand, he grabbed the House Elf which started screaming at once.

- “No sir! Please Sir! Master help me!”- -“MASTER! Master!”-

To Sebastian, he just heard thump after thump after thump. He held his breathe, unable to see what was happening in the room

-“Help me … Master!”- -“Ma…st…er”-

Thump after thump until the elf fell silent. “Did you have to?” Mr Gaunt asked Marvolo calmly. “That’s coming out of your allowance. I told you I will not stand for you killing our servants so freely, they cost good Galleons.” “It burned my hand!” Marvolo shouted, showing his father, who looked uninterested. “So, apply a healing balm next time. Stop killing the elves I bring in.” “Just buy a new one.” Marvolo shrugged coldly. There was another slap. Sebastian sat rooted to his chair. He was feeling sick to his stomach. He knew about the Gaunt’s violent streek, but never expected this. “May I be excused?” He asked finally, there was no answer so Sebastian didn’t know what to do, so he slowly got up. He misjudged his steps and had to feel around for the door, feeling the Gaunts eyes on him.

Marvolo finished his own meal and went out into the hall outside. “Blind worm.” He muttered on his way past Ominis, who was feeling around on the railing. Ominis didn’t react at all. “Blind, blind, little worm.” Marvolo hissed at him. “Cousin is going to give you deformed, gapping mouthed little babies with extra fingers and toes who won’t even live a week.” Ominis was climbing the stairs now. He was ignoring Marvolo well as if he had been practising, but even Marvolo could see him acknowledging the hissing.

“Are you ignoring me, Ominis? Guess I just need to get your attention. How about this, I’m going to find Sebastian Sallow and when I do, what I did to Poppy is going to look like child’s play. I’m going to turn Sallow’s guts outwards and spread them across the ground to see how long they are. I’m going to crack his brain like an egg, but not before I torture him.”

Marvolo ran up the stairs so that he was in front of Ominis, blocking his way. His pathetic brother didn’t even seem to know Marvolo was there and when his hand touched Marvolo’s, he almost jumped back on the step, making Marvolo snort.

“I think I even know where to find him, you see, Phineas came here a few days before the end of term and this time I was in the room with them. He and father were talking about your wedding and his firing was brought up again. Father was jesting about it and Black, well, he mentioned it wasn’t his fault he got fired, that a certain Professor had been rather protective of you while at school, and she held testament against Black. Of course, father thinks the whole thing is funny, he doesn’t look between the lines, you know.”

Marvolo leaned closer to Ominis, who was still looking blankly. Marvolo watched in mild amusement as Ominis reached out to feel if Marvolo was still there.

“She’s replaced dear old Phineas as headmistress, which is common knowledge to me, that I knew, but I didn’t know she had protected you, that was news to me. See I know Black threw you down the stairs, I was there when father delt with him for that, but I didn't know the extent this teacher had coming to your rescue. Now, why would Matilda Weasley be interested in a Gaunt? Our families are not close, hell our father mocks Gared Weasley every chance he gets. The Weasleys have always sided with the Potters on many topics and reforms against us. No respectful Weasley will even talk to a Gaunt, and then it hit me. The reason she is interested in you, is not really you, is it?... It's who you are best friends with.”

Now Marvolo had a big smile upon his face.

“It’s Sallow, isn’t it? Shiva said Sallow was taken by a woman, and we’ve never found Sallow, have we? He’s never at the train station. He’s never at Diagon Alley or anywhere we can find him. Father has asked around all his connections and searched in most wizarding neighbourhood, but nobody knows anything. Sallow has no family, so who was this woman who took him and why would she care for him. Under what right did she have to take custody of him? We never suspected the Weasleys, they aren’t Slytherins so no link to Sallow. They aren’t related. There is no connection at all, they should be strangers, but then hearing father and Black talking the other night made it all click in my head. So I went into work the day before you arrived home and I looked up Hogwarts Teachers in the Ministry’s records and what did I find? Sallow’s parents both worked with Professor Weasley, they were friends even outside of the school… Oh yes, close enough friends that the Weasleys would give a damn about the Sallow boy. The blood traitor, Matilda Weasley, was at their funeral dear brother, I saw her photo in an old Daily Prophet issue.”

Marvolo was now so close to Ominis, his noise was almost touching his brothers. To Marvolo’s distain, Ominis’ face was frustratedly blank.

“Let’s put it all together shall we. Unknown woman in St Mungos with Sallow and his sister. Not one of father’s connections know anything, because the Weasley’s have never been in father’s service. Father wouldn't find Sallow if he'd been hidden by the Weasley's, there's so many of them, it would be quite easy to hide within a family that large. They don’t associate with the elite of wizardkind so nobody who matters would have seen him. You ran off to the Sallows, allowed them to mollycoddle you like a baby. Sallow goes to Azkaban. We get him out for you. You put on a pathetic display of power on Black to get Sallow back into school, it fails. She then testifies on your behalf over Black because she knows you and Sallow are close friends. I’m guessing... she figured out you were involved in getting Sallow out of Azkaban and she’s covering for you both at school by getting rid of Black, who knows the truth. Have I guessed right, Omi? Should I go tell father what I believe, that Sallow is with the Weasleys at this very moment? I think I should…”

Marvolo let the threat hang in the air. He knew Ominis would be trembling, sweating, the stuttering and shaking in his voice as he tried to convince Marvolo he was wrong. He was expecting a look of terror to cross Ominis' face as he comes to terms with Game Over for Sallow, but to Marvolo’s disappointment, Ominis continued to blink dumbstruck, entirely unaffected by Marvolo’s threat. A second past. Then two. Then three. Ominis just stayed still, blinking. Then… He continued to walk up the stairs. “OMINIS!” Marvolo shouted, a hiss bursting from his lips as disbelief and rage flooded him. “DON’T YOU DARE IGNORE ME.” But Ominis kept going, he reached the landing before heading back to his bedroom.

Marvolo watched him go, the look in his eyes at this moment could have petrified anybody making eye contact with him better than the snake in the Chamber. His insides twisted in cold fury. He had wanted a reaction from Ominis, any sign of fear, but his brother had acted as if he couldn’t hear Marvolo at all. Marvolo was at boiling point, he had been cast aside for this weak and sad excuse of a Gaunt, beaten by his father for the smallest things when Ominis got away with everything. Marvolo longed for the days of the past, when it was Ominis at the end of their wands, twitching and screaming in agony. When had things changed? Mori slid up the stairs behind him, but even she kept her distance from her master. ‘He smells bad.’ She hissed quietly. “You can shut up too.” Marvolo snapped, mistaking Mori’s meaning. ‘Ominis… ‘ She corrected him.

Sebastian leaned back against the doorframe, gulping down another vial. “What in Merlin’s pants was that all about?” He whispered to himself. His head spun when he tried to make sense of what had just happened to him on the stairs. Already this morning had given him a first hand experience of the Gaunts and their madness where society didn’t see them, no wonder Ominis hated them all. He had witnessed, or at least had heard, a house elf being murdered right in front of him during breakfast, then Marvolo had cornered him on the stairs, just to hiss at him and enter into his personal space while still hissing right into his face. Sebastian would have laughed if the situation hadn’t been so intense and terrifying. He had no idea what Marvolo had been hissing about, but the guy needed to work on his manners around people, his behaviour was inappropriate. Uncle Solomon would have given Sebastian a week’s long lecture if he had acted like that.

Gaunt sat in his office, mulling over a document he had drawn up weeks prior. He had kept this one letter locked away by numerous enchantments and spells. he had made two copies, one for his personal records, and one to be sent to the Ministry of Magic to be kept safe until his passing. The document was a Will and he knew if certain eyes read this, he would likely have his throat slit in the night. Shiva, forever by his side, flicked her tongue as her black eyes also read over the document. She knew what it meant for the Gaunt family, her silence on the matter was not asked, because her loyalty to the man in the chair was greater than her comradery to the other snakes in this house.

Gaunt read through it once more, he had rewritten, redrew, and replanned his wording of this document so many times, but now it was finally perfected, worded exactly how he wanted. He was finally satisfied. He placed it back into it’s protective sleeve, returned it to the drawer and locked it again. “Can you go get Ominis. I need to talk to him.” He asked Shiva, who at once left her master’s side and slithered under the door. She passed Marvolo and Mori and although her expression didn’t change, she felt little respect for them. What was coming was justified by her master, this duo had had enough chances over the years to finally act like real Gaunts. Up the skirting boards she went, reaching speeds the other snakes in his house could only dream off, even Snakey wasn’t this fast as light as he was.

She slid effortlessly as if made of silk and was soon at Ominis’ door, she entered through the gap She didn’t normally do this, but right now secrecy was needed. Master Ominis was fiddling on with his robes, she wondered for a second if he was going to do the strange thing where humans shed their outer coverings at the end of each day, only to replace them with every sunrise. Snakey on the bed shot up as if electrocuted, the younger snake startling at her presence.

‘Come. Master wishes to see you.’ She told Ominis. Ominis stopped fiddling with his clothing and rubbed his mouth with a hand. ‘You must not keep him awaiting.’ She said after a little pause. Snakey was making agitated movements, heading to Ominis who was too far out of his reach. ‘Ominis, come.’ Shiva said, wondering why Ominis was ignoring her.

As she watched, Ominis started feeling around for his bed, as if about to sit on it. Shiva rose up, standing into the air. ‘Master summoned you. You must come to him.’ ‘Coming,’ Snakey perked up. ‘Friend has blocked ears. Can’t hear.’ Ominis sat down as Snakey flew at speed up his arm. “Whoa” Sebastian cried out in alarm, feeling Snakey’s body almost flying up his arm and around his neck, tapping frantically on the back of his neck. Sebastian froze. What did this mean again? It meant walk, but why walk? What was going on. Sebastian stood up unsurely.

‘Yes, we come now.’ Snakey hissed down to Shiva, who was looking up at them with growing curiosity by the second. Snakey desperately guided Sebastian to the door, pushing this stupid and totally helpless human forward. They were both going to get killed, why had he agreed to this plan? He bucked his body against Sebastian’s back, trying to get him to walk faster as Sebastian opened the door.

“Hello?” Sebastian asked unsure if somebody was there or not.

Snakey maneuvered the fake Ominis in the direction of Shiva, who was now making her way down the passage towards the stairs. Snakey’s worst fears came true as Shiva turned off at the forbidden hallway to Master Gaunt’s room. So much for Sebastian being able to just sit in Ominis’ room. If Gaunt spoke Parceltounge to the boy he believed was Ominis, and Ominis didn’t reply, it would be the death of both of them. Shiva disappeared under the door to Mr Gaunt's office and Snakey was left to steer Sebastian, but to his horror, the boy walked right into the door. “Ough” Sebastian grumbled, feeling the door with his hand. Snakey pushed him forward and Sebastian walked right into the room.

Gaunt’s eyebrows rose as Ominis almost fell into the room. “Did you forget how to knock?” He said, reprovingly “Sorry, father!” Sebastian said, catching on fast. “My head is in a pickle.” That sounded like something a posh person would say. Gaunt looked taken aback for a second. “Okay.” He said slowly. “Well, unpickle it please. I need to talk with you about important stuff.” He took out his wand and waved it, making the door slam shut.

“Tomorrow is a big day for you, so I won’t keep you long. Let’s keep this brief and honest. Maelia has certain birth defects, not like yours, but different, for a woman. Marvolo wasn’t just jesting to be unpleasant about her and your marriage.” He paused, wondering how to explain this to his blind son. “She doesn’t have enough space, hip wise, on a normal woman, you know, that part is wider. I was frankly amazed your aunt even agreed to her marrying you, but not because of your eyes, it’s because of her. It’s a big risk to her.” Sebastian sat there, a new horror over taking him as unwanted images flashed in his mind. Poor Ominis had to listen to this normally? No wonder he wanted to flee. Sebastian could almost imagine his checks turning bright red.

Gaunt had noticed the look on Ominis’ face, but he had misread Sebastian’s mortification for confusion.

“What it means for you both, is she may not be able to have children, Ominis. She could even die in childbirth.” Gaunt said, sitting back in his chair. “Your mother hates any talk of this subject, because it’s her own sister’s daughter, but your cousin may not be able to give you children, her body just isn’t up to it, any children she may have could be deformed due to lack of room. I’m talking about twisted legs, crushed skulls that result in the death of the child before it’s born. There’s simply no room at all for children. Therefore, if she can’t give a heir within two years, I’d advise you to seek another partner who can, one you can visit discreetly without the wider wizarding world knowing, because then they will all want to marry into this family for the Parseltounge, and you know we can’t allow that. You and Maelia can raise the child as if it were a product of your marriage, your mother also need not know if you wish. I have a few families in mind who will agree to keep this a secret for the correct price, the Blacks among them. It is more vital than ever that you have children, we’ve spoken about this before, but this is the reason why.” They came the sound of a door opening in the desk.

Sebastian couldn’t believe he was having this chat with the head of the Gaunt family. Have children outside of marriage to another woman and pay for their silence? These sorts of things just did not happen in normal society and Sebastian could feel himself growing hotter with embarrassment. It was shocking to hear such affluent people talking in this way, he expected better. Maybe he had just been a little too sheltered, but he doubted it.

Gaunt reached down and took out the document he had been obsessing over. “Read this now.” Sebastian felt something that felt like paper being placed in his hand. He reached into his robes and pulled out Ominis’ wand, he had seen his best friend do this many times, he held the wand to the paper. Nothing happened. He waited for the wand to read to him Still nothing happened. “Today will do.” Mr Gaunt said, slightly at odds as to why Ominis wasn’t reading. “Oh erm, yes, I-“ Ominis fumbled, tapping the paper with the wand. Still nothing happened. Did Ominis use a spell to read, how exactly did this work. “Pass it back, I’ll read it for you.” Gaunt said, putting this down to Ominis’ stresses for tomorrow getting the better of him.

The Last Will and Testerment of Master Gaunt. Revisited Edition It is my wish that all conditions of my current Will are upheld upon my death, these include: All artifacts and inheritance of the House of Gaunt be passed to my youngest son, Ominis Gaunt upon the passing of myself/ or both myself and my wife, whichever is first. The Conditions that Ominis receives his inheritance shall happen despite any objections from my wife: Ominis is placed higher in terms of authority than my wife.

“That’s so she can’t block you taking over as the head of the family should anything happen to me, or Marvolo worming his way in through her.” Gaunt explained to a very dumbstruck Sebastian.

My eldest son, Marvolo is hereby and forever unnamed and my wishes for his renouncement in the Will and in the line of inheritance shall be recorded.

Did that mean what Sebastian thought it meant? “And this is why I asked you to come down here, by sending Shiva and not an elf.” Gaunt told what he believed to be Ominis. “You’re disinheriting Marvolo?” Sebastian asked. “More than that.” Gaunt said with a smile Sebastian couldn’t see. He carried on reading.

My eldest son Marvolo is to be prohibited and restricted from using the surname Gaunt, this rule also applies to any blood children/grandchildren he may sire and continued down the line to time infinite. It is my expressed wish that Marvolo is made Persona Non Grata from the earliest possible time after the marriage of my youngest son, Ominis Gaunt to his wife to be, Maelia Gaunt, via means of Damnatio Memoriae

Sebastian’s mouth dropped open, he couldn’t believe it. “You’re removing him entirely from your family. It will be like he never existed.” Sebastian gasped in shock. He had been so wrong about the Gaunts, they hated Marvolo just as much as he and Ominis did it seemed. “My, you’ve been studying your latin, I thought you hated Latin?” Gaunt asked, a strange note in his voice. “Oh. I- I read a book in the library at school.” Sebastian said, covering as best as he could. It was a good thing that Gaunt was so amused at Ominis‘ new appreciation of Latin, because Sebastian’s use of ‘Your family’ went right over his head. The two humans didn’t notice, but Snakey did. He wanted to bite this stupid boy right here and now for his careless slip. Sebastian’s remark also was not missed by Shiva. She flickered her tongue into the air. ‘Smells funny’ she hissed. Gaunt, still looking at this son in an approving manner, ignored her.

“You are correct, Ominis. I am removing Marvolo from the family. We have spoken about this before, but he… he is why I believe our ways of marrying our cousins needs to end before bad things happen. Your aunt was the first to bring it up. Noctua’s first act of defiance was telling your grandfather that she would marry a pure blood, but his name would not be Gaunt. I remember their faces still, they were horrified at the idea of her marrying outside the family. Noctua told me the reason our family has these – moments – is due to our marrying our cousins, you may have noticed it yourself. You are normal one moment, happy even, then you have rage, or aggression, and then it’s gone again. Marvolo is pure aggression, all the time. I must admit myself, I’ve had moments where muggle baiting has gone too far, much further than I’ve ever wanted to take things. It’s like blacking out and waking up to find yourself covered in too much blood.”

Gaunt paused, as if recalling his last outing over Easter.

“That is also why I say find a woman who can give you more balanced children. Marvolo brings shame to the family. He is a liability. If he were to ever become a parent, I worry what it will mean to our family, what our legacy may be, so I am disowning him and removing any memory of him. It will be as if Marvolo Gaunt never existed…” Sebastian sat taking all of this in and made mental notes of everything being said just incase Ominis wanted to know. He was not a gossiper and didn’t want to lower himself to the standard of Leander and the muffin wallopers, but sitting here, getting front row seats to the Gaunt’s inner dysfunctional workings was something he didn’t know he was going to get during his stay here, it was certainly proving as interesting as terrifying being among them. “Anyway, that is what I wanted to talk to you about, so you know.” Gaunt finished, bringing Sebastian back from his thoughts. “After your wedding, we may have some family drama, but don’t worry about it. Focus on getting to know your cousin as your wife, leave Marvolo to me to deal with. If he makes things difficult, well…” And here, Gaunt give a cold laugh “…As I said, it’ll be like he doesnt exist, so we could make that happen for real. Nobody outside our family knows half of what goes on here, we can easy hide what’s left.”

Mr Gaunt was casually talking about murdering his own son as though it was an amusing joke. Sebastian giggled a little, not sure how Ominis would react in this circumstance and as he did, his stomach give a nasty turn as he realised, no, Ominis wouldn’t laugh. Shiva’s eyes couldn’t narrow, but if they could have in that moment, they would be narrowed in an emotion she could only describe as mistrust. It wasn’t the first time she suspected Ominis, she remember how she could sense him over the winter period in her Master’s room, and caught him in the act of hanging around outside Master’s door.

What was odd about him this time? Last time he had been somewhere he shouldn’t be. Now? smells funny. Acting not like Ominis.

Mr Gaunt shifted Shiva over slightly as he placed his arms on the desk in front of him. His attention was entirely on the document in front of him, carefully returning it back into it’s protective sleeve, so he didn’t see what came next. But Shiva did. ‘Smells…funny’ Shiva hissed, leaning forward, her eyes on Ominis. A snake like her could only see very limited colours, to her, Ominis always had light coloured hair, but now it seemed to be going dark from the roots, almost growing down his fair strands. Shiva had no idea what she was seeing, but she started rumbling. A warning.

Sebastian blinked. Was it his imagination, or could he actually see the room slowly coming into view? His stomach was still feeling like it was rumbling from within. He knew what it meant at once. He leaped to his feet. “I need to go now. I-I-bathroom needed.” He was already running out of the room before Mr Gaunt could dismiss him properly or even look up. “Try to enjoy your last night of freedom, Ominis.” He called lightly, still absorbed entirely on the document, laughing as the door closed with a snap. ‘Smells…Funny…Hair…Funny’ Shiva said to Gaunt. “You’re just smelling stress.” Gaunt said, dismissing his snake. “A normal, human smell, and his hair needs washing anyway for tomorrow. Now stop saying my boy smells funny. He can hear you, you know. So, when you don’t eat because something has upset you, and you go an entire month without food? That’s what he feels when you say he smells.” Shiva flicked her tongue.

She hated it when Master didn’t fully listen to her. In truth, she didn’t trust any of them in this house other than her master. Marvolo posed a deadly threat, Mori too. The life partner of her master was cold and distant and her snake, Greer, more distant then any of them, having lived far longer and having other masters in the past. Finally, Ominis. The one who runs away. He smelt odd. She knew how the Silver Eyed One normally smelt, fear was different from stress and that boy always smelt scared, but he smelt like Ominis Gaunt, no matter his emotional state. Currently, Ominis smelt entirely different to how he normally does. There was no trace of the normal smell around him. Even when her master washes in water, or sprays himself with musks, she could smell him still, same old master. So why did Ominis smell – Not so Ominis? She flickered her tongue and let loose a hiss, as if letting off steaming. Master Ominis also hadn't respond to her, he didn’t even acknowledge her being in his room, yet she had made her presence known to him. Her little, tiny brain ticked over what this meant, but she couldn’t quite sum up her thoughts. Her mind was on her next meal and her latest territory disrupts with Mori. There simply wasn’t enough room for deeper thoughts right now. There was something about Ominis. She knew it, but she couldn’t explain it.

Outside the room, Sebastian was already pulling out a vial from his pocket. The hour had passed so quickly, he had not noticed time passing while being treat to the Gaunt’s drama. He gulped it down and felt his blindness returned and the brown hair on his head slowly straightening and turning blonde again as his cover resumed. That had been too close, his heart was pounding with how quick he had came to danger. He would take another one before dinner that night, he needed to find a way to drink them in front of the family without raising any suspicion. However, he was safe, Gaunt hadn’t noticed anything. Polyjuice Potion takes a few moments to wear off and he had left the room quick enough, his cover had not been blown. His relief was so great and right at that moment he was high on adrenaline to notice anything. Not even something he should have noticed. He had missed something rather important.

The elf normally guarding Mr Gaunt’s room to alert him to Marvolo’s presence in this area was standing to the left of the door, hidden by a large verse. It was always watching down the hall, hidden from view and while Sebastian’s back was facing it, some of his brown hair had started slipping through the blonde. The elf had seen. It’s eyes were wide, a small hand covering it’s mouth. It didn't understand what it had just seen, didnt know why Master Ominis' hair had just altered in colour. It was holding it's breath and glancing at Ominis as he walked away, and too the door. Should it knock and tell Mr Gaunt what it had just seen? It didn't want to die if it was something trivial, it was only meant to alert Gaunt to Marvolo. For now, it wouldn't do anything. It hoped it was doing the correct thing.

As Sebastian made his way back to Ominis’ room, and Shiva sat trying to bridge two thought processes together about Ominis, Master Gaunt yet again returned to the document. He had only handed Ominis the top form, but hiding underneath the Will was a letter. It was not addressed to anybody, for Gaunt knew it would be a nameless witch or wizard in charge of wills at the Ministry who would be reading it. He only cared that the message was sent.

A letter is to be sent to the head of the Potter family, addressed to either Henry, his son Fleamount, or whichever Potter is currently the head, to inform them my son, Ominis Gaunt has taken possession of Cadmus Peverell’s ring and will be passing it down through his bloodline. It is a shared interest to both family Gaunt and Potter. It is vital they know who has the ring, although this wish seems such a small and irrelevant statement, it carries a significant weight of importance. Please see to this wish as a matter of urgency. - Gaunt.

A curtesy call, hopefully not to be sent for many, many years from now. The Potters, as Gaunt knew, also had a similar letter tucked away in their house. As both guardians of the Hallows, they did keep the other informed should something happen to the Deathly Hallows, including changes in whoever had possession of their respected item, or, in the worse case, if they were stolen. Gaunt didn’t like the Potters, refused to acknowledge them as blood relatives, but he follows the tradition of generations and knew Ominis would too. Then, under this letter, was yet another letter. This one was addressed.

Carrow. Remember the other month when we shared an afternoon in Harrogate, because a certain somebody was causing trouble for myself in York, as per usual, and you spoke carelessly, without thought and tried to tell me you were simply jesting? What you spoke of that day disturbed me most dearly and hurtfully, for I believed we always saw eye to eye in the great scheme of things. Instead, I am to find you fantasising plots against one of my own children?

A child of the House of Gaunt is to be nourished and protected, pray they can grow to be respectful members who carry the blood of Salazar Slytherin. I know you agree with me on this matter. Having assessed the situation and mulled things over, I see some part of your logic. As you are fully aware, my home is guarded by a very ancient anaconda that possesses extremely valuable security magic, and as you are also aware, my youngest son Ominis has married and taken the first steps towards stepping up as head of the Gaunt family to follow after me. Marvolo has not.

Upon receiving this owl, I will be moving Greer into my drawing room for a night. I do enjoy visitors after hours, if you were to honour me with a visit? Sadly I may have retreated to my personal chambers so your reception to my home may go amiss. My darling son sleeps on the first floor, up the stairs and to the left. Be sure not to wake Ominis who sleeps directly above, his ears are very sharp and he is a curious boy who will surely come investigate if he hears anything. Keep my darling child in a safe, but not too comfortable location. I shall decide what to do with him later. - Gaunt.

Mr Gaunt looked over the letter. If the time ever came when Marvolo posed a threat to Ominis, then this letter would be sent without hesitation. There was only one child of the Gaunts who mattered, and the insane one was not him. Gaunt put the first two letters together, those would go to the Ministry, the other one he put underneath, then he sealed them back into the draw where they would be safe from a certain golden eyed young man.

Before dinner, Sebastian was back again up in Ominis’ room, in less than twelve hours and he could make his casual escape. As the smells of dinner slowly crept into the house, Sebastian lay down on Ominis’ bed. He rubbed his eyes, sure he could rub the vision back into working. It made him feel very vulnerable being without seeing eyes in this house and he found himself woundering if this was why Ominis was so hightly wound up at times. Being on this level of awareness and anxiety could not be good for him. Over 200 miles away, another Ominis was rubbing his eyes too. Since leaving Hogwarts through Professor Weasley’s fireplace, Ominis and Anne had tried to take their mind off Sebastian, for the second they thought of him, horrible images appeared in their mind; Sebastian being skinned alive by Marvolo. His father’s wand waving as he fired a killing curse at Sebastian. They tried to play exploding snap, gobstones, anything to take their mind off the waiting. They were helpless to act, and knew they had to wait and hope Sebastian was still safe.

On the night before their trip to Gringotts, Ominis brought out the Gaunt Vault key. “So this is the key to my family’s vault…” He said in a very quiet voice. “And these are our keys.” Anne spoke, placing two keys on the table by the Gaunt key. Ominis heard the sound of them scraping on the table. “We take the money from my families’ accounts, and transfer it to Solomon’s accounts. When it’s in there, we then move it into your mother and father’s account.” Ominis said, picking up Solomon Sallow’s key. It felt so weird to be holding the dead man’s bank key in his hand. “Yes” Anne confirmed, “But only if it’s safe to do so. I shall have my parent’s key and if nothing happens, I will quickly move the money to their account. That way there won’t be any trace, not that they should be if it’s in Solomon’s account, but best be safe.” “Then we get out of there.” Ominis said softly. “Back here and Sebastian will be at the Weasley’s. Nobody will know we did anything.”

Some part of him felt almost sorry that he would never see his father again, he was the only Gaunt who treat Ominis as human. Marvolo was scary and his mother hated him, but Ominis pushed those feelings away. His father had done plenty of bad things to him, Ominis remembered how his father was the one who started the torture on him the day he refused to hurt those muggles. He remembered every threat his father had ever given him, no, the only father figure Ominis had ever knew had been Solomon Sallow. “Shall I make us another cup of tea?” Ominis said a few minutes into the dead silence. “Yes please.” Anne said, although she had not drunk the last cup yet, she had just been gazing down into it. It was 8pm, back at home, Sebastian would be heading down for dinner by now, looking just like Ominis. Here, Ominis was planning on going to bed.

They had a very big day tomorrow.

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