The Gaunt Legacy - Prequel

POV Sebastian

When we apparated in the living room at school, it was very late. Everyone had gone to bed. I was still taken aback by what happened. Mostly because of how the Gaunts behave towards their son, Ominis. He had told me about them before, how he was badly treated, the things they did to him. But hearing it and seeing it are two different things. They couldn’t care less about him, they didn’t deserve him. I was enraged.
« Ominis, are you ok ? » I asked knowing the answer.
« Yeah, just a lot to take in tonight » he replied exasperated.
« I … am sorry Ominis, that you have such an unworthy family » I deplored.
He just let out a sigh.
« Would you like to talk about it ? And what happened tonight ? » I suggested kindly.
« No, I’d like to go to bed if you don’t mind. We’ve got classes tomorrow » he replied.
That reminded me that I had to catch up on my homework.
« Good night » he told.
« Good night » I repeated.

When I arrived to my room, I saw books, parchments and a note on the floor. I had a look, it was my homework and the lessons I had missed. Someone put them there for me so I could catch up. That was nice who ever it was. So I spent most of the night on it. But my mind kept drifting to tonight’s events.
Ominis said he couldn’t refuse the marriage with Destiny. But why ? I know he couldn’t tell me. And Marvolo said he had threatened him. Not that I am surprised, but I wondered what information he could hold against Ominis ? I mean my best friend’s the most kind hearted person I know. So what could he have done wrong ? I must find out more tomorrow.
I then gave up on trying to study, so I went to bed. And I dreamt about Ann, and I felt a deep hole in my heart.

The next day, I couldn’t find Ominis at breakfast. I thought it was odd. But maybe he just wasn’t hungry. So I sat with Edmund, Cassandra and Valerian.
Edmund was wearing a dark purple shirt with a black waistcoat and black trousers. He always looked smart.
Cassandra was wearing a light blue shirt, a dark blue tartan long skirt with a black belt.
And Valerian was wearing a simple yet elegant white shirt tucked in a dark long burgundy skirt with black low heel shoes. The red on her skirt brought out the colour of her light blond hair. She was stunning as always.
I sat down next to Edmund.
« Hey, long time no see » he said softly.
« We missed you » said Valerian kindly.
I just gave an appreciative smile.
« Have you seen Ominis this morning ? » I demanded.
They all shook their heads no. I was concered, I’ll say that. But I’m sure I’ll just see him in class.
«  I know he was requested by his family to attend a banquet last night » declared Cassandra.
« Yeah, I know, I was there » I admitted regretfull.
« Oh really ? So how did it go ? » inquired Valerian.
She looked worried. I wondered how much she knew about Ominis’ family. I know he didn’t like to talk about it.
« It was … informative » I confessed.
I didn’t want to say too much. I knew Ominis was in love with her. But I wasn’t sure what « stage » they were in their relationship. Besides I shouldn’t be the one to tell her that he is now engaged. I felt sorry for Ominis. I wouldn’t like to be in his shoes.

We finished our breakfast, and headed to our next class, defense against the dark arts.
When we arrived in class, I couldn’t see Ominis anywhere. But it turns out he was just late. I walked up to him.
« Hey, what happened to you this morning ? » I demanded.
« Nothing, I’m here aren’t I ? » he said a bit harshly.
Maybe he didn’t sleep well last night, due to all those frightfull events.
« Good morning dear students. This morning, we will continue studying the friendfyre curse. I want you to review the movements, then pair up with your previously chosen partner. Remember, one partner casts the curse and the other stands guard ready to cast the waterspell in order to avoid casualties » she instructed.
« M.Gaunt, M.Sallow, you will pair up and will study with me this morning » she added.
Probably because we had missed her last lessons due to Anne’s funeral.
She reviewed the movements with us, and the incantation. I tried to cast the spell first, but the flamme only lasted for 3 secconds. Damn !
The professor reassured me by saying it was a high ranked spell, so it would take some time to master it. She admitted that even a few aurors couldn’t use that spell due to it’s difficulty.
Then Ominis cast the spell. And the flamme were wildly spreading around the yard, and went straight for the target (dolly targets ).
I was blown away. How did he manage that ?
« Well, that’s most impressive M.Gaunt ! Congratulations ! » exclaimed Professor Radagor.
Our classmates were also impressed. But not Ominis. He looked indifferent, as if his mind was elsewhere. And also upset. Probably due to last night. I would be upset if I had to marry a Malfoy, especially Destiny.
I tried again, and again to cast that damn spell but still struggled.
« Hey, Ominis, how did you manage to cast that spell ? » I asked curious .
He didn’t reply. I’m not sure he was even listening. He was looking in Valerian’s direction.
He was probably wondering how to break the news to her.
« Ominis ! » I said once more, but this time more insitantly.
« What ? » he stated harshly.
« You ok ? » I demanded troubled.
« Never better » he replied sarcastically.
I could tell he was irritated.
I paused for a moment. I knew I had to talk to him, but now was not the time.
« I was asking you how did you cast the spell ? » I retorted.
« I already knew how to cast it » he replied distantly.
« Really ? When did you learn that ? » I asked amazed.
« I’ve learnt many things while you were away » he accused.
I couldn’t help but feel hurt. The tone of his voice let me indicate he was definitely annoyed. Was he angry with me ? Or was he lashing out on me because I’m the only person he could lash out on ?
I think he realised he might have been a bit hard on me. So he continued :
« It’s about the connection with your wand. It can feel in which state of mind you are. To cast this curse, you must feel determined, you must use your angst and re-direct it into your wand. But it’s not about wanting to inflict pain. It’s about wanting to protect. Thus determination. » he explained toneless.
Well, I had plenty of anger inside of me. That shouldn’t be a problem.
So I focued on painful memories, like when I killed uncle Solomon, how I hated and disgusted my self. I then thought about Anne. How unfair it was that she died so young. All that anger I had accumulated in those years. I thought deeply about these memories as I could feel rage rising in me. I redirected my anger into my wand and I cast the spell. A flamme which transormed into a blaze spread around me, and hit the target.
He was right, it worked.
« Well done M. Sallow. And M.Gaunt, that was very good advice » she stipulated.
But Ominis was still not listening. He looked unconcerned.
« Thank you professor » I declared in Ominis’ place.
« Is everything alright with M.Gaunt ? » she whispered to my ear.
« Eh ... he’s got a lot to deal with at the moment » I just said trying to find an excuse which turned out to be true.
« Umm. I see. Well, I know you will be there to help him through his … difficulties » she said gently.
I nodded in agreement.

When the lesson was over, Ominis was gone. I didn’t even see him leave. I thought I’d see him in the dinning hall, but he was nowhere to be found.
He was back for the afternoon class, late once more. And when the lesson was over, he once more disappeared. Was he avoiding me ?
And it went on for a few of days. He spoke to no one, not even to Valerian. And I noticed she looked hurt.
One night, I couldn’t take it anymore. He was acting like a child trying to avoid us in this way. I was going to confront him. But first, I had to find him. Where could he be ?
I knocked on his bedroom door, but there was no answer. I cast a spell to unlock the door, and barged in. But he wasn’t there.
I then apparated in our house in Felcroft, but wasn’t there either. Where was he ?
Which places would have a significent meaning to him ? A place where he could be alone ?
I apparated to the Marjorybanks hostpital. He did spend a lot of time there with Anne. I thought he might be there. I walked down the same narrow corridor where the windows were small. I opened what was once Anne’s bedroom door. But a man was lying in his bed, tubes coming out of his nostrils. And I felt a great void at that moment in my heart. Someone else was now in Anne’s bedroom reminding me that she wasn’t with us anymore. I could feel my heart flutter in sadness. I looked down, thinking about my sister, picturing the first time I saw her in that room. How nervous I was to see her again. But I remembered how she also forgave me for my past sins despite me not deserving it. Forgivness was a powerful thing. And Anne’s forgiveness helped me hate myself less, helped me move on. And she would want me to help Ominis now. I had to find him and find out how his family was threatening him. So I closed the door quietly and apparated back to our home in Felcroft to think.
Which places were meaningful to him ? I’ve checked Felcroft, his bedroom, the hospital, surely not Gaunt Mansion, he hates this place. So what’s left ?
Maybe I was going about this the wrong way. Maybe I should ask myself, where did he feel the happiest ?
And that’s when it hit me. Hogwarts. But not just anyplace in the school, the undercroft. We used to hide from others there, play gobstonnes together, and we even made a secret pact to stay friends forever on our first year at Hogwarts. He’s got to be there. But we can’t apparate inside the school lands, unlike Naunington School. So I’ll have to apparate near the forbidden forest and make my way through undetected. Like the good old days.
So I apparated there, and cast the desillution charm on myself. I entered Hogwarts through a secret passage, then tip toed to the witches statue. It felt strange to be back here. I hadn’t been to Hogwarts in years. I realised how much I missed the place. And I could feel regretful to have left in 5th year. I should have stayed and finished my studies along Ominis. I should have stayed by my sister’s side. But what was done was done.

I entered the undercroft, and there he was, lying on a matress on the floor. As I watched him there, I felt ashamed. He was my best friend, yet he felt the need to hide here, alone. The urge to find out what happened was growing. I had to find out what was going on inside his head.
I made myself visible again.
« Ominis ... » I said softly.
He rose up quickly, startled.
« Sebastian ? How did you find me ? » he asked stupefied.
« Because I know you, you’re my best friend, my brother. And because I had crossed out every other place on my list » he said joking.
« You shouldn’t be there » he cautionned.
« Actually, we both shouldn’t be there. But why would you say that ? » I demanded hoping to finally get some answers.
He didn’t reply. But his face looked troubled.
« Ominis, please, talk to me . I know You’ve been trying to avoid me. To avoid everyone. Even Valerian. And I’ve thought about it a lot. You’re family threatened you, they are manipulating you in order to get what they want, and what they want is for you to marry that Malfoy cockroach. But what are they holding against you Ominis ? » I begged.
He was still not answering. If he won’t talk then I had to make him talk. So I took out my wand. I could see Ominis’ face on guard.
« Are you going to cast a spell on me ? Or torture me to find out the truth ? » he said bitterly.
He was frowning. He looked so dark, resentful, determined. I had never seen Ominis like this. He actually frightened me a little.
« Of course not. I would never hurt you. You’re my brother. But I will challenge you » I determined.
« You want to duel me ? That’s probably not a good idea. I’m not as weak as I once was. You may very well lose » he said sure of himself.
« I’d like to see you try. But no. That’s not what I meant. When I’ll duel you, it will be out of commaradery, friendship, and to finally determine who’s the best between us both. But that time has not come yet. No. I will challenge you to gobstones. In Anne’s memory »
To the mention of her name, Ominis’ body relaxed, and now he looked sorrowful.
He looked down in direction of the floor, then looked back up.
« If I win, you tell me the whole truth » I requested firmly.
« And if I win ? »
« You get to decide how you want to handle your problems. I won’t interfere. But I hope you know you can confide in me, I can help you Ominis » I told compassionately.
He paused for a moment.
« Fine, in Anne’s memory » he stated.
I cast accio on the gobstone game, not remembering where it was.
And it came straight into my hands.
« I’ll let you start so the game’s fare and square » he teased.
He smiled.
« I’ll show how it’s played » he challenged.
And we played very seriously. I had every intention to win this, to much was at stake.
As we played, I knew Anne was watching us, and it eased my mind. I knew she would be on my side. And that thought gave me the strength to win !
« Sorry my friend, what can I say, I’m far too talented » I bragged.
He just smiled. But his serious face rushed back, probably remembering he now had to hold up his end of the bargan.
« Now, you are going to tell me everything » I ordered.
« You don’t understand, I’m doing this to protect you ! » he exclaimed bruttaly.
« To protect me ? From what ? » I questionned.
He didn’t answer.
« Ominis, we had a deal » I urged.
« Ok, fine » he shouted.
« I don’t know how, but … they know … what happened with your Uncle » he said fearfully.
« What ? How ? We were only 3 to know. No one else was there ! » I exclaimed staggered.
« I know. That’s what also worries me. I’ve been trying to figure out how they uncovered the truth. But I can’t come up with any explanation » he said puzzeled.
I paused. I needed a moment to think.
« So they threatened you somehow with this information ? To reveal the truth ? » I questionned.
« Yes, and one word from them and you’ll end up in Azkaban ! » he said alarmed.
They knew Ominis was kind-hearted, and would do anything for his friends. And they used that to their advantage. They are just horrendous !
I was now in a rage. How could they do this to him !
« I won’t let them manipulate you, nor hurt you, Ominis. You’ve got to stand up for yourself ! » I told insistant.
« If I do, if I refuse this marriage, then you’ll end up in Azkaban ! And I won’t let that happen either ! » he replied bothered.
I knew his family wouldn’t hesitate to report me.
I couldn’t let him ruin his life for me. He’ll never be happy with that Malfoy scum. And he will also never be happy so long as his family’s still in his life.
This is what Anne wanted. She wanted him to stand up for himself, to renounce his family. That’s why she passed on her share of the house to him.
« Ominis, don’t worry, there’s got to be a way out of this.»
« How ? » he sounded desperate.
« Well, they are blackmailing you through me. So we need information on them that is equally important to blackmail them in return. » I explained.
« What ? You want to blackmail my family ? » he said alarmed.
« I don’t see any other way » I admitted.
He said nothing for a while.
« If you don’t want to, that’s fine. I would understand. That’s not your way of doing things » I declared.
« Is there really no other way ? » he demanded.
« You’re a good person Ominis. But sometimes you’re got to fight fire with fire » I proclaimed.
I could see his face freeze to these words.
« I’ve heard that before. That’s what you said to save Anne, about the dark relic » he stated apprehensivly.
I did say that, he’s right.
«  I swore I wouldn’t use dark magic anymore, Ominis. And I won’t. We shouldn’t feel bad about blackmailing people like them. If it were Edmund for instance it would make us the bad ones, but them ? After everything they’ve done to you ?! They use you, they humiliate you and couldn’t care less about you ! Anne wanted you to be free of them, she said you had to fight for yourself, remember ? » I exclaimed.
I hope the mention of her name would convince him. I know I was right. And I know Anne would side with me.
I could see him thinking.
« You know, even if I go to Azkaban, they’ll find something else to blackmail you with. Because that’s who they are » I said determined.
« No. You’re right. I don’t think there’s any other way. I’m just sorry it had to come to this. » he told. « But I don’t know how to blackmail someone ! »
« Leave it to me. I’ll help you » I declared.
« Can you think of anything that could be useful ? Something that they would be ashamed of ? Something they wouldn’t want any other person to know ? » I questionned.
« I’m sure there’s plenty of things. Unfortunately, they plot between them, leaving me out of it. They torture muggles, they use dark magic, does that count ? » he asked.
« I’m not sure it does. I mean everyone knows your family uses dark magic, and look where they are now ? At the top of the food chain ! » I boomed.
We paused for a moment.
« Unless we catch them red-handed. What about what we heard at the banquet ? Something about an order, a prophecy ? » I told.
« Yes, and they were very secretive about it ! Father specificly asked Bing for his discretion !» he exclaimed.
« And he asked your house-elf to arrange the next meeting. Do you think he would talk to us ? » I demanded.
« I doubt it. He’s too afraid of father. And rightly so » he remarked.
« Maybe we could convince him ? »
« How ? » he asked.
« House-elves live to please their Master. It’s their ultimate purpose in life. What if we gave him a reason to please his master ? » I stated.
« Ingenious. But there isn’t much that would please him unfortunately » he confessed.
« Think Ominis, what does your father want ? »
« For me to have never been born ? » he said frankly.
« Come on, Ominis, seriously. Maybe a favour ? A person ? An object ? » I suggested.
He was now thinking.
« They might just be something. Something he has been searching for a long time » he continued.
« What ? »
« The slytherin locket. It’s a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation. My ancester, Salazar had it made. But it’s pointless, it was stolen a few years ago. Father was furious. » he mentioned.
« But I might know someone who might have intell about it. If we find it, and trade it to Bing for information, then we could invite ourselves to this order meeting. » I summerised.
« That is if we can find the locket ! » he asserted.
« Don’t worry. We will. So, what does it look like ? » I questioned.
« You’re asking me ? May I remind you that I can’t see ! » he blasted.
«  Damn. We’ll need a picture, or a full description to find it » I proclaimed.
« Well, we are at Hogwarts, and my ancestor did found this school. I’m sure we can find a description here » he said naturally.
« Are you thinking about the restricted section ? » I challenged.
« No ! I’m thinking of the library ! » he eclaimed.
« Ah, no fun. But ok. I remember there was a book about Hogwarts’ history. We may just find a picture in there » I affirmed.
He smiled.
« What ? » I demanded.
« I have graduated from Hogwarts, yet I’m back for more mischief with my best friend. How do I always get myself into these situations ? » he said.
« What can I say, we lead no boring life » I said amused.

We exited the undercroft using the desillution charm and hurried to the library.
It reminded me of the times I would sneak out at night to go to the restricted section, trying to find any information that could help Anne. It felt like another lifetime ago.
Ominis was keeping an eye out, which was quite ironic considering, while I searched for the book.
« Found it » I declared.
I opened the book and went straight to the chapter about the founders.
Godric Gryffindor’s sword … bla bla bla … Rowena Ravenclaw's diadem … Helga Hufflepuff’s cup … Ah, there we are. Salazar Slytherin locket.
« I found a picture » I said proudly.
« Great. How are we going to bring that picture back with us ? » he inquired.
« I’ll just take the book » I said undeniably.
« You can’t. It belongs here. And Mrs Scribner will notice a book’s missing » he scoffed.
« Agh, your right. Let’s just tear the page then. When we won’t need it anymore, I’ll put it back in the book » I said truthfully.
« … ok. Let’s get out of there then »
« We need to go near the forbidden forest to apparate out of there » I reminded him.
« I’ll follow your lead then » he retorted.

We then traversed Hogwarts to the forest, and apparated to the living room at Naunington.
« You still got the page ? » asked Ominis.
« Yes ».
I took it out of my back pocket and unfolded it.
« It’s actually a magnificent heirloom » I stated.
« What does it look like ? » he demanded.
« It’s a mustardy yellow locket, with a emmerald green snake on it » I described.
« My ancestor had good taste » he joked.
We both laughed.
« it’s quite late. I don’t know about you but I’m going to bed. I’ll see you tomorrow » I said yawning.
« Yeah, good night » he replied.