Between The Shadows | Ominis Gaunt x Sebastian Sallow x Reader

Chapter 1: From the Shadows

Spoilers for Sebastian Sallow's questline right from the beginning. 

Reader POV.

Ominis and I were standing in front of the desk in Professor Sharp's office. He leaned forward to hand over our new schedules. "All subjects in order to become Aurors, is that right?"

"Yes, professor, that's the plan." I replied.

"Well, continue your hard work as you did in the previous two years and you can count with my recommendation at the ministry."

"Thank you, professor." we said simultaneously. I noticed that Ominis was smiling. His family name would open any door even without recommendations, which was exactly why he was so proud of his academic achievements. He didn't want to rely on his family.

There was a small pause as Sharp gave us a concerned stare. "I would usually add some warning about this path being extremely dangerous but I think of all the students here, you are well aware."

I nodded, I didn't really have anything to say and Ominis was also silent. We both kept wondering why we were here. Sharp could give us the schedules in the great hall tomorrow morning but instead he called us to his office right after the sorting ceremony. Are we in trouble? If it was because of the saved kneazle from the poacher camp last year, I'd expect Poppy to be here too. I must have looked worried because Sharp immediately added:

"I did not call you here because you are in trouble but I admit that is a first. This year only two Slytherin students are continuing in advanced potions, those two being you. That is the lowest amount of interest we've had in years." he said with a slightly disappointed grimace on his face.

"It is a bit of an embarrassing result and headmaster Black is not happy about it at all, given his special connection to this house. So...," he continued after a short pause "I have decided to let another student join. However, he might need some help to deal with the difficulty of these lessons and that is why you are here."

I looked at Ominis and he seemed relieved. I knew he thought it was the kneazle too. He tilted his head to the side every time he was curious about something.

"Of course professor, we are happy to help this new student." He said with a polite and cute smile.

"He is not exactly a new student Mr. Gaunt, although he was not present at Hogwarts last year due to some family matters he continued his studies privately. It was already agreed that he would come back this school year. With your help, he should be able to catch up quite quickly. I believe you remember Mr. Sallow."

Ominis' expression changed immediately; he looked like he was in pain. I felt similar but was able to hide my shock better.

"Is everything alright, Mr. Gaunt?" Sharp also noticed the sudden shift in Ominis' mood.

"Yes, of course professor, I remember Sebastian." Unlike Ominis' expression, his voice remained steady and calm.

"Good, I thought there would be no issue. He requested not to attend the sorting ceremony but you should be able to find him in the common room tonight. That will be all."

And with that we left the room.

Ominis walked fast and I followed quickly behind him. This was a lot for both of us and we had to agree on what to do before going to the dungeons. He led the way with the red light of his wand. We passed a few corridors in mutual silence then I realized we weren't heading to the common room at all. The fifth corridor we entered was empty. Ominis stopped suddenly and I almost bumped into him. I realized he wanted to speak now and stopped because we were alone. It always amazed me how he could tell.