Between The Shadows | Ominis Gaunt x Sebastian Sallow x Reader

Chapter 9: Amortentia (I.)

Ominis POV

I woke up much later than I was used to but I knew breakfast would still be served. Sebastian was sleeping and I didn't want to disturb his slumber. It was a rare occasion; he really didn't sleep much lately. I went through my morning routine as quietly as I could and headed to the Great Hall to eat.

Saying that the request y/n made yesterday took my breath away would have been an understatement. I knew about her passionate curiosity, which is why we agreed to try Veritaserum, but Amortentia was a completely different matter. So many things could go wrong.

Moreover, I actually had feelings for her and the thought of her claiming to love me because of the influence of some evil potion was unsettling. However, the idea of her trying the potion with anyone else who might take advantage of her made me feel immediately anxious.

All things considered, I was going to agree with this crazy Idea.

I wasn't expecting to meet her at breakfast today but there she was in her usual spot next to mine.

"Hi y/n," I greeted her, causing her to jump slightly in her seat. I chuckled and asked, "Did I scare you?"

"I just wasn't expecting to see you here today," she explained. "And for someone so tall, you can be surprisingly sneaky."

I took my seat and began preparing my tea. "Or maybe you just don't pay enough attention to your surroundings," I teased with a grin.

"Ominis" y/n started speaking with a hint of urgency in her voice, I turned my attention to her. "I'm so sorry for yesterday, I shouldn't have asked that from you like that. It's a lot to put on someone's shoulders. I think I had too much of the wine..."

I continued to prepare my tea as I listened, and when she finished speaking, I asked "Does this mean that you've changed your mind? Do you not want to try it anymore?"

"No," she said, "my mind is set."

I nodded and said, "I wouldn't expect anything else and all things considered I think If I agree to it, that would be the safest option for you."

As I spoke, I heard a loud noise as y/n's cutlery had fallen to the ground.

"Ominis, do you really mean that?" her voice filled with a mixture of surprise and hope.

"I do," I said firmly "I wouldn't say it otherwise. I've thought about it and considering your passionate curiosity and your stubbornness, I've decided to go through it with you. Just let me know when you're ready."

With that, I took a sip of my tea and continued with my breakfast.

I felt a jolt of surprise as I heard her chair shifting closer to me and then felt her hand on my arm. "Ominis, I'm ready. I have the potion and the antidote. I was already mustering the courage to ask you for a while but yesterday was not how I wanted it to happen, with the help of the wine. We can try it right now and be done with it."

I almost spilled my tea.

Reader POV

This was insane, maybe I was crazy but he had said yes already and I didn't want him to change his mind. I had this moment in my mind since last year when I had successfully brewed the potion. I wanted to know what it felt like, if it's anything like my real feelings... if it compares to them in any way.

When I told him I was ready he almost choked on his tea.

"Um.. alright... let me just finish my breakfast please." he said.

"Of course," I replied. "I should probably eat some more too, the potion can have different effects on an empty stomach."

"So... where do you want to try it? The undercroft?" He inquired.

I had to swallow a piece of toast with marmalade before I could reply."I think the Room of Requirement would be better suited for this. There is a strong chance I'm going to make a fool of myself and I'd rather that no one else would see it and the undercroft is now open to Sebastian too."

Ominis turned in my general direction. "y/n, are you absolutely sure?"

"You're asking like you don't know me at all." I tapped his arm twice, our sign for "I'm alright."

After finishing breakfast, I made a brief stop for the potions at my dorm and then we headed for the Astronomy Tower. In front of the Room of Requirement I stopped and focused on what we needed. The door opened to reveal a cozy looking living room with a few sets of armchairs and divans set in front of a small, already lit fireplace.

I took Ominis' hand and led him to one of the divans. I took a seat opposite to him and handed him a small vial. "This is an antidote." I said "You'll have to give it to me. Considering the potion's effects, I should probably listen to whatever you say. Let the potion work for as long as you think it's safe. If I make you uncomfortable, give me the antidote immediately..." I started to list a seemingly endless series of stupid things I may say or do while he listened patiently.

"Now, could you please give me one of your hairs?" I asked.

He did as requested and I added it to the potion. As soon as I opened the vial I could smell old parchment, something that reminded me of pine forests in winter and of course citrus and spice, like Ominis. As soon as I added the hair, the scent of citrus and spice grew ten times stronger.

I handed my wand to Ominis. I won't be in a proper state of mind to use it for a while.

"Alright I'm going to drink it now, Ominis. Are you ready?" He had his wand ready to restrain me if necessary.

"I don't think either of us is truly ready for this, y/n, but go ahead."

I let just one drop of the potion drip onto my tongue, and for a moment, I didn't feel any different. I was even able to close the vial and place it on the sofa next to me and then the taste hit me with a burst of bright, tangy citrus followed by a comforting blend of spices. It was like drinking sunshine but what followed was even more incredible; a rush of warmth that spread throughout my body, filling me with a sense of joy and contentment that I had never felt before. It was as if all my worries and fears had been lifted away, leaving me with nothing but pure happiness.