The Sallow Saga - Vol. 2 - In the Shadows of Memories [A HL Fanfiction]

Chapter 13. Coming Out

In one fluid movement, Sebastian rose from his seat and pulled both Cassy and Ominis into a warm embrace. The trio held on to each other tightly, all allowing the grief of Ann's passing to wash over them. Natty sniffed and dabbed at her eyes, as she watched them. Gareth's mind however was in overdrive. He quietly got up and after conjuring a quill, ink and some parchment, started jotting down a list of ingredients. The scratching of quill on parchment drew the attention of the rest of the group, who stood quietly in the corner watching on, puzzled. Gareth was quiet, contemplative, thoughtful, focused – overall, nothing like himself at all. Natty delicately approached his side and tapped his shoulder.
"Gareth?" She inquired carefully, "what are you doing?"
Gareth spun around with a crazed expression, Cassy recognised it from her time as his apprentice. She held on to Sebastian and Ominis's hands and pulled them closer to Gareth, allowing a small smirk to grace her lips when she made eye contact with her old employer.

Gareth waved the parchment in the air victoriously.
"In the space of one day, I have witnessed an assault on Ominis, a series of revelations from a dear friend who had her memory stripped from her; and accusations of bribery, smuggling of illegal traded items, and a murder most foul. Not to mention a very near break up of one of the strongest friendships I've ever seen – what do all these things have in common?" Gareth was talking hurriedly and breathless with excitement.
Before anyone could answer, Gareth expressed; "MARVOLO GAUNT! The man is a scheming, manipulative pile of dragon dung! I don't know about you lot, but I am done with sitting around, moping on my laurels waiting for Marvolo's next scheme to catch me off guard. What's to say he won't kill one of us next time! Enough is enough!" His energy was infectious. Even Ominis allowed himself to get caught up in Gareth's enthusiasm.

With a crazed glint in his eye, Gareth addressed the group as a whole, "I think it's time for a little pay back, what do you think?"
Sebastian grinned mischievously back, "sign me up! What's the plan, Weasley?"
"Well, it strikes me that we need nothing short of a signed and sealed confession from Marvolo to prove his involvement in his myriad of schemes and plans." Gareth mused, "so, why not try our hands at creating some veritaserum?"
Ominis shook his head glumly, "I'm afraid that won't work Gareth. When I was younger, many of my relatives came under heavy fire from the ministry for torturing muggles for sport. Really, it was what encouraged most of my family to join careers in politics or gain friends in places of high power; simply to avoid being called out by the likes of the auror division. For added protection, we were all encouraged to build a resistance to the potion. Me, myself, and I included."
Natty nodded, "Ominis has a point Gareth, even if we do secure a signed confession from Marvolo, veritaserum induced confessions are usually deemed as being unfair or unreliable when brought out in a trial. Realistically, we require witnessed accountability."

Gareth scratched off one of the items on his list and smiled charmingly at Natty.
"Natty – have I ever told you how clever you are?"
Natty smiled smugly and shrugged, "I do not need your affirmation Gareth, I already know."
Gareth chuckled, and kissed Natty's cheek, "of course you don't need my affirmation, but you have given me a delightful idea! Who feels like going undercover?" He rubbed his hands together with a sly and cunning chuckle.
Sebastian folded his arms, intrigued; "so long as I don't have to wear a skirt, I'm all for it."
Gareth guffawed, "of course! How could I forget your time as Melisandre Bones?" His broad smile faded at the stern look on Sebastian's face; clearing his throat he added, "and what a phenomenal job you did Sebastian..." he patted Sebastian's shoulder jovially, before turning his attention back to the rest of the group.
"I know two wrongs don't make a right, but I really want to get under Marvolo's skin." Gareth paced the room, "I had the idea that we could have someone covertly go under cover and gain his trust, manipulate him and betray his trust right after he divulges all!"