Obliviate (Hogwarts Legacy Sequel Feat. Dark!Sebastian Sallow)

10 - Their Fault, His Downfall

Ominis was not at all expecting you to barrel into him the way you did, nearly knocking the man over upon impact. You hugged him without remorse while he steadied himself, eventually returning the hug, blond eyebrows knit with concern. "What happened in there?"

The sound of crickets chirping and grass swaying in the wind accompanied your answer. "Unforgivables and duels, Cessationists and new curses, troll attacks and—"

"Slow down," he instructed, pushing you away but continuing to hold onto your shoulders with gloved hands. "Take a breath and then report. Inhale for four seconds, exhale for six."

"M'sorry," you replied, counting the time and breathing as suggested. Following the brief exercise, you dove into your first report to Ominis, the intentionality of your descriptions spiking whilst explaining the Cessationist Movement and ideals. His stare became downright malevolent as seconds of your rambling turned into minutes, his mouth a thin line. He eventually took a couple steps back and began to pace, a pensive hand moving to cradle his chin.

"Tell me more about the Hallucinatus Curse," he requested, halting in his tracks.

"I'm afraid I don't know much about it," you told him.

Ominis tilted his head in curiosity. "I thought he offered to teach it to you."

"Well I didn't exactly accept, Ominis."

"That's very unlike you." He narrowed his eyes, not in a spiteful way but a determined one. "I think you should."

Did you need to get your hearing checked? "I apologize, I must've misheard you. Ominis Gaunt actually wants me to learn a curse? From Sebastian Sallow, no less?"

"It sounds useful. Plus, it would be advantageous for us to steal it from him. Besides, it's not like it's unforgivable."

"Not yet," you quipped, memories of the scheming spell sending a shiver down your spine.

"Go back and allow him to teach it to you," Ominis said, his tone indicating a requirement and not a suggestion. "That way, we could get a leg up on him in the future."

You gave a hesitant nod, "I will," twirling around to take your leave.

"Thank you for reserving the time to meet with me."

"Always a pleasure. I'll see you in a couple days." You glanced over your shoulder, "Same time?" and apparated, a small nocturnal creature eavesdropping nearby as it hung from a narrow tree branch.

You returned to your quarters to find Quincy sitting upright on your bed, as well as several shiny items tucked away underneath it. The cot opposite of your own remained empty, offering you a sweet moment of relief...until you began to wonder where it was Evelyn had slithered off to. You approached the niffler, interested to learn of his successes. "Hello, Quincy," you commented, kneeling down. "Find anything interesting?"

The niffler blinked a couple times and then slowly rolled off the bed, landing with a swift thump and proceeding to dig out a few items. He revealed parchment, books, jewelry and gold coins, all of which made you feel a bit overwhelmed.

How were you supposed to hide it all?

The thought made your crippling levels of exhaustion resurface, causing you to collapse onto your bed. Quincy climbed on top of the mattress and onto your torso, his dark eyes locking with yours seconds before a yawn escaped him. He curled into a ball on your chest, leaning into your palm as it began to calmly sweep over his silky fur.