Of Cunning Minds: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 3 - The Ministry of Magic

"Miss?" Thea felt a tiny object poke her forearm. "Miss?" The object poked her again and this time she opened her eyes to find the source of her sudden awakening. A pair of gigantic brown eyes stared back at her.

"Merlin!" Thea yelled, shooting up from her pillow. The house elf backed away quickly and raised its hands in innocence.

"I'm sorry, Miss." It squeaked apologetically. "I didn't mean to startle you. Master said to wake you, that you will be needing to leave for the Ministry soon."

Thea washed and dressed quickly. She had been relieved to see that the house elf and brought most of her clothes to the manor. By the time she entered the kitchen, Ominis was already sat at the table, in a full suit and drinking a cup of tea. He ran his fingers over the book in his lap and his eyebrows were furrowed. "Good morning," Thea exclaimed, disrupting his concentration. "Ready to haul me to your office as a lead suspect?" Her voiced dripped with false brightness.

Ominis closed his book and placed in gently on the table. "Ah, the bear came out of hibernation."

"Excuse me—"

"Unfortunately, we don't have much time to discuss how we will proceed through the Ministry." Thea poured herself some coffee while he spoke. "You will have to keep quiet and follow my lead."

"I can do that," she said casually while sipping the piping hot beverage.

"Apologies, I don't think you heard me.' Ominis lowered his tone and slowed his words. "You will have to follow MY lead." He emphasized.

"Ominis," Thea laughed. "I'm not a reckless teenager anymore. I can keep my mouth shut and behave myself." He sat blankly for a second before downing the contents of his tea. He pushed his chair back, stood from the table, and gestured for Thea to follow him.

They entered the living room Thea had stumbled into the previous night. She still clutched her mug of coffee while Ominis grabbed a handful of Floo Powder and tossed it into the fireplace. Green flames erupted. Before she could bring the remaining warm brew to her mouth, Ominis snatched the mug from her hands and placed it on the mantel. "Hey—"

"I believe I mentioned we are short on time." His tone was unapologetic. Thea gasped when cold metal wrapped around her wrists. "Goblin metal," Ominis explained with securing the restraints. "It will prevent you from using Ancient Magic."

"It will?" Thea asked, a strange feeling pooled in her belly. She hadn't used magic in ages, but the idea of not being able to made her nervous.

"I have no idea!" Ominis exclaimed, an annoyed expression on his face. "This is fake, remember? I'm not actually arresting you. Just, don't use any magic and these restraints will certainly appear to do the trick."

"Right." Thea flushed, slightly embarrassed. She could tell by Ominis' face he was starting to question his trust in her to help carry out this plan.

"Are you ready?" He gulped.

"I'm ready."

Ominis' hand attached to the crook of her elbow and together they stepped into the fire. "Ministry of Magic," He called out. The flames engulfed them.

~~~

This entrance had been much more graceful than when Thea stumbled into Guant Manor, largely due to Ominis maintaining a firm grip on her arm. She couldn't help ogling her surroundings. Dozens of well-dressed witches and wizards bustled through the enormous hall as even more were being spit out of the fireplaces on either side of her. Ominis extended his wand and the tip of it glowed, leading him through the crowded space. He clutched Thea closely to his side. She eventually tore her eyes away from the enchanting blue ceiling only to find many eyes searching her cautiously.