{SERPENTS AND ROSES} Ominis Gaunt x Fem!Reader

35. Pandora

"Come on, you two. We don't have all day!" Archie says as he grabs the two of you out of the elevator. He rushes you past the main lobby and through different corridors until you arrive outside of a locked vault.

"How'd you find-" you begin.

"I followed the plan," Archie says. "Now we just need to get in."

Henry nods and quickly uses Alohomora to unlock it. As the door swings open, you find yourself stepping into what appears to be a magical garden.

The moment you step inside, the door locks behind you. Archie raises his wand, casting Revelio. The room lights up, revealing tall grass and vibrant purple flowers. He then leads you across the magical garden until you reach the other side, where a cabinet of sparkling potions awaits.

"It's got to be in here," Archie nods.

"Be careful, Garreth!" you whisper as he reaches towards the knob.

"Why are you whispering?" he chuckles, opening the cabinet.

"It's a magical garden. What if it's cursed?" you hiss.

"It's fine. See? Everything's good."

Just then, an alarm blares, echoing that a muggle has been detected inside the ministry. Henry, quick on his feet, runs towards the vault door and presses his ear against it. You then join Archie in searching for the Echoing Elixir.

"Hurry up!" Henry shouts, "I hear footsteps on the other side!"

"Got it!" Archie gasps as his fingers locate the potion just before Henry rushes to your side.

"Take my hand!" he calls out, and the three of you grab each other. In an instant, you disapparate and reappear in your neighborhood.

The three of you walk quickly back to your apartment. Although the mission was to retrieve the potion from the Ministry, your job is not yet complete. You still have to see if the potion will give you magical abilities.

Only when you lock the door of your apartment behind you, do you even think to catch your breath and reflect on the events. As you turn back to your friends, their appearances begin to transform back into their own.

Sebastian is the first to break the silence. "That was close. How did they figure out you were a muggle?"

"No idea," Garreth shakes his head. "The Ministry takes their precautious seriously though."

You nod as you allow yourself to rest on your couch and catch your breath. You shut your eyes and allow yourself to decompress, but when you feel the weight of the sofa sink on either side of you, your eyes snap open.

"So, how are we going to do this?" Garreth asks.

"Well," Sebastian replies, looking directly at you. "We have the potion. We can try it, and if it works, we'll know for sure."

You glance at the sparkling vial in Garreth's hand, realizing that it's now or never to find out if it'll actually work. The potion may hold answers, but there's no guarantee that it'll help. Still, this may be your only chance to find out.

"Alright," you nod, taking a deep breath and steeling yourself for the possibility of failure. You take the potion and walk over to the small kitchen table. Your heart pounds in your chest as they gather around you. "This isn't going to make me explode or anything if it doesn't work, right?" you ask half-jokingly.

"No," Garreth shakes his head. "It'll either help you or, well, do nothing."

With a sigh, you open the vial and, as it touches your tongue, a sweet taste fills your mouth. A burning sensation begins in the pit of your stomach and radiates throughout your body. For a moment, you feel like you're being stretched and compressed all at once.

Your friends watch with bated breath as the potion works its magic. After what feels like an eternity, the burning subsides and you're left feeling slightly dazed and disoriented.

"Y/N, are you okay?" Sebastian asks, placing a hand on your shoulder.

You take a moment to assess your physical and mental state before answering. "I think so."

"Did it work?" Garreth questions.

"I... don't know. I feel fine. Like, the same," you shrug.

"Here," Sebastian says, handing you his wand. "Try casting Lumos. If it works, that means the potion has activated your abilities."

"Good idea," you nod as you accept the wand. You point it at the wall and, with a flick of your wrist, utter the incantation. Nothing happens. You try again, this time focusing on your feelings as the words leave your mouth. "Lumos!"

Despite your best efforts, the room remains dark. Your heart sinks.

"Damn," you whisper, unable to hide the disappointment in your voice.

Garreth squeezes your arm sympathetically, "Maybe the effects are delayed."

"Either way, it isn't very promising," you sigh, handing Sebastian back his wand. "Thanks, though."

"It might take some time," Garreth reassures you. "The effects of potions can be gradual. Don't give up. You should keep practicing and we'll see if there are any changes."

Sebastian nods in agreement. "Magic isn't easy to learn. It takes practice and patience. Just give it time."

You smile softly, appreciating their support. "I'll try."

***

Later that evening you find yourself sitting on your bed, lost in thoughts about the day's events. When there's a knock on the door, you look over to see Sebastian walking in the room, holding a cup of soup. A smile forms on your face when you see that it's hot but not burnt. You thank him as he sits beside you and hands it over to you.

"Thanks, Sebastian. It looks perfect," you say, taking a sip.

Sebastian sits beside you, a satisfied grin on his face. "I kept practicing," he says, nudging you playfully.

You chuckle softly, "Well, it looks like your efforts paid off. Not bad for a wizard."

"That's what husbands are for, right?" he says with a teasing glint in his eyes.

You laugh, "Absolutely. I'm sure Madeline will be thrilled with Henry's cooking skills."

Sebastian nods in agreement, "Definitely. You know, being married to a wizard does have its perks."

"I'm sure it does," you grin as you look back down into the soup. "Sometimes I really do wish I could perform magic. Life would be so much more enchanting, don't you think?"

"I think," he smiles at you. "That you're perfect just the way you are."