Snakes & Secrets || Ominis Gaunt

Prologue

Felix hit the ground hard, gasping for breath. His fingers dug into the dirt under his hands as he desperately dragged air into his lungs, tears he didn't remember shedding wet on his cheeks.

"My boy, are you alright?" Professor Fig's voice called out from beside him.

Felix glanced over in the direction of the voice to see the professor slumped against the stone wall which they'd just passed through, the portal now closed behind them.

"Yes, I- I think so," Felix gasped. He let himself flop down onto the ground and turned over into a sitting position. "Where are we?"

"I don't believe it," Professor Fig said in amazement. Felix followed his gaze and through the trees, he could make out the tops of the turrets of a large castle.

"Hogwarts," Fig announced.

Felix closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The last couple of hours had been eventful, dangerous and incredibly traumatic. He let a sigh of relief leave his lips, they had made it.

Professor Fig pulled himself up off the ground and held a hand out to Felix, who scrambled to his feet and dusted the dirt off his clothes. Fig kept his firm grasp on Felix's arm until he was certain he'd found his footing, and then he beckoned him to follow him.

They made their way up a dirt path through the forest until the tree-line broke, allowing Felix his first real sight of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The castle rose high above the misty waters of the Great Lake, against the expansive backdrop of mountains of the Scottish Highlands. Turrets and towers reached toward the starry sky, their silhouettes etched against the fading light and illuminated from a warm glow within.

Even from this distance, Felix could feel the magic emanating from the structure and he felt the panic and distress he'd been feeling moments ago slowly fade away, replaced by a sense of awe and wonder.

Professor Fig guided him along the path to the school, their footsteps carrying their slightly beaten bodies as quickly as they could. The professor imparted knowledge and tales of the castle unto his charge as they hurried along, Felix only taking in the information in part, feeling rather dazed.

Eventually, finally, they reached the towering metal gates that opened at their approach, welcoming them to the grounds. Closer now, Felix stared up at the castle, in equal parts amazed and intrigued at what secrets those walls may hold.

When they finally made their way inside and stopped outside of a large pair of double doors, Felix once again felt fear begin to creep through him. He could hear a hum of voices and activity on the other side of the doors and a sense of dread began to spread through him.

Seeing the panic on his face, Professor Fig placed both hands on his shoulders. "Breathe, my young friend. Take a moment to collect yourself. I'm sorry our journey here was not as planned, but you handled yourself marvellously."

Felix sucked in a deep breath, letting the professor's words and calm demeanour wash over him. After a minute or so, he nodded to indicate he was alright.

"Good. Now, before we head inside, I'm sorry but I must ask a favour of you. I must ask that you please do not mention the details of our journey tonight to anyone, not until I've had a chance to try and uncover their meaning," he implored.

Felix hesitated, uncertain, then nodded his agreement. Honestly, he would quite readily forget it had all happened. "Yes, Professor," he said meekly.

"Thank you, my boy. Now, let me just-" Fig cracked open the great doors, poking his head inside. He quickly dipped it back out, gulping visibly.

"Prepare yourself, Phineus Nigellus Black: the Headmaster," he said quickly.

Seconds later, the door swung open as a tall, dark haired man walked out, his head tilted back, nose turned up, an air of immense snootiness about him that immediately disarmed Felix and unexpectedly relaxed him.

"Professor Fig!" The Headmaster exclaimed. "What time do you call this?" he demanded.

"Apologies, Headmaster, it seems the goblin problem-" Fig started.

"Enough. I have no time for rumours!" Professor Black turned to Felix, appraising him with a raised eyebrow. "If you're lucky, we might still have time to sort you this evening." He gave Fig a pointed look before turning and stepping back through the double doors.

Fig let out a breath. "Alright, it's time." He raised his wand and with a flourish, Felix watched as his outfit was transformed into a school uniform, complete with a long black robe.

"There, that's much more fitting, don't you think?" Fig asked jovially. He placed his hand on the large door handle.

"Ready?"

Felix steeled himself, taking a steadying breath. You've just faced dragons, goblins, ancient magic and a fifty foot tall stone warrior, all of which tried to kill you. You can walk through a set of doors in front of a few hundred people, man. You've got this.

"Ready."