Trial of Time: A Hogwarts Legacy Story

(P2) Chapter 5 - The Family Secret

An old manor sits atop a hill, covered in a thick fog. A nefarious feeling clouds it, as if Dark magic always lingers in the air here.

A stranger in hooded dark robes approaches the front door, flanked by his henchmen. His face is worn, scraggly, framed by long dark hair. Seemingly a face that belongs to one who has haunted many a dream.

The stranger pulls down his hood as the butler greets him, while a house elf takes his coat. The cloaked henchment escorting him hang back in the entry hall as the butler leads the stranger to a large, elaborate dining hall.

"To what do I owe this impromptu visit, old friend?"

An older man with silver hair, slicked back and neat, sits at the head of the table with his fingers interlaced with each other. He's wearing an expensive looking suit and looks just like...

Ominis?

It can't be. This man has to be in his seventies, at least.

The stranger smiles toothily as he takes a seat. "Pleasure to see you as always, Dorian. I have something that may very well be of interest to you. However, I will need your assistance in return. And I've heard the Gaunts never fail to disappoint."

"Go on," the older man, revealed to be Dorian Gaunt, leans forward at the table.

"There is a young woman that we are looking for. Slender, ashen hair, remarkably beautiful, even with a scar on her face, around twenty six years of age. She possesses extraordinary power and skill beyond her years." The man grits his teeth together in frustration. "In fact, Harlow and I have been having significant... issues with her dispatching multiple Ashwinder camps over the years."

"A young woman is a killing machine?" Gaunt laughs. "You can't be serious, Ares. What could this girl possibly possess to make her such a threat?"

The stranger pauses and sighs. "She is an Auror, after all. And, let's just say Harlow watched her disintegrate an armored troll in the middle of Hogsmeade with wandless magic... as a fifth year student."

Gaunt's eyes widen. "Is she-"

"She is. Cirilla Clarke is her name. In fact, she's gotten rather cozy with your crippled son. Ominis, isn't it?" Ares chuckles lowly. "My associate has intercepted several of their owls over the years. Touching letters, to say the least," he seethes, pushing the hair out of his face.

Gaunt presses his lips into a thin line, considering his next words. "If this woman is an Auror, as you say... why haven't your forces been able to locate her? Surely she has an office on site within the Ministry. And where is Harlow-"

"I've heard stories, Gaunt. Of Salazar Slytherin's Chamber of Secrets," Ares interrupts him, his eyes piercing that of the old man's. "Tucked safely underneath Hogwarts, isn't it?"

Gaunt falls quiet. He narrows his eyes suspiciously. "Suppose the Chamber does exist. How would that help your situation?"

Ares exhales through his nostrils, a look of resentment flashing across his eyes. "Before she defeated the goblin army, they found a repository of a very powerful source of ancient magic. We believe it to be of similar origin to what the girl wields. I've discovered the repository is underneath Hogwarts, and I simply wondered if Salazar's legendary Chamber would be an easier way to access it. And to access her, should we be able to lure her there."

Ares smiles eerily. "And... if your son were to open it, perhaps he could command the rumored beast that lives within it to kill the girl. Even her magic is no match for it... or so I've heard."

"My son is soft and lacks fervor towards the Dark Arts," Gaunt sits back with a grunt. "If he is friends with the girl, I do not believe he would ever act against her. Come to think of it, I doubt he'd ever act against anyone, the cowardly little prat."

Gaunt sighs, pressing his hands together at his lips. "If I were to trust any of my children to carry out such a plan, it would have to be Marvolo. He is studying under a renowned cursebreaker in Prague, but Black would allow him access to the castle on my behalf upon his return. And perhaps, we could..."

He smiles deviously before he continues.

"Perhaps we could use this opportunity to finish what Salazar Slytherin started," Gaunt abruptly stands up, moving over the fireplace and sliding his finger across the mantle, collecting dust. "You get the girl, we get the magic, and cleanse the school once and for all of foul Mudbloods."

I jolt awake in bed, gasping for air.

That felt so... real. Too real.

I have to tell Ominis and Sebastian.

Quietly, I slip out of bed, pausing to gather a quill and parchment. Jotting a quick letter down, I send an owl to summon Sebastian to the Room of Requirement. Slipping into my full set of night robes, I grab a candle and head to the main room.

"Ominis?" I rap my knuckles against his bedroom door, "Ominis, please wake up! It's urgent!"

The door creaks open to see Ominis in a set of bulky black pajamas, his hair an utter mess. If I weren't so upset about the dream, I'd probably laugh. I had never seen Ominis in any appearance other than immaculate.

"Ciri? Good gods, what time is it?"

"We need to get dressed. Meet me in the living area when you are ready." I say, almost robotically.

Ominis raises his brows. "We probably need to tell-"

"I've already sent an owl to Sebastian. He should be here any moment. Please, get ready," I swiftly turn on my heel, heading back to my own room to get dressed.

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Sebastian POV

I knew something was wrong when an owl awoke me with its piercing screech. Ciri's letter was vague, but sounded urgent. I flew out of bed, haphazardly getting dressed and grabbing my wand. Scooping up a handful of Floo powder, I send myself directly to the Astronomy Tower and burst through the door.

Nearly out of breath, I approach my friends as they sit on the sofa of the main room. They look slightly startled by my abrupt entrance.

"Sorry, I came as soon as I could. What's wrong?!" I stand in front of them, looking from Ciri over to my oldest friend.

There's about ten seconds of pure silence. Although he is blind, Ominis appears to be staring straight ahead with a slightly puzzled look on his face.

Ciri buries her face in her palms, seemingly overcome with emotion. I approach her gently, placing both of my hands on her shoulders. "What's going on?" I ask again, in a much softer tone. "You can tell us, Cirilla. We're safe here."

After another few seconds of silence, she peers up at me and turns to Ominis.

"Who is Dorian Gaunt?"

Ominis goes pale and expressionless. "My father."

Ciri looks as if she is about to burst into tears, "I had a dream last night. I don't know if it's a premonition or if it has happened already but... I think he's plotting with Harlow and another Dark wizard to capture me. And even worse things..."

"How?" I furrow my brow in shock and confusion.

"They are going to use Marvolo to open the Chamber of Secrets. The beast within it..." her watery emerald eyes drop to the ground.

She can't even finish her sentence as Ominis's face goes from expressionless to horrified.