Trial of Time: A Hogwarts Legacy Story

(P2) Chapter 7 - Enemies of the Heir Beware

Ciri POV

Exactly three hours after our initial meeting in the Room of Requirement, Ominis received an owl from his father as we were sitting at breakfast. After briefly scanning over it, his pale face turned a concerning shade of green.

"What does it say?" I whisper, looking around nervously.

"Tell you later. Too many eyes around. Let's all meet in the Undercroft when breakfast is dismissed," he says, his tone short and firm. Sebastian, somehow hearing the faint whisper, nods back to him understandingly. I pick at my food but seem to have lost my appetite, Dorian Gaunt's hollow and despicable voice still ringing through my ears.

We walk from the Great Hall to the Undercroft in silence. As soon as the gate closes behind us, Sebastian chimes in. "Alright, Om. What did he say?"

"Only that he has heard about my ongoing research here with the Ministry. He's so proud, in fact, he and Marvolo want to visit for tea with Headmaster Black next week. They expect me to join and share my progress with them. Formalities, of course. The Gaunts have to keep up appearances," Ominis mutters in disdain.

"So we have one week to get the prophecy from the Ministry, and save the entire school. No big deal, right? Fucking hells!" I burst in angry tears, kicking a nearby crate over in my frustration.

Sebastian cocks an eyebrow, "Well, stranger things have been done. Like a fifth year destroying an entire goblin army single handedly. At least Marvolo is only one little creature," he attempts a joke.

Ominis and I, stuck in the spiral of our own thoughts, don't laugh.

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Sebastian POV

"I wish I could do this alone. I don't want to risk anything by you both going into the Chamber with me," Ominis presses his hand to his temple with a sigh.

"Well, it's a good thing it can't kill or paralyze you because you can't look at it. Perhaps you are the most fitting owner." I smirk, trying my hardest to make Ominis feel better by finding some levity in the situation.

It doesn't work, unfortunately.

"Very funny," Ominis exhales, clearly annoyed. Ciri manages a weak smile, before disappearing into her thoughts again and staring into space. I hate more than anything to see her like this.

I also hate the uncertainty of what is to come, of knowing that I could possibly lose her or Ominis entirely. But there's not much I can do in that matter. I learned the hard way with my sister.

"So who was the last owner of this beast? Your grandfather, Corvinus?" I clear my throat, uncomfortably changing the subject.

Ominis shrugs. "I'm not entirely sure. I don't think he managed to get very far into the Chamber before he convinced himself to seal it shut. Either way, the last owner would have to be dead by now."

I chuckle softly to myself. As imposing as the Gaunts are, they seem to have the same underlying sense of cowardice masked by aloofness. Up until fifth year, I wondered the same about Ominis. Now I understand more of his differences from them, in that fundamental respect as well as others.

Ciri looks up from her momentary stupor, "We have to decide our next course of action. It will be one week before they come to Hogwarts. We can't afford to waste time studying and researching... but where do we begin?"

"The basilisk." Ominis says. Ciri and I both look at him curiously.

"I've thought a lot about this," he continues, "and if we fail to infiltrate the Ministry before subduing the basilisk, we risk the chance of getting caught by Dark wizards and my family unleashing the serpent on the school. If we tame it first, it will be under my control. Marvolo and Father will be useless coming here, and it may be worth it for us to leave for the Ministry upon their arrival. We would be less likely to experience any interruptions at the Ministry on theier behalf."

"What? Not interested in keeping up appearances for Daddy Dearest at tea?" I can't help myself as another joke slips out.

"After all this, I'd honestly rather be subject to Crucio for an hour a day for an entire week, than to see to that man ever again," Ominis mutters. Jokes aside I understand him, loud and clear.

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Ciri POV

The rest of the day was spent in preparation. Ominis and I continued to comb through research and start trying to identify the location of the Chamber while Sebastian is stuck in classes.

Then Ominis had a realization, which narrowed our search to the girls' washroom in the dungeons. We made our way down to check it out, and I cleared all of the girls out by shrieking at a large imaginary rodent.

Once the washroom was empty, Ominis stepped inside. I stood close by the door, ready to usher out any students who try to come inside.

Ominis takes a moment to examine the sink. He runs his finger across the handles and sides of the sink before looking up to me. "This is it," he says definitively.

"How do you know for sure?"

"I hear faint whispers in Parseltongue coming from the pipes," he cringes a bit, "and it's got the Slytherin emblem engraved on the sides.

"It's been this close to the Slytherin common room all along? Really?" I cross my arms skeptically.

Ominis chuckles and shakes his head in disbelief, "I guess Sebastian was right. Salazar Slytherin was a lazy dolt when it came to hiding things. I mean, first the Scriptorium, now this."

It is nice to share some laughter, as we walk out of the washroom and on to make our next plan.

((author's note: are you all ready to venture into the chamber, hogwarts legacy style? i sure am!! :D stay tuned ))