Ominous future

Station

( Shaya Zamora - Pretty Little Devil)

Ominis held Elissa's hand tightly as they stepped off the train. He could feel a mixture of anxiety and excitement coursing through him as they approached their families.

His mother and father, standing stiffly apart, looked at him with their usual cold expressions. Ominis could feel their judgmental gazes raking over him and Elissa, and he knew they were not pleased with the sight of them together.

Likewise, Elissa saw the serious expression on her parents' faces. During the summer holidays, they seemed to approve of their relationship, so something must have happened. Anxiety began to take hold of her heart.

Ominis could feel Elissa's hand shaking slightly in his, and he gave it a reassuring squeeze, trying to convey that regardless of the situation, they would face it together.

As they neared their families, Ominis' mother stepped forward. Her eyes flicked coolly over both of them, her gaze lingering disapprovingly on their intertwined hands.

Elissa's mother also took a step forward and held out her arms for a hug.
Elisse reluctantly let go of Ominis' hand and walked over to her mother who hugged her.

Ominis watched as Elissa walked into her mother's embrace, feeling a pang of unease. Their parents' behavior seemed off somehow, and it made him uncomfortable.

His father, turned his gaze upon Ominis. In contrast to his mother, who was always cold in demeanor, he was a towering and authoritative figure.

"Ominis," he said curtly. "A word."

"Of course, father." Ominis followed his father's lead, reluctantly separating from Elissa. His heart was beating fast in his chest as they stepped aside.

Mr. Gaunt looked down at Ominis, his expression serious and stern. For a moment, he surveyed his son without speaking, as if trying to gauge his reaction.

"I believe it's time for a father-son talk," he began, his voice calm and measured.

Mrs. Malfoy took Elissa by the shoulder and led her away from the station. "Mom, what's wrong?" Elisse asked nervously.
"We'll talk at home," Mrs. Malfoy replied quietly.
Elisse looked back at Ominis one last time with tears in her eyes.

Ominis could see the worry in Elissa's eyes as her mother led her away, and it pained him to see her upset. He wished he could've reached out, but his father's presence prevented him.

Mr. Gaunt watched the exchange with a cold, calculating gaze. Once Elissa was out of earshot, he turned to Ominis, his voice icy. "You've grown fond of that girl, haven't you?"

"More than that, father. I intend to propose to her as soon as we finish school." he answered as confidently as he could.

Ominis' words seemed to freeze the air around them. Mr. Gaunt's icy gaze narrowed, and his hands clenched into fists.
"You want to *marry* her?" he repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. "You, want to marry...a Malfoy?"

"She is a respected pureblood family. She meets all your criteria for a suitable wife for the Gaunt heir." he answered.
"Wasn't that your intention since our childhood when our families met?" Ominis asked, not understanding what problem his father could have.

Mr. Gaunt's eyes narrowed even further at Ominis' words, and his lips twitched as if he was holding back something harsh.

"It's about whether the Malfoys would agree to your request," he grinned.
"They got a better offer. And they learned about your impending disinheritance."Omini's father said threateningly.

Ominis' breath caught in his chest. His father's words were like a slap in the face.

"My...disinheritance?" he asked, his voice hoarse with disbelief. He knew his family was unhappy with him but this...this was not what he expected.

"You knew very well where your rejection of dark magic and distancing yourself from our name would lead! You wanted it yourself, didn't you?" his father remarked rudely.

After a short pause, he continued: "We can make a deal.
Now you have a chance to prove that you are worthy of bearing the name Gaunt! Maybe even the Malfoys will consider their daughter's happiness and accept your offer. Gaunt as Gaunt," he finished with a grin on his face.

Ominis was rendered speechless. The realization of his father's ruthlessness hit him like a tidal wave. To dangle his disinheritance over his head, to make him feel like he was begging, was cruel and calculated.

"What do I have to do?" he asked quietly, his hands clenched at his sides. The realization of what his father was demanding sunk in.

Mr. Gaunt approached Ominis and leaned close to his ear so that no one could hear what he said: "You know what I want!
Pledge an unbreakable vow to fulfill the duties of House Gaunt and not hesitate to use dark magic or unforgivable curses." He pulled back and straightened his stance. "You have time to think before the Christmas ball." On it, your brother intends to publicly propose to Elissa and announce their engagement. "

Ominis' stomach churned. The thought of his brother, the same brother who had tormented him since childhood, marrying Elissa felt like a knife in his gut. And the ultimatum...unbreakable oaths were not to be taken lightly.

He swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady. "You're giving me until the Christmas ball...and if I refuse?"

"You will be erased from the family tree!" his father replied harshly. "You will be dependent on yourself, without title and name, without money." he continued. "And of course you will lose your beloved Elisse." he added mockingly.

Ominis felt anger bubbling up inside him. His father's words rang in his ears like a death toll. It was unjust and cruel, and yet his father's words held a ring of truth.

He clenched his fists at his sides, battling the turmoil of emotions inside him.

"And if I agree? If I make this...unbreakable oath?" he asked reluctantly.

"I will arrange your engagement to Elisse."
he answered.
"Marvolo will be furious but I will take care of him." he assured him.
"After school you'll get married and after the honeymoon you'll fulfill your role in the family if you understand me." He said sternly.

Ominis understood his father's implication all too well. He would be expected to sire the next generation of Gaunts, to become the very thing he had spent his life rebelling against.

"I understand," he answered, his voice low and hollow. The realization that by agreeing he was signing away his freedom, his future, threatened to break something inside of him.

"Anyway, Elisse will be Mrs. Gaunt and will give birth to powerful descendants of Salazar Slytherin. I believe that her gift of mastering ancient magic will be inherited by her children and our family will be even more powerful." he spoke proudly.
"It's up to you, Ominis. It depends on your decision which Gaunt will be her husband." he added and turned away, signaling the end of their conversation.

Ominis stood rooted to the spot, alone in the chaos of his thoughts. He stared into the void as his father's words echoed in his mind like a curse.

The choice he now faced felt like a fork in the road where both paths led to darkness. Accept his fate and become the Gaunt his family demanded, or fight and risk losing everything...except Elissa.