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Chapter Twenty Two
GAUNT FAMILY DINNER
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As it would turn out, a lot of thing could go wrong. Ominis had written back to his parents and had told them that we would meet somewhere in public to avoid any chance of them trying to do something. They had agreed.

Today is the day that I meet them.

The three of us sit in the common room, it is mostly empty since it is a Saturday afternoon. I guess most people are at Hogsmeade or just exploring the castle and grounds. We sit around the fireplace, which is becoming our regular spot.
Believe it or not, Ominis is the only calm one in our group and he's not calm. In fact, he can't even sit down, he's been pacing back a forth in front of Sebastian and myself. I have never seen him so nervous.

Sebastian on the other hand is trying to keep it together for the two of us. But everytime he thinks I'm not looking, I see him cast a worried glance between Ominis and myself, and pick at his fingernails.

And then there's me. The thought of meeting the most feared family in the wizarding world hasn't left my mind since last night when Ominis asked me to. I couldn't even sleep last night because I couldn't turn my mind off. I kept worrying about what would happen, or about what we would talk about.

I glance up at Ominis as he paces in front of the firepalce. "Is this thing formal?" I ask him the question that has been bugging me all day. "Like should I wear a dress or will they think that I'm trying too hard? But if I wear regualr clothes they might think I'm not even trying." I say voicing my concerns. "I don't know what to wear."

Sebastian looks up from his book, I think he was just trying to take his mind off of the situation, and smiles at me. "Maybe somewhere inbetween." he suggests.

"No, they will expect you to dress formally." Ominis stops his pacing and glances in our direction. "You should wear a dress." he says.

I let out a huff, "I hate dresses." I mumble. "Like a long dress or like a short dress, a more casual one or a fancy one?"

Sbeastians seems to think about this, "I think you are putting too much thought into this." I glare at him and he holds his hands in surrender. "Alright, just go try on some and come back out here and we'll ask Ominis's opinion." He suggests.

Ominis lets out an annoyed sigh, "You do remember that I can't see her, right?" He asks glancing in Sebastian's direction.

Before Sebastian could respond, I panic. "I don't own a dress," I say, standing up and looking between my two friends. "Or I mean I do, but they aren't with me. They're at home."

The three of us sit down by the fireplace in defeat. All of us trying to come up with something that I can do to get prepared.

"We could transfigure your school robes." Sebastian suggests.

I ponder the possibility, but I am not the best with transfiguration. Ominis is good at it though. "I guess that would work," I say and then look towards my blonde haired friend. "But you would have to do it since you are the best at transfiguration."

Ominis was quick to shake his head, "No, no, that would not work." he says as he looks to be deep in thoguht. His gaze stares into the fireplace althought he couldn't actually see it. "There is a spell when you enter the house that removes all enchantments." he explains.

"Yes, but Ominis, we agreeed to meet somewhere in public." I try to reason with him.

I glance over at Sebastian, he studies Ominis with a worried expression. "You knew they would never actually follow through with meeting somewhere public." Sebastian accused. "You knew they would take us back to the manor."

Ominis lets out a sigh, "Yes, I knew it was a possibility." he admits and I stare at him in shock. "I was hoping that I was wrong, that for once in my life they would actually listen me." he shakes his head as his anger for his family rises up inside of him. "But we need to be prepared in case they take us back to the manor."

I hear Sebatain let out a frustrated sigh, "Anne," he says and then turns to face me. "She might have left some dresses here, in the dorm."

I let out a shaky breath, "Yeah, I guess I could look."
Sebastian nods his head and then turns to Ominis, "Tell mommy dearest that you are bringing another plus one because I'm going as well."

"She won't like that but very well." he says as he reaches down and grabs his bag, pulling out his paper and quill and begins to write the letter.

"I'm going to go try on dresses." I say nervously.

"Remember to come down here and show us so Ominis can tell you if that one will work." Sebastain calls out behind me as I make my way up the stairs. I hear Ominis say something to Sebastian but I don't make out what he said as I reach the top of the stairs and quickly enter my dorm.

Inside the dorm I quickly take a seat on the edge of my bed and let out a shaky breath. I don't know if I can do this. Luckily Imelda isn't in our room and its just me in there so she doesn't see me panicking. I have to close my eyes and focus on my breathing before I can even begin to look for Anne's truck which hopefully has some of her dresses in it.

After a few minutes I manage to find enough courage to stand up and look over at the bed that has been vacant since the holidays. Her truck sits at the foot of the bed and I slowly make my way over to it and lift up the lid. It's enchanted to hold more than it looks like it could, and luckily for me Anne has chamred it so it works as a walk in closet. I step inside of the truck and see a few racks of clothes, and then one in the back that is full of dresses.

Why did I agree to do this? I question myself. I hate dresses.

My finger run along the materials of the dresses before I look through them. I spot an elegant blue dress, with lace on the top and jewels. I don't want to take the time to look at the others, I just try on that one.

The walk back to the common room is the most nervous I have been in a while. I don't bother walking down the stairs, I stand at the top of the railing and peer down, quickly spotting Sebastain and Ominis in their same spot. They seem to be having a conversation.

"How about this one?" I call down to them.

Sebastian stops whatever he was about to say to Ominis and looks up at me. I feel my face grown warm at the way that he looks at me. "I mean it looks nice." he says standing up. "You look nice."

Despite knowing that Ominis would not be able to see I glance over at him awaiting his response. "What color is it?" he asks.

I find myself looking down at the dress but I hear Sebastain answer for me. "It's blue, like a dark blue."

Ominis shakes his head, "No, that would never work. She will see it as you belonging to another house."

I shurg my shoulders as if it's no big deal, "It's just a color. It doesn't mean that I'm Ravenclaw." I try to reason with him.

"They only support Slytherin colors." He says letting out a sigh. "They take being a descendant a little too seriously."

After a moment I let out a breath and then glance up at Sebastian, "Does Anne have a green dress, or a gray one?"

"Perferably a green one, mother is very picky." Ominis adds.

Sebastian lets out a nervous sigh as he thinks for a moment. "Well, it's not exactly a dress." he finally answers.

"What is it then?" I ask skeptically.

"Its a skirt with a matching top and it has a white long sleeve shirt underneath." His eyes glance over at Ominis, awaiting his answer.

He seems to ponder on it for a few second before making a decision. "Yes, I think that will do."

"Where is it?" I ask Sebastain. "I didn't see it in her wardrobe."

Sebastian lets out a huff, "That's because she took over part of mine." he explains. "She can never decide which clothes to bring to Hogwarts so she packs them all and fills up hers and a part of mine."

I smile at that, "So nice of you to let her have yours."

"Yes, well, I'm going to go walk around, that usually helps with my nerves." Ominis announces.

"You don't want to wait on us?" Sebastian asks him.

He shakes his head and grips his wand tighter in his hand, "No, I would like to be alone for a little while." He turns to leave but stops, "Don't forget we meet at the gate entrance in exactly an hour. Please don't be late."

We assure him that we won't and he exits the common room. I turn back to my brown haired friend. "Well, go get it." I tell him.

"You don't want to come with me?" he asks.

I give him a serious look, "You know I can't go into your dorm, there is spell stoping us."

He laughs, "Yeah, I know. I just wanted to see if you would."

"Just go get the clothes, I'm already nervous enough, I don't want to add showing up late and making the Gaunts mad to make me more nervous."

He makes his way up the stairs and turns the opposite way than I do and wanders down the hall. I decide to meet him at the top of the stairs since I will have to go into my dorm and change. I find a bench and take a seat while I wait for him.

My mind wonders to all the terrible outcomes that can come from this. But one I know for certain that will happen is Ominis having to spend time with his family after trying his best to get away from them. He doesn't like to show it but I can tell that he's just as scared about tonight as I am.

I have never cared about what I wore as much as I do right now. If I don't find the perfect outfit then they will surely hate me. They are one of the most proper and powerful wizarding families.

I find myself staring down into the common room from the lofted area that I sit at and I quickly wipe away the sweat from my hands on my clothes. I am becoming more and more nervous the longer it takes Sebastian to return with the outfit.

Minutes later a green dress is dropped down onto my lap breaking me out of my thoughts. I glance down at it as I pick it up and hold it up in front of me to get a better look. It is pretty.

It's a dark green dress and then he hands me a white long sleeve shirt that has ruffles that form the shape of a bow on the front.

I look up at Sebastian and see that he is also a pair of shoes. I breathe a sigh of relief when they aren't heels, instead they are black boots. "I couldn't find the exactly outfit that I was thinking about, but I saw this one and I figured it would work." He says and then holds the shoes out for me.

I grab them and stand up, "Thank you, it's pretty." I tell him. "I'll have to tell Anne next time I write her that she saved me from the wraith of an evil wizarding family."

Sebastian smiles as I turn around and head into my dorm. I quickly slip on the dress and then I realize that it's a corset dress and I can't tie it myself. After putting on my shoes and the white shirt I peak my head out of the door and look around.

"Sebastian?" I whisper into the empty hallway. I wait for a moment in complete silence. "Sebastian?" I call again a little louder.

I hear his footsteps coming closer to my door and then I see him round the corner. He looks at me confused. "Were you calling for me?" He asks.

I feel my face heat up in embarrassment as I nod my head. "I need help."

"I can't go in there." He states.

I let out a sigh before glancing around and making sure that no one is around before I step out of the dorm. I hold the dress against my chest so that it doesn't fall down. If it's possible I feel my face get even redder. "Do you know how to tie a corset?"

I see his eyes glance down at the undone dress and his own face turns a shade a pink. "Um..." he trails off before bringing his eyes back up to mine. "Yeah, Anne had me help her after last summer." He says.

I nod my head in understanding. Their mother mostly helped Anne and with them gone, Anne must have taught Sebastian how. "Can you tie it for me?"

He nods his head, "Of course."

I turn around and pull my hair to the side. "I'm sorry," I say my voice barely above a whisper. His hands reach out to the strings of the dress as I continue. "I feel like it's my fault."

He starts tying the strings as he speaks, "It's not your fault, Lila." He says, his voice somber.

I turn to look over my shoulder at him, "It feels like it is though," I say remembering back to the letter that I received a few days ago from the man that is after me. He admitted that he was the one behind the attacks on Sebastian's parents and then for cursing Anne. He got hurt because of me. Because he knew me. "I just feel like there was something I should have done."

He laces the strings up, tying it tightly. He shakes his head, "There wasn't anything you could have done."

When he finishes up I turn around to look at him, "I could have been there for you." I say softly, "I could have went home with you on Christmas. Maybe they would have cursed me instead of Anne."

"That would be just as bad." He says.

I let out a sigh as I straighten out my dress. He glances at me, "You know there is a good possibility that this won't end well for you." He says gesturing to the dress, but I know what he means. The Gaunts.

I nod my head, "I know, and it scares me."

"So why agree to this?" He asks, "Ominis could have told them no."

"We both know they wouldn't have taken no for an answer." I tell him as we descend the stairs that lead down in it the common area. "And I agreed because he needed me."

I hear Sebastian let out a sigh from beside me, "I just don't think this is going to end well."

Neither do I. "It'll be fine." I lie to him, wanting to reassure him that everything will be fine when I am the one that needs the reassurance. "We'll be fine." I say more to myself.

We climb up the stairs that lead out of the slytherin common room quickly. It's almost time to meet at the front gate for Ominis's mother to pick us up. With each step we take I feel the nerves increase to the point where my heart pounds inside of my chest and my palms grow more sweaty when we reach the door leading outside of the castle. Ominis is there waiting on us.

Ominis doesn't say anything as we stand beside him. I see the wand in his hand shake a little with nerves but I can tell he's trying his best to hide it. I suck in a deep breath as I spot his brother.

Marvolo makes his way over towards us with a smirk on his face. "There you guys are," he says when he reaches us. From beside me I can see Ominis stiffen at the sound of his brothers voice.

I glare at him as he stands in front of our group. "What do you want?" I ask him avoiding the greetings and getting straight to the point.

His eyes tail over to mine and a smirk makes its way onto his face. "Well, mother sent me to fetch you." He says as if that is obvious.

"She said that she was meeting us." Ominis tries to argue with his older brother.

Marvolo simply shrugs his shoulders, "I guess she changed her mind." He says and I see a dark look flash across his face. "She said she I knew how to apparate and was already here that I can bring you."

I don't like the sound of this. Glancing over at Ominis and Sebastian I can tell that they don't either. Nothing about this sounds like it will end well. I see Ominis having a mental debate, most likely asking himself if this was indeed worth it or if we should just return to our common room.

"Come on now," Marvolo says ushering us out the door and across the school grounds. "We don't have all night." The air outside is warm with the summer quickly approaching. We stop as soon as we leave school grounds. We can't apparate on the grounds, there is enchantments preventing that from happening.

Marvolo tells all of us to grab onto him so that he can take all of us with him. Ominis reluctantly grabs ahold of his shirt while Sebastian grabs his arm. I hesitate too long and he notices. He smiles at me before reaching his hand out and grabbing onto mine.

My eyes fly up to Sebastian's, scared for a moment because I suddenly don't want to do this, but I find that his eyes are trained on Marvolo's hand holding onto mine and glaring at it.

There is a pop and a feeling of being weightless, as if I am falling through space and time. Then the impact nearly knocks the breath out of me. I guess with so many people, the landing is rougher than I am used to and I fall down onto the knee high grass.

The Gaunt Manor stands as an imposing and ancient structure, shrouded in an aura of dark magic. The exterior is made of weathered, gray stone, adorned with intricate carvings that tell tales of the family's history and lineage. The architecture is gothic in style, with towering spires and pointed arches that evoke a sense of foreboding.

The manor is surrounded by an expansive, overgrown garden, where twisted, thorny vines seem to mirror the complex and intricate nature of the Gaunt family. The wrought-iron gates creak ominously as they guard the entrance, bearing the Gaunt family crest with a serpent coiled around a blackened wand.

The windows of the manor are narrow and tall, adding to the overall sense of mystery and seclusion. They are curtained in heavy, dark drapes that give the impression of secrecy within. The roof is adorned with gargoyles and other eerie sculptures, hinting at the family's connection to the darker aspects of magic.

I turn to see that Ominis stands beside me stiffly as if he knows exactly where we are. Sebastian stands up from where he had fallen on the other side of Ominis. He looks around, mesmerized at the sight just as I am. "Where are we?" He asks, his head turning to look at Marvolo who stands in front of us.

The light from inside the house is warm and almost inviting, but something tells me that whatever awaits us inside is anything but that. "Home," Marvolo replies to Sebastian.

"Mother said we would meet somewhere public." Ominis says.

"Yes, well..." Marvolo says switching his gaze between Ominis and myself. "there's been a slight change of plans." His eyes instantly land on Sebastian's as they reach out to grab ahold of mine.

A terrifying thought just occurs to me.

He has to know that all of this is just an elaborate scheme. He goes to school with us, he has to know that Ominis and I are only friends and nothing more. He had to have told his parents of this and that is why there's been a change of plans.

Or this has always been the plan. It's no doubt that the Gaunts found out about Ominis dating a muggleborn from his brother. So they must have known he would either bring her home or Marvolo must have guessed that he would bring the only other female that he hangs around with. We were never actually going to meet somewhere public. They wanted to bring us here because it's secluded. There's no one around for miles.

This has no good ending for Ominis or me. Sebastian might be able to escape unharmed but the rest of us will be scarred either mentally or physically or both.

As we near the ominous building with the warm light that shines bright through the darkness I feel my anxiety spike. My heart races inside of my chest. Marvolo leads the way up the stairs to the front door. Sebastian trails behind us, closely.

My hands reaches out and I grab ahold of Ominis's. He doesn't object, instead he intertwines his fingers with mine. He just as nervous as I am. I turn my head and look over my shoulder at Sebastian. He gives me a worried look and I know that he's thinking that same thing as I am.

This is only going to end one way.

Ominis has told us horror stories of what his family likes to do to those they think are below them. They torture them, and in some cases even kill them.

I try to give him a reassuring smile but it doesn't fool him. Hearing footsteps approach the door from the other side, I quickly turn my head and stare at the door. "Ominis, dear, you've come home!" A woman says as she stands in the doorway. She seems genuinely happy to see her son.

She looks the same as she did the first time I saw her, with white blonde hair and striking blue eyes. Her long hair flows over his shoulders. She wears a dark green dress.

I feel Ominis squeeze my hand as he stiffens beside me. She may seem like she is happy to see her youngest son but from his behavior it's just an act.

Her gaze trails over to me. Her eyes are cold and they send shivers down my spine. Her eyes look me up in down and I see the distaste she tries her best to hide. "And who might you be?" She asks sweetly.

I let out a breath and now it's my turn to squeeze onto Ominis's hand to find some sort of comfort. "Lila Snape," I say, my voice sounding weak.

She nods her head, saying nothing more before turning her attention to Sebastian. "And you must be the Sallow boy," she says.

I see Sebastian nod his head from the corner of my eye. "Yes ma'am."

"I am sorry to hear about your parents and your sister," she says with a hint of sadness in her voice, "I can't even imagine what you are going through."

I see Sebastian shift his weight from one foot to the other, a sign that he is getting nervous and doesn't want to talk about this. "Well, come on in," Mrs. Gaunt says gesturing for us step inside.

We all step inside the manor, none of us saying a word. Upon entering the Gaunt Manor, we step into a grand foyer that reflects the family's wealth and wizarding heritage. The atmosphere is heavy with an air of old magic and a sense of ancient history. Dark, polished wood paneling lines the walls, adorned with ornate tapestries that depict scenes of magical prowess and conquests.

The floor beneath our feet is a mosaic of intricate patterns, incorporating symbols of the Gaunt family's lineage and magical prowess. A massive chandelier hangs from the ceiling, casting a dim, flickering light that creates shadows dancing along the walls.

In the center of the foyer stands a grand staircase, its banisters carved with serpentine motifs. The staircase spirals upwards, leading to the upper levels of the manor, shrouded in a sense of mystery. At the base of the stairs is a pedestal displaying a centuries-old family heirloom, perhaps a relic from the family's darker past.

The entrance hall is flanked by imposing doors leading to various chambers within the manor. Heavy, dark curtains hang at these entrances, hinting at the privacy and secrecy that envelops the Gaunt family's affairs. The air is thick with the scent of ancient books and magical artifacts, giving us a glimpse into the esoteric world that the Gaunts inhabit.

Despite the warming lights in the house, it's cold. It's isn't cold from the lack of warmth, in fact in the spring time it is quite hot in here. It cold because as we step into the room I can feel the eyes of everyone in the house land on us. Their gaze isn't welcoming and it isn't warming. It cold. It's like we are uninvited guests that just walked into their house.

A tall man that I can only assume to be Ominis's father steps forward and offers us a smile. But I am smart enough to know that it is anything but friendly. Behind him there is a little girl, she can't be no older than ten. She must be Ominis's sister.

"Ominis, dear, please introduce us to your friends," his father says gently.

My eyes quickly find my blonde haired friend. He clenches his fists beside him, "This is Sebastian Sallow," he says gesturing to where he stood beside him. "And this," he pauses for a moment, "is my girlfriend, Lila Snape."

I fidget with the sleeves of my dress as everyone turns to look at me. I take in a shaky breath. Hopefully the pause that Ominis took to introduce me they assumed it was from nerves rather than a lie.

"Hello," I replied softly trying to keep my voice steady but it wavers.

Mrs. Gaunt turns to her house elf and orders him to set the table for dinner. I see Ominis's dad and Marvolo share a glance, but I can't be sure at what they were silently communicating about. Within a few minutes the house elf returns and the Gaunts lead us through a dimly lit hall towards the dining room.

As we make your way from the grand foyer to the dining room of the Gaunt Manor, the transition is marked by a corridor that maintains the manor's rich, gothic ambiance. The walls are adorned with portraits of stern-faced ancestors, their eyes seeming to follow your every move. Dimly lit sconces cast a warm, flickering light, creating an atmosphere of subdued elegance.

The corridor itself is lined with intricately woven carpets that muffle footsteps, and the occasional suit of armor stands as a silent guardian along the way. Tall, narrow windows allow a minimal amount of natural light to filter through, revealing glimpses of the overgrown garden outside, hinting at the enchantments that shroud the manor.

We pass a room that I recognized, although I have never been here. I've seen it twice now. The first time was last year in divination class when we used the crystal balls to share memories with our partner. Mine had just to happen to be Ominis, and his memory wasn't pleasant. It was him standing in that room and forced to torture someone. The second time was from my dream a few nights ago. In the dream Ominis's mother forced him to cast the curse on me and when he refused, she cast the imperious curse on him making him do it.

I shudder at the memories of the horrors that take place in that room. Discreetly from beside me I feel Sebastian slip his hand into mine as if sensing my discomfort. I don't dare glance up at him, I don't want to give the Guants any reason to suspect that I am secretly dating their son's best friend.

As we approach the dining room, the heavy double doors loom ahead. Carved with serpentine motifs and embellished with the Gaunt family crest, the doors give a sense of the family's pride and exclusivity. Upon opening the doors, we are greeted by a sight that contrasts the austere hallways – the dining room is a decadent space.

The long dining table is set with dark, ornate silverware, and candelabras cast a warm glow over the room. Heavy, velvet curtains frame tall windows, and the walls are adorned with more tapestries, depicting scenes of magical prowess and familial triumphs. The air is rich with the aroma of a carefully prepared meal, creating an inviting yet intimidating atmosphere.

From my other side I feel Ominis also grab onto my hand. This is the closest I've felt to comfort since stepping foot into this house. I suck in a breath as we enter the dining room. Everyone is the family takes their seat, leaving the three of us. Sebastian had let go of my hand the moment we stepped in, not wanting to draw attention to it, leaving just Ominis and I holding hands.

The Gaunt Manor's dining room is a lavish yet intimidating space, designed to showcase the family's opulence and magical heritage. Dark wood paneling lines the walls, adorned with tapestries that tell tales of ancient wizarding battles and triumphs. The room is illuminated by the warm flickering light of numerous candles in ornate candelabras, casting a play of shadows that dance across the walls.

A long, mahogany dining table takes center stage, its surface polished to a gleaming sheen. The table is adorned with silverware, delicate china, and crystal goblets, reflecting the family's refined taste. High-backed, cushioned chairs surround the table, each bearing the Gaunt family crest as a mark of distinction.

At the head of the table sits a grandiose chair, more imposing than the others, reserved for the family patriarch. Above it hangs a large portrait of an ancestor, their piercing gaze seemingly watching over the room. The ceiling is adorned with an elaborate chandelier, casting a warm and ambient light over the dining area.

The room's atmosphere is both regal and foreboding, with heavy, velvet curtains drawn over tall windows, concealing the outside world. The air carries the scent of richly prepared cuisine, served by house-elves who move silently, adding an element of mystique to the dining experience.

I let Ominis lead the way. We take our seats with Ominis and Sebastian sitting on either side of me as if that can protect me. As soon as we sit down, a house elf runs by and starts grabbing our wands.

"What are you doing?" I ask him as he tries to take my wand. Fear races through me.

Mrs. Guant simply smiles at this, "It is our custom." She explains. "The elves take the wands while we eat and then give them back when we are done."

I glance over at Sebastian who gives me a skeptical look and then to Ominis who looks annoyed. Breathing a sigh of defeat I release my grip on my wand and the elf takes it before vanishing with everyones wands.

Defenseless, I turn to face the Gaunts. As far as I could tell the house elf didn't take their wands. A few moments later the elf accompanied by two others appear and place plates of food onto the table. The sight of the food just reminded me that I wasn't hungry. I am too nervous to eat.

The Gaunts start putting food onto their plates and not wanting to seem rude, I do the same. I place a small spoonful of potatoes and a piece of chicken on my plate. I see Sebastian doing the same. Ominis has still yet to touch the food.

"So, Lila," Mrs. Gaunt says looking up from her plate with a knife in her hand. "How did you meet Ominis?" She asks.

I feel myself relax at the question. That is an easy one. "Well we actually met on the train to Hogwarts our first year." I tell her.

"I work with your mother you know," she says with disgust in her voice.

I nod my head choosing to ignore her hatred for my mother. "Yes, she's mentioned that."

I'm not sure what else to do so I look down at my plate, not even bothering to pretend like I am eating. "So tell us about yourself, Lila." I hear Mr. Gaunt say.

My eyes flick up to him and then to the surrounding faces of the people at the table. "Um..." I start but then trial off. I definitely shouldn't say that I grew up in the muggle world, but I can't seem to think of anything interesting about me. "I have an older brother." I say after a few long moments. "And I'm really bad a quidditch."

The eldest Gaunt lets out a huff, I clearly didn't give the answer he was looking for. "We've heard that you grew up in the muggle world." He says.

Fear races through me as my heart rate picks up. My hand reaches out for either Ominis or Sebastian I don't care which at this moment but it finds neither of them. Beside me Ominis stiffens. "Yes, she did," he says causally. I glance at him with fear but try my best to mask it. "Her mother wanted her to grow up with them so that they would be treated as equals."

His mother lets out a shriek, "So a blood traitor then!"

I wince, this isn't exactly turning out how we had hoped. "No," I tell her. I let out a breath, may as well tell the story now. "My mother is a pureblood." I tell them. "But she rebelled against her family and married my father, a muggle." I say and hear his parents gasp in horror.

"A halfblood?" Ominis's father say not even bothering to hide his disgust.

"Yes, but not quite," Ominis says drawing all the attention over to him. I turn my head to him in confusion, not sure what he is getting at. "Her mother actually had an affair with a pure blood, so Lila is the same as us."

I try my best to hide my confusion. Why is he lying? We didn't agree to this. I sneak a glance over at Sebastian who seems to be hiding his confusion as well. I look back at the Gaunts and offer them a reassuring smile. "Yes, I didn't know that until a few weeks ago myself." I say hoping they will believe my lie. I've always been terrible at lying.

His mother doesn't seem to believe what I say but doesn't say anything. She simply takes a sip from her cup, glancing between the two of us. My eyes glance down at my own cup that sits there untouched. I feel no urge to drink it.

From underneath the table Sebastian's hand grabs ahold of mine to offer me some comfort. Ominis's father eyes me with suspicion but says nothing. All the conversation seems to have died out.

When the silence does break it's Marvolo that speaks. "Is that so?" He asks, his eyes staring right at me. He must be able to see through the lie. I slowly nod my head not trusting myself to speak. "Well, in that case you wouldn't care to prove it then."

I feel fear rise up inside of me once again. Would they go easier on me if I told them the truth. Would it even matter. I glance over to Ominis but he sits stiffly, he's not sure what to do either. My head turns to find Sebastian who looks just as scared as I am.

I turn back to the older brother, my eyes showing how much I am afraid. I shake my head, "No, I can't do that." I admit.

The older Gaunt brother only smirks at this but doesn't say anything. His father stares at me, his eyes seem to burn holes in me. "And why not?" He asks calmly.

Underneath the table I wipe my hands on my dress to get rid of the sweat, "Because I'm only a half blood."

Ominis's mother lets out a sound of disappointment. "Ominis, we were hoping for a suitable match for you, not... this."

I don't say anything, I don't know what to say. I glance at Ominis who masks his emotions, his face blank.

I hear Sebastian suck in a breath from beside me and I turn to look at him. I'm sure he can see the fear in my eyes but I know there is nothing he can do. "Lila Snape, you come from questionable lineage. Our family has a reputation to uphold." Ominis's father says bringing my attention to him.

Ominis lets out a nervous breath. He has to know that this is going down hill and it won't end will. "Father, it's not what you think. Lila isn't like a..." he trails off and seems to have to force himself to say a word, "mudblood."

I'm not sure if I should speak up and help him or to just let this play out. Because honestly I am like a muggleborn, I grew up in the muggle world. "Ominis can make decisions for himself." I hear myself say before I can even think it through.

Ominis's mother finds my face and glares daggers at me. If there was a slim change that she liked me before, it's gone now. "We expect Ominis to make wise choices. This is not one of them."

Even though I am not really dating my best friend, the word of his parents still hurt. I don't know what else to say, I can't win this argument. I nod my head at their words as tear prick at my eyes.

"We were thinking more along the lines of a suitable pure-blood match, not a... blood traitor and definitely not someone like you." Mr. Gaunt says his voice loud and clear. I feel my face heat up in embarrassment and I glance down at the table.

When they look away from me to talk amongst themselves, I feel Sebastian lean over to whisper in my ear. "This is going worse than I imagined."

A few minutes pass and no one touches their food. Dinner is the last thing on my mind. Ominis's father looks up at the three of us. His eyes land on Sebastian. "Come with me, Sebastian." He says standing up.

Sebastian looks over to me worried. I can tell that he's afraid to leave me with them. The older man doesn't seem to be taking a no for an answer though because he grabs ahold of Sebastian's arm and they walk out of the dinning room towards a room I haven't been.

"Well, dinner is just getting better." Mrs. Guant says, her voice is oddly excited despite what had just occurred.

"Oh it'll get interesting that's for sure." I hear Marvolo say. My eyes dart over to him and see that he is already staring at me.

I am not quite sure what they could be talking about, although I have my suspicions. Ominis knows though. "Mother, please, we'll just be going." He says standing up and grabbing me so that I stand up with him. I see the desperation in his face.

"You know the rules, Ominis." She says, her voice cruel. "And if you want to bring this rubbish home then we have to treat her like that."

Fear once again finds me. Ominis told me what his family does and now they want to do it on me. "Marvolo," His mother says and then gestures to me. "If you would."

She's going to make Marvolo do it. "No," I say backing away as Marvolo approaches me. He ignores me. "No, please."

"Mother, you don't have to do this." Ominis pleas with his mother. I have never heard Ominis so scared before.

Marvolo leads me to stand in front of the fireplace. It is unlit and only a few feet from where Ominis and his mother stand. "I'm not doing this." She says looking down at her youngest son. "You are." She hands the boy his wand, his hand hesitantly wrapping around it. I don't blame him for taking it, it's how he sees.

Ominis's face contorts to confusion. "No I can't do that, I wouldn't do that."

"You know what happens if you refuse, Ominis." His mother states.

"Do what you must but I won't do it." Ominis says trying to keep his voice strong but I know he is terrified.

The woman gave him a disapproving look before she took a step back, "Imperio," she spoke calmly aiming her wand at Ominis. Her eyes turned green and so did Ominis's. I could see him trying to fight it but it was no use. "Do it, Ominis," she whispered into his ear.

Tears were now streaming down his face as his unfocused eyes stared in my direction. "Crucio," Ominis shouts. A blast of red light flashed, racing towards me before I had time to react. Blazing, white hot pain scorches through my flesh, shattering my bones and turning my blood to liquid fire. My knees hit the stone floor, following by the rest of me as a scream tore from my lungs. The excruciating pain was everywhere, my body thrashing to try and get away, to somehow make it stop. In that moment, I lost my mind – no longer knowing where I am, who I am, or what is happening. My mind is enveloped and taken over by the burning pain. My screams echo off the walls, my throat tearing itself apart from the force of my agonizing wailing. The pain seems to spread through my soul, ripping apart my very being.

After what felt like hours, but was only mere seconds, I could hear the sound of someone yelling and Sebastian running to my side. My eyes fly up and see Ominis's mom release her grip of the spell that her son was under and he immediately lifts the curse. His eyes watery as tears fall down his face. The sound of his wand clattering to the floor echoed off the walls, my screams have silenced.

My breath came out in sharp, raspy gasps as my body twitches. My body aches, jumping sporadically from the beginnings of nerve damage. Cool, gentle hands smooth back the hair from my face before moving to rub circles on my back. Tears were creeping out of the corner of my eyes, and I blearily blink them open to see Sebastian crouching beside me, his expression pained and worried. "Don't move yet," he whispers gently, as he he glances up at the Gaunts.

Mrs. Guant doesn't seem to mind that Sebastian had intervened. Her full focus on her youngest son. His father walks up behind him, tears were still streaming down Ominis's face. "You know the other spell, son." I hear him say in a gentle voice as he places a hand on his son's shoulder.

I'm not sure what spell he is talking about but from Ominis's expression it isn't anything good. He shakes his head, "No!" He shouts. "I can't."

"Very well," His mother says pointing her wand back at her son. "Imperio." She says her voice barely above a whisper.

I see Sebastian glance around beside us, maybe looking for something to help us. And then he leaves my side. I watch as he runs out of the room and down the dimly lit hallway.

I feel more tears fall down my face and fear pick up as I turn back to Ominis. He still stands where he was but with his wand pointed at me once more. His eyes glow a green color once more, his face void of any emotion. If it weren't for the tears falling down his cheeks, I would assume it was actually him.

I see him try his best to fight off the effects of the curse. I have never felt that curse, but I am sure with a powerful Guant performing it, it is difficult to break out of. Sebastian runs back inside the room and rushes to my side. Ominis's parents don't even seem to notice, all their attention is on their son.

"I got out wands," Sebastian whispers to me.

I try to sit up but everything still feels like it's on fire. I wince but proceed to sit up, leaning against Sebastian for support. Fears intertwines with his eyes as he stares at me and then to Ominis.

His struggle to stop himself from doing what his parents want is getting him no where. "Do they spell, Ominis," his mother whispers in his ear.

Another tear falls down his face as he blinks his eyes. His hand shakes at his wand points at me. "Avada 𑁋"

"Accio!" Sebastian says cutting Ominis off. With Sebastian's spell Ominis comes to us and before I can even wonder what Sebastian is doing he drags the both of us to the fireplace. He grabs a handful of the floo powder from the shelf above and utters the words. "Hogwarts: Bell tower courtyard!"

All of it happened so fast that when I look up as the green flames start to surround me, I see the Gaunts rushing towards us but we are already gone.

I've traveled by floo many times, I'm just not a huge fan of it. When we arrive at the bell tower no one is there. It has to be some time in the middle of the night. If we get caught out here then we will most likely be serving detention for a week.

The bell tower courtyard at Hogwarts, when bathed in the soft glow of moonlight and devoid of any presence, becomes a serene and magical spectacle. The courtyard is surrounded by ancient stone walls adorned with climbing ivy, giving it an enchanting, timeless quality.

The courtyard is paved with cobblestones, the surfaces reflecting the silvery light of the moon. Stone benches are scattered around, providing silent witnesses to centuries of magical history. Tall, slender arches lead to hidden passages, and the air is filled with the distant echoes of the castle's resident ghosts.

The bell tower itself, rising majestically into the night sky, is a silhouette against the celestial canvas. The wrought-iron bell, silent and still, hangs suspended in the tower, its ancient metal bearing the scars of countless chimes.

In this quiet solitude, the courtyard feels like a haven of tranquility within the bustling walls of Hogwarts. The surrounding trees cast ethereal shadows, and the occasional rustle of leaves adds a touch of mystery to the atmosphere. It feels much safer here than it did at the Gaunt manor. I let myself breathe a sigh of relief.

My legs still feel weak and I sit down on the cold floor. The moonlight gives us enough light to be able to see our way around. When I glance up at Ominis, I feel the fear prickle inside of me and I quickly stand up again.

I don't know if the effects of the imperious curse is still on him and if he still wants to kill me. I back up a few steps, "Ominis," my voice is quite and laced with fear.

Sebastian glances at me and then to the blonde boy beside him. He takes a step in front of me just in case the effects of the imperious curse is still influencing him. "Ominis," he says, "you alright?"

Ominis sits down on a nearby bench. He doesn't say anything, just simply nods his head. I know it wasn't him, that he didn't have a choice. That his parents took away his choice but when my eyes land on him I can only feel the excruciating pain of the torture curse.

He seems to have sensed me starring at him as he looks up, "Lila," he starts.

Sebastian stops him before he can say anything else, "First, do you still have the urge to kill her?" He asks him.

I can't bring myself to look at him, instead I focus my gaze on the ground in front of him. "No," he says quickly, "no, maybe, I don't know." His voice breaks and he lowers his head.

Sebastian seems torn on who to go to. I don't give him a choice, I leave the two of them there heading into the dark halls of the castle.

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This is the outfit that Lila wore.

This is the chapter I was looking forward to since I first came up with the idea for this story. Which may be why it's 8400 words long. It's the longest chapter I've ever written and I think I'm proud of it for how it turned out.

This chapter took forever to write. I wrote all the ones leading up to this one in like a month and then burnt myself out. It took months for me to finish the chapter because I would just write a little bit everyday.

So now with everything that just happened Lila's friendships will be tested. She knows that it wasn't actually Ominis but it was still him that performed the spell and she's just a scared kid. And I feel bad because this is only the beginning and it's going to get a lot worse for her.

Also I know that those under the influence of the imperious curse don't know what they are doing, but for the sake of this story the person that casts the spell has the option to let the person they are controlling to remember what they are doing or not. So Ominis is fully aware what he did.