Chapter Text
The winter holidays were a much-anticipated time for most Hogwarts students, as they eagerly looked forward to reuniting with their families. The school was transformed with festive decorations that draped every surface, and the sound of cheerful chatter echoed through the halls. The air was tinged with the sweet scent of freshly baked pastries, as the house-elves scurried back and forth to prepare for the upcoming festivities.
However, not all looked forward to the winter break with excitement, and this was especially true for those in the Slytherin house. Many students came from strict, pure-blood families with lofty ambitions for their children, and the pressure to live up to these expectations weighed heavily on their shoulders.
Your trio found yourselves in a similar situation. Ominis was adamant about not spending the holidays with his family, Sebastian's strained relationship with his sister made it impossible to return home, and you had your own reasons for not wanting to. Despite being Muggle-born, you came from a wealthy family, which gave you the option to 'go home' without actually seeing them. Instead, you had managed to plan a special getaway for the three of you in a secluded manor your lineage claimed as their own, nestled in the boundary of the Scottish countryside.
The carriage rattled and jostled along the snowy road, the soft glow of the lanterns casting flickering shadows on the frost-covered windows. You watched the passing scenery with a sense of trepidation, your mind racing with last-minute worries. To keep your mind off your concerns, you checked your luggage for the umpteenth time, ensuring you had everything you needed for the trip, including clothes, toiletries, and winter activity equipment. You then stowed it under your seat, knowing you would check it again soon.
Sebastian, who sat in front of you, looked up with a quizzical expression. "What is the reason for your constant checking? Do you fear that your belongings will grow legs and walk away?"
You offered a wry smile in response. "I wish my worries were that amusing."
"It's a shame, I would pay good money to see you running after your clothes in the streets of England," Sebastian said before glancing at the luggage beneath your seat. "Is there a particular reason why you seem so preoccupied, or are you simply finding an excuse to go back to Mr. Black?"
Ominis, who had been lost in thought, suddenly spoke up. "Stop pestering them, Sebastian."
"Thank you, Ominis," you said, grateful for the intervention, looking into his eyes even if he didn't notice. "And no, just to get away from you," you added with a smirk, turning to face Sebastian. But you did feel a bit of fear of what he said, maybe you were searching for something more personal, searching for anger. You thankfully didn't find it.
"You don't have to worry about forgetting anything; we might very well get what you want at the place you're leading us to," Ominis remarked.
Sebastian reclined on his side of the carriage, looking at you both. "I don't know why you're so bothered by such a trivial thing as packing. We'll be back in less than a month."
"I believe Sebastian is trying to say that you'll be fine," Ominis stated.
"Of course they will be. They've fought trolls and are concerned about packing. Unbelievable," Sebastian said.
You rolled your eyes, even though you appreciated the reassurance. But couldn't help feeling anxious. You had many reasons to be worried - from the fact that Ominis would have to use a normal cane in the Muggle world; to the fear of the Gaunt family if they discovered where their son went; also that Ominis is still hurt about what Sebastian did, and you know it; to the guilt of using your family's resources without their knowledge. But you didn't want to vocalize your concerns. The luggage was just a distraction.
Instead, you gazed out the window as the carriage passed through a tiny and charming village, the glittering lights of the shops and houses casting a warm glow on the wintry fields. "It's not far from here," you remarked.
The moon illuminated the sky, casting a soft glow over the lodge. Snow-covered hills and towering pine trees surrounded the cozy and inviting retreat, providing a nice view. The manor, an old but well-kept building with ivy creeping up its stone walls and a gray shingles roof, had its rustic charm. The grounds were expansive and included a garden that was dormant in the winter, but still held a certain pop of color from the lenten roses and camellias that thrived in this climate. Just beyond the garden, there was a frozen lake that was perfect for ice skating or taking peaceful walks along its shores.
Upon entering the grand foyer, the trio was greeted by a sweeping staircase that led to the second floor. The intricate floral wallpapers lining the walls in beige and burgundy tones lent an air of elegance to the space. The warm and cozy air in the sun room, to the left of the foyer, emanated from the fireplace just waiting to be lit.
Sebastian was used to elegant things around the school, but he certainly didn't expect this from a house in the middle of nowhere, England. "Bloody hell, this place is amazing," he whispered to himself, taking in the surrounding sights. Just above the three of you rested a long crystal and bronze chandelier, the candles did not float but had a charm of their own.
"It's lovely," Ominis remarked, feeling the textures of the walls before following Sebastian and you into the main living area. He was using a cane to see this time, so how he knew that was a question that remained unanswered for both of you. For him, the still cold air was refreshing, carrying the scent of the house flowers and old wood, which was nice. The carpet was soft, but not enough to be disturbing to walk on.
Sebastian did make a movement to try and guide Ominis through a step, to which he recoiled. You felt the tension and was itchy to detract from it.
"The chandelier is a nuisance to light," you sighed, trying to turn the attention away from the awkward motion. "But I heard that London is employing some type of electric lights, so I can only wait for the house to be converted"
The grand living room was just as dramatic, with plush sofas and armchairs arranged around a large fireplace. A cozy rug adorned the wooden floor, and another chandelier, smaller, hung from the high ceiling. The dining room, which was adjacent to the living room, featured a long wooden table that could comfortably seat ten people.
"I knew you didn't come from nothing, but to be honest wasn't expecting you to be this well-off," Sebastian sat into one of the sofas, feeling the velvet against his skin.
You shrugged off his remark, searching for your wand to cast the levitation spell and then light the fireplace, before remembering where you were. "Are you impressed with this after such a long time in Hogwarts? There are bigger estates in this region," you said as you moved to get the logs that rested already cut in a pile, probably from the last person that used it.
"The grandeur of the place doesn't matter at all, as long as it's comfortable," Ominis nodded, his hand gliding over the soft velvet fabric of the armchair.
"The two of you are quite modest, you know that?" Sebastian said in a sarcastic tone. He then appeared to notice you struggling with the wood and got up to pick them himself.
"But I really do hope my family don't mind I took this place," you admitted in a whisper. Then, turning to Ominis, you asked, "Are you able to move alright?"
"I'm quite fine," he explained, "It is not the same, but I did have to use a cane before I got my wand. However, I may not be able to chase after you two when you inevitably set this place ablaze," a small mocking smile played on his lips.
You chuckled at Ominis' remark, relieved to see him in good spirits. As Sebastian arranged the logs in the fireplace, you took a seat on one of the armchairs, letting out a contented sigh as you sank into its cushions. Meanwhile, Sebastian arranged the logs in the fireplace and grabbed a flint, grumbling under his breath about the difficulty of starting a fire without magic.
With Sebastian's angry mumble as a backdrop, you tried to distract, somewhat scared that if you didn't fill the air they would. Your first thought was to annoy your friends and keep their attention on yourself, since Ominis was the closest, he became the victim to your playful teasing. You used your feet to disturb his. "I suppose you all now see my point about the chandelier."
Ominis feet stepped on yours, as if he expected the provocation, "It's certainly more convenient, but may be beneficial for you to stay clear of the enticement of curses. I'm quite enjoying it," He replied, and you were not sure if to Sebastian or you, maybe both. You gulped.
During the phrase, he used his cane to disrupt your legs in return. He faced to the direction where you giggled while silently mouthing the word 'stop', but a smile was stamped in his face. You continued to tease him, ignoring the plea, happy it was working.
As Sebastian finally got the fire started, you let out a contented sigh and sank into the cushions of the armchair. Looking around the room, an idea began to brew in your mind, your 'eureka' that made you stop with your later distraction, finally letting Ominis be. "You know, there's a cabinet to your left. The key is usually in the plant pot above it," you said, nodding towards the mahogany piece of furniture. Sebastian raised his eyebrows and went to investigate, finding it stocked with a generous supply of liquor.
He returned with two bottles and a few cups, and you all settled in to enjoy the drinks. "It's not Fire whiskey, but it should do the trick," you said with a grin. "Maybe we can have some fun?"
Sebastian's hand reached out for the bottle, eyeing the label curiously. The drink was an original brew from a small village overlooking the manor, and naturally he didn't recognize it. Ominis remained silent, but a small, guilty smile crept across his face.
As he opened the bottle, the room was filled with the powerful aroma of vanilla and something else, maybe pepper. The liquid was dark and rich, and as it touched your tongues, a fiery sensation spread through the mouth and down your throats. The first to cough and sputter, tears forming in the corners of their eyes, was none other than you.
Sebastian tried to act nonchalant, but the sudden cough that followed betrayed his determination. Ominis chuckled, his voice soft and mellow, but with a mischievous edge. He took a small sip himself, his head tilted slightly, and his fingers brushed over the surface of the cup.
"What's the matter? Can't handle your drinks?" he teased, a clever smile on his lips. "You two appear to be nothing more than Gryffindors trying to one-up each other. Please, do continue."
"Don't even start," Sebastian frowned, taking another sip, now prepared for the flavor, it was more enjoyable. "What a dreadful comparison. We have far more finesse."
You cackled with amusement, barely noticing a bit of the beverage escaping your lips. Luckily, Ominis couldn't notice, or Sebastian's argument would have been ruined forever. "We are merely determining dominance," you joked. "To see who may be eaten first, should we ever find ourselves starving."
"In that case, you both shall perish," Ominis grinned as he placed his hand, followed by a cup, upon the table in front of himself.
As you continued to drink, a comfortable silence settled over the room. The only sounds were the occasional clink of glasses and the soft rustle of pages as Sebastian read a book he had "borrowed" from Mrs. Scribner.
"May I switch roles and make a proposition to you both?" Ominis inquired suddenly, you do judge there was more than mischief in his voice. "I believe there is a game involving truth. One must answer a question or complete a challenge, and if one refuses, they must drink."
You both looked at each other. It was clearly a trap - the boy who used to tell first-years that a mermaid could be seen from the common room was about to throw you into a ruse. Yet, it was tempting. Those games were a classic on winter holidays, but truth was always fidgety with you all, so it was clear that you would choose dare - unless something else was more desirable. You couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement at the idea of a game. It had been a while since you had let loose and had some fun, you needed something to occupy your friends' minds, and the thought of a drinking game seemed like the perfect way to do just that.
Of course, there was the chance the truth could get tense, but you were counting on your own intervention for that. If it was successful or not, you had yet to see.