stephaniegaunt

[stephaniegaunt]

I imagine Ominis grew up very sheltered. But not in a good way, if there even is such a thing. Likely in a "your disability is an inconvenience to deal with, so just stay put" way. He was greatly discouraged from wandering off and probably hasn't been outside of his home much prior to Hogwarts. The gloomy gardens in Gaunt's home's immediate surrounding is where he would be allowed to wander off to and it's where he would occasionally find a conversation partner.

[stephaniegaunt]

I DARE YOU TO SAY NO TO HIS 🐶🐶 EYES 🤯🤯

DON'T TOUCH ME. I AM NOT OKAY🤯🤯🥂💋🍌🍼🍆👄👑🥵🍑

HE SLAYS THIS ENTIRE FANDOM AND I AM WITH HIM🧎‍♀️🧎‍♂️👑

Source: @Wangqingcai from twitter. Thank you angel ☺ for bring this baby prince 🍭💋🍬🍫🐍🍌👑🍆

[stephaniegaunt]

Just a bunch of my smiling Ominis photos, in one place 💚🐍

[stephaniegaunt]

Ominis and Aunt Noctua ❤

Originally posted by:

[stephaniegaunt]

The Keeper and The Snake

Original fanfic written by me.

Can also read it here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/46517485/chapters/117133990

Summary: Sequel to Hogwarts Legacy (SPOILERS, lots of them). My original MC Seraphine Vector invites her friend Ominis Gaunt to spend the summer with her.

Fluff, romance, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers, and a whole lot of angst ensues.

This is Chapter 2. You can read Chapter 1 here

CHAPTER 2: The Gift

Time went by quickly in the safe house. During the days your parents found ways to entertain you both. Your father quickly bonded with Ominis, as your dad was fascinated by the boy’s magical skills, and Ominis was fascinated by all the Muggle objects, from the stove to a bicycle that your father was constructing. You also introduced him to Muggle literature, and he got quite fond of Jules Verne’s books.

You both got to talk more, too, and you quickly grew to appreciate how intelligent, empathetic, and surprisingly funny he is. One of his most endearing habits was his ability to fall asleep anywhere, anytime. A few times you caught him delightfully snoozing, book resting on his chest, or softly snoring curled up in an armchair. He did explain that not seeing daylight made it a bit difficult to sleep at appropriate times.

You also found out more about his family. Things that so far only Sebastian knew. Gaunts were a cruel family, avoiding Azkaban by sheer luck and connections. Besides aunt Noctua, whose bones you found in the Scriptorium, Ominis also had an uncle who married Headmaster Black’s sister. Through them, Ominis had one cousin, Juno, who graduated from Hogwarts the year before your 5th. You already saw Ominis’ younger, arrogant sister, who he always tried to tease when he had the chance. Not that she didn’t deserve it. But he also had a couple of older siblings, both as sadistic as their parents. Nerona Gaunt was the oldest. A highly capable witch, she was her father’s favorite simply because of her incredible talent for the dark arts. She was twenty years old and engaged to be married to Adolphus Carrow this very summer. Growing up in her shadow was Ominis’ older brother Marvolo. Eighteen years old, he barely graduated from Hogwarts a year ago and, according to Ominis, was “as stupid and cruel as a troll”. Marvolo always felt overshadowed by his older sister, developing views about women that would be considered outdated even by ancient Muggle standards. Because of that, he tended to side with his younger brother, even showing him the Undercroft. Ominis revealed that while Marvolo’s bullying was more physical, emotionally and mentally torturous Nerona was the one he feared more.

You appreciated his honesty and one warm summer evening you decided to finally tell him everything about what happened throughout the school year, and before. Even more than you told Sebastian. It felt great to finally unload.

“Unbelievable…” he exclaimed after you finished your story. “But does explain a lot.”

“I hope you understand why I never told you any of it earlier,” you said apologetically.

“Oh, I do. Don’t worry about it, your secrets are safe with me,” he said kindly, touching your hand, but immediately drew away. “How much does Sebastian know?” he quickly asked.

“A bit less. He knows of my abilities and the whole Ranrok-Rookwood thing, just no details,” you replied.

He sat silently for a bit, deep in thought, then said, “Probably for the best. He might’ve pushed you to help Anne even more than he did.”

“I could never do to Anne what Isidora did to all those people.”

It was a perfect evening for these sorts of conversations. The air was sweet and warm, you could hear the cicadas and the frogs create their symphony, and the rays of the setting sun painted the garden golden.

“I wish you could see what I see,” you said your thoughts out loud and immediately regretted it. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to insult.”

“You didn’t,” he replied softly. “But I would appreciate it if you could describe it to me.”

You did your best to tell him about the golden sunset light, and how the flowers in the garden slowly closed their petals to prepare for the night. How lazy the river streamed, carrying the leaves of the willow trees like tiny boats. And the minuscule freckles of dust and pollen, shining in the sunlight like fairy wisps. When you finished, you both sat in silence, until the sun hid behind the hills and dusk set in.

“I don’t mind being blind,” he suddenly spoke. “I’d say I adapted quite well. Besides, I’d rather not see some things, growing up with my family. But there are some limitations to what I can do. I cannot swim or fly, or apparate. Or be with someone romantically.”

“Well, I don’t know about that last one. There’s nothing about being blind that could prevent love,” you rushed to reassure him.

“You’re still new to the wizarding world, but a lot of young witches see any form of disability as a hereditary curse,” he uttered gloomily.

You were about to say “I don’t”, but managed to catch yourself in time. Instead, you just said, “Any witch would be foolish not to like you, Ominis.”

His expression was unreadable, shielded by the dusk, but you could swear you saw his eyes light up just a little.

July 17th was your birthday and you finally turned sixteen. An owl, sent by Professor Weasley, carried a huge parcel full of letters and gifts from all of your friends from Hogwarts, and a brief but sweet congratulations card from Ms. Weasley herself. Poppy sent a long letter describing her progress of becoming an animagus (yet unsuccessful) and added a Mandrake leaf just in case you wanted to try it yourself. Natty’s letter was brief, but touching, and she sent a Ugandan good luck charm as a gift. Leander complained in his letter about being forbidden to visit you but wished you a lovely birthday and added a never dying rose as a gift. Sebastian mostly talked about his own failed attempts at reconciling with Anne and issues of living alone, sending the stench of the dead as a gift “for your potions”, showing you that he perhaps had more encounters with the Inferi.

There was just you, Ominis, and your parents, but everything was great regardless. Your mom baked a delicious sponge cake, while your dad gifted you the bike that he was working on. But there was one gift that made your heart skip a beat.

“I got you something as well,” Ominis said after you were done with the cake and were lazily enjoying the sunny garden. “It’s not new, so if you don’t like it, don’t worry about it, it’s just that you mentioned wanting to read some wizard literature…” he mumbled.

“Calm down, Ominis, I’m sure I will love whatever it is,” you reassured him as you unwrapped the parcel paper it was covered in.

Inside was a book. Not just any, but the one you saw Ominis carrying while in Hogwarts and mention repeatedly when both of you discussed literature. It was his own, well-read copy of

The Witch’s Astrolabe – an adventure story that was a mix of magic and romance. You touched the worn cover and felt your eyes well up.

“Ominis,” you uttered. “This is a wonderful gift, thank you.”

Worry on his face got immediately replaced by relief, “I wanted to order you a new copy, but…”

“This one is perfect,” you interrupted him. And it was. Ominis didn’t let on, but his family, despite being purebloods, were not well-off. On numerous occasions he himself described their house as a “run-down shack”. Most of his personal money came from a tiny inheritance that his aunt Noctua secretly left him, ensuring that he gets her Gringotts vault key while at Hogwarts, so her greedy siblings wouldn’t take it all. But there wasn’t much, and you knew he had to be frugal about his spending, hardly ever going to Hogsmeade and pretty much never buying anything for himself. Once on passing Sebastian mentioned that Ominis and his siblings got their clothing and school supplies covered by the Black family, especially after one of them became the school’s headmaster. So, for Ominis to gift something so precious, so personal to you… it made you feel something, as if butterfly’s wings fluttered in your stomach.

[stephaniegaunt]

The Keeper and The Snake

Original fanfic written my me

Can also read it here: https://archiveofourown.org/works/46517485

Summary: Sequel to Hogwarts Legacy (so, many many spoilers warning). My original MC Seraphine Vector invites her friend Ominis Gaunt to spend a summer with her.

Fluff, romance, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers, and a whole lot of angst ensues.

CHAPTER 1: Year’s End

Chapter 1: Year's end

For the first time in a long while your house, Ravenclaw, won the House Cup. You passed your O.W.L.s with flying colors and finally felt relieved. This time last year Professor Fig was sent by the ministry to teach you traditional magic and you didn’t have a single boring moment since. Ranrok was defeated. Rookwood was dead. Harlow was in Azkaban. There were no more enemies, you could finally go home.

You felt a tap on your shoulder. You barely turned around when you felt Poppy embrace you.

“Congratulations!” she shouted while pulling away. “What will you do now? Any vigilante activities planned this summer?”

“No,” you answered with a sigh. “I think I need some time away from all the action. Will just go home, I missed my parents. What about you?”

“Well, I might have something exciting happen to me. Natty said she might teach me how to become an animagus, would you like to join?”

“That does sound tempting, do you live anywhere near London?”

“No, but we can still visit each other!”

Your conversation was interrupted by Garreth Weasley beckoning both of you over. Next to him was Natty, but before you could head their way someone else grabbed your hand.

“A minute, please, Seraphine,” you heard Leander Prewett say.

“Yes?”

“I heard you said you live in London, well, so do I, so I thought maybe if you’re not too busy this summer, fighting trolls, or whatever it is you do, maybe you’d like to meet up sometime?” he was strangely nervous and avoided looking directly into your eyes. “We probably won’t be able to play Summoner's Court, but we can still do something Ministry-approved…”

“Sure,” you smiled kindly, though you were surprised where this sudden friendliness came from, as you both barely interacted over the whole year. “Just send me an owl and we can arrange something.”

Leander perked up, then awkwardly shook your hand and scurried away. You were about to head towards Poppy, Natty, and Garreth, who all seemed to be having a lively discussion, but someone else caught your eye. It was Ominis Gaunt, standing next to the Slytherin table, having a conversation with Sebastian. This was the first time you saw both of them interact since you decided not to turn Sebastian in. They both seemed quite upset and instinctually you moved towards them.

“…We might not get to stay at my home, but we can still find a place together, Ominis. I mailed our neighbors in Feldcroft, they moved to Hogsmeade a few months ago and they say they’d appreciate it if I kept their house in good shape. We could stay there, and Anne would be nearby.” You heard Sebastian say.

But Ominis’ face was gloomily pointed down. “I appreciate you looking out for me, Sebastian, but I don’t think I’m ready for us to get back on those terms. Nor do I want to impose myself on Anne. And you should be giving her space, too,” his voice was firm when he said it. Only then he felt your presence and faced you, his expression softening. “Oh, Seraphine, congratulations on a House Cup win. Well deserved.”

“Thank you, Ominis,” you smiled at him. “Sebastian,” you addressed the other boy with a more formal tone. You were great friends this whole year, but what he did definitely turned the relationship sour, and you weren’t ready to fully forgive and forget. He let out a faint smile at you and excused himself, leaving you and Ominis alone, in silence.

“He told me about your family situation,” you decided to break the silence first. “And I just want you to know, that you don’t have to go back there. Nor do you have to stay with Sebastian if you’re not ready. You are more than welcome to stay with me.”

Ominis seemed deeply touched by your words, but quickly got more serious. “Oh, I wouldn’t want to impose. Besides, maybe your parents would not approve,” he shook his head.

“I already asked them, it’s truly alright if you stayed with us,” you lied, but you were sure they wouldn’t mind. Your parents have always been very understanding, even when you first showed signs of magic, or when Professor Fig practically stayed all summer helping you to catch up with your studies.

You could see Ominis’ internal debate, somewhat hoping that he would agree. You liked Ominis. Out of him and Sebastian, he was definitely a calmer, more sensitive, far more reasonable one. Besides, after the little that you knew about his family there was no way you could’ve let him return to them.

“But, and please do not take it the wrong way,” he finally spoke, “but are your parents not Muggles? Not that there’s anything wrong with that, just wondering how they would feel with a wizard, and a boy too, staying with them.” He blushed a little, but you understood what he meant.

“Do not worry, we have a spare room that Professor Fig stayed in, so they’re used to magic and magical guests,” you answered with a smile.

“But…” he struggled to find the right words, shuffling uncomfortably in one spot. “I never interacted with Muggles before… besides… you know… Maybe it’s best that I don’t.”

You realized what he was so afraid of. His only interactions with Muggles were his family’s torture sessions. But Ominis was nothing like that, you knew that the moment he revealed his history with Crucio in Slytherin’s Scriptorium.

“Yes, they are a bit different from wizards, but I swear this is the only issue you’ll encounter. I’m sorry, Ominis, but there is absolutely no reason you could give me that would prove to me that you’d rather spend a whole summer with your family than with us. So, quit with excuses and just say yes,” you responded firmly.

His face showed concern, but you saw that your words definitely had an effect.

“Alright then, if they truly don’t mind, I would appreciate it,” he finally relented.

But before you could say anything else you were approached by Professors Weasley, Hecat, Ronen, and Sharp. “Seraphine, may we speak with you, just in the nearby room,” Weasley addressed you in a friendly tone.

You quickly said goodbye to Ominis and followed the professors to a secluded room near the Great Hall.

“Is anything the matter, professor?” you asked, feeling anxiety build up. What could it be now?

Professors looked at each other, seeing which one will speak first. It was Professor Weasley, “You definitely proved yourself very capable this last year, defeating foes that few adult wizards could handle. But we fear that there are still enough enemies that would gladly see their leaders avenged.”

“Aurors are working on catching the rest of Ranrok’s rebels and Rookwood’s gang, but there are many more out there,” Professor Sharp interrupted. “We do not think it is safe for you to go back home.”

“What?” you gasped.

“Don’t worry, we already contacted your parents and prepared a safe and comfortable place for you all to stay in. The one that dark goblins and wizards would know nothing about,” Professor Ronen spoke, with his usual positive demeanor. “Just think of it as a holiday in a new place… and with fewer chances to socialize.”

Noticing your confused face Professor Hecat explained, “We put powerful protection charms around the safe house where you and your parents will be staying. It just means that neither of you will be able to go wandering about, but the place is sufficient in size…”

“And has a lovely garden,” Professor Ronen added.

“Yes,” Professor Hecat glared at him, “plenty of space for you all to stay comfortably until it is deemed safe, and you can get back to school for your 6th year.”

It was clear from their demeanor that this meeting was just to inform you, not to wait for your agreement, but noticing your concerned face Professor Weasley asked, “Is there anything else you might want to ask?”

“Yes… In fact, it’s more of a request,” you answered, choosing your words carefully. “I have already promised Ominis Gaunt that he will be able to stay with me… my family… this summer. I don’t know if any of you are aware…”

“Yes, you don’t have to explain anything about Gaunts,” Professor Hecat cut you off.

“Well,” you continued, “then you do understand why I might be reluctant to let my friend down. We may be going to a new place, but I hope that Ominis could still stay as our guest.”

Professors all exchanged looks. It was impossible to guess their answer.

“Is Ominis aware of your… special situation?” Professor Weasley inquired.

“He knows a fair bit,” you answered coyly, realizing that none of them know about your adventures with him and Sallow.

“Most importantly, would you be able to explain to him the importance of following our safety rules?” Professor Hecat asked.

But before you could answer Professor Sharp interrupted, “Ominis Gaunt is a capable and dutiful young man, very principled and good-natured. Nothing like what his family name might suggest. I see no reason, if he is alright with our terms, for him to not be able to have a friendly stay at Miss Vector’s.”

After a pause, Professor Weasley said, “Well, then, you may ask Ominis to join you, and if he agrees, and most importantly if your family will, he can stay as your guest. But you both must obey the safety guidelines, understood?”

“Yes, Professor,” you said excitedly.

“Very well, then. You may go and celebrate with your friends and let us know if Mr. Gaunt will be joining you. We shall arrange your safe passage.”

All the professors left the room, Professor Ronen even giving you a friendly wink, and you realized that it might be a bit more difficult persuading Ominis to stay over now.

A few days passed, and you got a letter from your parents saying that they truly do not mind Ominis Gaunt staying with you all summer. You had to give them Muggle-friendly reasoning as to why he couldn’t go back home so that part was easy. Talking Ominis through changed circumstances was a bit more difficult, but after some persuasion, he agreed, and you both now sat awkwardly aboard Hogwarts Express. Next to you was Professor Hecat. Next to Ominis was Professor Sharp. With such company, the only thing left to safely discuss was the view outside the window, but you doubted that Ominis could contribute much.

Instead, you reflected on your past year. Experiencing Crucio, Sebastian killing his uncle, Professor Fig dying… And then having to sit through exams, too. Just after them, you were visited by a few Ministry people, who were thoroughly interested in your abilities to see traces of Ancient Magic. But you didn’t tell them that you chose to hide the Repository in a secret location, instead lying that Ranrok used it up before you defeated him. They were still curious about your abilities and you weren’t sure if it won’t prove to be a problem later. But that was something to worry about in the future. You still had a whole summer to look forward to, and two more years of Hogwarts.

The safe house wasn’t as spacious as your parent’s townhouse in London, but it was still a cozy place with a back garden and river view. The house was on the edge of a cute, tiny Cotswolds village, with no wizards around, as Hecat pointed out. Downstairs had a lovely kitchen, drawing room, dining room, bathroom, as well as your parent’s master bedroom. Upstairs were both your and Ominis’ bedrooms. The first evening you two barely had a chance to speak, as your parents wanted to know everything about Hogwarts. You had already told Ominis to avoid any stories about the dangerous adventures you had, but he was too busy observing everything around to talk much.

Your mom’s cooking was the most fascinating thing for him. It took solid ten minutes for her to even begin, as he insisted on helping out, but she was adamant that “poor blind boy”, as she called him in a letter, would not exert himself over anything. Your dad was fascinated by Ominis’ ability to freely move around by using his wand for guidance.

“So, does that stick help you to see?” he asked during dinner.

“Not quite, it’s a bit difficult to describe,” Ominis answered.

“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,” you swiftly reassured your friend. “Father, we already talked about this, it’s just magic.”

“No, it’s alright, I can try,” Ominis rushed to correct you. “A wizard forms a special bond with their wand. It has some sort of sentience, but not many notice it. My wand guides me, it feels like a gentle pull. Sometimes I can tell the shape of a person or an object. So, I am sort of aware of my surroundings, including the people. Just cannot see their features, or colors, like eyes or hair. I can also read by feeling the letters pressed into parchment.”

“So, this is how you recognized me outside the Undercroft!” you exclaimed.

He smiled, apologetically, “Yes, you do have quite a different shape from Sebastian.”

Your mom clapped excitedly, “Oh, how wonderful! If only cousin Bertie had your wand, the poor man couldn’t find his way in his own house.”

“I don’t see why, he lived there for 50 years before getting cataracts,” your father scoffed.

Dinner went by pleasantly and you both retired upstairs to your respective rooms. But before he disappeared you spoke, “Just in case you want to know, I have auburn hair. And violet eyes. They’re not very common, our family doctor called it a mutation. Maybe that’s why I was such a late bloomer, magically…”

You saw a tiny smile form at the corners of his lips. “Thank you,” he said in a low, gentle voice, “I was wondering. Goodnight, Seraphine.”

“Goodnight, Ominis.”