#lenientgaunt

[thenightmareofyourdrems]

@lenientgaunt sent: 𝔡𝔬𝔫'𝔱 𝔱𝔞𝔩𝔨 𝔱𝔬 𝔪𝔢.

               ˜”*°•.     Startled .  For  a  moment ,  he  was  caught  off  guard  -  eyes  just  staring  at  the  other ,  words  impossible  to  escape  lips  .  It  was  not  fair .  Ominis  was   his  best  friend ,  he  should  be  there  for  him ,  he should  be  supporting  him,  not  lecturing  him  and  judging  him  and  stealing  hope .  ❝ Ominis ,  please . ❞  A  plead . Their  friendship  one  ages  old  -  why  couldn’t  he  understand  ?   why  couldn’t  he  listen  to  him  ?  No .  They  would  argue  instead,  they  would  shout,  they  would  yell .  And  maybe  Sebastian  himself  had  done  things  he  was  not  extremely  proud  of  - but lying  to  him  had  been  necessary .  The  pursuit  of  the  Dark  Arts  one  he’d  have  never  approved  of .

❝ You  can’t  just  stop  talking  to  me  forever.  I  did  nothing  wrong. ❞  Bold  words  perhaps  -  but  weren’t  they  true  ?  His  every  step  nothing  but  a  desperate  attempt  to  save  his  twin .  The  girl  that’d  always  adored  Ominis  -  really ,  how  could  he  be  sitting  idly  while  knowing  she  was  suffering  ?  How  could  he   be  just  attending  classes ,  doing  everything   normally,  while  every  passing  second  meant  a  thousand  of  torments  for  her  ?   Didn’t  he  feel  shame  ?  Well ,  apparently  no  -  to  argue  with  him  much  more  important  than  saving  his  friend  as  it  seemed .    ❝ You  are  the  one  that  stopped  caring  for  your  friends. ❞  

[bombardanne]

@lenientgaunt

🎁 + a letter after a few too many butterbeers ?

My dearest Ominis, she writes, giggling, even though she had just told her friend that she was doing 'homework' here at The Three Broomsticks.

I think you should change your last name to Sallow!

Ominis Sallow.

How do you like the sound of that? Please, you have to let Sebastian and I adopt you to our family name. Or I suppose there's a different way to propose such.

Anne giggles madly again... Ominis can definitely hear her from his location of right next to her.

Think on it. Give it a try when you're ready.

With affection, Anne.

For some reason, she felt it evenly brilliant of an idea to press her thumb to the interior of her glass, and them stamping the foam of her drink to the top of the letter, as though he'd known to smell the letter for its seal of influence.

Anne then folds the letter, sliding it over to Ominis' side of the table, nudging him.

[greenleebuchanan]

@lenientgaunt inquired:

"i missed the part where that's my problem."  // this deadpan snake.. istg

    “It--- it isn’t. I was just---” Complaining. She was simply complaining. Greenlee just forgot whom she was speaking with when she decided to let her thoughts run away with her. To be fair, she couldn’t exactly complain to Natty about getting detention--- she’d have questions that Greenlee wasn’t keen on answering. She barely liked divulging things to Sebastian as he always wanted to know more but he just so happened to be her best bet when she needed information or a lookout.  

    Hence why the new partners-in-crime of sorts ended up in detention. Thankfully, not for any library infiltrations otherwise it may have resulted in more, but detention was still detention. 

    “...You know, sometimes people just say things without attempting to involve you in their issues. I don’t intend to get you involved in anything--” Not that he would be inclined to help her anyways. “--- I gather Sebastian already pulls you into enough things as it is---- on that note, have you ever been in detention? I imagine just by proxy Sebastian can pull someone into a situation after all--- although, you do have connection as it were so perhaps you’ve weaseled your way out of it, hmm?”

[acourtcfmuses]

@lenientgaunt asked: [ walk ] sender helps receiver walk by staying by their side and holding onto them. – for Sebastian

Sebastian groaned a little, but he was certainly grateful for Ominis' help. "I'm really glad you're here Ominis, I'm sorry I've been a terrible friend recently." he told the other Slytherin. In his pursuit to find a cure for Anne, he was neglecting everything. Schoolwork, extracurriculars that weren't Crossed Wands and more importantly Ominis. Merlin, he wouldn't have been surprised if Ominis had just left him where he was after getting caught in one of Peeve's prank and faceplanking the stone floor. "it's just my Uncle is refusing to look for anything to help Anne now."

"He said there is nothing else." But Uncle Solomon was wrong. Completely. Sebastian missed the days where he, Anne and Ominis were a force to be reckoned with, having fun, tormenting first years. He just needed to remember not to shut everyone out. Especially Ominis. "I don't know what I would do without you Ominis." a bit sentimental to be sure, but complete fact, and he wanted the other to know it. Wanted him to know how much he meant to him.

[managedxmischief]

@lenientgaunt asked : "You just ran into the wall. It's time to lie down." // for Garreth , perhaps? c:

Garreth sighed and nodded. "I suppose you're right." He said rubbing his forehead. "I stayed up all night remaking my potion recipe." He told Ominis. "I'm this close to perfecting it. I just know it."

[tw0heads]

@lenientgaunt . ❛ i am this close away from strangling you. ❜ for sebastian?

these 'threats' were ones that sebastian was almost used to by now. of course, ominis never meant them.. or, he thinks he doesn't mean them, at least. sure, he knows that he can be a pain, but he wouldn't go as far as to kill his dear old friend.

❛ really? i'd like to see you try, ominis. ❜ there was a hint of amusement in his challenge. ❛ i'd hate for you to have to explain to the professors why you had to strange your dearest friend. ❜ the last two words were emphasized, like that was a point for him as to why he shouldn't be strangled.

[nosonofcrouch]

| | Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry | | Slytherin House | | Bartemius Crouch Jnr. , | | interpreted by kettu.

@nosonofcrouch // sideblod to @lenientgaunt

– Sensitive viewers/readers will be advised to not follow this blog as there will be darker themes and content mentioned, such as physical and mental abuse. – I, the writer, is 28 and located in Northern Europe. – I won't interact with anyone under the age of 18. – This is strictly a hobby of mine and I am not obligated to immediately respond to threads or messages. – I have the right to explore and write a character in my own way, just like anyone else. – I will not partake in any out of character-drama that may ( but hopefully not ) occur. It simply doesn't interest me, in the slightest. – you may also find me here @narasnooze

** and to make things tad bit easier... Let's say Barty escaped McGonagall and Snape before Cornelius turned up with those kiss-starved dementors. Yes? Yes.

B A R T Y , – named after his father, Bartemius, is a very bright young man from the pure-blooded Crouch family. At age eleven, Barty becomes a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and is sorted into the Slytherin House.

Bartemius Jnr. does very well in school and studies a bit extra to get in the top of his classes. He even manages to get the best grades in his year. All this... in a desperate attempt to make his father acknowledge him and be proud. The older Bartemius is an incredibly strict and cold man who rarely spend time with his son, never congratulate– or show any sign of love and support. He is distant with his only child and no matter what young Barty does, it never seems to be enough.

In his first two years, Barty keeps to himself, as he is rather shy and inexperienced about friendships. However, in his third year, a boy a year older than him approaches him one day and they become friends. Regulus Black becomes a very important person in Barty's life and one of his favourite things is to watch his friend play Quidditch for their team, as Black is the Slytherin Seeker.

Barty is ( much to Bartemius' father's dislike ) invited over to the Black family for a couple of weeks during a summer break and he is instantly amazed and impressed by the noble family and their ways. They are welcoming, kind and seems genuinely interested in him and listens when he speaks. A lovely family, part from Regulus older brother... He find himself become very fond of Orion Black in particular. He certainly seemed like a true father, and Barty so wished he had someone like him at home.

The number of friends grow, and Barty is being brought along on their mayhem. They are cruel to other students and Barty begins to silently question his choices of friends, wishing he'd stayed behind with Regulus instead, who doesn't engage in such bullying of others. But the attention Barty has finally gotten is hard to let go off... And the dark arts pulled him in, bewitching him like a veala.

A few years later, he and Regulus are both invited to a very important and secretive gathering by Regulus parents. Both boys, very curious and intrigued, step inside and their lives are forever changed. He, the Dark Lord, is far greater than Bartemius could have ever imagined.

"We have heard the evidence against you. The four of you stand accused of capturing an Auror — Frank Longbottom — and subjecting him to the Cruciatus Curse, believing him to have knowledge of the present whereabouts of your exiled master, He Who-Must-Not-Be-Named —"

"Father, I didn't! I didn't, I swear it, Father, don't send me back to the Dementors... No! Mother, no! I didn't do it, I didn't do it, I didn't do it, I didn't know! Don't send me there, don't let him! I'm your son! I'm your son!"

"You are no son of mine! I have no son!"

...Fine.

Then he would become the worst of worst. He would become the most loyal, the most devoted follower to Lord Voldemort. He would become the very thing his father loathed. He would do anything his master asked of him. He would do all of it. He would give his very soul to the Dark Lord...

[bombardanne]

@lenientgaunt

Oh, was Anne having a nice, calm evening read by the fire place in their common room? How lovely. Too bad one certain Gaunt was going to ruin that for her. Well, it wasn't his fault entirely. Sebastian being Sebastian, ending up in all sorts of trouble, was at fault here. Again. Ominis was simply the very exhausted messenger. Again. He sat down beside her in the emerald couch and reached his hand out over the small coffee table to find her cup of tea, taking it for himself, before sitting up and crossing a leg over the other. Mildly distinguished. "Anne," he took a sip, "I have some rather pleasant news."

There was a teapot and then three empty teacups surrounding it. Of course he had to take hers and not pour his own! He didn't even care to ask its contents, and he would know now... it wasn't any ordinary tea for their age bracket. It was bitter, slightly fruity, and it had an effect.

Hog's tea. Of Hogsmeade.

A wrinkle of her nose and a glare was warranted, along with a gentle huff. Or rather, a dramatic sigh, one so that their fellow cohort from a neighbouring study table could hear her displeasure.

"Ominis," she pronounced in return. She reached out for one of the drinkless cups, and 'sipped' even louder. And then tapped it as she set it down. "Do go on with your news. I hope it to be an event I can fall asleep to."

[acourtcfmuses]

@lenientgaunt asked: "they told me you'd be trouble. clearly that was an understatement." – For Eilidh

The redhead looked up from the book she was reading at the sound of his voice. "Am I allowed to inquire as to who was saying I was trouble?" because whomever it was would determine how right they were in all honesty. Because in terms of the average student in Hogwarts, she was actually very helpful and doing tasks for them with very little reward in all honest.

Sebastian, undoubtedly that was a grey area in all honest on depending on what exactly Ominis knew about. Frankly, she was just hoping he was inferring to the incident in Hogsmeade with the troll. "There had been some... odd... situations since finding out I was to start attending here." She admitted closing her book. Given she was on Rookwood's radar, and Ranrok's. "But I do try my best to stay out of trouble." okay, that was not quite the truth, she ended up involved in a lot of things. She wasn't going to talk about all the empty Wiggenweld vials in her bag.

[acourtcfmuses]

@lenientgaunt asked: "are you kidding me? who decided this?" – for Angus

"It's all good I promise." The Hufflepuff told the Slytherin. "It was me who decided to help out." though looking back, it had been a bit of a weird situation. Who'd ever heard of a portrait sending a student an owl? "The portrait of Eldritch Diggory in my common room asked for my help. I didn't think it was going to be as dangerous as it was honestly. Merlin, it was something that happened years ago, he just wanted my help in solving the mystery."

How was he to know that he would end up being apparated to Azkaban? "On the plus side, I'm never, ever, going to do anything illegal. I do not want to go back to that place. Ever." Honestly, he'd thought Thersals were creepy, he'd clearly never met a Dementor before that trip. Nevermind the fact that people in prison there were clearly driven mad and possibly being fed on by the Dementors. The term scared straight was definitely an apt one.

[greenleebuchanan]

GET TO KNOW THE MUN !!!

NAME:      TSI (I'll come up with a better one for here, that's just the one I'm used to sjsj)

PRONOUNS:      she/her

BEST EXPERIENCE:   Just getting to interact with people and see their well thought-out takes on their characters. I've only ever played canon characters of series until now (and ones that were often misrepresented by fandom) so I just appreciate getting to see the solid and well-thought out interpretations people come up with as well as they AUs that people throw out because I'm amazed at how creative they are

PREFERENCE OF COMMUNICATION:      tumblr messages/discord (feel free to ask for my discord if you'd like~)

MOST ACTIVE MUSE:     I treat all my muses equally---- and by that I mean I sporadically give attention to them all sjsj 

EXPERIENCE / HOW MANY YEARS:    ...I think 10 years on and off--- which makes me think lmao

RP PET PEEVE:     Just anyone that doesn't really pay attention to what I've said about my muse and such so they go off what they assume, even disregarding specific things I've added in my rules. I've had that happen a number of times in other fandoms.

PLOTS OR MEMES:      I am honestly fine with either! I've found memes have given me ideas that have turned into threads or even whole AUs from time to time but I also enjoy exploring plots that others have thrown my way. I think both work well~

LONG OR SHORT REPLIES:   As long as the reply gives me something to work with, I am fine with any length. I tend to ramble a lot in my own replies so I'm totally okay with other not matching my length jsjs

ARE YOU LIKE YOUR MUSES:    I'd say all my muses have a tendency to ramble more often than not--- which is a trait I definitely share with them, but that's likely the main thing we have in common. My muses (including Greenlee) are much, much more adventurous and bold than I am.

tagged by: @lenientgaunt <3333 (thank you for tagging~ even though you basically told me I had to sjsjsj

tagging: Anyone who has not done this yet~

[thenightmareofyourdrems]

              ˜”*°•.       They  are nothing  like  before , and  it  doesn’t make  sense .  It shouldn’t  be  their friendship  suffering .   For Ominis  to  say  these  things … he  doesn’t  know  how  to react . Their  eyes  meet, and  for  a moment ,  he  feels his  heartbeat  echoing deafening.  ❝ You  think  I’d fight  you  ? ❞  He  is  not  a bad  person ,  he refuses  to  believe he  is .  Yet , Ominis  speaks  as if  his  every  word  could trigger  him ,  get him  to  lash out  ,  to hurt .  They  are friends .  He  can’t understand  why  Ominis refuses  to  see  it .  Why Sebastian  searching  for a  cure  to save  Anne ,  to do  something  nice for  his  family is  only  bringing tension ,  shouts  and hostility .  He  should be  supporting  him, reassuring  him,  not acting  like  he was  a  villain .

Then  he talks  about  the  books  again ,  about his  health.  Can’t they  understand  ?  His life  is  nothing without  her .  He is  not  living , he  is  not breathing ,  he  is  nothing .  Hogwarts  once fascinating ,  now  useless, offering  nothing  but the  Restricted  Section of  the  Library. The  Crossed  Wands once  his  life, now  a  waste of  time ,  a  meaningless waste  of  time. And  his  friends ?  His  friends seemed  to  be  forgetting what true  friendship  looked like. ❝ I am being careful . ❞

When  Ominis speaks   again ,  he wishes  he  can disappear ,  wishes  he  can  ebb away  into  nothingness , be  forever  gone .   To fight  him …  would he  have  fought him  if  Ominis had  refused  to help ?  He  might’ve been  ignoring  the darkness  that’d  begun  to  engulf his  mind ,  but he  knew ,  oh he  knew  so  well ,  that he’d  have  done something .  He’d  already been  cruel  to  him ,  his own  words  shocking him  whenever  they escaped  his  lips . But  at  the same  time,  he  couldn’t  believe this  was  only  his  mistake.  He just  wanted  his sister  back  - and  yet,  the  whole  world had  suddenly  decided to  side  against  him .

The  other is  walking  away,  and  he wants  to  follow him . He  wants  to  tell  him how  much  he means  to  him , that  he  misses him,  that  he wishes  they  could be  the  way they  used  to .   But  there  is another  part  of him  that  doesn’t  care . The  same  part that’d  kept  on yelling  to  him ,  lying  to  him ,  seeking  to  harm .  The same  part  that  hadn’t  let him  help  Ominis, when  he’d  fallen , got  hurt .  Fingernails dig  into  his own  palm .  Potions.  He could  avoid  him , wait  for  him to  go  to class  first,  join a  bit  later , but  why ?  they were  friends,,  they shouldn’t  be  needing to  avoid  each other .  

❝ No ,  wait . ❞ He  says,  rushes  before  the other  to  grab him  by  the wrist .  There  are students  walking  past them ,  some  of them  glancing  at the  two  boys momentarily  before  going on  with  their tasks . ❝ I  don’t  want us  to  be avoiding  each  other . I never said that I want this. Nor that I don't want your friendship. ❞

Ominis faced his friend, and though not being able to see, his eyes managed to make direct contact with Sebastian's, as if looking right at him. An eerie moment of luck. "I said you will need me to. It is not really that i'm willing... It's just that I'm quite certain you will stop at nothing to go forth with this. I'm the only parselmouth you know of. And I refuse to fight a friend so very dear to me. Which makes me even more of a coward than before. But I simply can't bring myself to. Not against you. I can't. I couldn't bear it."

His expression grew more sad at Sebastian's words about that Anne, too, would appreciate what Ominis had more or less agreed to, and offered. No. She wouldn't, Seb... She wouldn't.

"Well, then..." He spoke more quietly, lowering his head. "I will bring you these texts after the holidays. I suggest, if I may, that you try to rest and look after yourself in the meantime. You're putting a lot of stress on your body and mind... Please, be more careful. I'll... I'll stay out of your way, to not upset you any further."

Though, he wasn't sure how he'd manage that in their dorm. Then again, there was always the general common room and the Undercroft. Either way, his worried about Sebastian were too great to care more about how he'd manage to avoid him. The thought of Sebastian getting in severe danger suffocated him.

"...Please. Please, be careful...? Sebastian, please. I couldn't stand it if–" He cut himself off before turning around and making his way to leave through the classroom door where now outside it, a loud group of second years were waiting. Right before he left, he spoke over his shoulder, out of pure habit. "We have Potions next,"

He'd make it straight for the Slytherin common room first though, he thought, to gather some essential things in case he'd need them later.

Anger, confusion and despair were still storming inside him and he couldn't think of one single thing that would ease his mind. He'd also been dangerously close in saying too much.

[thenightmareofyourdrems]

              ˜”*°•.    An eyeroll  of  frustration  was all  offered  to the  other  upon the sound  of  his words .  It  was not  the  Dark Magic  that  he so  deeply  loved . It  was  not the  dangerous  power that  he  so deeply  craved .  he sought  the  cure -  and  Ominis ?  he  did nothing  but  toss  bitter comments  -  misinterpret his  every  decision .  ❝ That’s  not -. ❞ But  he  cut himself  off  right there .  To  keep on arguing  unlike  to help ;  Ominis  did know  something,  after all ,  and  to keep  attacking  him  ?  To keep  disagreeing  ?  It could  change  his mind ;  make  him reconsider  bringing  him the  books .

❝ So ,  you are  willing  to help  me  open them  ? ❞   Disbelief .  Disbelief  painted his  tone  - for  Ominis  had always  been  clear about  his  views on  the  Dark Arts .  To  bring him  the  books belonging  to  the family  he  so  bitterly hated, to  help  him read  text  he so greatly  disapproved  of … it  was  so unlike  him .  It was  so  unexpected. So  startling .  Except if  eventually …  he’d  realized that Anne  was  more important  than  some silly  morals.  

❝ I  understand. Thank  you ,  Ominis . ❞ Tone  was  so much  calmer  now  - thankfulness  present  as well.  He  was right .  Days  and nights  had  he spent  in  the restricted  section  of  the  library -  countless  of detentions  given  in return .  But  an answer ?  No  matter how  hard  he searched ,  no  matter how  many  pages he  went  through, nothing  had  looked promising  enough .  What if  luck  was finally  to  smile at  them ,  though ?   ❝ Anne  would  appreciate it  too . ❞  She would  never   -  thought  that he  buried  deep , though.  

His best friend's words cut through him like a rutsy dagger, taking nearly all good memories with him away as it time and again painfully pierced through his chest. Ominis had told himself that Sebastian was not knowing what he was saying, because of his grief. But as this continued on and only grew worse... that bit of comfort faded. Sebastian must truly hate him now, and there was nothing that could repair the damage. Ominis was a mere tool now, as always.

"All I know is of their existence. I do not know what is written inside. I can't say what you will discover in them. All I know is that they hold very dark magic. Which is what you're seeking, yes? A tormentous solution, to something already so gruesome. You have looked everywhere in the library. Perhaps these will help you find what you're looking for..." Ominis will never forgive himself for this. Never. – Anne... What should I do? What have I done...

"But like I said, I assume you'll need to speak to them to open and reveal its text properly. You'll have to come find me whenever, and if, it's required. Do you understand?" He finally asked, trembling hands starting to reach out to gather his things and bag.

[thenightmareofyourdrems]

              ˜”*°•.     What  was better  ?   A lifetime  of  pain and  torture,  or a  sacrifice  of a  tiny  bit of  oneself  ?  His sister  was  changing already  -  the exhaustion  filling  her entire  body  so much  more  than he’d  ever  witnessed . She  wouldn’t  smile as  often  -  and  even when  she  did , it’d  be  weak , a ghost  of  a once  powerful  happiness . They  wouldn’t  go on  adventures  anymore , they  wouldn’t  spend time  together  -  she’d  always been  his  best friend,  but  now she  was  ebbing away  into  nothingness .  ❝ It’s still  better . ❞  For Anne  to  sacrifice any  part  of herself  to  the Dark  Arts,  terrifying , unneeded ;  but  to lose  her  to the  curse,  watch her  die,  when there’d  been  even  a tiny  chance  of her  surviving ?  He would  never  forgive himself.  He  would never  forgive  anyone.  

Why  had  everything  changed so  much  ?  Why couldn’t  they  live a  normal  life  ?  Studying at  Hogwarts,  pulling pranks,  getting  into trouble ?  Even  Ominis had  begun  to change   -  once so  much  more  carefree, so  much  more open,  suddenly  terrified, seeking  to  hide  from  everything and  everyone .   He’d refuse  to  listen to   him ,  to  understand  -  he’d  refuse to  be  his friend .  But  wouldn’t he  too ?  He hated  how  indifferent he  felt.  How he  couldn’t  bring himself  to  care about  the  other’s tears,  the  other’s sorrow,  the  other’s pain.  He  hated how  the  only emotion  that’d  survived within  his  mind was  pure  rage . How  everything  he wanted  was  to  lash  out .

❝ How  can I  not  blame you  ?  You are  just  like Solomon .  Tossing  disapproval but  refusing  to come  up  with a  single  alternative .  ❞  It  was easy  to  judge someone.  It  was easy  to  disapprove of  solutions,   of answers,  of  decisions . It  was  easy  to  be the  moral  one,   when  nothing  was to  be  done by  your  hand. Sitting  on  the sidelines  waiting  for  fate to  finish  its  plans .  But what  if  he could  change  fate  ?  What would  they  say  then  ?

It  was then  that  he spoke  again .  It was  then  that for   a  single second ,  he  found himself  incapable  of reacting .  ❝ Wait.  You knew  about  these books  all  this time  ? ❞  He’d known  about  something that  could  possibly  save Anne  and  he’d  mentioned  nothing ?  What was  he  thinking ?  What had  he  waited for  ?   ❝ Why  didn’t you  tell  me  ? ❞  

Let him feel it. Let him find out for himself what it's like to experience the dark arts first hand. I've done it once... I know how. He's saying awful things, he could use some punishment for his words. Punishment for his ignorance and stubbornness.

"You... will not only... sacrifice parts of your���... yourself, Sebastian.. That's not how it..." Ominis' squeezed his eyes shut, hoping his intrusive, cursed thoughts would stop. Who was he to tell Sebastian anything? He had no right to judge, to scold him for things he hadn't even done yet. Ominis' however, he had. He shouldn't be in school. He should not be here. If justice would have had its say, then Ominis would have been in a cell at Azkaban already, wishing he was arguing with Sebastian.

Ominis had been weak and done the unforgivable. All Sebastian wished so desperately to do was to help his sister. So, who of the two boys was really in the wrong here?

But... It won't save her. It might restore her time of life, but she won't be the same. It won't be happy smiles and sunshine. Sebastian will suffer, too. Both will still suffer, Ominis thought to himself as his tears still fell.

At Sebastian's latest words, Ominis heart stopped. Then it felt as if was trapped in a spiked cage that grew smaller, squeezing into his breaking heart. "...You blame me." It wasn't a question, nor was there a hint of aggression in his voice this time. His voice was quiet, fragile.

Ominis stayed silent for a long moment, before finally removing his stinging hands from the table and standing up straight. His mind wandered through the many dark artefacts and heirlooms that was proudly, and stupidly, presented in his home. One, he carried with him. Only he knew what it truly was, and, afraid one of the others in his family would find out and use it–– he'd taken it.

But there was other things. Books, too. Places hidden that contained magic far beyond their understanding. Noctua had done a near lifetime of research... then vanished.

"...There are other books you could look through. No– they are not in the restricted section. They are not at this school. You have to give me some time to retrieve them. I'll bring them after the winter break. If I return home now, they will interrogate me of why. My guess is that you'll need a parselmouth with you, on occasions, if you find anything."