Sebastian PoV
"Okay, let's get to the point. What did you want to talk about?" Sebastian asked bluntly.
Ominis paced the pavement of the Undercroft nervously. "Sebastian, I promised you that I wouldn't tell Yara anything about my father's twisted plan so that she wouldn't be affected. At the same time, we agreed that we are in this together and we will consult everything together before we do anything." he added, walking closer to Sebastian. "So explain to me why you convinced Yarra to run away with you! What the fuck was that supposed to be?" he shouted at him.
Sebastian flinched at the sound of Ominis' raised voice, his eyes widening. He had known this conversation was coming, but that didn't make it any easier.
"Listen, I-" he stuttered, trying to find the right words. "I know we had an agreement, but I thought I could help Yarra. Get her away from whatever danger your father or Carter put her in." He paused for a moment, looking at Ominis' stern expression, before adding, "I had good intentions, I swear."
"Of course! Because running away and not thinking about the consequences is the best solution! Are you crazy?" Ominis pointed a finger at his head to underline his statement.
Sebastian flinched again, feeling the sting of Ominis' words. He knew he had been impulsive, and in hindsight, his plan was probably far from perfect. But at the time, he had truly believed he was doing what was best for Yarra. "I..." he faltered, his voice quiet. "I just wanted to help her, alright? I didn't think it through completely, but I really did want to do right by her."
"And didn't you think to discuss it with me first? I would immediately tell you that it's bullshit!" Ominis sighed and continued. "My father cannot escape.
If even his henchmen didn't find you, he would immediately use Yarra's mother and brother to lure her back. And if that didn't work, he would kill them without mercy!"
Sebastian's eyes widened as Ominis explained the potential consequences of his actions. The reality of the situation hit him like a ton of bricks, and he felt a sense of guilt and shame wash over him.
"I... I didn't consider that," he admitted, his voice small and remorseful. "I just saw Yarra in distress and wanted to help her. I didn't think about the potential risks."
"Of course not! You never think about the consequences of your actions." Ominis retorted.
He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "We're almost out of time and we haven't found any solution. That's why I wanted to tell you that.... I plan to do it.... my father's request. When I have the chance so... you know." Ominis finished, looking at Sebastian with concern on his face.
Sebastian's heart dropped at Ominis' words. He had an inkling of what Ominis was suggesting. "No." His voice was firm, his expression resolute. "No, you can't do it, Ominis. There has to be another way..."
"There's no other way, Sebastian! " Ominis cut him off.
Sebastian clenched his fists, trying to push down the feeling. " There has to be another solution. We can't jump to the most drastic option right away. We need to keep trying, keep searching for other possibilities."
"It's over! We're going home for Christmas in three days, and if I don't give my father proof that I've ... make it, then she's dead! Got it?" Ominis closed his eyes and placed his joined palms on his forehead. After a moment of silence he continued. "I'm not asking your permission. I just wanted to let you know it's going to happen."
Sebastian felt a mixture of anger and frustration at Ominis' words, but deep down, he also felt a sense of helplessness. He knew Ominis was right, but the thought of him being with Yarra... it hurt. He clenched his jaw, trying to compose himself before responding. "I understand," he said through gritted teeth. "But I don't have to like it. And I won't stop looking for another solution until the very end."
Yarra Pov
Yarra was sitting on the couch in front of the fireplace in the Slytherin common room. She was reading a book while waiting for the boys. A familiar voice pulled her out of the plot. "Hi Yarra." Liam, who had a suitcase with him, greeted her. Yarra closed her book and stood up, taking a step back.
"Please don't worry. I only came to say goodbye to you." he said pointing to his suitcase. "I was finally released from the hospital wing and since I was excluded, I am leaving for the Christmas holidays a little earlier." he smiled sadly. Yarra looked at him with fear. After what he did to her, what he wanted to do to her, she wanted nothing to do with him. "What do you want Liam?" she asked him coldly.
Liam shifted nervously from foot to foot and said, "Dad wrote to me. The wedding was originally supposed to be in the summer, but he's worried about some ... inconveniences He wants to avoid it. Therefore, you will spend Christmas with your mother in our English headquarters. And right after the New Year we will get married and travel to America. "Yarra opened mouth in shock. She was unable to say anything. Liam spoke again, "Dad didn't want me to warn you, but I thought telling you would make you forgive me."
Yarra covered her mouth with her hands. She didn't expect this. She knew it would come one day, but so suddenly? She wasn't ready. She left Liam standing there without saying a word and walked away. She started running, running for her life, she couldn't even breathe anymore. She turned the corner to the clock with the secret entrance. As she entered the Undercroft, she overheard a snippet of Sebastian and Ominis' conversation. She didn't understand any of it. She stepped out of the shadows and asked sternly, "What's going to happen? What proof?"
Sebastian and Ominis snapped their heads towards Yarra as she stepped out from the shadows. Sebastian's eyes widened in surprise, while Ominis stiffened, clearly not expecting her to eavesdrop.
The two boys exchanged a quick, panicked look, unsure how to respond. Sebastian opened his mouth to speak, but Ominis spoke up, his voice firm.
"It's nothing you should be concerned about, Yarra," he said, trying to downplay the situation. Yarra stepped closer to Ominis and angrily snapped, "Stop it Ominis! I just heard you say that if you don't give your father some proof, I'm dead! What the hell does that mean?" She looked angrily from one to the other. "What are you hiding from me?" Ominis sighed. "Yarra... it's complicated," he said quietly. Yarra was in no mood for this, her patience was wearing thin. "Tell me!" she snapped at him. Ominis flinched slightly at her sharp tone, then took a deep breath. "It's... a condition my father set," he began, his voice low and strained. "To prevent him from harming your family, I have to... I have to prove to him that I've... been intimate with you."
"What??" she asked, even more confused than before. Ominis explained his father's reasons to her and she just listened in shock and processed the new information. After a moment of thought she spoke, "You can't do that Ominis. You always said you didn't want to have children, that you didn't want to participate in the continuation of your family. You can't sacrifice your principles." Ominis looked pained as he listened to Yarra's words, his expression conflicted.
"I don't want to," he whispered. "But if I don't do this, your family will suffer. And you..you will be dead. I can't let that happen, Yarra. I won't."
Yarra knew how much Ominis hated his origin. He has always said that he will not marry and even if he is forced into marriage, he will never produce an heir. She thought about it as soon as she found out that Ominis was supposed to be her husband. Yarra would like to have children, but she would respect Ominis' position and be reconciled to the fact that she will be childless. Mr. Gaunt knew of Ominis's mindset and is now taking advantage of the situation to force him to abandon his principles. Yarra did not want to give him this opportunity to blackmail his own son. That means she must die... "No! I won't let you sacrifice yourself." she said forcefully.
Ominis took a step forward, his hand reaching out to grasp her arm. "Yarra, you don't understand. My father is not a man to be trifled with. He is powerful, influential, and completely devoid of any compassion. If I don't do as he says, he will destroy everything and everyone you hold dear. Including you."
Yarra immediately thought of her little brother and felt a huge frustration at the difficult situation. She felt like she was stuck between two millstones. She knew Ominis was right. His father played chess with them and they had nowhere to retreat. She closed her eyes and thought about fulfilling his request. How could they even do it with Ominis, under such pressure? They was very attracted to each others, there was no problem with that, but the idea that it was forced will still be somewhere in the back of their mind. At that moment, she remembered their intimate moment in the Great Hall at breakfast. Was it genuine on his part or just seduction to fulfill his father's request? Her heart sank at the thought. Instinctively, she tore her arm from his grip and took a step back.
Ominis PoV
Ominis felt the sting as Yarra broke free from his grasp. He could sense the sudden distance between them, both physically and mentally.
He knew she was struggling with the situation. He could hear the turmoil in her mind, the questions and doubts swirling through her thoughts. He could only imagine what she might be thinking about their moments together, whether she was questioning their authenticity.
He stepped forward again, hoping to bridge the distance between them, but stopped when she took a step back. "Yarra... what are you thinking?" he asked, his voice soft and pleading.
"You didn't mean it. Nothing from what we said. Is that so?" she asked annoyed. She closed her eyes and shook her head. "I'm so stupid and naive. I haven't learned my lesson." she backed up.
Ominis's heart ached at Yarra's words. He could hear the hurt and disbelief in her voice.
"No, Yarra, no," he said, taking a step forward and reaching out to her again. "You're not stupid or naive. Not at all. And I meant every word. Every moment we've shared together has been genuine, I promise you."
He could sense her backing away, and he ached to close the distance between them. "Please believe me," he said, desperation creeping into his voice. "Please."
"Why should I believe you? Since when have you known? Since that night at the Headmaster's, I suppose. Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she asked.
Ominis sighed, his heart heavy with guilt. The look on Yarra's face cut through him like a knife.
"I... I wanted to tell you," he said, his voice quiet but full of remorse. "I really wanted to.
"I begged him not to tell you" Sebastian chimed in conversation. He swallowed, his throat tight with emotion. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "We should have told you sooner. But.. I thought I could find a way to solve it on my own, to protect you from Ominis father. That's why I kept asking you if we could run away together."
Yarra stared at the two in disbelief. She grabbed the bridge of her nose and sighed. "I need to be alone for a while. It's a lot for me." She turned and leave.
Ominis and Sebastian both fell silent, watching as Yarra walked away.
Ominis took a deep breath, his shoulders slumped. "I should have told her," he muttered, his voice heavy with regret.
Sebastian nodded and let out a sigh, frustration etched on his face. "We need to give her some space to think it over." He ran a hand through his hair. "I just... I feel awful about all this. Yarra doesn't deserve any of it. And I hate knowing that she's upset and confused, and it's partially our fault for not being honest with her sooner."
Ominis nodded in agreement, his guilt and frustration mirroring Sebastian's.
"I know," he said softly, his voice tinged with remorse. "I feel the same way. Yarra is the most important person in my life, and I never wanted to hurt her." Ominis thought out loud, "She's going to avoid me now. How should I try to have any intimacy with her now?"
Sebastian pinched the bridge of his nose, frustration and worry etched on his face. "Damn it, Ominis," he said lowly, his voice tinged with anger. "You're thinking about fulfilling your father's order right now? After everything that just happened with Yarra? How can you even consider that right now? She's clearly upset and hurting. This whole situation is messed up. And your father..." Sebastian clenched his jaw, struggling to control his anger. "You have a choice, Ominis. You always have a choice. You can stand up to your father, tell him to go to hell, and find a way to protect Yarra and her family without sacrificing yourself and going against your principles."
He stepped closer to Ominis, his voice dropping to a fierce Whisper. "But you're letting him manipulate you, control you. It's exactly what he wants. You're playing right into his hands."
Ominis bristled at Sebastian's words, defensiveness and annoyance flaring up within him. "You think I don't know that, Sebastian? You think I want to let my father manipulate me and control my life? It's not that easy, I can't just tell him to go to hell and expect everything to be alright." Ominis's frustration and anger were beginning to surface, his voice rising in volume as he continued. "What do you expect me to do, Sebastian? Just stand up to him and risk him hurting Yarra in the process?"
"I'm not saying it's easy, Ominis. I'm saying you're not making an effort. You're just blindly doing what your father tells you without even trying to think of another solution." Sebastian voice rose as his emotions got the better of him. "Yes, you must stand up to him! You can't keep letting him control your life and dictate the things you do! Yarra deserves better than that, and you know it!"
Ominis let out a frustrated growl, his own anger bubbling up in response to Sebastian's words. "You think I just blindly do as my father says without any thought or hesitation? I'm not some mindless puppet, you know. I'm not just going to roll over and do whatever he says without question." Ominis was already annoyed by Sebastian's desperate retort. He began to think that Sebastian just couldn't bear the thought of Yarra belonging to him. He stepped closer to Sebastian, his words coming out as a low, tense hiss.
"You don't even care about our good and my principles!"
"What the hell are you talking about? Of course I care about you and your beliefs," Sebastian said through gritted teeth. "We're friends and you know it. But I care about Yarra too." His voice dropped to a harsh whisper. "And I would never want to see her hurt or dead, but I also hate the idea of her being used as some pawn in your father's twisted game. Can't you see how messed up the whole thing is?"
Ominis was already losing his temper, he didn't trust Sebastian with his care. "Oh, come on! How many times have you fucked Yarra in your imagination? If you were in my place, you would answer 'it will be my pleasure' to such a request!" he snapped at him irritably.
What in the world are you saying, Ominis?" he sputtered,"It's not about that, not at all. And I would never say something as sick as that." He clenched his fists, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "How can you even accuse me of thinking that way? I thought you knew better than that."
Ominis's anger reached its boiling point, and he let out a low, frustrated roar.
"Don't lie to me, Sebastian! I can almost feel the jealousy radiating off of you! You've wanted her all to yourself ever since we met. You don't want her to marry me. You can't bear the idea of her belonging to me." He stepped closer to Sebastian, his voice rising in volume. "Admit it! Stop pretending like you're the knight in shining armor who wants to save her from me and my family."
"That's not true, Ominis," Sebastian said, his voice quivering with anger and frustration. "I just want her to be happy and safe, and I don't think getting married off to you under such circumstances can ensure that."
Ominis let out a bitter laugh, his eyes narrowing with anger. "Don't give me that bullshit, Sebastian," Ominis snapped. "You don't care about her happiness or safety. You just want her for yourself!"
Sebastian's voice rose in anger, his body tensing as his own temper flared. "How can you even say that? I've been there for her, supporting her and protecting her, just like you have. And you're accusing me of wanting her 'for myself'. What about what she wants?"
Ominis's eyes flashed with anger as he stepped forward, jabbing a finger at Sebastian's chest.
"Don't act like I don't care about what she wants, Sebastian. Of course I care about what she wants!" He leaned in closer, his voice filled with bitterness. "But you don't speak for her. You don't get to decide what's best for her any more than I do. And don't pretend like you're not just trying to push me out of the picture so you can have her all to yourself."
Sebastian's chest heaved with anger as he struggled to maintain his composure. "I'm not trying to push you out of the picture," he retorted, his voice rising in frustration. "I just can't stand the idea of Yarra being forced into a marriage she doesn't want, especially if it's because your father is manipulating things."
Ominis thought about his words. Maybe Sebastian was right, but he wasn't going to give up without a fight. "We'll see." he replied to Sebastian.