Work Text:
Leaning against the frame of the bathroom door in their dorm, Sebastian asked the question that had been toying with his mind for more than a day.
“Ominis, I just thought of a plan for tomorrow night. It’s Friday, you know. I believe… that you should treat me to something nice, as a reward for letting you… do that to me before breakfast yesterday.”
The enchanted straight razor that Ominis used to shave stopped in the air, only half an inch from his throat.
Sebastian smirked at Ominis, who froze as well.
An expression of incredulity and a hint of a smile, as he savored the memory that Sebastian referred to, lit up Ominis’ features.
After a few seconds, Ominis replied, “A kiss on your chest hardly seems to warrant your tone… anyone listening in right now would never believe that you are referring to a kiss.”
“Oh, Ominis, that is where you are mistaken. I wouldn’t call what you did as only a kiss… You had to pull down my pajama shirt as I was waking up because the shirt was too tight, remember? And you couldn’t reach below my chest. Your kiss and all that adjustment to my clothing caused such a delay in our morning that I ended up almost being late for Divination.”
Another boy might blush at these bold words that lingered thickly in the air, but not Sebastian.
Over the years, he had learned how to push Ominis’ limits, to get the reserved, often taciturn Heir of Slytherin to bloom only for him.
And he was simply bluffing—Sebastian would gladly take his shirt off, whenever, to let Ominis do whatever he wanted.
But Sebastian was determined to exploit the rare moment of weakness from Ominis.
With a slight buzz, the razor was moving again. The sharp, deadly edge of the metal graced the pale skin and a beauty mark.
For a second, Sebastian was jealous of how unreservedly the metal touched Ominis.
“What is the… ‘reward’ that you have in mind?” Ominis answered after a long pause.
The cloud in his eyes seemed to find the devious sparks in Sebastian’s eyes in the mirror above the sink.
A sly smile appeared on Sebastian: he had been waiting to bring this up since Ominis’ fingertips eagerly found his collarbones yesterday.
Cunning, one of the traits of the Slytherin House, was a quality that Sebastian always embraced.
“Take me to the White Wyvern. I have always wanted to go there.”
Ominis huffed before Sebastian finished his sentences.
“Receive the Headmaster’s permission for missing curfew, go into London, then spend time at a bar in Knockturn Alley on a Friday night during the school year?” Ominis’ eyes opened in slight disbelief, although Sebastian could swear, based on the shadow of the smile on Ominis’ lips, that he was already planning on the details of their outing—or, rather, their date—by listing out each step.
“I’m certain that I am worth the trouble of you talking with Black and arranging for a portkey back and forth,” Sebastian said.
“And what do you plan to do once we arrive at the bar?”
Rolling his eyes, Sebastian replied: “Why, to have a drink or two, of course. Didn’t you say that they served you amazing whiskey the last time that Marvolo took you there?”
The razor cleared the last inch of Ominis’ skin; bubbles appeared by themselves on the blade and cleaned up the grimes. Sebastian watched the expensive razor that Ominis custom-ordered fly in a curve in the air and return to its location in a porcelain cup on the shelf.
Ominis touched his jaw, face, and neck, humming approvingly at the result and leaning down to the sink to wash his face.
The sight of Ominis bending down made Sebastian swallow.
Now, though, during this silent back and forth, he couldn’t afford to lose focus.
“Yes, Marvolo introduced me to this bar… but you almost never drink,” Ominis pointed out, returning to the bargaining with Sebastian.
The drops of water on his pale face were like the cold dew kissing the petals of a peachy pink rose in the early morning light. Sebastian almost didn’t want to see Ominis dry his face with a small towel.
“Sounds like exactly why I need to try a few drinks and build up my tolerance for alcohol,” Sebastian smiled.
Surely, he was old enough: they were already in their seventh year.
So why shouldn’t he and Ominis go to this bar… and have some fun?
“A word of caution, though. The location… the White Wyvern is in Knockturn Alley. Promise me that you will not engage with any of the dark wizards there. As long as we mind our own business, they wouldn’t dare to bother me—no matter how much liquor they consume, those witches and wizards remain alert enough to remember who I am… It’s an unfortunate situation with its advantages.”
Turning away from the mirror, Ominis walked to the bathroom door and put his hands on Sebastian’s chest.
“Now, let me fly an owl to the Headmaster to make up an excuse for missing curfew and then another owl to set up this portkey,” Ominis sighed loudly, the rays in his eyes sparkled as he pretended to be annoyed. “What a heavy price to pay for a mere moment of my indiscretion.”
Sebastian pecked Ominis on his freshly shaven jaw and licked along the smooth skin. “Thank you, Ominis.”
Friday arrived without incident.
Untying a small package from a gray owl during lunch, Ominis traced his wand over the paper box, which was wrapped inside layers of paper, and stuffed the box by Sebastian’s plate.
“Keep it safe, will you, Seb? We should change after class, then head to the North Exit and use the portkey once we are outside the Hogwarts grounds.”
“We have to change?” Sebastian raised his eyebrows. “It’s Knockturn Alley, not a fancy pub in downtown London.”
“You are not going to embarrass me at a bar where my brother frequents,” Ominis grimaced jokingly. “Fashion is not dead among dark wizards, you know: many of them are competitive. Surely, Marvolo would tease me for days just for bringing you there once he finds out, and you will make it up to me, starting from changing into a fresh set of suit.”
Grumbling and turning away from Ominis to store the portkey in his backpack, Sebastian secretly grinned at some of the additional ways that he planned to make it up to Ominis later tonight.
After Professor Weasley’s class was over late afternoon, Sebastian pranced into the Slytherin dungeons and dragged Ominis behind him to run up the stairs to their dorm room.
“What are you wearing?” Sebastian asked.
Touching the neatly organized suits in his tall dresser with the tip of his blinking wand, Ominis pulled out a velvety dark green suit.
“I have always loved how delicate velvet feels, as if the fabric is melting on my fingertips,” he said. “I believe it would be passable for tonight.”
The contrast between the bottomless hue of the dark green, like the menacing, sprawling, unending forest on a mountain faraway surrounded by mist, and Ominis’ pale, innocent skin…
Sebastian held his breath and almost tripped himself on the tied-up curtain by the foot of his bed.
He coughed to cover up the sound of his foot kicking into the fabric… if it was not too late. He hoped.
“Leave the vest,” Sebastian said.
“What?”
“Skip it, please—because it would just be an extra piece of clothing denying me access to you later tonight. To play it fair, I won’t wear mine, either,” he winked.
Ominis chuckled and turned back to the closet to hang up the vest.
Flipping over the hangers in his messy closet, Sebastian decided to wear a gray suit with a green tie to match Ominis’ outfit.
Ominis might not see the colors, but Sebastian wanted everyone else with a thinking brain at the bar, Knockturn Alley, and Diagon Alley to know that he and Ominis were dating.
With their graduation drawing near, it was time to “spread the word,” so to speak, and ward off any suitors lusting over his precious boyfriend who was often oblivious to his irresistible charms.
Sebastian smirked and changed.
Ominis took longer, as usual, and then traced his hands all over Sebastian’s body to check if Sebastian was dressed up to his standards.
“Your tie is a little loose,” Ominis said, curling his index finger to play with the gap between the knot and Sebastian’s collar.
“Wouldn’t want to dress too seriously for a date on Friday night. This shall be my fashion statement among the dark wizards,” Sebastian said with a wink.
“For once, you have persuaded me on an outfit option.” Ominis touched Sebastian’s neck and retracted his hands to loosen his own tie as well.
Superb: his eyes followed Ominis’ fingers, and Sebastian was already fantasizing about kissing the exposed neck of Ominis.
Later, though.
After putting on their Oxfords, the two boys made their way to the North Exit. The setting sun signaled the impending arrival of the intoxicating mistress of the night.
“Please tell me that you remembered to bring the portkey,” Ominis said when they walked past the fountain.
“And… if I didn’t?”
“Then, after you fetch the key as I wait right here because I will not be troubled with walking all the way back, you then shall have the pleasure of watching me drink alone at the White Wyvern. I will warn the bartender not to pour you anything. And I mean, anything.”
“How cruel,” Sebastian chuckled, nudging his elbow into Ominis.
After they were outside the tall stone gate, Sebastian reached into his pocket and took out the small box from his pocket. Neither boy wore a robe tonight in the delightful fall weather.
And... more possibility for people to notice the matching outfits. Sebastian smirked.
Opening the lid of the box revealed a miniature shot glass.
“I wrote in my letter and requested that the portkey to be related to a bar,” Ominis said.
“I love the humor,” Sebastian squeezed Ominis’ hand and held it tightly, and Ominis put away his wand and extended his other hand to hover near the portkey.
“Let’s go!” Sebastian reached out to the shot glass at the same time that Ominis did.
A few seconds later, they found themselves close to the entrance of Diagon Alley.
Sebastian insisted on paying for their quick dinner at the Three Broomsticks. Not that he was hungry, but drinking without eating some food first wouldn’t be smart. He barely tasted the flavor of the meat pie due to the excitement that buzzed off him.
On the other hand, Ominis was taking his time to savor his vegetable and beef stew and drink a healthy amount of water.
After crossing his arms and waiting for what was like a full hour, Sebastian followed Ominis and made the turn from the warmly lit Diagon Alley to Knockturn Alley.
Immediately, the visibility lowered to the point that Sebastian could hardly see where he was going. Instead of the expanse of the open sky above them a minute ago, Knockturn Alley was nearly covered by an eternal darkness and an uneasy sense of mystery.
And Sebastian couldn’t read the signs of the shops. Maybe he shouldn’t, either. As he passed by, he noticed cobwebbed displays of murky silver jewelry, bottles and vials containing grotesque creatures and potions of dark, opaque colors, and thick tomes with barely legible covers.
The witches and wizards that lurked in the corners shifted uncomfortably at the red light that came from Ominis’ out-reached wand.
The wary expressions on their faces showed that they knew who Ominis was—their reaction wasn’t just due to the blinking red light that was so bright in this darkness.
Ominis paused under a set of stone stairs, where, at the top, a bronze sign showed a white dragon.
“It’s this way,” he explained.
The two boys were standing by what seemed like a tattoo parlor with a sign that read “Markus Scarr’s.” There was a pawnbrokers next door, and the window display was full of different colored jewels placed on black velvet cushions.
Sebastian bowed lightly and put his hand behind Ominis’ back. “After you.”
Ascending the stairs and twisting the bronze doorknob led them into the White Wyvern.
To Sebastian’s surprise, most of the crowd were indeed tastefully dressed: quite different from the hunchbacked witches and wizards they had encountered outside. A few subtle glances came their way, and no one visibly stared at the two newcomers, but Sebastian could tell that the whole bar was keenly aware of the arrival of the Heir of Slytherin.
Walking to an empty table in the corner, Ominis signaled Sebastian to sit down. So he did just that.
“Wait here, Sebastian,” Ominis said, turning to the bar, “and don’t talk to anyone.”
“I’m not a child,” Sebastian mumbled.
He saw Ominis engage in a polite conversation with the bartender, who stood still and waited courteously once Ominis started walking to him.
Then, Ominis walked back to the table holding two glasses of... sparkling water...? Sebastian was guessing based on the faint bubbles at the surface. Balancing his wand and the glass in his right hand in an effortless way, Ominis looked entirely delicious.
“Thank you, Ominis. They made you... carry these yourself?” Sebastian asked.
He took a light sip, and the taste and the gentle bubbles at the back of his throat told him that his guess about the sparkling water was correct.
“Here, nobody wants their conversation to be interrupted, so there aren’t any servers,” Ominis explained. “The cleaning charms take care of everything, at least while the guests are here.”
Drinking from his glass and putting it down without a sound on the table, he looked relaxed in such a dangerous environment, where whispers of illegal trades, smuggling, alchemy, and dark magic floated in the air.
If anything, his dark velvety suit helped Ominis fit in quite well.
The corner of Sebastian’s mouth lifted as the image of an adult version of Ominis, who would elegantly dance among the circles of dark wizards and rule over each single one of them, seduced Sebastian.
He might have left his idiotic pursuits of dark magic behind, but Sebastian could never say no to its temptation—not when a dark version of Ominis was the lethal temptation itself.
Next objective: persuade Ominis to wear a set of dark pajamas when they went to bed, Sebastian decided. He searched his brain for if Ominis already had such a set… if not, he would need to go to Hogsmeade and find one...
“Any idea what drink you would get?” Ominis put his elbows on his thighs and leaned forward playfully.
Sebastian scratched his hair—being brought back to reality, he was blushing and suddenly recognizing that he didn’t know much about drinks… his only knowledge about alcohol was the sour beer that Solomon sometimes consumed with their neighbors as they sat on the stone walls in Feldcroft and chatted.
“What are you ordering?” he asked.
Perhaps he could order the same drink as Ominis?
“I’m going with an absinthe mojito.”
Absinthe… seemed to be a word that Sebastian once heard in Solomon’s conversation with a previous coworker or neighbor? It was a muddy memory from years ago…
“Could I have that as well?” Sebastian asked.
Ominis clicked his tongue, “I’m not sure if that would a wise decision, Sebastian dear. Have you ever tried absinthe before?”
“No…”
“How about you starting off slow?” Ominis put his palm on top of Sebastian’s hand. “I’ll order you a drink that is light and has a citrus note.”
“Pretty sure that I can handle absinthe... whatever that is.” Sebastian frowned.
Again, he was not a child!
“Prove it with finishing the first drink, then,” Ominis said.
“Wait… would it be too expensive if we order so many drinks? The sparkling water, then several other cocktails?”
Sebastian wanted to come to this bar, but he didn’t want to see Ominis spend too much money because of his whim.
Ominis winked, “Neither of us needs to worry about that: I am putting every single drink on Marvolo’s tab, which already has an unlimited number of o’s.”
The corner of Sebastian’s mouth twitched, and he nodded. Hurting Marvolo’s wallet was an idea that he fancied.
Although… Sebastian was a little annoyed at the over-protectiveness of Ominis. So often, Ominis’ thoughtfulness was nearly suffocating.
But, as Ominis stepped away again to place their order, Sebastian kept in mind Ominis’ warning from yesterday and looked down at the rich brown surface of the wooden table.
In this environment, Sebastian was more aware of what it meant for Ominis to be a Gaunt. Although Ominis had always been careful, his family connection and influence within the crevices of the wizarding world definitely made him all the more irresistible.
Like the allure of fiery and explosive spells, Ominis’ mysterious and darker side had always enchanted Sebastian.
The vibrant buzz in the air and the fragments of words that traveled to Sebastian’s ears were only adding to the thrill.
As far as he knew, this was about to be his first cocktail.
Ominis walked back, his footsteps light, and handed a tall flute glass to Sebastian. He chuckled at the elegant shape of the glass and the citrus peel garnish at the top: this drink… did not look serious at all.
This was not the liquid danger that Sebastian wanted to gulp down his throat.
“Ominis, this drink is beneath me,” Sebastian chuckled.
“How could you tell—if you have never had a cocktail before? It’s called a French 75, a classic.” Ominis swirled the pale green liquid in his large, wide coupe glass and put down his wand on the table.
The faint light from the icy blue candle on the table flickered around them.
Sebastian sipped from his glass: it was sweet… lemon… and some bubbles.
“What’s in it?” he asked after drinking again.
“Lemon juice, honey, champagne… and to grant your request and make it exciting, I asked that they use the Mind Boggling Gin. It’s from Place Cachée in Paris… not the regular kind that we usually get here.”
After swallowing again from the glass, which was now almost half empty, Sebastian could honestly say that he would not be able to taste the difference between the types of gins.
But the gesture was appreciated anyways.
“Thanks, Ominis,” he said. “What’s that green thing in your cup?”
“A mint leaf, I presume,” Ominis replied. “There is lemon juice in my absinthe mojito, too.”
“We’re matching,” Sebastian smirked. In more ways than one, he thought.
What he realized after a few minutes, though, was that the light from the chandeliers was becoming brighter and darker at the same time. And, sitting in front of him and drinking gracefully from his cup, Ominis had never been more delicious in his eyes.
Sebastian drank again, blinking slowly because his eyelids were becoming uncooperative.
“Well? You must really like it—your glass must be close to empty, no?” Ominis asked.
“I… yes…? great…” Sebastian said.
And he hiccuped.
Then he chuckled at his own silliness and ended up hiccuping again.
“Oh, please don’t tell me that you are getting drunk.” Ominis put down his drink and reached his hand to Sebastian’s cheek to feel if he was running too warm.
“Nope!” Sebastian downed what was left in his glass.
This last sip felt stronger.
The surge of warmth down his stomach was spreading to his limbs, making him weak in the knees and slowing down his brain.
And he was having the urge to spill out all the secrets in his life… even though Ominis probably already knew him inside and out.
“Maybe I should go back to the bar and demand to know if they gave you actual poison, instead of this pricey gin that I specifically requested,” Ominis sighed and held Sebastian’s cheek.
Chuckling, Sebastian leaned into the touch and nuzzled his face on the slender hand.
The urge to kiss Ominis was… becoming stronger, and the alcohol was cheering him on.
Forget his inhibitions...
Ominis smiled and traced his thumb down on Sebastian’s freckles, seeming to understand what was on his mind.
And Sebastian held his breath…
“Isn’t this nice?” A sneer found its way next to their table.
Both Sebastian and Ominis froze.
It was clear that all the customers knew not disturb each other, and the only person who would disrupt the rule was…
“Marvolo,” Ominis nodded to acknowledge his older brother.
His hand remained on Sebastian’s face, but Ominis sat up straighter.
Dressed in a set of tight black suit, even a black dress shirt, Marvolo was almost handsome in the low light. His dark hair, between the shade of black and brown, was cut into sharp strands, framing the cruel smile on his face.
“Turning down my invitation every time… but you end up at the same destination with somebody else, my little brother,” Marvolo said.
He looked Sebastian up and down, eyes pausing at the loose tie… and Ominis’ hand that was still touching Sebastian.
Ominis’ jaw became tighter.
“Certainly, you must have some witch to keep you company.” His reply was cold, like the hardened blue in his eyes.
“You know that they are merely pastimes, playthings—they are not you.” Marvolo put his hands on the table.
When his arms grazed Ominis’, Ominis recoiled and withdrew his hand from Sebastian’s face.
“Leave us alone,” Sebastian growled.
He tried to draw his wand from his inside pocket, but his hand wobbled at the effort of reaching into the blazer.
Marvolo chortled.
“I could see the appeal, yes… strong but not one for drinks, eh?” he reached out to probably touch Sebastian’s hair, but Ominis’ hand went up in the air, like a snake snatching its pray.
He held onto Marvolo’s wrist tightly.
“Leave,” Ominis whispered.
“I assume that I am paying for the drinks,” Marvolo said lazily and put down his arm. “Have a few more… my treat, and get this weak boy something more suitable for his level… perhaps a cup of juice will do.”
He leaned down to kiss Ominis on the hair before either Ominis or Sebastian could react and disappeared to join a table by the other side of the wall.
Again, not a single other witch or wizard looked at the argument that was about to erupt into a brawl.
Ominis inhaled deeply and took a large sip from his glass. Then another, and another, until his glass was empty as well.
“At least he’s paying for our date,” he murmured.
Sebastian relaxed and smiled, “Indeed… and you agree that this is a date?”
The frown on Ominis was gone as he laughed, “What else would this be? You know… part of the reason that I agreed to come out here with you is that I want everyone to know that… we are together. I want to become more used to walking next to you out in the public in the wizarding world. Perhaps even holding your hand.”
And Sebastian’s heart… melted, as the warmth of the gin and champagne was embracing him on the inside.
“I didn’t tell you before… but I chose to wear a matching outfit with you tonight… for the same purpose. I want everyone to know about us, too.”
He couldn’t have said it fast enough, but it did take his brain a serious effort to come up with this simply reply.
Picking up Sebastian’s hand and lifting the fingertips up to his Cupid’s bow, Ominis put a gentle kiss on Sebastian’s burning skin.
Those lips… were cold, like the ice cubes in their now empty glasses.
“Time to go back to the dorm? Suddenly, I feel like examining what you are wearing… more closely. Starting from the loose tie,” Ominis whispered.
“After you,” Sebastian smiled and shifted to stand up.
Except that he was losing his balance, and Ominis had to rush to hold onto his arm.
“I am so not taking you to a bar again,” Ominis chuckled.
“But I love seeing you drink… the way that you hold a cocktail… it’s addicting to watch,” Sebastian said, kissing Ominis on the corner of his lips.
