#hogwarts garreth

Now he was sat across the room from her. It was almost worse than if she wasn’t there at all. At least then he might possibly be able to concentrate on this awful class. Right now he was much more fixated on eavesdropping into every conversation she had. Desperate for just that small crumb of information about her. Just one more detail.

From what he could gather, she was sat between Sebastian and Garreth.

Ominis was friends with both of them. Good friends. But he couldn’t quell the wave of jealousy he felt upon hearing her laugh.

It was Garreth, of course she was laughing.

But that didn’t stop it from stinging.

Why do you care? Why are you acting this way?

He summised that it was his minds way of replacing Anne. No, not replacing. No one could replace Anne, and Sebastian would never speak to him again if he voiced those thoughts. But he needed a friend.

Just a friend.

After coming back to school, the first year Anne would be completely absent, and after spending the entire summer helping Sebastian and Solomon ‘make her comfortable’, Ominis was left with a friend shaped pit in his stomach.

And this new fifth year seemed just the right fit.

So why was he feeling this protective? He was never like this with Anne, nor Sebastian.

Maybe he was just being sensitive. He’d watched one companion get ripped from him, his other not taking that departure well either. And even though Sebastian’s behaviour had taken a swing towards the positive as of late…Ominis could feel a distance between them. Like it was only a matter of time.

So he would keep this new friend of his close…no matter how possessive it made him feel.

After Professor Sharp set the task of a ‘simple’ Wigginweld, Ominis physically turned himself away, hoping the act itself would put a stop to his obsessive nature.

If anything it made it worse.

Not many people knew about Ominis’ advanced hearing. Whether it came from one of the spells his parents tried as a child in an attempt to ‘fix him’ or if it was simply his bodies way of compensating for his disability, he didn’t know. He had just always been able to hear from across large rooms, even busy classrooms. Such as this.

He was suddenly very thankful for Imelda standing next to him. She silently brewed her potion as instructed, not caring much for small talk, allowing him to listen in on the table at the far end, whilst he haphazardly chopped at his Dittany leaves.

~

Evelyn watched as Ominis turned towards his station and began slicing through the neatly piled assortment of leaves. She couldn’t help the growing need to help him as she saw his fingers glide effortlessly across the chopping board to find his knife.

He didn’t fumble for it, nor did he injure himself upon finding the blades edge instead of the handle. He was perfectly capable. But she felt she could help him. Make his life just a little bit easier.

She just wanted to help.

“Do you think Ominis is upset with me?” She muttered to no one in particular, aiming the question out towards the middle of the classroom as she stared off towards the Blonde Slytherin in the distance.

Garreth and Sebastian looked at each other, a smirk pulled wide over the latters face.

“I don’t think it possible for you to upset him” Sebastian responded under his breath, slicing into his own pile of Dittany “Why do you ask?”

“He just seems…off with me. Since Herbology…” she wondered out loud, absentmindedly cutting and prepping her own ingredients like she’d done this a thousand times “…you don’t think I offended him do you?”

“Oooh interesting. What did you do to offend the powerful and ominous Ominis?” The curly, red head chirped with an impish grin across his features.

Evelyn looked across to his station. Every available surface had been covered with vials of various sorts. Some of them weren’t even ingredients. In fact she swore one was labelled ‘Troll Belly Button Fluff’ but it was empty…She decided not to question it, partly because she was scared of the answer.

Her confused features must’ve been quite obvious based on the amused little chuckle from Sebastian.

“I suppose I should introduce you two. This is Garreth Weasley. Garreth, this is the infamous new fifth year everyone has been talking about. Evelyn Hollow”

“I’d shake your hand but honestly, Merlin’s knows what’s on them now…” Garreth beamed, shaking a vial of thick liquid he’d pulled from his robes.

“Oooookay” Evelyn giggled. “Are you related to Professor Weasley?”

“She’s my Aunt” he replied, pouting like a child whose sweets had been snatched from their grubby little hands “Keeps to close an eye on me for comfort. But she can’t be everywhere”

Something about this red head caused a wave of comfort over her. It’s possible it was the slightly vacant and near constant smile on his features. Or maybe it was the blatant disregard for the rules and his charming and almost arrogant tone of voice.

“So how did you offend Ominis?” Garreth asked.

“She hasn’t. He’s just moping…as usual” Sebastian shot a look up towards Ominis, smirking.

“You sure? I’ve never seen him so…cold” Garreth teased, shivering dramatically.

“Stop that!” Evelyn moaned. “I’m serious…”

“Okay well…what did you do that you think has offended him so?” Garreth asked, genuinely for the first time as well as working on his potion for the first time too, finally adding his chopped Dittany to the Pestle and Mortar and crushing it lazily. He looked almost…bored.

“I helped him in Herbology…” Before Evelyn could continue, Garreth gasped loudly, grabbing the blade of his knife and pretending to stab himself in the heart.

“Godrics Great Golden Garter…you didn’t help him did you?” Garreth said rather unnecessarily sarcastically “…You are indeed a cruel witch”

Evelyn decided to ignore his display, continuing on like nothing had happened

“I didn’t mean to suggest he couldn’t do any of it alone but…” she pouted slightly thinking back to how many times she interjected in his work “…some muggle-born girl comes along and acts like she knows everything. Must be frustrating…”

“It is…” Sebastian smirked, piling onto the teasing with a soft nudge with his elbow.

“…thanks” Evelyn retorted flatly “…I don’t know why I bother talking to you”

“Look…” Sebastian started, placing his utensils down pointedly “…Ominis is a complicated fellow. As his friend of many years, he just…gets like this sometimes. I promise it’s not you”

That satisfied her for all of five seconds, but dropped the subject anyway. Lest she suffer more teasing from the comedy duo either side of her.

Evelyn looked between the two boys as she worked on her Wiggenweld. How she’d landed with these two she wasn’t entirely sure but she felt like their combined charm and roguish behaviour could very easily lead her astray. She smiled easily, listening to the two of them endlessly tease her for her worrying.

At some point, Professor Sharp hobbled over to the other side of the room and Sebastian slipped an old dusty book across the station towards Garreth, who stowed it whilst looking shiftily around the room. She recognised it immediately as the book Sebastian pocketed upon entering the Restricted Section.

Almost as soon as Sharp turned his back, he’d shot back around, his eyes narrowing as they fell over Garreth and their table.

“Miss Hollow…” the old Auror addressed her with a curt nod “…How are you getting along?” He continued, looking towards Sebastian and Garreth, the implication clear in his voice.

“I think I’m doing okay, Sir. I’ve already bottled some” she picked up the tiny corked bottle and held it up for the Professor.

“Hmm…” Sharp inspected the bottle intensely, turning it over in his fingers over and over “…Not an easy potion to brew. Well done…And from what I hear of your recent exploits in Hogsmeade you’d also do well to practise brewing the defensive Edurus potion. Professor Weasley had you acquire the recipe from J. Pippin’s correct?”

“Yes, Sir” She heard Sebastian snort under his breath, clearly amused at how quickly she transformed into the most studious of classmates.

“Good. For the moment you can find the ingredients you need in my office - in the future however you will be expected to provide your own. Some will require you to be a bit more - resourceful. Perhaps your friends can help you with that…” Sharp turned toward Garreth again as he shook a vial of ‘Dragons Blood’ towards Evelyn before hiding it quickly as Sharp stared through him.

“I don’t even want to know, Mr Weasley. Just keep it out of your cauldron…” Professor Sharp didn’t reign in his clear disappointment as he rolled his eyes, though Evelyn swore she saw a vague smirk pulling at his lips “…Come and see me when you’ve finished brewing, and we’ll see if it was luck or skill the first time around”

This time as he left, he shot her a wry half smile and nodded firmly, moving over to the table next to them.

“Speaking of resourcefulness…Did I hear Professor Sharp say that you have permission to go in his office?” Garreth hissed quietly over the bubbling and various other noises of their station.

“He did say that” Evelyn replied tentatively.

“Brilliant! You, my friend, have been presented with an extraordinary opportunity. I’m missing one tiny ingredient from this potion I’m working on” Garreth said looking down at the purple liquid in front of him. Everyone else cauldrons were an array of greens…Garreths’ looked more like an angry bruise than any sort of Wiggenweld she’d ever seen.

“I suspect that’s where I come in?”

“You were right, Sebastian. She is as clever as I’d hoped” Garreth grinned devilishly before continuing: “I simply need a single Fwooper Feather. As you’ll already be in Sharps office - with his permission, perhaps you could grab it for me.”

“I don’t know Garreth. I don’t want to get on Sharps bad side.” Evelyn murmured, eyeing the old Auror from across the way.

“You won’t. Fwooper Feathers aren’t that valuable. Sharp won’t even miss it.”

Evelyn rolled her eyes before flipping to the page in her Potions book labelled ‘Edurus’. She made a mental note of the ingredients and headed towards Sharps office without another word.

~

“And now we add the mallowsweet and…that’s odd. What’s happening?” Garreths eyes went wide as he stirred in the stolen Fwooper Feather and the liquid turned from a deep purple to a bright gaudy pink.

“Wait it’s not supposed to- ah!” Garreth yelped crouching behind his station as the fireworks of pungent sparks fell around him like snow. “Dragon Dung! What happened?”

Evelyn couldn’t help but giggle as Sebastian leaned over into her station and covered her with his robe. A seasoned avoider of Garreths mishaps she assumed.

“What now, Mr Weasley?” Sharp rose from his chair before falling back into it, quickly deciding it wasn’t worth the pain in his leg for another one of Garreth’s failed experiments.

“Sorry, Professor” Garreth pouted and used his perfected ‘guilty’ voice

“That’ll be points from Gryffindor - again. Miss Hollow…a word please”

Evelyn shot Garreth a stern look as she pulled from out of Sebastian’s robes, a long boney finger pointing accusatorily at the Gryffindor. “You said…”

“I said nothing…”

~

“I brewed an Edurus potion as you asked, Professor” Evelyn chirped, trying her best to seem sweet and innocent, like the previous carnage wasn’t completely her fault.

“I’m surprised you had the time…” He snapped crossing his arms like a disappointed father, his tone, for want of a better term, was Sharp. “…You seemed rather busy helping Mr Weasley brew chaos”

“Sorry Professor…” She sighed “…I thought considering you’d given me a more advanced potion to brew, you’d done the same for Garreth. He told me he was quite proficient at Potions…I assumed he was just trying to be efficient. I misjudged the situation. I’m sorry.” She lied…expertly, her brows meeting in the middle out of faux concern. She was perfectly aware of what Garreth intended to do. Sebastian had talked about the shenanigans he got up to in class and despite her not agreeing to get the feather, she decided to grab it when it was just lying in the office. It was begging to be taken.

“Ah…” Professor Sharps posture relaxed exponentially, his arms falling to clasp together in front of him “…well now you are aware of Mr Weasleys intentions I shall also assume this won’t happen again, and that you have learnt a lesson.”

“Of course, Professor” she nodded repeatedly, a practised look of disappointment on her features.

“Taking responsibility for one’s actions does go a long way with me. As for the work you did at your own cauldron, I will say you’ve done well. I confess I was skeptical, but you have exceeded my expectations.”

She immediately felt bad lying to the man. He seemed sweet…even if he did have a rather unpleasant aura around him. One of authority and command.

“Thank you, Professor”

~

“Class is dismissed” Professor Sharp called in the middle of Evelyn taunting Garreth. He smirked when she told him she’d played innocent and dropped him in it, clearly unbothered that he may be in more trouble after her conversation with the Professor. He playfully called her a ‘Typical Slytherin’ and lightly punched her arm as he walked out of the class, one more detention under his belt.

“Mr Gaunt, if you could stay after class to work on your Wiggenweld it would be beneficial” Sharp said after the majority of the students had left the classroom. Only Evelyn, Sebastian and Ominis remained.

She tidied up her station slowly, memorising the ingredients as she packed them away into the drawer below the desk. Sebastian was leaning against the counter by Ominis.

“Miss Hollow, perhaps you can use your natural gift for potioneerring to actually help one of your fellow classmates. Mr Gaunt has a fantastic theoretical knowledge in the field. He just struggles a little with the practical elements”

She watched Ominis turn in her direction, an almost pained look on his face, similar to when she’d overstepped and touched his hand.

Her chest tightened.

“Of course” she agreed under her breath, hoping this after hours session wouldn’t be too awkward after how their Herbology class ended.

Professor Sharp gathered his things piling an extraordinarily large stack of items into his briefcase before picking it up and shuffling over to Ominis. He placed a supportive hand on his shoulder, tapping twice.

“I know you can do this…” Sharp murmured, a gentler tone than she had heard all evening. “…Mr Sallow, you best be off, lest Scribner start looking for you…again” With another tap to Ominis shoulder, Sharp left the classroom.

“He’s right…that Detention won’t complete itself. Thanks for getting me out of it by the way” Sebastian said sarcastically, pulling his robes over his shoulders properly.

“You’re welcome” Ominis chirped, completely unphased.

“Don’t have too much fun you two” Sebastian purred with a suggestive tone, his eyes rolling as he strolled casually out of the classroom.

Oh god…

He knew.

Sebastian knew this was going to be awkward. What else could he mean?

Evelyn gulped as she turned slowly towards Ominis, silently thankful he was blind. She just couldn’t hide the look of apprehension on her face.

There was silence for a long time as Ominis silently read and reread the recipe, his wand illuminating the words as it pressed against the page. The potion he had toiled on, over and over, sat forgotten in the cauldron in front of him, its heavy medicinal scent wafted over them both. With a sigh, he placed his wand down over the recipe book, marking the page with the tip.

“It seems pandemonium follows you” he broke the silence first, with a smirk “First the Sorting Ceremony, then Hogsmeade…now here”

“In my defence, I didn’t actually do anything” Evelyn retorted, falling into a playful tone easily.

It was so easy with him…

“So then what actually happened? I could just hear - and smell the carnage from over here”

“I was coerced into stealing from a teacher” she exaggerated, her voice turned soft and twee. Like butter wouldn’t melt.

“Huh…” he laughed softly “…You’re quite the covert little thief aren’t you? Well done”

Her cheeks burned.

She couldn’t pinpoint exactly why. Whether it was his praise or him referring to her as ‘little’, as he peered down at her gazelessly. She was unsure. But she decided to physically take a step back, hoping some distance might quell the rising blush.

“Oh I…well…” she stammered after she realised she hadn’t said anything “…I wouldn’t say that. Though I’m sure Garreth appreciated it. Even if it did earn him a detention.”

“Yes…” Ominis’ tone shifted, a sudden sharpness cutting through “…it seems Gryffindors have a bit of a thing for you”

. . .

So maybe he was a little jealous…maybe

Though his mind spilled out over his lips without much thought, he knew what he was doing. He fished for any information he could about her little trip to see the cabbages. After she’d disappeared into the secondary greenhouse, Garlick called an end to the lesson and he’d lost track of her completely.

He wanted to know what Leander had said. What he had done…if anything.

“Gryffindors?” She laughed “…Well so far only two have been tolerable”

“Two?” He tried to question innocently but the jealousy rose in his throat like bile.

Leander!

“Who’s the second?” His tone betraying him again

“Natty” she spoke like the answer was obvious. Of course! Charms! Thank Merlin for Natty.

“Ah…have you not met Leander?”

“Oh I’ve met him. I found him to be quite…insufferable” she shivered at the memory of Leander. His clammy hand around her wrist, his blatant dislike for Slytherins, his constant oneupmanship.

Then Ominis grinned. Wider than she’d seen previously. The flash of pearly white teeth and the way he bit into his lip made her stomach flip.

“Sorry…” he mumbled but continued to smile wide “…I shouldn’t smile. But I can’t help but agree”

It was a little white lie. He didn’t actually mind Leander. If anything his stupidity was a constant supply of entertainment. That and his minor fued with Sebastian.

But now he was getting friendly with Evelyn.

And that simply wouldn’t do…

“So…” she cleared her throat “…Professor Sharp says you’re in need of some help.”

“That’s putting it lightly…” he chuckled, his brows knitting together in worry “…My Wiggenweld Potion’s utter rubbish. Wish I could just replace it with one from J Pippin’s” the tiny self-deprecating laugh that left him, broke her heart.

“Mind if I take a look?” Evelyn asked, the fear of over-stepping coming back to her in one tidal wave of paranoia.

“Be my guest…” he gestured towards the Cauldron, taking a step back out of her way. But she didn’t move.

“And you don’t mind me helping?”

Ah…

He’d overheard her conversation with Sebastian and Garreth…

…Well…not overheard…he was actively listening in

She was so sweet to think his sudden shift in attitude was because she had helped him. And not because of some silly hormonal obsession over her that he still could not place. He reigned in his emotions best he could, something he was never very good at. Sebastian often said he wore his emotions on his sleeve…or across his face in the form of an ever-changing mask.

“Of course I don’t…” he almost whispered, his voice far softer than he’d ever sounded. It almost shocked him. If he hadn’t known he’d said those words, he never would’ve believed that was his voice. “Why would I?”

“It’s just I…” she started, shaking her head in embarrassment after she was now confronted with her reasoning…He was sweet…how could she think he’d be upset over her trying to help “…it’s nothing, anyway…”

She rose on her tiptoes to peer into his cauldron, the stand just a little bit higher than hers due to his surprisingly tall frame. It leaned slightly closer to blue on the colour spectrum as it simmered away.

“This doesn’t look too bad…the colour is a little off. Suggests the Dittany wasn’t prepared properly.”

“Let me see…” he says, a phrase that ordinarily wouldn’t cause much fanfare. But as The Blind Slytherin took his wand and dipped it into the liquid, Evelyn stood transfixed.

“Does that let you…see?” She asked leaning into him out of curiosity. Purely…curiosity.

“In a way. It’s how I see colour. For example…” he withdrew his wand, a slight curl of disgust to his lips as he wiped the liquid on a handkerchief he pulled from his back pocket. The light at the tip of his wand turned green as he pressed his wand to her head.

“You have grey hair…” he said matter of factly, before removing his wand from her locks, a strand or two curling around the end as he pulled away.

Sebastian was right. He was perfectly capable.

“That’s fascinating…” she breathed a little too excitedly. Just him knowing that little bit about her made her smile giddily. “…perhaps you could use that to see what a proper Wiggenweld should look like” she said genuinely…but her choice of words earned a smirk and a raised eyebrow from Ominis.

“You don’t mean yours do you? That would be awfully big headed of you” he teased lightly.

She opened her mouth to apologise. She didn’t mean to insinuate she knew exactly what she was doing. For the most part she just read the instructions and applied what she already knew from cooking and baking. But when she saw the way he smirked down at his wand, tilting his head in her direction, she decided perhaps she needn’t be as cautious around him. Perhaps they could be…friends

“Well…Sharp did say I had a natural talent” she smiled back, the act itself clear in her voice and Ominis’ smirk widened to a smile.

She pulled the little vial of Wiggenweld she had made from her robes and passed it Ominis. He uncorked it with his teeth, possibly unwise considered she could’ve handed him anything, and poked his wand into it.

He trusts me!

Nodding, seemingly satisfied, he put the stopper back and passed the vial to her as she looked through her textbook.

Ominis could hear the soothing sound of pages turning as she read through her Potions book. Accompanying the tiny bubbles popping in his bubbling concoction, was the faint smell of Horklump juice. Not entirely unpleasant. It was earthy and warm. The constant breeze coming from the open window made him feel as though he were taking a walk through the woods.

And yet again, he found himself enjoying the smaller aspects of one of his least favourite subjects.

Off in the distance, the gentle hum of students going to their Common Rooms for the evening drew Ominis’ attention to the time. Potions was his last class, and the reminder that it was getting closer to curfew may ordinarily annoy him.

But he was with his new friend…

This is…lovely…

“Let’s start over…see what you may be doing wrong” she offered gently, still trying not to offend

“You mean; Let’s find out what I am doing wrong” he corrected and pulled the spare Dittany from the potions case to his right. Fifth pot in from the left, the lid slightly indented. He immediately began to chop the leaves, knuckles down into the foliage, guiding the knife. Flawless technique! He scooped them in his hand and waved it over to the cauldron…before he felt cold digits grab his wrist.

“Wait…” She guided his hand back to the chopping board coaxing the long ribbons of leaves from his palm.

“Here…” Her fingers weaved with his, flattening the pads of his fingertips against the Dittany.

“Cut sideways as well as lengthways. Smaller pieces disperse better in the cauldron. Even better if you can crush them.” She explained softly, whilst her hand worked against his to shift the ingredient. When her hand was clear, he reached for his knife again as she searched for a pestle and mortar.

He felt the ghost of her hand cup his, even after she’d left. His skin both frozen and on fire in her wake. Her phantom voice still whispered in his ear whilst she read the book again. He could hear her shifting around. And her presence just stood there caused the back of his neck to tingle.

“You really are a natural” he murmured, trying to shake her from his mind and focus on the now.

“Not a natural…” she replies half heartedly “…I cook and bake a lot. Potioneering seems quite similar so…I’m just transferring my skills”

“You like to cook?” He asked gently, ears pricking at any shred of new information. She was muggle-born at the end of the day. She likely had many skills he didn’t. From relying on magic on a day-to-day basis to growing up with house elves, He wasn’t the most domesticated of people.

“Not really…” she exhaled a laugh “…I have to. I live alone”

“Oh?” Ominis inquired almost gleefully. She was opening up! He was learning all about her! Her and Sebastian had spent quite a bit of time together but…he knew Sebastian wouldn’t ask about these sorts of things. He now knew something no one else did!

“Mmm hmm…” she hummed almost hesitantly. He heard her fold her arms around herself, the stiff fabric of her robes scratching against itself “…I never knew my father and…my mother. She passed away just a little over a year ago. I’ve had to teach myself a lot of different things…” she laughed singularly “…and then obviously coming here…it’s a lot of new experiences”

“I-I’m sorry…” Ominis muttered, immediately regretting pushing the issue.

He wasn’t the most…compassionate of people. He found it difficult to relate to matters he had no experience in. And especially when it related to family. He despised his family. It’s all he ever knew. Losing his parents would mean…nothing to him.

He tentatively reached a hand out to her shoulder and squeezed softly. He felt her stiffen beneath his hand and he felt the urge to pull away immediately. But her fingers brushed against his delicately and then dropped to the counter.

“Thank you…but honestly it’s fine. It was for the best” she explained, rather flatly but he took no offence to her tone.

“I understand”

She was quiet for a little while as he continued to work on his potion. He pulled a pipette from his potions set to help him with the Horklump measurements.

Her assessment was right. The only thing wrong with his potion was the Dittany. The moment the last drop of Horklump juice touched the liquid it bloomed a bright, almost neon green.

“You did it!” She chirped, completely different from the somber tone she had just moments previously.

“Well…I had some help. Not as much as I would have liked but…” he teased, a soft gentle smile on his lips.

“It seems you didn’t need it…”

(Separate Garreth stuff that isn’t really canon to my other stuff)

What do you Propose? - Garreth proposal fluff

“Well…” he gestured to her, generally. As though it answered her question. She choked out her next breathe, something stifling her throat.

“Can’t believe I came to you instead of Ominis” her voice cracked, her eyes filling with tears before turning back on her heel to walk away.

“Hey, hang on…” he stood, catching up to her easily and grabbing her shoulder. When he turned her around, her cheeks were already shiny with shed tears. “…what’s going on?” His fingers wiped her cheeks down quickly whilst he searched her face for answers. Couldn’t see any cuts, no blood, no limp. Her pain was emotional not physical.

“I’ve just…had the worst day” she sounded so vulnerable until her eyes locked back at him. A glimmer of anger sparked in her eyes as she continued “and then I wanted to see you but you just had to be…you about it didn’t you!”

“Alright alright I’m sorry” his hands still held her face as she pouted, tears still flowing from her eyes. He couldn’t help the tiny smirk that plucked at his lips. “You wanted to see me though?”

“Shut up, Sebastian” she sniffed

“Come here” he whispered, pulling her to his chest and holding her “I’m sorry. I’ll try to not be me for a little while”

“That would be nice” she laughed breathlessly into his chest as he rocked her side to side.

“Want to go somewhere quiet? And you can tell me about it?” He bowed his head to her enveloping completely by him. She nodded and he guided her towards the Undercroft.

“Do I need to hurt anyone?”

~

Garreth

Garreth rarely saw her upset. She was all sunshine and rainbows. She made the Sun jealous with how brightly she smiled.

But today was different.

Her smile didn’t reach her eyes and the smallest knot appeared above her brow. The smallest chink in her glowing brilliant armour

In typical Weasley fashion, he combatted everything with humour.

“Uh oh, what’s up with moody bum?” He bent down to her level and booped her on the nose.

“I-“ That seemed to be the straw that broke the thestrals back and she erupted into tears

“Hey! No no no no no, Don’t cry, I’m sorry” Garreth panicked and wrapped his arms around her. From the outside, it looked as though he was hugging himself. She had completely disappeared into him.

“I’ve…had…the…worst…day” she stammered out between sobs. He felt her tiny hands grip his shirt to pull him closer.

“Do you know what cheers me up?” He said pulling out all the stops to cheer her up. His tone was devoid of all his usual charm. Just soft and caring Garreth remained.

“Potions” she mumbled

“Well yes but now is not the time to brew.” He pulls her away to look at her face. It’s blotchy and her eyes already look a little swollen. His thumbs brushed under her eyes and wiped the tears away in one. “Chocolate…and lots of it. And I happen to have a stash for moments just like this. Come on” he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder, her sobs quickly replaced with little giggles as he walks towards his Common Room.

~

Ominis

Ominis knew something was wrong the moment she accompanied him in the library.

She usually greeted and sat next to him so they could share a box of Honeydukes Fudge.

But today she sat across from him and remained silent. He could hear her irregular breathing and every now and then she tried to disguise her hyperventilation with an obviously fake cough. She also continuously sniffed. And he knew when she was ill.

This was not ill sniffling.

“You’ve been crying” he stated. It was not a question.

“No” her voice cracked. “Why would you say that?” She said blankly, almost cold.

He sighed.

“Don’t make me prove you wrong” he raised an eyebrow and grabbed his wand.

“I don’t know what you’re talking abou-“ she started before his wand pressed gently against her nose. She froze as he flicked it across her cheeks.

“Your nose is red…you’ve been crying” his tone immediately shifted to that of concern. “Please don’t lie to me. It makes it incredibly difficult to help if you lie”

He always had such a wonderful way of caring and maintaining a stoic appearance.

His concern flared her up again. Her head falling to her arms as she scrunched over the table. She sobbed into her elbow, trying to hide from the world when she felt Ominis wrap his arm around her shoulder. He leant down and whispered in her ear.

“You know I can get anyone who has upset you expelled”

She laughed through the sobs as he rubbed small circles into her back. As she calmed down slightly, he rested his cheek against the back of her shoulder.

“I’m here if you want to talk”