#ominis angst

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

Medusa’s Vipers - Ominis and Sebastian being protective of Evelyn

Do you see What I See? - silly Drabble for what Ominis is like as a boyfriend

Sibling Affection - What I think happened between Sebastian and MC at the end of the main story

Love is Blind - Sequel to Sibling Affection. Ominis being a salty baby

Once a Coward, Always a Coward - Ominis dealing with Duncan

The Fox and the Rabbit - Ominis being OMEGA flirty on arrival

Of Naps and Nightmares - Ominis’ little nippy naps…but make it sad

What do you propose? - Ominis proposal fluff

Blinded by Beauxbatons - Unused idea for my fic

‘There you go’ - Ominis being tall and sexy I don’t know…

Repressed Memories - Ominis discovering MC is who he cast Crucio on as a boy.

The Great Hall was particularly quiet this morning, with most students likely sleeping in for the weekends. The vast space was illuminated in a slightly blue-toned day lighting that peered through the ginormous glass windows. Ominis was currently seated at the Slytherin table right beside Sebastian, who was helping himself to a hearty meal. Meanwhile, the misty-eyed male had halted his little eating session briefly: he had his wand pointed towards a piece of parchment that he held, skimming through the letter that he had received several moments ago from an all-familiar Great Horned Owl.

Dearest Ves, I apologize for my lack of reply ever since that note that you've given me. Many troubles are weighing within my mind, as of late, but rest assured that it's not regarding our little situation. That being said, I think I might have an inkling as to who you might be. However, I am not one to rely on just assumptions although you've made it quite blatantly obvious as to who you are. Instead, I shall gather concrete evidence that'll point me to you for good measure; just so I know that I didn’t make a mistake. By that time, I would’ve most likely accumulated enough courage to even confront you about the matter. I’m not one who would dare do such a thing, but I suppose I’m willing to make your case an exception. For now, I wish to indulge in whatever time that remains of this pen pal relationship. I find it hard to let go, if I'm being completely honest. I quite like exchanging letters with you after all — it was certainly an eye-opening experience plus an incredible joy to be in correspondence with a man of wit and grace. I hope you don't mind my horrendously bizarre request of relishing in the moment. With utmost sincerity and adoration, (Y/N)

Ominis sets the letter down, refolding the parchment and tucking it into the inner pocket of his blazer. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed as he took a bite out of his eggs on toast, mulling over the thoughts that had been injected within his psyche upon reading your letter.

This was yet another moment of him silently wishing that he had the gift of sight; perhaps if he were able to look at you from across the hall (if you were there to begin with, of course), then he wouldn't be formulating all sorts of pointless questions within his mind. Dark brown orbs stared at the lithe-framed male from the corner of his eye as he sighed woefully.

“Are you alright, Ominis? You're a little distracted this morning,” Sebastian asks before sipping from his cup. “Bad news?”

“No… It's nothing, really. It's about her, I suppose,” he mumbles in response. 

“Perhaps if you stopped skirting around the issue, then maybe it would be easier for you both,” Sebastian shrugs. “When are you going to tell her anyway?”

“She already knows, Sebastian. She just needs to confirm it for herself,” Ominis sighs while Sebastian gapes at his revelation out of sheer astonishment, paying closer attention to what the opal-eyed male has to say.

“She knows?! Isn't that a good thing? You could just drop the biggest clue and that'll solve your problems!” 

“Yes, but I'd rather spare her from my persuasive tactics for now. Must've been quite a shock to her that her pen pal was the blind lad all along,” Ominis grumbles. “Perhaps I paced this whole thing way too fast…”

“Oh?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “Anything happened lately?”

“... I might've brought her along to Feldcroft to meet Anne.”

Sebastian nearly spat out the pumpkin juice he was drinking, quickly swallowing the sweet liquid and wiping the stray droplet with the back of his hand. He turns to Ominis, absolutely gobsmacked before crossing his arms with a teasing smirk on his face.

“So that's why you skipped classes with her!” the brunette laughed. “Merlin’s beard, you work fast! Even skipped an entire step in the whole courtship process. Meeting the family before dating? Oh boy. Whatever will your father say about this?”

Oh, if only Sebastian knew how far the jump truly was. He'd be absolutely floored.

“Sebastian, for the love of Merlin, just eat your damn breakfast,” Ominis groans. “It’s bad enough I’m worried that I messed up.”

While a rather grumbly Ominis continues to munch on his breakfast, Sebastian glances towards the Ravenclaw table, his eyes coincidentally meeting with yours. You instinctively averted your gaze by looking down on your empty plate, sipping on your own cup of pumpkin juice. A smug grin appeared on his face.

“Oh, believe me when I say this. You didn't mess up, Ominis,” he chuckled, leaning slightly closer and lowering his tone. “She’s been staring at you this entire time.”

The blonde-haired Slytherin sputtered, instantly grabbing his nearby cup and chugged its contents.

“Not when I'm eating, you moonmind!” he hissed, his face turning an angry red. Deep within the corner of his mind, however, he was relieved. Sebastian chortled at his best friend’s predicament, taking the last bit of toast in his mouth while Ominis refilled his cup with pumpkin juice. From a distance, a certain student clad in Hufflepuff school uniform motions for Sebastian to come over. 

“Well then, best be on my way. I'll see you around, Ominis,” he grins, patting the said male's back before scuttering over to Skylar, who was waiting with their arms crossed, the both of them exiting the hall together. Finishing the remnants of his meal, Ominis got up, making his way to the exit of the Great Hall. You quickly got up, trailing towards him.

“Gaunt!”

Ominis turns towards your direction, his cheeks flushing the faintest shade of pink.

“Is something the matter?”

The light thumping of your footsteps died out slowly as you approached him. 

“Alright, self. Keep it subtle,” your inner voice encourages.

“Uhh, do you have plans today? I was thinking if we should start on that Charms assignment together,” you suggested, masking your innocent little intentions with an air of nonchalance. Ominis raises an eyebrow.

“... Isn't that assignment due in two weeks?” he asked. “And Ronen gave it only yesterday too. What's the rush?”

“Alright, pack it up. We're leaving. NOW!” the once encouraging voice screeched within your head, unfortunately falling into deaf ears as you persisted in pushing your luck.

“...You know I'd rather not rush, especially if it's a group-related sort of task, right?” you asked, attempting to bury that particular incident about your first Transfiguration assignment with him back into the depths of your mind. Up until this very day, it was truly a grave reminder of your former unsavory antics. Not that you regretted or disliked it, of course.

A knowing smirk graced his visage, instantly sensing the slightest hint of your bashfulness. A verbal tease was threatening to spill itself from his lips, but he remained quiet despite his amusement. He has to control himself after or at least try to. His silence was deafening despite the mumbles, chatters, and sound of cutlery within the Great Hall while dread began to churn within the pit of your stomach.

“Wow, the floor certainly looks enticing right now. I wonder if it's willing to swallow me, never to return again?” you thought in an attempt to diffuse your ever-growing anxiety of rejection.

“You know, if you just wanted to spend more time with me, all you need is ask,” the male before you chuckled. “I would've gladly agreed.”

It was too much for your poor morning brain to handle. You stood there motionless, quivering with your face adorning a shade of crimson at his sudden flirtation. Goodness, it was as if you've spontaneously combusted on the spot — you wouldn't even be surprised if smoke was coming out of your head at this very moment. 

Ominis gave you a cheeky grin. Although he was incapable of sight, he was well-capable of sensing embarrassment from afar, especially if it was yours.

“T…That’s not—!” 

“Sure it wasn’t,” he drawled smugly, sauntering towards the exit doors and pushing it open before facing. “After you.”

You shot him a look of half-hearted disdain and exited yourself out of the Great Hall, with him following you right after. The both of you were headed to the library yet again for another study session, with you hoping that things will be a bit more uneventful for today. While walking together in silence, Ominis suddenly cursed under his breath.

“Blast… I left my summarized notes in the common room. That was supposed to make it easier for us…” he sighs. You raised an eyebrow this time around, a smirk worming its way to your face.

“For us?” you absentmindedly repeated rather innocently. Ominis scoffs in amusement.

“You sure like the sound of that, huh?” he drawls. “Why? Does the thought entice you that much?”

A look of bemusement was evident in your visage before realization dawned upon you, a tint of red coloring your cheeks for the umpteenth time no thanks to his antics.

“Is this another one of your tricks, Gaunt? Because I’m not falling for it!” you huffed while crossing your arms.

Ominis lets out a teasing chuckle, sparing you from the rebuttal he had intended to fling towards you. You half-heartedly glared at him, still flustered. Whether it’s out of bashfulness, agreement, or denial — you weren’t quite sure at this point. Truth be told, you actually like the attention.

For the most part, you patiently waited at the nearby staircase of the Slytherin common room for Ominis, secretly picking off dirt from your fingernails while mulling over the multiple topics that had to be written in the parchment later on. Soon, the large snake emerged from the foot of the seemingly blank stone wall, revealing the door to the common room. Your brows furrowed, however — there was a muffled sound of two awfully familiar bickering boys from the now newly-revealed door. 

You immediately sprang up to your feet the moment the doors swung open, revealing a frowning Sebastian alongside a vexed Ominis, who was stomping his way towards you with obvious annoyance towards his best friend. You let out a surprised yelp as his slender fingers wrap around your wrist, pulling you towards him as he makes his way to the narrow corridor on the right. You turned towards Sebastian, who was equally just as frustrated as Ominis with his arms folded across his chest.

The moment both you and Ominis reached the end of the corridor, his grip on you loosened. A sigh escaped his pale pink lips out of exasperation.

“Gaunt, what was that about? What's going on?”

Before Ominis could even whisk you away from the dungeons or provide you with an answer to your questions, you were both interrupted by the sound of running footsteps reverberating throughout the empty corridor.

“Ominis, wait!” 

His head whipped towards the direction of the new voice within the scene, his tone low and exhausted. 

“What are you doing here?” he asks towards Skylar, who was panting slightly after making that sprint towards the young Gaunt. Your eyes dart to and fro between the two, sensing the direness of the situation.

“I’ll uhh… Just go over there…” you mumbled, backing away from the new fifth year and Ominis. You scampered a considerable distance away from the two, the sudden urgency of their interaction befuddling your wits. Sebastian wasn’t far from you, but you kept your lips sealed — the freckled male still looked rather cross, and you'd rather not get involved with any spats or possible crossfires within the friend group.

Minutes passed, and the air was still as silent as ever aside from the faint chatters at the end of the corridor. 

Upon hearing your name and Sebastian’s being called, you immediately sped towards Ominis, who was pacing around at the corner of the hallway. Skylar then began igniting the nearby braziers, much to your absolute confusion, and the heavy movement of moving stone echoed throughout the desolated hallway, revealing a hidden dark stairwell that leads to a lower level in the dungeons. 

“What in Merlin's name..?!”

Sebastian and Skylar descended down the poorly lit stairwell, leaving you and Ominis at the entrance. A sense of dread was brewing within your gut as you glanced at the secret area. You were about to step closer to the entrance, only to be yanked back by the male beside you. Your head snapped towards his direction with a frown.

“You might not want to enter. What lies ahead is far too sinister.”

The obscurity of the situation finally roused the annoyed frustration within you, nearly making you snap at the blonde-haired male. Inhaling a deep lungful of air, you calmed yourself despite the intensity of your panicked confusion.

“You better tell me whatever it is that's going on in there, Gaunt. I despise it when I’m being kept in the dark.” 

“It’s not for you to know,” he insisted, his brows furrowed in agitation. “I shan't allow it. You can’t. We don't know what kind of Dark Magic—”

“Dark Magic?! And you three are blatantly putting yourselves in that sort of danger?” you hissed angrily. “I'm coming with you.”

“No, you're not!”

“Yes, I am!” you vehemently insisted in the heat of the moment before letting out a sigh. “...You might need me for what lies ahead.”

Ominis groaned at your blatant display of stubbornness, exhaling exasperatedly at the mess the entire situation had become no thanks to Sebastian and Skylar's poor timing. 

You were right — and he hated it. 

You are a capable witch, but there was this inner knowing that what has yet to happen within Salazar Slytherin's Scriptorium will completely go awry. To further add on to his tumultuous vexations, he knew well enough that you wouldn't back down no matter how much he insists. 

He threw his hands up in defeat, ultimately surrendering to your request.

“Fine, you can tag along. But stay close: we never know what might be lurking in there, and I’d much rather have you unscathed.”

“... I will.”

Upon the both of you slipping inside, the entranceway was immediately sealed shut, the stone wall sliding back into its place. His wand blinks red while you whip out your own, its tip emitting a white glow as soon as you casted Lumos non-verbally. You felt a faint brush against your pinky before his own intertwined itself around yours before leading you down the stairwell, where Skylar and Sebastian awaited. 

“Took you two long enough,” Sebastian drawls, leaning against the stone walls. “I was beginning to think that you'd leave us in here.”

“We had a small discussion. Nothing more,” Ominis said stiffly, letting go of your digit and leaning beside the walls near the large door within the confined space. Skylar shone their wand at the rubble, their eyes darting from the destroyed relief on the wall. 

“Reparo.”

The rubble started to piece itself back onto the wall and Ominis instantly pales, hearing the all-familiar, notoriously dreadful language of the snakes communicate with him once more. It had been so long since he had heard it or even used it, and it made him sick to his core of using it again after suppressing it for so long.

The true horrors started from the very moment the archaic language was uttered from Ominis' lips, his voice resembling a melodiously harsh hiss to a person incapable of understanding its meaning. The whole way to the scriptorium resembled a cruel game to test one's mettle in the pursuit of knowledge, yet it wasn't synonymous with triumphs and honor, but with vile prejudice and madness — a place that's only privy to the elites of the elites: the Gaunts.

Your lips curled into a frown as your brain began to decipher every last bit of detail within the musty, confined space. Within your analytical mind, the various components of this huge puzzle created by Salazar Slytherin himself was a symbolic representation of his long-standing lineage that prevailed throughout time.

The braziers were the first part of the puzzle: perhaps a witty little play of their plethora of generational secrets that is hidden in plain sight. The second part was the snake-decorated door that could only be opened by Parseltongue: the proof of their dedication in maintaining the purest of magical blood. Currently, you were at the third part of their trial, which consisted of snake dials that would strike the moment time runs out — a reflection of their hostile volatility.

One thing was for sure about this series of trials: the further you progress, the more harrowing it gets. It was a matter of time before this well-orchestrated symphonic chaos resounded its glorious crescendo of horror, and you were dreading what awaits all of you with every fiber of your being. 

Alas, there was no going back.

You've managed to solve one dial smoothly on your own while Sebastian and Skylar were busy solving the other two. You sauntered towards Ominis, who was leaning against a wall with his arms crossed. Mimicking his actions, a tired sigh escaping your lips, glancing at him from the corner of your eye with pure concern, his words heavy within your mind and heart.

“What lies ahead is far too sinister.”

You were beginning to see why Ominis would say such a thing. Although your partial ignorance enveloped you within a protective shell, you were still cursed with the ability to piece even the most obscure of clues together. The entire situation was a complete mess, but amidst the flurry of incoherence, you were absolutely sure that the rumors pale in comparison to the truth of this ancient family's culture.

“Just how many atrocities have you gone through, Ominis?” you woefully queried within the privacy of your thoughts, taking a quick glance at the said male who held a morose expression on his face. 

The final gate was soon opened, the sound of metal echoing throughout the series of empty rooms. Sebastian and Skylar immediately rushed into the room with you and Ominis following them with reluctance, the nearby torches instantly ignited by magic. Your eyes wandered to the door at the opposite end as you strode nearer to it. It strangely resembled cooled, molten lava that had been molded into the shape of people letting out an anguished screams. 

Ominis grabbed your arm, preventing you from straying too far from him. The hairs on his skin were standing upright, and the mere acknowledgement of that accumulating fear left a bitter taste within his tongue.

It was likely to be the final room, for it held the most sinister trial compared to the previous rooms that the four of you had traversed through. Sebastian and Skylar were near the enchanted door, observing the pile of bones along with a piece of parchment that laid beside the remnants of a once living being. 

Noctua Gaunt — Ominis' missing aunt.

The chaos that ensues right after that grim realization gripped the entirety of your being as panicked words were exchanged amongst the other three while you stood in silence within the safety of Ominis right by your side. The contents within your brain, however, were in a state of pandemonium. You could hear your own heartbeat pulsing within your ears, and cold beads of sweat were forming at your nape and temples. 

Your hearing was selectively fragmented at this point: your brain was only paying attention to the relevant information that the other three parties with you were spewing out. It was akin to grasping at Billywigs, but you were desperate for any crumb of information to at least make sense of whatever that was happening around you.

“... Cast Crucio…”

“... Ominis… Most experience…”

“...Cruciatus Curse…"

The hushed conversation between Skylar and Sebastian made your skin crawl, and it worsened the moment Skylar started to approach both you and Ominis. Your mind was racing, hurriedly piecing the shards of information to give you a better picture.

“... If this is a place accessible only to the Gaunts, and casting Crucio is inevitable, that means…”

The weight of the truth dropped upon you, crushing your heart. Nothing was registering within your head as you finally wrapped your head around the matter. Despite Skylar's pleas and improvised propositions, Ominis was adamant in not dirtying his hands any further. You, however, stood there in a daze with a dull throb pulsating within your poor head.

Eyes of mortified realization began to trail towards the only Gaunt within this room, eyes turning glassy as the fog enshrouding his past cleared up even further, finally giving you a distinguishable context of how much Ominis has truly suffered over the years.

His lack of sight…

The foul reputation that he garnered just because of his last name…

His aloofness…

His efficiency in chores despite his wealth…

His chosen family…

This entire situation…

The curse of being an heir of Salazar Slytherin.

"That spell is the reason why I have no family left!" 

His heartbreaking revelations echoed throughout the space, the cold hard facts now set in stone. Ominis inhaled sharply, temporarily soothing his nerves before turning to Skylar once more.

“You and Sebastian will need to sort out another solution,” he finally says calmly. Skylar sighs with a look of dejection.

“... I understand. What about you?" they asked, turning towards you. Ominis’ lithe frame instinctively obstructs the ancient magic wielder coldly as his expression morphs into an icy glare.

“Leave her out of this,” he snarls at Skylar, who immediately backs away, not wishing to further incur the male’s anger. Ominis turns to you, immediately noting the small trembles that racked through your body and your slightly erratic breathing. He intertwined his fingers with yours, rubbing circles on your soft skin with his lightly calloused thumb. 

He found himself in a pickle, unsure of how to navigate himself through this precariously placed situation. Your current state was a cocktail of all sorts of nasty emotions, consisting primarily of fear, confusion, and agonizing despondence. All he could offer for now was his silent, unspoken promise.

He will absolutely not let anything or anyone hurt you, especially with the Cruciatus Curse.

Sebastian pointed his wand towards Skylar, inhaling a deep breath to focus himself on the task at hand. The Hufflepuff stood still, trembling as they shut their eyes tight, bracing themselves for the alleged unimaginable pain. You turned away with your eyes closed, unwilling to see the vile act play out before your own eyes.

“Crucio!”

The tip of his wand shot out a small flicker of red before immediately fizzling out, much to his sheer frustration. He casted it once more, only to be met with the same results. 

“Dammit!” Sebastian yelled exasperatedly, eyes glossing over with frustration and anger. “I can't cast it, Sky. Not on you.”

“You have to, Seb. You're the only one who can! I… I don't have the heart to do such a thing…” 

The despair that loomed over everyone in the room became denser as you swallowed thickly upon hearing the new present problem. You turned to Ominis, your gaze drifting from his hand that held yours firmly to his sullen expression, recalling what he had said before the both of you decided to dive within this situation.

“I’d much rather have you unscathed.”

With a sorrowful sigh, your other hand reached for his fingers that held you with protectiveness, gently wrenching yourself out of his grasp. You gave Ominis one final apologetic look before sprinting towards Sebastian and Skylar, your unspoken apology driving a dagger through your chest.

“I'm sorry, Ominis.”

“Sallow,” you somberly called out to the brunette as you stared at him piercingly with firm resolve. Ominis' sightless eyes widened, his throat running dry the moment you spoke the words he never wanted to hear from you.

“Cast it on me.” 

Sebastian darted his eyes from you to Ominis as his grip on his wand tightened. With an exhale, he points his wand towards you while Skylar backs away to the nearby wall. Every inch of you slowly relaxed despite the inward fear that ran rampant within you, acceptance seeping into your being as your eyelids fluttered shut.

“Perhaps this is for the best… For Uncle Lawrence… For Simon… For atoning my sins…”

Deft, slender fingers gripped his own black wand handle with ferocity before hurling a spell towards the freckled male.

“Cru—”

“EXPELLIARMUS!” 

Nearly blindsided, Sebastian quickly encases himself within a thin, spherical shell, deflecting the spell that Ominis had casted in the heat of the moment. 

“What the hell, Ominis?!” Sebastian yells, glaring at the blonde-haired male who pulled you closer to him grabbing your wrist possessively, taking slow steps back away from the door. His wand was pointed towards Sebastian, the frown on his face deepening upon feeling the prickling sensation of Sebastian's glower towards him.

“I meant what I said that only the both of you are to sort this out on your own, Sallow!” Ominis spat in vile disdain, warningly articulating his every word. “Leave her out of this!”

Sebastian scoffed contemptuously, his actions now fueled both by sheer anger and annoyance.

“This is not the time to play the hero, Gaunt,” Sebastian snarls, his wrath bubbling within him. “I'm not going to die in here just because you're being utterly ridiculous with your damned morals!”

“Sebastian, stop it!” Skylar hissed. “That's enough!”

Sebastian's eyes darkened, finally hitting his boiling point as he scornfully glanced at each one of you. Your eyes widened at his change in demeanor. His usual playful brown eyes now had a dangerous glint that you've seen countless of times within your occasional nightmares. 

The shackles of terror immediately ensnared you once again when Sebastian fired a spell aggressively towards Ominis, who quickly pushed you away and deflected the spell back by a hair's breadth. You sat on the floor helplessly, watching Sebastian hurled spell after spell towards Ominis, who was struggling to keep up with the barrage of light jets that were sent towards him out of maniacal fury. 

It was just like that day of great tragedy — the day that two precious lives were lost and you were the only one that made it out alive. 

If only you hadn't insisted on sneaking out of the estate on that fine summer day.

If only you weren't so darn helpless.

If only you weren't that curious in venturing into the unknown.

It was all your fault.

From your perspective, you were no longer within the dungeons. You were back in that dimly lit, dingy, dilapidated warehouse, seeing your younger self trapped within a cage alongside your elder brother whilst seated on the filthy ground. A cloaked, towering figure looms before you, his heavy footsteps getting louder and louder. Your eyes were met with another pair that contains the same dangerous glint that you had witnessed within Sebastian's eyes.

Anguished regrets welled up within you as he flashed you a sardonic smirk, whipping out his wand, and aiming it towards the cage beside you. Your eyes trailed towards the said direction, but to your sheer horror, it wasn't your younger self and Simon who was still manacled and trapped within the cage.

It was Ominis.

The cloaked figure raises his wand, his smirk morphing into a maniacal grin. You gritted your teeth, finally snapping and unraveling the ugliest side of you that you had desperately tried to keep under wraps for the sake of moral standards. Gone were your reservations of maintaining the upkeep of your so-called reputation as you shakily stood up, arming yourself with your wand. 

You won't let the same fate happen to anyone ever again — especially him.

Every ounce of the pain you've accumulated over the years coursed through your veins, serving as kindling for your long dormant unbridled rage as you stared at the root of your anguish straight into his eyes.

You wanted to hurt him — to inflict a pain so great that he grovels and begs for his life in tears. You inhaled blissfully at the thought, before casting a cold, condescending gaze towards him, uttering the incantation icily with no hint of remorse.

“Crucio.”

“SEB!!!!”

“... Seb?” 

A red blitz shot out from the tip of your wand, piercing through the chest of the person that stood before you. Crackles of red lightning coursed through their frame as they writhed in the worst pain of their life, screaming and crying out in pure agony. You released the person from the spell, your eyes beginning to focus on your present reality, only to be horrified upon realizing who you had casted the spell on.

Skylar Evans.

Your knees buckled as you watched Sebastian cradle them gingerly in his arms with a panicked, regretful expression. The Hufflepuff looked back at him with a weak smile on their face, attempting to reassure the brunette that they were alright despite taking the hit that was initially directed towards him. Guilt seeped within your pores, goosebumps resurfacing from your skin as your previous actions slowly ingrained itself within your brain.

“What have I done…?”

Your hands trembled as you bitterly gazed upon them with nothing but remorse before tucking away your wand back into your inner pocket. You couldn't bear to even hold your own wand at this point. It felt vile and disgusting, and you wanted to throw up just by thinking about the heinousness that you had committed in a fit of traumatic despair.

Ominis approaches your trembling frame, your breath ragged and tears prickling the corner of your eyes. He pulls you into a warm embrace, desperately trying to comfort you by rubbing your back gently, as shudders racked through your body. A sob escaped your lips, gripping his robes tightly.

The sounds of your sorrows crushed him, and he wanted nothing more but to soothe and rid you of  your pain, but all he could do for now was to remain still until you’ve completely calmed down. He felt your tears seep through his clothing, and he held you even tighter, softly hushing you as he ran his slender fingers through your locks of hair. You inhaled his familiar scent, slowly relaxing while listening to his steady heartbeat. 

He releases you from his embrace after a long while, cupping your cheeks to brush away any tearful remnants from your cheeks.

“I'll go check on Sebastian for a little while. Will you be alright?” Ominis softly asks. You nodded in response, a slight hiccup escaping your lips.

Meanwhile, Sebastian helped Skylar to stand up on their feet before the both of them ventured within the now accessible scriptorium. Mentally looking back at the aftermath with a hint of remorse etched onto his freckled visage: Ominis was visibly shaken from that unsolicited duel, you had just relived a traumatic event, and Skylar sacrificed themselves to save him from an Unforgivable Curse. The severity of the situation should've been discouraging to an ordinary lad, but not towards Sebastian.

It was a moment of triumph for him, and a step closer to finding a cure for his own twin sister's malady. The enthusiastic reaction from Sebastian upon finding Slytherin's spellbook caused Skylar to furrow their brows. It was as if the prior events didn't happen, and that brought a sinking feeling within their own gut.

As Ominis enters the scriptorium, you trudged towards the remnants of Noctua Gaunt, gazing upon her bones gloomily. Albeit your current reluctance to use magic no thanks to the harrowing series of events, you conjured up a gilded silver box encrusted with emeralds, putting the bones of Ominis' late relative within it after you've shrunk it down temporarily, holding the box firmly within your grasp.

You finally mustered enough courage to enter the scriptorium itself, approaching Ominis meekly, who still looked rather vexed with the entire situation as both Skylar and Sebastian left the place. Hearing your footsteps approach him, he gently smiles towards your direction. He was about to grasp your hand with his, only to find out that you were carrying a metal box of some sort.

Before he could query about what it contained, you beat him to it, erupting in shy stammers to explain your actions.

“...This isn't a good final resting place for your Aunt Noctua, so I figured we should at least bury her somewhere…” you mumbled. “... I could put her back if you don't—”

“No, please. I appreciate it, truly,” Ominis cuts you off as a pleasantly warm feeling engulfs his chest. 

How could he not possibly fall even harder for you at this point?

Ominis cleared his throat instinctively to diffuse his bashfulness.

“Shall we head back to your common room first? Perhaps discuss it on the way there?”

You smiled gratefully at his offer, agreeing instantly. 

The both of you exited the scriptorium promptly after, engaging in a rather casual conversation with each other while walking slower than usual to prolong your time together. Before heading to the Ravenclaw Tower, you and Ominis made a short trip back to the Slytherin Common Room, keeping the gilded box in a safe compartment within his own cupboards.

It was nearly lunch hour soon, yet it felt like an entire day had passed with how much had happened within the several morning hours. The both of you wanted nothing more than to just retreat into your dorm rooms for a long nap, or perhaps head to the hospital wing for some extra vials of Draught of Peace. 

“We're here,” you say to him as the both of you reach the stairwell leading to the Ravenclaw Common Room. Pleasantly enough, the place was desolated, with the good majority of students probably seated at the Great Hall for their meal. 

“Will you be alright?” he asks while you gaze upon him fondly with a chuckle escaping your lips.

“I will. A nap will probably do me wonders after all that chaos. As for my lunch, you don't need to worry. I'll just head over to the kitchens when I wake up,” you reassure him, your voice giving away how truly exhausted you are with its lack of usual mirth. He smiled gently in response.

“Very well. I shan't stall you any longer. I'll be in the Slytherin Common Room if you need me.”

You slowly inched back to the stairwell, a giddy little grin present on your lips as you stared at him with no reservations regarding your affections this time around. Ominis' heart fluttered, feeling the unspoken attraction floating about in the air.

“Thank you. I'll see you later, Ominis.”

You climbed up the spiral staircase with a slight skip to your step this time around, a hue of pink twinging your cheeks. You have to admit: the man possesses this uncanny ability of effortlessly making your day a lot better despite how jarring things get. 

How could you not possibly fall even harder for him at this point?

You soon approach the knocker of the Ravenclaw Common Room, its melodious, feminine voice speaking out a random riddle.

“I hurt the most when lost, yet also when not had at all. I’m sometimes the hardest to express, yet also the easiest to ignore. What am I?”

You smiled at the question, almost chuckling at the pure coincidence. You confidently spoke your answer with a faint smile.

“Love.”

< chapter 10: desiderata

chapter 12: the art of subtlety >

taglist (just let me know if you wish to be added. also please check if you have done the necessary settings for me to tag you)

He couldn’t work out which was worse.

Garreth remained patrolling the bottom of the stairs leading out of Hogsmeade station, counting how many Weasleys were arriving and squinting at every new ginger kid that bounced towards the castle. As Ominis approached him, he eyed him cautiously. The Blonde Slytherin didn’t look like someone returning to Hogwarts but rather someone who had been sentenced to life in Azkaban. His features were heavy with fatigue and his deep set eyes blinked unenthusiastically in Garreth’s direction.

He looked, truly…

…Gaunt.

“Hello Garreth, you haven’t seen Evelyn have you?”

“Yeah, she’s just asked me the exact same question, she’s…Merlin where has she gone?” Garreth peered over the sea of first years being ushered up to the castle to be sorted. “I swear I just saw her, she-“

“Ominis!”

And there it was.

The voice that calmed him like no other. The voice that could call to him even in the darkest of places. The voice he had heard rattling around his head for six long weeks, each time it would change and morph. Like he was slowly forgetting who she was.

But oh was it sweet now…

His Evelyn…

Garreth watched as Ominiss’ shoulders visibly relaxed and he immediately turned in the direction of her voice. He laughed at the twitch of Ominis’ lips threatening to break into a smile at the mere mention of his name.

Wand in hand he strode towards her, hearing the loud patter of her feet as she ran towards him. Before long, her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him down to her height.

So small. He had forgot that too…

“I missed you so much” Evelyn muffled into his neck. Pocketing his wand quickly, his arms snaked around her. One along her waist, pulling her ever closer till there was no gap between them. The other soon joined cushioned behind her thighs as he scooped her clean off the ground. The elated scream that erupted from her lips vibrated through her chest where Ominis pressed his ear. He sighed contently.

Her heartbeat.

He didn’t need to be this close to hear it, of course. But why not when she was so willing? It hammered strong and erratic against his head, rattling his brain.

A reminder she was alive.

“Oh you have no idea how much I’ve missed you” he muffled into her arm, wrapped around his head. She cradled him as much for stability as for comfort.

When the pair broke away, minutes after, the platform was almost empty. Garreth bid them both a quick farewell before his departure. No doubt off to watch the horde of Weasleys get sorted into Gryffindor.

Both Ominis and Eve decided to take the longer, more scenic route back to the castle, catching up on their summer in a more private and beautiful setting.

“So how is Anne?” He asked earnestly.

“She’s doing really well” Eve beamed “Her fits are down to 2 or 3 times a day, depending on what we’ve been doing, if she’s feeling well. There’s a lot of factors but…she’s getting there”

“And Sebastian?” Her stride slowed somewhat at his follow up question

“I haven’t heard from him” she linked her arm with his giving it a little squeeze. The closest thing they could get to a hug whilst they slowly ascended to Hogwarts. “Have you?”

“Not even one owl” Ominis replied blankly, finding it easier to lie about his summer than offload his own problems onto the already fretting Evelyn.

“We did the right thing. Yes? Yes.” She fiddled with her fingers around his arm, picking at her nails as she was known to do. He placed his hand over hers to stop her anxious habit.

“He probably just needs some time” Ominis said convincing himself as much as he was convincing her.

An uncomfortable silence crept up on the pair.

So it was going to be like this again

“I thought you would have visited…” Evelyn’s voice was quiet, barely there as she effortlessly broke his heart in two.

“I…was busy” Ominis lied

“I went to Feldcroft to see you. See if Sebastian had returned and how you were faring…You were never there”

Anne spoke of Ominis often. It seemed they were close. Annoyingly close if Evelyn was being honest. The rancid taste of jealousy rose on her throat whenever the sick Sallow said his name with a tone of affection. Despite that though she had proved to be a valuable resource of information about him. About how they’d spend summers together. How they often slept under the stars whilst the Sallow twins described different constellations for their blind counter part.

And how vile and twisted his family were.

Surely he would rather return to an empty homestead than his family

Evelyn’s stomach remained constantly in flux over her summer. Anne: Cursed. Sebastian: missing. Ominis: unaccounted for.

“I was out rather a lot. Holidays. Day trips. The like…” He lied once more. Easily.

If he were to tell anyone it would be Evelyn. She got the Scriptorium location from him. He trusted her. Right?

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. He would tell her in his own time but it was killing her, this unknown.

So they simply walked back in silence.

~

The sorting ceremony happened with no major catastrophes or drama. As everyone filed out to go about their nightly routine, find their common room or just get reacquainted with one another, Ominis could hear a gossipy bunch of younger students just ahead. The topic of their conversation piqued his interest away from the infamous student still clinging to his arm.

“Who is that? They weren’t in the hall?” The young Ravenclaw said

“Nope not at our table either. That is green isn’t it? Slytherin?” The Slytherin girl sneered

“Oh that’s just Sebastian Sallow” The eldest student replied.

Ominis froze.

No mistaking it. The habitual tapping of his foot. The impatient huff of air on every second breath. The smell of smoke, embers and coffee.

There, stood leaning against the wall in the foyer between the parted sea of students, was his oldest friend. Ominis remained stationary. Stuck in place by a mixture of emotions none quite strong enough to rise to the surface.

One thing rattled around his head more than anything though…

How dare he?

“What’s wrong?” The tiny voice of Evelyn rang hollow in his ears as Sebastian pushed himself off the wall and made his way over.

Eve followed Ominis’ sightless gaze and her eyes met with Sebastian. She stared at him, unknowing of what she wanted to do. She missed her friend. She wanted to embrace the boy whose sister she now cared for. The boy who showed her that secret place deep in the belly of Hogwarts. The boy who showed her spells and mysteries and new places across the region. The boy whose smile, that was currently plastered across his face, had manipulated her into doing stupid and unforgivable things.

She blinked away images of Anne. She saw her in Sebastian face more clearly now she was almost free of that curse. The nights she stayed up with her over those six weeks, well into the early hours, crying over the loss of her brother.

Now she wanted to hit him.

Make him feel a fraction of the pain he had caused his sister in his absence. Anne’s voice sang in her ear;

‘Us Sallows are thick-brained stubborn mules. He just needs time as much as I need time. I don’t want to see him right now, but I miss him. Does that make sense?’

Eve’s hand fell from Ominis as she hugged herself tightly. Fighting every fibre in her being from doing…something.

“Hello you two. Long time no see” His voice was thick with a confidence only he could muster.

“‘Long time no see’?” Ominiss’ signature sharp tone returned, his voice rising in volume causing Sebastian to flinch somewhat and a plethora of nosy student to turn their way.

“I just mean-“

“Ominis please-“ Evelyn begged seeing the last few students leaving, turn to look at the scene. She glared at them until they realised the drama, wasn’t worth their life. She was the new fifth year after all.

“She wrote you. She went to Feldcroft. Where were you? She put herself in danger for you! Again!” Ominis took a step toward Sebastian, his wand blinking faster giving him a better layout of the situation he found himself in.

“I didn’t ask you too” Sebastian followed suite, both boys leaning forward as though a physically fight was only moments away. Then Evelyn realised...the last time they saw one another, Ominis had his hand wrapped around Sebastian’s throat, and his wand buried harshly in his temple.

“Don’t rope me into this. I’ve had to silently worry for six weeks, Sebastian. I couldn’t write. I couldn’t visit. I couldn’t leave because I had to spend my summer with family” Sebastian retreated slightly mouth going slack as he processed what he said

“You didn’t stay with Eve?”

“Why would I do that to her? She’s already tending to your sister. And you didn’t exactly extend me an invitation like you have every other year” Ominis’ anger slipped a fraction, betraying the hurt behind his words, his brows pulled upwards.

“You didn’t stay at Feldcroft?” Eve yanked at Ominis’ arm forcing him to face her.

“No I…”

“Ominis…” Sebastian reached out to Ominiss’ shoulder, placing a comforting hand upon the taller Slytherin.

“Are you okay?” Eve said taking his cheek in her hand. Ominis didn’t answer.

His head filled with those six dreaded weeks. Waking to screaming as they tortured yet another muggle. Being denied meals for refusing to participate. And of course the immediate punishment. Crucio. That word had been uttered more over those six weeks than he cared to remember.

Though he couldn’t really.

Whether it was his minds self preservation or had chosen to forget, he didn’t know. Those weeks were a blur. All he could remember was pain, the fetid smell of that old Manor House and incessant questioning of ‘The Hero of Hogwarts’.

Of course they had heard about her power. and of course, they wanted it for themselves. Thankfully, from what he could gather, they had no clue who she was. Neither witch or wizard, muggleborn or pureblood. They didn’t know. And Ominis would keep it that way.

Whilst Ominis’ mind was reeling, the anguished expression on his face evidence of that, Sebastian was pacing, muttering to himself over and over.

What he always did when he was thinking.

Dangerous.

“So I wasn’t at Feldcroft because I went to look for Solomon” Sebastian spoke with a determination that didn’t suit the topic he had randomly brought up. “I couldn’t find him. His friends, those that he had left, old Aurors, I even asked Sharp for some contacts. Nothing. I assume he’s took another name and fled. Anyway, that means Feldcroft is mine now…”

Sebastian turned to his friend, all determination and stubbornness leaving him. All that was left was compassion and love for a boy he failed to protect. Like he always had.

“You live with me now.” He grabbed Ominis by the shoulders giving him a singular light shake.

“Sebastian-“

“No! Even if you don’t want to, I-I-I can make myself scarce…or at least it’s an option. You don’t have to go back there. You can’t…I can’t protect you there. I can’t…” Sebastian searched Ominis’ eyes for any resistance. Worse. There was none. He’d given up.

“It’s not that simple” Ominis spoke quietly, heavy with despair

“Or me. You can stay with me.” Eve smiled up at him before pulling herself into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist “You’ve spoken very little about your family, I know it’s bad but... I’m so sorry. I should’ve known. I should’ve offered to-”

“Shhh” Ominis hushed softly, his arm wrapping limply around her shoulders and smoothing her soft hair against her head. Sebastian followed suit and wrapped his arms around them both and squeezing.

After a moment, Ominis relented his shaky arms wrapped around the two of them, resting his chin on Evelyns head.

“I’ve missed you both so much” Ominis finally spoke, his voice quiet and not quite carrying the normal gravitas that it did. It was broken. And soft.

Sebastian was the first to pull away, though kept his hands upon his two best friends. His smile was charming, as it always was.

“I give it till the middle of first term. Then you’ll be sick of us again” Sebastian grinned pulling away from them.

“Please, tomorrow afternoon and he’ll ban us from the Undercroft” Eve smirked, giving Ominis one last squeeze before releasing him.

“Now” Sebastian rubbed his hands together “Is there any of that food left? Unlike some people when I’m late I don’t like drawing attention to it and I’m hungry!”

Ominis sighed and for once allowed the twitch of his lips to take over.

It felt good to be back.

~

Bonus:

“She wrote me six times over summer” Sebastian burst through the door of the boys dorm, a huge knapsack in one hand and a small stack of letters in the other.

“You sound mad about that” Ominis put his book down, knowing no more reading would be done if Sebastian was in a mood

“I am! Look at this” He began to shovel the contents of the bag onto Ominiss’ bed. “These are all for you! There’s at least thirty!”

“Oh!” He felt his cheeks start to burn, feeling the parchment between his fingers

“Honestly it’s as though we didn’t commit multiple crimes together”

Masterlist

His skin prickled and tightened upon hearing the curses name. Muscle memory activating and he shrank away from the sound of gargled screaming and muffled moans.

He knew how it felt to have his veins set ablaze. The feeling of every bone breaking and mending and breaking in an instant. The feeling of an Unforgivable cast upon you.

“It’ll be over soon, Violet Flowers” His Mother cooed wickedly over the rasping sobs of the young girl in front of him. Ominis could hear the girl struggling against his mother’s arms. Against whatever restraints they had placed on her.

“If he does as he’s told you’ll only have to feel it once more, Violet” her voice suddenly sweet sang from behind him as she circled her son..

“Beg for the pain, Violet. If you do, you can leave…if you survive” She laughed cruelly.

“Please…” Violet whispered strained and aching, and he felt a tug at his ankle. Instinctually, he kicked her away.

No this wasn’t real.

If he can feel it, it’s real.

This isn’t real…

“See, my love. Violet’s asking so nicely. I…will not. Do it” his mother snapped…

“I can’t…I…” Ominis stammered as tears streamed over his cheeks. This isn’t real. This isn’t real.

“Crucio!” His mother spat, sounding almost bored with this charade.

And his body buckled and broke against the pain he’d felt countless times. He’d grown, somewhat of a tolerance for it. About as much as one can grow accustomed to phantom magical pain.

His teeth cracked and eyes burned through tears as he resisted the temptation to cry out. He would not give that woman the satisfaction.

The most she would get, would be a grunt and relieved groan as the pain subsided.

“I hate to see you like this dear.” She purred once more as her personality flipped again. The doting and ‘loving’ mother reappearing. “Cast it and I’ll stop…”

And they were the last words she spoke before his whole world became pain. To this day, he doesn’t know how long he bore it. It felt like hours went by, his vision blooming from the usual inky blackness to a painful blinding white. His knees came slamming into the stone floor and a different, almost real pain throbbed from his leg. He assumed he’d broken his own knee from the force.

“Do it…it’s okay” Violets voice sang out to him. A siren song amidst a choppy sea. And to his shame, he didn’t hesitate…his hand limply held his wand against the floor and as he muttered the curse, red lightening forked across the stone and bled into her. Her screams replaced his as he cast the Curse for as short a time as possible.

——————————————————————————

~

So when she was called at the Sorting Ceremony, his blood ran cold.

“Violet Flowers” Headmaster Black called disgustingly, almost like he knew she wasn’t Pureblood. Of course he did. Purebloods had the names of fellow blood purists memorised. Even Weasley was respectable. But Flowers?

No…

They tortured muggles. He’d tortured a muggle.

This wasn’t possible. This wasn’t real.

He only hoped she wouldn’t be sorted into Slytherin. How could she? Very few muggle born wizards were due to its ridiculous entry requirements sewn into that stupid hat.

If she was in any other house he could avoid her…perfect if she’s Gryffindor. He interacts with so few.

“Slytherin”

Upon hearing that word…that cursed sickening name, Ominis froze. Now he would have to avoid her all year.

Then Sebastian befriended her.

And he couldn’t exactly tell him why he hated her so much. Why he avoided every interaction. Why he snapped at the mention of her name and the sound of her voice. Sebastian knew a lot about his life but this was an element he could not know. Knowing your friend had cast that curse, and seeing the person they cast it on…two completely different things.

The worst part was that he liked her.

She was enjoyable to be around.

Uplifting and happy. Bubbly but introverted. Like she was only this way for her friends. And she was like this…towards him.

Had she forgotten? Had his Mother obliviated her? It wasn’t something she normally did. She revelled in the idea that they irrevocably changed people’s lives. Warped normal everyday people into husks and sent them back on their way. She couldn’t have…

…and she hadn’t.

~

As Ominis paced back and forth in the old corridor below the dungeons, he wondered just how much a person could live in denial. Slowly, he rocked himself back and forth muttering more so than usual as Sebastian and Violet spoke.

This isn’t happening.

This is a nightmare.

This isn’t happening.

This is a nightmare.

“It’s up to us. I can teach you Crucio or I can cast it on you” Sebastian said flatly, though Ominis barely heard him over the ringing in his ears.

“No…” His mouth formed but no sound came out

“I’ve already felt what it’s like…cast it in me” Violet said meekly but bravely.

“No…” his voice came this time but it was still a murmur.

“You’ve already felt an Unforgivable?” Sebastian inquired, and unbeknownst to Ominis, he looked towards his blind friend, shaking and rocking over and over.

“No…” - they heard him that time, his voice slowly returning but it still sounded akin to the ramblings of a mad man. This place was truly a living nightmare

“Yes…when I was a child. A family came by our village, wiped out most of us. Those who were left alive were-“

“Enough! Please!” Ominis begged over his own erratic breathing long enough for them both to hear. His hands slammed over his temples, squeezing, as though he could physically push the memories further back and deeper. Hide them inside.

“Ominis…?” Violet questioned, her normal sing-songy tone replaced with a harsh, gravelly one. She was scared…

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry” he repeated, over and over like a prayer. And once again his knees buckled before her and his knee crashed into the stone, the old ache of a long since healed injury throbbing.

And she looked at him. Bent and broken, brows furrowed in confusion. She looked back at Sebastian, hoping to be met with similar bewilderment.

But instead his eyes watered slightly, a look of sympathy, almost anger, was carved into his stoic features.

“Is she-?” Sebastian started taking a step closer to the trembling crouched form of his best friend…

“I didn’t want to. You have to believe me. I couldn’t…I can’t…” Ominis babbled endlessly, no thought crossed his mind that he didn’t verbalise “…you have no idea what it feels like…I just…”

“You just wanted it to stop…” Violet interjected, her voice soft and quiet.

She knew there was something recognisable about him. She always assumed it was just her mind playing tricks on her, or that he was so easy to get along with that he felt…familiar.

Like she’d known him her whole life.

She gently pushed Sebastian out of the way and placed her hands over Ominis’ whose clung to the side of his head. He flinched, violently from her touch, almost recoiling completely away from her. He gazelessly stared up at her.

“I am so…sorry” his voice was barely there…

“Shhh…I know”

“You cannot take that curse again…I cannot be the reason you feel that curse. Not again” his eyes searched for her fruitlessly, hands now falling to her wrists and clinging somewhat painfully as he implored her to listen to reason. “I can’t hear that again. Don’t make me-“

“Ominis-“

“No” his tone shifting suddenly, his conviction strong. “You will not feel that pain again…”

~

Days went by after the Scriptorium and Ominis couldn’t be found. After they toiled and argued Ominis eventually made Sebastian cast that curse on him, feeling that same agony that he had felt numerous times, once more. Sebastian looked on in horror as Ominis took the full brunt of an unforgivable…and simply clenched his teeth. Perhaps he had underestimated his friend all these years…

Though despite everyone agreeing, Ominis still forced himself away from them. Both Sebastian and Violet.

He couldn’t face her.

Not now she knew…

But that didn’t stop her from trapping him in the Common Room late one night.

Ordinarily, it was borderline impossible to sneak up on Ominis. His hearing had advanced with his blindness too much for such nonsense. But in this moment, whilst he stood mind wandering in the alcove by the lake, he was too distracted to hear her walk up beside him.

“You’re avoiding me…” she stated, in as soft a tone as possible.

“Can you understand why?” He muttered, no sense in denying it.

“I can. I just wanted you to know you don’t have to…” she said once again her tone flat almost unemotional. “…as far as I’m concerned, nothing has changed”

“What?” He spat, turning on his heel to face her. “Everything has changed”

And she laughed. How could she find humour in such a thing?

“Nothing has changed” she insisted “I still felt that curse, you still torture yourself over it. Nothing has changed”

“You know it was me!” He snapped, reaching out and grabbing her shoulders. He shook her slightly, not believing she could be so…so…

“I do not blame you” she whispered, his face mere inches from hers, brows slammed over his pale eyes. And if she didn’t know him better, she would have assumed he was angry at her. “Ominis…whilst they cursed you, your brother laughed. Your mother insulted and degraded you. I do not blame you for the pain that I felt. I would have done the same.”

“No you wouldn’t…” his voice cracked and his hands loosened around her arms. His shoulders slumped and she could feel the waves of self loathing emanating from him. “…You are kind. And gentle. And-“

“Vengeful” she finished for him, taking his face in her hands “…I am spiteful and angry. If I had magic then I would’ve done anything to stop that pain…as you did”

“I-“

“Listen to me for once will you!” She snapped “You may never forgive yourself…fine. But I forgive you. And you did it to me. Surely that counts for something?”

There was a silence between them that seemed to stretch out forever…

“I am undeserving of your forgiveness. Of your kindness.” He whispered leaning into her hand, into her warmth, her love.

“You are more deserving than most…”

Sorry if the latter half of this is bad, I’m currently going through the worst flu of my life! Sorry!!

The Second Time, again, there was no need for concern.

He was all limbs and joints folded over the back rest and arms of the sofas in the Common Room, a clear display of his exhaustion. She could almost map his movements across the room, stumbling in after a long Potions lesson, tossing his wand to the side table and collapsing on the nearest soft object.

His words rang through her head as she reached out to wake him.

‘I haven’t been sleeping very well, as of late’

With this in mind, she decided the best course of action to be to join him. She threw her robe over his gangly, splayed body and sat on the floor by his head. His soft snores and tiny mewls amused her and succeeded in distracting her from her light reading.

A whole hour passed before he stirred. There was mild confusion as to why he had two robes all of a sudden. But he could smell her on him and near him.

Of course, she stayed.

The Third Time was slightly alarming. If not for the location then for the circumstances.

Evelyn walked by a gaggle of first years, muttering and laughing to themselves as they huddled over something.

She paid them no mind. Though the mix of Red, Yellow, Blue and Green did intrigue her and she wondered what fantastical phenomenon could unite the houses.

She needn’t have wondered long.

As she walked by she overheard one of her fellow Slytherins egging on the crowd.

“I’ve heard he’s a vampire… ‘ts why he sleeps in the day”

“He can’t be a vampire, he’s in the sun”

“Maybe he’s immune? Them Gaunts are powerful”

Gaunt?

Evelyn pushed her way through the first years, some of them even taller than her, and when she reached the other side, she was greeted with the increasingly familiar sight of Ominis, propped up on his elbow leaning against the arm of the bench.

He looked statuesque. Almost like he was made of marble. His fair skin and the dark circles under his eyes only lending themselves to the comparison.

And once again it looked as though he had fallen asleep rather than choosing to. His neck craned to the side uncomfortably, robes still worn instead of wrapped around him and his grip still firm on his wand.

Too firm.

His knuckles were bone white, his finger digging into the hilt and his whole arm trembled slightly. It was then when she noticed the frown carved into his features and the quiet murmuring leaving his lips occasionally.

“Don’t you all have classes to attend? Shoo!” Evelyn hissed back at the crowd of children, watching as they dispersed with varying levels of fear. She was, after all, the new fifth year.

The girl whose arrival was derailed by a dragon.

The girl who slays Trolls and saves villages.

And the girl who kept the company of snakes.

She turned back to this particular sleeping Slytherin and crouched in front of him, peering up at his face. The wrinkles either side of his eyes grew deeper as his face scrunched up in anguish.

“Ominis…?” Her voice was soft as she tried to rouse him from his slumber. Her hand shook his shoulder gently and he awoke with a gasp…or more of a shriek. His eyes searched in vain for something he would never see until they fell onto her.

He looked…in pain.

She probed him for more information, begged almost. He replied the same,

I’m really struggling to sleep

The Fourth Time, she’d had enough.

They sat together, as they did most nights, a comfortable silence and a warm blanket over them both.

It was almost forced upon them, their friendship, but neither minded. After the mess that was the Scriptorium, and the slow maddening descent of their friend, they clung to what shred of companionship they could. And found it in each other.

“Evelyn…” Ominis mumbled almost incoherently.

“Mm hmm” she replied without looking up, and received no reply.

She turned towards him, greeted by the top of his head as it fell to her shoulder. He groaned softly next to her as the weight of his body limply fell against her.

“Ev…el…mmm” his neck twitched into her and suddenly it didn’t feel like a sweet moment of falling asleep, soothed by the others presence. His groans faded to whimpers and the violent outbursts of his limbs spread all over. His neck, arms, shoulders.

Then his boney fingers dug into the soft flesh of her thigh causing her to let out an involuntary pained squeak. His eyes shot open to the sound and he was on her, immediately. Brow furrowed and covered with a thin sheen of sweat, he padded around the cushion next to him to find her in his sleep deprived state.

“Evelyn!” He urged almost shaking her by her shoulders “Are you okay?”

“Yes I’m fine” she muttered exasperated. Enough was enough. “What is going on with you?”

“I…I haven’t been sleeping very-“

“No” she cut him off, forcing his hands down and off of her “Tell me the truth…”

Ominis sighed. He told her how since this term had started and Sebastians search for a cure had gotten desperate, he’d started having nightmares. They started off small, just a general feeling of dread that would leave him shuddering but otherwise unbothered. But since the Scriptorium, and since he’d heard her bloodcurdling screams…they had gotten worse.

He explained how each time he closed his eyes, he could hear the faint screams of the muggles he’d tortured as a boy. And how her own screams had merged with them. A perfect crescendo to the muted symphony of pain he endured.

“You must promise me, I don’t have to hear that again” he begged clutching her hands, the violent concoction of exhaustion and mental torment reaching its peak in a wave of silent tears. “I know you can’t…it’s impossible but I just…I won’t…I cant…”

“I promise”

Garreth remained stationed at the bottom of the stairs leading out of Hogsmeade station, counting how many Weasleys were arriving and squinting at every new ginger kid that bounced towards the castle. As Ominis approached him, he eyed him cautiously. The Blonde Slytherin didn’t look like someone returning to Hogwarts but rather someone who had been sentenced to life in Azkaban. His features were heavy with fatigue and his deep set eyes blinked unenthusiastically in Gareth’s direction.

“Hello Garreth, you haven’t seen Evelyn have you?”

“Yeah, she’s just asked me the exact same question, she’s…Merlin where has she gone?” Garreth peered over the sea of first years being ushered up to the castle to be sorted. “I swear I just saw her, she-“

“Ominis!”

Garreth watched as Ominiss’ shoulders visibly relaxed and he immediately turned in the direction of her voice. He laughed at the twitch of Ominiss’ lips threatening to break into a smile.

Wand in hand he strode towards her, hearing the loud patter of her feet as she ran towards him. Before long, her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him down to her height.

“I missed you so much” she muffled into his neck. Pocketing his wand quickly, his arms snaked around her. One along her waist and around her back, the other cushioned behind her thighs as he pulled her clean of the ground. The elated scream that erupted from her lips vibrated through her chest where Ominis lay his head. He sighed contently.

“Oh you have no idea how much I’ve missed you” he muffled into her arm. She cradled his head as much for stability as for comfort.

When the pair broke away, the platform was almost empty. Garreth bid them both a quick farewell before he departed. They both decided to take the longer more scenic route back to the castle, catching up on their summer in a more private setting.

“So how is Anne?” He asked earnestly.

“She’s doing really well” Eve beamed “Her fits are down to 2 or 3 times a day, depending on what we’ve been doing, if she’s feeling well. There’s a lot of factors but…she’s getting there”

“And Sebastian?” Her stride slowed somewhat at his follow up question

“I haven’t heard from him” she linked her arm with his giving it a little squeeze. The closest thing they could get to a hug whilst they slowly ascended to Hogwarts. “Have you?”

“Not even one owl” Ominis replied blankly, finding it easier to lie about his summer than offload his own problem into the already fretting Evelyn.

“We did the right thing. Yes? Yes.” She fiddled with her fingers around his arm, picking at her nails as she was known to do. He placed his hand over hers to stop her anxious habit.

“He probably just needs some time” Ominis said convincing himself as much as he was convincing her.

~

The sorting ceremony happened with no major catastrophes or drama. As everyone filed out to go about their nightly routine, find they’re common room or just get reacquainted with one another, Ominis could hear a gossipy bunch of younger students just ahead. The topic of their conversation piqued his interest away from the infamous student currently clinging to his arm.

“Who is that? They weren’t in the hall?” The young Ravenclaw said

“Nope not at our table either. That is green isn’t it? Slytherin?” The Slytherin girl sneered

“Oh that’s just Sebastian Sallow” The eldest student replied.

Ominiss froze.

There, stood leaning against the wall in the foyer between the parted sea of students, stood his oldest friend. Ominis remained stationary. Stuck in place by a mixture of emotions none quite strong enough to rise to the surface.

“What’s wrong?” The tiny voice of Evelyn rang hollow in his ears as Sebastian pushed himself off the wall and made his way over.

Eve followed Ominiss’ sightless gaze and her eyes met with Sebastian. She stared at him, unknowing of what she wanted to do. She missed her friend. She wanted to embrace the boy whose sister she now cared for. The boy who showed her that secret place deep in the belly of Hogwarts. The boy who showed her spells and mysteries and new places across the region. The boy whose smile, that was currently plastered across his face, had manipulated her into doing stupid and unforgivable things.

She blinked away images of Anne. She saw her in Sebastian face more clearly now she was almost free of that curse. The nights she stayed up with her over those 6 weeks, well into the early hours, crying over the loss of her brother.

Now she wanted to hit him.

Make him feel a fraction of the pain he had caused his sister in his absence. Anne’s voice sang in her ear;

‘Us Sallows are thick-brained stubborn mules. He just needs time as much as I need time. I don’t want to see him right now, but I miss him. Does that make sense?’

Eve’s hand fell from Ominis as she hugged herself tightly. Fighting every fibre in her being from doing…something.

“Hello you two. Long time no see” His voice was thick with a confidence only he could muster.

“‘Long time no see’?” Ominiss’ signature sharp tone returned, his voice rising in volume causing Sebastian to flinch somewhat.

“I just mean-“

“Ominis please-“ Eve begged seeing the last few students leaving, turn to look at the scene. She glared at them until they realised the drama, wasn’t worth their life.

“She wrote you. She went to Feldcroft. Where were you? She put herself in danger for you! Again!” Ominis took a step toward Sebastian, his wand blinking faster giving him a better layout of the situation he found himself in.

“I didn’t ask you too” Sebastian followed suite, both boys leaning forward slightly as though they were about to physically fight.

“Don’t rope me into this. I’ve had to silently worry for six weeks Sebastian. I couldn’t write. I couldn’t visit. I couldn’t leave because I had to spend my summer with family” Sebastian retreated slightly mouth going slack as he processed what he said

“You didn’t stay with Eve?”

“Why would I do that to her? She’s already tending to your sister. And you didn’t exactly extend me an invitation like you have every other year” Ominiss’ anger slipped a fraction, betraying the hurt behind his words

“You didn’t stay at Feldcroft?” Eve yanked at Ominiss’ arm forcing him to face her.

“No I…”

“Ominis…” Sebastian reached out to Ominiss’ shoulder, placing a comforting hand upon the taller Slytherin.

“Are you okay?” Eve said taking his cheek in her hand. Ominis didn’t answer

“So I wasn’t at Feldcroft because I went to look for Solomon” Sebastian spoke with a determination that didn’t suit the topic he had randomly brought up “Couldn’t find him, I assume he’s took another name, anyway, that means Feldcroft is mine. You live with me now.” He grabbed Ominis by the shoulders giving him a singular light shake.

“Sebastian-“

“No, even if you don’t want to, I can make myself scarce…or at least it’s an option. You don’t have to go back there”

“It’s not that simple” Ominis spoke quietly, heavy with despair

“Or me. You can stay with me. That is if you can handle living in a muggle home” Eve smiled up at him before pulling herself into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist “You’ve spoken very little about your family, I didn’t realise it was that bad. I’m so sorry” Sebastian followed suit and wrapped his arms around them both and squeezing.

After a moment, Ominis relented his shaky arms wrapped around the two of them, resting his chin on Evelyns head.

“I’ve missed you both so much” Ominis finally spoke

“I give it till the middle of first term. Then you’ll be sick of us again” Sebastian grinned pulling away from them.

“Please, tomorrow afternoon and he’ll ban us from the Undercroft” Eve smirked, giving Ominis one last squeeze before releasing him.

“Now” Sebastian rubbed his hands together “Is there any of that food left? Unlike some people when I’m late I don’t like drawing attention to it and I’m hungry!”

~

Bonus:

“She wrote me 6 times over summer” Sebastian burst through the door of the boys dorm, a huge knapsack in one hand and a small stack of letters in the other.

“You sound mad about that” Ominis put his book down, knowing no more reading would be done if Sebastian was in the mood

“I am! Look at this” He began to shovel the contents of the bag onto Ominiss’ bed. “These are all for you! There’s at least 30!”

“Oh!” He felt his cheeks start to burn, feeling the parchment between his fingers

“Honestly it’s as though we didn’t commit multiple crimes together”

He sat, still in his clothes from the day before, a book splayed across his lap and wand still in hand. His head rested against his own shoulder uncomfortably and she watched as his chest rose and fell faster than it should have been.

The breathing that woke her erupted from his chest once more, this time accompanied by a lethargic groan. His head twitched inhumanly as his breathing got faster and faster.

Evelyn shuffled closer to him, eventually kneeling down by his side. She pried his wand from his hand with some difficulty. The whites of his knuckles showing the strain of how he gripped the wand. Once she’d squeezed her fingers between his and released the wand another twitch burst from the sleeping Gaunt.

“Ominis?” She took his hand in hers giving a gently but firm squeeze

“Wake up, Ominis. You’re having a-ah” she felt him squeeze her hand back slightly harder than she would expect. His eyes shot open and his glazed over irises stared through her.

“O-Ominis?” He squeezed harder. Bones now bunched closer together, her fingertips going slightly numb. She brought her free hand to his chest, pushing harshly against him.

“Ominis. You’re hurting me.” She tried to not sound as though she was on the verge of tears.

“No” he finally replied, his voice raspy from sleep and anger. He grasped at her other wrist bringing them both forward and pulling her up off the floor. “I would never hurt her”

“Ominis please. You’re awake…ah…stop” she whimpered under the incredible strength around her. She contemplated screaming for Sebastian just to physically get him off her. She knew he didn’t mean it but…merlin. If it weren’t for the Crucio she had endured twice, this would be the most pain she had ever been in.

Suddenly, he let go, almost throwing her across the room. If he had held on to any other part of her, he would have succeeded. Her wrists flopped down to her lap, and she fell back against the side of her bed. The rush of blood to her hands stung, causing her to limply clamp her hands around themselves to control the sudden flow of blood. She let out an involuntary hiss though her teeth from the pain and she felt Ominis move to beside her. She chanced a glance in his direction and immediately regretted it.

He looked…awful.

Tears stained his red pocked cheeks, the flow of which hadn’t long ceased. His brows were a straight hard line across his features, nose scrunched in disgust and his mouth hung open and close as though he fought with himself with what to say.

“It’s okay” She reached out a shaky pained hand to cup his cheek and he leaned ever so slightly into it. She whimpered quietly causing him to retreat but she pushed the pads of her fingertips into his hairline, running her thumb along his cheekbone. He smiled weakly.

“You’re too good to me” he whispered

“I am exactly as much good as you deserve” she gripped the other side of his face almost angry at him for thinking he deserved less. “Are you okay? I truly didn’t mean any of it I thought I was still-“

“Ominis, I’m fine” she thought it wise to avoid just how much pain he’d caused her. He placed his own hand over hers pulling it away from his features.

“Here, if you will allow me” he held her hand in both of his, barely any contact being made. The stark difference between now and a few moments ago only solidifying what she already assumed. He would never hurt her.

“Of course” she removed her other hand from his face letting it settle on his thigh. He turned to her, rotating her other hand over in his, gently pressing his fingertips into the soft tissue of her hands.

“Does that feel okay?” He asked tentatively. She simply hummed in response, the feeling in her fingertips slowly returning with each methodical sweep of his fingers. “Sometimes I wake up and my hands are numb from clenching my fists.” He explained as he swapped to her other hand “Other times, my hands are bloody from digging my own nails in” he turned his hand over to reveal small crescent moon shaped scars across his palms. She yanked her hand away to feel across each of the tiny bright white moons.

“Why have you never told me it’s this bad?” Her voice barely above a whisper. He shrugged.

“I don’t want to burden you. You carry so much on your shoulders already.” She opened her mouth to protest but he raised a hand to allow himself to continue “Besides, you already help me immeasurably when we meet in the common room”

“But that can’t be every time-“

“I share a room with Sebastian remember. He helps. Granted he’s not as soothing a presence as you but…few are” she sighed heavily “Don’t worry about me I’m used to this. I’m just…horrified…you were on the receiving end this time. I’m truly so sorry”

“No more apologies. I won’t hear them. Understood?” She was thankful he was blind at times like this. She was quite good at altering her voice to portray other emotions but her face? He would be able to clearly see through the concerned knot of her brow and crinkle of her nose.

“Understood” he smiled but it was lacking.

She couldn’t bare to see him look so…broken. Letting out an involuntary whimper, she threw her arms around his neck almost tackling him to the ground.

“If there is anything I can do no matter the time. Day, Night, whatever…please find me. Promise me!” she frowned into his neck

“I promise” with a final squeeze she released him from her arms, sweeping down his shoulders.

“Let’s get back to sleep. I doubt you feel refreshed after that ordeal”

“You could say that” he rubbed his eyes, chuckled and pulled himself back onto the chair. His muscles protested against the uncomfortable position he’d found himself in. He sucked his teeth trying to get comfortable.

“What are you doing?” Evelyn spoke with authority in her voice and he could hear the hands on her hips stance she had adopted.

“I think I’ve cricked my neck from that nightmare I can’t…ooof…get comfortable”

“No I mean, what are doing sleeping in those clothes on that chair? Get into bed”

“Excuse me? I’ve never had a woman command me into bed before”

“Oh shut up” she giggled, throwing the previously discarded shirt at him once again “It’s not like that it’s…just like when we sleep in the common room” she muttered trying to convince herself more than him.

“You’ll say just about anything to get me into bed” he smirked, his sarcastic self confidence returning. After all, he always felt safe with her and his normal conversational barriers fell weak at her feet, his unfiltered thoughts tumbling from his lips.

And people say Sebastian is a flirt.

Her cheeks burnt a brilliant crimson at his remark. He began to loosen his tie and unbutton his shirt and Eve turned around immediately. Why was she so shaky? Maybe it was this attitude Ominis had plastered on. He’d never been this bold before. Spending too much time with Sebastian she suspected. Or maybe it was spending too much time with her? Perhaps they had gotten too familiar and none of this meant anything to him. Just the same way Her and Sebastian talk. Her stomach twisted at the idea. Yet more fuel to throw on the fire of ‘Ominis is just a friend’.

“Get in for god sake” she muttered and he heard the the numerous blankets shift as she climbed back into bed. “Side closest to you now is free. I’m going to sleep”

He chuckled, slipping into the shirt she threw at him and climbing into the bed.

“Goodnight” he mumbled into her pillows. They radiated her scent. Everything about this house had her signature Rose lining it, but her linens and bedsheets were the worst. They enveloped him completely and it took a violent shiver next to him to pull him from the almost immediate slumber. “Are you cold?”

“Just a little” she murmured into the sheets, teeth chattering

“Come here” he raised his arm making a little Evelyn sized tent in front of him.

Perhaps it’s should have been considered cheating in his mind. Make no advances, keep her safe, was his idea, at least while you’re still a Gaunt. But right here, right now, under the cover of night, he felt as though they were the only people on this earth. It’s as though she knew of his plans and there was an unspoken agreement between them they would wait. That is…if she was even interested in him. Sebastian insisted she was smitten but Sebastian thinks that of everyone.

But here in their solitude that unspoken contract faltered:

He, pretended for just a night that he was no longer a Gaunt. Safe, Alone and happily a nobody.

Her, living in the fantasy that perhaps he could be more than just a friend.

Neither, realising it was much easier than either had assumed.

Without much thought at all she shuffled back towards him, nestling her back against his chest, the familiar soft fabric of their shirt tickling his neck. His warmth emanated from his chest into her. Her hair, soft and captivating, tickled his chin.

This moment was perfect.

Everything that both of them wanted, but couldn’t admit.

As he lowered his arm, ready to pull her into an embrace, his fingers caught the bare skin of her side. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean-“

“It’s okay” she shrugged too tired to pay attention to the butterflies rising in her stomach. She grabbed the edges of her sleep shirt to pull down.

“Wait…”

His fingers returned to her soft skin feeling the harsh outline of a scar upon her waist. It felt…almost familiar.

“What’s this?”

“Oh” his fingers danced over the embossed skin, feeling every divot and turn and harsh line pressed into her side.

“This is what Crucio leaves behind” he said solemnly. “I’d almost forgotten that night…”

She stayed his shaking hand, rolling onto her back beneath him. He’d propped himself up on one of his elbows, almost protectively, his body acting as a shield against the world. All Eve could see, smell or hear… was Ominis. A few centimetres up and her nose would be in the crook of his jaw and the smell of Sandalwood filled every sense. His fingers continued to trace over the lines of the intricate mark left behind by the curse. His anquished breath blanketed her as she wrapped her hand around his. He very lightly shook her off, catching the beginning of another scar. He placed his index finger at the apex of the large gash that sliced through her Crucio wound.

“And this?”

“That night I apparated to you…I got cut by a Diffindo as well” his brows upturned with worry

“Was Sebastian’s ever this bad?” His jaw set.

“It was never that…harsh…no”

“Good. I think I’d have killed him” he half smiled “You can tell how bad the pain was based on the scar it leaves behind. Like a cruel reminder. As if that spell needed to be any worse. This one feels…bad”

“So you have some?” She asked tentatively. “Actually…we don’t have to talk about this-“

“It’s fine” he smiled pushing himself up further in the bed. “I have…many”

“Can I see?” It was an innocent enough question. She was simply curious. He chuckled, a deep throaty chuckle that vibrated the bed as he sat up.

“First, you call me handsome” he recalled undoing the buttons of their sleep shirt. “Then you’re begging me to get into your bed” more buttons popped open “Now you’re asking me to undress? I never knew you were like this, Miss Hollow”

Her breathe caught in her throat as she sat up alongside him.

“Get over yourself, Mr Gaunt” he flinched.

There’s it was again. That name. The playful venom in her voice didn’t soften the blow of hearing it. If that wasn’t enough to stale the evening her reaction to his warped and tortured skin was.

She gasped as the the panels of his shirt fell to the side. He must truly look horrific. What a terrible idea. He felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment, Until he felt two cool fingers centre in over his heart.

Instinctively, she reached for the raw and ragged skin on his chest. It had clearly had years to heal but against his alabaster skin, the light pink of the scar looked…fresh. As she ran her fingers over the planes of his chest, her elbow brushed against his shirt revealing a series of harsher and larger scars leading around his side to his back.

“Ominis”

Oh to hear his name from her lips like that. The breathlessness caught Ominis off guard and he found his eyes fluttering shut under her gentle touches. His skin tingled and burned after each swipe of her fingertips.

“How many?” She asked quietly her voice barely audible

“I’ve lost count” he breathed out a singular laugh and he felt her shake her head. “Which is why I should have took that curse for you in the Scriptorium. I’d felt it dozens of time at that point…I was a coward”

“No I wouldn’t have allowed it. You think I could’ve stood by and listened to you in that pain.” She whispered. Her voice was heavy with pain and regret. But also…adoration? He’d never heard someone sound so genuine.

A silence fell upon them as her fingers traced a constellation of scars across his chest and down his waist.

“I can’t believe the Gaunts do this sort of thing…to their own family. I’m so sorry, Ominis” she ceased her light exploration of his torso, opting to pull him into yet another comforting embrace.

“You know you’re the only person I can hear say my name and not hate it.” He mumbled into her hair “You don’t know the Gaunts so you have no preconceptions…you make me proud that at least one person knows the Gaunts as a force of good…well at least not dark and macabre”

“That may have changed now that I’m somewhat witness to their cruelty…”

That settles it. She cannot know. He must swear Sebastian to secrecy. The Gaunt family meeting must remain a secret until what needs to be done, is done