Chapter Text
“Ominis!”
You ignore the skittering of your heart when he levels his customary scowl in your direction.
Still not forgiven for events of the scriptorium then you sigh tiredly.
Tucking a lock of your hair behind your ear and cautiously making your way over to him, you brace yourself for his aloofness, the coldness he now treats with you since that night one week ago. You can clearly see him grinding his teeth from here, how tense his jaw is, how narrowed his eyes have become the closer you get.
You give yourself a second to take him in, here in this dusty, deserted part of the library where he’s come for solitude that you are now disrupting.
“Can I help you?” the words themselves are laced with impatience – his current dislike of you clear as day and you swallow back the lump it forms in your throat to hear.
“I –“ you pause, not knowing if your next words would provoke his ire even further. You clear your throat and swiftly take a seat beside him.
He shrinks away from you and you bury the lancing hurt this causes, grateful for perhaps the first time, that he was blind and unable to see your crestfallen expression.
‘’I haven’t been able to find Sebastian...I was wondering if you knew where he went?”
You hear his long sigh of irritation before a derisive snort leaves him. “If I were to wager, I’d say he's out exploring ruins of some kind looking for things that are best left alone. I’m surprised you aren’t with him, actually.”
He snaps his book shut with such finality it makes you jump. You watch as he swiftly turns to you and hesitation creeps across his fine features.
“My apologies, I did not mean to startle you. “ He mumbles softly in a tone that would once bring a quiver to your knees at its softness. Removing his wand and coming to stand before you, you wave his apology off before belatedly realising he couldn’t see the gesture so you rumble an assent of forgiveness instead, your ears bright red.
“I don’t know what the two of you are up to now but I can already tell it won’t lead you anywhere good. You should stop encouraging him. Did the pain he inflicted on that night not show that he no longer has any limitations?” He accuses rather waspishly and your brows shoot into your hairline.
“Me?” You question, flabbergasted. “I have done no such thing. All I’ve done is try to be there for someone who is obviously in so much pain that he’s reached the point of desperation.” You snap, hands shaking as you dust them off on your skirt.
“I didn’t come here to argue, Ominis. I was, in fact, hoping that you and I could come to some sort of an agreement, one where we try and keep Sebastian safe... and alive.” You add with an exhaustion lacing your voice after countless night spent perusing the Forbidden Forest in search of your friend.
Ominis straightens his back, folds his arm over his chest, wand flickering red shadows against the racks of books to his side before he pinches the bridge of his nose.
“Very well. But I will not take part in any more of your foolish attempts to heal Anne. The Dark Arts are not to be trifled with.” He says lowly, a seriousness in his voice which no seventeen-year-old should possess.
He is not the only one who comes from a dark past. Your family is a deep-rooted notch in the annals of wizards and witches who were notable supporters of Salazer Slytherin. It came as no surprise to you when you were sorted as such within your first hour at Hogwarts.
No, your school house was not a surprise. The murder of your parents whilst they were trekking the globe, off on another power-seeking adventure without you, well - that came as a bit of a shock.
“You and I ... whatever we shared can no longer continue. Nor can it so long as I feel you are a danger to Sebastian. And to yourself.” He sniffs, giving you one last blank-eyed expression, a slight curl to his lips before he saunters down the staircase leaving you feeling as if a troll had just stepped on your chest.
Stupid heart. Stupid bloody love.
Fucking merpeople.
####
Term One at Hogwarts
“I take great delight in teasing the first years about the merpeople beneath the lake.” He laughs softly, a quiet chuckle which jostles his shoulders. He leans back against the wall, the reflective waters swirling over his face and you blush crimson when he clears his throat at your lack of response.
From the moment this boy opened his mouth you were bewitched. Introducing yourself took more courage than facing down an entire collection of armoured ancient magic knights, and with a racing heart, you had stumbled your way through your name and near swooned when you discovered his.
Which was ridiculous, really. As your sixteenth birthday had long come and gone and you weren’t some frazzled child incapable of speech - and not once that you can ever recall - have you reacted this way to a boy.
Oh, pop me in pot! You flush, feeling your first ever simmering desire bubble to life when he casually extends an arm outwards and your eyes travel his form like an unblinking owl.
“A-are there really mermaids that –“
“Oh no, never this close to Hogwarts. They prefer the depths of the lake, or so I hear. I’ve never actually seen one. Obviously. “ he twirls two fingers in a circle in front of his face and you watch as if hypnotised as his long, graceful digits float back to his side.
“If I ever come across one, I’ll be sure to come and give you a d-description!” you’re flustered and his wry smile which turns the corner of his lips only accentuates his sharp jaw, his high cheekbones.
“Well, you know where to find me, should you need me.”
“Teasing impressionable first-years?”
“Just so.” He inclines his head in a nod and you walk backwards with such a preposterously large grin on your face you stumble into a very tall boy, whose foppish red and brown hair falls into his eyes as he collects the book he’s dropped.
“I’m so sorry!” you briefly panic but his snicker brushes that to the side. “Sebastian Sallow. Pleasure to meet you.”
“Pleasure to meet you as well.”
“You’re the new sixth-year aren’t you?”
“Is it that easy to tell?”
“Not everyone comes stumbling into the hall after surviving a dragon attack like you. You’ve left an impression.” He winks at you, the action mischievous and you can’t help but roll your eyes.
Ah. The interminable flirt.
“What are you reading?” you ask, pointing to a frayed leather-bound book which really rather required gloves when handling you thought.
And in hindsight, as his eyes lit up and enthusiasm took over, you wished you’d never bloody asked.
#####
As you pull your head back up, the coolness of the pensieve memory disappearing from your face – it wasn’t the image of the all the professors with the ancient magic-seeing witch you were concerned with.
No, rather foolishly, you turned on your heel and sought our Professor Fig, a burning question on your mind.
After briefly explaining the happenings in the long-lost memory, you bit your tongue and heaved a small sigh.
“Sir. When we see things in the pensieve, do we see them in that we require eyesight, or do we see them in our minds eye?”
The professor smirks.
“Is this perhaps to do with our young student Mr Gaunt?” he has the audacity to chortle when you turn beet red.
“P-Perhaps.” You stutter and he nods.
“Ah. I see. Well, in that case... let me teach you a spell. After everything else you’ve managed this one should be a short flight on a broomstick to you.”
You grumble at the prospect of more wand work after such a trying day of fighting a troll in the centre of Hogsmeade but a flicker of excitement courses through you.
He instructs you on how to remove copies of your memories. The process is slow and laborious and by the end sweat has beaded on your brow.
A small swirling sliver filled vial is handed to you and the contents forever swirl cloud-like within the glass. Professor Fig nods to himself. “Well done, well done. Fine work indeed. 5 points to Slytherin.”
Startled, you clutch the vial to your chest. “Sir?”
“Whilst not strictly speaking a curriculum approved spell, its is nonetheless, my prerogative as your professor and your mentor, to reward hard and exceptional work.” He pats your shoulder before letting loose an entirely undignified yawn.
“Off to bed with you. Whatever adventures you may want to undertake should be taken after a good night’s sleep.”
“Yes, professor.” You dip your head slightly in farewell as you make your way back to the common room.
Before you reach the stairs taking you back to your dorm – you very nearly trip as a voice calls out from behind you.
“There is such a thing as trying too hard you know. Fighting trolls in Hogsmeade.” He shakes his head with good humour and you blush.
Ominis.
Unbidden your toes scrunch in their leather casings and you duck your chin into your neck.
“It.. it was only the one.” You say meekly before turning back to join him on the velvet red couch in front of the fire.
“Only the one she says.”
Sitting beside him, you fidget with the hem of your skirt, sneaking glances at him, taking all of him in square inch by square inch.
Beautiful, is the first word that comes to mind and you curl your hands into fists on your knees as the words threaten to spill from your lips.
“You’re back rather late.” He says conversationally and you turn to stone beside him. You don’t want to lie to him and yet you clearly can’t involve him in rebellious goblins and ancient magic shenanigans either.
“Professor Fig was kind enough to give me some extra tutoring today.”
“I expect it must be rather challenging entering Hogwarts in your sixth year.”
“Not at all. Its strange, to be sure, transferring schools but so far everyone I have met has been wonderful. “ you gush without thinking.
Ominis lifts his hand to fluff the hair on the back of his head, a slight reddening of his cheeks the only sign that you’ve both complimented and embarrassed him in equal measure.
“So, ...uh, do you often fight trolls or is that a mere pastime of yours?” he places the book he was cradling on the armrest, turning slightly so that the warmth of his knee pressed into you.
“N-No...” you stutter, staring at the fire before you as even if he was blind, you felt his gaze upon you to be spectacularly adept at seeing right through you. “I find I’m quite a dab hand at potions to be honest.”
“You’ll get along splendidly with Gareth then.” He comments, a hint of something sour in his voice.
“Oh yes, I’ve gotten myself in a spot of bother once or twice because of him. He’s harmless though.” You assure him but Ominis snorts and points to his brows.
“These only grew back six months ago due to one of his concoctions.” He grumbles and you cover your mouth when a bark of a laugh escapes you.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t laugh but I find the thought of you with no eyebrows quite amusing “ you grin and he must hear it in your voice as he chuckles along with you.
“Oh it was a hardship to be sure. Not that I’m overflowing with female attention but it was a blow to the ego being blind and browless.” He shrugs, and your heart skitters around your chest again.
“Female attention? Are you perhaps Slytherins casanova, Ominus?” you tease yet dread the answer.
A frown crosses his features and you sense the insecurity about his blindness crawl its way to the surface.
“Hardly... with this -“
“I think you’re beautiful.” You say before you can stop yourself.
His inhale is deafening. You clap a hand to your mouth and groan.
He begins to chuckle, softly at first before his head tips back and the sound echoes around the deserted common room.
“I can feel your mortification from here. Merlin’s beard, I haven’t laughed like that in some time. Thank you. And for the compliment as well.”
He dips his head, a breath snatching smile on his face as he turns to you completely and you’re sure your response is nothing more than a squeak as you shoot to your feet.
“No, please don’t leave...” he pats the couch and you stare at him through your haze of idiocy.
You sit back down, aware that his tilted head is listening to your rattled breathing and you groan again when the twitch of his lips fail to hide his delight at your slip of the tongue.
“I would return the compliment but – “ he attempts to smooth over your embarrassment and you’re suddenly awash with fondness for this kind, thoughtful being beside you.
“Were... we’re you born blind, Ominis?” Yoi question and he nods.
“My parents tried everything to restore my sight, but alas, not even the darkest of spells could make me see.”
You’re terribly tempted to place your hand over his but just barely avoid doing so, focusing instead on the way his fingers draw circles on his thighs.
“It’s not too terrible. I get by with the help of magic. I always know where I’m going, I have a general sense of who or what is in the room with me thanks to my wand...and Sebastian and Anne have been most helpful in describing things to me whenever I have questions.”
“If I said the fire before me was the brightest red I’d ever seen – would you know what the colour was?” you query, intrigued at how he pictured and navigated the world.
“No, without ever having seen colour itself I suppose when I imagine things I see shapes and what I imagine to be outlines perhaps, but no textures, colours or hues.”
You hum, contemplating a world without colour and frown. There are so many beautiful things in the world and you wish you could show him.
The vial in your pocket warms your thigh and you silently vow that you would do your utmost to help him see all the world had to offer.
Through your eyes, at least.
“I think I can hear – ah, Sebastian!” he raises his voice and you look up just in time to see a cocked brow aimed at you as the flirtatious male takes in the scene before him.
“This looks cozy.” He remarks yet the smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
Confused at his standoffish attitude you stand and cross your arms. “Have you been sneaking around the restricted section again?”
Bashfully, he laughs, waving a hand at me to dismiss my admonishing tone.
“I didn’t get caught.”
“Yet.” Ominis mutters tetchily.
I snort indelicately and it brings a smile back to my pale faced, soft spoken crush.
“Am I interrupting something?” Sebastian folds his arms over his chest but you ignore his spike of attitude in favour of bravely placing your hand on Ominis shoulder, feeling the muscles beneath your palm go rigid before relaxing.
You squeeze once before you let go.
“I’m heading off to bed. Talk tomorrow?” You hedge, hopeful.
“Of course, I have kept you from your sleep for long enough.” He gives you a small wave and you turn to Sebastian.
“Goodnight, Sebastian. Try not to get into any more trouble tonight.” You smile warmly at him before heading to the stairs.
You feel his gaze on your back but it’s not until you’re in bed that you realise you didn’t know which boy the stare was coming from.
****
The first memory you want to share with him, starts off simple enough.
Green.
The colour of life, of renewal, of rebirth.
Trees and grasslands, shrubs and stalks. You want to show him all the various shades and hues.
You aimlessly walk along the path to Hogsmeade, stopping every once in a while to simply stare at the landscape around you. Every blade of grass, every upturned rock, every small creature flitting in and out of existence as you approach. The sky is a glorious blue today, interspersed by only a few fluffy looking clouds and you tilt your head up to stupidly catch sight of the sun.
You have spots in your vision for a good five minutes after and you curse when you wipe your eyes, tears leaking from the intense glare of the sun’s rays.
You take a shortcut past a stream, coming to a standstill as you listen to the water trickle through the rocks, how frogs flopped about, how reeds whistled in the breeze by your knees.
You wanted him to see it all. You place your hands in the water and your reflection is murky and jumbled as it spills through the tiny crevices between your hands.
This should do for now you thought as you sat with crossed legs on the grass beneath your feet. Placing your wand against your temple – you slowly begin the incantation of memory selection, pulling wisps and ethers from your mind that you wished to share.
When you open your eyes, the sun has set and the Forbidden Forest looms over you, the darkness beneath the canopy of trees closing in around you.
You didn’t want to show him the dark – but as you mount your broom – you decide that perhaps you could show him the stars instead.
***
You finally pluck up the courage to approach him vial in hand a full week later. A full week of attending classes with him by your side – some silent, unspoken agreement having formed and you have never enjoyed your days more than when he was by your side.
Potions class came as a surprise as you watched him decipher the words on each bottle with a flick of his hand, seeing at how his nose would scrunch with each cautious sniff, catching his small smile when he felt you watching him.
It was exhilarating to feel the hairs on the back of your neck prickle whenever he would lean over you to grab a ladle, a book, a quill. Every small moment had you squirming in your seat, hyper-aware of his presence and every small breath he took. And if the blush on his cheeks at the end of each class was any indication – he felt all of these things as well.
‘’Do you trust me?’’ you ask one evening as the two of you sit side by side reading up on the uses of dittany and its various properties.
He tilts his head, confused. You shakily reach out and clasp his hand, instantly memorising the planes of his fingers, the creases in his palms, the heat of him as he jerks once before stilling at the sudden contact.
‘’I have something to show you – but it means we must leave the common room. H-Hopefully, we wont get caught if we’re careful but –‘’
‘’I’ll go.’’ He says softly and his fingers thread through yours.
Your heart beats at a rhythm not even the wings of a hummingbird could compete with and you swallow thickly as you lead him to his feet.
The corridors are empty – as expected at this time of night and you feel his curiosity as he hums, wand in front of him, as he attempts to discern where you are leading him.
‘’It’s not far now. Just round the corner.’’ You huff, the last seven staircases not the only reason you are out of breath. You sneak a peak at your joined hands and giddiness bubbles in your chest. You catch his smirk, he knows somehow, where your gaze keeps travelling.
The Room of Requirement quite literally appears out of thin air and Ominis’ gasp is quiet as his wand spits out a few sparks.
‘’It’s… its like the whole world has disappeared.’’ He grumbles, an etching of fear lacing his words and you grip his hand tightly.
‘’I won’t abandon you, Ominis.’’ You promise and he inhales deeply before motioning for you to carry on.
The room for this particular request – is simple.
A table in the middle of the floor, a pensieve floating above it, one couch behind it with an assortment of drinks and snacks should they wish to discuss it all after.
‘’You’re not leading me to my doom, are you?’’ he questions teasingly, and you watch his adams apple bob as he swallows in mild concern.
‘’Never. But if I was, at least we’d be going there together.’’
His laughter is infectious and the two of you share in a moment that makes you want to burst.
‘’Do you recall our first real conversation?’’
‘’About my being born blind?’’ he frowns and you hum.
‘’What of it?’’ he pushes and you squeeze his hand before letting it fall.
‘’I have something to show you – it may startle you at first, it may be overwhelming, well, it may not even work at all but I thought it was worth a try at the very least.’’
You usher him to a seat which miraculously appears in front of the pensieve and you guide him with a steady hand on his back until he is settled.
‘’Before you is a pensieve. It’s a very rare, very powerful magical item which allows you to see… well, my memories in fact.’’ You trail off as his eyes widen.
‘’It’s not a cure, or an attempt to fix anything but I had hoped – that I could very briefly, bring some colour into your world….’’
The longer he stares at you in silence, the more concerned you become. You take a step back, preparing an apology for daring to be so invasive but his hand shoots out and clasps your wrists.
‘’Truly? This… this will allow me to see?’’ he is shaking and your heart breaks for him, for the excitement and equal dread he must feel at this opportunity.
‘’I have only selected certain memories, of my travels really, when I’m out and about around the castle and Hogsmeade.’’
‘’Show me… please.’’ His clasp on my wrist tightens before it skims down my palm and he’s clutching my fingers.
Another chair appears – and the pensieve in front of you widens to accommodate another person’s head – you gently place a hand at the back of Ominis neck and he shivers beneath your touch.
His hair is silken and thick, you stifle the urge to run your fingers through the strands.
‘’Deep breath.’’ You say just before you press down and both of you are consumed in silver, swirling fog.
****
‘’Ominis?’’
He has his back to you, hands limply at his side. His head is tilted upwards and his shoulders tremble. You step up behind him and he blanches, turning around –
‘’I – I can’t see you – ‘’ he stutters, out of breath, a hand coming up to his eyes as they roam every facet of this memory landscape. ‘’Why can’t I see you? You – you are simply a dark presence by my side.’’ He says warily and you curse your stupidity.
‘’I think its because you have never seen me and I didn’t take enough care to capture a memory of how I look to show you, that I appear to you in this way.’’ Your hand, which is corporeal and solid to you, reaches out ghost like to him.
‘’This… this is…’’ he gapes, turning to look at the grass, bending to his knee to run his fingers through the blades. The memory of how the world smelled in this moment must be included and transferrable as he inhales deeply, taking it all in.
‘’Tell me… tell me what the colours are.’’ He almost begs, and with a watery smile he wipes a traitorous tear from the corner of his eye with his sleeve.
‘’This… this is green, Ominis.’’ You hold out a leaf to him and he cradles it gently in the palm of his hand.
The smiles he bestows upon you is radiant and you quickly realise that if you were to fall in love – this was precisely how it would feel when you do.
****
Hours must have passed, the two of you having taken to walking the same path in your memory, the stream, the rolling hills until suddenly you were both expelled by the pensieve as the memory came to its end.
Ominis was beaming – and simultaneously wiping tears of astonishment from his eyes – but as the world darkened for him once more, so did his smile and your heart clenched at the sight.
‘’I have no words, no words at all, in any language spoken or written, to properly thank you for the gift you have given me today.’’ His arm trembles, hand reaching out and you scoot forward until his palm rests flat against your cheek.
The swipe of his thumb backwards and forwards against your skin flutters your eyes closed. You lift your hand, your own thumb caressing his high cheekbones, over his smattering of beauty marks on his face.
‘’Beautiful.’’ You murmur once more but this time there was no hiding, no running away from the pulsating affection the two of you could feel through the contact of one another’s palms.
The first brush of his nose against your cheek as it skims lightly down has your knees quaking in anticipation. His warm breath gusts softly against your lips, his hand tightening on your face.
‘’So are you.’’
The press of his lips on yours are gentle but firm. The softness, the heat, the sincerity of his words and actions blaringly loud in how he stands and pulls you forwards until you were flush with his chest.
He kisses you once. Twice. Thrice, and you are the one to steal the fourth.
‘’Never in my life have I met someone like you.’’ he whispers against your ear as your arms wrap around his neck. His heartbeat matches your own, thudding and loud, a deafening crescendo, and you moan softly as he presses closer, enveloping you wholly with his tall and lithe frame.
His embrace is warm, its sheer comfort and peace of mind and you breathe deeply to memorise the smell of his skin, the weight of his arm around you, the sound of his laughter as he titters at your moan.
‘’Truly – thank you.’’ You silence him with a kiss.
As the bells toll for two in the morning, the two of you finally admit that it was time to return, to leave this place of solitude.
‘’Will you show me more, sometime?’’ he asks and you nod dumbly when he kisses you again. Your body floods with desire, an ache, an itch that you can’t scratch and you promptly swat his arm when he coyly laughs at your heated reaction.
‘’I am not unaffected either.’’ He mistakenly, and lewdly, waves a hand over his groin and you look before you can stop yourself. He barks out an embarrassed laugh and leads you by your chin back into his embrace. Kissing your forehead, your cheek, your mouth before burying his nose in the crook of your neck.
He sighs, and you share in his disappointment that the night had to end.
You leave the room, hand in hand – hoping against hope that you wouldn’t get caught.
As it so happens, upon your stealthy return to the common room – Sebastian clucks his tongue as the two of you talk in hushed whispers as you enter.
‘’Off having an adventure?’’
Ominis drops your hand and you immediately mourn the loss of his warmth. Instead, he winds an arm around your waist, kisses your cheek and bids you a goodnight, ignoring the scandalised gasp of Sebastian who splutters nonsensically.
You burn. Absolutely and irrevocably. Never have you felt this way about anyone. So wholly consumed.
‘’G-Goodnight, Ominis.’’ You stutter and Sebastian scoffs as you and Ominis share a shy smirk.
‘’Have I mistakenly walked into Honeydukes. It is disgustingly sweet and sickening in here.’’ He remarks and you level a glare at him. Ominis simply shakes his head and sighs, wand at the ready as he navigates his way back to the dorm.
‘’If you hurt him – ‘’ Sebastian starts before his sails fall flat and he sighs. ‘’I had hoped – nevermind. Don’t hurt him.’’ he repeats as he walks past you with a nod, leaving you standing there mouth agape.
‘’Never.’’ You whisper to no one and disappear into your room.
****