The Undercroft Gauntlet

Chapter 7: Sallow's Eve

"We're bound to be outside the castle grounds," Ominis noted. "Can't we just apparate?"

"We could," Talen answered quickly. "But I'd rather walk. It's a beautiful evening, no? It's invigorating."

Ominis shrugged, "the wind is gentle, the air is crisp, and I can smell the leaves changing."

Talen smirked, "so, you agree?"

"Absolutely not," Ominis said flatly. "If we don't apparate, we might not be back by curfew."

"Would that be the most serious transgression?" Talen prodded. "It's nothing we haven't circumvented before. Rather, nothing we haven't circumvented this week alone!"

"Sure," Ominis retorted, carrying an air of unease, "but this is the last night we should be pushing any boundaries. Need I remind you that tomorrow is the Triwizard drawing?"

Talen laughed, "no, you needn't remind me again."

Plodding along the road to Hogsmeade, the sun had just touched the western mountains. The sky, a brilliant purple intermixed with threads of reds and oranges, was dotted with unassuming clouds, woven across the sky like a thin blanket. Colorful mushrooms lined the sides of the dirt road, contrasting the deep green grass they were nestled in.

Halloween's Eve― the worst day of the month for Talen. Ominis, who had been keeping himself collected throughout the month, had many sudden and abrupt fits throughout the day. He had excused himself in every class, each time finding a closet or bathroom stall to hide in. Talen had found Ominis twice during these retreats. Each time Ominis' eyes were swollen and red, and a lie rested on his lips.

"It's curious that you are craving tea right now, anyway," Ominis said, gripping his rowan-wood wand, dimly lit with a red light at the tip. "It's going to keep you up."

"It may," Talen lied, suffocating the sarcasm gnawing at his tone.

"You, of all people, should be taking tomorrow's events more seriously," Ominis chastised.

"I am", Talen said. "I most certainly am, but tea or no tea, I don't think I'll be sleeping tonight."

"Fair," Ominis agreed, but his face turned sour. His head fell to his chest as he walked.

Talen gently elbowed Ominis on the shoulder, hoping to see his expression twist. "You're breaking your promise, you know."

Ominis forced a smile over his sunken sorrow, "you must give me some credit, Tal. It's been at least a quarter of an hour."

"One could never accuse you of fixating," Talen parroted sarcastically.

Ominis' smile disappeared and his eyes glistened.

Talen stopped, softly pulling on Ominis' shoulder to stop alongside. "Hey, I'm only joshing." Look at me," Talen tapped Ominis' chin from underneath.

A brief, but genuine, smile flashed on Ominis' lips, and Talen's mind went fuzzy.

When he found his thoughts, Talen continued, "I'm only trying to get you out of your head, alright? Just for a single night. Tomorrow will come, and we'll deal with it all, then. We'll deal with the tournament, we'll deal with Sebastian, we'll―"

"We'll receive a surprise letter from Anne?" Ominis suggested sweetly.

Talen chuckled, "yeah, maybe even receive a letter from Anne."

As they traversed, they found Hogsmeade bustling. The streetlamps along the sidewalks were laced with green vines, and pumpkins of all sizes were placed in every store window and street corner. Whenever a gust of wind blew through the town, fallen leaves of orange and yellow swirled into columns. Music from two different bands echoed through the air, somehow complimenting each other's sound. Crowds of people sang, danced, and cheered from every doorframe of every shop.