Touched

Shadow of a Manor - Fifth Year

Ominis POV

Ominis sat in a dark chair in a dark room with a cold draught. He was surrounded by Gaunt's, and it made the air feel so thick with his family and their mannerisms that it was nauseating. They were rude to each other, they made fun of things that weren't the least bit funny. They tortured each other, whether that was literal or not. Ominis knew he was here for just two nights, but he couldn't stand it.

It was Marvolo's 21st birthday and Ominis had been asked to celebrate the occasion at home with his 'family'. Being back in his old childhood room made him feel giddy with panic, with sick. Marvolo hadn't wanted him here, he knew that, but his mother and father had asked him to come. Ominis knew what would likely happen if he didn't come. He also noticed that Frip wasn't here. He wouldn't dare to ask, but Ominis hoped to himself that one of his brothers or his parents had accidentally given him some underwear or something. Surely he couldn't be.. like his dear noctua.

He was also worried about Anne, but he had left her with Sirona, using a spare bedroom upstairs at the three broomsticks. Sirona may not have liked Ominis that much, but she knew a dire situation when she heard one, and of course she loved Anne. Everyone did. So there she was, safe and sound. Ominis would join her when he was done here. In two nights.

When they sat around the table for dinner, Ominis knew he wasn't going to speak a word unless he was spoken to first. Surely it was well enough to have him here, and that he didn't actually need to make conversation with anyone. His brothers were arguing with one another and his parents were hissing about something at the corner of the table. Ominis heard a noise come from below them, like someone was trying to leave the basement. He shuddered and kept his gaze straight ahead, not being comfortable in the darkness like he usually was. Of course, because he didn't want to talk, someone made him.

"What are you doing, Ominis?" His mother asked. Her voice wasn't full with its usual malice, and he wished he could see and understand body language to answer her questions.

"Pardon?" He asked.

"You are not eating."

"I'm not hungry."

"Speak properly," she snapped.

"I am not hungry," he repeated, not changing the expression on his face. He slowly pushed his plate towards the middle of the table. "In fact, if I am honest, I feel rather sick. I think I need to lie down." He made to leave, but someone's hand came down firmly on the table and he started in his seat.

"You will not leave this table, son," his mother snarled. "You have not been home in years. And now you expect to get out of your brother's birthday dinner?"

He didn't say anything.

"I expect you should apologise."

He almost shrugged. "I apologise."

"You're insufferable," said his father from Ominis' side of the table. "It would be nice if you looked at people when they talked to you. You look like an idiot."

"I do not bother myself with what I look like," Ominis drawled, sounding like a true Gaunt with this posh way of speaking. He wanted to say, I expect you should apologise.

"Did you bring Marvolo a gift?" His father asked.

"As a matter of fact," Ominis began, pulling something out of his pocket. "I did. I bought you all something." He pulled a folded piece of paper out of the pocket of the tight tunic he wore, to appease his mother's eye. Forget needing to breathe. That wasn't necessary, right? He gave the parchment to his mother.