Touched

Shadow of a Readjustment - Sixth Year

Ominis POV

For the first couple nights that Sebastian was back at Hogwarts, the four of them fashioned beds in the undercroft and stayed there instead of in the Slytherin dormitories. Sebastian had vivid nightmares that would wake everyone in a fright, unfortunately found that out the hard way on the first night he was back. Every boy in their dorm almost had a heart attack.

So the four decided it would be best to ease into things again, find ways to deal with the trauma he'd been through and help him together.

Imelda, being her kind and pure self, had launched herself into tutoring Sebastian for the parts of school that he had missed out on. Ominis and Y/N had agreed that they didn't feel they could teach anyone, they could barely retain the information themselves. But the next best thing besides Quidditch for Imelda was her schoolwork, so that was good. Sebastian and Imelda did have rather clashing personalities, but somehow they'd made it work for now. Imelda knew when someone was in need.

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That night, the four of them had cast a fire in the little pit that Sebastian and Ominis had made in fifth year.

"You should've seen Sharpe's face," Y/N was laughing, a genuine sound, and Ominis couldn't help but smile. "He had no idea what was going on. Garreth had absolutely blown up - literally and figuratively. His potion was all over the floor, and he was fuming."

Imelda got a case of the giggles at that.

"You know I have spectacular hearing and you just burst into laughter right in my ear," Ominis fake grumbled, his hand finding Imelda's hair, roughing it up.

Imelda giggled but turned her face away this time. "How's that?" Her voice came from further away.

"Much better now that I'm deaf," Ominis smirked.

"If we hex him, he'll be a mute too and then he'll be all three," Sebastian quipped, and Ominis shook his head.

"I'll still have my fists so that I can thump you," he retaliated, and Sebastian chuckled.

"Yeah, right."

Everything went silent for a moment and Ominis presumed everyone was listening to the fire crackle, relaxed with each others company. He felt Imelda's hair tickle his chin as she lay her head on his shoulder and he exhaled slowly as though not to make her dizzy. He reached for her hand and held it in his, warming it next to the fire.

He heard one of the others, presumably Sebastian, peck Y/N and then he laughed.

Ominis had missed the sound. He knew it was going to be difficult for Sebastian to get used to life after all that had happened this year and last, but he had comfort in the fact that they were all here with him, and that he had Y/N. He hadn't spoken about Anne since he found out those weeks ago, and Ominis hadn't dared to mention it. Whatever needed to come out would when he was ready.

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Y/N POV

You weren't surprised when you woke up to a yelp of fright from Sebastian on the bed next to you. When your eyes finally adjusted, you saw him sitting up, his body heaving with hard breaths. He seemed to relax himself when he realised where he was, sat in silence for a few minutes before you said anything.

"Sebastian?"

"I'm fine," he replied, his voice hoarse. "Sorry."

"Don't you dare apologise," you teased, poking him in the side. "Lay down."

You heard Ominis stir and knew that he was awake, but he didn't say anything. You assumed he was listening to your conversation. Imelda was still snoring lightly beside him.