Seeing with a Heart

A Heart on the Mend

Disclaimer: This work is a non-profit fan creation and is not associated with the original copyright holder. Hogwarts Legacy and its characters, settings, and events are the property of Hogwarts Legacy. This work is intended solely for the personal enjoyment of the author and other fans of Hogwarts Legacy. No copyright infringement is intended, and no profit is being made from this work.

I made my way through the rough, heavy doors of the Slytherin common room hearing the increased clamoring of voices that the transfer students were rooming up in some of the empty dorm rooms not being used by any of the students. The normally quiet space now resounding every conversation that mixes into chaotic blends of senseless noises. That is until I pick up on the faint and distinctly familiar tones from Nick's voice.

"Well I spent the better part of my 5th year exploring the entire castle, so if you do need any help navigating the castle I would be more than happy to help give you a tour."

"That is most excellent, I have heard of much of the Hogwarts hospitality and I do have to say I am genuinely pleased." This voice was a fair octave lower than Nick's and German too.

"Oh you are too kind, I am afraid you'll find that not all of the students here are as helpful. Oh, Ominis! Come meet Edvard."

I followed Nick's voice to the center cluster of seating arrangements. I pulled my wand out and searched for a vibration indicating an open space.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Ominis."

"The pleasure is mine, I'm Ominis Gaunt. I take it you are from Durmstrang based on your accent" I say before an awkward pause. I get the similar feeling Edvard hard placed an outstretched hand only to retract it in silence.

"Ominis is blind." Nick says, it was a phrase spoken in truth but the tone made me feel debased to a level many other people have inclined to categorize me into for their own twisted amusement.

"Yes, I am blind, but I can do well enough alone." I retorted.

"I believe. I have heard much praise from Nick regarding your academic accomplishment" His voice was rich in admiration and yet I felt an incredible pang centered at my chest.

I did not expect to be the subject of conversation for Nick, and especially not praise. I had to find a way to help abate these feelings for Nick, there was no way that he felt the same way. Hearing him talk about me in good faith made it harder for me to hate him for making me fall in love with him. Why did I feel this way?

"Ominis?" Nick said, "You look rather pale, do you need me to get you anything?"

"Oh no, I... I just forgot that I have some homework that I need to do." I say getting up from the soft couch and walking to my dorm.

I close the door and lean against the door gasping for a breath I didn't know I needed. I stumbled across the room until I found the familiar post of my bed guiding my hand to the soft edge before impacting in a rather rugged endeavor. I can't seem to find the calm in my mind, the growing variables of how I feel battling over a hope that will never be realized. I relented. I head over to my desk and pull my homework from my satchel and pull a presumably blank page of parchment onto the flat surface in front of me. I wave my wand in front of me and find my quill charming it to take my voice into words on paper.

I begin to settle my mind by the monotonous task of completing a rather lengthy draft of my differentiating nuances in the application of Accio. An otherwise boring topic provides me sanctuary from wandering thoughts. But at last, the paper was finished and in a gentle surprise I found myself thinking about the gentle nag at the back of my mind reminding me that I had promised to speak with Sebastian. I immediately leave and make my way out of the dorm and find myself wandering the common room in search of him when he finds me.

"Ominis," the hesitation on his voice indicating a plea to speak rather than an acknowledgement of my presence.

"There you are." I say softly.

"Should we go to the Undercroft?"

"Yes, lead the way." I say following his vibrations with my wand.

The short walk we take is enough to build a tension that seems to nearly fracture the air as the Portcullis closes in a loud clang. His footsteps seem to draw out in front of me before stopping, most likely to face me.

"I don't know how many times I must apologize before our friendship can return to what it once was. Will you ever forgive me?"

"I..." this was a line I had heard from sebastians mouth so many times before since our fifth year after killing Solomon and distancing Anne from us. "I was the one who was betrayed, Sebastian. You went behind my back so many times. Times where I would have helped you find another way. You kept following a dangerous path that led to so many burnt bridges. I had hoped all those years ago that getting you to the scriptorium would lead to a dead end, but that mistake was on me."

"I have changed, I have realized the error of my ways. I just want us to be friends like we once were." His voice was pleading and yet knowing how he was I needed to remain cautious.

"You took everything from me, you and Anne were my family. I finally had sanctuary when Solomon offered me refuge from the abuse I endured at the hands of my siblings. I hated you for everything good that had been taken away by your misguided actions. The truth is that the friendship we once shared may never return to what it once was and I want to continue to hate you for everything you did; and I did once, but now, I pity you." I yelled with hot tears rolling down my cheeks in quick succession.

"I know, I know. Please let me prove to you that I have changed, I promise to be a better friend." Sebastian's voice quaked with a regret that eased on the heartbreaks of our shared past.

"Fine," I relented. "I will give you one chance."

"Thank you," He almost jumped for joy as the shuffle of his shoes scuffed the stone tiles. He yanked me into a hug and very nearly knocked me over. "Sorry, sorry, I got carried away there."

"If you betray our friendship but once, you will never hear nor see me again. Is that clear?" I said recomposing myself and drying my damp cheeks.

"Should we head to dinner?" Sebastian said with an all too familiar vigor.

"Fine, lead the way." I had missed being friends with Sebastian, but so much of what he had done forced me to push him away for a year, now I get to know him all over again and hopefully he doesn't engage in any hellbent missions of self-destruction. I am not sure I could take it.