Opal Eyes: Ominis Gaunt

Amortentia

Vanilla. Black coffee. Jasmine.

This specific scent was utterly intoxicating. It was also painfully recognisable and Ominis Gaunt hoped to Merlin the tips of his ears weren't burning as red as they felt.

There was a soft brush of fingertips over his own hand, featherlight, leaving its ghost behind on prickling skin. He flinched at the sensation, knowing exactly who it belonged to.

"So... do tell; what does yours smell like?" Evelyn Winters' voice chirped playfully by his side and Ominis tilted his head towards her direction - a signature expression of his whenever he was attuning to a particular voice, lest it melt within all manner of noises that buzzed about his ears.

"I'm afraid I cannot say, Effy," he lied. "It appears I'm unable to fathom what the scent is."

"I'll bet it doesn't smell of anything at all," his best friend unapologetically teased. The blind boy could easily detect the hint of sarcasm that clung to Sebastian's tone.

"I beg your pardon, Sallow?" His head tilted to the other side where Sebastian perched, words laced with budding irritation.

"No offence, Ominis... but you've never really struck me as the type of bloke to ever think about this sort of stuff." Sebastian slapped a palm on his friend's shoulder, much to the parselmouth's chagrin.

Evelyn was watching them intently, wondering how her friend would respond to the torment.

The patient Ominis replied, "I'm still not quite sure what it is you're suggesting." Though the tips of his ears burned even hotter than before. A deep, scarlet scorch. He could sense Evelyn watching them both and he just knew she'd be grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Evelyn crossed her arms, smirking just as Ominis predicted.

"Go on, Sebastian. Dig yourself a hole why don't you?" Her eyes narrowed, amused.

He held up his hands in defence. "I'm just saying, Ominis... you've never really shown that kind of attraction... towards anyone... ever. That's all!"

"What do you mean, that kind of attraction?" It was Ominis' turn to narrow his eyes. Two tiny slits he hoped were shooting daggers right at Sebastian.

The brunette boy flitted his gaze from side to side, scanning the area for Professor Sharp's prying ears.

When he surmised the coast was clear, he leaned in, whispering gruffly, "you know... physical attraction." And for a reason which Evelyn would never understand, Sebastian held out both his hands in front of his chest when he said this, making a cupping motion to imitate a woman's breasts. A stupid demonstration, really - Ominis was unable to see and Evelyn unable to appreciate it.

"Charming." Her lips curled downwards into a disgusted pout.

Meanwhile, Ominis' heart had plummeted, plunged right into the pit of his stomach. He sputtered on the first few words of his retort.

"What?! How dare y- Sallow!" His pale cheeks became decorated with a rosy hue while he continued to stammer over his mortification. Ominis had to close his eyes, inhaling composure before speaking again. "No, actually... I won't fall for your tricks this time. You can think whatever you like about me, whatever makes you feel most comfortable."

"Well said, Mr Gaunt," Evelyn hummed in agreement, nudging him with an elbow and playfully wrinkling her nose at Sebastian who scoffed at her.

"Hmph, of course you'd take his side." The curly-haired boy gestured to the pair. "Honestly, some days I genuinely think it's Ominis and Effy versus poor old Sebastian."

"Well, you do make it too easy sometimes." The girl allowed her lips to stretch into a toothy smile, eyes glittering with mischief. "Go on then, what does yours smell of?"

"If Ominis won't share, then neither will I."

The Gaunt boy edged closer to his potions partner, corners of his mouth ticking up. Though it wasn't long before a familiar waft of her vanilla perfume tickled his nose, forcing him to wedge some distance between the two.

"It wouldn't surprise me if he could smell himself, you know?" Ominis muttered to Evelyn, just loud enough for his best friend to hear.

"You know, I think you're right," she whispered back, a pleasant aroma of black coffee from breakfast tantalising her tongue, though Ominis didn't seem to mind because his was probably fragrant with earl grey tea. "I'd put money on it reeking of cheap cologne and hair gel."

The milky-eyed boy snorted; his smile was so bright and his laugh so genuine that Evelyn could have sworn her chest cracked right open at the sound it.

"Oh, ha-ha." Sebastian pointedly enunciated each syllable of the fake laughter. "You think you're so funny and clever, why don't you share with the class then, Miss Winters? What can you smell?"

"N- Nothing." Evelyn flushed. "A girl's business is her own."

But it was unmistakable.

Bergamot. Sandalwood. Earl grey tea.