Oh, Merlin. It's you. (Ominis x Reader)

Fear Part II

Ominis had been so focussed on getting the two of you out of the forbidden forest safely, that he hadn't even noticed your lulling in and out of consciousness. He stumbled along overgrown roots and pebbles as he struggled to make his way through the path without his wand. The task seemed nearly impossible to a perfectly functioning, everyday Ominis, but the desperate and adrenaline-filled Ominis accepted the task as if it was his life's sole purpose. He used croaks and growls from creatures far away to steer him out until eventually the air felt a little purer and the temperature got a little warmer and he knew he was headed on the right path out. At least he hoped so. He was too afraid of what would happen if he let you out of his arms to set you down on the ground to retrieve the wand from his pocket.

Once he felt the path underneath his feet shift from gravel to paved stone, he knew he was finally out of the forest and his concentration quickly shifted from the task back to you. After he'd called your name but you did not respond, he continued to occasionally wrap his fingers around to check your pulse and listen to the soft sounds of your breathing to ensure you were still okay. He hadn't thought of how the two of you would make it back to the castle, but his mind was racing on many other things as he carried you back, not even realizing how far he'd made it until you began to stir again.

"Ominis!" Your voice escaped as a desperate and quiet whimper. You could not recall much from your foggy memory, but you pictured the Absconder, the blast, and you remembered hearing Ominis' voice. You could not remember if the two of you had made it out of there, you could not remember if Ominis was safe.

"Ah!" He exclaimed, his grip on you tightening. You recognized the ring of his graceful voice and became flushed at the thought of being held so close to his chest. Ominis Gaunt carrying you? He didn't even like you anymore, not even as a friend.

Your head was so close to his chest that you could hear each of his breaths as he took each step. His heart seemed to quicken when you spoke and you suddenly felt bad for him carrying you so, he must've been disgusted at having to rescue you. You still could not see and you oscillated your head around only be met with murky darkness.

"Are you alright?" He asked in a concerned tone. You scanned your body, feeling pain in almost every area you put focus on.

"What were you doing out there?" You asked instead.

"Y/n, are you alright?" His voice was firm.

"I hurt like hell." You admitted, pulling your head tighter to his chest. You could smell him and for a mere second, you felt comforted. Ominis gave a quick grunt and you repeated yourself. "What were you doing out there?"

"It's not to worry. Just...Just think about feeling better."

"You're telling me to think the pain away?"

"No! I'm just...you're a witch. And you use ancient magic and..." He took deep breaths in between each sentence, you weren't sure you'd ever heard him so flustered. His steady pace on the road ahead of him continued.

"Ominis." He immediately stopped as you said his name. "Thank you."

He walked in silence for a while, as if peacefully digesting your words. With the unfamiliar lack of sight, you found this silence to be even more deafening as you had nothing to distract yourself with.

"It's not to worry. I'm sorry I could not arrive sooner." He sounded sad as he spoke, the same tone he had used with you the other day when he told you he would be leaving Hogwarts. You were still confused. Confused about how you were even alive right now. Confused about how he knew you were in trouble, how he found you, or how he defeated such a beast as the Absconder by himself. Ominis hated dueling or any sort of spell which involved combat. You wondered how he got there too as he hated flying (more than almost anything). You wished you wouldn't have fallen in and out of consciousness so you could remember the whole thing. When on earth did you even get in his arms?