I Know Places (Ominis Gaunt x F!MC)

Sweeting-Weasley Cottage

"Is he going to join us?"

"When he's done brooding."

"I can hear you," Ominis calls from his spot on the floor, unable or unwilling to get up. He knows it is undignified of him to be sprawled out on the floor of his former classmate's home, but his head is still dizzy, spinning from the chaos that is now his life. In the span of three days he has fast-traveled twice, and the disorientation makes it feel like his skull is going to break open. The stress of the current situation does not help matters. When he agreed to help Siobhan, he did not realize it would be at the cost of his sanity.

At the nearby table, Poppy and Siobhan are drinking afternoon tea, idly chatting as if she and Ominis had not suddenly appeared (crash-landed) in the kitchen less than an hour before. Their conversation has been mundane thus far, exchanging niceties about how long it has been since they saw each other last. When the discussion turns to the reason why Ominis Gaunt was in Siobhan's company, his ears perk up.

"Is he having a crisis?" Poppy attempts to whisper, but he can hear every syllable—one of the positives of being blind is that his other senses are heightened, something he has taken advantage of ever since he was a young boy. Eavesdropping comes naturally to him, and so he listens and responded in kind.

"I'm not having a crisis."

"Says the grown man on the floor," Siobhan snarks.

With a disgruntled sigh, he finally pushed himself up, taking a moment to dust off his clothing and stretch his sore limbs. What he really needs is a good night's rest, and not on a sofa that barely fits his frame. He can't wait until he is back home in London, in his large bed where it is quiet and peaceful. And lonely, his inner consciousness adds. Ominis tugs at the fabric of his cravat to temporarily relieve the tightness in his throat. His personal comfort will have to wait. He eventually navigates his way to sit in the unoccupied chair beside Siobhan.

"Happy?" he mutters, glancing in her general direction.

"Delighted."

Poppy quietly snickers as she prepares a fresh cup of tea for him, while he tries not to think about what she finds so amusing. She slides the cup across the table until it is within reach of his fingers, but Siobhan silently prevents him from picking it up. He listens to the sound of a spoon clinking against the porcelain edge for a few moments before she places it back into his hands. After a tentative taste, he realizes she has added just a dash of cream, just as she had done before on the first night of his arrival. Ominis suppresses the warm feeling that threatens to spread through his chest. She has remembered so much about him, while he has spent the last five years trying to forget.

Poppy hums, seemingly pleased by what she's witnessed. Ominis swallows the lump in his throat, setting the teacup back down on its saucer, using an outstretched pinky to ensure his accuracy. "Last I heard, you were on assignment in Romania, studying with the Draconologists."

"Last I heard, you were on assignment in Nottingham," Poppy mimics with a slight laugh. It seems Weasley has rubbed off on her. "And yet here you are, Ominis Gaunt. Accompanying my dearest friend. It's a sight for sore eyes."

"I'm sure," he replies.

"I only meant—" Poppy quickly corrects herself. "It's so nice that the two of you are together again, regardless of the circumstances. Just like old times."

This time, Ominis can't help the heat that creeps across his skin, hoping that his face and expression don't betray his thoughts. It is nice (more than nice), but he will never admit it aloud. He nearly allows himself to indulge in a happy memory from his past but reminds himself to stay focused. This is neither the time nor the place for reminiscing.