The Unwanted Malfoy Heiress

Seventeen: Having Another Talk

A week after the whole troll attack in Hogsmeade, I was too bogged down in homework to confess to Ominus what happened between Sebastian and I. However, the time came to confess in the study session in the library. He used his wand as always to find stuff, and he dictated to his Quick Quotes quill what he wanted written down for his essay, but when he was done, he seemed to notice my disquiet.

"I can't but sense that you seem out of sorts," He said, apropos to nothing. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I set aside my quill and rubbed at my eyes. "Sure, just not here."

We dropped off our school things in our separate dormitories before Ominus directed me to a courtyard just outside of the Hufflepuff common room, but yet gave a breathtaking view of the Black Lake, and the Forbidden Forest beyond.

I told him all that had happened, especially with Sebastian, and he did not interrupt once. When I was done, he said calmly, "I have every confidence that you will find the answers to these mysteries. As to you and Sebastian, well, if you are happy, who am I to stand in your way?"

I took his hand in mine, and he held it. "Who said I fancied just him? I quite fancy you as well."

Ominus' eyes went wide at that omission. "Sebastian did mention something along those lines, but I thought you were jesting about that."

I smiled. "I wouldn't dare. Besides, I know it's only a matter of time before I'm thrown into the marriage market. You know how it is."

Ominus sighed heavily. "Most pureblood socialites don't want to betroth their daughters to a wizard so...handicapped."

"I don't care that you're blind."

He felt for my cheek, and I leaned closer so he could touch me there. "I know you don't, Ana, but such rejection angered my father enough to take me out of the marriage market as it were."

"What does your mother have to say about that?" I had to ask.

Ominus winced. "She...She died of consumption when I was eight. It was a horrible way to go: coughing up blood as I held her as she collapsed on the way to the manor library, only able to hear her wretching but not seeing the blood itself."

"I'm so sorry."
"It's alright. You didn't know."

"Do you think anything can be done for Anne?"

"I have to believe there is something, but if she doesn't want to be cured, I won't press further. I understand Sebastian's need to want to play savior, but you and I both know that sometimes there is no saving people," Ominus admitted.

I could sense he was talking about more than just his wayward father and deceased mother, but I didn't press for more details. There was no need to.

"And what of us?"

He smiled at that and used his wand to show him where to cup my cheek. "I would certainly love to try this arrangement of yours, as unconventional as it is."

I smiled and was about to move away when he leaned in and kissed me. I kissed back after my initial surprise, and sparks flew between us as we kissed. "Mm, Ominus..."

He smiled against my lips. "Yes, darling. I have wondered how you would sound when I kiss you. It sounds like sweet music..." He deepened the kiss so our tongues met, and we were breathless when we broke the kiss for air.

We were both smiling. "You're more gentle, I like that."

He chuckled. "Thank you for the information. I did not need to know that about my best friend."

"What do you want me to say that you were like the greatest kisser ever?"

Ominus grinned mischievously. "We'll see about that should you ever let me get in between your legs. But I'm certain we will get to that bit of business in time. I'm just happy that you fancy me as you do."

My cheeks flushed at that. "I do. We should go to the Great Hall for dinner."

"May I escort you there?"
"Of course you can."

We strolled into the Great Hall, holding hands, and of course, everyone talked about that. Sebastian smirked at that once we sat down beside him, and he kissed me by way of greeting. "I take it that this whole thing is a go."

"Naturally," Ominus put in. "How goes your research?"

Sebastian shrugged. "It's going. Herbology and Potions sounds like it's going to be fun this year. I heard Sharp and Garlick are an item now."

"Fig said she was a bit flaky."
Sebastian grinned. "Yeah, but she's fun as a teacher while Sharp's a real hard case. But you'll see what I mean once you take their classes."

"I'm looking forward to it. What classes do you have tomorrow, Ominus?"

"History of Magic, and then Theory. Yay, for me. A pity Professor Fig is not as approachable in class as he is outside of it. But what do I know? I'm just the blind Slytherin kid, after all?"

"Oh hush, he's not that bad."
"He doesn't like me."
"Then he's weird."

Ominus kissed my cheek. "Truer words were never spoken."

We finished up dinner, and so, of course, my two suitors just had to escort me back to the common room, which fomented more rumors as to what was happening with us. The three of us didn't care, not until much later when my parents were made aware of 'the scandal,' as they phrased it. But by that time, it was already too late for them to fix things then. But I jumped ahead of myself in my tale here. Suffice to say that when I received Professor Fig's owl, I already had an idea as to what he wanted. But how was I to know what I would have to do in order to see the next pensieve memory related to the one I saw in Rackham's vault at Gringotts?