The Darkest Enchantment

CHAPTER 1: The Spark

Ominis slammed shut the massive book of transfiguration for the seventh year, causing a resounding thump that caught the attention of the old librarian. She shot him a disapproving glare, but chose to remain silent. Y/n couldn't help but feel it was unfair. If she had made the same noise, that old hag would have surely given her detention. Yet, Ominis seemed to have some kind of charm that made people conveniently forget his wrongdoings. Whenever they got into trouble together, it was always y/n who shouldered the blame. She rolled her eyes at the injustice of it all, while Ominis leisurely stretched in his seat, seemingly oblivious to the discrepancies.

"Are you done already, y/n? I'm starving. Let's go have dinner." Ominis said eagerly.

"I still have one inch left of this assignment," y/n replied with an exhausted sigh. "but if you lend me that magical quill of yours, I could be done in a minute."

"Yeah, but how would you learn?" Ominis teased, holding the quill just out of her reach.

Y/n playfully nudged his ribs, causing him to hiss. "Don't be such a Gryffindor. You use it all the time." she pleaded.

"I'm blind, y/n. How else am I supposed to write?" Ominis retorted, reluctantly handing her the quill. "Do you even know how to use it?"

Y/n hesitantly took the poisonously green writing instrument. "Um... you're supposed to put it on a parchment, and it writes everything for you?" she asked with an innocent grin and Ominis let out a desperate sound.

*

Fifteen minutes later, they made their way into the Great Hall with y/n comfortably gripping Ominis' arm as they walked together. It had become their customary way of strolling through the castle, one of the routines they had established. Although Ominis was perfectly capable of navigating on his own, he found himself relishing the closeness that came with y/n's touch. He subtly took in the delightful scent of lavender and a hint of rose that seemed to envelop her, a fragrance he got to enjoy whenever she was around.

They settled into their usual spots leaving one empty space on the right, a constant reminder of Sebastian's absence. Just as they started to argue over the last lemon cream french pastry, Imelda materialised seemingly out of thin air, taking a seat beside y/n and stealing the pie for herself.

"What?" she mumbled with a mouthful of food facing a glare from y/n and a frown from Ominis. "You should be thanking me. I'm saving your friendship."

"And is that the only reason you're here?" Ominis asked, his tone tinged with annoyance.

"Actually, no," she replied, swallowing the last bite of cake and casually brushing crumbs off her trousers onto the floor. "I'm here to share some fresh news"

"Since when do you gossip, Imelda?" Ominis asked, clicking his tongue disapprovingly, but leaning closer to hear better.

"It's not gossip if it's confirmed." she retorted with a smirk. "Besides, you were there, so you deserve to know." She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "Remember yesterday, when Weasley made a bet with Prewet that he could improve Sharp's shrinking potion? The one Sharp left to cool down in the classroom, and he claimed it would earn him at least 50 points?"

Ominis and y/n nodded, remembering the stupid plan. "So, did the potion explode as usual?" Ominis asked, amusement in his voice.

„Even better!" Imelda chuckled. "Turns out it wasn't a shrinking potion at all. It was a remedy for the headmaster's hair. And Weasley accidentally turned it into a shrinking potion when he added his own ingredients." she revealed, letting the information sink in.

Y/n's eyes widened. "So that means..."

"Yep," Imelda confirmed. "Black's ears have shrunk after he used it!"