The Blood within our veins (Ominis Gaunt)

Chapter Sixteen

How exactly do you tell a friend they have a dinner date with your family over the holidays? The invitation was more demanded by her father than requested so Gianna knew if she argued all of Christmas holiday would be miserable treading around her father's angry behavior. That left her with no other choice than to invite Ominis over to meet her parents.

It was a week before Holiday feast and most Exams were behind them until finals except for Transfiguration of Magic. Gianna sat in the common room with her textbook propped on her knee. A tall figure emerged from her left and from the corner of her eye she knew it was none other than her mischievous freckly friend. Sebastian stood perpendicular to her a cheeky grin on his face. "Should have been in Hufflepuff. Such a hardworking girl." He teased ruffling her hair before sitting down.

Gianna gritted her teeth and moved a hand to fix her hair. "You sound like the sorting hat." She stated somewhat annoyed that her studying had been interrupted.

"What can I help you with Sallow?" Gianna questioned impatiently closing her book and marking the page with a bookmark. Sebastian shifted his weight leaning forward and pushing his body closer to hers.

"I'm glad you asked. See my uncle will be out of town for a day or two this weekend to see a friend from his days as an Auror. Anne will be alone and I think since it's so close to the holidays it would be nice if she could see a familiar face. " He paused when he realised Gianna was only half listening and staring down at her textbook again.

"I've invited Ominis aswell. Please tell me you'll go." He pleaded putting on his most charming face. His lips contorted into a bit of a pout and his brown eyes shining whimsically in the light. Gianna thought about it. It might not be a bad idea considering it might be easier to get Ominis alone and in a good mood. She was dreading telling him but this may be her best chance to do so.

"Fine I'll go but only if you stop bothering me until after my exam." She hissed waving him away and attempting to smack his arm with her book. He avoided it with a leap backwards and displayed a large smile in victory. "Excellent. Have your bags packed and ready. Anne makes a mean pumpkin stew."

The day of Weasley's exam was brutal. Gianna stared down at her paper sheepishly and skipped around the exam trying to find questions she did know the answers to. Despite her studying the exam was hard; much harder than expected. Her eyes drifted to Ominis who was taking the test to her right and she watched him clench his jaw and tap his quill to his temple.

He swallowed firmly and Gianna noticed his features tighten in concentration. Even in distress the features of the Gaunt were astute and handsome under the flickering of the dimly lit room.

She left the exam with a frog in her throat as she went back to her dormitory to pack for the weekend. She decided not to catch up with Ominis since she wanted to collect her thoughts and really know what to say to him. She hadn't been avoiding him per-say but merely decreasing contact while she gathered her thoughts.

Ominis did however have his own problems. He had confided with her the nature of his home life as his parents were increasing the amount of reminders about his return for christmas holiday.

He had been owling her more often to talk in the common room when the other students were in bed. His reasoning had been that he wanted her to read to him but Gianna could tell from the bags under his eyes that he hasn't been sleeping. Her old copy of pride and prejudice was well worn for such a new book and she didn't have a heart to tell him she knew why he truly felt comfort in their after hours meetings. If Ominis needed a friend she would be a friend.

Finally after her trunk was full and her owl was back in her proper cage she carried them both back down the stairs where Ominis and Sebastian were waiting for her. The pair has changed into a less formal ensemble than their own hogwarts robes. Merely a button up and some trousers.