The Serpents Hold | Ominis Gaunt

Chapter Eight

Nova found herself crafting another vague excuse for Professor Shah due to Sebastian's absence, hoping it would be met with some understanding. Her relationship with the astronomy professor had been frosty ever since she overheard Nova brand her a sadist for banning warming charms during her classes. Consequently, Nova had been permanently assigned to the most wind-swept corner of the tower.

"So, you like Ominis now?" Poppy asked, nose wrinkled in confusion as she peered through the telescope. It wasn't the most outlandish conclusion, considering Nova had circled the conversation back to him three times now. "We are talking about Gaunt, aren't we?"

"Do you know more than one Ominis?" Nova huddled closer to her friend as their conversation misted up into the frigid air. "It's still up for debate, like is a strong word."

"It's really not..." Poppy said as she adjusted the focus. "So, the same Ominis you were moaning about a few weeks ago? See, I told you he was nice."

"Mm, nice might be pushing it." Nova squinted at the night sky as she assisted Poppy in locating Orion with her naked eye.

Her vocal interactions with Ominis had been minimal, but a routine had blossomed between them: twice a week, whoever was second to arrive at Professor Binns' class would claim the seat next to the other. Nova's nights were haunted by nightmares since the scriptorium, and the only semblance of unbroken sleep she managed to get was, for some reason, the shared nap they took side by side in History.

"Do you think he's warming up to you too? He did ask you to spend Christmas day with him."

"He invited me to spend it in Feldcroft," Nova corrected, "and I'm fairly certain he was just passing along the message from Sebastian."

Poppy's grin widened. "So, are you going? You could ask Sebastian to deck his house out in mistletoe."

Nova jabbed her in the ribs, prompting a surprised shriek that caught the attention of several neighbouring classmates.

"Girls", Professor Shah's threatening glare bore down on them. "One more disruption, and you'll both earn yourselves detention."

"Apologies, Professor," Poppy mumbled, turning her focus back to the celestial map.

Nova shot a scowl at Shah's retreating figure. "I'm not sure if I'll go. The last time was... uncomfortable," she admitted, recalling the heated clash between Sebastian and Soloman. Her thoughts then drifted to the peaceful forest walk she had shared with Ominis. "Though, I suppose I don't have any better plans."

~

It took three days for Sebastian to emerge from the scriptorium, his bloodshot eyes a testament to his sleepless nights. He had lugged two trunks filled with Salazar's manuscripts down to the Undercroft, crafting an improvised study and dedicating every second to inspecting the ancient texts. Persuading him to return home for Christmas had proven to be quite a challenge, but Ominis' relentless persistence had ultimately prevailed.

Nova's initial excitement of being the only Slytherin in the castle during holidays had faded rapidly, giving way to overwhelming boredom.

Sat in solitude for her third lonely breakfast, she twirled her spoon through a bowl of yoghurt, engrossed in Ominis' latest literary suggestion.

In just two days, she had devoured Great Expectations. Seizing the opportunity while Ominis dozed off in class, she slid the book into his stack of study materials alongside her favourite novel. This exchange sparked an unspoken game of tucking book recommendations amongst each other's belongings.

She counted the days until her visit to Feldcroft, pondering which novel she should bring to tuck into Ominis' stocking. Her thoughts were interrupted when an owl swooped in, delivering a letter with a gentle flutter.