🥀 Roses and Novels | Hogwarts Legacy Fanfic | Sebastian, Ominis and Evander

🥀 - Chapter 7 - 🌹

(Helena's Perspective)

It had been three very long days — three days without speaking to Ominis.

Yesterday, we passed each other in the hall. We locked eyes but said nothing, just kept walking.

*This distance is killing me.*

I didn't understand what had gone wrong. We had been so close... so comfortable. The day at the waterfall had felt magical. But after that? Everything changed.

I stared out the window and saw him sitting outside in the shade with a book, calm and quiet as ever.

*Did I do something wrong? Did he think he did something wrong? Or maybe... maybe he just liked the silence. But I don't. I hate it. Why isn't he talking to me? Is he angry?*

I groaned and ran my hands through my hair.

"AAARGH!" I cried, flinging my book across the room.

I looked back out the window at him, still sitting there — unmoved, unreadable. I wanted to talk to him, I really did. But how could I, when I didn't even know what to say?

I walked over to the bed and flopped down in frustration.

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(Ominis' Perspective)

It had been days, and I hadn't spoken to Helena. Then yesterday in the hallway... I felt her presence. I wanted to reach for her hand, to say something — anything. But I didn't know what to say.

Had I done something wrong at the waterfall?

Maybe the way I touched her reminded her of Sebastian... and not in a good way.

I tried focusing on my book, but the words wouldn't stick.

*Damn it, I can't focus.*

From inside the house, I heard her scream and something crash against the floor.

*Merlin... she's angry.*

An hour passed, lost in thought. Eventually, I stood up and walked to the living room, collapsing onto the couch in front of the fireplace. The flames crackled, but the warmth barely touched the cold knot in my chest.

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(Helena's Perspective)

I needed air — or maybe just an outlet. Something to shake off this tension.

I walked out the back door, toward the quarry behind the manor. The ground was littered with gravel and stones. Holding out my fingers, I lifted them into the air and began spinning them above my head like little planets in orbit.

I focused harder, picked out a larger stone at my feet, and pointed at it.

It floated — slowly, shakily.

*How did I do that?*

The moment my focus wavered, the stone dropped with a heavy thud.

Could my ancient magic be working without a wand? Or was it just my emotions?

Either way, I felt like I was losing my mind. The silence, the questions, the weight of not knowing — it was too much.

I walked back inside and headed to the living room.

There he was.

Ominis.

Sitting by the fire, his face lit with flickering light. Still. Quiet.

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(Ominis' Perspective)

I heard her footsteps — Helena's boots on the stone floor. I could always tell it was her.

*Shit, she's coming. What do I do?*

I quickly closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep, heart pounding in my chest.

Then I felt her.

Her presence. Her breath. Fast and uneven.

And then... her arms, wrapping around my shoulders. Her fingers grazing the buttons of my open blouse. Occasionally brushing against my skin.

*Damn it, Helena, what are you doing to me...*

"Ominis," she whispered again.

I didn't say a word. I let myself melt into her touch.

Then she sighed and pulled away.

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(Third-Person Perspective)

Ominis opened his eyes as he heard Helena walking toward the stairs.

He jumped to his feet, grabbed his wand, and followed her.

Before she could shut the door to her room, he caught it with his hand and leaned forward, breathless.

"Lena," he said, voice low, barely controlled.

She turned to face him, eyes already brimming with tears.

He stepped in and wrapped his arms around her waist. She trembled in his arms.

He pulled back, gently wiped the tears from her cheeks, and leaned his forehead against hers.

"Are you angry at me?" she whispered.

"No, I'm not angry, Helena," he said softly. "I thought you were angry. We have to talk about this."

He led her to the chair by her bedroom window and gestured for her to sit. He paced slowly, gathering his words.

"Listen, Lena," he began. "You're my best friend. And I would never do anything I'd regret. But the way we were at the waterfall... the touching, the teasing, the comfort — it meant a lot to me. It was intimate."

He paused, breathing deeply.

"I don't regret it. Not at all. But I need to know, Helena... do you feel more than just friendship for me? Right now?"

Helena met his gaze, her cheeks flushed.

"I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, Ominis," she said gently. "I feel safe with you. I love the way your hands feel — warm, steady. I don't know if what I feel is romantic... but I do know I love being around you. You've made me feel calm, and happy — like myself again. You're my best friend, like Sebastian was. But I trust only you to hold me like that. And I don't regret a single moment. I'd do it all again, if you'd let me."

Ominis knelt beside her, his voice soft.

"Since our first hug, Lena, I've wanted nothing more than to feel you — to be near you. But I won't cross a line. You're my best friend, not my lover. And I'm not like Sallow. I won't hurt you. Ever."

He reached up and gently touched her hand.

"I want you to have my heart, because I trust you with it. So please... be careful with it. Think about how I feel, when you flirt or tease. Because I do want more than friendship. I think I've known that for a while."

He took a breath.

"Just promise me you'll still be my best friend — even if I feel more than that."

"I understand, Omi," Helena said quietly. "I promise to be careful. And I still want to be your best friend."

Then she hesitated, brow furrowed.

"But... what did you mean when you said you're not Sallow? When did Sebastian hurt me?"

Ominis leaned over her chair, hands braced on either side.

"That's a story for another day," he murmured. "For now... it's better if I keep a little distance."

He straightened and turned toward the door.

"I want you to live, Lena. To experience more. See others. Be free. Before you and I can ever become something more..."

He paused at the doorway.

"Because I may be your last and only love."

He stepped forward, pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, and walked out of the room.

Helena sat in silence, heart full of wonder, questions, and something she couldn't quite name.