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

🥀 - Chapter 8 -🌹

(Helena's Perspective)

Ominis and I were sitting in the living room after breakfast. He hadn't said a word all morning. I could tell by his stiff posture and his knees slightly bouncing that he was nervous — his parents were due to return any moment.

I had done my best to make a good impression. I wore my finest white dress paired with black heels, my hair styled half-straight, half-curled, and a subtle touch of makeup. I wanted to feel confident, even if my stomach was in knots.

Then the front door opened.

Two tall figures stepped into the hall, placing their suitcases neatly by the stairs. They walked into the room hand in hand — composed, poised.

His mother wore a white, deep-cut dress with long sleeves, her black hair swept into a half-loose bun. Draped over her shoulders was a sleek black jacket — one that clearly belonged to Ominis' father, who wore a crisp white blouse beneath a black waistcoat and matching trousers. He had piercing icy blue eyes, a sharp jawline, and grey hair — an older mirror of Ominis.

They were intimidating — the kind of couple you'd never want to argue with.

"Father. Mother. Welcome home," Ominis said suddenly, rising to greet them.

He kissed his mother on each cheek and shook his father's hand.

"Thank you, Ominis. Nice to be home again," his mother replied, her tone warm but formal.

"Ominis, son. Good to see you," his father added curtly.

I stood up as well and cleared my throat, walking toward them with a polite bow.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Gaunt. I'm Helena Fig."

"Marcus Gaunt," his father said without offering his hand.

"Pleasure, Helena," he added flatly.

His mother, however, stepped forward with a welcoming smile and hugged me.

"Marelie Gaunt. Lovely to meet you, dear."

She was quite tall, and had to bend slightly to embrace me.

Marcus gestured to the sofas. "Let's sit down. Flood will bring us coffee."

"FLOOD!"

The house-elf darted in with a loud pop.

"Welcome back, Mr. and Mrs. Gaunt," he squeaked.

"Coffee and tea, now," Marcus ordered.

"Yes, master! Right away, master!"

We sat in silence for a few tense minutes. Marcus and Marelie sat beside each other, her hand resting elegantly on his knee. Ominis and I were seated in separate armchairs across from them near the fireplace.

I glanced at Ominis. He looked pale and kept swallowing hard. It hurt to see him like that — so unlike his usual confident self. Around his parents, that part of him seemed to disappear.

"So, Helena," Marcus said suddenly, sipping his coffee. "You and my son — friends from Hogwarts?"

"Yes, sir," I said calmly. "We met at Hogwarts. We're best friends."

"And you're close with the Sallows and the Weasleys as well?" His tone turned sharper.

"Yes. Just like Ominis, I'm close to both families," I replied, keeping my posture straight.

"And your house?"

"Slytherin, sir."

It felt like an interrogation, but I held my own. I could handle Marcus.