Green is the Color || Ominis x OC || Hogwarts Legacy

Of a Hesitant Beginning

The good thing about not having sight, Ominis Gaunt used to joke, was that he at least had good sense.

That same sense spoke to him now as he navigated his way through the Slytherin dungeons. It was late in the evening. Most of the Slytherin students were either lounging in the common rooms or knocked out in their bedrooms, but Ominis had astronomy.

A pointless class, really. He was used to spending most of it freezing with the rest of his classmates and sitting next to Grace Pinch-Smedley, listening to her describe the stars and constellations to the best of her ability.

Sebastian Sallow could usually be found in their shared dormitory room. He'd be the one to lead Ominis to his bed and help him find the right clothes, letting him know if he was picking up his pajamas or his everyday trousers. It was their routine. Ominis would dress (slowly) and Sebastian would babble (too loudly) about his day.

But tonight, he wasn't here. Ominis knew that the instant he stepped into their shared bedroom. He knew what Sebastian's presence felt like. It was loud and dark and playful and demanded noticing. Tonight, it was noticeably missing. Ominis got a sinking feeling in his gut. He rushed out into the common room.

"Where's Sebastian?" Ominis asked. To his right, he heard someone speak up.

"Came back here and ran back out," a sleepy voice said. "Do you need any help, Ominis?"

"No," Ominis said, too quickly. "Thank you. I've got to go."

Panicking, Ominis turned around and walked back through the common room. He felt his housemates scatter out of his way, calling out their warnings. It didn't matter now. He had to go before that boy did anything stupid.

Well.

Stupider, anyway.

He was at the Undercroft before he knew it. A sleepy classical tune was playing somewhere overhead. Aside from the soft chatter of students still wandering the halls, the castle was quiet.

Except for the yelling.

"...not listening, Sebastian." Ominis caught the last part of the sentence just as he waved his wand to open the door.

"Why would I listen to someone so ignorant?"

Sebastian's voice. Cold, hard, mean. Ominis felt the sting of the words, almost as if they had been meant for him.

The silence that rang after his words was deafening. And then:

"Your uncle was right." A deep breath, a soft sigh. "You really don't know when to stop."

Footsteps boomed across the Undercroft. Ominis felt Sebastian come closer, felt the heat of his breath as he stomped away. "What's going on?" Ominis demanded. "What've you-"

Sebastian's shoulder slammed into his. Ominis heard the girl on the other side of the room shout a reprimand, but Sebastian wasn't listening. He muttered something under his breath and disappeared.

"Sebastian!" A girl's voice, angry and annoyed.

Ominis walked closer, holding his wand out in front of him. His steps rang out in the empty room. "Oh, Ominis." The voice was softer now, tender. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Ominis replied. She smelled like battle: like ash, smoke, and even a little bit of blood. Wherever they'd come from, it hadn't been a leisurely stroll. Tentatively, he reached out his free hand.

Allegra Chant's warm, solid hands met his, clasping them together. Ominis felt himself smile as he moved his touch to her elbow.