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

Of Coming Together, Falling Apart

Whatever Ominis had with Allegra, it felt a little bit like something stolen.

A few weeks after Allegra and Sebastian's little (big) row in the Undercroft, winter began to spread its freezing fingers over Hogwarts. A tentative peace settled in between the three of them once more. They didn't mention the fight or the shoulder-bumping or the general unpleasantness surrounding that night. And in the name of getting along, Ominis paid a visit to the Clocktower to bear witness to some "fun", unsanctioned, borderline life-threatening duels. To support Sebastian.

He was there to support Sebastian, who wasn't fighting until the evening.

He definitely was not here for Allegra, who he knew from Lucan Brattleby's schedule was fighting this afternoon. Ominis just liked being early, by a good hour or two.

Ominis settled into a corner far from the rest of the audience. Leaning against the wall, he listened to the sound of spells flying in the air. Somebody screamed. Somebody's body slammed against the wall. When the Clocktower went silent, Ominis knew the losers were being levitated away from the floor, no doubt to be brought to Nurse Blainey with half-baked explanations for their injuries. Lucan Brattleby called for the next pair. Above the general roar and chatter of the gathered crowd, Ominis heard a familiar set of hurrying footsteps and their clementine-scented owner.

"Ominis! Part of the audience today?"

It must be strange, Ominis thought, to take such delight in the way she said his name.

"I've witnessed a fair duel or two in my lifetime," he said, "but I don't believe I've had the pleasure of learning what you're fully capable of doing yet."

She hummed, a pleased little note in her voice. "You're here to support me? Goodness. Be still, my beating heart."

Unbeknownst to Ominis, Garreth and Natty were currently exchanging quizzical glances. This was the most either of them had heard Ominis speak.

"Call it curiosity by extension," Ominis replied, making a flippant gesture with his hand. "Sebastian is fighting later. You just happened to be on the way."

"And here I was about to be flattered." Lucan's squeaky little voice rang out from the dueling grounds, and Allegra gave him a goodbye pat on the forearm. Her touch sent exciting tingles up his skin. "That's my cue. Spare me a cheer?"

"If you earn it."

She laughed. "Oh, I'm sure I will."

There was a determined, fiery edge in her voice.

Ominis found that sort of dangerously appealing.

A broad hand—Garreth's—clapped heavily on his shoulder. Somebody else was approaching, a new set of footsteps marking their presence.

"So, after bearing witness to that strange conversation: will you be betting on anyone today?"

Ominis snorted. "I don't particularly enjoy betting on unsanctioned duels."

"Shame," Garreth sang. "There's real money to be made, you know."

"Right. Because I'm in such dire need of it."

There was an unfamiliar laugh that rang out beside Garreth. Ominis took a minute to place the name: was that Duncan Hobhouse? "Personally, I wouldn't be betting on the Gryffindors this particular game."

"What's wrong with the Gryffindors?" Garreth asked, a little defensively. "Brilliant girls, both of them."

"I mean, it's just—" Duncan cleared his throat. "You know. It's Natty and that new one. They're...new. Right, Gaunt?"