Utterly Hopeless: An Ominis Gaunt Love Story

Chapter Sixteen: No Escape

(Threa)

I sat outside the little hill overlooking the cemetery in Hogsmeade. The wind brushed my skin gently as I leaned back basking in its refreshing breeze, a welcome contrast to the hot almost summer air.

To think one more week and I'll finally be back in Richmond. Finally get to be back with my parents, back on the green, I can go and visit that muggle candy shop Papa used to take me to on the weekends. Ugh! The end of the week can't come soon enough!

"They were out of the vanilla with fizzing wizzbies, so I got you the peppermint toads instead," his aristocratic voice trailed across the cliffside. Taking the seat next to me as the blind man handed me the icy treat. I smiled wide taking a bite of Honeydukes new ice cream and candies concoction, relishing in the peace of just being able to sit together and enjoy the sun on our faces. Maybe the week can hold off coming too soon.

"Tastes Divine, thank you," I take another sinful bite. "What'd you get?"

"Fudge Flies mixed with honied chocolate," he beamed moaning as he took a bite. "Merlin these are good!"

"Yeh?"

"Mhmmm," he extended it. "Wana bite?" I lean forward licking up the cold dessert recoiling instantly at the overly sweet taste.

"Merlin Ominis! Is that thing pure sugar?"

"Tastes better than pure sugar," he beams taking another bite as we relaxed back. "The summer is coming soon.... Do you sill plan on returning to Richmond?"

"I miss my parents.... It's been a long year without them."

"That it has," he mused tone turning sad.

"Still headed to Devon with your family?"

"Do not remind me," he tried to laugh but it fell all too quick. "Without another place to stay, and not yet eighteen, I'm afraid I am left to their whims once again."

"I'm sorry Ominis."

"No reason to apologize, its not like it is your fault.... Just an unfortunate result of my choices. Sent my only retreat off to face trial with the ministry."

"He left us no other choice.... Besides Anne was the one to turn him in. Not you.... This isn't your fault Omi."

"No, but I must still submit to its outcome."

"Has Seb written you at all?"

"Other than that first letter when he called me a pompous conceited prat, no... You?"

"Nothing, you would have heard if he had.... I haven't heard a thing from him since he left us in the Undercroft.... Is it weird that despite it all. The dark magic, the name calling, the running around with no care for anyone but Anne... I miss him," Ominis's face softened and shook his head.

"It is not strange at all," he mused taking my hand in his as he has numerous times before. "Sebastian was your first true friend here. Helped you defeat a bloody troll!"

"Two trolls actually," he frowned.

"Do I want to know?"

"Maybe later," I laughed as he smiled squeezing.

"You two fought together, learned more about this ancient ability than any of the faculty ever could. He was with you the most facing the trials this past year. You were the only respite from the plague hanging over his head. Annes curse changed him more than it did her.... There is nothing wrong with missing the man he was."