Bewitched | Ominis Gaunt

Chapter 2

I didn't know what to feel upon seeing Ominis. It was a mixture of happiness and guilt. After having no contact with him so many years, I felt relieved that he was okay. However, seeing him brought back memories that I tried so hard to repress.

Unsure of whether to greet him or leave, I stayed frozen in place just observing the man a couple of feet away.

Ominis walked towards Solomon's headstone and leaned down to place the flowers he had brought. Upon placing the flowers, his hand felt the bouquet that I placed a few hours prior. Ominis picked it up and brought it closer to his nose. He stood upright and with his right hand he swung his hand around his surroundings. I could see that his movements were frantic.

"Anne?" I heard him call out.

Confused at first, I looked around in search for the person he called out. It wasn't until a few seconds that I realized that Ominis was looking for the person who placed the flowers on Solomon's grave. He was looking for me.

I watched as Ominis desperately searched around for Anne. My heart ached for him. Before her disappearance, Anne and Ominis had mutual feelings for each other. I didn't really understand the extent of their relationship but I could tell that Ominis was deeply in love with Anne. Ominis was the only person she met with when she disappeared. She was the only person she said bid her farewell to. I always thought that Ominis knew of her location, but seeing the scene in front of her, it looked like we were in the same boat. Longing for someone we have no idea if dead or alive.

Ominis made his way towards the Sallow house, it was left unlocked as the neighbors cleaned it ever so frequently out of respect for Solomon.

"Anne!?" Ominis called out.

I finally decided to intervene and stepped into the house.

"Ominis." I called making my presence known.

Ominis turned his head at the sound of his name.

"Rosie?" He spoke. I  was surprised that Ominis remembered my voice, but then again I was convinced that Ominis had super hearing.

"Yes." I confirmed, and allowed the silence to ruminate. I didn't want to hurt him by destroying his hope that Anne had returned. However, I knew that sometimes hope can be misleading.

"I placed those flowers. Not Anne." I paused. "She's not here."

I watched as his face drop. I hated being the bearer of bad news.

"Oh. Right." Ominis' face turned red as he brought his left hand to scratch the back of his head.

"I'm sorry."

"No, don't be. It was a foolish of me to assume." Ominis' smiled did not reach his eyes. My chest felt tight.

"Rosie, it's nice to hear from you."

It had been a while since I last seen him. Ominis had grown taller and his features have matured, although he still had an air of sadness that surrounds him. I had no doubt that I emanated the same aura. Still, it was nice to see someone from my past, especially since he still called me that name.

Rosie.

- 

Meeting Ominis when he caught me leaving the Undercroft was eventful. I was intimidated upon meeting him as I have received several warnings about him being a Gaunt. It wasn't helpful that he had given me an earful the first time we met at the Undercroft. When he finally asked for my name, I panicked and stuttered out my name, Rose Saye. He laughed in return, his mood brightening up. The name Rosie stuck.

I hated the name Rosie. I've always felt that it sounded childish, but Ominis never let it go.

-

Ominis and I exited the Sallow home, and walked around the neighborhood. I kept my head down and my attention on my shoes with every step that I took. It felt nostalgic speaking to Ominis again, but for some reason, it was painful. I'm not sure if it was the memories of our past, or the fact that everything has changed.

"I've read about you so many times," I could hear him smiling. "You still have a penchant for trouble, I see." he teased,  referring to the many times I was featured in the Daily Prophet for the many protests I've arranged for magical creatures.

"I will fight for what I believe in." I stated, sounding a little too defensive than what I intended.

"I've always admired that side of you."

I hummed in acknowledgement, feeling a little embarrassed.

"I've heard of your family as well." I said, regretting it the moment it came out. The Gaunt family is no stranger to scandals. According to rumors, their fortune is declining.

"Who hasn't."

I stayed silent, unsure of how to respond. After not speaking for years, bringing up gossip about his family did not sound appropriate. I scrunched my nose in embarrassment. I don't recall our conversations being this awkward, but maybe my social skills were just declining.

We found a bench overlooking a pond. I sat down and closed my eyes, allowing the cool wind to brush my face. Ominis followed suit.

"You know," Ominis spoke, breaking the silence. "I regret not speaking to you."

I turned my head to face him.

"I should have been there. You lost Sebastian too." He said before he let out a huge exhale.

"You weren't obligated to." I said, but I wished he had. Everything would have been easier. To grieve in the presence of one another.

"No. I should have been there. I should have been a man. I was too preoccupied in my own pain, I failed to see yours. It was a big burden for you to carry alone."

Tears pricked my eyes, and I blinked them away. A ball formed in my throat and I swallowed it to prevent Ominis from hearing. I didn't want him to feel any more guilt.

When I didn't say anything in response, he continued. "I've thought about that for years. I liked hearing about you. Hearing that you're okay. I'm glad you are." He finished.

"I wasn't there for you either."

"But you were new to Hogwarts, and to this world. I'm sure that was difficult enough without the incident with Sebastian."

I was taken aback with his mention of Sebastian. For years, I have avoided any mentions of Sebastian or any person who asked about him. How could I talk about him without thinking of the act that he committed. I was afraid that one lie would slip and undo everything we had tried to cover up. I wanted Sebastian to live a life free from his past. Still, it was nice to be able to talk about him.

"Have you heard from him?" I asked.

"No. Not since he left." Ominis replied.

"Do you think he's alright?"

"I don't doubt it. Luck always seems to be on his side." Ominis chuckled. I smiled in response. He stood up from the bench before speaking again.

"I have to head back to London. It was nice to see you again, Rosie." He extended a hand out with his palm facing outwards. I placed my right hand on it and he squeezed it. He took a step backward before gently dropping my hand.

"Wait." I called out when he turned his back on me.

"Yes?" He asked, turning his head back to look at me.

"Can we meet again?"

"I shall send you an owl." He smiled before walking away.