The Shadow Trio | Year 7: Running from the Light

Part 10 - A Virtuous Cleanse

A tight embrace swallows my figure, a stray tear slipping down my cheek, landing softly on Ominis's thumb as he cradles my jaw.

A sigh escapes from his full lips. "It pains me to witness your tears. Let me hold you for a moment, and then we'll get you warmed up in the bath." His voice echos off the marble and stone surfaces of the Prefect's bathroom.

The clock currently reads 10:02 PM. I have been upset since Sebastian stormed out of the Undercroft after lunch. With everything we have been through the last two years, I am taken aback at how he can keep such a profound secret from us, then proceeds to snap at us for trying to help him. Every time that I think we have finally tamed the wild man, he bites the hand that feeds him. The wounds progressively tearing deeper the longer I know him.

Ominis brought me here in hopes to ease my pain for the night. Though we're not Prefects, Sebastian's role as the Slytherin Quidditch captain grants him access to the luxurious Prefects' Bathroom. As his closest friends, Ominis and I occasionally get to enjoy this porcelain sanctuary, thanks to Sebastian's persuasive blend of charm and, at times, well-placed threats.

Ominis tightens his hold, while shushing in my ear in a comforting way, similar to how a mother would to her child. I take in his fresh scent of herbal tea and mint with a touch of rosemary, my posture immediately relaxes. I'm already a puddle and I haven't even dipped a toe into the water yet.

"Look at me." He takes his long index finger and lifts my chin to meet his sightless gaze. "He's not cross with you. He just needs time to settle down from us finding out about his little dilemma."

With his other hand, he strokes my soft hair. "You know Sebastian just as well as I do. He's likely getting pissed out of his mind while looking for the next woman he can sink his phallus into. He'll be back to his obnoxious, Sebastian self in no time."

The empathetic act of Ominis comforting me warms the spot in my heart that Sebastian just wounded. I smile, his efforts not dying in vain.

"I hope that's a smile I hear from your parted lips."

"It may be." I whisper to him, analyzing every small detail of his face. The shimmering light of the enchanted floating candles dance across his face, in a serene pattern. His eyes taking on the appearance of a rare blue moon.

"Good girl, now let's get you warmed up."

He begins making his way towards the grand sunken pool, feet slapping on the wet stone floors as he walks. I stand still reluctantly, my heartbeat quickening. Usually when we visit the Prefect's bathroom, we will bring our swimming suits to change into, but completely forgot with the stressful circumstances of today. He reaches the edge of the pool and then turns to face my direction.

"There's no need to be modest around me, love." He speaks, as if reading my mind.

"It's not like I can see you..."

"Although I am grateful in a sense, because I don't think I would be able to keep my prying eyes off of you, if otherwise."

My heart nearly stops. I'm used to Sebastian's flirtatious banter but I rarely get to witness a cheeky response from Ominis, especially in such an intimate setting such as this one. It feels... lustful.

He continues, "As for myself... well, you've seen the worst parts of me, might as well see the best ones while you're at it."

Without a second thought, he begins undressing. He removes his cream jumper first, and folds it neatly, placing it away from the pool to stay dry. He slips his thumbs under neath his tan suspenders and lets them fall to the sides of his hips. He then slowly begins unbuttoning his high collar dress shirt, exposing his pale complexion. He follows suit and unbuttons his breeches, removing them completely and placing them on his tidy pile of clothes.