Ominous future

Red roses box

( Tommee Profitt - Enemy)

As the holidays approached, the castle took on a festive aura. Christmas decorations adorned the halls and classrooms, filling them with festive cheer. The smell of cinnamon, nutmeg, and firewood filled the air, and a sense of excitement and anticipation was palpable within Hogwarts' walls.

Ominis could feel the holiday spirit in the air, his senses enhanced by the seasonal sounds and smells. But he was most looking forward to spending the holidays with Elisse.

Elisse wrote a letter to her parents that she was looking forward to seeing them and asked if she could invite Ominis to their home for the holidays. 

The next morning, owls flew into the great hall and dropped a pile of mail on the table in front of Elisse and Ominis. They both simultaneously opened the mail from their families and read.

Elisse finished reading the letter from her father and frowned at Ominis. "Father did not allow you to come to us for the holidays. He mentions in the letter that they need to discuss a serious topic with me.." she looked at Ominis incomprehendingly. "What did they write to you?" she asked curiously.

Ominis, who just finished skimming his own letter, felt a pang of disappointment as he saw the frown on Elisse's face. The same frown that meant trouble for both of them.

"My parents wrote something similar," he replied, his voice firm and slightly exasperated. "They said that it wouldn't be convenient... as always."

His mind was racing with thoughts, his parents' words leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

Elisse picked up another piece of mail. On the envelope was the green seal of the Gaunt family. "Ominis! I received a letter from your family!", she said with panic in her voice.

Ominis' eyebrows furrowed as he heard Elisse's words. "Let me see that." he said, reaching out his hand expectantly.

His heart was beating fast and panic slowly filled his chest. The last thing he wanted was his family to interfere in their relationship.

Ominis opened the envelope and pulled out a  card and read:
"Dear Miss Elisse Charlotte Malfoy, You are cordially invited to the Christmas Ball at Gaunt Manor. Mr. Gaunt "

Ominis' eyes widened in disbelief as he finished reading the card. He was stunned by his parents' audacity.

He turned to Elisse, his voice barely above a whisper. "They invited you to the Christmas Ball at Gaunt Manor."

Elisse's eyes widened in disbelief and she took the invitation from Ominis' hands. She scanned it and wordlessly reached for the last package from the owl with trembling hands. She unwrapped the paper and took out a red roses box. She reached for the card that was stuck among the flowers and silently read the text that was written on it: "I hope you don't wander in the Forbidden Forest at night anymore. See you soon."

Elisse swallowed loudly and her heart was about to jump out of her chest.

Ominis' concern grew as he noticed Elisse's trembling hands and the look of terror on her face. He scooted closer to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"What does it say, Elisse?" he asked gently, a mix of curiosity and worry in his voice. "Who sent you roses?"

Elisse returned with her thoughts in time to the Forbidden Forest where she met a mysterious man with a mask. She didn't tell Ominis about this and now she didn't know how to explain it to him after such a long time. "I don't know." she finally said.

Ominis could sense that Elisse was withholding something from him. He knew her well enough to recognize the sign. He turned to face her fully, his voice gentle but firm.