In The Shadow of Our Choices

Chapter 112: Promise

Previously:
The crew attended a quidditch game - Gryffindor vs Hufflepuff, with Gryffindor winning by a fluke - and Ominis was tipped off on where to find a curse-breaker: Borgin and Burkes. Ominis found Rosamund Carrow, who was able to successfully disenchant the Mirror Of Erised.

Ominis

Ominis stepped out of the hearth to find the Feldcroft house in utter chaos. The air was thick with the fragrant scent of something baking and a cacophony of clattering pans. He paused for a moment, brushing soot from his robes as he picked out the voices of his friends from the hubbub.

"That is not how you treat a Bowtruckle, Anne. If you keep doing things like that I'll give you a failing O.W.L." That exasperated voice was Andrew.

"Here, Aria, I can finish the dishes." The soft spoken words were from Elizabeth, without a doubt.

"Why? Is there something else I should be doing? I'm not joining Bowtruckles United over there, so..." The insolent tone - definitely Aria.

There was a crash as someone knocked into a piece of furniture

"It's not like I want to be doing this! Here Anne, take this one." Andrew again, his voice mildly pained. "I don't even know why the blasted things decided that this was the place to be - does this look like a tree? If we can just... dear - Merlin - ANNE!"

Raucous laughter that was definitely characteristic of Anne having just pulled off a bit of mischief.

"I'm sorry, I was just helping you collect the Bowtruckles like you sa-"

"I DIDN'T SAY 'PUT IT IN MY BLOODY SHIRT!'"

Ominis couldn't help but grin. The front door opened amidst the commotion of what was presumably Andrew attempting to get the Bowtruckle out of his shirt.

"Really, Anne? Again?" That was definitely Sebastian who had entered, his voice scolding. "That bloody great mirror is out in the shed now, but that's the - what, third or fourth time you've done that? Honestly. Think of a better prank - like maybe shove it down his pants next time or -"

"Well don't encourage her for Merlin's sake!" Andrew sounded beyond exasperated.

Aria made a tutting sound that was accompanied by a clatter of dishes. Then, there was a sharp intake of breath from Elizabeth.

"Oh! Ominis! You're here!" Ominis couldn't help his smile as she ran over to give him a hug. "Happy Birthday!"

"I didn't mean to sneak in," he said, "But you all sounded rather busy. How can I help?"

"You can't," Aria said sharply. "It's absolutely not allowed. Ellie, take your boy and go for a walk while we finish up here."

Elizabeth laughed, and Ominis let her tug him towards the door. He conjured his cloak as they stepped out into the brisk day, hearing Elizabeth do the same, letting go of his hand.

"Do you think Basil is still around?" She asked as she took his hand again.

"He's probably hibernating," Ominis said with a shrug. "But yeah, I would assume so."

Elizabeth made a thoughtful noise and there was a brief pause before she spoke.

"I'll miss him."

The words dropped into his stomach like acid.

"What? What do you mean?"

"What do you mean, what do I mean?" Elizabeth asked, sounding utterly perplexed. "Here, come, let's walk before we freeze to the ground."