The Fervorous Prince | Ominis Gaunt

Ch 5. Royal Blue

Chapter Cover: © miss--soapy | Pinterest

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When the new door appeared, she guided him through it and down the foyer into the grand space.

Ominis took a moment and walked around, reaching his wand into every corner on the first level to 'see' it. "What in Merlin's name is this?"

She sat atop her desk in one corner, legs crossed. "My Room of Requirement. Professor Weasley bestowed it upon me when I first transferred here to give me a space to catch up with the other 5th years. No one can access it but myself and those I show it to, which now includes you."

Her face flushed at the idea of him coming and going from the Room as he pleased.

His train of thought took the same route.

He made his way to the grand piano nestled in another corner. His fingertips grazed the music desk. "You have a Steinway & Sons? I didn't know you played!"

"'Play' is a relative term," she giggled. "I practice every so often. I keep it limited to in here so I don't give ruptured ears to our poor housemates. How did you know it was a Steinway? That's really impressive!"

"I played the same model growing up. I found that playing classical melodies such as Moonlight Sonata proved to be quite therapeutic in my childhood."

MC watched as he began effortlessly playing the first few notes of the first movement, the ivory keys happily giving way to his velvet fingertips, much like she would if given the chance.

She had heard the song many times before, but it sounded melancholy under Ominis' control. Before, she always considered it a tune of mystery and Beethoven's longing for his love.

But now, it was just somber.

He suddenly stopped, the memories behind his reason for playing making their harsh return.

"That's phenomenal, Ominis! I might have to hire you as a tutor, my attempts are dreadful."

He blushed. "I would love to teach you, MC."

The image of him guiding her hands across the keys as she had done to him in Herbology aroused him. He could practically smell her underneath him already...

He pushed the thoughts away and continued reading the rest of the room, "I still can't believe this room. I can sense extensions to it!"

"Other than the hallway leading down to my bedroom, there are four vivariums." She hopped off the desk and took his hand. "I'll show you."

She walked him through the doorway of her meadow vivarium on the ground level. The warmth kissed his skin and the fresh air filled his nostrils. The sudden sound of squeaking Mooncalves and rolling Puffskeins startled him, however, causing him to grip tighter onto her hand.

"It's alright, Ominis! These are the most tame beasts in the wizarding world: just some puffskeins, mooncalves, and nifflers. I promise they won't bite. If anything, they'll snuggle you to death," she giggled.

His shoulders relaxed and he slightly jumped at the feeling of a mooncalf nuzzling against his leg. His hand hovered over its head. "C-can I-"

"Of course!" She took his hand and gently stroked the mooncalf's fur with it, earning little wheeking sounds of delight from the creature. She removed her hand so Ominis could make his own connection. The mooncalf nuzzled further into his hand, closing its eyes.

"Look at that...!" She said quietly. "He adores you!"

Ominis couldn't hide his excitement. If there was a subject he hated more than Herbology, it was Care of Magical Creatures. It was bloody terrifying to care for a wild animal that he couldn't see.