The Light in My Darkness ||Ominis Gaunt X OC||

Chapter 14

Content Warning - depiction of the Cruciatus Curse used on a child, a little after halfway through the chapter. It is brief but fair warning.

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Their time in Brigadoon had felt like something out of a dream. Wrapped in golden light and sweetened by the spring breeze. A week of perfect days.

Each morning, they woke to the soft glow of dawn, the cool, crisp breeze brushing against their skin as they walked through the quiet streets. The town smelled of freshly baked bread and dew-soaked flowers, and as they strolled hand in hand, the warmth of the sun slowly crept into their bones.

On the fourth day, they stumbled upon a small music shop, the air inside thick with the scent of aged wood and polished keys. The musty warmth enveloped them as they sat at the piano, Ominis humming softly while Charlotte played, her delicate fingers gliding effortlessly over the keys. The notes felt like sunlight filtering through the shop, soft and gentle, filling the space with a peaceful energy.

When she tried to teach him a song, her small, frustrated noises and his confusion made them laugh. Charlotte's fingers would tap his arm in quick, apologetic gestures as their attempts faltered. Eventually, they gave up, and she played alone. The sound of her music swelled, rich and soothing, drawing passersby to the shop.

Ominis never realized how advanced her skills were until there was a small crowd gathered in the shop. After each song, there would be a wave of clapping and compliments.

Charlotte would shy into his side, embarrassed by all the attention. However, Ominis could tell she enjoyed the praise and compliments from the way her aura pulsed around her, her heart fluttering like hummingbird wings

He had made sure to dish out plenty of compliments and praises that night to see her magic brighten so brilliantly.

A few days later, they visited the beach. The ocean air was sharp and briny, the tang of salt clinging to their skin. They roamed the rocky shore, the cool breeze whipping Charlotte's hair into a wild halo. Each shell she collected was smooth and cool in Ominis's hands, and he marveled at the sharp ridges and delicate spirals as she passed them to him. The stones crunched beneath their feet, and the distant crash of waves filled the silence.

Charlotte made sure to carefully guide Ominis over the rough terrain. She sat him on the edge of a rocky outcrop and took his hand in hers.

Gently, she pulled his hand away. Towards what, he couldn't tell. Then, his hand was stuck in a pool of cool water and he jerked out of her hold in surprise when his fingers brushed against a slimy mess of... something.

He could hear her puffs of amusement as his brow furrowed. "What was that?" He asked, unsure of himself.

"Trust me?" Charlotte wrote on his palm.

He did trust her. She had never led him wrong or hurt him. She had always been caring and gentle.

"Okay, Birdie. I trust you," he allowed her to guide his hand back into the tidepool. Slow and deliberate.

The cool water surrounded their joined hands and sent a shiver down his spine. Charlotte slowly moved his hand along the edge of the small pool. His fingers slipped over the smooth surface of something soft. Curious, he paused, letting his fingertips explore. It was cool, almost velvety, and as he moved his hand over it, he noticed the sensation change. Small, delicate filaments brushed against his skin, catching slightly as they swayed with the water's gentle push.

He froze, feeling the tendrils softly dance along his fingers. It was alive. The texture was finer than silk, each strand retreating slightly with every small movement of his hand, like it sensed his presence. He smiled in wonder, letting the moment stretch out, as he turned to face Charlotte.