Ominis knew she was looking at him intently. But unless she brought it up first, he couldn't be bothered to explain himself. The sensation of the carriage being pulled by Hippogriffs was relaxing and allowed him to think without fearing for his life.
Perhaps she didn't notice the exchange. She might not ask…
- Are we going to talk about it?
"Never mind"
- Talk about what? - His voice deeper.
He could hear her groan.
- Who was she? – she was amused. He could tell.
- Nobody.
- Mm. Do you let anyone from the Ministry use your first name?
He held the bridge of his nose.
- The Ministry? – Of course, he didn't see her clothes, so he didn't know how she came to be there- The voice seemed familiar -he lied smoothly-. Perhaps someone from Hogwarts. Although, I can't imagine any of my friends would work for the Ministry.
- True- she sounded bored and disinterested. But he knew it was a trick.
- Why did you come back? I told you to wait for me.
- I could hardly do nothing when I saw her coming onto you. The nerve of that peasant. Talking to you like you are friends.
- I didn't know you were so worried about me.
- Hardly. I was looking out for myself.
They remained in silence for the rest of the trip.
The carriage lowered itself on the lawn of the Greengrass house after 20 more minutes. Ominis stepped out and took her hand to help her. She grabbed his hand with a smooth motion.
- Are you staying tonight? - She didn't invite him directly, as usual.
- I am afraid not.
- It is a long ride home.
- I have things to do.
Ominis jumped back into the carriage and just like that, the carriage was swept away by the Hippogriffs. On the lawn below, Serafina Greengrass saw him leave with an amused look in her eyes.
*#*#*#*#*#
- Do not speak to anyone about this- he handed the coachman a pouch heavy with galleons.
- Are you sure you will be ok, Sir? This place is… unbecoming of you.
- Do as you are told- His dark silhouette blended itself with the darkness of the night.
*#*#*#*#*#
She wasn't proud of this decision. She should have just gone home; but instead, she decides to enter the first bar that crossed her path. She just felt like having a drink, but the atmosphere was shifty.
Now that she was sitting in the bar all by herself, she realized that it was pointless. She didn't have any friends to share a drink with, or at least, none that were close enough to join her. She drank the contents of the glass in front of her, feeling the fire whisky burn its way down.
"I should go home."- This was not her type of place.
Men were looking at her with too much interest, and the thought of having an uncomfortable encounter with them was enough to put her plan in motion.
- I am ready to go- she said to the bartender.
The man had blue skin and matching blue eyes. Somewhat beautiful, in an exotic way.
- Give me a second.
She nodded her head, but her entire body flinched when she felt him behind her. She turned around on her chair and was faced with one of the men that had been giving her nasty looks since the moment she entered the bar.
- Masaa' el Khair- he smelled of alcohol.
- Pardon me?
He laughed with a condescending look.
- Good evening, Luna. May I get you a drink? You seem lonely.
- I am ok. I am almost leaving.
MC eyed the blue-eyed bartender, willing him to hurry up. He got a little flustered when he understood the message.
- Why is that? – His right hand found its way to the counter, trying to make her feel small, and unfortunately, he was succeeding. The man was built like a rock. - Did someone stand you up? I can make it better.
- There is no need – her shoulders squared. She was getting pissed-. I can take myself home. Now please, remove your hand.
- Come on. A couple more drinks and you will be having fun in no time.
His hand went to grab the butterfly tie from around her neck, but before she could slap him away, another arm appeared from behind her and blocked him away.
- She can't hold her liquor – a voice with the essence of a quiet lake-. But thank you for keeping her company in my stead.
MC turned around and saw Ominis facing her pursuer head-on. She was surprised to see him there but got distracted by the smell of fresh fabrics emanating from him. It was a welcome surprise.
- Who the hell are U? – The man stood as tall as he could, now trying to scare Ominis.
- That is none of your business – he pressed his other hand on her left shoulder-. If you still want to have fun tonight, I recommend you give up on pursuing her. That is unless you are willing to duel me for her.
With a flicker of his fingers, his wand appeared on his hand. The red flicker of it was harmless, but to those who didn't know Ominis, it looked like an unforgivable threat.
- You little rat.
That man was about to whip out his wand, but MC stopped him on his track by digging her wand into his throat.
- You better walk away, mate. I am not going anywhere with you, and you are getting in my way.
He was too drunk to understand his situation, but at least he knew something about math.
Stumbling away without uttering another word, he left them alone.
She was about to turn around to thank Ominis, but suddenly she felt a warm coat over her shoulders and a hand pulling her away from the bar.
-Wait. I haven't paid the tab- the bartender waved her away.
- I just did- Ominis guided her elegantly, holding his sentient wand.
Once outside and at the mercy of the snow, MC pulled her hand away with tact.
- Of all the bars you could have chosen – he was turning his head with faked disappointment.
- Oh, please. Nasty vermin like that can be found anywhere – she snickered-. Who would have thought you had a guardian's complex?
-Just for you.
Ominis smiled at her without facing her completely.
- How did you find me?
- What makes you think I was looking for you?
- After the way you ignored me at the ball, I wouldn't be surprised if you got on your knees and begged for forgiveness.
His laugh was still measured and brief.
- I hope you can forgive me.
- Sure- she shrugged.
- That was easy.
- I am too cold to be upset with you – she took a second to think-. My apartment is not far from here. Do you want to go there?
*#*#*#*#
Her apartment, if someone could call it that, was a small rental place that provided her with a bed, a lavatory that was small enough to be able to touch all its four walls almost at the same time, and a table only fit for a tea break.
MC removed Ominis' coat from her shoulders while watching him inspect the space with his wand. She hung the coat on the stand and went to turn on the stove.
- How long have you been living here?
- Almost three years. Three long, and happy years – she smiled-. Can you hear the sarcasm in my voice?
- Of course not.
- You can take a seat, Your Grace. It's clean.
- You know I don't care about that.
- "We" both know that is a lie. You would berate Sebastian for so much as leaving a shirt on the floor.
He sat on the chair next to the table.
- Well… for a blind guy a shirt on the floor could be deadly.
MC sat on her bed to face him.
- Are you going to explain now?
- Of course – he cleared his throat- You deserve that much.
"Only that much"- She thought.
-I am currently more involved in my family's business. I am forced to attend this sort of event, but it can't be helped.
- I thought you were going to ditch your inheritance.
- I certainly tried, although it proved to be more difficult than I expected, not to mention impossible – he said while removing his family's crest from the front of his shirt-. They wouldn't hear of it and I was… discouraged from following that path.
- Discouraged?- her soul left her body when she understood the implications-. Ominis! - A cry left her throat.
He kept silent. There was no point in denying it.
- Why… - she leaned forward to touch his face, but he flinched away, not expecting it.
- I am ok. It was years ago – he pushed her hand away -. However, following their standards means that I… I can't be seen with… with you.
She nodded, though she was hurt.
- Because I am muggle-born.
- That… and because you have control over the Repositorium.
MC tensed at the mention of it.
- My parents are particularly interested in you. If I could count the times that your name has been mentioned – he shook his head-. And, if they ever find out that you and I are friends…
- They would try to use you... us.
He nodded just one time and rubbed his face.
- They are… they are getting close to you – he warned-. I don't know how, but I know that it's just a matter of time before they corner you into helping them.
- Let them try.
- NO! Do not underestimate them!
- Ominis.
- They have eyes everywhere! They know things about you. I think… they might even be pulling the strings of your career at the Ministry.
A chill crept up on her.
- Not much of a career if you ask me.
- What do you mean?
- I have been kept at a cadet level for three years. I was excited at first because I wanted to become an Auror. I thought… it would be a good way to balance out all my mistakes. But while those who started with me already received a First-Class Insignia, I am still in training.
- So… they are not letting you move up.
- I was not surprised. I knew the Ministry only wanted to keep me under control so I would never abuse the ancient magic, but now… I am not so sure it has anything to do with control. Maybe it is about bestowing it on someone else.
- That is a possibility.
- Am I being watched right now?
- No. I didn't feel any unwelcome presence around you..., well- he remembered the guy at the bar-, never mind.
She looked at him. Really looked at him.
Tired, pale, but strangely relaxed. Without his jacket on she could guess the expansion of his chest under the vest and the strength of his arms. He looked comfortable in his own skin, and his eyes didn't try to follow random sounds as he once did. He looked stoic and mysterious.
- I can feel you looking at me.
She smirked.
- You look different.
His back straightened at the mention of his figure.
- How so?
-Mm, hard to say. You are still… you. But, in a more mature way. Almost ancient.
His cheeks turned slightly pink.
- Do I look that old?
She started laughing at his face.
- Not that way! I meant wise beyond your years.
- Is that a bad thing?
- Nope. You look handsome.
Ominis kept a schooled expression.
- What about Sebastian? Does he look… wiser?
- I wouldn't know -she signed-. Last time I heard of him he was heading to the Middle East to hunt a three-headed snake. And that was last year.
- Yes, I remember. Just so you know, he already came back.
- What?! That snake didn't even write to tell me!
- He is like a hermit. Always moving around without a care.
- But at least he writes to you!
- To be fair, the one who keeps me updated is Anne. Sebastian doesn't seem to know how to use a quill.
- Well, did he at least get the snake?
- I think he found an ancient wand made with the snake's fangs. But Anne said there was no magic left in it.
MC stood up and grabbed a bottle of fire whisky and two cups to share.
- Here, have some.
- Thank you- his hand glided around the table to grab it.
She gulped while looking at him. She knew he could feel her eyes on him but remained unbothered.
- Who was that woman with you?
Ominis choked on his drink at the mention of Serafina and some of the fire whisky went up his nose. A coughing fit was trying to expel the whisky from his system.
- Cough… cough.
MC didn't even try to help. She was amused that she could still make him lose his grip on his manners.
- You – cough- you are a menace to me.
- It was a simple question – she took another sip.
Ominis played with a small glass between his fingers, feeling the creases around its design trying to feel the animal portrayed in it. It was a bird of some kind.
- Her name is Serafina – he cleared his throat-. My fiancé.