POV ADA MARROW
I was grateful for Ominis staying with me the last few weeks, tomorrow was to be our first day back at Hogwarts and Ominis was kind enough to share that he stole a bottle of House elf wine and fire whiskey from the kitchens the night before Hogwarts had officially let out. He had hoped by the end of the Summer we three could sit and drink to our hearts content and look back at our mistakes and laugh, but it was just Ominis and I sitting together by a fire pit.
"Wine or Whiskey?" He asked, his hands felt along the whiskey bottle carefully pouring himself a glass.
"If I'm to be honest I didn't think you were one to drink."
"It's sort of a custom to drink for special occasions." He murmured, he corked the bottle settling it between his thighs on the ground.
"Wine would be fine with me." He started to uncork the bottle and I helped guide it to my own glass. I held the glass and leaned against him. Anne's letter stuck with me. How I had Ominis's heart, I was grateful for all he had done but I still wasn't ready to take our relationship any further than as close friends. His face seemed content to have us like this, in silence until the small group of Puffskiens I had taken in had started piling into our laps.
Ominis laughed softly, "Loving little fluff balls aren't they?" His face was lit by the fire, shadows playing at the hollow of his cheeks, he had even grown an inch or two taller.
"Yes they are, all they want is treats and brushes." I murmured fingers running through its long silky hair as it purred softly, settling into my lap.
"I still say we bring one to the opening ceremony and scare the daylights out of Duncan Hobhouse."
"You're just as bad as Anne." I teased, "She said the same thing, when I told her about him."
"We'll as much as I enjoy being the straight man in our little group I got in just as much trouble as Anne and Sebastian."
"You're a troublemaker... Mmm I quite like that. Next you'll say that you let your hair and uniform be a mess to get the girls attention!"
"Please, none of the girls are remotely interested in me besides the ones that are absolutely barmy."
"Oh surely they're not that Barmy, I mean you're very handsome Ominis." I nudged him with my arm, his cheeks turned a bit pink taking sips of his whiskey. I stared at the bright purple elf wine, it tasted like grapes but still had that sting of fermentation.
"I will have to take your word for it, Sebastian says I am but I think he lies to boost my confidence."
I giggled, "Oh Ominis, he's not lying."
"We'll perhaps you're lying to me." He grinned, eyes staring out at the distance, and passed the fire. His eyes reminded me so much of cloudy days.
"I take offense to that, have you not mapped your own face?" I sipped my drink again letting the warmth spread over my stomach.
"I have not actually, though I'm less interested in my face and more in yours. I still never got the chance to properly map yours."
I gasped, "We must elevate that before we return to school! Ominis map my face, best time as always to do it." I shifted no longer leaning on him, to face him. My legs crossed hands resting in my lap. The puffskeins scampered away from us. He looked hesitant but shifted to face me as well, setting his drink off to the ground.
POV OMINIS GAUNT
She sounded so excited for me to finally map out her face, it surprised me but it wasn't unwelcome. Her eagerness for me to touch her set off an eagerness of my own. How much had she changed over the summer? Were her cheeks still round and soft? Her lips still plush? I reached out hesitantly, stopping.
"Ada, I don't want to grab you anywhere inappropriate. Could you just rest my hands on your shoulders for me?"
"Of course." I felt her hand hold my wrists and lead them until I could feel the firmness of her shoulders. I rubbed my thumb over the shoulder muscles. Letting my hands lightly stroke up to her neck. Her neck was the same, soft but some new scars. I felt my eyes close as I took in how her skin felt, trying to paint a picture of her in my mind. I wanted her burned to my memory.
My fingers felt at her jaw, "Your jaw is more defined now." I murmured, feeling how it curved up to meet her ear. "Your face isn't as round." I was a bit disappointed, I enjoyed how soft she felt.
"Yes, Anne said I had lost some weight. Mainly from stress but I think I should regain some of it once I'm put on a better schedule." She was quiet, her voice still held that lilt of happiness. I mapped out the shape, if she regained the weight in a healthy way I would be happy. My fingers pulled on feeling at the hollow of her cheeks and that scar tissue along her cheek, then her nose. Fingers brushing over the bump along the bridge.
"You have a roman nose." I mused, my fingers went lower. "A deep set cupid's bow." My fingers continued lower, feeling the tips brush over the plushness of her lips. Her lip line protruded to a distinct curvature. "I can see why Leander was so infatuated with you... You're quite pretty." I could feel the heat from her cheeks.
"Oh please, there are prettier girls." She joked.
"Well to be fair, I don't know what other girls look like. So to me you're the most beautiful girl my hands have ever had the pleasure of touching." I could feel her lips raise into a small smile.
"Thank you Ominis." She hummed, letting me continue the mapping. I felt her eyelids, how long her lashes were and the curve of her eyebrows.
My hands settled to cup her cheeks, "I... think we should retire, can't be late for the ceremony." I murmured, She nodded
"You go on ahead, I'll put the fire out."
"Of course... Sweet dreams Ada." I lifted myself and headed for the cottage. I'll tell her by the end of this week, that way we'll both be settled in.
POV ADA MARROW
The morning had been hectic for both Ominis and I, Deek had thankfully taken our things to their respective rooms and Ominis and I took a Floo to the outer Hogwarts gates. I hadn't seen nor spoken to Sebastian since the death of his sister. Not that i wanted to speak with him, he had been nothing but awful to me the last few months.
He had asked me to wait for him to fix himself over the summer but those months with no contact left me bitter and not wanting to see him again. When I spotted him walking up to Ominis and I, I wished Ominis a goodbye and hurried off. Sebastian Sallow was off limits, no amount of 'I'm sorry' would fix how he hurt me. How he left me alone and hurting. How he blamed Anne's death on me.
Though I could feel his eyes planted firmly on my back as I sat with Poppy and Victor decided to sit beside me. Even if he was supposed to sit at the head of the table he had taken to trying to convince me to take up a Seeker position, seeing as it was his last year he needed to find a good replacement but I was truly uninterested in Quidditch
"Sebastian Sallow is staring at you." Poppy murmured.
"I know I'm trying to ignore him, Poppy, please don't look at him."
"Is he bothering you?" Victor asked, "I can give him a talking to if he is."
"No, no Victor it's fine... I'm just not ready to talk with him yet."
"I still can't believe he ignored you for months on end and is now just longingly looking at you like a kicked puffskein." Poppy sounded annoyed. "If I'm to be honest Ada, he really doesn't deserve you. Even if he did lose his Uncle and now his Sister. "
"You've gotten quite the tongue on you over summer Poppy." I commented softly, smiling at her. We were all just waiting for the Professor's welcoming speech and for the first years to arrive. We watched the first years come up in straight orderly lines. Their young faces full of wonder seeing the inside of the castle for the first time. Some unsurprisingly nervous, I definitely was when I first came here.
Their sortings began each table clapping when they'd receive a new housemate. When we thought headmaster Black would allow us to eat, motioned off to the side. A boy with styled impossibly black hair, his uniform a mess with his sleeves rolled up walked to stand beside the Headmaster. A playful smirk spread on his lips. There were some murmurs, who was he?
"I would like to formally introduce a quality and remarkable student that is transferring here from Durmstrang for his last year. Do welcome Nox Marrow with open arms." He motioned Nox, my brother, to sit on the stool.
I could feel my heart stop for a fraction of a second. They transferred my brother here? Too many thoughts raced through my head but it snapped out of its trance when the hat, the minute it touched his head, yelled out, "Slytherin!"
The Slytherin table clapped for the new addition. I could feel eyes on me however. More likely from Sebastian and the ones I had told about my long lost brother.
"Ada... Ada." Poppy hissed, shaking my arm. "He's coming this way."
"But we're not even near the Slytherin table." I murmured, my eyes shot seeing him in the emerald robes walking away from the podium down towards the Hufflepuff table his eyes directly affixed to me. Victor straightened up, getting out of his seat. Holding a hand up as the House Prefect he had to uphold rules.
"I'm sorry, Nox was it? You must sit at the Slytherin table for the opening ceremony." Nox stopped, just a foot away from Victor. They were both a similar height.
"I'm sorry but I don't care about this school's fanciful rules. I'm sitting with my Sister." His voice was calm but held an edge of danger. I felt Poppy hold onto my arm just a bit.
"Well-" Victor started to speak, only to be cut off, hand gripping the front of his shirt. Pulling him in close to my brother's face.
"Move Golden boy. Besides, aren't your lot supposed to be at the head of the table? Or do the rules not apply to you?" I saw him flick at Victor's Prefect badge.
"Break it up! Mr. Bratly there is no reason to start a fight over the fact the boy wants to sit with his sister." Headmaster Black spouted out, "Please sit at the head of the table like you're supposed to."
Nox chuckled, watching Victor's face turn a bright red. He relinquished his spot to Nox, leaving us to move to the head of the table. Other Hufflepuffs moved far away from him as he slipped in to sit beside me.
"Hello my dear Sempra, or do you still prefer that Muggle name Ada? Who's your friend, the one that's glaring daggers in me." His head nodded towards Poppy.
"Ignore him Poppy." I murmured, patting her hand.
"Poppy! Such a lovely name." I glanced at his eyes, dark like our fathers and just as dead.
"Stay away from her Nox."
"Oh I would never hurt such a lovely little Witch." His finger went to his lips to quiet us, turning away from us to face the Headmaster as he rattled off another speech.
POV SEBASTIAN SALLOW
I felt my nerves stand on end hearing the name. Nox Marrow? As is Ada's brother? What was he doing here?
"Did he say Nox Marrow?" Ominis murmured to me.
`\ "Yes... He's. Where is he going?" I witnessed him get into an altercation with the Hufflepuff Prefect then when Black intervened he sat down beside Ada, "He's sitting with Ada at the Hufflepuff table." I felt my hands grip tighten at my slacks, but my attention was taken from Ada back to the Headmaster.
"After much deliberation and complaints from Mr. Bratly's father. Quidditch will be reinstated for the year-'' The tables erupted into cheers, "BUT it will not be for house points, it will be friendly off and on skirmishes because of another pressing matter I must announce." he waited for the murmurs to die down, "The Ministry has been so gracious to give us the honors of hosting the Annual Triwizard Tournament!"
The Great hall exploded into loud excited chatter, the return of Quidditch long gone from people's minds, now settled onto the fact we would see the tournament for ourselves. However the voices murmured,
'It has to be Ada Marrow! She'd be the best choice to represent Hogwarts.'
'She passed all her classes with Outstandings last year and took down an entire goblin rebellion!'
Ada, Ada and more words about Ada. I bit my lip, I could see the eyes firmly planted on her, they had expectations for her, she couldn't join. I doubt she would, but would it stop people from pressuring her into joining it? Maybe I thought too little of her will. Or maybe I didn't want to see her get hurt anymore.
"Please welcome our Minister of Magic Faris Spavin!" The decrepit codger came almost waddling out with a cane. I've heard he was old but not like he'd drop dead at any moment.
"Thank you... Headmaster Black...I am pleased to have Hogwarts host this tremendous event." The old man went on and on, to the point Professor Weasley spared us by allowing us to eat while he prattled about the dangers of the tournament, then ended up off topic, I could see Ominis nodding off beside me. He could never get through long speeches or lectures. It wasn't until Headmaster Black finally stepped in after what felt like an hour did the old sack of bones decide to go take his seat.
"Before it gets too late! I would like to introduce our special guests! All the way from France our lovely men and women of Beauxbatons Academy of Magic!"
Headmaster Black opened the Great Hall door, revealing lines of boys and girl, the Uniforms were much different. The girls white crisp long sleeve blouses, fronts decorated with white frill and bow ties, their skirts were to Their under busts, the waist cinched tight in with a lovely blue color and elegant golden buttons. The skirts were to their knees and rather poofy, while their socks were to their calves, with delicate shiny blue pumps with gold buckles. Their elegant hands clasped together in front of them adorned with silky blue gloves.
The boys however wore corset vests, some with jackets and some without. Their equally crisp white medieval peasant shirts exposed a bit of their chest and collar bone. Their hair was either slicked back or tied with blue ribbons. They also wore front laced pants, same golden buttons graced along the ties and equally shiny blue dress shoes with golden buckles.
"I don't think I've ever seen so many boys look so... Pretty." I murmured to Ominis, "I expected the girls, yes, but the boys..." He rolled his eyes at me, going back to eating his dinner.
They marched along down the center aisle, the girls curtesy to the Headmaster and boys bowing low then they uniformly stood in line along the walls near our Slytherin table. I saw some of the French girls and boys smiling and being a bit too flirty with the people at our table. One girl blew a kiss to me.
"This is not how I wanted the beginning of our year to go."
"Well then Sebastian it's a good thing we're not required to participate in this." Ominis stated.
"Well I don't plan to sign up." I murmured, my eyes went back to Ada seeing she had relaxed a bit and was talking quietly to Poppy. Her brother is still keeping his attention on the headmaster.
"Good neither do I, Ada wouldn't have any interest as well. She'd like for this year to be as mundane as possible." Ominis drew out, I glanced at him. He had also wanted to talk with me in the Undercroft, just the two of us.
"And now our friends from Durmstrang Institute! " The students came dressed in dark woolen clothes, the girls skirts barely graced the floor as they walked and the boy pants were thick material, both wore dark button up shirts with thick vests and dark leather gloves. Girls' hair were tied back into tight buns and the men's were slicked back.
"I think if you lived any closer, Sebastian, you'd fit right in with Durmstrang." Ominis commented, I scoffed.
"Much rather not, they look like a gloomy bunch." Ominis chuckled, smiling slightly at my quip.
"So you don't want to be the brooding type?"
"I'm plenty brooding already." I watched them line up at the other wall closest to Adas' table. I saw Nox stand at his seat reaching over the wide table to shake hands with one of the boys from Durmstrang.
"I don't trust her brother." I stated.
"Oh really! I couldn't have guessed, is it because of what I told you about her family trying to take her away or the fact he more likely practices the dark arts." I glanced at Ominis, his voice came out thick with sarcasm.
I rolled my eyes, nudging his foot with mine, "Lay off the sarcasm Ominis."
"It's so hard not to be sarcastic with you." I saw him sip his drink.
"Remember everyone! Classes will not start until Monday and you have until Sunday evening to enter your name into the goblet! Only those at the age of fifteen and over may enter! Good luck and my Eternal Glory be within your path, now off you go you're all dismissed." Headmaster Black announced, waving everyone off.
"I'll meet you in the Undercroft, I want to see if I can talk with Ada." Ominis was silent but only nodded, getting to his feet and leaving me.
I hurried over to Ada, grabbing her hand, "Ada-" A Pale hand gripped my wrist squeezing it until I let go of her. Nox stared at me, eyes dark.
"Hands off my Sister prat."
"Fuck off she's my friend." I spat at him, I looked at Ada who was only nervously watching the two of us. Her lips pulled to a taut line and she gripped her book bag. His hand threw my wrist away, eyes staring down at me. Then glanced over to Ada assessing her.
"Well by her expression, she doesn't feel the same way."
"The fuck do you know about her." My voice held a bite to it.
"Sebastian, I don't want to talk with you. Leave me alone." She murmured, turning back with Poppy letting the other Hufflepuff girl quickly lead her off. Nox had the most aggravating smile on his lips.
"Told you." He mused, "I'll see you at our dorms, Sebastian?" He walked off, that man had the most punchable face I had ever seen. Even more punchable than Leanders' ugly mug.
POV OMINIS GAUNT
I paced in the Undercroft, waiting for Sebastian to arrive. I was going to make my proclamation. I was going to pursue Ada, whether he liked it or not. I heard the gate open, staying quiet until I could hear Sebastian's familiar footsteps along the stone floor.
"Good, you're here. How did your talk with Ada go?" I questioned.
"Terrible, her brother butted in and she said she didn't want to talk with me. Ominis, could you possibly talk with her?"
I felt my lips form into a sneer, "No, actually I won't be doing that."
"Ominis, you don't understand-"
"I don't understand? Please Sebastian enlighten me on what's not to understand. You ignored her for almost half a year and now you're whining about her giving you the same treatment."
"Ominis." His voice came out as a growl, "I know i made a mistake-"
"You made multiple mistakes." I butted in, "I don't even think you've learned anything."
"She makes me feel whole Ominis! I know I was an ass to her. I was awful! I need her Ominis. She's the only thing that makes me feel whole, makes me forget what I've done." His voice sounded pained but I wouldn't let it sway me.
"But you don't deserve her Sebastian Maybe when you both first met but not now. I will not be the reason that she anguished over you and your 'mistakes'. Using her to forget, inapprehensible and stupid."
"I'm not using her!"
My head snapped to his direction, "You are! You've used her multiple times to persuade me. You used her power and the position she was in to try and cure Anne and the most damning of all you used an unforgivable on her!"
"You cannot keep holding that over my head! We were trapped, it was the only way we could have escaped." I heard him walk closer to me and I could feel his presence standing close.
"I am aware! I was there when I heard her screaming! Begging for the pain to end... I was too worried for her to realize it then but I do now. back then you didn't care about her. If you had, the curse wouldn't have worked. Then when we reached that damn room you didn't show the slightest sliver of worry for her, only for that stupid spell book. You used us then and now you're planning to use us now, only you're trying to make me the manipulator." I jabbed my finger to his chest and he grabbed my wrist.
"I only want you to talk with her, Ominis she won't even look at me."
I laughed, bitter and uncaring. "Do you blame her? The fact you're trying to convince me to convince her to give you a third, no sorry fourth chance is repulsive, she deserves better." His hand gripped my tie.
"Better? I hope you don't mean yourself Ominis." His voice was quite a low growl.
"And if I did?" I murmured, I would not hide it.
"That's rich, you my best friend, my brother refusing to help me because you have a crush on my girlfriend-"
"Ex-Girlfriend Sebastian and I do care about her. I refuse to pretend that I don't want to be more than just friends with her. I love her." I felt him let go of my tie, I wanted her. I wanted her eyes only on me. Her hands in mine, always. I wanted the kisses he had taken advantage of and those whispers of sweet words to be towards me. I felt Sebastian take a step back from me.
"No, I'm sorry Ominis. I can't share her, as much as I adore you as my own brother I can't. I want her all to myself."
His words sparked a simmering anger inside of me, "Who says I want to share?" The words held a venom to them, "She's not a thing to be shared either way."
I heard him draw in a deep breath, "Well I refuse to give up on her."
"I'll be sure to mention that to her tonight then"
"What?"
"Oh right! You're unaware. Probably would have known if you hadn't ignored her. Because of Your repeated disregard for her wellbeing she needs someone to watch over her at night while she's drugged up on Sharps Dreamless Sleeping draught. So I'll be visiting the Hufflepuff dorms to inform Poppy and Adelaide what to look out for when she's sleeping." I had found out over the last few weeks depending on her mental state she had a habit of sleepwalking.
"I didn't know..."
"Yes that's right you didn't. Now, if you don't mind Sebastian I have more important things to worry about then your pathetic attempts to try and win her back. At least put in some effort on your end." I lifted my wand, walking past Sebastian to leave the Undercroft.
POV ADA MARROW
A knock came from the door while my roommates and I were getting ready for bed.
"Are you girls decent?" Victor Bratly asked through the door, apparently all prefect badges were enchanted to allow the prefects to access girls' dorms.
"Give us a second to put our robes on!" Poppy called out, I reached for my robe to cover myself. Adelaide and Poppy did the same along with Olivia Roseby.
"Alright we're decent!" I called out, Victor came in followed by Ominis and Esme Darling. Esme was the female Hufflepuff Prefect.
"Alright girls, Esme and I have been informed that Ada had been taking a sleeping draught by Professor Sharp and since she'd spent the summer with Ominis apparently he's here to inform us of some side effects she's had while under it." Victor said he was poised to stare at a painting by the door entrance. Ominis just stared off, obviously being unable to see us in our bed clothes.
"Go ahead Ominis." Esme patted his back lightly.
"Right well... Ada is entirely unaware of when this happens because she's still fast asleep but occasionally depending on how she is doing mentally she'll sleep walk. She can't wake up so it's just best to lead her back to her bed and have her lay back down."
Poppy and Adelaide looked at me, I hadn't told them I spent a few weeks with Ominis. I can only guess they'd bombard me with questions later. I looked down to my feet.
"Of course Ominis, perhaps we should lock the door at night?" Poppy suggested, "So she doesn't go wandering out of the Common Room."
"Or to the boys' dorms..." Adelaide teased, smiling at me. I felt my face heat up.
"Addy, that's not funny." I murmured.
"I feel I'm missing something?" Ominis chuckled.
"Oh her first week here she was half asleep and accidentally wandered into the boys rooms down stairs, she gave Arthur Plummly a real fright." Poppy giggled, lightly pushing my arm.
"I think the boys were more scandalized than Ada was." Adelaide laughed.
"You're making it sound like I was in my bed clothes... I was fully dressed."
"The boys weren't!" Poppy laughed then, covering her mouth. Ominis bit is lip, hand going to cover his mouth trying to hold back a soft laugh.
"Yes I remember giving the boys that talk. Can't believe they were sleeping naked." Victor murmured, "Ominis, I'll escort you back to your Common Room. Don't need you wandering around past curfew."
Ominis nodded, "Yes thank you Victor... Ada I'll see you tomorrow? Maybe before breakfast?"
"Yes of course Ominis, I'll see you then."
"Sweet Dreams ladies." Ominis stated, bowing his head slightly as he was led back out by the Prefects. Poppy grabbed onto my hand and Addy pushed me along to have me sit on my bed.
"Spill it!" Poppy sat with me, "Are you and Ominis a thing?"
"What? No! We're not a thing... We're friends..."
"Most definitely not I saw how his face looked when he described leading you back to bed." Addy leaned in.
"I mean... How did it look?"
"Like he was remembering a fond memory." Addy stated, hands holding one of mine.
"Like he was reminiscing about your time together during the summer..." Poppy pressed.
"Well... Yesterday... Before we were set to come back to Hogwarts we had some drinks by a fire pit..." I slowed my words seeing Poppy and Adelaide perk up, excitement glimmering in their eyes, "He asked to map my face, before we returned, because people stare when a boy touches a girl's face."
"Mmmhm?" Poppy held onto my skirt.
"His hands were really soft and gentle... I thought he was going to kiss me when he held my face but... He said we should retire before it got too late."
Adelaide squealed, "He likes you! You should ask him out!" The girls had warmed up to him after I refuted their accusations about him wielding dark magic.
"I.. Don't know Addy.."
"You should!" Poppy pressed, "I was wrong about him, he seems awfully sweet towards you and you're both almost inseparable."
"Oh Poppy, I have to keep in mind that Sebastian-"
"Who cares about Sebastian Sallow, he was a bellend I mean no one would blame you. you both went from being inseparable to him ignoring you on and off until the ignoring became permanent. It's only natural that you grow closer to Ominis." Adelaide stated firmly, squeezing my hand.
"I'll think on it... but I really must take my Sleeping Draught otherwise I won't be waking up til noon."
"How do you suppose we keep Ada from wandering out of our dorms?" Olivia butted in. I sighed, Poppy and Adelaide going to join her on her bed to come up with some crazy schemes to keep me from wandering off in my sleep. I poured myself a glass of water, dripping two drops into the cup. The blue-black liquid glowed slightly before it dissipated into the water. I sat on my bed sipping at the water, then quickly downed the glass. Laying back in my bed waiting for it to take me to another quick dreamless sleep.
Author's Note: Introducing Nox Marrow!
Also I decided to do some research on both wizarding schools. I knew Durmstrang was like Hogwarts in the books being a boy and girls school but apparently so is Beauxbatons!
I hope you're excited, because I know I am for the next chapter.