I always counted the day of our encounter in the Undercroft as the first day Ominis and I truly became friends. The next day, I brought enchanted gobstones to the Undercroft, but proposed that instead of getting squirted with a smelly liquid, the loser would have to answer a question about themselves. He smirked at first when I suggested the idea – "I haven't lost a game of gobstones in years" – but quickly took it seriously when he realized I learned a lot from Zenobia in September. I ended up winning, but we both walked away learning more about the other person. I discovered he loved the smell of parchment, made giant snowmen in the winter, and has an older brother named Malvolio that he doesn't talk to. He found out I'm allergic to shellfish, loved to swim, and was an only child in foster care.

"So you don't know who your parents are?"

I shrugged. "No. They died when I was three, and I don't have any memories of them. They didn't list any living relatives for me to live with, so I got placed in the foster care system." I made a move and continued speaking. "It wasn't horrible, really, but I never stayed in the same place for more than two years. It's not something I like to talk about."

Ominis took his turn as he pondered this new information. "I know what it's like to have a family life that's a little less than ideal," he said carefully, "and I also understand what it's like to not know your own parents. Our situations aren't exactly the same, of course, and I'm not saying you're trying to equate it with mine," he stumbled a little over his words, "but I'm glad we both got the opportunity to have a separate life here."

"Well said," I agreed. "And I hate to ruin the moment, but," I took one of his gobstones, "what's your favorite dessert?"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

My favorite memory in fifth year, after everything happened, so to speak, was about two weeks into our daily gobstones tradition. "Ha! I win. Um…"

Ominis laughed – and I really did love that laugh – and said "this game gets harder when you realize we're running out of questions to ask each other."
"I'm rolling my eyes," I said, narrating so he would know, "Yes, it's almost as if we were friends."

He smiled with a tilt of his head. "Almost."

"Oh! I've got one!" I clapped my hands. "Have you ever ridden a broom? Or wanted to?"

"Oh, that's an interesting question." His shoulders slumped as he considered his answer. "You know, Sebastian asked me that same question in our first year. I got the feeling that if I told him yes, he would ask me to fly on his broom with him. With that in mind, I said no, because I thought it would make me sound like I didn't care about being left out. I didn't know him so well then, and I was nervous that he pitied me. That's always a fear of mine. But now…" his gaze seemed to meet mine, and I couldn't help but become enraptured. It was one thing to be looked at, but when this happened, it was like I was being seen. Maybe it was because he needed to use his other senses to really know where I was, but it always felt like so much more than when anyone else paid attention to me. I didn't know how else to explain it.

"Now… I'd try it if I had the chance." He said it casually, bringing me back to reality, but he quickly followed it up with, "but I'm pretty sure the brooms at the school aren't meant to hold two students."

"Oh, that's a shame," I said, frowning. "You'd think they would have to support two people in case of an emergency."

Ominis shrugged. "Emergency use doesn't equate everyday use, I suppose. Ha! You got distracted," he said, winning one of my gobstones. "Now, if you had to be a House-Elf for a day but would get 50 galleons at the end of it, would you do it?"

"That depends on the job, of course," I said, ideas forming in my mind. "If I was just working in the Hogwarts kitchens, then yes. If I had to be Scrope, I wouldn't do it for any less than 1000 galleons."

A couple of days later, I brought him outside of the castle and asked him to guess what I had just ordered from Hogsmeade.

"It's a broom," he said confusedly. "Hold on…" His hands kept searching for the bristles before realizing it was extra long. "Is this…?"
"Mr. Weekes owed me a favor after all that racing for broom research," I said happily, "yes, this is a broom for two, on a loan. Care to go for a ride?"

Ominis' face lit up with excitement. "Really? You're not joking?"

"Nope!" I couldn't help but giggle at the look of absolute glee on his face. "I'm serious. So, want to go for a ride?"

"Yes! Just tell me what to do."

"Okay, hold on." I mounted the front of the broom and floated just three feet above the ground. "Mr. Weekes said all you need to do is put one foot over and then grab hold of me for support." I felt my face turn crimson at the end of that sentence, and prayed my voice didn't give me away.

"Oh. Oh right, of course. Okay." He followed my instructions, and I heard him take a nervous breath as he put his arms around my waist.

I cleared my throat and asked, "Ready? Are your feet off the ground?"

"Yes," he said nervously, right next to my ear. "I'm ready."

Those three innocent words, spoken so close to me, did strange things to my insides, but I tried to ignore it as I lifted off the ground.

"Holy shit," Ominis instinctively held me tighter as he felt us take off.

"Are you alright?" I asked over my shoulder.

"Yes! I just didn't know what to expect. My word," he laughed, "this is fun!"

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, fantastic!" I picked up speed and Ominis let out a whoop. I stopped us just over the greenhouse. "Alright then, I figured we could make a game out of this. Guess where we are."

I heard him sniff the air. "I can smell fertilizer, clippings, and that godawful potion used to grow shrivelfigs. We're by the greenhouse, aren't we?"

"Correct! Next location."

So it went for the next twenty minutes, thinking back to when Everett gave me an impromptu tour during flying class.

"I hear the waves and smell something like my common room, so I'm guessing the Black Lake?"

"I hear a lot of leaves rustling in the wind, so we must be by the forbidden forest."

"Too easy. Quidditch pitch – there's no way we would hear voices this far from the ground."

He got them all right until our very last spot, which was my personal favorite. As I slowed to a halt, I breathed in the clear air. "Where are we now?" he asked.

"I suppose there aren't any clues to give this one away. We're actually right above the headmaster's tower. This is the highest I ever dare fly; I can see the whole castle from here."

"And you thought I'd appreciate the view?" he asked teasingly.

"Rolling my eyes again," I responded. "I actually just like the sense of calm I feel up here. It's as if… I'm so far removed from everyone and everything else. I don't need to do anything while I'm up here. Nobody expects anything from me, and I'm not looking out for anyone else." We let a comfortable silence grow between us as we floated for a couple minutes.

"Thank you," he said, his voice heavy with sincerity, "I think this is the best thing that's happened to me all year."

I smiled. "Me too. On that note, it's time to go back to the flying class lawn."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Had enough of losing in gobstones?" Ominis asked when he met me in the astronomy tower.

"You wish," I retorted. "No. I want to show you my secret hideaway, so to speak. I've mentioned the Room of Requirement before, haven't I?"

"Yes. The room that gives you what it needs. You mentioned rescuing animals and keeping them there. That's where we're going?"

"Correct. Okay, the door is here, come on in."

Ominis walked in, and I gave him a second to observe his surroundings. "Lyra, I'm so confused," he said, turning his head in different directions. "What's going on ? I hear potions brewing, I smell dittany, and I think… I also hear someone knitting? And where are the beasts?"

"Those were a lot of questions at once, but you're right about what you're experiencing. I have potting tables, potion stations, and this magic loom that will give my clothes better protection from spells."

"All I can picture in my mind is a magic hat that prevents you from the jelly legs jinx." Ominis deadpanned.

"Oddly enough, I don't have that. But my robes offer a little extra protection from dark mongrels."

"That's probably more important," he conceded. "but returning to my earlier unanswered question, where do you keep the beasts?"

"That depends on the species, actually. I have four vivariums that hold different beasts. What would you like to meet?"

Ominis shrugged. "Surprise me, I suppose."

"Alright, I'll take you to the beach vivarium. Follow me."

He wrinkled his nose. "Will I get sand in my shoes?"

"You're a wizard, Ominis. Use a cleaning spell. We're about to go in, but the steps can sometimes be slippery, so If you want to take my-"

Ominis clasped his hand in mine before I finished my sentence. I had never held his hand before – it was warm.

"Right, okay, step there, one more, and here we are!"

He let go of my hand, and I somehow felt its loss. "We're still technically inside the Room of Requirement, believe it or not."

Ominis chuckled as he followed me down the beach. "I feel the sun on my face and I smell the sea air, but I learned a long time ago to just believe you when you tell me anything fantastic."

"A smart decision, really," I said, smiling to myself. "Okay, wait right there."

He stood patiently while I coaxed Hazel over to us, readying a brush for when she was still. I introduced them as she got closer. "Ominis, this is Hazel."

"Oh. Um, hello, Hazel. It sounded like there's hooves… is it a hippogriff?"

Hazel snorted as she reached Ominis, as if she was insulted at the thought.
"Oh, a thestral, then?" Ominis tentatively put his hand out a couple inches in front of him.

Seeing as it was a necessity, I gently took his hand and guided it an extra step further so he was actually petting her. "SHE is none of those things. I was going to tell you, but since you insist on playing guessing games, I'll let you figure out what species she is."

Hazel let out a whinny, and I'm pretty sure it was meant to be a laugh.

Ominis had a confused look on his face again as he started stroking her fur. He reached her mane and his hands stopped. "A horse?"

I gave an exasperated sigh – mimicked by Hazel, no less – and asked him while I brushed, "Do you think I brought you all the way here to pet a horse? Keep going."

Hazel must have realized Ominis needed the extra hint, so she lowered her head, causing his fingers to graze upon her horn. I could tell when he did because he let out a small gasp. "Lyra… is she…" his voice was full of awe. "Is Hazel a unicorn?"

Hazel let out another whinny, but it sounded like one of approval because, finally, he got it right. "Yes. I rescued her from the Forbidden Forest about a month ago, after a concerned citizen made me aware of her predicament. She was injured, but she recovered after spending a few days of rest here."

Ominis' face was still in shock. "I can't believe I'm petting a unicorn. This is wonderful – she's wonderful."

At that, Hazel turned and gave him a lick, which surprised him. "Ah! Oh, sorry Hazel. She didn't tell you, but I'm blind, and didn't see that coming."

"I'm happy you like everything," I said truthfully. "You're the first friend I brought here."

He looked bewildered yet again. "You have a space full of beasts, and not even Poppy has been here before?"

I sighed. "So much of this year was shrouded in secrecy, and I thought this room would have to remain unknown. Now, however, I want Poppy and Natty – and you, obviously – to know about it. Let's go back inside the regular room now."

"Alright. Your hand then, please?"

I blinked stupidly, thinking for about a minute that he wanted to hold my hand for sentiment, and my stomach starting doing flips. "The step, Lyra," he said, turning slightly pink. "You're right, it was slippery coming in, I imagine I need a hand going out."

"Oh, of course, I'm sorry. Here, then."

We stepped back into the main room, and Ominis let out a breath. "This really is quite the place. Thank you for sharing it with me."

"Of course. But, I admit, I did have an ulterior motive in bringing you here." I was happy he couldn't see me nervously biting my lip.

"Oh? What is that?" he smiled in my direction.

"I know the Undercroft is special to you, and I don't want you to think I want to replace it with the Room of Requirement," he frowned, seeing where this was going, and I immediately wanted to take it back. "Never mind, never mind, forget I said anything."

Ominis rubbed his neck awkwardly. "I know what you were trying to say. This is by far the nicer place to be, especially to people who can actually use their eyes, but I don't know-"

The thought was cut off by a rumbling sound and the room began to shake. Ominis' eyes widened in alarm and he whipped out his wand. "Merlin's beard, is this what happens when I disagree? The room collapses?"

"No, the room is changing!" I grinned at the door that appeared. "The room just gave us a door. I bet you my wand it's a shortcut. Come!" I opened the new door, and, sure enough, it opened to the Undercroft. Ominis stepped inside. "Brilliant" he said to himself. "I love this castle."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"We're here."

I paced back and forth three times, and opened the door for my two friends as the Room of Requirement appeared.

"This is amazing!" exclaimed Natty as she walked in. "It's like you have your own common room! Honestly," she added, looking at the armchairs and tables, "I don't see why you spend your time anywhere else."

I shrugged. "It's comfortable, but a little lonely at times," I said, throwing my arms out at my sides. "It's just me, for the most part. Professor Weasley introduced me to a house elf named Deek – he helps keep this place nice and tidy."

"So-" Poppy began, but I gave her a wave of my hand.

"Yes, the beasts. I have four vivariums filled with animals. There's a beach, a meadow, an aviary, and a swamp. I can show you all of them, but which one would you like to see first?"

"Smashing – I didn't know I had choices!" Poppy rubbed her hands together in anticipation as she considered her options. "Which beasts are in each?"

"The meadow has puffskeins, kneazles, and nifflers," I said, counting them off my fingers, "the aviary has fwoopers, jobberknolls, diricrawls, and a phoenix-"

"A PHOENIX?" Poppy's eyes practically bulged out of her sockets. "Really!? Let's go there!"

I pointed her in the direction of the aviary, and she practically ran up the stairs to enter the vivarium.

Natty chuckled as she walked alongside me. "She might just move in here, you know."

I giggled in return. "I considered that risk, but she would have to leave to go to class eventually."

As Natty and I entered the aviary, I could already see Poppy cautiously approaching the phoenix. Natty touched my arm and froze in her tracks, "Is that dangerous?"

"Poppy once pet a dragon that I thought was going to kill us," I said, patting her on the back. "It's like beasts can sense her kindness."

Sure enough, the phoenix leaned in to Poppy's touch, and she began to stroke its feathers, grinning ear to ear.

I found a comfortable patch of grass and plopped down, stretching my legs out in front of me and leaning back on my hands. Natty followed suit, and we spent some time in companionable silence watching all sorts of birds fly by. After a couple of minutes, some curious diricrawls came over to inspect the newcomer next to me. It didn't take long for them to disappear and reappear on Natty's lap – and head. I couldn't help but laugh, and after shooting me a look, she cracked up too.

"This is amazing!" cried Poppy, running over to us. She had somehow gotten the attention of several birds, and they stayed perched on her open arms as she frolicked around. "I could stay here all day!"

"There are three other vivariums, remember?" Natty reminded her.

"Oh!" Poppy froze, and the assorted jobberknolls and fwoopers took off. "I nearly forgot!" She skipped towards the exit, eager to see the next habitat. "This is the best day ever!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After exploring all the vivariums together – aside from when Natty sat out of the swamp – we collapsed in the armchairs in the main room. Sandwiches and glasses of water appeared on the table in front of us, and I suddenly realized how hungry I was. We all greedily grabbed the food and began to eat.

Poppy sighed dreamily as she sat back in her seat. "I can't believe this place exists. It's like beast heaven. I can't wait to tell my gran – if that's okay," she sent me a nervous glance.

"Yes, you can, but I'd prefer if you tell her in person. I don't want any letters getting intercepted – I know most of the poachers have been dealt with, but it's still risky."

She nodded. "Good idea. Thank you."

"Yes, thank you," said Natty, raising her glass to lead us in cheers. "To Lyra, for letting us into her safe haven!"

I smiled as we clinked glasses. "You two are free to come here anytime you want," I said, "but just don't tell anyone else about this place. No one else knows besides you, Professor Weasley, Deek, and Ominis. I brought him here yesterday."

"Speaking of Ominis," said Natty with genuine curiosity, "how is that going? I take it he liked the broom ride."

I nodded and grinned at the memory. "He really did enjoy it; I'm glad I got Mr. Weekes to loan me that model," I absentmindedly ran my finger along the rim of my glass. "I don't think he would have sought me out the way I did him, but I also think he's grateful I did." I raised my eyes to meet their inquiring, patient glances. "I meant what I said before, I'm lucky I have you two. Your friendship just… came so naturally from the start." They both smiled at that, and I continued. "It wasn't the same with him, that's true, but I do truly consider him a friend."

Natty finished her sandwich, and then the look on her face grew mischievous. "Do you think he could be… more than a friend?"

"Oh, I don't know," I said, looking down at my plate, trying to hide a telltale blush.

"I think you would be a cute couple," Poppy interjected, "it sounds like you bring out the best in him."

I gave a long, deep sigh. "I… I suppose.." I gave a frustrated grunt, "sometimes I think I might have feelings for him, but I don't know! I had a small liking for Sebastian in the beginning of the year too, and look how that turned out!" I shook my head. "Not only that, but I genuinely enjoy his company, and I don't want to lose him. I don't want to go through that again."

Natty reached out and patted my knee. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to make you upset. But for the record, anyone who willingly walks away from you is an idiot."

"Here, here," said Poppy, giving me a small, but encouraging smile.

"You two are the best," I said empathetically, "and I'm happy I brought you here. But I think it's time we head back to our common rooms – I need a shower after being with these beasts all day."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I walked into my bedroom in Ravenclaw tower after taking a shower and found my barn owl perched by my bed. "Oh, hello Oscar," I said, stroking his feathers. "Do you have something for me?"

Oscar gave a soft hoot and seemed to gesture with his head toward my nightstand.

"A package! I'll have to admit," I said, walking to open the mail, "I thought it would be yet another letter asking for help with something. Let's see what it is."

I read the note on top of the package first:

Lyra,

My aunt Noctua gave this to me when I was young. I'd like you to have it.

Ominis

Short and to the point. My heart skipped a beat – just in anticipation, of course – and I opened the brown paper package to see a small crystal unicorn resting carefully inside some tissue paper. It was white, just like Hazel (though I understood Ominis wouldn't know that), and as I held it in my hands gently, I realized it was fragile. I put it on my dresser, close to the wall so it wouldn't fall off. I imagined a small Ominis holding this tight after his aunt gave it to him, then finding a good place to hide it so it would be safe. I stood there and smiled at it for a moment, until Oscar's hoot interrupted my happy thoughts. "I was not daydreaming! Sorry, love." I got him a treat from a compartment in my top drawer. When I offered it to him, he tilted his head at me.

I sighed and conceded. "I may have been daydreaming," I said, and, satisfied, Oscar ate the snack.