The Winter of 1981 [ENG]

BLACK LAKE

Theme music : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQdTu0IeVho

Early Winter 1891.

– Do you want to go to the ball with me ?

Under the grey subdued winter sky, the Clock Tower courtyard was alive with the chatter and laughter of groups of students, huddled in their warm scarves. Amongst them, a young lady stood nervously with an envelope slightly twisted between her fingers, in front of a charismatic wizard named Sebastian. Besides a smile described as charming, the sixth-year boy had grown in confidence as his jawline became more defined and his figure became slender and athletic.

– I've already have someone.

With this refusal, the girl left, quickly turning on her heels to disappear among the crowd of wizards in their cloaks, in the emblematic colors of their house or their exchange school. Ever since the ball was announced, it was no longer the first event of the Goblet of Fire tournament that was on everyone's lips, but rather : who to pick and invite for a dance partner ? And with the presence of students from Ilvermorny and Beauxbatons, the hustle and bustle of the castle had never been so omnipresent.

– You can't lie like that forever.

That sarcastic voice belongs to none other than Ominis,leaning against a stone pillar while his arms were crossed against his chest, on which a white shirt held his tie nicely knotted in the colors of Slytherin. He didn't hide his annoyance at all, an irritated look on his face that Sebastian knew (unfortunately) a little too well. He tried to justify himself :

– Well… it’s complicated.

Amongst the most popular guys, Sebastian was also popular for his dueling skills, not to mention that he had already broken the rules countless times ; because this reputation as a rebel gave all its salt to the attraction that the young charismatic sorcerer exercised on these young ladies. The latter did not miss a single opportunity to go and watch him play from the stands of the Quidditch stadium, since he had resumed his position as Beater (he had put the sport aside when he learned of his sister's illness). This is why, since the announcement of the Yule ball, it was sometimes impossible to share a moment with his friend.

– Ominis, you're my friend, you should be able to understand me. Right ?
– No. he answered coldly.

Ominis was drastically different from him. As the descendant of a high Pure-blood family, he felt like he was being treated as a curiosity at best, and rejected at worst ; like others only viewed him merely off his name. Which was especially true in the early years at Hogwarts. And even if time had been on his side (though he couldn't see it for himself), he was and remains the blind son of the Gaunts.

– Let's go out of here annoyed, the fair-haired wizard had spoken in a more guttural voice as he turned right into one of the courtyard alleys.

After six years, the two friends had formed a special bond despite their different origins and personalities, through many adventures and... misadventures. Sebastian had notably learned to know the words and gestures of Ominis, who had habits and quirks that he himself probably doesn't even know… When something irritates him, whether it's noise, people or just the atmosphere of a place, there are these little signs of expression visible on his face that mean it's time to go away or leave him alone.

– Ominis’ wish is my command !, Sebastian joked with a small smirk on his face, as they crossed the long wooden bridge that creaked occasionally under their feet, while two or three owls flew away as they passed.

Since that pinky promise in the South of Feldcroft, they had never returned to the Undercroft together. As if, by a tacit sub-agreement, they had decided to bury some memories from their old secret refuge. Because this was where they used to hang out together to talk, play games, study, practice spellcasting, … For Anne, it was a peaceful place. For Ominis, a place of isolation. And for Sebastian, it was his joyful discovery ! But since the start of the school year, the two wizards preferred to go to the cliffs overlooking the black lake below, far enough from the tumult at the castle, while Sebastian missed Anne more ; he had the impression that she was nothing more than a ghost, barely present in his life now.

As they followed the path, created by the regular passage of wizards, repetitive sounds coming from Honking Daffodils brought back a memory to Ominis :

– By the way, was that you for the chairs thing ?
– What ?
– Don’t play dumb with me. I’m talking about Marxus and his friends. Every time they sat down somewhere, it caused loud squeaking noises... You must be the one at the origin of all this !

Marxus and his friends were a group of Slytherins one year above them. Although they never showed them hostility, they were rather obnoxious with their esteem for the Pure-Blood instilled by their parents ; a Slytherin stereotype they contribute to. That's the reason why this tragic "accident" of the "farting chairs" made the duelist with the disheveled hair laugh, who remembered it as if it had happened just now.

– Unfortunately, it's not me,, he answered negatively, Although I would have liked to have that merit.
– Really ?, Ominis' tone was suspicious.
– This time, it was Garreth's move. Even if I think it was unintentionally. I don't really know how he managed to somehow pull off such a thing. Poor Marxus must be afraid he won't find a dance partner after this humiliation !

At his words, he obtained a fleeting smile out of Ominis as they walked side by side closer to the lake, Where they amused themselves by making as many ricochets as possible on the surface of the cold water. Like two good friends who had nothing left to hide from each other...

At least, that's what they thought.