The Winter of 1981 [ENG]

To play truant

Theme music : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8AYzPxr_SE

Monday December 14, 1981. [POV Sebastian]

Tick-tock. The pendulum of the Hogwarts clock swung slowly from right to left. Outside, the winter air reminded everyone that the end-of-year festivities were slowly but surely approachingas Professor Binns, during his history of magic class, was still speaking with his ghostly voice to anyone who would still listen... But honestly, all the students were fidgeting impatiently in their seats, some scribbling half-hearted notes and drawings on their parchment, others struggling in vain to stay awake.

Sebastian Pallow was not amongst them.

The troublemaker duelist had found a completely different place, hidden from the prying eyes. He preferred to use this time for something other than listening to an incessant flood of battles and revolts. « It's more of a punishment than an education » he complained the few times he attended this class. Because Professor Binns, who never seemed to notice if anyone was listening – or present – ​​was the perfect teacher to play truant.

Tick-tock. It was exactly four o'clock.

Sebastian tucked several pieces of scribbled parchment into his robe pocket. Obviously it was obviously not a homework or even some gadget from Zonko ; It was a personal project he was working on, and it required both time and thought. Finally, he confidently walked along several corridors until he reached the bell tower wing where he spotted an oblong silhouette on the stones of the cold floor.

He immediately recognized the blond-haired student lying there. His green cloak served as a makeshift blanket, as her cheek was crushed against his arm. He was in the middle of a nap. Such a strange scene for first-year students was completely normal for Sebastian. He was used to his blind friend sleeping problems.

- Hey, Ominis...?, he whispered as he crouched down next to him, while a few cats slept curled around him for some body warmth.

A first tabby cat slept next to his chest, as if the fair-haired wizard had always been its master. A second black one was sleeping with its paws tucked under its body (a beautiful loaf cat), while the third one formed a perfectly round ball, in his back. With a mischievous smile, Sebastian pulled one of the felines so that its soft fur tickled the tip of Ominis' nose, with the peaceful sleeping face – while his face seemed ominous to some, it seemed quite the opposite to Sebastian, like something very wised, and particularly gentle when he slept.

- Minnie, he called again barely above a whisper, Your feline army is waiting for orders !

The cat purred happily at the attention, and Ominis stirred, a slight smile crossing his lips before he woke up. Sebastian hurried to monopolize the discussion, expecting his friend to say something about him playing truant :

– Isn't that Poppy's cat ?

Ominis shrugged as an answer. Although he seemed to care little for these animals, Sebastian knew very well that he had a particular soft spot for cats and Kneazles, he even lends them pieces of his cape so they can take a nap in it. Once awake, the three animals yawned before starting to clean themselves. Despite the fatigue, Ominis made a pertinent remark.

- Lately you've been absent a lot... As if you were planning one of your bad ideas.
- It's mostly that Professor Binns is too boring ! I don't think I'm going to be able to stand him until the end of the year !
– Hm. And do you also plan to miss Hecat’s class ?

Ominis raised his face slightly in the direction of his interlocutor, his ear towards where the cheerful voice seemed to reach him, and he revealed a red mark on his cheek caused by the fold of his cape. Sebastian had to restrain himself from bursting out laughing.

- Come on, of course not ! I came to get you so we could go together !

Sebastian's outstretched hand was ignored, intentionally or not, by Ominis who stood up without his help while the cats finally went off to do their thing (probably to sleep somewhere else, to chase after enchanted grains of dust or even some ghosts with curiosity). The awakened wizard took out his wand. It helped him move with incredible precision, like a kind of magic sonar. But that was without counting on his best friend who pretended to be offended to grab his arm in purpose, and guide him at his pace in the South wing.

Without being able to put a word on it, Sebastian was lost between a deep feeling of gratitude and guilt since he had realized this summer to what extent Ominis, despite his blindness, had always watched over him throughout their years at Hogwarts. Whenever he was into trouble, his friend was usually the first to help him, even if it meant getting dragged into screwed-up plans (where he had to get him out of a sticky situation with teachers or stop him from going too far with Dark Arts...). And despite his constant recklessness, the blond wizard had never abandoned him. Not even on this shore south of Feldcroft, when he could have cut ties for good.

Especially since he was his oldest and closest friend at Hogwarts ; the absence of her sister Anne being painful enough as it was. That’s why, as if to return the favor, Sebastian was guiding him, arm in arm, through the castle while talking to him about the vicissitudes of student life. And Ominis followed him blindly, particularly silent.

– By the way ! Tomorrow is the last winter match between Slytherin and Hufflepuff !
- Mh ?
- You'll come, obviously ?, it was a rhetorical question because Ominis never attends Quidditch games for obvious reasons.
– Sebastian. Hearing your big head fall to the ground every quarter of an hour is far from captivating.