Two
The next time it happened was, surprisingly (or unsurprisingly), caused by Mr. Ominis Gaunt.
After visiting Feldcroft and meeting Anne, Henry found multiple devastatingly dysfunctional things about the Sallow family. Solomon’s treatment of Sebastian, the death of the Sallow parents, Anne’s curse, Sebastian’s reckless abandon to cure her, and simply how fractured the dynamic was in general. It all made Henry cringe as he’d never had a twin, but to see any of his siblings in the sorts of pain that the Sallow twins were in(on either side) would’ve caused him a great deal of pain, too. He wondered about playing Devil’s Advocate for this one, mainly due to the pig-headedness of the Sallow men against reason.
Anne seemed to be the only mediator within the family, and she had given up hope for her condition. Merlin, what a mess.
Henry’s eyebrows shot up when he got a letter from Ominis that, somehow, politely demanded that Henry meet him in the Undercroft, which was… something, considering Henry had worked to keep himself away from the Undercroft when Ominis was near. It still felt like he was intruding. The social implications of the situation weren’t something Henry was overly eager to acquaint himself with.
Of course, we’re now throwing social implications out of the window, Henry realized with a small amount of anxiety as he took the stairs as quietly as possible. It was very much past curfew, and he was sure that he’d made it this far because not many people meander around the Astronomy Tower near the Room of Requirement this late. Speaking of which, that begged the question of why Ominis was up this late…
Henry puffed an even breath and refused to rush to the Undercroft. He’d get his answers soon enough, he suspected.
Crossing the stairwell to go down, Henry stuck close to the wall when he heard a nearing bout of voices. Disillusionment cloaking him and crouching behind a golden statue, he watched as two ghosts flew by, one chasing the other angrily as the evader cried out apologies. They were too wrapped up in their own predicament even to notice Henry, so he kept the spell going and rounded the corner quickly, took the stairs down by two, and sharply took a right to hide himself behind the wall.
Merlin’s beard Henry hated sneaking around the castle after curfew. Too stressful. He usually slept in the Room of Requirement if he was up too late.
He let out a breath of relief and ease when the Undercroft door sealed shut behind him and he could uncloak himself. However, he could hear murmurs from down the hall, to which he followed the bricks and into the large chamber.
Ominis was pacing in the center, close to the pillar that Sebastian had leaned against as he showed Henry the best spell imaginable. Confringo had certainly saved his hind a few times over.
“Ominis?” Henry called, clearing his throat as it made an odd croaking sound. Damn vocal creaks, this didn’t happen until four years ago. “I got your owl, though it’s a bit odd for you to message me for anything, I must say.” A half-smile formed on Henry’s face as Ominis halted and turned to him, a stern look on his face.
“What exactly happened when you went to Feldcroft with Sebastian?” Henry paused a few steps away from Ominis, trying to gather his thoughts.
“We went to see Anne.” Ominis huffed in annoyance that nearly had Henry turn a little barbed.
“Yes, obviously, but Sebastian has been pestering me lately about… something I find to be bad taste, and it only increased in events when you two got back from Feldcroft.” Ah, Henry sees what he’s asking now.
“Sebastian’s uncle attempted to convince him that there was no cure for Anne and Sebastian wouldn’t budge. They argued, then Anne had an… episode, Sebastian’s uncle blamed him, and they both left the house to blow off some steam. Though…” Henry scanned Ominis’ expression, “I don’t think any of that is surprising to you.”
Ominis’ shoulders wilted a little in their perfect form at the comment, and he shook his head after a moment, “...it is not. Would you… tell me if he does anything reckless?” Henry considered this for only a second.
“If it will ease your conscience, Ominis.”
“It most definitely would.” Yes, Henry could see that. He could also see how dearly Ominis cared for his friend. Even if from a stiff and stern disposition, Ominis was concerned for the twins, and in the way he spoke heavily about them, his voice dripping with worry and sincerity. Henry found it admirable to be so guarded and yet care so much. Yes, Henry could come to admire Ominis Gaunt should they be spending more time together.
I do hope that’s the case.
They stood there then, Ominis clearly lost in thought, and Henry felt it would be a waste of Ominis’ receptive mood to leave after the short conversation.
“Why are you up so late?” Henry settled on, pulling himself up on a nearby crate and leaning against one of the pillars behind him.
“Why are you?” Ominis shot back.
“Because I have things to take care of.” The simplest truth.
“What sorts of things?” Henry paused, wondering how honest he should be here. It wasn’t like he was going out of his way to keep the Room of Requirement a secret, he just thought it was no one else’s business. That, and Ominis had made a few comments about going to the headmaster should Henry do something he didn’t like. This was the deciding factor.
“Personal things.”
“Took you a moment to reply, then.”
“I was wondering how much I wanted to say.”
Quiet settled over the two before Ominis’ pacing had slowed. He leaned against the exact same pillar Sebastian had settled against when he introduced the Undercroft to Henry.
“I didn’t want Sebastian to hear my questioning about what happened today. The only time I could get this time alone was late,” Ominis told Henry, who found it believable. Sebastian could get… defensive, he’d noticed. “Have you told anyone about the Undercroft?”
“I said I wouldn’t.”
“You didn’t answer my question.” Henry sighed.
“No, Ominis, I haven’t told anyone. It’s not my place to.”
“Good, that’s… that’s good.” Quiet blanketed the room once more, and this time, Henry felt a little uncomfortable in the presence of Ominis alone. Though being so tired distracted any propriety Henry had planned, he felt he didn’t belong at Hogwarts when standing next to someone like Ominis. He didn’t feel like he belonged much anyway, but Henry was all but an intruder next to those who had been here for years and gotten to know one another, their strengths and weaknesses, and their favorite classes and houses since 10 or 11. One that felt like an accident more than anything.
Who am I, to be here and wield magic with people who dream of having and studying? Who am I to walk these grand halls with this well-fitting clothing and dream about a career in magic? Who am I to believe my life will belong to anything but the raising of my siblings so they can be great? He sighed at the swirl of questions and morose line of thinking. Truly, the self-loathing didn’t help but exhaust him anymore, but when he was so weary, his mental defenses weren’t as strong as they usually were.
“He talks about you a lot, you know,” Ominous interrupted Henry’s thinking. Pushing his hair back from his face, Henry looked up to see Ominis eyeing him. “Says you’re not like anything he’s ever met.” A moment of unease settled in Henry at those words. Sebastian hadn’t shared my secret with Ominis, had he?
“I’m nothing special, just good at defensive spells,” Henry shrugged, trying to pick out the truth in plain words. Half-truths kept him safe from judgment.
“I don’t believe you.”
“Seems to be a common occurrence, so you’ll forgive me if that doesn’t bother me,” Henry replied with no small amount of snark, some of it for fear of being found out. Sebastian only knows because he saw it with his own eyes during the troll attack. There was no way to lie about what someone saw, especially someone very confident in their own reality. Sebastian hadn’t taken any sort of evasive conversation or topic on the matter.
“I know what I saw, and it was brilliant! You won’t be able to convince me otherwise with your fancy words.” He’d said, as Henry tried to deflect, a self-assured smile on his freckled cheeks.
“Then don’t give me so many reasons to be suspicious,” Ominis replied cooly.
“Y’know what, Ominis,” Henry let out a long breath before continuing, “you’ve been a real pain in my arse, and that’s saying a lot because I’ve got a lot of wand-wielding pains right now. Though I appreciate how much you care about your friend, so I can’t dislike you too much. But whatever this is between us has got to stop.”
“What do you suggest then?”
“The three of us go out into Hogsmeade this weekend, not to plan anything about Anne’s situation or encourage reckless pursuits, but just as friends.”
“What makes you think I’m your friend?”
And with that, Henry threw his hands up and jumped off the crate, “Okay, fine then, we’re not friends, and you don’t like me. No attempts at compromise whatsoever. Next time, just send me a letter of how much of a bad person you think I am instead of calling me down here to degrade me, yeah? It would be more considerate of both of our time.” The last line was raised a couple of levels above his usual volume as Henry strode out of the Undercroft. His jaw clenched, and his temper was flaring for a moment.
Henry had tried to be diplomatic and companionable. He’d tried, but that was all he could do; it wasn’t in his hands anymore. With a snap through the air, his wand released the entry to the Undercroft. Henry let it click shut behind him as he plastered himself against the wall next to the cabinet-like entryway.
Breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. He briefly dug his nails into his hands to ground himself before releasing frustration. It would do well to be left alone for a few days.
So that’s what he did.
He went to classes and greeted those next to him. He went to the Room of Requirement, studied any leads on Ranrok or Rookwood, and cared for any magical creatures. He took four-hour naps to replenish any energy and repeated. He refused to speak to Sebastian until he could keep his emotions under control enough not to march up to Sebastian and tell him to keep his friend under control. To do so would be unfair to Sebastian.
What are the consequences of relinquishing all burdens of morality? Henry asked himself bitterly as he made an invisibility potion in one of the stations. Even now, he couldn’t summon the energy to be genuinely frustrated. So instead, he focused on his potions until the sound of plopping footsteps echoed from one of the vivarium halls, and Deek’s voice called from above.
“Uh, Master Henry, sir,” “It’s just Henry, Deek,” “Did you perhaps find a beast on your recent adventures?” Henry paused at the question, gently taking the ladle out of the cauldron and recalling when he had last been out.
“Not that I remember, Deek, why?”
“Well, Deek was sweeping up the floors and found small, dirty paw-prints, sir. Maybe a niffler or a mooncalf got out? It is no bird.” Henry cursed under his breath and immediately started towards his forest-clearing vivarium. Contrary to popular belief, mooncalves could be as mischievous as the nifflers if they’ve grown bored. This has happened if Henry doesn’t summon a new ball for them to play with in the event that they lose the previous one.
“I’ll do a head count of the small beasts in the vivariums while you search the halls, okay, Deek?”
“Yes, sir!” A white light flooded Henry’s vision, and he felt the world around him shift into a cool breeze and soft grass under his feet. Henry immediately whistled a few sharp notes as soon as he got used to the change. He held a couple of galleons out from his pockets and waited for the nifflers to come out of their burrow under one of the large tree roots at the edge of the clearing. The mooncalves were in their stone den under the small rock cliff, and they poked their heads out at his call.
It was sunset in the vivarium(though the nights didn’t last very long), so the mooncalves just woke up as they blearily scampered toward him.
They weren’t typically rambunctious mid-day, only in the mornings, late afternoons, or nights. This was concluded as Henry found both mooncalves as they should be. The nifflers… however. With a sharp eye, he could see only four, which was a problem… as he had six.
Even after Henry had made a loop around the place, the nifflers leaping at him to get a grab for the galleons, he found no sign of the two he’d lost. With a sigh, he handed a galleon to the four that had appeared when he’d called.
“Why did you four let Pilfer and Baer leave? Why? How did they even… get… Blast my school bag.” One of the rules Henry had set for himself was to keep his school bag out of the vivariums so none of the beasts got into the various amounts of items he was carrying on his person at all times. Henry bolted out of the vivarium, eyes snapping around the room.
“Deek Pilfer and Baer got out, the nifflers. Look around at the shiny things.” This was annoying as there were many shiny things in the chambers of the ever-expanding room.
“I have one of them, sir!” Deek appeared at the bottom of one of the stairs.
“Which- oh, Baer.” Henry lifted the golden niffler from Deek’s thin arms and tucked him against his chest. “Baer, I expected this of Pilfer but not you.” A small squeak came from the furry puddle in his arms, and Henry held him out, “Oh no, you’re not getting any sort of treat for getting out.” Baer kicked his little feet in the air as Henry held him aloft, clearly indignant. Henry stared at him, completely unamused. Baer finally huffed and sunk against Henry’s hold, to which the young wizard nodded finally and held the niffler against his chest again.
Baer snuffled against his robes, clawing up his shoulder and plopping into Henry’s hood. The weight tugged a little uncomfortable against his neck and shoulders, but he found it preferable for his hunt for PIlfer. With a few shuffles and shifts, Baer let out a huff and tucked in.
“Seems the niffler is tired, sir,” Deek pointed out as he marveled at the menace. Henry hummed.
“So it seems. His escapes must have exhausted him. Maybe he’ll learn his lesson this time.”
“Deek doubts it.”
“You and me both, Deek,” Henry replied before shifting his eyes around the room. “Now, we have one more niffler on the loose, and she’s the one I wish we’d found first.”
“Oh?”
“Pilfer,” Henry let out a great sigh as he told the elf, “a right menace, that one is. Fortunately, I’m certain I know where she is.” As he finished the last sentence, he heard scuffling from near the loom and swiveled around. “Or not?” Seems she wasn’t in his bag like he anticipated. No, not by a long shot. “Ah, I see.” Henry lifted his wand from its holder.
“Oh dear,” Deek muttered as he followed Henry’s eyeline.
Pilfer, as Henry had taken to calling her due to his lack of creativity in a name at the time, was currently sitting atop the loom, digging through a small sack of galleons that Henry was probably paid. Her bright blue fur stood out in sharp contrast to the dark wood of the enchanted loom, so Henry was unimpressed with himself for not noticing her sooner. He was sure she had been watching them the entire time and was thoroughly impressed with herself as she halted to make eye contact with him and scrambled to shove the rest of his money into her pouch.
“I’m going to give you one chance to come down there, young lady,” Henry threatened, wand pointed towards the ground. While Pilfer had no trauma from wizards like most of his other beasts, Henry wasn’t often inclined to point his wand at them either way. Pilfer snuffed at him, nose jerked up in defiance. The only reason he hadn’t taken the niffler to be given to a loving home was because he was sure she’d get out and cause a ruckus. Better for her to stay in the vivarium. “Pilfer, I am not above getting you down the easy way,” he held up his wand.
Her eyes narrowed.
There was no way Henry would be outdone by a pesky niffler.
Three things happened at once.
Accio aided Henry in securing Pilfer to his arm, the door to the Room of Requirement swung open, and someone fell in with a yelp as Henry and Deek peeked around the corner towards the stairway.
Pilfer scrabbled and squeaked in the confusion, slipping out of Henry’s arms and bolting towards the doorway.
“Why you-!” Henry called, arms reaching out to grab her again before he found she had halted next to the person pulling themselves off the floor. Her little paws were messing with bright blond hair and- wait. “Ominis?”
Henry stopped as he spoke, eyebrows shot up and standing still, a few aborted steps away from the pair. He was torn between keeping his distance and grabbing that menace before she caused him any more stress for the night.
“Wh- …Henry?” Ominous grumbled, hands running over the ground before grasping his wand. Henry hummed, eyeing Ominis as he ran a hesitant hand over Pilfer, who was in his lap, trying to reach up for his hair.
“Here, let me…” Henry crossed the floor and bent down to grab Pilfer from Ominis, holding her by the scruff so she couldn’t escape his arms. He helped Ominis off the floor with his other hand, which was when he got a good look at his face.
Silver-fogged eyes were red-rimmed, and hair was undone from its usual slicked-back nature. He didn’t look nearly as put together as he always did. The red of his eyes and nose tip stood out against Ominis’ pale skin, and Henry clenched his jaw to refrain from commenting on it. The Slytherin boy held his wand out to the Room of Requirement, confusion written across his weary features.
Tired, a voice spoke in the back of Henry’s mind, he’s tried.
“Where is this place?”
“It’s the Room of Requirement, near the top of the atronomy tower. You… have to require something to- for it to appear before you,” Henry explained as clearly as he could. “What… were you thinking about when you walked down the hall?” Ominous was silent in the face of the question and Henry could hazard a few guesses as to what Ominis was thinking about due to his state. So Henry filled in by telling him how he used the room as a way to catch up on his schoolwork away from the castle and its students. It was quiet and isolated from the outside world, a haven of sorts.
As Henry described all of what was in the Room of Requirement, he led Ominis to a couch in front of a window upstairs. He paused next to it and glanced down at the niffler in his arms - Pilfer had run her energy down by her struggles, so she resigned herself to the comfort of Henry’s arms to nap.
“I’m going to take my nifflers back to their den and be right back. You’re… welcome to sit down here. I’ll be quick.” With that, Henry barely saw Ominis’ small nod before hurrying down the stairs and towards his clearing vivarium. It was night in the vivarium, the breeze chillier now that the sun was under the hills, and Henry took the time to compose himself.
As he let Pilfer down at the mouth of the niffler den, he lightly scolded her, “No more sneaking out through my school bag, I know you did and…” reaching back and pulling his hood to get a hold of a snoring Baer, Henry set the second niffler down, “don’t convince Baer to come with you. No- do not give me that flat look. You know he wouldn’t have gone on his own, and you’re being a bad influence.”
She scuffled her feet a few times as she followed Baer into the den, and he felt like she was just trying to be difficult by that point. But then again, that was just how she was.
“Alright, Henry, enough stalling,” Henry told himself as he dragged himself towards the exit.
He found Ominis right where he’d left him, sitting upright and still on the couch in front of the window(one Henry was sure wasn’t real, but it did tell him when it was night or day out). Despite seeing nothing out of them, he could tell it was probably past dinner time just by how dark the windows were. Ominis’ back was against the arm, and Henry could only see his side profile from the top of the stairs. The dim lights hid the redness of his eyes a little more, but that didn’t deter Henry from gently taking a seat across from him.
“I wanted to say that, should you still want to, I… would be interested in taking up your offer to go to Hogsmeade. I also apologize for how I acted that night. It’s no excuse, but I am worried about Sebastian.” Henry took a moment to roll the words over in his mind before nodding.
“I accept your apology, and, for the record, I would be glad to hang out with you two this weekend.” Henry tried to think if he had anything to apologize for, but he knew that his guilt would let him know if he needed to apologize for something. He prided himself in being rather good at knowing when he needed to apologize.
It was quiet for a few moments more, both of them sat upon the couch, facing one another. This one wasn’t so charged as the bouts of quiet that struck the Undercroft those few nights ago. It was a thoughtful quiet, filled only by the passing of breaths. Henry traced Ominis’ profile in those moments, aware that Ominis probably felt his eyes.
With a small nose, sharp cheekbones, and thin eyebrows, Ominis looked every bit of the 15- maybe 16-year-old that he was. Perhaps even younger. Especially with how he kept to the corner of the couch, molding with the arm and red-rimmed eyes, grasping his wand like a comfort item. Henry kept his thoughts to himself, but he did think. He felt that, at this moment, he could see Ominis clearly. Henry could see what burdened shoulders looked like and knew how worry lines could become accessories for the weary and compassionate.
“I was thinking about how I wanted somewhere quiet but not silent. I would have-” Ominis stopped himself, clamped his lips together tightly as if to prohibit any more words from leaving unauthorized. Perhaps he remembered who he was with. Henry felt the sudden and iron-welded urge to help.
“Well, this place is certainly that.” The enchanted weaving of the loom and its creaking noises, the owl on his desk ruffling his feathers every few minutes, Deek’s sweeping or reading - it was all quiet in the Room of Requirement, but it was never silent. There was the company of magic, and its presence permeated the entire space. “I’m going to ask what’s wrong, but don’t feel pressed to answer.”
“As I won’t.”
“Okay, then, is there anything I can do to help?” Ominis furrowed his eyebrows, his face pinched in confusion or contemplation. Nothing about him seemed as decisive and strong-willed as Henry was used to. The Gryffindor decided to help him out. “I can make tea or hot cocoa. You can pet one of the nifflers or Kneazles if that would help. I have books I can read aloud, I miss reading aloud to my younger siblings.” Henry mused, talking quietly to aid in Ominis’ wish for, from what Henry could tell, undemanding companionship. He was about to stop before quickly adding, “You can stay the night if you’d like. I do sometimes.”
“Personal things,” Ominis murmured.
Henry hummed in inquiry.
“When I asked why you were up so late, you told me you had personal things to attend to.” Smart, Henry reveled. Some part of him found Ominis’ intelligence refreshing, while another was worried for what he may find out too soon(if ever).
Now, Ominis wasn’t technically asking a question, but Henry wouldn’t terrorize the poor boy with technicalities tonight.
“Oh, yes, I’m usually here. Now,” Henry reiterated, “what would make you more comfortable.”
“I’m quite fine as I am,” was the curt reply. Two could play that game. Henry refused to be out-stubborned by Ominis when it came to taking care of the Slytherin. Ominis may not have wanted Henry’s company specifically, but he had it now, and Henry was adamant about being welcoming company.
“Which is alright, if I asked how I can help you be more ‘fine’. I did not,” Henry’s lips quirked up at Ominis’ eye-roll. “I’m going to make two cups of cocoa, now if you prefer tea, you’d better tell me now. Because I’m going to make a second cup regardless and it would sure be a shame to waste it.” Henry’s gotta admit, Ominis had a grumbling pout that rivaled many. It was impressive, he would go as far as to say.
But eventually, he got his answer.
“If it’s no trouble, then I wouldn’t mind the cocoa.” Henry hummed.
“Well, that saves me an extra trip.”
Henry had reserved one of the oven tables specifically for cooking. A clean cauldron and a shelf of clean dishes atop it. He murmured a thanks to Deek, who had possibly overheard some of their conversation, as he’d appeared with a glass bottle of milk. Henry was quick to warm the milk on the heated surface before stirring the chocolate to melt in each cup.
He returned shortly, his steps even up the stairs, and ensured that his steps were heavy-heeled. It was after he handed Ominis his mug and sat that the Slytherin blurted out, “Are you not wearing any shoes?” Henry stopped mid-sip of his own mug, eyes shooting down to where his bare feet were crossed under himself.
“...no?” Henry felt the sudden urge to defend himself.
“Did you lose your shoes?”
“What-? No, I just… don’t like wearing them?” Ominis blinked.
“What about glass? What if you get something stuck in your foot? What about germs and disease? Do people not believe you to be odd?” Henry snickered as he set his mug on the jutted-out windowsill behind the couch.
“I’ve done it since I was a child, and nothing has happened besides a few scrapes. Besides,” Henry shrugged, “are shoes not imprisoning?” Ominis was quiet once more for a few moments. Then, he made a cut-off noise in his throat. Henry thought he was disgusted with his oddity before realizing it was a low chuckle. Henry’s lips parted in surprise at the sound, finding himself to appreciate it more than he expected. Laughter suited Ominis, he should do it more.
“I see,” Ominis replied, a small smile on his lips. Henry grinned despite himself, deciding to reach for his mug once more as the pale boy lifted his own drink. He was even more glad when Ominis’ eyes widened. “This is… very good.”
“It has milk instead of water,” Henry informed him as he drank some of his own sweet drink.
They settled into each other’s company once more, taking sips of their drinks. Henry was very pleased to find that Ominis appeared more comfortable than at any other time in his presence. Felt as though something pleasantly new was formed when Ominis stumbled upon Henry’s space. Even now, as Ominis asked about the nifflers and Henry explained how two of them had escaped the vivarium using his school bag, the pale boy appeared more in awe of the room itself(and hopefully all Henry had accomplished with it).
After many, many conversations and long moments of quietly sipping at drinks, Henry felt his eyes grow tired. It was the most social interaction he’d had in days and it was… comforting. Perhaps they had helped one another in this instance.
As Henry handed the dirty mugs to Deek and insisted that the elf go to bed(“Seriously Deek, if you don’t go to bed then you won’t get to see the baby nifflers when they’re born. You’ve done more than enough today, thank you.”), Ominis spoke up once more.
“Sometimes, people do not appreciate my presence,” he quietly admitted. “I believe this is at some fault of my family and some fault of my own. The jeers grow tiring after a long week and I admit your space here has been very calming.” He turned his face towards Henry, who was surprised to find that Ominis’ eyes were locked onto his own. “I am most grateful for your company.”
“I- uh, yeah, Ominis, of course,” Henry’s words tumbled from his lips, stricken by the sincerity coating them, “you’ve been welcome company too. You’re welcome here anytime, even if I’m not here. Besides,” Henry got his shaking hands under control as he finished, “it’s only fair that you know where my secret place is since I know yours. We’re even now.”
Ominis hummed quietly, a small smile still holding the corners of his lips and his body truly settled since stumbling upon the room. Henry found that he wouldn’t mind spending time with Ominis outside of class in any case.
“By the way” Henry grinned sharply, “and I do expect you to tell me who has the gall to bother you so.”
“Oh I’m not so-.”
“Ominis you’re not going to win this battle, I’ll stalk you should I need to.”
“I can take care of myself,” came Ominis’ terse reply.
“I know,” Henry agreed, “I find you to be terribly strong-willed and independent. But my point is that you don’t have to. That is, under the assumption that we are friends now, yes?” As Ominis considered this, Henry found that he had a couple of good reasons to hang out with Ominis now. Sebastian, a new friend, some good banter, and to exact just how much he didn’t appreciate bullies.
Superiority is the murderer of unity and the appreciation of those who are ‘odd’. Henry did not find anyone in this school to be superior to another. He, especially, didn’t find anyone to be shunning Ominis or Lousia in any way that so much as implied that they were superior. Oh no, people were all horrendously human in variability, Henry would straighten out anyone who assumed they were above one he considered a friend(or a friend of a friend).
“Yes,” Ominis concluded, “I wouldn’t mind being friends.”
“Good,” Henry nodded as he settled back into the couch, watching the ceiling of the room of requirement sparkle with fake, but alluring, stars. “Neither do I.”