Ginger
POV Ominis
When I woke up the next day, it was after a nightmare. The same picture of me torturing these muggles, followed by the picture of Sebastian murdering his Uncle with the death curse, Anne in distress. Why is he haunting my nightmares ? Maybe I felt guilty, I felt like I could have prevented Solommon’s death, that I could have stopped my friend before it was too late. Or could I ? Sebastian is pretty stubborn. Did I try my best to help him ? To stop him ? I think I felt responsible for his actions, even though I tried so hard to warn him, I felt responsible for him knowing so much about dark magic. Although I refused to use it, I knew a lot on the subject, and whenever Sebastian would ask me about it, (before Anne got cursed) I genuinely thought he wanted to know more to understand my background, my history. Then my thoughts drifted to Anne. I wrote to her recently and I was waiting for her letter. I just hope she was not suffering too much. Maybe I also feel guilty because I haven’t been able to convince Anne to see her brother again. So I got dressed. We didn’t have to wear a uniform here, unlike Hogwarts. So it made it more difficult for me to get dressed. I didn’t have many clothes, just a few trousers, black or white T-shirts, and my leather jacket.
When I went for breakfast, I sat with Sebastian, who was eating so much it felt like he hadn’t eaten in weeks.
Edmund decided to sit with us this morning, followed by Cassandra.
- « Hey guys, sleep well ? Asked Cassandra.
I didn’t dare answer, nor did Sebastian. So there was a long silence between all of us, and Edmund and Cassandra looked at eachother, confused.
- « Ok ... So what are you guys up to today ? »
- « Well I’m going to train, how about you guys ? » asked Sebastian.
- « We’re gonna head to the library to study, then maybe practise our spells later » answered Cassandra speaking for herself and Edmund.
- « What about you Ominis ? » asked Cassandra.
I wasn’t listening. I was wondering were Valerian was, was she here in the room eating breakfast ? Or getting ready for the day ? If she was still in her room, then she might be getting dressed. My mind drifted to the vision of her taking her night gown off, slowly, leaving her bare soft skin exposed. And I could feel chills run through my entire body. Just the thought of her got me in such a state ! Like I had no conrol over my mind nor my body. I felt like I was going mad.
- « Ominis ? Are you listening ? » sais Sebastian.
And I was brought back to reality within secconds. I felt embarassed thinking about her that way, especially with frends around. And it wasn’t very gentleman of me. So I couldn’t help but blush.
- « I’m sorry what were you saying ? » I asked still feeling dazzed by my thoughts.
- « I said mail’s here, look there’s an owl right in front of you » he responded.
- « Oh… oh » the first oh was an oh surprised, but the second oh was a deeper oh. As in oh dear. The letter the owl gave me was from Anne. I knew it as I recognised the sent around the enveloppe and the texture of it. But I couldn’t tell Sebatian as Anne didn’t want me to. I wish she would change her mind. I hadn’t told her yet that Sebastian was attending my school, that we were on speaking terms again. How hard it was for him not to see his siter.
At this moment, I didn’t quite know how to react, but I had to act fast. Should I hide the letter ? Should I just put it on the table and ignore it ? What should I do ? I started panicking. And if there is one thing I clearly can’t do, is hide my feelings because it just showed on my face apparently.
- « Would you like me to read that letter for you Ominis ? » asked Sebastian innocently.
- « No ! » I blurted shouting. I realised that perhaps I had said it to loud as the room fell silent. « I mean, not just now thanks. » And I quickly put it into my pocket inside my jacket before he could take notice of the handwriting.
- « You’re acting weird. Who’s that letter from ? » he asked.
I didn’t respond.
- « Ominis ? » insisted Sebastian in a deeper voice .
- « A woman ok ? » I said quite roughly. I panicked and that’s the first thing that came out of my mouth. It was true after all, Anne was a woman.
- « What woman ? Who is she ? » he was becoming very insistant raising his voice.
- « Come on Sebastian, Ominis is allowed some secrets, even from you. Give him a break. Maybe he’s courting a woman and he doesn’t want you to read aloud the juicy details ! » he said as he winked to Sebastian.
I din’t know which was worse, Sebastian finding out the letter was from his sister, or Sebastian believing that I was courting a woman by correspondance.
After reflexion, maybe the second option was for the best.
Sebastian didn’t say anything. I could still feel his gaze upon me though. I would have to find someone else to read that letter for me. I could ask Natsai, after all she was the one reading my letters after Sebastian had left.
After breakfast was over, I thought I would go to the duelling court outside with Sebastian. I wanted to find out how he had improved while he was away. Away doing what by the way ? What had he been up to all this time ? Maybe I should ask him. I wondered if I really wanted to know the answer. No doubt he continued looking for a cure for Anne.
- « You coming Ominis ? » asked Sebastian.
- « Yeah, I’ll meet you there. I just need to do something first. » I answered. And by something first, I meant finding Natsai so she could read the letter to me.
I could feel Sebastian was still standing there, not moving. I could just imagin his face, staring at me as if to ask what I was up to, or maybe he was just wondering about the letter. And on that note, I decided to leave before he could ask anymore questions.
- « See you there » I answered as I left quickly.
It wasn’t always easy finding someone. Natsai had a yellow shadow, and that’s what I was looking for, but she wasn’t the only one to have a yellow shadow, so I had to listen carefully. As I was walking, I picked up another sent, one very familiar now. The ginger sent : Valerian. She was nearby. I could feel my stomach fluttering. I was unsure of what I should do. I was looking for Natsai, but for once Sebastian was not around, it could be a good opportunity to talk to her alone. I wanted to get to know her better, and I also wanted to know more about the way she lost her sight. Dark magic, I wondered what she meant by that.
As I was hesitating, probably standing in the middle of everyone’s way trying to make up my mind, I heard her voice.
- « Ominis ? » As I heard my name, I felt my blood pumping through my veins and body was on fire. « I can smell you. Where are you ? » she asked.
Now that’s something I was not use to hearing. I was usually the one saying this, but hearing it from someone else was weird.
- « Let me come to you. I can see your colour. » I told her.
As I was approaching her, my wand was giving me the right signals telling me when I should stop advancing, so I wouldn’t bump into her, but the only thing I wanted to do right now was pretending I wouldn’t know when to stop (like a true blind person) until I could touch her. How I’d love to go for that, but I decided it wouldn’t be wise. So I stopped right in front of her instead.
- « Ah, there you are. Hi. » she said and I could feel by the way she was talking that she was smilling.
- « H … hi. » I greeted her shyly yet with a grin.
- « So, you can see my colour you said. You did mention yesterday that you could see people’s shadow with colours. That’s very interesting ! » she said all exited.
- « And you can’t ? » It was a genuine question, I assumed that all blind wizards could see shadow colours.
- « No » she answered dissapointed. « I do see like figures of light moving, but no colour. That would have been helpful ! So I have to do it the old fashion way, through people’s sent, or sound » she expalined.
- « Well, sent is more reliable. Some people may have the same colour, but only the sent or voice can help me tell them appart in the end. » I said to reassure her.
- « So, will you tell me what colour I am ? » she asked me with her innocent lovely voice.
- « Oh, … well …. you … You are green … actually. » Why do I always sound so hesitant when I talk to her ? So shy ?!
- « Green ? » she said surprised. « Well green is a nice colour after all » she added happily.
- « I’m glad you’re green … I mean ... since it’s my favourite colour » I said.
- « Is it now ? Well, I’m honnored then. »
I just smiled at her, but then I remembered she could’t see my smile. I’m not accustomed to people not being able to see my features. Sebastian always told me that I have a very expressive face. Well, it won’t work with her.
- « So, what are you up to ? » she asked as if to tease me.
- « Oh, well I was looking for Natsai, I needed to ask her a favour, but it can wait. » I responded.
- « I don’t want to hold you back if you’re busy » she said as if she had done something wrong. As if she was capable of doing anything wrong I told myself.
- « No no, I’m meeting with Sebastian in the duelling court in a moment. But I have a short time to spare ... for you ... » I hope I wasn’t too obvious. I was so despretly trying to spend a little extra time with her. Every minute with her was precious.
She giggled.
- « Why don’t I walk with you to the training court then ? That way we can spend a little extra time together.» she said in a lovely way.
At that moment, nothing could please me more.
- « I’d … love that. » I said with a huge smile. I knew she couldn’t see it but I couldn’t help myself.
- « Then let’s go. » she replied joyfully.
- « Do … do you need any help ? … Getting by ? You could … take my arm … if you need to of course » I said timidly, unsure if she could manage on her own. I was deep down hoping she would take my arm so I could be closer to her, touch her.
- « You’re very sweet, but I can manage, thanks. » she replied gracefully.
I felt kind of dissapointed, but if anyone understood the importance of being independant, and not relly on others to help you, well that would be me.
- « I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that you are not capable. I understand the need to be as independant as possible when you are blind. » I said apprehensivly.
- « I know you do. Don’t worry. I know your intentions were good. » she replied softly.
But were they really ? I wanted to help her of course, but I did have ulterior motives …
- « It’s nice, to meet someone that shares the same point of view » she joked.
I laughed.
- « To be honnest, I have never met anyone with the same … condition before. And It makes one feel less lonely I guess. » I admited.
- « Me too » she said as if she felt relieved. « Though Sebastian seems to know you well, therefore helps you a lot. » she added.
I didn’t reply right away, thinking of our time appart.
- « Yeah, he’s a good friend. Questionnable sometimes though. I remember this one time during potion class, my potion was going better that his, so he added an extra ingredient in my cauldron that would make it burst. There were fumes spreading through the entire floor. We had to evacuate the room and the whole corridor. And of course all fingers were pointed at me ! » I said amused.
She laughed.
- « Oh dear ! What happened next ? » she asked cheerfuly.
- « I used the blind card, I’ll admit. I didn’t want this incident to appear on my school report. » I said as I smirked. « Of course my parents were not so easily fooled. » I added on a darker tone.
- « You said you were a Gaunt the other day in class. You are from a long lineage of … pround wizards. »
- « Ellegantly put. Well done. » I said with a smirk. « But we all know the truth, the Gaunts are dark wizards, they only care about how pure the Gaunt blood is and how to keep it that way! » I said saddly.
There was a short silence between us. Then she spoke again.
- « For the reccord, I don’t think YOU are a dark wizard. » she said kindly.
- « What makes you so sure ? » I said sounding very unsure, dreading her answer.
- « Because I have experienced dark magic, and I know that wizards who use it must want to inflict pain, or death. You seem very thoughtful and likeable to me. »
She thinks I’m very thoughtful ? And mostly likeable ? The way she said these last few words, there were so genuine. It got my heart racing again. I was willing to push my luck a little further though.
- « Do you realy think I am likeable ? » I asked hoping she would say what I wished to hear.
- « Well, I like you, if that means anything, so I’m guessing you are likeable. » she replied.
Bingo. And I couldn’t help feel satisfied, and I'd go as far as to say over the moon.
I had almost forgot we were walking towards the duelling field. Times flies in her presence and there we were.
- « There you are, Ominis. I see why you’re late. » he said with a smirk. « Hello Valerian. You look lovely today, as always ». he said trying to sound charming.
- « Hello Sebastian. Thank you. Well I’ll leave you boys to it. » she said in a hurry. Maybe the flirting makes her uncomfortable ?
- « Why don’t you stay for a little bit of practise ? I must warn you, I was the best duellist in our school. » he said teasing her, probably hoping she would take the bate.
- « Is that so ? Well, maybe next time Ominis and I can show you what talent really looks like » teasing him in return. « What do you say Ominis ? Care to prove him wrong ? »
- « My dear, I live to prove him wrong. So I would gladly agree. » I said cheerfully looking at Sebastian’s shadow.
I was imagining his face right now, shooting looks at me.
- « Oh, well I look foward to that, and to see your skills. » he said as he grinned.
- « I like a good challenge. See you around boys. » she said seductivly.
Before she left, I approched her slightly.
- « It means a great deal to me » I whispered to her ear so only SHE could hear before she left, refering to her previous answer.
And I could see her shadow standing still in front of me, before she left. I wondered how she looked at me. Did she smile ? Was she shocked ?
- « What did you just tell her ? » asked Sebastian when she had left.
- « Why ? » I asked in return.
- « Because she gave you a huge smile » he said.
I couldn’t help but smirk.
- « You’re full of secrets now ! First the letter, now ... » and he stopped. « Wait … Is the letter from Valerian ? Is she the woman you’re courting ?» he asked.
I didn’t answer right away. Only because I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t tell him it was from his sister. And Edmund did spark the idea of me courting a woman via correspondance. But I concidered myself an honest persn and hates lies.
- « You’re forgetting one detail, she’s blind, so am I » I said spontaniously.
- « Well that never stopped you from writting letters, with a little help. » he replied. Then he paused for a moment. I chose to say nothing.
- « Well, I didn’t realise you liked her. » he said with a serious voice.
There was again a long silence between us. He’s always flirting here and there and she will just be another casualty of his conquests. I would never treat her or any woman of the sort. That’s where he and I differ.
- « Shall we begin ? Let’s see how you’ve improved in 3 years. » he said as a challenge.
- « You’ll be sorry my friend ! » I replied accepting the challenge.