Venomous

Laurel

She peered around the corner of the shelf she was hidden behind, trying desperately to keep her breathing quiet. She was battered and bruised, her gaunt frame bloodied from all of the fighting she’d just had to go through to get her hands on that book. Sebastian was being reprimanded by the librarian, Madam Scribner.

“I’m afraid I must take this to the headmaster.” The older woman held her chin high as she stepped slowly toward him, his arm held out and face twisted in concern.

“But-”

“That being said, Peeves informs me that you didn’t come alone tonight. If someone has coerced you, I would have you tell me.” Laurel ducked her head back behind the shelf when the poltergeist began floating to the side, putting her in his line of sight. “You’re a bright boy. Don’t waste this.”

Sebastian flicked his eyes to the side before standing up completely straight, schooling his features into an unreadable mask. “There was nobody else. I came alone.”

Her heart was pounding in her chest, her eyes wide as she peered carefully back around the shelf.

“Oh, Sebastian.” The older woman tutted at him, fixing him with a disappointed look. “What would your uncle say?” She turned away, shaking her head solemnly as she made her way back to the front desk as Peeves floated up and away.

Laurel took a step away from the bookshelf and Sebastian’s eyes snapped to her. He quickly shot a look at the librarian before swinging his arm in gesture for her to go. She rushed to the door, which was difficult with the way her joints were aching from the combined malnourishment and constant crouching. Sebastian was hot on her heels, following her out and trying his best to seem inconspicuous so as not to draw attention to her.

The minute they were out of the library, he swiveled his head around, his mop of chestnut curls swaying with the force. When he was sure there were no prefects around, he grabbed her small hand, dragging her through the central hall, out into the transfiguration courtyard and finally into the defense against the dark arts tower. He didn’t stop pulling her, or even slow down, her feet barely keeping pace as they rounded the corner behind the stairs.

“Sebastian-”

“Quiet.” He shushed her again, earning himself a huff and a glare while he raised his wand to the grandfather clock they were stood in front of. She felt her eyebrows rise up into her hairline as the clock made a loud whirring and clicking sound before opening into an elevator.

“What-” She didn’t have time to finish asking her question before he grabbed her once more, pulling her into the small space and closing the door. She was tucked far too close to him, feeling his body heat envelope her as they descended. It only took a few seconds before they were let out past a rusted gate into a cold stone room, reminiscent of the dungeons they lived in.

“What is this place?” Laurel took slow, careful steps through the space, looking around curiously at all of the crates, barrels and furniture that was piled high, collecting dust.

“The Undercroft. Ominis showed it to me years ago.” Sebastian plucked the book from under her arm, depositing it on a nearby desk. “We used to play gobstones here all the time. With my sister.” He leaned back against the desk, crossing his arms over his chest. “Anne. She loved that infernal game.” He sighed deeply, his golden eyes lowering to the floor. “What I wouldn’t give to lose to her again.”

“You have a sister?” Laurel walked over to the desk, shoving the book aside and hopping up beside him, perching on the edge and leaning forward so that she could see his face.

“Yes, twin sister, actually.” He met her gaze then, his eyes having darkened a shade. It was clear to her that his sister was a touchy subject, so she just nodded and looked away. “I should tell you, I swore to Ominis I would safeguard this place. So please, keep this between us, Laurel. Just for a bit.”

“Sebastian, if this is somewhere special to him, I don’t think you should have brought me here without asking him first.” Her stomach suddenly twisted, guilt settling deep within her. His head snapped back up, and he shook it as he pleaded with her.

“He never confides in anyone, Laurel. But he’s trusted me since the day we met.” His mouth twisted up in a grimace. “I wouldn’t want to jeopardize that.”

“But bringing me here in the first place without consulting him automatically jeopardizes that. It’s not right, Sebastian.” She hopped off the table, reaching for the book. Her arm was stopped by his hand clamping down firmly on her wrist.

“Laurel, I mean it. Mention this to no one. Especially Ominis.” He tightened his grip, his finger digging painfully into her bony limb.

“Sebastian, you’re hurting me.” Laurel pulled her arm back, relief flooding her when he released his grip.

“Sorry.” The look in his eyes made her think he hadn’t realized just how fragile her being currently was. She was slowly gaining weight and muscle mass with the amount of food she’d been consuming at the school, but it was going to take a while before she was up to par with her classmates in terms of health. “Anyway. The Undercroft has been a perfect place to sneak off to. Away from prying eyes. And even a place to practise otherwise forbidden spells.” Sebastian stepped away from the desk.

“Really? Like what?” She absentmindedly rubbed her wrist, wincing at the tender spot his fingers had dug into. He whirled around to face her again, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

“Like the blasting curse. Professors say it’s not an appropriate spell to teach students.” He rolled his golden eyes, waving one hand dismissively in the air. “A spell like confringo is only truly dangerous in untrained hands. You should learn it.” He leaned in toward her, rocking on his heels. “I can teach it to you safely here, if you trust me.”

She nodded, allowing him to guide her out to the middle of the room, pulling his own wand from its place in his pocket. “Mimic my wand movement.” Laurel tried her best, the brunet next to her smiling when she managed to replicate his movements exactly. “You’re getting it. Ready to actually try it out?”

“Wait, really?” He chuckled at her before flicking his wand at some of the candelabras.

“Just stick to the targets. Best to keep the Undercroft intact.” He stepped back, giving her a wide berth. “I think you’ll find that confringo travels a bit farther than incendio.”

“Afraid I’ll burn you to a crisp, Sallow?” Laurel quipped back at him, smirking as she took her stance.

“Something like that. When Ominis and I first learned that spell, we singed our eyebrows. Let’s just say it’s not particularly fun trying to grow hair back quickly.” She laughed then, the sound echoing through the space before she took a deep breath, casting the blasting curse at the candelabras flawlessly. “Nicely done. With how much trouble levioso gave you, I wasn’t entirely sure how you’d be able to handle this one. There’s something about that spell that’s… addictive.”

“This is exactly the type of spell I want to learn about. Are there more like this?” She practically skipped back to him, the heat of the spell still radiating from the tip of her wand toward her hand as she clutched it between her fingers.

“Of course. There’s always more where that came from. Been practicing similar spells here for ages. Though, I didn’t tell Anne and Ominis about every single one.” Sebastian’s face turned grim again, his gaze falling to the floor. “I haven’t been here for quite some time. It’s just not the same without Anne. But now that you’re here…” He raised his eyes to her again.

“I’m sorry about your sister, Sebastian.” She stepped closer, reaching one small hand out to his sleeve. “If there’s anything I can do…”

“Perhaps you can come along with me to Feldcroft the next time I go? Meet Anne?” He had a sudden glimmer of hope in his eyes, reaching his own hand out to where hers had extended and wrapping his much larger fingers around it. “She could use some cheering up. And some time with another girl.”

“Of course. Just let me know when. I’d be more than happy to accompany you.” She smiled up at him before retracting her hand.

✧༺♥༻✧

The two of them had stayed down there a bit longer than expected, discussing Anne, Feldcroft and eventually, her ancient magic. Professor Fig had asked her to keep it a secret, but she’d never had someone so eager to be her friend. Someone so eager to help her, to listen to her. So she shared everything she could with Sebastian. She told him about the book, the antechamber beneath the library, the fact that she was the only person she knew of that could wield this kind of magic. Everything.

When she finally emerged from the Undercroft, feeling giddy and light with the book clutched tightly against her chest, she ran right into the last person she wanted to see at that moment. She froze, her eyes going wise and her fingers tightening around the tome in her grasp.

“Hello, Sebastian.” Ominis had a smile on his face for the briefest of seconds, and she felt her heart flutter in her chest. She couldn’t help but think of how amazing he looked when he wasn’t scowling. “Wait.” That pit in her stomach came back with a vengeance, her eyes flitting around his face as his expression dropped into the irritated look she was becoming used to. “You there. I can hear you, you know. Not to even mention I can feel you staring at me.”

“O-oh. Um, hello, Ominis. I was just heading to our common room.” Laurel moved to take a step, only for Ominis to point angrily at her, his face twisting further into a sneer.

“I recognize that voice. Laurel? Did you just come from the Undercroft?” He was really angry now, his fist tightening around his wand as he moved toward her, backing her into the corner. “How did you get in there?”

“I-I-”

“Sebastian told you, didn’t he?” He was extremely close to her now, his breath fanning across her face. She could hear her blood as it pounded in her ears. “You breath a word about this to anyone, and not even your precious Professor Fig will be able to help you. My father is friends with the headmaster. I’m not afraid to exploit that connection if. I. Need. To.” He was breathing so harshly that his chest was brushing against where her hands were placed in front of her.

“You needn’t threaten me.” Her voice broke when she spoke, despite the anger that was building in her, and he leaned back slightly, his expression shifting into… surprise? Guilt? “I’m not going to say anything about your precious Undercroft. And Sebastian is a good friend. You shouldn’t immediately assume the worst of him.”

His own rage was back, his hazy blue eyes landing somewhere over her shoulder with a hot glare, and he bared his teeth at her before continuing. “I don’t need you to tell me about my oldest friend, thank you very much.”

“O-Ominis, I just meant-” She flinched when he got closer to her again.

“I know what you meant. Sebastian gets himself in enough trouble. He doesn’t need your help, Miss Blake.” He had gotten closer, so close she could see the swirls within his irises. He spit her name at her, his words loud in her ears.

She felt her blood boil, pushing her hands against his chest as hard as she could. “Well excuse me for trying to make at least one friend in this place.” She managed to push past him, her face burning hot. “Though I’m sure you couldn’t possibly know what that’s like.”

“Laurel, wait.” Ominis reached for her, his cold fingers wrapping around her wrist.

The action was unbalanced, and the two of them toppled to the floor with Ominis landing over her, his free hand hitting the floor next to her head. His face was set in an expression of shock, his cheeks tinged pink. Despite the anger that had been simmering within her, Laurel couldn’t help but admire how handsome he was with a blush coloring his cheeks. Her heart began to race again, and she found herself unable to move, her body seemingly frozen in place as she stared up at him from where she lay on the floor.

Ominis

He knew he had her cornered, but he hadn’t quite accounted for how small she truly was. There was absolutely no way this girl could possibly be fifteen years old. The rage he felt upon finding her there was quickly replaced with a sudden wave of disbelief. Her voice had cracked, and was suddenly very aware of his proximity to her. He just hoped she wasn’t about to start crying. He was in no way equipped to deal with that.

And then she mentioned Sebastian again, and his blood boiled in his veins. How dare she act as if she truly knows Sebastian at all? How dare she try to act like she was a part of their group? How dare she try to replace Anne? He snapped at her, back to screaming again, and she flinched. He could feel the tension radiating off of her in waves, and it left him feeling like an arse. He could hear her breathing hasten, her small hands pressing insistently against his chest in an attempt to escape.

“Well excuse me for trying to make at least one friend in this place.” He felt stunned, his eyebrows knitting together. It was impossible that she didn’t have a single friend in the entire school aside from Sebastian. She was all everybody seemed to talk about. He felt his body shift before he realized she’d managed to push past him. “Though I’m sure you couldn’t possibly know what that’s like.”

With that, Ominis felt a cold feeling settle in his stomach, and he felt like the biggest tosser in the entire school. He felt like he’d eaten a pile of frozen rocks. He hadn’t even given her a chance to explain before he’d started in on her. She hadn’t even said one. Word. Before he’d begun his tirade. Ominis, you are an absolute knobhead.

“Laurel, wait.” He found himself reaching for her, his fingers clasping around her small wrist. It was warm and velveteen to his touch. Any relief he felt shattered when they went careening down to the floor below. He managed to stop himself from crushing her by throwing his free hand out, landing on his knees with her between his legs. He could feel her calves as they pressed gently against his inner thighs.

Time seemed to come to a halt, his own heart pounding painfully against his ribcage. Laurel was quiet, her breathing unsteady. He hoped he hadn’t hurt her, but he couldn’t seem to get his mouth to function in order to ask if she was alright. One of his hands was still wrapped securely around her wrist, and he couldn’t fight the compulsion to run his thumb over the warm flesh just above her pulse. She was so soft, and he found himself not wanting to let go.

Ominis didn’t know how to describe what he was feeling. His stomach was in knots, but not the dread-filled kind he got when he had to see his family, or when Sebastian was getting up to something particularly idiotic. This was a completely new sensation, but it was not entirely unwelcome. He found himself wanting to close the distance, and that terrified him. He’d never felt the urge to be in someone’s personal space as much as he suddenly found himself craving her touch. The warmth budding within him was quickly quelled when he felt her scramble out from beneath him.

He heard her footsteps recede, and he was suddenly alone in the hall again, on his hands and knees, his wand having rolled off to the side somewhere. He moved himself to a sitting position, pressing his back against the cold stone of the nearest wall that he could find with his hands. What was that? Why were they arguing again? Oh. Right. Sebastian took her to the Undercroft. He sighed, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger.

“Sebastian is going to get an earful about this…”