Venomous

Laurel

The two of them descended the stairs, giggling and chatting excitedly. For once, Laurel felt that she could just be a normal teenage girl for one. Single. Night. For how simple the idea was, she found it absolutely exhilarating. Her leg still ached from where the bones had been regrown earlier that week, but she was bound and determined to make it through this night. Her dress swished softly against her calves as they descended, and she could hear the click of her heels against the stone floor in combination with Poppy's echoing around them.

Poppy rushed ahead of her, the pale yellow of her own gown bouncing as she pulled to a stop at the top of the stairs. The chocolate brown of her bob swayed against her cheeks as she turned her head this way and that, before she turned her eyes on Laurel. Her gaze flickered over the dress one more time before she smiled brightly, looping their arms together and beginning the walk down the final set of stairs before the great hall. Her own gaze dropped to the bottom of the stairs, catching on the sapphire and emerald hues awaiting them.

Amit was quick to snatch Poppy up, the two friends rushing off in a flurry of colours. Once the pair were out of sight, she turned her sights on where Ominis stood, his long, slender fingers nervously fidgeting with his cufflinks, the silver and black rings on his fingers glinting in the light. The black suit he wore was layered over a vest in the same emerald green as her dress, black cravat tucked into it and silver accents running along the edges. His cheeks were tinged pink, the beauty marks dotting the landscape of his face standing out amidst the blush. He tilted his head a bit in her direction, his hazy blue eyes landing somewhere over her shoulder.

“Laurel.” He took a tentative step toward her. “Thank you again for agreeing to come to the dance with me. I can only imagine you look absolutely stunning.”

She laughed softly, lowering her gaze to the floor for a second before she looked back up to him. “Shall we go in? I can’t promise that dancing with me will be the greatest experience, but-”

“In case you’ve forgotten, darling, I’m blind.” He chuckled, holding out his arm for her, smiling softly when she looped her hand into the crook of his elbow. “I imagine my own dancing may not be much better, even with the years of lessons my family enforced. But I’m glad to be here with you regardless.”

The second they walked through the doors, she was filled with that now-familiar sense of wonder. Everything appeared as if it were sculpted from ice, the great hall bathed in a soft blue-white light. Large, conjured icicles hung from the ceiling, sparkling in the light and catching the reflections of everyone and everything. Fairy-like lights hovered high above her head, the orbs flitting about in the darkness that was the night sky.

She lowered her gaze to the crowd of people, taking in the myriad of colors and outfits she found among them. Familiar people chatted, danced and stood around them, wide smiles plastered on their faces. Groups of teenagers chattered and laughed, drinks in hand or plates sat in front of them. Laurel thought the great hall had been crowded during a regular day at Hogwarts, but it seemed even more so with the lack of straight, narrow tables, bodies filling every possible space they could. It would have been overwhelming were she not being led around the edge of the room, Ominis’ arm a firm anchor.

He was quick to find them a spot that wasn't flooded with people, pulling out one of the chairs draped in fabric. She could just feel the heat of his hand where it had moved to hover over the small of her back, his other hand motioning for her to sit. The dress pressed softly against her thighs when she tucked it under her legs as she lowered herself to the seat, shifting her hands to rest in her lap. Ominis moved around her, wand now aloft, the fingers of his free hand brushing against the bare skin of her upper arm before he quickly retracted it.

“Could I get you something to drink, perhaps?” His cheeks were tinged a slight pink, and he had slipped his hand into the pocket of his pants.

“Oh, erm… yes, that sounds lovely, Ominis.” She smiled, watching him as he turned to leave.

He disappeared into the crowd, and she found her gaze wandering the room again. Her entire body jolted when a hand clamped down on her shoulder, and she whipped her head around, hand on where she had tucked her wand. A wave of relief washed over her when she was greeted with a familiar head of copper curls, the familiar olive eyes and freckled skin scrunching with his wide smile, his date tucked against his side with her arm looped through his.

“You made it! And that dress looks stunning .” Garreth’s eyes flicked across the dress briefly, then back to her own eyes. He was dressed in exactly what she expected, his dress robes the exact shade of Gryffindor red.

“Poppy truly did a wonderful job picking it out.” The brunette attached to his side smiled softly at her, cobalt blue eyes bright, extending one delicate hand. “Avery.” She let out a sound of realization, shaking her head a tiny bit. “Delilah. Sorry, I tend to forget not everyone knows of the Sacred.”

“Oh, so you’re like Garreth then?” Laurel tilted her head a bit, taking in the pair of them.

“Not exactly, Laurie.” Garreth’s hand went to the back of his neck. “Her family doesn’t exactly uphold the same ideals mine does. But Lilah believes in blood equality.”

“It’s wonderful to meet you, Delilah.” She looked the other girl over, her eyes catching on the sapphire gown that hung softly over her form. “Your gown is lovely as well.”

“Oh, thank you!” Delilah moved slightly away from Garreth, her arms coming out before she twirled, her skirt spinning around her. “It’s my favorite shade of blue. I was picking mine out when Poppy picked yours. It’s a lovely shade of emerald. Who’s your date?”

“Oh, erm-” She was cut off abruptly by the sound of someone clearing their throat.

She turned her head, jumping back slightly when she realized just how close the other person was standing. Her eyes flickered up to their face, climbing the long, drawn freckled features. His copper hair was styled in a slicked back style, swept back over the top of his head. Dark brown eyes were paired with a crooked smile, hands tucked into his pants pockets, pushing his suit jacket back over his hips.

“Oh. Leander.” She glanced sideways at Garreth and Delilah before returning her gaze to him. “Is there something I can do you for?”

“Ah, the ever fair Laurel Blake. It’s wonderful to see you here. I was wondering if, perhaps,” Leander extended one hand towards her, the appendage far too close to her face “You’d grace me with a dance.”

“Um, well, I-”

“She has a date, Prewett.” The goblet was practically slammed down on the table next to her, the pale hand wrapped around it tightening until the knuckles were blanched. “Perhaps you’d do well to find yourself a girl with standards low enough to account for the likes of you.”

“Just because she came to the dance with you,Gaunt, doesn’t mean you get to control who she dances with.” Leander and Ominis were practically baring their teeth, each of them sneering at the other before Leander shoved his hand further in her face, forcing her back a bit. “So what do you say, Laurel? Care for a dance?”

“I… no. No, I’m sorry, Leander.” Laurel shook her head lightly before lifting her eyes from his hand to his face. “I appreciate the interest, but I’m quite alright.”

“Are you serious? You’re going to choose him over a simple dance with me?” Leander scoffed, his lip curling.

“Alright, buddy. Come with me.” Garreth moved his hand to the other redhead’s shoulder, steering him away from them and engaging him in a conversation as they wandered into the crowd.

“Was it necessary to be so rude, Omi?” She tilted her head to one side, her fingers carefully wrapping around the goblet he’d placed before her. “He was just asking for a dance.”

“Oh trust me, darling, dancing with Leander is like dancing with a newborn hippogriff.” Delilah plopped down in the seat next to her, twining her fingers together and resting her chin on her hands. “You’ve been saved from being embarrassed in front of the entire school.”

“Delilah was Prewett’s date to the dance last year.” She watched a grimace twist his features, his hazy blue eyes scrunch up beneath the soft wave of his sandy-blond hair. “Didn’t end so well. People are still talking about it.”

“Must have been quite the sight.” She took a sip of her drink, blinking up at him again when he cleared his throat.

“Laurel, I know we just got here, but,” Ominis’ cheeks turned a shade of pink, and he extended one hand out toward her. “Would you-”

“I’d love to, Omi.” She placed one small within his, raising herself up as he gently tugged her forward.

She wasn’t quite sure whether to be impressed or insulted that the crowd around them parted at his presence. It was practically guaranteed that he noticed the sudden path that formed around them, the red light of his wand flashing against their clothes, yet he made no indication of acknowledging the other students. She felt his fingers squeeze around hers where their hands were joined between them, his thumb running over her knuckles and skin warm against hers. She could feel their eyes on her as they passed, and she raised her chin out of reflex.

Once they had broken free from the crowd, he led her a short ways out onto the floor, turning to face her. His hand readjusted against hers, his fingers unfurling, allowing her to rest her hand gently in his palm, the nails Poppy had insisted on painting emerald glinting in the light. She watched as he took a tentative step toward her, closing the distance between them and tucking his wand away. He reached for her, his hand settling against her waist before sliding slightly further back and up closer to her shoulder blades. Her own hand slid up his arm to his bicep, her fingers gripping into the fabric of his dress jacket. The music filled her ears, and she looked down to their feet, biting her lip when he began leading her.

“Just follow me.” His voice was low, his fingers flexing against her back.

She raised her gaze back to his face, catching the way his cheeks burned a bit brighter as he led her. Each turn had the skirt of her dress flaring out around her, swirling in an arc behind her. His fingers flexed against her, pressing more firmly into her back as he pulled her closer to him. She could feel her heart thrumming in her chest, her breath becoming shallow when her chest brushed against his. He had pulled her close enough that his breath fanned across her face.

She felt like she was floating with each new movement they made, her feet practically gliding across the stone floor. She couldn’t help the smile that broke out across her lips, laughing a bit when Ominis lifted her hand above her head and spun her. Her dance practice with Garreth had been fun, but it hadn’t felt as freeing as dancing with the blond in front of her. She felt her own cheeks warm when his lips pulled up in a smile of his own. The laugh he let out when he twirled her again made her heart flutter.

She had never seen him have so much fun, and seeing that smile on his face ignited something deep within her. The way his blue eyes lit up, the sudden confidence he exuded as they danced, the sound of his laughter. It thrilled her in a way she’d never felt before, and she suddenly felt this deep urge to see him like that more often. Her breath hitched when, with a final spin, his hand braced more tightly against her back and he dipped her, the music coming to an end in the background.

She stared up at him, her breath heavy in her lungs and the corset of her dress straining against her chest. They stayed like that for a minute before he gently pulled her back up, his arm snaking around her waist as he pressed her firmly against his torso. The crowd around them seemed nonexistent to her the longer they stared at each other, the world feeling as if it were only occupied by the two of them. Ominis broke the silence by lowering his unseeing gaze and clearing his throat.

“I’ve danced with my fair share of ladies, but I don’t think I’ve ever had quite this much fun.” He chuckled again, his lips splitting in a small smile.

“I’m not sure how well I did with the dancing, but that was certainly exhilarating.” She squeezed his arm, leaning her face a tiny bit more towards his.

“Would you like to-”

“I’ll be borrowing your dance partner, mate.” She was ripped from Ominis’ arms and whisked back onto the dance floor, her vision blurring as she was spun around roughly.

When her vision refocused, Laurel was met face to face with Sebastian, that typical Sallow smirk ever present on his freckled face. The messy bed-headed curls that were a constant staple of his appearance seemed slightly less wild than usual, having been purposefully slicked back into a more sophisticated style. He was dressed in a deep olive green, his coat tails fluttering out behind him as he led her around the floor. His hazel brown eyes sparkled with something smug, and he lifted one brow at her.

She blinked a few times, confusion setting in. Sebastian hadn’t spoken to her since the beginning of the month, and she had barely seen him in classes. Yet here he was, at the Yule Ball, pulling her into a waltz. She tried to turn to look for Ominis, her eyes scanning the crowd with each turn they made. Firm fingers dug into her jaw as her face was turned back toward her dance partner.

“Eyes on me, sweetheart.” The smile was gone from Sebastian’s face, his features set into a firm expression. “We’ve got quite a lot to talk about.”

“What could we possibly have to talk about during the Yule Ball, Sebastian?” She flickered her eyes between his.

“For starters, I believe you two owe me an apology. I never expected my two closest friends to team up against me.” She could see the tiniest hint of a snarl beginning to form on his face.

“I’m not apologizing for speaking the truth.” Laurel tried to pry herself away from him, only to be yanked back against him forcefully. “It was something you desperately needed to hear.”

“I may have needed to hear it, but it didn’t make it any less painful, Blake.” Sebastian seemed to steel himself, taking in a deep, sharp breath. “No matter. I don’t absolutely need to hear an apology.” He lifted her arm above her head, spinning her a bit faster than necessary for the dance before gripping her waist and squeezing hard enough to hurt. “I thought you’d like to know that I’m making progress on how to use that relic to help Anne.”

“Sebastian, we’ve talked about this. Ominis and I have talked about this-”

“Are you snogging him?” His voice held a gruff air of anger.

“I-... What?” Her brows scrunched up together as she took him in.

“Are you snogging him? Yes or no?” His eyes seemed to darken a shade, and it set something uncomfortable in her chest. “It’s a simple enough question.”

“What does that have anything to do with-”

“It has everything to do with it.” He pulled her against him again, and she found herself having to fight her way back. “It explains exactly why you’re against me around every corner. He’s got you wrapped around his little finger, doesn’t he? What, did all he have to do was give you a proper necking to convince you that he was right and I was wrong?”

“Sebastian that’s not what’s happening. You must understand, there is bound to be another way to help her.”

“There is no other way, Laurel. You think I haven’t explored every possible option for the last year and a half that she’s been like this?” His lip did curl up then. “This is the only way to save her.”

“Why can’t you just trust us for once? We’re only looking out for-”

“You two are the same as him . Always undermining my efforts.” He squeezed her fingers much harder than he had her waist, causing her to wince. “When will you realize that I know what’s best for her better than anybody else?”

“Sebastian, stop. You’re hurting me-”

“I only wanted to keep you in the loop. To make you see that my way is best. But no.” He spun her forcefully again, almost knocking her into another pair of dancers. “First Solomon, now you and Ominis. Perhaps it’s time I kept my research to myself.”

Without warning, Sebastian shoved her backwards, leaving her to attempt to catch her balance lest she fall into some of the other students. A sense of dread spread through her stomach when she collided with something firm and warm, hoping with everything in her that she hadn’t knocked someone over. She couldn’t help but stare after him as he stormed through the crowd, jolting when the pressure of two large hands gripped her upper arms. She whirled around, almost smacking her face straight into someone’s chest.

She lifted her gaze, tilting her head back, her eyes catching those of Professor Sharp. His brows were drawn low on his face as his dark eyes flickered from her to the part in the crowd where Sebastian had disappeared. The perpetual scowl on his face seemed to deepen further, causing the scar over his eye to twist and pucker. She hated that look on his face, and yet he said nothing, content to have one hand still firmly planted on her arm.

Sharp pulled her to one side, gently turning her as they began making their way back across the room to where Delilah and Garreth had met her earlier. As they got closer, she noticed that Ominis had made his way back over there, leaned against the wall with his arms crossed and irritation plain on his face. The pureblood pair from earlier were nowhere to be seen, likely out on the floor themselves. Aesop released the firm grip he had on her, nudging her closer to the blond and flicking his eyes to the chair that was pulled out before him.

“Sit.” She obeyed, the anger in his voice radiating out around them, tucking the dress under her legs.

“Has something happened professor?” Ominis’ brows furrowed in confusion.

“I’d say something has, though I’m inclined to believe the story goes a bit deeper than something happening here at the ball.” Sharp crossed his own arms, raising a singular eyebrow at her. “Care to tell me what that was all about, Miss Blake?”

“It was just a disagreement, Professor. Nothing more.” Laurel turned her head to the side, refusing to meet that look he gave her when he was prying for information. She found it incredibly difficult to hide things from the former auror when she was meeting him head on.

“A disagreement, aye?” He was silent for a moment. “I’m not buying it, Laurel. A simple disagreement doesn’t find you shoving a girl into a crowd of people.”

“Professor, if I may.” Ominis interjected, stepping a bit more into her line of sight. “It’s a very complicated situation, something that may be… difficult to discuss with one’s parental figures.”

Sharp didn’t seem entirely pleased with that answer, shuffling on his feet a minute before he dropped his gaze to her once again. “We will discuss this later, Laurel. And you best believe I’ll be having a word with Mister Sallow.”

She scoffed, crossing her arms and dropping her back against the seat. She hated being interrogated by Aesop, and it seemed every time something happened between herself and one of her friends, she found herself in his office being questioned like she’d committed a serious crime. The warmth of Ominis’ hand on her shoulder had her shifting her gaze up to where he stood over her.

“Are you alright? Did something happen?” His head was tilted in her direction.

She sighed, an aggravated laugh being ripped from her as she shook her head. “It’s that damned relic again. He just won’t leave it be.” Laurel stood, grabbing his hand and tugging on his arm a bit. “Let’s get out of here, Omi. I’m not much in the mood for dancing anymore.”

“There’s a good chance he’ll be in the Undercroft, blowing off some steam.” He allowed her to pull him with her, the pair making their way back around the Great Hall toward the doors.

“I know of a place we can go. One where he won’t be able to come for us.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The doors appeared with a magical flourish, and she couldn’t help but giggle at the look of astonishment on Ominis’ face. She bit her lip, grabbing at his hand again and pulling him through the door. She gripped at his arm when he stumbled, turning his head this way and that, following the movement of his wand as the red light flashed across the surfaces around them. She felt his hand squeeze hers before it fell from her grasp, his feet carrying him around the room.

“I’ve heard of the come and go room, but…” He ran his fingers over the books along the wall. “I’ve never had the privilege of being graced by it. How did you-”

“Professor Weasley. Said I might could use it to help me catch up with the rest of you lot.” Laurel dropped herself on the couch she had conjured weeks prior, her dress poofing out around her legs as she patted the spot next to her. “Come. Sit.”

She tracked him as he cautiously crossed the space back toward her, slowly making his way over the tiled floor. The way the imitation moonlight caught him made her chest feel that strange tightness, and she began to find it difficult to breathe. Her lungs seemed to refuse to function now that she found herself alone with him again, and she was questioning when these feelings began to manifest. Her last time alone with him in the Undercroft had seemed to awaken something within her.

Ominis sat tentatively next to her, his fingers digging into the fabric of the couch beneath him. His unseeing gaze wavered as he seemed to think, and she found herself wringing her fingers nervously in her lap. The motion was stopped by his free hand landing softly over where hers were joined. He squeezed her fingers once before turning to her, the hand he’d had against the couch lifting to cup her cheek. She raised her eyes to his, where the hazy blues seemed focused on where his thumb had shifted to brush her lower lip. His pale cheeks were tinged that lovely shade of pink she’d come to enjoy seeing on him, and the feeling of his thumb pulling at her lip made something pleasant twist in her lower stomach.

“May I-”

“You don’t need to ask, Omi.” She released a shuddering breath. “The answer will be yes, every time.”

He captured her lips in a soft kiss, heavily reminiscent of their time in the Undercroft. The warmth of his mouth on hers sent a shiver through her, and she readjusted to curl her fists into his jacket. His hand shifted from her jaw to the back of her neck, deepening the kiss as his fingers strained to make their way into the hair tucked at the back of her head. Her head felt light as air when he slipped an arm around her, pulling her closer. Every taste of him was like heaven, and she only broke away long enough to suck in a lungful of air before he had pulled her back to him. This was not how she anticipated her night ending, but if this was the result she was being granted, Laurel was not going to complain in the slightest.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She awoke with a jolt, the feeling of something trailing down her back stirring her from her sleep. She didn’t remember falling asleep, her mind a bit groggy, and she blinked the sleep from her eyes. The last thing she remembered was… oh.OH. Her face suddenly felt very hot, and her mind was forced from its sleep-addled state. Her heart was racing when the thing trailing up her back registered to her, the palm the digits were attached to flattening against her spine.

She was pulled forward, her bare chest pressed firmly to his, that comforting scent of sandalwood, earl grey and bergamot flooding her senses. His body was warm, his arms circling her and wrapping firmly around her own torso. She leaned back just a bit, her eyes trailing over his sleeping form. The way his sandy-blond locks feel loosely over his eyes, the serene look on his face, the way his soft, pink lips were parted ever so slightly. Her gaze followed along the curve of his jaw, down past his adam’s apple, over his collarbone.

She couldn’t help but shift her arm as high as the small space between them would allow, her hand coming up against his chest, her fingers tracing the patterns of the beauty marks that dotted his pale, porcelain skin. She followed them down the expanse of his chest, over his stomach. She only stopped when she reached a soft patch of dark hair just under his navel that left a trail leading further down. In her dazed state, a heavily flustered feeling took hold of her, and she found her breath hitching.

His arm shifted in his sleep, his hand slipping from the middle of her back down to her waist, loosely dangling just over the small of her back. Her heart fluttered when he turned his head slightly into the pillow beneath his head, her name slipping from between his lips. She raised her hand higher, trailing her fingers across the soft line of his jaw, causing him to jolt awake as well. His hazy blue eyes snapped open, the unseeing pupils focusing somewhere on her. The hand he had resting on her back pressed into her, and she watched as his cheeks blazed a deep shade of red when he came in contact with bare skin.

“Oh, Laurel. I… I didn’t-” His fingers squeezed her hip. “I didn’t mean to take advantage of you, I-”

“You didn’t. This was…. a mutual decision.” Laurel bit her lip, bringing her hand to rest on the curve between his neck and shoulder.

He was quiet for a long moment, his fingers releasing her hip and softly trailing against her skin before he leaned his forehead against hers and spoke softly. “Do you regret it? This?”

“Of course not, Omi.” She punctuated her quick reply with a soft kiss to his lips, giggling when he moaned softly and followed after her when she pulled away. “Though perhaps we should be getting back to the dorms. I imagine if we don’t get back soon, we’ll both have detention for a week when the prefects catch us.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Ominis chuckled a bit, finally releasing her and rolling onto his back. “Though I must admit, I’m half tempted to just stay here with you.”

Laurel bit her lip again, leaning up just above him. “Perhaps we can stay just a little bit longer together.”