Chapter 2
September 5th 1890:
The morning had followed the same strict pattern Ominis had set out in his first week in the castle. He woke at 6, shaved his face in the small wash basin to the right of his bed; pulled on his freshly pressed suit; did up the buttons of his blazer from bottom to top taking extra care that both sides were perfectly lined up; fixed his hair with the expensive creams and oils that he had pilfered from his stay with his family; and exited the small communal bedroom he shared with his fellow classmates, all before the other boys began to stir from their slumber.
By 7, Ominis had taken his usual spot by the tall glass windows that looked out into the black lake. He had always loved the peace of the common room in the early morning, before the rest of his house had awoken. Only a small few woke this early, most of which taking the extra time to catch-up on outstanding homework or to make use of the peace and quiet and read a few chapters of their book. All were hushed, any conversation was relaxed and friendly. It was at this time Ominis didn't hate his house so much. Slytherin's had a reputation as being shroud and closed off. He wished the stereotypes were true, but most of his housemates were quite the opposite, talkative, social creatures that thrived off companionship. It was no wonder that they were so notoriously friendly with hufflepuffs, loyalty seemed to do wonders to win over the snakes.
To Ominis, Slytherin seemed a halfway house between Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Gryffindors were loud and ballsy, you could always rely on one to cause a seen. Take Garreth Weasley for example, the boy seemed to have an effinity for blowing things up, much to the dislike of Proffesor Sharp. But Ominis didn't mind him, he'd rather listen to Garreth's Concotions fizzing and bubbling then to the Proffesor berating him for his inability to brew even a basic Wiggenweld Potion. What he didn't enjoy was their love for loud, spontaneous celebration. Last year, upon winning the house cup, a pair of 7th years had taken it upon themselves to surprise the Great hall with an impromptu firework display. Ominis, who hadn't the faintest clue what was truely happening, had panicked believing the castle to be under attack resulting in a rather embarrassing display from the boy as he cowered in fear ducking under the table.
Ravenclaw's seemed quite the opposite end of the spectrum. Cocky know-it-alls, who wouldn't sleep until a paper was submitted. It was entirely ridiculous the lengths they would go. Amit Thakkar, a ravenclaw boy in his year, was infamous for sneaking to the observation deck at late hour in the night to stargaze. Now the issue here was not the boy sneaking around at night, that was a common practice for students of any house, but instead that the boy refused to break a singular other rule. It baffled Ominis, how the boy who was usually so cowardly around teachers was breaking this rule so obviously. All in the pursuit of knowledge.
Slytherin sat neatly between the two. Prideful, of course, and not afraid to show their house spirit. But also incredibly academically focused. Perhaps it was their competitive nature, perhaps it was pure ambition. But every Slytherin he knew was good at something, be it flying like Imelda or Dueling like Sebastian. Matteo Zabini, who also shared a room with Ominis, was marvelous at transfiguration, he had been known to transfigure the pumpkin juice in his goblet into white wine on many occasions. Nerida Roberts expertise lied in wizarding relations and politics. And Ominis himself, well he wasn't quite sure. He was no expert at anything.
After a short while, people started flooding into the large room. Mostly excited first years, a majority of which rushing to join him by the windows. The large glass windows at the end of the common room had always been an alluring sight for the baby wizards and witches. Every year the same gaggle of 11 year-olds crowded around them, chattering awestruck nonsense.
"If you look closely you may spot some of the merfolk." It was completely untrue. The merfolk would never be seen this close to the castle. But the excitement of the first years was entirely to humouring. It was a prank he and Anne had started by their second year, an odd housewarming ritual to ring in the new year. He couldn't bring himself not too, for the sake of tradition.
"Morning," Sebastian's voice approached the boy once again, letting out a soft yawn as he got closer. "What do you have first?"
"Defence against the dark arts."
"Ah good so do I. Glad you can once again bare witness to my immeasurable talent Ominis?"
"Something like that."
"Mmm. Well we best head out if we want food. It seems we overslept."
The pair began their walk across the busy hall.
"No, You overslept. I woke up exactly on time, perhaps if you fixed your sleep schedule you would too "
"The Royal we Ominis. And besides I'm awake aren't I, why fix something that's not broken."
He laughed at the comment. "Yes but if you don't fix it soon you will be late. You're lucky Matteo is kind enough to wake you, else you'd never make it too class."
"Perhaps. Did you here the news."
"When did you find time for news this morning."
"Gossip isn't quiet and I'm rather Well liked, perhaps if you spoke to more people you'd start hearing it."
"That's exactly why I don't talk to people Sebastian. Gossiping has never helped anyone."
"I know a few people who would argue with that. Anyway, the new fifth year, you know that girl who arrived late to the sorting ceremony."
"Yes I can remember the noise." He almost instinctively raised his free hand to his ear.
"Well turns out the reason she was so late was because her carriage was attacked by a dragon. A dragon Ominis, can you believe it. Apparently some ministry official was with them and got killed by the blasted thing. No wonder she's a Gryffindor after all that."
'You shouldn't talk about the dead like that, have some respect and besides it's a rumour."
"I'm just glad to finally have someone new to duel, it's been a long time since I had a real challenge. Do you think she'll be any good?"
"I doubt so. She's starting as a fifth year, if her parents are indeed wizards then they likely thought her a skwib and if she's muggleborn then she has most likely never done any competitive magic. I wouldn't get your hopes up."
"Merlin's Beard, can you go one day without being a raging pessimist. Have some faith. For all we know she's some kind of prodigy, she was being escorted by a Proffesor."
They had made it to the great hall. The all too familiar aroma of the schools famous breakfast feast filled the air. The ambrosial buttery sweetness of the pastries and jams, the fatty dripping of the sausage and bacon, the faint smell of black coffee and Earl Grey tea. It was a smell that had never changed in all his time here, just the same as his breakfast had never changed.
The pair sat at their usual spot at the bench, opposite Imelda and Matteo at the end of the table.
"Good morning." He presented his peers with a gentle smile and a small bow as he seated himself and began piling toast onto his plate, reaching for the jar of apple jam. The glass jar was placed into his hand before it could reach its mark.
"Thank you." He took the knife from the side of his plate and began spreading the sweet sauce onto his humble meal.
"I will never understand why you choose that stuff." Imelda, who was now filling her mouth with freshly picked strawberries whilst she waited for her porridge, noted.
"Yes, well I can't say I'm particularly fond of soggy oats but somehow you still eat them."
"Ooh somebody's angsty this morning."
Sebastian, his mouth full of whatever mix of food he had chosen that day, laughed.
"He's been like it since I woke up, nagging me to fix my sleep schedule. Oh and he believes the all the talk about that new girl is unwarranted."
"If I'm honest I can't blame him for that. She's done nothing to prove herself exept arrive late. If you ask me its entirely uncalled for."
"Speak for yourself." Matteo, whom up to this point had been eating in silence, finally spoke. "I think they have every right to talk about her. Did you see her, she was stunning. You'd think after being attacked by a dragon you'd look a total mess, but no, she looked absolutely gorgeous."
"Oh Merlin not you too, you understand there's more to a woman then how she looks. Maybe wait until you've had a conversation with the girl before you place your judgment, for Merlin's sake you don't even know her name."
"Ah finally something we can agree on." Imelda's food had finally cooled to a reasonable temperature and she was funneling it into her mouth between words. "I think people are forgetting the far more important development this year."
"Which issssss?" Sebastian's cutlery clattered onto the table, suggesting the boy had finished whatever he had been eating.
"Quidditch you ratbag, in Merlin's name what was that stupid old man thinking. Just because some lousy pureblood got hit with a bludger, maybe if he developed some competence it wouldn't have happend."
"And I'm the angsty one?"
"Shut it"
Sebastian was figiting in his seat.
"Perhaps you should start your own unsanctioned flight club, you know cross wands style. You saw how popular that got and besides he didn't ban flying so what's he going to do anyway." It was right in character for Sebastian to suggest such an undignified thing. Ominis couldn’t say he was much a fan of the technically illegal Dueling club and the idea of another very much against school rules rendezvous point for delinquents such as his friend did not seem at all appealing. But if Imelda maintained this level of inquietude he could see himself, or perhaps anyone who chose to discuss the matter with the girl, being flung 10ft high in protest. And he doubts he would be able to live besides that for a full year.
"That's not a half bad idea, Sallow. Well I best be heading off now, do any of you have defense this morning."
"Me and Ominis do we'll walk with you."
"Unfortunately I have Arithmancy next, I'll see you later."
The trio headed towards Proffesor Hecates class at once, the halls were busy with movement. Occasionally Sebastian would stop to point a first year in the wrong direction, a cruel joke but a funny one all the same.
"You need to stop doing that. What if they're late, you're starting them on a terrible foot."
"Character building Ominis, what good is a first day without a little embarrassment."
"God forbid any of them have Sharp."
They entered the classroom, his peers chatting idolly amongst themselves, filling eachother in on their holidays.
"Ah the king returns for another year, have you had the time to practice Sallow? I heard you've been stuck babysitting all summer." Leander Prewett was an abrasive, bitter boy, and had been since their first year. Sebastian had bested him in a duel on their very first day, and frankly the Gryffindor had never let it go. He was constantly picking Sebastian apart, hoping to edge him into a fight. Unfortunately Sebastian was not half as dignified as Ominis was, and was far too self-assured to back down.
"I'd watch where you're stepping Prewett." Anger laced the boys voice.
"Don't Sebastian, it's not worth it." Ominis had always tried to be a voice of reason for his friend, an angel on his shoulder, someone to remind him that actions had consequences.
"Why, afraid you'll lose your title?" He begged the ginger to stop talking, he knew how this ended. It ended the same way every year, with Leander on his arse and Sebastian landed with detention. It was almost a routine by now.
The sound of spells sounded out suddenly. Of course it did, because when had Sebastian ever resisted a duel. The ping of basic casts shooting off a protago charm rang in it's usual predictable tune throughout the small classroom. His peers feel silent as the commotion captured their excitement.
He heard the door creak open behind him, what a terrible time to enter the classroom he thought. The footsteps were light and gentle, although they were barely scrapping the floor.
"Is that all you've got. Bombarda!" Sebastian had never been one for simplicity, he was show-offish and brash and would revel in any chance for theatrics. And so, when he cast the exploding charm, Ominis was far from surprised.
"Levioso!" All he could hear was the humm of magic, the levitation charm the Proffesor had cast rang in his ears. Headache inducing.
"Perhaps you'd be good enough to blast eachover to pieces in your own time. I get new students every year but I only have one hebridian black skull." Ever the charmer, he listend as his teacher pulled what he now knew to be the skull of her large dragon skeleton back into place on the ceiling above him.
"It was a token from the great poacher raid of 1878, no doubt you've heard of it." He had heard of it. A million times, it seemed the woman lived to remind her students of her own successes as an unspeakable, a rather ironic title given how much the the woman did infact speak of it.
"Now you may be wondering how an old woman like me single-handedly took out the largest poacher ring in Eastern wales and lived to boast about it," sometimes he wished she didn't 'live to boast about it' the story had gotten irksome many years ago. "Knowledge. To the wise age matters very little, today we will review a spell that has saved me from the hands of dark wizards more times then I care to remember." Bombarda, diffindo, perhaps even expelliarmus.
"Levioso."
"Levioso?" Leander, who apparently had never learnt time hold his tongue, furrowed his brow at the elder woman infront of them.
"Levioso."
Behind him, he heard as someone let out a small giggle, quietly so that nobody should have heard her, but he did. When he heard Sebastian begin ti laugh as well he finally understood, the Proffesor had levitated Leander into the air.
"A surprised opponent is a weak opponent. Care to defend yourself Master Prewett. No?" Once again he heard the soft snigger from behind him. He had spent four years with this class, and yet he could place the sound. But it was soft and gentle, nothing at all like the other person laughing besides him.
"One thing I've learnt as an unspeakable is the value of simplicity. Especially in the heat of battle. Now let's practice what we've just learnt. Starting with something small." Footsteps dispelled across the room, as students rushed to stand with their friends.
"I will forever love Proffesor Hecate, you should've seen his face Ominis. I think our new fifth year found it just as amusing as I did." The new girl, of course. Ominis had prided himself on always recognising people, be it by their walk or their voice. He felt much less bad for failing to recognise her.
They shuffled over to a pair of desks in the centre if the class, pulling out their wands to practice the familiar charm.
"Leviso." He spoke clearly pointing his wand towards his desk. He listened for the hum of magic, bit it didn't come. "Leviso." This time the sound was immediate.
"Hey there you go." Sebastian, forever his biggest support, cheered.
"It's not something to celebrate its a very basic charm." He learnt his arm on the edge of hus desk resting there as he continued his conversation.
"Yes well what kind of friend doesn't support you hmm." This earnt a laugh from the pessimist. Always his hype-man was Sebastian Sallow.
"It seems the new girls a natural already."
"Is that so?"
Sebastian hummed lightly, clearly distracted by the mysterious girls performance.
"Now, let's try something a little bit larger."
I'm a sudden swift movement the desk was pulled from underneath him. As he stumbled, trying to regain his balance, he heard it once more. Her light giggle. Was it him she was laughing at? He hoped not, that would be entirely embarrassing. He hoped that that wouldn't be what she remembered him as, the clumsy blind boy tripping over his own two feet, he refused to melt into that stereotype. Before he could sink too deeply into his own pit if self loathing, he heard her gentle footsteps peel her from their place, landing her barely three meters from his side.
"Let us start with a basic cast." He listend as she cast a shot towards the front of the classroom, it pinged off towards the right, a gasp arose from Cressida Blume.
"See how the dummy deflected your cast? This time cast Levioso first, then basic cast. Remember, a surprised opponent is a weak opponent, as master Prewett so artfully helped me demonstrate earlier."
"Levioso." It was the first time he had heard her speak. It was soft and elegant, polite and yet so poignant. It had a fire behind it that he felt no dummy deserved.
"Well done. Very good. But the best way to practice is by Dueling." He heard Sebastian stray from hus side, no doubt trying to force himself into the Proffesors line of sight, no doubt wanting to put himself at the end of her hand.
"We'll start with you two. Duelisttake your mark"
"Time for a real hogwarts welcome." Shit. Of course he chose to duel her on her very first day, if he wasn't carful he'd have another bitter Gryffindor at his throat. No, she seemed far too put together for that, but Sebastian wouldn't go easy on her and he was empathetic to the girls enevitable defeat.
"Now I want a good clean duel, using only levioso and basic cast. And protago. You may begin"
"Levioso." She wasted not a second, sending his friend into the air.
"Alright, not going easy then. Have it your way." The sound of Sebastian's feet hitting the ground was followed by several shots in the new girls direction.
"Protego! Stupefy!"
"Protego. Hold on that wasn't in the rules "
"I thought we weren't going easy on eachother?" Confidence suited her, her tone remained cheerful as she teased the boy, continuing to cast spells in his direction. "Leviso. How's the view from up there?" She cast a few more shots.
"This can't be your first duel. Levioso."
"Protego, let's just say I'm a quick learner."
"If only all my students were this adept." He heard his teacher mumble to herself. "I do enjoy a lively duel."
"Levioso." Sebastian failed to protect himself in time, and was hoisted into the air were he met several of her shots, sending him flying off the edge of the Dueling table with a loud thud. Impressive, no one had beaten Sebastian since first year. Perhaps he was well overdue a true humbling, in which case this young girl may be his saving grace. He listend as her footsteps ran across the board before jumping off the board, next to Sebastian.
After a moment his friend returned to his side.
"She's amazing." He started gushing immediately.
"She sounded well practiced. I'll admit I was wrong about her."
"You weren't half, you should have seen her, she moved so quickly. Merlin. And did you hear her, she was so confident. She's mist definitely duelled before."
"Mmmhm. Proffesor Hecate seemed impressed. You may have dome competition this year after all. Merlin help you if she discovers cross wands." He let out a snigger at the thought of Sebastian losing his reigning title of champion duelist, he was nearly as competitive as Imelda. He could hear the tantrums already.
"Not if I have anything ti say about it, I want her as my partner. Could you imagine, they wouldn't stand a chance."
"Oh but then you'd have to share your glory."
"If Imelda can work in a team, I'm sure I can too."
"Mmmm, we'll see."
"Go ahead, I want to talk to her before she leaves, I'll meet you at later. You have charms right?"
"Yes, I'll see you there, don't embarrass us."
"I could never I'll just work my Sallow charm."
"Sure you will. I'll see you later, don't falk inlove."
"I wouldn't dream of it, I shall be a bachelor for life." Ominis laughed as he left the room, wand leading the way, leaving his friend to the girl who had bested him so easily. Perhaps he was right, perhaps she was a prodigy.