Chapter 3
The spiralling rumour followed the blind boy to Professor Ronen's classroom, where he sat with his back against the wall. Natsai Onai, who was always early for charms, sat next to him.
"Are you alright Ominis, you seem rather spaced out this morning?" Natsai and Ominis got on rather well, they weren't close friends by any means but Ominis and the girl had maintained a pleasant acquaintance since her appearance last year.
"Yes, I'm quite alright, just getting used to the noise again. It always takes me by surprise."
"Although I don't understand quite how it must be for you, I can empathise with your unease. I too dislike the hustle and bustle, though I do believe I'd rather it to silence" Ominis smiled softly in response.
"Yes well, there is normally much less to talk about before the year begins. But between quidditch and this new student, it seems the whole castle has something to say."
"I must admit, I too am intrigued by the new student. I hope we become friends. I feel I may understand her current situation rather well considering it was myself in her place not a year ago."
"You do raise a good point, she must be feeling incredibly lonely. And I'm sure these rumours aren't benefiting her peace of mind."
Before the girl could reply, she was rudely interrupted by the heavy footfall and arduous shouting of Sebastian Sallow.
"Ominis, Ominis. You'll never guess what."
"It's nice to see you again too Sebastian, how was your chat with the new girl."
"Yes yes. That's what I wanted to tell you. Her name is Elizabeth and she's something Ominis that's for sure."
"Mmmhm, how so." He had expected this, Sebastian had always idolised powerful people. And even more than that, he had always revelled in a mystery. And it seemed this new arrival was both.
"Well for one she's trying awfully hard to convince me that was her first duel, she's a terrible liar. Somethings definitely happened. And with the dragon and her being late to the feast last night." Ominis could only nod along, acutely aware of Natsai's soft breathy chuckles at his friend's smitten nature. "Oh and I invited her to Cross Wands."
"You did what?"
"Yes well with a fight like that, she needs somewhere to hone it. Professor Hecate isn't going to let her go all out now is she."
"No Sebastian. You can't drag the poor woman into your unsavoury antics. It's her first day for Merlin's sake."
"No one has ever been caught at cross wands."
"Yet. The lot if you aren't exactly subtle. What with you constantly trying to blow Leander to pieces? We can hear you from the Defense tower."
"Exactly, if someone were to come and dismiss us they would have by now."
"You are a nightmare. You know that?"
"Now now Ominis. It allows us to get to know her better. Don't you want that?"
"No I don't want that, you do."
"We should head in now, there is only a minute before we start." Like a grace from the gods above, Natsai's words broke the tension between the two boys. They moved towards Sebastian's desk at the back of the long rectangular room. Charms was one of those classes that insisted on having a seating plan. It had been the very same one from the first year. And as such Ominis' desk was 3 seats over from his friend, who sat next to a rather bubbly hufflepuff girl he'd spoken to maybe twice. Sebastian had sat beside her for their first charms class before the pair was close, and it had stuck.
So he finished his rather one-sided argument with the stubborn boy he was walking alongside and defected towards his table.
"Ahem. Shall we begin?" Professor Ronen was by far the most beloved teacher in school. Of course, he had fierce competition, especially from the likes of Professor Garlic in herbology who most everyone agreed was positively perfect. But Proffesor Ronen was fun. Even Ominis, who had never truly had an obversion to classical hard study, found relief in the laid-back nature of the subject.
"Welcome to year 5 of charms. Now this will be a crucial year in your education on the art of charm work. But I am confident that we will take hold with a passion and rigour requisite of such a challenge." Charms had always been Ominis' best class on the core curriculum. Although he excelled in Arithmancy, as the much more disciplined subject seemed to marry rather well with the boys tried and trusted process of 'If I spend enough time studying this eventually it will stick', his talent for charms came much more naturally. Despite his blindness, the magic he cast was near perfect. It felt as though it pumped in his blood and sang in his head. He could hear it hum like a tuning fork, each type a different length and pitch. He could feel it slither down his arms and into his wand with every subtle flick.
"Right, now. Everyone, please open your textbooks to page five-one-seven." Ominis began fiddling with the edges of his textbook, feeling the corner of each page quickly as to distinguish its' number. "Butttt." He halted immediately.
"Before we begin, can anyone here tell me the difference between the incantations for the colour change and growth charms? Anyone?Anyone?"
Ominis did in fact know the difference between the incantations of the colour change charm Colovaria, and the growth charm Engorgio. The difference is they are completely different enunciations. He believed that it was a trick question from the professor, a trick that was very in character for the famously informal teacher. It seemed he was the only one of his peers to remember as such.
"Ah ah ah ah. I am afraid it is too late to study now." A hum erupted from the teacher's direction before a light gust of wind tickled the boy's nose.
"Mmm. The summer months must have really taken a toll on you all. By the looks of it, you all spent your holidays practising obliviate on one another. Do you even remember how to perform a basic summoning charm?" He did, in fact, he had used the charm just this morning to retrieve a book he had left on the foot of his bed before he left his dorm. Part of him wondered how anyone could forget such a basic charm, but then again the new fifth year wouldn't have even heard of it before so perhaps the lesson wouldn't be entirely useless.
"Hmm well, it seems like we're in dire need of review! Everyone get into pairs and take positions on opposite sides of the classroom. Now let's put those textbooks to use as the blunt objects you so believe they are and take turns summoning them out of one another's hands. Only one book will be needed per partnership, Miss Dale. Thank you. Get into place now."
Sebastian had made a pact with Ominis on their third week of school. In any lessons, they shared that required partnered work, he would always come and find him. The rule had come about after an unfortunate defence lesson, where Ominis had stood silently in the corner with nobody coming to work with him and no way of seeing if anyone was without a partner. It had sent the young boy into a horrific panic attack and had resulted in a newfound fear of his classmates disliking him. To Sebastian’s credit, it had never happened since.
"You ready?" Sebastian shouted from the other side of the room.
"Yes, but you don't need to shout. I'm not that far away." He felt the book being pulled from his fingers. He released it, allowing his friend to catch it in his own. He pointed his wand opposite him, "Accio" He held his hands out ready to catch it, as he listened to the faint hum of the spell.
'Ow!" It hit him square in the face. Sebastian burst into laughter. The book fell to the floor with a loud thud
"Careful gentlemen!"
"How did you manage that, you've been doing this perfectly since you were 11." Sebastian had made his way across the room and was now knelt retrieving the textbook for his feet. Rubbing his aching nose Ominis let out a small sigh.
"I'm not sure, it's been happening all day. I think it's the noise, it's off-putting." Sebastian began walking back across the room, leaving Ominis' side to reset the exercise.
"I don't think it's been any louder than normal, people are just talking about different things."
"You don't hear it, Accio!" He listened closely once again for the soft hum of magic, this time catching the thick book before it could violently smack him again.
"Hear what, Accio!"
"The magic. It's louder. Everything seems louder."
"No I hadn't noticed, maybe you're over tired. Maybe you should've slept in too."
"Accio. No that's a terrible attitude."
"She's looking at you Ominis." This caught the boy off guard.
"Who is?"
"The new girl, Elizabeth. She's laughing, perhaps she saw you hit your nose."
"Oh I do hope not, I believe she saw me fall in Defense this morning too. That would be frightfully embarrassing."
"I would fret too much, she's talking to Natty again now. Plus it gives you some depth, maybe she'll see you as more than a big old moody loner."
"Perhaps I want her to see me as a loner, rather than get dragged in with another rabble-rouser like you."
"Ouch. I thought you loved me Ominis. You wound me."
"Very good everyone that's enough if that. Well as you all seem to have the basics down and it's an exceptionally lovely day. I was thinking we might have ourselves a little excursion, outside for a spot of fresh air. After me."
The walk to the courtyard was laced with conversation, Sebastian walked next to him although it was clear he wasn't all there.
"What are you thinking about?"
"What do you mean?"
"You're being too quiet."
"I thought you had a headache."
"Not a headache but I appreciate you trying. Now, what are you thinking about."
"I'm just intrigued by her, I can't believe it was her first duel Ominis. I believe in talent but even talent needs some kind of honing right? Surely."
"I agree it's an enigma. But if she wanted to tell you she would have. You can't press her. This whole thing must be so much for her to process already. The poor girl had a near-death experience only to be immediately flung into what even for a normal student is an incredibly difficult day. Give her time. If you truly wish to learn more about her do so by being her friend, Merlin knows she could do with some right now."
"You're right. I'm glad she seems happy with Natty, and she seems to be making her way around the castle just fine. I do hope she comes to Cross Wands."
"As do I."
It wasn't long before the class reached the courtyard. Ominis savoured the summer sun on his face. The quiet of the outdoors was refreshing, and the buzz of magic seemed to dissipate in the open air.
"I've always said that fun goes hand in hand with mastery, as I'm sure the quidditch players amongst us would agree. So what better than a bit of sport to put our prowess with the summoning charm to the test? Right?"
The hum of magic filled his ears once more, as what sounded like wooden planks started falling to the floor in front of him, slotting neatly into place. "So why don't we have our newest student start us off, ah." Sebastian is going to eat this up, another opportunity to witness the witch in action, another opportunity to deduce anything he can about her. The pair waddled off to the side of the court, relaxing into the soft grass with legs outstretched.
"She's aiming her wand." The pair had developed this process of commentary a long while ago during quidditch season.
"Accio!" Her soft voice melted into the music of her magic although they were one and the same. Cheers abrupted around him, and he clapped in accordance with the celebration.
"She got 50 points!"
"Accio!" She did have a beautiful voice, it was so feathery and passionate. It was although she was talking directly to the gods themselves, asking their permission to cast the spell.
"Another 50 points, she's only got one ball left."
"Accio!" The humming coming from her spells filled his head and ran through his body. For a moment he felt almost dizzy as she pulled the ball towards her.
"Did you feel that?"
"Feel what?" Before the boy could fill his friend in on his sudden turn of health a large cheer escaped his throat.
"Woooo, full points!" Ominis could hear the smile in his voice. "Did you hear Ominis, she got full points! Suck on that Leander even the new girl is better than you!"
"As far as I recall she beat you to Sallow? Don't know why you're still so cocky."
Sebastian broke down into a fit of laughter.
"Very good! Points to Gryffindor. But there's certainly no sport without some friendly competition. Miss Onai would you care to give our new student a bit of a challenge." Ominis couldn't help the sharp intake of breath, Natsai was good. The new student had once again been thrown into the deep end, not even allowed practice against a more sombre foe like Leander or Cressida. "Come on up."
"You'll be blues just as before and miss Onai, you are playing red. Clear?"
"Yes sir." The two girls chirped in tandem.
"Watch this." Natsai seemed to be taking the first move which, if Ominis was correct, would give the new girl a strong advantage as she would have the power to knock her opponent's balls off the court. "Yes!"
"Natsai got 50 points."
"I assumed so, what with the sudden cheering."
"Do you want me to tell you what's happening or not?" He hummed in response.
"Accio!" It was Elizabeth's turn now.
"Nice control!" The small crowd cheered once again.
"Elizabeth also got 50."
"Accio!" Another cheer.
"Another 50 points. It's Elizabeth's turn again next."
"Accio!" He listened as the rubber ball ran along the wooden board, hitting another ball and knocking it to the floor.
"Yes! She hit Natty's ball, and she is winning by 50 points!" The excitement dripped from his words
"Well done. Accio!"
"She earnt another 50 points but Elizabeth still has one more ball."
"Accio!"
A final cheer rang out across the field, she'd won.
"Well, I can't say I'm surprised after her display in Defense. Sebastian?" His friend was clapping like a madman. "Please Sebastian pick your jaw up off the floor, it's just summoners court."
"She's brilliant."
"What happened to not falling in love?"
"No. I can just admire a powerful person. Yes."
"If you say so."
Another match between the pair began, but Ominis had lost interest. The winner was clear. He instead chose to use the free time to snack on the apple he had saved from breakfast and plan his afternoon effectively. If he went straight to the library from lunch, he could get in a good 3 or so hours of study before he would need to leave for dinner. That would be more than enough time to review his history of magic notes, surely. That being said, he also needed to find Professor Sharp and request the potion prospectus for this year so he could begin translating the recipes into brail. With quidditch being cancelled this year, he hoped that Sebastian would stop dragging him to watch the team practice, he never truly understood why he did it. But it made Matteo happy and it gave Imelda something to boast about so it wasn't an entirely useless use of their time. Without it, Ominis' Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings would become much more free. And his Sunday morning routine may finally allow for some extra sleep.
"Yes! She done it again. She's bloody brilliant that one." He let out a sharp Whistle between clapping.
"Splendid! Very good both of you. Well done." Everyone began to stir on the grass, a few beginning to walk away, their actions betrayed by their footsteps. Once again Sebastian's hand found his shoulder. As they walked back to the charms classroom, all the while the boy was raving about the new girl and her extraordinary affinity for magic. They hadn't been back in the classroom five minutes before the class was dismissed.
"Do you think accio has any defensive uses? I've never truely considered it but if it'll help in cross wands..."
"What kind of defensive uses, you best not be thinking of doing anything reckless." The pair began their walk from the classroom too the great hall.
"Of course, you can use accio on humans. If you're so inclined."
"Well you'd be using it on clothing to be precise, Sebastian. You know it won't work on humans."
"Yes but, it would be entirely unlikely to ever encounter an enemy without clothing right. In which case you could use it in place of Levioso or even flippedo. To stun them."
"I suppose so. Why do you ask."
"Well if I'm too beat this new miracle duelist of a classmate, I'll need to think outside the box."
"I'm glad you're feeling challenged again, but please be careful. For both of your sakes."
"Yes, yes. I know."
The had nearly made it to the great hall, when someone ran into Ominis' chest at full speed. The sudden action sent the boy realing, making him drop the leather bound book he was holding.
"I won't stand for that, who do you think,"
"I'm so sorry, I was in ever such a rush you see I was just collecting some glumbumble treacle for Amelia and I wasn't looking, and I'm so very sorry."
It was the new fifth year, Elizabeth if he recalled correctly, her voice was still soft and elegant but it was laced in a sense of complete anxiety that made the boys heart break. He hadn't meant to scare her.
"It's fine, just be more careful next time." He waved his arms, hoping it would send her away on whatever errand it was she was running.
"You didn't have to be so mean you know, she barely touched you."
"I dropped my book, besides maybe that will offset any unfortunate memories she may have of me."
"You are unbelievable."
They entered the large hall, busy with hungry children. Sebastian grabbed his arm suddenly, running at an unfathomable pace.
"Hey, some warning would have been nice. I'm hungry too but there's no need to run. Why are we running."
"Proffesor Weasley, I have detention this afternoon but I can't miss cross wands."
"Since when did you have detention this afternoon. Its the first day for heavens sake."
"I may have been over heard being rather unsavoury to our favourite librarian, by our favourite librarian."
"Sebastian!"
"Look it's an easy one to get out off, it's the first day I doubt they'll even care."
The pair sat themselves at the same table they had been that morning. Imelda and Matteo sat together as always though now joining them was the Slytherin quidditch seeker, Augustus Malfoy. Ominis had never liked Augustus or his family. Much like his own elder brother Marvolo, Augustus was more then happy to parade his parents legacy like a shining badge. His mother, Rhea Gaunt, had been trying to marry him off to Augustus' younger sister Lhea for years now, to keep the family blood clean, and the noble house of Gaunt strong. It was a doomed endeavour from the start. Not only did Ominis wish to partake in no such purist culture Lhea Malfoy wanted nothing to do with him. He rememberd vividly the day he met her, she was 13, he had barely turned 14. He rememberd how she had cried into her mothers chest, begging not to be 'sold for some broken parts'. He did not sleep for days afterwards, not because they wouldn't be wed but because of his blindness. Because no one would ever truely want a broken boy, not even a Gaunt.
"Ah Ominis!" He had hoped the boy wouldn't notice their arrival. "How's the family."
"They're well, how is your sister?"
"She's still begging to be transferred to beuxbatons. Of course father would rather be dead before that were to happen."
Ominis only hummed in response, reaching over the table to grab a selection of crackers.
"Matteo could you hand me the sliced meats please." The boy had been handed immediately.
"Anyways I best be off. Imelda we'll talk more about that idea soon, but I do believe it's worth a shot." He listend as the boy kicked back from the table loudly, causing the plates around him to clatter momentarily.
"I don't know how you work with him Imelda, I really don't." Sebastian put a voice to all of Ominis' thoughts.
"I'm not his biggest fan either, but he's a damn good seeker, and If I want this 'club' idea to go off without a hitch, I need someone with influence."
"You could've asked me." Ominis knew for a fact he would've said no, but it offended him that she wouldn't even try.
"I thought you didn't like unsanctioned clubs."
"Yes but I'd rather help you then ever have to talk to that man. Wouldn't you?" She chuckled for a moment.
"How was Defense?" Matteo, the only one at the table who had not witnessed Sebastian's crippling defeat, asked innocently. Imelda answered before either boy could even open their mouth.
"You should have seen it Zabini. Turns out this new Gryffindor is better then I gave them credit for, had Sallow on his arse in minutes." She laughed quietly to herself.
"She did not. Sebastian what happened. Seriously. She's pretty but cmon."
"She bloody brilliant mate. So fast and graceful it's unbelievable."
"He's been gushing about her none stop since, you should've heard him when she won summoners court against Natsai Onai. You'd think she was his girlfriend."
"Shut up Ominis, I'm just excited to finally have some good competition. Speaking of which," he must have shoved something into his mouth because he words came out muffled. "I need to get going, cross wands starts soon, and I don't want to miss that." He got up to leave running for the large double doors.