As promised, you are in the Undercroft waiting for your two Slytherin friends.

After your short trip to London during the holidays, you promised to tell them everything. You even brought them presents, nicely wrapped from a Muggle shop.

You promised to bring them something unique, and what could be more appropriate than something made by Muggles? Being of Muggle-born yourself, you of course know the best shops that sell items that could also be 'useful' to wizards.

For Sebastian, you bought a book containing herbs and recipes that are mostly used by Muggles, with the ulterior motive that he might be able to help his twin sister Anne with this book. You know that Sebastian tried everything in his power and even St. Mungo couldn't help, but there are things in this Herbology book that even you didn't know about. Nor are written in any of your witchcraft books that you own for lessons.

For Ominis, on the other hand, a gift was a little harder to find. You know that he can theoretically buy anything his heart desires, no matter how expensive it may be. This made finding the perfect gift for your secret crush really hard. In the end, you decided on something he can feel; a dark leather bracelet. It has several embellishments and patterns incorporated that feel amazing under your fingertips. It also has flat, round studs stamped into the leather at even intervals. You think it might calm Ominis down when he's haunted by one of his nightmares again.

Even now, the leather bracelet is helping to calm your nerves. Why? Because you too have bought something. A Muggle sold you the latest trend in the Muggle world; Lip gloss.

At first you hesitated when you looked at the little jar with a kind of cream inside, but after trying it yourself, you bought three such lip glosses in three different flavors.

You are wearing one of them right now: sour apple.

Your lips have turned slightly green, which you're sure about Ominis won't notice, but it still makes you nervous to stand in front of him knowing that you have something tempting on your lips.

Unsure of your decision, you consider simply wiping the lip gloss off your mouth, when the squeaking iron grate to the Undercroft opens.

Through it steps none other than Ominis himself.

He takes a few steps towards you and then stops abruptly, drawing his eyebrows together in confusion.

He speaks your name. "Were you cutting apples?"

"Eh, no, Ominis, that's me."

The Slytherin boy is now even more confused than before and takes the remaining steps towards you. "You?"

"Yes." You clear your throat, but don't elaborate. "Where's Sebastian?"

"He was challenged to a duel by Leander." Ominis rolls his eyes. Apparently, he took your bait-

"What do you mean 'you smell like that'?"

-or not.

You gather all your courage. "It's something I brought back from London. It's called lip gloss. It tastes -and apparently smells- like fruit. In this case, sour apple. Sorry Ominis, if I'd known it would bother you, I wouldn't have-"

"No!" he says quickly, clearing his throat sheepishly after realizing how desperate he must have sounded, then continues more calmly, "No, it's fine. It just took me by surprise. Normally you don't smell anything down here other than the stench of singed clothes, mothballs and dust."

You chuckle in amusement at that statement. The corners of Ominis' mouth twitch up slightly at this sound.

Silence reigns for a moment.

"Do you- do you want to try some? The lip gloss, I mean." With red cheeks, you stare at the Slytherin in front of you.

"Oh, yes I'd love to."

You don't know where the sudden burst of courage came from, but before you know it you've grabbed Ominis by the collar and pulled him down to you, pressing your lips to his.

The kiss ends as quickly as it began.

With a flushed face you let go of Ominis, take a step back and clear your throat. Only then do you realise what you have done.

"I- Ominis, I- I'm sorry!"

Before you can run away, though, and sink into the ground in peace in shame, Ominis grabs you by the wrist and pulls you back to him.

With your free hand you try to shield your face to spare yourself the embarrassment.

Now the Slytherin grabs your other wrist and pulls your hand away from your face.

Gently, he speaks your name. "Look at me."

Slowly you raise your head, looking into the white eyes of your counterpart that always remind you of the starry sky.

"I think," Ominis starts slowly, "I need another taste." The boy lets go of your wrists (where's his wand?) and takes your face carefully in his hands.

With his thumbs he briefly strokes your lower lip to gauge the position of your mouth and then slowly leans forward. He gives you enough time to change your mind.

But why should you?

Light as a feather, Ominis presses his lips to yours, disengages from you and, after he is sure you won't slap him and run away, he presses his mouth harder and more demanding on yours.

He licks your lower lip with his tongue, asking for entry, which you grant him.

Your tongues fight briefly for dominance, which he wins.

When he releases the kiss, he remains a hair's breadth away from your mouth. You feel his breath on your lips.

"You're right," he murmurs softly, "it really does taste like sour apple."

"I have more," you whisper back breathlessly.

You feel a grin spread across Ominis' face.

"Oh really?"

"Yes."

"Then I guess I have no choice but to try these too." With that, he kisses you again.

-

That evening, in your room, you receive two owls. As you open one envelope and pull out the note, you recognize Ominis' neat handwriting.

Meet me tomorrow evening at the entrance hall. 8 pm.

I'll take you out to Hogsmeade.

O. G.

You giggle delightedly when you read that.

The other owl is Sebastian's:

Hey!

Where were you and Ominis today? When I came to the Undercroft there was no sign of you two.

You promised to bring us presents from London.

S. S.

PS: Oddly enough, it smelled like sour apple. Why?

Oops.