Chapter Text
Within a few more hours, the party was definitely ending as the guests got quite decidedly drunk. Poppy and Samantha were swaying together on top of a table missing half their clothes as they belted out the lyrics of the song playing. Imelda and Natty were arguing over a game of wizard’s chess while Amit tried to judge between them. Sebastian and Garreth were currently having a lopsided dance off, both of them too drunk to actually DO any dancing. It was them just trying to wiggle around and pretend they were some sort of fancy dance moves. You and Ominis were off to the side drunk giggling over all of the antics.
“What is that move that Sebastian is even trying?!” You wiped away a tear from all of the laughter you were doing as Ominis sniggered.
“I believe he called it the-” he interrupted himself with more snickers, “the Bashanator.” That sent you into fresh peals of laughter as you leaned against the boy for support, your whole body feeling tingly and like it was floating. As long as things didn’t start spinning then you would be okay. Your laughter seemed to set the boy next to you off as well and you could only just laugh.
“Oh Merlin, why are we friends with these two again?” You finally spoke, having to take a moment to catch your breath from all the laughter.
“For the endless hours of entertainment, love, what else?” Thankfully your face was already flushed from the alcohol you had been drinking so the blush wouldn’t be so obvious. Nudging him with your arm, you grinned.
“You’re right, you’re right. Ah, I’m gonna miss those two lunkheads this Summer,” you sighed.
“Why don’t you just visit? Don’t you and Sebastian live relatively close?” Ominis questioned as you paused to think about it. Maths was too hard when you were drunk.
“Uh… I think we’re like… 4 hours apart or something like that? I don’t know!” Ominis chuckled as he leaned back on his hands. You were both sitting on the ground, and you actually weren’t quite sure why since there were plenty of cushy seats around the area.
Ominis was about to reply to you when you heard a loud squeal. Looking over, you watched as Poppy tripped and fell off the table. Jumping up, you stumbled over to your friend to help her. She was on the floor cracking up laughing, Samantha laughing as well. They were laughing now because of the alcohol but when she was sober…
“Alright! Alright I think we’re done for the night,” you declare, holding out your hand to help your best friend up.
“Lenore! Lenore, I love youuuuu! You’re the best friend EVER.” Poppy giggled as she pulled herself up before falling into your arms and hugging you tightly. Laughing, you hugged her back.
“Love you too, Pops,” you replied as the little Hufflepuff cheered in delight.
“Wait! What about me?!” Samantha declared as she hopped off the table next to you both.
“Oh Merlin! I love you too, Sammy!” Poppy then stumbled over into her other friends arms as they both proceeded to hug it out. They continued to talk about how much they loved each other and how beautiful one another was while you proceeded to look for their long-abandoned shirts.
It took a bit, but after you found them, you made your way back over, seeing that Imelda and Natty were done with their match, Amit having declared that neither of them won after how many illegal moves they had pulled. Entering the circle again, you helped both girls back into their shirts, both too drunk to try and dress themselves.
“Amit, can you help Samantha back to your Common Room?” You asked the responsible young boy as he grinned at you.
“You can count on me, friend! I’ll have her back and one piece,” he promised.
“My hero!” Samantha swooned with a giggle as she fell into Amit. The young man looked a little uncomfortable at the sudden bodily contact but seemed to get over it quick enough. You were sure that he was used to it now after having been in the same house as the happy, energetic young girl since their first years.
“I guess I can take Poppy back,” you speak up then, knowing that the young Hufflepuff would definitely need help.
“NO!” Her sudden shout made you and the others jump. “I want to go with Sebastian! We have… we have things we need to talk about. RIGHT SEBASTIAN!?” She yelled over at the brunette as you looked wildly between them.
Sebastian and Garreth stopped their dance off, finally seeming to realize that the others had gathered and the party was no longer going on. “Wait what? What did you say, Poppy?” He was obviously confused as Poppy groaned.
“You have to help me back to my room! Because we have things we need to talk about!? Remember!? We were talking about it before the partyyyy!” She stomped her foot, huffing a little. She looked adorable, you thought to yourself. You’d never say that to her though. Anytime you made mention of her looking cute and adorable, she would get so defensive.
“We did?” Sebastian looked even more confused if possible as he and Garreth walked over to join them.
“YES! Eugh, you’re such a boyyyyy! I can’t believe you don’t remember! It was our plan! Plan… plan...” it was obvious that she was struggling to remember when recognition finally seemed to appear in the brunette’s eyes.
“THAT’S RIGHT! PLAN SINGING VIPER!”
“RIGHT! SINGING VIPER THAT’S IT!” Poppy cheer and they both grinned at one another. Walking over to loop an arm around the tiny girl’s shoulder, you thought they looked a little funny together. Sebastian had grown since last year and he was quite tall now. You were scared to see how much he grew over this summer. He’ll be a GIANT next year.
“I’m scared to even ask if you two are involved,” Imelda piped up before sighing.
“Sounds inappropriate if you ask me,” Garreth smirked. There was a silence before it finally hit Sebastian and Poppy what he was insinuating. They jumped away from each other so fast, faces comical.
“Me and him!?”
"Her and me!?”
“EWWWWWWW.” They yelled collectively and you all couldn’t help but laugh.
“I would never date a Slytherin! Besides, I like somebody else,” Poppy’s cheeks got even redder as her alcohol flushed cheeks were filling with heated blood from a blush.
“Wait! Who do you like?!” You demand, thinking that this is news to you.
“SHHH, not here! I’ll tell you another time,” with a sage nod, Poppy ended the conversation even though Sebastian wanted to argue over her dissing Slytherins like that.
“Fine, you owe me. Anyways, Sebastian please make sure she gets back fine,” you looked to the young man as he grinned at you.
“Scout’s honor, Whitestone.” He held up his hands in the wrong sign and you snorted a laugh.
“Very reassuring, Sallow.”
“If it makes you feel better, Lenore, I’ll go with them and then escort mister terrible drunk moves here back to our Common Room,” Imelda spoke up and that actually did make you feel better. While Imelda had drank as much as all of you, she at least seemed to retain some of her senses.
“I guess that makes us drunk buddies, Natty,” Garreth grinned at his fellow Gryffindor, punching her in the arm gently. Natty chuckled before smiling.
“Indeed, it does, my friend. I guess we should head out. Thank you so much for sharing your Room of Requirement with us, Lenore. I had quite a fun night.” You smiled over at your friend, walking over to hug her tightly.
“I’m so, so glad that all of you came tonight. I’m gonna remember this forever. I had so much fun, and it makes me happy to know that we could all get together like this. We’ll have to do it again next year.” You said as you pulled back.
“Hopefully more than once! I can’t believe you held out on us this long with this room. Think of the ragers we could have had before now,” Garreth groaned, and you laughed.
“I don’t know if I could handle nights like tonight as often as you’re thinking, Garreth.” He grinned at you, taking his turn to hug you. Many more hugs were shared between you and your friends as you all said your goodnights.
Soon enough, it was only you and Ominis left in the room. Which surprised you, you figured he would have made his way back to his Common Room as well.
“Would you like some help cleaning up this mess?” He offered up and you smiled.
“I would love that actually. Who knew all of these hooligans could be so messy?” You teased as he laughed. You both worked in silence then as you evanesco’d all the empty bottles littered around, reparo’ing the broken tables and other things that happened during your violent game of team Summoner’s court. It had only taken one round of the game for you all to realize that it was probably not the best game to play with a bunch of drunk competitive people.
Finally, you were pleased with the progress you had made. When Deek arrived tomorrow morning, you felt glad knowing that he wouldn’t be met with a whirlwind of chaos.
“Thanks again, Ominis,” you turned to look at the boy, surprised to find him sitting down at the piano bench that had been magically moved to the corner during their games.
“I’m happy to be of assistance,” he smiled over at you before patting the spot next to him on the bench. Curious, you walk over and take your familiar spot next to him. Was he sitting closer this time?
You didn’t know why, but he felt… closer. His arm was pressed into yours, his thigh as well. There was no space between you and that made you try to use your fuzzy brain. Maybe you had accidentally sat closer. Should you slide over? You glanced to your other side and noticed that there wasn’t really much room to slide over on the bench. The last thing you wanted was to make a spectacle of yourself by falling like Poppy had down. Needless to say, you weren’t letting her live that down for a while.
“I guess we should head to bed-“
“Will you play one more song for me?!” You both speak at the same time, you both pause before laughing.
“Wait, you want me to play one more song? I’m like… pretty blitzed, Omi,” you answer him, and you swear that he’s blushing. Before the party had begun, you had had Deek change the ambience in the room from the happy, hazy sunshine you always had in here to the more calming moonlight. With your big skylight ceilings, the room was plenty lit with plenty of light from the magical full moon of the room.
“You definitely don’t act like itttttttt,” he mocked Poppy’s drunken slurs and you couldn’t help but laugh even as you shoved him lightly.
“Come off it! She’s not that bad,” you grin at him as he chuckles.
“You’re right, she’s worse.”
“Ominis!” You both laugh again before falling into a peaceful silence.
“Sorry. You know that I am quite fond of Sweeting. Even if she is quite the loud and intense drunk,” he apologized, and you smiled over at him. The three of you had spent quite a lot of time together this year taking care of the animals that you and Poppy had freed from poachers. Who knew he had such a soft side for magical creatures? Particularly nifflers you noticed. Maybe it’s because they reminded him of his best friend.
“I do, and apology accepted!” You grin again and he smiled over at you.
“Brilliant. That means that you’ll play for me then?” He asked as you scrunched up you face before groaning.
“I’m going to miss a shit ton of notes,” you warned him, and he simply shrugged.
“I think you’re exaggerating, but please? I want to hear you play,” he offered you this look that you know that you would never be able to say no to.
“Fine. But only because you’re really cute looking right now,” you sigh before slapping your hand over your mouth. Did you just say that out loud?! Why!? Eugh, stupid alcohol! And you could be imagining it, but it definitely looked like he was blushing right now.
“You think I look cute?” His adorable grin made you scowl.
“Shut it, Gaunt, or I’m not playing,” you threatened him, and he made a zip locking motion over his lips that made you snort out a laugh. Stupid, cute, adorable Ominis Gaunt. You hated that he looked good doing almost everything. You couldn’t think of a single moment when he didn’t look attractive.
Once you were sure that he was done being snarky for the moment, you decided you might as well play. It took you a little longer than normal to come up with a song. But once you did, you summoned the magical playbook over and found what you were looking for. Setting it up, you had to really squint and focus to read the notes. Fuck, why were they so fuzzy? Thankfully the song didn’t seem too complicated. You could pull this off…
Starting off slow, you played the chords one by one, but Ominis was right. After a while, it didn’t take you long before muscle memory kicked in and playing was almost second nature to you. While you still missed a chord here and there, the song was played pretty smoothly, if a little slower than normal tempo. Considering what song it was, however, the slower tempo worked for it.
“I know this one I think…” Ominis spoke up quietly after a little while. You smiled as you continued to play.
“You might, it’s Elvis Presley,” you tell him, wondering if that would jog his memory. Since the song wasn’t long, you finished it eventually, the notes fading away. Ominis was silent before he turned to you with a serious look in his eyes that took your breath away.
“Play it again,” he begged, his voice barely above a whisper. Voice lodged in your throat at the way he was looking at you, you could only nod even if he couldn’t see it.
Looking back at the piano, you started the song back up. Before you realized what you were doing, you began to sing along softly.
“Wise men say,
Only fools rush in.
But I can’t help falling in love with you.”
Your voice was so quiet that you would be amazed if Ominis heard it. But this was Ominis- since he could not see that meant his other senses were heightened. Which meant that he quite easily heard you.
Of all the things to happen next, what you weren’t expecting was Ominis to sing with you. As he spoke up in the next verse, you actually almost stumbled over your playing but managed to somehow not mess up as you continued, your voice mixing with his as you both sang softly and sweetly along with the song.
“Shall I stay,
Would it be a sin?
If I can’t help falling in love with you.”
Your voices mixed together for the rest of the song, mindful of singing a little slower than usual since you couldn’t quite play at the tempo you needed in your drunk state. Once more, the song came to an end, and this time, you didn’t start the song back up. Staring at the keys in front of you, your heart was racing wildly as you thought about what had just happened. You wouldn’t say Ominis was some grand singer, but his voice wasn’t awful either. If anything, you both sounded like your voices belonged together. Just even thinking that small thought, made your heart race even faster as you blushed.
You were… stumped at what to say. You didn’t know how you were supposed to speak after that moment. Thankfully, you didn’t have to.
“I’ve been thinking,” Ominis began, and you finally dragged your eyes from the ivory keys and over to the boy that held your heart. “About what Poppy had said early about your playing.” Uh-oh…
“I thought of all the songs that you would play when I was around. So I… I had to ask again to see what you would pick.” You felt the panic rise in your body and wondered if you could find an excuse to flee. Yet despite your desperate thoughts, your feet and arse remained planted where they were. While your brain screamed for you to run, your heart pleaded for you to stay. Turning to face you, Ominis stared intensely in your direction, his hands reaching out to grab yours. You could no longer breathe as you stared at him.
“Lenore… do you like me?” The way he just so casually said it, bringing your feelings out into the air, out of your heart where you had sequestered them away, hidden them so he would never see them. You had no thoughts. You just stared at him, not knowing if you could answer him. And maybe, maybe if you hadn’t drunk anything, the answer might have forever remained unanswered.
“Yes…” you whispered and his hands over yours tightened. The silence that surrounded the both of you then was overwhelming. You felt like you were suffocating in it. Sure, you maybe imagined admitting your feelings to him before once or twice, but you really thought it had been best to never bring them up. The last thing you ever wanted was to lose his friendship, he meant so much to you.
“Good,” he finally whispered as he leaned in and did the last thing you ever expect and he kissed you.
Ominis.
Kissed.
You.
Your brain really did short-circuit then as your eyes widened in surprise. This was a dream, right? Surely it must be. You had drunk too much and now you were passed out back in your room in stupor. If this was a dream, then you never wanted to wake up. Closing your eyes, you finally kissed him back, the kiss between you remaining soft and sweet as he continued to hold your hands, his thumbs rubbing over the tops of yours softly.
When he finally pulled back, you opened your eyes, gazing at him softly as he smiled at you. “This isn’t a dream, by the way,” he spoke up and you blinked.
“What?” You were sure you looked stupid then- like a fish out of water as he laughed. Yet again you were glad he couldn’t see you.
“You whispered it after the kiss,” he replied and you blinked again. You had? It had to be the alcohol then. Wait… this WASN’T a dream? Had you and Ominis really kissed?!
“Since I didn’t say it earlier, I’ll say it now. I am completely and utterly captivated by you, Lenore Whitestone. And I have been for months now. I could even say that I’ve fallen madly in love with you.”
This was not happening, there was no way this was happening. You could only stare at him, wondering if perhaps this was the alcohol talking. He had drunk quite a lot tonight as well.
“If you don’t believe me, I’ll say it again tomorrow. And the next day and then the next if that makes you realize how much I completely and utterly adore you,” he spoke up again and you could only whimper softly. Ominis… liked you? No, Ominis loved you?!
“How…” you whispered, having a hard time trying to process this information. The boy that you had pined over for so long happened to feel the same way?
“How could I not? After everything last year with Ranrok and Sebastian, you became like something of a lifeline to me. You were able to remind me that there was still good in this world. Still life and a reason to carry on and smile. Our letters over the summer meant more to me than I think you realize. Hearing the silly stories about your parent’s chickens would make me laugh despite my family doing everything in their power to make me feel little and insignificant. Then when we came back to school, you were just the same as you were in your letters. I thought that maybe you might avoid me, or things would be awkward. But they weren’t, you would smile at me, and I could feel it. The way your smiles would bring light into the world,” by now his hands holding yours shifted so he could lace your fingers together. Bringing your hand up to your lips, he kissed the back of it so sweetly, that inhaled, your knees quivering slightly. Just the pure emotion behind the action made you realize that your brain couldn’t even mimic this and that this was indeed very real.
“Then there were our times together in the music room. You never chased me away even though you should have. Your music time is obviously something for yourself and a way to work through your feelings. Yet you always let me stay and listen. And the comfort I found in your playing meant more to me than you know, love. It was like you had washed my soul in a balm that only you could create.” Ominis was so sincere at that moment as he poured his feelings out to you, and you could feel the prickle of tears at the corner of your eyes. Oh Merlin, you couldn’t cry. You would never let yourself live it down if you cried during his confession.
“What really sealed the deal for me, however, the moment that I realized that this was more than a crush, was when you comforted me after Christmas break. I don’t think you realized how effortlessly you seemed to make me feel better after that. Usually, the funks that my family put me in last for weeks. You had me feeling better within a couple of hours. I just knew that everything would be alright after. That’s when I realized how far I had fallen for you.” Taking both of your hands, he kissed them both as he looked intensely at you. “So, I’ll say it again. This isn’t a dream, Lenore. And I am hopelessly, irrevocably in love with you. When Poppy made her comment earlier, and I had started to put together everything you would play for me I had… hoped. Hoped beyond hope that you maybe felt even an inkling for me that I felt for you. So when you chose this song earlier… I knew I had to say something. I had to take a chance. Because if I didn’t now, I was scared that I never would.”
Swallowing, you knew then that you could never go back to the way things were before. And maybe things had changed before you realized it. Things were already different this year from last. You hadn’t been just friends; you had been more and neither of you were willing to say that out loud. The extra, innocent touches, the amount of time you spent together, the letters sent between you two during breaks. You certainly had written to Poppy as much as you had written to Ominis, and she was your best friend.
Once you finally realized this, that things had been different this year and you two could never been just friends again, it seemed to settle something in you. Your feelings were okay, because he felt the same way. And just maybe, this wouldn’t ruin your friendship, ruin what was between you two. If anything, it had the possibility of making this bond between you two even stronger.
“I love you, Ominis. So much,” you finally broke your silence. Your words made Ominis blink before he sent you a blinding smile in return. Mirroring his smile, you laughed before you leaned in, and it was your turn to kiss him. It didn’t last long, however, before you pulled back so you could say your peace.
“I honestly never thought I would say those words aloud,” you admitted to him. “For so long, I had pushed them back and buried them for the sake of our friendship. The last thing I ever wanted to do was push you away and make things awkward between us with unwanted feelings. I thought, well I had thought before Poppy had opened her big mouth, that if I just let them out in my music then it would be okay. That it would be enough for me.”
“I really have to thank Sweeting for all of this,” Ominis hummed, and you laughed.
“Maybe wait for her to not be hungover. I have a feeling that she’s gonna be miserable tomorrow.”
“She won’t be the only one, I’m sure I won’t hear the end of it with Sebastian,” he groaned, and you laughed again.
“Just remind him of his sick dance moves and I’m sure it will fix everything,” you teased, and he chuckled.
“Maybe we can just… stay in here? Let them all figure it out for themselves tomorrow?” He looked to you hopefully then, causing you to laugh.
“This is one battle we can’t run away from, Gaunt. If worse comes to worse, we can always tell them that it was Garreth’s fault since he brought the alcohol.”
“You’re a mad genius and this is one of many reasons I love you,” Ominis’ reply was so casual and easy that you blushed brightly.
“I’m not sure I’m going to get used to you saying that,” you say faintly as he pulled you closer by your hands. At this point, you were practically sitting in his lap. One hand leaving your hands, he used that arm to wrap around your waist to keep you close. Using your free hand, you wrapped it around his neck, still unable to believe that this was happening.
“I will tell you every day until you begin to believe it, love,” he murmured, and you felt him nuzzle his nose against your cheek.
“Promise?” You ask as you turn towards him, bumping his nose with your own.
“Promise,” he whispered before his lips captured yours finally in a kiss that had you flying to the moon.
***
1 year later…
“I can’t believe we’ll be graduating in only a short couple of days,” you speak up as you and Ominis walk hand in hand to the music room. He said that he had a surprise for you, but he wouldn’t tell you what it was. Only that you needed to make your way to the music room.
“This year has flown by rather fast,” he agreed as you swung your laced hands between you lightly. Fast was an understatement. Ever since the whirlwind of events that was your party last year, things didn’t seem to slow down. You and Ominis had made your relationship official the very next day much to the excitement of your friends, all of them declaring that it was about damned time. Sebastian and
Poppy decided that they were going to take most of the credit, saying that mission Singing Viper had been a success. You didn’t have the heart to tell them that you were pretty sure that they didn’t actually do anything.
Summer had gone by so fast, you even wondered if it had been as long as it was supposed to be or if the teachers had cut it short. Ominis had spent the summer with Sebastian, and the two had come to visit you and your parents for two weeks which had gone over amazing.
Both boys had made a great impression on your parents- Ominis for being so well mannered and sweet, and Sebastian for his help around the growing farm your parents were creating. Last year they bought chickens, this year had been cows. And since Sebastian was a farm boy from a hamlet, his expertise in the area plus his extra muscle around the house had gone a long way with her parents. So much so that they had invited them to come visit whenever they wished. It made Ominis shy but happy, and you had a feeling that Sebastian was just as happy. They had treated him like a son and that seemed to have him grow a soft spot for them. You had a feeling that that sense of familial love was something he desperately needed.
Before you knew it, you were back and school and preparing for your N.E.W.T.S. You hardly had any time for much other than your classes and studying that year. When the others warned you that your seventh year would be no joke, you had believed them, but you didn’t think it would be this bad.
However, every time you thought you were going to break from the pressure of the exams, Ominis would pull you away for a date. Whether it was just a small picnic on the lake or browsing the stores of Hogsmeade before getting some butterbeers, that time with your boyfriend always seemed to keep you from going over the deep end.
Eventually, exams came and past and you and your friends were finally free. Now the lot of you would be graduating soon and leaving Hogwarts for good. It was such a bittersweet feeling. You came here your fifth year, not sure what to expect. But now you were leaving feeling more whole than when you had arrived. Once, you had wondered if coming here was the worst thing to ever happen to you. Now you left, knowing that it was absolutely the best thing to ever happen to you.
“Ah, here we are,” Ominis pulled you out of your reverie as you arrived at the music room. Stepping in, you both made your way over the piano that you always sat at for your music sessions. You were about to sit down, thinking that he had pulled you here for you to play, but he stopped you before you did.
“You know how I had mentioned that I had a surprise for you?” He asked you as he wrapped both of his arms around you from behind. While he wasn’t particularly into PDA in public, you had learned early on that he was quite clingy when it was just the two of you.
“I do remember you saying a thing,” you teased him as you turned to plant a kiss on his cheek. He smirked at you before waving a hand at the piano.
“There it is.”
“Hogwarts piano… ah yes. Something that is very surprising,” you comment dryly, and he snorted, pinching your side lightly, making you squeal.
“No snark, that’s my thing,” he murmured.
“I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be looking at or feeling, Ominis,” you replied to him.
“It’s yours now.” He said simply and you froze.
“What?”
“The piano. It’s yours now. I bought it from the school.” His words floored you. You stared back at the gorgeous piano who had been there for you throughout your time at this school. You had so many memories with the instrument. It was yours…?
“Ominis…” you whispered.
“You know my plan of burning myself from my family tree after graduation now that I’m 18 and removing myself from their despicable hands. Well before they cut me off, I thought it fitting that one of the last things I buy with their money is something they would absolutely hate which is also something I love for somebody that I love.”
“So you… you bought a timeless antique,” your words were faint as it finally hit you what was happening.
“Indeed. I know that you’re fond of that beat up keyboard in your parent’s house but well,” you watched as his cheeks turned bright red. Your head tilted slightly as you watched him, wondering why he was so embarrassed.
“Well… you know my intentions with you, Lenore. This between us? It means very much to me and I’m very serious about you. I want us to work out for the long term. That means finding a place to live together, getting married, having kids if that’s something you desire. I want all of it. And I thought that what better piece of furniture to start off our life together than the one that heled to bring us together?” His words floored you completely. You could only stare at him before turning in his arms and throwing your arms around him. Unlike that night when had admitted his feelings, you could actually feel tears well in your eyes as they fell.
“Ominis, I love it! This is an amazing gift, thank you so much. It’s so perfect. And I agree with you. I would love to have this in our home that we make for ourselves.” Seeing as you weren’t denying his gift or the future he spoke of, he relaxing in your arms before hugging you back.
“Oh, Merlin I’m glad. I’m not gonna lie, I was a bit nervous about this gift,” he chuckled, and you giggled.
“It’s perfect,” you assured him. Beaming up at him, you surged forward, giving him a deep kiss in response to your very welcome surprise indeed. Pulling back after a while, feeling a little out of breath, you smile. “I love you so very much, Ominis Gaunt.”
“And I love you completely and utterly, Lenore Whitestone,” he answered immediately, smiling beautifully down at you. It had taken you a while to get here, but you were so glad that you had made it here with him. How could you not love this man? As a famous man once said, some things, you know, are just meant to be.