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Your head, still spinning from the recent events in the caves to the south, combined with what had happened in the catacombs with Sebastian had left you feeling dizzy.
You hadn't even spoken to Ominis after that day, and a heavy weight had settled itself in your chest. You wanted to keep him in the loop; not lose him as a friend.
Luckily from all your frequent jaunts around the castle, you knew his routine quite well. He had a favoured spot to sit in the castle, right by one of those Herodiana puzzles that you haven't solved yet. There were several benches in that area, but every time you saw him in passing there, he'd taken a seat on the floor by one of the pillars.
Knowing this, you settled on the bench beside that spot with a book you'd purchased on Chinese Chomping Cabbages and their uses and misuses. The book actually contained some hilarious recollections of their discovery by a Chinese agriculturist who thought he could tame the vicious cabbages like pets, as well as their difference in taste compared to regular cabbages. Apparently if used after feeding, they enhanced the flavour of any meat sauce by tenfold. Not only that, but their leaves stayed more firm than most after cooking. As a Hufflepuff, this was important information. One you would be sharing with the rest of your house, and maybe the house elves in the kitchen too.
Eventually some time passed, and as you predicted, Ominis appeared in the distance, meandering his way to his usual spot. You waited until he was settled, feeling just a teensy bit bad that you might startle him. You decided to speak quietly,
"Ominis."
As you expected, his head whipped towards you with a slightly startled expression, "What- When did you get here?"
You let a fond smile bleed onto your lips, "I was here well before you, but just as well. I wished to speak with you." You snapped your book shut with a click, reveling a bit in the dramatics. You held the book in your lap, looking down at Ominis from your spot on the bench, "Are you comfortable there, or would you like to sit beside me?"
Your gloved hand patted the hard bench beside you, and he looked considering for a moment before moving to sit beside you, "I suppose I can grace you with my presence this once," he smirked.
"Excellent!" You beamed honestly. His smirk settled into a small smile, one you'd not seen on his face yet, given the circumstances in which you usually always met. Observing his profile for a moment, it hit you once again that Ominis was handsome. He had cute freckles on the side of his cheek and neck, and his dirty blond hair shone in the light from the window behind you.
You let out a small huff of air, trying to dispel the feelings in your chest, "I just wanted to apologise. A lot has happened with Sebastian- I fear for him, truly," Ominis nodded along with your words, his expression now serious and flat, his lips pinched together in displeasure, "I fear I can do nothing but tag along beside him and make sure he doesn't get hurt. This obsession…I don't think I'll be able to change his mind if he keeps going down this dark path, especially if he thinks he's doing it for Anne."
At this point, you were whispering lowly, leaning into Ominis closely, knowing all too well how loud voices could carry through the halls. You realise this wasn't the place for this conversation, but it was too late now. The warmth of his shoulder beside you kept you grounded.
Ominis senses this as well, and lowered his voice in turn, "Thank you for your apology. I, too, have this feeling of helplessness towards Sebastian and Anne. They've both done so much for me for all these years… to have it end like this… I don't want to lose Sebastian."
You nodded, murmuring your agreement, "he's different now." Was all you could say. It was the truth; Sebastian and his attitude, the way he was justifying the use of the darkest of arts, the passing of blame onto anyone but himself…
It was hard to stand by and watch. Already though, Sebastian would argue with you, and his tone of voice was frequently aggressive.
"It's hard, I know. To lose a sibling. To watch someone waste away before your very eyes. It's horrible, Ominis. I don't wish this on him, but he's…"
You try to shake yourself out of the thoughts. A warm hand nudges your leg, and you take the invitation for what it is; Ominis offering his hand for you to hold, for comfort. For the both of you.
Silence fell between you, your hands clutched together like a lifeline.
Finally, Ominis spoke, "It's alright. We'll deal with this together, we must. If we can stop him before it's too late, we may not have to mourn a friend."
You nodded, your chin touching his shoulder as you did. You shuffle back a bit, an apology falling from your lips. When had you gotten so close? You were holding hands, but it was startling to realise you'd drooped so low as to almost rest your head on his shoulder. Oops.
Ominis shook his head, "think nothing of it," he said, releasing your hand. He stood, "I have a paper to write for History of Magic, as do you. I'll be on my way now, but please be in touch if Sebastian contacts you. Don't leave me out of this."
You agree, standing as well. Brushing off your robe, you look at him for a moment as you say your goodbyes. Ominis looked tired. Far too tired.
You hoped this would end well.