Chapter Text
Ominis breathed out a weary sigh as he stepped over the threshold leading out of the Slytherin Common Room. The silence that followed was a welcome relief. His fingers migrated to the side of his head as he massaged his temple, attempting to alleviate the slight headache blossoming from his recent encounter with Sebasatian.
“Please Ominis! Anne needs your help! The Scriptorium could hold the answers we’re looking for! Just a hint of where I can find it is all I ask for. ”
Ominis frowned. The constant wheedling, prying, and begging was wearing down his last nerve, but he knew of Sebastian’s tactics, and was determined to not let it break him. Tonight was no different, and he quickly excused himself in search of some much-needed respite. As his steps took him further from the Common Room entrance, he could hear the distant movement of the enchanted door closing behind him.
Ominis let his wand guide the way, weaving through the familiar corridors with ease. Thankfully, not many traversed these silent halls at this time of night. He had imagined most of his peers would find the dark, liminal space rather unsettling - doubly so during the evening hours. To him, however, the empty corridors were peaceful and calming, a refuge where he could finally be away from the chatter and noise that assaulted his ears on a daily basis.
On certain rare occasions, however, he swore he could hear the low, hissing voice of something sinister lurking beneath the dungeons. He was thankful that for tonight at least, the dark, malevolent voice was blessedly silent.
Making his way through the deserted halls, Ominis’s hand idly traced against the cold stone, he could feel the slight damp clinging to the tips of his fingers. Once he had found his familiar corner of the dungeon, he settled against its walls, feeling the chill of the stone traveling through his spine despite his heavy robes. He allowed himself to shut his eyes, relishing in the familiar blissful silence.
After a few moments, Ominis’s ears perked at the sound of what he thought was an imperceptible echo of a voice. It sounded like…singing?
His brows furrowed as he opened his eyes. He could still hear the faded trace of the echo reverberating through the empty halls before falling silent. He tilted his head slightly, holding his breath in an attempt to better hear the source of the sound again. After several long moments, he half-wondered if he had simply been imagining things.
Just then, he heard it once more. It was faint, but it was present.
He pushed himself from the wall, cautiously pulling out his wand to guide him toward the source of the sound. From what his ears could pick up, it seemed to have been coming from further within the dungeon walls. The voice sounded melodic, ethereal even.
With tentative steps, he carefully made his way forward, pausing every so often to listen to the source of the sound and to regain his bearings. With his other hand, he felt his way along the walls, his fingers skimming along the rough stone before falling onto a set of iron bars - a portcullis to be exact. He was familiar with this particular entrance, though he was accustomed to it being locked. Strangely, it appeared that this was no longer the case for this particular night. The hauntingly beautiful voice faintly echoed somewhere deeper from within.
With some hesitation, he tapped at the bars with his wand, the gates of the portcullis lifting upward, permitting his entry without incident.
He followed the melodious sound to the end of the long corridor. In the distance, he could sense another door where the sound had been emanating from. He paused at the entrance, reconsidering if it simply wasn’t one of the many spirits haunting these halls. Though, from his recollection, he had never heard such a voice during his years at this school.
His thoughts were interrupted as his keen hearing picked up on a very human-sounding voice from within the room.
“...No, that doesn’t sound right. Maybe a slight vibrato at the end?”
Wait. Ominis recognized that voice, his eyebrows pitched upward in surprise. It was the new fifth-year. What were they doing here at this hour? He shook his head at the ridiculous question. Singing - obviously, he chided to himself. But why the secrecy? It wasn’t as if they were breaking any rules, aside from breaking curfew that is. Were they simply self-conscious? With a disbelieving snort, he could say with confidence that their fear was most certainly unwarranted.
Did anyone else know about this? What other secrets have they been hiding after all of this time?
Before his internal line of inquiry continued, he could hear them start again. Their voice carried through the door, starting off soft along the edges before their song swelled in power and pitch.
Despite his better judgment, he yearned to hear more of it - unobstructed. Ominis carefully opened the door before silently slipping across the threshold. He swiftly pocketed his wand in his robes to hide its tell-tale glow, opting instead to use his hands and sense of hearing to guide his way.
From where he stood, he could hear them in the center of the room as they continued their captivating aria. A poignantly beautiful, yet melancholy texture coated their voice as it reverberated across the open space, their voice weaving together delicately toward the end as their tone lilted in a hopeful vibrato. Thankfully, they didn’t seem to notice his presence as he made his way further into the room.
As they continued their performance, Ominis could feel his throat constrict with emotion - it was beautiful . He couldn’t help but be thankful for the acoustics in the room, allowing him to hear their voice perfectly despite his hidden position.
Still, Ominis fretted. While he deeply desired to continue to listen to their singing, the better part of him knew that he should make his presence known. It was most unbecoming of him, lurking in the shadows like some ne’er do well. Yet he couldn’t help but hesitate. If he did, they would most certainly cease their singing - perhaps for good. His last encounter with them certainly did not lend a favorable impression of his character.
Ominis recalled their last engagement outside of the Undercroft. His raw anger at Sebastian’s betrayal had been unfairly directed toward the new student, going so far as to threaten to leverage his family’s considerable influence over their fate should they breathe a word about the Undercroft’s existence. It was an empty threat of course, but they certainly couldn't have known that. He inwardly winced at the unwelcome memory.
What would they think of him if they caught him spying in a space thought private to them? Ominis would be remiss not to note the irony of the situation.
No. It wasn’t right. He should excuse himself, and never trespass here again.
When they started their singing once more, however, the thought vanished from his mind. Ominis truly did not want it to end. Just a few moments longer, he resolved, then he would leave. He stepped closer, sticking close to the pillars that surrounded the room. Unfortunately, the edge of his robe had snagged on one of the pieces of haphazardly stacked furniture, the table leg screeching noisily across the stone floor.
Their singing immediately stopped as they whirled around toward the source of the commotion.
“H-hello?” they called out nervously. “Is there anyone there?”
Ominis froze, internally conflicted on whether he should identify himself. They hadn’t seen him - not yet at least. Perhaps he could stay quiet and pretend it was one of the many ghosts loitering in these halls. However, the absolute hypocrisy of his actions were glaringly obvious. It simply wouldn’t do to pretend that he wasn’t there.
With a small, defeated sigh, he relented to his better nature before slowly emerging from the shadows. The glow of his wand guided him forward as he stepped out of the darkness. Though he couldn’t see their expression, he could feel their anxious energy emanating in the air. He could hear their sharp intake of breath as they recognized him.
“Ominis! I-I didn’t…h-how long were you…? Their disjointed, flustered line of questioning was easily heard from across the room. In the distance, he could hear the sound of them covering their cheeks with their hands, mortified at their current predicament.
“I had heard a voice as I was walking through the halls. I had no idea that it was you.” Ominis had somehow managed to keep an even tone in his voice. As he drew closer, he could sense the frantic energy escalating from the new student.
“Oh no! I-I hope I didn’t wake you. I had thought this place rather secluded and I thought no one would come here–”, they rambled, breathless. “Please don’t tell the Headmaster! I promise I won’t return here ever again, and I –”
Ominis’s heart dropped at the prospect.
“No!” His sharp rebuke surprised even himself. He could feel their wide eyes boring into him as they were stunned into silence.
“I mean, that is to say,” he fumbled over his words, “I have no misgivings over you using this room for something so innocuous as singing practice. I won’t be reporting you to the Headmaster. You needn’t fear that.”
Ominis could hear the small exhale of relief. “Thank you, Ominis!” they breathed out. A rustle of fabric could be heard as they collected their belongings. “Again, I’m sorry to have disturbed you, please excuse me.” He could feel a slight breeze as they made their way past him, their footsteps echoing on the stone floor behind him as they attempted to beat a hasty retreat.
Hearing the footsteps fade into the distance, Ominis’s voice cut through the echoed chamber. “On one condition,” he quickly amended. He heard them freeze in mid-stride, hesitating, before turning to face him.
With a small smile, he continued, “On the condition that you permit me to listen when you continue to practice.”
He could feel their wide eyes upon him, imagining their stunned expression as they registered his terms. Ominis turned toward them, attempting to focus his gaze on their eyes.
“You sing beautifully. It would be a shame if you stopped, “ he noted sincerely.
His words must have caught them off guard, as it took several moments for the new student to respond. “I…t-thank you. Of course. Goodnight, Ominis.”
With that, they quickly rushed out of the room, leaving Ominis in silence once more.
With a small sigh, Ominis tilted his head toward the ceiling. Upon further reflection, he truly hoped his request did not come across as a threat to blackmail them. Perhaps it was simply in a Gaunt’s nature to do as they please, regardless of the wishes of others. He frowned darkly at the thought.
Ominis closed his eyes, choosing instead to focus on the melody of their voice. The enchanting sound echoing in his memory.
Before long, he made his way back to the Slytherin Common Room, turning in the direction of the boy’s dormitory. As he entered the shared space, he could sense Sebastian sitting in bed, nose buried in a book. His head snapped up at Ominis’s entry.
“There you are! I was wondering if you had gotten lost,” he teased.
Ominis shook his head with an indulgent smile, before focusing on changing into his bedclothes. He carefully folded his robes before rummaging through his bedside drawer, pulling out his nightshirt. As he went through the motions, he couldn’t help the rather whimsical expression on his face, despite his best efforts to conceal it.
Sebastian was uncharacteristically silent for a few moments before speaking. “Something’s different with you,” he observed.
Ominis huffed, “I have no idea what you mean.” He hoped the lie would fool Sebastian, or at the very least, curb his line of questioning.
Sebastian, perceptive as usual, eyed him carefully. “What’s that look for Ominis? What happened?” He could hear the smile in his tone.
Ominis continued buttoning up his nightshirt before sliding under the bed sheets.
“You needn’t concern yourself, Sebastian,” he dismissed, pulling the covers over his body and facing away from him. “Goodnight.” He could hear the snort of disbelief, along with a rustling of sheets. Sebastian would let it be, for now. No doubt, he would be eager to pick up this conversation first thing in the morning.
With a tired sigh, Ominis turned his face deeper into his pillow. He let his thoughts wander to tonight’s rather unexpected turn of events. He had hoped he would have an opportunity to speak to the new student again. Hopefully amend their likely unfavorable impressions of him.
As he settled into restful slumber, he dreamt of the wistful melody of a lone songbird echoing in the darkness.