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You don’t know how you’ll get a wink of sleep after the butterflies and anticipation Ominis left fluttering in your veins as he bid goodnight at the stairs to your dorm.
It had been a pleasant evening of studying advanced charms together comfortably on the cognac leather couch, the large book resting on your thighs as your bent legs lightly lay across his lap. This closeness isn’t new but has been more frequent since starting 7th year nearly a month ago.
You wish you could feel the warmth and the wool of his plaid trousers against your legs. But you know that if you were to remove your stockings so your calves were touching him directly, it would be a wildfire of gossip. Yes, even in the Slytherin common room, it could be perceived as a bit scandalous. You also would never want to embarrass Ominis in such a way. And never mind the fact that you are just friends, and not courting, not together in a more tender way.
As you read aloud the nuances and guidance from the indigo inked book, you cannot help but frequently glance at his handsome face, tracing his features in an endless loop – trying yet again to describe the unique color of his eyes. Tonight, the closest being a pale turquoise with thunder clouds, seen in the dim moonlight filtering through the stained glass combined with the glow of the witchfire surrounding you both. You also keep counting his beauty marks, wondering what pattern your favorite is and if they could be connected into your own personal constellation.
His gentle hums of curiosity on the chapter topic keep you somewhat focused and reading aloud, however much you wish he would move his arms from the armrest or back of the couch to lightly grasp your ankle, your thigh, your… “Will you repeat that incantation for the Fidelius Charm?” Ominis softly asks, interrupting your wandering mind.
You blink a few times, as his inquisitive gaze turns more in your direction. His eyebrows furrow, asking, "Are you okay? Have we been studying too long?"
Before you can answer, his hand softly finds the edge of the book, sliding gently towards your left hand, and he surprises you by stopping to tenderly caress the inside of your wrist with his index finger.
“Darling, let's get you to bed," he admonishes as he lifts the book from your lap, closing it with a sharp snap. As you swing your legs away from him, your heart aches with the scandalous wish of the same bed, not your individual dorm ones. With that train of thought, you’re bitterly grateful he cannot see your intense blush from your thoughts.
You wonder if perhaps your blush is actually from his accidental touches and inadvertent term of endearment. He's definitely your darling Ominis, your hopeful beloved, however, you could not imagine he is reciprocating any feelings or interest.
You sigh deeply as you stand up, stretching and chirp out “Sweet dreams do seem to be beckoning me.”
As you feel the blood rush to your head, you teeter off balance but feel Ominis grasp your waist to steady you, his enticing scent of citrus, sandalwood, and something uniquely Ominis-like intensifies your dizziness.
“Bed, now,” he articulates teasingly into your ear as you watch him set the charms text on his stack of books near the couch and proceed to pick up his wand. With growing bashfulness at his closeness and the heat pooling in your center from your increasingly wicked thoughts, you turn abruptly and start walking towards your dorm stairs.
You take half a dozen steps before feeling Ominis grab your elbow, unhurriedly guiding you towards the stairs. Once you reach the stairs, his hand moves to your wrist again, slowly stopping so that your palms gently touch, and his fingers barely graze your skin, keeping you from leaving.
You swiftly look at his face, the air stuck in your throat. He seems unsure of himself yet calm as he leans in closer. Your heart rate increases as he hesitates to bid adieu for the night. You are unable to utter a single word and fear he can feel your pulse or the heat of your blush. Or both.
"Will you join me for a walk to our favorite spot on the northeastern wall tomorrow morning after breakfast?" he gently asks.
"Yes, of course, Ominis," you reply.
“Wonderful, I’m going to collect my books. Sweet Dreams…." he grins and turns away. You watch him walk back towards your cozy spot before whirling around to head up to your dorm room – with wonder and hope in your heart.
Nearly two hours ago, Ominis had slowly walked you to the stairs leading to your dorm, your hand warm against his for a moment. You continue tossing and turning in your sheets as you internally plead for sleep.
You stare at the soft darkness created by the closed dark green curtains and intricately carved wood of the bed. As the minutes pass, you reflect on how appreciative you are that throughout 6th year your friendship with Ominis grew and solidified - with frequent study sessions, many tea and biscuit breaks together, and repeated walks around the castle grounds creating memories of time well spent with him.
Your heart flutters with admiration for Ominis as you lie, listening to the fire crackle nearby. Admiration for his kindness, his humor, his integrity, his intelligence, and most of all, his ability to flourish beyond what people expect or demand of him.
You keep replaying his possibly more than friendly actions this evening, his invitation for tomorrow. You wish the intense focus he displayed studying tonight was for you rather than for the subject of charms that he seemed to enjoy immersing his cunning mind with.
You eventually fall asleep with the constellation of his beauty marks and face in your mind, the sweetest sight of the night.
The late September air feels crisp and full of promise as you and Ominis walk side by side, discussing upcoming essays, about the shenanigans of your shared friends, and the disbelief that it's both of your final year at Hogwarts.
The familiar comfort of Ominis' companionship is as warm as the sunshine you feel on your skin as you stop at your favorite segment of the old stone wall. Secluded, but with a lovely view of the valley and a bit of Hogwarts. Your heart pings that Ominis cannot see the view, but you know he senses the world in a beautiful way too.
You hop up to sit on the wall. Ominis remains standing but soon leans against the wall with a gracefulness you cherish. He settles in close enough that your bodies are touching, too close for coincidence. You watch him close his eyes and start to soak up the sunshine, his hands clasped in front of him in a relaxed manner, his wand dangling down.
In an attempt to keep breathing, you try to look around you while remaining in place. The trees and leaves are starting to demonstrate the stunningly diverse and rich hues of autumn. Still, all you can truly focus on is his nearness and how it practically consumes you.
You feel Ominis shift, his body now facing your more directly. "This summer, I realized something, while writing back and forth with you," Ominis states.
“Oh…” you breathlessly respond, thoughts racing on what you could possibly have done to impact him. You enjoyed corresponding to him frequently while he spent the summer in Feldcroft, and you spent it with cousins in Ireland.
He smiles, his gaze glancing all around you - you think the color of his eyes this morning, in the September sunshine, seem to reflect and combine the azure sky and clouds scattered above you both.
Ominis continues, "I realized I wanted to ask you something and that I wanted to get you a gift in relation to my inquiry. That is, I am interested in committing you, and you alone. I am serious in my intent to court you.”
You inhale quickly, feeling lightheaded as you process what Ominis has just asked you.
His smile remains as he gently reaches his hand out to hold onto your wrist again. He leans in even closer, speaking in a lower tone, "Will you be mine? If so, I have a special gift for you, a bracelet to demonstrate my promise to be true to you."
"Yes!" you gasp, nodding enthusiastically and lightly trembling with happiness as Ominis continues to hold onto your hand, his grip stronger and surer on your skin. The joy on his face nearly melts your heart.
Your thoughts race, you try articulating your perspective to him, shyly stating, "Ominis, I have immensely enjoyed getting to know you more and cannot imagine my life without you right now. I would be honored to be considered courting you. You are immensely kind, wonderfuly brilliant, and so very handsome. I adore your mind, and look forward to getting to know your heart. Please know you are so special to me, and I want to be by your side to support you in all the ways that I can." His bashful grin is all the acknowledgement you need.
Ominis then releases his hold on you and reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket, pulling out a slim, green velvet case. "My gift to you" he whispers.
He opens it with near reverence and turns it around to show you what is inside. It's a stunning bracelet with a texture that looks serpentine. Etched delicately on the clasp are your initials beside the letters OG, circled around by a snake.
"It's incredible, Ominis…." You murmur, and he takes it out of the case and reaches for your arm. As he gently places it onto your wrist, he begins telling you, "Professor Ronen had a contact who helped me craft the bracelet – made of pure platinum and charmed by yours truly."
You frown in mild confusion, wondering why a bracelet would need to be charmed. Ominis then leans his face closely towards your wrist, closing the clasp. You feel his warm breath on the inside of your wrist, then hear him release a few hisses and sighs, the sounds making your entire body tingle in a pleasant way.
"Ominis, did you just speak parseltongue to the bracelet?" His smirk is an alluring mix of pure masculine pride and Slytherin cunning.
“I did. It is now securely locked upon your wrist, an enduring representation of my adoration for you. It can only be unlocked with parseltongue too, which of course, I am willing to do under certain circumstances."
You then determinedly try to unlock the bracelet a few times with no success, glancing at Ominis as you feel the happiness radiating off of him at you contemplate the craftiness and skill this charm took to complete.
It is then you notice the snake etched on the clasp now has two tiny bright emerald eyes. The snake's body has now intertwined around and through both of your initials, the loops creatively twisted in a resemblance of an infinity symbol. Your blink the intense emotions from your eyes, thinking of how Ominis has used a skill he has resented at times, to create something so meaningful for you. It is such a personal & possessively clever gift.
Ominis speaks again, "It's also charmed to stay gently warm, just like my heart in your presence. You are in fact, incredible. Please know that I care for you, wholly and without conditions. This bracelet is a promise of my feelings and commitment to you. You embody all that is good in Slytherin. I hope this token reminds you of my devotion to you and to honor where our affections grew. You are mine." he says with a sly grin.
He then reaches for your wrist now encircled by the priceless gift. His warm breath brushes against your pulse point as he places kisses along your inner wrist, up onto your palm, and across every fingertip. You are still at a loss for words at this confession and gesture from Ominis. With eagerness, you reach towards Ominis, brushing his jaw with gentle hands, then slowly trace his beauty marks across his cheek, and slide a hand to the back of his neck to guide him slowly toward your lips.
You feel him inhale with anticipation as you tenderly kiss the corner of his lips. You tilt your head, pressing your lips together. Ominis responds at first with tentative motions, deepening the kiss slowly. You are blissfully lost in his taste, his smell, his touch. He releases your mouth to capture a breath, exhaling with a moan that sends tingles throughout your body. You are nearly overwhelmed with this moment.
"Ominis, can I make you a promise? It's not as eloquent as yours, but I am as sincere," He tilts his head to the side, curious to hear your thoughts. "I promise to kiss you each and every day I wear this bracelet," you declare.
"Only one kiss a day? If that is the case, then I may request it right before bed, so I may have the sweetest dreams," he replies with a teasing tone.
"The total number of kisses to be determined, but it will likely be close to infinity. Perhaps one day in bed together if you're lucky," you quickly retort, causing both of you to blush. Ominis wraps his arms around you with a hum of agreement, responding, "Now that is some ambition I can support."
You press your face into his chest, smiling at all the possibilities ahead -- exploring courting one another through your last year at Hogwarts, to hopefully sharing a life and so much more together. You're excited about what the future holds and what promises are yet to be with the one who has your heart, and wrist, securely held.