Archive of Our Own ^beta

She huffs, a blush staining her cheeks, “What makes you say that?” 

He laughs again, “I can feel when you’re staring at me, darling. And you’ve not stopped since we’ve crossed Central Hall. Have I grown a second nose without realizing? Or have I finally bored you with my ramblings?”

Her eyes don’t leave his warming face and she leans her head on his shoulder for a moment, before standing back up right. 

“You could never bore me, my dear Ominis. And I would apologize for my staring, but I’m not actually sorry,” she giggles as he grins widely at her. “I can’t help myself. You’re captivating. Two noses and all.” 

His cheeks flush into a beautiful shade of pink and red. His eyes, gray and shining, see past her as he whispers,

“You flatter me. But, it’s me who’s the lucky one to have you on my arm.” 

She smiles and squeezes his arm once more, wrapping herself more around him. While they aren’t entirely open with their relationship out in public, it’s these little gestures that send her over the moon. In fact, as far as anyone is concerned, it appears as if she’s the one guiding him around. Something Ominis uses to his advantage to be as close to her as possible - while maintaining an air of decency and propriety. Ever the gentleman, she muses to herself.

He leads them around a corner and his wand points right to where her classroom is just down the hallway. A hint of a frown plays on his lips and hardens his eyes. She smiles at how disgruntled he gets when they have to part - however brief it may be. 

“Thank you for walking me to class,” she whispers.

“Of course.”

She takes in his handsome features one last time then says, “I’ll meet you at the Great Hall after?” 

He turns to her and untangles himself from her grasp. His hand finds hers and he takes it up to his lips to press a soft kiss.

“I look forward to it,” he replies with a smile.

Her heart skips a beat and she keeps a tight hold of his hand to keep him from drifting too far. Sparing a quick glance around to ensure they were alone, she leans closer to him and his breath hitches at how near she is. 

She places a kiss on his cheek then whispers, “Until then.”

His eyes are wide, and his cheeks are engulfed in a bright red that spreads all the way to his ears. He swears his mind blanks from the simple show of affection. 

She giggles at how easily flustered he gets. Before she can slip away from his grasp, he pulls her back around the corner in a swift movement. He pockets his wand and cups her cheek to hold her in place then he crashes his lips to hers in an all too warm kiss. Hearing her soft hum, makes him smirk and he parts with a slight grin still on his face. He presses his forehead to hers with a sigh. 

“Cheeky minx,” he teases with a smirk. “You make it impossible to want to leave you.”

She giggles, “That’s the point.” 

He smiles, his eyes aflame with a kind of joy and adoration she’s never seen in anyone else before. Shutting his eyes, he releases his hold on her - allowing her to step away from him.

“I’ll see you soon,” she smiles at him as she finally heads towards her class. 

“Have a good lesson.”

She spares a final glance back towards him, and he’s angled towards her with a soft smile. She practically skips into the classroom, her fingers playing on her smiling lips the rest of the lecture.

The class is wholly uneventful and she’s more than ready to head to the Great Hall by the time it ends. She makes it a few steps outside the classroom when someone rushes up to be next to her.

“Hello,” Leander greets with a tense smile. 

Her brows raise with surprise, “Hello, Leander.” 

“Nice day, eh?” 

“I… suppose it was, yes,” she cranes her head slightly while he lets out an awkward chuckle. A silence falls between them as they continue walking. He’s fidgeting with his hands and she can’t stand it anymore.

“What’s wrong? You seem nervous,” she questions.

Leander sighs and stops walking, causing her to do the same. He glances around before saying,

“You and Gaunt seem pretty close.” 

Her lips part in surprise, but she gives a slow nod, “Yes. I’d say so.” 

Leander groans, running his hand through his slicked back hair, “Look, I don’t know how to say this, but, I saw you two,” he looks around and leans in close to whisper, “kissing before class.”

“Oh,” she whispers and her whole body flushes. She waits as a pair of classmates walk by before asking, “Did anyone else see?” 

He shakes his head, “No, it was just me.”

“Oh, good,” she chuckles. “Would you mind keeping it to yourself? We would rather keep our relationship a bit more on the private side, if you wouldn’t mind.” 

He nods, “Y-Yeah… um,” he rubs the back of his neck, “so you are-, you two are… together then?”

A faint blush warms her cheeks as she smiles, “Yes. I suppose he is courting me.” 

She swears Leander turns a shade paler at the statement and her eyes widen at the sudden distress.

“Is everything alright?” She wonders.

Leander shifts between his feet, looking nervously around as if someone were to appear at any moment.

“I know you’re still unfamiliar with many of the Families,” he begins with a tight frown, “which is why you probably don’t know.” 

“Don’t know what?” She questions, her features contorting into worry.

“You’re in danger,” he hisses under his breath, his eyes darting all around. 

“Danger?” she whispers back. “From what? Who?”

Leander huffs and says between clenched teeth, “For being with a Gaunt.”

She recoils a bit with wide eyes, “What? How?”

He sighs, “The Gaunt family comes from a long, long line of Pure-bloods. Direct heirs to Salazar Slytherin - they are. And they have always been heavily involved in the Dark Arts. Everyone knows that.” 

“What does that have to do with Ominis?” 

He lets out a snort, “Well, isn’t it obvious?” 

She crosses her arms with pinched brows, “No. It’s not. Speak plainly, Leander. What’re you trying to get at?” 

“Gaunt-,”

“Ominis,” she cuts him off with a glare. “His name is Ominis.”

Leander huffs, “Ominis, is still a Gaunt. I mean, do you truly believe he’s never partaken in the Dark Arts before? It’s practically ingrained in his very bones. He was born into it. It’s a part of him. It’s who he is. 

She’s shaking her head, so Leander continues, “Do you truly think him being born blind is a coincidence? He was cursed, for Merlin’s sake. Why else would he still be blind? And if you stay with him, you’ll end up cursed as well. It’s only a matter of time.” 

“Enough!” She hisses. “You don’t know anything, Leander. You have no idea what he’s like. And he most certainly isn’t just a ‘Gaunt’.” 

She continues walking to the Great Hall in hopes to end the conversation, but Leander easily catches up with her in a few long strides.

“Well, I do know you aren’t Pure-blooded. Do you have any idea what the Gaunt’s do to those not of Pure-blooded status? Even if you are interested in their unwanted son, his family will never allow your courtship - let alone marriage. They’ll only view you as someone dating above their station. You have no real future with him.” 

Her breath hitches at the thought and her nostrils flare - her skin beginning to burn hotter with his every word. 

“Then that’s our problem, Leander. It doesn’t concern you,” she snaps with a sharp glare towards him. 

They walk down the stairs of Central Hall where several eyes follow them as they pass. She grimaces at her outburst - noting how her nails are digging into the flesh of her palms. 

Leander huffs, “Why are you so insistent on being with him?”

She rolls her eyes with a scoff. 

“Why are you so insistent on me not being with him? Why do you care?” 

“Because I am trying to get you to understand that you shouldn’t be associating yourself with someone like him. You are far too kind, and smart, an-and pretty to let it all go to waste.”

She freezes in place and stares at him with wide eyes.

“Leander… are you… what are you doing?” 

Leander runs his hand through his red hair and takes a deep breath, “I am trying to say that you should be with someone better. Someone who can treat you right. And who won’t potentially corrupt you with Dark Magic, if he hasn’t already.”

“‘If he hasn’t already’?” She clenches her fists at her sides. She sucks in a sharp breath and looks away from him, “I am sorry you have such a poor conception of Ominis, but he is not who you believe him to be. He is kind and I am quite happy to be with him. You would know all of this if you’d taken the time to actually get to know him - instead of assuming all these horrible things about him.” 

Her voice wavers and she curses herself for getting so emotional over this. These rumors aren’t unfamiliar as Ominis would bring them up himself on occasion - telling her how outlandish some are, and how humorous he finds them. But, to hear these vile things first-hand is something she’s wholly underprepared for. Especially since she knows how beautiful of a person he is. 

“While I appreciate your concern, it is totally misplaced,” she turns on her heel away from him. “Now, if you would excuse me, I would like to end this discussion.” 

She’s about to storm away when he calls after her.

“He’s probably already used some of his dark magic on you, and you’ve not realized.”

Despite knowing better, she freezes in place. 

He continues, “That’s probably why you’re so insistent on being with him. He’s used the Dark Arts to seduce you, and you don’t even know it. Why else would you be with someone like Gaunt-,”

She whirls around, and her fist connects with Leander’s jaw with a satisfying smack before her mind can tell her to stop. Leander stumbles back in surprise until he falls on his rear, clutching onto his face. Classmates all around them exclaim and jeer at the spectacle while Leander looks up at her with teary eyes. Her knuckles ache and radiate pain all the way up her arm, but she refuses to let Leander see that.

“Keep his name, and your disgusting disingenuous accusations about him, out of your mouth, Prewett,” she seethes.

“Young lady!” Madame Scribner rushes up with a scowl. “You cannot just assault your classmate like some sort of barbarian!” 

Her eyes widen and look between the furious librarian and the nearly sobbing Leander, “I-, But-,”

“No ‘buts’,” she snaps. “Detention. Now. You’re coming with me.” 

Madame Scribner yanks her by the arm and drags her away towards the library. Laughter and more jeers follow after her while she groans to herself. Ominis is going to kill her.

Ominis keeps angling his head towards the entrance of the Great Hall while he pushes his food around. 

She’s late. 

He shakes his head and takes a few bites. She’s probably caught up with class, or one of her many friends stopped her on the way here. Now he wishes he had been there to walk with her to the Great Hall. His brows pinch while he shoves more of his food around his plate. Excited chatter is shared throughout the hall and he’s all but tuned it out until her name reaches his ears.

“What?” Ominis perks up. “What did you say?”

A girl across from him giggles, “Oh, didn’t you hear? She punched Leander right in the face! Shame you can’t see him right now, Gaunt. She gave him a good wallop and he’s pouting with his fellow cubs about it.” 

“She… punched Leander?” Ominis’ brows dip in confusion. 

“I know. Such a Muggle thing of her to do. Personally, I would’ve used a hex of some sort,” the girl states. “Anyways, it’s too bad Madame Scribner caught her in the act. I'd have given her a chocolate frog for taking down one of those Gryffindor prats a peg or two.” 

The girls go back to gossiping amongst themselves and Ominis grimaces. Sebastian takes his place next to him and says,

“Take it you heard about her getting detention.” 

Ominis nods, “Just now. Do you know why she lashed out at him?” 

Sebastian laughs, “I’m sure he said something stupid, and she merely retaliated.” 

“She doesn’t just ‘retaliate’ unless there’s good reason,” Ominis states as his mind begins to whirl. “Did Leander start a fight with her? Did he hurt her? Are you sure all she’s getting is just an evening of detention? They aren’t wanting to expel her or anything, are they?”

“I don’t know, Ominis,” Sebastian replies with a curt tone. “All I know is that she punched him - and now she’s in detention for it. Although,” Sebastian chuckles and whispers into Ominis’ ear, “with how nervous Leander looks every time he glances your way - I’d wager he might’ve said something about you to her.”

Ominis scowls, “What in Merlin’s name could he have possibly said to warrant her to do something so reckless?”

Another student sits down, gossiping about the incident as well. Ominis cranes his head towards the eager student.

“I saw the whole thing! Leander was talking to her - kept hearing Gaunt’s name being thrown about. The Dark Arts, too. Well,  she didn’t like it one bit. She decked him right in the jaw and he started crying! Then she said, ‘Keep his name out of your mouth, Prewett’. Oh, it was class!” 

Ominis’ shoulders stiffen and Sebastian places a reassuring hand on his forearm.

“It’ll be fine, Ominis. You’ll see her after detention then you can find out what actually happened - instead of all this hearsay rubbish,” Sebastian reassures, then he starts to chuckle. “I do wish you could see Leander though. His face is as swollen as his eyes. I’d wager it’ll take all year for him to recover his pride.” 

Ominis is silent the rest of dinner. Once he’s in the Common Room, he paces back and forth while his mind jumps from one worrying question to the next.  

Had he put her in a position to act like that? What did Prewett say to her?  How were the Dark Arts involved? She’s not unfamiliar with the unsavory rumors about him, so why react so violently? 

He has half a mind to go find Prewett himself, but the notion does nothing other than sate his restlessness. He lets out a heavy breath and resigns himself to wait for her by the lake-side window. Listening to the water flowing past the glass is enough to distract his thoughts. Soon, the Common Room is devoid of his fellows - leaving him alone to wait for her.

It’s late by the time she arrives. Her hand is sore from having to write out 1,000 lines of ‘I will not resort to violence against my fellow classmates’ and she has book organization in the morning to top it all off. She’s shuffling towards her dorm when her eyes land on him by the center bay window - his attention towards the lake. She almost prays he doesn’t notice her. 

“I missed you at dinner.”

His soft but stern voice echoes in the quiet Common Room. He faces her with a neutral expression, but makes no move to stand.

She grimaces, trudging over to him with a tight frown, then takes a seat across from him on the ground. His whole body is rigid - his lips pursed and his brows pinched. She bites her lip and stares at the stone floor between them.

“I’m sorry. I… got detention,” she admits in a quiet voice.

Ominis nods, “I heard. What made you think punching Leander, of all people, to be a good idea?”

She shifts her gaze out into the dark abyss of the lake. 

“I… didn’t think about it.” 

“Then, why?” He seethes in a sharp tone. “Why would you do something so extraordinarily foolish and reckless? Even for you. You could’ve gotten in serious trouble. You could have been expelled. And for what? Mhm? Tell me. Tell me what was worth your possible expulsion?” 

She looks back at him, taking in the underlying worry pinching at his handsome features despite his harsh words saying otherwise. She moves to be next to him and his hand is quick to be on her thigh. She cups his cheek to smooth out the wrinkles until he softens his hard gaze. He lowers his head until he’s able to rest it against her own. 

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I didn’t mean to make you worry.” 

His hand covers hers, lowering it from his face then he holds it gently in both of his. His fingers graze over her knuckles and he can feel patches of hot skin against his cool touch. He grimaces. 

“Did you do it because of me?” 

She frowns, “I did it because Leander was saying cruel things. He had no idea what he was talking about.” 

“I’d like to know what happened,” he says quietly. 

She’s tempted to keep the vile things Leander said to herself. But, with how Ominis gazes at her with concern and how he holds her, she finds it impossible to keep anything from him. 

“Leander saw us kissing before class today,” she admits in a hushed tone.

His brows raise, “Oh…,”

 “He thought it imperative to tell me about how dangerous you are. How you’ll ‘corrupt’ me with the Dark Arts at any moment, if you haven’t already. Then he brought up how you are Pure-blooded and I am… not,” she catches a flicker of a wince rippling across his features and she grimaces. “Which, I know you don’t care about, but your family does.” 

He shifts into a stoic expression with his lips in a tight line. At her silence, he whispers, “What else? I know he had to have said more. Tell me. I need to hear all of it.”

She squeezes his hand with a heavy breath, “He said you were cursed. It’s why you’re… blind.  And that it would be only a matter of time before I’m cursed as well. Then he said that you must be using the Dark Arts on me otherwise I wouldn’t want to be with you. And that’s when I punched him.” 

She keeps her gaze away from his and instead stares at his hand stroking hers. He lingers on her knuckles with every pass, causing his brows to furrow each time.

He’s silent for several breaths before he finally whispers, “I see.” 

She looks up at him and takes in his troubled expression. Shifting closer to him, she holds his hand tighter.

“I don’t believe a word of it, Ominis. I know you. And if Leander had taken the time to know you too, then he wouldn’t have said those things.” 

Ominis shakes his head, “But, not all those things he said were untrue. My family does care about blood status. A great deal, in fact. And there was a time when my parents suspected I had been cursed. I am also not… unfamiliar with the Dark Arts.” 

She squeezes his hand with a soft sigh, “I’m sorry.” 

“Don’t be. It’s not your fault,” Ominis gives her a small smile. “I’ve accepted who I am. Ailments and all.” 

She leans down and kisses the top of his hand still covering hers, “And I love you all the same.” 

His eyes warm into a gentle adoration and his smile fully forms.

“And I love you,” he whispers. “I… wish he didn’t tell you those things. I…,” he sighs and feels over her bruised knuckles with a grimace. “I don’t want you to feel like you have to defend me. The words he said - I’ve heard them all before - you already know this,” his blueish-gray eyes try to find hers. 

Under the rippling water, Ominis’ features become a living canvas of dark aquamarine - emitting a soft radiance which outlines his every contour with a liquid glow. Kneeling next to him, she feels akin to being at the altar of some god. With a shaky hand, she guides him to face towards her - earning a soft smile from him. Her lip trembles as Leander’s words - and all the other horrible rumors - claw at her thoughts. 

“I hate that you’ve ever had to hear such things, Ominis. Truly. Listening to Leander speak so heinously about you, it-,it broke my heart,” her voice wavers and she sucks in a sharp breath to keep herself from crying. 

He cups her cheek and urges her to him, pressing each other together with their noses brushing. 

“None of it matters to me. I only care about what the people closest to my heart think of me,” he professes. 

She gives a small nod, “I know. Doesn’t make it right though.” 

He kisses her forehead, tenderly tucking her hair behind her ear. 

“Come here, my sweet,” he tugs her to his chest and she nestles herself against him. “I promise - their words don’t hurt me. I’m more upset they’ve caused you such distress.”

She hides into the crook of his neck, “I’m sorry. You’re very important to me, Ominis.”

His arms tighten around her, “And you are to me as well,” he sighs while resting his head onto hers. “Promise me you won’t lash out like that again. It’s not worth you getting into trouble.”

She lifts herself up enough to look at him, and she says in a rather stern voice, “I can’t promise you that.”

He’s about to protest when she continues,

“I will try to keep my… temper in check. But, I won’t promise that I’ll stand idly by as him - or anyone else for that matter - speak about you in such a vile manner. I won’t. I would suffer any punishment for it as well. Detention, expulsion - none of it means anything to me if I chose to stand by and let the ones I love be talked down upon.” 

“I… didn’t know you felt so strongly about this,” he whispers. His eyes shut and he lets out a soft chuckle, “You’re so very ornery,” he has a gentle look as he nods. “Fine. It seems you’ve made up your mind - and who am I to try to change that,” he sighs while stroking her cheek. “Just try not to go around beating up the whole school - would you?”

She kisses his cheek then places herself back against his chest, “Fine. I’ll try.”

He sighs at how warm she is against him and he places another kiss on top of her forehead. He’s silent, enjoying the calmness of her breaths and the gentleness of her heart against him. He plays with her hair in deep thought, nearly lulling to sleep when her soft voice breaks the silence.

“I do hope some of the things he said aren’t true,” she murmurs. Before he can ask, she continues with a heavy voice,

“He said our courtship would never last. That I have no future with you because your family would never allow us…,” she trails off and he feels over her face to find a frown tugging on her lips.

“Allow us to what?” His question is just above a whisper. 

 “To marry.”

His eyes widen then his features fall into a tight grimace. 

“It’s true. They would never give their blessing to us,” he murmurs then a warm smile starts to form. He plays with her hair as he shyly asks, “You would consider marriage… with me?” 

She snorts with a soft chuckle, “You’ll have to propose to know that answer, Ominis.” 

His whole face breaks into a bright smile while his cheeks ignite in an even brighter blush. It spreads all the way to his ears and she giggles while stroking his cheek. 

“Well, no matter the answer, you’ve made me very happy to hear that you’re serious about a possible future together,” he admits in a quiet voice. “I’ve thought about it as well. While my family will never approve of us, I don’t rightly care. I want to be together. I want to be with you for as long as you’ll have me.” 

She smiles, “Good. Because I want the same. We’ll figure it out. Nothing will keep us apart.”

With a tender kiss, they seal their promise to one another. He holds her close, unable to stop smiling.

“I have to know,” he says in a teasing tone, “did Prewett actually cry?” 

She giggles and buries herself into his neck, “Like a baby.”

He laughs, holding her tighter, “Oh, what I would’ve given to have heard that.” 

They giggle together, basking in each other’s embrace under the lake’s tranquil waters.