Chapter Text
"Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!" Your mother greeted in your native language, before pulling you into a big hug. "Welcome home, my little Demiguise!" Making Ominis quirk an eyebrow. It's been months since the last holiday that visited, that you returned her affection eagerly.
You returned her greeting in the same language. "How have you been?" You then asked, patting her back with fondness as she keeps you locked in the hug.
"Good! I'm glad you could make it for the weekend! Your grandpa will be very happy." Your mother replied, finally letting you go. She peers up at your tall companion in curiosity. "Is the boyfriend from your letters?" She asked.
"Yes, this is Ominis. He's from Hogwarts as well." You introduced the pale blond whose back stiffened into a straight board. "Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, Ma'am. Thank you for having me on such a short notice." He greeted politely with a bow, his hands feeling clammy from the nervousness.
"Why aren't you a dear!" Your mother chuckled. "Didn't expect fairies attending your school. He's a handsome one." She commented with mirth. This made your partner blush. "Thank you.." A shy smile graced his face, as he relaxed a little.
"Well then! Let's get you introduced to the rest of the family and show you the rooms." She says, ushering you both in.
Once introduced and settled in. You're both seated on the couch in the living room to relax while waiting for dinner.
A clear and bright melodic tune, strums into focus with each new note. It's timbre taking a tranquil tone to fill the gaps of background chatter. "What instrument is that? A lute?" He asked with interest. "Ah, it's the 'Pipa' and it's certainly a variation of the lute you're familiar to. My cousin should be able to tell you more in detail if you'd like. He's the one playing it right now." You offered, knowing that music is an area of interest for Ominis.
"That does sound delightful. Perhaps later, once he's finished playing." He said, not wanting to interrupt a musical piece.
"Hey, wanna join us for Mahjong?" Your elder sister, Jun asked. Like Ominis, you had multiple siblings. Though you all ended up either taking up a trade early on or attending a different school. Which does make for a crowded gathering as more people file in. But Ominis did notice how the atmosphere was much more jovial compared his own family gatherings. Where he preferred to just blend into the nearest wall, to avoid being part of some of the tasteless activities his family indulges in. Particularly when it came at the expense of others.
"I'm pretty rusty, doubt it'd be fair." You expressed. "Then we can play a few rounds with no bets to catch you up. Sides' your boyfriend looks like the type to enjoy mental stimulation." She offered. You turned to Ominis for affirmation.
"Oh, why not? It does sound interesting, I'm willing to at least give it a try." Your partner answered with an easy grin.
You both seat at a square table set for four, joined by your younger brother, Bolin. With all hands on deck, the tiles are shuffled. The sound of the ivory clattering against each other, drumming up nostalgia for you.
Once stacked, you take turns drawing from the deck. Moving the tiles into possible combination placements, as you wait in turn to draw and discard a tile. Ominis immediately got acquainted with the game after a round. Winning the second game, barely at a hair's breadth from your sister's turn.
"I forgot to ask before..." Ominis started, as his traces the engraved side of tile absentmindedly with his thumb. "But why does your mother call you a Little Demiguise?" He asked with interest.
"Hah! That's cuz this rascal had a habit of disappearing on us." Your sister cackled. "Whenever we found them, they were either up in a tree, roof, or tight nook somehow." She recalled. "It was a pain, especially as kids. I had to figure out how to get them back down with Ba and Ma. Either by cajoling or wrestling them back down." She sighed with annoyance, making your blond companion chuckle.
"Hence, the nickname. Since they share so many characteristics to the local Demiguises here." She explained whilst fiddling with the placement of her tiles. "Hope they aren't giving the same trouble back at Hogwarts." She jerked a thumb at your direction. You gave a guilty laugh in return.
"I guess that hasn't changed." Ominis remarked, as he tried to stifle his laughter. "Back in fifth-year, they often disappeared right after class. I would only know of what they were up to by word of mouth or the news. Which were usually shocking." He looked towards you with a smirk.
"Yes! That Ranrok and Rookwood business was simply awful!" Your sister exclaimed, tossing a tile into the pile. "Everyone at the village was so worried! Ma wanted to show up at Hogwarts right that moment if it weren't for their owl post." She reminisced.
"Honestly, we were all surprised that they could even stay in Hogwarts long enough to have a boyfriend!" She continued with another jab towards you. "Oh come on, I have been the perfect student ever since my six-year." You defended. "My grades stayed good this year too." You boasted, as you picked a tile from the deck.
"It did take a lot of tutoring, to get you back on track though." Ominis added with a mischievous smile.
"And I have my incredibly smart boyfriend to thank for!" You patted his shoulder anxiously. For fear that he might divulge your side escapades to poacher camps and ruins exploration.
"Anything I can do to help the person I care most for." The wizard finished with his lips sealed to your relief.
"Aww, I'm glad that you're looking out for our Little Demiguise! It really does put us at ease, when they're so far away." Your sister remarked fondly, giving your hand a light squeeze.
"Sik Wu!" Your forgotten younger brother announced, flipping his row of winning combo tiles smugly. "Hey! I call a rematch!" Your sister and you called out at the same time, making Ominis snicker.