(Ominis)

.... I am so sorry to be writing to you like this. Anne wishes that I wait until we are on the train, but I cannot. This cannot wait till we are in person, I promised her I'd tell you, not how or when.

Anne sought me out in Richmond. Informed me that she has decided that she wishes to be near us when she inevitably passes. Which according to her is coming quite rapidly. She is leaving Mungos and plans to take back up at her uncle's cabin in Feldcroft.

She isn't listening to reason, I had pleaded and tried to convince her otherwise, tried to explain why Mungos would be able to keep her more comfortable, but she wouldn't have it. Stubborn as her brother that one, maybe more.

I know this is a lot to ask, but after we went through all that we did last year trying to save her, Sebastian would want us to at least try. We are all she has left. She may very well not listen, but you deserve at least to be able to share your piece. If you act quickly, you may be able to intercept her at Mungos before we are set to depart.

No matter what you decide, I know you will do what you believe is best. I trust you... I truly am sorry Ominis, it isn't fair.... None of this is fair. I miss you so dearly. These last few days are growing annoyingly longer.

It's only a few more hours, I'll be waiting for you on the train.

-Threa

I clutched tightly to Threas letter using my wand to glide across its parchment to read and reread her hurried words whilst my family's carriage raced through the streets of London. I had gotten the correspondence late last night deeply troubled by her words leaving for the hospital immediately not wanting to waste a second.

My footman had been deeply tired and slightly annoyed to be journeying at such a late hour but complied after I offered to raise his pay for such accommodation. Something he must not be used to as he is plowing through the city streets at a speed I haven't felt since Threa made me ride Highwing last spring.

"Come on grumpy pants it'll be fun," her voice rang so clearly again in my mind. "You said you wanted to relax, to feel free as I do, right?"

"Y-yes but I didn't mean this!"

"Heh, well "this" is how I do it," she was silent for a moment taking my hand in hers filling me with an unknown strange warmth. Her pulse quickened as my fingers rested comfortably against her soft skin. She has such tiny hands. "Do you trust me?" She asked softly in a tone I couldn't recognize. She was closer, near enough to make my breath hitch heating up my cheeks. How could she ask me something so innocent and illicit, such an alien response? My heart ached as everything about me felt too hot.

"O-Of course I do...... I trust you Threa," her melodious laugh filled my ears making me beam wide.

"Bow."

"Ex-cuse me?"

"Bow. Hippogriffs require proper courtesy before they will let you approach," she pulled back dropping my hand to my dismay, her warmth moving away as she grew silent. I pressed my hand to my wand as it pulsed out revealing the big bird mere meters from me as Threa stood between us.

"You want me to bow to overgrown poultry?"

"Humor me," she laughed again filling me with that same unfamiliar warmth, what is this feeling? It's been there since I met her months ago, but now it's become a more constant sensation.

We have been spending more time together, ever more so since Sebastian had left. She's gone as far as attempting to integrate me into her friend group. Something that she has done with ease to my own surprise... My last name would have made them normally weary to even breathe next to me let alone call me friend. Yet with Threa's voucher they took me in without question.

Every new day with her this feeling, this warmth is there also. It's gotten so constant I needn't even need to be around her to feel it... I smile complying as I bow towards the creature, hand tight around my wand. As much as I trust the small woman, the beast is something else altogether.

"Ease yourself Ominis, she can sense you're weary."

"You can tell that from a bow?"

"That and how tight your ass is," I shot back up face aflame at her crude manner making her howl in laughter.

"You know for a Noble lady you speak with the most vulgar mouth."

"Didn't take those debutante classes the others do, you'll have to forgive my mouth. It doesn't know how to be a lady," she shot back making me laugh. "I'm serious though Ominis, you need to loosen up. Highwing won't trust you if you're putting up a front."

"And what front am I putting up?"

"The high and mighty Noble heir of Slytherin," my nose crinkled. "That isn't you."

"It isn't? May want to inform my father of that," I jested as she went silent again. I went to press my wand to find her, her hand enwrapped in mine halting the movement.

"It isn't you," she said again so assuredly sending a new more dangerous emotion through me.

This one I knew too well, tears threatened to form in my eyes, my throat running dry as I internally cursed the bloody woman. How does she do this to me? Mere minutes with her and she is able to crack through all my defenses. Acts as if she knows me better than myself. The bird frills making an angry bellow as I hold tightly to Threa moving to stand between her and the beast.

"Ominis, please," she squeezes my hand again. "You're tense."

"How can I not be when it's making noises like THAT!"

"She is nervous."

"She's nervous," I spit, as Threas other hand moves to rest against my racing heart, standing closer than she ever has before. "Th-Threa?"

"Calm yourself Ominis, everything is alright... You are alright," I ease into her touch as the bird stops squawking.

She has always had a strange knack at being able to calm me. How I wish she were with me here now. Hours are too long. The pain of her news too much. I slump back into the seat feeling utterly defeated fighting back the tears threatening to pour. Threa's right, this isn't fair... Anne is dying, rapidly at that, and she has decided to go out on her own terms.

I must admit her determination is commendable. If we were under different circumstances, I may have praised her actions, but I cannot. Last year I had resolved myself to her fate, argued with Sebastain each step he took into the dark arts until I was blue in the face as he tried to find her cure. Condemning him every turn he made into the dark path he walked. I knew it was dangerous. I knew the risks of letting him keep that damned grimoire, but that foolish git had to go and give me hope.

I wanted it to work.... I selfishly wanted her healed. I wanted my friend back to her joyous mischievous self.

We all made mistakes last winter. Me most of all. I should've fought Sebastian more. Not had been swayed by Threas hopeful heart. Not have left her in that catacomb with him.... If Solomon were still here, Anne wouldn't have even left. Things wouldn't have gotten worse.... Merlin, how am I going to convince her to stay? Anne has always been the most stubborn Sallow, no amount of pleading is to sway her heart once it's set..... Yet, she sought out Threa.

A woman she barely knows. A woman who she was only starting to trust. She went to her instead of me. She had her reasons. She had grown more distant this Summer. I had thought it was because of Sebastian, but now I'm not so sure. She refused all my letters, each damned one, refused my pleas to visit. Is that why she has pushed me away, she is concerned I'd see her dire state? I felt my sadness turn to a bubbling anger as the carriage stopped and a knock came to its door.

"Master Gaunt."

"We've arrived?"

"Yes Sir," I opened the door getting hit with the hot morning air as the city's noises flooded my senses. Carts sped past as the bustling crowd went along without paying us any mind.

"Would you like help down sir," he asked as I hid my wand in my pocket. It pulsed out revealing the large plain building before us, as muggles quickly passed us on the sidewalk. Pushing past him I strode from the carriage to the building's inconspicuous feeling door. "Guess that's a no," he whispered so low no one with normal hearing would have heard him. I turned my head towards the man, startling him as he took a sharp intake of breath making me laugh.

"Keep the carriage here, I shan't be long."

"Yes Sir," he let out his breath sighing in relief that I didn't scold or punish him as any other member of my family would have. I pushed into the building as it sounded more hectic than the city streets. Stepping forward into it's foyer, my shoes tone against the floor ringing more than on the pavement outside. Sounding more like my parent's ballroom, expensive and slick.

My wand pulsed again revealing a desk-like structure a few meters ahead of me as I walked up not sensing anyone at its station. People continued to move around getting those injured and ill where they need to be. Minutes like this had passed with nothing other than a few comments from passing nurses that they'll be with me in a moment, growing impatient as I moved past the desk into a crowded hall, being stopped instantly.

"Where do you think you are going?"

"To find my friend as you all seem far too busy to help me to her yourselves."

"I apologize for the delay as you can see, we are quite swamped today."

"I'm sure," I chip trying to move forward as she jumps in my way again. "Please move."

"I cannot.... How about you tell me who you are and who you are here to see."

"I do not have time for this."

"Then you better get talking," I huffed pulling out my wand as it revealed the nurse mere inches from me. Shorter than most, nearly as short as Threa as she scoffed at me. "Well?"

"Heh," I loomed forward dangerously not wanting to have to push the woman aside but fully ready to if she continues this pestering.

I hated throwing my family name around like this, it only leads to trouble and people cowering away from me. Every bloody god damn wizard on the planet knows the name and they all respond the same when hearing it.

"I am Ominis Gaunt," her breath hitched, I forced a smile towards her fighting off the annoyed sigh building in my chest, knew it. "I am here to see a dear friend that has been cursed.... Can you direct me, or shall I continue to mill about until I find her?"

"N-No, Lord."

"I am not Lord Gaunt," I nearly spit as she reeled back. "That is my father."

"Y-yes, my apologies sir. We don't usually have nobles in our wings.... You are much too young to be a Lord," her voice was lighter as she let out another breath and I felt something touch my arm as I jerked back from the ill mannered touch. "So sorry, I didn't mean to startle you! I... I see you are blind. I can guide you to that ward."

"The directions will more than suffice," I draw out nastily as she took another sharp breath in.

"I insist," she took a small step back thankfully not daring to touch me again as she nodded ahead. "This way then," she walked ahead as I strode behind her. My wand pulsed out revealing her turning back towards me multiple times either scared out of her mind they have a Gaunt in their halls or making sure the blind man is actually still behind her. "So," she said again tone grossly familiar as she let out a small laugh. "You're here to see a friend?"

"Yes."

"A good friend," she questioned flirtily making me internally groan. The other more horrid response when I use my family's name.

"Yes," I said again as she made a humming noise.

"Is the sun out? It was quite hot when I came in for work this morning but that was before dawn. They say it's supposed to be the hottest day of the year despite the storms rolling in."

"Can't say I saw it," when will we be to Anne? This woman is starting to edge my last nerve.

"Oh, sorry, I.... Of course you didn't see it. My apologies," she stopped to regard me halting our path.
"May we please continue?"

"I truly am sorry Mr. Gaunt."

"I heard you, but I truly am in a hurry so if you will," she was silent for a moment before continuing down the hall.

"Do you come to London often," I stay quiet following her as she hums again. "You must if they are such a good friend," she chirped as I glared her direction. Is this woman daft? Can't she comprehend when someone doesn't want to speak with her.... Merlin, if every nurse is like this, I'll help Anne pack myself. "Have they been with us long? Can't say I've seen you around here before?"

"How much further to her wing?"

"Her?"

"My friend," I snarled as she almost audibly slumped. "I understand you are trying to keep up with pleasantries, and if I wasn't in such a hurry, I may have entertained them.... For a bit, but I need to be seeing her and you do not have the remotest of chances. So I ask again.... Where is the hex and curses wing?"

"Are you always this curt?"

"I am.... Now I will ask one last time before the doctors are called here to cart you off, and I follow them to her.... The hex and curses wing?" She gulped.

"I was just trying to be nice," I stayed silent as she let out a shaky breath. "Keep walking ahead. It's just past the next two alcoves."

"Thank you," I swept past.
"Ass," she muttered under her breath making me smile as I followed her directions coming to a quieter section of the hospital. My wand pulsed; beds lined the walls much like the hospital wing at Hogwarts.

"O-Ominis," Threas voice rang through my mind again as my hands felt the tingling sensation of her light squeeze.

"Threa," I asked to make sure I wasn't hearing things as her hand squeezed harder. "Oh, my dear," I jumped from my chair to be closer to her fighting off my overwhelmed tears. "Y-You're alright? How-how are you feeling?"

"What... What happened? Why are you here? Where.... Where is Fig," her voice rasped pulling at my hand as she attempted to sit up. I pressed into her shoulder gently forcing her back down as she gasped in pain. "Ominis?"

"Don't move. Your body is still healing, it needs rest," her voice broke again as she cried breaking my heart. "I've been here since they pulled you out of that repository. The professors say you fought valiantly. You saved the school, possibly the world!"

"It-it wasn't a dream?"

"It was not," I grasped tighter to her hand as she sobbed.

"Fig," She asked hopeful, as I shook my head. "No."

"I am so sorry Threa," her cries came harder as she tried to sit up again. "Threa you can't," she threw her arms around me sobbing into my shoulder as I caught her pulling her tightly to myself. She's awake, she's alive, she's safe. Thank Merlin she is safe. I took a large breath in, her wildflower scent filling my senses as my own tears began to fall. "It's alright, you're alright."

"Ominis."

"I know," I whispered back tightening my hold of her as footsteps ran towards us followed by frantic voices also now aware she is awake. "I know dear.... It-It's all going to be alright Threa, I'll make sure of it."

The new wing wasn't as packed as the others. Thankfully, as I may have thrown a fit to see Anne being kept under such conditions. I continued down the chillingly silent hall passing doctors and nurses alike as they tended to the Ill, before hearing familiar heavy footsteps. She was making a bit of a fuss struggling to close her trunk as a few rather unladylike expletives left her lips.

"Would you like some help with that," I asked as she froze, silence filled the small space. If I didn't have my wand, I would have mistaken it wasn't actually her. "Sounds like its packed quite tight."

"O-Ominis?"

"Anne," my wand pulsed as she turned towards me cursing in Scottish.

"You've gotta be fucking kidding me!"

"It is nice to see you too old friend."

"Threa told you!"

"She did," I spat back throwing her letter on the bed. "What in merlin do you think you're doing?"

"Leaving, Threa leave that part out while betraying me?"

"Oh, don't be dramatic. She's concerned about you! As am I," I spit as she turns trying the trunk failing. "Anne, you can't return to Feldcroft!"

"I can."

"You can't! You will rapidly deteriorate there."

"Nothing more than last year!"

"Anne!"

"No Ominis. You were resolved to my fate last year, agreed it be best I be comfortable. Fought my brother on it daily as I recall!"

"Yes, I did but unfortunately Feldcroft no longer offers such accommodations! You will no longer have the round care that you need!"

"While Sebastian did ruin that when killing my uncle, I promise such comforts aren't needed. I am more than capable protecting myself!"

"Protection! Anne, Sebastain told me what happened when the Goblins attacked Feldcroft, you only survived because he resorted to Dark Magic."

"Something you didn't fight him enough on it seems," I stepped back staggered by her words. "If it wasn't for you, I may still have my brother."

"That isn't fair," my voice cracked as my anger turned to pure sadness. "You are the one that decided to turn him in!"

"True," she was silent for a moment. "You're right that wasn't fair... But neither was your sudden arrival, nothing we can do about it now...... If you excuse me, I need to finish packing," she pushed down hard on the trunk as it closed, she made a satisfied cry of relief moving to the next trunk working around me aggravated as I refused to move. "Ominis."

"I'm not moving."

"Why?"

"You know damn well why!"

"You aren't my brother. You shouldn't even be here!"

"Anne Sophia Sallow, don't you dare say such a vile thing! You have been like a sister to me for nearly half my life, since you bumped into me at the damned sorting ceremony. You chose to bring me into your life and make me your family! I am all that's left, and despite how cruel you have been this past year, I still love you. I will be damned if I just let you choose certain death!"

"Now whose being dramatic," she spat, slamming shut another chest.

"Dramatic," I say tone turning sinister as she groaned. "You know me better, this is me being civil.... Though I am not above doing what I must get you to bloody listen!"

"It's not me not listening."

"It's not, funny, I'm not the one whose been yelling since I walked in this hall!"

"I didn't ask you to come!"

"Yet I'm here anyway. You, are being utterly foolish!"

"Maybe I am," her voice grew venomous. "But it is my decision to be foolish!"

"Yes, you have made that quite clear," I bit bitterly as she scoffed. "Seems you didn't care to let anyone be a part of your "decision" just telling everyone how things are going to be! No care how this may affect anyone else, I had to find out through a letter. A fucking letter Anne!"

"It's not my fault Threa couldn't wait the two bloody days to tell you," She snarled under her breath enraging me further.

"Do not blame her for doing what you have been too cowardly to!"

"I can blame who I wish. You wouldn't even be here if she didn't write to you!"

"I am damn proud she did! Pray tell would I even have been informed you had returned if you hadn't sought out Threa? Or would you have waited until I had come here next week finding you had gone before FINALLY WRITING ME BACK!"

"Ominis.... Don't be ridiculous!"

"You are the one being ridiculous! You are turning away from lifesaving care, acting against all reason," she grew chillingly silent. The only noise I can pick up on are the steps of the passing physicians. "You've nothing to say?"

"What am I to say? You are just going to ignore it," her voice cracked.

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me Ominis. I know you're worried. You think I'm making a mindless decision, that I'm throwing my life away!"

"Because you are!"

"THIS ISN'T A LIFE," she cried tone chilling me. "Every morning I wake and lie in that bed for hours on end waiting day after day hoping praying begging to be free of this curse. I am surrounded by nothing but strangers poking and prodding trying their hardest to find a cure that is not there.... There are people with ailments far worse than mine, far more dire than mine, that are losing their lives because I am taking up a medical bed that can be put to better use."

"Thats not true."

"It is. I am dying Ominis. There is nothing that can be done about it.... I have resolved myself with that, and I will be damned if I live another minute of my ever-growing shorter life stuck here!"

"They can still help you Anne!"

"To get up from bed and use the loo. All things I am more than capable of doing myself, ah," she gasped in pain, I moved towards her to help hold her up as she clung to me. "Gah, ah," her cries break my heart as I hold tightly to my oldest friend.

"Anne.... What of the pain? What will you do when there is no one to help you through it?"

"I will ride it out," she pushed from me as the bed creaked. I used my wand to see her now leaning heavily against it. "I am going back to Feldcroft. I have already been discharged, my bags are packed," she groaned her tone becoming lighter as the pain seemed to dissipate. "Please I cannot take much more of this fighting. I..... I just want to be close to you when," her voice cracks. "You and Threa are all I have left.... I don't want to die amongst strangers."

"Anne," I shake my head moving to sit on the bed grazing my hand against its covers until it found the warmth of hers taking it in mine squeezing firmly. "I don't want that either, but...... You have a better chance at life here at Mungos."

"The Healers give me less than a year Ominis..... I want to go out on my own terms. I know you and Threa are worried. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't, but I refuse to stay here. I'm going home."

"Feldcroft isn't home."

"It's close as I have.... You do not need to like my decision. Hell I don't even need you to respect it, but please.... Do not hate me for it."

"I do not hate you Anne, I could never hate you.... I love you so dearly, it pains me to see you make this decision again.... You are the sister I always wished I had. If Sebastian was here."

"If Sebastian was here, he would have thrown me in a sack carting me off to whatever dark miracle cure he found this week."

"Possibly, you Sallows are impossibly stubborn... Though between you and Sebastian you are far worse," she hit my gut hard. "Ugh, Ouch!"

"Rude!"

"It's the truth.... He never will give up on you Anne, neither will I," she softly laughed so much like she used to before this damned curse, making my heart ease feeling lighter next to her. "There really isn't anything I can say that could convince you to stay?"

"No.... But I appreciate you trying," she made a sad sigh. "I have really missed you these past few months."

"As I you Anne.... As I am saddened you are coming back to Feldcroft, I am glad you are going to be close again."

"You will come and visit?"

"Every day I have free, I swear it!"

"Good," she mused. "I... I know that my words earlier had been harsh. I was just caught so off guard seeing you.... Threa was right, we needed to speak in person. I was just scared..... I didn't mean it, you are my brother, blood or not."

"You are going through much... I knew coming in here you were going to lash out... I do not hold what you said against you," she squeezed my hand. "Anne, are you absolutely sure about this? My family has a home here in London you could stay there if you wanted to think on your return a bit more, be closer to immediate care."

"Ominis," she softly scolded as I nodded moving to stand.

"I know, nothing is to sway you," I grabbed her trunks. "We should be heading out then. There is no way in hell I'm going to let you make this journey on your own."

"That really isn't necessary Ominis."

"We are travelling together. I don't even care if I miss that blasted train, you are not heading back alone," she let out a long sigh before handing me another trunk. "When is your ticket for?"

"Don't have one yet. I planned to leave same time as everyone else and hide in a back cart from the other students in case I had an attack on the train. Though you've now caused me to be late, I doubt I'll be able to secure such a seat.... Heh, if we don't hurry, we'll miss the train altogether."

"Then let's be off," I offer my arm as she takes it helping guide me back out towards the building's entrance as I hear a small gasp.

"Merlin what's got her knickers in a twist," Anne laughed as the gasp scurried off.

"Never a clue," I smiled back at the frail girl.

"Really," she teased. "Girl was staring daggers into you?"

"Was she," I laughed. "Must've left an impression."

"What'd you do?" I was silent for a moment as she pulled back on my arm. "Do I need to go apologize on your behalf again?"

"No," I said sternly leading us out to the busy street. My footman jolted up moving to take her trunks adding it to mine on its back.

"Ominis, I would like to be able to return here if it comes to it.... What did you say?"

"Merlin, was the look that bad?"

"Could've sliced through the neck of a basilisk," I sighed opening the carriage door as she stood obstinately at its steps.

"I told her my name," I gave in as she tisked.

"Now that makes more sense," she climbed into the cart as I followed in behind telling the footman to head to the station, the cart jolted forward, and we were finally headed back. 

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Authors Note: We are finally reaching 100 pages in the next chapter. What do you think of Ominis? Do you think Anne is giving up? Please leave a comment or review, I've loved writing this story for you all and read all feedback.