The Blind Rider Ch33

THE GIRL AND THE FRIEND

Sebastian scowled at your yellow eyes searching and finding Ominis reading yet again. Rolling his eyes, he buried his face inside the tome he was reading. Trying to get busy, however, turned into a pointless endeavour.

He saw Ominis smile to himself and, for the first time in a while, considered his feelings. Sebastian had been so focused on his disagreement with you that he hadn’t stopped to think much of others caught up on it. Especially now that he considered Ominis a potential identity of that mysterious man. Then, what if Ominis liked you back? What if you confessed and Ominis accepted your feelings? Then what would be of Sebastian’s future?

He’d lose the girl and his friend.

But Sebastian couldn’t let that happen.

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The Blind Rider Ch 32

HYPOCRITE

You felt your heart skip a beat, realizing he was barely an inch away from you. You exhaled shakily, the hot air reaching Ominis’ cold cheeks. You closed your eyes, scared of what you’d do if you kept in a trancelike state admiring his face. And you cursed at yourself. How could you think your feelings were unresolved? You knew exactly what you wanted – who you wanted. You knew if you kissed him that you’d not think of anyone else or anything for that matter, but his soft lips against yours. You wished he’d just finish getting closer, too scared you’d end up doing it yourself. You cursed yourself again, knowing you were the biggest hypocrite for not being honest about this. To him and to yourself.

He noticed, just as you did, how close the two of you had gotten. Breaths mixing, heat being shared. It didn’t matter how cold your faces felt or your fingers were, the heat inside of you both was warming enough. Perhaps even burning hot. Ominis’ mouth hanged loose, slightly agape. Simply stunned at how easy it was to be in your presence. And how hard it was too. He could imagine himself simply inching closer, with the rate of your fast breathing he’d have no problem finding your lips with his. He could almost see you. The sharp yellow eyes, the softness of your long dark hair, the narrow bridge of your nose, and the beautifully drawn cupid’s bow. But your lips he didn’t care to see. He wanted to feel them. Taste them.

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The Blind Rider Ch.31

CUPID

You pointed at them, sparing Ominis just a glance. “Can’t you see how adorable they are?” You giggled again.

After an amused scoff, Ominis raised an eyebrow. “Seriously?” He asked, smiling a little more entertained rather than offended.

Widening your eyes, you turned to give him an awkward smile. “Sorry.” You apologized half-heartedly. A little amused, a little apologetic.

Ominis sighed, feigning annoyance. He was curious to hear what response you’d give him. “It’s the second time.”

You scoffed, “Why are you counting?” You had your eyes widened at him, a little embarrassed. You felt a bit guilty for being insensitive.

Ominis scoffed, with a smile on his face as he rolled his eyes dramatically. You realized he wasn’t offended nor annoyed, and smiled. Playfully, you reached to tug at his robes repeatedly but gently as you said, “Sorry, sorry. I just got excited!” You chuckled quietly, admiring his smile. Ominis continued smiling towards you, knowing you were only teasing him.

His smile turned tender, for a moment letting his feelings show. He found you simply adorable, even as you acted annoying or careless. He was indifferent about Poppy and Magnus, simply too focused on his alone time with you. With Sebastian trying to keep himself busy, Ominis barely had time to spend with you. And when he was near you, Sebastian had been talking his ears off. But your giggles sounded like music to him, differently from Sebastian’s endless rants.

Ominis felt himself blushing slightly, thinking of how kind he thought you were. He commended you for helping a friend finally act on her feelings. Although he wished he was the one being honest. He found your interest in them charming. And finally understood you had sat next to Sebastian so you could keep the two friends sitting next to each other, acting like Cupid.

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The Blind Rider ch30

CONFESSION

“Draggunnar, do you have someone you’re romantically interested in?”

You glared at her, shaking your head as you felt your face flush at her betrayal. “Poppy…”

“If you don’t answer, you can kiss someone here.” Imelda challenged you, taking away Poppy’s opportunity to think of a challenge herself.

Poppy glared at Imelda with a frown, and you did the same.

You could either admit you liked someone but omit that this person was Ominis. Or kiss someone, which would’ve to be Sebastian otherwise the ruckus would be something else. Even if you’d like it to be Ominis. Well… you could kiss Ominis. You shook your head in denial, knowing that wasn’t an option. Your lips were pursed tight, and a scowl was etched on your face, as you exhaled through your nose.

“I have someone I like.” You said simply.

Sebastian looked at you expectantly, waiting that this would be your confession.

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The Blind Rider Ch29

INVASIVE DREAMS

“Sebastian?” He called quietly, unsure if his friend was awake already or still dreaming. But he exhaled sharply, grunting, and pulling at his sheets again. His pillow fell to the ground due to his brusque movements. Not responding Ominis directly, prompted him to sit in his bed. Ominis opened his mouth to call Sebastian again when all the tension left Sebastian’s body in a strangled, drawn-out moan.

Ominis froze still with his mouth agape as he listened to his friend, petrified. He felt his face heat up, in embarrassment and pure rage. He inhaled deeply, a shaky gust of wind as he bent down and picked a book up from a pile next to his bed. Sebastian had finished and was panting, slowly calming down, when Ominis threw the book in his direction. Hoping with all his unbridled anger to strike him. But, if he failed, there were four more tomes in the pile. Yet, they were not necessary.

Sebastian gasped, opening his eyes wide as he felt something hit hard against his arm. “Ouch! What–?” He blinked in the darkness, quickly finding the wounded spot and rubbing it. “Ominis?” He asked as he sat in his bed, innocent and clueless. Sebastian touched around his bed to realize he was the only thing there.

Ominis scoffed loudly, “Damn you, Sebastian! You exchange one kiss, and your mind goes straight to the gutter.”

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The Blind Rider Ch28

MORALITY

“But I’m not sure if only learning in class is enough…” You frowned.

“What?” Ominis whispered quietly, there was a firmness to his tone that you found yourself trying to explain your reasoning. Clumsily.

“I mean, take Magnus for example. How hard was for him fighting dark wizards when he was playing the role of a hero? If he had had better guidance…” You trailed off as you saw Sebastian smile amused at you, he nudged Ominis with his elbow. He saw a bit of Magnus in yourself, from last year. In the beginning of his journey.

Ominis scoffed, “It’s forbidden for a reason. You’ll get into trouble if you try to learn it outside of class.” He warned you with a slightly worried tone. If you listened carefully, you’d have been able to hear desperation there.

Sebastian shrugged, rolling his eyes, and facing away. “But it doesn’t hurt to know. I’m sure Amit will, roughly, agree.” He smirked at Amit that pursed his lips tight and returned to his book, deciding not to further comment due to Ominis’ mood aggravating.

Ominis groaned, “Didn’t you just say how easy it is to become lost to the dark arts, Sebastian? To increasingly corrupt oneself?” He tilted his face towards his friend, frowning angrily. The pleading he tried with you was nowhere to be found as he lectured Sebastian. It seemed to you they had this conversation many times before.

Sebastian smirked, “I did. And I stand by it. But it is true that I once thought it to be a tool of knowledge–”

“But it had shown itself to be a pathway to losing yourself.” Ominis interrupted, unsatisfied at allowing space for Sebastian to consider the dark arts even on a remotely grey light.

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The Blind Rider Ch27

ANNE

As Natty announced her presence, a gaunt looking girl stood from one of the stools in front of the kitchen counter. Her clothes were simple, a white dress shirt with a green vest pared with a green overskirt and a brown skirt underneath. She held delicately a chipped blue teacup with one hand and the matching saucer with the other, her chapped lips had just parted away with the brim of the china as her eyes widened in excitement at Natty’s voice. She quickly rested the saucer and teacup onto the counter with a clink sound as she stood, receiving brightly with open arms Natty’s own around her neck for a gentle hug. The two girls giggled as they exchanged greetings, whispers you couldn’t make out but seemed sweet. You could tell she was Anne Sallow, not only for Sebastian’s frozen figure at the door, but for their clear similar appearance.

Despite Anne visibly being eaten away by the curse that plagued her, she had the features Sebastian had once mentioned to you. Her dark brown hair was braided into a low bun, with a charming fringe covering her forehead. Even as it looked brittle and dull, you could tell how beautifully luscious it once was as it remained thick and properly taken care of. As she hugged Natty, you could see under her closed eyes, deep purple undereyes you were sure even make up would fail in hiding. But her eyelashes were similar to Sebastian’s, full albeit his were shorter. Her hands around Natty seemed fragile, with slender and thin fingers with pale skin and visible green veins.

As she smiled, comfortable and safe, Anne opened her eyes to see over Natty’s shoulder the rest of your group still standing at the door. You could identify many emotions cross her glossy light brown eyes in a moment’s notice: surprise, fear, nervousness, pity, sorrow, then a gentle happiness.

“Sebastian, Ominis. Magnus.” She called to all her friends, her voice was soft and carried a heaviness you knew the four of them shared. Some sort of bittersweetness.

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The Blind Rider Ch.26

SWAYING EMOTIONS

“Clearly, you have the ability to sway other people’s emotions. Mine included.” Ominis teased further as you hadn’t reacted to his previous provocation, but he ended up upsetting himself instead. Sebastian’s also, he thought. After all, no one would have described her the way he did when Ominis asked, with the same interestas Sebastian had. Even at the beginning when you barely knew each other, Sebastian was already infatuated by the new girl. Sure, he was a sweet young man that could be easily distracted by looks, but as times passed the way he pronounced your name had turned sweeter and sweeter.

“She’s tall and has presence.” Sebastian had said categorically when Ominis asked him about why everyone was so stunned by your looks a couple weeks ago. “You know, just long legs and pretty fingernails.” He must’ve rolled his eyes, seeming uninterested. Only when Ominis had rolled his eyes and snickered at Sebastian’s lack of attention, he elaborated. “Fine. Fine. She has this silky long black hair, it ends right by her hips, I imagine. If it’s not tied, obviously… She braids it!” He must have shrugged, feigning unimportance. “But there are always strands falling out of it. I heard someone commenting how messy it is, I find it charming! Can you imagine tucking one behind her ear? Oh! Such pretty ears… Thin and slightly pointy, but no adornments at all. And her nose? It’s also thin and quite large, with a high bridge and a pretty beauty mark right next to her right eye. And her eyes! The goldest yellow I’ve ever seen, like melted gold. Not that it helps you in any way to know. But it’s pretty. Slightly sharp and narrow. She could kill with a glare, kind of good you can’t see.” He snickered. “She has long limbs and is as tall as me. A little shorter. I envy you for growing taller than me last summer, you’re the perfect height for her. Either way, I wonder how soft her hands are? What do you reckon?”

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The Blind Rider Ch 25

SUPPORT

With a small smile, you noticed at the corner of the paper an earthy stain similar to a fingerprint, likely from her working at the greenhouse back at your family’s abode. Your mom had promised she had been in good health, active in potting effective healing plants and herbs, not missing her resting periods nor letting herself take too much of the air that was colder up north. Especially near the ocean. You could almost feel the salty wind as she talked about home, whipping your face as you rode Seraphine at exorbitant speeds. It was particularly lovely to ride at winter, as the snow fell onto your hair as a white magical adornment from the skies.

Apparently, your brothers were doing well, even if Rune still couldn’t ride his dragon just yet instead spending time bonding with him. He had added a little dried lavender to the envelope sent over. Although he didn’t write anything about it, your mom made a note about the culprit of such sweet gesture. Raven, however, left you a note himself on the corner of your mom’s letter. His calligraphy was rushed and thin, barely readable, challenging you on the title of best rider. 

“Take your time coming back, little sister. I’ll become stronger while you become lazier. Not missing you at all, Raven.” You had snickered at his mischief, missing his competitiveness that kept you motivated. 

From your father you only received a parcel, a small notebook with a beautiful black leather cover. It was blank and ready to be written on, have your mind pour your feelings and thoughts there. You knew that was its intended purpose, to serve as a medium of conversation. Such as a diary. Not because you had kept one, but because your father didn’t know whether you had anyone to talk to. To share your burdens with. To share your happiness alongside. To seek support from. In Mingulay, that was your family’s duty. Here you had found a group of likeminded individuals. Sort of, you thought with a chuckle. But you father had little knowledge of how you were faring since you had yet to write them.

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The Blind Rider Ch24

VIRTUE

“You’re embarrassing yourself, Puffy Dunky. As a partner, you’d be disappointing at best.” Ominis shrugged as he lowered his wand, then raised his eyebrows in a clearly false innocent tone. “Oh! And she’s friends with Poppy, which means she’s around puffskeins often. Would you risk a date at Care?” He teased, snickering quietly.

You saw Hobhouse go pale again, he shook his head with wide eyes as he quickly grabbed his half-potted seed and left his station. No responses to Ominis’ comments even if you could think of some yourself. Yeah, a cowardly, scaredy-cat.

“Get back here and defend yourself, Hobhouse.” Ominis called out quietly as to not bring Professor Garlick’s attention to you. He had a small smirk, knowing his provocations would fall on deaf ears. “He needs to grow a pair.” He whispered to himself, still amused, as he shook his head.

You raised an eyebrow, “Is this personal?”

“A little. I won’t lie to you.” Ominis nodded once, casually.

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The Blind Rider Ch23

THE UNDERCROFT

“It’s just Poppy…” You tried again in a soft sigh, not understanding why he was so adamant about keeping it so hush hush.

“And then Amit. Natty. Imelda.” He started listing in a sharp tone, as if it was absurd that your friends could learn about that place. He shook his head, his voice lowering in volume as if he was pleading. “You promised…”

“Did I?” You raised an eyebrow, remembering clearly what he had said, “Because, if I remember correctly, you said that even if I promised, you wouldn’t trust me anyway.” You shrugged, your voice carrying a sarcasm you weren’t expecting.

“Draggunnar…”

“So, I guess that sounds fantastic.” You admitted, crossing your arms, and shrugging again. Magnus smirked at you, amused, while Sebastian just shook his head with a sigh worried that’d only further aggravate Ominis. “We could make it a sociable. Can you imagine how fun it would be?” You suggested, sounding a little excited with a tinge of bitterness.

Ominis scoffed, raising his eyebrows feigning an excited look with a large grin. “Sure, very exciting!” He said sarcastically to which you rolled your eyes. His smile turned into a cruel smirk. “Imagine if this was exposed when you were seeing Garreth. Then it’d be him too. And that place would’ve turned into his little lovenest.”

“That’s different.” You retorted quickly, feeling a little hurt.

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The Blind Rider Ch22

ADMISSION OF GUILT

“I just find him attractive.”

“You said you’d rely on him in a heartbeat.” Poppy shook her head, extending her palm as if to challenge you to deny it. You bit your bottom lip since she wasn’t completely wrong.

“Over Magnus.” You shrugged, attempting to come up with an excuse, unsure why you were trying so hard to deny it as Poppy rolled her eyes. “Poppy! Our friendship is but a baby crawling and you want us to fly? It’s a large jump from ‘I trust him’ to ‘I li– like him’.” You stuttered, blushing slightly.

“Come now, friend, you can’t be so oblivious to your own feelings. You even said he smells good!” Poppy giggled, shaking her head in disbelief.

“You’re going to say that… Sebastian doesn’t smell good?” You scoffed, crossing your arms as you raised an eyebrow at her, and Poppy just smirked.

“What does Sebastian smells like?” She challenged and your expression fell, biting your bottom lip again as you tried to think. What did he smell like again? Something sweet, a little woody, perhaps cinnamon… nothing as the pomade and laundry smell of Ominis’.

You scoffed louder, a little frustrated as you shook your head.

“What does it matter? I’m pretty much engaged to my cousin anyway. Who I like is definitely not who I’m going to be with…” You rolled your eyes, trying to brush it off but sounding more pessimistic than you intended.

“Engaged to your cousin…? The guy you said you were having problems with?” She asked with a raised eyebrow, gasping suddenly. “You came to Hogwarts to run away from an engagement? That's…” She shrugged, averting her eyes with a small smile. “Slightly romantic. A haughty novel almost.” She giggled. “So, don’t be so pessimistic. Ominis is still a Gaunt.”

You scoffed, rolling your eyes. “Don’t remind me.”

She smiled at you, taking that as an admission of guilt but not saying anything knowing you’d deny again.

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The Blind Rider Ch21

REBOUND

But you couldn’t respond because the Great Hall went completely silent as the two of you stepped in. All the cheery conversations and excited morning greetings ceased immediately. Poppy raised her head and looked around, noticing the tense atmosphere before you did.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know…” Poppy whispered, grabbing you by the fabric of your robe’s sleeve observing the Great Hall and pulling you towards the Hufflepuff’s table as you finally looked around.

That’s when the whispering started.

The sensation of being the focus of attention, an attention you didn’t seek or want, was uncomfortable. Similar to when you first joined Hogwarts and had to walk all the way to the front of the Great Hall to the pulpit and put on the Selector Hat. But the curious eyes, as you glanced at the students staring at your walking figure, were sharper. They weren’t inquisitive or interested, but humorous and critical in an amused way. They seemed to sneer at you as the students leaned towards each other, whispering while covering their mouths, their eyes never leaving you. As if the school had an inside joke Poppy and you were missing out on. And maybe that joke had something to do with you. You felt nauseous. A tingling sensation that itched your body from the tip of your fingers all the way to the base of your skull, where your head started to ache. Realizing they were likely talking about you, but you couldn’t quite figure out why.

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The Blind Rider Ch20

RUMOUR

Magnus signalled to you towards it, giving you space to move in front of him. “After you.”

“A secret room?” You whispered fascinated, your tone almost dream-like, as you followed his instructions and descended the stairs with him behind you.

The clock door closed behind him with the same noises, as you reached the bottom and a metal gate that raised. You crossed it as Magnus followed quietly, entering a large room made entirely of stone, with six large columns that turned into beautiful arches onto the ceiling into ribbed vaults. There were some metal gratings on their middle as the only source of natural light, although some simple fire chandeliers were tied to a couple of them, matching groups of scattered lit candles around the room. There were wood crates, barrels, and other long forgotten storage that clearly started to create spider webs from being there forever.

However, there were some signs that people frequented the place. In a corner there was a pensive with a triptych without its former resident, only a vague scenery painted clearly missing someone, while on the other side was a board with white chalk writings that looked suspiciously like Sebastian’s handwriting. You approached it carefully to inspect, realizing there was a spot with a rug that looked fluffy and inviting with some assorted pillows. You smiled, “Magnus, what is this place?”

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The Blind Rider Ch19

WARMING WORDS

Everyone shared the food they had brought, displaying it in a circle, and took their sitting spots on the floor. You found yourself between Poppy and Ominis, as they sat comfortably: her sideways, with her knees together, and him crisscrossed. Then the conversation started to bubble amongst your friends naturally.

“I think everyone had the same idea as us.” Sebastian commented as he looked around while he stood, distracted with an awkward smirk on his face.

Ominis closed his eyes and tilted his chin up, feeling the warmth of the sunbeams on his cheeks, “The sun is remarkably inviting.” There was pure bliss on his face as he enjoyed the sun, eliciting a small smile from you.

“I still prefer the stars, however. It is rather hot…” Amit complained as he touched the collar of his shirt, a finger tugging on it, threatening to loosen his tie but only frowning in complaint.

Poppy chuckled, “Here, switch with me.” She offered as her spot had a light shade atop of her from the tree behind. “I very much would like to tan if possible.” She joked as she stood carefully, holding her skirt against the back of her legs, and changed seats with Amit.

He scooted over to be by your side and under the shadow of the tree, a satisfied sigh obviously escaping his relieved face. That did, however, leave Poppy to be next to Magnus, who glanced at her with a gentle smile she completely ignored. Sebastian snickered, unable to hide his amusement at her obvious avoiding of Magnus as he took his seat between him and Ominis quickly reaching out and biting eagerly a minced pie.

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The Blind Rider Ch18

UNFORTUNATE SIGHT

“And what is that matter that is more important than our dear Professor Hecat’s assignment? You know you break your poor partner’s heart dismissing me so heartlessly.” He sighed dramatically, frowning and pouting, feigning sadness. 

You frowned at him. “You know that only works for Garreth, right?” He rolled his eyes but crossed his arms waiting for an answer. “He invited me on another date.” You shrugged and Leander just nodded, lowering his arms, and moving on. You looked at him confused, expecting a larger reaction. “What? No teasing? No ‘dump him and have a date with me instead’?” You asked mimicking his voice poorly, he raised his eyebrow at you and chuckled.

“Good one.” He pointed out but the conversation died down again.

You sighed. “Is this about your fight with him?”

Leander glanced at you as you approached the library, he raised a finger to his lips, signaling for you to be quiet as you two entered the library. In that gesture you could see a scar, running from the root of his thumb on his palm upwards to its middle. It was pale and slightly pink on its edges. You sighed as you shook your head wondering why he didn’t want to talk about his fight with Garreth when he had once so casually mentioned it.

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The Blind Rider Ch17

A WARM SHOULDER

“But I can teach you and we’ll rise above. We could wipe her away from your legacy when you choose me, such as his fa–”

“Shut up.” You demanded, in a collected angry tone. There was a warning there that even Lucian could hear, quieting down immediately. He had achieved what he wanted, perhaps not as far as he wanted but far enough. At least he hoped. Crushed you just a good amount that he could continue pushing you to your breaking point at your next meeting, before building you up again. Moulding you at the image that best suited him in the future. He had time and he was patient. 

Your hand bundled Ominis’ sweater under your fingers, as you tried to pull him forward now desperate to get out of there. You didn’t want to discuss anything that involved your family and Ominis’ at that moment. Much less with Lucian present. He had already given you so much to be angry about, he didn’t have to put salt in another wound. Clearly another family secret he had uncovered. You hiccupped quietly as you felt the first tear run down your cheek. While you tried to pull Ominis forward, you realized you both were already walking fast and determined towards the building. He had already understood your need to get out of there. Perhaps that’s why he was there in the first place. To take you out of that situation. Just as you once did for him.

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