Chapter 12 - A Christmas Miracle

Christmas at Hogwarts can only be described as something out of a story book. The armoured statues were bewitched to sing Christmas carols and the smell of cinnamon filled the air. We gathered in the Great Hall early that morning to enjoy a delicious breakfast that the house elves had cooked up for us. Ominis and I joined the others, the table was decorated with pinecones, amaryllis flowers, wreaths, and enough baked goods to feed a small village. We sat at the Gryffindor table, which Ominis wasn't impressed by. Natty and Professor Onai wore matching maroon jumpers, whilst Poppy wore a Christmas hat and was handing out homemade crackers. She had put a spell on the crackers so that when they popped miniature fireworks erupted from them. I sat next to Poppy and Ominis, with Natty and her mother opposite us and we spoke of old Christmas tales. Even though it was only the five of us in the Great Hall, the room filled with laughter. Ominis would slyly hold my hand under the table, which was surprising considering he was not one to show affection whilst we were out in public. I think Professor Onai noticed as she gave me wink and smiled at me.

"Riley, would you mind giving me a hand?" She started to stand, "I've got a gift for each of you."

I nodded and followed her to the Great Hall entrance where we made a left and headed up the stairs which led to a storage room.

"I've had to hide my gifts here as Natsai would no doubt have found them if I kept them in my quarters," she giggled.

I always thought of Professor Onai as a strict mother but seeing her so giddy now made me think that she just cared a lot for her daughter.

"It's very kind of you to get gifts for all of us Professor, you didn't have to."

I looked at the neatly wrapped brown packages that were hiding behind the folding divider.

"Nonsense, I enjoyed selecting each of your gifts, I have foreseen that they might come in handy one day."

We both reached at the same time and Professor Onai's hand touched my own for a moment. She pulled back in fright like she had just touched a hot surface. Her eyes rolled into the back of her head and her hands were shaking.

"Professor!"

I couldn't believe what I was seeing, Professor Onai was always so poised, now it looked as if she was having a fit. I tried to steady her with my hands, but the shaking was uncontrollable, I needed to call for help.

"Help! Somebody help!"

My screams faltered.

The shaking suddenly stopped, and Professor Onai grabbed my wrists so tightly it almost hurt. Her eyes were now white, and she spoke in a grating voice that wasn't her own.

"The ancient power corrupted brings forth ash and death. The love of the eagle shall bring balance. Notwithstanding, a dark curse forms with a final breath. The ultimate sacrifice must be borne, eyes of hazel will bring about your final downfall."

Then silence.

The colour returned to Professor Onai's eyes, and she released my wrists and blinked several times. I was in shock, standing there with my mouth slightly open. She looked like she had just awoken from a nap. She seemed lost in thought and stared into nothingness.

"Professor?" I said in a whisper. "Are you ok? What was that?"

She touched her chest and cleared her throat.

"I'm sorry if I frightened you dear, I sometimes cannot control it when-" she stopped talking immediately when Natty appeared through the door panting.

"Is everything ok? I heard you yelling for help." She was scanning the room looking for any signs of danger.

"Not to worry Natsai, I merely tripped and fell, your friend here was able to help me stand again."

I wasn't sure why Professor Onai was lying about what had just happened. She returned her gaze to me and widened her eyes in warning. If she didn't scare me before, she did now.

"Uh, yes sorry Natty, I didn't mean to overreact, your mother is fine now." I said in a low voice.

"Are you ok Mother?" Natty hurried over to her mother and held her hands.

"I'm fine my little gazelle, I'm not so old as of yet for you to be worried about a fall." Professor Onai hugged Natty and gave me a small smile, but it seemed force. "Come now, let's give everyone their gifts."

We returned to the others, and I tried to keep the emotions in check. I had no idea what just happened, but now was not the time to ask. At this moment I was glad that Ominis couldn't see me, he would've been able to read through my feigned expression.

"Is everything alright?" Poppy asked as the three of us sat down with the brown parcels in hand.

"Yes, quite alright, I just took a little tumble, but all is well. Now please open your gifts."

It felt a little awkward opening our gifts, but Professor Onai was looking at us like a mother would look at her children on Christmas, watching us all tear away at the paper. Natty tore hers open first and she held a small glass globe in her hand.

"A remembrall?" Natty looked a bit disappointed with her gift.

"Yes Natsai, the smoke turns a red colour indicating when you have forgotten something." Natty almost rolled her eyes, but quickly remembered her mother's lack of patience for such things.

Poppy's present was a little more interesting. She got a sneakoscope which was a glass spinning top that stands upright when placed on a surface, and spins, whistles, and lights up when it detects someone untrustworthy. My own present was probably the most practical of all, it was a mokeskin pouch which only allowed the owner of the pouch to open it. The most confusing gift was bestowed to Ominis. He removed a small golden compass from its box.

"What is it?" he asked as he played with it in his fingers.

"It's a compass." Poppy said plainly.

It was awkward around the table as we all stared at Ominis, thinking how he would get any use out of his gift from Professor Natsai.

"It's a rather special compass in fact, it points to what you want most in this world," she explained.

"Oh, thank you Professor." I could hear Ominis trying to hold back the confusion in his voice.

"I know these gifts might seem strange to you all, but I have foreseen that they will be of great use to you in the future."

We all mumbled our thanks and went back to eating our desserts. I still had my present for Ominis, although I needed privacy. It was already midday, and I was getting eager.

"Thank you for the gifts, Professor. If it's alright with everyone, Ominis and I need to be excused, we were planning to go for a walk around the grounds before dark." Ominis squeezed my hand under the table as I spoke.

"A walk sounds lovely, let me get my coat." Poppy was already jumping out of her seat, but thankfully Professor Onai stepped in.

"Poppy, I was hoping you would introduce me to your Hippogriff actually? Highwing is it? Natsai has told me so much about her."

I was thankful for her suggestion.

"Oh yes of course Highwing would love the company! That's if you don't mind if I pass on the walk Riley?" Poppy looked at me with wide eyes as she spoke.

"That's no problem at all Poppy. Thank you for this lovely breakfast celebration, everyone."

I still felt the chills of what happened with Professor Onai, but I had to put it out of my mind for now. Ominis released my hand as we stood, we gave everyone one last smile and turned to leave. As we exited the Great Hall and the doors closed behind us Ominis grabbed my hand once more. His affection was a much-needed distraction.

"You are quite affectionate today Ominis." I teased.

His laugh was a beautiful sound and just what I needed to hear.

"Perhaps I'm feeling quite merry today, it is Christmas after all."

I gave him a peck on the cheek, and he blushed ever so slightly.

"Speaking of, I actually need to give you your Christmas present, but I can only give it to you in the Undercroft."

Ominis stopped dead in his tracks.

"Riley... is the gift of the physical kind?" I laughed, if only he knew.

"Don't ruin the surprise now." I tried to pull him along, but he stood fast.

"Riley, as much as I want to-" he trailed off.

"I know Ominis, just trust me? Please?"

I held both of his hands and he relaxed.

"Of course, I trust you."

I had guided us towards into the Undercroft, Ominis hadn't said much along the way, and I could sense that he was nervous. I opened my mouth to speak to Ominis spoke first.

"I also have a gift for you Riley."

I don't know why I was surprised, but it didn't even cross my mind, I was so focused on being able to give Ominis his gift.

"Oh, that's very sweet Ominis, you didn't have to." He was shuffling nervously now.

"Do you mind if we sit?"

I nodded, realising that he couldn't see my response. "Of course." I led us to the sofa.We sat beside one another, and I could see Ominis was fidgeting with his fingers.

"Is everything ok Ominis?"

I couldn't help but smile at his nervousness, he was normally so calm and collected.

"I've never done this before," he was stroking his hair back as he spoke.

"You've never given a Christmas gift before?" I teased.

I enjoyed seeing him ruffled like this.

"Of course, I have, but this is different."

I sat quietly watching him, he was flexing his hands and I could see the veins running up his forearms. He was normally so well dressed, but today he had decided to wear a sweater and shirt for a more relaxed look, and he rolled up the sleeves ever so slightly. Even his top button was undone, and I could see tip of his collar bone. I could sit and watch this man all day.

"Riley, there's something I've been meaning to ask you." Ominis brought me back from my shameless gazing. "These past few months with you have been amazing. After all the troubles from last year, this time with you now, I-I've never felt this happy." He reached for my hands as he spoke. "I wanted to ask if you would be my girlfriend?"

I had the biggest grin on my face.

"Oh Ominis, you didn't even need to ask. Of course, I will." His shoulders dropped in relief.

"I should've asked you sooner." I placed my hand on his cheek and pressed my lips against his.

I could still taste the sweets from breakfast, and he placed a hand under my chin as our kiss deepened. I pulled away after a moment, I needed a clear head for what was about to come.

"Before we continue, can I please give you your gift now?"

He was now biting his lip. "Very well," he said in a seductive tone.

"Mr. Gaunt get your head out of the dungeons. Now stand up please I need to focus for this." He looked confused.

"I thought you said, well I thought you meant-" he couldn't finish his sentence, he looked slightly embarrassed.

"All in due course," I smirked at him using his own words against him.

He let out a nervous laugh.

We were standing face-to-face now, and I raised my hands to his temples.

"Uh, Riley? What are you doing?" he asked at my touch.

"Shhh Ominis, I need to concentrate. Just keep still." I whispered.

He heeded my words, and I closed my eyes. I had done my reading on the biology of the human eye, I needed to be fully prepared for what I was trying to achieve.

"Close your eyes Ominis." I could hear him let out a small breath.

I moved my finders over his eyelids and held them there. My magic started to flow from my fingertips and into his eyes, seeping through his eyelids. I pictured the cornea in his eyes, somehow, I could sense that they were swollen, and I imagined them reducing in size.

"Riley-" Ominis started to move away from me.

I held his head firm in my hands as my magic continued. I opened my eyes and noticed Ominis had too. I could see the grey glaze over his eyes becoming fainter. I was breathing heavy, and I was starting to feel drained. This was harder than anything I had tried before. I kept going and Ominis stood still, but I could hear his rattled breaths. My hands were starting to shake, and I was struggling to stand, I maintained it for as long as I could, until I saw the grey of his eyes fade almost completely. My head started to feel heavy and dizzy at the same time. The last thing I saw was the sea-green colour of his eyes, before I collapsed, and darkness engulfed me.

²

"Riley! Please wake-up!" I could hear Ominis' shouts, but they seemed muffled and far way. My head was pounding, and I felt exhausted.

"Riley!"

His voice was becoming clearer.

My eyes fluttered open slowly and I realised I was lying on the hard floor of the Undercroft, Ominis was kneeling over me with my head in his hands.

"Riley? Are you ok?" I looked up into the brilliant green eyes of Ominis Gaunt.

"Did it work?" I asked, my voice was barely a whisper.

"Are you bloody mad? What were you thinking? Look at the state of you Riley! You are so pale, your skin is ice cold, and you have a bloody nose."

I slowly sat up and Ominis held onto me tightly to steady me.

"Did you just say look at the state of me?" I managed a weak smile, and I couldn't stop staring at his face. "Can you see me Ominis?"

He didn't say anything for a moment, but rather just stared at me, his eyes drinking in every inch of my face. His hand shook as he raised it to my cheek and caressed it.

"I see you Riley Dagworth, and you are exquisite." A slow smile formed on his face as he spoke.

"I thought you said I had a bloody nose?" I teased, I couldn't help it. As weak as I was feeling, I had never seen Ominis like this and it was intoxicating. He laughed. It was a wonderous sound.

"Even so, you are breath-taking." I suddenly started to feel a little shy.

"Here." He handed me a handkerchief from his pocket, and I used it to wipe up the blood around my nose.

"Thank you."

"I should be the one saying thank you. Riley, I can see! How? How did you-? How are you feeling? You still look so pale."

I laughed and motioned for him to help me stand.

"I'm afraid that I've always actually been quite pale."

I held onto his forearms as he pulled me up and I didn't let go. I could feel my balance was still uneasy, but I also just wanted to keep holding him.

"Riley-" he began but I interrupted him.

"Ominis I'm ok. I've been practising with my magic, I've been practising healing. I wanted to surprise you."

He stared at me in bewilderment.

"Surprise is an understatement, but this doesn't look safe, I can see the toll it's taken on you," he pulled me in closer to him as he spoke.

"It does consume a lot of my energy, and I've never tried to heal something like this before, it's been more cuts and bruises, that sort of thing." Ominis stared at me in shock.

"Why am I only hearing of this now? Did you hurt yourself and then heal yourself?"

I hadn't told Ominis of my harrowing encounter in the Forbidden Forest with the group that called themselves The Blackhand. If I had I would've had to explain what I was doing out there and that would've ruined his surprise.

"About that, I actually have something to tell you."

I recounted the ordeal in detail from the initiation ceremony to the black handed masks, to the letter R embroidered on their cloaks and the immense bolt of lightning I manage to erupt from my wand. I also told him of the woman I managed to heal and how I had to obliviate her memories as she was a muggle.

"Something about these dark witches and wizards made me feel very uneasy Ominis. The scene also felt very familiar from my nightmare. Their apparent leader was a woman, they called her Towe, although she did refer to a master. Just before they Dissapparated she uttered something in another language I didn't understand."

Ominis was still holding me as I spoke, he didn't let go of me once. "What did it sound like?"

I tried to repeat what she had said.

"Hmm, it sounds Latin, but I'm not entirely sure," he responded.

"Ominis, I hadn't felt that scared since Ranrok. These dark wizards and witches were stronger than any of the foes I've fended off in the past. It was also the most powerful I've ever felt, I can't describe the feeling. I think now that I've been practicing controlling my power, I'm able to push myself like never before."

He was looking at me very intently as I said this.

"Riley, you must be careful as you push the boundaries of your magic, this is unchartered territory." His comment upset me, and a frown appeared on my face.

"This unchartered territory made it possible for me to heal that woman and now your blindness. This is good news Ominis." He immediately noticed my frown.

"At what cost Riley? All I'm saying is to exercise caution going forward. Especially now that you've potentially made a new enemy of this so-called Blackhand."

He had a point, but I was still frustrated by his wariness of the possibilities of my power. He placed a hand under my chin.

"Now that I'm able to see your body language Miss Dagworth, I can see that I've upset you. What you did, saving that woman, was very brave and I'm proud of you."

He gave me a soft smile and I melted a bit.

"You know that your eyes are green?" I said trying to change the subject, which I managed successfully.

"What!?"

Excitement grew on his face, and he released my arms and slowly walked towards a mirror in the corner of the Undercroft. It must've been overwhelming for Ominis to see himself for the very first time. He stared into the mirror, taking it all in.

"My aunt Noctua had green eyes. She was the only one in the family."

I knew Ominis was only close with his aunt, at least now he shared something with her other than the hatred of their own family.

"You are very handsome Ominis." I said trying to reassure him as he just stood there gazing into the mirror. Eventually he tore his eyes away from the mirror and looked around the room.

"This is the Undercroft?" he asked aloud. "It's a bit gloomier than what I had envisioned."

I let out a small laugh at his comment. I just stood there and watched him take it all in, it must've been sensory overload.

"Shall I give you some privacy Ominis? I realise this must be a lot for you to take in," he returned his gaze to me and smiled.

"Absolutely not, I need a tour of the castle and the grounds. How about that walk?"

²

Ominis was in awe as ventured around the castle and the exterior grounds. I had to lean on him as we walked as my strength hadn't quite returned. It must've felt like his first day at Hogwarts, trying to absorb it all. I remember my first day joining in fifth year, there was so much to see, and I still feel like I haven't discovered all the secrets Hogwarts has to offer. I did feel like a bit of a tour guide, explaining the areas as we walked, but I could feel the happiness practically radiating from Ominis. The trip wasn't without its difficulties, having been reliant on his wand for so long, Ominis had never had to pay attention to his surroundings. Even with his sight restored, he still managed to trip on stairs, it was evident he would need to learn about spatial awareness.

"It will take time for you to get used to using your eyes Ominis." I tried to reassure him as he managed to trip yet again and nearly pulled both of us to the ground. I had wanted to show him Hogwarts from a birds-eye-view, but decided it was probably best to get him settled on ground first.

"Riley what happened back in the Great Hall with Professor Onai? It all seemed a little awkward when you returned."

I had hoped that I managed to hide it from Ominis, he was always so capable of reading a situation even without his sight.

"Now is not the time to talk about it," I said abruptly.

He nodded looking a little hurt. In truth I wasn't ready, I wanted to speak to Professor Onai, she was evidently keeping something from me and didn't even want her to daughter to know. Right now, I didn't want to take away focus from Ominis, today was about him.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so abrupt, but it's not important right now."

I needed to change the subject. The sun was starting to get low in the distance and I stopped and turned to Ominis.

"Are you ready to see your first ever sunset?"

His eyes lit up once again, this new look on him was something I could get used to. I led us to the Owlery, we would be high enough there to see the sun set over the mountains. Once Ominis had gotten over the shock of what an owl looked like, we managed to get to the top balcony and sat with our legs hanging over the edge. Thankfully we were wrapped up warm in our cloaks and scarves, as there was a chill in the air. It hadn't yet snowed this winter, but the pink clouds in the sky hinted that snowfall was imminent. Ominis and I both stared over to the horizon where the colours of the sky were changing from blue to orange to pink. It was a beautiful sunset even by normal standards. I peeked over at Ominis and noticed he had tears in his eyes.

"Have you ever seen a sunset as beautiful as this?" he asked as he stared in awe as the sun started to kiss the mountains.

"I think the sun wanted to put on a special show today, just for you Ominis." I held his hand, and he squeezed it back.

"Riley, thank you. This has been the most magical Christmas."

It was if the heavens were listening in on our conversation and the first snowflakes of the season started to fall.