The Saga of Meatball the snake, chapter 3
Ominis was half asleep when he heard his phone vibrate. He clumsily felt for it on the nightstand. Ominis had a special enchantment on his phone that allowed him to read text messages, and he was able to read books in a similar manner. He could also hold his wand to the phone to reply.
Melody 11:52 PM: Hey Ominis, it’s Melody. I know it’s late but you wanted me to let you know when I got back soooo
Ominis 11:53 PM: You’re just now getting back?
Melody 11:53 PM: Yeeeeeah. There were a few more poachers than I was expecting
Ominis 11:53 PM: Are you alright?
Melody 11:54 PM: I am now. Got banged up quite a bit. Sharp helped me and gave me a lecture.
Ominis 11:54 PM: I’m glad you were able to get help. Thanks for letting me know that you returned safely.
Melody 11:54 PM: Right, it’s late, I’m probably keeping you up 😬 Sorry!
Ominis 11:55 PM: It’s alright, I was awake anyway. Sebastian’s snoring is comparable to a chainsaw.
Melody 11:55 PM: Eh, hit him with a pillow, he probably deserves it 😊
Ominis 11:55 PM: I’m highly considering it.
Melody 11:55 PM: So what did you do this evening?
Ominis 11:56 PM: I’m afraid nothing quite as exciting as what you did. Just studied. I have a history of magic test coming up and that’s my worst subject. Mostly because I fall asleep.
Melody 11:56 PM: Yes, I know, I sit right behind you 😝
Ominis 11:56 PM: Wait, are you serious?
Melody 11:56 PM: Yeah, once Garreth and I spent the whole class seeing who could get more paper clips into the hood of your robe 🤣
Ominis 11:57 PM: That was you?!?
Melody 11:57 PM: Yeah. I won btw 😁
Ominis 11:57 PM: I didn’t find them until I took my robe off in the evening and they all fell out.
Melody 11:58 PM: Don’t take it personally, we do it to Prewett in muggle studies. But that’s just because we like to piss him off
Ominis 11:58 PM: So you’re friends with Garreth?
Melody 11:58 PM: Yeah, he’s my best friend, aside from Poppy. So I suppose he’d be my best Gryffindor friend?
Ominis 11:59 PM: So is Sebastian your best Slytherin friend, then?
Melody 11:59 PM: For the moment, but he doesn’t have a cool snake, soooo 😝
Ominis 11:59 PM: You’ll be happy to know Meatball has talked about you constantly. He’s asked a dozen times if you’re coming to see him.
Melody 12:00 AM: Guess I’ll have to come by more often 😉
Ominis 12:00 AM: I’ve told him repeatedly that your name is Melody, but he still refers to you as “the pretty human”
Melody 12:00 AM: Aaaaaw, sounds like Meatball is a little flirt!
Ominis 12:01 AM: I’m glad you brought him to me. It’s nice having a companion, though he wants to come to class with me. I told him no.
Melody 12:01 AM: I would TOTALLY take him to class with me. That’s like, instant cool points.
Ominis 12:01 AM: He’d be a distraction, constantly chattering away. Now I’m going to have another distraction, knowing you’re sitting behind me
Ominis 12:01 AM: Because of the paperclips, I mean.
Melody 12:02 AM: It’s not always paperclips. Sometimes it’s just little balls of paper
Ominis 12:02 AM: I’m going to start shaking my hood before I leave.
Melody 12:02 AM: You’re adorable when you fall asleep, btw. I got up to sharpen my pencil and you had a little smile on your face. It was like, the only time I’d seen you smile. Mostly because whenever I was around you, you just glared at me 😝
Ominis 12:03 AM: I apologize again for acting coldly towards you.
Melody 12:03 AM: It’s fine, seriously. I’ve gotta get some sleep, otherwise I’m gonna drop my phone on my face. Goodnight!
Ominis 12:03 AM: Goodnight Melody.
Ominis put his phone down with a smile. It was nice chatting with someone besides Sebastian. Sebastian’s snoring went up a decibel and Ominis hurled a pillow at him with surprising accuracy.
He heard the solid thump sound and “HEY!” As Sebastian got hit.
“For god’s sake, would you turn the other way?! You’re going to suck the wallpaper off with your snoring!”
“Sorry, crab-ass.” Sebastian rolled over and almost immediately began snoring again. Ominis sighed and buried his head under the covers, attempting to muffle the sound. It worked, and he finally drifted off to sleep.
Ominis was already in his seat in history of magic when he heard Melody enter with Garreth.
“Prewett’s asked me for the hundredth time for your phone number. You’ll be happy to know I didn’t give it to him.”
“Ugh. He can’t take a hint.” Melody grumbled as she sat down.
“He’s not a BAD guy, just give him a chance.”
“Nope.”
“Why? Got your sights set on someone else?”
Ominis’ ears perked up. “Maybe.” Melody answered coyly.
“Is it me?” Garreth asked.
Melody sighed and sarcastically responded “yes, Garreth, it’s you. I’d like to throw you down on this desk right now and have my way with you.”
“I mean, it’s not the WORST idea, just maybe after class is over? OW!” Ominis heard a solid thump as Melody punched Garreth in the arm.
“Morning, sleepyhead!” Melody tossed a paperclip at the back of his head.
“Good morning.” He smiled.
“I thought we usually waited until he was asleep to do that?”
“Oh, I told him. It’s more fun if it’s a challenge.”
“So Ominis, Melody said you have a snake?” Garreth asked. Ominis turned around to face them.
“Yes, we rescued him. Did she tell you the delightful name she picked out?”
“No, what is it?”
“Meatball!” Melody said proudly.
“I love it.”
“Hey Ominis, are you free tonight?”
“I am, why?”
“I thought maybe we could hang out, do something fun.” Melody said.
“I think you’re just using me to get to Meatball.” Ominis smirked.
“Damn, you saw right through me.”
“I don’t have any plans, I’ll probably just be in my room studying.”
“Ok! I’ll come by later.”
“Hang on, are you saying all he had to do to get you in his bedroom was let you play with his snake? Wait, that sounded wrong.”
Professor Binns floated to the front of the classroom and asked them to pull out their textbooks. He began reading aloud in his dull, monotone voice, and Ominis was asleep in no time. He woke up when he felt a paperclip bounce off the back of his head. Binns was still droning on about a wizard rebellion, so Ominis pulled out his phone.
Ominis 8:35 AM: I felt that.
Melody 8:35 AM: I aimed too high. The score is 10-8, I have the lead.
Ominis 8:35 AM: Are you telling me you’ve already thrown 18 paperclips into my hood?
Melody 8:36 AM: 19 now, I just scored another point 😀
“Alright class, let’s go view the portraits and statues in the hall. I want you to choose one and write a report on it.”
Ominis raised his hand. “Yes, Mr. Gaunt?”
“I’m unable to see the portraits, sir.”
“Very well, choose a partner to work with. Come along now.”
They all got up and Melody put a hand on his shoulder. “You were trying to get out of doing the report, weren’t you?”
Ominis smiled. “Perhaps. Now I need to find a partner who doesn’t mind being stuck with the blind boy.”
“Oh hush, I’ll be your partner. Come on, let’s go pick a weird one.” She looped her arm through his and they followed the trickle of students into the hallway.
“I say we go for a statue, I’d rather not have to listen to one of the portraits tell me how great they were.” Melody said as they strolled along.
“Agreed. Some of them are very pretentious.”
Melody described the various statues in the hall and asked Ominis his opinion. They ended up selecting a skull belonging to Grimbald Weft, a notable tailor.
“I don’t think I’d be cool with my skull being displayed after I’m dead.” Melody said, examining it in the glass case. “What did they do with the rest of him?”
“Perhaps the skull was all they were able to recover.” Ominis replied.
“If they’re gonna display my bones, they’d better use the whole skeleton and put me in a fun pose or something.”
“I think I’d just prefer to be buried.”
“Then I suppose you shouldn’t do anything to become famous! Because apparently, your bones go on display.”
They chatted for the rest of the class and Melody told him she’d come by later so they could work on their report. He heard Garreth speaking to her and she laughed, though he couldn’t hear what was said. He felt a hint of jealousy, which was ridiculous, he barely knew her. But still…
“Melody is coming by this evening.” Ominis said to Sebastian and Meatball.
“You two are really hitting it off!” Sebastian said with a grin.
“We’re partners on a report.”
“Sure, sure. Though the rumor through the grapevine is that she won’t be on the market much longer.”
“First of all, she’s a person, not a slab of meat on the market. And second, I don’t care.”
“I heard Prewett’s really trying to win her over.”
“She said this morning it was never going to happen.”
“I suppose we’ll see.” There was a knock on their door. “Come in!”
“Hey guys.” Melody said as she entered. “There’s my little Meatball!”
“There’s my favorite human!”
“Excuse me?”
“What?” Melody asked.
“He just referred to you as his favorite human.”
“Favorite GIRL human.”
“Right, he’s trying to backpedal now.”
“And Meatball’s my favorite little snake!” She scooped him up out the terrarium and snuggled him, loudly kissing the top of his head. Meatball’s tongue flicked happily.
“Melody, while you’re giving it away over there, how about some love for your favorite Slytherin?” Sebastian asked, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Terribly sorry, didn’t mean to make you feel left out. Hewwo my wittle Sebastian!” She spoke in a baby voice and pinched his cheek.
“Are we still going to Hogsmeade this weekend or has Prewett swept you off your feet yet?”
“How did you hear about that?” Melody asked as she sat beside Ominis and crossed her legs, their knees touching.
“The good ol’ Hogwarts rumor mill. So are you going out with him?”
“I don’t know. He’s awfully persistent. I suppose he really likes me.”
“You can do much better than Prewett.” Sebastian said.
“Oh yeah?” She asked playfully.
“Um, hello! I’m sitting right in front of you. Your knight in shining armor awaits!”
“Please, you’re my dumbass in tin foil.”
Ominis laughed out loud and Sebastian glared. “Woooow. Hurtful. I see whose side you’re on, Ominis!”
“You are correct.” He replied with a smile.
“Well, I’m going to go take my wounded heart elsewhere while you two work on your report. I heard Lenora Everleigh is single now. Did you put in a good word for me?”
“I put in A word.” Melody replied. “Stop poaching my friends, can’t you go find a Slytherin girl?”
“I could, but I have a weakness for Hufflepuff women.” Sebastian winked and Melody rolled her eyes. “Alright, later guys.”
After Sebastian left, Melody nudged Ominis’ shoulder. “I warned her in advance so she could hide.”
Ominis chuckled. “He’s not a bad guy.”
“No, he’s not, but I know he likes to see how many notches he can get on his headboard and I’d prefer my friends not to be among them.”
“That’s understandable. Ready to start on our report?”
“I suppose. How long does it have to be?”
“At least three pages.”
“Oh COME ON!” She groaned.
They worked for an hour before Melody dramatically collapsed beside him. “I’m dead, Ominis. I’ve died of boredom.”
“Terrible, you were so young.” He smirked.
“Come on, let’s take a break and do literally anything else.”
“What do you want to do?”
“What do you like to do for fun?”
“I’m afraid I’m quite boring. I enjoy reading, going for a stroll, listening to music…”
“That’s not boring!” Melody said.
“There’s also a game I used to play with Sebastian and Anne. It’s kind of silly, but fun.”
“Let’s do it! What is it?”
“We’ll have to go somewhere quiet and spacious. I know a place.”
“Let’s go!” Melody grinned.
“Go on, Meatball, back to your home.”
“Aaaaaaaw.”
“Sorry, it’s no place for a snake, you could get lost.”
“Where exactly are we going?” Melody asked.
“You’ll see.” Ominis said with a sly grin.
“Welcome to the undercroft! It’s a secret place, only Anne, Sebastian, and myself know about it. And now you.”
“Woah! No one else knows this is here?”
“No, it was a secret passed on to me from my family. I spend a lot of time here, it’s nice and quiet.”
“And kind of creepy. You guys never thought to put any lights or furniture in here?”
“I guess not, we used to just sit on blankets or something.”
“So what’s this game?”
“It doesn’t have a specific name. But you’ll get an understanding of how I live. You’ll put this blindfold over your eyes and attempt to locate me using your other senses.”
“Sounds easy enough!”
“We’ll see about that.” He pulled a blindfold out from his pocket. “May I?”
“Sure.” Melody walked over to him and turned around, and he slid the blindfold over her eyes and tied it on.
“This is wonderful if you suffer from migraines. Blocks out all the light.”
“I get dreadful migraines. Wow, I really can’t see anything!”
“And the game begins.” Ominis said, further away than she expected.
“How are you so quiet?!”
“I can be very stealthy.” He said, suddenly behind her. She turned to grab him and he was gone. “Come on, are you even trying?”
“Ok, this is more difficult than I anticipated!”
“Use your other senses.” Ominis said, tapping her shoulder.
“Ugh!” Melody closed her eyes under the blindfold. If she stopped straining to see, she could focus on her other senses. She faintly smelled his cologne and stepped in that direction. She heard a quiet rustle of fabric and turned around. She froze and listened for the slightest sound. When she got a much stronger whiff of his cologne, she turned around and lunged at him.
He was closer than she’d anticipated and she slammed into him, knocking him backwards. She thought they were going to fall, but she felt Ominis’ strong grasp on her and they stayed upright.
“You’re not very graceful, are you?” He asked with a smirk.
“Smart ass!” She laughed. Her hands were resting on his chest and his hands still rested on her waist. She tipped her head upwards and felt for his face. “I never realized how much taller than me you are!”
“Is that why you’re squeezing my nose?” He asked in a slightly muffled voice.
“Yep. How tall are you?”
“6 feet.”
“Ugh.”
He patted the top of her head. “Look at you, so short. What are you, 5’3?”
“5’4, thank you very much!” She brought her hands down from his face and felt his shoulders.
“What are you doing?” He asked with a small smile.
“Trying to see like you do. Of course I know what you look like, but I’m trying to see if I can figure it out.”
He stood still as she patted his shoulders and arms. Her hands went back up to his face. “Yep, I can tell. Same cocky smile. I don’t have to see you to know you’re smirking at me, you’re an excellent smirker, you know that?”
“Is that a word, smirker?” His grin widened.
“Stop it! Now you’re smiling even more!”
“Are you done molesting my face?”
“Nope.” She squeezed his cheeks with her hands. She moved them up the side of his head and he closed his eyes as her fingers flitted across them. “You have obnoxiously long eyelashes, it’s terribly unfair. They’re better than mine. And these eyebrows are so often turned down into a glare or frown.” She gave his cheeks one last playful squeeze for good measure. “Ok, now I’m done.”
Ominis cleared his throat nervously. “Would it be alright if I felt what you looked like? You can say no if it makes you uncomfortable.”
“Nope, feel away! You know, I don’t usually say that to a boy.” She took his hands and placed them on the sides of her face. “I’m going to take the blindfold off for now so you feel around better.”
She was surprised at how bright the room seemed after having the blindfold on. She was also surprised at how close she was to Ominis. She watched his face as he gently moved his hands across hers. He had a small smile on his face as he did so.
“Let’s see here…what a tiny nose you have! High cheekbones…your lashes seem long to me, but I suppose I wouldn’t know.” He ran his thumb across her lips. “I expected your mouth to be much larger, the way I’ve heard you shout and swear. You’re quite loud.”
“Rude!” She pouted.
“Now you’re pouting. I didn’t mean offense, just that you’re one of those people that doesn’t hide in the shadows. You’re bold and fiery.”
“Are you describing me or a Taco Bell sauce packet?”
Ominis laughed, a delightful, full on laugh, not his usual polite chuckle.
He reached around and felt her hair. He started at the top and ran the strands through his fingers. “Your hair is quite long. It’s very soft, and has a hint of vanilla?”
“I suppose that’s my shampoo. I don’t know, I’ve never sniffed my own hair. Lean down.” She pulled his head down and pressed her nose against his hair and gave an exaggerated sniff. “Mhm, mhm, lovely, yes.”
“Oh? What’s it smell like?”
“I don’t quite know how to describe it. Let me sniff again.” He laughed as she jerked him downward. “I’m not good with smells. I know it smells manly and expensive.” She was sniffing his hair again when the door to the undercroft opened. Melody hadn’t noticed and Ominis was attempting to straighten up but she wouldn’t let him. “I’m not done yet, let me smell you!”
“Hello Melody. Watcha doing?” Sebastian asked with a grin.
“Oh, hello! Trying to decide what Ominis’ hair smells like.”
“Ok…why?”
“Why not?”
“Would you let go of my hair now?” Ominis asked, still partially bent over with Melody’s hand grasping his hair.
“Fine, but it’ll come to me at some point.” She let him go and then snickered. “I didn’t know your hair could stand up like that!”
“Yes, well, someone was ruffling it up.” He pulled a comb out of his pocket and attempted to smooth his hair back down.
“Sooooo Melody knows about the undercroft now?”
“Yes. We were taking a break from working and I told her about the game we used to play. She wanted to try it, so I brought her here.”
“It is NOT as easy as it seems. Would you just let me fix it?!” Melody snatched the comb from his hand. “Lean down, you jolly green giant.”
Sebastian watched with an amused expression. “How’d it go? Did you catch him?”
“Yes, but it was difficult!”
“She pounced on me.” Ominis smirked as Melody combed his hair.
“How did it go with you? Did you pester my friend?” Melody asked, forgoing the comb and attempting to style Ominis’ hair in a mohawk.
“I thought you were fixing it?!”
“I am, I’m making you look cool.”
Sebastian smiled at his two friends. “I struck out.”
“I’m shocked.” Melody said with a smirk.
“I suppose I’ll just set my sights on another Hufflepuff bachelorette.” Sebastian wiggled his eyebrows at her.
“In your dreams.”
“You already are, love!” He wrapped his arms around her and made dramatic smooching noises.
“Put me down, you oaf!”
Though Ominis couldn’t see them, he felt a flutter of jealousy. He wasn’t sure why, she was friends with Sebastian first and closer to him.
“You know what, I want to play too for old time’s sake!” Sebastian grinned. “I’ll take the blindfold.”
Ominis handed it to him and he tied it on. “Alright, spread out!”
It was silent in the undercroft, but Melody knew her shoes would give her away so she slid them off and walked around in just her stockinged feet. She froze as Sebastian turned towards her. “You’re quite terrible at this, Mel!”
Suddenly, she was yanked backwards just as Sebastian lunged for the spot she’d been standing in. Ominis held a finger up to his lips and smiled.
“Damn! You’re around here somewhere!”
Ominis took a small object out of his pocket and tossed it across the room, making a quiet thud.
“GOTCHA!” They watched as Sebastian lunged at nothing. And Melody was trying to suppress her laughter. “Are you guys still here?”
She watched Ominis walk silently up to him and whisper “Yes” behind his ear, making Sebastian jump.
“I bloody hate it when you do that!”
A small giggle escaped and Sebastian whipped around towards her. “Now I’ve got you!”
She started walking backwards and crashed into a rusty cauldron, making a loud metallic noise. Sebastian lunged forward and she ran, causing him to stumble.
She jumped when Ominis grabbed her wrist. He tugged her along with him and into a corner of the room. He pushed her into the corner and she was surprised, thinking he was about to kiss her. Instead he just held a finger to his lips before quietly stalking away.
Melody watched him creep up right behind Sebastian and yank the blindfold off. “You’re terrible at this game.”
“That’s because you have the stealth of a bloody panther!”
“Melody, would you like to go again?” He extended the blindfold with a smirk.
“I’ll give it my best shot.” She turned around for Ominis to tie the blindfold on her. “Alright, let’s go!”
She was pretty much instantly able to find Sebastian, his breathing seemed quite loud in the quiet room. She tackled him with a triumphant cheer and he swore. “Alright, just me and you, Ominis!”
She could hear nothing but Sebastian’s loud breathing and her own heartbeat. Then she heard it, the sound of a small object thudding on the ground. Instead of turning towards the noise she wheeled around backwards and lunged. Ominis hadn’t been expecting her this time and she took them both to the ground.
He landed on his back with a solid thump and she landed on top of him. They were both laughing and she took her blindfold off. His eyes were so pretty, especially when they were full of happiness and laughter like this. She found herself wanting to touch his face and trace the pattern of his moles like a constellation. They both stopped laughing and they were looking at each other. Despite Ominis’ blindness, he met her gaze with accuracy.
“Would you two like me to leave, or would you like to get off of Ominis?” Sebastian asked with a smirk.
“Sorry Ominis! Did you get hurt?” Melody got off of him and asked.
“Just bruised my ego.” He smiled.
“You guys wanna do something? Or are you going back to work on your paper?”
“Ugh. I really don’t want to. It’s not due for a bit, I say we hang out. But I am BEGGING YOU to let me conjure some furniture down here. I know it’s your space and if you say no that’s fine, but do you really want to keep sitting on the floor?” Melody asked Ominis.
“I have no objections. Sebastian?”
“Go for it.”
“Excellent!” Melody grinned and set to work.
Sebastian walked over to Ominis and spoke quietly. “I’m shocked you brought her down here. You’d have my head if I did that.”
“I think we can trust her to keep the secret.”
“I’m actually surprised you’ve warmed up to her as quickly as you have. You’re usually quite the grump. Or perhaps it’s her feminine wiles that have changed your tune?”
“Or it’s the fact that she adores Meatball and she’s a lovely person that I get along with.”
“Where is the little scaly cretin?”
“I left him upstairs. I didn’t want him to get lost or hurt down here.”
“So it wasn’t to be alone with Mel?”
“Would you let it go?!”
“Fine, fine, I’m just saying, she seems to fancy you, and-“
“Fancy me? What do you mean?” Ominis asked quickly.
“I mean she likes you, likes being around you. She’s a lovely girl and if you wanted a girlfriend-“
“Drop it.”
“Fine. Woah!” Sebastian looked up and grinned.
“What?”
“It’s like a new place! There’s comfortable sofas, a nice rug, a FIREPLACE, how did she conjure a fireplace?!”
“Well?” Melody asked with a grin.
“Mel, this looks fantastic!” Sebastian grinned back.
“I’ll have to take Sebastian’s word for it.” Ominis said with a small smile.
“You may not be able to see it, but I know you’ll feel the difference!” She grabbed his hand and brought him over to the sofa. “Go on, sit down.”
Ominis sat and smiled at her. “Much better than the floor!”
“See? You don’t have to live like cavemen down here.” She plopped down beside him on the couch with her legs crossed and her knee was touching his.
“Mel, will you do that thing with my hair?” Sebastian asked.
“Again?”
“Come on, I’m heartbroken!”
“Over what? You didn’t even care about her until you found out she was single!”
“Please?” He pouted.
“Fine, get over here you big baby.”
“What do you do with his hair?” Ominis asked.
“Mostly just twirl it around my fingers. Sometimes I make tiny braids. I did it for him once when he was upset and now he pesters me all the time.”
Sebastian sat on the ground in front of her with a satisfied smile. “I should put you to work painting my toenails while I do this. You know what? This is your last free one. After this it’ll cost one pedicure.”
“Do you really want me to paint your nails?” He smirked. “In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t have the lightest touch.”
“I’m aware.” She began working her fingers through his hair. “My mother used to do this to me when I was upset. It always felt so good.”
“It does.” Sebastian leaned back against her. “So did you give this weekend any more thought?”
“I’d like to go but I don’t want to impose.”
“The weekend?” Ominis asked.
“I think Mel and Anne would get along great, and Anne would love to meet a new girl her age. I invited Melody to come to Feldcroft with me this weekend. I would’ve invited you but we don’t have that much room.”
Ominis didn’t like the idea of them going away for the weekend together. “I’d like to visit Anne too. What if I rented us a cottage? Would you be comfortable with that, Melody?”
“Sure! Sounds fun.”
“Are you sure Ominis? It’ll be expensive.”
“It’s my parents’ money, I’m happy to spend it.”
“Then we’re going on a trip this weekend! You can even bring Meatloaf.”
“Meatball!” Melody yanked his hair.
“Ow!”
“He’s my Meatball, my precious boy, and little angel.”
“Mel, you’ve known Meatball for like, two days.”
“So? He’s a special boy and I love him.”
“He’s enamored with you.” Ominis said with a small smile.
“I think I’m going to get him a little hat.”
“Why?” Ominis asked.
“Because I think he’d look dapper.”
“Can a snake look dapper?” Sebastian asked.
“Meatball can. He’s special.”
(P.S. I bet none of you picked up on the fact that my main character is named Melody Carlisle, or MC :D )
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