#David Willows

[the-al-chemist]

Artemis Hexley and the Return to the Riddles

Chapter 11: Foul Play

A/N: With the Quidditch season becoming increasingly ugly, the players try to find ways to not fall foul of Marcus Flint’s schemes. Hufflepuff team members belong to @that-scouse-wizard and @thatravenpuffwitch. Warnings: description of sports-related injury, mentions of ableism.

Artemis may have missed the Quidditch match in her attempt to uncover the identity of the stranger leaving messages for the Cabal, but she didn’t mind. Thanks to Tonks and Penny, she was given a full debriefing on the game over breakfast the following morning. 

“Honestly, you thought our match was bad,” Tonks muttered, shaking her violet-haired head. “I’ve never seen a game played with so many fouls.”

“Well, that’s Marcus Flint for you,” said Penny, leaning in towards them and lowering her voice. “Murphy McNully says that he’s the youngest team Quidditch Captain there’s been in over fifty years. But, Waveney Wiley also told me that Marcus’s dad threatened the previous captain so that he would be one this year. You see, originally the captaincy was meant to go to Bakari Nyoka-”

“Their Keeper?”

“He was their Keeper, but he’s quit the team. The captaincy fiasco was one thing, but after he heard Flint’s plans for the team to play as dirty as they have been… Well, that was the last quill for him.”

“What I’d like to know,” said Tonks, slapping her palm down on the table so hard she almost tipped over her pumpkin juice, “is how we stop them from taking the whole bloody Cup. They thrashed us, and now they’ve absolutely batteredRavenclaw. This new method they’re using is paying off, and we can’t stand for it. Someone’s got to do something!”

But Artemis couldn’t see what could be done. If neither their match nor Ravenclaw’s could be re-played, the Slytherins would remain in the lead for the Quidditch Cup. 

However, it seemed like Tonks was not the only one trying to think of a way to stop Flint’s foul play from succeeding. As she and her friends left the Great Hall, they found all three of the other Quidditch team captains engaged in what looked like a somewhat furtive conversation at the other end of the Hufflepuff table.

“We are well and truly out of the running this year. There’s no chance of us winning the Cup now,” Andre was saying, a comment to which Murphy made a low humming noise in response.

“Technically, there’s very few things that have an absolute chance of zero,” he told Andre. “But, I see your point. With Gryffindor’s win in your first match, and Slytherin beating you-”

“Oh, darling. There’s need to beat around the bush,” Andre shook his head sadly. “They annihilated us.”

“In that case, Slytherin’s annihilation of you yesterday gives them a point lead of five hundred and forty over you. That does make your likelihood of winning the Cup incredibly slim, I’m afraid. Less than thirteen percent. Charlie’s team would need to beat us with a margin of two hundred and sixty just to put them on an even keel with Slytherin going into the final, and then they’d have to not fall foul of Slytherin’s… well, fouls.”

“True,” said Andre. “Unless…”

Charlie’s red eyebrows furrowed. “Unless?”

“Well, I heard that a good strategy was right up Murphy’s alley.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

That was exactly what Artemis, who had paused to listen to the conversation, wanted to know. Apparently, Tonks was just as curious as she was, because she linked arms with Artemis and steered her over towards the boys.

“Wotcher, lads,” she said, plonking herself down next to Charlie and squashing his chin between her thumb and forefinger by way of greeting. “What’s this? Quidditch strategising, are we?”

“Yes, actually,” said Andre. He pouted slightly. “Although this is a meeting for captains, so-”

“That’s a shame, Andre, because this table is looking rather male dominated.”

“Well, now it’s looking rather Hufflepuff dominated.”

But Tonks was not going to give up that easily. “I just think you need to have more diversity in the group.”

“I think we’re already pretty diverse,” Andre replied. “Charlie’s poor, I’m black and gay, and Murphy is in a wheelchair.”

“Precisely. If there’s going to be a strategy, he’ll have to convey it to one of us in the air, won’t he?” Tonks raised her violet eyebrows and Andre sighed heavily.

“What were you saying, Andre?” Charlie asked diplomatically, and Andre shot a sulky look at both Tonks and Artemis before replying:

“Okay, so we all agree that Slytherin simply can’t be allowed to win the Cup this year, don’t we?” 

“Alright.”

“Yeah.”

“Agreed.”

“Yes, but allowing doesn’t come into it,” Murphy shook his head. “It’s Quidditch, there are too many variables over which we have no control. A good strategist allows for these variables, but even then, none of us can have complete control over the outcomes of the games.”

“Can’t we?” Andre raised his eyebrows. “Because I think we could, darling. After all, of the three matches left this season, two of them are being played by our teams alone.”

Artemis frowned. “Wait. You don’t mean…”

“Rigging the matches?” Charlie finished her question for her. “Andre, please tell me you’re joking.”

“Charlie, my love, I’m afraid that I’m being deadly serious.”

“But that’s cheating!”

“So what? It’s no less than what Flint and his lot of poorly accessorised Neanderthals have been doing all year,” Andre shrugged. “They want to play dirty, we are all more than capable of that. Some of us more so than others, I expect.” Smirking, his gaze drifted down to the knees of Artemis’ jeans, still ripped and grass-stained from her tussle with the Whomping Willow the day before. “Artemis, darling, I don’t even want to know what you’ve been up to recently.”

Artemis scowled at him, and he winked at her theatrically. Charlie cleared his throat loudly and the attention turned back to him.

“Andre, we can’t rig matches,” he said shortly. “Cheating like that, it’s just stooping to their level.”

“Okay, I see what you’re trying to say, but hear me out. Slytherin have cheated their way to a win in every single game this season. And they’ve hurt players in the process. Poor Abigail is going to have a black eye for weeks after what Flint did to her yesterday, and he’s laughing about it. The boy thinks he’s invincible, and he needs to be taught otherwise. Now, is it not our job as upstanding senior students to teach him that valuable lesson?”

“It still sounds like cheating to me,” muttered Artemis. “Right, Tonks? Tonks?”

But rather than doubtful, Tonks looked tempted. 

“I mean, he has a point,” she shrugged. “Normally, I’d say no way, but Marcus is such a prat. Just look at how he was with you at the start of our match, Murphy.” She gave Murphy a sympathetic look, and he inclined his head.  “I just think that if we can stop him from getting the satisfaction of winning, it might just wipe that stupid smirk off his face. I’m more concerned about how we do it without getting caught, honestly.”

“Ah, I’m already one step ahead of you there, Dora,” said Andre, looking straight at Murphy. “Thankfully, we have a master statistician in our midst. So, the next match is played by all your lot. We work out the biggest point margin Hufflepuff can beat Gryffindor by to give them a good advantage going into the final without it looking suspicious, and then, after Gryffindor play Slytherin - and hopefully win, as long as their Beaters don’t knock Charlie clean out of the sky-”

“Thanks for the confidence boost, Andre.”

“You’re welcome. Now, after your match against Slytherin, it’s us against you, Murphy. What I’m thinking is that once we know how many points Slytherin will have at the end of the season, you might be able to work out the most statistically plausible way to get enough points in our match to take the Cup from right under Flint’s nose. Sound doable to you?”

“Theoretically speaking, yes,” Murphy said quietly. “I just don’t know how I feel about cheating my way to a win.”

“Well, don’t look at it as cheating, just… making it an even ground,” Andre shrugged and rose from his seat. “Have a little think about it, darlings, and let me know the plan.”

With that, as well as a swish of his scarf, Andre left. Charlie and Tonks soon followed suit, still quietly debating the issue as they walked out of the Great Hall. Murphy, for once, was completely silent, staring thoughtfully at the mug of coffee on the table in front of him. 

“You’re not considering this, are you?” Artemis asked him, and he said nothing in response. “Murphy, this is wrong! Think about Orion, and what he’d say about balance and fairness and… I dunno, stars or fate or something.” Murphy laughed, but it was a hollow laugh, and Artemis sighed. “You’re really thinking about doing it, aren’t you?”

“Artemis, you saw the way Flint looked at me before the first match of the season.”

“Yeah, but-”

“People have looked at me that way ever since I can remember. Like they think I’m less than them, just because I’m in this thing,” Murphy gestured to his wheelchair and shook his head. “I’ve always been ‘that wizard in the wheelchair’, and then I got this captaincy and thought that it would be different, but… Now I’m just ‘that captain in the wheelchair’. And I see people looking, I know they all think that I’m not capable, because I can’t ride a broomstick, and I want to prove them wrong. Not just Flint, all of them.”

“I know, and you will. You’re a brilliant captain, even without a broom, because you are so good at numbers and strategies and all the other stuff I’m not clever enough to understand, but you are. You’re really clever, actually.”

“Yeah, I guess I am. You know, the Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Ravenclaw.” Artemis shook her head, and Murphy continued, “I asked to be in Hufflepuff instead.”

Artemis frowned. “Why?”

“Because of what Helga Hufflepuff always said: ‘I’ll take the lot, and treat them just the same’. I thought that the chances of me being able to fit in would be higher if I were in Hufflepuff, that I’d be seen as an equal to everyone else for a change. I just wanted to be treated fairly. But life isn’t fair, is it?” 

“I guess not,” said Artemis. “But Murphy, rigging Quidditch matches won’t make it any fairer.”

“No. It won’t,” Murphy smiled sadly. “Which is why I won’t do it.”

“You won’t?” 

“No. If I’m going to prove that I can be a winning Quidditch Captain, I’m going to win fair and square. It’s not impossible. Nothing is, statistically speaking.”

The following weekend, Artemis and the rest of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team gathered in the changing tents, the sounds of the rest of the school echoing in through the canvas from the stadium outside. Murphy cleared his throat as he wheeled himself inside, and the team picked up their broomsticks to gather around him.

“The match should start in precisely one and a half minutes,” he told them, “so I won’t spend long giving a speech. However, I do want to make sure that you’re all clear on our strategy. I’ve been speaking to Weasley about it, and we’ve both decided that given Slytherin’s latest performances, we want to make this a good, clean game, with no fouls whatsoever from either side. Let’s show them how real sportsmen-“

“And women,” Tonks interjected, waving one hand in the direction of the majority of the team members and inadvertently hitting David Willows in the face.

“And women” - Murphy nodded - “play Quidditch.”

The start of the match was far more sportsperson-ly than that of the last match Artemis had played. Before the game began, Murphy and Charlie shook hands under the watchful gaze of Madam Hooch’s hawklike eyes, each nodding at the other in recognition as they did so.

“Good luck, mate.”

“And to you.”

Murphy went to Madam Hooch’s side and Charlie returned to his position on the starting line-up, ready for the four Quidditch balls to be released. As the Golden Snitch was freed from the box, he cocked one eyebrow at Artemis and shrugged, a small smirk playing on his face. She narrowed her eyes at him and glared stubbornly, and he laughed, immediately rising into the air as the Quaffle was released. 

Artemis set off after him, as per the strategy Murphy had given her before the match; Charlie was incredibly good at slipping away out of sight when he wanted to get an advantage on the Snitch, and neither she nor Murphy intended to let him do just that.

Once the the game was in play, it was just as clean as Murphy and Charlie had promised it would be, but that did not meant that the competition wasn’t fierce. If anything, the match was faster paced than any Artemis had ever seen or played in. Barely thirty minutes into the game, goals had been scored and saved by both teams, which seemed incredibly evenly matched.

“Spectacular save there from Hufflepuff Keeper, Amelia Booth,” announced Lee Jordan the commentator. “The score remains twenty to Hufflepuff, ten to Gryffindor.” Amelia threw the Quaffle back onto the pitch and Jordan continued, “Booth passes to Costa, Costa to Haywood, Haywood to Hopper.”

Below, the Hufflepuff Chasers were advancing across the length of the pitch in formation, making small passes between themselves. Artemis watched them for almost a minute before realising that, in doing so, she had stopped marking Charlie, who had taken the opportunity to slip away unnoticed. She swore under her breath as she looked for him, and saw him several yards away from her, hovering metres above her head. She rose up to meet him, and as she did, one of the Hufflepuff Chasers accelerated towards the scoring zone, Quaffle in hand, her curly blonde hair whipping in the wind behind her.

“That’s Hopper of Hufflepuff with the Quaffle again, and she’s flying straight for the Gryffindor goalposts! She shoots, and… YES! Well done, Oliver! I mean, Wood saves the goal, not that I care as an impartial commentator. Gryffindor’s reserve Chaser Angelina Johnson picks up the Quaffle - shame she can’t pick up the hints I’ve been trying to give her all year, but that’s girls for you…”

“Jordan!”

“Sorry, Professor. Anyway, Johnson loses the Quaffle to Beatrice Haywood, what force of nature that girl is. Also a force of nature, however, is Fred Weasley… Or is that George? It’s hard to tell from here. Anyway, a Bludger from one of the Weasleys is sent straight for Haywood, but it looks like Tonks of Hufflepuff is getting ready to- Ooh, that was close!”

Several feet below Artemis, Tonks had entered the fray to beat a Bludger away from Bea Haywood, and in her enthusiasm to do so, almost hit Angelina Johnson with her bat. Madam Hooch blew her whistle and Charlie dove down to see what had happened, Artemis instinctively following behind him.

“I’m so sorry,” Tonks was saying to the Gryffindor Chaser, the hand that wasn’t holding her bat pressed to her mouth. “I didn’t hit you, did I?”

The girl shook her head and after a brief discussion with Madam Hooch, it was decided that, as Tonks’ error was clearly accidental and no harm had been done, that no foul had been committed.

“Just be glad that you missed,” said Madam Hooch, with a stern glare at Tonks. “Free pass to Gryffindor.”

“We don’t need a free pass, Madam Hooch. There wasn’t a foul.”

Tonks shook her head. “Nah, Charlie. Have the free pass.”

While Charlie and Tonks were debating with Madam Hooch which team should take possession of the Quaffle once the game restarted, Artemis took the opportunity to scan the pitch for a glimpse of the Golden Snitch. As luck would have it, she caught sight of the tiny glimmer of gold flitting around the opposite side of the pitch. A furtive glance at Charlie confirmed her suspicion that he was too busy to have seen it, but whilst the time out was still in session, she couldn’t fly after the ball. However, as the Quaffle was handed back to Angelina Johnson and Madam Hooch raised her whistle to her lips, Artemis allowed her broom to drift slowly in the direction of the Snitch, ready to begin her chase.

As the match recommenced, Artemis zoned in on the tiny ball, her eyes fixed on the sparkle of gold in the distance as she pushed her broom forward to accelerate. Having drifted away from Charlie during the time out, she was a lot closer to it than he was, but she knew that her advantage wouldn’t last long. As much as she would have hated to admit it to herself or to him, she knew that he was a much better flier than she was. 

Sure enough, over the sound of the wind blowing past her ears, she could just about hear Lee Jordan announcing: “Hexley in hot pursuit of the Snitch, but Weasley is gaining on her!”

But though Charlie was the better flier, she had the better broom. And though he had skill on his side, Artemis had the wind on hers; it caught the tail of her broom as she pushed forward to accelerate further and sent her flying faster still, away from Charlie and towards the Snitch. 

She might beat him this time, she realised. She might actually beat him.

“Looks like Hexley’s managed to put some more distance between herself and one Weasley, but she’s heading for two more!”

In either side of her peripheral vision, bright red blurs were approaching Artemis, and as they flew closer, she was able to recognise the Weasley twins, both with their Beater’s bats raised.

On her right, Fred swung at a Bludger and it whizzed her way, and she ducked out of its path, leaving it to fly over her head and straight towards George on her left. He swung, too, and the Bludger was sent back in her direction. She swerved away from George’s Bludger, but she had now been delayed in her chase for the Snitch.

“Have you lost something, Artemis?” George called out, as Artemis scanned the pitch once more. But the Snitch was gone. Fred began to laugh, and she glared at him.

And then she saw it. Somehow, the Snitch had managed to fly back towards her without her realising, and was now hovering just by Fred’s ear. She smirked, and flew towards him, once more in pursuit of the ball.

“Stop her, Freddie!”

But it was too late, the twins had sent their Bludger in the opposite direction, and there was nothing Fred could do to stop her, not now that the Snitch was so tantalisingly close, so close she could almost reach out and-

SMACK!

A deafeningly loud noise reverberated around Artemis’ skull, accompanied by a searing pain at the back of her head. Her ears ringing slightly and white dots starting to appear in her vision, Artemis raised her hands to the spot from which the pain was radiating, and felt that her hair was damp. She pulled her hands away and looked down at her now red palms, which were starting to look fuzzy. 

“Huh,” she said, as she slid sideways off her broom and fell down into a world that had suddenly turned black.

The first thing Artemis saw was a deep red light. Then she heard the voices, lots of them, overlapping with each other and with the quiet ringing noise that echoed between her ears. She frowned, and after feeling her eyebrows move, opened her eyelids to reveal a shadowy figure of a person standing over her, their face obscured by the blinding light behind them. She blinked, and another shadow appeared, and then another.

“Okay, she’s awake,” said a voice - Chiara’s voice. “Everyone give her some air, please.” The shadows moved away, and Artemis attempted to push herself up to a seated position, but a hand pressed on her shoulder, and Chiara’s voice told her, “Don’t get up. Just stay there and get your bearings, while I look at your head.”

Artemis nodded - it hurt to nod - and propped herself up onto her elbows to see what was going on around her. The rest of Quidditch players had landed their brooms, and were gathered around the pitch nearby, with Tonks and Bea Haywood at Artemis’ side, and Charlie and the Weasley twins deep in a loud and obviously heated conversation with Madam Hooch and Murphy.

“You’ve taken a really nasty knock here, Artemis,” Chiara told her. 

“A Bludger?”

“Not quite,” Tonks muttered darkly, holding up a large wooden bat almost identical to her own. “Turns out the twins were so inspired by my accidental foul, they decided to give it a go themselves.”

Said twins were rushing over to Artemis, with Charlie and Madam Hooch continuing their conversation as they followed behind. Charlie was still almost shouting - or perhaps his voice just sounded louder because of how badly her head hurt - despite the fact that the twins were now at her side apologising profusely.

“We’re both really sorry, Artemis. Are you okay?” one of them asked, looking less anxious after Chiara nodded. Behind him, Charlie’s face was still tense.

“No thanks to you and your bat,” he said, in a voice that was laced with barely disguised fury.

“Hey! It wasn’t my bat, it was Fred’s. Honestly, you call yourself our brother…” 

“We can’t delay the rest of the match forever,” said Madam Hooch impatiently. “Poppy, is she fit to…” Her voice tailed off and she did a double take at Chiara before asking, “Miss Lobosca, where is Madam Pomfrey?”

“She’s had to go and treat a student who’s been had a nasty run-in the Whomping Willow,” Chiara told her. “She asked me to take over here.”

“Right. Well, do you think Hexley fit to play?”

“I don’t think-”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” said Artemis, sitting bolt upright and ignoring the way the world began to spin around her as she did so. “I can keep playing.”

Chiara sighed. “Artemis, I think you need to sit this one out. You have a concussion.”

“No. No, I want to play,” Artemis insisted, and the small crowd around her exchanged looks of doubt. “No, it’s fine. I’m fine. And Fred and George have both apologised, so it’s all good.”

She gestured at the twins, who frowned in perfect unison. No one said anything for a moment, until Charlie cleared his throat.

“Uh, Artemis… That’s just George,” he said, stepping sideways to reveal another twin behind him. “Fred’s over here.” 

It was strange, but now that Charlie mentioned it, there were two of everyone nearby: two Chiaras, two Tonkses, two Murphys, two Madam Hooches, and two of each of Professors McGonagall and Sprout, who had just arrived at the scene.

“Is everything under control here?”

“Certainly, Minerva. We were just ascertaining whether Miss Hexley was in a fit state to continue playing. As it happens, she is not.”

“I am,” Artemis protested, clambering up to her feet and swaying slightly, earning herself a fresh round of sceptical stares. “I am. Right, Chiara? Tonks? Murphy?” When none of them agreed, she turned to the person she knew would back her up. “Charlie?”

But even Charlie wasn’t on her side today, because he shrugged and shook his head. 

“You’re concussed, Artie. I’m sorry.”

Furious, Artemis’ jaw dropped open, and though she tried to protest, it was no use, for everyone had already started to speak over her and she was feeling dizzy again.

“There we have it,” said Madam Hooch. “Let’s get back to business, without Hexley.”

“And without Fred and George,” Charlie added, and all eyes turned to him, with the twins protesting in overlapping voices.

“What?”

“You can’t send us off!”

“We’re family!”

“It’s Quidditch!”

“They have a point, Weasley. Sending uninjured players off the pitch is not in the rules.”

“I don’t care, McNully. You and I agreed we’d have a clean match, and I told my team as much. If they don’t want to listen to my instructions, I don’t want them on my pitch.”

Professor McGonagall tutted. “Really, Weasley. I don’t think that’s quite necessary.”

“But I do,” Charlie replied shortly. “And with all due respect, Professor, I’m the Captain of this team, not you.”

With that, he mounted his broomstick and took to the sky, leaving the others in a baffled silence that was broken by the sound of Tonks’ low whistle.

“Well, Bludger me.”

Artemis was escorted directly to the Hospital Wing, unable even to watch the rest of the match, though why she couldn’t have waited for the game to finish before she left, she wasn’t sure. Madam Pomfrey was too busy attending to her other patient to do anything but occasionally glance at Artemis and make sure that she was still breathing, and was still preoccupied when the rest of the school returned from the pitch and the sound of hundreds of footsteps echoed into the hospital from the corridors outside.

Thankfully, Madam Pomfrey being so busy meant that Chiara, Tonks, and Penny were able to sneak into the Hospital Wing without her noticing, their pockets filled with sweets, and told her about the remainder of the match in hushed voices.

“Well, Charlie obviously caught the Snitch-”

“Of course he did,” Artemis muttered with a roll of her eyes.

“- but, because Gryffindor had no Beaters to stop them, the Hufflepuff Chasers did manage to score several goals before that,” Penny continued, smiling proudly. “Bea scored a hat-trick, you know.”

“Good for her.”

“It means that even though Gryffindor won, the difference between the scores wasn’t that big,” Tonks said, popping a piece of Drooble’s Best Blowing Gum into her mouth. “Murphy said that if Slytherin and Gryffindor end up fairly evenly matched and we do well against Ravenclaw, we still have a decent shot at the Cup, at least.”

Artemis nodded, but it wasn’t the Cup that she was annoyed about. Before she could say anything, however, the doors to the Hospital Wing opened once more, and the girls were joined by Charlie Weasley and Jae Kim.

“Wotcher, lads. What brings you here?”

“I wanted to make sure my idiot brothers hadn’t done too much damage,” said Charlie, with smile that was almost a grimace.

“And you, Jae?”

“Huh? Oh, I just thought I’d come and see how Hex is doing, you know,” Jae shuffled over and peered at the back of Artemis’ head. “Hm. Looks like you’ve been pretty well patched up. Well done, Chiara. Good job. Very impressive.”

His hand flinched as if he were about to give Chiara a thumbs up, but hastily stuffed both fists into his pockets as the others stared at him.

“Right,” Chiara blinked. “Thank you, Jae.”

“You’re welcome. Any time.” 

Jae cleared his throat, and Charlie shook his head at him. Judging by the awkward silence, Artemis was not the only one who didn’t know what to say.

“So, anyway…”

“What is this?” a sharp voice echoed through the Hospital Wing as Madam Pomfrey emerged from behind a curtain that was closed around one of the beds. “This isn’t visiting hours. All of you, out!” Reluctantly, Artemis’ friends filed out of the hospital. All except one. “You too, Mr Weasley.”

“Oh, I’m not visiting. I’m injured.”

“You don’t look injured to me.”

Charlie held up his right hand and grimaced. “I think it might be a repetitive strain injury. Seeker’s hand, you know?”

Madam Pomfrey sighed. “Well, you’ll just have to wait. I’m dealing with a serious Herbology-related incident at the moment.”

“I don’t mind waiting.” Charlie shrugged, and once Madam Pomfrey was safely back behind the curtain, lowered his voice to tell Artemis, “I don’t actually have Seeker’s hand.”

“I know.”

“I don’t even know if Seeker’s hand is a real thing.”

“Not in the hand you don’t use to catch Snitches with, it isn’t,” Artemis muttered, glaring at Charlie’s left hand. “I nearly caught that one today. I would’ve had it if it weren’t for Fred.”

“Yeah. I’m sorry.”

“Sure you are.”

“I am. Really sorry. I actually brought you something to make up for it,” Charlie reached into his pocket and pulled out a walnut-sized golden ball, which he held between his thumb and forefinger, smiling. “See? It’s the Snitch. They can only use them for a game once, so McGonagall said I could keep it. I thought you might want it.”

Artemis pouted.

“I don’t want your pity Snitch,” she said, her haughty expression giving way when she saw the disappointed look in Charlie’s eyes. She sighed heavily and threw herself backwards, trying her hardest not to wince as her head hit the pillow. “I just… I’ve never gotten to play against you in a proper match, only in fun games before. And every time, you’ve won. This was the first time I would have been able to beat you, and it was the last time we’ll ever get to play against each other, so I won’t get another chance.”

“Of course you will,” Charlie said, his eyebrows furrowing.

“No, because we’re all leaving Hogwarts, aren’t we? We’re going to go off and do our own things, and we won’t be all together here anymore.”

“I suppose not. But that doesn’t mean that we won’t be friends anymore, or that none of us will ever see each other again.”

“It doesn’t?”

“I mean, you’re not getting rid of me that easily, that’s for sure,” said Charlie, half-smiling. “He held the Snitch out to her once more. “Go on. Take the pity Snitch.” When Artemis hesitated, he added, “Take it, and after exams are done we can release it and race for it. Loser buys dinner once we’ve left Hogwarts, deal?”

“Fine. Deal,” Artemis said, taking the Snitch from Charlie’s outstretched hand. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Charlie sighed. “Look, I know it feels like everything is ending. It feels that way for me too, but to you it’s worse, because here… Well, Hogwarts is like a home to you, isn’t it?” Artemis said nothing, just turned the Snitch over in her fingers. “I’m not saying it to upset you, I just… I’m trying to say that you’re not going to lose anything worth losing. Not a home, not a family. Alright?”

It took Artemis a second to reply, but she nodded her head and whispered, “Yeah. Alright.”

“Good.” For a moment, Charlie looked like he might hug her, but instead he shrugged and looked over his shoulder at the curtain behind which Madam Pomfrey had disappeared before adding, “Right. I should go before Madam Pomfrey comes back from treating whoever it was that got Whomped earlier and realises there’s nothing wrong with my hand.”

Artemis froze. “What?”

“There’s nothing actually wrong with-”

“No, I mean… Someone got Whomped today?”

“Yeah, Chiara mentioned it during the time-out. I’m guessing that’s what Madam Pomfrey meant by the ‘serious Herbology-related incident’.”

“Who was it?”

“I dunno, I was on the pitch,” Charlie frowned. “Why?”

Artemis opened her mouth to answer his question, but shut it again as Madam Pomfrey emerged from behind the curtain and walked across the Hospital Wing to her office. She shook her head.

“It’s not important. I can tell you later,” she said. When Charlie gave her a quizzical look, she nodded her head at the door. “Quickly, before Madam Pomfrey gets back.”

Charlie still looked as if he wanted to know more, but he made his escape while he could. Once he was gone, Artemis glanced at Madam Pomfrey’s door before padding across to the bed with the closed curtains and pulling them open. The moment she did, Artemis’ mouth fell open.

“It was you.”

#artemis hexley #hogwarts mystery #hphm fic #hphm #the hexley saga #charlie weasley #murphy mcnully #andre egwu #penny haywood #nymphadora tonks #chiara lobosca #jae kim #david willows #ellie hopper #amelia booth #beatrice haywood #fred weasley #george weasley

[that-scouse-wizard]

Gifts and trivial things to fight about - David and Merula edition!

Thanks for the ask!

Gifts: David tends to get Merula perfumes, and the occasional tome on magic. Merula tends to get him things related to Quidditch and later stuff that can help him teach the kids in Charms class.

Trivial things to fight about: I'm not saying Merula has burned some... overzealous fan mail but she definitely has. David was a bit annoyed at first until he got a hold of some, then he was glad they were being used as kindling.

#hphm #david willows #merula snyde #willowsnyde

[whatwouldvalerydo]

For the crackship: David x Talia - that-scouse-wizard

Honestly David knows how to handle hot heads and they would have been a good match, crack aside

Especially during the war.

Can't deny that Willows charm.

#david willows #talia crane

[cactus-zombie]

Goretober Day 12 - Cannibalism

#goretober #cactusdoesgoretober #tw food #tw cannibalism #oc #original character #faces of levix #original story #dave #david willows #oh man this one gave me SO MANY issues #y'all have no idea

[lifeofkaze]

In the Balance

Chapter 5: You’ll Never Walk Alone

Read the previous chapter here or find all the chapters of this series (and some more) here.

A/N: David Willows belongs to @that-scouse-wizard. It took me over a year to write this (and get it ready to be published, it's been sitting in my drafts for a long while), but finally here we are 💛

There wasn't much Lizzie didn't like about summer. As soon as the temperatures were rising, there was nothing she loved more than spending her whole day outside, soaking up the sunshine and the smell of freshly mown grass. 

If asked, Lizzie would have said that the summer after her sixth year at Hogwarts had been her favourite one to date. She and Orion had spent the better part of their time off travelling the United Kingdom without a set aim or destination. They had just returned from a whistle-stop trip to the Channel Isles; Lizzie would have liked to stay there for a little longer, but Orion needed to be in Montrose in time for the season preparation, and so their trip had eventually come to its inevitable end. 

Knowing that she would have to spend her last year at Hogwarts without him dampened her spirits, but Lizzie was determined not to dwell on that. For now, she had much more important matters to think about: this weekend, the Premier League was finally starting again. 

One the first matchday of the season, Lizzie woke at the crack of dawn. She reached for the tickets she'd laid on her bedside table and looked at them with a broad grin. Her friend David Willows had gotten her the tickets for her birthday last year. Liverpool would be facing Manchester United, and Lizzie still couldn't quite believe she was lucky enough to be able to go. 

Next to her, Orion was still fast asleep, so Lizzie got out of bed as quietly as she could. Mouse, Lizzie's big grey cat, who had been sleeping nestled against her stomach, wasn't as considerate; she stretched copiously and climbed over Orion's shoulder to lie on his other side. With the warmth of Lizzie's body gone and Mouse contentedly digging her claws into his back, Orion stirred and slowly sat up. Not even fully awake yet, he reached behind him to scratch the happily purring cat behind her ears.

"You're awake early," he mumbled, stifling a yawn as he glanced out of the window. "Greeting the day with a balanced mind is commendable, but you really could have waited until the sun was up."

"I don't have time to wait," Lizzie said with a muffled voice. She was kneeling in front of her chest of drawers and methodically digging through it. "I need to prepare myself. Get in the proper mood."

"Before sunrise?"

"It's never too early to get into the LFC mood." 

Lizzie drew out two bright red Liverpool jerseys, eyed them critically and tossed them over her shoulder before diving into her extensive collection again. Having found the shirt she had been looking for, she flung it over her shoulder and headed to the bathroom, humming an upbeat melody under her breath. 

When she came back washed and dressed in the new season's kit, Orion was leaning against the headboard of her bed with Mouse curled up in his lap. His eyes were closed, and he was breathing calmly. The only indication that he hadn't fallen asleep again were his fingers, which were lazily moving over Mouse's back. Upon hearing her enter the room, Orion glanced her way. 

"Have I ever told you that I like you in red?" he said with a slightly lopsided smirk. 

His smile changed into a laugh when he saw that Lizzie was blushing. He reached out to pull her towards him for a kiss, but she moved away and tossed him one of her brother's old jerseys instead. 

"Stop flirting and get dressed." 

She didn't have a mind for banter this morning, but it didn't stop her from watching a little wistfully as Orion's bronzed skin vanished beneath the bright red fabric of his shirt anyway. Once he was looking like a proper Liverpool fan, Orion got up and took Lizzie in his arms. This time, she was all too happy to let him kiss her.

"Happy now?" he mumbled, pressing another short kiss to the tip of her nose.

"Perfectly happy," Lizzie giggled, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "How could I not be? It's matchday, after all." 

Over the course of the day, Lizzie's excitement steadily grew, eventually turning into a nervous kind of tension. Time was ticking by painfully slow, and she glanced at the clock more than once until it was finally time to leave.

Lizzie's mother Helen - an ardent Liverpool fan herself - sighed wistfully as she handed Lizzie the box with the Floo powder. "I can't believe my little girl is going to Anfield."

"I've been to Anfield before, Mum."

"Yes, but never without me," Helen sighed again and put her arms around her daughter. "And what a match it is! I really wish I could come."

She let go of Lizzie and turned to Orion. "You take care of her, you hear me? After what happened at Hillsborough last year…" Helen Jameson shuddered; the mass panic during the match between Liverpool and Nottingham had been a tragic landmark in the history of modern English football and was still present in the minds of football fans all across the country. "Just don't let her get into trouble, will you?"

"Orion wouldn't even know the difference between the Reds and the Red Devil's if they spelt it out for him," Lizzie cut in, pointing at her slightly bewildered-looking boyfriend. "See? If any, I'll be taking care of him."

"Knowing you, someone should probably be taking care of them," Lizzie's father Michael muttered. Lizzie grinned and hugged him as well. 

She took a handful of the glittering Floo powder and threw it into the fireplace, where it turned the flames a vivid emerald green. With a held breath and a familiar surge of adrenaline, Lizzie called out David's address and stepped into the fire.

***

Upon arriving at the Willows' place in Liverpool, Lizzie immediately flung her arms around a broadly grinning David. Noticing the unimpressed look his girlfriend Merula Snyde was giving her, Lizzie cleared her throat and quickly took a step away from her friend.

The four of them took the bus into the city, and with every stop, the excitement bubbling in Lizzie's stomach grew. When they changed lines at Beaumont Street, the occasional glimpse of red could already be spotted here and there; upon arriving at Anfield Road, the red had spread to everything in sight. 

They followed the seemingly endless stream of people from the bus stop to Arkles Lane, from where the home fans would enter the stadium. Most people were excited and singing on their way, but a handful was already heavy on the drinks; they were arguing loudly with each other and Lizzie and her friends gave them as wide a berth as possible.

Lizzie had been to Anfield several times before, but when she passed beneath the famous Shankly Gates, above which the club motto was written in gleaming golden letters, a shiver ran down her spine. She and David shared an excited grin while Orion looked around himself in wonder. 

The only one seemingly unfazed by everything was Merula. It wasn't until they walked out into The Kop - the famous stand of the most ardent Liverpool fans rising behind the southwestern goal - that even her scepticism was blown away. 

The green pitch was lying at their feet, the stark white lines bright on the immaculate green lawn. The ranks were already brimming with people clad in red and white. The air was heavy with anticipation, and the low rumble of more than fifty thousand voices sounded through the stadium. Lizzie breathed in deeply as she let her eyes wander over the crowd. 

This was Anfield.

They found their section, and Lizzie soaked in the atmosphere of the busy ranks. Just before the beginning of the match, a collective hush went through the crowd as the tune of Liverpool's famous hymn began to play. Lizzie and David joined in with the rest of the stadium, their red-and-white scarves raised high above their heads. When the song was over, and the players were taking their positions on the field, Orion leaned her way.

"You were right when you said that this was an impressive sight. So many voices joined as one are creating a magic of their own."

"Whatever you say, Captain," Lizzie chuckled. She nudged him into the side and nodded at the pitch. "But the real magic is about to start down there."

The referee blew his whistle, and the match began. It soon became clear that the face-off against the rival from Manchester was just as passionate as Lizzie had hoped it would be. The fans on both sides were spurring their teams on, singing and shouting at the top of their lungs. Lizzie and David were celebrating and suffering with them, their full attention focused on the game. 

When it was halftime, Lizzie took a deep breath and finally allowed herself to relax. She turned to Orion - for the first time in the last forty-five minutes, she suddenly realised.

"How do you like it so far?" she asked, not without a touch of bad conscience. Over the excitement of the match, she had somehow completely forgotten about him.

"It's an inspiring display of sportsmanship," Orion said. "When the ball changes possession, there is this short moment in which all players move as one, like grass blowing in the wind. The shift from offence to defence, from defence to offence - it is a moment of perfect unity." 

"It is," Lizzie agreed, glad that he didn't seem upset with her lack of attention towards him.

The smile on Orion's face turned into a puzzled expression. "There are some things still eluding me, however."

"What would that be?"

Orion pondered her question for a moment. "Tell me about offside again," he said eventually, and Lizzie sighed. Of course it was offside - it was always offside.

Much to her relief, Orion had no trouble following her explanations; his many years of playing Quidditch had given him a good understanding of how team sports were designed to work. Lizzie risked a furtive glance at Merula and David, who seemed to be having a similar discussion; despite David's best efforts, however, Merula looked somewhat confused.  

At the beginning of the second half, Manchester United started back into the game with force. They scored two goals in quick succession, turning the match into a bitter fight for the upper hand. The closer the game was drawing to its end, the more agitated Lizzie became. When there was less than a minute left to play, Liverpool claimed the ball and sent their strikers forward in a last desperate attempt to score. Lizzie leaned forward, gripping David's arm as the stadium held its breath.

A mere second before the end of the match was signalled, the ball shot past Manchester's keeper into the upper left corner. Anfield erupted in an explosion of cheers, the fans singing loudly as Liverpool's hymn was struck up again. 

Lizzie threw her arms around David with a scream before she turned to Orion, pressing a passionate kiss to his lips. The ecstatic atmosphere had gripped him as well, and he joined in as they sang along with the rest of the celebrating fans. Lizzie happily leaned against his side, unable to stop smiling. 

Liverpool FC might have been her first love, but she wouldn't exchange it for her current one for anything in the world. 

***

To celebrate the spectacular last-minute win, David took his friends to one of his favourite pubs before they returned to his family's place, where they celebrated some more.

When Lizzie and Orion arrived back at the Jamesons' house, it was already late. Lizzie felt shattered, but she was too strung up to go to sleep just yet, so she and Orion got changed and headed out a second time. 

They wandered through the sleeping town of Lyme Regis, following the soft sound of the sea. They took the steps leading down to the rocky beach and continued their way along the shore. The cool breeze was blowing away her tiredness, and Lizzie snuggled deeper into Orion's arm around her shoulders.

They followed the shoreline without a particular aim, simply enjoying each other's company. The smaller the lights of the town were growing in their backs, the more the exhilaration of the day was giving way to a sinking feeling in Lizzie's stomach. 

Both of them were aware that these precious moments with just the two of them would be the last ones for a while. The thought was making Lizzie sad; she wished they could stay on this beach - at this exact moment, where everything was easy - and not have to think about the rocky road lying ahead of them. 

"A Sickle for your thoughts, Chaser?"

Lizzie stopped and leaned her head against Orion's chest, her arms coming around his waist beneath his jacket.

"I hate that everything's changing," she said quietly. "I'm so excited for you, I really am, but I can't imagine going back to school without you. The team won't be the same without its captain."

"The old has made way for the new. The team has new captains now, and both are more than capable of walking in the footsteps l left behind. Given some time, I'm convinced they will succeed in leaving a mark themselves." He pulled her closer and rested his cheek against her hair. 

"There is no saying what the future will hold, only that change is inevitable." He nodded towards the night sky, illuminated by the silver glow of the moon. "Think about how many changes the moon must have seen throughout its aeons of life. And yet it never falters; it rises and falls every night because that is the nature of things. Even when the moon is hidden, it is there, in all its glory, like it has been and always will be."

He pressed a kiss to her hair, and Lizzie closed her eyes, trying not to think about anything but here and now. 

"I will be with you at Hogwarts, and you will be with me in Montrose. Just like the moon is never truly gone from the sky, neither of us will ever be without the other," he said gently, resting his forehead against hers. "We are part of one another, you and I, and no distance in the world will be able to change that."

Lizzie brought her hand to his cheek and let it linger there before she gently kissed him. 

"You're right," she whispered, kissing him once more. "No matter where life takes us - as long as I am here, you'll never walk alone."

#hphm #hogwarts mystery #quidditch #orion amari #lizzie jameson #in the balance #david willows #merula snyde #this is anfield baby

[judediangelo75]

A Thousand Times

Hi 💛

This is another Kendrick Lives AU installment. I have yet to post anything gearing towards Kendrick (I have something in the works, I promise.) But thanks to @that-scouse-wizard for being interested in this AU, I was able to build how the Talith would begin. 

So it’s gonna be kind of similar to the First Date TLSQ but with some changes thrown in. 

MC Friend: David Willows ( @that-scouse-wizard )

(Bro, this has been sitting in my drafts for FOUR MONTHS. Writer’s block is the devil, but I’m happy to finish this piece. Now for the other drafts glaring at me.)

Hope you guys like it!

----------------------------------------------

Talbott quietly snuck into the empty Charms classroom, holding an envelope and single hibiscus flower. 

He’s been playing “secret admirer” for some time now to a certain Hufflepuff witch.

Judith Harris.

One of the infamous Curse Breakers at Hogwarts. The other half of the dynamic duo Tigress and Hound, Hufflepuff’s feared Beaters on the Quidditch Pitch. A girl with the controversial scar that everyone can’t seem to stop whispering about.

Talbott has heard about her long before he met her. It was hard not to, seeing how everyone in school loves to gossip about something.

When he met her for the first time, he had to hold back a wince when taking a good look at her scar. He’s heard different stories about how she got it.

Most common was that she was born with it or found herself in an angry dragon’s nest somehow.

Other than that, nobody really knows.

But he knew that the time, it had to be painful beyond words.

Other than her scar, Talbott thought she was rather pretty. Beautiful if he was being true to his feelings.

Something about her pale gold eyes spoke to his heart, even if he was adamant about keeping his distance from her.

As he got to know the Hufflepuff, he found himself intrigued by her. He never thought he would encounter a person with a heart of gold despite the pain and rejection they received.

He even rejected her offer of help when Merula snuck up on her, David, and himself. The blatant hurt in her eyes is something he would never forget.

But she didn’t give up on him. Helping him learn the Memory Charm in attempt to get Merula to forget what she heard. 

Even going as far to help him to find his necklace.

He was able to call her his friend...

Until recently.

Not too long ago, the Celestial Ball was the latest buzz that overtook the castle. Everyone was eager to find a date to accompany them. Talbott didn’t think much of it at the time. 

Until he saw Judith in Andre’s arms. 

He was in his Animagus form, only wanting to observe the dance until he spotted her. Talbott remembered feeling like his breath was stolen from his lungs when he saw the painfully shy Hufflepuff at the refreshment table.

Her dress was a deep red and white. It hugged her upper body like a glove while the skirt flared out at the hips. There was a slit in the left side of the dress, showing off her toned leg. The sleeves were off the shoulder, revealing a lot more skin Talbott is used to seeing from her. Gold heeled shoes can be seen on her feet. Her signature accessories can be found on her ears with a simple gold heart necklace was around her neck.

Her locs were curled, framing her delicate face perfectly. Her face was make up free.

Even with her unsure sips of her goblet, her hunched shoulders, and a small frown on her full lips, Talbott found her endearing.

Until Andre popped up, asking for the next dance. 

Which so happened to be a slow dance.

The ugly twisted feeling that settled in his chest didn’t feel right as he watch the two share hushed whispers to each other. All he could think of was,

‘That should be me...’

He wanted to be the one holding her close. The one looking into those mystical eyes while sharing hushed whispers. To feel her hand clashed in his own, establishing an intimate connection that only the two of them could feel... 

It was in that moment that he couldn’t see Judith as a friend anymore. 

But he felt scared to come out and say it. So he resorted to this.

Just as he was about to leave the note and flower at the spot Judith always sat at, someone walked in.

David Willows. Judith’s closest friend.

The Hufflepuff wizard looked surprised to see Talbott there. More importantly what was in his hand.

David was aware of Judith having a secret admirer. It was hard not to, seeing how the girl would have a flower tucked behind one of her ears and she would be smiling down at a piece of paper with a blush.

It’s rare for Judith to turn into a giggling school girl. So David found it a bit strange, but overall happy for his mate.

Though, it didn’t squash his curiosity on who could be this mysterious admirer.

Guess he found out the answer to his own...

There was a tense silence between the two wizards. Talbott felt his face flush and blurted out the first thing that came to mind,

“This isn’t what it looks like.” Brown eyes narrowed out of suspicion. 

“So it is what it looks like,” he countered, slowly backing out of the classroom. First thing that came to mind was to find his little friend and tell her about her secret admirer. 

Who may not be really an “admirer” based on his response...

“David, wait,” Talbott called out, feeling a sense of panic building. The Hufflepuff wizard paused, waiting for him to continue.

“L-Look, I-I... that’s not what I meant. I would never do anything to hurt Judith, if that’s what you’re thinking. I...” An arch brow could be found on David’s face as he watched Talbott trail off. The Ravenclaw wizard swallowed briefly before forcing the words out before he could think about them too hard,

“I really like Judith and would like to take her out on a date.” Both brows inched closer to his hairline as David silently processed the confession. Talbott fidgeted under the Hufflepuff’s unwavering gaze, waiting for him to say something. 

He never confessed his feelings for the Hufflepuff outwardly before. The only other person knows about his feelings was his best (and infuriating) mate, Andre. And that was only because he got ahold of Talbott’s journal where he wrote about the girl and saw the few sketches he drew of her.

“So do it.” Red eyes blinked.

“T-that’s it? I don’t even know how to ask! I never even been on a date before,” he exclaimed, feeling the panic come back full force. David’s gaze soften ever so slightly.

“Just approach her gently and ask if she’d like to go out somewhere. Maybe to the Three Broomsticks or even the Owlery if you fancy somewhere more private,” he advised. Talbott mulled over David’s words silently, already having a place in mind.

“...That could work... Thank you David,” Talbott responded softly. David gave the Ravenclaw wizard an encouraging smile.

“You’re welcome, Tal. Now, go get her.”

---------------------------

Talbott was standing the empty Courtyard, sweating under his class robes. He sent his owl to Judith, asking her to meet him during lunch. He knew for a fact it’ll be empty so they’ll have some privacy.

The longer he waited, the more he could feel his heart start to pound in his chest.

That’s when he saw her stepping out into the Courtyard. Talbott quickly wiped his sweaty palms against his slacks as Judith approached. 

He could spy the hibiscus flower tucked behind her scarred ear.

‘Good Gods, she’s so beautiful...’

“Hello Talbott,” the girl greeted softly. A small shiver rang down his spine as he heard her voice. He was always interested in hearing her voice, especially with her accent. It was quite clear that she’s not originally from Scotland, or Britain for that matter. However the uniqueness of her voice wasn’t the only thing that captured his interest.

The young teenager couldn’t put his finger on it but he swears he heard that accent somewhere before but can’t figure out where.

“Hello, Judith... thanks for meeting me,” he said. Judith nodded, causing her high ponytail to sway behind her.

“Of course, Talbott. You mentioned in your note that you had something important to ask me,” she said.

‘Moment of truth... there’s no turning back now, Winger...’

“Um, yes... I-I was wondering... W-Would you like to go out on a date with me?” Judith’s good eye widen sufficiently.

“Wha...” Talbott sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.

“I-I wanted to get your attention... why I was leaving you flowers and notes,” he confessed. He watched as Judith looked around the area as if she was looking for someone to jump out at any moment. He coughed into his fist to gain the Hufflepuff’s attention again.

“S-so... would you like to go out with m-me, little bird?” Judith could feel her face turning red with each passing second.

‘Talbott is my secret admirer... this is really happening...’ 

“I-I would love to... if you’re sure,” she said, ducking her head. Talbott felt his body move on autopilot, taking her chin in hand to raise her eyes to meet his.

“I’m positive, little bird,” he whispered, giving her soft smile. He was rewarded with one of her own. 

Unknown to the two, another person was spying on this interaction. David smirked, sketching the moment to pester the two love birds later on...

-----------------------------

“WHAT THE FUCK DID I JUST GET MYSELF INTO,” Judith shouted as she paced about the empty Hufflepuff Common Room. 

Well, almost empty. 

David was sitting on the couch with a small smirk on his face. Judith didn’t even need to tell him what happened that is causing her to having a mini breakdown.

After all, he seen them himself...

“What in the seven hells are you smirking for?! I’m in the middle of a crisis, you git!” David snapped out of when he caught the glare in his little friend’s eyes. A small shiver of fear threaten to run down his spine but he held it back.

“Believe me I know, a little birdie told me.” As soon as those words left his mouth, he regretted it as pale gold eyes stared at him blankly.

“I’m sorry, mind repeating that?” Although that was worded as a request, David knew it was a demand. A demand he better fulfill in the next minute unless he wants to return to his assigned bed in the Hospital Wing.

“I... may have convinced Tal to ask you. And before you say anything, he wanted to before I suggested anything,” he rushed out. A few seconds ticked by before Judith broke the silence.

“WHAT?!” He winced as her shriek pierced his eardrums before replying,

“He came to me and I said he should go for it.” Judith resumed pacing, mumbling under her breath.

“Sweet Gods have mercy, there’s no way this is real. No wizard in his right mind would consider liking me without having some kind of motive. And I said yes like a lovestruck schoolgirl! What am I going to do, what am I going to do?! Maybe I shouldn’t show up, Talbott isn’t serious about taking me out on a date...” 

David narrowed his eyes at the pacing witch before letting out a frustrated sigh. Standing up, he walks up to his anxious mate, placing his hands firmly on her shoulders to stop her pacing. 

“Now you listen to me, Judith Harris. You’re fuckin’ gorgeous and a good person to the boot. I think that Tal is dead serious about wanting to take you out on a date, he’d be a fool not to. Give it a go and if it doesn’t work out, then that’s life. Also, if Tal really is bein’ an arsehole, I’ll kick his arse from here to London and back again.” Despite her best efforts, Judith ended up giggling a bit.

“You would know better not to send him to London. Papa would mount his head on a wall,” she said with a small head shake. David chuckled alongside her, grinning at the fact he could ease his little friend.

“There we go! I don’t doubt he would. Now come on, let’s get you ready for a date, yeah,” David said with an encouraging smile. Judith blushed a bit.

“Uh.. yeah, we can do that...”

“Good, let’s find Andre. And don’t worry, I’ll make sure he doesn’t put you something ridiculous.” Judith rolled her eyes at that.

“He should know better not to try. You wouldn’t survive between you, me, and my dad.” David gave a smirk.

“Exactly, now let’s go find that style wizard.” With newfound confidence, Judith beamed at her fellow House mate.

“Yeah, let’s go!”

-------------------

Andre was just putting the final touches on the last dress he created when he heard a whistle sound off behind him.

“Andre, we got a mission for you. First date emergency.” Andre smirked as he turned to find David and Judith standing behind him. 

He stepped back and waved his hand with a flourish, showing off his work.

“Bold of you to assume I didn't see this coming when Talbott started waxing lyrical about asking Judith out,” he said with a chuckle. 

“Am I the only one who hasn’t noticed,” Judith asked aloud, a blush staining her cheeks.

“Yes,” both males responded bluntly. They both received a glare for their sass.

“Just shut up and explain to me my options,” she hissed. Andre graced her with a gentle smile before clearing his throat.

“I have three dresses for you today, Judith. One sleeveless with a black and red rose pattern. The second green and long-sleeved with a purple lining at the bottom of the skirt. The last is purple and gold, almost like a ball gown. Take your pick,” he encouraged gently. The two males watched as the small witch carefully studied each dress with wary eyes.

“Just how formal is this date? Do either of you know,” she asked. She only wore a dress one other time and that was the Celestial Ball. The dress was beautiful, but she couldn’t help but feel weird in it.

Especially when the only other thing that was eye catching about her dress was her scar...

“Something smart casual I reckon,” David reckon, breaking the girl’s train of thought. Judith did one last glance over at her options before deciding.

“I don’t want to look like an idiot by showing up overdressed... I’ll go with the black and red one...” Andre grinned, as if he know that she would pick that one.

“Ah, my personal favorite! You’re look fantastic in it!” Judith scoffed as she took the dress and ducked behind the changing screen.

“I’ll believe it when I see it, Egwu. This dress screams, “Outside my comfort zone.”, she retorted as she stripped and wriggled into the dress. She could hear Andre chuckling.

“You’ll love it, I’m sure of it.” Judith struggled with the zipper before getting it on. She slowly stepped out to show the guys. Andre gave her a bright smile.

“You look lovely,” he complimented. David placed a hand on the style wizard’s shoulder, as if to hold him back.

“Let her be the judge of that Egwu. What d'you think Judith,” he asked his little friend. Judith shuffled in place, a dark blush on her cheeks.

“ I like it… a lot actually… you guys sure it’s not… too much,” she asked. The dress fitted her perfectly and ended right above the knee. It showed off her developing hourglass figure thanks to her religious training sessions and natural genes.

‘So much skin...’ she thought as she rubbed her arm. 

“Looks perfect to me,” David said with a smile.

“You look fabulous,” Andre chimed in.  

‘Well I have my votes of confidence...’

“I-I guess I’ll take it then,” she decided with a small head scratch. David gave her a small mischievous grin.

“Right now, Judith, go get your bird boy.” Judith could feel her face heat up further but she gave her House mate a thunderous glare.

“David...” David’s grin turned into a nervous one at her tone. 

He knew it well. 

The “I’ll break your kneecaps if you don’t stop right now” tone.

He quickly ran out the room while calling over his shoulder,

“Enjoy your date, Little Tigress!”

Judith pinched the bridge of nose, mentally counting backwards from 10.

“That bloody git,” she grumbled under her breath. Andre shrugged before letting out a laugh.

“Maybe, but I'd say he's right. Talbott has been looking forward to asking you out. Good luck Judith,” he said before leaving the room himself. 

“T-Thanks again, Andre,” she called after him before she was officially left alone.

‘Talbott being obvious about his feelings? Hell must’ve frozen over. And I normally would notices things but I never saw this? Ugh, no time to think about it. I don’t wanna be late…’

------------------------------

Talbott was already at the date spot, nervously biting his lip as his looked at his watch for the umpteenth time.

‘I hope Judith has a good time. Damn it Winger, why did you have to fall so hard for her?’ he mentally cursed himself. He could already feel like his heart was going to beat out of his chest and his date wasn’t even there yet.

He wanted everything to be perfect for her...

Speaking of said witch, she was walking up the tea shop, taking in the site of where her first date will be.

‘I would have never thought Talbott would choose a place like this. It’s rather cute...’ she thought with a soft giggle. She could spy the Ravenclaw wizard standing inside, looking at his watch. 

She drew in a deep breath before releasing it. Smoothing down her dress, she walked inside.

“H-Hey T-Talbott... I’m here, I-I hope I’m not late...” Talbott turned around to greet his date but felt the words die on the tip of his tongue.

‘Oh sweet Merlin, how the hell did I get so lucky...’ he thought as he took her in from her curled locs to her white sandals. He caught her shy shuffle before he realized he still had yet to say anything.

‘WORDS, WINGER! USE THEM!’

“H-Hi Judith, y-you look nice,” he greeted. He got a sweet blush and shy smile.

“T-Thank you, Talbott. Y-You look pretty smart yourself,” she said, trying to calm her beating heart.

Talbott cleared his throat, trying to ignore the fluttery feeling in his chest when he heard her compliment.

“Thank you, sh-shall we take a seat,” he offered. 

‘Goddammit Winger, don't screw this up...’ Judith gifted him a gentle smile.

“Yes, of course,” she replied softly, walking past him to sit at the table near the window. The wizard was quick to follow, beating her to her chosen seat. Pulling out her chair, Talbott gave the Hufflepuff a shy smile. Judith stifled a giggle.

‘He’s so nervous, it’s adorable...’

“Such a gentleman, thank you,” she cooed at him as she took a seat. Talbott felt himself flush a bit as he pushed in her seat before claiming the one across from her.

“Tea and scones I believe are the most popular item here, shall we order some,” he asked, trying to soothe his nerves.

“Yes, that’s perfectly fine with me,” the young girl replied. Judith paused before a moment before speaking again.

“It’s nice to know there’s a little tea shop in Hogsmeade. Do you come here often?” Talbott rubbed the back of neck, sheepishly.

“Sometimes... it’s tucked away from the main street so it isn’t always busy... Besides, I didn’t want anyone interfering with our date.” Judith chuckled a bit.

“Well, aren’t you thoughtful,” she said with a smile. The high points of the wizard’s cheeks darken a bit before he cleared his throat.

“Thank you, I’m glad you think so...” The soft clicking of heeled shoes approached the pair’s table, interrupting the two’s conversation. Madam Puddifoot gave the young couple a warm smile.

“Hello m’dears. Sorry for the wait, what can I get for you today,” she asked. Talbott cleared his throat.

“Oh, um... the tea and scones please,” he answered. 

‘Definitely not the most confident response...’ he thought with a grimace. He wasn’t given a chance to ponder on this as the shop owner asked another question.

“Any specific type of tea you would like dearies?” Judith perked up to answer.

“Hibiscus, if you have it. Please and thank you,” she chirped sweetly.

“A-And nothing that can be spilled too easily please,” Talbott chimed in.

‘Why did I say that?!’

Madam Puddifoot let out a small giggle.

“Tea you can’t spill you say? I’ll see what I can do m’dears, in the meantime, enjoy your first date,” she said before walking back into the kitchen.

‘Ah... young love...’

Judith let out a high pitch sneeze, which reminded Talbott of a baby Kneazle.

“How did she know that this was our first date? W-well, it’s a first for me,” Judith asked, bewildered at the woman’s intuition. 

“I-It’s a first for me as well... it might be because we come across as awkward? That’s what I’ve heard first dates can be like,” Talbott mumbled. Judith flushed out of embarrassment.

“O-oh... do you think we look awkward together then,” she deduced, nervous to hear her crush’s answer. Red eyes widen and Talbott resisted the urge to slap his forehead.

“Oh no! Um, dating has just never been my thing... I think Madam Puddifoot just picked up on that... I do like you, Judith, and I appreciate you for coming out with me,” Talbott said shyly. The girl’s blush worsen at the confession.

“O-oh, I-I understand. Even though y-you could’ve fooled me, haha... I’m happy to be here with you, Talbott,” Judith replied in kind, twirling a loc in between her fingers.

‘He likes me! He really likes me! Oh my stars, there has to be some sort of catch...’ Just as the thought crossed her mind, Judith saw Tonks and Charlie walk in and take the table behind the oblivious Ravenclaw wizard.

‘Idiot! You just jinxed yourself! Okay, it’s fine! Talbott hasn’t noticed them, so just play it cool!’ Judith cleared her throat before giving a nervous smile.

“S-so, tell me about yourself,” she stated. Talbott regarded her with an raised brow before answering,

“Oh well, um... I like to write poetry in my free time, usually when I’m alone. I like to take flights around the school on occasion... how about you?”

“W-well... when I’m not curse breaking or practicing Quidditch, I like to spend time drawing, singing, reading, spending time with my magical creatures, and practice some Muggle forms of fighting... a few of those activities can be a bit difficult seeing how I have one good eye, but that’s all you need to make it work.” Talbott was leaning towards the Hufflepuff, intrigued.

“I see, that’s rather interesting. I’d love to at learn a bit how Muggles fight, seeing how majority of them can’t use wands. And I’d love to hear you sing.” Judith gave a shy smile.

“I-I can teach you a thing or two. My papa taught me everything I know so I can protect myself. You mentioned wanting to be an Auror one day, s-so this would be a good way to protect yourself, just in case your disarmed. A-and not a lot of people know I can sing... but I don’t mind doing so for you one day,” Judith offered. Talbott smiled.

“I’d like that... very much...” From behind the unknowing wizard, the girl’s two friends gave her a thumbs up. Judith’s cheeks flushed a bit at this.

“S-say Talbott... do you mind if I ask you something?” The young teen gave his date an owl-like head tilt.

“Of course, Judith. What is it,” he asked. Sharp canine teeth gently nibbled on the soft flesh of a bottom lip.

“W-Why... why do you like me? I-I thought you liked to “fly solo”?” 

‘Oh... it’s that question…’

Talbott took a deep breath, urging his racing heart to calm down before giving his answer,

“I-I… W-Well… I can tell there’s something about you, Judith. I can tell you’ve been through a lot, but that has never stopped you from being kind. Even with your kindness, you’re never the doormat everyone claims Hufflepuffs to be. That fierceness of your personality soften by the kindness of your heart… it’s magnetic… truthfully I was jealous when I heard that Andre took you to the Celestial Ball…” Gold eyes blinked at him like a deer caught in headlights before the girl shook her head.

“O-oh… there’s nothing wrong showing kindness onto others… well if they give me a reason not to that is. The way I see it is that everyone has a story, a bit of kindness can mean a lot. I-I know it did for me when I met Professor Flitwick and after everyone found out about my scar…” Talbott raised a brow at the girl. He remembers hearing about that incident from their first year. Though, he can tell there’s an element missing in that personal tidbit she just shared but chose not to ask.

“A-and I didn’t really go to the Ball with Andre. He just so happened to ask me for a dance. I was too shy to ask the person I really wanted to go with… not like he show up to the dance anyways,” Judith mumbled. Talbott was still able to catch what she said a frown.

Despite his distaste for large crowds, if she would’ve asked him to the Ball, he would’ve accepted…

“O-oh, I see… whoever you wanted to ask must be a lucky fellow… I know I would’ve felt that way,” he said, rubbing the back of neck sheepishly. Judith felt her eye twitch as she blurted out,

“It was you, bird brain!” Red eyes gazed into pale gold ones, stunned.

‘She actually wanted to attend the Ball with me?’

“M-me?! I-I mean, don’t get me wrong, I-I’m thrilled… but why me?” ‘And why not Andre?’

Judith ducked her head, too embarrassed to meet her date’s gaze.

“I… well… I always liked you… e-ever since we met in the Great Hall. Since you’ve taught me how to fly. Since David and I helped you find your mother’s necklace… Y-you’re mysterious in a magnetic way. Intelligent, witty, and a little sarcastic which I find amusing… you have many layers to you that make me curious… and I do find you rather handsome as well…” Talbott blinked for aw few moments because breaking out into a soft smile.

“Thank you, little bird. That was really kind of you to say. And I had fun teaching you, I always looked forward to it.” Judith took a peek to find those red eyes gazing upon her with fondness alongside the gentle smile. The young witch felt her heart skip a beat.

“Y-You’re welcome,” she replied softly. The pair stared at each other for a few moments in a comfortable silence. Talbott looked ready to say something until,

“WHOO! Go Judith!” Followed by a loud crash. Talbott quickly turned around to find a nervous looking Hufflepuff and Gryffindor next to a table filled with broken china.

“What in the name of Merlin-?!” Judith facepalmed at her house mate’s clumsiness.

“Damn it, Tonks…”

“Whoops,” Tonks mumbled, scratching the back of her head. The sound of heeled shoes clicking loudly towards the front of the shop was the their only warning before Madam Puddifoot appeared with a shocked gasp.

“Oh my! Look at this mess! Terribly sorry m’dears but I’m afraid I have to ask you all to leave so I can clean this up.” Talbott felt his heart sink.

“What?! Damn it, you two!” Tonks and Charlie flinched at the sight of glaring red eyes and a fierce scowl thrown their way. Judith simply shook her head with a soft sigh.

“Don’t worry about it, Talbott. Let’s just go…” Talbott returned his gaze to his date, saddened.

“I suppose so… I’m sorry this went so badly, Judith,” he said. The young girl stood with a shake of her head, walking up to his side of the table.

“Hey, don’t think of it that way. We could always walk back together… if you want,” she shyly offered. Talbott smiled.

“I’d like that…” Judith silently offered her hand to the Ravenclaw wizard, which he took before standing up himself. Talbott silently marveled at the feeling of her hand in his. Compared to his, her hand was small with long, elegant fingers. Her could feel a bit of roughness on her fingertips and palm but her skin was overall soft. Not only that...

‘It’s like her hand fits perfectly into mine...’

In the midst of his observation, Judith glanced over her shoulder, sending a glare over at her friends. They shuddered a bit.

“H-Hey Tonks, why don’t we head to Three Broomsticks. Butterbeer on me,” Charlie offered as he quickly ushered Tonks towards the door. 

“Y-Yeah! Good idea Charlie,” Tonks agreed. The two spared one last glance over at the couple mouthing their apologies before leaving. Talbott did his best not to chuckle.

As sweet as his little date may be, she could be scary if she wanted to.

Judith smiled up at her date, gently squeezing his hand.

“C’mon Talbott, let’s go.” The wizard nodded before they headed out of the shop and into the night.

“Oh wow, we’ve must’ve been in there for quite sometime. The stars are starting to come out,” Judith mused aloud. This gave Talbott an idea.

“So they are and it’s a clear night too... Judith, I have a suggestion, if you’re interested...” Pale gold eyes regarded him curiously.

“I’m listening...”

“I was thinking... with the stars out... possibly we could go stargazing? The courtyard, Astronomy Tower, or even the Creature Reserve could be ideal locations to do so.” Talbott watched as full lips split into a grin as the little witch danced on the balls of her feet.

“Ooo~ I would love that! We can go to the Creature Reserve, maybe you could meet some of the creatures I’ve adopted.” Talbot smiled, pleased that he could make his date smile.

“Great! I believe the grasslands would be the best place. If we run into any of your creatures, I would be more than happy to meet them.” Judith giggled as she tugged Talbott along.

“Then why are we still standing here? Let’s go, bird boy!” Talbott chuckled, allowing himself to be dragged away by his cute date.

-----------------------

“It was a good idea to come here. I never thought to come here at night, it’s so beautiful and peaceful,” Judith said as they walked along the grasslands.

“It is, truly. Where would you like to sit? I’m sure you know this place much better than me.” Judith paused before speaking again,

“I would hate to ruin your suit by sitting in the grass or in a tree. I know there’s a rock formation where my Diricrawl prefers to be, we can sit there.” Talbott gazed at the little Hufflepuff curiously.

“I’ve never met a Diricrawl before, but I do know they’re very skittish creatures,” he commented as he followed Judith to the spot mentioned. The girl smiled.

“Rufflet grew to be comfortable around me, I’m sure when she sees that I’m here with you, she’ll open up. She’s a sweet little thing.” Talbott’s heart sighed at the sight of the animated witch.

‘Just when I thought she couldn’t get any cuter...’

Judith gave his hand a small squeeze and they continued to walk along the grassland.

“I hope you’re not feeling too disappointed about tonight,” she mentioned softly. Talbott shook his head.

“No, I’m just sorry that our date got spoiled. I hope you’re not too disappointed with how it went...” Judith let out a soft laugh before looping her arm with Talbott, stepping closer to the Ravenclaw.

“Not at all. I’m happy to even spend my first date with you,” she said with a small smile. Talbott felt a blush blossom on the high points of his cheeks.

“I am too, Judith... I’m glad you had a good time...” The girl’s smile widen a bit, a teasing glint could be seen in her eyes.

“How can I not? You were so nervous, I found it rather adorable.” Talbott chuckled at this.

“Was I that obvious?” A smirk was the girl’s only answer. Talbott shook his head as another chuckle escaped him. The pair walked in silence before finally reaching the rock formation. The pair settled next to each other side by side as they looked up at the night sky.

“I wonder if we’re about to see Aquarius tonight. It’s my star sign,” Talbott said thoughtfully. Judith perked up a bit at this information.

“O-oh! S-so you’re birthday is during the school year,” she asked. Talbott let out a soft hum in confirmation.

“Yes, the 7th of February. I try to keep my head down that time of year... How about you?” Judith fiddled with a loc, a small frown forming on her lips.

“O-oh um, it is... d-during the s-school year I mean... but I don’t really celebrate it...” Talbott bit his lip, worried that he upset her.

“O-oh, I see. If it’s too painful, you don’t need to tell me if you don’t want to...” Judith shook her head.

“My birthday is the 17th of October, the same as Professor Flitwick... only my dad and paternal grandmother would celebrate my birthday with me. Once she died and Papa and I moved to London, we tried to make the most out of it. My mother... she didn’t really care enough to even tell me happy birthday. Before his disappearance, Jamal would send an owl telling me happy birthday at least. Ever since I got to Hogwarts, I only celebrated with Professor Flitwick in his office. Other than that... it’s just another day filled with curse-breaking or practicing for Quidditch season...” Talbott hung onto the girl’s every word as she opened up more about herself. He empathized with her, seeing how he hasn’t really celebrated his birthday ever since his parents died.

But he wanted to change that experience for her.

“I see... if you’d like, could I join you for the celebration next year.” Gold eyes blinked owlishly at him.

“You... you would really want to spend my birthday with me,” she asked slowly, a small seed of hope blossoming from within her chest. Talbott nodded.

“Y-yes, of course.” Talbott blushed as the girl suddenly hugged him and slowly returned the unexpected embrace.

“That would be amazing, Talbott. Even though I can’t celebrate with my dad like how I use to, I know he would be happy that I have someone else to celebrate with me. Just so you know, I’m gonna find a way to make your birthday special.” Talbott smiled, touched by the girl’s words.

“Just as long you expect the same from me, little bird...” Judith blushed, separating herself from the Ravenclaw before he could see. 

“S-so... you’re interested in astrology too? I remember spending nights stargazing with my dad and grandmother back in my homeland...” Talbott nodded, mentally storing that little tidbit before answering,

“Yes, I am. However, I’m no fan of horoscopes or the belief that they influence anything in our personalities. Though I must admit, they’re fascinating to explore.” Judith let out a chuckle.

“That’s fair but consider it this way: They can give you an idea on how a person could possibly be.” Talbott turned towards his date with a smirk.

“Is that so?” Judith nodded.

“Take me for an example. I’m a Libra, but I balance out my personality, see? Sweet and fierce. Aloof but caring. And so on...” Talbott cocked his head at this, thoughtful.

“That’s an accurate observation... as an Aquarius, I’m apparently intellectual and analytical. Which I suppose I am if you count my poetry as being intellectually minded,” he mused. Judith nodded slowly at this, looking Talbott in his eyes.

“Depending on the person, poetry can convey deeper thoughts and emotions. Taking on double meanings using a play on words. It can be well thought out or straightforward.” Talbott stared wide eyed at the girl before looking away, coughing into his fist to hide his blush. 

“I see... that is... that is a very good analysis,” he commented.

‘Brains and beauty, what more could a wizard ask for,’ he pondered helplessly. In the midst of his thoughts, Judith fiddled with her fingers, embarrassed.

“S-Sorry, I do find poetry to rather interesting...” Without thinking, Talbott found himself saying,

“Perhaps I could teach you how to write it some time?” Judith perked up at this.

“R-Really? I would love that. Andre has mentioned that he’s seen you writing a lot more recently...” The Ravenclaw fought back a exasperated sigh. 

Of course his nosey mate would tell his crush this. 

“Well, yes I have. I’ve been trying to improve, often taking inspiration from things I find beautiful,” he mumbled, sparing a glace at the Hufflepuff. Judith had her head cocked to the side, much like a curious owlet.

‘Damn it, why must she be this cute?!’

“And what has inspired you lately, if I may ask?” Even though he knew the question was coming, Talbott couldn’t help but to freeze.

“Um... well... y-you actually,” he said slowly. He looked at the girl to find a wide pale gold eye staring back at him.

“M-me?! B-but, I’m not...” Judith fought the lump in her throat that formed around the final word. Talbott frown as Judith trailed off.

“Don’t talk like that, you are beautiful. Any of those idiots who bullied you would be lucky if you so much as glanced at them.” Now it was the Hufflepuff’s turn to frown.

“None of them would even look at me after I kicked their asses in first year. My social standing wasn’t that great even before the incident, that fight made it even worse. If people were scared before found out about my scar, they were terrified after the fact,” she grumbled, staring at her hands. Talbott could see the anger in her eyes, masking away the hurt that lingered underneath. Unconsciously, he reached out to gently raised the girl’s gaze to meet his own.

“I-I see what you mean... I’m sorry, little bird. I should’ve picked my words more carefully... What I mean is... I find you fascinating. And well, if there are people left in this school too short-sighted to see past your scar or your involvement with the Cursed Vaults. Those people are fools.” Judith could feel her heart race as she looked in Talbott’s eyes. She could see the sincerity in his firm gaze, making her blush.

“O-Oh, that makes sense... T-Though I-I’m curious. You... you weren’t scared of me when we first met? Or have you been secretly watching me? You strike me as a silent observer, I know I am...” The Ravenclaw smiled as he let his hand drop.

“No, I wasn’t. I was actually surprised you weren’t intimidated by me when you and David approached me about becoming Animagi. And... I do admit, I occasionally think of you and watch what you do in class but that’s about it. And I suppose I am... I do prefer to wait and see before passing on any judgement,” Talbott replied. Judith cracked a grin before laughing.

“Maybe a little nervous, but I wouldn’t say intimidated. I was scared you would find us annoying. And I’m genuinely surprised you don’t have more admirers or been on more dates. There are plenty of pretty and smart girls who don’t have a target on their back,” Judith said aloud, looking up at the celestial bodies above them. Talbott let out a soft hum at this.

“Maybe.. but to be fair, I’ve never been interested in dating until you came along...” Judith blushed, sparing a glance at the Ravenclaw.

“Because I’m fascinating?” Red eyes gazed upon the girl’s face with a soft look.

“Yes...” came the breathless response. A small shiver ran down the girl’s spine.

“If you don’t mind me asking, how so,” she asked quietly, looking up at the wizard under her curly lashes. Talbott nibbled at his lower lip before answering,

“Like I said before, you come across as warm to your friends, but you’re a force of nature towards your enemies. Like a tigress, you tear across the Quidditch Pitch. Your eyes...” Judith blinked out of surprise when the boy leaned closer to her face.

“Your eyes are captivating pools of gold. Breathtaking, beautiful, and so soulful... They’re bright like the sun and hold a comforting warmth like that of a flame alit at a fireplace. They speak for you when words can’t. That’s just some qualities I can name right now...” Judith fanned her heated face as she glanced away from her date. 

‘I wasn’t expecting that answer...’

“That’s a rather unique answer. Something tells me I’m gonna find out more about how you see me,” she said when she finally got her blush under control. Talbott smiled at his adorable date before looking at the starry sky.

“I hope to find out more too...” Judith looked over at the handsome wizard, finding herself scooting closer.

“I just hope you like what you see...” She saw the smile grow a fraction wider.

“I’m sure I will...” Judith noticed how close how their hands were before forcing her gaze upwards as well.

‘I held his hand before, why am I suddenly acting so shy about it?!’ 

“There’s so many stars tonight and they’re all so bright. Makes you really feel small under what seems like a never-ending universe,” she said aloud. Talbott’s hand shifted closer as he leaned back a bit, his fingertips coming into contact with Judith’s.

“It definitely seems like it when you put that way...” Talbott trailed off, perking up as a stream of light shot across the sky.

“Look a shooting star!” Judith perked up alongside him.

“Oh! Quick, make a wish,” she said. Talbott glanced at the girl, biting his lip.

“I wish... that we could do this again some time,” he whispered, no longer looking at the sky but the beautiful enigma next to him. Judith noticed this and willed herself to speak.

“T-That’s a wish I would be happy to make come true...” Talbott’s smile could rival some of the stars twinkling above them.

“I’m glad, thank you little bird,” he said softly. Judith reached out, intertwining their hands together before looking away.

“Y-you’re welcome, Talbott...” The young wizard felt his heart flutter at the feeling of her hand in his, squeezing the smaller limb. 

‘Yup, I’m too deep in this... Crap...’

Much to the flustered Hufflepuff’s relief, a little Horse guardian walked up to the pair, curious to know who was with his caretaker. Talbott was surprised to see the magical creature boldly walk up to him.

“Hello, little one,” he said softly as blue eyes blinked at him. The young Prolock walked up closer, nuzzling the Ravenclaw’s leg. Slightly bewildered, Talbott turned to Judith, who had a loving smile on her face.

“That’s Baron, one of my personal favorites. He was incredibly skittish at first, but grew to be more comfortable around me and the other creatures I have. He gives the best cuddles.” Talbott felt his heart melt as he watch the Hufflepuff gush over the horse guardian. 

“I see... I never been the best with creatures outside of the owls in the Owlery,” he said. Raising a tentative hand, Talbott reached down and began stroking Baron’s head. The magical creature perked up, leaning into his hand happily. Judith could see Baron tail wagging as Talbott scratched him behind his ears. 

The girl let out an elegant snort.

“But yet you managed to tame a Hippogriff? Come on now, Talbott. Give yourself more credit, I know Baron does. He already likes you,” she insisted. The wizard blushed a bit at the praise before chuckling.

“I suppose I can give Care of Magical Creatures another go...” A bright smile made its way on Judith’s face.

“You definitely should! I would be more than happy to help you. I’ve been learning about magical creatures ever since I was able to read. Plus, spending time with Professor Kettleburn and Hagrid helps a lot.” Talbott could feel his heart fluttering at the possibility of spending even more time with the girl. Talbott smiled at her.

“I’d like that very much, little bird. I do hope to spend some time with a Knarl. I’m fond of them, they’re just the right amount of suspicious.” Judith giggled.

“Then you and Ash would become fast friends. Little rascal kept biting my hands every time I tried to care for him,” she said with a playful eyeroll. The boy couldn’t help but to chuckle at the fond exasperation in her tone.

“I would love to meet him.” 

“Play your cards right, and one day you will.” 

‘If I play my cards, maybe one day I could have your heart…’

Talbott glanced at his watch with a sigh. It was getting late and they had to head back before Filch becomes an issue.

“Shall we head back to the castle? It is getting late.” Judith let out a dramatic sigh, not really wish to leave just yet.

“If we must...” Talbott chuckled at her.

“Believe me little bird, I wish the night could go on forever as well... maybe I should’ve wished for that instead, he playfully pondered aloud. He got the giggle he was looking for.

“I don’t think even a shooting star could fulfill that. Though, we could always walk back extra slow,” she suggested. The teenage boy squeezed her hand with a boyish grin.

“Yeah, we can do that...” With a few scratches from Talbott and a hug from Judith, the pair sent the Porlock on his way before making their way back to the castle.

“So, are you worried that Andre will grill you for information about how tonight went?” The Ravenclaw let out an exasperated groan, much to the Hufflepuff’s amusement.

“Andre is a good bloke who means well... but by Merlin is he one of the biggest gossips at school. It wouldn’t surprise me if I get ambushed the moment I step foot into the Common Room.” Red eyes glanced at the girl.

“What about yourself? Would David and the others do the same,” Talbott asked. Judith rolled her eyes.

“David is always pulling my leg one way or another. And I honestly didn’t expect Tonks and Charlie to crash our date. I don’t even know how they knew where we were. But I do expect the student body to make a big deal about it. A lot of them don’t have much to do with their spare time but gossip,” she sighed. Talbott gave a sympathetic nod.

“That is very true, they could do with keeping their nose out of peoples’ business.” Judith sheepishly rubbed the back of her neck, looking up at the boy.

“I hope you don’t regret going out with me once your peace becomes compromised...” The slightly larger hand holding hers squeezed gently.

“I think it’s well worth the risk, little bird,” Talbott reassured, giving his date a soft smile. One he would reserve for her and her only. Judith felt her face heat up at the sight, urging her fluttering heart to calm down.

“I-If you say so, Talbott... but I do have a serious question for you...” Talbott let out a soft hum, waiting for her to continue.

“I-I-If w-we do continue g-going out... h-how do you feel about meeting my d-dad?” Talbott pondered over this.

Talbott has heard about the 6′4 giant of a man who was the girl’s father. His first appearance was during their second year, when Judith tried out for the Beater position on the Hufflepuff Quidditch position. Andre had burst into his dorm room, gushing how he got to meet the man. He was an ex-Beater when he attended Hogwarts many years ago and was considered to be one of the greatest for his time. He didn’t take it on as profession however, probably to try to be present at home for any family he would have. The one thing that is undeniable is the love he had for the girl next him. While he’s never seen it, he can tell how much Judith adores her dad and how much he adores her. By the sounds of it, there’s no mother figure in her life so her dad is all that she has.

Talbott wanted to be with the girl, and meeting her dad would be a massive step for the both of them...

It was a step he was more than happy to take.

“I-I would be honored. Meeting a parent is always intimidating b-but I’d liked to give it a try... especially for you...” Judith fought back the blush as she smiles brightly at her date.

“At least you’re honest. Papa can be intimidating but he’s a warm and wise man. I think he’ll love you.” Talbott willed himself to breath as her words settled in his mind. If what she’s saying is true, then he could have a family. Something he hasn’t had since he was 9 years old.

He can’t wait for that day.

“I look forward to it, little bird...” Judith let out an airy laugh.

“I bet, bird boy... I do hope we can do this again soon... I never said this before but... I really do like you...” Talbott gave her hand another squeeze.

“As do I. And thank you, Judith. Perhaps we could take another trip to Madame Puddifoot’s with no interference.” Judith giggled at this.

“I would like that, I never got my “unspillable” hibiscus tea tonight.” Talbott chuckled, deciding to play along.

“Very true, perhaps she’ll give us the recipe. I’d like to try it sometime.” A smirk tugged on the girl’s full lips.

“I think she would have to kill us first.” Talbott returned it with one of his own.

“Or swear a blood pact to never tell another soul lest we suffer a horrific death. Judith threw her head, let out a warm laugh.

“That would sound about right. Afterall, everyone has their secrets.” Judith said this as they approached the Hufflepuff Common Room. Talbott waited for to finish entering the secret passage to enter her Common Room before speaking again.

“I hope to find out yours, I had a wonderful time tonight...” His hand that held hers, slipped free before finding the little Hufflepuff’s waist. Judith squeaked when Talbott pulled her flushed against his body, nuzzling her temple. Judith gazed up at the boy with a flushed face.

“I-I... I-If you plan on sticking around, you just might...” Judith stood on her toes, pressing her lips against the Ravenclaw’s cheek. Talbott stared at her, slightly dazed as she pulled away and out of his grasp.

“G-Goodnight Talbott, s-sweet dreams.” With that parting, the girl hurried into her common room. Talbott stood there for a few seconds longer before a smile broke out on his face.

He turned to leave the basements to his own common room, touching his cheek in the meanwhile.

‘I think I may have found my mate for life...’

#hphm #harry potter hogwarts game #Harry Potter Hogwarts mystery #hphm mc #hphm mcs #hphm jacobs sibling #hufflepuff!mcs #Jacob's Brother #jacob's sister #jacob's sibling #Judith Harris #David Willows #hphm talbott #hphm talbott winger #talbott x mc #talbott winger x mc #talbott winger x jacob's sibling #ravenclaw x hufflepuff #hufflepuff x ravenclaw #talbott acting as a secret admirer #talbott is a flustered eagle #he's a shy boi #he wants to impress his date #David being a impish git as per usual #Judith is a flustered little tigress #Judith isn't amused at David's jokes #Talbott can do no wrong in Judith's eyes #idiots in love #they don't realize it yet #Kendrick Harris

[thelaziestmotherfucker]

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER 2.07 | | Lie to Me

#buffy the vampire slayer #btvs #btvsedit #buffyedit #userspicy #angeledit #angel buffy #willow rosenberg #xander harris #david boreanaz #alyson hannigan #nicholas brendon #thelaziestmotherfucker #do not repost

[illustratus]

Willow Bush under a Setting Sun

by Caspar David Friedrich

#caspar david friedrich #art #romantic #landscape #romanticism #sun #willow #bush #bushes #tree #trees #sunset #europe #european

[irvinis]

Laudanum, whoo-wee!!

As we know, drinking libations in the crypt was not Crowley's first experience.

Badger!Aziraphale and Mink!Crowley

#good omens #good omens season 2 #aziraphale #crowley #david tennant #michael sheen #animal au #fanart #thin red mink #adorable chubby guy with sideburns #good omens victorian style #edinburgh #“The Wind in the Willows” that I would like to illustrate

[ofbakerst]

#notice he has the correct pipe as always #director paul annett said in bending the willow that the first thing he did with jeremy was go shopping for pipes #the red headed league #granada holmes #acd #text #bending the willow #jeremy brett #david burke #sherlock holmes #watson #baker street #my posts #queue

[the-al-chemist]

Artemis Hexley and the Return to the Riddles

Chapter 8: The Capture

A/N: Artemis attempts to gain two separate victories, but instead manages to find something else entirely… Ellie Hopper belongs to @thatravenpuffwitch and David Willows and Amelia Booth to @that-scouse-wizard. Warnings: Ableism and poor sportsmanship.

The Halloween Feast had been just as much fun as Artemis had expected, and she was grateful to Merula for persuading her to go. She was even more grateful the next morning, when Merula approached her at the Hufflepuff table over breakfast and promised to keep an eye on Victor Ketsueki’s mysterious extracurricular activities for her.

“Really?” said Penny, with a sigh. “Honestly, Artemis. I really don’t believe that Victor is the thief.”

“And I really believe that he is.”

“That’s only because you don’t like him. Why would he even steal all those things?”

“I dunno. Maybe it’s to pay for all his stupid new clothes,” Artemis suggested.

“But Jae said half of the things weren’t even that valuable. You know what they all were, though?”

“Shiny?”

“Reflective,” Penny corrected her. “Which means that it wouldn’t make any sense whatsoever for Victor to take them, because vampires don’t even have a reflection.”

Artemis sighed. There was no point in arguing. At least this month there would be a good distraction from the search for the thief and the endless N.E.W.T. preparation: along with the dark nights, cold winds, and morning frosts, November brought with it the first two matches of the Quidditch season. 

The first match saw Andre Egwu’s debut as Ravenclaw Captain, and his team’s defeat by Gryffindor. The following weekend marked the Hufflepuff’s first game, in which they were up against Slytherin.

“Last week’s match was a relatively close run thing, which means that although Gryffindor is in the lead, it is only by a small margin,” said Murphy, as the team gathered in the changing tents before the start of the match. “Now, I’ve been hearing the odd rumour about the Slytherin team’s strategy this year-”

“Penny told me that they’re planning on cheating!”

“There are only so many fouls they will be able to get away with,” Murphy said. “Keep level heads, work steadily on getting that points advantage, and the match should be ours.”

“Will be ours,” said Tonks, a confidence in her voice that didn’t quite match the white knuckles that gripped her Beater’s bat.

“Well, we can’t know that for sure. There are no certainties in Quidditch, after all. But you’re a strong team, and our strategies are sound. I’d say that the probability of our success is fair to good.”

“Thanks, Murph. Great pep talk.”

Murphy beamed at the compliment, and led the team out onto the pitch, where the whole school had gathered to watch the match. Up in the commentary box, a second year Gryffindor boy had taken over Murphy’s former role, and Artemis saw Murphy’s eyes flicker upwards as the boy began to speak.

“And here comes the Hufflepuff team, captained by Murphy McNully, who taught me everything I know. The Hufflepuffs actually have the greatest ratio of female to male players, with Beater David Willows being the only wizard on the team. A very lucky bloke, if you ask me. I’m sure that he’s been having the time of his life in those changing tents…”

“Jordan,” a second voice, which Artemis recognised as that of Professor McGonagall, growled into the microphone.

“Sorry, Professor. What I meant to say is that I’m sure David Willows has been behaving like a perfect gentleman, and that this respectful behaviour is bound to carry through onto the pitch,” the new commentator said quickly. “Whether the same thing can be said for the Slytherin players remains to be seen. New Captain Marcus Flint has put together a rather formidable side, but I have been reliably informed by one of the final year girls - I didn’t catch her name, but she was very pretty, blonde, great-”

“Jordan!”

“- personality, Professor McGonagall. I don’t know what you thought I was going to say there. So, my charming seventh year friend told me that someone else told… Anyway, rumour has it that Slytherin’s Bakari Nyoka has quit the team after a disagreement with Flint over some of his more unorthodox strategies for the game. Whether Flint has anything dodgy up his sleeve, and whether new Seeker Terence Higgs will go along with his shady schemes… Wait, what was that, Professor?” There was a dry whisper through the microphone, before Jordan sighed audibly and added, “Professor Snape has asked me to point out that these comments are merely - what was the word? - conjecture, and that there is no evidence to suggest that the Slytherin Captain intends to engage in any form of foul play. Okay, but I’m just saying what I’ve heard, Professor. What now?”

As Jordan continued to have a hushed argument with Professor Snape in the commentary box, both the Hufflepuff and Slytherin teams lined up in the centre of the pitch. Murphy wheeled over to shake hands with Flint, the Slytherin Captain, who made a point of bending down to reach him, a patronising smirk on his face. Behind him, a couple of the other players sniggered. Artemis glared at all of them, especially the Seeker, Higgs. 

“I’m going to catch the Snitch from right under his big, ugly nose,” she murmured to Tonks. 

“I’ll throw my bat at him,” Tonks concurred, already brandishing the Beater’s bat. 

“Isn’t that a foul?”

“Dont know, don’t care.”

The two of them, along with the rest of the players, rose into the air, high above Madam Hooch and Murphy, who remained in the centre of the below. Madam Hooch placed her whistle in her mouth, and took hold of the Quaffle in her hands. With the blow of the whistle and an upwards throw of the Quaffle, the game began.

“Look at them go!” Jordan shouted. “Hufflepuff’s Ellie Hopper takes possession of the Quaffle, dodges a near-tackle, passes to Beatrice Haywood. Haywood takes the Quaffle towards the Slytherin goalposts - oh, that was close - and she passes to Cordelia Costa. Ooh, tough luck, Hufflepuff! Pass intercepted by Flint; Slytherin now in possession.”

The Slytherin Captain passed the Quaffle to one of his fellow Chasers, who carried the ball towards the Hufflepuff goalposts, flanked by Flint and the third Slytherin Chaser. She kept hold of the Quaffle, not passing to either of her teammates, and therefore not giving the Hufflepuff Chasers a chance to intercept. Ellie Hopper flew beneath the group as Bea Haywood attempted to fly into their formation, clearly looking to knock the Quaffle out of the Slytherin Chaser’s hands for Ellie to catch, but she was elbowed out of the way so hard that she was almost knocked off her broom. 

As the Slytherins approached the scoring zone, Flint suddenly accelerated towards the goalposts, where Amelia Booth was guarding the three hoops. Her eyes widened as he flew straight at her, and seconds later, he had collided with her, knocking her clear out of the way of the goal as the Chaser with the Quaffle took aim. With no Keeper to stop it, the Quaffle flew through one of the empty hoops, and a roar of applause rang out from the Slytherin stands.

But above the din of the spectators came a sharp whistle. On the ground, Madam Hooch was calling to the Slytherin Chasers and Amelia, beckoning them down to the ground to talk to her. Keeping one eye out for the Snitch, Artemis flew lower so that she could hear what was being said.

“I didn’t know it was a foul, Madam Hooch,” Flint was telling the umpire. “That’s how my family always used to play.”

Madam Hooch pursed her lips. “Stooging has been a foul for a long time-”

“Since 1888,” Murphy interjected.

“- a fact which you, as team Captain, should be well aware of,” continued Madam Hooch. Flint opened his mouth to argue and she held up a hand to stop him. “And don’t think I didn’t notice the excessive use of elbows on Miss Haywood, either. I know that you know cobbing is a foul, Flint, I’ve penalised you enough for it over the last two years.”

“It’s not my fault she got in the way of my elbows…”

Madam Hooch blew her whistle again, drowning out the Slytherins’ protests, and the players took to the sky once more.

“Slytherin score, but because the goal was the result of a foul, it is disallowed,” Jordan announced. “Hufflepuff is awarded two free penalties, one for the foul of Keeper Amelia Booth, and one for the foul of Beatrice Haywood.”

Bea and Cordelia lined up to take their penalties, and though the Slytherin Keeper saved the shot that Bea aimed at the goal, the Quaffle soared past his outstretched fingers after it left Cordelia’s hands and went straight through the hoop behind him.

“Costa scores!” shouted Jordan, over the applause from the Hufflepuff stands. “After all that, the score is ten points to Hufflepuff, nil to Slytherin!”

Artemis took both her hands off her broomstick to clap, but quickly replaced them as a Bludger soared past her, the turbulence it caused in the air buffeting her sideways. She frowned, looking in the direction from which the Bludger had come. The Quaffle was not back in play yet, which meant that the Beaters should not have been aiming Bludgers at other players. 

It seemed that once again, however, the Slytherins were not playing by the rules. Behind her, one of their Beaters still had his bat raised, a hard expression on his face. But it was not Artemis that his glare and his Bludger were aimed at: it was Cordelia. Artemis’ mouth dropped open.

“Cordelia, look out!”

It was too late; the Bludger that had just flown past Artemis continued its trajectory, soaring through the sky towards Cordelia Costa, who was facing the other way. The Bludger hit her over her hip, and the force with which it did so sent her lurching forward and to the side, and off her broomstick. She fell downwards, slowing magically as Madam Hooch put down the Quaffle to cast a spell. 

Artemis turned back again to look at the Beater who had aimed the Bludger at Cordelia, but he had already lowered his bat and was looking the other way.

“Ouch! A rogue Bludger makes contact with Costa, knocking her off her broom and out of the game! What a rollercoaster this game is turning out to be!”

“What’s a rollercoaster?” Tonks asked Artemis, flying to her side.

“No idea,” replied Artemis, “but that wasn’t a rogue Bludger, it was that Beater hitting it at her!”

Tonks’ yellow eyebrows furrowed. “You’re sure?”

“Positive.”

“We need to tell Madam Hooch.”

But with Artemis as the only witness, and the Slytherin Beater swearing blind that he hadn’t done it, Madam Hooch was unable to do anything about the foul.

“It’s one person’s word against another, I’m afraid,” she said, eyeing the Beater sceptically. “As you were, everybody.”

The match recommenced, but now it was more like a battle than a game, with both teams fighting tooth and nail to get a lead over the other. Though the Hufflepuffs were down a Chaser, they were able to hold on to their point advantage. Thanks to the combined efforts of Tonks and David Willows, the Slytherin Beater who had knocked Cordelia off her broomstick suffered the same fate himself, and due to several incidents in which the Slytherin Chasers were caught cobbing Beatrice and Ellie, they were awarded even more penalties. 

“Hopper scores again, making the score seventy to thirty,” Jordan informed the crowd. “But what’s this? It looks like Hexley has eyes on the Snitch!”

Jordan wasn’t wrong; Artemis had indeed seen the Snitch, and was already in hot pursuit of the little golden ball, accelerating across the pitch in order to catch it before Higgs the Slytherin Seeker, who was already on her tail. But Artemis was faster, and she was gaining on the Snitch, almost there now, so close to reaching out and -

“HEY!” 

Artemis shouted as Marcus Flint the Slytherin Captain moved straight into her flight path, too quickly for her to brake in time before she hit him. Luckily, she had her body flattened against her broomstick into a diving position, so rather than being thrown off it, she was able to grip and roll with the broom as she veered off course. In doing so, however, she had lost sight of the Snitch.

Unfortunately, Higgs had not, and before Madam Hooch had the chance to blow her whistle to award Hufflepuff yet another penalty, the Slytherin Seeker had captured the ball. The game was over.

“Flint blocks Hexley, allowing Higgs to get the Snitch! Hufflepuff end the game with seventy points, but Slytherin win with one hundred and eighty!”

The Slytherin stands erupted with cheers, and the Slytherin players all soared over to Higgs to congratulate him. Meanwhile, the Hufflepuffs flew back down to the ground and trudged back to the changing tents dejected, disappointed, and angry.

“I don’t understand why there can’t be a rematch,” said Chiara, frowning over the top of her Butterbeer. “If the Slytherin Seeker only caught the Snitch because their Captain tried to knock Artemis off her broomstick, then why wouldn’t they say that it didn’t count?”

“Because that’s not how Quidditch works,” Penny informed her. “Besides, Snitches have flesh memories. They are issued for each game, so they know exactly who caught which Snitch when. They’d have to order a new Snitch to call a rematch, and it’s not like they’re cheap. And anyway, Marcus Flint has already been telling everyone that he didn’t mean to block Artemis, he was moving out of the way of a Bludger, and that’s why he ended up in her way instead.”

“But that’s a lie!”

“Well, yes, I know that. But it’s what he told Laila Farhat and Waveney Wiley, and they seemed to believe him when I spoke to them.”

Artemis rolled her eyes and finished her Butterbeer. One week after the Hufflepuff’s defeat, the match was still anyone could talk about in the Common Room. She had hoped that going out to the Three Broomsticks would give her and her friends something else to discuss, but clearly, she had been wrong. 

“Anyone want another?” she asked, seeing that Rosmerta was free at the bar. “It’s my round.” 

Madam Rosmerta greeted Artemis as if she hadn’t seen her in years rather than in weeks.

“I’ve been hoping you’d pop in,” the landlady told her, after she had released her from a tight hug. “I’m starting to really book up for Christmas, and I was wondering-”

“If you can rent out my room?”

“Whether you wanted to stay here over the holidays,” Madam Rosmerta said pointedly. “If you don’t, I’ll rent out the room, but I thought I’d offer it to you first.”

Artemis wrinkled her nose. “Why?”

“Because I like having you here, love.”

“Oh,” Artemis bit her lip. “The thing is, Ros, my friends are all staying at the castle, because it’s our last year to do it, so…”

“That’s what I thought,” Rosmerta smiled. “I just wanted to check.”

“I can still come and visit you, though. Because we’re seventeen we can leave the grounds as long as we sign in and out and are back before curfew.”

“I’ll look forward to it,” said Ros, summoning over a set of pint glasses. “Four pints?”

“Five,” Charlie Weasley walked out from behind the bar and placing another glass on the counter. “I’m just going on my break. I’m guessing you lot won’t mind me joining you?”  

“As long as you don’t mind everyone talking about last week’s Quidditch match,” Artemis rolled her eyes. “Yeah, we lost. I don’t know why we need to keep going on about it.”

Charlie’s lips twitched. “You know, you can’t catch the Snitch every single time you play Quidditch, Artemis.”

“I know, I just… Hang on. You’ve never played a game and not caught the Snitch.”

“No, that’s why said you can’t do it. I obviously can,” Charlie grinned. Artemis pulled a face at him.

“I liked you better before anyone fancied you,” she said, before sighing heavily. “Anyway, it’s not my fault that Flint got in my way.”

“No, he definitely blocked you on purpose. But luckily the point margin was fairly low, all things considered.”

“That’s what Murphy said. He’s gone through the numbers and if we manage to do well in the next couple of matches we can still win the Cup.”

“That reminds me,” Madam Rosmerta stopped pouring out Butterbeers and reached into her pocket. “Talking of winning… I saw this and thought of you.”

She handed Artemis a folded scrap of newspaper, and frowning, Artemis unfolded it and read aloud:

“‘This marks the Daily Prophet’s Forty-Ninth Annual Photography Award, and this year, the theme is ‘Beasts’. Entries due by the thirty-first of December 1990. First prize award of fifty Galleons.’”

“I thought you might like to enter,” Ros smiled. “Put that camera of yours to good use, maybe win yourself some money.”

“Yeah. I might be able to take a photo in Care of Magical Creatures class,” said Artemis, nodding slowly.

“Or you could try tracking something,” Charlie suggested. “Your Great-Uncle must be great at tracking.”

“Yeah, but he’s not back from South America until the new year, and the competition closes at the end of December. He took me with him tracking a couple of times when I was little but I never learnt that much. Not enough to find anything by myself, anyway.”

“Well, I could go with you.”

“You wouldn’t mind?” Artemis asked, and Charlie shrugged in response. 

“Course not. It would be good to get some real practice in,” he said. “We can take our broomsticks into the forest tomorrow evening, if you like?”

Artemis smiled and pocketed the newspaper.

“Hopefully, I’ll have more luck getting this photo than I did getting that Snitch,” she muttered darkly.

Unfortunately for Artemis, it quickly transpired that tracking was much harder than she remembered it being. 

“Any luck?” she asked Charlie, who was crouching next to the roots of an old and incredibly gnarled tree.

“None,” he grimaced. “Sorry, mate. I was expecting to find more than this. Maybe we should come back some other time.”

“Might be for the best. We’ve been here for three hours and all we have is one picture of an owl and a few of Borf.”

“I really like the ones of Borf.”

“They’re good, I just don’t know if a wolf is what the Prophet means by ‘beast’. They might be looking for something more magical,” Artemis frowned. “And anyway, I don’t think they’re good enough to win.”

“They might be,” Charlie shrugged. “Tell you what. How about we go to the next clearing and if we still haven’t found anything, we try again next weekend?”

It was worth a try, Artemis supposed, and so the two of them made their way deeper through the trees to the next clearing. It was lighter here, and the shadows of the trees cast abstract shadows on the ground, which was strewn with the remains of the autumn leaves, their fiery colours contrasting with the still green pines. If it had been the scenery alone she needed to photograph, she would have been happy, but sadly, there was not a beast to be found.

Or was there? From somewhere in the undergrowth came a rustling noise and the sound of of a twig snapping. Artemis looked across at Charlie, her mouth already open ready to ask him if he had heard the noise, but he placed his finger to his lips, frowning. Clearly, he had already heard it.

“What’s the matter?” whispered Artemis. “Why do you look-”

Artemis’ question was answered before she had finished asking it. From out of the trees stepped a centaur, his dun coloured fur blending into the tanned skin of his bare chest. Recognising the centaur’s face, Artemis breathed a sigh of relief, and she saw Charlie’s shoulders relax as he did the same.

“Torvus,” said Charlie, lowering his head slightly as he addressed the centaur. “It’s good to see you. How have you been?”

“Unsettled,” came the centaur’s answer. 

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“We live in unsettled times,” replied Torvus, and his dark eyes rested on Artemis momentarily. “It has been a long time since we last saw each other, Charles Weasley. You are grown. You must take more care in the forest, now.”

“I will do so. Thank you,” Charlie nodded.

“As must you, Artemis Hexley. You must take particular care.”

Artemis’ nose wrinkled. “Why?”

“We live in unsettled times,” Torvus repeated himself. “There are many who might blame you for this. Thankfully, many others will see that you could be the one to find the solution, and will protect you as such. Do you still have the amber I gave you when you were a foal?”

“Yeah, I do,” Artemis said, choosing not to mention that she had never been a foal.

“Do you have it with you now?”

“Um, no...”

“You should have it with you every time you venture into the forest,” said Torvus, and his dark tail swished. “Why haveyou come to the forest?”

“I’m taking photos,” Artemis told the centaur, holding up her camera to show him. Torvus shifted on his hooves, frowning at the camera. 

“Photos?”

“Yeah, I have to take a photo of a beast. It’s for a competition, you see.”

“I do not see,” said the centaur. “What are photos?”

“Oh, right. Well, a photo… It’s a sort of picture, but not painted or drawn or anything, it’s real,” Artemis’ eyebrows furrowed. “It’s like you can capture something you’ve seen, a memory, and hold it so you can keep seeing it, so you don’t lose it or forget it.” Torvus still looked confused, so Artemis held up her camera once more and told him, “Here, let me show you. Just stay still a moment.”

Artemis raised her camera to her eye and pointed it at Torvus, who tensed up, eyeing the item with a look of mistrust on his face and one hand instinctively resting on the bow at his hip. She pressed the button, and when the photo printed from beneath it, held it against her chest for almost a minute before looking at the result and handing it to the centaur. 

“Here,” she said. “This one is of you.”

“It is like a reflection,” Torvus murmured, looking at the photograph of himself. “The likeness is uncanny.”

It was a good likeness, and an excellent photo, far better than the one Artemis had taken of the owl, and even better than her favourites of Borf. The dappled light was shining on Torvus’ fur, his muscles tensed and his face hardened as he looked directly at the camera. He looked dangerous and wise and wild, human yet animalistic.

“Torvus, I was just wondering… As a centaur, would you say that you are a being or a beast?”

“A beast.”

“Why is that?“

“To menfolk, putting a name to something is a step to understanding it. For them, understanding something a step to controlling and exploiting it. We centaurs understand that there are many things that we will never understand, nor be able to control. We abide by the laws of nature, not those of men. If that makes us beasts in the eyes of wizards, I would prefer to be a beast.” He scraped one hoof on the ground, his tail whipping suddenly. “I understand now. You wish to use this likeness that you have captured for this competition of yours.”

“No. Well, not necessarily,” Artemis shook her head, although now that Torvus mentioned it, she realised that she could well do just that. “I was just asking because I meant to ask you the first time we met, and I never did. I should have done, because my friend wanted to know. She was interested in the answer, you see, and now… Well, she died, and now she won’t ever know, but I still wanted to find out for her, even though she’s gone.”

“This friend meant a lot to you,” Torvus said quietly, and Artemis nodded her head. “You have suffered a great loss.”

He held the photo out, offering it back to her. But even though Artemis knew that it could well be the photo to win her the competition, using it - using Torvus - felt wrong somehow. 

“You can keep it,” she said to him. “It’s a photo of you just as you are now. One day you can show it to your foals and they will know what you looked like when you were young.”

Torvus placed the photo into his saddlebag, a pensive look on his face.

“Perhaps I was wrong about you, Artemis Hexley,” he murmured. “Maybe we need not be so wary of you, after all. We shall meet again, I am sure of it. Take care of yourself, Charles Weasley.”

“You too, Torvus,“ said Charlie, but Torvus had already turned from him and returned to the trees from whence he had come. Charlie watched his leave with his head tilted to one side. “That’s strange.”

“I mean, he’s always been a bit strange,” Artemis replied.

“Not his behaviour,” Charlie shook his head. “I just thought I heard something on that side of the clearing, and he came out from this side.”

He fell silent and seemed to be listening for something. Artemis followed suit. Charlie was right. There was a noise coming from the other side of the clearing. The two of them exchanged dark looks, and both raised their wands as they walked across the clearing to investigate.

At the base of a tree, a patch of ferns was rustling, and a soft snuffling sound was coming from it. Charlie pointed at Artemis’ camera, and she held it in position to capture another shot. She nodded at Charlie, who waved his wand, and the foliage parted to reveal…

“A Niffler?” Artemis said out loud, lowering her camera. “What in the name of Merlin’s hairy back is a Niffler doing here?”

“I dunno,” Charlie said, and the Niffler ran up to him, snorting at his boots. He frowned deeply. “Artemis, I know one Niffler looks very similar to another, but… You don’t think that this one looks really familiar, do you?”

Artemis tilted her head as she looked at the Niffler, who looked at her and chirped excitedly.

“Sickleworth, is that you?” she asked it, and the Niffler jumped up and down, making a noise like coins jingling as it did so. “It is you, Sickleworth!” 

Sickleworth ran over to Artemis and leapt into her arms. He had not grown since she had last seen him, but he was heavier than she remembered him being. Far heavier. Frowning, she reached into his pouch, ignoring his indignant snorts, and took out the first item her fingers reached: a gold pin-badge shaped like a Snitch. She rolled her eyes and laughed quietly. Why had no one thought of this before?

“You know, Charlie, I think we’ve just captured our thief.”

#artemis hexley #hogwarts mystery #hphm fic #hphm #the hexley saga #murphy mcnully #ellie hopper #david willows #amelia booth #nymphadora tonks #beatrice haywood #penny haywood #chiara lobosca #charlie weasley #madam rosmerta #torvus

[that-scouse-wizard]

i saw you doing the crackships and i thought to myself, "what would make merula snyde most mad?" Her boyfriend and her cousin

Excellent 😂

Some headcanons:

It has to be said, Merula feels weirdly (and somewhat comically) jealous about it but cannot for the life of her put her finger on why.

David and Wendy probably first became aware of each other in the midst of a quidditch game. David launched a bludger at her, narrowly missing, to which she responded: "Ah, ye bastard!"

Got a bit further acquainted when they both took Care of Magical Creatures also collaborating on being chaos gremlins.

Not the first thing he thought he would do but David offered to keep Wendy company on the night of the Celestial Ball, the same night a herd of mooncalf were due to emerge.

David asked her out around sixth year, having a few dates during then and seventh year. Following their graduation it started to become difficult to make time for each other but they managed to make it work.

#harry potter hogwarts mystery #hphm #david willows #wendy gordon #...Dandy?

[whatwouldvalerydo]

Extra

Day 8, bonus round for the challenge created by @cursebreakerfarrier. While it is focused on Scarlett Tempest she isn't actually a participating believe it or not.

Professor David Willows @that-scouse-wizard is having a hard time writing a letter to Scarlett's parents and he turns to a fellow professor for advice.

Phil Baker in mention belongs to @samshogwarts

Professor David Willows crumpled up another piece of paper, swearing under his breath. He had honestly never believed he would meet a child as bad as Scarlett Tempest and with two kids, he honestly believed he had seen it all. If anything he had placed bets with his wife on who would be the most mischievous or the rebel based on the parents. To his surprise he already lost some good money since he bet on Talia’s kid who apparently was actually a good student.

Scarlett on the other hand had been chaos. Her snarky attitude and colorful choice of words had only gotten worse with each passing year. Detention did nothing to tame her, if anything it was as if it made it worse.

Sighing he tried again, the anger still bubbling in his chest. Not only had she gotten in a physical fight a few days prior, she had flashed a ghost and after that she disrupted his class multiple times, flipping him off, cursing and he just had enough.

Worse of it was that she actually was a decent student in his class and he knew if she only tried a bit she would be even better.

“I am writing to you in order to advise you that your daughter IS THE SPAWN ON SATAN in case you didn’t already know.” Frowning, he continued despite knowing full well he would not be sending it, however he needed to let out some of the frustration “She swears more than a sailor, trash talks everything and everyone, I’m honestly surprised more people don’t try to hex her.” Throwing that away he decided to try again later and instead joined the professors in the lounge.

There he found Talbott, reading up on essays from students “Do you have a moment?” he asked him as he approached.

“One second please, let me finish this.” As he was reading the last lines, David went over to the window to look at the students and prepare a coffee. As he did so, he saw Scarlett wearing an outfit that was not proper school attire, followed by Phil Baker with his camera. Releasing a heavy sigh, he decided he actually didn’t want to know “Alright, how can I help?”

Looking over at Talbott, David finally spoke “You have miss Tempest in your class don’t you?” Talbott humming in response “How does she act?”

Talbott tried to not roll his eyes at the mention of her name “She’s very spoiled, entitled and has no filter.”

“And how do you manage to deal with her?”

Getting up, he also went to pour himself some tea “How about you tell me what she did and we’ll go from there.”

Scoffing, David inhaled deeply “How about we go with what she didn’t do, the list is shorter.” Talbott actually nodding at his words “All things considered she’s actually a fairly good student, but her attitude leaves much to be desired.”

“Who do you partner her up with?”

David’s brows raised slightly at the sudden question “Well I usually partner her up with top students so she can learn from them.”

Talbott asked a few names, David nodding “Well you see, this is where you’re wrong. Not because they are better, but because first off they are male and secondly their attitude isn’t also the best.”

“What?”

“They are in a sense similar to her, not as bad granted, but they clash. Also she hates men, she made it perfectly clear. You and me included. Why do you think she fares better when there’s a woman teaching the class?” Glancing past Talbott, David felt his eye twitch as he saw Scarlett again, his colleague following his gaze “It’s safe to pair her up with him if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Actually I was thinking what is she wearing?”

Smirking, Talbott tried not to laugh “Stop asking yourself questions you don’t want answers to.”

Once David got back to writing the letter to her parents, he was actually more calm.

“I am writing to you in order to request a meeting so we can discuss some events related to your daughter. While this does not concern her grades I am afraid that if she continues to have the same attitude during and outside of classes, she might actually miss out on several opportunities…”

#back to school challenge 2022 #scarlett tempest #phil baker #talbott winger #david willows

[cactus-zombie]

Davids first love

#oc #original story #original character #faces of levix #dr alexander foster #Alex Foster #david willows

[lifeofkaze]

"Happy Birthday Liz!" She heard two of her teammates call out in unison. David throwing his arm around her shoulder as Amelia snaked hers around Lizzie's waist.

"When you walk through the storm!" David began to belt out, what better song than their shared favourite football club's anthem?

"Ssssssssh, wait!" Lizzie giggles as she pulls David and Amelia towards a sofa in the Hufflepuff common room, on which Skye is lying and softly snoring.

The three of them position them around her, take a deep breath, and on Lizzie's sign scream,

"YOU'LL NEEEEEVERRRRRR WALK ALOOOOOONE!"

💛💛💛

#happy birthday lizzie #lfc love #lizzie jameson #david willows #amelia booth #oc birthday

[emberglowfox]

I heard Steelheart Redux is getting an anime adaption trust me my dad works for Nintendo.

yeah the early look was wild. i just hope they can keep in all the scenes where the characters sing copyrighted music

#steelheart redux #my art #sparks art #my ocs #zarian #arthur steele #willow jackson #david manalo #kathos #thin lineart my enemy. yes this looks more cohesive than my normal artwork but oh my god its so precise #id in alt #ask #pipefoxesonthemoon