#POTION NO. III : study .

[ordowrites]

potions and brews

cw: mdni, dub-con, aphrodisiacs, afab reader with little pronouns used, mild yandere content with wanderer, general not sfw warnings., begging, oral (f.receiving) user has a vision, praising (use of "good girl"), orgasm denial, degradation, slightly unhealthy relationships, slight dom/sub dynamics, breeding kink

synopsis: inspired by the current genshin event going on! (the reader is not the Traveler), genshin characters reacting to you (or them) consuming an aphrodisiac.

characters: diluc, kaeya, arlecchino, wanderer

i. diluc

you frown as you stare at him, his face is flustered a bit and he clears his throat. he tries to find words as you across your arms over your chest, an unamused look crossing your face as he fumbles a bit.

"ah - i-it seems that i may have had the traveler get a bit too creative with potion making." he's too polite to say it or maybe even too embarrassed, but you can tell in his gorgeous red eyes that he needs something. before you can even open your mouth to offer help, maybe your hydro vision could cool him down some, his strong arms are wrapping around you and pulling you flush close to him. lips find yours as quickly as possible.

"i'm sorry," he groans after he breaks away. it isn't long before he's began stripping both of you, pushing you against his desk and uttering those words again. you try to lightly protest, informing diluc that he's not in the right state of mind, he cuts you off with a soft bite to your neck, fingers pressing against your slick cunt. and when he husks your name against your ear in the way that always makes you weak in your knees, you lose all reasoning as you let him fuck you against his desk.

"i know, i'm sorry, need you so badly - ugh, such a good girl for me. fuck. gonna fill you up over and over again."

ii. kaeya

"kaeya," you beg as you stare up at him with desperation and you squirm on your place on his bed. "kaeya, please." the consumption of an aphrodisiac was accidental and all your instincts told you to go to the ever so kind calvary captain for help. he's smart, after all - he would have a solution.

except now, you're not quite sure what that solution is - or really, you just don't want to say it out of pure humiliation. your studies have always been botany, that you should have been a bit wiser to whatever you put in your mouth. but alas, science wins over mental logical any day.

he's grinning at you, from ear to ear as he looms over you.

"my, what a mess you've made of yourself." he teases as he climbs onto his bed - his fingers tantalizingly stroking what skin he can reach. "and of my bed."

"hurry up," you plead. there is a look in kaeya's eye as he pushes you down on your back.

"precious, i don't think you're in the right position to be making demands." but he obliges anyways, hands wandering to your breasts. you're in for a very long afternoon.

"keep begging me, precious, and maybe i'll let you cum. look how pretty you are like this, all needy and desperate for me. would be a shame if we neded this too soon, yes? you can go one more round for me."

iii. arlecchino

you think she might be mad, with the way she's looking at you - maybe even displeased. you're not sure, but all you know is you want and she is right there.

"who drugged you?" it's clear she's trying to maintain some sense of composure, though you're not sure if she's going to be able to maintain such a prim and proper state as you squirm and try to soothe your too hot body with the coolness if your hydro vision.

"i uh -" you try to find the words, feeling the humiliation creep up on you. "n-nobody."

"nobody?" you nod. arlecchino doesn't seem to believe you, but she strides over to you anyways. of course not, you want to say. nobody would ever dare lay a finger on the knave's most precious person. she sighs as she looks over you. "i suppose it can't be helped." you tremble as she touches you - you're not sure if it's out of fear or lust, either way, your thoughts stop when she kisses you.

you're soon on your hands and knees, your tongue working at your soaked cunt as a clawed hands grip at your long hair, the other at your throat. you grind desperately against her shoe, trying to chase the coil that's only started to tighten in your stomach. all you can think about is arlecchino, how wonderful she tastes on your tongue, how you would do anything for her - oh how you need -

"no getting off - this is a punishment, my little gem. there we go. oh you're growing tired? weary? that's too bad, the lesson needs to stick about consuming strange things. work harder to please me."

iv. the wanderer

hunger, that's the term you can apply to the way he's looking at you right now. hungry. he knows, because of course he knows - nothing ever escapes his perceptive eyes. and he looks pleased, worst of all, with your flushed cheeks and soft whines as you try to get yourself off. you didn't dare go to him, because you never know how he's going to react.

of course, he's a welcomed presence - with the way he's reverently kissing you and touching you everywhere he can. you gasp out his name, hips bucking the moment his lips touch your needy cunt. it doesn't take long for him to get drunk on it, lips, mouth, fingers working at you until you're mewling and moaning mess, debauching his face as you move your hips.

slow, closed circles around your clit as you clenching around his fingers as you cum and he looks thrilled. pants off, cock erect - he keeps you pinned with his inhuman strength as he slowly enters you. it doesn't really dawn on you that no protection is being used as you bliss out when his cock fully enters you.

this, you think within the fog of your mind as your legs wrap around his hips. is where i belong.

"what a slut, accepting drinks from strangers like that. you're so stupid but you're lucky i love you. i'm going to breed you - don't think i won't. you'll be mine, permanently. mine, all mine."

#genshin scenarios #diluc x you #diluc x y/n #diluc x reader #genshin x reader #kaeya x you #kaeya x reader #kaeya x y/n #arlecchino x you #arlecchino x y/n #arlecchino x reader #wanderer x y/n #wanderer x reader #wanderer x you #genshin x you #genshin x y/n #diluc #wanderer #arlecchino #kaeya #yandere wanderer #ordo.text #ordo.txt

[crimsonedquill]

Two Snakes And A Badger: Chapter III

Pairing: Imelda Reyes x f!MC x Poppy Sweeting

Summary: Poppy faces down her past. A bond is strengthened, and consummated. (Or: The Sexual Awakening of Poppy Sweeting)

Word count: 12.4k

Content warning: NSFW (18+). Minors DNI. Very soft and wholesome smut, cunnilingus, fingering, threesome, fluff, lots of feels, angst, confronting past trauma, sunflower trio being my absolute life force

Link to Chapter I Link to Chapter II

A/N: I just realised the past chapters each took me like a month but I've been so much looking forward to writing this one that the words just kept flowing and... here we are.

I'll be honest, this might just be the most wholesome piece of writing I've ever penned down. It's got angst, fluff, really steamy and soft smut... just happy feels all around. I hope those of you who have been following this series (or are maybe just discovering it) enjoy reading it as much as I did bringing it to life 🖤

You turned and twisted in your bed, letting out a frustrated sigh as any hope of sleep kept eluding you. You tried to think of anything to wear out your mind, even resorting to reciting potion recipes at one point, though you knew it would be of no use. Whatever attempts you made, your thoughts kept drifting back to that big, nameless void deep inside you, plaguing you with doubt, making you ask the same questions over and over again.

It wasn’t that you had anything to be discontent with – far from it, in fact. Over the past few months, your relationship with Imelda and Poppy had steadily blossomed, giving you something new to appreciate almost every single day. You were enjoying each other so much, always spending time together after class, studying on the stands during Imelda’s trainings or laughing at each other as you took turns trying to catch a Diricawl. There had been the curious looks and the expected rumours, of course, but over time the general Hogwarts populace seemed to have accepted the idea that you were just really an odd bunch of close friends. It probably also helped that Imelda didn’t shy back from threatening to curse anyone who dared to speak as much as an ill word of Poppy – which had turned out to be a source of ample amusement between you and the Hufflepuff.

Hell, even your sex life didn’t leave much to be desired. Imelda had always been a feisty vixen, but having an audience seemed to have brought out an even wilder side of her that was capable of doing things you had never thought humanly possible. And that didn’t even include how much of a turn-on it was for you to have Poppy watch while you fucked each other senseless. Perhaps it had taken some getting used to, but nowadays it was weirder to not have her there than the other way around. Also, you had to admit it was kind of hot to have Imelda constantly snog you and pinch your arse in Poppy’s presence as a way of teasing you both. You were glad she was comfortable enough to be part of your dynamic like this, even though maybe it wasn’t as intimate as it could be.

So what was it then that was bothering you so much? Was there any way in which you had failed them? Was there anything you hadn’t been completely honest about, either to them or to yourself? Were you really happy with the way things had been going between you three?

Your thoughts were interrupted by a weight shifting onto your bed, sliding behind you under the sheets. You felt a firm presence pressing up to your back as an arm wrapped around your waist. A warm breath tickled your ear.

“Bad dreams?” you whispered, your words slipping into a smile.

“I figured you could do with some company,” replied Imelda. “I have a sense for these things, you know.”

“You’re so considerate,” you chuckled, snuggling closer against her. “Almost makes me think you’ve gone soft.”

“Right. The sacrifices I make,” She lifted her head, planting a soft kiss right below your ear. The physical relief grounded you, allowing you to focus on something other than your thoughts for a moment. “In all seriousness though, are you all right? I’ve noticed you’ve been a little out of it lately.”

So she had caught on too. You weren’t truly surprised, but you weren’t immediately eager to tell her the full truth either.

“I don’t know,” you said. “It’s probably nothing.”

Imelda snorted. “Yeah, you always say that when something’s up. You can talk to me, you know. I’m not actually allergic to feelings.”

Part of you wondered whether there was any use to making up an excuse, but then again, you weren’t sure why you were always so resistant to being open about your emotions either. It wasn’t like you were doing a very stellar job handling them yourself, after all.

You sighed, taking hold of her hand. “I suppose it’s just… Mel, do you think I’ve been doing the right thing?”

Imelda was quiet for a few seconds before answering. “Elaborate.”

“Well,” you said, turning over so you were facing her, “I tell myself that I’m happy, and I am, though I keep wondering… have I been taking the right approach? Isn’t there more I could do to make this easier for you two?”

She cocked an eyebrow. “You make it sound as if we didn’t want this as much as you do. We’re in this all together, MC.”

“I know that. It’s just… I suppose I feel responsible, in a way. I was the one who suggested we get together in the first place, and even though I know you wanted it as well… I can’t help but feel like I dragged you along in something that perhaps none of us were really ready for.”

Imelda was silent for another minute, turning your words over in her head. Soon enough though, she shrugged. “Maybe we were, maybe we weren’t. I don’t see why that matters now. We’re happy together, aren’t we?”

“I guess. But, you know, aren’t you slightly regretting that we never got to see where our relationship would have taken us?”

This time it took her a bit longer to answer. Her eyes darted down before meeting yours again. “No,” she said. “Like I told you, I don’t think it was a relationship I would have been happy with. And in fairness, I did take a risk on you the first time, so it wasn’t too big of a leap the second time around.”

Even though you had not truly expected her to harbour any regrets, it was still a relief to hear that Imelda wasn’t blaming you for anything. Noticing your pensive look, she brought a hand up and lightly touched your chin. “Hey, this was as much my choice as it was yours. It’s not some thrill thing I was after, if that’s what you’re thinking. I wanted to be a part of this because I love you, both of you.”

You smiled softly. “I’m glad. I… well, I hope Poppy feels the same way.”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t she?”

“Well… it’s just that I remember how big of a step it was for her to come out of her shell and even trust me… so I merely hope that I didn’t rush her into anything. I know that this must be more daunting for her than for either one of us.”

“I think you underestimate her,” Imelda countered. “For all the bad your little fuck-up did, it did bring us a lot closer together. After I talked her out of feeling guilty over what happened, she confessed how much she envied our relationship – you should have seen her face when I told her I wouldn’t mind if she started dating you as well. I think, letting her be a part of this – of us –, was the greatest gift you could have given her.”

“You really think so?” you asked, hesitatingly. “I don’t know… it feels like she’s still holding back sometimes. She only ever watches when we’re getting intimate, after all.”

“I thought you liked it when she watches,” Imelda replied, adding a playful smirk.

“Shut up,” you said, giving her a light shove. “You know what I mean.”

“Look, you just need to give her some time. Our relationship was all about sex before it turned into something more. I think she wants it to be more than that. She’ll come around when she feels ready to.”

“I suppose you have a point.” You knew she was right, actually; as tempting as it was to fret about all the things you could do better, you also knew that some things just couldn’t be rushed.

“Hey,” she said, touching your cheek to draw your gaze. “Stop worrying your pretty little head so much. We both see all the effort you’re putting into making this work. You just need to remember that you can’t keep carrying the entire world on your shoulders.”

“Yeah, I know,” you sighed, finding a new sense of strength in her assurance. “You’re right, as always.”

“Just you remember it.” She planted a tender kiss on your forehead. “Now, go to sleep. Nurse’s orders.”

You smiled as you turned over once more, wrapping yourself into her warm embrace. “Will you stay and hold me like this for a bit?”

“Of course. I’ll be here when you wake up.”

Soothed by her promise, you allowed yourself until the clutches of sleep were finally coming for you, carrying you away to darker depths. Imelda’s arms were like a comforting blanket, keeping you safe from the doubts and the anxieties, reminding you that sometimes all that mattered were the simple things in the world – and there was plenty for you to have.

––

The next morning, the two of you got dressed and headed out to the Great Hall to see Poppy, as usual. When you arrived, however, you noticed to your confusion that the Hufflepuff was neither sitting at the table with her housemates, nor waiting for you at the secluded spot you sometimes used for sneaky greeting kisses. You and Imelda looked around for a while before meeting back at the Slytherin table.

“You haven’t seen her either?” you asked.

Imelda shook her head. “Not at the usual places. I’ll go ask Adelaide, maybe she overslept.”

While your fellow Slytherin set out to inquire after Poppy’s whereabouts, you tried venturing some guesses of your own. You weren’t instantly assuming something was wrong – after all, she might have merely come down with something – but it was hard to ignore the voice nagging at the edge of her mind. It was difficult to imagine industrious Poppy Sweeting oversleeping, or being late to anything, for that matter.

Fortunately, Imelda returned with at least some news. “Adelaide says she left their dorm early this morning. Packed up a bunch of things and bolted without saying where she was going, apparently.”

It was as if a cold fist closed itself around your heart. “Oh Merlin,” you cursed. “I know where she’s headed.”

Imelda looked at you questioningly. “Care to fill me in?”

“There’s no time. We’ve got to get to the Forbidden Forest, now.”

She didn’t need another word; the urgency in your voice had told her all she needed to know. “We can use my broom,” she said, already starting towards the flying grounds. You followed close behind, desperately hoping that for Merlin’s sake, you wouldn’t be too late.

––

“Mind finally telling me what we’re looking for?” Imelda yelled over her shoulder. Beneath you, a sea of meadows and the occasional cluster of trees zipped by as you soared across the highlands. Your eyes were fixated on the perimeter of dark oaks held back by a small, meandering river, searching for any sign of life amongst the crooked trees.

“She should be around somewhere,” you yelled without looking away. “She often uses this stretch as a staging area! Look for Highwing!”

Imelda gave a small nod in understanding, leaning forward on her broom to accelerate. You were trying very hard to channel all your attention into finding Poppy, though even so, it was difficult not to feel upset at the entire situation. Why had she not mentioned anything to you or Imelda? Had she felt that she couldn’t trust you for some reason? It didn’t make sense – you had accompanied her many times before, so why had she decided to cut you off now?

Finally, you noticed a shift in Imelda’s trajectory as you started plunging downwards. Strengthening your grip on her waist, you peeked over her shoulder and noticed the welcome sight of a white Hippogriff against the tree line. Imelda made a dive right for the spot, not slowing down until you nearly crashed into the ground. You wasted no time in climbing off the broom and running towards Highwing. The creature lifted its head to look at you as you approached, emitting a single surprised-sounding squeak.

Imelda came to stand next to you. “So? Where is she?”

“She must have already entered the forest,” you concluded. “But she can’t have gotten far. Come, let’s find her.”

The two of you formed up in a single line and made your way into the forest. The trees quickly began closing in on you, forcing you to light your wands to make out your surroundings. You were at least thankful Poppy had made little effort to cover her tracks, leaving you the occasional small footprint in the mud to follow.

“I’ll tell you what, she could at least have found a more decent place to host a surprise party,” Imelda growled behind you.

“I’m just dying to know what’s gotten into her,” you sighed, shaking your head. “I knew she could be reckless, but she’s never blindsided me like this before. Why didn’t she at least tell us?”

“Perhaps because she predicted we would insist on coming with her? It’s not that complicated, you know.”

Your fist tightened around your wand. “Well, she didn’t have the right. She can’t just put her life on the line like this and expect us to do nothing.”

Driven by a sudden bout of anger, you were so caught up in your marching that you were a little thrown off when Imelda put a hand on your shoulder and forced you to stop. “Hey, I’m not saying that I disagree,” she said, looking you straight in the eye. “But remember to count to ten before you open your mouth. You don’t want to say anything you’ll come to regret later.”

The irony of Imelda Reyes telling you to cool it was not lost on you, though you ultimately knew her to be right. After all, you had made a promise, and you doubted whatever reason Poppy might have had for surprising you like this was worth jeopardising your relationship over.

You pushed her hand away, letting out a sigh. “Let’s just concentrate on finding her, all right? I just want to make sure she’s safe.”

Without waiting for her reply, you continued pushing forward. As you made your way deeper and deeper, you started to get increasingly worried about the possibility of something having happened to the Hufflepuff, though before you had any chance to properly panic, Imelda forced you to stop again.

“What is it now?” you asked, annoyance growing in your voice.

“Hush,” she hissed. “I heard something. It might be –”

Without warning, a bright flash shot right past your ear and struck a tree behind you. You immediately swivelled around, flinging a curse of your own in the direction the spell had come from. Unsure of whether you had hit your intended target, you and Imelda assumed an offensive position, wands pointed at your mysterious target.

“Whoever you are, you better come out before we blast you to pieces,” Imelda called out. You held your breath as you waited for a reply, the sound of your heart beating madly in your chest the only disturbance, though the response wasn’t exactly what you had expected.

“MC? Imelda?”

You lowered your wand with an audible sigh of relief as a small figure appeared from the trees. She pulled her hood back, revealing a pair of confused brown eyes. “What are you doing here?”

“What does it look like?” you responded, slightly more aggressive than you had intended. You felt Imelda throwing you a cautious glance, though she didn’t say anything. “What were you thinking, coming out here by yourself? You’re pursuing poachers again, aren’t you?”

“Would you please keep your voice down?” Poppy snapped back, the commanding tone in her voice catching you off guard. “They might have a patrol nearby. I’d rather not have you draw them straight towards us.”

After taking a minute to calm yourself, you nodded to signal to her that you were ready to behave. She took a deep breath and looked up to meet your eye. “Look, I meant to tell you, and I would have. But my window of opportunity was closing fast, and there was simply no time to ask you along, so I did what was necessary.”

“Why didn’t you at least let us know where you were going?” you asked. “It wouldn’t have been too difficult to leave us a message.”

“Because…” She hesitated, briefly, before proceeding, “Because I didn’t want to make it easy for you to follow me.”

So, there it was. She really had not wanted you to find her. But why? What was the reason for this stunning betrayal?

“Poppy, I don’t know why you think you can’t trust us, but –”

“You misunderstand,” Poppy said. “It’s not a matter of trust. It’s just that… this is something I needed to do on my own.”

“But we’re your friends. You can’t possibly expect us to –”

“I understand,” Imelda said.

You and Poppy immediately fell silent at the voice of the Slytherin. She looked straight at Poppy, leaning on her broom. “Really, I do,” she said. Obviously this is important to you, so much so that you felt you could only rely on yourself to handle it. I used to think the same for most of my life – only trusting myself, pushing away everyone because they would never be able to be as serious as I was. You might think of it as a strength, but it won’t feel that way when it really matters. I wish I had found that out for myself sooner.”

Rarely had you heard her speak with such a solemnity before – the last time, as far as you could remember, was that night when she had opened up about her feelings for you in the Slytherin common room. You knew her message was more directed at Poppy than you, of course, though that didn’t mean you were any less stirred by it.

You turned back to the Hufflepuff. “Please,” you urged, “we know it’s not for us to interfere. But at least allow us to protect you. It would destroy us to see you get hurt.”

At last, and to your great relief, Poppy nodded. “All right then. But we must be quick about it, and I would ask you to follow my lead at all times.”

“Of course.” You were pretty sure you would have agreed to any condition at this point; so relieved you were that she had at last decided to put her faith in you.

You resumed your journey together, Poppy in front, Imelda behind. You walked in silence for a while, keeping your ears peeled for any unnatural sounds from the forest around you. After a few moments, Poppy slowed her pace to allow you to catch up with her.

“I would have told you, truly,” she whispered.

“I know,” you replied. “I’m sorry I reacted so harshly. I was just worried sick about you.”

A spark of gratitude shimmered in her eyes. “To be perfectly honest, I was already having regrets from the moment I departed the castle. For what it’s worth, I was relieved to see you both, even if I didn’t say as much at the time.”

“Well, all of that doesn’t matter now. We’re in this together. And we will always look out for you, no matter what.”

That being said, you couldn’t help but feel some lingering uncertainty about her lack of elaboration. You thought back to the conversation you’d had with Imelda last night, the reservations you’d expressed about Poppy’s part in your relationship. You figured it would at least be worth prodding a little.

“By the way,” you said, “if for whatever reason you feel as if you need to prove something to Imelda and me –”

Poppy shook her head. “Oh no, that’s not it at all. My motivations are strictly personal, as with the other times… it’s simply about righting wrongs. Making up for the destruction my parents have wrought.”

You felt an instant pang of sympathy. At the same time, you knew it would be useless to try convincing her that her parents’ choices weren’t in any way her fault, having had that conversation many times before. So instead, you asked, “Clearly this time is different, though. This isn’t some simple rescue mission, is it?”

Poppy hesitated before replying, “I… I managed to intercept a communication a few days ago. I had been tracking this group for a while, so I easily deduced that it must have come from them. But the peculiar thing was that the note bore a seal I recognised – it was the same seal stamped on several letters my Gran kept at her home. That’s when I realised… the seal meant that this particular group was affiliated with my parents.”

Your eyes widened at the discovery. “That’s…” you said, trying to find the right words, “does that mean –”

Poppy shook her head. “They never stayed long with any group. They were a paranoid lot, rightfully so – always worried someone would tell on them or try to steal their… ‘merchandise’. But that doesn’t mean I have any less of an obligation to burn every trace of them to the ground.”

The belligerent fire in her voice may have surprised Imelda, but not you; at last you understood. This was not some heroic effort, or even a selfless rescue mission, for that matter. Poppy was here to bring cold vengeance – and you were merely along for the ride.

After trekking through some more miles of dense forest, the three of you finally reached the edge of the poacher compound. You managed to find a secluded spot up on an elevated stretch of terrain that allowed you a good look at the camp’s layout. Beckoning you closer, Poppy pointed out the difficulties you would face in your approach. “See how they’ve clustered all the cages at the centre? Very clever – they’ve made sure to cover every path leading into the camp. It’s most likely that their patrols are randomised as well, so even if one were to be able to sneak past their defences and get to the animals, they’d almost certainly be caught if they tried to make their way out.”

“Doesn’t seem like they want to make it any easier for us,” you grumbled. “So, what is your plan? We can’t exactly go in wands blazing.”

“Quite simple now that you’re here, actually. We cause a distraction.”

“But how? You just said they will be able to see us coming from every direction.”

“But not from the sky,” said Imelda.

You assumed she was merely trying to lighten the mood at first, but when you saw her clutching her broom with an all too familiar look in her eyes, you honestly wished she had been. “Don’t even think about it,” you said firmly as you shook your head, “it’s far too dangerous –”

“No more dangerous than if we were to storm in there together,” Imelda countered. “It makes perfect sense. I can swoop in and out before they even realise what hit them, which should give you enough time to release the beasts and make your escape.”

“But there must be some other way,” you maintained. “You can’t be out there risking your neck all by yourself –”

“Be realistic, MC, it’s not like we have the luxury of being picky here,” Imelda snapped back, her tone growing more annoyed. “It’s the best option we have right now. You know that they won’t be able to catch me as long as I stay on my broom. I won’t take any unnecessary risks.”

You knew she made sense, of course; even Poppy conveyed as much by not saying anything. You sighed before conceding. “All right. But at the first hint of trouble, you turn back and get to safety. Don’t try to pull off any stupid heroics.”

She didn't say anything, which you supposed was as good as you would get from her. After exchanging one more look with you both, Imelda turned around and snuck away through the bushes.

The two of you turned back to spying on the compound, trying to find the best route for approaching. As the gravity of the situation finally started weighing down on your shoulders, though, you couldn’t help but keep looking up at the sky now and then, anxious to see a sign of Imelda.

Perhaps in an effort to calm your nerves, Poppy said, “She’s a very brave soul, that one.”

“I don’t know if it’s so much brave as reckless,” you sighed. “I truly hope she’s not going to try anything stupid.”

Poppy placed a hand on your wrist. “She’s as safe as she can be up there. We will be facing the greatest risk – we will need to be ready as soon as she launches her distraction.”

“You’re right,” you nodded, grateful that the Hufflepuff at least had a better sense of mind than you did. “Just… let’s try to be swift about this, all right? I know how much this means to you, but I don’t want you to get hurt.”

You were afraid to look at her, expecting to see that vengeful flame burning in her eyes, though a wave of relief washed over you when you saw a familiar sparkle of innocence. She flashed you a soft smile, briefly touching your cheek. “Don’t worry, I won’t try anything rash. I… I’m glad I’m not facing this alone, MC.”

Before you could respond, you heard a loud screeching sound, followed by a blast that nearly knocked you off your feet. You turned just in time to see one of the tents exploding in a large ball of fire, a barely visible shadow shooting through the black fumes.

“Well, she certainly didn’t waste any time,” you cursed under your breath. “Let’s move!”

And so you set off, using the cover of the distraction to make your approach. Imelda reduced a few more tents to ashes as you slipped through the bushes and past the makeshift fortifications, which were quickly all abandoned. The poachers had devolved into a complete state of disarray, shouts of panic and rage filling the air as shadows sped past you, paying no attention to you at all.

You managed to reach the cases without too much trouble, only having had to dispatch one stray trapper with a Body-Bind Curse. Poppy quickly turned to you, holding out her hand. “There’s no time to catch them all. Hand me the Nabsack, I’ll rescue the weakest while you set the other ones free.”

You nodded in understanding, conjuring the bag and throwing it over to Poppy. After you split up, you hurried over to the cage holding the Mooncalves, pointing your wand at the lock and disposing of it with a well-aimed Unlocking Charm. As you watched the quirky creatures practically jump over each other in their rush to escape, your thoughts returned to your girls, wondering how they were faring. Your heart was pumping rapidly, adrenaline flowing through your veins, panic threatening to overwhelm you at every turn. Something was wrong. You hadn’t heard anything from Imelda since she had attacked the camp, and freeing the animals was taking far too much time for your liking. You should return to Poppy and make your escape; you couldn’t allow yourselves to get caught.

No, you thought, slapping some sense into yourself. Your collective success depended as much on you as the others; the best way you could protect your friends was by moving fast, and ceasing this meaningless maelstrom of dread.

So you set about finishing your mission, moving from cage to cage, opening the doors without wasting a single second. The risk of being caught at any moment pressed on your mind, though you simply ignored it, not allowing yourself to fall victim to your own hesitance.

At last, you reached the final cage, which contained a large Thestral and a smaller one – presumably a family. You removed the lock with a flick of your wand and pushed the door open, but the mature Thestral didn’t budge, merely looking at you before she went back to nursing her calf.

“Well, come on then,” you hissed, beckoning the pair. After your call went unanswered again, you moved into the cage, trying to see what was wrong. You had to circle a few times before you finally noticed the calf was limping; approaching cautiously, you discerned a large gash running down one of its hind legs.

“Animals,” you growled under your breath. The wound did not seem to run deep, though you had no way of knowing whether it was infected, and you lacked the expertise to apply any sort of treatment. Poppy would need to have a look, but this meant that you would need to find a way to get the creatures out of here, fast.

Aiming your wand, you stood back and tried to get the larger Thestral’s attention. “Step away,” you said, hoping at least your meaning would get through. But the mother was defiant, letting out a snort as she refused to leave her young.

“Listen, I wish to help you,” you tried again, enunciating each word. “But you have to step aside so I can move your young one.”

Still no response. Well, this clearly wasn’t working. Seeing as you had no other option, you pocketed your wand and strode over to the small Thestral. The mother eyed you warily, but you gently placed your hands on the black leathery skin to make your intentions plain. “See, I mean you no harm. Please let me help.”

You saw your reflection captured in the misty orbs, nostrils flaring, though there was no protest as you moved to lift the calf from the ground. The young was heavy, but you somehow managed to pick its delicate body up in your arms, carefully adjusting your hands so as not to inflict any needless discomfort. The mother followed close behind as you began carrying the creature out of the cage. By now most of the compound was covered in thick black smoke, obscuring any landmarks you might have been able to use to find your way back, so you simply kept pressing forward, hoping you wouldn’t run into any poachers. Every once in a while a yell in the distance would cause you to increase your pace, gritting your teeth against the weight of the body in your arms, which started to feel even heavier with every passing minute.

Finally, you reached a clearing which you seemed to recall connecting to one of the entrances of the camp. You hurried along, ignoring the wailing Thestral in your arms, feeling the breath of its mother down your neck. Just a few more meters… almost in the clear… you would have to –

“Stop right there!”

A red curse shot right over your head, causing you to freeze in your tracks. A gravelly voice called out to you, “Looks like I caught myself an intruder. Are you just going to leave without saying goodbye, you little pest?”

Turning around slowly, you faced the poacher, the mother Thestral taking shelter behind your back. You sensed her anxiety, the sound of her rapid breathing and the silent cries of the young filling you with rage. You wouldn’t have minded an opportunity to renovate this brute’s face with a Blasting Curse, though unfortunately you were unable to reach your wand like this.

“I already suspected you were just a bunch of pitiful vermin,” the poacher scoffed, keeping his wand aimed at your chest. “Where are your friends? Ran off back to school?”

“Like I’d ever tell someone as vile and cruel as you,” you spit back. “You’ve lost. We’ve released every single one of the creatures you took back into the wild, where they belong.”

The poacher’s expression hardened, a scowl etched into a solid rock. “Creatures can be recaptured. You, on the other hand –” he lifted his wand – “I think we’ll just have to write you off.”

Your sense of time eluded you, slowing down every single movement. An almost serene tranquillity washed over you as you watched the poacher prepare to kill all three of you with one simple incantation. This wasn’t supposed to happen. You hadn’t made peace with your fate yet, not really; after all, there was so much more of your life to live, so much to be explored. There was Imelda, fierce and brave like the valkyries of old tales, and Poppy, sweet Poppy with her kind heart and her majestic strength. Would they be able to live on without you? They would still have each other, after all, but it was hard to imagine anyone living with that kind of hole in their heart…

Just as you braced yourself for the green flash and the light to disappear before your eyes, then, suddenly a different voice cried out, “Expulso!”

The poacher managed to deflect the curse just in time, but was nevertheless forced backwards by the sheer power behind it. From the black curtain at the edge of the clearing emerged Poppy, clenching her wand, her eyes blazing with a kind of fury you had never seen before.

“Leave them alone, you bastard!” she yelled.

The poacher, having recovered from Poppy’s surprise attack, bared his teeth. “Well, if it isn’t little Poppy Sweeting, all grown up. You must be a special kind of foolish to come back here, girl.”

The Hufflepuff didn’t back down. “I’ve sat by and watched all of you inflict your terror upon innocent beings long enough. I’m not going to let you hurt my friend as well.”

They began circling each other, Poppy moving in front of you and the Thestrals. You contemplated grabbing your wand to come to her aid, but you feared any unexpected moves would only provoke your adversary.

“Your parents were right about you,” the poacher said. “Such a disappointment you grew up to be. If you were of my own blood, I would have put you down where you stood.”

The fire in Poppy’s eyes grew stronger. Tears burned in their cores. But her voice was powerful, never once breaking under the strain of countless emotions.

“Disowning me was the kindest thing my parents have ever done for me,” she spoke. “I was nothing but another piece of merchandise to them, ready to be cast aside the moment I no longer wanted to serve your evil purposes. I won’t allow you to carry on their hateful legacy, even if I have to destroy every last bit.”

“If only you fought as well as you talked. Let’s see it if you’re willing to do what it takes, then.” the poacher growled, and with the last word he flung a spell at her, which she barely managed to parry. She immediately followed up with a curse of her own, though he was quick to deflect it.

“Pathetic!” he yelled. “Come on – fight me like you mean it!”

Another exchange of spells lit up the clearing. Poppy held her own, but the poacher was better. You felt so useless watching her, wishing there was some way you could offer her help, but you couldn’t risk the Thestrals’ lives.

A Blasting Curse forced the small Hufflepuff backwards, nearly knocking her over. She was panting heavily, trying to keep her wand steady, keeping her eyes on her foe. Merlin, you couldn’t bear to watch this much longer –

“You were never able to do what’s necessary!” the poacher yelled. “You’re a pathetic, weak little girl, and I will break you like a twig –”

But then it happened. Poppy changed, transformed almost, the fire in her eyes spreading to envelop all of her body. Your breathing shallowed as you regarded her in all her furious glory; she was no longer a shy, small girl, but a stunning young woman, exuding all the power of a fierce warrior.

“Enough!” she screamed, and she unleashed a barrage of spells on the poacher, her wand becoming an invisible blur as it flicked up and down, firing off curse after curse. Eyes bulging, the man tried deflecting her attack, but then let out a cry of rage as a spell hit him squarely across the chest. He stumbled backwards and gripped the front of his robe, his eyes merely red orbs as he looked up at the Hufflepuff. “You’ll pay for that, you miserable –”

“Hey, arsehole!” came a voice from above. “Fire in the hole!”

The poacher’s roar was lost in a massive blast as the ground behind him exploded, the impact sending mud and patches of grass flying everywhere. You weren’t particularly eager to wait for him to get up again, so you snapped out of your reverie and yelled for Poppy. The girl seemed to return to her old self again as she blinked and quickly pocketed her wand, rushing to help you. “Wait, let me –”

She took the Nabsack and caught both of the Thestrals, finally allowing you some relief. Your breath was not to be wasted on talking, though. She grabbed you by your elbow and the two of you started running away from the compound, not looking back for one second, expecting to hear the yelling of pursuing poachers any moment. Your heart stopped when a large shadow fell over you, panic quickly turning to elation when you saw its owner.

“Highwing!”

The Hippogriff let out a triumphant cry, swiftly striking down a few meters ahead of you. Poppy quickly mounted her and pulled you up, and before you knew it you were safely up in the sky, the traces of black smoke behind you slowly shrinking on the horizon as you glided across the sea of dark leaves.

You relished in the feeling of the soft breeze against your cheeks, your heartbeat slowly assuming its normal rhythm. When you noticed neither of you had said anything ever since you escaped, you softly tapped Poppy on her shoulder. “Hey, are you all right?”

To your relief, you noticed the innocent spark had returned to her eyes, though it almost was as if something was different about it – it seemed brighter, more alive.

“I couldn’t be better,” she smiled. “Thank you.”

You were suddenly interrupted by a laugh, and Poppy you and both turned to see Imelda flying next to you, looking as if she had just come straight off a victorious Quidditch match. “Let’s fucking go!” she yelled, slapping her broom. “We properly kicked their arses, didn’t we?”

Chuckling, you concluded, “I suppose we make a pretty good team.”

“I’d say we do,” Poppy replied, her sweet laugh filling the skies.

––

“There, good as new.”

The Hufflepuff stepped back from the Thestral calf, which curiously sniffed at the new cast around its leg. It tried walking a few steps, and then suddenly burst forward, frolicking joyfully around the bog as its mother kept a watchful eye.

“Looks like we’re not the only ones with an appreciation for your talents,” you chuckled as you observed the peaceful scene, leaning against one of the trees with your arms crossed. Poppy tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled at you. “I’m just glad I could help. You did all the heavy lifting, quite literally.”

“What can I say, I was glad to do my part,” you shrugged. She grinned sheepishly before suddenly being alerted by the loud croaking of one of the Giant Purple Toads. Swivelling on her feet, she let out a cry of surprise. “Oh no, naughty girl! You can’t eat Walter!”

You could hardly resist the temptation of a giggle as Poppy hurried after the calf, who was now happily chasing the toad through the vivarium. Tearing your gaze away from the hilarious sight for a moment, you noticed Imelda approaching through the entrance, dressed in casual attire like the rest of you.

“No need to worry about our absences today,” she reported once she reached you. “I told Kogawa I had you two help out with a special Quidditch training. She scolded me for not clearing it with her beforehand, but I think she bought it.”

“That’s the second time you rescued us from certain demise today,” you laughed. “There is such a thing as overdoing it, you know.”

“Oh, shut up. You love it when I get to act cocky.” She wrapped an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close. You smiled as she kissed your cheek. “In fairness, you weren’t so bad yourself,” she said.

“Hm? Had any more ‘interesting’ thoughts while you watched me give it to those big bad poachers?

“Honestly? I was more concerned you would end up getting yourself killed by accident. But I’m glad you had enough luck to pull through.”

“Yeah, fuck you too.”

You shared a chuckle between yourselves. Leaning her head on your shoulder, Imelda looked at Poppy, who was shepherding the excited Thestral calf back to its mother. “I will say, that feisty badger… never knew she had that side to her. She was like a Hungarian Horntail out there.”

“I don’t think she ever meant for us to see that side,” you said. “Though I’m glad that we did. It takes a lot of courage to face down your past like that. And yet she never showed anything but strength… everything around her seemed much less real, as if she was the only thing that truly made sense.”

Imelda gave you a sideward glance. “Sounds like you have a little crush on her.”

You smiled back. “Don’t you?”

At last, Poppy returned. A vibrant, healthy glow made her face seem almost ethereal, and she flashed you that particular kind of toothy smile that made you feel warm and fuzzy in your stomach. “Imelda! I’m so glad you’re with us again.”

“I couldn’t leave you alone with MC for too long, now, could I,” Imelda grinned. “How are our new guests settling in?”

“Oh, they’re doing just wonderful! The injured creatures are all patched up and should be back on their feet soon. The Thestral is an excited little rascal, though, so I merely hope she doesn’t exert herself too much before we are able to remove the cast.” She skipped a beat before adding sheepishly, “Of course, they all have you both to thank.”

“Don’t be silly,” Imelda retorted. “They’d still be stuck in their predicament if it wasn’t for you. We just did what you told us to do.”

Poppy gingerly rubbed her elbow. “Even so, I can’t ignore what you have done for me. You put yourself in harm’s way, risked your lives… all for me.”

“Of course,” you said. “There’s no way we would have let you face this alone. We share a bond. Wherever you go, we go.”

When she looked up to you again, you seemed to notice just the flimsiest mist of tears in her eyes. You couldn’t exactly fault her; a strong sense of love was filling you as well, making you feel tingly all over.

“I admit… seeing you two display so much bravery… makes me want to be brave as well,” she said, her voice solemn. “I’ve given this much thought, but I now feel that my heart is ready. So, I have one more request to make of you.”

You felt your chest tightening. Was this really…? Could it be…?

“Name it,” said Imelda, who hardly sounded any less excited than you were. Poppy stepped forward, taking Imelda’s hand in one hand, and yours in the other. She looked at you both, her gaze filled with love.

“I would like for you… to be my firsts,” she said.

Merlin, you couldn’t have been more ecstatic even if you tried. At last she was ready to become even closer to you, to give all of herself to the both of you. Understanding the solemnity of her wish, you cast a look at Imelda, who returned your gesture with a grin.

“Well, I suppose we can’t really say no to that,” you smiled. “Will we do it… now?”

“Might be as good a time as any,” Imelda said with a nonchalant shrug. “Who cares about school, am I right?”

Poppy let out a nervous giggle. “I would very much like for it to happen now. I can’t bear to wait any longer… I want to be with you.”

“All right then,” you nodded, elation adding to excitement. “Though we probably should find a more private place. I know I said I like audiences, but…”

“Say no more,” Imelda said, letting go of Poppy’s hand to lead the way back to the vivarium entrance, “I know just the spot!”

You looked back at the Hufflepuff, meeting her gaze. “Shall we?”

She nodded eagerly, which elicited a chuckle from you. So pure, so innocent she was – you could hardly wait until you would be able to explore her in all her precious, bare glory.

Taking her by the hand, you led her out of the vivarium, following Imelda towards the bedroom on the other side of your Room of Requirement.

“I’m so glad you decided to share yourself with us,” you said.

Poppy smiled softly. “I confess I feel a little nervous, but I’m also relieved. Before, it would always feel like I was intruding on you two while you… you know. I suppose that’s what made it exciting. But I realised that I wanted more, and now I know that I have nothing to fear with both of you around.”

“Of course not.” You leaned over to whisper to her. “To be perfectly honest, I’ve wanted you ever since that first kiss.”

The revelation made her tremble with delight. You couldn’t resist a mischievous smile, squeezing her hand affectionately. This was going to be better than you could have ever imagined.

You walked into the large bedroom together as Imelda went around lighting the candles with her wand. A flick of your own wand made the deep blue curtains of the four-poster bed slide open, the altar of your imminent bonding revealing itself in all its glory. You felt Poppy’s grip tightening at its sight.

“We don’t have to rush it,” you assured her. “How about I start kissing you and we’ll see where that takes us?”

She looked up at you with a deep blush blooming on her cheeks. “I-I’d like that very much.”

You smiled as you gently cupped her face, dipping your head to reach her lips. You started slow, like always, giving her ample opportunity to set her own pace, though once you sensed she was ready for more you let the tip of your tongue slip through to press for entrance. She parted her lips, a sigh melting into your warmth before your tongue slid into her mouth.

Merlin, she tasted so sweet. Her moves were a bit hesitant, and the way she awkwardly danced around your tongue betrayed more than a fair amount of inexperience, though the passion with which she latched onto you made more than up for it. She emitted a cute little whimper when you closed your lips around her tongue, causing the corners of your mouth to rise up into a smile.

“Well, look what we have here,” a familiar voice purred. “You weren’t thinking of keeping her all to yourself, were you, MC?”

You begrudgingly broke off to see Imelda standing next to you, arms crossed. You didn’t really want to stop; it was so much fun to kiss Poppy. If the Slytherin hadn’t stopped you, you might have just ended up devouring her.

But you knew you had to play fair. Sharing was caring, and besides, it seemed like there was plenty of Poppy to go around. So you gave her away, enjoying the longing gaze in her lovely brown eyes before she turned her attention to her other lover. There was not a single shred of envy or jealousy in your heart as you watched them start to make out. You relished the way Imelda closed her eyes and slightly twisted her head to have better access as she draped her arms around Poppy’s neck; the way Poppy moved her hands to Imelda’s hips as she moaned softly, a sign of her growing confidence. It was like witnessing the sprouting of a seed you had planted a long ago; the blossoming of a beautiful sunflower.

The whole experience was perfectly topped off with a surprised yelp from Poppy when Imelda slapped her perky arse. You shook your head, laughing. “Never been one to behave yourself, have you, Miss Reyes?”

“Can’t fault a woman for having good taste,” she retorted. “Now come here, you.”

You didn’t have to be told twice. Surrendering yourself to her embrace, Imelda rewarded you with the steamiest kiss she’d ever given you, chewing on your bottom lip as if she were trying to draw blood. After you separated and affectionately held each other for a little bit, you were eager to get back to Poppy. She gingerly pulled the tie from her neck, dropping the garment on the ground.

“Here, allow me,” you said, stepping up to her to help her with her blouse. You noticed just how tense she was as you started undoing the buttons.

“Hey, look at me.” You lifted her chin with your finger. “You needn’t be ashamed. You’ve seen us naked before, haven’t you?”

“I know,” she replied, flashing an apologetic smile. “It’s just the nerves. I’ve never shown myself to someone else like this.”

You tenderly kissed her forehead. “You’re gorgeous. I can’t wait to see all of you.”

Reassured by your compliment, she allowed you to proceed, shivering a little as the white fabric slipped off her bare shoulders. How delicate she looked; your gaze wandered down from the light dusting of freckles on her shoulders to her small chest, encased in a yellow lace bra. Figuring you needed to take a few more minutes to put her at ease first, you removed your own blouse before kissing her again, tracing a line from the corner of her mouth to the upper end of her jaw. She sighed with every brush of your lips, whispering a quiet “Yes…” when your hands travelled from her hips to her back. Her arms instinctively shot up to shield her chest when you unclasped her bra, but then she lowered them, and the garment fell away.

Poppy’s breasts were a sight to behold. They were smaller than Imelda’s, though they had a cute perkiness to them that you found hard to resist. She nodded shyly when you asked for permission to touch them, letting out a gasp when you cupped one of the supple globes, rolling the rosy nipple between your fingers.

“I might have a hard time controlling myself like this,” you chuckled. “You’re such a sweet little treat.”

“I agree,” Imelda said, suddenly appearing next to you. She reached out and took hold of Poppy’s other breast, forcing a tiny squeak out of her as she started fondling the soft mound. You smiled as you watched her respond to your combined touch, her breathing quickly picking up.

“Does this feel good?” you asked her, kissing the tip of her ear.

“Yes…” she whimpered, “it does…”

“I know something that’ll feel even better,” Imelda said, before sinking to her knees and leaning in, closing her lips around the nipple. This drew an audible moan from Poppy, her forehead creasing as the Slytherin suckled on her breast. “Oh, oh… Imelda…”

Hearing your one lover moan the name of your other in desperate bliss was enough reason for you to follow Imelda’s example. You knelt next to her and stuck out your tongue, wetting the hard bud before taking it between your teeth. Soon you had the Hufflepuff panting both of your names as she nursed you, the two of you gently purring against her warm bosom.

After a few minutes of licking and tugging, Imelda let her treat go with a wet ‘plop’ and rose to give Poppy a long, seductive French kiss. She then pulled you up and repeated the gesture, letting her dark gaze wander from you to Poppy, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. “I can already say this is the hottest thing I have ever done,” she laughed, before leaning over to you. Her husky whisper never failed to make you feel weak in the knees. “I think I’ll hang back for a little bit. Why don’t you warm her up for me, dear?”

There was no way you could ever have said no to that, especially if it meant getting to have Poppy to yourself for a few minutes. But first things first. You reached back and unclasped your own bra, wasting no time in bridging the short gap between you and Poppy to press your tits together, catching her moan with your lips as you did. The feeling of her body was even better than you had imagined; you felt her heart beating inside of her chest, her flushed skin rubbing against yours. Your hands sneaked around to her arse, not able to resist a quick squeeze as you moved together.

When you pulled back, you couldn’t help but notice she was once again very entranced by the sight of your breasts. She looked up at you questioningly. “May I… touch them?”

“Yes please,” you smiled. “Tonight is all about you, baby girl.”

The use of the pet name did not fail to elicit another shudder from her. She reached up to place one of her small hands on your full breast. Her movements were more like groping than a soft fondle, though you didn’t mind either way, softly cooing as she played with your tits.

Eventually, you slipped your hands down, fingers hooking into the band of her skirt. Poppy froze, though she didn’t protest either, giving you her silent approval. You slipped the piece of clothing down her thighs, baring more yellow lace inch by inch. You were delighted to find a sizeable moist patch at the location of her slit.

“I see you’re already very wet for us,” you complimented her. “Very good.”

A flush swept up from her neck to her cheeks, colouring her freckles a delightful shade of red. Sinking to your knees once more, you started planting open-mouthed kisses in the valley between her breasts, slowly trailing down the light curve of her torso. You kissed around her belly button, then moved down to her thighs, covering them in small pecks as you looked up into her half-lidded eyes. Her breath was shallow, her chest rising in a quick rhythm as you tended to the sensitive skin. You felt her muscles tighten as you inched closer to her throbbing core, though you weren’t ready to go there just yet. Standing up, you took her hand.

“Are you ready for the next part?” you whispered, your lips hovering close to hers.

She nodded eagerly.

“Good.” Smiling, you led her to the bed, where you slowly pushed her down on her back. You took a moment to admire her as she lay there, your precious angel of innocence, chestnut hair spread out around her head, clad in nothing but her yellow underwear and her black knee-high socks. Merlin, she was so precious, so perfectly sculpted in every way. You were so lucky to be with her like this.

You made a show of stripping out of your skirt and throwing it aside with a flourish, causing her to giggle. Then you climbed on top of her, giving her a slow kiss before you put a finger on her lips, tracing down to her chin.

“Are you all right, baby girl?”

“Very much so,” Poppy smiled. “I had no idea it would feel like this. I’m feeling all warm and tingly inside.”

You let out a chuckle. “It’s going to feel even better soon, I promise. But first, I’d like to touch you some more.”

Meeting with her approval, you settled against her side and started to tenderly stroke her arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in your wake. You were content just lying with her like this for a while, watching the steady rising and falling of her breasts, counting the small imperfections in her skin as you petted her. You loved the way she squirmed when you drew circles around her nipple.

“I’m the luckiest girl in the world right now, you know?” you whispered to her. She bit her lip as she looked at you from the corner of her eye. “Y-yeah?”

“Mhm. Getting to pamper you like this, showing how much I care for you,” you nuzzled the crook of her neck, “giving you all the love you deserve.”

She made a sound like a small whimper.

“Because you do,” you continued. “You deserve to be loved, and cared for, and cherished –” you planted a little kiss on her temple – “to the end of your days.”

It was not so much a spell to arouse her as a sincere promise. The events of today had only solidified your resolve; you weren’t certain what the future held, or what your life after Hogwarts would look like, though you knew it was one you would share with Imelda and Poppy. Whatever doubts or differences may have existed between you had fallen away, becoming part of a past you no longer cared for; all that mattered was right here beside you, melting away under your loving touch.

Your fingers travelled across the soft landscape of her belly to her thighs, caressing every bit of skin you happened to come across. Feeling you so close to the dripping pit between her legs must have shocked her out of her trance, for she suddenly looked up at you. “What about Imelda?”

You locked eyes with the Slytherin, who so far had seemed very content with just watching the two of you. She had taken one of her breasts out and was twisting and pulling the dark nipple, licking her lips as she pleasured herself.

“What about her?” you asked.

“Will she… you know…” Her blush darkened. “Eat my pussy?”

It was a little jarring to hear such vulgar a word from the usually proper Hufflepuff’s lips, though then you smiled to reassure her. “Of course, baby girl. But first I need to spread you open nice and wide to prepare you for her. All right?”

She nodded softly. “Will it… hurt?”

“You’ve touched yourself before, so you shouldn’t feel any pain. You might feel a little fuller than normal, though, so I’ll go slow and you can tell me when you’re ready for me to go further, okay?”

“O-okay…” She offered you a thankful smile. “Thank you for being so considerate.”

“No need to thank me.” You pecked her lips. “Now, be a good girl and lift your hips for me.”

She did as you requested, raising her pelvis to allow you to work her underwear down her thighs. Poor angel; already you could tell she was so painfully swollen that you were honestly surprised she wasn’t crying out for your relief yet. Her pussy was like a perfect red flower, lips gleaming with slick desire. You discovered she had kept her landscaping in order as well, observing the most adorable patch of fuzzy brown hair above her fleshy hood.

You indulged the temptation of tracing a few teasing circles around her folds, delighting in the way her flesh quivered under your fingertips. You had no intention of making her wait any longer than necessary, though. She gasped as you finally put your middle finger at her entrance, hazel eyes shooting up to look at you as her hands gripped the sheets.

“Are you ready, my love?”

She yielded her assent before her mouth fell open and her eyes widened. “Oh, Merlin!”

She was tight. Very tight. Her walls clung to you from the moment you pushed into her, practically sucking you further inside her velvety depths. You fought the urge to go all the way, instead occupying yourself with brushing away the strands of hair that were matted to her forehead. You smiled when she opened your eyes to you. “Is it… all the way in?”

“Not yet,” you said. “You’re doing very good so far. Are you ready to take more of me?”

Blessed with her nod, you pushed even further, feeling her walls tighten around your digit as you just kept sliding and sliding into her throbbing heat. You supposed she had never used more than one finger judging by how she had a little difficulty accommodating you. Her uninhibited flow of juices helped ease you along though, and soon you sank in to the knuckle, holding perfectly still for a moment as you allowed her to adjust.

“There you go,” you cooed to her. “I’m inside of you, baby girl. How does it feel?”

She slightly shifted her hips, groaning through her teeth. “It definitely feels a bit fuller than normal. I can feel you stretching me out. It’s a good kind of feeling, though.”

“I’m glad.” You placed another kiss on her temple. “I’m going to start moving now. Tell me if at any time you want me to stop.”

You waited a few seconds before you started withdrawing, alert for any reactions from her. It wasn’t made any easier by the fact that her cunny was very much trying to keep you in place, but you persisted nonetheless, and thankfully Poppy didn’t seem to be experiencing much discomfort. She had closed her eyes again, mouthing your name over and over as you withdrew up until your fingernail, then started pushing back in again.

Seeing as she didn’t say anything, you soon ventured further. Starting with tender strokes, you commenced pumping, wet sopping sounds mixing with her moaning. The change of pace was enough to lure Imelda, who soon joined you at the other side of Poppy, propping herself up on her elbow.

“Look at our precious little thing,” she chuckled, lightly stroking Poppy’s arm. “How does she feel, MC?”

“Oh, very snug,” you smiled back. “But we’re getting her all nicely stretched out for you, aren’t we Poppy?”

She nodded with pursed lips, lacking the words to muster a response. Imelda kissed her cheek, hovering close to her ear, “I can’t wait to feel you on my tongue. I wonder if you taste as sweet as you look.”

That coaxed another whimper out of her, her pussy twitching around your finger as you kept bottoming out. You noticed her lips moving, trying to whisper something to you.

You leaned in closer. “Yes, my love…?”

“More…” she murmured, “please…”

You had not expected the request so soon, though on the other hand, you were hardly in any position to decline. You freed up your index finger, swirling around her clit before you added to the finger already pushing inside of her, stretching her slick little lips even further. By now Poppy was coming properly undone, letting out a high-pitched whine before Imelda smothered her mouth with her own.

You settled into a steady but forceful pace, eager to induce her release. As you watched her body move on the rhythm of your fingering, your thoughts drifted back to past times, all the adventures you had been through together. Just a few years ago, it seemed like such an unlikely pairing; a serpent and a badger, strangers meeting by some weird twist of fate. And yet, as it had turned out, you were more similar than you could have ever realised. Both burdened by a fate that was greater than you, having to find your way in a hostile world. You were grateful for Imelda too, of course, and there was no vision of the future that didn’t include you three sticking together. But the shy, brave Hufflepuff had stolen your heart from the day you met her in that afternoon Beast class.

And here she was, grown into a beautiful young woman, ready to cum at a twist of your fingers. Once more, you leaned closer to her, your breath warmly rolling across her face, “I want you to come for me now, baby girl. Come, come for us, show us what a good girl you are…”

As to stress your command, you used your thumb to press down on her clit, making her back arch off the bed. She let out a short series of hiccups, her heat growing almost impossibly tight around you before she slowly relaxed again. You carefully removed your fingers from her folds, essence that had been plugged up spilling out as you did. You brought your fingertips up to your mouth to taste her, only to find yourself surprised when she grabbed your hand and cleaned herself off you instead.

You smiled, kissing her moist lips. “You did so well, baby. Now, are you ready for Imelda to slide her tongue inside you?”

“I am, but just give me a minute,” Poppy replied, giving you a crooked smile. “I think you might have done just a little too good of a job warming me up.”

“Of course she did,” Imelda huffed. “MC always ends up breaking things because she can’t contain herself.”

“Are we sure we aren’t talking about someone else here?” you laughed.

“I don’t know what you’re on about.” Imelda got up and crawled over to the end of the bed, positioning herself between Poppy’s legs. “Everyone knows I never fuck up.”

“Right. You’re definitely fucking something else, though.”

“Don’t fight now, please,” Poppy interjected. “I’m sure you both have something better to attend to.”

You and Imelda shared an amused look before you broke out into a burst of lighthearted laughter. “Sounds like our girl has gotten a bit of an attitude,” Imelda said, lips breaking into a mischievous smirk. “I suppose we should do something about that, huh?”

You slightly worried this meant she would go a bit rougher on Poppy than the Hufflepuff might have been comfortable with, though as she laid down on her front and hooked her arms under Poppy’s thighs, her dark eyes swiftly met her gaze. “Tell me if you need me to go any faster or slower. I want you to get the most out of this.”

Poppy nodded. “You can start slow now, please.”

As Imelda got herself ready, Poppy turned towards you. “MC, will you… talk to me while she eats me out?”

Seeing as that had been very much your idea, you were eager to agree. “I’ll make you feel as good as I can,” you assured her.

At last, Imelda was ready. Poppy sought your hand as the Slytherin moved in, squeezing it tightly as she shuddered at the feeling of Imelda’s breath on her clit. As promised, she started slow, her tongue flicking at Poppy’s fleshy petals before she moved to a rhythm of quick kitten licks.

You kept a close eye on your precious angel, watching her lips part as her breath started to quicken again. “Does it feel good, baby girl?” you asked her.

“It does…” she sighed. “I can feel her tongue… it tickles a bit,”

“You’re probably still a little sensitive.” You kissed the small bit of skin just below her ear, the tremble of her body confirming your assessment. “It will start to feel much better soon. Just relax, let her set the pace.”

Imelda kept licking, gradually building up towards bigger strokes until she was properly lapping away at Poppy. You turned to fondling her breasts again, tickling her nipples, caressing the smooth flesh as you observed the determined expression on Imelda’s freckled features, the way she fully threw herself into pleasing her lover, just as dedicated as she would be out on the pitch. Merlin, what had you done to earn the love and blessing of these horny little nymphs?

You met Imelda’s gaze, a flash of understanding passing between you. So you once again nestled into the crook of Poppy’s neck, nibbling on the skin, adding to the sensation of Imelda’s tongue finally sinking into her tight slit. Poppy cried softly, her neck craning back as you kept nursing her, her hips raising from the bed as Imelda devoured her whole.

“Tell me what she’s doing to you,” you ordered her.

“I can feel her… inside,” she moaned between gasps, “she’s – oh, gods –“

You chuckled against her throat, sucking a hickey into her neck before you pushed yourself up on your elbow to take in all of her flushed visage. Her hair was sticking to her forehead, cheeks blazing crimson red as a never-ending mantra of breathless prayers rose from her open mouth

But her eyes. Those sweet, chocolate brown eyes, peering out at you from under their hoods, luring you in with their innocent gaze. You felt like you would drown in them if only you looked at them long enough.

Moving your hand down to join Imelda’s tongue in servicing her sensitive nub, you whispered sweetly to her, “You won’t ever be alone again… you will always be loved, always be cherished. We will comfort you, make love to you… you can have us whenever you want…”

You cradled the Hufflepuff against your breast, feeling her hot breath on your skin, the sound of her desperate cries like music to your ears.

“We’re together now… and always will be… We'll have our own little family, somewhere safe, and happy… imagine it, bearing our children… us taking care of you just like this as your breasts swell with milk and your belly grows with our babies –”

Imelda’s muffled grunts blended with Poppy’s, forming a growing stereo as you laboured together to bring about her inevitable climax, the vivid pictures you were painting with your words only adding to your harmonious ecstasy.

“We are your home now… we’re yours… and you’re ours. So come for us, baby girl. Let us see you come undone.”

At last, she did. Her release arrived in a tidal wave that swept all of you away. She buried her face into your chest, letting out a deep groan as every part of her body shook and trembled with pure blissful energy. You saw Imelda pushing her mouth into her folds, not wanting a drop to be spilt. Just as you thought the high has passed, however, a soft, gurgling sound came from Poppy’s pussy, followed by a spray of essence that hit Imelda squarely in the face.

To her credit, she didn’t retreat, but you definitely couldn’t keep yourself from bursting out into a hysterical giggle as soon as you figured out what had happened. Poppy quickly rose from your chest, cheeks red with embarrassment. “Oh goodness, sorry, I didn’t mean to –”

“It’s all right,” you reassured her, still chuckling. “That happens sometimes. Besides, I don’t think Imelda minds.”

The Slytherin removed herself from Poppy’s core with a wet sucking sound, sitting up as she wiped her eyes. “I don’t, but next time, maybe give me a heads up before you decide to hit me between the eyes.”

That could count on a spirited laugh from all of you. As the charged energy from your lovemaking slowly dissipated, you briefly left the bed to gather a couple of plushy towels. You offered one to Imelda before turning to Poppy, relishing in the way she lovingly looked up at you as you dabbed her face.

“There, all clean,” you smiled, pecking the tip of her nose for good measure. You then settled back against the pillows, Poppy snuggling up to you as you watched Imelda freshen up.

“Well, I guess we know who won tonight’s round,” Imelda said after she had disposed of the towel and settled against the other side of Poppy, wrapping an arm around the Hufflepuff’s small frame.

“I’d say we did,” you replied. “She obviously was the loudest with me.”

“Oh, come on. I was the one who made her squirt!”

“You should both be quiet,” Poppy piped up. “I think it’s very clear that I’m the undisputed winner tonight.”

You flashed a cheeky grin, letting out a chuckle. “I suppose that settles it.”

“Oh, fair enough,” Imelda said, feigning exasperation. “Are we getting a consolation prize at least?”

Poppy giggled before giving both of you a loving kiss on the lips. You felt the fatigue of today’s whirlwind of events finally beginning to weigh on your eyelids, letting out a yawn as you settled in for the night. Before you could even drift into sleep, however, you sensed Poppy’s weight shifting on your chest, prompting you to open your eyes to meet her warm brown gaze.

“Are you all right?” you asked.

She smiled. “I am. Tonight was wonderful. Thank you… for giving me this.”

“I wasn’t any trouble at all, my love.” You kissed her cheek. “Like I said, we are a part of each other now.”

She briefly lowered her eyes, contemplating a thought. Then she looked up to you again. “MC, what you said about beginning a family, did you really mean those words?”

The question took you a bit by surprise, but you supposed she was right to ask. Truth be told, there was a lot to contemplate about your future after the way your bond had changed tonight. You didn’t want to pretend to have all the answers, though at least you were certain about one thing.

“The only future I want is the one that has you two in it,” you confided. “What it will look like, I cannot yet say… but if settling down and starting a little family of our own is what will make you happy, then so will it be with me.”

Her eyes brimmed with love and understanding, a kindness you had witnessed countless times, but now appearing even more profound and potent. She finally put her head on your chest, closing her eyes. “I love you, MC.”

You planted a kiss on top of her head. “I love you too. Both of you.”

#hogwarts legacy #imelda reyes #poppy sweeting #imelda reyes x mc #poppy sweeting x mc #imelda reyes x f!mc #poppy sweeting x f!mc #imelda reyes x reader #poppy sweeting x reader #imelda reyes x poppy sweeting #imelda reyes x mc x poppy sweeting #imelda reyes x f!mc x poppy sweeting #imelda reyes x reader x poppy sweeting #imelda reyes smut #poppy sweeting smut #hogwarts legacy smut

[myriadparacosm]

Black Beats Black - IV. Dentelle de la Reine Anne Part.2

Part 1. (Sorry Tumblr can't handle the size) Chapter I. - II. - III. Read on my AO3

“I could drop my pot of ink from here… it will kill him.”

Next to him, Evan leans a bit further into the window to squint down at the people crossing one of the castle’s bridges. It’s easy to spot Lupin walking with Evans and Pettigrew– just as natural for Regulus to slowly push off the edge of the window. He sits back down amongst the opened books and the brewing cauldron between them. They are in one of the highest towers to be left alone as it’s rarely used except for the hidden snogging, though with the cold no one wants to risk their tongues frozen together. Perfect for them to experiment and study in peace with no eavesdropping.

“Better use a cauldron, squish him like an insect,” he advises. “It’s difficult to piece a brain back together.”

Regulus glares at Lupin who escapes through one of the heavy doors before he can decide on the perfect murder. After reminiscing with Sirius and now that they have clarified everything that was needed - Regulus has prepared his share of the Animagus potion and even freed space in his potion’s pouch made to transport potion without shaking them. Despite Sirius and Barty’s night, Which-Must-Not-Be-Remembered, Evan is still friendly though he more than often likes to remind them that he is here if they even look at each other.

He coughs petals and grabs some to put them in their dedicated bag to use them for more experiments. Some flowers are also there and neither ever wilt.

“Do you know why Em’ is avoiding Sirius?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Emmeline hasn’t changed but she is staying away from Sirius outside from when they all hang out in the Room of Requirement. She doesn’t appear to hate him and he doubts that she has a problem helping him ever since their adventure to the Kelpie’s Dance. It’s been two weeks since that. Regulus still has the mandrake leaf in his mouth and they have managed to come up with a potion within days that should eliminate the poison and also hold the coughing for a few hours.

“She carries a torch for him.”

“What?” Regulus startles, looking up from the potion they are brewing. “Emmeline?”

“Not romantically,” Evan says, turning a page of the book, “this happened with all of us, don’t you remember?”

Whilst Regulus, Barty and Evan almost immediately hit off, which was followed by Dorcas helping them before Pandora dropped herself on their laps– Emmeline has only really been friends with them starting third year. She wasn’t alone as Slytherins tend to stay as tight groups and it’s by the clamorous lot of girls. Contrary to what most people thought, Emmeline was at the head of the group even if she appeared distanced if not absent. She watched them though but they only managed to get close when they started working on their first arithmancy project.

Emmeline kept offering Regulus to work on arithmancy together and she always seemed quite happy but it’s only when Pandora mentioned at random that maybe she has a crush on him; which would have make sense if Emmeline hasn’t started partnering with Evan during potion or gossiping with Barty and laughing at any of his joke even if at first the depraved ones surprised her. Dorcas sort of confronted her too, as she assumed that Emmeline had a crush on her because she always sat with her in the common room and complimented her works, and she gently let her down but Emmeline quickly corrected her that she has no interest. Pandora offered to kiss, just like that, but was also shot down, quite funnily from what she said but Emmeline refuses the story to be shared.

They quickly understood that Emmeline has what you might call ‘fall in friendship’. Though it’s not related to her own disinterest in love. Like for all of them, Emmeline appears intense once she is interested in someone but she only means it platonically, easily blushing only because she is happy. She is quite embarrassed about this part of her and she avoided them up until they dragged her back in their group.

“Oh. Right. I forgot that,” Regulus admits and automatically steers the potion. “Sirius?”

“Are you really surprised? Your brother is alright once he shuts his mouth.”

He rolls his eyes. “Please, don’t try to fool me. I know you two like to chit-chat about these rancid books.”

“I don’t!”

“Yes you do. Sirius is maybe a worse romantic than you but I have tried one of your books and I know you’re not that different,” he replies with a smile at his glare. “Pirates, uh?”

“Do I need to remind you that I’m the one deciding whether you two stay married?” Evan hisses with his cheeks red. “Or that the whole school would feast on that gossip if it ever got out?”

Sirius Black is already rumoured to either be a Gryffindor spy in Slytherin or a Slytherin King to be with Regulus. Better leave it aside that Evan obviously likes Sirius but only holds a grudge because Barty likes to say dumb things out loud.

“Well, I wouldn’t have thought that Emmeline would like my brother that much.” Any of his friends really. “So she is avoiding him now.”

“You know how she is,” Evan says. “She is probably trying to be discreet about it considering how Sirius might think the same as us.”

“Him and his fat ego certainly will take it that way.”

Sirius actually doesn’t make the connection. He asks Regulus if Emmeline has tons of homework or started a painting that took up most of her time since he has barely talked to her; she often finds an excuse to leave when their number diminishes. That’s the only reason why Regulus decides to talk to Emmeline. Sirius might ask her what’s wrong and who knows how that will go.

The Slytherin dorm isn’t openly hostile to them but many people look at them with a wary look. Snape or his minions haven’t tried anything on them yet but who knows how stupid they can be even at their lowest. Sirius, often if not always, lets his door appear so they have started to mingle in the Room of Requirement instead; it probably doesn’t help with their reputation.

“Are you free Em’?”

Emmeline moves her eyes away from her new painting to greet Regulus with a smile. “Of course. Is everything alright?”

“Everything is fine.”

It was still an abandoned classroom up until Emmeline started her art club during fourth year. They have all helped her clean it even if it was just a small wand movement. Regulus has almost considered practising the piano or even ballet, which he has liked to do even if it’s their parents hammering them into them but they have stopped once they got to Hogwarts. The upcoming war is more important. Sirius also got these classes but preferred to draw, which is considered as a meaningless skill compared to music.

“What are you painting?”

“Just… my current inspiration.”

They are alone for now and Emmeline is the most frequent one, even getting detention because she left the club in the middle of the night. The painting is still at its early stage but Regulus can recognize a tower next to what appears to be water. The shades are for most, dark and icy, for now.

“Do you mean Sirius?”

Emmeline’s brush is squashed on the painting before she quickly withdraws it. She stares at the smudge of black before clearing her throat.

“I can salvage this later…” She trails off, putting down her tools, with red cheeks.

“He has only noticed that you are busy, perhaps avoiding him,” Regulus reassures and holds back his amused smile when she looks at him, embarrassed. He sits down on the ottoman. “You’re making a portrait of my brother?”

She nods before brushing her dark hair behind her ears. “I showed him yours and he quite liked it. And he agreed to let me paint one of him. I hope to finish it– soon.”

“It looks like a good start.”

Regulus knows the basics of arts but it has never called him more like Sirius. It’s definitely going to be pretty anyhow considering that Emmeline is the one painting; though how she pictures Sirius is still a bit of a mystery as all the colours are so far leaning toward dark.

“Is it obvious?”

“To us, yes,” Regulus admits. “Though I never thought that you would like Sirius that much.”

“Don’t you think it’s weird?” She mutters, rubbing her bottom lip with her teeth.

Regulus frowns, slightly surprised that she seems to feel embarrassed or for him to have a real problem with that. He isn’t jealous, to his own surprise, and if anything he is elated that all his favourite people have accepted each other further than appearance. If Emmeline actually liked Sirius then it would be sad for her considering that his brother is spoken to, to death. Regulus wishes Sirius would fall in love with someone else as wonderful as Emmeline and not a stupid jerk.

“No. Of course not,” he says. “I can actually understand how you two would get along. Sirius can act as rebellious as he wants but I know he isn’t as disattached to what we were taught. He loved the violin but only when he could play what he enjoyed so he was awful with our personal professor. I’m– I wish he didn’t throw all our childhood away but I know it was harder for him than for me.”

“Now that you two are talking, you will make many more good memories and perhaps it will help Sirius too,” she says with a small thoughtful smile. “The violin, though..? That’s interesting.”

“You wouldn’t think so, right? I don’t know if he completely forgot about it or not.” She nods but it hasn’t cleared her spirit completely so Regulus considers his next words. “Sirius isn’t the type to lie, even though he perfectly can. So I didn’t think– that everything would go as smoothly as it is now. Sirius could have been awfully difficult to deal with. With the circumstances and what happened with his friends, I doubt Sirius has the strength to play nice with anyone. If you all hated him or didn’t give him a chance, he would think he deserves it.”

“I find this unnecessarily sad,” she admits.

“But that’s exactly why I’m sure that Sirius sees you as a friend, just like you do.”

Emmeline nods and tilts her head before closing her eyes. “I feel like I’m already mourning him… I can’t imagine what you must feel,” she whispers. “I have barely gotten to know him and yet it’s so easy. I’m scared that– all of this attention will feel unwarranted to him but I also don’t want to regret him when I have barely even known him.”

Regulus swallows down and takes a deep breath before opting to ignore the heavy subject. “You do sound like you have a crush on him.”

“A friendly one,” she argues with flushed cheeks. “We have already settled on that, haven’t we? Friends! I do not-”

“I’m only teasing you,” he chuckles and she purses her lips with a menacing squint. “It’s rather cute.”

“I just hope that Sirius doesn’t assume that either. You all understood me but what if he finds it weird that I don’t… care for a lover. I do not want to bring that up considering his position.”

“He will understand it,” Regulus says without a doubt. “I’m sure that either way it will feed his ego, even if he doesn’t need it, and make him happy. He might tease a tad bit.”

Emmeline sighs. “But isn’t Marlene McKinnon his closest friend, outside of his dormmates? I’m nothing like her… Or any of his original friends. None of us are. Wouldn’t he find it weird that someone like me wants to be– close friends when only a few weeks he never knew me?”

“You do not plan to steal McKinnon’s spot or anyone else, do you? Then you shouldn’t worry about that. I still doubt that Sirius’ old friends will ever try to talk to him.”

“Didn’t you say that Potter wants to talk with Sirius?”

“He is only pestering me because he is scared that Sirius will talk about whatever secret broke their little group,” he argues. “Maybe he really is avoiding Potter but Lupin will be nearby and who knows how that will affect Sirius so it’s better to forget about him.”

“But he hasn’t told you, right?”

“No. I doubt he will.”

Emmeline sighs. “This is so unfortunately complicated.”

He watches her, offering a hand that she squeezes with a shy gaze. “Are you worried that Sirius won’t be happy that you want to be friends with him? From what I have seen, I should be jealous of how you two get lost in conversation while I’m right there.”

“Oh, Reg-”

“So I can assure you that he values you. Pandora always surprises him and he enjoys this kind of game, just like Barty who I worry might start an enormous prank with him that will close the school.” She chuckles and he smiles. “Evan was more difficult because-”

“Barty also didn’t help.”

“When has he helped willingly?” He snorts. “But thankfully they found some common ground. Even our Purebloods upbringing, being above each other and how backwards our supposed evolved society works— they talk without attacking each other and I noticed that despite the subject they are somehow giving each other hope too.”

“Every empire falls at some point,” she whispers and squeezes his hand.

He nods. “Dorcas is more similar to Sirius I suppose, they match each other and I can see that they are having fun. You were here at the Kelpie’s Dance, they were in their own little world. I guess McKinnon is also more of this type but this doesn’t mean that Sirius can’t see you as a proper friend. Salazar, Barty and him get along which doesn’t terrify me enough so please be the best of friends just so Sirius doesn’t end up in Azkaban.”

Emmeline considers it with a frown before nodding. “They would.”

“But really, you should just tell Sirius that you really like him,” Regulus says. “We are all friends with you and I doubt that he will find it weird that you have no interest in love, if you want to specify it.”

“I think so too… But it’s so strange for some people.” She purses her lips before clearing her throat. “Friends satisfy me and I don’t see why I should marry anyone. I love all of you. I made the mistake of mentioning it before and the looks they gave me.”

“Who?”

She shakes her head. “It’s alright, I dealt with it in third year. But you’re right, I should talk to Sirius.”

“He misses you.”

Emmeline blushes with a chuckle. Regulus smiles and squeezes her hand one last time. He doesn’t know how this conversation went but he is sure that it happened since Sirius commented out of nowhere that Regulus picked the right friends. He doesn’t have anything to complain about so he focuses back on his heavy old latin reading that might concern the Hanahaki. It has become a kind of ritual that Regulus sleepovers - not because of the list.

They manage to come up with one potion that should kill the Hanahaki but Sirius only got a stomach ache from it. His coughing hasn’t increased despite what happened when he hallucinated but it’s still here. Regulus isn’t sure but he feels like more petals are coming up in his throat, building up for his series of coughs. It’s relieving and a bad omen since it means that the bond is working but the Hanahaki fights back.

Only one week left before they take the Hogwarts Express for the short, yet determinant, break. His parents answered to his insignificant letter, only meant for Kreacher to get his message, only to talk about what Regulus should do and some meaningful comments about his upcoming destiny. The war might be close but he doesn't care about it - not when Sirius is right here. Once his brother is healed then perhaps he will care about this blasted mess.

It’s probably because they are this close to this dangerous jump into the future that Regulus is too distracted to shield himself from a sudden explosion. He was just about to join Sirius for dinner in the Room of Requirement when he finds himself glued to a liquid that keeps bubbling from a knight’s armour that fell to pieces.

“Hah! Got you!”

Filch rounds the corner, finding Regulus' knees deep into the sticky mixture and trying to shake it off his hands, with James Putain de Potter.

“Oh, Reg’,” he says with the fakest worry ever, “I told you to be careful with these potions.”

Regulus is going to make him his glasses the moment he gets a chance– but first he cursed him as loudly as he can before he needed to justify that he wasn’t some part of this stupid prank.

“Then what is that?” Filch asks with a mean smile, taking out a small potion from where Regulus’ bag spilled when he fell. “This looks exactly like what Mister Potter had.” Potter winks at Regulus with an impish smile. Filch doesn’t hear him despite the many complaints. Regulus has no idea how he slipped that potion in his bag, he couldn’t have thrown it or one of them would have noticed, plus with the explosion it should have been triggered. His bag is the safest option but he would have noticed Potter slipping behind him.

He gets detention with Potter - because apparently Regulus doesn’t have enough on his plate. Because the break is nearing, the detention is barely the day after so Regulus has digested nothing which leaves him in a horrible mood. With Fitch on his ass, he was sent back to the Slytherin dormitory which meant that he didn’t even see Sirius. Not that he wants his brother to hear about this especially when his friends are teasing him enough about Potter.

It’s in Care of Magical Creatures that they need to do the detention and Regulus is late on purpose even if he really likes the class and Professor Kettleburn. His parents had complained that he picked this course but Regulus enjoys it too much to drop it off. It’s cold so he hopes that whatever they have to do will be quick because this only diminishes his patience to deal with Potter.

“Fancy seeing you here.”

“I will cut your tongue and feed it to a hippogriff.”

“Now what an inspiration!” Kettleburn exclaims as Regulus glares at Potter. “But this time we only need to rework the paddocks and prepare portions to feed all our magnificent friends. Mister Black, can you guide our new guest? I need to check on the unicorns.”

“Of course, Professor.”

He lists the creatures they need to check also on or will require immediate feeding before wandering off in the forest. Regulus decides to finish this list as fast as he can and then feed Potter to the hippogriffs; the head of the pack likes him, even got to pet him once, so he can indulge his favour.

“I didn’t know you liked this class,” Potter says with quick steps to follow him.

“Don’t talk to him.”

“It’s great, really,” he chirps with a small laugh. “You always surprise m-”

“Shut up,” Regulus barks, twisting on his feet to face him with a burning glare. “You bloody planned this, didn’t you? You better back off because I know a lot of creatures ready to eat you alive.”

Potter still follows him in the shed, diligently picking up what Regulus does before he walks out. “I told you that I needed to speak to you!” He points out. “You left me no choice.”

“I understand why Sirius is avoiding you now,” he huffs out, dropping the bag of cabbages for the flobberworm before throwing some in the group. “Don’t put that here! It’s for the streelers!” Potter does as he says, even if Regulus’ tone is as sharp as a whip, and somehow manages to keep his smile on. It goes like that for a moment but he has never been infamous for keeping his mouth shut.

“Look Regulus, I’m sorry that I pulled off but you really left me no choice,” Potter says, sounding almost sorry which is why Regulus dropped a large box on his foot. “Ouch! What was that for?!”

“Didn’t see you. It was in the way of the hay.”

Potter sighs but continues to follow him through all the tasks. “I tried to talk to you politely so you really left me no choice but force you in the same spot with me for a time, alright?”

“You could have left me alone instead of being your idiotic self.”

“I can’t figure out where you’re hiding with Sirius but he also doesn’t want to talk to me and I really need to.”

“Write him a letter. We need something for the fire-place.”

Regulus tries to elbow him when his arm is grabbed but Potter quickly traps him against the crups’ fence.

“Regulus, I’m trying to solve what happened with Sirius, alright?”

“Let me go.”

One of the crups is tugging on his pant’s leg. Potter stares at him, lips pursed, before straightening himself and taking a step closer. Regulus considers climbing over the fence because rolling in a sea of crups would be better than whatever is going on.

“You have no idea how happy I am that you and Sirius are talking again,” Potter says. “I wish I had been here to see that but– things were difficult. We never meant to kick him out of the dorm and we could have talked to him but… It was hard on Remus.”

“And I’m supposed to feel bad for you all?” Regulus sneers.

“No,” he replies before wetting his lips. “Well, maybe. What happened was really difficult to understand because I frankly still can’t believe it and I should have been here for Sirius too. That’s my bad.”

“Oh really? Almost made me think otherwise.”

Potter huffs out, almost laughing and his face doesn’t fully lose it as he observes Regulus. There is a smudge on his left glass that he probably could clean. If he starts considering what he can touch though there are many other options that are far more entertaining.

“I’m trying to solve what happened,” Potter whispers as his eyes drop to the ground. “We all got hurt and I didn’t try to reach out for Sirius. Which is what I’m trying to do now because we haven’t really listened to him… Marlene is going bonkers too because Sirius avoids her too. Even Remus is open to talk.”

He quickly closes his eyes and swallows these treacherous ideas. Potter is an enemy, no matter how he looks, the amount of warmth he exudes like a salamander. This is a dangerous trap. Regulus pushes him off as far as he can before shoving him so he lets go of his arm

“Like I said,” he articulates with a precarious voice. “Write a letter.”

Potter lets him storm off but shadows him quickly and even takes the bag of fresh meat from his hands. “I get it that you are on Sirius’ side Reggie-”

“Don’t call me that.”

“But everything went so fast. Remus needed time.”

“So what?!” He exclaims. “It’s not my problem what happened! And you’re right, I’m on Sirius’ side. At least I know better than to throw him away like some forgotten toy that you have no use for anymore!”

“That’s what I’m trying to solve!”

“Yes, well maybe Sirius isn’t open to that anymore,” he hisses and furiously picks up hay before stomping away.

“He can’t just stay out of the dorm!” Potter says and pursues him. “I know you haven’t slipped him in the Slytherin dorm even if with your frie-”

Regulus needs to clear his throat because his voice is muddled. “Because the problem is now me and my friends and not yours?!”

He startles, stepping back, with wide eyes behind his glasses. “Wait, that’s not what I meant-”

“Of course that’s what you meant! Sirius is choosing to be with me right now and you can’t swallow that because you think you’re better than us, the screw-ups!”

Potter almost steps back, shaking his head, with a weak retort. “That’s not-”

“That’s exactly what you think,” Regulus spits out despite the rash climbing up his throat. “You are all better in your red and gold better than us little snakes, right? This must kill you to see that Sirius is staying with us. In fact he chooses to be with me! Have you ever thought that he just doesn’t want to talk to you again? Of course not, what matters is what everyone else thinks! Lupin is hurt? Well Sirius too but apparently that’s not important.”

“I never thought that! This was hard for everyone,” Potter argues. “I even tried to tell Sirius to talk to you before! I know you’re not like Snivellus-”

Regulus coughs. He forgets about it for a moment too busy wrestling with his thoughts and emotions, picturing how far he can throw James Potter in the lake, and how his brother is dying while all they care about is some stupid secret. Except that Potter notices his cough, eyes trailing after the petals trickling down his lips, and gasps with a shock that only stains his handsome face.

“Petals?”

Regulus quickly steps back, hand flying to his mouth, but Potter follows him like a mad man. His words are swallowed by more coughs. He shakes his head and stumbles on his own feet before focusing on getting away.

“Are you coughing flowers?” Potter croaks out, voice louder at each syllable. “Wait, isn’t that– that’s the Hanahaki!”

Potter still calls him when Regulus is rushing to the castle, coughing petals. He sprints through the corridors with his heart trying to burst out of his chest - it doesn’t help the petals that he tries to swallow. His first proper breath is only when he manages to close the door of his dorm behind him.

“Reg’! Are you alright?” Emmeline asks, standing up from her game of chess with Barty.

Evan looks up from Barty’s laps, frowning and sitting up. “Didn’t you have detention?”

“A date with Potter,” Barty jokes, moving a chess piece.

“He knows.”

“Who? What?” Emmeline frowns. “Please breathe before you faint.”

“Potter!” Regulus hisses, throwing his bag down. “I coughed!”

She gasps. “He saw?”

“Yes! He even knew that it was the Hanahaki!”

“Did you try to tell him it’s not?” Evan asks. “You could have gotten that from something else.”

Regulus freezes before groaning, falling against the door. “I–”

“You ran away?” Barty supposes. “Well that’s compromising.”

“Maybe we can come up with something,” Emmeline retorts. “The after-effect of a potion or-”

“Potter is smarter than he looks,” Regulus hisses. “I should have knocked him out or obliviated him… I could still do that.”

“Is that so bad if he knows?” Barty asks. “It’s not like he knows that you are actually bonded with Sirius who has it.”

His focus has been bitingly settled on James Potter and his infuriating face which is why he completely missed out on his throat twisting around a mouthful before he starts coughing. Regulus doesn’t consider that he has the Hanahaki– Sirius does and Regulus tries to find the cure.

“Merde,” he curses and furiously shakes his bangs with his hands before glaring at the discreet golden ring. “I didn’t think of that. He doesn’t know about the bonding.”

“You don’t think of much around Potter, actually become stupid once we mention him.”

“Like you’re any better Bartemius!” Regulus snaps.

“I am,” he proudly replies, “did you see who is on my lap?”

“Alright,” Evan cuts and lets Barty kiss his cheek. “So Potter might think you have the Hanahaki. What were you talking about?”

“He was pestering me about Sirius. Even dared to complain that Sirius is with us now.”

“Hah! He is going to think you are in love with Sirius!”

Emmeline slaps Barty’s head. “Not funny,” she chastens.

“Wait, Potter is still trying to talk to Sirius?” Evan asks.

“He is trying to make me feel sorry for them.”

“Well, I’m not picking his side but it might be a good thing for Sirius.”

“What?” Emmeline says with a frown. “Are you saying Sirius should go back to his friends?”

“No.”

Evan raises his hand but it doesn’t help Regulus’ scathing mood. “Look, perhaps his friends have decided to forgive him or whatever. But Sirius’ Hanahaki could be slowed down if he and Lupin talk again.”

“It won’t happen,” Regulus argues, crossing his arms. “Lupin rejected Sirius one way or another and I’m confident that it’s closely related to this ugly bastard in the first place.”

“I’m not saying that it will solve the Hanahaki,” Evan says and stands up. “We all looked through enough to know that the curse won’t disappear like that. Some people actually died even when the feelings were requited.”

“Really?” Barty frowns. “Is it stupid?”

“It’s hard to satisfy. If you don’t believe that they really love you back then in a way you’re also telling that to the flowers,” he explains.

“That’s why they can’t know that Sirius has the Hanahaki,” Regulus reminds. “Lupin will probably try to be all sorry for himself and try to save Sirius but there is no way that it will work. Potter might piece it together if he knows that Sirius has the Hanahaki.”

“It’s too risky,” Emmeline agrees, eyes jumping to the ground before she grimaces and looks up. “Actually,” she whispers with a sorry smile, “I think Lupin and Sirius already talked.”

“What?!” He hisses. “How did I not know that?”

“Because I’m not sure.”

“If he rejected Sirius another time he would probably be dead,” Barty points out.

She shakes her head. “I didn’t come to watch the Quidditch game, remember? And I crossed the path of Lupin with Pettigrew, looking like they were heading there,” she explains. “But they seemed to be arguing, though I’m not sure about what but Lupin seemed mad.”

Regulus squints at her and needs to focus to relax his jaw before he breaks a tooth. “And?”

Emmeline twitches with guilt and joins her hands nervously. “Well I thought I might check on Sirius, considering that he would probably not want to watch the game with everything going on… I found him choking in a corridor.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?!”

“Reg’ calm down,” Evan quickly says and steps in. “Sirius was fine after, right?”

Emmeline quickly nods. “Yes! It wasn’t– it wasn’t as bad like at the pub, I promise Regulus… I cleared his lungs so he could breathe again but he was dead tired so I brought him to his room.”

“Why didn’t he tell me?” He hisses. “Why didn’t you!”

“Because I didn’t want to stress you more!” She exclaims. “Maybe Sirius would tell you, I didn’t know.”

Barty clears his throat. “The point is that it could have only been triggered by Lupin, right?”

Regulus clenches his fists and looks at her. “Did he talk to Sirius?”

“I’m not sure. But they could have easily crossed paths,” she admits. “Sirius probably won’t tell.”

“Well, that clears this up,” Barty says, lounging in the bed with crossed legs. “Sirius’ friends knowing about the Hanahaki will make Lupin try to save him, if he doesn’t want him dead.”

“Even if Lupin loves him back… If he confesses to save Sirius then his feelings won’t be seen as honest for the Hanahaki, we have proof of that over history.”

Evan sighs. “Right. I didn’t consider that.”

“That’s exactly why I’m not going to help Potter talk to Sirius,” Regulus says. “Lupin rejected him once already and I’m not risking my brother’s life just for the chance that they might make up. Even if they did, if Lupin doesn’t love Sirius back and tells him then he will still die.”

“Regulus… I’m sorry I didn’t tell you,” Emmeline says.

He tries to not glare at her, forcing himself to look down. “Don’t do it again. Please,” he clips before taking a deep breath. “Well, now I have to deal with noisy Potter. Better that he thinks I have the Hanahaki.”

“Tell him it’s me.”

“What?” Evan spins to Barty and his wide grin. “What are you saying?”

“In case Potter pesters you about it and come on, it’s obvious he will, if you need to be in an unrequited love with someone let it be me.”

Regulus deadpans at him. “Why on Earth would I fall in love with you?”

“Hey! Who cares about that detail?”

“Fiore mio,” he purrs and Regulus gags out. “Picture Potter trying to help Reggie, especially because you’re Sirius’ brother, he will try to figure out a solution. If he comes mad at me then I will have a free shot at punching him.”

Regulus sighs out, stomping into the bathroom because he needs a change of clothes, and Emmeline pinches the bridge of her nose.

“Of course that’s why you want to do that.” She sighs. “We aren’t sure that Potter will try anything, if we are lucky he might not jump to the conclusion that Regulus actually has the Hanahaki.”

“Wait, wait, wait a second,” Evan blurts out. “I actually want to see Barty punch Potter.”

“You’re no help!”

“None of you are helping,” Regulus snaps. “And Potter can go to hell! He isn’t going near me any time soon.”

“Except in your dreams,” Barty sings out but he is cut by a slap.

“Sirius doesn’t need him, none of them. He can try to pester me again but this time I will make him mute for the rest of his life.” Regulus growls before taking a deep breath, walking out of the bathroom once he finished putting on clothes for the evening. “I’m going to see Sirius now. We have plans.”

“Wait, Re-”

He walks out of the dorm without listening to Emmeline. It’s his second mistake. First, he froze at the Kelpie’s Dance instead of helping Sirius and now he obviously indulged in speaking to Potter which is why his brain completely left him helpless out there. The advantage of him and Sirius not talking was that at least Regulus was free of any Potter’s presence and shenanigans.

If only his stupid heart could be smarter than this. First year he was too young to understand that liking James Potter and his sunny laugh, charming eyes that can’t see beyond his nose and charisma like some kind of stupid golden god. Eleven year old Regulus was a fool and he wouldn’t want to slap him but apparently his younger self just had to be enamoured enough that he can’t be moved on. Regulus would throw himself down some stairs to put some sense into his treacherous heart but now he needs to cure Sirius’ stupid weeping heart.

Sirius still doesn’t tell him the full story. Regulus lets it go only because it’s a full moon, which means that they need to prepare the animagus potion and they have to do it tonight. His brother assuredly leads them out of the castle, showing him even more secret passage and promising at least a hundred more, as they head out for the Forbidden Forest for the potion preparation. They are lucky that there are no clouds, otherwise they would need to wait another month, but somehow Sirius doesn’t bear looking at the full-moon.

Regulus can see that he seems sad, quite anxious, as he leads them almost at the opposite of the more visited parts of the Forbidden Forest. He even jumps when he hears a distant howl and Regulus would have joked if he is scared of werewolves, as if there would be one around Hogwarts, if it wasn’t for his pale face. Sirius insists that he is fine, only cold and itching to get back to bed, so they hurry.

His brother places the phial under a perfect moon ray once they find a dew untouched by human or sunlight that they fill in a silver teaspoon. Regulus spits the mandrake leaf into the phial, grimacing at the after taste and finally freed from the rough texture against his inside cheek, before putting one strand of hair and the chrysalis of a Death’s-head Hawk Moth.

“Are you sure that your bag won’t move it?”

“Sirius, I know my bag,” he replies. “It’s perfect and completely stable, it’s made to keep potions.”

The phial is immediately sealed and slipped in his potion pouch, charmed to keep the potions safe and sound without any feeling of the outside - be it movement, light and temperature. The perfect tool to prepare potions as needy as this one.

“Alright, let’s hurry up to the castle.”

“Do you have something else to do?” Regulus asks with a frown as his brother hurries off. “Sirius!”

“Sh!” He hisses and turns around. “Whisper.”

“Then reply to me,” he huffs out, joining his steps thanks to Sirius slowing down before speeding up.

“I just want to get back to the castle because it’s freezing.”

With Sirius’ jumpy behaviour and his lack of enthusiasm, it’s probably a lie. Regulus fears that he forced him to be at his side; after all, he could easily prepare the animagus potion by himself. To be honest, he probably would have never been interested in becoming an Animagus before that. Not that it’s a useless skill, if anything it’s quite brilliant and could be useful, but it never crossed Regulus’ mind. Sirius showing him Padfoot, proudly and quite playfully, made him realise that it’s worth the try. This would give them a connection, even if he is convinced that the Marauders are all animagi, but Sirius helping him is special and whether or not they find a cure then Regulus will hold on that memory alone.

“Sirius, talk to me,” he says, trying to keep the pleading out of his voice, as he takes a hold of Sirius’ arm to force him to slow down and look at him. “Are you scared of something?”

A long faraway howl echoes through the night. It seems sad, lonely even, which is why it shouldn’t make Sirius startled and aghast. He looks around like he might spot the wolf, before fiercely dragging Regulus behind him.

“Yes. I am.”

He tries to follow his speed but he is still confused. “Why? You are the one who told me that you know the Forbidden Forest! You convinced me!”

“I’m not scared of that!”

“Sirius-”

“I just want to sleep, alright?!” He snaps but his voice isn’t there, only quiet and whiny. “Just… Let’s go back. Hopefully we will still be lucky and storms will come soon so you can finish the whole process.”

He doesn’t push it. Sirius stays wordless up until they are in the Room of Requirement before finally babbling out about the rest of the process, mentioning that it’s a pain to wake up at dawn to cast the spell and that he almost missed it a few times. Regulus can see that he is nervous or stressed so he lets him do it, answering at the right times and following with questions to help distract him.

The Hogwarts Express pulls up at the train station on a rainy day. It’s not a storm and Regulus is a bit disappointed. He has no inkling about his animagus form whereas Sirius showed off that he dreamt of a dog on the first night. Regulus is convinced that the dog attacked or at least pursued him in his dream. He feels weary but tries to keep himself upright.

The only flaw in his secret message with Kreacher is that the elf doesn’t have a way to write back. He manages to read the code even if the letter is in his parents’ hands but their replies are always sealed by them; Kreacher has never opened them probably because it would be noticed. Once they reach the 9¾ platform, they will go to the bathroom and hopefully Kreacher will wait for them there with some of their affairs. If he isn’t there then they will simply apparate with Alphard’s pocket watch, which will be triggered at 3:05pm. Their uncle probably left this small window so they can say goodbyes to their friends.

There is only Dorcas and Emmeline with them. It’s a short break which makes it quite peaceful. Most people wouldn’t bother to make the trip back but when you have controlling parents like Emmeline, or doting ones if you’re lucky like Dorcas, then you will take the train. Apparently Potter and Lupin fall in that category. The latter looks dreadful even behind his blank face, eyes quietly shifting toward Regulus, his brother and friends, and the book open in his hands appears useless considering he hasn’t flipped one single page ever since they arrived there.

Potter has a lack of manner compared to him. He has been painfully obvious in his stalking. As if staring and moving his face around is a way of communication. Regulus thankfully has his friends around him so Potter stayed back but he often caught him watching. It’s annoying, especially since he appears worried, but he sticks to his initial plan to keep him away as much as possible. From him and Sirius likewise.

His brother isn’t as impassible as he wants to be about them so he keeps his eyes on Dorcas or Emmeline, chatting about the simplest thing. Regulus is up to the task to glare at Potter with the hope that it will push him under the rail of the train. McKinnon joins them a bit late, rushing through the rain with a few curses and pushing herself under their shared umbrella. When she spots Sirius, she seems ready to go see them - slightly furious - and Potter looks like he will follow but the Hogwarts Express arrives right on time.

On the ride back, they picked a compartment for themselves. Regulus closes the door magically just in case a parasite, like James Potter, tries to burst in. He wouldn’t put it past them and he only remembers now that Sirius was supposed to run away with James at first - whether that’s why he tries to talk to his brother or not.

Regulus is woken up by Emmeline, who smiles at him, whilst Dorcas tries to hold back her laugh.

“We’re here,” she says with a quiet voice. “Better leave the train as soon as you can, right?”

“Right,” he croaks out, voice hoarse, as he sits up and startles when Sirius falls on his laps, snoring.

“He drooled on you,” Dorcas snickers and points on his shoulder. “But we didn’t want to separate you two.”

“Urgh.”

Regulus slaps his cheek until Sirius tries to fight back. “Get up you lazy arse, we’re there. And I will drop you here.”

“Tu es chiant,” he groans, sitting up before grunting when Regulus throws his luggage in his laps. “Hey!”

“I said hurry!”

“Fine! You better run before I kick your arse!” Sirius barks.

“Wait!” Emmeline shouts.

Dorcas freezes and lets go of the door handle. “What?” She asks, turning to look at her. “What is it?”

“Your mother,” she blurts out. “She’s here!”

“What?” Sirius hurries to the window but Dorcas stops him.

“She might see you through the window!”

Regulus swallows. “Are… Are you sure?”

“Yes. I’m sure,” Emmeline confirms with a voice clean of emotions. “She is alone.”

“Bloody hell, what is she doing here?!” Sirius exclaims.

“Calm down,” Dorcas says. “You can outrun her, I will distract her or something?”

“Why is she here?” Regulus repeats. “I didn’t tell them anything. How could she know–”

“Dorcas is right, you ought to run before she notices you. At what time is the portkey?”

Sirius flips out the pocket watch from his pocket, opening it. “At 3:05. It started ticking now that it’s 3.”

“Alright, let’s just walk as far as we can. You get through the barrier and rush to the toilets at King’s Cross,” she says with confidence. “She might not spot you in the crowd.”

Regulus gasps when he feels himself shaken. Sirius is at his side, hand around his arm, with a concerned frown. Something must be written on his face because he purses his lips with a tortured smile.

“Reggie, if you don’t want-”

“What? I’m going,” he snaps, grabbing his luggage, “we’re going.”

“Re-”

“We need to go. I’m sure Kreacher is going to be here,” he quickly says and yanks the door open.

James Potter blinks down at him, face twitching with a tensed smile. “Oh-”

Sirius coughs harshly behind Regulus who immediately straightens up when he spots Lupin at Potter’s side, probably looking at Sirius. It’s oblivious they were waiting for them

“Back off!” Dorcas snaps and pushes them to shove right into Potter.

He falls into Lupin who tries to not fall but still hits the person behind them. The corridor is already full of students trying to go out, not as many as usual, but it’s enough for it to be crowded and for Dorcas to spread chaos through it as she keeps pushing them back.

“Go,” Emmeline insists and pushes them out of the compartment.

Potter tries to fight back, though with less conviction compared to her aura, and even calls for Sirius and Regulus between his attempts at pleading Dorcas to let him pass. Regulus drags Sirius by his hand, rushing through the corridor and pushing people away as he tries to calculate which exit out of the train is the best for them; the closest to the barrier to leave the 9 3⁄4 platform and escape their mother.

A lot of people curse at them when they push through but he gives them no attention. They have changed three wagons already and he thinks the next exit is the right one for them. Sirius is behind him but Emmeline might have stayed with Dorcas to stop at least these two parasites.

“Hey!” A student squeals when Regulus barrels out of the train with Sirius. “Careful!”

He catches his breath once they are mingling in a small crowd of students and parents. “Do you have everything?”

Sirius nods and opens the pocket watch before slipping back inside. “We got four minutes.”

“The toilets are not far once we get through the barrier.”

“Are you sure Kreacher will be here?”

“Hopefu-”

“Regulus Arcturus Black!!”

His heart plummets. A brisk cold smothers his whole body and he feels like he is falling but he is held.

“Putain de merde,” Sirius swears and pulls him back.

Walburga Black strides furiously through the crowd with her eyes hateful and burning like a vicious Crucio.

“And you,” she growls, louder than the brouhaha and shrieker than any happy squeals. “Sirius Orion Black!”

“Run,” his brother says and tugs him. “Reggie, run!”

Sirius yanks him and almost makes him fall but Regulus manages to find his footing as they run toward the barrier. Their mother screams at them and her heels clink stronger than before, perhaps even crushing the stone, but his brother doesn’t let go of his hand as he speeds up.

“Padfoot!”

Regulus looks behind to see James Potter rushing to them too with a quick panicked look at their mother. Sirius only pulls on his hand harder.

“Come back here immediately!” Walburga screams.

They are close to the barrier, only needing one last desperate dash to reach it. The guard just deemed the passage safe to traverse for the next student to go through without getting Muggle’s attention.

“Oh Merlin!”

A rough crash cuts through the air, distracting everyone from their initial focus. Sirius slows down just a tad to look behind his shoulder. He completely stops with a wide ecstatic smile. Regulus turns to look and freezes too.

Their mother is lying on the floor next to a toppled cart with two big luggages. She is still alive but clearly in pain, it’s not enough to distract her as she immediately tries to sit up with a deadly hiss and glare at Emmeline.

“Salazar,” Regulus gasps out.

“My apologies!” Emmeline shouts with a panicked voice, hands in front of her mouth, as her parents run to her spitting alarmed apologies. “I’m so sorry Madam! I didn’t see you!”

Sirius blurts out her laughing and tugs Regulus before he can follow. The guard is still in surprise but he notices their duo rushing toward them. He doesn’t manage to stop them even shouting at them but Sirius jumps straight into the barrier with Regulus still in his hand.

They don’t stop even if the landing is a bit clumsy. The toilets are not a completely safe destination considering the Muggles around but they still burst in it, out of breath. Regulus glances around, throat dry and clumped with all the events. The door closes behind them and Kreacher appears with two big luggage.

“Master Regulus. Master Sirius.”

“Kreacher! Thank Salazar,” Regulus says and crouches with a trembling smile. “Thank you so much-”

“Kreacher got Master’s message,” he articulates with a vicious glance at Sirius before looking at Regulus. “Kreacher gathered all Masters’ affairs in secret but Kreacher doesn’t understand where Masters are going.”

“Oh Kreacher-”

“2 minutes Reggie,” Sirius whispers.

“Kreacher I’m sorry, we need to go and I won’t be able to write to you again.”

Kreacher slowly blinks, looking down at the luggages. “Kreacher doesn’t understand.”

Regulus can’t help but hug him. The house-elf has always been his first and most precious friend. It’s probably why Sirius never handled living at Grimmauld Place - he had no allies whilst Regulus at least had Kreacher.

“I will miss you and I will try to see you again, alright?” He says, taking a good look at the confused face of the elf. “It’s not safe for me and Sirius to go back there-”

“Did you tell our mother that we were here?” Sirius asks, tone sharp. “Answer Kreacher.”

“Sirius!”

“Master Sirius is mistaken. Kreacher left Grimmauld Place without telling anything or even to Mistress Walburga.”

“Kreacher would have not told her,” Regulus hisses.

Sirius rolls his eyes, taking out the pocket watch, and turns his back to them. Regulus can discern the ticking and quickly takes out from his coat’s pocket a worn-out white tissue with messy embroideries and stubborn but clean stains.

“Master Regulus?”

“A gift for you Kreacher,” he whispers and forces it into one of his hands.

Kreacher looks at it, panicked, and tries to pull away. “This is Master Regulus’ old handkerchief!”

“Yes and now this makes you free.” Regulus nods. “Do you understand? Kreacher I’m freeing you.”

“Kreacher wants to stay at Grimmauld Place! Kreacher loves serving the Noble and Ancient B-”

“Kreacher,” he raises his voice. “Listen to me! In case you want to go somewhere else, you can from now on.”

He can see that the elf has trouble understanding what is happening. It’s a lot since he already got to sneak behind his real masters for Regulus and now Kreacher must realise that he might never come back to his home. He doubts that he will but if he safely can then he will make the trip to at least check on him. The handkerchief is the first one Regulus ever got and it’s with it that he tried his first attempts at calligraphy and embroidery with Kreacher’s help, now it’s his lucky item that he kept on him at all times.

Kreacher stares at him without any emotion and the handkerchief in his loose hand.

“Where is Master Regulus going?”

“Less than a minute,” Sirius says and grabs the big luggage, with his initials on the handle, beside Kreacher.

“I can’t tell you,” Regulus sighs out. “But I will try to reach out to you, I promise. Kreacher please understand.”

“Kreacher doesn’t understand why Master Regulus doesn’t want to come back to Grimmauld Place.”

“Because it’s not safe for us, not anymore.”

“Reggie.”

“Fine!” He snaps and takes his own heavy luggage, jungling with his second one from school. “Kreacher, stay safe please.”

“Is Master Regulus saying goodbye?” Kreacher whispers with his eyes reddening by the minute.

Sirius softly grabs Regulus’ hand, pocket watch in his other hand ticking like a clock, and he squeezes it back. He sighs out and tries to fight the uncomfortable feeling crawling through his eyes but this really feels like he is throwing away too many good memories at once.

“I will see you if I can Kreacher, I promise,” he articulates, “but for now it's goodbye.”

“Mas-”

Regulus falls ass first. Sirius almost loses balance because of that but manages to sidestep him as he bursts out laughing. The nausea isn’t strong but still affects him more than Regulus expected, his brother’s mirth is still the one bothering him the most.

“You better not be laughing at Krea-”

“Em’ hit Walburga with a cart!” Sirius wheezes. “A cart!”

Regulus guffaws with him before even realising it. He recalls the shout of their mother and the sound of the cart falling to the ground but the way she laid on the platform is even more absurd because Walburga Black does not fall.

“You alright there?”

He coughs in surprise, trying to calm himself down with a last hiccup of mirth, whilst Sirius keeps snorting with lips pursed. It takes him a second to recognize the man looming over them, albeit their striking aura is only because of their height - Alphard still has the same kind playful smile with soft eyes.

“Uncle Alphard?” Sirius gasps out, cheeks flushed from their recent hilarity.

“Good afternoon Sirius.” Alphard grins and offers his hand to Regulus. “Rough landing Reggie?”

He clears his throat and grabs it. “Just a bit surprised.” His uncle has more strength than he thought, almost jumping mid-air from that pull.

“Thank you for the portkey,” Sirius says and offers it to him. “Here is your pocket watch. It’s still the same one.”

“Well, I’m sentimental,” Alphard grins and glances at it. “And sorry for that rush,” he says and rubs a hand between Regulus’ shoulder-blades which surprises him. “This is all a bit expeditive but I didn’t want your parents to track you down.”

“Well, though luck. Walburga was at the train station,” Sirius drawls out.

Alphard shakes his head in surprise before playing with one of his long, ridiculous Regulus wants to say, moustache. “I was afraid they might have contacts in the ministry… Even if we pass through the French Ministry of Magic the British Ministry had to be notified,” he sighs. “This is probably how she sniffed you out. Sacrebleu, we are going to be late if we don’t go drop to the Ministry now.”

“The Ministry?” Regulus frowns. “Why?”

“The Trace will still be active on you, Regulus,” Alphard explains. “Sirius’ birthday is coming soon but they could have followed it to find you anywhere you go. That’s why I had to declare you under my care but the Ministry still needs your inputs… Are you alright though? She didn’t do anything?”

“No, no,” Sirius chuckles. “Emmeline hit her with a cart when she was screeching at us.”

“A cart?!” Their uncle bursts out laughing, a deep one with a melodious rhythm, and his tall frame folds slightly as he puts his free hand on his Sirius’ shoulder. “Morgana, I would have loved to see that!” Sirius smiles at him and looks at Regulus, looking fonder. He is surprised when Alphard brings them both in his arms to hug them. “Oh, how I have missed you two. Mes petites terreurs.”

Regulus is a bit stiff, surprised by it, but he relaxes himself in his grasp with Sirius softly knocking their heads together. The affection is welcomed but still a wonder as it’s been years since they have even seen each other. He figured that Alphard would prefer Sirius, during the family dinners he has always been closer to him; although Regulus was never talkative either and tried to stick to Kreacher’s side.

Alphard doesn’t appear to have changed much although he has more wrinkles than before. His hair is as black as theirs and his silver eyes, a well-known trait only belonging to the Black’s lineage, and he is quite touchy. He is still chuckling about their mother and her experience with a cart at the Ministry where Sirius and him are interrogated over this decision of changing custody and also checking if they aren’t bewitched to follow their uncle. They don’t give them any troubles so they are quickly off and their uncle apparates them in the middle of nowhere beside a muggle device.

Their uncle takes the luggages to put them in a space in the back of the car. Sirius appears familiar with cars, immediately climbing in one of the back seats with a sign at Regulus to follow, whilst he has only heard about them from Dorcas.

“Put the belt on,” Alphard says and smiles encouragingly at Regulus. “Don’t worry, these are safe. I’ve been using them for years.”

“You really are living as a Muggle?” He asks and tries to not obviously startle when the car starts to shake and leaves the side of the bumpy road to take it.

“Partly yes. I have a floo but I have sealed it for now, until we’re sure your parents can’t storm through. The Ministry should update us tomorrow.”

“I don’t think the Potters would have done that,” Sirius points out with a frown at him. “I wouldn’t have even thought of it…”

“Well, if you had left and I stayed behind, they probably wouldn’t have cared,” Regulus argues. “They need one heir. Which means they would have probably left you with”

“You weren’t going to run away together?” Alphard asks with a curious look at him through the mirror in the middle of the car front.

“I would have offered,” Sirius argues.

Regulus huffs and crosses his arms. Alphard glances at Sirius before focusing back on the road. They continue in silence for a little moment with the landscape unfolding to more up and downs, forests and mountains.

“Well, it’s also easier for me as Black. I might be exiled from the family but paper-wise I’m still one and that made the process easier. I also pulled some strings to ensure your safety with the Ministry.”

“Like what?” Sirius frowns and leans in the middle. “Do you think they will really try to drag us back? Or Regulus at least?”

“This is going to make news,” he points out. “The two heirs of the Black family running away? This will shake some things up. If something happens to me you two will inherit everything I have so you won’t have to return there.”

“Oh… That’s,” Regulus trails off with a puzzled look at Sirius who seems as surprised. “That’s a lot Uncle Alphard but-”

“None of that Pureblood manners, call me uncle or Alphard,” he cuts. “And truly I have enough for the both of you. I’m glad you contacted me when I left the family, I had to figure things out on my own and I wouldn’t want to wish that on you two.”

Sirius purses his lips and leans back against the backseats. Regulus is as speechless as him at all the preparation. He hasn’t even thought of the details with the Ministry, the only thing that mattered was to get out of there for Sirius. If anything, Regulus could have stayed behind and closed himself off as he always did. This, right now, is completely out of his comforting habits.

“Thank you,” Regulus articulates with a wobbly smile because there are many emotions to divide and bury, “tonton?”

Alphard looks excitedly at him with the mirror. “Your French is still perfect!”

“Yes well, when it’s beaten into you,” Sirius growls with his chin in his palm.

Their uncle hums and they finally spot a village in the landscape.

“Where are we?”

“East, near the border to Germany, if you want to be exact,” he says. “It has the most beautiful landscapes. Most are muggles, which is also a nice change, so you will have to be a bit careful when you go out. It’s not that isolated and one of the neighbours is going to show you all the nice spots for your age.”

It looks rather nice. It’s not like Regulus is fond of big cities or anything. “Why not apparate us home? Do you use no magic?”

“I do,” Alphard replies. “But like the floo, I have also blocked the house to be found by apparating and harmful letters. It’s safer.”

Regulus nods but he is relieved that they might at least get some letters. He will need to write a letter to Emmeline and Dorcas to thank them for their help. Alphard has been banned from the family, loudly, which means no one tried to contact to him and he doesn’t sound like he tried to do so either way; though now there is risks that their parents might try to retrieve them and that Alphard thought of written them in his will isn’t a good omen. Hopefully the Ministries will manage to do something but the Black are the more, if not the most, important Purebloods family so who knows how that will go.

“I have to ask but is there a reason why— you suddenly needed to run away?” Alphard asks with a cautious look. “You don’t have to say but I hope you know that I wouldn’t kick any of you out. No matter the reason.”

Regulus glances at Sirius, who squirms with an uncomfortable purse of his lips.

“Because Sirius’ personality is ‘how much bent can I be before it becomes a crime’.”

His brother whirls with wide eyes and flushing cheeks before swatting him. Regulus returns the favour and they soon are tugging at each other’s hairs while trying to stomp on their feet.

“Hey! Hey!” Alphard calls just as the car jumps on a cobbled road. “No fighting in the car! Let go of each other’s hairs. Both of you.”

“He started it!” Sirius shouts.

Regulus tugs even harder at his hair and hisses in pain when his foot is stepped on.

“You two, stop this now. You might break something and I don’t want to cause an accident.”

“Fine,” Regulus growls out and shoves Sirius who reiterates in the same way. “Crétin.”

“Abruti.”

Alphard laughs and shakes his head with a big smile. Some people are in the small animated street, it’s more a town than a city, and they appear to recognize Alphard or his car as people greet him on their road who returns the waves and nods. Sirius anxiously squirms in his seat, looking outside before glancing at the back of Alphard’s head.

“Is it— a problem?”

Alphard frowns. “Well, yes. I know how to drive this muggle transport but I’m not sure I could repair it or have the right reflexes if you br-”

“No I meant about the bent thing.”

“Oh,” he chuckles and shakes his head. “Of course not. Though being with the same gender or not doesn’t mean there is no risk of, er, getting a disease or pregn-”

“Please let’s just change the subject,” Regulus groans out and Sirius shoots him an incredulous look.

“You bloody brought that up,” he accuses.

“Yes, well have you seen yourself?” He scoffs back.

“No fighting!” Alphard warns before they restart.

His house, half-timbering, is at the end of the village it seems. It’s not as big as Grimmauld Place but comfortable looking with two floors painted in a radiant green except for the wood. There is a large door on the left part of it, looking like an extension of the house.

“There is a garden and a small field in the back,” he says once they walked out of the car. “Let’s bring all your luggages inside then I will show you everything.”

Sirius takes his luggage and Alphard is about to grab the two biggest ones just when the neighbour’s house opens and a woman steps out.

“Alphard ! Barnabé est encore dans mon jardin !”

“Encore?!”

“Oui !”

Their uncle sighs.

“Who is Barnabé?” Regulus asks as the woman appears to notice them, eyeing them with an avid curiosity and she quickly signs at someone inside her house.

“One of my geese.”

“Why do you have geese?” Sirius articulates as he tries to hold back his laugh. “And why is it in her garden?”

“Because Barnadé hates being alone,” he sighs out and hands Regulus keys. “Go inside, I will go catch him then I will bring these two inside, they are too heavy for you two. J’arrive Hélène !”

Hélène waves at them and stumbles on a shy ‘hello’ before she appears to be too embarrassed, quickly whispering to Alphard when he reaches her.

“What is the use of a goose?”

Sirius shrugs and turns toward the house. “Give me the keys.”

Regulus throws it at him and stares at his brother walking to the door. He focuses back on the luggage with a tired quiet sigh, almost this close to just going to bed even if it's barely the start of the evening. The luggage that Kreacher prepared for him is really heavy. He manages to put it down without crushing one of his feet, glancing at the boy who is walking up to him.

“Hum, do you want help?”

The English is understandable despite the nonexistent accent but Regulus admires the attempt. The door from the neighbour is still open so he probably came from there. They seem to be the same age although the boy is tall, not dreadfully, but enough to show that he hasn’t fully grown into his limbs. The blond smiles nervously at him with a look at the car and the last luggages, starting to furiously blush. Regulus starts to find it funny so he stays quiet, openly staring at him.

“Erm, nice the meet you,” he squeaks out, balancing his arms with a slight panicked laugh. “To meet you? I’m Nathan.”

Alphard didn’t tell his neighbour that Sirius and him speak in French then, it shouldn’t make him that amused but Nathan appears to really try hard as he points at the luggage.

“Help?”

“Reggie! Move your arse because I’m not going to carry your stuff, lazy twat.”

“Alphard said he is going to take it,” he argues when Sirius runs back to his side with a menacing squint until he notices their guest.

“Oh, hello.”

Nathan’s eyes widen on Sirius, blushing harder like he is going to explode. “Bonjour ! Hum– Hello!!”

Regulus snorts at his volume and French accent and quickly turns to his brother who looks curiously at Nathan. Sirius glances with an accusing look.

“Are you torturing him?”

“How would I do that?”

“You didn’t tell him that we speak French!”

“Do we?”

Sirius elbows him with an exasperated hiss before offering his hand with a smile to Nathan, whose eyes widen like saucers. “Hi, sorry we actually speak French but my little brother here is an arse. I’m Sirius.”

“Oh, oh, it’s fine,” he gasps out and shakes his hand, completely ignoring Regulus now that his eyes landed on Sirius, “I’m Nathan.”

“This little prick if you haven’t noticed is Regulus.”

Nathan laughs far too loudly at his joke and Regulus has the thought to just glare for that. Of course their neighbour’s possible son is already under Sirius’ charm. In fact, he hasn’t let go of his hand and Sirius tilts his head at it with a grin.

“I see what you meant by ‘bent’,” Alphard whispers in Regulus’ ear who can’t help but let out a genuine laugh at that.

His uncle grins at him proudly before the goose in his arm honks and startles all of them. Nathan shakes himself off, letting go of Sirius’ hand like it burnt.

“Oh they look so much like you Alphard,” Hélène exclaims with a happy gasp. “They could be your sons. Hum, how do you say ‘welcome’?”

“Thank you, that’s nice of you,” Regulus answers in French, only to mess with Nathan, and she seems thrilled that he does.

“They learnt it since they were children,” Alphard comments. “Reggie, take Barnabé and don’t let go of him while I bring the rest inside. One of his eyes is blind so be careful he doesn’t always know where he goes. Also he is heavier than he looks.”

“What?!”

The goose is pushed into his arm just as Sirius laughs. Barnabé stays still but looms over Regulus with clumsy movements.

“Sirius, take the cake from Hélène please.”

“It’s to welcome you here!” She smiles and hands him a plate with a tall cake. “It’s a Kugelhupf, one of our famous desserts here!”

“Oh, thank you.”

“Alphard you all need to eat dinner at our house once, I would love to cook all for you,” she excitedly offers before smiling at Nathan. “And you seem to be the same age so you might show them where to have fun here!”

Nathan laughs nervously and barely looks at Sirius before glancing at the ground.

Barnabé starts honking in his arms and Regulus grimaces at it, unsure on how to hold it since it’s trying to jump, and they quickly say their goodbyes to their neighbours. Alphard tells him to put the goose outside, by the kitchen’s door.

“But be careful of the chickens!!”

Regulus hesitates at his fussy tone but manages to step outside. There are a myriad of chickens walking around in the garden, clucking and picking at the grass, and they don’t appear mean or threatening. He quickly puts down Barnabé who starts flapping his wings and he jumps back when the goose seems ready to rush at him but he only tries to climb on his shoes.

“Are you scared Reggie?” Sirius guffaws from the kitchen’s window.

“I would like to see you here,” he seethes.

Alphard appears beside Sirius and nods gravely. “Barnabé has some abandonment issues, that’s why he tries to go to Hélène’s garden when I leave. Just push him and come back inside before the chickens attack you Reggie.”

“The chickens?”

“Dreadful creatures. I would rather have dragons,” he mutters and walks away leaving Sirius and Regulus baffled.

“Alright, he is mad too.”

Their uncle prepared them each a bedroom. They are similar, facing each other, with a large bed and the space for their clothes and to work. In his living-room there is an antique piano that Regulus can play if he wants, Alphard says as he remembers that he had classes. His house is warmer than Grimmauld Place ever was, colourful and soft, with the stairs in front of the large living room with two couches and one voluminous seat. He uses magic to start the fireplace but other than that everything appears to be Muggle.

Alphard mentions that once they have the Ministry’s confirmation, he will bring them out to shop a bit. Though he assures them that they are free to rest and do whatever they want. He seems quite happy that they are here and whilst he is tactile, he starts to ask Regulus before touching his shoulder or even hugging him when he decides to go to sleep. Sirius follows him too, probably more tired because of the Hanahaki and he even coughed several times. He quickly said that he only had a cold and Alphard prepared a grog for them both.

Regulus sleeps like a baby the first day and in the morning Alphard is already up and ready for the day, grumbling about cursed chickens. He prepares a coffee for him, mentioning that Sirius told him that Regulus prefers tea except for the morning. There is a lot of familiarity, as if their uncle never forgot about them even if the last time Regulus saw him he had been at best 6 years old. He asks him about what he does here and all the animals in his backyard. Compared to the chickens, Barnabé and his wife - Maria, who is very shy of strangers and is more dependent than Barnabé who sometimes cries when he can’t find her - are simply for pleasure. Though apparently they are good guard dogs too, Alphard mutters that chickens could eat someone if they want to and he advises Regulus to only go outside with him to be sure nothing happens to him.

He is pretty sure he is exaggerating but he indulges in his words and asks to show him what he does to keep himself busy. They had the time to feed the chickens and gather some of their eggs, all the while Barnabé sticks to Regulus’ side like some kind of lost puppy. Alphard mentions that he is considering getting a cow to have milk because he likes to work with his hands and get dirty to have food in his plate - the opposite of the Black family - and points out a chicken he plans to kill and prepare for them this week because it has a nasty infection starting in his eye so it’s apparently better to kill it now before it gets to another one or worse.

An owl swoops by with a letter just when they come back inside to find Sirius in the kitchen eating the breakfast Alphard prepared for him with Hélène’s klougof, toasts and drinks. Alphard takes it and casts various spells before handing it to Sirius.

Apparently, Potter took Regulus’ advice and wrote a letter to Sirius. He doesn’t know if it’s good since Sirius runs to his room to read it. It’s a bit hard to not feel left out but Regulus is aware that he should leave his brother some space. Thankfully Alphard offers him distractions without asking more questions. He offers to teach him cooking, how they will make homemade pasta today with some of the tomato sauce he made over the summer.

They talk easier than Regulus ever expected. Alphard is closer to Sirius personality-wise and like his brother planned to, he cut ties with their family by disagreeing with them. The more they chat though, the more comforting it starts to be and Regulus feels like Alphard understands him as much. He talks about his own childhood and how at first he never did much but obeyed before he learnt better.

“It’s going to be ready soon,” Alphard says. “Go fetch Sirius, please, in case he fell asleep.”

Sirius is in fact more awake than ever. Regulus freezes a bit at the look on his face, wide eyes empty of any clear emotions as he sits with his knees against his chest on his bed. He hasn’t brushed his hair so the letter sitting beside him must have taken all his attention.

“Sirius?” He needs to step closer to catch his brother’s attention who quickly clears his throat and rubs his eyes. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” he croaks out.

Regulus glances at the letter and hopes that Alphard can wait a bit more. He sits in front of Sirius who finally looks at him even if it’s with red-rimmed eyes.

“What did he write?”

He sighs out and settles his face against the top of his knees. “James said that… They all want to talk to me. About what happened and– that he is sorry that he didn’t try to talk to me before.”

“All?”

Sirius nods, face still hidden, and his throat sounds full and sticky. “James, Peter and-and Remus.”

Talking about Lupin would only torture his brother so Regulus crosses his knees. “Didn’t you avoid Potter at Hogwarts too?”

“For good reasons.”

He purses his lips. Sirius has hidden the possible meeting with Lupin and how Emmeline found him choking in a corridor and Regulus wishes he had shared about it. It’s not out of retaliation that he won’t speak about how many times Potter pestered him but on the off-chance that Potter believes Regulus has the Hanahaki, it will probably be more useful that it stays unsaid rather than shared. Sirius is already tortured over what happened with his friends and Regulus adding that he is bothered by one of them indirectly will only add more guilt.

“Does that mean you will talk to him now?”

Sirius chuckles without real pleasure and looks up with a tearful smile. “You know… James is actually worried about where I am, where we are, because I was supposed to go to his place.”

Regulus frowns. “He is mad at you for that?”

He shakes his head. “No. He said that he should have reached out to me because I will always be welcomed at their place, even his parents are asking about me…”

His next words feel dreadful and tighten around his throat. “Do you want to go there?”

Sirius looks at him with vulnerable eyes, wetting his lips before shaking his head. “No,” he articulates as he starts to tremble.

Regulus scooches over immediately, reaching out to hug his brother even if he stays tensed in his initial position. He rubs a hand over his back and tries to not appear as relieved as he is. It’s a nasty satisfaction that Sirius still stays at his side even if another place is open to him.

“I don’t know what happened with your friends, Sirius,” he carefully says. “But I doubt that they are all innocent. They never tried to bring you back to the dorm and… You look sick.”

“I’m not going to talk with them,” he roughly replies.

“Really?”

Sirius coughs, immediately pushing him off to lean to the opposite side as he empties himself in a bed next to his bed. Regulus clutches his free hand and tries to not let his eyes linger on the opened letter; it looks quite long.

“What I did is unforgivable,” he articulates with a rough sob. “I can’t– I can’t go back like I never did that. I can’t believe that I did it and even if they are open to talk now then what will I say? I didn’t mean to? It wasn’t me? I can’t lie to them!”

Regulus observes him but Sirius avoids his eyes, rubbing his sobbing eyes, as he tucks himself against him. He needs to hold himself to not fall as he squeezes his brother. The door creaks just so lightly and he notices Alphard peeking before closing the door to leave them alone.

“Sirius… I really doubt that wha-”

“I almost killed SnIvellus.”

He freezes before quickling restarting to rub Sirius’ back. “What do you mean?”

“I– We have a way.” He clears his throat and digs his face against Regulus’ shoulder. “We have a secret passage to go to the Shrieking Shack but we have to go through the Whomping Willow.”

The Shrieking Shack is the birthplace of many legends around Hogsmeade and even people at Hogwarts are scared of some vengeful ghost screaming from there. Regulus has no idea how to go through the Whomping Willow and has seen it managing to knock down the fastest flyers.

“Is that why Snivellus is spying on you all?”

Sirius shrugs. “He is always lurking…”

“Did you… try to trick him into approaching the Whomping Willow so he can be squished?”

His brother stays still with his eyes on the bed’s sheet. Regulus could almost think that he is dead until finally he breathes out.

“I didn’t think he would believe me. I thought that I could tell him how we got to the tunnel but he would never trust me– that he would do something else out of frustration or that he might attack me and I could hit him with a well-deserved curse.”

Regulus frowns. “But Snape did as you said?” Sirius nods against him. “So he discovered the secret passage and that’s why Potter and all were mad?”

“That’s a part of it,” he whispers. “But I never thought that Snivellus would believe me.”

The Marauders must be hiding something in the Shrieking Shack. Regulus really wants to figure it out but Sirius has asked him to not overthink it– maybe they all go there to shift as animagi and Snape found them transforming. He could easily send them to Azkaban.

“You… wanted to trick Snape by telling him the truth about the Whomping Willow?”

“I don’t bloody know what I was thinking,” he snaps with a sob. “If that wasn’t clear already.”

Regulus can’t help but remember their parents. That time when Sirius asked their father if he could get more paint, he was barely six and still a child scared to disobey who worked on their classes without much complaint. Regulus has been practising the piano and his father asked him to pause so he can answer.

“Do you remember,” Regulus wet his lips. “Do you remember the cupboard in the corridor?”

Sirius looks at him. “What cupboard?”

“At Grimmauld Place,” he says. “You asked for paint one time– and Father told you that you can get more from the cupboard beside the stairs.”

“I don’t… I don’t remember that.”

Regulus can still see it clear as if it happens in front of him right now. “I was surprised because Father immediately told you: ‘Yes. You can find some in the cupboard.’ I never saw the inside of it and they have never let us draw much… You were shocked that he replied to you because they always complained about your painting as a useless skill.”

“What? Reggie, I don’t get it.”

“Just– just listen to me,” he insists and his voice quivers. “You didn’t move and then Father rose from his seat. I thought he would beat you but he only led you in front of the cupboard. ‘Go on, Sirius, open it’ he said but you looked terrified of it.”

“I stared at it for hours,” he articulates with a shaky frown.

“You were.”

The same happened to Regulus who had made the mistake to ask for a small candy, after a rough session of piano with his tutor, to his mother. She had smiled like a predator and accepted like it happened every day, saying that there are some in the cupboard. Regulus has also stared at the cupboard’s door, afraid to trust but torn by desire.

“Why are you reminding me that then?”

“I think… that’s what you did with Snape,” Regulus admits. “You told him the truth, what he wanted, but knew he wouldn’t trust you so he would be t-”

“I’m exactly like them.”

“What? Sirius, no-”

“Regulus. Leave me alone,” Sirius warns, white as a sheet, and heaving loudly. Regulus tries to reach out but his hand is slapped away. He tries to talk but Sirius furiously shakes his head and gasps, screams at him to get out. Sirius stays in his room the whole day after he manages to kick Regulus out of his room. Alphard prepares a plate for Sirius, leaving it in front of his door without a question though he asks Regulus if there is something he can’t do or not. Regulus himself isn’t sure and forces himself to eat a bit when Alphard insists.

He feels like he has to Sirius but his brother doesn’t open his door or reply to him. Sirius only comes out for dinner but changes the subject whenever Regulus tries to apologise. To him, it all makes sense what he tried to do with Snape and if he hadn’t told Regulus that Snape believed him then he would have never thought so. Snape must have been desperate or particularly stupid to believe Sirius or perhaps he planned to be hurt for Sirius to be punished. Potter and the rest of his friends probably never expected Sirius to do something as dangerous as that, risking someone’s life and their secret. Regulus isn’t sure what to think but if Snivellus had died– then it would have been a blessing. He has seen enough in the Slytherin dormitory.

Sirius wishes them goodnight and goes back to his room after showering. Regulus doesn’t feel up for much and turns to bed early too.

“Regulus.”

His fingers freeze over the piano’s keys. “Yes, Mother?”

“You have not finished the garden,” she seethes. “Finish what you started. Now.”

Regulus swallows and stands up. “Yes Mother.”

His feet are heavy, fighting against his will, but they bring him to the garden of Grimmauld Place. The air is smothering and bites at his eyes like poison. He spots a slightly big black cat with a thick tail and digging furiously at a patch of dirt before hissing furiously when they come close. It has disturbed a group of wolfsbane and moonflowers, completely turned over the dirt.

“Bloody cat!” His mother hisses. The cat spits back but jumps away at her hex before climbing up the tree and disappears in it. “Damn these parasites,” she growls before turning to Regulus. “Well, Regulus? Finish what you started.”

“Yes Mother,” he says with an empty breath as he tries to not cry.

Sirius’ dead face looks up at him, buried in the recently dug up dirt. Regulus falls to his knees, bare hands pushing back the soil over his brother’s dead eyes staring right at him. His mouth is painfully opened with flowers bursting out from all his orifices. One wolfsbane is slowly digging its way in the corner of his eyes. Regulus trembles but his mother leans over him as he diligently covers his dead brother.

“That’s the flowers you picked Regulus,” she spits. “It’s your choice. They are hideous. But you wanted it. Thanks to you at least we have good manure– our family’s disgrace will have a use at last.”

The bed is drenched in sweat and Regulus tumbles from it as he screams for Sirius, he manages to stumble out of his room to charge into his brother’s room.

“Reggie?” Sirius croaks out before gasping at the sudden weight crashing him down. “Wha-”

“I’m sorry! Please, please– don’t leave me,” he cries out.

Sirius holds him to sleep. They repeat this over the next nights without a question or a comment and Regulus’ bed is left cold. If Alphard notices it, he doesn’t say.

Their uncle hasn’t mentioned anything about their coughing either but he always prepares them some tea with honey and lemon. Their new home, which surprises Regulus himself that he thinks of it that way, is great. Once they receive the Ministry’s response, Alphard brings them both to Paris for a day. It’s a great day that ends with Regulus getting to pick a familiar for himself, to which Sirius whines but Alphard tells him to be patient.

Regulus has always wanted a familiar but their parents only have an owl because it’s useful and neither Sirius nor him ever got the chance to have one. The cat that Regulus had found when he was younger had been killed so he never tried to get one ever again. Sirius never really mentioned if he really wants one, albeit he looks a little jealous when Regulus gets to pick a ferret for himself.

Alphard doesn’t mention the reason for this sudden gift until they are back home and they find Nathan in their uncle’s garage, the part added to the house, with a motorbike. Which Sirius immediately recognizes as a 1959 Triumph Bonneville T120, which Regulus has no idea how he can since it looks dirty and absolutely not working. Though Sirius has mentioned to him that he wants a motorbike once he gets out of Hogwarts, planning to make it fly as one crazy experiment, and Regulus has no idea Alphard even knew about it.

Their uncle explains that since Sirius’ birthday is coming up, he decided to give him his gift in advance - but that he missed enough of Regulus’ birthdays to offer one in advance. Nathan is an apprentice mechanic, and unable to not ogle or blush next to Sirius, so he is here to help him to repair the motorbike. Sirius appears completely ecstatic at the prospect of learning about mechanics and how to take care of his motorbike and drags Nathan to their home everyday to work on it. Regulus enjoys watching just because the to-be mechanic doesn’t seem to stop embarrassing himself around Sirius and almost knocks himself unconscious because Sirius has no tact and is too focused on his bike to notice that cleaning with his shirt is almost a free show for their neighbour. Alphard joins the watching with Regulus several times.

They eat once at Hélène, with her husband Yves, and Nathan who tries to act natural but his eyes always drift toward Sirius. Regulus manages to spook him several times when their gazes meet. On another day, Alphard brings them to a small forest not far from there that grew on a small mountain to gather chestnuts that he plans to cook with cabbage and a chicken. Sirius starts throwing chestnuts at Regulus first, who reiterates in the exact same way before they are rolling in the colourful leaves. They get back home in one piece and help Alphard cook.

It feels like they are at home.

“Reggie!” Sirius bursts out in his bedroom, mid-afternoon. “There is a storm!”

He sits up on the bed, hesitating for a second before closing his book. “You mean–”

“Did you cast the spell?” He whispers with an excited look. “At dawn and dusk?”

“Yes, every time without a fail.”

“Then the time is here!” Sirius cheers and throws him a jacket. “We’re taking my bike, his first ride!”

“What? Why not here?” He asks, keeping his voice down. “Alphard is busy in the backyard so he won’t see.”

“What if you are a gigantic thing? We don’t want to break the house. It’s better outside, trust me,” he promises as he grabs some clothes to put them in a bag. “Come on, let’s go!”

Regulus follows him downstairs after taking his potion pouch, putting on a jacket and his shoes the fastest he can, just as Sirius shouts that they are going to try his bike. Alphard doesn’t have the time to say anything before they are out. He puts on the second helmet that Sirius spent a day decorating and climbs cautiously behind him before holding on to his brother’s waist as instructed.

The rain wipes in their faces and the thunder growls around them but Sirius only laughs, speeding up through the paved road as they head toward the forest where they gathered chestnuts. He even goes off road and Regulus grimaces at all the bumps. All the trees shake with the wind and they are hit by more leaves than necessary. Sirius is still thrumming with excitement and Regulus finds himself smiling to him despite the cold and the bad weather.

“You need to undress.”

“What?!”

Sirius gestures at him. “Shifting the first time will vanish your clothes, trust me. But if you want I brought a spare. You never know what will happen to them.”

“We’re in the middle of a forest!” He shouts back.

“Exactly! And no one will go on a walk with that weather! Come on, I saw you naked, before it’s not a problem.”

“No way!”

Sirius rolls his eyes before sputtering when his hair hits his face with the wind. “Fine. Lose your clothes then!”

Regulus glares at him before storming behind a rock. “If it’s a joke Sirius I swear-”

“I lost my uniform like that!”

He sighs out and quickly undresses even if the cold bites him in the ass. The potion is a striking blood-red. His eyes look up at the sky with the small question on why he even ended up in this position.

“Sirius?” He shouts.

“Yeah? You alright?”

“I’m fine.” He breathes out despite a furious chill.

“Do you want to go back home?” Sirius asks.

“No,” he says. “I’m going to drink it.”

“I’m right here Reggie, it will be alright!”

“I know.”

It’s not painful, almost as easy as blinking, but he is lost for a moment. He cautiously walks out of the rock, sniffing the air before startling with his fur raised at the steps closing on him. Regulus needs to look up, far more than he is used to, to spot Sirius with a wide grin on his face.

“Reggie?”

He glances down at his black paws before hissing at a sudden lightning strike that sounds too close to be alright.

“I’m not even surprised that you’re a cat,” he chuckles and crouches with his hand reaching out. “Though you seem bigger than the normal cats.”

Regulus can only meow out and sniffs his hand before Sirius swipes him in his arms with a loud hiss of protest. His brother only cackles and scratches his neck– which oh is the right spot.

“Oh wow, purring sounds actually nice,” Sirius says with a small coo in his voice and avoids Regulus’ attempt at scratching his face. “Hey! Be nice or I'll leave you here… You need a name and Twatass doesn’t sound good when you look this cute,” he muses. “I read that cats have a pouch of fat, I thought it was because they are lazy. But some people call it a love’s pouch because if you take care of your cat and it’s healthy and happy, then the bigger will be the pouch filled with love.”

Regulus meows and tries to grimace at how stupid that sounds just as Sirius raises him with his hands to be face to face. His brother frowns at him playfully.

“But you, Reggie, you are full of mean thoughts.You almost blinded one of my eyes with a chestnut right here,” he coos. “So your name will be Meanpouch-”

Regulus manages to swat a big scratch over Sirius’ annoying face.

They only have one day left before their trip back to Hogwarts. He wants to shift, finally believing him when Sirius told him it can be like a stubborn scratch once you do it the first time, but he doesn’t want Alphard to know; not yet at least. For now it will stay a secret for him and Sirius.

His brother and Potter have written to each other almost every day after their second night here and Regulus isn’t sure of what it means but Sirius’ mood is overall better. That’s why he is standing in front of the running fire with the letter that just arrived, ready to throw it in there. This wasn’t from Potter, the owl had been different and the writing is unfamiliar. Regulus has seen enough of the letters to be certain that it’s not Potter.

Maybe he opened it. Only to check the name at the end. It might be Remus Lupin who wrote the letter. He is tempted to read all of it, just to figure out what kind of curse he will throw first at his face.

“Reggie?” He startles, clutching the letter in hand before turning to face Alphard. “What are you doing?”

“Nothing.”

His uncle squints at the letter before observing him. “Is that letter for Sirius?”

Regulus swallows. “Yes.”

“And you opened it?”

“I– I only wanted to check who it was.”

“Is it the boy that caused the Hanahaki?”

Regulus’ eyes widen and let out a weird croak. “What?”

“Sirius told me,” his uncle confirms and walks up to his side. “When you had your nightmares and slept with him. I came to check and Sirius told me what was going on.”

“Really?” He gasps out. “But– he didn’t tell me.”

“Probably didn’t want to worry you. You two are the same like that,” he points out with a fond smile. “I also noticed your regular coughing. Did you think I didn’t care if you two were sick or not?”

Regulus shakes his head. “I just thought that you were giving us space,” he admits, still in shock. “What else did he tell you?”

“The bond that you two have, which means you also have the Hanahaki. That’s a smart way to slow it down but it won’t save Sirius…”

“Do you know of a way?”

Alphard stares at the fire with a small shake of his head. “I have tried to look for one since Sirius told me this– sad mess. So far nothing though.”

“Oh…”

“But you can’t hide Sirius’ letter from this boy,” he says. “Your brother won’t like it.”

“What if he rejects him again? This will– It will kill Sirius,” he argues. “I would rather have him live mad at me than dead!”

Alphard softly pulls him against his side, hugging just the lightest possible to leave Regulus a way out if needed. “Let me check on that then. I know a spell.”

Regulus hesitates and glances at the cursed letter in hand. Sirius will soon be back home from his short drive with Nathan at some shop for his motorbike. He briskly hands it over before storming upstairs.

When Sirius comes back home, Regulus can hear from his room that Alphard casted the same spells as last time to check on the letter but it has already been a bit teared up probably from the owl’s claws. He isn’t sure if his brother buys it but he climbs up without a complaint. Regulus’ door is open and they see each other but Sirius quickly looks down and slips in his room with the letter in hand.

Regulus purses his lips before sighing and turns back to the writing of his own letter. The one option he really didn’t want to see happen but he supposes this time there is no choice. Even if it means dealing with James Potter regularly. If Sirius and the Marauders are back together– then Regulus, or Meanpouch, will be right there too.

#hp marauders #marauders #regulus black #sirius black #jegulus #starchaser #sunseeker #wolfstar #remus lupin #marauders headcanon #peter pettigrew #james potter #lily evans #mary mcdonald #marylily #dorcas meadowes #marlene mckinnon #dorlene #pandora rosier #evan rosier #barty crouch junior #barty crouch jr #rosekiller #rosekillers #emmeline vance #Hanahaki #star brothers #writing #angst with a happy ending #myriadparacosm

[lorrainmorgan]

I. THE BASICS

Name: Lorrain Morgana

Nickname: Lorra - Meva Lorra ( just Ominis can call her that, means Mine. My Lorra ) 

Gender: Female

Birth Date: October 31st

Species: Human

Blood Status: Mudblood-Pureblood

Eyes: Green

Hair: Red-Strawberry blonde

II. MAGIC

Wand: Jörmundgander’s Fang 14 1/2 inches, Hard

For a brief period, she relied on a borrowed wand to harness her magical abilities. But soon enough, she realized she could control magic without the aid of a wand and began practicing without it. It was not an easy task, as her articulations, particularly her fingers, were rigid and uncooperative if not guided by a wand's precise movements. She does not posses the ability to see or use ancient magic. Her powers come from the medieval times.

Animagus: Maine Coon cat

Patronus: Eel 

Patronus Memory: 1. Summer vacation with her Aunt in Paris. 

Bogart: Her aunt contorted in pain due to her curse. 

Ridikulus: - ( can’t do it yet :( ) 

III. Amortentia (What Lorra smells like):

Lavender, Cinammon with honey and oak wood. 

(What Lorra smells) 

Fresh Icy Mint, old books and rain (Ominis' smell)

IV. PERSONALITY

Intelligent - Lorrain was a quick-witted and ambitious student, proudly representing her house of Slytherin. With an almost photographic memory, she could easily recall every fact and detail from her studies, but there was a gap in her mind where memories of her childhood should be. Perhaps it was due to her intense focus on the present and future, always striving for success. Among her favorite classes were potions and divination. 

Go with the flow - She is reminiscent of a capybara, her warm smile always present and her social nature drawing others in. She has an uncanny ability to adjust her energy to match those around her, making everyone feel comfortable and at ease. A good listener, she will always offer sincere and honest advice, telling you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear. Her sincerity shines through in every interaction, making her a trusted confidant. 

Social Anxiety  - Despite her natural social demeanor, she occasionally experiences bouts of “unexplained” anxiety. When they do occur, she has discovered that immersing herself in water helps to calm her. The gentle touch against her body and the feeling of being embraced by the element bring a sense of tranquility and clarity to her mind.

Bullies - Despite being a Slytherin, she cannot stand to see others being hurt or mocked by those with cruel intentions. For instance, when "Puffskein Dunkein" was laughed at, she may have joined in on the joke, but if she were to witness him being incessantly teased, pushed, and ridiculed with malice, she would not hesitate to take action. She. will. slap. you. 

Mind focus - With fierce determination, Lorrain throws herself into any task or goal she sets her mind to. She pours all of her energy and focus into making sure that her objectives are not only accomplished, but done so with integrity and without causing harm to others. Her unwavering commitment and strong moral compass guide her towards success. 

Love language - Lorrain is a master of all five love languages, adapting to the people she's with. If she knows you appreciate a home-cooked meal when you're feeling down, she'll whip one up to lift your spirits. If she senses that Ominis has had a rough day, her love pours out in all five languages simultaneously, determined to make her man feel loved and cherished. She doesn't have a favorite among the five, cherishing each one as it is demonstrated to her by others. To Lorrain, love is not just words or actions, but an intricate dance of understanding and connection between two souls.

Self consciousness: She exudes confidence as she playfully flirts with Ominis in public. She knows her worth, both in terms of relationships and friendships. Despite this, she also possesses a strong sense of self-control and can contain herself when faced with rudeness. She is capable of counting to five Mississippis in order to maintain composure, but if the person persists she will not hesitate to retaliate with clever remarks that leave them silenced. Her words are her weapon, and she wields them with precision and grace, never resorting to rudeness herself… and if they continue: Slap. 

Hair:  Whenever she is learning something new, or challenging, she’ll braid her hair. So if you think she’s up to something, check for braids!. 

V. HOGWARTS INFORMATION

Class Proficiency:

Astronomy: ★★★★★

Charms: ★★★☆☆

DADA: ★★★★★

Divination: ★★★★★

Flying: ★★★★★★★★

Herbology: ☆☆☆☆☆

History of Magic: ★★☆☆☆

Magical Theory: ★★★★☆

Potions: ★★★★★★★★★★

Transfiguration: ★★★★☆

Favorite Teacher: Matilda Weasley & Professor Sharp. 

Least Favorite Teacher: Professor Cuthbert Binns. Enough said.

Quidditch position: beater 

👉 if you made it this far... Thank you 🫰 and have a cookie 🍪

#hogwarts legacy #slytherin #hogwarts legacy fanart #ominis gaunt #ominis gaunt fanart #hogwarts legacy mc #hogwarts legacy fanfiction #lorrain morgana #garreth weasley

[remuslupingf]

Warm Sweaters

Remus Lupin x Reader

Fluff/Comfort

Word Count: 1k

Part II   Part III

You liked to spend your days in the library. Which had nothing to do with a certain Gryffindor...obviously. The leaves had started to change and the weather was getting colder. Y/N found comfort in the huge library. You could hide away for hours. Except that he was always able to find you.

Remus was always in the library. He would go there before meals, after meals, to get some alone time away from the boys, and to see her.

Her name is Y/N and she’s in most of his classes. He was always too shy to talk to her. Like she'd ever notice him, she’s so angelic, he thought to himself. Smiling to himself. Remus was wearing his favourite sweater. He was so excited for autumn. His friends made fun of him for it, comparing him to a grandpa. He didn't mind.

You had always liked his sweaters, thinking he looked sweet and cozy in them. One night you had fallen asleep in the common room and he had placed his warm hoodie on you so you wouldn't freeze. You had woken up confused but surprised. Blushing all day long because he had thought enough about you to keep you warm . 

You walked into the great hall after spending the morning in the library. With your stomach growling, you sat down with your group of friends. James was the first to notice you.

“Hi Y/N, how was your morning?” He asked while smiling at you from across the table.

“It was good, James. I was studying for our potions test on Friday,” you remind him.

Collective groans sound from around the table, all of them having forgotten about the upcoming test.

“You're a lifesaver Y/N”, Sirius said while ruffling your hair, causing everyone else to laugh. Except Remus. He smiled, but there was no real happiness in it. 

Everyone looks up when they hear an owl. That was strange, you thought. It looks just like your owl. Sure enough, it was your owl and he lands right in front of you. You recognize your fathers slanted script and immediately you freeze up. 

Your relationship with your father is extremely complicated. Your friends know that it’s hard at home but they don’t know the extent to it. You slowly untie the letter and your owl flies off.

“You alright love?,” Lily nudges you while giving you an encouraging smile.

“Um, yeah. Y’know what? I left my book in my room. I'm going to go get that before our next class,” you lied before scurrying off.

The group of friends look at each other and frown, sad for their friend. Remus gets up and immediately follows you, abandoning his already cold soup.

He made his way to the common room and up the stairs to your dorm.

You heard a faint knock on your door. You stood up, hiding the letter behind your back and wiping away your tears.

“Come in,” you squeak.

Remus opens the door to your dorm, never having seen it before. He admires your side of the room. He can tell it's yours because there's stacks of books and school work. 

“Hi, I just came to see if you were okay.” he says while walking closer to you, after shutting the door. 

You feel grateful to have such a good... friend. It’s silly to realize now but all you will ever be with Remus is friends. You tell yourself you can think about that later, not right now when he can see every emotion on your face, with how well he is at reading you. 

“Thanks rem, just a letter from my dad. He’s coming to the school this week to ‘make sure i’m doing my family proud’. He said he’s going to shadow me all day on Friday and I'm really nervous about it, especially since our potions test is coming up,” you confess.

All of your friends knew that your family was strict. In the first year you had been sorted into Gryffindor, while your sister was sorted into Ravenclaw. Like she was supposed to. You were disappointed because you weren't smart enough. Your family for generations, had been in Ravenclaw. You were a ‘bad’ daughter for being different.

“It's gonna be okay Y/N/N! We’re all going to be here for you. It’s only for a day, and I know you’ll be strong enough to make it through,” Remus said while smiling down at you.

“I think i’m just going to skip today, will you tell the others i’m sick or something?” You ask him nicely. 

“Of course. You know I'll always be here Y/N.” He says, while exiting the room. Remus went to the dining hall, explained to his friends that you and he were going to take the day off. They all smiled at him and thanked him for looking out for you. He rushed to the kitchens to grab your favourite dessert, and rushed back to your dorm.

“Rem? what are you doing back here?” you say, sitting up and rubbing your eyes. You were just about to fall asleep.

“Oh nothing, just spending the day with you. Here,” he says while handing you his sweater he had previously been wearing. You grab it and put it on, both of you not making eye contact and blushing. 

“Uh, thanks Rem, but you don’t need to do this.” You say sadly. 

“Of course I do silly. Now shush and eat up.”

He grabs a random book off of your shelf and sits at the end of your bed. He waits for you to be all cuddled up before he starts the book. He admired that the book is worn in and loved. He admires you for that. 

“Goodnight Y/N/N.” He whispers once you'd fallen asleep. He stays a few minutes longer, watching you sleep and smiling to himself. He feels he’s connected to you and that you two share something. He has to rush back to class before he is too late, he’s a prefect after all. It was worth it, to see you drift off.

#Remus Lupin #remus being remus #remus x y/n #remus x you #remus x reader #atyd remus #atyd fandom #atyd marauders #poly!marauders #remus fluff #hogwarts

[hikari3601]

Amidst The Snow (Part III)

Home page

Part One | Part Two | Part Three

Pairing | Albedo x Fem!Reader

Authors Note | Not to imply that I have favourite or anything, but this is my favourite part. After the long wait, it has finally arrive. PLEASE LIKE, REBLOG AND SHARE!

Warnings | This is a continuation therefore, I suggest you read the other parts to completely understanding. Explicit descriptions of blood, poisoning, wounds. Brief mentions of infections, delirium and hypothermia.MAJOR CHARACTER DEATH (reader) If the other 2 parts didn’t clarify: THIS GETS DEPRESSING!

Note | Reader is a hydro wielding, polearm user from the Knights of Favonius (it’s for plot purposes) and this was written before the release of Ver 2.3 ‘Shadows Amidst Snowstorms’ and was purely based on what was shown in the trailer -so it’s not entirely canon.

Synopsis | An innocent trip to Dragonspine took a turn for the worse.

Flaming Essential oil; Frostshield potion; Stabilised whopperflower sap; Dried flaming flower head and pyro slime secretions.

There was nothing I had missed, every option, every conclusion and every single concoction I could think of —all twenty-four varied mixtures, of which, only eight would have no side effects after digestion.

I reread the list again, in hopes that I had overlooked something, anything, but I had done it all. Surely there was something I was missing, some factor I hadn’t taken into account; there had to be, why else wouldn’t you have woken up by now?

For a moment I glanced outside, wishing that we could be anywhere else than in such an unforgiving environment.

The storm outside craved blood, slicing through any flicker of warmth -I could only hope that the others had succeeded in defeating that whopperflower and had made it to a shelter in time.

I turned my focus back to you, staring at your dimmed complexion and lax features, again trying to think of another solution for your lack of response.

The cryo had already melted; your hypothermia had eased away -even the blood around your wounds had been cleaned and the wound itself stabilised.

What else was there?

An infection? It was likely, but I had already taken that into account.

Blood loss? That was a given I had already dealt with; but if something had entered your blood like some sort of poison or virus, that would be a completely different story.

I thought back to my encounter with the whopperflower, racking my mind for some sort of solution, and then it hit me.

Blood, but not your own.

The cryo shards that penetrated your flesh had most likely been imbued with Durin’s blood, that was the only possibility I had overlooked, but if that were the case, Archons—

As if in a trance, my limbs moved to your side, raising the fabric around your injuries with an unfamiliar anxiousness.

I felt everything around me slow down to a complete standstill when I saw the inky veinlike markings that seemed to crawl throughout your body, sapping the life away from you whilst feeding into your delusions.

I looked to you again, to find any traces of discomfort or pain -but there were none and I found myself pondering over your innermost desires.

I had studied this concept a few years ago, how some minds race towards any other train of thought rather than focusing on the stressful circumstances overwhelming them in an attempt to defend themselves.

I was doing that, wasn’t I?

Going about every other topic rather than the one at hand because I didn’t want to acknowledge what was already an incontestable fact.

I’ve never dreamed before, but maybe this was what people call ‘nightmares,’ going off of your description of those horrid thoughts, so maybe I’d wake up soon.

I took your hand in mine and closed my eyes, hoping that when I open them again, you would still be beside me —just not like this.

XxxX

Walking into the chaotically organised lab, I set the two mugs of steaming coffee down on a vacant table beside the door and strolled over to the alchemist.

“Wakie-wakie Bedo.” I called, “Time to get ready for work.”

With his head laying on his crossed arms like a pillow, he reminded me of a cat with that messy hair of his.

“Honestly,” I muttered, “How do you not have any back problems?”

“—I do…” He yawned, sitting up from his seat and stretching his back, at the movement I could’ve sworn I heard several bones crack into place.

The recollection of the way he had to stretch his spasming muscles whenever he used his vision vividly flashed in my mind for a moment. “Could have fooled me.”

“You’re not a cat, you know. You can’t just sleep anywhere, especially in your lab, it’s dangerous with all these unstable chemicals and it strains your body.” It was difficult to stop the words from tumbling out of my mouth, nagging him about things I knew he was already aware of and yet I couldn’t help the urge to ensure his comfort and health.

“You would know, wouldn’t you?” He teased, a smile pulling at his mouth at my reprimanding tone.

“Yes, I would.” My agreement was passionate, overly passionate until I realised that he was being sarcastic.

“Oh shush you. It’s far too early for this.” I moved to grab his mug, “Here.”

The aromatic whiff of ground coffee beans seemed to instantly rejuvenate the alchemist. He turned to me with a gaze of appreciation and smiled again, “Thanks, your brew?”

“Only the best.” I grinned, taking a sip of my own as well, and basking in its flavour.

“So when did you get back?” He questioned, referring to my most recent trip to Sumeru. I thought about his query, knowing that I had returned late at night, but vaguely unsure of the time.

“Around past three this morning, I saw your light still on while I was dropping off some documents in the library and figured you were still busy in here.”

“Hmm. How was your trip?”

“Long, but I’ll tell you all about it after the meeting.”

The air in the room stilled.

“Meeting?” He echoed.

“How’d I know you’d forget?” A smile spread itself onto my face and a laugh spilt from my lips. “All department heads are scheduled to meet every Monday morning at exactly eight-thirty in Jean’s office.”

“It’s Monday.” He bluntly stated and turned in his seat to look at the clock.

“We’ve got 15 minutes left before it starts.” Albedo concluded, slumping in his seat —probably at the realisation that he slept in.

“I’m aware,” I chuckled, “We just need to fix that desk hair of yours before we go. It’s all squished to the one side.”

XxxX

“Bedo?”

He felt his body react before his mind could even realise that you had woken up. You called to him again, shifting slightly to see his face and when you caught his eye, he lingered on your every crevice, searching for some sort of confirmation that you were indeed alright now, yet his search was futile.

Albedo attempted to steady his trembling hands and muster up the most comforting smile he could manage -not that you would have noticed, you were far too gone to even fathom your diminishing time.

“When did we get back home?” You queried, scrutinising every stone around you with glazed eyes.

Your body ached for a reason you couldn’t quite place your finger on and despite the restful nap you had just woken from, you still felt exhausted.

Albedo remained silent for what felt like a lifetime before you repeated yourself, unsure of whether he had heard you the first time.

“A few hours ago, you fell asleep while we were taking a quick break so we figured we’d let you sleep in the caravan for the rest of the way down.” The words felt sour on his tongue, he disliked lies and yet he found the words bitterly falling from his lips with a sort of ease that only adrenaline could bring.

You nodded at his words in a daze, stretching and relieving yourself of the last remnants of sleep before turning to your companion with an excitement that would have been contagious had it not been for the glimpses of inklike veins he caught along your skin.

You were getting worse.

“I have a question for you, Albedo. About what we spoke about some time back…with regards to your emotions.” You paused, swallowing the burning sensation in your throat. “Do you still feel the same?”

To say that your question had caught him off guard would be an understatement, shocking the blond into silence as he mulled over your words.

Yes, it was obvious that his overly objective view of his very own emotions had caused him to overlook the fact that his emotions were biased -more so towards you, the source of the many joys in his life.

“If you still feel that way, it’s completely alright, I just wanted to get this off of my chest now that we’re back in Mond.”

It was then when it occurred to him that he hadn’t answered you yet.

“Even if you don’t feel the same, I wanted to express my gratitude to you. Since our first encounter you’ve done nothing but bring joy into my life -making all of my trips easier because I knew that I’d always come back to have a cup of coffee in your lab and somehow make each and every one of our Favonius meetings more bearable with the small looks you sent my way.”

“And Archons, there’s so much more that you’ve done for me that I can’t even begin to put into words, because you’re just that brilliant -and you can forget about what I’m about to say if you desire, but Albedo I harbour feelings so inexplicable towards you that the mere idea of them makes me bubble with energy -and this is coming from an insomniac. I love you so dearly…and even if you don’t reciprocate the feelings, I’ll find a way to live with that, but-“

"They’ve changed.” He rushed, a hand grasping onto yours. “My sentiments have changed.”

He watched as your eyes widened, mouth gaping and closing while he squeezed your hand -a silent affirmation to your rising questions.

You shifted with a newfound energy as your body struggled to contain its newfound joy, “Really?”

With a strained smile, the alchemist nodded his head and waited to hear your next response as your lips parted, but the both of you were stunned into silence after violent coughs racked your body, leaving you gasping for air once they had eased.

When calmed, you allowed the soothing hand on your back to continue its motions.

“It’s strange,” you began; trying to blink away the exhaustion settling in your eyes, “I just woke up, yet I still feel so tired.”

At your words, Albedo’s heart stuttered and the hand on your back froze, eventually moving to cup your face. “Whatever you do, Y/N, you mustn’t fall asleep.” He pleaded, to which you only hummed.

“There’s this place I want to show you.” You grinned, your delirium truly beginning to limit your understanding. “It’s not too far from Vannessa’s Tree -actually it’s close to that boat Klee destroyed. On clear nights you can see the stars reflecting on the water's surface, like a mirror. It’s a stunning view, better than the one at Starsnatch Cliff in my opinion. I go there every so often to clear my head and relax; I thought I’d share it with you.”

The idea sounded wonderful to Albedo and under normal circumstances he probably would have been thrilled to spend more time with you -especially in a place so dear to you, yet no matter how hopelessly he tried, he couldn’t fight the weight that settled on his chest, but the nail on his coffin was the bashful confession that followed -that you wanted to remain by his side for as long as you could.

“If you’re not too busy, how about we go take a look after I wake up, I don’t think it’ll be cloudy—”

“You can’t fall asleep.” Albedo repeated, his voice beginning to reveal his desperation, nevertheless, it all went over your head.

“Why not? I’m so tired.” You pouted, leaning forward to rest your head on his shoulder.

“Because if you do…” He paused, scared to finish his sentence and acknowledge what was to come, because if you were to fall asleep, he wouldn’t be able to guarantee that you’d awake, instead, he sang the same pleadings over and over again in hopes that you’d listen to him, but you didn’t -couldn’t; not when the blood of his ‘brother’ had already stripped you of your vitality.

“I promise I’ll take you there Albedo, just be sure to wake me up in a few minutes.” You lopsidedly smiled although your eyes drooped with every second they remained open. “Okay?”

You didn't wait for his answer, already repositioning to lie down. “Archons, I’m exhausted.” You mumbled before turning to meet his shimmering gaze. “Don’t look so sad, it’s just ten minutes -we’ll be out and about before you know it.”

With a final squeeze to his hand, you allowed your eyes to draw to a close and Albedo helplessly watched as your breathing slowed to a complete halt and for the first time in his entire existence he felt the sensation of tears spilling from his eyes.

Between his frantic shouts of your name and the drying of his tears, Albedo was unsure of how much time had lapsed, but he lifted his head from your still chest when he heard the distinct twinkling of the Traveler’s companion zooming into his encampment with eyes visibly set on finding you -and when they did, she froze. Her eyes dimmed with a childlike sorrow before she fled behind Aether’s cape.

Confused by the fae’s behaviour, the rest of the group entered. Their sights landed on Albedo’s kneeling frame first before moving to your lifeless one beside him.

“No,” it was Amber’s voice who had broken the silence first as she made her way to you. “She can’t be— no… She can’t be gone.” She turned to Albedo with a pleading look in her honey eyes. “She’s just resting, right?”

“Amber…” Eula’s stepped forward.

“Please Albedo, tell me she’s only asleep.” The Outrider continued only to break down in bitter sobs when the alchemist solemnly shook his head.

They descended the mountain that evening in complete silence, safe for the sporadic sniffles belonging to either Amber or Paimon -even Bennett managed to stave off his bad luck during their trip back.

When the group returned a large meeting was held within the Favonius headquarters announcing your passing to the knights, leaving your many friends, colleagues and subordinates tearful and forlorn.

Albedo remained at the back of the hall as Jean spoke, trying to come to terms with the events prior to their descent whilst searching for the words to tell his sister knowing that she looked up to you.

The meeting ended as Jean mournfully left for her office. Kaeya quickly found Albedo as he headed towards the exit with words of quiet condolences on his lips before allowing the blond to leave.

Albedo would have noticed the slight gloss over the Captain’s eye had it not been for the way the blue-haired man avoided all eye contact until he had separated. He thought back on all your adventurous escapades featuring the Cavalry Captain -he would probably miss you as much as Albedo would.

The trip to Vannessa’s Tree was spontaneous, no doubt something you would have done. As he arrived at the broken boat, he peered into the shallow waters and indeed, he could see the vast multitude of stars shimmering within its reflection.

There he remained -a part of him still hoping that the entire day had merely been a nightmare. That he’d open his eyes to find yours brimming with life again; instead he heard you beside him. Laughing as the cold water tickled your legs, but when he turned you were nowhere to be found -he had only heard the sound of your memory from the days spent at the Golden Apple last year.

After having heard enough trickery from the wind, Albedo returned to the city. Passing by some of your favourite shops on his way to your home and with a heavy sigh, he bent to retrieve your spare key from under the pot plant.

The door opened with a slight creek before Albedo was met with the absolute silence of your abode.

He gingerly stepped through your doorway, his body instantly embraced by your lingering scent causing fresh tears to well up in his teal eyes.

Closing the door behind him and turning on the few lamps at the entrance, Albedo’s sight landed on a small jar collecting dust on your counter. He stepped closer, examining its familiar shape until he finally pieced together its contents.

It was the cecilia he had given you some few months ago and although he should have been happy to see that you had kept it, his heart couldn’t help but clench at the sight -for the cecilia had wilted.

#🍁.content book #genshin impact #genshin fic #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact fanfiction #genshin angst #albedo genshin x reader #albedo genshin impact #albedo x reader #albedo fanfic #albedo #albedo kreideprinz #albedo angst #genshin impact angst #genshin

[dujour13]

Ok I love Sia but I really want to know about Saedra! How about ❤️🤍💔💘💯 for her?

Loads of hearts! Thank you Ash! ❤️❤️❤️ Excited to talk about Saedra some more. She’s still in early Act III so she hasn’t been put through all the horrors yet. We’ll see how she holds up.

from this oc ask game

❤️ RED HEART — what are three of your oc's positive traits?

Loyal – When Saedra decides you’re in, you’re in for life. You’re one of Her People, and she’ll defend your most indefensible actions with cold ferocity. This is multiplied by a thousand with her tadpole buddies.

Non-judgmental – Her sex positivity extends beyond the mere sexual. We all have our kinks and quirks, we all have our struggles. Saedra’s a big city girl and the last person to judge someone on appearance, race, religion or even their acts. Very much “you do you.” Unless that goes against point 1 loyalty.

Affectionate – Saedra’s sex drive is really just an extension of this. People (of all kinds) are beautiful and feel good. Even after she has to friendzone a couple of the tadpole buddies she’s always up to give someone shoulder rubs.

🤍 WHITE HEART — what are three of your oc's neutral/questionable traits?

Drive – Saedra has always longed to stake out her place in the world, to become powerful enough to live safely, comfortably and most of all, on her own terms. She hoped that would happen through diligent study of wizardry, but she never did manage to make ends meet with her bartending job, which drove her to a pact with a satyr.

Independence – The irony being that all she really wants is freedom. She’s using the satyr as a steppingstone because she was beginning to despair of succeeding in her wizardry studies, but ultimately she hopes to be able to discard him. Many of her decisions stem from suspicion that someone in power is trying to use her.

Curiosity – She will poke monsters with a stick. She will drink potions. She will spin the wheel.

💔 BROKEN HEART — what are three of your oc's negative traits?

Loyal (again) – She doesn’t care how nice a person you seem. If you threaten her vampire spawn / hopeless wizard / wonderfully blunt githyanki bff / etc. you will have to be neutralized and it’s your problem, not hers.

Averse to commitment– The last thing Saedra is looking for is love. The ball and chain. She just wants everyone to get along and feel good and take a little roll in the sheets.

Grudges – As her story progresses I can see Saedra becoming bitter towards those who have wronged her and Her People, especially those in positions of power. She could be capable of a lot of gratuitous violence to scratch that itch I’m afraid, especially if encouraged by certain companions.

💘 HEART WITH ARROW — what and/or who do(es) your oc consider the most important to them?

Herself first and foremost. This is not evil selfishness (at least at this stage) but a drive to take hold of her own destiny.

Her tadpole buddies have become more than just family, closer even than the group of orphans she grew up with. They’re like extensions of her own body at this point. But the complicated feelings she’s experiencing for Astarion are becoming hard to ignore.

💯 HUNDRED POINTS SYMBOL — share three random facts about your oc that others may not know.

Saedra has no idea what her satyr patron really wants from her but he once mentioned “three spinsters” whose threads guided him to her. This makes her deeply uneasy.

She became extremely flustered by fantasies of cuddling (and only cuddling) with Astarion and she even blushed when she finally worked up the courage to suggest the idea. This woman never blushes at anything. Of course he was terrible about it. “I can smell the blood rushing to your cheeks darling, don’t try to hide it.”

She’s an expert bartender whose talents went unappreciated in a poor quarter of Baldur’s Gate. To make ends meet while she studied magic she worked in a little bar in Eastway, barely subsisting on measly tips and very little sleep, but she did apply herself to the job and knows how to make 106 different cocktails with the most attractive garnish.

Here she is enjoying a clown performance at the circus

#bald guy 3 #saedra #thanks for ask!! #turbulentpumpkin43

[mye-chi]

⠀⠀⠀⠀HOUSES ── opal

Okhasis Prepatory School for Promising Mages is a prestigious institution that trains its students in the ways of magic, weapons, and other talents. Most notable is its housing system modeled after the six divine warriors.

In the beginning of their first year, students select the house which best suit their interests. In addition to basic classes, a student's house will decide their course of studies and seating arrangements during school-wide events such as the Beauty Festa or Grand Magic Games.

While it is tradition for students to remain with the house they pick until graduation, no child stays the same for six years, therefore it is encouraged for students to switch houses as they deem appropriate.

ㅤ──────────────────────────

I. CECILIA

The House of Cecilia, built in Irene's likeness, is focused on restoration and harnessing the powers of the natural world. Although Cecilia students are often perceived as feeble healers, the top alumni are capable of releasing the untamed wrath of nature—twisting briars to spring from the ground to ensnare enemies, summoning rain clouds to smother the flames of a fire, and restoring life to its former glory. Much like the Mother Goddess herself, Cecilia graduates become indispensable in the domains of combat or humanitarian aid.

The House of Cecilia's distinguishing color is lavender and it's emblem is a closed eye shedding five tears.

II. SOLEIL

The House of Soleil, built in Esmund's likeness, is dedicated to safeguarding and purging impurities. Soleil students are taught how to cast counterspells, create magical barriers, dispel or resist magic, and are generally known for their defensive nature. Most Soleil graduates intend on pursuing knighthood to protect their homeland or a position in the Ministry of Protection. As such, the House of Soleil is known for adopting a code of chivalry and promoting peace among the other houses.

(Although students from sister houses will often grumble," Soleil is really just the House of No." Inflicting damage? No. Buffs on allies? No. Magical restraints? No. Having fun on campus? No.)

The House of Soleil's distinguishing color is gold and it's emblem is a radiant sun.

III. VERENA

The House of Verena, built in Enki's likeness, is dedicated to unveiling the truths of the world. One distinctive feature of Verena is that its students are not required to expend mana, the magical energy that powers spells. Instead, Verena students are taught the occult disciplines of alchemy, runes, and divination.

Students are encouraged to blend their magic with traditional research and experimentation, resulting in alchemical bombs, the ability to read others' emotions, instantly appraising objects, and creating potions capable of altering reality. Verena graduates often pursue a greater career in academia or research institutions.

The House of Verena's distinguishing color is sea green and it's emblem is ouroboros.

IV. ASTORIA

The House of Astoria, built in Kul'zak's likeness, is centered on augmentation, a magical power that enables its practitioner to link their magic or imbue an object with magical essence. Despite the fact that Astoria students frequently lack the raw fighting prowess of their sister houses, their utility provides a huge boon. Students have the ability to enchant common weapons to give them magical powers, animate puppets to serve as servants, or enhance an ally's abilities beyond their normal capabilities.

Astoria graduates typically pursue a broad variety of occupations, much like the traveling divine warrior himself, although a sizable percentage have achieved success in the field of Magitek, magically enhanced technology.

The House of Astoria's distinguishing color is ultramarine and their emblem is a flying bluebird.

V. IRAE

The House of Irae, built in Menphia's likeness, places a strong emphasis on cultivating its students' innate magical powers. As opposed to its sister houses, which must obey the rules of nature, draw their magic from elsewhere, or dispel it entirely, students in the House of Irae are able to manifest the elements based on their natural affinity.

While a Verena's alchemically produced fireball will naturally fizzle out without material, the flame of an Irae student will continue to burn until its caster dismisses it. Irae pupils make up for their lack of variety with powerful, concentrated magical blasts, and their ranks are frequently seen in the militia of the knights.

The House of Irae's disgusting color is ruby and their emblem is a blazing flame.

VI. LUCINE

The House of Lucine, built in Shad's likeness, is the most controversial of the houses for its unique ability to manipulate the human body. Lucine students are trained to slow or accelerate heartbeats, influence their opponents' minds, possess bodies, and even control their own blood. Given the lethal nature of their study, Lucine students are frequently isolated from the rest of the student body and subject to strict regulations, though many worried parents have argued that this is insufficient.

When pressed why these pupils are still permitted to attend school, the headmaster responded that Lucine is no different from Cecilia, for both draw their power from life itself. Although many join their Soleil and Irae siblings in knighthood or even Cecilia in medical fields, the fate of Lucine graduates is largely sporadic.

The House of Lucine's disgusting color is silver and their emblem is an eclipsed moon

ㅤ──────────────────────────

#phew this took awhile to write up i couldn't figure out how to describe anything for the life of me #slapping a HUGE “subject to change” on this post so much stuff will probably get changed around im not decisive at all #specifically the colors / emblems / some of the flavor texts / the house studies themselves possibly #but i wanted to make this just so i could comfortably move on with discussing the au #( 🍰 ) ⸻ frills thoughts #aphmau #( 📚 ) ⸻ okhasis prep academy au

[winterhalters]

Hey there! I wanted to know... Did Athénaïs de Montespan really pour some love potion into King Louis' cup? And did she ever tried to poison La Fontanges or some of her rivals? Was all of this some wild rumours, or did she do it, like La Brinvilliers had done not so long before? The Affaire des Poissons is so interesnting... Thanks.

hi! i don't think i've ever read a more eloquent version of 'no she did not' than Vizetelly's, so allow me to quote him on that:

One of the principal charges brought against Mme. de Montespan in the Affair of the Poisons was that she had repaired on various occasions to the abodes of notorious sorceresses and poisoners in order to indulge in extravagant practices such as Black Masses, invocations, and witchcraft. Those practices had begun, it was alleged, before she became the King's favourite. How came it to pass, however, that she had recourse to them afterwards ? Where were the four men of the Royal Bodyguard who invariably attended her whenever she drove out without the King ? Where did she leave them, where did she leave her coach, and the rest of her numerous escort—all those folk whose silence she would have had to purchase with hard cash ? How did it happen that all those alleged comings and goings so long escaped the notice of the King, who was kept informed of everything likely to interest him, and whose partiality for "police news" was as keen as became that of his great-grandson, Louis XV, and that of his long-subsequent successor, Napoleon III?

He adds a bit later on:

In accordance with the aphorism that there can be no smoke without fire, it has been held that if the prisoners and witnesses in the Poisons Affair mentioned Mme. de Montespan's name so often, there must necessarily have been something against her. But M. Lemoine points out that the position in regard to Marshal de Luxembourg was virtually the same ; though it has been proved that most, if not all, of the charges against that illustrious soldier were entirely false. Another eminent military man, Antoine de Pas, Marquis de Feuquieres, who wrote the first important work on tactics ever produced in France, and who was momentarily implicated in the Poisons Case, summed the latter up in a sentence which deserves to be quoted : "A few professional poisoners found a means to prolong their lives by denouncing a number of people of position, whose arrest became necessary, and whose cases had to be investigated, by which means they [the poisoners] gained time." "If Mme. de Montespan's name," says M. Lemoine," was repeated in the Affair even more frequently than Luxembourg's, that was because several persons imagined that the magistrates, in alarm at the mere mention of her name, would prefer to throw up the whole prosecution rather than involve themselves in such a thorny business. To more than one of the accused, then, that name must have occurred like a kind of liberating talisman.

As for Fontanges' death, her body was basically a case study for pregnant women dying in childbirth. I don't have her most recent biography with me right now but from what i remember i think we have yet to determine a cause of death, which was unfortunately 100% natural. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong with her pregnancy, but Athénaïs had drawn a target on her own back long before Fontanges even passed away.

#i also think most people who were not directly involved with the court or were not part of the inner circle #probably did not know that her favor had already soured a while ago #this combined with her political enemies knowing full well she only needed a shove to be cast aside proved to be fatal for her #it's a deadly combination #anon #ask

[pocketramblr]

Majora's Mask AU where everything is the same but instead of a fairy companion, he gets the ghosts in his transformation masks as companions.

Link knows what a dead Deku looks like- both a dead Deku sprout, but also a dead greater Deku tree. The latter is something he figures he can take care of, once he finds Navi and returns home. But right now, he is alone, and Skullkid just cursed him and left with his own fairies, and Link is sitting next to a corpse.

His old friend from the forest turned on him, he lost Epona and Zelda's ocarina, and while he is older than his body- he's still young. For now.

A tear of frustration leaks from his new form, which feels stiff and small, and Link scrubs it away. He defeated Ganondorf, he shouldn't be crying like a baby. He can retrieve what was lost, and keep moving. He has to.

Link stands, and doesn't notice that his tear hit the ground around the dead Deku sprout.

He braces himself, studying the gate before him where Skullkid and the fairies (and a very young part of him wants to stomp his foot and scream that it isn't fair that mean little imp gets two fairies when Link waited so long and doesn't even have his anymore-) departed through.

He does notice when a voice speaks behind him. "Oh, dear, are you going to go through? Can you? I could never go through any of the other gates in this room, but I'm not a skullkid."

Link looks over his shoulder, and sees a flickering Deku scrub, next to the corpse.

"Can you see me?" He asks, and Link nods.

"Oh." The young Deku scrub rustles nervously. "Pa- I mean, no one else could see me."

Link points to the door.

"That's Termina, where I'm from. Are you going after him?"

Link nods, then waves.

"You- you want me to come with you?"

Link nods again.

The Deku sprout couldn't move before, but now when he tests his legs- he can, stepping towards the gate back home.

Link offers him a brief flash of a smile, then keeps walking.

The Deku scrub's father is a butler, and he may be young, but he knows a thing or two about following a few steps behind, and offering information, or an ear.

He decides to help Link, and the two vanish beyond the gates together.

---

The second ghost isn't waiting by his body, Link notices of the spector Goron. Which is probably a good thing, but it's a bit of a surprise when one is used to wandering spirits being enemies.

It's also a bit of a surprise how he looks like Darunia, but Link's been getting used to that.

"Oh. That's the legendary hero, Darmani III!" Says the Deku butler's son, and Link takes another look.

A legendary hero, huh. He wonders what you have to do to earn a title like that, and if he ever will.

He's back in his own body now, and older than he looks but still- not quite old enough yet, to wonder if the thing you have to do is die.

"I wonder what happened." The Deku scrub says, quieter.

Link gestures for him to go ask, and the Deku scrub is a bit shy about it, but he's been getting braver since he met Link, and well- it is a little lonely, being the only ghost around.

Darmani is thrilled to have someone to talk to as well, and tells of his woes.

The Deku scrub, who has seen Link's prowess and determination, says he can help. Link nods in agreement, and Darmani gasps that they both could hear him this entire time.

He agrees, and lends Link his strength and his drums. He walks alongside him, and balances calm decisions and courageous boasts easily on his broad, rocky shoulders. Where the Deku scrub could tell Link about the land, Darmani can tell him about it's history.

Link doesn't begrudge the little scrub, but it's nice to have another voice, this one rumbling and deep and brave.

It's less lonely.

---

There's body the next time, and Link can't call it a corpse, not when he died in his arms.

He'd tried to help, dragging the Zora back as much as he could, looking at the wound and wondering if there was was anything he could do to help. But he didn't have any fairies or potions with him at the moment, and Darmani's face was grim.

"Lulu..." The Zora wheezed.

Link's thin arms trembled under the weight and cold water and sticky blood, and from something else. Once he'd been so relieved to return to this body, comfortable and home, but now it was so cramped.

"Lulu, baby, don't-" the Zora jolted in pain, eyes squeezed shut, breathing faster.

The song of healing didn't help wounds like this. He could try to leave, to find a fairy or potion or some other miracle, but that would mean putting the Zora down entirely on the sand.

And Link knew once he did, the Zora would never get up again.

Perhaps, if he used the Song of Time, and they got here faster..

The Zora's breathing slowed, and then stopped.

"That was another warrior." Darmani said, mournful.

"Mikau, of the Zoras." The Deku scrub agreed, quietly.

Link didn't say anything. Didn't move, until the body turned to seafoam and drifted away from him.

Well. Better than turning to a stal, Link supposed.

But then a shadow rose from the sea, and looked down at him.

"Oh." Mikau the ghost said.

Link raised a hand and wiggled his fingers, too tired for anything else.

"Oh."

He looked beyond Link, and Darmani and the scrub explained things. After, Mikau nodded.

"Will you rescue Lulu's eggs from the pirates?" He asked, bending to reach for something under the water, and when Link caught a glimpse of bone he wondered if he'd been too soon relieved about the stal- but no, it was a guitar. "I will teach you how to play, and to swim."

Link nodded. What else was there to do, but try not to think about Sheik's harp lessons as Mikau moved his fingers over the strings?

It stung. Everything did, these days. These three days, again and again. But looking at the three ghosts, that young part of Link stirred again, this time with hope - they weren't alone, and that this soon would be over.

#anon #pocket talks to people #*tries very hard not to let my mikau favoritism show*

[galderthefuzzy]

Assassin’s Garden

One must be careful with plants. Though they may be beautiful, alluring even, they often possess unknown dangers to those that fail to study. Two blooms, for example, could look so incredibly similar, that you might not know which of them will cause you to go blind if you ingest it, and which will make a wonderful salve for hives. There is, however, someone who cultivates all of them. Her name is Eliân Morningsong. Eliân, you see, is an assassin by trade. And while daggers are her preferred method, sometimes things require a far more subtle touch. One cannot simply walk into a noble family home during a celebration and start slitting throats, after all. But! Just the right powder added to a strong drink and the victim slowly becomes paralyzed, every muscle stopping one by one. A blend that will cause all manner of intestinal issues also creates wonderful havoc that separates the person from the pack. She even has one that puts the victim to sleep in moments, and they simply never wake. The last of these are reserved for those she wishes to end silently and gently. With such a profession, one has two choices. Pay for the required compounds, or learn to cultivate, gather, and process them yourself. If you wish to have complete control over the quality and balance of what you create, the latter is of course the better option. As such Eli has become quite the herbalist and alchemist over the years. She grows all of the necessary plants for poison, antidote, and yes, even beneficial potions and elixirs. Enter the gate at your own risk. Hello everyone! I had the pleasure to paint this stained glass piece for the wonderful TindomielSilverthorn as a DA Supporter reward. I hope you like the final piece! Tier II DA Supporters get one similar artwork a year, Tier III get two!

https://www.deviantart.com/galder/subscriptions

#fantasy #gaming #oc #fanart #fanfiction #warcraft #world of warcraft #wow #warcraft art #digital #digitalpainting #digitaldrawing #stylized #stained glass #elf #night elf #kaldorei #assassin #rogue #female #plants #skulls #knife #dagger #reward #supporter

[aurcralux]

She never uttered a word about it yet the truth remained the same: While she believed in the idea of purity, not a second would be wasted should the choice ever be between that silly fight and her family. Her family would always win.

BASIC INFORMATION

FULL NAME: Narcissa Black

ALIAS/NICKNAME: Cissa, Cissy

AGE: Twenty Six

BIRTH DATE: May 7th, 1956

BLOOD STATUS: Pureblood

AFFILIATION: Death Eaters (supporting)

GENDER/PRONOUNS: Cis-Female. She/her

CURRENT LIVING CONDITIONS: Black Manor, Countryside of Bath, England

OTHER: Residence in the south of France, family vacation home

OCCUPATION: Unspeakable, Department of Mysteries, Ministry of Magic

PATRONUS: Wild cat

RELATIONSHIPS

PARENTS: Druella Black née. Rosier and Cygnus Black III.

SIBLINGS: Bellatrix Lestrange née. Black, Andromeda Tonks née. Black.

SIGNIFICANT OTHER: Lucius Malfoy (fiancé).

OTHER FAMILY: Regulus Black (cousin), Sirius Black (cousin).

CHILDREN: None.

EDUCTATION:

SCHOOL: Hogwarts

HOUSE: Slytherin

EXTRACURRICULAR: Slug Club, Prefect, Head girl, Choir, Astronomy Club, Divination, Ancient Runes

SPOKEN LANGUAGES: English, French, Italian

PHYSICAL TRAITS

EYE COLOR: Blue.

HAIR COLOR: Blonde.

HEIGHT: 5'5

SCARS: None.

PERSONALITY

INTELLIGENCE: High. Adaptive.

MBTI: ISFJ

SKILLS: Wandless magic (basic, practicing), Legilimency (skilled, practicing). Occlumency (advanced, practicing, skillful)

POSITIVE TRAITS: determined, loyal, cunning, resourceful, self-reliant

NEGATIVE TRAITS: stubborn, prideful, snarky, arrogant at times

Growing up

It was a beautiful morning in late spring, the sun only just rising beyond the horizon when Narcissa came into the world as the youngest member of the Black family, third daughter to Cygnus and Druella Black. Much like the day she was born, her personality growing up was that of a warm, curious child with far too many questions and a sheer need to know it all. The first few years of her life were spent in blissful obliviousness, protected by her older sister Andromeda while admiring the fierceness of Bellatrix. Despite the seemingly kind nature Narcissa seems to have, she was made aware of her duties early on. It was with clear intend to prove to herself and her family just what an asset a third daughter like her could be that she dedicated her early years fully to her studies; the art of poetry, dance and music. She studied the history of magic and practiced whatever and whenever she could in order to rise and become a person worthy of a good match when the time came. Every minute not spent with her studies was used to spent time with her family - her two sisters mostly or walking around the gardens of the manor. It was clear from a rather early age on that Narcissa seemed to have been granted a green thumb, proving early on that she had an affinity for both the most beautiful bloom a garden could have as well as herbology. That factor alone grew her curiosity for the - in her eyes - much linked craft of potion making.

Start of the War

By the time her letter to Hogwarts arrived, Narcissa had grown beyond the simple kind soul and turned into something more than just that. There was a thirst for knowledge, a belief in the purity and worthiness of those around her. Her big heart, while at times odd, never stopped beating for those she considered her loved ones. It turned her into someone willing to protect and fight for those she cared for. Yet it was the sorting hat that saw what lay beneath the seemingly tame and soft exterior. There was a drive within her, a determination to prove herself and show the world what a magnificent witch she truly was. While her friends were showered with love and kindness, those she felt beneath her were given the cold shoulder in return. The witch was fiercely loyal, to the point where she was both willing to harm as well as put herself in harms way just to assure the safety of those she cared for. When the whispers of a dark lord rising to bring purity back to glory began spreading, Narcissa found herself beaming with curiosity yet also doubtful that such a person could exist. The world she'd seen was filled with those not consider up to her and her family's standard and it filled with a taste of bitterness. When she was informed that her family was therefor looking for a match that could bring all they cared for together, Cissa was aware her time to live up to all she'd been taught had come. If she couldn't join the war effort, she was going to use her skills to the best of her abilities. If that meant marrying someone, she was willing to give it her all. If that meant becoming the much needed, strengthening support, she was ready to burn with the passion she felt so very deep within. It was around that time that her very own sister Andromeda decided to turn her back on the family. In Narcissa's eyes nothing worse could have happened. Her own belief made it hard to see the reasoning as anything she could put logic to but beyond that it felt as though someone so utterly dear to her had walked away with part of her heart, never to return it. Perhaps that was why she dove even further into her studies, never looking back. Shortly after graduation, Narcissa found herself training within the ministry as an unspeakable within the department of mysteries. It was her deep interest in becoming an adept Legilimens as well as the use she saw within the research of the department and potential for secrets that caused her wish to grow into something one could hardly hold the young witch back from.

Present Time

Narcissa has firmly established herself as an unspeakable, working tirelessly within the department. Ever since first setting foot within the department she's seen nothing but wonderment, never speaking about it yet hoping that one day some of it could be of use to the cause. The only thing she finds herself more dedicated to than that and her love for her chosen occupation are her family. Having grown ever so much closer to Bellatrix since the loss of Andromeda - a pain she still feels deeply - her only other commitment she sees within Lucius Malfoy. Every now and then she finds herself with her eyes glued to the other, studying and ever so desperate to find out more. If this was who her parents felt was right for her, she was ready to take the step as soon as he'd make the call; as soon as her parents would call for the union to become one. Anything to help, to protect and further the dream they all seemed to be living.

Wanted connections

Bellatrix Lestrange - Sister; after losing Andromeda, Narcissa has begun to admire her older sister even more, seeing the lost hope within her

Andromeda Tonks - Lost sister; Narcissa misses her sister dearly yet finds it hard to come to terms with the life she's chosen. A part of her knows that there is no going back yet the tiniest spark within her feels a kinship within the need for love

Sirius & Regulus Black - Cousins; One lost, one hanging on. Narcissa has always cared for both her cousins, having found the feeling of an older sister within the connection. Watching Sirius leave has hurt her deeply, always wondering why. Regulus is still someone she cares for immensely and although she wouldn't admit it out loud due to pride, she's incredibly scared of losing Regulus as well

Lucius Malfoy - fiancé - Her parents have had their eye on the Malfoy heir for quite some time and to Cissa he seems like the perfect match

#a flower among stars;; about

[contreparry]

Happy Friday!! How about "A window filled with eerily smiling faces" from the Invisible Cities prompts?

Here’s some Ostwick Circle Trevelyan for @dadrunkwriting !

“Now remember! Reverend Mother Dorothea has come to visit the First Enchanter and Knight Commander and give a sermon, so be on your best behavior while we’re gone!” Lydia ordered the young apprentices, all of them ranging from age five to ten. “No stray spells, listen to your teacher, and do not give him grief while we are out of the classroom!”

“Yes, Enchanter Lydia,” the children chorused.

“Apprentice Evelyn will be back to take over the lessons before the hour is out,” Lydia added, “so be good for her replacement, or she will be quite cross indeed! Especially after all the effort we put in to make her look nice!”

“Enchanter Lydia!” Evelyn whispered as the children giggled. She nervously smoothed out the front of her robes, clean blue linen perfectly pressed. Lydia had braided her hair into an ornate plait that she pinned up in a crown around her head. Lydia insisted on the formal robe and the elaborate braid- Reverend Mother Dorothea was an important woman, Lydia insisted, and she wanted to show off her beloved apprentice at her best. Even the children were invested, for Lydia had them vote on which hair ribbon should be woven into her hair. They picked the canary yellow one after much debate, and they shouted suggestions to Lydia as she braided Evelyn’s hair. It’s a very important sermon, Lydia informed the children as she tucked the stray ends of the ribbon into Evelyn’s braid. Adults only, Lydia informed the children, but Evelyn would be back soon enough.

Evelyn would much rather remain with the junior apprentices, teaching them magical theory and how to safely coax a flame to life and hold it in the palm of their hand. But Lydia so rarely asked her for anything. Naturally Evelyn was (mostly) happy to assist her mentor and her first friend in Ostwick Circle. Even if it meant dressing up and greeting a Chantry mother she didn’t know.

“Please remember to mind your manners with Enchanter Thomas, children,” Evelyn addressed her charges. “If you are good and diligent, we will spend a class out in the herbarium to study the plants we use for potions.”

The promise of an outdoor lesson was well-received, and as the children whispered excitedly to each other Lydia linked her arm with Evelyn’s and whisked her out of the classroom. As they walked down the corridor Evelyn glanced over at her mentor. The young woman had carefully swooped a dash of kohl along her eyelashes, drawing attention to her bright green eyes. Her curly pale blond hair was carefully dressed and pinned back, and her own olive green robes were almost rigid with starch.

“Who is this Reverend Mother Dorothea, Lydia?” Evelyn whispered as they walked. “You’ve never dressed up this much for any other Chantry mother or sister who comes up here!” In fact, Evelyn couldn’t recall a time Lydia bothered to dress up for anyone! Reverend Mother Dorothea must be a fearsome woman, to make even easy-going, cheerful Lydia suddenly worry about decorum. She was ten years Evelyn’s senior and a talented mage who specialized in creation magic. Her talent and efforts made up for her disregard of most social norms, so if Lydia was worried- Evelyn’s hand instinctively tightened around Lydia’s elbow, searching for some comfort from her friend.

Lydia halted in the hall. She glanced around, as if making sure that they were truly alone, before she grasped Evelyn’s hand and tugged her into a shadowed alcove.

“… the Divine is sick,” Lydia murmured.

“She’s always sick,” Evelyn replied. Divine Beatrix III hadn’t been in good health in years, if all the rumors from Val Royeux were true. Not a year passed without some whisper of the Divine’s flagging health. It had been that way since Evelyn was a child, and had only gotten worse as the years passed.

“It’s worse than before. Much worse. Would be surprised if she made it through the winter. Would be a miracle if she saw the beginning of 9:34,” Lydia said. “It’s said… I have a good source in Orlais. He says Dorothea is the Divine’s choice as her replacement.”

“Oh,” Evelyn tried to wrap her head around this information, tried to figure out why all this new information tied in with sleepy Ostwick, which was far away from Orlais and any power struggles within the Chantry. “I… see.”

Lydia sighed and squeezed Evelyn’s hands. “Think of it like chess. We move our center pawns out. We bring out our knight. We don’t move our king or our rook. Why?”

“So we take control of the board. Because knights can jump over the other pieces. So we can castle if we need to,” Evelyn promptly replied. “So… we’re playing twenty moves ahead?”

“We’re playing to win,” Lydia said. “There’s always someone rumbling about something, and having an ally in high places is the best way to keep Ostwick safe.”

“… so we dress up. And act nice,” Evelyn murmured. Lydia always tried to protect her and the other apprentices from rumors of Circle uprisings and Annulments, but they heard them anyways. This was why Lydia ought to be First Enchanter, a rebellious part of Evelyn muttered. Lydia cared about them, all of them, and she was clever. If she thought courting the favor of Reverend Mother Dorothea would help keep Ostwick’s Mages safe, then Evelyn would play the perfect apprentice Mage.

“You’re already nice, Evie,” Lydia said softly. “You don’t have to act. If you’re nervous you can ask to go check on the children. She’ll probably like that.”

“I’ll stay for as long as you need me,” Evelyn decided. “Enchanter Thomas needs to remember what it’s like to teach baby Mages, anyways.” If it were anyone else Evelyn would feel sorry for giving them her rambunctious class, but Enchanter Thomas was forever complaining about everything, especially the apprentices. He could use a bit of humbling. Harmless humbling, that is. She resolved to let the children have their outdoor lesson regardless of their behavior. Putting up with Enchanter Thomas had to count for something.

“We’ll stick together, then,” Lydia declared with a chuckle. “Come on, off we go.”

Both the First Enchanter and the Knight Commander stood in the chapel, shoulder to shoulder as they spoke with a third figure, a stately woman dressed in crimson and white with a golden sunburst upon her chest. Other Enchanters and apprentices milled about, every exit guarded by Templars. Even with their helms down Evelyn recognized some of them- Ser Quentin stood in the back left by the altar, while Ser Serena walked down the far right wall towards the choir loft, her deep brown hair escaping the lip of her helmet to dangle in a long tail down her back. 

Evelyn spotted her some of fellow apprentices dressed in the traditional formal blue robes, including her closest friends. Mara was still half asleep, her short auburn hair slightly mussed and her pointed ears red from the slight chill in the air. When she turned to wave at them Evelyn spied an ink stain on her round, freckled cheek. Paul, however, was as tidy and well-dressed as her- even more so, in fact. His beard was neatly trimmed to his sharp jaw. Silver earrings dangled from his pointed ears, and even his blue apprentice robes were ironed and starched.

“Lydia,” Evelyn whispered as they crossed the chapel floor. “This isn’t a normal sort of Chantry service, is it?” Between the extra guards and everyone decked out in their best- better than Chantry best, Evelyn couldn’t help the unease roiling about in her stomach. The Divine was sick, sicker than usual, and a Reverend Mother was giving a sermon.

“It’s normal, for the most part,” Lydia assured her. “Just.. some light politicking.”

“... wouldn’t a feast in Ostwick proper be more appropriate?” Evelyn already saw the arrangements her family would make: the finest of crystal and silverware polished until one could see their reflection, and crisp linens on all the tables. There would be fish from the harbor and venison from the woods and at least three types of soup. Mother would wear the Trevelyan emeralds and probably loop her hair up into a style that was... not unlike what she was wearing now.

Push your pawn out to the center to claim the board. Her grandmother said she looked like her mother, a round face and a swan-like neck. But her eyebrows were Trevelyan through and through. If anyone got a look at her and another member of the family, they would know. And they would draw their conclusions: Ostwick Circle has allies. Look at their own Mage child, kept here instead of sent off to another land.

“She will, later today,” Lydia murmured. “Ah, she noticed you. Good. Go take a seat, Evie.” Lydia pushed her away at the elbow, a soft, subtle movement that Evelyn followed automatically. Sit on bench. Listen to sermon. Ignore the way the elegant woman at the front of the chapel stared at her, her deep blue eyes tracking every step like she was a hawk and Evelyn her prey. Smile, she told herself. Smile like the dolls in the window of that one toy shop in Val Royeux, the one her grandmother walked her by when she was seven. Smile that serene smile of those finely dressed fashion dolls behind the glass, eerie and ethereal and not there-

Do it for the others, she told herself with every step. If Reverend Mother Dorothea’s interest in them bought Ostwick safety after Divine Beatrix was gone, she could endure staring. She could endure anything. She sat down on the bench with Mara at her right and Paul behind her, folded her trembling hands in her lap, and reminded herself that pawns weren’t needlessly sacrificed and Lydia was a decent chess player. She knew what she was doing.

Lost in her thoughts and worries, Reverend Mother Dorothea’s sermon went in one ear and out the other. Evelyn hadn’t even realized it was over until the others rose to their feet and she hastily popped up to join them, all of them retreating from the chapel to their respective duties. Evelyn was going to make good her escape and return to the classroom when Lydia snatched her elbow and drew her aside.

“Take a walk around the gardens before you go back in. You look a little peaky, Evie. The fresh air will do you good,” she suggested brightly, and when she leaned in close she whispered.

“The Reverend Mother brought a companion with her- a girl your age- eighteen? Nineteen? She has red hair, is dressed in a tunic and hunting boots. It might be worth it to make a new friend and say hello to her, no?” Lydia suggested before sending Evelyn off with a smile.

At least it was a good excuse to wander around the herbarium, Evelyn thought as she walked away from the chapel and into the cool autumn afternoon. She could make lesson plans along the way. Perhaps, she thought with a grimace as she remembered just how many of her pupils were related to important people in the Free Marches, she would start with a short lesson on chess.

#my writing #da drunk writing circle #she never found Leliana because Leliana was hanging out on the roof #years later Leliana remembered this incident and laughed about it #I wanted to play with more Ostwick Circle ideas #like how noble children (even Mages) get drawn into power struggles

[the-whatcherof-89]

Purpled AKA Purp Bedwars

CR 17 N Humanoid

XP 102,400 (if used as npc for encounter) Human Sorcerer (Starsoul bloodline) 7 Technomancer 10

Neutral (with evil tendencies) Medium humanoid Init +2; Senses Perception +19

AC 24, touch , flat-footed  (+2 Dex, +5 deviation, +2 natural, +4 armor +1 enhancement) hp 130 (17d6+68)

Fort +10, Ref +10, Will +23

Speed 30 ft. Melee Noqual Transformative Quarterstaff+16/11/6/1

Ranged Zero pistol+10(vs contact armor) 1d8 cold

Racial +1 Skill point per level, 1 Extra feat at lv1.

Traits Vagabond child (Disable device), Righteous indignation.

Class features Eschew materials, Bloodline powers (Minute meteors, Aurora borealis), Bloodline spells (Unseen servant, Glitterdust, Blink, Call lighting storm), Bloodline feats (Blind-fight, Toughness), Technical expertise, Efficient construction, Study technology, Recycle technology, Arcane battery, Recondition (4 items), Command robots 3/day, Technic spell mastery (Technomancy, Recharge, Rebuke technology), Unified energy, Field improvisation.

Spellcasting CL16 DC18 Spells per day 8/8/8/8/7/7/6/4 Spells known: 8-Form of the alien dragon III. 7-Limited wish, Arcane cannon. 6-Dispel magic (greater), Heroism (greater),Transformation. 5-Teleport, Wall of force, Telekinesis, Fabricate. 4-Magic weapon(greater), Stoneskin, Dimension door, Aggressive thundercloud (Greater).

3-Water breathing, Protection from energy, Dispel magic, Monstrous physique I. 2-Hold person, Web, Scorching ray, Thunder fire, Mirror image. 1-Shield, Mage armor, Grease, Enlarge person, Magic missile.

0-Detect magic, Ray of frost, Read magic, Light, Acid splash, Disrupt undead, Message, Open/close, Prestidigitation.

Str 18, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 14, Wis 9, Cha 26

Base Atk +8; CMB +15; CMD +26

Feats Spell penetration, Greater spell penetration, Craft technological item, Craft Technological armors and weapons, Craft cybertech, Technologist, Skill focus (Engineering), Quicken spell, Steadfast personality.

Skills Bluff+11, Craft(Mechanic)+15, Disable device+17, Fly+6, Intimidate +11, Knowledge (Arcana)+15, (Dungeon)+10, (Geography)+6, (Engineering)+19, (History)+10, (Local)+10, (Planes)+14, (Religion)+10, (Nature)+10, Linguistics+1, Perception+19, Spellcraft+15, Use magic device+27.

Languages Common, Draconic, Aquan, Aklo.

Combat gear Mithral Prismatic scatter light suit, Ring of protection+5, Amulet of natural armor+2, Dermal plating I, Wirejack tendons I, Thoracic nanite chamber I, Cyber fiber I, 2 Skillslots, 2 Skillchip (Knowledge Planes III, Use magic device IV), Cybernetic arm, Zero pistol, Noqual Transformative Quarterstaff+4, 16 Batteries, Boots of speed, Cloak of resistance+3, Headband of alluring charisma+4, Handy haversack, Engineer’s work gloves, Jetpack, Manual of leadership and influence+2(used), Ioun stones (Pale blue rhomboid, Scarlet and blue sphere), Wand of barkskin, Potions: 1 Gaseous form, 4 Cure critical wounds, 4 Resist energy ,4 Detect secret doors, Sorcerer kit, MWK thieves tools, Mechanical lab, 500Gp. 

Background: Purpled is one of the most “alien” inhabitant of the land, in a literal sense because he is probably an alien from space. Although that is not entirely confirmed, he has been acknowledged as one of the most skilled combatant of the land second to few. Purpled always sought ways to communicate with his “outer” kin as he attempted to build a saucer to get their attention. This one was blown by Quackity after a dispute and they have ever since been on bad terms especially after the purple mercenary killed his newfound friend, Slimecicle. Purpled is a true mercenary at heart that never forget OR forgives with a strong sense of justice: siding only with those that offer him the better prices, reasons and never starting a conflict that he doesn’t want to get involved into. Despite everything, he yearns recognition by leaving a mark, one that counts. One day, he was still thinking about what he did to Slimecicle and had a thought running in his head. Quackity blew up his saucer but it was a BUILDING not LIVING THING. There is a limit, a threshold on everything and he did walked over it. Was what he did a mistake? “No. Revenge is revenge. And I am just getting started.” He finished that thought and someone whispered in his ear “Wouldn’t that be a disappointment if he reversed what you did.” Purpled turned around, nobody. He was alone. “You want to know do you? Knowledge of the stars… The understanding of the endless sea… You want to know what he wants to do. Do you?” Purpled became immediately panicked when he explored every inch of the structure and found nobody “Who are you? What do you want? WHERE are you?” A small chuckle was heard. “I am the forgotten and forbidden, giver and taker, i’m in the holes of your mind, ready to FILL the gaps. I can give you what you desire. The knowledge of the stars and how to make that man suffer even more. Also, i know how to stop him from returning his friend back into shape.” Purpled froze. “He is going to fix that slime? How? You did something?” A gurgling sound was heard. “No. Another one did.” But if you want to give chase… this is your last call. Accept my offer. And i will give you the tools to dispose of your enemy. All that I ask in trade is simple: you will guide me to the house of the green god.” Purpled was unsure and hesitated. “Tik tok little fleshy creature. He is slipping away. FOREVER.” Purpled clenched his theet: “OK… Ok! Bring me to him! And this better not be a trick or…!” And suddenly the world changed and so did him. He awoke in a spaceship, broken but still a true one… lodged in the side of a mesa. “This is all i can give you and the closest i can place you. I will see you around.” Another chuckle was heard fading in the distance. Purpled, equipped with new tools and new knowledge was now more determined than ever. “Let’s do this s**t.”

Link for the image: https://www.tumpik.com/tag/PURPLED%20BEDWARS%20IS%20GETTING%20LORE%20WOOOOO

#minecraft #dream smp #purpled #dream smp purpled #pathfinder #pathfinder roleplaying game

[nanshe-of-nina]

Mayfair Witches; other Mayfairs

Peter Mayfair All his life Antoine Fontenay III deferred to Jeanne Louise and to her twin brother, Peter, who was never called by the French version of that name, Pierre. There is little doubt that these were the children of Petyr van Abel. Both Jeanne Louise and Peter were fair of complexion, with light brown hair and pale eyes. ... Jeanne Louise went only by the name of Mayfair on all official documents, and though she married young to a dissolute and drunken husband, her lifelong companion was her brother, Peter, who never married. He died only hours before Jeanne Louise, in 1771.

Lestan Mayfair Of Angélique’s six children, two girls died early, and two boys emigrated to France, the other, Lestan, going to Louisiana with his sister Marie Claudette. ... Several days before the Haitian revolution (the only successful slave uprising in history), Marie Claudette was warned by her slaves that she and her family might be massacred. She and her children, her brother Lestan and his wife and children, and her uncle Maurice and his two sons and their wives and children escaped with apparent ease and an amazing amount of personal possessions, a veritable caravan of wagons leaving Maye Faire for the nearby port.

Claire Marie Mayfair There was much gossip about Marie Claudette’s family life. It was said that her oldest daughter, Claire Marie, was feeble-minded, and there are numerous stories about this young woman wandering about in her nightgown, and saying strange though often delightful things to people. She saw ghosts and talked to them all the time, sometimes right in the middle of supper before amazed guests.

She also “knew” things about people and would blurt out these secrets at odd moments. She was kept at home, and though more than one man fell in love with her, Marie Claudette never allowed Claire Marie to marry. In her old age, after the death of her husband, Henri Marie Landry, Marie Claudette slept with Claire Marie, to watch her and keep her from roaming about and getting lost. She was often seen on the galleries in her nightgown.

Pierre Marie Claudette’s only son, Pierre, was never allowed to marry either. He “fell in love” twice, but both times gave in to his mother when she refused to grant permission for the wedding. His second “secret fiancée” tried to take her own life when she was rejected by Pierre. After that he seldom went out, but was often seen in the company of his mother. Pierre was a doctor of sorts to the slaves, curing them with various potions and remedies. He even studied medicine for a while with an old drunken doctor in New Orleans. But nothing much came of this. He also enjoyed botany and spent much time working in the garden, and drawing pictures of flowers. Botanical sketches done by Pierre are in existence today in the famous Mayfair house on First Street.

Suzette Mayfair This devotion did not prevent him from getting married, in 1875, to a Mayfair cousin, a descendant of Maurice and a celebrated beauty. Her name was Suzette Mayfair, and Julien so loved her that he commissioned no less than ten portraits of her during the first years of their marriage. They lived together in the First Street house apparently in complete harmony with Rémy and his family, perhaps because in every respect Rémy deferred to Julien. Suzette seems to have loved little Mary Beth, though she had four children of her own in the next five years, including three boys and a girl, named Jeannette.

Belle Mayfair And it was no secret that little Belle—the child of the mysterious Scottish Lord Mayfair—was not right in the head. Though very sweet and amiable, Belle was obviously unable to learn even simple things, and reacted emotionally to life forever as though she were about four years old, or so the cousins later described it. People hesitated to use the word feeble-minded. Everyone knew of course that Belle was not an appropriate designee for the legacy as she might never marry. And the cousins discussed this fairly openly at the time.

Carlotta Mayfair “I chose,” she said softly, almost sadly. “I went to church after Julien touched me, after he sang me his songs and told me his lies. I honestly think he believed his charms would win me over. I went to the shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and I knelt and prayed, and the strongest truth came through to me. Didn’t matter if God in his heaven was a Catholic or a Protestant God, or the God of the Hindus.

“What mattered was something deeper and older and more powerful than any such image—it was a concept of goodness based upon the affirmation of life, the turning away from destruction, from the perverse, from man using and abusing man. It was the affirmation of the human and the natural.” She looked up at Rowan. “I said, ‘God, stand by me. Holy Mother, stand by me. Let me use my power to fight them, to beat them, to win against them.’ ”

Cortland Mayfair “Oh, yes, I do,” Mr. Lonigan said. Then he pointed out the other names going way back. “Miss Mary Beth, now that was the mother of Stella, and of Miss Carl, and now, Miss Millie is actually Rémy Mayfair’s daughter. He was Miss Carl’s uncle, and he died at First Street, but that was before my time. I remember Julien Mayfair, however. He was what you call unforgettable, Julien was. Till the day he died, he was a fine-looking man. And so was Cortland, his son.

You see, Cortland died that year that Deirdre had that little baby. Now I didn’t bury Cortland. Cortland’s family lived in Metairie. They say it was all that ruckus over the baby that killed Cortland. But that don’t matter. You can see that Cortland was eighty years old besides. Old Miss Belle was Miss Carl’s older sister. But Miss Nancy, well, she is Antha’s sister. It will be Miss Millie next, you mark my words.”

Ellie Mayfair Ellie Mayfair, adoptive mother of Rowan Mayfair, the present designee of the legacy, is a descendant of Julien Mayfair, being a granddaughter of Julien’s son Cortland, the only child of Cortland’s son Sheffield Mayfair and his wife, a French-speaking cousin named Eugénie Mayfair, who died when Ellie was seven years old. Sheffield died before Cortland, of a severe heart attack in the family law offices on Camp Street in 1952, at which time he was forty-five.

His daughter Ellie was a student at Stanford in Palo Alto, California, at the time, where she was already engaged to Graham Franklin, whom she later married. She never lived in New Orleans after that, though she returned for frequent visits and came back to adopt Rowan Mayfair in 1959.

#bookedit #horroredit #mayfair witches #anne rice #the witching hour #southern gothic #horror #nanshe's graphics #mw series

[odiria]

𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗕𝗔 𝗢𝗗Ī𝗥𝗜𝗔  ✧  𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗔𝗡  ✧  𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗭𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗦 𝗔𝗨𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡  

(kotone furukawa, she/her, human) To ODĪRIA CHIBA, the whole world looks like an open page. With a leap of faith, their skills in CURSE BREAKING grows a little stronger. For TWENTY-SIX years, they have survived a world of magic with both their CURIOSITY and CANDID ATTITUDE. They work by TENDING TO THE WIZARDS TOWER, but if they could change their fate, they’d want to EXPLORE THE WORLD. (ana, 25, she/her, est) 

i: basics

NAME: chiba odīria

AGE: twenty-six

GENDER: gender neutral

PRONOUNS: she/they

SEXUALITY: demisexual, questioning

RELATIONSHIP: single

FACECLAIM: kotone furukawa

HEIGHT: 161cm / 5′ 3″

HAIR COLOR: black

EYE COLOR: brown

ZODIAC: aries sun, libra moon, cancer rising

SCENT: earthy and sweet, notes of chamomile, honeysuckle, and dragonsblood. mids of clary sage and rosemary

POSITIVE TRAITS: curious, sincere, inquisitive, forgiving, empathetic

NEUTRAL TRAITS: observant, ritualistic, unusual, candid, transparent

NEGATIVE TRAITS: complicated, verbose, grumpy, impulsive, needy

ii: personality

LIKES: restoring books, blue wisteria, herbal scents, pickled ginger, soft hands, the feeling of soil between her fingers, the smell of a burning cauldron, when other people buy her food, open fields, rural land, competing, dressing up, pretending to be someone else

DISLIKES: remaining stagnant, green skittles, losing at games, books creasing, selfish people, losing at games, being stuck in the tower all day, authority (just a lil bit), isolation, her loved ones being hurt, murray wheatbelly

HOBBIES: gardening, studying, tidying the tower, making up games, bits of potion making, book organizing, reading

TALENTS: curse breaking, remembering things, comforting others, jewelry making, herbology

FLAWS: aimless, blunt, fixated, temperamental, jealous, possessive at times, sad

HABITS: speaking with a rising inflection, humming sounds that get stuck in her head, parroting people, twisting rings on her fingers, swaying while standing

WANTS: to figure out who she is, a best friend/companion, to find a meaning to it all, to grow old one day and have children, to be free

FEARS: perpetual stillness, isolation, rizzetheus, being unwanted, the unknown

DREAMS: to explore the world with a friend, to take down the boundary, to experience life, to remember her previous life, to die one day.

iii. biography

in a world where enchantment and innovation entwined like an eternal dance, there came into existence a being like no other. born of a curious experiment, she emerged as a testament to the boundless abilities of magic. as her eyes fluttered open for the first time, she beheld the visage of a mother and father of sorts.

her creation had been an ambitious endeavor, an audacious fusion of the magical arts and arcane knowledge. though her birth artificial, her essence radiated with a unique blend of enchantment and the lingering breath of an immortal soul. neither fully living nor dead, she found herself existing in a realm between realms, an ethereal tapestry woven with the threads of her creators' aspirations.

within the confines of her abode, a tower adorned with the patina of forgotten tales, she yearned for companionship and adventure. the solitude weighed upon her, like petals adrift on the wind, until fate intervened and breathed new life into her timeless days. in a twist of destiny, apprentices for their way to her father's tower, their spirits injecting vivacity into the once stagnant air.  a newfound exuberance and insatiable curiosity delighted her, igniting a dormant spark from within.

through an uncanny coincidence, she bore a resemblance to the lost love of the lady of the wildwoods, a revered figure of ancient lore. as whispers of her resemblance reached the ears of the lady, her heart stirred with a bittersweet longing and grief. drawn to her presence, the lady extended a sorrowful invitation, granting odīria the honored position of becoming one of her advisors. with a grief-stricken gaze, the lady hoped to capture fragments of her lost love in odīria's existence. a glimmer of solace in the midst of an eternal longing.

she stood as a beacon of hope, embodying boundless potential within the realm between realms, illuminating a path of shattered boundaries. yet, an ache lingers within, for completeness eludes her grasp. deep within her artificial heart, she yearns for the ephemeral, the fleeting moments of growth and aging, a life mirroring mortal existence, where experiences shape her identity and fill the void tugging at her soul.

#— what a blissful feeling it would be; to remember a different memory of me. (intro) #cag: intro