#but Sirius is such a bloody strong character

[blitheringmcgonagall]

Do you ever think about the fact that Sirius Black was so mentally strong that despite being imprisoned in Azkaban for 12 years; 12 years basically in solitary confinement because he’s hardly chatting to the Voldy crowd; and we are told he was ONE OF THE MOST HEAVILY GUARDED in the entire prison - despite all this, During Fudge’s visit to Azkaban, Sirius casually asked if he could have Fudge's newspaper (since he missed doing the crossword), which the unnerved Minister handed over?

Because I do.

And do you ever think about the fact that despite surviving 12 years of hell, then other stuff like eating rats in a cave and risking getting his soul sucked out by Dementors, the only time we see Sirius Black in a bad way is when he is stuck in Grimmauld Place for the first time since he ran away as a 16 year old. Stuck there reliving old memories and old losses and unable to help Harry (his whole raison d’être), drinking and low in mood. He gives Buckbeak his mother’s old room (does he want Buckbeak to ruin it or an excuse to go into it, Probably both) and leaves Regulus’ room completely untouched, unchanged, like a shrine to his ‘idiot, too soft’ baby brother?

Because I do.

#do you ever think about that #but Sirius is such a bloody strong character #I love him #sirius black #sirius deserved better #marauders

[soloorganaas]

sirius’s character is so strong so complex so bloody impactful he literally has a book named after him that he’s in like. three scenes of

#sirius black #NO ONE casts such a long shadow over the narrative like he does #anyone saying he doesn’t have much of a character #or that he’s just a manipulative reckless idiot #has been thoroughly duped by in-universe propaganda #also the same people who buy remus’s sweet and innocent bullshit #hp

[wastelandmoony]

Déjà Vécu: Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Four : Not Strong Enough

Summary: Christmas pt II.

Characters: Remus Lupin/Reader, Sirius Black/Reader (no use of y/n), James Potter, Petter Pettigrew, Regulus Black, Marlene McKinnon, Mary MacDonald, Lily Evans

Warnings: 18+ Only, Minors DNI; language, violence, gore, abuse.

Déjà Vécu Masterlist

Companion Playlist

Read on AO3

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Rooted to the spot in the sitting room entryway, she watched as James and Remus lifted an unconscious Sirius as gently as possible. She couldn’t feel her body anymore. All sounds had ceased to register. She could only see Sirius’ pale face, his beautiful features limp and eerily peaceful, a stark contrast from the blood coating his hairline. 

They moved past her towards the stairs to the empty bedroom. 

He was dressed so nicely. She could practically hear him complaining about the fancy clothes, a minor tantrum they had the pleasure of witnessing last year during the Potter’s New Years party. I’m going to asphyxiate myself with this bloody tie! He had threatened as she tightened the knot around his neck. Better not do it in front of everyone, wait until after dessert to off yourself, please, she had rolled her eyes. 

She trailed behind the boys like a ghost, operating fully on autopilot as her two friends lowered Sirius onto the bed while Euphemia gathered supplies. Mr. Potter rushed in shortly afterwards, nodding at his wife that was currently tending to Sirius’ wounds. 

“A healer will be here shortly, Dumbledore is on his way as well.”

That snapped her back to life.

“Why is he coming here?” Her voice didn't sound like her own.

Fleamont looked at his wife, the two of them conversing silently.

“At this point in time, we can’t be too careful,” Mr. Potter said grimly, placing a reassuring hand on his son's shoulder. 

“James, love, will you go downstairs and put the kettle on?” Euphemia said as she dabbed Sirius’ head with a warm cloth. 

James nodded and turned to leave, meeting her eyes as she stood against the doorframe. Walking past, he grabbed her hand, pulling them both into the hallway. They didn't speak on the way downstairs, nor did James let go of his grip. When they reached the kitchen, they both stood in silence, grasping each other’s fingers tightly as they listened to the soft hum of the wind outside, the ticking of the grandfather clock in the sitting room, the almost indecipherable murmur of Mrs. Potter upstairs. She turned to look at her friend, his face crumpling immediately at the sight of her tear streaked face. 

In the dim light of the kitchen, she held James tightly, fingers combing through his dark curls as they both cried in each other’s arms. 

———

Dumbledore arrived a short time later, apparating onto the Potter’s front walk with a loud crack. The sound had made her shudder all the way from upstairs. 

Her and the three other boys sat vigil around Sirius’ room while the healer flitted about performing various spells and incantations, occasionally pouring random potions down his throat. Mrs. Potter had lit some candles, the smell of lavender and thyme clinging to the last piece of her mental clarity. Remus held her hand, running a thumb methodically against her skin in a gesture that she knew wasn’t just for her own comfort. 

After what seemed like an eternity, but realistically couldn’t have been more than an hour or two, Sirius began to stir. His face started to twitch slightly, his eyes scrunching in pain, followed by a low groan as he came to complete consciousness. 

She pressed her unoccupied hand firmly to her mouth, trying to keep all of the emotions inside. 

The healer tutted, pushing Sirius back down as he tried to sit up.

“Now, now,” she said firmly but gently, “you’ll need to take it easy for the next few days. You’ve had quite the night, young man.” 

Sirius looked around the room confused, eyes bouncing between the four of them and then back to the healer.

“W-where am I? What’re you lot doing here?” His voice was hoarse, as if he’d been screaming. 

“You’re at my house, mate,” James said softly, “you’re safe.”

Sirius looked at the healer. 

“What’s the last thing you remember, dear,” she said, handing him another potion vial. 

He furrowed his brows in recollection, “I—“

“Ah, Mr. Black, you’re awake,” Dumbledore had appeared in the doorway with Mr. and Mrs. Potter, his face stoic but his eyes sparkling in the low light of the bedroom. 

“Fiona,” he looked over his half-moon spectacles at the healer, “if you’d be so kind.”

She bowed her head to him and quietly left the room, shutting the door behind her. 

“Sirius,” Dumbledore sat at the end of the bed, “would you be so inclined as to recount the events from earlier this evening?”

Sirius stared at him, and she could tell that he was deciding whether or not to open up. His shoulders slumped, and he took a deep breath that sounded a lot like defeat. 

“They tried to make me take the mark…” he muttered, fidgeting with the hem of the quilt.

“The mark?” She asked aloud, immediately wishing she could sink into the floor.

Sirius cut his eyes over to hers, and she couldn’t decipher what she saw, but it shook her to the core. 

“The Death Eaters, they all have it,” he explained, “It’s like a brand, but it connects the wearer directly to Voldemort.”

Remus gripped her arm, feeling her begin to shake.

“They tried to force me, and I said no…I said no so many times…” Sirius whispered. He sounded so tired. “The next thing I knew, I was waking up here.” 

“Who is ‘they’, Sirius?” Dumbledore pushed.

Sirius flashed a defiant look at the headmaster. From across the room, she knew this wouldn’t end well.

“…My parents,” Sirius mumbled.

“Who else was there?” Dumbledore’s voice had lowered, almost inaudible.

Sirius shook his head, staring back down at his hands fisting the quilt. 

“It’s important that you tell us who, Mr. Black—“

“Don’t you think he’s been through enough for tonight?” She blurted out, no longer able to hold onto the burning anger.

Sirius’ gaze lifted to her, and the gratitude in his face almost sent her to her knees. Dumbledore hadn’t shown an ounce of empathy since arriving, a point that she had tucked away in her brain for unpacking later on. 

Professor Dumbledore returned the slightest glance at her over his shoulder, but it was enough to see the impenitent gleam beyond those half-moon glasses.

He turned back to assess Sirius for a moment, then patted his hand, “Thank you, Sirius. You should rest now.” 

He rose to his feet and asked to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Potter outside. After they left, the rest of them stared between each other, unsure of what to do now. 

“For Merlin’s sake, I’m not fuckin’ contagious,” Sirius groaned from the bed, causing James to smirk and sit at the edge of the bed where Dumbledore had just vacated.

“How d’you feel?” James asked.

“Like shit, if I’m honest,” Sirius sat up slightly against the headboard. She just noticed how dark the circles were under his eyes. 

He hadn’t slept since they left school.

“What happened, Sirius?” She whispered. He had left out information when talking to Dumbledore. After years of him confessing his family’s secrets to her in private, she knew his tells a mile away.

He looked at her and sighed, “It wasn’t a Christmas party, not like the normal ones anyway. It was an initiation party…for me,” he said quietly, “The entire family was there, along with some of my parent’s slimy friends like the Crouch’s and the Malfoy’s. They tried to make me take the mark in front of everyone, said I could ‘redeem myself and bring glory upon our family name once again’, and when I refused, my father dragged me to his study and…well, let’s just say it wasn’t a pleasant conversation. Afterwards, my mother came in—“

She knew where this was going. The Christmas dinner that Mrs. Potter had worked so painstakingly on was now threatening to come up. 

“—she didn’t even speak to me. She just said the spell. Over, and over, and over. I don’t remember how I ended up on the floor, but I remember her standing over me and asking if I’d changed my mind. When I told her to go to hell, she crucio’d me once more, then left the room.”

Tears were streaming down her face silently as she stared at him. Remus’ head was down, James wiped his eyes with his sleeve, Peter hadn’t moved a muscle. 

“Reg found me bleeding on the rug. He slipped in and threw some floo powder into the fireplace, and pushed me in. He knew I’d be safest here.” 

She didn’t want to think about Regulus. Didn’t want to think about what sort of punishment he was currently facing at the hands of his parents when they realized what he’d done. 

The door to the bedroom opened, and Mr. and Mrs. Potter appeared once more, Dumbledore nowhere in sight. 

“Sirius, love,” Euphemia said softly, “How would you like to stay with us for a while?”

James perked up at that, looking eagerly between his parents and best friend.

“I’d like that a lot, thank you,” he said, and she could see the silver rimming his eyes before he quickly willed it away. 

“Brilliant. Well, you’d better get some rest, we’ll sort everything out in the morning. Do not stay in here and pester him,” she pointed at James, who held up his hands innocently. 

Shortly after they left, Sirius settled back down on the pillows. 

“We’ll let you sleep, mate,” James said as he stood, pulling Peter with him. Remus got up as well, still silent and contemplative. 

“Cheers,” Sirius mumbled, blinking heavily. 

The three boys filed out of the room and she stood to follow. 

“No,” Sirius whispered, hand outstretched towards her, “Please…I don’t want to be alone.” 

She despised what his family did to him, abhorred the scars on his body and the pain that lingered in his eyes for weeks. But what she hated the most was the way he spoke afterwards. They turned her usually loud, boisterous, confident friend into a meek, scared, pleading little boy. She knew Sirius hated it just as much. He’d never let the boys see him like this.

“Do you want us to sleep in here? We can all camp on the floor—“ she looked to where the others had just left.

“—I don’t want them, I just want you. Please…”

He sounded so broken. The frailty of his voice melted her bones, and all she wanted to do was hold onto him. 

“Okay,” she whispered, shutting the door and switching off the lights. Climbing onto the bed, she didn’t touch him, not even risking getting beneath the covers in fear that she would harm him in some way. As she laid back against the pillows, Sirius reached over and intertwined their fingers. 

“They’re going to make Reg take the mark,” he whispered into the dark. 

She didn’t know how to respond to that, so they sat in silence for a moment until she chose her words carefully.

“Does he want that?” She asked slowly.

“I’m not so sure what Reggie wants anymore…” he mumbled, and she could tell he was falling asleep. 

She laid there for a while, staring up at the ceiling. Sirius snored softly beside her, his features completely at ease. She smoothed a hand through his hair, feeling the remnants of dried blood caked onto his scalp. When she awoke the next morning, her hand was still in his hair, and his was draped over her body, holding her tightly. 

#remus lupin x reader #remus lupin angst #remus lupin fanfiction #remus lupin fluff #marauders era fanfiction #harry potter fanfiction #marauders fanfiction #marauders fic #sirius black fanfiction #sirius black x reader #sirius black angst #sirius black imagine #sirius black fic #marauders x reader #remus lupin x you #sirius black x you #james potter fluff #Sirius Black slow burn #marauders au #Sirius Black au #Remus Lupin au #Harry Potter au

[hillnerd]

WAKING UP - CH 15

AO3   FFN      Beginning of story | Previous Chapter

chapter word count 13 114

Gigantic thank you to my beta @abradystrix. Check out her work as it's truly lovely writing!

previously in 'Waking Up'(honestly, I recommend re-reading the chapter before as lots of it ties to this chapter)

Ron briefly connects with Ginny and she tells him how worried she is for him before she leaves the Burrow- she had a confrontation with Harry the night before about Ron's safety that the couple are still reeling from.

Ron learns some spells to use in his Combat Readiness Exam. Harry and Ron go to the Ministry for their C.R.E. but are confronted by loads of reporters, including Rita Skeeter. Robbie rescues them with a side room to weigh their wands.

They get ready for their C.R.E. and Ramona is late and looking bedraggled.

It's time for the C.R.E.- it's a hostage situation, they're all wearing the same safety vests as before, and they split up to find the hostage.

Harry Ron Ramona Claudia and Neville take out a team of 3 Aurors- one of which was a rooftop 'sniper' type Auror Ron was able to overpower.

They meet with the other recruits and get the 'hostage dummy' in a flurry of action- Ron's definitely experiencing PTSD symptoms and his arm is doing poorly-

There are 3 'enemy' Aurors left- Robards (head of Aurors), Sealy-Pearce and Musaad. They are in a 'squid room' that deflects spells and dove into the earth.

Neville and Vyse help with his arm that's numb and acting up.

The recruits split up to find the squid, Ramona Claudia Ron and Harry go underground, while the rest are above.

Harry and Ron split off and hear a voice:

"Harry?" came a voice. They both turned to the sound of the feminine voice.

"Was that—?" asked Harry.

"Harry?"

That was Ginny's voice! What was Ginny doing here? Her voice was there, clear as day, but there was no sign of Ron's sister. It had come from a different smaller tunnel.

"Gin?" Harry called out, going down the tunnel a few paces.

"Harry… I don't think—" Ron began.

"Harry?" came Ginny's voice again.

They slowly crept down the tunnel, wand's light being eaten up by the darkness.

"Harry!" They swung their wands and there was Ginny, covered in blood, reaching towards them.

Chapter warnings: cannon level violence, descriptions of cannon dead characters, ptsd symptoms, cursing, hallucinations, nightmarish creepy imagery, spiders, mention of blood and having trouble breathing, implied sexual assault memories, choking and water going up sinuses, reference to dead parent, reference to severely disabled parent, broken bone, characters with limited control of emotions/selves, strong emotions

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CHAPTER 15 - C.R.E. #4

Ron wrenched back from his blood-covered sister, feet submerging in sludgy water.

“You didn’t do enough!” Ginny accused, pointing a bloody finger.

At first Ron thought she was directing her words at himself, but he soon realised she only had her piercing gaze set on Harry.

“Everyone’s dead because of you. You killed Fred. You killed Lupin and Tonks. Dobby and Sirius and Cedric and—”

“Don’t listen, Harry,” said Ron. He tried to step in front of him, but his boot caught fast in the slurry at his feet.

“Bill and George and Dad and Ron and I all nearly died because of you! Everywhere you go, people die for you! You use us as human shields and everyone ends up dead! Ron’s the next one to die becau—”

“Riddikulus!” Ron shouted at his sister. With a crack, she was in clown makeup, complete with clown nose and hat. It wasn’t particularly funny, but at least she wasn’t terrifying anymore.

Harry was pale beside him, eyes wide.

“Nothing that thing said is true,” Ron immediately said. “Not one word of it. Ginny doesn’t think that!”

Harry mutely moved his head in a pale imitation of a nod.

“Fucking Boggarts…” muttered Ron,

pulling at his leg until it squelched with a loud ‘thhhwip’ and came free.

“Here, let’s move before it changes into a giant spider.”

There was a crack behind him. He began to point his wand when he heard the voice rasping, “Got you to scream good and loud for me, didn’t I?”

A claw of terror raked over him, rendering him unable to move, to utter a single word.

That voice brought back every strike, every sensation… It felt like an iron suit of armour had dropped onto his chest from a fourth story window.

He turned and there stood the hulking figure of Otho Crowthers lurching towards him. His brow was as sloped as the last time he’d seen him, his steps as heavy and menacing. It even had that rancid smell of his body and breath. Ron thought he might throw up as that same smell rolled over him. How could the Boggart know the smell of him?

“Riddikulus,” he gasped, waving his wand.

“Bet I can make you scream without a wand… Can’t I?”

“Riddikulus!”

He couldn’t make it funny. He couldn’t think of anything. This wasn’t funny. His mind raced, searching for a way to lighten the darkness that surrounded him, but all he found were the suffocating grip of shame and the gnawing bite of fear.

“Who’s—?” Harry began to ask.

“I like raw meat like you, ginger.”

“Ri-Riddikulus,” Ron croaked.

“You know what I want to do to you? I’m gonna tear—” Crowthers crooned.

“Riddikulus!” cried Harry, stepping in front of the Boggart. Crowthers changed into an oversized Gorilla with a kazoo.

A tsunami of shame overwhelmed him, battering him to and fro until he was a pulp of useless flesh. He couldn’t bear to look over and see Harry grimly studying him.

The things it had said…

Every particle of him wished the cave would collapse on him. He didn’t want to see or be seen. How many times did he have to have his soul ripped out and put on display for his friend?

“Ron, who was that?”

“No one,” his mouth said before his brain could even begin to create an explanation. “Let’s… Let’s…”

“Ron…” He could hear the pleading in Harry’s voice to tell him what was going on; to let him help in some way. He couldn’t give that to him, as much as he wanted to spare his friend an iota of hurt, he just couldn’t.

“Please can we move away from the Boggart? Please?”

He was already pathetic, why not add begging to the mix?

“We can go back to the other tunnel,” agreed Harry, tone horribly gentle. They both ignored the Boggart as it latched onto Harry and turned into a bloody Ron on the ground. “Yeah, let’s go.”

Ron felt a hand on his back and jerked away.

Harry took a deep gulp of air, as if he was about to dive underwater. He tended to do that before an unpleasant conversation topic.

“So,” Harry began, but before he could say more the earth beneath their feet shook, and a great rumble echoed through the tunnels.

“The Squid,” Ron exclaimed, running towards the noise.

Harry hesitated, but quickly caught up with him.

Their wrists heated as their watches showed the message: ‘Found Squid! We’re at a manhole near Bethune! -Claudia’

They didn’t need a map; the crashing of the Squid was practically upon them.

As they rounded the corner, chaos unfolded and the air cracked with magic.

Ramona and Claudia were in the corner throwing spells, taking cover behind fallen stones and fragments of ancient columns.

Through the small red window, the Squid room churned out a destructive onslaught of hexes and blasts, each more destructive than the next.

Harry and Ron joined the fray, launching a flurry of spells, but nothing seems to hurt the Squid.

The Squid's tentacle-like limbs effortlessly blocked each spell, nullifying the magic as if it were nothing more than a puff of air.

“Can’t get anything through!” Ron panted.

Harry’s only response was to yell his spells louder.

One of Harry’s spells deflected off a metallic arm and struck the red window, causing a blink-and-you-miss-it crack to form.

“The window!” Ron yelled at him.

"Aim at the window!" Harry shouted to the team. Claudia and Ramona promptly responded, and the tunnel was alight with destructive spells.

"Reducto!" bellowed Harry. With his final hit, the crack spread across the window.

"We're doing it! It could break!" exclaimed Claudia.

The Squid's massive arms thrashed, striking the tunnel's side with a bone-shaking force and a pillar fell, pinning an arm of the Squid.

The Squid struggled to move, pulling at its trapped arm like a dog tugging at a rope. With a final lurch, it shook itself loose.

A horrifying crunch followed as the pillar was thrown across the alcove, taking out masonry as easily as one would brush away cobwebs.

“GET BACK!” yelled Harry.

Time slowed as pillars of brick crumbled, one brick at a time popping into dust, shaking the stone floor beneath their feet.

The tunnel walls groaned like an old whale, then gave way to the impending collapse.

The ground was gone from beneath Ron.

For a moment he was weightless and his stomach swooped. There was nothing to grab or do, but hang in the air and feel everything falling.

The impact knocked the wind out of him as he landed on unforgiving rocky terrain. Stones and masonry fell around him. He couldn’t breathe, but managed to pull his legs and arms in to protect himself.

The sound of everything collapsing was a deafening roar. Every pitch of sound both high and low was hit at once, surrounding him as he was shaken and hit.

The ground lurched again and he was thrown like a limp doll into darkness.

He struggled through his nose to take in air. He’d had the breath knocked out of him before, and knew what to do, but surrounded by dust and detritus it was hard to feel like his inhales were doing anything.

The cacophony of collapse finally eased.

Amid the darkness, he heard the moans of his companions.

He squinted up and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust. He found himself trapped between sections of the collapsed floor and a slanted piece of ceiling. He was not able to stand fully upright in the tight space and his arms began to ache.

He was filthy, and from head to waist he was sprinkled in a thin film of rust-coloured dust he tried to wipe off. Each brush against the orange dust only moved it around.

"Everyone okay?" called Claudia from somewhere above him.

"We're down here! We're alright!" came Harry's voice. “Where are you?”

“I’m in the tunnel we were in, but I don’t see anyone!” cried Claudia.

"Harry?" Ron coughed, swatting away the dust.

"Here!" A wand illuminated, and an orange hand waved from a corner of his alcove. There was a small opening; enough for an arm to fit through, but not enough for a whole body, even one as wiry as Harry's.

Ron peered into the hole.

Harry and Ramona were deep within the crevice, the wall and collapsed floor of the tunnel blocking their escape. Covered head to toe in a much thicker coating of orange dust, they looked like a duo of mutant Crookshankses.

Ron could feel a pressure building around him and the hairs on his neck began to rise. Something was wrong.

"Can you Apparate out?" Claudia called from up above. "I'm afraid to move any of this rubble without help. I don’t want to cause another collapse!"

Ron attempted to Apparate, but the anti-Apparition Ward was still in place. "I can’t Apparate. We'll have to wait until everyone regroups."

"Got you to scream good and loud for me."

Ron whipped his head around, certain the sound had originated from behind, but there was no Boggart in sight, just stone and dust motes still settling.

"Harry, do you see the Boggart?" he asked.

"No," Harry quietly replied, before adding, “but I can hear Ginny again.”

"You hear Ginny?" Ron questioned. “Can you hear anyone else?”

“No… Why? What do you hear?”

“Mum?” called Ramona.

“Ramona, what do you hear?” asked Harry.

“It’s… It’s my Mum… She’s begging for help… You said it was a Boggart? Where is it?”

Ron couldn’t hear Ginny or Ramona’s Mum.

A bloodcurdling scream rent the air. Hermione’s.

“Ron! Please! Help!”

He stood and yelled into the dark, “Riddikulus!”

But there was nothing to see, nothing to transform into something humorous.

The pressure from before was pounding on Ron now. He could feel the magic of the place swarming them. They were surrounded by it.

“I reinforced the walls so you won’t get crushed,” called Claudia. “But I’m nervous to move anything on my own up here. Hold tight- we’ll have the others help soon!”

“WHERE IS IT?” screamed Ramona.

“I— I don’t…” Ron began— but Hermione was screaming as she did in the Manor as Crowthers crooned in Ron’s ears what he’d do to them. “Harry? Do you see it?”

He knelt down and peered into the darkness expecting to see Harry next to the opening, but his friend was bent over, hands on his ears.

“Harry!” Ron yelled at him.

Harry shook his head, green eyes wide and unseeing.

Ramona was pacing the back of the room, arms clutched around her middle. “We have to get out of here! They’re going to get us!”

“Who?” asked Ron.

“The Snatchers are coming!”

“Ramona, It’s not real! Whatever you’re hearing, it’s not—”

Hermione’s screams ripped through him.

Ramona was in the corner screaming. “Mum! Mummy! No! Please, Please!”

Harry on the ground with hands over his ears muttering to himself. “I’m sorry… I’m sorry!”

“Mate, it’s okay, we’re going to get you out of there!”

“I’m so sorry!” cried Harry.

“Riddikulus!” Ron shouted again, but nothing stopped the cacophony of terror; it rang through him as screams and nightmares flooded his ears.

“Someone tell me what’s happening!” Claudia pled.

“We’re… We’re hearing things!” he managed to say between hitched sobs. When had he started crying? Why couldn’t he Apparate to Hermione? He had to get out of the cellar! No… No he wasn’t in Malfoy Manor.

“Ron! Please help me,” sobbed Hermione before letting out another blood-curdling scream.

“Hermione!” he called back, punching the wall, but nothing helped.

A quicksand of fear was pulling him ever down down down. He wiped at his face, which was wet with something. Tears? Blood?

Where was he? Everything was dark… He couldn’t Apparate to Hermione! She needed him, or Crowthers would… Wait, she wasn’t there with him. He was alone… How… How did they get them all in Malfoy’s cellar again?

“I’m going to make you scream,” growled Crowthers.

He punched at the walls. He had to get to her! He couldn’t let Crowthers touch her!

He could see her on the other side, small and pale as she was dragged along the floor by her hair. She didn’t even flinch as she was thrown onto a stump and tied in place.

“Hermione!” He screamed and sobbed, but couldn’t get to her. His hands were bleeding as he madly scrabbled for her. “Hermione!”

Spiders of every size were crawling over him and he nearly vomited as their sharp little legs caught on his skin.

He tried to shake them off and get to Hermione, but blood was on the ground,slowly oozing towards him, and Crowther’s toxic breath was in his nostrils.

“Ron!” came an insistent voice from above him.

He shook his head. His mind felt flayed open, a rupture of raw hurt and confusion.

“Please answer me, Ron! What’s going on down there?!”

Suddenly Malfoy’s cellar was brightly lit, blinding him as he sobbed into the ground.

“Christ— he’s covered in Boggart dust! Put your shirt over your face or bubblehead charm yourself,” came a male voice.

There were murmurs, but the main thing he heard was Crowthers in his ear whispering, “tell me your name, pretty…”

A hand latched into him and he could see Fred, corpse pale, blood pooling down his neck and bits of brain falling onto the ground.

“It should’ve been you… George even said so,” said Fred without malice. He was right.

“Ron, don't let him kill me!” pleaded Hermione, tears in her eyes.

His head was wrenched back, and he threw an elbow trying to stop Crowthers. A stinging rush of something went up his nose. It had to be spiders crawling up inside his face scrabbling and tearing out his brain to lay eggs.

He was drowning and gagging as water flushed through his sinuses.

“Sorry, we need to get it all out of you,” a voice apologised.

“Get… What? Weneedta get Hermione…” he slurred. Another course of water flushed up his nose and down his throat, making him retch on the ground. He was sprayed down, and the cold made every muscle twitch.

“I needta stop ‘im… Crowthers!”

Hermione screamed in his ears and he struggled to get to her, not minding the sting of the cuts in his hands.

“He needs at least one more flush out once I pass him up to you,” said a male voice.

His teeth chattered as a spell lifted him into light.

“I’m sorry, but it looks like we need to do it once more, Ron,” someone said before water flushed through his sinuses a third time, stinging his eyes and even the inside of his cheek bones.

He coughed and felt snot dripping from his nose and hocked even more of it on the ground.

A warm hand was on his shoulder.

“You with me?”

He squinted up into the face of Neville.

“Nev?”

“Yes! Where are you?”

“I’m…” Ron blinked around the dark cavernous room. It wasn’t Malfoy Manor. It was well-lit compared to the hole he’d been in. Hermione wasn’t there. Crowthers wasn’t there… Fred and the spiders were gone… “The… The C.R.E. In a tunnel.”

“That’s right,” he nodded, giving a tight grin. Neville had the film of a bubblehead charm around his face, and Ron belatedly discovered he had one as well. The charm slightly distorted his view and made his breath feel hot on his face.

With a sudden realisation he scrambled for the hole they’d just lifted him from. “Oh fuck, we need to get Harry!”

“We’re getting him. It’s going to be okay, Ron,” said Neville, gently pushing him back until he was lying against the wall.

For some reason Ron started crying again. His voice was broken as deep sobs shook him. He wrapped his arms around himself. “M’sorry!”

“Don’t apologise. You all fell into an old Boggart breeding den, it looks like. That’s what Vyse said, anyway. There’s ‘Boggart dust’ everywhere. It basically makes you mad with fear and hallucinations until it works its way out of your system fully. Emotions of every kind will be intense for a bit, so we’ll stay here until you’re feeling up to moving.”

Ron looked over the side as he continued to cry.

The stones keeping Harry and Ramona imprisoned were floated aside.

“Spray down the area first, then we’ll get them individually,” ordered Vyse.

He could hear Ramona sobbing and screaming for her mother, but nothing from Harry. For minutes he waited, but he still hadn’t heard Harry’s voice.

Ron shook his head. “I need to help.”

“We’ve got it,” said Neville.

“No you don’t. Not with Harry.” Ron stood on wobbly knees and unshrunk his broom. They didn’t understand! Ron had seen Harry afraid before and he knew what he was capable of. He had been on the receiving end of punches as Harry was rent out of nightmares, and had seen his friend destroy an oak door because it slammed too hard.

He flew down to ground they’d cleared of Boggart dust. Ramona was sobbing on the ground, struggling against Theold as Vyse attempted to Aguamenti her face.

Harry was shaking, but otherwise limp on the ground, arm protectively grasping his shoulder with white knuckles. He was wet all over, a bubble charm in place.

“Ron? Shouldn’t you be up with Neville?” asked Kevin.

“M’fine,” he said, kneeling beside Harry. “Harry? You okay?”

“He hasn’t responded to any of us, and we’ve flushed him out like five times,” said Claudia, worry pinching her features.

For a moment Ron considered putting a restraint on Harry, but the thought of doing that to him after whatever he’d been forced to listen to was repugnant.

“Harry, I need to get some water into you again. It’s going to sting. Can you hear me?”

Harry stared ahead with open eyes, tear tracks or water running down his cheeks— Ron couldn’t tell which.

He removed the bubble charm.

“Aguamenti,” whispered Ron with a shaking voice. His own face was wet with tears again as he flushed Harry’s face with water and his friend barely flinched.

“Harry, wake up!” Ron said, giving his friend a shake.

“Flush him again,” he dimly heard Vyse say.

Ron performed another ‘aguamenti’ and with a start Harry flinched and vomited up orange tinged water on the ground.

“That’s it, get it all out,” Ron croaked.

Harry choked and spasmed before his bleary eyes caught Ron’s.

“R-Ron?” he whimpered.

“Yeah! Yeah it’s me,” Ron blubbered, unable to stop himself. Fucking Boggarts…

Claudia washed off Harry’s glasses and handed them to Ron. He put them in place and cast another bubble head charm on Harry.

Harry was pale and patted his hand along the ground for his wand.

“Here,” said Ron, handing it to him.

His friend took the wand, but didn’t try to move again. As Ron explained the Boggart dust, he could feel the wet tracks down his face and a gross itch at his nose. He wished he could wipe his face, but that might get more dust on him.

“Let’s get out of here,” Ron urged.

Harry weakly nodded, and limply let Ron guide him to a standing position.

“Here Ron, let me help,” said Kevin.

He put a hand on Ron’s back.

It felt like Crowthers was about to rut against him and he gave a small cry of alarm at the contact.

In an instant Harry wrenched away, his features twisting into an angry snarl. “DON’T TOUCH HIM!”

Before anyone could react, a spell hurtled through the chamber, a destructive projectile hitting Kevin squarely in the chest. The large recruit flew into the wall with a gut-wrenching crunch before he vanished into thin air.

"Oh, shit!" Ron's exclamation mirrored the collective shock, his mind racing as panic and disbelief battled for dominance.

“What the fuck, Harry?” asked Theold, pointing his wand at Harry. All the wands were on Harry.

“Wait!” Ron said, standing in front of him. “It was an accident! It’s the Boggart dust. Don’t—”

Ropes were around Harry in an instant, and his friend let out an aborted cry before toppling.

“I’m sorry!” squeaked Claudia.

Ron knelt beside Harry as he shook on the ground, writhing like a mad man.

“Harry… Harry please snap out of it…”

“More water,” said Vyse, pushing Harry to a seated position. “You hold him, I’ll flush him out.”

Ron got behind him, putting Harry’s back against his own chest.

“Ready?” asked Vyse.

“Do it, already!” he said through gritted teeth, as Harry struggled and nearly hit Ron in the nose with the back of his thrashing head.

After what seemed like an endless stream of water Ron stopped them.

“Harry? You okay?”

“Wh-what?” came Harry’s voice, sounding so small it didn’t sound like him at all. “Ron? What… What happened?”

“You fucking spelled Kevin into the wall and now we’re down a man!” spat Theold.

“I… I what?” asked Harry.

He looked feeble and lost. Ron had seen Harry like this only a few times. When he spoke Parseltongue in second year. When he’d seen Cedric die. When he’d seen Dad nearly die. When Sirius was dead. When he’d held Dobby.

He might have been reliving those nights.

“It’s okay. He’ll be fine,” Ron assured him.

Harry’s eyes shifted his way, haunted, glossy and unsure. Then Ron’s arms were holding nothing. His friend was gone in an instant.

Ron stared at the spot where Harry had just been.

The vest had taken Harry out of the Exam.

“What the fuck?!”

“Looks like they realised he was a harm to himself and others,” snorted Theold.

“SHUT THE FUCK UP, THEOLD!” Ron snarled.

A sear of vitriol scorched his insides until nothing was left but a burning hot coal.

Who were the Aurors to decide to take Harry away? Who was going to be there for Harry when he’d had to listen to Merlin knows what? They’d ripped him away and Ron had barely begun to comfort him. Had they put this snarl of Boggart dust on purpose?

Every bit of hate he’d felt now pointed in one direction: The Auror Department.

He was going to destroy them. He didn’t know how long it’d take, but he was going to dismantle them, and every one of their sick tests. He wouldn’t rest until every single person responsible for the fucked up nightmares he and Harry, and even fucking Ramona, had gone through, paid.

“Should… What should we do?” Claudia asked.

Ron glared at the group the moment eyes turned to him. “Stop fucking looking at me! I don’t know, okay?”

He stalked away from them.

He was sick and fucking tired of this stupid fucking exam, and all of them gormlessly staring at him every time they don’t know what to do.

They were still watching him in anticipation.

“Why don’t you come up with some ideas, eh? The one person who always knows what to do got fucking tortured and ripped out of here to wherever the fuck, and I’m—” He gripped his arms around himself and squeezed until his ribs ached. “I���m no one, and you’re looking at me like I have answers! I don’t have any fucking answers! I’m fucking tired and this is fucked. We’re fucked and —”

He stopped himself, seeing their faces for the first time since Harry’s disappearance. They were watching him with large eyes, not one of them moving.

They were scared.

He couldn’t stay angry.

Harry was supposed to be invincible. Hell, to them, they probably thought Ron was a bit invincible too— which still felt like putting on a jacket two sizes too small. Ramona was one of their toughest and she was still crying and rocking on the ground.

They were all shook by it.

And now that he’d yelled at them, they probably were a touch worried they’d need to have Ron in ropes like Harry.

He let out a sigh. “Okay…”

He rolled his neck, trying to buy a moment to think.

“I’m sorry… It’s okay, we’re not fucked.”

He fleetingly wished he could touch his face. He hadn’t realised how often he wiped his hands over his face and through his hair as he thought. He wanted to push on his head and hopefully wring out a wild hare idea like one would a wet towel.

“We need to get out of this hole in the ground.”

“And we’ll need to take a moment to recover,” said Vyse with a tiny nod at Ramona.

“Right,” said Ron, taking a steadying breath. No one knew what she’d been through, but he had the closest idea of it.

He didn’t like her. Not one bit. She hated him and Harry for no reason and was surly, rude, prideful, irrational; just about everything he disdained… but she’d clearly been through something terrible.

“You lot go on up. I’ll sort things out here.”

All the recruits quickly did as he said, leaving him with Ramona; All, save Neville.

“Nev…” Ron began.

“I’m only here as back up,” he said, putting his hands up and wedging himself in the far corner.

He wasn’t sure how much Neville could do if Ramona were to go full feral on him at close proximity, but he appreciated the gesture.

He decided approaching Ramona like a wounded animal was best. He’d been around a skittish animal or two over the years. He wasn’t great with beasts, but he could try.

Despite knowing she’d probably hate him more for it, he knelt down beside her and put a hand on her shoulder. She twitched but let it remain as sobs continued to shake through her.

“They got the powder off of you, right?”

She nodded and gave a vociferous sniff.

“I know it may be hard, but you need to stop thinking about things from the past. Think of right now, this moment.”

Her face seems to crumple further and her eyebrows scrunched together.

“Don’t try to be nice to me! You hate me!” she cried.

“I don’t hate you,” Ron said, but couldn’t stop himself from adding. “I don’t particularly like you- but—”

“No- you should hate me,” she said with a shake of her head, scowl turning ugly and slightly unhinged, “because I hate you! You and Potter.”

“Shock and horror, what a surprise!” Ron feigned, rolling his eyes.

“I’m only sorry they didn’t kick you out with crazy Potter.”

Ron immediately dropped all pretence of politeness.

“What the fuck is wrong with you!?” He looked to the ceiling. “Was your Dad a Death Eater or something? Fucking hell…”

A sharp, almost manic laugh escaped from Ramona's lips. "My dad isn't anything anymore."

Ron's confusion deepened, his anger momentarily clouded by her cryptic statement.

"Okay?" he responded, concern and exasperation uncomfortably mixing together.

She brooded on the ground, no answer forthcoming. Fuck it.

“At the end of this exam, either I never have to see you again or we’re going to be co workers. Either way, I’m over this. What is it, Ramona? You said you hate me and Harry— so why? What the fuck have we ever done to you?”

Ramona's gaze bore into his, her eyes holding a world of pain and resentment.

“You’ve never done anything!” she yelled, acid and venom in every syllable.

“What does that mean?!” he roared back.

“It means you are the biggest disappointments I’ve ever had to meet!” she bit. “September first last year. Do you remember what you did that day?”

Of course he remembered. Every instant he could perfectly recall, until he was splinched; then it all got rather blurry.

He nodded his head, but began to dread what might come out of her mouth.

“You lot saved the Cattermoles. The Joneses. Cynthia Dooley. Robbie Reins. And more! I know the name of every person you saved that day,” she said with a sniff. “My parents are both Muggleborn… And my Dad reported to the Muggleborn Commission Registry September the first, but he didn’t escape.”

Ron’s stomach dropped.

“When we realised Dad wasn’t coming back, the rest of us ran for it. My Muggle-born mum, myself and my little sister…” Her voice trembled with emotion.

“I was so stupid… I really thought you might help my family like you did the rest. I kept telling my little sister you three were going to end the war. That we’d be safe. You’d save dad eventually!”

She turned her head down to her lap.

“They captured my sister and took her back to Hogwarts. That’s when they killed Mum,” she said, almost conversationally.

“I listened to Potterwatch every day hoping you might do something to help. Maybe free prisoners from Azkaban, strike the Ministry again, or free everyone from Hogwarts. Anything to help!”

Big tears formed in her eyes.

“But you never did.”

Shame wasn't a new feeling to Ron; he felt it daily for over a decade. It was a heavy cloak he'd worn since his earliest memories, a cloak woven from threads of poverty, indifference, and perceived inadequacy.

Growing up poor in the cramped Burrow, he had often felt the sting of shame as his hand-me-down clothes bore the marks of his older brothers' wear. There was an ever-present whisper in the back of his mind, telling him he was the unwanted sixth boy when his mother had secretly yearned for a daughter. The weight of shame had pressed even harder when he compared himself to his accomplished siblings and friends. And there were the insecurities he carried with him into adulthood. The gnawing fear he was never enough, not as a wizard, not as a friend, not even as a person. The lurking doubt he was merely a sidekick to Harry, forever in his shadow. The dread he'd never live up to the expectations of his friends, his family, or himself.

A litany of inadequacies played in his mind every day, echoing the voices of those who had ever doubted him.

Ramona's tears fell, and her words found a familiar dwelling place among the many shadows of shame that already haunted him. He wanted to explain, to tell her how much he'd wanted to do all those things she'd hoped for, but the words caught in his throat.

He had a wider group of people he’d let down than ever before. How many more people were out there cursing him for not doing enough?

Neville, who had been listening quietly, interjected, “Ramona… They did help. They were the most responsible for ending the war.”

“Not in time!” Ramona pressed on, her words heavy with pain. “My sister was tortured in that school— Dad got a Dementor’s kiss a couple of weeks before the Battle at Hogwarts. If they’d done something my dad might still be… be my dad.”

“Ramona…” Neville insisted. “It’s terrible what happened to your family. But this is not on Ron or Harry or Hermione. They’re just teenagers and it was a — ”

“Just teenagers?” Ramona spat, eyes falling to Ron. “I thought maybe… maybe you were ‘just teenagers’ when I finally met you at the first exam. I thought maybe I had been delusional, thinking anyone as entitled and lazy as you could be a hero… But then I saw you duel, how you flew, and how you lead…”

She shook her head.

“You’re not ‘just some teens!’ I’ve seen you! You’re amazing in the field. It’s like watching real-life superheroes… You broke into the Ministry, and Gringott’s and Hogwarts and saved so many families. You’re good and smart, and I had to watch as you helped family after family, but never mine!”

“That’s enough!” Neville said standing up. “You know that’s not fair, right? To expect them to save everyone?”

“They could've saved my family!” Her hard look crumbled and Ron wondered how young she was. She looked small and he found all the lingering anger at Ramona became brittle as tears welled in her eyes. “S-someone could’ve…”

Ron slowly slid down next to her.

"I’m sorry…” said Ron, not exactly sure what he meant by it. It was everything and nothing. It was a condolence for someone who had lost so much. It was an apology for not doing enough to end the war sooner. It was empty words to soothe someone whose anger and mourning he could endlessly empathise with. It was a place holder so he didn’t shout at the injustice of it all, or the injustice of being blamed. “I’m sorry we couldn’t do more.”

“Don’t apologise, Ron,” said Neville, voice surprisingly stern. “You did what you could, and it was so much… You don’t have a thing to apologise for.”

Part of Ron wanted to agree and tell Ramona off for her delusions. What did she think he was? How could she think him capable of saving her family? It was completely demented!

But… But he still wished he could’ve done it. Even if it was barmy and unrealistic and impossible…

And he had to wonder, how many other families had they let down? How many other people died or had their lives destroyed because they took too long gathering Horcruxes?

“So…” Ron managed to say through a tight voice. “Is it just you and your sister, now?”

“My dad’s not dead… I take care of him when his nurse can’t. That's why I was late for this exam—we’d run out of catheters and it was a huge mess, and then he puked, and I couldn't leave my sister alone with that. His nurse didn't show up because of a flat tire, and— and…”

“That sounds like a lot," Neville's voice cut through, a mix of understanding and sympathy. If anyone could understand ‘losing’ a parent, but they’re still alive, it was Neville.

Ramona nodded, her tears continuing to fall, and for a moment, amidst the pain and regret, a fragile connection formed between them all.

“Shall we join the others?” asked Neville.

Ron nodded while Ramona bit her lip.

“I don’t know how useful I can be, right now,” she said, voice smaller than he’d ever heard it.

“Ramona,” said Ron, standing up with a small groan. “You’re strong; tough as shit and mean as a fucking bag of rabid badgers. Let’s use that and end this exam, okay? Then you can throw darts at my photo or whatever you do in your spare time.”

Somehow that made her snort and a small smile flickered across her face.

“So… are you ready to kick arse?” he asked, finally noticing how sore his shoulders were from stooping.

She nodded and accepted a ride on his broom to the surface level.

“All good?” asked Vyse as they squinted into the sunny street.

“Yeah,” said Ron, giving his body one more Aguamenti before removing the bubble charm.

They were expectantly watching him, but this time he had a plan, a clear mind, and a fiery coal of hate against the Ministry keeping him going.

“Claudia, did you put a tracking mark on the Squid?”

She nodded the affirmative and did a Point Me spell.

“Brilliant. Okay we can hunt it down properly, now,” he said looking at his map. “When we were underground we weren’t able to hurt the Squid, except the red window. Harry managed to crack it. We need to break it to pieces and get the Aurors to leave the Squid.”

“Why would they leave it?” asked Ramona. “It can defend everything we throw at it.”

“Only if the arms are moving,” he said. “For a second, as the tunnel collapsed, an arm got stuck. If we get its arms stuck and bust through the window, we can get them.”

“It burrowed into the ground last time. Is there a way to prevent that from happening again?” asked Vyse.

“At the corner of the map,” said Ron, expanding the shrunk map from his arm for all to see and pointed to a spot. “Harry and I got to the edge and hit an invisible barrier. I’d wager the Squid can’t get past it either.”

“And once we get the Aurors out?” asked Theold.

“We need to split the Aurors up. If we get them in the open, we might stand a chance.”

“If they’re an easier target out in the open, we are too,” noted Neville. The corners didn’t offer much cover either.

“Then we’ll have given them a bloody good show for their money.”

The group grinned at one another.

“That’s all they want anyways,” Ron added in an undertone.

In minutes, the plan was in motion, and the recruits were positioned. Vyse and Ramona soared through the air on their brooms to strategically herd the Squid toward the designated corner of the map.

Ron, Neville, Theold, and Claudia waited with bated breath for the moment the Squid would come their way.

The waiting was absolutely interminable, and soon bated breaths turned to sighs and huffs.

The high sun had shifted and the shadows were growing long across the alley.

Standing at the ready in their buildings made his shoulders ache and hands twitch for something to do. The stillness of waiting let his exhaustion slowly take over. He was counting bricks to stay awake, when a tiny lone beetle landed on the sill.

The black beetle marched along, swaying to and fro as a small breeze tried to buffet it about. Its little legs made it positively waddle.

He let out a snort, and Claudia began to watch it too, an amused look on her face.

The two let out a small laugh as the beetle tripped over a nail and fell over, its small legs wildly flailing for purchase.

“Oh no,” Claudia let out, trying to poke it off its back without touching its little insect legs. Her compassion for the little bug reminded him of Hermione; she was always cooing at gross little things.

He told as much to Claudia as he pushed the beetle over for her, not minding touching it. Somehow beetles weren’t the same as spiders.

“She had a soft spot for Kreacher even, and he’d been calling her slurs for years!” laughed Ron.

“How did you and Hermione get together?” Claudia asked, a sappy look on her face he’d seen girls get about anything remotely romantic.

“Dazzled her with my good looks and charm,” he joked, watching the beetle nestle down and take a rest, no doubt exhausted from its time flailing.

Neville let out a snort.

Claudia watched Ron expectantly, a broad smile on her face.

“Well, maybe it wasn’t entirely those,” he conceded with a small laugh.

“Those two were dancing around each other for years,” said Neville with a rueful shake of his head. “We thought sixth year it’d happen. Dean, Seamus and I had a betting pool and everything.”

“Sorry to disappoint,” said Ron. “Eventually I got my head out of my arse… ”

“How long have you been together?” asked Claudia.

“Only a month or so, but I’ve been mad about her for years. I mean, she’s brilliant and beautiful and has this wicked passion about every single thing she does. And she’s fucking brave, it’s unbelievable. She sacrificed so much during the war, but even before, she’s the most kickarse witch I’ve ever met.”

Theold rolled his eyes while Neville and Claudia grinned at him.

His cheeks reddened as he realised how much a gushing sap he was being.

“Anyway, that’s part of why I’m joining the Aurors; so I can help her out when we get our signing bonus.”

“That’s so sweet!” Claudia sighed, her curiosity sated.

“Didn’t you win the Order of Merlin?” asked Theold. “You get thousands of galleons with that— no need for a piddly signing bonus.”

Ron’s head swung round to look at Theold. He didn’t seem to be joking.

“Yeah, my gran said something like that,” Neville confirmed with a nod.

“Oh…” said Ron, not sure how to respond. Did he not need the Auror money after all? The thought of having his own money was nice… but he wasn’t sure he liked it coming from his time in the war…

“How ‘bout you? Why are you joining up?” he asked Claudia, happy to have the attention away from his money matters and his soppiness for his girlfriend.

Claudia gave an embarrassed look.

“I don’t know… I just… The war was terrible, and I didn’t feel like I got to help the way I wanted.” Her posture slowly fell.

“How so?” asked Neville.

“When I read history books, I’d sometimes sit and think ‘ohhh if I had lived in that time period, I would have helped lead a rebel cause, or saved people!’ I thought very grandly of myself… But I didn’t do much of anything and didn’t know how to. I only worked at a farm with rescue animals. I wasn’t part of anything…”

“What kind of animals?”

“All kinds of magical pets— cats, owls, goats, rats— you name them. During the war there were so many animals homeless or hurt. That’s how I got good at tracking spells, and it didn’t hurt with my flying either. We’d get a floo or owl telling us about an abandoned animal, and I’d go in to retrieve it then rehab the animal, if needed,” she said with a shrug. “But I wasn’t like you or your friends. I didn’t save anyone.”

“Sounds like you saved a lot of someone’s pets, though,” said Neville. “I’m sure all those pets’ owners would be happy to know they were in good hands.”

She glumly leaned against the window.

“Not everyone is going to be on the front lines, but you were where you were needed,” said Ron. “If something happened to me, I’d want to know my little Pig was okay.”

“You own a pig?” Theold asked.

“Ooo really?” squealed Claudia.

“Oh! No, that’s my owl,” Ron snorted. The rest of the recruits shared grins. “Don’t look at me like that, my little sister named him.”

“I didn’t say anything!” she laughed.

“Pushover,” said Theold, a vaguely amused look on his face.

“You know… You’re a lot less scary than you seem in the papers,” said Claudia.

“I seem scary?” Ron asked, flabbergasted that anyone could find him intimidating, let alone that he had a reputation for it.

“Mhmm!” she brightly hummed. “The pictures all make you look brooding, and the papers all write about ‘eight foot tall Weasley and his terrible temper’— how you were like a fearsome bodyguard for Harry.”

Bemused, Ron continued to look at the beetle. Him? Brooding and fearsome? He’d only skimmed a few articles before chucking them in a fury, but hadn’t imagined something like that…

“I mean, you are unreasonably tall,” added Theold with a snort from the corner.

“And you definitely can be scary when you’re mad, but… You’re nice. And smart. They didn’t say anything about that.”

He gave a small grunt. Of course they didn’t. “Maybe they called me a smart arse.”

“Your plans have been smashing,” she said with certainty. “If I don’t get to be an Auror… It’s been nice getting to know you.”

“I’m sure you’ll pass. You’ve done really well.”

“Nothing like you.”

Unsure of how to answer, Ron looked to the ceiling. It was cracked and peeling.

He wished he knew how to comfort her, but as usual he wasn’t sure what to do. Ron wasn’t good with words. Funny asides he was okay at… With Harry and Hermione at least.

“If I learned one thing,” he began, trying to comb out a good way to say it, “comparing your achievements with others only leads to heartache. Believe me, I had six siblings and Harry fucking Potter as measuring sticks for years.”

She let out a small laugh.

“Okay, that helps,” she acknowledged. “What about you, Theold? Why are you joining?”

“Because I’d be awesome at it.”

“Come on! Why really?”

He gave a shrug. “Sometimes it’s not that deep. I would be awesome at it.”

“Theooold,” Claudia complained.

“Ask Longbottom.”

“Fine! Neville? Why are you joining?”

Neville thought about it in silence before answering, “this seems like where I’m needed.”

Neville and Ron shared a smile.

“See? Not everyone is a mushy sap like Weasley,” said Theold with a sly smile.

Ron was about to protest when their wrists heated.

‘Nearly there! -Vyse’

Ron shooed the beetle away. “Get out of here, little guy. Don’t want you getting crushed in the upcoming duels.”

With a few pushes of his finger, the beetle buzzed off.

Wands at the ready, they crouched. His thighs twitched like coiled springs, and the agonised suspense took over him. A strange cocktail of fatalistic relief and a blaze of resentment surged within him as the Squid approached. He hated every person in that thing…

He heard the Squid before he saw it. Each step it took viciously crunched into the ground.

Through a small crack in the wall he spied the tiny figures of Vyse and Ramona weaving a path behind the Squid on their brooms like a pair of herding dogs in a field. The moment the Squid turned down an alley, they’d zip to the other side and head it off.

The earth trembled into a chaotic dance as the Squid stampeded down the alley, its metallic appendages thrashing.

“NOW!” Ron's command cut through the chaos, and the recruits launched themselves into action.

Cobblestones exploded, and rubble flew as Ron and Claudia threw forward their ropes. The thick cables wrapped along the length of one of the Squid arms. Its arm was secured to the concrete barriers in the street.

Meanwhile, Theold and Neville did the same to the other side, leaving two arms of the Squid stretched tight.

The ropes strained and the bestial Squidroom thrashed and groaned at the effort.

The ground-recruits fled as Vyse and Ramona flew around the remaining tentacle-like legs and tied them off.

“GET CLEAR!” Neville yelled as he and Theold set off the explosive spells.

The percussive blast sent rubble flying, and if not for shield charms, Ron might have had his skull split by a flying chunk of cement the size of a quaffle.

The buildings on either side of the Squid remained standing for only a moment before collapsing in a sea of dust and particulates, locking the Squid in place.

He could barely see the Aurors inside, but none were standing after the impact to the Squid.

This was their chance.

“THE WINDOW!” Ron bellowed.

As one, the recruits aimed their spells at the blood-red glass. Unable to dodge or deflect spells, the already cracked window shattered.

The recruits continued the assault on the jagged window, but soon spells met theirs, and the Aurors emerged.

A white-hot spell snapped through the air and nearly hit Ron in the temple. He pulled his head back and nearly lost his balance behind a pillar.

He activated his watch:

‘Split up! -Ron’

Ramona and Theold converged like a whirlwind on Sealy-Pearce. Across the fray, Robards squared off against Vyse and Neville, a furious tempest of spells erupting around them.

Claudia ran towards Ron when a red spell hit her from behind. She gave the smallest of ‘eeps’ before her vest disappeared along with her.

Behind her disappearing form, wand raised, stood Musaad.

Spells blazed through the air, creating a kaleidoscope of magic as recruits fought tooth and nail against the fierce Aurors. And then there was Ron. He had no partner. It was him against the best dueller he’d ever met. He was on his own, and in the open.

‘Get to cover! Get to cover!’ raced through his mind.

He ran.

Ron scrambled across the rubble-covered cobblestones, his movements far from agile as he evaded the barrage.

He blindly cast a stinging hex. It must have hit its mark, for Musaad gave a grunt. Despite any injury, Musaad didn’t slow an iota.

Ron had to climb over a downed wall on all fours to avoid a crack of spells. The jagged stones clawed at his palms, but he ignored the discomfort, his sole focus on reaching the nearby building.

Spells crashed all around, and shards of debris tore and whirled around him.

He finally reached the building and hurled himself through the shattered doorway. The room was a dim, wooden chamber with peeling wallpaper, and offered minimal cover. He realised, with a sinking feeling, that he'd be a sitting—

‘DUCK!’ the command echoed in his ears as his instincts took over.

He dropped to the floor as a lethal bolt of magic snapped viciously beside him. The spell collided with the cracked wall, sending splinters raining down like deadly raindrops. A fair few punctured his arm and he let out a hiss.

Ron's heart raced as he scrambled to his feet, wand in hand.

“Fuck!” he let out as a purple spell was hurled his way.

He flicked his wand, barely conjuring a shield in time.

Musaad's assault rebounded off the barrier, unleashing a shockwave through the room's walls. Wooden beams groaned, and dust and debris filled the air like a choking fog.

The scent of scorched wood and ozone hung heavy in the air as Ron crouched behind his meagre flickering shield. He couldn't last long staying pinned down like this.

Seconds seemed stretched into agonising minutes as Ron tried to formulate a plan.

He didn’t have the element of surprise on his side. They weren’t trapped in the confines of a duelling ring — Musaad was free-range and relentless!

Ron’s breaths came in ragged gasps as the shield's surface flickered, its strength waning with every spell Musaad hurled his way.

‘Move it, Weasley!’

With a surge of determination, he threw the shield towards Musaad and cast a Conjunctivitus curse, temporarily blinding the man. Ron tried to bolt deeper into the building, but the floorboards creaked with each heavy step and Musaad quickly spelled him through an already crumbling wall, inches away from hitting a brick fireplace. Damn, he needed to avoid hard surfaces… Or did he?

His body ached and protested, but he pushed himself from the ground and ran further into the building. Ron managed to send a few spells back at Musaad. One spell grazed Musaad's shoulder, leaving a searing mark on his robe, while another sunk Musaad’s feet into a swamp-like mire, buying Ron precious seconds to widen the space between them.

If he could get Musaad in close quarters with hard surfaces, Ron might be able to beat him. If he missed with a precision spell, at least Musaad might get thrown into something that could incapacitate him.

"Where's... A... Fucking... Bathroom?!" he muttered to himself. his frantic search taking him from room to room.

Musaad's spells pursued him relentlessly, each one an intimidating reminder of his adversary's expertise. The gap between them was closing fast. Musaad prowled after his prey with precision and didn’t even seem winded, while Ron flailed and felt his lungs burning to shreds.

For an instant he dared to look back as he ran up the stairs.

“Weasley, you can’t keep running,” said Musaad, a glint of mirth in his eyes.

Ron burst through another door, finding himself in yet another narrow wooden hallway.

And then, at last, he found it.

An old, tiled bathroom stood before him, complete with a porcelain tub and sink; it was the perfect battleground.

Musaad sent a quick series of hexes Ron’s way, and he narrowly blocked them, but was forcibly thrown into the room across from the bathroom.

The room was cluttered with overturned furniture and shattered remnants of what once might have been a bedroom.

His breath came in ragged gasps as he regained his footing. With unsure movements he began to cast the unfamiliar spell. He’d just finished swiping his want through the air, when it was wrenched from his hand.

Musaad had taken up the doorway and disarmed him, easily catching Ron’s wand.

“Looks like you’re disarmed, Weasley.”

“Looks like it,” said Ron, slowly rising as Musaad’s wand was pointed at his chest.

“Hands up,” said Musaad, doing a small indication with his wand. Ron complied, slowly raising his hands, his fingers trembling with fatigue. Blood trickled from a small cut on his forehead, mingling with the sweat clinging to his brow.

“You’ve been a worthy opponent,” said Musaad, raising his wand and taking a deliberate step forward into the room.

Musaad’s foot landed on a floorboard that twisted and whipped him across the hall like a slingshot. Musaad crashed back-first into the porcelain tub, a loud groan escaping his lips as the wands slipped from his grasp and clattered to the ground.

With a ferocity born of desperation, Ron ran at him. He didn’t bother going for the wands— he let his fist fly. Pain seared through his hand, and he was fairly certain he'd broken a knuckle, but the satisfaction of seeing Musaad's condescending smirk wiped away was worth the agony.

Musaad finally lay still, face punchdrunk and unfocused.

Ron tapped the shield badge on Musaad's chest with his trembling fingers, activating the portkey spell that would send his adversary to the same unknown destination Harry had been sent earlier.

As Musaad disappeared in a snarl of magical light, Ron spat a glob of blood onto the floor, his chest heaving with exertion and triumph.

He tiredly bent and picked up his wand.

There was a calming chime, like a muted gong. A disembodied female voice, much like the lifts in the Ministry Lobby announced, “The third Combat Readiness Exam is now over. Prepare for evacuation.”

He only had time to blink before he felt the twist and pull of the vest taking him back to the Auror Department.

He expected to see a room full of recruits and Aurors. He expected to see Harry and Kevin and Claudia waiting. He expected the mirrors watching him and quills recording his every move. He expected someone there to help with his plentiful, but thankfully minor, injuries.

Instead, Ron was met with a dingy dark grey room with a lone bed against the wall, a side table and a toilet in the corner. He tried the door, but it was locked.

He performed a series of spells but Anti-Apparition spells were in place and nothing he knew would work.

“Hello?” he hoarsely called through the door, hitting the door with the fat of his fist. “Anyone there?”

No one answered him, but a pitcher of water and a cup appeared on the small table.

Suddenly, the disembodied voice was back: “Greetings Recruit, Interviews for the Fourth and Final Combat Readiness Exam have begun. When your interview time is near you will be released into the antechamber.

“Fucking ‘course they think locking us in solitary is a good idea,” Ron muttered.

He glanced at his watch but it was dented and the time was stuck at one sixteen in the morning.

“Do you have any injuries, Recruit?” asked the voice.

“I don’t know.” he rasped. Only the sound of ‘no’ must have registered because no one responded to his answer. It took at least a minute before he felt in his body enough to know if he had any injuries. He had a series of splinters up and down his left arm

Ron went to the pitcher and poured a glass. It was then he realised his wand hand’s finger didn’t want to bend around the glass. He must’ve either jammed it or broken it; he’d never quite been sure how to tell one from the other. He could do spells with his left hand, but didn’t quite trust the non-dominant hand to do something like heal bones.

Too tired and angry to worry about the interview, he drank his fill, took a piss, then sat back on the bed, picking splinters out of his arm. He was filthy and in dire need of a shower. His clothes began to cool and stiffen with sweat, and soon he was shivering.

The grime of battle still clung to him, and he felt a desperate need for a cleansing shower.

Restlessly, he attempted to find solace in a thin blanket. It offered little comfort or warmth. Micronaps, brief and fragmented, beckoned like distant islands of respite in a sea of exhaustion. Each time he slipped into the realm of sleep, he awoke with a start, the remnants of his nightmares with the Boggart dust haunting him.

He couldn't discern how much time had passed when the door to his cell finally swung open, its hinges creaking. With wary caution, Ron edged closer to the doorway.

The room he entered was a stark contrast to the cold, featureless cell. Warm wooden panels adorned the walls, radiating a sense of comfort that felt foreign after the ordeal he'd endured. His gaze fell upon Neville and Ramona

"Hey!" Neville greeted him, offering a weary but genuine smile.

Ron nodded in acknowledgment. "Were you stuck in a grey cell too?

"They let me out a moment ago," Neville confirmed, his voice tinged with relief.

“What time is it?”

“Search me,” Neville said, holding up his own damaged watch. “Got smashed and I’m rotten at repairing anything with mechanics.”

Ramona held up Vyse’s lucky coin and a bit of string. “It’s not a watch anymore.”

“Who made it to the end?” asked Ron.

“We’re all that’s left,” replied Neville.

“They okay?”

Neville gave a helpless shrug. “I have to assume so. Vyse got hit with a spell, then zipped away. I don’t know what happened to Theold.”

“The Squid got loose and pinned him, then he disappeared,” said Ramona.

Ron walked around the room checking each door. He was concerned for everyone, but most of all Harry. There was no sign of life beyond long-abandoned beds and drinking glasses with sips of water left.

“I’m sure Harry’s okay,” said Neville.

Ron shook his head. “I wouldn’t trust the Aurors with the care and feeding of a rock…”

Ramona gave a small snort.

“Are either of you any good with episkey? I think I broke my knuckle on Musaad’s chin,” he said, holding up a purpling knuckle. His finger could only marginally wiggle, but couldn’t hold anything or go into a fist.

“That’s not the same hand as earlier, right?” asked Neville, holding up his wand.

Ron made a hardy attempt to temper his glare. “No.”

Neville said the spell, and Ron’s knuckle gave a gross ‘pop.’

“Son-of-a-bitch!” Ron hissed in pain, but soon it was only a dull ache. “How about you? Any broken bits you need healed?”

Neville shook his head. “Surprisingly unscathed! Bruised as all out, but I have some okay bruise paste at home.”

Ron gave a grunt of approval, then looked to Ramona. She was wane and pale, but had a foreboding glare clearly telling him ‘fuck off and die terribly, if you please.’

“How about you?” Ron asked, despite himself.

Her glare softened the smallest amount. “The same ankle I hurt in the second exam is sore.”

“Need me to wrap it?”

She bit her lip, then nodded in assent.

He worked quickly and quietly. The ankle was swollen, but not nearly the purple mess it had been a few days prior.

“Thank you,” she quietly said as he was midway wrapping her ankle.

He nearly dropped her foot in surprise.

“Er… You’re welcome.”

Thankfully he had set her foot on the ground when she continued surprising him.

“You…” she began. “You helped me today. And the last exam.”

Unsure of what to say he opted to say nothing.

“That’s pretty par for the course for Ron and his friends,” said Neville, words more weighty than he let on.

A door opened and out came Sealy-Pearce, posture as straight as ever.

“Weasley. It’s time for your interview,” she said, face devoid of any emotion.

Neville gave his shoulder a squeeze and Ron promptly stood.

“Good luck,” said Ramona. She was unsmiling, but he could tell she meant it.

The corridor they went down was narrow, and his shoulder nearly caught on a torch as they passed by.

“Is Harry okay?” he asked her.

“He’s uninjured.”

That wasn’t the same as being okay, he wanted to argue, but he held his tongue.

Sealy-Pearce said nothing as she led the way, which was fine by Ron. He never was good at small talk with authority figures— not that they typically took much time with him anyways. Perhaps he hadn’t had the chance to practise.

Either way, he knew the simmering rage he felt towards the whole department wouldn’t be able to kept in check for long. It was best he held his tongue, grit his teeth and pushed down every swear and insult scrambling to break free.

They finally entered a small room that looked more like a place of interrogation than an ‘interview.’ It probably was an interrogation room. Behind a long wooden table sat Musaad, Robards, the Auror he had taken out on the roof, and another female Auror he didn’t recognize. They left an empty seat on the end Sealy-Pearce promptly filled.

“Take a seat, Weasley,” said Robards, waving a hand to reveal a wooden chair behind a small table with a pitcher and glass of water.

He sat, and immediately realised the chair was terribly uncomfortable. The back was too low, and the seat managed to slide back in an angle that made his tailbone hurt.

Ron stood, waved his wand and made it more his size and sat back down. If he was going to be fucked with, he’d at least do it without a sore arse.

“Water?” asked Robards.

“No thanks,” said Ron, trying to figure out where to lay his hands. On the table? In his lap?

“That was quite a show you put on in the exam,” said Robards, a wry smile on his face. “Quite a show… Musaad and Sealy-Pearce had said you were good, but I was impressed. We hadn’t heard much of you before this. Usually there are rumblings if someone has potential, but I didn’t hear anything about you from Hogwarts. Why is that?”

Ron clenched his fist and tried to convince his face not to flush. His face gave him the middle finger and slowly began turning him red, one centimetre at a time.

“I don’t know much about how ‘rumblings’ work,” Ron said, a small shrug.

He found himself rather impressed with his answer. He’d sounded sort of cool and nonchalant, in a way he rarely felt. The feeling of calm abated when he saw the unimpressed look on Robards face.

“Would you care to expand on that?”

Fuck.

“I dunno…” he said with a small cough.

He didn’t know what to tell them. All he could think of is things he probably shouldn’t say. Ron knew he probably shouldn’t say it was because he’d never been noticed a day in his life. He probably shouldn’t say he was useless compared to everyone else. He probably shouldn’t say they were putting him on the fucking spot and could eat a bag of dicks.

“Have some water, Weasley,” said Robards.

He promptly took a drink, and used it to buy more time. The water had a slightly acrid taste to it that made him wish for better water to wash it down with.

He had done things at Hogwarts… He’d never done them all that well, but he’d done things! He’d helped Hermione and Harry get across the chess board. He’d gone to the Ministry. He’d fought Death Eaters… He’d tried. And he’d obviously done alright in these trials.

“Maybe ‘rumblings’ aren’t much compared to people actually doing things?” Ron asked, scrambling to put his thoughts together and finishing off his glass of water.

“I mean, Neville’s obviously good enough to be an Auror, but I don’t think there were ‘rumblings’ before last year with him. But he was bloody brilliant at the Ministry in fifth year, and in sixth year he was there fighting off Death Eaters too.”

A few of the Aurors nodded, but Musaad bent forward. “This isn’t about Longbottom. This is about you.”

“I know that,” said Ron, irritation growing. “I’m not sure how I’m supposed to tell you why I was underestimated by people. That’s on you, isn’t it?”

He nearly slapped a hand over his mouth. He had to say the wrong thing.

Musaad leaned back in his chair, a hint of a smile on his face.

"Your performance today suggests you have the skills," Robards conceded. "But being an Auror is about more than skills. It's about dedication, teamwork, and a commitment to upholding the law. Do you feel you’d be capable of that?”

“Yes… I mean, I hope so,” said Ron with a shrug. “I’m… I try to be there for people. And if a law is a good one, then yeah, I’d commit to upholding it.”

“Sometimes you’ll be asked to uphold laws you don’t agree with,” said Sealy-Pearce, her face unreadable.

“Like the ones Voldemort put in place last year?” Immediately scowls turned his way. Ron averted his eyes. “If the Ministry has just laws, I’ll do my best. If it falls to hell again… That’s a different story.”

“What would you do?” she asked.

“Probably the same as last year,” he said, squinting at her and leaning back.

“Would you like to tell us more about your actions in the last year?” asked Robards.

Ron knew he’d have to tread carefully. The last year had more secrets than he thought himself capable of holding.

“Erm… What part do you want to know about?”

“We know you didn’t go to Hogwarts last year. Had a clever ruse with the ghoul taking your place,” said Robards, a genial smile on his face. “Was that your work or Arthur’s?”

“My idea, but my dad helped a bit with the spells.”

A few of the Aurors nodded in approval.

“So before you were captured at Malfoy Manor, what were you doing? I’m assuming you were part of the Ministry break in?”

“I was.”

“Why did you break in?”

“We needed to retrieve an object.”

Ron’s fingers tightened into the slight folds on the side of his trousers.

He wondered how much they knew of what he’d been up to with Harry and Hermione. Was this line of questioning about Ron and further proving his abilities by describing his record?

“What was this object?” asked Robards, genial mood slowly slipping into something more pointed and eager.

Were they fishing for more information about Horcruxes? If they were, they were a fat lot of idiots because he would never tell them anything. He’d rather bleed out on the floor and let them have an inkling of anything they wanted.

“A h—” Ron stopped himself. What the fuck? He hadn’t meant to say a thing and he’d nearly said Horcrux. He must have been more tired than he thought. “An object to help stop Voldemort.”

“Was this a Horcrux?” pressed Robards.

“I didn’t ask it,” said Ron.

Robards expression turned glacial.

“You were pretty gabby in the transcripts of your exams, Weasley. Is there a particular reason you’re reticent now?”

“I’m answering your questions,” said Ron, struggling to keep his voice neutral.

Robards leaned forward, his gaze sharpening. "Tell me, Weasley, have you ever had any struggles with your mental health? Stress, anxiety, anything of that sort?"

He knew Robards was trying to throw him with a sudden change in tack. Unfortunately, it was working.

Ron's heart stumbled and he hesitated for a moment, his voice less steady.

“Y-yeah. Sometimes. The last few years I’ve been fighting Death Eaters, I’ve lost people, and my family and friends were in danger… I think I’d be barmy not to have stress and anxiety during that.”

“But what about after? Today you had an extreme reaction to the Boggart dust,” noted Musaad.

“Everyone did,” said Ron, crossing his arms.

“Well, at least you didn’t dangerously blast one of your fellow recruits,” Musaad conceded.

“That wasn’t his fault!” Ron protested, struggling to keep himself in check. “He’s been through more than anyone.”

“Apparently…” Musaad with a small snort.

“Watch it,” Ron warned.

“You seem angry.”

“Of course I am. You’re a bunch of sadists who tortured my friend!”

“We didn’t put Boggart dust in the field,” assured the rooftop Auror. “The breeding den had been underground for years, it seems, growing without our knowledge.”

“Oh like that’s better! You put a bunch of people in danger—”

“None of you were in danger from that Boggart den you stumbled across. The only danger was from your friend,” Musaad added.

“Stop saying that!”

“You could barely restrain him when he was going mad. Are you really saying you don’t think Potter is dangerous under those circumstances?”

“He was but—” Ron cut himself off. He hadn’t meant to say that.

“Have you ever seen Potter behave dangerously before?”

He had to fight to keep himself from saying yes. Why was it so difficult?

“Under the right circumstances anyone can be dangerous!” Ron growled.

“The problem is, you can’t always be there to restrain him.”

“I know that, but—” Ron grit his teeth to cut himself off again. He felt almost compelled to speak.

“And while your loyalty is admirable, as an Auror you’d have to put the needs of your team and your government above your friend. Can you do that?”

Ron was about to snap back ‘probably not,’ when the realisation hit. He let out a bark of laughter and looked to the ceiling.

“Something funny?” Robards asked.

“You lot…” Ron said with another humourless laugh. “You’ve put something in my water and are trying to get a rise out of me. What is it, some sort of Veritaserum?”

“You’re not on—”

“I am,” Ron said surely. He could tell when he had been fucked with. It had happened enough times; the brains when he was sixteen, the love potion when he was seventeen, and then the locket… Add in Boggart dust and he’d had enough of it for a lifetime. His mind wasn’t entirely his to control.

The table mutely stared at him, but Musaad finally answered, “it’s a variant on Veritaserum. Makes you more suggestible to tell the truth, but leaves the speaker able to express themselves with full emotions, and able to hold back the truth if they are very inclined to do so. It’s less detectable than normal truth serum and less unethical as—”

“Less unethical?” Rons snorted. “You lot are nothing but unethical from where I’m sitting.”

“Oh?” Robards asked.

Ron could feel it— the need to tell the truth— the need to tell them off with everything he had. They said he could hold it back if he was very inclined to do so.

Too bad he had no inclination at all to hold back.

“This whole things has been needlessly fucked up. You didn’t properly check the place for dangers like the Boggart dust—”

“No one was in danger—” began Robards.

Ron had so many emotions going through his mind, it was hard to pick just one. He decided on livid.

“Mental stuff is dangerous, okay!?” growled Ron. “People’s heads being fucked with is dangerous! And you lot have done it every single exam.”

“As Musaad said, you can hold back what you want to say if you’re so inclined,” said Robards, jaw clenched.

“I’m not, but thanks for that reminder,” Ron said with a shake of his head. “Do you have more questions for me, or can I go?”

Robards gave a supremely displeased look.

“Do you even want to be an Auror?”

“After seeing how you treat recruits? Not really,” Ron curtly replied.

“In that case, do you have any final questions for us?”

Ron thought and stared at the floor before letting his eyes meet theirs.

“I’ve known three great Aurors in my lifetime, and they were all in the Order. Where were you lot? Why didn’t Dumbledore trust you? Were you even helping fight in the war?”

They stonily stared at him, except Musaad who looked away.

“There were many ways to help in this war,” Robards quietly said. He had a glower that should have made Ron nervous, but he didn’t care anymore.

“Right, well, I’ll take my Order of Merlin and shove it, shall I?” he said, rising from his chair. “How’s that for ‘rumblings?’”

“You haven’t been dismissed,” barked Robards.

“You saw what I can do. Either you think I’ll be good at this, or you don’t. I don’t reckon anything I say will change your mind for the better when I’m on truth serum-light. I’ve had enough of this. I’m off.”

Ron went to the door and realised he had no idea how to leave.

“I’ll escort you,” said Musaad, a wry grin on his bearded face.

Ron begrudgingly followed the man out the door, and pointedly ignored the barbed looks the rest of the table were giving him.

He’d utterly ruined his chances of being an Auror, but he felt strangely lighthearted about it. Theold had said he would get money for the Order of Merlin— that could cover his expenses along with his pub job until he could get employment he enjoyed and was proud of.

They were a few metres into the hall when Musaad let out a laugh. Ron stopped walking and stared at him.

He’d let his temper ruin his chances to be an Auror and now Musaad was mocking him. It felt like a most fitting end to a most imperfect day.

“And Robards thought you gave quite a show in the exams,” Musaad laughed. “I must say, Weasley, you’re one of the most interesting recruits I’ve ever met.”

“I’m on truth serum or whatever so you might want to shut up,” said Ron, fists beginning to clench.

“I am not trying to provoke you anymore,” said Musaad, putting his hands up.

“Okay…” Ron crossed his arms and looked down at Musaad. He’d seemed an intimidating figure, but Ron realised just how much smaller Musaad was than himself. “How was Harry, really?”

“I can’t reveal anything from his fourth exam, that’s confidential,” said Musaad, but he continued before Ron could protest. “Right before the exam it was reported to me that he was quite distraught. They sent someone in to check him over for any remaining spores of Boggart dust. He was able to gather himself after knowing Kevin Gunther was fine.”

It wasn’t fully relieving news, but it was better than not knowing anything.

“Thank you…” said Ron. He gave a forceful exhale through pursed lips. “Have I… Did I ruin my chances back there?”

“Oh you want to talk to me now?” asked Musaad.

“Might as well.” Ron shrugged and waited.

Musaad continued down the hall a few paces before he spoke. “Your performance in the first three exams was excellent. The only red flags we had for you were a wild case of insecurity, and you have a tinge of disrespect for authority. Nothing too major, especially given the circumstances… You were probably a shoe-in after exam three.”

“And now?”

“Well, Robards is a proud man… Deserves to be. He did quite a lot to help our side win this war, but from the inside. He has an impeccable record. And you chose to question it in front of his peers and throw your Order of Merlin in his face…”

“So I’m fucked,” Ron said, rubbing his left arm.

“Well, it’s hard to say how he’ll react. We are very hard up on recruits, and it doesn’t hurt that your best friend is one of the most politically powerful people in the Wizarding World. Potter was a bit of an upstart too.”

“He saved everyone’s arses. He deserves to be.”

Musaad nodded, holding Ron’s gaze. “One could argue you deserve to be too. We’re alive and able to interview you both because of the steps you took to end this war. That won’t be forgotten. And I won’t let your very fair reaction to our tests affect your chances if I can.”

“Do you have anything to do with this decision?” Ron asked, a tiny bit of hope scrambling its ways to the front of his mind.

“Yes. I do,” said Musaad before giving a laugh. “And despite how much you very obviously disdain me, I find I like you.”

Ron narrowed his eyes.

“I like what I saw in the field,” Musaad continued, not the least bit intimidated by Ron’s glare. “You’re the kind of person I would want beside me in a battle, and nothing you said in the interview convinced me otherwise. But, at the end of the day, I’m just one vote.”

He stopped walking, and looked Ron in the eyes.

“If this somehow doesn’t work out, feel free to contact me. I want to make sure you have a position somewhere for your skills. I could, perhaps, write a letter or talk to someone. That’s the least you deserve.”

Musaad put out a hand for him to shake, and despite everything, Ron found himself shaking it.

“You’ve got a good nose for tactics. It’s a pretty rare thing in someone so young. It’s been a privilege,” said Musaad, firmly shaking his hand before letting it go and leaving Ron in the locker room.

He changed, but the whole time he had unsure footing similar to when he’d just played a Quidditch game and finally landed on the ground. Everything felt slow and unsteady as he took each step and changed his clothes. The world around him felt like it was vibrating. The tensile pulse still rang in his ears, but he had no idea of where to move and nowhere to walk.

He felt the inexorable urge to run and run until he was far from this underground torture chamber.

He didn’t know if he even wanted to be an Auror anymore… But he didn’t want them telling him he couldn’t be one…

He wished he could say goodbye to the Recruits. He wished he knew how they all did on the exam. He wished to go home and check on Harry, to throw himself into Hermione’s waiting arms, and to maybe have some of his Mum’s cooking. He wished… He wished a lot of things, actually…

But most of all, he wished to sleep in his own bed and wake up not regretting a thing.

“Fat chance of that,” Ron mumbled to himself as he stumbled towards the lifts.

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

author's note:

Thank you to everyone who reviews- you all really help motivate me and make me feel tied to other people. Sometimes it's hard to feel a sense of community in my life, but you really give that to me and it means so much!

Next chapter Hermione's POV again.

#waking up #my writing #ron weasley #romione #harry potter fanfiction #auror #fan fic

[padfootagain]

Masterlist - Requests are closed - The tag list is open!

Hello!!

I hope all of you have a wonderful time for the end of this crazy year! Here is the posting schedule for the upcoming three weeks, I'll have some time to write during the holidays, right before exam season strikes in January, so hopefully we can keep this rhythm up through January and February!

We're also welcoming a new character that I'll be adding to the masterlist! Because I have no self-control, and am going to hell for this... hope you like it! :D

Wishing all of you a merry Christmas for those who celebrate, and a happy new year! Hope you like the new fics!

19/12/2023 - The Car Trap

Hozier x Reader, angst, hurt/comfort, fluff, angst with a happy ending, friends to lovers, oneshot

Summary: You're offered a job in Switzerland, and you're ready to accept it. It would offer you a new beginning, a way to forget about the love you have for your best friend. But a trip through a snowstorm with Andrew might change everything...

22/12/2023 - Chapter 23 for Something Good

Ben Barnes x Reader, Professor AU!, angst, fluff, slow-burn, enemies to lovers, on-going series

Summary: Coming out of a divorce and trying to get used to being a single mom, while teaching your classes at University, you thought your life could not get more complicated than it already iss. But when you are asked to take care of the theatre club with the colleague that you really can’t get along with, you realize that everything can still get ten times more complicated in your life. And when you start actually liking Professor Barnes, the troubles only grow exponentially…

25/12/2023 - Home For Christmas

Hozier x Reader, fluff, nothing but fluff, oneshot

Summary: Andrew is on tour during the Christmas season. Unless... he's got a surprise for you on Christmas Eve!

28/12/2023 - Black Dog Neighbour

Sirius Black x reader, enemies to lovers, fluff, requested by @nobodyshomearchive for my 6k event, oneshot

Summary: God, you hate that guy next door. Bloody annoying neighbour with his noisy motorcycle, his loud friends, his annoying laugh, his charming smile, his amazing hair, his effortless way to sport sexy leather jackets. He’s insufferable, you hate him to bits. The fact that he’s a talented wizard who can magically change into a dog to guard your door when your ex comes bothering you again will not change your first impression in the slightest, by the way. You still hate him to guts. Probably…

31/12/2023 - Chapter 4 for The Last Ones on Earth

The Darkling x reader, angst, fluff, on-going series

Summary: You and the Darkling are a team, even if no one knows it. Beyond being a team, you are the only one he trusts, and he's the only one you care about, and you're each other's true love. But if you've kept your secrets hidden for a long time, now that the Sun Summoner is fighting against you, it's time to reveal who you are, and what you are capable of...

03/01/2024 - Pink Helmet

Sirius Black x reader, friends to lovers, angst, fluff, requested by @wolfmoonmusic for my 6k event, oneshot

Summary: You get jealous on a night out with your friends, because Sirius is flirting with some random girl at the bar. Your anger is about to cause a chain reaction that will bring unsuspected consequences… for the better.

06/01/2024 - When We Were Lying

Hozier x Reader, angst, friends to lovers, fake dating AU, angst to fluff, oneshot

Summary: Your ex is attending your family gathering for Christmas and there is no way you're going to face that alone. Of course, you drag your best friend into this, and he's too smitten with you to say no when you ask him to pretend to be your boyfriend. Although, the fact that you both have feelings for each other might end up being a problem...

09/01/2024 - Chapter 6 for You and the King

Caspian x reader, Sequel to The King and You, angst, fluff, on-going series

Summary : After meeting Caspian in your own world, you decide to follow him to Narnia, your love for him too strong for you to keep your old life. But as you discover the magic of Narnia, you soon realise that this extraordinary world is as dangerous as it is magnificent. Will your love for Caspian be enough to defeat your new enemies?

12/01/2024 - Bookshelves

Ben Barnes x reader, fluff, domestic bliss, requested for my 6k event, oneshot

Summary: Nothing’s better than reorganizing your bookshelves with the love of your life on a crispy autumnal afternoon…

#posting schedule #schedule #posting schedule december 2023 #writing #fanfictions #masterlist

[thegirlwhowrites642]

It's official the HBO series will happen.

What's your thoughts?

I'm so so annoyed.

But before getting into my personal feelings, I find it a very weird investment choice. In ten years? Yes, it would have made sense, but now? It's too early. The movies are still very relevant for a lot of people. That mixed with JK Rowling's current reputation is a recipe for disaster. The only way for them to not get cancelled on season 2 is to make a bloody masterpiece. It seems the only way for people to forget JK Rowling's transphobic shit.

I think the two main driving factors were JK Rowling trying to regain popularity and also I believe they want to give it a final try at a Harry Potter cinematic universe, Marvel or Star Wars style. But to do that they need some decent central material, so clearly they couldn't use those godawful movies.

It could be a masterpiece, but I don't believe it will be.

They showcase Rowling being an executive producer as a reassuring thing but frankly, that worries me even more. Do I really need to pull out all the interviews in which she shows she doesn't remember what she has written? Because I can. Every single one of my mutuals here on Tumblr knows those books better than that woman, I can bet whatever you want on that.

I thought a lot during the years about how a Harry Potter tv series should be, I have notes written down, but I have zero trust in these people.

If Steve Kloves gets anywhere near that writing room I'm going to personally set it on fire with all the people working on this project inside

I hope they are going to use the possibilities the media they are using gives and show things even when Harry is not there. And I also hope they are going to use the fact that everybody already knows the story. In season 2, show us what goes on with Ginny and the diary, we already know Ginny has the diary, and the birds in the sky already know Ginny has the diary, you don't need to make it a mystery for the viewer, just for Harry. And in general, if they are smart (and I don't think they are) they are going to show a lot of Ginny's storyline that we didn't get in the books. A story of mental health with a strong female character? They'd be fucking idiots to waste it.

In moments like the Yule Ball, show us what is going on with every character. Show us Ginny meeting Micheal, explore why Hermione likes Krum, show us George trying to not be jealous of Fred with Angelina.

Show us Ron and Hermione when Harry is not there!!! Maybe let them speak about Hermione's relationship with her parents and try to give some sense to the fact that she has children young despite the fact that she seems everything but family oriented from Harry's perspective.

Show us what happens at Hogwarts during the war, especially considering how fucking boring the Horcrux hunt is (some of the most boring writing I've ever seen).

Hermione is a character that aged really badly in terms of contemporary feminism, and it will be even worse in the later seasons if they get to do them because they'll come out in a decade. Don't change her character to adjust to new times. Make sure the narrative addresses her wrong behaviour without changing the story. For example, make Harry and Ginny have a conversation on how wrong she was at setting the canaries on Ron, but save the storyline by making Harry convince an angry Ginny to let Ron and Hermione sort their shit out on their own.

Throw away the children's filter. Show us alcoholic Sirius Black that lives with the ghost of his best friend.

Also, while I'm on that: more Harry bonding with Sirius!!!!

Give us special episodes focused on other storylines. Give us one special episode on James and Lily's story, who cares if we see Snape being friends with Lily before DH, everybody already knows the story!! Give us an episode on the story of the three Black sisters! Give us an episode on Remus and Tonks. And at the very end, give us an episode on Harry and Ginny getting back together.

Remember that you are working with a visual art. When Harry looks at Ginny dancing at the Yule Ball she should have a green dress that matches Harry's green robes, so that you can have a shot of them dressing coordinated but dancing with other people. HBP has a binary structure of juxtaposition of light and dark, fucking show it!! On this note, Ginny should always look a bit brighter if she is around Harry.

In general, use those fucking colours!! Visual art!!!!

I want to be able to see what's on the bloody screen

So many cool things could be done, but they are not gonna do them, and that's why I'm going to hate every single second of it.

I hope to be proven wrong.

[cinnamontoastcrunch-15]

The @wolfstarmicrofic prompt for the 31st March is tragic!

CW: Drug use, mentions of addiction and overdosing, mentions of murder/character death, hallucinations

“Aw, look at you.” The taunting voice made Remus’ stomach drop and his heart stop all at the same time. “Addicted to whatever you can get your hands on, eh?”

“Shut up, Sirius.” Remus groaned, forcing his eyes open to meet the figment of his imagination that was Sirius Black.

“You know you’re overdosing, right? It’s kinda why I’m here.” Sirius was sat cross legged in front of him, all amused smiles and twinkling, mischievous eyes as he dropped his chin onto his hands.

“Then let me overdose in peace.”

“Hey, I’m just your subconscious, alright? Not my fault that you want to see me after I murdered our best friends.” He laughed brightly, a stab of pain shooting through him at the words. Or maybe the drugs.

“Just fuck off!” Remus went to stand, get away from the haunting that was bloody Sirius Black, but the moment he did, his legs gave out on him and he fell straight back to the floor, on his hands and knees. Sirius let out a low, impressed whistle.

“Hm, that shit’s strong. What is it, again?” Remus shrugged. “Yeah, that makes sense. Oh, it’s almost tragic, isn’t it?”

“What is?” Fuck, why was he engaging?

“You. Me. Us.” He indicated casually between them, before eyeing him up carefully. “Won’t be long now.”

“Good.”

“Remus?” Who the hell was that? Remus’ vision was starting to tunnel, starting to be taken away by a comfortable unconsciousness, but he was aware enough to know it wasn’t Sirius. “Em, he’s in here!” There were hands on his shoulders, turning him around, Mary’s eyes darting over his face. “What have you taken?”

“What?” The word barely came out of his mouth, tongue feeling uncomfortable.

“What did you take?” She asked again. “Alright, come on, it’s okay, just… stay awake for me, yeah?”

Mary.

He had Mary.

He could hold on for her.

#sorry y’all #I’m being so bloody morbid #idk why #he’s not dead? #so that’s a plus? #however he is severely fucked ip #imagine hallucinating your ex boyfriend who’s serving a life sentence in a magic prison full of soul suckers because everyone #including you #suspects that he murdered your best friends #for a blood supremacist #lol #wolfstar #sirius black #marauders #wolfstar oneshot #remus lupin #remus x sirius #young marauders #moony x padfoot #atyd marauders #marauders oneshot #james potter #marauders era #wolfstar fluff #the marauders #wolfstar drabble #peter pettigrew #lily evans #sirius x remus #wolfstar prompt

[doloresstarfish]

BROKE YOUR OWN HEART

(Can't Finish What You Start)

Remus Lupin & Original Male Character

cw: graphic despictions of violence, angst, blood.

Summary

CHAPTER O4

At first it looked like a normal pub. When they got inside, Mouth and Elliot greeted the busy man behind the bar while going straight to the back, like they were co owners of the place. Remus followed close behind them as they opened the door to the basement, being inmediately attacked by the screams and chants of what sounded like a full quidditch stadium.

It was an old room with tall ceilings and concrete walls, so large it could probably fit two of Elliot's houses, if it weren't for the massive crowd of sweaty men inside.

On the way there Remus learned that they were heading to a fight club. A bloody fight club. And he thought that maybe Mouth was right about getting hurt burn.

At least it now made sense as to why Elliot never hesitated to throw a mean right hook if he found it necessary. He was certain no prissy motherfucker in Hogwarts had any chance against him. And they didn't.

They got just in time before they closed the doors, so they paid the entrance fee -five pounds each- and a bearded guy asked if any of them were fighting tonight. Mouth and Elliot had said yes. 'Oslo' seemed to know them well since they greeted eachother by name and handed both boys two ribbons to tie on their wrists. Elliot got red and Mouth blue.

The fights seemed to have started earlier than usual since they were already pulling a manic guy on top of another bloody face. They dragged the passed out person away from the man-made circle on the middle of the basement and a bald man raised the winners hand in the air, who offered the chanting crowd a crooked smile as he got handed a red plastic bag filled with money.

This was not how Remus imagined spending his summer.

He couldn't wait to see James and Sirius and tell them everything.

The same man held two empty bags -one red and one blue- in each hand and walked around as everyone streched to get their money in before two different men got in the circle and start wrestling.

Remus kept watching as the bald man handed the two bags to a couple of guys in the stairs. They started couting the contents of each bag and splitted both at the middle, waiting for the results.

"If you win you get half of the money the people against you betted, the other half goes to the winner's crowd" Elliot leaned on a concrete pillar, hands on his pockets in a relaxed way "So if fifty people are against you, you get two hundred and fifty pounds"

"Since the stablished amount is ten pounds each" Mouth added "Only rich assholes come see us getting fucked up. They get off on it or something" Elliot laughed "But last saturday of the month means double bets. That's five hundred, baby"

They watched in silence as they dragged another guy out of the floor. This time Blue won. They repeated the whole thing.

"What will happen if no one is against you?" Remus asked Elliot. Mouth snorted at the question while moving his limbs around, trying to warm up.

"That's not a problem Elliot particulary has" he answered.

"Let's just say I'm easy to hate" A knowing smile crept on his face but Remus didn't dare ask anything else.

Soon after it was Mouth's turn to go in. They wished him good luck and the fight begun. He wasn't either too tall or too short, but his beefy muscles were undeniable, so a lot of people betted on him. His opponent was on the shorter side, but was agile and looked experienced.

At first it was pretty even between the two of them, a lot of dodging and not much contact. Then Mouth got the upper hand with a strong kick right on the chest. Until he got swiped by his left knee and fell down to the floor.

"Fuck. That's his bad knee. Broke it one time and never fully healed" Elliot said, worried for his friend.

At the end nothing too serious happened to Mouth. But he did lose after a punch on the side of his head that nearly knocked him fully out, so they called it quits.

Elliot was next.

"You know the rules, gentleman! No shirts and no weapons!" The bald man exclaimed.

As Elliot started walking Remus was suddenly filled with an inmense sense of dread. What if he got seriously injured? Fuck, what if he died? He should've never let him do this shit.

"Merlin fuck, Elliot" his voice wavered, face as white as a sheet "Please be careful" the boy just turned around without stopping and grinned at him.

Fucking wanker.

He watched as Elliot slipped off his shirt and threw it to the ground while opening his way through the crowd of people, that started shamelessly booing at the sight of the familiar boy.

When Elliot finally arrived to the center of the circle he found Remus worried eyes again, but smiled and looked at him as to saying "See?"

Fucking wanker.

His opponent was a white guy with his torso and neck covered in ugly tattoos. He looked like a rabid dog, saizing up a relaxed looking Elliot with muttered growls.

Almost everyone got their hands inside the blue bag. They fucking loathed him. Remus watched the barely half filled red bag as baldie handed both of them to the crew.

The fight was up. Tattoo guy inmediately launched forward to grab Elliot but he dodged him easily, keeping his fists in front of his face. They walked around in circules, both challenging the other to approach them. Tattoo guy finally gave in and threw a fist at Elliot, who managed to move to the side and sucker punch him square in the jaw, making him back down with a groan of pain.

Elliot was lean but strong, well defined muscles danced around his body thanks to the demanding job at the factory. He could be Michelangelo's fucking David, Remus thought. Although having absolute baby-like features, his permanent poker face made up for any problem he could have from lack of intimidation.The other guy looked more like a junkie psycho chihuahua than a real competition. And that might just be more dangerous.

The younger boy leaped forward and got another hit, this time on the eye. But Tattoo guy trashed his arms around, making it impossible to predict where were they going to end up, so Elliot got hit in the nose and the crowd cheered louder as blood started to pour.

Remus could feel his heart trying to thump out of place and had to close his eyes after a couple minutes. He couldn't see this.

The crowd started booing and Remus inmediately thought the worst, and quickly opened his eyes, expecting to see the beautiful face that belonged to Elliot all fucked up on the floor, getting dragged.

But then he remebered they hated him, so they were booing because of Elliot's red ribbon swaying high in the air around his wrist. He had won. The biggest shit eating grin Remus had ever seen on his crimson lips as he admired the crowd that insulted him.

"We've got the winner, gentleman!" The bald man pushed the red bag close to Elliot's chest as the noise got louder "Hold this tight in your way out, kid" he told him.

So Elliot took off running through the crowd, grabbing Remus by the hand and making him pick up his speed as they ran up the stairs and closed the door. He couldn't risk getting the bag snatched by a pissed off asshole, so he dragged Remus out of the pub all the way back to the basketball court, where Elliot dropped his hand to rest them on his knees, trying to catch a breath. Remus did the same as they looked at eachother.

"Fuck"

"Yeah, fuck" They started laughing.

"I can't believe I just got out of a fight club" said Remus, calming down.

"I can't believe I just got out alive of that fight" retorted Elliot jokingly, indicating Remus to follow him, so they started walking home.

"The bloke was mad" Remus sizzed "I couldn't even watch after he started spinning like an helicopter and hit you in the nose" At the injuries mention, Elliot tried to wipe some of the blood that got on his mouth, but the nose had stopped bleeding "Shit, it's not broken, is it?"

"Nah, it would hurt like a bitch if it was. I'm actually pretty okay. Definitely got worse than this" Elliot said, actually surprised. "Maybe you're my lucky charm" He sent a flirty smile to Remus, who wanted to murder him for it.

"Lucky charm or not, I'm not ever going back to that place" Elliot snorted.

"Fair enough"

It was already fully dark out, the stars shining dimly -nothing like Remus sky back in Wales-. The sandy haired blonde had catched the pubs clock before leaving the place. By his suprise, it was just eight thirty, the whole day had felt so much shorter.

They arrived at the front lawn. Elliot's eyes went straight to the driveway, checking for a beated up grey car, but it was empty, as always.

"Fuck. They can't see me like this" he stopped Remus before he could get any further. Elliot pulled off his pants -again- and grabbed the hose -that they never used-, letting water pour as hard as it could without risking getting caught by the noise.

"Merlin. Can you stop getting undressed in public? You can get arrested for nudity, you know?" Elliot laughed as an old lady walked down the street, eyeing Elliot without holding back. Remus rolled his eyes at the boy for waving a hand up to the woman teasingly.

"Why? Jelous, Lupin?" Elliot said, going back to rinsing his chest and face out of any trace for blood. Without it Elliot looked mostly normal, he still had some time before the bruises develope, so he can make up an excuse tomorrow. "Good enough, right?" Remus nodded sheepishly as Elliot slipped the jeans up again, they were dirty but the dark color helped to diguise it a little.

They passed the door and saw Elliot's mom cooking something in the kitchen as they greeted everyone inside. Lupe and Eric where running around in the living room, Dominic was struggling to catch up to them, but happily. Gia was probably studying in her bedroom.

"Hey, guys! Dinner will be ready soon, okay?" She said "Why are you shirtless... and wet?" Elliot looked down to his body as if that was the first time he saw it too. Keeping the red bag of money behind his back.

"We went swimming down the lake. Must have left it there" she looked suspiciously at him but didn't say anything else, going back to the cutting board.

They both took showers -separated- and changed into some clean, sweat-free, clothes. They sat together on Elliot's bed. The window was open, letting a summer breeze refresh them even more, thanks to the thin layer of cold water still on their skin.

Remus watched, almost hipnotized, as Elliot tended to a small cut under his right eye that he was glad Marian hadn't noticed yet and as he spreaded over his face some antinflamatory cream he kept on the dresser.

After Elliot finished he grabbed the red bag and let all the money out on the bed, crumpled up in a high mountain between the two boys.

"Wanna help me count?" Elliot asked, making Remus snap out of his daze and nod quickly.

They counted in silence, scrunching their face in disgust when handling some of the bills that had specks of blood on them.

"Do you do this often?" Remus murmured, without looking up from the task, but could sense Elliot gazing up at him.

"Not anymore. Only for double bets" he shrugged.

"Why?"

"Why do I fight or why I don't do it often anymore?" Elliot snickered, raising a mocking brow to try and alivate the intimate vibe that made him a little too uncomfortable.

"The latter" Remus serious tone made contrast with his friends nochalant attitude.

"I can't afford dying, Rem" he shook his head jokingly, althought it was a sincere explanation. Remus had to stop himself from literally gulping at the nickname.

"Why did you even start fighting, then?"

Elliot sighed exasperated, as to let Remus know that this wasn't a conversation he wanted to have. What he didn't know was that the taller boy had stopped caring enough to keep walking on eggshells around him, and decided that if he wanted to get in, maybe he had to break the door down.

But Elliot didn't let him.

The sardonic grin returned to his face as he raised the neat stack of money in his hand " 'Cause of seven hundred and sixty pounds, baby"

Remus let him have this one.

#remus lupin #remus lupin x male reader #remus lupin angst #remus lupin x you #remus lupin x reader #the mauraders

[deanbrainrotwritings]

— a b o u t m e ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

eris | 21 | infj | she/her | aro-ace | latina 🇲🇽 | deancoded deangirl

— COMFORT CHARACTERS

dean winchester, the doctor, wanda maximoff, cayde-6

— FAVOURITE CHARACTERS

donna noble, bill potts, link, mobius, nick fury, woo-young woo, loki, jordan li, obi-wan kenobi, eric effiong, merlin, anakin skywalker, joel miller, killian jones, moon knight, beau arlen, claire novak, donna hanscum, jo harvelle, soldier boy, charlie bradbury, mary winchester, clara oswald, amy pond, 12th doctor, daenerys targaryen, frank castle, carlos cervantez, sirius black, martha jones, din djarin, r2d2, matt murdock, mazikeen, mr. gold +more

— FAVOURITE SERIES AND MOVIES

supernatural, resident alien, the winchesters, doctor who, the boys, scooby-doo, the grand tour, heroes, gen v, big sky, marvel, dc comics, extraordinary attorney woo, the last of us, bullet train, the mandalorian, dark angel, sex education, business proposal, hannibal, strong girl bong-soon, weightlifting fairy kim bok-joo, modern family, parks and recreation, good omens, sherlock holmes, bee and puppycat, game of thrones, buffy the vampire slayer, harry potter, john wick, star wars, the sandman, the umbrella academy, adventure time, brooklyn 99, invader zim, dexter, tombstone, austin powers, mega mind, scott pilgrim vs. the world, teen wolf, the king : eternal monarch, ten inch hero, the vampire diaries, the devil’s hour, narcos, my bloody valentine, miraculous ladybug, the originals, a monster calls, smallville, the walking dead, you, the magicians, merlin, once upon a time, criminal minds, house md, devour, fairly odd parents, true crime, dawson’s creek + more

— FAVOURITE DUOS

merlin & arthur, twelve & clara, ten & donna, house & wilson, scooby-doo & shaggy, link & midna, sherlock & john, c3po & r2d2, nikki & pug, anakin & obiwan, anakin & ahsoka, din djarin & grogu, mobius & loki, lemon & tangerine, ron & april, stiles & derek, natasha & clint

— FAVOURITE SHIPS

wanda/vision, wanda/loki, thor/jane, river/the doctor, amy/rory, vastra/jenny, jo/dean, cassie/dean, lisa/dean, bela/dean, jessica/sam, rowena/sam, eileen/sam, jody/donna, meg/castiel, charlie/jo, saint-14/osiris, eris/drifter, ray holt/kevin, tara/willow, spike/buffy, sirius/remus, andy/april, jordan/marie, lucifer/chloe

— OTHER FAVOURITE THINGS

destiny, legend of zelda, bts, muse, avenged sevenfold, led zeppelin, radio company, my chemical romance, fall out boy, waterparks (band), lots of music, coconut milk, cooking/baking, drawing, tea, coffee, honey, chocolate, spicy foods, doughnuts, all shades of green, books, astronomy, physics, liquid eyeliner, bees, animals, silly pens, rocks, dinosaurs, flowers/plants, comic books, paradoxes, carl jung, friedrich nietzsche, cowboys, soft blankets, superheroes, fun socks, shoes, bags, lip tint>>>

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TO DEANBRAINROTWRITINGS

do not steal, plagiarise, translate, or republish my work on another platform

#about me #a

[cate-bee]

Home Embrace

A gift for a beautiful friend who’s just finished her exams and deserves the world.

Remus Lupin has never felt so bloody nervous in his entire life. He thought his fear of flying was bad enough but as he stands in line for customs, knowing that Sirius Black is right on the other side of that wall, the turbulent flight is nothing but a distant worry.

Sirius, the Sirius Black; the man that he’s talked to daily for over three years, the man who’s made him laugh, offered him unconditional support and friendship, even possibly slightly maybe occasionally flirted with Remus stood just past the security passport desk.

Rocking back and forward on his heels, the large and ridiculously slow moving line ahead of him gave Remus way too much time to think.

What if Sirius didn’t like him? What if he took one look at Remus, all flushed face, scars and hand me down jumper and decided that maybe they weren’t a good match after all.

Worse still, what if Sirius didn’t turn up at all. What if he’d changed his mind and Remus would be stood in a county he didn’t know with a friend that he thought he’d knew.

Even through his intense self doubt, Remus cursed himself for even entertaining the idea. Sirius, one of the closest friends Remus had throughout the pandemic, would never put him in that situation. Even though they had never met face to face Sirius, along with the rest of the online writers group The Marauders, had become an integral part of Remus’ life.

Scattered all across the world, The Marauders celebrated each other's wins no matter how small, comisarated together and supported each other with no questions asked. Genuine friendships forged over literature, memes and debates on fictional characters heights, The Marauders were a family.

And that’s the only reason Remus didn’t almost pass out as his passport was checked and he was waved through customs on unsteady legs. The airport welcome lounge was busy and disorienting, although Remus didn’t take in much of it, scanning strangers' faces with the hope of only laying eyes on one.

Heartbeat rapid in his chest, Remus’ breath caught as bright eyes met his from across the room. The last sliver of doubt disappeared completely as Remus watched Sirius approach him with open arms and a stunning genuine smile.

Relief surged through his body as Sirius wrapped him up in a sturdy warm embrace. Remus felt like his world tilted on it axis with that embrace. Sirius was real; sturdy, muscular and strong, caring and gentle, and right here in his arms. Remus could only but hold on tightly and breath Sirius in, treasuring a moment that had been years in the making.

They held onto each other tightly for a long time, maybe too long if you asked any of their fellow passengers, but to Remus that embrace could never be long enough. And right in that moment it seemed that Sirius felt the same, holding on that fraction tighter and that second longer.

Right then everything seemed to fit into place because to Remus, even though he’d had to travel halfway around the world, Sirius felt like home.

#wolfstar #remus x sirius #remus lupin #sirius black #fluff #my writing

[princesscatalina99]

18+ 1v1 Rps on Discord

Hey. Sorry that I haven't been on. I have been dealing with a lot of crap and I've been in a low place. But I'm back for some roleplaying. This will include lots of strong sexual themes, some bloody violence, some bondage, strong cursing, strong romantic themes, some alcohol consumption, abusive pasts, etc.

I don't have many rules/regulations, but please make sure you follow these.

I only play ocs. I mostly play females but I can play male characters, just not as well. I usually do gxg or gxb but I can do bxb.

I am a literate person so I would prefer it if you could do at least 2-3 lines. The bigger, the better.

A lot of these characters I have past backstories that I have prewritten. If you don't like that, please don't mention it to me and not join. I am very passionate about my characters.

This is mainly a srp 1v1 scenario thing, but if you would like to do a small group, let me know.

Here's the list. It's rather long. Please pick one and I will send the notes/backstory and starter to you.

Adam Warlock

Arthur Curry/Aquaman

Alexander Colborne [Sanditon]

Augusta Markham [Sanditon]

Beomgyu [TXT]

Billy Lee [Bad Times at the El Royale]

Black Adam

Black Canary

Black Panther

Blaise Zabini

Bowser

Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier

Britta Beach

Catwoman

Cedric Diggory

Chaeryeong [ITZY]

Chaeyoung [TWICE]

Charles Lockhart [Sanditon]

Cheryl Blossom

Cho Chang

Diana Prince/Wonder Woman

Donkey Kong

Draco Malfoy

Sir Edward Denham [Sanditon]

Edward Nygma/The Riddler

Erik Killmonger

Fangs Fogarty

Fili

Colonel Francis Lennox [Sanditon]

Gamora

Gaston

General Hux

Ghost Face

Giselle [aespa]

Green Arrow

Goku Black

Harley Quinn

Harry Potter

Hueningkai [TXT]

Hyunjin [Stray Kids]

Jacob Black

Jafar

Jake [ENHYPEN]

James Potter [marauders era]

James Stringer [Sanditon]

Han Jisung [Stray Kids]

Joker

Jughead Jones

Julian Blossom [Season 7]

Kara Zor-El/Supergirl

Kili

Kylo Ren

Lex Luthor

Loki

Luna Lovegood

Miles Morales/Spider-Man

Mingi [ATEEZ]

Mystique

Namor

Naruto Uzumaki

Neville Longbottom

Nick St. Clair [Riverdale]

Ominus Gaunt

Pamela Isley/Poison Ivy

Pansy Parkinson

Peter Pan

Peter Parker/Spider-Man

Peter Pettigrew [marauders era]

Peter Quill/Star-Lord

Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver

Prince Caspian

Reggie Mantle

Remus Lupin [marauders era]

Rocket Raccoon

Roman Sionis/Black Mask

Ron Weasley

Samuel Colbourne [Sanditon]

San [ATEEZ]

Sebastian Sallow

Severus Snape [marauders era]

Shang-Chi

Sirius Black [marauders era]

Slade Wilson/Deathstroke

Sweet Pea

Tabitha Tate

Thranduil

Thorin Oakenshield

Tom Riddle [school era]

Tony Topaz

Tristan Farnon [All Creatures Great and Small]

Veronica Lodge

Wade Wilson/Deadpool

Wolverine

Wonwoo [SEVENTEEN]

Wooyoung [ATEEZ]

Yelena Belova

Zatanna

Please choose one scenario that you like best or the number. Thanks so much for reading this!

#roleplay #aespa #all creatures great and small #aquaman #ateez #bucky barnes #dc #deadpool #donkey kong #draco malfoy #dragon ball #enhypen #ghost face #harry potter #hogwarts legacy #the hobbit #itzy #jafar #dc joker #jughead jones #kylo ren #loki fanfic #lotr #mario #marauders #marvel #namor #naruto #peter pan #the riddler

[ao3feed-snape]

Until The Sun Goes Down

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/uYUKnN3

by britishgaychild

Barty's mother always said that he might meet the love of his life at Hogwarts. He didn't believe her. Not when he got his letter, not when he got on the train, not throughout his first, second or third year at school. Not when-oh...maybe she was right. But it wasn't his fault his best friend was so perfect. Curse Evan for making his life so bloody difficult.

A Rosekiller fic spanning throughout all their years at Hogwarts and a little while after. Updates will be sporadic because I have a million other wips to write. Read tags for warnings.

Words: 4423, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Categories: F/F, M/M

Characters: Evan Rosier, Bartemius Crouch Jr., Regulus Black, Pandora Lovegood, but it's not - Character, it's pandora rosier, because fuck you I can - Character, Dorcas Meadowes, James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Bartemius Crouch Sr., Lily Evans, Mary Macdonald, Severus Snape, Narcissa Black

Relationships: Bartemius Crouch Jr./Evan Rosier, Minor or Background Relationship(s), Regulus Black/James Potter, Pandora Lovegood/Mary MacDonald/Lily Evans Potter, Marlene McKinnon/Dorcas Meadowes, super minor regulus/barty, temporary barty/oc

Additional Tags: Slow Burn, Canon Universe, Rosekiller, bart sr is a shit parent, Implied/Referenced Child Abuse, No Smut, Getting Together, First Kiss, Pining, lots of pining, i love them, Sporadic Updates, Angst, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Not Canon Compliant, Alternate Universe - No Voldemort, Everyone Is Gay, this started as a joke bc there are not enough fics for them, and now here we are, No beta reader, title is from a song, mentions of alcoholism and child neglect, but not too strong, it's bart ofc, Evan rosier is an angel, Trans Regulus Black, endgame rosekiller, Happy Ending, reg is a bit of a bitch, but it's fine, POV Alternating, Historical Inaccuracy, does it count as historical is it's the 70s?, probably not, I stole Ollie's Lottie, MUAHAHAHAHA, you can't have her back, Other Additional Tags to Be Added

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/uYUKnN3

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #Severus Snape #Snape #Professor Snape #SS

[the-second-tonks]

Hey i got an idea, i would've used it myself but honestly I think it would be pretty hard for me

But anyway

The Harry Potter character reaction or how they would help their s/o if their s/o was injured, or sick

Hello !! Thank you for requesting this idea , and I think it wouldn't have been hard for you trust me ! Next time , try writing it and ask opinions on it from your moots , even me is fine !!!

How Harry Potter characters react/help if their s/o was sick/injured

Find other headcanons by me - here !

Harry James Potter

Now now , we know this guy has gotten himself injuries almost every year , but when it comes to you .. damn . Trust me he'll feel that every year he saves the whole bloody Hogwarts but this time he couldnt save you . He's gonna be so caring and so understanding towards you . Not gonna lie , he's going to panic , like "what to do !?" , "Hermione !! Help!!" , "Somebody do something!!!!" He's going to be this . And then later , when he sees you in the hospital very much safe and under care , he's gonna be relaxed , but he'll miss you so much and so , he might deliver a lot of cute letters to you . He'll give you frequent(very frequent) visits and he might even sit there and tell you about his day , just be there with you . There will be days or nights (incase you're really injured/sick where you're away from him for days) where he'll be scared that you'll meet the same fate as Sirius or his parents . He'd not want to loose you . Incase you got yourself injured by a person , he's ofcourse not gonna spare them , but incase you for yourself injured by your own (+ if it's on his adventures) he's never gonna risk you again . He'll not take you on his adventures , strictly no ! And you're going to face a very mad Harry when you're all recovered from your injury because he'll want an answer on why you did that . Incase you save his life and get injured , then I'm sorry I don't trust this boy on what he might do , he might scold you and feel very bad about it

Hermione Jean Granger

She might blame herself . Incase you've risked your life for her , she's gonna be a crying mess . But she'll be strong and meet you every day.. she'll not let bad thoughts fill her mind . She'll know you're there , you're alive and you'll be back to her . She'll even decorate your room and stuff the day you return . Before you return she'll not move a thing of yours , she'll let it stay where you left it and often look at those things and think about you . She's also the one to enter your room every now and then to make herself calm , because your room gives her the feeling of your presence (incase you both share room then she might go for your clothes) . She'll also watch stuff that you liked and remember the comments that you'd pass Throughout the movie , just as to remind her of your presence . Your presence is very important to her , the reason being why she visits the hospital so much , she'll also cook your favourite food . Also , your thoughts could distract her , but she won't let them make way into her work . She'll be strong and she'll work while you're in the hospital being taken care of. She'll be glad for Harry to be with her because she might cry on Harry's shoulder .. maybe . Ofcourse it could be Ron too . She'll try her best to stay optimistic.

Ronald Billius Weasley

Okay so he's gonna be so upset , so so upset . He couldn't save you from getting hurt . He's gonna take care of you like a mother trust me . He'll even sit with you in the hospital for a whole day if you want . He'll be at your utmost service . Incase he's in his work , he'll keep sending chocolates , cards and stuff . He might also send short letters to you . He's going to bring you tea and stuff too . And he'll even tidy your room while you're gone . Okay here's the thing that the Weasely house would be decorated as the way you like when you're coming back .. they'll also have a day themed based on your likes so that they feel like you're there. Table talks would be all about you ... Really it's going to be so loving coming from all of them . Now incase you're sick , they'll send your fav food and drink nd stuff from home and Ron's going to avoid the thing that caused you to fall ill .. especially when you get discharge . On coming back home , you'll get room service until you're completely recovered .. and by completely I mean even cough or cold ... You'll have to be completely alright!

Okay so i feel a bit discouraged at the moment.. for Harry Potter.. so I'll write this request.. i mean add up more characters later !

#harry potter #hp imagine #ronald weasley #harry potter headcanon #hermione granger x reader #hermione x reader #harry potter x you #harry potter x y/n #harry potter x reader #ronald weasley x reader

[inky-duchess]

The Red Herring

The Red Herring is a writing tool in which the writer purposely dangles a clue or a suspect before the reader in an attempt at misleading them from the answer to a mystery. This clue is meant to sidetrack the reader from what is really going on in the narrative.

What exactly is a Red Herring?

As we said above, it is a trick to mislead the reader. Say there is a murder of a wealthy woman and there are three suspects: her husband, her lover & her servant. The husband acts edgy throughout the narrative, is shown to be jealous and quick to anger. The reader begins to suspect it was the husband who murdered his wife. While the reader is sizing up the hubby, nobody is watching the servant and the lover.

How to Write a Red Herring

The concept of a perfect Red Herring is playing on the preconceptions and prejudices of the audience. The audience excepts a certain suspect to every crime and a clue to turn out to be the key of the mystery. You have to think of the reader as a cat playing with a lazer. They will follow the path you place before them because they trust you (horrible mistake I know). Some helpful things to keep in mind:

The red herring is innocent. You must remember that. Don't trap yourself into writing the RH into the corner. The reveal will not work.

On the other hand, the guilty party should not be completely clean and innocent until they are reveal to be the villain/impor. The true reveal should never come out of nowhere.

Remember the prejudices of your audience. For example every crime show on TV has the husband the first suspect whenever a woman is killed.

Your clues do not have to be bloody knives and ill intentions. Clever clues such as scents left behind after a crime or the way a character speaks about the incident should also be used.

Other characters are a good device. If Character B thinks Character A is acting shady, the audience maybe swayed by the notion. After all we trust in our narrators, biased or not.

You must ask yourself: what does the reader expect?

Examples of Excellent Red Herrings

In Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan, Carter overhears the villain, Set, speaking French to a minion which leads both Carter and the reader to suspect Desjardins- the only French speaker in the narrative.

In Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban, we suspect like every one in the narrative that Sirius Black is the antagonist. He is an escapee from a notorious wizard prison, convicted of multiple murders and his first appearances are rather dramatic. With everyone watching the convicted murderer, nobody is watching the rat.

In A Song of Ice and Fire, we are lead to believe that Cersei Lannister murdered Jon Arryn. She is certainly capable of it as well as having a strong motive. While looking at the very likely suspect of Cersei and the obvious motives, we are not seeing another murderer and another murderer. It was Littlefinger & Lysa, to "save" Sweet Robin/ begin the War of the Five Kings.

The film series Final Destination is a great example of this. In one scene, one of the victims is plugging in a dodgy radio whilst Death spills water across the floor only for him to slip on the water and fall into the bath instead of getting electrocuted. Another scene sees a gymnast on a bar with a nail sticking out of the bar. We expect her to step on the nail and fall to her death but instead another gymnast steps on it inciting a chain reaction.

#Writers guide #red herring #writing #writing resources #writing advice #writer #writeblr #writing reference #writer's problems #spilled words #writer's life #characters #Writing advice writing reference #Writing reference writing advice #Final Destination #Asoiaf #the kane chronicles #Harry Potter #Sirius black #Writing Red Herrings

[sapphirelass]

I’ll be by your side - Remus LupinxDaughter!Reader

Hi!! Wooow I’m a slow writer XD To be fair though, I am graduating in June, so there’s...quite a lot to do. Anyhow, this is part 3 of my imagine deal? so I’d recommend reading that one and part 2 first. Remus is my favourite HP character, so this mainly focuses on the relationship between him and his daughter, but I guess it’s slight HarryxReader as well ;)

Deal? (Part 1) | Oh, darling... (Part 2) | I’ll be by your side (Part 3)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please note:

1: I don’t own any of the gifs used, nor any already established characters, so credit to the authors and original creators - You have done a phenomenal job :)

2: English is not my native language, as I was born and raised in Sweden. I have, however, studied English for almost a decade, so I don’t think it’ll be a problem, I just thought I’d let you know ;)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You probably already know this, but still:

Y/N - Your name

Y/N/N - Your nickname

Y/H - Your house

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Word count: ≈ 2200

Warnings: Battle of Hogwarts, Angst, Blood, Death :(

Enjoy! :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“But, dad! You can’t go yourself and then expect me not to come along!”

“Yes, (Y/N/N), I can, and I will!”

He was desperate to go join the rest of the Order, and searched frantically for his old coat.

“Bu-”

“Darling, listen, this is not your fight, okay? You’re staying with Tonks and Teddy this time, and I’ll-”

She had grabbed his coat and was holding it behind her back, out of her father’s reach.

“DAD!!”

Remus stopped for a moment and took a proper look at his daughter for the first time since receiving the message about the upcoming battle.

“Look, I’m seventeen years old. I’m an adult now, and most of my younger friends are fighting. There’s literally no reason for me not to!”

“There is a perfectly good reason and you know that! Besides, your age is completely irrelevant! It wouldn’t matter if you were fifteen or seventeen, twenty or thirty, I don’t want you fighting!”

His voice was stern, which admittedly wasn’t too uncommon, but it lacked the normal comedic undertone and not even a ghost of a smile could be seen on his face. This did make (Y/N) feel quite uncomfortable, but she was not giving up. She couldn’t leave everyone else and just sit quietly on the sidelines. Surely he understood that, right?

“Well, I’m sorry, but it’s not your choice to make. I know you don’t like it, but I’m going.” 

She gave her father his coat and picked a jumper for herself, but stopped abruptly when approaching the front door. Remus had stepped in front of her, and pulled her into a tight hug.

“Please, darling… I can’t have you injured again - or worse! Stay.”

“Dad, I promised you two years ago that I would pick my fights more wisely. We made a deal. And I am choosing this one.”

“(Y/N), it’s not the same! Seeing you hurt back then caused me more pain than you could possibly imagine, but this will be worse. Far worse. An-”

“Don’t you think I know that?” It wasn’t her intention to snap at him, but they didn’t have time for this argument. People were waiting. “I know it’s for real this time, it most definitely was two weeks ago, but I honestly thought you would have more faith in me. I’m not five, okay?!”

“(Y/N/N), don-”

She pulled out of his embrace, tied her shoes and apparated. Leaving him in the middle of an argument like that broke her heart. She knew the chances of them both making it out alive were low, unharmed close to none. They did, however, not have a choice. There was no time to waste. Voldemort could be attacking the castle this very moment, and Harry, Dumbledore’s army and the rest of the Order would need all the help they could get…

~~~

(Y/N) ran down the stairs, desperately searching for any familiar faces, and eventually spotted one she had really longed to see.

“Harry!!”

He turned at the sound of his name and smiled - really smiled - when their eyes met. They weren’t more than a few feet away from each other, and it didn’t take long before they met in the middle.

“(Y/N/N)! You alright?” They hugged each other tightly and enjoyed the feeling of safety, if only for a few seconds. “What happened to your arm?”

She followed his gaze and found her sleeve torn and shoulder covered in blood. It wasn’t too bad though, she hadn’t even noticed it before Harry pointed it out.

“I-I don’t know, it’s fine. How are you feeling?”

He looked down at her and used a bloodied and scarred hand to push some of her hair behind her ear. He wanted to say “fine”, but it would have been a lie.

“Scared”, he admitted, “But also ready. Let’s finish this, once and for all?”

She nodded. “You’re right! How can I help?”

“Well, some people are trying to evacuate all the younger students through the room of requirement, think you could lend them a hand?”

“Sure! Good luck Harold, see you!”

He shook his head at the nickname, but smiled nonetheless.

“Right, good luck. And (Y/N/N)?”

“Yeah?”

“Stay alive, will you?”

“I’ll do my best on one condition.”

“Hmm?”

“You do the same”

He gave her a nod before continuing up the stairs.

“And Harry, we don’t have time for the full story, but if you run into my dad, let him know I’m sorry, will you?”

~~~

Sure, (Y/N) loved Hogwarts, it was her second home, but this was proper chaos! Most of the younger kids were finally safe, but the battle was far from won. There were death eaters everywhere. She stumbled behind suit of armor, narrowly avoiding a flash of red light, and suddenly remembered something her dad had said the other night: 

“It is the quality of one's convictions that determines success, not the number of followers” 

She knew it was meant to work as motivation, but thinking about it now just made her feel sad. How could she be so stupid? She fought her way through the corridors, but after turning a corner, she found herself facing an empty hallway? A chill went down her spine as the booming voice of Lord Voldemort could be heard all throughout the grounds. He was ordering his followers to back down, hoping to get Harry to come directly to him. Great! Now she had two people to find before it was too late...

~~

Entering the great hall this time felt nothing like it had almost seven years ago. There were people everywhere. Students, teachers, children, former graduates and parents - all in this together, mourning, comforting and healing.

(Y/N) would have noticed Fred Weasley surrounded by the rest of his family. Neville and Oliver Wood carefully moving Colin Creevey out of the way. She would have seen all of them, had it not been for a certain old, brown coat in her peripheral vision. 

Her world fell apart, she found herself unable to breathe and didn’t realize she had sprinted towards her father before she felt two, strong arms wrap around her. (Y/N) struggled and tried to push them away, but didn’t have enough strength to do so. She crumpled to the ground and was pulled into a tight embrace.

“(Y/N/N)…”, a soft voice mumbled. “I’m so sorry. Can you try to breathe slower, please? Deep and easy, alright.”

She realized that someone was speaking to her, but she didn’t recognize the words. They held no meaning, almost as if he spoke a different language, or stood very far away. (Y/N) eventually stopped hyperventilating and tried to ease the shaking as she slowly turned to check who it was, sitting with his arms around her. Her eyes met a pair of emerald green ones.

“Harry.” she whispered, still crying but trying to keep her focus on him. There was so much more she would have wanted to say, but she was unable to find the right words. “Please tell me.... Tell me he’s no-...”

“‘m sorry”

They sat for a few minutes before Harry picked a small vial from his pocket and asked if she’d be okay.

“(Y/N/N), I’m sorry, but I have to go. It’s not over yet.”

She took a deep breath.

“It’s fine, I get it. Go. I’d love a moment alone anyways.”

~~~

She sat by her father’s side for a while, but felt unable to look at him, not wanting to fully accept the reality of the situation. It was when the fifth person came up to her to give their condolences that she got up and left the great hall. She couldn’t take it, and besides, it should be fine. The death eaters had left.

She walked the familiar path towards the (Y/H) common room, but nothing seemed... real. It felt like a nightmare, only this time she couldn’t talk it through with her dad over a cup of tea. This time, nobody would be there to convince her it was just a bad dream. 

This time, no one would wake her up…  

The very moment that thought crossed her mind, a dark chuckle shattered the otherwise eerie silence.

“Avada kedavra”

She barely had time to register Antonin Dolohov with his wand pointed in her direction before an intense flash of green light caused her world to go dark.

This time, she wouldn’t wake up.

~~~

*Darkness*

*A flicker of light*

*A flicker of... hope*

*Warmth?*

~~~

It was a weird feeling. She didn’t feel happy, but rather… at peace. She sat up slowly and let her eyes adjust to the brightness as two voices simultaneously asked:

“(Y/N/N)?!”

She turned around and found herself face to face with a rather tall, red haired wizard, and a slightly older man with longer brown hair.

“Fred? Sirius?”

Fred skipped over and held out his hand, helping his younger friend to her feet. He immediately noticed her dried tears and pulled her into a tight embrace. Sirius remained a few feet away with a pained expression on his face, but was unable to stay quiet for long.

“What happened?”

(Y/N) pulled away and met her godfather’s worried gaze.

“I… It’s my fault. I thought all the Death Eaters had left the castle. They were waiting for Harry in the forbidden forest and I just needed some air...”

“Did Harry go?”

A couple (Y/N) had only seen in pictures, but knew to be James and Lily Potter, had appeared behind Sirius.

“I’m not sure. He left for Dumbledore’s office about fifteen minutes earlier. I’m sorry I didn’t even try to stop him but, with all due respect, he would have gone anyways. It’s impossible to change his mind once he decides on something.”

To her surprise, none of Harry’s parents looked very worried, but shared a smile instead.

“Don’t worry, (Y/N/N).”, said Lily gently, “He’ll know what to do when the time comes.”

“You’ve both come so far”, added James, “Things will be fine in the end, and if they’re not fine, then it’s not the end.”

“I hope you’re both right…”, she mumbled quietly, “sorry, but is dad…?”

James smiled sadly and nodded before turning to call his old friend over, however Sirius got there first.

“Oi! Moony! Get over ‘ere.”

Remus had been discussing something not too far away, and Sirius’ comment made him chuckle as he approached the other marauders. 

“Easy, Pads, you make it sound li-”

That was all he had time for, as two arms wrapped themselves tightly around his torso. He would have known who it was even without looking. He’d recognize that hug anywhere. He promised himself he wouldn’t cry, but all it took was one word.

one. single. word.

 “Dad!” 

A single word before hot, salty tears filled his eyes. It wasn’t possible!? He was completely lost for words. Didn’t know how to react, what to say or what to do. He just stood there, his arms wrapped around his only daughter, unable to process the fact that she was… dead. They both were.

“Dad, I’m so so so sorry! I shouldn’t have shouted, I shouldn’t have taken my anger or fear out on you and above all I shouldn’t have left!?! I… I..”

“(Y/N/N)”

“And now Teddy won’t have his father-”

“(Y/N/N)!!”

“And I swear I tried to find you, but I couldn’t and then it was too late and it’s all my fault a-”

“(Y/N) Lupin!!!”

She fell silent but didn’t let go.

“I’m s-”

“Darling, calm down! What’s done is done, alright. I still wish you hadn’t gone, especially given the apparent outcome, but I understand. Are you okay? Nothing broken?”

“No, I’m good, actually… Nothing hurts at all, but-”

“Good!” He pulled away and put his hands on her shoulders. “Would you mind letting me in on what happened?”

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, not really wanting to talk about the last few hours, yet knowing she owed her father that much.

“I… I entered the great hall and saw… you. I don’t quite know what happened, I just… broke. Then Harry showed up and we just hugged, I guess?”

Lily and James looked at each other and smiled.

“Then we both left and Dolohov appeared out of nowhere and… well that’s that.”

Remus shook his head sadly, immediately understanding the true meaning of his daughter’s words. HE was duelling Dolohov earlier that night. HE lost that duel. Had he won then maybe, possibly, she would still be alive too. His fault... as always

“Remus? Rem?”, James mumbled, putting an arm around his friend’s shoulders, “It’s not your fault. You tried, and that’s the best either of us can do.”

~~~

Things didn’t go according to plan, but perhaps they were the way they were always meant to be.

Her body next to her fathers, as they rested peacefully in the great hall. Her soul next to her father, as they wandered through the deep valleys of Nangijala, awaiting the day lost friends and lovers would come join them. No matter in this life or in the next;

I’ll be by your side 

~ L

Masterlist

#remus lupin x reader #remus lupin x daughter reader #remus lupin imagine #remus lupin x daughter #harry potter x reader #harry potter imagine #HP #hp imagine #battle of hogwarts #writing #marauders imagine #marauders #Remus Lupin #Sirius Black #sirius black x reader #fred weasly x reader #Padfoot #astrid lindgren

[mischief-marauders]

We always talk about how strong Sirius is for running away from his family and denying their blood supremacy values along with not being a death eater. And that’s right, he is strong as hell for doing that. But can we talk about Andromeda? Andromeda Black turned Tonks? Who came from a family as equally vicious as her cousin? Andromeda who grew up with Bellatrix, a literal bloody supremacist psycho. Andromeda who was sorted into Slytherin and didn’t have friends to teach her different. Andromeda who didn’t have a house that could help her. Andromeda who met a muggleborn from the most looked down upon Hogwarts house. We don’t know much about her but we do know she turned her back on her family and married the boy she loved. She did it without the help of friends or house support. She was thrown into the hole with snakes and made it out. Andromeda who watched her sisters descend into the darkness. Andromeda who lost her husband to the death eaters. Andromeda who lost her daughter and son in law to the death eaters she turned her back on. To the sister she turned her back on. Andromeda who couldn’t grieve because she had a new born grandson to take care of. She deserves way more credit than she gets. Honeslty one of the strongest characters in Harry Potter.