#the owls one especially i wish i could find the energy to finish that :( | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

tobiosmilktea · 3 years

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hello there. my bday is around the corner and i was wondering how would random haikyuu boys celebrate it with u 💓

how the haikyuu boys will celebrate your birthday with you

a/n: my birthday is just around the corner too so this was really fun to write 🥺 i decided to do it by team bc i couldn’t pick who boys to do lmao

— karasuno

i think they’ll definitely pull some intricate plan that will go wrong one way or another

like a surprise party maybe

it was fs nishinoya and tanaka’s idea to set one up after school in the gym where they tell everyone to pretend to forget your birthday just to add that special element of surprise

but then again, guys like tsukishima and kageyama don’t need to pretend they didn’t know your birthday because they truly didn’t until hinata brought it up to them (don’t take it too personally tho lmao)

speaking of which, hinata almost spoiled the surprise for you if yachi wasn’t there to distract you 💀

despite being the second year’s idea to throw this surprise party for you, it’s primarily the third years doing all the work since tanaka and nishinoya don’t know how to organize a party for shit

poor kiyoko is actually doing all the work while daichi and asahi are putting up decorations with the help of the first years (tsukishima had to be forced tho smh)

yamaguchi and yachi seem like the types to overthink what to get you for a birthday present, probably going all out while kageyama would just buy you your favorite drink and snack from the vending machine near the gym literally five minutes before the surprise

it’s the thought that counts ig

sugawara made your cake as well with the usual message, ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY Y/N !!’

and since the surprise party was being held in the gym after practice, everyone had to hurry and clean up before setting out all the decorations. and can i just say, it’s chaotic™️

yachi had to distract you for a good ten minutes by asking you to walk all the way towards the other end of campus to ‘get something’ that didn’t exist in the first place

meanwhile in the gym, the second years were in charge of taking down the volleyball net to replace it with a badly homemade painting with tanaka’s messy ass handwriting wishing you a happy birthday

the third years and first years as mentioned before were setting up decorations, hanging up streamers, setting out balloons, and handing out party poppers

with kiyoko, takeda-sensei, and ukai set out a table for sugawara to place the cake he made for you (which it almost fell cause ennoshita bumped into him)

hinata was also on the lookout if you and yachi were nearby

and when you were, he shout so loudly that even you heard down the hall

finishing up any last minute details, the team sets out their presents for you with their party poppers in hand before shouting, “SURPRISE!!”

it’s all fun and games until nishinoya accidentally released confetti at your face by accident

he made up for it with his present though lmao

— aoba johsai

saying that seijoh probably won’t do anything as big as a surprise party is a complete lie

knowing oikawa and the moment he found out it was going to be your birthday soon, he’ll plan something more extravagant than some lame surprise party (albeit, badly planned without the help of iwa)

he’d probably rent out a party bus to drive around the city before stopping by at some random karaoke place downtown

he’ll only invite the third years and your close friends so it isn’t too big of a celebration that it doesn’t feel like it’s your own party

the best part of the night was mattsun absolutely outshining oikawa in literally everything

there was even a stripper pole in the party bus and he just started fucking around with you to pretending to make it rain on him,, it was hilarious

you love rewatching the videos you took of that night

your favorite (besides stripper matsukawa) was iwa singing a ballad for you and when i say that man has vocals i mean it

at the end of the night, all your friends got up to sing happy birthday to you on the karaoke machine

the second years would probably feel bad celebrating your birthday with you, so instead they take you out to get udon after school and just vibe

you were honestly just surprised that it was kyotani’s idea to take you out like this, not to mention the cute gift he gave you that he put a lot of thought into

meanwhile i think the first years are just too intimidated by you minus kunimi

like kindaichi knew of your birthday but he was just too scared to go up to you and wish you a happy birthday before handing you your favorite convenient store snack as a little gift

— nekoma

unlike karasuno and seijoh, the way the nekoma boys celebrate with you is definitely on the more laidback side, yet they still put effort in wishing you a happy birthday

kenma, kuroo, and yaku would definitely stay up with you the night before your birthday playing video games just to be the first ones to wish you a happy birthday the moment the clock strikes midnight

they’ll even set up a minecraft server that kenma spent hours setting up and building everything that you like with a gigantic banner made out of your favorite colors of wool saying ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY!’

the rest of the night staying up playing party games on hypixel despite having school the next day

in the morning, you’d find kenma and kuroo waiting outside your house so they can walk the birthday celebrant to school, plus they had bags in their hands to which you assume were presents for you

it was then did you realize that you were going to get more throughout the day after kuroo mentioned how he told the team that it was your birthday

there was something embarrassing and a bit cringey being showered with attention for your birthday, especially at school, but you still appreciated the team’s efforts

throughout the day, people would notice the gifts in your hands and would wish you a happy birthday, definitely causing a stir in the school when yaku, lev, and yamamoto burst into your classroom to shout happy birthday

while yamamoto is literally showering you with birthday wishes and presents, lev would give you a cute plushie of your favorite animal along with a little cake

he’d probably ask to eat it with you during lunch lmao

by the end of the day, kuroo and kenma would help you carry all the presents you received as you guys end the day off getting ramen

— fukurodani

i don’t think they’ll make a big deal out of it knowing you don’t like making a big deal out of your birthday either

the only reason why they even found out that your birthday was around the corner is because bokuto couldn’t keep his mouth shut

it played out somewhere along the lines like this: akaashi would ask you if you were free this weekend so you two could study for the upcoming math exam

bokuto was there as well when you had to ask for a raincheck on studying as your parents were forcing you to go out on a celebratory birthday dinner (as by their words, “it’s the least you could do.”)

to which bokuto literally gasps and shouts, “IT’S YOUR BIRTHDAY THIS WEEKEND?” his words echoing throughout the gym and definitely catching the attention of the rest of the volleyball team

if that’s his reaction to finding out it’s your birthday soon, just imagine how shocked he would be when you tell him that you don’t really like celebrating it

akaashi would definitely understand and opted to buy you a little something for his appreciation and give it to you the following day, but bokuto wants to full on throw a party for you

“come on! it’ll just be a little get-together at the park!” he would beg

“thank you, bo, but i’m honestly fine just going out to dinner with my family.”

he would huff, planning to throw one as a surprise party instead, but akaashi immediately shoots down his idea out of respect for you

instead, bokuto would channel all that energy to giving “the best birthday gift of your life!” (end quote)

even konoha would challenge him on that just to tease him, but would still give you a well thought out gift

and yeah, it’s honestly kind of embarrassing seeing him walk into school with a box full of things you’re into including a giant owl plushie (school spirit ig??)

poor bo was outshined by yukie and kaori when they made a birthday cake for you

— shiratorizawa

lowkey i feel like shiratorizawa is definitely one of those private schools that would announce when their student’s birthdays are when they come close

like no one of the vb team would’ve found out your birthday was in a couple days if it wasn’t for that overhead announcement made by the vice principal

however, i wouldn’t think they’d make a huge deal out of it besides tendou maybe

the moment you would walk into the gymnasium, he’ll immediately wish you a happy birthday loudly before nudging ushijima to do the same

instead of one big party, you celebrated with them almost individually

tendou and ushijima both took you to the aquarium and bought you a gift that you specifically chose out cause they’d probably wouldn’t be bothered to do so without you

and then you’d go out with semi and reon to which you three just get sushi after school

lowkey i feel like they would buy literally anything you show even the tiniest amount of interest in and they’ll buy it within a snap

you literally had to stop semi from buying you anything else as he’ll end up spending all his pocket change when the sushi was enough

and unlike their upperclassman, shirabu and goshiki would probably just celebrate with you by just hanging out at your house--watching netflix, playing video games, maybe ordering some pizza

it’s pretty simple, but they’ll be there all day cause the time spent together is just really nice

— inarizaki

the twins literally cannot keep their mouths shut

the team was already pretty aware of your birthday, but they have been keeping the surprise party for you on the downlow ever since the twins proposed their idea of doing a little picnic for you

but go figure that it would be atsumu and osamu exposing their entire plan in front of you after nagging their team not to say jackshit in front of you

they’d still follow through with their plans, however, despite not being a surprise anymore

the little celebration would be held at the park, suna being in charge of the picnic blanket, kita being in charge of bringing drinks, osamu being in charge of bringing the food, and atsumu being in charge of... well,, bringing you ig

aran would arrive late only because he had to get his bday gift for you (which btw was the best one fs) as well as picking up your birthday cake with the words ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY BITCH <3′

it’s so obvious that suna was the one who ordered the cake, but it’s literally the best you have every received

overall, it’s pretty chill but you couldn’t ask for anything more knowing their efforts and how you’ve been laughing your ass off the entire time

you guys would even watch the sunset as yall sat atop a hill, taking photos to put on your stories and to post on social media

out of the hundreds of photos taken of you with your cake or aran force feeding suna food, the group photo taken exactly at golden hour was your absolute favorite

#haikyuu!!#haikyuu #haikyuu imagines #haikyuu scenarios #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu headcanons #karasuno headcanons #shiratorizawa headcanons #aoba johsai headcanons #haikyuu fluff #iwaizumi x reader #atsumu x reader #bokuto x reader #ushijima x reader #kuroo x reader #shirabu x reader #goshiki x reader #akaashi x reader

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comfortwriting · 3 years

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Best Friends Brother Part 3 - G.W

Masterlist, Requesting Rules, Writing Prompt Masterlist

This is part 3 of ‘Best Friends Brother’ please read part 1 and part 2, want to be tagged? let me know!

George Weasley x Fem Reader slow burn

Warnings: mention of food and eating, swearing,

The moment your lips touched, fireworks went off around you, George wrapped his arms around you and pulled you close to him - all of your worries withering away, all you could feel was happiness and pure bliss.

George pulled away from the kiss and slowly opened his eyes, you were in shocked and couldn’t believe who’s lips had collided with yours moments before.

Opening your eyes slowly, you stared into George’s brown ones, his gentle hands holding yours and squeezing them softly.

“T-Thank you for tonight” you blushed, letting go of one of his hands, tucking a stray hair behind your ear nervously “It’s been wonderful.”

George smiled softly and nodded “it has” he paused for a moment, his thumb tracing circles into your palm “same time next week?” he asked, sounding quite nervous.

You squeezed his hand back in excitement and nodded “I would love to” you beamed.

Your three month anniversary was hanging around the corner, you had planned a whole day out on Saturday once George finished Quidditch practice, your heart fluttering in excitement and skipping beats, causing you to squirm in your seat - giggling out and squealing, confusing those around you, especially Ron who thought you were going barmy.

Despite seeing each other every day, the two of you were keeping things secret, you weren't ready for anyone to know - George knew his little brother all too well and so did you, Ron would be far from happy.

“George didn’t say anything to you after he, you know?” Ron asked, acting quite shifty in his chair.

“No he didn’t” you replied, “he’s not interested in me Ron, he just hates creeps.”

“Where were you last night?” Ron asked over breakfast, staring at you questioningly.

Shit! Think of something! I totally wasn’t kissing your brother, no, not at all.

“I went for a walk” you lied “I just had so much energy and needed to get out, I found an injured little owlet and was up all night nursing it, he’s helping me get over Penny.”

Ron believed you and nodded slowly “are you sure you’re ready for another owl?” he asked, trying to sound as caring as he could.

You sighed “I think it’s about time, yeah” you replied “It’s been almost over a year so I figured why not.”

So instead, you wrote to each other a few times a week, you had to admit, you quite liked the schedule; Wednesdays and Sundays nights were for the love letters, Saturdays were for dates unless he couldn’t skip Quidditch and the rest of the week you barely spoke and only engaged in eye contact if you were in the company of others - if not, you would hold hands and kiss in empty broom closets or even in the astronomy tower, but it was rare as Fred was never far behind from his twin.

Dearest Y/N,

Although we see each other every day and go on dates most weekends (when Ron isn’t on your back, or when I’m in detention like now) writing to you feels just as good as the real thing - but still bloody ridiculous.

Fred keeps asking what I’ve spent my Galleons on, told him it was for an experiment to do with our products we’re testing - he’s suspicious but believes me after I made myself sick to get out of Quidditch, oh the things I do for you, Y/N.

I think Gideon is the perfect name for the Owlet, mum will be so heart warmed and honoured when she finds out - but don’t bring the galleons into it of course, not until the joke shop is up and running with great success!

Seeing you last night up in the Astronomy tower was nothing short of the highlight of my day, I wish we could do it more often, but not to worry - one day we won’t need to meet up in private at all.

Anyway, I better get back to some homework before the greaseball comes over and reads this - detention with him always drags.

The next one will be longer, I promise, love.

Lots of love,

Georgie.

Dear George,

You should be focusing, get your head down and do your homework if you can bear it, I swear George, the day I receive a letter from you that wasn’t written in detention will be the day I wink at Snape - it’s silly I’m even asking you knowing that it’s never going to happen.

Your letters always cheer me up, Georgie, I can hear your voice as I read, feels like you’re sitting next to me and it’s good enough for me at the time being, I’m so thankful that we aren’t hundreds of miles away from each other.

Hey! You can’t be skipping Quidditch for me, you plonker! Gryffindor team need you and you’re a bloody good Beater - unbeatable in fact but stop skipping! we can make up for a lost date another time, I’ll try not to miss you too much I swear.

Thank you for gifting me Gideon, he is the sweetest little owlet and I cannot wait to watch him grow and to teach him like I did Penny - if his mother will let me that is. I won’t say a word to anyone, no one will know that you did such a thing although I want nothing more than to tell everyone, your kind-heartedness should never go unnoticed.

The joke shop will sweep you up off your feet and I can’t wait to see Weasley wizard Wheezes everywhere I go.

Thank you so much for last night, please don’t forget to send me your Christmas list - please don’t get me anything - Gideon is enough.

Focus on your bloody homework!

Speak soon and lots of love,

Y/N.

Looking over and your Owl, now named Gideon who had grown so much he was no longer a tiny owlet, you stroked his head and giggled at him as he nibbled on your finger.

“Alright, alright, but don’t be out too long” you whispered, opening your bedroom window, Gideon flapping his wings, leaping out and soaring into the night sky.

You beamed at your treasure, flying away to get some food for the evening, climbing into your bed as quietly as you could, hoping you wouldn’t wake up Hermione or your other roommates. Sliding your hand under your pillow, you patted around for the love letters from George you were hiding from everyone.

Your fingers grazed the corners of the crinkled parchment, lifting up your pillow you retrieved his most recent letter, taking it with you as you dive under your covers, shielding you from your roommates and giving you some privacy.

“Lumos!” You whispered, a beam of light stretching out from the tip of your wand, your cheeks flushing again upon seeing George’s handwriting.

Dearest Y/N,

Thank you for the heads-up, saved me and Freddie a lot of trouble, I swear one day Mr Filch and that bloody cat won’t know what’s hit them - if it wasn’t for you, we would’ve lost all of our plans and The Marauders Map, so thank you again for saving us all that trouble.

These three months have flown by so fast, I can’t believe it, I know this seems rather daft - a tall prankster being all lovey-dovey like this, but you really make me happy and I can’t wait to spend more time with you.

If you ever want to test any puking pastilles or fainting fancies, let me know and I’ll be able to look after you, love.

Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday so we can actually speak face to face - if Ron asks, you already know what to say.

Wrap up warm, it’ll be quite cold in Hogsmeade.

Looking forward to seeing you,

lots of love,

Georgie.

“Where are you off to so early? We never see you anymore over the weekend!” Ron complained, a mouthful of bacon.

“Oh get some manners, Ronald!” Hermione hissed, knitting her eyebrows together and grimacing.

You stood on the spot and stared at Ron, trying to plaster the most obvious expression on your face to make him feel stupid. “I’m off to spend some quality time with Gideon, he’s only a few months old and I want to make sure he’s as stable as Penny was at her age - I won’t be able to trust him to send letters long distances otherwise.” you lied.

But in all honesty, you weren’t really lying completely, next weekend was the end of term and the start of the Christmas Holidays - you wanted to make sure Gideon could deliver George’s letters to the burrow, you wouldn’t be able to hide them around for him to stumble across and pick up any more, and the two of you already discussed the problems of trying to use a device which muggles called a telephone.

“I’ll write you letters every week” George whispered, standing next to you in the corridors swarming with busy students, Fred chasing after Angelina outside “look in the middle of your textbooks, I’ll slide them in the middle of the pages.”

Opening up your book, a piece of folded parchment slid down and fell into your lap, you quickly stuffed it into your pocket, looking around to see if Ron noticed - luckily for you who he was copying Hermione’s classwork.

Ron looked lost for words, swallowing his bacon and thinking about your owl and how much you truly loved them “Alright then, well, see you later.” he replied,

You raised your eyebrows and smiled, waving goodbye to him, Harry and Hermione, walking out of the Great Hall and getting ready to meet George in Hogsmeade.

“She spends too much time with that bloody owl if you ask me” Ron muttered, stabbing some peas with his fork.

Hermione sighed “I think it’s quite sweet actually, she’s quite similar to Hagrid.”

Harry grinned and started to laugh, Ron rolled his eyes.

“Except the fact that she’s not a giant and she only flocks to birds of prey, not dragons or creatures that could kill us!”

“Well, at least you know where she’s going” Fred called out, walking past his brother “George never tells me where he’s off to and what he’s up to on a Saturday, he’s skiving Quidditch practice again and I get in bothered for it - I can’t check either because he’s got that sodding map with him!”

George wasn’t wrong, this time of year, Hogsmeade was freezing - your fingers changed colour and you could feel the ache and tingle against the freezing air that nibbled on your exposed skin.

You embraced yourself in one of the jumpers he had given you, one you were wearing under your fluffy winter coat which matched the colour of the snow. Looking around the small Village, you noticed George waiting outside The Three Broomsticks, looking slightly nervous as he scratched the back of his head.

You walked up to him, as you got closer you couldn’t help but blush at his red nose that had been attacked from the harsh winter air “Hello, George” you smiled softly, pulling him into a hug after clearing the coast of possible students.

George held you in his arms for a moment, taking in your scent and the feeling of your face against his chest, your hair under his chin as it rested on your head. “shall we get a drink, love?” he asked softly.

Following him inside and getting sat down in a quieter area of the pub, George ordered you and him a butterbeer and held your hand over the table, casually checking the map every now and then, checking on his brothers.

“It’s so good to see your face” he smiled, his starry eyes getting lost in yours.

You blushed and smiled widely, your drinks being placed down on your table, “It’s so good to see you too, can’t believe it’s been three months already!”

George took a sip of his butterbeer, the butterscotch warming up his tummy, you mirrored him, leaving behind a white foamy moustache. George smirked and leaned over the table, carefully avoiding spilling his drink as he wiped away the foam sitting on your top lip with his thumb, his index finger lifting up your chin.

The two of you exchanged a quick, risky kiss, remembering you needed to tone things down despite how hard the temptation was to snog him. George leaned back in his chair, sucking the foam off his thumb.

“I’ve been training Gideon” you beamed, the butterbeer warming you up “he’s finally got the hang of flying long distances and coming back in one piece.”

Meeting George in the small and squashed broom closet, he examined your tired features, looking slightly concerned, his hand resting against your face.

“Are you alright love?” he asked, “you look exhausted.”

You nodded and replied “I’m fine” suppressing a yawn “been up all night with Gideon, he’s growing so fast and he won’t allow me to baby him forever - he’ll be big enough to deliver letters soon.”

George felt a part of him fall in love with you all over again, the picture of you and Gideon in his mind made his insides got all warm and fuzzy - more so than his drink.

“So now he’ll be delivering you letters over Christmas!”

George went quiet and scratched behind his head like he did when he stood outside the pub, he paused for a moment and pursed his lips, licking them. “About that..” he trailed off, staring at his now half-full glass of butterbeer.

Your insides started to sink suddenly but your hopes were lifting, trying to figure out what he was going to say.

Is he staying at Hogwarts for Christmas with me whilst everyone else goes home? Am I unable to send him letters over Christmas if he goes back home?

“What is it?” you asked, both curiously and nervously.

George broke out into a smile, quickly glancing at the map again, then looking back into his favourite pair of eyes.

“Well, I was wondering...” he paused again “if you would like to stay at the burrow over Christmas, with me, everyone else of course but-”

“Yes!” you squealed, getting excited “oh George I would love to!”

George broke out into a grin, so relieved you were willing to come and spend some more time with him, a chance for the two of you to try and get some private time together, in the comfort of his own home.

“I had to ask mum ‘on behalf of Ron’ so if she says anything, just go through with it” George said quietly “Ron wouldn’t remember asking me to do such a thing anyway - his head is that clouded with Hermione.”

You swallowed down the rest of your drink, remembering to wipe away your foamy moustache this time “This is going to be wonderful, George” you smiled, squeezing his hand over to the table “Two whole weeks that we can just.. just be ourselves together!”

George smiled but remembered to remind you “We still need to keep everything on the down-low, it will be a full house and if we disappear it will be obvious we’re together - we’ll just need to wait for everyone to go to bed or go for a walk when they’re too busy to notice.”

You nodded your head, remembering that you would now be under not just Ron’s watch, but every Weasley who wouldn’t approve of your budding relationship.

George kissed your hand and looked down at the map once more, his smile dropping.

“Shit!” he panicked, getting up out of his seat.

“What is it?” you panicked, following him to the back doors in the pub.

He stared down at the map, his eyes following the group of feet storming into Hogsmeade “Fred, Ron, Harry - everyone’s heading this way - to this bloody pub!”

You swallowed hard, the butterbeer churning in your stomach, George’s drink rising up into his throat.

“When we can get away I’ll head to the owlery!” you put your coat back on, pulling the zip up quickly “you go hurry to Honey Dukes or Zonko’s when you get the chance, you’ll find your letter folded in your Quidditch jersey!”

George nodded, looking up from the map and quickly kissing you on the lips, the look in his eyes expressing the most sympathy you had ever seen.

Keeping things a secret would only get harder, harder than you and George were expecting.

Tag list: @amourtentiaa @reeophidian @inglourious-imagines @alwaysnforeverfangirl @horrorxweasley @sebby-staan @xmalfoyweasleyx

#george weasley #george wealsey x reader #george wealsey imagine #george weasley fanfiction #George Weasley one shot #fred weasley #fred weasley x reader #fred weasley fanfiction #fred weasley x you #fred weasley imagine #ron weasley #ron weasly x reader #ron weasly imagine #ron weasley oneshot #ron weasley fanfic #harry potter #harry potter fanfiction #Harry Potter fanfic

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nugnthopkns · 3 years

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dance me to the end of love (iii)

word count: 4.3k

warnings: fem!oc, cursing, potential percy jackson & the olympians spoilers, alcohol consumption, motion sickness and vomiting

series masterpost: here

a/n: this took me a hot sec to finish but here it is! there's a dumb little latin joke in here but that's just because i'm a nerd lmao

Ryan is certainly giving Bette a run for her money in the best friend department.

Magdalene has no intentions of usurping her best friend, but Ryan is quickly becoming the person she talks to most frequently. It started on social media but quickly moved to regular texting, both of them being twenty-five and capable of communicating through more normal channels. The text thread between them isn’t indicative of their newfound friendship – it looks like they’ve been friends since high school. At any given moment at least three conversations are going on, and Magdalene regularly sends him random updates throughout the day. Ryan likes hearing about any interesting artefacts she encounters at work so she keeps mental notes to tell him during their frequent phone calls.

Despite talking to him almost constantly, Magdalene hasn’t seen Ryan since they grabbed lunch at Barn Owl nearly two weeks ago. The lake house trip is a couple days out, and she’s been busy trying to get all her ducks in a row. At work, the current project is coming to an end and Magdalene will be sad to see it go – it’s the first thing she’s been on from start to finish. She’s got a neighbour coming to spend time with Caligula while she’s away so he doesn’t get too upset. Though the days are passing by in a haze as she tries to get ready, Magdalene is excited to get away for a little bit. It’s been a few years since she’s left Denver for more than a night, electing to skip on Bette’s previous vacation invites, and it will be nice to slow down. Life is moving at a comfortable pace, but having some time to pause and breathe will keep Magdalene from feeling too overwhelmed.

Halfway through her last day of work, Magdalene gets a text from Ryan that makes her nearly double over in laughter.

Julius Caesar walks into a bar and says to the bartender “I’ll have a Martinus please!” The bartender replies “Don’t you mean a Martini?” Caesar shakes his head and says “If I wanted double I would have said so.”

It takes her a minute to catch her breath, which piques June’s curiosity. Magdalene recites the joke and her boss rolls her eyes and shakes her head, but does let out a chuckle.

June didn’t think it was funny, but I did. Thank you for making today infinitely better. You riding with us tomorrow?

Magdalene tucks her phone back into her purse, determined to remain focused for the last few hours, and misses the reply telling her that Ryan won’t be riding with Bette, Tyson, and herself, but rather with Cale and his girlfriend to leave enough space for all the gear getting brought. She doesn’t see it until she’s walking across the parking lot to her car and it fills her with a sadness that doesn’t make much sense. He’ll be there for the entire week, so does it matter that he’ll be in a different car for the four hour drive? Magdalene has a sinking suspicion about why she’s upset, but she pushes it down. There’s no space in your life for a relationship right now, she reminds herself as she unlocks the door to her apartment. Caligula is waiting patiently at the door and distracts her thoughts from the handsome man with the kind smile that’s been all she can think about recently.

The cat is incredibly perceptive and knows the regular routine is going to change, making him particularly clingy. He follows Magdalene as she finishes packing, meowing and begging for pets, and she considers bailing on her friends. Caligula has mild separation anxiety and Magdalene doesn’t go away often partly because of it – though another reason is her homebody nature. Only the thought of seeing Ryan keeps her from hanging all her clothes back up.

“Don’t worry little boots,” she coos, “I won’t be gone long. Maria is going to check on you while I’m away, and I’ll be home before you know it.”

It seems ridiculous to speak to her pet as though it’s a child, but Magdalene knows Caligula comprehends what she’s saying. He’s always been smart, and the two of them share a bond that’s hard to explain. She picks him up, puts him in the pocket of her hoodie, and they spend the rest of the night packing and dancing along to the radio.

☼☼☼☼

Bette forgot to mention that the road to the lake house is winding, and Magdalene spends the entire ride with her head between her knees. Motion sickness is something that unfortunately plagues her during journeys longer than a couple of hours and she wishes she would have thought to take anti-nausea medication before leaving the house. Tyson tries to crack a joke about her being a bad passenger, but his girlfriend swats his arm and passes her friend a water bottle with a concerned smile. The two of them speak in hushed tones, almost certainly for Magdalene's benefit, and she does her best not to throw up on the floor of Tyson’s car. After what feels like two decades the vehicle rolls to a stop at the end of a gravel path.

“Mags, we’re here,” Bette says softly, praying that her friend will begin to feel better after stretching her legs and feeling firm ground underneath her.

There’s an unintelligible groan from Magdalene, but she rises out of the car and stumbles into the house. Tyson and Bette insist that she rest and they’ll handle the unloading of the car, so she crawls into one of the empty beds and falls asleep as soon as her head touches the pillow. It’s a dreamless slumber, one fuelled by the pure exhaustion of battling illness while travelling, and when she awakes hours later Magdalene feels oddly refreshed. Her energy level is still relatively low, but she knows that intaking food won’t be an issue.

Padding down the stairs as quiet as possible in an effort to not break the peaceful atmosphere, Magdalene is met with a quiet house. She’s utterly confused – she didn’t sleep long enough to miss dinner and judging by the way the sun is low in the final car full of people should be arriving any minute. For a moment she thinks the group left her in the mountains alone, but then the sound of a trunk closing breaks the silence.

“I fucking told you bro, you should have let me drive!”

Ryan’s voice echoes in Magdalene's ears and her heart skips a beat. She didn’t realize how much she had missed him or how excited she is to see him. Despite everything inside of her saying she should run into his arms Magdalene stays put in the kitchen, running the tap to get a glass of water. She focuses on the mountain on the other end of the lake, framing the setting sun and creating a postcard ready photo. The camera app on her phone is open and angles for the best shot are found. Ryan tumbles through the door a second later, arms filled to the brim with luggage and bags of food.

He drops them the second he sees her, running up behind her and lifting her off the ground. “Mags! Cale almost hit a deer!”

The shock of Ryan’s onslaught of affection catches her off guard, and Magdalene shakes her hand, forcing the picture to turn out as nothing but a blur.

“No hello?” She laughs as Ryan lets her feet touch down on the wooden floor. “It’s the least you could give me after destroying my chance of getting a National Geographic worthy picture.”

He smiles but doesn’t let his hands drop from their perch on her waist. “There’s six more days for you to nail it. I’ll even help if you ask.”

Other bodies enter the house then, causing Magdalene to slink away from Ryan’s touch even though it was the last thing she wanted to do. They’re simply friends, and she doesn’t want Bette to get any ideas. The last thing Magdalene needs on her plate right now is her best friend forcing her to paint a custom denim jacket with Ryan’s number across the back. “I can’t believe you almost hit a deer,” Tyson sighs in disbelief.

“It wasn’t even close,” Cale grumbles, picking up his bags and stomping off to find a place to claim as his own the next couple of days. A petite redhead follows after him, giving a small wave to those in the kitchen before scurrying away. When she asks, Ryan tells Magdalene the girl’s name is Livy, and that she’s Cale’s girlfriend from back home.

Everyone shrugs at his moodiness and disperses. Bette and Tyson stay in the kitchen to make dinner, Ryan goes to claim the final room, and Magdalene slips outside to sit on the patio furniture. The sun has dropped drastically in the past five minutes, causing the air to chill. She wraps her arms tighter around her legs and watches a pair of birds fly over the lake below. It’s so peaceful, a complete one-eighty from the insanity of her life in Denver, and Magdalene thinks about never leaving. She knows it’s impossible, but as she closes her eyes and listens to the quiet laughter of her friends inside the idea seems like a pretty good one.

The sliding door creaks open and Ryan goes through as quietly as possible. He tosses a sweater in Magdalene’s direction as he walks over, plopping down beside her on the small couch.

“Thanks,” she mumbles, slipping the fabric over her head. “I didn’t realize how cold it had actually gotten.”

He smiles in response and shuffles his body a little closer to create extra warmth. Magdalene leans into him, trying to appear casual even though her heart is beating rapidly, and pulls on the strings of the sweater Ryan gave her.

“So, are you excited for this week?”

It’s more awkward than she thought it would be – seeing him in person again, especially since they’ve been texting almost constantly, and the words kind of stick in her throat.

“Honestly? Now that I’m here I am, but I was a little leery about taking time off,” Ryan explains, detailing how he’s trying to improve some aspects of his two-way play and is worried his progress will plateau. Magdalene understands and shares her own worries about taking time off work even if her boss encouraged it.

After catching up quickly and running out of things to say, the pair of them sit in silence watching the sun set until they’re called inside for dinner. It’s nice to just exist, especially with Ryan beside her, and Magdalene feels her heart sink as they separate and he goes to make sure Cale isn’t actually mad at him.

☼☼☼☼

It storms the first two days at the lake house, forcing everyone to stay inside. Tyson complains about how he has less time to drive the boat that came with the property but the others take it in stride. Magdalene spends most of the time reading for pleasure, something she hasn’t been able to do much of the past few years, and Ryan joins her for large chunks of the time. It turns out that he too is an avid reader, and the two of them discuss their favourite novels and series while the other four play board games.

“So you’re telling me you wish Annabeth would have joined the Hunters of Artemis?” Magdalene shrieks in shock, almost knocking the wine out of her glass as her arms flail in disbelief.

“I think it made sense for her to,” Ryan defends.

“But she’s perfect for Percy!”

He sticks to his guns. “I’m not saying she isn’t. I just think that at the time the offer was presented it was the most logical choice. You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about what would have happened if she did.”

She ducks her head in defeat because she had imagined it, on many occasions in fact. When reading the series for the first time in middle school Magdalene had desperately hoped Annabeth would choose the Hunters over Camp Half-Blood, gaining the family she herself never was privy to. They return to reading quietly beside each other, occasionally knocking elbows when trying to turn a page.

Tuesday brings sunshine and clear skies, which means Tyson is trying to corral everyone into the boat as soon as they’re up. Magdalene tries her hardest to get out of it but her pleas fall on deaf ears.

“You’ll be fine, stop being such a wimp,” Cale jests. She knows that he’s just anxious to soak up some sun, but the words hurt more than Magdalene would have liked them to.

Livy swats her boyfriend across the chest. “Enough! If she doesn’t want to come she doesn’t have to.” The smaller girl sends her a kind smile before speaking low enough that only Magdalene can hear her. “I know your book is just getting good and you look like the kind of person who needs alone time to function properly. Enjoy yourself.”

Seemingly excused from the day’s festivities, Magdalene gives a sheepish wave before climbing the small hill to the house. Ryan meets her halfway and is appalled when he hears of her plans.

“Nope, I don’t think so. You’re not leaving me alone to be the ultimate third wheel!”

He has her off the ground and over his shoulder in a millisecond, jogging lightly to catch up with the rest of the group. Magdalene’s laugh bounces off the tree lined shore, and she’s too busy having fun shrieking at Ryan to complain about being forced to spend all day on a boat away from her book. Tyson peels away from the dock before she can regret tagging along, and Bette tugs Magdalene to the bow.

The two girls chat quietly, giggling and sipping on the mimosas they made earlier. Magdalene isn’t a huge day drinker, but Bette makes sure there’s more orange juice than champagne to make her feel less guilty. Livy joins them a while later after becoming sick of the boys and their shenanigans. It’s nice to hang out with a group of girls that aren’t competing for the top spot in a class, Magdalene decides, and she revels in the stories they tell of going to hockey games and babysitting the children of players so they can catch a break. Twinges of jealousy creep up at the wonderful family dynamic the Avalanche seem to have, but she stomachs them. She reminds herself that other people deserve to have support systems and excuses herself from the conversation.

Magdalene slides into the free space beside Ryan, and without thinking he wraps an arm around her shoulder. It feels so natural that she wonders if it’s how he greets all his friends, but the looks of shock and Tyson and Cale’s faces say otherwise. After a bit more cruising they find a small bay to anchor in for a while. The sun had climbed to the middle of the sky and is unbearably warm, leaving everyone no choice but to jump into the water to cool off. Magdalene does her best to float peacefully a short distance away from the group but is somehow brought into a splashing war because the teams aren’t equal.

Eventually the constant barrage of water chills her to the bone, and Magdalene swims back to the boat. She watches from the sidelines and cheers for her old teammates with a towel wrapped snugly around her. Ryan breaks from the group too, insisting it isn’t fair to have teams on unequal strength. Once dry, he picks up the baseball cap he brought and places it delicately on Magdalene’s head.

“Your cheeks are starting to go pink and I don’t want you to burn,” he explains, passing her a bottle of sunscreen as well.

“Thanks Ry.”

They muse about the idyllic beauty of the scene in front of them until everyone rejoins them. For reasons unbeknownst to Magdalene Tyson is in a rush to get back to the house, which leads to him driving very fast and a little erratically. The contents of her stomach threaten to come up but she holds them down, tightening her grip on the leather seat. A wave crests and Tyson hits it head on, causing the boat to lurch and rock. Magdalene knows it’s going to happen before it does and leans over the side to save a mess from being created. All the alcohol and food she’d consumed throughout the day is no longer in her body, and heat creeps up the back of her neck. She’s embarrassed – what twenty-five year old gets sea sick?

“Are you okay?” Ryan asked, not bothering to hide the concern in his voice.

She tries to smile but it comes out more like a grimace. “I just, uh, get motion sick really easily.” Bette passes her a water bottle and she drinks it quickly, eager to get the taste out of her mouth.

Ryan lets Magdalene curl into his side the rest of the way home, and rubs comforting circles on her back to ease her discomfort, doing his best to ignore the stares from his friends.

☼☼☼☼

The trip comes to an end much more quickly than Magdalene would have liked. Tomorrow morning they’ll pack up and drive back to Denver, returning to their normal hectic schedules. Cale and Livy are heading back to Alberta for the rest of the summer, and Bette and Tyson will be going for a visit as well. She’s heard Ryan mention going home in passing, which most likely means he doesn’t have plans to stay. Magdalene will be all alone in Colorado, but she’s used to it. The only issue being friends with professional athletes is that they leave. She’s been dealing with the loss since Bette and Tyson got together years ago – having them around as her support system most of the year and then them disappearing for a couple of months.

Not wanting to think about how soon she’ll be alone, Magdalene heads outside and starts a campfire. It’s a skill she picked up as a kid and it has come in handy over the years. The newspaper crinkles under the flame from the lighter, and soon the kindling is burning well. Everyone else is still inside, cleaning up from dinner and preparing for one last night in paradise. She places a few blocks of wood in the fire pit once there’s a good enough flame and curls up in a chair, lost in thought about what comes next. There’s rustling from somewhere behind her but she pays it no mind, assuming it’s a small animal wandering through the forest.

“Can I offer you some company?” a voice says softly, waiting for a response. The movement wasn’t a raccoon but in fact Ryan, and Magdalene gestures at the chair beside her with a smile.

He passes her a glass of white wine, which she takes with an appreciative hum. They sit in silence for a moment, admiring the beauty of the setting sun. “I’m going to miss it,” Ryan sighs, leaning back in his chair and extending his legs.

She nods. “Me too. It’s so quiet up here. Denver gets too loud sometimes.”

“Tell me about it. I’m not just going to miss the lake though, it’s also lounging around and not having to worry about hockey. And you.”

The ending comes out rushed, and Magdalene isn’t sure she heard him correctly. “Me?”

Ryan looks at her like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Yes you. Why wouldn’t I? You’re funny, smart, and catch all of my West Wing references. There’s no one who gets me quite like you, even back home.”

It takes her by surprise. They’ve only known each other for a few months, and only really started associating after the party at Bette and Tyson’s. There has to be somebody who knows him better than she does. When she voices her opinion Ryan just scoffs, saying that people treat him as one-dimensional because he plays hockey. Somehow the conversation shifts to Magdalene, and when she lets it slip she gets lonely in Denver without her friends, Ryan asks the question she’s been dreading.

“So why don’t you get a boyfriend?”

“I can’t just get a boyfriend because my friends are gone,” she laughs, but there’s an edge to it, like she’s unsure of where this will go and how to question the follow ups.

He rolls his eyes. “I know that, but like, I don’t know, wouldn’t it be nice to not be alone all the time?”

It would be, Magdalene thinks, but she just shrugs. “I guess I’m not looking for a relationship right now. I just finished school and for the first time in a long time I can focus on myself.” She leaves out the part where Ryan gives her butterflies and that if he asked she’d probably jump headfirst into a relationship with him.

The topic is dropped then because Tyson comes out of the house screaming about the night is going to be wild because it’s their last together for a while. Magdalene and Ryan share a look of mild panic, but both of them are itching to have fun with friends so they raise their glasses in salute before finishing them in one gulp.

Magdalene drinks more than she should and wakes in the morning with a killer hangover. It seems that no one else is better off though, all stumbling around looking for Advil and coffee like it’s going to be their last meal. Packing up takes a bit longer than expected, but they’re still out before the official checkout time. There’s a bit of discourse on who Magdalene will travel home with. Bette wants her in Tyson’s car, no doubt to talk about how close her and Ryan seem to be, but Cale offers to bring her with them. His reasoning is that Ryan is driving him and Livy directly to the airport, and having the front seat could be good for her motion sickness. It’s ultimately Magdalene’s choice and the idea of having more time with Ryan before he leaves is too enticing to pass up. She bids her other friends goodbye, promising to come over for dinner before they fly out, and climbs into the cab of Cale’s truck.

Once again she’s a less than ideal passenger, but this time it’s because she sleeps the entire way back to Denver. The drinking took it out of her and coupled with the queasiness in her stomach from the winding roads sleep is the only thing that makes sense. So much for extra time with Ryan she thinks as she wakes up in the airport parking lot.

“Sleeping beauty has risen!” Ryan chuckles, “Why don’t you get out and stretch your legs for a sec? We have the parking spot for another fifteen minutes.”

Magdalene does as suggested because truthfully her joints are a little stiff, and finds Cale and Livy grabbing their bags from the back. She hugs them goodbye and wishes them safe travels, which Cale returns with a warning not to get into too much trouble before heading for the entrance. Once both of them are safely inside the confines of the airport, Ryan and Magdalene get back in the vehicle and finish the last leg of the trip.

She directs Ryan to her apartment complex, and he mentions that he’s never been in this area of the city. “That’s because you have no need to be around a bunch of university kids,” she laughs. Once they pull into the parking lot, he offers to help her take up her bag. It’s only a small suitcase Magdalene could definitely handle herself, but she wants him to come up, to prolong her time with him.

Magdalene’s keys jingle in the lock as the door opens. Ryan follows her in and shuts the door carefully, not wanting to disrupt the aura of peace that permeates the space. From what he can tell, the average size apartment is the perfect reflection of Magdalene – packed full of books and plants and feels very put together despite the owner being only twenty-five. After their shoes find a home on the boot rack and the coats they brought for the drive home are hung in the closet she leads Ryan into the living room. There’s a soft purring by his feet, and Ryan looks down to see an animal. He never pegged Magdalene as someone to keep pets.

“Who’s this?” he asks, bending down to pet the small white cat.

“That’s Caligula.”

A puzzled look graces Ryan’s features. “Who?”

“Caligula,” Madalene giggles. “You can call him little boots if you’d like. He’ll respond.” She picks up the animal when it comes to her and scratches gently behind its ear.

“Why would you name your cat something dumb like Caligula, and why does it respond to little boots?”

It’s then the woman realizes that not everyone understands the reference. “Caligula was the third emperor of Rome,” she explains, “But his real name was Gaius. He gained the nickname Caligula as a child and it just stuck. It translates to little boots in Latin.”

Ryan is in awe of Magdalene for what feels like the millionth time. Of course someone as smart as her would have a crazy name for a pet and have the knowledge to back it up. He feels his chest tighten with affection but he wills it away. She isn’t looking for anything right now, he reminds himself. Magdalene’s self-professed inability to reciprocate his feelings is frustrating, but Ryan knows he’d wait forever for her.

☼☼☼☼

additional notes: catch some extra content here!

taglist: @scrunchmakar @marcoscandellas @toplinetommy @ricohenrique @lovethepreds @cutiesara23 @hockeyallthetime @stlbluesbrat21 (add yourself to the taglist!)

#ryan graves imagine #ryan graves x oc #ryan graves fic #colorado avalanche imagine #nhl imagine #nhl fic #hockey imagine #hockey fic #cwrites #dmtteol

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malfoys-demigod · 3 years

Text

"I guess this is a lesson in not trusting people”

Draco Malfoy x Reader

Requested by @potatothingsz

-> Hiii! I am a big fan of you honestlyyy eee i have read almost every blog of yours (mainly dracos-) anyway! I was wondering if you are open for requests rn? If not totally understand! But if you are tho i hope i can request one? Its a draco x reader one the story goes that draco is fighting with (whatever guy in hp) the reason is that the random guy basically have a crush on you (y/n is dating draco) then draco gets arrogant about it then y/n hears it then they fight cuz of things draco said!Gb!

Word Count: 3.6k

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this!

tag list @the--queen-of-hell @bbeauttyybbx

“And that’s how my parents met the headmaster of Ilvermorny School, all the way in America!” Pansy excitingly shared the news with you and Daphne by the Great Hall.

“How excellent, Pansy,” you said, interested in the conversation, “You should definitely tell your parents to bring you next time.”

“Oh my gosh,” Daphne said, sounding so surprised, “It’s only a week before holiday starts! Why don’t you ask them to spend the holidays with you over there? Wouldn’t an American holiday sound fantastic to you?”

“I second that,” you agreed, “Pansy, you would have the most exciting trip ever!”

Pansy liked the idea of spending the holidays in America, so she smiled, grinning as if it was a mischievous plan. “That is such a smart idea, who knows, I could return from the holiday’s with an American boyfriend!”

“You wish,” you teased, lightly nudging her shoulder.

Before Pansy could come back with a funny remark, Blaise bursted into the Great Hall, causing many eyes to look at him as he was running towards the three of you. He seemed terrified out of his life, as there was fear in his eyes, which was something you’ve barely seen from him. He was such a relaxed and reserved person most of the time, so acting like this without caring if people now paid attention to him was a first.

He placed his hands on your shoulders, huffing and puffing breath.

“What’s troubling you, Blaise?” you placed a hand on his hand, sounding deeply concerned.

He was still huffing and puffing when he said, “Malfoy. Fight. Outside. Now.”

It was like this new, uplifting energy came out of nowhere when you immediately stood up from the table and started dashing out of the Great Hall, along with your friends who followed behind.

There were so many thoughts madly entering your mind, swimming around and suggesting the most horrid reasons as to why Draco was involved in a fight. You were very much aware that he liked making dramatic debates and conversations with practically much everyone at school. But to make a huge scene that caused Blaise to briefly trouble you to stop what you were doing was something petrifying to experience.

Mindlessly, you made several turns around the castle, following Blaise, who had quickly followed your pace, guiding you to the crowd by the outskirts of the castle. It was by the balcony which gave a side perspective of the vast body of water which Viktor Krum and his school used to travel by ship.

It was about time when you were faced with your boyfriend, Draco Malfoy, involving himself in a serious and intense magic and physical battle with Cormac McLaggen, a Gryffindor who was in the year above you.

They have seemed to be quite in focus with the fight, ignoring the crowd’s chants and cheers. Honestly, one thing to be quite disappointed in at some point were the people’s reactions and follow-ups when it came to witnessing fights. There were crowds that would stop and call for help, and there were crowds that would watch the fight as if it was pure entertainment.

You were given the crowd that would watch the fight as if it was pure entertainment, saldy.

Since there was so much going through your mind, without thinking, you jumped into the middle of the fight, hoping you wouldn’t be hit with a spell or a fist fight.

“Enough!” you yelled, raising both your hands to the side, for both opponents to see. They terrifyingly lowered their wands, looking around the crowd, agitated with the eyes around them.

Once they had your attention, you angrily heaved a breath out of your system, which resulted from the start of a massive headache. You heatedly walked to the side your boyfriend was standing by and threw out your hands hysterically.

“What the bloody hell is going on, Draco!”

He did not reply, as he remained silent. He began looking down at the ground with disappointment and struggle in his face, realizing the damage he had placed himself. He was breathing in and out, holding his wand tightly with such distress in his grip.

You absolutely did not have the luxury to receive more silent treatment from him, for you were enraged and impatient with the silence. You rolled your eyes with such fury, “Explain, dammit!”

From the other side of the paused, rather ended battle, Cormac showed a condoling facial expression, which made him slowly walk to the other side, where you and Draco were standing by. He placed a hand on your shoulder, which caused you to briskly turn around.

He then placed a hand on his chest and said, “I believe I am at fault, Y/N.” he suggested, “He must have overheard me telling my friends how I fancied you and got distressed about it. I should have tried to reason with him more because if I did, we wouldn’t have had this fight. I’m sorry.”

You felt pity for Cormac, which caused you to shake your head in disagreement. ‘No,’ you mouthed to him. Disappointed in Draco, you sighed with such upset in your voice that when you turned to him with such a let down on your face, you said, “Bloody hell, Draco, he was the slightest threat you have encountered in your life. You are a foolish person for wanting to start a fight which is considered by everyone with the right mind to be useless. Damn you, Draco.”

Draco stressly placed the palms of his hands on his temples, placing pressure on it, “Y/N, I saw him as a potential threat to our relationship. I thought showing him that you were mine would be able to keep him from destroying our relationship, what we have together!”

You disgracefully shook your head upon hearing the madness he called for an excuse. “Unbelievable, Draco.” You looked back to Cormac with a sympathetic look on your face, “First of all Cormac, you are not at fault here,” which he gave a small, hesitant nod as response.

Then you pathetically turned back to Draco, “As for you, Draco Malfoy, you are in every way in the wrong. You’re the one who destroyed our relationship. That was certainly not the way to show him that I was yours. This made me rethink if the need to do that was even necessary! How could you possibly see him as a threat when you know I’m in love with you? I guess this is a lesson in not trusting your significant other, right? Because it seems like I guess I’ve never been a trustworthy person, especially concerning what we have together.”

Draco rolled his head in frustration and annoyance. He scoffed, “Please, don’t say that Y/N, you’re making me seem like the bad person here.”

You scoffed back, but with much anger, “But you are,” you coldy replied. Without thinking, you announced, “Consider us on a break, Draco Malfoy. Don’t bother owling me during the holidays. It’ll be nothing but a waste of parchments on your end.”

Finished with the debate you had with Draco, you gracefully turned around and placed a hand on Cormac’s shoulder, “Very sorry, Cormac. I still hope you have a lovely holiday despite this.” With a small nod from the older boy, it was your cue.

You turned around, walking away from the scene without thinking of the glares and whispers surrounding you. They were nothing but an audience with no respect whatsoever. Gossip all they want, they’ve got the scoop anyways.

—

You walked among the glaring eyes around you, trying to find a suitable cart to occupy. Surely in most situations, you would be happy to sit anywhere. But many would be really uncomfortable to be sitting around the talk of the town, which meant that they couldn’t use you as a conversation starter while they commuted back to the platform.

Thank goodness for Pansy and Daphne, who you found, securing you an empty cart amidst many occupied and packed carts between yours.

“Hey, Y/N,” Pansy warmly greeted you, helping you place your bags up on the rack.

“I got it thanks,” you told her, pushing your bags with strength.

You plopped down, sitting between the two girls, who looked like they weren’t sure of what to talk about since the travel back to the platform would take awhile. Daphne was playing with her fingers, while Pansy was trying to get Daphne to look up and mouth a conversation.

These girls were the absolute worst in trying to make things discreet but they happened to be attempting to converse with you in the most normal way, without thinking of bringing up anything Draco related.

“Anytime this week would be lovely, girls.”

“Wh-what?” Pansy let out an exposed laugh, “What do you possibly mean, Y/N?”

“Come on,” you rolled your head, “Can’t think of making things normal without happening to mention or bring up Draco and my whole outburst in school?”

You checked the two girls, who were cheekily smiling with such guilt on their faces. You chuckled, standing up to move to the other side of the cart, to sit, facing in front of them.

“You two are the silliest,” you crossed your arms with a comfortable look on your face, “I’m not made out of glass, fools. Come on, the worst things could happen to me.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Daphne cooled down, sighing a relief, “We were just being extra concerned that’s all.”

“And of course…” Pansy seemed to have a hard time continuing the sentence for a second as she tilted her head, mumbling the name ‘Draco’, as she continued, “Most likely isn’t taking it well. We haven’t seen or checked up on him, just to let you know!” she promised, waving her arms out, hoping you wouldn’t bust.

Daphne nudged Pansy’s shoulder, looking at her with an angry look, “You said you wouldn’t mention him! The hell is wrong with you?”

“Me? She said it was alright!” Pansy revolted in annoyance.

“Take it easy, you two,” you warned them. “You two are making things even more weird, and I’m just sitting here telling you not to look at me as fragile!”

“Right, sorry,” they both said embarrassingly.

“I just want to let you two know that this whole holiday of mine will be definitely a time for me to invigorate and rejuvenate on my everyday perspectives. I do not know what my parents have in store for this holiday but either way, I am going to throw this whole year away and focus on building for next year, especially when we come back from holiday.”

“That’s brilliant, Y/N! How magnificent, we will definitely be there to support you through owling you every day.”

You sorrily tilted your head with an open mouth, “Well I’m going to have to ask you the same I warned Draco about.”

“You’re saving us from wasting parchment.”

“I’m sorry, I just think, in order to focus on fixing myself, I-”

“Hey,” Pansy said, as both her and Daphne switched to the other side to sit beside you, “We get it, Y/N and we cannot wait to see you once the break ends.”

“One last group hug before we go our separate ways for a little while?”

In the cart that Draco occupied, it was a whole different energy.

During the first part of the ride back to the platform, Draco did not care about searching for an empty cart, or relying on friends. All he did was present a short, cold glare in front of first years, who willingly stood up and rushed out, forgetting that they were about to give away their seats to a couple of older Slytherins.

“Slow gits,” Draco muttered, swimming in his way into the cart as he threw his bag up into the rack without care and depressingly jumped on the seat by the view, which he used to ponder and stare with such a sigh coming from his mouth.

“Chill down mate,” Blaise had the guts, kindly warning his friend, who he sat beside.

Blaise was surprised when Draco calmly replied with, “Whatever, Zabini. I’m calm.”

Given this, he decided to take the advantage and reason out with him. He moved around his seat, trying to shift somewhat nearer to him. “You clearly aren’t. I reckon it’s going to rain over your whole holiday at home.”

“It won’t.” Draco gritted his teeth.

Blaise clasped his hands, shaking his head once, “How do you personally feel about the whole situation, mate?”

Draco looked at him with sore eyes and quickly jumped and leaned exaggeratingly, “Me? Personally? I-” then he turned his body around, facing the entire wall with the window, “Forget it. I don’t have time for this girl-talk.”

There was a small suggestion of fear in your mind because there was always a possibility of bumping into Draco thanks to the many gatherings your parents were invited to. It would have been extremely discomposing to see the boy you had called ‘breaks’ on before the holiday started. It would make things more complicated to remember that there were more adults than children in these parties, making it more difficult to find people to converse with.

Luckily, your parents surprisingly cancelled their parties, wanting to spend time with you more. They weren’t cruel or always self-centered, but they were very social when it came to gatherings and mingling with other wizards. So, hearing about this really felt like Merlin was on your side this year.

With the opportunity to tune out from the outside world, staying at home really made things easier to recollect yourself in these struggling times.

There was absolutely no distraction from anyone, giving you time to think about Draco.

It may have been advantageous to give yourself a break from the relationship. Draco, as you obviously know, can be very outspoken. He is the kind of person who wouldn’t be scared to speak up and share his thoughts in any way possible.

He was a head-strong person, the kind of guy that would really go out of his way to execute whatever he felt like doing.

What he did for you was… out of hand yes, but when you think about it, he was thinking about you. As a person who isn’t afraid of fighting for honor and the truth, he just couldn’t help himself and protect your relationship.

Maybe he could have thought things through and settled his issue with Cormac in a more lighter attempt, but if you step into his shoes, you were being Draco Malfoy. He did not want to use the luxury of time and think things through. He was the person who would do it before thinking.

Plus, he may or may not have anger issues, especially when it came to other boys concerning you. A simple talk about you behind his back would really be an issue for him. The least mess he can do is brag about you if they decided to talk about you when he’s nearby.

Huh, you actually chuckled at that last thought. Whether what Draco did was right or wrong, he did love you and what he did was for you. Maybe you were a bit harsh on him, but that’s the thing, all of these trace back to love.

Maybe you thought that he didn’t trust you enough, maybe you were just blinded by so many things.

It was probably right to give Draco another chance when the holiday ended.

When it did, you had a clear conscience as you were making your way back into one of your favorite places: The Slytherin Common Room. Nothing felt like home than going back to the best common room ever. The weather was still cool, so being around the fireplace was a great idea to warm up.

Someone had already beaten you to it, though. Walking past with your luggage, your eyes darted towards a platinum blonde hair, resting by the cushions of the sofa by the fireplace. Being curious, you slowly brought your luggage with you, calmly walking towards the sofa. You peeked in, seeing a sleeping Draco Malfoy.

He seemed to look extremely comfortable with himself. He was wearing a green jumper with a cup of hot chocolate by the coffee table. Had he stayed here all along throughout the holiday?

To answer your question, Draco’s eyes suddenly fluttered open. His grey eyes were looking at the ceiling for a minute. Still standing there, his eyes now moved towards you. You could see the extreme tiredness in his eyes. A lot could be said by his eyes, aside from tiredness.

There were dark circles surrounding his eyes. They could be as dark as half-wahed eyeliner kind of dark. It was awful, he must have shed bitter tears that went on for hours. You could see a hint of pink in his eyes, meaning he did recently cry.

The two of you had a staring contest, as Draco continued looking at you, but as if you were just a dream. You could tell by the way his eyes were narrow, looking half-asleep. You decided that it was time to break the staring contest and be the first to take action.

To test if he was half-asleep, you dropped your luggage, creating a big ‘thug’ sound, and moved around the sofa, to which he responded by having his eyes follow you. You made your final stop when you stood in front of the ends of the sofa, where his feet were dangling off.

To your surprise, he lifted his feet, wanting you to sit on the sofa. You didn’t want to keep him waiting, so you quickly sat yourself on the sofa, having his feet, covered in green and red socks rest on your lap. Your eyes moved from the color of his socks to his grey eyes, as he was still looking at you.

“I’m sorry,” you said, placing a hand on his ankle. You held on his ankle, tightening your grip as you looked at him with sympathy. You looked down immediately, feeling embarrassed and uneasy.

Draco sat up rapidly, removing his feet from your lap as he decided to place himself sitting beside you. His lower body was facing the fireplace, but his upper body was twisted, looking at you with full attention.

He placed his finger on your chin, causing you to look at his worn-out, grey eyes. “No,” he shook his head, “Merlin knows that it should be me saying that. You know that.”

His soft, post-crying voice wanted to melt or shatter your heart, making you frown in front of him. “What I do know is that I went too far in scolding you. It was wrong of me.”

“The amount of scolding was enough for me to realize the immature actions and misfortunes that I have caused. Without you, I wouldn’t be able to realize how much of a childish git I am.” He took your hands slowly, bringing them to him with such a feeling in his heart. “I can’t ask you to forgive me because I’m embarrassed of myself. You deserve so much more than what I offer as a partner. Please do whatever you think is right for yourself before hearts shatter even more.”

Your heart felt like dropping from the sky, collapsing in a pool full of sorrow after hearing those words come out of Draco’s mouth. Was he allowing you to break up with him? What could he possibly mean? There was absolutely no way he could let you do that. He was being out of his mind.

You let go of him holding your hands, to which his eyes widened to, only for you to wrap yourself around him, tightly and strongly embracing him with such love in your body. “Are you out of your mind? We can get through this, Draco. Leaving you after this would show that our love for each other would never be strong as I hoped to imagine. I’m staying with you because we have so much in store for each other. This is merely a minor bump in this journey you and I walk on.”

You could feel Draco let out a small sob from his eyes as he hugged you back, trying to squeeze and restrain himself from continuing to cry even more. “I love you.” was what he tried muttering without sounding like he was going to break down.

You nodded, wanting to join his crying session should he stop holding himself from. “I love you more than you know it.”

He slowly pulled himself from you, looking away from you. He stood up, causing you to raise an eyebrow.

“What’s the matter?”

“I know you said I’d be wasting parchments,” he replied, removing something from his sling bag, which was by the other end of the sofa, “But I wrote you letters that I ended up keeping during the holiday.”

He brought back with him a thick load of envelopes, ribboned with a green ribbon. He looked at you with a warm smile and handed it to you, “I give you the honor of burning it.”

You scoffed, “Burn it? I’d love to see what you were yearning for while you wrote this.” you teased him.

Draco felt a hint of embarrassment in his eyes as he tried grabbing it back from you. You sneakily pulled it away from him, “Uh, uh, uh” you waved your finger.

Draco smirked, jumping on you as he continued to attempt getting the letters from you. This caused the both of you to fall from the sofa and the day continued as the two of you fought on the ground, trying to play like childish children, ignoring the other students arriving in the common room.

Looks like news would spread that love is in the air again as the power couple is back on track with their relationship.

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edasnest · 3 years

Note

Fair enough my friend. In any case it probably won't be canon, (to me) because its too good to be true. Though at least its clear the Good Witch Azura is no mere book series and has a role to play. Anyway, allow me one headcanon ask!: How would Camila react to Willow and Amity and specially to know they are in a relationship with her Luz? And how would Amity and Willow feel about meeting Camila for the first time?

(This took me forever and I’m so sorry)

This one’s a lot lmao

Camila:

I think after Luz introduces them as her girlfriends Camila had to have a Conversation with Luz after the girls have gone home for the night. Like, she watches them interact in the time that she meets them but her Mom Alarms are ringing in her head. Two girlfriends???? 🤔 they all seem to get along fairly well (which is actually almost a little jarring to Camila; she’s used to kids Luz’s age thinking her “too weird” to hang out with unless they had no other choice) and she sees these girls....actually look at Luz without judgement. In fact, they look at her with adoration, even when Luz starts acting “weird” in the way that would make other kids uncomfortable. These girls laugh at Luz’s antics, but in a kind way, a way that says they love the way she is.

Camila, as a nurse, didn’t exactly have “the Talk” with Luz so much as she just answered Luz’s questions as she grew up. When Luz was about four or five and asked where babies came from, Camila left out some details, but explained the scientific process to her on their drive home from kindergarten. Luz yelled about how yucky it was because “boys have cooties!!!” And didn’t bring it up again until she was maybe 10 and got her first period. It was then Camila went into more depth about the whole “baby making” process and the concept of intercourse in a strictly medical sense that made Luz super uncomfortable and hate everything about human biology. She wished so desperately to live in the world of her Azura books where Azura never got a period, she was too busy adventuring and saving the day.

So when Luz goes missing and then comes back with not just one, but two girlfriends?? That’s another layer of The Talk that Camila hasn’t gotten to yet. So after the girls go home, Camila sits Luz down at the kitchen table and starts asking her questions about Amity and Willow, just trying to get to know them from Luz’s perspective a little more and get a gauge on how their relationship started. Camila is relieved beyond all else that Luz goes on one of her patented Exciteable Babbling Sessions; absolutely cooing over how adorable her girlfriends are, how smart and brave and talented they are, how they were the first real friends (besides Gus) that she made on the Boiling Isles, the adventures they’ve gone through together, the wacky antics they got caught up in, etc.

Camila’s genuinely happy for Luz at this point, but she still has Mom Responsibilities. So she asks Luz if they done anything more...intimate. And Luz flushes bright red before vehemently denying the accusation and hiding in her hoodie out of embarrassment. Which is exactly the reaction Camila was hoping for, so she finally relaxes and laughs and coaxes Luz out of her hoodie to give her a hug, letting her know that as long those girls make Luz happy, Camila will be happy for her. AND as long as they make smart decisions and don’t do anything crossing that line until they’re older to which Luz just groans and buries her face in her mom’s shoulder, begging her to stop.

After all the introductions and reassurances are out of the way though, Camila finds that she loves Luz’s girlfriends. Luz was absolutely right; they’re both smart and talented and extremely bright young ladies that are both eager and exciteable like Luz, but have a grounding element in each of them that helps tether Luz and brings her back to earth when she starts getting carried away. Camila is amused at how curious they are about human devices too; Amity is especially taken with Camila’s meal prep without the use of any magic at all. Willow is in awe of the computer mostly; she’s certain it works similarly to a crystal ball, but she can’t figure out how it’s supposed to work without magic.

Willow and Amity:

Willow and Amity are scared shitless the first time they meet Camila.

Luz being able to go home to her mom has been a primary goal of hers ever since the portal was first destroyed. Ever since then, there have been countless times Luz has sought comfort from her friends and eventually her girlfriends. So when they were able to access a new portal, they were so scared about what that meant for the three of them. Luz insisted that she go back to the Human Realm; not forever, she’d never just abandon the life she made on the Boiling Isles, not unless she didn’t have a choice. But she needed to go back to her mother and see what she could do to convince her to let her come back to them. She promised it wasn’t a goodbye, it wasn’t a breakup, and it wasn’t the last time she’d see them. So Willow and Amity held Luz and cried and eventually let her go and they slept over at the Owl House that night (with Gus too, he was part of that See Ya Later party and made sure the girls stayed hydrated what with all their crying).

When Luz returned a few weeks later, in her school uniform and scaring her girlfriends half to death by sneaking up on them, they tackled her to the ground, hugging and crying and laughing in relief. She explained the deal she had with her mom and that she wanted to bring them all to the Human Realm to meet her (Camila had actually already been to the Demon Realm in this time; Luz gave her a grand tour of everything she knew about while also keeping their heads low so as to not draw attention. It’s in this time that Camila came to understand what the boiling isles meant to Luz, reaching an understanding with Eda, and telling Luz she needed to finish Human School too, but she could do so online. So now that Camila knows about and has accepted Luz’s life in the Boiling Isles, Luz wants her to meet all the amazing people she’s met).

So the following weekend, they planned a trip over to the Human Realm (Willow, Gus and Amity with Eda as the chaperone) where they all finally got to meet Camila for the first time.

To everyone’s relief, Luz opens the door first to welcome them inside. She leads them to the couch to sit down and her mom enters with a (probably overeager; she’s very nervous) hello and a tray with several glasses and a pitcher of batida de lechosa. She sets down the tray on the coffee table and introduces herself to the kids one by one and Amity has to summon her inner Blight Poise to make her voice not shake. Willow has to pretend this isn’t her girlfriend’s mom she’s introducing herself to. (Camila is secretly just as nervous as they are; she wants to make a good first impression on Luz’s friends.)

Once they start talking though, everyone manages to relax. The kids are all extremely enthusiastic about the batida de lechosa (and tell Camila as much) and Gus can barely contain his excitement and at some point just starts shooting rapidfire questions about human life.

Overall their visit goes well, although Willow and Amity are on edge the entire time, doing their best to be polite and gracious and answer Mrs. Noceda’s questions. They really want to make a good impression on Mrs. Noceda, but Luz’s constant flattery and talking up their accomplishments (*cough*bragging*cough*) leaves them both flustered and blushing.

When they return to the Demon Realm after that visit, they’re both lamenting about how nervous they were, how they must’ve fucked up since Mrs. Noceda seemed so reserved and on guard during their visit. Eda has to remind them that the existence of the Demon Realm is still p new to Camila which does ease some of their fears, but certainly not all of them.

Luz texts them later about the MORTIFYING conversation she’d just had with her mom about “intimacy” and “waiting til we’re older” and “consent is no laughing matter, Luz” and as embarrassed as Willow and Amity are at the implications, they’re both relieved that that is what made Mrs. Noceda act so stiff during their visit. Nothing to do with them being Witches or from another world, just a mom protecting her baby.

From that point on tho, they totally hit it off with Camila; Camila loves sharing Luz’s most embarrassing baby pictures (which Luz complains about but takes it in stride). The girls love discussing more of the nuanced aspects of Human Culture and are extremely interested in Camila’s job as a Healer Nurse. Camila loves watching the girls perform magic like it’s second nature to them and absolutely delights in the flowers Willow grows in pots that she never had the time or energy to take care of herself.

#180 degree head tilt (ask tag)#wam-hope #the owl house #Camila Noceda #luz noceda #amity blight #willow park #willumity #willumity au #thank you for your patience lmao it’s been like a month and a half since you sent this

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dinrenan · 3 years

Text

Dinrenan Origin

It took me ages to finish it all together, I had to rewrite it because the file on my computer got corrupted or something! Go and restart, then it did not save. So I opted to write on my phone and send it all to my discord server where I keep all my stuff, texts included, ported it to Drive and tadah! here you have it!

WARNING! This chapter contains: Mental torture (implied), physical torture (implied), mention of torture and blood, cannibalism, child poisoning and death. And Bad english grammar in some parts.

Sylaise had many children, but none of them survived, no matter how hard she tried to keep them alive. Until one did, a daughter, this one survived longer than any of her children and reached the age of 6 before passing out due to poisoning, the goddess found out pretty soon who it was, Hellathren, the child's slave and keeper while the Goddess had duties to attend to. The girl died in her sleep and Sylaise was devastated, no matter how much she tried to reach for the weakening spirit still inside her body. In desperation she went to the one who could help her, Falon'din, who did not know of the girl's existence, nor did the other Evanuris, they just assumed that the last child was dead, like the others. But this one had been the child she and June always wished for, and they tried many times to make any of them live enough after their first breath, and when this one made it, it was taken from them. Falon'din agreed to help the Goddess out, but made no promises of his success; he also needed to confront Ghilan'nain and his brother, Dirthamen, if he wanted to succeed. The young Goddess accepted to help, although not knowing for what she agreed to, and gave Dirthamen the knowledge he needed. Dirthamen on his part modified that knowledge, for it had flaws, and made it perfect if applied in the right way, if not the child would turn into something like one of Ghilan'nain's new experimental creatures, a beast with horns and grey skin, good only to fight like a rabid beast and nothing else.

Sylaise wanted to join the other Gods in this ritual while June simply mourned the loss by locking himself in the chamber they both shared, but the woman wasn't going to give up on either her Husband or child, there was still something that could be done and when Falon'din asked for blood, she gave it. She gave the traitorous woman who poisoned her daughter to Falon'din, for she had to live till the day of the ritual, then came the blood of her High Dragon Guardian, its unhatched eggs, and a vial containing her own blood. Falon'din chose the location, an underground temple he used to his own pleasure, few loyal slaves were permitted to stay there but mostly spirits roamed its dark and dreary walls.

When the time came only Falon'din was in the chamber, the high dragon throat was slit open to permit the blood to flow in the little canals carved on the floor and slide in the well, previously filled by a fountain figuring an owl, that was now empty of the stone structure and the child's body lay limp on the tiles. He had fun carving his markings on Sylaise traitorous slave, the blood still pouring from them was steadily forming streams in the canals and mixing with the High Dragon's Blood, filling up the empty space at the center, reaching the corpse.

He could feel the power held in the blood, and how it sought to enter the child's body, an empty shell perfect to host it and flow again, live again, it needed a spell to adjust itself and Falon’din was working on it when something started to go wrong. The Dragon's body began to spasm violently when the child's body got fully enveloped by the blood and the beast’s heart came out from its throat like it had regurgitated it from its place. The heart was big and pulsating, Falon'din lost his focus on the well and the spell broke loose, making the God hit the nearest wall, it was a moment before it all happened. The child's body began floating in the air, at the center of the pool, the heart was shrinking and reshaping itself while where once the High Dragon's and Slave's body laid, only a pile of bones could be seen now. The eggs that were placed on a corner started to explode, masses of blood, meat and scales flew towards the heart, now shrunk to a chest sized living organ, and with a stupor the God saw as all those materials started to mold over together and create a round shape, an orb. A blinding light had him covering his eyes, his ears could hear the screams of agony coming from the girl, he didn't move an inch, fearing that the sentient being, whatever it was, would strike him. And strike him it did, a stream of blood resembling a hand reached for him while he was still blind due to the light but heard the air moving, he reacted and tried to defend himself, only to be cut in the process, that did the trick, a thick line of blood got absorbed by the shaped blood claws and it all disappeared, like a spirit who lost its interest in him.

With slow movements, he rose up, dusted his clothes and advanced toward the Well. It was now void of blood and the orb was nowhere to be seen but the child was there, sitting on the floor and fixing him down with void glassy eyes, they were violet mixed with blue gems filled with nothing but despair in them. He swore he could feel his heart feel something resembling fascination, his brother and him were always curious after all. Some sentinels felt the blast and came bursting through the door to make sure nothing was attacking their lord, when they noticed the girl they all fell silent, for they could feel their Master magic radiating from her.

"Take her, my part is done" He decided to ignore the little pang his heart did but noticed the sentinels didn't move an inch when the girl simply turned towards them, staring at them this time, and with a scoff, Falon'din used his magic to make the girl float out of her 'nest' and right in front of the sentinels, they refused still to lay a hand on the girl, his temper wasn't known to last long, especially not after something came after his blood.

"Did I stutter?" He was now getting angry, he gave a simple order, were these loyal sentinels of his gone dead? He just marched towards them, took the girl in his arms, and walked off, if they weren't going to obey simple orders, he was going to do it himself. The girl did not speak during the whole time and was focusing her eyes on him again, he had to speak with his brother and focused himself on the task of reaching Dirthamens's room before a new day started. The child was not his problem to deal with anymore, or so he thought.

Sylaise received the child at the doorstep of her chamber situated in one of Elgar'nan palaces, the man had some territory issues to talk about, little did she care when she saw the girl. The two guards that accompanied her were Dirthamens's and she gestured them away while letting the girl inside, but something was off, she couldn't feel the same energy as before like it was replaced by something else.

"My girl...how do you feel?" her voice was trembling, she feared the worst and when the girl turned to look at the mother, glassy eyes was all she could see, the same eyes her brothers and sisters shared when the Goddess tried to revive them, something tore inside her once again, another failure. But with grief came rage, if the girl was nothing more than a useless shell there was no space for her love, but in reaching her the Goddess got stuck to the floor and no matter how much she tried to free herself, what kept Sylaise on the spot wasn't ice, no, it was too solid and transparent, she was being held by thick crystal.

"Mother" was a feeble little word that made the Goddess stop her struggling, if the girl spoke then it wasn't too late, she could still make her regain full consciousness, the crystal cage disappeared as soon as the rage inside her did, and the girl was between her mother's arms in a moment, not that the girl seemed to care, she just stayed motionless.

"It will be alright, I will make this right"

But the child had to remain a secret to the other Evanuris, Ghilan’nain did not know what her knowledge was used for, Dirthamen just told her he was seeking new knowledge and the Twins had little care for the existence of the girl as far as Sylaise knew. June was happy and relieved to see his daughter breathe again and held her body gently between him and Sylaise that night, fearing she would disappear in a cloud of smoke.

The day after, all the discussions were done, Falon'din and Elgar'nan had a disagreement, Sylaise cared little, she was ready to walk in her and June's room, take the child and go home, Her husband had made a little piece of jewelry for the girl, to hide her aura and give the illusion she was indeed a grown child, not even a teen yet, but enough to be used as a maid to the Goddess, and since there seemed a fight was to come, she wanted her daughter by her side if things got to the point of fleeing.

When Falon'din’s knight died both parents were ready to leave, their presence was requested no more, June gave a little look to his daughter, only to find her walking towards the fallen elf and with a firm voice, he called her, hoping she would obey.

"Maid, you are not supposed to leave your Mistress side " with those words Sylaise turned as well and tried to not panic in front of the others.

"It seems like this one does not listen to you, what family did you say she comes from?" was Andruil sneering comment, she always hated how Sylaise went around with a noble's kid always at her side, just to feel like a mother, she told the huntress a long time ago, Andruil did not understand the other and simply scoffed at whoever child Sylaise put her claws on every decade. The girl, in the meantime, had approached the elf lying there, Elgar'nan's knight looking down at her like she was a pile of dragon dung, but little did she care, she just knelt beside the dying elf, she could feel the regret for something inside him, and his life slowly fading, the elf wasn't dead yet and so she did the only thing she remembered made her mother relax. She started to sing while cleaning his face from the blood, his eyes focused on hers and his ears focused on her voice, he suddenly wasn't scared to close his eyes anymore, and for a moment he felt peace in the arms of someone so young willing to help a dying man finding his last breath, he hoped the best for the girl and wished that her life wouldn't end in slavery. When he finally went limp, the girl smiled sadly down at the pale face in her lap.

A soft hand reached for her and in a second she was on her feet, Falon'din himself was dragging her away while the other Gods were stunned, except for Elgar'nan, who smiled coyly at the other. Mythal simply shook her head, Sylaise and June froze on the spot, the Goddess didn't dare to reach for her daughter and June knew better than to go against Falon'din, so kept both hands on his wife's shoulders, to stop her from moving if she tried.

When the Eluvian closed behind them the girl had no trouble adjusting her eyes to the dark corridor they arrived in but had to look down when Falon'din turned to speak with her.

"Do you have a name?" His voice was a mix between cold and veiled amusement and on her part, the girl did not know, she never had a name for all she knew, her mother and father only called her with nicknames and Hellathren called her young Master, so she simply shook her head and subtly looked up, the God was smiling. He noticed right away the glossy emptiness had left her eyes, that meant she had regained her will to live. Then came the rational thought, such being could help him, and since she was so young he could easily use her as he pleased, he needed her voice, with the future wars to come the girl would be a valid asset. He had to deal with some problems, the girl's parents for a start, but he had time.

"Then welcome home, first off, remove that thing around your neck, I will ask June to make another one and I will infuse it with my own spell...and burn those clothes, you are not going back to your lifegiver anytime soon" with that he started to walk and the girl diligently followed him, not looking at anyone, she simply stared at the head of the God, or well, at his black long hair. After a short walk, they reached a throne room full of slaves and sentinels, there were some tables as well filled with Nobles who whispered between themselves as the God walked toward his throne, the girl still in tow. When he reached the throne the girl had stopped at the steps, not sure what to do with herself, she could smell the meat on the tables and something inside her stirred, her mouth started to salivate and she gulped, fixing her eyes on the clean floor, she had to stop that urge of biting and chewing, although something disagreed inside her. Falon’din saw as to how the girl tensed at the smell in the air and made a gesture towards one of the sentinels, he ordered that one chamber was to be made for the girl as well as a cell in the dungeon, near one where enemies were left to slowly fade away, only then he spoke aloud, to let everyone in the room listen to his claim.

"Let this be a joyful moment, for a new member joins my court, my loyal friends, I present to you my future High Priestess, Dinrenan!" with a smile he gestured with one hand towards her form, and she understood that he just gave her a name. All around the nobles all started to clap loudly, it was unusual for Falon'din to have a new member joining his court, more so if said member was no more than a child in their eyes. The feast was going to be that same night, Dinrenan was escorted to her room by Falon'din himself and whispers started to spread all around, thanks to the working slaves that saw them. Could she be the Master's daughter? Was she some powerful spirit that chose to form a body? What was her purpose? She had a scary look.

Her life was a simple one to the eyes of the people, singing when people died during a battle, for Uthenera, for the Gods, singing for the future to come, to mourn the lost, nothing more and nothing less. What they didn't know was that Dirthamen started to train the girl, under the permission of his brother, and discovered soon after her strengths and weaknesses. Unlike her mother, she wasn't a powerful healer, but more like a crafter, like her father. She had the ability to shapeshift in every living creature as long as she saw it first, and he tested that in every way possible. He had locked her in a black cell filled with people who couldn't give him any more knowledge, and he couldn't turn them into slaves, they were no use to him until he decided to starve the girl and see how she would survive. Survive she did, when the elf chose to reopen the dungeon, five months later, all he could smell were the rotten flesh of the decaying corpses and almost dry blood, it didn't take him much to scan the room: on the far corner were all white bones, near them there seemed to be a tall crystal bowl of what he could only assume to be wastes, even although the room didn't smell like them. He saw on how there was a pile of ragged clothes forming a nest of sorts, and on top of that body parts with flesh still on them, but Dinrenan was nowhere to be seen, then his gaze checked the walls and she was there, hiding in the darker corner where the light did not arrive, she seemed to be one with the wall, he could only spot her because of her blue and violet glowing eyes roaming his form like he was her next prey. Only once she stepped towards him he noticed that she had discarded the jewelry Falon'din made June craft for her and she turned back to her true size and looks, a girl of 6 years old covered in dry blood, with nothing but rags and sharp teeth shining in the feeble light, then he noticed the crown of horns on her head.

“I see, to survive you gave in to your dragon instincts...I won’t let you go out of this place until you return to your...civilized state, I thought this could happen...but it won't be a problem, you will have to stay with me for at least another three months, do you understand me?" he wasn’t going to let a feral thing run through his temple, she would burn everything down if the chance was given to her.

The girl did understand him, but at the moment she wasn't totally sure how to react to his presence, a part of her wanted to attack him, tear his limbs apart and drink his blood to satisfy her bloodlust, the other part, the rational and weak one, wanted nothing more than to beg him to let her out, to let her wash herself of the dry blood. As if sensing her intentions Dirthamen smiled coldly at her, his yellow and purple eyes shining in the dark.

"You won't get out of here unless you turn back, young one. My brother will be pleased in knowing he just has to starve you before locking you up with those who refuse to worship him..." he saw as she nodded slowly and the horns on her head faded away. She wanted to speak, to let him know she wasn't feral at all, not yet, the last meal had enough meat on his bones to fulfill her hunger, for the moment being.

"Food" it's all that she managed to say before walking, more like stumbling, towards the black-haired man, who at the sight felt a little guilty and disgusted, that was not something he was used to, the guilt. Only when he looked away from the creature, he saw the spirits in the cell, spirits of mercy, pity, hunger, and shame, they all stayed in the near corner where he stood, with grey colors as to not be seen by him got curious.

"How long before she killed you?" He asked them but it seemed like they did not want to answer, no one spoke aloud, they only stared at the girl and refused to answer the God, which meant he wouldn't get a straight answer from them, but Dinrenan spoke before falling on her knees and arms.

"I...I sang, I sang to them, to reassure them nothing was going to happen...and some of them refused to wake up...so...I...I..." she couldn't say it, Dirthamen saw on how the girl struggled to get the words out of her mouth, he only scoffed and turned around, leaving the door open, the girl was no threat once her instincts died down and so she was free to leave, he had a guest to attend to after all, and it wouldn't be kind to let him wait. The girl did not understand, she looked at the spirits and they all walked towards her sides, patting her on the back and on her head, she gave them the mercy they requested, to listen to her voice and never wake up again. With a sniff, the girl picked up the broken necklace she destroyed in a fit of rage and walked toward her so-called freedom, as long as she behaved normally and didn't give in to her dragon instincts Dirthamen had no interest in keeping her secluded. Step after step she found herself walking in the shadows to avoid the slaves and sentinels till she reached her room, but someone was already waiting for her, one of Falon'din noble sentinels that years later would still protect her from herself and keep her memory in order to protect her until the day she was ready to face them.

His name was Dinlin.

Someone that years later she would call Pity. -----------

Took me long enough to finish this! I started with a picture and ended up with another, the end picture is somewhat decent while the first I made included more bones, blood, and all happy stuff. Had to cut some parts as well, a friend of mine that read it threw up her dinner, so I choose to cut the Slave Carving, remove the reason as to why Hellathren did what she did (It will be explained in Dirthrenan "Blood relationship" with Dinrenan), the other funny exercises Dirthamen put her through and along the way I got carried away and put Dinlin in it as well...so, for the most part, now you know who Dinrenan's parent are!

#Dragon age #Dragon age Inquisition #Dinrenan #Evanuris #Sylaise #June #falon'din #dirthamen #heed the warnings #I warned you #Dinlin #My art #My writing #Dinrenan Origin

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iellarenuodolorian · 4 years

Text

Mandoctober Day 6

Snacktime

Words: 1.4k

Pairing: Din DjarinxFemale Mandalorian Reader (finally starting)

Warnings: mild angst, fighting, some fluff

~14BBY

It was a week past when he was supposed to have returned from his mission, and your connection to him was growing more faint by the day. Ailyn kept bringing small snacks to your room trying to get you to eat something, but you did what you had to for the day and would return to your room to stare at nothing. You kept having flashes of memories of how you met…

As soon as you landed, you asked to meet with Bo-Katan. Ailyn wished you luck with explaining why he was still alive.

“He could have valuable information on our enemies!” You pleaded. “If he refuses to give you the information you want, then you can kill him.” You were standing protectively in front of him. You wanted to tell Bo about this connection you felt with him, but weren’t sure how to even begin to describe the feeling.

He’s finally awake and chained to a pole in the interrogation room. Anger and defiance radiate off him in waves, you suspect Bo isn’t going to get the answers she wants.

“How did you become part of Death Watch?”

“They found me. And saved me.” His voice is so smooth, even when filtered through his helmet. It’s the first time you’ve heard it and it starts a small flame burning inside you. Bo kept asking questions with barely adequate information. When she finally became too frustrated, she ordered his execution for the following night.

Against Bo’s orders you went to see him. You had to know if there was even a small chance he would want to join the clan. You had tried to bargain with her for his life, saying he could be a valuable asset to the clan if she would only give him a chance. You walked into the room, and his head dropped to his chest. Your heart cracked realizing he thought this was the end, that you were the one who was going to kill him. You removed your helmet and sat down in front of him, and his head immediately snapped up to look at you. Even though you couldn’t see his eyes, you knew they were looking directly into your soul.

“If you could have a new life as a Mandalorian, and not connected to Death Watch, would you do it? If you could see how our way of life is different, if you could learn to live by our code, if you wanted such a life, would you take that chance and join us?”

Finally, after what felt like half an eternity, you heard a whispered yes. It was almost too quiet for your ears, but your heart heard it loud and clear. You ran to find Bo to plead for his life, one last time. You couldn’t explain why you knew that he would be the one to return the Mandalorians to their proper glory in the Galaxy, you just knew. Bo reluctantly agreed and if he betrayed the clan, she would personally hunt both of you down and kill you.

You sighed to yourself and placed your face in your hands and rubbed your eyes. You didn’t even know his name, and you stuck your neck out for him like that. It was so unlike you, especially back then.

He was released into your care, and you were in charge of making sure he knew what it meant to be Clan Kryze. It was extremely awkward at first, neither of you willing to share more than was necessary. It took time, and one day during training in hand to hand combat something happened. You had always been evenly matched and today was no exception. Neither of you was getting through the others defenses and each of you seemed to know what combination the other was going to use before it even happened. A truce was finally called when he had pulled your back to his chest with his vibroknife at your neck, and you had your vibroknife perfectly positioned for a kidney shot.

You smiled at the memory of how the walls finally broke down and each of you began to trust the other, and you finally had a name to call him.

Djarin.

He took to his new clan and code with enthusiasm, and you were even more pleased to see him adopt your strange eating times. The first time you saw his face in the karyai while you were eating dinner after a long day took you by complete surprise.

You were exhausted from a long day and an even longer week. Training had been even more difficult this week, and you barely had the energy to move the food on your plate up to your mouth. Suddenly, there was a familiar set of armor in front of you, with a face you had never seen before. The fork that had been halfway to your mouth clattered back to your plate as you took in his face. The dark hair was sticking up in all different directions, as helmet hair tends to do. His brown eyes looked scared and hurt because you realized you were staring and not saying anything.

“I like your nose.”

“That’s your first comment? My horrendous nose.” He rolled his eyes and hung his head.

“Um, I… I’m just not sure exactly how to phrase it without sounding crazy.”

You were flabbergasted. He was CUTE!! You had no idea how you were going to keep kicking his butt knowing what was under that buy’ce now.

“You can’t say anything worse than this awkward silence.”

“Um, how about I like your face?”

You both smiled and laughed and finished your meal in nervous excitement.

It still gave you the fuzzy feelings in a silly place whenever you had the pleasure of seeing his face. You especially enjoyed getting to give him a hard time about the patchy facial hair he was attempting to grow these days. Would you ever get to tease him like that again? What were your last words to him before he left anyway?

Ailyn came back to your room to inform you that Bo-Katan had called everyone to the karyai for a meeting. The time had come for a decision to be made that would effect all Mandalorians. You walked with Ailyn and elected to stand at the back, sitting for an important meeting like this was out of the question. The announcement was made that a tactical retreat, or Bas’lan shev’la, was being put into place to protect the remaining Mandalorians. The Empire was only getting stronger and more skilled at hunting down lone Mandalorians and to preserve the culture everyone was going to scatter into smaller clans and hide in plain sight from the Empire. New informal clans would be made and a new rule was added to the Code. Your identity was now to be protected at all costs. If the Empire had a name they could find you and hunt you down and by further extent the clan you were part of. The easiest way to identify an individual was their face, so helmets were to be kept on at all times unless you were in the presence of your most immediate family members. The lists of the informal clans had been made up and the location of your new home was sent to your datapad.

Your HUD blinked with a live feed from the Nite Owl sentry on duty. It was a ship. It was Djarin’s ship. “Ailyn, I have to go. He’s back. It looks bad.” You quietly crept out the door and after two steps, you ignited your jetpack and were in the air flying as fast as you could for his crashing ship. You refused to think what could have happened in order for his ship to look like this. It crashed into the surface and a bay door popped open. You rushed inside and climbed the ladder to the cockpit, only to find Djarin slumped over the controls. Your heart dropped and the connection you could always feel to him was barely hanging on. You flipped a few switches and pulled the throttle down and commed Ailyn again to ask her to come look at the ship and make sure it wouldn’t blow up any time soon.

With Djarin over your shoulder you took off for the rudimentary medcenter. No sooner had you made it in the door and laid him on the stretcher when a B2 med droid was shoving you back out with instructions to wait outside. You sat down on the floor and prepared yourself to wait, for a very long time.

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

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Thank you for taking the time to read my silly little story! It means the world to me 〰️💙

#mandoctober #the mandalorian #din djarin #I’m actually kinda proud of most of this one #if you read this thank you #i love you

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cosmic-affinities · 4 years

Text

Loathing....Right?

Read on AO3 Here

It was stiff and uncomfortable, no one knew how to act, everything looked the same but felt completely wrong. 1998 was full of turmoil, war, and a couple months of recovery. No one thought going back to Hogwarts would feel this way, everyone desperately wanted to move on and pretend like May 2nd was behind them, they knew in their hearts it would never be truly behind them.

“I would like to thank everyone here for returning with me. I know it is difficult, especially for those of us who have grown up here and have discovered who we want to be in these very halls but, everyone in this Great Hall should feel infused with courage, loyalty, wisdom, and ambition. It is not going to be easy but it is right, and everyone here has made the decision to forgo ease for the ability to say they made the right choice. Now let me allow the feast to begin!”

There were gasps, mostly first years, when Headmistress McGonagall waved her hands and made massive amounts of food appear.

“One last thing, I would like our returning 8th years, as they have been dubbed, to stay after the feast is finished, I have some things to discuss.”

Heads from all four tables looked up at McGonagall, many hopeful and even more scared, it was going to be a tough year.

“Thank you all for listening to me and staying after the feast, I just have some housekeeping type things to go over and thought the other students wouldn’t enjoy hearing about them”

There were some murmurs that quickly stopped as she began to speak again.

“First, I am going to make a designated table for you all in the great hall and I expect everyone to use it. There is a special set of classes for all 8th years, but those of you taking courses other than general education will join the seventh years. Sadly you will not be able to join Quidditch with the rest of the school, but you are more than welcome to book the pitch and do as you please.”

At this, some people groaned quietly, but everyone understood that she wanted to give the rest of the school their chance to have a normal time at Hogwarts, the 8th years were the ones imposing not the other way around.

“There are some changes with the curfew, you will all have to be back on the grounds by midnight, or else you will be locked out, but I do not feel the need to tell adults when they need to be in bed. Just remember you will be expected to attend all classes regardless of how late you stay out. I have already set up a separate common room and dorms for you all. Each dorm has its own bathroom and there will be two in a room, each person from a different house, and I will not be accepting any roommate change requests, I have posted your dorm assignments in your common room and I expect you to act like civilized adults to each other.”

After McGonagall made a special point of not allowing roommates to switch, the 8th years slowly became scared, but they followed their headmistress to their new common room anyway. As they walked quiet conversations began.

“Alright, you will have the East Wing of the castle, the common room is through this door, it will open to your magical signatures, and just the same as all the houses, boy’s dormitories are to the left while the girl’s dormitories are to the right. The stairs will not turn into a slide if you try to approach the girls' dorms, and I trust I will not have to change that. One last reminder, your roommates are unchangeable, so don't start something you do not want to finish.”

With her last words McGonagall whisked off quickly, the sound of footsteps echoed through the east wing and after a beat of hesitation, the 8th years turned and allowed the door to read their magical signatures.

“Did McGonagall say that we were rooming with other houses? I hope I can room with a quiet Ravenclaw, anything would be better than a Slytherin.”

“Ron! Stop that now, everything is finally over and I don't want to be a part of any badmouthing, you will be happy with whomever you got paired with.”

“Oh, c’mon ‘Mione! You know I’m right, but if it makes you feel better then I won’t say anything else bad.”

“Fine, thank you. Now, why don’t we go and actually look at who we are paired with.”

Harry watched his friends talk, not knowing what to contribute, he agreed with Hermione, they didn’t need any more anger or hate in their minds, there had already been too much for their lifetimes. He decided to hang back and wait for the crowd around the room assignments paper to dissipate, he was getting tired of crowds.

“Draco why have you been so quiet? You've barely said three words since we got off of the train.”

“Don’t worry about me Pans, I’m just tired. I need to find my room so I can sleep. Hopefully, my roommate won’t be anyone too bad, I can’t easily protect myself at night.”

“Alright if you are sure, and plus you’ll probably get roomed with some random Hufflepuff or something.”

“Well I’m going to go take a quick look so I can find a bed to faceplant on, coming back to Hogwarts has been exhausting.”

By the time the crowd dissipated there were only two small groups left in the common room, they both walked towards the roommate list at the same time.

“Um, guys I think we found our roommates.”

Five faces turned to Hermione, none of them looked too happy.

“Oh no, you can’t be serious ‘Mione! Please tell me you are joking, we all got paired with Slytherins?!” Ron’s face paled, he hoped his friend was just messing around.

“What! Let me see that paper, Granger!” Zabini quickly snatched the paper and his eyes widened.

“Draco, you are not going to like this.”

“Spit it out Blaise, am I with Potter or Weasley, I am not in the mood to play the world’s worst guessing game.”

“Potter. I am with Weasley, and Pansy is obviously with Granger.”

“Alright now was that so hard?” Draco turned to face the other three, “Potter I am going up to our room.”

“Well, I was not expecting that.”

“Well, I guess that means I should go up too, Ron ‘Mione I'll catch up with you guys later.”

There were four shocked faces watching the retreating figure.

“Wow, I was not expecting either of them to stay calm, this will be an interesting year.”

Hermione turned to face Pansy, her new roommate.

“I wasn’t either, I just hope no one gets hexed while no one else is watching. Anyway, I think I should properly introduce myself. Hi, I’m Hermione Granger, your new roommate.”

“O-oh um, Pansy Parkinson.”

She stretched out her hand and Hermione shook it carefully as the two boys stared, not knowing what to do.

“I just want to say that I hope we can make things work this year, I don’t want to be uncomfortable in my own room.”

“Well Granger, I agree with you, something I never thought would happen, so I think that this just might work.”

The two girls walked away together, towards their room, leaving Ron and Blaise behind them, dumbfounded.

“This is going to be a weird year.” Blaise turned.

“You can say that again.”

Harry approached the door and opened it slowly, his trunk was already at the foot of the bed closest to the door, he saw Malfoy unpacking.

“Look, Potter, neither of us enjoy this but can we at least agree to not sling hexes? I’m exhausted and I don't even want to think about any protection spells.”

“Yeah, fine whatever Malfoy. I'm going to use the bathroom.”

Harry closed the door behind him and splashed water on his face, he knew the git hated him but he was not expecting- whatever you could call what just happened. He was itching to talk to Padfoot, he spent the summer basically attached to him and Remus but he was already missing them, he wanted to tell them about his roommate and try to figure out the weird feeling in his stomach. Although it was probably just general dislike for the blonde through the door. Harry knew it was late though, Padfoot and Moony were probably already in their pajamas curled on the couch watching Defying Gravity (1997) for the umpteenth time, all he said when Harry asked why was ‘It's funny and gay, like me why wouldn't I watch it over and over?’ in a way only Sirius could, all while Remus sighed and shook his head trying to fight the fond smile that crossed his features. Harry allowed himself to get caught up in the memory until a stiff knock brought him back down.

“Come on Potter I haven’t got all night!”

Harry swiftly opened the door and walked past Draco without looking at him; he didn’t have the energy to think of a witty comeback.

“I’m going to the common room, I'll try not to wake you up when I come back.”

With his words, Harry grabbed some parchment and a quill and walked out of the room.

The common room was blissfully empty, Harry wanted to write a letter to Sirius and Remus instead of firecalling them, at least this way he wouldn't feel bad for interrupting them.

He started the letter three different times, it had only been one day, he didn’t know what to write about. He finally settled for something short and to the point,

Dear Padfoot and Moony,

We were right, being back at Hogwarts is a little weird, McG has us all in an ‘8th’ year dorm setup and we are rooming with people from different houses.

I decided not to firecall, I figured you guys were curled up on the couch watching something gay (without me, which I'm only a little annoyed about) and I didn’t want to interrupt your evening even if I wish I could be there. I’ll firecall you guys later this week once I get a response so we can talk a bit more.

(annoyingly) missing you already, Prongslet.

Harry finished his letter and took it to the owlery, there was one owl not up in the rafters or out hunting so Harry stuck the letter to the tawny owl and sent it on its way.

He made his way back to the common room and couldn’t help but be amazed when the door swung open with no prompt, magic was awesome. He crept back to his dorm, careful not to wake anyone and when he opened the door to his room he was met with the sight of curtains drawn on a four-poster bed and a dim light coming from a small lamp by his bed. Seeing the bed waiting for him made him yawn, he didn’t even realize how tired he was. After a quick change, he fell into his bed and quickly was sleeping.

Draco tensed as he heard the door open, no matter how tired he was, fear crept in and didn't leave until he heard light snoring. Had Potter really fallen asleep that quickly? He was in a room with someone he had hated for seven years and just fell asleep as if he was with an old friend, Merlin Draco even resented him for his ability to sleep. As time passed Draco’s mind finally slowed and allowed sleep to take over.

@daddiesdrarryy @gloster @thatonepurplepancake @devilrising

And a gigantic thank you to @itsskylover23 for reading this for me before i posted it!

#ummmm I need a special tag for this post #drarry #drarry fic #harry/draco #Harry Potter #blairon #pansmione #ron x blaise #hermione x pansy #loathing right #that's the tag lmao #chapter one #AO3 fanfic #what is this feeling

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drjackandmissjo · 4 years

Text

firewhisky on ice, sunset and vine

you’ve ruined my life by not being mine

Chapter 10 --- previous chapter

Harry Potter fics Masterlist

For the first time in a long time, Blaise was late to something important.

Not fashionably late, in those cases he planned ahead to the exact second to make his grand entrance and charm the socks off everyone. No, this time he was terribly late out of coincidence, a mix of bad luck and a lot of words that came out of Theo’s mouth, despite his favour of briefness.

He had been intercepted by his roommate just after the funeral, a sharp tug at his sleeve that gave no room for interpretation, as Theo led the way to a more secluded area of the country yard, which was, surprisingly enough, empty. ‘Probably everyone is going to Hogsmeade’ Blaise reasoned as he followed his friend in silence, neither of them uttering a word.

When they reached their destination, the blond began his speech. Theo had used more words trying to make him understand the reasons behind his acceptance of his father’s Death Eaters’ legacy and the subsequent joining of said organization, and why it would be beneficial for such a promising Pureblood Slytherin like Blaise himself to follow along the Cause, especially in their current time and date, than he had ever used on an essay he had been truly passionate about.

Blaise had to admit that Theo brought up some valid points: Dumbledore was the only thing standing in the way of the Dark Lord, and now that he was dead, there was no one stopping him from gaining his so desperately sought after power. First Hogwarts and then the Ministry would fall under him, making it impossible to find a safe haven for anyone who dared to oppose him.

Yet had been raised in families that didn’t follow along dictatorships, with his father being the exception, the black sheep. His Grand-père fought against Grindelwald when he came to France rather actively, opposing the Dark Wizard and telling little Blaise all the stories from the résistance, and his Nonno had always told him all about Italian Muggle Politics during the Wars, and they never ended well for the Fascist regime.

And he remembered all too well the look on his mother’s face whenever he brought the subject up. The Dark Lord had ruined his family and Blaise would not fall prey to him as well.

When Theo finished talking, looking drained of all the energy he had ever had, yet proud for some twisted reasons, Blaise had to control himself and prevent the laughter that was threatening to erupt out of him. Nott must’ve thought that he had given some rational points, but his words did the exact opposite of what was intended for them: if nothing, they fortified the knowledge that the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord would be on the wrong side of their History. He just hoped that his friend would see the error of his way before it was too late.

Instead of answering, he simply nodded once in understanding, keeping his opinions to himself. The entire situation was downright hilarious.

Blaise had thought, at the beginning of the year, that Draco was the more brainwashed of the pair, yet, after the Death Eaters attacked, he and Pansy had found a letter from the blond on his bed, all of his belongings gone and the room missing one of its five members. In that letter, Draco explained them what in Salazar’s name had happened.

How the Dark Lord had forced him to find a way for his followers to penetrate the castle, how he had been ordered to kill Dumbledore, how they gave him the Dark Mark and how he had accepted it all to protect his family. His father would’ve been tortured, Draco claimed, and his mother killed, if he didn’t follow the Dark Lord’s wishes. He didn’t want to do it, none of it. But he still did as he was told, he repaired an old and broken Vanishing Cabinet that was in the Room of Requirement and he made sure it linked back to one identical one, that still worked, in Borgin and Burkes and made sure it was a safe passage for the Death Eaters. He had worked on it the entire year, he claimed, as to explain why he didn’t pay attention to the classes anymore. He then went on, to their present, on how it was all going to go down that night. How he was supposed to kill Dumbledore and then flee. How Snape would’ve taken control of the school and how things would have changed, all starting with that night.

Blaise had been in shock as he read his friend’s words, with Pansy in a similar state.

They both knew that Draco had been tasked with something big, that he was working in secrecy and that he didn’t really want to do any of it, yet still did. But that wasn’t an excuse, nor that letter was an apology. Draco needed someone he trusted to know the truth and to also be able to claim that he did all of that without his will, that he had been forced.

Draco Malfoy did not look for redemption, he looked for an alibi. He didn’t follow the Dark Lord’s orders because he was a loyal and faithful servant, he did it because he was forced. And he had left records of it.

Theo, on the other hand, was the opposite. He had been blinded by his father’s beliefs, he had joined the Death Eaters because that had been the only thing he had been taught since he was born. To hate, to be superior, to be a Pureblood. As soon as the attack was over, he had marched into the Slytherin common room, exalted and high off adrenaline. He had yelled that Dumbledore was dead, eliciting contrasting reactions from his House mates. People had screamt, both in glee and agony, joy and fear. The common room was divided in those whose parents and relatives had been and were still favouring the dark side, and thus had taught them that way, and in those who didn’t want anything to do with the Dark Lord and his bigotry. And, in the midst of it, stood Theodore Nott, drunk on the scene, mentally tallying the reactions, staring expectantly at him with blown wide eyes, waiting for a smile of acknowledgment.

But Blaise couldn’t smile, couldn’t agree with the atrocities that were being committed. All he knew was that Dumbledore being dead meant that Hogwarts wasn’t a safe space anymore. Not only for those who opposed him openly, like Saint Potter and company, but also not a safe space for those who would prefer to remain neutral to the fight.

Not that he would’ve been, neutral to the fight.

Once again, days later, he stood in front of Theo, who was waiting for his reply when Blaise could do nothing but stare.

“I know you will do what’s right” Theo said, taking his silence as an agreement into the Death Eater’s path. In his mind, Blaise could not let the irony go. He would do what was right, by not joining the murderous tyrant and his sycophantic followers. He would do what was right, by fighting against the atrocities that they would commit and had committed. He would do what was right by not following into the trap that was clearly laid ahead of him.

He would do what was right because he was a Slytherin, Salazar Damn Them All, and he was way too intelligent and proud to fall along mindlessly the plan of a villain whose sole purpose was to bring back the Dark Ages of Magic.

But he still didn’t reply. ‘Rule number thirty-six: a vague silence is the best weapon when you don’t want to say something.’

He just nodded along, wordlessly leaving Theo and walking back into the castle, slower than he intended, as if in a trance.

He knew that Neville was waiting for him in the Transfiguration classroom, after all, he had been the one to send the Gryffindor the owl, not caring anymore about who knew about them. Thankfully, though, no one paid attention to the inconspicuous bird that left a letter right on Neville’s plate, nor did he open it in the Great Hall.

He had been brief, only telling him to meet him there as soon as Dumbledore’s funeral was over, yet he knew Neville could read the desperation in between the lines: they were running out of time, the school year was completed and there was no certainty that they would be back the next year. Blaise probably would’ve, considering he was a Slytherin and his best friends were all apparently Death Eaters, but he knew that Neville, Valiant, Brave and Selfless Neville, would fight alongside whoever was on their opposite side.

Since the night of the attack, which had been dubbed the ‘Battle of the Astronomy Tower’ by the students, they had managed to see each other less than they had both hoped, only once, with the help of Lovegood and Pansy.

It had happened on July 1st, all exams and the remaining classes had been postponed, the students allowed to remain in the castle to give their final goodbyes to their Headmaster. The tension between the Houses had been at its highest, and no one wanted to be around Slytherins, which was understandable but still hurtful.

Nobody cared about why he had left the common room just after lunch that day, not with Pansy loudly telling him that she’d meet him there, to just go ahead. He had slowly nodded and all but ran all the way to the History of Magic classroom, fearing that he wouldn’t be there or that he wouldn’t show up.

They had planned the little rendezvous just the day before, because the final exam of Transfiguration was coming and Neville had slipped into a panicked state and Blaise were there to comfort him and give him the boost of confidence he deserved. But then the attack happened and the entire world shifted on its axis.

He had seen, both at breakfast and lunch, that Neville was visibly distressed and that he had even refused to meet his gaze, but that was expected. After all, a bunch of idiots that brought shame down Salazar’s good name had killed their Headmaster and ruined their final days.

Except that it was not expected, because he was Neville, and he was the only person in the entirety of Hogwarts that knew how far ran Blaise’s disdain for the Dark Lord’s work. He could not vent into the Slytherin common room, surrounded by sons and daughters and nieces and nephews and grandchildren of all sorts of Death Eaters. He could not complain in his dormitory, with four out of the five people living there committed, willingly or not, into that lifestyle.

But he could always talk to Neville, he could always listen to the Gryffindor talk about pots for hours to end without being bored, while simultaneously taking his mind off the situation.

He prayed to Merlin’s soul that Neville wouldn’t back down from him now.

Thankfully for his sanity, he was there, just about to enter the classroom they both know would be empty. Not bothering to check if someone was nearby, he had ran to the other boy, smacking him into the still closed door and fitting his head in the crook of his neck while his arms clang desperately to the Gryffindor’s waist.

“B, someone might see us” he had said, but the corridor was empty and Blaise didn’t care anymore. ‘Let them’ he had wanted to say, but instead he had just nodded along. It would be irrational, nay nearly suicidal, to come out of the shadows now. If Hogwarts hadn’t been ideal before, it would be even less now.

As soon as they were inside, the door closed behind their backs, Neville had resumed their position, locking lips with Blaise’s, the kisses desperate and frantic. Blaise, as always whenever Neville kissed him, couldn’t think of anything that wasn’t the boy next to him, that was pushing him hard against a desk and that was ravishing him like that.

But Neville’s body had been silently shaking with sobs, his lips trembling as he held onto Blaise for stability. Soon, the tears had come and Blaise was now holding him close, whispering sweet nothing into his hair as he smoothed down his hands over his back, comforting him.

“Sorry” Neville had then whispered, drying up his eyes and sitting down, his hands never leaving Blaise’s.

“Do not apologise for feeling, Nev.” He had brushed his thumb over the back of his hand, a soothing gesture that they had shared many times, in way less stressful situations. “How are you holding up?” “Hellish. The entire House’s broken. Harry is a bloody shell, I saw Ginny break down twice, even McGonagall’s not working.” Blaise had flinched at that: he knew that Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore were close, but he couldn’t imagine how devastated she was. And if she wasn’t ‘working’, as Neville had put it, it meant that Hogwarts was doomed, for good.

“This is bad, B, proper bad.” “I… I’m so sorry” he exhaled, putting his head down on his palms, hiding the shame that was visible on his features. A dozen what ifs rushed over his head. He should’ve seen this coming, he suspected something bad was about to happen, after all. But he could never imagine, in his worst nightmares, the gravity of Draco’s actions.

He couldn’t even imagine Draco to be capable of such villainy.

Neville, it seemed, had found amusing his distress. “Why are you apologising? Taking up on my habit? You’ve done nothing wrong!” “Au contraire, I did nothing” he had said, softly and ashamed, “I knew Draco had been up to something wicked, yet I did nothing. I should’ve… I don’t know, report him or something, all those times he sneaked out to repair that fucking wardrobe and shit like that. Porca puttana, I’ve been so blind. I… Just because he’s my friend, I let him get away with all this. And now we’re all paying the consequences of his cowardice… mi dispiace, Nev, It’s all my fault…” “Do not, under any circumstances, say that again” Neville had calmly spoken, with a voice so impassive and cold that it simultaneously froze Blaise’s blood and made it boil up. Then, he had softened his gaze and had seated down next to Blaise, his turn to be the comforting one: “It is so not your fault. Don’t you dare say it is. How could’ve you known what was really going down? It’s only You-Know-Who’s fault, all of this, since the beginning.” “But Draco…” “You’re not responsible for his idiotic actions. He made his choices, but you have made yours as well.”

Neville had left no room for argument, nor that there would’ve been any. Neville knew what was inside Blaise’s heart, truly, and that was all that mattered.

Afterwards, they had not done much talking, leaving threads hanging as they rolled happily on the floor, uncaring about the storm that was raging outside of their little personal bubble.

To Blaise it had felt too much like an empty goodbye and he could not live with himself unless he rectified his actions and properly made Neville understand that he would be on his, their, side, no matter how much it would hurt him to betray his friends.

But they had stabbed him first: it would start with Muggles, then it would be Muggleborns, then everyone who didn’t conform with the Dark Lord’s ideas, and, no matter how much of a Pureblood he was, he would always be marginalized by his personal preferences and the colour of his skin.

He moved quickly through the castle, for once the stairs not moving when they were not supposed to, and he finally reached his destination.

Steadying his rushing heart, he opened the door, finally breathing without a heavy weight on his lungs now that he saw Neville, causally seated on one of the desks, hair and tie askew. When he saw Blaise, he broke out in a blinding smile, so at odds with the circumstances.

Blaise could do nothing but follow suit, his own lips stretching happily as he moved closer and kissed him, still seated.

“What did you think of the funeral?” Blaise asked, not removing his mouth from his favourite spot on Neville’s neck, a place that elicited such sweet sounds that Blaise could not resist.

“It was a nice funeral” came the breathless reply, rushed and hushed and followed suit by one of those little noises. “Agreed. Not gay enough though.”

Neville then tangled his hands on Blaise’s hair, that had now grown longer than he wanted it to and was curling over his ears. “B, nothing’s gay enough for you.”

He moved slightly away, unwilling to remove himself from their hug yet needing to, to convey his meaning properly: “He was the most flamboyant wizard in history! Look me in the eye and tell me that he was straight.”

Neville snorted at that, shaking his head slightly and resting his forehead over Blaise’s, “My grandma said he his longest ‘friendship’ was with Grindelwald and he didn’t fight him initially due to a ‘blood pact’. So yeah, not straight, that’s a given.”

“See!? It was so disrespecting of them to give such a straight eulogy…!”He couldn’t finish his sentence, not when Neville had cut him off so sweetly by mirroring his earlier action. All Blaise could do was to hold on tightly at Neville’s red and golden tie, closing his eyes and savouring the movements the Gryffindor was making with his mouth over his neck.

But he was a man with a mission, Merlin Damn It, and he should’ve follow through. As usual, he never took in consideration the simple fact that Neville rendered him speechless and useless with a single glance, thus ruining all his monologues.

With his entire being screaming at him, he removed himself for the second time in a few minutes, his body aching for the contact.

“I didn’t write you to meet me just to snog” he said, not his proudest choice of words, yet once they were out there was nothing he could do to take control over them. At least, they managed to convey the message, or at least a part of it.

“I figured as much” Neville calmly admitted, patting the empty spot next to him on the desk “What’s wrong? We agreed we’d have to keep a low profile and that we’d see each other after school was over.” “It already pretty much is over and I can’t get on the train without properly goodbye.” “Isn’t the mark I left on you enough goodbye?”

“Nev!” he yelled outraged, a rose colour starting to spread over his cheeks as he looked over at the smug Gryffindor, who calmly replied, without missing a beat: “Blaise, we already planned on seeing each other in Muggle London. We don’t need to ‘proper goodbye’!”

He would never admit, not even under torture, that he might not be ineffable and that he might have forgotten their plans, in the heat of the murder. “Are we still doing that?” he asked, cautiously staring at the floor to avoid Neville’s eyes. “You-know-who can’t keep me from going out on a date with my boyfriend!”

Blaise was now sure he looked akin a tomato. He was utterly unable to process Neville’s words without blushing.

They had agreed on being exclusive since the beginning of their relationship, but never dwelled on terms of endearment, mainly due to Blaise’s refrain from using them due to his mother’s rule. Yet, after they had both professed their feelings after their idiotic fight, Neville had brought up the subject of calling him ‘his boyfriend’. Blaise went, in the span of three seconds, from spent to fully awake, vigorously agreeing.

They did not leave the cupboard closet immediately afterwards, nor in the next half an hour either.

“What are you even gonna do? Fight the Dark Lord over the possibility of holding my hand in a Muggle arena?” he asked once his blood had stopped moving into organs he did not need at the moment. He hadn’t gone there just to shag, after all! “Seamus told me they’re called cinema” Neville corrected him. Those were the pros of having not one, but three roommates that were so immersed into the Muggle culture. Although he had once shared with Blaise that Saint Potter was not so used to their terms and customs, for reasons unbeknownst to anyone other than Weasley and Granger.

“And, yes” Neville continued, proudly, “that’s exactly what I’ll do. I’m a Gryffindor, that’s what we’re programmed to do!”

He couldn’t control the laughter that erupted out of him. Neville continuously managed to surprise him, especially with one liner like that: the sarcastic and humorous Gryffindor was an endless well of happiness, even in such grim times.

He had been wrong at the beginning, thought, thinking that the Sorting Hat had messed up: Neville did belong in Gryffindor, his morals and disregard of the rules said as much in many occasions. He knew when to stand up for something and when to back down, he was always friendly and kind. But he had a ruthlessness that Blaise could never expect out of him. Not out of sweet, chubby Schlongbottom.

But that was also due to his lack of involvement with him. If he had pulled his head out of his arse sooner, who could tell what would’ve been of either of them.

“I’ll do it too” Blaise said suddenly, after a quiet moment had passed between them. “What?”

He closed his eyes, breathing deeply and trying to recall the monologue he had prepared before the funeral. He wasn’t even surprised at this point, to find out that all words had suddenly disappeared and that his brain was leaving him to wing his masterfully crafted speech.

“Fighting. I’ll fight too. On your side.” He internally flinched at his poor choice of words, but, once again, they conveyed his intent almost flawlessly. “You want to join the Order?” Neville cautiously asked, as if he was unsure of where Blaise’s words were coming from.

“I don’t particularly want to join shit. But I will do what’s necessary…” “What do you mean?”

He sighed, turning fully and grasping Neville’s hands in his. “I need you to be safe, Neville. I’ll do whatever to keep you safe.” He hoped the Gryffindor would understand him, the desperation he felt at the thought of him hurt, or worse. “When September comes, if the world doesn’t end first… you know I won’t stay put” he said stoically, his jaw clenched and his hands slightly shaking. Blaise covered them with his, smoothing his thumbs over the soft skin to bring him understanding and comfort.

“I know and I love you for it, so much. But who protects the Mighty Gryffindor when he’s protecting the world?”

It was Neville’s turn to blush now, but he still maintained his cold demeanour: “So that’s where you come in?” “Think about it. I can be your eyes and ears inside. Theo already thinks I’m being precious and taking my time to become one of theirs” he said, bile raising at the thought of joining the Death Eaters and sadness at the knowledge that two of his closest friends were already lost in that dark path, “It won’t be hard for me to infiltrate.” Neville abruptly removed his hands from his and rose up: “So that’s what you’ll do? Spy for both sides?” he asked, his words laced with venom and what Blaise assumed would be regret. “Don’t be ridiculous, you know those idiots could never convince me to join their racist movement” he said, getting on his feet as well and moving closer to Neville. “I’ll fight for what is right” he simply said, hoping for the Gryffindor to understand him fully.

“Very heroic of you, Slytherin” Neville said, visibly relaxing and showing him away playfully with his shoulder “Very intelligent and cunning I’d say” he chuckled, before taking back his grim conclusion: “Heroes don’t get to live long.”

Neville nodded in agreement, running a hand over his hair and messing it up even further than it already was. It had grown longer in those past months that they had been together, it now reached almost at the base of his neck with soft curls. Blaise had spent countless times with his hands tangled there, never once bringing up the subject of cutting it and never regretting that decision. His own was meticulous and he prided himself on it, but he had grown fond of the dishevelled look Neville constantly had, whether after a discussion of Gamp’s Laws of Elemental Transfiguration or a proper snogging or, in most cases, both.

And Neville’s hair couldn’t look like he had just ran his hands through it if it was short. Or it could, but it wouldn’t elicit the same reaction out of Blaise.

He would be content for eternity, standing happily in that single moment, kissing lazily and then heatedly and fervently. But the world had crashed over them and they had to get back to reality somehow. It was Neville, after some moments spent in the arms of the other, to remind him: “Train leaves in the morning” he simply said, sorrow dripping over his features as Blaise untangled them and took a step back, never once removing his hand from Neville’s. Blaise nodded bleakly, before cheerfully claiming: “I’ll see you next week in London, caro. Don’t forget to write me.”

Just because times were dire now, that didn’t mean that they had to lose their light, right? “I won’t, flower” Neville fired back, winking and causing Blaise’s brain to shortcut momentarily. “I told you to stop calling me like that!” he indignantly yelled, enjoying the way Neville’s laugh warmed his insides and seemed to bring colour to the world. “But you’re so cute when you blush!” He didn’t reply, not really. Blaise simply moved once again closer and planted a soft and chaste kiss on Neville’s lips, savouring the way he still giggled at the softest of actions, even after all the time they had passed exploring each other’s bodies, and imprinting that scene into his memory. ‘Who knows when we will be like this next’ he thought darkly.

He left the room first, conscious that, if it was up to him, he’d never walk away, not from Neville. Closing the door at his back had been almost painful and it left him in a state of somewhat trance.

He walked back to his dormitory in silence, lost deep in his thoughts. He didn’t encounter anyone on his way back and was grateful for it. That left him some necessary time to structure a persona in his mind that would fit the details he had to fake and, if someone stumbled on him walking in an empty corridor grimly, that would meant that Blaise would have to start acting sooner than he had hoped.

With each step he took toward the common room, his conviction strengthened: he would do it, he would spy from the inside and report back to Neville, who would then tell those who needed to know.

He would do what was right, even if it pained him to lie to Draco and Theo and even Pansy. He did not know for sure where her loyalties laid, but he wasn’t willing to bet on them. After all, he had already started to lie to her.

He had told her that they had broken up days ago and she had believed him. His performance had been masterful, he had even managed to throw in a fake tear as he sorrowfully told her that Neville had claimed he ‘just couldn’t be with someone like him anymore’. Given their current circumstances, it could have whatever meaning the witch could imagine, but thankfully she did not ask more.

When he entered the common room, his character was completely mapped out in his mind. He knew how to lie flawlessly and was an excellent actor, and that was going to be his most important role just yet.

Whatever came, he’d do what was right.

THE END

GLOSSARY "Grand-père" and "Nonno" both mean "Grandfather", respectively in French and Italian "Au contraire" is French for "On the contrary" "Porca Puttana" here is akin 'Fuck!" "Mi dispiace" is 'I'm sorry' "Caro" means "Dear"

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thecardsimagine · 4 years

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The Tale of the Fog Village

Summary: Venturing out of your foggy village, all you wanted was to save everyone from the looming threat that cowered in the forest. No one could have known what you would encounter in your quest to achieve that, how much you’d gain, and what you would lose. Not you. Not him.

Pairing: Lucio x Reader (Nonbinary) Rating: Mature because of swearing and suggestive content Warning: Blood, Death Genre: Romance, Drama, Fantasy, Action, Alternate Universe

Back to the Prologue / [Read on Ao3] / Next Chapter

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a/n: Hi guys! Got the time to sit down and correct my finished chapters again, so I thought I’d post this now! If you have any thoughts on it, please let me know! And if you could share it around, I’d be very grateful to you! ____________________________

Chapter 5 - The Patrol of the Keeper

You couldn’t remember when you fell asleep. At first, there had been more rustling and heavy breathing around you, but eventually, the area around the cave had calmed. Somewhere between feeling like you could not utter a breath and the curiosity to look outside, you must have closed your eyes, wishing everything to just go away.

It wasn’t quite fair to the voice - the ominous ‘Lucio’ - that you had managed to nap away, but aside from the uncomfortableness and the stiff neck, you were still glad you could have caught up on some more sleep.

“Aha, look who decided to wake up again,” you heard it pout in your head. Groggy, you brought one hand up to brush back your hair and warm your neck for a little while, a quiet groan rumbling off your lips. “How can you even sleep in such a situation?”

Shaking your head, you let out a sigh. “Sorry, I don’t know why that happened. It just came over me…” You stretched out, arms and legs letting out cracks and pops before you stumbled to your feet, carefully approaching the exit of the cave. Stopping, you couldn’t help but be overwhelmed with a sudden feeling of fear, making you take a step back and ask, “Is it safe now?”

“It’s been safe for a while,” the voice practically hissed into your conscience. “Alright, alright. I get it,” you sighed.

Stepping outside, you felt the wind blow through your clothes and hair, swaying them to the side, while you took a deep breath. Taking in the fresh air, you noticed your stomach rumbling, feeling quite empty after all the time. Reaching into your bag, you pulled out the piece of stale bread, working under your coat to break a part off, and leaving you some for a later point in time. You hoped it would still be edible by then, but the hard piece crunching in your jaw was enough to satisfy your hunger for now.

A small cough slipped from your lips as the dryness hit your throat, but you were quick to cover it up by burying your face in your coat. “So what was that?” you asked, munching away on the bread and looking around. Your eyes fell on the ground, seeing the oppressed plants that seemed to have been stepped on by something. Something... big.

“Woah,” you muttered, cautiously stepping closer to what you could make out as a footprint. With one foot, you stepped into it, immediately lifting again to see the differences between the two marks on the ground, shuddering lightly. Not even one toe of the footprint could you fill with one length and wide of your foot, and suddenly, what Lucio said about there being things that were worse than animals seemed very true.

“Will you stop wasting time?” the voice picked up again, sounding like a scolding parent to a child.

“It’s just SO big,” you pointed out, vaguely gesturing the form of it with your hands.

“And it’s not that important, alright? Pretty sure that you don’t really want to find out what it was. But if we stay here, it might come back, and I am not sure you will like that.”

Shaking your head, you agreed with a sigh, letting yourself be pointed into the next direction. By the time you managed to get back to the spot that you two had decided to abandon for a break the last time, the early evening signs were visible and audible. Finally, the birds tweeting returned, accompanied by the hooting of some owls here and there.

The fog had been lifted - if you believed what Lucio said, since a while already - and the forest was soaked into an orange light from the setting sun. A fine evening, how you found, though you couldn’t help the feeling of dread. There was a deep want in you to just throw everything away and go back still, especially with the night coming. And the voice didn’t help calm your worries either.

“I am just saying-” you muttered, making a wide step over a root that was sticking out of the ground. “-if there really are monsters, I am not sure if I am fit for the purpose. Maybe one of those guards who made really loud steps yesterday would be? We could ask them, and-”

“Get killed, so your mother can’t retrieve nothing more than your skull from them if she dares? Great idea. Highly recommended,” it interrupted you, and you couldn’t help but sigh.

“Okay, new idea…” you muttered, trying to come up with something else. “I will guess what that monster was, and you tell me if I am right or not.”

“We don’t have time for this. If you have the energy to talk, why don’t we go a little faster.”

“Aw… So, a bear?”

“Did you even listen?” it huffed, clearly annoyed. However, you were determined to get some information as it was only fair since you were the one running around with a monstrosity on the loose.

“Yes or no?”

It sighed. “No.”

“A… crocodile?”

“A what?”

“Crocodile? Live in big rivers. I’ve read about them in books! They have scales and are green and got massive teeth-”

“Well, I’ve been here a while, and I think I would have noticed those things. But I will admit I am intrigued.”

Giggling, you brought your hands together, wringing them while you thought about what else could it be. “What about the ‘The Keeper’?” you asked without thinking too much, the words carelessly leaving your thoughts while you tried to come up with more possibilities. Only when the voice started to question it, you realized what you had just said.

“Sometimes, you do not make a whole lot of sense, Child.”

Sighing, you gave a silent apology and prayer that you didn’t just dig your own grave. There were still lingering suspicion, and ‘Lucio’ had done nothing else but confirm that you had every right to feel that way. Maybe it was stupid to bring up something like this old story, told in your village whenever the fog rose. “I-It’s nothing. Just a fairytale…”

“Well, now you have to tell me. That’s only fair!”

You sighed inwardly. There hadn’t been much fairness between you two so far, really. It was just a voice urging you around the forest to do a lot of risky things, in your opinion. It was as far away from fairness as you were from your village. Biting your lip in hesitation, you thought about how to explain the situation without sounding superstitious and childish, the last two things you wanted the voice to point out to you now.

“Ah… damn it,” you cursed, feeling yourself giving in to its curiosity.

“Well, we have a lot of fog in the village, right? And the elders… well, I guess it’s just hard to explain what fog is to little kids, so they made up this story about the ‘Keeper’.”

“Go on,” the voice encouraged while you tried to wrangle your way out of a thorny bush without getting stung too much.

“Just…” you groaned, getting frustrated over your clothes being stuck in the thorns. When you finally freed yourself, you sighed deeply, thinking back about how the story went in detail. If you were going to tell it, you were at least going to do it right.

“So apparently there was a person, or so. Everyone views them a little differently. Some say they are an ancient being, and some say it is just a human, cursed and bound to the forest and the village.”

You made a short break, evaluating if you had your own opinion to add to this, but you found none to share. In reality, you found the story a little unbelievable and exaggerated yourself, thus you thought it would be quite boring to tell and hear it now from you. For a moment, you wanted to add something like a cool detail, but it just wouldn’t come to you on how to make the tale a little bit more exciting.

“Anyhow, that… being apparently was very selfish, and it decided it wanted a village all to itself. So it led some unknowing people into a forest, where it wouldn’t let them escape anymore, and they eventually build a village and stayed there. And that village is supposed to be my village.”

Taking a deep breath, you kept your eyes on the ever-darkening path before you. Or really, no path anymore, just thicket that the voice wanted you to conquer despite your complaints and exhaustion. You couldn’t help the frown appearing on your face as you continued with the probably worst part of the tale.

“And because it didn’t want anyone to get in or get out for whatever reason, it created the fog, so that the people would lose their orientation and scurry back to hide in their save village. That’s why it’s called ‘Keeper’ and the rising of fog every now and then is called ‘The Patrol of the Keeper’. Makes sense now?”

There was another moment of silence from the voice as it probably was thinking about your story. You had almost shrugged off the possibility to get any reaction from it, until it suddenly echoed back into your mind, sounding like a disapproving mumble.

“No, it can’t be that either.”

“Well, what is it then?” you asked, feeling irritated again. It was strange enough to talk to someone in your head, but its one-sided conversation were slowly but surely getting on your nerves. “You know, I feel like you know a lot more than you are saying,” you pointed out, hoping to find a weak spot. But the voice only huffed indifferently.

“I am just saying that it’s not that ‘Keeper’ thing. It really doesn’t matter if you just keep walk-”

You stopped. Pausing your steps, you took a deep breath, just standing there in the forest, which slowly grew darker as the time passed. “Ah ha ha, very funny. What are you doing there?” it complained, voice filled with sarcasm. You just shrugged. “Well maybe…” you thought out loud, a smile returning to your lips. “Maybe I will just stand here until you tell me what it was.”

“What?!” it almost shrieked, and you felt the pain in your head from how loud it was.

“You can’t just stand there! What if it catches up to you? Do you want to end up as fodder for a monster?!”

“I don’t have to,” you responded, staying still. Of course, you found the thought of becoming some monster food unnerving, and without question, you’d have liked to go hide again, but if you were to only ever give in to what the voice said, you were nothing better than a slave doing tasks. Someone without your own will and without standing up for yourself.

You never knew what was going on with the voice. The lack of a face and body language made it hard to interpret the silent pauses it sometimes threw in, probably retreating from your mind willingly as to not reveal something to you it didn’t want you to know. Lifting your arms to your head, you rebraided your braid, making it a little tighter. You could feel how your muscles were aching, especially your stiff neck and thighs. How nice it would have been to take a bath now or apply some herbs to help with the aches, but you weren’t sure if you could get either in the forest.

“O-Okay, fine!” it finally relented, sounding surprisingly nervous the longer you stood there.

“So you will tell me?”

“Yes, but only if you keep moving!”

“Hm… I am not sure…”

You felt a sudden rough push into your back, the wind lashing out to you again. “Ouch!” you complained, stumbling forward and looking back in annoyance, though, of course, there was nothing to direct your anger on except the view of trees and bushes wherever you looked. “Don’t test me!” it hissed, and you rolled your eyes, feeling the frustration build from having to be the one to relent again.

Picking up the steps, you rubbed your lower back where you had felt the hit, clicking your tongue as you touched the exact spot and felt a sting. “That really hurt…”

“W-Well it’s not my fault if you decide to be so stubborn!”

“Just tell me, damnit!” you demanded, getting angrier and angrier with the voice. “Is it the Keeper? Is that why you are so hesitant to tell me? If that story is true, I can take it, it can’t be THAT bad-”

“No, I already told you it can’t be!” it growled back. You had to take a deep breath to not let the irritation get the best of you and accidentally lash out.

“But what else? You just keep saying ‘no’ but you saw that footprint, right? It was massive!”

“Of course, I saw it! B-but… it still cannot be that ‘Keeper’-thingy! Stop insisting on it!”

“Well, why don’t you stop being so sensitive about the topic! You insisted on knowing about it!”

“Yes, okay? I did want to know!”

Letting out a groan, you found it almost harder than anything you did ever before to not cry from frustration. All you wanted was at least one clear answer. All the mysteries were getting very tiresome. “I don’t know anything that would leave those footprints… If it can’t be an animal, it must be something like the Keeper, right? A human cursed to keep the people in the forest, that description would fit a monster.”

“Last time now,” it hissed, and you could hear its anger swell too. “It cannot be the Keeper.”

“Why?” you asked, even though you couldn’t help the exhaustion show in your voice. You didn’t even expect an answer anymore, it was a useless fight to have with an entity in your head, but you were fed up with its less than cohesive answers and its belittling of you. So less than anything you expected it to answer you, even if it was a whisper through ground teeth on the voice’s side.

“Because if there’s anything like that Keeper here, then that would be me.”

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ecoamerica · 20 days

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sinfulredemptions · 4 years

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{try blitzo?}

(btw thank you for this ask, it actually is going to double as the introduction of Stolas’s canon relationship for the Blog. APOLOGIES THIS GOT WAY OUTTA HAND:3c)

Aching Sorrow.

That was the only thing that the imp held in his chest as he sat at his desk, the rest of the crew having gone home for the evening. Blitzo stared at the large tome in his hands, his tail slowly stirring the air as he ran over the events of the past few months in his mind, his heart twisting and jerking slightly as they played back.

Oh sure, he had made it abundantly clear that he didn’t want to be anywhere NEAR the Prince, and he honestly hadn’t. Blitzo had gotten what he needed, the book, the key to success for this little family he’d built for himself and it had been worth the one bawdy night. It wasn’t his fault that someone like Stolas had been gullible enough to fall for it. There was one thing he HADN’T counted on though:

The consequences.

Much to his surprise and downright fear, Stolas had actually shown up at the Headquarters and was oddly…cold…to him. It was unnerving, and made him incredibly anxious to be in the same room as him, which meant he did whatever he could to LEAVE said room as quickly as possible. Though…how could he have known what that would have caused?By vacating so quickly, he wasn’t able to find out until much too late that the Prince had actually managed to endear himself to the rest of the staff. -HIS- staff…his makeshift little family, started to actually…enjoy the company of the Prince.

It had started with Loona, Stolas, being a father of a moody teen himself, had a bit of an upper hand when dealing with her. Especially when he handed a potion to her that would cure the disease she had contracted and even given her another preventive one for the next time, telling her so gently that if she required more, she had but to ask.

He did it as a kindness he had said…from one father to another, according to Loona. She had been suspicious at first, but then when the cure had actually worked…and Stolas did give her more to keep her safe…she had deemed him okay in her book.

Then Millie and Moxxie of all people was where he set his sights next.

How odd it had been, how GRATING on his nerves, the insult when Stolas had come in one day to ‘check up on them’ and listen to the report given at the end of the day. When Moxxie had finished, the Prince had chuckled softly and said in that irritatingly calm voice of his,

“Well well, it’s good to see you have some actual competency on this little team of yours Blitzy~ I was beginning to worry my kindness was being squandered.”

Kindness.

Yes, it had been a kindness hadn’t it? That Stolas hadn’t murdered him, hadn’t killed him in retribution for the book.

From there, it had snowballed….Stolas showed up for every end of the day report from only Lucifer knew where, and would always praise Moxxie and Millie for a job well done. He would even bring small envelopes with bonuses…and one time, Moxxie even received a new sniper rifle for his efforts.

Of course he’d protest, but Stolas just smiled. It was a COLD smile, not quite reaching his eyes, but no one else seemed to notice. “Why Blitzy, they’re doing such a good job, how could I not reward such efforts? Why…that would make me a terrible boss~” He would click his beak as he twisted the dagger with his words.

There was nothing he could say against it that wouldn’t put him in a bad light, so he held his tongue and watched helplessly as over the months, Stolas got closer….and closer…and closer to his little family.

Then it took a different turn.

When Millie and Moxxie would get off work, they would bid him a good night and then hand in hand, climb into a car that was achingly familiar and off they would go. The same vehicle dropped them off in the morning and he couldn’t help but notice things…

Hickies on both of them, Moxxie actually being less TENSE than usual and less ruffled by his playful jabs, the two of them wearing nicer clothes than usual to work, them both texting Stolas more and more often…

It was confusing at first, and then the realization hit him…

Stolas was STEALING them from him!!

It had caused a panic to well, bile sharp in the back of his throat as he realized that Stolas was systematically picking his life apart, all because he hadn’t had the balls to meet the Prince face to face and have an actual TALK.

He recalled the messages the other left. Angry at first because of the initial theft…then calmly asking for a chance to chat. Those had scared him more than anything, so he had hoped it would go away, that the Prince would lose interest in the affairs of a mere imp.

What a fool he was.

His hands gripped the book as he glanced to the phone where it lay on his desk, a message sent to Stolas about five minutes ago:

Hey, can we talk?

It was all he could muster to send, and the phone showed that it had been read, but there was no response.

“Fuck.” He sighed, putting the book down and covering his face, tail curling tight in his anxiety, when a voice spoke and nearly scared the SPOTS off him.

“Hm, do be careful Blitzy, that’s what got you into this mess in the first place after all~”

His head jerked up and his mouth went dry as Stolas stepped out of a nearby shadow, his eyes flicking downward to an open book left at the Prince’s feet. So that’s how he kept getting in here unnoticed.

“Ah! S-stolas! Heyyyy!” Blitzo tried to play off the shock, but cursed himself as the other’s name stumbled off his lips, a forced smile on his face. “Just the man I wanted to see!” He grabbed the book and moved from around the desk, trying not to let the panic well up inside him as the Prince’s intense stare followed him, the owl moving to tuck his hands behind his back and cock his head at him.

It wasn’t like before…it wasn’t playful or flirtatious…

It was downright predatory and to be honest…it terrified him.

It took everything in him to keep his knees from shaking under the heavy pressure of the owl’s gaze as he hefted the book and cleared his throat. “Ahem…I wanted to say that I’m returning your book!” He said with forced exuberance, holding it out to him, his tail flicking anxiously behind him as he forced himself to look up at the Prince.

Stolas hummed, but the sound lacked warmth as he reached out and took the tome in an elegant talon, leaning up to turn it over and inspect it to see if it was in passable condition, opening it to study its contents.

Blitzo watched his face nervously, trying to pick up on any sort of expression, angry or otherwise there, but it was like trying to read a blank wall.

The silence lingered heavily, uncomfortably, before he spoke up, wringing his hands nervously. “So, ah, now that you have THAT back, I guess this means that you really have no reason to stick around anymore right?” He asked, kicking himself for letting hope leak out into his voice.

The sound of Stolas closing the tome made him jump and he looked up at him nervously, the Prince’s smile widening just…ever so slightly, his eyes looking a bit softer which, surprisingly, didn’t make him feel any better.

“Oh Blitzy…You wish me to leave so badly don’t you~" The prince cooed, leaning forward and reaching out.

Blitzo found himself tense, on the edge of shivering as a talon caressed down the side of his face, the claw moving under his chin and tilting his face up so he had no choice but to look the royal in the eye.

He couldn’t bring himself to say anything, his mouth opening and closing a few times before Stolas did him a favor and continued the conversation without him.

“Don’t worry…I shall….”

Blitzo sighed then, a wash of relief coming over him, his shoulders and tail dropping as the shivering knot of fear slowly unwound a bit. Though it was very short lived as things suddenly felt wrong, a heavy pressure settling on the room around them.

His eyes darted about, seeing the room starting to bleed to black, and he looked up in fear at the Prince that loomed above him now.

“After…I take back my knowledge..” Stolas murmured, all four of his eyes glowing brightly in the oppressive darkness that swallowed up the room. The smell of ink was thick in the air, and he startled when wetness touched his hoof, looking down to see a thick puddle of black ink there.

“I..I already gave you the book!” Blitzo heard himself desperately cry, not even caring as the fear leaked out into his voice, and his heart dropped when the Prince merely shook his head slightly.

“No no Blitzy dear…I’m taking back A̷̘͇̙L͙̳̠L͔͙̪̩̠ O̗̜̜̞̰͠F͏̥̹̦͎̹̮ ̖̠̙̻I̢̘͔̮T̶͔̺̻̹ͅ “

The last three words were spoken in a voice he’d never heard from the Prince and it made his blood run cold, his eyes widening as he tried to scramble back, only to be held in place by the ink at his hooves which was quickly creeping upwards.

“N-no..Stolas?! What are you doing?! STOP! NO!” He screamed, trying to fight back, but the ink caught his arms, wrenching them behind his back painfully. His eyes widened with fear as Stolas reached forward, trying his best to jerk his head away, but to no avail. Slender talons humming with bright red energy before they grabbed onto his face, claw tips resting on either side of his head and digging into his temples.

The next thing he knew was searing…agonizing pain.

It was terrifying..violating…

It was like Stolas was digging into his mind, ruthlessly looting the memories and thoughts, tears welling up in his eyes and slipping down his face as the Prince did his work.

A flex of the claws and Stolas pulled back, strings of red magic laced to his claws and Blitzo couldn’t helped the pained choke that came from him, his eyes blowing wide as the thoughts and memories of the book were ripped away from him. He had thought he was so clever, give the book back while keeping the spell for himself, easy right?

He had no idea that Stolas would do this…COULD…do this…and now he knew why the other was as feared and respected as he was.

His whole body was shaking, his stomach trying to heave and twist as Stolas pulled back and yanked the last of the memories…the knowledge from his mind and the imp could take no more.

His head fell forward, his body heaving as his stomach forced his dinner up, his body shuddering at the trauma, panting heavily and squirming. “S-stolas…please…”The Prince seemed unmoved by his sickness or his plea, focusing on gently coiling the precious knowledge he’d gathered into a lovely little ball, studying it closely before he flexed his fingers and it vanished.

“There we are..” The Prince hummed, releasing his hold and withdrawing his oppressive presence and ink, allowing the weakened imp to fall to his knees in his own sick, Blitzo shuddering and panting heavily as panic started to set in.

He chanced a look up at the Prince who tilted his head a moment, reaching into the ink at their feet, pulling out a familiar looking notebook. He barely remembered it as one where he had copied some spells for a rainy day and Stolas tutted, turning it over and riffling the pages, the ink dripping out and leaving them blank.

“Honestly Blitzy~ This could have all been solved…if you had just…listened to me.” He sighed gently, looking down at him with a soft almost sympathetic gaze, a hand reaching out and all Blitzo could do was flinch away.

“There there now….all is forgiven..” The Prince cooed, petting the side of his face with his knuckles. “Do come by and let me know if you want to keep this little business of yours going….you’ll have to pay for it honestly this time I’m afraid.”

Blitzo’s eyes widened then and he swallowed as the realization struck him.

Oh…oh no…

Without the spell..I.M.P. would go under…he had no means to remember it, Mollie and Moxxie didn’t know it, neither did Loona. He was right where Stolas wanted him, and there was nothing he could do about it.

“Y…yeah…I’ll do that..” Blitzo said in a small voice, his body feeling like it was on a different plane of existence. He was shaky, weak…like he could barely think straight, his mind panicking at the new found gap in memory and trying desperately to fill it with knowledge that no longer existed.

The Prince hummed and turned then, tucking his tome under his arm, and walking a few steps away before he sighed and looked back at him.

“I had wanted to tell you that I -was- sorry Blitzy…for what I had said when I was angry…but….you just couldn’t let me. You had to run…you had to hide from what you did…but now…I’m sure you understand just what a foolish mistake that was. I cared for you….and you took advantage of me. You stole from me…violated the tender trust I gave you. You fooled me once….relish in it…because it will be the last time it ever happens.” Stolas said with a cold note to his voice that made Blitzo twitch back.

Stolas was right…he had brought this on himself…

With his own cowardice and arrogance…he had doomed his company and lost the companionship of one who had actually seen him as something more than just an imp. Once again Stolas’s voice cut through the static of his mind, teary eyes staring up at the prince as he looked down at him as though he were just a mere stain on the carpet.

“Now you get to deal with the consequences of your actions…you stole from me…and now I from you. I hope it was worth it. Now excuse me…Millie and Moxxie are waiting for me.”

With a flutter of a regal cape and a step onto the discarded book and the Prince was gone, leaving him kneeling on the floor, shivering and trying to piece his mind back together enough to clean up and go home.

What had he done?

#fullofmoxxie #;; The Prince of Knowledge | Stolas ;;#;; Casino Register | Lore ;;#;; The O is Silent | Blitzo ;;#tw: violence #tw: emetophobia #tw: mind control #;; Ask to Tag ;;#;; Feathers Pearls and A Snipe Rifle | Stolas x Millie x Moxxie ;;

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theboyz-engup · 5 years

Text

New Kids

pairing: student!hwall x reader

word count: 2k

requested: yes

---

Settling into class was the usual. Your friends and you were separated early on in the semester, your teacher clearly thinking you the problem group. It wasn’t that you didn’t do any work, you just talked a lot and that wasn’t a crime. Sometimes, you just really had something to say. Other times, gossip overtook your ears and mouths. Though, you supposed that was also something to say, even if it’s not very constructive.

Still, nothing had changed. Your uniform was pressed new, hoodie overtaking your arms and waist. Now that school had begun bleeding into the colder months, you’d taken to the thick material and used it as a way to shield yourself from everyone around you. On days like today, you rather be left alone with your headphones in and class never starting.

It sure did seem like the world was working against you when your teacher, Mrs. Kwon, strode into class, someone on her heels.

With her presence, it was hard for people not to quiet down when she walked into a room. There was something hardened about her, though it wasn’t mean or unfriendly. You wouldn’t want to start a fight with her, stocky build and witty tongue to match no fair opponent for anyone; but that didn’t mean unfriendly. Sometimes, you would find yourself lingering after class just to chat with her about dumb things, glad she didn’t dislike you.

She gave the room a look over and then proceeded to point to the empty desk beside you. “That’s your assigned seat, Mr. Heo. I trust it’s to your liking.”

You gave the boy next to her a long hard stare. It didn’t matter that you were staring much, he was coming to sit in your empty desk- the one reserved for anyone but a real person- and everyone knew how you felt about that. Slowly, you shifted your books and large binder back over to your own desk, unhappy with the task but happy to see a new face.

At least one that was as pretty as his.

Mrs. Kwon made her little comment about the seat being to his liking and, instead of some sort of reply back, the boy gave a small smile and nodded. His eyes were small and shaped like thin almonds, with a long nose between them. A small shadow cupped his bottom eyelashes, as if fatigue was something that permanently plagued him but he worked it. You, for one, loved it. There was something about racoon eyes that made you feel like there was more to someone’s story. His face was small, something you knew people seemed to like, with soft cheekbones.

Cat, you decided, giving yourself a nod as he slid into the seat beside you. It was a habit of yours to assign animals to people. Your best friend was a penguin and the other resembled an owl and the other a turtle. From the way the boy beside you smiled though, you could definitely see cat. There was no mistaking it.

As he sat, he gave you a small smile and a nod. You supposed you didn’t look all too inviting, with your hood still on and a line across your lips. Without knowing it, you pressed a little grin back and faced the front. He was beautiful, yes. Slender and tall, with proportions for the gods, but now wasn’t the time to assess him. You were in class and had some English to learn.

----

Mrs. Kwon spoke briefly before break started, giving announcements about in class president elections and a few other things. The boy, who’s name was Hyunjoon, seemed to be very attentive at first but then, slowly, his energy dropped. He was awake, yes, but present in the room? You doubted it.

The moment Mrs. Kwon slipped away, you found yourself turning to him.

“Hi.” Embarrassingly enough, it was the only opener you could think of. Trying to save yourself from the look on his face, you extended your hand and said, “I’m y/n.”

Politely, Hyunjoon took your hand and shook it once, his grip soft. “Hyunjoon.”

“Is this your first day here? Or did you just transfer from another class?” The answer to the question was one you already knew but you wanted to make him comfortable. Sure, beginner questions weren’t always the best but you supposed they might help break the ice bit by bit.

“No, I’m a new student,” he murmured, voice low but not meek, “I moved here about a week ago so after getting settled, I started going to school again.”

Funny how a pretty boy could make your mood start to slip away.

“Oh,” you perked up, hoodie slipping a bit from your head as you propped your elbows up on the desk, palms facing up so you could rest your chin in the cradle they made. “Where’d you move from? I was also a transfer student way back when.”

“South Hamlet. My feeder school was LPS Academy, if you know it?”

You blinked a bit before smiling. “Y-yeah, I do. That was also mine, I used to live there.”

This made Hyunjoon perk up. Instantly, he became more open, glad to meet someone who knew where that was. You couldn’t lie, you wished you knew someone who knew of your hometown as well. It was far and completely different to everywhere else. Each Friday, there were mini festivals depending on the season. Summer and fall always had farmer’s markets and street food, whereas spring had your annual lantern lighting. Winter was your favourite though. Your hometown was in a little pocket where very little snow fell but, when it did, it felt like a wonderland. Plus, winter held your best memory. Thinking about it now, compared to where you currently lived, a pang in your heart came along. You never realized how much you missed it there.

“We still do that,” he mused, sighing a bit as you mentioned the fireworks that are set off every independence day, “recently though, they aimed one of the fireworks wrong and it shot into Oaky and almost cracked one of its branches off.”

The tension that was previously in his shoulders seemed to melt away as he turned more to face you. Seeing him so open like this, glimmer in his previously guarded eyes, you found yourself feeling much better. Familiarity was your favourite feeling and, somehow, he felt like home. He held South Hamlet in his soul and carried it around with him.

You snickered, shaking your head. “Oaky is so old, I don’t know how they didn’t do that before.”

Joon opened his mouth to say more but the bell took the sound away. Seemingly disappointed at the next teacher waltzing in, Mr. Burns looking especially cross today, Hyunjoon settled back into his seat and faced forward. Despite yourself, you leaned towards him and whispered, “let’s have lunch together, yeah? I want to know more about how home’s doing.”

The smile he gave you then was genuine, short nod the only confirmation you needed.

---

You showed him the ropes of the cafeteria, telling him which ones would give more food if you asked politely. Making sure to acquaint him with Jisoo and the rest of your friend group, you sat across from each other and began your little conversation.

“You know so many people here,” he mentioned lightly, looking around as he took his seat.

A shrug fell from your shoulders, hands tugging at the sleeves of your hoodie to pull them forwards. “I’ve been here since grade nine so it came naturally, I guess. But I get what it feels like to be you, I was new to my elementary school.”

He looked a bit shy, giving a nod. “There was also a new kid in my school but we ended up being close friends. His name is Bomin, maybe you know about him?”

Feeling a bit disappointed in not knowing every kid from your town, you shook your head. The hopefulness in Hyunjoon’s eyes faded a bit but none of the happiness did. Secretly, you wished he felt just as comfortable with you as you did him. He seemed eager to open up though and you continued to press about multiple things, wondering how everything was doing. You hadn’t been to visit family in such a long time that updates felt necessary- or maybe you just wanted to hear him talk more.

“My favourite is also the winter festival,” he said, looking extraordinarily excited. “Not a lot of people really love it but I always remember it the most.”

This piqued your interest, leaning forwards on your arm as you listened to him speak when asking why. It seemed second nature to forget your surroundings when you spoke to him, everything else consumed by the thin framed boy and the way his eyes disappeared when he giggled.

“It’s going to sound dumb since it happened a really long time ago but both elementary schools had this field trip on Friday to the centre square and we were meant to explore. All the kids had decided on doing this snowball fight and it was fun at first.” He trailed off here, giving pause. It was enough for you to start losing his smile, wondering if- could he be-?

Jisoo and Hana sat on either side of you in bed, your sleepover going well. In your hand, you held the little green hat and smiled, finishing your story lightly. “He led me home. He didn’t have to but he did.”

“Would be kinda romantic if you met each other years later, don’t you think?” Hana crooned, getting a far-off and misty look in her eyes. You smiled lightly, not wanting to meet her eyes as you ran your thumb across the rim of the hat.

“I doubt that’ll happen,” you decided, not wanting to get your hopes up. You didn’t want to seem overly enthusiastic about it. “I don’t live there anymore and people hardly move.”

“You did,” Jisoo pointed out, arching up her eyebrows. All you gave her in return was a smile before you got up and softly placed the hat back on your desk.

Hyunjoon’s voice ripped you from your memory, story continuing lightly. “All the boys kind of ganged up on this one group of friends and all of them scattered except one. They just stopped and tried to hide their face from the snowballs until they decided to run and they just kept running.

“I had to yell for the boys to stop chasing them until I caught up to them. This kid was just there, sitting on a staircase and crying their eyes out. I guess I looked familiar because, when they saw me, they tried to take a step forward.”

Something about his little chuckle here seemed bashful, but it was enough to make your heart stop. “I think I was scared so I just started to run away, back towards the square. They yelled, asked me to wait up. They were lost. So, every few steps I would run and then wait, looked back to make sure they were following and then kept going.

“I took them all the way home,” he said lightly. It was hard to stop your heart from beating and you hoped- prayed the surprise wasn’t clear on your face. When you gave a look to the side, you saw Jisoo bearing her eyes deep into you. She was also listening. She also knew.

“And when I got there, paused outside of their apartment, I-”

“Gave me your hat,” you finished, watching him get caught off guard, “it wasn’t a winter hat, just a green baseball cap with black writing on the band. It says ‘happiness’ on it.”

Both you and him paused. You wondered if he also had his heart in his throat, barely able to breathe but trying your best to.

“That was you,” he murmured. You couldn’t help but repeat his words, meaning it a completely different way. Hana’s words dripped through your memory once more and you found yourself smiling.

Fate was a funny thing.

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calleo-bricriu · 4 years

Text

1986.

(( So, this came about because @everyheartbesure and I have a thread going that happens just after the First War ended with the version of Calleo they also have a thread with in the Fantastic Beasts version. While I was describing that to @absintheabsence we both thought it’d be interesting to see how that version of Calleo, who had lived through that war, and who had likely at some point been targeted and actually captured, and definitely did not have The Best Time up to the point that Grindelwald was defeated would behave and/or react to finding out Grindelwald had essentially been left to die whenever the automation in Nurmengard finally completely failed.

Turns out he’s less clumsy with his flying and just as horrified at what he finds there as the main verse version of Calleo was.

Less cheerful and chatty about it, though. ))

A lot of things had a tendency to ping around inside of Calleo's head, most of them ranging from harmless to complete nonsense and the majority of all of that being one or two lines of just about any piece of music he'd ever heard in his life repeating on a loop for awhile.

This time it was a short conversation he'd had with someone from the International Magical Office of Law.

Hadn't been a long conversation, the person in question didn't often speak much, especially to Calleo on account of Calleo being the main cause of all the stress of his job.

It had been mentioned after Calleo had made a joke about being sent to Azkaban centered around it being pointless to send someone like him there, especially when he was relatively used to awful magical energy and there was nothing but Dementors keeping anyone there and had ended it with a comment about them having better luck just throwing him into Nurmengard due to its magic stripping properties.

He hadn't expected a laugh or even a smile; in fact, he wasn't even certain he'd ever seen Tadeusz ( @pracownik-ministerstwa the other OC I don’t write nearly often enough) do either thing around him.

He also didn't expect the dry answer of, "That place was shut down in the 1960s."

Calleo vaguely recalled reading some back page article in the Prophet about it but didn't think much of it at the time.

He didn't think much of it now either, until he followed up by asking where they'd moved Grindelwald if Nurmengard had been decommissioned as a prison.

"They didn't." Tadeusz said it so matter-of-factly as though it were common knowledge; it might have been to the International Magical Office of Law.

"Ah, he's dead then?"

"No." By now the other Wizard had resumed working and clearly was not interested in further conversation.

"They must have left a skeleton crew of staff then; that's not really shutting a place down."

"Automation." One word answers coupled with the fact that Tadeusz didn't bother to look up from what he was doing almost made him seem like a piece of automation.

Automation wasn't that terrible; not that decent either, but not the worst thing. "Interesting; who maintains it?"

"Nobody."

"Nobody?"

"Nobody."

That didn't seem right.

That couldn't be right.

Even Muggles didn't do that; Muggles in most areas of the world had long since decided that even short term full isolation was unnecessarily cruel and only caused negative effects in the prisoners subjected to it.

In many countries, it had been either made illegal outright or legal but with the 'solitary' part only being temporary. Even then, those prisoners had access to exercise yards, showers, varied food, books, sometimes television, and were able to chat through doors with other prisoners or with the guards.

If what Calleo had understood from the conversation was correct that exactly not what had happened here. There was a good chance that Grindelwald was already long dead, considering Calleo had been told that Nurmengard had been largely shut down sometime in the 1960s and it was now the mid 1980s.

That was the sort of death Calleo didn't care to think about; it would have been horrifying to experience--but possibly more horrifying to be stuck in an automated prison that (likely maliciously) would cause the automation to produce just enough to keep its prisoner alive.

Writing should have been his first option but writing might not get an answer at all, even if Grindelwald was still alive.

No, no, this situation required going back to Nurmengard--at least he wasn't likely to end up locked in a tower room he couldn’t leave this time, so that was something.

Dodging a few wolpertingers who seemed bent on catching and eating the magpie nearly caused a few collisions with tower walls until Calleo flew high enough to land on the roof, shift back, and knock the creatures back with a harmless charm; enough to scare them off, but not to injure them.

With that finished, he shifted back into the usual somewhat ratty looking magpie and landed on the strangely unwarded (and closed, of course; it was raining after all) window ledge. When it didn't open immediately, he still sat there partially considering whether this was a good idea or not and partially reminding himself that if he didn't find out what had happened here or didn't try to mitigate what he could if it was--bad--he'd feel guilty about it for the rest of his life.

That seemed inconvenient, and cruelty was cruelty regardless from where or who it came from; there was nothing, in Calleo's view, that justified being purposely, viciously cruel to someone. Doing so didn't fix anything, wouldn't return those killed to life, wouldn't undo the damage caused. All it did was add an additional knife into the mix.

The window itself looked like it didn't sweep out to the very end of the window ledge, which would give him time to hop back and jump out of reach if Grindelwald still happened to be alive and tried to grab him.

Calleo didn't know exactly what to expect; lights on in the tower didn't necessarily guarantee anyone alive up there. They could very well be part of what little automation was still functioning.

The magpie hopped up to the window itself and pecked at it in the same fashion an owl might, then immediately hopped back to the very edge of the ledge.

When the window finally did open it did so slowly; for a moment, Calleo thought it might be closed again as he might not have been the most visible, being a largely black bird sitting on a dark stone ledge. Either--Calleo presumed it was Grindelwald though he couldn't see much yet--Grindelwald couldn't see him or was expecting something else at the window and was being cautious.

Possibly both.

The window eventually opened wide enough that the light from inside the cell coupled with flashes and strikes of lightning that Calleo had already noticed a strange, artificial pattern in, and he was seen easily enough. Calleo, for his part, found himself briefly wishing he'd nicked a Time Turner from the department before leaving so he could chase himself away from the window.

It was most certainly Grindelwald at the window, though he hardly looked it any longer; bent, frail, what Calleo thought were missing teeth, on a closer look appeared more to be broken teeth, nearly matted hair , and if the clothes he had on had fit properly at one point, they hadn't in some time.

Threadbare at that.

The eyes were the only familiar thing, even if they'd been dimmed by years of isolation and, by this point, at least a smidge of madness. Still, he seemed calm enough for the moment.

Calleo couldn't simply sit on the window ledge the entire time, staring, head cocked to one side, at the tower's prisoner and the prisoner more than likely wondering what in the hell was wrong with the magpie sitting in the rain--so Calleo took the still open window and lack of grabbing as implicit permission to enter the cell.

The instant his feet touched the inner side of the window, he took off, flying a good metre or so away from Grindelwald before shifting back into something a little less feathery and a lot more human.

Though Calleo didn't think he'd changed in terms of looks enough that someone wouldn't recognise him he had still changed in the sense that he was nearly half a century older than the last time he'd seen Grindelwald. Various forms of magic had a tendency to keep Calleo looking younger than he actually was but he certainly didn't have the, "Nearly fifty, look about thirty" look any longer--more "Slightly over one-hundred but most days looking around the 65-70 mark."

A little vanity was always allowed, as far as he was concerned.

The majority of his hair was still vibrant orange-red and was all still as long as it had been fifty years ago--not to mention still tied up at the back and the ball he wound it into skewered by three wands at three different angles to hold it there.

Still had the same old glasses that had been a good twenty or thirty years out of style back in the 1920s on the same blue, beaded chain, and still dressing in clothes that always seemed to center around something brilliantly purple as well. Evidently, time can force someone to grow older but not necessarily grow up.

Calleo's eyes were the same as they'd ever been, complete with the faint dark circles on the under eye that never really seemed to go entirely away and what flashed across them as he took a cursory look around the room, skimming the magic on the walls, roof, floor, and door, was--something that appeared to start as disbelief that anyone would allow a situation like this to happen in the first place, moved through confusion at how some of the failing magic had been pieced together, irritation as he figured it out and saw how badly it had been done and maintained, and when they settled back onto the cell's other occupant there was a flash of anger that didn't seem to be directed at Grindelwald somehow, which gave way to tired concern.

While he'd never think to suggest that Grindelwald should be released or pardoned or anything of that nature, Calleo had never been someone who could accept cruelty disguised as punishment; cruelty unchecked and unquestioned, given out by those in authority as righteous or necessary punishment only created a pointless cycle that caused nothing but harm to anyone that came near it.

It solved nothing. It couldn't undo damage already done, all it could do was create additional damage.

The director Calleo had worked under until his retirement had often accused him of having a bleeding heart in an unflattering way and there were certainly times his job would have been significantly easier if he had been able to at least temporarily shut the parts of his mind off that kept him from meeting cruelty with cruelty.

And this? This was cruelty.

For what felt like ages, Calleo had no idea what to even begin to say. It was likely that Grindelwald hadn't heard another person speak to him in decades and all that came immediately to mind were almost demanding sounding questions that he likely didn't know the answers to either.

"Do you mind if I shut some of this off?"

The cell’s walls, ceiling, and floor lit up to make the...work...on them visible and easier to deal with; it all looked terrible, not in the sense of what it was doing, but in the sense of how it was crumbling and making an awful lot of noise that he hoped Grindelwald hadn't been forced to listen to since the prison staff left (and was almost certain he had been).

"It sounds like someone scraping a fork down a blackboard."

#stories #hp rp #v: 198x #nurmengard #1986

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blankdblank · 5 years

Text

Anaticula Pt 10

Pt 1 - Pt 2 - Pt 3 - Pt 4 - Pt 5 - Pt 6 - Pt 7 - Pt 8 - Pt 9 -

I’ll skip the tags. Unless you want onto this series’ list.

The end of the Flora & Fauna Competition, the second semester, a relationship and onto the summertime adventures. Some hints at what’s coming up and OC is sent off with Hagrid to fetch Harry. :D

…

“So no name yet for Cubbie?”

You shook your head glancing at the now three foot tall cub chasing a snowman you had enchanted for him to do so while you huddled in an open breezeway to complete the final touches on your note sheet allowed for the first of your semester exams. Beside you Charlie sat brushing his Demiguise’s fur back before adding his hat to match his sweater. “Nope, he doesn’t answer to anything I’ve tried. Above that I guess he does tend to turn his head and run to me when I huff though.”

Charlie chuckled, “Maybe that’s part of the lingo, he thinks that’s his name.” you rolled your eyes and finished your sheet, putting that away you pulled out his quiz cards making him groan earning a glance from your cub that went back to playing.

“You wanted my help studying.”

He closed his jacket around his Diricawl with boots and a woven poncho and put his notebooks away in his bag listening to your first testing question.

A final day of studying after the final game of the Puffs vs Ravens bled into the lull of days until you were off to separate homes for Christmas this year. Weasley home was now headquarters for their full brood as the Malfoys, Tonks’ and Longbottoms were all at your family home. Another year’s worth of updates and a few more pictures were sent off to the Dursleys without a hope from you to hear anything in return, simply taking enjoyment that the option for a response was possible one day.

New Years bled into returning back to school again with more tales to share with Tulip from you and Opal. The final week brought on Ravenclaw vs Slytherin, continuing their usual pattern of a stunning back and forth ending with a close call differing the score by the snitch points.

February followed as always with the coveted battle of the Weasley clan with your now five foot tall cub bouncing eagerly in the snow filled sand pit at the base of your team’s hoops granting him ample space to bound around until the seemingly endless battle carried on. Though at the end of the month a final inspection of your creatures and plants, Newt had come out and brought his suitcase with him remaining calm you watched your cub trot eagerly beside his mother, who had come to claim her son to guide him through his first big hunt in the wild Newt would take them back to their home in the wild to do so. Charlie about was in tears handing over the stubborn bird he had spent months chasing after and the easy departure his Demiguise had him having to leave the room to keep from causing a scene.

Still you held your place with a puzzled expression as Miranda claimed your bright green plant and final copy of your journals while Newt shifted closer to you pleased to see Opal under your hair in the room and started to ask you about your latest tests on Phoenix potions. Usual tears seemed painful, and were well known to be so while also the strongest possible thing able to repair the damage done. In a dig into his own pocket he passed you a few options you might be able to try from his own studies since hearing of her injuries. When the last of the judges had gone your eyes dropped to Idris in your arms, now the size of a watermelon with a two foot long white to blue gold tipped tail with a matching flopped over plum of feathers on top of his head.

“Um, I thought you had to take all our choices.”

Newt eyed Idris then let out a weak chuckle, “We could try, we have before, but they always return, same as Phoenix and Thunderbirds.” His gave you another grin saying, “I will keep you posted on your cub. They do enjoy their time in the wild, and even though he seems aloof now he will want to see you again. I’ll be sure to help you set up dates for him to come and visit you. Of course might be a bit, the males tend to need a break with their keepers while they choose mates for their own cubs.”

You giggled saying, “Of course.” His eyes dropped to Opal again as you said your goodbyes and you turned to head back to your dorm while Idris accepted your lift up to ease his take off for a daily flight with Fawkes.

Under your hair Opal asked softly, “Is he coming back?”

Softly you replied, “Not to stay. He’s fully grown, off to find a mate of his own soon.”

“Could I use his swing then?”

Softly you giggled to yourself, “Of course.” Stirring a grin onto her face.

Without further distraction you were able to focus on your studies and side potions with the twins. Your first success was taking an often used trick by Remus for when you had to take potions tasting miserable. Chocolate. It was an easy idea, nice and simple that stirred an avalanche of products to tests. Sending out simple requests after quidditch practices, and especially your match against Slytherin in April there were ample chances to try each.

Simple scrapes, aches and bruises eased with a cherry flavored energy burst, the one working the best towards healing was the dark chocolate with cherry energy burst successful in healing most minor injuries you went to marking a note for stocking up on the foil wrappers you had already designed for them over the previous months. 30 in each batch had you off to a decent start and soon enough with your family and the students you were onto your fourth batch before long while working on a few variations for without the energy burst to try and have more effect from the Phoenix tears.

May was half over and Charlie’s worrying had reached its crescendo, NEWTS had begun in the final two weeks and his six chosen courses to test for stunned most of the sixth years coming up on their own exams the next year. But finally it was over and all he had to do was wait for the results with the final game of Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw to end the year off right. The final month more and more you seemed to be avoided by him and at the train ride home you understood why.

After packing he came to find you sitting up after another bad dream down in your Chamber hoping not to wake the guys. A folded letter was passed over and wetting his lips Charlie stated, “They accepted me in the Dragon Breeding grounds in Romania, want me there right away.” More and more he seemed to just spew all he could in hopes of easing this change. As best you heard there was a wish for your happiness, being able to be with someone your own age and not have to wait on him to possibly return when all he’d ever wanted was to spend his life with dragons. Wordlessly he left the room without any idea on what else to say, content that you hadn’t cried or objected to his reasoning.

You understood, you did, probably more than he ever considered. In his absence you moved away from your desk to sit in one of the armchairs, legs easing up in front of you drawing your forehead against your knees with hair rippling to a deep black. At once a sharp gasp filled your lungs for the round of sobs that followed in your pained weeping for the lost hope of your chance for a normal relationship.

You were the formerly dead girl, Slytherin’s Heir, keeper of deadly animals and daughter to a Wizard supposedly still in hiding from the Ministry itself behind a now well known rule against your dating. All that on top of your secret trips for snake venom in the summers and self appointed tasks of Horcrux hunting while befriending Death Eaters no less. Who in their right mind would want to date you in all this? Muggles had crazy cat ladies, you guessed you would be the crazy Dragon lady. But in all that mental drama you flooded upon yourself you still hoped that one day if you did turn to that, that maybe just maybe, Charlie might want you then.

Around you arms circled you with the twins folding awkwardly into the chair intertwining their legs around you. “He might have taken six NEWTS but Charlie’s hit a branch too many falling out of the dunce tree.”

George, “If it helps your owl just popped up. Something bout a trumpeting viper out in Peru, Regulus wanted to know if we would mind him grabbing us at the station.”

Fred, “Course Malfoy’s dropping off Draco again right after, so it’s straight out from the station and back again.”

George, “Nice clean break.”

You nodded and sniffled again, “Ya. I just think, it was all a bit much. Unofficial and, then the studying and extra creature tests. He can go play with his Dragons and I can refocus on our shop and taking down Voldy and the final horcrux.”

The pair of them kissed your forehead saying, “Let’s go up and write back, head out straight from the station. Cedric is up, rounding up some snacks, got a letter from his dad about the change in his plans too, looks like our last win earned him a new broom.”

Making you giggle. “Let’s go celebrate our adventurous summers.”

That last night as your hair shifted slowly from black to deep forest green you snacked and chatted with the trio only to shift into a giant pile on Cedric’s bed for a short nap until sunrise. Staying in your dorm you waited for the others to head down and chose to take a stop into the kitchens for a simple breakfast and then gather your things to be early to the train.

A flash of silver hair was all Charlie could spot between his younger brothers in the distance by Cedric in your loading your things into the train and climbing on before he could say anything to you about why you weren’t at breakfast. The station wasn’t any different, just when he thought he had a chance to talk to you your trunks were added to an enchanted pouch and Regulus zapped your owls home and guided you through the crowds to another platform off in the distance once you had each tightly hugged Cedric goodbye.

…

Plots and thievery seemed to be a new occurrence in Azkaban Prison. For the first time an Auror had come to the infamous jail to break someone out of it. In the flurry of hexes and curses another plot was held. For nearly a decade another innocent has faced those battles cells managed by the blind creatures guarding the prisoners. Framed for an attack then used as an example one Barty Crouch Jr had held his cell, the one conveniently across from yours. Between flurried hexes and cursed with shouting prisoners all about another Barty slipped through, behind him Mrs Crouch under an invisibility cloak with Polyjuice potion ready. Another visit was paid weeks prior and samples were taken. In her dying days from withering due to the framing and imprisonment of their son by her own husband Mrs Crouch withered and made one simple request, that in her dying days she take the place of their son to be buried in the jail so he might go free and begin anew.

The scrawny young lad now worn and weak from his time in the dark dank of his cell, lost to his own thoughts until you had arrived. Under the same cloak once the transfer was made another curse was given and after pretending to confirm the security of his own son in the attacks by those who volunteered to claim you the boy followed the order his father gave. Silent and obedient under the Imperius Curse he made his way home beside their house elf Winky, tasked to always ensure his safety and secrecy. But as always not every curse is lasting and when a chance at freedom hit young Barty he fled the house he was raised in, his supposed haven, off in search of a way to aid his new master, the survivor of the Dementor’s Kiss.

“Another Crouch dead!” Your eyes scanned over the headline on the Daily Prophet in your hands you unfolded as you propped your feet up on Regulus’ legs across from you in the train car after your latest trip to secure venom samples and read, “Mrs Crouch, wife of Bartemius Crouch Sr has been reported to have passed away. This on the heels of the passing of his Son Bartemius Crouch Jr in Azkaban Prison. Formerly charged with the torture of two Aurors even with the suspicion of his innocence and sentenced to life in prison by his own father.” The article wasn’t very long but it started to delve into the flurry of other witches and Wizards Sr had put away through his career and finished with a statement on his dedication to the Ministry and how it would continue to be so.

With your brow raised you eyed the picture of Jr and then tilted it to Fred, “This is him?”

He nodded and George replied, “Ya, dad said he’d just graduated practically when he was locked up.”

Eyeing the picture again you caught a familiar flick of his tongue and you said, “I know him.”

Fred, “You saw him, in there?”

You nodded, “Though he looks different. Or, well, looked.”

George, “No doubt they should have to keep up on pictures through the year for what it does to you.”

Fred, “Not that it affected you.”

You shook your head, “No, he was there for nearly a decade.”

A warning bell sounded alerting you to your near arrival to the station causing Regulus to stir finally and grumble at the cramp from his back he stretched out while you lowered your legs from his knees. Brushing his hair back from his face he gave you a sleepy grin eyeing the paper in your hands, “Ah, see you’ve seen the news. Real pity bout Jr, wasn’t half bad, we shared a dorm in school, me him and Snape, with this guy that kept mumbling about something called nargles. Always gave a new name when someone asked what his was, bit odd for a Slytherin.” He shook his head then furrowed his brows at the window seeing the storm looming outside.

Outside the train you shouldered your satchels and strolled out, making your way off to the doorway leading to Diagon Alley. Off through the crowds you found your way to Olivander’s through the doorway you found Narcissa and Draco standing with matching grins while he cradled his new wand in his palms then peered up at you showing off his new wand, “Got my wand. Hawthorne and Unicorn hair!”

You giggled, “Very impressive.”

Your eyes turned to Narcissa, who passed you the books and supplies they had purchased for his first year at Hogwarts in and enchanted carpet bag, “Thank you for watching him. We should be back a week before the big send off.” She smiled at Draco, “At least we managed to convince Lucius Draco was better off in Hogwarts over Durmstrang.”

Regulus chuckled, “I am certain Lucius’ll learn just how much better off he’ll be closer to home.” Inching out her smile, “Enjoy your trip.” She nodded and turned to leave after kissing his cheek.

With a grin your hand smoothed over his shoulders saying, “Come on, let’s go see if we can find out what’s going on with Harry.”

Peering up at you Draco asked, “What’s going on with Harry?” his eyes scanning over your hair shimmering in its subtle white shade you used to travel through the muggle stations and towns spreading his smile.

Fred, “Minerva sent word the Dursleys took off with Harry trying to hide from his acceptance letter.”

George, “Dumbledore is tracking them down.”

Out through the city you found your way into the Leaky Cauldron to use its muggle doorway to head back through the muggle city to get back to the Grimmauld Place entrance to your home.

Releasing the bag it floated up to Draco’s room while you made your way into the sitting room finding Minerva chatting with Snape over tea alongside Hagrid and Albus. Wetting your lips while Regulus sent your bags and trunks up to your rooms, he the twins and Draco joined you on the armchairs across from the couch the teachers were filing beside Hagrid’s enlarged armchair to fit him comfortably.

Albus began the talk stating, “Miss Black, we managed to track down Harry. He’s out in a shack by the sea. Hagrid has agreed to head out to fetch him and return him here to Regulus’ care.”

In his pause Snape stated, “Perhaps it is best you go as well.”

Minerva nodded, “Yes, give her a chance to explain why she has been refusing to answer your letters.”

“Harry says she cries when she reads them. It is possible that would only worsen things, seeing me.”

Snape’s head tilted, “It would be far better than if I were to go as per Albus’ original plan. Petunia hated me then, I cannot imagine things getting better this time around.”

Nodding you glanced at Hagrid asking him, “When are we going?”

Hagrid stood setting his cup down, “Best be heading off, storm looks mighty testy.”

Finishing your tea you patted Draco’s shoulder, “I’ll be back soon, hopefully no worse for wear.”

He grinned at you, “I’ll be here. Might help Neville with that new planter he’s been building.”

Fred and George stated, “We’ll hold down the fort and wait for the Grangers to drop Hermi by.”

On his feet Regulus gave you a calming hug and peck on the forehead, “Even if she’s cruel now, there’s time to change her mind.” Firing a wink at you in your turn to join Hagrid out to the front door.

At the base of the stairs you joined him onto your father’s motorbike, a grin spreading onto your face as you climbed into the side car asking, “Dad knows you have this?”

He nodded, “Of course. Fired off a message to him earlier bout the trip, said I could borrow it again.” He grinned at you settling onto it, fixing his coat around him, “After he went off to find Pettigrew he leant it to me to transfer Harry to the Dursleys the first time.”

A soft giggle left you fixing your flannel over your shoulders covering your spaghetti straps on your Darth Vader tank top that pooled in your lap over your overly pocketed black jeans tucked into your boots. “I remember him driving us around in this when I couldn’t sleep. Mum used to love it.”

He chuckled kick starting it before starting the drive down the street towards an abandoned block where he took off hitting the shielding knob as he did cloaking the underside of the bike in what appeared to be a small storm cloud following the breeze. Glancing over at you he asked, “You didn’t happen to read the papers?”

Peering over at him inside your protected bubble around the bike you asked, “About Mrs Crouch?”

He nodded, “I only ask, you didn’t happen to spot Barty Jr-?”

You nodded, “In Azkaban, ya. His cell was across from mine.”

“Bad shake that one got. Not even a trial, but, then again that’s how the ministry was, still is if you ask me, answers first, turn up a fist at those showing the proof.”

You nodded and then asked, “Any clue on who the new Defense Professor will be?”

“Oh, Quirrell is taking a whack at it.”

You nodded, “Who’s taking up Muggle Studies then?”

“New lad, some bloke named Tennant, uh, David, I believe.” After a pause he added, “Bout Snape’s age I reckon.”

“Hmm.”

“You signed up for it?”

You nodded, “Yes. Arithmacy, Runes, Divinations and Muggle Studies.”

“Ooh, full lot. Jewels would have been proud on that.” Making your smile inch out again as you smoothed your hair into a long messy braid to keep it from whipping around with your bangs you brushed back behind your ear. His free hand shifted to pat on your propped up knee, “An incredible marvel you are. Doesn’t take a seer to know you’re meant for great things.”

Peering ahead you watched the flowing storm you were following and passing through in your protected bubble. In the grey darkness night soon fell around you before you spotted an old ramshackle shed of a hideaway on a stone island on the edge of the sea. Waters crashed and swirled harshly around with sheets of rain pounding on the tilted and badly worn roof and walls of the two story structure. Landing on the seaside for lack of room on the island Hagrid led you to the water’s edge where he drew out a jar with a pair of Hippocampus inside. Opening it he eased them out into the choppy waters and guided you over to them and helped you onto one of their backs. Weakly you smiled at it and stroked the back of its neck in its glance at you happily while Hagrid eased onto his and led the way off to the island.

Around you the waters splashed over you both heavily while you clung to their necks drawing in a deep breath between massive waves they ducked under to spare you from its attack. At the shore they both waited for you watching as you dismounted and walked across the slick rocky path with your hand fixed on Hagrid’s offered arm to keep you steady in the blustering wind whipping your braid over your shoulder and your bangs into your face.

Knocking brought on no answer over the loud storm and with the door locked with seal melted into the handle against spells to unlock it Hagrid gave it one swift kick sending it down onto the dusty ground loudly. Behind him you walked through the doorway and stepped aside for Hagrid to ease the door up again, “Sorry bout that.” Waving a finger to mend the hinges into place again.

From the stairs you watched Vernon and Petunia climb down slowly with a shotgun aimed at Hagrid while Petunia’s eyes locked on you as you searched around the room for Harry. Vernon drew your eye saying in a far from terrifying tone, “Now, I’ll give you fair warning, you, you lot get out!”

With furrowed brows Hagrid walked over folding his hand around the barrel of the shotgun he folded upwards, “Dry up Dursley, you great prune.” With a blast of the shotgun that went through the roof your eyes locked on Petunia’s, “Now, we’ve come for the boy. He’s some shopping to do.”

Vernon, “You can’t take him. We swore when we took him in to put a stop to that foolishness.”

Stepping carefully around the fireplace you grinned spotting Harry, who raced over to you folding around your middle, “Jaqi!”

Giggling softly you asked, “You didn’t think we’d leave you out here, did you?”

Petunia, “He is not going!”

Looking up at her you stated, “You don’t have the right to refuse him an education.”

Petunia, “I will not have him turning out to be-,”

Tilting your chin you asked, “Be what? A freak?” She swallowed dryly pursing her lips, “That’s what I hear you called Mum and aunt Lily.”

Narrowing her eyes she asked in a mocking tone, “Isn’t this wonderful, we’ve a pair, witch, in the family.” Her head tilted slightly, “I saw them for what they were, them and that black haired boy, always running about muttering about that school. Look at what that got them! Blown up!”

Scoffing at her Harry stated, “You told me my parents died in a car crash!”

Hagrid huffed in disbelief, “A car crash?! A car crash killed Lily and James Potter?!”

Vernon, “We had to say something.”

Hagrid, “That’s madness!”

While Harry stepped behind you in your move closer to your aunt you locked your eyes with her, “Blown up?” her eyes watched the tear rolling down your scarred cheek exposed as you brushed your bangs back behind your ear, “You don’t know the half of it. You got to read it in a letter. Never had to see it yourself.” A tear streamed down her cheek seeing the pain in your eyes, “Harry is going to school.”

Vernon, “He will not!”

Your eyes locked on his shouting back, “What would you have us do? Hmm? Hide him away while the man responsible for tearing our worlds apart rises to power again searching for him?! Guess where he’ll come looking first!” Tilting your head to the side you asked, “How long do you think you’ll last? Till you get, blown up, too, hmm? You may not like me, you may never like me, but freak or no freak, you’re family, and I have so few relatives left I won’t let you get yourselves killed too in your own damn stubborn pride.”

Your eyes narrowed and before they could answer Hagrid said, “Come on lad. Best be off to beat the shops closing.” Harry nodded folding his hand around yours in your glance to Dudley, who watched your hair ripple from white to silvery blue again on your path to the door. Out into the rain again you led Harry to the waiting steeds you eased Harry on before you as Hagrid helped you on then mounted his own beside you. With the door sealed Hagrid grinned at you both, “Oh, by the way, Happy Birthday Harry.”

A grin spread onto his face as you whispered, “Deep breath.” Watching the next wave come rising up on your side, following the reminder he did folding around the creature while you folded around him in its duck under the water. Over to the shore you rode then dismounted for Hagrid to hide the pair away back into their jar to be taken back to Hogwarts again.

Holding Harry’s hand you led him back to the waiting motorbike for the blustery ride back to the muggle streets outside the Leaky Cauldron where the bike was shrunken and passed to you, under your arm Harry walked with you inside the run down looking building. On his way through to the fireplace to head back to Hogwarts you waved at Professor Quirrell at the bar, who raised his glass to you with a grin in return in your path to Diagon Alley.

From your pocket you passed him his letter saying, “The Grangers are meeting us in Olivander’s and Regulus will have Neville with them. Molly asked us to pull together a set of supplies for the rest of the group she’s sending with Ron.”

His grin spread and he asked, “It’s not that hard, is it, studying in Hogwarts?”

“Only if you don’t try.” His eyes rose to the brick wall ahead of you curiously watching as you drew out your wand to tap it against a set pattern of bricks leaving the whispering crowd of Wizards in the dining hall behind you to enter the bustling city.

“What house do you reckon I’ll get?”

You shrugged, “Hard to say, Lily and James were in Gryffindor with Dad and Remus, though my mum was in Ravenclaw, Regulus got Slytherin, so it’s really a toss up. Either way, family is family, it’ll be hard to be rid of us with a sorting.”

Winding through the bustling crowds all turning with lips parted at the pair of you together, a few pictures were stolen for the Daily Prophet and along the way you were joined by Neville, who claimed your other side right away with Draco right beside him. Straight away Ron rushed to Harry’s with Hermione grinning happily in her bouncing stop between her parents by Regulus’ side while the twins moved behind you to rest their chins on your shoulders. While the Grangers eyed the bustling streets to Olivander’s, where each of the kids took their turns being guided to a wand of their own as Draco stole the chance to claim your side.

All together you watched as the total was counted up leaving the Grangers nipping at their lips realizing they had no currency for this world. A subtle tap at Hermione’s side turned her head to you seeing the coral coin pouch you offered her stirring a curious grin onto her face inspecting it, your soft, “Happy Early Birthday” spread her lips as she peeked inside spotting the hefty amount of coins in each of the separated sections stirring her to rush over to give you a tight hug.

Softly she stated, “Thank you. I won’t let you down.” You giggled to yourself in her trot to the counter where she counted out the right amount of coins while Regulus set the coins for the rest of the children around you.

Whispering to yourself, “I know.”

Fully paid you followed the full shopping list until it was all gathered up, an eager Witch however stepped out of the owl shop along the way stirring up your grin as she held out a snowy owl saying, “Hagrid asked me to deliver her myself to you.”

Gently Harry accepted her and she darted back inside granting you the path again to continue on again to finish your list until you were free to return home again. Inside you watched Harry and Ron dart off again as the twins carried off the requested supplies off to the burrow, mainly Percy’s, who had raced through your kitchen that morning stealing a victory hug from you as he screeched out happily that he was chosen as prefect and finally got to sit for his OWLS this year.

Off to their rooms Neville and Draco’s supplies floated as Hermione eyed her stack of textbooks happily, soon to be added to the few you had leant her years prior, behind her parents off home again with a glance at the time. At Draco and Neville’s sides you joined the twins in going to inspect their planter they had fixed up for a few difficult plants and one of your rare snake breeds that both feeds and helps trim them for protection.

In the muddle of days between your final trip through the Amazon your mind raced back to what Petunia had said, again and again you reminded yourself what Regulus and your father had assured you would happen, they would come around, it was all just pain. They needed someone to blame, someone to hate until they got to the other side of it, they would come around.

Each night however you would jolt up out of sleep panting at the odd dream of you speaking with Quirrell alone in his new classroom as he removed his turban. Steadily you would settle again after hearing your mother’s screams searing through your dream with a whisper of “Shh, Stay Hidden,” her last words to you. Exhaling slowly your hands rose to rub your face as your silver eyes shut, in your hunched pose you sat until you felt your heart steady again and you opened your eyes now in their usual shifting between green and purple. A turn of your head brought the sunrise to your attention making you roll your head and climb to your feet from your cot in the tent you were camped in with pitch black curls pooling down over your back. Readying before the others you started breakfast and sent them grins on their way to get changed.

Settling at your side Regulus settled his hand on your back asking, “Another bad dream?”

After a nod you said, “Yup.”

“Quirrell again?”

“I don’t get it. Just talking with him, and out of nowhere, just screams.”

Regulus nodded leaning in to kiss your forehead, “I’ll write to Snape, ask him to keep an eye on Quirrell.”

“Thank you.”

“Any other feelings, smells, hints at all?”

Wetting your lips you replied, “There was a raspy breathing, something about his viper in the cage along the wall. The snake seemed agitated at him, avoiding looking at me,”

Regulus nodded, “Like it knew he wanted to hurt you?” You nodded, “Ok, maybe he will be cursed, or hexed, possessed. I doubt Quirrell would harm you on his own.”

“I know, he didn’t seem himself.” Turning your eyes to the Twins you grinned at them and asked, “Scrambled eggs and toast?” They nodded and moved in to bring out the plates for you all passing the snake you had caught the day before that was willing to return with you avoiding having to re-home after its portion of the Amazon was being torn down.

Pt 11

#LIFE IN HOGWARTS #Summer's over #fred and goerge weasley #Regulus Black #Charlie Weasley #Break up #Visions #nightmares #Fetching Harry #Barty Crouch Jr #Quirrell #minerva mcgonagall #Hagrid #Dursleys

18 notes · View notes