#<- and she said that. there’s nothing original about harry potter as a character he’s literally just arthur the once and future king.

[liebgirl]

baffles me completely when people accuse the mortal instruments of being harry potter fanfiction. you think jkr could have come up with the silent brothers and the city of bones? no those are the invention of a true Freak Weirdo. by the name of cassandra clare. that was all her baby!

[maxdibert]

Hi! Could you tell me your top 5 least favorite Harry Potter characters and why?

My 5 most hated characters in Harry Potter are:

5 - Molly Weasley: I can’t stand this woman. I can’t stand how she acts like a morally superior, pure-blood yet holds endless prejudices, especially (and mostly) toward other, younger women. I don’t like her tradwife vibe, and I don’t like how overbearing and suffocating she is. Seriously, in real life, I’d feel the urge to tell her off—she’s that typical annoying woman who doesn’t know where the boundaries are.

4 - Remus Lupin: Zero sympathy for a man almost forty who got a 24-year-old girl pregnant and then abandoned her. Remus Lupin is a coward and a piece of trash, a bullying accomplice who keeps his head down regarding his own actions and needs a 17-year-old to teach him a lesson in manhood. I really wish Tonks had left him and taken off with Teddy to get as far away as possible from that pathetic excuse for a person.

3 - Dumbledore: Starting with the fact that the entire problem of the story basically stems from his irresponsibility with Tom Riddle, which already showed that he was a terrible teacher. He only shows concern for students who can serve his purposes or suck up to him, and his involvement throughout the story shows a moral stance I find nauseating. I mean, he’s a guy who has the nerve to lecture his former students who “chose the wrong path,” but when those same students were under his care, he constantly neglected and rejected them just because they didn’t belong to a certain house. He had the audacity to call Severus Snape “miserable” when it was Dumbledore himself who allowed Snape to be bullied and almost killed without lifting a finger to stop it or punish the bullies. This same Dumbledore scolds Draco Malfoy for not trusting him when from Draco’s first day at Hogwarts, all he saw from the old man was favoritism toward a certain house and certain students, completely ignoring the rest. Honestly, I’d have banned him from teaching. There’s a lot said about Snape as a teacher, but Dumbledore was responsible for everything, allowed terrible things to happen, and turned his back on many vulnerable children and teenagers. Then he acted all surprised when they ended up in bad places. Screw him, hypocritical old man.

2 - Ginny Weasley: The “I’m not like other girls,” the “shut up, Hermione, you don’t know anything about Quidditch,” the “everyone look at me, I hex people, I’m one of the boys, I’m not vain but I’m hot, but I’m not prissy,” the “I make fun of girls who are pretty, flirty, and feminine because I’m a textbook pick-me girl” who is shoved into the end of the series. She’s a character who didn’t matter at all throughout the story; she’s barely mentioned in some books, but suddenly she’s Harry’s love interest because J.K. Rowling needed all her characters to end up married with 468749284 kids, and Harry needed to be part of the Weasley family. So, they had to do something. Ginny is a terrible character, going from irrelevant to some sort of Mary Sue who even the Slytherins drool over and who, of course, is not a “typical girl” because being a “typical girl” in Rowling’s world is somehow the original sin. So, she’s great at sports, hexes people, pulls pranks because she’s so cool, uh uh uh, she’s not like the others, uh uh uh, but she has internalized misogyny that you can smell from here to China. Honestly, someone should have slapped her for being so damn stupid.

1 - James Potter: There’s nothing I haven’t already said about James Potter. He’s a character who really grinds my gears because they try to sell him as some kind of hero, but he was just a spoiled rich kid who decided to torment a poor, vulnerable boy simply because that boy was friends with his crush. He used his social power and status to get away with all the crap he pulled, attacked in groups, lied to his girlfriend saying he’d stopped bullying people when he really hadn’t, and when he was supposed to be locked up in a house with his wife and son, he was off fooling around with his best friend. James Potter was an ass, and defending him is defending classism, elitism, and whitewashing social classes. I’m not going to explain why.

[umathurwin]

Omg hi! I feel like I’m the only sofia hater out there bc all i see are people loving her character is so boring to me and her and rafe relationship seems so forced to me like she is supposed to help him reconcile with his sister but instead, she spent all season doing nothing apart from the hollis plot

being called a sofia hater cracks me up because i feel like i never talk about her, in fact i usually forget she exists 😭 but i’ll accept it, because i really do hate the way her character (which had a great premise) was totally wasted

a youtuber i really love once described pansy parkinson from harry potter as “an original character wearing the skin of a minor character” and i think that perfectly encapsulates sofia. they make these moodboards, these stories, these elaborate headcanons about a character we know little to nothing about. do i respect it? hell yes. it takes a lot of work. but to have these intense convictions and arguments about a 0.5-dimensional character… WHY?

i went and rewatched every scene in s4 where she even just appears and wrote down my thoughts on them (despite how tedious this was… the action really does rely on the pogues) and like… wow. where do i start

her s4 introduction is the scene where rafe scatters ward’s ashes on the boat, and it’s awkward but in a fair way. i wouldn’t really know what to do either. in the same episode, she’s at the enduro cheering for rafe, but she is inexplicably standing TOTALLY by herself. i still have no idea if this was just filmed oddly or if it was deliberate but this photo kills me… girl why are you alone? at no other point is she physically excluded from the kooks like this. wtf

and after that? nearly every single moment she and rafe share the screen? he’s awful to her. he verbally mocks her in the bar when she tries to calm him down. he flirts with hollis right in sofia’s face and abases her for feeling hurt. he dismisses her every time she tries to express her opinion. rafe does not respect his girlfriend, nor does he care about her thoughts and values. how do i know?

because she knows. how exactly did she convince him to take the deal, again? well, first she says she thinks it’s a good idea, which merely amuses him. then, she makes up a lie about other club members denigrating rafe and how this deal could improve his social status—i believe this to be a fabrication because it easily could’ve and should’ve been explicit on screen if true— and this causes him make up his mind. she knows rafe’s insecurities. she knows what does and doesn’t entice him. and yeah, i’ll be honest, sometimes it makes me sick to think about how deeply she knows this man, and how little he knows/cares about her

rafe brings up marriage, living together, a future with sofia. but do you notice anything about his big grand speeches? ever notice how, when he’s describing his fantasy, it revolves around material things he can own and show off— and sofia has always been one of them? rafe never has anything to say about what she specifically does for him, what he likes about her. bc… what does he like about her? rafe is unfortunately, at the end of the day, selfish. he focuses on what he’ll be able to give her, and what having a pretty wife says about him. the occupant of that role is, well, interchangeable

when rafe “proposed” to her and she did not confess the scam, i knew it was over. this is rafe cameron we’re talking about, a man who values loyalty more than anything in the world, and that was her last shot at coming clean before it was too late. committing a betrayal (well…in the eyes of the narrative…more on that in a sec) and hiding it from him? guys there was zero chance of him learning the truth and forgiving her. i watched the premier with my mother and i even turned to her and said we just watched the final nail go into the coffin. and it did!

(also, not to beat a dead horse, but even after he gives her the ring and he leaves to morocco, he dismissively excludes her again! “i have to go” “what are you doing?” “don’t worry about it, bye!” and she just takes it?! STAND UP!)

fundamentally, sofia’s “betrayal” plotline was weak or, at the very least, not very well thought-out. it’s like the idea of sofia going behind rafe’s back was pitched, but they were unsure how to integrate that into the season. the explosive reaction that rafe had when groff revealed the plot seemed contrived, like the show wanted to put more of the blame on sofia than was warranted. rafe had all but made up his mind by the time sofia had been paid off; to claim that she was the big catalyst in his decision is unfair and literally just wrong. sure, he liked her giving her blessing (because he already wanted to say yes), but i have a really, really genuine question for all of you.

if she had said no, would he have called off the deal?

(spoiler, no. because when she changed her mind after learning of the scam, he dismissed her yet again. the show has countless opportunities for rafe to just care about his girlfriend, and he never takes them!)

while i’m nitpicking, she also never learns any information via her own efforts. every single time she uncovers a new detail, it’s because she’s working around a loud-mouth kook who coincidentally says the right thing at the right moment as she refills their ewers. fuck, can we give her a CRUMB of agency? please?

and yeah, i don’t even engage in any theory that sofia helped rafe reunite with his family. did she ever give any meaningful advice to him? she didn’t even have context—was he ever planning on telling her exactly what he’d done to sarah and her friends? could sarah even pick this girl out of a lineup?! ya, she really is the glue in the cameron dynamic. lol

counter arguments i’m ready to address:

“he takes the deal for her!” funny because,,, he really doesn’t. we even watch the reason he takes the deal— his family. rafe likes the opportunity from the jump but is hesitant because of the investment, and a dreamy montage of him, ward, and sarah is what cements his decision. sofia canonically had nothing to do with it

“but he says he’s taking the deal for him and sofia when he’s alone with hollis!” correct! but you’ll notice he literally only brings her up when hollis starts hitting on him. he’s not attracted to hollis, and her advances make him visibly uncomfortable. bringing up sofia was a way to shut down hollis without explicitly telling a business partner to get off his ass

“rafe brings up sofia’s opinion of the deal with groff!” true, but i actually see this as a display of rafe’s tact and emotional intelligence. rafe is suspicious that he’s been scammed, but it’s genuinely not wise to barge into the office of the man who has $400k of your money and your testicles in his fist to start threatening him— even when he’s not a murderer. “hey… so my gf thinks you’re scamming me… thoughts?” he’s being coy. he’s being smart. he’s not bringing up sofia in a loverboy context. cmon

***

deep inhale. okay, i’m done. i’m sorry i always forget about her. but it’s so much better than the alternative

[hp-confessions]

The idea that James financially supported Remus after Hogwarts is actually FANON and I wish more people knew that. It shouldn’t be used to analyze James and Remus as characters or Marauder group dynamics as a whole, because it’s simply not true.

For one, it’s is not mentioned anywhere in the seven books. You’d think, given how Remus repeatedly emphasized the acceptance and support his three friends gave him at school, he’d be sure to mention to Harry that his father financially helped him afterwards, but he never does. So I would personally be skeptical of that idea even if any extracanon source does make such a claim.

However, the idea of James financially supporting Remus is not supported by any extracanon source, either. The interview people often use as “proof” is actually JKR talking about how James supported Sirius and Lily after school, not Remus. After talking about how Remus was unemployable because he was a werewolf, she said:

“James had enough gold, enough to support Sirius and Lily. So I suppose they lived off a private income. But they were full-time fighters, that’s what they did, until Lily fell pregnant with Harry. So then they went into hiding.”

The idea of James supporting Sirius is directly contradicted by the canon text. In OotP, Sirius explained that the Potters did take him in after he ran away at “about sixteen”, but after his uncle Alphard left him gold when he was seventeen, “I got a place of my own” and “looked after myself”. So I think this interview quote is simply yet another example of JKR forgetting what she wrote in the books and probably shouldn't be taken at face-value (James definitely seems to have supported Lily, though, given that her parents were dead and she had no job outside her role in the Order).

At any rate, THIS already-unreliable extracanon quote by JKR is the only source for the idea of James financially supporting Remus – and it literally never claims he did (all JKR said was that Remus was unemployable, she never says that James helped him). It’s the only source mentioned in HP wiki, in articles, or anywhere else. It seems to have originated as a misunderstanding which blew up enough to become a popular fandom belief, and has remained so ever since.

But ultimately, there is no evidence in book canon or by any extracanon statement by JKR that James (or Sirius) financially supported Remus after Hogwarts. Nor is anything of the sort mentioned in Remus’s Pottermore bio. This is even more ridiculous than the fanon idea of Remus being taller than Sirius - at least that is based off their movie counterparts, while this is based off nothing at all.

In short: we don’t know much about Remus’s financial situation after Hogwarts. In theory, James could have supported him, Sirius could have supported him, they both could have supported him jointly*, or Remus could have simply been relying on his parents.

I actually think the last possibility is the most likely option, and I’m surprised more people haven’t brought it up. Remus does seem to have loved his parents (and vice-versa), and if they were supporting him, I’m not sure why he would have felt the need to turn to his friends in the first place. More importantly, it's directly supported by extracanon material - here’s what Remus's Pottermore bio says about him after the end of the First Wizarding War:

“His mother was now dead, and while Lyall, his father, was always delighted to see his son, Remus refused to endanger his father’s peaceful existence by returning to live with him.”

The sentence “returning to live with him” indicates that Remus had been living with his him previously during the war, and that in turn suggests that Lyall and Hope were financially supporting Remus. Imo, this makes sense, as it seems to have been perfectly normal/expected for wizards to live with their parents after graduation unless they moved to another country (Percy Weasley did in Goblet of Fire despite getting a job in the Ministry, Bill & Charlie lived with their family whenever they visited, Bill & Fleur moved into a family cottage after their marriage rather than buying their own, etc). In Remus’s case, given that he was an Order member during the height of the First War, it makes sense that he would have been at least somewhat comfortable relying on his parents as he had been during his childhood. But after the war, after watching the rest of the wizarding world settle into jubilant peace while Remus was left mourning the loss of his three best friends and was struggling to work due to societal prejudice, his guilt/trauma/desire to self-isolate may have kicked in and prompted him to move away from home. Personally, I find this much more interesting than the unevidenced idea of James supporting Remus, as most discussions of Remus are often always centred around the Marauders rather than his parents, so this brings them into the mix as well.

*Personally, I headcanon that James/Sirius did offer to help Remus, but he turned them down, which may have been one of the factors that later triggered suspicions in Sirius (during the last year of the war, once it became clear that the Order had a spy) given how close-knit the four of them were at Hogwarts. Narratively, it also works really well given that Sirius and Remus were described as living together post GoF until Sirius’s death a year later, after their reunion and reconciliation. But that’s just my personal theory!

~

[atla-what-is-this-site]

Fixing Voltron's magic system FT. Sanderson's Laws of Magic (and examples from various famous media)

Firstly, let's begin with what the Alteans canonically can do. As seen throughout the series, two alteans shown actually manipulate quintessence. Another has super strength but no magic. A final is shown to have none. (poor Coran). It is implied the majority (if not all,) have these abilities. 

Quintessence manipulation seems to have one small limit:  When Allura uses the magic too much, she passes out. But remember: shes powering a giant ship. We never see Team Voltron going and getting gas or whatever, which means Allura is probably the sole supplier of power for the Castle. Which is an example of how OP this ability is, even with the limit.

Then we have super strength and shapeshifting, two other abilities that all (or i guess most, since Coran never shows any signs of having them) Alteans seem to have. These abilities seem to have little plot importance besides a few certain episodes. There is nothing inherently wrong with these abilities. However, when you pile them on top of (if I'm being completely honest,) a character who's already quite over-powered, I think you can understand why I'm not the biggest fan. 

We know quite a bit about Alteans. They're one of the most important species in the series. According to Allura, they're super-ambassadors, and they use their shapeshifting to better blend in. Their culture seems very intellectual-based, with Alchemists holding high places. They mixed magic and tech to make incredible ships like The Castle. 

This is where things tend to taper off. We get brief glimpses of what could be rules: Allura always places her hands on whatever shes infusing. Clearly, you must be Altean or of Altean Heritage. 

Now, let's take a look at Brandon Sanderson's laws of magic. 

Number One: "An author’s ability to solve conflict with magic is DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL to how well the reader understands said magic." 

This means that if we want to solve problems with magic, we need to explain how that magic can solve our problems. So, for example, Harry Potter. Every spell that Harry uses is explained beforehand so that the audience knows what he's doing. It just wouldn't work if Harry went around Lumos-ing away, making the reader guess what the spell does. 

However, in The Lord of The Rings, Gandalf doesn't need to tell us anything, because he barely ever uses his magic for plot important things. Readers don't want to read three paragraphs explaining how he made his fireworks, when the story isn't about his fireworks.

Number Two: Limitations are more important than power.

What your magic system can do doesn't make it interesting. There's no power that hasn't been thought of. Infinite power makes it impossible to come up with a plot. The character could solve anything, meaning there's no point in telling about the solution to their problem. However, when you throw in weaknesses, costs and other limitations, you get a much more original and interesting idea. 

Picture that one scene from Aladdin, where Genie tells Aladdin about the three rules. (No playing with free will, no raising the dead, no wishing for more wishes.) It's a simple and easy to follow system, with limitations that make the plot more interesting. Aladdin can't make Jasmine fall in love with him magically, so he's forced to come up with other ways. 

Rule Three: Expand what you already have before you add something new. 

This one leans more on general worldbuilding, but what he's saying here is don't shove new ideas in your reader's face. Don't create new magics out of nowhere. Build on what you already have. 

There aren't many examples of this, luckily Voltron isn't really guilty of this, so elaboration isn't really needed.

Now, we'll take these and begin perfecting the magic system. 

First, what is Quintessence? Quintessence is, essentially, the animating factor. It's what makes living things alive. It's a form of energy. 

This isn't to say nonliving objects can't have it, but most don't, unless it's given to them. 

Quintessence is energy. It can't be created, nor destroyed. However, you can transfer it from one container to another. 

There are a few things you can do with it. Firstly, giving a living being quintessence can make them stronger. This is what Haggar does with Zarkon throughout the first two seasons.

Next, taking too much quintessence from someone will "de-animate" them. A.k.a. They die from lack of life. 

There is one third thing you can do with quintessence. It takes a lot of training and a bit of energy. But I imagine you could also make these huge shockwaves that just fucken decimate everything in a 300 foot radius. However this is more after-we-get-ridiculously-good type material.

Our limits are these: 1. You must draw energy from something, whether that be your own energy or someone else's. If you use too much of your own, you could pass out and die. 2. You must maintain contact with whatever you're imbuing with energy/drawing energy from. (The only exception is the shockwave. But the shockwave comes from your hands so..?) 3. Too much quintessence can become an addiction. Specific examples can be Zarkon and Haggar. 

A little interjection: While Alteans have a lot of quintessence, it can only power a small ship for a few hours. However, Altean ships have evolved to collect quintessence from bacteria that gathers on the ship's metal. This keeps the ships sanitary and also helps with efficiency. As well, ships often use Balmera crystals as a secondary source of power. Balmera crystals hold high levels of residual quintessence.

We can construct so many different plotlines that can't be solved with quintessence, or the limits can prevent solution. What if the person who needs healing is out of Allura's reach? What if she doesn't have enough energy?

That wasn't so hard, was it, VLD team?

[whatstruthgottodowithit]

I Cry 2

Fandom: Harry Potter [Marauders Era]

Pairing: Remus Lupin x Sirius Black [Wolfstar]

Characters: Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, Lily Evans, Original Male Character Mary MacDonald

Word Count: 3434

Rating: Teen

Summary: It's alright mate I cry too.

Tags/ Warnings: Hogwarts, Summer Challenge, Writing Challenge, Song Fic, Realising Feelings, Declarations of Love, Sexuality Struggles, Shame, Sirius is in denial, Attitudes of the Time

Notes: This is my summer writing challenge 2024. Seven fics over seven days - all will be hp based and song fics.

Summer Challenge 2024 // Song Inspo

‘Who shags someone in someone else’s bed?’

Remus didn’t bother turning around. He didn’t need to because he could picture the expression on Sirius’ face without looking, the way he’d barged into his room and slammed the door behind him without bothering to knock, signalling the mood he was in. Instead he kept pulling his pyjamas from his rickety old chest of drawers as he replied, ‘let me guess, James and Lily?’

When he turned Sirius was sitting on his bed, arms splayed behind him as he propped himself up, his pink lips drawn in the pout Remus had expected though it unclenched as he said, ‘I was just about to get into bed but no! He’s getting his leg over in a room that’s not even his!’

‘Weren’t you saying last week you wanted a godchild?’ Remus countered, hiding his eye rolling at the dramatic tone his friend used by busying himself with changing his t-shirt, ‘I thought you were all for this wedded bliss lark.’

‘I am when it’s at their own house,’ Sirius grumbled, ‘not shagging in someone else’s bed.’

‘Didn’t you and Mary once-’ Remus started to counter but he was cut off.

‘Yeah well that was ages ago. School kid stuff and besides you know Mary, all you have to do is look at her and she’s got her knickers around her ankles,’ Sirius said scathingly. It was a cheap shot, namely because she wasn’t around to let him get away with saying such a thing, but it wasn’t exactly warranted. Not when one could argue the man in question had a reputation just as questionable. Maybe that was why they’d been such a match, a volatile one sure, but a match nevertheless. Well up until recently, their on and off again dynamic seeming permanently off.

That was probably why he didn’t bother saying anything. Standing up for Mary would no doubt cause an argument between him and the long-haired boy and seeing as he was mid-cycle and had just been forced to endure a birthday party he hadn’t requested he was too tired to get into it. Instead, he shrugged off his jeans and pulled his pyjama pants on quickly allowing Sirius to ponder in silence.

Except he took his silence for what it was, deliberate avoidance, and feeling ignored he said, ‘I just wanted to go to bed. Not even like I can kip on the couch because Pete’s sprawled out on it.’

‘You can sleep in here if you want. Double bed and that,’ Remus said, hoping it would stem the flow of self-pity. His bed was calling him, the bags under his eyes feeling heavier the longer he was forced to interact, even with Sirius.

‘Aw Moony my hero,’ Sirius said, rising from his lolling position and looking up at his friend with a beaming smile.

‘Yeah, yeah, I know I’m an angel,’ Remus said rolling his eyes, ‘it’s nothing to do with how cranky you are hungover, even without a night on the floor. Now get changed, will you?’

As Remus climbed into bed, yanking the duvet out from under Sirius, he leapt up moving quickly to get changed. He didn’t bother with clothes; his own pyjamas would be in his room which was occupied and trying to find something of Remus’ would require too much brain power and so he merely stripped out of his shirt and pants and climbed into bed beside his friend.

‘Hmm,’ Sirius said as he leant against the headboard, turned towards his friend who was sitting up, the book that had been on his bedside table now in hand, the pages illuminated by the lamp beside him, which was now the only light on, a flick of his wand sorting an ambient backdrop as Sirius had clambered into bed.

‘What?’ Remus asked, trying to hold in a sigh.

‘Thought you were tired,’ Sirius said simply.

‘I am,’ Remus said. In truth he was. He had been tired all week but it was less to do with genuine weariness and rather social exhaustion. A night in with his friends didn’t elicit the same level of fatigue that chit-chatting with mild acquaintances did. In fact if it was anyone other than Sirius in his bed he probably would’ve doused the lights and laid there in silence.

‘So why are you reading then?’ Sirius challenged.

‘To wind down,’ Remus said, trying to focus his eyes on the page instead of on the way Sirius’ grey gaze was burning into his face.

‘Oh yeah,’ Sirius said, ‘I’ve heard Bowie does the same thing. Forget coke and hookers, get me a book and a cup of tea for the tour bus.’

‘Very funny,’ Remus grumbled, ‘you’re a pillock you know that?’

‘Might have been said,’ Sirius said, resting back against the headboard with a smile on his face.

‘Well if you’d rather coke and hookers feel free to go and find them but in my room it’s books and brews,’ Remus said finally, sinking down and pulling the duvet up towards him so that his book was nestled in view without him having to hold it.

He could feel Sirius was longing to make some quippy response but the way he’d angled himself had made it seem as though their conversation was over and so he sunk down too. Remus tried to focus on his book. He just had a few more pages until the end of the chapter and then he could settle down and go to sleep. But he could feel Sirius awake beside him, practically hear his mind whirring away as he thought about something. He thought it might be some more teasing or perhaps something about Mary or even reignited irritation about James and Lily but it wasn’t that at all.

‘Suppose it’s easy for you to judge,’ Sirius sighed after an interlude of silence. Remus could have probably gotten away with pretending as though he hadn't heard him, the slumber he was working towards close by but instead he took the bait and pushed sleep away as he answered, ‘what?’

‘The shagging thing,’ Sirius said simply, ‘I mean out of the four of us you have the moral high ground I suppose. What with you being…’

‘Being what?’ Remus said, fully aware he was biting the bait Sirius was laying down though he couldn’t stop himself. By now he’d pushed up, forcing Sirius further onto the other side of the bed as he looked down at him with irritation.

‘Well sexless,’ Sirius shrugged.

‘I am not sexless!’ Remus protested.

‘Oh don’t get your knickers in a twist,’ Sirius said dismissively, rolling his eyes as Remus threw his book onto the duvet irately, ‘you know what I mean…you’re just very secretive when it comes to sex. I mean I’ve never met anyone you’ve shagged.’

‘Well excuse me for not going into graphic detail about every encounter I’ve ever had but I doubt me talking about how big some lad's cock is would go down very well would it?’ Remus snapped, ‘in fact I think Pete’s head would explode.’

With that it went quiet. Sirius seemed stunned into silence and Remus immediately started to feel embarrassment flooding through him so much so he was happy he was wearing a t-shirt as he was sure the splotchy red his chest would be turning would only mortify him further. He didn’t look at his friend, instead he turned his attention to his book though the words didn’t make any sense.

Sirius shifted, turning towards him as he cleared his throat and though Remus didn’t look at him as he wanted him to he spoke anyway, a mumbled, ‘I didn’t mean to upset you.’

‘You didn’t upset me,’ Remus protested, ‘it’s just…it’s just not the same for me that’s all.’

‘Why not?’ Sirius asked.

‘Because it’s not,’ Remus replied but when Sirius didn’t speak he chanced a glance and found the boy watching him curiously. In fact it was quite reminiscent of the way Padfoot looked at him, the only thing missing a tilted head to make him truly the picture of a big shaggy dog. Remus sighed.

‘It’s just different okay?’ Remus said, feeling simultaneously uncomfortable and yet obligated to explain, ‘everyone’s fine with it until you start actually talking about it. Talking about it means they have to think about it and that makes them uncomfortable which makes me uncomfortable. And it’s hard to explain to the person I’m trying to get off with that being with them in front of people makes me uncomfortable without sounding like they're the problem.’

‘Yeah but you don’t feel like that around us right?’ Sirius asked. When Remus dropped his gaze Sirius fell quiet for a moment until he said, ‘you don't have to feel uncomfortable around us. We don’t care…not even Pete.’

‘Yeah well doesn’t really matter,’ Remus said dismissively, ‘it’s not like I’ve got anyone worth being uncomfortable for recently.’

Once more they fell silent, the pair of them staring anywhere but the other as the words marinated in the air. Again it was Sirius to break the silence whether because he had far more alcohol swirling around his blood stream or because it was his nature not to let something drop Remus didn’t know.

‘Moony,’ he said after a moment.

‘Yeah?’ Remus asked, wishing he’d just gotten into bed and gone to sleep.

‘Can I ask you something?’ he asked, his tone genuinely curious. Remus knew he could say no, that if he was truly firm with him he would respect his boundaries and let whatever curiosity go. But he didn’t have the heart to and agreed, ‘yeah.’

‘How did you know?’ Sirius asked quietly. At that Remus finally looked at him, he was watching the other boy, his face sympathetic and kind as he noted Remus’ surprise, ‘that I was gay?’

‘Yeah,’ Sirius said, ‘if you never…’

‘I have,’ Remus said, already feeling his defensiveness mounting.

‘But you’ve never had a boyfriend right?’ he said tactfully trying to assure him he wasn’t being accusatory but rather logical.

‘S’pose not,’ Remus said, able to see how one might meet that conclusion. After all, how was he to know, other than one drunken declaration that he was gay at a quidditch after party, Remus rarely talked about his sexuality. He never spoke about his crushes or partners the way his friends did. He didn’t know why, his friends accepted him for who he was, but to do so felt like he was giving them a chance to find fault. Logically he knew that would never happen, they’d accepted him being a bloody werewolf for merlin’s sake, but he was already of the minority. He didn’t feel like highlighting that fact further.

‘Then again have you met men? I’d rather take my chances being single,’ Remus joked, trying his best to lighten the mood but Sirius seemed deep in thought. He didn’t even offer him that signature Sirius black smirk merely asking instead, ‘so how did you know?’

‘I didn’t just decide one day if that’s what you mean,’ Remus said though his tone must've come out sharper than intended as Sirius’ eyes flashed with panic and he sat up and shifted awkwardly.

‘Never mind it’s none of my business,’ he muttered, moving away from him.

For a moment Remus thought he was going to say goodnight, roll over and feign sleep even though the light was still on and he never slept in anything but utter darkness. But Remus suddenly felt the urge not to let him. In fact he was starting to feel that this was less about Remus than either of them had thought.

‘I didn’t know,’ Remus said, staring at the wall opposite them so that when his head inevitably snapped up he wouldn’t feel him staring back at him, ‘I know some people know but I didn’t…well not unless you count getting a rod on over Ziggy Stardust but other than that,’ he joked and when he risked a glance at the other boy he was met with a small smile which spurred his story telling on, ‘I just well…the way you all seemed mad about girls I just didn’t get it. I mean they’re nice and I’m friends with plenty but I just didn’t have any interest in them. Then one day Elliot Vane kissed me and it click-’

‘Elliot Vane!?’ Sirius gasped.

‘Yeah,’ Remus said, ‘at a party in fifth year.’

‘Wow,’ Sirius breathed, ‘I didn’t know he was.’

‘I don’t think he is. I mean he might be but to be honest I think he was just really hammered,’ Remus said, resting back against the headboard as he reminisced about the raven haired sculpted Romeo he’d shared his first kiss with. They’d never really spoken about it after, just an acknowledging nod the next day that signalled to Remus it was a done thing but it had been nice all the same.

‘Still it made me realise maybe there was a reason I didn’t feel like that for girls,’ Remus said, ‘then there was this lad at home in the summer and we sorta became a thing and well it all made sense then I guess.’

Sirius looked as though he was deep in thought and Remus sat and watched him. It was like watching himself in a way, all those years ago when he’d thought himself sick about the ideas he’d been having. After all, didn't everyone find Ziggy Stardust attractive? Didn’t the boys speak of the girls with at least some hint of annoyance, the way he felt?  

‘It doesn’t have to mean anything you know,’ he whispered after a minute, guilty grey eyes meeting his a second later, ‘if Elliot had kissed me and I didn’t feel anything then it would’ve just been a kiss.’

‘I know that,’ Sirius said quietly, ‘but what if one kiss changes everything…I know it didn’t change you but it made you realise who you were right?’

‘Yeah I guess,’ Remus said, ‘and I’m not going to pretend like I didn’t have a nightmare trying to figure it out on my own. My heart felt right but my head not so much. And I'm sure I'm not the first person to cry over their sexuality.’

‘What if you tried it but it wasn’t what you expected. What if you didn’t like it at all?’ Sirius asked. His voice was small and quiet but the pair had sunken lower on the pillows so that there wasn’t much of a gap between them anymore and Remus could hear him clear as day.

‘Try something else?’ Remus suggested with a half-hearted smile, ‘like I said it’s not a big deal. I mean what was it that bloke said, the one we learned about in muggle studies, the physicist-’

‘Einstein?’ Sirius asked, his brow furrowed, unable to see what his friend was on about.

‘Yeah him, didn’t he say that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results?’ Remus asked, continuing as Sirius’ brow furrowed further, ‘so wouldn’t that be like me sleeping with every girl I come into contact with and hoping it would make me fancy them?’

‘But it’s the same thing isn’t it?’ Sirius asked, ‘pursuing someone in the hopes they’ll turn you into something you're not is the same as pursuing someone you might have no interest in just because you’re a bit confused.’

‘Look it’s a complicated thing I won’t deny it,’ Remus said, ‘but doing something because you don’t want to be yourself and doing something because you’re not sure who you are are two different things. And chances are no one’s going to be angry at you for trying to figure it out.’

‘That’s the thing. I don’t know what I want,’ Sirius said sadly.

‘That’s not a crime,’ Remus replied sympathetically. 

‘Feels like it is,’ Sirius said grimly, ‘because what if I don’t like it? If I’m not-’

‘Pads that’s okay,’ Remus said, placing his hand over the top of his friends in the hopes of comforting him. It wasn’t what he wanted to do, by nature he wasn’t very touchy feely but under the confines of the duvet it was the only pieces of flesh available to him. Sirius looked at it and Remus looked at him, the way his Adam's apple bobbed under pale skin as he swallowed thickly, whatever he wanted to say next, seemingly hard to move from his throat.

‘But what if I don’t want to kiss boys,’ he said quietly, ‘what if…what if I just want to kiss you?’

‘Me?’ Remus said, the disbelief in his voice immediately attracting startled grey eyes upwards.

‘Yeah,’ Sirius whispered, trying to stay firm in his utterances even though his heart had been hammering ten to the dozen since the moment Remus had placed his hand over his.

‘Why me?’ Remus asked.

‘Why not you?’ Sirius asked.

‘Well I’m just-’ he was going to protest. List all of his faults, the things that anyone would see as a reason for them not being together. Put aside the fact Sirius wasn’t entirely sure he swung Remus’ way, the fact that they were friends, best friends, might have implications. Not to mention Remus was far too gangly, moody, scar ridden, irritable, and whatever other fault he could muster to mind. Sirius was none of those things. He was suave and confident. He commanded a room even when he didn’t want to. He made Remus feel warm just by looking at him. Not to mention he was incredibly handsome, debonair and oh my god did Remus have a crush on his best friend?

A crush that started to grow rapidly as Sirius shook his head and said, ‘don’t. Don’t do that, you always put yourself down like that.’

‘I don’t,’ Remus protested.

‘You bloody do,’ Sirius replied.

‘Well I just am-’

‘No you’re not,’ Sirius said firmly, locking his fingers around Remus’ as he looked him firmly in the eye, ‘you’re Moony and I don’t know I guess I always thought you were my best mate but I don’t know…because you’re different to me than James is...maybe it’s since we moved in here and it’s just the two of us…but it feels different… like we’re more than mates…’

He was watching him now, his thumb tracing circles over the back of Remus’ pale hand, his voice shaky as he added, ‘for me at least.’

‘I know what you mean,’ Remus said because he did. He guessed he had never thought about Sirius that way because he was well Sirius. His best friend, the one that understood him no matter what. Of course they had their issues, they bickered like an old married couple so much so there had been concern that moving in together would last all of five minutes but it was never serious. They worked well together, they understood one another. The more Remus thought about it the more he felt as though it was glaringly obvious how much he cared for the boy. And Sirius was right, it wasn’t a care he extended to James or Peter. He wondered if he had been born a girl that this would've been easier to navigate. But it wasn’t.

And Sirius clearly thought as much as he said, ‘but what if it’s not? What if I’m not…y'know and it’s just some random thought? What if I do just like girls-’

‘Sirius,’ Remus said, unable to stop his heart from squeezing at the thought of it.

‘What if I ruin everything for no reason?’ Sirius whispered, ‘I can't do that to you. You're Moony.’

‘Padfoot,’ Remus said firmly. Sirius fell quiet, before uttering a worried, ‘yeah?’

‘It doesn’t have to mean anything,’ Remus said, though he wasn’t sure how it couldn’t. Because it was easy not to want Sirius when he didn’t think there was a chance he could have him. It was easy to acknowledge how handsome he was when it was just a thought he had on a whim. Who knew what a taste of something real would do to him.

‘But it could mean everything,’ Sirius said.

‘Yeah it could,’ Remus agreed.

Their heads were touching now, their breath intermingling, Sirius’ a mixture of beer and fags and Remus’ minty from brushing his teeth. Neither of them cared as they watched one another. Slowly Sirius moved his hand until it was ghosting along Remus’ neck, his pulse throbbing under pale scarred flesh.

‘Moony?’ Sirius whispered.

‘Yeah?’ Remus asked thickly.

‘Can I kiss you?’

‘Yeah.’

[handledwithgloves]

This question is more Curse Child related than Harry Potter related. You’ve stated before that you generally don’t ship Draco with anyone other than Harry, but what about Astoria?

I remember when the Curse Child stage play was first being introduced a small portion of the fandom thought that Draco should’ve married Pansy. Personally, I’m glad he didn’t. No hate, I just never saw them ever having a romantic relationship so I didn’t mind that he “canonically” (I put quotations since the majority of the HP fandom doesn’t consider CC canon) ended up with Astoria even if she wasn’t often mentioned in the original HP series.

So what are your overall thoughts on Drastoria?

hello anon!! thanks for asking!!

i enjoy other draco ships as concepts, but not really as a ship ship (if that makes sense). I personally don't think that draco flourishes in other ships as well as he does in drarry.

concerning astoria, i feel like her character was just there for the conception of scorpius. while i do really like drastoria, i know near nothing about astoria. perhaps thats my fault, but we learn so much more about draco in their relationship than we ever do about astoria. she's sort of blank, kind and open-minded but other than that nothing else is said about her. of course that's just jkr writing women. i would like to know more about her before i start shipping drastoria seriously.

i do like drastoria, as a way to build draco's character and scorpius's background. i think they could be a good ship to ship, if astoria was a more fleshed out character.

i DO NOT ship pansy with anyone but her canon husband blaise. i think the scene in the train where pansy asks blaise about ginny is a cute way to allude to them. i am beyond happy that draco didn't end up with her and instead with a character unknown to harry until the epilogue.

[iimplicitt]

OPHELIA | OP81

part two of twenty nine

act i sc. i

ophelia table of contents

pairings: oscar piastri x original female character, lando norris x original female character

summary: 𝙙𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚; 𝙙𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙣 𝙙𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚; 𝙙𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙩 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙧; 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙩 𝙞 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚. Only issue is, Oscar had been lying his whole life and she had absolutely no reason to believe him. Not anymore.

warnings and notes: retelling of hamlet, also retelling of a harry potter work i have. violence. language. suggestions of sex though not too descriptive. mentions of suicide/death. religious themes. alternate universe. dual pov. socioeconomic class issues. racing is still slightly involved. catholic school. act 1, 3, and 5 are from oscar’s pov. the others are from ophelia’s, 18+

𝖙𝖍𝖎𝖊𝖋 𝖔𝖋 𝖛𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖚𝖊

I was an idiot.

Plan and simple. I had never known when to quit, when I had pushed too far, when I was being selfish, ignorant, or cruel. All my life I had been raised in wealth, I was the heir of a massive fortune and with that came the scrutiny of my father.

He never knew when to quit, so neither did I.

God, I was awful to you.

Thinking about it made me sick to my stomach as I’d watch you walk by with your cherry stained lips forming a smile as you helped some guy with his homework. I watched you as long as I dared, Ignoring the world pounding on the door, begging to be let in and infecting my mind with worry.

You kept it out of my head, though.

The kindness that bloomed out of your skin used to disgust me. Deep down I knew I never deserved it, so ridicule and venom would slip off my tongue every time you had said hello. Even the first time we met, I was floored.

Hello, Oscar. It’s so nice to meet you. You said with that twinkling glimmer and your soft hand held out. All I did was silently snarl at you like a wounded animal. Yet you never relented, you were stubborn that way and I admittedly liked the attention I was getting from you. Sure, everyone’s eyes were on me, they always were. But all you did was smile, you never asked me for anything and you never offered anything.

For the first three years our only exchanges were hellos, though my side was typically mute, staring down my nose at you in disgust.

I could never bring myself to say anything to you.

They would crawl up my tongue like a spider, its legs tickling my throat and the poison awaited to drip out and spin its webs around you with derogatory terms. Anything really, everyone didn’t seem to have any qualms on tearing you down. Calling you filth.

You were the purest thing alive.

The summer before fourth year is when I caved, but I didn’t shed the shadows that clung to my skin like tar. It was reckless, on your behalf, honestly what were you thinking? My father had hit me, nothing new, I was used to the sting of his rings.

Then you waltzed along, the fury of the heavens in your eyes and your chestnut hair swirled like a breeze in a storm. Glaring up at my father as you told him off.

You shouted at my father, in public, and I couldn’t help the flicker of endearment that ignited in my chest. I never said thank you, though. I yelled at you afterward. Not meaning a single word but it sounded like I did. I made you believe I did. Your beautiful eyes became pools and ichor slid down your flushed cheeks.

I was only trying to help, you said in a faint whisper.

That exchange weighed heavy in my chest all the way up until Christmas and the school’s holiday dinner reared its head.

I caved again.

I asked you to the dinner.

You were shocked.

Mine doubled when you actually said yes.

But halfway into the night my wickedness swallowed me whole, whispering doubts and taunting me with a devilish fiend. Lando scolded me for even talking to you.

I left you at the table.

Your eyes found me later on when I was kissing Margret and my hands were halfway up her dress.

We didn’t talk, but you still smiled your greetings. Every time the breath left your lungs I felt like a prayer was washing over my tainted skin. Purging me of sin every morning and throughout the day it would layer back on again like heavy wool.

We didn’t talk again until the school incident and that seventh year was expelled. Guilt in my chest because I knew who was actually responsible. They were currently lounging on a chair across from me and reading a book.

The next day you walked up to me right before mass, crossing the aisle that separated the boys and girls, hands clasped in front of you and you bit your lip as if it was ripened fruit.

I couldn’t breathe.

Are you okay?

I sat dumbly, blinking up at you with my fox-like eyes. But for the moment I was out of tricks. No one had ever asked me that before and I hadn't the faintest clue how to respond.

Then you smiled again and took hold of my hand.

We'd never touched before.

My heart stopped and for a moment I feared I was dying.

Everything froze, it was just you. You and your curls of amber and eyes made from the water of Aphrodite's fountain.

No wonder you cried the blood of gods.

I stared at you and you understood. Panicking, I let go of your hand, turning away.

We didn't talk.

Fifth year I found you bleeding in the hallway well past curfew. A hand pressed to your bruising cheek.

Your boyfriend had a temper. I wanted to castrate him. I wanted to do so every time he touched you or pressed his ungrateful lips to your holy skin.

Which confused me and I ended up drunk and punched a wall.

I fractured my hand.

The badge that was pinned to my jacket seared into my skin like a brand fresh off the lick of flames and I felt bad as I walked closer, wishing I wasn't a prefect.

Wishing I wasn't me. Like somehow your pain was my fault.

I nearly apologized to you. I nearly asked if you were okay.

Get back to your dormitory or else I'm giving you a detention.

But you didn't look affronted. You smiled instead. The sight looked as if it was carved from Michelangelo himself. Because you knew, I never let people simply walk away. I gave the impression of basking in getting people in trouble. I should've written you up, but I didn't. My eyes shone like the moon as I watched you step closer, tilting your head back to look up at me as if I was the art work.

Goodnight, Oscar.

Goodnight nearly slipped out of my mouth, my throat bubbling with acid. The smell of hot honey and roses and lemon... the smell of you swinging down like a pure diamond guillotine and cutting the rationality right off my shoulders. I could hear it hit the floor with a heavy thump. I could see it as it rolled away, leaving a bloody trail.

I panicked and wrote you up.

You had more bruises.

We didn't talk.

Not until it was your birthday and I impulsively sent you a single rose and an old piece of paper with sorry scribbled in ebony ink.

It was pathetic.

But you said good morning to me again, the flower in your hold and your smile was bright despite the storm raging outside and the yellow and purple stain on your cheek.

I finally said it back.

The words foreign on my tongue, my lips pressing together and warm from the tea I was drinking.

Later that night I found a rose petal in my bag with a letter that asked are you okay?

I crumpled it up and threw it in the fire.

[newx-menfan]

Thoughts on Cerebro Podcast:

Readers paying attention to nothing except X-Men is kind of brutally true 😂🤣 (I do read other comics…but X-Men is the only book I consistently read…)

Apparently one of the writers cats is very vicious! (I think it’s Jackson’s )🙀😾😹

Was kind of apprehensive when the podcaster mentioned not being a fan of NYX or NXM:AX- NYX I at least get…but I kind of am surprised they weren’t a big fan of NXM…honestly this is the same problem with “Xavier Files” for me; they write it off as “gimmicky” or “commercialization” or “a Harry Potter knockoff”, instead of admitting that NXM really was a great predecessor of Gen X and NM and fit really well with what Morrison had developed. I would say NXM was the only x-book that ever fully “felt” like a true blue “school” book and that the characters felt more realistic because they were flawed and more nuanced than a lot of previous teen characters 😒

Don’t agree that all the NXM should necessarily “break bad”- it makes sense more for someone like Hellion, (who went through bodily harm repeatedly, was heavily “shunned” by adults or labeled as a proto-villain, and was already pretty naturally rebellious) than a lot of the other NXM characters. Like I don’t envision Indra or even modern day Elixir turning because of their personalities…MAYBE Pixie because of Limbo influence? Even Surge, for example, as angry as she is…I can’t picture it working narratively as well.

Agree with the Podcaster that in a lot of ways these characters work in a new title because they feel “college age”- they’re not too young that you have to write a YA/highschool book and can feature broader themes…but they’re also still a “hip” and “young” age…

Brought up what I have been saying for years- that the NXM represented cultural crisis like climate change, 9/11, recession, ect… basically general disenfranchisement caused by modernity…and that they still work for that feeling and are basically the “millennials” of X-books

Kamala WAS editorially mandated 

I feel better hearing it described as “older Bendis” kind of book- as negative as I feel about Bendis, I did really enjoy his “street vibe” with Jessica Jones and Miles and miss those kinds of books. I miss books like “X-Factor Investigations” or the original “NYX”…

Really thrilled to hear Hellion is their favorite lol! (Although Hellion is pretty much EVERYONE’S favorite lol😜)

Really agree with the note that Hellion’s BIGGEST flaw isn’t that he’s wrong, but that he’s arrogant and condescending about it (it’s also TOTALLY why I think he’s an ♈️ and not a ♌️ )

Same with the “he’s not a BAD kid, he just comes off as bad”…

Agree that Laurie Collin’s COULD have made a really cool villian…although I really liked that despite her power set, Laurie WASN’T evil….also objectively…I’m more excited about it being Empath, because as everyone KNOWS, I REALLY wanted the Hellion v. Empath smackdown 😂🤣🤣

F***…. Might need to go back and read “Hellions” now 😂🤣🤣

The writers are obviously going to address the Sophie-Prodigy moment and Laura and Kamala (I have said this with Surge/Dust AX storyline…but again…there’s a difference with writing a problematic scene to explore a real problem vs. being racist/sexist/ect…) 

Really sad to hear the Surge hate ☹️, especially since the writers are obviously doing the same “learning moment” with Sophie and David….again, I would ARGUE the whole point of that original story WAS that Surge was wrong…but whatevs

The “shippers” commentary made me laugh 😂🤣

Liked the conversation around the local feel/geography (I was actually really excited when the “Vessel” at Hudson Yards popped up in issue #1)

I actually DIDN’T think about how Sophie MISSED Decimation…which actually makes it even MORE interesting!… Hellion AND Prodigy are definitely going to give Sophie a piece of their minds though lol

Sophie and Kamala being in the same boat (both didn’t experience THE BAD ERA of X-Men) and learning from one another sounds like it will be really interesting! I am actually MORE excited about Sophie than I was previously after listening to this podcast episode!

The statement about Empath being “Emma’s greatest failure” because you can’t really humble or nudge that character was an interesting way to look at Manuel and I am interested in seeing more of this play out

Sounds like Anole is going to be the one that gets arrested (1:11.45)

The idea of Emma constantly talking shit about Carol Danvers cracked me up 

Dante, David’s boyfriend will be heavily featured in issue #6; also I really appreciated the discussion around Dante, in general 

It does sound like no one should get super attached to any ship from this podcast ep lol

Not sure I care for “Kamala= Superman, Laura=Batman”….but whatevs

Feel super empathetic to Kelly needing to get off the call for his wife- it was super nice of him to do this podcast interview and congratulations on the new addition to his family!! ❤️

Everyone already knows this by now but QQ was originally meant to be “The Krakoan” in the first pitch…honestly it’s for the best because I am picky about my QQ representation…

Hellion commentary (1:27:15)- because THAT’S the most important lol

Totally agree that QQ was a million times better as an antagonist and they (cough…Aaron…cough) ruined a great Morrison character 

Kind of hope they didn’t JUST choose Julian because he’s a “white male privileged character”- Julian definitely IS that, but there’s also plenty more layers TO Julian…

This whole podcast episode is a love letter to Morrison and I LOVE it 😂🤣🤣🤣

Quentin DID steal Julian’s thunder and I am GLAD someone fucking SAID IT! 😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

Calling me out on my Hellion grievances lol - yes, yes I AM that bitter lol

Again- I actually don’t see Surge and Wallflower going evil; Wallflower because she saw how her father’s abuse of his powers affected her mother, and Surge, because I think Noriko is too loyal and dependent on others ultimately…. Julian makes sense because he’s always been a pretty independent thinker/ stood his ground when he thought he was right and always had a “damn the consequences” attitude. Julian IS loyal…but his need to do what he saw as “right” often trumped that loyalty- remember him turning on Emma to defend Laura! (might do a bigger write up on this later!)

Hellion got his hands back…but it sounds like they’re going to tackle THAT story on page possibly

I agree that Hellion TOTALLY would have gone through the Crucible as well- while I LIKED Julian’s prosthetics and what they represented…the truth is Julian more or less SAID he wanted them HEALED in “X-Men: Legacy”…it wouldn’t narratively make sense for him to pull a “Karma” and keep them

Kind of do hope we see Julian MAKING telekinetic floating hands as a fight move…

I agree that Hellion would be angry over the loss of Krakoa…but I actually think, after years of Hellion “wanting fame and glory”…after years and years of trauma and abandonment…receding into the background, having his friends alive and back…might have been a relief to him. While Hellion DEFINITELY IS arrogant…I do think he learned his lesson that there’s a negative to “fame and glory”…

Really pleased to hear Lanzing say he wants Hellion to be a bigger character and kind of push back on the “Hellion is just taking QQ’s original role’s place”- I know I am going to get flack for saying this from QQ fans… but; Hellion is more interesting than just being the ANGRY REBELLIOUS FASCHIST KID. QQ’s original anger didn’t have the layers Hellion does. While there’s definitely some egotism and arrogance there….Hellion WENT through a lot of trauma and isn’t entirely WRONG to be angry at the X-Men….Hellion I would argue ALWAYS had a complexity that QQ never did, because Julian was more emotionally intelligent than QQ (and that WAS kind of the point of Kid Omega…his intellect didn’t match his emotional intelligence! He WAS a more realistic take on the kid who is too smart for his own good!)

Glad to hear him mention Laura specifically!

the 7 train IS objectively terrible lol

This *might* be the book where Kamala’s family finds out she’s a superhero…

I agree with the writers and liked the Aamir moment- I think it does highlight that it IS easy to play into stereotypes and discriminate…especially when there’s propaganda actively reinforcing it…

Kamala is apparently going to get an X-verse version of “the Trumper relative” 😳🤣🤣🤣

G Willow Wilson run shoutout ✊✊

Couldn’t say much about the new “Quiet Council”….but they’re all “failed, used, and taught by Emma Frost”…

“Emma is the educator that matters”- truth!…although this DOESN’T highlight her legacy in a particularly nice way or bode well for the new generation of students 🤣🤣🤣

“Why would we STOP” commentary about Krakoa and the freedom they once had is great!

Calling attention to Hellion AND Esme not having the Empath power effect over them in the art (although the cuckoos powers often show up as pink as well)- won’t confirm or deny Empath controlling them

There isn’t a “Cut and Dry” villain in the book apparently (Ooooohhh! I love that! I really DO hope we get Magneto levels of ambiguity with all these characters!)

Agree that the artist did a great job with Empath’s character design and harkening back to the 80’s! (Technically Empath’s hair color changed depending on the artist- sometimes it was a dirty blonde, sometimes brown…also I could totally see Manuel dyeing his hair to match Emma…so…)

Kind of wonder if Firestar OR Magma will pop up… one of my FAV issues of Uncanny X-Men WAS the one where Empath and Roulette manipulated Warpath’s grief over Thunderbird and Firestar…

The commentary ON Empath and the relationship of psychology to power sets was really excellent!! (1:52:05) [I ADMIT IT NOW- I MIGHT NEED to EAT CROW and read “Hellions” 😂🤣🤣] 

Possibly WILL be in conversation with Eve Ewing’s Emma book… (I really WOULD like to see a dive into Emma constantly trying to “undo” the past with new students, and how it’s NEVER about Emma trying to do “right” by these kids…as much as Emma USES her students as martyrdom…the truth is, much like Xavier, it’s ALWAYS ABOUT her ego…that’s why she does it…) [I KNOW people hated KYOST’s take on Emma back in the day…but I would argue that they weren’t entirely WRONG that Emma’s actions are complex and not ALWAYS altruistic…]

….It KIND OF IS Emma’s fault, people 😂🤣

Not sure I love the idea of the cast growing…but we will see…

Lanzing and Kelly MIGHT be on again! 

Thought about making a Greg land joke with the Spider-Man plug…but I won’t be petty….

Overall- I feel better about this book; it DOES seem like the writers are putting A LOT of thought into this book and aren’t just doing things without thinking about it deeply first! I definitely think this is going to be one of the strongest X-book we’ve gotten in a long time and I am PUMPED! 

(Also I may have to listen to CEREBRO Files more- the commentary was really great 😂🤣🤣)

I know I may regret it…but I am REALLY feeling optimistic about this book!!

[milkywayhou]

20 and 10 for the asks <3 <3

HEY TORTA!! <3 <3

GASPP I'M GLAD YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT HER HAHAH. SORRY IF I'M TAKE LONG TIME TO ANSWER IT! :((

10.What's an AU that would be interesting to explore with her?

Ohh boy. You wouldn't believe how much Alternative Universe I made for her. A few AU I remember is her original Universe - Which she was an AI Android with grey motivation and past, and the setting was in post-apocalyptic world where half of the living creature on earth was dead after some incidents. And I kinda used her as an character in my Harry Potter roleplay (she is a villain-)

I'm also currently working on my own AU with her and König as the character hehe.

The first one I guess you already know ;)

An immortal necromancer with her undead knight. This one was inspired by Mili song "Ga1ahad and Scientific Witchery"

So I can see you again

So I can kill you again -both

My brains accelerate -Knight

And I'll -Witch Reassemble you again -both

I appreciate your thoughts

But you've given me too much to tolerate -Knight

I've done so much for you

But you treat me this way -Witch

===

For the second AU is kinda dark (?) I never finished the plot and it was inspired by x0o0x song "冥路"

The plot is about a youtuber/influencer that like to visit abandonment place and she went into a rural area to document an old left base even though there's so much rumour about many people get disappear after they visit that building.

I have a rough scenario about this in my note haha, but i guess I'll still change it later

===

The crumbling ruins of the old military base had long been a subject of rumor and mystery in the remote countryside. Some said it was haunted by ghosts of fallen soldiers. Others claimed a feral beast lurked within, preying on trespassers.

Only the bravest of explorers dared venture through the rusting gates under cover of night. None who entered were ever seen again.

As a streamer, You had made a name for yourself documenting adventures through allegedly haunted locations. When word of the abandoned base reached you, you simply had to investigate. Alone and after sunset, you slipped into the decrepit compound, camera rolling as you narrated in hushed tones.

The first few buildings revealed nothing but dust and debris. As You rounded a dark corner, a figure emerged from the shadows - a tall, broad man in tattered military fatigues, eyeing your camera with a hollow gaze.

"Hello...I didn't expect to find anyone out here. I'm just exploring, I'll be on my way--"

He seized your wrist in an iron grip. Close up, you noticed scars criss-crossing his stubbled face, and something feral in his deadened eyes.

"No one trespasses here. You'll stay." His voice rasped as if disused. Your heart raced, trying to calmly reason with the unstable veteran. But he merely dragged you deeper into the ruins, to a cellar door opening with a rusty squeal.

Down the creaking stairs, You glimpsed your end - a grimy room filled with remnants of those who came before. Your streaming career would end here, in this hell of a madman's making. Unless you could somehow find a way to escape...or turn the tables on your captor

Don't worry, I'll take care of you-

20.Does she have a tendency to get jealous? If so, how does she manifest?

Having lost so much control over life's cruelties, Snow guarded jealously what few joys remained in her tattered grasp.

Seeing peers bond closer stirred resentment's bitter tang, irrational logic insisting such intimacy mocked her inability to let down walls. She masked unease through charming jabs, joking any togetherness risked "stealing" one another from her orbit alone.

Less obvious, loneliness twisted innocent acts into perceived betrayals. If comrades gathered without her, paranoid logic conjured conspiracies against fractured minds too tired to fight shadows alone. Jealousy twisted friendships strained by her own detachment into fresh grudges deepening already cavernous isolation.

But she will still outwardly smiled through turmoil reminding she chose this path herself through walls erected in desperation's bid for survival this far. Envy remained her dirty secret, lest it brand weakness compromising years constructing impenetrable facades of resilience and control leaving none suspecting festering loneliness beneath.

[jgroffdaily]

How did I end up here? What are those moments, decisions and coincidences that shape our lives, sometimes leading us down pathways once unimaginable, for better or for worse?

Radcliffe, Groff and Mendez join host Robin Young to talk about the show, its history and their own relationships to the characters they portray.

Interview summary:

Jonathan is asked about the show being a love story about friendships that get left behind. He says that he thinks it’s more difficult, as an actor, to fake a friendship than to fake romantic chemistry.

Dan talks about how much he loves the cast, and he doesn’t have to work to feel that.

When the interviewer plays a clip of Dan singing Franklin Shepherd Inc, Dan says that he moved violently away from the microphone and headphones to avoid hearing himself singing! He stresses out about the song a lot before he does it, but loves it during. He sees it as a love song sung by someone who is desperately trying not to lose a friend but going about it in the worst possible way. The disagreement between Charlie and Frank is because Charlie wants more of Frank in his life than Frank is able to give.

Jonathan says that we are all changing all of the time. It’s challenging to allow yourself to change; your partner to change; your friend to change.

When Jonathan saw Frank in the London production (presumably on video) say the line “I’ve made one mistake in my life, but I’ve made it over and over… that was saying yes when I meant no”, he thought “oof, I get that!”, and was then a “bucket of tears” throughout the rest of the show. When he was trying to learn the show, after he and the rest of the cast had signed on, he couldn’t hear Our Time over his own hysterical crying, remembering what it felt like when he was 19 years old and had just moved to New York - the hope, the dreams, the optimism.

Lindsay said that Our Time still hits them all a lot. She says that at the previous night’s performance, the audience’s reaction to the line (SPOILER!) where Frank first meets Mary and says “I just met the girl I ought to marry” broke her, because it showed how badly the audience wanted that, and the fact that we know it doesn’t happen is so sad.

The trio then discussed what it is like to think about what the original Merrily cast went through, and Daniel compares it to the experience of doing Harry Potter. He says they have had nothing but lovely experiences with the original cast, who are finding the current situation complicated but joyful.

[snowyslytherinowl]

My Views on Coriolanus Snow and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

This is a Harry Potter blog, but not even Harry Potter can capture my mind and soul like the Hunger Games can. I’ve read TBOSAS three times and I have some opinions to share. My conclusions will be based on the book since I didn’t particularly like the movie. 

Note: I haven’t read the book in about 2 months so I apologize if anything I say is blatantly incorrect. I don’t mind if anyone disputes what I say, but please be respectful. 

And of course, SPOILERS BELOW THE CUT!

Point 1: Coriolanus cared for Lucy Gray in his own weird way, but he never loved her

After reading the book for the second time, I thought that Coriolanus never loved Lucy Gray and that he was only ever using her. After reading it for the third time, I wouldn’t go so far as to say that he was only ever using her. I think that he genuinely cared for her before and during the 10th Hunger Games. For example, he felt disturbed at how she had nothing to eat and didn’t talk about what happened to Clemensia since she had bigger problems than he did. Also, Coriolanus kissing Lucy Gray in public during their final goodbye before the Games was one of the only moments where he broke from his true character (and this missing scene from the movie is one reason why I didn’t particularly like it). Coriolanus’s number 1 priority was maintaining his public image, so the fact that he kissed a District girl in public was a big deal. 

However, I don’t think he truly loved her since he viewed her as a possession. Coriolanus admitted to having an obsessive nature, which extended to him being obsessed with her. The first huge red flag in his relationship with Lucy Gray was when he gave her a matching rose before the interviews as a “reminder of who Lucy Gray belonged to.” Throughout the novel and especially after the Games, Coriolanus continually refers to Lucy Gray as “his girl.” He was also perpetually jealous of Billy Taupe even though she assured him time and time again that she loved only him. The most profound statement that proves his possessive nature towards her is when he thinks, “In some ways, it had been better to have her locked up in the Capitol, where he always had a general idea of what she was doing.” 

Coriolanus was someone who valued stability and control, while Lucy Gray was fiercely individualistic. So please stop thinking that it could’ve ever worked out between the two of them. 

Point 2: Lucy Gray is not a pick me girl

At least for the first few months after the book came out, people were claiming that Lucy Gray was what we would consider a pick me girl. The first time I read the book, even I thought that she gave off the vibe of not being like other girls. Lucy Gray emphasizes that she and the Covey were neither District nor Capitol; they’re just the Covey. But after reading the book for the second time, I realized that she only held this view because she was proud of who she was. At the same time, she didn’t think that being Covey made her any better or that District people were worse than her. She also said, “People aren’t so bad, really. It’s what the world does to them.”

I think that the “not like other District people” view originated from Coriolanus. From the beginning, Coriolanus viewed people from the Districts as brutish and subhuman. He used Lucy Gray’s identity as Covey as an argument that she wasn’t like the subhuman District people; she was special and one could even argue that she was even Capitol. It was unfortunate that she and the Covey were rounded up into District 12. I think he developed this idea as both a way to gain sympathy from Capitol viewers and to convince himself that he wasn’t in love with a “worthless” girl. He also would’ve disagreed with Lucy Gray’s quote since he viewed only District people as truly bad to the core. 

Point 3: Lucy Gray survived 

I don’t think we will ever get an answer as to what happened to Lucy Gray. I think her fate is supposed to remain a mystery, just like Wordsworth’s Lucy Gray’s fate remained a mystery. Nonetheless, I personally believe that she survived. 

Coriolanus hated the mockingjays because they were abominations that resulted from the breeding of high-tech Capitol jabberjays and the local District mockingbirds. And who is similar to the mockingjays? Lucy Gray. She was a songbird who wanted to be free and never wanted to be controlled, while Coriolanus wanted to control everything. Just like the mockingjays came to be and flourished in District 12, Lucy Gray also survived. She was a clever bird who survived the Hunger Games and tricked Coriolanus. 

I know that my opinion is based all on symbolism, but many aspects of Suzanne Collins’s writing are symbolic. 

Point 4: Coriolanus never cared for Sejanus

First of all, let me say that the movie did Sejanus DIRTY. They portrayed him as a pain in the ass (he was that in the book, but he was so much more as well) and I even saw some people saying that he deserved what he got. No one says that to my Sejanus. 

Anyway, back to the point: Coriolanus always viewed Sejanus as the bane of his existence. Sejanus was going to steal Coriolanus’s fortune and he always stole Coriolanus’s spotlight. Coriolanus thought that Sejanus brought the tributes food to take the attention away from him; not for one moment did he think that it was because Sejanus had a heart of gold. He viewed Sejanus’s attachment to District 2 as stupid since he should’ve felt lucky to have a comfortable life in the Capitol. 

Yes, Coriolanus jumped off his bunk and threw his arms around Sejanus when he arrived in District 12. But it was not because he was genuinely happy to see Sejanus; he was happy to see Sejanus because he reminded him of home. After their first conversation in District 12 was over, Coriolanus admitted that the news that the Capitol didn’t hate him was what brought him back to life. And while they were “friends” during their time as Peacekeepers, Coriolanus felt like he always had to get Sejanus out of trouble. Coriolanus was constantly watching over Sejanus to ensure he wasn’t communicating with the rebels and he was trying to convince Sejanus not to do anything extreme. This feeling got so bad that he wanted Sejanus out of his life.

One thing I will say is that I don’t think that Coriolanus wanted Sejanus dead, per se. When he recorded Sejanus’s plans using the jabberjay, Coriolanus thought that Strabo would donate tons of money and have Sejanus removed from District 12; he didn’t think he would be killed. I think Coriolanus felt slightly guilty for essentially putting the noose around Sejanus’s neck, but he also thought he was doing Sejanus a favor. He had saved Sejanus from dying multiple times before that, so it was only a matter of time before Sejanus died. So no, Anus^2/Snowjanus wouldn’t have worked out either.

Point 5: Coriolanus wasn’t completely evil from the beginning

I’ve seen people saying that Coriolanus was always evil or that he wasn’t even evil in TBOSAS. My viewpoint is in the middle between these two opinions. I think Coriolanus had messed up thinking from the very first chapter, but he wasn’t evil. He did have some morals, like genuinely caring for Lucy Gray’s well-being and feeling guilty over Clemensia’s snake bites. I don’t think he actually wanted to kill Sejanus or attempt to kill Lucy Gray, but he would kill anyone if it meant he would make it out alive and unharmed. I think Coriolanus would’ve eventually turned evil as he grew older even if the 10th Hunger Games had never taken place. However, I think that Dr. Gaul sending him to District 12 accelerated his path to becoming evil. By the end of the book, Coriolanus had devolved into the primal state resembling humans living without a social contract. 

Point 6: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes isn’t a romance

Point 5 brings me to this point: TBOSAS is a piece on human nature and political control. There is romance and I will admit that I giggled and kicked my feet as I saw Coriolanus kissing Lucy Gray like a starving man (this was despite me already knowing everything that would happen). The main actions of TBOSAS actually revolve around Dr. Gaul’s points on chaos, contract, and control (which originated from Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes). Without a government and without a social contract, people are primal creatures and will kill at a whim. The only way to civilize people is to place them under a social contract, and thus there must be a strong government to enforce this contract and control the people. Coriolanus took Dr. Gaul’s lesson to heart and genuinely believed that only the Capitol could hold Panem together. Throughout the book, Coriolanus starts from a person with questionable thoughts to a person with no morals whatsoever. The downward spiral of his moral compass truly begins when he arrives in District 12, but he loses all morals once he leaves for the woods with Lucy Gray and abandons civilization. Therefore, Coriolanus fell victim to Dr. Gaul’s thesis. 

GIF Credits

Intro: @aemondtagaryen

Point 1: @xthecaptainssaviorx

Point 2: @myrcella-lannister

Point 3: @kvtnisseverdeen

Point 4: @clemensiadovecotes

Point 5: @fyeahvillains

Point 6: @xthecaptainssaviorx

[dhr-ao3]

Last to Make it Home

Last to Make it Home https://ift.tt/RQ1pcgv by theshippingdoctor Robin, a 24 year old former Hufflepuff is still reeling from the events of the war. Four years later, she's hiding at university far from Scotland, neck deep in her research, when quite an array of inconvenient events forces her to deal with the not so distant past. A nosy roommate turning up on her doorstep half-invited, uninvited memories of school and infamous friends in hand. An old job creating problems that need solving (spy stuff...seems cool until the fact that only you know about it bites you in the arse). Not to mention the fact said job means asking Charlie for help. Or nah. She'll be fine. There's nothing worse than contacting someone who may or may not be your ex. And if he isn't, then what does that make him? Words: 301, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Mature Warnings: Major Character Death Categories: F/F, F/M, M/M Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Charlie Weasley, Fred Weasley, Cedric Diggory, Minerva McGonagall, Weasley Family (Harry Potter), Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, Hermione Granger, Blaise Zabini, Sirius Black Relationships: Charlie Weasley/Original Female Character(s), Neville Longbottom/Theodore Nott, Fred Weasley & Original Female Character(s), Cedric Diggory & Original Female Character(s), Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy, Fleur Delacour/Bill Weasley Additional Tags: Angst and Fluff and Smut, Hurt/Comfort, Psychological Torture, Writing traumatized teenagers is fun, but in two timelines, cause adults trauma bonding is also fun, Angst, Fluff, Eventual Smut, Animagus, yay it's a quest, Dragons, Stress Baking, Music, International, Hufflepuff/Slytherin Inter-House Relationships, Spies & Secret Agents, Bickering, so much, Found Family, Science via AO3 works tagged 'Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy' https://ift.tt/loGiFq9 March 02, 2025 at 11:18PM

[blooming-violets]

Sorry this is gonna be a bit of a rant since it’s something I’ve had strong feelings about since joining the AG/TASM fanfic part of the internet, and you’ve provided me a great opportunity to talk about it.

As a trans person, I am BEGGING fanfic writers to stop writing Marauders stuff. I’ve seen so many people defend it with “separate art from the artist” but like it or not they are still supporting JKR. Separating art from the artist only really works when the artist can’t profit from it. She has done SO MUCH harm to trans people and particularly trans youth in the UK and it’s so fucking disheartening and gives me such an ick when I see TASM writers also write for Marauders because it truly comes across as “I love and support the trans community except when it comes to this because I like it.”.

Even if you ignore the transphobia and holocaust denial (YES IM SERIOUS, she’s denied parts of the holocaust at LEAST twice and she literally did it a second time the other day), the original writing is so fucking problematic. Things just off the top of my head being;

The goblins being stereotypes of Jewish people

The fucking racism with characters like Cho Chang and Kingsley Shacklebolt

The last Fantastic Beasts movie’s plot literally being trying to make WW2 and the holocaust happen

This point needs to be taken with a grain of salt since this was some bullshit Joanne said after the books came out, but werewolves in the universe being meant to represent people with aids. Which is so fucking awful considering one of the two werewolves was attacked by the other as a CHILD

The most ironic part of this is that if Andrew is truly the person he presents himself as, he would probably fucking despise being associated with HP, even if it is just a fancast. But yeah all this to say fuck JKR, fuck Marauders fans but also thank you so much Katie for that last anon answer because I genuinely don’t see that enough in this corner of the internet.

Even Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter himself, has spoken out against her and continues to loudly support the LGBTQ+ communities. When your own beloved Harry doesn't even want to stand by your side, you should know you fucked up. Sadly, she does not, and instead leans harder into her bigotry and hatred.

I've always been someone who is very loud and opinionated when I see things that I disagree with, which I know can rub some people the wrong way, but fuck it. I don't like to whisper about my issues on the sidelines, I like to confront the problem head on by being very clear about where I stand and how I feel. I'm not gonna sit around and let someone align me with JKR just because I'm writing a stupid werewolf and Peter Parker fic that exactly 5 people are reading lol. It's not even a popular fic like get out of my asks jfc. Esp when I can tell this person has not read a single sentence of my story and is completely basing their judgements on my header image of AG's face next to a wolf gif.

In this past week I have seen both a Steven Harrington werewolf au and a Daredevil werewolf au cross my dash. Do we think they're getting called out for supporting HP?? No. Because their actors weren't "fan casted" as something years ago. Fan casts don't even mean anything! There was never a movie about them. AG was never casted or played this role. It's literally nothing but a bunch of fans agreeing that they like his look for a fictional character.

Anyway, I'm also ranting back at you haha. You can rant to me anytime. I love a good rant and I agree with you 100%.

Werewolves were not created by JKR. Andrew Garfield has nothing to do with Harry Potter. Don't make make snap judgments about a person's character based on a picture you saw. Support your trans community. Don't be dick.

And, if they actually read my werewolf au, they would see that it's literally about learning to overcome your own hatred and biases of people different from you and learning to love those you were taught to hate. Crazy concept, I know! 🙄😉

[hp-confessions]

This fandom is literally so funny and strange (as a poc it’s even more baffling I guess), and as a person who is still pretty much an outsider to all of this (I still have a lot to learn and haven’t really connected with any characters or ships or anything yet) a lot of the things I see are kinda like “out of context” or like how it looks to me from the outside lookin in.

Like fans will hate on a ship because of so and so reasons but then turn around and ship a pairing with those same things.

For starters, Dramione bashers will hate on it because “boohoo bully x victim / oppressor x oppressed / racist x poc, that’s like so disgusting!” but then will literally ship Pansmione or Drarry…as if Pansy doesn’t fall under the same category as Draco, and Harry isn’t only a half-blood but usually depicted as a poc within the fandom (or they’ll even ship like Jegulus but imagine James as poc)… wtf is that? There’s not a thought behind those eyes (and I know I said it’s funny, and it is, but this one is actually gets on my nerves. And their justification for it never actually really correlates to their original argument. Always “but Drarry has more moments and makes more sense,” “doesn’t matter they were literally obsessed with each other” like who tf cares about that? that has nothing to do with what you were stating. They still fall under the same thing. Maybe don’t use these serious types of arguments if you’re literally just going to contradict yourself a second later to essentially just ship the gay version of it).

Drarry bashers hate it because “they had no chemistry and make no sense,” “they were enemies and hated each other” but then ship Dramione… nurse, she’s out again. Seeing things that are not there is a clear sign that you need help.

Snily bashers will hate on it because “ew, an incel death eater who says slurs and bullies kids and is a terrible teacher” but then ship Regulily or Bartylily (or just lily with any other death eater they deem rich and attractive), as if Regulus and Barty don’t fall under that same exact category as a death eater, as Snape. They’re in a hate group y’all, they most definitely say “slurs” too. Thinking otherwise is just delusion, especially when it’s stated that those two were proud death eaters. And anyway, didn’t Barty literally try murdering children or Harry? Did he not torture the Longbottoms to insanity and then practically torment Neville by showing him in class what spell he used to torture them with? The lights are on but clearly nobody’s home. Lost causes atp.

Romione bashers hate on it because “oh Ron was so mean, and ungrateful, and they were always fighting, he never loved Hermione” but will ship Dramione…please, do I need to say more? Like i’m trying so hard to pick up what you’re all putting down but it’s so shit that it wont stick. What are you all on?

Harmony bashers hate on it because “omg no, it’s incest” or “why can’t friends just be friends” but then ship Ronarry, Ginmione (or whatever), or even the canon ships Hinny or Romione, as if they all don’t fall under that friends-to-lovers dynamic, and can be classified as somewhat incest-y depending on differing views or interpretations and whatnot. Harry is practically adopted into the Weasley family, he is pretty much seen as another brother to them, hell, he even confuses his relationship with Ginny as brotherly. Hinny and Ronarry are pretty close to that ‘maybe incest’ line, and anyways seeing as all Purebloods are related it’s safe to assume they’re actually genuinely related (although very distinctly and depending on how closely related people make Charlus potter to Harry and his line I suppose). As for Romione, they very much gave either siblings or an old married couple with all that bickering while I was reading through. More so than with Harry and Hermione, who were honestly pretty tame with each other and were kind of just…there? idk, I’m not much of a shipper, so my mind doesn’t automatically go to wanting characters together romantically. But Ron and Hermione were funny and reminded me a great deal of my little siblings who used to never stop fighting and have even tried multiple times setting my grandmothers birds and hamsters on each other, which never did anything but make our lives harder with trying to find said animals (gahhh, those rascals. I lowkey miss those times). But yeah, the arguments are flimsy. Dumb, dumb, and dumber.

Hinny bashers hate on it because “Ginny is literally just Harry’s mom,” or “Harry is projecting his mother onto her” but then will ship Harmony… like they don’t headcanon Hermione to act like whatever version of Lily they’ve got in their head, and have Hermione act like an overbearing mother to him. Spoiler alert, but Ginny doesn’t look nor act anything like Lily, you guys are obviously the ones with the mommy issues here. Free Harry from your insanity.

~

[lthienofdorthonion]

Through My Window

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction, inspired by the Harry Potter universe and the characters I love so much. I am not trying, under any circumstances, to take authorship of J.K. Rowling's original work. All rights belong to the creator of this incredible saga.

Chapter III: Thruths that hurt

It had been a long time since Hermione left her house just to walk. Since the day she left Hogwarts, she had preferred seclusion, as if the walls of her home could protect her from the outside world. However, something drove her to go outside that morning to breathe the fresh air. As she walked through the park, everything around her seemed to have taken on a new life: the trees swayed gently in the breeze, the birds sang melodies that seemed full of hope, and the landscape, although lacking the presence of the sun, shone with a beauty she did not remember having seen before.

"I don’t understand how I let myself shut everyone out for so long," Hermione thought, watching as the leaves drifted lazily from the trees around her.

In the distance, children played among the fallen leaves, laughing with that pure, innocent joy that had eluded her for so long. "Joy, " she thought to herself. That word, which used to be so familiar to her, now seemed foreign, like a memory of a life she had left behind. Its absence was not for lack of reason, although to others it might seem insignificant or even trivial. But to Hermione, the reason was clear and painful: love.

Love, a feeling, which, people said, was so sublime, so perfect, had been for her nothing more than an inexhaustible source of pain. For many, love was synonymous with happiness, shared smiles and warm touch. But to Hermione, love had taken a cruel form, filled with silences and doubts. It  awakened something in her that she should never have felt, or at least that's what she thought.

The rain started falling harder, but she didn't care. She continued walking, her steps slow, as if the weight of her thoughts were keeping her anchored to the ground. After a while, she found a solitary swing under an old tree and decided to sit down allowing the rain to soak her brown hair, not worrying about finding shelter. She couldn't stop thinking about him: Draco Malfoy.

For years, Hermione's hatred of Draco Malfoy had been so deep and visceral that it surprised her at times. He represented everything she despised: remorseless cruelty, arrogance that seemed ingrained in his every gesture, and a ruthless coldness that followed his every step. His words, always sharp as razors, found the perfect way to hurt her, to make her feel small and insignificant. "Mudblood," he called her with a contempt that resonated in her mind long after Malfoy's voice had faded. Those insults didn't only affect her; It also involved his friends, Harry and Ron, to whom Malfoy also showed no mercy and with whom he was often worse. With each passing year at Hogwarts, he seemed to grow meaner, becoming even crueler, more ruthless, until his hostility became an impenetrable wall and a barrier of poison that Hermione felt she could never break through.

—Weasley would like a signed photo, Potter, —smirked Malfoy—. It’d be worth more than his family’s whole house. (From Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets). And even though the comment had been directed at Ron, it had been Hermione who had felt it as a blow. With every word, with every mocking laugh, Malfoy pushed her deeper and deeper into the abyss of contempt.

As time passed, Malfoy's cruelty was not just limited to words. As if his hatred and resentment had found new ways of manifesting themselves, he began to become more violent, more ruthless. Hermione could see how his gaze darkened, how his temper became unpredictable, as if at any moment he could burst. Malfoy, no longer content with insults, started culminating provocations in acts of aggression. There were days when, with the slightest provocation, he would physically attack Harry, Ron, or anyone who dared to challenge him or simply irritate him. He pushed them, hit them or even cursed them, blinded by a rage that not even he seemed to understand and that seemed to eat him up inside. Each encounter with him felt more dangerous, more charged with an explosive tension that kept everyone on constant alert.

How could someone like Malfoy, with all his power and privilege, find joy in cruelty? Instead of letting his words get to her, Hermione had begun to ignore and avoid him. However, over time, something began to change within her. She no longer felt the same hatred towards him. What had previously been intense rage had now cooled, turning into silent pity. "Poor Malfoy," she often thought. "Maybe his life is not as perfect as it seems and that's why he is the way he is," she said to herself. "People aren't like that just for the sake of it."

But pity wasn't the last thing she felt. Inevitably, that pity transformed into curiosity. Hermione couldn't help but wonder what Malfoy was really hiding behind that facade of coldness. There was something in his gaze, in those piercing gray eyes, that she had always found disturbing and somewhat intriguing. Now, every time she looked at him, she thought she saw something else. Was it Sadness? Pain? Loneliness? She wondered if, behind that mask of arrogance and hatred, was a human being so broken and trapped, waiting to be seen.

/FLASHBACK/

It was mid-term at Hogwarts, 6th year. Hermione walked through the school corridors, her backpack heavy on her shoulders, towards the library. It was a gray day, with the sky covered in clouds, giving the entire castle a calm, almost melancholic atmosphere. When she entered the library, she noticed that it was relatively full, which was unusual for that time. The students, immersed in their tasks and conversations, almost did not notice her. As always, Hermione found a secluded corner, one where she could focus, and chose a table by the window. In front of her, a tall bookcase covered the wall, filled with books in disarray. She settled into her seat, took out her parchment and quill, and began working on her homework.

Silence was almost absolute, interrupted only by the rustling of pages and the whispers of the other students. But in the midst of his concentration, something caught her eye. Through the small gap between the shelves, Hermione could see someone sitting on the other side of the bookshelf. It was Draco Malfoy. He was alone, like her, but he didn't seem to be doing any homework. He was just there, looking at the sky through the window, with a lost gaze. Something about his posture seemed strange. He wasn't the arrogant, self-assured Draco she always saw. He seemed vulnerable, even sad.

Hermione couldn't help but take a closer look. There was something about the way he had slumped into his chair, his shoulders hunched as if the heavy burden of his own existence was too much to bear. His eyes, usually cold and disdainful, were now cloudy, almost glassy. His lips were pressed into a thin line, as if trying to contain something that was tormenting him. The lioness frowned at the sight. What was going on with him? She couldn't help but be drawn at the sight, not only by the vulnerability he was showing, but by an inexplicable feeling that took over her every time her gaze met him.

Time passed slowly, and she couldn't stop watching. Something about him, in his fragility, kept her mesmerized. She felt a whirlwind of emotions in her chest, a mix of worry and something else. Something deeper. It wasn't the typical shallow attraction she might have felt for someone. No, this was different. There was something about his sadness that spoke to her in a much more personal way, something that touched her soul.

Suddenly, Draco murmured quietly, so quietly that Hermione could barely hear him, "I have to… I have no choice." The words were like a whisper in the stillness of the library. They seemed filled with fear, desperation. Hermione felt a shiver run down her spine. What did he mean by that? Why did those words sound like a confession, aimed at no one in particular?

Hermione's heart beat faster, and without being able to stop herself, she leaned forward a little, as if her body was responding without thinking to an invisible force that was pulling her towards him. A desire to get closer, to understand, invaded her strongly. She wanted to go up to him, ask him what was wrong, why he looked like that, why he seemed so… sad. But she knew she couldn't. Malfoy would never speak to someone like her.

It was then when, for a second, their eyes met.

The lioness froze in place. Draco's piercing gray eyes looked at her, shining with a mixture of surprise and… something else. An instant recognition, a fleeting connection, as if the two of them could see each other through the facades they normally maintained. He hadn't expected her to be looking at him, and she, in turn, hadn't expected to find that vulnerability in him, that side of Draco he'd never shown to anyone. The eye contact was so strong that she felt a pressure in her chest, as if the air around them had become dense. She felt her face turn completely red and she couldn't help biting her lower lip as a sign of nervousness.

For a moment that seemed like an eternity, Hermione and Draco didn't say anything. They only looked at each other. It was as if the entire world had completely stopped, leaving them both trapped in that moment. Something inexplicable was happening between them, a palpable tension, as if a spark had jumped between their gazes. It was as if, for a second, everything between them disappeared. But, just as the Slytherin's vulnerability had appeared for a moment, it also disappeared quickly.

Draco stood up suddenly, nervous, as if he had been caught in an act he didn't want anyone to see. Hermione watched as his face reddened for an instant, and he licked his lips quickly, as if trying to calm himself down. His expression instantly changed. Draco Malfoy's façade lifted again, and in the blink of an eye, the vulnerable person she had observed vanished. The attraction, the magnetism of that moment, became discomfort.

Without another word, Malfoy turned away and quickly left the library, leaving only the echo of his footsteps behind. Hermione stood there, unable to move, her heart beating faster than normal. Her mind was filled with confusing thoughts, questions she couldn't answer. “What the hell was that?  Why did I feel that way?” For a second, she felt as if she had touched something within him, something that he didn't even want to recognize, but that she had perceived without even wanting to.

With a deep sigh, Hermione looked back at the window, the cloudy sky outside, trying to remember what her duties were, but she couldn’t concentrate. Her mind was far from all that. The tension between them, although not understood even by themselves, hung in the air, persistent and unbreakable.

/END OF FLASHBACK/

She knew very well what kind of family Malfoy came from. Lucius Malfoy did not bother to hide his contempt for anyone who did not belong to his “pure blood” world. The fact that his father was a Death Eater was a well known fact, something that Malfoy never spoke openly about but that everyone knew. It was a big part of why everyone feared him. Hermione had understood this long before everything fell apart with the war. She knew the brutality of the world Malfoy had grown up in, and having seen Lucius in person, she couldn't imagine the kind of pressure he must have put on Draco. Not only was Lucius tough; he seemed like an amplified version of his son's cruelty, triply cold and ruthless. Hermione had noticed it in the few interactions she had witnessed: the constant disapproving looks, the cruel words, and the way Malfoy seemed to cower before him, even if he tried to hide it.

She couldn't conceive what it would be like to live in such an environment. What kind of childhood could someone who was raised in a home where hatred and contempt were instilled as values have had? Over time, Hermione began to understand that Malfoy's behavior was nothing more than a reflection of what he had known all his life. He just… did not know how to be otherwise. He had grown up in the shadow of a tyrannical father, in a home where kindness was seen as a weakness and cruelty as a strength. “Perhaps,” Hermione thought, “this cruelty he showed towards others was nothing more than an armor he had forged to protect himself from the world, or worse, from his own family.”

Her curiosity consumed her. Every time she bumped into him in the hallways or when, as always , Malfoy took any opportunity to insult them, Hermione scanned him with a precision that sometimes frightened her. Her eyes roaming over his face in search of some sign, something that would give her a clue as to what was really going on inside of him. As the cruel words left his mouth, she forced herself to see beyond the facade. Draco might act like a jerk, but in those moments, when hatred dripped from his lips, there was something that unnerved her. She had noticed, in certain notes of his voice, a touch of sadness, as if, despite his coldness and contempt, something inside him was not right. Even his body language, that haughty posture he always tried to maintain, sometimes broke, revealing something vulnerable, something broken.

She cared. She couldn't stop thinking about him. Draco Malfoy was occupying her thoughts in a way she never would have imagined. And soon, that curiosity, that need to understand, became something much deeper. Hermione didn't want to admit it, not even to herself, but her heart pounded at the sight of him. It was love. That strange, contradictory love, which was mixed with wounds and contempt, and which, despite everything, continued to grow in the shadows of her thoughts.

Hermione knew that Draco Malfoy was following in his father's footsteps. They all knew it. As the years passed, Malfoy's absences from class became more frequent, and it was no secret that during those periods he had been seen lurking around Knockturn Alley, always accompanied by shadowy and suspicious individuals. You didn't have to be a genius to understand what that meant. It was only a matter of time before he became a Death Eater, one more in Voldemort's ranks.

And finally, her fears were confirmed. During the war against Voldemort, he was seen on the enemy side, as they had predicted. Malfoy, carrying the dark mark, fought mercilessly against those who had once been his schoolmates. Hermione couldn't believe it when she saw him raise his wand and cast the Cruciatus curse for the first time with a shrill, almost deranged laugh. The same person who had been a spoiled, arrogant, cruel child at Hogwarts now seemed to enjoy the suffering of others in the midst of battle. It was as if the boy she had known, no matter how despicable he was, had completely disappeared, replaced by someone broken, someone who had completely surrendered to the darkness that had surrounded him all his life. That Draco Malfoy, who had always used his words like daggers, now wielded dark magic just as coldly. The boy who had insulted her friends, who had made fun of their families, had now become something much worse than Hermione had ever imagined.

Two years had passed since she left Hogwarts, and in that time she had not seen Malfoy again. Even so, his shadow remained present in her life, her thoughts, her dreams. Her love for him was constant torture, a reminder of how incomprehensible human feelings could be.

Raindrops continued to fall heavily on her face, but she barely noticed it. She got up from the swing and began walking again. The leaves continued to fall around her, and the children, oblivious to her internal torments, continued playing, happy.

Hermione knew that what she felt for Malfoy would never make sense to anyone else, maybe not even to herself. But, somehow, that painful love was a part of her, something she could not erase or ignore. As she continued walking through the rain, she realized that her love for Draco Malfoy, as absurd and painful as it was, was part of the person she had become. And although sometimes she wished she had forgotten it, she knew that the truths that hurt are the ones that stay most deeply in the heart.

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