#And I honestly liked Lupin in the books. He was relatable even if he was a bit of a coward but who isn't right?

[apk02]

All fic writers writing Sirius and James needing help from Lupin for passing exams and making the charmed mirrors and every other achievement S & J did should just tag their fics as OOC and be done with it.

Sirius and James were incredibly intelligent and accomplished individuals and this shit of wrong tagging and ooc characters is getting really annoying now.

[niconeekokneecaps]

Also, I'm curious:

Who are your 3 favourite & least favourite Harry Potter Characters, and why? And what are your favourite fanon ships?

My 3 favourite characters:

1. Fred & George Weasley - I’ve loved both Fred & George since the first time I read the books (although I think George is my favourite of the two) so it’s hard to choose one or the other for the top spot. I love how they genuinely care about Harry and they treat him like a brother. I also think that they’ve got to be really smart to pull off everything they’ve gone, in terms of pranks & the joke shop. And also, despite them teasing their siblings throughout the series, I do think that they really do care about them in their own way (e.g in CoS when they’re attempting to cheer Ginny up in their own way, even if it doesn’t end up working).

2. Ron Weasley - I love his personality in the books and that fact that Ron is always ready to throw hands for people he cares about. I always get so annoyed that Hermione got Ron’s line in PoA (“if you want to kill Harry, you have to kill us to!”), because it shows just how selfless Ron is as a character. Whilst, yes, he doesn’t always have the best reactions to things (which I think was heavily to do with his jealousy and confidence issues) he always comes back to Harry and Hermione in the end. He’s also a super brave character too (standing up to Sirius, going to Aragog) as well as his care towards those close to him. For example, in DH (the book), when the trio are in Malfoy Manor, Ron is screaming for them to let Hermione go, to take him instead. Ron defender til the day I die.

3. Remus Lupin - Now, this one can be a bit iffy because I prefer canon Remus over fanon (which is very popular). Canon Remus is honestly a bit of a coward, and I love that. Unlike his friends, he isn’t very confident, he doesn’t seem to have been popular and, as a teen, probably struggled making friends outside of the Marauders. Honestly, that’s so relatable to me as a person who has struggled with my confidence and making friends. Another thing is that Remus had been betrayed and has lost so much on top of the self hatred towards his being a werewolf. Again, canonically, Remus isn’t the smartest of the Marauders and had to work harder (than say James or Sirius) to feel like he deserves to be in Hogwarts. Overall, to me, his canon character is pretty relatable and it’s one of the reasons he’s one of my favourites.

Honorary Mentions: Luna, Tonks, Harry, Hermione, Percy

My 3 least favourites:

1. Severus Snape - I have so much to say about Snape. He’s a grown man who holds onto a childhood grudge even though the one he holds a grudge against has been dead for over ten years. He then proceeds to take this out on said dead man’s son for like 6 years because they look alike. He’s also a Death Eater who only turned to Dumbledore when Lily’s life was threatened, even though he was the one who gave Voldemort the prophecy which led to all of this. And speaking of Lily, he was not in love with her, he was fucking obsessed with her. In the books (can’t remember which one, although I’m pretty sure it’s DH), he finds a letter from Lily to Sirius with a picture of the Potters. He tears the part of the letter which Lily had written ‘my love’ or something along those lines (it’s been a while since I read DH, and I don’t have the book with me right now to check) and also tore the photo of the Potters in half. This meant that he kept Lily’s part of the picture and just tossed the part with Harry and James to the side, because he doesn’t care about either of them. I’m gonna stop my Snape rant here, but you get the gist.

2. Draco Malfoy - I really don’t like the little ferret for multiple reasons. One of which is his bullying of, not just the trio, but many others as well. One issue I have with him is that he wishes harm and death upon Hermione multiple times in CoS (wishing death upon her) and GoF (wishing harm upon her during the Quidditch World Cup), just because she’s a muggleborn. Also the way he insults and mocks the Weasley’s to the point (e.g. Weasley Is Our King) where the Weasley siblings start throwing hands. Here, George alongside Harry in the OotP book comes to mind. He’s also quite the coward in the end, during DH and HBP, when he’s realised that being a Death Eater ain’t really what he thought it would’ve been like. Once again, ending my rant here.

3. Dolores Umbridge - I think this one’s quite self explanatory. I can’t stand her.

Honorary Mentions: Bellatrix, Dumbledore, Molly

You also asked about my favourite fanon ships so here (not loads cause I do like a lot of canon ships but here we are):

- Ronarry - I know they’re just best friends, however I am a sucker for best friends to lovers

- George x Harry (I call them Firebolt) - This one did start out as a crack ship, but it’s honestly grown on me (post wars fics are so sweet)

- Fremione - It’s not my fave ship for either of ship really but the idea of it gets me (best friend’s older brother, prankster x bookworm, etc)

- Linny - They’re just neat, I just like them.

- Perciver - I love the vibes of these two being together.

Thanks for the ask as well! I like getting asks and being able to talk about these things! Enjoy!

[rollercoasterwords]

the authors list is NOT too long you can make it even longer.... if you have the energy to share what do you think r's favourite book of each writer would be then..... i would be. intrigued.......

WHAT a fun question. let's see let's see....

(disclaimer that i would not consider myself intimately familiar with all of these writers so....not an expert but on this blog i am god and what i say goes sorry)

poe - i don't feel particularly strongly abt this one bc i'm not a huge poe fan myself, but. for remus....i think he would like the fall of the house of usher <3 think he'd get a kick out of madeline <3

peake - this one i do have strong feelings abt....remus is a mervyn peake girlie 2 me sorry but gormenghast is one of his favorite books this i believe in my heart of hearts to be true....

tolkein - tbh i don't actually think remus would be like. the biggest tolkein fan. i think he'd hook up with a guy who was really into lotr and borrow copies off him and then they'd stop seeing each other + he'd just never return the copies but. he would honestly just feel kinda meh towards tolkein on the whole...too catholic for his taste methinks...(sirius on the other hand would be really into lotr....nerd....)

shelley - frankenstein. self-explanatory

bronte - gave myself some wiggle room here by not specifying the bronte sister but. it would be emily and it would be wuthering heights <3 i think remus would have a love-hate relationship w it tho...like i think he'd complain about catherine + heathcliff but would also keep going back and rereading it...

hugo - personally. i think victor hugo would be one of his faves like i think remus would enjoy quite a few of his books BUT. his favorite would be the man who laughs <3

tolstoy - personally not familiar enough with tolstoy to give a firm answer on this one....i want 2 say the death of ivan ilyich but i could be swayed to think otherwise...

wilde - the picture of dorian gray. basic perhaps but who can resist dorian...

kafka - think kafka would be another one of his favorites. i wanna say the metamorphosis....maybe that is also too basic i'm just choosing all the hs english syllabus books but....well come on he turns into a giant bug. hard to top that. also #relatable for one remus lupin....

malory - turning this one over to @superloonyluna whose suggestion it was <3 i have not actually read any malory myself so i defer to her judgment

butler - i actually don't think remus would be big into sci-fi BUT. lily is + that girl would have him reading butler whether he wanted to or not. i think he would fuck w bloodchild + also the patternist series

le guin - honestly think he would fuck w pretty much anything le guin (especially once lily swayed him over 2 sci fi) but a wizard of earthsea would be like...comfort book that he read growing up + consistently returns to

[blooming-violets]

okay, Marauders fan

Mm nope. Spider-Man fan. Andrew Garfield fan. Supernatural (not the show, the creatures) AU fan. I love werewolves, vampires, witches, ghosts, horror tragic drama romancey shit. I used to love Harry Potter when I was a kid/teenager (I’m in my 30s now) but never got into the fanfic fandom side. I had no idea the Marauders were even a thing besides being Harry’s dad in the books until I joined the AG Spidey fandom two years ago and saw he was a fan cast fav. Think I’ve read exactly one Remus Lupin fanfic since resparking my love for Spidey and it didn’t do anything for me because my hyperfixation is with tasm Peter Parker and not Lupin. I love writing for characters Andrew has actually played with movies I can actually watch for inspiration and not things a bunch of strangers decided to use his face for.

So, no. Not a marauders fan. Not a Harry Potter fan. Loved it when I was kid but it no longer does anything for me apart from make me pissed off and angry. I’m going to state this right now to make sure we are very clear on this subject: I fucking hate JKR. She is a horrific disgusting woman. I do not support her or her vile beliefs. I love and actively support the transgender community and I always will.

Me writing a werewolf story that is using PETER PARKER as the au and using SPIDERMAN characters and SPIDERMAN lore throughout does not equate to me writing a fucking Harry Potter story and I am honestly insulted for being told otherwise. Nothing in my story has the slightest god damn thing to do with or relates to HP and is full of Spider-Man characters and Peter Parker lore and my own take on a werewolf origin story with my own created world around it. Had you actually read it and not just glanced at the picture and assumed that anything Andrew Garfield next to a werewolf must mean Harry Potter fan than maybe you would see otherwise. If it was literally any other actors face there, in any other fandom doing a werewolf au, you would not give a shit. Andrew Garfield was not even in Harry Potter. He has literally nothing to do it. He was in Spider-Man and he did play Peter Parker who is the exact person in writing an au for.

I have wrote multiple aus in the Peter Parker fandom. Last year I wrote a Peter vampire au. Does that mean I’m out to suck Stephanie Meyer or Anne Rices dicks? No. I wrote a Peter serial killer au. Does that mean I want to suck Ted Bundy’s dick? No. Writing a werewolf au is literally no different. I write AUs. It’s what I like to do. Werewolf is just another typical, very popular au throughout fandoms for me to tick off the list. Try actually looking at someone’s work before making judgement calls based off AGs face next to wolf.

Don’t ever call me a Harry Potter fan. It’s 9am and I’m pissed off. Have a good day, dammit!

[hellcatinnc]

Herlock Sholmes/Sherlock Holmes Review… Well what can I say he had me intrigued first time I saw him because in general I have always liked Sherlock Holmes. Going into this though, I was looking at it from Lupins side in the anime and felt like with all the guys skirting around the law and all that Holmes wouldn't ever be more than a detective. Which of course you didn't get much screen time of him in the anime.

So I was happy to get to play as a love interest with him and cardia in future blessings and wintertide miracles. I really wish it had ended with their marriage but the proposal was so sweet. It took him awhile to say I love you but when he did you could feel the love behind it all. A big part fell over into Wintertide Miracles than anything but Future Blessings got the ground work started for their love story. The longer I look at this man though I realize he really is a very beautiful man, like the only other one I say this about is Saint Germain. Absolutely Hot! The way he looks at Cardia is like he has never loved anyone this much until now and will do anything to keep it and as time goes on you see this to be true. I mean he wouldn't even let go of her hand when she almost fell even if it was burning him, this man waited a year and visited her often just to be close to her when he could have simply moved on like men in our society now.

I love he is a gentleman and always remembers himself is that but also has a flirty mischievous side to him that makes him show her the softer side of him too. However from the start of his flirty words I felt like there was some naughtiness to this man deep down and boy was I right. I mean just the way he says things sometimes and follows up with that look that makes most want to take their clothes off… lol. From the topless picture they show at the end all the way to what might of been innocent (I swear it is so not innocent in how he looks at her when he does it) when he goes to take the cookie from her hand to even his smart remarks that he has to help her get rid of the poison because he is a man and its not good for his mental well being to have a look but don't touch relationship OMG he sizzles thats for sure even thought deep down he proved he waited a year for her on top of the months they were together before hand.

When push come to shove and Aleister was to make him kill London or her he chose not to kill her even though he is a detective he was willing to find a way to save her or die along side her in her arms. Honestly I think if he couldn't have woke her up in the end or he would have had to kill her I think he loved her enough he would have taken his own life. I know Lupin is supposed to be her one true love but I even feel like there is something fundamentally strong with Sholmes as well. I honestly believe that based off my original post findings and playing through all of Future Blessings that in my particular order is Saint Germain, Impey, Sholmes, Fran, Lupin, & last Van. I mean look out how he looks at her <3

So I know alot of people didn't care for him because he wasn't like the sherlock holmes we all know from the books but honestly its the part I loved the most. Like I love the sherlock stories but he may have been a very perceptive man but he never married or loved anyone where Sholmes he loves so much even after fighting with his own demons it made it more relatable to me. I actually prefer to keep both Sherlocks separate from each other. This is my special place I can see Sherlock connect like no other honestly I prefer this one. In the end he felt like he not only loved her but was the true prince of it all at least in her love story.

[thiswaycomessomethingwicked]

For the ask game: Snape. 1, 5 and 15

Oooh you’re batting at a hornets’ nest mentioning anything HP related on this website lol but yes, I’ll happily talk about Snape!

[Questions from this meme]

1.My first impression of them I remember always loving Snape. He was one of my favourite characters right off the bat, when I first read the series. Him, Hermione, and Sirius, I would say. That changed over time wherein I dropped Sirius but added in Lucius and Lupin.

I always loved his sense of humour—that man is hands down one of the funniest bitches in that series.

5. My favorite ship of them Snape/Lucius/Narcissa bay-byyyy. It’s the ultimate ot3 and the best pairing anyone can squeeze out of that series, no one can convince me otherwise.

I think their dynamic is really interesting, especially how it changed both over the course of their lives as well as within the series itself. Like there’s clearly layers to their friendship, some real deep complexities. Even when Snape’s switches sides, he feels connected to them and cares for them.

Especially Snape and Narcissa—that scene when she’s asking him to take care of Draco and do, on behalf of Draco, what Voldemort wants. What an ask! What trust she has in him! Because her request could have gotten all of them killed, a single whiff of it getting out to Voldemort, and they’re dead. But she was desperate and knew she could rely on Snape, that at the end of the day he would do the right thing by her and her son (less so Lucius but honestly, Lucius honey, sit down for ten minutes).

And while this ship for sure can go down the road of “they all make each other worse” it can also go the other direction. Especially post-war/the series. Because sorry to the heartless individual who wrote this series, but Snape lived. I enjoy thinking through what Lucius and Narcissa’s rehabilitation/deprogramming would look like. Because they were all, ultimately, in a cult. A racist, fucked up cult that did horrible things. There’s a lot to unpack and unlearn. Not everything can be reconciled. Especially if you were a leader or super active member how Lucius was.

I also live for Snape as the other father figure in Draco’s life.

15. Worst storyline they had I mean, as with most of the good parts within HP, I don’t think JK knew what she had. I suspect Snape’s arc, and the nuance in there of a person who was on the dark-side coming in from the cold, so to speak, who is trying to be good but isn’t always successful, and he certainly isn’t nice, but niceness isn’t required for redemption etc. All that—I really suspect that was unintentional. And she certainly didn’t know what she had with it. Nor with the complex layers to his relationship with Lily.

I think the worst thing that happened was his death. I think Snape should have lived (and Harry should have died/stayed dead). But JK was a) too much of a coward to have that happen and b) writing a children’s book series that was structured along fairly simplistic lines and so you can’t really have the hero die and one of the anti-hero/grey-antagonists live. She wasn’t writing a gritty, grim-dark series. When she started HP, harry dying wasn’t part of the deal made with the readers, so to speak.

Anyway, I think it was dumb and he should have lived.

---

Thank you for the ask!! <3 <3

[ownedbybooks]

2022 spring wrap up

Disclaimer: I live in the Southern Hemisphere

Endgame: The Complete Zero Line Chronicles, by James Frey ⭐️⭐️

It was an okay book. Not so much related to the main series, apart from the fact that the characters here knew about the Endgame and are trying to stop it. But honestly in the main series it was only casually cited so I don't know how it's going to be related to the end of the main series, apart from the fact that - yes - the Endgame has to be stopped.

Toda Mafalda, by Quino ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The greatest of the greatest. The one that made me who I am. The south american icon. She's the legend. She IS the moment. A MUST READ!!

L'Aiguille Creuse, by Maurice Leblanc ⭐️⭐️

I was very complexed by this book and I'm beginning to wonder if I'm feeling like this towards the Arsène Lupin series because of the translation, since I'm reading the books from different publishers. Only time will tell. It had a interesting premise, tho.

China Rich Girlfriend, by Kevin Kwan ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'm living for this series and only for it. I loved how we are now introduced to the mainland Chinese high class and how they can be more frivolous than the Singaporean one. But at the same time it shows how different two cultures can be, even though they came from the same root. It was lighthearted, funny, and filled with east asian pop culture references.

Minha quase irmã: Bernardo, by Mônica Meirelles ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was afraid of reading this one and being worst then the first. But it was a great surprise for me how the main character worked out his problems. I would even say I liked more this book than the first one, because here we see how much the male lead matures and grow. And I really like this kind of book with lots of character development!

The Pirate Balthasar #5-7, by Dedasaur ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Aaah great GREAT GREAT!!! All the sisters had their happy ending and we are now moving to a more deep layer in Kane's story and leveling up the mediterranean environment and fantastical mood of the comic <3

La Dame aux Camélias, by Alexandre Dumas fils ⭐️⭐️⭐️

I… don't know exactly (till now) how to feel about this particular book. It was nice to read and it had a easy flow. But it was also very predictable. In the end I think I gave it 3 stars more because how well the author rights and make you dive deep into the story, then the actual story lmao

Oscar et la dame rose, by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

It's a very simple story. Kinda christmasy. Written by an child. And very VERY very emotional end. From the start you know what's going to happen, but since we are reading it in the pov of a child, he's kinda processing his life and living every life stage as fast as he can. This was definitely one of my favourite books of the year.

Flamingos, by Clary Avelino ⭐️⭐️

Ok, this one is easy to read, which was great because I was needing to read something easier at the time. But I believe it could be better developed. It's a short book where the main character feels very horny for the male lead, who is a great guy, that had very actual problems (that you will get if you lived in Brazil in the last 4 years), but… The main character also had her own stuff but I didn't felt it was well developed. Or developed at all. There's also other characters who start having a fling together, but we don't know much about it as well. In the end it was just a easy book to read and pass the time.

[i-crave-the-forbidden]

I think the whole thing's overblown and exagerrated. Yes, Snape is an asshole who should've never been a teacher in the first place (not his choice, but Dumbledore's btw). But I think the fact that people (snaters mostly), treat him being mean to students as an 'end all be all' of why "he's devil incarnate actually☝️🤓", to justify their hatred towards him is super overused and just plain making it worst than it actually is.

The biggest example of this is the boggart scene in the third book with Neville. Here, this is the most common argument of "Snape is Neville's biggest fear because he's Neville's boggart". If you read the scene, you can see that the whole thing is quite light.

'Nearly everyone laughed. Even Neville grinned apologetically'!! A simple read very much tells you that 'No, Snape isn't Neville's greatest fear' because right next to that is this;

The boggart could very well be his grandmother, it was only Snape because they had a class with him right before Lupin's class. Neville's true fear is inadequecy, fear of not being brave enough like his parents, and fear of not being magical enough for his relatives.

Key word here is "thinks", 'what IT thinks will frighten us most'.

Honestly, I think Snape is a little justified for the way he acted around Neville in his class. Neville, who had repeatedly proven to be a risk. Some people would say Snape should not be so hard on him, but oh boy let me tell you, as a student in the STEM strand, I would say Snape should've been more strict with him. It's kind of astounding that there are no safety rules in Snape's class, granted they have magical healing spells and potions for that, but if Potions were the magical equivalent of Chemistry, and it was proven that they are handling potentially dangerous concoctions (failed potions being worse since their effects are unpredictable), Snape very well have the rights to kick him out for being such a risk. I know my teachers would've had kicked him out, and I wasn't even allowed in unless I have the proper safety equipment. Does this mean Snape has free reign to be as assholish as he is? Hell no! But he is far more lenient than he could've been. Snaters blow this out of proportion, especially the 'threatening Trevor with Neville's failed potion bit' but Snape did cure Trevor, and it serves as a lesson for Neville to take his class seriously (honestly I don't even think Neville tries at all) and that's what familiars are used for, as learning tools. (Flitwick makes Trevor fly in his class, Queen Mcgonagall uses animals in her transfiguration)

Now with Hermione, Snape's comment on her teeth may very well be the straw that broke the camel's back for her. But it wasn't the cause, nor was it the full reason. Hermione's parents are dentists, and with how parents can be quite overbearing, they probably focused their attention a lot on Hermione's teeth (See Willy Wonka's backstory with his dentist father, unrelated but pretty much the same concept of having dentist related problems). That could've led to Hermione having insecurities (typical for a teen girl) with her teeth, and with Snape's comment being the final push for getting her teeth fixed.(Honestly girlie, you set him on fire in your first year + some other stuff, the least you could handle should be a few mean comments).

I have, myself, gone through some mean comments from teachers that really hurt me (younger than Hermione here), one even earning me the ire of several parents, I cried sure, but I got over it fast, (me thing, I don't apply this to Hermione, being that she has this whole thing about being accepted/acknowledged by her peers+authorities, which I don't). It was just that to me, a mean comment, something to ignore, and maybe laugh about in the future, (because why you ma'am, a grown adult, having beef with me, an 8 year old).

Snape here doesn't really go over mean comments (some might claim verbal abuse), but he hadn't actually put students IN DANGER (ahemLupinahem, Queen Mcgonagall sending them to the deadly forest, Barty Crouch Jr. (Fake Moody) using unforgivables, Umbridge's whole stinky existence). And this is when he was acting as a spy, for a lord that can READ MINDS, I don't think he can afford to be nice to Hermione(muggleborn & Potter's friend) and Neville (prophecy candidate).

Tldr: The argument that Snape bullied/abused his students is weak and exaggerated. Snaters should come up with more creative reasons that churning up bullshit ones. Snape should've been to therapy and had support to heal his trauma, not deal with students age 11-18 for almost 2 decades.

So yeah, thank you for coming to my Tedtalk, thank you for being open-minded to listen to me rant, thank you for being unbiased and seeking both sides of the story and taking in opinions of other people--

Snaters: Where Trauma and Forgiveness Are Both Crimes

It’s always entertaining watching Snaters juggle their own contradictory arguments:

On one hand, they love to drag Snape for being such a fool because he couldn’t just let go of the past, forgive everyone who wronged him, and forget those tiny details like: being relentlessly bullied, humiliated for years, and nearly killed (because, you know the boys needed their fun.)

According to them, Snape’s real crime is his inability to brush off decades of trauma and grudge-holding. Sure, why not? Just forgive and forget, Snape, because that’s what good people do, right?

But wait—here’s where it gets rich. In the very same breath, they turn around and slam Harry for doing exactly that. Apparently, Harry’s the real idiot because he forgave Dumbledore and Snape and—brace yourselves—named his child (Albus severus potter) after them. How dare he? How dare Harry move on from the past and recognize the complexities of this flawed but ultimately brave and selfless man?

So, let me get this straight. Snape’s an idiot for holding onto his grudges, but Harry’s equally foolish for letting them go? Snape’s a horrible person because he can’t be “healed,” and Harry’s naive because he can grow from his pain? Make it make sense.

[moonlightdancer26]

I remember being so annoyed with Wolfstar shippers even when I was in school, that when we were given a "What book would you rewrite if you could, what would you change in it" the first thing I listed was to make Sirius and Remus half-brothers and making it known that they were related in POA, and when we switched papers to read over the girl who got mine gave me such a dirty look and she asked the teacher if she could swap papers with someone else.

My other changes were: -Snape lives -Harry STAYS hating his dad for SA -Lupin never ran out on his pregnant wife + he got to fight Greyback at the final battle -Filch wasn't so eager to physically torture students, all that torture-talk was just stuff he said to scare the first years

-We got to see more of Fluffy -Firenze stayed relevant after book 5

-Dudley was average weight because I hated how much his weight was mentioned in addition to how terrible he was :/ As someone who was overweight at the time

-Harry finding stuff that belonged to his mom so he got to know her a little better -Petunia being nicer to Harry, while still harsh she still cared for him -Tonks turning into Snape and freaking everyone out because Snape was SMILING and not acting like his usual self and her cover was only broken because the real Snape showed up and got mad at her -Hedwig having a baby owl that Harry raised

Man, Wolfstar shippers suck, don’t they?

I wouldn’t make Remus and Black half-brothers though that’s a great way to completely shatter Wolfstar shippers’ hopes (muhahaha), I’d try to find some other way to do that. I just.. the thought of my precious darling being closely-related to that abusive sociopath is just- no.

Ok but I REALLY love your changes!

Snape living? How could I not? 😩 MY BABY DESERVED TO GET RECOGNITION AND TO LIVE A HAPPY LIFE!!

Harry hating his poor excuse of a father for a horrible crime? Yes please!!

Remus never running out on a pregnant Tonks? Hmm, sure, why not? Though I do love the fight Harry and Remus had, it’s actually one of my all-time favourite moments in the entire series.

Remus fighting Greyback in the final battle? YES YES YES!!!! That Burrow-burning-down-scene-with-Bellatrix-and-Greyback in the HBP movie (and movie-only) was honestly such a waste. Remus is reunited with the person whom had caused him so much suffering (Greyback, obviously), and the filmmakers did nothing with it. :/

Filch not being so eager with torturing children and only doing it to scare them? Yes please!! I adore Filch (don’t ask)!!

Seeing more of Fluffy? YES! I really wished we could’ve seen more of him!

Firenze staying relevant after OoTP? YES PLEASE OMG!!! I REALLY wished we could’ve seen more of him! I really love him!

Dudley being average-weight? Ohh, I like this one. And yeah, I really disliked how Rowling tried to make fat-shaming okay when the person isn’t nice, Harry is surprisingly pretty shallow in the books. Must be a side-effect from living with Petunia..

Harry finding stuff about Lils and getting to know her better? YES PLEASE!!!!!!! Imagine if he saw a bunch of photos of her and Sev hanging out! 🥺

Petunia being nicer to Harry whilst still remaining harsh? I WANT THIS SO BAD!!!!!!

Tonks morphing into Sev, smiling, and freaking everyone else out, then getting caught by Snape himself? BAHAHAHA THIS TOTALLY HAPPENED

Hedwig having a baby owl that Harry raises? This is my new headcanon now, thanks!

[engie-ivy]

Yes, he's in the hospital and doesn't remember anything about himself, but it's actually not that bad. His memories are sure to come back in a matter of days, and until then, he can spend time eating, sleeping, reading, daydreaming about that ridiculously attractive Healer...

(The aim is Funny and Fluffy Wolfstar)

It's Like the First Time

“Everything seems to be in order,” the Healer Trainee, Aubrey, says. “As we expected. How’s the dizziness?”

“When I’m laying down, it doesn’t bother me,” he replies.

“That’s good,” Aubrey smiles. “The dizziness and light-headedness should gradually disappear over the upcoming days, and then the memories will come back after.”

He nods. He’d be more worried about all his memories being gone if the Healers at St Mungo’s weren’t so certain they’ll all come back in a matter of days. Dizziness, light-headedness, and amnesia; it’s a familiar picture when being hit with a Confundo-charm from a defective wand, which the Healers have encountered many times before and has apparently happened to him during some friendly duelling.

It’s always the same picture: the dizziness and light-headedness slowly lessening, and the memories all coming back at once after two to at most five days. Like, one moment you know nothing, and the next you remember everything.

Well, he doesn’t exactly know nothing. His semantic memory is intact, meaning he has basic knowledge and remembers facts and skills. He knows he’s a wizard, he knows the hospital is called St Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, he knows the people in the lime green robes are the Healers, he knows that since he’s a wizard he probably went to Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, and he knows perfectly well how to perform a wide variety of charms, jinxes, hexes and curses. (So luckily those years at Hogwarts weren’t for nothing)

What he doesn’t know is anything about himself. His episodic memory, memory for any kind of life events, is completely gone. Who he is, what he does, what he has done, who he knows, it’s all gone. His own mum could walk into the room, and he’d think she was the laundry lady. (Luckily, she seemed like a very nice lady, and had thought it rather funny)

The only thing he knows about himself, not because he remembers, but because it’s the only thing they told him, is that he’s someone named Remus Lupin. Apparently, in the past, trying to fill in the gaps has proven to be more frustrated than helpful for the patient and, as the memories will come back on their own anyway, quite unnecessary. Therefore, they don’t tell him much else, and all he can do is wait.

Past experience has also shown that the patient often finds it quite stressful, and even frightening, to be surrounded by lots of people who all know him, and whom he feels like he should recognize, but doesn’t. Therefore, friends and family are only allowed in limited numbers, one new person a day, which started with his mum.

His mum had brought him his favourite novel, saying that he read it so many times, and would always wish he could erase it from his memory just so he could read it again with the same sense of anticipation. Well, she had figured this was his chance. Now, all he can do is lie in bed, read his book, and eat food, which is... Well, pretty great actually.

He doesn’t have anything to worry about. How can he worry about anything if he doesn’t remember anything? It’s like having a little break from life and all its expectations and responsibilities. (Though the fact that he’s so happy about having no worries, makes him think that this Remus Lupin normally worries quite a lot)

When a Healer comes to see him, he suddenly knows something else about himself: he’s very, very gay.

The Healer has a classic, aristocratic beauty to him, with his sharp cheekbones and full lips, and his eyes are of a clear grey, that appears silver, which contrasts quite nicely with the strands of raven black hair that have fallen from the messy bun on top of his head. And no one has the right to look that good in lime green robes, which he fills out pretty well with his lean, muscular body.

The Healer gives him a soft smile, and really, if he smiles at all his patients like that, the whole hospital must be diagnosed with palpitations. “How’re you feeling?” the Healer asks in a warm, deep voice.

He wonders whether his semantic memory has failed him after all, as he suddenly seems to have forgotten how speaking works. “Erm...” he says, very eloquently.

The Healer frowns, and looks at Aubrey. “Isn’t the confusion supposed to be gone by now?”

Aubrey looks from the Healer to him and back to the Healer, while a knowing smile appears on her face. “Don’t worry,” she tells the Healer. “He has been perfectly responsive and coherent all day.”

“Has he had some Anti-Confusion Concoction?”

“He’s had a small dose, as the confusion was already wearing off on his own.”

“Are you going to give him Memory Potion?” the Healer continues his questioning.

Aubrey shakes her head. “We have already given him Mandrake Restorative Draught against the spell’s physical effects. Adding Memory Potion might make the dose of Stewed Mandrake too high. As we can be certain all memories will come back on their own, it isn’t worth the risk.”

The Healer nods thoughtfully. “So only a daily dose of Restoration Potion until all effects have subsided, I assume?”

“Yes,” Aubrey agrees. “Based on past experience, that’ll in all likeliness be sufficient.”

The Healer turns his head back to him, and that soft smile is back in place. He opens his mouth to speak, but right at that moment, a bright flash can be seen, and a gazelle made out of shining white light is standing in front of them.

“I’m so sorry to disturb on a moment like this,” a stressed-sounding voice of a young woman comes from the Patronus, that is directing itself to the Healer. “But you’re needed back at the HADA department immediately! We’re having an emergency.”

The Healer curses under his breath. He takes a step towards the door, but then stops to look back at him with a pained expression.

“He’s in good hands,” Aubrey says.

The Healer nods. “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he tells him, before hurrying out the door.

Though his mum was right, and the novel is really good, he has trouble focusing on it from that moment on. He’s constantly interrupted by thoughts of bright, silver-grey eyes. Merlin, he’s seen the guy once, and he’s acting like a twelve-year-old with a crush!

Telling himself off for it doesn’t stop him from looking up hopefully the moment he catches a glimpse of lime-green robes. It’s quite a disappointment when the Healer that walks in to check his vitals is a greying, grumpy man with a face that seems to be twisted in a permanent scowl. Asking him where the good-looking Healer went to seems kind of impolite though, so he just sits and nods whenever the Healer grumbles something unintelligible.

“So, why have I gotten a different Healer?” he asks Aubrey later, trying to sound casual.

“Different Healer?” she asks, not understanding.

“Yeah,” he says, feeling to his great annoyance that his cheeks begin to flush. “There was this older man checking up on me, while before, there was the young man with the broad shoulder, shining dark hair, sweet smile, pretty eyes...” He trails off.

“Oh!” Understanding, and a not insignificant amount of amusement, appear on Aubrey’s face. “Oh, he wasn’t not your Healer, sweetie! He was visiting.”

“Ah,” he sighs disappointedly. So the Healer had only been here for some sort of second opinion, and he probably won’t be back. It was too good to be true, to have a Healer like that around as a nice distraction.

“Healer Black works for the Healing Against the Dark Arts Department,” Aubrey continues.

“You know him?” he asks.

“I know of him. But honestly,” she adds with a wink. “Everyone working at St Mungo’s knows of Healer Black!”

He chuckles. “I suppose he cannot not catch your eye.”

“It’s not just his appearance,” Aubrey says. “Healer Black is the leading expert on healing Dark Arts-related injuries and combating curses from the Dark Arts. He has invented novel Healing Spells and revolutionized the protocol for treating curses. Healers from all over the world consult him on their cases, and patients come to see him from all over the world.”

“Wow...” he sighs again, but this time it’s a more wistful sigh. He doesn’t even care anymore that he sounds like a love-struck teenager. Maybe Aubrey will write it off as a side-effect of the Confundo-charm. He briefly wonders about that himself, but as those bright, silver-grey eyes come to mind again, he knows he’s under a whole different kind of spell.

“Yeah,” Aubrey smiles. “He’s quite a remarkable man.”

“So I guess I won’t be seeing him again then,” he says dejectedly, letting his head hang. He wonders why they’d sent that Healer to come see him in the first place, as he surely must’ve had better things to do.

He hears a choked noise besides him, and he looks up at Aubrey, who seems to be stifling a laugh, with her hand pressed against her mouth. “Don’t worry, love,” she says with obvious amusement in her voice. “I’m sure you’ll be seeing more of him.”

The young man sitting next to his bed has been talking about his wife and their baby for an hour straight. Though it really isn’t so bad. His stories are quite amusing, and the man is very charismatic. He has sparkling eyes, and hair so messy, he had immediately checked whether it wasn’t storming outside when the man had entered. He has a disarming smile and a contagious laugh, and is surprisingly easy to talk to. He says his name is James Potter, and he’s Remus Lupin’s best friend.

He has to give Remus Lupin a pat on the back for having made such a nice friend. Honestly, the idea of socializing with new people, trying to make friends, does not appeal to him, and he’s glad to know Remus already has them.

“And I just went to see Sirius,” James says. “Well, more like I was speed walking next to him in the two minutes he had to get from one room to another. He still managed to apologize twenty times though. Normally, I’d say he should be sorry, but the poor guy seems to hardly have any time to eat or sleep.” James shakes his head. “Did you hear what happened? Three children were playing in the woods, and they must’ve accidentally touched an unknown cursed object. They were brought in barely conscious and with a mother completely beside herself. So of course, ‘the widely renowned and highly acclaimed, capable-of-the-impossible Healer Black’ was the only one who might save them. And he has, as they seem to be recovering,” James adds, relieved. “But really, there aren’t many excuses that would justify him not being here, but having to save children’s lives is definitely one of them.”

“Thank Merlin those children are alright. That sounds- Wait,” he says, before sitting up. “Healer Black? You know Healer Black?”

James blinks at him. “Ehm... Yeah?”

“Merlin, that man is so handsome!” he exclaims. “He was here for like two minutes, before he got called away to other patients, but I just can’t stop thinking about him! He already looks perfect, and now you’re telling me that he’s some kind of miracle Healer saving children’s lives?” He sighs. “It’s just not fair.”

At first, James still looks confused. Then his eyes widen in understanding, and his mouth starts twitching like he’s trying to hold back laughter.

He doesn’t blame him. He’d laugh at himself too, with how ridiculous he’s been acting over this random Healer. He just hopes he won’t have embarrassed Remus Lupin too much once his memories have returned.

“Don’t worry,” James says, in an amused voice. “Healer Black will come back as soon as he has the time.”

Now, his own eyes widen. “You really think he’d come to see me again?”

James lets out a strangled noise and starts coughing, which he strongly suspects being a laugh quickly covered up by a cough. “Yes,” James replies, suppressed laughter still sounding through in his voice. “I really think so.”

He knows it’s rather pathetic, but as he’s got nothing better to do, he did it anyway. He practiced what he’s going to say to Healer Black when, or if, he comes back.

He’ll tilt his head slightly downwards, so he’ll look up at the man through his lashes, and then he’ll give him a coy smile, while softly saying ‘Healer Black. It’s so good to see you again. I’ve heard many great things about you, and what you did for those children is truly admirable.’ Luckily, flirting seems to fall under semantic memory.

However, when the moment comes that Healer Black enters the room again, his carefully constructed plan falls apart.

At first, he’s stunned that yes, Healer Black really looks like that, and he hasn’t made it better in his head. Alright, the man has bags under his eyes, his robes are rumpled, and his hair is slightly greasy and so much strands are peaking out of his bun, making it look more messy than what would qualify as a normal messy bun, but he still looks like the most beautiful person in the world. He doesn’t even notice Aubrey and James walk in after Healer Black.

He opens his mouth to deliver his carefully practiced lines, but the words die in his throat as Healer Black... Well, flings himself at him. He literally splays out on top of him, hugging him close and pressing his face in the crook of his neck. “I missed you so much,” Healer Black murmurs against his skin.

He freezes. Yes, he has forgotten quite a lot, but he’s still pretty sure this is not the standard operating procedure for Healers to greet their patients. “Erm...” He says, once again ever so eloquently.

Healer Black lifts his head and looks up at him in confusion, but he can’t possibly be more confused than he’s feeling.

James scrapes his throat. “Remus, may I introduce you to Healer Sirius Black-Lupin, your husband?”

“So neither one of you decided to tell him?” Healer Black has crossed his arms over his chest and is glaring at Audrey and James.

“I’m sorry, Healer Black!” Aubrey squeaks. “I know I should’ve told him, but it was just too cute, watch him be all smitten with his own husband.”

He isn’t really listening. He’s openly staring at Healer Black. Apparently, he bloody married the guy, so it’s allowed, right?

“I don’t know how you pulled this off, Remus Lupin,” he whispers under his breath. “But thank you, and kudos to you, mate, kudos to you.”

As he looks at Healer Black up and down (at some point he’ll really have to stop referring to his husband as Healer Black, probably), he suddenly really wishes for his memories to come back fast, as there are some things he’d really like to remember.

Though on the other hand, he thinks, biting his lip, maybe ‘Healer Black’ won’t mind freshening up his memory in the meantime?

“Ugh,” Remus groans, hiding his face against Sirius’ chest. “I can’t believe I was practically drooling over you!”

Sirius chuckles while he’s rubbing soft circles on Remus’ back. “You were cute.”

As a reply, Remus just groans again.

“I’m sorry, though,” Sirius says, suddenly quietly. “It wouldn’t have happened if I had been by your side as I was supposed to be.”

Remus lifts up his head to look at Sirius. “Hey, none of that! You were saving lives.” He presses a quick kiss to his husband’s lips. “You wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else, and I wouldn’t have wanted you to be anywhere else.”

Sirius smiles softly at him, and Remus lays his head back on his chest. “Besides, it was a good reminder that I should be more proud of my accomplishment to get Healer Black to marry me.”

Sirius barks a laugh, that Remus can feel vibrating in his chest. “And how exactly was me down on one knee practically begging you to become my husband ‘you getting me to marry you’?”

Remus smiles fondly, happy that that memory is safely back in his head. “And it was nice to feel like having a new crush again,” he continues. “ All exhilarated, enraptured, and in awe.”

“Oh, Moony,” Sirius sighs, pressing a kiss to the top of Remus’ head. “I feel like that every time I look at you.”

[kiltons-monster-manual]

Herbs for the Hylian Kitchen  Linktober 2022 - Day 29 - Botanical  [IMAGE ID: Pen and marker drawings of various herbs that are used in food in the cooking-mechanic in Breath of the Wild.  A pair of sprigs of Hyrule Herb are at top, tied with a yellow ribbon.  They are plants with a small yellow bulb of tightly-packed leaves nestled within a bloom of green leaves and the stems are covered in bristly needle-leaves reminiscent of dill or rosemary.  A pair of Armoranth bulbs are beside it - they are purple and resemble tiny artichokes.  On the bottom of the grouping is a pair of sprigs, tied with pink ribbon, of Warm Saffina, a plant with sage-like leaves and rows of red flowers somewhat like lupine. There is hand-written text reading “Herbs for the Hylian Kitchen Essential Pantry Stocks.”  / END IMAGE ID].  A splash-page for an introductory-chapter in a hypothetical Hylian-cuisine cookbook.  I know that there was a limited-edition fan-made cookbook out there (that I wasn’t able to get) and I’ve seen a Youtube video where a couple of cooks attempted to make every dish in the game - unfortunately rushed due to the need of someone else to use the kitchen and unfortunately following all of the recipes EXACTLY without taking any inference what might be additional materials (example: No salt unless the recipie called for a chunk of rock salt, which the game actually treats more like a salt-encrusting.  I honestly imagine that Link probably uses pinches of salt once in a while even when he doesn’t need to in-game to make food).    A relation of mine has gifted me both the Elder Scrolls cookbook and the Official Vault Dweller’s Cookbook (Fallout) and I’ve made various recipes from each and have some favorites.  (I make Potage le Manifique from heart now, no need to even look at the recipe anymore, from the Elder Scrolls book because I make it quite frequently because I love it very much.  I like the “Iguana on a Stick” marinade in the Vault Dweller’s - though not on duck as the recipe calls, instead I’ve used chicken or a combo of beef and chicken bits and it’s amazing.  I’ve made various forms of Nuka-Cola and favor the Quantum).  Seeing as I try to recreate some of the Zelda recipes when getting creative in the kitchen, I would just tear up my kitchen if I had a Zelda / Breath of the Wild cookbook!  Make it official, Nintendo!  Perfect combination of my interests - cooking and nerd stuff!  And... it’s honestly one of my favorite things to do in the game.  

[vickyvicarious]

I was talking over dinner over the HP world building / plot, mainly missed opportunities, and I feel like sharing one main point here: the wizards already live in a dystopia.

Wizard dystopia evidence:

Small society with little cultural diversity. There are other cultures referenced but they never play a large role, there's this sense of Brit wizard exceptionalism that infects not only their relations with muggles but with foreign wizards too. Even when shit gets dire they don't really call in allies for help or anything.

They have slaves and defend it as something the house elves prefer (+ Hermione is given the villain-with-a-point treatment in her efforts to free them; she is well meaning but her methods are Too Much and she doesn't really Get It)

Second class citizens (particularly thinking goblins) are looked down upon and there is an extended history of them attempting to rise up and being defeated. This also goes for squibs (well, not the rising up, but).

Widespread racism - towards goblins, werewolves, centaurs, muggles... a lot of this is institutionalized or supported by society at large even if not officially approved of (think goblin statue in MoM lobby, werewolf treatment, the emphasis on being pureblood even in 'nicer' families).

Lack of proper education - the 'best school' has a lot of unqualified teachers working there but even beyond that there doesn't appear to be any further education after 17, and especially with regards to the muggle world even so-called enthusiasts like Mr. Weasley and the Muggle Studies teacher don't seem to know what the hell they're talking about

Resistance to new ideas - goes hand in hand with some others here, but their world is steeped in tradition at the cost of innovation. They use candles and quills and fear of the Other is a major part of everyone's life. They are highly selective about who can know about them and limit what change they can make.

Only ONE real source of news. No other newspapers we really hear of besides the universally-derided Quibbler. We also know for a fact the government has their hands firmly in the Daily Prophet.

Corrupt government - shows up strong in later books but is present from the start via the Malfoys clearly buying their way and also through the...

Harsh punishments for lawbreakers - Azkaban is pretty brutal and there is not much evidence of a more minor punishment beyond like... fines. We know from that the government has just skipped trials when it wanted to, and even the trials it gives don't seem especially fair or thorough

At the very least, this society is highly flawed. And honestly, there's nothing wrong with this set up. It's great, even. Except for one detail...

Voldemort represents change. And he is the enemy.

What I mean by this is that he shakes up the status quo. Everyone seems horrified at him killing Muggles because of a combination of patronizing pity ("those poor helpless muggles can't defend themselves") and xenophobic fear ("if he reveals us to them we could all die"). There isn't widespread societal hatred of his message that wizards are superior so much as there is to his methods. Some of which include things like giving power to second-class citizens like werewolves, for example. Sure, our heroes all know that his message is Wrong, not just his methods.

But Harry was abused by muggles and dives right into the escape of the Wizarding world. Hermione longs to be accepted and her hangups tend to get punished by the story (making them character flaws or moments of humor), until there's even a scene where she fully cuts ties with her roots. Even exceptions to the rule (werewolves are horrible predators, but Lupin is a great guy. Giants are seen as violent beasts and half-giants discriminated against, but Hagrid is a true friend.) seem to only emphasize the rule itself by being the only exception and even having reinforcing events around those 'good' characters. (Fenrir Grayback revels in being a beast and leads a whole pack of like-minded werewolves, and even Lupin has put people in danger multiple times. The giants sided with Voldemort/beat up Hagrid with even his brother being so dangerous he had to be tied up, and Hagrid himself has an affinity to dangerous creatures that has put being in danger several times.) These aren't one to one comparisons but overall the impression you get is of exceptions while the norm isn't really challenged.

And since Voldemort, who breaks the rules of the Wizarding society, is the villain, our heroes become representatives of returning the world to the way it was before he ruined everything. Their grand victory in the end is nothing more than a return to the status quo, at least on a textual level. Maybe Hermione becomes Minister of Magic but as far as I recall we don't hear about all the house elves being freed or the goblins getting a fair shake.

And since the world is already pretty much a dystopia, albeit one with fun magic flavoring, this victory doesn't make anyone really better off. If they had defeated Voldemort using Muggle tech or unconventional thinking or something, that would have helped to lead to a story of change. But they instead used old magic, pretty much, and let things go back to the way they used to be. There is no forward progress in the end. No true overhauling of the corrupt system.

[urupotter]

So while I've said before that I don't like the HP subreddit, I still frequent it because occasionally I read something insightful. This is one such case, where I read a reading of Lupin that I'd never seen before in response to a comment of mine analyzing the shrieking shack confrontation between Snape, Remus, Sirius and the golden trio, where I mentioned that Lupin was a gaslighter so I wanted to share. It was created by reddit user u/UsuallySiSometimesNo and is posted here with his permission. We had a little conversation in the comments. Read it under the cut

UsuallySiSometimesNo: That struck a cord with me, too. I didn't think about that on a conscious level before, but when I read it, it felt instantly true.

Honestly, I think the strongest examples of Lupin gaslighting are actually done to himself. The biggest, character-defining example, I think, is that after finding friendship with James, Sirius, and Peter, he becomes so desperate not to be ostracized from them (due to his issues of self-worth and his personal brand of impostor syndrome) that he deliberately and routinely feeds himself false narratives about their behavior until he can no longer tell fact from fiction, even as he's experiencing it.

Their relentless bullying of Snape? A childhood rivalry.

Their casual bullying of other students? Kids being young and stupid.

Their clear disinterest verging on contempt for Peter, someone less fortunate and vulnerable with whom they're supposed to be good friends? Just mates being mates.

Even actions taken against Lupin, himself, are revised in his memory to be 'no big deal', because he desperately needs that to be true. Let's pretend for a moment that Snape indisputably deserved to be slaughtered by a werewolf the night Sirius told him how to get past the Whomping Willow. Sirius did not send Snape to be killed by any old werewolf. What happened that night was that Sirius - one of Remus' best friends, if not his actual best friend - attempted to use Remus' curse/illness against someone (which is a big enough betrayal on it's own) without ever telling Remus that when he woke up in the morning (covered in blood and in the presence of a shredded corpse) it would be to find that he had committed the act he was most petrified he might one day commit. In setting Snape up to be killed by Lupin, Sirius, at the very least, risked Lupin's sanity, and, at the very most, risked Lupin being sentenced to death.

Now, I understand that Sirius wasn't thinking about all of that when he did what he did, and I, as a someone removed from the situation (and armed with the additional character/situational knowledge granted to a reader) can even understand why Sirius' own trauma led him to grant such a blind death sentence to Snape (which I think is related to a point you made elsewhere, u/Adventure_Time_Snail, about Sirius' "violence towards those who trigger his fundamental fear of wizard fascists" because of his abusive upbringing). But Lupin's perspective is not one of an unbiased observer. And once James found out what was happening and pulled Snape back before it was too late (which, I would think, was more to save Lupin than to save Snape) and once Remus awoke the next to day to discover everything that transpired the night before, I find it hard to believe there wasn't at least some conversation about the true gravity of the situation. And yet, even all these years later, Lupin doesn't bat an eye when Sirius not only doesn't display shame when the event is mentioned in POA, but offers something akin to regret, NOT at the fact that his actions could have gotten Lupin killed, but that that they DIDN'T get Snape killed: "It served him right...", he sneered. etc. etc.

I think the obvious question here, is 'Even disregarding what Sirius did to Snape - how can Lupin be okay with the knowledge that Sirius has no regret, at all, for what he did to him, even now that they're adults?' Well, we're not in Lupin's point of view in the books, which means we can't hear his internal monologue, but I think a satisfactory answer to the question is that he's done a substantial amount of internal gymnastics in order to get to a point where he doesn't see this as a big deal, or even as something that he has a right to be upset about.... just like a gaslighter does to their victim.

Again, because we're not in Lupin's POV, we can't point to the exact instances that such internal gaslighting took place, but, based on what we do observe from Harry's POV (and based on external knowledge of gaslighting as a true-to-life concept) I wouldn't be surprised if Lupin so desperately needs everything to be okay that he derides himself for feeling bad or betrayed, that he calls himself stupid for thinking terrible things that have happened to him are a big deal, that he wars with himself about how people who are his friends and who are so good to him and who are better friends than he thinks he deserves could possibly do something to harm him/others, and that he beats down whatever emotions and senses and gut feelings he has that tells him something his friends have done might be very wrong. What we see in the books is a man who makes excuses for his friends and harbors a warped perception of reality in much the same way victims of gaslighting do, and he seems to exploit his own insecurities in order to instill doubt in his own experiences in much the same way perpetrators of gaslighting do.

I can't help but think that, by the time Lupin tells Harry that Snape harbors a particularly strong hatred for James because James was a better Quidditch player, Lupin has become so adept at gaslighting himself that he actually believes it.

tl;dr: One of Lupin's defining characteristics is that he gaslights himself out of a desperate need to be liked by others, since he has a difficult time liking himself and seems to believe all of his relationships are incredibly fragile.

Urupotter:

This is a fascinating reading on Lupin that I've never seen. I don't read him the same way, in that I think Lupin actually does know that what he's doing is wrong, he just doesn't have the moral courage to act on his conscience. (I view him as the anti Snape, great conscience, but abysmal moral courage, while Snape had unbelievable moral courage but a shitty conscience. Their arcs are about growing their moral courage and their conscience respectively) Realizing that his negligence almost got Harry killed is what triggers his arc, concluding when he goes back to Tonks and Teddy after running away, taking responsibility for his actions for the first time.

But this reading is so interesting that I'll have to reflect on it. Do you mind if I post it on my Harry Potter tumblr blog? I'll credit you of course, I would just like to discuss it with my followers. Of course if you don't want to I won't.

UsuallySiSometimesNo:

Honestly, I think the lack of in-depth conversation about Remus Lupin (at least compared to fan favorites Sirius Black and Severus Snape) is a missed opportunity and a shame. Don't get me wrong, I can discuss Sirius and Snape until blue in the face, but Lupin's arc is just as powerful in an understated (and often underestimated) way. The muddy, oversimplified truth is, without the fatal-flaw decision making of all four Marauders throughout their lives, the series of events proceeding the first chapter of the first book don't happen, and the story we all know and love never comes to be.

And speaking of sparking a discussion about Lupin...

I think Lupin actually does know that what he's doing is wrong, he just doesn't have the moral courage to act on his conscience.

You know what? I agree. And that's what makes him so interesting, I think. He is constantly and dependably full to bursting with internal conflict. When his friends are wrong/do something wrong/say something wrong, he can and does immediately identify the situation as wrong. When he does something wrong, or when he does nothing in the face of something wrong, in that moment I believe he knows the full weight of the situation. Like you said, he has a strong conscience, as well as a deeper, perhaps more nuanced understanding of right and wrong than do, for example, James and Sirius. Now, Lupin needs his friends. They're not just people to hang out with, they're a lifeline for him. He's not going to engage in conflict with them if there is even the slightest chance that he might lose them (for a variety of reasons, he lacks, as you said, the moral courage to do so). But he's also a generally decent human being, and with a strong conscience comes the capacity for sincere guilt and remorse. So, not only will he not confront his friends, he needs it to be okay that he doesn't confront them. And it's at that point that I think the self gaslighting is triggered.

But Lupin is intelligent and nobody's fool, so the gaslighting creates only a thin layer of ice over the problem. Just enough of a cover that he can live with the things he would otherwise deeply regret. I do think he believes the alternative reality he makes for himself to be accurate as long as it isn't really challenged. Crack the ice, though, and we see him express remorse and reveal an underlying awareness of past and present truths. But then the moment is over, and the war between the uncomfortably and full weight of the truth and his need for the companionship of his friends returns, and then the gaslighting begins again, allowing him an easier return to his closest friends (and eventually his closest friend, singular, after the others have been taken from him as was his fear all along) without conflict and with minimal strain on his conscience.

Once Sirius, the last of his original chosen family is gone - truly gone, as opposed to 'located elsewhere' as he was when in prison - following OOtP, suddenly Lupin's arc takes off at a greater speed than at any point prior. He's now literally lost all of the people he'd been terrified of figuratively losing. Although there are still people and things he cares about, he isn't as dependent on any of them as he was on those foundational friendships, and the finality of their absence allows him to finally grow beyond his stifling cycle of reality shifting, confront the truths of his reality and his circumstances, and, as you said, finally take responsibility by returning to Tonks and Teddy - a decision that, ultimately, triggers his death (I don't mean to imply that it was a bad decision or that it's the sole cause of his death, but Rowling has said that being 'out of practice' contributed to his loss at the Battle of Hogwarts, which makes for a fantastic tragedy).

I don't mean to overstate the importance of this theory or imply that it's always present when he's on-stage, and, as with anyone, many other elements, of course, factor into his actions/words/motives. But I think it's a fascinating potential component of his character all the same. If you have more thoughts on this, I love to hear them - and I look forward to reading the discussion on your blog!

So what do you think? Is this a valid reading of Lupin? I'd say it is, but I'm interested in reading my followers thoughts!

[sblacksvelvet]

wolfstar muggle au fic rec

a long time coming, expertly compiled list of the most essential, very best, must-read wolfstar muggle aus (in my opinion)

guaranteed to be: fabulously well-written, sometimes heartwrenching, often heartwarming and well placed to fix any canon related trauma

Beneath a Big Blue Sky by eyra

The four-by-four heaves its way down long, twisting lanes, little more than dirt tracks scuffed into the surrounding fields and hemmed in by serpentine walls of flat, grey stone. They truly are in the middle of nowhere: the countryside rushes past, all rolling green hills and vast, endless skies, and it's odious. Sirius wants to murder James with his bare hands.

Sirius and James accidentally find themselves on a Yorkshire farm during lambing season. The farmer’s son thinks that’s a bit annoying, actually.

starting off with a very, very sweet choice. this one is the PERFECT cure to post-canon heartbreak. warms you right up on the inside. eyra is such a special writer, always up for changing things around and somehow always nailing her characters perfectly. plonking sirius and remus on a farm and making it work should be a challenge, but it works brilliantly - you'll still feel like you know these boys, and you'll probably finish loving them even more.

How Remus Got His Groove Back by RealityShowJunky

After two years of noncommittal sex:

Remus tells Sirius that he loves him. Sirius firmly rejects him. Remus tries to move on. Sirius is not happy.

OR

Remus Lupin becomes king of the cockroaches, Fabian Prewett writes a book, Gilderoy Lockhart is a catfish, and Sirius Black realizes he's a fucking idiot.

a classic for good reason. i do always think remus and sirius look slightly different than we typically see them in today’s era - but don't let this put you off! if you haven't read it yet - this is so good! very rom-com, very gorgeous and nice and light-hearted whilst also having really brilliant character development. the marauders as a group are fantastic - and we get baby harry! he's the star of the show, really. realityshowjunky is really a remus stan - as she should be - so he’s rather great here. you’ll probably re-read 900x as I have, if you haven't already.

Just what the doctor ordered by WrappedUp

This is the story of how Sirius Black finds a dog.

Except, it's not really that.

This is the story of how Sirius Black finds a dog and meets a skilled veterinary surgeon with crinkly eyes and dimples in his cheeks.

Except, that's not really it either.

This is the story of how Sirius black finds a dog, meets a skilled veterinary surgeon with crinkly eyes and dimples in his cheeks, and grows the fuck up (at least a little bit).

i almost have no words for this one. simply couldn't recommend it enough. my favourite fic by my favourite fic author. she's had 3 works out since i read this one and discovered her and i’ve honestly hung off her every word since, checking for updates like its my full time job. warning for an age difference, but sirius himself is the younger at 25 - so nothing untoward! this is likely my favourite sirius black rendition ever and it truly encapsulates how i see him. 

general comment on wrappedup: i reckon very few authors can compare to her on both vibe and characterisations. you’ll see what i mean, if you're like me and become inspired to live a relatively simple wonderful life in bristol with your best mates and a local pub as your keys to happiness after reading this fic. 

(also read her current wip, its bloody brilliant)

Sweater Weather by lumosinlove

Remus works for the Gryffindor Lions as a physical trainer, and has been half in love with Sirius Black, the Lions' heartthrob captain, for a while now, but he never expected Sirius to return the feelings. 

a controversial pick by tiktok’s standards but i sort of think that's all bollocks? this is great - just don’t read it if you don’t like smut or are under 18. it is a slightly different one, since it doesn't really have a marauders cast as you might anticipate and there are lots of oc’s along with a few of our favourites, however you will come to love love love the oc’s. sort of feels like it’s own story. i really do think it's worth a read - its so, so very feel good and you will DEFINITELY develop an ice hockey obsession (i now have two jerseys of my own, and they are not cheap).

a brief history of dragons by eyra

It's lovely up here; all meadows dotted with wildflowers, wind-beaten tracks criss-crossing this way and that through the fields, weaving inland to the pinewoods. The sun's hot on his back as he passes ramshackle stone walls, long since crumbled to piles of ancient rubble and scree, and then the path winds downwards, still following the line of the coast until Sirius finds himself outside an old white cottage, tucked away behind the hill with a rose garden that faces out to the sea.

Sirius moves to Cornwall for the summer and meets a rude, beautiful boy who is writing a book that may or may not be about dragons.

another eyra choice! i do love her. this one feels slightly less on the nose marauders in terms of familiarity than beneath a big blue sky, but it is no less lovely. might be even more lovely, and its certainly a special read if you like soft boys and soft feelings. who doesn't though? its a shorty and you might cry of affection- go read it.

Dear Your Holiness by MollyMaryMarie

During the week of his father's funeral, Sirius Black meets an unusual priest and offers to help write Orion Black's eulogy. At the same time, he's started texting a mysterious bass player from a pop-punk band that he accidentally swapped phones with. Eventually, the conversations between the two start to blur together and Sirius has trouble trying to decide which one he's falling for the hardest.

absolute a+ sexual tension in this one, folks. such a great concept, and super different! loved the characterisations of everyone, and having teddy be a part of it all is very sweet. a very cool read and a recent favourite!

bonus jegulus recs! 

Crimson Rivers by zeppazariel

Regulus Black was fifteen the first time his name was called at a reaping. He's twenty-five when it happens to him again. A lot has changed in that time, and one of them is that he's ready to do whatever it takes to make it home. Nothing or no one will stop him, not even James Potter.

James Potter has no plans to stop Regulus Black from making it home. In fact, his plans revolve around the opposite. He has his reasons, but he's made his choice to get Regulus out of the arena, even knowing it'll be the last thing he ever does.

Sirius Black was sixteen when he volunteered to take his little brother's place in the arena. At twenty-six, without the option to do it again, he has no choice but to be a mentor to his brother and best friend, knowing that only one of them can make it back out.

Two names called, a mentor on the verge of falling apart, and more secrets and grief between all of them than they know how to handle. None of them are prepared for what comes next, or how far they'll go to make it through.

as per, a big favourite already for most of us. if you haven't heard how good this is then let me tell you - get on this shit, its making for such a good wip!! each update is so exciting and the suspense and slow burn is fabulous. plus the wolfstar is as good and as important as the jegulus!! zeppazariel can do no wrong. go go go!

when you were mine by battlehamster

Regulus shattered James' heart the day he chose the Black family over the future they could have built together, and James was left witnessing from afar as Regulus turned into the monster his mother raised him to be. Six years later, Regulus storms back into his life after the Black Empire gets torn to pieces in the wake of what is arguably one of the biggest financial crime scandals in Britain's recent history.

But James is a man now, a man with a life he built for himself, and he won't let Regulus destroy him all over again.

oh my! this one makes me soft, its soooooo good. another wip. it is still strange to me to read jegulus fics with depictions of good malfoy/black family members since ive never dabbled in drarry, but don't let that, or the hints of lily bashing, put you off - it all makes sense! we get some great black brother bonding, baby harry and draco, established married wolfstar (who makes me die) and a full blown slow burn, second chance pine. its lovely. 

[tinydooms]

I am so sorry to hear about your situation, I hope you are otherwise doing well. May I please request a prompt for Evie and Rick having a reading day (specifically set right after the first film, so they still are a little awkward around each other but still love and trust one another... I don't know, what ever you write, I love, so hopefully this gave you some inspiration but take it where you please :))

Thank you for your kind words! It's been a hell of a week, but I'm finally feeling better. Here is your fic: I hope you like it!

Cairo, October 1922

Evie woke up from her nap slowly, coming up out of deep sleep to find her Fort Brydon bedroom full of afternoon sunlight. The ceiling fan hummed overhead; the apartment was quiet save for the soft sound. Evie stretched, relishing the pull of her muscles and the softness of the bed beneath her. It was good to be back.

Her stomach gurgled and with a sigh, she sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Time for tea. Hot tea, and lots of it, and maybe a sandwich or three. She was starving. There was nothing like roughing it in the desert to bring one’s attention to the blessings of home and a fully-stocked larder. Would the men be hungry? Probably. She had left Rick and Jonathan to their own devices after Dr. Wilkinson had looked them all over earlier that day; he had prescribed plenty of water and rest after their long, hot trek back from Hamunaptra. Opening her bedroom door, Evie looked around for the men. Jonathan’s bedroom door was closed; he was probably napping. Rick was where Evie had left him earlier, lying on his cot by the window with a couple of ice packs soothing his cracked ribs, head cushioned on a stack of pillows, a book in hand. He looked up as she came into the room.

“Hey,” Rick said, flashing her that sideways smile. “Did you have a good sleep?”

“Yes, thanks,” Evie said. “What are you reading?”

Rick waved the book at her. “Ah, Persuasion. I went through your bookshelf; I hope you don’t mind.”

Evie blinked. “You’re reading Persuasion?”

“Yeah, I’ve heard it’s one of Austen’s best and I didn’t feel like reading anything related to ancient curses. I’d only read her other one--I don’t remember the title in English--Orgueil et préjugés--the one where they despise each other at first because her family is obnoxious and he’s really shy and arrogant.” Rick lifted an eyebrow at the look on Evie’s face. “I do know how to read, you know.”

She realized that she was gaping at him, open-mouthed. Shame boiled up in Evie; of course he knew how to read. “I’m sorry. I just meant, I didn’t have you down as the type to read social satire.”

She hadn’t had him down as the type to read, period, but then, Rick had mentioned liking Arsène Lupin and Sherlock Holmes, hadn’t he? And there had been a couple of books in his suitcase last night, when she looked through it for clothes to lay out for him.

Rick grinned. "It’s okay, Evelyn. I know what I look like. We’re still getting to know each other.” He shifted, laying the book down on his stomach. “Actually, I really like reading. I’ve made it a point throughout my life to maintain membership at whatever public libraries are available.”

This was new and intriguing information. Evie sat down in the armchair and curled her legs under her.

“What sort of things do you like to read about?”

Rick cocked his head, thinking. “Honestly? I’ll read just about anything as long as I can understand it. I like detective novels and adventure stories, though I think I’m going to go off those for a while.” They grinned at each other. “I read a lot of art history books before the War, and I like a good popular history. I’m not educated; I only went to school through the eighth grade. Maybe if my mom hadn’t died, I’d have finished high school and gone to college, but, well…”

He shrugged. Life hadn’t worked out that way.

“But you read,” Evie said. “My mother used to say that anyone can learn anything they like if they are willing to read about it.”

Rick nodded. “My mom used to say something like that, too. She absolutely refused to let me quit school and get a job in a factory, even though it would have helped.” A shadow passed over his face; Evie saw him push it away. “Would you like something to eat?” he said, rising up on his elbows. “Your stomach is rumbling.”

“Oh! Yes, I’d come out for tea,” Evie said, scrambling to her feet. “Don’t get up; you’re supposed to be resting.”

Rick blinked. “I’ve been resting all day. It doesn’t hurt as bad as it did, you know.”

“Still.” Evie bustled off towards the kitchen. “You’ve looked after me so well these past weeks, it’s time for me to return the favor. Would you like a sandwich? How do you take your tea?”

Rick sat up, moving slowly. “Strong, with milk and a little honey, if you’ve got it. Thanks.”

Evie smiled at him; he smiled back. She bustled around the little kitchen, setting the kettle to boil and making up sandwiches, and when everything was ready she carried it through to the table and held out a hand to help Rick up. He took it, looking at her in a way that made her blush, and followed her to the table.

“Thank you,” he said, looking from the plate of sandwiches to Evie. “All this, I don’t-- Thank you.”

Evie smiled at him again; again, he smiled back, and for a moment they stood grinning foolishly at each other. It was all so new, this togetherness, this friendship. Funny how one could learn everything there was to know about a person’s character by their actions, and still know hardly anything about them as a person. Evie gestured for Rick to sit, and they fell on the sandwiches.

“So tell me,” Rick said after they had spent a few minutes quietly eating. “What’s your favorite book? Besides the Book of Amun-Ra. I’m sorry about that, by the way. Jonathan didn’t mean to drop it.”

“I know.” A pang flashed through Evie as she remembered the splash the book had made as it hit the water in the crypt’s brackish pool. “But we made it out with our lives, and we have all of the rubbings and sketches we made before we, er, raised him, so it’s not a complete loss. And as to your question…” She sipped her tea, thinking. “Do you mean favorite novel or favorite book? Because I’m not sure I can pick just one.”

“Top three, then.” Rick leaned on his elbow, watching her with the same interest he had shown at Hamunaptra. Evie felt herself blushing. She could get used to this.

“Well, then, I would probably have to say Professor Walter Emerson’s book on hieroglyphics, since it was a huge influence on me when I was a child; Flinders Petrie’s book Naukratis, and well, Persuasion.”

Rick grinned. “Which is why it was here, among all the books on Egyptology.”

“Quite.” Evie brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. She hadn’t bothered to pin her hair up. “What about you?”

Rick sat back, cradling his teacup in his big, strong hands. “I’d say my favorite book is Around the World in Eighty Days. I have a sentimental attachment to it; it was my favorite as a kid. I’ve read it in the original French, but I like the English translation better. But if I had a top three…” He paused to sip, thinking. “I don’t know, actually. I really like Edgar Rice Burroughs’ Tarzan and John Carter books, and I like Rudyard Kipling. I read a lot of Dickens after Gallipoli; they had his complete works at the hospital my regiment was sent to afterwards.”

“You were injured?”

“No.” A shadow passed through Rick’s eyes. “I mean, yes, I got shot in the side, but it was more a flesh wound than anything else. No, they sent us to rest and recuperate before going back to battle. It was a good break.”

He put the teacup down and reached for the pot. Evie hastened to lift it and refill. She brushed Rick’s hand as she scooted the milk jug towards him. He had such beautiful hands.

“I’ve never read Dickens,” she admitted, and he gave her a surprised look. “His writing never grabbed my attention,” she added. “I was much more interested in ancient stories than modern ones.”

“You don’t say.” Rick looked amused. “And you, a librarian. Is that what you got your degree in?”

“Library science? No, I did that afterwards. I, er, I studied Classics and Antiquity at university.”

Rick shifted his hands on the table, moving them close enough to tap the back of Evie’s hand. “Tell me.”

“You don’t mind that I went to university?”

The question leaped out before she could stop it, the tiny insecurity that Evie had always carried deep inside her and only rarely acknowledged. So many men were threatened by academic women. Rick looked astonished.

“Why would I mind that you went to university?” he asked. “Everybody should have the chance to go to university. I’d have loved to go to college. And anyway, of course you’re educated, I mean, look at you. With everything that’s happened the last few weeks, we’d all have died if you hadn’t known exactly what to do and how to read those hieroglyphs and all.”

“I know. It’s just...academic women are...frowned upon by society,” she said. “And I know we met in extraordinary circumstances, but I’ve never...You don’t think I’m ridiculous?”

Rick shook his head. “Nah, Evie, I’m crazy about you.”

And the little flame of her worry flickered and died. Evie smiled at him, folded her fingers around his. Rick squeezed her hand and raised it to his lips. They were going to be just fine.

[morporkian-cryptid]

“I strictly keep to my calling cards, and challenge myself with increasingly difficult heists… But what comes after that? What am I trying to get ahold of? What if the name Lupin is a curse passed down through the generations…”

(Blood Seal of the Eternal Mermaid)

I had a discussion the other day with @mad-man-with-a-book, about Green vs Red and the weight of Lupin’s name and family legacy. Which ended up turning into a full-fledged headcanon and character psycho-analysis, so I thought I’d type it up and post it.

The movie Green vs Red low-key suggests that there never was a “real” Lupin, ie that the first Lupin III before all the impostors was never even related to Arsène Lupin in the first place, but chose to take that name and the reputation that’s linked to it (kinda like Netflix’s Lupin series). While I like the idea, I still prefer the interpretation where Lupin actually is Arsène Lupin’s grandson, because there’s a lot of angst and drama with the weight of a family legacy. And as we all know, I love angst and drama.

For clarity’s sake, and to avoid repeating “Lupin” all the damn time, I’m gonna call Lupin I “Ichisei”, Lupin II “Nisei” and Lupin III “Sansei”.

By the time the anime takes place, Sansei has entirely accepted and made his the legacy of the Lupin name, and the responsibility that goes with it. But he still didn’t entirely choose it, it kind of got dumped on him without him asking. Of course he could have refused, he technically wasn’t obligated to participate in the race for the title of Lupin III; but as the grandson and direct descendant of Ichisei, there must have been a pressure and expectations on him that were way stronger than on other members of the family (then again, we don’t know how many grandchildren Ichisei has, according to the manga he was about as horny as Sansei, and Albert d’Andrésy could very well have the same relation to Ichisei as Sansei… but I digress).

Personally, but that’s just a headcanon, I think Nisei was a good thief but nowhere near the level of Ichisei, and that’s part of what pushes Sansei to outdo himself so much. We know very little about Nisei, but apparently according to the manga he was an absolute dickhead, and I’ve kind of latched onto the idea that he was awful and Sansei hates him, while also being forced to admire him because of his legacy. (I don’t know precisely how shitty a father, but I’m picturing very shitty.)

As a kid, Sansei admired his father just as much as his grandfather, because although Nisei couldn’t hold a candle to Ichisei, he was still a damn good thief by the underworld’s standards; and more importantly, he was a Lupin. Except Sansei didn’t like his father, because he was a dickhead. So, to free himself from that admiration for a father he despised, he had to surpass him, and become more worthy of the Lupin name than him. To be able to hate him in peace.

“Look, Dad, I’m better than you, I no longer have to admire you despite having always hated you.”

Regarding GvsR, I think that if Sansei was some random dude born in another family (but still the same person, with the same personality), he could have admired Arsène Lupin Ichisei and decided to take him as a model to become a thief, and eventually take his name once he felt worthy of it (which, knowing Sansei and his huge ego, probably happened very early on). That would have been an entirely free decision, a choice he made to follow in his idol’s footsteps.

Whereas if Sansei really is Ichisei’s grandson, he carries the weight on his legacy on his shoulders. The choices he has are: 1) follow the path traced for him by his family and become a (more or less talented) thief, 2) say fuck it and abandon his legacy because the pressure is too high, or 3) stick it to his father by deciding to be even better than the man whose shadow he grow up in, to free himself from that pressure; conforming himself to his family’s expectations while surpassing them, shattering them, to prove that they were wrong and he’s better than all of them.

His only way to free himself from his family’s expectation is to either abandon the way of the thief – something he is incapable of resolving to do because that would be a failure in his own eyes – or becoming the best damn thief his family has ever produced. To be free he has to conform himself to his family’s expectations. And honestly, I find that way more interesting than a random (genius, but random) dude who takes the name of Lupin and appropriates by choice the reputation of Arsène Lupin Ichisei.

Additionally, I like the idea that Nisei is dead, or completely out of the game and in prison forever, by the time Sansei gets his title. The concept of a dead father who you can’t prove yourself to anymore is also an interesting aspect to explore.

(a good Nisei is a dead Nisei.)

For context, I typed this whole-ass dissertation about the weight of the Lupin legacy and the lore and psychology of Lupin III into my friend’s inbox, all the while drawing a shitpost about the LoopGang’s collective braincell. This is a perfect summary of the dichotomy of this anime.

While I’m here, random headcanon: Sansei’s a trans guy, and while he was born with the last name Lupin, calling himself Arsène was his own choice.

PLEASE if you have thoughts on this, don't hesitate to add on!