#Blessed Yule My Friends

[morgansmornings]

[windydrawallday]

THE GOAT THAT KEEPS GIFTING

I have been reading about the Wheel of Year's festivals, and I got caught by the idea of one of Yule's activities being about creating straw decorations in the form of goats! And so this design was born 💝 Happy holidays!!!

[agathaandbrienneslesbian]

Snow Day

Brienne of Tarth x Fem!Princess!Reader

Hello everyone and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Blessed Yule to all of you <3 Just as promised, here is the little fluffy Brienne Fic. I hope you guys enjoy it.

Additionally, I now have a Taglist so make sure to fill out the form so I know who to tag where <3

Big thanks to @weemssapphic and some of my other friends for beta reading my story <3

Disclaimer: English is not my first language!

Warnings: None. Just fluff and cutie patootie Brienne <3

Authors Note: Y/N has been left alone in the castle, as her parents went to another kingdom for an assize. Alone? No. They left Ser Brienne of Tarth to look after their daughter. The best Knight in all of the seven kingdoms surely would be able to protect their child if something were to happen. Little do they know that their daughter and Brienne might enjoy their time alone a bit more than anticipated.

Words: 2'400+

Ao3 Link

Taglist

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“This is so boring”, you groaned as you slumped onto the cushions that laid in front of the big window in your chambers, looking outside and watching the snowflakes dance their way to the ground. 

Your parents, the King and the Queen, have been gone for a week now, and they won’t return for another. Being alone in a big castle with nothing to do except for reading and simply… existing… wasn’t too thrilling for you. There was, however, a little light at the end of the tunnel. Your parents decided that you shouldn’t be alone whilst they were gone, and therefore left you under the watchful eyes of Brienne of Tarth. 

THE Brienne of Tarth. The strongest knight in all the seven kingdoms and your secret crush. Yes, it's true. You’ve admired her for a long time, and being alone with her was the cherry on top of the cake. One week alone with her and one week still to come, and she still kept a respectful distance, no matter how many times you tried chatting her up. On some occasions, even tripped on purpose so that she would have to catch you, only for her to set you on your feet and immediately take a step back. You loved how respectful and careful she was with you, but you just wanted to be able to cuddle up to her and run your fingers through that short, blonde and so soft-looking hair. You let out a frustrated sigh and leaned your head on the windowsill. 

“I’m sorry you feel that way, my Lady. Perhaps we could go into the library to read?” Brienne offered, pulling you from your thoughts. You jumped slightly and turned to look at her. Since when has she been standing at the entrance to your room? She stood there in her royal Knights tunic, a belt fastened around her waist. You couldn’t get enough of the sight, staring at her without noticing as your cheeks flushed a light pink hue. 

“My Lady?” the blonde tried again, ripping you from your thoughts once more. You let out a sigh. 

“I don’t know… I don’t really feel like reading” You turned your head to the window again, not wanting to make her uncomfortable with your very obvious staring. Watching the snowflakes get less and less, you suddenly had an idea, sitting up quickly, which made Brienne jump a bit at the abruptness of your movement. 

“Let’s go outside!” you suggested, turning your face to look at Brienne again with a wide smile. “Just for a walk!” 

“I don’t know, my Lady…” Brienne was clearly hesitant and whilst you didn’t want to push her, you still wanted to do something else than just read and lounge around. You decided to give her your best puppy eyes. 

“Please? Oh, please Ser!” You flutter your eyelashes and look at her with a pleading expression. The Knight thought for a second, then sighed and nodded. 

“Alright.” She said, and you sprang up in excitement. You walked to your closet, pulled out your winter coat and furs and set them on your bed. Looking up, you saw Brienne still standing there. Was she waiting for you? 

“I can meet you down in the hall so you can get ready too.” You offered, and she waited for a second, thinking and then nodding. 

“I will be awaiting you in the Great Hall, my Lady.” She replied before leaving your room to get ready herself. You quickly threw on your coat and wrapped the furs around your shoulders, attaching them with straps so they wouldn’t fall. You put on your thick winter shoewear, grabbed your gloves and after a last look into the mirror you left your chambers. Just as promised, Brienne was waiting for you in the great hall, clad in her furs and thick boots. She had her sword strapped to her belt again and was holding the grip, resting her hand on it. Brienne looked absolutely stunning, standing there, hand on her sword, clad in her winter coat. You swallowed dryly and felt your cheeks flush as you approached her. Smiling sweetly at her, Brienne nodded and opened the door for you. 

The cold air felt nice as you stepped into the open. Brienne and you walked through the garden towards the little forested area in silence, just enjoying the fresh air. The forest was dark, snow covering every surface. No tree, nor branch, nor leaf was showing. It looked as if you were walking through a magical portal. The only sound you heard was the soft whistling of the wind and your and Brienne’s footsteps in the snow. 

“It’s beautiful, isn't it?” You asked, turning your head to look at Brienne who wore a soft, almost invisible smile, and she hummed in agreement. Her cheeks and nose were pink from the cold, and her eyes sparkled in the cold atmosphere. She looked ethereal. Your ears grew hot with a blush and you decided to look around. You reached an open area, surrounded by trees, and that’s when you had an idea. Bending down, you grabbed some snow, rolling it into a ball and then throwing it at the unexpecting blonde. With a soft ‘thud’ the snowball broke apart against the Knight’s coat, and she looked at you with surprise. You giggled. 

“Let’s have a snowball fight!” You said, already leaning down again to pick up more snow. 

“My Lady, I don't think this is a good idea. Maybe we should go back now. Your cheeks are all red. I wouldn't want you getting sick!” Brienne replied, but you didn’t answer, simply throwing another snowball at her with a teasing smirk. 

“Come on Ser! It’s so nice here and the snow is perfect!” leaning down, you collected some more snow, creating another snowball and throwing it at her. Brienne seemed unsure, you saw it on her face. She wanted to let go and have fun, but she held herself back. 

“I know you want to! Just do it! Promise I won’t be mad if you hit me. IF you manage to hit me.” You tease, hoping that would get her playful spirit up. The smirk on your face widened when you saw Brienne resting a hand on her hip, looking at you with a raised eyebrow. 

“IF?” she asked “I don’t want to brag, but my aim is rather precise,” she said warningly, staring you down, but there was a playful smile tugging at her lips. You got her right where you wanted her. 

“I’ll only believe it if I see it. Until then, I guess you’re just bad at snowball fights!” You teased, taking a step closer, and watched Brienne break her protective wall she built up. All the talking and the time you got to spend together made Brienne want to open up to you. You didn’t know it, but Brienne fell for you, hard. The first time she saw you, she was starstruck. The way your lips curled into a sweet and welcoming smile every time you saw her, the way your eyes sparkled and how animatedly you talked to her about your favourite topics, and she absolutely adored how clumsy you are. This week was difficult for Brienne for she wanted nothing more but to confess her feelings for you. But she didn’t. She was afraid you would reject her, so she kept her distance, but you made it more difficult every single day. 

“I think you’re just a coward,” you test her, playful smile on your face as you throw another snowball at her. Her gaze turned into a competitive smirk, and at that moment you almost regretted teasing her so much. You knew her strength, her poise, her grace. You knew she would have you yield within seconds in a snowball fight, but you stood your ground. Wanting her to let loose and have fun for once. 

“I’ll give you 10 seconds,” she simply said as she leaned down and started collecting snow for a snowball. It took you about 3 seconds to realise what she had just said, then your eyes widened, and you started grabbing snow, running away with a wide smile, a laugh threatening to spill over your lips. The moment you thought you had enough distance from her, you turned around, only to be hit by a snowball with deadly precision. It hit your chest and the snow trickled down your coat into your garments. You shrieked and just threw a snowball blindly, trying to shake the snow out of your coat. When you looked back up, a single laugh left your lips. You had hit Brienne square in the face with the snowball. Trying not to laugh too much, you took shaking breaths. 

“I am so sorry, Ser. Are you okay?”  You took a step forward, then stopped dead in your tracks. Brienne wiped the snow off her face and looked at you with determination, a dangerous smile on her lips. 

“I’ll get you back for that, Princess!” She said as she started charging towards you, snow in her hand. You squeaked and started running away, unable to hold your laughter back any more. You stumbled and tripped over snow, slipping and sliding the more you tried to run.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” you repeated over and over again between gasps of air and laughs. You turned around, wanting to see how close Brienne was, when you suddenly slipped and fell over, rolling onto your back with a laugh. Brienne came to an abrupt halt, which caused her to slip, falling onto the soft snowy ground next to you. She had a huge smile plastered on her face and quickly gathered some snow to throw it on you. You squealed again, wriggling around to free yourself of the snow. Brienne started giggling quietly and watched you, cheeks and nose rosy from the cold, the soft wrinkles next to your eyes from laughing and the wide smile plastered on your face. She was madly in love with you. With a swift move, you turn towards her, thinking it to be the best way to get rid of her throwing snow onto you. Rolling around, you suddenly realised that she was much closer than anticipated. You bumped into her chest, coming face to face with the strong blonde, who instinctively wrapped her arms around you. Your laughs came to a halt, just looking up at her with a smile, admiring her face. Brienne blushed darkly, she wanted to separate again, give you space, but she found herself unable to when you slowly leaned up and pecked the corner of her lips. She closed her eyes, just for a second, taking a shaky breath. 

You did it. Suddenly, the realisation of what you did just hit you as you made eye contact with the Knight. Suddenly, you felt afraid. Before you could pull away and start rambling, the blonde cupped your cheek, pulling you close to plant a soft kiss on your lips, which you reciprocated gladly. She pulled away, stroking your cheek gently, looking into your eyes deeply. You smiled at her and your smile was so wide and happy, Brienne felt her heart burst. All the smiles, all the accidental touches, all the moments where you were so close to her and she pulled away. She now realised that you felt the same all along, and it filled her heart with joy and love. You pecked her lips again quickly, and then a shudder went through you, making Brienne frown. 

“Are you cold?” she asked, sitting up and pulling you up with her. You nodded. 

“Let's go back then. I don’t want you to get sick. Come!” She stood, pulling you up with her, and you held close onto her arm. You couldn’t believe it. She felt the same, she actually felt the same. This was no one-sided love. You were overjoyed. 

The walk back to the castle was quiet. The both of you enjoying each other’s company, basking in the closeness that both of you have longed for so long. Walking into the castle, Brienne and you made your way to the library to warm up in front of the fire. Both of your coats were taken by the maids, taking them back to your chambers to clean them and put them back in the closets. The maids brought some tea for the two of you to warm up whilst you sat in front of the fireplace on the heaps of pillows and furs to warm up. 

You leaned against Brienne as she had her arms wrapped around you, holding you close to her. You turned your head, looking up at her and pressing a kiss to her cheek, making her smile. 

“Brienne?” you asked, nervous about her reaction to you using her first name. The tall blonde blushed. Her name sounded so beautiful coming from you. Like a melody, like a prayer. She hummed in response, urging you to continue. You sat up, taking a deep breath and looking into her eyes. She grew nervous seeing you so anxious.

“May… May I court you… Brienne of Tarth. Properly court you?” You watched her reaction before continuing. Her eyes widened as she watched you, speechless. Was this really happening?

“I- I have found myself a fool for you ever since I laid my eyes on you for the first time. So..- here I ask you. Will you allow me to court you, to cherish you… to love you?” You looked at her, holding your breath in nervous anticipation of her answer. Brienne nodded gently, tears threatening to swell in her eyes. She couldn’t believe her ears. But you were so sincere, you… you really loved her. She sat up, went on one knee and held your hand, looking into your eyes. 

“My Lady… Y/N,” she started, “I will shield your back and give my life for yours if it comes to that. I swear it by the old gods and the new. I am yours, eternally.” You smiled at her, not being able to hold back your tears, as you wrapped your arms around her and kissed her lips. Her arms wrapped around your waist, holding you close to her as she let her emotions flow freely. Not once has she felt this loved and cherished. You pulled away, cupping her cheeks and wiping her tears from under her eyes. 

“My Brienne,” you whispered, sealing the promise with a kiss once more.

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Taglist: @erinyaya @vivendraws @phexyce @winterfireblond

As always comments and likes are greatly appreciated <3

[sandwitchstories]

Mistletoe and Idle Hands

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Blessed Yule, Happy Kwanza and a very joyful any other holiday I missed! May this season be filled with love, laughter, and light for all. And if it is not or if this season is hard for you, I am sending you a big hug and I hope this story brings you a little bit of joy. ❤️

If you prefer to read it on AO3 click here !

WC: 1558

Summary: You and Kyojuro are at a Christmas Eve party at his best friend Tengens Uzui's house. A few glasses of eggnog in Kyojuro gets a case of idle hands and you are the only cure.

CW: MDNI, Smut, Christmas Smut, AFAB terms used to describe reader's body parts, vaginal fingering, vaginal sex, cream pie - Please see AO3 for a full list.

Divider by: @strangergraphics

The evening had started innocently enough. You and Kyojuro had gone to Tengen’s for a Christmas eve gathering. The eggnog to rum ratio was a little tipped in the latter’s favor, causing you to both have a buzz going. 

You were all sitting around the table drinking and talking when you felt Kyojuro’s hand slide under your skirt and up your thigh to rub his fingers against your center. You had to work hard to keep your face passive and bite back any sounds as his curious fingers discovered one of his presents a bit earlier than planned. 

Kyojuro kept a smile on his face and was active in the conversation even as his fingers worked between your folds, rubbing and teasing, making you get slicker by the second. You gave polite smiles and chuckled at the proper times, but your mind was clouded by the feeling of your husband’s fingers sliding into you.

You excused yourself to the restroom, needing to put yourself together before you came on his fingers right there in front of your coworkers and friends. A few moments later a knock came at the door and Kyojuro let himself in, grinning like a Cheshire cat. 

You met his eyes in the mirror as he locked the door behind him and moved to stand behind you. His large hands grabbed our hips and pressed his hard cock into you. You bit your bottom lip as you held his gaze. 

“Are you alright, my love?” he asked, lowering his lips to press a kiss against the skin of your neck.

“What do you think, Mr. Idle Hands?” you arched an eyebrow at his reflection.

“I think,” he said, his hands moving to slide up your body, his thumbs catching the hem of your shirt and pulling it up to the top of your breasts, baring the swells barely contained by your Christmas themed bra. He pulled the cups under your breasts making them jut up slightly before he cupped them in his hands. “That there is something better we could be doing than listening to the others talk.”

“That’s not very good behavior as their guests,” you chided but made no moves to stop him as your hands held onto the counter you were pressed against.

“No, it’s not. But behaving badly doesn't sound so bad right now,” he said, mouthing your neck as his fingers found your nipples, pinching and pulling on them until you whimpered softly and your eyes fluttered close. 

He nibbled up your neck to your ear, sucking and nipping on the lobe before taking a step back. His hands guided you to bend forward over the counter while he used a foot to spread your feet apart. His hands pulled your skirt up and rested it on your lower back so your ass and pussy were exposed. 

“You act like I’m incorrigible, and yet you’re the one wearing crotchless panties,” he said softly in your ear as his fingers slid up and down your slit. “So wet for me already.”

“Mmmhmmm,” you agreed, sucking on your bottom lip to keep from crying out when he slid two fingers into your sopping cunt. You tried to reply to him but his wicked fingers were hitting every single right spot in your gummy walls with practiced ease. ”These…ahhh… these were sup-posed to be your early Christmas pre-pre-present when we got home.”  

“I quite like them,” he grinned at you in the mirror. He smirked at you when your jaw went slack as he added a third finger to curl and scissor in your pulsing walls. “Quite.”

“Oh, fuck, Kyo,” you moaned softly. 

“That is a fabulous idea, my love,” he grinned at your words. He leaned slightly to mouth at your neck as he undid his pants and pushed them down just enough to free his cock. It sprung forward against you, the pre covered tip dragging across your flesh. 

He dragged the swollen head of his cock through your honeyed folds several times before he pressed in. He groaned softly against your skin as he fed you inch by inch until he bottomed out, so deep within you. His fingers dug into the plush of your hips as he ground against you. 

“Oh, gods, baby. So deep,” you said in a loud whisper, pressing your hips back into his. 

“That’s just the start, gorgeous,” he said, sucking a mark into your neck before he started moving. 

You kept his eye contact as he thrust in and out of you, savoring the feel of every inch of him dragging back and forth as his hips rocked. His hands moved to grip your swaying breasts, squeezing the globes in his hands. 

“You feel so good, Kyo,” you said, eyes fluttering as he thrust.

“So do you, my love, so do you,” his mouth turned hungry at your neck, teeth now joining his lips as he throbbed inside of you. 

You let out a small gasp when he yanked your thigh up onto the counter and he pressed you fully down on the counter. A hand fisted in your hair and the other slid under your raised thigh to rub at your clit in time with his hips. 

“Need you to cum for me, beautiful. Need to feel you fall apart on my cock. Can you do that for me, my love? Can you cum for me?” He asked in your ear, as if you had any choice in the matter. Kyojuro would not settle for less than you cumming before him. 

“Trying,” you answered, panting, eyes watering. 

“I’ve got you, my love, always,” he said, pulling out.

He quickly turned you around and put your bare ass on the counter. He yanked your hips forward and buried his cock inside you without a moment to spare. One hand moved for his thumb to be able to sway back and forth quickly over your clit while the other buried in your hair and pulled you close for a passionate kiss. 

You buried your hands in his flame colored hair and returned the passion in his kiss as you tried desperately to rock your hips into his. He hit that perfect spot that made your vision speckle and you limbs twitch, sending you over the edge. He swallowed your cries in the kiss, never stopping his thrusts as you came apart on his cock. 

“That’s it, my love. That’s it. So pretty when you cum for me,” he cooed, nipping at your lips. “Just- just a little longer. I’m almost there.”

Your fingers tightened in his hair and you pulled his head into the crook over your neck as he pinned your legs apart and picked up his speed. “Cum for me, Kyo. Fill me up, baby. Need it. Want it for my early Christmas present.”

“Well then, I could never deny my beloved a Christmas wish now could I?” he teased, kissing your shoulder. 

He sunk his teeth into the crook of your neck, moaning against your flesh as you arched into him, pleasure coursing through your veins and making you clench on his cock. He came hard, slamming his hips into you and grinding against you as he filled you with his warm hot seed. You slumped against the mirror, holding his head against you as you both came down from your highs.

You let out a soft breath laugh when he lifted his head to kiss you gently, and you saw what a mess you had made of his hair. You could only imagine what your own looked like. You cupped his face and kissed him gently several times. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” he grinned, kissing you again. He tucked his cock back into his pants before helping you off the counter, and pulling your long skirt back into place. 

You turned to the mirror, fixing your bra and shirt, and trying to fix up your hair before you reached for the toilet paper only to have him grab your hand and stop you. He brought your hand to his lips and kissed it. 

“No need for that. We’ll be leaving now. Can’t be awake when Santa arrives,” he grinned, reaching for the door and unlocking it. He grabbed your hand and leaned forward to whisper in your ear as he opened the door. “I am quite turned on by the thought of you walking around with my cum dripping down your thighs.”

“You are so on the naughty list,” you huffed softly at him, praying you guys were able to make a quick exit as you felt the proof of your escapade slickening between your thighs. 

He laughed and pulled you close for another quick kiss. You pulled apart as you heard footsteps approaching. Tengen gave you guys a knowing smirk and pointed to the doorway above your heads. “Seems like that mistletoe did it’s job.”

“I think it was more the eggnog,” you blurted out before you could stop yourself. 

“Is that so?” Tengen asked, turning to head back to where everyone was gathered. He glanced over his shoulder towards you both and said with a smirk as he walked away, “Well… I guess all I can say is that I sure hope you two and Santa don’t end up being the only ones coming tonight.”

[espressoristretto-patronum]

Tori x Poppy Yule ball headcanons

Warning: tooth-rotting fluff, the brain rot is strong in me

Link to @leaping-toadstool-caps Yule Ball!

Since I have the blessing of @leaping-toadstool-caps (forehead kiss for you, my friend 😘), and I can't sleep I just thought about them going to the ball together so I wrote this!

Yule ball is during the 7th year so Tori and Poppy are already a couple. As soon as the Yule Ball is announced, Tori almost runs to Poppy before anyone could ask her gf lmao and she will ask with a poppy flower.

When Tori asks, Poppy shows that she was holding a sunflower behind her back, wanting to ask the same thing.

They will both use the gifted flowers to decorate the dresses ☺️

These are the outfits and their hairstyles I thought for them (found them on Pinterest)

Yes, Tori without her usual high bun 😱 "But only this time!"

Tori is a tad nervous but she play off with some humour. She acts like a very gentleman ✨ like Jack Dawson in Titanic first class (like kissing her hand, giving her the jacket when they walk outside, holding her arm and/or hand, etc...)

They both find the other very attractive. They interact with their friends but their eyes will always find each other.

Tori isn't used to have her hair like this, she thinks she looks like a wild mess but Poppy's got her, occasionally tucking a strand of hair behind her ears.

They are not great dancers. They are not bad but we can't say they're good at dancing. She had never learnt how to dance and neither had Poppy. But they will dance at the ball anyway and have a laugh about their cute clumsiness.

Also, slow dance are perfect when these two's love language is physical touch.

Tori won't stop being silly so when Poppy asks if she wants to go outside, Tori wiggles her eyebrows. "What are your real intentions, Miss Sweeting?" Poppy feigns innocence. "I just want to see the stars with you, Miss Lewis." Tori offers her arm with a smug smirk. "I will make you see stars!"

[mirkwoodshewolf]

What is this feeling; George Weasley x reader

*Author's note*

And here we are with the second fic of the day as part of the Sirius Black daughter story-plot. Hopefully soon I can get the chapter up where reader and Georgie boy FINALLY admit their feelings for each other then idk if I'll do the Post-war of Hogarts who knows but then that'll be it. Pictures and gifs below I DO NOT own I'm just using them for visual purposes. Enjoy my lovelies :)

Taglist:

@jd-johndeacon-or-jackdaniels

@waddles03

@plethora-of-things

@queen-paladin

@psychosupernatural

@remussl0vers

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It was that infamous time of the year.  Not only was Hogwarts the host for the Triwizard tournament, but it was also the time for the Yule Ball.  That time when the boys get all awkward around the girls as they try to work up the nerve to ask a girl to go with them to the dance.  Or they become too egotistical and think charm and silver-tongue words will make us swoon.

It's also when the girls start going frantic about what dress they’re going to be wearing and hope they don’t buy the same dress as their friends or anyone else for that manner.  Meetings in dorm rooms about helping each other’s hair and makeup style.  You really can’t avoid the Yule Ball, no matter how hard you try.

I personally don’t have any grudges or hate against the ball itself.  I mean what girl doesn’t want to get dressed up and feel like a Princess in a fairytale? It’s just the pressure behind it all that I can’t get behind.

“Afternoon milady.” I turned and saw George leaning up against the corner pillar.

“Ahh I see that you’re back to your original self now. Or did you just dye your hair ginger to feel young again?”

“I take it you heard?”

“You’re lucky none of the Professors have heard of it yet. I warned you and Fred that aging potions are tricky if you don’t get….”

“The exact measurements right blah, blah, blah, blah we got it now.” I punched his arm.

“Watch it Weasley or I’ll slip that aging potion of yours into your morning drink. But this time I’ll make sure the effects last for a month.” That got him to shut his mouth.

“Anyways.” He cleared his throat.  “Besides our failed attempt to get into the Triwizard tournament, how was your dance lesson? I’m told Ravenclaws had the Room of Requirement today to discuss the ball.”

“It went just as well as I’m sure yours did. Except Professor Flitwick had two students come together and they just ended up falling flat on their faces. Note to self I’m not accepting Gale Turner’s invitation to the ball anytime soon. Bless him he may be Irish but he’s got two left feet.”

“Well I’ll have you know that during our dance lesson, Dear old Ronald had to get his lessons from Professor McGonagall herself. Had him touch her waist and everything.”

“Have some faith in your Professor. She was once a young woman once, and I’ll bet she was probably fairly pretty.”

“Oh no doubt. There’s actually an old portrait of her in our Common room.”

“Okay now don’t you start getting the weird fantasies there Georgie.”

“Great now my mind is forever stained with your accusations. I’d never do a thing like that!”

“Yeah sure whatever.” I let out a squeal as I was suddenly picked up and thrown over his shoulder.  He spun us around and I exclaimed as I slammed my fists against his back, “GEORGE PUT ME DOWN YOU BIG OAF!!”

“Big Oaf, them is fighting words there Black.” He playfully tried to drop me but I let out a shriek as I clung onto him.

“George!” he chuckled before finally setting me down but he kept his hold around my waist and I (strangely) kept my arms at the side of his neck.  You know I never really noticed this before but—George’s eyes really do seem to shine more in the light than Fred’s do.  It’s like they go from dark brown to an almost chocolate-hazel color.

And—have his shoulders always been this broad before? Guess being a Beater in Quidditch has it’s advantages. And his lips they were—DEAR MERLIN WHAT AM I SAYING!? Pull up pull up pull up now Seeker!

“I uhh….I better get my things for Potions class. Can’t afford another detention with Snape.” I cleared my throat as I backed away from George and gathered my things.  He knelt down and helped me and as we both reached for my journal and out fingers grazed each other’s, a sudden spark came over me.

A spark that had never happened before every time we’d hold hands.  We looked at each other wide-eyed before I collected my journal and bid George a goodbye before racing down the hallway.

What the bloody hell was that?

The next few days were all about girls being asked out to the Yule Ball and seeing the never-ending failed attempts for both Harry and Ron to get dates.  Those poor boys, they’re just thinking too hard.  I was heading towards my dorm room when I took notice of my roommate Luna Lovegood going through her trunk but once again she had no shoes on.

“The Nargals again Luna?” she slowly peeked over her shoulder and slowly sat up.

“Fraid so. This time all of my shoes have gone missing.” She answered in that wispy, dazed tone of hers.  It really was unfair that the school has deemed her ‘Looney Lovegood’, she just has her own way of seeing the world and shouldn’t be marred for it.  I even hear Hermione sometimes refer to her as such which is shocking coming from her.

“Isn’t there like a trap you could set out or something to catch them. I’d like to have a word with those pesky creatures for forcing you to go barefoot all the time.”

“It’s alright. I’m used to it.” I went over to my bed and immediately collapsed into it as I let out a heavy sigh.  “Something’s troubling you, you’re not as—vibrant as your aura usually is.”

“I don’t know, it’s so strange.” She suddenly appeared over me.

“Strange is an abstract word defined by many perspectives and intervals. You’re just as sane as I am.”

“I appreciate that thank you Luna.”

“My pleasure.” She gave me a soft smile before skipping off out of the dorm room to search for her missing shoes.  She really was a sweet girl, people should just look past her ‘looney-ness’ and really get to know her.  She does view the world in a way I never thought of before.  Kinda reminds me of that one muggle book umm…..Alice in Wonderland, yeah that’s it.

Later that day I was in the Great Hall during Free Period trying to get caught up on some homework when I noticed something from my peripheral vision.  I looked up and saw a paper-crane flying around my head before gracefully landing right in front of me.  I looked around before opening it up and there written was:

Meet me by the Fountain after free period.

R.W

Ron? What could he want from me? I looked up towards the Gryffindor table and saw him giving me a pleading look.  Bless him he truly was like a little brother to me so I gave him a nod and went back to my work.

Once Free Period was over, I went out to the fountain in the courtyard and waited.  And waited, and waited until finally Ron came out with a package of some kind.  He came over to me and I said to him.

“Next time Ron, don’t keep a girl waiting. It’s been 40min and you’re lucky I didn’t have any other classes today.”

“I know, I know I’m sorry. But I had to work up the courage to ask you something.” Oh no Ron don’t tell me you’re going to…..

“Okay….” I spoke hesitantly.

“I’m told you dabble in a bit of needle work and stitching.” Oh, oh thank Merlin! I was afraid I’d have to reject his offer to the Ball.

“I may dabble a bit of it yeah. Why do you ask?”

“I—don’t know if Fred or George told you, and I bloody hope none of them did, or worse Ginny. Can you do anything to fix this and make it appropriate?” he handed me the package and I set it in my lap.  I opened the lid and was greeted with a—well it was definitely a sight.

“Wow.” I breathed.

“Please tell me you can do something with this and make it more modern? Mum can’t possible think this is still the 14th century!”

“Ron…..I can mix potions to the proper brew, be the fastest on a broom and even transform into a puma at will. But I can’t work miracles.” I held his dress robes up but he quickly forced me to put it back into the box.

“Bloody hell!” he squeaked.

“I’m sorry Ron. Maybe it—won’t be so bad.”

“So bad? Look at you at least you could wear the ugliest dress and still make it work on you. I’ll be marred as a fairy till I graduate if people see me wearing this at the Ball. I’m doomed.” He then walked away leaving me at the fountain.

“Poor boy.” I shook my head shamefully.

“Ahh he’ll bounce back.” I jumped and there sat George.

“Bloody hell George! How many times have I told you not to sneak up on me like that!?”

“Ever since we were 11 our first week of classes. So did you have to reject our poor little brother to the ball?”

“No he asked me if there was any chance of mending his dress robes so that they’d be more ‘presentable’. According to him.” George laughed and I elbowed him in his ribs.  “Don’t laugh at him.”

“I’m his older brother, it’s my job.”

“Well your job is cruel and demeaning.”

“It’s all in good fun (n/n).” he poked my cheek but I swatted his hand away.  “Speaking of the Ball, whose the lucky man to have swept you away?”

“Ha-ha you’re hilarious George.” I said standing up and walking away.  He quickly caught up to me and said.

“This isn’t a joke, surely someone has asked you already. If not then you’ve got a line of guys waiting for you.” He stood in front of me.  Every time I’d move around him, he’d block me from leaving.

“You’re delusional did you know that? I mean really, a line of men waiting to ask me are you serious?”

“So just a few then?”

“George no one has asked me to the Ball.”

“Now you’re the one whose delusional.”

“No I’m not. Think about this for a second George Weasley. It’s been over a year since my father’s escape from Azkaban. No one knows where he’s at, and the ‘truth’ that was revealed is still kept in the dark. He’s not a ‘innocent man’ yet. So who in their right minds would ask the daughter of a mass murderer to the Yule Ball?” he finally allowed me to step around him.

“So what you’re just going to be alone?” I stopped in my tracks.

“Apparently so.” Before I could walk again, I bumped into George’s chest and looked up at him.

“No, no, no, no, no, no. That’s not going to happen.”

“What are you saying George?”

“I’m saying if you’ll go to the Ball with me?”

“If this is a pity date, don’t waste…..”

“It’s not pity. I solemnly swear!” he crossed his heart and holding up his other hand.  The twins only ever did that to me when they showed their genuine vow to not play and tricks or lies.  “The ball is on Christmas Eve and call it ‘family tradition’ or whatever but mum always said that no one should be alone on Christmas.”

Merlin’s beard.  My heart was pounding harder in my chest than it ever has before (even more than my first Quidditch match).  The look in his eyes showed his genuine pledge and I knew he wasn’t going to let this go.

“Ask me again if this is real, George Weasley.” He gave me a gentleman’s bow before looking up at me and said.

“(Y/n) Celeste Black, will you go to the Yule Ball with me?” my face started to flush as my pulse was rushing.

“Yes.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes is there an echo in here?” once again I was picked up into his arms and spun around the two of us laughing joyously.  After a few spins he finally set me down but like a few days ago he kept his hands at my waist.

“I uhh—guess I’ll see you at the Ball then.”

“Yeah, yeah guess I will. Or you will.” I giggled softly at his pronoun mistake.  As I left down the hall, that tingly spark returned and I couldn’t help but miss the feeling of his arms around me.

Days went by and I had joined up with Hermione and the two of us were currently out in Hogsmeade picking out our dresses for the ball.  As I was going through the racks searching for the perfect dress Hermione said.

“I’m told that George asked you to the Yule Ball.”

“Yes, yes he did. Although I think we’re going just as friends. Just because you see a boy and a girl at a dance together, doesn’t mean they can’t go as friends.” Why did it sting to word it like that?

“Huh.”

“Huh? What do you mean huh?”

“Oh nothing. It’s just if I were to ever see you hooking up with anyone, it would be George.”

“What exactly are you getting on Granger?” I asked going over to her changing room door.

“You know exactly what I’m speaking of Black, why are you denying it? You know full well that most of the boys from Durmstrang had asked you to the Yule Ball and you’ve rejected every single one of them. Even Viktor’s right hand asked you out and you rejected his offer. But when George asks you, you say yes.”

“You’re full of it Granger.” I flung over another dress option for her.

“Am I?” she challenged.

“Are you done in there or not?” I asked impatiently as I stepped away from her door and she soon opened up and there she stood in her pink dress.  “Wow. Forget the dress I flung at you, this—this is the one.”

“You’re sure?”

“Absolutely, come here.” I dragged her over to the mirror and stood behind her.  “Have your hair done up just right, give it some gentle curls, maybe a beautiful necklace.” She quirked her brow at me. “Your right no necklace. And people won’t keep their eyes off of you. Mainly Viktor.”

“It’s just a dance. I have no romantic feelings for Viktor, not like you and George.” I pinched her arm making her exclaim and walked off.

“We’re just friends Mione, have been for the past five years now.”

“Denial is the first step into accepting ones true feelings.” Hermione sung out before heading back into the changing room to get out of the dress and back into her normal clothes.

No. No I-I couldn’t be…..or could I? Lately things have felt a little—tense between George and I.  Everytime he now wraps his arms around me, there’s this spark of electricity that hadn’t been there before.  My pulse also seems to grow a little fast and my face seems to flush more when it’s just him compared to when Fred and I are alone.

I soon found my chosen dress and went inside the other changing room and tried it on for size.  Once I got into it, I admired myself in the mirror and was amazed by how much the dress hugged my curves but also the way the actual design and color of it made it seem like the entire cosmos was detailed in this dress.

“Now that is a dress no one will tear their eyes away from.” Hermione said as she came back out with her dress tucked under her arm. 

“You really think so?”

“Trust me, people do say you’re almost like a star in human form.” I rolled my eyes at the comment.

“I think you mean just because I love Astronomy so much, people believe I should be a star.”

“Which would be a terrible idea cause you’ve got a more twisted ego than both the Weasley twins combined.”

“Hey I resent that comment!”

“Remind me again whose idea it was to fill the Slytherin common room with glitter bombs?” I snickered remembering that prank back in my fourth year.

“You gotta admit, Malfoy was still finding glitter in that blonde head of his for two months.”

“As amusing as it was, it was still your twisted idea.”

“C’mon, let’s get these dresses bought before the next flood of girls comes crashing in.” I went back into my dressing room and changed back into my normal clothes then the two of us headed over to the cashier and paid for our dresses.

Finally the big night had arrived.  I allowed Hermione into the Ravenclaw dressing room so that the two of us could get ready together.  I helped her out with her hair and makeup and she placed on her dress while I was getting the last few touches of my makeup done.

That’s when my owl Athena came into my room squawking.  I turned over to her and was surprised to see a box at her side.

“And what’s this Athena?” I walked over to her and untied the package from her talons and she adjusted her position before ruffling her feathers.

“What is it?” asked Hermione.  I picked up the box and saw the letter tied underneath the black ribbon.  It had my name written on it so I had opened it up and I recognized the writing format.

“It’s from my dad.” Hermione looked at me surprised and she asked.

“What did he say?”

“‘My Dearest (Y/n)’,” I read his letter aloud.  “‘I know it’s that time of year again, with the Triwizard tournament I know that the time for the Yule Ball has come once again. I wish I could’ve been there in person to see just how beautiful you look right now, but the best I can do is give you these. Your mother once had these given to her at our first Yule Ball together, a gift she said that was tradition in her family for the father to bequeath his daughter. I hope with these you shine like the star I know you are. Have fun tonight but not too much fun, trust me I know how boys are at this age. Love dad.’” We both chuckled softly.

“He really does love you, doesn’t he?”

“I wish we hadn’t lost those 12 years.” I kissed the letter and held it close to my heart.  I then set the letter down and unwrapped the ribbon from the box and opened it up to reveal about 12 tiny diamond-like beads.

“What are they?”

“I….don’t know. Wait there’s something in the box.” I pulled out a small rolled up note and unraveled it and written on it was a spell.  “Luce Stellarum.” Suddenly the small diamonds began to glow and raise up from the box.  They began to form around me and slowly they circled around me.

Each one that passed around me, what appeared to be stardust began to rain down upon me.  After a few spins from these diamond studs, my dress almost seemed to come alive as starlight patterns now shined through the dress and the diamond beads came onto the dress.  Some formed the Orion constellation around my right left.  One made a stardust trail of a shooting star going at my left hip, and the rest seemed to spread themselves and land perfectly into my hair.

The stardust around me faded and I turned to Hermione and she was in pure awe.

“(Y/n) you look—”

“What? Please tell me that didn’t ruin the hard work I did.”

“No, no it—it enhanced it actually, come see.” She brought me over to the mirror and I was stunned at what I saw.  The stars on my dress now began to twinkle and shine like the real stars in the sky.  My hair also glistened with starlight as the darkness of my hair really made the beads now scattered throughout my hair twinkled and shined.

“Oh dad….mum. Thank you both.” I clenched my mother’s locket and tried to keep back the tears from ruining my makeup.

“Now George won’t be able to take his eyes off you ever again after tonight.”

“Oh shut up Hermione. Now let’s get going, the ball’s about to begin we don’t want to be late. Least of all you since you’re leading this thing.” I took her hand and we quickly raced out of my dorm room and toward the Great Hall.

*George’s POV*

I stood by the entrance of the Great Hall with Fred, Angelina, Lee and Katie waiting for (Y/n) to come down so we could all enter together.

“Where is she?” I asked nervously.

“She was with Hermione in her dorm getting ready. It’s more of a walk from the Ravenclaw dormitories than Gryffindor. She’ll be here.” Angelina assured me.

“Or she could’ve had cold feet and chickened out last minute.” Lee joked but both Katie and Angelina smacked his arm for that comment.

“She’ll be here Georgie, she wouldn’t bail on you without giving you heads notice. Especially after the way you’ve been treating her.” Fred said as he wrapped his arm around my neck.

“In what way?” he gave me a pointed look.

“Oh don’t you start being daft too. The two of you I swear.”

“What are you talking about Fred?”

“Ever since the Quidditch world cup tournament we saw before school started. Don’t think I hadn’t noticed how much cozier you two have gotten with each other.”

“You really are the loose-screw in this twin pair Freddie. We’re all just…..”

“She’s beautiful.” We heard Lee, Katie and Angelina chorus breathlessly.  Fred and I then turned and I saw before me the most sacred thing my eyes would ever see.

(Y/n) Celeste Black walking down the stairs leading to the great hall.  Her dress was a mixture of purple and black, almost like a nebula far out into space.  Her dress was also covered in starlight diamonds that glowed every now and then, especially when the lights from the torches hit them just right.  Her hair was done up beautifully and fell down into waves but what surprised me were the same Starlights that were on her dress, also seemed to be in her hair as well.

And she was—she…..she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.  Even more beautiful than she normally was.

She soon came up to us and even though her mouth was moving, I couldn’t hear anything.  I was just encompassed by just the mere sight of her.  As our group began complementing her dress and her appearance, I began to notice things about her than I never thought of before.

Like did her eyes always seem to sparkle like that? They almost seemed to resemble—no resembling is too good of a word uhh—they outshined the sparkle of real sapphire jewels.  And the way her hair framed around her face, it gave her this ethereal deity like aura, and Merlin her smile……words couldn’t describe just how I felt about her smile.

It's her smile that I’ve always loved about her and I’d always want to do anything in this world to let her keep it.  She’s suffered so much in her life that she deserves all the happiness in the world, and I hope to one day be the man to give that to her.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa Georgie where is all this sentimental mush coming from? It—no.  What Fred was hinting couldn’t be true….or could it?

“Oi Georgie boy, best stop gawking at her and give your girl a complement less she think you find her repulsing.” Freddie whispered as he smacked me in the back of my head.  I shoved him off of me and walked up to her.

“H—uhm….(Y/n) you-y-you look…..” my throat felt dry and my palms began to sweat.  “You look beautiful.” I managed to croak out after clearing my throat.  Oh please tell me I didn’t sound like a git.

“Thanks George, you look rather dashing yourself.” We both smiled softly at each other as our eyes remained locked onto each other’s.

“Ahh I see the last of your group has at last arrived. Mr. Weasley, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Jordan, you three can escort Ms. Johnson, Ms. Bell and Ms. Black into the Great Hall.” Professor McGonagall said.

“Well then you two, shall we get a move on?” Fred asked as he and Angelina hooked arms and walked into the Great Hall.  Lee and Katie followed just behind them and I cleared my throat as I extended my arm.

“Shall we, milady?”

“Indeed kind sir.” She wrapped her arm around mine and once again that tingle that’s been happening since the Quidditch world cup came back over me.  I guided her in and how is it that even with the magical snow falling down from above, she seemed to become even more ethereal than she was just outside in the hallway?

We joined up with Fred and Lee amongst the crowd and soon the band began playing as the four champions now walked through the crowd toward the dance floor to lead the first waltz.

“Doesn’t Hermione look beautiful?” I heard (Y/n) ask through the crowd’s applause.

“Yeah….beautiful.” but my eyes weren’t even looking toward Granger.

*My POV*

Once the four champions began the first waltz, it was Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall who were the first in the crowd to start waltzing.  But by bit more couples of both students and staff began to fill the dance floor.  I turned to George and asked him.

“Shall we?”

“I thought that was supposed to be my line?” he asked teasingly.

“Who says we both can’t share it?” he extended his hand and I took it and he lead me out into the dance floor.  The second I felt his hand touch my waist, I gasped softly and felt him pull me slightly closer.  My right hand intertwined with his left and placing my left hand around his shoulder he then lead me into the waltz with the others.

Even as the entire student body were now on the dance floor dancing in unison, my eyes couldn’t turn away from George.

“Who would’ve thought George Weasley was a phenomenal dancer?” I couldn’t help but praise.

“Trust me,” he picked me up by my waist in another lift before setting me back down, “I’m full of surprises.”

As the night went on, the waltzing had now turned into a real dance as we were all crowded together now dancing freely as the rock band played their set.  George and I stuck together in the crazed mosh-pit of students and screaming fangirls, jumping up and down to the beat.  Him occasionally spinning me around and at times we couldn’t help but join the screaming crowd as we both would howl in rejoice.

After the current song was done playing, we all cheered and I decided I needed a break off my feet.  George guided me to our table where the girls and Fred and Lee had taken their seat about four songs ago.

“You two truly are the party animals.” Commented Lee.

“What can I say, when there’s a good beat, I just gotta move my feet.” I said.  “Although I am feeling a bit parched.”

“We were just about to get some drinks and refreshments, we can bring you guys something back.” Angelina said.

“Oh you guys don’t have to do all that.”

“Really we insist, besides you’re the brave one. Dancing and lasting longer than us in heels.” Katie said shoving my shoulder as she stood up and our group of friends left leaving George and I alone.

“She’s wrong you know.”

“About what?” asked George.

“The heels. My feet have been killing me the past half hour or so.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“Stubbornness. Plus I’m not lying about what I said when it comes to dancing. Besides I’ve gotten worse things stuck between my paws as a puma. Thorns and twigs I can live with, but high heels they’re murderer.” I unhooked one of my heels but before I could get the other one, George suddenly knelt down in front of me.

“May I?” I was breathless.  My heart skipped a beat and my voice was caught up in my throat so I only gave him a soft nod.  He undid the strap and slowly removed my left heel.

His calloused fingers wrapped around my ankle sent shivers through my entire body.  But when I felt his thumbs starting to lightly rub into my skin I slightly jumped and said.

“George Weasley I swear if you’re trying to tickle my feet.”

“No tickling, I solemnly swear.” He quickly crossed his heart just like he did back when he asked me to the ball.  “I was however going to give your feet a light massage before the blisters started setting in though.”

“I’ve been dancing in heels for more than an hour and a half, my feet are probably even more sweatier than after a Quidditch match.” I internally groaned.  Why the bloody hell did I just say that out loud? And in front of George of all people.

“I can always go to the loo to wash up afterward. But if you don’t want it, all you have to do is just say so.” We stared at each other and I swear if I stare another second into those eyes, my heart just might burst out of my chest.

“Well if…..I mean, I—if you want to. But don’t think I’m trying to push you into doing it.”

“I wouldn’t have offered if I think you were. Believe me I’ve seen you when you get pushy.” I playfully glared at him but it quickly went away the second George began massaging my left foot first.  His thumbs doing slow circles just below my toes while his fingers dug into the balls of my foot and rubbed them.

It took every ounce within me to not moan but Godric above did his hands feel good! No, no, no! Get your mind out of the gutters! This is your best friend you keep imagining in these types of situations. And yet—why does this feel right?

*George’s POV*

Normally I’d never do this, especially since after I was a kid and mum would force us to help great Aunt Tessy’s sponge bathe her cuticles and boils on her feet.  I still get nightmares just thinking about it, but for (Y/n).  Helping her heal her feet from possible blisters and sores she’d feel in the morning, it was worth it.

Although I could swear I thought I heard a moan from her.  I also noticed briefly how she’d bite down on her lip occasionally whenever I’d get a sensitive spot.

No, no, no! George stop this! (Y/n) is your best friend! You can’t think of her that way…..or can I?

*My POV*

After massaging my left foot, he then patted his knee asking for my right and he got to work massaging that one next.  By the time he was done, the others began to arrive with our refreshments.  Some drinks and small bits of sandwiches.  As he said, he excused himself to the loo to wash his hands and Angelina asked me.

“What was all that about?”

“Yeah, what did you two crazy kids do while we were away?” teased Fred.

“Nothing happened mum and dad.” I mocked.  “He’s just going to the loo to freshen up a bit. Is that a crime?”

“At least he waited till we got back.” Piped Katie before she ate a chocolate covered biscuit.  I drank my water before taking a bite of my sandwich.  “So is everyone having a decent Yule Ball?”

“I’d say it’s more than decent.” Said Lee.

“I would agree to that.” Added Katie as she and Lee gave each other love-sick puppy dog eyes.  Katie softly giggling as they took each other’s hands.

“Well congrats you two.” I applauded.

“Now if only another certain pair of lovebirds would grow a pair and buck up the courage to talk.” Fred muttered.

“What was that Fred?” I challenged.

“Nothing, nothing.” I shrugged as he didn’t look me in the eye.

The hour droned closer to midnight and soon the ball would be over.  At this point our group had dispersed.  Lee had to turn in early because he needed his rest for his announcements at the next challenge of the tournament tomorrow so he and Katie left to retire for the night.  Fred and Angelina went off to go snog somewhere after having a couple of spiked drinks that some of the Durmstrang boys brought from their home country.

Leaving George and I the only ones behind.  Pretty much everyone was either out in the hallways, had retired for the night, or out snogging somewhere.  Very few people remained in the Great Hall save for a few couples who were now slow dancing to one of the band’s slow ballads.

“What do you say Black? One last dance before midnight?” asked George.

“I’d say that’s not a bad idea.” I accepted.  We took each other’s hands and we walked back out onto the dance floor.  George pulled me as close as possible to him and I reached up and put my arms around his neck while his hands held my waist.

As we slow danced to the ballad, neither of us spoke a word to the other but we kept our eyes on each other as we slowly danced around the dance floor with the few couples that remained dancing.  I guess I must’ve had some hidden Gryffindor courage hidden within me because I worked up the courage to gently set my head over George’s chest.

At first I felt him tense up and I almost retreated back but I soon felt him place his hand behind my head while his free hand took my right hand and held it right up to his shoulder.  His head soon rested just on top of mine and the hand that once held my head was now wrapped around my back keeping me close.

I heard his heartbeat through his suit and even though the smell of sweat still lingered in the air, I could still smell George’s natural scent of cinnamon and apple.  The world seemed to melt away as all that remained was George’s arms wrapped around me, his head on top of mine and his heartbeat ringing in my ear.

Soon the gong from the clock tower rang out Midnight and the Ball was officially over.

“Happy Christmas (Y/n).” whispered George.  I looked up at him and whispered back.

“Happy Christmas Georgie.”

“C’mon, I’ll walk you back to your dorm.” He then lead me out of the Great Hall and we walked up the stairs and toward the direction of the entry to the Ravenclaw common room.  We stood by the raven statue and I alone heard the riddle.

‘Who lived longer, the ghost or the poltergeist?’

“A non-being can never have been.” I responded back.  The wings of the raven soon folded inward and the door soon opened.  I turned to George and we hugged each other one last time.  “Thank you, for such a magical night. You were right, I would’ve been miserable if I had been left alone tonight.”

“Glad I could get through to you and change your mind.” I smiled and booped his nose before entering the doors.  I turned back towards George and sighed lovingly before the doors closed behind me and I was already overcome with a longing to go back into his arms.

I walked past the common room and headed up towards my dorm room and when I entered, Luna lay upside down on her bed reading her book with her spectacles on.

“Hello (Y/n). Fun time?” I walked over to my bed and collapsed onto it once more sighing longingly.  “The Thestrals missed you tonight.”

“I’ll be sure to bring them extra meat when we go see them together.” My mind kept going back to George.  His eyes, his smile, even his long ginger hair.  “Luna, if I tell you something will you promise not to say this to anyone?”

“Who would I tell?” she asked sitting right side up and pulling her specs on top of her head.  I cringed internally, right no one does talk to her.

“Tonight was the perfect night. And not because of the dancing, or getting dressed up and feeling radiant. No tonight was perfect……because of George Fabian Weasley. But I just don’t understand what it was that I’ve been feeling of him lately. I mean we’ve known each other since we crossed paths on the Hogwarts express our first year. And been best friends ever since. But now—actually I guess since the Quidditch world cup tournament we saw just before the school year started I’ve been having these—feelings for him. Like thousands of fairies are tickling around in my stomach. My pulse and heart seem to feel like I had just gotten done with a quidditch match, and my face flushes everytime we’re alone together. People are starting to call it out but surely it can’t be……could I truly be falling in love with my best friend? Is it mad of me to do such a thing?”

“As I’ve told you before, you’re just as sane as I am. I may not know much in the sense of romantic love but from what I’ve seen there is a strong connection. A red thread tied between the two of you just waiting to be seen.”

“But even if I do love him, how can you be sure he might feel the same? It would hurt twice as much of he didn’t and I’d have to lose him because of it.”

“A red thread between two souls is a symbol of soulmates. Spirits and hearts destined to be together. My mum always said, the ones we love always have a way of finding us in the end.” I turned to look at her.  She placed her spectacles on her desk and covered herself up. “Goodnight (Y/n).”

“G’night Luna.” I picked up my wand and used my magic to clean myself up and get ready for bed.  I buried myself under the covers and thought back to these past few months.

Could it really be true? This whole time this past year, have I—really been falling in love with George Weasley?

*George’s POV*

I lay there on my bed staring up at the ceiling my mind thinking of nothing but (Y/n).  Was I really falling in love with my best friend? Surely I can’t be, but then why can’t I stop thinking about her? And were those signs of hers tonight a sign that maybe just maybe she felt the same way too? I mean best friends can give each other foot massages, or go out and dance a slow dance, or even hold each other close, right?

Then why was my heart racing the entire time she had her head on my chest? And I hope and pray to Godric she didn’t hear just how fast it was beating.  The last thing I’d ever want is to lose my best friend.  And I can’t….not after all she’s lost already.

I turned to my side and shut my eyes hoping to get some sleep and just think about the next challenge of the tournament.  After all Fred and I had big plans for it.

[lauronk]

feliz navidad y'all, here's some fics!

hi and merry christmas! or, if you celebrate something else, happy first night of hanukkah, i hope you had a blessed yule, and i hope tomorrow you have a joyous kwanzaa! personally i celebrate a secular christmas, no religious stuff with it, just sparkly lights and quality time with friends and family.

but that's not why we're here! i know that people have time off right now and what better to do with some time off than read some wonderful fics? wait, i gotta get a little sappy under the cut first, feel free to skip straight to the recs if you want though

for nearly two years now i have been so lucky to be part of the tlou fandom, to be surrounded by people who are so unbelievably talented and supportive and uplifting. i have made so many friends, i have had so many wonderful people reading and commenting and kudosing my stories and it's really been life-changing in so many ways. i appreciate all of you who have ever interacted with me or my fics more than i can say and i love you all SO MUCH you don't even KNOW

skip to here for the fics!

in no particular order, some wonderful stories i have been enjoying lately:

💜 - one-shot / 🤍 - in progress multi-chap / 💙 - complete multi-chap

💙- i know you by heart by @sixhours

🤍- all over again by @chronicallyonlinewriter

💙- alabaster in the evening by @boopernatural

🤍- bleed to love her by @chronicallyonlinewriter

💜- folding stars and unfolding hearts by @mote-of-star-dust

💜- stared down by the enemy by @two-birds-alone-together

💜- the road to nowhere by @captainredspade

💙 - a heart, a hand to hold onto by @becomethesun

🤍- migrating monarchs by @ciaconnaa

💙- no returns for broken or damaged items by @renegadeknight

🤍- everywhere by @chronicallyonlinewriter

honestly i could just go on forever and ever, list like 30 more fics at a minimum, but this is more than enough to keep you occupied this holiday season! i hope you all have a wonderful christmas/hanukkah/kwanzaa/boxing day!

[clouseplayssims]

So, sim holidays.

I sat down and really focused on my mega list of things to do and implement in Edirann, and one of the bigger chunks was a functional holiday system. I plan on the general holidays being based on a mix of real holidays and sims-canon holidays, which are below the cut, and I'll be using this mod as my baseline.

But it did make me remember that I'd like religion traits, potentially with holidays of their own. My question there would be: is it possible for a trait (item in inventory essentially) to trigger pop ups at all? Like "It's x, time to begin morning prayer." etc.

Anyway, time for my rough drafts for holidays!

WINTER ---The Purge First Day of Winter Celebrate in home.

Clean all objects, place brooms outside every door, reset fields for spring. Said to purify the home and keep Our Lady of the Glitch at bay. In the evening set lighted candles at the front door.

---Winterfest ? Celebrate in home.

Sims should decorate their home, put up a traditional Winterfest tree in their front yard, and have a holiday meal. The king provides 1 butcher parcel of duck to all indentured and peasant families.

---Snow Flake Day & Bonfire Night Last Day of Winter Celebrate in home, the fields, festival grounds, and feasting grounds.

Give gifts to friends, neighbors, and family - apples, wheat and oranges favored. The king will also provide gifts. Ice skating, snow activities. Followers of Zeus should make promises for accomplishments for the year to come. Bonfires in the fields. Toast tress and crops with spiced cider. Decorate the home with evergreen boughs. Hang mistletoe above main door - it will also be hung in public spaces. Chop down tree on land and burn in small ceremony (yule log) with the mantle decorated with evergreen and dusted with flour. Keep fire going for 2 days. Common to set out gold pillar candles, wreaths, holly, poinsettias. Feasting grounds serves all who attend a turkey dinner and dessert.

SPRING ---Feast of Fools First Day of Spring Celebrate in the festival grounds.

A child sim is randomly selected as King For A Day.

---Love Day Third Day of Spring Celebrate in the field, festival grounds, and feasting grounds.

Traditional day to celebrate courtship and romance, as well as fertility and the first bloom of spring crops. Sims should send love letters, go on dates, and kiss under the mistletoe. Dancing is common, and a lucky woman will be crowned the Queen of Love & Beauty and hand out prizes. It's good luck to gather flowers on this day.

*Followers of St. Persephone should visit the grounds in hopes of creating a Luck Baby.

*Followers of Mara often marry on this day or propose. A child born on this day is considered a blessing from Mara.

---Flower Day ? Celebrate in festival grounds and feasting grounds.

A celebration of fertility and motherhood. All ladies wear flower crowns and hunt for colorful eggs. Men are expected to try and catch a live rabbit to bring good luck to their homes, presenting the rabbit to a sweetheart is considered the highest of regard. Stay up until midnight dancing and drinking around the maypole. Sims should also wake early the next morning to watch the sun rise. ( Traditional foods of the season include leafy green vegetables, dairy foods, nuts such as pumpkin, sunflower and pine, flower dishes, sprouts. Herbs and flowers of the season include daffodil, jonquils, woodruff, violet, gorse, olive, peony, iris, narcissus and all other spring flowers.)

SUMMER

---Leisure Day ? Celebrate at home.

Sims are to do no work on this day. They should spend the day relaxing, swimming, or exploring the festival ground. Many games are played on this day and the king awards ribbons and prizes to the winners of multiples tournaments like log rolling and axe throwing.

---Stendarr & Artemis Festival ? Celebrate at home.

Sims should do their best to earn a skill point or learn something new. Acts of charity are encouraged. This is the day before the first harvest and it is tradition to bake barley loaf on this day to eat.

---Humble Day ? Celebrate in festival grounds and feasting grounds.

The bones of St. Humble are moved to the festival grounds and displayed where they can be touched for luck before being returned to the shrine. (The custom of placing a cabbage on the doorstep of girls who had behaved imprudently through the year was a more novel method of social control. Regardless of the care they may have undertaken with their flirtations and indiscretions, they were surely to be found out on Mayday.) Foods traditionally served at this time include apples, grapes, crab-apples, pears, grains, breads and berries. Herbs and flowers favoured for the celebration include all grains, heather, blackberries and sloe.

FALL ---Harvestfest ? Celebrate in home and in fields.

Farming sims should take in their first harvest on this date. Other sims can symbolicly harvest in the royal fields. Cook a large family meal that all sims sit down and eat together. Socialize with friends and family. ( The Druids call this celebration Mea'n Fo'mhair and honor the The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer to trees. Symbols of Mabon include wine, gourds, pine cones, acorns, grains, corn, apples, pomegranates, ivy vines, dried seeds, tobacco, and horns of plenty. Herbs and foods associated with Mabon include acorns, benzoin, ferns, grains, honeysuckle, marigold, milkweed, myrrh, passionflower, rose, sage, Solomon's seal, thistle, vegetables, breads, nuts, apples, pomegranates, potatoes, carrots, and onions. )

*Followers of Kynareth sacrifice a small animal to the goddess.

---Spooky Day ? Celebrate in the home, field, festival grounds, and feasting grounds.

Sims should put out treats for friends and neighbors, paint faces with skull paint, and honor their dead. ( Bonfires were lit and fortune-telling were popular activities. Mask wearing was also part of the celebrations. The festivities were similar to those of Carnival, just before Lent, though on a smaller scale. There was much feasting, drinking and playing of games, as well as story telling and sometimes, plays. Cock fights, pig baiting and sport events such as racing, leaping or wrestling were other favourite activities. Food was plentiful right after the harvest. Meat, from the autumn slaughter of those animals that it was not possible to house and feed over winter, could be salted or smoked to preserve it, but sausages and other foods made from offal would not last long. They had to be consumed fairly quickly before they spoiled. It also was the day that marked the end of old contracts. Hired help moved on to new positions and there were farewell and welcoming banquets for them and the new staff.)

*Followers of Kynareth sacrifice a small animal to the goddess.

---Festival of Talos ? Celebrate in the field, festival grounds, and feasting grounds.

A large tournament is held and the best swordsman, archer, and fighter are provided places of honor at the feast and prizes from the king. ( This feast marked the sowing of wheat, the brewing of ales for winter and the preparations for the winter season. The feast of St. Michael and All Angels or Michaelmas fell about the time of the autumnal equinox. His feast was celebrated with a traditional well-fattened goose which had fed well on the stubble of the fields after the harvest. In many places, there was also a tradition of special large loaves of bread.)

LOCATIONS Festival Grounds Fields Feasting Grounds Humble Shrine

[pastafossa]

It's technically Christmas so we had a mini celebration with mom at the physical rehab center, and they even let us get her into a wheelchair and roll her out to see Fozzie (who bless his heart, was VERY excited to see his Grammie but he made sure to be very very gentle coming up to her). The real celebration will come when she comes home, but I'll be honest - this felt like the best Christmas ever even if it was unconventional, because mama is doing great, I got to spend most of the day with her, and I could not be happier!

I obviously can't do a normal family photo since that would make me too identifiable but have this altered version of our Pasta Clan celebration pic I took and consider it a Pasta Family Wish that you all have just as lovely a holiday!

We also did exchange a couple gifts, despite saving the majority for mom when she gets home! I got an adooorable Mothman squishable, a FUCKING PENGUIN OODIE I AM IN IT RIGHT NOW, IT'S SO SOFT, and true to how well mom knows me: the King Daredevil funko. My shrine... it grows.

Merry Christmas and happy Yule my friends!

[morganacademie]

Welcome to Morgana's Academy of Witchcraft!

Welcome to your witchcraft studies!

My name is Morgana and I'm starting an online, free school for baby witches to advance their practice <3

My goal is to create a free, safe, structured educational resource for beginner witches - somewhere you can learn, grow and ask questions and also form a community.

The School officially opens on the 1st September 2025 and will follow the UK term dates since I am in the UK (but international students are welcome to apply), however you can register your interest now with the Google form at the end of the post!

Once the school opens in September, students can also apply to join at the start of the Imbolc term 2026, and applications will next open during the Beltane term for Mabon 2026 starters.

Term Dates:

Mabon Term : 1 Sep 2025 - 17 Oct 2025 (applications open for Imbolc Term 2026)

Samhain Term : 27 Oct 2025 - 19 Dec 2025

Yule Term: 5 Jan 2026 - 13 Feb 2026

Imbolc Term: 23 Feb 2026 - 2 Apr 2026

Ostara Term: 20 Apr 2026 - 22 May 2026

Beltane Term: 1 Jun 2026 - 21 Jul 2026 (applications open for Mabon term 2026)

Here are the classes currently in the works, there is also a space in the google form to request classes you would like to see in September!:

Ancestor Veneration

Angels

Animal Spirits

Astrology 101 - Understanding the Basics

Astrology 102 - Reading a birth chart

Baneful Basics

Basics 101 - Grounding, Cleansing, Protecting

Basics 102 - Shadow Work, Banishing, Binding

Celebrating the Seasons

Crystal Magick

Deity Work

Demonaltry

Dragons

Divination 1 - Tarot and oracle cards, Tasseography, Runes

Divination 2 - Palmistry, Scrying, Everyday divination

Energy Work Basics

Elemental witchcraft

Faerfolk

History of Witchcraft

Kitchen Magick

Moon Magick

Plant and Herb Magick

Practical Spellwork

Psychic Witchcraft

Self Care Witchcraft

Spirit Work

To Note:

You must be at least 18 by the time the school year starts (1 Sep 25), this is to comply with the law

The classes will have homework and projects, this is purely to test your understanding and for you to ask any questions. It is also an opportunity for you to practice what you've learned!

The school is open to broom-closeted witches, however some class homework will require practical spellcraft - completely broom-closet-friendly classes will be signposted closer to the time <3

Please be patient with me! This is a one woman project and I am doing what I can!! If you are interested in teaching/helping out there is a space for this in the google form.

Goals:

I would love to incorporate extra curriculars for hobbies and community building - Think book and film clubs, holiday celebrations etc

There will also be a house system! Smaller groups can help foster communities and allow people to make friends easier. There will be a quiz closer to the time so I can match houses to people with similar interests and goals.

I'll be updating this tumblr throughout the year with updates!

Please fill in the google form below if you're interested, this is not a formal application, but I'm using it to gauge interest so any classes you sign up to do or answers you write down do not have to be final.

Any questions, requests or ideas, please let me know!

Blessed Be <33

[virgo-moonlight]

happy solstice and blessed Yule, my friends! may the coming year bring what you desire, the sun will be returning to us soon. stay warm and be well! 🌞🎄🕯️🍊🍻

[stalkerofthegods]

Loki Deep dive

Signs he's reaching out- seeing the Snaptun Stone, Large numbers of spiders, Fire seeing his symbols and things that remind you of him in a dream, a close brush with danger, Dreams of Loki speaking to you, Repeated appearances of any of the animals related to Loki, sudden obsession on him or seeing things related to him that you wouldn’t regularly notice

Days & holidays! - Autumn Equinox, Samhain, Yule, Sep 5 UPG (tumbler meme devoted to him day) , Julaften, Saturday, April fools, Lokablót

Equivalent- logi  (the personification of fire), Prometheus, Tantalus, Jesus, Pan, Cernunnos, Dionysus, anasi, Bacchus, Lugh, Hermes, Mercury, Elegua, Eshu, Prometheus, Veles, Coyote and Crow

Dislikes- in my experience he wasn’t a fan of Hermes, he doesn’t like Heimdall (Heimdall kills Loki ) 

Married- he is married to Sigyn! (the goddess of Victory)   Also, Loki’s first wife (Angrboda who was a Jotun ) taught Loki magic, later he devoured her heart because she was an ‘evil’ witch.

Zodiac- Aries and Gemini 

Siblings - Blood Odin, Hellblindi and Balyestyr

Devotional- volunteering to help survivors of trauma, helping with orphanages, and those who are in need, laughing at yourself.

Animal - Coyote, Salmon, Snakes, Foxes, vulture, Quiscalus quiscula, wolves, serpents, cats, falcon, butterfly, raven, flies, dragons, spiders.

colors - yellow , green , red, pink, neons, purple, gold, silver, Black, violet 

offerings - Candy, Atomic Fireball (he loves alcohol ex- tequila, rum, brandy, and mead, but he does get tired of it beacuse it’s offered so much), Pez, Pixie Sticks, cookies/pastries, caramel apples. Speaking of apples, He loves red food (ex-Red Velvet) He likes things with a lot of pepper spice, or even just the peppers themselves (habaneros seem to be a favorite), good whiskey, bread, knives, whatever reminds him of u, also baked goods, or anything really, you can give him just sugar or just food, whatever says “LOKI!!”, he also loves caffeinated drinks!, he likes cinnamon, chocolate, Tobacco, weed, cheesecake, especially with berries,  old granddad brand of alcohol, and hard cinnamon flavored or spicy liquor, and spicy runs and mulled wine! Carmel golden apples!  He also loves Nutella, I would recommend giving whatever you think he would like, he likes new things I heard.

Number - 13  and Kaunaz, Naudiz, Thurisaz, number 3, The Berkana rune, 

Planet- Pluto, Dark Moon

To do in his honor  - Inner Child work, Llaughing at yourself, Accepting that no one and self is perfect, and mistakes are okay, Feeling all of our feelings, drawing, coloring, singing, dancing, being creative, working with children or the elderly, collecting and sharing jokes, going on a walk, get lost, go on an adventure with friends or fellow outcasts, go clean up a local park in his honor, do something ur scared of, joke in their honor 

What he favors in devotes - Passion and drive, inc stubbornness, a go-getter, hunger for life, child like playfull Ness

God of - Celeverness, change, Creation, Cunning, Divine, Discovery, Humor, knowledge, sex, Seduction, shapeshifting, trickster (mischief), wit, truth,  temptation, the hearth, nature. 

Patron -outcasts (black sheep), earthquakes, changing cycles of the moon, nature, fire itself.

his weapon- Lævateinn

Herbs - daisy, mistletoe, Lavender, Patchouli, Cinnamon, Clove, Hemp, Holly, Mistletoe, Cedar, Juniper, Elder, “yellow rattle” plant, lokasjóður, “Loki’s Purse” (a plant), Loki oats, wild oats, birch, alder, mullein, acorns, Aspen trees (UPG)

Preferred coffee- very very sweet. (I also heard he likes mocha) 

Remind me of him - smiling, laughter, dancing, knives, horns, flowers, trees, flies, foxes, rings, black nail polish, masks, spiders, red hair, cat eyeliner look, eyeliner, blue eyes, plastic toys, nature 

Blessings - sharper knives (be careful they may be blunt one second and then sharp)

Tarot- The magician, Wheel of Fortune, the sun, the devil, the tower, the magician, 

Signs - spiders, vultures, snakes, seals, foxes, flies, wolves, Dandelions, coyotes 

Alter decorations - boats, kids' toys, anything listed here really.

Scents - He likes cinnamon, mulled wine, cotton candy, and peaty whiskey and yew, but nothing strong or overwhelming or alluring and anything too feminine, he also dislikes super masculine colognes. He likes Pine, cinnamon, sugar & spice, honey, and wild berry incense and dragons blood incense 

Animals• Fox, spiders,Flies, salmon horses, vultures 

Crystal• Volcanic and Sulfurous stones (ex. Obsidian Gypsum, Hematite, etc.)((is associated with tectonic activity)), pyrite (fools gold), color-changing stones, Bloodstone, Xlead calcite, Sunsgone, Stones associated with the air element, red stones, Stones of any other color you associated with Loki (ex- red Jasper, Garnet, Carnelian, Ruby), Stones that scream “LOKI!!”, but mostly - Red Jasper, Amber, Garnet, Goldstone; Plastic, Acrylic, Glass, Gold, Bronze, Silver, Magnesium, Orange calcite, hematite, fire agate, onyx, etc.), serpentine, fire quartz, smoky quartz, pyrite, multi-colored/color-changing stones (labradorite, fluorite, alexandrite, bismuth, etc.), carnelian, and tiger's eye, kambaba jasper, prehnite, garnet, green aventurine, malachite, and petrified wood, Yellow calcite

Symbols•fox, Knox, web, Tangles, snakes, Flies, salmon, horses, Mistletoe, (I've also heard vulture, hawk, skull

Names•known as sky traveler, Ve, or, father of monsters, Flamehair, “that bastard” (UPG), Lie-Smith, Sly-God, Shape-Changer, Sly-One, Lopt, Sky Traveller, Sky Walker, Wizard Of Lies, and Loftur and I'm sure there's more. (I’ve accidentally called him Taco Bell before myself.) 

Mortal or immortal • immortal, but has apples to live longer, suspected the Apple effects last YEARS (like more than 100+ years. Because he is not “old” or dead yet, and in mythology, they take it to stay young and live forever.) and ragnorok

Vows/omans• Blood brother with Odin, Loki swears oaths that he will devise a scheme to cause the builder (of the wall of the asier home) to forfeit the payment, whatever it may cost himself.

Morals• He's morally grey 

Personality• understanding, and fast going, can be jealous and has a quick temper.

Fact• He had a wife before Sigyn and he is in a cave until Ragnorok. I also heard he like farts a lot. And sends spiders, so beware, he made spiders in Sweden mythology 

Roots• Norse mythology 

Appearance in astral or gen• red hair and fair skin but not too red or too fair. Also, blue eyes I think or green. Or anything at all really.

Children- Hel, Jormangandr, Fenir, Sleipnir, Vanir, Narfi, (from sigyn) Svadilfari,  and Einmyria and Eisa (with Glut.) He also ate a woman’s heart and bore the first witch, some say also a HUGE cat. 

Season• the month of Gemini and Aries 

Status• God and Yotan

Element- Fire, air, nature.

Personality- Loki is not always the most mature and can sometimes act like a toddler. Also chaotic Neutral. he is not an omniscient Deity, but true to his word.

Parentage • The tree Lufey and farbauti

Prayers•

Flame-hair, your soul burning into the night, Throwing caution to the wind And casting the die of fate, Teach me your fearlessness. Lie-smith, your sharp words like daggers, Cutting through illusions to the bone And revealing the reality we refuse to see, Teach me your clarity. Silver-tongue, whispering carefully veiled truths, Sowing shrouded mystery in your wake, And leading only the clever onward, Teach me your secrecy. And leading only the clever onward, Teach me your secrecy. Gift-Bringer, recognizing all the overlooked, Giving rightly earned reward where it’s due, And in turn, blame as well, Teach me your justice. Scar-lip, ending silence in the face of injustice, Grinning down at the outcasts And rallying your voice with theirs, Teach me your anger. Pain-holder, accepting your punishment, Embracing the consequences of your deeds, And taking the fall of those who are weaker, Teach me your resilience. World-breaker, harbinger of chaos, Spitting fire upon the stagnant And carving the spear of change, Teach me your courage. Cruel-striker, slanderer of the gods, Burning the inefficient and stale, Revealing potential in the ashes, Teach me your insight. Sly-walker, throwing your mischievous grin about And casting laughter into the darkness Where before there was only despair, Teach me your joy. Shape-changer, manipulator of all walks of life, Confidently adapting to every situation, Commanding the strength of any form, Teach me your cunning. Hearth-fire, warmth of my heart, Your arms a sanctuary where none is found Light and life of the home I can always return to, Teach me your nurturing. Sky-treader, ever true to your wild heart,Letting none even try to contain your spirit As free as the sky itself, Teach me your passion. Hail Loki, And thank you, my God, For everything you bring to my life.I love you so.

- by @klawl

Links/websites/sources •

Links I recommend - 

Loki is the Norse god of mischief, and the hard cold truth, even tho he may be cold, he is wise, and charming in many ways.

I use resources, I do not own the info, and most deep dives have UPG (that I use in my work.) And I only take some information from sources. I am 14, this is my hobby, I am learning but I spent many hours and days on this, and I am always open to criticism. I have been doing worship for 5 years. Please know you can use the info, I do not sue, but I will take action if this work is used without permission and not put as a resource if used in any work. without permisson and not put as a resource if used in any work, for the public.

[guineapigposting]

blessed first day of winter solstice my wheeky friends I hope Yule have a great time

[ravenflorals]

Hi Jackie! I saw that you are into Dramione and they are my favorite ship. I would like to request a fluffy Dramione drabble to the song “Never Stop” by Safetysuit, if I may :) I believe it was intended to be a wedding song (do with that what you will). Thank you very much if you choose to do this!

Never Stop

rating: teen & up

word count: 800 words

pairing: draco malfoy / hermione granger , backgroung harry potter / ginny weasley

characters: Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley ( more a cameo ) , Theodore Nott ( also a cameo )

excerpt: He loved his wife. Did when they started dating, did during the official courting, and did now. “You’re nonstop , witch. The press can wait.” He says, holding tightly to her frame. “To be truthful you get my heart racing.” He says and can feel his heart practically pounding in his chest. Her head rests against his chest as they stand there. Her back against him. One day they’ll be fifty and telling these stories, they’ll be seventy still learning little things about one another, and they’ll be ninety and turning gray. Holding onto one another with the memories they carried.

authors note: Hi lovely! Thank you so much for the ask — I LOVED the song choice it made writing this easy and fun. Thank you for the request!!

Gray eyes examine the sight before him. His curly haired bride stands between her two best friends, smiling for the press who decided to come. Despite his mother telling him not to let it get to his head. He overthinks the headlines that are due to come. “DISGRACED PUREBLOOD MARRIES MUGGLEBORN HEROINE. HOW DID HE TRAP HER?” the kinds of articles people would skip to page eight for but still not know the whole truth. The truth if anything. She trapped him. Trapped him in body, in spirit, and in mind. In every single way he belonged to her just as she belonged to him.

Ron —— who admittedly had grown on him since Hogwarts put bunny ears behind Hermione in a “funny photo.” And all Draco can think is what would have happened if he wasn’t an arse and got to know the trio. Would the war have raged as long as it did? Would he have been able to ask Granger to the Yule Ball instead of staring at her the whole night? Would he have gotten something right? As these thoughts roar he hears the sound of his wife . His witch. Laughing. His eyes are on her as Theo nudges him

“Go and get her tiger.” The combination of the words from his friend and the sight of Hermione being bright, vibrant, warm. Made him want nothing more than to be by her side. No matter what the press or news would say. What he knew was his amortentia smelt like her in sixth year. In the eighth year he danced around his feelings for her. Two years later he met her parents, post obliviation –—— and sincerely trying their best to relearn their child. He knew that when she proposed she said yes, and now he stood with his wedding band on her finger.

She wore virgin white, which was ironic with the things they’d done. And truly looked like every single blessing in the world. “Sorry to intrude Weasley. Can I borrow my wife?” He asks, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Hermione raises her head, looking at Draco with complete wonder. He hoped to never lose that glance from her. Once Ron leaves, the newly wedded husband keeps his arm around his wife. “Usually the bride and groom keep together in these events.” He says pressing a kiss into Hermione’s hair.

“Sorry. You know how press gets regarding any of us.” She says in a ramble “they wanted to hear about the cases we were working on. And the death eater tri—.” His lips are on hers. It’s soft but stern. When he pulls away, a light sigh escapes parted lips.

He loved his wife. Did when they started dating, did during the official courting, and did now. “You’re nonstop , witch. The press can wait.” He says, holding tightly to her frame. “To be truthful you get my heart racing.” He says and can feel his heart practically pounding in his chest. Her head rests against his chest as they stand there. Her back against him. One day they’ll be fifty and telling these stories, they’ll be seventy still learning little things about one another, and they’ll be ninety and turning gray. Holding onto one another with the memories they carried.

A song ——— distinctly muggle and soft. The kind of music he wouldn’t have ever found on his own but one Hermione loved. “You remembered?” She asked as he dragged her onto the center of the dance floor. Other couples hung around. You had Harry who danced with a very pregnant Ginny, Ron who spun Pansy with no effort across the floor. Theo who flirted with a bartender … and finally Hermione’s parents who watched. Standing alongside his mother who had never looked prouder.

Growing up he had been worried about a legacy. About something he could pass onto his future family. Sixth year came and with it came the tasks. The ones that still hung in the back of his mind as he wondered what could’ve been. Forced to become the man of the house while the dark lord became a roommate. If he had told someone, like he should’ve he wouldn’t have carried the guilt he did now. The guilt considering the markings on his brides arm, but as they dance. As he looks around the room. This was his legacy. The fact he had grown. The ways he had grown.

In his life he had grown based on choices. The choice to either do the right thing —— or the wrong thing. And for years he had chosen the wrong thing. Now though we his arm rests on his witch. He knows maybe he got a few things right. “I love you.” He tells her, and she smiles brightly

“And I love you.”

[laurasimonsdaughter]

It had seemed like such a good idea at the time. And such an obvious solution! This place was basically her dream apartment, but it required two flatmates to make it affordable. Chris wanted to get out of his noisy basement room, Ev was making their first big move away from their pack and they were both worried about finding anyone that would want to live with them. It was perfect! Because surely all that stuff about vampires and werewolves being at each other’s throats was just prejudiced nonsense and of course two of the people that liked her most would also like each other.

At least, that was what two-months-ago Yule had thought. Present-day Yule had very different thoughts on the matter. Not so much about the prejudice stuff, not even about the liking each other stuff, but very much about this being a good idea.

“Oh my god, Yule, he’s going to hate me forever,” Ev groaned on Wednesday, lying face first on Yule’s bed.

“No he won’t.”

“He will.” Ev let out a suffering growl. “He was so upset over his socks being gone!”

“Just his left socks,” Yule hummed, as if that should be any consolation. “Which you didn’t know was a thing for vampires, and he did leave them lying around in the bathroom. You were trying to be nice, doing laundry for us all. I appreciated it.”

Ev was capable of sounding very much like a sad puppy. “He already didn’t like me,” they mumble unhappily into the pillow.

“That’s not true, Ev.”

“Is too. Whenever it’s anywhere near full moon he just avoids me.”

“Not on purpose I’m sure. He likes you fine, Ev, I promise. He’s just…not used to living with people.”

“People like me, you mean.”

“People that aren’t dead, I mean,” Yule said deliberately. She sat down on the edge of her bed and stroked through her friend’s wild hair. That, at least, could always be depended upon to make them feel better.

There were no such shortcuts with Chris. Which was a pity, because Yule really thought she needed some.

---

“It’s absolutely mortifying. What must they think of me,” Chris lamented on Monday.

“I can tell you what they think. They think that you didn’t realise werewolves could hear high frequencies in music.”

“I woke them up. In the middle of the night.”

“Ev is up in the middle of the night all the time, Chris.”

“It is the principle of the thing!”

Yule sighed. “Will you at least sit down instead of hovering on the doorstep? I’ve asked you inside several times.”

“I’m not hovering.”

“You are, just not literally. Please sit down.”

Chris took a single, uncomfortable step into the room. “…there is no other seat than your bed.”

Oh bless him. Yule moved from her desk chair to her bed. “There.”

“Thank you.” It was incredible how prim and proper he managed to sit on a swivelling chair. Surely that was something he must have absorbed from other vampires. Chris wasn’t that old.

Yule gave him an encouraging smile. “Ev won’t hold it against you, I’m certain.”

He let out a miserable sigh. “I had hoped to improve their opinion of me, not worsen it.”

No, not this again. “Whatever are you talking about?”

“Surely you’ve noticed they disappear whenever I’ve fed. They can’t even stand to look at me.”

“Chris, Ev eats unspeakable things every month. I promise you they’re not squeamish about blood.”

Judging from Chris’ expression that was not at all comforting and probably meant, in his mind, that Ev was only squeamish about him. But that was a conversation Yule was absolutely not ready to have.

“So,” she said, rising from her bed with determined energy. “How have you been getting on with that podcast idea where you sarcastically review biographies of people you knew?”

She really needed to work on her list of distracting topics, or she’d never make it through the week.

[Read the whole pining disaster on AO3.]

[zombie-rott]

The Driftwood & The Rift; Part II.

Pairing: Mountain X Dew.

Summary:

Not everyone enjoys Yule. Least of all the ministry's favourite fire ghoul. Marred by his sordid past in the pit, Dew locks himself away to begin his yearly tradition, but with Swiss no longer there to control him, things get out of hand. And if he's going to be banished for his shameful behaviour, he might as well tell one of his oldest friends exactly where his feelings lie.

Warnings: Alcohol abuse, blood, injury, ghouls kissing.

A03 Part 1

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

The smell of smoke and flesh stung Dew’s nostrils as he watched the flame climbing high above the pyre. Around him, his ghoul-kin (her ghoul-kin) mourned and sobbed with pain so thick it coated the air like a blanket. But Dew couldn’t cry, he wouldn’t cry. Not in front of them . 

He took their abuse in his stride, hissing and biting back when he could, but never quite landing a hit. He was much too small and they were all much too big. Yes, even the other kits his age. And as if his runt body wasn’t enough, he was now alone in the pit, without a mother or bloodline to call his own. Just an orphan within a pack of water ghouls, much too obsessed with themselves to give a shit about him. 

If Dew stayed sleeping long enough or lost in his daydreaming, he could practically feel the bones breaking beneath his skin, or the scales being ripped from his tail. Dew was their plaything for centuries, an obedient punching bag that screamed and wailed with each hit. He was their pet, always available to starve, kick, and fuck. Oh, how they loved to watch him limping away, tail between his legs but heckles raised and teeth boar; like a wounded cat retreating from a fight. 

But, despite all their atrocities, Yule brought time for celebration. Hypocritically speaking. They sat around their table and praised their Gods. They performed their silly rituals, begged Satan to bless their sacred waters and bring them good luck in the next century to come. And while they exchanged their love and thanks to each other, Dew was always left out. He remained on the fringes of this absurd holiday like a leper, looking through the window of a church, begging for acceptance.

His mother had never left him out. She’d always made sure to hold him and hug him, and tell him how much he meant to her. She protected him from the pack. She fought for him to survive tooth and nail, size be damned. 

She was the only thing he thought about as he felt his body alight from the inside. Her gaze met his as his blood boiled, and his skin melted. Her voice soothed him as he wailed and pleaded for death, as his hair became singed and all water was purged from his body. 

“You have a fire within you, my little sprite. You will ignite!” 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

Dew was pulled sharply into wakefulness with a shattering crack as his forehead made contact with the stone of his bedroom floor. He roared, the pain reverberating throughout his skull and igniting behind his eyelids. Gingerly, he pushed himself over onto his side. There was a warm sensation trickling down his forehead and the fire ghoul cringed at the realisation that he was possibly bleeding. 

Shit. 

“Dew? Dewdrop!” 

The fire ghoul hissed in the direction of the disembodied voice as he struggled to sit upright against the box spring. His head pounded and throbbed, stars forming before half-lidded eyes. Somewhere in his mind, he searched for the words to shout back, but none came. Only a low whine escaped through his clenched teeth. 

“I’m getting help!”

Dew wanted to protest. He wanted to scream at the alien voice, but he could barely open his mouth. All he could do was pull himself across the floor in a frantic panic, through bottles and feathers and glass, towards the bathroom. There, bruised and broken, Dew pulled himself into the shower stall. He rested his head back against the tiles as he struggled to catch his breath. 

One. Two. Three.

He tried to get things under control but the pain bloomed and grew with every motion or thought, no doubt elevated by his hangover. Gingerly, he felt around his forehead for the source of the pain and felt the jagged edges of a broken horn, and the unmistakable wetness of blood above his left eyebrow. 

“Hey! Dew!?” Swiss’ voice filled the emptiness of Dew’s quarters, accompanied by the hammering of knuckles on the bedroom door, “Dewdrop!” 

The fire ghoul pulled himself further inwards. 

“We’re coming in!” 

There were mummers from the hallway, followed by the din of limbs hitting wood. Dew knew it wouldn’t take them long to break through, and with nowhere left to hide, he found himself backed into a corner. It felt vaguely like being hunted or hiding from his former pack members back in the pit, both feelings he never thought he’d experience again. 

“Dew?!” Swiss voice called out, followed by the sound of splintering wood and the heaviness of footfall on stone. 

“Satanus…”

“Dewdrop!? Where are you?” 

“Are you alright?!

The chaos of noise hurt Dew’s ears. He couldn’t make out the other voices, only that of his best friend, but he was almost certain that Mountain must be amongst them. Who else would they employ to take down a wooden door but the oversized earth ghoul? 

Dew heard them stumbling through his bedroom, the sound of glass crunching beneath their feet and bottles being shifted with their toes. They were searching for a sign of life and Dew knew it was only a matter of time before they followed the trail of blood to find him curled up in the corner of his shower caddy. 

Like the pathetic runt I am.

It was Swiss who found him. He dropped to his knees and pulled the fire ghoul into his arms with such force and desperation that it made Dew’s head spin. 

“ Fuck Dew.” The multi-ghoul cried as he inspected his friend’s battered face,” You’ve really done a number on yourself bud.” 

“‘Snot that bad.” Dew managed through gritted teeth. 

He wanted to pull away from the unexpected touch, but all strength was gone. He and his body were exhausted from days of drinking muddled with outbursts of emotional incompetence. 

“Maybe we should call Aether.” Mountain’s calm and soothing voice suggested. 

Dew opened his eyes to survey the scene above him but was blinded by the overhead light. He hissed and shied away, turning his face inwards to Swiss’ chest. 

“Not Aether.” He begged meekly, hoping it was enough to deter them. 

He felt a strong hand, Mountain he suspected, gently touching his face as he inspected his wounds for severity. 

“This horn will need wrapping, but I can do that. And his eyebrow should only need some glue at most. It doesn’t seem deep enough for stitches, it’s just a bleeder is all.” 

“I-I can give Aeth a call. Maybe he could drop some glue down to the den?” Rain’s timid voice chirped from somewhere in the doorway.

“Please - “Dew hissed, “ No Aether !” 

He’d hate for the quintessence ghoul to see him like this. Aether knew him as the strong spitfire of the group. What would he think if he saw him curled in the arms of his brethren like a wounded kit?

Weakness. Runt.

“But Dew - “ Rain continued.

“No!”

Dew heard Rain whimper, followed by the soothing sound of Mountain’s voice comforting him. 

“Leave this to us, Rainy.” the earth ghoul cooed, ”We’ve got him from here.” 

“Are you guys sure?” 

“Honestly, it’s better if there’s less of us here right now,” Swiss confirmed. 

“Can I at least clean up a bit for you?” 

“Don’t you fuckin’ touch my shit!” Dew snapped from his place in Swiss’ arms. He attempted to stand but was overcome with dizziness. 

Instead, he cracked open his eyes in time to catch the hurt expression on the water ghoul’s face. His lips were pulled downwards into a frown and his eyes brimmed with unshed tears. Dew felt guilt coil in the pit of his stomach and he cursed himself for being so angry. 

Why am I like this?

“He doesn’t mean it.” Mountain rose to his feet and pulled the water ghoul into a tight hug. “Why don’t you go and ask Cirrus to help you make us some hot tea?” 

“O-okay.” Rain sniffed. 

“And why not add some grub too? Something to help line Dew’s stomach.” Swiss added with a slight chuckle. 

Mountain ushered Rain out of the bathroom, leaving Dew and Swiss beneath the harsh fluorescent lights. Swiss began to gently rake his fingers through Dew’s hair, his face contorted into an expression that could only be described as pity. 

“You need to wash, Dewy.” 

“ Hmph .”

“And you’re shivering.” 

“ ‘m fine.” 

“You’re a fire ghoul, Dewy. You shouldn’t shiver.” 

“‘Parently I do…so…”

Swiss sighed and Dew knew he was testing his patience. On any other day, he would bask in this. There was nothing the fire ghoul loved more than causing mischief and playing mind games with his best friend. But even coming down from days of alcohol abuse, Dew knew there was no room for jokes here. No one liked a sad clown after all. 

Without warning, Swiss began to pull Dew to his feet. Slow at first, and when the fire ghoul showed cooperation, the momentum continued. 

“I’m going to set you up, okay? I just want to get a better look at your head and maybe clean some of this blood.” 

Dew winced at the pressure building in his head but allowed the multi-ghoul to manoeuvre him to sit upright on the seat of the toilet. Above him, Swiss busied himself finding a clean cloth to dampen, moving bottles and glass cautiously with his boots. Somewhere beyond the bathroom door Mountain was whispering, but to who, Dew couldn’t make out. 

Swiss dropped to his haunches to make a better assessment of the damage. His eyebrows knitted together as he gently patted at the blood caked on Dew’s skin. With only the distant sound of the earth ghoul for company, they fell into a comforting silence, their tails intertwined as an act of comfort. 

“Sad to say buddy, but your right horn is fucked.” Swiss uttered, frowning.

Dew nodded his acceptance, focused more on remaining upright than the prospect of life without one of his horns. 

“You can live without it, right? Makes you look more badass if you ask me.” 

Swiss was trying to make light of the situation and it was painfully obvious. There were so many unspoken things between them, things that weren’t a problem this time last year, things that shouldn’t be a problem now. Dew was angry, he felt abandoned and pushed aside. And, yet, he understood that life moves on and people fall in love. Priorities change and he just hadn’t found his yet. Right?

Maybe Swiss felt it too? The heaviness, the guilt, the anger? Or maybe the current state of the fire ghoul, sorry and broken, was too much for him to bear? 

Mountain appeared in the doorway with a blanket slung over his arm and a bottle of water. He exchanged a glance with Swiss, both nodding at some unspoken agreement. Dew’s eyes moved from one ghoul to the other, contemplating the situation. He couldn’t tell if it was the hangover, or the bump to the head, but everything hurt and his mouth tasted like copper. 

“Cirrus and Rain brought us tea and something to eat.” Mountain said, his voice hushed and slow, “Can I carry you Dewdrop?” 

The giant didn’t wait for a response. Instead, Swiss moved aside and gave him room to scoop the small ghoul into his arms. Dew couldn’t find it in him to protest, his head much too hazy and body much too weak to even attempt it. When they stepped back into his bedroom, the fire ghoul vaguely noticed that the floor had been cleared of all debris, and the stone had even been wiped clear of any blood or feathers. 

“You touched my shit…” Dew hissed as Mountain sat him down on freshly changed sheets.

“Yeah, yeah. Here ,” Mountain thrust a bowl of porridge into the fire ghoul’s hands,” Eat this, sparky.”

Dew stared down at the oats and found himself smiling at the berries placed strategically into the shape of a heart. It was so endearing that he almost regretted ruining the careful display with his spoon, but his stomach growled in protest. Once again, he hadn’t realised just how hungry and exhausted he was.  

Mountain knelt on his haunches to inspect Dew’s face. His hazel eyes searched the contours and ridges, lingering much too long on the brokenness of the fire ghoul’s left horn and the cut to his eyebrow. 

“S’not that bad,” Dew muttered. He dared not look down, his eyes focused exclusively on the corner of his bedroom, rather than risk meeting the ghoul’s beneath him. 

“Eat up, please.” Mountain insisted a little more firmly than before. His brows were knitted together in concern and he worried at his bottom lip. 

But Dew didn’t dare eat until Mountain was up on his feet again and settling beside him on the solid mattress. 

“You’re very lucky we weren’t more persistent with calling Aether, Spark. That horn will never come back in.” 

“So Swiss says.” Dew focused on the porridge, “D-did you find the other part?” 

Mountain directed Dew’s attention to the dresser. There sat the other piece of his horn, cleaned and sat almost mockingly on top of his box full of hair ties. A sadness pinched at his chest. 

“It’s fine. You’ll hurt for a while and you might have a bruise, but you’ll be okay.” Mountain urged, sensing the fire ghoul’s discomfort. 

Swiss quietly slinked into the room and took his place in the battered armchair. He nodded briefly to his pack mates before busying himself with tea and a bowl of stew. 

They drank and ate their respective snacks in silence, broken only by the howling of the wind or the occasional noise from their pack mates. But even the quiet spoke a thousand words. Dew was painfully aware of the nervous glances shared by the other two ghouls, their ears drawn downwards in an outward display of concern. 

“You guys don’t have to stay here.” Dew muttered, “I’m doin’ just fine.”  

“Oh yeah. You’re doin’ real well , Dewy.” Swiss scoffed sharply. 

Dew felt heat rising from his chest, peeking at the tip of his ears. His best friend’s tone was anything but friendly, and while the fire ghoul understood the root of Swiss’ unpleasantness, he couldn’t help but cower beneath his words. 

“Sorry…” Dew whispered, his voice so small it was barely audible. 

“Don’t ‘ sorry ’ us, Dewdrop.” Swiss had stopped eating, his face instead pulled into an expression of anger, something seldom seen on the multi-ghoul,” God’s below, I leave you alone for one Yule season and you damn near kill yourself!” 

“Swiss -” Mountain warned as he gently squeezed an arm around Dew’s shoulders. 

“We get that the holidays are a bad time for you. Mount and I more than anyone understand that.” Swiss continued, his voice breaking and tears sparkling in his eyes. Dew watched as the ghoul’s lips quivered, his stomach turning over in knots with each twitch,” But we can’t watch this anymore. You’re losing it, Dewy, and it’s killing us!” 

“Swiss! That’s enough!” Mountain barked pulling Dew close to him,” This is a conversation for another time.” 

Instead of arguing, something which Dew very much expected, Swiss took several deep breaths as tears worked their way down his flushed cheeks. Dew could count on one hand the number of times he had witnessed his best friend openly weep, and to think that he was the cause of one such occasion caused his already broken heart to shatter further. 

His chest ached. He felt his throat burning and the warming of tears behind his eyes. Then he was weeping too, his face buried into Mountain’s chest as the earth ghoul held him tight against his broad body. 

“We love you, man.” Swiss managed through shaky breaths. 

Mountain carded his fingers through Dew’s greasy hair, his cheek laid gently against the top of the fire-ghoul’s head. 

“It’s true. We all love you, Sparky. All we want to do is help you.”

Dew found himself gripping the fabric of Mountain’s shirt as he brought his full body up onto the earth-ghoul’s lap. He felt like he was drowning in tears and, yet, all he could do was cry. No words came to mind, nor his mouth; just days and weeks of silent memories all wrapped up in heaving sobs. 

For a while all that could be heard was the crying of ghouls within Dew’s room, accompanied by the din of the storm outside and the occasional coo of comfort from Mountain. Eventually, Dew uncoiled himself from the giant’s arms, his head blooming with pain and body aching.

Mountain brought his forehead down to meet Dew’s in a comforting bunt, mindful of the wounds. The fire ghoul allowed himself to look into the giant’s hazel eyes, noting the slight puffiness surrounding them. 

“Would you like me to stay with you tonight?” 

Without hesitation, Dew nodded. He wanted nothing more than to be tucked into the embrace of the gentle earth ghoul. Just like they’d done many times before Copia was Papa, in the front of Terzo’s tour bus. They were some of the most comforting memories he had and he longed to relive them in his time of need. 

Dew moved back to the head of his bed and pulled up the duvet. As he slid beneath them, he noted the floral scent of detergent and the softness of the sheets; certainly not his but thankful to whomever they belonged to. The fire ghoul curled up beneath the covers, a purr beginning to settle in his chest as he felt Mountain climb in behind him. 

Somewhere in the room Dew could hear Swiss clearing up the dishes. He listened as Cumulus’ soft voice came from the hallway, clearly here to take the cutlery back to the kitchen. But, instead of leaving with his mate, Swiss came to sit beside them on the edge of the mattress.

“Would it be okay if I joined you guys tonight?” He asked almost timidly, as if he were interrupting something he shouldn’t be. 

“Please,” Dew answered, shuffling back into Mountain to leave room for his best friend. 

Swiss smiled, something Dew had laid eyes on for days and he felt his chest bloom with genuine warmth. 

“Thanks, Dewy.” he climbed in, positioning himself in front of Dew where he was better able to bring their foreheads together.

“I promise we won’t leave you again, Sparky.” Mountain purred into Dew’s shoulder, “We’ll always be here for you no matter what.” 

With a full belly, a clearer head and within the arms of his ghoul-kin, Dew allowed the tendrils of sleep to pull him ever closer to a dreamless slumber. 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

To say Dew’s head felt like thunder was an understatement. Although he awoke between the hollow of both Mountain and Swiss, the fire ghoul felt an incredible weight. His heart was full of love, made possible only by the love of the two creatures who had insisted on sharing his bed, but his stomach was lined with shame and loathing. 

He really had done it this time, hadn’t he? 

Not only was he to face the wrath of Sister on the first of the new year, but he had pushed away the only pack that had ever treasured and accepted him. Even Papa, a man who tried so hard to play nice, had shown his disappointment. 

With a heavy sigh, Dew attempted to untangle himself from the limbs of his bedfellows. Swiss stirred, grumbling under his breath about nothing in particular, while Mountain protested with a low, guttural growl. 

“Stay, Sparky. There’s plenty of time ahead of us.” The earth ghoul purred, his voice steeped in slumber. 

Dew was going to ignore him and continue his crusade to crawl into the shower to wash away his shame, but Mountain gently wrapped a hand around his wrist, pulling him back towards the space between he and Swiss. 

“Please, little spark. Come back to bed.” 

Who was Dew to deny the giant further? After all, there was no telling how much longer he had with them on the surface after his meeting with Imperator. 

With only residual reluctance, he settled back beneath the comforter, cuddling into the space against Mountain’s chest. The earth ghoul curled his arms around Dew’s small body and rested his head into the hollow of his shoulder. 

“So warm.” Mountain whispered, his breath tickling the fire ghoul’s neck,”’ missed cuddling you like this, Sparky.” 

Dew didn’t answer, he just allowed himself to purr softly. His shame couldn’t outplay the joy he felt at being held again, especially in the large arms of his favourite earth spirit. And to have his best friend lay on his other side, forehead to forehead? It felt like a dream if it weren’t for the persistent ache behind his eyes reminding him of his week-long binge. 

It wasn’t long before they fell back into a deep slumber, intertwined within each other’s bodies. Cumulus was the one to rouse them several hours later with the gesture of coffee and multiple rounds of toasted nut loaf. 

“It’s a pity to break up such a precious scene.” She smiled as she offered a steaming mug to her mate, “But it’s almost ten thirty and I know how Mountain hates to sleep in so late.” 

“Thank you, Lus.” The earth ghoul said, reaching for his and Dew’s respective mugs.

Cumulus had been meticulous in her preparation of their morning beverages, going so far as to ensure it was prepared in Dew’s favourite mug; black with a little cartoon devil and the slogan ‘ Sometimes I even Scare Myself ’. The fire-ghoul wrapped his hands around the porcelain and felt a smile tug at the edges of his lips for the first time in what felt like months. 

“Thanks.” He uttered, his eyes meeting the air ghoul’s baby blues only briefly. He found himself scared to linger for fear of what he might find; Would it be worry or pity? 

Cumulus settled herself next to Swiss, now sitting at the foot of the bed practically inhaling his breakfast. She took the time to offer some of the loaf to Dew, only to be met with a curt shake of the fire ghoul’s head. Before she could insist, however, Mountain stepped in. He took four slices, two for himself and two for Dew, and balanced them on his knee, well within the fire ghoul’s reach.

“I slaved over this nut loaf for a day and a half just to get the right amount of cinnamon and raisins.” Mountain warned, “I’ll be deeply offended if you don’t eat it!”

“Better chow down or suffer the wrath of our resident kitchen witch!” Swiss joked, waving a finger in Dew’s direction. 

Dew forced a chuckle and decided that it was easier to give in and eat than to fight back against his ghoul-kin. Especially those who played such a crucial role within his inner circle. He began to break the toasted bread into small pieces, ignoring how Cumulus protested the crumbs littering the sheets and began to eat. And eat. And eat. Until there was nothing left and yet his stomach begged for more. 

He was onto his fourth slice before Mountain stopped him. 

“Maybe that’s enough Dew. You’ve not eaten a lot of over the last few days and we don’t want to be dealing with a stomach ache.” 

“No, not with the ritual tonight,” Cumulus added. 

Dew’s heart fell. He’d forgotten about the ritual. He felt the familiar prick of anxiety blooming across his scalp and down his spine. There was no way he could face the full force of his pack, let alone hundreds of sisters and brothers of sin. Even masked, he knew it would feel like all eyes were on him for missing the Yule celebration. Especially the beady, wretched stare of Sister. 

His empty mug safely set to the side, Dew was free to bury his head in his hands as he struggled to catch his breath. 

“ Fuck. I forgot about the ritual.” He groaned into his palms. 

Dew felt Mountain stretch an arm around his shoulders, and the touch of one of his other ghoul-kin upon his ankle. From the tepid, dainty fingers, he knew it was Cumulus. 

“It’ll be alright, sweety. I’m sure it’s just like any other ritual.” The air ghoul cooed softly. 

“No, it won’t! I missed the last one and everyone’s going to stare because they know I’m fucked -” 

“Don’t be silly. No one will even know.” 

“That bitch is going to banish me to the pit tomorrow and she’s probably told everyone!” Dew cried. He carded his hands through his hair roughly, brittle strands breaking away between his fingers. 

Cumulus looked from the fire ghoul to his comrades, her ears pinned against her head and features etched with concern. 

“Let us handle this, Lus.” Swiss whispered, kissing her gently on the cheek, “Why don’t you go hang out with the others, yeah? We’ve got this.” 

Wordlessly, Cumulus patted Dew’s knee before gathering the dishes and leaving the room. All the while, Dew attempted to catch his breath while Mountain hugged him closely against his side. 

“What’s happened, Dewy?” Swiss asked. 

Dew curled inwards against the earth ghoul, his arms tucked tightly against his chest and fangs biting into his closed fist. Swiss reached forward and gently pulled the marred hand from the fire ghoul’s mouth. 

“What do you mean that Sister is going to banish you tomorrow? Is this about your chat with Papa?” 

“Y-yes.” Dew choked, “I-I missed the Yule ritual.” 

A look of realisation flashed across Swiss’ face, and somewhere above Dew, Mountain let out a soft but audible gasp. 

“Oh.” Was all the multi-ghoul could say, his mouth rounded into the shape of the syllable and remaining so for some time as he chose his next words. 

“She won’t banish you, Sparky,” Mountain interjected. He soothed the fire-ghoul with a broad hand stroking up and down his back, “You’re much too special to send down below.” 

“Yeah, Dew! He’s right! Why would they put you through your transition only to banish you for one slip-up?” Swiss agreed enthusiastically. 

“Papa made it clear that all ghouls, especially those involved in the current Ghost project, are expected to attend key rituals throughout the year. You can’t just miss one and get away with it.” Dew whined in protest. He didn’t want to be coddled over this, nor did he want excuses or his hopes to be renewed. This was a monster of his own making.  

“I’m sure it won’t be without consequence, Dew. But banishment? That’s a bit far, don’t you think?” Mountain cooed, placing a soft kiss on the top of the fire ghoul’s head, “Why don’t I go with you tomorrow? I’d be more than happy to fight your corner.” 

Dew felt like a kit again hiding behind his mother’s legs as their pack alpha raged about his behaviour. It was a helpless feeling steeped in thick, shameful undertones. The last thing he wanted was to be transported back to a place where he needed saving, and for his foolish actions no less. 

“It’s my fault,” He sniffed,” and I need to accept the punishment no matter what it is. I can’t always have you guys or, Satan-forbid, Papa coming to my aid.” 

“I insist, my little spark.” the earth-ghoul pulled Dew close enough to bunt their foreheads together “We’re a pack, and we face things as one. And I’d very much like to be the voice of this little family if you’ll allow it.” 

Dew briefly glanced at Swiss who nodded his approval.

“But Papa will be there too.” 

“The more the merrier.”

Dew briefly glanced at Swiss who nodded his approval.

“A-alright.”

“Mountain and Papa will do right by you, Dewy. You’ve got nothing to worry about except for maybe a few extra chores. That’s it.” Swiss said, reaching forward to rub circles into Dew’s shoulder, “We’ve got you, man.”  

If he were entirely honest with himself, the fire ghoul felt relieved. He knew that Mountain would bring a calming presence and that Papa would do anything to protect his ghouls, Dew included. For the first time since Yule began, hope was breaking through the dark canopy he’d become buried beneath. 

“I-I don’t know how I can repay you guys for this. I’ve been nothing but an asshole the last few days.” Dew sniffed as he uncoiled himself from Moutain’s grasp to sit back against his headboard. 

“You can get yourself cleaned up for a start,” Swiss laughed,” And then join us for a cuddle pile before the ritual tonight. I’m pretty sure Cirrus and Sunshine had a movie planned for us before dinner tonight.” 

“And you haven’t even experienced the fire this year. It’s always your favourite.” Mountain added. 

Dew thought about the pleasure of hot coals in his hands and the smell of charred wood lingering in the air. The image of his ghoul-kin spread across their living room, each wrapped in their blankets and various fabrics brought a smile to the edges of his lips. Satan, how he had missed them over the last few days. 

“Will there be hot chocolate?” De asked. 

Swiss and Mountain shared a chuckle.

“Are you kidding, dude? There’s always hot chocolate.” 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

The pack welcomed Dew into their fold with open arms. He fell into each of them, accepting their touch as if no time had passed. It was as if he hadn’t spent the better part of a week screaming profanities through a door and isolating himself from their love. As Dew moved from ghoul to ghoul, each one bunting their forehead with his and emitting soft purrs, he couldn’t help but think about how, exactly , he had come to deserve such a wonderful group of friends.

No. Family. 

They insisted on making Dew a plate of leftovers and even allowed him to pick their first movie of the afternoon. It wasn’t until Dew laid eyes on the nest that Phantom and Rain had carefully curated for him that he found himself fighting back tears.

The ghouls took it in turns to curl up next to Dew. Phantom was first, falling asleep five minutes into ‘ Die Hard ’, his head on Dew’s chest. He was followed by Rain who took over mid-way through, also succumbing to the whispers of sleep. All the while, Cumulus sat behind the fire ghoul as she brushed and braided his hair, readying him for the ritual tonight.  It was only when they began their second movie, a musical chosen by Sunshine, that Mountain took to the floor and pulled Dew in between his legs. The smaller ghoul purred as the giant held him tightly, their fingers intertwining. It was finally Dew’s turn to fall asleep, his body curled against Moutains and a piece of smouldering coal in his mouth. 

It felt like mere minutes had passed when the fire ghoul was being gently awoken by Mountain carrying him to his bedroom. 

“I’m afraid it’s time to get ready for the ritual.” The giant cooed softly so as not to startle the stirring ghoul too much. 

Dew buried his head in Mountain’s shirt, taking in his scent and treasuring it. His meeting with Imperator was front and center in his mind, anxiety crawling through his body and settling deep within his stomach. The giant’s scent may be all he has left after tomorrow’s meeting, and he wanted to file it safely away within his memories.  

Mountain placed him gently on the floor and instructed him to start getting into his uniform. The earth ghoul had already laid the garments out on the bed next to his own, and they both began to ready themselves for the evening ahead. They helped each other with complicated buckles, and unruly buttons and Mountain even worked to secure Dew’s braids beneath his helmet. 

“It feels like no time has passed since we were getting ready to stand before thousands of on stage next to Copia,” Dew remarked as Mountain adjusted the skull-shaped woggle of his neckerchief. 

“That’s because it hasn’t.” The earth ghoul chuckled.

“What - what if I never get to do it again?” 

“Dew -” Mountain placed his hands on Dew’s shoulders, his eyes boring into the fire ghoul’s through the glass of his googles, “You will. Papa will make sure of it. Please try to set that aside for tonight and let’s go enjoy the first footing, yeah?” 

With a slight nod and a soft response, Dew allowed Mountain to guide him to the living area where the rest of the pack was waiting on them. The giant’s hand never left Dew’s shoulder, the warmth and slight squeeze of his fingers creating a comforting aura. But no amount of comfort could shift the catastrophising from building in the fire ghoul’s mind. 

This could be the last time they all sit together in mass. Or the last night he has to spend with his pack. What if this were the last chance he had to see the other ghoul-kin he had come to know and love from around the ministry? Dew swallowed thick, acidic bile as his stomach flipped and churned. 

It was Phantom running into the room, neckerchief barely intact and mask in his hand, that broke the fire ghoul from his spiral. He watched on as Swiss got to work on straightening their younger member out. 

“Are we all ready to go?” The multi ghoul asked as he tightened the straps on Phantom’s waistcoat. 

With resounding agreement and a ‘ let’s go ghouls ’ from Cirrus, the pack made their way to the ministry chapel. All the while, Mountain’s hand never left Dew’s shoulder. And as they slid into their designated pew, it instead came to rest around his own, the calloused thumb softly caressing the fire ghoul’s knuckles. 

The chapel slowly filled around them, siblings, ghoul-kin and clergy all piling in to take their seats. There was a steady haze of chattering, some stopping to talk to the pack and exchange well wishes for the year to come. Swiss stretched himself over the pews to shake hands with Aether, Omega and Alpha, while Mountain nodded towards his greenhouse group situated at the back of the hall. All the while Dew sunk closer to the giant’s side, his grip on the earth ghoul’s hand growing steadily tighter. 

The din of the organ created a silence across the hall signalling the beginning of mass. Papa, adorned in his robes and swinging the incense-filled thurble, made his way up the center of the pews, followed closely by Papa Primo, Secundo and Terzo, each wearing their own vestments. 

Dew watched on as the clergyman passed off his instruments to one of the siblings and took his rightful place at the pulpit. It was there that Copia took a second to glance across the hall, his hands outstretched and face stoic. Only when his eyes landed on Dew and his fellow pack did a soft smile pinch at the corners of his lips. 

“Good evening siblings, ghouls and esteemed members of the clergy. Welcome to our annual first-footing mass.” the clergyman announced in his heavy Italian accent, “I am most happy to see you all here tonight, ready to step together into the new year. I promise I will not keep you long as I am sure many of you wish to party and the like. But I would like to take some time this evening to talk about reflection during the yule season, si ?”

Dew’s ears perked up beneath the mask as Papa’s eyes, once again, met his among the crowd. Beside him, Mountain renewed his grip on the fire ghoul’s hand. 

              “Yule can be a time for joy and celebration. We come together as one to show our love and devotion, not only to each other but to our dark lord. But, i miei fratelli e sorelle , it is also important to remember that there are those of us that find Yule to be very difficult. Grief, loneliness, illness; there are so many reasons why one may struggle. And what happens when we are in pain, mio amicos ? We become angry and sad, and we might even push away the ones who treasure us the most.” 

Papa’s words cut through Dew’s chest like a knife. He knew that the sermon was meant for everyone, but the ghoul couldn’t help but feel that it was written with him in mind. And then there was the way the clergyman’s eyes kept lingering on he and his pack, a subtle smile dimpling his cheeks. With every word, Dew found himself having to fight back tears, not wanting to be found crying in a room full of his kin. 

“While we may feel lost in the darkness,” Copia continued, “We must remember the light around us. It comes in many forms, mio amicos . It can be found in our friends and family, in the small joy of a warm fire or cup of cocoa, in the animals we keep as pets and even the smell of freshly baked cookies, something I very much enjoy.” Papa chuckled, patting his stomach. A soft laugh resounded through the church, “No matter how bleak things feel, we must reflect on and remember those who have helped us survive such darkness. We must remember those that are no longer with us, and honor them by moving forward, forever holding them close within our memories. The first footing, while largely about new beginnings, is also about remembering the path we have taken to get here. As we close our sermon for this evening and go our separate ways, I want you all as siblings and ghouls alike to reflect on yourselves. Look how far you have all come. Look at the challenges you have faced and conquered. The light is awaiting us in this new unfolding year and it is up to us to move boldly towards it.” 

Copia stood forward in front of the pulpit and raised his arms to the side. He welcomed members of the congregation to begin their countdown to the new year. Behind him, the ornate Monstrance clock, its dark wood ordained in a mixture of gold and silvers, ticked down to midnight.

Mountain pulled Dew up to stand alongside the rest of the attendees. The giant slung his arm around the fire ghoul’s shoulder as he joined in with the countdown. Cumulus curled into Swiss’ side, Rain pulled Phantom close to him and Sunshine and Cirrus held their hands high to the sky. Celebration erupted around them all as the clock struck midnight and, in a whirlwind, Mountain pulled Dew into a tight hug. 

“Happy new year, little spark.” He whispered from beneath his mask. 

Dew, caught in a flurry of emotion, didn’t respond. He didn’t so much as return the hug. This was it, a new year and a new chance. If he survived his meeting with the sister tomorrow, he swore, there in the unholy place of his dark lord, that things were going to change. This was the last year he spent wallowing in his self-pity when he should have been in the loving embrace of his pack. 

Dew felt another one of his pack curl themselves around his back, and then another to his side, and soon the entire pew was wrapped around the pair. They purred into each other’s bodies, a melody of their love and devotion to not only the fire ghoul but each other. 

They didn’t stay like that for long, too much excitement for the night ahead, but as the other ghouls slowly untethered themselves, Dew felt a helmet bunt against his. 

“We love you Dew, never forget that,” Swiss whispered, before patting him strongly on the back and retreating to join the remainder of their kin. 

Mountain, of course, was the last to let go. He brought his firm, weather-worn hands up to cup either side of Dew’s mask. 

“You’ve always got us to turn to. As long as we’re top-side, we’ll be here for you.” 

“You guys are too good to me.” Dew choked out, his voice marred by the tears caught in his throat. 

From behind them, Swiss cleared his throat as he readied himself to rally the troops. 

“Alright, guys!” The multi-ghoul bellowed, determined to get his evening started,” I think it’s time to celebrate! Who’s joining me for the party in B wing?” 

Dew didn’t hear through a chorus of replies, but he was willing to bet Rain was front and centre, followed closely by Cirrus and Sunshine, both notorious for a celebration. Cumulus, however, would only attend to keep Swiss under control, while Phantom would opt out, choosing to be somewhere quieter. 

All the while Dew, who would normally be jumping at the chance to crash a party, was more than happy to share an evening with Mountain. No matter the activities, they’d be happy together. 

The pack began to mix in with the crowd, chattering to other kin and siblings as they went, each wishing the other a happy new year and discussing their plans for the evening. Mountain and Dew lingered behind, taking their time instead of pushing their way to the chapel doors. Around them, the space gradually cleared until the hall was left with only a few stray siblings and clergy-folk. It was then, as they moved slowly towards the ornate double doors that they were met by Copia and Phantom. The little quint gently patted Dew’s shoulder and nodded his head in a silent act of acknowledgement. But Copia all but engulfed him in his arms, bringing his painted forehead to softly bunt between the horns of Dew’s helmet. It was a habit he’d picked up from years of watching the ghouls interact and the pack always appreciated the familiar gesture. 

“Dew, diavolino ,” Copia took Dew’s hands within his own, one on top of the other, “I am very glad to see you here tonight. I was becoming worried that you would not make it.”

“I-I couldn’t possibly miss it.” He tried to laugh it off, tried not to show the wretched feeling of anxiety and shame coiling inside him. 

“And how have you been?” 

Dew contemplated his answer. He couldn’t fool the man, that much was apparent, but there were some aspects of the last few days that he’d rather not share with the Papa. Not here in the crowded ritual hall, nor the privacy of a confessional. 

“I’m much better now, and just want to get tomorrow’s meeting over with.” 

Moutainatin squeezed Dew’s shoulder, a small, silent gesture of support.

“Ah, si. Domani .” Copia sighed, “Worry not, diavolino . I will be there to fight in your corner. Sister and I have already had quite the discussion, and while she is as wicked as always on the subject of rules and regulations, she is willing to hear your side.” 

“And I will be there too if it’s not too much to ask Papa,” Mountain added.

“Of course, amico . You are more than welcome.” 

“ Grazie. ” 

They discussed further details, such as the time of the hearing and what to wear, before Papa bid Dew and the earth ghoul goodnight. Around them, the crowd had already begun to dissipate, including their fellow pack members. After saying their goodbyes to other siblings and ghoul kin, both Mountain and Dew began to make their way back to the den. 

The moon was high, covered slightly by clouds and flutters of snow as it fell softly to the ground. Their walk was steeped largely in a comfortable silence. A silence only found in two old friends who had long since passed their awkwardness. The only sound was the scuff of their shoes against the flagstones and the distance chatter of siblings and ghouls heading off to celebrate. 

“Sounds like they’re off to have some fun.” Dew chuckled, referring to the squeals of delight emitted by a pack of siblings off to do Satan-knows-what in their dorms. 

“It does.” Mountain answered,” Perhaps we should have some fun too? It might help you relax before tomorrow?” 

Beneath his helmet, Dew raised an eyebrow at the earth-ghoul’s suggestion. 

“What had you in mind?”  

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