#I feel like Merlin would be jealous if they married anyone other then each other lol

[aloeverawrites]

Incorrect quotes and Merlin spoilers

Arthur, joking: If you’re marrying me you’re basically marrying Merlin too.

Gwen: …

Arthur, thinking he offended her: Gwen-

Gwen: You’re the one marrying us actually. >:(

[theroundbartable]

Mergwenthur concept:

Arthur and Gwen both had a huge crush on Merlin but none of them know if he likes them back, and both of them are convinced that Merlin likes the other.

Arthur: okay, I have an idea

Gwen: oh boy

Arthur: we're going to start to date each other. And when Merlin gets jealous - we have better chances at finding out of whom he's jealous.

Gwen: This is such a bad idea. I can't believe I'm desperate enough to try it.

So, they start dating each other. Arthur tips the law in some directions so it would be possible for a noble to marry a servant. Which is definitely not a ploy to make sure Merlin knows he's willing to alter the entire kingdom for love-

But then Merlin tells them both how good they look together and he seems a little sad and conflicted, even when he's happy for them. Gwen and Arthur, at this point, don't think they can turn back anymore. Especially when Merlin says to Gwaine one time, drunk, at the tavern: "I could never date any of my friends' exes. That would make everything awkward. Which is really a bummer. Because I think I have feelings for both of them! Not that they'll ever break up. Not for me, anyway." (Gwaine is in on the ruse, so he tells them. Arthur and Gwen nearly faint.)

Gwen: oh god, Arthur. I think we have to get married. If we break up, Merlin will have to give up on one of us and the one he remains friends with, will never get to date him.

Arthur: shit, I think you're right. If it's any consolation- If it had to be anyone besides Merlin, I'm glad it's you.

Gwen: same here.

*awkward moment where they smile doply at each other* *both realizing*

Gwen: do we like each other?

Arthur: oh thank god you said it, I would have repressed this for years. I think we do.

Gwen: and our feelings for Merlin?

Arthur: unchanged here

Gwen: ... You know what? I have a crazy idea. What if we invite him to join us? We could be, what's the word- poly?

Arthur: ... Gods, I think I'm actually in love with you

Gwen: ... *Blushes anyway*

[pippin-katz]

Merthur & Johnlock

You know what I just realized? I was (and still am) a big Johnlock shipper. I love Sherlock despite the many issues I have with it, and it was my primary mlm live action ship for a while.

Then Merlin came along.

I kid you not, I literally said out loud: “Why the fuck was I bothering with Sherlock?”

I didn’t mean it in a “show vs show” way, but more in a “vibe vs vibe” way. There was something about Merlin that made me happier and more excited than Sherlock ever did. Merlin and Arthur’s dynamic was some how so much more fun to me than John and Sherlock’s, which is interesting given the similarities.

Arthur’s a privileged royal who has Merlin take care of him. Sherlock is very capable consulting detective who has John take care of him.

Arthur and Merlin insult each other constantly without any real bite. John and Sherlock insult each other constantly without any real bite.

Both pairs pretend not to care as much as they do, and go full “kill” mode if the other is in danger.

Neither of them know what “communication” means.

Arthur and Sherlock are both self centered and arrogant. Merlin and John are both sick and tired of their bullshit.

While Arthur and Sherlock can operate without Merlin and John, they struggle significantly when they’re absent. Arthur is a helpless mess, and Sherlock can’t focus on his cases to the point of missing an incredibly obvious detail.

Merlin and John are perfectly able to exist without Arthur and Sherlock, but they are miserable or constantly thinking about them. John lives with thinking Sherlock is dead for two years, and he’s super fucking depressed, even with a girlfriend he intends to marry. Merlin can’t go anywhere or do anything without thinking about if Arthur will be safe, and talks about him constantly for no real reason.

Both pairs are willing to die to save the other.

They both get jealous/protective when someone they don’t approve of is making advances. With Merlin it’s the princesses and ladies that take advantage of him, like Sophia, Vivian and Elena (albeit unknowingly), and Mithian, even though there was nothing wrong with her. The only relationship he supports is with Gwen. John gets super aggressive and protective when Irene is messing with Sherlock. Sherlock goes out of his way to interfere and insult every woman John is involved with aside from Mary. While Arthur never sees or is confronted with the idea of Merlin actually in a relationship, I’d assume it would go pretty similarity. His response to being told that Merlin is even “seeing a girl” is disbelief and skepticism when he gets back.

They both make ridiculous amounts of direct eye contact that anyone with eyes notices as being a bit much for friends.

I could probably find even more if I continued to think about it, but my point is that they’re very similar dynamics. So why do I like Merthur so much more than Johnlock?

I finally figured it out!

It’s because in Sherlock, their relationship is constantly questioned and denied throughout the whole show. It’s both a joke, and not a joke. But because it takes place in modern times, we constantly get reminders of “he’s not my boyfriend” or “I’m not gay” and constant jabs from side characters.

Merlin doesn’t take place in an era where they would talk like that. You could come up with equivalent dialogue that fits the time period, but it would definitely feel out of place. So it just doesn’t happen. Nowhere in Merlin are Arthur and Merlin poked fun at/bugged about whether their relationship is platonic. Nowhere in Merlin does Arthur or Merlin say “I’m not gay” or “he’s not my boyfriend”.

I didn’t realize how exhausting that was until it wasn’t there.

While Arthur is definitely attracted to women, and in love with Gwen, there’s never a moment where he denies Merlin. It’s because he’s never asked, but that gives the viewer more room to interpret their feelings.

With John, he’s constantly shutting down any suggestion of being gay, or being in a relationship with Sherlock, despite all the evidence in front of his face that he feels differently about him than other people.

Now that I’ve realized it, I’m shocked at how much of a difference that made in my feelings toward the shows and ships.

EDIT AFTER SEEING SOME REPLIES/REBLOGS: This is not meant to be interpreted as a Merthur VS Johnlock post!! I am purely talking about the subconscious difference in feeling I felt but couldn’t figure out!! This is not a breakdown of all my thoughts and feelings about the two shows/ships! It’s not meant to be about one being superior than the other! That’s why the title is Merthur AND Johnlock! Just clearing that up!!

[witchthewriter]

𝐁𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧'𝐬 𝐬/𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞

⤷ female, ambiguous race, and any size reader. Requests are open, thank you for reading!  

ᴹᵃˢᵗᵉʳˡᶤˢᵗ  

🌿INFP 🍁Ravenclaw 📜Chaotic Good 🔮Pisces Sun, Libra Moon, Aquarius Rising

SFW🌿

⭑ I think you would be a servant at the castle. Maybe a maid/cleaner, who attends to everyone in the royal family.

⭑ You’re very close to Guinevere and tell her everything - including your crush on Merlin. 

⭑ She encourages you to talk to him, but you don’t want your friendship to become awkward. 

⭑ Little did you know, Merlin felt the exact same about you. But Guinevere didn’t want to disclose anyone’s secret (she’s a good friend in that way). So she was doing everything she could to set you two up

⭑ And she would mOST DEFINITELY get the knights involved 

⭑ Merlin is the type of person to nod at you when you’re talking in a group and no one seems to be listening. 

⭑ He doesn’t want you to get involved in anything dangerous, so he was so hesitant to tell you the truth about him. But when your relationship progresses, he can’t keep it from you any longer

⭑ HE ALWAYS KEEPS HIS GODDAMN PROMISES MAN. Will literally travel without any sleep, or stopping, if it meant keeping his promise to be home before dinner. 

⭑ I feel like your character arc would be from servant to training to knight? Or servant to student to sorcerer? 

⭑ Either way, you would definitely have character growth. And Merlin would be so proud of you

⭑ ENDLESS SUPPORT !!! ALWAYS !!!

⭑ Merlin can get jealous, but it doesn’t go very far because he knows you would never hurt him

⭑ He always knows when something is wrong. Even if you’re trying to hide it behind a smile - it won’t trick Merlin. 

   “Hey, what’s wrong? You can talk to me-”

⭑ So if you have a problem, you always talk to Merlin about it. Even if you feel like you’re bombarding him with issues, he’ll reassure you that he wants to help you in any way that he can

⭑ You have a really good relationship with Gaius and you often think of him as a father figure

⭑ He so wants you and Merlin to marry, and he can officiate or something 

⭑ Always having a part of Merlin whenever he has to leave Camelot; his scarf, a shirt etc 

⭑ You don’t like how Arthur treats Merlin at times, but he reassures you that it’s all in good fun

⭑ Always smiling at you from across the room

⭑ Very emotionally mature, and you feel like you can talk to him about anything. 

⭑ He loves being the big spoon; it makes him feel like he can keep you safe (and obviously he does keep you safe) but a lot of the time he feels like he isn’t man enough 

⭑ Definitely reads to you until you fall asleep. His voice is so soothing

⭑ LOVES CUDDLES, GODDAMN. He’s like a lap cat; his favourite place is with his head on your lap, and your fingers in his hair. 

⭑ Massages the back of your neck when you’re sitting next to each other

⭑ Relationship Tropes:

 ✧ The Gomez & Morticia Adams (loving and devoted, you top)

 ✧ Shy/Insecure x Thinks The Other Is Incredible

 ✧ Energetic & Enthusiastic x Love To Be Encouraged

NSFW🔞minors dni!

⭑ You’re his first - for basically everything. Kissing, touching, sex etc. 

⭑ He loves to hear you moan, because it means he’s doing something right

⭑ MERLIN WOULD LOVE TO BE PEGGED / IS A BOTTOM

⭑ Uses his magic to enhance your sensitivity  

⭑ Merlin loves to hear how well he’s doing; 

      “You’re doing so good for me baby,”

⭑ Sex isn’t too serious, it’s mostly light-hearted and lots of giggling and smiling 

⭑ He absolutely ADORES your body and sees you as a goddess. You’re so beautiful to him

⭑ He loves seeing you naked; every bump and curve seem like a gift from some sort of love god. ‘What did I do to deserve someone so glorious?’ He often thinks. 

⭑ He makes the most wonderful noises when he’s being sucked off 

⭑ But his specialty is eating you out. The way he uses his tongue, his fingers ... he loves making you feel pleasure. It gives him such an ego boost. 

[thelashjedi]

Who Are You?

“I’m sorry, who are you again?”

“Miss Astoria Greengrass.”

“Right, sorry. I know I asked you that earlier, but I almost instantly forgot. I’m sure Malfoy will be back any minute now.”

“One hopes. Have you been sharing an office with him for long?”

“Oh, ever since we left Hogwarts and started working together — here at the Ministry.”

"And you were Head Boy and Head Girl together, correct? For your last year at Hogwarts?"

“Yes. We were already well accustomed to sharing space and working together, which is why being officemates has gone so well over the past two years, Miss Greensleeves.”

“Greengrass.”

“Right. Sorry. Merlin — it’s like you almost leave no impression at all.”

“Miss Granger. Perhaps I’d better just leave a message? When you see my betrothed please inform him that I believe I have found a way to break the magic on the arrangement, so Draco will be free to marry someone of his choosing.” 

“I will make sure that I pass along your message, Miss Greengrass.”

“Yes, I’m sure you will. I believe I have a better idea as to why he feels the matter is so pressing. Glad your memory for detail has returned. I understand that normally you are quire famous for it.”

“Miss Greengrass, I am so sorry — “

“Please, call me Astoria. I may not want to be the next Lady Malfoy, but I am still quite invested in seeing Draco happy. I expect we’ll be seeing each other in the future.”

“Oh.”

“I’ll see myself out. Goodbye Miss Granger.”

“Hermione is fine.”

“Goodbye, Hermione.”

“Goodbye, Astoria. Thank you.”

————————————————————

“Excuse me, Malfoy?”

“Yes Granger, what can I do for you.”

“Um, Astoria was here earlier and she asked me to relay a message.”

“That’s strange. What’s the message?”

“She said that she found a way to break the magic on the betrothal and that you would be able to marry whomever you chose.”

“Oh? Seems odd for Astoria to have been so upfront about it to my colleague, even if we do share an office.”

“Yes, well about that. I wasn’t being very nice to her and she seemed to be under the impression it was because I was jealous.”

“Is that so?”

“Apologies, allow me to clarify. She was under the correct assumption that I was jealous.”

“You needn’t be jealous Granger. Of anyone. I’ve only had eyes for you since 8th year.”

“Well, it doesn’t matter where you eyes are if the rest of you is married to someone else.”

“But that isn’t any issue any more, if Tori is correct.”

“I’d like more certainty on that first.”

“You’ll have it by the end of the day, Granger. Count on it.”

“Believe me Malfoy, I am.”

[the-gay-bbc-boys]

my merthur fic rec list (part 1) 🧙🏻‍♂️🧣🦋 🤴🥄💕

hi everyone! here are 20 fics that i absolutely, completely loved and would 10/10 recommend :)

canon verse

the disir - 5k, t

summary: what if arthur had actually questioned why merlin was so upset during the disir and put the pieces together? a fix-it fic set during 5x05

linger on your pale blue eyes - 19k, t

summary: the body of a prince was not like anyone’s. his hand only ever held others in a firm handshake, and rarely without gloves. sometimes he would raise the delicate hands of noble ladies to his lips for a brief kiss, but it was all out of propriety. he rarely touched others, but what was even rarer was others touching him. the only ones who dared were his knights, and even they only smacked his shoulder or patted his back in friendly roughhousing. gripping each other’s arms before battle was the most heartfelt touch they exchanged. lingering soft touches were not done. any lingering touch on his person could be interpreted as political movements. after all, arthur’s body wasn’t his own. it never had been. he was Camelot’s first and foremost. even above his own needs and wants.

emrys, the really, truely terrible - 15k, t

summary: “emrys,” said gaius, raising the eyebrow of disappointment and flicking his gaze to where merlin stood behind arthur’s chair. “that is who you wish to have as your court sorcerer.” 

arthur nodded gravely, every eye in the council meeting upon him. “camelot is dangerously close to division even now that sorcery is legal. we need someone who will unite us all, and i cannot settle for less. i’ll send riders out at first light chasing rumours and follow up any promising leads we have myself.” 

he looked so beautiful when he said it, every inch the king, with the sunlight through the windows turning him gold. his voice had taken on that richness that sometimes infused arthur’s words – that for the good of the kingdom voice, that let it be so voice, the voice that merlin had come to understand meant another brick laid on the road to albion.

unfortunately, that voice had been co-opted for a fucking farce.

or - in which magic is legal and merlin is still lying for reasons that are absolutely, totally 100% valid and have nothing to do with his love for arthur.

in the middle - 16k, t

summary: gaius sighed, “that’s the problem, my boy. it’s so rare that it hasn’t been seen in over a generation. the only account i could find was limited. the patient had fallen in love with a married man who did not love her, and she had started to develop a cough that had produced flowers rather than mucus. a post-mortem examination found that a flower had magically planted itself in the woman’s lungs and had wrapped around her heart.”

in which merlin develops hanahaki disease, but mysteriously does not die from it.

and it shall set you free - 5k, t

summary: merlin's secret is out in the open, and after months of preparation, arthur is on the brink of lifting the ban on magic forever. but there is one last truth that remains to be shared between them, if only arthur can bring himself to take the first step.

laundry's hard work - 4k, t

summary: wasn't merlin supposed to be...tiny? when the hell had he learned to use a sword and not fall on his backside? where the hell did those scars from? what the hell? or arthur still thinks merlin is the young boy he met ten years ago and he starts to notice things in his manservant that he wasn't aware had changed at all.

fathom me out - 22k, t

summary: after ten years, Arthur thinks he has merlin all figured out. but as he watches merlin, he finds out that he has more questions than answers. the longer he thinks about it, the more uneasy he feels. so he pushes it aside. except, he can no longer ignore the questions he has about merlin.

not your everyday reveal!fic.

jealous - 2k, g

summary: arthur decides to start being nice to merlin. merlin is very suspicious.

what marks the sigil - 6k, m

summary: merlin's carried arthur's sigil around everywhere after being entrusted with it. one day he runs into trouble, where the wrong people discover the sigil, and he gets mistaken as arthur's husband. while merlin's life is being ransomed and arthur is freaking out back in camelot, merlin manages to escape but doesn't know that he is now considered the king's consort. cue shenanigans.

and from your grace, i fell - 5k, t, [podfic available]

summary: “where’s merlin?” he asks the maid. “where’s that idiot of a court sorcerer?!”

“begging your pardon, your majesty. i thought you knew,” the maid replies, not daring to look him in the eyes. “he’s taken ill.”

“and he couldn’t be bothered to tell me himself that he would be unable to attend today’s council meeting?” arthur questions, voice full of acid.

“he hasn’t woken since he collapsed two days ago, sire,” the maidservant says, blissfully unaware that what she’s saying the power to stop arthur’s heart in its tracks.

melted ice and thermal hearts - 11k, t, [podfic available]

summary: wherein merlin goes from being cold and confused to warm and confused, arthur accidentally learns gift giving is a love language, and socks are more trustworthy than neckerchiefs.

fool me once - 19k, t

summary: arthur could see his father glaring down - face red and eyes narrowed as he looked at merlin with clear distaste.

"once this over, sorcerer...i’ll burn you."

"you’ve already tried that," merlin’s voice answered and arthur had to bite his fist to keep from making any noise. “you need to accept you can’t kill me… hand me that blanket, please.”

“i’m sure there must be some method… beheading?”

“no, we tried that.”

“hanging?”

“i just sort of...swung there, remember?”

there was another pause.

“i should have made you keep that dragon below the castle so i could feed you to it.”

“kilgharrah? he won’t eat me, but if you want to torture me than making me listen to his nonsense for an hour might do it,” merlin said and there was a soft sigh from the other end of the room. “i’m glad you agreed to help me though. usually I have to do the grunt work of saving arthur myself.”

“i can’t wait to kill you.” 

or 

uther finds out about merlin’s magic, but can’t seem to kill him. merlin is just trying to protect arthur. they become a begrudgingly effective duo. arthur doesn't understand why they think he isn't noticing this.

note: REALLY funny

au

my significant bother - 96k, e

summary: merlin's job as pr junior on the royal account isn't as glamorous as people believe: most nights, he's saving arthur, duke of york and black sheep of the family, from possibly committing monarchy-shattering shenanigans. when tragedy hits and arthur is now second in line to the throne, the public doesn't react too favourably to the new prince of wales. 

a solution has to be found and merlin's contribution is key to the problem: roped into posing as arthur's fake boyfriend, he's supposed to make arthur's popularity levels rise with his steadfast and relatable presence and elevate him from scandalous rake to romantic figure...

subject, verb, object (of my affection) - 12k, t, [podfic available]

summary: merlin works as a writing tutor, and arthur—very begrudgingly—needs help with a paper.

no matter how far you roam - 12k, e, [podfic available]

summary: “i was wondering if you might come home with me.” merlin stops mid-rant and stares at him, and then down at his panini again, and back at arthur. this is a panini of lies and pain. he can tell already.

“for christmas? i’ve got an uncle and a mother and a sister waiting for me at home, in case you hadn’t remembered, i’m not going home with you just because you’re a workaholic.”

“no, it’s. my mum might be under the impression that we’re a little bit married.”

in which merlin gets conned into spending christmas with arthur's family and pretending to be his husband, because somehow this is his life.

post-it note romance - 10k, m, [podfic available]

summary: merlin has never had a secret admirer before so he’s fairly certain this one has the wrong guy.

note: highschool au

all i want for christmas (is you) - 18k, e, [podfic available]

summary: arthur is not amused when his (probably insane) father decides to hold a secret santa exchange for the entirety of pendragon corporation. he's even less amused (and more than a bit panicky) when he draws merlin's name.

the difference of you - 15k, e, [podfic available]

summary: it’s not that arthur pendragon can’t get girls to fall for him; it’s just that he can’t seem to keep them around. relationships and arthur aren't on the same page at all, really, but one day there's merlin on a bus and then it's different.

screen control your mother(board) - 11k, g, [podfic available]

summary: arthur is merlin’s tech support at work.

note: SO SO FREAKING FUNNY

something dumb to do - 5k, t, [podfic available]

summary: the cardinal rule of being a wedding planner is not falling in love with the bride or groom. arthur's never had trouble with that rule.

[wondernimbus]

play pretend — draco malfoy

pairing: draco malfoy x female!reader

prompt: in which two people are forced into marriage; reader falls in love. draco doesn’t. 

a/n: hi listen to the song dusk til dawn if you wanna get into ur feelings while reading this .. anyways enjoy!!! 

No matter how much Draco tried to deny it, part of her had always known that unwanted feelings lingered. Feelings from the past that should have been left there but weren’t—feelings that shone through during the most intimate moments; underneath bed covers, when Astoria’s name would slip past his lips instead of hers, or afternoons spent out by the garden when she would catch his eye and find him looking at her in a way that made it so painfully obvious that he was trying to find something in her that he could love.

The first time his and [Y/N]’s families had ever met, Narcissa Malfoy had pulled her away from the dining table to tell her in a voice of caution about a girl named Astoria Greengrass; the very same one Draco had fallen in love with during his time at Hogwarts. The girl came from a wealthy family, but one that was not wealthy enough—her blood was pure but her name not as well-respected as that of the Malfoys’ (word had leaked of an early ancestor having married a Muggle). Simply put, she was, though close to it, not good enough for Draco. The history of her family line and her insufficient wealth just couldn’t make the cut; Astoria Greengrass wasn’t good enough to wed into the Malfoy family—regardless of how much Draco claimed to have felt for her.

And so Astoria and Draco’s story ended with tragedy; with separation and arranged marriages to anyone but each other. Astoria wedded a man of her status; someone who could afford to marry her, and Draco to [Y/N], who had never known love until she met him—the very person who couldn't feel the same for her.

She'd wedded Draco fully aware that mutual feelings of affection were the last of any of their families' concerns. As long as no Muggle blood besmirched each others' family trees and the purity of blood was carried on further into newer generations, petty things like love hardly mattered.

Except somewhere along their forced time together in a lonely manor by the countryside—a dowry from her family to the Malfoys—[Y/N] began to look at Draco as less of the man who had been forced into marriage with her and more of a man she could learn to love. And so she did; she learned and loved and found a comfort in him that she had never been expecting to. It took time, yes, but once she took that courageous step and the floor gave out underneath her feet and she fell for Draco faster than she could even blink, she couldn't stop.

Because once you start to love someone, you are done for. You won't be able to pull yourself back out.

Maybe that's why Draco can't forget that one Astoria Greengrass. Maybe that's why he can't quite look at [Y/N] the way she wants him to. Maybe it's why, when [Y/N] foolishly tells him "I love you" in hopes that maybe this time he'll say it back, he doesn't.

[Y/N] wants to be angry. She wants to be able to grasp Draco’s shoulders, shake him to his senses and scream at him to forget Astoria, you can never have each other but you have me and I love you and I want you to be able to say the same for me so please just let go of her. But to set her pride aside and ask something like that of him takes plenty of courage—courage that [Y/N] isn’t entirely sure she has.

So she sits and pretends like everything is fine. Tells herself that the man she loves loves her back when she knows he doesn’t. And he knows it too.

Playing pretend—she’s gotten quite good at it over time.

—

When Draco holds her at midnight and presses himself close to her, it's like he's trying to imprint himself onto her very skin, trying to ingrain part of himself onto every inch of her body he can reach. And in a way, he does, in patches of faint red and purple and dark blues that mark her skin wherever his lips go.

They almost never talk at night. They're much too busy wrapped up in each other's arms and legs to bother with words. [Y/N] threads her fingers through his hair and pulls him in and Draco kisses her so hard it's like he's trying to make up for everything that he can't give her; kisses with passion that isn't quite driven by love but rather desperation for something—someone—he can't quite have.

And it hurts because [Y/N] knows that when Draco groans into her mouth and tightens his grip on her waist and glides his lips down her skin, it's not her face in his head. And it's not her name that leaves his lips, either, when the night progresses and they are drunk in one another's touch.

But [Y/N] is okay with it—or so she tells herself.

She has Draco. She's happy. She loves him, even though he doesn't. She is happy.

She has to be.

—

Jealousy.

That's what [Y/N] feels.

[Y/N] has never met Astoria Greengrass but she is pathetically jealous of her. She is jealous of everything about Astoria that Draco fell in love with, whatever that might be. And it's ridiculous because she doesn't even know what she looks like or how she is; all that [Y/N] knows about her is that she must truly be something else to have captured Draco Malfoy's heart and to still have it in her hands after all of this time.

An arranged marriage and a year forced apart—you'd think that that would be enough for Draco to move on.

They've been together for a while. Draco still looks at her like he's not really seeing her. He doesn't love her, and [Y/N] isn't exactly sure he ever will. Every day she wakes and hopes that by some miracle he has opened his eyes and has begun to finally see past the future she knows he still fantasizes about with Astoria, but that is yet to happen. For now [Y/N] is helplessly in love with a man who has his heart set on someone else.

And at some point she has become angry, but not at Draco nor the woman he loves—no, she is angry at herself. She catches sight of herself in the mirror and hates what is staring back at her. She goes up to her reflection and frowns and contemplates what it is she's missing. If the sight of her own face is revolting to herself, then it is no doubt that others feel the same way—including Draco—and is that why he can't love her? Because of how ugly she is? Or is it how she acts? How she speaks, how she laughs, how she smiles, how she is?

Whenever Draco disappears to "clear his head" and [Y/N] is left alone, she finds that the manor is too small to hold the vast amount of nothingness spilling out of her at the seams, so she goes out into the highest balcony that overlooks the sea and breathes in as much of the salty breeze as she can until the feeling in her chest doesn't quite feel as suffocating anymore.

It's not the marriage she'd been hoping for all of those years ago when she was a naive child who believed in fairy tales and happy endings. But at the very least, she loves. And she is grateful to Draco for allowing her to know what that feels like, even when he can't quite give it back to her.

—

But hearts are made of soft things, tissue and blood and muscle. Things that break and wound easy. Things that tend to scar instead of heal. There is only so much you can do until a human reaches breaking point and their heart gives away, and [Y/N] finds herself one Thursday evening with blood dripping down her knuckles and shards of glass scattered on the floor.

"What happened?" Draco's voice is soft, imploring, almost loving but not quite. It's always almost. Almost what [Y/N] wants. Almost how a husband should love his wife. Almost.

"Tripped," [Y/N] winces. Draco kneels down in front of her from where she's sitting on the toilet, hands gently caressing her own to inspect her blood-smattered knuckles. It's a terrible excuse; how do you trip and punch a mirror?

But Draco doesn't question it, and [Y/N] doesn't have to tell him that she'd looked into the mirror and despised what she saw so much that she'd been overcome by an irrational anger and began to beat her fists against her own reflection until the glass splintered and the skin of her wrists did so along with it.

Draco tells her to wait, so she does, sitting in the cold bathroom by herself with blood dripping down her knuckles onto the floor until Draco comes back with a cloth in one hand and a pouch of healing ointments in the other. Once he's cleaned up the mess on the floor, he kneels in front of her again and, quietly, gently, he begins to wipe the blood from her hands.

"Does it hurt?" Draco murmurs. His brows are drawn in the middle in a slight frown as he tries his hardest not to press too hard. He pauses and looks up at her, and his eyes are gentle, almost loving. Almost.

[Y/N] forces out a painful laugh. "Nothing I can't handle."

A smile tugs on the edges of Draco's lips. "As expected."

Then he quietly resumes nursing her wounds, and [Y/N] doesn't realize that she has started crying until she tastes the tears on her lips. Draco notices but doesn't say anything.

And because she is pathetically in love and she wants him to feel the same, when the cuts on her wrist have been bandaged and Draco is tucking away all of the tubes of ointment in his pouch, saying something about being more careful the next time (even though the both of them know fully well that her tripping was an excuse), [Y/N] tries again and says, "I love you."

Draco freezes for nothing more than a split-second, but [Y/N] notices—her gaze is fixed on him intently, helplessly trying to gauge a reaction that part of her knows won't come. But she wishes it would.

Her wishes are unheard. Draco nods, turns his head just a fraction of an inch to look at her out of the corner of his eye, and offers her a sad smile.

Almost.

—

"No, listen to me, Draco—I am TIRED!"

"And you don't think I am?"

"I know you love her—Merlin, of course I know, I see it every time you look at me—but I'm asking you to try to love m—"

"You say it like it's easy."

There is a sob rattling in the back of her throat. [Y/N] swallows it back down and turns away from Draco like he hasn't already seen the absolute mess of tears on her cheeks.

Draco stares out of the window, jaw taut and his fists clenched so tight at his sides his knuckles have gone a ghostly white.

"I knew we were getting married but I never expected much beyond a sealed contract and an agreement between our families—I never expected to fall in love with you but I did so here I am now asking you to do the same for me."

A beat of silence. "You're not her."

Another swallowed sob. A brand new fissure in her heart that joins the thousands of others. "I'm sorry."

More silence. Then: "I am too."

And then Draco leaves first, because he always does.

—

Their fights don't last long. Days follow and Draco and [Y/N] go about as they always do, pretending like the gaping void between them isn't there. Whenever night comes, Draco will roll over and press a quiet kiss to the back of [Y/N]'s shoulders, snake one hand around her waist, and whisper I'm sorry, and [Y/N] will turn and drag her lips against his until Draco captures them in his own and they are stuck in that endless loop of want again.

Draco kisses the breath out of her and she kisses him back. Kisses him enough to make up for those few terrible minutes of anger she'd accidentally let loose days ago. Kisses him with love, with passion—with everything Draco doesn't have.

When she gasps for air and Draco pulls away and trails his lips down her neck, leaving a trail of what feels like pure flame behind in his wake, she digs her nails into his shoulders and holds him in place. In a strained voice she says: "Look at me."

He doesn't. Draco kisses her throat and against her will she sucks in a desperate, shuddering breath, and the air sounds like Draco's name. "Look at me, Draco," she repeats, fingers pressing into his skin more insistently.

This time he stops and pries his lips away from her skin and hovers over her, eyes searching hers.

"When you're with me," she begins, eyes dark, breath coming quick, "I want to be the only one inside your head. I want you to look into my eyes and see only me."

His grip on her waist tightens; her hands twist unsteadily in his hair, gaze clearing just a tiny bit as she says, "Please."

And then he is dipping down to kiss her again, lips parted, breath rough. Somewhere in between their almost frantic kisses he whispers a response, and [Y/N] is much too lost in the feeling of his skin on hers but she thinks that Draco might be breathing words into her skin. They sound like apologies—sound like I'm sorry, sound like Astoria.

[Y/N] throws her head back as Draco brushes his lips over the curve of her collarbones and whispers something audible this time, and this time it sounds like I'll try. Feels like hope. Feels like a door opening to something.

Feels, for the first time, something more than almost.

[coffee-imagines]

Rivals

Pairing:  Harry x Slytherin reader

Requested:  hey! can u do a Harry x slytherin fem!reader from the 71(Angry sex) smut prompt? the ideia its they hating each other in the beginning, but at the end, you know the cliche. and they're friends going "WTF" seeing them together. maybe a little jealous is harry it's good too. sorry if ts too specific, I just had this in mind and couldn't get it off. btw, your writing it's amazing! also, pls tag me if you're doing this one :)

Warnings: smut, angry/jealous sex, unprotected sex, wall sex

A/N: don’t worry, requests can be as specific as you want to make them. I’m glad you think my writing is amazing that means a lot

Summary: A quidditch match reveals sexual tension

———————————–

The second you’d met Harry Potter you both hated each other. No one ever knew why, but both of you being from Gryffindor and Slytherin was the only logical reason people could think of. Not even you and Harry knew why, but the only thing you were sure of was the feeling you had when you were around each other. You both got on each other’s nerves, and you were sure you’d go for each other’s throats if you could. You could remember your second year, trading places with Draco to duel with Harry.

This school year had been different, you’d finally gotten a break from being around Harry in all your classes, until he switched to potions. Switching to potions meant he’d be spending almost all day with you. It irked you that Harry was suddenly the best potion maker of your year. It used to be you, and now that you were paired up with the black haired boy you couldn’t help but roll your eyes each time he’d perfected a potion as if it were nothing.

“Potter.” You muttered sitting down next to him

“Y/L/N.” He almost spat, making you glare at him. 

“Making love to your book I see.” You sneered, watching Harry hovered over his book almost protectively.

“Failing to brew a simple potion I see.” Harry fired back making you clench your fist.

“Why so secretive with your book Potter? Love notes from Weasley in there?” You asked, reaching over to grab it from him.

“It’s none of your business what’s in this book.” He explained defensively, pulling the book from your reach making you glare.

The year had gone on just the same, you and Harry bickering like an old married couple in your classes. The longer the year went on the more irritated you became with each other. You seemed to find ways to see each other outside of class, both Gryffindors and Slytherins getting sick of the both of you fighting each other. You’d both lost your houses quite a few points, and you were sure if you’d lost anymore your prefect would have your head.

It had been time for a Quidditch match, and this was when Harry realized just how much the both of you had been idiots. You’d taken Draco’s place as seeker, both of you pushing and shoving each other even when the snitch was nowhere in sight. Something seemed to change in Harry’s actions once the snitch came into view. You knew Harry’s broom moved much faster than yours, but you’d somehow still reached the snitch first, grabbing it with no trouble. 

“Good game.” Harry muttered making you squint your eyes. You weren’t sure if he had been serious, but you nodded in response as a silent ‘you too.’

Your team had you on their shoulders while you held the snitch, the points getting Slytherin in first place for the house cup. You’d seen someone running onto the field, and you were picked up and spun by Draco who praised you about his old position. Harry glared when he saw Draco’s arm wrapped around you and he bit the inside of his cheek. You had the brightest smile on your face, and although it would’ve been contagious to anyone who saw it, Harry felt a sickening feeling twist inside his stomach.

You were making your way nowhere near your common room once you’d changed back into your normal attire. You’d wanted a break from the loud commotion of your team, and a walk through a deserted corridor seemed like the good choice. There was a calming aspect of hearing the click of your shoes as you walked, but the relaxed feeling you had quickly turned to annoyance when you heard a second pair of steps that you’d immediately known the owner of.

“What do you want Harry?” You asked in frustration when you realized he’d been following you. “The direction of your common room is that way.” You explained in a mock explanation giving him a quick glance. “It being your sixth year you’d think you’d know by now.” You sneered, walking a bit quicker.

You gasped when your back hit the wall behind you, Harry caging you in with his hands on either side of your head. Both of you were frozen in place, you from shock, and Harry in disbelief of what he’d done. Your eyes flickered down to his lips before looking back up at his eyes. Harry had been doing the same, your eyes locking with one another. Your heart was beating out of your chest, and it had taken everything in you not to lean forward. Harry had other plans, almost smashing his lips against yours in a rough kiss. 

You hadn’t kissed back at first, too shocked that you were kissing Harry to react. When Harry’s hands held your hips in place a chill went up your spine making you hum and start moving your lips against his. Your hands came up to play with his hair, giving it a small tug earning a groan from Harry. A small gasp left your lips, Harry’s groan making a wetness pool in between your legs. You both pulled away breathing heavily, your hands roaming each other’s bodies, Harry’s touch making you stiffen when you moaned. You froze, an embarrassed blush making its way onto your face, but it only earned a smirk from Harry.

“I bet Draco couldn’t do this to you.” Harry growled in your ear making you shudder, your legs squeezing closed around his hand. 

“Why do you care, Potter? Jealous?” You taunted, trying to hide the obvious arousal you’d been feeling, but Harry could see the lust that filled your eyes.

“Pretty cocky coming from the girl who’s already soaking her underwear.” He whispered against your lips making you whimper, feeling pressure being applied to your clit through the fabric. You couldn’t think straight, Harry’s lips meeting your neck making you bite your lip to keep quiet.

“Harry.” You breathed out, his lips sucking your sweet spot making your head hit the wall.

“We’re on a first name basis now?” Harry smirked, watching your eyes flutter closed.

“Oh Merlin.” You seethed through your teeth when you felt Harry harshly run his teeth against your skin. 

“I have to mark what’s mine don’t I?” Harry asked, and the words seemed to make you ache between your legs. “I’m the only one that makes you get like this. Don’t I Y/N?” Harry teased, the tip of his finger slipping into you with no warning making you shudder and bite back a moan. 

“N-no.” You shook your head. Maybe you were lying, but you’d never let him know that. “I’ve had better.” You challenged, finally finding the confidence you’d had the past six years. 

“We’ll see about that.” Harry growled, all but ripping your robes and bottoms off so you were naked from the waist down. You watched in shock, your eyes glued to Harry’s hands, watching him undo his pants.

“Oh.” The word accidentally slipped from your mouth when you took in how hard and big Harry had gotten.

“Oh?” Harry mocked, grabbing your hand making you wrap your fingers around him. “See what you do to me?” He taunted you and widened your eyes.

“I… Harry.” You whimpered out when he guided your hand to pump him slowly, the thought and almost need to feel him inside you filling your mind.

Before you could say anything else you were turned around, your nose brushing against the wall. Harry kissed, sucked, and nipped at all the exposed skin he could access, humming at the whimpers that were coming from you. He’d pushed against you making you moan when his tip started teasing your folds. Both of you were too stubborn to make the first move, Harry continuing to tease while you stayed and took anything he was giving you, trying to stop yourself from grinding back against him.

“Fuck, Y/N.” Harry groaned into your ear, and this pushed you over the edge, your hips pushing back into him with a small roll making both of you groan.

“Oh… Harry that… that feels...” You tried to say when he slipped all the way in but your voice was betraying you. 

You rested your forehead against the wall, your walls already clenching around Harry making him moan your name from behind you. You’d never felt that good, and you didn’t think you could get enough. You wished you were facing him, wanting nothing more than to pull him closer to you. He picked up his pace, thrusting faster making your legs shake under you. Nothing but moans were coming from the both of you, Harry’s name falling from your lips endlessly.

“Who makes you feel this good?” Harry groaned out, his hips only moving faster and harder.

“H-harry.” You whimpered, your nails clawing at the wall in front of you.

“Who?” Harry almost boasted already knowing the answer.

“You! You do.” You cried out, your eyes screwed shut as Harry continued to pound into you.

“Cum for me.” Harry whispered in your ear, his hands slipping over yours and squeezing them slightly when his thrusts started to become sloppy.You didn’t need to be told twice, already shaking when your orgasm washed over you, Harry following only a second behind you. “Y/N.” Harry breathed out against your neck, kissing your shoulder softly, thrusting slowly allowing both of you to ride out your highs.

You both fixed yourselves up the best you could, Harry helping you fix your robes so they looked untouched. There was no denying the blush that was on both of your faces, your hands brushing against each other’s only making you blush even more. You smiled shyly up at Harry when you were done, neither of you knowing what to say.

“I’ll see you around Harry.” You finally broke the silence, kissing the corner of his mouth gently before making your way back to the Slytherin common room, forgetting all about your walk.

The relationship you both had with one another had changed dramatically after that. Everyone, including the teachers, were surprised you and Harry hadn’t been interacting at all for once in your six years at Hogwarts. The first few days following the incident in the hall you both couldn’t look at each other without your faces heating up. In potions class it had been even worse, both of you having to brew a potion as a pair went against you, your hands brushing against each other’s sending shocks up your arm. 

“Y/N.” Harry called you one day, stopping you in the hall. You looked at him like a deer caught in the headlights, unable to move from the spot even though everything in you told you to run.

“Yes?” You asked softly, pulling your bottom lip between your teeth making Harry lick his lips.

“Do you want to hang out? Sometime… Like a date.” He scratched the back of his neck. A small smile formed and your face.

“I’d like that.” You nodded, both of you parting ways before you could make even bigger fools out of yourselves.

You and Harry became almost inseparable after that. When you approached each other for your date everyone had thought you two were going to have a secret duel without any of the teachers there to watch. It was a surprise when they followed the both of you to see you hang out and act civil with each other. What shocked them even more was the moment you and Harry shared your first real kiss outside of your incident. It had looked full of love and passion, Harry’s hands coming up to hold your face while yours came up to hold onto his arms. 

With shock also came the people who had been disgusted, particularly your house members. You hadn’t ever said anything nice about Harry in your first six years at Hogwarts, and now that you were only gushing about him made your friends almost gag. In particular one of the Slytherins found it absolutely atrocious that you had been dating a Gryffindor, especially it being Harry of all of the ones you could’ve chosen. No one was surprised when Draco spoke down to you about your relationship, but it didn’t make it hurt any less.

“What are you two doing together?” Draco asked in disgust making you look down at your feet.

“That’s none of your concern Malfoy.” Harry explained, pulling you in the opposite direction. He wrapped his arm around your waist, kissing your temple as you walked. 

“You didn’t have to do that Harry.” You mumbled, pulling your sweaty hand away from his to wipe it on your robes.

“I did.” He nodded, standing in front of you grabbing your chin to make you look up at him. “I had to, because... I love you.” Harry whispered caressing your cheek, catching you by surprise. You stayed silent for a while, looking Harry over for a while.

“I love you too.” You whispered a response.

———————————–

Tag list: Let me know if you’d like to be added

@mathletemadison @severuslovebot @izzytheninja @obsessedwithrandomthings​ @supermassiveblackhope @tinylumpiaa​ @accio-rogers @whack-ed​

[that1fanficwriter]

I saw the BBC merlin fluff alphabet and my heart melted, how about one of those with Gwaine?

Of course sweetheart!

A = Attractive (What do they find attractive about the other?)

Your courage and strength. He liked that you didn’t let anyone tell you what to do, you stood your ground. He also loves that you understand his humor.

B = Baby (Do they want a family? Why/Why not?)

He jokes around about how you are the only baby he needs but if he sees a small child he loves to play with them. He has also mentioned to you a few scarce times (when he was utterly plastered) that one day he does want a few children.

C = Cuddle (How do they cuddle?)

Once he warmed up to them he loves cuddles. When he gets drunk you can barely peel him off of you because he just wants to be on top of you like velcro.

D = Dates (What are dates with them like?)

They are either super adorable and/or romantic or you go to the tavern; there is no middle ground.

E = Everything (You are my ____ (e.g. my life, my world…))

He says you are his self control as a joke but it does hold some truth.

F = Feelings (When did they know they were in love?)

You were both on a date at the tavern (surprise surprise) and you had noticed that these grown ass men were picking on their server. Obviously you had to do something, so you went and told them to knock it off and when they didn't you put them in their place.

G = Gentle (Are they gentle? If so, how?)

Yes, he is such a bean once you get to know him.

H = Hands (How do they like to hold hands?)

He doesn't really hold your hand very often, he usually slings his arm around your shoulder. If you hold his hand though, he starts to just play with your hand because he is most likely bored.

I = Impression (What was their first impression?)

He was meeting the knights at the tavern and when he got there he saw you jesting with the rest of the knights while you brought them their drinks. He was instantly smitten.

J = Jealousy (Do they get jealous?)

He doesn't, he is incredibly loyal to you just as you are to him and you both trust each other with that.

K = Kiss (How do they kiss? Who initiated the first kiss?)

He did, and he actually wasn't drunk though you have shared many drunk kisses. Your first kiss was surprisingly romantic, he dipped you and everything.

L = Love (Who says ‘I love you’ first?)

You had to pick him up from the tavern with the knights and take him back to your house with the help of Percival. Once you got him inside and it was just the two of you he accidentally spilled the beans. The next morning he remembered what he said and profusely apologized because he wanted it to be a bit more romantic than a drunken confession.

M = Memory (What’s their favourite memory together?)

You were both out with the knights and someone insulted you. Gwaine immediately turned around to obliterate the person, but before he could you had already knocked them out.

N = Nickel (Do they spoil? Do they buy the person they love everything?)

No, and both of you don't mind at all.

O = Orange (What colour reminds them of their other half?)

A golden yellow because that was what the lighting looked like when he first saw you.

P = Pet names (What pet names do they use?)

My darling and lovey are his favorites.

Q = Quaint (What is their favourite non-modern thing?)

You know the drill if you’ve read the other alphabets. If not: They live in medieval Camelot so everything.

R = Rainy Day (What do they like to do on a rainy day?)

He is a secret bookworm especially with poetry so he really enjoys reading you sappy poetry.

S = Sad (How do they cheer themselves/others up?)

He is surprisingly great at cheering other people up but he has a lot of trouble cheering himself up (we all know he likes to drink) but luckily you are good at spotting when he’s upset so you can help him feel better.

T = Talking (What do they like to talk about?)

Anything and everything

U = Unencumbered (What helps them relax?)

He says it’s drinking but really he likes spending quiet time with you when you run your fingers through his hair.

V = Vaunt (What do they like to show off? What are they proud of?)

When he's drunk he likes to show off his "great" fighting skills but ends up looking very similar to Captain Jack Sparrow. It never ends well, so someone (usually you) has to step in and stop him before he accidentally starts a fight.

W = Wedding (When, how, where do they propose?)

He had a whole evening planned but he accidentally asked you when he came back from the tavern with the knights and couldn’t wait any longer to ask you. You told him that you would give him his answer in the morning if he remembered that he asked you. Lo and behold the next morning you wake up to a hungover Gwaine proposing to you again.

X = Xylophone (What’s their song?)

Don’t judge but “Tequila” and "Shots" would totally be his songs. He would dance around to them like a white girl at a frat party.

Y = Yes (Do they ever think of getting married/proposing?)

Yes, the longer you two are together the more he thinks about it because he says he falls in love with you more every day.

Z = Zebra (If they wanted a pet, what would they get?)

He would either want something simple like a cat or something absolutely crazy.

Beta-ed by my friend who is the Gwife (patent pending)

[evitachristine]

Anti-Hophie Rant

So I finally finished reading One True King, and this is what I have to say. It’s long. 

WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS!

Before I get into this, just a small warning: If Hophie is your OTP and embodiment of perfection, this text is not for you. I will not argue with anyone, alright?

To start this off, in my opinion OTK is the weakest of the series. It just feels like a connection between the last book and the fact that Tedros has to become the King. Some might argue that the second book was the worst, well, I disagree. It’s not just because Hophie happens here, but I kind of believe that when the internet spoiled to me that my hated ship was going to happen (because I had to wait until the book comes out in my country), I was expecting more from it. That I would actually be convinced it’s meant to be, which didn’t happen. Also the execution of some characters (Ahem...Merlin) was just...why. It seemed to me that there were a lot of other fan services in this book, apart from Hort and Sophie getting together, but more about that later. 

 I need to remember this for good, and next time I become a fan of something, I will avoid its fanbase. I do not mean to offend anyone, but a fanbase can really ruin a platform, especially when the platform is still developping and the fanbase is influencing it, which I believe did happen a lot with SGE. I will not deny that a fandom can improve such thing - that is definitely true as well - but sometimes the line between improving and ruining is slim, and if it doesn’t ruin the platform, then it might ruin a couple of fans’ experience of it. 

Now to the point of me hating Hophie.

As I mentioned in my previous post, and above. When I discovered the fandom and found out that people are shipping Hort and Sophie, I asked myself “But why? Sophie doesn’t like Hort.” and I kind of thought this was a joke or a meme ship. I always ship characters where both sides have at least a visible bit of attraction towards each other. Whether its friends to lovers or enemies to lovers. Hophie, until the last book and half, was not the case. It was a typical example of unrequited crush, Sophie once only used Hort to make Tedros jealous. But if my mind isn’t tricking me, she was always disgusted by him and even during their first encounter, he attempted to harass her! And the fact that “they were still kids back then” is not an excuse to me. 

Allow me to make a slight turn from SGE. When I was about 8-10, my mum took me to see an opera called Turandot. I will not bother you with opera, but long story short: A princess is very beautiful and a lot of men want to marry her. So she is giving everyone three questions, if they answer incorrectly, they are executed. Everyone are getting executed until a prince in disguise arrives and is in love with her, answers all questions correctly. Princess doesn’t want to marry him tho, so he asks her to guess his name and if she succeeds, he will gladly die. The princess doesn’t feel love at all and doesn’t want to fall in love. She believes she is a saint. Then in a dramatic duet the prince kisses her and ALL OF SUDDEN the princess falls in love with him. 

Whew. Sorry, I tried to make this as short as possible. I remember asking my mum after this: “Why is the girl always forced to love the boy?” Little me didn’t like this idea of a “magical kiss” already, lol. Mum’s answer was “Because it was written by a boy.”, but that’s not even my point here. Do you see the pattern? Girl keeps refusing guy but in the end he still gets her. THIS RIGHT HERE is the main reason why I hate Hophie. It reinforces the stereotype that if a guy is persistent enough, he will get the girl even if she said no a million times. 

Another note I’d like to say about this, and I’m going to receive hate for this opinion. I started book 1 when I was 16. Now I’m in my early twenties and I get that most SGE readers are still teenagers. The age of crushes, clumsy love experiments, etc. OK now I sound like a grandma. But I think this is where Hophie stems from. Everyone are seeing themselves in Hort. Your crush doesn’t like you back, his crush doesn’t like him back. Something like Éponine in Les Misérables. If Marius and Sophie both fall in love with the person who likes them, it’s like the crush of the fan does. Can we call this the Hort-Éponine complex? 

Aside from that, I believe that people who already experienced both sides of unrequited love (like yours truly grandma, right here), meaning Sophie’s side of it, are less likely to support such ships. 

I will now dive into the OTK “resolution” of this pairing. First let me just say, this book made me, if not hate, then at least strongly dislike Hort’s character. The first half of the book and even a some time after before he finally gets with Sophie, his character is disgusting to me. He is so obsessed with her, even while he’s still dating Nicola. As in my previous post, it’s like a huge part of his character is only “I LOVE SOPHIE”. While he’s still with Nicola, he never fails to mention “his FRIEND Sophie”. I will now paraphrase because I read a translation, not the original, but even when Hort’s singing to the guards to distract them so Agatha and Tedros can sneak into the Library, he sings something along the lines “Girlfriend Nikki and friend Soph”. I’m not sure if this was meant to convince the reader that Sophie ending up with Hort is a good idea, but with me, it did the exact opposite. 

In general, their “romance” feels extremely rushed to me. Compared to Sophie’s previous love interests, regardless of who they were as people, these two have zero chemistry. It seems as if Sophie decided to settle because there was no other guy for her. And the description of her suddenly being in love with him, as mentioned above, is another of those “magical kiss” stories. It is hardly believable and kind of... shallow. 

There even were several moments when Rafal was mentioned. In COT, when the protagonists wanted to flee Camelot but Sophie decided to stay, she saw Hort flying to her and she mistook him for Rafal. Goodness. Even in OTK there were a few moments when it seemed that Sophie still has issues from that relationship. Very few, but they were there. 

Therefore I refuse to believe that the reason for this was anything other than to satisfy the majority of the fandom. In addition, the entire book feels like one huge “fan service”, as other ships are “sailing” as well. We have Hestadil and Bogden/Willam, but these two are at least believable. Hestadil started, even tho inconspicously, two books ago, and it resolved naturally. And beforehand they were close friends, so there’s that. As for the boys, they were side characters, so we can only think that all resolved while they were off the scene. 

To sum it up, I thought of three different endings I’d prefer for Sophie. 

On the first place, this was mentioned several times by other people, is that she should have stayed on her own. That happened in TLEA, but this time, really. I hated that OTK made it seem that she really needs a partner. Yes, love, but heck... is romantic love the only thing that is out there? How about friendship? Content with oneself? Pursuing hobbies that you love? Freedom? Come on. Awesome characters that end up single AND ARE HAPPY should have more representation. And I think Sophie would have been amazing like that. 

On the second place I have two things. First, Sophie with a girl. Only I’m not sure who. Maybe Nicola, or Betty if she survived. Or maybe, people might hate me for this, but... Dot? I don’t ship it but I think it could have been cute. Maybe they would start off getting closer as friends and the rest would be left up to the reader’s imagination.

The other preferable ending I have at second place was originally on the third place, but some weird nostalgia overcame me when reading OTK and I had to move it up. People will hate me. But if Sophie should end up with a guy, it should have been Rhian. Yes, I know what you are thinking right now. But think about it. That guy really believed he was Arthur’s son. Imagine if he found out the truth. Something tells me it would be really hard for him at first, but in the end, if he found out that Japeth really only wants Aric, he could’ve joined the protagonists. In my opinion Sophie had the best dynamic with him, before it all spiralled downwards with snakes etc. Maybe he could pretend to help his twin but in the end... I believe I read something like this somewhere on Tumblr as well. Also this kind of feels as if it could have been Soman’s original plan before he turned to pleasing the fans. Or maybe I’m just fantasising too much.  Regardless of how much you’re cursing me right now, I believe Rhian deserved better and shouldn’t have died. After all, he was the better twin. 

As for Hort, well, before OTK I didn’t really care for his character, I didn’t dislike him but he wasn’t my favourite. I simply wished him well hoping he’ll get over Sophie so he can be happy, either with Nicola/someone else, or on his own. After the last book made me resent him, I’m not sure. He could have died, but I know that is cruel. 

He could have been slowly realising that he doesn’t need Sophie, his love would fade away, maybe Nicola could break up with him in the process, then they would get back together, at a natural pace, realisation, etc. Or they wouldn’t, or they wouldn’t break up at all, just separate on different missions, and then reunite and realise they were truly meant to be together all along. 

Whew, if you made it here, congratulations. If you read this as a Hophie shipper, I’m not taking away your opinion. I just needed to let this out. Hope we can respect each other. 

...But I still kinda wish we could get another version of OTK where Hophie doesn’t happen. 

[fortisfiliae]

Promised Part 4 - Tom Riddle x reader

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Masterpost | Masterlist

Summary: In this story, Tom didn’t grow up as an orphan, but with his grandfather and uncle. Reader’s sister got very sick and the Gaunts offer their help. But not without asking for something in return.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that I don’t condone any of this in real life.

Warnings: Arranged marriage

Word count: 2k

Part 4 - One and the Same

As the weeks passed and the weather in late October turned colder, the halls and chambers in Hogwarts stayed warm. It also seemed that somebody specific had warmed up around you as well. Tom didn’t ignore you anymore. Not completely at least. He was still distant, but you guessed that was just how he was. Progress, still.

Camille was sure he liked you, even if he didn’t show it. You didn’t entirely agree with her, but it was definitely a start.

You had just thought of him when you walked along the shore of the Black Lake alone. Since Avery and Lestrange hadn’t dared to even look at you for more than a moment, you felt save enough to wander around on your own again. And you enjoyed taking time for yourself. To manage your thoughts in peace, while the wind howled across the water to keep you company. 

Tom must have been impressed by your potions skills. His demeanour had changed ever since you beat him making Moonseed Poison, even though you thought he was mad at you at first. You had lost count of how often you had thought about that smirk on his face and what that did to your stomach. It was almost embarrassing how many times you started daydreaming, how your mind wanted to drift off, and you let it.

Your thoughts were interrupted by someone calling out your name and hasty footsteps coming your way from behind. You stopped and turned around to see who it was. Benjamin Hilt. The Gryffindor boy from sixth year, who had already asked too many questions. 

He was quite short for a boy of his age, but it seemed like he didn’t care about it. He didn’t care about a lot of things apparently. He wore jeans a lot. A clothing item wizards would usually not choose as their attire since it was such a muggle thing to wear. 

You thought it was his way of revolting the system. A very subliminal way of showing his political views. His hair must have also been part of that. That, or he didn’t own a comb. 

Not that he was unpopular, he definitely had friends. They were all like him to an extend. Loud, candid and sometimes a bit scandalising. They liked to be the centre of attention, even if that meant they would go on everyone’s nerves. You have never had a problem with them. They weren’t your friends, but you knew they usually meant no harm.

“Hey,” he said, a bit out of breath once he caught up. 

“Hi Ben,” you answered and started walking again.

“Can I walk with you for a minute?”

“Sure. Did you come up with more questions for your investigation?”

He kept quiet for a moment and you grinned while looking out over the lake, where the tiniest waves rustled in the wind.

“No,” he then said. “I mean, yes. I mean… Possibly.”

“What’s your deal, Ben?” you asked. “Not to be mean, but none of this is any of your business.”

“I know. And I’m sorry. But I just can’t wrap my head around this. It kind of keeps me up at night. Doesn’t sit right with me.”

“Well if it doesn’t sit right with you, then, of course, we’re going to listen to you and throw all plans out of the window.”

“Don’t be sarcastic now. It’s a serious thing.”

“Oh really? Thanks for reminding me. Still none of your concern. And even if it was. What doesn’t sit right?”

“Two things actually,” Ben answered. “Firstly, I still don’t believe that you’re doing this of your own free will. I think he’s forcing you to marry him. And secondly, with your two families combined, Tom and his relatives will be given a whole new level of respect. And power.”

“So?”

“So? Don’t act like you don’t know what the Gaunts are all about.”

Of course you knew. Everyone did. And Ben was probably right. But what should you do about it now?

“Look, Ben,” you sighed. “I’m thankful for your concern, really. But it wasn’t forced. Tom and I… We love each other. And I’m afraid you don’t know him or any of his relatives as well as you think. They’re not seeking power. Or anything of that sort.”

You’ve never lied to someone like this before. Twisted the truth a bit, yes. Kept some information secret, yes. But this was the greatest lie that ever left your mouth. And Ben knew.

“Alright,” he said slowly and raised his eyebrows. “The Gaunts are dangerous, whether you believe it or not. Who knows what they’re capable of when they get even more respected in the wizard community. I thought you weren’t like them, you know. But seems like you’re one and the same.”

You didn’t respond. Maybe you really were like them. But what did Benjamin ‘knight in shining armour’ Hilt know about your life? You had your reasons and you weren’t going to share them with him. Who did he think he was? 

“I see you don’t want my help,” he said. “Just know, you can always ask for it when you change your mind.”

Then he walked off. And it made you angry. Not that you had anything else to say. But the mere fact that he thought he knew better than everyone else turned your insides sour. So much that you wanted to scream. But he would have heard you. So you kept it down and walked for a little longer.

One and the same. Sure. Like one of the Gaunts would do anything remotely similar than what you had done for your sister. What an idiot. And even if you accepted his help. What would he be able to do for you? Nothing. One and the same. If people wanted to see you like that, they should. But then, they should be as afraid of you as they were of Tom.

You thought of Elsie and your parents. They had sent a letter some days ago. Finally. A reason to keep going. To keep the facade. You would be lying if you said you hadn’t thought about quitting. Now that your sister was better, you had thought that there would be a way that would lead you out of the pact. But the letter reminded you that there wasn’t. And what you did it for. Who you did it for. You took it out of your pocket and read it again.

“Dearest daughter,

we are delighted to let you know Elsie is doing much better. The Gaunts were a tremendous help. Morfin brewed several potions and one of them seemed to be the cure. Her cough stopped immediately and she is on the mend. 

She is finally eating again, she even wanted to help the elves make lunch yesterday.

I think she also grew half an inch over the last week. 

It is an incredible joy to watch her laughing again. We wish you could see her now. 

And we want to let you know, again, how thankful we are for what you did. Without you, Merlin knows what would have happened. We are so proud of you.

However, Marvolo informed us that they haven’t broken the curse entirely.

He said if there will be any kind of breach or breaking of the pact, they can make Elsie sick again. And that it would be worse than before.

We hope you know what that means and what is expected of you. We wish we could take that burden from you.

All the best,

Mum and Dad”

There was a little red heart scribbled at the bottom right corner of the letter, that Elsie had drawn. It made you smile each time you saw it. It reminded you of the countless times you had sat with her in the garden and had watched her draw random figures and shapes. She would always get angry when your drawings came out better than hers. But she never gave up trying. And you couldn’t give up trying either.

The sun went down earlier each day now, so you went back to the castle once you had walked off the anger in your bones. 

Tom sat there in the courtyard. He was alone to your surprise. Even though he didn’t talk much, he was usually with at least two other people, who competed for his attention. But not today.

“Hello,” you said and he nodded. You sat down at the stone bench next to him. “What are you doing?”

He looked at you for a moment, then leant forward and gazed into the distance. “Thinking.”

“Me too.”

“Really?” he asked sarcastically.

“What do you mean?”

“It didn’t seem like you thought of much when you were walking with Hilt.”

“Ben? Did you see us? Hang on. Did you watch me?”

“Does it matter? I just happened to take a walk towards the lake. Then I saw you two.”

“Okay,” you said. “Well next time feel free to join in. Anything to keep him away. Ben really gets on my nerves you know.”

“Sure,” he said, still not looking at you.

“What’s the matter now?” you asked and smiled. “You’re not jealous of him, are you?”

Tom shot you a look that could have possibly killed you. Your smile disappeared instantly and the wind suddenly felt icy.

“Because there’s nothing to be jealous about,” you went on. “I don’t even like Ben.”

“Do you think I’m stupid?” he asked.

“What? No. I’m just trying-”

“Listen! If you’re going to be my wife, you must not give the impression of being unfaithful.”

“And being unfaithful means walking with anyone that isn’t you?”

“You know what it means.”

“So I’m not allowed to talk to friends?”

“I thought he wasn’t your friend.”

“He isn’t. This is not about Ben but in general.”

Tom stayed silent.

“You can’t be serious,” you said. “What do you expect me to do? Only ever speak to you, even if other people approach me? I didn’t even invite him. He just happened to be there all of a sudden.”

Tom turned towards you again and came uncomfortably close. 

“I. Don’t. Care. I expect you to be loyal.”

“I am,” you said but he stood up and left.

“Wait! You can’t just walk away.”

But he went. You ran after him, your frustration banging from inside your head against your temples. When you entered the hallways, quite a few people were around, some of them already looking at you. 

There he was, still walking away. You finally reached Tom and grabbed him by the shoulder, to make him look at you. He stopped abruptly and turned around, quicker than you had thought, so you almost bumped into him. A second of silence and staring occurred before you took a step back. Okay. Now was the time to get your point across.

“Listen,” you said quietly. “I don’t know what you think you saw, but I guarantee you that’s not what happened.”

“I know wh-”

“No, I said listen to me,” you interrupted him more vehemently and people’s heads turned your way, so you kept your voice low again. “Ben is not my friend. He came up to talk to me about us. I think he knows about the pact. And he wants to ruin everything. I’m not going to lose my sister because of him. So I tried to convince him. And if you think that’s being disloyal then so it be. I don’t care either. But never run away from me when I want to explain myself. And never distrust me again for no reason.”

That was the first time you witnessed Tom Riddle being speechless. So you left him standing there without another word. If people wanted to believe you were one and the same, you would make him believe it too.

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[meteor752]

Harry Lupin-Snape AU

Started thinking of Snape and Lupin raising Harry.

Like, maybe James and Lily has written somewhere in their will that if something would happen to Sirius, Harry would be given to Remus or Severus.

And like, at this point Severus has started working for Dumbledore to protect this kid so it would be easier if he raised him (Plus, Lily’s eyes), and it’s his best friends kid, so Remus is all for it, but neither feels like taking it to court because of obvious reasons, so they just decide to do what divorced parents do, and have him every other week.

And Severus is surprisingly good at it, because he lives a pretty calm life, plus Narcissa and Lucius comes over every once in a while with their kid.

And Remus is just happy to have something left of his friends, plus Harry’s snuggles help when he’s feeling down.

(And they make sure that Severus takes him during the full moon week, for safety’s sake)

But when Harry turns like, three, Severus has to go back to his job at Hogwarts, and Remus is offered a position as like the Arthimancy professor, so Harry doesn’t have to be transported so far when he’s going to his other “parent”, plus Remus gets a job.

And now not a single student can focus in Severus’ classes, because while he is doing his scary vampire thing, a three year old with the greenest of eyes and a lightning bolt scar is sitting beside his desk, babbling away.

And every student wants to take Arthimancy classes, one because the professor is chill, and two because again, adorable three year old. Sometimes when Remus asks a question in class, Harry answers something completely irrelevant but he takes it as an answer.

This of course leads to the professors being very focused on the kid in the teachers lounge, and both Remus and Severus are on the sidelines being proud parents while making sure he’s not getting hurt.

And then Harry turns eleven, and Remus takes him to King’s cross because he needs the full Hogwarts experience Severus, and Ron sits by him because “Every other seat is full”, and yeah all that plays out.

Remus is as proud as he can be when he gets sorted into Gryffindor, and Severus just grumbles (While smiling under his breath because he’s just like his mother).

Harry defeating a troll at Halloween and getting grounded, but not for too long since they are still proud that their kid for taking down a troll when he’s just eleven.

Both Severus and Remus using counter curses during his first Quidditch match, so everything’s fine there.

Harry and his friends still believing that someone is trying to steal the philosophers stone, but not knowing who it is since Severus is Harry’s adopted father and he wouldn’t suspect him.

Remus and Severus both almost breaking down crying when they find out that Harry almost died, and deciding that they need to start working more as a unit while raising this daredevil of a child.

Remus not even being mad that Harry stole a car, because it’s too funny and it’s such a James thing to do, while Severus playing angrier than he actually is, because it was pretty darn clever.

Severus giving every kid detention that dares to mention that Harry have opened the chamber of secrets.

Remus and Severus starting to flirt a little between each other.

Remus having to console Harry after Hermione was petrified.

After Harry told Severus that he suspects that Lucius gave Ginny the diary, he is ready to fucking murder that bitch, Remus has to physically hold him back.

During the summer, Severus offers to help Remus during the full moons, and one Animagus Transformation later, the Big bad wolf now has a black cat following after it.

Remus being offered the position as Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher, because the only new professor they could find that year was someone willing to substitute for Arthimancy.

After the news of Sirius Black’s escape, Remus insists on following Harry on the train, and saving him from the dementor.

Severus substituting for Remus when it’s the full moon(except for the actual night), and Harry being strictly told not to tell anyone about the werewolf.

(Before this they maybe brought in some other professor, idk)

Remus and Severus constantly being scared of what Black might do to Harry, but Remus still doubting the whole thing.

Harry being given the Marauders map and immediately knowing it’s Remus and his friends who made it.

Despite that, he only shows him it after seeing Pettigrew on the map, and Remus confiscate it.

Remus and Severus goes after Harry together when Sirius strikes, Remus knowing that he’s innocent while Severus is still unsure, because of biases.

Remus and Sirius reuniting, with Severus standing in the background ominously, a bit jealous.

Sirius and Severus still getting into a bit of an argument, so Harry has enough and just uses Expelliarmus on his adopted father, to everyone’s surprise.

When Remus’ transforms into a werewolf, Sirius tries to calm him down while Severus turns into a cat and starts to chase after Pettigrew, but unfortunately can’t catch up.

Both Remus and Severus trying to defend Sirius (Severus only doing it for Remus’ sake), but everyone refuses to listen to them.

Until they are told that their “son” traveled back in time to save a hippogriff and Sirius holy shit WHAT-

So Harry’s grounded for a while.

But after some convincing from Remus, he’s allowed to go to the Quidditch World Cup.

Big mistake, he nearly died again, they should just lock him in a room because it seems like he has a death wish.

And then his name is placed into the goblet of fiyaghdofht

And Severus’ death eater mark starts to hurt again.

And Harry keeps having these dreams of Pettigrew and a strange man together with Voldemort.

And the new DADA professor teaches the kids the unforgivable curses

So it’s a lot for the both of them!

Plus the fact that Sirius is still on the run, but wants an opinion in how they are raising his godson, and Severus is just not having it.

Both Remus and Severus try their best to help Harry in their own ways, Remus by giving him tips and Severus by answering him questions about death eater stuff and who might have put his name in the goblet of fiyahdgfjeb

And when they both hear that dragons is the first task, well let’s just say they panic a little.

And then they argue for a bit if the broom stunt was more of a James or Lily thing, since James was a natural flyer while Lily was clever and creative.

Oh, little do they know.

They both can’t believe how stupid their “son” is when it comes to the Yule Ball, because for Merlin’s sake just go with the Weasley boy. But nope, he takes the Parvati girl and ends up being down the whole evening.

Remus and Severus end up having fun though, as they have a little too much to drink and dance a lot. That brings Harry’s mood up a little, because he’s been waiting for the two to get together for a while.

(And ye, they kissed, but they were drunk and it was brief)

They feel a bit more safe about the second task until Harry doesn’t come out of the water, oh merlin Lupin he’s dead isn’t he, oh I never thought I would loose a child this way-

But no, he’s fine, he was just being his usual chivalrous self, and Severus can’t help but smile because that’s 100% Lily’s son.

And then all the stuff about Rita Skeeter and the daily prophet, yeah that’s a mess. A few articles are written about Remus and Severus, on how they might be secretly married, on how Severus is an Ex death eater and is raising “The Chosen One” and how Remus keeps disappearing.

And then it’s the third task, and Severus gets called to Voldemort in the middle of it and they both just look at each other with panic in their eyes.

It’s a mess when Harry returns with Cedric’s dead body, shouting on about how Voldemort is back, and then he suddenly gets dragged away by Moody, and they both figure out what’s up.

Harry is very emotionally unstable after that, and they both do their best to be there for him, but Dumbledore tells them that he has to live with the Dursley’s that summer for protection, and for plot because otherwise this wouldn’t work.

So Harry is gone from their lives half the summer because they can’t contact him, and they now spend a lot of time in Grimmauld place, which Remus is happy about because Yay, Sirius, Best friend! while Severus ain’t having it because he’s a jealous darling.

And Sirius isn’t much for it either, so there’s a lot of tension there.

It’s all just sorta awkward until Harry gets fucking expelled and he’s to be moved to Grimmauld place, and both Severus and Remus volunteers to follow because that’s basically their son, but neither are allowed.

And when Harry reunited with his parental figures, he’s happy to see them of course, but also sorta pissed because he had to live with abusive muggles half the summer, and they both apologize a million times and say that they had too.

During what’s left of the summer Severus isn’t around much, as he has things to do concerning Dumbledore (And the whole double-agent thing with the death eaters), and Remus is fairly busy as well, so Harry bonds a lot with Sirius. 

And Sirius is just delighted to spend time with his godson who is so much like both James and Lily, til he starts to notice some familiar quirks with him, like how he always reads with his nose very close to the book, or how he always seems to have a piece of chocolate in his pocket in case someone is feeling down, or how he pauses in the middle of sentances for dramatic effect, that he knows came from Remus and Severus.

And he’s a little sad about it, because he was supposed to raise this child as his godfather, Harry was supposed to have small little quirks from him, not Snivellus.

And when he founds out that Severus is now an Animagus that helps Remus with the full moon’s, oh he is pissed.

When Harry is sent back to school and it is revealed that the ministry has taken over Hogwarts, Severus and Remus share a worried glance, because that means that Remus is in a bit of a risk here, because of the werewolf thing.

They both to keep their cool when she comes to Inspect their classes (Well, in Severus’ case it was a bit more cold than cool), but they are honestly both really nervous about Remus.

When she asks about the fact that Remus keeps disappearing for a few days ever few weeks, he simply blames it on allergies, and the rest of the teachers back this fact up, as they like Remus, and the students enjoys his classes.

It’s the day that Harry shows up in Severus’ office, asking him for a potion against his bleeding hand that they get real mad, how dare she hurt their little lion cub.

Neither of them are aware of Dumbledore’s army, just because of safety. Harry wanted to tell them, he really did, but Hermione and Ron convinced him against it as the less people who know the better.

Their favorite event of the year is probably when Harry bursts into Remus office when they both were there, pouting as hell and complaining about Cho Chang. They both agree that it was a very James thing to do.

The whole occlumency thing puts a bit of a rift in Harry and Severus’ relationship however, since Harry gets very angry over his adopted father or just breaking into his mind, and Severus is frustrated that Harry hardly tries, and all he can see while doing it is James.

It’s when Harry uses the Pensieve and sees the memory of his father, Remus, Sirius and Pettigrew bullying Severus, and Severus calling his mother a mudblood that Severus gets real angry.

The two barely talk for the rest of the year, and Remus is basically stuck in these situations where the one he was talking to just rants about the other, and he’s just so done with this shit.

When Harry has a vision of Sirius getting tortured, and they all get captured by Umbridge, and she tells Severus to get the Veritaserum, Severus nonchalantly brushes it off, even though he is boiling inside because how dare this bitch hurt his son.

When Harry starts shouting about Padfoot, he immediately figures out what he has to do, and as soon as he’s left the office he runs to get Remus and the order.

Unfortunately he can’t follow since he’s still playing the Double Agent, but he is basically in his office pacing away worrying about everything that could go wrong to his little lion cub and to Remus.

Thankfully, both of them are allright. Unthankfully, Sirius is dead and they both are emotionally destroyed.

It’s a tough summer for the family, Severus has to make sure to be there for both of them, while Dumbledore is over there getting himself cursed because of greediness, plus he’s trying to get Severus to kill him, and tells him that his son needs to die.

Severus ain’t having none of Dumbledore’s shit.

And then he’s approached by Narcissa who also asks him to kill Dumbledore, and makes him do the Unbreakable vow.

So yeah, Severus has a lot of thing going on.

Remus notices this however, and tries to ease his mind with some wine when they are back at Hogwarts, and whoops there they go, second kiss. And third. And hOLY MERLIN CALM YOURSELVES-

When Harry finds the Half-blood prince book, he doesn’t bring it up with either Severus or Remus, because he doesn’t really see it as too big of a deal.

Harry ends up complaining to Remus about Ron and Hermione arguing and that he is caught in the middle of it, and Remus end up giving him the most annoyed glare, because bitch now you know how I felt last year, and Harry just chuckles awkwardly.

It’s when the cursed necklace is given to Katie, and Harry’s best friend nearly dies of posion when Severus is really starting to freak out in his own way, which is that he’s screaming in his head but is completely calm on the outside.

There’s also been this thing where since Severus was a part of raising Harry, some death eaters believe him to have grown attached to the boy, but he just replies that he’s simply playing his part.

When Harry and Remus goes to the burrow at Christmas while Severus goes to his place, only briefly visiting a few times to see his son but is still trying to keep up the Death Eater thing, Remus starts to suspect something is up with Severus when Harry can’t stop rambling about Draco, and how he saw Severus confront him about something, speaking about the unbreakable vow.

Remus brings it up one night when they are back at Hogwarts, when they are both sitting in front of the fireplace with Severus’ head in Remus lap, and Severus quietly panics. Remus doesn’t push him however, just says that if he needs to talk then he’s there for him.

When Harry fuels Draco in the bathroom, and Severus finds Draco bleeding out, he figures out that Harry has his old book.

Instead of just demanding of him to bring him it, he just says that they will talk later and then takes Draco to the hospital wing.

Severus is calm and patient when Harry tells him about the book he found with all these spells, belonging to “The Half-Blood Prince” and Severus is just beaming with pride in his mind because that’s his boy! His boy found his book! His boy learnt from his instructions!

But instead of saying that, he just says that he’s not mad, but tells Harry that he has to get rid of the book, and so he hides it in the Room Of Requirement, landmarking its place with an old bust and a diadem.

Both Severus and Remus gets very protective of Harry after that, because a lot of Slytherin students are angry at him, which they sorta have a right to be, but still no one messes with their little lion cub!

When Harry leaves to retrieve the Horcrux with Dumbledore, and then they return, and then they go up to the Astronomy tower and is confronted by Draco and Death Eaters...oh boy.

Severus has to go up there, knowing that his son was watching him, and perform the unforgivable curse.

And poor Harry was just standing there, watching his father kill a man that he trusted, feeling lost and betrayed and a hundred different feelings.

And Severus has to look at his son, anger twisting his face, demanding him to fight him, calling him a coward.

And then someone has the guts to hurt his son?!

But when he hears Harry try to use one of his spells, he is once again a little proud because his son is suing something he created!

And then Harry flies back, laying on the ground, looking up at him with both anger and fear, demanding him to kill him and calling him a coward.

And he does the only thing he can do, he mocks his father, reveals who “The Half-Blood Prince” is, and then flees.

And Harry is just so confused and betrayed, and Remus tries to comfort him but he is as confused, and neither of them knows what to do.

But there’s still this feeling Remus had, the same feeling he had about Sirius, that something is not right here.

Harry once again being sent back to the Dursley’s for safety before both him and the family will be moved to different places, and Harry end up having a bit of an heart to heart with Petunia about her sister.

And Severus over here is just screaming in his head constantly, because instead of having Remus and their son, he is now forced to be around the Death Eaters, half of which don’t even trust him, all because of Dumbledore.

And then Harry will be moved, and Severus is one of the Death Eaters being sent out to kill all the other’s, and he’s just not having it.

As subtly as possible he tries to protect his Remus and his son, and while doing it he accidentally cut off one of the Weasley’s ears, so whoopsie.

Remus not being able to return to Hogwarts to teach that year because he’s apart of the order and he’s a werewolf, so the two are separated that whole year and they both suffer.

And Remus tries to make Harry let him come with him for the Horcrux hunt, but Harry just says that it’s safer not too, because the fewer the easier, and Remus needs to take care of himself, which he’d been horrible at doing for the past couple of weeks.

He ends up spending a lot of time with Sirius’ cousin Tonks, and the two become close. Not in a romantic sense, but in a platonic sense. And Remus is happy to have someone to talk to, someone who’s also lost things.

And Severus is just as depressed as you can be over at Hogwarts, spending a lot of time using the Pensieve, reliving some moments he had with Remus and Harry.

Like when Harry first said his name, or when Harry first called him dad, or when Remus and him danced at the Yule ball, or all the times Remus used to pet his hair whenever he got bored.

And yeah he’s not in a good place.

When Harry and his friends is sighted in Hogsmead, Severus is a bit conflicted because on one hand, yay his son, but on the other hand, Harry what are you doing I’m trying to keep you alive here.

But when Harry confront him in front of the school, stare at him with hate and betrayal once more, it’s just too much.

So when McGonagall comes out and starts to duel him, he sees him moment to escape and takes it.

And then Remus dies in the first part of the battle, and Harry is hardcore sobbing over his body, because it’s too much.

And Severus gets bitten by a snake, and Harry is close to just breaking in and Avada Kedavring Voldemort’s ass because how fucking dare he.

But when Harry sits beside Severus’ dying body, crying like hell, Severus doesn’t say anything about Lily.

He asks about Remus, if he’s alright, and when Harry shakes his head a single tear escapes his eye, and he asks Harry to take it.

He doesn’t tell him he has his mother’s eyes, he says something else sappy, like how he’ll always be proud of his lion cub.

Harry takes the tear to the Pensieve, and pours it in before entering the the memory.

He doesn’t see Lily.

He already knows about Lily, and that she and Severus used to be friends before he did a mistake.

Instead, he sees himself, and he sees Remus.

He sees the moment they agreed to both adopt him.

He sees the moment they agree that they need to do this together.

He sees himself as just a toddler in Severus’ potions class, having no worries in the world, and the way Severus would give him the most joyus look he physically could.

He sees Severus and Remus at the Yule ball.

He sees himself reunite with Remus and Severus after half a summer without them.

He sees himself being comforted by Severus after Sirius’ death.

He sees Severus’ world fall apart when Dumbledore tells him that he needs to kill him, and that he himself needs to die.

He sees Severus cast a patronus, and a doe jumping out, the same doe he saw in the forest when he retrieved the sword. The doe this time not only representing Lily, but also Harry.

And then he is drawn out of the memory, tears streaming down his face as he walks into the forest, ready to die.

Harry finds the stone in the snitch, and out of it comes five figures.

Harry looking at Severus, and forgiving him.

Remus looking at Severus and forgiving him.

Lily looking at Severus and forgiving him.

James and Sirius still not being sure about it.

And then, Harry dies.

For like a minute, but still.

And he’s just pissed at Dumbledore when he sees him.

And when Voldemort is dead, and nineteen years later he comes to Kings Cross station with his wife and his three children.

And none of those children having the name Albus.

[themissinghippogriff]

| ,love james | an imagine

Sirius x Reader

Desription: (Really sweet, in my opinion and im rather proud of it) James gets tired of the amount of time reader is spending with Sirius and figures out a way to break the two up. 

W.C: 1.8k+

Warning: Eh not really

Requested

0000

James huffed as he played with his snitch, once again Sirius was off with (y/n). He hadn’t minded that much at first but it was like they were always with each other. He barely saw Sirius and even between classes she dragged him off somewhere for a snog or a bloody quickie. 

Remus suppressed a smile as he leaned against the tree, book open, “ Is everything alright, James?” he asked, a sandy brow raised. 

James let out an even heavier huff, “ Just peachy, that leech with (y/h/c) hair is an absolute Padfoot hog!” he cried in disbelief to both Peter and Remus who shared a look, as if the two had heard this a hundred times before, “ I mean at first it wasn’t a big deal-,” 

“ Easy, Prongs,” said Remus in a mild voice, “ You wouldn’t want Sirius to hear you talk about (y/n) like that,” 

Jame’s mouth dropped, “ HE’S NOT EVEN AROUND TO HEAR!” he stated before pulling himself up, the cogs in his head turning at top speed, “ And I’m going to do something about it!” 

Remus let out a sigh and looked at Peter, “ This isn’t good is it Pete?” 

Peter smiled lazily, “ Might as well sit back and watch, you know it’s not a good idea to get in between a married couple,” he quipped staring at James’s back as he marched up to the castle. 

Remus only nodded, “ Look at you, Pete, using your head for a change,” 

-

James racked his brain for an idea to break the two up, make Sirius think she slept with someone? No, too messy, same going the other way around. James might have been an ass but he wasn’t a dick, well that’s what he liked to think anyway. 

He paced back and forth around his dorm until an idea- a brilliant idea hit him like a bolt of lightning. An evil glint appeared in his eye as he pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill. 

(y/n) was a fairly sought out after girl, much like Sirius- he guessed that’s what drew the two together, so this idea was genius. He would write a boy in Ravenclaw, Benjy Fenwick, a love note posing as (y/n). 

He took a deep breath and with his left  hand, pressed his fingers together before doing what actors did before getting into character, but he looked more like an angry Italian if anything. He was (y/n), and then he began-

“ Dear Benjy,

I have feelings for you but I don’t know how to tell Sirius, please leave your response underneath the gargoyle on the second floor.

, Love (y/n)  “

The messy haired teen laughed maliciously, all he needed was a final touch and he knew just how to get it. Lucky for him no one else was in the common room besides first and second years. All he had to do was sneak up to the girls’ dormitory, grab her perfume, spray the letter, and get the hell out of dodge. 

He tucked the letter into his pocket, grabbed the invisibility cloak and then hurried down the stone steps. He whispered the spell to the stairway, ensuring it didn’t become a huge slide when he tried to climb it. 

He ran up the stairs, his heart racing at the thought of being caught. He made it to the fifth year dormitory and opened it slightly, peeking in to make sure there wasn’t anyone in there. He stepped into the room which looked- and smelled a lot better then his own. 

He moved over toward the dresser and saw tubes of lipstick and eyeshadow palettes but no perfume- and then he saw it. On top of (y/n)’s trunk a small glass bottle that was tinted purple. Quickly, he fished the letter out of his pocket and basically hosed down the paper with it. 

He set the bottle down and bolted. 

-

The next day during Charms when Remus wasn’t looking he slipped the paper into Benjy’s bag, undetected. Now the only thing there was left to do was wait. He sat back, a frown gracing his handsome face. He was doing the right thing, yeah? 

Sirius had to be miserable with that bird constantly up his ass, he’s just too scared to break it off with her- yeah! That was it. 

-

Later that evening James made his way to the second floor, eager to see if Benjy had written back. He was not disappointed-

“ Dear (y/n),

I can tell you this is delightful news as I’ve had a crush on you for quite some time now, and as for Sirius, just break it off. But in the meantime, what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. 

, Love Benjy “ 

Jame’s burst into a laughing fit which quickly turned into coughing as his eyes bolted around the hallway. He caught sight of a second year looking at him with wide eyes but they scampered off after he glared. 

This was perfect, thank Merlin!

-

Before dinner James composed another letter, this time adding bit and pieces of not exactly PG rated ideas, and as he knew what the perfume bottle looked like and the name he could summon it easily. 

He placed the letter back behind the gargoyle and then headed to the Great Hall, which unsurprisingly, Sirius was nowhere to be found. 

-

James opened up his dorm to see (y/n) atop Sirius- naked. 

“ BLOODY HELL MATE!” he screamed, his hands going to his eyes, “ REMUS STAY BACK! STAY BACK!” he repeated before slamming the door shut.

Remus huffed a laugh, “ Are they going at it?” he asked. 

James shuddered, “ This is the fifth time I’ve walked in on them! I swear it’s like they want to be seen!”

-

It had been three days and James was getting impatient. He had been kicked out of his own dorm, blown off, robbed of a best friend, and his eyes assaulted far too many times! Enough was enough but the question was how to have this all come tumbling down. 

He racked his brain for ideas as he walked down the corridor one afternoon but stopped when he saw Benjy looking out at Sirius and (y/n). His fists were clenched and his eyes narrowed as he sped towards them, “ Oi, Black!” he yelled. 

Oh shit. 

“ Gerrof her!” he said, pushing (y/n) behind him, “ She doesn’t bloody want you!” 

Sirius’s eyes flashed and (y/n) looked confused as she shoved Benjy off of her, “ Excuse me?!” she sputtered, “ What the hell is your problem?!” 

Benjy’s mouth dropped, “ What are you doing?! You told me you were going to break up with him and get with me!” 

(y/n), Sirius, and James’s jaws dropped in unison at this sudden declaration. 

Sirius spun around onto (y/n), his eyes full of devastation, “ Is...Is that true?” he whispered. 

She shook her head frantically, grabbing his hand, “ No Sirius!” she gasped, her eyes pleading, “ You know me, you know I would never cheat!” 

Sirius nodded his head but didn’t meet her eyes, he took her hand from hers and turned back to Benjy, “ Shove off and let her and I talk, you damn liar,” he growled. 

James watched the whole thing go down with large hazel eyes, if this is what muggles called a soap opera then he just might get into watching them. 

The blond boy faltered but reached down into his bag and pulled out the letter that had been sent by James, unbeknownst to him. James grimaced, things were about to get ugly. 

Fenwick handed Sirius the letters, “ These were written by her, to me- smell them! She sprayed them with perfume,” 

James rubbed his hands together as a fly would, but little did he know he was about to get smacked in the face with the newest rolled up  addition of vogue, “ This isn’t her handwriting- nor is it her perfume,” bit out Sirius, throwing the letters back in Benjy’s face who paled. 

Oh shit. 

(y/n) picked up one of the letter’s and sniffed, “ This… this is Emmaline’s perfume,” she said, her eyes hurt. Jame’s eyes practically bulged out of his head, she thought Emmaline had done it. 

His stomach soured as guilt made a home in his chest, the realization that he had not only roped Fenwick into his little play, but Em as well. 

Fenwick bolted back up to the castle as (y/n) wiped at her eyes, “ Why would Emmy do this,” she sniffed, “ She’s my best friend,” 

Sirius didn’t know what to do, “ I’m sorry love, but… it doesn’t seem like she is,” 

James’ heart lurched as he replaced the names. He acting as Emmaline, (y/n) as Sirius, and Sirius as her. He had fucked up, royally. 

She said something to Sirius who nodded. She started off toward Gryffindor tower while Sirius watched her go with sad eyes, running a hand through his dark locks before making his way to the hall for dinner. 

James chased after her, “ Oi! (y/l/n)!” he yelled before she could reach the staircase. She stopped and turned to him with a curious look. 

“ Yes, James?” 

He opened his mouth but nothing came out, he struggled but in the end his voice came through, “ It was me,” he said quietly, “ I sent the notes,”

Her eyes widened and her hand went to her heart, “ What? W-Why?” she asked. 

James rubbed the back of his neck, “ Because I was jealous and I felt like… I felt like you had stolen my best mate,” 

Her eyes flashed with anger, “ Are you bloody thick, James Potter?!” she demanded, “ Steal Sirius from you? Are you kidding?!” she asked in disbelief, “ Sirius loves you so much! I could never steal him from you!”

James shrunk back, his eyes on the ground, “ I’m sorry I was wrong, but please, Emmaline had nothing to do with this, it was all me,” 

She was silent, “ I appreciate your honesty, “ she murmured, “ But don’t think I’m not telling Sirius,” 

-

James hung his head as Sirius yelled at him and afterwards he slammed the door, leaving James to feel horrible. 

It was three days later and Sirius hadn’t spoken to him, and that was when (y/n) came up to him, a frown on her face, “ C’mon, James,” she said, “ Let’s go get your best mate back,” 

-

Sirius was eating breakfast when a letter swayed down in front of his face, landing near his plate. It was addressed to him but didn’t have a name. The teenager opened it-

“ Dear Sirius,

I know you’re absolutely pissed at me but I just want you to know how sorry I am, I know I fucked up. I’ve apologized to (y/n) over and over and she had the idea for me to write you a letter… ironic huh? Once again I’m so sorry Padfoot, and I promise I’ll never do something as stupid as this again. 

, Love James”

Sirius sniffed the letter and chuckled, that git had really sprayed it with his cologne. He looked down the table to find his girlfriend staring at him with a soft smile. He returned it, getting up to go find his best mate. 

---

@writingwieny​ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ˡⁱᵏᵉ ⁱᵗ :)

[merthurkissfest]

Merthur Kiss Fest 2019  Masterlist

The Merthur Kiss Fest has concluded for yet another year! We're sad to see it go, but so very glad that it happened. Quick apology for the wait, as this was meant to go up a bit ago already. But thank you all for your patience. <3

We have a total of (drumroll please)... 61 works this year! That's incredible!!

A huge thank you and round of applause to our amazing writers and artists for their wonderful contributions, whose hard work is at the heart and soul of this fest, as well as to the creator and my fellow mod, @arthur-of-the-pendragons​, who did most of the work putting this together and keeping it running, and last but not least, to the rest of the community who spread the word, shared the work, and left kudos and comments!

I know I speak for the both of us when I say that none of this would've been possible without the love, dedication, and generosity of the Merlin community. So from the bottom of our tiny little fangirl hearts, Thank you. Under the cut is the masterlist of all the works. I would like to ask that the creators check over it and let me know ASAP if there's any mistakes, or anything I missed! Thank you!

✧･ﾟ: * 🌸 SPRING 🌸 *:･ﾟ✧

Of Sunrises and Stardust by Victori Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 903 Summary: "Merlin had lived through a thousand springs, and had learned that nothing ever began again. Spring wasn’t hope; it was a cycle, one that came and went as Merlin stood still and watched it fly by. Spring was life as a reminder of death." OR Merlin has been waiting too long, and is on the verge of giving up. But his destiny was written in the stars, and it's not willing to let him go that easily.

A Better Fate than Wisdom: About a Secret by Leandra Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 3200 Summary: In which Arthur is drunk, Merlin is inconvenienced and secrets are kept, but barely.The first part in a four-part series for the Merlin/Arthur Kiss Fest 2019. Each part will feature a different season, a different set of kisses and at least one trope :-)Series Title comes from the e.e.cummings poem "since feeling is first": and kisses are a better fate than wisdom. MERRY XMAS!!!

April Violets (Five First Kisses) by athousandvictories [FIC+ART] Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 5604 Summary: Merlin's journey to his last first kiss, or five stories of new beginnings. A set of behind-the-scenes moments beginning before Merlin goes to Camelot. Vaguely canon compliant until the end. Plenty of drunken idiocy and poorly executed flirtation. Because we deserve it.

In Which Arthur Gets Jealous of an Owl by AeonTheDimensionalGirl Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 3482 Summary: Arthur decided he must officially be going insane if he was suddenly craving Merlin’s liking after seeing the owl give fond peaks to the raven haired servant.

A Springtime Betrothal by tehfanglyfish Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 2213 Summary:  It’s a beautiful spring day – the perfect setting for young royals to enter into a betrothal. Too bad Princess Elena is convinced that Arthur is a would-be assassin, out to kill her with a poisoned kiss. To prove that there is no danger, Arthur has no choice but to kiss Merlin, leading to several unexpected, though not unwelcome, developments.

Spring Night (oh so wrong) by CandiceWright Rating: E Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1509 Summary: Because ever since Gwen left Arthur’s looks have been hotter than his touches, his few words filled with unspoken promises that Merlin is scared to take. He’s scared because he doesn’t want it to be just a remedy for his fractured pride, doesn't want it to be done out of spite. But he does want it, he really does. And now Arthur's gaze is heavy upon him, making his body shiver in anticipation and all he can think is this is wrong, wrong. But then Arthur tells him to come to his bed, and how could Merlin say no to that?

Weaving Crowns by Mischel [FIC+ART] Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 569 Summary:  Now that Merlin and Arthur are both kings and married, they hardly have time for each other anymore. Merlin's decided to do something about it, and he takes Arthur to a meadow, where they can finally have a moment alone to- make flower crowns? Well, that's not what Arthur expected. (But maybe that's exactly what he needed.)

Blossom by Blossom by Caledonia Rating: Not Rated Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1614 Summary: Merlin builds floral crowns in advance of the spring celebrations, and there is a secret hidden in Arthur's."Blossom by blossom the spring begins." Algernon Charles Swinburne

Spring (cleaning) Kisses by Lao-Pendragon [ART] Rating: Not Rated

Young Man’s Fancy by Caledonia Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1866 Summary: Merlin's mum has moved to a quaint village with a strangely competitive spring tradition. Cue Merlin being clumsy and Arthur manning the first aid tent. "In the Spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love." - Alfred Lord Tennyson

Love in Spring by CallMeHopeless and Maryluis [FIC+ART] Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 2026 Summary:  Arthur and Merlin are in a secret relationship - for now. Hiding their love takes a toll on them both and communicating with each other isn’t much better...

King in a (flower) crown by brokenfannibal_art [ART] Rating: G Summary:  I saw a post a while back about how the children of the lower town probably make flower crowns for Merlin. And lets be honest Arthur would absolutely melt when he saw Merlin wearing one. Of course Merlin would make one for Arthur as well.

The gifts from Spring by Shadow_Hole Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1487 Summary:  Once, Gaius had told him that Spring, would eventually notice Merlin’s hardships and will gift him with what he needed the most, a ‘helping hand from nature’ as the old men had said at the time. Merlin knew that this wasn't true.

True Love’s Kiss by broken_fannibal Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 3705 Summary:  Arthur was cursed by a water spirit to drown himself in a certain lake. Will they be able to find a way to lift the curse? A race against time begins.

I Need Your Hand by FervidAsAFlame Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 2781 Summary: Gwen manages to drag her best friend Arthur to the university’s semi-formal dance, even though he won’t stop sulking that his boyfriend can’t make it. Luckily, Gwen’s got a surprise for him.

Dog Walking Disaster by surprisinglyblunt Rating: M Chapters: 3/4 Word Count: 4540 Summary:  When Merlin finds a lost dog after one of the worst encounters of his life, he thinks fate might be punishing him for something, but is it really punishment or is the universe actually on his side this time?

✧･ﾟ: * 🔆 SUMMER 🔆 *:･ﾟ✧

Merlin’s Knight by AeonTheDimensionalGirl Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 8537 Summary: He comes in the dark of night; never speaking or letting his full face show, but Merlin appreciates the company anyway.After all, who’s foolish enough to venture into the dungeons and comfort an accused sorcerer?

A Better Fate than Wisdom: About a Transgression by Leandra Rating: M Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 5738 Summary: Merlin had joined him in the water, coming towards him with long, even strokes of his arm. He was a good swimmer, better than most of Arthur’s knights and he caught up with Arthur quickly, briefly ducking and diving underneath the water to emerge just in front of him with a grin and water streaming down his face, his hair plastered against his skull, his ears seemingly more prominent than usual. Arthur felt his earlier confusion slip away. It was just Merlin. Clumsy, bumbling, ridiculous Merlin with his silly ears and too insolent grin.-*- After riding all day during a heatwave, Arthur and Merlin stop for a swim. A bit of roughhousing turns awkward and Arthur finds out that silly ears or not, there's just something about Merlin ;-)

Going Underground by Caledonia Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1628 Summary:  Merlin is stuck on a sweltering hot underground train and he considers getting off and walking home instead. That is until a rather handsome blond man boards the train beside Merlin and things begin to get interesting.

Arthur - The Prince to never get anything by CallMeHopeless and Maryluis [FIC+ART] Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 2779 Summary: 5 Times Merlin does something nice for people who are not Arthur. And one time, when it's finally Arthur's turn.

Hold My Hand, Let the Waves Come by Mischel Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 834 Summary: The world is full of new and exciting experiences for Arthur now that he came back from Avalon. But standing only in his "special swimming underwear" on an overcrowded beach where it feels like hundreds of people are watching him, doesn't seem like one of them.Merlin is there to help him realize that even with many more people than Arthur is used to, it can still be fun when they're together :)

And Turn the White Snow Red as Strawberries in Summertime by Caledonia Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 910 Summary:  Arthur and Merlin conjure memories of summer while cooped up during a winter storm.

Boys of Summer by Victori Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 4450 Summary: "It started, as most problems in Merlin’s life, with a boy. A bloody gorgeous boy, with eyes as blue as the sea and wet blond hair plastered to his forehead. An Adonis if there ever was one, complete with a Roman nose. A boy who Merlin spilled Rocky Road all over in a stunning display of clumsiness."ORMerlin and Arthur met, fell in love, and messed it up. Maybe their summer romance isn't as far gone as they think.

Summer of New Beginnings (what I would do for you) by CandiceWright Rating: M Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1801 Summary:  That night Merlin sees just how deep the wound of Agravaine’s betrayal is. He wants to hold him and tell him that everything will be okay, that he won’t have to go through the same thing again but he can’t because he’s betraying him far more than anyone else ever has and it hurts.

Sweet Summer Kisses by Nattymctatty [ART] Rating: Not Rated

Can We Always Be This Close by tehfanglyfish Rating: E Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 7982 Summary: Merlin takes a trip to Ealdor to tend his mother’s farm while she visits a friend in another village. He thinks he’ll have a week of solitude until Arthur decides to tag along. The days they spend together lead to numerous revelations.Or… the one where the author indulges Arthur and allows him to run off to a farm with Merlin.

Arthur’s Flowers by lefayart [ART] Rating: Not Rated Summary: Arthur gets what he asked for.... but only because he asked nicely.

A Day at the Lake by Impala_Chick Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1080 Summary: It's too hot in the Castle, so Arthur and Merlin sneak off to the lake to cool off.

✧･ﾟ: * 🍁 FALL 🍁 *:･ﾟ✧

Trembling Fingers and Sure Strides by arsenicandsunshine Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 2474 Summary:  It's a beautiful day, the birds are singing, the sun is shining. Merlin's nervous as fuck. For no good reason, either. It's a tournament, like any other tournament. Nothing to indicate Arthur is in danger of dying. At least, not today.

Take Me Apart by tehfanglyfish Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1212 Summary:  One otherwise dull autumn day, Arthur meets an insolent stranger in the Camelot marketplace who claims to be able to take him apart with less than one blow. Arthur decides to let him try.

A Better Fate than Wisdom: About Attraction by Leandra Rating: E Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 5861 Summary: “Seriously, Merlin,” Arthur drawled, stepping closer and halting his hands, “you are so terribly clumsy, it’s a wonder you haven’t cut something off with your sickle that isn’t a rye ear.” He reached with steady fingers, hooking the waterskin safely back into Merlin’s belt. They were standing close, so close, and Arthur’s hands were at his waist and Merlin, who was already flustered, felt his heart skip a beat. Please, he thought, please, not knowing what it really was he wanted. He sighed in relief when Arthur stepped back to pick up his sickle again and bent to retrieve his own. *-* Sex pollen, a rye field, filthy kissing and too many feelings.

Of Foreign Nobility and Hidden Magic by AeonTheDimensionalGirl Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 5709 Summary: Merlin’s fair skin should not be covered in dark purple bruises.

Kissing It Better by Mischel Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 685 Summary: Merlin and Arthur are on an important mission, but the weather betrays them and they end up being chased through a forest all the way to a cliff. There are only two options now - jump or be killed, and, well . . . kissing isn't one of them. So . . . what are you doing, Arthur?

I love you with or without fleas by CallMeHopeless and Maryluis [FIC+ART] Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1627 Summary: Morgana challenges Arthur to kiss the Person he loves most...

From Love We Fall (I want to understand) by CandiceWright Rating: M Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1138 Summary: Merlin doesn’t talk to Arthur after his betrothal to Gwen. He helps with the preparations, he can’t not, but he can’t bear to talk to Arthur after what he did. And Arthur makes no effort to talk to him either. His eyes still follow him while he’s doing his chores, refusing to utter a single word, not even to explain. Not that Merlin would listen to anything he has to say. Because after all they’ve been through, after what they’ve shared he deserves more than him just fucking him and leaving him alone. He feels used, betrayed. And he knows in his heart that it wasn’t meant to last, but he knows just as much that what they had was real, the love was there. But he can’t do it anymore, not like this. Not when he feels like he can’t get out of bed every morning, when every step he takes feels like torture, when he’s forced to see everyone’s happiness at the prospect of having a new and wonderful queen.

Foiled By Fall by MapleBreeze Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1597 Summary: Arthur decides to pick flowers as an anonymous gift for Merlin but is hit with the realization that it is Autumn and this is no longer a simple task. But this is only the first way his plan goes wrong.

Deliration of Love by arsenicandsunshine Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 2653 Summary: Tall. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Shimmers in the sun. Is an utter prat. How could anyone not fall in love with Arthur Pendragon? Don't fall in love with destiny. Merlin has given up any hope of those deepest secrets of his ever coming to light and resigned himself to being happy because Arthur was happy. With someone else. Arthur may just surprise him once again. Or. In sorting through his feelings after banishing Gwen, Arthur realizes there's another person he's been stifling his emotions for.

Dead Ends and New Beginnings by Caledonia Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1827 Summary: On a beautiful, sunny autumn day Merlin agrees to accompany his friends to a corn maze, not telling any of them that he's just a little bit claustrophobic. He ends up in a dead-end of the maze with only Arthur where Arthur tries to calm him and comfort him by sharing a fear of his own.

Lavender by Excaliburstark Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1373 Summary: Merlin likes to please his king and Arthur likes his baths. 

✧･ﾟ: * ❄️ WINTER ❄️ *:･ﾟ✧

Well I Won’t Be Your Winter by Caledonia Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1582 Summary: Stranded in a cave during a winter blizzard, Merlin must use magic to light the fire. He knows this will be a death sentence for himself, but hopefully, Arthur will be saved. But first, Merlin will fulfil the promise he had made himself."I am going to do something now that will make you want to kill me, and then I am going to do something that will make it easier."

Even The Weariest River by Caledonia Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1306 Summary: Arthur is offered many things in life that he does not want, and the one thing he does want he believes he is utterly unworthy of.(I'm sorry- this one is quite angsty-read the tags, please <3)

Blame it on the Mistletoe by Caledonia Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 792 Summary: Merlin works for Arthur which means he's out of bounds. Except maybe it's time to change that...Or, why you should never invite your sister as your date to the office Christmas Party.

popcorn & prats by cominupforair Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 3434 Summary: In which Merlin really wants to spend NYE on his own, but Arthur is a prat.

Kiss Him! by tehfanglyfish Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1291 Summary: After being abducted by an infuriating dragon, Arthur finds Merlin unresponsive, suffering ill-effects from a sorcerer's attack. According to the dragon, there's only way for Arthur to save him.

One Thing To Make You Mine by FervidAsAFlame Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 9907 Summary: When Arthur asks for Merlin’s help with asking someone out for Valentine’s Day, Merlin does his best to give his friend excellent advice -- even if he’d rather it was him Arthur was asking out. Unsurprisingly, Arthur seems up to the task of pulling this mystery man, but Merlin can’t help but wonder – who could he be? And why does Arthur keep testing all his methods on Merlin first?

Untitled by Kawaroki [ART] Rating: Not Rated Summary: merthur kissfest: winter ❄

Superstitious Love Confessions by CallMeHopeless and MaryLuis [FIC+ART] Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 2821 Summary: Arthur is gifted a plant. It is not mistletoe. So what is he doing holding it over his head?

No Scorching Sun Nor Freezing Coly (Or Interrupting Owls and Knights) by AeonTheDimentionalGirl Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 3620 Summary: It’s moments like these, in which they’re not master and servant or king and (secret) warlock, just Arthur and Merlin, that Merlin most treasures.

A Better Fate than Wisdom: About Truth by Leandra Rating: E Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 10117 Summary: “Was everything else a lie, too?” he asked darkly, hating the desperation in his tone, thinking of the friendship he valued so much, of Merlin laughing at his jokes, of fighting side by side and how it had given him strength again and again, knowing that Merlin would always be there, would always choose to stand with him, no matter what. Of Merlin’s soft sob of pleasure, gasped into his mouth as his fingers clawed the small of his back. *-* Arthur finds out that Merlin has magic. Conclusion of the series.

It was all yellow/they shine for you by Excaliburstark Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 956 Summary: The apple bowl scene with a twist

Next Year Then, Stranger by Mischel Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 1658 Summary: When Merlin tells Arthur the news that he'll be moving from Ealdor to Camelot, Arthur can't contain his delight and kisses Merlin right there, in the snowy meadow. This is the story of Merlin and Arthur who had known each other for years but could only ever meet once a year in the winter. This is the moment that changes their lives forever.

The Shape of My Beautiful Lies by Caledonia Rating: M Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 2451 Summary: Merlin’s fingertips were thieves. They mapped the surface of Arthur’s body in fleeting, casual touches, and they stole. Merlin was not allowed to touch his king, not in the ways that he wanted; so when he went about his duties he made every contact an unrequited crime.

Paper Planes by Excaliburstark Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 585 Summary: Merlin is leaving on a flight to Venezuela where he'll live with his dad for a while.

Always Break My Fall by arsenicandsunshine Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 2459 Summary: Merlin may be a police constable, but that doesn't mean he can ice skate. A fact he's been hiding from his best mate who just insisted on dragging him ice skating. His best mate who also made it clear he doesn't feel the same way about Merlin as Merlin does about him. How the hell did he let Arthur drag him ice skating, of all things? Oh right, Merlin has no willpower where a certain blonde prat is concerned. This is going to end well.

We are Nowhere and It’s Now by theskyisgay Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 4462 Summary: The waiting, and what comes after.

The Future Queen Commands by tehfanglyfish Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 3026 Summary: The outbreak of a midwinter fever leaves the castle short staffed and Arthur in the uncomfortable position of looking after four small children. Who knew that children had so much energy? Or that they asked so many nosy questions? And were quite skilled at getting answers? By no means did the king of Camelot expect a little girl to discover a secret he’d been keeping for years, one involving Merlin and feelings, or to put him in a position where he must reveal it.

like a lover (with no shame) by Elizabeth Rating: M Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 2029 Summary: The last bitter freeze of winter finds Arthur and Merlin deep in the forest. Ever gallant, Arthur is willing to go to great lengths to keep his manservant alive and unfrozen. He'll share his cloak, his bedding, and--if he must--even the warmth of his own body. Spring is almost here, but not without one final bedwarming fic for the Merthur Kiss Fest 2019/20. Thanks for Amnesty Week! "Midmorning sun is casting its rays against the tent walls, and Arthur is having his way with his half-sleeping manservant. He slept half the day, and he’s holding Merlin like a lover, with no shame."

What Winter Took Away (love is not enough) by CandiceWright Rating: M Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 4290 Summary: But Arthur is hurt and his words cut through Merlin like a knife. How could they not? Saying that he admires him only to dismiss him in the next breath. And if that's the last time he's going to see his King he wishes he could be remembered as the brave one, the lionheart, not the coward that he appears to be now, that he feels like he is. But it isn't the last time, it can't be. He will see him again even if he has to tear the earth in half to do so. He can and he will.With that thought in mind, he leaves the castle to go to the crystal cave.

Dark Before Dawn by MapleBreeze Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 3227 Summary: During a winter feast, Merlin still longs for a brighter future. But, for the present, all he has is stolen moments with Arthur.

Freoðuweard by Camelittle Rating: G Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 100 Summary: Arthur pays tribute to his friend. Avalon looks on.

✧･ﾟ: * 🌸🔆 ALL SEASONS 🍁❄️ *:･ﾟ✧

The Four Times That It was Forbidden (And the One Time it Wasn’t) by sdewan6 Rating: T+ Chapters: 3/5 Word Count: 3815 Summary: “Bloody Hell, Merlin, I care so much I think I’ll kill myself if you ever leave me. If there's ever a day where I don’t love you, you can stab me in the heart. Surely you do not think that lowly of me, do you? I love-” He had a quiet, unreadable expression his face. “No,” he said softly, cutting him off. “Stop. I’m sorry. I just- I can’t  can’t keep on  doing this.” Four times Merlin and Arthur shared forbidden kisses, and the one time it wasn't forbidden at all.

From Grey Into Golden by witching_wingthorns Rating: T+ Chapters: 1/1 Word Count: 693 Summary:  It starts simple enough with an arrogant prince and a brave peasant  It starts simple with playful banter and the beginnings of a friendship with a challenge and an answer, a fight you should’ve won A poem from Arthur’s perspective, a love letter, really, describing his countless lives with Merlin.

[etymolo-drarry-ig]

Clueless

Draco has been dropping hints. Harry has yet to pick up on any of them.

---Harry’s POV---

In hindsight, the first hint was probably from the end of my third year.

"I have to tell you something," Draco had waved me over after the end-of-year feast. "But not here."

So we walked across the school grounds together, for the last time that school year. "I've been doing some thinking," Draco fidgeted with the cuffs of his shirt. "And I'll understand if you don't want to be friends anymore—"

"Draco, just tell me," I interrupted him, and he took a deep breath.

"I'm gay," he said finally.

"Oh," I replied. I wasn't sure what the correct response was—my only experience thus far was from Seamus and Dean, but even I knew they fancied each other, and I'm oblivious. Neither of them were very subtle, after all.

Draco turned to me. "Do you—do you hate me?"

Now I was confused. "I don't hate Dean or Seamus, do I?" I pointed out. "I mean, sure, seeing them make out every single night does get kind of annoying," I laughed. "No, of course I don't hate you. You're still my best friend.”

Draco smiled gratefully, facing forward again. "I haven't told anyone else," he clenched his jaw.

Draco nodded tightly.

"I'm the first one you've told?" A warmth filled my chest. People didn't usually trust me with their secrets.

"How do—how do wizards feel about—er, gay people?" The words left my mouth rather clumsily.

"It depends, I guess," Draco shrugged, "we mostly don't care, but same-sex marriage is still illegal. I know that father expects me to produce an heir, regardless. I don't think mum will care."

I wrinkled my nose at the word produce, and Draco laughed.

"I think I'll tell mum this summer," he continued, "we're pretty good at keeping secrets from father," he smiled.

"I'm glad you told me," I responded, "thank you for trusting me."

---

The second hint came about halfway through fourth year. Draco had only come out to a few people: his mum, Pansy Parkinson, and me. My perception of gay people was totally flipped on its head when Draco came out—before, I assumed every gay person was just as flamboyant as Dean and Seamus, but Draco was definitely not flamboyant. He'd made me realize that gay people come in all shapes and sizes, too.

Therefore, I wasn't completely bewildered when I started noticing people in a brand new way. I knew something was up when Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang came strolling down the hallway, hand and hand, and I couldn't even tell which of them I was more jealous of.

"I have something to tell you," I approached Draco during lunch, and he scooted over to make room for me at the Slytherin table. None of his housemates batted an eye—I usually sat with Draco a few times a week, although it was usually for study purposes.

He raised an eyebrow when I subtly cast a muffling charm. "Remember what you told me about at the end of last year?" I asked, "the thing you had never told anyone else before?" I added, to make sure Draco understood.

He nodded cautiously. "What are you getting at?"

I swallowed. "Me too, I think. Well, kind of. I mean, I like girls, but—well, I'm like you, too."

"Really?" Draco seemed to perk up a little bit. "So you're bi? Or pan?"

I nodded. "I guess so."

“Well,” he cleared his throat and sat up straight. "In that case, would you—um," his face flushed.

I tilted my head to the side, wondering why he was so flustered.

"Well, since we're both, you know," Draco continued, "maybe you would want to experiment?"

"Oh," I blinked. I hadn't really thought of actually being with anyone. Okay, I may have considered what dating Cho or Cedric would be like—but I hadn't taken it seriously . "I—I don't know," I admitted, "I don't know if I'm—what's the word?" I scratched my head, trying to remember the phrase Hermione had used. "Emotionally stable, I think? I don't think I could with anyone right now."

It was the truth, after all. Even if Cho or Cedric approached me, I don't think I'd be ready to be in a relationship.

"Oh," Draco returned to his mashed potatoes. "I just thought I'd ask. Hey," he nudged me with his elbow. "Now we can check out guys together, huh?"

I laughed and lowered my voice. "Have you seen Cedric Diggory? Merlin."

Draco laughed. "I'm more of a Victor Krum kind of guy, myself."

I chuckled. "Too bad for you, he's completely smitten with Hermione."

---

The next hint came at the end of fourth year. It was the last week before term ended, and for the first time in my life, I was excited for the summer. For the first time, I wasn't returning to the Dursley’s over the summer.

You see, fourth year had been kind of crazy for me. Aside from the Triwizard Tournament, (which Cedric won, of course, because he's amazing) I found out that I had a godfather—the reason no one bothered to tell me was because he was in prison.

Now that I was fourteen, I was allowed full access to my parents' Gringotts vault. I'd always thought there was something fishy about my parents' death—not the Voldemort part, but the fact that the only thing left of Peter Pettigrew was a finger. I mean, come on , there was a fully intact finger, but no bone fragments from the rest of the body?

So with the help of Ron, Hermione, and Draco, we tracked down my parents' will and discovered that not only had they changed Secret Keepers, but Peter Pettigrew was an unregistered animagus. A rat animagus.

And Ron's pet rat was missing a finger.

All it took was a quick trip to McGonagall's classroom to force Scabbers into his human form, and then… well, I didn't get very involved in the politics, but long story short, Sirius Black was a free man.

And I would be staying with him this summer.

Even better, in my opinion, was that Remus Lupin, another friend of my parents, would be staying with us, too. He and Sirius had started dating during school, apparently, and even thirteen years of Azkaban wasn't enough to drive them apart.

I was finally going to live with my family.

The Sunday before the end of term, Draco appeared at the Gryffindor table during breakfast. " Potter," he tapped me on the shoulder impatiently, and I turned to look at him. "Have you seen the Prophet?" He asked.

I shook my head. I never read the Prophet anymore—I had gotten tired of reading the rumors about me and my friends.

Draco shoved aside my plate to make room for his. "Well, you should read it."

I looked over to Hermione, who helpfully handed over her copy without a word. "Where should I be looking?" I asked.

"Page two, column three," Draco answered.

"Holy shit," I gasped, reading the headline. "’Same-sex marriage legalized in Wizarding Britain.' Hermione, Ron, look at this," I grinned.

I still remember the date. June 26th, 1991.

Even though most of them were straight, we were still crying by the end of breakfast. Seamus and Dean vanished for a celebratory makeout session, and Draco pulled me aside when I was done eating.

"This is fantastic," I told him, "Sirius and Remus can get married now, if they want."

"It's brilliant," Draco agreed. "Listen, since today's a special day and all, I thought I'd ask—" he paused, fidgeting with one of his rings.

I raised an eyebrow. "Ask me what?"

"Um, well, would you want to maybe be my boyfriend?"

My eyes widened. "Oh, I, um—" I stuttered. It didn't seem like a serious inquiry—he was only asking because of the legalization, right? "I don't—I don't  think I can handle that sort of thing right now," I confessed.

"Okay," Draco said easily, "you have a lot going on, after all. I just figured I'd ask." Then he left, leaving me alone and confused.

It was just a friendly question, right? Obviously he didn't actually like me—it was just a thing of convenience. He likes guys, I like guys, we're friends, so it was convenient.

Maybe if I'd felt more comfortable with the idea of dating someone, I would've said yes. He was my best friend, after all, and a great person. And he was quite attractive—not that I'd ever tell him that.

I sighed, putting the situation out of my mind for the time being. I wanted to write a letter to Sirius and Remus, after all.

---

Every year on Valentine’s Day, the professors collect valentines and distribute them to their intended recipients—thankfully, after the Lockhart incident in second year, the valentines no longer sang. Originally, valentines were sent like normal mail, but the horrifying number of valentines sent to me during first year had created an owl-jam, so the professors had to come up with an alternative.

For reasons you can probably guess, I'm not a fan of Valentine’s Day. I still read all the messages, though, but that's mostly because Fred and George always make sure to send me dozens of valentines, each one being more elaborate than the last.

During my fifth year, there was something a little different—one of the notes wasn't signed with a name. The valentines I got were never anonymous, so to have one signed "your secret admirer" was odd.

Dear Harry,

I apologize for adding to the torrent of messages sent to you this year, but I have something to get off my chest. I don't think you'll ever consider me as more than a friend, but I have a huge crush on you. Happy Valentine's Day.

-Your secret admirer

Something was bothering me about the handwriting, too. It looked oddly familiar.

"You okay, Harry?" Hermione watched me frown at the note in my hand.

"Yeah," I said, "I just don't know who this is from," I handed her the slip of parchment, and she shrugged.

"It says that you're friends, right?" She tilted her head. "Maybe that's a hint."

After breakfast was over, and I had vanished most of the valentines, I brought the note over to Draco. "Do you recognize this handwriting?" I asked, "I don't know who sent it."

"Probably because they didn't put their name," Draco said sarcastically, staring at the note in my hand. "Do you—do you recognize the handwriting?"

I studied the curvy script. "It could maybe be a girl's handwriting," I suggested

"It's not that feminine," Draco replied, "besides, you wouldn't know decent handwriting if it slapped you in the face."

"Oh, shut up."

---

Two weeks later, I still hadn't figured out who'd sent me the note. "Maybe you should see if the handwriting matches one of your friends," Draco suggested.

Hermione nodded. "Maybe you can check old notes you've passed in class."

"Merlin, are we still talking about this?" Ron rolled his eyes, "rook to D-8," he added, and the chess board adjusted accordingly.

"I think it's cute," Hermione mused, "you're invested."

"I'm not cute, 'Mione," I grumbled.

"Oh, but your secret admirer begs to differ," Draco teased.

"Bugger off, Malfoy," I grumbled, but I was grinning.

---

Draco sat against the tree trunk, the sunlight causing his hair to glow. "Have you still not figured it out?" For some reason, Draco was exasperated. "You compared handwritings and everything?"

I nodded. "I did everything you guys suggested." I laid back on the ground. I honestly didn't care who it was at this point, because the sender definitely wasn't who I hoped it was.

Yeah, that's right. Draco had asked me out last year, and it seemed to have gone to my head, because now I fancied him. Which sucked, because there was no way he liked me back—we were just friends.

"You're an idiot, Harry."

"Tell me something I don't know," I responded, avoiding his gaze. I was not going to blush, I wasn't, I—

"Look at me, Harry."

I blushed.

"Do you want to know who it is?" Draco raised his eyebrows, and I nodded quickly. "It's me."

"I—" what? "You? But that means—you have a crush on me? Wait, but— really?"

Draco waited for me to finish spluttering. "I've fancied you since third year," he deadpanned.

I sat up quickly. "Oh," I said. Think fast. "Er—then," I scratched the back of my neck, "do you want to watch the quidditch match with me this weekend?"

He frowned. "We're already going to watch toget— oh, you mean as a date?" I nodded quickly, and he rolled his eyes. "You know, if the roles were reversed," he gestured between us, "you would not have picked up on that."

I buried my face into my hands. "Oh, shut up."

---

The quidditch match was Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff, which meant my loyalty was divided on account of the two seekers, Cho and Cedric.

"Who do you think will catch the snitch?" I asked Draco.

"Cedric, definitely," he scoffed, "he has the better broom."

"Cho makes sharper turns, though," I pointed out.

"Technique can only get you so far."

I narrowed my eyes. "Is that a challenge?"

Draco tilted his head. "Perhaps."

I huffed. "Fine. Seeker's game later?"

"You're on."

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Ron and Hermione waving frantically to Draco from a few rows away. When I turned, though, they abruptly stopped. "What was that?" I asked him.

"Nothing," he said quickly, "I don't know."

I eyed him. "It's nothing, or you don't know?"

"I don't know," he repeated.

I sighed and turned back to the game, but Ron started waving again. "What are you doing?" I called to him, but he only shrugged, as if to say I don't know what you're talking about.

"Seriously, what's going on?" I asked Draco, who laughed at me.

"Why, what are you thinking?"

"I don't know, because you won't tell me, " I sighed in exasperation and turned back to the game, just in time for Cho to spot the snitch

She dove for it, and Cedric followed close behind. The snitch made a sharp turn, though, and Cedric wasn't able to change direction fast enough. "Told you," I elbowed Draco, who nudged me back.

"Told you," he replied as Cedric quickly gained on Cho until they were neck-and-neck. I grabbed his hand in anticipation as they got closer… and closer… and Cedric reached forward and snatched the snitch out of the air.

"YES!" we jumped from our seats, cheering loudly. Hufflepuff won, 220 to 80 points.

"I told you," Draco gloated, and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," I couldn't stop grinning, but it didn't have to do with who caught the snitch. My stomach fluttered—I was holding his hand.

The pitch emptied quickly, with Ron and Hermione helpfully leaving us behind. We grabbed our brooms and headed for the center of the field, not bothering to change into quidditch robes.

"Er, listen, Harry—" Draco said before I could release the snitch.

"Yeah?"

He rubbed the back of his neck. "I just wanted to say sorry, for, um—"

I furrowed my brow. "For what?"

"I dunno, for being too forward?" His eyes darted around the pitch.

"What? You didn't even do anything—" unfortunately.

"I feel like I did, though," he ran his fingers through his hair, and my heart fluttered. "What?" He watched me bite my lip.

"I—I have butterflies," I answered shyly.

"Well, you shouldn't have eaten so many butterflies, then," he replied cheekily, and I shoved his shoulder, laughing. "Why do you have butterflies?"

My face reddened. "Because I—because I fancy you," I answered, and his eyes widened.

"You do? But I thought—"

"I mean, you asked me out in June, and I know you meant it as a friend thing," I said, "but I guess it went to my head, because now—"

"Hold on," Draco interrupted me, "who in their right mind asks someone out as a friend?"

I paused. "You?"

He bit his lip. "You really are an idiot," he said softly.

I was silent for a moment, staring at his lips. "Can I—um," I heard myself say, "can I kiss you?"

Draco didn't answer; instead, he pulled me towards him, swiftly planting a kiss on my lips.

My brain seemed to short circuit, but at some point, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, standing on my tip-toes to easily reach him. We stayed like that for Merlin-knows-how-long, standing in the middle of the quidditch pitch with our arms wrapped around each other.

We never did play that seeker's game.

(wattpad) (ao3)

[xx-thedarklord-xx]

Thine Enemy is Sweet (Part 4)

Part One, Part Two, Part Three

“I know I didn’t hear that right,” Dean said, finger raised eyebrows arched. “What is going on?”

“I’d like the answer to that too.”

Harry shifted Malfoy so that he blocked the line of sight to Ron. Brave didn’t mean cowardness was always absent.

“Why did you call us here, Harry, if you were only going to snog?” Seamus asked, nose wrinkled.

“I didn’t,” he frowned as Malfoy lowered his mouth to his neck, and oh that was new. “Stop that,” he hissed when the light press of lips turned into a rough bite.

“You didn’t call us?” Neville crossed his arms. “It wasn’t your patronus we saw? It wasn’t your voice in the message?”

“What?”

The bites turned into a smile, and Harry could feel it against his skin.

“What did you do?” Harry tried to be quiet, but the room was so still, he was sure the whisper carried.

Malfoy raised his head, eyes downcast but there was a mischievous smirk on his face that only Harry could see.

“I don’t know what you are talking about. I promised you months ago that I’d quit.”

“What?” Harry breathed, confusion coupling with desperation when Malfoy’s eyes widened, and his mouth pursed into a pout. The expression overall looked innocent and even beseeching. Something that looked horrendously out of place on him.

“You know,” Malfoy whispered, eyelashes fluttering, and the shy act was so real it almost convinced him. “Seducing people.”

That sure carried. A half-choke, half-cough escaped Ron, and Neville had to hit him on the back.

“He’s taking the piss,” Harry rushed to emphasize but when Malfoy looked over his shoulder and winked at Ron, the explanation fell flat.

“I’m married!” Ron held up his hands as he inched closer to the fireplace.

“I’m not,” Seamus mumbled, eyes on Malfoy’s arse that was still perched on Harry’s lap. Neville reached over Dean to smack him on the back of the head.

“Oi!” Harry said, offence taking root as Seamus glared at Neville. Malfoy was his fake boyfriend.

“So, you didn’t send us the patronus?” Dean asked and the suspicion in his voice was palpable. “Because it was pretty convincing.”

Harry shook his head. “Wasn’t me.”

The innocent expression on Malfoy’s face faded as Ron asked, “Isn’t it illegal to tamper with a patronus?”

“It’s illegal to tamper with other people’s patronus. The law says nothing about your own.” The narrowed eyes and bored drawl came back full force. Ah, that was the Malfoy he knew.

“Your patronus is a stag?”

“What?” Harry tried to sit up straighter, but Malfoy wouldn’t budge. “Your patronus is a what now?”

“Oh, you should be so lucky, Potter,” Malfoy repeated Harry’s words. “My patronus is not a stag. I camouflaged it.”

“That’s illegal,” Neville pointed a finger at Malfoy.

“Oh, you think so?” Malfoy shrugged. “Go ahead, report me, let’s see how well that holds up in court.”

“What really is your patronus?” Ron asked as he continued to step closer to the fireplace.

“You’ll never know, Weasley.”

Ron narrowed his eyes before he looked between them. “How did you get his voice?”

A harsh scoff could be heard before Malfoy snorted. “Like I’m going to tell you.”

“I think that’s illegal too,” mumbled Neville.

“And what are you going to do about it? Hm? I’m listening.” Malfoy removed a hand from Harry’s neck to examine it right as his fingertips lit up with wandless magic. It was threatening and Harry didn’t blame Neville when he stepped behind Seamus.

“Play nice,” Harry nudged Malfoy.

“If it was you and not Harry,” Ron frowned. “Then why did you want us here?”

“Ah!” Malfoy clapped his hands once as he turned around on Harry’s lap, back to chest, and faced Ron directly. “Potter needs a favour.”

“Harry does?” Seamus arched a brow. “Sounds like it’s you, mate, that needs it.”

“Tell them, Potter.” A jab to his chest with Malfoy’s elbow had Harry wincing.

“We both—” another jab. “Ow, you absolute—ow.” Several more jabs and Harry had it. He started to poke Malfoy hard.

“Poke me one more time and see what I do to your hand.”

“You started it!”

“What are you eleven?”

“Seems like it! I’m having a flashback to Hogwarts with your maturity level.”

“Oh, you did not,” Malfoy growled as he started to use both elbows.

“Should we intervene?” Neville asked. “They might kill each other.”

“Nah,” Dean argued. “I want to see who survives.”

“Potter, I swear on Merlin that you better—”

Harry grabbed Malfoy’s biceps and held them back. “Hm? I better do what? Not so tough now.”

The room grew colder as an electric hum sounded before Malfoy’s skin went up in temperature so hot that Harry had to release him.

“Ow! What the fuck?”

“Teach you not to touch me.”

“Is this foreplay?” Seamus shouted to be heard as Harry tried to poke Malfoy again.

Harry froze, finger already raised to attack. Unfortunately, Malfoy used that to his advantage and elbowed him again.

“Because if it is,” Seamus continued pointedly when Malfoy let out huff. “They can leave, and I can watch.”

“Can you not?” Neville asked. “This is a serious matter.”

“Is it though?” Seamus countered, head tilted, and eyes squinted. “I’m still not even sure this is real. Seems like a hallucination to me.”

“How much of my plants did you steal?” demanded Neville. “That shit is not supposed to be inhaled. Ron tell him.”

“You’re a moron, Seamus.”

“Thank you, Ron,” Neville sniffled as he turned purposefully away from Seamus.

“Can we get back to the point?” Harry cleared his throat and held his hands up ready to block anything Malfoy could attempt.

“As I was saying,” Malfoy huffed. “Potter needs a favour. Isn’t that right?”

Harry rolled his eyes. It was easier to let Malfoy get his way than to argue.

“Okay,” he took a deep breath. There were several ways he could have gone about it. He could have asked nicely, laid it all out with a calm nature or even eased them into it. But tact had never been Harry’s specialty.

“I need you to help me steal a ring from next week’s Sacred 28 party.”

Silence. Complete and utter silence before—

“Are you taking the mickey?”

“What!”

“Have you gone mad?”

“Hell no, I’m still on probation from when I got caught with the leaves of that venomous plant of Neville’s.”

“Seamus,” Neville sighed. “This is why you are banned from my greenhouses.”

Ron’s hands rose only for them to shake as he shook his head. “Are you really, well, you?”

“Ron—”

“Because out of nowhere Malfoy shows up claiming to be your boyfriend. We get duped into coming here where he says is your home, which I still haven’t gotten an explanation for, and now you want us to steal for Malfoy?”

“Believe me, Weasley, it’s not for me. This was all Potter’s idea.”

Ron slumped against the fireplace as his hands fell limply to his side.

“Hey!” Harry argued. “It was your idea to steal it, not mine.”

“Only because you thought you could talk your way out of there with it.”

“I still think I can.”

“That’s because you’re naïve.”

“I’ll have you know—”

“Shut up!” Ron yelled as he pinched the bridge of his nose. “There is only so much I can handle of the two of you together.”

“That’s—”

“I said shut up, Malfoy.”

Surprisingly, Malfoy said nothing. Harry was almost jealous. What kind of secret powers did Ron have for Malfoy to close his damn mouth?

“Harry,” Ron exhaled, eyes concerned in a way that had him guilty. “What’s going on?”

“Have you talked to Ginny at all?” Harry tried not to rub the back of his neck; he knew he was nervous, but he didn’t want Ron to know that.

“Not since I accidentally insulted her biscuits at the last family dinner. How was I to know they were supposed to taste sour? Bloody nasty if you ask me.”

“Then have you read the papers recently?”

“Why would I read the Prophet? Waste of money. It’s always been tra—”

“Bloody hell,” Malfoy snarled. “Nott is getting married.”

“Whoa.”

“Nott as in Theodore Nott?”

“What other Nott’s do you know, Dean?” Seamus snorted.

“Well, excuse me. A little clarification never hurt anyone.”

“Wait,” Neville’s forehead wrinkled. “You both dated him.”

“Oh ew,” Ron’s mouth twisted. “Imagine sharing an ex with—”

Malfoy raised his hands, magic extending from both all digits. “You want to finish that sentence, Weasley? I’ve got the time.”

“So, it’s what petty revenge?” Ron asked as he scooted closer to Neville. “You want to steal from Nott because he hurt you?”

The tips of Malfoy’s fingers flared brighter before the magic dispersed.

“He proposed to Greengrass with the ring I bought him,” Harry whispered, hands unconsciously falling to Malfoy’s hips.

“What a fucking prick.”

“Screw probation, I’m in.”

“Seamus, that’s a bad idea.”

“Quit worrying, Neville.”

“Have you met me? That’s all I ever do. I don’t think we should do it.”

Ron stepped away from the fireplace and walked forward. “You really want to do this? You want to barge into a room full of snotty, uptight, bigoted, pretentious, ostentatious and vile purebloods?”

Malfoy bristled but said nothing.

“I want that ring back,” Harry’s hands tightened around Malfoy’s hips. “I owe it to myself. This is for me.”

“And what about you?” Ron asked Malfoy, arms folded and foot tapping against the ground. “What do get out of it?”

“My business is my own.” Harry dug his nails into Malfoy when Ron narrowed his eyes. “And to help out my boyfriend.”

‘Boyfriend,’ Ron mouthed. “Never thought you two dating would be the least insane thing I’ve heard today.”

Harry liked to think that Ron bought their relationship, but he knew him, knew that there would be more questions.

“No, Seamus,” Neville’s voice carried over. “I don’t see what good it will do. It’s dangerous and stupid.”

“Come on—”

“I think we should do it,” Ron said, eyes still on Harry and Malfoy.

“What?” Neville asked, hands pulling at his hair.

“It’s for Harry after all.”

Silence was the only answer. Harry looked at Neville and couldn’t help but smile at the pinched expression and slight purse of his lips.

“Alright,” Neville shook his head. “I think it’s idiotic, and makes no sense, but alright.”

“Oh, so you’ll listen to Ron but not me?”

“Ron doesn’t smoke dangerous plants.”

“I knew you’d say that, it’s all you ever say.”

“That’s because it’s the truth, you could try it sometime.”

When Malfoy snorted, a flash of uncertainty passed across Neville’s face and that made Harry snort.

“So, we’re doing this?” Seamus asked, hand on his hip and a far too pleased grin on his face. “Wait, Dean, you haven’t—”

“Now you remember I’m here.”

Dean’s eyes were on the ground and his brows were pinched. “Have you all forgotten that I’m a Muggleborn?”

A hollow laugh left Dean as he looked up at the ceiling. “I can’t forget, must be nice.”

“Dean—”

“You’re all worried about what’ll happen if you get caught but conveniently forget the dangers that I would face. Three purebloods and two half-bloods. You’ll be fine. It’s people just like me they don’t like. People like me who are still facing discrimination. But you want me to go in there anyway?”

“I’ll protect you,” said Malfoy, and Harry sucked in a sharp breath.

“Full offence,” Dean laughed a touch wet, “but where were you when I was hunted and on the run? Where were you when I was in your bloody cellar? Where were you when every other Muggleborn like me were so hated that they, in turn, hated themselves for just being who they are? Where were you when people were harmed at the hands of your father?”

Harry tried to wandlessly summon his wand just in case things went sour, but he stilled when Malfoy whispered, “You’re right.”

“I did nothing to help Muggleborns, I did nothing to help you or anyone else. I did nothing,” Malfoy’s fists clenched, and Harry wished he could see his face.

“Doing nothing helped me survive. I could have spoken up when Muggleborns were attacked, I could have spoken up when you were in the cellar. I could have spoken up, said something, done something. But tell me, Thomas, where would that have gotten me?”

Dean frowned and it was clear he didn’t understand.

“If I had spoken up and burned the only bridge I’ve ever known, turned my back on the only people and family—however shitty they are—that I’ve ever known, who was to take me in? Who was going to help a 16-year-old branded Death Eater?”

Malfoy lifted his left arm and Harry had to look over his shoulder to be able to see the faded but easily identifiable Dark Mark.

“You think I didn’t know when I got this what a colossal mistake it was? You think I didn’t know I had chosen the wrong side? You think I didn’t know that it would follow me for the rest of my life? Of course I did! But I had to survive, Thomas. I had to make it out of there and joining was the only option I had.”

“You could have switched sides.”

“Tell me honestly if any of you would have had my back in a fight?” Several of them looked away and it had Harry curious. What would he have done?

“You think joining the very people who can’t stand me was appealing? The very people who hated what my family stood for? You think at any point I would have been safe under Dumbledore’s rule? It’s so easy for the righteous to judge what they’ve never been through. Fighting when you’ve been on the right side your whole life is easy. But fighting when all you’ve known is wrong, is hard and it wasn’t something I could do. Not when I had a hell of a lot more to lose by leaving.”

“That doesn’t make it okay,” Dean argued. “It doesn’t make it right.”

“No,” Malfoy agreed. “It doesn’t. But it does show that not everything is split between right and wrong. There was a middle ground and I just wanted to live to see another day. I wanted to protect my mother, so I did whatever I could, and unfortunately, that meant servitude to a madman.”

“I don’t like it.”

“And that’s okay,” Malfoy said. “I don’t expect we’ll be friends. I’ve never been nice to you and I certainly am not someone you’d like to be around.”

When Dean shrugged, Malfoy leaned forward. “But I want you to know that I would protect you. I know what those people are like. Not in the same way you do, never at the hands of their cruelty, but I know them. I know how they work, and I promise you, you’d be safe.”

“Dean,” Harry shifted Malfoy the best he could as he sat up a tiny bit straighter. “You don’t have to do this. We can do it without you or find someone else.”

Dean scoffed, a small sad smile lifting the corners of his mouth. “Like who? Hermione?”

“Hell no,” Ron said, brows angrily merged and frown pulling downward. “Maybe Ginny? She’d be safe.”

“I’ll do it,” Dean closed his eyes. “I swear to God, Malfoy, you better be right.”

“I am.” Malfoy leaned back, head resting on Harry’s shoulder.

“Erm,” Neville lifted a finger. “How exactly do you plan on getting Dean into a party filled with the Sacred 28?”

“I have a plan.”

Harry waited for Malfoy to elaborate but when he didn’t, he frowned.

“I can’t believe we are putting our livelihood in the hands of Malfoy,” Seamus said as he took a swig from his flask. Harry would toast to that. He wanted to reassure everyone that it would all be okay, but he didn’t exactly trust Malfoy either.

Malfoy turned his head into Harry’s neck, and he could feel another smile. Was that something he did to hide the fact that he could smile?

Ron looked around the room with a big exhale. “We’re fucked, aren’t we?”

There was another grin pressed into Harry’s neck, and Harry couldn’t help but return Ron’s sentiment in his head.

Yeah, they were fucked.

-TBC-

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Hello! I had a lot of fun with this update. Omg. I laughed pretty hard too. I hope you enjoy my humor lmaoo. The stunning @snortinglaughter beta’d this for me. Adore her. Send her some love. 

I’ll try and tag people within the next couple of hours. Thank you