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twoidiotwriters1 · 4 years ago

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Written In The Stars CXXI (Harry Potter xF!Oc)

A/N: The second half of the book starts here! If you’re scared, that’s great you should be -Danny

Words: 4,070

Series’ Masterlist

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Listen to: ‘Every Time You Walk Away’ -by D.A. Wallach

Chapter Nineteen: Waiting.

"What do you mean you felt it?" Ron asked her as they made their way to the Headmaster's office.

"It's a long story. I don't even know if I'm allowed to talk about it..."

"You bolted into the room and knew exactly what was happening to Harry, how?" He frowned.

"Can we talk about this later?" She retorted hastily. "I promise I'll tell you everything but please, don't push it, my head is pounding..."

Once inside the office, she heard her uncle's voice coming from the desk.

"Oh, it's you, Professor McGonagall... and... ah."

Mel was surprised to see he was wide awake.

"Professor Dumbledore, Potter has had a... well, a nightmare," said Professor McGonagall. "He says..."

"It wasn't a nightmare," said Harry. "Mel felt it too."

"Very well, then, Potter," McGonagall said, "you tell the headmaster about it."

"I... well, I was asleep... But it wasn't an ordinary dream... it was real... I saw it happen... Ron's dad — Mr Weasley — has been attacked by a giant snake."

Dumbledore avoided at all cost to lock eyes with Harry and directed his gaze to her.

"And you saw it too, you say? Like last time?"

Ron looked at her even more intrigued than before, Mel ignored him.

"Not exactly. I woke up but I was in Harry's bed... I was Harry, like last time," She said clumsily. "But I only felt the pain, I didn't saw his dream until I woke up and went to his room."

"How?"

"I... er..." Mel shrunk in her place, not sure if she was allowed to use her powers like that. "I used Legilimancy."

"How did you see this?" Dumbledore asked, and though he wasn't looking at him, it was obvious the question wasn't directed at the girl.

"Well... I don't know," said Harry, and she heard the tone of annoyance in his voice. "Inside my head, I suppose —"

"You misunderstand me. I mean... can you remember — er — where you were positioned as you watched this attack happen? Were you perhaps standing beside the victim, or else looking down on the scene from above?"

Harry and Mel shared a look. Then he looked back at the Headmaster and continued.

"I was the snake. I saw it all from the snake's point of view..."

Ron held onto her arm in a way he'd never done before, she felt him shaking, now almost as sick as Harry.

"Is Arthur seriously injured?" Dumbledore said.

"Yes," said Harry tensely.

Dumbledore stood up abruptly and the three students jumped back, he reached one side of the office in four large steps and talked to one of the portraits.

"Everard? And you too, Dilys! You were listening?"

"Naturally," Nodded the witch.

"The man has red hair and glasses. Everard, you will need to raise the alarm, make sure he is found by the right people —" He turned around and went straight to the perch were Fawkes was sleeping. "Everard and Dilys were two of Hogwarts's most celebrated Heads, their renown is such that both have portraits hanging in other important Wizarding institutions. As they are free to move between their own portraits they can tell us what may be happening elsewhere..."

"But Mr Weasley could be anywhere!" Harry exclaimed.

"Please sit down, all three of you," Dumbledore continued without paying attention. "Everard and Dilys may not be back for several minutes... Professor McGonagall, if you could draw up extra chairs..."

Professor McGonagall obeyed, and Mel forced Ron to sit down and to let go of her arm, it was starting to feel numb. Fawkes woke up with one gentle touch from the Headmaster, the bird tilted his head and stared at him.

"We will need a warning."

Fawkes vanished in a flash of flames. The old man picked up one of the instruments Mel had yet to learn how to use and placed it in front of them, tiny puffs of smoke rose until they formed the shape of a massive snake, Dumbledore stared at it in concentration.

"Naturally, naturally... But in essence divided?" He mumbled to himself.

The figure then split in two, and Dumbledore made the same expression he'd made when he found out about Mel's bursts of energy. She'd seen that enough times to know one of his theories had been confirmed, and he wasn't pleased. Her uncle tapped the instrument, and the snakes vanished.

"Mel," Ron called, his voice growing impatient and anxious. "What's going on?"

Mel hushed him, but tried to be gentle about it, she'd be acting way worse if this were about her mother; the girl reached for his hand and squeezed gently.

"Dumbledore!" Everard appeared in his portrait again.

"What news?" Dumbledore urged him.

"I yelled until someone came running, said I'd heard something moving downstairs — they weren't sure whether to believe me but went down to check — you know there are no portraits down there to watch from. Anyway, they carried him up a few minutes later. He doesn't look good, he's covered in blood, I ran along to Elfrida Cragg's portrait to get a good view as they left —"

Mel hissed at the way Ron's hand tightened around hers, but she didn't pull away.

"Good," Dumbledore nodded, but Mel didn't know how that could be considered something 'good'. "I take it Dilys will have seen him arrive, then —"

"Yes, they've taken him to St. Mungo's, Dumbledore," Gasped the witch as soon as she came back. "They carried him past under my portrait... He looks bad..."

"Thank you," Dumbledore looked at McGonagall. "Minerva, I need you to go and wake the other Weasley children."

"Of course... And Dumbledore — what about Molly?"

"That will be a job for Fawkes when he has finished keeping a lookout for anybody approaching, But she may already know... that excellent clock of hers..."

"Merlin..." The girl pushed a few locks of hair away from her face.

"Mel, come help me for a moment," The man told her from one of the cupboards behind his desk.

She got up immediately.

"What do you need?"

He handed her two books as he spoke.

"When you entered his mind, did you see anyone else standing next to Arthur or the snake?" He whispered.

"No," She replied.

"And when you touched him," He lowered his voice, she could barely hear what he was saying. "Did he feel... like himself?"

"What?"

"Could you perceive any traces of dark magic in him?"

"I..." Mel tried to recall what she felt when touching his skin, but she couldn't remember anything. "No... he felt like Harry. I mean, I could tell he was angry and scared, and worried... but it was him."

"Very well," He gave her one more book before speaking. "I see your Legilimancy lessons are working, those are greats news. I need you to give me your memories of his dream," He handed her a small bottle. "You know how."

"Ron heard me telling McGonagall that I felt Harry's... That I'm linked to Harry. He'll ask questions..."

"I can't stop you from sharing the information, but please be careful with whom you share it. Now please, the memory..."

Mel pulled out her wand from her pocket and touched her temple with the tip, slowly pulling and guiding the silver stream all the way to the tiny bottle. She tapped on it once and a cork appeared at the top, keeping the memory from spilling. At the same time, Dumbledore placed a black kettle in the middle of the desk, he mumbled 'Portus' and it shone blue for a few seconds before going back to its normal battered look.

"Phineas. Phineas." Dumbledore called to the portrait that had scolded her a year prior.

The portrait did not answer until most of the others were yelling at him too.

"Phineas! Phineas! PHINEAS!"

He jumped in his place, pretending to wake up abruptly. "Did someone call?"

"I need you to visit your other portrait again, Phineas. I've got another message."

"Visit my other portrait?" He yawned. "Oh no, Dumbledore, I am too tired tonight..."

"Insubordination, sir!" One of the portraits exclaimed. "Dereliction of duty!"

"We are honour-bound to give service to the present Headmaster of Hogwarts!" Professor Dippet shouted from his place. "Shame on you, Phineas!"

"Shall I persuade him, Dumbledore?"

"Oh, very well," Phineas grumbled, "though he may well have destroyed my picture by now, he's done most of the family —"

"Sirius knows not to destroy your portrait," said Dumbledore. Mel gave a start at the mention of the man. "You are to give him the message that Arthur Weasley has been gravely injured and that his wife, children, my niece and Harry Potter will be arriving at his house shortly. Do you understand?"

"Arthur Weasley, injured, wife and children, niece and Harry Potter coming to stay," Phineas sighed. "Yes, yes... very well..."

The door behind them opened and the rest of the Weasleys walked in ahead of McGonagall.

"What's going on?" Ginny stared at her. "Professor McGonagall says you and Harry saw Dad hurt —"

"Your father has been injured in the course of his work for the Order of the Phoenix," said Dumbledore quickly. "He has been taken to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. I am sending you back to Sirius's house, which is much more convenient for the hospital than the Burrow. You will meet your mother there."

"How're we going?" asked Fred, looking dazzled. "Floo powder?"

"No, Floo powder is not safe at the moment, the Network is being watched. You will be taking a Portkey. We are just waiting for Phineas Nigellus to report back... I wish to be sure that the coast is clear before sending you —"

There was a flash above their heads and Mel jumped, holding onto Ron's side and watching as the feather fell next to them.

"It is Fawkes's warning," said Dumbledore, grabbing the feather. "She must know you're out of your beds... Minerva, go and head her off — tell her any story —"

Professor McGonagall left the office without saying another word.

"He says he'll be delighted," Phineas was finally back. "My great-great-grandson has always had odd taste in houseguests..."

"Come here, then," Dumbledore urged them. "And quickly, before anyone else joins us... You have all used a Portkey before? Good. On the count of three then... one... two..."

A wave of pain crashed against her and she held onto the kettle, pushing it back onto the back of her mind. Even if she were to faint at that moment, it would've been impossible for her to fall. She kept it all in, but she found remarkably hard to push Harry's emotions away this time. They felt abnormally aggressive, his thoughts were almost bestial...

She was once again pushed forward and down by the middle, now with the addition of having to struggle with the impossibility of grounding herself when she was literally floating in space. As soon as she felt something firm under her feet, she was welcomed with the frantic insults of Kreacher.

"Back again, the blood traitor brats, is it true their father's dying..?"

"OUT!" Sirius yelled.

Mel was highly disoriented, she was still on the floor and fighting against the pounding on her head, she could see the dim light of the fireplace on her right, the smell hit her face so abruptly that she doubled and threw up, successfully turning off the only source of light in the room.

She heard her mother speak and moments later the lights were on, she kept her eyes close, her body facing the fireplace.

"Mel!" Her mother approached, placing a hand on her back as Mel struggled to breathe. "Move away from the smoke, darling, you're choking..."

"What's going on?" Sirius said behind her. "Phineas Nigellus said Arthur's been badly injured —"

"Ask Harry," said Fred.

"Yeah, I want to hear this for myself," said George.

"I'm fine," Mel mumbled to the woman, her face still hidden. "Seriously, Mum, stop it..."

"It was —I had a — a kind of — vision..." Harry said clumsily.

Mel half-listened to him as he continued, her eyes landed on the kettle, the first time she'd travelled via Portkey hadn't been so brutal to her, this definitely had to do with Harry. But he was fine... then what the hell was happening?

Emily gave up on trying to help her daughter after Mel pushed her away a third time.

"Is Mum here?" Fred asked.

"She probably doesn't even know what's happened yet. The important thing was to get you away before Umbridge could interfere. I expect Dumbledore's letting Molly know now." Sirius explained.

"We've got to go to St. Mungo's," said Ginny decidedly. "Sirius, can you lend us cloaks or anything — ?"

"Hang on, you can't go tearing off to St. Mungo's!" said Sirius.

"'Course we can go to St. Mungo's if we want," said Fred, "he's our dad!"

"And how are you going to explain how you knew Arthur was attacked before the hospital even let his wife know?"

"What does that matter?" said George hotly.

"It matters because we don't want to draw attention to the fact that Harry is having visions of things that are happening hundreds of miles away! Have you any idea what the Ministry would make of that information?"

"Somebody else could have told us... We could have heard it somewhere other than Harry..." Ginny offered.

Mel cleaned the sweat that was dripping from her upper lip and stood up, still facing the wall so she could give herself time to gain control before facing the others, who were too distracted to notice her behaviour. Her head wasn't hurting as much, but there was a massive pressure on the bridge of her nose making it hard to breathe.

"Listen, your dad's been hurt while on duty for the Order and the circumstances are fishy enough without his children knowing about it seconds after it happened, you could seriously damage the Order's —"

"We don't care about the dumb Order!" shouted Fred.

"It's our dad dying we're talking about!" yelled George.

"Guys..." Her voice came out too weak.

"Your father knew what he was getting into, and he won't thank you for messing things up for the Order! This is how it is — this is why you're not in the Order — you don't understand — there are things worth dying for! You would risk everything to keep your family safe!"

"Sirius!" Emily scolded. "We're not having this conversation again!"

"Again..?" Mel stumbled, her back hitting the wall and causing her to grunt.

"Easy for you to say, stuck here!" Fred continued. "I don't see you risking your neck!"

"STOP!" She shouted abruptly. The room trembled slightly, and she had a strange feeling, that it had happened because of her.

Whatever strength she had it fell apart when everyone turned to look at her and stared with wide and frightened expressions at her face.

"Mel!" Emily gasped, rushing back to her.

"What?" She tried to clean the sweat from her face again and when she lifted her hand to do it, she realized there were bloodstains on her sleeve. "What the..?"

Fred, Emily and Sirius all hurried to her side. Harry stood up, but he didn't move. Emily grabbed her chin and lifted it. Sirius frowned.

"Did you hit something when you landed?"

"No, I–" Her mother walked back to the table, giving enough room to Fred so he could examine her injury. "I mean, not that I remember... I..."

"Your nose is bleeding," Fred told her.

Her eyes found Harry's and something clicked. The pounding on her head was now diminishing, but that was probably the reason her nose was now bleeding, because she'd tried to push it in instead of out, and the tension had been too much.

"I'm not in pain," She said. "I mean it— Fred, stop it!"

The boy let go of her face and searched his pockets. Emily came back holding a wet, cold cloth and placed it under Mel's nose. Sirius guided her to a chair and sat her down.

"George," Fred asked urgently. "You got any Nougat on you?"

"Er..." George searched in his pockets and pulled out a tiny piece. "You're in luck..."

The twin threw it and Fred caught it in midair, he split the two parts and held out the purple one for Mel to take.

"Hold on—" Sirius started, but Mel intervened.

"It'll help..." She grabbed the piece and ate it. The candy was also helping with the headache and she silently sighed in relief.

The sudden moment of shared worry for Mel cause Sirius and Fred to go back to their senses, ending their fight.

"Listen..." Fred tried, this time calmer than before.

"I know it's hard," Sirius said, shaking his head. "But we've all got to act as though we don't know anything yet. We've got to stay put, at least until we hear from your mother, all right?"

"Bad news travel fast anyway," Mel replied calmly, leaving the blood-stained cloth on the table. "The longer it takes to know more about him, the better his chances of survival are..."

"Mel," Emily frowned. "Try and be less cynical, can you?"

"It's okay," Ginny sighed.

Ron sat down slowly, George glared at Sirius but didn't insist. Fred also looked annoyed, but he sat down next to Mel, took the cloth and helped Mel to clean her face. Harry hadn't moved, his eyes were fixed on her, he knew he'd caused her bleeding, but Mel was in no mood to be pitied.

"I'm fine," She repeated, stopping Fred's hand and looking at Harry. "I promise."

Harry blinked as if he'd just realized what he was doing and sank back on his chair.

"That's right," said Sirius, he then looked at Emily. "Come on, let's all... let's all have a drink while we're waiting. Accio Butterbeer!"

"I was going to make tea," Emily argued.

"You're in no state to make tea," Sirius said, and something in his voice sounded strangely anxious. "You've received enough shocking news for one night. You need to rest."

The woman crossed her arms. "What are you playing at, Padfoot?"

Sirius glanced at Mel and her friends, then he cleared his throat and insisted.

"Mily, you know what I mean..."

"Oh, to hell with that," Emily rolled her eyes, walking away from the stove. "Fine, let's drink butterbeer..."

"I don't know if you can–"

"I can drink butterbeer, Sirius!" Emily snapped. "I've done this before all right, I know better than you!"

"Do you?" Sirius scowled. "Because sometimes I still have my doubts about it."

Mel had no idea of what were they talking about. She looked at them and felt there was something going on, but she couldn't tell what. Why was Sirius acting like that with her mother?

Fred left the cloth on the table and stood up, giving everyone a bottle while Emily sat next to her daughter, gently rubbing her back. Mel drank in silence, now that her headache was gone there was now a dull ache on her chest and throat from the vomiting. After forty minutes a third flash appeared in the middle of the table and dropped a new feather with a piece of parchment

"I need to know how he does that..." Mel muttered.

"Fawkes!" Sirius picked up the letter. "That's not Dumbledore's writing — it must be a message from your mother — here —"

George took it and read out loud.

"Dad is still alive. I am setting out for St. Mungo's now. Stay where you are. I will send news as soon as I can. Mum... Still alive..." He said quietly. "But that makes it sound..."

"Let's not jump into conclusions," Emily said quickly. "Let me get you something to eat..."

"I'll do it," said Sirius, standing up abruptly.

Emily let out a scoff and sat down again, Mel got up.

"What's wrong?" Her mother asked. "Are you ill again?"

"No, just need to use the bathroom," Mel said quietly. "I won't take long..."

She reached the main floor and slowly made her way to the restroom. She washed her face and pushed loose strands of hair away from her eyes. She took a deep breath and held onto the edge of the sink. Ten seconds passed until the girl heard soft steps approaching.

"I said I was fine, Mum..."

"I know you're not, though," replied Harry.

She looked up to see his reflection standing at the door frame.

"It was me, wasn't it?"

"That depends," She turned around to face him. "Did you feel a sudden need to attack everyone seconds before we left school?"

Harry looked down in shame.

"I was..." Mel paused in shock. "I thought I was imagining things..."

"I don't know what happened— I just felt... the moment Dumbledore looked at me..."

She remembered what her uncle asked her, something about traces of dark magic in Harry... she wondered if he knew more than he was leading to believe.

"It wasn't your fault," She said. "Not entirely..."

"How come?"

"I have to ground myself so your pain can't get to me... But it was kind of impossible to do while I was flying around, and instead of, dunno, letting it out I just... pushed it inside— I guess that's not the best way to deal with it..."

"You wouldn't need to do those things if it weren't for me," He started, but Mel scoffed and walked past him.

"I'm not in the mood to hear your martyr speech, Harry."

"Is not— I—" He caught up with her, standing in her way. "Why do you insist on acting like it doesn't matter?"

"Because it doesn't matter!" She replied. "You can't do anything about it and I have no choice but to deal with it! Listen, the fact that it's happening to me doesn't mean it can't be the other way around. You felt my panic attack— I'm just lucky..."

"I wouldn't call nosebleeds 'luck'," He said.

"I meant that I'm not in constant danger. I won't die. You could die from one of those visions, we don't know, and do you see me moping about it?"

"No," He frowned. "But if I go you would be safer. If you die..."

"Oh, for fucks sake, Potter," Mel replied angrily. "My death won't be on you, alright? I'm not your responsibility, and you're not mine. We're not obliged to care— if I can do my homework even though I feel the stupid cuts on your hand, so can you. I don't care what my uncle says."

"Yeah, that makes two of us," He responded in the same tone.

After a few awkward seconds, Mel added.

"I feel like I should warn you— They'll ask about... about our lifeline."

"Who?"

"The Weasley bunch."

"It's not exactly a secret, is it?"

"Then why didn't we say anything 'til now? Why not last year, when they asked why I had the same bruises as you?"

"Listen, if you want to tell them I don't care. If you tell them that's the reason why we broke up—"

"You mean the reason why you left me," Mel corrected.

"You can tell them everything," Harry ignored her comment. "They hate me anyway..."

"No one hates you," Mel said tiredly. "Not even me... Wish I could, it would make things easier."

"Tell me about it," He said.

Mel could feel the remnants of their former energy still there, buried deep beneath their frustrations. It was weird to think how years ago Mel could walk up to him and just hug him, or how he would rest his head on her lap and she wouldn't even flinch.

Now everything felt fragile, the wrong step could ruin everything. She didn't feel the same way as before, she couldn't tell what was happening in his mind. It was odd, considering she could now technically see his thoughts if she wanted and even feel his emotions from time to time.

"We should go back," She said after a moment. "Otherwise they'll come to look for us thinking we murdered each other."

"I... yeah, let's go."

Harry turned around without a second glance at her. Not that she was paying attention anyway, it had been months since she'd stopped waiting for him to look back.

Next Chapter —>

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saiilorstars · 5 years ago

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Next Stop Everywhere

Chapter 17: A Goodbye Theory

Fandom: Doctor Who

Pairing: Female OC x 10th Doctor

(Minerva’s face claim: Victoria Camacho)

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Chapter summary: Before Minerva is dropped off, the Doctor takes her to one more place in hopes of convincing her to stay aboard. At the same time, as a last resort, Martha urges Minerva to really think about her feelings for the Doctor, but Minerva is sure that there is NOTHING at all...

// Story Masterlist //

"My, you two look lovely," Yue, our newest friend, admired Martha and I as she backed away from us, "China's best fabric! You're definitely ready for the Lantern Festival."

Martha and I looked at each other, both pleased with our outfits. Martha wore a lavender, short cheongasm with a flower pattern. It reached just above her knees and had a Yeshu Mandarin styled-collar. She wore simple, purple heels so her dress would not be overshadowed. Her hair was tied up with a bejeweled, dark, purple pin on top.

I on the other hand, was a bit more shy with these short dresses. I wore a bright red cheongasm that also reached mere inches above my knees. However, I wore black leggings underneath, thus adding comfort. The cheongasm was also in a Yeshu Mandarin styled-collar and had a black outlines running around the hemlines of the dress and sleeves. I wore comfortable black flats and left my hair down to its natural, long length with only a simple red clip building a little hair bump on top.

"Now, if you want to go outside to see some entertainment, you're more than welcome to," Yue said, leading us towards the doors, "But Mother said you could visit the other rooms of the house to see what you like."

"I heard there was a painting room," Martha said, glancing at me with a smile as we stepped out into the hallway of Yue's house, "I'm sure Minerva would want to visit that."

"I would," I admitted, shrugging, "But I also heard you have a practice room with swords..."

Yue laughed softly, nodding her head, "You heard right. You're more than welcome to check it out and have a practice."

"She's gonna poke someone's eye out," Martha shook her head, "It's best not to."

"I think I will," I strolled ahead of her, "I never handled one of them so it should be fun. Can we squeeze it in before we go outside?"

"I don't think the Doctor's gonna like that," she gave me a sharp look, coming beside me and swinging an arm around my shoulders, "Weapons and him don't exactly mix."

"Yeah well that's what I say about cats and me. Yet I've been summoned to be around them twice. Therefore, I have the right to grab a sword for fun."

"You two are quite strange," Yue chuckled as she caught up again, "But most fun!"

We laughed together as we continued to walk out, going for that practice room that I desperately wanted to see.

~0~

I stood in the center of the room, Martha and Yue to the sides as Yue's brother, Jing, was helping me keep a still grasp of the long, silver sword I held.

"Now, take a deep breath," Jing instructed, moving my arm slightly up, "And just remember, keep the pointy end away from you."

We laughed and I lowered the sword, "Thanks, I'll remember to keep that in mind."

"She's pretty clever," Martha started walking towards us, "I'm sure she can manage remembering that."

"I can too," I re-held the sword, aiming it at her as she approached, "Care for a match, Miss Jones?"

She raised her hands and shook her head, moving around us, "No thanks, Souza. I'm good."

"Alright, no one wants to go against me..." I sighed, pretending to pout, "I guess it's because I'm just that good."

Now that one made everyone laugh, and this time I really did pout. Martha set her hands on my shoulders and turned me for the doors, "The Doctor is outside and is probably wondering where we are. We should go."

I frowned as Jing took my sword, and I looked at Martha, "I'm sure he's found someone to entertain him..." I started frowning, "Yue's sister seemed to be the right entertainer."

She raised an eyebrow, "Is that...bothering you?"

"No, not at all," I muttered, "Why do you ask?"

"You have the look of murder on your face," she pointed, now smirking wide.

"Do not," I turned away from her and headed for the door.

"You're jealous!"

"Martha, I don't have time for this."

"Why is it so hard to admit it?" she crossed her arms, "Just say it, Minerva," she walked closer and spoke in a hushed tone, Yue and Jing putting away the other weapons we had used, "You like the alien, and you're jealous."

I looked at her with a good serious face that would convince her otherwise, "I do not," she sighed, "And I am not jealous. The Doctor can spend time with whatever woman he chooses, even if she's a prune and has nothing going for her except that clearly fake tan and chest."

Martha blinked and started laughing a moment later, "Honestly, if that doesn't spell jealous I don't know what does!"

I rolled my eyes and looked over to Yue and Jing, the pair finally finished and walking towards us, "Who is jealous?" Jing asked, curious.

"No one," I replied at the same time Martha said, "Minerva!"

"Martha!" I turned to her with exasperation.

"Who are you jealous of?" Yue questioned.

"No one," I tried to keep my mouth shut but it seemed like it had a mind of its own, "Certainly not your sister who's probably the biggest flirt I've ever seen! I mean seriously!? She just met the Doctor and she's all," and I started imitating the woman, "Oh Doctor, you're so kind, you're so funny, you're so unique, I've never met anyone like you! I love your clothes! And your hair, it's so...wow!' OH, and let's not forget the excess twirling of her hair and...why are you looking at me like that?" I stared at Jing who now wore that look of murder Martha had talked about earlier.

"Mei is about to be my wife!"

I blinked, "Oh...oops. Jing, I'm so sorry!"

Martha 'coughed' and out came, "Jealous!" I glared at her with real intentions of actually strangling the woman.

"Jing," Yue began, sensing the oncoming tension, "I'm sure Mei was just showing him around. They don't know much of this place...and plus, with the Lantern Festival happening today, there's a lot to show!"

Jing didn't seem so convinced and so he opened the door, nearly flinging it I should say, and rushed out. Martha and I looked back at Yue, she looking with a soft smile.

"Oh Mei, always getting men fighting over her," she shook her head and gestured for us to go out, "I tell you, I think she does it on purpose."

"You don't say? I hadn't noticed," I crossed my arms, rolling my eyes with irritation, "She was practically all over the Doctor..."

"Jealous!" Martha 'coughed' again.

"Do you have a cold or something!?" I demanded.

"Sorry, just a cold," she cleared her throat, smirking again, "Actually, it's more of a phobia, you see. I have a phobia where I can't stand people who can't admit what they're feeling," she shrugged casually, "Common phobia."

"Well get it under control because there's nothing to feel," I snapped and walked out into the hallways.

"Honestly, Minervaaa!" she drew out my name as she and Yue followed behind.

"Stop it!" I ordered, waving her off.

"I have theory a you know."

"Oh, and here we go again!"

"What is the theory?" Yue asked, confused yet still making an effort to catch up.

"There is no theory!" I quickly said but Martha covered my mouth.

"My theory is, Minerva does not wan to admit her feelings because she's scared."

I made a face and pushed her hand down, "I am not afraid!"

"Yeah you are," she scoffed, "Of what the Doctor could say."

"That's not it..." I mumbled, "...at least not all."

"You two are so odd," Yue remarked, "Where are you from, again?"

"I'm from London," Martha answered first, eyeing me with concern at my sudden quietness. Usually when we're on this topic, I'd shout and refuse everything. To answer with something besides 'no' or 'shush' was big,"And she's from America."

"And the Doctor?"

"London," I answered.

"And you two are..."

"NO," I gritted my teeth, glaring at Martha for getting the woman to believe that as well, "Just friends."

"Well then, why are you jealous?"

"Ah! I'm not jealous!" I cried.

"See, they're in that phase where neither wants to admit anything, though I haven't spoken to the Doctor about what he thinks," Martha paused as she considered it.

"Martha, don't you dare!" I warned, pointing a violent finger at her.

"What? I could get the real thoughts from him then tell you!"

"Why is so hard to just LET. THIS. GO?"

"Minerva," she stepped up, very calm and serious, "We're here. In China. That's my case."

And she and Yue walked off, Martha walking in triumph.

I was supposed to go back to London where I would remain indefinitely. But, the Doctor had surprised me with this location; China. It was the day of the Lantern Festival, the ending of the Chinese New Year celebration. I needed to go home, I needed to. But somehow, the Martian persuaded me to stay for this last trip, a goodbye to our permanent traveling trips. And as much as I needed to go back to Earth, I wanted to stay here, I wanted to stay with him and Martha.

Oh, and that was another thing: Martha was going home as well. I wanted to smack myself against the wall for provoking that one. I don't know for what reason, but the Doctor had decided to bring Martha back home as well. As much as I insisted before actually staying in China, he would not go back on his decision.

Martha was going home...and it was all my fault.

Now, we had found ourselves invited to Yue's family's home. The Doctor, Martha and myself were just walking down the streets when we heard a series of crashes coming from a vase shop. The Doctor had rushed inside to see what was going on when he saw Yue's little brother about to be hit with one of the vases. He managed to save the boy, with only a broken ankle as a result. The boy, Liang, then told us where he lived so we took him home, only to be thanked eternally for it and thus invited to spend the festival with them as a thank you.

This trip, just like always, was turning out to be wonderful...and that only made it harder to insist on leaving the TARDIS.

~0~

I entered the courtyard of the Zhao family, where everything was beautifully decorated. There were tables spread out in the center of the courtyard, the food being set around the center. Lanterns were placed on strings and then hung at each corner. They weren't lighted yet as the sun was just starting to set, but I knew they would look beautiful once it was dark.

"Minerva," Liling, Yue's mother, greeted me, my two companions not in sight for the moment, "You look wonderful."

"Thanks," I replied sheepishly, looking down at myself.

"The food is ready for whenever you and your friends would like to eat," she gestured back to the tables.

"Thank you, but...I'm sorry, but I heard there was a paint room..." I bit my lip, feeling even more shy than before.

"Ah yes, the Doctor informed me you draw," Liling nodded, "Says your wonderful."

"Did he now..." I smiled a little, then caught myself and shook my head, "...well, I was wondering if I could maybe take a look around?"

"Go right ahead. I think there's even a few empty canvases around and paper if you'd like to draw or paint something."

"Wow, really?"

"Of course!"

"Thank you," I hugged her.

She chuckled, "It's nothing."

I pulled back just as I heard Jing's voice nearing us. I looked back and saw him walking out, his hand on Mei's arm and practically pulling her out with him, "And from now on you are going to be staying with me!" he was angrily saying, "You are unbelievable!"

Liling blinked as the young couple passed by us, going after them, "Mei? What's wrong?"

I just smirked, watching after the woman with so much satisfaction...

"Careful there," Martha whispered behind, "Your jealousy is showing."

I turned around, mouth open to respond when we heard the Doctor's low mumbling as he walked out, his hand rubbing his neck.

"You alright, there?" Martha asked, moving beside me.

"Can someone just explain to me why a random man just punched my neck?" he looked past us, probably where Jing and Mei were.

"Maybe because the woman you were flirting with is engaged?" I crossed my arms, sounding cross but in reality I was more concerned with the red mark his neck bore.

"What? I was not flirting!"

"Uh, really? Because that's not what I saw!"

"We were having a good conversation, nothing more," he shrugged, making a face as he continued to rub his neck.

"You really know how to get yourself into trouble, don't you?" Martha shook her head.

"I didn't do anything! Mei came up and started talking to me so naturally, I did the same."

"And she flirted," I stepped up and pulled his hand down, "But you're so oblivious you didn't even notice it or you just liked it and flirted back," I yanked him down to check his neck.

"Ow, that hurt!" he pouted, "And I did not flirt back, honest."

"Hm..."

"Jealousy," Martha coughed once more.

"Well, you have a knack for never noticing when woman like you," I ignored her.

Martha scoffed, "I'll say."

I rolled my eyes, "I believe you," I let go of him, "And you're going to be fine."

"Keep them away from me," he looked at the couple, "Don't you dare leave me alone anymore."

"That I can do," I nodded, smiling and receiving one back, "That is the point of this last trip, isn't it? To spend time together."

"Yes! And have you heard about the painting room? I thought we could check it out," he linked arms with me and moved us for the fruit nearby, Martha walking beside with one of her stupid smirks again.

"Yeah, I asked Liling if we could go and she said yes!" I picked up a couple grapes.

"Looks like the Doctor isn't the only one receiving attention tonight, Minerva," Martha declared, taking my grapes and dropping them into her mouth.

"Martha, let it-"

"No, over there, look," she nodded to her left.

We all looked over and saw a young man across us, smiling at me.

"Huh, that's new," I remarked, offering a small smile back,

But then his eyes started looking up and down and it just made me uncomfortable. I turned around, wanting to forget his trailing looks, and picked up some more grapes, "I only have to say that these grapes are delicious."

"Well, what do you have to say about that, Doctor?" she turned to the Martian.

"Me? What would I have to say?" he raised an eyebrow, clearly confused which only proved Martha was wrong about all these 'feelings' and whatnot.

"What if the guy's engaged and Minerva ends up punched by the fiancee?"

"She'd have to answer to me, then," he quickly replied, "No one hurts Minerva."

Martha winked at me, satisfied with the response.

"I told you Doctor, it's impossible never to be hurt," I reminded. He'd taken his job of never letting anyone or anything hurt me quite serious. Sometimes, I'd try to make him see that it was impossible because there would always be something that would emotionally and/or physically harm someone, but he wouldn't listen!

"I must say, I really do not care for the way he's looking at you," he nearly glared at the stranger across.

"Yeah, it's a bit uncomfortable," I admitted in a low mumble.

"Maybe you should go meet him!" Martha suddenly pushed me towards the direction of the man.

"Wha-HEY!" I frowned, looking at her as I pushed her hands down, "I'd rather not."

"It'll be fun!" she insisted, pushing me once more. Before I declined once more, she stepped back and linked arms with the Doctor, waving sweetly as she walked away with him.

What the hell was this plan? What was it supposed to accomplish!?

Well, my mind didn't have nearly a minute to think more when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw the same young man from across standing before me, "Oh..."

Well, I had to admit he wasn't bad looking. He was pretty handsome...

He was tall, tanned, black hair that swiveled at its tips, and had chocolate brown eyes. He stood before me, his hand reaching out to shake mine without even saying a word, "Sorry if I'm a bit forwards..." he chuckled, sounding as if he was nervous, "My name is Zian."

He stopped shaking my hand and looked down, almost shameful. It didn't look that bad on him either...

"Minerva," I said quietly, still staring at him as I decided whether or not I'd be giving any further conversation with him.

"I know, you're...American," he took my hand and lifted it up to his lips where he placed a kiss, "My you are...mesmerizing," he whispered.

"Thank you..." for some reason, I just want to snatch my hand back and run off. It didn't feel right...

"Apologies," he lowered my hand but kept holding it to my misfortune, "I have never seen a more beautiful creature than yourself."

"Again, thank you," I gave a polite smile.

"Where are you from?"

"California."

"How old are you?"

"It's a bit direct, don't you think?" I frowned, "A woman never wants to admit her age."

"Sorry," he chuckled, "It's just you make kind of nervous and I tend to ask stupid questions when I get nervous."

"You're nervous...of me?" I blinked, that was a new one for me, "No one is ever nervous of me."

"I do not understand," his eyes trailed me over again, making me shift on my feet with discomfort, "I cannot seem to even form a decent sentence with you."

"Right, well, um, I have to go now..." I moved to walk off when I felt his hand grip mine, keeping me in place, "...um, something wrong?"

"Can we talk? Get to know each other?" he asked, smiling as if I hadn't just tried walking off.

"Well, I would but, I have some friends I came with and-"

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind sharing you with me for a couple of hours," he lifted my hand again to give it another kiss.

"Minerva, something wrong?" the Doctor strolled over, a drink in his hand.

"Um...I just wanted to go see that art room now," I looked at him, hoping he'd just take me away from this uncomfortable spot.

"Wonderful! Let's say goodbye to your...friend," he reached to where Zian's and my hand were together and practically pulled mine away from the man's, "And we can go together, how's that sound?"

"Good," I nodded fast, showing him I most definitely wanted to leave this spot now.

"Well, it was nice meeting you, what ever your name was," the Doctor handed Zian his drink, a fake grin plastered on his face, "We'll be going now, bye, bye," and he took my hand then walked us away.

"Oh thank goodness," I breathed a sigh of relief once we were a decent distance away, "Thank you so much for coming to get me."

"Was it me or is there something not right with the man?" he frowned.

"Well, the way his eyes seemed to keep looking over me every damn second could be a start," I shivered a bit.

"Tell me about it," he muttered.

"Can we go to the art room before the fireworks start?" I glanced at him, wanting to just forget the bad moment and spend time with the Martian, "Please?"

He smiled, "Of course. I sent Martha off with Yue."

"Why?"

"Because she sent you off with a stranger. I did not approve."

"Oh..." and I cursed myself for smiling at that, but I still kept doing it.

~0~

"Remind me again what we're doing?" the Doctor asked as he walked around the art room, picking up things here and there. The poor Martian seemed so bored but he clearly was making a struggle to not show it while I tried my hand at an art work in front of me.

"Well, I'm trying to create The Early Autumn and you're so bored out of your mind," I replied, watching him secretly.

"I'm not bored...bored out of mind..." he stopped, 'casually' looking around.

"Yes you are," I said, about to make another comment when I messed up and yelped, "Ah! Stupid butterfly!"

"What is with you humans and butterflies?" he walked over, standing beside me and tilting his head as he studied my attempt of recreation, "I don't see any mistake."

"Yes, right there!" I pointed to the black butterfly that had a slightly shorter wing on the left, "I can't get it right!"

"Minerva, it's not that hard, just brush it again."

"It's a bit more complicated than that. I can't do paintings," I shook my head and dropped the brush back to its place, "I quit."

"No you don't."

"Yes I do. I'm done."

"Why not draw another bird, instead?" he picked up the brush again and held it to me.

"Because I wanted to draw a butterfly."

"Then draw a butterfly."

"But I can't!"

"Yeah, you can, just try again," he took my hand and placed the brush on the canvas.

"I...no."

"Then try a dragonfly. It needs a new one."

"Doctor, I don't want-"

"Yes you do," he moved behind me and placed his hand over mine, lifting it to the artwork, "And you will."

"Is this really necessary?" I tried to sound as annoyed as I could, but the horseback rides started flashing in my head, making this position a tad more blush-worthy.

"This way you can't escape me," he teased, setting his chin on my shoulder, "Now draw, clever girl."

"It's pain, stupid," I mumbled, "And can you get off me?"

"Are you going to paint?"

"No! I said I was done!"

"Then no."

"You're such a child sometimes," I sighed, creating a new butterfly.

"Call me what you want but you're doing another butterfly..." he smirked," ...therefore I win."

"I hate you."

"Not really, you don't."

"Hey, I'm actually getting it!" I grinned up at the sight of an actual even-winged butterfly. All wings were coming out well!

"See, what I tell you? That you'd-"

"Shush!" I elbowed him, focusing on my work now.

"What exactly do you-"

'I said shush!"

"But-"

"Doctor! For god's sake, be quiet!" I chuckled, ready to scold him more when I turned my head and found our closeness a bit beyond...nervousy. Yes, that wasn't a real word but the Doctor had made me put a 'y' after nearly everything! Which, now that I think of it, was also a strong point for Martha. She claimed the Doctor and I spent so much time together that at times I said stupid words like him.

"Are...you finish with your painting?" he asked, mumbling really if I had to describe.

"Y-yes...yes!" I blinked back to reality, looking back at the painting, "What do you think?"

He moved beside and studied the painting, meanwhile I recollected myself, "I think it looks wonderful, just like the rest of your work."

"Are you sure?" I cleared my throat, "Because I've never painted before. It's okay to admit there's flaws."

'But...there isn't!"

I rolled my eyes, "Why do you feel the need to do that?"

"Do what?"

"Act like all my drawings are perfect when I know for a fact that's there's visible flaws."

"I do not do that!"

"Yeah you do," I chuckled, "You lie and say it's perfect but I know you're lying because sometimes I purposely make it bad. You're not supposed to do that, you know. It's wrong!"

"Oh yeah?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah!"

"Minerva," he stepped up, his hands behind his back and a fake, innocent look on his face.

"Yes?"

"How's my dancing?"

"Um..." I was going to answer 'you're a horrible dancer' but found that rude, even if it was true, "...well...you're, um...you're this," I put a hand on my cheek as I thought of some nice words, "...wonderful...unique...dancer?" I don't know why it came out like a question in the end.

He smirked, "You are such a liar! I can't dance! I can't dance to save my life!"

"So then why did you ask?" I frowned.

"Because I know you'd lie to spare my feelings, and you did," he tapped my nose and wandered around the room.

I blinked, did he just...tap my nose? When did we ever start doing that?

"Face it Minerva," the Doctor turned around, "We're prone to compliment each other even if we're lying. And we'll do it because we like to see each other happy."

"I'm sorry I lied," I apologized quietly, faintly smiling, "But you really can't dance," I whispered, making him chuckle.

"I know, but I do it because it makes you happy. And besides, you can't make symmetrical wings except for this one," he looked at the current artwork beside us.

"But hey, we can always learn, right? That's how we're supposed to do it."

"Of course," he nodded.

"But seriously, Martha mimics you," I started chuckling, "Perhaps you should consider some lessons before you try to dance again. I know you do it for me, but I'm alright."

"Are you really?" he questioned, but it didn't have to do with the dancing anymore, "Are you okay?"

I sighed, "Well, right now I am...sort of."

I mean, it wasn't like apart from ridding myself of my guilt of Liv's death and my grandmother's disappointment of me I now had to deal with some developing feelings for a 903 year old Time Lord.

It wasn't like any of that was happening...

Not at all...

"It'll get better, I promise," the Doctor said, "I know I keep saying that and I know it's annoying but I mean it. One day, you'll look back and see how wrong your guilt. You'll see how much your grandmother loves you and only wanted to see you again. And you'll always smile, finally moving on with your life."

"Let me teach you how to dance," I said instead of a common answer like 'Maybe one day' and whatnot.

"What?" you could tell he was expecting one of those common answers.

I didn't feel like torturing myself with my usual guilt thoughts for today. I wanted to be happy, and I was going to do just that.

"I can't give back anything incredible like what you've done for me, but I can teach you how to dance. Just a little bit, anyways. I'm not grand myself but...let me try."

"Minerva, I don't...I don't understand," he admitted, poor thing looking confused.

"It's my lame attempt of thanking you," I reminded, stepping up, "Plus, I'm a bit guilty for making fun of you too," I said very quietly but still heard by the Martian.

"You made fun of me too!?"

"Sorry..." I bit my lip, "...but Martha did it too!"

"I don't care about Martha! She can't do math to save her life, and she's a doctor!"

"Now, let's not go insulting our companion, okay?" I pointed a warning finger at him, "And you better be nice to her when I leave."

"I told you Minerva, she's leaving. It's settled," he said, dead serious it quieted me for a moment as he moved to walk away.

"Hold on!" I grabbed his hand, stopping him, "I feel bad because you want to bring Martha back because I'm leaving. And it's not fair, Doctor. It's really not," I looked down, feeling another weight settling on my shoulders, "Martha is brilliant and...and you can't bring her back home because of me. I can't take more guilt, Doctor. Please don't take her home."

There was silence for a moment before he sighed and returned, keeping a firm hold on my hand, "Teach me how to dance, c'mon?"

I looked up at him, raising an eyebrow, "What?"

"Teach me how to dance and I may consider keeping the human doctor."

"But..."

But I stopped talking when he brought us to the center of the room, his arm winding around my waist till his hand rested on the small of my back, his other hand letting go of mine and moving my right hand up to his shoulder.

"Are you sure you don't know how to do this?" I asked curiously, seeing his hand return to my left and held.

"That's as far as I go," he shrugged, "Now teach me, clever girl!"

"Will you reconsider Martha's departure?"

"Uh...it's...debatable..."

It was not. He was just doing this to distract me, which he seemed pretty damn good at.

"Well..." I looked around, "...you just...step back," which he did, "Then, um...move here," and we did.

"Then we step to the front?"

"Yeah."

Which he did...

"Ow!" I flinched.

"Sorry!" he let go of me.

He had stepped on my foot, "No, no, it's okay," I lifted my foot and rubbed it.

"You know what, on second thought we should just go back out. We'll miss the fireworks!"

"Oh no, Martian, get back here," I pulled him back to his place, reforming our position.

"I don't want to hurt you," he frowned with himself.

"It was just one small step, it doesn't even hurt anymore. C'mon," I started moving us again, feeling the tips of his shoes brush mine, the poor Martian being extra cautious.

"I don't want to step on you..."

"Hm, that didn't seem a problem when you asked me to dance in the 50's," I reminded, "And you didn't seem that bad of a dancer either."

"Well, I was kind of focusing on getting your forgiveness."

"Then focus on the learning now, spin!" I ordered, and he obeyed, "There we go," I smiled, lightening up the gloomy mood that was threatening to fall over us.

"And dip?"

"What?"

But he dipped me down without asking again. I laughed when my hair actually touching the floor. He pulled me right up a few seconds later, leaving us closer than what he probably anticipated. Flashes of our dance in the 50's came rushing in my head when we ended face-to-face. How did he keep doing this to me!? I bet he didn't remember any of that!

"How was that?" the Doctor whispered.

"G-good," I awaited for him to move back since I was too frozen to move myself. But even then, if I had to admit it, I didn't really mind how close we were.

"You're a wonderful teacher," he smiled softly when he returned us to our normal positions.

"Yup, thanks," I cleared my throat, ending the so called lesson, "Now you can ask any pretty woman to dance with you."

"I'd probably step on them, again..."

"That's why it's called lessons, you learn them repeatedly until it sticks," I walked for my artwork, "So, I think we should get going, yeah? Martha's going to be wondering about us."

"Oh, um, yeah, let's go," he walked over, taking my hand and leading us out, "We'll pick up your work later."

"Mhm," I nodded, my racing heart not allowing a full answer with actual words. I hated him for making me feel these things that should not be. That won't be.

~0~

"Good, you're here! The fireworks are about to start," Martha gestured for the Doctor and I to take a seat, "How much fun is an art-room that you take an hour and a half in there?"

"I tried replicating an artwork," I shrugged.

"Well, I heard after the fireworks, we get to solve lantern riddles in the streets," she smiled, "I thought we could check them out. Apparently, if you win a riddle you get a prize."

"That does sound like fun," I considered it, "Intellectual fun. And hey, Doctor," I glanced at him, "I challenge you to see who can solve the most riddles. What do you say, Martian?" I crossed my arms and waited for his response, my grin turning into a playful smirk.

He looked at Martha who was just smiling, "You'll keep score? I don't trust Minerva. She can be a cheater," I gasped quietly and hit his arm, causing him to laugh, "Alright, alright, challenge accepted."

"Oh, so who's gonna win this new challenge? Riddle solving?" Martha chuckled, "Ridiculous, by the way."

"Oh, I will," the Doctor and I answered together, both scoffing afterwards. We then looked at each other with a frown, "Hey, stop it."

Martha simply laughed at our faces, neither the Doctor or I backing down from our stare down.

"Minerva, no offense, but I'm a bit more experienced than you..." the Doctor began, "I have lived much longer than you."

"Yeah, you've lived 903 years and in all that time you still can't tell when people flirt with you," I leaned forwards, "Or maybe it's just because you're a guy. Either way, one of those characteristics is gonna bring you down on this challenge."

That got under his skin, his face just looking at me with an irritated expression. I smiled sweetly and leaned back on my chair, glancing at Martha who was more than amused, "Miss Jones I assume you'll get the notepad and pen? Not that you'll need it because the Doctor will only have zero."

She laughed, shaking her head, "Are you two this competitive over riddles? That's incredible!"

"You think you're so clever..." the Doctor continued to glare at me.

"You always say I am why shouldn't I believe it?"

"She's got you there," Martha said, shrugging, "How about you get us something to drink to cool your selves down? Such heated competition."

"Hm," he frowned and stood up, walked around my chair and leaning beside me, "You're gonna lose, Souza."

I glanced at him with a smirk, "Don't be so sure, martian."

"You two are ridiculous I'm telling you that now," Martha shook her head and laughed once more.

I nodded at her, holding back my scolding until I did this...

"Ow!" she jerked back her arm after being smacked by me, "What was that for?"

"That was for leaving me with a stranger," I whispered, looking around to make sure I hadn't been heard, "What the hell is wrong with you!?"

She smirked again as she looked down, rubbing her arm, knowing what she had done, "Well it worked," she mumbled so low I had barely heard her, "The Doctor left me to go take you back. He was so upset you should've seen it! He was jealous!"

"Yeah right," I rolled my eyes, "We were supposed to be together, all three of us. I'd be upset too if a friend just ditched me to be with a stranger."

"Would you quit making this so hard!" she whispered-yelled, looking frantic at the demand, "God, you're both so hard to work with!"

"It's just...jealous? No one would believe that. Perhaps, a little annoyed, maybe...irritated? Sure. But jealous would imply things that are simply not true."

"What is so hard about accepting it? I don't get it! Remember my theory!"

"Your theory sucks!"

She blinked, snorting, "That's a comeback!"

"There is nothing to accept, now shush!"

"A person who who shares more than a friendship has a set of double standards between that person they like and a friend, examples are you and me," she gestured to us. I rolled my eyes but let her continue, "Biggest example I can think of is that Torchwood job you had."

I shifted on my feet, wishing I could truly forget that awful job. I told her the brief story of my experience that and how it ended in the meantime Yue had picked out our clothes.

"He hated that place, right?"

"Well, it's more-"

"Shush," she covered my mouth, "Did he or did he not hate it?" I nodded and she took her hand back, "Okay, now, is he still angry you worked there?"

"What? No!" I shook my head, making a face at the ridiculousness of that question.

"But I bet if another friend worked there he'd be very angry," she smirked.

"Look, I explained to him in great detail why I took the job in the first place, how I didn't even know what Torchwood actually was and why I stayed there after discovering what its real purposes were. Now it's bad enough what we did to Rose, I'm so grateful he didn't stay angry."

"What we did to Rose?" she frowned, forgetting her point for a second, "Why do you say that?"

"Because it was true, it was Torchwood that sent her mom and Mickey to another world. I worked at that institution so I sent them to another world. She was right."

I don't think I would ever forget Rose's look after she told me everything was my fault. I knew I reacted like I was crazy, but now that I was better and though about it, she was right. It was my fault. Perhaps if I had told the Doctor from the start about the job and the sphere, he could've prevented the battle.

"God I really hate Rose," Martha crinkled her face with distaste.

"No, don't say that," I shook my head, "It's not right to talk bad about someone when they aren't here to defend themselves."

"And how exactly would she defend herself, hm!?" she nearly shouted, still attracting several looks around the place.

"Martha, shush," I put a finger to my lips.

"I'm sorry but, she's awful! I bet if the Doctor knew half the things about the real Rose, he wouldn't dare speak about her anymore."

"Don't you dare," I immediately warned, knowing anger could drive to impulsion.

"For example the threat," she began counting on her fingers, "The yells she gave you after the Doctor regenerated, blaming you for her choice of worlds-"

"Please stop," I sighed.

"No! I will not! Because while you proceed to belittle yourself, the blonde is left as a goddess who wouldn't hurt a fly."

"She was never violent," I mumbled, the thought of actually speaking bad about a woman who was once my friend didn't quite go with me.

"That was the last thing she needed," she huffed, "I'm just saying, maybe a little revelation to the Doctor wouldn't hurt."

"And then what? Huh? How would that help me?"

"He could support you. He could make you see how different you are from her, and he himself would finally see the biggest differences between you and her."

"And for what?"

"What do you mean for what? So you two can finally be-"

"No, it's not gonna happen. It's never going to happen. You don't seem to remember Martha, he was in love with her."

"That's what you think," she cut me off, both filled with tension, "But after everything you've told me, and after what I've seen, I wouldn't agree."

"But you weren't there, alright?"

"No, but I'm here now. And this time, you have a friend who actually cares about you and is not going to let you push away possibly the biggest piece of happiness you have. Nope," she crossed her arms and shook her head.

I sighed, sometimes I loved Martha but at other times I really wanted to strangle her.

Her eyes wandered past me suddenly, "Um, I think your new friend is pretty jealous too."

"What?"

"That guy I pushed you to," her look turned of one of discomfort as she continued looking, "In fact, he looks pretty mad."

She gestured with her head and I looked behind, finding Zian speaking to another man, almost angrily, "So?"

"I don't like him anymore..." she said just as Zian happened to look at us, his face pretty scary, "In fact, I forbid you to speak to him again."

I quickly looked away from him and back to her, "Thanks Martha, I think I just made a new enemy."

"Sorry, he didn't look like a creep earlier."

"Who didn't look like a creep?" the Doctor returned, struggling to hold three glasses.

"No one," I quickly took a glass, "Don't worry."

"I think I'm gonna go ask for that notepad," Martha started getting up, her eyes seeming to be fixated on what I assumed was Zian behind me, "Don't separate."

"What?" the Doctor asked, confused.

She had caught herself and shook her head, putting a smile, "I'll be right back."

"What's wrong with her?"

"She's just a bit irritated with our competitiveness," I shrugged, taking a drink and hoping he'd forget about it.

"Yeah why are you so competitive?"

I looked at him, raising an eyebrow, "You're serious?"

He chuckled, "Sorry, sorry."

I shook my head, disapproving but laughing anyways, "You know, when I'm not in the TARDIS, you're gonna need someone to be competitive with..." his chuckle faded as he realized where I was headed. I did feel a little nervous as I continued to speak but I just had to make an argument against her departure, "...Martha could be a good match. She's fun, eh?"

"If I'm not gonna have my friend, then I'm sure as hell not gonna have a companion."

I blinked at his seriousness, the way he had said it...it was just...kind of cold and harsh. It was as if Martha was no where near a friend to him, like she was just a stray that we had picked up and sometimes remembered she was with us.

And Martha was most certainly not that. Ever.

"How can you say that after everything she's done for us? She saved our lives in New York. She killed the pigmen before they killed us. And apart from that, she supported me when I needed friends the most. She had no obligation to do any of that stuff and yet she did. How can you degrade her like that?"

"I'm not belittling her, I just don't see her as a close friend to me, alright? I understand the bond you two have but I don't share that bond, okay? I have that with you, not her."

"We have a bond..." I whispered, smiling to myself.

"Yes, and I respect Martha, I know she's done a lot but...you can't ask me to see her the way I see you."

"And...how do you see me?" I dared to ask, my cheeks flushing red.

"As the most incredible woman that's ever traveled with me."

"Really?" I blinked.

He nodded, "Martha is wonderful. She's okay..."

"No Doctor, she's brilliant. She is fantastic, she is good. And she is exactly who you need to be around when I'm not there. She's yet to see what I've seen and I know she'll keep a good reign on you like me. But most importantly, she's a good friend to you. She helps, she fights, she listens," I started to chuckle lightly, "And we both know that with your mouth, it's a good quality to have," that made him smile a little, as he knew it was true and there was no denying it, "So c'mon, why don't you let her stay?"

He set his drink on the table and looked me in the eyes this time, a new expression on his face that I had only seen once.

The day he had lost Rose.

It was of pain, but also of sadness. When he's around with other people, he would show his pain of the loss of Rose, but only to a certain extent. Even when we first traveled together, he believed he could trick me and make me believe he wasn't as badly affected as he actually was. But then we started getting closer, and gaining each other's trust, and slowly he started letting me see just how hurt he was. I hated that look, feelings or not, I simply hated it. Ever since we took Martha on, the look seemed to falter...and now I made it return.

"Well, Doctor? Why won't you let her stay?" I repeated, a little more nervous now.

"Because if I let her stay, and you go, I'm afraid that you'll never come back and I'll have the reminder of you in Martha."

I swallowed hard, "Just like I was reminder of Rose, huh?"

"It's not like that!" he quickly said, shaking his head.

"I know," I said quietly, taking a deep breath, "It's not..."

"You're not a ghost of her, Minerva. I don't know how I'm gonna make you see it. Look, whenever you react to something I say, whether to scold me for being daft, or laugh at something funny I said," he sighed, "Or simply shine those big eyes both of you had when you see something new for the first time...I can't help but remember Rose. You two seemed to get along really...good."

I shifted on my seat, sure I'd let him believe that...

"I imagine her standing right beside you, reacting similarly to you...and I don't want to see that happen with you. You're not a ghost of Rose, you're two completely different people and I need you to understand that. Now, I don't want to see you beside Martha when you're not there. I don't want another reminder. If I can't have you, in the TARDIS, in person, then I don't want anyone else," I looked down, scolding myself for having a little ray of hope that his last sentence might have had a double meaning, "Hey," he called softly, making me look up, although silent because I had no idea how to respond anymore, "I don't have anything against Martha, I simply don't want another set of reminders."

He tried smiling but I knew it was just fake. He remembered Rose and now he was hurting again.

"I got it!" Martha's voice called from a distance, causing both to glance back, seeing her walking for us, waving a small notepad and a pen in her hands, "And just so you know, I'm not gonna have a soft spot for either of you," she pointed at us with the pen, giving a stern look. She noticed our quietness and became concerned, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I answered first, looking around for a good excuse, the sky being the last thing I saw and the perfect excuse, "C'mon, take a seat. The fireworks are gonna start."

"Alright," she reached for her drink and eyed the both of us, "Fireworks it is."

In the short time that we had before the fireworks actually began, there was just silence. I couldn't shake off the Doctor's words, as friend-zoned as it was, it was still concerning. And another thing, I was a little on guard with the looks I continued to receive from Zian. Martha was right, he did seem angry. I didn't care what it was for, I just needed him to stop.

"Oh, look!" Martha suddenly pointed above. We followed her gaze, and heard the beginning of mini-explosions, to the sky.

The fireworks had begun and had started in a lazy manner, I should add, with simple colored sparkles. However, as the seconds passed, the colors began to merge into twists and shapes. There came the shape of a lantern, a brilliant shade of red and a radiant yellow. Other figures arose into the sky afterwards, one of a large dragon shooting the familiar flames from its nostrils.

"That one! That one's my favorite!" Martha laughed as a figure of a man on stilts was formed.

I laughed along with her, watching another form appear beside it, one of a little girl, dressed in the traditional attire, "I like that one!"

A good hour passed by and the fireworks were not even close to finishing. Knowing they'd last all night, we agreed to go ahead and do he lantern riddles.

We stood up from our tables, bid our thank you's to Yue's family and then headed for the exit. I was left behind when a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back. It was Zian, and looking slightly less angry. He came around and faced me, a small smile on his face.

"Uh, Zian, hello..." I looked past him to see Martha and the Doctor still walking away; they hadn't noticed I wasn't there yet.

"Minerva, I wanted to say something to you," Zian began, and I immediately looked at him with the little bravery I had gathered in the last two seconds.

"So do I. Listen, I don't know if I did anything to make you angry but the looks you were giving me are kinda scaring me so if you could stop, that'd be great."

"Oh...sorry, I didn't mean to. I was simply a bit...taken aback, by your, um...friend?"

"I really gotta go, we're going to solve riddles and...we have a challenge," I rushed off, catching up quickly with my friends.

"Everything alright?" the Doctor asked, looking past to Zian.

I nodded, "Yeah, but, can we get out of here? I just want to solve riddles," he nodded and put his arm around my shoulders, leading us off.

~0~

We headed for the parks, to where millions of lanterns were hung around, the business around doing the same thing. Lanterns were everywhere...and ready to be riddle-solved!

"Alright, so now that I've had a go and we won prizes," Martha wiggled her finger that now bore a fake, gold ring, "We can start your competition."

The Doctor and I smiled, looking at our own hands that also wore the fake, gold rings thanks to Martha. She'd wanted a go at a lantern herself, and actually solved it and won a prize of rings. We offered to let her into the competition, making it three against each other, but she declined.

The deal with the lanterns was that every single on of them bore a riddle and a hint, called tips, for anyone to solve. If the person thought they got the answer right, then they'd take the lantern to its owners. The owners, either shops or stands or anything else, would hear the answer the person had to say and told them whether or not they were right or not. If they were correct, the person earned a prize from the owner's. In Martha's case, the owner of the lantern she solved the riddle from was a jewelry store keeper.

"Here's one," Martha left us and walked towards a lantern that was hanging from a window's top layer of a flower shop, "Are you ready?" the Doctor and I nodded and awaited for her to read the riddle, "The riddle is 'What building has the most stories? Tip: Things.'"

The Doctor and I scoffed simultaneously, "That's easy, a library."

And then we both glared at each other, turning to face one another.

"I said it first," I said.

"No, I said it first."

"No you didn't. I did."

"Martha, tell her I said it first," he glanced at her, not backing down.

"No Martha, you tell him I said it first."

She smiled as she looked between us, "This is gonna be fun."

We turned to her, our anger gone and replaced by a whining session.

"Martha, I said it first," I pointed at myself.

"No she didn't," the Doctor shook his head, "I did."

"Okay!" she exclaimed, startling us, "It's a point for both of you."

"No!" the Doctor frowned.

"Damn it!" I turned for another lantern to solve. I pointed at one hanging on a branch of a tree, "That one!" and I ran for it, leaving the other two to follow.

"You can't read it first!" the Doctor shouted as I stopped before it. Once he had caught up he pulled me back beside him as Martha walked up to the lantern.

"Okay, second riddle."

"I am so ready this time," I shot a look at the Doctor, "And I'm gonna take this one."

"You sure?" he asked, just as smug as I was.

"Yes," I crossed my arms and looked back at Martha who was just staring at both of us again, a smirk on her face, "Martha, go ahead."

"Okay," she nodded and turned back to the lantern, "The riddle is actually for English speakers so this should be fun."

I glanced at the Doctor, "Well considering you're an alien, I already have this one."

"What?"

"English speaker," I pointed at myself, grinning widely.

"And what do I speak?"

"Hey, how do I know the TARDIS isn't translating your language right now?" I raised an eyebrow, resuming my smirk, understanding perfectly well he purposely spoke English, but it just ticked him off even more so I went with it, "You could be speaking gibberish for all I know."

"You know damn well what my language is!"

I gasped happily, "He's angry now," I looked at Martha quickly, "Quick, do the riddle! He can't think right when he's angry!"

Martha let out a laugh as she looked at the lantern once more, "'What is the longest word in English? Tip: Being happy."

"Easy, the word 'smiles'," I replied before she even looked back at us.

"Yes but do you know why?" the Doctor raised an eyebrow, a severe doubt on his eyes.

"Yes, actually, I do," I turned to him, "Because the word 'smiles' has the word 'mile' in-between two S's."

He was surprised nonetheless, but he still wasn't giving this one up, "Alright, but the actual longest English word-"

"Is 'Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis'," I finished for him, leaving his him wide-eyed and a mouth half open in shock, "And the meaning of the word is a lung disease in which the inhalation of very fine silica particles cause the inflammation of the lungs. Anymore questions?" I asked sweetly, walking around him with another smirk.

I scanned for a new lantern and when I found one I looked back at the other two, seeing only Martha had moved and the Doctor remained where I had left them, his back to me, "Doctor, are you coming?"

Almost like he was in a trance, he shook himself and turned, making his way to join us again, "I am ready."

Martha smirked as she walked past me, "I think you just made him snap," she whispered, "And he liked it."

I blushed, turning away from both of them, "Okay, let's try another one. Doctor?"

"Oh I'm ready," he declared, coming back to reality and fixing his coat.

"Which is the word in English that has nine letters, and remains a word at each step even when you remove one letter from it, right up to a single letter remaining."

"'Startling'," the Doctor answered in a mere second, my eyes snapping to him as his met mine, "What? You didn't think to remove the 'L', therefore making it 'starting' and then taking away the 'T', making it 'staring', then remove 'A' for 'string', take off 'R' for 'sting', 'T' for 'sing', 'G' for 'sin', 'S' for 'in' and finally 'N' for good old 'I'," he grinned with a devilish smile.

I blinked, taking in his speedful explanation that went at light speed. And now with a proud smirk, he turned on his heel and headed for a new lantern.

Martha stepped to my side, peering at my face, "Wow, that's the same face the Doctor had when you beat him."

"I think he just got hotter," I exhaled a shaky breath, not even realizing my words until I heard Martha's laughter.

"Admittance! Finally!" she linked arms with me, "It's about time!"

"It's not admittance to anything," I pushed her arm down, my eyes still on the not-so-stupid-alien, "It's just...I've never been outmatched before...it feels amazing..."

"Attraction between geeks is so weird," she shook her head, getting an elbow on the stomach but no look as I was too preoccupied staring after the Doctor, "But if figures you'd like it too, ugh," Martha crinkled her face in distaste, "This isn't going to be a riddle match. It's gonna be a flirting competition," she faked a shiver before laughing again. I was partially ignoring her, truthfully, and as she laughed, I started walking for the alien.

Oh, it was so on now.

~0~

"Until I am measured,

I am not known.

Yet how you miss me,

When I have flown!

What am I?"

"Time!" The Doctor exclaimed, throwing me a simpering look.

I scowled and crossed my arms, "Well obviously you're at an advantage!"

"What!?"

"You're a time traveler!"

He mock-glared while Martha laughed, writing down his newest point on the notepad, "That has nothing to do with this. So quit making that face," he wagged a finger at me.

"What face?"

"The one of 'Wow I'm losing to such a genius'."

"You're not a genius and this is my face."

"It is," his smirk played on his lips as he moved around me, "And it looks well on you."

Martha's mouth opened in surprise and happiness, "He just flirted," she moved right beside me, nudging me, "Alert, he just flirted!"

"No he didn't, shut up," I gently pushed her away, "Read that one, Martha," I pointed to the lantern across us.

"The person who makes it has no need for it. The person who purchases it does not use it. The person who does use it does not know he or she is. What is it?"

"A coffin..." I uttered in a hushed tone, my gaze slowly falling to the ground.

Suddenly winning wasn't so much fun anymore...

"Minerva?" Martha called, her smile fading as I looked up, "What's wrong?"

I looked at her then the Doctor, "Nothing. Point for me..."

"And no snide remark against my slowness?" the Doctor raised an eyebrow, "No, that's wrong. C'mon, where's my snide remark?"

I sighed, looking at him sadly, "Olivia."

With that, I walked away from the two. And, as if I was being teased, a few children, specifically a brunette and a blonde that seemed to fit in the age gap Olivia and I used to, passed by. I watched after them, seeing the smaller brunette excitedly point at a lantern while the blonde simply smiled and took the lantern off its place.

"I'd ask what you were thinking but I think the answer has pretty much been given, huh?" the Doctor strolled over to my side.

I sighed, nodding my head as I watched the brunette and blonde go, "I can't help it. Anytime I get a memory of Liv, I get all sad and...this," I gestured to myself, and he chuckled.

"Imagine me when I remember my whole planet?"

I know he said that to light up the mood, but I looked at him with such sadness. Suddenly, I felt like I had no right to feel like this over one person when he had a whole family, whole planet to mourn.

He must have caught my thoughts because he smiled and shook his head, "No, this is part of the process. Learn to remember the memories you had with good intentions. Don't be sad they're over..."

"Be glad they happened," I finished, knowing the words too well, "But it's just hard..."

"Hey, I get it, don't worry."

"I'm sorry," I shook my head. Here we were trying to have a good time and I come and ruin as usual.

"It's okay, would you like to continue the riddle challenge or do you want to call it a night? Whatever you choose is fine."

I bit my lip, looking back at Martha who was scribbling something on the notepad, "I think...we should continue. That's what we came for, right?" I looked back at him, "To have fun?"

"Definitely," he took my hand and started walking us to our friend.

"Minerva?"

I stopped walking and looked back, finding Zian across us, "Oh..."

"Can we talk for a moment?"

"Minerva, don't," the Doctor mumbled, "Something's not right with the guy."

"I'm sure no harm can come from a little talk," I replied, though the nervous feeling returning to me.

"I assure you it'll only take a moment," Zian said, unable to hear us from his spot.

"Uh, sure..." I moved to approach him but the Doctor gripped my hand. I looked back, sighing, "...just stay close with Martha."

"I don't like him," he muttered, "Something's wrong."

"You don't like a lot of people," I reminded, taking my hand away and following Zian to a distant spot.

I happened to see Yue not too far away from us, she saw us and gave us a wave then returned to chatting with her friends. Zian walked us towards a stand where an elderly man stood behind.

"Zian, I have to be honest-" I began but he put a finger to my lips, leaving me wide-eyed. I was going to tell him his actions from earlier made me nervous but now I suppose it'd be more difficult with his finger on my mouth.

"Can I offer you a cup of tea?"

"Um..."

He didn't await my answer and simply turned us for the stand, "Two cups please."

The man nodded and handed us two prepared cups to each of us. I smiled awkwardly and moved to sip some. The man reached out and stopped me from drinking it, "You need these," he held out two red-flowered bracelets for us, "You must wear it."

"Why?" I asked, confused as Zian took them and placed it around my wrist before doing his.

"Tradition."

"Um, okay..." I said slowly, watching Zian smile as he reached for his cup again.

"Here, take this," the man handed me a strip of paper, "Read it. It is for good fortune."

"Although in the beginning it is never sure what will happen with me and you, forever I will always say 'I do'...?" I looked up after reading, more than confused, "What does that mean?"

Zian took the paper and looked at it, "Although in the beginning it is never sure what will happen with me and you, forever I will always say 'I do'."

"What does that mean?" I looked back at the man who had disappeared all of a sudden, "Hey, where'd he go?"

Zian shrugged and took a sip of tea, "Probably off to get more of the coffee. It sells out fast. You should try it."

Slowly, I raised the cup to my lips and sipped a little, "It tastes just like regular tea."

"Really? I think it's delicious!"

"Um, I think I'm gonna go back over there..." I looked back at Martha and the Doctor who weren't that far off anymore.

He grabbed my arm suddenly, "No you're not."

I shot him a look, confused and a beginning of anger, "Yes I am," I took back my arm, setting my tea on the stand and removing my bracelet, "Thank you but I'm gonna go now."

He frowned and snatched my arm again, "I said you're not."

"I said I am!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"NO!"

At his sudden yell I flinched, and looked around before I figured what to do next, what I always did next, "Doctor! Doctor!"

"What are you doing?" Zian demanded as he started tugging me towards him, "We're going home!"

"Let go!" I cried, trying to pry his hand off my arm, "You're hurting me!"

"Hey, hey, hey! What the hell do you think you're doing?" the Doctor ran beside us, Martha right behind him.

"Doctor, he doesn't wanna let me go," I gestured to Zian's hand on my arm, "I don't want to go with him!"

"Listen, if she says she doesn't want to go with you, she's not," he said, placing his hand over Zian's and forcefully detaching it from me, "And now, we're off," he brought me to his side and turned us away, walking Martha and I from Zian.

"You're not going anywhere with my wife!" Zian snapped, freezing all three of us in our tracks.

I looked back at him, raising an eyebrow, "What do you mean 'wife'?"

"What you heard, lovely," he sweetly smiled, "You're my wife now."

"I never agreed to that."

"You did. You took the cups of tea, the bracelet and most importantly, you said 'I do'."

"No I-" I stopped at the reminder of the strip of paper, "The fortune..."

"Minerva, what is he talking about?" the Doctor asked, looking between us in confusion.

I shot my eyes up at Zian, angrier than ever, "You tricked me!"

But the man only bitterly smiled, "And I said 'I do' as well, making us husband and wife."

"Why would you do that?" Martha questioned.

"Because I like her," he gestured to me, "Look at her."

I wanted to hide myself from his scanning eyes that were looking me up and down. I hated the way he did that.

"You listen to me and stop it," the Doctor snapped, moving in front of me, "I see your eyes trail again and I'll personally dump you in a black hole."

"Not to mention the big punch he's gonna get from me!" Martha added, glaring daggers at the man, "It's obvious he doesn't like her. He just wants what every man wants!"

"Oi," the Doctor frowned, giving her a quick look.

"Sorry, what every human man wants."

I swallowed hard, my nervousness turned to terror at what they were talking about. I've never been in a situation like this and it horrified to me to think of what could happen if Martha and the Doctor don't succeed in helping me.

"You tricked her and therefore your marriage is invalid," the Doctor said.

"No, see because she read it out of her own will. She's my wife and by tradition and law you are not allowed to take my wife anywhere," Zian took a step forwards.

The Doctor took my hand, gripping it tightly, "Over my dead body."

"I don't have problems with that."

Yue was making her way over to us at the sounds of our snaps and yells, "What's going on?"

"Your friend tricked Minerva into marrying him!" Martha exclaimed.

"Is that legal?" the Doctor asked her, "She was tricked and didn't know anything about it."

Yue looked at Zian who then gestured for the stand that held the cups, bracelet and paper. She sighed, "I'm afraid so. It's a custom for the festival, only."

"But I was tricked!" I cried, the water in my eyes threatening to spill, "How can that be legal?"

"Isn't there somewhere around it?" Martha asked, "Like a loophole or something? C'mon, marriages aren't sealed off!"

"Doctor, don't leave me here," I turned him to me, "Please help me. Please..."

"N-n-n-no, don't worry," he took my hand in his and lifted it to his lips, giving it a kiss on the back, "You are not staying here."

"Let go of my wife!" Zian ordered.

"I'm gonna need you to shut up!" the Doctor yelled, quieting down the man for a moment, "You tricked her. Her place is home, with me and Martha."

"Are you married?" Yue suddenly asked, looking at our interlocked hands, and upon seeing her perked up eyes, I took the opportunity.

"Yes," I quickly answered.

"In that case," she looked at Zian, tilting her head with a smirk, "Your marriage, Zian, is invalidated."

"Impossible," he shook his head, "They're not married."

"Yes they are," Martha stepped up, having caught on, putting her hands behind her back and removing her ring, "I was a witness. Bridesmaid. And look, they're wearing rings."

"Those are fake gold," Zian spat, "You give a fake gold ring to that kind of girl?" he gestured to me, only making me hide once more behind the Doctor.

"Haven't you ever heard it's the thought that counts?" Martha countered, "Unlike you, he," she gestured to the Doctor, "Doesn't care about appearances and actually likes what's within."

"Zian, let it go, this was a foul trick you played on the poor girl," Yue shook her head, "She's married."

"I don't believe it," he insisted, staring me down, "And in any case, you know this Yue, if they are truly married then they need to provide evidence."

"What kind?" I asked, my heart beating faster with each second we remained here.

"Something to prove you are actually married," Yue informed, sighing with defeat on that point, "Could range from the rings to the certificate. Something that proves it."

"Like a kiss!" Martha suddenly exclaimed.

"What?" the Doctor and I looked over at her.

The woman had finally lost it.

"Anyone can fake a kiss," Zian crossed his arms.

"Not these two," she pointed at us, "Believe me. They flirt, they do the sweet gestures for one another and they can snog the hell out of each other!"

I rubbed my neck, feeling my face warm up as they looked at us. If I got to leave from this place, I was so gonna kill her for this.

"How long have they been married?" Yue asked, casting a look at Zian who was simply not backing down.

"One year," Martha answered, "Minerva is only eighteen, naturally it'd only be a year of marriage."

"But you said you were seventeen..." Yue said slowly, glancing at me.

"...I feel like I still am," I said, coming around to this crazy idea, "You know, in the eyes of my parents. Still a child and all."

"Child or not, you're my wife!" Zian exclaimed.

"No I'm not!" I yelled, "I already have a husband and that is not you! So leave me alone!"

"I don't believe it!" he yelled back, growing angrier.

"Well that's not my problem! What do you want from us? A damn kiss? Because I'll give you a real, damn kiss," I spun to the Doctor, silently pleading him to help me get out of this, "You want a kiss...I'll give you a kiss," I stepped up, my hands going up to cup his face.

Everything that Martha had said to me about my feelings started rushing through my head. And now that I was here, so close to getting another kiss from the man I refused to say I liked, I felt my heart racing yet still willing me to go ahead and prove myself wrong. The question was, did I really want to find out whether or not I had actual feelings for the Doctor? Did I?

The Doctor was looking down with such shock that I was actually gonna do this. I expected him to push my hands down at any second...but he never did. I took a silent breath in, not waiting for this small act of boldness to slip away, and pulled him down for a kiss.

I felt his surprise but didn't feel any sort of rejection. In fact, in mere seconds I felt his hands placing themselves on either side of my face. We moved our lips together once more, reminding me of the last time this had happened. It was slightly weird suddenly, just like the last time, but...a different weird. I liked the feeling, I admitted. One could even say it felt familiar in a sense, like we'd already done this and we knew exactly how to best please each other. That mere act made my entire body feel the rush.

This might have been to prove something utterly fake but it felt so real to me. But I didn't know what was worse, the fact that I had taken advantage of the moment to prove a theory, or the results that I got. When we finally pulled back, neither of us let go of each other. We simply looked at each other and I dare say we were both dazed.

"See," Martha stepped in front of us, her back to us as she directed herself to Zian, "And if you're wondering, the marriage has been finalized if you know what I mean. So if I were you, I'd get to looking for another bride because this one's taken."

"Get out of here, Zian," Yue then ordered.

"Good job guys," Martha turned to us, hands on hips and a relief sigh coming from her, "I think we should head home, right?" but neither of us answered her, "Guys? Hey guys? Let's go...guys?"

My theory had been proven. There was no denying anymore. If I had the chance to kiss the Doctor again, I would do it. Martha had been right this whole time, it wouldn't matter what I had to say because my heart had the final word. I accepted it now.

I had fallen for the Doctor.

#10th doctor #doctor who #ocappreciation #ocapp #dw imagine #10th doctor imagines #dw imagines #10th doctor imagine #doctor who fics #doctor who imagines #10th doctor fics #martha jones #oc: Minerva Souza #fic: next stop eveywhere

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calico-arctique · 7 years ago

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Top Harry Potter fanfictions

I tried to do a top of HP fics. It is, of course, subjective. I did try to keep it varied, so it’s not a list of 22 fics with the same pairing, or the same characters, or even the same theme.

There is no Muggle AU in my top (there are a lot of other AU), and no bashing (hopefully! it has been a while since I read them for a couple).

#1 A Long Journey Home https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9860311/1/A-Long-Journey-Home “In one world, it was Harry Potter who defeated Voldemort. In another, it was Jasmine Potter instead. But her victory wasn’t the end - her struggles continued long afterward. And began long, long before.”

Genres : General, AU

If you try only one fic make it that one. It has fantastic worldbuilding. It has fantastic plot. It has fantastic characters. It explores the world, and it explores magic. I urge you to try it.

#2 The Changeling https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6919395/1/The-Changeling

Genres : General, Character Study, AU (still follows the plot of the books as Ginny isn’t a central part of them for the majority of canon)

“Ginny is sorted into Slytherin. It takes her seven years to figure out why.” This has fantastic characterization. Ginny’s evolution is believable and well done. Slytherin has a good and entertaining portrayal, which is too rare.

#3 Hogwarts Houses Divided https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3979062/1/Hogwarts-Houses-Divided “The war is over, and all is well, they say, but the wounds remain unhealed. Bitterness divides the Houses of Hogwarts. Can the first children born since the war’s end begin a new era, or will the enmities of their parents be their permanent legacy?”

Genres : General, AU (since The Cursed Child was published, but the first seven books happened like in canon).

This is the next-gen fic that is WAY BETTER than canon next-gen. If you want to read about what the next generation is up to, go read that instead of the Cursed Child (it follows Teddy Lupin tho, not Harry’s children).

– Rest of the top under a cut –

#4 the girl who lived (again) https://archiveofourown.org/works/7900501 “Peeves, though he was nasty about everything else–ickle firsties and orphan girls–got it immediately. For all six years of Harry’s Hogwarts tenure, he dropped water balloons on the heads of anyone who misgendered her. ”

Genres : General, AU, Character Study

It has a trans main character and it is F/F. Also I always love what this author does. It is short but the writing manages to bring a lot of images to life and stays with you.

#5 Invisible Circus https://www.fanfiction.net/s/2056512/1/Invisible-Circus “Ron knows what he’s fighting for, even if no one else does.”

Genres : General, AU ( since The Cursed Child was published, but the first seven books happened like in canon), Undercover investigation (if that’s a genre but that’s what this is).

Probably the best Ron-centric fic. Yes, it is not that hard, bit it is a good fic. It is post-Hogwarts, Ron is deep undercover (had to make it look like he was a traitor for that). Features life in Knockturn Alley, with OCs that actually feel alive, wow.

#6 The Shadow of Angmar https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11115934/1/The-Shadow-of-Angmar “The Master of Death is a dangerous title; many would claim to hold a position greater than Death. Harry is pulled to Middle-earth by the Witch King of Angmar in an attempt to bring Morgoth back to Arda. A year later Angmar falls and Harry is freed. What will he do with the eternity granted to him? Story begins 1000 years before LotR. Eventual major canon divergence.”

Genres : General, AU (divergence when Harry dies in the forest), Crossover

No knowledge of LOTR necessary. Very good writing, and has the most interesting take on potions I’ve ever seen. Harry doesn’t have his wand so is not overpowered.

#7 Prince of the Dark Kingdom https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3766574/1/Prince-of-the-Dark-Kingdom “Ten years ago, Voldemort created his kingdom. Now a confused young wizard stumbles into it, and carves out a destiny. AU. Nondark Harry. MentorVoldemort.”

Genres : General, AU

Very AU, and of course Voldemort is OOC (the only way a Mentor!Voldemort can even work, you know.) (the original Voldemort is way less interesting than this one). Been a long time since I read it but has *fantastic* worldbuilding. Too bad it hasn’t updated in a looooong time, the author got to 7th year, too… Still worth reading.

#8 On The Way to Greatness https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4745329/1/On-the-Way-to-Greatness “As per the Hat’s decision, Harry gets Sorted into Slytherin upon his arrival in Hogwarts—and suddenly, the future isn’t what it used to be.”

Genres : General, AU (diverges more and more from canon), Character Study

Probably the best Slytherin Harry story. A nice companion fic to The Changeling, except that one isn’t complete yet (the author says it’s not abandoned tho), and it diverges more from canon since it’s Harry himself in Slytherin. Great character development that feels natural and is interesting.

#9 Cauterize https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4152700/1/Cauterize “"Of course it’s missing something vital. That’s the point.” Dennis Creevey takes up his brother’s camera after the war.“

Genres : Character study, Tragedy (no characters deaths in the fic itself, but it’s the aftermath of the war)

This fic is a better epilogue than the real epilogue. It is very short so I can’t say much more than what the summary says. It is about scars, and things lost, and about how life goes on after the war.

#10 Forging the Sword https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3557725/1/Forging-the-Sword ”::Year 2 Divergence:: What does it take, to reshape a child? And if reshaped, what then is formed? Down in the Chamber, a choice is made. (Harry’s Gryffindor traits were always so much scarier than other peoples’.)“

Genres : General, AU, Training, Character Study

Harry fails to save Ginny down in the Chamber. And because of this tragedy he changes and works at getting better BUT, contrary to the rest of this type of fics : 1) Ron and Hermione work the same way, they stay a trio 2) There are no easy shortcuts

#11 Harry Potter and the Boy Who Lived https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5353809/1/Harry-Potter-and-the-Boy-Who-Lived "Harry Potter loves, and is loved by, his parents, his godfather, and his brother. He isn’t mistreated, abused, or neglected. So why is he a Dark Wizard? NonBWL!Harry. Not your typical Harry’s brother is the Boy Who Lived story.”

Genres : General, AU, New take (or attempts) on old clichés

In this one Harry is very OOC but I happen to like that character so : meh. He is after knowledge, and it is not all found in books so it is great. I love the exploration of magic. I love the portrayal of Durmstrang. I love the OCs.

#12 End of the Line https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3673824/1/End-Of-the-Line “Hell was, Snape decided, a crowded railway platform.”

Genres : General, Character Study

Only the first chapter contains Snape. It is… kind of a crossover with Discworld I think? It is, simply, the railway platform that people arrive on when they die. And then they take a train. I loved the chapter with Fred even as it was breaking my heart.

#13 An Unfound Door https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7552826/1/An-Unfound-Door “War is coming to Hogwarts, and Harry Potter, fifth-year Ravenclaw, is beset on all sides by enemies unknown, unseen, and unfound…”

Genres : General, AU, Mystery

If this was updated more often and so was more far along it would probably be higher in the top. Anyway. What is there is very interesting. I like the magic. I like how Hogwarts feels more magical than in most fics. Harry is pretty OOC but he’s interesting so ~ I don’t care ~

#14 Becoming Neville https://www.fanfiction.net/s/2736892/1/Becoming-Neville “Neville’s Gran breaks her hip just after his fifth year at Hogwarts, and he must spend the summer with Harry and Remus. They discover a hidden message in the candy wrappers his mother has been giving him, and begin to uncover the mystery.”

Genres : General, Mystery

A good Neville-centric fic is a rarity. This is an old fic that managed to hold up really well. Because it hasn’t been done a million times already. I read it a long time ago, but I liked Neville, and I liked the mystery, and I liked reading about that summer.

#15 ugly : in defense of pansy parkinson https://archiveofourown.org/works/2330390 “"Because I’m not fifteen anymore,” said Pansy. “God, do you know what precious Potter Sr. got up to at school, the bully? But boys get to grow up to be men, you see, and us girls just grow up to be bitches.”“

Genre : Character Study

I loved that one. If you need one thing to convince you to go read it : it has "rage against the internalized misogyny machine” in the tags. Pansy doesn’t become nice. But Pansy gets to grow up. And become someone I can respect. Also I love that author go read everything they did.

#16 Strangers at Drakeshaugh https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6331126/1/Strangers-at-Drakeshaugh “The locals in a sleepy corner of the Cheviot Hills are surprised to discover that they have new neighbours. Who are the strangers at Drakeshaugh? When James Potter meets Muggle Henry Charlton his mother Jacqui befriends the Potters, and her life changes.”

Genres : General, Slice of Life

A simple, good, slice of life fic. We see the Potter’s life by the eyes of their neighbors (who feel like real characters) so it’s pretty novel. Also this author did a huge work, all their fics are in the same universe, and it impresses me a lot.

#17 The Best Revenge https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4912291/1/The-Best-Revenge “AU. Yes, the old Snape retrieves Harry from the Dursleys formula. I just had to write one. Everything changes, because the best revenge is living well. T for Mentor Snape’s occasional naughty language. Supportive Minerva.”

Genres : General, AU

I don’t like Snape, but I like this fic (also Snape is - obviously - OOC here.) It is comforting. I sometimes go read it when I don’t feel well. Contains children that act like children and it is a rarity. My go-to “feel good” fanfiction.

#18 I Know Not, and I Cannot Know – Yet I Live and Love https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11923164/1/ “Severus Snape has his emotions in check. He knows that he experiences anger and self-loathing and a bitter yearning, and that he rarely deviates from that spectrum… Until the first-year Luna Lovegood arrives to his class wearing a wreath of baby’s breath. Over the next six years, an odd friendship grows between the two, and Snape is not sure how he feels about any of it.”

Genre : Character Study

Strangely I don’t think Snape is a lot OOC here and I liked it. He’s still an asshole. But I liked this fic. It works. And it has Luna.

#19 Perfectly Normal Thank You Very Much https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11994595/1/Perfectly-Normal-Thank-You-Very-Much “It’s twenty one years later and for the sake of his daughter, Dudley is going to have to learn about the Wizarding World after all.”

Genre : General

I really like that one. Dudley grew up and isn’t an asshole anymore. And his daughter is a witch. So for her sake he reconnects with Harry and introduces his family to the wizarding world.

#20 Then Comes a Mist and a Weeping Rain http://archiveofourown.org/works/234222 “It always rains for Draco Malfoy. Metaphorically. And literally. Ever since he had accidentally Conjured a cloud. A cloud that’s ever so cross.”

Genre : Romance [Harry/Draco], AU (since The Cursed Child was published, but the first seven books happened like in canon).

I really like eight year fics so I probably have a soft spot for that one. It’s a Drarry btw. This author can do good things (Sarahs Girl on AO3 too can also do good things, but I had to choose between the two to have a varied top, more or less, but go check both authors for drarry).

#21 Stronger than Hope https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3389525/1/Stronger-Than-Hope “AU after OoTP, a few HBP details. An obsessed, grieving Harry has decided on a dangerous way to defeat Voldemort. Snape is paying closer attention than before, but his contempt for Harry blinds him. Eventual Snape as Harry’s guardian story.”

Genres : General, AU

Yes another Snape. And he is still an asshole. So, well. (I don’t like authors that romanticize Snape but I don’t remember it being the case here). Occlumency fic. Not a family fic, don’t let the “guardian” in the summary fool you

#22 Wild http://archiveofourown.org/works/8728150/chapters/20008291 “ “No,” Harry said, by way of greeting. Malfoy’s blonde head rose slowly, carelessly. “Get out.” “I feel as though we’ve already established this, Potter,” Malfoy responded. “And I feel that what we established was that you telling me to get out of places really doesn’t make me more likely to vacate them.””

Genres : Romance [Harry/Draco], AU (since The Cursed Child was published, but the first seven books happened like in canon).

I liked this one because it contains Really Cool Wandless Witches. Also I loved the house. And the setting. It is beautiful.

#hp #harry potter #fanfiction #recommended #recommandations #drarry #top fics #alternate universe

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littlemissheartfilia · 7 years ago

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Writing Challenge

I’m late to this because I just now heard of it but I’m gonna try and do a few days if I can. I most likely won’t be able to get to all but gosh darnit I’m a doer and Imma do writing!

For @fic-writer-appreciation‘s writing challenge of July. Starting on Day 10: Hogwarts AU!

These are oc’s of mine that I really need to work on and develop more. It’s also been pretty long since I’ve read or watched anything Harry Potter related so expect mistakes. And the characters are going to be very shaky and probably badly written but that’s why I need to write to smooth them out more. Any feedback is always appreciated constructive or otherwise.

Howarts AU

The grand clock rang out those nostalgic chimes drowning out the sound of Cecily’s heels on the marble floor. Noise erupted in the corridors below her as she and her brother ascended the stairs to Headmaster Albus Dumblebore’s office. Students had just begun jamming the hallways with their daily walking patterns as Professor McGonegall spoke the password to the giant eagle statue.

Minerva looked back as the statue’s wings enfolded them before the sea of robed students. “Our Headmaster’s love of sweets still seems to bypass any other idea for secret passwords.” She smiled slightly and Cecily tried to match it but failed.

Her brother had remained stoic the entire walk through the castle. As if he was silently assessing every entrance, every exit or small detail about Hogwarts. His behavior didn’t exactly leave her in a chatty mood. Not when he seemed to be hiding something from her. They were here only on behalf of the Ministry regarding a students baffling handling of the sorcerer’s stone that defeated the dark lord. But if they were only here for a few questions on Mr. Potter and his friends why would Alabaster be treating it like a covert operation to discover secrets on enemy land?

Her brother liked to act high and mighty and thought this justified keeping secrets or intentions from her. Most days it seemed the older they got the more he less he told her. Forget the fact they were both equally ranked members of the Ministry and siblings, Alabaster more often than not had his own agenda.

Professor McGonegall seemed to shake off his strange attitude quite well as she held her head high, leading them into the headmaster’s office. The room was filled with the tell tale click-clack of footsteps, warning anyone of their presence before Professor McGonegall could call out, “Headmaster, representatives from the Ministry of Magic are here to speak to you.” Her mouth was held shut and firm as Albus Dumbledore walked casually around a corner hiding bookshelves behind his large oak desk. He, like Minerva, had an air of astuteness that came with a raised head with an easy smile.

“The Ministry, you say?” Dumbledore began.

If Professor McGonegall was going to introduce them Alabaster beat her to it. “Alabaster and Cecily Sage from the Investigation and Research Committee of Magical Items.” Alabaster stepped forward. His posture suggested he might have bowed to the Headmaster yet instead he stood tall, almost challenging the respect he should have shown the Headmaster of Hogwarts.

Dumbledore seemed to crack a smile under the grey hairs of his long beard. “Quite a mouthful don’t you think?” He didn’t give them a chance to answer as he walked down the platform steps to join the trio. “Thank you, Minerva. I’ll take it from here.” He and Minverva seemed to share a silent conversation of glinting eyes. Finally Minerva nodded ever so slightly and announced, “Very well.” She turned on a heel and walked out of the headmaster’s room.

Dumbledore waited for her to be out of sight before he turned to Cecily and Her brother. “Would I be correct to assume this meeting regards, Mr. Potter’s adventures of the previous school year?”

Alabaster nodded but otherwise gave the Headmaster no acknowledgement of his existence. “The Ministry is very interested to know what became of the Sorcerer’s stone once in Mr. Potter’s possession.”

The Headmaster tilted his head up. Cecily just barely recognized a look of suspicion on his face before it was gone again and he spoke with the professional mysterious air he had become known for. He turned toward his desk, motioning for them to follow and find a seat as he talked. “As I’ve already told your associates neither Mr. Potter or I have any idea where the stone ended up. No one knows for that matter. It is a mystery that only the stone knows of.”

Alabaster frowned slightly. “Headmaster, if you would save your speeches of ignorance for another time we can all get along much better.”

Cecily put a hand on her brother’s arm before he could go much farther. A certain kind of temperance was usually needed to keep him in check. One which Cecily had perfected under years of being in his shadow. “My brother means to imply,” she began looking from Alabaster to meet the headmaster’s eyes. “The Ministry has cause to believe that the stone is still in Mr. Potter’s possession. And we worry about the ethical implications of allowing a twelve year old to hold a stone of such...power.” She titled her head down and hoped the eye contact was enough to convince Dumbledore to comply with them.

As far as Cecily knew the Ministry had him on a suspicion list that they never fully explained a cause for. The most she knew was that Dumbledore liked to keep secrets from the Ministry, secrets the Ministry was very interested in uncovering. Perhaps her brother believed all the rumors they had heard about him and that was the reason for his unusual behavior toward Hogwarts.

Dumbledore opened his mouth in a look of recognition. “Cecily Sage was it?” She nodded. “I remember you now. Of course I wasn’t headmaster at the time but you were the prize student of the Slytherin house if I’m not mistaken.”

Alabaster shifted in his seat but Cecily answered him without hesitation. “You might have me confused with my brother. Alabaster was the one who specialized in Defense Against the Dark Arts. He won a good number of quidditch matches for us as well.”

Dumbledore nodded his head happily. “It does me well to see you both so esteemed. But I must insist I truly know nothing beyond the rumors. What happened between Mr. Potter and the you-know-who is a mystery beyond speculation.”

Alabaster spoke up then, his voice a little higher pitched than before. “Then you wouldn’t mind if we spoke with Mr. Potter, would you?”

Dumbledore took his time in replying. “I think the poor boy’s had enough attention from press and investigators for the year. He should have the luxury of finishing his first year under normal circumstances wouldn’t you agree?”

Alabaster seemed ready to speak again until a blazing fire flew in through the Headmaster’s open window and perched itself on a lone tree limb behind his desk.

All eyes turned and Dumbledore stood up as he faced the flaming red bird. He read a note attached to it’s talon in silence then held up a finger with a self-proclaimed ah.

Turning to Alabaster and Cecily he said, “I’m afraid I am all out of time. I must urge you to go back to the Ministry but rest assured I’ve told you all I know on the subject. The sorcerers stone, for everything we know, is lost to time.”

If Alabaster was going to protest Cecily never say him contemplate it as he stood up and took Dumbledore’s outstretched hand.

“Very well, thank you, Headmaster. The Ministry may not be pleased with this information so I must warn you of future meetings like this.”

Dumbledore showed a slight smile. “And I will turn them all away with the same information. You aren’t the first representatives the Ministry has sent my way and I doubt you will be the last. Now if I may,” the Headmaster said before ushering them back to the eagle statue. Cecily turned around but before the eagle’s wings could enfold them once more Dumbledore had vanished with the sound of apparition. As the statue spit the out once again on the top floor of the castle, the students vanished from the halls Alabaster let out a hmph.

“Mr. Crouch was right, he is hiding something.” Alabaster said as he set a fast pace down the corridor.

“The truth always comes to light in time, Al.”

“Not soon enough if you ask me,” he said with a grudge in his tone. A few seconds passed before he spoke again. “One of these days everything Headmaster Dumbledore keeps from the Ministry will be revealed and the result may end up killing him.”

As they showed themselves to the grand entry way of the castle Cecily couldn’t figure out whether Alabaster’s words were a premonition or a threat.

#veraspromptchallenge #this probably has a lot of mistakes #spelling or world building wise because again ive been distant from the harry potter universe for quite a while #either way i think this helped me figure out how my two oc's act here #I really need to flesh them out so I'll probably do more of the au challenges with them

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ao3feed-snape · 8 years ago

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Abomination (Harry Potter/Tokyo Ghoul Crossover)

read it on AO3 at http://ift.tt/2jvduCZ

by Kuudere_Goddess

A new 7th year student has arrived at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

She has long black and silver hair and beautiful tanned skin. Because of her cautious behavior, some think she's creepy. Others believe she's just stuck up. She keeps to herself most of the time and is rarely seen outside of class.

But it's her way of keeping others safe. Scarlet Moscow. Half ghoul, half witch. The mind of a human, the body of a flesh eating monster. After being home schooled by her now dead mother, she is sent to Hogwarts to complete her education.

However, with her constant urge to devour her classmates and the Golden Trio's curiosity, then add an unexpected love interest, there's bound to be trouble. Or perhaps the death of a classmate.

Words: 2546, Chapters: 3/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling, Tokyo Ghoul

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Scarlett Moscow (OC), Draco Malfoy, Terence Higgs, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Ginny Weasley, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Molly Weasley, George Weasley, Fred Weasley, Seamus Finnigan, Dolores Umbridge, Dean Thomas, Tom Riddle | Voldemort, Regulus Black, Bellatrix Black Lestrange, Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Black Malfoy, Minerva McGonagall, Marcus Flint, The Dursleys, Nagachika Hideyoshi, Kaneki Ken

Relationships: Terence Higgs/OC

Additional Tags: Crossover, Torchure, Ghoul!OC, Dark Magic, Minor!WeasleyBashing, Minor!DumbledoreBashing

read it on the AO3 at http://ift.tt/2jvduCZ

#IFTTT #ao3feed #fanfic #Severus Snape #Snape #Professor Snape #SS

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fabulouslymashed-blog · 6 years ago

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Harry Potter’s Fic Premiere.

So I’m doing this “premiere” thingy, just to feel like I’m actually doing something with this blog. As you can read in the title, is about a Harry Potter’s fanfic. I’m posting the first chapter, but it will probably be the only one here on Tumblr. The fic will be updated (slowly updated lol) at AO3.

So, here I go.

Please note that this fic has dark themes and is only for Mature audiences.

Work Title: Pink Sweater’d Baby. Summary: Prudence Pennyworth is a peculiar girl. Of a cold and lonely nature, the young witch hides a lot of secrets behind her big green eyes. Secrets that, mostly, hurt. Dark secrets. But, perhaps, with a little help, the troubled girl may find something she believed didn't exist. Ships: Severus Snape/OC, Lucius Malfoy/OC, and some others as background. AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/16504838/chapters/38657960 Chapter I: Prologue. Sumarry: In which is established that Prudence is very different, and not only because she's a witch. Word Count: 4,470 words.

“Don't ask me to repeat it, I don't know what I'm feeling”.

The room was in total silence and darkness, as it should be when it's close to six in the morning. Beneath the sheets of a soft bed was lying the owner of the room, awake but with her eyes closed, trying to recover her sleep. Her head was submerged in the pillows, and she was so focused on her goal that she did not hear the door open slowly, nor the soft steps on the carpeted floor. She only noticed the strange presence when she felt someone climbing onto her bed and pricking his ribs.

"Wake up!", were the words the presence exclaimed. Growling, the younger twin took off the sheets and the quilt, almost throwing her older twin from the bed, who was looking at her with that characteristic smile of hers. The first looked out the window and noticed that it was much earlier than she had calculated. She frowned.

"I think I've asked you a million times that you are not wake me up so early, and if you have to do it, I said specifically without screaming", the girl said in her husky voice. The older girl let out a laugh and pinched her sister's cheek, tensing her even more.

"Don't be mad. Also, it is for a good reason! Look at this", she explained, taking out a letter from the pocket of her purple robe and crushing it against the other girl's face. The child took the object and looked curiously at her twin, and then unfolded the letter.

Miss Prudence Vitali Rhodes Pennyworth, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July. Yours sincerely, Minerva McGonagall. Deputy Headmistress.

The little girl blinked a few times and reread the letter. She raised an eyebrow, looked at her twin, and prepared to read the parchment once more. When she finished, she decided it would be the best to pinch her arm, just to be sure. The pain of the pinch made her squeeze her throat a little, but it showed her that she wasn't dreaming. She watched her sister again, and she still had that big smile that almost seemed painful. At the silence, the twin threw herself on her and hugged her tightly, making her growl again.

"Ain't ya' happy, Prue? We'll go to Hogwarts!", she yelled in her ear. Prue closed her eyes in an attempt to resist the urge to push her sister away; the girl couldn't stand physical contact at all, especially the affectionate one, much less if they shouted in her ear. She sighed and patted her on the back, trying to make that uncomfortable moment pass soon. She noticed another letter on the floor, which was identical to hers, but it was addressed to Camelia Krystel. She guessed that it had come out of the gown pocket because of her sister's violent movement.

"I am", she admitted, though her voice was as dead and disinterested as ever. "Have you already shouted to Blanc and Fynn about this?", she asked, trying her luck to see if with that Camelia would release her at last. It functioned: her twin separated from Prue and laughed. She was beginning to feel relieved when, after jumping from her bed, Camelia took her arm and practically dragged her to her parents' room.

Prue didn't want to enter because in that place the only thing she always received were scolding and once "hard education" by Blanc, her mother, whom she could see sound asleep from the door frame, which was ajar. Camelia soon opened the door wide and hopped in.

"MOM! DAD!", she cried with all his strength, jumping up onto the bed. Blanc rose like a spring immediately, and still half asleep pulled her precious daughter to herself.

"What happen dear? What do you have? Are you hurt?!", she asked in a hurricane of worried, sleepy words, sweeping Camelia's face with her hands, brushing the fringes off from her forehead. Prue rolled her eyes; Blanc was always so exaggerated that she pissed off the younger. Camelia, who found amusement even in an ant, laughed yet again and removed her mother's hands from her face.

"No, mom ... Look!", she exclaimed, and handed the letter to the woman with more decency than she have had with her twin. Blanc straightened up and read, a smile as big as Camelia's on her lips. She turned around and shook Fynn, her husband, who had such a heavy sleep that not even Camelia's screams could wake him up.

"Fynn!", Blanc called as she moved his body hard from side to side. "Wake up, honey! Good news!".

Some grunts could be heard before the man finally sat down, swollen eyes and red hair scrambled. Blanc didn't even wait for him to wake up completely when she was already crushing the letter against his face, exclaiming that he had to read that immediately. Prue now knew where had Camelia gotten her manners.

"Hogwarts...", Fynn muttered, with a lock of hair between his fingers, reading the letter over and over again like Prue had done. "Finally, they're going to Hogwarts...". He lifted his face, smiled at Camelia, and opened her arms. She jumped at him immediately. "My God, I can't believe it's time! Blanc, Hogwarts!".

"I know, honey," said his wife, and joined the family hug. They stayed like that for a moment, and then she tickled Camelia, who exploded in laughter.

Prue, still leaning against the doorframe, just stared at the scene as unpleasant as it seemed to her. She was glad she was far enough that Camelia couldn't pull her from one moment to the next to be among her parents. The girl's brain couldn't understand why they were making such a fuss over something that was obviously going to happen since both sisters had shown to have magic. That is to say, it had taken her by surprise because she thought it would arrive later, but it wasn't as if its arrival wasn't expected. Also, she thought as she watched Camelia wallow in the marriage bed, classes wouldn't start until about a month and a half, which made the emotion even more illogical. She supposed it was only the characteristic explosive happiness of her family.

Once they finished playing, Blanc gave a clap and decided that since everyone was awake, it would be a good idea to start the day at once. Camelia, a girl full of energy and desires to help, announced that she would go make the breakfast, and immediately went downstairs, humming a song very popular at that time. Prue for her part only sighed; she'd never liked doing things early, not because she was a lethargic child, but because she simply didn't like it. She used to have little energy. She muttered that she would go to make the beds and left her parents' room. They didn't even listen to her, since they were too busy hugging each other.

Entering her room, the girl yawned and thought that she probably could take a nap of an hour or so, just enough to recover a little of the sleep she hadn't had at night. After all, with all the excitement of the day, her parents would likely not notice her absence. Also, luckily, Camelia always took care that no one noticed.

"Lucifer", she whispered as she crawled to her bed, eyes already closing in search of the lost dream. From under the bed came a huge black cat with yellow eyes, so hairy that it looked even bigger than it was. It yawned and stretched its long body and then meowed and climbed to the bed with its owner, curling in her arms and purring under its breath. Prue stroked him lazily, sniffing the fur, which smelled of cranberries because it had only been bathed the day before, slowly slipping back to sleep, when her mother's voice came from below the stairs.

"Prudence, bring me the second letter from Hogwarts! Your sister left it near her bed!"

"Bloody luck," she thought. She didn't want to take anything to anyone, but she was obedient, so she yawned once more and let Lucifer lie under the covers before going to Camelia's room. It was all very neat, with the windows wide open already, flowers, and posters of pop singers. It was paint all purple and gave an aura of cleanliness and tranquility. Actually, all the rooms gave that feeling to Prue, who had a rather disastrous room due to the lack of interest in having something respectable. The girl just picked up the letter and took it to Blanc. By then she knew that she wouldn't have a chance to return to her bed, and her mood was getting even uglier because of it.

Downstairs, Blanc and Fynn were in the dining room chatting about something that Prue couldn't hear and honestly didn't interest her. The television in the living room was on, tempting Prue to sit down on her couch and be invisible all day. However, the smell that came from the kitchen led her to the dining room while her stomach growled with hunger. She gave the letter to Blanc without even receiving a "thank you" before sitting down at the other end of the table, completely separated from the places where the others sat.

"So many things to buy...", the woman murmured, eyeing the letter, a hand on her temple. Prue narrowed her eyes at that, wondering if they were going to the famous Alley soon. Apparently, Fynn was wondering the same thing.

"Can we go to Diagon this Saturday or do we have a commitment?"

He really had a bad memory. Another thing that bothered Prue. Blanc was a bundle of concern and over protection to Camelia, and Fynn an airhead. She didn't understand how that man had been in Slytherin, or her annoying mother in Hufflepuff. If it were not for the pictures in the hallway as evidence to prove such things, Prue would never have believed it.

"I think we were invited to a Camelia's friend's birthday party", Blanc answered. The aforementioned emerged from the kitchen at that time. She carried the plates and glasses in one hand, and the cutlery in the other. Prue went to help with it without need to ask.

"The party of a sister of a known one", Camelia specified once the table was set and she could start serving eggs and bacon. She made sure that Prue's plate had an extra portion, since the younger twin used to eat very badly, and breakfast was the only strong food she made. Three eggs, three slices of bacon and two of bread would keep her alive for that day. It was not the best, but Camelia couldn't force her to eat. "Although I sincerely prefer to go to the Alley, and I think Prue shares my opinion".

"Is that so, Prudence?", Fynn asked. The girl tilted her head, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. She had never liked the parties of Camelia's friends because she was always bored among all those silly girls who were just as outrageous as her sister. Apparently her parents hadn't noticed. What a novelty.

"I vote for the Alley", she said, and began her breakfast. She noticed that Camelia had put extra bacon, just as she liked it.

"Please control your excitement", said Blanc sarcastically, making everyone laugh except Prue. "Come on, Vitali, at least smile a little", she suggested.

Prue was no fool, and experience had taught her that more often than what she could bear, her parents (especially Blanc) would only speak to her if it was to make a bad joke, and sometimes to order something about her favorite daughter. Therefore, if it had been possible, her already stoic face would have become more rigid at the mockery and the use of her hated middle name. She fixed her eyes on Blanc, who growled.

"So... we'll go on Saturday?", Camelia inquired in an attempt to distract the atmosphere.

"I'm not sure. Maybe it would be better in two weeks; After all, we've already committed in going to the party", Fynn said, looking for the ketchup. Camelia gave an expression of sadness: eyes of dog half-dead. "C'mon, Krys. Think about how much fun you are going to have with all your friends".

"True, but we shall try that the other girls don't get jealous for not being so pretty, right?", Blanc asked, winking at her daughter. She smiled, blushing a little and mumbling something to change the subject. The three of them chatted about other things, not even noticing that the youngest daughter was getting up and going to sit in the living room, deciding that it was better to be invisible than to have to endure the stupid things that came out of her parents' mouths.

#♤

Saturday came faster than expected.

Camelia was very excited: she had put on one of her many jumpers, along with the most comfortable sandals she found, so she could run and play in the party room without problems; she had tied her red hair in a braid that fell from her side and made her look even prettier than she already was. Blanc and Fynn told her this so many times that the girl was beginning to feel self-conscious.

For her part, Prue had dressed meticulously so that they couldn't send her to the games: She wore one of her short skirts, Doctor Martin's boots, and her wild hair fell freely over her shoulders. She knew that with that attire they wouldn't "let" her go to play, so her mood was not as bad as it could have been.

When the little family arrived at the party, after a quick greeting between the Callohway matrimony and the girls, both were sent to have fun. Camelia tried to take Prue to her friends and see if she liked any of them, but after five minutes of continuous screaming and yelping at the mention of, basically, anything, the grim girl could not take it anymore and looked for a table where she could sit down and be able to be as miserable as she wanted.

Why did she always had to go to places she didn't like? That was one of the things that angered Prue the most. She could stay at home, alone, and she wouldn't cause any disaster, and nothing bad would happen to her. She was a good girl; perhaps not very emotional, and cold with everyone, but after all, good. She never got into real trouble because most things didn't interest her enough for it. In fact, the worst thing she ever did (and the cause of Blanc putting her butt red) was when she tore the head of all of Camelia's dolls, moved partly by a desire to get revenge because she was naughty with Lucifer, and partly because of a morbid curiosity about how her twin would react. Later she promised to herself to not do it again, and not because of Blanc's punishment, but because of the screams Camelia did. She supposed she couldn't blame her; after all, they were only 8 years old.

Whatever it was, in those moments, Prue was especially irritated. If she couldn't stand Camelia when she was screaming, much less a bunch of snotty kids who only knew to do that. What was so exciting about going down the slide? Sure, the first time she did it felt funny and strange, but after that time, Prue found it a lot more boring. She could not understand how all of them were excited to go down it after ten times. She wrinkled her nose and decided to look away, fixing her piercing eyes on the adults, but avoiding seeing her parents. If she did, she would surely end up walking home alone, and since that was outside of London, it would take a long time and maybe be dangerous. Prue wasn't exactly happy with her life, but she wasn't going to take risks either.

In the end, seeing more to the nothing than the adults, the little girl began to think about what would come more than in the past and her disgusting present. Camelia had asked her a few days ago if she was happy, and she said yes, and she did not lie a bit. Going to Hogwarts was a promise that had much more meaning for Prue than for others. Not only was the fact that she would finally learn to do magic and a lot of other things from that world, but it would also be an opportunity to find, perhaps, a place to call home, a place to belong. Camelia had her home with her parents, in the nice house they had a few miles from London, but for Prue it was not like that. She still couldn't find that special place to feel loved, understood and safe, and thought that maybe Hogwarts would be the big winner. Maybe she would even find a friend or two, but being Prue, having friends was one of the things that drew her attention the least. She would always have Camelia, anyway, and that was enough for her.

She wondered what the classes and the teachers would be like. She knew that the famous Albus Dumbledore was the headmaster, but since she really wouldn't be in contact with him, she didn't care that much. She wondered what lesson that woman would give, Minerva McGonagall. Her name could only remind her of burgers. Maybe Potions?Camelia liked potions. She knew there was another class called Charms, and there was also Transfiguration. How she would love to learn Transformations. If it was not illegal, she thought with a tiny cruel smile, it would fascinate her to turn her parents into a pair of carpets so she could step on them all day long.

"Prue!", exclaimed a voice in her ear suddenly.The girl was out of her trance then, the dark thoughts disappearing, and noticed that her back was stiff from having been sitting in the same position for so long.She looked at the window, noticing that it had been at least a couple of hours, and then she looked at her twin with a raised eyebrow.Camelia was a little disheveled, her cheeks full of color probably from running around here and there.Her smile was huge."We found out how to get in behind the games, and it's all dark and creepy, and Mary says we should tell horror stories, and I thought of you because there's no one who scares more than you", she explained in a single breath, something classic in her. Prue raised her other eyebrow.

"Do you want me to tell horror stories to you and your friends? I'm not sure I'm getting away with that. I'll be scolded if someone urinates", she growled. Camelia rolled her eyes, amused.

"Let's go! I'll cover you with mom and dad. Please, Prue!", the redhead pleaded. Prue sighed, looked at her parents, and decided that she was never right with them anyway.

"Very well. But only one".

#♤

In every party there is a cake, and this was no exception. Prue was telling her fourth horror story, fascinated by having all those girls in suspense and absolute fear, enjoying their expressions of fright whenever a monster or ghost appeared in her story, when the adults began to announce that it was time to cut the cake. That broke the spell both in the girls and in their narrator, who liked very much cakes. In fact, she was the first to sneak out from the back of the games and approach Mr and Mrs Callohway with her plate ready. She was even willing to serve the cake if that gave her an extra slice.

Once they finished singing 'happy birthday' and the cake was delivered, the children were invited to gather in the center of the party room to make small games while they ate their dessert. All went without hesitation, except for two: The first, clearly, was Prue, who shrugged and went out into the tiny back garden of the place, eager to enjoy her cake alone; the second was Camelia, who noticed Prue walking away and sincerely wanted to go with her, but she also felt kind of a social commitment with her friends. She sighed and assumed that she could always talk to her later, and she also realized that Prue would enjoy more her cake being alone, because that was her way to be, so she went to sit with the other children.

Camelia's guess was not a bit wrong. Prue loved being alone, and she liked to do all kinds of things that way. In the garden was no one, so after a little thought, she went to sit on a swing and tried the cake, which was made of chocolate and milk, without being sweet enough to disgust the girl. A small smile adorned her lips, the kind of expressions she allowed herself to have when she was absolutely sure no one was watching her. Then she began to plan on asking for more, and if they didn't pay attention to her (as it could happen), she could always steal a piece. After all, she didn't have much trouble doing what was necessary to get what she wanted, and she was sure that Lucifer would love to try some cake.

#♤

The party ended at about eight o'clock at the same time as Prue's energy. She used to get quite exhausted after social gatherings, so she was falling asleep in the car while driving home. She looked out the window, watching the stars that little by little became clearer as they left London. She was sick to death of the sound of happy children, the smell of sweat and feet, and the garish colors they had in the party room; but now, on the way to her beloved bed and pet, Prue was calmer and more relaxed. Besides, deep down, the idea that she would soon be going to Diagon Alley for the first time was filling her with a feeling of warmth in her chest and a jumble in her stomach that she could only classify as excitement.

Her train of thoughts was interrupted when she felt someone sting her cheek. The girl stopped watching the stars and found, as she foresaw, Camelia looking at her with those pretty blue eyes. Prue blinked and stared at her, neither disinterestedly nor hostilely as she saw others, but with pure curiosity, as she only saw Camelia when they weren't fighting or playing. Her twin simply smiled at her calmly. That calm expression caught her attention and she sat up straight to look at Camelia, still without saying anything.

Strangely Camelia, who never stopped her mouth, was also silent. She just watched Prue, thinking... Her almost-eleven-year-old mind could not understand why Prue was so different. She herself had red hair, like her father, and blue eyes, like her mother. Her skin was a nice shade of peach, and she was tall for her age, just like her parents when they were young. She had the happy and positive nature of both, and the smile of mom. She was happy, just like them, like everyone she knew... almost everyone.

Her twin was small and minute, with pale blond hair that changed color to turn pink at the tips, a pair of large eyes with a green colour so deep that sometimes they looked black, and skin white as snow. Her parents said that she was identical to grandfather Lucían, of whom Camelia didn't have many memories, and whom they hadn't seen since they were about six years old; but the differences didn't end there. Prue almost never spoke, and the few times she did she had a way of expressing herself that was strange to her age, sometimes very serious and sometimes very romantic, almost too elaborate, recharged. But in general she was a prisoner of her thoughts, with such a stoic expression that no one could imagine what was going on in her mind. It was that same expression that she was using at that moment while they saw each other, and Camelia was dying to understand why Prue was so different not only from her and her parents, but to the whole world. But she was afraid to ask. She was afraid because she didn't want Prue to lose confidence in her, her only friend, and to feel completely alone.

When they got home, Prue raised an eyebrow and got out of the car without thinking twice. She started walking to the backyard, wanting to lie down on the grass and smell the roses, being followed by Camelia. They ended up lying together, watching the sky or even playing with their hands, but without saying anything, and it wasn't until after almost an hour that Camelia couldn't take it anymore.

"What do you feel?", she questioned. Prue raised an eyebrow. "That is, not only about Hogwarts and the Alley and all this, but in general, every day. What do you feel, Prue?".

"I do not know", the blonde said honestly after a few moments. Usually Prue didn't understand (nor bother to understand) her emotions. If they were very strong, she caught them instantly, but they were usually too passive and light. The wind carried them away as it would with a withered leaf.

"Why do you not show anything?", Camelia continued. Prue frowned.

"I don't know. I do not like it, I suppose".

"I cannot understand you", Camelia sighed, looking away, unable to resist the piercing green eyes anymore.

"I don't either", her twin admitted, staring at the stars again. Camelia sighed, and slightly insecure, hugged her cautiously, feeling her tense.

"I just want you to know that I don't care how weird you are, I love you, Prue", she whispered from the bottom of her heart. It didn't surprise her that Prue didn't respond, since she never did with things like that, but it still hurt a little. She held her for another second before letting her go. "I'm going to bed. Good night", she announced, and left.

Prue watched from that same place in the back garden the silhouette of Camelia in her room, doing whatever it was she was doing, until the lights went out. The girl then leaned back, ready to lose herself in her mind.

"I love you too, Cam", she whispered to nothingness, and closed her eyes.

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