#Pensieve Post

[iamnmbr3]

Dumbledore: so anyway in the end harry has to die

Snape: wtf

Dumbledore: don't act so shocked lol

Snape: this is super messed up!

Dumbledore: do you actually care about him tho?

Snape: no not really lol

Harry: One day I will name my child after these two people.

[writingsoftarnishedsilver]

Through Her Eyes | Sebastian Sallow x OC #8

seb is really out here ruining all my fluff with angst

Summary: In a Halloween-themed celebration for Sebastian's birthday, his friends, led by Evangeline, prepare a surprise party in the Room of Requirement. Despite the fun and warmth of the night, Sebastian’s unspoken feelings for Evangeline become complicated by jealousy over her relationship with Lysander.

Words: 6,931

Tags: Halloween Birthday Party, Spin The Bottle, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Memory Vial, Pensieve Gift, Friends To Lovers, Slow Burn, Bittersweets, Longing, Jealousy, Unspoken Feelings, Love Triangle

Read more stories about Sebastian and Evangeline

The Room of Requirement hummed with excitement, alive with floating jack-o'-lanterns, enchanted pumpkins with toothy grins, and flickering candles casting ghostly shadows along the walls draped in cobwebs. Evangeline adjusted a crooked pumpkin on one of the tables, her eyes sparkling with anticipation as she watched her friends milling about, preparing the final touches for the party. She glanced over at Ominis, who was busy fiddling with the floating candles, their dim lights casting a warm glow over his determined face.

The rest of their friends were scattered across the room, each in a creative costume and contributing to the spooky setup in their own way. Garreth was dressed as a dashing pirate, eye patch included, and had filled the punch bowl with one of his experimental potions that emitted a faint mist and sparkled with swirling colors. Leander, meanwhile, had chosen to be a muggle detective, complete with a comically oversized magnifying glass, which he was using to inspect the decorations with an exaggerated air of seriousness, much to everyone’s amusement.

“Do you think Sebastian’ll actually wear a costume?” Evangeline asked, hiding a smile as she adjusted the black lace mask over her eyes.

Ominis smirked, a glint of amusement flickering across his usually calm face. "Oh, he’ll wear one. I told him it was mandatory."

Natty and Cressida were at one of the tables near the door, arranging an array of snacks, each enchanted with small charms that made the treats wobble, glow, or emit faint, amusing noises. Natty, dressed as a lioness, was laughing at the enchanted pastries every time they tried to escape their plate, while Cressida, dressed in a shimmering fairy costume with wings that twitched every so often, laughed at the display.

“Honestly, this might be one of our best setups yet,” Imelda commented from her perch on a table, where she was setting up a bowl of sweets to jinx anyone who tried to take too many. Dressed as a vampire, with fangs glinting in the candlelight, she looked at the enchanted treats with an almost predatory gleam in her eyes.

Nearby, Violet, decked out in full ghostly attire with shimmering gauzy fabric flowing around her, adjusted the lighting charms to dim the corners of the room, making the jack-o'-lanterns’ grins appear even more sinister. “I think it’s wonderful that we’re doing this for him,” she murmured, her gaze softening as she glanced around the room. “Knowing Sebastian, he’ll probably act all nonchalant, but I think he’ll appreciate it.”

As the final touches came together, Evangeline took a step back to take in the scene. Floating candles cast a dim, warm light over her friends, all of whom were now gathered around, beaming and admiring their hard work. Everyone was dressed in full costume, looking both ridiculous and wonderful, the festive energy filling the room with an almost tangible warmth.

"Alright, places, everyone!" Poppy, dressed as a mischievous goblin, announced as she positioned herself near the door. "He’ll be here any moment, thanks to Ominis’ perfectly vague instructions.”

Evangeline tugged at the edges of her costume as she joined her friends, smoothing the fabric as her eyes darted toward the door. She couldn’t shake the slight twist of nerves in her chest, knowing this surprise might stir up bittersweet memories for Sebastian. The party was as much for him as it was for her friends, who had all wanted to show him a night filled with warmth and laughter instead of the quiet sadness he usually wore on his birthday.

A few muffled footsteps echoed from the hallway, and the group held their breath, still as statues as the doorknob turned. A moment later, the door swung open, and there stood Sebastian, his brow furrowed, eyes narrowing as he took in the dark, glowing room. He was dressed in a sly-looking devil costume, complete with dark horns and a grin that looked both amused and curious.

“SURPRISE!” the entire group yelled, bursting into applause and cheers as Sebastian froze in the doorway, clearly stunned. His smirk faltered, surprise flickering over his face as he looked at the assembled group, each one grinning back at him from behind ridiculous masks, wings, and cloaks.

“Alright,” he finally said, a genuine smile breaking through his surprise, “I did not see that coming.”

“Good, because it’s nearly impossible to surprise you,” Evangeline laughed, stepping forward to meet him. “Welcome to your Halloween birthday bash!”

Sebastian looked at her, his expression softening before he scanned the room, taking in the decorations—the enchanted pumpkins and cobwebs glimmering, the punch bowl swirling with mist, and the assortment of sweets and cakes practically alive with charms. The flicker of sadness that usually haunted his gaze on his birthday seemed to fade just slightly, replaced by a look of warmth.

“It’s brilliant,” he murmured, “Thank you, all of you.”

In no time, the party slipped into an excitable rhythm, laughter and music filling the air as their friends drifted from one group to another, each corner of the room brimming with life. Sebastian was pulled into a dance with Imelda, who twirled him around with surprising strength, making everyone cheer. Natty and Cressida performed a duet of exaggerated ghostly wails that had the room in stitches, while Garreth enchanted the punch to glow a haunting green, daring everyone to taste it.

In an instant, the enchanted punch was a hit, with misty tendrils swirling in the air above their cups, and each sip left them feeling light and a little bolder. Sebastian, typically reserved on his birthday, found himself laughing and enjoying the evening, the usual melancholy of the day replaced by the warmth and energy of his friends.

Evangeline watched as he moved through the room, bantering with Garreth over the potion he’d put in the punch, teasing Natty about her lioness costume, and even joining Poppy in a playful dance when she grabbed his hand and spun him around. The sight warmed her heart, and she couldn’t help but smile, knowing he was able to lose himself in the moment. Tonight, he looked truly carefree, the weight he usually carried absent, if only for a while.

As the night wore on and the drinks flowed freely, Leander clinked his cup for attention, an impish grin spreading across his face. “Alright, alright! I’ve got an idea to make this night even more… interesting,” he announced, holding up a bottle he’d procured from Garreth’s stash. “Let’s play spin the bottle!”

A wave of laughter, gasps, and protests erupted. Some of the group exchanged looks, while others leaned forward with immediate interest.

“Oh, Merlin, this again?” Sebastian scoffed, crossing his arms with a dubious look. He glanced around the circle, his gaze briefly catching Evangeline’s before he quickly looked away, his expression guarded.

Garreth raised an eyebrow, egging him on. “What, Sallow? You scared?”

Sebastian rolled his eyes. “Please, I’m not scared. Just seems like a ridiculous game,” he muttered, though his arms remained firmly crossed, a hint of tension in his stance.

Evangeline shifted nervously beside her friends, who were all stifling knowing smiles. Natty nudged her with an encouraging grin, whispering, “Come on, Evie, it’s just a game.”

Evangeline forced a smile, her heart racing as she considered it. Her friends, especially Ominis, were well aware of her feelings for Sebastian, and she knew they’d be watching closely. She stole a quick glance at Sebastian, who was still resisting, though his eyes held a flicker of something… apprehensive. The thought made her pulse quicken.

She took a deep breath, fingers nervously twisting at the hem of her sleeve. This was supposed to be fun, and everyone else seemed unfazed. But her mind was racing. If she ended up having to kiss Sebastian—her heart leaped at the thought—and yet, the idea terrified her just as much as it thrilled her. She knew her friends would be watching, waiting for the moment they all knew she secretly hoped for.

“Oh, come on, it’s just a bit of fun!” Garreth grinned mischievously, giving Sebastian a look. “It’s nearly Halloween, it’s your birthday—don’t be a coward.”

Leander smirked, holding the bottle out with an air of challenge. “You can sit this out, Sallow, but everyone else is joining in.”

Sebastian hesitated, his expression wavering between annoyance and something that looked suspiciously like fear. Finally, with a resigned sigh, he dropped down into the forming circle, muttering, “Fine."

Evangeline’s heart stuttered as she found herself joining the circle too, each movement filled with anticipation. Her friends exchanged knowing glances, barely able to contain their excitement. Ominis sat quietly, though she knew he was well aware of her nerves, and his faint smirk told her he’d likely enjoy watching this play out.

Garreth reached out and the bottle whirled around the circle, gleaming as it caught the candlelight, and Evangeline held her breath, hoping she wouldn’t end up on the spot too soon.

Eventually, it slowed to a stop, pointing at Violet. Laughter erupted as Garreth, dressed in his pirate costume, exaggerated a swooning look, clutching his chest dramatically before leaning over to plant a peck on Violet’s lips. She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the smile tugging at her lips. “Such charm, Weasley,” she teased, pushing him back with a playful shove.

Next, Natty’s turn came, and the bottle pointed at Amit, who fidgeted nervously, adjusting his glasses as Natty gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Amit,” she said with a soft laugh, leaning in to give him a quick, friendly kiss. Amit turned a shade of red that matched Garreth’s pirate bandana, prompting a round of applause and good-natured teasing from the circle.

When Imelda spun, the bottle landed on Leander, who gave a confident smirk. Imelda rolled her eyes but leaned in, placing a quick peck on his lips. “Don’t let it go to your head, Prewett,” she muttered, and Leander grinned as if he’d just won a Quidditch match.

Cressida’s spin landed her with Poppy, and they both burst into laughter, leaning in for a quick, exaggerated kiss that left everyone whistling and hollering in excitement.

Evangeline’s nerves grew with each spin, a mix of excitement and anxiety churning in her stomach. She tried to stay calm, laughing along with her friends, but every time the bottle inched close to her, her heart raced faster.

Ominis reached for the bottle, giving it a casual flick with his wrist. The bottle spun around, glinting in the dim light as it slowed and finally landed on Adelaide. Evangeline noticed a brief flicker of hesitation in Ominis’s expression—so subtle that most would have missed it. But she saw it, the barely perceptible tightening of his jaw, the slight shift in his posture.

Still, he leaned in, his expression calm, and gave Adelaide a quick, polite kiss. Adelaide blushed, looking both surprised and pleased, while Ominis leaned back with a slight smile, though Evangeline could tell his heart wasn’t in it.

Her heart gave a strange, empathetic pang, recognizing that Ominis, too, had someone on his mind. And from Evie could tell, it wasn't Adelaide.

Finally, it was Sebastian’s turn, and Evangeline could sense Ominis casting her a knowing glance, his lips twitching with a barely concealed smirk. Her heart raced, and she barely registered the chatter around her as Sebastian reached for the bottle with an exaggerated, reluctant sigh.

“Oh, go on, Sallow,” Garreth teased, elbowing him. “Don’t look so grim."

Sebastian huffed, shooting Garreth a mock glare, but Evangeline didn’t miss the way his hand hesitated for just a split second before spinning the bottle. He gave it a flick, and they all watched as it whirled around, catching flickers of candlelight in the dim room, casting fleeting sparks across the faces gathered around the circle.

The bottle slowed, its pace dwindling as it spun closer and closer toward her. Evangeline felt every inch of its rotation like the beat of a drum in her chest, each flicker of candlelight off the glass holding her captive. And then, finally, it landed on her. The air seemed to vanish from the room as a hush fell over the circle, and her heart leapt—this could be it.

She was in love with him, and had been for over a year. She’d spent countless nights dreaming about this moment, the moment he might look at her and truly see her, might kiss her and let his walls down. And now, here it was, all because of a silly, ridiculous game that might change everything. Her pulse quickened, her breath hitching in anticipation as she met his familiar gaze, heart pounding with a mixture of excitement, fear, and desperate hope.

The room seemed to hum with energy, her friends holding their breaths as they watched the two of them, expressions full of unspoken excitement. She could feel the collective thrill and anticipation around them, her friends barely containing their glee that, at long last, something might happen.

But when she looked at Sebastian, her heart sank. He looked… taken aback. The usual mischief was gone from his eyes, replaced with an almost startled expression, his lips pressed together in a thin line. A flicker of something like hesitation crossed his face, and he glanced around the circle as if searching for an escape. She felt her heart drop, the warmth in her chest replaced by a sudden chill. He didn’t want this, she realized with a painful certainty.

He didn’t want to kiss her.

Her cheeks warmed as he leaned in, but she knew, deep down, this wasn’t going to be what she had imagined. He was close enough now that she could smell the faint hint of spice and autumn leaves that clung to him after a day spent outside. Her eyes fluttered shut, steeling herself for the feel of his lips, bracing for the kiss she had longed for. Just once. Just one kiss.

But as his breath ghosted over her skin, he shifted at the last second, pressing a soft, polite kiss to her cheek instead. His hand rested briefly on her shoulder, but it was a gesture so fleeting it might have never been there at all. He pulled back just as quickly, and her heart clenched painfully, the moment slipping away like sand through her fingers. The warmth she’d hoped for, the magic she’d dreamed of… it wasn’t there.

Around them, her friends exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions a mixture of confusion and pity as they watched Sebastian pull away, his face a mask of casual indifference. No one said a word, but the silence spoke volumes. The unspoken rules of the game had been broken, and everyone knew it. She swallowed the ache, her forced smile trembling at the edges as she tried to mask the disappointment that pooled in her chest like ice.

Sebastian gave an awkward chuckle, shrugging it off as if nothing had happened while the group of friends glanced at each other again, their confusion thick in the air, but the game went on, the bottle spinning to the next person.

Evangeline barely registered it, the lighthearted chatter and laughter around her fading into a distant hum. Her heart felt heavy, hollowed out, as though something precious had been taken and she hadn’t been quick enough to hold onto it. Across the circle, Ominis caught her gaze, his expression soft with sympathy, and she could see in his eyes that he knew exactly how she felt. He gave her a slight, understanding nod, his silent presence a small comfort amid the ache.

The night continued on—the Room of Requirement filled with laughing faces, swirling lights, and the vibrant music. But Sebastian couldn’t focus. His mind kept looping back to that moment, that one breathless second when the bottle had landed on her. Evangeline. The warmth of her cheeks, the way her eyes had softened as she looked at him. And he’d ruined it. He’d wanted to kiss her, Merlin, he’d wanted to.

The moment the bottle landed on her, his heart had skipped a beat, a reckless thrill racing through him at the thought. He’d barely let himself hope he’d have a moment like that with her, and now, having had it, he couldn’t believe he’d let it slip away. But as much as he wanted it—wanted her—he’d held back.

Because if he kissed her, he feared he’d never be able to go back to the way things were. He’d be left with nothing but the hollow ache of knowing what it felt like to hold her, to taste the possibility that had lingered between them for so long. And a kiss in a game, under the teasing gazes of their friends, wasn’t how he wanted it. Not for her, and not for himself.

As the party drifted into late evening and Garreth’s punch had made more than a few rounds, Sebastian felt the effects, his usual defenses slipping with each drink. He found himself withdrawing from the noise, letting the crowd drift past him as he walked toward a quiet alcove. The dim light from the enchanted candles flickered across the room, and he stood alone, looking out over the scene, the bittersweet mix of celebration and longing simmering within him.

He barely noticed her approach until she was beside him, her soft steps barely audible over the distant laughter. “Sebastian,” she said quietly, her voice like a balm, both soothing and unsettling. She leaned against the stone wall beside him, her gaze following his out over the crowd.

For a while, neither of them spoke, and he wondered what she might be thinking about as they stood there together, cloaked in the soft glow of the enchanted candles. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, taking in the familiar lines of her face, the way her hazel gaze softened as she watched their friends laughing and dancing in the distance. Did she feel the same pull—the same magnetic tension that he struggled against every time they were together? He wondered if maybe a part of her had wanted him to kiss her just as much as he had. The thought both thrilled and terrified him.

Evangeline eventually spoke, her expression both pensive and slightly wistful. “Having fun?"

Sebastian let out a quiet laugh, one that felt forced. “Yeah,” he replied, his gaze drifting over the crowd of their friends, their laughter and movement casting shadows against the flickering candlelight. “It’s… better than I expected, actually.” He turned to her, searching her face. “What about you?”

She gave him a small smile, though there was something guarded in her eyes. “It’s been lovely. It means a lot, you know… to see you happy.” Her gaze softened as she looked at him, and for a fleeting moment, he thought he saw something there—something that mirrored the turmoil inside him.

The words nearly caught in his throat, but he forced them out anyway, trying to sound casual. “Well, thanks to you and Ominis, I suppose,” he said, his voice quieter. “You two really went all out.”

Evangeline looked down, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “You deserve it. I know birthdays haven’t been… easy for you since Anne got sick,” she said softly, her voice laced with understanding.

For a moment, Sebastian was at a loss for words. He wanted to reach out, to close the small space between them and tell her how much that meant to him, how much she meant to him. But instead, he only managed a soft, “Thank you.”

A comfortable silence fell between them as they watched the party from their secluded corner, a strange mix of longing and contentment settling over him. It was a rare, fragile moment—one that felt painfully perfect in its simplicity. He could almost forget the ache in his chest, the words he was too afraid to say.

After a moment, Evangeline’s voice broke the quiet. “Do you ever think about… what comes after all this? After Hogwarts?”

Sebastian’s gaze flickered over to her, surprised by the question. “Sometimes,” he admitted, leaning back against the wall. “It’s strange to think about life beyond these walls, isn’t it? There’s so much out there, but… I don’t know what it looks like without all of this. Without… us.”

Evangeline’s lips curved into a faint smile, her gaze drifting thoughtfully over the room. “Yeah,” she murmured, a wistfulness in her tone. “It’s hard to picture what comes next,” She paused, her fingers tracing patterns along the edge of her costume sleeve, as if searching for the right words. “Sometimes, I wonder if what we went through was supposed to give us answers. To help us figure out who we are… what we want.”

Sebastian studied her, his gaze softened with an empathy he rarely showed. “And did it?” he asked gently. “Give you those answers?”

She hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. “Not exactly.” Her voice grew softer. “Sometimes, I think about Professor Fig, the repository… everything we went through. It changed so much, and sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing, if not taking the power was the best choice.” She sighed, her voice barely above a whisper. “And what that choice says about me.”

Sebastian’s heart twisted, the weight of her uncertainty settling over him. He reached out, his hand brushing against her arm in a soft, reassuring touch. “Evie, you made the choice because it was right. Because you’re good.” His voice softened, each word laced with a quiet intensity. “Not many people would be able to choose what’s right over what’s… tempting.”

Her eyes met his, filled with an almost vulnerable openness. “I thought it would make things easier, knowing I’d done the right thing. But it’s just…” She let out a soft sigh, her gaze shifting as she struggled to put her feelings into words. "I worry about what might happen when I'm not here anymore. Not near Hogwarts to protect it. To keep it safe, I suppose.”

Sebastian’s heart tightened, and he moved his hand from her arm to gently clasp her hand, grounding her with his touch. “Evie, listen to me,” he said, his voice steady. “You did everything you could. More than anyone else could have. And Hogwarts… it’ll stand because of you. You’re leaving it better than it was.” He paused, searching her face, his own expression softening. “You’re leaving all of us better than we were.”

Evangeline’s eyes shone, her resolve wavering just slightly as she absorbed his words. “I hope so,” she murmured, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

They stood there, her hand still in his, and for a brief moment, the world outside of this quiet corner fell away. He could feel her warmth, steadying him, grounding him in a way nothing else could. It was moments like these that reminded him why he held back earlier. How could he risk losing this—their closeness, this fragile understanding that neither of them dared to put into words?

Evangeline looked down at their entwined hands, a slight blush creeping into her cheeks. She bit her lip, "Follow me."

Sebastian’s heart raced as he followed Evangeline out of the Room of Requirement, the warmth of her hand lingering even after she let go. The castle corridors were shrouded in darkness, only faintly illuminated by the flickering light of torches as they passed.

It was well past curfew, but they slipped through the halls with ease, their countless nights of sneaking out together having made them experts in the art of silent movement through the castle’s winding corridors.

Sebastian could feel his pulse thrumming in his veins, his thoughts tangled with possibilities, as they finally reached the entrance to the Gryffindor common room.

When they stopped, Evangeline turned to him with a slight smile, her face illuminated by the faint glow of torchlight. “Wait here,” she whispered, her eyes sparkling with a mysterious warmth. Before he could say anything, she disappeared through the portrait hole, leaving him alone in the dim hallway.

Sebastian’s heart raced, and he shifted his weight, glancing around as he waited.

He was left alone with his thoughts, with the lingering warmth of her hand, and the sharp, unmistakable realization of just how much she meant to him.

After a few minutes, the portrait swung open again, and Evangeline emerged, holding two small packages in her hands. She paused, her gaze softening as she looked at him, and then she held out a simple, neatly wrapped parcel.

“This one’s from Anne,” she said gently, her voice laced with an understanding that only she could offer. “She sent it to me last week, asked me to hold onto it for you until today.”

Sebastian swallowed, the sight of the package stirring a bittersweet ache within him. He took it carefully, his fingers grazing hers as he did. “Thank you, Evie,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. He could feel the weight of Anne’s gift in his hands—a reminder of the family he missed, of the ties that had once been his whole world.

With reverence, Sebastian carefully pulled away the wrapping on Anne's gift, revealing a small, weathered pocket watch. His breath hitched, a wave of emotion striking him as he turned it over in his hands. It was his father’s—a family heirloom he'd thought lost long ago. The polished silver face was engraved with his father’s initials and the date he’d received it, his own birthday, from years before. The watch was slightly scuffed, well-loved, and just seeing it again brought back memories of his father winding it each morning, the ticking sound that had once been as familiar to him as his own heartbeat.

He ran his fingers over the engraving, his gaze fixed on the worn, intricate details, and a knot of both longing and gratitude tightened in his chest. "I… I can’t believe she found this." Sebastian murmured, "It... used to be my father's."

Evangeline’s eyes softened, "In her letter she said she thought it was time you had it,” she stepped closer, her hand resting lightly on his arm. “That it would mean something for you to carry a part of him with you.”

Sebastian’s grip on the watch tightened as he looked down at it, unable to speak for a moment. There was a bittersweet comfort in holding it, knowing that Anne had thought of him enough to pass it along despite everything that had happened. And then there was Evangeline, standing here, offering a quiet reassurance that felt as necessary as the gift itself.

Slowly, he tucked the watch into the inner pocket of his robe, close to his heart, and turned back to her. "Thank you for holding onto it for me. And for Anne."

Evangeline’s gaze held his, her lips curving into a gentle smile. “You don’t need to thank me."

He looked down, letting the moment wash over him before he turned his attention to the second package Evangeline held. It was slightly larger, wrapped with a bit more care, a delicate ribbon tied around it.

“And this one?” he asked quietly, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Evangeline smiled, her cheeks pink as she offered it to him. “This one’s from me. I… wanted to give it to you in a moment just between us.”

Sebastian took the package slowly, his heart pounding as he felt her words sink in. “Just between us,” he repeated softly, the warmth of her gaze settling over him.

Sebastian’s fingers traced the edge of her package, carefully untying the delicate ribbon and peeling back the wrapping. Inside, he found a small, elegant vial, its glass shimmering faintly with a hint of opalescent light. Within the vial swirled a silvery, ethereal substance—a memory. He stared at it, momentarily at a loss, glancing up at her with a questioning look.

Evangeline smiled, her eyes warm and a little shy. “It’s a memory,” she explained softly, her voice barely more than a murmur. “One we share. A moment I… wanted to make sure neither of us forget.”

The significance of the gift settled over him, his heart pounding as he held the vial with a reverence he hadn’t felt in a long time. “Evie,” he breathed, almost unable to process the sentiment, the meaning behind such a gift. “You… bottled a memory for me?”

Her blush deepened, and she gave a soft laugh, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “I know it’s a bit sentimental,” she admitted, “but… it means a lot to me.” She cleared her throat, attempting a more casual tone. “And, of course, that’s not the entire gift. I… ordered a Pensieve to go with it. It should have arrived already, but it got delayed in the post.” She gave him an apologetic shrug. “I suppose I got a bit ahead of myself with the idea.”

A smile tugged at Sebastian’s lips as he absorbed her words, his heart swelling with something he couldn’t quite name. The gift—this memory, preserved so carefully for him—was like a piece of her, a part of her heart offered with trust he hadn’t known he’d been longing for.

“It’s perfect,” he murmured, his gaze steady and unguarded as he looked at her. “Really, Evie. I don’t know what to say.” He wanted to reach out, to pull her close and let her know just how much this gift meant, how much she meant to him. But instead, he only tightened his grip on the vial, feeling the smooth glass cool against his fingers, grounding him.

“What memory did you…” he hesitated, feeling suddenly vulnerable for even asking. “What memory did you choose?”

Evangeline’s smile softened, "If I told you, that'd ruin the surprise, Sebastian."

Sebastian swallowed her words, the mystery in her eyes drawing him deeper into a tangled knot of emotions he couldn’t shake. The vial in his hand felt fragile, precious, and he clung to it, heart swelling with a bittersweet ache. He’d never been given anything quite like this before—something so carefully thought out, a piece of her she’d chosen to share with him. And the knowledge that it would forever be theirs, just the two of them, made him feel both elated and painfully aware of the line he could never seem to cross.

They continued to talk in quiet tones, laughing softly at shared memories, his heart racing with each glance she gave him. But despite the warmth in her eyes, the easy familiarity between them, a darker thought began to creep in, unbidden and relentless. Tonight was special, yes, but it also served as a harsh reminder of the boundaries that lay between them. And when he saw her with Lysander—saw how comfortable, how uncomplicated it was—he felt that knot of jealousy tighten in his chest.

The memory of Lysander’s easy smile, the way Evangeline seemed to shine with confidence around him, flashed in Sebastian’s mind, and he couldn’t keep his thoughts from spiraling. He knew Lysander was everything he wasn’t—steady, dependable, someone who could offer her a life free of turmoil. And now, with her standing here, giving him a gift so intimate, so meaningful, he could barely stand the thought of sharing even a sliver of her attention with someone else.

Sebastian clenched his jaw, trying to keep his frustration in check, but the words slipped out before he could stop them. “I’m surprised Clearwater hasn't come looking for you; it's a Friday night afterall."

Evangeline chuckled awkwardly, "I mean, it's your birthday Sebastian. I told Lysander I would be unavailable."

Sebastian’s heart twisted at her words. The knowledge that she was here, that she’d chosen to spend his birthday with him, should have been enough to ease his insecurities, but the thought that Lysander had become such a natural part of her life, someone she felt the need to keep informed, burned under his skin, jealousy tightening in his chest despite himself.

He forced a smirk, trying to mask the turmoil inside. “How noble of him,” he muttered, “Allowing you to spend one night away from his constant attention.”

Evangeline’s smile faltered, the light in her eyes dimming as she looked at him, a hint of hurt flickering across her face. “Sebastian,” she said softly, her tone cautious, as if trying to gauge his mood. “You know it’s not like that. Lysander… he doesn’t expect me to choose between him and my friends.”

The words stung, hitting a raw nerve he hadn’t expected. “Well, isn’t he perfect?” he muttered, bitterness seeping through despite himself. “I’m glad he’s so understanding.”

Evangeline’s face fell, her brows knitting together as she searched his expression, clearly taken aback. “Why are you saying this?"

The question struck him, soft and pleading, pulling him back from the edge of his frustration. Her gaze held a flicker of confusion and hurt, and for a moment, he hated himself for ruining this—this quiet, intimate moment she’d created just for him. But he couldn't stop, the words spilling out before he could stop himself.

“Because it bothers me, Evie,” He raked a hand through his hair, glancing away from her, unable to meet her eyes. “It bothers me that you’re practically attached at the hip with Clearwater these days. That you’re not making time for us, for your friends.”

Even as he said it, Sebastian knew it wasn’t true—not entirely. She was still here, wasn’t she? She’d chosen to spend his birthday with him instead of Lysander, even bringing him a gift that had clearly taken thought and effort. But his jealousy demanded an outlet, and this excuse—this flimsy, ridiculous excuse—was the only shield he could throw up to protect himself from admitting the truth.

Evangeline blinked, her brow furrowing in confusion. “What are you talking about?” she asked, her voice soft but tinged with disbelief. “Sebastian, I see you all the time. Just because I’m with Lysander doesn’t mean I’ve abandoned anyone.”

He forced a bitter laugh, shaking his head. “Could’ve fooled me,” he muttered, his voice laced with a sarcasm that felt more like a defense mechanism than genuine anger. “Lately, it feels like he gets the best of you, and the rest of us just… get whatever’s left over.”

Her expression faltered, a flicker of hurt crossing her face. “That’s not fair,” she said quietly, stepping closer. “You know that’s not true. I’ve been trying to balance everything—”

“Balance?” he interrupted, the word tasting sour as he said it. He didn’t even know what he was arguing anymore, only that the knot in his chest kept tightening. “Sure, Evie. Balance. If that’s what you call it.”

She shook her head slowly, her voice soft but hurt. “So, what? You think I should just… what, stop seeing Lysander to make you feel better?"

The hurt in her voice cut through his anger, leaving him feeling hollow and ashamed, but he still couldn’t bring himself to say what he wanted, what he really felt. Instead, he looked away, his jaw tight, unwilling to let her see the vulnerability in his eyes.

Evangeline waited for a moment, as if hoping he might say something, anything, to take back his words. But when he didn’t, her shoulders slumped, and she nodded, resignation settling over her.

“Fine,” she whispered, the warmth in her voice replaced by a quiet sadness. “Goodnight, Sebastian.”

With that, she turned and walked back to the portrait hole, disappearing into the Gryffindor common room without looking back. ________________

It was about a week later when Sebastian received the pensieve Evie had sent him. The package arrived during breakfast in the Great Hall, owl-delivered with an unassuming brown wrapping and a simple note attached.

For your birthday, a bit late but I hope it’s worth the wait. - E

Sebastian’s heart tightened as he read her familiar handwriting, memories of his birthday flooding back—the warmth of her hand in his, the quiet comfort of their conversation before everything had fallen apart. He hadn’t spoken to her since, hadn’t been able to face the sadness in her eyes he’d caused, or the hurt he’d heard in her voice. He felt a sharp pang of regret now, staring at her note, knowing that the pensieve was meant as a way to share that memory she’d gifted him in the vial.

With a sigh, he gently opened the package, revealing a small, polished pensieve, its surface reflecting the candlelight in shimmering waves. It was beautiful—clearly chosen with care.

Sebastian barely registered the bustling hallways as he made his way back to the Slytherin common room, his heart pounding with anticipation. He knew he’d be late to class, but the thought of Evangeline’s memory, sitting here in his hands, waiting to be seen, pulled him forward like a magnet. The curiosity—the need to know what she’d chosen to preserve, to share with him—overpowered everything else.

He reached his dormitory, shut the door firmly behind him, and set the pensieve down on his bed, his hands trembling as he uncorked the vial. Pouring the shimmering, silvery substance into the basin, he watched as it swirled into shapes and patterns, inviting him in. He took a steadying breath, then leaned forward, dipping his face into the pensieve.

The world shifted, and in an instant, he was transported into her memory.

It was a bright, warm day by the Black Lake. He and Evangeline sat on the shore, their shoes discarded as they dangled their feet in the cool water, laughing as they skipped stones across the surface.

Sebastian remembered that day in fifth year—a rare, blissful afternoon when nothing weighed on them. No school, no worries about Anne, Ranrok, or the shadow of responsibilities; it had been just the two of them, lost in a world that felt entirely their own. The lake sparkled under the warm sunlight, glinting like scattered diamonds, while the gentle sound of the water met their laughter. And he could see it now, the way she had looked at him then, her gaze soft and steady, studying him as though she were trying to memorize every line of his face.

There was something in her eyes that made his heart clench—something vulnerable, hopeful, loving. Then she leaned her head against his shoulder, letting out a contented sigh as they watched the ripples on the lake, their breaths falling into an easy rhythm. He remembered the warmth of that moment, how he’d felt a sudden, unspoken understanding settle over them, like an invisible thread weaving their souls together.

As he watched on, Sebastian became acutely aware of details he hadn’t noticed back then, as if seeing himself through her eyes was revealing parts of himself he’d never fully understood. He caught faint whiffs of the breeze coming off the lake, and in the memory, he could smell his own familiar scent mingling with hers. The faintest hint of cedar and parchment, of some warmth he hadn't realized he always carried with him. The way she’d bottled this detail, even something so small and unnoticed, made him see how much she’d remembered him exactly as he was, how every part of him was imprinted in her mind.

When his fifth-year self shifted to toss a stone across the lake, Evangeline watched him with a soft, lingering gaze, her lips curving into the smallest, most secretive of smiles. He realized she must have looked at him like this a thousand times, a mixture of admiration and fondness in her eyes, a look he’d always missed.

The memory unfolded in soft, unspoken simplicity, each detail preserved like a quiet confession. Through her eyes, he saw himself—looking younger, his laughter unrestrained, his gaze lighter. He saw the trust between them, a bond so natural he’d barely questioned it at the time. He remembered his heart racing at her closeness, and now, with a bittersweet clarity, he realized they had shared a steady, quiet love that had been there all along, even back then.

As the memory began to fade, an ache settled deep in his chest. Evie hadn’t just preserved their day by the lake; she’d captured a piece of his soul that he hadn’t even realized he’d entrusted to her. In sharing this memory, she’d offered him a reminder of the closeness they’d shared, of the way they’d seen each other before everything had become so complicated. It was a moment he could return to, a way to feel how she saw him—how she’d treasured him, just as he was.

Read more stories about Sebastian and Evangeline

[psychicdragondream]

what's funny is that I'd hide out in that boathouse often and he'd find me there.

I'd always lose some points for it but, after a while, he started to hide there too with me. She'd often pace and think or grade.. I'd lay in a boat and listen to music quietly..

she told me once it's the most peaceful they've ever been.

thank you Alex G for making me remember this /sil

[zarvasace]

Day 20: enemy to caretaker, kinda? Image desc under cut!

<<previous || next>>

Page One

Panel one: We return to the Four-like figure lying on the ground from the last page of the first part. There are swirls of red on the ground around him.

Panel two: Wild, lit in white, looks worried and has his slate out. He says: “He’s in a puddle of Malice… that can’t be good. …where did it come from?” Time stands in the middle of the panel, one eye open, holding the Biggoron sword and looking fierce. On the right of the panel, Twilight turns back into a human with black flecks, and looks worried as he looks like he’s running. He says: “I got him!”

Panel three: This panel takes up the rest of the page. At the bottom, Twilight kneels in the puddle of Malice to pick up the Four-like figure, saying “ow ow ow” the whole time. There are a few speech bubbles to show a conversation, with little names to show who’s speaking.

Twilight says, “—ow ow ow—”

Wild says, “Twilight, get out of the Malice!”

Twilight says: “We gotta get him out! ow ow ow—”

Warriors says: “Do we? It came out of shadows…”

Twilight says: “Doesn’t mean he’s evil, look at me—ow ow ow—”

Legend says: “Then hurry up and stop burning yourself!” “idiot.”

Page Two

Panel one: We see the inside of a stable and a few of the Links gathered around. All of the characters have white highlights in their hair and eyes from now on unless specified. Twilight lays the Four-like figure down on the bed, and we see from the way the body moves that it behaves like a normal body, with the same bones and everything. Hyrule leans up against one of the bed posts, frowning. We see Wild in profile, holding his slate and also looking pensieve. We see the back of Warriors’s head, and he has a hand up to his chin and a hand on his hip. Hyrule says: “So what do you think?” 

Warriors’s reply overlaps the panel break. “I don’t know yet. A dark shadow of Four can only be trouble. Right?”

Panel two: We see the Four-like figure from above, laying on the bed with one arm over his waist, eyes closed. All the other characters are shown from the tops of their heads. Twilight says: “He doesn’t look much like trouble.” Warriors replies: “Yet. Hopefully he’ll know a bit about whatever happened to Four.”

Panel three: Hyrule holds his hands out for Twilight, whose forearms have red streaks on them to indicate that he got some Malice goop on them. Hyrule says: “I don’t like that the Malice burned Twilight and NOT the shadow Four. I can’t help get it off. Sorry.” 

Page Three

Panel one: A closeup of Shadow’s face (it is him. He is drawn with spikier hair than Four’s blunt bob, and his hood is constantly moving.) He is frowning and says “mmm…”

Panel two: Shadow sits up suddenly, and his eyes are red. “LINK?” he says. Hyrule and Twilight, both standing nearby, look startled. 

Panel three: Warriors stands on the left, arms folded. He says: “What do you want with him?” Wild passes, holdling his cloak over his arm, and says: “Good grief, Wars, this isn’t an enemy interrogation.”

Panel four: We see the world from Shadow’s point of view, down the bed. Hyrule looks over suspiciously. Twilight leans on the bed post, saying: “You’re safe here. Who are you to Link?” Warriors looks suspicious. Wild just looks curious.

Page Four

Panels one and two: Shadow stands up on the bed and declares, “I’m his SHADOW. duh.” In the next panel on the right, he looks up at the ceiling and speaks some more. “I know who you guys are. Obviously. I see everything.” His eyes are black, and the shines in them are white like everyone else’s.

Panel three: We see Shadow’s head on the left and repeated on the right. He looks more and more concerned as he speaks. “I could almost touch him… —finally— But something got in the way…”

Panel four: Shadow, standing on the bed, starts to twist around to look at his own shadow on the wall behind him. His hood is shaped like a sharp lightning bolt. He shouts, “LINK! If you’re in [underlined] my shadow, give me a sign!!”

Panel five: A speech bubble from someone unknown makes Shadow calm down: “That isn’t where he is.”

Page Five

Panel one: We see the bottom of the bed again, but just Twilight on the left and Warriors on the right this time. Legend stands in the middle, holding the Four Sword. He says: “He was possessed by something and left this. You don’t happen to know what got him, do you?” and then Legend adds: “also, you’re scaring the stable people. Get down.”

Panel two: This is just part of Shadow’s face. His mouth is open wide, and so are his eyes. He has fangs in his mouth. He shouts: “You let him get POSSESSED?!?!”

Panel three: Shadow has his hands in his hair, and his hood is straight. He looks insanely worried. He says: “What are we doing here, then?” 

Panel four: Shadow starts to get off the bed and says: “We gotta go get him!”

Panel five: We see the bottom of the bed again, but the camera shifts right to show us Legend on the left, Warriors in the middle, and Wild on the right. Warriors says: “That’s the problem—we don’t know where he is. Or if we can trust you—” His words are cut off by a large exclamation in the corner from an unknown speaker: “THE VILLAGE IS ON FIRE!!” 

A tiny speech bubble under that is labeled “Shadow” and says “Found him.”

Page Six

Panel one: We see the bottom of the bed again, but this time from the other side. Warriors holds up a hand and says: “Wild, Legend, with me, we’ll check it out—” But Shadow appears on Twilight’s other side with a very wide-open mouth. He says: “I’M COMING TOOOoooooo…”

The “too” extends down and winds down until it’s just a wobbly line connecting to Shadow’s next speech bubble in the next panel.

Panel two: Hyrule, worried, catches Shadow, whose cheeks are shaded, by the armpits. Shadow says: “ooh, I don’t feel so good.”

Panel three: Warriors says: “Yeah, no. We don’t even know you. Stay here, rest. If it [underlined] is Four, we’ll get him.” Shadow says: “But saving Link is [underlined] my job…”

Panel four: Warriors on the left and Twilight on the right, both in profile. Twilight says: “I can help, too.” Warriors says: “Not with that on your hands, still. Get the Malice off and then we’ll talk. Doesn’t it hurt?” Twilight responds: “Well, yeah, but—”

Panel five: Shadow, looking slightly more aware, looks up. He says: “Malice? The goopy dark stuff? I can help.”

Panel six: Shadow walks over to Twilight with his hands extended. He says: “Lemme see. Gross.” Twilight holds his own red-streaked hands up with a frown. He says: “Kinda stings…”

[hollowed-theory-hall]

Harry Potter is Really Magically Powerful

So, in continuation to this post, and my desire to show some love to Harry James Potter, this post is dedicated to showing how magically powerful Harry actually is in the books — which is insanely powerful. Harry doesn't think of himself as a great wizard, but he is — definitely powerful enough to be Voldemort's equal (and Dumbledore's for that matter).

Under the cut are some quotes from the books that prove this.

Accidental Magic

Let's start with Harry's childhood accidental magic. Tom was considered prodigious for being able to steal things with magic and make animals obey him intentionally. Neville, as a late bloomer, bounced when thrown, which is the bare minimum of childhood accidental magic young witches and wizards should be doing.

Now he came to think about it…every odd thing that had ever made his aunt and uncle furious with him had happened when he, Harry, had been upset or angry…chased by Dudley’s gang, he had somehow found himself out of their reach…dreading going to school with that ridiculous haircut, he’d managed to make it grow back…and the very last time Dudley had hit him, hadn’t he got his revenge, without even realizing he was doing it? Hadn’t he set a boa constrictor on him?

(Philosopher's Stone, page 44)

Harry has:

Apparated out of Dudley's reach when in danger to get away - advanced magic only allowed to practice from the age of 16!

Growing back all his hair from not liking the bad haircut.

Disappearing the glass of the Boa Constrictor case and leashing it

not even when he’d had to take a school report home to the Dursleys saying that he’d somehow turned his teacher’s wig blue.

(Philosopher's Stone, page 84)

4. Turning his teacher's hair blue.

We see Harry is capable of aparation, transfiguration, and various charms at a level that is considered prodigious. Harry was incredibly advanced as a child according to his feats of magic before even knowing magic was real. And while he wasn't as intentional as Tom, he was aware enough to know odd things happened when he was "furious or upset" that the odd things responded to him.

Intuitive Casting

I wrote later in this post about this, but I do want to write a whole essay about how magic works in the Wizarding world, but like, really in short, emotion and intention matter in magic. A lot.

And we see Harry make use of this fact to great effect. Using spells with intention to change the way they behave and they work for him because of how magically prodigious he is.

Harry raised his own wand. “Protego!” Snape staggered; his wand flew upward, away from Harry — and suddenly Harry’s mind was teeming with memories that were not his — a hook-nosed man was shouting at a cowering woman, while a small dark-haired boy cried in a corner. . . . A greasy-haired teenager sat alone in a dark bedroom, pointing his wand at the ceiling, shooting down flies. . . . A girl was laughing as a scrawny boy tried to mount a bucking broomstick — “ENOUGH!” Harry felt as though he had been pushed hard in the chest; he took several staggering steps backward, hit some of the shelves covering Snape’s walls and heard something crack. Snape was shaking slightly, very white in the face.

(Order of the Phoenix, page 591)

This is from the last of Harry's and Snape's Occlumancy lessons. What's interesting here is that from Snape's words, it seems the protego spell isn't supposed to work like that. Harry is magically powerful enough to make protego (shield charm) to defend him from Legilamancy, turn the Legilamancy onto Snape and disarm Snape.

No wonder Snape is shocked, it really isn't supposed to work. Unless you're Harry Potter, that is.

He did say in their first lesson the rules of magic don't seem to apply to Harry.

“Reparo!” hissed Snape, and the jar sealed itself once more. “Well, Potter . . . that was certainly an improvement. . . .” Panting slightly, Snape straightened the Pensieve in which he had again stored some of his thoughts before starting the lesson, almost as though checking that they were still there. ��I don’t remember telling you to use a Shield Charm . . . but there is no doubt that it was effective. . . .”

(Order of the Phoenix, page 591)

What I marked here is the fact in all their occlumancy lessons, even the first, Snape always placed a few memories in the pensive. He chose memories he didn't want Harry to see and place them there.

Okay... so why is that a big deal?

Snape repeatedly belittles Harry's magical skills, and yet, he fears Harry would turn the Legilemancy connection back on him. Legilemancy as Snape explained is no easy skill:

“Only Muggles talk of ‘mind reading.’ The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls, to be perused by any invader. The mind is a complex and many-layered thing, Potter . . . or at least, most minds are. . . .” He smirked. “It is true, however, that those who have mastered Legilimency are able, under certain conditions, to delve into the minds of their victims and to interpret their findings correctly...”

(Order of the Phoenix, pages 350-351)

As such, he doesn't expect Harry to be capable of it. But that’s a lie. He clearly thinks Harry is skilled enough to be a threat in this situation. That Harry just might be able to turn this around and glimpse his own memories, which is no easy feat.

And Snape is many things, but stupid isn't one of them. If he thinks Harry is uniquely magically prodigious to be capable of this, then Harry probably is. Especially considering how much Snape hates Harry and how much he'd rather think he's stupid, useless, and unskilled.

“SHE KILLED SIRIUS!” bellowed Harry. “SHE KILLED HIM — I’LL KILL HER!” And he was off, scrambling up the stone benches. People were shouting behind him but he did not care. The hem of Bellatrix’s robes whipped out of sight ahead and they were back in the room where the brains were swimming. . . . She aimed a curse over her shoulder. The tank rose into the air and tipped. Harry was deluged in the foul-smelling potion within. The brains slipped and slid over him and began spinning their long, colored tentacles, but he shouted, “Wingardium Leviosa!” and they flew into the air away from him. Slipping and sliding he ran on toward the door.

(Order of the Phoenix, page 809)

Okay, so can we talk about this Levitation Charm? Please?

Like, get this, he uses Wingardium Leviosa, like a shield charm that sends multiple magical projectiles away from him. This isn't how this charm works, but it is if you're Harry Potter. (again, this is that intention use I mentioned)

The point is, that Harry is magically powerful enough to bend the way spells are meant to work to fit his will and situation.

And when Voldemort possesses him at the end of the fight in Order of the Phoenix:

He was gone from the hall, he was locked in the coils of a creature with red eyes, so tightly bound that Harry did not know where his body ended and the creature’s began. They were fused together, bound by pain, and there was no escape — And when the creature spoke, it used Harry’s mouth, so that in his agony he felt his jaw move. . . . “Kill me now, Dumbledore. . . .” Blinded and dying, every part of him screaming for release, Harry felt the creature use him again. . . . “If death is nothing, Dumbledore, kill the boy. . . .” Let the pain stop, thought Harry. Let him kill us. . . . End it, Dumbledore. . . . Death is nothing compared to this. . . . And I’ll see Sirius again. . . . And as Harry’s heart filled with emotion, the creature’s coils loosened, the pain was gone, Harry was lying facedown on the floor, his glasses gone, shivering as though he lay upon ice, not wood. . . .

(Order of the Phoenix, page 816)

Harry kicks Voldemort out.

As I mentioned, I have a a whole theory I'm drafting about magical theory and how magic works in the Wizarding World, but emotion as Harry describes in this scene is part of it. Emotion drives childhood accidental magic. Emotion is required to cast the Patronus charm and any of the unforgivable. Because of how emotion is tied to magic in this world, this instance is Harry's magic kicking Voldemort in his full power out of his mind.

Which is an impressive feat of magic.

Advanced Charmwork

“Oh — yeah —” said Harry, quickly forcing his thoughts back to that first broom ride. “Expecto patrono — no, patronum — sorry — expecto patronum, expecto patronum —” Something whooshed suddenly out of the end of his wand; it looked like a wisp of silvery gas. “Did you see that?” said Harry excitedly. “Something happened!”

(Prisoner of Azkaban, page 238)

This is the first time Harry cast a Patronus Charm. On his very first try of this complex charm, most adult wizards fail at — he succeeds. It isn't a perfect casting. His happy memory isn't happy enough, but the problem isn't Harry's skill.

The fact he succeeded in casting it at all with how crap his life has been up to this point is a testament to his magical talent.

Hatred rose in Harry such as he had never known before. He flung himself out from behind the fountain and bellowed “Crucio!” Bellatrix screamed. The spell had knocked her off her feet, but she did not writhe and shriek with pain as Neville had — she was already on her feet again, breathless, no longer laughing.

(Order of the Phoenix, page 810)

Harry, at age fifteen, casts the Cruciatus Curse for the first time. An advanced piece of dark magic that is tricky to cast. Sure, it wasn't the best cast Crucio, but it did work.

It did land.

It worked enough for Bellatrix to stop laughing and start taking Harry seriously.

Harry raised the hawthorn wand beneath the cloak, pointed it at the old goblin, and whispered, for the first time in his life, “Imperio!” A curious sensation shot down Harry’s arm, a feeling of tingling, warmth that seemed to flow from his mind, down the sinews and veins connecting him to the wand and the curse it had just cast.

(Deathly Hollows, page 452)

Like with the Cruciatus Curse, Harry succeeds in the Imperius curse on his first try (and the second try that happens immediately after). In general, Harry learns to cast most spells (even the advanced ones) incredibly quickly — like, on his first try. That's insane!

As Amycus spun around, Harry shouted, “Crucio!” The Death Eater was lifted off his feet. He writhed through the air like a drowning man, thrashing and howling in pain, and then, with a crunch and a shattering of glass, he smashed into the front of a bookcase and crumpled, insensible, to the floor. “I see what Bellatrix meant,” said Harry, the blood thundering through his brain, “you need to really mean it.”

(Deathly Hollows, page 502)

And he gets better over time, both with the Cruciatus Curse, as we see here and his fully corporeal Patronus which is considered an unbelievable feat for a fifteen-year-old:

“Your Patronus had a clearly defined form? I mean to say, it was more than vapor or smoke?” “Yes,” said Harry, feeling both impatient and slightly desperate, “it’s a stag, it’s always a stag.” “Always?” boomed Madam Bones. “You have produced a Patronus before now?” “Yes,” said Harry, “I’ve been doing it for over a year —” “And you are fifteen years old?” “Yes, and —” “You learned this at school?” “Yes, Professor Lupin taught me in my third year, because of the —” “Impressive,” said Madam Bones, staring down at him, “a true Patronus at that age . . . very impressive indeed.”

(Order of the Phoenix, page 141)

I agree Madam Bones, Harry is impressive and is Voldemort's equal magically. Harry isn't just Expelliarmos. he's clever and talented and very magically capable with every spell he tries his hand in.

[aethon-recs]

This Week in Tomarrymort (28 September – 3 October 2024)

So many updates this week!! I feel like this has been one of the busiest weeks for one shots and new fics, particularly with @tomarrybigbang fics and art posting this week.

As always, please feel free to add some extra context to your fic update in the reblog, like a little bit about the chapter(s) updated, as I rely on the authors to share a bit more about their updates, if you’re so inclined! 🤍

A recap of the author notes from last week:

Sits the wind in that quarter by @mosiva (M, 47k, WIP) “Getting close to the end of Sits the wind now! A little bit of omegaverse, a lot of Regency-era romance. Harry is onto approx his fifth change of circumstance so far and Lord Riddle is inching closer to a confession!” Dream a little dream (of me) by @cenedrariva (E, 17k, WIP) “In Chapter 3, Voldemort continues to sneak into Harry's dreams and dismiss his nightmares, until on the last day of the summer holidays, Harry does something unexpected..." War Prize by @duplicitywrites @moontearpensfic (E, 10k, WIP) “Harry is a war bride in a Voldemort Wins AU, but he is also Voldemort's bodyguard. Smack (smut as crack) treated seriously, with dark themes!” I need you to live well by @onehitpleb (T, 2k, complete) “My oneshot is an alternative ending to my gen fic, where Tom grows up and falls in love with Harry. Please read the prequel before reading the oneshot sequel." Touch of Death by @moontearpensfic (E, 3k, WIP) “Touch of Death is pretty much Tom gets knocked up with eggs from an Eldritch (MoD) Harry.”

*

Tomarrymort One Shots and Completed Fic

Chapter 7 (completed) of midnight train by @girl-with-goats

Chapter 5 (completed) of Stand my ground by @ciacconne

Chapters 1 and 2 (completed) of Tangled Up by @known-concepts

One Shot | here, despite your destination by @theonceandfuturequeenoftarts

One Shot | Soil by @ratzeebatz

One Shot | forgive me father by @cindle-writes

One Shot | hot and bothered, seething by yourself by @2sidesofthesamesoul

One Shot | Sharp or Dull? by @xodahafez

One Shot | on line sex & rabbit stew by @izharmilgram

One Shot | A real voyage of discovery by @theonceandfuturequeenoftarts

One Shot | the treacle tart chef by @00queasy00

One Shot | Man of the Year by @known-concepts

One Shot | The last enemy to be defeated is death by @thespacebetweenworlds

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Tomarrymort Ongoing Fics

Chapter 1 of One for sorrow, two for mirth by @easterndreamer

Chapter 1 of A Murder by Crows by @iseliljathedreamer

Chapter 36 of Part One - The Solitude of Suffering by @iseliljathedreamer

Chapters 1 through 4 of The Brief Fiery Plummets by @thefangirlibrarian

Chapter 8 of Do It Over by @thefangirlibrarian

Chapter 14 of Just Business by @holaolla1

Chapter 1 of Among Us by Blossom26

Chapter 1 of Lunacy by @crowcrowcrowthing

Chapter 3 of Lovely Bitter Water by @pagesinmylife

Chapters 1 and 2 of Mending Broken Things by @tommarvoloriddlesdiary

Chapter 4 of Forbidden Darkness by @neurowriter14

Chapter 1 of demons and angels hang with us by @duender-writes

Chapter 1 of Auror Potter by @albondiguilla007

Chapter 19 of Date Ideas for the Linguistically Inclined by Antique_Mango

Chapter 1 of such unholy heaving by @cealesti

Chapter 5 of Fetters of the Damned by @sc0rpiflow3r

Chapter 11 of Saint Harry by @alenablack @chaos-bear

Chapter 126 of Liquida Tenebris (Remastered) by @dymis

Chapter 2 of Goodbye Evergreen by @v33r00 

Chapter 7 of God is a Wizard by @onehitpleb

Chapter 22 of Time Stumbler by Wintumn

Chapter 17 of When time and reasons fail by citrumade

Chapters 39 through 41 of Terrible, But Great by @isalisewrites

Chapter 11 of Of Soulmates and Sweet Suffering by hannah_bean

Chapter 8 of Anytime, Anywhere, Always by @moontearpensfic

Chapter 6 of The Unintentional Consequences of Prison Reform by @badluck

Chapter 4 of i am anonymous, you are a concrete wall by Pensievable

Chapter 17 of Outrunning the Villain in You by @zenyteehee

Chapter 7 of These Fragments We've Shored by @rowena-rain

Chapter 7 of all you do is kill, love snakes, and lie by @soopsiedaisies

Chapter 2 of Older by @v33r00 

Chapter 4 of Dreams Beyond Blood by @hikarimeroperiddle

Chapter 3 of Memories of a Killer by @chemfreak89

*

[mrstellmeafuckingsecret]

i have a fic need that needs to be fulfilled and it's just sirius post-azkaban in ootp locked up in number twelve and his memory is damaged and he only remembers the worst of the worst so he just . pensieve-s it and pulls his worst memories out because he doesnt want to be burdened by them . and then harry finds them and takes a dip. and it's just all very horrifying yk because its really the worst of the worst and it's all happened in number twelve . and sirius doesn't find out and the next time harry sees sirius sirius is just doing the crossword on the dining table and he just thinks to sirius' memories where he's being punished on the exact same spot where he's sitting and just bursting into tears but he cant tell sirius because sirius didnt need to be reminded of that

[libellule-ao3]

HC: Ominis, his eyes and his experience as a blind wizard

Picture Credits: @deathlysallows [link]

Hello,

I was talking to someone recently about Ominis' eyes, and it gave me the idea of publishing these HCs. 🙂

Please note that the ideas and interpretations presented in this post are my 'headcanon', some of which are mentioned/explored in my fanfictions, but not all. I respect and appreciate the different opinions and interpretations that others may have.

My intention is to share my thoughts, not impose them... I'd love to see yours btw. 😊

Approximately 1,560 words at present. This could increase with possible future updates.💚

☆ Ominis’ eyes do not have pupils to let light enter his eye and reach the photoreceptors. As a result, he has no light perception and is totally blind. This lack of pupils, a phenomenon unique even among wizards, is the result of the marriage between his family's consanguinity and Dark Arts, which they practise shamelessly. (Quote: Ominis was born blind and no spell could reverse it)

☆ Besides this absence of pupils, his eyes are distinguished by their density of pale blue radial streaks, which start from the centre of the iris and radiate outwards, against a dark blue background. This pattern gives his eyes a fascinating, dynamic look. Ominis’ eyes are not opaque, milky or cloudy. These descriptors are so often associated with cataracts or glaucoma (i.e. Eye diseases Ominis does not have in my HC) that I avoid using them.

☆ Even when taking on the appearance of a sighted person thanks to the Polyjuice Potion or using Legilimency, Ominis remains unable to see, as his brain does not know how to interpret visual stimuli.

☆ If the Polyjuice Potion had worked, Ominis' parents wouldn't have hesitated to kidnap a child of the same age, sequestering him so that Ominis could take on his appearance, proceeding in the same way as Barty Crouch Jr did with Alastor Moody.

☆ Using a Pensieve does not negate his blindness either. He therefore perceives the memories consulted by this means in the same way as he perceives his everyday environment.

☆ Ominis has a well-developed sense of touch and smell, and his hearing is very acute. However, the acuity of these senses is not superhuman. He has only learnt to maximumly use his sensory compensatory means to make up for the visual deficit.

☆ During his childhood, his parents and siblings, who struggled for a long time to cure his blindness did not value his existence. As a result, Ominis tends to see himself as less valuable than a sighted person, despite what his Aunt Noctua says.

☆ Ominis has never let his blindness stop him from doing what he really wanted to do. On the other hand, as a good sneaky snake, he doesn’t mind using his blindness as an excuse not to do what he refuses to do or... to justify getting physically close to his heart’s desire. "I can’t work with my wand today, can you guide me to the Great Hall?" How can you say no to him when you know his wand [HC link] is so fickle?)

☆ When not using his echolocation spell, Ominis relies on his other senses to understand the world around him. As a result, surprise contacts can be disturbing for him as they abruptly disrupt his sensory perception. This generates anxiety, as he cannot anticipate the contact. But when this is done by people with whom he has no emotional bond, Ominis experiences it as an additional violation of his personal space, which can make him angry.

☆ Before she disappeared, his Aunt Noctua used to embroider hangings for him, which she would then hang in his bedroom. Ominis loved to run his fingertips over the raised patterns and different textures. Even without seeing them, Ominis could appreciate their creativity and aesthetics through touch. He still has a strong taste for embroidered fabrics from this period.

☆ Without concrete sensory experience of colours, his perception of colours remains a mental concept for him. At Hogwarts, he used to ask Sebastian if his clothes matched properly until he was familiar enough with fabrics to recognise them by touch.

☆ Before Ominis got his wand, he had to learn to organise his living space so that he could be as independent as possible. As a result, Ominis is very tidy and always puts his things away carefully so that he can find them more easily and navigate safely. Even in the most intimate moments, he folds and tidies his clothes before attending to his lover... firstly out of habit, and secondly because he finds it very exciting to play with their patience.

☆ For the Gaunt, the family’s image and reputation were of crucial importance. Having a blind child was a source of shame, as it could be interpreted as a weakness in their lineage or a sign of failure. When they gave up hope of curing him, they convinced themselves that a Gaunt could not be born deprived of sight without obtaining a compensatory magical ability, such as the gift of clairvoyance... Reality soon caught up with them.

☆ This umpteenth disappointment, combined with Ominis’s repeated refusal to adhere to supremacist ideals, or to practise dark arts, reinforced the hostility of Ominis’s parents towards him. As a result, the abuse escalated until the terrible episode recounted in the game (negative emotions + intolerance + misunderstanding + social pressure formed a detonating cocktail)

☆ His echolocation spell allows him to navigate independently, but it will never replace sight.

☆Capable of taking initiative, his wand has a will of its own that sometimes comes into conflict with Ominis. When this happens, it is very difficult for him to work with his wand and he may sometimes ask someone to guide him to where he wants to go. If he turns to you in this case, it’s a sign that he has a great deal of trust in you, something he doesn’t grant easily.

☆ The fact that people avoid certain words (see, or look for example) in his presence, or are embarrassed when he uses them himself, metaphorically or simply as a linguistic convention, amuses him and he doesn’t hesitate to play them up.

☆ If he’s not serving himself, he discreetly feels his plate to find out where the food is.

☆ Ominis is very concerned about his appearance because he wants to blend in with society to avoid attracting unwanted attention. Also, he feels more confident with having an impeccable appearance. His obsession: getting a stain on his clothes that he can’t detect. He used to ask Anne to check his outfit several times during the day.

☆ Although many classmates have asked him to touch their faces so that Ominis can “see” them, he has always flatly refused, as he finds it too intrusive. Sebastian and Anne are the only ones with whom he has allowed himself this familiarity... until his fiancée.

☆ Aloof and reserved by nature, Sebastian, Anne and his lover are the only people he accepts hugs from. These have enabled him to obtain information about their appearance, height, weight, hairstyle, morphology and much more...

☆ Wizards of their background were often evaluated on their elegance and their ability to fit into the society at the time. In addition to the classic upbringing of a member of the illustrious Gaunt family, Ominis’ parents insisted he acquire good social skills and impeccable manners, which was not always easy for Ominis.

☆ For he had “automatic, stereotyped and repetitive” gestures (blindism). Swaying his body or turning his head, or repeatedly rubbing his eyes were very severely punished, as were the various postural disturbances inherent in his blindness (head in profile because that’s the ideal listening position, shuffling gait to keep his 2 feet anchored to the ground maintain his balance more easily etc...). As a result, Ominis has become very aware of himself and his body language.

☆ Always with the aim of meeting their standards, his parents imposed a strict education on him, ensuring that he was fully educated in the history of Magic, that of his ancestors, that of the great pureblood families, the evolution of the bonds governing them and the dark arts for which the Gaunt are so renowned.

☆ In Victorian times, professional prospects were rather limited for blind people, even in the wizarding world, and even with the best education. What’s more, the family safe at Gringotts was just a leaky basket, so Ominis’s parents forced him to play the piano hoping he would become skilled and renowned enough to bail them out. As a result, he plays the piano very well, but he is not a prodigy. This skill is the result of long efforts and painful constraints. All washed down with tears.

☆ At Hogwarts, potions classes are the hardest for Ominis to grasp. Too much simultaneous olfactory stimulation, a method of learning ill-suited to the blind as the recipe steps rely on the precise colouring of the brew.

☆ When he's not using his echolocation spell, Ominis hates it when people leave him after a conversation without telling him they're leaving.

☆ Braille appeared in England in 1861, and Ominis learned about this Muggle system of reading and writing from his Aunt Noctua, who was much more open to the Muggle world than the rest of the Gaunt family, who refused to hear about it. He learned it on his own, with the help of his aunt and the house-elf who provided him with reference books.

☆ When he has to use a knife for cooking or in potions class, Ominis demands a perfectly sharp blade that offers a more precise cut with less effort, reducing the risk of slippage and injury, unlike a dull knife, which is potentially more dangerous as it requires more force to cut, making control more difficult.

☆ He doesn’t cut his fingernails, he files them to make sure he doesn’t cut himself.

(These last 2 HC are from anecdotes heard about my paternal grandmother, whom I never knew and who became blind because of cataracts that were inoperable at the time because of certain medical history)

Masterlist

[ateliersss]

Journey into The Past Ch.1

Pairing: Tom Riddle x Fem!Reader Summary: They say every human has their person, even some as cold, heartless and cruel as the Dark Lord. Would you try and tell that to Harry Potter, of all people, he would not hesitate to deny even the slightest hint of someone having feelings more than blazing hate for that man, this monster. A journey into the past shows him a different part of the former life of the murderer of his parents. Cross-posted on AO3: here Warnings: English isn't my first language Word Count: 1,869 Masterlist

⇨ Want to join the tag list?

“Chocolate Frogs.” Harry murmured to the eagle statue, which jumped to the side a second later.

He was tired — Snape looked everywhere for an opportunity to give him detention, Ron and Hermione still avoided each other like the plague, and he still had no idea how to get this memory from Slughorn.

As he dragged himself up the staircase, he thought of an excuse why he still didn’t have it. Harry knocked on the office door and was soon called in by the Headmaster’s familiar, calm voice.

“Good evening, Harry.” Dumbledore greeted him from his chair, “Please sit down.” He added and pointed to the chair standing in front of his desk.

Harry closed the door and made his way through the office when he noticed something on the desk — alongside the usual silver instruments, the bowl of Dumbledore’s favourite sweets, some books and parchments, vials containing a silvery shimmering liquid stood on top of the dark wooden surface. Sitting down, they were on the same eye level as him and stared at him judgingly, as if they wanted to remind him of his failure.

“Professor, I–“

“–haven’t found a way to get the memory from Professor Slughorn.”

Harry shamefully looked down at his feet.

“If you did, you would have come to me the second you got your hands on it.”

“I’m sorry, Professor.”

“I have faith in you, Harry. You will find a way. Nevertheless, we will have to continue with our journey through Voldemort’s past.” Dumbledore said, eyes shifting to the gleaming vials. “These memories belonged to an incredibly smart and determined girl, always respectful and friendly to others.”

Dumbledore got up, walked around his desk and took the vial from the far left. The Pensieve was already floating next to them. Harry got up as well and watched Dumbledore pour the memory into it. The memory turned into an ink-like substance and slowly took on a hazy image. Harry dipped his head into the Pensieve and soon felt the familiar tug, lifting him out of reality and into the memory.

Harry was standing in a library, the library of Hogwarts. It had barely changed and was completely empty. Nothing surprising, it was already dark outside.

Just as he was about to turn to Dumbledore and ask him if they were in the right place, he heard a giggle, undoubtedly coming from a girl. Dumbledore headed in the direction of the giggles. Harry quickly caught up with him.

They passed the many bookshelves until they reached the barred doors of the Restricted Section. Following Dumbledore who apparently knew where to go, Harry soon saw the source of the voice.

“I mean it, Tom, stop bothering me. I still have to finish this.” You scolded, trying to suppress your laughter to sound serious.

To say that Harry was shocked by what he saw would be an understatement.

None other than Voldemort — or rather, Tom Riddle — was standing right behind you. He was bent forward so that your heads were on the same level. He brushed your hair aside, slowly revealing the eagle of Ravenclaw on your robes, and slowly kissed your neck up and down.

“You can do it later.” He groaned, his voice muffled against your skin.

“You know I can’t. I put it off until now and it’s due tomorrow.”

“You can copy mine.”

“No, I can’t. Slughorn will notice it.”

“He will ignore it. He loves you.”

“No, Tommy, he loves you. I’m just his second favourite.”

Tom let out a frustrated groan and buried his face into the crook of your neck. “I told you how much I hate it when someone talks back to me.”

You laughed at his antics. “And I told you, you would get bored. You didn’t have to come.”

“You’ll need me when someone catches you outside of curfew.” He countered half-heartedly, nuzzling his face deep into the crook of your neck.

With an eye roll, you tapped the badge on your chest. “Did you already forget I’m a prefect too?”

Tom ignored you and lifted his head slightly to watch your feather scurry across the parchment.

“Why don’t you take a look around? Maybe you will find an interesting book.” You suggested after a while.

When you got no answer, you sighed and wriggled out of his grasp, got up and disappeared between the gloomy bookshelves. You came back five minutes later and handed him a book.

“You told me you were fascinated by such things. I stumbled upon it a week ago.” You looked up at him and smiled.

Tom’s lips curled slightly upwards. Anyone else would have missed it, but not you. Your smile grew even brighter.

You pulled him down to meet his lips for a quick peck before sitting back down on your chair.

“Thank you, darling.”

He sat down casually on the chair next to yours, flipped through the book and flew over most of the pages. After a while, he stopped and began to read with an intrigued expression on his face. He suddenly seemed interested and he immersed himself in the written words. Then he looked up and at you, an expression on his face that Harry didn't like at all.

That must have been the end of the memory, because Harry was back in Dumbledore’s office again. His brain tried to comprehend what just happened.

Voldemort had someone, a person who looked at him as if he put the sun, the moon and the stars onto the sky. And in return, he had kissed this person, had clung to them as if they would disappear if he let them go even for a second.

Harry just met a completely new side of Voldemort, one he never expected to exist, one that was impossible to exist.

Voldemort had been soft. Or at least softer than one might imagine a cold-hearted, loveless and ruthless mass murderer to be. It didn't make any sense.

Dumbledore watched the conflicted expression on his face intently as the wheels kept turning in his head. “I believe you have some questions.”

Harry startled out of his thoughts. “I… Voldemort…” He stumbled over his words, not knowing to which question he wanted to have an answer first. “She was his girlfriend?”

“Yes. (Y/N) (L/N) was, as I already told you, an astounding student. Not only had her fellow Ravenclaws admired her, but almost the entire school. Very honest and responsible. Ideal for the role as a prefect, as you've seen, and later even as Head Girl. It was impossible for Voldemort not to notice her. There had been a rivalry between the two of them from the beginning, as they were fighting for the title best student. As you know, Tom Riddle was a great student with remarkable grades and loved by his teachers and classmates. So was (Y/N), indeed a very gifted and talented witch. However, when he saw there was no possibility for a breakthrough, he charmed his way into her life, but not with a little resistance from her side. She was probably one of the fewer people who were suspicious of him.”

“But she was still with him?”

“She was a 16-year-old girl who fell for the handsome and strange boy who was fascinated by her. A girl like her had many admirers, but he was the only one who could challenge her and was intellectually on par with her. In a way, she was also fascinated by him. Both were an interesting mystery to the other and they were eager to solve it.”

“So he was playing with her?”

“To be honest with you, Harry, I don’t think so.”

“Then what is it?”

“Love.”

Harry looked at Dumbledore as if he had just expelled him from Hogwarts and sent him back to the Dursleys. “But I thought…”

“It wasn’t typical love, the type of love we both know. It was more of a mix of mutual understanding, admiration, trust and something deeper. Just because Voldemort is incapable of loving someone, it doesn’t mean he was emotionless.”

“It’s hard to believe that Voldemort cares for someone else.”

“For someone who didn’t experience him in his school days, it’s easy to say. She had a not insignificant influence on him.” Dumbledore said with a smile before sitting back in his chair.

Harry did the same and asked, “What happened to her? I mean, if she and Voldemort were a couple, she could help us find the Horcruxes! After all, she let you have her memories. Do you know where she is?”

“Unfortunately, Harry, she died a few years ago. The reason for that were, in fact, these memories.” Dumbledore pointed to the remaining vials. “She came to me one year after your parents died.”

Confused, Harry leaned forward in his chair. “Why?”

The older man looked at him over his glasses, his eyes glittering, before looking back at the memory containing vials like it was the most obvious answer.

Harry bit his lower lip, nodding. “Right.”

“However, if you were actually asking about the specific time, then the answer is just as simple. Like some of Voldemort's other followers, she was cautious. Death Eaters were hunted and imprisoned, after all. They also didn’t know if he might come back to reclaim his power. So, she waited a year before she came to me.”

“And she gave you the memories just like that?”

Dumbledore shook his head before he hoisted himself up from his chair, his blackened hand shaking like a leaf in the wind being under so much pressure.

“Not back then, no. At first, she was suspicious of me, considering I could call the authorities the second she stepped on school grounds. Understandable, since she was just as much hunted by the Aurors as the rest of Voldemort’s followers, but I promised her no harm will come to her as long as I live.”

Harry shifted in his seat, a frown on his face. “Why would you do that, Professor? Why would you offer that to someone who was as close to Voldemort as she was? Why would you put someone under your protection who murdered and tortured innocents?”

“And how do you know she did all that, Harry?” Dumbledore asked and his eyes gleamed as he looked sharply at the boy.

Harry, feeling scolded, averted his eyes and merely shrugged his shoulders, not knowing what else to do.

So what if this girl wasn’t like the man who murdered his parents? How should he know? People who were involved with Voldemort were neither good nor innocent. You could have been very well a second Bellatrix.

Dumbledore, who had already taken the second vial and poured the memory into the Pensieve, nodded at his silence and smiled knowingly.

“Don’t view her as any enemy, but as an ally instead.” He said and Harry had to suppress a scoff. “Without her, we would know much less about Voldemort and how to go against him.”

Harry nodded reluctantly and got up from his chair to join Dumbledore again. He looked down at the swirling inky substance that slowly started to take shape and he could already recognize silhouettes of a fire-lit room.

[eris-eveningstar]

Chapter 17 fic excerpt

I'm literally too impatient. The day after posting day is my writing break damn it, but NOOOO I just have to feel so motivated to write the ball that I accidentally end up writing 2k. 'Accidentally.'

Ok so you guys are gonna get super lucky today. I'm being so generous with you all. Here is an excerpt!

─── • ⋄ ⋅⚡️⋅ ⋄ • ───

Tom's heart froze in his chest.

His darling omega was a vision.

He'd seen him from behind, and he did a double take. His hair was a bit longer, curled and styled, yet it was the same shade as a raven's wing, and no amount of pomade could ever take away the wildness of those locks. He recognized him immediately. After all, how could he not recognize the slope of curves he'd touched and held so many times? The shade of that sun-kissed skin? Or the figure he'd felt against his so often?

And then, Harry turned, and Tom's breath was stolen away.

Good lord, he thought. He'd never known true beauty before today. The concept of it simply untrue without the vision of Harry's beauty to cement it.

If he thought Harry was alluring during their dalliance in Diagon Alley—a time he often recalled fondly, and perhaps a little too closely with a pensieve and his hand near a very pleasurable place—then, well, he was a fool.

This outshined it all.

Harry grinned brilliantly, and Tom's eyes narrowed in on his mouth. The colour of his lips was deep red, a shade akin to blood, and Tom couldn't help but wonder what sounds his dearest would make if he leaned down now and stole those tempting lips, plundering the caverns of Harry's mouth with his tongue and pulling him closer by his waist.

But it wasn't simply his mouth. Tom basked in the loveliness of his omega's nymph-like form, and dark eyes narrowed in on his makeup. It accentuated his allure and brought out the emerald gleam of his eyes, and without his glasses, he looked simply, well, enchanting.

And the glitter, oh Merlin. The glitter. What Tom wouldn't do to figure out how far it went.

Golden flecks glittered against Harry's skin like a divine temptation—on his cheeks, eyes, neck, and collarbones. Tom wished to lave his tongue against the sinful stretch of Harry's shimmering, petite collarbones and make his lover shiver and twist.

And then he noticed his dear Harry's neck. Truly, he was a gift presented before him. A black ribbon was tied in a bow on Harry's neck, and Tom wanted to undo it slowly, teasingly, while Harry turned into goo in his hands. Or perhaps he would grab it and watch as Harry's head was forced back as Tom took his pleasure?

Instead, he settled for this.

He held out his hand, palm first as was tradition, and in a half-bow, he greeted his dearest in a way far more formal than their relationship dictated. Tom smirked, the masses would surely eat this up. The Chosen One and Lord Slytherin, seen getting along? Well, Tom wasn't unaware of what that would do for his currently stellar image, but it didn't matter as much as finally seeing his omega in the flesh.

"Greeting, Heir Potter-Black. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. I am Lord Thomas Slytherin."

Softly, Harry's hand curled against his, and Tom gave a secretive wink. Tradition dictated that he would kiss the omega on the back of the hand, but instead.... Tom turned Harry's hand around, and, slowly, his plush lips landed sinfully on the flesh of Harry's wrist.

[hpkinktober]

HP Kinktober will be running for 2023! All HP pairings and ships are welcome. We're not sure if we'll be able to do daily graphics/posts of the prompts this year, so save this list!

AO3 Collection: HPKinktober2023 Tumblr: hpkinktober

Rules:

1. Please tag your fics as accurately as possible. 2. Due to the nature of this fest, this is 18 and up only.

More information and the list of prompts can be found below the break.

It's encouraged that you post on the day of the prompt if possible, but you can really post whenever you want. Prompts can be combined all into one fic, written as one-shots, or mix and match—it’s all up to you!

All HP pairings and ships are welcome.

Hosted by: @manixzen, @anaxandria-writes, and @withgreatelan

This collection is open and unmoderated, so viewer discretion is advised, and please tag your works as accurately as possible.

Daily Prompts

1. Devil's snare 2. Orgasm Denial 3. Werewolves 4. Cockwarming 5. Firewhiskey 6. Collaring 7. Sex Pollen 8. Pensieve 9. Omegaverse 10. Mandrakes 11. Dragons / Dragon Eggs 12. Breathplay 13. Bathing 14. Voyeurism 15. Owl Post 16. Wings 17. Closets 18. School Uniform 19. Dungeons 20. Breeding 21. Brooms 22. Legilimency 23. Monsterfucking 24. Power Imbalance 25. Portkey 26. Bondage 27. Room of Requirement 28. Remembrall 29. Knotting 30. Formalwear 31. Aftercare

Alternatives (Can be swapped out for any day) Alt 1: Object Insertion Alt 2: Age Play Alt 3: Threesome (or more) Alt 4: Wandless Magic

[drarry-lets-play]

🎮 DLP 2024 | Fic Master List 🎮

🎮 The road to Baldur's Gate 🎮

16th september, by @gnarf

Rating: Explicit Word count: 19.360k Warnings/Tags: Alternative Universe - Baldur's Gate, Abduction, Tadpole | Illithid Parasite Powers (Baldur's Gate), We'll fuck because we'll die mindset, Blow Jobs, semi public blowjob, Rimming, Bathtub Sex, Fast Paced Enemies To Lovers, everyone is horny, Poisoning, Ambushes and Sneak Attacks, Explosions Summary: Waking up in a fucking pod on a fucking Mindflayer ship with a worm dangling in front of his eye was one of the weirder experiences Harry had during his short life. Twenty-one years of absolute fuckery made him immune to most of the bullshit happening around him, but this must have made it into the top five immediately, making it into the top three the second the Mindflayer attempted to put a parasite into his eyes.

🎮 A Boyfriend Among Us🎮

17th september, by @Skotini

Rating: T Word count: 6,636 Warnings/Tags: Impostors to lovers, Humor, Getting Together, Flirting, Secret Crush, POV Harry Potter, Characters Playing Among Us (Video Game) Summary: There's something sus about one of the players in Harry's new game. And Harry's got to work it out, even if it means tailing Eltanin all over the ship. Repeatedly. He’s just doing it because he’s dedicated to justice… right?

🎮Gems 🎮

18th september, by @definitelynotafanficwriter

Rating: M Word count: 20,413 Warnings/Tags: No Archive Warnings Apply, Getting Together, Crime Fighting, Metaverse (Persona 5), Palaces (Persona 5), Guns, Masks, Fights, Infiltration, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Pining, Mutual Pining, Flirting, Cafe Leblanc (Persona 5), Banter, Kissing, Justice, Past, Fluff, Coffee Shop Owner Harry Potter, Shop Owner Harry Potter, POV Harry Potter, Games, Teasing, Good Draco Malfoy, Sassy, Partners in Crime, Post-Second Wizarding War with Voldemort (Harry Potter), Fans, feathers - Freeform, Harry Potter loves his life in Japan Summary: Harry Potter was done with the war. He packed all his stuff, said his goodbyes to his friends, and left for the muggle world... in Japan. It was a last minute decision, just like opening a coffee shop was. Good thing he found a last-minute supplier. Then, one fateful morning, everything went crazy and it had something to do with Draco Malfoy.

🎮 Lesson Learnt, Vault Dweller 🎮

19th september by @xrvge

Rating: E Word count: 6,343 Warnings/Tags: Post-Apocalypse, Kidnapped Draco Malfoy, Fallout Video Games References, Gun Violence, Smut, Virgin Draco Malfoy Summary: In the post-apocalyptic wasteland, lone wanderer Harry Potter happens to stumble upon a vault dweller trapped within a raider camp.  Well, there's rarely any stumbling when Harry is involved. Maybe he just loves running head first into danger. 

🎮 Mnemosyne 🎮

20th september by @thunderfiction

Rating: Mature Word count: 20,442 Warnings/Tags: Harry Potter Epilogue What Epilogue | EWE, Department of Mysteries (Harry Potter), Unspeakable Harry Potter, Unspeakable Draco Malfoy, Pensieves (Harry Potter), Memory Magic, Ancient Greece, Glamour Charms (Harry Potter), Secret Identity, Identity Porn, Identity Reveal, simulated character death, Blood and Injury, Grieving Someone Who Isn't Even Dead, Presumed Dead Character, Demisexual Harry Potter, Demisexual Awakening, Swearing, POV Harry Potter, POV Third Person Limited, Past Tense, Inspired by Assassin's Creed, Drarry Let’s Play Fest 2024 Summary: Deep within the Ministry of Magic lies the Department of Mysteries — and within that, the Animus Chamber. When Harry gets recruited as an Unspeakable, he embarks on a quest into his ancestor’s memories, searching for a mystical weapon that could wreak havoc in the wrong hands. What he does not expect to find inside the Animus, though, is a mentor, a companion, a friend and a lover — especially not all wrapped up in one prickly coworker whose true identity he can never know.

[jennamalfoysmanor]

Haven’t posted here since 2019 but I thought I’d hop on to promote my first ever Dramione WIP In Memory of Hermione Granger.

Please mind the tags Xx

In a post-war world where the illicit trade of Pensieve memories has become a booming underground market, Hermione Granger is an Auror tasked with shutting down these illegal operations.

Her mission brings her face-to-face with Draco Malfoy, a former Death Eater whose family's fortune was decimated, leaving him to resort to selling stolen memories to survive.

As the lines between duty and desire blur, Hermione must decide if she can trust Draco, knowing that if she makes the wrong decision, it could cost her everything.

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Hi amazing admins, do you have any PERSONAL recommendations of (in the last 4 years) domestic tooth rotting fluff (non AU)? Can or can not include smut. I hope this is allowed but I’d love to not be directed to a master list but rather a personal recommendation of any fluff that stands out to whatever admin is reading this. Sorry if this is too specific ❤️❤️

Recently, this was posted about their recent vacation and I love it! Anyone feel free to give more recs!!

sunkissed (ao3) - ivylakes

Summary: Maybe Phil was made to pour warmth into this man and leave little marks all over his body the way the sun does when it covers his skin with freckles. Maybe everything they’ve ever done and every little way they’ve loved each other has culminated in this very moment, where they can hardly see each other in the low light but are still brighter than the yellow light that breaks through the sky and glitters on the ocean.

Or, Dan and Phil go on holiday, and every photo they take tells a story.

Also I love the recent fics about Phil in the hospital for ass bleeding.

a blur. (ao3) - Anonymous

Summary: ‘’-and I love that hat. I wear it allll the time, Dan gets annoyed but I think he’s just faking it.’’ Phil voices smugly.

‘’Oh yeah?’’ says Dan, as he gently picks up the hat and rests it on Phil's head.

‘’Mhmm,’’ says Phil, as he begins to look exhausted again, the conversation clearly knocking any energy he had out of him.

(Basically just another fic about the recent hospital trip.)

checking in (ao3) - pensieveity

Summary: phil is out of surgery and dan brings him his long ass list! also phil is out of it the whole time <3

Did Your Son Take It? (ao3) - steddieornot

Summary: “Did your son take it home?”

She watched as his face distorted into a bizarre mix of horror and disgust. Whoops. Not his son then.

She went to open her mouth to apologise before he slurred out “erm, yep, he’s bringing back clean clothes,” he then sluggishly attempted to school his expression into a neutral one.

not a lot, just forever (ao3) - blossomsphan

Summary: working through the feels post-hospital incident

Proxy Requests (ao3) - philsmeatylegss

Summary: A story about poop and fear (unrelated)

Sweet Haribo (ao3) - geoculuci

Summary: Phil says corny shit to Dan while he’s high on fentanyl at the hospital

the hot doctor (ao3) - jonsaremembers

Summary: Plot twist: it was Dan.

Through Sickness and In Health (ao3) - Mysticallykai

Summary: After Phil's hospital stay and their vacation, Dan and Phil try to fall back into their routine. Though it's hard to go back to normal when your normal has changed so suddenly. How will the significant health scare affect Dan and Phil even weeks after it's over?

to love somebody the way i love you (ao3) - howell_slide

Summary: Dan and Phil return home from the hospital, and Dan’s Going Through It emotionally.

-Rae

[virgil-anon]

My New One-Shot

Harry Potter Died (Again) by virgil_anon on ao3

Summary:

Harry Potter died. Again. And again. Something has been missing since his defeat of Voldemort, an ache in his chest so big and yawning he was afraid it would swallow him whole.

With no one else to talk to about it, Harry turns to Death.

Relevant tags: Harry Potter & Tom Riddle | Voldemort, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, battle of hogwarts, post battle of hogwarts, master of death Harry potter, Harry Potter is lonely, Harry misses the horcrux, horcruxes, angst, angst with a happy ending, Dumbledore bashing, death ships it

Snippet:

Harry didn't talk about what happened in the Forbidden Forest. Yes, everyone knew that he died—that Voldemort had killed him, more accurately. Hagrid hadn't stopped telling anyone who would listen about it. But no one knew what happened while he was gone—dead. Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, had died. Then he came back (and it was quite a shame only Hermione appreciated his Jesus joke). Harry hadn't even truly understood all that happened while at King's Cross. Not until after the battle. After Harry defeated Voldemort once and for all. After the man who turned himself into a monster died just like any other wizard. Like Fred, and Remus and Tonks. He couldn't outrun death, because no one could. Harry wasn't proud of the way he collapsed after dealing the final blow, as he felt how well and truly hollow he was inside. He couldn't properly breathe, like there was a gaping hole in his chest that threatened to swallow him whole. He didn't remember much till Ron and Hermione showed up. Then he had his best friends to lean on as he cried. They helped carry him away as the survivors rushed forward, and despite Voldemort’s death, the battle continued. Word spread like wildfire. “Voldemort is dead!” echoed off the broken castle walls, in much the same way the Death Eaters had declared his own death a mere thirty minutes ago. Or was it an hour? He had no idea. He only heard second-hand accounts of what came after. At the time, he could only think of his death. He needed to know what happened to him. His friends helped him inside, and he could stand on his own two feet again. “Hermione,” Harry rasped. “Your bag. I need your bag.” She frowned. “What? What for?” He waved his hand impatiently. “I don't have time to explain. There's something I need to do, and I need both of you to help the others catch the stragglers.” With Ron's insistence backing him up, Hermione gave Harry her Ever-Expanding Bag and they ran towards the Great Hall. Harry tightened his grip on the drawstring bag and marched up to the Headmaster's office. The pensieve was still where Harry and his friends had left it. He dipped inside and watched Snape’s dying memories again. And again. Then he remembered. With a simple accio, he pulled The Beetle and the Bard from Hermione's bag. He didn't feel right sitting in Dumbledore’s—or was it Snape’s now?—chair, so he sat in the smaller, less ornate one and reread the children's story. The story of the Deathly Hallows. Harry still had all three. His cloak was in his pocket, the stone in the snitch, and the wand was clutched in his dirt-streaked hand. But that wasn't the interesting part. He'd been so sure that it was Dumbledore. Why wouldn't he be? He knew the man was dead, he'd been his mentor in life, surely in death he could be as well? “He greeted Death like an old friend.” And Harry had. He had met Death at a crossroads—and what was more poetic than King's Crossing, the physical manifestation of the split between Harry's muggle and magical worlds? And he came back. Didn't that make him Death's Master? Only the realisation hadn't fixed the gaping hole in his chest.

[greenerteacups]

hiiii hope ur doing well! I just read one of ur posts where u said this: « The HP books are essentially mystery novels that turn into spy novels. » and I was wondering if u could explain why? I’m very intrigued!

Yeah totally! The plots of the first four books are classic mystery novels wrapped in fantasy dressing: there's a Plot afoot at Hogwarts, the reader gets clues, there are red herrings, and the third act is a great Unraveling in which Harry, our intrepid hero, discovers the answer and realizes how all these strange happenings come together. Quirrell (who's trying to steal the stone?), the basilisk (who's petrifying people?), Sirius Black (why is he chasing Harry?), and Barty Crouch Jr./Moody (who put Harry's name in the Goblet?) are all introduced to us as mystery plots, and although Harry doesn't do a lot of detective-ing, those engines are what propel the plot of the books forward in between subplots about friendship and quidditch and dragon-fighting. In her best books, she weaves multiple mysteries on top of each other, so you have, e.g., the Sirius Black mystery plot and the Lupin mystery plot and the mystery of Hermione's disappearances, all of which come together beautifully in the third act.

But you get this pivot after Cedric Diggory's death; there are still mysteries (what is the Order trying to steal at the Ministry of Magic? who is the Half-Blood Prince?) but the overall books become much more interested in the plot of the series as a whole: that is, "how are we going to stop Lord Voldemort?" The subterfuge and secrets in the last 3 books are usually presented not as mysteries unto themselves but as politicking on the basis of limited information, the way a spy novel does; it's about leveraging information-as-power. The "mystery" of Slughorn's memory and the pensieve journeys with Dumbledore isn't really meant to be an engine of the story; it's building up a far larger engine of Who Tom Riddle Is, and why he wants the things he does, which then tells us what his weaknesses are and how to beat him. Book 7 doesn't even pretend to be a mystery anymore; it's a straightforward Quest novel, and the lack of espionage and politicking is part of the reason it feels so tonally different from the rest of the books. "What are the Hallows, and will Harry pursue them?" is just an empty question when you look at the broad arc of the series and see how much time has been spent building up to this specific story about finding and destroying the horcruxes. But then, it's hard to write a self-contained mystery novel when you're also writing a multivolume war story.