#YES I WROTE POTIONS INSTEAD OF HISTORY

[midostree-art]

[nicos-w101-liveblog]

Firecat Alley Post-Commentary

I got like 11 minutes of ads to earn crowns. Did not know I could get that many before I stopped getting them.

Roberto the Insignificant was so ready for Diego. Had a whole speech going as soon as he heard the trap door only to realize that it was not, infact, his brother.

By the way, Diego's trinket was a "lucky unicornshoe". Which to them would be... just a shoe. Because they're unicorns. This family heirloom is just their great-grandsire's shoe.

Not me completeing the Hallowe'en ghost collecting quest by just standing there, talking to private Quinn.

Not me whisting The Tenth Planet every time there's dead air. It haunts me, even from middle school band.

The fact that i cannot skip Eleanor Abernathy (the crazy cat lady) 's dialogue when she's literally just making kissy noises at the firekittens is so uncomfortable, actually. Sure, I'm exactly the same when I go home on breaks and see my cats, but still.

Her VA's rent was due tho. Applause.

Larry the Blockhead husband <3. Get a divorce, hun. Bernice is a POS and this is emotional abuse. Poor man reminds me of my Uncle Chris. Married to a very... disagreeable woman who happens to also be my aunt.

Hey. Lucky Hookline. Could you maybe give me the fishing luck potion to use in my own time? Instead of just shoving it down my throat and forcing me to keep fishing for rarer fish after I grab the Icecuda and Frost Dekoi? Thanks.

Firecats: The Musical. Downvote. Dislike. No.

Is a literal child voicing the Fire Elves?

Did Lizzo Forespitter just use "cuckoo bananas" unironically?

Shelus Gruffheart reminds me of Clint from Stardew Valley. The uncomfortable family member that asks "where's my hug?". I do not like him.

Seriously the Fire Elf faces make me so uncomfortable. Why are their mouths and smiles so big? Why are their teeth defined? I don't like it.

Gretta Darkkettle my beloved. I'd have loved to have an alchemy teacher in Ravenwood.

I do not blame Bastilla for being bitter towards the elves when they ended up killing her. Very proud of her for her "thriving Underworld theater career".

Seriously I am so mad that the ghouls have abs. Yes the suit and tophat are dapper and you are killing it, but you should not have any muscle definition!

Bastilla doing an evil monologue while I'm just doing a victory jig not 5 feet away.

Gretta casually dropping the Malistaire lore Nico didn't know until now. People casually believing he blew himself up with the Death School.

Also, the exiled alchemist living in Firecat Alley just being an open secret is iconic.

Ironic I got chills reading/hearing the History of Fire Magic

"Juicicle Cat". I may commit death.

Gotta say, whenever I even try to think of any song from Cats, all I get is the spell from Hocus Pocus. "Twist the bones and bend the back..."

Let me keep the sword relic, man. Let me honor the Skeletal Warriors' wishes. Let the blade see battle as it should. I'm sure Diego would love it.

I'm seriously so mad about the literal corpses having muscle definition. If I had artistic skills you bet I'd draw what I think it should be. But I think I wrote it well enough in the live-reaction post lol.

BARTELBY MY FAVORITE!!!

Also, is Colossus Boulevard a side quest? Or is that only until I actually enter it? Bc rn its a side quest and I remember it being more significant.

Seriously how many names have I been pronouncing incorrectly? Sapphyra is "Saf-eye-ra" and not "Saph-ear-a"?

Silly Dialogue:

[dandylovesturtles]

For the fan fic writers asks:

10. Ctrl+f "blinks" on your WIP & copy paste the first sentence/paragraph that comes up

42. What's the last fic you read? Do you recommend it?

76. Did you have any ideas that didn’t make the final cut of I May Be Invisible, But I Still Look Good? 

10. Ctrl+f "blinks" on your WIP & copy paste the first sentence/paragraph that comes up

He blinks, then turns to look at the bones. “Father…?” he asks. Father is part of family.

Yeah I'm not giving any context for that.

Fun fact: "blinks" was not actually in any of the WIPs I have written for anything coming out in the next few months so yeah you get this random thing that I wrote on a whim instead, sorry.

42. What's the last fic you read? Do you recommend it?

According to my AO3 history the last thing I read was actually a reread of Worth it for the Laughter lol (the timing)

And yes I absolutely recommend it! It's so cute (for those who don't know, it's about Leo getting his wisdom teeth out).

My favorite part of this fic is when Draxum calls Leo stupid and Donnie kicks him in the shin. ^^

As for last fic I read that wasn't a reread (or something getting updated with a new chapter), it was to thine own self by true by inkandstone, which is actually a 2012 fic about Donnie using a truth serum on an unwilling Mikey. I haven't watched 2012, it just got recced in one of the discord servers and I decided to read it lol. It was good though! I love "truth potion gone wrong" scenarios.

cw: someone does get outed against their will in this fic

76. Did you have any ideas that didn’t make the final cut of I May Be Invisible, But I Still Look Good? 

A few! Maybe the biggest one is a whole subplot I cut concerning the fire elemental (the one Donnie almost kills). While I had that particular moment in mind for a long time, originally the resolution to that moment was going to be the reveal that the fire elemental wasn't actually going along with the plot to revive the Witch of the Depths entirely willingly, but rather their family had been forced into it. the fire elemental would reveal that their own sibling had also been cursed by the charm, and it was their body that would be used to house the Witch's soul. The fire elemental was then going to give Donnie the spell, one sibling just trying to help their family to another, and later on in the final fight the fire elemental would come to their aid.

This subplot ended up being too unwieldy and didn't really contribute much to the actual themes and plot so in the end the fire elemental became some cult follower like the rest of them who got so scared by Donnie they peaced right out.

Btw to be clear, even though we will see some other fire elementals in the final fight (as I alluded to with Big Mama's warning in chapter 14), none of them are that specific fire elemental. Donnie scared off their proverbial pants and they're never coming back lol

[talenlee]

Game Pile: HitchHiker's Guide To The Galaxy

Did you know that one of the funniest English language authors in history wrote a bunch of videogames, and they’re really funny? Well, you probably did, because Terry Pratchett made that huge Oblivion mod, but also, his peer Douglas Adams also made stuff, though on earlier, clunkier, uglier hardware.

Yes, once more I delve into the infocom vaults to talk to you about a game that is, primarily, just text, almost as if I have some kind of bias towards that kind of media for some reason.

Anyway, I’m going to complain about Twine briefly.

Sometimes I feel like the web browser is the wrongest way to do a text adventure. I’m not against Twine, don’t get me wrong. Parser games are understandably, less accessible and they’re famously hard to make comprehensively responsible to how you

It sometimes reminds me of how I frame poker. Poker is a game where you and the other players spend enough time with one another to create a common language – how you bid, how quickly you bid, all that stuff – and then see how you can use that language to lie to one another. Parser videogames can kinda do something like that too, but all of that language is set up ahead of time and a little remotely. It had opportunities to create interesting tension, such as if a developer didn’t consider a particular word that could be a noun or a verb, as in the famous Put Bag Bottle problem from Leisure Suit Larry 2 –

What?

oh okay, so in Leisure Suit Larry 2, you have to hastily construct a molotov cocktail (kinda) with a bottle of fuel (kinda) and a paper airsickness bag from an airplane. There’s a bug? of sorts? in the late stage of the game where most people are typing phrases like PUT BAG BOTTLE or USE BAG BOTTLE. Normally, if that doesn’t work, the game will just say something like ‘I don’t understand,’ which is a good way the games handle a lot of their error states, but in the case of this little bag and this little bottle, instead, Larry does something else entirely with its own animation and puts the game into a failed state: he chucks the bottle down into the volcano you’re standing over.

It makes sense at the time.

Thing is, what was going on there was that the parser could interpret the word ‘bag’ as a verb. The way the parser worked to tidy up commands was to consider the first verb and the last noun – because that’s usually all it needed, which helped clean up when players were using unnecessary adjectives that might accidentally confuse them. If you were in a room with four phones and one was ringing, ‘answer phone’ was functionally the same as ‘answer the yellow phone in the middle’ because the game would happily recognise that ‘in the middle’ wasn’t a noun and since only one phone was ringing, knowing you meant the yellow one didn’t mean anything. You could use this to weird results in speedruns of some games, where you could type an extensive list of commands nested inside one another like USE HAT SCREW FLUFF BUG POTION and then just delete the words at the end each time you repeated the input.

In the case of the Leisure Suit Larry bug, the way around it was the use of the word ‘the’ – you had to PUT THE BAG IN THE BOTTLE, but also not PUT BAG IN BOTTLE because it’s missing the word ‘the’ that indicates it’s a noun and a noun.

Parsers are hard, and all of this predicates on the idea that you’re a person who looks at the word ‘bag’ and thinks of it as a verb before you consider its applications as a noun.

Text Parser games introduce ways that you can be wrong, and it introduces ways that you can be frustrated, and those two elements were definitely part of Douglas Adams’ vision of games in Beaurocracy. That game has a limited number of inputs you can make – a typo for example, uses up one of them. If you check your inventory because you’re stuck, that uses up one of your inputs. You ultimately need to only ever make correct, non-frustrating inputs to get through that literally and deliberately kafkaesque form input system of a game, and that means you need to know how all the puzzles are solved ahead of time. The only way to do that is to do the puzzles, note how you did it perfectly, then restart the game to do it again. This is before widely distributed cheat code or walkthrough websites. This game was explicitly, deliberately, inconveniently difficult, and it was trying to manipulate you and how you interacted with it.

Basically, you should hate Beaurocracy because it was trying to make you hate it. I know I’ve never finished it, even if I’m very impressed with the dedication to, as it were, the bit. Douglas Adams would have killed on Tumblr is what I’m saying.

Okay, but what about Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy.

I assumed I’d written about this in the past, a long time ago, and over ten years the words flow to me like I’ve probably told it in little bits and pieces, but Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy is a text parser game that really leant against all the surfaces of the kind of game it was. First of all there are just some deliberate uses of a turn based timer to fuck with you.

There’s this puzzle early on, where, in order to unlock access to most of the rest of the game, you need a babelfish to stick in your ear. These are super common in the lore of the world, so much so that there’s a vending machine you can get one out of. In the book series, and radio play, the babelfish is added to Arthur’s life by Ford helpfully jamming it in his ear after getting it from a vending machine, but in the text parser game, you have to retrieve it from the vending machine yourself.

It’s a pretty neat little puzzle; you press a button to get a fish, and then immediately find a problem with how it’s dispensed. So you solve the puzzle of how it’s dispensed and press the button again. It dispenses another one, but your solution breeds a new problem and now it falls down a grate. So you look at the grate and you devise a solution and you press the button on the vending machine and get another fish which now goes from solution one to solution two to problem three. You solve problem three, press the button, and if you’ve done it like this the vending machine is now out of fish. But it doesn’t matter, because you’re also out of time and get dragged off to solve another puzzle, which you can’t, because you can’t understand any of the text being spoken to you.

The only way to solve the puzzle is to know at least one of the steps ahead of time, and then you need to pick up all your guff you put down in the process because you need it later.

The game even asks you, as you’re putting the pieces down, hey, do you know what you’re doing or are you winging it?

It’s mendacious but also it’s deliberately trying to engage you, the player in a particular way because I feel like this whole genre of game expected you to play with the whole of its text. That there was a reason every word was put in a description and it was to make reading it and engaging with it interesting. That’s pretty cool, and the HTML-ification of interactive text (which isn’t a problem per se, but it does present a sort of ‘first point, easiest point’ for the genre of interactive fiction it creates) does kind of lose some of this just because it needs to make its point of interface pretty evident.

(Not that you can’t get sneaky with it!)

(You can make twine games that notice when they’ve been rolled back, like ‘remembering’ something is a chance to change the past.)

(This is an idea we talk about in game studies as ‘hypertext,’ where text you can experience multiple times in different ways does not present a dozen readers a dozen paths but rather, all twelve readers experience the same path, which is to say, they go back and play all of them.)

Anyway, this isn’t the real thing in Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy that I love beyond meaningful words. What I love is that at one point, you have to demonstrate a capacity for abstract thought by showing an NPC that you are holding both tea and not tea.

And like obviously, when you think about it for a moment, of course you are, right? Like if ‘tea’ is an inventory item, any other inventory item is ‘not tea.’ But that’s not it – you have to specify that you show someone both tea and the absence of tea, as a way of representing that you aren’t just treating the objects in the game like entities in a parser.

Which you are.

Because when you do this, in your inventory, you get ‘no tea.’

Check it out on PRESS.exe to see it with images and links!

[mushibashiraas]

i bought tickets to see the new downton abbey movie with my mom and i keep thinking of riddle. i mean, alice in wonderland IS set in mid to late 1800s/early 1900s, yes?

using Downton Abbey as a reference as well as making a lot of comparisons to life as a noble family in the early 1900s. and of course, just like with the jamil headcanons, i'm gonna try to mainly write for a gn!yuu/gn! oc. also, if i get any "life in victorian england" things wrong, i apologize. i'm word vomitting while geeking out about history lmao

btw! here's a link that i referenced for the "courting in victorian england" headcanons. and here's a playlist i made that i listened to while i wrote these. so go watch downton abbey!!!!! puh-lease! such a good, thrilling, classy, fun show. cannot wait for may 20th! ugh *dreams of getting all dolled up with my mom just to see a movie* lmao

- assuming the time for afternoon tea doesn't go against the Queen of Hearts' Rules, riddle always makes sure to take his tea after classes.

- being raised with a typical classical education of a well-known family, riddle knows how to play the piano and the violin. whether he'll allow an audience while he's playing or not will be up to his mood as well as — of course — the Queen of Hearts' Rules.

- for all of his talents and hard work, he's decent at singing. in fact if yuu, ace, or deuce catch him in the act, he gets so flustered and most likely will chase them around the heartslabyul dorm screeching "OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!"

- oh! can we also talk about his ceremonial robes vignette? *simps in ex-equestrian rider* to commemorate the little lord rosehearts on his first horse/taking his first equestrian lesson, his mother commissioned a photo to be taken as well as a well-known, professional artist friend of hers to paint a portrait of him.

- he looked so cute!! all wide-eyes and innocent. a big smile on his face as he cheered and encouraged (much to the shock and horror of his mother) for the horse to "pick up speed! pick up speed, horsie!" she immediately scolded him. thankfully, there was a trainer walking the horse around with the reins; riddle wasn't allowed to hold the reins until he was 9.

- it's kind of hinted at but he doesn't know how to cook. at all. and why would he when all of his meals and healthy snacks were concocted by chefs and bakers and kitchen maids employed in the Rosehearts household?

- even his afternoon tea snacks consisted of fruit and carefully measured-for-nutritional-value-by-his-mother sandwiches

- if he lived in a modern!au instead of twisted wonderland, he'd probably graduate from harvard law school as its top student. there is no winning an argument against/with this child.

- any loopholes found he'd quickly counter with Rule 610 before writing a note to see if he could personally amend that loophole (he'd have no such luck doing so as usual, unfortunately)

- it would be his dream to, unlike his mother, serve in the queen's court as her royal attorney. bby boy would be all starry-eyes his first court case. don't worry though! just like his time as heartslabyul's housewarden, he'd be a pro at masking his courtroom jitters and be nothing but professional and respectful.

- does riddle ever get sick? with one of the Queendom of Roses' best medical mages for a mother, he doesn't usually get sick. there was the time in his labcoat SR, though, where he caught a slight cold.

- if yuu gets sick, he is right there in the infirmary with one of mother's potions (the recipe memorized long ago) scolding them about studying too hard and how important it is to take a break or switch subject material.

- oh and you can bet your bottom thaumark that when referencing illnesses besides the simple cough or cold, he'll use their full names. for example, he'd call a sore throat "pharyngitis" or "streptococcal pharyngitis." ...............maybe "strep throat."

"Getting enough sleep is also essential to keeping any hints at a cold at bay. You're lucky it is just a simple cold! With you coming from another world, who knows how bad you would be. What if it was influenza or worse?! Even The Queen of Hearts did well to make sure she never got sick! Honestly, if Mother didn't send me more potions you'd succumb to a high fever and hallucinations....."

- considering he's so busy with his studies, duties as a dormhead, and learning how to cook caring for the hedgehogs, dating would be the last thing on his mind.

- but say — in the future, when he graduated from night raven college and learned how to cook — he found someone to share his life with, he'd court them properly.

- his mother, being as strict as she was, made sure he abided by the usual "courting" rules expected of men (similar to "courting rituals" in victorian england and the early 1900s).

- even though victorian women usually came out and were chaperoned to balls and dinner parties at the age of 17-18, his mother absolutelt forbade him from attending the majority of the charity banquets and dinners she and her husband were invited to/attended so that he could focus on the full curriculum she gave him.

- even so, she made sure to drill into him general manners and etiquette including courting other potential suitors. she did wish for him to marry well and make sure he didn't bring shame upon the Rosehearts name.

- the last time she brought him out to a holiday ball and dinner party, he almost "resumed his acquaintance with a former dance partner out on the street." *gasps* the horror! the audacity! one of the few mistakes he ever made against mother that he sorely regrets.

- now, unlike in victorian england where — for the woman — "intelligence was not encouraged, nor was any interest in politics" twisted wonderland is different and women are held in high regard as perfectly strong, capable, and more than intelligent. *looks at riddle's mother*

- aside from this being a wish from riddle's mother for his future spouse, riddle himself would independently wish for someone who is equally intelligent and clever. of course it would be nice to "play the role of a gentleman." but if they ever encountered something they could handle perfectly well on their own, then by all means he'd step back and proudly let them handle whatever it is. *cue the smug look on his face as he watches them thoroughly chastise rulebreakers*

[startanewdream]

"Wish I'd left it there"

Hinny's first kiss in the movies really annoys me, but the script had a line about them talking about Tom Riddle's diary that was actually good (and missed in the books). I thought about that scene after seeing a giftset and then I just started writing a few words about a possible conversation between Harry and Ginny, the night before the Final Quidditch Match (aka the day before they kiss).

Hope it makes some sense!

There is a miserable look on Harry’s eyes that feels strangely familiar to Ginny. It is not that he doesn’t have any reason to be upset on this day; it is the evening of the final Quidditch match, Harry won’t play, he has weeks of detention ahead and he got scared after being involved with a dark art spell.

But the look on his eyes as he stares at the book on his hand - that is not related to any of these reasons.

She is not really surprised when she sees what book he is holding. The potions handbook that she knows was borrowed hurriedly at the library that morning, before Slughorn’s class. After all, Harry hid his original book the day before.

The Half-Blood Prince’s book.

The book that taught him many spells and gave him many tips, a book that Harry treated like an old friend, until… until the book betrayed him. That’s a feeling Ginny knows too well.

She remembers how it was after Christmas in her First Year, when she threw away Tom Riddle’s diary; she tried to get another book to replace it, a place where she could safely put her thoughts. She even wrote a few words, but it wasn’t the same.

Ginny remembers feeling betrayed by the diary, by what it made her do, and yet missing it like a part of herself. That’s the expression on Harry’s face.

He is alone on the couch in front of the fire. Ginny tells herself that she shouldn’t do anything - Ron and Hermione are probably more suited to talk to him, she has a few notes to study or she should even be sleeping before the last match -, but instead she finds herself drawn to Harry's side, sitting next to him.

‘Hey’, she tells and he jumps, his face colouring as it happens lately when she is near. Harry smiles, though it is more of a grimace, and Ginny tries not to let it bother her.

Before yesterday, before he casted that curse, Ginny could swear there was something happening between her and Harry - a sort of dance where they were getting closer and closer, almost touching and recoiling at the last moment, both of them waiting for the right signal to... to it happen. But ever since that story with the dark spell, Harry had withdrawn, avoiding to look at her as if he had let her down somehow, and Ginny had seen the shadow on his eyes as he talked about Dean rejoining the team.

Ginny doesn't really hate that half-blood prince for writing down a nasty spell, but she surely hates him for making Harry miserable. No book should have that power.

‘Hi’, he answers, a little late. ‘Thought you were sleeping already’.

‘Before the match? Too nervous’. She tries to grin, hoping it might infect him a little. ‘I was actually studying History of Magic’.

There is a faint amusement in his eyes now. ‘Wow’.

‘Yeah, I thought, it may make me sleepy or I might actually learn something. Win-win in any case’.

‘Sleepy is better’.

‘And there goes my attempt to get nine OWLS’.

‘Why nine?’

‘It’s more than Ron got. I hope it’s enough to ease Mom since I didn’t get the prefect badge’.

‘Who would want to be prefect?’

‘Not me - imagine being on rounds in a perfect nice Friday night?’, she asks, still light, and Harry looks around briefly, as if he only now realizes what was on Ginny’s mind for a while. They are nearly the last ones in the Common Room.

‘Oh’. Harry bits his lips, the pink in his skin now reaching his neck as the corners of his lips lift up. ‘It’s a nice night’.

And then, finally, Harry is looking at her as he does these days - eyes sparkling, nervous and excited at the same time, his gaze falling to her lips as if he feels drawn to it, before his eyes move to take in her face, every little detail, as if he was tasked to memorize it.

By the amount of time Ginny has caught him staring at her lately, she thinks he could draw her face if he wants to.

‘Ginny’, he whispers tentatively, and her lips part, tongue wettening them almost involuntarily; Harry’s eyes watch that movement and now there is fire on them. ‘I -’

But his words are cut when there is a heavy thump and they look down at the same time to watch the potions handbook opened on the floor. There are only the author’s writings on them; no words scribbled on the pages.

Harry backs away, his face troubled now. Ginny knows she ought to go away too, to give Harry an awkward smile and acknowledge that their moment is over, but she stays.

As easy as it feels when she is around him, it wasn’t to flirt that she went to talk to him in the first place.

‘It is not your fault’, she tells him bluntly. Harry eyes her warily.

‘I casted the spell. I won’t try to -’

‘I meant to trust him. That Prince guy’.

‘Oh’. He looks at the book on his hand. ‘Dunno. I feel stupid’.

‘For trusting a book that ended up disappointing you?’, she asks, inviting him to join her weird joke. Harry blushes, looking strangely flustered about what she is saying.

‘It is not like that, the diary was… truly evil’.

It seems like there is more he wants to say, but Harry looks away.

Ginny shrugs. ‘I know it was evil. Even then, even before I knew to whom it belonged, I knew it was evil and still… I missed it a lot. I tried to get rid of it twice, you know?’

Harry shakes his head. ‘I know about that time you threw it away in Moaning Myrtle’s toilet’.

She gives a reluctant laugh. ‘Not by best moment’, she acknowledges. Harry almost smiles. ‘Before that, before Christmas, I tried to hide in the same place you did. The Room of Requirement, though I didn’t know then what it was. Wish I’d left it forever’.

‘Oh. I never knew’.

‘Yeah, and I spent all holiday Christmas missing it like hell. I was miserable. I thought about it all the time. I would get angry when I saw other books, because it wasn’t the one I wanted’. She pauses. ‘No wonder I took it back first thing’.

Harry looks sheepishly, understanding what she means. ‘I won’t take it back’, he whispers. ‘Not just because of Snape finding out, I just - I just don’t want it right now’.

‘He betrayed you’, she summarizes. Harry startles as if he didn’t think about it in those terms before. ‘I think you should leave it there for a while. Try to forget it. Don't get too attached to it’.

‘Clean myself out of it?’

‘You are not tainted’, she says. Not like she was, she thinks.

Harry’s eyes are hard now, fierce. ‘Neither are you’, he tells her. ‘That diary… his soul… there is nothing of him on you. You are bright and powerful in a way Voldemort could never be’.

She should shudder at the name, but with the way Harry says it, with the resolution in his eyes that leave no room for her self-doubt, Ginny doesn’t fear Voldemort. Harry may have spoken about her brightness, but she thinks his lightness is powerful too, much stronger than the shadow of Voldemort’s name.

‘You can love’, he adds, his voice tender now, and though Ginny can think of a lot of people that she loves - her family, her friends -, she thinks of another type of love, one that she hopes to share with someone someday.

Not anyone. Maybe a special someone, she thinks, admiring the green in his eyes.

‘You can too’, she whispers back. There is a flash of surprise on his eyes, and Ginny wonders if Harry ever heard that he is loved; if he remembers it. But she doesn’t doubt that he can love and he knows it; he is too compassionate to not feel love.

And she wonders if he ever thinks of sharing a different kind of love with someone too.

But for now, she just picks up the book on the floor and gives it back to him.

‘It is just a book’, she says, raising.

Harry nods. ‘Just a stupid book’, he agrees.

‘I’m gonna sleep now - good night, Harry’.

‘Good night’. There is a pause. ‘Catch the snitch tomorrow, yes?’

‘I will wait for you with the snitch on my hand’, she promises him, giving him a small smile. ‘It’s a promise’.

Something flickers in Harry’s eyes, a faint glint of hope that makes Ginny think that tomorrow might be better. Tomorrow might be the day where their dance change tunes. ‘I’ll be waiting’.

[panthera-tigris-venenata]

(So I wrote this in my history class – which was not held in English btw – instead of paying attention (wait, no. I do have history notes from this lesson on the neighboring page. Multitasking.) and I need to rewrite it here before I forget what I wrote. Anyway.)

(Yes, it does read like an exercise on synonyms, thank you for noticing.)

Letter to King Beast (I guess):

They're barely people, they're barely human at all.

It's not a bad thing, necessarily. (It's not their fault anyway.)

Divine blood and sparkles of magic, gold ichor of gods and green aqua vitae of the fair folk. Young girls and boys, ready to sing and dance, so beautifully, so enchantingly, so deadly...

Lithe hands of young witches and sorcerers and all practitioners of the darkest arts, aching to prepare the potion, the spell... (So deadly.)

Three wishes, three favours, three gifts, so many of them owed to these broken souls. (How many of those would be deadly?)

No, they're not human at all.

And now they're awake, their powers finally coming to them – they should have had them all their lives. You'll be lucky if they don't use them to completely obliterate you at the first chance they get. (It would be only fair: it is your fault, anyway.)

They're not human at all, not at all, because whatever humanity they might have had despite their ancestry, it died. No, it was killed. Starved to death and beaten up and choked and drowned and murdered. It was killed, and they would have been too, were they still human. (Some of them had to kill their human side themselves, in order to survive.)

No love, no friendship, only allies and enemies.

No feelings.

Nothing more than amusement at the pain of others, bloodlust and craziness.

They feel tiredness, too, but can they afford it? No. They can barely afford to sleep: They'll rest when they're dead. (For some of them, death seems like the preferable option.)

You shouldn't be surprised.

(It's your fault, anyway.)

Because if those children are not human, their parents are outright monsters. And you locked them up with these beasts.

You are the biggest monster of them all.

[weasel-b33]

500 Miles (j.p x fem!reader)

Description: A few years after the birth of your son Harry, you and your husband James recall the beginning of your relationship. (NO VOLDY I CAN NOT DO THAT TO MYSELF) 

Warnings: Fluff, Kissing, A little Swearing, idk Cute Daddy James, Prolly many spelling errors I wrote this late and I am very tired...

 (THIS IS MY FIRST TIME EVER WRITING SOMETHING KINDA SIRIUS hehe SO IM SORRY IF IT IS TERRIBLE) 

Also the dates may be a bit wrong so im sorry in advance!! 

italicized is flashback!! 

Lyrics used in the song are from “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers (I KNOW THE SONG CAME OUT IN ‘87 BUT SUSPEND YOUR DISBELIEF PLEASE)

(not my gif)

The rambunctious laughter of the four year-old toddler and his father echoed throughout the large estate.

“Daddy!” exclaimed the messy haired Harry, “Can I please have a story.” Heavily emphasizing the puppy dog eyes he learned from his godfather, Sirius, a few years prior.

James Potter, the man unable to say no to anyone, tried to recall a story he had not told his son. Thinking back to the fairy tales of a prince slaying a fictional dragon, even though they are very much real, to save the princess that his mother used to tell him, James realized he was all out of good material. 

“I’m sorry bubs, I have nothing new too share,” the bespectacled man added lamely. The disappointment was instant on the child’s face, but luckily before the waterworks began, Y/N Potter strolled through the foyer into the den.

“Mommy!” Harry exclaimed, jumping up and bonding over to his mother, nearly knocking her over with his brute strength.

“Umph- Where’s the fire lovey?” you questioned with a slight chuckle. The dramatics of your son were never a surprise. Between his father and Sirius, you were surprised he had not acted much worse. Walking, more like sliding due to the child gripping your calves, over to your husband and lightly pecking his lips you ask, 

“What’s wrong now?”

Rubbing the back of his neck, he sheepishly stated, “I sorta don’t have a new story to tell him... he’s a bit peeved, if you couldn’t tell.”

A loud laugh tore through your throat as you pet your son’s hair affectionately.

“Come off Harry, Mommy has a perfect story to tell you,” you crooned softly.

“You do?”Harry questioned, rubbing the tears out of his stunning green eyes.

You picked him up and sat down near James, “Yes poppet, I have a very interesting story about how two very special people fell in love.” 

James quickly turned his head and quirked a questioning brow, “It all started when they were 15...” 

November 7, 1975

Quietly sitting on the vermilion couch of the Gryffindor Common Room, you began to fade out the noise of Lily ranting about the recent History of Magic exam, and Marlene’s long monologue over if she should or should not cut bangs. Instead, you were beginning to rip out each and every one of the hairs on your head because your Potions essay was nearly finished, yet you could not get those final words to conclude it all. 

Across the common room, a rowdy group of teenage boys, better known as the Marauders, were planning the newest prank on Snape. 

"We should give him that shampoo that will change his hair pink,” Sirius added.

Remus shook his head disapprovingly, “Pads, we did that last time come on..”

“WE HAVE NOTHING! WHAT IS WRONG WITH US, MOONY, HELP I’M DYING OF NO CREATIVITY!” Sirius exclaimed throwing himself across the scarred boy.

Although, many people turned their attention to the dark haired pureblood, James seemed he could not take his eyes off the girl nearly burning holes into her parchment, the girl he has fancied since he was 12. 

While playing with the snitch he stole, he said, “What if we tried that new rain spell we learned in charms today?” 

“Too difficult, we have not had enough practice.” Remus dismissed. “Well what if I found someone to practice on?” James added quickly turning to face his werewolf best friend. 

“Sure... Whatever, I could care less- Pads, get the bloody hell of me before I kick your arse,” 

“I’D LIKE TO SEE YOU TRY REMUS JOHN,” Sirius yelled beginning his quick climb up the stairs to the boys dorm, with Remus and Peter quickly following.

“You comin’ Prongs?” Remus asked to the brunette still staring at the girl with shaky hands.

“No, I’ll come up in a few, still want to try to figure this prank out...” he said quietly. The lanky boy followed his best friends line of sight and quietly smirked to himself.

“Alright, don’t wear yourself out too much.” 

Even throughout the commotion, you still made no move to change your line of sight. That was until Marlene nudged you and whispered into your ear.

“Psst! Oi! Y/N! Why is Potter staring at you?” 

You quickly shook your head and waved off her question, opting to continue to find the right words.

Well until your blonde friend gripped your jaw, and turned your head to the direction of the boy. You instantly made eye-contact with the messy haired Gryffindor and quirked a brow. He smirked and turned his head away. You thought nothing of the interaction, until you felt a sudden drop above your head...

Instantly, it seemed as though there was a storm in the common room. Looking towards the ceiling you saw the dark rain cloud above your head. Quickly turning your head to the essay you were writing you noticed it completely wet and ruined. You jumped into action, trying to salvage what you could, but it was too late. Ignoring the screeches of your friends and fellow housemates, you began to look for the source of the cloud.

That was until you made eye contact with the laughing and smug James Potter.

“POTTER!” you yelled. Almost immediately the rain stopped, but the damage had been done. “JAMES POTTER! YOU BETTER HAVE A REASON YOU STARTED A STORM IN THE COMMON ROOM!” 

Hearing the commotion, the rest of the Marauders came down to the common room to witness what was happening. But all they saw was a yelling match between you and their brunette best friend.

“YOU ARE A DICK JAMES POTTER! KARMA IS A BITCH AND SHE IS COMING! IT’S GONNA BE SO NICE TO SEE YOUR FACE WHEN ALL YOUR ACTIONS FINALLY COME TO KICK YOU IN THE ARSE!” you yelled.

“What? I did nothing, I don’t mean to dampen your mood, but I have no idea what you are on about.” James replies smugly.

“UGH- YOU ARE A BULLY AND A RIGHTEOUS, STUCK UP, EGOTISTICAL ARSEHOLE! I HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING THIS BECAUSE-- OH MY! I-” You were quickly being dragged away by your red head companion. 

“Y/N, he is not worth it... let’s just leave.” 

“NO! I HAVE TO RESTART MY ESSAY! I WAS THIS BLOODY CLOSE. UGH- YOU ARE AN ARSE JAMES POTTER I HOPE YOU KNOW THAT!”

“Y/N, it was just a prank, its no big deal relax.” James said.

“RELAX! ARE YOU KIDDING... I-” you paused taking shallow and rapid breaths, ‘you know I can not believe you think its funny. You truly have no regard for people and how they feel do you?” you asked slowly and meticulously. 

“Prongs, just apologize and lets go..” Remus said quickly.

“I- I didn’t realize it would be that big of a deal.” James tried to say to you, but it was no use because you had already dragged Lily and Marlene out the common room and to the library to re-start your assignment. 

“Oh, COME ON! I did not” James stated jokingly.

“Darling, you must certainly did, I barley passed that essay as well. I blame you for me getting an E in that class.” You replied giggling.

“Moooommmyyy! Story, get back to the story,” Your son said dramatically, grabbing your cheeks and turning to face him for extra effect.

Hearing a chuckling from James in the background, “Alright bubs, back to the the story”

January 23, 1976

After months of back and forth between you and James, he was fed up trying to get your attention. From roses to chocolate, to even a firework show in your honor, James believed he had done everything to apologize to you for his stupid prank and prove his affection.

Tired of his friends constant whining, Remus and Sirius decided to take matters into their own hands and talk to someone who knew you better than anyone else, Lily and Marlene.

“Oh Evans, Mckinnon, we are in grave need of your beautiful minds” Sirius flirted. Remus smacked him across the head adding, “Ignore the git, we need some help its about-”

“James?” Lily and Marlene said in unison.

“Yeah...how did you know” Remus questioned. “Are we gonna ignore the fact they spoke at the same time” Sirius said, once again receiving a blow from his friend.

Rolling her eyes, Lily remarked, “Well, Y/N has been complaining about him for months,” Marlene quickly interjected, “...and you never are without him so its an easy assumption. 

Now its was the boys turn to roll their eyes to the back of their heads. “Anyways, he will not shut up about getting her to forgive him... so we were wondering if you had anything that could work to get her to forgive him?” Remus pleaded with the best Sirius puppy dog eyes he could muster.

“Fine,” Lily and Marlene said jointly.

“THEY DID IT AGAI- OH NOT YOU TOO AS WELL!” Sirius exclaimed rubbing the now sore bump on his head. 

Ignoring the dog’s dramatics, the group of four began conducting a plan for James that would knock Y/N’s socks off.

At this point, Harry had nestled between his parents and fell into a deep sleep.

The two of you put him to bed and settle down back into the living room.

Looking longingly at his wife, James says, “Well, might as well finish the story love... it is the best part.”

Giggling at the antics of your husband, you shrug and began to finish the story...

February 14, 1976 

The Great Hall looked as though Cupid had just went on a decorating rampage. The room lined with pink and red hearts and the sight of loving couples nearly made you want to gag. Then, you remembered the boy who has dying to get your attention for the past months and can not seem but to get excited.

What does he have planned for you? Is he gonna get me a gift? Do I look presentable? 

“WHAT!” you quickly think to yourself, “Why in Merlin’s name am I excited to to see Jame- Potter. Godric I can’t feel like this for him... He his as a fly that buzzes and will not leave me alone... but he is not the worst to look at”

You quickly snap out of your thoughts as Lily starts to put food onto your plate. You begin to eat, but can only think of one thing.

James Potter.

“Why?” You begin questioning again, “Godric, Y/N You like him... No I do not.. You realize you are having this whole conversation within your brain, right? It is obvious you like him...” you grumble to yourself as you realize your psyche has won once again.

Lily noticing your strange behavior begins to question if you discovered what they have planned. 

Almost as though the boys heard Lily’s thoughts the beginning of the plan is activated.

Instantly, the candles in all of the Great Hall extinguish and there is the beginning of a song plays.

Suddenly, a spotlight shines onto the teachers table where atop, James and the rest of the Marauders stand, Remus and Sirius with guitars and Peter on the drums. James holding a mic begins to sing...

When I wake up, Well I know I’m gonna be, I’m gonna be the man who wakes up next to you.

Your head snaps to the noise and there you see in all of his glory, James Potter holding a microphone staring straight at you.

When I go out, yeah I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who goes along.

Quickly shoving the breakfast roll down your throat you nearly choke as you see the boy slowly make his way towards the front of the Gryffindor table.

When I get drunk, well I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who gets drunk next to you.

Your eyes widen comically when you see James Potter jump onto the Gryffindor table. 

And when I haver, hey I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who's havering to you.

Slowly, the boy begins his walk across the table to where you sit. You try to make a run for it, but Lily and Marlene quickly grab your arms and anchor you down to the bench 

“What friends you are!” you hiss at the two.

Marlene just rolls her eyes and Lily pinches your hip.

And I would roll 500 miles And I would roll 500 more Just to be the man who rolls a thousand miles To fall down at your door

Once the boy is standing in front of you he reaches down for your hand. Stubbornly, you ignore his gesture, well until your two friends throw you up onto the table with the love struck brunette. 

When I come home well I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you And when I grow old, well I know I'm gonna be I'm gonna be the man who's growing old with you.

You grip onto the boys biceps for stability and are forced to look into his ravishing hazel eyes...

In that moment you forget all that he has done to you in the past and all you can think about is him and you. 

But I would roll 500 miles And I would roll 500 more Just to be the man who roles a thousand miles To fall down at your door.

Smiling, to yourself, you grab the face of the boy in front of you and mold your lips together. Ignoring the cheers of your classmates, the only sounds you hear are the background noise of the boy’s best friends signing backup. 

Da da da  Da da da                                                                                                            Da Da Dun Diddle                                                                                            Un Diddle Un Diddle Uh Da Da.....

Smiling to yourself and grabbing the hand of the man you love you start laughing.

“What’s so funny, love?” James asks.

“Nothing.... Just we began dating because you performed a whole song and dance in front of the entirety of Hogwarts.” you reply breathlessly.

“Well, hey, look at us now... happy, healthy, and a true family.” he replies smiling at your antics.

You lay down your head into the lap of your husband, and look up into his hazel eyes you got lost into all those years ago, “Such a sap, Potter, such a sap...”

Kissing your cheek softly, “Only for you, my darling girl... only for you...” 

“I love you Jamie”

“I love you more, my love.”            ______________________________________________________________

AHHH I HOPE YOU ENJOY!!! IM SORRY IF IT IS SO BAD!! THIS IS MY FIRST FIC PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I COULD DO ANYTHING BETTER!!! AHHHH (but like kinda like this story... kinda proud ;))

[cynergy-laughter]

Obey Me! One Master to Rule Them All! Headcanon #9

So I have this idea of a scenario: Everything that went wrong went wrong yesterday, with time running out, and there was so much to do before going to bed, you had to scramble and multitask getting projects and assignments redone before realizing it’s the weekend. And ALL the brothers had a hand in your grinding day. So a sleep-deprived MC, with an attitude that can be described as, “I would literally fight God for an ounce of serotonin and a blissful hour of sleep.” goes to breakfast with the boys and they just snap, and starts roasting all of them and calling out their roles in his grinding day.

Lucifer: MC, so glad you could join us for breakfast.

MC: Don’t start with me, Lucifer, I had a very rough night...

Lucifer: You should watch your tone, MC, just cause it’s the weekend doesn’t mean I won’t punish you for stepping out of line.

MC: *record scratch plays in their head and turns head* Me? Stepping out of line? You have some nerve.

Satan: *eyes widen, a bit concerned for you talking back at Lucifer* Umm, MC, as entertaining as this is, are you okay?

MC: *looks at Satan, dark circles intensifying* No Satan... I’m not okay... After school yesterday I only had one assignment to do, and it turned into 5 assignments in the span of last night...

Mammon: *walks in* Good morning, what’s for eats?

MC: *head turns toward Mammon and points at him* You...

Mammon: W-What? What do you want human?

MC: You know perfectly what what I want, you dollar store mink stole.

Asmo: *nearly spit out his drink*

MC: You thought it would be fun to bring 6 ferrets into my room without my permission... do you know what they did?

Lucifer: He did what now?

Mammon: *kind of hurt from being called a cheap mink stole* what, did they eat your homework?

MC: I mean ferrets will find an interest to play with anything, my three completed assignments could attest to that if they weren’t torn apart and left around my room like a crime scene.

Mammon: There was no other place I could put them, I’m watching them for a friend, they would have torn up my room. You should have closed your door.

MC: I did, and you still opened the door, put them in my room, and they went for my homework. I hope you’re happy for kicking off last night’s chain of events for me you dime store student loan.

Mammon: *taken aback and sat down, and just stares into his breakfast*

Levi: *chuckles* Omg, you just got told! Lolololol!

MC: *turns to Levi* Don’t think you’re innocent, Leviathan, you overripe bananaconda!

Levi: W-What?! How dare you, who do you think you are, normie?! *stands up, and is scared when you get up after him.*

MC: Who do I thi- WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?! Printing out an 1000 page fanfiction of TSL, on MY LAPTOP?! You used up all the dang paper, and I had to go to the store and get more printer paper, and I couldn’t start redoing my assignments until you were finished on MY LAPTOP. Do yourself a favor Lord of Weebs, and make your next Akuzon order a personal printer.

Levi: *eyes widened, sits back down shying away from confrontation*

Beel: *eating, enjoying the roast session going on*

MC: *looks at Satan* And you, you decided to put my source material on your reading list for the night. You took the books I was planning on referencing for my paper to your room.

Satan: *shrugs* You should have planned better beforehand, it’s not my fault you were having a bad day.

MC: Au contrair you blond Severus Snape knock-off. Because a demonic food processor decided to drink my potion project that I had finished brewing and had it chilling in the fridge overnight, which was clearly labeled, “Beel, do not drink my potion, signed ~MC”! *looking at Beel as he shouted the last part*

Beel: *stopped mid bite, and looked down in shame*

MC: ...And ate my favorite snacks that would have kept positive motivation in me throughout the night, but I digress. I couldn’t find the potion recipe I wrote down either, turns out I stuck it in one of potion books I also had in my room. So I had to look through the library just to find the book because you put it in a place I couldn’t get to without going out to the garden and getting a ladder, which was awkward to bring in by the way. So thanks Marian the Librarian for doing a job that literally no one asked you to do.

Satan: *blushing mad, but stayed silent*

Asmo: *giggles* Aww you guys are getting chewed out, by MC!

MC: Asmo... you intrusive thot, do not think for one second you’re safe. I had to go shopping for the potion ingredients and printer paper, so I enlisted in your help, but instead of getting the ingredients I had to reign you in because you kept on getting stuff in the cosmetics department.

Asmo: I had a date that night, I had to look good!

MC: And trying to sneak them into my transaction so now I don’t have any money to buy food to make for dinner tonight. So thank you from the bottom of my generous heart, you wannabe James Charles.

Asmo: *eyes widen and he “clutches his pearls”*

Belphie: *looks at everyone, trying not to laugh*

MC: Belphie, I appreciate that you kept on trying to calm me down through all of this, but you fell asleep in the middle of me doing my work, and I would have let it slide, if you didn’t sleep on my paper’s outline. So there’s your contribution, you horse jockey cosplayer.

Belphie: *bit his lip and looked away*

MC: And that leaves you, Lucifer. You decided to make dinner last night.

Lucifer: Yes, and you told me yourself that it was delicious.

MC: Delicious and spicy... and everyone here knows what happens when spicy and me combine...

Lucifer: *was kind of sweating* Umm... in my defense... my definition of spicy would kill you, I made that pretty mild...

MC: Yes, but your mild gave me four hours... FOUR HOURS... that’s how long I was on the toilet for. I asked the group chat on my D.D.D. to get me my devildom history textbook so I could at least redo that assignment, Belphie wasn’t responding because he was asleep, Mammon, Asmo, and Beel were gone, Levi was live-streaming and turned his phone off, Satan was doing research and apparently put it on silent, and you were doing paper work, so I wasted 4 hours of my time trying to keep hydrated while I blew Mt. Vesuvius. Shut up Asmo. So thank you, Maleficient’s edgy teenage son, you single handedly gave me the most stress last night. I hope it was worth the punishment comment.

Lucifer: *eyes widened, shocked*

MC: And you know what the icing on the cake was? I realized at 7 in the morning, when I had finished everything, that everything was due on Monday and it was the weekend... I stressed for nothing while everything that went wrong went wrong... So this is my fault as well. Now, if you will all excuse me, I am going to be sleeping for the whole weekend, and I’ll be back to my old self on Monday. And if anyone thinks about disturbing me... just remember I have a pact with Every. Single. One of you. You will join me if you like it or not... I’ll send for my meals, I can’t make dinner tonight, and I’m taking this to my room. *takes breakfast* Now good day...

Mammon: MC we’re sor-

MC: I SAID GOOD DAY! *storms off into his room*

[siriuslyobsessedwith]

Re-introducing!Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger

After the war, they (of course) went back for their unofficial eighth year of instruction, but they were far from unencumbered, and they weren’t ready to meet each other again. They were haunted by the past, only barely settling into the present, and absolutely refused to even hope for a future.

Hermione was head girl, and she dove into her duties, perhaps to an obsessive and excessive degree, to distract herself. From her growing feeling of isolation, from her fear of the future, from how much she missed Ron and Harry. He watched her, but only from a distance. Disinterest turned into curiosity turned into...something he wasn’t ready or willing to acknowledge. And that was perfectly fine.

Draco was in a perpetual state of guilt. He tried his best to melt into the shadows, to keep his head down and his eyes averted and his shoulders slouched, so that no one mentioned how bloody ridiculous and ironic it was that he got to be here at all. He still excelled in all of his classes, but he kept to himself, kept himself away, anywhere outside of the classroom. Hermione watched, but only from a distance. Pity turned into curiosity turned into fascination turned into a desire to know the person he was hiding. She never approached. Maybe she was afraid too.

They graduated, they left, they went their separate ways. Draco pursued a potions and arithmancy double mastery, which required him to travel back and forth from Egypt to Germany to Italy for upwards of four years. He tried to keep himself locked up, still convinced of his unworthiness, until his classmates (who didn’t recognize the name Malfoy) forced him to open up. And, slowly, gradually, he got to learn who he was.

Hermione let herself tumble (ceremoniously and properly, of course) into the Ministry pipeline. She started as an aide to a wealthy representative to the Wizenagamot, jumped to Head of the Department of Magical Creatures, hopscotched to Assistant Advisor to the Minister. She had expected to be full of joy, of purpose at the Ministry, but every day she went home feeling empty and doubtful and used. Ron and Harry were off taking the DMLE by storm. She just didn’t have that type of fight in her anymore.

She flirts with friendships and boys and even, sometimes, men (if she’s lucky); he engages in flings and encounters and dances with women. They skirt around the edges of normalcy, almost watching from a distance, both wondering what’s holding them back.

Draco returns to England four years later after receiving a job offer from an up-and-coming potions company that is searching for a cost-effective Wolfsbane alternative. He’s a new man, full of purpose, having shed the weight of the past, even though he knows how much his history defines him.

Hermione had quit her job four months earlier, having been sought quite ardently by the head of Zabini Development to head up his research and development team. She’d gotten tired and disillusioned with her dreams of becoming Minister. She saw Zabini Development as a chance to make change now, to be in power now rather than wait 20 more years to make change while fighting against centuries of traditions and misogyny.

Had they thought of each other in those years apart? Maybe, they’d tell each other later, secret smiles on their lips whisper “yes, of course I did”. But when they reconnected at a seminar for rehabilitative potions in London another two years later, having only read about each other’s career, they were loath to admit such a weakness to their largest competitor.

Surnames, exchanged. Glances, chanced. They’re both battling within themselves, trying to decide between honesty and the protective coldness they both adopt. Of course, they choose to be idiotically stubborn and spend the entire conference arguing about the merits of using crushed vs. finely chopped dragon scale in Wolfsbane as a means of long-term preservation.

A dance, perhaps, that they both are secretly enjoying. “No, Malfoy, that’s preposterous” countered by “But of course you would think that, Granger, no need to be embarrassed.” They exchange sneers instead of smiles and curses instead of kindnesses. Just like they always used to do. But their eyes cannot lie, do not lie. They are locked into each other now, on a collision course after years of being permanently and distantly separated.

One month later, Hermione receives an owl. When she reads it, she turns bright red, tosses the crumpled paper into the fire, and grabs her Floo powder. Moments later, she is storming into Draco Malfoy’s lab at Magix Pharmaceuticals.

“How. Dare. You.” She puffs, her anger coating every feature, every movement. He’s shocked, speechless and terrified by the burning queen in front of him. Of course, he doesn’t let that fear show.

She’s storming back and forth in front of his desk now, eyes wild and ranting, hands moving everywhere and at her hips and through her hair and he is absolutely transfixed. But of course he can’t let that show.

She comes to an abrupt halt. “Are you even listening, Malfoy?! You just dropped a bloody job offer on me, a PERSONALLY SIGNED job offer, practically trying to pawn me off your best mate, and you’ve put me in a terribly unprofessional situation!”

Swallow, he reminds himself. Breathe, he thinks. “What is unprofessional about it, Granger? Zabini knows all’s fair in love and war. I don’t see—“

“That’s it, though, you do see. We both know Magix is far ahead of Zabini in almost everything and I’d be a fool to turn you down, but if Zabini finds out I’m switching he will never ever stop with the teasing and I can’t poss——“

She stops. She pauses. Breath, Hermione, he didn’t hear, he isn’t listening, he won’t understand. She looks up to see the most terrible, beautiful, self-amazed smirk on his lips, and she knows it is all over now.

“Granger, whatever would Zabini tease you about?” He knows, she thinks. He knows, he knows, he knows, goddammit.

She purses her lips at him. He licks his lips. She tucks a curl behind her ear. He loops his fingers through his belt and cocks his head back.

They’re dancing again, but they know they are right up against the edge. On step, wrong or right, and they will tumble over together.

“You, Malfoy. You know bloody well he’s going to tease me about you. I can’t possibly understand how I am the only one subjected to his mockery but I gu—“

He’s across his deck in a moment, up next to her in a blink.

“You know something, Granger? He’s been teasing me for almost 10 years now. Every time he saw you in the Ministry, I’d receive a owl with a crudely depicted image of your outfit that day. Every letter he wrote me, you’d somehow work your way in.”

“Blaise is a legilmens, isn’t he?,” she breathes, terrified by his proximity and the way her body is responding.

“Yes, and an extremely invasive and devious one at that. He’s a devil, and I don’t know why we’re friends with him.”

“So.”

“So.”

Unspoken, they come to agreement. Their eyes are still tethered, but when Hermione finishes blinking, their lips are tethered too, moving in tandem through the dance they both knew too well. She gasps, a tiny sound that disappears between them, and his hands are at her waist and in her hair and on her stomach all at once and she can’t even think except for “what had they been waiting for?”

They pull apart, and it’s the first time she has ever seen him remotely embarrassed.

“You know, Mr. Malfoy, we’ve spent an awful long time waiting and not a bit of time living. I think we ought to be introduced, yes?”

She smiles at the way she can turn him speechless, but she’s nervous all the same. Maybe she’s read him wrong. Maybe she was an object of lust rather than everything that comes along with love.

“Alright,” he nods, sticking out his hand. “Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. And you are?”

“Hermione Granger. Pleased to meet you, Draco.”

He smirks. She called him Draco. It sounds so...foreign. She slips her hand into his. And they walk off to inform their mutual best friend that, after years of harassment and mockery, they’ve finally decided to listen to him and get together.

Oh, and for Hermione to give her two weeks notice to her boss. And for Draco to request two weeks off. They have seven years of “getting to know each other” to fit into whatever spurts of time they can make for each other. They’ve spent too long dancing around the truth and their feelings and what they want. They don’t have another second to waste.

[crackinglamb]

WIP Wednesday

Tagged by @noire-pandora and @sinsbymanka. Thank you! 💕

Tagging @about2dance, @whataboutbugs-art, @lilbittymonster, @thefinalpotoo and @mogwaei. No pressure!

I actually wrote words this week. I'm not sharing them in particular because they're entirely too spoilery, but I wrote them. Instead, have some ready to be posted upcoming WG.

---

“Do you know how the Duke and I met?” she asked after a while.

“It was a Wintersend Ball, wasn't it?”

A small, brief smile graced Vivienne's lips before fading away. “Yes. I had joined the Circle at Montsimmard that year. A dozen of us were selected to entertain the Imperial Court, as was customary. It was a more innocent time, I think. The Game was no less dangerous than it is now, but...well.” She sniffed and raised her head high, her back straight. “The Duke danced with me all night. The Dowager tried to have him assassinated for slighting her, but he was unconcerned. He pursued me rather relentlessly after that. I confess that while he has never been the most handsome, the wealthiest or even the best player of the Game, he has been good to me. We have had many happy years.”

“He brought peonies to your quarters in the Circle.”

Vivienne's head ducked to the side and she regarded Imogen from under her lashes. “That is not a detail many remember now.”

“I'm full of details not remembered by many, Enchanter. I'm very familiar with the history of each of my companions.” Vivienne's fingers gripped the railing hard again and she looked away, retreating behind the ironclad facade she was known for. Only that small action gave her away.

“This is how you know what I'm seeking.”

“Yes,” Imogen answered gently.

Vivienne was quiet for a while, as if debating with herself internally. None of it showed, of course, but Imogen didn't for a moment think she'd been dismissed. Finally, the Enchanter came to a decision, her lips firming with it.

“The potion is not intended to save him,” she said.

[onlydreamofmysoul]

Improvisation

Back again with more wolfstar!! I’m on mobile right now so I can’t link the other works in the series right now, but all the links are in my master list, both in my bio and pinned at the top of my page✨

Summary: Sirius has a severe lack of hair ties and has to come up with a few creative alternatives.

“Hey Sirius, do you have a hair tie I could borrow?” Lily asked, holding the end of her plait in place in an attempt to tame her fiery curls.

“Yeah sure.” Sirius said, already pulling one off his wrist and handing it to her before leaning back into Remus’ arms. “Has anyone done the potions essay yet?” He asked.

Remus raised an eyebrow. “You mean the essay that was due yesterday?”

“You hardly expect me to turn it in on time, come on Moons, it’s like you don’t even know me.”

“Well Pads, you’ve got to be losing your mind if you think there’s any chance Remus wouldn’t have handed his up by now.” James chimed in and Peter nodded his agreement.

Sirius sighed dramatically as he reached for his quill on the low lying coffee table in the common room. “Fine, I suppose I’d better get started.” He grumbled, his hair falling in front of his face with the movement. “Wait, remind me, what was it supposed to be about?”

“The long-term effects of extensive use of Gillyweed.” Remus replied, eyes lingering on the black hair that was framing his boyfriends face.

“Right.” Sirius scribbled the title on a piece of parchment, tucking a stray piece of hair behind his ear. “And those long term effects are…?” He trailed off, waiting for someone to fill in the blank.

Peter rolled his eyes. “Inability to get rid of the gills and hence having to live underwater permanently.”

The rogue piece of hair fell into Sirius’ face again and Remus could see the twinge of annoyance before Padfoot ran his fingers along his own wrist in search of a hair tie only to discover that he had given his last one to Lily. Remus watched, expecting Sirius to just ask Lily for it back but instead the animagus just shrugged, pulled his wand out of his pocket and twisted his hair up with it in a movement so quick and practiced that Remus’ eyes couldn’t quite follow but now Sirius’ dark locks were held in place by his wand. Remus’ throat didn’t tighten because that wasn’t hot. No not at all. Sirius began tracing the feathered end of his quill over his lips as he concentrated and Remus actually had to make himself look away and start up a conversation with Peter because if he didn’t he might push Sirius up against the wall right then and there.

The following week at lunch Sirius found himself in the same hair tie-less predicament. Used to it by now, he just swept his hair up with his wand in that series of motions that endlessly fascinated one Remus Lupin. They ate lunch quickly so they could run upstairs to the common room to retrieve their next set of books before heading to class. Still they arrived at charms with only a minute to spare before the professor arrived. Sirius’ hair was becoming slightly loose; a few strands were beginning to frame his face as he chatted with Marlene McKinnon while Flitwick wrote the instructions on the board. Remus took them down with careful precision, fully aware that the rest of the marauders would badger him for them later. Finally, Flitwick let them off to actually attempt the charm (how to silence a screeching siren – let’s just say Remus was not happy to have excellent hearing in that moment) and the classroom was filled with a determined hum of activity. Sirius winced alongside Remus at the clamour filling the room as he reached up to his hair and grabbed his wand, his silky locks tumbling down around his shoulders as Remus was left to watch helplessly.

“Come on Moons, let’s get to it, I need to not be hearing these little shits.”

Remus rolled his eyes at his boyfriend even though he was in perfect agreement. He grabbed his wand from the table – the perfectly normal place in which to keep one’s wand during a lesson - and quickly went through the series of movements in a rapid succession, beaming when he managed to silence his siren on the first try.

“Excellent Remus!” Flitwick praised and Sirius tapped the back of his hand three times lightly. I love you. Remus grinned and turned to help his idiot so he could once again enjoy a hushed classroom.

Sirius had now decided to forgo hair ties entirely, Remus noted over the next few days. As a substitute, he would use a wand to try control his hair. Not just his own wand, no Remus discovered he’ll use just about anyone’s wand when he’s desperate. Last night Remus was helping a couple of first years with their transfiguration homework when he made to demonstrate and found himself wandless.

“Keep looking over the instructions and practicing on your own for two minutes.” He told them as he stood up. “I’ll be right back.”

They had nodded solemnly; they were still new enough to Hogwarts that they were nervous around upperclassmen despite working with Remus twice a week. Remus tore up the stairs to his dorm room, the rest of his roommates looking at him in confusion.

“Aren’t you supposed to be tutoring your band of followers right now?” James asked and Remus shook his head as he searched his dresser.

“They’re not my band of followers. But yes, I am, the keywords being ��supposed to’ because I can’t find my wand anywhere.”

“Are you sure it’s not in your bag?” Peter asked, beginning to stand up and help Remus look.

“No, I‘ve checked that three times. None of you have seen it, have you?”

Sirius shook his head and helped join the search. He bent down to look under the bed and Remus caught a flash of a familiar cypress wand.

“Sirius?” He asked. “What’s in your hair?”

Sirius’ brow buried in confusion but he pulled the wand from his hair, his puzzlement only growing when he realised it was Remus’

"Seriously?" Remus asked, a little indignant.

“Sorry Moony,” He said handing it over. “I really didn’t know I had it.”

“S'alright Pads," He relented, pecking his boyfriend on the lips quickly. "But I’ve got to go the first years are waiting.” Remus replied, already making his way to the door.

“Wait a minute.” He heard Sirius say to the other marauders. “Then where’s my wand?”

“Not my problem!” Remus called cheekily as he dashed down the stairs and quickly regained his composure before sitting down with the first years again.

“Alicia, Jack that’s a really good attempt, you just need to relax your wrist a bit more.” He said and finally managed to perform his demonstration.

“Now you give it another go.” He encouraged and flipped off Sirius playfully when he flopped down on the armchair near the fire, brandishing his newly reclaimed wand. What a dork.

Remus had a thing for Sirius’ hair.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t already known that but he hadn’t quite understood the extent of his fascination. He had to force himself to look away any time Sirius would pull his wand from his head, unleashing the neat knot because if Sirius noticed how much it affected Remus, he would be fucked. As it was, Sirius was sitting next to him on Remus’ bed as Remus wrote home to his mother and Sirius was reading Remus’ history of magic notes. Sirius was biting his lip in concentration and Remus just couldn’t help himself anymore.

He set down his quill and stretched out his hand, first lightly running his hand over the curled ends before twirling strands around his finger. Sirius leaned back into the motion and Remus bit back a grin – maybe Sirius was more like his animagus form than he knew. He massaged Sirius’ scalp lightly before running his fingers through the dark mess, tugging slightly, prompting a little groan from Sirius.

Remus smirked and kissed below Sirius’ ear lightly as his hands continued their ministrations, laughing when Sirius turned quickly so he could face Remus, straddling the taller boy’s waist.

“Are you a little worked up Pads?” Remus teased in between kisses and Sirius just turned the attention of his lips to Remus’ jaw.

“You have no idea what that does to me Moons.” He growled and Remus gasped when his earlobe was sucked into a warm mouth before chuckling slightly.

“I think I do.” He breathed, cupping the hard length that had begun to press into his thigh and Sirius pressed into the movement, moaning slightly.

“Enough talking.” He gasped, forceful kissing Remus once more.

“Works for me.” Remus agreed and buried his fingers in Sirius’ hair again.

Yeah, Remus really loved Sirius’ hair.

[shyrose57]

It works very much like illusions. Ranbob can see him but can't touch him. While Dream can touch him (though it feel like more of a faint touch). The entire time Ranbob feels like he's dreaming but due to physical evidence, like notes left by Dream, he knows it isn't a dream. He's just kinda existing. But in actuality he's not completely "there", sometimes he is aware of what's going on (though he never remembers more often than not) but that's when Dream allows it, other than that he's either floating aimlessly in the void or dreaming. Not aware of what's happening. 

Definitely, Enderman tend to be 7 ft+. Infact when traveling and Enderman spot Ranbob, they always voice their worry about him being so short. They know he's a hybrid so he was always going to be shorter than them, but he shouldn't have been this short. His growth is permanently stunted. Its a miracle he even got those 2 inches to be honest. Ran was definitely caught off guard seeing Ranbob so short. But quickly dismissed it in favor of attacking him. But later on as time passes, he can't dismiss the unease and concern he gets when he thinks about the difference so easily as he did eailer. The Gladiators notice right away but don't comment on it, the Fishermen think Ranbobs height is normal so when they meet Ran and learn Enderman hybrids typically grow that big and bigger their caught off guard, Cletus and Charles attempt to question Ran what its like to be so tall but Benjamin stops them. 

He did, the Dream Mask has a small bit of it broken off due to it being dropped (Ranbob didn't break it. He suspects maybe when it was being transferred it got dropped in its holding box and thats what broke it). Ranbob picked it up because he meant to throw it away, but he forgot too. Giving Dream more time to get a hold on him. They talked about whatever came to mind at first since Benjamin didn't want to start off with the rough questions. But eventually the two did start to talk about what happened to Ranbob and who/what Dream was.

Dream does not consider it important enough because he thinks he's never going back there. So it falls into disrepair and gets all dusty with some mold even growing in the room. 

Dreams petty and likes being in control of everything. But Dream would just kinda wander, making sure no ones alive. Every now and again he'll get bored and just destroy something. The fishermen explored and read about the history of Mizu while they were there, then after Ranbob attacked them spent most of the time arguing about what to do with him. 

It just leads to Cletus being mean/rude to Ranbob and taking much longer than the others to be comfortable around him. If that's what you mean.

-------------------

Yes! When it was down to just 4 people left alive in Mizu, Ran stumbled upon the 4th person dead, then it all kind of clicks in his head, as the only other person currently alive is a Council Member, that it has to be his brother. So he rushes off to find the Council Member so they can stop Ranbob, only to find Ranbob standing over his dead corpse. Thats when the chase around Mizu ticks off that ends with Ran fleeing Mizu. 

Cause while spiders are passive in daytime, creepers aren't, and don't burn in the light. Plus they are loud with their explodes (yet oddly quiet) which can give his position away.

Eh I'll say. Their not really super common because mixing them can cause serious side effects during and after mixture. But the healing, sleep aids, and infection mixtures are common as they've been figured out and can safely be made. Fun fact: Subbin actually has an entire community and an official place in the government for figuring out potion mixtures, making new ones, and making the mixing process as safe as possible. 

The group doesn't really use the mixtures much, expect for Rans sleep aid and a every now and again healing mixture when a Pit match goes wrong. Cause Grievous used to intern in a potion shop and learned all about them then.

He really did. 

Your right! Not many people traverse it. Because he was a Technoblade follower, and they typically get taught the bare basics of surviving in environments like the Nether, deserts, snow, caves, etc in their teachings. He got da book from his Idol teachers, everyone in his Idol group got a book as well. 

You can ask! I welcome any and all questions.

There's gold coins (I forget the actual in-game name oop) ore deposits in the Nether, so he mines that. Not any specific ones, cause there is still a language barrier and a mostly gesture barrier (expect for the universal ones like wait, ok/good, no harm, etc). 

They made a group decision to try to check the Nether on a whim. Though mostly cause one guy just wouldn't shut up about it. They found a broken portal and managed to repair it enough to enter.

The Fishermen and Ranbob where kinda confused (cause Ran hadn't fully told them about his time on the run.) But expressed sympathy at his house being burned down. Jackie and Grievous wanted to search it for anything usable, Ran didn't let em cause he thinks there's nothing left. Watson shoots Ran a sympathetic look and declared that he wants to keep moving to find shelter. Benjamin quickly agreeing and the group moves on.

---------Tip of The Iceberg-----------

He does not expect in all of their times he's still the God of the world. 

Honestly, most of them were fine. Bad was the only one who was mad and wasn't ok with it. The Masquerade, The Pit, Sam, Sapnap, Quackity, Foolish, Ranboo, Skeppy, Tubbo, Tommy, and Karl all say the Egg wrote it because they all have had experience with the Egg. The Haunted Mansion, The Wild West, George, Fundy, Eret, Jack, Niki, and Puffy all say XD because they've either had no experience with the Egg or believe in XD's existence. Philza and Technoblade actually go both ways. (If I forgot someone, oops). 

Technoblade, Phil, Niki, The Pit, The Wild West, Puffy, Sapnap, and Sam are all on the Frontline. While the others are all split between research into the egg (The Masquerade is in this one of course), and running tests. Fundy is a runner, delivering orders, requests, or new information. Foolish is on both the researching, testing, and frontlines, he is on the frontlines when needed but otherwise is researching and testing. Karl is typically somewhere with one of the many Traveler groups. Quackity, Eret, and Sam (when not on frontlines) are on planning duties. 

The Egg is strong enough to propose a real and constant threat to the groups. Everyone is typically on the move to avoid the reaching of the Egg and its Eggpire. 

Bad hasn't gotten what he wants, which is Skeppy. And as he has "opened his eyes" a bit he sees the hypocrisy, manipulation, and lies that surround the Egg and wants out. 

----------------------

Ye ye Brothers AU sorry.

The fishermen get to their home, wake up the next day, and Ranbob is already making a field for wheat and potatoes. Benjamin fucking squawks and races out to make Ranbob stop. And Isaac eventually has to come out and help cause Ranbob is refusing to leave. Cletus laughs at Ranbob and makes fun of him but stops when he sees Charles sadly staring at him. A silent ask to stop. 

He does but Porkius is chill and let's the Gladiators do whatever they want as long as they are still in fighting condition for matches and gives them money every week. Plus he's chill and is kinda friends with them. But sometimes Porkius has them go to extravagant parties with him. They all hate going, not just Ran. Mostly cause the rich people are snobs and either 1. Constantly insult them in conversation than act surprised when they get mad at them and report it to Porkius. 2. Talk with them but talk exclusively about themselves and are insensitive to the Gladiators. But sometimes there's actually people at the parties who are genuinely curious and kind and want to get to know the Gladiators. Those conversations are pleasant and the Gladiators, no matter who it is, actively enjoy the conversation.

Ran has always been mischievous. Even witnessing murder, being traumatized, hunted constantly, and fighting non-stop hasn't changed that. If anything he got more mischievous over time. 

Something extra I wanted to share: 

-There is music in world and the player the Gladiators share get brought on the trip so they can play music the entire time. 

  -Ran and Grievous fight over who gets to pick music often.

    -Fun fact about why I did this: Every single part of this story and all others has been either created by or inspired by music. For example the Tip of The Iceberg AU was solely inspired by the song True North (by Vocal Line), while Brothers AU was made from Ruler of Everything (by Tally Hall) and partly Mind Electric (by Miracle Musical). So I wanted to include music somehow. (I actually have a entire playlist with music that I've used for certain parts of the Brothers AU.)

Brothers AU:

Interesting, interesting. What triggers these 'dreams'? Can Dream do it, or is it like just something that happens?

I'm assuming only the brothers would know what the Endermen are saying, but there's also body language, so how does everyone react to that behavior? Do one of the brothers ever tell them what's being said, or? What's everyone's thoughts on Ranbob's height, seeing as the Fishermen were surprised, and the Gladiators immediately noticed?

How does Benjamin feel about what he hears? Is he a bit skeptical at first, or fully believing Ranbob's words?

So the room's in disrepair, interesting. At some point, it's mentioned that they go back there, I think, so does that strike anyone as odd?

He destroyed stuff? Like just general items or artifacts? How did Ranbob feel, if/when he was aware?

------------------

Why didn't he assume it was the Council Member? What clues led him to his brother instead?

Understandable.

Oh, that's really interesting!

World building galore, fantastic!

Who was the one guy?

He thinks? Was there something left then?

-----------------

Tip Of The Iceberg AU:

Still the god? He didn't expect that? Was someone else supposed to be? If so, who? What's his reaction to learning such?

Bad seems to be straying from the egg, does he intend to leave it? Or does it have a way to keep him?

Do we have any particular groups here? People who fight or work well together, and kind of drift to one another? What sort of dynamics do we get with all of this, especially since everyone's on the move constantly to avoid the Eggpire.

------------------

Brothers AU:

Benjamin: Whatcha got there?

Ranbob: Excessive labor when I should be resting.

Benjamin, gasping: NO!

What are the parties typically like? Do they behave or cause havoc? Switch it up? Anyone in particular they don't hate talking to there?

Always mischievous, just better at hiding it. Wait, that means Ranbob would have known he was like that, wouldn't he? He'd know exactly what to expect. Would anyone else? Either way, that should be amusing.

------

What kind of music do they have, and what does everyone prefer to listen to?

(Time to go on a song-spree!)

[cibeewastaken]

Hey can you write some fluff, it can be anything as long it features harry kissing dracos hands 😄💙💙💙💙

hello! this turned out more hurt/comfort, i hope you don’t mind. Huge thanks to @pineau-noir for the beta!

1581 words, eighth year to post Hogwarts, tentative friendship, getting together, warning for brief self-harm

Read on Ao3

-----

The robes felt too small for him, even though Harry had just gotten fitted for them at Madam Malkin’s a few months ago. Grown into such a handsome man, the tailor had said to him. Harry only felt old. 

The bell rang behind them, and Draco Malfoy had walked in, stopped at the sight of Harry, hesitantly looked at him, as though he didn’t know if he should turn back or not. Harry had stared back, wondering if it was a dream.

Madam Malkin had given Draco an encouraging smile and ushered him onto the other platform to wait. Harry had turned back to face the mirror, swallowing; it almost came as a shock when he didn’t see two 11-year-old boys reflecting back.

"Hello,” Harry had said, pins in his clothes, arms stretched out. 

Draco had cast him a quick glance, and let out a thin, shaky breath; no reply. He was still staring straight ahead when Harry left the shop.

They had to share a common room, and there really wasn’t a way for Draco to avoid Harry, not even hiding in his room. The expression on Draco’s face was almost devastating when he saw Harry, who had already claimed one of the two beds. Harry didn’t try to talk to him again even if he desperately wanted to know why Draco was wearing a T-shirt with holes in the armpit instead of silk pajamas like Harry always thought he did. And Harry didn’t talk to Draco even when he came back to his room to find Draco howling on his bed, squished between an also crying Parkinson and a wide-eyed Zabini. Draco’s left sleeve was soaked in blood. 

Harry only crouched in front of Draco and cleaned his wound up with what he remembered from the forest. Wrapped it up as Hermione would. Held onto Draco’s hands like a friend would.

Draco was the first to talk, and this time it was Harry who was crying. Harry wasn’t crying because he had a nightmare, or because he thought about Teddy, or because someone had thanked him for the war. Harry was crying because he couldn’t understand NEWT level Potions and the new professor was too starstruck to listen to Harry when he said he didn’t understand. Harry was crying because he didn’t want to ask Hermione when she was with Ron (which was always). Harry was crying because Potions was very confusing and he didn’t see himself ever figuring out since it didn’t involve killing Voldemort or sacrificing himself. 

Draco took Harry’s textbook from and made notes beside each paragraph, summarizing the welter of information into concise sentences, and drew arrows in green ink to link them all together. By this point Harry had wiped his face clean of tears and snot (on his sleeve) and was watching Draco through swollen eyes. When Draco finished, he turned the book back to Harry and explained the day’s lesson to Harry, reading everything from upside down and setting everything right.

And Harry passed his Potion NEWTs with higher scores than anyone but Draco could anticipate. And Harry celebrated it by looting the kitchen of food and drinks and surprised Draco with a feast by the lake. Though it didn’t take long for words to get out that there was food, and soon they were joined by everyone and more. Someone brought a Polaroid and Harry jumped at the chance. He grabbed Draco’s hand when posing for the photo, grinning at him with heat that felt wonderful in his cheeks. 

“Finally,” Harry said.

“What?” Draco said.

“We’re finally friends.”

Draco stared, unblinking. His hands tightened in Harry’s grip. And the flash went off.

They went into different fields after school. Harry went into Auror training as he’d planned. Draco didn’t know what he wanted now he was on his own. Hermione suggested tutoring in the meantime. I have no qualification, Draco said. Managing to help Harry Potter pass NEWTs Potions should be enough for anyone, Hermione replied.

It wasn’t, but Draco started out small. Teaching a few Muggleborn children that just got their Hogwarts letters some basic courses. Charms and Potions, navigating the wizarding world (which their muggle parents listened in on). Magical Theory. History—recent history.

He lost a few students after that, but Draco was adamant that it was taught.

Harry often went over to Draco’s flat late at night, because he knew Draco would be up scribbling away. Harry would sit by Draco and read his own textbooks, and when Draco inevitably put down the quill to shake his wrist out (the bones making cracking noises), Harry would take it in his hands and knead it. Would feel the bone under it shift. Would circle that wrist between his thumb and index finger, squeezing it, then down to Draco’s forearm, digging his knuckles into the sore muscles, then up once more, massage each finger meticulously. 

Draco would usually fall asleep on Harry’s shoulder around the ring finger, and Harry would press a kiss to his hand. 

It was a Thursday morning when the Auror Department got called to handle a Gringotts robbery. Harry seized up at the mention, mind blanking with fear because Draco always went to Gringotts on Thursday morning to deposit his weekly earnings. No one said anything when Harry tagged along, and no one stopped him when he burst in first (they probably all thought it was what he did), frantically looking through all the frightened faces. Harry didn’t see Draco.

“There were no casualties, thank Merlin,” Ester, one of the seniors Auror on site said. “One missing.”

Harry whirled around. Draco wasn’t in the crowd. “What do you mean, one missing?”

Ester looked at her notes, “One of them went after the robbers.”

According to the witnesses, the robber didn’t go for the vaults, instead they targeted the deposit line and Accio’d people’s valuables off of them. One witness said everything happened very fast, the robbers were in and out in less than a minute, and one of the customers went after them.

“Who?” Harry’s voice broke.

“Someone recognized it as the Malfoy kid.”

It was a sloppy crime. It didn’t take long for the Aurors to track them down at Knockturn. Draco was there, a purpling bruise on his face, locked in a struggle with one man. The Aurors Incarceroused the robbers and Draco fell on his bottom, hands tucked to his chest. 

Harry pushed past the crowd. When Draco saw him, his face broke into a relieved smile. A smile that shuttered when Harry starting yelling.

“What the hell were you doing!” Harry snapped at him. Draco reeled back on the ground, mouth agape. “Why would you chase them?! They were gone!”

“They took my stuff!” Draco said.

“Your stuff!” Harry screamed. “What could possibly be worth more than your safety! ” Windows around them rattled. Harry’s head was fuzzy with anger he wasn’t used to anymore. Everyone stopped talking at Harry’s outburst. Draco’s face turned bright red, and he made a startled noise when Harry snatched away whatever Draco was holding. Harry looked down and everything seemed to fall away. 

It was the photo of them, the words Harry wrote on it were faded (Finally friends!), but it was clear that someone had retraced it carefully, many times since. 

A hand snatched the picture back. Mouth hanging open, Harry looked up at Draco.

“You went after them for that?” he asked, voice cracking at the end.

Draco stared at him, face still red with humiliation, eyes wet. “Yes,” he said. “Fine, yes!” He pushed Harry. Harry stumbled, knees weak. “I don’t need you to tell me how pathetic I am, Potter, so just fuck off and go yell at someone else.” Then he turned around, beelining toward the entrance. 

“He can’t leave yet—” an Auror said, but Harry didn’t care about procedures. He ran up and caught Draco’s arm. Draco turned and shoved him, with little effect this time. Harry stood his ground. 

“God, Potter,” Draco said, every syllable shook violently. Tears streamed down Draco’s face. His whole face scrunched up miserably. “What do you want now? I don’t need you to tell me how worthless this is to you.”

“I didn’t—” Harry tried. “That’s not what I meant. You could’ve been killed.” 

Draco’s fingers clawed at Harry’s grip, trying to pry it off. “Shut up, shut up!”

Harry grabbed Draco’s scrambling hand and tugged, wrapped an arm around Draco’s waist and pressed his lips to Draco’s hand. Harry’s breath shuddered, “I could’ve lost you.”

Draco was trembling. The bruise on his face broke Harry’s heart.

Harry pressed a kiss to Draco’s palm. “I could’ve lost you,” Harry said, voice tight with tears held back. Harry tugged Draco in further, wrapping him in a suffocating hug, burying his face in the warm crook of Draco’s neck, breathing in the comforting citrus soap for a second before turning his face into Draco and kissed him.

“I,” Draco started when Harry pulled back. “I’m sorry.” He sounded confused.

“Don’t scare me like that again.”

“Okay.”

“We can always take more photos,” Harry said into Draco’s shoulder. “Let’s go buy a camera right now. And ten thousand rolls of film.”

“Do you expect me to be robbed ten thousand times?”

Harry snorted an ugly laugh and peeked up at Draco. Draco cocked his head, brought a hand up to cup Harry’s face. Harry turned into Draco’s palm.

Draco’s other hand found Harry’s. “Ten thousand rolls it is.”

[foryouthegays]

techno liveblog w timestamps lets go for ‘a new home (dream SMP)’ stream

good laugh times: 00:13:50, 00:14:55, 1:38:45, ik it doesnt look like a lot but like u should watch the stream anyway bc philzas there and his laugh is amazing and they just go so well together

times techno calls phil his friend: 00:6:00 00:37:00, 00:45:17, 0:1:09:30, 01:11:15, 01:26:35, 01:50:05, 2:35:00

FSDJKFAF;LS HE KEPT THE MUTED INTRO IN JHKADFLS (ends at 00:1:25)

i like how, when faced with Leaving Youtube, techno would choose to be an author. i want a book by techno. reblog this if u want a book by techno (with an audiobook by him as well) /hj. 00:1:33

i love how he says ehhhhhh so much lskjhdfas (abt 2 mins in) 

who the FUCK just remembers that the word fortuitous exists wtf 00:5:17

00:7:45 PHILZA TIME PHILZA TIME LETS GO

00:8:55 tommy time :/

0:14:10 rANBOO JUST WALKS IN, LOOKS AROUN ,AND LEA VE SIM CRYING 

i love how much philza laughs at technos jokes bc pretty much everything he says IS a joke he just says it in such a serious voice that p much everyone else is like,,,yeah,,,,yup,,,,and phil just knows when hes joking and his laugh is so good with technos voice. sbi? whos that? i only know philza and technoblade

00:19:30 ghostbur joins! this is my first time hearin ghostbur btw

00:19:40 haha string axe technos so bad at crafting what a fool /j

00:21:07 ghostbur: “Even I remember how to make a fishing rod!” ghostbur u just MURDERED technoblade oh my god im gonna scream hgjdfksla i love ghostbur so much

00:23:55: GHOSTBUR NO!! DON’T DIE YOU’LL BECOME A DOUBLE GHOST!!!! -technoblade 2020

00:24:55 technoblade neva lies -guys he almost did the technoblade neva dies ahh!!!!!

i havent heard anyone talk about this but techno has a dedicated roleplay voice. like listen to him talk to tommy at 00:25:08. his voice gets more even, he uses names a lot more often (seriously, listen to his theseus speech. he says tommy so often, its incredible.), and his voice gets,,,,deeper? not deeper but smoother, in a way, and he repeats what he says for emphasis instead of humor. and his voice is louder, and he seems more assertive. 

00:27:30 philza: where we goin, by the way? techno: to our- to my new home. 

techno cmon let phil live w u wed get so much more content cmonn

00:28:50 the fact that he calls the manhunt theme “dream music” makes me laugh so hard. and then his version of it,,,,,m love he (also he sings it here and at  01:14:20)

00:35:10 why is ranboo so cryptic im-

why does he just casually know the word sentry wh at i hate him 00:39:45

this is the worst sentence (structurally) ive ever heard techno say im gonna cry 00:49:33 ‘im too busy thinkin of new ideas to sleep so i could actually execute them’ and tubbos *oh?* after is just hdsfgkjlka

LKSJDHFJK 00:51:49

00:54:30

techno: thats one of dreams powers, he can just stop the rain

tubbo, quietly: like jesus!

i love them sm dsfhkjla they kept going but i jus gdfhjksa jesus has op

techno @ being the second worst thing to ever happen to those orphans: haha funnie!!

techno @ having fun w religious stuff: i wILL BE CANCELLED NO-

00:58:10 “hey if ur [ghostbur]  a ghost, do instant damage potions heal you now?” “...no,, they hurt me still :(” DSIULZKJHFSLKFJH 

01:04:00 his brother named the cow bob im- aww 

also he has a fanart wall again!!!

01:09:30 “phil, you’re the only friend i have left in this world.” aWWWWW HE GAVE HIM THE COMPASS 

“dont smoke, it’s a joke” -technoblade 01:14:15

ROLEPLAY SPEECH VOICE IS BACK AT 1:16:10 “they pillage my base for everything i’m worth, they use me for the revolution, but oooOOOoo i took a pickaxe with his consent? oOOOooOo i’m a thief!”

holy shit 01:17:15 “you know what, phil? for you, the world, alright? it’s fine.” oH MY GOD HHHHGHG (context, right before they were arguing bc phil took some blocks from his base and techno thought that when he said phil could take anything he meant from the chests)

the COMIDY of that villager coming in and sleeping while techno was readin donos at 01:22:05 RIGHT AFTER phil freaked out abt inturruptin his dono readin im SFDHKJLA:

techno talkin bout the winstreak and how he wont be able to live up to that sort of playin at 01:22:30ish is super important and ill transcribe it tomorrow, but if u can id highly rec watchin it. 

01:24:20 “[readin dono] what’s your favorite movie? uh, the princess bride is pretty good” techno ily that movie rocks also he said it so fast like hes ashamed of it noo

techno says no to canon ranboo son btw! 01:25:30

01:25:55 “i wasnt in that story, therefore it doesnt matter” all of technoblr be like 

01:37:49 is great lemmie transcribe

“how have you still not gotten a second monitor?? holy shit.”

“let me tell you something. and im only telling you this because i know that so many people in the chat are gonna be furious. so i recently realized- i think the second monitor can just be any ol’ monitor, right? you literally just plug it in, and its set up? well i mean you have to turn on some settings, but like, thats it, or something?”

“yeah,,,,, uh techno you fuckin destroyed my chat, by the way, oh my god, [earlier techno told his viewers to twitch prime philza] there has been like 40 primes just flying through”

“yeahhh twitch prime!!! twitch prime philza yeahh!!! so anyways the other day, i like, i looked to my left, and realized that my old monitor has been like, five feet away from where i sit and stream for the last three years?”

“oh my god...”

“so i- i literally do not have to leave my room to set up a second monitor and i havent. and i’m still usin my laptop for this stream.

“is this gonna be one of those situations where you like, you have a thing, you just refuse to do the thing?”

“listen, my desk is-

“yOU STILL HAVENT OPENED UP THE HYPIXEL PACKAGE!!!”

“AHHHH I HAVENT OPENED UP THE HYPIXEL PACKAGE! I HAVENT EVEN OPENED UP MY MCC COIN! DUDE I HAVENT EVEN OPENED UP MY ONE MILLION SUBSCRIBER PLAQUE! ITS STILL THERE RIGHT BEHIND ME! ITs sTILL IN THE BOX! i never made a video on it....”

“bruhhhhh [philza laughs] thats FREE VIEWS what are you doing??”

“ill open it at 8 mil :/.”

“you could LITERALLY make a video of you just like, throwing it off a wall, and then thumbing up, like doing a thumbs up, and then that would be it. 10 seconds. ten seconds. thumb and elbow in shot. [laughs]”

techno is such a disaster i love him

01:34:18 the way techno says “tommy, that statement has NEVER been true” i dont like sayin i simp for block men but GOD sometimes his voice is nicer than usual hhhgn

“man i sure wish tommyinnit was in this stream” -nobody ever (just after previous timestamp)

01:40:15 is fuckin hilarious and im actually crying oh my god techno just says things and says them well with a completely straight face how does he do it

i cannot WAIT until theres a president w the last/first name andy so we can say president andy and think abt technoblade

IM CRIASDNGUSFHD 01:44:38 PHILZA LOOK OUT LOOK OUT PHILZA  LSKJDAFJASD;LKF

i love when techno talks abt his vids. like u can tell he puts a lot of thought into the vids (esp these ones) and like at 01:47:00 he talks abt the “I DIDNT PUT DEAPTH STRIDER ON THOSE BOOTS, FUNDY!” and how its just that creepin realization that you were doomed from the start and how he made the armor, he isnt intimidated by the netherite bc he didnt enchant it all the way and only he knows that,,, and i just,,,hgg he

he reveals that hes writin the next arc at 01:48:00: “oh, speakin of arcs, chat, i’m writing the next arc. so, you know. hope nothin bad happens in two weeks, chat!” IM SO EXCITED like he clearly has his character fleshed out and is SO good at writing and retellin history im so so excited to see where he takes it AHHHH and also taht means he might stream more bc he might make his character more important (keep in mind this is the guy who wrote self insert hypixel fanfics. he has no shame in puttin himself first and i respect him so much for it) 

01:51:20 “they’re tryin to get a second customer but they’re riskin their first” is lowkey a good line

has anyone else noticed that techno says wise a lot? like at 01:55:10 he literally says “wise dragon armor” as a joke but like i think he says wise so much BECAUSE of skyblock like hjkfdsla

01:57:30 techno plea se eat 

ok 1:58:45 is hilarious and all but at the end of his ramble he says “come back, i miss you” and lowkey im crying 

techno needs to stop knowing his audience more than we know ourselves im hsfkjda 02:05:25 “the chat’s spammin ‘eat technoblade, eat!’ like they’re not gonna start, like, theyre not gonna get super sad if i ended the stream right now, like theyre not gonna all cry ‘i miss technoblade *sniffs* why- whyd he leave to eat food, why did he listen to our advice noooo’”

02:14:50 NEW VIDEO POGGGG CARL THE HORSE POGGGGGG  NOT A STREAM HIGHLIGHT POGGGGG

02:17:40 “i could start a potato farm out here to show how much ive changed” techno last time u made a potato farm u started an entire war that lasted a year that does NOT say calm and retired to me lskgdfjagsldj

02:23:00 why does techno just reference greek mythology so much. makin me scared for his arc. 

also he talks abt smp earth a lot in this stream i love it so much

i also just. love?? how much sbi respect tommy like they bully him but when talkin bout him they just have so much respect for how much work he puts into youtube and i just,,,,hgnn they r friends 

02:33:13 sbi streamer house lets go cmon

02:34:15 “i think if i streamed every day i could keep up” on one hand YE S  but on the ohter oh god techno no we have to keep up tho

hearing techno say “violence isnt the answer” is so scary  02:35:40

02:37:30 technosneeze 

hiS BROTHER SENT HIM 46 DISCORD MESSAGES SFKDJLFLKASF 2:49:25 i love his end screen so much hes just sadness,,,,retirement,,,t,echnoblade,,,the government is going to fall on its own due to lack of organization and ideals,,,,,,subscribe,,,,,sadness,,,,,also 2:50:45 is making me laugh so hard its just sad music and technos like??? whys phil in my house drinking milk????? 

overall, fantastic stream, if ya want some chill techno philza content i highly recommend. 

[im-gettingby]

30 Days of Carry On

posted (and written by?) @captain-aralias

(I’m doing most of these at once because I said so. it’s long so under the cut)

1. Favourite major character

I literally thought — Simon no Baz no Penny no, Agatha!

I guess I will pick Simon, since I relate to him the most — or at least, my connection to him led me into the fandom.

2. Favourite minor character

I think we all know this one 🐑🐑🐑

I have written many a treatise on Lamb Rights. I’ll spare everyone now

3. Character you relate to the most

Oops— I already answered this, kinda. I relate to them in different ways: I relate a lot to WS Simon because he has abandonment issues and “kid who was told he was extraordinary and then grew up to be ordinary” issues. We also both have a “fix all the things for everyone” complex, too.

Baz — It took me a while to get into Baz’s head, but I would say, I relate to him because of his intense emotional world and tendency to see the world through an intensely romantic/tragic lens. But also he’s a Pisces. and I’d never do that like a Pisces does. (Sorry, not sorry.)

4. Which character would you like to go to lunch with?

SHEPARD obviously. I don’t feel the need to elaborate.

5. Favourite non-Snowbaz ship

Ooh! Probably Lamb/Baz or Simon/Shep or just...literally anything. Like, I will read anything as long as it’s well written. The weirder the better. (Within...legal and moral limits.) in my other fandoms I’ve been a big multishipper and there’s not a lot of options for that in CO - which is fine - but wholeheartedly support rarepairs :D

6. Favourite non-romantic OTP

So, obviously Simon/Penny and Baz/Penny are great ones, but I think the nearest & dearest to my heart is Simon/Agatha. The kind of siblings/unwillingly dating/weird exes dynamic and the way they both shaped each other’s lives is just so interesting. And while Simon & Penny are closer, Agatha and Simon represent their aspirational selves to one another. And the way that they were both tied to one another along with their gender roles/places in society and both broke away at the same time is just...mwah

7. Favourite Baz outfit

I honestly dress kinda like Baz. Anything involving a printed silk shirt or a floral brocade suit, so like, all of them? I love WS Baz, his fashion sense is so thoughtful yet fun. He’s so expressive with it — in the sense of both being guarded, being sexy, and playing with masculinity/femininity.

8. How do you feel about Wayward Son?

In case it wasn’t obvious, I absolutely love it. I mean, from a writing/narrative standpoint, I don’t think it’s the most elegant or engaging book ever written, but it’s just so raw and fresh. I don’t see many examples of an author trying to do what Rainbow did, which is build a complex emotional AND plot-driven story with so many characters and so much lore. I’m very excited for AWTWB.

9. Favourite scene from Carry On, besides Chapter 61

I like what the book does/sets up overall. Honestly probably the first scene, where Simon walks to the bus stop & takes the train and just thinks about his life and makes lists -- I love Simon. I know Rainbow said she thinks that bit is boring, but it honestly says so much about his character in a short time. (and he’s an extremely complex character!) Also, Baz’s dramatic entrance. Also, the chapter where Baz says “and I’m hopelessly in love with him” because it’s just so dramatic, and it comes out of nowhere

10. Favourite scene from Wayward Son, besides Chapter 41

Baz and Lamb’s journey across the Strip - vampire lore, jealous Simon, Baz getting to be his own character— it’s beautiful.

11. Remind us about something in canon readers might have forgotten about

Ahahaha um. Simon says he thinks Baz’s cousin Marcus is fit. That’s pretty funny.

12. What are your hopes and fears for Any Way the Wind Blows?

I don’t have any hopes because I don’t want to be disappointed - and that’s not a cynical thing, I just want to go into it with an open mind. (I’ll take a break from fandom and reread the books beforehand so I’m (more of) a blank slate) I guess just...interesting emotional journeys, whatever that ends up being. There’s a lot that Rainbow has to do in the book and I don’t think any one person could get through all of it -- that’s why we have fanfiction.

Fears? I don’t know. I think just...the series ending. Even though I’ve been in fandom for less than a year I just really love this fandom & the thought of that kind of eroding away is sad. But also I don’t think that will happen immediately, and change is a part of life. I’ve never related as much to Cath as I do now :’)

13. An unpopular/cracky opinion you hold

unpopular: Lamb is the best character; I don’t want Simon to get his magic back; both Simon and Baz should have other romantic options.

14. Something from your head fanon

Hmmmmmmm well. Just mean things about Baz really. Like that he’s weird looking, not that great at football, and actually has kind of garish fashion sense. (which is a self-roast as well - see above.) I just feel like Simon/fandom put him on a pedestal, and Simon’s an unreliable narrator re: Baz anyway. So I like the idea that Baz is this average looking kinda strange nerdy guy who is everything Simon has ever wanted in life.

And before you tell me that Baz was hot at Watford and Agatha was into him, have you ever been to a tiny boarding school? Standards get weird 😂😂😂 and Terry being into him — come on. The guy’s a violent pervert.

also - back to Watford being a tiny school. Baz doesn’t have much competition to be the star of the football team. (also, does anyone except Simon even think that he is?)

16. Favourite location other than Watford

Vegas!

17, Favourite location in Watford

I’m pretty bad at Watford lore/geography bc again, I’m way more into WS. Probably the floor in the Cloisters where everything happens the same way, just a day later. There’s a fic there, but I can’t wrap my head around all the time travel implications enough to write it.

18. What would be your favourite subject at Watford?

Any potions-esque subject because I loved chemistry lab. Latin because I loved Latin in school. Uhhhh I don’t like history class, so not that — maybe a literature course focused on the derivation of spells.

19. What would your magical implement be?

Ooh! This is a good one. I’d like to think it would be a weird body piercing. Or a belt a la Gareth. Maybe some kind of traditional south Asian jewelry, like a nose chain or mang-tikka or something. maybe a hat. like, imagine your magical instrument being a fedora and you just have to...wear a fedora all the time.

21. Favourite canon spell

Hm. Kiss it better? Candle in the wind?I should try to think of a non-horny one. honestly they’re all so cool and clever - I love the magic system in CO/WS.

22. What would your eighth year spell at Watford be or do?

Maybe something from a poem I love. That would probably be pretty but not very functional. Or a healing spell.

23. Who would you want as your roommate?

Agatha is uptight, Penny is passive aggressive, Simon is a slob, Baz is both uptight and passive aggressive.

Definitely Shepard.

24. Favourite item of merchandise, official or unofficial

My @subparselkie sticker

25. Favourite book cover design

WS. Oh, another unpopular opinion - I don’t like the kevin wada cover of carry on. their faces look so weird and the colors don’t work for me. I own the version with the blue and yellow cover art instead

26. Do you want a movie? If yes - any fan casts for the movie?

Probably wouldn’t want a movie! Because I am way too possessive of these books/this version of the story. And I am historically extremely disappointed by adaptations — I get upset with the smallest of changes 😂

27. If they made a movie, what scenes do you think they’d cut that you’d be furious were missing?

See above. A LOT haha

28. If you could ask Rainbow Rowell one question, what would it be? (If you have already, you can share if you like)

What is Lamb’s full name????? Is it actually Lamb Lambert Lamborghini the third???

What is Rainbow’s relationship with sheep and goats. Why are there so many references to them

29. Have you read any of Rainbow’s other books?

Only Fangirl

30. How did you get into Carry On and/or Carry On fandom?

I read fangirl & the pages at the end mentioned carry on, so I read that, and enjoyed it but I wasn’t obsessed. Then I read WS spring 2020, reread it a bunch of times, reread CO, freaked out about the cliffhanger/cool vampire stuff/unresolved sexual tension, had pandemic cabin fever, got on AO3, and the rest is history.

As @annabellelux knows, I wrote my first (published) fanfic after reading her amazing fic Drop The Game. and the first fanfic I read was @captain-aralias’ Greener Grass. I was so obsessed that about a month later, I searched through the AO3 tags for it, because I couldn’t remember the title or author but kept thinking about it.