#being brutally honest not sure if I'd make anyone a good girlfriend yet since I have some personal stuff to sort out

[artemismatchalatte]

Rules: Tag 10 people you want to get to know better

Tagged by @burningvelvet. Thank you for inviting me to the tag game! :)

Relationship Status: Currently single and I'm working on trying to build up my life so I can date.

Favorite Color: To wear is red though I also really like purple. I have more purple accessories but I wear most colors. I have many colorful outfits.

Song Stuck In My Head: Love by Lana Del Rey but there are others that can play on command in my head if I hear the title/the band.

ABBA, Meg & Dia, Emilie Autumn, Flyleaf, Avril Lavigne and Skillet are some artists that I have looping in my head often.

Last Song I Listened To: Cheater, Cheater by Joey and Rory (my spotify was on shuffle)

I like country probably more than people would expect but I am more of a pop/dance queen though. I have made Eurovision playlists in the past.

Three Favorite Foods: Pears, Potatoes (in many forms), and Greek salads or wraps. But I love most food in general. I'm not a super picky eater. I like to cook and make baked goods. I spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

Last Thing(s) I Googled: Pharmacy hours because I had to pick up more medication.

I also looked up an actor's age because my sister and I were trying to figure out how old he was (she was right or close- I thought he was younger- he's on one of my mom's shows). I'm usually the go to googler for my family, especially when they ask about actors or actresses in movies and tv shows we watch.

Links to my college's website, goodreads, storygraph, youtube and list challenges. I'm making more reading lists on list challenges (again).

Sorry it's nothing too interesting lately. My YouTube searches are probably more interesting but only marginally so. I'm not at school or working on any research projects currently so my searches are very basic right now.

Dream Trip: Japan. I'd like to go with close friends and/or family members though since it would be a big deal to go that far. I've been following a japan travel vlog by a woman who lives there. She shows all kinds of cafes and other fun places to go. You can watch/follow her vlog here: https://www.youtube.com/@its_time_to_travel

I'd love to be able to go to some of the places she's featured on her blog. It would be the trip of a lifetime! I'd be sure to try to learn some Japanese first too since I'm visiting their country and that seems polite to do. I know a few random words but can't read or write anything or even hold a conversation.

If I can't go to Japan, I'd love to go back to either Germany or England, but to the parts I didn't visit since there are tons of places in both those countries I've never been too. I really want to go to Haworth (The Bronte Sister's hometown), since I'm a Bronte fan and I've focused some of my grad studies on their works.

This is a tag post so I'm tagging:

@paperbackpropensity, @thatwritererinoriordan, @oh2e, @yeahwellshithappens, @autumnbell32, @writingf3, @windermerepoets13, @melusinah, @girlonedge and whoever else wants to do this! :)

[cousinkooksbackup]

Exchanged Love. || a bellyjere au fic

chapter fifteen

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belly's pov

I'd never really been into drinking, or maybe it was more accurate to say I'd never tried it before. But as I stood there, emotions swirling inside me like a tornado, all I could think was that now was as good a time as any to give it a shot. I couldn't quite put my finger on what had come over me. Maybe it was the fear of yet another school year being ruined by people who walked all over me. Or perhaps it was the green-eyed monster that reared its head when Lacie claimed Jeremiah like he was the last slice of cake in the bakery.

Whatever it was, it had unleashed a side of me that felt entirely unfamiliar. I wasn't sure if that was a good or bad thing, but instead of dwelling on it, I decided to live in the moment. I took the shot Wade offered me, not bothering to see what Jeremiah had chosen to do. If he wanted to go with her, that was his choice.

Turns out, alcohol tasted disgusting. Like battery acid sliding down my throat, causing waves of discomfort in my stomach. I winced, crinkling my eyes shut and attempting to wipe away any lingering liquid that hadn't quite made it into my mouth. Seriously, what was all the buzz about?

"Atta girl! Belly here is going to be the best thing that happened to BCHS," Wade declared triumphantly, his arm around me. How could it bother me when everyone around us was celebrating me? It was a foreign but exhilarating feeling.

"I still can't believe you said that to Lacie; it was legendary," EJ shook his head. Taylor, resting her head on EJ's shoulder, sat across his lap. They were the kind of cute couple you only saw in movies—both athletic, both popular, and neither of them mean. I couldn't help but envy them a little.

I still didn't feel like I'd said anything that impactful to Lacie. Maybe I'd been a tad petty, but I hadn't cursed her or insulted her; I was just brutally honest. Jeremiah hadn't mentioned her. Actually, until tonight, I'd never even thought he had a girlfriend. He was just so good at making me feel like I was the only person who existed when we were together.

"Belly babes, I know I already said it, but you're like, for real, my new BFF," Taylor chimed in. "Seriously, I need a lot more feminine energy around when I'm hanging out with these dumbos."

It dawned on me that I was becoming the girl at the American high school who was best friends with all the football players. Invited to all their parties, sitting at their table—it all felt a little surreal. It was like my life was being plucked straight from a movie. So when Wade came around with another round of shots, I didn't hesitate; I happily took it. This time, the battery acid was more muted—still not great, but the floaty feeling that had started to infiltrate my body felt better.

"Has anyone seen Jeremiah?" The words tumbled from my lips before I could even think. I was pretty sure my cheeks were burning, but I couldn't tell if it was from the alcohol or the embarrassment that people now knew I had Jeremiah on my mind.

"I don't think he's come back down since going up with Lacie, babe," Taylor frowned, looking toward the stairs.

I had practically encouraged him to go upstairs with her, suggesting they find a more private spot to talk. I had no right to be jealous, but I couldn't help feeling a little green.

"Yo, Belly, have you ever played beer pong?" Ricky called out, though I was still unsure if that was his name. But thanks to the alcohol, I felt more confident, so until told otherwise, that's what I was going with.

"I haven't, but I think I could figure it out," I smiled, pushing off the kitchen counter. If Jeremiah got to have some fun, then so did I. Of course, my idea of fun was worlds different from what was probably happening behind those closed doors upstairs.

"I'm the beer pong champion; you couldn't have lucked out on a better teacher," he winked, holding his arm out for me. I gratefully latched onto it, my wobbly feet finding newfound support. As we navigated through the partygoers, all eyes were on me this time, not because I was with Jeremiah, but because I was with Ricky. People were actually looking at me this time. So I smiled and waved, the alcohol helping me uncover a newfound confidence I'd yet to explore.

He led me down to the finished basement, which was decked out with various games. EJ must've been loaded.

"Bowen, who's the new girl?" a guy asked, sitting with a few others and some girls around the beer pong table.

"Fishers' new exchange student, everyone meet Belly!" Ricky nudged me forward with a big grin on his face.

"In the flesh," I laughed, unsure of what else to say. But Ricky stepped in, slinging his arm around me proudly. What was it with these guys?

"She's gonna be my pong partner, and we're going to annihilate you, just like she did to Lacie Barone." That certainly got everyone's attention.

As Ricky set up the game and explained the rules, it seemed easy enough. I'd seen it done in movies and figured I wouldn't be great at it. Ricky tried to prepare me, but his words of encouragement flowed endlessly. They must've been magic because on my very first attempt, the ball sank into the first cup.

"Oh, she's damn good!" someone else yelled out as my third throw of the night landed in another cup. Ricky was ecstatic, claiming I was carrying our team. A crowd had formed around the table as everyone watched. I couldn't help wishing Jeremiah was here with me, though. Maybe it was the two cups of beer I'd had, but the feeling was undeniable.

We won, which wasn't a surprise to anyone. Ricky begged me to play another game, but I told him I'd come back; I had to pee—really, I felt like I might pee my pants. But it hadn't occurred to me as I climbed the stairs back to the first floor that I had no idea where I was going.

Eventually, I found a bathroom, thanks to some helpful girls who pointed me in the right direction. As I lingered at the stairway back to the basement, my gaze wandered to the stairs where Jeremiah had disappeared earlier.

Navigating the second set of stairs proved more challenging with my tipsy feet. I kept my hand gripping the railing, eyeing the top of the stairs. My last step proved treacherous, and I expected to hit the floor, embarrassing myself, but I never did.

"You don't have to hurt yourself to get my attention, Bells." A familiar voice sent chills down my spine, and butterflies danced in my stomach.

"I was looking for you," I stammered, staring up into his ocean-blue eyes. Suddenly, I forgot my resolution to be just friends with Jeremiah. How could I think that when he looked like this, when he looked at me like this?

"Funny because I was just coming to look for you," he quipped, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

He helped me fully to my feet, our hands lingering on each other's for longer than necessary. The only thing that snapped me out of my Jeremiah-induced trance was the sound of heels clicking down the hallway, approaching us.

Jeremiah cursed under his breath, words I couldn't quite hear, and before I knew it, he was tugging us into a hall closet, shutting the door behind us.

"Jeremiah, what the—" I started to protest, but he gently clamped his hand over my mouth.

"I just ended things with Lacie, and I don't think the next two faces she needs to see are ours," he whispered.

The clicking of Lacie's heels grew closer and closer. All we could do was keep our eyes locked onto each other's. Had he really pulled us into a closet to avoid his ex-girlfriend?

It was then that I realized how close we were, his hand still covering my mouth, the other resting on the side of my waist. We stood there silently, waiting for the sound of her shoes to click down the wooden staircase. It wasn't until the clicking faded that Jeremiah finally spoke.

"Sorry, that was kind of dumb. I just... I literally just ended things, and she's got a bit of a jealousy thing. Sorry, I probably should have—" he began to ramble on, but I wasn't listening. I couldn't.

Not when we were pressed so closely together, not when I could smell the detergent mixing with his cologne. Not when his hand still covered my mouth.

"Jeremiah," I interrupted him, my own hand coming up to grab his. Instead of letting go, I held onto it, tugging him to get his attention.

"You don't need to apologize; it's fine. Are you okay?" It was genuinely fine, even funny that this had been his first instinct. I understood the sentiment.

"Yeah, I'm okay. It's been a long time coming," he sighed, and I found myself frowning slightly. I wondered what their relationship had been like. In my very biased opinion, Jeremiah deserved the best, and, although I hated to admit it, Lacie seemed far from it.

"Why now, then?"

He stared at me for a moment. "Just felt right, I guess."

I stared back, my gaze flitting between his lips and his eyes. "That's all?" I asked, glancing down at our fingers, which were now intertwined.

"Maybe," he offered, his tongue darting out to lick his lips.

There was a moment of silence—or as much silence as the closet could offer us from the party raging outside. We stood there, quietly taking each other in, illuminated by the sliver of light seeping through the door's cracks. I could still make out his eyes and the way the curls framed his face like a work of art.

"Are you ever going to kiss me?" I said, finally breaking the silence.

His response was straightforward, just the way I wanted it, and not a word left his lips. Instead, his hand untangled from mine, finding a spot at the small of my back and pulling me flush against his chest. His lips were soft, and the fruity alcohol we'd been drinking earlier lingered on them.

I felt his free hand cup the side of my jaw, pushing us further against the coats hanging on the rack. I could feel some of the hangers crashing to the floor, but I couldn't bring myself to care. There were a couple of things I should probably care about right now. For starters, I shouldn't be kissing Jeremiah Fisher in this coat closet at a party.

But then again, I was finally kissing Jeremiah, and his lips were just as soft as I had imagined they would be, if not more. I'd gone to my first real high school party, made friends, and there was nothing that could ruin the night for me. I could deal with the consequences of my actions tomorrow.

[twoidiotwriters1]

June, 1976 (WITT One-Shot)

A/N: If you want to remain in the taglist pls interact with this one-shot even if you haven’t read book 4-5 yet. A like or a comment is fine, the people who don’t want to continue reading obvsly do not interact and I’ll delete from the taglist :) -Danny

Words: 2,590

Series’ Masterlist

Emily was tired, but she'd spent all day overthinking and she was done, it was time to grow up.

She could hear Lily Evans' voice ushering Severus Snape away, he'd been coming around for several hours during the day trying to apologize, but he'd finally crossed a line.

"It's not your fault, you know?"

Matthew's voice caught her attention, he'd stopped at the foot of the stairs, one hand propped on the wall.

"Snape and Evans have been fighting for months now, I think it's because of what he's been doing with the Slytherins... you know, the cult stuff."

Emily averted her gaze to the fireplace.

"I know..."

Matthew hesitated, he'd promised himself that he wouldn't go back to being Emily's therapist, but something was different this time, it wasn't her usual kind of sulking.

"Are you okay?"

She looked at him over her shoulder and frowned.

"I'm not the one who got called 'mudblood' by a close friend."

"No, you weren't," He admitted. "Which is why it's so strange to see you all sad."

"I'm not sad."

"Is this about James?"

He didn't want to know, but alas, he'd asked.

"No," She made a face. "I don't think I care about him that way anymore."

"It's easier said than done," Matthew crossed his arms, his shoulder now leaning on the archway of the stairs.

"What do you want, Ruddy?" Emily groaned.

"I don't want anything from you," The boy replied. "But I have the feeling that you need to talk."

"I do," She said. "Not with you, though."

Matt nodded, he sighed.

"Good luck, then, have a good night."

"'Night."

Emily watched him disappear up the stairs, she didn't know why, but the memory of his burning gaze before he kissed her came back then, his intense determination as he held her closer... That moment Emily had found herself unable to move away, to say no. She wished she had his courage to just do stuff even when he was intimidated by them, she needed that kind of bravery tonight.

Lily Evans entered the tower two minutes later, Emily stood up abruptly and the redhead came to a halt.

For a moment none of them spoke, then Lily's face showed tons of fatigue.

"What now? Is it your turn to call me a stuck-up bore because I didn't agree to go out with Potter?"

Emily shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

"Can we talk?" She asked shyly. "I promise it's not a trick... I'm sorry."

Emily's behaviour towards her was usually hostile, tonight her voice was gentle, and even a little afraid.

"You're sorry?"

"I don't expect you to believe me," Emily continued, lowering her gaze. "I know you and Snape were close — I don't understand how can you like him... listen I suck at apologies, can't you just say it's alright so we can go to bed?"

Lily crossed her arms, standing straighter.

"No, I think I want you to try harder."

Emily groaned, she sat down heavily and started to think her words carefully, Lily inched closer.

"Boys can be cruel when they're not thinking — Anyone, really... I've been brutal myself — Matthew and I almost stopped being friends a few months ago, because I don't like talking about my feelings," She laughed dryly. "I don't know what is it about today that it just... I don't want to be a tormentor my whole life, let alone to someone who is... tolerable. I'm sorry for making your life a living hell these past few years."

Lily sat down, although she kept the seat between them empty to keep some distance.

"You didn't make my life a living hell," She replied. "I... can admit you're a bit clever... even likeable — that last match when you threw Lewis a bludger after he called you a midget... it was kind of funny."

"The boys walked me everywhere that week, they thought Ernest was going to try and get back at me," Emily bit her lip, but she was now smiling. "I mean, I lived in fear for days! Thinking he would spike my drink at some point with poison or something... Until Matthew cornered him outside D.A.D.A. class one day, poor Lewis... he looked so small in comparison..."

"Anyone looks small next to Matthew, he's a giant," Lily grinned. "Well, if it's any consolation, I was planning on murdering you in a much classier manner than poison, but since you've apologized, I guess I won't have to kill you after all."

Emily snorted, her eyes lingered on Lily, who looked like she'd been crying for most of the day, and yet still had enough energy to sit down and talk with the girl she'd detested for the last four years.

"Why are you being nice?" She asked in annoyance. "I mean I'm glad you're kind of accepting my apology, but I thought you'd be a bit colder, walking away before I could even finish..."

"What kind of person do you think I am?" Lily raised a brow, with the orange light coming from the fireplace her green eyes looked far more intense than usual. "If I'm honest, you should thank Remus... he's tried to convince me that you lot are far better than you look..."

Emily sighed, when she was young she'd do mischief for fun, but now that she was older, and considering all the weird stuff that was happening outside the school, she was starting to think that maybe her group of friends were indeed changing for the best.

"I'm going to be honest with you too, Evans," The girl took a deep breath. "Being the only girl in my friend group is turning out to be pure torture. I'm in desperate need of a girlfriend."

Lily's mouth twitched a bit, but she didn't laugh.

"What makes you think I want to be your friend?"

"Oh, I don't think you want to," She raised a brow. "But maybe if we're on good terms I'd be able to ask you for a tampon without having to swallow my pride first."

Lily did laugh at this, she shook her head. "Holy Merlin, Sultens, you're loopy."

"You would be too if you were seated next to Sirius every day!" She paused. "So... are you willing to make peace?"

Lily examined her carefully, four long years of quarrels sat between them, but a lifetime of friendship could be ahead if Emily was truly sorry. She was a nice girl, and really smart too, she was annoying only when she was taunting Severus, and he was no longer her friend.

Lily stretched out her hand.

"Very well, but if you go back the deal is over and we'll be less than strangers, understood?"

"Sure."

She retreated her hand before Emily could grab it.

"Hang on — this is not Potter's idea, right? You're not trying to be my friend just so I date him later?"

"Lily, if anything I hope you and James never date," Emily snickered. "Nothing personal, you're just way too good for him."

"...Alright."

They shook hands, she'd meant what she said about it not being personal. James was a boy, a very silly one at that, and even though they were really close friends, Emily was no longer a blind supporter of his doings.

Funnily enough, this seemed to be related to Matthew, she couldn't stop thinking about that kiss! Merlin, he was a good kisser...

She shook the thought away, now was not the time for nonsense.

"I'm very honoured to be your acquaintance, Evans," Emily grinned.

"Call me Lily. Only Professors call me Evans... and Potter, but you know I hate that."

"Got it, Lils."

July 1996

"...I don't think this is right," Mel tilted her head. "Brownies are mean to be brown... not pitch-black."

"You burned them," Harry was standing behind them with his arms crossed, clearly upset.

"How could you burn them, Erick? They were in there for five minutes!"

"Are you sure..." Erick stabbed the mixture with a knife and made a face. "Ugh — they're still liquid in the middle!"

"How the fuck did you do this?"

"I thought it would work just the same if I doubled the heat and put less time," Erick sulked. "Ovens are weird."

"This is why we told you to stay out of it," Harry replied. "You don't know how muggle stuff work."

"I do know!"

"Then why did you burn the brownies?"

"Don't fight," Mel intervened, grabbing the platter and throwing its contents away. "Oh well, at least we ruined my birthday cake and not someone else's..."

"That's not okay," Harry frowned. "You should have a proper cake."

Mel looked at him and grinned. "I'll eat yours, then."

"How's everything going in here?" Emily walked in, behind her Lupin followed.

"Uncle Lu!" Mel rushed over to his side and hugged him, the man chuckled. "You came!"

"Well, hadn't been around for your birthday in a long time, I thought you'd like it," He said, lovingly patting her back.

"I do," She beamed. "We kind of ruined the cake, though, so we should buy doughnuts or something."

"It's a good thing I brought this, then," Lupin lifted his bag and placed it on the table, inside there was a beautifully adorned red velvet cake.

"You just saved my birthday!"

Harry and Erick shared a moody expression and grumbled complaints, Lupin laughed.

"The kids insisted on doing the cakes this year," Emily explained. "I told them it was not an easy job, but they insisted."

"Mel and I have done this before, Erick was the one who wanted to be in charge when he can't even make tea without magic," Harry glared at him.

"Muggles stuff are too complicated, alright?" He huffed.

"I don't mind," Mel said without paying attention to them, she was still beyond happy with her uncle's presence. "I wanted to give my mum a break, Leggie's been a bit hard to handle lately..."

"Is he?" Lupin looked at the little boy Emily was holding. "Is he ill?"

"No, he just cries a lot," The woman sighed. "Wakes us up every night."

"I thought that forcing my mother to bake when she's clearly too tired to be doing anything apart from feeding a baby was a crime," Mel stated. "So I took care of it."

"Then Flint messed it up," Harry taunted.

"And then you fixed it, Uncle Moony," The girl smiled. "So there's no harm done, right boys?"

She looked over her shoulder, raising a brow as if urging them to stop bickering before they embarrassed her in front of Lupin. Both mumbled their agreement, not quite meeting her eyes.

"Lovely," Mel looked back at the adults. "Who wants lunch?"

Mel and Erick were in the kitchen talking in hurried whispers, she appeared to be upset, the young man too. Emily and Remus were in the drawing-room, Harry was upstairs changing Reg's diaper.

"Do you know why they're arguing?" Remus asked, staring at the pair.

"Dumbledore came by this morning before breakfast," Emily sighed, leaning her head back on the couch. "Talked about this mission he had for Erick — you know how eager to help that boy is... so of course the old man came and put his offer on a silver platter, and Mel won't let Erick go on his own, so being the generous soul Dumbledore is," She said sarcastically, "He said she could go too if she wanted to."

"Really?" Remus frowned. "Well... he's been giving her lessons for years, Mily, perhaps he knows she can handle it."

"I don't care," She said bluntly. "That's my daughter, my daughter. Matt's daughter. How can he continue to risk my family's life like it's nothing?"

"You know Matthew did all he that because he wanted to, Dumbledore had nothing to do with his decisions."

"I know," Emily took a deep breath. "But he's got a lot to do with Mel's... she idolizes him."

"You think so?" The man looked over his shoulder again, staring at his goddaughter.

"I don't see why else she'd be so keen to follow his orders..."

"Maybe because she feels guilty?" Remus offered. "After what happened in the ministry..."

Emily pressed her lips together, she didn't want to talk about that.

"That's not her fault and she knows it. I told her it wasn't."

"You weren't there," He said gravely. "She went out of control. I had never seen anything like it, her magic was dark— I mean that literally. All the spells she did came out pitch-black. Dumbledore was the only one who could put a stop to it."

Emily's eyes grew worried, she looked over her shoulder as well and her gaze landed on Mel.

"You think it could be the same thing that Ariana Dumbledore had? That disease?"

"No one knows what happened to her," Remus said. "Not even Matthew knew, and he was part of the family... but it could be. Maybe Dumbledore knows something we don't, maybe this will help her... perhaps she needs this."

Emily stayed silent for a moment, then she groaned.

"I hate that we're always meant to trust him blindly."

"He's lived a hundred years, he might be wiser than all of us, don't you think?"

The woman scoffed, she looked ahead, deep in thought.

"A hundred years... Matthew couldn't even make it to twenty-one! James and Lily barely did... Sirius spent twelve years in Azkaban — But at least we all knew how the war looked like then, Remus. We fought for years... my daughter just turned sixteen, she still goes to school!"

"And yet she's already done her fair amount of fighting," The man raised a brow. "We didn't have the experiences she's gone through when we were her age. I stand with Dumbledore, she can do this."

"I'm not saying she can't," Emily grabbed the empty plates to take them to the kitchen. "I'm saying she shouldn't have to sacrifice her youth. Dumbledore asks for too much, I'm sure he's got someone else that could help him with the mission, but he's obsessed with making Mel his perfect copy."

Remus didn't try to argue back, little could convince Emily at this point, she'd never been a fan of Dumbledore, and after Matt's death it was no secret that she openly disliked him, but she still followed his orders, because she knew Dumbledore was the only chance they had to win this war.

Mel and Erick entered the room, neither of them angry, which made Remus think they had reached an agreement.

"I should leave," The man stood up. "Leon's been quiet, maybe Harry managed to make him sleep."

"Or maybe he's just playing with him," Emily stood up as well. "Really, I never thought Harry would get so attached to a baby..."

"I'll miss you, Uncle Lu, I hope to see you soon," Mel said, her eyes avoiding to look into Erick's direction.

"Me too, little Em," Remus hugged her tightly, he whispered in her ear. "Be good to your mother, alright?"

Mel looked at him with confusion, but she nodded anyway.

"So?" Emily crossed her arms. "What are you going to do?"

The young witch stared at her mother, Remus knew that expression. It was true and very strange, how she could have her dad's gaze even though her eyes were exactly like her mother's, but he knew that look, he'd seen it in Matt the last time they had spoken. Mel was done being a kid.

Taglist.

@dee123ksha @vampiregirl1797 @siriuslysirius1107 @stardusthigh @mikariell95 @vernon-dursley @thesuitelifeofafangirl @tomshollandz @wlwmaximoff @reverse-hxlland @omiwashere @t-rexs-world @just-here-to-escape-from-reality @21bruhs @i-am-scared-and-useless-bisexual @dielgonacoffee​ @thelastpyle @hamiltonwc