#but i noticed today that the hellebores are up

[pnwander]

a small, good thing.

[en-lost]

watch your back!

sunghoon x fem!reader ┋ cw: mean boy sunghoon, angst, lowercase intended, 500-1k wc, not proofread (let me know if i missed something!)

sypnosis: you were merely trying to help, but be careful not everyone can appreciate an act of kindness

It was a crisp autumn morning at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The leaves outside the windows of the dungeons swirled in vibrant hues of orange and red, casting dancing shadows on the cold stone floors of the Potions classroom. Inside, students were settling into their seats, unpacking their books and ingredients, while Professor Snape prepared to begin the lesson. His stern gaze swept over the class, daring anyone to speak out of turn.

You sat near the middle of the room, focusing on your cauldron and taking careful notes. Potions wasn’t your favorite subject, but you enjoyed the challenge it presented. Today’s lesson was on the Draught of Peace, a potion known for its soothing effects, but also its tricky preparation process. You were determined to get it right, especially with Snape’s eyes darting around, ready to catch any mistake.

As you reached for a vial of powdered moonstone, you noticed Sunghoon, the boy next to you who transferred from a wizarding school in South Korea a few months ago. He wasn’t like most of the other students. Tall and striking, with a smirk that could melt ice, Sunghoon had a reputation for trouble. He often wore a look of disinterest, his dark eyes simmering with a sort of defiance that seemed to challenge anyone who dared to cross him.

Sunghoon was the last person you’d expect to be good at Potions, yet there he was, somehow managing to avoid Snape’s ire. Today, though, he seemed unusually tense. His brow furrowed in concentration, and his usually confident hands were shaking slightly as he measured out his ingredients.

You couldn’t help but glance at his cauldron, noticing that his potion was starting to look off—a faint, ominous curl of smoke was rising from it. “Sunghoon,” you whispered, trying to keep your voice low, “I think you’re doing it wrong. You need to add the powdered moonstone after the syrup of hellebore, not before.”

He shot you a sharp look, his expression hardening. “I don’t need your help,” he snapped under his breath, his tone dripping with annoyance. “Mind your own business.”

Taken aback, you recoiled slightly, not expecting such a harsh response. You tried to focus on your own potion, but your gaze kept flicking back to Sunghoon. His potion was bubbling dangerously now, the liquid inside turning an unsteady shade of gray. You knew you should just let it go, but something compelled you to speak up again.

“If you don’t fix it, it’s going to—”

“Shut up,” Sunghoon interrupted, louder this time, causing a few heads to turn. “I said I don’t need your help.”

Your face flushed with embarrassment, and you quickly looked down at your cauldron, trying to ignore the curious stares of your classmates. But then there was a loud hiss, followed by a small explosion of smoke. Sunghoon’s potion had gone completely awry, sending up a thick cloud that filled the room.

Professor Snape’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he stormed over. “What is the meaning of this?” he demanded, his voice cold and sharp. “Mr. Park, have you decided to experiment with failure today?”

Sunghoon clenched his jaw, his expression defiant. “I don’t need your commentary, Professor,” he muttered, barely loud enough for you to hear, but Snape caught it. His eyes narrowed further, and his lips curled in a disdainful sneer.

“Ten points from Slytherin for your insolence, Mr. Park,” Snape declared, his voice icy. “And you’ll be scrubbing cauldrons after class—without magic.”

Sunghoon didn’t say anything, but you could see his fists clench tightly at his sides. Snape turned his attention to you, his gaze piercing. “And you, Miss Y/L/N, what were you thinking, allowing this mess to happen?”

You swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his scrutiny. “I tried to warn him, Professor,” you stammered, “but he wouldn’t listen.”

Snape’s lips thinned, and he gave a curt nod. “Five points from Slytherin for your poor choice in lab partners, and detention for both of you after class.”

Sunghoon shot you a glare, and you could feel the anger radiating off him. He was furious, not just at Snape but at you for speaking up. You felt a mix of frustration and guilt—you’d only tried to help, but now you were both in trouble.

As Snape walked away, Sunghoon leaned in closer, his voice low and threatening. “This is your fault,” he hissed. “If you had just kept your mouth shut, none of this would’ve happened.”

You bristled at his tone, your own anger flaring. “My fault? I was trying to help you, but you’re too stubborn to listen to anyone!”

Sunghoon’s eyes flashed, and for a moment, you thought he might actually yell at you. But then he turned away, his jaw set in a hard line. He didn’t say another word for the rest of the class, and you focused on finishing your potion, your hands shaking with a mix of anger and frustration.

When the class finally ended, you packed up your things quickly, eager to leave the tense atmosphere behind. But Sunghoon grabbed your arm, stopping you. His grip was firm, almost painful.

“What?” you snapped, pulling your arm away. “Haven’t you done enough already?”

He glared at you, his eyes dark and unreadable. “We’re not done,” he said quietly, his voice low and dangerous. “Not by a long shot. You’re going to pay for this.”

You felt a chill run down your spine at his words, but you refused to back down. “Fine,” you shot back. “Bring it on. I’m not afraid of you, Sunghoon.”

He smirked, a cold, calculating look in his eyes. “You should be,” he murmured, then turned and walked out of the classroom, leaving you standing there, your heart pounding in your chest.

You took a deep breath, trying to steady yourself. You knew you’d made an enemy today, but you weren’t about to let Sunghoon intimidate you. If he wanted a fight, you’d be ready.

As you left the dungeon, heading to your next class, you couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger—and far more dangerous—than a ruined potion.

[mid-stars]

Dan heng x reader

Lingering moment

Today fated at last. .. Across the Aeons and the stars.. You finally died.

The moment of your death was no news towards others.. Especially not to dan Heng.. Dan Heng... Your friend, your lover.. Your home...

Home... "Home will always be whenever we are together" is what you would say.. But you were gone.. No longer around to see him, to see them..

"Dan Heng." Himeko held his shoulder, he didn't say a word. Himeko nodded and left him be. The funeral was held during a special day, your anniversary. Dan Heng held onto your favourite flowers, grown and fresh just by him. Even the stellaron hunters came by to see your death.

Despite blade's longing for it.. He knew you were a great companion to all of them. Despite all of their wrongdoings you never hated them and helped them in a way. Sneak out sessions with silver wolf, shopping with Kafka, and even death talks with blade.. It was a shame you had left them.

Dan Heng had forgotten when your death had started. One moment he was in your arms, the next you were in his. You were just a grasp away and he failed.. He failed. Failed. Failed...

The first month was hard, he didn't eat until he was forced to, became even more silent, locked himself in your room, and wouldn't stop giving you simple notes.

The second month was a bit better, he came out a little more, ate regularly, talked a bit more and went into your room less. But even so, everyone could see the hollow in his eyes.

A knock was on the door when he was looking into your room "who is it?" He said with hidden annoyance "dan Heng, I found a letter for you" himeko said while sliding in some mail under the door for him. He picked it up.

---

From : [name]

To : Dan heng

---

Dan Heng slowly opened it, afraid it might break like a gentle glass. He squeezed the paper as he read through the words

----

Dear dan Heng.

You might have noticed that by the time you've received this letter. I may have already died. A pity, I had wished a long life with you.. I know how you'd react to this "[name], stop playing around" and so on and so forth. I loved every moment with you. The way you would cup my cheeks, the way you would slowly kiss me through the maple trees.. Oh how I've missed you.. But you've missed me more..

Remember the day where you first board the express? It was a delightful day.. The day you found a home.. Home.. Home will always be wherever you and I are together.. But I cannot be your home forever dan Heng..

You love me right? Then grant me my last wish. Live on a life without me dan Heng.. Don't hold back the things you want to do just because you miss me.. Because I would be heartbroken to see you like that...

XOXO hellebore.

----

"Dan Heng! What are you reading?" March exclaims as she tries to grab the paper "It's nothing of concern, March." Dan Heng puts the paper back in the envelope leaving March and the trailblazer dumbfounded. Right.. Your death was only a year ago

"Well... Whatever. Dan heng, Mr. Yang sent us to tell you we found a new recruit" the trailblazer says as they played their game. Dan Heng nodded, and kept putting his other files away. "We'll send the new recruit here, so you'll be able to have a little chat" March says as they both ran out of the room

Dan Heng scrolls back to the memory file you both had created for yourselves, one where he first was on the express, the first date, the second date, first month anniversary, your birthday, and "and you've kept your promise.."

Dan Heng turned around to see.. You.. "I'm back..." You smile.

-------

Hellebore flowers usually grow next to maple trees. And it is symbolized to be a meaning of peace, serenity and tranquility.

[sharksscripting]

Amorentia || Severus Snape x F!Hufflepuff Reader

Chapter Two || Reoccurrence

Word Count: 908

Reaching the class you spot a few other students that are in your advanced class. You see the Weasley twins, Blaise Zabini, and Cedric Diggory. You decide to sit by your fellow Hufflepuff—Cedric. Well you're not the best of friends it's much better then sitting with a cunning Slytherin or two pranksters who never stop talking.

"[First Name]?" Cedric smiles at you as you sit down in the empty seat beside him.

"Cedric." You smile then take out your equipment for the class, bracing yourself for whatever challenge the Professor has today.

Professor Snape soon enters the classroom through his storage closet in the back. He then speaks.

"Welcome." His voice booms around the classroom. He then continues his speech after he's sure he has everyones attention. "Today we are brewing the Anti-Paralysis potion." He turns around to the large chalkboard behind him, he writes the lesson down in large bold letters at the top. 'ANTI-PARALYSIS POTION 101' it reads, the chalk stick almost snapping due to his rough writing. He then writes in bullet points underneath the large sentence. 'Syrup of Hellebore (2. Fl oz.), Stewed Mandrake (6. oz), Moondew (4. Fl oz).' Your eyes study his hands as he writes.

"Now begin." He snaps, the class nods and begins.

You gather your ingredients from the shelves in the room then return to your spot by Cedric and begin your work. Throughout the class you see your potion brewing to the perfect shade pink as instructed. You then feel a set of eyes on you, you look around the room only to be met with Professor Snape's eyes, you instantly look away as you flush, looking back towards your potion you turn off the burner. You then see a figure before you, you look up to see Snape again.

"Wait the correct amount of time for the cooldown this time, Ms. [Last Name]." He snaps but you swear there was a hint of concern in his voice.

You nod in response, completely understanding. He says nothing more and returns to examining the classes potions.

At the end of class you bottle your potion, this time the bottle remains connected. You're last in line to hand your potion is, eventually it gets to your turn and you hand him the bottle. You notice his eyes widen but only for a slim second.

"Good." He states then grades your potion a perfect O. Outstanding. A smile instantly crosses your features. You turn around but then Professor Snape speaks again. "Ms. [Last Name]." You turn around to face him again, the feeling of excitement returns as you keep eye contact with him.

"Yes, sir?" You ask, your voice sounding happy.

"Stay after class, I wish to speak with you." He states plainly, his face losing all the previous shock from before.

You nod again then return to your seat to pack up your belongings. You glance up at Cedric and wave.

"Bye, [First Name]!" He says then leaves the potion room.

You wave as he leaves, you then glance back at Snape, you notice he is glaring at Cedric as he leaves. He then feels your gaze and looks towards you, he looks at the chair before his desk, you nod understanding then sit before his desk. Every other student have now left, you feel exhilarated once again.

"What did you wish to see me for, Professor?" You ask curiously.

"Your wounds. Let me see them, Ms. [Last Name]" He stands from behind the desk then walks over to you, he holds his hand out to you so he can grab your arm.

You nod and lift the sleeve of your Hufflepuff robe, revealing the bandages beneath the cloth. He grabs your arm then removes the bandages, carefully Snape stares intensely at the wounds before nodding.

"They look fine, if they reopen go to Madame P immediately, understood?"

"Yes sir.." You mumble and frown as he releases your arm.

"Good, now I have a second thing. Ms. [Last Name]." You wait for him to continue. "Your potion today was perfect. It was graded an Outstanding, as you saw." He pauses, looking a bit uncertain before speaking again. "Would you like to be moved to the double excelled potions class?" Snape asks.

"Truly, Professor..?" You ask a bit shocked, a smile creeping onto your lips.

He nods, a small cocky smirk on his lips.

"I would love to, sir!" Your smile now beaming. He nods again, approving your reaction.

"Good, it'll be your last class of the day, your Care for Creatures class will be moved to this period." He states then waves his hand dismissively.

You take the hint and turn to leave, waving a small bye to him as you exit the room.

Once you leave the room you clutch your bag sleeve tightly, the same feeling of exhilaration fills your chest, you smile widely as you exit the hallway of the deep, dark, dungeon.

Chapter Three:

[place-where-even-stars-are-lost]

(Pages under the cut)

Pages1

You are Hellebore!

[…]

You’re play-fighting with some kits in the “safe” clearing, where was nursery, campkeepers’ den, elders’ den, medicine den and patient den. Fighting with your denmates began to get more boring with each game, since you were the oldest and it felt like your paws memorized each next move your opponent is going to do.

Soon, you saw your sibling walk out of the medicine den.

This was green-leaf and sunhighs are definitely not merciful towards dark colored cats, since most of them gotten a heat stroke, counting your brother. Mantis has gotten better, and was finally able to play once again. Once he came closer to you, you pushed him into bramble wall of elder’s den, causing few thorny branches to squish under Mantis’s weight and make a little hole.

“That’s not fair!”

said Mantis, feeling few spikes dig into his just cleaned, black spine fur.

“You know I have twisted paw!”

Your brother pushed you away with his back legs, and with a bit of struggle, got back up and walked out of den’s shade. This time, Mantis began joining the game, but instead of using his claws like you, he most of the time used teeth to attack. Happily, everyone left uninjured while “battling” across the sunlit, warm clearing. Evening was creeping closer, but kittens didn’t wanted to give up on their game of two different cat groups against each other.

In the fiercest moment of the play-fighting, camp keeper walked into the clearing, and after almost tripping over a gang of kittens, they said:

“Mantis, Hellebore, your father wants to see you in his den!”

You both immediately let go your opponents, and gave each other a quick glance. Neither knew why your parent would call you into his den. Well- there was no other option, so you began trotting into second clearing.

Entrance was hidden quite well, and you probably would be lying if you never confused just some bushes with exit from the main clearing. Once you reached the main clearing, you looked around to find the needed den: these thistles under fallen tree were novices’ den; one greatly hidden in ferns was forging den, where most of little trinkets were made like steel claws for clawless cats; the den around the tiny water pool was filled with craftscats, who were ones making everything around here, starting from den carcasses to little lamps in which they trapped fireflies to keep camp light in the night; among tree stump’s roots was lore keeper’s den, who were learning about clan history; along with others, there were hunters’, fighters’ and guards’ dens, until you noticed one significant cave, what was your father’s den.

Without hesitation, you walked into the den and Mantis followed. You saw a figure of tall cat with stiff fur and tired posture once you entered the den.

“Mantis, Hellebore. You quite disappointed me today. I know that games are games, but you ruined one of the den walls.”

You both a bit shamefully lowered your heads.

“I feel like getting you to clean mess you left will be a worthy punishment. Go to craftscat to get hare’s fur to cover stones in the den. You don’t want to get elders cold.”

“Got it, dad. We’ll start right now.”

Mantis replied, and as he was walking out of den, he murmured to you to get brambles. You hated the most when you had to help clan keepers, since last time during cleanup to got quite a lot of pine needles stuck in your pawpads.

But since there was no choice either, you went back to safe clearing when Mantis wandered off into foraging den.

After you got all recourses needed, you took a peek into elder’s den before fixing the wall.

There was a single elder, Mildewchase. She retired not so long ago, and for now, she’s enjoying her position. Despite his usual restless and fierce personality, he also enjoys a moment of peace and quiet.

“We should wake them up. They have best stories to tell us, and Mildew is usually awake at night anyway.”

Offered Mantis, while covering bare stones with soft fur given to him by cratfscat.

“No, what if he’ll get angry? For either hole in den or disturbing her peace.”

“Don’t worry! We’ll fix it while they’ll tell story!”

[wildrootedphoto]

plans for fernwood 🌿✨

This morning, coffee in hand, I wandered through the yard, letting the soft light filter through the trees as I started to map out Fernwood—the shady sanctuary I’m envisioning for the back garden.

As I walked, I noticed the first signs of life pushing through the soil: tiny clusters of bluebells, hellebores, and a handful of bulbs I still can’t quite identify. It’s like a quiet mystery unfolding, and I love that the garden always surprises me with what decides to show up.

On the south side, the moss is slowly reclaiming the ground, turning patches of grass into soft, green carpets. And just when I thought I’d seen everything, I found some lichen clinging to a branch—its texture so intricate, like tiny coral reefs on land.

I ended my stroll by swatting a gnat out of my coffee cup and downing the rest, sitting there for a moment, staring at the blank canvas that is my yard. In my mind, I started to piece together what Fernwood could be—soft ferns, layered textures, maybe a stone circle—but I know that whatever I plan now, the garden will have its own ideas by summer’s end.

And honestly, that’s the best part. 🌱

Today’s Photos

📷 Moss spreading across the south side.

📷 Close-up of the lichen (isn’t nature wild?).

📷 Sprouting bluebells and other bulbs and the promise of blooms to come.

📷 Fernwood in its beginning stages.

[theretirementstory]

06/10/2024. Bonjour tout le monde, it’s due to be a cloudy day today but we shall see as forecasts can change.

Apart from the weeks when I have been in hospital, have you ever known a week when I haven’t been busy, busy, busy? This week has seen more of the same. An early morning, starting at 04:15, taxi arriving at 05:30 and the three hour journey to Paris for my treatment. When I arrived home as usual I was bushed but still needed to have my meal, meds and some relaxation before I went to bed.

I usually find that the following day is perfect for relaxing, so this week I spent that relaxation time continuing with the jigsaw I started on the 27 September. It’s still not finished but when I showed it to my grandchildren they were impressed. When asked if they could count to 1000, they told me no. Well they are only 6 and 3 years old.

I had two pochettes of platelets at Troyes on Wednesday, no idea why. I haven’t seen the doctor for a couple of weeks now so it’s a case of “does the right hand know what the left hand is doing?”

We have had some lovely bright days so walking has been top of my list. I think that even just walking to the supermarket and back is doing me a lot of good, so that is where I have been a couple of days. Yesterday though I took myself into town (after the market, to avoid the crowds). It was a lovely walk and I booked a hair appointment for Tuesday, bought a couple of tins of Heinz baked beans (3,18€ per tin) 🤔 may have to think twice about purchasing those now. Met a friend and stood talking for a while before setting off for home again. The microlight boys were having fun in the sun taking off from the colline.

I asked my neighbour if he could get me another four bags of bark next time he was in Leclerc. Can you believe when I got back from my walk, the four bags were piled up by my dustbin! Now I can mulch my roses and I am going to try and smother the weeds in the borders with the other. What a hero that man is.

I have had a few visitors this week, Anie popped down to help me write my resignation letter for the knitting group. I have decided that I don’t want to go back. Three hours cooped in a room is a bit more than I can stomach plus I am not interested in knitting or crochet at this point in time.

Monique came to see me and brought me windfall apples. No idea of the type but must admit they stew well and are tasty. Of course, Monique tut tutted when she saw I had cleared the weeds from the raised bed. Well it was no good waiting was it?

Maud messaged me mid week, it was good to hear from her. I really need my feet seeing to and said this to her, but have received no reply. She is still having problems with her family and it’s such a shame.

Pauline messaged me yesterday, would I like to meet up, I suggested she come to my home but she hasn’t replied.

My neighbour, two doors up (the man who takes a coffee in the Pomme d’Or), came to bleed my radiators. However there was no air in them they were ok. At least that’s another job done.

I have had the gardener here this week too. The grass was a little damp and it was his apprentice who mowed it but Nicolas has taught him well as the young man followed the correct procedure of working round from the edges towards the middle (just as I do). Nicolas did the strimming, he got a bit carried away trying to clear some ivy and ran over one lot of cyclamen. Well they will grow back 🤞. Which reminds me I must check and see if there is any sign of the hellebore he “ran over” last time, trying to put in an appearance in time for flowering next year. One good job he did for me was to empty the big bag of weeds into his truck to take to the decheterie. I had noticed that these weeds had started to decompose but I didn’t want them in my composter as some seeds can remain in the decomposed material.

My grandchildren are with Daddy this weekend and I had a video call with them yesterday. A while ago “Grandad” and Daddy had made a car for my granddaughter from a cardboard box. It has now been given a roof (probably as the weather has turned cooler 😂) they have also made a train for my grandson. What fun those children are still having with those homemade toys. Grandads lounge is full of toys, plus plastic table and chairs for drawing and writing, a wooden workbench, Barbie house and dolls, books galore and yet the children love sitting and planning adventures in their cardboard car and train 😂😂.

I read on Monday that Kris Kristofferson passed away last Saturday. Oh the man of my dreams after seeing “A Star is Born” in 1977. I would like to honour this talented man in my music section. The first song is Kristofferson singing “Watch Closely Now” from the soundtrack of the movie in 1976 and the second song was penned by Kristofferson and performed by many artists but my favourite is this Gladys Knight and The Pips version of “Help Me Make It Through The Night” released in 1971. I hope you enjoy these as much as I do.

Today “The Solicitor” is going over to “Grandads house” to have a birthday party with the children. Ok it’s a bit late but it’s nice to celebrate with loved ones. He has been doing brilliantly on his healthy eating, don’t eat all the pork pies 😂. It has been a busy week at work and will be again this week, but as we know, instead of being daunted by a mountain of work taking “bite sized pieces” can make life so much easier.

“The Recovery Coordinator”, is still on her healthy eating plan and is doing marvellously. Work is still busy, not sure if they have their full compliment of staff now, however, she does enjoy her work and that makes life a lot easier.

“The Photographer” has been busy, busy at his day job. He has worked late a few nights with the intention of finishing earlier on Friday to be home when the children arrived. Not too sure if that materialised. He did look tired yesterday when I spoke to him. He moved into new accommodation last week and it looks as if it is not really a suitable move. It has been taking 50 mins to drive to work in the morning where he had thought it would just be 30 minutes.

This working life! I am just so glad I left it all behind me. I can stress myself getting up at 8am to take my tablets and I can fill the day with jobs I want to do, which lately has involved filling bags with clothing which is now too big for me. I am starting on a grand clear out, I have so much “stuff” which hasn’t seen the light of day since I moved here, so why keep it? The problem is not the filling of bags it’s more the “taking it to the charity shop” or decheterie which is the problem. That reminds me, I must give the car a run around the block today.

You see always something else to add to the “to do” list 😉.

Now it is more medication, washing up breakfast pots etc etc!

Have a good week until next week 😊.

[weasleytwinwheezes]

study date |gw|

@sarah-m-h​ I would like to request a y/n (slytherin) x george weasley, could she be his tutor in GOF or OOTF?

authors note: thank you so much for the request! I’m so sorry it took so long but I hope you like it! :)

warnings: none just flufffffff

If you were to ask anyone what Y/N’s favorite class was, the answer was simple. Potions. It came to you naturally and it didn’t hurt to have the head of your house as the teacher. Snape was known to favor Slytherin students and Y/N was no different. However, that would soon be up for debate

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

“Who can tell me what syrup is used in the making of a Draught of Peace,” Professor Snape drawled out, eyes searching for students not paying attention. 

Out of instinct your hand shot upwards, this was easy. You read about this in 2nd year. You watched as a few others raised their hands as well but Snape still seemed to be looking for the perfect victim to make an example from. 

“Mr. Weasley,” he called, two heads shooting up to catch his gaze. 

“Yes Professor?” they spoke in unison, identical smirk on their faces. 

“George, perhaps you can tell me which syrup is used in this potion?” he inquired. 

You watched as George’s face turned redder than his hair, eyes darting about the room for any help to Snapes’ question. “Um-I ugh,” he managed out. 

“Pity. If only you paid as much attention to your studies as you do those ridiculous inventions, you’d be able to form a coherent thought,” Snape sneered. 

The entire class snapped their heads to the two Gryffindors, as if daring them to say something back. To your surprise, nothing happened. George was staring at down at his table, embarrassment dancing across his features. 

Without anymore to say, Snape called upon someone who had formerly raised their hand. 

“Ms. Y/LN, care to tell me the answer to my obvious question,” he jeered. 

“When making the Draught of Peace one must use the syrup of Hellebore and stir it until the potion turns pink,” you replied confidently, sinking into your chair. 

Class passed without anymore hiccups from the Gryffindors and had almost came to an end when Snape announced, “Ms. Y/L/N and George Weasley, please stay for a moment.” 

Sending a small wave to your friends, you gathered your things and headed towards the desk at the front of the room. Standing beside the tall redhead, you sent him a quizzical look. 

“As we learned today, Mr. Weasley seems to be unable to understand basic potion recipes. Therefore, Ms. Y/L/N I will award you 20 house points if you agree to tutor him for the remainder of the semester. While I understand you do not wish to obtain a job in the Ministry George, you must still be able to properly brew potions. If you both agree to these terms- you will be sitting together for the rest of the year,” Snape spoke with a knowing look. 

Before you had the chance to argue with him, Snape waved the two of you off without another word. 

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

Tutoring George was a task in the beginning, but as time passed an unlikely friendship had settled between the two of you. Both of you had noticed the drastic change in Georges marks and he slowly became more confident in class. The two fo you could always be found together despite if you were studying or not. You had admitted to yourself the feelings you were harboring for the ginger, but knew nothing would come out of it. 

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

“Can we PLEASE take a break! I can’t understand this bloody material,” George groaned, head in his hands. 

“We’re almost done! The test is tomorrow! Do you not want to pass?” you shot back at him. 

“Really Y/N?! Of course i do! But it’s so frustrating. I’ve read this all a million times and I’m sure I can ace the test,” he responded confidently. 

“Well if you’re sure, we can stop for now. BUT we have to study during breakfast tomorrow,” you reasoned. 

“If you’re making me do that, then I’m going to make you do something,” he grinned, staring across the table at you. 

“Oh no you don’t Weasley! I’m not doing anything you want me to!” you chuckled, gathering your things. 

Suddenly a large hand wrapped around your wrist, pulling you back into your seat. 

“What George?” you whined, looking at the handsome man before you. 

“Go on a date with me,” he stated, eyes burning into yours. 

“What?” you choked out, shock coursing through you. 

“You. Me. Hogsmeade this weekend. We’ll celebrate our test scores,” he spoke matter-of-factly, grabbing his things and hurrying out of the door before you even had the chance to respond. 

[devildomimagines]

Flowers from the Demon Brothers

Let’s imagine the brothers find a flower dealer that specializes in human realm flowers and they get you some as a present, hoping the flowers would be a nice reminder of home. Halfway through, I realized this was getting long so the other brothers are under the cut.

Belphegor 

Hellebore - Protection, anxiety relief, also scandal if you’re cheeky.

He just so happened to pass the stall and the flowers caught his eye.

He wandered over and felt the petals, they were soft and wondered how you would react if he got them for you.

Belphie bought the bouquet, brought it home, and set it up in a vase.

He was admiring his work from across the room when a wave of exhaustion washed over him. Surely he would have time for a quick nap before you were home.

The only thing was there was no such thing as a quick nap with Belphie.

When you got home, you went straight to his room like you usually did. You noticed the flowers and were marveling that they were human realm flowers in Devildom when you heard a voice from the bed, “Do you like them?”

You turned to smile at Belphie, “I do! Where did you get them?”

He shrugged, leaving it up to your imagination.

You joined him on the bed to snuggle up for an afternoon nap.

As he wrapped you up, in the shelter of his arms, you felt the worries of the day melt away.

Beelzebub 

Chrysanthemum - Cheer, longevity, and happiness, even during what may be difficult times. Can also convey loyal love, hope and cherished friendship.

Beel passed the seller on the way home from the market.

He was gnawing on a lollipop when the bright colors caught his attention. Definitely not because they looked like candy on a stick like his lollipop.

Then he smelled their distinct scent. It was different than anything he had smelled in Devildom. The seller noticed his interest and came over to explain they were human realm flowers. Immediately he thought of you so he asked to buy a flower.

He walked home with a bag of food in one hand and twisting the flower in his other hand. The more he looked at it, the more he thought it looked like you: small, bright, delicate and beautiful.

When he got home he went to the kitchen to put the groceries away and found you waiting for him. “Beel! You’re late, where were you?” You looked up from your homework on the counter. Your eyes found the flower quickly and your eyes sparkled.

“There was this flower stall,” He began, putting down the bag of food, “the merchant said they come from the human realm, do you recognize it?”

You nodded but your eyes had not left the flower, “It’s called a chrysanthemum or mum for short. You probably didn’t know but humans assign meanings for flowers and that one is perfect for you.”

“What’s it mean?” he asked as he tilted his head.

“Cheer, longevity, and happiness,” you smiled up at him, “all things I would wish for you!”

He blushed and offered, “I actually got it for you, although I didn’t know it had another meaning.” He handed the flower over to you and you took it gently, smelling it with a sweet smile.

Asmodeus

Delphinium - Lightness, brightness and everything delightful. Lightheartedness and vivacity.

The wall of flowers caught Asmo’s eye at market.

The vendor mentioned the flowers were from the human realm.

Asmo ended up buying the whole thing. He was already planning on using the flowers as a background for a photoshoot for Devilgram since no one would be able to compare.

To his credit, you were the first person he texted, “MC, you’ll never guess what I got today!”

Your reply came back quick. “Hmm, a new makeup?”

Asmo enjoyed that you actually tried to guess unlike his useless brothers that refused to humor him, “Nope~ it’s something super rare! If you want to see, come to my room in an hour~”

He took the flowers home and set them up on his vanity to create a beautiful backdrop. He was just adjusting the last bunch as you opened the door. “Ta Da~”

You covered your mouth and gasped, “Asmo!”

“I told you, you would never guess!” Asmo laughed at your surprised face. “I saw these in the market today and when the trader said they came from the human world, I just had to have them!” He plucked one from the vase and brushed it along your cheek to tease, “you can have one if you help me get the perfect picture.”

Satan

Blue Salvia - Healing and thoughtfulness, spiked with wisdom. “I always think of you.”

Satan had been reading in a Cafe when the flower seller set up in front of the window.

The flowers caught his eye as he sipped his tea. They remind him of a recent book he had read.

After finishing his beverage, he went to ask the vendor about the flowers to quell his curiosity.

The vendor advised that they were from the human realm symbolizing healing and wisdom. Satan thought of you having some sniffles last week and although he wasn’t particularly superstitious he bought a few.

He hummed as he inspected the flowers on the way back to the house. He contemplated picking up a book on flowers to learn about other flowers and their meanings.

“Satan!” You called out, getting up from the couch in the living room.

“MC, I was just looking for you,” he chuckled as he watched your attention shift from him to the flowers. “I saw these while out today and got them for you.”

Your eyes grew big as you accepted the gift. “Thank you, Satan, human realm flowers in Devildom, who would have thought!” Then you got a great idea, “can I borrow an unimportant book?”

Satan’s eyebrow raised, not following your train of thought, “that depends.” You grabbed his arm and began dragging him to his room, excited you get to show/teach him how to press flowers.

Leviathan

Sweet Pea -  Pleasure and gratitude, “Thank you for the time we spent together.”

Levi heard about the flower seller through social media. He scrolled through the customer photos and then found a link to the seller’s website.

It had only been a passing interest until he found the Sweet Pea. The arrangement reminded him of you both in name and looks. He placed an order to have it delivered to the house addressed to you.

When the flowers arrived and they were handed over to you, he reveled in your phases of bewilderment and curiosity.

“I wonder who sent these? It’s so rare to see human realm flowers in Devildom,” You smiled as you smelled the flowers.

After the other brothers had dispersed from the common room, Levi stayed trying to build the courage to tell you it was him that sent them.

“Levi,” he jumped at your voice, “did you see the flowers? Who do you think sent them? Maybe some secret admirer?”

He blushed deeply but somehow you missed it, “Maybe some normie,” he mumbled and looked away.

“Did you know that the Sweat Pea symbolizes pleasure and gratitude? It’s kind of like saying, ‘Thank you for the time we have spent together.’“

Levi looked back at you, you were hugging the vase with a big smile plastered on your face. He found it fitting that he was thankful in the moment and smiled himself.

Mammon

Lisianthus - Gratitude, charm, and an everlasting bond. Used with public shows of affection, sometimes used in proposals.

He was working a modeling job and they brought human world flowers on set as props. After the shoot, Mammon asked if he could take a few home and the prop master allowed it since the flowers would not keep.

You were his human, so these human flowers were the perfect gift! No one would be able to get you a better present; he was so proud.

He went straight to your room when he got back and found you lounging on your back in your bed reading a magazine, “Mammon! You should have texted me you were done, I could have met you downstairs,” you rolled to your stomach and closed the magazine as you continue, “how did the shoot go?” Then you saw the flowers in his hand and blushed, “where did you get those?”

Mammon laughed haughtily, “Surprised the Great Mammon got you some human realm flowers?”

“You got those for me?” You sat up.

“Of course,” he smiled sweetly and extended his arm with the simple bouquet.

You didn’t move right away but shook your head and stood up to accept them without a word. “Are you so amazed you’re speechless?” Mammon teased.

With a laugh and a deepening blush you answered, “It’s just... this type of flowers are sometimes used in proposals in the human realm.” Now his blush was as deep and red as your own.

Lucifer

Orchid - Refinement, thoughtfulness and mature charm. Romantic love with racy connotations.

Lord Diavolo had been raving about the approval of the human realm flower vendor to help bring another level of integration from the other realms to Devildom.

To ensure that the cart was operating respectfully, since they had Lord Diavolo’s approval, Lucifer stopped by. It seemed that the flowers were popular among the demon population. Lucifer found himself shaking his head; he shouldn’t have doubted that this venture would have ended up any different than Lord Diavolo had intended.

One particular flower caught his eye, he remembered the flower’s name: Orchid. He then remembered the first time that he saw them with Lilith on a trip to the human realm. It was centuries ago now but it made him nostalgic. Next he was thinking about you and your connection to Lilith, he wondered if you would enjoy them so he bought a bouquet.

Although he didn’t show it, he felt a little foolish walking through the streets with the flowers, hoping no one he recognized saw him, making him explain his purchase.

When he got back to the House of Lamentation, some sense told him to go through the garden, so he did. He found you laying out on the lawn on a blanket reading a book. He hid the bouquet behind his back.

“MC,” he said and you startled.

“Hello Lucifer!” You stood to greet him, your clothes a little wrinkled from laying on them, you began to explain, “I was just reading and getting some air, it was such a nice day, if felt a waste to be inside.”

“You’re not in trouble, as long as you don’t leave the property, you don’t need an escort. Actually I was calling on you for a different reason.”

You looked at him expectantly, willing to hear him out whatever it was. He took pleasure in your eagerness. He revealed the bouquet from behind his back and your face lit up. “I thought you might like these.” You nodded and took them delicately. He smiled softly as you smelled the flowers with your eyes closed and hummed in approval.

[alvhiedeir]

Little Red Elf

Thor X Reader

3174 words

This is longer than intended and quite different than requested and I have no excuse than my lack of discipline but I hope this is good enough

You are seriously thinking about investing on a security camera.

No, it wasn't that you were worried about being robbed. It's was being, 'gifted'.

In an almost daily basis, different items would make it's way to your doorstep. Black roots, hyacinth, hellebores, poppies and other herbs that would usually not grow around the area. It was nice, that was the first thought you had. You were no Circe, the great witch of Aiaia, but such ingredients could and did help greatly with your draughts. So as much as this occurrence should startle you, you brushed it off as the doing of one of your friends working for Lord Osanyin who would usually send you samples of anything new. You figured business was just doing better than usual for her to give you this much.

Two weeks, it continued on. When you rise for the day, there would be a neatly placed bundle of herbs or plant on your front steps. Always perfectly centered. And for two weeks, you accepted each and everything in such giddiness.

That is until you until today.

"I haven't been given you anything, (y/n)," She turned away from the selves she was organizing and continued, "it's been pretty busy lately for the last month with the arrival of new supply from Asia."

Her answer gave you a sudden feeling of uneasiness.

"Then who," your voice trailed, dragging the weariness and alert in the air. Your friend was quick to catch the shift of your mood.

"But think about it," she placed the bottle she was holding and walked towards you, "those herbs are rare and what are the chances of a random miscreant obtaining it?"

It eased your nerves a bit to hear her words.

"Or maybe, you finally have an admirer even if your always holed up in your home!"

She laughed at the jesting glare you sent.

"Like you're any better, cat lady."

"Hey! Having four cats does not count as being a cat lady!"

"Sure, whatever you say."

You shared a laugh, the tension thinning out. After saying a few words, she went back to the counter to pack the herbs that you bought, the reason why you were there in the first place.

"You bought quite a lot. What is it for anyway?"

"Loki wanted some draughts to "bring entertainment around this damn boring halls", his words not mine."

She laughed, commenting how it sounded just like him. She handed you the carefully packed products, with a small purple ribbon tied on the basket as she always did for you.

Just as you're about to leave she called out.

"If you're still disturb about the whole mysterious gifts, why don't you try staying up to see who it is?" You thanked her for her suggestion and concern and with a wave, headed back home.

To say the least, her suggestion was not very successful.

After you went home, you got started on the ordered draughts and by the time the moon greeted the sky, your eyes were already heavy. Being stubborn, you stayed sitting in your kitchen, chair facing the window to see if anyone or anything would past by.

The minutes were slow and before you knew it, the sun has reclaimed its place. And there was yet another gift. A freshly uprooted crab apple tree that barely passes as an adult. How in the world did they get this one?

Another week fast approached and the gifts arrived just as fast. Cornel bark, elecampane, silver fir, the list goes on. Each night, you attempt to desperately stay awake to catch but a glimpse would always end up with you succumbing to sleep. It didn't matter if it was for hours or a mere minute, by the moment your eyelids flutter open, it was already there. Perfectly centered as always, in an almost mocking way.

"You missed us again", you could hear the ridicule from it.

As days flutter, the gifts and your frustrations would only intensify. One time it was antlers from a dear Australia. The other day it was the tusk of a bore. Yesterday it was the blood of steed. The last one made you panic a bit, but thankfully in came only in a small vial. It eased your nerves, albeit slightly that the animal was minimally harmed.

You tried sleeping in the morning so that so that you could roam at night. But when you rise from your chair for a drink or to go the toilet, the sneaky bastard have already placed another gift. You went as far as sitting on your doorstep for the whole night, but even that didn't help. The gift was on your window.

You were at your wits end with this "Persistent Santa" shenanigans (it was your friend who called them that. It was that or creepy-pile-of-dung-that-had-to-much-time). Whoever they were, they are good.

You sighed tiredly again, the dark bags proving Your fruitless efforts.

"Wow, you look miserable!" You silently snapped at the voice, too sleepy to argue but to proud to ignore it. His laugh was laugh, always happy to see others demise.

"Just give me the money, Loki." You impatiently thrust the basket full of draughts to him, eager to leave and maybe sleep for a few days.

"Aren't you greedy." The more he teases you, the more punching him right in the face became an increasingly good option. As if reading your voice, he raised his hands in mock surrender.

" I would pay you, but," he dragged his voice as floated closer to you, "I dont have my money right now. And the old man is calling me so can you wait a few minutes for me?" He smiled, oh-so-mockingly sweet at you.

A tomato would have been jealous of the tint of your check. The itching call for violence is now an unignorable howler. But before you can give in, the god of mischief is already pushing you into one of the rooms, claiming your silence as agreement. In a blink, you were in a well decorated room. The walls were cream in color and golden leaves decorated the corners. Threre were shelves of book against one side of the wall and-

"Wait a minute." Snapping out of your trance, you shouted, voice filled with vile, "Loki!"

But sadly, it came too late and the door have already been shut and only his feint mocking voice telling "enjoy!" Was heard from the other side.

You could sighed, pity for your own predicament. Moving towards one of the shelves with a colorful string of curse words following, you might sa well entertain yourself with something. The books were more old, and probably cost more than your soul. Each one was placed neat and organized, neither a speck or spot of dust could be seen. But one particular book caught your eye.

With a gentle finger, you traced the gold imprints on its spine.

Herbs, Medicine and Witchcraft

Unlike everything else, this one book was placed different. It was pulled slightly forward, as if recently placed back but someone else other than the organizer. When you pull it out, you also noticed the small, almost miniscule dirt on its cover. But other than that, it was nothing special.

"I didn't think they'll have this kind of book."

You sat down and flipped on a random page. It was filled with information about different plants that can be used for both medicine and, surprisingly witchcraft. It included their typical use, characteristics, side effects and their locations. And it was very specific too.

"I wonder if I can borrow this."

Page upon page was flipped, despite the fascination dwelling in you, drowsiness became unbearable. It was just so quiet and peaceful here. Maybe a few minutes won't hurt, right?

"Loki will be there for a while anyway. Might as well." Your reasoning seemed to make sense with your tired eyes and you rest your head. Not even bothered by the fact that you used the book as your pillow.

It'll just be few minutes anyway.

It wasn't a few minutes.

Slowly, your eyelids fluttered as consciousness begin to come back. You sighed contently, that nap certainly helped with your mood. You buried your nose deeper into the soft cloth you leaned on and inhaled. It smelled like fresh lilacs and the sun.

Wait, cloth?

You lifted your head and saw, indeed there was a neatly folded cloth on the place of the book. It was pale apricot, almost faded white and now that you are looking properly, it was a short robe?

"I starting to think you were not going to wake up."

Do you know the sound of a startled walrus with a respiratory disease? Imagine that, but worse. That how you sounded as you whipped your head in surprise to the voice. Right beside you was the god of thunder himself, Thor. The difference in size between him and the chair he was resting on was almost comical. You would have laughed if it wasn't for the fact you want to live a longer.

"He-hello Thor-sama." Damnit, what did you stutter?

He casted his eyes sideways to acknowledge your greeting, glacing right back into reading afterwards.

Looking yourself, it was then you noticed the book he was reading was the one you were previously sleeping on.

"It didn't seem like you were using it," his voice was monotone as for usual, "aside as a pillow, that is."

Ahh, the sheer pleasure of being swallowed by the ground right now would be nice.

"Ah! That- I! Yes..." You simply stared at your lap instead, fist clenched tightly on top. Better to stay quiet that to embarrass yourself further.

Thor was in between being an acquaintance and  a work friend. Neither of you talked much, aside from greetings and small talk but was more than used to his presence with the number of times you had to deliver things to Loki, enough so that you don't have to tremble everytime you meet.

But sitting this close, in a close space, alone, this was definitely the first time.

And it'll be the last if you're not careful.

The silence was suffocating, for you at least. You have almost jumped in your sit when he flipped a page in the book.

A minute passed and you are so closed to jumping out of the window. The room was too quiet. Making small talk won't be bad at times like this right?

"It's a nice book."

Wow. If you could, you would have hit yourself in the back of your head. Great thinking, really.

He merely nodded and the silence dragged once again.

"There's a lot of useful information in it."

Stop, just stop. Please stop digging your own grave.

"That's why it's a shame to be drooled on."

"I do not drool!"

In the distant, the sound of funeral bells rang clear in your head. The life you lived was good. Your friend will remember what flower you wanted to be placed on your coffin, and she can have your house, maybe even your-

Before you could complete your will, you heard a smallest of chuckle from the other god.

Huh?

You stared at Thor and sure enough, there's the tiniest arch in his lips. His eyes remains on the pages but - shit - has he always been this pretty?

Between the brief greetings and quick glances, it was hard to appreciate his beauty. Though mostly blank, his face was clear and smooth. Not a single blemish as one might expect from a god who knew battlefield as his home. He was no Aphrodite nor comparable to Paris, but he himself held a beauty of his own. You couldn't quite decide on if it was the light from the window or it was simply him that was glowing?

His neck flexed in the smallest notion as he read. The muscles of his shoulders were relaxed against the table.

Heavens. Those muscles.

You blushed on your thoughts. You tear your eyes away from his physique, the wooden table suddenly very interesting.

"It is rare to see you without Mjolnir, Thor-sama."

"I don't bring him when I read."

"Him?" The question lingered on your head. Was Thor one of 'those' people?

"Do you read often?"

"No."

"Are you interested in herbal medicine?"

"No."

"Is that so?" Your answer was awkward just as the air around you. But to the very least, the tension have eased out knowing that he didn't  obliterate you so far.

"Um, Thor-sama?"

Curse you and your need to fill in the silence.

"May I ask why you are reading a book about witchcraft? You do not seem the type to be interested in it." Realizing what you said was potentially insulting, you quickly apologized, eyes wide as you tried to explain. "Not that you don't look like it! What I mean is, um, - that." You stumbled over your own words with nervousness but he simply kept his eyes in the book, barely even glancing at you.

"... give you." His voice made you stop with your gibberish. Catching only the tail-end of his words, you looked at him questioningly. Only then did you realize that it has almost been a minute since he flipped a page, almost as if your question startled him as well.

"Ma-may you repeat that?"

There was a short pause before his answer came.

"So that I know what to give you."

Furrowed brows and confused eyes marked your features.

"So that I know what to give you."

His words repeated in your head, like an stubborn echo inside a cavern.

"I know what to give you."

"Give you."

"Give."

Oh shit.

"You're the Persistent Santa?!" The chair you previously sat on collided with the floor with a loud "thud". Hands planted heavily against the table, you casted accusing eyes to him.

Before any other words were uttered, your senses made its way back to your head like a harsh slap of water. You just yelled at the strongest Norse god. You might as well have dug your own hole and painted your tombstone.

But all fear and confusion left you as you stare at the fore mentioned god. He was not glancing down anymore but instead his eyes found its place opposite of your direction. And if one would look close, really intently stared, the faintest of red could be seen blooming in his cheeks.

"He-he's blushing."

Thor is blushing.

"You shouldn't be shouting here." His voice did not have the same air of threat and authority it usually holds. If your ears were right, it almost sounded like he was embarrassed.

Silently picking up the fallen chair, you sat down with your eyes burning holes the robe infront of you. Which you have almost forgotten was there.

Thinking back to the times you interacted with him, one word would usually come to mind. Quiet. He would acknowledge your presence or sometimes even greet you during the times you bump into one another but has never to made a conversation. Compared to Loki, you have always figured that maybe he was just more refined.

It wasn't until you heard his tale from your friend that you have gathered a sort of fear towards him. You knew how gods are, how vile and wrathful they are. And a god of his caliber could wipe you with a single flicker of his finger.

You would now bow and act more politely to him. Going as far as trying to avoid any contact with him.

But now sitting a mere foot apart, you felt no threat. No danger. And only then did you realize that you have never really felt any danger to begin with. When he speaks, he did not have the murderous aura that they claim to choke anyone.  He had never given you any reason to fear him, it was only you who decided to believed other's opinion.

"I'm sorry."

As if a trigger, his head turned to you upon hearing your timid voice but you dare not look at his eyes.

"You don't-"

"Not just for yelling."

Where did you get the courage to cut him off? You do not know. But, still with the false bravery, you continued.

"I mean, I have been very rude to you for a long time,"

"You have never been mean to me and I only returned the gesture by fearing you without any basis of."

With every fiber of yours screaming otherwise, you turned to look at him in the eye.

"I'm really sorry."

The longer you look into those golden eyes the more the heat on your neck spreads to your cheeks.

Guess his hair isn't the only thing red now.

"It's nothing," surprisingly it was Thor who turned away first. This time though, you eyes remained on him with a small smile. Youu have been missing out on so many things. But now, you have the eternity to catch up. And you're sure as hell you will.

"Thor-sama."

"Just Thor."

You laughed a bit, a sound that you did not notice brought a smile on his own lips.

"Why did you give me those gift anyway."

He turned his head to the other direction, but your keen eyes could see his tainted red ears.

"Loki said gifts were a good way to get close to someone." You grinned.

"I should have known better than listen to him."

His words dragged a loud laugh from you. The thought of him asking Loki, of all people for an advice was something you thought you'll never hear. And the small pout in his voice upon the next statement both brought you giddiness and butterflies.

Your hands instinctively covered your mouth, but still the sounds slipped through. And if you would have opened your eyes that moment, you would have seen the adoration in Thor's as he watches you.

Yes, it was embarrassing to ask his cousin for advice and finding those herbs was a hard task. But if seeing you like this, with lips arch into the most beautiful smile he have seen filled with happiness he once thought he couldn't bring you, then he would do it a thousand more.

Bonus:

Outside the closed doors, Loki grinned at himself. Trying to get you two was a pain with how standoffish Thor was by this was the most entertainment he had for a long time.

"What the hell are you doing?" It was one of Odin's crow that screeched from beging, as they watch the god smiling, and by experience it never means well.

"Oh nothing," he sing-songed. He floated pass his uncle but never before saying,

"Hope you're ready for grandkids!"

"Huh?"

But they did not receive an answer, only a chorus of laughter from the god of mischief as he drift away.

If you don't know who's Circe is, she's a witch in the Greek mythology that turned sailors into pigs. Odysseus met her during his travel home from the Trojan war. She turned his men into pig too. And it's a book of Madeline Miller too! You should really read her books.

This was requested by @tenshi-san and I apologize that I might have strayed too far from your prompt. I really hope I did your husbando some justice. He was so hard to write because that only thing I can see him as is bored😂. But I hope you still like it!

[ambitionzzzz]

Of Convenience

Chapter 1- Potions 

Warnings: Cursing

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Slughorn’s potions class was difficult to say the least. Sure you were at the top of nearly all your classes, but potions thoroughly kicked your ass. It’s possible you’d get the content if you’d show up on time. Like now- you ran through the long halls, trying to get to class before Slughorn locks the door. He was known for locking doors after the first 10 minutes of class, ‘If you can’t show up to class on time, you shouldn’t come at all.’ Your shoulder bag continued to hit your back as you ran, just turn one more corner and-

“Ah, Miss Y/n, thank you for gracing us with your presence,” He feigned a smile. “You are late… again,” He looked down at you from the doorway. “I have half a mind to close this door, if you can give me a reason why I shouldn’t, I’ll let you in and rip up this detention slip I have here,” He held up the parchment. 

“Professor, please, you have to understand- I have Charms before this class, and that’s on the other side of the school-”

“I know the layout of the school, Y/l/n. I asked for a reason, not an excuse.”

“Professor Slughorn-”

“You may come in, but you have detention this weekend-”

“I-”

“Would you like it to be the weekend after, too?”

You bit your tongue, “No.”

“Come in quickly and quietly.”

You said nothing and walked in, keeping your head low, knowing everyone was most likely looking at you. You looked up to find a seat to see that one of two spots were open- One next to Alaric, who was smirking at you, or Remus, one of the so called ‘Marauders’. You chose the latter, passing Alaric who just scoffed. “Is this seat taken?” The boy looked up at you, his eyes meeting yours. 

“Uh, no, you can take it.”

“Thank you,” You quickly sat down as Slughorn began the lesson for the day. He went to talk about the potion the class would be attempting. You had zoned out, overthinking the interaction you had had with Slughorn only a short while ago.

“Y/l/n,” Your head shot up, “Can you tell me what potion we are making today?” You swallowed, looking at the board behind him for help. 

“Draught of Peace…?”

“Correct,” He shuffled in front of the board, blocking the words written. “And can you possibly tell me, of the five ingredients needed for this potion, which of the five are not powdered?”

‘Fuck,’ Just as you were about to give up, you felt a tap on your elbow. You subtly looked down to see a slip of paper… ‘syrup of hellebore and valerian root’ was just barely legible. “Um, is it Valerian Root?”

“And?”

“And…” You looked at the paper once more, “Syrup of Hellebore,” He seemed satisfied with your answer and turned back to the board, announcing that the class would have to pick a partner to work with. Once he was done, he sat down at his desk and began writing Godric knows what. The rest of the class took this as a sign to get up and pick their partner. As you turned to Remus to thank him, Alaric walked up to you and demanded you be partners with him. “Thanks, but no thanks, Alaric.”

“Why?? You got a boyfriend or somethin’?”

“N-”

“Yes, actually,” Your eyes widened as you looked at the source of the voice.

“Are you joking?” Alaric scoffed, “Lupin is your boyfriend?” This got the attention of a few others, namely, the rest of the Marauders. 

You looked at Remus, smiled, and then looked back at Alaric. “Yes, actually. And I would appreciate it if you’d leave,” Alaric, clearly agitated, left stomping. You turned to Remus, lowering your voice enough so that only he could hear, “I owe you my life,” He laughed quietly. “Seriously, I do. With the seat-”

“It’s just a seat-”

“Then the ingredients, and now this? Genuinely, thank you, Remus.”

“It’s uh- It’s no problem,” The corner of his mouth raised into a half smile. You continued to stare at each other until a hand dropped on each of your shoulders, you both jumped at the sudden contact. 

“Moony,” James looked at him, “Were you not planning on telling us about your pretty girlfriend?” He looked at you and winked.

“Well-”

“That would be my fault-” You saved him. Peter and Sirius came over and began leaning on the table, listening in. “I asked if we could keep it between us, at least for a little while.”

“And why’s that, love?” James continued to look at you. 

“Oh, um, it’s kind of embarrassing…” They looked at you expectantly, “Rem’s actually my first relationship.”

“How long have you guys-”

“And that’s the end of class,” Slughorn announced. You never thought you’d be glad to hear Slughorn’s voice before now. “You should already have your partners, for tomorrow we will begin with the Draught of Peace.”

“We’ll leave you two be,” James looked at his friends and signaled for them to leave. Waiting until the class was near empty, Remus stood up, you followed. 

“I am so sorry-” 

“Don’t be, if anything I should be sorry. I just said it without thinking, I’m sorry, he was just acting like a complete git. That doesn’t excuse it but- your boyfriend is probably going to find out-”

“Remus-”

“I am so sorry-”

“Remus,” You stopped in the middle of the near empty hallway and he stopped too. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“You- You don’t? I could’ve sworn...”

“In fact, you saved me today.”

“I told you it was nothing-”

“I know, but I’m referring to the whole, ‘boyfriend’, thing,” You began walking and he followed. “That kid, Alaric, has been harassing me since the beginning of the year. Maybe me having a ‘boyfriend’ will help get him off my back… Which, now that I think about it, I don’t know how I’m going to keep pretending you’re my boyfriend.”

“What do you mean? Also, what’s your next class?”

“Defense Against the Dark Arts.”

“Same here, I’ll walk you.”

“Thank you, and I mean like- We’re not actually dating.”

“...We could pretend…?... At least until that guy starts to leave you alone.”

You looked at him, “You’d do that?”

“I mean,” He avoided eye contact as he led you down the long corridors, “Would it be so bad? It’s not like I have anything better to do,” He smiled.

“But, do realize, we’d have to go on dates, albeit fake dates, but just to keep up appearances.”

“I know,” He nodded. “We’ll talk ‘bout it more later, yeah?” He walked into the class. You smiled and followed suit.

“We’ve been dating how long?” He continued to quizzed you as the two of you walked to the Great Hall for lunch. 

“Two months.”

“Good.”

“How did we meet?” You asked him. 

“You’re late everyday to potions,”

“Okay, calm down-”

“Because of your tardiness, I couldn’t help but take notice.”

“Ha ha, very funny.”

He laughed and asked another question, “Alright and how did I ask you out?”

“You didn’t. I asked you-”

“No-”

“Yes-”

“No-”

“Oh my god, our first argument.”

“C’mon, they’re waving us over,” He said nothing else but instead grabbed your hand and led you to the table. He sat down first, making room for you to sit as well. 

“So,” Sirius looked at you, “How’s the lovely couple doing today?”

“Doing alright, thank you,” You smiled and grabbed Remus’s hand under the table. You saw Remus look at you from the corner of your eye but you continued to talk to Sirius. “How are you?”

“Swell. Now, how long have you been dating?”

“About two months now? Right, Rem?”

He looked at you and you looked back, “Yeah,” He gave you a small smile. “We met back in September, in the beginning of the year, and by November we had already been together a month.”

“That’s pretty fast, don’t you think?” Sirius said staring into your eyes. 

“You would know, right? I mean, a different girl every few weeks? Don’t you think that’s pretty fast?”

“What are you implying?” You felt Remus squeeze your hand lightly.

“I think you know what I’m implying,” You held eye contact with Black.

He broke out an award winning smile, looking around and then settled on Remus, “I like her.”

“I’d say that went well,” You linked arms with your ‘boyfriend’ as you left the Great Hall. Everyone went their separate ways, James and Sirius to their shared class, Peter and Lily to theirs.

“Yeah, it did,” He walked you to your next class, which, coincidentally, was the same as his. “They’re probably going to grill me later though.”

“I mean, you remember the plan, right? If anything, make stuff up and just tell me as soon as you can.”

“And when’s our scheduled break-up?” He held open the door for you to walk through.

“Thank you. And it’s February 17th, if that’s okay with you?”

“Yeah, it’s no problem,” He nodded. “What an odd date, and only three days after Valentine’s Day.”

You laughed, taking a seat. Remus took the one next to you. “I know, but we need angst.”

“What for?” He took out his books and handed you a quill. 

“Thanks, here,” You handed him an extra ink pot, he thanked you as you continued. “The angst makes it more believable. Picture this, you spend Valentine’s day with your significant other, it’s one of the best days you’ve ever had- Only to decide a couple days later that you’ve grown apart. The love isn’t there anymore.”

“Wow,” He stared at the blackboard as the teacher began writing. “Did you just come up with that?” 

You just smiled in response. 

`

`

`

[drawlfoy]

Colorblind

masterlist request guidelines yes ma’am i’m back

pairing: draco x gryffindor!reader

request: yes! thank you kind anon :) this is the first request that really got me out of my writer’s block so i appreciate it!

summary: soulmate!au where the entire world is black and white except for your soulmate. y/n’s situation is a bit...unconventional. 

warnings: swearing and a little gore but it’s not explicit at all and just a mention

a/n: helloooooooo everyone! i know i’ve technically been “back from the dead” for nearly a month now, but this is the first time i’ve decided to jump back into writing. i’ve been working on the wonders of ohio bit by bit and have been horrified to see just how much my writing has deteriorated since last summer (when i was writing 1k words+ a day). i’d like to get into writing genuine original work during this quarantine, so i’m using my blog as a chance to polish up my own writing and work the kinks out before i touch my original ideas. thanks for being so patient with me !

music recs: figure 8 from peach pit, don’t delete the kisses from wolf alice, and bad things from cailin russo

word count: 3,098

Y/N frowned as she stirred the honey into her tea, watching the sugary swirls as they dissolved into the bottom of what she had been told was an amber drink. Her best friend, Tina, sat across from her in her snug Gryffindor robes, energetically recounting just how beautiful the color blue was.

“I had no idea, Y/N,” the brunette gushed, her cold triangle of buttered toast lying long forgotten on her plate as her hands added animation to her story. “You have to see it. He told me that the red in our robes brings out my eyes too--something about the color wheel and how green is opposite of red--and we made each other hold up our things so we could see what color its meant to be...honestly, it was such a dream...”

Even though Y/N was thrilled that Tina had found her soulmate in the convenient place of the Ravenclaw house--really, she was ecstatic for her friend--she couldn’t help but feel a little sad. She did quell the bitterness and envy that threatened to crawl its way up out of her throat, instead choosing to sit and pretend to listen as her own thoughts trailed off with a vacant smile on her face.

She’d been alive for 16 years, seen everyone there is to see at Hogwarts, traveled to every country that had a sizable young magic population, and had let her parents submit pictures of her to wizarding families all across the globe--only to still live in a dull world of simple blacks, whites, and greys. Friends like Tina had told her vibrant stories of the stunning hues of green, blue, red, purple, and gold, but Y/N had no way of knowing what they actually looked like, relying instead on her parents’ soft explanation of green as the color of life, blue as the color of peace, red as passion and anger, and yellow as the feeling of the sun hitting your skin after a long winter. 

Infuriating. She despised the security questions she had to fill out to open her Gringotts account (What’s your soulmate’s surname? What’s your favorite color?) and the unimpressed look of the goblin teller as they quietly conferred with her parents (”Sir, we rarely have complaints over this--statistically speaking, soulmates are found by the time a wizard or witch is old enough to handle money...). 

In other news, her love life was barren and dry, and at the end of the day, it was better to just not dwell on where she fell short. 

“I’ll stop going on about me,” Tina said, finally reaching down for her breakfast. “I want to hear about you. I’m so sorry that you have to put up with that crabby posh Daddy’s boy in Potions. You have my moral support. Always.”

“You mean Malfoy?”

Tina quirked an eyebrow as she took a sip of her own tea. “Yeah. Y/N, I have no clue how you’ve gone so long without being put off by that wanker. He’s so annoying. I know you don’t believe me, but you’re about to see for yourself in...erm..” She made a show of checking her pocket watch. “Less than an hour.”

“He doesn’t seem that bad,” Y/N countered. “I’ve spoken to him once or twice in the library. Doesn’t have much to say, but he was cordial. I’m not horrendously upset that we were assigned to be partners.”

“Did he know you were a Gryffindor?”

“I have no idea. Neither of us were wearing our robes, so I couldn’t tell you.”

Y/N’s friend rolled her eyes dramatically. “You’re going to be singing a very different tune come lunch. Trust me.”

<^>

The wooden stool that Y/N was perched on was uncomfortably wobbly as she waited, albeit a little nervously, for her potions partner to arrive. It had been an unwelcome selection process--or perhaps, lackthereof--that began with Slughorn reading off a canned speech regarding house unity and the importance of bridging the gap between old rivalries and ended with groups that consisted of one Slytherin and one Gryffindor and directions to create an immaculate Draught of Peace.

Not her favorite way to spend a Friday morning, but she admitted to herself that it could be far worse. She could be paired up with one of Malfoy’s goons--Crabbe or Goyle--who were by far much more obnoxious.

A slight movement in the corner of her eye pulled her attention back to the present. Y/N started at the dark figure standing by the empty stool next to her.

“Excuse me,” Malfoy said simply, placing his satchel on the table in front of them and sitting.

Y/N sent him a weak smile as she unrolled her parchment and began reviewing the ingredients. 

“I don’t mean to sound brash,” she began as she sorted the ingredients at their table, “but I’m pretty good at Potions. If you want to, you can just read the directions while I prepare everything.”

He seemed like he wasn’t quite listening to what she was saying, instead his eyes, unfocused and slightly cloudy, were settled on her braid that snaked around her shoulder.”Er, yeah. Sounds good.”

“Okay.”

As the pair began, Y/N couldn’t help but notice that Malfoy looked tired. His normally pristine and glowing skin looked dull and lifeless, decorated with dark eye bags under his slate-grey eyes. She was struck with a sudden desire to ask if he was alright but decided against it. The furrow in his brow as he glanced over the directions reminded her that they were simply partners for the week--and that Slytherins generally got into a hissy fit if people tried to act too buddy-buddy with them too quickly.

“Add the moonstone until it starts to steam,” he said after a few moments, apparently not noticing that she was already emptying the powdered moonstone into the cauldron. “Stir until completely dissolved.”

“Add syrup of hellebore.”

“Stir until the consistency is akin to cream.”

This went on for the rest of the lesson--Malfoy softly instructing her while Y/N consulted her own set of directions, just in case. As she worked, she couldn’t help but notice how unusual his hair was. It was unlike any other white she’d ever seen before--instead, it had some kind of warm hue to it. Y/N knew that no one her age actually had naturally white hair--Malfoy clearly had some iteration of “blond”, whatever that meant--but all the other light haired  wizards she had met had slightly grey tinges in their hair...not whatever he had going on. She shrugged it off and kept stirring.

An hour passed by much quicker than anticipated, and to her surprise, Malfoy never said anything even mildly irritating. Y/N stored this tidbit of information away with the interest of asking Tina why she thought he was such a dickwad. 

“I think that’s all we have to do today,” Malfoy said once they had added the porcupine quills and set the lid on for the night. 

“We really let it sit here until Monday?” she questioned, reviewing the parchment one more time. “That seems a little excessive.”

“Well, it’s not like--” He began waspishly before he took a breath and cast his eyes to the ceiling. “Er, I mean, I know that Slughorn casts a preservation spell on them over the weekend. There’s really no other way to do it without booking an entire day.” 

“I guess that makes sense.” 

He sent a surprisingly soft smile her way. It appeared that they had finished earlier than the rest of the students and had a couple more minutes until they were dismissed, so the silence around them was tense. Y/N decided to take a risk and ask something she assumed everyone, especially someone as allegedly ostentatious as Malfoy, liked talking about.

“So,” she began casually, twiddling her thumbs under the desk, “Have you found your soulmate yet?”

The few moments of complete and absolute quiet that followed after this question prompted her to send a glance over to Malfoy, who looked...completely stricken?

“Er....” His eyebrows furrowed as he looked her up and down. “Yes?”

Y/N had never had an interaction so awkward as she waited, tense and very weirded out, for him to just go ahead and pose the question back to her so she could break the ice and complain about how she’d searched far and wide for her soulmate and failed--but it never came. Malfoy just stared at her for another few heartbeats before he shut his slightly gaped mouth and turned to pack up his belongings.

Not another word was exchanged between them until Slughorn officially announced that they were all dismissed as long as their brewing stations were spotless. 

Malfoy was out the door before she even had a chance to say goodbye.

<^>

“So?” Tina sat at the edge of her seat, waiting for her friend to relay all the details of her potions adventure.

“Super weird,” Y/N answered. “He was nice. Didn’t say anything mean about my house or parents or wealth or anything. I asked him about his soulmate, though, and he totally clammed up.”

Tina’s eyes narrowed as she shifted on her bench and drew closer. “I haven’t heard a whisper of anything about his soulmate. Poor bloke probably doesn’t have one. I’m not surprised...no one deserves to be stuck with him forever.”

“No, that’s not it,” Y/N countered. “First of all, he’s not bad. I told you. Second of all, he told me he had one and looked at me like I was stupid for not knowing. It was weird.”

“I wouldn’t sweat it. He probably thinks he’s so important and sought after that all anyone talks about is him and was just offended that you didn’t know, I guess. This is what I mean. He’s such a prick.”

“Maybe.” Y/N found herself looking over to the Slytherin table, her eyes stopping on the curiously colored hair of a certain 6th year. He seemed especially down, hardly touching the spoon in his stew and choosing to look like the definition of angst instead. 

But in a very attractive way she admitted to herself. There was no denying it--Draco Malfoy was beautiful, in a tragic sort of way, like how paintings of imaginary places that you’ll never be able to actually visit for yourself are beautiful. 

His eyes snapped up to meet hers, jarring her out of her whimsical train of thought and bringing a blush to her cheeks. For once, she was relieved that no one could see her in color.

<^>

By the time Monday rolled around, Y/N was feeling more and more uneasy about her whole situation. Malfoy ignited some kind of weird feeling deep inside of her--almost like butterflies--as he absentmindedly tapped his lips with his quill, studying the directions sheet in front of them.

“How was your weekend?” Y/N asked, her voice a little pitchier than she would’ve liked. He arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow at this, hardly even bothering to glance her direction. 

“The usual,” he drawled. “I studied, mostly.”

“Nice. Way to keep us all on our toes.”

The slight smile that stretched across his face and the dimples that followed nearly made her knees weak, her hand shooting out to grasp the edge of the table before they gave in. “Yeah. You know me. The wild card.” His voice seemed bored, but she was just glad that the words coming out of his mouth weren’t entirely insufferable. 

Y/N sent him a soft smile, fiddling with the edges of her robes. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Tina watching them intently.

“We only have to stir it 12 times counter clockwise and 14 times clockwise and add the unicorn horn powder before we let it simmer until Wednesday,” Y/N mused as she finally tossed the parchment back on the table. “Easy work. We should be done in about a half hour, give or take.”

They made quick work of the directions, the smell of their potion taking an amiable lilac like scent. 

“I think that means we didn’t royally fuck it up,” Draco offered as she rolled her sleeves back down and settled into the stool next to him.

Y/N smirked at him, a glimmer in her eyes. “We? Don’t you mean me?”

He laughed stiffly before immediately sobering up and packing up his things. “Sure. I’m going to ask Slughorn if I can leave early. See you.”

With that, he got up and left her alone. At face value, Y/N didn’t expect the situation to mean that much to her, but it left a bitter taste in her mouth and stung more than expected.

Shake out of it, Y/N, she chided herself. What does it matter, anyways?

<^>

A knock on her dorm room shook her out of a particularly thrilling study session for her DADA exam, whose notes she promptly shoved into her satchel at the suggestion of a welcome distraction.

“Come in!” she called. 

The door opened to reveal a particularly devious looking Tina. “I come with questions.”

“Please distract me from that tragic exam tomorrow,” she moaned, throwing herself on her bed. “Anything is better than thinking about it.”

Tina’s lip quirked as she settled down next to her friend. “It’s about your dear Potions partner.”

“What about him?”

“Don’t think I didn’t notice how you were looking at him today.” Tina propped her chin up into her hand. “You like him.”

“I most certainly do not!” Y/N said hotly. “I mean...I think he’s cute, and his hair reflects the light in this really cool way, but no! I’m not an idiot!”

“Of course you’re not an idiot,” Tina soothed. “He’s objectively a very pretty person. No harm in appreciating that. And now that you’ve spent a little more time with him, and you’re realizing that maybe he isn’t an arsehole, I could totally understand why you’d develop feelings for him.”

“Don’t be ridiculous!”

“How am I being ridiculous?”

“He’s already found his soulmate, Tina. I’m not masochistic enough to want to pine after a boy who already has his person.” As the weight of the words sunk in, Y/N could feel her chest tighten for just a moment. Tina just kept watching as she moved to gently wrap a hand around her shoulder.

“So say I do like him, just a little bit,” Y/N continued as her voice grew softer. “Say I actually let myself develop feelings for him even though I know there’s no way he’s my soulmate. Say I actually give in and have to see him every day knowing that he’s in love with someone else. Don’t you think that’s a little too much for me? I want to find my soulmate! I don’t want to mess around with anyone unless it’s with them.”

Her friend was quiet, but she moved her arm to wrap around Y/N’s frame. 

“I’d just really like to find my soulmate already,” Y/N finished up. “And I’m afraid that they’re not even out there. So, no. No detours allowed.”

Tina smiled a little at this, sitting up to instead pat her friend on the back. “You’ve always been the more focused one. I respect that. But I am saying that there’s no harm in seeing other people while you wait.”

Y/N shrugged. “Yeah. Fairs. Now, I hate to say this, but I have a list of spells a metre long just waiting to be memorized for the exam tomorrow. I’d love to tell you the rest of all my gushy secrets once that’s taken care of.”

“Of course!” Tina kissed her friend on the cheek and skipped off. “Just don’t go too crazy studying. I still need a best friend to bitch to at breakfast.”

“No promises!”

<^> 

“Add a little more powdered moonstone,” Malfoy instructed from her right, “Just until it starts to boil.” 

Y/N went to reach for it, catching a glimpse of her partner on the way. There was something just so magnetizing about him, something so delicate and stunning. She couldn’t help but feel a quick twinge of envy for whoever his soulmate was. 

The sound of the moonstone slipping into the potion pulled her back into reality, and she quickly stirred to avoid an unwelcome explosion. 

“And now the chopped gillyweed.” 

Y/N turned to their stockpile of ingredients, only to see whole cloves of gillyweed.

“I have to confess something,” she said, still stirring vigorously. Malfoy snapped to attention so quickly it almost made her jump. “I’m shit with a knife. Can you chop it for me? I have to keep stirring this anyways.”

What looked like disappointment flashed across his face for just a moment before he stood up and reached for a knife. “Sure.”

Y/N nodded and turned back to the concoction, careful to make sure that the moonstone wasn’t clumping together at the surface as she waited for Malfoy to be done with the gillyweed.

“Fuck!” 

Y/N turned to see Malfoy’s hand covered in--no way.

His hand was covered in blood, as was the knife that was held tightly by his right hand. 

“Fuck, fuck, can you hand me a towel?”

Y/N couldn’t help but stare as the words from her parents floated back into her head (Green is the color of life, blue is peace, red is passion and anger...). 

“It’s red.”

“Sorry, what?”

“Your hand. It’s red.” Now that she looked closer, she could see hints of colors that she’d never seen before in him--a soft hue that reminded her of first kisses and the scent of roses in his cheeks and lips, a warm, sunny glow in his hair, and a cool, startling color in his eyes that seemed like the color for getting thrown into a cold lake on a summer afternoon.

He was staring right back at her, his eyes wide and his breathing quick. 

“It’s you, isn’t it,” she breathed. “It’s been you all along. If only you hadn’t worn those blasted black suits all the time instead of your robes..”

The corners of his mouth crinkled into a smile.

“Ms. Y/L/N, step out of the way,” Professor Slughorn interrupted, rolling up his sleeves and getting his wand out. “Draco, boy, this looks deep. Get on up to the infirmary now. Don’t dally.” 

“Meet me,” he whispered as he made to leave. “Tonight. In front of the library. I guess we have some things to discuss.”

“Yes, yes, I guess we do.” Y/N cheeks were hurting from smiling, and as he left the room, the color fading from her vision, she had never been so content to be in pain in her life.

final a/n: hi everyone :) welcome back! can’t wait to write more! sorry if this was a bit of a trainwreck...i haven’t written in a long time and this is the first thing i’ve done since college apps. all feedback is appreciated! thank you! also apologies for any plotholes or spelling errors! i wrote this in a day and i know it’s a little messy oops

[that-scouse-wizard]

Facts and Fatherhood 2

A/N: Hello everyone, here’s a little one-shot about fatherhood from Reuben’s perspective... also a lot of catharsis. @whatwouldvalerydo hope you like it!

Word count: 1141

Tw for mentions of abuse.

Cold rain lashed harshly from the grey skies above the Llwelyn manor. The general climate of Ireland meant that when it rained, it was an absolute downpour guaranteed to soak the ill-prepared through to the bone.

In spite of the terrible weather, the residents of the manor couldn’t have been happier. It had been just a few weeks since the Willows family had welcomed their newest member, Connor into the fold. 

Already, the new born was displaying a great curiosity for the world around him. One that his parents would be intent on nurturing. Today was supposed to be a day where Reuben wouldn't be dealing with any dragons and Leila was still taking time off to raise their son. A day both had been looking forward to. 

It had started normally enough, Connor crying out in the early morning, wanting a feed. The two of them getting up together to see to him. In spite of giving him what he needed, he couldn’t seem to settle as if something else was bothering the child. He had slept through a thunderstorm once so it couldn’t possibly have been the rain unsettling him.

Henry bursting into the nursery panic-stricken had only unnerved the two further. He rarely got himself into such a state. What he had told them next had made their blood run as cold as ice. 

Not just one but both sets of their parents had turned up on their doorstep.

Leaving Connor in Henry’s care briefly, the two descended to the foyer of the manor. The raised voices of their parents grew louder the closer they got, clearly in the midst of a heated argument. A great feeling of apprehension pressed down on the two, one that grew with every step they took.

Even as they got closer, the heads of their respective families were shouting at each other, completely oblivious to their children descending the stairs.

“This is my family we’re talking about you she-devil!” Declan Willows roared. still intimidating despite the chipped teeth Reuben had given him years before. 

“The child is of my blood too human even if it is more diluted.” Lilith Hellebore spoke with thinly-veiled venom.

While Declan and Lilith may not have noticed Reuben and Leila, their other parents certainly did. Sophie and Eric quickly taking hold of their respective partner’s arms and hissing a whisper that commanded their attention. Reuben and Leila stopped halfway down the stairs, now staring down the people who had caused them much pain in their lives. 

“Well?” Declan spoke obstinately, “Where is he?”

“Who?” Reuben asked sharply, crossing his arms. The tension in the room only growing thicker.

“What your father is trying to say.” Reuben’s mother Sophie, spoke up in an attempt to diffuse the situation “May we see our grandson, Reuben?”

Reuben’s expression was unusually stoic, levelling a stony glare at all those beneath him. By contrast, Leila’s expression had twisted into a snarl at the audacity, “You dare ask that of him, after everything you’ve done?”

“And why would we ask you? The harlot who tainted our family’s bloodline.” Declan said coldly, a low hiss was all Leila offered to her father in law..

“It seems that I actually agree somewhat, why settle for the rebellious boy of a family stuck in its own idea of self-importance?” Though Lilith’s remark earned her a scowl from both Declan and Sophie, they were swiftly ignored.

“Lei,” Reuben spoke softly, “Let me handle this, please.”

Leila whipped around in surprise, “You’re sure?” She asked tentatively, a nod was all she got, resolve evident in his steely-grey eyes. 

“None of you are seeing Connor, and you never will.” He said firmly, realising an argument was about to come from all sides, Reuben quickly nipped it in the bud as he proceeded to yell his next words. First, his attention turned to Leila’s family, “After the way you treated Leila? You were willing to give her over to a full demon to be used as his concubine. You did not truly care for Leila’s feelings on the matter, but the prestige if you found a suitor you deemed correct for her. Why should you have the chance to see Connor? So long as there is breath in my lungs, you’ll never lay a finger on him. Do you hear me?!” 

It was perhaps Lilith who looked the most surprised at his outburst at them, how the normally-calm boy had become furious with no warning.

“Reuben, be reasonable!” His mother shouted, the kindly facade she had put on dropped.

“Reasonable?” Reuben scoffed as he loomed over his mother, “Was it reasonable then for you to help tie me down as he,” Reuben growled, pointing an accusing finger at his father, “Shredded my back as I begged and cried for both of you to stop.”

“You disobeyed us.” His father retorted with possibly the worst answer he could have said. It happened in a flash, one moment, Reuben was still. The next, both hands were around his father’s throat, hoisting him into the air. A mighty roar and with all his might, Reuben sent him hurtling across the floor.

Yet Reuben was still not done as he stormed towards Declan’s prone form, “How dare you, I’m-” He began before Reuben planted a boot to his chest and forced him to the floor. Declan finally seemed to truly cower beneath the fury brimming in the steel-coloured eyes that matched his own.

“Your father.” Reuben finished for him mockingly, “There is only one man I consider worthy enough to call my father, the man who gave me this manor, who entrusted me with his life’s work. You are not him. You who had the memories of his own parents obliviated because you were so ashamed of how far the family had fallen from grace. You, who was so convinced of his own greatness he dragged another into his toxicity.” He went on, sparing just the briefest glance at his mother, “You, who couldn’t stand the thought of being forgotten. Well I have bad news for you, I’m no longer letting you cast a shadow over my life. On the day the last of my breath leaves my lungs, you’ll be forgotten for good, nothing but a distant memory.”

Even as Reuben removed the boot from Declan’s chest, the older man did not dare move until Reuben turned his back to him fully. He finally re-joined Leila on the stairs as she beamed proudly at his display. Only offering their visitors one last warning,  “Get out of my sight, all of you. Leave Leila, Connor and I in peace or else I swear that you lot will be on the receiving end of at least one very angry dragon who are more than willing to rend you to pieces in defence of their home.”

[dansnaturepictures]

10/02/2022-Day of flowers, Peregrines and more at home and Winchester 

I felt obliged to put my bridge camera in my work bag for the second day working in the office this week in the first week of the new hybrid system of two days in the office and three days at home as I just saw so much particularly yesterday and on a cover rotaed day in the office recently during my working days I wanted to take photos of. 

It was a bit of a flower fest today begun nicely by seeing after some nice berries lots of winter heliotrope at the entrance of Lakeside and at the side of the pavement on the way to the station I took the first picture in this photoset of some. I saw so much of this when working in the office in a cover rota system on the way to the railway station late last month and found it so pretty and notable to see and wondered what it was as I’d not noticed it before. I have actually been seeing the name winter heliotrope a lot on social media especially during WildflowerHour on Twitter on Sunday evening but hadn’t paid enough attention to be able to instantly recognise it. A charming flower to admire and learn today. Another flower I’ve heard of for a little bit but hadn’t seen myself was ivy-leaved toadflax one I was enthusiastic about seeing if I could and I believe the plant in the second picture in this photoset which I first spotted yesterday could be it. 

The snowdrops and daffodils starring in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral and Abbey Gardens for the former where I walked after the cathedral today too were brilliant to see and take photos of. This included the third and eighth pictures in this photoset. I was very keen to get a photo of the charming periwinkle one I learnt last year which I noticed yesterday at Colebrook Street car park and I got the sixth picture in this photoset of it. I also enjoyed seeing and photographing possible gentian, possible hellebore, possible cyclemen, probable elder, evening primrose, lots more flowers in the beds at Abbey Gardens and some nice goldenrain tree by the cathedral and probable cherry tree in Abbey Gardens. Adding well to the bits at Lakeside and home lately I feel like the flower season is really ramping up which is very welcome. 

I also took the fourth and ninth pictures in this photoset in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral of the cathedral and the King’s Royal Rifle Corps War Memorial statue in the grounds with some lovely views today again of this beautiful city some red installations for the lights in the city display which is lovely looked great in Abbey Gardens, fifth of a male Blackbird, seventh of one of many Grey Squirrels seen at Abbey Gardens and tenth and final picture in this photoset of the moon looking stunning tonight getting fuller I have enjoyed looking for the moon in the evenings since the new moon. The berries and daffodil in the front garden in the dark glowed a bit from the light of home which looked nice this evening.

The Peregrine was the star bird today seeing one I believe Winnie the female so well at St. Thomas Church and Winchester Cathedral at lunch time seeing her still but also flying through the air with her stunning big stature. Stunning views of an epic bird that its been a real pleasure to see (these specific birds) two days running for the first time since before Covid hit.

Wildlife Sightings Summary for today: One of my favourite birds the Peregrine Falcon, Woodpigeon and Feral Pigeon well in Abbey Gardens including lots of them and two fighting which it was wonderful to see someone quite captivated and animated by seeing this, Blackbird, a Blue Tit well from the office which was nice, Jackdaw and possibly another of my favourite birds the Buzzard from the train in a field on the way in.

[twoidiotwriters1]

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

A/N: I just hope you guys are actually enjoying this book bc you’ve been extremely quiet and it’s making me worry jfdg -Danny

Words: 4,785

Series’ Masterlist

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Listen to: ‘Lemon To A Knife Fight -by The Wombats

Chapter Eight: Arguments.

"Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at Ordinary Wizarding Level: the Draught of Peace, a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation..."

Mel discovered that pouring all her attention into the classes was an excellent way to keep Harry and his stupid ogling towards Cho away from her thoughts. She wasn't going to bury herself in homework and miss the fun, but for the first time in her life, she was going to put herself first.

"A light silver vapour should now be rising from your potion," called Snape.

As on queue, the surface of Hermione and Mel's started to create a mist, Snape barely looked at them without saying anything.

"Potter, what is this supposed to be?" She heard the Professor ask in quite a nasty voice.

"The Draught of Peace," said Harry shortly.

"Tell me, Potter, can you read?" "Yes, I can."

"Read the third line of the instructions for me, Potter."

" 'Add powdered moonstone, stir three times counterclockwise, allow to simmer for seven minutes, then add two drops of syrup of hellebore.' "

Mel noticed Harry's face shift slightly at the last line.

"Did you do everything on the third line, Potter?"

"No."

"I beg your pardon?"

"No. I forgot the hellebore..."

"I know you did, Potter, which means that this mess is utterly worthless. Evanesco. Those of you who have managed to read the instructions, fill one flagon with a sample of your potion, label it clearly with your name, and bring it up to my desk for testing. Homework: twelve inches of parchment on the properties of moonstone and its uses in potion-making, to be handed in on Thursday."

She knew it had been unfair to vanish Harry's potion, but she picked up her things, delivered her own, and left the classroom in silence.

"That was really unfair. Your potion wasn't nearly as bad as Goyle's, when he put it in his flagon the whole thing shattered and set his robes on fire," Hermione commented during lunch.

"Yeah, well, since when has Snape ever been fair to me?"

"I did think he might be a bit better this year. I mean... you know... Now he's in the Order and everything."

"Poisonous toadstools don't change their spots. Anyway, I've always thought Dumbledore was cracked trusting Snape, where's the evidence he ever really stopped working for You-Know-Who?"

"I think Dumbledore's probably got plenty of evidence, even if he doesn't share it with you, Ron," snapped Hermione.

"Oh, shut up, the pair of you," said Harry. "Can't you give it a rest? You're always having a go at each other, it's driving me mad..." He turned and left.

Ron and Hermione looked at her in search for an explanation.

"I think he was pretty clear, wasn't he?" Mel raised a brow. "You two fight a lot."

"Look who's talking!" Ron said heatedly. "You and Harry have been arguing all the time!"

"We don't even talk!"

"You do! But you only fight!" Hermione pointed out. "It's strange, you barely speak and when you do, you end up yelling."

"We still fight less than you two."

"Fine," Hermione replied irritatedly. "We'll stop fighting, but Harry has to stop lashing out on us, we're not the ones he should be treating like this."

"Well then, you tell him that," Mel scowled.

Hermione looked like she wanted to keep arguing, but Ron stopped her and mumbled something Mel couldn't hear.

"D'you realize how much homework we've got already? Binns set us a foot-and-a-half-long essay on giant wars, Snape wants a foot on the use of moonstones, and now we've got a month's dream diary from Trelawney! Fred and George weren't wrong about O.W.L. year, were they? That Umbridge woman had better not give us any..."

"I reckon I can handle it, but if you got any problems I'll help you, you just have to pay me five knuts per essay!" The girl joked.

"I think I rather fail everything, thank you..." Ron pouted.

"Well, good afternoon!" Umbridge greeted them in that unnerving voice.

"Good afternoon," said a few.

"Tut, tut– That won't do, now, will it? I should like you, please, to reply 'Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge.' One more time, please. Good afternoon, class!"

"Good afternoon, Professor Umbridge," Everyone replied. Mel and Ron shared an amused grin.

"There, now. That wasn't too difficult, was it? Wands away and quills out, please. Well now, your teaching in this subject has been rather disrupted and fragmented, hasn't it? The constant changing of teachers, many of whom do not seem to have followed any Ministry-approved curriculum, has unfortunately resulted in your being far below the standard we would expect to see in your O.W.L. year. You will be pleased to know, however, that these problems are now to be rectified. We will be following a carefully structured, theory-centred, Ministry-approved course of defensive magic this year. Copy down the following, please."

"Theory-centred?" Mel looked at Hermione. "I'm hating this already..."

"Has everybody got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?" A few replied humorlessly, the woman interrupted them. "I think we'll try that again. When I ask you a question, I should like you to reply 'Yes, Professor Umbridge,' or 'No, Professor Umbridge.' So, has everyone got a copy of Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard?"

"Yes, Professor Umbridge."

"Good. I should like you to turn to page five and read chapter one, 'Basics for Beginners.' There will be no need to talk."

Everyone listened. Everyone except for Hermione, who kept her book closed and raised a hand in the air, waiting for Umbridge to notice her. An awful lot of time passed before Umbridge finally decided to address the girl.

"Did you want to ask something about the chapter, dear?"

"Not about the chapter, no."

"Well, we're reading just now. If you have other queries we can deal with them at the end of class."

"I've got a query about your course aims."

"And your name is — ?"

"Hermione Granger."

"Well, Miss Granger, I think the course aims are perfectly clear if you read them through carefully."

"Well, I don't. There's nothing written up there about using defensive spells."

"Using defensive spells? Why, I can't imagine any situation arising in my classroom that would require you to use a defensive spell, Miss Granger. You surely aren't expecting to be attacked during class?" The woman laughed, Mel found it extremely irritating.

"We're not going to use magic?" Ron asked in surprise.

"Students raise their hands when they wish to speak in my class, Mr — ?"

"Weasley."

Hermione raised her hand again.

"Yes, Miss Granger? You wanted to ask something else?"

"Yes. Surely the whole point of Defense Against the Dark Arts is to practice defensive spells?"

"Are you a Ministry-trained educational expert, Miss Granger?"

"No, but —"

"Well then, I'm afraid you are not qualified to decide what the 'whole point' of any class is. Wizards much older and cleverer than you have devised our new program of study. You will be learning about defensive spells in a secure, risk-free way —"

"What use is that?" said Harry. "If we're going to be attacked it won't be in a —"

"Hand, Mr Potter!"

Several students now had their hands up.

"And your name is?" Professor Umbridge asked to one.

"Dean Thomas."

"Well, Mr Thomas?"

"Well, it's like Harry said, isn't it?" said Dean. "If we're going to be attacked, it won't be risk-free —"

"I repeat, do you expect to be attacked during my classes?"

"No, but —"

"I do not wish to criticize the way things have been run in this school, but you have been exposed to some very irresponsible wizards in this class, very irresponsible indeed — not to mention, extremely dangerous half-breeds."

Mel gasped quite loudly. Several of her classmates stared at her in anxious anticipation.

"If you mean Professor Lupin," piped up Dean Thomas, who was as upset as her, "he was the best we ever —"

"Hand, Mr Thomas! As I was saying — you have been introduced to spells that have been complex, inappropriate to your age group, and potentially lethal. You have been frightened into believing that you are likely to meet Dark attacks every other day —"

"No we haven't," Hermione said, "we just —"

"Your hand is not up, Miss Granger!"

"How can self-defense be inappropriate at any age?" Mel asked, her hand up without waiting for the teacher to giver her permission. "Why does it matter? Isn't it better if we manage to learn it while still young? It makes room for more knowledge–"

"More knowledge?" Umbridge's eyes had a dangerous glint. "What kind of knowledge, Miss Dumbledore?"

Mel opened her mouth but she did not speak. Umbridge knew her name without needing to ask for it.

"Just..." The girl hesitated, measuring her words, "general..."

"It is my understanding that my predecessor not only performed illegal curses in front of you, he actually performed them on you — Did that help you, Miss Dumbledore?"

"Well, he turned out to be a maniac, didn't he? Mind you, we still learned loads —" Dean commented.

Mel was starting to like Dean better than other years, she made a mental note to buy him a few sweets on their next visit to Hogsmeade.

"Your hand is not up, Mr Thomas! Now, it is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be more than sufficient to get you through your examination, which, after all, is what school is all about. And your name is?"

"Parvati Patil, and isn't there a practical bit in our Defense Against the Dark Arts O.W.L.? Aren't we supposed to show that we can actually do the countercurses and things?"

"As long as you have studied the theory hard enough, there is no reason why you should not be able to perform the spells under carefully controlled examination conditions."

"Without ever practising them before? Are you telling us that the first time we'll get to do the spells will be during our exam?"

"I repeat, as long as you have studied the theory hard enough —"

"And what good's theory going to be in the real world?" Harry blurted out.

"This is school, Mr Potter, not the real world."

"So we're not supposed to be prepared for what's waiting out there?"

"There is nothing waiting out there, Mr Potter."

"Oh yeah?" Everyone stared at him in expectation.

"Who do you imagine wants to attack children like yourselves?"

"Hmm, let's think... maybe Lord Voldemort?"

Mel swore under her breath, this was exactly the kind of stuff they were supposed to be avoiding, and Harry had run straight into the trap.

"Ten points from Gryffindor, Mr Potter. Now, let me make a few things quite plain. You have been told that a certain Dark wizard has returned from the dead —"

"He wasn't dead– but yeah, he's returned!"

"Mr-Potter-you-have-already-lost-your-House-ten-points-do-not-make-matters-worse-for-yourself," said Professor Umbridge, her demeanour changing, but barely. "As I was saying, you have been informed that a certain Dark Wizard is at large once again. This is a lie."

"It is NOT a lie! I saw him, I fought him!"

"Shut up!" Mel hissed, but Umbridge spoke louder.

"Detention, Mr Potter! Tomorrow evening. Five o'clock. My office," She looked like she'd just been granted her biggest wish, which Mel didn't like at all. "I repeat, this is a lie. The Ministry of Magic guarantees that you are not in danger from any Dark wizard. If you are still worried, by all means, come and see me outside class hours. If someone is alarming you with fibs about reborn Dark wizards, I would like to hear about it. I am here to help. I am your friend. And now, you will kindly continue your reading. Page five, 'Basics for Beginners.' "

Harry stood up.

"Harry, no!" Hermione cried quietly, she turned to Mel with a pleading look, but she crossed her arms and looked ahead. He handles his own stuff, she convinced herself, too pissed about his careless behaviour.

"So, according to you, Cedric Diggory dropped dead of his own accord, did he?"

"Cedric Diggory's death was a tragic accident," she said without missing a beat.

"It was murder. Voldemort killed him, and you know it."

"Come here, Mr Potter, dear." She said sweetly.

Professor Umbridge pulled a small roll of pink parchment out of her handbag, stretched it out on the desk, dipped her quill into a bottle of ink, and started scribbling, hunched over so that Harry could not see what she was writing. Nobody spoke. After a minute or so she rolled up the parchment and tapped it with her wand; it sealed itself seamlessly so that he could not open it.

"Take this to Professor McGonagall, dear," said Professor Umbridge, holding out the note to him.

Mel was wondering what was going to happen to Harry when she walked out of the classroom and a younger student stood in front of her, handing her a note. Mel opened it quickly knowing from whom it was, she read it with a new sense of purpose.

'Sugar quills. Tonight after dinner.'

Mel sat down in front of the Headmaster and stared at him, waiting. Dumbledore seemed unimpressed.

"You've got your first class with Professor Umbridge."

"That woman is as close to being a Professor than I am to being a mermaid."

"Professor McGonagall told me Harry had an outburst in the middle of her class."

"He did."

"Why didn't you step in?"

Mel frowned.

"Was I supposed to, sir?"

"You're certainly not obliged, but after all these years I assumed you knew better than to let him speak about Voldemort in front of a member of the Ministry."

He didn't sound upset, but there was an edge on his voice that made her feel uncomfortable about her indifference.

"I tried to get my point across, but she knew who I was and after that, I didn't dare to speak. I didn't want to give her a reason to believe my lessons are more than what they are..."

"I'm afraid Fudge is not entirely wrong about your lessons, Mel."

The girl looked up at the man in confusion.

"What?"

"After the events of last June, I've decided to advance your classes to N.E.W.T levels," Dumbledore replied calmly. "I beg you forgive me, but your studies to become an animagus will have to wait. You'll be learning legilimency and occlumency, and nonverbal spells that you will try to do wandless."

"That's..." Mel started, taken by surprise. "That's okay... why?"

"Professor Umbridge will refuse to teach you in practice because Fudge doesn't want you to learn more than what you already know," Dumbledore explained. "I can't allow that to be your case. I need you to be ready."

"Ready for what? You're not... you're not saying I'm bound to take your place?"

Dumbledore fell silent for a moment before continuing.

"I don't want you to be my replacement. I want you to cover all the aspects that I cannot. I understand, thanks to Emily's letters, that you and Harry have grown apart during this summer, is that true?"

Mel thought about it for a moment before speaking.

"You need me to stay close, don't you?" She said in resignation. "Want me to become Harry's guard? You'll find that hard to achieve, as soon as he found out about the lifeline he cut all ties... He's convinced that this way is safer."

"What we're doing is important and we can't afford to fight in times like this. If you don't stick together, then we already lost."

"It's not that I don't care," Mel started, getting a bit irritated. "I just that he's been acting up on everyone–"

"Have you stopped to think that maybe he's acting this way because he's been cast out?" Dumbledore asked carefully. "He pushed you away, and you decided to push even further. He felt guilty of the pain you went through. I'm not saying you owe him kindness, but I surely expected more of you, Mel. You've always been understanding. What's different about this time?"

'What's different is that he broke my heart', Mel thought bitterly. However, his words did cause her to reflect on her actions.

"We'll start next week then, with the new lessons?" She asked weakly.

"Indeed," He stood up. "I must ask you to keep them in utter secrecy this time. No one must know."

"Umbridge could be listening," Mel nodded.

"Keep a low profile," The man told her once they were standing at the door. "Don't give Professor Umbridge a reason to punish you."

"I believe He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is back, and I believe you fought him and escaped from him," Luna approached them in their way to Herbology. She said all this quickly and without blinking.

"Er — right," said Harry.

"I also believe you and your grandfather are misunderstood geniuses."

"The Headmaster's not my grandad, Luna," Mel replied politely.

"I know," She said like it was obvious. "You can laugh!" Luna exclaimed, unaware that the laughter coming from Parvati and Lavender had nothing to do with her words. "But people used to believe there were no such things as the Blibbering Humdinger or the Crumple-Horned Snorkack!"

"Well, they were right, weren't they? There weren't any such things as the Blibbering Humdinger or the Crumple-Horned Snorkack," Hermione mentioned.

"D'you mind not offending the only people who believe me?" Harry asked after Luna left.

"Oh, for heaven's sake, Harry, you can do better than her! Ginny's told me all about her, apparently, she'll only believe in things as long as there's no proof at all. Well, I wouldn't expect anything else from someone whose father runs The Quibbler."

"I don't think Luna's a bad person," Mel defended. "Just because she chose to believe in something you don't, it doesn't make her stupid or crazy."

"I know that," Hermione rolled her eyes. "But c'mon, Mel..."

"I don't want to hear another word about Luna's 'madness'– she's all right. I don't want to hear any of you calling anyone crazy- I'm sick of that bloody word..."

"I want you to know," Ernie approached them the same way Luna did, "that it's not only weirdos who support you. I personally believe you one hundred percent. My family have always stood firm behind Dumbledore, and so do I."

"Luna's not a weirdo–!" Mel started, put Harry stoped her.

"Thanks very much, Ernie," He stared at her expectantly.

If she was supposed to prove her point on uniting the houses with good manners and a kind attitude, she had to start now.

"We appreciate it," She kept a smile firmly on.

"Oy, Potter!"

"What now?"

"I'll tell you what now," Angelina stormed towards them. "How come you've landed yourself in detention for five o'clock on Friday?"

"What? Why... oh yeah, Keeper tryouts!"

"Now he remembers! Didn't I tell you I wanted to do a tryout with the whole team, and find someone who fitted in with everyone? Didn't I tell you I'd booked the Quidditch pitch especially? And now you've decided you're not going to be there!"

"I didn't decide not to be there! I got detention from that Umbridge woman, just because I told her the truth about You-Know-Who —"

"Well, you can just go straight to her and ask her to let you off on Friday and I don't care how you do it, tell her You-Know-Who's a figment of your imagination if you like, just make sure you're there!"

"You know what?" Harry grumbled, looking over his shoulder to make sure Angelina was gone. "I think we'd better check with Puddlemere United whether Oliver Wood's been killed during a training session, because she seems to be channelling his spirit."

"What d'you reckon are the odds of Umbridge letting you off on Friday?" said Ron as they entered the Great Hall.

"Less than zero. Better try, though, hadn't I? I'll offer to do two more detentions or something, I dunno... I hope she doesn't keep me too long this evening. You realize we've got to write three essays, practice Vanishing Spells for McGonagall, work out a countercharm for Flitwick, finish the bowtruckle drawing, and start that stupid dream diary for Trelawney?"

"I already finished half of all that," Mel said with a pleased smile. "If you didn't spend half of your time moping about homework, you would've done so as well."

"I don't remember asking to be lectured," He replied.

"If it weren't because the teachers are pushing schoolwork down your throat, you wouldn't be learning at all."

"Does it look like it's going to rain?" Ron asked, trying to break their argument and looking at the sky reflected on the ceiling with mild worry.

"What's that got to do with our homework?" said Hermione.

"Nothing," Ron blushed.

"So, dear ol' Ronnie," Mel sat down next to him in the common room, putting an arm around his shoulders. "Trying out for the Quidditch team, are we?"

Ron let out a choked squeak.

"How d'you know?"

"Oh, please," The girl rolled her eyes. "You asked for a new broom! You brought it with you, and you want Harry to be there on Friday because it'd make you feel better. Am I wrong?"

Ron's ears turned scarlet, which was enough confirmation.

"I think it's a great idea," She continued. "I mean, I've seen you fly and I've seen you play... sort of– I could help you if you want?"

Ron hesitated.

"Would you? I don't want to ask Fred and George because they'd laugh at me."

"They probably would," Mel agreed. "I would try out myself but I don't own a broom, so better you than someone else."

Ron let out a heavy sigh.

"I could really use some help, Mellow."

"No worries, mate. We got this."

Mel was having the worst cramps on her right hand ever since the start of the evening. She thought it was thanks to writing more than she was used to, but after a specially sharp pain, she hissed and grimaced, when she looked down she saw a hand that wasn't hers with the words 'I must not tell lies' carved into the skin.

"Mel, you're all right?" Someone nudged her shoulder and Mel blinked coming back to her senses.

She held onto her hand tightly, breathing unevenly she examined it only to see her skin untouched, her anxiety shot up at a dangerous speed.

"Yes," the girl stood up, leaving her stuff abandoned as she walked to the portrait. "I forgot something in the library..."

She rushed out the door not knowing where to go.

'Look for Harry', She urged herself, running towards Umbridge's office.

Ten minutes later she came face to face with Harry, who stopped abruptly at the sight. Mel stopped too, examining his face carefully and picking on the way he was sweating.

"Hi," She said tensely.

"Mel," Harry frowned. "What're you..."

She looked down at his right hand, Harry was quick to hide it.

"What are you doing here?" He asked with a straight face.

Mel wanted to say what she'd seen, but then she remembered what Dumbledore told her, and she was certain that telling Harry the truth would only cause him to push her away, so she lied.

"I was studying with Neville in the library and I forgot my books there, I was on my way to pick them up."

Harry nodded shortly.

"See you later, then."

Mel frowned, last year he would've offered to go with her, but it was clear that he was adamant to keep his distance. She felt stupid, running out of the tower like that after such a minor inconvenience. Harry was clearly okay! It didn't matter what she'd seen, he could handle it on his own.

"Yeah, see you..." She walked past him, her eyes fixed on the back of her hand, rubbing the skin in circles.

In the middle of her training session with Ron, a cramp pulled all the way to her elbow and she closed her eyes for a moment. It had happened every evening since Tuesday, normally she would just drown the pain and focus on her surroundings, but she was especially tired that night.

"I think we should call it a day, Ron," She sighed. "C'mon, it's getting dark..."

They walked in silence until Ron pulled her behind a statue at the same time the twins walked past them followed by a bunch of first years.

"Ron, you have more dignity than this," She whispered. "You need to stop acting like a baby around your brothers! How're they going to take you seriously if you don't give them a good reason?"

Ron was about to reply when a voice called for them.

"Guys? What are you doing?"

"Er — nothing. What are you doing?"

Harry frowned at them.

"Come on, you can tell me! What are you hiding here for?"

"We're– We're hiding from Fred and George, if you must know," said Ron. "They just went past with a bunch of first years, I bet they're testing stuff on them again, I mean, they can't do it in the common room now, can they, not with Hermione there."

"You're a terrible liar," Mel mumbled beside him. He elbowed her arm roughly, causing her to grunt.

"But what have you got your broom for, you haven't been flying, have you?" Harry asked.

"Have you, Ron?" Mel pressed.

"I — well — well, okay, I'll tell you, but don't laugh, all right? I-I thought I'd try out for Gryffindor Keeper now I've got a decent broom and Mel's helping me train. There. Go on. Laugh."

"I'm not laughing," said Harry, glancing briefly at her. "It's a brilliant idea! It'd be really cool if you got on the team! I've never seen you play Keeper, are you good?"

"I'm not bad, according to Mel," said Ron, smiling a bit. "Charlie, Fred, and George always made me Keep for them when they were training during the holidays."

"So you've been practicing tonight? With Mel?"

"Every evening since Tuesday... Fred and George are going to laugh themselves stupid when I turn up for the tryouts. They haven't stopped taking the mickey out of me since I got made a prefect."

"You'll do fine, and if they try to mock you, I'll make sure to hex them afterwards," She replied.

"I wish I was going to be there," said Harry.

"Yeah, so do — Harry, what's that on the back of your hand?"

Harry froze, attempting to hide his hand away.

"It's just a cut — it's nothing — it's —"

Ron grabbed Harry's forearm and pulled. There, exactly the same place she'd been feeling pain all week, were the words she'd seen on her vision. Ron let go of his hand.

"I thought you said she was giving you lines?" He asked coldly.

Harry stared at the both of them, suddenly looking smaller than before.

"She's... she's been making me use this quill... she says it doesn't need ink and I think that's because, well, it's using my blood."

Mel felt her mouth dry. Harry might have been acting up, but he certainly didn't deserve that.

"...I've been writing the whole week with it– and it's been cutting deeper each time," Harry concluded as the reached the Fat lady portrait.

"The old hag! She's sick! Go to McGonagall, say something!"

"No. I'm not giving her the satisfaction of knowing she's got to me."

"Got to you? You can't let her get away with this!"

"I don't know how much power McGonagall's got over her."

"Dumbledore, then, tell Dumbledore!"

"No," said Harry.

"Why not?"

"He's got enough on his mind," said Harry.

"Well, here's a different solution," Mel started. "You go to her office tomorrow, you finish your detention, and then you keep your mouth shut for the rest of the year."

"You can't be serious..."

"I talked to Dumbledore the other day and–"

"And of course you're telling me this just now. What did he say? Surely he asked you to stay out of trouble–"

"He asked me to step in," Mel replied over his voice. "I should've stopped you from getting detention in the first place. I find it funny that exactly the same year I decide I don't give a flying troll about you, suddenly everyone wants me to defend you–"

"Well, I reckon you should —" Ron started, but the Fat Lady interrupted their chat.

"Are you going to give me the password or will I have to stay awake all night waiting for you to finish your conversation?"

Next Chapter —>

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[dysphoric-dumbass13]

guess what bitch. all of the flower asks. if i have to do it, you have to do it

Hahaha, love you too. Asshole.

Alisons: Sexuality? - Hahahaha bold of you to assume I have any clue. I like girls. I like guys. I like nonbinary people. And other people on the spectrum. I’m not pan, idk what though. Plus the label doesn’t really matter.

Amaranth: Pronouns/Gender? - I’m a demiboy, so he/him/his or they/them/theirs. Whichever, it doesn’t really matter. Though I personally feel more masculine.

Amaryllis: Birthday? - Today lol (January 13th)

Anemone: Favorite flower? - Would it be cliche and stupid to say roses? Because those. Weirdly.

Angelonia: Favorite t.v. show? - Damn that’s hard. Between BBC Sherlock, BBC Merlin, Supernatural, Once Upon A Time, and John Mulaney (shut up it counts)

Arum-Lily: What’s the farthest you’d go for a stranger? - It really depends on the situation. I would give away clothing, risk my life, give them shelter in my home, allow them to borrow my phone, but them lunch... I’d do a lot for anyone. Even though I have trust issues.

Aster: What’s one of your favorite quotes? - “Yeah, the asshole who sent me this (love you alex)” - @eyeforaneye-toothforatooth lmao. Truly though? “Your destiny is calling, you better find out what he wants.” and “A half cannot truly hate that which makes it whole.”, both from Merlin, about Merlin and Arthur. They're just so gay.

Aubrieta: Favorite drink? - Tea.

Baby’s Breath: Would you kiss the last person you kissed again? - Meh. Sure. I don’t really care. The one right before that by like 10 seconds, 100%.

Balsam Fir: Have you ever been in love? - Yes. Oh god yes.

Baneberries: Favorite song? - Literally impossible. You are insane.

Basket of Gold: Describe your family. - A disaster. Both biological and chosen. I have 3 little brothers in my chosen family and all of them are younger than me.

Beebalm: Do you have a best friend? Who is it? - I have 5. The bitch who sent me this (love you), Evan, TJ, Shiro, and Sid.

Begonia: Favorite color? - Bloodred and black.

Bellflower: Favorite animal? - Wolves. They’re amazing.

Bergenia: Are you a morning or night person? - I’m not a person. But mornings fuck me up dude.

Black-Eyed Susan: If you could be any animal for a day, what would it be? - A dodo bird. Because they’re all dead.

Bloodroots: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? - So many things. A lead singer of a band (which I might get to do soon, yay), a policeman, an fbi agent, a photographer, etc. 

Bluemink: What are your thoughts on children? - I love them, I’d probably adopt older children because they need it the most, but I love children so much.

Blazing Stars: What are you afraid of? Is there a reason why? - I answered this earlier, “I am afraid of spiders. Because they have so many legs and so many eyes and THEY DON’T FUCKING NEED ALL OF THEM LIKE WTF?!?!?!?!?!”

Borage: Give a random fact about your childhood. - About 75% of the food my brother and I ate was Ramen, Pop Tarts, and instant rice.

Bugleherb: How would you spend your last day on Earth? - With the people I love the most.

Buttercup: Relationship status? - Sadly single :(

Camelia: If you could visit anywhere, where would you want to go? - Ireland. Without a doubt. It’s so beautiful.

Candytufts: When do you feel most loved? - I answered this one too. “When I’m cuddling with someone I care about while watching one of my favorite shows or movies. Or just when I’m cuddling someone I care about. And yes, that includes my puppy. (Funny joke, I’m watching Merlin while watching Merlin) (Merlin is my puppy).”

Canna: Do you have any tattoos? - Sadly no. I will though.

Canterbury Bells: Do you have any piercings? - Two in each ear.

California Poppy: Height? - 5′3½″

Cardinal Flower: Do you believe in ghosts? - Yeah.

Carnation: What are you currently wearing? - Jeans and a flannel, as always.

Catnip: Have you ever slept with a nightlight? - Yes.

Chives: Who was the last person you hugged? - Sid. He’s the best, honestly.

Chrysanthemum: Who was the last person you kissed? - TJ. He’s basically my brother. The person before that was Shiro, and both of those were New Years Day at like midnight.

Cock’s Comb: Favorite font? - Calligraphy. It’s so fun to write in. But in computers, Times New Roman for some reason.

Columbine: Are you tired? - *in Snape’s voice* Alllllllways

Common Boneset: What are you looking forward to? - A good night’s sleep for once.

Coneflower: Dream job? - Lead singer of a rock band, which I’ll probably get to do soon!

Crane’s-Bill: Introvert or extrovert? - Extrovert, definitely.

Crocus: Have you ever been in love? - This question was already asked. But yes.

Crown Imperial: What’s the furthest you’d go for someone you care about? - To the ends of the Earth.

Cyclamen: Did you have a favorite stuffed animal as a child? What was it? - Yes. It was a huge stuffed cheetah. Now it’s a giant stuffed bear from Evan.

Daffodil: What’s your zodiac sign? - Capricorn. I was supposed to be an Aquarius. And I personally think I’m an Aquarius more than a Capricorn.

Dahlia: Have you done anything worth remembering? - Not really. Other than date people.

Daisy: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment? - I don’t fucking know. Winning the school spelling bee in 5th grade?

Daylily: What would you do if your parents didn’t like your partner(s)? - I wouldn’t care. If I love them and they love me, that’s all that matters to me.

Dandrobium: Who is the last person you said “I love you” to? - Sid I think.

False Goat’s Beard: What is something you are good at? - Idk. Singing?

Foxgloves: What is something you’re bad at? - Everything.

Freesia: What are three good things that have happened to you in the last month? - I got a puppy, I got my binder, I gave my (now ex) girlfriend the best gift I’ve ever given in my life.

Garden Cosmos: How was your day today? - Considering all I’ve done is watched Merlin, type this, and cuddle with Merlin? Pretty good.

Gardenia: Are you happy with where you're at in your life? - Nope.

Gladiolus: What is something you hope to do in the next year or two? - Die :)

Glory-of-the-Snow: What are ten things that make you happy/you’re grateful to have in your life? - In no particular order: @eyeforaneye-toothforatooth, Evan, TJ, Shiro, Sid, Merlin, BBC Merlin, Sherlock, Supernatural, Harry Potter

Heliotropium: What helps you calm down when you feel stressed? - Healthily? Dying my hair, listening to music, reading, writing, and getting hugs.

Hellebore: How do you show your affection? - Many ways. Mostly hand hearts, gifts, trust, and hugs.

Hoary Stock: What are you proudest of? - My flannel collection. I don’t know the exact number but it’s immense.

Hollyhock: Describe your ideal day. - cuddling with my friends while watching shows and movies and reading.

Hyacinth: What do you like to do in your free time? - Read. Write. Listen to music. Watch TV. Cuddle.

Hydrangea: How long have you known your best friend? How did you meet them? - ok gimme a sec.

@eyeforaneye-toothforatooth: They hated me when we met. We’ve known each other for... 3 or 4 years? We met in science in 6th grade I think.

Evan: We met in 6th grade. They noticed we had the same flannel on and commented on it. I hated them for like 2 years. Then we became friends, dated, now we’re best friends. I love them so much.

TJ: He was a friend of my best friend’s friend. Started hanging out in 7th grade, been like brothers ever since.

Shiro: Barely knew each other, then kinda “met” in 8th grade. Quickly became friends, dated, became best friends ever since.

Sid: Met him in SAGA this year. He bought me a binder, he’s the kindest person to me at my new school. I love him so much.

Irises: Who can you talk to about (almost) everything? - I can talk to @eyeforaneye-toothforatooth about practically everything. I love them so much.

Laceleaf: How many friends do you have? - Surprisingly a lot.

Lantanas: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received? - Idk. “You look very handsome today.”?

Larkspur: What do you think of yourself? - What an utter piece of garbage.

Lavender: What’s your favorite thing about yourself? - My eyebrows? Idk they look cool, especially when I do them. One’s got a slit.

Leather Flower: What’s your least favorite thing about yourself? - All of it.

Lilac: What is something you liked to do as a child? - Sleep. When I could.

Lily: Who was your best friend when you were a kid? - It changed at least once every year. Paige, Sheyenne, Peyton, Chloe, the list goes on.

Lily of the Incas: What is something you still feel guilty of? - I followed everyone in kinda making fun of this kid who was a trans girl. I felt so guilty about it then, and I feel so guilty about it now. I hope she is living her best life now, and if she’s reading this I want her to know I am so so sorry. And I have felt it too, I have been made fun of for my gender identification. I am so sorry.

Lily of the Nile: What is something you feel guilty for that you shouldn’t feel guilty about? - Idk. There’s one thing I’m sworn not to tell about but the person who asked me this knows, so it doesn’t matter.

Lupine: What does your name mean? Why is that your name? - My deadname? Means “grace of god”, because my family is very Christian. My chosen name? Means “Defender of men; protector of mankind.” Which is honestly just so badass. I chose it because I liked it and it was genderneutral.

Marigold: Where did you grow up? Tell us about it. - Fort Collins, Colorado babyyyyyyyyy. It was nice and peaceful and small and I loved it.

Morning Glory: What was your bedroom like growing up? - Small. Always a disaster. Sadly shared with my brother.

Mugworts: What was it like for you as a teenager? Did you enjoy your teenage years? - So far? Sucky as fuck. I hate it. I love my friends, but other than that I hate it. I’m only like halfway through them anyway. It’s been spent trying to prove to my parents that I am just as good as my brother, who I happened to raise.

Norwegian Angelica: Tell us about your mom. - Awesome. Sweet and kind, short, with red hair, hazel eyes, and freckles. She’s caring, and she was raised in a Christian house but she’s trying so hard to be accepting, to fight against her religion for her child and I love that so much. I love her so much.

Onions: Tell about your dad. - Kinda annoying. Plays video games all day and makes my brother and I do everything around the house. He tries to be nice and stuff but it really doesn’t work that well. He basically says he “doesn’t care” about the whole sexuality thing and gender thing and then he says stuff like “you can’t really know til your hormones have settled” and “Your name is your name until you can legally change it.” It’s stupid.

Orchid: Tell about your grandparents. - Which ones? I have multiple. I have 4 grandmas and 4 grandpas. Tho I suppose they’re all pretty similar. Very Christian, yet pretty accepting. They love me to death. I have one super transphobic grandpa, but basically all of them helped me raise my brother when I was little and my dad was asleep from working nights and my mom was at work all day. I owe them a lot. And I love them so much.

Pansy: What was your most memorable birthday? What made it so memorable? - My 12th. My best friend Val was there and so was my friend Tei and that was it, and they basically got along too well and I was really left out of things at my own birthday party. It was annoying. It was the first time I ever felt true jealousy, and that’s why I remember it so well. I haven’t liked a birthday since because it reminds me of that. I used to like it because it was a day when my parents actually payed attention to me and were off, but now everyone makes too big of a deal of it and I just wish it didn’t exist.

Petunia: If you’re in a relationship, how did you meet your partner(s)? If you’re not in a relationship, how did you meet your crush/how do you hope to meet your future partner(s), if you want any? - SAGA club, he founded it a couple years ago. He’s super kind to me and he does so much for me, god I don’t deserve him. He bought me a binder. And he’s my best friend. I love him so much.

Pincushion: How do you deal with pain? - Healthily? Getting hugs and cuddles from my better friends. I can’t really do much of that lately though. *cries in a corner*

Pink: Where is home? - With the family and friends I’ve found.

Plantain Lilies: If you could go back in time, what is one thing you would stop/change? - Wow. Hard choice. I’d either kill Hitler as a baby, or prevent my own conception.

Prarie Gentian: Who is someone you look up to? Describe them. - Sid if you’re reading this I am so sorry, and I’m so sorry for mentioning you so much. But I look up to him, because he is one of the best people I know. I love him so much. He’s sweet and just sadncaspdnnhciodsifcnsjxsojcm.

Primrose: Describe your ideal life. - Idc what’s going on in it, as long as it’s with my found family and friends. I’d like my depression, anxiety, and ADHD to disappear though, ideally.

Rhondendron: What is something you used to believe in as a child? - Jesus. Or life. Either one works.

Ricinus: Who’s the most important in your life? - That’s hard. @eyeforaneye-toothforatooth, Sid, Evan, TJ, Shiro, Freddie Mercury, Elton John, or David Bowie (may Mercury and Bowie rest in peace)

Rose: What’s your favorite sound? - Music. Definitely music.

Rosemallows: What’s your favorite memory? - When I was at our first organized rehearsal for OneActs. I just love hanging out with so many fellow gays (and yes, I am including the straight twink that is Simon)

Sage: What’s your least favorite memory? - Um, I don’t want to go into detail on that. I was 5. It was bad.

Snapdragon: At this moment, what do you want? - A boyfriend lol

St. John’s Wort: Is it easy or difficult for you to express how you feel about things? - Depends. In a relationship? Pretty easy. Any other time? Near impossible until I break.

Sunflower: What is something you don’t want to imagine your life without? - There’s 3. Pie, music, and my brother TJ.

Sweet Pea: How much sleep did you get last night? - I doped myself up on melatonin so about 7½. Usually its between 1 and 4, if I’m lucky enough to fall asleep.

Tickseed: What’s your main reason to get up every morning? - The people I care most about. My best friends. Also the reason I don’t stab myself through the heart. They keep me going. I love them all so much. They mean too much to me to hurt them, if I could in any way.

Touch-Me-Not: How do you feel about your current job? - Living or school? Either one I hate it. I don’t have an actual job.

Transvaal Daisy: What’s your favorite item of clothing? - My flannels. Or my band tees. Or my leather jacket from TJ.

Tropical White Morning Glory: Describe your aesthetic. - I don’t fully know what this is asking. I guess the smell of worn flannel, old worn leather, grease from a car, hair dye, smudged eyeliner, and conjoined lips? Idk.

Tulip: What would be the best present to get you? - Idk. Best present I’ve ever recieved was a binder. But I’d say worn flannel from a thrift store.

Vervain: What’s stressing you out most right now? - Grandparents spamming my phone with “Happy Birthday [deadname]!!!” texts

Wisteria: How many books have you read in the last few months? What were they called? - Idk dude.

Wolf’s Bane: Where do you want to be in life this time next year? - Dead or with a partner.

Yarrow: Do you know what vore is? - Oddly enough, no. But I don’t think I want to.

Zinnia: Give a random fact about yourself. - I have green eyes.

Kass I hate you.