#but they also need to consider WHY he acts this way towards Cedric

[captain-amadeus]

Going to be honest, I don't think they ever explored nor tried to frame anything to their friendship falling out.

The most they reference to Cedric and Roland being friends in their adulthood is Sofia encouraging Cedric to spend time with Roland.

"It'll be like two friends spending a whole afternoon together."

"I bet my dad would love to have a friend to see the exhibit with." "And I shall try to be that friend."

Quotes like that are promoting the idea that Cedric could win back Roland's trust with Sofia reminding him that they used to be friends and still could.

But they don't work out at first.

It's pretty rough to see Roland during the episode. He isn't completely justified in treating Cedric so harshly, but it's not like he doesn't have his reasons. It's like you said about Roland not having forgiven him yet. But those sparks of hope when they were at the exhibit and Cedric tried winning him back showed there was still something in Roland that still appreciated Cedric. A soft side to him that he can't bring himself to display once he assumes Cedric is behind stealing Grimhilde's crown.

At best, he gives a chance to his advances, and at worst, he gets furious at what seems to be Cedric attempting to steal the crown.

In a way, Roland has become just as harsh as Goodwyn and Cordelia. This all traces back to Cedric's trauma and how he believed getting back at the people who hurt him would make him happy when what he really needed was to be treated kinder. He needed the respect and trust of his family and peers, and by being blindsighted by revenge, he lost someone who would've been more understanding had he not caused him to lose faith.

This is all to say if there's anyone to blame for getting in the way of repairing their relationship, it's Wormwood.

Out of anything that made Roland mistrust Cedric the most, it was believing Cedric to be behind stealing the crown.

It was Wormwood wanting to continue serving evil that led him to betray Cedric's wishes to become good.

That led to Roland doubting that Cedric had changed.

That led to "the crown is mind!" Scene.

I'm sorry, but it really annoys me how the episode 'In Cedric We Trust' acted like Cedric and Roland were always super close and that it was Cedric's betrayal/attempt to take over the kingdom that destroyed their childhood friendship.

It makes the from-out-of-nowhere reveal (in 'In Cedric We Trust') that they were super close as kids all the more random and clumsy.

Like, the childhood "Incident" that permanently destroyed Cedric's reputation and relationships (including with Roland)- which was already revealed in 'Through the Looking-Back Glass', and came out before 'In Cedric We Trust'- was a separate matter from Cedric's betrayal. Roland always held Cedric in disdain because of his total lack of trust in his competence in magic (but he still trusted his actual loyalty), but Cedric's betrayal also destroyed Roland's trust in his loyalty, only further ruining the bond they once shared (and their working relationship before Cedric's betrayal) instead of being the cause of it like 'In Cedric We Trust' seemed to imply.

In fact, if Cedric's freezing of the royal family and attempt to seize the throne hadn't still weighed so heavily on Roland's mind- if Cedric had never committed treason in the first place- then Roland likely would have reacted much more to the shocking revelation in 'The Looking-Back Glass' that the Incident was never Cedric's fault and that his reputation/relationships were unfairly destroyed for no reason. Roland would have felt much more remorseful. But he couldn't bring himself to acknowledge that he was wrong about Cedric being a bungler all those years, much less apologize, because his lack of trust in him for his treason was still too great and made him stubborn... despite what he already knew about how hurt and angry Cedric always felt about his treatment at everybody's hands ever since childhood, when Cedric revealed to Roland why he tried seizing the throne after the guards seized him in 'Day of the Sorcerers'; at Sofia and even Miranda's reasoning, he even actually agreed/acknowledged that Cedric couldn't have had it easy and that maybe they should treat him better.

I hc that after Roland's trust in Cedric was restored at the end of 'In Cedric We Trust' and their friendship began to be mended, Roland's faith in his magic was also fully restored (as indicated when he asked Cedric if he had a spell to fix the damaged landscape, then praised him on a job well done), and that shortly after that episode Roland actually apologized for his part in Cedric's lifelong pain. Like, that's when the realization and remorse for all he went through hit him.

Anyway, it was handled sloppily. But that was par for the course for the writing in most of season 4.

[hurt-over-comfort]

Story & OC introduction!

Hello! So, after far too long of a wait, I have finished this OC introduction post! 

In the future I’ll think about how to organize this better, maybe as a google docs or maybe as a separate website, but for now this is as good as I can make it. 

It might be quite long given the sheer amount of OC’s introduced so I kept the descriptions to a minimum - I’d love to expand on that later once I decide what’s the best way to do it. Also, all asks about characters and the stories are super welcome! I love talking about my blorbos.

This post focuses on introducing one of my two main stories and their casts, but all of these characters exist through different AUs. I will share more details about the second story soon, I haven't finished writing descriptions for that one yet : (

“JOINT VENTURE” AKA COLLEGE AU

My main squeeze, the story I think about most often and what I consider the ‘baseline’ for the character’s personalities. It's definitely a whumpy story, but I doesn't focus exclusively on whump.

In short, it’s a story of the destructive relationship between two college students and how their decision to partner up and make some cash haunts them. A story about addiction, desperation, control and loss of it, of all encompassing love and betrayal. It’s doomed, it’s tragic, it’s abusive, it’s gay!!! Content warnings for the story: sadism&masochism, torture, noncon.

I’d love to elaborate, but to not make this post any longer than it needs to be, here are the featured characters!

1. ALBERT

My main guy, nr one little guy inside my head. I love my Oc’s equally, except for Albert, whom I love the most. (I also hate him the most, so it equalizes.)

Albert is a rich kid fuck boy who everyone only pretends to like. He’s a rather bright chem-engineering student who spends most of his time getting drunk, high and having lots of party sex. It seems like life handed him a golden ticket - good looks, filthy rich parents, great education - and maybe that’s why he started acting out, because it all was going too well. And now it’s harder to pretend that everything is great, which makes him try even harder, become faker.

The only person who truly sees through him is Cedric and maybe that’s why he hates him so much. Only sometimes, he doesn’t hate him - sometimes he feels a wild yearning for any shred of Cedric’s validation or affection, and he buries that feeling so deeply that he’s not aware it’s even happening. He prefers denial - denial that everything is amazing, that he didn’t fuck up his life entirely, that Cedric is no one to him. It works until it doesn’t and for these times even the usual vices don’t stop him from spiraling. He hates it, or maybe he doesn’t, it’s hard to tell - He’s so dangerously masochistic that he might just be in love with being miserable.

2. CEDRIC

(OC of the lovely @whmp)

Albert’s roommate and the absolute bane of his existence. The person who hates him the most and conversely the only one that can put up with his antics. He’s spent so much time trying and failing to get away from Albert that now he just accepts him as any other inevitability of life. Vaguely aware of Albert’s feelings toward him and even less aware of his own feelings for him. 

A major control freak about everything in his life, from academics to personal relationships. Will claim he just want to be left alone but will get lonely if that actually happens. He’s aloof and quiet with a tendency to be outright mean and sarcastic when in a bad mood, sees people mostly as noisy distractions. Annoyingly aware of his own intelligence, definitely thinks he’s better than other people. In between studying and dealing with Albert he has a little business on the side - synthesizing drugs. 

3. NICKY

Cedric’s sweet boyfriend, a chronically online liberal arts major and Albert’s number one secret hater. He’s not the smartest, but he makes it up with his enthusiasm and a general aura of positivity. Will make you a delicious meal if asked, but will also go on twitter and argue for hours about the stupidest, most inconsequential things. In between watching anime and romanticizing every aspect of his life he loves to game with Cedric’s weirdo friend, Leo. 

4. LEO

(Also OC of @whmp)

An absolute social reject shut-in loser who spends most of his days browsing very questionable websites and forums. Doesn’t mind people, but doesn’t like them either - he’s so apathetic it’s hard to make him care about anything, really. That includes being likable, so he never tries to cover up his nature (he sees any relationship as a transaction anyway). Not hard to get along with if you can stand him, but you probably shouldn’t try because he’s not a good person. Not so secretly sadistic - maybe he loves it so much because violence and abuse is one of the only things that can make him feel anything. Awkward most of the time, especially for those incredibly rare times where he feels any attachment to a person. Stay away at all cost.

5. DARCY 

A wicked demon in the vague shape of a man (metaphorically). There is little humanity left in him, or maybe there was none there to begin with. Bastard son of a prominent cartel leader with high ambitions how to run things and 0 actual leadership power. He’s the clean up guy, tasked with disappearing the people that the cartel doesn’t need anymore. And before he buries them in the desert somewhere, why shouldn’t he have some fun with them? They can have a lovely evening or two and when whatever is left of them is dropped into a shallow grave Darcy will have already moved on. 

6. CECILE 

Albert’s accomplished older sister. They talk sometimes, and she worries about him a lot, but their relationship is rather strained. Her life is a constant juggle between her demanding job and family life, and maybe if she keeps it up she’ll have no time to think about the life she could have had. About the people she had lost. 

7. WILLOW

Willow used to be a best friend of Cecile back when they were younger. They’d sneak off at night and go onto the grassy fields, setting up a picnic to enjoy it just as the sun rises. They’d talk for hours while laying on their back and staring at the sky, hands so close their fingers could touch if any of them would be a little braver. They were close and wanted to be so, so much closer, but you can’t get everything you want in life, right?

---

That's it for now! Very excited to be sharing all of this with you! The picrew used is the amazing sushicore!

Here is also a little sneak peek at some of the characters of my second story while I work on writing descriptions for them!

[mrabubu]

Does Syanna deserves redemption, and why she doesn't?

Ok, so by this moment some of you might know that I'm a huge fan of The Witcher 3, and for some time "Blood and Wine" DLC and it's endings been a huge dilemma for me. When I played it the first time about 3-4 years ago, I didn't really though much about my own choice, and went for "the best ending", because everyone considered it to be the best, but after all this time I started to think, is it really the best, and does Syanna really deserves redemption and to be forgiven? So, to finally summarise, I've decided to make this post, with my own analysis, facts and lines from the game itself... Because I just need to get it out of my system, so yeah... Let's start.

So my main problem in all this is Syanna herself, her motives, past and all... Yeah, ok, she was traumatized, treated awfully by her family, but after some analysis, I don't feel any sympathy towards her.

People use her childhood as an argument to her actions, but has anyone though about if she even tried to act differently? From what we learn from the game, and from Anarietta herself, Syanna never even tried to change. Syanna had many chances to stop this all or to start over, but she didn't care, because she didn't want to change. She admits herself that even if she had a chance (and she did had) to start over, she wouldn't change anything, and if people see her as a monster, she will be one.

Even Anarietts herself admits and never hides that Syanna was cruel, selfish and possessive.

Not to mention unquestionably terrible things she did and didn't feel any remorse or even laughed at, like the story with Cedric and his brother whom he killed because of Syanna's "prank". Torturing fairy tale creatures in the land of a thousand fables to the point when they feel terrified when she approaches. Or even that story which led to her exile: why didn't Syanna stop Anarietts from setting those balloons on fire which they then threw at that envoy? I'm no doctor, but I'm pretty sure this didn't went without any consequences for him.

After some thinking, I can't even be sure that Anarietta is to blame. Anarietta was the youngest in the family, and as most youngest, she looked up to her older sibling. In some way, Syanna was the one who raised Anarietta to be the way she was and to be like her older sister. Even Syanna admits so, by saying that Anarietta wanted to impress her. Syanna had to take responsibility for her actions, or at least understand that when time will come to find a culprit, she will be the one to blame. I will also remind that Syanna spent most of her life as a bandit, even became a leader of the gang, which means she probably did a lot of more terrible things, stealing, blackmailng, hurting or even killing people for her own gain. I'm pretty sure she wasn't a female version of Robin Hood.

Syanna's "motivation" lies in resentment toward a child, and even after decades, Syanna never understood that her 12-13 year old sister couldn't do much to change what was coming. Even Geralt understood all this after knowing her for a couple of days.

She never wanted to try and contact Anarietta, talk to her about all that happened then. A grown up, probably about 30-40 years old woman, holding a grudge towards a child, whom Anarietta was back then. She was fine to just kill her younger sister without even trying to solve this peacefully, just ask "why?", even though Anarietta herself tried to find Syanna, but she "didn't wish to be found", to which Syanna never argued, meaning she willingly avoided any chances to talk this out, while Anarietta was the only one who actually held love towards her sibling throughout all these years and tried to do something.

And Syanna saying that she's angry with Anarietta not because she didn't stood up for her, but because "she forgot", I'm sorry, sounds like total b u l l s h i t, because we know and she knows this isn't true. After all this I'm not even sure Syanna really loved Anarietta, if she so easily convinced herself that her little sister is a traitor, forgot about all that they been through, and after at least two decades the only way for her to solve this is to just get rid of Anarietta by somebody else's hands and make an entire scene of this like it was a perfomance. Irony of all this is that Syanna accused Anarietta that she didn't stood up for her because she wanted to take the throne to herself, but a lot of things points to that it is Syanna who just uses her "trauma" and knight's "dishonesty" as an excuse to kill her sister and take the throne. After all this, this was her point at the "court".

The difference between Syanna and Dettlaff is that Dettlaf doesn't kill for fun or joy, while Syanna does. Make Cedric kill his brother was a joke to her. Setting a person on fire made her laugh, "Never laughed so hard in my life", as she said.

Using and blackmailing a person who loved her meant nothing to her and never made her feel guilty or shame, even to the point of blaming him for being too trusting.

Even Geralt was used by her, which she admits at some point by telling she was nice to him only to "get him to sleep with her", which makes this whole thing even more disgusting for me as in all this situation one of the few thing Syanna could think of was s e x. People to her is nothing but toys or tools, even those who love her and saw in her more than she is.

Another difference between those two is that Dettlaff actually tried for many years, if not decades, to live peacefully among humans, helping them, and that is a fact backed up by words or others, and not only by Regis's words, while the only person who tried to defend Syanna was Anarietta, only because they were siblings and Anarietta felt guilty.

And another only person who could tell something about Syanna was her another simple victim she used and manipulated for her own gain.

Even her decision to help to stop Dettlaff doesn't feel like something she decided to do willingly, but something she did under pressure, because she had no choice. She admitted herself that she would prefer just to run away rather than face Dettlaff, but I guess it's hard to do so when another higher vampire and a witcher standing in front of you.

And do you remember that moment when we first got to the land of a thousand fables, and Syanna asks us what are we doing here, and if we choose the sarcastic line, she genuinely doesn't understand why are we ended up here, meaning she either forgot about Dettlaff's threat and her "promise" to help, or just didn't care from the start.

And, honestly, right after Dettlaff fled and Syanna met Anarietta, why didn't she try to stop Anarietta from taking her away? Didn't she just told us that Dettlaff means no joke and meeting with him is "the least she could do"? Why didn't she try to argue, saying that Bauclair is in danger now, and that Syanna has to go and meet Dettlaff. From what we got, it more looked like Syanna wanted to be taken away to sneak out later and just run away.

If we would've gotten a scene where we see that Syanna had a chance to run away but in the end decided to keep her word, that would've been one thing, but all that we see is that she either goes willingly, or Geralt and Regis will probably drag her to Tesham Mutna with broken legs.

But you know what could actually fix this whole situation for me? If in the game we were told that Syanna actually tried to change. If in this accident, that led to her exile, it would've been established that Syanna tried to stop Anarietta, and when she tried to explain what actually happened no one believed her, and Anarietta didn't tell the truth, all this would've actually worked. But no.

And after all this, in the end, she never admits her fault. Everyone, in her opinion, was to blame, while she's the one and only saint and innocent, who did nothing wrong. She never apologises for what she was doing to people, never thinks that maybe some part of her life was the cause of her own actions and not wanting to at least try and not provoke others. We have, as an example, second DLC, Hearts of stone, where we have Olgierd, who was also a terrible man, but the main difference between Syanna and him, that he admits he himself caused what he got, that he caused so much pain to those he loved,

and in the ending where he survives, we at least see him wanting to start a new life, even tho he lost everything he had and loved.

We don't see anything remotely like this from Syanna. While Olgierd regects his past and decides to start a new life, "take faith in his own hands", Syanna keeps blaming the world for everything wrong in her life, her parents, her sister, the knights, never considering that maybe she also did something wrong.

And in this "best ending" everyone just forgave her and forgot about all these sick things she did across her life, while our/Geralt's best friend, who we know for a long time, if you consider books, helped Geralt many times, once already died fighting for us in the battle agains Vilgefortz, basically tortured himself to find out why Dtttlaff is doing what he's doing, in this ending became "anathema", is chased by his own kind, and had to kill a person who saved his life and was the one who actually tried to change.

And so, in the end we have a sadistic, self-centered psychopath, who used, hurt, manipulated and lied to those who trusted her, never expressed any kind of remorse towards those she hurt, never reflected on her life and never even tried to change to prove that she's a better person from who people though she was.

If to choose, I would choose to safe Dettlaff, because unlike Syanna, he tried to change, and I do believe that this character could be redeemed and never wanted any of this from the start, and the fact is a fact that if not for Syanna, nothing of this would've happened. After learning more about Vampire's lore, talking to Regis about how hard it is for them to live among humans, I actually feel sorry for him and Dettlaff. Yes, Dettlaff did terrible thing, he's impulsive and because of that many people died, but that's why the game give us an option to kill him too. I, myself, would never choose to save Syanna and give her a happy ending after all she did and whi she is. For me, she's unquestionably unredeemable.

[alheria]

Ownership (one-shot)

Ghost fucking hated joint exercises.

They always felt so...unnecessary, especially now with his many, many years of unquestionable, extensive experience and equally impressive mission portfolio. He's a cold-blooded, efficient, reliable killer, but apparently that is not enough for the army. The ten days long training scenario with allied international teams was mandatory, what he learned during the hopeless attempt to somehow get out of it.

"Please, don't test my patience Simon. Suck it up.", Price said, not even for a second looking up from the documents he was working on. That guy surely didn't take anyone's crap and it showed. Ghost couldn't blame him, being in charge was not easy, a tremendous responsibility of keeping a bunch of reckless idiots alive mixed with a shocking amount of paperwork. Himself, Ghost would never want to be in such position, immensely enjoying the exclusive field work. But it doesn't change the fact he was still pissed. Fucking bullshit, stupid ass exercises.

And if that was not enough, something weird started happening around his boyfriend.

The new guys seemed to really like him.

Which was rather surprising considering König's intimidating and unapproachable aura combined with the spooky looks of a crazy tall, ripped beast wearing a creepy mask. Also, the young soldier was openly hostile towards strangers, not interested in making friends unless it was absolutely necessary or somehow beneficial. He often remarked that there is no reason to bother if you're probably never gonna meet them again. Quite a reasonable assumption in their field of work to be honest.

Why the sudden change then? What was so different about those soldiers, he decided they were worth his precious attention? 

Ghost had no fucking clue. But wished he had because this whole peculiar ordeal was weirding him out.

They knew each-other for almost two years now, been officially dating nearly a year and a half, and it was the first time he witnessed the Austrian publicly act in such manner: engaging in an actual conversation and using whole damn sentences instead of nodding in silent acknowledgement. Sounds like something completely normal, although not in this case. In addition to being big and scary, König was very quiet and noticeably withdrawn due to rather prominent social anxiety he still struggled with. It took the lieutenant months to get his utterly fascinating partner to feel truly comfortable around him, even though the two of them crossed the intimacy line not too long after they met. And all that hard work to uncover what exactly hides under the thick protection layer was totally worth the trouble.

At least that's how it felt before. Cos right now, it looked like König didn't mind acquainting with a bunch of random people, opening up a little. Perhaps it was a positive sign, he needed to start working on those social skills sooner or later for the teamwork's sake, and it probably wouldn't be troubling Ghost much if not for that one soldier who literally glued himself to the Austrian.

The fucking French guy.

A vibrant red light flashed in his mind the second they got introduced. There was just something about that non-stop smiling man rubbing the lieutenant the wrong way. Cedric, or whatever the fuck his name is, was slightly taller than Simon, but rather slim build, had very short dark hair and something sparkled in his brown eyes when he saw König for the first time.

Since then, he constantly followed the masked killer, talking about devil knows what and making the Brit's instincts scream in an itching need to eliminate the unlikely threat. Why did he perceive this dude in such an intense way was a mystery. Never being in a relationship before, the concept of being jealous was not only hard to comprehend - admitting to it seemed impossible. Ghost was too proud to have such juvenile feelings, especially ones implying he has vulnerabilities of some kind. It was also incredibly stupid to think his boyfriend might cross the line. König would never. They were working great as a couple, their extremely different personalities surprisingly turned out to be a perfect fit, and it was obvious how deep their bond is. Yet, he talked to Cedric as if they knew each-other for years, was visibly comfortable in his presence, clearly wasn't minding the unfamiliar hands frequently touching his arms, back and waist as they laughed together. And maybe at night the Austrian as usual kept sneaking into Ghost's too small for the two of them bed to fall asleep between his strong arms, but somehow this sense of uncertainty didn't want to leave him alone. It was fucking annoying.

So on the sixth day of this shitshow, when Gaz had to physically stop him to prevent a major case of "friendly fire" from occuring, after the French soldier whispered something right into König's covered ear, Ghost decided enough is enough. His boyfriend needed to stop being close with that guy right fucking now, or double murder will be on the menu tonight. 

Not wanting to make a scene in public because it's not how a stealthy assassin operates, Simon patiently waited for an ideal opportunity to strike, forcing himself to stay calm and vigilant while that fucker shamelessly flirted with the seemingly clueless Austrian. Oh, how he wished it was an enemy soldier, not an ally. He would be long dead.

Luckily, an opening to act formed on the very same day, after everyone was done for the day and more than ready to hit the bunks, exhausted by a challenging training scenario, including the lieutenant who after having a work related chat with Price, slowly walked back to sleeping quarters when he saw it, and rage started to burn. There was a hand in the middle of König's chest firmly pressing him into the hallway wall, while the other palm gently pulled on the thin face cover, as if the Frenchman was trying to persuade the younger man to remove it. Which was absolutely not fucking happening for two reasons:

1. There was nothing König feared more than having his mask taken off in public, and would never consent to such a thing.

2. No one was touching Ghost's boyfriend without his consent.

The lieutenant quickly crossed the distance between him and the pair, grabbed Cedric's neck and shoved him backwards, right into the opposite wall.

-Learn how to keep your hands to yourself, or I will fucking break them. -he warned, gazing furiously at the terrified soldier struggling to breathe with a strong hand tightly squeezing his throat. Ghost for a second considered holding for a little too long. End his life. But feeling something repeatedly tug on the back of his shirt, the Brit hesitantly let go of the suffocating man who immediately fell to the floor, and dissatisfied turned around towards the clearly distressed Austrian. His eyes turned glossy, making the lieutenant's anger slightly fade. -With me. Now. -ordered, grasping König's arm before dragging him in their room's direction, leaving the heavily panting man behind.

It was an unpleasantly silent walk, tension so dense, a knife could cut right through. The younger soldier obediently followed his boyfriend, knowing well-enough that a visibly pissed Ghost should not be messed with if one wished to stay alive, what he learned the hard way a while ago when he got himself separated from his team and recklessly injured. 

-Ouch! -the Austrian whined once his already sore body roughly hit the wall the second they entered the dark bedroom. -The fuck you doing Simon?! -questioned when the lieutenant's muscular arms cornered him, desire to kill resonating from his hostile posture.

-You're mine. -he growled. -Mine, and no one else's.

Till death do us part.

-Of course I am, you know that! What is this about?! -demanded the younger man, struggling not to break the painfully intense eye contact, aware his partner hates when he tries to avoid confrontation. It was uncomfortable, but it truly did help to be a little more assertive.

-I just very much dislike my property being played with. -the Brit responded vaguely, confusing the hell out of the other soldier, who thought the anger was caused by his new friend crossing the line when he wished to see the hidden face.

-What are you talki...Ach du lieber Gott! -König gasped once the shocking realisation hit him like a truck. It wasn't about Cedric messing with the mask, it was about Cedric in general! Someone was feeling insecure. There was no reason for him to worry and yet, he almost killed the poor French guy to protect what's rightfully his. -Babe, are you jealous? -he asked confidently, despite suspecting that bringing up such a delicate subject to an already furious assassin might not be the brightest idea.

-I don't get fucking jealous! -Simon barked before dropping his pounding forehead onto the Austrian's shoulder. He was exhausted from all those intrusive, unidentifiable emotions mixed with rage spin inside his mind. -I don't. -sighed in resignation.

He was jealous.

Or rather afraid to lose someone so insanely important to him, the sole thought made him feel sick. Ghost didn't think at this point he could just...let König go. He owned every piece of that beautiful man, who unknowingly had Simon wrapped around his finger.

-So this whole week...you must have been in agony. -implied the Austrian, wrapping the long arms around his boyfriend's wide back, leaning down to speak closer to the covered ear. -Watching Cedric and I get a little too close, spend nearly all the time together, talk, laugh, touch. How did that make you feel? -whispered, gently caressing the tense spine with gloved palms. 

Ghost snorted in disbelief. How did that make him feel?! 

Like there was an itch under his skin he couldn't scratch off. An annoying sensation that intensified terribly any time he saw the two men together, lost in their too comfortable world he wasn't a part of. It fel...wait. What did König just say? Getting a little too close?

...he knew that soldier was flirting with him.

He knew...because he allowed him to!

-...fucking bastard. -Ghost hissed, roughly pushing himself away from the taller man's embrace, pure fury burning in his eyes. -You did it on purpose, didn't you?! You flirted with that French fucker to piss me off! -he shouted, firmly grabbing his boyfriend's shirt and violently shaking the heavy body. -Why?!

-Doesn't matter why! -the Austrian refused to explain, clearly embarrassed by getting caught red-handed, and scared a bit. He just wanted to make Simon jealous, didn't expect his silly game to escalate to the point of being in real danger.

-It does to me! -the Brit informed, his tone somewhat calmer but still dead serious. -Babe, I need you to tell me what I did. Now. -demanded, letting go of the trembling soldier, taking a step back to give him space.

-...you called me your friend. -König mumbled after a moment of hesitation, and upon hearing that, the lieutenant's jaw just dropped.

You've got to be fucking kidding me.

Roughly two weeks ago, the two of them were chilling in a bar after a "civil" mission in a big tourist city, when an old acquaintance of Ghost appeared out of nowhere. Surprised by this unexpected meeting, he might have introduced his boyfriend as a friend. Which was an honest mistake, the lieutenant was still not used to being in a relationship, let alone talking about having a long-term partner. He didn't even realize what happened until now! That adorable idiot seriously needed to learn how to properly communicate his problems. 

-You're a fool, König. You should've said something, I would've corrected myself, you know I would. -he sighed, gesturing for the younger man to take his mask off. Once the blushed face was in full view, he cupped those soft cheeks and pulled his boyfriend down for a sweet forehead kiss before letting go. -Well, I wanted to teach you a lesson for acting up, but perhaps in this situation, I should let it slide. -the lieutenant shrugged nonchalantly, already moving away towards the tiny bathroom to shower before sleep.

-I strongly disagree! -exclaimed the taller soldier, quickly grabbing Ghost's arm to stop him. -For being a brat, I absolutely deserve to be thoroughly punished!

And, oh, Simon did like hearing those words very, very much.

-Alright then, you attention-seeking whore. -the older man nodded, swiftly removing his own mask as he circled the Austrian and stopped behind his back. -On your knees, sweetheart. -ordered firmly, and without a warning, swung his shin right into the back of the soldier's knees, making him instantly fall to the ground with a loud thump and a surprised gasp. The younger man was thanking the heavens for the soft knee pads when Ghost shortly appeared in front of him, holding his thick, half-hard penis in the large palm. -You know what to do.

König's eyes went wide, dry throat subconsciously swallowed at that mouth-watering sight. Of course he knew. His lips instantly parted, tongue slid out in an inviting gesture, ready to taste the hot flesh. Not wasting any time, Simon roughly shoved his length into the opening, and began to fuck the choking soldier's face, his pace absolutely brutal. It was crazy hot, seeing the scary killer tear up while the fat dick deprived him of oxygen. Nevertheless, the Austrian seemed to lack gag-reflex, clearly well-used to having this cock in his mouth. Thinking about it made Ghost rock hard. The wave of pleasure encouraged him to speed up the thrusts, chase the desired release. To make himself feel even better, he cupped the head and held it steady as his hips bottomed down in the contracting throat.

-Goin' to come, baby. -he groaned, feeling the orgasm approach slowly but steadily. The precise movements soon turned erratic, breathing got louder, euphoric fog clouded the sharp eyes. A few more times the lieutenant slammed into König's mouth before burying himself fully inside to reach the ultimate relief. 

-Good boy. -the Brit praised his starved for air boyfriend as he withdrew, a warm hand gently caressed the flushed cheek. -Now, I'm going to take a shower. In the meantime, you'll get naked, prepare your pretty ass to be fucked and nicely wait for me right here on the floor. -Ghost ordered, crouching down to meet the glossy eyes. -If you touch yourself, I'll break your arms, is that clear? -he asked, firmly squeezing the painfully erect crotch strained by tight pants.

-Yes, sir. -the Austrian obediently responded, earning himself a second tender forehead kiss prior to his partner leaving.

Simon did not plan on taking a break, however it somehow felt appropriate to make König wait as an additional punishment for his shameful behaviour. And oh, despite being more than ready to fuck that slutty hole, he did take his sweet time, knowing his boyfriend won't disobey, will be sitting in the exact spot he pointed at, silently begging for him to return and touch the neglected penis.

Ghost was not wrong, once he left the bathroom, the big, scary, naked assassin was on all fours, chest plastered to the ground, head resting on a flat pillow, wet with lubricant cheeks high up in the air, exactly where they needed to be. The position was so erotic, the lieutenant's dick fully hardened in an instant, a purr escaped his dry throat as he approached, hungrily squeezed the muscular globe while the other hand traced the spine, sliding down to the neck it firmly grabbed and pressed to the floor. Bent over his man, the Brit kissed the burning shoulder and whispered:

-I hope you prepared yourself well.

König's mind glitched when the wide shaft forcefully slammed deep into his tight hole, filling him to the brim. Not giving a chance to get used to the feeling of being stretched insanely wide, the cock quickly retreated, just to thrust again a moment later. Ghost's brutal, powerful rhythm clearly mirrored how he felt seeing his boyfriend around Cedric - like he was about to lose his fucking mind and go on a rampage.

-You're mine, don't ever forget that. -Simon groaned, clawing onto the trembling hips, ensuring there will be bruising. Maybe no one would see it, but the knowledge this beautiful, strong body is marked with his presence was somehow comforting. The Austrian didn't respond, busy moaning and whining as the massive penis constantly grazed his sensitive prostate. After such a long time, the lieutenant knew exactly which angles turn the vicious killer into a whimpering mess. To tease him even more, he slid one hand towards the erection, trapped the base between two fingers that only sat there, putting some much-needed pressure, although not making König feel any less frustrated, opposite actually. -Apologize. -Ghost demanded, slowing down the thrusts, ruining the approaching orgasm for both of them. What was something he did not enjoy doing until one day, by an accident, he learned how emotionally his partner reacts to being denied sexual pleasure once he was close to release.

-I'm so-so sor-ry!...It was a mmmistake! -the younger soldier cried out, his voice muffled by the pillow. -I was s-s-stupid!...Ne-ever aa-gain...promise! I promise! -he assured, hopelessly wriggling his butt to feel some more friction inside, where the soaking wet cock moved horribly slowly.

...so pathetically predictable.

Ghost laughed at that clear distress, and promptly adjusted the speed to get them back on track, his thrusts very purposeful, aiming to make them feel good quickly, so they can catch as much sleep as possible. The hand holding the twitching penis, wrapped fully around it, finally started jerking the leaking shaft as their bodies collided. The sudden flood of arousal overwhelmed König's barely working mind to the point all he could sense was Simon's burning touch. Nothing else existed.

-Now. -the older man ordered, realizing he is merely a push away from falling off the edge. The Austrian understood the vague request perfectly, his stretched insides contracted violently when the painfully hard cock for the last time thrust into Ghost's palm. The Brit's weight instantly pressed him to the floor as he heavily overflowed the hole, his own spending penis uncomfortably trapped between the floor and his chest kept releasing as well, no end to be seen.

They stayed connected on the dirty ground until it became unbearable, too greedy and exhausted to let go right away. Once they parted, the lieutenant had to physically drag the other soldier under the shower, his limbs numb from the awkward position, brain still not operating properly. He was sore, weak and needed Ghost to take care of him. Which always happened, no matter how mad Simon was.

A truly responsible owner. 

-König, you asleep baby? -he asked as they lied together in the too small bed, entangled in a close embrace, the satisfied Austrian peacefully dozing off on his naked chest. -I have something important to tell you.

-Not yet. Soon. -mumbled the younger man, leaning into his boyfriend's hand gently caressing his damp hair.

-Good. -Ghost whispered, and before elaborating further, pressed a tender kiss to the flowery smelling head. -Flirt with someone else ever again, I'll make you dig your own grave.

Then I'll personally snap your neck.

[hellmouth-manor]

Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes | Nikephoras | Trial 1.3 | Re: It’s dire in here

[♫♫♫]

At first, Nikephoras thinks this has to be a joke.

Which is funny, since he’s never been the joking type. No time for jokes when every minute of your life is spent towards your survival. Years of living like this has made his body hardwired to be at a constant fight or flight— with the latter being only a courtesy option. It’s always been a fight, and perhaps that’s why his mind keeps on fighting against him, so much so that it’s decided that the only possible explanation to all this was that it had to be some kind of joke. One big fucking joke.  

Surely, it couldn’t be the case that the first person he’s ever considered his friend, the first person he decided to trust in this hell game, would also be the first to betray them. To betray him. 

Nikephoras waits. 

She waits, and waits, but the punchline never comes. 

Of course, it doesn’t. Why would it need to? There’s already one standing right there, wearing a stupid blue dress, fists clenched so tight, the nails start to break skin. 

(There are people yelling around her. Their words blur all together, yet she knows what they say, probably because they’re the same things she wants to yell too.)

In a flash, their pulse quickens. The white heat rushes through their bloodstream so fast, it’s dizzying. They couldn’t tell what’s up from down, what’s left from right, all they see is red.

“…What if we swore on it? If nothing else, we’ll always try to be honest to each other. Even if you say different things…I just have to trust you and your intentions.”

“…you’d do that? Trust me?” (…) “"Not that I’m not trustworthy or would take advantage of that! I wouldn’t! I just—that’s not—people don’t usually—”

“—I’ll swear it. I’ll try really hard.”

Her own voice rings in her head:

“I won’t let myself get tricked. Not again.“

What a joke. What a cheap joke.

The words accidentally slip out more hurt than angry:

 “You stupid boy. You goddamn idiot.  I trusted you.”

Cedric Pryce is an idiot, but he was the type of idiot who never knew when to shut his mouth. The type who you’d punch in the face once because he teased you a little too much, then immediately feel bad after. The type of idiot who you shared quips with and could somehow pull a smile out of you. The type who calls you fun and other stuff and drags you out to a sleepover because he thinks you deserve to be there. The type who tells you many secrets and share pinky promises with.

He wasn’t the type of idiot who would try to get away with murder; who’d think about pushing an ice pick through another man’s throat, so that he didn’t scream.

Nikephoras feels cold all over.

“You had so many chances. When you woke up that morning, when you messaged him, when you were in the kitchen, when you held the icepick in your hands– you had so many chances to change your mind…to do the right thing.”

“So why…Why didn’t you…!”

And the question they want to ask is: Why didn’t you come to me?

Maybe they could’ve stopped him. Maybe they could’ve talked about it like they always did.

And a quieter voice lurks and whispers: maybe you would’ve helped him too.

Because for all the things she would and wouldn’t do, Nikephoras is still a selfish person at heart: to put money above another person’s life is stupid, but to lose someone she cared about over such a stupid reason…that’s the one thing she couldn’t bear to watch.

Maybe Nikephoras is a hypocrite that way.

“That’s why you’re not allowed to die here, Pryce. You’ve got a whole lot of demons you need to prove wrong.”

But in the end, it’s the demons that won, and there’s nothing Nike could do but watch.

“…How exactly do you want to go, Cedric Pryce? As a liar? As a coward?”

Nike looks up at him— and within the fury, pain lingers in the edges of their gaze. 

“To say none of it matters…I take insult to that. You took someone’s life– at least act like yours meant something." 

[captain-amadeus]

I feel the "Magnus mistreated his staff" theory only sort of applies to Greylock, but to say that's why Slickwell wanted to become steward of Enchancia leaves out the context of the entire episode.

Think about it: if Slickwell was desperate to stop serving Magnus, why would he have to specifically look towards taking Baileywick's job of all positions? Even if it would've been easier to get rid of Baileywick because of his age, it doesn't make sense considering Slickwell wasn't presented as needing to escape from Magnus because of any mistreatment.

In fact, he shows time and time again how happy he is to be sabotaging Baileywick with the Pin of Klutzenheimer. He SINGS a song about it too, expressing how it's always been his dream to be steward of Enchancia in that same song. Not steward of any other kingdom. Steward of Enchancia.

He's specifically going for Baileywick's job not because it would be easier, but because he intentionally wants his job because it's his dream.

His behavior even shows him being content with serving King Magnus. Sure, he looked nervous when asking if he could take over for the Jubilee, but that's because he had to ask for permission, still trying to ease his way into becoming a steward for Roland. He doesn't want anyone to realize what he's doing, so until he was able to officially hold Baileywick's position, of course he's going to act nervous.

He's literally trying to play it cool until he can snag the spot.

He fails of course.

Slickwell's motives are pretty clear because his motives are actually presented, but when Greylock, someone who worked for Magnus and wasn't given any explanation for being in Day of the Sorcerers, the theory that he didn't want to continue being underutilized or trapped by Magnus seeps into Slickwell's motives because they worked for the same person.

Of course, if you think Greylock wanted to overthrow Magnus because of the motives of all the other sorcerers, then it's reasonable to assume that was the same motive for Slickwell wanting to become steward of Enchancia, despite how it was merely his dream to and would go committing terrible and cruel surprises to achieve his goal.

It's ironic because even with Greylock being a fan favorite, Slickwell is more fleshed out than him. Despite being in a single episode, his role as the antagonist intrigues me more since he has a clear motive that speaks to his character and makes worth of his sole appearance in the show.

Greylock's role could've been more present in the series than Slickwell, absolutely. Slickwell never came back because his voice actor was Christian Borle. As far as I know, Borle does cameos in shows (and hazbin💢 in many musicals like Something Rotten as Shakespeare and Some Like It Hot as Joe/Josephine), but Disney probably wasn't able to get him back even when Slickwell says his iconic line, "You haven't seen the last of Slickwell," and promptly trips over.

Meanwhile. Mitchell Whitfield worked with Disney more, with shows like Vampirina as Demi, as well as provided voice acting for Boo, another character from the show in the episode "Ghostly Gala"

They were also able to bring him back for Day of the Sorcerer, but probably wasn't able to do Greylock due to his workload. Other than the fact that they might've seen Greylock as another side character who would only have the one episode, if they had brought him back, they should've given more time for him to be a friendly rival for Cedric since he does give off that sort of energy; being a constrast of Cedric's seriousness and them working well together with their different mindsets. And they should've never taken the cameo in Day of the Sorcerer to begin with because of how much it went against what we know of Greylock.

They really handled his character as a seat warmer for the group of sorcerers despite him showing no interest in overthrowing anyone. They literally made Greylock a villain just to fill in someone who would go overtake Rudistan. Although a kingdom that's been established to exist in EverRealm, the fact we never get to see Rudistan at all? Rudistan pretty much served as expedition for Day of the Sorcerers, sacrificing what could've been fully fledged locations and characters.

All in all, I sadly think it would've been better to have left Greylock at Baileywick than butcher his established character.

And because it's canon, fans have to reason why Greylock was even there, again, leading them to assume theories for Greylock also apply for Slickwell just for being related to the same king.

Tl;Dr.: Slickwell was a one-hit wonder, and Greylock should've been kept the same because how they destroyed his character wouldn't be worth it.

Why did Slickwell wanted Baileywick's job so much?

If King Magnus were a good boss then Slickwell wouldn't have tried to take Baileywick's job in Enchancia, neither Greylock would try to take over the kingdom/accept to be part of the Order Of The Wand.

What are you doing with your employees, King Magnus?

(Once I saw a theory that Greylock took over the kingdom (which made a lot of people confused because he apparently didn't had any reason to do that) because the king expects too much of him, when he just wants to be treated like a person. King Magnus seed him more like a trophy then a royal sorcerer. Maybe it's the same for Slickwell)

But is it so bad that the only two characters that work for him (that we have seen until now) are trying not to work for him anymore, in different ways? King Magnus what are you doing with your employees?

[dreamescapeswriting]

Pumpkin Juice ~ JJK [Request]

WORD COUNT: 5K

PAIRING: slytherin!Jungkook x Hufflepuff!Reader

GENRE: HogwartsAU, Harry Potter Universe, friends to strangers, strangers to enemies, enemies to lovers who have secret crushes on one another, touch her and I’ll kill you vibes, there is no wizard war in this so shhh, everyone is happy...Fred is Fred .

A/N: I used the “Wheel Of Names” to generate who would be used for this imagine and I got Jungkook, I thought since I didn’t give anyone a chance to request him I would do this as a one off for now :) 

Ever since you could remember it had always been you and Jungkook together, since you were kids you were always hanging out together and having fun. You'd met when you were younger, both your wizarding families had been friends for hundreds of years so it was fate that you and Jungkook would get along with one another. The two of you could never be separated, spending time with one another so much that people considered you siblings or some would even assume that you were dating. Your parents hoped you would date Jungkook since he was one of the best wizards in the country along with you by his side, the two of you were exceptionally smart and everyone had high expectations of you but once you began attending Hogwarts however, all of it changed. Instead of being your rock as he had been for all those years, Jungkook became a total stranger to you, being placed in Slytherin changed his personality for the worst. He began hanging around with all of the wrong people, Draco and Pansy influencing him to become one of the worst people you'd ever had the displeasure of knowing. 

Even in your final year, he was still pretending as though he'd never even known you, escaping to talk to you whenever he could though and in the summer he would attend parties at your home as if nothing had changed. As if he hadn't spent the entire school term torturing you and your friends with mean nickname and chants that they had been coming up with. The worst one being a song they had curated around Cedric's death in The Triwizard Tournament when he knew that you and Cedric had been dating for some time. 

"Look who it is, the book worm." You heard a familiar coo as you sat in the library one day during a free period, this voice didn't fill you with dread as many others did within the school grounds. 

"Fred," You greeted coldly, pretending to be mean to him as you tried to focus your mind on the potions book in front of you trying to get everything to set in your mind, Snape was always on at you for being behind in his class but it wasn't your fault. Potions weren't something you wanted to take but it was forced upon you by your family, almost every member was a master at potions except for you. Quidditch was where your skills laid and you could have been a professional if you could keep your grades up but you kept getting "D"'s in your potions class, 

"Another Dreadful?" George chimed in as he sat down beside you on one of the wooden chairs, glancing over at the latest potions report card you had gotten back, you slid it under your book not wanting anyone else that was inside of the library to see or overhear what was being spoken about.

"Snape hates me, that's all there is to it." You grumbled as your eyes continued to scan over the same sentence again and again but it was as if your head wasn't taking anything in that you were reading. 

"You just need a good tutor, someone who is exceptionally brilliant at potions," George said as he began straightening out his robes, brushing them off as he was clearly speaking about himself, 

"Someone who is also exceptionally good looking, charming and funny." He added as he put his elbow onto the desk, staring at you as he waited for you to take the hint. You smiled at him pretending as though you were taken in by everything he was saying, 

"You're so right Georgey...But where would I find someone like that, Hogwarts is filled with Idiots." You winked at him pushing his elbow out from underneath him and laughing in sync with Fred as George hit his head onto the wooden desk below him. 

"You're so mean to me," George began pouting out his bottom lip you were about to give him a sarcastic comment back when a shiver ran up and down your spine and the nearby candles blew out. 

"Well, well, well, it's the Weasleys and their little Weasley Whore." You shuddered at the sound of Pansy's voice, it was like nails on a chalkboard to you as she made her way over to the desk. Glancing you up and down as she spotted the report card sticking out from under your book.

"How was your Potions exam?" She asked as she pulled out a chair across from you, you knew she didn't care about your exam so you began to slowly pack your things up in silence, wanting nothing more than to get away from her and study in peace.

"Not so fast!" She called out, slamming her hand down onto the book in front of you and dragging it towards her with a giant smirk across her lips. 

Sliding out the report card the smirk only began to grow as she saw the large blood-red D written on the top of your card, 

"I would have given you a T so it would match you," She tilted her head to the side faking sympathy as she said something mean to you,

"T for troll...Get it? I thought I would explain seeing as you're so stupid," Fred went to step forward to say something but you clutched his wrist, it wasn't worth the fight or the detention you would no doubt get from Snape if he heard you were standing up to one of his favourite students. 

"Oh, this is a recent development," She snickered, staring down at your hand that was wrapped around Fred's pale wrist, the boy began to shake with anger but you tightened your grip. 

"I'm sure Jungkook would love to hear about this, maybe we could add a verse to the Weasley Is Our King song with Y/n in it as well!" She jumped up from the chair with excitement and began giggling as she walked out of the hall, humming the tune to the song she had referenced. 

"Not worth it, if Snape hears someone stood up to her there'll be hell to pay," You reminded Fred who was beginning to rant on about how Pansy had the face of a dog and the breath of one trying to get you to laugh. 

"It's nothing, I need to go and study some more in the common room, maybe I can convince one of the house-elves to sneak me some food," You nudged George as you got up from the table walking out of the library and down to the moving staircases. 

While on your way to the Hufflepuff common rooms you passed Jungkook who was standing outside the kitchen as if he was waiting for you to come by which would have completely outlandish to everyone else but to you it was normal. His leg was kicked up against the wall, nose down in a book as his eyes scanned over the text that was inside, 

"Struggling with something?" You questioned making him jump a little as he looked up from the Astronomy textbook, his leg dropped to the floor as he nodded at you. 

"I'll meet you at the Astronomy tower tonight but keep Pansy away from me, that was my deal with helping you with your studies," You reminded him of the deal you had made that summer between the two of you. 

Trapped inside your bedroom you waited for Jungkook to say something first, all-year-long he'd been torturing you relentlessly with Pansy and Draco. The name-calling and the persistent annoying pranks he would do were starting to get to you but in the summer he was the old Jungkook you knew and loved pretending as though nothing had happened. It was the same every year and you hated it. You couldn't see any reason why he acted the way he did in school,

"It would be nice if we could still be friends at school instead of pretending that you hate my guts," You mumbled as you watched him, he was sitting on the floor in front of your dresser, knees pulled into his chest as he listened to the party that was going on downstairs for your mother. The two of you were supposed to be doing the summer reading but your head was starting to pound with all of the new information and Jungkook was struggling with his Astronomy textbook.

"I can't...If I did that-"

"They would all hate you and you would feel like an outsider in your own wizarding house," You repeated what he had to you over a thousand times back to him in a mocking tone and he sighed looking at you, he never meant to hurt you when you were in school. It was all just supposed to be a joke but this time it had gone too far, joking about Cedric was one of the worst things he could have possibly done. Jungkook had known how much you and Cedric liked one another which was one of the reasons he was rooting for Cedric to lose in the tournament he'd never been good at placing his feelings but he knew jealously when he felt it.

"I am sorry about Cedric, he was a good guy." He mumbled not believing what he was saying but he knew he had to be there for you, deep down he had no idea why he was so jealous of you and Cedric all he knew was that he was and it made him feel like he had to be mean to you about the boy you liked. 

The room fell into silence as you both listened to the faded music playing downstairs, you never knew what to say when someone bought up the reminder that your ex-boyfriend was dead.

"Will you help me study this year?" He asked out of the blue, making you glance up at him and nod without thinking about it first. The two of you would normally study together in the summer, what difference would it make in the School year. 

"I'll make you a deal, we help each other study and I'll keep Pansy and Draco out of your way." He offered, reaching out his hand for you to shake if you accepted the deal he was making.

"Sounds like a good idea to me," You shook on it before sliding off the bed and sitting beside him, where Jungkook struggled in Astronomy you were great and where you struggled in Potions Jungkook was great it was the perfect combination. 

"I do keep her away from you but I can't watch her all of the time," He laughed softly as he looked at you but you weren't laughing, you were too angry from the fact that she had been mocking you again when Jungkook had promised to make all of it stop and for the most part it had. He wouldn't torture you as much as he had done for the last few years and he had done his best to keep Pansy out of your face, 

"Keep her on a short leash or Dogface will get a punch," You poked his chest as you began walking towards the entrance to your common room, it was no secret to where it was hidden since everyone and their great aunt seemed to know where it was located. Not to mention most Hufflepuffs allowed all of their friends to come and go whenever they wanted, 

"I've never been inside the common room," Jungkook hinted as you reached the barrels, 

"And you never will," You smirked evilly at him waiting for him to leave but he continued to stand there waiting for you to go inside so he could follow you in but you weren't going to move. 

"Jungkook, what are you doing down here?" Taehyung's voice rang out from the top of the hall, he had a tray of what looked like baked goods in his arms as a house-elf pushed him and Jimin out of the kitchen. 

"Torturing the house-elves again?" You questioned the two of them, folding your arms over your chest as a blush crept onto the two Hufflepuff's cheeks as they made their way over to you,

"We needed sustenance for our all-night-long study session," Jimin whined as you hummed at him, taking a cake from the top of the tray Taehyung was holding and began eating it waiting for Jungkook to leave once again. 

"I'll see you in Divination class," Jungkook whispered as he walked back down the hall backwards, his eyes never leaving yours despite being stared down by Taehyung and Jimin who turned to you as soon as the dark-haired boy was out of their sight.

"Flirting with a Slytherin, how scandalous," Jimin wiggled his eyebrows but you pushed him to the side, knocking on the barrel in the correct order before heading into the common room.

Instantly greeted by the warmth of the fireplace that was burning and the small chatter from everyone in the room, sitting beside Scarlet - one of the girls in your year - was Jin from Ravenclaw as they studied together...Well, it looked like they were staring down into the root of a plant but since they both loved Herbology so much you assumed they were studying.

"That's what it looked like to me," Jimin mumbled as he followed you over to one of the giant armchairs where you sat yourself down and took out your book to prove you were ignoring him. 

"You need classes then, there is and never will be something going on between me and Jungkook." You snapped as you looked up at him with piercing eyes as if you were daring him to say something else but he stopped speaking and you went back to reading. 

Divination class was normally one of the most laid back subjects you had taken in the school, it was all mostly a bunch of guessing work as well as skillfully avoiding getting asked to demonstrate by keeping your head in the book and avoiding Professor Trelawney's gaze as much as possible but today you could sense something was going to happen. 

As soon as you first walked in and saw Pansy on your table you knew there had to be something going on that involved pairs and bonding with other students for different Houses. 

"Pansy dear, you go first." You held back a snort at the idea of someone calling Pansy dear, Professor Trelawney was attempting to get everyone to read one another's future. A crystal ball was the only thing standing between the two of you on the table and it was taking everything inside of you not to pick it up and launch it at her face, maybe it would have made an improvement if you had.

"I see that Y/n is..." Pansy began staring into the ball intensely as she squinted a little everyone began to watch her as she dragged on the anticipation of everything,

"Y/n is going to get a "T" in the next potions exam," You scoffed out as everyone else in the room began to erupt in laughter, everyone that was except for you and Jungkook who was staring at you with "I'm sorry" eyes. 

"Do you know what I see?" You asked sarcastically as you looked at the ball in front of you and then back up to Pansy who had one eyebrow raised at you, 

"That the stupid dogface will fall off her broom in the next quidditch match this weekend," Pansy stood up ready to fight when Professor Trelawney clapped her hands together loudly and asked for the next pair to try and do it properly this time. Meanwhile you and Pansy exchanged looks as she threatened you with her eyes, you knew she was plotting something inside of her mind and you couldn't wait to see what it was. Not. 

Later that night when everyone was asleep you'd managed to sneak out of your common room and make your way up to the Astronomy Tower, you would have apparated yourself there but you still didn't have your license thanks to George and Fred distracting you one time and getting you caught between a wall.

"Took you long enough," You hissed playfully to Jungkook as he made his way into the tower and sat beside you, you had a blanket laid out on the floor beside the telescope that was already pointing where it needed to be for him to study Jupiter's moons. 

"I set everything up so you don't have to worry about it," You brushed off your legs as you raised up to greet him, he smiled at you. Even in the low light, the smile he was giving you sent your stomach into a whirlwind of butterflies, ever since Jimin had mentioned you flirting with him you'd began to see Jungkook in a different way and the romantic setting of the moon wasn't helping you fight back those feelings.

"You didn't have to, I just need help remembering which is which." He sighed as he walked over to the telescope with you, peaking through it to see that you'd already put it into the perfect position for him to see each moon.

"Which is why I did this, you can focus on remembering...Now, start with the red one."

The studying had gone brilliantly Jungkook was well under his way to remembering the moons and some of the named stars that surrounded it.

"Thank you again...and I'm sorry about Pansy earlier, she's just being a bitch because Draco has started to ignore her," You laughed at the thought of Draco ignoring Pansy, everyone knew how much of a crush she'd had on him for years. 

"It's fine, I'm used to her, but you're all going down in that match at the weekend," You teased as you placed a grape into your mouth, laying down on the blanket as you looked out at the night sky, Jungkook laying beside you so close to you that you could feel his chest rising and falling with every breath that he took. 

"You're on," He chuckled, turning to look at you as he watched you. He adored the way your eyes would light up whenever you looked up into the sky, the way your eyes seemed to shine no matter what light they were in, it made his head spin and his stomach do flips whenever he caught you.

"Thanks again...For helping me study," He whispered as he watched you waiting for you to look at him, 

"Well it's no problem-" You stopped when you realised how close you were to one another, your faces inches away as you stared into his eyes. Both of you so lost at how close you were that you hadn't heard the door to the tower open and Pansy making her way up the staircase, 

"I-I want to do something," He whispered to you as he moved a little closer, you stayed perfectly still as if you moved it might scare him away and you licked your lips. 

"Go for it," He leant closer to you, his breath touching your lips and making you shiver from how cold it was on your now wet lips. The two of you stayed like that, lips hovering above one another until you finally smashed your lips together, having enough of playing the waiting game. He smiled against your lisp, pressing his body against yours as he wrapped his arms around your body your heartbeat danced as he held you close to him. This was your first real kiss with someone and it had been someone you'd loved all these years without knowing it until right now until his lips were brushing against yours and your heart was trying to leap out of your chest. 

Pansy froze as she saw the two of you making out on the floor, she knew Jungkook had been meaning to study and was going to "accidentally" bump into him tonight so she could help him only to find this. While everyone thought she had a crush on Draco it was the opposite, she'd been crushing on Jungkook since the beginning of time but what wasn't there to love about him. Once she saw you weren't going to pull away she stormed off in an attempt to find Snape and lead him to the tower.

The weekend quidditch match had come faster than you expected it to, the week seemed to pass in a blur and Pansy, for the most part, had left you alone. You figured she was training for the match and focussing on that instead of focussing her attention on you so much which had been nice since you were trying hard not to focus on the kiss that had happened with Jungkook. It wasn't that you didn't want to think about it you did but he was insisting on telling everyone you were dating which meant everyone would know you were together. The pro to that would be that the teasing would finally stop and you could be with the man you loved but the con would be that everyone would know, the teasing could increase and you knew your parents would instantly start planning a wedding. Not to mention the two of you were up against one another in a quidditch match and you were both highly competitive against each other. 

"Here," George said as he handed you a small weaved basket filled with cupcakes inside, 

"What is it?" You laughed thinking it was one of their inventions but George shrugged his shoulders before pointing out the gift tag that was on the side of it, your name was written in cursive writing. 

Dear Y/N,

Good luck today, if I kick your ass please don't be too mad, I'll take you out on a date for it...Astronomy tower? ~ JJK 

A warm feeling spread through your body as you saw the note from him, quickly throwing it away before any of your teammates could sneak a look. 

"Cupcakes for us?" Fred called out loudly gaining the attention of the whole Hufflepuff tent who swarmed around you for the cupcakes, leaving one for you to take as you shook your head. 

"In the lead, we have Hufflepuff by 3 points, all we need is for someone to catch the golden snitch," Lee Jordan yelled out as you flew under Jungkook winking at him before doing a turn on your broom and heading over to Fred and George who high fived you. 

"Rub it in their faces," George laughed as he watched you steadying yourself, the match had been going on for almost an hour now and you were starting to get a little light-headed but you weren't going to let up, your team needed this win.

"Y/n?" Someone called out but their voice was faint as you felt swear pooling around the top of your head as you tried to focus on what was happening. The match was going on around you but it felt as though you were even there, you felt sick, faint and as if the whole world was upside down on you.

"She's going to fall!" Someone screamed out from the crowds right as your grip loosened on the handle of your broom, suddenly there was a rush of air coming at you as you fell towards the quidditch ground, the cold air cooling you down as you fell freely. 

"Catch her!" You knew that was Jungkook which only made you smile as you fell, it was nice that he was showing his caring side for you despite wanting to hide it all those times before whenever you would get hurt in a match. You could still remember the first injury you had, 

"You should have been watching where you were flying," Cedric barked at you as he sat beside you in the hospital wing, you were getting your arm stitched up since you'd accidentally flown into one of the stands in the match, cutting your arms and legs open but nothing too bad.

"You okay?!" Jungkook's panicked voice called out as he burst into the hospital wing thinking that you were alone, as soon as he saw Cedric bis blood boiled. If he'd been training you properly you never would have flown into the stands so this was his fault, 

"Showing a caring side for a puff?" Cedric laughed sarcastically as he watched Jungkook storm over to you, if there was anyone else in the wing he wouldn't have bothered coming near you but Cedric was Cedric. 

"You could have hurt yourself a lot worse than this," He mumbled as he looked at your arm and then into your eyes as his eyes filled with tears at the thought of you being injured even a little.

"Jungkook? Came to torture pipsqueak?" Draco taunted as he opened the door, your arm was dropped and you looked away from Jungkook who instantly began to pretend he didn't care that you were hurt when it was obvious that he did. 

"You should have heard the scream she made," Draco laughed loudly as he began to imitate you in front of everyone. 

Waking up to a bunch of hushed voices you groaned, your head felt as though you'd been hit over it by a cauldron around fifty times and you were praying Madame Pomfrey wasn't going to give you any more of the disgusting-tasting medicine she had been. You'd been in and out of sleep most of the night and you couldn't remember anything that had happened, it was all a blur from the tent to the pitch. 

"She'll be a little groggy but she's okay," Pomfrey announced to whoever was standing beside the bed, your eyes blinked open as you adjusted to the light coming through the windows. Taehyung and Jimin were standing by the bed holding a basket of cakes and fruit and on the other side was a worried looking Jungkook who was still in his quidditch gear despite the match ending yesterday.

"He hasn't left since he brought you in," Jimin smirked as he placed the basket down on the nightstand beside your bed, 

"I told you, you liked him." You would have picked up one of the cakes to throw at him as he left with Taehyung if you didn't feel so weak but you rolled over to face Jungkook. 

"That stench is you then." You laughed weakly as you sat up in the bed, leaning against the metal frame as you tried to remember what had happened in the match. You hadn't hit your head and there were no curses that you knew of that would do this to you. 

"I'll get you some water," Jungkook whispered as he got up and placed a small kiss on your forehead, he headed behind one of the curtains and began pouring a drink in silence when the doors flew open. 

"Well if it isn't Little Miss Y/n," Pansy squawked as she sat down beside you on the bed, almost crushing your leg which was still healing from the fall.

"Did you enjoy your cupcakes?" She smirked and that was when it hit you, the cupcakes that had been from Jungkook, It had been the only thing that could have done something so harsh to you but why hadn't it done anything to anyone else who had eaten them? It didn't make sense,

"Don't go looking too confused, if you paid attention in potions you would know why it only worked on you," She quipped, placing a cupcake from Jimin's basket into her pocket. Jungkook's grip on the jug of water tightened from behind the curtain, Pansy had no idea that he was even there and it made his blood boil. 

"Stay away from Jungkook and it'll never happen again," She told you as she got back up ready to leave when she was suddenly thrown against the wall by a blast of blue coming from Jungkook's wand. 

"Kookie!" You gasped out as he walked over to her, pinning her to the wall by her robes as he stared deep into her eyes, 

"Don't come near her, don't even breathe in her direction! If I even find out that you so much as glanced at her I will kill you." He pushed her a little before stepping away, 

"She's an ugly, good for nothing loser and I will kill her-" You flinched at the thought of her trying to kill you and it didn't go unnoticed by Jungkook. Before Pansy could continue on her mouth was suddenly zipped shut and you froze looking at Jungkook who shook his head, 

"You insulted her, threatened her and made her flinch...I won't forget that and neither will my parents." He whispered as she shuddered, walking away from him. He knew how much his parents meant to her since they were some of the most well-known wizards in the community and she so desperately sought their approval.

"You're intimidating when you want to be," You laughed softly as he walked back over to you, running his hand over your cheek and smiling to himself. 

"I have to protect those I care about," He whispered before leaning down and kissing you once again. Your heart skipping a beat as soon as your lips connected but just as soon as it started it was over, he pulled back and made a disgusted face, 

"Pumpkin juice," You laughed as you realised he could probably taste the medicine you had been having since the night before.

Tagline: @lyoongx @mitzwinchester @rjsmochii​ @taestannie​ @kneel-begyourpardon​ @sw33tnight​ @sweeneyblue1​ @innersooya​ @jin-from-the-block​ @acciocriativity​ @mwitsmejk​

[accioromione]

okay im a Romione shipper but I always had this question..you know how harry + hermione are like brother and sister, why is it that although Ron and Hermione met and grew up with each-other during the same time, they developed feelings, why did this never happen for Harry or Hermione?

Ouuu you got yourself an analysis. I did feel lazy to write...but I’m going into essay mode now. Literally I can make a video on this lol. 

Okay so obviously for there to be mutual attraction- both parties have to like each-other. So I will explain why they both don’t like each-other like that individually. 

Let’s start with Mr. Harry Potter. 

Now we know he doesn’t think she’s ugly. But if you read the books, even in Hermione’s Yule Ball scene, he never has a physical reaction to her. When he described her looking pretty it was just that, ‘she looked pretty.’ With Cho and Ginny however, we see that he describes their looks alongside a physical reaction he has to them, when he see’s cho there’s a ‘jolt in his stomach’ and later Ginny, ‘a raging monster in his chest,’ he never experiences this with Hermione. So although he doesn't think she’s unattractive, he himself, is personally not physically attracted to her in a way that renders a reaction. 

Next, remember that Ron and Hermione are Harry’s FIRST friends. He did not grow up with a sister, and the only relative his age is Dudley, who bullies and abuses Harry. He’s mentioned as having no friends in school, and he’s been isolated his whole life. It makes sense that he would develop a family like connection with the first people in his life to show him affection. Look at how attached he got to Hagrid, because Hagrid was the first adult figure in his life who helped him. After Ron and Hermione, he has two friends, it makes sense that he would not be as attached to the next people he meets from then on. 

Hermione’s personality is not one that Harry is attracted to romantically. As a friend, yes. But romantically, she is quite the opposite. The reason he loses attraction for Cho is because she becomes emotional after Cedric’s death. Harry hates this. Harry does not deal with emotion well at all. And this is a result of developing humour as a defence mechanism for abuse and trauma. Harry wants someone he can joke with, someone he can escape his trauma with. He simply is uncomfortable around highly emotional people. Hermione is a highly emotional person, she cries a lot, and is very passionate about things. Harry wants a ‘chill’ girl a ‘go with the flow’ girl and Hermione is anything but. He does not want to play the comforter,  he is so uncomfortable around emotions that people have speculated that was due to he Voldemort inside him. However, I think it’s because after years of trauma, abuse, being an orphan, losing so many loved ones, he turned off his emotions, rather than deal with the tragic reality that was his life. If he wasn’t able to do this, he would not have been able to defeat Voldemort in the first place. Ginny is perfect with Harry here, because she grew up with six brothers, she is essentially the ‘chill’ girl Harry is looking for. 

Hermione questions him. One of Harry’s flaws, that also kind of makes him a hero in the process, is that he is confident in his plans and abilities. He does not like being questioned. Hermione does not blindly listen to Harry, she questions him and does it often. Much to Harry’s annoyance. In OOTP when she questions him, and says he has a saving people thing, he gets so angry with the fact that she could even think he’s wrong, and does not consider for a second that he just might be. Hermione’s always the first to nag Harry about what he does, and Harry despises this. Example, when Hermione lectures Harry about the Prince’s book because of what Harry did to Malfoy. 

“I won’t say ‘I told you so,’ ” said Hermione, an hour later in the common room. “Leave it, Hermione,” said Ron angrily.

Harry had never made it to dinner; he had no appetite at all. He had just finished telling Ron, Hermione, and Ginny what had happened, not that there seemed to have been much need (…)

“I told you there was something wrong with that Prince person,” Hermione said, evidently unable to stop herself. “And I was right, wasn’t I?” “No, I don’t think you were,” said Harry stubbornly. He was having a bad enough time without Hermione lecturing him; the looks on the Gryffindor team’s faces when he had told them he would not be able to play on Saturday had been the worst punishment of all.

Give it a rest, Hermione!” said Ginny, and Harry was so amazed, so grateful, he looked up. “By the sound of it, Malfoy was trying to use an Unforgivable Curse, you should be glad Harry had something good up his sleeve!”

“Well, of course I’m glad Harry wasn’t cursed!” said Hermione, clearly stung. “But you can’t call that Sectumsempra spell good, Ginny, look where it’s landed him! And I’d have thought, seeing what this has done to your chances in the match —”

“Oh, don’t start acting as though you understand Quidditch,” snapped Ginny, “you’ll only embarrass yourself.

See the difference between the two? Even Ron gets Harry...Hermione just doesn't have that stop button. She doesn't really care about how a person feels, if they’re wrong, well, they’re wrong. She doesn’t just do this with Harry. But for someone like Harry, who already thinks the world is against him, this is a big deal. He needs someone like Ginny who will defend him, not someone like Hermione who will question him. 

She’s not fun enough for Harry. Harry likes adventure, Harry likes humour, but Harry can’t do it alone. He vibes off of the people he’s around. It makes sense, Harry deep down, is a very sad person. When he’s left with someone who isn’t lightening the mood, he can easily be dulled out. As we see in GOF,

"You miss him!" Hermione said impatiently. "And I know he misses you -"

"Miss him?" said Harry. "I don't miss him. . .

But this was a downright lie. Harry liked Hermione very much, but she just wasn't the same as Ron. There was much less laughter and a lot more hanging around in the library when Hermione was your best friend.

Ron and Harry are different in that Ron does not have the trauma Harry has. Ron doesn’t NEED to be filled with positive people all the time. He can simply BE the positive person. Hermione’s lack of humour in situations or seriousness, doesn’t impact Ron, because, well he can deal with it. He can make jokes on his own, just like Ginny can. Harry and Hermione are incapable of doing this, especially later on in the books. They need to be surrounded by people that bring out this side in them. Ron can stay silent for two hours with Hermione in the library and not think about Voldemort, Harry can’t, he needs a distraction, he needs people that are the  ‘lives of the party.’

Hermione is too passionate about things for Harry. Harry- I have it worse Potter, cannot be bothered to debate about things like SPEW or care enough about Hermione’s school schedule. He simply has bigger things going on. He needs someone that understands this, that doesn’t add extra burden or stress into his already stressful life. 

Now for Hermione,

Hermione is naturally a perfectionist and a worrier. This is not because she enjoys worrying, she simply cannot help it. Having someone like Harry, is a worrisome thing, she is CONSTANTLY worried about him. This is not something you would want on your significant other, with Ron, she’s more at ease, yes he has his problems, but, they’re simply not as excessive as Harry’s. She can avoid worrying as much when it comes to Ron, and simply enjoy her moments with him, this is something that brings her peace. 

Hermione needs someone who values her opinions. Ron is that person. They are always fighting because Ron is actually listening to what Hermione has o say, he actually pays attention to her passions and interests. He doesn’t agree with them all the time, where as Harry I have worse potter, zones her out. In third year, Ron is wondering where she is all the time, he is confused about her schedule, Harry doesn’t care, the man who betrayed his parents escaped Azkaban, whats a few more extra classes? Hermione, as passionate as she is, needs that, she needs someone who cares about what she does and why she does them. 

Hermione needs someone who isn’t high-stress. Harry may not be high-stress with school, but he is high-stress in general. Hermione is the queen of being high-stress, she needs someone to reduce that anxiety, not elevate it. And Ron is just that person. 

Hermione needs someone who can take her criticism. When she tells Harry he’s wrong or has the wrong idea, Harry is furious with her. Where as although Ron gets mad, he takes it better than Harry, or he challenges her in a way that tells her to explain why she thinks that instead of just being upset with her thinking it in the first place. Harry is simply more prideful than Ron, which is perfectly okay. Ron is able to put things aside, but Harry dwells. Hermione has easily been way more critical to Ron, but he gets over it. Ron having 5 older brothers who tease him, is more lenient towards critical remarks from Hermione. Harry is not. And Hermione simply cannot contain these remarks, she just can’t. Harry will not say anything and simply be like ‘Hermione is the worst’ Ron will be like ‘why are you saying that?’ Example with Scabbers, Hermione refuses to apologize, Ron TELLS her he just wants an apology. With Harry, he wouldn’t ask, he would just expect one. Ron is also able to get over it without an apology. 

Ron is more emotional/ deals with emotions better. Hermione needs someone who can understand her emotions, because well, she’s an emotional person. Harry shuts out emotion, Ron, who has lived in a loving family, filled with hugs and Christmas and kisses, is used to showing emotion. He can handle her tears, he won’t run away at her crying. Every-time Hermione cries in the book Harry describes himself as being uncomfortable, where as Ron is either comforting her or approaching her in a way that shows the readers he isn’t scared of this. Hermione needs that in a significant other. 

There are a bit more points to make as well, but I think that covers the jist- otherwise I can go on for hours. Because it is really amazing to me in just how obvious Ron and Hermione’s relationship differ from Harry and Hermione’s and just why that is

[rainydayhogwartsimagines]

Hello, I saw that you wanted Fred requests and I shall fulfill your wishes lol. I was thinking a Malfoy!reader when she’s In Hufflepuff and is just nice and she’s friends with Fred and George. One Christmas she goes home and comes back and only wears long sleeves. And Fred thinks she got the dark mark so he confronts her and she is offended bc he thought she would do something like that and she try’s to walk toward him and he reaches for his wand. she shows him and she has bruises from her dad.

This is so angsty... I love it

Warnings: Abuse, sad. Big big sad.

You had been keeping to yourself a lot more lately. It was so strange. You never did that, you always came to Fred or George if there was a problem but right now you weren't speaking to anyone. Instead you'd have yourself wearing a cardigan. Even in a warm ass class room, you refused to take it off. You were so strange lately and Fred noticed Draco acting the same way. Course Harry knew why Draco was acting the way he was. Draco had the dark mark. Which immediately made the group question whether or not you had one too. Fred hated questioning your loyalty, for God's sake he was your best friend. But considering the way you were acting, this wasn't exactly looking up. Fred walked over to you one day and sat down. "Hey, Y/n. Would you like to stay with my family for the summer?" He asked. What better way to prove this theory than to have you close, right? "... I'd like that." You nodded with this distant look.

So there you stood in the living room. Even in a home that seemed so tightly packed, you were quiet and kept to yourself, occasionally disappearing. Bill could recognize something in you. He could recognize abuse. Especially after you caught something Molly nearly dropped with your arm and yelped. You would pull back from conversation when it started to be about your father and Bill recognized something was definitely wrong. Finally Fred had enough though. They all sat around when they were sure you were asleep. "I think Y/n might have a dark mark." George sighed. "I hate to agree here but I think she does too." Fred sighed. "I don't think that's what's going on here." Bill said. "She's been acting pretty off lately. So has her brother." Harry pointed out. "Look, I could see how you would think that that's what's happening but I really don't think that's what's going on." Bill said. "So what do you think is going on then?" Arthur asked. "So you suspect her too?" Bill asked. "She hasn't been seen around this house without a cardigan or long sleeves. She's been acting very strange since she's gotten here and avoids talking about home. Ohhh." Arthur realized what Bill was getting at at the end of his sentence. "Yes, Bill I see your concern now." Molly agreed. "Care to share with the class?" Ron asked. "Well..." "I say we ask her point blank." George said. "That's not a wise plan." Arthur said. "And what is? Let a potential supporter of you know who stay with us!?" Fred asked. "Where are the girls?" Molly asked. "... They're with her." George said. "Maybe we should ask for their opinion--" Fred said nothing, going upstairs. "Shit." Bill murmured.

"I really think we should tell someone." Hermione said softly. "what's the point? Guys he works for the source it's not going to do any good." Fred heard you say. "Still..." Ginny sighed. Fred knocked on the door and Ginny opened it after hearing shuffling. "Can I help you?" Ginny asked. "I need to talk to Y/n." Fred said. "Can your booty call wait and not be in my room?" Ginny asked. ".... Seriously Gin?" Fred asked. "Alright fine! Mione. Fred wants to talk to Y/n." Ginny said. Both girls shuffled out and he closed the door. "Fred? What's going on--" "Do you have a dark mark?" He asked. You blinked and stood up. "You really think that ill of me?" You asked, looking offended by that idea. "I think you've been acting off lately and you won't tell us why! Come on Y/n you've been really weird over the course of this year!" He said. You said nothing and Fred stepped forward in such a way that made you jump back. Your heart began to pound and you began hyperventilating. "I-I'm sorry." You whimpered. Fred halted after seeing that look. No.... Something isn't right. You were shaking and your face had pure terror across it. "Y/n... I just need to you take off the cardigan." Fred said. You shook slightly and finally brought your fingers to it before pulling it off. Bruises. Everywhere. Fred looked at you and ran a hand over his face. "Please don't hurt me..." You whispered. He looked at you and realized when he walked towards you angry he must've sent you into a haze. "Y/n, Princess I'm not going to hurt you." He said softly. He approached and you pulled back. He stopped. "Y/n... Breathe..." He said softly. "Ginny!" Fred called after a little bit. She popped her head in. "Hmm?" She asked. "Get Y/n some water." Fred said. "What did you do!?" Hermione noticed you. "I accidentally scared her." Fred said. Hermione pushed past him and she carefully put her hands on your arms. "Y/n you're not there. You're here, you're home. Okay?" Hermione said softly. You broke down sobbing against Hermione, gripping her as if she was the last thing you had. Fred couldn't believe that he made that happen. Honest to God he didn't mean for this to happen.

Fred slowly retreated and went back downstairs leaving the girls alone. "Well?" Bill asked. "...She doesn't have a dark mark." Fred said. Ginny frowned with a glass of water in her hand. "Sorry, you were questioning her loyalty and didn't think to ask the girls she was staying with!?" Ginny asked. "...." Fred's silence was enough as she sat down the glass of water and smacked him upside the head. "God you guys are fucking idiots." Ginny huffed before leaving. "What's going on?" Ron asked. "She's been living through abuse." Bill said. Fred sighed. "I cannot believe I just accused my best friend of being a traitor." Fred muttered. "Especially just to find out that that is actually what's been happening." George sighed. You cleared your throat, eyes still red. "Y/n dear--" "I'm sorry if I ever made you think that I'd support him. But I have details I think you might want to know." You muttered. "Y/n--" "I'm pissed with you." You said to Fred point blank. He looked down and you spoke. "You know who is staying at Malfoy manor. My father took the dark mark along with my brother but I outright refused. Not after they killed my friend." You said. Harry felt intense guilt, forgetting you were friends with Cedric. "Any guesses to what happened next, because if you actually think I'd take that fucking mark--" "We understand you didn't." Bill assured. You sighed letting out a humorless laugh. "My father didn't take me not doing that well. After all, I'm the disappointment to my family. The only non Slytherin and now the only one who refused to take that mark." You explained. "Y/n you don't have to--" "He hit me. Over and over again. Just to please that souless monster they call a dark lord. He stopped treating me like flesh and blood to make him happy and my mother let that happen." You snapped. "I cannot imagine..." Bill sighed. "I can't believe that you would ever doubt my loyalty to you. Ever." You said to Fred. "You've been acting off Y/n, I didn't think this was why." Fred said softly. You shook your head. "Now you know. Please just... Fuck off." You muttered before walking back upstairs. Fred let out this groan of guilt in his hands. "I can't... I just accused my grieving friend of supporting the guy who killed her friend" he said. Molly went upstairs to check on you and Fred sighed. "I know... I mean I was right behind you on this theory I really thought..." George agreed. "What made it obvious to you Bill?" Fred asked. "Last week mom nearly dropped a crate. Y/n gabbed it with her arms and nearly screamed when she gripped it... I knew after she was holding her arms afterwards something else was going on." Bill said. "You could've said something earlier." George said. "I tried. You two weren't having it." Bill huffed. "I forgot for a moment that she was friends with Cedric... How could I... How do I forget something like that!?" Harry asked, referring to your reaction after the games seeing him dead.

When Harry came back with Cedric you were standing with his father... You were there sobbing into Fred's arms. How could all of them just... Forget that moment? Fred sighed. Fred sat at the table until everyone had gone to bed. You came downstairs for something to drink and he looked up after you sat down in front of him. "I'm sorry I got upset with you earlier... With the way I was acting I would've thought I was guilty too." You muttered. "Y/n I am so sorry... I just... I'm terrified that that bastard is lurking around the corner and he's going to just... Take everything." He admitted. You nodded. "Trust me when I saw him it was terrifying." You muttered. "You saw him?" Fred asked. "I said he was in the manor." You reminded. "Still... Face to face?" Fred asked. "Mmhmm." You nodded. "Blimey... That's..." Fred leaned back. "I'm sorry Y/n... For scaring you, for blaming you, for... Everything." Fred said. You took a sip of water and sighed. "It's fine--" "No it isn't. Y/n you've trusted me with so much and I feel like I've betrayed you. So... Ask me anything. Anything at all." Fred said. "Secret wise?" You asked. "it can be." Fred nodded. "...What did your Amortentia smell like?" You asked. Fred never said his out loud. He sniffed it, nodded and then leaned back and outright refused to answer Snape's question of what it smelled like. Then again, you also avoided it like the plague, not answering it either. "anything else?" He asked. "Nope. What did it smell like?" You asked. "Fuck uhm..." He sighed and squinted, debating if he should say. He did owe you the truth so... "You." He finally admitted. "What?" You asked. "You. The potion smelled like you." Fred admitted. "... You're serious?" You asked. "Yep." He nodded. "mine smelled like you." You admitted. "...Wait what?" Fred asked. "My potion smelled like you!" You repeated. "....Holy... I could've spent this entire time with you and I-- Christ how many stupid decisions have I made!?" Fred asked. "Uhhh Fred" "I mean seriously, am I going to accuse George of arson next-- actually that one could happen" "Fred" "Am I going to accidentally frame Ginny for murder!?" He asked. "Fred!" You said. "What!?" "We can fix this now. I mean if you still feel the same way." You said. "... You would want that? After everything that's happened today?" Fred asked. "Everyone has their rough patches Fred. Even us." You said softly. He took your hand in his. "Will you please be mine?" He asked. You smiled and squeezed his hand.

"I solemnly swear it."

[oneboxofmatches]

Hi!!! May I request a HP romantic and friendship matchup on both eras? (Preferably male), thanks in advance! 💞

𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗜𝗖𝗦 + 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘

19, Libra, Neutral Good, enneagram is 4w5, Ravenclaw, and my patronus spirit is swan. Bi Pan Genderfluid girl using pronouns of She/Her or He/Him. A friend of mine told me that I (kinda) look like Marinette from 𝗠𝗶𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗱𝘆𝗯𝘂𝗴, Musa from 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘅 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯, and Alexandra Trese from 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲 (a Netflix animated series), but the exception is I'm short (5'1.2") plus sized Southeast Asian woman with Spanish descent that has messy/wavy brunette medium hair, chocolate brown eyes, oriental skin and a small beauty mark on the forehead. My sense of fashion is in between emo and boyish plus korean glam.

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬

Distant and shy at first cause' I dunno how to initiate a conversation, but a total opposite if I open up---friendly, ambivert, witty, laughing loudly on a daily basis, talkative, awkward, daydreamer (I got embarrassed from knocking at the door even I'm inside the classroom 😂), EXTREMELY clumsy, secretly likes affection, easily overwhelmed, prone to melt over any wholesomeness, flusters on compliments, lightly blushes on cheesy banters, sarcastic person with a lowkey crackhead energy citing meme references, and talented girl who can be your no. 1 supporter and unashamed to be true to myself. In terms of leadership, I only educate and guide than being a prefect (I might take the role seriously), and will lift my group when there's lacking/incompleteness. About doing projects in school, I become too extra and prepared for efforts, but I'll forget the process in the end.

People thought I'm a demure self-effacing woman that looks "idealistic" or "one of a kind," (due to my protective parents, a reason why I've never been in a relationship) but the truth is, I'm eloquent, warm-hearted, willig to help, kind, intelligent, supportive, nice, creative, enthusiastic, determined, tough, competitive, and feisty outside, but a real softie that can be childish and dramatic crybaby filled with doubts, frustrations, and insecurities with fear of failure that pushes off the limits to to please everyone, yet I still managed to be stronger than ever, even it's a slow burn process. I can be intimidating, sassy, and a douchebag if I receive ends. Immature, headstrong, perfectionist, demanding, hesitant, jumpy, very indecisive, overthinker, quick-tempered, sensitive, and anxious (no joke, my nervousness makes me think worse scenario will arrive or I might break a belonging due to my carelessness). Though can be procrastinator and arrogant, I raised as a religious 𝖺𝗇𝖽 diplomatic person, willing to fight what I believe (including my dreams) 𝖺𝗇𝖽 what is right. In addition, I have a habit of staying up late and doing sign of the cross to ease nervousness.

Blunt but the loudest idiotic feeling-brokenhearted and bitter friend in the group who fangirl a lot, swears like sailor, will act like a silent backstabber on people that we loathe, will crack up over your stupid antics before helping, and bring gossips, but a hopeless romantic who tends to banter with sarcasms or pick up lines as an endearment (but gets grumpy if I received sappy or offensive one), still generous and concerned in a subtle way.

𝗛𝗢𝗕𝗕𝗜𝗘𝗦

My hobbies are singing, drawing, roleplaying, listening to music, chatting/browsing on social media, conceptualizing, writing, and reading some stuffs. 𝖨'𝗅𝗅 𝗂𝗇𝖼𝗅𝗎𝖽𝖾 making corniest jokes/puns, 𝗌𝗅𝖾𝖾𝗉𝗂𝗇𝗀, and dancing when nobody's around or walking like a model if I feel so bold (even I'm terrible at both xD).

𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘𝗦

Loves kittens, eating a lot, cartoons, watching YouTube videos (mostly pageants, ASMR, edit audios, and mukbangs), also enjoys playing games on my sister's PSP. Sucker for arts, choir, night sky, makeup, fun/deep/dumb conversations, Christianity, documentaries (about saints, real crime stories, and inspirational people), reading interesting stuffs, talking about social issues, and writings, chilling both indoors and outdoors. Beside that, my music taste are like late 90s-2000s songs (mostly rock, pop, and country) sometimes kpop and ppop, chocoholic, and a sweetooth as well.

𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘𝗦

Things that I hate are stereotyping, HUGE creepy crawlies (spiders, toads, snakes, and cockroaches), firecracker sounds, being left out, loneliness, heart break, blackout, and judgemental people. One random fact about me is, I 𝗐𝗂𝗅𝗅 vent out EVERYTHING I despise in my entire existence---from bad soap operas to toxicity and worse scenarios in real life, because it's a big deal for me, and I consider forcing me to do what I'm not into and manipulating me as my major pet peeves.

𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦

In terms of triggers...I only have two which are ta𝖨king about divorce/annullment/separation because I came from a generational broken family and religion/beliefs discrimination, cause' there are reasonings that doesn't makes sense because some are too hypocritical.

𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗔

My best assets are smile, eyes, personality, singing voice, artistic skills, writings, intelligence, and oratorical skills...so I can consider myself as a singer, artist, orator, and a top student who's a former active campus ministry member with three roles (choir leader, psalm singer, and reader). Currently an incoming college freshman, learning how to cook and have so many interests, to the point I don't know what I'm into because of my dreams to become a popular Filipino YouTuber, a novelist, and being part of a successful chorale competing internationally...I also consider joining pageants at school too once the pandemic ends, but maybe.

Thank you so, so much for requesting! I had a lot of fun with this one (as you can tell by some of the really long answers lol) and I hope you enjoy!!

In the Golden Trio era, I romantically pair you with…

CEDRIC DIGGORY

One of the most beautiful things about Cedric is that although he may show some introverted tendencies, he still manages to have a natural gift for connecting to others and allowing them to feel comfortable enough to open up. Really, your initial distance and shyness don't last nearly as long towards Cedric as they would with most other people.

Hearing your laughter brings the widest, cheesiest grin to Cedric’s face. Not only does he adore seeing you happy, but he also recognizes that your anxiety, insecurities, and strong emotions can sometimes cloud up your demeanor. Therefore, it brings him comfort knowing that (for the moment) you’re finding joy. He thrives when you thrive!

However, as much as he loves seeing your more energetic and happier self, it goes without saying that he’s the best comfort for when you’re not having the best day.

Cedric is an excellent listener, so he’ll most likely let you talk without interruption for as long as you need before even saying a word. He wants to make sure he truly understands your current state before acting. He may take a few seconds to process everything after you finish speaking, but then he’ll help you tackle whatever problems you’re facing. He’s especially talented at giving words of affirmation.

Cedric’s listening also comes in handy whenever you talk about your interests! He genuinely loves hearing about the things you’re interested in solely for the fact that you’re interested in them. Side note: you can count on him to be at any music performances, pageants, etc. you may have -- this guy is truly your #1 supporter.

Cedric’s a very good student (though I suspect he’s somewhat of a procrastinator himself), so I can also see you two supporting each other through schoolwork and celebrating each other’s successes.

Like you, Cedric has a strong urge to do the right thing. Talking to him about social issues stirs up a need to help, and I could see you two doing volunteer work together in your spare time.

I like to believe one of Cedric’s biggest love languages is quality time. Don’t get me wrong, this guy loves staying involved and busy. But taking a couple hours to be with you in small ways (even if that means just being in the same room while you scroll through social media) gives him a nice balance.

Overall, this kind boy will be there unwaveringly through the bad times and will laugh just as loud as you through the good!

As a friend, I think you’d best be matched with…

LUNA LOVEGOOD

You wanna talk about the best conversations, relentless support, and overall the most wholesome friendship you could ask for? Luna’s your girl.

Being unashamed to be true to yourself is one of the biggest reasons why Luna is so drawn to you. While she’s very friendly and insightful towards everyone she meets, it can get a bit repetitive for her to constantly interact with people who try to shelter their unique characteristics from the world. In her mind, these unique characteristics are what make people so fascinating! Why should anyone hide who they are?

Luna’s creativity is endless, and I can see it blending well with yours. Collaborating on a personal project outside of school (ex: novel, blog, etc.) together is definitely something I could see you two doing.

Speaking of creativity, finding creative solutions to everyday problems (both in school and in life) is your specialty as friends.

Admittedly, Luna isn’t usually drawn to louder individuals. However, the complexity behind your personality makes it easier for her to know you are much more than what meets the eye.

Speaking of, Luna has a difficult time standing up for herself -- whether it’s because she doesn’t feel a need to or she just doesn’t recognize the meaning behind certain phrases. She NEEDS a friend like you to stand up for her sometimes, and I know you wouldn’t hesitate!

Ranting to Luna is therapeutic to say the least. While her aloofness at times may make it seem as if she isn’t fully paying attention, that couldn’t be further from the truth. She’s actually catching every word, and once you’re done she’ll leave you with a philosophical solution that may seem borderline insane/irrelevant when you first hear it, but it strangely makes sense.

Overall, the lack of judgment from either of you is what draws you together. As a result, you build a unique bond that couldn’t be broken even if either of you wanted it to.

In the Marauders era, I romantically pair you with…

REMUS LUPIN

Let’s be honest, it would take you two so long to ask each other out. You were probably already really close friends, but the insecurities and “what if?” questions from both of you delayed an actual relationship.

When you finally started dating, you were both so relieved. You still share a laugh at how almost nothing changed in the way you interacted with each other.

While with mutual friends, Remus sometimes likes to sit back and just watch you, especially when you get really talkative because this is when you become the most expressive. He has the softest smile when you’re actively cracking jokes, discussing something you’re passionate about, or even calling someone out. Sometimes you may be too distracted to notice, but other times you’ll catch him.

“What?”

“Oh, nothing.” (While that same soft smile never leaves his face.)

You both hold really high standards for yourself in terms of school, so expect late-night study/work sessions to be your best bet for quality time.

Though the occasional instance of walking through/lying on the grounds becomes a favorite for both of you.

Remus listens when you’re particularly struggling through anxiety or strong emotions, but he has to consciously stop himself from interrupting because he can’t stand how he feels knowing you’re going through a tough time.

All he wants to do is soothe you during these moments. If you’re comfortable, he’ll hold you while speaking to you in a soft voice. Remus, the intellectual that he is, is also your best chance at finding a reasonable solution. So if you're not in the mood for calming words, he's also a great person to turn to for answers.

As for your ambitions, no matter what you choose to pursue, you already know Remus is going to be your biggest source of support every step of the way. He’s more than happy to help in any way he can!

Overall, Remus appreciates you, and he’s always going to make sure you know it.

As a friend, I think you’d best be matched with…

LILY EVANS

Lily especially connects to you because you manage to be determined, competitive, and intelligent without sacrificing your kindness, which is something she can relate to.

You and Lily are the C.E.O.s of doing the right thing. Neither of you hesitates to back the other up when it comes to confronting someone because you know it’s justified.

As perceptive as Lily is, you never need to tell her when something is bothering you. All it takes is a quick glance before she puts whatever she’s doing on hold to check in with you.

The reverse works as well. Typically, Lily really doesn’t internally struggle too much, and when she does she tries to hide it. You’re one of the only people who can see right through whatever she tries to pull.

The constant banter between you two is unmatched, but you both know it's because you really care about each other.

Overall, you and Lily have each other’s backs through anything, even when the other isn’t actively asking for help.

[rhea-florent]

The Dorne-Reach alliance banquet

Location: The Vale, the Eyrie

Under the cut you will find Rhea’s interaction at the Dorne-Reach banquet with Riyansh Martell ( @riyanshmartell ), Cedric Tyrell ( @visxionaries ), Harlon Flowers ( @harlonvflowers ), Eleyana Martell ( @eleyanamrtll ), Luciya Rowan ( @tendcrheart ), Myriam Allyrion ( @myriamas ), Florence Hightower ( @florencehightower ), Mathis Rowan ( @ofgoldengrove ), Helena Tyrell ( @helenatyrells ), Ryon Blackmont ( @ofthedunes ), Noor ( @ofclairvoyance ), Guinevere Lannister ( @gcuienveres ), Ophelia Fowler ( @opheliafowler ), Dastan Allyrion ( @dastan-allyrion ), Loreza Martell ( @lorczamartell ), Addam Lannister ( @addamoflannisport ) & Alyvia Lannister ( @alyvialannister )

A private banqueting hall in the Eyrie had been draped in decorations of orange and olive green, the dining table laid out with speciality meats, cheese, sides and fruits imported directly from their respective regions. The wine is free flowing, ranging from sweet Arbor wine to bitter Dornish red, with nobles from the Reach and Dorne sat upon velvet cushions, engaging in conversations. it is a scene that one would once have thought impossible; for flowers and sand to ever come together - and yet, together, the nobles start a new chapter of Westerosi history.

RIYANSH MARTELL: The Dornish Prince entered the hall graciously provided to them by King Rowan, given the intimacy of the matter an invitation could not be extended to the Arryns that evening. With Myriam and Nyssaria beside him that evening, Riyansh felt content despite being so far from home. Seeking out the Prince Regent Riyansh went forth to the greet the man. “Prince Cedric, I am glad we were able to arrange this gathering on such short notice.”

CEDRIC TYRELL: The Reach faction had arrived somewhat earlier than the Dornish, pushing open the heavy oak doors of the private banqueting hall and taking their seats, Cedric watched his sister from the corner of his eye; still draped in black, widowing the loss of her most recent child. As the Dornish Prince approached the man, Cedric offered the man an inviting smile, standing and shaking the man's hand before nodding to his two wives on either side of him. “The feeling is mutual, Prince Riyansh. It is good to finally discuss matters prior to the signing of the treaties, and travelling back home - though you are welcome to join us in the Reach should you wish to make a stop during your long journey home.” Dropping the hand shake, he looked toward his wife and his sister, as well as the other Reach nobles in the room: those that had been through hell and back with him in recent months. “May I present my family and my most trusted...”

HARLON FLOWERS: Much like he had been in the weeks prior, Harlon found his spot trailing behind Cedric as he walked. Ready to be there by his and Mathias side in case he needed to share his thoughts and opinions. Actually he was rather touched to be invited to such an exclusive event. Dressed up in some of the newest Reach fashion, it felt nice to hopefully enjoy a nice evening. Sure talks of politics and treaties were important but the spread on the table looked absolutely amazing. And his fingers itched for his sketch book in his pocket at the sight of the people in attendance. On his arm, he escorted in his friend Rhea to the party and he leaned over to whisper “How many glasses of wine do you think would be too much?” he asked before they reached one of the other guests of honors. Giving a slight bow as he was introduced. “Harlon flowers” he said simply. “It's an honor to meet you, your Grace. I look forward to speaking with you and your family more.” That actually sounded somewhat proper. maybe he was getting the knack of this.

RHEA FLORENT: The Mistress of Whispers walked only a few paces behind her cousin, escorted by Harlon. She inched closer, whispering in return “Too much for you or too much for me?”. A single raised eyebrow indicated that those quantities were very different in her mind. A pleasant smile quickly graced her lips as the Reach retinue approached the Martell prince. The lady bowed her head in a graceful manner before introducing herself after Cedric gave them their cue to do so. “Rhea Florent, your Grace. I had the pleasure of meeting your sister, Princess Eleyana, before. I'm glad that I get to formally meet you as well”.

ELEYANA MARTELL: Eleyana trailed behind her brother, wine-stained silks kissing the stone flooring as she walked into the hall. With such an unprecedented alliance, the princess could hardly prepare herself for what was to happen. All she knew was that the reach was hardly threatening to them since their new allegiance. She looked over at Ophelia with a knowing stare, like they already knew what types of behaviors would be present with everyone in one room. “This should be interesting,” she smirked at her friend before joining the rest. As if on queue a charming smile spread on her lips and she approached a familiar face. She wondered if the rest knew of the the words shared between the princess and the mistress of whispers. “Rhea? What a nice surprise to see you here.”

LUCIYA ROWAN: If the Dornish were anything besides unpredictable it was impractical. At least, to what Westeros had established as “normal.” That was evident with the two women standing on either side of the Martell prince. She was not going to judge, at least not out loud. Even more now considering that her brother was soon to be betrothed to a Martell. Loreza seemed nice enough, though the times she had seen her were few and never where she supposed the princess should be. Her gaze lifts just in time to meet Cedric’s and eyebrows furrow instantly, tongue poking out childishly to mimic disgust. Why on Earth was he looking at her like that? Luciya doesn’t linger with her antics, quick smile claiming doll like features almost instantly to ensure no one else saw her mockery. The youngest Rowan stands, smiling delicately as her turn for introductions. “Luciya Rowan, nearly sister to the prince, family - I suppose.” She’s lighthearted, though she seems composed. “It is a pleasure, Prince Riyansh.”

MYRIAM ALLYRION: Tangerine coloured silks swishing around the golden anklets at her feet, her hair laying on one side of her shoulder in a thick braid dotted with red roses, Myriam Allyrion rested her dark gaze over multiple of the Reach lords and ladies. How they all seemed so sweet, so flowery, and yet she was one of the few of the Dornish faction that was not entirely on board with the matter completely. There were still people to work out, intentions to gather. “Your Highness.” Myriam extended a hand toward the young Hightower girl, only recently risen so far in station - she intrigued her. “We have all heard of your sudden elopement with the prince.” She looked over at the Tyrell and her own husband speaking, with a slight smile. “I trust we will find a way to get along, for the sake of our kingdoms. Tell me, how are you finding your new life? Exciting?”

FLORENCE HIGHTOWER: Deciding to wear a dark emerald green dress made out of some of the finest silks that the Vale could offer on such notice -- in fact, her gown was surely the most expensive piece of fabric she’s owned in her entire life – Florence Hightower stood quietly next to Cedric Tyrell, the Reach’s new regent. Tonight was one of her first public appearances since their elopement and she was already feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. She remained mostly silent, fearful of saying something that could unintentionally jeopardize this potential alliance. She was aware of the great advantage this alliance could bring the Reach and it’s people – now her people. Florence mirrors Myriam allyrion’s gesture, extending her own hand towards her as she follows her gaze that was directed towards their husbands. “Absolutely,” she answers in response to getting along, “And if I may be honest,” she replies, her voice lowered in attempt to not be overheard, “exciting is the last word I would use to describe it, but I am trying my best.” She lowers her head out of respect to the woman, giving her a small, polite smile.

MATHIS ROWAN: Mathis felt his heart racing, a feeling that didn't usually overcome him. However, this was his first formal event as Cedric's Hand, and while he was confident in himself, he knew he had to watch every word from now on. On top of that, his family would all be in the same room for the first time in a long time, and on top of that his potential future family was as well. He greeted Riyansh with Cedric as well, letting Cedric take the lead on the conversations before his eyes drifted to none other than Helena Lannister, formerly Helena Tyrell. She was a vision, even in all black, a look that made his heart ache to see. As much as he wanted to talk to and perhaps comfort her, he knew that wasn't on his agenda for the evening. He hoped he might catch her before the night ended.

HELENA TYRELL: Helena found herself instinctively standing closer to the outskirts of the hall, not able to find the energy inside herself to force a fake smile and engage in pleasantries as their guests began to wander in. She was starting to regret her decision to attend tonight’s meeting, but given that this alliance would act as one of the founding acts of her younger brother’s new reign, she felt she couldn’t miss it. She was also surprised to see her good sister also in attendance tonight -- though it most likely meant what she feared most was coming to fruition; that she was still not trusted by the lions and that her marriage was likely failing. Her orbs were suddenly drawn to the main entrance, her eyes fixating on the man who had just entered the room. Mathis Rowan. She watched him attentively, noticing the tense demeanour that seemed to wash over him; he was nervous. She forced herself to resist her urge to storm over to his side and reassure him with what she knew all along: that there wasn’t a better man fit to be her brother’s hand.

RYON BLACKMONT: The lord of Blackmont walked in beside his sister Eleyana Martell, offering her a small knowing look as he listened to Riyansh and Cedric sussing out the formalities. He didn't speak to any of the Reach lords or ladies, instead sat quietly at the table, simply taking a gulp of his bitter red wine and turning slightly, angling his body towards his betrothed, dressed in her signature shade of white. The pair had gotten into a disagreement some hours earlier, regarding what their family would look like, which left him doubting she would even show up.

NOOR: The art of disappearing in plain sight was no small feat, and perhaps only possible for someone like her, someone who had spent most of her life neither truly seen or heard, glossed over as entirely unremarkable. However, the young woman had never fretted over the fact, as you could never yearn for something you had no understanding for either. The little attention Lord Blackmont paid for his means too was still startling to her at times. Though that did put her in the perfect position to see more than most. And she did just that after she’d faded into the shadows of the room, the shadows a comfort like none other for they were of her kin. The asshai by the shadow, if she was her mother’s daughter. There was once a time when her mother would question how this child of hers seemed to have so much buried light within her, perhaps she’d have been more proud to know that light was never unearthed. Her soft eyes took in the room and the threads weaving through it, where they caught and where they pulled away. Many times her gaze drifted to her liege, the tension between him and his intended palpable, and she sighed softly for she sensed no relish lay in store for him that evening. She could be wrong, she hoped she was.

OPHELIA FOWLER: This was certainly a change from the battlefields they were all just recently thrust into. Ophelia was just grateful that they'd be making their way back home soon enough. Even in all her travels to help people and the amazing places that she got to see, she always longed to be back in the comfort of Dorne. Tonight was a night she hoped would be a celebration of the new alliances and treaties. “Interesting is just another word for exciting!” she chimmed in with a smile to Eleyana as she walked in with her friend. “And new people and new things is always exciting.” Following with her friend to the passing of cordigal greetings, Ophelia recognized a few of the men there from her time in the camps. But she couldn't remember if she had healed any of them personally. Finding a moment of quiet she spoke up, “Ophelia Fowler” she said introducing herself to the rest of the Reach party. “I am sure my family will be happy to start to open the prince's pass to the Reach.” she said looking over to the rest of the Martells and her cousin, however he was busy, hoping she hadn't spoken out of turn. She was a healer at heart, not someone who was so involved in politics. “Oh..well I mean, with new talks of negotiations I hope this brings some peace between us all.”

DASTAN ALLYRION: A dinner with family and friends was a very welcomed event for the lord of Godsgrace. After the journey to escort Eleyana here, he wanted the time spent in the company of those dear to him. It was all about politics tonight, of course, as he knew it would be. Proprietary still needed to be upheld. And these people from the Reach- he should do his best to know more about their ways if everything continued to move forward regarding his future union to Lady Sofina Merryweather. Her presence was missed, he had to admit. Dastan stood by his family’s side, his father visibly absent, his mother as gracious and kind as ever when she exchanged words with the Reach folk. After the formality of introductions ended and Prince Riyansh called for everyone to take their seats at the large table, Dastan did so, eyes inevitably scanning the banquet hall for Eleyana.

RIYANSH MARTELL: As he was met with a procession of greetings from so many new faces, the odd thought struck the Prince. Was this sort of tiresome formality what kept his father so content to remain far from the affairs of Westeros. And if so it could be said that Riyansh had inherited that much from his father, where the rest of him most believed to be of his mothers. “Thank you for the gracious offer, I’m sure there shall be many occasions for us to gather again in time.” The prince bowed his head respectfully at the members of the Reach that stepped forward in greeting, providing sentiments of his pleasure at making their acquaintance, and other responses much of the same. He went on to introduce Nyssaria and Asra with the respect they garnered being his closest confidants along with Myriam. Her stepping forward to greet Cedric’s new bride with such ease prompted the gracious smile he wore to soften for just that moment when his gaze shifted to her, no one could observe the man and doubt his open and unadultered devotion to either of the two beautiful woman in his company. “I look forward to getting to know all of course further. Come let us sit.” He said addressing the Prince Regent as others wondered into conversations of their own.

CEDRIC TYRELL: Nodding graciously, the Prince of the Reach allowed the Dornish man to take a lead at the table, sitting opposite Riyansh Martell and looking around at his courtiers, all of whom seemed to naturally take their according seats at the table; he was surprised to see how effortlessly this seemed to be taking place, how little tension seemed to sweep over them. He noticed Florence speaking to the Dornish Princess, and was somewhat surprised; though he could tell she was nervously. Brushing past his wife slightly, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder for a quick moment, he took his place at the table. Though as his gaze wandered over to the Lord of Blackmont, he knew this peace could easily be put short; and very quickly, judging by the man's temper and what he saw of him during their interactions in the Riverlands.

“There is a matter I think we should all discuss.” Cedric began as a serving girl began to pour goblets of wine, looking directly at the Dornish Prince, his wives, and his sisters, before looking over at his own courtiers. They knew what they would bring up first; the biggest threat to the Reach as of this moment. “I trust you have heard rumours of a dragon nestling in our realm, beside the Red Lake.” He paused, looking over their reactions; how the Dornish had a history with dragons. “It is wild, untamed, and a threat to the fertile fields that promise to feed both the Reach and Dorne in times of hardship. It is Dorne, that never bent to dragons, and it Dorne that has the weaponry to rid the world of that threat.”

He looked over at Riyansh, though a glimmer of crimson red caught his attention for a split moment; Alyvia Rowan came into his vision, with her husband Addam Lannister at her side - a man he knew from his time spent fighting in the Westerlands for the Greens. Keeping her gaze for a moment, he tore his gaze away, though continued. “I am sure neither of us wish to see our loved ones, or our realms, perish to dragon flame again.”

HARLON FLOWERS: Harlon couldn't help but chuckle at the words Rhea whispered back to him. And after the formal greetings were done and they were making their way to the tables, he felt like he was able to respond back. “I'll have to know if this wasn't such an important meeting I might put you up to the test on that.” he said, pulling the chair out for her to take a seat. He knew what they were coming here to discuss was no joking matter. It was going to be of great importance and something that would change the kingdoms around them. Taking his seat he noticed he was sat across from one of the Martell princesses. And he could not help himself as they waited for the discussions to begin. "Good evening your Highness.” he said learning across to speak with Eleyana. “You look very beautiful tonight. I hope perhaps one day I will be allowed to come into Dorne for a portrait of the royal family. It would be an honor.” The painter smiled at the princess as  he was able to speak briefly before Cedric started. Leaning back in his seat, he gave a nod to Rhea as he listened to his new soon to be king's careful words. “A dragon is more than a threat to just our kingdoms but it seems to fall into our laps as responsibility.”

RHEA FLORENT: She was content to see the Martell princess, someone the Florent lady quickly found to be one of the most worthy allies present. A clever woman, too. Regardless of alliances, Eleyana was the sort of person the Mistress of Whispers respected despite titles and formalities. “It is quite nice to see you again, your Grace,” the lady spoke politely, though a smile did cross her lips. Introductions aside, and knowing of Cedric’s intention to bring about talk of dragons and the scorpions, Rhea turned once again to speak whispered words to Harlon as he pulled out a chair for her. “That would be interesting. A futile thing to test, if you ask me, but interesting all the same”. She didn’t intend to pass tonight’s event drunk or anything close to it. On the contrary, her mind needed to be sharp tonight. But a bit of wine wouldn’t hurt to better endure the stuffiness of it all. As she got to witness Harlon’s passion for painting be so present again, and then speaking up in support of Cedric, she couldn’t help but smile subtly as she finally brought a glass of wine to her lips. “Indeed. We must be proactive in order to protect our realms. And it is only a matter of time before its Targaryen owners wish to claim it back, your Grace”. And that was a bigger threat than a lone dragon on the Reach.

MYRIAM ALLYRION: Myriam nodded in a quiet understanding with the new Princess of the Reach, deciding to drop the matter, though it is something the woman would keep in mind to address later; for is the Princess of their allied region prepared for court life? Would she be able to handle their joint enemies, that would no doubt be threatened by such an alliance? “Come.” She mused, motioning for Florence to sit beside her, seeing if she felt comfortable enough to be separated from her husband. Talk of the dragons caused her gaze to rise, watching as her brother Dastan entered the room, and how she momentarily offered him the warmest smile. Though they were not siblings by blood, she was taken in by the Allyrions after they found her floating down the river in a basket; and truly saved her. She remembered the day Dastan was born. “A dragon is a risk.” She spoke, agreeing to that extent. “Though it is also a risk for us to anger the Crownlands once again, especially now we have levelled out somewhat; with the alliance between the Crownlands and the Stormlands, no doubt Dorne and the Reach would be embroiled in conflict with the pair, directly on our borders.”

ELEYANA MARTELL: Eleyana simply nodded at the Mistress of Whispers in agreement as the group was seated. She observed each polite gesture and each polite smile exchanged between the Martells and Tyrells. Her attention turned to Harlon Flowers as hazel orbs fixed upon the man. “Thank you. That's very kind of you to say,” she smiled at the man she had only heard rumors about. “Please, the honor would be mine if you decide to make the journey to Sunspear. We would all enjoy your company.” Eleyana turned to see the remaining guests still entering the hall, her attention peaked as she locked eyes with Dastan. In the midst of all this heavy discussion it was a comfort for her to see him here.

Eleyana listened intently to the Tyrell prince as he spoke of the impending threat of dragons in Westeros. He was right. The Dornish never bent to dragons in the past and she intended that they never would. She turned to Myriam, her brow furrowed. “A dragon is not only a risk. It's a threat. I'm sure we can all agree that the presence of a dragon in Westeros will only threaten everything that both of our kingdoms have been able to accomplish."

RIYANSH MARTELL: Once the gathered courtiers had settled around the table, Riyansh’s attention fixed on the man sitting across from him, as Cedric wasted no time on further pleasantries, for which he was glad. Riyansh was never one to assert his opinion over others, he allowed others speak their mind on he matter before he responded, “A risk or threat, call it what you will it’s all one in the same. The beast challenges the frayed balance Westeros has achieved after a decade of war. Dorne remained neutral as the conflict was never over our autonomy. We do not wish to be a part of any united empire, nor an alliance that threatens our neutrality. Dorne does not wish to encroach on the lands of those beyond our borders and we expect the same of our neighbors. Thus it’s imperative that we reach an agreement that doesn’t outrage the ‘blacks’ beyond reason. That being said, I believe we can all agree that the creature can not be allowed to remain unchained, falling into the hands of those that can sway its nature.”

RYON BLACKMONT: Ryon Blackmont, shifting his attention from the turmoil he felt happening within the depths of his heart, listened closely to the talks regarding the fate of the dragon. The Lord of Blackmont had heard much of their power, their fury, their deadly nature, even within his own homelands; though he knew that the Dornish knew how to handle dragons. Listening to the words of Riyansh, he understood partly where the man was coming from - though talk regarding not outraging the Blacks fully was one he thought unrealistic considering they were essentially speaking of murdering the last remnant of Targaryen glory left in the world. “There will be outrage on their behalf, especially after ending the life of the beast they consider a pet.” Ryon spoke, his tone characteristically blunt. He knew there was no way to avoid angering the Targaryens; they were of different temperamensts, but dragons, nonetheless. “There are Scorpions at Blackmont, which can be transported to the Reach easily due to our closer proximity.” Ryon began, speaking of times where the machines were delivered to the vassal houses at the border, for them to fire at the majestic beasts in the sky the minute they crossed into Dornish land. “Say the word, and I'll arrange for them to be transported.”

LOREZA MARTELL: Loreza is unsettled by the tense topic of conversation. The princess isn't quite sure what it is she can contribute, as military feats were out of her realm of expertise. Her only thoughts? There is no way to go about this that wouldn't upset the fragile balance that had been created. Killing the beast would be seen as a direct threat, both from the Reach and Dorne. Of course, Riyansh is right-- leaving such a creature completely free was a danger in itself. As she sees it, there is no way to go about this situation that doesn't result in conflict. “Is there no other solution?” she asks, curious to see if there is something she hasn't considered. “I just mean.. I do not see how the use of the scorpions will not lead to another conflict.” The idea of Crownlands soldiers advancing on her homeland makes her shudder.

MATHIS ROWAN: Mathis sat and took in all the opinions that went around the table. He preferred to listen rather than talk when the topic was as conflicting as this one. As often as he was quite quick-tempered and fiery, he made she to water himself down for the sake of Cedric and this alliance. He decided after his potential future betrothed spoke her piece, he would offer his opinion on the matter. “If I was speaking only for myself, I would say the best option is to kill the beast.” He took a deep breath before speaking again. “However perhaps the best course of action is to sit down and have a meeting with the blacks. Perhaps we can find a neutral third party to mediate this situation. Maybe it's possibly the dragon can be caged in a place that's not solely accessible to the Targaryen's.” He knew how hard Dorne worked to keep it's borders secure from battle, and truthfully he didn't want things to escalate to that if they could all help it.

CEDRIC TYRELL: Cedric listened carefully to the words of Mathis, his mind thinking of the joyful pair of young men on the road, backpacks on and ale in hand; how the world had changed so much around them. In that moment, Cedric knew he had made the right choice in making Mathis Rowan his hand; there was a reason the pair had always worked so well together. “I see your points completely, and I do think it would be wise to sit and talk - though keep our hopes grounded. The Targaryens will not accept being separated from what they consider their legacy; not after they have already lost so much. They have nothing to lose, and thus, are more volatile.” He looked over at Loreza, understanding where she was coming from; they had always looked for another way, and that is how they ended up together. “We can try and make a deal; but they will not accept us owning the last of their legacy.”

He paused somewhat. “We must think carefully about who we approach regarding the topic; though for objectivity sake, I'd say the North or the Vale would be best.”

GUINEVERE LANNISTER: Guinevere looked over at her Tyrell in laws, her eyes lingering somewhat on Helena, remembering how just a few days ago her own hands were stained with the blood of the birthing bed. She would speak with her after this was over, but for now, they had their own roles to play. Looking over at Mathis and Loreza, one being the brother of her oldest friend and the other being a friend she had never counted on making from such a mysterious land she was soon to call home, Guinevere leaned forward slightly, almost mirroring Ryon's stature.

“Whilst Blackmont can provide Scorpions, one would have to think of the border fighting that would occur as a result of a sudden attack. Lord Rowan is right in approach to at least express your intentions, and allow the other to make a deal; even if our minds are already made up.” Although the Westerlands would always remain her home, she would not wish for her new home to be at the end of a dragon's wrath; especially considering Blackmont was at the border.

The North or the Vale? She hesitated for a moment, wondering whether it was even her place to say; and yet, she felt as though she owed Loreza another way - just as she had asked. “The Vale.” Guinevere suggested, taking a light sip of the bitter Dornish red. “The Kings of the regions are incredibly close; the Arryn King is your best bet to hoping Daemon Targaryen sees reason.” She may not have known that, but alas, it was useful to their cause.

OPHELIA FOWLER: As the group began taking their seats, in the corner of the room she spotted Noor in the corner of the room. Alone as she usually was when she visited. Excusing herself from her friend the healer made her way towards the other. “Come sit with me” she offered, taking her hand to lead her over towards the table. Ophelia hoped for a little time of pleasant talks before dealing with more serious conversation. And as talk of dragons was certainly not what she was thinking of when she pictured serious conversations. “We are debating about killing a dragon?” she said, more to herself thank anything else. But her eyes did glance around the table to some of the others present. “We just finished fighting one battle do we really want to get into another one?” she said. “There must be some way we could resolve this peacefully.” If a fight were to break out she could only think of her family guarding the prince's pass and the borders. The last thing she wanted was for them to be in danger.

RHEA FLORENT: Rhea found herself agreeing with the Martell prince, which she considered to be a positive thing. The fact that Riyansh Martell could see the potential threat of a dragon being used to serve the purposes of those who could tame it meant that the possibility of the alliance between the two realms was beginning on concurrent, common ground. Different opinions were spoken by the various members in attendance at the dinner. Those who wished to remain passive and not alter the Targaryen fiery temperament by harming their deadly pet. Those who wished to be more diplomatic and settle everything with spoken arrangements with the Blacks. It didn’t sound too bad in theory. The Targaryens being willingly to keep their dragons chained, imprisoned, though? Perhaps an exception would arise if such a conversation took place in order to find a solution. Rhea seriously doubted it, though. Fire and Blood was their motto, and she couldn’t imagine them being willing to keep their fire locked up, hidden away. It was their pride, wasn’t it? One didn’t think of the Targaryens without thinking about dragons as well. “I agree with my cousin on this matter. They see dragons differently than the rest of us do, they mean something to them. Their legacy. Their pride. Their identity. Whatever you want to call it,” she made a brief pause. No one in this room would willingly give up any of that, so it was rather foolish for them to expect the Targaryens would. “A conflict is sure to arise. Let us at least pick the sort of conflict it will be, one that is the least threatening one for us all”.

NOOR: When Ophelia spotted her and came forward Noor offered her a soft smile, though her eyes flashed weariness at her offer to join her, though before Noor could find the words to refuse she was already out of the shadows and the last thing she wanted was her refusal rousing anymore attention, so she remained silent after muttering a small thank you to her listening on. A dragon, alive and well, but for how long by the sounds of the discussion unfurling in the room. Her heart felt heavy at the thought of an innocent creature being put to death because there were those in the world that believed all forms of life were at their disposal to abuse for their own self fulfillment. She thought of the innumerable stories she’d heard throughout her life. Stories told to her, and spoken about in her presence. In every corner of the world the eastern continent she’d wound up in. There were stories of the dragons emerging from shadows and shadow spells that could bind them. Boastings of dragon horns being the prized possessions of so many great coffers, masters who boasted of possessing the horns that could compel the creatures though to little avail as they likely would never get the chance for how few of the beasts that remained in the world. But sure those tales were not what they all wanted to be relayed, many tales that even Noor was loathe to remember for the bitter memories that came with. Her face grew troubled over all the talk as she glanced over at Lord Blackmont.

ADDAM LANNISTER: Addam took a sip of his wine, making a small face toward Guinevere as he did so. As he listened to the others discuss how best to handle the dragon, he found that he both agreed and disagreed with all of them. “Our kingdoms will be better without the wings of dragons flying overhead,” he remarked carefully, tapping his fingers on the table in front of him. “And I agree that it should most certainly be put down. A scorpion is a viable option.” He leaned back then as he considered his next words. He had seen much of war, had seen the way the kings interacted in the Vale. “But if we were to kill a Targaryen dragon, we would find ourselves at war with more than just the Crownlands. The Vale and the North would certainly take up arms; are they not allied with the Dragon King?” He looked at Guinevere once more. “Why would you choose to approach the Vale instead of the North?” he inquired. “Because Arryn has the Targaryen ear?” He exhaled. “And, while I would never presume to know how the others govern themselves, I have to ask... would the Targaryens even agree about what to do with the dragon if they were inclined to see it gone?”

ALYVIA LANNISTER: When the connection was broken, Alyvia felt as if she could breath once more. The earlier whirlwind of emotions gave way to one lasting sentiment that was of anger. At who, she could not be certain. Perhaps herself, and her treacherously foolish heart that had gone an attached itself to the Prince in her youth, shutting down when it was unable to cope with the abrupt departure from any future she’d envisioned with the man. For the past seven years she’d put the thought of Cedric Tyrell out her mind. Faced with him for the first time since she hadn’t been able to remain unfazed no matter what her better senses willed. And for that she was furious with herself. Seated with her friend and Lord Blackmont at the far side of the table, she was nearly grateful for the talk of dragonslaying as it was the perfect distraction to put aside her conflicting emotions.

Her brothers train of thought was sound, though others were not wrong about the dragonlords not keeping their word. It was in their very nature not to. “No one can rise above their very nature, not the beasts nor their riders. Handing them the creature would be offering the low hanging fruit, both the temptation and prize to be won with it’s use too great. The beast is half the worry, it’s the hellfire it can spew that’s really the problem. It’s a shame no one has ever found a way to put a stopper on that nuisance.”

GUINEVERE LANNISTER: “Any man who tries to fiddle with the anatomy of a living dragon will soon find himself ashes; there is no way in ridding it of the flame.” Was it cruel for her to wish such a creature dead? There was a time where they were the most majestic of beasts in all Westeros; and yet it seemed as though the generation following them would have nothing but bones to gaze upon. Perhaps it was cruel, and Guinevere felt somewhat for the loss of a part of history; but history was being rewritten, and a new chapter of independent sovereignty was being created.

“Because the Arryn King is the best bet in hoping Daemon Targaryen and his sisters see reason.” Guinevere replied to her distant cousin, repeating her last words - one can interpret what they mean by the statement. The beast would have to die, though she would avoid war for the sake of it landing upon her head at the Dornish borders. “And the North does not involve itself in Southern affairs.”

ELEYANA MARTELL: Eleyana looked over at her sister. She understood Loreza's perspective on this matter, but this was not a simple trade agreement over silks and pomegranates. The implications of a Targaryen dragon in Westeros would be deadly for every person no matter their kingdom. It would hardly matter the riches that each family held if they were all burned to a crisp. “It's clear that Daemon Targaryen is desperate to rebuild the Crownlands. So desperate he even reached out the Martells for a possible trade alliance.” The princess swirled the wine in her cup before taking a sip. She knew her idea of using her brother's scorpions to kill the dragon was not the most favorable by the group but she needed to at least plead her case. "If he gets a hold of a dragon I have no doubt he will do everything in his power to regain his family's reputation.”

ADDAM LANNISTER: He turned toward his cousin — distant though the relation was — with a tilt of his head. The wine goblet remained on the table, Addam much preferring another varietal than the one currently being served “I do not disagree with the assessment, though the North will have to involve itself in Southern affairs if the beast is killed.” He nearly chuckled at the thought of Rodrik Stark marching his banners South because a dragon had been killed. “Would there be a problem in approaching both the North and the Vale? If two of his allies were in agreement, Daemon Targaryen would certainly have to take notice, sigil or not.”

RIYANSH MARTELL: As pressing a discussion as this was, the few options they had been said, and they were all now going in circles around the topic, there was nothing more constructive coming from it. “It appears we’ve all come to the agreement that putting the creature to death though perhaps the most desired outcome would not be the wisest. We’ve only just encroached on a period of peace, to shatter it without attempting to find common ground would not be wise. Rowan Arryn is a reasonable man to my understanding, and I agree that taking him in our confidence in this matter may prove useful. In an effort to contain the matter, I would suggest you and I meet with our host before we depart from the Vale to discern where his resolution falls, and how he may be able to aid us in this matter.”

CEDRIC TYRELL: Cedric nodded, hearing the quiet conversation between the pair of golden haired Lannisters, wondering how is it that family seemed to find themselves in most of Westeros these days in some way or another. The man knew to approach the Mountain King regarding this matter could be a touchy one, considering the closeness between the two men, though Cedric could only hope the wellbeing of all the realms reigned supreme. “It is done then.” The man agreed, looking over at Ryon Blackmont. “Ready the Scorpions for shipment in advance regardless.”

He looked over at the Vale and Reach courtiers once again, resting his hands together atop the table, feeling the distant gaze of someone he once used to know. “Is there anything else any of you wish to discuss?” He asked, opening the floor to conversation if need be.

RIYANSH MARTELL: Now that they had chosen their course on the matter of the Dragon, it was time to discuss the betrothal. “The resolution of this matter has by no means been reached, however, I am glad to know we all are in agreement about the mutual threat the beast poses. There is another matter yes. I’ve already spoken to Lord Rowan on this matter, as well as my dearest sister. As you know the sanctity of marriage has often become the great foundation for alliances. Thus I have offered my sisters hand in marriage to Lord Mathis, the hope their union can fundamentally ground this unprecedented alliance between our lands.”

HARLON FLOWERS: Holy shit this was really happening. After all this discussion and wondering between the people of the Reach it seemed like a plan was formally going forward. The thoughts of dragons taking to the skies once again was enough to give just about anyone nightmares. The destruction brought on these kingdoms from these creatures was enough for two lifetimes. No more was needed. And hopefully if everything went according to their plan, nothing more would happen. He had to put his faith that Daemon and Caerella could be reasoned with. A slight smile was on his face as he realized the idea had a chance of working. Reaching over to grab one of the Dornish wines he poured himself a rather tall glass before filling up Rhea's as well. “Maybe time for that bet to start now.” He smiled at her. giving a small cheers to the news of a possible engagement. "Well that is certainly a much more cheerful topic” he said looking over towards his friend Mathis.

RHEA FLORENT: So, after all the talking, no real solution had been agreed upon. At the very least the general consensus was that the dragon was a threat that needed to be handled sooner rather than later. She glanced briefly towards her cousin, wanting to get a read of him after the discussion. The Mistress of Whispers had been nursing her glass of wine here and there as the conversation between the attendees took place and she smirking slightly as Harlon filled it up to the top after pouring himself a rather large drink. Are you sure? she seemed to ask with the amused look she gave him. “A bet, then. I thought it was merely a test,” she tilted her head a bit to the side “What are we betting?”. The news of Mathis betrothal soon followed and Rhea turned to her cousin's Hand, raising her glass. “Congratulations for the groom-to be,” she smiled, “May this union make you a happy a man,” she said with sincerity, wishing for more than simple political gain as the result of the marriage.

[scoobysurfers]

My Analysis of Mystery Incorporated and Hogwarts Houses

I want to start by saying that I don’t believe The Sorting Hat chooses your house based on your personality. There is no clear-cut definition to each house. Every one of us exhibits traits of all four of the houses. So I like to believe The Sorting Hat chooses your house based on your values. This is why entire wizarding families are in the same house - they have the same values, but they don’t necessarily have the same personalities. This is why classifying can be controversial. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way to classify the gang because everyone has different interpretations of them depending on what they’ve read/watched. This is my take where I explore some different perspectives, so hear me out :)

Fred.

I feel like this is going to be smallest discussion by far because there’s literally nothing to discuss; Fred is a Gryffindor through and through. He’s the textbook definition of brave, he’s a do-er and he has a strong moral compass and sense of justice. He can be a little bit reckless and heroic, and I definitely see Harry’s personality within Fred’s. The only other house I’d possibly consider for him is Hufflepuff because he has a heart of gold and is so loyally devoted to his friends. But his competitive nature and tendency to act without thinking make him far more suited to...

GRYFFINDOR !

Daphne.

Looking at all the Scooby Gang in Hogwarts interpretations online, I have discovered that Daphne is the most controversial. I’ve seen her portrayed as all four, but I think there’s definitely more of a case for Slytherin and Gryffindor. For starters, while Daphne is very smart, she isn’t the type to think before acting, and she isn’t always logical (she’s a firm believer in the supernatural in many series). So she isn’t Ravenclaw, but what about Hufflepuff? I think Hufflepuff fits her, but she also has other qualities that are better exhibited in the more ‘extroverted’ houses, so to speak. Just like Fred, Daphne is far too competitive and ambitious to be a true Hufflepuff.

Something that a lot of people miss about Daphne’s character, particularly if you’ve only watched the older series, is her bravery. She can be heroic too, and as Scooby Apocalypse showed us, she can be a fierce leader too. An argument for Daphne being Gryffindor over Slytherin is that she is more passionate than reasonable. In my opinion, Gryffindors tend to be guided by their passion, whereas Slytherins are driven by their reason. At first glance, she may look like a Gryffindor because of her confidence and sense of adventure. But I think there are a couple of key reasons as to why she is not a Gryffindor.

To decipher the problem as to why she is not a Gryffindor, I simply compared her to Fred. She has a tough exterior, but I think inside, she is vulnerable and afraid of rejection and perhaps, at times, uncertain of her morals. This wavers from the fundamental definition of a Gryffindor.

Daphne likes to get her own way, and uses a variety of means to get it, whether it be her looks or smarts. That leads on to another thing - I just think she’s too smart for Gryffindor. Of course, you can have smart Gryffindors (hello Hermione), but she’s a different sort of smart. Hermione is book smart, but Daphne is more street smart. In that sense, she can also be manipulative and does have the potential to use this to her own advantage, whether it be good or bad. I believe that Daphne’s influential capacity makes her different from a Gryffindor, who has a strong sense of justice. She also highly values her reputation and appearance. In many incarnations, Daphne has been shown to be extremely resourceful and quick-witted. Gryffindors are more socially orientated and tend to do things for the ‘greater good’, governed by their own morality. Slytherins on the other hand, are more individually focused and I definitely think many of Daphne’s actions are for her own individual sense of self satisfaction. For all these reasons, Daphne is a...

SLYTHERIN !

Velma.

Okay, so the obvious thing here would be to say she’s a Ravenclaw because she’s smart. But there’s so much more to Velma than being ‘smart’ and Ravenclaws value more than just intelligence. Also remember there are people in Gryffindor, Slytherin and Hufflepuff who are highly intelligent.

Let’s do this by a process of elimination. First off, she’s not a Hufflepuff. I see Hufflepuffs as affectionate, caring people, and while Velma has an undeniable loyalty to her friends and family, she’s not open about it. Hufflepuffs are fair and modest people, but Velma never misses an opportunity to outshine a rival with her wits.

Gryffindor. *exhales* Velma is a brave person, but she’s not recklessly brave. You may argue that Velma is similar to Hermione, but I think the key thing that differentiates them is their thought process. Hermione is more of a doer, and has little time for planning, whereas Velma likes having a plan, especially during a trap. There are many episodes throughout the franchise where she gets frustrated with Fred’s lack of plan. This is Fred’s Gryffindor shining through, and I think in moments like these, the difference between their values becomes plain.

You may think by now that I’m pushing Velma towards Ravenclaw, especially since it’s clearly Hermione’s secondary house. Consider Slytherin. This is an interesting debate - in my opinion, Slytherin and Ravenclaw are the generally the smartest houses, and I can see Velma in both of them.

Overall, I think she is a Ravenclaw. This is because she has a constantly active mind and a love of learning and books. The defining trait of a Ravenclaw is their confidence in their own knowledge. Without a doubt, Velma has this to the point where she actually comes across as arrogant and a know-it-all. And she is probably the most introverted and independent character in the gang.

But I also want to present the lesser discussed notion of Velma being a Slytherin.

Velma is a detective with an incredible ability to read and understand the criminal mind. This in itself makes her a clever, calculating person, which are qualities of Slytherin. She is also ambitious and highly competitive, especially in the academic world. And she has a small group of close friends who she is very loyal to. Remember that SDMI episode where she hacks the monster biker’s computer to save Scooby’s life? *loyalty* I also think she demands a certain level of respect from the people that she meets. She wants to project herself as a smart, capable person and she gives me the feeling that first impressions matter to her.

As for the distinction between Ravenclaw and Slytherin, I think the key thing is this: Ravenclaws are both logical and abstract thinkers who think outside the box. Ravenclaw Luna Lovegood gave such insightful answers to enter the Ravenclaw common room, eg, a circle has no end or beginning. I just don’t think Velma is an abstract thinker. She’s a very practical person who likes to be in control of the facts of the mysteries. She freaks out whenever something is slightly off, like that BCSD episode when she got so caught up on why the monster was a Yeti instead of actually solving the mystery. In my opinion, Slytherins are more practical minded, they can have a nasty streak and they’re highly self reliant. Oh, and Velma is a sarcastic QUEEN.

In conclusion, Velma could easily be in Slytherin or Ravenclaw. I think she has elements of Slytherin (especially in SDMI), but at heart, I declare Velma to be...

RAVENCLAW !

Shaggy and Scooby.

The go-to for our iconic duo is Hufflepuff. They’re obviously not Slytherin or Ravenclaw (if you need further convincing, read Velma’s section above), but Gryffindor isn’t completely out of the question. Perhaps the polar opposites of primary and secondary houses is why Shelma, in my opinion, are incompatible.

It is widely known and played upon in all of Scooby Doo how cowardly Shaggy and Scooby are. But like, they’re not??? Their courage is seriously overlooked. They’re always placed in the most dangerous positions, and that requires a lot of bravery to overcome. They’re often the heroes who save their friends. If they were placed in Gryffindor, I’d see them as being very similar to Neville Longbottom.

But there are a few reasons as to why they are not true Gryffindors, and are, in fact, Hufflepuffs. Shaggy and Scooby are not at all competitive (where it matters - excluding sports or races) or tempered in nature. They hate conflict, and Shaggy is often the mediator between the gang’s arguments.

They are Hufflepuffs because of their loyalty, fairness and open-mindedness. Just like Cedric Diggory in the Triwizard Tournament who suggests Harry takes the cup, Shaggy and Scooby value people over individual glory. Shaggy is a very inclusive person and obviously an animal lover. Also, they obviously love to eat. There is a reason why the Hufflepuff common room is right beside the kitchens, and if Shaggy and Scooby got wind of this, they wouldn’t give the other houses a thought. So without further discussion...

HUFFLEPUFF !

Me!!!

I got Gryffindor in Pottermore but my values and personality are more suited to Ravenclaw. If I had to choose, I’d say RAVENCLAW, but my hybrid house feels the most accurate for me and it’s GRIFFINCLAW !!!

Anyway, I hope I sparked up some new thoughts/perspectives you hadn’t considered before.

What house are you?

[halothenthehorns]

TLTNL- DETENTION WITH DOLORES

Lily watched Remus flip to the next chapter with a sense of foreboding. She couldn't help but notice a recurring pattern that every thirteenth chapter of these books seemed to be an extra stab of worse for her son. She supposed that mirror had been a bit of good and bad, but that diary and the time they'd all watched Sirius truly act like a madman, then of course the start to that wretched Tournament. She already could feel a burning hatred for Umbridge, what worse thing could happen this time?

Dinner that night was particularly unpleasant for Harry, as his shouting match seemed to be all everyone was talking about.

"Now that's saying something," James murmured as he shifted uneasily in his seat, he wasn't looking forward to Harry's reaction to this.

The worst part was no one was bothering to keep their voices down, almost as if hoping he'd start shouting the same thing at them as well.

Sirius huffed and muttered a bit about people who weren't them. He'd always loved attention, but this was ridiculous on the student's part.

Harry glared down at his meal as he demanded of his friends amongst the not so subtle whispers why they all believed his story at the end of last year, but now they wanted to hear this.

"Who says they did though?" Remus was frowning with sympathy. "Fudge is the perfect example of that, he was there when this was first being told and he flat out refused to hear this was true. The rest of the student body could have honestly been thinking the same thing as him, and then the Prophet just went and confirmed it."

Harry's face was flushing with anger as he fought so hard not to argue back, having to keep the very firm thought they were on his side and not to go at them like he had been towards Ron and Hermione. It was getting harder by the moment as he remembered the screams, what they all saw as he reappeared with Cedric's body! How could they just write that off! When Harry didn't respond, Remus didn't push him for an answer as he kept going.

  Hermione told she didn't actually think so, before getting up and leaving the hall altogether.

Harry followed gratefully, Ron a little more reluctantly as he couldn't take the rest of his apple pie.

"A treasured friend, walking away from dessert," James mumbled.

They went into the nearest empty classroom for Harry to ask what she meant, and Hermione pleaded with him to see it from their end. He'd just reappeared with Cedric's body, and Dumbledore had told what had happened to him.

Harry all but screamed back that was the truth!

Lily was fidgeting in place for a multitude of reasons. Wanting to scold Harry again for talking to his friends that way, wanting to back him up because clearly the majority of that school needed their heads checked in thinking anything else had happened considering the evidence. Yet she could do neither of those things, and so was left to sit and squirm some more, ratcheting her frustrations further every moment.

Hermione frowned at him reproachfully as she said she was aware, but that didn't stop the rest of the students. Before the truth had sank in, they'd gone home for the summer to read all about Harry and Dumbledore being senile.

She ended there as they went back to their tower, where rain was still keeping the windows streaked, and there was still no light in Hagrid's cabin.

The Marauders exchanged an anxious look, but not one of them could come up with a comment to make Harry smile away this problem. They'd thought things would be getting better, at least a little more light now that he was back at school, but Harry didn't have the misadventures they made sure to get themselves up to, so it was getting rather hard to play off these very real problems of his.

The common room was still nearly empty with most eating, so they found Crookshanks by their favorite chairs by the fire. The cat at once leaped onto Hermione's lap and curled up there.

Sirius at least had seven years worth of material to talk about this all he wanted. "You know, I really pity those who had a cat allergy. Pomfrey kept them alive and everything, but there were at least a dozen of them in the common room alone at one time. Why are any pets besides owls allowed?"

"I always thought they were a bit of home comfort," Lily shrugged, though she'd never been allowed one until James got Hickory, her dorm mate had a cat that while wily, Lily adored, and in Mary's first few homesick week like all first years went through, seemed to be some comfort.

Sirius could have happily protested other aspects of this and kept going for hours, but then he realized the whole reason he was doing this was being ignored. Harry was gazing at nothing restlessly, rotationally rubbing at the back of his hand and flattening his hair. Clearly something was fixing to happen that was winding him up, even more worrying than his weighing thoughts about Hagrid or the rest of the start to his school year, so a small miracle occurred in that he silenced himself and let Remus keep going.

Harry gazed into the flames, feeling drained and exhausted.

Harry wasn't comforted he felt the same in here, though it was hardly past lunch. Having eaten a very early meal before meant he shouldn't expect a break for some time, though he knew he could get one if he asked. It was very tempting, but he knew it was really because he just didn't want to hear of something coming, so it's not as if he could delay that forever.

Hermione suddenly burst into speech about how Dumbledore had let his happen, that terrible woman teaching them in their OWL year!

"I'm confident your specific year was not on his mind when she was taken on," Remus chuckled.

"Yeah Harry, not everything's about you," James agreed.

"You know, in the book about your life," Lily rolled her eyes at the pair of them.

Harry reminded her they'd never had a good record of stellar teachers in this field.

When Sirius realized Remus wasn't going to react to that, Sirius decided to do it for him by lifting Remus' hand and pressing it to his heart as he tried to mimic his voice, "that hurt! Now I'm going to crawl away with a broken heart and sob in the corner-"

"Stop that you idiot," Remus finally tugged his arm free by whacking his hand with the book in his other.

Sirius rubbed at the spot, it was a big book, but he'd finally gotten a grin out of Harry for his antics so it had been worth it.

Hermione still couldn't believe someone had been employed who wouldn't even let them use magic, what was Dumbledore thinking?!

"Sadly, we can't blame this mess on him anymore than we could Lockhart," Remus groaned. "His last two appointees were clearly personal favors, and he's already run out of those with some stupendous consequences. I wish I was honestly more surprised the Ministry finally stepped in and tried to offer 'help' with this, and since he clearly couldn't' find anyone else to do the job," he trailed off with a sad sigh this had to fall on Harry.

Ron also reminded she was even trying to get the students to spy for her, reminding of her words she wanted people to tell if they heard someone mentioning You-Know-Who was back.

"I'm glad one of you caught that," James crinkled his nose in disgust.

"You didn't mention it," Lily rolled her eyes at him.

"Thought it went without saying in here how much we'd hate that," James shrugged.

Hermione snapped back that part had been obvious, why else would Fudge have wanted her here?

Harry all but begged them not to start arguing again, saying could they not just start on some homework.

"Merlin, you must be sick of them to rather be doing homework than listen to a classic," Sirius frowned in sympathy for Harry.

"I really was feeling exhausted after just the one day," Harry sighed, still rubbing in frustration at his forehead, his scar they all noticed. It left them all as uneasy as he was clearly feeling, as any rubbing at this from before never meant anything good.

Ron decided to start Snape's first,

"Suppose it is best to get the worst out of the way first," Sirius groaned.

and he began to write his name on the parchment as well as starting the first sentence, before looking hopefully at Hermione.

"I'm sure she was just stunned at such a thing happening," James snickered.

When she did not respond, he prompted her what the property of moonstones were and their uses in potions.

"Does he really never bother to crack open his own text first?" Remus sounded honestly amused.

"Why would he bother when he has a talking one right next to him most times," Harry chuckled.

Hermione wasn't even listening, but was instead gazing at Fred, George, and Lee Jordan who were surrounding a knot of first years and holding a paper bag and a clipboard.

Hermione hissed in frustration they'd gone to far, demanding Ron follow her.

Ron began a feeble protest they weren't doing anything wrong, but even as she spoke the Fainting Fancies kicked in as one by one the first years slumped in their seats, apparently knocked out by an invisible force.

"Merlin, that would actually terrify the piss out of teachers," Lily yipped in concern, she knew she'd be freaking out if she hadn't heard the reason for this.

"I'm sure it must come with some sort of warning label, be sure to tell your friends what you're fixing to do so they can give some loaded excuse and escort you out for the teacher." Sirius shrugged.

"Something harmless, like oh he skipped breakfast," James agreed, his eyes alight with fascination at these twins yet again.

Hermione wasn't waiting anymore as she marched over. Ron dithered for a moment before murmuring she had this covered, and folding himself tight into his seat.

"Out of the pair, I consider Hermione more intimidating anyways," Sirius snickered. "Best let her get her word in, Ron does much better keeping an eye on things."

She snapped at the twins that was enough!

George agreed happily enough, saying this dose was plenty strong enough.

Remus snorted hard at the two just carrying on without a single care of her. That was a bit dumb on their part, even without all they knew about Hermione, you'd think the twins would find her some form of a threat.

Hermione persisted they were not to test this rubbish on students!

Fred replied they were being paid.

"I really don't find that the point right now," Lily shook her head.

Hermione wasn't letting go, saying this could be dangerous!

Lee brushed her off, saying they were coming around now. Indeed as Lee had been going around popping orange bites into their mouth, almost instantly their eyes fluttered, and they began to sit up. By the surprise on some faces, Harry felt sure they hadn't been warned what the sweet would do.

"Why's that?" Sirius did look confused at this choice. "Should have prepared them, better results when they ask how soon they felt the effects coming on."

"I can see the benefit," Remus said grudgingly, "if they expected it, then they would have been waiting for the feeling, and that could have preemptively made the feeling occur."

"They're probably doing both scenarios with different groups," James concluded.

George kindly asked one little girl how she was feeling, as she said just fine. Fred declared this as excellent and began marking something on his clipboard, but Hermione shrieked it was not excellent!

Fred scowled at her, reminding they were alive.

"Well yes, that is the bright side," James chuckled.

Hermione snarled at them they still couldn't do this, it could make them ill!

George insisted since they'd tested everything on themselves first it was low risk, they just wanted to make sure everyone had the same-

Hermione cut him off by promising she wasn't going to let them do this.

Fred just laughed her off, saying what could she do to them?

George suddenly mimed in fear of having to write lines.

The back of Harry's hand tingled worse than ever, and he began rubbing at that instead of his scar for once in remembered pain as he gazed down at the white mark. It was extremely faded, clearly years old and the words no longer legible, but he could feel now more than ever he was about to get an answer to this scar, and he knew he wasn't going to like it.

Onlookers all over the room were laughing.

"Hermione really is making a spectacle of herself," Sirius shook his head, none of them noticing Harry's moment.

Hermione drew herself up to her full height; her eyes were narrowed and her bushy hair seemed to crackle with electricity.

Harry was thankfully distracted from his moment anyways by that vivid mental image while those around him snickered as they visualized it.

She instead said in a commanding voice that she would write their mother.

The scandalized looks on everyone normally would have been enough to make someone laugh, but that really had been too far on Hermione's part. First trying to pin the brothers against each other last year, now this, she truly was interfering in far too much outside of her friend's brother's lives with that statement. The Marauders knew they would have lost their temper in that moment had it been them. Privacy was of the utmost importance to them considering what they got up to in school, and if Regulus had ever tried a thing like that against them, even if it would have no effect, it would not have gone over well.

George tried to say she wouldn't, while taking a feared step back from her.

Harry gave a hard laugh for the dramatics he wished the others would join in on. Hermione was still his friend even if she was being too heavy handed right then, and those angry faces all for her really were making him uncomfortable.

Hermione insisted oh yes she would.

The twins just stood there, thunderstruck, clearly their expressions read she'd hit below the belt.

"Course it is," James' scowl had not lessened one little bit.

"Dad," Harry couldn't help but snap at him for that.

"She should know better than anyone what it is to keep to themselves," James was not backing down. "They're not hurt and this really doesn't have anything to do with her."

"She's not here to defend herself," Harry wasn't letting go either, "and I'm sure if she was she'd be saying it was her job as Prefect to keep an eye on them, and not let them go too far."

"They haven't even gotten close," Lily rolled her eyes as she jumped in, "and James quit having a go at Hermione because of everything she does."

Her glaring at the two managed to put a stop to them for now even if they both did look wrinkled.

Hermione gave them one last warning look before heading back to where Harry had been watching, and Ron now had his nose pressed to his knees in an effort not to watch.

"I'm sure that was the best position available at the time," Remus muttered.

Hermione gave Ron an acidic thanks for his help.

"Please don't tell me she's going at him next," James huffed for Lily alone, "I wouldn't ask Sirius to back me up if I was having a go at you."

"It's not entirely the same," Lily sighed in his ear, "her heart's in the right place, she's just looking out for those little kids."

"The twins aren't going to hurt them," he insisted, "and Hermione's nosing into people's business."

"She always has though, and you thought it was plenty of fun against Rita last time," Lily softly rebuked. "You can't pick and choose when it's fun to watch her do this."

"Different situation," he began to hiss back, but she raised a brow which made him stop and realize he was saying exactly what she just had. He crossed his arms and finished with a huff, while Remus had been ignoring their not very subtle whispered argument.

Then she declared she couldn't concentrate on anything anymore and went up to bed.

"Wow, good to know Ron's found a way to distract Hermione from homework, could come in handy for the future," Sirius chuckled on Ron's behalf.

She wrenched her school bag back open, but instead of putting away her books, she instead took out a misshapen woolly something and set it on the table, before throwing some collective broken quills and scraps of paper on top of it.

Ron asked what she was doing as if fearing for her sanity.

"I'm already at that level," Remus huffed.

Hermione explained they were hats for the house-elves, she made them over the summer. She was really slow at knitting without magic, but now she was back at school she should be making much more.

There was a long, heavy moment of silence before Sirius burst out laughing. Remus joined in, but there was a hard edge as he kept staring down at this new act of hers.

"This is another level of conceited," James didn't look remotely amused at the idea. "Just where did she get the idea that she can set other people's creatures free? That's like if someone took Crookshanks from her and tried to set it loose in the wild."

"You did just equate house-elves to animals," Lily said grudgingly, very clearly trying not to sound accusing, but failing a bit. "Honestly, would it be so bad if they worked for these families voluntarily rather than slavery. If the house-elves wanted to come back then of course Dumbledore would let them, but now they'd be there because they clearly wanted to be, that could teach Hermione a very important lesson."

"You lot are missing the point," Sirius brushed his hair out of his face impatiently as his mirth filled eyes looked on at all of them not getting the joke. "This is all pointless on her part, because it won't work! Even when they do pick those up, they'll throw them in the bin, or the laundry, or lost and found! Hermione's not their master, she can't release them. This girl has no clue what she's doing."

"She's clearly going after Harry's idea and tricking them into freedom," Remus agreed, "but she seems to have missed the important detail of Malfoy having been the one to do so for Dobby."

"Well now I'm just curious if Harry points this out," James released a grudging laugh, "because he clearly hadn't thought of this," seeing the contemplative look on his face as he realized this at the same time as them.

Ron frowned angrily at the idea, saying she shouldn't just trick them into freedom, what if they didn't want it.

Hermione snapped that of course they did!

James still couldn't erase a scowl for her arrogance coming through yet again. Exactly how much did Hermione know of these creatures? They hadn't heard much of her looking into this past her disgust of them not being mentioned in history books, and Harry clearly didn't know as he wasn't keeping good tabs on Hermione's adventures of this.

She then warned Ron against doing anything against those hats before really going to bed, but the moment she was out of sight Ron at least brushed the rubbish off the hats, saying they should at least see what they were picking up.

Sirius was still snickering as he knew it made no difference either way, while at least James looked appeased with Ron's attempts.

He rolled up the start of his homework as well, saying there was no point trying without her around, asking without hope if Harry knew anything about moonstones?

"They invented this thing, it's called a textbook," Lily said conversationally. "Has he never bothered to crack it open before now?"

"Never had to, Hermione's really always been around when we do our homework, and she helps a lot more than she admits," Harry shrugged.

"How do you lot survive when you weren't speaking in third year, or even when she wasn't around at the end of your second?" Sirius couldn't help but laugh at Harry's sheepish face.

"A lot of her notes," he muttered, "she wrote ahead a lot, and we filched them from her when she left them out a lot at night."

"Well at least that's some form of study, even if it is from her rather than the source she got it from," Remus snorted.

Harry admitted he knew nothing of it, and knowing he'd regret this later, went off to bed as well. He passed Seamus on the way to the stairs, who opened his mouth as if to say something, but Harry walked past too fast to hear.

"Probably a good thing," Lily sighed, "as I doubt he was going to be saying anything too pleasant less than a day later."

None of the boys entirely agreed, a good fight actually could have done some good in relieving Harry's stress, as they'd found in their youth, though usually that was geared more towards their pranks than an argument.

The next day began the same, in weather and disappointment of still no Hagrid. Ron at least had the cheerful thought of no Snape.

"It's nice to have someone pointing out the bright side on their end as well," Remus smiled.

Hermione seemed pleased enough though as she told over breakfast her hats were gone, looks like the elves did want to be free.

James was still shaking his head in disbelief at Hermione's naivety showing at every aspect of this situation.

Ron pointed out they might not even count those as clothes, they looked more like woolly bladders to him.

Harry was the only one who managed to resist a snort of laughter with great restraint.

Hermione did not speak to him all morning.

"I'm sure that was his goal honestly," Sirius snickered.

Double Charms then double Transfiguration took up their morning, both teachers beginning with yet more lectures about their coming OWLs.

"All of the teachers will," Lily sighed, "as if we couldn't remember without them adding to the stress of it all."

Professor Flitwick began these should be given very serious thought as they would define their future careers.

"That's implying he has any thoughts though," James said loudly before his friend could get halfway through a joke.

"Prongs!" Sirius spluttered protest at once.

"Not as fun when someone else does it, eh?" James smirked with utter pleasure.

"Isn't this what started the war, and at some point we just let him win," Remus groaned.

"I have far more material, I got eleven years of making this shit up before you lot could even get a chance getting started," Sirius huffed, a challenging look still gleaming in his eyes promising payback to his best friend.

They spent the morning revisiting Summoning Charms, which Flitwick assured would appear on these important finals, before setting up their largest homework assignment yet.

"You are depressing me with all of these flashbacks I'm getting," Remus groaned.

Transfiguration was possibly worse, McGonagall beginning they would not pass their OWLs without serious application.

"When did my middle name change to application?" Sirius demanded practically before Remus had finished the word with a hard look at James.

James was now resisting the urge to get up and strangle him.

She believed everyone in here was capable of passing if they put the work in, while Neville made a sad little noise of disbelief.

"Aww," Lily uttered sadly, wishing she could pass the poor boy along her notes or something. This wasn't her best class either, but at least she'd held confidence while trying.

McGonagall noticed, turning full attention on him and insisting that yes, he too could. His only restraint was his own lack of confidence.

They all smiled widely for that, often times just instilling confidence in someone could help them more with their work, and they hoped that helped Neville. In that moment, Harry honestly would have bet on it.

They began the lesson with attempting to vanish snails, and by the end of the lesson neither boy had even slightly managed it, though Hermione had on her third attempt. She was the only one not given the homework of practicing.

Now panicking at their pileup of work, the two boys skipped lunch in favor of trying to cobble together something for the moonstone essay while Hermione refused to join them, clearly still angry at Ron for his hat crack.

"I think Ron needs to make a chart to help him maintain when he should be insulting Hermione, and be sure to keep homework help times in big red letters to avoid that," Remus was trying hard not to laugh as he said.

"That is far too much work, he may as well just do the homework by that point," James rolled his eyes.

By the time they reached Care of Magical Creatures in the afternoon, Harry's head was aching again.

"It's only the second day," Lily said with worry. "Honestly Harry, you act as if school's new to you, I'm sure you'll fall back into your routine soon."

"It just felt, off this year," he struggled to explain even as he already felt a sharp pain returning for even trying to speak about something he had no clue should bother him.

It wasn't hard to realize that something was bothering him this year in particular, even more than last if that was possible, and it was frustrating none of them could think how to help because they weren't even sure of what the problem was yet.

At least the rain had stopped, so they stepped out towards the forest in a cool mist. They reached Hagrid's cabin only just in front of the usual band of Slytherins snickering away, and judging by the looks Harry was receiving, it wasn't difficult to guess the joke.

"Knew you had to inherit some of my brains," Lily poked fun at her husband's expense.

"I'll have you know I got an O in my sarcasm OWL dear," James batted his eyes at her.

"Who set it, Remus or Sirius?" Harry couldn't help but snip.

All three denied answering.

Even unsurprised, Harry was still disappointed to find Professor Grubbly-Plank heading the class, standing in front of a table that just seemed to hold a pile of twigs.

"Sounds like bowtruckles," Remus couldn't seem to stop himself answering, while Sirius rolled his eyes and just thanked Merlin he wasn't inserting other trivia in between already.

Once the class had assembled and the teacher asked if anyone would like to say what these were, Hermione's hand shot up at once. Malfoy did a foul impression of her from behind, while Pansy began laughing, causing one to stir and the class to leap back in shock. It was a very tiny creature with twig like arms and feet than ended in double needle sharp claws, with only tiny brown eyes to show intelligence.

"My dad once had a chap around who had one of those as a pet, road around on his shoulder," Remus smiled in remembrance.

"So your dad knew the same kind of strange people you do," Sirius surmised, as Remus sometimes enjoyed inviting people over who could have a friendly discussion about magical creatures, of course none ever stayed long.

Parvati and Lavender ooed at once at the sight, while Harry's irritation ratcheted up at once. They acted as if Hagrid never showed anything impressive. Admittedly the flobberworms and been a flop, but they'd seen hippogriffs and salamanders. Though perhaps the blast-ended skrewts had been too much so.

"That about covered it," James snickered.

Grubbly-Plank kept all attention by saying to keep their voices down, then turning to Miss Granger.

Hermione began at once they were bowtruckles, tree-guardians who prefered wand-trees.

The teacher gave five points to Gryffindor for the correct answer, then asked if anyone knew their food preference.

Hermione at once said woodlice but they would go for fairy eggs. Even as Harry watched Grubbly-Plank threw down some brown grains that wriggled slightly.

"Nothing yet to add Moony?" Sirius was clearly challenging, so knowing whether Remus answered or not he'd get mocked for doing so, Remus looked him in the eye and said, "a group of bowtruckles is called a branch."

Sirius just rolled his eyes, but he couldn't pretend he was surprised.

Hermione got another five for the correct answer before Grubbly-Plank went into more details about how it was wise to have a gift of woodlice at the ready when trying to interact with bowtruckles, otherwise they would become angry and try to gouge out your eyes.

James had only vaguely heard of these things from Remus, so though he'd heard this fun fact, he still rubbed at the corner of his eye protectively.

She instructed them all to take some woodlice, and then select a bowtruckle and draw a diagram of the creatures, to be handed in end of lesson.

As the class moved forward, Harry circled around instead to ask the teacher where Hagrid was.

"Why would she know?" Remus shook his head sadly for Harry. "She's only the substitute, you should take that up with Dumbledore."

"Well as I'm still rather annoyed at him for ignoring me all summer, better to start with her," Harry sighed.

She brushed him off with a never you mind, much the same response he'd gotten when this happened last year.

"I see she still fails to see Harry as Hagrid's friend instead of a nosy kid," James huffed.

Smirking as he came over, Malfoy leaned in and whispered that the oaf had probably got himself injured.

Harry snapped back for him to shut his mouth or he'd be getting his own.

"Why wait for that?" Sirius' teeth were already bared for a fight.

Malfoy persisted the elephant man had perhaps even been messing with things that were too big even for him.

All of them fidgeted in unease for that. It wasn't a good thing at all that just by this little comment, they all understood the Death Eaters were aware of Hagrid's involvement, but that didn't stop Remus frowning in confusion, "I don't understand why he knows about this? Surely his father doesn't let him in on Death Eater meetings?"

"Who knows?" James shrugged, "a lot of the kids we knew in school who turned into that lot sure seemed to know a lot more than they should have, and I'll bet you anything that's because of what their parents told them and what they strung together. Wouldn't surprise me Malfoy's in the same boat."

Lily didn't comment, as she was chewing hard on her lip in concern for what could be happening to Hagrid, and why they Death Eaters would know anything about what was going on with him, unless they'd had a go at him. Surely Hagrid was strong enough to resist such a thing, right?

Malfoy walked away still smirking at Harry, who now felt sick. Did Malfoy know something? His father was a Death Eater after all; what if he had information about Hagrid's fate that had not yet reached the ears of the Order?

"Dumbledore would know if something happened to Hagrid," Remus said with as much confidence as he could. "Besides, he most likely had Maxime go with him if you remember, and you have to be a fully trained wizard to be a Headmistress, so there's just no way they could subdue both Hagrid and her and the Order wouldn't know about it."

"Yeah, Malfoy's just full of it as always, Hagrid'll be back at Hogwarts before you know it," James said with absolute conviction.

Harry still felt the panic flaring in him, yet when his dad mentioned Hagrid back at Hogwarts Harry did feel a bit of peace. He was sure in that moment he would see Hagrid again, so he did take a deep breath and settled back down.

Harry went back to where his friends were already getting started with their drawing, and confessed what little Malfoy had said. Hermione at once said Dumbledore would know if something had happened to Hagrid.

Remus kept reading on very loudly before Sirius could make that stupid joke as well.

It was just Malfoy trying to get under Harry's skin, Harry shouldn't react, that would only show what they didn't know.

"You don't know exactly what's going on," Sirius was clearly still sore about that.

Malfoy was speaking loudly to his own group about how his father would be very pleased about this change in staffing and it was more likely going to be permanent. Even if that overgrown moron came back, he'd be leaving just as soon.

"I like to think that miserable old Umbridge woman would be first out the door," Lily said in disgust. "At least Trelawney pretends to teach, that woman can't even accomplish that."

"It's breaking my heart to realize Snape will be of more use this year than that toad," James agreed in disgust.

Harry suddenly yelped in pain. He'd been holding the bowtruckle for his friends to draw the face, and he'd held it a bit to hard upon hearing Malfoy's words, causing the creature to react by slashing the back of his hand and blood to appear.

Harry rubbed the back of his right hand in the remembered pain, inspecting the wound critically, but that had been no where near deep enough to leave those scars, nor at all explained his unsettled feeling about them.

Remus was tisking sadly Harry had nearly hurt that creature due to his not paying attention, but couldn't bring himself to say anything as he knew Harry hadn't meant any real harm.

Harry dropped it on instinct and it took off running, while his hand dropped little spots of blood on his own still blank parchment. When the bell rang he rolled it shut still empty and marched off to his next class with Malfoy's laugh still echoing in his ear.

"That's enough to cause anyone a moment of detention," Lily said grimly, she couldn't stand watching someone suffer while being laughed at.

"I thought you were supposed to turn that in at the beginning of class," Remus said in confusion.

"She didn't ask anyone to turn them in, suppose she forgot," Harry shrugged, the whole class had walked away and she hadn't stopped them anyways.

Harry seethed that if Hagrid was insulted one more time, but Hermione cut off Harry shouldn't be picking fights with Malfoy, he was a prefect now, he could make life difficult for Harry.

"As opposed to?" Sirius burst out.

Harry sarcastically returned what a difficult life would be like. Ron laughed, but Hermione frowned.

"When is the last time I've ever heard her laugh at a joke?" James huffed even while he was smiling a bit himself at his sons accuracy.

They huddled outside the greenhouses while Harry groaned he just wished Hagrid would come back already, then turned on Hermione and at once said she'd better not say that Grubbly-Plank woman was a better teacher.

"Honestly Harry, I wish you wouldn't do that," Lily groaned in dismay. "She's a right to her opinion if she does think that woman's a better teacher."

"Well she could at least pretend like she'd be offended like the rest of us," Harry wasn't letting go. "He's hardly had as much of a chance, she could cut him some slack and show some concern for things other than house-elves."

"She most certainly does when it counts," Lily said firmly, causing Harry to wince and back down for now.

Hermione wasn't phased, as Harry kept going that woman would never be as good as Hagrid, well aware he'd just had a good Care of Magical Creatures class, and he was thoroughly annoyed by it.

"As am I when I enjoy a class, it's just unnatural," Sirius tried to lighten the mood, but was ignored.

The door opened and a group of fourth years came out, including Ginny and Luna. The moment the later spotted him, she marched right up to Harry,

"Well this should be interesting," Remus said honestly, he still hadn't quite formed an opinion of her, but he felt like he was fixing to with that kind of introduction.

eyes wide as ever, though a new addition of having what resembled radishes for earrings. Without any preliminary hello or anything though, she declared loud enough for all to hear she believed He Who Must Not Be Named was back and that Harry had fought him and lived.

"Well okay then," James blinked spastically at such an abrupt change of topic, before smiling widely, "I officially like her."

"She can read all the wonky magazines she likes so long as her head stays on straight," Sirius agreed with a happy smile.

Even as Lily and Remus agreed they couldn't help an eyeroll for the two having to phrase it like that.

Harry gave her an awkward thanks, while behind Parvati and Lavender were gesturing at her earlobes and giggling.

"Just what is so funny about that?" Lily rolled her eyes in annoyance at such a trivial thing to her.

Luna seemed under the impression they were laughing at her words and not jewelry as she told them they could laugh,

"I'm sure it's a combination of both actually," Harry said indulgently, wishing he'd done more to thank Luna at the time for the support he'd been wanting.

but people used to not believe in the Crumple-Horned Snorkack either.

"Err," Siris said in confusion, looking to Moony for some kind of answer on that, but he just gave the same unknown shrug back.

Hermione frowned impatiently that society had been right about that one, those had never been proven as real.

James began scratching at his ear as he stated, "okay, now I'm confused, who's wrong there?"

"I'd guess, err," Sirius looked torn, thinking Hermione would normally be the one to know such a thing, but Luna had seemed to speak with certainty of the exact opposite.

"Honestly what does it matter," Harry still had that smile in place, "she can believe in Father Christmas and not think Hippogriffs are real for all I care."

No one could argue with that, it was too nice to hear of someone having no relation to Harry sticking up for him, it spoke of just how equal the grounds of Hogwarts could be on this subject, hopefully.

Luna gave Hermione a withering look as she walked away, Parvati and Lavender laughing louder than ever.

Harry turned on his friend and snapped at her not to go offending the people who actually believed him.

"You got her on that one Harry," James snickered.

Hermione dissed he could do better than her.

"How so?" Sirius snipped. "I don't see anyone else lining up to say the same for Harry outright like that, I admire the girl for it."

Ginny had spoken of Luna to her, and apparently the only things she believed were things no one could prove.

"Why do I get the feeling that's not actually what Ginny had said," Remus frowned.

Harry thought of the sinister horses pulling the carriages this year and suddenly wondered if Luna had been lying about seeing them as well.

"I sincerely doubt her belief in, ah, certain creatures equates to outright lying about seeing something that is real," Remus defended.

Before he could think on it further, Ernie Macmillan came forward.

"Well this should be interesting," James muttered, his lip already trying to curl up in disdain for the last time he really remembered this boys opinion and it putting Harry so low.

He made sure his voice carried to everyone as well that it wasn't just weirdos who believed Harry.

"Well I guess I'll take that," Sirius was trying hard to fight back a smile for this display, but at least this little twit he remembered was on the right person's side this time.

He believed Harry, and offered his hand to shake. Harry thanked him as well, thinking that while Ernie was known for being pompous, Harry would deeply appreciate any vote of confidence that didn't come from someone wearing vegetables for earrings.

"You really took that one personally didn't you?" Lily giggled. "What if Cho started wearing an onion for a necklace?"

"I'll get back to you on that one," Harry laughed easily, this really had been just what he needed to calm his mind it seemed.

Ernie's words had wiped the smile off Lavender's face, while Seamus' expression looked confused and defiant.

"Guess it's better than outright hostile," Remus sympathized.

Professor Sprout had them all come inside then, and to no one's surprise began this lesson with more talk of OWLs.

"You'd really think at some point the teachers compared notes to realize, not all of them needed to do that!" James groaned.

Harry wished she wouldn't, it only made him remember his piles of homework, and how he couldn't get any of it done as five o'clock rolled around and he had to go to his detention.

"I did that most night anyways," Sirius agreed. "Far too much effort to track all the way up there just to come right back down for some grub, the bag slips under the bench easy enough."

He planned on only bolting down a few bites of dinner before facing whatever she had in store for him.

The ease Harry had felt for just that small moment was already vanishing at the mention of this all over again, he was already resisting the temptation to snap the book shut on Remus' fingers and hide it from sight. He hadn't felt this anxious since his fight with his dad at the Dursley mentionings, what on earth was fixing to happen to him?

He'd barely entered the Hall when Angelina caught up to him screaming his last name.

"I can imagine it," James winced but kept that mutter to himself as he figured Harry wouldn't much appreciate it.

She marched right up to him and poked him in the chest as she demanded to know why he'd landed himself in detention this Friday!

"It was hardly put into his planner on purpose," Sirius began defending at once.

It took him a moment to register why this would upset her so, before remembering Keeper tryouts.

She snarled at him how she'd wanted everyone there, and now he'd decided he wasn't going to be.

"It's not as if he's going on a date instead," James defended that one. "No one plans for this nonsense!"

Harry snapped back he hadn't decided anything, this was Umbridge's fault because he'd told the truth about Voldemort.

Angelina said he needed to go right back and tell her he needed Friday off.

"Not a teacher on earth would let you get away with that," Remus stated at once, gazing at the book like Angelina had lost her mind. "I can imagine even McGonagall scolding you for suggesting otherwise no matter her love for her team."

She didn't care if he said You-Know-Who was a figment of his imagination, just do it!

"The pathetic part is, that may actually work on this woman," Lily said in disgust.

Harry watched her storm away and said to his friends that perhaps they should look up Puddlemere United and ask if Oliver was still breathing, because Angelina seemed to be channeling his spirit.

That garnered a giggle from them, even if it wasn't a strong one for how down they could all tell he was for this now hanging over his head. Harry was at least trying to silently convince himself that's what made this detention feel so awful, that he'd already let Angelina down because of it...

Still, he nursed the idea of trying to do two extra detentions for Umbridge if she'd let him off for Friday.

"I can't even picture Flitwick taking pity on you and accepting that," Lily sighed.

Harry finally went inside and sat down for his dinner, counting off his ridiculous amount of homework he still had to do. Ron tacked on it was also going to rain tonight.

"What does that have to do with homework?" Lily blinked in confusion.

"It certainly sets a glum mood, but sunshine's no better, then you just want to be outside," Remus shrugged for the odd comment, while James and Sirius exchanged a speculative look.

Hermione asked what that had to do with homework, and Ron instantly said nothing while turning red.

Sirius mock wiped a tear from his face at the other three's confused looks for that, saying, "I'm just so proud of his wondrous lying skills, you think he'll give me lessons?"

"You certainly don't need them in theatrics," Remus rolled his eyes.

Harry bade his friends goodnight and went off to Umbridge's office on the third floor. He'd been here on three separate occasions. While it was Lockhart's, it had been covered in portraits of the man. When Lupin's, you were more likely to find the next dark creature they'd be studying in some kind of holding.

"Would you two let it go," he groaned before they could again comment on his odd habit of doing that, or even worse, tell him that was still the best option.

When the fake Moody's it was filled with broken instruments to detect dark deeds.

If Harry hadn't all those previous experiences, he'd have thought he'd walked into the wrong room now. Every surface was covered with pink, every item had a lacy doily, and there were so many pictures of kittens scattered about the wall it created a painful technicolor watching them move about. He stood there transfixed with horror until Umbridge spoke.

Remus' face was flushed with absolute disgust by the end of this, and he hardly needed to look up to see that mirrored on everyone else. Lily even had the urge to go hunt down Hickory and make certain her pet wouldn't befall such a travesty as that mental torture chamber was causing her mind's eye.

She greeted him with a good evening, and it took Harry a moment to pick her out among her own pink outfit.

"I'm going to be sick," Sirius vowed, thankful there wasn't a spot of pink inside this room or he really might have been.

Harry gave the stiff greeting she expected, before she indicated a desk near her own for him to sit at, which housed a blank sheaf of parchment and a long black quill Harry had never seen before.

He passed that over without much thought as he tried to ask Umbridge for a favor.

"I didn't believe you were really going to go through with it," Remus turned disbelieving eyes on Harry. "You must know you've a better chance getting Snape to wash his hair."

The insult had been a default, but he was surprised when Lily smiled just for a moment before shooting him a nasty look as he quickly kept going.

He explained his status on the Gryffindor Quidditch team, and his obligation to be there Friday, so perhaps he could do that detention for her another time that night?

He trailed off near the end, long since knowing the answer to be expected by the look on her face.

"I could have told you that before you walked in," James sighed for his poor son.

She seemed almost delighted to tell him this would not be so, this was further punishment for his spreading of nasty, attention seeking stories.

They all flushed with renewed hatred at that woman phrasing this as such. At this point they'd pay Harry just to skip all of her detentions and see what kind of fallout that caused, hopefully it would be taken up with Dumbledore or something and he'd step in for Harry having to suffer anymore time with this vile amphibian.

She found this a good thing he was missing something so important to him, it would reinforce the lesson she was teaching.

"I'll shove that lesson so far up your arse even your extended tongue couldn't reach it with help from a Ton Tongue Toffee," Sirius hissed with pure vile.

She was watching him with those wide set eyes, her pouchy mouth smiling as sweetly as ever, as Harry felt the blood surge through him for what she called his truth.

With massive effort, he put his bag down and sat in the indicated chair.

"Remind me to help refill McGonagall's biscuit tin for her," Lily said with just a touch of relief. She would never be against her son standing up for himself, but there was a time and place as well. He was already in enough trouble with this, no need to keep stirring the shit pot.

Umbridge said sweetly he was already learning to mind his temper.

"No thanks to your slimy arse," James snarled.

Then she told him he was to be doing lines.

"That's it?" Remus cocked his head in confusion, all so thrown by such an oddly mundane task they failed to notice Harry now clasping the back of his right hand so tightly in his left he would leave a bruise there soon.

"I half expected her to ask you to help remove her warts or something," Sirius tacked on, while Remus kept going now just out of disgust to get away from that mental image.

He went for his bag, but she corrected he was to be using the one on the desk.

Both of Harry's hands were now shaking so hard he couldn't even hide them from sight if he'd tried, his sleeves would start trembling just as bad. Lily caught sight of this and gave him a concerned look, but she was floored from asking by her mind failing how to phrase the question. Nothing like this should be causing him to look like that...

She told him to write I must not tell lies.

Harry asked how many times with an almost passable attempt at politeness.

"You've far more talent than I do," James snapped.

She said as long as it took for the message to sink in.

Harry couldn't seem to stop himself as he jumped to his feet, wringing the back of his hand anxiously as he avoided all eyes. He could feel it, that need to run and duck for cover, to warn them they were fixing to find out something he did not need to be told they weren't going to like, and yet the words refused to come to him as always, leaving him simmering with an urge he physically could not act on and a complete mess for it.

"Harry what on earth-" they tried in concern, but one hard shake of his head was all the reminder they needed he could not answer, so Remus went back to the book while now on the edge of his seat.

She moved over to her desk, sat down and bent over a stack of parchment that looked like essays for marking.

"It's only the second day?" Sirius quickly butted in with confusion to try and take Harry's mind off whatever he was fixing to relive. "Surely it's paperwork from her job at the Ministry or something."

Harry didn't even give an acknowledgment he'd heard.

Harry raised his quill to start, before pausing in confusion he hadn't been given ink.

She gave a trilling laugh before saying he wouldn't be needing that.

Four very confused brows went up at that, all of them still watching Harry mender to the doorway and back as if forcing himself not to run from the room from some reaction he seemed to be expecting from them. Odd as this was, Remus still couldn't find anything to indicate what the bloody hell had him so turned up.

Harry placed the point of the quill on the paper and wrote: I must not tell lies.

James opened his mouth in confusion, he still couldn't understand how he was writing anything without the ink, but he was still watching Harry with worry so at first missed the odd sound of Remus' voice taking on the new tone as he read out the answer.

Then he gasped in pain. The words appeared on the parchment in bright red, while at the same time they'd also appeared across the back of his hand in his own handwriting. As he watched, the words vanished from sight, leaving the back of his hand smooth as before.

For just a moment, Remus had looked almost politely puzzled at what he was reading, his mind trying to understand the idea of this thing. Then his mouth went dry, and he was hardly able to finish what he was saying as his vision blurred, and he like everyone else was once again looking where Harry was deftly trying to hide his hand from sight.

It wasn't even kind of working, as on his next hesitant steps through the room James managed to snag his elbow, and almost gently lifted his left away to gaze at the faded white pattern. The words were not legible, but the area was indeed much more faded than the rest of his hand, and now that he knew what he was looking for, the odd shape of it did indeed indicate the misshapen spot could be letters too blurred over time.

Lily began in a deadly quiet voice, "don't you dare tell me that is what you are to be using all night."

Harry was gently trying to tug his arm away to get a release from James now as he calmly answered, "I believe so."

Sirius hardly heard the reply as he was on his feet with such a deep throated growl he was as likely as Moony to rip someone's throat out in a moment. For now he could only physically act by kicking the table, causing it to flip and break into several pieces against the fireplace across the room. It did nothing to alleviate the need he had to do this to that woman's face.

No one stopped him as he pulled out his wand and the rest of the table shattered into splinters, but sadly the noise caused just as loud a raucous upstairs that had Lily sprinting out of sight, though she was moving more from memory than anything as she could hardly see straight through her anger.

Harry finally got his arm free from his dad, who simply sat there gazing at nothing but seeing pink. Harry looked at all of them, visibly white and shaking from anger, while he still rubbed at the back of his hand as he couldn't think of a thing to say. This wasn't like at the Dursleys, he wasn't going to bother with futile attempts to put them at ease because he honestly felt just as angry as them.

His mother came back with an eerily blank face, somehow all the scarier she was holding her infant. Harry nearly ducked for cover as she drew her wand as well, but all she did was repair the damaged table, and laid her infant son down on the floor with his blanket and made a little mobile appear above him. There was a stag, a gray and black dog, and a broom hanging from it, and as she gave it a tap for it to begin, it began humming a little melody Harry vaguely recognized as his mother's voice from the other day.

"I am going to kill her." The cold, simple way she said it made Harry's skin crawl as she stood back up and marched back to her place next to James. "No one leaves a mark on you like that-"

"Merlin's shit she's as bad as Voldemort!" Sirius cut her off with a still roaring howl that was definitely the cause of the babies continued wailing. Sirius physically bit his tongue to convince himself to stop, leaving the crying echoing in the background of all their minds feeling oddly appropriate until his toy caught his attention again and the tears cut off.

Harry shifted restlessly from foot to foot in the uncomfortable silence that followed, but still was drawing a blank on anything to say, so though he knew it would do no good, he couldn't think of anything else to do but to go over to Remus and try to tug the book away.

Remus gave him a hard look, his voice barely controlled calm, "unless you're suppressing the reaction to curse her where she sits and go to Dumbledore, I don't quite think we're done talking."

Harry sighed with unease, but didn't bother to deny the thought hadn't even crossed his mind, as the others seemed to know full well. He did still try to explain himself, "what good would it do to let her think this bothered me?" He quickly finished his own question before anyone could interrupt, "no more good than if I'd gone to Dumbledore. If he let her into that school, there was nothing he could do about the detentions she set." He finished by crossing his arms defiantly. "I'm there because she thinks I'm a stupid attention seeking child, and she won't get me to back down because of this." He faltered just a bit though, when their stone like faces now held tones of disbelief.

"Harry," Lily began in a forced calm voice that was scaring him more than if she'd been screaming. "There is a time and place for you to stand up for yourself, but-"

James cut her off, beginning to lose his own battle and starting to shout as well, "she was actually torturing you Harry! Not some joke like Filch always was, this is wrong!"

Harry kept himself stiff for the argument, but was surprised he could feel himself wavering in the face of their concern. He could already feel he had this argument with someone else, he sincerely doubted Umbridge herself, and he'd won during those times, yet there was something about looking at his parents in particular, their deep concern and anger for this that really drove home for him he may have bitten off more than he could chew with this one. He at least had the vague, almost hopeful impression he wrote to Sirius about something soon, so he gave in for now and hoped that would appease them when he most likely came to that conclusion in his own time.

Remus watched him back down with as much defense as anyone stopping an argument could have, and it made him wish he'd vomit already rather than have this feeling sitting inside him. If he was acting this way towards them, would Umbridge perhaps be even worse than this? He couldn't imagine that being possible, but the person who was having his nephew carve his hand open like that would now be held in the same light as the Dursleys or Voldemort.

Harry looked round at Umbridge. She was watching him, her wide, toadlike mouth stretched in a smile.

Lily'd had many moments she wanted more than anything to be there for her son, but none so violent before now. What this cretin was doing to her baby had her already cataloging a few of her favorite fire charms for starters.

She asked what he was waiting for, and Harry said nothing as he turned back and began again. The same thing happened, this time the mark taking an extra second to vanish.

James was fighting hard with the resistance he was having to hold not to run his fist through a wall imagining it a toad like face. This just had to be illegal, and if he didn't hear about Sirius bursting in soon to show his idea of this James wasn't going to be able to hold himself still much longer.

On it went, again and again Harry wrote the words on the parchment in what he soon came to realized was his own blood.

Remus had sadly already guessed that part. The red haze tinting the edge of his vision hadn't left since that realization, as somehow this was still by far the worst thing they'd yet to read. Hearing of Voldemort attacking Harry was equal, but even this was starting to surpass that. Least that madman was honest about his intentions and had never hidden the fact that he wanted Harry dead. The torture he'd inflicted on Harry that night at least hadn't been self inflicted!

Again and again, the words were cut into the back of his hand, healed, and reappeared slower every time.

Sirius was still trembling with fury, the urge to break something had not yet left him. How long had Harry endured this for a permanent mark to have been left?!

Sunset cast the room into bleak shadows, and still he did not ask when he could stop as he continued cutting open the back of his hand. He could feel her eyes on him, looking for signs of weakness.

James could not stop another outburst erupting, "dammit Harry, this is not a test of wills! You subjecting yourself to doing this is in fact exactly what she wants, how does giving in to her-"

"Would you really go crying to someone else, let her win?" Harry shot back, his right hand still clenched in a tight fist, though now from actually remembering the pain of this than fear of it coming. He finally went to sit back down to try and convince himself as well as them this wasn't such a big deal even if they didn't agree.

"Harry, telling when you see something illegal going on isn't being a snitch, it's what you're supposed to do," Lily was still forcing herself to remain very still, keep her eyes on her infant rather than going into the raging fury that was building more every moment.

Harry did not look convinced though, and James ruffled up his hair so forcefully it looked like he was trying to pull it out. Was this what the Dursleys had taught him? Because of all the things they'd done to him Harry had taken their abuse and silence to the next level, and he'd never share with anyone the physical trauma he was put through? How long did this go on?!

What must have been hours later, she told him to come to her desk. He stood and took a quick look at the back of his hand, which was now red raw, though mercifully blank of his own words for now.

Remus could actively feel the vomit climbing and was expecting it any moment now to cover these pages, though hopefully that would finally take away the crimson tinted words. This was just one night that was leaving Harry's hand marked, and he still had three days to go. He couldn't delusion himself this would never happen again either, not with something so deep in his skin. He couldn't keep doing this, force out words about Harry in this situation like it was some normal book...

She gestured for his hand, and he placed it in her stubby fingers.

The binding snapped, pages scattered the carpeted floor, and Hickory poked his head in curiously and began swatting at once at a loose few. Remus didn't even seem to realize it as his lip curled in outrage at that lifeform touching Harry after what she'd done to him.

Harry opened his mouth, decided it would be better for his ear drums if he held back his comment, and simply shook his head at the lot of them. This wasn't even as bad as Quirrell pinning him to the ground back in first year, he honestly thought they were being entirely too dramatic about this. Umbridge may be a foul, twisted creature the likes of which Trevor wouldn't go near, but he'd honestly been hoping someone would at least understand why he did what he had, not keep looking in a way that made him wish he could post troll guards at the doors and windows. He did pull out his wand and repair the book, summoning it back to his hand, and kept going in the thick silence in as calm a voice as he could, though he was sure it was helping nothing that now the mark on his hand was more visible than ever.

She inspected the wound and did not seem impressed, saying he was to come back tomorrow evening before he was dismissed.

His homework situation was getting desperate as he had no time to practice his Vanishing Spell, nor had he written a single thing in his dream diary or even started his bowtruckle drawing, or started any of his essays.

Lily had to blink slowly upon realizing it had just slipped right into talking of the mundane world of homework, as if this happening to Harry really had been some simple annoying detention to him. Hickory, clearly annoyed his new toy had been taken away, tried to wind around her leg and meow with displeasure, but she could not bring herself to take notice of even this, all the normal feeling she could find left was keeping her eyes on her toddler.

He skipped breakfast next morning to scribble down a couple of made-up dreams for Divination, their first lesson, and was surprised to find a disheveled Ron keeping him company.

"Harry, give that back." Remus finally seemed to have snapped to attention and was holding his hand back out, his face making it clear this wasn't up for debate.

Harry handed it back over even as he shook his head at the lot of them. Clearly they were hoping he was fixing to tell Ron what had happened, but he could already feel he had no intentions of doing that. Still, if it kept their attention off murder even for a few moments he wasn't going to argue the point.

Harry asked why he hadn't done it last night, as he'd been asleep when Harry arrived, but he just gave the muttered answer of doing other things.

James could only distantly remember now what he'd been thinking about what Ron was up to, and even the fun of hanging over the other's heads what he was sure this was about couldn't hold his attention. He wanted to hear Ron convince his son he was being an idiot and drag him to Dumbledore for starters.

Then he declared for his dream he'd just told about buying some shoes, sure the woman couldn't make anything weird of that.

"I shouldn't tempt her," Harry said with a forced laugh, crossing his arms in frustration when no one even pretended to join in.

On the way to North Tower Ron asked what Umbridge had him doing, and Harry hesitated a beat before saying lines.

Harry had to fight hard to repress a shiver from the lot of them glaring at that, but he met their eyes defiantly as he snapped, "what, it's not-" then he met his father's eyes and looked away shamefully, their fight from this morning still weighing heavily on his mind. He still wasn't sure if James had forgiven him for his omissions at the Dursleys place, and trying to put this off clearly wasn't doing himself any favors, so for now he instead pressed his mouth tight together and hoped Ron didn't push this any farther.

Ron tried to say it wasn't so bad then, which Harry agreed with uneasily. Ron did ask with a touch of hope if Harry would be there on Friday, to which Harry said no, and Ron groaned in sympathy.

Sirius could feel his mind plucking at a past thread, how he'd have loved to make some superior comment about how Ron could have more going on there than sympathy for his friend, but Harry's face was now tight and drawn just as much from avoiding James' eyes as it was from still rubbing at the back of his hand in pain.

Angelina was far less pleased when she heard, shouting at him in the middle of the hall that if he expected to keep his own position he'd better sort out his other commitments.

"Commitments!?" For just a moment the injustice of Angelina's comment at least got Sirius to stop contemplating murder. "Merlin, the girls acting like you're going to Charms club instead, not being tortured," he finished on the same vicious keel he'd been on.

Harry sighed. Even when they were in agreement, they still couldn't relax.

Harry shouted after her he was in detention!

Hermione tried to console him as well at least it was only lines, that wasn't the most dreadful thing.

Harry really wished his friends would quit bringing that up, it caused him to shift anxiously and still not be able to say anything to the contrary amongst the thick layer of anger still pulsing in here.

Harry chose not to respond. He'd chosen not to tell of his true detentions because he couldn't stand the horror on their faces when they heard.

Harry scowled at nothing in here instead of having to continue seeing their faces with that same look. He had no clue how long he could hide this from Ron and Hermione, but he doubted long enough his families temper had cooled, or at this point if it even would.

That would make the whole thing seem worse and therefore more difficult to face.

Lily finally felt her boiling anger simmer as she got a proper look at her son, and let out a small noise of sympathy as she got up to sit on the arm of the sofa and scooped his hand away from him so he'd quit rubbing at it, now she was. The skin twitching across the old scar in remembered distress finally started to slow.

He'd also justified to himself this was between him and Umbridge, a private battle of wills, and she would not get the satisfaction of hearing he'd complained to a single person.

Remus wanted to whack Harry over the head with the book for that comment, there was a difference between telling when something was being done to you and whining about a hard detention. He fought hard to resist the temptation though, forcing himself to remember it wouldn't help anything even if it would make him feel a bit better.

Ron changed subject to complaining of the homework piling up, and Hermione asked where he'd been when she'd been doing hers last night.

Lily had absolutely no desire just to lightly change the subject and pretend like this wasn't happening anymore, but at this point the lingering silence was even starting to make her infant uneasy on the floor. If he could feel the atmosphere even while the cat had crawled over and was trying to catch his mobile now, no matter how often it floated just out of reach, as further distraction she knew she should do something. "So you think Ron's practicing for the tryouts that Friday?"

Harry gave her such a pleased smile for any normal conversation it did make it worth it, even if her throat was still too raw for it to have come off completely normal.

"Yeah, reckon so. I didn't notice it at the time obviously, but I'm really hoping he makes it."

Sirius made a disgruntled little noise, but took pity on Lily and added in as well, "nothing better than playing Quidditch with your mates."

Remus felt like he was biting a lemon but put in casually enough, "poor Hermione's going to be left in the stands by her lonesome now."

James huffed, muttered a few more extra death threats for good measure, but finally nodded and said, "she can sit with Neville and cheer them both on."

Harry was actually smiling, and forcing himself to relax now. Even forced casual conversation was better than counting the ways each of them wanted to kill her.

Ron gave the shifty answer of saying he'd wanted a walk.

"He's as adept at lying as Harry," Remus grumbled under his breath.

"Wonder if he put a leash on his broom," Sirius snipped.

Harry had the distinct impression that he was not alone in concealing things at the moment.

He winced and wanted to smack himself over the head as he realized Ron's was hardly on the same level as his, as his mother suddenly crushing has hand informed him.

The next detention was the same as the last, and Harry wondered if it would take the words being left permanently on his hand to satisfy Umbridge.

"Mum," Harry finally protested through gritted teeth. She had to concentrate on every finger to stop her death grip on that hand, to make sure no part of him was being hurt right now, even accidentally by herself.

Not a whisper of pain escaped him as his hand continued growing inflamed through the night, all he spoke was his good evening and goodnight to her.

Harry was clearly starting to feel a little desperate with the suffocating mood around him, almost understandable since he didn't feel the same way even if that part was mind boggling, so Sirius cobbled together some kind of compliment in, "you sure know how to hold your tongue."

Harry eyed him wearily, unsure how to reply to that and almost thankful he wasn't expected to.

His homework situation now at a level he could not ignore, instead of going off to bed in the early mornings he was released from these detentions, he instead cobbled together some meager essay for Snape, a must unless he wanted to suffer detention with him next. He dashed off some answers for McGonagall's homework without looking at the questions, did a stick drawing of the bowtruckle creature for Professor Grubbly-Plank, and finally staggered to sleep as the sun was peeking up.

Lily wished desperately her son's biggest concern was blowing off his homework for something that didn't involve his getting a scar out of it, now she wished she could go give those teachers the reason her son was struggling to do this for them. She was honestly hoping McGonagall would be mentioned any moment now demanding of Harry why this sudden change in what she'd heard was at least a good student. She gave her son credit he was even bothering to do the assignments honestly, instead of outright refusing.

By Thursday night, the mark on the back of his hand wasn't even properly healing, but instead droplets of blood were oozing onto his wrist and onto the parchment. At the pause of the scratching quill, Umbridge looked up.

"Mum," Harry tried to finally protest and pull his hand away in pain as her nails began digging into the mark as well. She released him instantly with regret she'd done so, but her fist only contracted again into her own palm, the anger wouldn't recede.

Harry still tried for a soothing tone of voice for the lot of them, "you must have known this was coming, it wouldn't scar if it kept healing so fast every time."

"If you try to pretend this isn't a big deal one more time mister, I will silence you," Lily promised.

Harry clipped his mouth shut and finally gave in that there was nothing else for it, and just decided he'd have to let them be angry at least until this week was up.

She moved around to inspect it, but said that one more night would still give him a better reminder.

Harry bent to pick up his bag with his left hand instead of his smarting right one while asking if he still had to come back tomorrow.

"I think we should check you weren't recently hit on the head on top of all this, thinking a thing like that," Sirius managed in some semblance of words rather than the deep growls it mostly was.

She agreed at once, saying the message could be etched deeper.

Harry had never considered he'd find a teacher he hated more than Snape,

James already knew she'd passed Snape in his book. Snivellus was many things, and James owed him a good deck or two for a lot of them not just towards Harry, but who would have thought he could consider it a blessing Snape had never drawn his son's blood! Why was that a standard now?!

but as he stalked off to his tower he realized he'd found a contender. His vile thoughts circling the woman about how she was an evil, twisted, mad old, Ron?

"Your friend's being used as an insult now?" Remus said bleakly, but that one had been surprising enough his anger had dropped for just one second.

He nearly collided with his friend ducking behind a statue holding his broom, which he quickly tried to keep out of sight.

Sirius narrowed his eyes, cocked his head to one side than the other, before shaking his head but ultimately saying nothing. He'd have liked to pass a crack along about Ron's stellar attempts there, but anything other than swear words were still escaping him.

Harry asked what he was doing, to which Ron said nothing at once and asked what he was doing.

Harry laughed, though he was sadly still the only one, at Ron's piss poor redirection. He was still half hoping it wouldn't work and he could go five seconds without hearing one of them promise something worse than death.

Harry frowned and asked what he'd been hiding for?

Ron explained the twins had just come through with a group of first years, couldn't do their testing in the common room anymore obviously.

Lily arched a brow at that comment, thinking she'd have liked to smack Ron for hiding from the twins of all things. The least he could have done was walked by pretending he didn't care, but that one was almost sad.

Harry persisted why he had his broom then? Had he been flying?

"No Harry, he takes it down to the Shrieking Shack to polish it, didn't you know?" James rolled his eyes in exasperation at Harry, who just gave an eager smile back at any kind of normal response, even if James's eyes had flickered to Harry's hand again and at once settled back into a scowl.

Ron was turning red as he forced himself to begin saying Harry couldn't laugh, but he was going to try out for Keeper on Friday, than conceding his friend could go on and laugh about it.

"He started by telling you not to laugh, then ended saying you could, Ron needs to pick his side," Remus snorted lightly.

"Better to ask forgiveness than permission," Sirius offered, while Remus stared blankly at him for a second before saying, "if you're going to try and say things like that, at least make sure they make sense first."

Sirius pouted at him, beginning to protest it had made perfect sense, but Remus was now ignoring him.

Harry was almost elated watching them pick at each other, even if it was more stilted than anything. He didn't care, it just wasn't in the Marauders nature to hold onto anger, even if they could keep a grudge for the rest of their lives.

Harry at once said he wasn't going to laugh, he found it a brilliant idea, asking if he'd ever played the position?

"Thought you played with him a bit over the summers," James couldn't seem to stop himself joining in, while Lily rolled her eyes at the ceiling that of course it would be Quidditch to make them seem normal again.

"He was a Chaser with me, we didn't have a snitch or bludger of course," Harry shrugged. "One of the twins was always going around trying to knock us off while the other played Keeper. That summer Bill and Charlie were there we almost had a full game, but still Ron and I teamed up."

"Good to practice the other positions now and again," Sirius nodded with enthusiasm.

Harry looked like he wanted to keep going, just to sit around and chat about this for hours, but Remus wasn't going to let him put this off forever.

Ron agreed he wasn't bad, the twins and Charlie usually had him be Keeper over the holidays when they played.

"Wonder why they switched it up with you around?" Lily asked politely, just because she couldn't deny her son and he was still in full swing chatting about this.

"I'm sure I just took Charlie's place on the team up's," Harry smiled for her attempts even as he restrained himself this time in admission.

Then he said he'd been out practicing since Tuesday night.

"I wonder what he would have done if I hadn't gotten detentions the first week," Harry said in surprise.

"Probably asked you to join him," Sirius shrugged, the most violent motion of his shoulders he could, Harry just lightly referring to them as detentions nearly sent him into a blue streak all over again.

He'd been bewitching the balls to fly at him, though he wasn't sure how much good it was doing. He was positive Fred and George would laugh themselves stupid when he showed up tomorrow.

"Oh I'm sure they won't," Lily began even as the others snorted lightly in agreement.

She tisked at the lot of them while Harry was almost completely relaxed again.

They hadn't stopped taking the mickey out of him since he'd been made prefect.

"I doubt they will anytime soon," Remus agreed.

Harry wished he could be there as well, and while Ron started to agree, he cut off to ask what that was on Harry's hand?

Harry groaned in misery and buried his face in his hands, only successfully putting the mark back in the spotlight. He couldn't help it, he just couldn't go one moment without someone harping on about this could he.

Harry had reached up to scratch his nose as he spoke, putting his right hand on display for just that moment. He tried to tuck it back away, but did as good a job as Ron had with his Cleansweep.

"Hum," Sirius uttered between gritted teeth, "hand you can stick in your pocket, or broom the size of you, oh yes, very hard to hide them both."

"Ron had better make Keeper," Harry grumbled as he rubbed at his wrist, "reflexes were good enough to grab me before I could."

Ron had caught hold of Harry and kept his hand in front of his face until what he was seeing registered, then he released Harry with disgust as he asked about those lines?

Remus said that with the equivalent of speaking of The Chamber of Secrets.

Harry thought they were being too dramatic again and wished this chapter would end.

Harry hesitated, but finally told of what had really been going on.

Ron whispered with revulsion how sick that was, why hadn't he gone to McGonagall already?

"There's the proper response!" Sirius threw his hands in the air in exasperation.

"Hallelujah at least one of you does," James agreed, his mouth still twisted in his own disgust, he hadn't taken his eyes off the white mark on his son for a solid minute now.

Harry said he wasn't letting her know she'd gotten to him.

Ron snapped back they couldn't let her get away with this, while Harry deflected he didn't see how McGonagall could stop this.

"Enough power to report her for student abuse!" Lily had to try very hard to stop herself shrieking in frustration again.

Harry just frowned at her oddly as he reminded, "to be reported to the same man who also thinks I'm a lying attention seeker?"

Lily ceased, but her face only flushed with more frustration. She didn't care how it was done, Dumbledore had better do something to get that monster away from her boy even if he had to start a revolt on the Ministry to do it.

Ron switched to saying he should go to Dumbledore then, but Harry flat out refused, his headmaster had enough on his mind, while privately thinking he didn't want to go speaking to the man who hadn't spoken to him since June.

James still found that an absolutely ludicrous reason, Harry was being petty and honestly an idiot. Whatever Dumbledore was doing with his life he would put on hold for this madness! Despite trying to catch Harry's eye though, it was clear he still believed this as much as before and there just wasn't any good in convincing him of this now.

Ron insisted he still should, now stopping outside their portrait of the Fat Lady to block Harry entering so he could insist, but the Fat Lady wouldn't let him and said she wasn't going to stay up all night so they could have their conversation.

Remus gave an irritated huff at that painting cutting Ron off like that, as most likely Harry had taken the moment to dart up to bed without his friend furthering his point.

Harry awoke on Friday and could only find two very feeble things to get him through the day. He had a very distant view of the Quidditch pitch from Umbridge's office so he may get to see just a slight bit of the action, and it was almost the weekend. Small though these were, Harry was looking for anything to lighten his day, he'd never had a worse first week back.

"I don't think anyone has," James agreed grimly.

At five o'clock that evening he knocked on Professor Umbridge's office door for what he sincerely hoped would be the final time,

Somehow, it was all the worse for the lot of them they knew it wasn't. If it had taken four days just for it to not begin healing properly, than just how many times had it taken for it to start scaring!? The answer was very obviously more than five, and they each wanted to do something far more than to just sit here hearing about that.

His set up lay ready, and Harry only had to shift his seat just slightly to be able to get a look of the dozen or so people out on the pitch, but not distinguishable enough to tell which was Ron.

"Thought that red hair would come in handy for once," Sirius began jittering in place, his wand still clutched tightly in his hand almost hopefully as he eyed the fireplace, Harry fearing at any moment he was going to snap and go hunting that woman down.

He began as always, I must not tell lies, and the cut began bleeding afresh at once.

Harry sighed, but held his hand back out for his mother. She took it gratefully, but gingerly this time, cradling it as if he were made of glass while her thumb kept pressure on his old wound.

Again and again, only pausing to look up with hope now and again to keep marks of how those were doing. The first person up let in two very easy saves, and Harry hoped that wasn't Ron before dropping his eyes back down to the parchment that had as much blood from his hand as the quill now.

James was vibrating in place, torn between wanting to hear of more happy details about Quidditch and continue raging about this abuse happening to Harry. Contemplate the bad, or at least try and think on some good. He was entirely grateful Remus was the one reading, he wasn't sure which he would have focused on.

By the sixth and seventh person's turn, it was too dark for Harry to make out what was going on anymore.

Sirius still almost wished Harry would simply up and leave, go down to that pitch and see what that woman did to stop him. It truly was the worst part to him Harry was subjecting himself to this, allowing it to happen without a fight because he'd somehow convinced himself he was proving a point, instead he was doing the opposite and just giving in to her will.

Again he was there for several hours until Umbridge called for his hand again.

"Don't break the book again," Harry groaned when Remus started tensing in disgust. "We've still got ages to go, and this one's been more battered than all the others already."

"She'd better stop putting those webbed fingers near you then," Remus muttered without remorse, but managed to not rip the binding off even if his tendons stayed visible.

It was as she examined the depth of the wound it happened, a sharp searing pain across his scar, and an unfamiliar sensation swooping through his midriff.

Remus froze, finally his mind being released from picturing that ghastly woman, only to focus on the one threat above her.

"The last time your scar hurt like that-" Lily began uneasily, but broke off because they all knew what she meant.

"Used to be it was just when you dreamed though," Remus agreed brokenly, "and when he was around. Now it's happening even more?" His voice was quickly rising into an almost shouting level of panic at the end.

Harry couldn't bring himself to pull his hand away from his mother to rub at his scar in remembrance of this happening, so instead he tried to understand the other feeling that he was sure he should have been able to identify. Surely not while around Umbridge, but a feeling he got every time he looked at his parents, like-

"What do you think caused it this time?" Sirius' voice instantly cut off Harry's train of thought. "Not that toadstool surely."

"If being around the fake Moody didn't, I don't think that walking dung would even if she was working for him," James disagreed.

"I still wish I knew why it was happening at all," Lily grumbled as the only answer they'd ever vaguely gotten for that had been unsatisfactorily given by Dumbledore. Though it wasn't entirely anyone's fault, perhaps no one would ever know, this was an entirely new thing.

Remus wished they had more to go on, anything else to say or speculate, but in the absence of that, even just to be done with this bit of torture Harry was enduring already just by being in the same castle as Trevor's ugly stepsister.

He wrenched his arm free to find her wide smile down on him, asking if that had hurt.

His heart was thumping unevenly in his chest as he wondered if she meant his hand, or his forehead?

"I, she can't have!" Lily whimpered uneasily. "There's just no way. She's a vile creature, but not like Quirrell was, it can't be possible with Voldemort having his own body now."

"The timing of that though," James didn't need any more reason to want to gut this blight, and yet he'd been given one. "I'm not sure I'm buying the coincidence of it all, happening when she touched him."

"For the second time though," Sirius reminded, "if this had happened the first I'd be more inclined to agree."

"We just don't have enough to go on," Remus huffed with a sorrowful eye on Harry, wishing he did have more answers for him, as clearly he was watching them eagerly like he hoped they'd crack this wide open any moment. He seemed to realize as he looked to Remus though that he'd just have to let them speculate for now rather than pressing for any more facts from him, no matter how much he wanted to pry open his mind and give them.

He was dismissed, for hopefully the final time, and his mind was racing all the way back to the tower, where he was bombarded upon entrance by Ron beaming in his face.

"I think Ron made the team," Lily said distantly, Quidditch the last thing on all of their minds, everyone was still very deep in thought over this latest development.

Harry had to work hard to wrap his mind back to Ron shouting about himself being Keeper! His heart was still racing and his hand was still throbbing with blood as he tried for a natural smile.

Lily had not forgotten that one for a moment though, her gentle warm touch all that was stopping Harry pressing his sleeve onto it as if to stem the remembered flow in pain.

He eagerly pressed a Butterbeer into his hands while Harry asked where Hermione was. He gestured to a chair where she was dozing off.

Sirius couldn't help a snort of laughter escape, even if it was far more subdued than normal with his mind so off track.

Ron looked put out she'd fallen asleep, though at least she'd congratulated him when he'd first come in.

"I'm sure he's disappointed she's not hanging off his arm with admiration," James agreed distantly.

George quickly told the two to let her sleep, his eyes flickering to a group of first years who all bore recent signs of nosebleeds.

"So? The little first years were probably all out dueling or something," Remus half heartedly played off, his mind entirely not on it.

Katie called Ron back to the group to see if Oliver's old robes would fit him, as Angelina sidled up to Harry and apologized for her temper earlier.

"She says after the fact," Lily sniffed, but it was curbed slightly that at least she had at all.

This Captain thing was stressful, and she now regretted how hard she'd been on Wood. Her eyes continued resting on Ron as she kept going about how she did not find Ron fabulous for the new position.

"Well going for the jugular does get your point across best," Sirius snorted while Remus automatically moved away from him for the reminder.

He'd been her third choice, but Geoffrey was a terrible whiner she didn't want to put up with, and Vicky had admitted outright she'd put her Charms Club ahead of any Quidditch practice. She knew his brothers had talent and was hoping Ron was holding back more than he'd shown at the tryouts today.

"I'm all the more glad she picked Ron then," James frowned on Ron's behalf.

"Not very good of her just to be banking he'd pan out because his brothers have talent though," Lily shook her head.

"Everyone seems to compare the lot of them, even the other students," Sirius muttered agreement.

She had a practice set for two tomorrow, and pleaded with him to show up. Harry promised he'd be there for that one, and she gave him a grateful smile as she departed.

Harry went over to Hermione, feeling if he didn't tell someone soon he'd burst.

She woke up with a start and apologized, saying she'd been up nearly as late as him making hats in her dorm.

"They're probably all scratching their heads trying to figure out why people keep leaving their stuff around more than usual," Sirius snorted enthusiastically this time at such a stupid change of subject.

Harry completely ignored this and told of what had happened with Umbridge, but while concerned, Hermione at once said she didn't think it was the same thing as it had been with Quirrell.

Harry still tried to say it was a possibility.

"Not in the same way," Lily gently reminded while Harry nodded his agreement. At that time he'd been far more panicky over it, rather than now where he felt a bit more cool headed, though still with the same amount of answers.

Hermione was not convinced he could still be sharing a body now that he had his own, though she could be under the Imperius Curse.

"I don't think that would cause the sensation though," Remus muttered disagreement.

Last year his scar had hurt without anyone touching him though, and Dumbledore had said this correlated with moods from You-Know-Who. Perhaps this had nothing to do with Umbridge.

"I'm still not saying I believe in that coincidence," James shook his head again.

Harry insisted she was evil, and while Hermione agreed with that part, she still said he should go to Dumbledore and see what he thought.

It was the second time in two days he'd been advised to go see Dumbledore,

"Well both Ron and Hermione together aren't usually wrong," Sirius tried a wheedling voice, for some reason still trying to get Harry to admit that in here.

"Usually because they're agreeing with me," Harry said flatly, trying to hide his sarcasm with a flat voice and failing a bit.

and gave her the same answer he had Ron about how he wasn't going to be bothering him. It had been hurting all summer, this was just a little worse than usual.

Hermione tried to say Dumbledore would want to know, but Harry cut in that was the only part Dumbledore ever wanted to know, about his scar.

Remus stopped cold, but shook that off very fast and at once protested, "Harry, you know that's not true. He cares about you as a person-"

"Couldn't tell lately," Harry snipped right back.

Remus looked pleadingly to the others for backup, but felt all the worse he wasn't seeing much more of it there.

In all honesty, they had been wondering for ages just why Dumbledore had taken such an interest in Harry when he'd no moral obligation to whatsoever. Why place him with the Dursleys instead of letting Sirius take him? Why do anything with Harry's safety once Voldemort had been announced dead and Dumbledore shouldn't have had a reason to think so otherwise. The answer circled back to the uniqueness of Harry's scar, and perhaps their old headmaster wanting to keep an eye on it.

Remus didn't want to believe this though, not the same Albus who'd seen past the monster and allowed him to go to school, so he let none of them voice any of their ideas and kept going loudly for Hermione's protest.

Hermione tried to say that wasn't true, but Harry ignored the comment and instead said he'd write to Sirius and tell him.

"It took you till Friday to think of that!" Sirius demanded, the thought had been in the back of his head since he'd had a clear thought again.

"It only happened that day," Harry said back in confusion, before the astounded faces reminded him that wasn't all his godfather was talking about. He failed to respond further though, waving back to the book as he could already remember Hermione's disapproving face of the idea and he had no doubts she'd tell him why.

Hermione shot down the idea at once, it was too dangerous to be sending letters with such important information, they could be intercepted.

"Get creative!" Sirius said just a bit desperately. "Honestly Harry, I know you know how to get around the truth now, I can take a hint and read between the lines of whatever you send."

Harry just gazed sadly at him, but there was nothing left in him to convince himself he hadn't given up on the idea quickly enough.

Harry gave in, and simply decided he was going to bed, asking if she'd tell Ron for him.

She shot to her feet and decided she'd sneak off with him so as not to be rude.

"I'm starting to wonder why Ron puts up with the two of you," James heaved a sigh. "Can't even scrape together a laugh during this joyous occasion."

She wanted to get to bed early and make more hats tomorrow morning. Then she offered if he'd like to join her?

Lily made a soft attempt at a laugh for the girls enthusiasm that was still being restrained by her ever growing fear of her son's past, and future.

Harry looked into her face and tried to falsify his enthusiasm about how he couldn't tomorrow, too busy, before slipping off so as not to see her disappointment.

Remus all too happily closed his chapter with a very sharp snap, still having the desire for that extendable tongue to be caught in the pages.

[drarryies]

The Second Task (Drarry)

Summary: Instead of Ron being in the Black lake for task two, Draco is

No one had yet to find about Draco and Harry's relationship. No one had yet to catch them snogging in deserted broom closets. No one had yet to catch their longing stares and sly smiles at each other throughout the day. No one had yet to catch their hands briefly touching when they pass each other in the halls. No one had yet to catch Harry in the Slytherin dorm or vice versa. No one had noticed how all of their fights looked staged. Or so they thought.

When Dumbledore found out that Harry had taken Parvati Patil to The Yule Ball he wasn't surprised. He also wasn't surprised to catch Harry and Draco sneaking off with each other in the middle of a dance. Though he was surprised to find that they came back to the Ball not looking like they had snogged but instead looking as if they had gone through hell. Harry's eyes were red and had tear streaks running down his dismembered face, which he quickly tried to wipe off. And as for Draco, he was in worse shape. His usual pale face was somehow even more pale while as Harry, also had red eyes that was pure evidence of crying.

Dumbledore, being a huge Drarry shipper, was worried about the pair. Since the day he had overheard their confessions to each other on the Astronomy Tower, he had been convinced that the couple were soulmates. Had they broken up?

He quickly got up from his seat at the table and carefully walked over to Harry, who was sitting at one of the many empty tables. Dumbledore pretended to spot him wiping off his tears.

"Oh, Harry, what's wrong?" Dumbledore asked the boy who was now hunched down in his chair.

Harry jumped at his name being said and tried to wipe his tears off even faster than before. "Oh, i-it's just al-allergies."

Dumbledore made a noise as if he was thinking and after a few seconds he answered. "So, I assume you're allergic to Draco Malfoy and him vice versa? You walked off with the boy perfectly fine but when you came back I guess you started to have...an allergic reaction. Am I right or do you want to tell me the real story?"

Harry's face flushed as he turned away from Dumbledore, embarrassed. Dumbledore just smiled and put a hand on his shoulder as a reassuring act to show Harry that he could trust him. He gave a weak smile back but it quickly disappeared as he glanced back at the blond haired boy who was sitting at another empty table. Draco had been staring at the boy with an extremely sad expression twisted on his face, but when he saw Harry's startling green eyes on his he quickly looked away. After a few seconds of Draco's face in his own palms, he stood up from his chair and run-walked out of large room.

Harry glanced back at Dumbledore, his eyes unmistakably miserable, and followed Draco out.

Dumbledore just stood where Harry had just been while his eyes were focused on the spot where Draco and Harry had just disappeared. After a couple of seconds of this, he felt a large hand on his shoulder. He turned around to see Madam Maxime holding a hand out to him.

"Care to 'ance?" the half-giant asked. Dumbledore just nodded and took her hand, while they glided to the dance floor.

                                                               ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The morning of the second task was torture for Harry, who had been up all night trying to find out how to breath underwater for an hour. But the real reason he was miserable was because he missed Draco. He had completely disappeared with no explanation.

Ever since their fight at The Yule Ball, their arguments had gotten more serious and physical. But unlike a toxic relationship, they both knew that the other one loved them dearly. And their fights were nothing compared to that.

But Draco hadn't came back like he promised when he left Harry in the library. And after that he couldn't focus because his worry for him had over thrown any other thought he had. He remembered what his purpose of going to research was when he was abruptly awaken by Dobby. He was about have a panic attack when he realized that now Draco was gone AND he didn't know how to do the second task.

"Don't worry, Dobby has the answer!" The house elf said, showing him the gillyweed. Harry let out a small sigh of relief and took it from him, thanking him. "No worries, but Dobby has been assigned to lead you to the Black Lake."

And so he followed him. His own footsteps echoed throughout his mind as they finally reached the dark water with the school already there. Draco was not there.

Dumbledore came up behind him an placed his hand on his shoulder "Calm down, Harry. I'm sure this task will breeze through. But it looks like something else is on your mind, do you want to ask me something?"

Harry looked into the old man's eyes, ready to say something. But at the last second he closed his mouth and shook his head. Dumbledore was not pleased that the boy had yet again denied to tell him the truth.

"Okay, well get going. You need to get ready with the other champions." He said in the most calm tone he could muster. Harry let out a brief whisper and headed for the dock, gillyweed in hand.

And right before the cannons went off he stuffed it in his mouth and quickly swallowed it and dived into the water. The gillyweed had a horrible taste with a weird texture. And for a moment he thought it hadn't worked. Until he felt the gills forming, his feet turning into flippers, and his hand turning into rough spread apart skin.

He quickly set off so he could get this over with. He just wanted to know where Draco was.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When he heard the high pitched voices and songs he knew he had successfully swam to where the mermaids were. And when he trudged through what looked like seaweed, he was presented with hundreds of them. They were all gathered around four...people? As he swam forwards to get a closer look he saw him.

Draco.

He was suspended by his feet, while his body was almost floating in the water. He looked peaceful. Draco surely couldn't be Harry's insensitive. Could he? At that moment he spotted Hermione hanging next to him. What was going on?

He quickly paddle my way through the water to Draco and Hermione. But when he got to them he didn't know quite what to do. Does he release Draco or Hermione? While caught up in his pondering, he felt a poke in his ribcage and grimaced slightly. He looked over at the mermaid that had just stabbed him in the stomach with his trident with a glare at the half fish pointed to Draco. Harry tried to say something but was quickly reminded that he was under when the only thing that came out of his mouth was bubbles.

There was nothing he could do but try and get Draco out of the Black Lake. Harry also knew that he was the first to arrive considering that all four champion's person was still here.

When were they going to get here? he thought. What if they don't make it in time? What if-

Another poke in the ribs. Harry mouthed the word "fine" as he started to hack off the seaweed that was keeping Draco leveled. When it finally broke, he grabbed his arm and yanked him towards Hermione with him. But when he started to free Hermione, he felt the same sharp pain course through his body.

"What now" he again tried to say but clearly wasn't heard as the mermaid hissed

"Only one!" What was he going to do? He couldn't just leave Hermione here with the...,He glanced at the mermaid's trident again, ..dangerous fish.

At that thought, Victor Krum out of no where, swooped down with his head being transformed into a shark and bit Hermione free. He quickly swam away without even looking at Harry who now was just floating with Draco at his side.

With Hermione out of the way, Harry could see clear as day Cho stuck in the same situation as Hermione once was.

Harry started to panic. Should he just swim to the surface and trust that someone would come and get them? Or should he stay and wait it out while potentially losing the challenge?

He chose the latter and kept a tight grip on Draco's arm whilst every five seconds, glancing to see if he was alright. And of course he was. After about five minutes of this, Cedric came to rescue Cho and Draco and Harry were left with what looked like a relative of Fleur.

Harry was about to have a full blown panic attack now. The time had surely ended a few minutes ago and Harry now had to carry to people up to the surface while the gillyweed wore off.

He decided to make it quick so he didn't die at the bottom of The Black Lake and hastily got the blond girl free and grabbed her arm so he had them both at his side.

He could now feel his fins and gills wearing off, as swam up towards the sunlight beaming into the water from above. When the trio reached the surface, Harry could feel water coming out of his nose. And it felt horrible.

He thought people would be cheering as The Boy Who Lived successfully completed the second task with two people, but the crowd was silent. He realized why when he looked over his shoulder at the pale faced boy whilst paddling back to shore. Draco and the girl had come out of the spell and were now following behind Harry, all coughing like crazy.

+++++++++++++++++++++

Once all champions and and 'the people they would wish the most' were safe and had blankets wrapped around their shoulders (courtesy of Madam Pomfrey), is when the murmurs had started.

"Why was Draco in the lake? Was he for Harry?"

"What's going on with Draco and Harry?"

"Do you think they're in a secret gay relationship?"

"Was Draco in the lake a mistake? Did they mean to put the Weasley?"

"Who's top and who's bottom?"

"A Death Eater should not be associated with Harry Potter"

"omg otp"

But the whispers stopped when Harry took Draco's fragile and shivering body in his arms and cupped his face in his hands while doing the unthinkable in front of the whole school.

Harry Potter kissed Draco Malfoy.

It didn't last long, as the couple didn't want it to go overboard, but it was still full of passion and heat. There were gasp, aw's, ew's, and lots of screaming but all Harry could make out of the large crowds was Dumbledore giving him a sly wink and smirk.

[tomsgreg]

Hedric Professor Au

A few people seemed interested in me posting these so here: @incorrect-marvel-stuff @puddingparamour @seasnake31 @seamarmot @dancibayo @tiri-viri @megathy-two

These said FUCK Cursed Child Rights btw: 

So we all know Cedric was Harry’s bi awakening but how did they get together?

- When Cedric survives the TWT (don’t ask me how just roll with it pls) harry and Cedric have shared trauma about almost dying and being the only two to have witnessed Voldemort's return.

- They send letters back and forth a lot during harry’s 5th year and they even meet up in Hogsmeade a few times. Cedric comes back to help harry with DA where they both realize they’re both really good teachers and they both genuinely enjoy it.

- Suddenly they’re spending way more time together and, oh wow, harry knew Cedric was a pretty boy, but the light in his eyes when he talks about teaching, and how he never thought he’d love it so much? It makes him look beautiful. Cedric pretends not to notice when Harry stares a little too long.

- Between the DA and trauma, Cedric and Cho just drift apart romantically, they both agree it’s better to stay friends instead of staying in a relationship that lost its spark and end up resenting each other.

- Cho starts helping them plan lessons as well as being a part of the students in the DA. It gives Harry and Cedric a good perspective on the other side of things and she helps them improve their teaching methods.

- They become a trio and hang out every weekend at Hogsmede.

- Cut to when Harry leaves to hunt Horcruxes and Cedric stays behind. He teaches the DA on his own, but it's not the same really. Nothing is knowing at any moment any one of them can die.

- Cedric’s love for teaching becomes drowned out by the fact that if he doesn’t prepare them for war, they can all die. He doesn’t sleep anymore unless he basically passes out from exhaustion and as time goes on DA meetings become less like lessons and more group therapy for everyone involved.

- Harry comes back and both feel a wave of relief crashing over them when they see each other. They act like they aren’t holding each other just a little too long.

- Harry came to terms with his feelings toward Cedric after he saw Cedric almost die in front of him, but Cedric doesn’t realize what he feels for Harry is romantic until long after the war is done, when all the smoke clears and it finally sets in that everyone is safe.

- One day he was just talking to Harry and he thought to himself, “I really can’t imagine what life would be like if he died” He smiles to himself and when Harry asks why he just tells him “I think I love you” Harry’s face goes beet red and Cedric tries to backpedal, but before he can come up with an excuse, Harry plants a chaste kiss on Cedric’s lips and the rest is history.

Who proposes to who?

- Neither really propose to the other, but technically speaking, Cedric does.

- They were sitting on their couch together, Harry’s head in his lap talking about whatever was on his mind. When Harry stopped for a moment, Cedric just said, “Let’s get married”.

- They have a city hall (or whatever the wizard equivalent is) wedding with just family. After the ceremony, Harry decides to take Cedric’s name. Ron and Hermione are definitely confused, but supportive overall.

- Harry never liked having a *name*, one that anyone and everyone knew. One that was associated with everything horrible he had gone through. Harry Diggory felt like a normal guy, not the Wizard Savior everyone sees him as like there’s nothing else to him besides what he gave everyone.

Now to the actual Professor AU:

How do they realize they want to be professors?:

- After Harry finishes school, McGonagall asks Harry if he still wanted to be an Auror. when Harry told her no she was taken aback considering it was seemingly all he wanted since he was younger.

- So she asked what he was planning then. When he said he wanted to teach at Hogwarts, she smiled ear to ear. Harry Potter may not want to be a hero anymore, but she knows he will be a hero to so many kids, and not because he saved the world, but because he is a kind and caring man.

- In Harry’s last year of school, Cedric is debating what exactly *he* wants to do now that the war is over.

- He thinks of himself in a bunch of different positions in life, and none seem to fit. Sure, he loved Quidditch, but he doesn’t want to be in the limelight as some famous player. Would he even be good enough to go pro? And yea he loved herbology, he even had his own garden, but he couldn’t see himself doing much with that as a career.

- Nothing really felt like something he could dedicate the rest of his life to. Maybe it’s because, since his 7th year, he couldn’t imagine himself in a distant future.

- When Harry is out of school, he talks to him about it. Even after everything Harry went through, he seemed to know what he wanted for his life. Even if Harry couldn’t give him guidance, he could at least make him feel a little bit better about feeling so lost, distract him for a while.

- When Cedric asks Harry how he decided he wanted to be a professor, Harry told him that he had always wanted to be an Auror, but after the war, he had had enough of being a hero.

- He told Cedric that for most of his last year, he felt just as lost, but he found himself thinking about DA, and how much he loved seeing his friends’ magic improve under his tutelage.

- That year, with Voldemort’s presence being so much stronger, teaching was the only thing that truly made him feel like things were okay and normal. Realizing how happy he was teaching then, it only made sense for him to teach. He tells Cedric that it may not make sense in a year, maybe he’ll hate it. He has no idea, but that’s okay. Harry tells him, putting his hand on Cedric’s shoulder, “It’s okay not to know.” This is when Cedric confesses his feelings to Harry.

- Over that summer, Harry and Cedric have many conversations about what Cedric can do. He takes odd jobs here and there, hoping to find something he’s passionate about.

- It isn’t until he and Harry visit some of his family over Christmas break that he realizes he wants to teach.

- His younger cousin (because fuck cursed child in this AU Amos Diggory has siblings who also had kids) had gotten his first broom for Christmas and asked Cedric to teach him how to fly it. He spends all day showing him how to call it up, ways to steer the broom, and when he finally sees him in the air, laughing and thanking him he realizes this warm, proud feeling is something he wants to feel his whole life.

- He finally sees that teaching doesn’t have to be scary anymore. That’s when he decides he wants to teach flying.

How does their first year of teaching go?:

- Harry’s first year is a little bit jarring with realizing how hard lesson planning actually was, but overall he loves it.

- He teaches first years and he helps them adjust to life at Hogwarts.

- Of course, they’re all star-struck by him for a while, but once he gives their first big assignment, he becomes less the boy who lived and more just like another professor.

- He gets close to most of his students, but he forms a certain special bond with kids who are lonely and need a bit of extra help adjusting to the wizarding world.

- Cedric’s first year of teaching goes a bit smoother in the beginning, mainly because he had Harry to warn him about preparing for the school year.

- Like Harry, Cedric bonds with the kids that are lost in the wizarding world.

- At the end of the year, Cedric realizes there are some kids dreading going home and he remembers how Harry would tell him about how he would hate going back to the Dursleys at the end of every year and his heart sinks knowing he can’t help all of them.

How do they feel about Scorpius Malfoy:

They’d both be lying if they said they didn’t have ideas about Scorpius before he met them. However, they treat him as they treat any other student because Fuck Snape they won’t punish a kid based on his parents.

On Scorpius’s first day of DATDA, he’s obviously extremely nervous and people already judge him because of his name and overall his excitement to be at Hogwarts has already dwindled, because of this, Harry sees a lot of his younger self in Scorpius and he makes a mental note to keep an eye on Scorpius and to make sure he doesn’t feel unsafe or alone because Harry doesn’t know what he would’ve done without Ron and Hermione and Scorpius doesn’t have them to help him get through school.

On his first day of flying, Scorpius has an extremely hard time. More so than other students and it only gives other kids more reason to make fun of him. Cedric pulls him aside after class and offers extra lessons if he thinks he needs it during the year. Scorpius, who’s worried about doing poorly in school takes the opportunity. Cedric spends the first half of their lesson giving him a pep talk and giving him a signature “you can do it” speech and suddenly a more confident Scorpius is improving already. He’s still struggling, but when he gets down he remembers Professor Diggory telling him failure is just practice and he keeps trying until he gets it.

Scorpius’s newfound confidence helps him stand up for himself/ignore people picking on him and eventually they stop. It also doesn’t hurt to have a close bond to everyone at Hogwarts’ favorite professors.

When Scorpius comes home for Christmas he tells his parents about how worried he was about going to Hogwarts and how much Harry and Cedric helped him adjust and feel more confident in himself.

Draco doesn’t admit it, but the “thank you for helping our son” letter he and Astoria sent them was his idea.

General headcanons:

- After Cedric’s first year, with the help of Harry and McGonagall, they set up a program in which students can take “summer classes” for at least most of the summer so they don’t have to go back to abusive homes.

- Cedric becomes the Hufflepuff quidditch coach in his second year. All the team members love him. He encourages sportsmanship and fairness. He’s the coach that tells his kids winning isn’t everything and to go out on the pitch every game to have fun.

- Every year he tells his students about how he wanted a quidditch rematch when harry was distracted by dementors to remind them of JUST how important sportsmanship is.

- Harry and Cedric get married after Harry’s 4th year of teaching and Cedric’s 3rd year teaching.

- Older students have a hard time remembering to call Harry Professor Diggory for a while, but for the most part, students that made a conscious effort to remember the name change had it down within a few weeks.

- Admittedly, it would get confusing to know which Professor Diggory they were referring to. So different groups of students came up with differentiations. Some included: Professor Flying vs DATDA Diggory, Professor Diggory vs Diggory with glasses, Professor Tall vs Short Diggory, and Professor Hufflepuff vs Gryffindor Diggory. McGonagall calls them Professor C. vs H. Diggory.

- Harry and Cedric don’t have kids of their own, but any kid that stays at Hogwarts over the summer they lovingly call their own if the student is comfortable with it.

- Harry speaking to children about moving past abuse and trauma.

- Harry and Cedric being safe spaces for children who are being bullied by other students, and the two of them helping students stand up for themselves and getting involved before situations escalate too far.

[vias-words]

Can we get directors commentary on forty years?

Ooh, I’m excited to talk about this one! It’s definitely one of my favorite fics I’ve written. I was up way past the time I normally go to sleep to write this because once I got on a roll with it, I didn’t want to stop! I have SO much to talk about so buckle up and let’s get started :)

Spoiler warning! I will be putting the commentary below the cut since it will give away the whole plot. But here is the link if anyone wants to read along!

Forty Years by Vias_words on AO3

The idea came to me when I was thinking about the quote  "Still, if I had to choose a companion to be at the return of eternal darkness with, I'd choose you." I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge fan of act 4 compared to the other acts. I think it’s got a little too much plot convenience in it which always irked me a bit as a writer. I totally understand why it’s done this way because it’s made for the stage and works on the stage (Forty Years definitely would not) but on paper I wasn’t thrilled. But, it does have some lovely quotes. So I started wondering about alternatives to act 4, specifically focusing on the Scorpius line about being companions and Albus’ line right before it:  "As pleasurable as it will be to hide in a hole with you for the next forty years...” 

What if Albus and Scorpius couldn’t find a way to send a message to Harry and Ginny? What if they were well and truly stuck in the past?

I could have taken this in the dark route that was intended by “the return of eternal darkness” but that would require the whole wizarding history to be changed and that was a little too ambitious. Plus, I really wanted to focus on the relationship between Albus and Scorpius over the years, specifically as “companions” both trapped in this weird world where the only other person they can really trust to understand their situation is each other. So I decided to go on a more domestic route with a mix of fluff and angst, which still required Delphi to be defeated.

I didn’t want Albus and Scorpius to kill her: they’re far too young and innocent to have to go through that. Not to mention, they don’t have their wands. So I needed a magicless alternative way for them to defeat her. Bathilda was specifically mentioned in the play and I thought that was a perfect opportunity for them to go to her to seek help. I also loved the idea of this little old lady straight-up murking Delphi for these two strange boys from the future. I think it would be hard to convince her at first because she’s a very smart witch and this sounds entirely crazy but I think seeing Albus and making the connection to James and Lily (she lived right next door and went to Harry’s first birthday party!) could convince her. Plus it was a nice call back to everyone comparing Harry to his parents. And Albus is able to accept the fact that he looks so much like his father and be able to use it for good for once, rather than hating the attention it brought him. We love a bit of sneaky character development!

After the threat of Delphi is gone, it really hits the boys that they are trapped in time. As far as they know, there is no other time tuner and there’s no way for their parents to know where they are. There would definitely be a long period of mourning before they could adjust which is why I thought that living with Bathilda would be the best option. No one else can know about their situation and I think she’d be very caring to the boys as if they were her own grandsons. But she’d eventually want them to go back to Hogwarts for a bit of a normal childhood and so they could learn more magic. I liked the idea of their new lives at Hogwarts feeling flipped from how it was back in their timeline. No one knows who they are so they aren’t bullied and are able to make more friends. It’s a small but impactful benefit in their new lives but still takes a toll on them because they can’t truly be themselves--they are Syrus and Alaric and have to stick to some weird made-up backstory.

From what they know about time travel as laid out by the place (not so much the rules in POA), one little misstep, like talking to Hermione at the first task or embarrassing Cedric, can make a huge impact on the future. They don’t want that to happen again. If they make too much of an impact on someone else’s life or in the world, they risk changing history for even which, at worst, could lead to their parent's lives being affected or to Albus or Scorpius not being born at all. Their goal is just to make it through life to get back to their parents in 2020 so they can explain what happened. They aren’t really able to see themselves having a normal life or future as much as they might want it.

That doesn’t stop them from trying, of course. Scorpius definitely wants to when he starts dating Elaine. Albus disapproves of this from the start. He justifies his feelings by saying it’s just because of the timeline but it’s actually rooted his feelings for Scorpius. He’d jealous that someone else--who, by all means technically shouldn’t know they exist--is getting the attention that he wants. 

The relationship and the general stress on the boys would definitely cause them to lash out at each other eventually. We see this at the train station. But even when they fight, they always come back around because, in the end, they are bound by their experiences. They are the only people they can be themselves around and are closer than anyone else. Their secrecy eventually leads to Elaine breaking up with Scorpius. He can’t open up to her, or introduce her to his family, and is obviously hiding something. I think Scorpius knew their breakup was inevitable, but it was nice to pretend to have a normal life for once and Elaine was that escape he needed. 

Albus is the opposite in a way, he seeks comfort from what he knows about his old life--thinking about reuniting with his family, looking back on his Hogwarts experience in his own timeline, and, of course, leaning of Scorpius for support. On the other hand, Scorpius tries to fit in more in his new life by making friends and being with Elaine--thinking of his own timeline I think upsets him more because he’s reminded that his father is all alone. But with their two viewpoints, they balance each other out. It switches sometimes, which is only natural, but there is always one of them acting as the voice of reason which is so desperately needed.

That being said, their future is still so unclear to them that it’s hard to judge just what is reasonable and what is the correct way to go about things--this has never really happened before and it’s not like they can get advice from anything. One line that sticks out to me from chapter 8 is Albus saying, "I don't know what's best anymore. No one does." Being confused and having their pent up mixed feelings about the world is such a huge thing in their lives. So when Scorpius kisses Albus, he immediately thinks it’s a mistake. We find out later why--he’s afraid that Albus will break up with him and he’ll be alone for real. But in the moment, he’s confused--is this the best choice or has he just messed everything up? He can’t lose Albus in the way he lost Elaine. Not to mention the different views in the 80′s (I considered mentioning the AIDs crisis but that seemed a bit too heavy and I wasn’t confident that I could do it justice, but it is an important thing to remember about this time).

As always Albus and Scorpius, can’t stay mad for long and still go on to live together after Hogwarts. I purposely put in a time gap, in between which Albus would likely hold some resentment towards that night when he got so close to having Scorpius share his feelings. But he can’t lose his best friend so they stay together with the lingering awkwardness between them. During that time, going to the muggle world seemed like the best option as they would be much less likely to affect anything in their parent's lives as they would be in the wizarding world. I wanted to give them jobs that they’d like but would also not make a huge impact on time. In the story, they don’t know about the other time turner but I wanted to make sure that once their parents are able to go back and rescue them, very few lives would be majorly impacted after the loss of “Syrus” and “Alaric” (ex. if Scorpius became a healer and helped cure people, if he was erased from the timeline, those people might end up never being helped). Librarian works for geeky Scorpius and bartender works for my headcanon of Albus being good at potions. During this time we get a peek at domestic Scorbus, their pining, and Albus’ jealousy when Scorpius gets attention from women. Although Scorpius wouldn’t date anyone because of the timeline (and his crush on Albus), the fact that he has the potential to date makes Albus upset because he doesn’t think he has the same chances. He blames it on the time they live in but really, I’m sure he could find a man, but he’s too stuck on his feelings for Scorpius to ever try.

For 1994, I opened with Albus describing himself as looking too much like his father. I think that would be something he struggles with because it reminds him of home and how long it’s been since he’s actually seen his father--but yet he still sees him every time he passes a mirror. (This drawing of adult Albus by Marisdrawings was stuck my head writing this)I took more time to describe how Albus looks/dresses here because I like to think the 90s would be his favorite decade in terms of style. I also wanted to show how he’s changed from an angsty insecure wizard to being much more confident in himself as an adult living as a muggle. But he’s still got that edge to him which I think never truly fades. And Scorpius loves that. I believe that he sees Albus as having more confidence that him--feeling more comfortable with his life and sexuality than Scorpius does. And that’s very attractive to him because it’s what he wants most in life--confidence and stability. It’s what they’ve both need and find in each other. But when Scorpius kisses him again he is reminded of all his insecurities and fears, especially when Albus gets angry again. Albus doesn’t want a repeat of last time and Scorpius thinks that, by acting on his feelings, Albus will eventually leave him. I just loved this chapter so much because this is where the floodgates finally break open and everything that’s been pent up finally spills out. They do love each other and always have and finally, they can accept it and come together.

I knew I wanted to write a chapter in 1998 because that’s a huge year in wizarding history, especially for their parents. That whole decade, they’ve been keeping up with the news, knowing their parents are out there living the lives they grew up hearing about. It would be a struggle, especially for Albus, to stay disconnected from that. He wishes he could witness more of his father’s life to understand him better or to give him some help--or just to see his family again. It’s tempting but they still have 20 years to go until they can see them again. There’s no alternative to the path they chose to take now--it’s just a waiting game. 

But, as much as Albus might wish he could be back in his own timeline, there’s so much he’s thankful for in his new life. He’s with Scorpius, living a life on his own, and he could never regret that. But he also sees the mistakes he made as a child and realizes he can’t just call up his father an apologize for their arguments and tell him he always loved him--he’s matured a lot since his father last saw him. There’s both good and bad in their lives and he just has to accept that and find happiness in what he has.

Fast forward to 2007. Scorpius is a plant dad, a dog dad, and now wants to be a real dad. He’s so caring and just wants to care for something else, especially as an adult seeing other people his age with kids. He wants that for him and Albus too--to have that bit of normalcy in their relationship and to give a child the love he’d lost after he got stuck in time. There is a possibility that they could have adopted a kid since, in their minds, they would never get their old lives back (and a muggle child wouldn’t affect his father’s life much if at all), buuuut as the writer, I knew what the ending would be. I couldn’t have a child lose their fathers when the timeline was repaired. If they had a kid, they never would have decided to be rescued back in 1981. The life of their child would matter more than fixing their own.

Going off of that, I remember someone commented about them considering having children before marriage which brings us to the proposal in 2014. As out of order as it may have seemed, gay marriage wasn’t legal until 2014 and the time they would most likely have kids would be between their 30s and 40s. By 2014, they are almost 50 and have basically already been husbands for years now--just not legally. If anything, the proposal is more of a gesture, since their relationship has already been as close as a married couple--their soulmates, together for life whether the government recognizes that or not. But I loved the idea of them going back to Godric’s Hollow since it’s their childhood home. A lot of bad happened there but a lot of good did too. It was the start of their story and this is their way of associating one of their happiest memories in a place that also contained their worst. Reclaiming it in a way, I guess.

And the lights in this scene--from the streetlamps to the colorful glow of the stained glass--also have meaning. Albus calls Scorpius his light, referencing back to the “eternal darkness” and, one of my favorite lines “light in the darkness.” It really emphasizes how they found the good, especially in each other, in the darkness of their lives. 

Finally, 2020...there’s a lot to unpack here but this is already such a long post that I will try to keep it short. This day would be so surreal to them--they’ve waited so long and pictured the day they could finally reunite with their families. But they also know that their understanding of the events would be completely different than their parents, who have only been missing their children for a few hours not years. In fact, Albus and Scorpius are more mature than their parents which is weird to think about--they are older and have lived a whole crazy life that their parents would never be able to fully understand. And their parents almost don’t even recognize them (I mean, if your 14-year-old son showed up on your doorstep suddenly 40 years older, would you?!). But, calling back to the first chapter, it’s Albus’ eyes that causes Ginny to be the first to accept their story. 

I like that they are able to joke about the situation a bit because it shows how they’ve accepted what became of their life. Sure, it’s a real shock to their parents but Albus and Scorpius have spent more time as Alaric and Syrus than they ever did as themselves in their own timeline. This became their new normal, despite all the years they wanted to reject the truth of the matter. 

Albus and Scorpius would have told them about their whole lives if there hadn’t been the second time turner. But it became more special, something to keep between them, once it was accepted that they would be rescued. They’d accepted their lives, yes, but they knew it wasn’t the life they were meant to live. They were happy with it enough to give it up--give them the chance to live again with their families, with a better chance of happiness and less hardship. And for their parents--who would miss out on the entire lives of their children if they hadn’t gone back. 

Harry, Ginny, and Draco would always remember the visit from the old Scorpius and Albus, so it was better that they didn’t know the whole of what took place in those 40 years--once they were rescued, that whole timeline would be extinct anyway. They wanted their families to have very little knowledge of what happened to them because it would leave them with little expectations of the boys--free to experience life alongside them with no preconceived notions or understandings of what might become of them. To see how time would play out on its own, with no influence from alternate versions of themselves. 

They are satisfied with what they have and accepted that this is where their current lives would effectively end, but they are willing to give that up for the prospect of an even better future. Deep down, I’m sure that they know they will be together no matter the timeline. Which is why only Ginny is told that (or, rather figures out that) they are married--Albus and Scorpius want to be able to get together and come out on their own without their parents already expecting them to be together and out of all the parents--that’s such a big and important moment for them that they want their younger selves to experience naturally. I think Ginny would be the best at keeping that secret. 

The scene when they are finally left alone, facing their pending fate was one I had in my head from the very start--what I’d originally written down when I came up with the idea. As I said, it’s bittersweet. But they are together, and that’s all that matters to them because they know that together they can face any challenge. In a way, it’s not Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy who are “dying”--it’s Alaric and Syrus Bagshot (and yes, Albus definitely took the name Bagshot when they got married to honor Bathilda.) So when they fade out of existence, they are satisfied with what they have and are looking forward to what their next life will bring--their real life. This is the eternal darkness they knew they’d have to face, it’s just forty years later than they expected. But this time, they are ready for it because the darkness isn’t all that bad.

Do I want to cry rereading this? Maybe...But I love it just the same.

And I almost left it there and made it an open ending. But I’m not that evil and thought there should be some closure, so I brought it full circle back to 1981. Albus is lamenting about the situation just long enough to feel an extreme amount of joy and relief when his parents show up. It will still be a lesson and experience they will never forget, but it’s far less traumatizing than what they went through in the other timeline. And I don’t think anyone will tell them about what happened until they are much older--perhaps Ginny will mention it shortly after their wedding day once everything comes together as they should.

---

WOW that was a whole ass essay, I’m sorry to just unload that on you when you probably only wanted something half this size!! I just really feel passionate about this story and could go on about it forever so I apologize for this rambling mess. I feel like an English teacher, picking out all the meaning and symbolism I didn’t even realize I’d written but there’s just so much that can be said. Anywayyysss hopefully I didn’t bore you to sleep, I just love my boys sm...

That concludes my TED talk. Thank you for this ask ❤