#carved the wand myself

[altarofeydis]

🌒 moon water ✨ pendulum ✨ wand 🌘

[life-gave-me-oranges]

HMMMM IM GONNA DO ART TODAY

what should i do tho

make a tiny sculpture using air dry clay?

sketch a face?

sketch something else?

watercolor?

acrylic on canvas??

SO MUCH I CAN DO YASESD NJDSBHFDJBFH

[swappermanent]

Twin Switcheroo

You always hear about identical twins pulling the ol’ switcheroo on their parents or teachers��pretending to be one another just for the thrill. Nobody could tell them apart, so no harm, no foul, right? Well, my brother Aidan and I did that too. Only problem? We’re fraternal twins.

And when I say “fraternal,” I don’t mean the kind where people squint and say, Oh, I can kinda see it if I tilt my head. No, Aidan and I look nothing alike. But somehow, we pulled it off. Not because we were convincing actors, mind you, but because we had something most kids didn’t: the swapping stone.

It all started when we were nine. One of those sketchy, seasonal fairs had rolled into town, the kind that takes over the Walmart parking lot with creaky rides and booths full of cheap plastic prizes. Mom had given us ten bucks each to go wild, and we’d spent the better part of the afternoon losing at ring toss and inhaling cotton candy. That’s when we saw it: a grubby little booth tucked between the Tilt-A-Whirl and the fried dough stand.

The sign said “Mystical Marvels and Curiosities.” Beneath it sat an old woman with a hunched back and a smile full of suspiciously white teeth. Her table was cluttered with all sorts of junk—snow globes, “enchanted” bracelets, a crystal ball that was probably just glass. But in the middle of it all was this smooth, flat stone, about the size of a hockey puck, with strange carvings etched into its surface.

“What’s that?” Aidan had asked, pointing to the stone.

The woman’s eyes gleamed. “Ah, a powerful artifact, young one,” she said in a voice like creaking floorboards. “The Swapstone. Hold it between your hands with someone you trust, and you will trade places—body and soul.”

We’d burst out laughing, of course. It was obviously a gimmick, just like the “magic” wands she was selling for five bucks a pop. But we were nine, and the stone looked cool, so we pooled our money and bought it.

We didn’t think much of it until later that night. We were in our room, half-heartedly squabbling over whose turn it was to play the Xbox, when Aidan picked up the stone and tossed it at me.

“Hey, let’s try it,” he said, grinning.

“Try what? Swapping bodies?” I snorted, catching the stone.

“Yeah,” he said, plopping onto the bed. “What’s the worst that could happen? We hold hands and nothing happens? Big deal.”

I rolled my eyes but sat down across from him. “Fine. But when nothing happens, I get to play Xbox for the rest of the night.”

“Deal,” he said, holding out his hands.

We pressed our palms against the stone, and for a second, nothing happened. Then—

A rush of heat. A flash of light. And suddenly, I wasn’t looking at Aidan anymore. I was looking at... me.

“What the—” I started, but the voice wasn’t mine. It was Aidan’s. I scrambled to my feet, staring down at hands that weren’t my own, arms that were bulkier than I remembered. Across from me, Aidan was doing the same, staring at my scrawny frame with wide, disbelieving eyes.

“No way,” he whispered. “No freaking way.”

We spent the next ten minutes testing it out, poking and prodding at each other like scientists examining an alien specimen. Eventually, we figured out how to switch back—just hold the stone again and focus on wanting to return. The rush of heat came back, and just like that, we were ourselves again.

After that, we couldn’t stop using it. At first, it was just for fun—swapping bodies to mess with each other or pull harmless pranks. But the more we used it, the more blurred the lines became. I spent so much time walking around in Aidan’s body that I’d catch myself forgetting who I really was.

“Sometimes I feel like I am you,” I admitted one night, lying on my bed with the stone resting on my chest.

“Same,” Aidan said, tossing a baseball into the air and catching it. “It’s weird, right? Like, if someone asked me to describe myself, I’d probably say... you.”

We kept it a secret, of course. Our parents were none the wiser, just like all the clueless parents of twins who love a good switcheroo.

---

As much as the lines blurred between our lives and as much as we got confused about who we even were, the swapping had to end eventually. Aidan and I were inseparable when we were younger—two halves of the same chaotic coin—but by the summer before high school, things had started to change.

It wasn’t anything dramatic. No big fight, no falling out. It just became... necessary. We weren’t going to be doing the same exact activities in the coming year, and keeping track of who we were supposed to be when we swapped got harder and harder. If I was going to band practice in Aidan’s body while he hit the gym in mine, the whole charade started to unravel fast.

It didn’t stop all at once, but yeah, over time, we just kinda forgot about the stone. We tucked it into an old shoebox under my bed and left it there to gather dust. By the time high school really kicked into gear, we were more focused on our own lives than playing at being each other.

Many years later, Aidan and I both graduated from the same state college—though you’d think we went to completely different schools if you compared the photos of us at graduation. I worked hard, grinding through late nights and endless cups of coffee, and graduated magna cum laude. Aidan? He did just fine, but he never stressed about grades the way I did. While I was holed up in the library, he was out partying, making connections, and leveraging his looks to build a portfolio.

At the end, I got a good job—steady pay, benefits, the whole package—but now I can’t shake this nagging question: What was I doing it all for?

The money’s nice, sure. My apartment’s not fancy, but it’s mine. I don’t have to worry about rent. But beyond that? My life feels... hollow.

I don’t have many friends. The few I made in college drifted away after graduation. And as for my health? Let’s just say I’ve let myself go. I spend more time sitting at a desk than I ever imagined, and my idea of a workout is walking from my couch to the fridge.

It’s not like I didn’t notice the weight creeping on, or how my skin doesn’t have that same glow it used to. But the real kicker? When I show people a photo of my twin now—Aidan, who’s living in New York City and working as a model—their reactions sting.

First, there’s the pause. Then their eyebrows raise, followed by an awkwardly polite, “Oh, wow. You two are twins?” And finally, the cherry on top: the sad, conciliatory look. Like I’m a cautionary tale of what happens when one twin wins the genetic lottery, and the other... doesn’t.

I hate it.

Aidan’s life is better than mine now by just about every metric. He’s got the looks, the friends, the job that sounds glamorous even if it’s exhausting. And me? I’m sitting here, feeling like the second-place prize in a race I didn’t know I was running.

---

That brings me to today.

Our parents had decided to move—downsizing, they called it, though it felt more like an end of an era. They asked me to come back and help clean out my old bedroom, and honestly, I agreed more out of guilt than a sense of duty. It had been years since I’d really spent any time in that room, and I figured the whole process would be a couple of hours, tops. Box up some trophies, toss some old notebooks, and call it a day.

But as I dug through the layers of my childhood—the faded posters, the dusty books, the crumpled notes from middle school friends—I found something I hadn’t thought about in years.

The swapping stone.

It was right there in that old shoebox, exactly where we’d left it. The smooth, dark surface felt cool against my skin as I held it, the carvings still as intricate and mysterious as I remembered. For a moment, I just stared at it, a flood of memories rushing back—late nights laughing with Aidan, testing the limits of what we could get away with, the strange, electric sensation of becoming someone else.

But then I noticed something I didn’t remember: a folded piece of paper tucked beneath the stone.

Curious, I unfolded it carefully, my fingers trembling slightly. The handwriting was unmistakable—messy and uneven, like all the notes Aidan and I passed back and forth as kids.

The note read:

We, Aidan and Griffin, agree to swap bodies forever starting today, August 12th, 2010, because we both like each other’s bodies better than our own. We also agree that if one of us wants to switch back, we must do it.

Signed, Aidan Griffin

I read it once. Then twice. Then a third time, my heart pounding louder with every word.

“What the hell...” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

The memories started rushing back, faster now, sharper. That summer before high school, Aidan and I had spent weeks talking about how different we were—not just in how we looked, but in how we felt. I remembered the way he’d always envied my leaner frame, how he said it felt lighter, faster, more comfortable. And me? I’d admired his broad shoulders, his confidence, the way people seemed to notice him when he walked into a room.

We must have talked ourselves into it, convincing each other that staying swapped was the solution to all our problems. I could almost hear my thirteen-year-old voice saying, “It’s not like anyone will know, anyway. We’ll just be... happier this way.”

And the kicker? I’d agreed to it. We both had.

I looked at the note again, my stomach twisting.

Shit.

That means... I’m Aidan.

[barbika1508]

A dead man, a criminal. Prisoner. Murderer.

Word Count: 14,1k

Pairing: Sebastian Sallow x F! Reader

Genre: Action, Romance, Smut

Summary: Your typical-ish ‘breaking Sebastian out of Azkaban’ fic with a bit of angst sprinkled in, but also porn with some plot to put a cheery on top.

Authors Note: Use of MC. I’m sure there are mistake but oh well, otherwise please enjoy my twist on a classic Sebastian Sallow fic. I say classic as it feels like one to me.

Steady breaths. Steady breaths. Steady. Breathe. Breathe in. Breathe out.

‘’It's rather odd.’’ a pause follows ‘’They usually send tougher blokes for these things. No offence.’’

I don't bother turning to the guard and his comment, feeling his eyes run up and down my body, the extra layers I've put on doing their job making me look more robust. Even with the Polyjuice potion I’ve drank, resembling a man of a smaller stature with added weight to look as non-threatening as I can, having chosen a muggle I’ve passed two months ago selling newspapers in London.

''None taken.’’ I offer a fake smile snorting, keeping up the acting letting my eyes shift around, the lack of my wand only slightly concerning the guard the only one armed between the two of us ‘’Happens a lot.’’ I grumble coughing as the muggle is a smoker it reflecting in my breathing as it’s becoming heavier the more we walk. My body is aching for rest.

‘’I can imagine.’’ he shrugs, not seeing the glare I send him, being offended in the nameless muggle’s name instead. I flinch as someone suddenly screams at the top of their lungs, the voice carrying around the hall, the cell doors after all wooden with small windows carved in them, bared by metal bars not leaving them open.

The shout is coming from a criminal and yet they are still made of flesh and blood like I am. It sends a nasty chill to run down my spine. It's going to follow me I already know it.

Incredulous as I was before - silently of course - I observe the guard who is completely unphased. He unlocks metal barred doors with a regular key, not using any magic letting us pass into the third section of the prison. The further in we are making it into Azkaban the worse the conditions are. Shouts, screams of pain, manic laughter are the few sounds that have been accompanying me since setting foot on this gods forsaken island.

Taking the moment as the auror wrestles with a new key, I look around the surprisingly lit corridor. With torches on the walls providing light, we’ve reached a section where there’s lack of natural lighting. So, following along the spaciousness my gaze takes me upwards.

Something I was warned against. Of course, curiosity killed the cat after all.

I sallow uneasy at the sight of what seem hundreds if not thousands of dementors swirl near the ceilings, their attention set onto us. Even with good distance between them and us, their mere presence is shattering. Ugly creatures. I feel my own will beginning to falter, bad memories itching to surface to the front of my mind. It’s hard to resist and has me putting in great effort and a deal of concentration to keep my thoughts blank.

‘’They must be sensing you.’’ the guard comments, his voice sounding unnatural in the once more quiet space. Glancing at him with a raised eyebrow he nods stopping to stand next to me ‘’You are faring a lot better than most blokes that come through. I’ll give ya that.’’

‘’In what sense?’’ I manage out following him, his words leaving me uneasy. But not rattled.

‘’Ahh even the biggest of the meatheads that do their bosses biding retrieving poor saps…’’ he glances back at me to which I nod furrowing my brows ‘’...tend to lose it for a few moments on different sections. Fear is a powerful thing.’’

Narrowing my eyes his words hold something deep to them. I’m getting his hint. Other than that, the man besides looking rather bored at times is quite unreadable I’m certain this place leaving effect on him as well. Keeping my observances to myself I trail along as I have been from the beginning, trying my best to ignore this body’s strain which I am putting it through.

‘’It can make you do bizarre things.’’ I say under my breath playing the character I envisioned for the man I am portraying.

The guard hums taking a turn to the right hands back on another keychain containing a few bizarre, shaped keys. Unique to the cells.

‘’It is your lucky day number 18031.’’ he speaks up unlocking the door ‘’Or unlucky given your future is still rather grim. From what I can deduct.’’ he looks back at me giving me a once over once more, along with an unnecessarily creepy and cruel smirk that I have to force out too to fool this lunatic.

The guard per instruction from before makes his way into the cell chatting happily with the prisoner leaving me alone outside. The warmth from the many torches is non-existent, a dangerous type of chill that rattles my bones begins to settle. Once more glancing up the dementors are itching closer in what I can describe is interest.

Cocking my head, I try not to focus on them too closely, clearing my mind of distractions, trying to stop jittering or the need to clack my teeth together. I’m already feeling like life is pointless, the weight of the world set on my shoulders once more. But that is the extent of it, the thrumming in my blood keeping me collected.

The lullaby I call it of my ancient magic is a soothing whisper in my ears.

‘’Ah there we go.’’ comes the guards voice pushing out the man not roughly but enough to get him moving. It takes everything in me from not reaching out watching as the bearded youngster catches himself from falling, his hands chained.

‘’Are the chains necessary?’’ I ask frowning, looking at the guard as he smiles locking the door.

‘’Moreso for you than us Mr. Blane.’’ his reply is of amusement ‘’He is a criminal, but I’m sure you’ve heard that from your boss already.’’

‘’A wandless one.’’ I raise an eyebrow checking the young man over, seeing his hunched form. He’s hiding his face behind long brown hair, the stripped ‘uniform’ he’s forced to wear too big on his form, full of tears. Barefoot he looks like he hasn’t bathed in forever.

‘’You’ve not seen a man brought to their knees by despair yet, have ya?’’ the guard chats as if we’re talking about the weather leaving the prison doors open turning towards the same way where we came from. I subconsciously fall in step with the prisoner giving the prisoner a few seconds of time, watching, and waiting for him to take the first step which he does.

‘’I have.’’ I admit the last 10 years not exactly easy.

‘’Different kind of despair then.’’ the guard hums beginning to unlock the doors ‘’Not to give any ideas but think of basic instincts Mr. Blane. Primal.’’ again the creepy smile is back, the guard’s eyes portraying cruelty he I’m sure has gotten scarily good at hiding. His change in mood is due to something he saw in me, I’m sure. A mannerism I did or an answer that made him switch from apparent boredom to genuine emotions. Which isn't reassuring.

I return the grin trying my hardest not to gag, the emotions swirling in my belly strong.

‘’Hmmm. Thank you for the lesson. I’ll keep that in mind for future encounters.’’

If I was in my own skin, I’d be jumping out of it. The cruelty of the situation the darkness, this prison the capital of corruption and soullessness, insanity sounding blissful even.

Even if the people here are the worst of the worst of wizard kind it’s all too inhumane. As we begin trekking forward with the guard whistling a song, I follow behind the two. The prisoner not having uttered a word, his whole-body showing defeat as he drags his legs, shoulders that are wide and filled slouched. Taller than me for a whole head.

Satisfaction brought the cat back.

The thought crosses my mind my gaze taking me upwards again, to the new dementors who are hovering above us as we make way. Unsettling. Anyone would be unsettled with dark creatures doing so.

I’m no different.

Curiosity after all is not always worth it. Satisfaction even less. So, I redirect the impulsive thought of releasing some magic out to the corner of my mind, the dementors still presenting mystery to this day. In that regards we are similar. Because even though they present fear that has spread to every witch and wizard, here I stand walking beneath them still confident and reassured even wandless they wouldn’t harm me unlike my wizard kin.

My magic is telling me much.

Reaching the last doors takes us a while, our trek unhurried but briefed before we entered the first corridor. I have a hate/love relationship with patience. And the closer we are to the exit the carriage with which I’ve arrived in my sight the more my magic buzzes along with my excitement which I’m desperately trying to keep at bay.

The guard that accompanied me goes to talk to his buddy that’s keeping post at the entrance, the man looking even more uninterested sending us a brief glance only once as he signs scrolls, transfiguring a stone table from a rock nearby.

Glancing at the prisoner he’s still motionless standing next to me like a statue. His hair has grown long, past his shoulders, beard also overgrown. His skin like I mentioned is covered in dirt and grime some clear spots revealing faded freckles. Hmm.

‘’Alright Mr. Blane.’’ the guard cheers still in a jolly mood trotting over to me, presenting the scroll wide and open ‘’The paperwork and the prisoner as promised are all delivered in one piece.’’ and back comes the unsettling grin. The man is too proud of himself and his wrong doings.

‘’Ah that’s a good man.’’ I cough squinting as I read the death certificate bringing my left hand from the pocket of my coat bringing out the handkerchief, I’ve been holding to wipe my mouth as I read the entirety of the page, making sure of the details ‘’Splendid.’’ I continue letting out another cough a hiccup following. Oh no.

‘’Well at the end of the day, we’ve gotten quite the stroll out hey. Besides getting jobs done.’’ I cheer still wiping my mouth that’s beginning to tingle as are my fingers, the potion starting to waver.

‘’A lovely one at that admittedly. I’ve pegged you wrongly at first. You’re quite the brave man Mr. Blake.’’

I laugh with him fishing out a small bag of coins handing them over to him, his eyes practically sparkling as well as the bored guards as he comes over giving the prisoner a disgusted look but makes sure to stand away from him ‘’The amount is as promised lads. And this…’’ I reach for the trouser pocket and bring out 6 more coins splitting them between the two ‘’For your troubles and help.’’ I smile gratefully ready to puke my guts out, my skin literally crawling, my left leg beginning to itch unbelievably.

‘’Ahhhh Mr. Blane. How generoussss.’’ the overly joyed guard cheers, the bored one looking impressed ‘’The pleasure was all ours.’’

‘’Indeed.’’ the bored guard adds handing over my wand which was also made to look different, the redness of the wood of my wand masked into black wood along with the handle being switched into a plain one.

‘’Gentlemen.’’ I nod in acknowledgement ‘’Business calls. Have yourself a pleasant day onwards.’’ I greet and begin to walk ignoring the prisoner as the guard eagerly steps to him. I hear them both follow to the carriage, the Thestral’s patiently waiting.

Not entirely used to the big belly of this body I stumble and practically climb into the carriage. Beginning to sweat and not only from fatigue I start to wipe my forehead, smiling as the “nicer” guard ushers the prisoner into the carriage with me, making him sit opposite as I’ve sat with my back to the Thestral’s.

‘’Until next time Mr. Blane.’’ the guard greets looking up as I cover my mouth the trembles happening all over my body. I play it off with a nod and another cough, the guard getting the message and closing the doors. Not wasting any time, I wave my wand magic the Thestral’s neighing in reply pulling us forth, the movement rough having me grip onto the seat as we practically launch into the air.

Waving my wand, the tinny curtains of the doors close shut as I try to catch my breath sitting back feeling very uncomfortable in this body, the grumbling getting louder and obnoxious, brown eyes peeking at me.

My breath gets caught at the sight of them. And my smile is instantaneous.

‘’Sorry about this…’’ the change in my voice is noticeable getting higher pitched, but lowering quickly as if one was changing the frequency on the radio ‘’...this will probably be uncomfortable for the both of us.’’

And with that, I attempt at shrugging off the oversized coat I’ve got on, barely managing it as my skin begins to morph, my eyesight sharpening from the dullness it has fallen into. The weight from the male anatomy is the hardest to disappear leaving me without air, the more my body reforms, hair prickling as it grows and regrows. Bones and limbs twist, organs readjusting. The heaviness in my lungs disintegrates and I’m left feeling like I’m breathing clean air after a long time.

The transformation back into myself leaves me winded and a bit lost for time. Because what feels like agonizing minutes, I’m sure it was seconds that passed. Sitting slumped against the carriage seat I look back up to meet my favourite pair of brown eyes, still unchanged in these 10 years.

I can see the bafflement in them.

And recognize the way his mind is working - a million miles per hour.

‘’Alright so we don’t have much time.’’ I find my voice clearing it by coughing a few times, simultaneously beginning to wrestle with the tie I’ve put on and the white shirt underneath ‘’The Ministry’s lookout is bound to meet us at one point. It’s routine for them to fly around to check any unwanted visitations near Azkaban…’’ I ramble undoing the clothing I’ve put on realizing how hot I’ve gotten as I strip down to my own simple shirt and blazer, along with pants and shoes that have already fallen off my feet.

‘’...so, let's get you into something more comfortable for the time being. And less obvious.’’

I begin to pick up the clothing placing it next to him, for him to wear as intended ‘’Gods, we should've been off already.’’ I grumble standing up, pushing open the seat grabbing my boots, along with another wand.

Turning forward I meet his eyes again offering the wand ‘’It's not yours I’m sorry I couldn’t retrieve it. But it's the next best thing until we can find you a new one.’’

But unlike how I imagined it, he doesn’t react. Still silent, a bit frighteningly so he stares at it mouth remaining shut eyes coming back to meet mine.

‘’Okay then amm…’’ I stumble dropping onto the seat ‘’No rush there, Sebastian. I’ll take care of you don’t worry.’’

With my boots on, I automatically reach forward but stop myself quickly realizing the boldness of my action, watching him scared for a second that he’s going to freak out. He doesn’t. He remains motionless staring at me unbreaking eye contact.

‘’I’m sorry I’m rushing you into this. I really am sorry. But I need you to change, okay? I didn’t break you out of prison to see you sent back. Can you please dress??? Do you need help?’’

He shakes his head at that and lifts his hands wordlessly ‘’Oh fuck, I’m so stupid I’m so sorry.’��� I rush reaching for my wand the concealing charm falling away revealing my wand properly ‘’Alohomora.’’

And just like that the chains fall from his wrist, his hands defined and a bit scarred.

‘’I’ll go outside okay, give you a moment.’’ Receiving back the faintest of nods and a completely unreadable Sebastian, I open the carriage door, the wind slamming into me but unmoving me as I make quick work of climbing onto the empty seat, another illusion charm breaking to reveal no one driving the carriage. Sparks of blue like magic visibly to my eyes only.

Checking the surroundings luckily clouds are beginning to gather, a storm brewing the smell of it thick in the air. Turning back seeing nothing but ocean underneath us I let myself smile a little, as I pick up on thunder grumbling.

A knock to the ceiling of the wood brings me back to reality, setting me back into motion of sliding back into the carriage. Instead of entering I rest one foot on the second step, holding onto the railing atop of the carriage hanging from it practically as I peek inside taking Sebastian in.

The clothes are lost as was his prison uniform but makes him look less, wild in a sense. His eyes hold more intensity to them.

‘’Okay.’’ I begin noticing he hasn’t reached for the wand I let for him picking it up ‘’You’ve got no reason to but, will you trust me?’’ I ask his eyes going to the wand then back to me ‘’Trust me Seb??’’ I try, sliding the wand into the sleeve of my blouse where I have my own wand holster.

After two heart beats Sebastian nods, to which I mimic him turning sideways.

‘’Alright. It’s just you and me.’’ I repeat the words automatically, this having become a mantra the past 10 years before I did anything foolish and dangerous. Scooting to the doors preventing them from closing I reach back with my hand offering it to him.

‘’Place your foot behind mine and hold onto me, okay?? Really tight!’’

Focusing on what I must do next, I don’t pay him mind. I don’t even know if he hesitates or not. Not even the way he slides his hand in mine. I only know for sure when I feel his hand, I grab onto him firmly switching to holding one hand with my right, left keeping us upright as he presses himself behind me. He’s a lot taller than I remember beard scratching the back of my head.

‘’Okay.’’ I say to myself more so, grasp on the bar of the carriage beginning to morph as I feel what I can describe is a pleasant heat of my magic coming to life, the support of the carriage disappearing as if a balloon was popped.

And just like that we are falling.

For a few moments that is. Sebastian’s hold tightens impossibly so crushing me onto him. And as ridiculous as it is, bizarre in the midst of the chaos, of the fear, anxiety, happiness, everything bubbling in me I can feel butterflies.

Upkeep his trust, and proceeding with the plan like I’ve said the carriage disappears. What’s left is my modified broom, which was the rod I was holding onto. Bending my knees, I twist it in front of me and slide it beneath us both.

It’s a move I’ve been practicing since my first flying days back at Hogwarts, the thought of falling of a broom instilling a weird fear into me. So, this move has been years in the making.

Successfully I slide it both underneath us, catching onto the foot holders I’ve readjusted to the front. It does pull us roughly forward and Sebastian lands on it to the side. But I’m prepared. I’ve literally obsessed over every possibility of this.

With a nudge forward and hold my iron grip on him, his hand intertwined in mine I pull him flat against me, twisting the broom to right our positions.

On a normal day the manoeuvre would call for a loud cheer, the accomplishment unseen by wizard kind. But not today. It’s not an occurrence in anyone’s lifetime to break people from Azkaban. And yet here we are.

So, upkeep focus is the priority. Flying Sebastian to safety is the next agenda of business. And with the cover of clouds and budding lightning, that’s the easiest part of today.

***

‘’Well…’’ I pause taking half a step back to observe my handiwork trying my hardest not to make any faces, as I continue running my fingers through his hair, the newly chopped strands sticking in all kinds of directions ‘’...given my limited experience in sheering a sheep once, I’d say it looks rather good.’’ I praise myself satisfied with Sebastian’s now short hairstyle.

Trying to remain positive I stand in front of him, his eyes unmovable from me not once fleeting elsewhere ‘’Hm.’’ I mumble and place my hands on my hips meeting his pretty brown eyes ‘’Feels better huh?’’

He doesn’t reply. He hasn’t spoken a word since the carriage. No scratch that since his cell. I’m not sure exactly what to think of it reminding myself over and over again to keep calm and give him time and space. Which reminds me.

‘’Ah yeah, the bath.’’ I point out the tub that I’ve filled almost to the brim with lukewarm sinking the tips of my fingers in it to test it out ‘’Alright. I’ve got many shampoos, over there…’’ He merely glances to where I point to the small stool, I’ve placed next to the tub ‘’...I remember you liking more woody scents, but I didn’t know exactly the brand you liked, so I bought a bunch for you to try.’’ I smile as I step over to him sitting in the middle of my bathroom, covered with an old towel as I’ve cut his hair leaving the beard up to him.

‘’There are fresh clothes for you, the one’s I gave you were for show and more of a universal size. We’ll get more to fit you better and to your liking when you’re ready.’’ I pass him over to the sink, letting go of the scissors on the porcelain surface, my own products neatly stacked to my liking on the free space of the shelving unit I built one day.

‘’And yeah.’’ reaching for my wand I wave it at the tub, speaking the incantation in my mind watching as the water begins to bubble and steam, trying not to let Sebastian’s deep gaze unhinge me ‘’That’s about that.’’ I smile wider backing towards the door ‘’Take as much of time as you like. I’ll go prepare us some food in the meantime. If you need anything I’m right behind the doors.’’

With that I’m grasping the doorhandle opening it but find myself hesitant with taking a step onwards turning back to the still mute Sebastian that doesn’t move a muscle. It’s as if he’s trying to tell me something while I’m stuck on a level of not being able to understand him. With a softer smile, I step outside with a heavy heart closing the door gently making my way into the kitchen from my bedroom.

My cottage is on the smaller side only having the basics, the addition of a study heaven sent. I send a glance around the spacious room that is the kitchen, entrance, dining room and living room all combined.

It’s a cozy little place to live in, with no noisy neighbours, or busy streets my location being on the edge of the village ensuring peace and quiet.

But tonight, for the first time since moving here the silence is deafening. Knowing who is on the other side of the wall. My body begins moving on autopilot peeling potatoes by hand instead of using magic, my mind keeps racing. It’s hard not to think of more scenarios, more what-ifs. Honestly its quite bloody hard trying not to spiral. Guilt always finds a way to interfere.

Before I know it, I’ve prepared the veggies and precut chicken setting it into the oven it firing up normally. It only comes after the tiredness from my actions as I slump into the chair at the head of the table facing the kitchen, so I’ll be able to see Sebastian emerge from my dimly lit room.

It feels unreal. Reality not sinking just yet - he is here. He is free. I’ve freed him.

The commitment of a crime - breaking a prisoner out of prison - still doesn’t sound bad in my ears. Logically its illegal yes, but I feel that I did the right thing. Because I did. I know I did. I’m just regretful it took me 10 fucking years to do so. Laws cannot help you even when proven right and wrong. Alliances are fickle matters. Money can’t buy you everything.

Shadows moving in the corner of my eye have me tense up, left hand shifting towards the movement, my wand forgotten on the clean kitchen counter. I keep forgetting it in places, wandless magic having gotten easier with training and life experiences. I somewhat relax at the sight of Sebastian emerging from the other room.

He leaves me stunned. With damp hair slicked back, and a clean-shaven face I’m able to see the progress of time on him. It’s not much which is why it strikes me all that more at how all the same he looks. He is on the skinnier side, eyes cheeks sunken, the boyish look gone and replaced by the serious and still wordless man that cautiously walks into the light, eyes fleeting towards the oven - or my wand - then back to me.

The clothes I’ve gotten him hang loose but not too much. They look a little short. He’s taller than I anticipated. But clothing is an easy fix. So is hair.

Despite the sullenness he’s still Sebastian. It's hard to explain it, but I see that spark in him even in the emotionlessness he’s portraying. Makes my heart ache so much more.

‘’You’ve made yourself a cozy home.’’ are the first words that he speaks. His voice is gruff giving a hint of not being used as the tone is low and raspy.

I glance around memories of frantic deep cleaning marathons I’ve spiralled into before setting out on getting him free, going through my mind as I shrug turning back ‘’Ehhh. A recent purchase.’’ I glance around again trying not to look at the trinkets I’ve picked up from adventures and work-related tasks.

At his silence but inquiring eyes I continue ‘’The quiet has its advantages. Or maybe it’s the old age in me, craving some alone time.’’

At this his eyebrows raise as he looks around again, observing the furniture, decor, pictures ‘’No significant other to keep company??’’

I want to snort at the obvious question: his train of thoughts is very similar to the old Sebastian I knew. I shake my head rolling my shoulders back as I lean against the chair, relaxing my feet and body getting comfortable ‘’Wasn’t on my list of priorities to be honest.’’ I scrunch up my nose watching as he walks over to the table, still putting distance between us.

‘’Hmmm.’’ he hums in thought eyes looking over my ringless fingers as if to confirm it ‘’You were always too brilliant for mere mortals.’’ he jokes my smile easily rising at the jab as I chuckle my heart fluttering at the soft smile that he graces me with.

‘’Ah it’s not even about that, and you know it.’’ I reply bringing my hands on the table together starting to fidget as I timidly look at him ‘’Did you…’’ I pause adrenaline and confidence having truly left me ‘’Did you by any chance get any mail?’’

He remains silent eyes breaking away as they look around the room more, the shift from one foot to another prompting him into walking slowly over, hands that previously rested on top of a chair, moving along touching the wood as he comes closer.

‘’You wrote me?’’ he counters with a question, face not giving anything away even if he looks relaxed.

‘’I did.’’ I say calmly ignoring the rise of my heartbeat as he pulls the chair out on my left and with caution sits himself down, body turned towards me.

‘’Sadly, I wasn’t granted those kinds of privileges.’’

Defeated at that, the comfort of Sebastian hearing from me all these years is slightly defeating as I’ve hoped my words would bring some form of comfort. When my owl kept returning with no letters, I’d assumed that he got them.

‘’I tried.’’ I begin licking over my lower lip ‘’I wrote to you.’’ I pause again looking at my hands not able to meet his serious face ‘’I tried opening an investigation for your case.’’ I send a glance to my right the cabinet containing all the documents I’ve gathered during the 10 years to free him. ‘’Even with the right connections I – I’ve had to resort to other measures.’’ I frown raising my right hand reciting the right levitation charm watching as a thin brown folder levitates into the air and makes its way over into my hand.

I finally turn to Sebastian trying not to backtrack at the intense look he’s giving me. The emotionlessness has me on edge, but even more so it’s his stillness. I know him as being animated always full of life and mischief too, his cunning knowing no bounds. Its why I was always drawn to him, so easily agreeing to stupid plans.

‘’You’ve heard us talk. I think you’ve picked up on what transpired.’’ I turn the file over and slide it to him, his eyes unmoving from me as silence stretches between us.

And the more it goes on the more I feel like a little girl again. Uncomfortable, lost, anxious but the feelings I hate the most are insecurity and helplessness. With a look he’s drawing that out of me. Lucky or unlucky my employment has provided me with years of practice, and a ton of experience to leave nothing out as I hold myself composed, straightening up even sitting proper in anticipation for an attack. I don’t exactly know how else to hold myself by, the work of an Unspeakable wrapped in mystery for sure, but also layers of let’s call it character development that had shaped me into the person I am today.

Yet with the reminder of the last few years the trails tribulations, the triumphs, falls, accomplishments, deaths I’m being brought to a dangerous level of crumbling. Under those watchful brown eyes, empty but overwhelming at the same time.

‘’Last time I saw you, heard you – your cries were quite remorseful.’’ He taps his fingers against the table quirking an eyebrow. The memory burns freshly in my mind, aurors taking Sebastian away, Ominis holding me back with surprising strength as I protested and pleaded, begging for them to stop my cries falling on deaf ears.

‘’I think any 15-year-old would react like that when she saw the love of her life being taken away like that.’’ the truth pours out easily the quirk of his brow signalling I’ve caught him of guard.

‘’That’s quite the statement, Mc.’’ He observes, his posture giving hints of something akin to curiosity.

‘’It happens to be truthful.’’ I lower my chin a little still maintaining eye contact.

‘’Even after all that happened. After all I’ve done? After I’ve taught you the dark arts. Got you almost killed?’’ the words pour out of him the collectedness cracking.

‘’They say love is blind.’’ I smile at my own statement relaxing back into the chair.

‘’Mc.’’ He speaks my name seriously leaning forward for the first-time showing anger and frustration shifting in his seat ‘’I’ve manipulated you into doing my biding. Played on your nice heart, taken advantage thoroughly. I didn’t even think about consequences. You’re not daft. You’re aware of all of this.’’

I simply nod at his words smile still present ‘’I didn’t care about your feelings or wellbeing.’’ He adds on my shrug seemingly rising more out of him ‘’I would’ve done anything and everything to find a cure. Anything.’’

At this I tilt my head watching him. I’ve imagined him going of like this in my mind many times. My own imagination a lot more hurtful than the real thing truthfully. Even if his words are baneful, I find myself being okay.

‘’You never lied very well to me.’’ I find myself stating his lack of anything prompting me to go on ‘’I could always read you. I knew you better than you did yourself.’’ I hum after that Sebastian shaking his head.

‘’And here I thought I’ve been freed from the looney bin.’’

At that statement my smile disappears my fingers tapping on the table to rein him in ‘’No need for that, Seb. We both know what anger makes you do, your regretful-ness always leading you to grovelling.’’ I spit back. His jaw clenches, fingers curling into fists stance tense.

‘’I think between the two of us you’re the fool in this equation. You used to tease anyone to never underestimate me, and yet here you are.’’ I pause reaching for the pocket of my pants ‘’You know I’m not the one who put you behind bars.’’ Confidently I go on ‘’Somehow even with little privileges you’re a Slytherin after all. Its why you didn’t protest or react when the Polyjuice potion wore off in the carriage.’’

His breathing is becoming deeper, chest raising and falling noticeably ‘’You knew something was up. You’re not one to throw in the towel. Even after – after the circumstances.’’ I pause not wanting to mention Azkaban directly ‘’I have it on good authority that you’ve gotten some of my letters.’’ His breathing hitches my smile rising ‘’Like I said you can’t trick me Sallow. We’ve had it worse in our 5th year in some regards.’’

I get completely serious waiting for him to protest, waiting for him to raise an uproar as I’m sure he’s easily recollecting the events in our Hogwarts days. The thought of us being kids and definitely the definition of luck as the dangers we’ve faced would leave anyone else traumatized or dead.

I’ve been in the presence of dementors before, the ministry having random outbreaks, some of my missions having sent me to meet even worse creatures than them. Sebastian might have been alone for these past years dealing with happiness and joy being sucked out of him – for a fact I know especially now that he’s going to be okay. He has changed yes, grown as I did, but he has also managed to adapt to his surroundings. He didn’t let them take him entirely apart.

‘’Even with this…’’ I rest my hand on the table, knuckles against the wood opening my palm up we both watch as a fire like shape raises, the tingle of my ancient magic humming comforting to be brought to the surface ‘’…with what life has thrown at me…’’ I shake my head the magic rising ‘’…I’m…’’ the words die on my tongue.

Magic retracts itself disappearing into thin air leaving behind a warm feeling my offer to the once more stoic brunette a sad smile as I pull my hand back but place the small box from my pocket on the table ‘’You’re not alone.’’

My voice is strained as the oven begins to beep annoying loud providing the opportunity to look away and blink tears into nonexistence as I will myself to calm down, waving my hand in the familiar and automatic pattern as I watch the over, turn off its doors opening. The dish floats without a hitch onto the stove, the oven doors closing.

Glancing over at Sebastian his gaze is stuck on the unopened box and file. I sigh deeply steadying myself as I reach over and flicker the velvety box open revealing a simple silver ring pushing it to him. I tap the table twice, the indication for him to open the document. Which he slowly does reach for, opening it as if it’s going to attack him at any moment.

Placing both of my hands back on the table, I summon the wand I’ve gotten for him his declination of it before still a mystery to me. Catching the unfamiliarly weighted wand, I gently place it on the table right in the middle between us, the offering going unsaid.

Retreating my hands I reach for the other pocket of my pants, pulling out and putting on my own wedding band which is a fairly recent accessory I’ve started wearing.

Looking over at the silent man, his eyes are taking the paper in rapidly. Reading. Re-reading. Re-checking. The certificates. The ring. The wand.

‘’Nothing is set in stone.’’ I softly begin Sebastian still unmoving ‘’Except for the death certificate. That was tricky to arrange, more so than the wedding document. Oh, Merlin that was ridiculously easy.’’ Once more I shake my head letting out an empty laugh, surprised but not showing it as he has picked up the wedding ring his silence stretching for longer than I’m used to from him.

It slides me right back towards the edge, anxiety picking, the knot in my stomach twisting to a painful degree.

‘’L/N?’’

I nod immediately as his eyes meet my own ‘’I think my surname is rather nice.’’ I blur out ‘’No that Sallow isn’t but, it kind of defeats the whole ‘you’re publicly dead’ purpose.’’ I rant his face not changing ‘’I’m sure the daily prophet will mention your passing tomorrow.’’ I glance to the left at the clock ticking away, signalling its way later than it feels. It still feels surreal to have Sebastian in front of me.

He opens his mouth but closes it just as fast something bothering him, twisting his pretty face into a frown. It would be weird if he wasn’t bothered.

‘’Like I’ve said nothing is set into stone.’’ I raise my hands in surrender, Sebastian’s attention on the wand now. He’s watching it and not picking it up.

‘’I’ve used you.’’ His statement catches me of guard as anger sparks ‘’Need I repeat all the misdeed’s all the faults I’ve made you dealt with? I saw how scared you were of the ancient magic, I saw how it drained you and still I’ve pushed and pushed you, into exhaustion and numerous shaves with death without a pause. Heck, in the scriptorium after casting Curcio I left you behind in favour of exploring. Mc. Why?’’ he deadpans ‘’Anne my own twin sister sent me to Azkaban. Ominis my best friend didn’t hesitate to betray me. You…this is madness. You are mad.’’

He stares at me incredulous clearly having run these questions through his mind before. He rehearsed these words. Before me doesn’t sit a ‘notorious prisoner, a criminal from Azkaban’ anymore. Before me is sitting the Sebastian I know and love. With the same scared expression, same sort of desperation eyes pleading for things to make sense.

Hence why getting up is so much easier body moving on its own the scared boy I was infatuated with having the same effect on me, pulling me in towards the wildfire that he is. He doesn’t flinch, doesn’t particularly react in any way as I step around the table and in front of him rising my hands.

Meeting his eyes my palms land on his cheeks. Gentle to touch thanks to the shower and shave they feel familiar in my palms and yet different. His body tense from emotions and racing mind going gradually into a relax state as he hunches forward, eyes blinking away tears.

I crowd into his personal space Sebastian making room by spreading his legs, welcoming as I brush my fingers into his messy hair, the motion making me feel 10 years younger as I’ve used to do this on the regular whenever we were alone together.

My heart all but leaps from my chest as his hands find themselves above my hips in a respectful place sliding over my back drawing me into a hug which I happily succumb to, holding him close to me only slightly self-conscious if he can hear how my heart speeds for him.

Otherwise, the surrealness returns, the overwhelming joy of finally putting my plans into motion of them being fruitful hit me. Closing my eyes I attempt at holding back tears, but it’s an impossible task with the way he’s holding onto me, guiding me as if I’m made of glass to sit in his lap rearranging us and yet not parting a millimetre away from one another, as he buries his face into my shoulder and stills, big hands splayed over my back as if I’m the one who’s going to disappear.

To be honest my hands are doing the same, grasping his clothes rougher than needed the reassurance not quenched entirely. So, I let the tears flow I’m sure dampening his shirt in the process, alerting him of my state only after a while since he makes the first move, calloused hands this time cupping my own cheeks, thumbs attempting to wipe away tears.

‘’I’ve not seen you cry ever dearest Mc, and I’m the one who makes you cry so easily??’’ a spark of mischief fizzles in the end his hesitant smile words causing me to huff an awkward laugh, as I look up towards the ceiling trying to will away the tears.

‘’It’s merely a side effect of a heartfelt reunion.’’ I let out some air looking back at him feeling hope creep into my heart which is unnerving ‘’Long distance and all.’’ My voice cuts off in the end the humour not at all humorous.

He hums in response I think feeling the same sentiments as I am, preoccupying himself with getting acquainted with me again. I know I’ve changed, its only logical. We are not kids anymore. I let him indulge as one hand continuously caresses up and down my back, the other touching my lose hair, temple, nose, cheek and so forth meanwhile I do the same taking my own selfish time in admiring him so up close, blissfully ignoring reality the bubble we’ve fallen into, serenity. A slice of Eden dare I say.

Its once his hand parts from my face and find my left hand, that he speaks again ‘’This is not how I’ve imagined my marriage would start.’’ He begins softly voice still containing raspiness to it, fingers tracing and rotating the wedding ring on my finger ‘’Rather unorthodox.’’ He muses in the end blessing me with a genuine smile.

‘’It’s quite fitting for your brand.’’ We both grin and my tease ‘’And like you’ve mentioned before. I’m not meant for mere mortals. Let alone being one for tradition or normalcy.’’ I let my ancient magic sparkle watching as he stares in wonder at our joined hands the blue like flame illuminating his face into a pretty blue colour.

‘’And yet you’re bestowing the sacred privilege of not only honouring me with your last name but taking me rather shamelessly as your husband?’’ he looks incredulous the more he speaks sort of holding his breath in a sense to see if I’m suddenly going to change my mind ‘’A dead man, a criminal. Prisoner. A murderer.’’

His handsome features twist into a frown showing disgust and what he’s thinking about himself I’m sure holding more vile words back. Unphased and already having expected this I keep calm, and with my right free hand reach for his occupied hand retaking the wedding ring I’ve picked for him twisting it between my fingers a trick I’ve learned from a muggle magician, slight of hands handy even in the wizarding world.

‘’To me you are just Sebastian.’’ I admit smiling watching his eyes glossing over lower lip trembling briefly ‘’I’ve obviously made my choice haven’t I. I’m giving you a choice of your own. You can accept it or refuse it, regardless of my actions and feelings because this is about you and your life from this point onwards.’’

The pause is heavy in the air, the coldness from the dementors making a fleeting appearance as I’m reminded of where he is coming from after all. He’s not the Sebastian I know not entirely, even if I am drawing him out slowly. Hence my fears are justifiable.

‘’You’ve taken one life, Seb.’’ I whisper lowering my hand searching his eyes ‘’In self-defence.’’ I pause again gulping down the knot in my throat ‘’You’ve no clue what I’ve done since you’ve been gone.’’ I give him a sad smile, looking between us at the way he’s holding my hand ‘’You have not paused to think that I might be dragging you back onto the wrong path. That I’m not who I appear to be. That I might be the bad guy here.’’

His relaxed body tenses the more I talk, expression once more dropping all emotions as he hardens eyebrows furrowing as intensity sparks behind his eyes ‘’You could never be.’’ He’s quick to hiss, gentle hands tightening the shake of his head warming me.

‘’Oh, but I am.’’ I drop both my hands in my lap, his own not leaving me for a moment ‘’I’ve earned many names in the years of my employment at the ministry.’’ He gets taken aback by that my smile lighter ‘’Professor Hecat had an eye for detecting certain potentials in students. Even the ones with good intentions.’’

I wait for him to figure out, to make the connection which he does brilliantly fast ‘’Mc…’’ he speaks my name sweetly to which I shake my head.

‘’I hold no grudges or ill against you Sebastian. I never had.’’ I straighten his hold unmoving ‘’I had this feeling ever since our youth that we were always meant to be.’’ His eyes widen ‘’It may be delusion from my part, but I do not regret the things I did with you, or the things I had to do to get you out.’’ Its frighteningly easy to slip into the serious persona I tend to wear as an Unspeakable. I hate that I’m doing it to him, switching up emotions not really comforting him as I should be.

But he needs to know the truth.

‘’You’ve always been on my m…’’

Unable to finish the sentence I’m startled into silence as his lips meet my own. Of course, it’s a rather surprising move I think for the both of us, as he doesn’t entirely commit to it his slightly chapped lips moving shily. He retreats as quicky as he came, eyes panicked as they search my own.

He meant the kiss I know that much. Its written all over his panic-stricken features and eyes. This is where the prison has left a mark on him, turning the flirtations and overconfident Slytherin to an insecure man holding me firmly and yet blushing at a mere peck that he so clumsily delivered.

Breaking the poor man’s torture, I end up closing the distance initiating the kiss gently, timid lips still unsure as they follow my own, a tremble to them prompting me to wrap my arms around his shoulders to hold him closer in reassurance. Or it might be my own insecurity still gnawing at my subconsciousness. Emotions are a tricky business.

For the moment being, the sweet slow drag of our lips is enough to keep me grounded. To appreciate the sacrifices made, the overthinking and panicking at times, the survival methods the both of us had to resort to. It matters not in the end as long as we are back in each other’s arms. And if that makes me bad, morally grey as the whispers in the ministry are floating around – I’ll be the villain. Gladly. As long as I get to see Sebastian. As long as he’s alright. Dare I hope for him to be happy finally.

Slowly parting he follow suit chasing me for a fracture of a moment. The small action has me smiling as I lean my forehead against his, running one hand through his hair trying to hold back, and calm my breathing and the beating of my heart.

‘’I’ve missed you.’’ my voice comes out unfiltered ‘’I’ve missed you so much, it ached.’’ I grasp his hand with my other one placing it over my heart ‘’Hurt. It hurt so bad, Seb.’’ Blasted tears make an appearance as I give space to look at him his own expression crushing as he looks so sorry and dejected.

‘’Oh darling…’’ he whines gulping, thoughts I’m sure all over ‘’Just you and me yeah??’’ he whispers upkeeping eye contact ‘’Remember? I made a promise.’’

I close my eyes at the memory. The memory holds joy as it does tragedy. The stupid fool that he was, he followed me one night when I stumbled upon a camp of poachers. The hero he wanted to act just got in the middle of things. It took one second of distraction from my part, one bloody second that he got struck with a nasty hex that left him instantly bleeding and unresponsive.

That brough a whole another aspect to my ancient magic as a thunderstorm raged for the rest of the night. He narrowly escaped death only thanks to me finding the by then deceased wizard’s wand, breaking it to relive him of pains, and a good 2 Wiggenweld Potion’s to get him semi-conscious.

Having had to reveal the room of requirements and thankfully learning enough healing charms to ‘mend’ him together his promise befell through a fervour he had. But his smile was bright, genuine a bit aloof. He meant every word he said.

And right now, he’s being deadly serious waiting for my response.

‘’Even after all this time?’’ my voice comes out unsure, Sebastian immediately nodding bringing our joined hands upwards to which he presses a kiss to the top of my knuckles.

‘’I could ask you the same thing.’’ He smiles with ease drawing out a blush to flush over my cheeks ‘’You’ve waited all these years, haven’t you?’’ he hums as I nod not trusting my voice ‘’Found impossible ways to keep giving me hope. To keep me alive. Sane.’’ I can merely stare at him, ignoring my own trembling lips letting myself enjoy his touches and proximity ‘’Only you. It has always been only you.’’

Unlike the younger version of Sebastian who had shown his fire-y passion usually through kisses and rather daring touches now and then, this Sebastian still handling me like glass pulls me into his embrace, resting his head onto my shoulder hiding his face in my hair and momentarily from the world.

So, I follow suit, running one hand over his back caressing, the other finding its way into his curls the feeling of them, having imagined it to many times to count, currently a blissful affair.

‘’Let me see that ring.’’ He speaks up as I’ve seemingly lost my own voice, doing as he wishes parting only slightly to watch him accept the ring I’ve been holding onto this entire time, doubts nasty little critters as I like to not so affectionally call these emotions, piling and adding weight.

With a held breath, he examines the silver ring turning and twisting it around looking at it from all the angles, his lips painted with a faint lopsided smirk of amusement and mischief. He looks up at me the side of his eyes crinkling a bit.

‘’No flashy jewellery.’’ He quirks an eyebrow, cupping my ring bearing hand raising it to which his gaze falls into my own ring which he gently rolls around my fingers ‘’Always the one for practicality.’’ He chuckles retreating his hand to put his wedding band onto his finger. Only when it slides fitting onto his digit perfectly do I release the breath I’ve been holding.

‘’It’s not even about practicality.’’ I pout watching as he flexes his fingers, rotating his hand as if testing the feel of the band his definitely mischievous eyes landing on my own ‘’I’m not one for rocks it’s all.’’ I shrug attempting to cross my arms waiting for the onslaught of his teases giving in immediately as his hand intercepts both of my own.

‘’Just sturdy, powerful and extremely rare metals then?’’ again with the quirking of his eyebrow his comment reminding me how brilliant he still is. It didn’t take him long at all to figure out that our wedding bands, silver in colour have been made from like he said extremely, nearly extinct pieces of metal that took quite the ventures to get to them.

Not only have they meaning in the eyes of everyone as being symbols of our love and devotion to one another, but they provide us with certain magical enhancements.

‘’Not meant for mere mortals.’’ Once more I throw at his face wanting him to understand how much he means to me, his playfulness lowering a notch as he looks at me with affection. With more confidence in his actions, he leans in capturing my lips with his, the kiss syrupy as he takes his time as if to explore my mouth anew, hands finding themselves over my thigs where he grips onto my flesh and pulls me even closer.

I sigh into the kiss letting him take the lead, not minding his touches that grow bolder kiss paired with teeth and tongue reminding me of his teenage self actually who wasn’t afraid of trying out new things.

What has my brows furrowing is the thrust of his hips coming at random the full feel of his manhood clicking in my brain I shift in his lap in such a manner that has me wrapping my legs around his hips, the back of the chair providing an annoying blockade preventing me from wrapping around him.

As if he reads my mind – making me briefly wonder if he has become a legitimus – his hands slip underneath me his touch daring as its on my bottom. With a bite to my lower lip, he lets out a shuddering breath shifting getting up all the while holding me against him. The damned chair falls over causing a racket in the quiet house but leaves him and myself unbothered as his lips find their way under my jaw teeth grazing against my jugular the action arousing in some odd way.

‘’Oh Seb…’’ I groan as he presses a wet kiss to a ticklish area, his swaying prompting me to open my eyes, seeing the sunrise outside the window.

‘’You sound so beautiful.’’ He groans continuing with his ministrations ‘’And I’ve merely begun.’’ Cheeky is what he is, hands grasping my backside squeezing even.

‘’Oh.’’ I squeak ending up giggling at my own response, Sebastian ending up laughing with me, momentarily stopping his ministrations ‘’Ah Merlin. You’re still obnoxious.’’

On purpose I’m sure he delivers a slightly stinging bite ‘’Ouch Sebastian!’’ I try to scold him, his lull into a step side-tracking my thoughts as I cling onto him.

‘’And you are still, sensitive dear wife.’’ he smirks as I look down at him, his grin almost the same one that promises nothing but trouble. But his use of title, has a blush hitting me all over, heat practically washing over me. I see how my reaction pleases him, as he continues walking carefully. A hint of my old Sebastian is showing through the sparkles in his pretty eyes.

‘’I’m not sensitive.’’ I pout trying to keep calm and my head clear ‘’You always imagined that.’’

He chuckles as we walk past the doorway, the sun outside casting gentle rays onto the floor. It’s quite the miracle for it has been raining for months, and today out of all days it’s miraculously sunny.

‘’Ah. Sure yes. As your dutiful husband I shall agree on that and apologize darling.’’ He exaggerates making me muse as he stops and hovers over the bed.

‘’Now you are exaggerating Sebastian.’’

‘’Happy wife…’’ I put my hand over his mouth to stop him from finishing the sentence, as I giggle looking at him in astonishment.

‘’Don’t you even dare.’’ I warn letting go of his mouth in favour of grabbing him by his shoulders as he dips down ‘’Seb…’’ I gasp in fright as it begins okay, him bending forward but it ends up in me falling on the bed and him crashing into me leaving me winded from surprise but not the impact.

He burst into laughter whilst I do the same, covering my face for a moment looking at the ceiling above me, Sebastian shaking in my arm from laughter hanging half off the bed.

‘’That was rather…accurate for the two of us.’’ I mumble running my hands up and down his back as he begins to calm down, the corner of his eyes crinkling slightly whole expression lifted and joyful.

‘’Excuse me then dear wife. This was not in my plans.’’ He giggles still greatly amused, only now readjusting himself off me, and manoeuvring the both of us onto the bed sideways still as he doesn’t put any distance between us.

‘’I would sure hope not.’’ I smile cupping his cheeks ‘’Fear not dear husband, I am not made of porcelain.’’ I raise my eyebrows ready for his teasing. He takes a different course, in the form of closing the distance kissing me with more vigour, remaining soft in his ministrations his hand oddly in place.

I kiss him in return trying to calm down my shuddering breath as he steals it literally. Even as I cannot uphold my head upright and fall to lie down, he follows eagerly pressing pecks, kisses over my jawline cheek, cheekily kissing the tip of my nose eyes half closed as he admires for a moment and then returns to reward me with the slow drag of his lips.

I let my hands drop in the meantime, rubbing them over his clothed back. He’s still wide like he used to be, but he has lost his muscles that were built thanks to Imelda’s rigorous training for quidditch. And our adventures too. Not only did he lose his bulk, but also his strength which was proven a few moments ago. A reminder that he has gone through something traumatic.

So due to his hesitant touches, and to be honest my loss of patience I bring my hands forth, over his arms to the front, finding the buttons of the collared shirt I’ve got him to wear. Luckily, he didn’t bother with the waistcoat, so my intention gets quickly realized as I undo the garment.

He breaks the kiss due to my touched, his breath hitching as my hands come in contact with his chest, one of his hands grasping my wrist gently stopping me in my ministrations.

‘’Mc I…’’ he pauses looking between us instead at me, his cheeks, and ears flushed pink.

Wordless I understand him right now. Pulling my hands back I offer a big-closed lip smile his eyes turning to look at me in fright.

‘’It’s okay.’’ I speak softly grabbing the tucked part of my own collared shirt. He shifts in a way that allows me to pull it over my head which leaves me in my chemise, Sebastian looking something between frightened and aroused as he watches me.

‘’I understand, okay?’’ I say slowly as if I’m talking to a frightened creature grasping his hand. I bring it over to my left shoulder pushing the sleeve of my chemise lower to reveal the ugly burn that stretches over my skin ‘’We don't have to do anything. Don't force yourself. We can stop. It's okay. But know that I don't want you any less. You're still you, and I'm still me. Nothing’s changed.’’

As if weak he bends down, resting his forehead against my own. His hand still on my shoulder begins to gently caress my skin whilst I bring my own back to his chest listening watching him intently for any sign of rejection. Not showing any, I proceed to touch him with utmost gentleness tracing over his stomach, chest feeling his bones all the more. This time around I kiss him in distraction, as I push the shirt over his shoulders.

Half expecting him to freeze, I’m left pleasantly surprised as he gets up and begins to push off the material, discharging it behind us. As he sits on his knees above me chest noticeably moving as he’s breathing heavily, I’m the one who’s left admiring him.

Even covered in tiny scars, scraps and hair, he’s still my Sebastian. Even this fragile and tired looking I see the fire in his eyes.

‘’Ohh Sebastian!’’ I exclaim following with a fit of giggles as his veiny hands, which I notice only now reach for the belt of my trousers. I leave my hands to rest next to my head smiling at the manhandling that he is doing.

‘’You said you weren’t fragile.’’ He taunts licking his lower lip, as the belt comes undone and is pulled off, his hands clumsy as he tears the button of my trousers off.

‘’I am not.’’ I agree watching him delighted in how he begins to pull down the clothing along with my winter socks ‘’Are you in a rush darling?’’ I bite onto my lower lip, watching as he gets rid of his own pants, rather clumsily kicking them off ‘’My, my what a pleasant sight to be blessed with.’’ I arch an eyebrow looking him up and down.

He’s quick to climb back atop of me this time nestling his hips between my legs, delivering a kiss to my shoulder the action surprising me making me blush ‘’Hey that was my line Mc.’’ He swops down to kiss me but briefly as he rolls his hips into me leaving me lost for words and my thoughts derailed at his sudden boldness.

‘’You’ve grown daring over the years.’’ He notes breaking the kiss, returning to leave kisses over the other side of my cheek, descending down my neck ‘’Shameless?’’ he asks beginning to roll his hips against me, the lack of clothing much more revealing obviously.

It’s not that our undergarments are see through, but they are made of light materials. Which enables me to fully feel him against my core. And o my gods…

I groan at a particularly prominent thrust, which pushes me higher up Sebastian not leaving for a moment, simply continuing with whatever he has in store the deviant now proceeding to mark me above my collarbones.

‘’Fearless.’’ He speaks up pressing kisses against my scar, his lips his touches making me flinch initially. But he’s holding me down tenderly, pushing the chemise lower revealing more of my skin. Revealing more of the imperfections – scars I’ve earned in his absence.

‘’You are giving me too much praise, Sebastian.’’ I frown a little, letting my fingers dance over his chest, and to his sides, his hipbones.

‘’Not nearly enough.’’ He raises above me, looking like a man entranced re-connecting our lips together, this time letting his tongue run over my bottom lip making me hum in appreciation. Growing confident due to his actions, I wrap my legs over the back of his thighs attempting to press him harder against him, his rhythm now stuttering as I grab his arse, squeezing.

He breaks the kiss offering a mischievous smirk ‘’Diabolical. Absolutely diabolical.’’

I grin at that, showing him my tongue to further entice him. Which works perfectly. He grasps my hand like a gentleman actually, prying my hands away from his still perky ass pinning my arms to the sides of my head smirking down at me not breaking eye contact.

‘’You are the love of my life.’’ The statement has me blinking a few times as I look up at him stunned ‘’My everything.’’

Unable to respond Sebastian takes the lead, taking the approach as he did in the beginning. His hold, his closeness, his kissing all gentle and slow. It gives me the sense as if…as if he’s imprinting this into his memory. Because the more we progress, and his hips begin to rut against me harder, the more I have this feeling as if he is plagued by something.

And I understand it. Giving into him, relaxing on the bed letting him take what he desires even if that means my lips will remain bruised, and climax delayed. It’s all about him.

‘’Oh Seb…’’ I moan into his mouth, shifting my hips to accommodate him further seeing the need in the glare he offers. His freckled skin is so prettily flushed, hair messy, and skin slightly damp as the room grows hotter ‘’You feel so good against me…’’ I encourage nodding pulling my right hand away to push the lose strands from his forehead smiling as he kisses my wrist in the progress, panting softly.

‘’Missed you…’’ he says strained, moving us his hardness I’m sure throbbing as it makes a mess out of me rubbing against my clit on and off again rising tingles under my fingertips ‘’…my pretty girl.’’ I smile at the compliment, dragging the top of my nails down his chest his shudder loud as he intakes breath quickly, his left hand grabbing a hold of my thigh twisting it higher the change in position making me throwback my head, as he parts my soaked folds even through the now ruined fabric.

‘’So pretty…’’ he pants biting into his lower lip, head falling next to my own. He keeps moving, and my hand keeps progressing, finally reaching the band of his undergarment, slipping my fingers inside the dampness ‘’Oh MC!’’ he suddenly grunts, as my fingers barely touch his hot and leaking manhood.

His hand like before is quick in catching and stopping my own from progressing, as he convulses and twitches, hip stuttering regularly.

Caught off guard I merely watch him dumbfounded as something warm and wet grazes against my fingers and palm, his hold preventing me from doing anything else. So, I remain still and accommodating until he slows to a gradual stop, still twitching now and then even as he releases my hand, letting me examine the fluid.

‘’I think I’ve died.’’ He utters into my neck, his breath ticklish making me smile as I bring my hand to my lips and taste him ‘’Oh I’m definitely dead.’’ His voice dips lower.

Peeking at him he’s looking at me as if I’ve put the stars in the sky, while I click my tongue ‘’I don’t think so husband dearest.’’ I smile affectionally, pushing him lightly of me and to the side, rolling on my left to face him, fingers wiped on the comforter.

‘’This must be it. The afterlife.’’ He dramatically chats ahead rolling onto his back sighing whilst I get up following him, pushing down the chemise further revealing my torso entirely, sitting next to him. He peeks at me, eyes taking me all in blush returning immediately ‘’You fair maiden, like a siren coating me into a demise I’ll gladly plumet into.’’

I grin at his poetry dipping down to kiss him gently, his right hand warm as it settles over my lower back resting there ‘’That would make us both dead.’’ I point out musing ‘’I for one am enjoying my married life very much.’’ He perks at that.

‘’A dream come, true.’’

I remain close bend over, half resting on his chest admiring him ‘’Oh its very much so a reality.’’ I begin sighing contently tracing his face with my left and free hand ‘’You and me, together again.’’ I pause to let it sink in ‘’Never to be separated again.’’ I silently promise, certain of my words as I know I will stop at nothing to protect him ‘’You are my everything too.’’ I admit seeing how his eyes slightly widen.

‘’My whole reason of being.’’ I whisper as I lean down, staring into his pretty eyes, my gaze slipping only to his lips and back up to capture them. He moans breathlessly into the kiss which is neither slow nor speedy. I keep it simple and rather, light as I focus on pushing the chemise lower whilst I climb onto his lap, my hair falling around our faces like a curtain.

‘’My Sebastian.’’ I break the kiss, imitating him from before but taking more time almost torturously so but in the best away possible as I kiss the corner of his nose, his temple, above his relaxed brown, then begin my descend down his cheek ‘’Handsome as ever.’’ I let my tongue dart out teasingly ‘’Drawing me in with your mere presence. Enough to keep me wanting you for years.’’ I groan, as I trace the side vein in his neck, still merely kissing him feeling how his hands push away the fabric of my chemise hands resting over my hips, trembling as I put a hold under his chin, directing his head in the way I want to. And he goes along with it.

He lets out little sighs, at the contact of my lips over his skin, specially whenever I ghost over a scar. I buckle my hips against his abdomen, his body jerking automatically which raises chuckles from him his whine loud.

‘’You even sound pretty.’’ I praise happily sitting up looking down at him. Seeing him breathless already, pleading eyes staring at me hair messy heart racing. Oh, how I’ve longed for him.

‘’Dashing.’’ I drag both hands, using my blunt nails to run down his chest watching as goosebumps arise over his skin ‘’Stunning, dapper, noble. There are not enough words to describe how amazing you are.’’ I lean down to steal a kiss giggling like a schoolgirl as I pull back Sebastian following. With a hand planted onto his chest I stop him in his tracks, winking. Lowering myself over his thigh I raise an eyebrow which I’m sure makes me look menacing as I can see his Adam’s apple bob.

‘’All I say it’s true. I’ve left you speechless.’’ I tease grasping the waistband, and without a second though pull down the fabric, watching as his manhood bobs up onto his stomach, body twitching again, his legs obviously in place as I’m settled on him.

‘’N-not true.’’ He gets out rising onto his elbows, as I observe the remnants of his release. Seeing there is to be a lot more movement and manoeuvring to get him rid of his undergarment, I grab the material and with some strength put into it tear it apart, Sebastian left with his mouth parted in a small ‘o’ shape.

‘’Ah it’s all very true.’’ I continue letting the now ruined material fall of the edge of the bed as I lie myself between his legs, my own hanging of the bed. Meanwhile I let my hands run up and down his thighs, smiling up at him ‘’I was never able to lie to you. I don’t see the appeal of trying it now.’’ I cheekily say, dipping down to press a kiss onto the side of his inner thigh, the muscles tensing at my ministration.

‘’Shhh relax, my love. Relax.’’ I encourage, looking up at him. I run my nails over his other thigh, whilst starting to suck lovely marks that will bloom later for a reminder.

‘’Enchantress.’’ He grinds through his teeth ‘’A divinity.’’

Thanks to his high praise I let my tongue out, dragging it over his thigh making a show of it ending up moving up like a predator keeping my gaze as such, chin tilted downwards as I lick at his half-hard cock the twitch immediate.

‘’It’s merely me, Sebastian.’’ I say in a low tone, grasping his manhood with my right hand rising it up taking it in, the veins, the head, everything only after looking at him. He looks destroyed already, something I always dreamed of seeing ‘’Only me.’’

And with that I experimentally suck on his tip, the groan he lets out sounding like someone is strangling him whilst his body tenses hands grasping the duvet underneath us twisting it.

With some focus I pry my left hand from his thigh, taking his hand in my own his hold tense. It doesn’t deter me, as I run my tongue over the mushroom head licking the excessive precum, not enjoying the taste but enduring it gladly, seeing how he keeps trashing – and I’ve barely done anything.

Giving him some mercy thanks to the pleading look he gives me I relent, and begin to sink on his cock, flattening my tongue as I descend, closing my eyes as I concentrate on my breathing. I barely get him in my gag reflex already making my throat contract, so I help myself with my right hand, droll dripping from my lips.

Ignoring the tears in my eyes I push forward sucking once, making it my mission to please him further by sinking more.

‘’No, no, no stop, Mc please…’’ he raises up hands gentle as they cup my cheeks pulling me off him. I gasp for air, not minding the spilled tears or droll. Neither does he as he’s quick to wipe them.

‘’I’m sorry I didn’t mean…’’ I begin to panic thinking I did something wrong, and that didn’t like, even as he shakes his head his smile shaky at best, the kiss that follows not so reassuring.

‘’You did wonderful.’’ He breaks away to reassure me holding onto me firmly, readjusting his hold so he can manhandle me this time to sit back, higher over his thighs and to be level with him ‘’You’re a minx, a temptress you are. More perfect than I ever imagined I swear it.’’ He grins happily pressing a chaste kiss ‘’But I don’t want to cum so soon.’’ He looks at me in despair mixed with hope.

‘’You…wow…’’ it daunts on me his extreme reaction, as I observe his face needing to make sure he is telling me the truth ‘’Okay.’’ I find myself saying his smile winning over my heart all over again as he pulls me against him, his cock right underneath me, hot and hard.

‘’I simply cannot resist you.’’ He confesses hugging me for the moment being ‘’You are truly everything to me. You’re too good to me. I want to make you feel good too.’’ and with those words and his strategically placed hands on my chemise he rips the pants portion at first, ending up destroying it with more ease than I did pulling the material away from us.

‘’You already make me feel good.’’ I state planting my knees into the mattress, my right-hand dipping between us, and through my slit collecting the wetness which I then raise up ‘’See?’’ my tongue lowers again. I hold his chin with my left hand, offering two of my fingers. He gets the hint opening his mouth tongue peeking out to which I let him taste me ‘’Hmmm.’’ I moan lightly smirking, pulling my fingers out.

I grasp his dominant hand dipping both of our hands to my folds, the astonishment on his face one I shall remember forever, as he does a double take, his fingers departing from my own making me shudder and groan as he touches my clit.

‘’See what you do to me?’’ I begin my breathing slightly unsteady as he doesn’t pull away ‘’Feel how wet I am for you. What you do to me Sebastian.’’ I gasp as one finger prods at my entrance, entering me gradually his face one of concentration and observation.

A face I’ve seen many times before when we were studying. But never have I seen it in this context which sheds a whole new light on him. He nods at my words slowly ‘’Guess what?’’ I grin close to press my lips against his ear to be a tease, while he wiggles in a second fingers making me sigh at being finally touched ‘’This is all you. Noone else can do this to me. Only you. Always you.’’

He moans at that, ending up groaning as he pulls his fingers out, rolling us on the bed, time for laughter over as I’m once more on my back, but with him spreading my legs wide open making a place for himself between them, his manhood hot as he rubs it against my wet folds.

Bent over, one hand reaches to hold the back of my head angling me however he wants me, his lips bruising as he demands all of my attention. And it’s what he gets as I moan helpless as his cock begins to push inside me. He breaks apart as if in disbelief, gasping for air the bravado gone the more he pushes in, the stretch pleasant and exciting as I want him to hurry along.

But lost in the way he’s handling us, the way he feels, I get lost in the way he looks how intense this is for him, how taunt he goes once he bottoms out, looking at me incredulously.

‘’It’s not a dream.’’ I find myself saying grasping his head forcing him to stay grounded ‘’It is all real.’’ I grin seeing the wobble in his lower lip ‘’My husband.’’ I remind by showing him my ring, ending up dropping onto the bed, as he thrust catching me of guard.

‘’Whow.’’ I say in awe blinking up at him and then glancing down to see us connected.

‘’My wife.’’ He finally speaks ‘’Mc.’’ He says my name clearer to which I nod.

‘’Yours Seb. Only yours.’’ I reassure my body this time jerking as he pulls back and rather harshly thrust back in. It’s proof of inexperience and the fact that he is driven by need mirrors our days in school perfectly. We’d fool around, take risks, we’ve explored each other’s bodies, and have been each other firsts. But it sadly didn’t go further as he was taken prisoner soon after our night of love-making that resulted in some tears but unbroken promises.

‘’M-mine. Only mine Mc.’’ He nods vigorously repositioning his hand, one on my hip one on the bed a look of determination drawing itself across his features ‘’Mine.’’ He says like it’s a matter of fact, pulling back only to set up a rather ruthless pace. Having imagined our reunion in these kinds of circumstances as well – because I have needs to duh – I’ve not imagined him to be like he is.

To just take from the get-go in such a manner. He was always delicate when it came to the more intimate matters, even with his eagerness and firey passion. I can see both of that here, I can feel it in the way he’s changing and angling his hips differently, eyes focused solemnly on my face as I hold onto the bed for dear life, the feeling of what were merely tingles before now turned into live sparks, that are zapping through my body.

It has my toes and fingers curling, the need to curl in on myself great as my thighs begin to shake, my lower abdomen pooling with insane amount of heat. It has tears gather in my eyes once more but this time for other reasons as I feel good all over it being overwhelming.

I practically shout as something brushes my clit. It has me forcing my eyes open as I see Sebastian lick his fingers and drop it to my clitoris, his hand calloused and rough but oh my gods its perfect and exactly what I crave for. What I need.

‘’That’s it, Mc.’’ He approves a small smile forming on his lips ‘’You feel so good.’’ His jaw goes tight as he clenches his teeth, suddenly pinching my clit.

‘’Ah fuckkkk Sebastian.’’ I yelp shaking my head ‘’Harder, fuck me harder, I’m going to cum, I’m going to cum…’’ I repeat like a broken record suddenly hugging myself keeping my breast from bouncing as an electric current is running all over.

‘’And who is making you…ugh…cum huh? Who is the one…ahhh, cherishing you like you deserve…ugh to be?’’ he says through his teeth, his gaze wild as he stops for a moment twisting my left leg over his chest and shoulder changing everything entirely the new angle, making my eyes cross over one of Sebastian’s hands pushing my arms away as he grabs onto my boob, squeezing it.

‘’Y-y-you.’’ I reply shakily having a death grip on his arm not knowing what else to do. It’s hard to process that I need to breathe at the moment, my body doing things on its own.

‘’I didn’t hear you, dear wife.’’ He barks with an edge in his voice. His eyes. His demeanour.

But it’s not enough to make me realize it, as he leaves me absolutely dumb on his cock, the only thing on my mind selfishly is to cum.

‘’You, you, you, you Sebastian.’’ I speak strained my muscles contracting, as his hand resumes circling my clit sealing the deal ‘’My Sebastian, mine.’’ I babble, eyes closing tight as white noise fills my ears barely registering the noises I’m still making, only feeling how he rocks against me, how he moves so precise and hard the orgasm washing over otherworldly as it keeps going on.

Faintly I am aware of Sebastian manoeuvring me into another pose, continuing past the shakes and trembles that overrun everything else. Sooner or later something in my brain kicks it into gear to pump air into my lungs as I breathe heavily, enjoying the tingling but otherwise spent.

Feeling an arm settle over my stomach is what encourages me to come back so to speak. I raise a hand up to wipe away the corner of my eyes only then prompting them open. Looking around I acknowledge we have been turned to lie comfortably on the bed with our heads cushioned against the pillows.

Or well…mine. Glancing down feeling the heat radiating on my right it’s Sebastian. Instead of backing away like I’d assume men would do, he has plastered himself onto my right side, using my bicep as a cushion, one arm thrown over my mid-section, one leg over my right.

Dropping my arm, I’m surprised to find he is awake and has come to his senses quicker than I have as he grasps my left hand, fingers dancing with my own. It doesn’t take him long to feel the outline of the wedding ring.

‘’I didn’t even get you an engagement ring.’’ He mutters bending my hand holding it above my chest as he examines my hand and the piece of jewellery.

‘’Technically that would be on me too.’’ I think aloud my voice slightly hoarse. Must be the screaming ‘’I did propose and marry us.’’ I snort ‘’Did all the heavy lifting, didn’t I?’’

I turn to look down at him, just as he peeks up at me, fingers intertwining with my own as he rests our hands next to me for comfort.

‘’I did have a ring.’’ Is what he says, the statement leaving me bewildered which I’m not quick enough to hide as he sighs, looking away ‘’I had a few ideas for proposing. A few spots to choose from.’’ He quiets down again. Bending my right hand, I start to caress his back in reassurance.

‘’Knowing you back then, you had the most rageous ideas, didn’t you?’’ I smirk looking ahead of us at the painting I have above the dresser. It’s a muggle painting so it doesn’t move, but it depicts a castle in Scotland. A castle that’s very similar to Hogwarts. It was too charming not to buy.

‘’You’ve no idea.’’ He blows air looking up at me ‘’I think you’d flat out reject me at some of the propositions I had in mind.’’

I laugh ‘’I probably would.’’ I agree looking down to meet his gaze amused. We fall silent.

‘’I tried to tame a dragon…’’

‘’Oh, Seb noo!’’

‘’Heyyyy I was head over heels! I’d do anything! You deserve the best!’’ he rambles as I laugh in amusement observing as he raises onto his left elbow looking at me adoringly ‘’I swear.’’ He chuckles ‘’I was foolish at times and even stupid. But crazy? I was crazily in love with you. And that has not changed.’’ His smile is exactly the smile he used to have back then.

And it slowly daunts on me. Reality sinking in. That he is here to stay. I have finally freed him. He is in my grasp. He still loves me.

‘’Oh hey, no tears. Why the tears?’’ he jumps as they gather quickly and are instant to fall down my cheeks ‘’Mc.’’

Instead of answering I kiss him softly.

‘’I’m just so happy.’’ I admit smiling widely ‘’You make me incredibly happy it’s all.’’

At this he is taken aback features softening, and I’m sure his own eyes filling with tears ‘’Me too Mc. Me too.’’

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

// Masterlist 2024 //

Copyright 2024© by barbika1508. All rights reserved.

[killevru33]

Modern Sukuna x reader? My fav type of brain rot rn (more like obsession but live laugh love)

i saw a video of this guy doing makeup then my brain was like WOAH write this, so i did. MUAH

Modern Sukuna x reader where the reader does his makeup. Fluff with a little sprinkle of something else wink wink (still mostly fluff don’t be deceived)

2023 words. My bad got carried away

NOT edited sorry for any mistakes i cannot be bothered to fix anything i wanna go to sleep XO.

“Can you please stop moving, it is just a headband!” I tell the man in front of me practically yelling in his face.

I watch as he rolls his eyes but complying nontheless. “do you really only have this headband.” He mumbles as I finally get all his hair behind the fluffy headband that melts into his hair seamlessly, the same shade of pink as his.

“Yes, it is.” I lie to him with a smile on my face. He hums moving closer to me once I turn around looking for my moisturizer. I am sitting on our bathrooms sink with the entirety of my make-up bag scattered across countertop. I pop open the lid squeezing a fair amount onto my index finger. Putting the bottle down I turn to face my boyfriend who is now inches from my own face.

My breath catches in my throat as I feel his breath fan across my lips. “What’s this supposed to be?” He asks me without looking at the moisturizer that is sitting on my finger.

I let out a breath bringing it up to his face. “Its moisturizer Sukuna, I’ve put it on you before.” I mutter to him.

He smirks giving me a few inches of space as I turn around for yet another product.

Taking a moment to spot what my next step is, my eyes finally find the familiar primer I use every time I do my makeup.

I take the bottle directly to his face pumping a few drops onto his forehead, cheeks, and chin. I rub it in gently, admiring how clear his skin is. I cannot even recall the last time I saw a pimple on his perfect face.

“I think it’s good princess.” Sukuna speaks out a smirk evident in his tone.

I stop rubbing in the primer leaning back to grab my concealer. “You’ve got great genetics.” I stupidly tell him.

He laughs and it feels like my heart skips a beat. Taking a breath, I remind myself this was my idea in the first place; I begged him for months to let me do this. He just randomly agreed this time catching me of guard as I was prepared for the rejection I have received every time I asked.

I twist open my concealer taking the wand to his face. I smear a fair amount under his eyes concentrating on his inner corners. I put a small bit of product under his nostrils and forehead, finishing with a swipe on each of his upper-jaw lines.

I then grab my eyebrow pencil using one end to brush his brow hairs. I twist the opposite end after flipping the pencil around; skillfully I draw tiny lines onto his already full eyebrows. Sukuna hands me a makeup brush with a thin and sharp shape. The next few minutes I silently carve out his brows.

I feel Sukuna place his hands on my waist, slowly rubbing my hips as I finish up. I turn and grab my setting spray and beauty blender. Sukunas hands come to a stop and then on my left hip I feel a tight pinch. “Ow?!” I screech moving as far back from the man who assaulted my skin.

He chuckles putting his hands on my lower back, pushing back up. “What?” he asks innocently.

I roll my eye deciding to move on from his attack. I spray my beauty blender with my setting spray then onto his face ignoring the way he flinches his face as the mist coats his skin. Once I go to pat the beauty blender onto his skin he flinches again. I eye him trying again only for the same response. “Sukuna.” I warn him only for him to still avoid my beauty blender. “Please just don’t move.” I groan pleading with him.

He does it again, so I grab his chin using most my strength to pull him closer. I hold him in place patting the concealer into his face and he lets me. Afterwords I move to get my liquid contour keeping my hand on his chin. I look over his face and giggle noticing the tone difference between us.

“What’s so funny.” He grumbles eyeing my hands movement. I open the container grabbing my designated brush to rub the contour under his check bones, then onto his nose to define it even more.

“The concealer is definitely not your shade.” I giggle out simultaneously blending the contour in.

He makes a displeased face but stays silent, going back to watching me intently. Satisfied with my blending I switch my contour and brush for my liquid blush, and it’s nominated brush that only ever touches blush products. Quickly I spray the brush with setting spray before dipping it onto the product. I take the brush to Sukunas upper check bone; blending it up till it touches the edges of his brow. Repeating the step on the other side I subconsciously lean into him.

He grabs onto my upper thighs giving them a tight squeeze. I move to add more product onto the brush but before I can apply more to his face he speaks up. “Careful with that, you got a history of blush blindness.”

I pull back astounded from the words that came out of his mouth. “Come again.” I demand more then ask.

“You heard me.” He licks his lips concealing a smirk that I know to well.

My jaw goes slack. “I have never once! Had blush blindness the fuck is you talking about?!”

“Come on be for real.” He deadpans

I grimace shaking my head asking as if a bug was buzzing in my ear. Taking a long breath in I meet his eyes. “I like a rosy look, sue me.”

“Whatever you wanna call it.” He drawls out.

“Are you telling me you don’t like my makeup?” I grill him, putting the blush down getting out the setting spray again.

He rubs my thighs, giving me a soft peck on the check. “No. I just like making your checks rosy myself.”

If it was not for the blush currently on my own skin, he would have seen what he liked. “That’s cheeky” I whisper distracting myself with spraying the setting spray all over his face forcing him to close his eyes, offering me a shield from his eyes to try and compose myself.

I place the setting spray down grabbing one of my most expensive products.

“Give me a warning next time you spray that shit woman.” He coughs out dramatically. I roll my eyes ignoring him as I softly fan his face with my unoccupied hand.

After the setting spray is dry enough for my liking, I place it down and get my press puff. Looking down I place the product Ive been holding onto the counter. My hands slowly open the black lid with the words ‘Huda Beauty’ sketch on-top. I lift the lid, watching as the lose powders particles fly in the air; the smell of fresh florals softly fills the air around us. “Don’t move for this I wanna do it right.” I tell the man whose hands are moving up my body inch by inch.

He hums and I start my attack on his face. Pressing the powder under the contour on his checks, I get more powder onto my puff and outline his nose before going onto the rest of his face with the excess product.

“Mkay now I mascara and lashes.” I beam excitedly, I even went out of my way to save a pair of lashes so I can have fresh ones for this makeup look.

I grab all the items I will need having them ready at my side. Staring with the lashes I peal them off their package taking each one to his eye to map out where I will need to cut them. Getting his eye shape, I take the scissors beside me and cut the lashes to fit his eyes. I expertly get the glue for the application, perfectly aligning it onto the lashes band. Letting the lashes sit I grab my eyelash curler. “I’m gonna place this on your lashes, when I say so just blink really hard to curl them.” I instruct moving the curler to his lashes. He listens and closes his eyes after I say so making the process easy for me. I move back and trade the eye lash curler for my lash glue. I grab Sukunas chin and get even closer. Keeping my palm on his cheek I tell him to close his eyes. I gently place the lash glue right above where his lashes grow being as precise as I can.

I move myself back finished with the lash glue. I just stare at him for a moment, catching his deep brown eyes. He must be one of gods favourites. I study his face without shame. If I was a bystander it would look like I had hearts in my eyes. Maybe I do, but I cannot help it. From the sharpness of his bone structure to the thickness of his lashes and brows that most girls would kill for. His beauty sometimes overwhelms me even so I can never rip my eyes from it.

“you’re to pretty Kuna.” I tell him in my daze.

He stares at me unmoving for what feels like forever. The silence so loud between us. Then he moves quicker then my eyes can adjust to. Capturing my lips breathless kiss. I want to pull away and tell him he is going to ruin all the hard work I put into his makeup, to my disappointment he reads my mind. i’m left breathless and now I know for certain there I have heart eyes. Disheartening I do not go in for a second kiss, instead I go for the lashes, picking each one up to perfectly place upon his upper lash line; making sure the inner corners stay down.

I reach for my fluffiest brush to brush away all the powder that was baking on his face.

I look over his face, my smile starts to hurt. I look behind me for the finial touch. I grab the last step unscrewing the top, hearing a pop! As it opens. I pucker my lips motioning for him to do the same.

I glide the pinky gloss over his slightly swollen lips due to the kiss we shared.

Putting the gloss down I let out a soft shriek, pushing his hands off my waist I squeeze past him rushing for my phone. As soon as I come back into the bathroom I snap unnecessary amount of pictures.

“Oh, your in for it now.” Sukuna smirks reaching for my phone only for me to pull away, running out of the bathroom into our shared room.

Giggling uncontrollably like a little girl I go to the living room on one side of our coffee table. He’s right behind me the entire time now parallel to me. In a flash he jumps over the table snatching me up in his arms. I scream as we crash onto the couch. Sukuna grabs my phone tosses it without a single care somewhere on the other end of the couch. He has me trapped beneath him. I wiggle my hands free cupping his face. I gasp “I forgot highlighter!”

He scoffs at me, ignoring my distress. “I did something for you.” He starts taking a pause looking down to my lips. “Now I think it is only fair you do something for me.” I cannot even respond before he smashes his lips to mine much more rough compared to the last one. He picks me up, wrapping my legs around his waist I don’t break the kiss. I run my hands up his hair. He takes us back to the bathroom, putting me down. He walks to the shower starting. He comes to where I am standing pulling my shirt followed by my pants. I tug at his shirt and he does the same. I go into the shower changing the temperature while he joins me.

Lets just say the makeup didn’t last long.

[kamaela]

WIP Snip

Thanks for the tag @its-the-allure, @phoenixortheflame, @tackytigerfic. Posting WIP snips make me nervous, because who the hell knows if this snip will make it in to the final iteration of the fic? Not me.

Harry raises his wand higher, his grip on his dagger tightening. 

A raised eyebrow. “I’m defenceless, Potter.”

“You expect me to believe that you don’t have any other weapons on you?”

Malfoy smirks. “Oh, you are so very clever.”

Harry scowls. “Is that really necessary?”

“Is what?” Another step. 

“That whole preening prat act you’ve got going on. I thought you might have grown past that.”

“I’ve done no such thing. Preening prat is my signature. I’ve curated it. No one does it as well as me.” Three small steps. 

“I agree with you there.” Harry says, dryly.

“Good.” Malfoy's lazy tone wraps around him. Squeezes and chokes. “Now are you really going to stand there with your wand and your little knife and that gun I know is strapped to your chest, while I’m surrendering myself?”

He’s so close now, Harry could stretch his arm just a bit further and the tip of his wand would meet Malfoy’s pointed chin.

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” he replies, keeping his wand arm outstretched. 

Malfoy tuts. “What, are you scared? Scared you can’t beat me in the barbaric hand to hand combat your muggles are so fond of?

“My muggles? Just because I grew up with muggles, doesn’t mean all muggles are ‘my muggles’.”

“You’re focusing on the wrong thing here Potter," he whines, "Come on, drop those weapons and fight me. I know you want to. I’ll even let you keep the knife.”

Harry lowers his wand, only a fraction, but Malfoy doesn’t miss it. A broad grin cracks across his pale, carved face. 

“Oh wonderful. This is going to be such fun.”

Harry rolls his eyes and throws both of their wands to the side of the room, where they land on the floor with a clatter, rolling out of sight. After a moment's hesitation, he discards the dagger too.

Malfoy's grin turns leering. He walks back and forth in front of Harry. “Want to take bets on who’ll break who’s nose first? Odds are in my favour I think, what with my previous experience.”

“Stop prancing around and shut up. Get ready.”

Tagging @kk1smet @fastbrother @tripably @faiell @edieblakewrites. And go!

[missdawnandherdusk]

The Case

Summary: it was your last class you had to get credit for before you were able to become a wizarding world public defender. Six years after you left Hogwarts. Now all that stood between you and your future was one professor and an open case you were tasked with closing.

A/N: *emerges from the void* who's ready for another Draco series? I don't know how long this will be and there's barely a plan but I'm too excited to not write this and share it with you guys. I've missed yall. How are you?

Dr. Dresden was one of the hardest professors standing between me and my new career as a public defender. I had heard rumors about the students that had dropped the entire career path after one meeting with him. Fatefully avoiding him until now there was nothing that I could do. He was the last credited course I needed: the professor who gave out real unsettled cases for us to work through. All of the names were changed for anonymity but we were still expected to close the case. 

Walking to the ornately carved door I took a deep breath and knocked. 

“Come in,” I heard his gravelly voice. 

I opened the door, a polite smile on my face. Dr. Dresden could have been sixty eight or three hundred and four and there would be no telling. His wispy white hair was coiffed carefully and his ancient blue eyes hid behind thick bifocals. His face was permanently pinched in a pensive expression, as if the years of untangling court cases altered the way he had aged. His tweed suit was immaculately clean and like the rest of his office was probably never changing. 

“Miss Y/l/n,” He greeted. 

“Professor,” 

“Come, sit.” He chose his words so carefully, as if the world wasn’t worth the extra effort to form complete sentences. 

I sat without saying a word. What did you say to someone like him? He knew he held my future in his hands and all I had to do was survive. It was one court case. I had done thousands up until now. 

We were at an impasse. 

Still saying nothing, he pulled out a thick envelope out of one of his desk drawers and set it on his desk in front of me. 

“Four o’clock Tuesday.” He said. “I expect to see progress.” 

“Yes sir,” I took the envelope in my hands. 

“That’s all.” 

Nodding I stood, inhaling deeply. The weight of the bulky folder in my hands held the weight of my future and somehow I thought it would be heavier. 

“And Miss Y/l/n?” He called before I left his office, my hand on the doorknob. 

I turned. 

“Don’t be so nervous. I’m very interested to see what becomes of you,” There was almost a smile on his face and I didn’t know whether to take his words as a compliment or a looming threat. 

“Yes Professor,” I nodded a goodbye and left his office. 

Drawing my wand I apperated back home, walking up the steps of my building, unlocking it, feeling the safety behind the closed door. 

My apartment in Epsom was just far enough away from the city that I didn’t feel suffocated. It was quiet, quaint, with locals who knew me from working my way through law school at a local restaurant. A wizard community had been here since the 1200s and they never really left. Of course they were all skeptical when I moved in at the end of my undergrad, but now it was like I had lived here all my life. 

Setting the folder on my four seater little dining table, I switched a couple of lights on. 

Tuesday was my first deadline. It was in two days. What had he expected me to accomplish in two days? I could have the case memorized and thousands of books filled with ancient wizard laws that applied but without names or locations, I couldn’t make progress. 

A sigh left my lips. 

I was getting ahead of myself. 

The folder taunted me on the table as I made dinner and poured a drink. It was time to get to work. 

Pulling out fresh parchment, quill and ink, I opened the folder. 

It was a War case. They were common. Those who may or may not have been associated with Voldemort and his followers; all looking to be acquitted. I scanned the cover page. The wizard or witch’s name was changed to a number. 

They were the child of a death eater and had taken the mark themselves during this war. They were charged with the murder of a very important wizard: whose name I also didn’t have. The wizard confessed to the crime, but the case was still open despite the confession. 

That was odd. 

My dinner was forgotten as I ruffled through the pages trying to figure out why this case was still open despite having the confession on record. Then there were the ballistics from the Aurors of the wizard’s wand. A killing curse was never cast. 

“Oh,” I sat back. “Okay,” This was interesting. Really interesting. 

How could a wizard under veritaserum confess to a crime his wand didn’t commit? 

The wizard killed was killed by the Unforgivable curse. 

I started reading through the witness statements versus the wizard’s own personal statements. The wizard claimed that everyone there who had witnessed the crime had died in the war. The witness statements I did have were character testaments—all claiming they believed the wizard was possible of such an act. 

At the very bottom of the folder was one last witness statement. 

Words I would never forget. 

Words that I gave an Auror six years ago. 

I knew this case. 

I knew this wizard. 

And after a few minutes, I had every witness named.

This was the case of Draco Malfoy.

.

the defendant

.

@coffee-addicti @msmcsmutt @ravn-87 @artemismohr18@whygz@crazywritingbug @bitemebro522 @zombiesnips-blog@savingdraco  @akari180 @slytherin-emerald @queenfeatherwings @fanficflaneuse @go-whovian-universe @spicyshenanigans @darling-im-not-okay-i-promise @katsukink @takemetothekingdom @strangerr-things @tmnt-queen@hxneybgb @belcvayelena @moviesbooksandfandoms   @cocochanelthepupper @ninacotte @braelynn-johnston    

@jiggllyy @darcypotter-blog  @thiccheerioss@lottie289 @beautiful-pegasus@tceedlmao @anonymous034 @bi-andready-tocry @dragonsandbread @the-queen-of-hell-things @alienmotel  @oh-itsnothing @sunflowerxsadnessw @fattycooter @fanficsigottaread @gweaslvy @strawberriesonsummer @gaysludge @ray-of-sunrise @artist-bby @shadowsingeraxolotl @quillsareforwriting @wollymalfoy @lilpieceoftoast @paper-cats @floweryjh @hufflautia @livize75 @annie-mcl @riathearora

[wingedhallows]

traitor - ch. four ; sirius black

pairing: sirius black (golden trio era) x fem! oc |1.8k words warning: dark themes, death, torture plot: Fourteen years ago, Hecate Hunt, a valuable member of the Order and once a Death Eater gave her life for her friends and the man she loved, at least that's what was believed. Now she's done hiding, ready to fight alongside her old friends and her godson. Ready to return to the life she once had, ready to once again be a traitor. authors note: hi babes, i was conflicted to publish it but I thought I'll let you have it. I hope you like it :) If you want to be added to the taglist, let me know!

navigation | chapter one ; chapter two ; chapter three ; chapter four

“Open this door, now!” Your voice boomed, hands hammering against the wood. Your ribs ached, the cuts and burns stinged.

You were bloody, your clothes soiled mostly with the breakfast Remus had forced down your throat before you went out.

“Let me out!” You cried, tears slowly forming in the corner of your eyes. With your vision blurry and your body aching you slowly but surely sunk to your knees.

“Please.” You whimpered.

You needed to get out. You needed to see Sirius, to see Remus, Lily and James.

With a loud yell you slammed your hands down onto the stone floor, the building cracking and shaking with the force of your magic.

“Calm yourself, Miss. You’re safe here.”

Your head snapped up, eyes wide. The small window which was carved through the door opened. A man, not much older than you spoke through it.

“Please, you need to let me leave. My friends, they’re-”Sorry, Miss. I can’t do that. Order of the headmaster.” He spoke. You lifted yourself. Slowly you walked up to the door which held you prisoner here.

"Headmaster? Albus put me in here?” The man faltered, trying to find the right words.

“To keep you safe, that’s all I know.” He said again. You need to get him to let you out, somehow.  “I need to use the lavatory.” You said, voice small. The man sighed but pointed behind you.

“There’s a bucket-”I am not peeing in a bucket.” He sighed again but shook his head.

“I can’t let you out.” You narrowed your eyes at him and put a hand on the door, weighing your options.

“You’re going to open this door right now and lead me to the fucking toilet before I forget myself and god help me, I kill you.”

He thought for a moment, his mouth pulled in a frown. He seemed to weigh his options, your threat working wonders.

“Alright, Miss.” A bundle of keys jingled in his hand before he pushed the right key in the lock and opened the squeaky door. “This way.” He turned around and expected you to follow.

With as much strength as you could muster you kicked the man's leg and took off in a sprint. Down the stairs and out of the front door. The cold air hit you like a slap but you kept running.

You ran and ran, with your friends and your boyfriend in mind. Suddenly the hair seemed to solidify and your body was flung backwards. Albus had secured the place with a protective spell, of course.

“No, god please.” You spoke as you pushed yourself to your feet. Your body ached worse than before, your leg stung like someone had struck you with a kitchen knife.

“Fuck, fuck!” You cursed as you pushed your hands against the invisible wall. 

“Hecate.” A voice spoke and you knew who had said your name. “Albus.” You said, dry and bitter.

“Stop trying, Hecate. You’ve done enough.” He said. You hated him, how he stood there. His hand clasped in front of him, his mouth in a kind smile.

“I haven’t done anything. My friends, they’re still out there and in danger, Albus. Sirius, he’s all alone.” Albus shook his head and tried to calm you once again. “They’re safe.” You shook your head, hot tears on your face.

“I told you that I didn’t want out, I didn’t need your help.” He nodded and spoke again. “I’m aware, but you did need help, Hecate.” You didn’t argue. He pulled something from his pocket, a stick, your wand.

“I believe this belongs to you.” You ripped it from his hand and pointed it right at him. “I want out of here, Albus.” He cocked his head, as to tell you to not do this.

“Let me leave, Albus, please.” He held his own wand in his hand, his other hand raised. “Hecate, please put down your wand.” Your face contorted into a glare, tears leaving your face. Searing hot rage bubbled in your chest as you looked at him.

“I need to be by their side, Albus, please.” He shook his head, a sad look on his face.

“I can’t allow that, Hecate.” A broken sob left your lips as you flung your wand, white purple light leaving the tip of it. Albus did the same. You knew you wouldn’t win, not in your state, yet you wouldn’t go down without putting up a fight. 

Albus’ light grew closer and closer by the second before you flung your wand again, a different approach. The old wizard huffed as he mirrored you. It was no use, he was stronger than you.

He disarmed you with one more swish of his wand and you crumbled to the ground with the last bit of your strength leaving your body, even your fingertips seared with pain.

“Patch her up, Orenda.” You heard Dumbledore speak, your chest rose and fell with rabid breaths.

“This is for your own good, Hecate.”

He said before he vanished. The dam broke and you erupted in uncontrollable sobbing. You’d never see your friends again, little baby Harry and Sirius would be all alone.

“Hecate!” You snapped out of it and turned around to look at Remus. Oh how you had missed him. With fast steps you engulfed the man in a tight hug.

“Oh Remus.”

You caressed the back of his head with a smile on your face.

“I missed you, Hecate.” You nodded and placed your hands on his shoulders.

“I missed you so so much, Remus.” Sirius and Harry made their way into the living room. Sirius was fast to put a hand around your waist, you placed a kiss on his cheek.

“I’m so glad to be back.” Remus nodded and sat down on the small couch.

“I’m glad you’re not..dead.”

He said, a crooked smile on his face.

“Me too.” Sirius shook his head at his friend. Harry quietly sat down at the chair next to you two and you both sat down as well.

“I was gone for so long, I missed so much.” You lowered your head as you looked at Harry. He was just a baby when Albus had imprisoned you. Now he was all grown up, looking like the spitting image of James. It was odd.

“I’m glad you’re here now.” Harry said, a small smile on his face. 

“It wasn’t my choice, I would’ve been here. I would’ve raised you with Sirius and Remus by my side.” You said, tears threatening to spill as Harry nodded, a small smile on his face. He knew of course, a scenario he so willingly imagined.

“I know.” He simply said.

“It was truly awful to be away from you.” You said, voice quieter than before. Nobody said anything.

“I’ll do anything in my power to help, Harry. I’ll be here and I won’t vanish, not this time.” He nodded.

“I’ll keep you safe, I’ll do whatever, I promise, Harry, I do-”I know.” He said, his face kind. You lifted yourself off the couch, a tear working its way down your cheek. 

You wrapped your arms around the young boy and rubbed his back. “We’ll do this together.” He nodded and wrapped his arms around you.

Enjoying the warmth you provided, almost like the mother he never knew, it felt familiar.

“I still can’t believe that you’re really here.” He almost whispered, his fingers ghosting over your cheek. You smiled at him before you wrapped your hand around his and placed a kiss on it.

“Me neither.” He pushed forward and placed a kiss on your lips. “I’m sorry all of this happened to you, Sirius.” He shook his head, his fingers interlaced with yours.

“Don’t be, it’s not your fault.” Your gaze fell as you tried to keep the tears at bay. “I wasn’t here when Lily and James died, I wasn’t here when you were imprisoned and I wasn’t here to keep Harry safe.” You paused and pushed your free hand through your hair.

“I messed up big time.” Sirius placed a hand on your cheek as he looked at you.

“Listen to me, Hecate. Albus held you against your will, you had no chance to be here, to save anyone. You’re not at fault, love. You never were.” A tear slipped down your cheek.

“But, Sirius. Lily and James..”

You choked up, a soft sob leaving your lips. 

“I know.” He said, a tear leaving his eyes. You clasped his face with your hands and placed a kiss on his lips. With your foreheads pressed against each other you tried to control your breathing.

“Sirius, my love. I’ll never leave you again, over my dead body.” He chuckled but placed his hand on your head. “Please don’t.” You had to smile through the tears.

“I’ll stay by your side till my last breath, I love you so much.” He nodded and pushed some hair behind your ear.

“Stop talking about your death, love. I lost you once.”

You shook your head. Your hands slipped down his jaw and halted on his throat.

“You don’t get what I’m saying.” He looked at you with a crooked smile. You smiled at him, eyes glistening with tears.

“No, apparently not. I love you too, love.” He paused before he pushed the loose strand of hair behind your ear once more. A crooked smile rested on his lips as he looked at you.

“What do you want to tell me, I don’t-”Marry me, Sirius.” You whispered. His smile fell and his eyes widened as he stared at you. “What?” You gave him a big smile.

“I lost so much time with you, so much time we could’ve spent together and so much time in which I never stopped loving you, fifteen years vanished in the blink of an eye and all I ever wanted was you, to live with you, to sleep in one bed with you, to make breakfast, lunch and dinner with you. I want to do that till the end of days, but only with you, I want all of this just with you.”

“So please, Sirius Orion Black, will you marry me?”

A big smile stretched on his lips as he pulled you in for a kiss, so loving and gentle that you seemed to forget all that happened to the both of you and all that was waiting for you, good or bad. 

“Yes, love. For all that is holy, I’ll marry you.”

( taglist: @caramelandvenus )

[oraclemoontarot]

interesting is it possible to do marks view of being an idol so far? i do find it hard to believe that idols csn be humble and appreciative because people put idols on a pedestal and im guessing some of them do have big egos at times but in readings theres definitely a few that surprise me. so i wonder with mark being a foreigner how he felt having to adjust from being a normal canadian to being an idol thats known and how does he feel about not having too much privacy in general? hes defo one of the ones i like out of nct but im not fully crazy about that group for obvious reasons.

can I just say, this is probably one of the most interesting questions/reading requests I have received as of yet. Thank you so much for requesting this ! here's your reading

mark lee's view on being an idol so far ⭑.ᐟ tarot reading

cards pulled: king of wands, lovers, star, nine of cups, judgment, six of pentacles, ace of pentacles, three of cups, fool, seven of cups, sun

Mark definitely has a lot of love for his career, it's like his calling for him. There's a strong sense of destiny here, as though this was the path carved for him already - yet somehow partly a wish come true. The love here is quite strong that I can't quite put into words, there's this deep sense of gratitude; my heart feels full just thinking about it. The love here turns into passion that he expresses through his craft and the work he puts in, which doesn't always feel like work, more like indulging in his hobbies and interests.

There's a sense here that, the older he gets, the more of an appreciation he holds for it and, because of this gratitude and the love he received from fans etc., the best way for him to return it is by releasing music and putting in that effort. He seems quite big on giving and receiving and expressing gratitude, at least in both this and the previous reading I've done of Mark. He seems to hold a lot of appreciation for all of the small victories and achievements, all the small interactions, moments, and goals of his and his team. He feels that, through following down this path, many opportunities have been given to him or, at the very least, been made possible. Especially in terms of networking and friendships.

Mark seems to understand his place in the world, the industry, and within who he is as a person and idol. There's quite a lot of depth within him and, through being an idol, he seems to have come to a strong understanding of himself - in terms of self-discovery. He started to have quite a lot of confidence in who he is, who he wants to be, and what he wants to put out to the world. There's a lot of thought here and I find myself just typing a lot really quickly. It may have been that he struggled with his identity for quite some time and only recently came to discover who Mark really is.

Again, the fool card came out. Mark is never beating the 'represented by the fool' allegations 😭 In this case, he still feels there's a lot to discover within this career - could also be solely within music and his identity. And, paired with the seven of cups, he feels like there's so much he wants to do, so many concepts he wants to try, people to meet, music to make. I think he genuinely gets excited just thinking about it and he may have moments of inspiration at night where he starts writing lyrics or discussing ideas with members or staff etc.

Mark genuinely does only think of the positives, at least here within this reading. There are moments where he may be overwhelmed; feeling a lot of eyes on him. But, he seems to have mostly come to terms with it now, it doesn't seem to bother him as much as it used to. For him, he understands both the good and the bad within the industry, and the pros and the cons of being a celebrity himself. However, music seems to be a strong passion for him and he wouldn't have it any other way. Another reason as to why he can handle certain pressures is the support he has from his members - it seems like he has some pretty strong relationships here, at least two or more, who help relieve some of the heavy weight on his shoulders.

The overall energy here being the sun is such a lovely way to close the reading. He is incredibly happy about being an idol - there's a sense of warmth here, and it emphasises how much it feels like destiny played a role and he couldn't really imagine what else he would have been doing in life if not for this.

[mahouowo]

Phenex's Bottle of Inspiration

There was a time where I struggled a lot with being creative. As I worked with Phenex at the time I decided to ask him for help and make this bottle spell to help me out in times of need.

You'll need for the altar:

Orange candle (engraved with a symbol that stands for passion; I used wands)

Pink candle (love)

Thyme (courage)

Rosemary (to release what you need to release; for me it was crippling perfectionism)

Carnelian (creativity)

Anything that represents fire (I used a salamander statue)

You'll need for the spell:

A bottle

Himalayan salt water (cleanse the art block)

Dragon's blood (to give it an extra kick)

Sugar (to sweeten the mood)

Orange peel (the sun & willpower)

Lavender (rejuvenation & love)

Selenite powder* (the moon, clarity & peace)

Carnelian chips x3 (inspiration boost from Phenex; else creativity)

Star anise x3 (the stars, dreams; like wishing upon a star)

Snow water or water charged on a friday (purity & beauty)

Bay leaf x3 (to write your wishes on)

You could enhance this by doing the ritual during the hour of Jupiter or Venus. It depends if you're going for making a lot of things or just going for beauty. Same for the days. I did this on a whim with a fit of divine inspiration so I didn't check what hour it was nor do I remember the day I did this. I don't always go for the perfect hour of the perfect day and you shouldn't have to either!

*note on the powder: I had a selenite that broke, but I kept the scraps

The Spell

The first thing I did was light the pink candle & carve the orange candle with a symbol that stands for the tarot suit of wands. I put the salamander and the carnelian around it and first grabbed the rosemary to sprinkle it counter clockwise three times. This is to release myself of bad experiences around creating art including the perfectionism I struggle with. Then I grabbed the thyme and sprinkled it clockwise three times to invoke courage to make art and go against what my perfectionism is telling me. I stood still for a moment and when I was ready I rang my little bell to signify the start of the ritual and lit the orange candle.

In my mortar & pestle I ground up dragon's blood, orange peel, lavender, selenite powder & star anise. I wrote my one word wishes on the three bay leaves, burned them & added them to my ingredients. This can be 'inspiration', 'passion', 'success', etc. Whatever you need in this particular spell. While the leaves were cooling down I put salt & water in the empty bottle and swung it in circles counterclockwise until the salt dissolved. I added all ingredients from the mortar & pestle, the snow water & the carnelian chips. However, it didn't feel quite right to me back then so I added sugar last minute.

While sealing the closed bottle with orange wax, after I poured the pink first, I said:

Creativity return to me. So it shall be!

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

Whenever I feel stifled in my creative endeavours I give the bottle a good shake. It used to stand on my altar for Phenex, but as I moved in with my boyfriend and as I am kinda out of the loop I put it close to where I'm often creative so I can always quickly grab it if needed.

I also want to add the spell doesn't magically take your perfectionism away. I still fight against it because it's so ingrained into me. The bottle gives me the push that regardless of what my perfectionism tells me I can still create/write the things that I want.

I hope you can too!

[sexualtensiongrowing21]

As the Sun Sets // Marked // Part Thirteen

TW: mentions and descriptions of physical abuse and cursing

Scarlet POV:

The manor was cold. Colder than usual. Bellatrix locked me in my room earlier this afternoon and told me to stay here until I was to be received. I must have fallen asleep because I was startled awake with a ‘pop’. Ditty looks at me with wide blue eyes, wringing her hands constantly. “Mistress Bellatrix has requested your presence in the dining room, M-miss Lestrange.” she stutters.

I swallow hard, and creep out of my bed. When I reached my door I took a deep breath and hoped today wasn't another training session. After descending the stairs I feel the difference in the air. He is here. I pause at the bottom of the stairs ensuring all my doors are locked before I make my way into the dining room. 

There, in front of me sits The Dark Lord himself. He is in my father's chair at the head of the table. He rested and laid back against the wooden chair, as Nagini wrapped herself around his feet. On either side of him sit my mother and father. Further down the table I meet eyes with Aunt Cissy, across from her sits Luscious. The table is filled with the inner circle of The Dark Lord. 

“Ah… Little Lestrange… Pleasure to finally meet you. Come, Come… Let me see you…” 

Slowly I will myself to stop shaking and walk towards him. Once I was standing in front of him I could smell the faint tinge of blood and bone. It is foul. I try my hardest not to react to it. 

Looking down at the ground, I bow “My Lord.” Quickly he stands running his snake like hands down my arms and making his way back up towards my face, lifting my chin so I am looking him in the eyes. “Yes… You will do quite well Little Lestrange.” He hisses inches from my face, with a wicked smile on his pale face.

Swaying his robes he walks away from me, standing behind my mother. “Bellatrix, How is her training?” 

Anxiety flows through me as she looks down. “She needs practice, my lord. We try to train her every chance we get but I am sure someone more--” She pauses looking up at The Dark Lord with her own wicked grin. “--convincing, such as yourself. Would be much more effective.” She looks from him to me with the same evil smile. 

“Hmm… I see… Very well.” 

Before I can register what is happening I am on the ground screaming. White hot knives cutting from under my skin trying to make their way out. My head feels as if it's going to burst. When his wand lifts, the pain finally stops. 

The Dark Lord is crouched down near me, as my body convulses on the floor. “Stand up my Little Lestrange. You are being given the highest honor of becoming the youngest death eater in history.” I try to will myself off the ground, but I can't move. “I said GET UP!” He points his wand at me and cruses me again. But instead of feeling pain, I pass out.

When I woke up again, there were ten Death Eaters circling around me. I search to find solace in Aunt Cissy's loving eyes, but am unable as they are all adorned in their cloaks and masks. 

The Dark Lord breaks through the circle, standing in front of me. “Have a good nap Little Lestrange?” His open mouth smiles, showing his yellow teeth while he and the rest of the Death Eaters laugh. “Stand up.” He commands while pointing his wand at me. Fear takes over and I scramble to my feet, There I stand shaking in front of him. Whether The shaking is from pain or fear I'm unsure. 

“Tsk, tsk. Little Lestrange. You mustn't resist your master.” 

With a flick of his wand my arms are pulled out to the side being held still for him by the invisible strands from his wand. Tears fell from my eyes as I begged, “Please…”. 

“Don't worry Little Lestrange…” The snake-like figure is standing only inches from my face, as his boney fingers comb over my face. “It will only hurt for a second.” He releases my left arm from their investable restaurant, sharp fingers wrap around my wrist.

As if in slow motion, he brings the tip of his ivory, bone carved wand onto my forearm and begins the mark. An animalistic scream comes from me as he starts the incantation. Searing pain engulfs my arm, as if I had stuck my arm directly into a fireplace, for the fire to sear my skin.

The pain slowly travels up my arm, throughout my body until I feel as if I am engulfed in flames. The pressure in which he held his wand is gone and I am released from the invisible bonds that hold me up, causing me to crash onto the floor. I can vaguely hear the cheers and laughs from everyone around me as I clutch my arm, moaning in pain. 

“Scarlet.”

“Scar--”

“Mi Tesoro.” Someone's hands are on me as I thrash around in their hold, desperately trying to break free, the nightmare still playing in my head.  

“Scarlet, please wake up. You're okay. I'm here.” I can feel the tears rolling down my face and the lingering burn of the mark still courses through me. “Please i-it burns” I sob into the arms that are protectively wrapped around me. “Please make it stop. I can't-- I can’t take it anymore…” My eyes pinched closed as I feel my body being picked up and carried. 

Theos' hard, bare chest is pressed against my body. Cold water pours upon me, shocking me, the burning on my forearm where the mark is slowly decreasing. “That's it Mi Tesoro, ground yourself. Think of three things you can feel.” 

I can feel Theos’ heart hammering against my shoulders. I can feel the cold water against my skin. I can feel his hands on my face whipping my tears away. “There you go, Mi Tesoro. Now think of three things you can hear.” I can hear my labored breathing slowing down. I can hear the patter of water hitting the tiled floor of the shower. I can hear the deep breaths of Theos’ breathing.

“That's it Mi Tesoro, just like that, now move three body parts for me.” I move my toes against the tiled floor, I move my body, turning towards him, and I move my hands to wrap around his toned stomach.  

When I finally open my eyes, pulling away slightly. I see that Theo is completely naked except for his blue boxers. He has a look of utter terror on his face, as his green eyes take in every inch of my body. “I am so sorry Theo.. I-I should have warned you how bad they get--” 

I pause looking down in between us. “--and how bad I look.” He scrunches his eyes, pulling me into his chest as he strokes my hair. “Do not apologize, Mi Tesoro. Never apologize to me. You’re beautiful.” He places a kiss on my head while rubbing soothingly up and down my back, letting the water calm me down. 

——————————————————————————————————

After calming down, Theo and I headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. It isn't until the door closes behind me, that I am hit with the reality of what today is. Draco and I fixed the cabinet and tonight-- tonight we are going to the Manor to finalize the plan with The Dark lord.

“Are they always that bad?” I hear Theo ask, bringing me back from my thoughts of dread and doubt. “Not every time. But, yes.” I say looking down at my hands that are playing anxiously with my wand. “Sometimes I wake up and still think I'm back there at that moment…The pain always feels real.” 

Theo intertwined his hands with mine as he pulled me towards the Slytherin table. "I am always here for you if you need someone to talk to afterwards--” He pauses and looks down at me with a cheeky smile playing on his lips. “-- Or someone to cuddle with.” 

“Thank you Theo.” I reach up on my toes and place a kiss on his cheek. 

Before Theo can pull me down to sit next to him, a shorter mess of brown hair walks up to me grabbing my arm, looking worried. “Scar. Have you seen Draco this morning?” Harry heaved. 

“No I haven't. Why?” Before I even finished my sentence he started walking away. “Wait, Harry!” I yell trying to catch up to the chosen one. “I need to talk to you. It's important.” 

“I will find you later! I promise!” He called as he ran out of the large double doors of the Great Hall. 

“Potter was even weirder than normal.” Theo says. I hum sitting next to him across from Blaise and Pansy. Pansy is looking between me and Theo, giving us a suspiciously happy look as we sit across from them. The feeling of dread and doubt only increased with my short conversation with Harry and now my anxiety is starting to sky rocket. 

Theo must be able to sense my unease, because he reaches his free hand under the table and gently rubs his long fingers over the exposed part of my thigh where my skirt has ridden up slightly. Smaller figures at first, then after a while he gives my thigh a small squeeze and I expect him to remove his hand. But he keeps it there, giving me a small sense of comfort. 

——————————————————————————————————

After breakfast, we continued the rest of the day normally. I, on the other hand, have been distracted. I know that I need to tell Harry. I need to do something. Something good. 

I have a free period with Hermione next and I have decided if Harry doesn't have time for me then I will tell Hermione. She is the smartest one of the three anyhow. 

We are in the far corner of the library going over the arithmancy homework, when I finally gain the nerve. 

“Hermione?” I swallow, watching as she looks back and forth from the open book to her right and to the parchment to her left. Her brown curly hair is tied back with one of my extra bows, each curl bouncing with her movements. She hummed to acknowledge she heard me while not losing her place. “Do you know how to perform legilimency?” I swallow the anxiousness trying to bubble over. Her eyes snap up to meet mine, furrowing her brows in the process. “How come?” She whispers, in order for our conversation to not be overheard. 

I look around us once more. We chose the farthest table in the back. This is where we usually come to study as the boys, both Gryffindor and Slytherin, lose interest before reaching us. Mustering up all the courage that a Slytherin has, which is not a lot, at least in my case. “I need to tell you something, but I can't actually tell you.” I whisper, hoping that she can read in between the words. 

Double checking that we are indeed alone, she nods her head and moves her chair so that she is sitting in front of me. She meets my eyes once more looking for any sign of regret, before I nod my head with a stray tear escaping from my eye. She mutters “Legilimency”. I take a deep breath and close my eyes.

One good thing my dear parents taught me is how to be skilled in occlumency. I can easily pick and choose which doors to open for Hermione.

I led her into the first door. The night the task was given to Draco and I. The look and feelings of fear we both had. It was after Draco was marked. A couple days before our return to school. We were reading in the garden, Draco with his potions book, and me with my arithmancy book. The sun started to set behind the hedges of Malfoy manor when we both gasped in pain. The mark burned. We were being summoned. The memory skips to us in the drawing room, to The Dark Lord describing the cabinet at Borgin and Burkes and how it has a twin. A twin that is somewhere hidden at Hogwarts. 

The next door we go through is the meeting Draco and I had weeks ago. The Dark Lords threat. The way the other Death Eaters looked at me, waiting for us to fail, just so they could have me. My breathing picks up, my limbs locked in place. Whimpers of pain and fear escaping my mouth. “Now, now… Settle down Little Lestrange. They won't touch you… Not yet…”  “Sit back down.” He dismisses the men to be seated again and my vision has cleared a bit he speaks to me again.

“You will fix that cabinet. You will get us into Hogwarts. If not…” He goes quiet and looks around at the men who had all been standing around me “then you get a taste of what life is like for your precious Nott Jr. at home.”

The last door I lead her through is a memory fresh in my mind. One of the most painful, but I feel as if it's important to show her. Maybe. Just maybe she will believe me. The scene comes to live around us. At first she looks confused, but then she catches sight of my body within the circle. 

Once she pulls out of my mind she has tears in her eyes. I can't tell if it's from pity or betrayal. Both, I conclude once she pulls me into a tight hug. “I'm so sorry Scarlet.” 

Hermione took it all a lot better than I anticipated. Yes, she is disappointed and upset with me. Rightfully so, but I hope she understands. I hope that she knows that I don't hate her. I don't hate mudbloods. I even tried to push the fact that most of us, most being my group of friends, do not hold the same values as our family. 

“So what are you going to do now? Surely he will find out.” Hermione asks quietly, taking my hand in hers and squeezing it softly. This is the part that I know she won't like. “I need you to obliviate me.” I tell her hesitantly. Hermione sucks in a breath. “Scar I-” 

I shake my head slightly, giving her a sad smile. “Please. Mione. This is the only way. I cannot remember telling you. I will not put you at risk like that.” More tears are flowing down her cheeks as she begs me to reconsider. “W-what if you defect? We can run and come up with a plan. D-dumbledore will help you.” 

“What about my friends? Mione-- I don't know what he will do to them if I leave. Draco? Aunt Cissy? I can't.. I can't risk it. Please, this is the only way.” My heart aches for my friend. I know she's trying to help me. To save me from this misery, but there is nothing that can be done. Not for me. I must play this smart and hope Hermione understands. 

Wiping her eyes, and taking in a deep breath, she raises her wand. She hesitates. Honey brown eyes meet mine as she silently checks once more if this is what I want. “I’m ready.” I breathe out, occluding so as to relieve the anxious feeling in my stomach. I have never been obligated before… At least I don't think I have. 

She holds her wand out in front of my forehead, hesitating as I close my eyes. It's only a heartbeat more before I hear her whisper “Obliviate.”

Masterlist

ATSS Masterlist

ATSS Tag List: @helendeath

Let me know if you would like to be on the ATSS taglist as well!

[bohobooks]

Can I request a hurt/comfort with ominis gaunt?

The reader had a familiar upbringing as ominis did but they held it how they really felt about it and one day it all got to much and ominis finds them sobbing in a quiet corner of the library and he let's them cry it out on his shoulder?

Request: Can I request a hurt/comfort with Ominis Gaunt?[...]

Description: Raised in a pureblood family Y/n Malfoy has seen and been forced to participate in some truly evil things. She usually hides the effects of it fairly well, but after the events in the Scriptorium where she was forced to cast cruicio on Sebastian things begin to resurface.

Warnings: slight s*icidal ideation. Mentions of Abuse.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Y/n's POV

If the gods struck me down right now, I wouldn't find it in myself to care. Infact, part of me would rejoice. Death- an ugly, painful death- was no less than I deserved.

"Strike the muggle down, Y/n." Father's demanding voice found its ways to my young ears, "You are a Malfoy. You are a God compared to the filth infront of you."

My wand held infront of me trembled. The muggle woman was covered in filth, except for the clean carved paths where tears had found their way down her pale cheeks. Her eyes met mine, holding such pain. Such raw, unadulterated fear.

My voice surprised even me. The fact that my vocal chords seemed to work at all at the moment was unexpected, but sure enough a croak left my mouth, "No."

Father laughed a laugh so full of vitriol that my skin crawled at the mere sound, "No? NO? Crucio!"

My wand didn't even fall to the ground, as the second my nerves were alit, my fists clenched. Like a child grasping a metal pole struck by lightning. Yet, somehow I was sure that being struck by lightning would hurt less than this. Every nerve was on fire, my blood boiling. The horrid agony was tunneling into my bones; through them, straight into my sould shredding it into irreparable slivers.

I wanted death. I prayed for it to end, anything. Anything but this unrelenting torture.

When the onslaught of pain stopped, I still lay on the cold stone floor, body convulsing with the ghost of agony still writhing within. My father's heinous words still managed to find my conscious, "Kill. The. Muggle."

My knees wavered as I found purchase on my feet. One arm clutched around my stomach, as if that would end the pain, and the other held my wand out. Through my tears, I looked the poor woman in the face, managing to mouth the words 'I'm sorry.'

Through the pleas that the muggle woman sobbed out- pleas to a God that wasn't listening- I heard my fathers voice again, "Do it, girl."

I took a deep, shaky breath and spoke.

"Avada Kedavra!"

I had never been the same after that day, after my soul being shredded to tatters and given over to evil.

That wasn't the last muggle I had killed, and it was far from the last time I had been tortured at the hands of my own family. Even now, sitting in the darkest corner of the library, my mouth still filled with the taste of blood and sulfur.

Throughout my time in Hogwarts, I had kept my past a relative secret. Sure, they all knew that I came from a pureblood family, that was hardly a secret. But if my friends knew what I had done? That I was a killer? They'd hate me. Worse, they'd turn me in.

Azkaban was a better fate than I deserved. Yet I could never bring myself to complete the punishment truly befitting of my crimes. So here I am, sitting alone in the corner of the library sobbing in the shadows while my friends were all likely merrily eating dinner.

"Y/n? Is that you?" A voice comes from within the stacks ahead of me.

Shit.

Ominis.

I quickly wipe my tears, taking a deep breath, and attempt to mask the hoarseness in my voice from crying, "Hello Ominis, yes it's me."

His figure emerged from the shelves, "Y/n darling, what praytell, are you doing back here?"

I dust my skirts, not bothering to rise from the floor I'm firmly planted on, "Oh, you know. Just studying."

Saying nothing, Ominis just raises an eyebrow and moves to sit next to me. A moment of silence passes before he speaks, "I heard you crying. Please know you can talk to me."

I sniffle, mind running it over. I know that Ominis's family had done similar things to him. I could tell him, right? He'd understand? Even if he didn't, he'd tell someone and I'd be sent to Askaban- I could just let myself go there. It could end.

I took a deep breath, inhaling all of the courage in the world, "I am a killer, Ominis."

I waited for him to stand, flee, yell... anything. I waited for anything to happen, for me to be taken away, for him to scream for help. But he just-

...he just put his arm around me?

"Your family made you do awful things aswell, didn't they?" He pulled me into his side, "I heard it in your voice the night of the Scriptorium."

All I could do was nod as the lump in my throat burst like a dam and I sobbed. I sobbed for every life I've taken, for every person I had tortured... for myself.

The whole time that I spent falling to pieces in his arms he just held me close, kissing the top of my head and murmuring into my hair, "We are not evil. You are not evil. You are good, you are loved. I've got you."

[reysdriver]

Treehouse | R.L.

Remus shows you his secret hideout, his safe place — remus x gn!reader platonic fluff

warnings: none :)

words: 0.6k

a/n: I originally wrote this like 2 years ago as a Lily piece, but I changed it to Remus even tho it makes more sense for her lol. I may redo this later with the Whomping Willow or a romantic relationship. Also, it's based on the lyrics of Treehouse by Alex G.

After your last class of the day, your friend Remus told you that he had something to show you, but wouldn't tell you anything else until you were both outside and he was sure no one was around. You were slightly scared, yet obviously intrigued.

He led you to a bunch of tall, sturdy trees outside behind the owlery of Hogwarts. He stopped for a second, looked around, and once he was sure we were the only people in the area, he flicked his wand in a pattern unfamiliar to you to undo a concealing charm he had placed on a tree.

It was an old crab apple tree, with a small, arch shaped doorway revealing a completely hollowed out inside.

"This is my treehouse," He said, smiling and pointing to the entrance. "you can come in if you want."

‘Do not enter’ is written on the doorway. It's carved into the wood and judging by the fading, it looks like it's been there for at least a few years.

"It looks small, but it feels bigger on the inside, don't worry." He said, his nervous hands rubbing the wrists of his knitted, brown jumper.

He crawled inside the arched doorway and into the tree, and you followed right behind him. He was absolutely right, the inside was much bigger than it seemed from the outside. There was space for maybe about 4 people to sit down and even crawl around without being uncomfortable or having their heads hitting the top.

He had set up a small log stool in the middle like a table, and had decorations made of flowers and leaves lining the walls. What you liked the most was another hollowed out part in the tree's walls beside him that he kept snacks in —lots and lots of chocolate, of course. He had clearly been working on this treehouse for a while.

"What do you think?" He asked you with a shy smile.

"I love it, it's amazing!" You said.

"It's where I sit, and I can talk real loud. Usually I'm all by myself." He told you.

"You don't bring anyone here?"

"Padfoot’s been in here a few times with me, but that's it. You're the third person to ever step foot in here."

You couldn’t help but feel honoured. You’ve only been friends for the few years you have both been in school, yet you two trust each other so much.

"You haven't shown it to the rest of the Marauders yet?" You asked. "Why not?"

"It's my favourite place in the whole world. It's where I come when I just want everyone to go away. Where I read, cry, sometimes sleep. I want to keep it as exclusive as I can. It's like another home to me, (y/n). Like a little town I can escape to whenever I want."

"Well if this is your little town, I can be like a police captain making sure no one comes in without your permission." You joked.

"I'm the captain." He assured you. "But you can be the deputy."

"Good enough for me." You told him, and you both laughed. "It's adorable in here, I wish I could stay here forever."

"Good, because I don't think I'm ever gonna let you leave."

You both laughed, and stayed in the treehouse together until it started getting dark. You talked for hours and barely noticed how long we were there for. You’ve never had a friend like Remus, and you’re so glad you  have him as well as all your other friends, and Remus feels the same way. As long as you have Remus, you have the greatest friend you could ever ask for. 

[jojoturnip]

Maybe what I needed you to understand was the love I had for him.

The love I still have.

I've been making a timeline of my life in therapy. It's split between good memories on top and bad ones on bottom. There's so much bad, that much you were willing to accept, but there is a lot of good, too.

Sometimes it's the good that keeps me up at night more than anything.

A younger me runs around our old apartment carrying the wand he hand-carved me from cherry wood ("all purpose, good for a young girl to learn all sorts of magic on"). I asked him to keep a crystal point off the top unlike the other wands he made because I liked to wave around, and I was afraid I'd hurt something I had a sharp tip. Besides, I loved that wand so much I kept it under my shirt, at the ready for playing pretend any chance I got. I'd have scratched myself to hell and back if he had added a point. He put a piece of polished, smooth citrine on the other end of it so I could at least channel some energy.

Citrine was my favorite stone. Because it was yellow. Because I loved the color yellow. Because it meant happiness and joy and sunshine. Because that's who I was.

He wrote me a song once, before he even got with my mom officially. He named it, "Sunshine Girl." My mom recorded me singing to myself in the mirror as I blow-dried my hair once and sent it to him as he wrote it. I was so embarrassed.

He would pick me up from school a lot, and I loved that part of my day. My elementary school got out earlier than my sister's middle school, so it meant riding around with him and getting fast food while we waited. He would teach me about music on the radio, tell me my voice was much prettier than Melissa's, and listen to all the drama I would bring home from my day.

When he went to auctioneering school, we practiced the tongue twisters together in the living room, laughing about Betty and her butter batter. He graduated as the valedictorian of his class. I cheered him on from the audience.

He taught me to shoot a bow, adjusted my draw weights and sights, cut me grips from his leather scraps, and fixed up the old long bow when I snapped it from pulling it too far. His hands over my shoulders as he taught me how to stand, over my three fingers as he taught me to aim. He made a quiver with me by hand with buffalo rawhide and sheep leather and sinew. He brought home horse hair for fringe but I was too freaked out to add it. He made the fringe from leather and pony beads instead.

The wand and the quiver and a locker we painted together and so many more things he gave me, made for me are sitting in that storage unit I'm supposed to empty. I don't know how to face them all.

I love him. I miss him. I think that's what you'll never be able to understand.

You didn't want to understand.

I have to juggle what he did, how he hurt me, with how he loved me.

We can call it grooming or gaining my trust or a false childhood built in manipulation, but that doesn't change the fact that it was my childhood. My reality. What I know love to be.

You said you couldn't handle cognitive dissonance. Can't you see I was born from it, bred from it, grown and germinated from its hard and rocky substrate?

A friend told me she thinks I drove you insane. The way I hold and stitch these contradictive truths together. I think that's the most reasonable explanation I've heard so far.

A part of me wants to apologize here. I am sorry that my life was too much for you to bear. That it scared you to see me go back to my family, to love people who hurt me time and time again. I know that must've been hard. I do understand where you are coming from.

Another part of me knows that I never asked for you to take that problem as your own. I never asked you to deal with my parents. I never asked you to save me. I didn't want that. I just wanted someones shoulder to lean and crash on while I carried the burden myself.

Instead, you told me that it was too much for you.

Instead, I supported you through every goddamn second of you refusing to take care of yourself. How was that not too much? You had the option to change. I cannot change my memories, my childhood.

You ask me to lose my family but you cannot get new parents like you can a boyfriend.

You like to compare my situation with you and your ex, a fool's comparison. Your abuser did not raise you. You keep your life when you walk away. You were not made of a boyfriend you met in college. Our situations are different. Our lives are different.

We are different. You never seemed to get that.

My life is tainted. I can't look through rose colored glasses, the stain remains. But I can't get rid of the memories either, or cast them out in distaste. They are a part of me. They are what made me.

I think I needed you to see that.

Remember a week before you broke up with me, you called asking for the explicit details of quite possibly the worst events of my life. Things I can't write about, much less talk about. You said you wouldn't be able to understand me without knowing.

You left me crying on the phone. It was never about understanding.

It took me one and a half years to tell you the bad stuff. It was harder to tell you the good, you know. It's all racing around, conflicting inside of me, too. But if you wanted to understand me, know me like a partner should, it required knowing the good. Seeing me, and how I am built of cognitive dissonance. Seeing the power that it gives me in empathizing with you and others, and the pain that it gives me, too. My existence is a fragile thing.

They were not excuses. They were glimpses into my mind. Into what I go through every single day.

When I let you in, you only wanted to see the bad. But you have to see the good, too. The gut wrenching good that bleeds out of me in yellow. The citrine stones and bamboo arrows and rainbow cheesecakes and Annie lockets.

I'm a storyteller, and I wanted you to know my story. You only wanted to hear a parroted version of your own sung back at you.

I am not you. I never will be.

[the-fiction-witch]

The Witch's Wand Part 2 'The Wand'

I sat on the street crying and hyperventilating until the darkness came and the moon loomed over me. Not a soul had come to see if I was alright, my father never came to find me, Jack... never came back for me.

Even if every time I saw someone's feet I prayed they were Jack's, having changed his mind and come to take me away from all of this, rescue me like my knight in shining armour, carry me in his arms like he always did and tell me how he loved me. 

But this was a fool's hope.

I slowly regained some ability to breathe, some ability to get myself up from the ground. My body crawled forward sniffling in desperation my hands finding the dirt as I crawled to a nearby stone wall forcing my back against it as I tried desperately to settle myself. But I just broke down into tears at the thought that...

This was real.

It was really happening. 

Jack left me. 

He walked away.

Perhaps never to see me again... 

After all this time, all the things he had told me, all the promises he had made me,

And he just left. 

I was frozen, shaking, unsure of what to do or how to proceed.

When something... caught my eye. 

As I looked across the dark street lit only by the streetlights and their orange glow... There sat in the dry Australian dust.

A... Stick? 

But this wasn't a stick from any tree I had ever known, 

I moved closer and picked it up in my hand...

It was a stick of a deep black wood well polished and smooth, around thirty centimetres long going from its thickest point at one end to its thinnest at the other, it was carved with intricate celestial images, stars and constellations that sparkled with selenite stone pressed into the wood, a handle of purple-dyed leather with two green straps at each end of the handle, at the hilt below the handle was an intricately carved gladiolus flower blooming but instead of pollen stems it was a craved sleeping bat, at the tip a sharp shard of lapis lazuli held onto the wand by a twisting vine of the wood with lavender flowers craved into it. 

A.. A wand?

It looked beautiful Mystical, like... a witch's wand? 

I got my head on straight and asked myself "What is this thing?"

I got to my feet and held the wand in my hand, I turned to the wall and took the wand grip in my hand, I pointed it to the wall half expecting a fireball to come out or something but... nothing. 

I shook my head at my own foolishness of course it didn't do anything, I went to turn back and begin my walk home to wallow in my sadness but I saw...

The stone wall I had just been leant against, where I had pointed the wand, where moments ago it was bricks... Now.

Green and purple glitter sparked across the wall creating an arched wooden door painted purple with a silver knocker and knob, 

I was certain that door could not have been there a moment ago, I just watched it form in front of my eyes. 

I was fearful and shaking with the wand still in my hand, but I was so curious as to how it happened, where it led, and if this was truly magic?

I moved my hand to my door knob giving it a slow twist before I pushed myself through... 

[atths--twice]

October 31, 2023

It's Halloween! And also the birthday of a very special little girl.

October 29, 2023

“Oh, these look amazing, Violet,” Scully said as she looked at the costumes their neighbor Violet had been furiously sewing to have them finished before Halloween. “I can’t thank you enough for helping us out. I am not a seamstress by any means.” 

“Not to fabric perhaps,” Violet said with a smile. “But you are a doctor who has stitched skin and that is very impressive.” 

“I’ll remember that when I chastise myself for not being able to work a sewing machine,” Scully laughed and Violet joined with a chuckle of her own. “Rachel will love these little patches you’ve added to Jacob’s costume and this Dorothy dress for Elizabeth is too perfect. Such a better feel than the costumes in the store.” 

“And not a fire hazard,” Violet added and Scully nodded, her eyes wide. 

“And I love the star tulle overlay on Faith’s dress. I know she’ll be scrambling to try it on and test out how it spins, as soon as she comes inside,” Scully said and Violet hummed in appreciation. 

They had all come over to Violet and Denis’s house after dinner, to both take a walk and pick up the costumes Violet had been working on for a few weeks. Mulder was outside with Faith and Denis, looking for the wooden animals Denis had carved years ago and had scattered throughout the yard, so Faith could greet them and see how they were doing. Bella ran along beside them, sniffing for rabbits that were too clever to be out and waiting to be chased by an often clumsy black dog. 

“You all will be the best looking group, I’m sure of it. You might run into others dressed similarly, but not as well done as you,” Violet said and Scully agreed. “Oh… and I made a little something extra for Faith.” 

“You did? That was kind of you, but you didn’t have to go to any extra trouble.”

“Oh, it wasn’t any trouble at all. I enjoyed doing it. I don’t have much that fills my days and I definitely don’t have little ones here to spoil, or too close by, so I was happy to do it. Besides, it’s her birthday gift. Well, it’s… part of it, because we do have something else for her, so it’s just because I can.” She nodded at Scully matter of factly and Scully laughed. 

“I’m sure that whatever it is, she will love it. Plus whatever else you got her.” 

“It’s-”

“Hi, Miss Violet,” Faith said as the door squeaked open and she walked inside, followed by the men. “Mister Denis put new animals in the yard, Mama. A purple porcupine and a red wolf. They are very pretty.” 

“You’ll have to show me when we leave,” Scully said, placing a hand on Faith’s head and smoothing her hair back. “Do you want to see your costume, my love? Miss Violet did such a good job sewing it for you.”

“Yes!” Faith exclaimed, clapping her hands and jumping up and down. 

Violet laughed and nodded, picking the pink dress out of the pile of costumes and showing it to Faith. Her mouth dropped open as she stepped forward to touch it. 

“It’s beautiful,” Faith whispered, running her finger over the gold and silver stars on the tulle. “It’s so pretty. I love it. It’s like a… magic fairy princess queen dress. I love it. Can I wear it right now?”

“Of course,” Violet said, smiling at her and Scully took Faith into the bathroom to try on the dress. 

“I LOVE IT!!” Faith yelled, spinning back into the room a few minutes later, her arms above her head. “It’s so spinny! Watch me, Daddy!” 

She spun around and around, all of the adults watching her and smiling. When she stopped, she wobbled slightly, her eyes needing a second to focus. 

“So, I take it you like it then?” Denis asked teasingly and she nodded, spinning around again. 

“You forgot part of the costume,” Violet said and Faith stopped spinning, dizzy and a little out of breath. “You need your wand and crown, Miss Faith.” 

Faith ran over to Violet and let her place the silver crown made from felt, which fit perfectly, onto her head. She then handed Faith the silver star wand that she had made from sequined material. 

“There. Now you’re ready,” Violet said and Faith grinned as she looked at her, holding the wand and waving it slowly. 

“Are you a good witch or a bad witch?” Faith asked in a lilted voice and they all laughed as she spun around again, waving her wand in the air. 

When she had quieted and stopped spinning, Violet told her she had an extra surprise for her. 

“What is it?” Faith asked, setting her wand down and smiling at Violet. 

“I’ll go get it. Stay right there.”

“Okay,” Faith said, looking at Scully. “Miss Violet has a surprise for me. I wonder what it is.” 

“I guess we’ll find out in a minute,” Scully said, curious herself what it could be. 

“Okay,” Violet said, coming into the room with something on a hanger that was covered by a white plastic bag. “Because I don’t want anything to happen to your beautiful dress before Halloween, I thought you might like a different costume to wear to school tomorrow. I know you like these because we’ve talked about them before. So…” Violet took the bag off the hanger and Faith and Scully both gasped. 

It was a mermaid costume with a shiny teal and pink ombre long sleeved top. It blended into a long shiny skirt with scalloped scales in shades of pastel blues and pinks. The tail was made of the same material, but it fell in full folds, assuring the spinny effect Faith would love.  

“It’s so pretty,” Faith whispered, coming closer to touch it. “It’s shiny, but not like a light. Like… like happiness.” 

“Happiness?” Violet asked, looking at Scully who shrugged, not understanding what exactly she meant. 

“Yeah,” Faith nodded. “Like how you feel when you’re happy.” She smiled and nodded again. “It makes me feel happy and shiny.” 

“Well,” Violet said, taking it from the hanger. “I don’t think any praise will ever compare to that, Miss Faith. Would you like to try it on?” 

And she did, coming out and spinning once again, the tail of the costume flying out around her knees. It landed just above her ankles, the perfect length for her to avoid tripping. 

“I can wear the mermaid costume to school tomorrow?” Faith asked as they left, thanking Violet again and waving goodbye as they walked down the driveway. 

“You sure can, baby,” Mulder said, lifting her up and putting her onto his shoulders. “You’re going to be a beautiful mermaid.” 

“Yes, I will,” Faith said, calling goodbye and blowing kisses to Jafadine, the life-sized giraffe that stood in Violet and Denis’s yard, and Mulder laughed. 

_____________

October 31st

“You’re sure this will wash off easily?” Mulder asked as Scully began to apply silver face makeup onto him, to transform him into the Tin Man. 

She stood between his legs as he sat on the closed toilet seat in the upstairs bathroom at Skinner and Rachel’s house, carefully spreading the makeup evenly. 

“Well, if it doesn’t, then we’re both in trouble, aren’t we?” she asked, stepping back to look at him and then glance at herself in the mirror, her own face painted green. 

“I think you look good,” he stated, grabbing onto the backs of her thighs and pulling her a little closer to him. 

“Absolutely not,” she said, leaning back and shifting out of his grasp as Faith and the twins ran down the hallway, laughing about something. 

“Absolutely not about what?” he asked, looking up with innocent eyes, but she was not falling for that this time. 

“If you get up to any funny business, I’ll have to reapply this makeup and it took a long time to get it right. It’s finally dry now and I do not want to start over.” 

“Mmm, why is it so sexy hearing that while your face is so green?” he asked, looping his arms around her waist. 

“Mulder,” she warned, shaking her head. 

“One kiss. I promise I’ll be good. I won’t even mess up your makeup.” 

“Yours will merge with mine and it will be a mess.” 

“We don’t create messes when we merge, only beauty,” he said as Faith shouted for Jacob and he laughed hysterically. 

“Mulder,” Scully laughed, her arms going around his neck, unable to resist him. 

“One kiss.” 

“One. Gentle and easy. I’m serious.” 

“Tin Man’s honor,” he said, holding up one hand and then placing it over his heart. “Or may I be struck down by rust.” She laughed again and he grinned up at her, silver paint on half his face. He pursed his lips and she began to lower her head to meet them when a loud scoff sounded at the bathroom door. 

“Jesus Christ, you two. You’re supposed to be getting ready,” Skinner said gruffly and they both turned their heads to look at him. He sighed loudly and Scully grinned. 

“We are.” 

“Bullshit. Stop all that,” he said, gesturing to their current positions. “Get ready. We’re on a schedule.” 

“Walter?” Rachel called from down the hall. “Can you bring the kids in here? I’m nearly done and you still need to get ready too.” 

“Yes, hon. I’m on my way,” he called back, turning to look in her direction. Looking back at them, he raised his eyebrows and then walked away, calling for Elizabeth and Jacob. 

“Ohhh... Dad got mad,” Mulder whispered and Scully chuckled as she quickly kissed him and then stepped back. “Hey! That’s not fair. I wasn’t ready.” 

“Tough shit. We gotta get a move on.” 

“Mama, can I get ready now?” Faith asked, walking into the bathroom wearing her mermaid costume and a purple sash with Birthday Girl written in rainbow letters. “Oh, Daddy! You look silly.” She giggled as she came closer, stepping between them as Scully continued putting the silver makeup on him. “Does it feel funny?” 

“No. It’s just kinda cold,” he replied. 

“Shh. No talking,” Scully said. “Or you’ll get creases. I’m nearly done.” 

A few minutes later, Faith giggling as she sang the Tin Man’s song, tapping out the beat on Mulder’s legs, Scully was finished. 

“There. Now let it dry for a bit and then get your costume on,” she said, wiping her hands on the paper towels she had brought into the bathroom. “Your turn, my love.” She smiled at Faith and she grinned. 

“I’m very excited,” Faith said and Scully laughed as Mulder stood up to look at his reflection in the mirror. 

“Well,” he said, turning his head from left to right. “It looks odd on its own, but once I’ve got the costume on, it will work. Thanks, love.” He put his hand out and Scully high fived him before he left the room. 

“Let’s get you up here on the counter. I’ll curl your hair and then we’ll put a little bit of makeup on you.” 

“But not like yours or daddy’s, right?” Faith asked, looking at Scully in the mirror, her eyes slightly worried. 

“No, love,” Scully laughed, testing the curling iron she had plugged in earlier. “Not like ours. Just a little bit of blush and maybe mascara and then we’ll put on your dress.” 

“Okay, Mama. I’m ready.” 

________________

Thirty minutes later, everyone was downstairs, laughing and commenting on how they all looked. 

“Unco Fox,” Jacob laughed, tapping Mulder’s leg. “Wobot.” 

“No,” Faith said, shaking her head. “He’s a tin man, Jakey. He’s made of silver tin. It will be rusty if he doesn’t use his oil can.” 

Mulder stopped walking and made squeaking sounds which caused Faith and Jacob to giggle. 

“Oilllll caaaaan,” he said through clenched teeth. 

Faith and Jacob laughed as they took turns using the small can that came with his costume to pretend to oil him up. 

“Oh… oh, thank you. I can move again,” he said, moving his jaw and opening and closing his mouth. He rotated his arms and then stuck his hands out to both of them. Shaking their hands simultaneously, he crossed them back and forth, causing them to laugh again.  

Scully turned her attention from them to Skinner and had to fight back laughter of her own. 

They had planned their Wizard of Oz costumes nearly two months ago, discussing who would be which character. When the decisions were final, Skinner had grumbled a bit, but Scully had also seen the smile tugging at his lips. 

She had known who he would be, but seeing him in his costume as the Cowardly Lion was nearly too much. 

“Okay!” Rachel shouted with a smile, adjusting the strings on the bonnet of her Lullaby League ballerina costume. “We’re going to take some pictures in the backyard and then we’ll head out to go trick-or-treating. We all look so good. I absolutely love these costumes. This was such a great idea. Let me get the phone set up out there.” 

They all trooped out to the backyard, grabbing the props for their costumes on the way. Bella, who had been brought along as Mulder, Scully, and Faith would be spending the night, ran up to give them all some licks, her tail wagging excitedly. She was placed inside the house for a moment so she would not be in the way as everyone then got together for the picture. 

Mulder, the Tin Man, stood beside Scully, the Wicked Witch of the West, with Faith, Glinda the Good Witch, in front of them. Skinner, the Cowardly Lion, had Elizabeth, Dorothy Gale, and Jacob, the Scarecrow, in front of him. Vivian, Rachel’s mother, who had arrived only minutes before, stood next to him. She was dressed as the tornado that had brought Dorothy to Oz, complete with the images Dorothy had seen inside the tornado stuck to her outfit. 

Scully smiled as she looked at all of them, even as she felt an unexpected lump forming in her throat. She felt Mulder place his hand on the small of her back and she nodded, letting out a deep breath. 

“Good?” he asked in a whisper and she nodded again. 

“Okay!” Rachel shouted, smoothing her pink ballerina costume. “We’ve got ten seconds. Get ready!” She pushed the timer and rushed over, squeezing in between her mom and Skinner. “Everyone say Pizza!”

“Pizza!” they all shouted and the phone flashed down from ten to one, snapping a burst of photos. 

“Let me check it, but I’m sure we got a good one in the bunch,” Rachel said, walking toward the phone. 

A few more pictures were taken and then they all left the house with their assortment of props, coffee tumblers full of wine, and Bella in tow. 

Many families were already out, the children shouting and running from house to house. Scully smiled as Faith and the twins walked up the first driveway, calling out trick or treat before the door was even open. 

People stopped them as they continued through the neighborhood, telling them how much they loved their costumes. 

When the twins began to slow down and lose interest, they walked back to the house, Faith dancing and spinning ahead of them. 

Not bothering to change out of their costumes as they still had one last celebration to attend to, they gathered in the dining room. 

The pink ombré cake that had been placed onto the table after dinner was lit with a golden number five candle and the lights were turned out. 

Happy birthday was sung to Faith, her blue eyes shining in the light of the flame, as she looked at each of them in turn, in her sparkly pink Glinda dress and silver crown, and she grinned.