#charlotte de-chat

[mewiyev]

merry christmas from the charlotte family

[roseaesynstylae]

I like to think that Katakuri is close to his youngest siblings. Here’s some ideas.

Anglais: Looks up to Katakuri as the embodiment of coolness. He and his big brother ride their bug-bikes around Whole Cake Island when Katakuri has spare time. When his mouth is revealed, Anglais is initially really shocked and needs some time to adjust, but ultimately concludes that Katakuri’s willingness to expose it despite the risk of ridicule makes him even cooler.

Wafers: Katakuri has worked hard to ensure that she, at least, has some reason. She tends to hide behind him when she’s upset. When his mouth is revealed, she’s a little disgusted but doesn’t think it’s worth getting upset over and gets used to it with time.

Wiro: He’s a cheerful guy who does his best to make Katakuri laugh. So far, he hasn’t succeeded but he’s not going to give up. Katakuri appreciates his efforts. When his mouth is revealed, Wiro doesn’t even notice.

De-Chat: He’s very nice, easily one of the nicest in his family, and Katakuri wants him to stay that way. On De-Chat’s end, he’s one of the few who picked up that Katakuri is under an immense amount of stress. When Katakuri’s mouth is revealed, De-Chat isn’t even slightly fazed. In fact, he can sort of understand why Katakuri feels the way he does (De-Chat is half Fish-Man, taking after his father in looks. Given how Pudding was treated for her eye, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s dealt with bullying. The difference is, in my mind, that Katakuri learned from [and regretted] what happened with Pudding and took steps to make sure that didn’t happen again).

Normande: She likes to play with her older brother and, when Katakuri has the time, he does so. She often hides in his scarf. Katakuri tries hard not to think about what her conception must have been like, something everyone in the family does for the sake of their sanity. When his mouth is revealed, she doesn’t care at all.

Dolce and Dragee: Whenever they lose one of their balloons, Katakuri either gets them a new one or retrieves it for them. He tries to convince them to be more patient with Anana. When his mouth is revealed, they’re freaked out but calm down when they realize he’s still the same person.

Anana: Katakuri worries about her a lot. He wants his younger siblings to live happy lives and she’s clearly not happy. He tries to persuade her to take her violent urges out on pillows and such. She brightens up when she’s with him. When his mouth is revealed, she’s a little too fascinated by it. She asks all kinds of weird questions about it and likes to touch his teeth.

[sourtimcs]

closed to: @tak3mealiv3

muse: giovanni de luca. bisexual. restaurant owner.

where: giovanni's restaurant "gino's" in little italy in nyc

plot/connection: your muse is an investor in giovanni's restaurant and regularly comes by the place to see how he's doing and to see how business is doing. they also may or may not fuck occasionally when they're both bored.

"You know, it's been a while since I've seen your face 'round here," Gio said with a quip, his thick Italian accent shining through as he wiped down the last table of the night. "What's been keeping you so busy from giving me all your attention?"

[beardedmrbean]

Charlotte stood on the train tracks ready for a train to come sweeping down the rails and end it all.

However the driver of that train, 47-year-old Dave Lay, had other plans.

Slamming the brakes after receiving notice of a pedestrian on the tracks, Lay brought the train to a halt and got down to talk with the suicidal woman for nearly half an hour before eventually getting her safely to the next platform.

Local police met the pair, and helped Charlotte get in contact with local mental health support workers then and there. Shaken but feeling good about what he was able to do, Dave departed, imagining the episode had finished.

But Charlotte had other plans.

Looking him up on Facebook the following day, she sent a message thanking him for the kindness he showed her on the rails at Crossflatts Station in West Yorkshire, England.

“I walked down the tracks and sat down, waiting,” Charlotte told the British media service SWNS. “I’m unsure who raised the alarm about my presence but when the next train came, it slowed and stopped far from me. I’m so grateful to Dave for stopping that day and being so patient and understanding.”

After Dave returned Charlotte’s text telling her he was available whenever she needed to speak to someone, they began exchanging messages on a daily basis. They met for a coffee after chatting for two months.

Fast forward three years, and they tied the knot when Charlotte was 22 weeks pregnant with their first child.

Charlotte, a nurse at the British National Health Service, was previously diagnosed with major depressive disorder, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and emotionally unstable personality disorder.

Recalling her decision-making process from that fateful day in 2019, she said that she was on the train to work in her scrubs, but nothing felt right. Dave’s arrival had all the hallmarks, she remembered, of a person trained to de-escalate mental health crises.

“I once asked him if he’d ever had any de-escalation training, because he was brilliant that day,” she said. “The conversation from what I can remember was just about mundane things and about both our lives, but it was enough to break the crisis.”

“Life didn’t feel as heavy anymore. The next day I made it my mission to find the man who had been so kind to me.”

DE-ESCALATING DANGER: Surveillance Shows Jon Bon Jovi Stopping Woman From Jumping Off Bridge in Nashville

Dave told the BBC he simply “said all the things he wished he could’ve said” to other people who have committed suicide, and for his part was desperately happy to hear from Charlotte, as he had no way of knowing if she ever approached mental health services, or if she made another attempt to enter the House of Hades.

“I needed to know she was all right. I’d contacted police to try to find out what happened to her and just wanted to make sure she was safe,” he told the BBC. “I felt like I had a duty to make sure she was all right. We’d had that rapport built by the side of the track.”

Charlotte says she hopes that by sharing her story, people will realize that, although it would be ideal if we all had specialist training to deal with a mental health crisis, we are all nevertheless capable of helping by being empathic and present.

[ogprettyprincess]

𝟅𝟈 some of my dr's ! welcoming potential mootties, lets chat <3 | last updated: 100524 10:50am

✰ anime

⚘ one piece , (1st) genevieve e. blue , 17 , s/o: trafalgar d. waterlaw , trope: captain/crewmate -> lovers (slow burn) , devil fruit: (kūki kūki fruit)air manipulation / (2nd) alira andilet , 18 , s/o: blackleg sanji , trope: crewmates -> lovers (slow burn) , devil fruit: (dangan dangan fruit) bullet manipulation

⟡ blue lock , satoru jena , 17 , s/o: micheal kaiser (slow burn) , family: gojo, geto (parents) + 4 siblings, team: blue locks eleven

𖦹 mha , gojo satori (yes) , 18 , s/o: bakugou katsuki , trope: strangers -> pining -> lovers (slow burn) , hero name: arachne , power: spider , family: satosugu & their 4 kids

⊰ jjk , taira kazuha , 19 , s/o: nanami kento , trope: mentor -> friends -> lovers , technique: string & invisibility manipulation , domain expansion: illusion of fear & desire , family: ren & kyoto taira (parents) kenji taira (brother)

꧞ haikyuu , ukai kananami , 15 , s/o: tsukishima kei , trope: strangers -> friends -> lovers , family: kaito & ben ukai (parents) ukai keishin (brother) , team: karasuno boys volleyball

␥ aot , geneviève ackerman , 15 , s/o: jean kirstien , trope: strangers -> enemies -> friends -> lovers , family: charlotte & oliver ackerman (parents) levi ackerman (uncle) , humanity's second strongest soldier :P , role: the savoir

⊞ atla , aoki kazuha , 16 , s/o: un-named oc , trope: strangers -> lovers , family: aki & rolan aoki (parents) kian & kano (brothers) , element: all , main: air, avatar of 3000 (?)

✰ shows

❀ obx , geneviève lambert , 17 , s/o: rafe cameron (not psycho) , trope: childhood friends -> "enemies" -> friends -> lovers , family: lyla lambert (mom) logan westwood (step dad) , role: man in the middle

⪩ twd , charlotte grimes , 21 , s/o: daryl dixon (32) , trope: strangers -> lovers , family: oliver & evie grimes (dad & mom) rick grimes (uncle turned dad) carl grimes (cousin turned brother) judith (cousin turned sister) , main weapon: dual blades

✵ bcd (/behind closed doors ; original reality) , katara brown , 18 , s/o: nakamoto arito (oc) , trope: strangers -> friends -> lovers (slow burn) , occupation: assassin in training , role: the finalist

✰ games

✶ genshin impact , (1st) princess enver le'mistral , 21 , s/o: kaedehara kazuha (?) , trope: strangers -> playful enemies -> lovers , vison: anemo , home: sky city (og) + fontaine , family: nalani & alain le'mistral (parents) navida le'mistral (aunt) , position: champion dualist / (2nd) tashita jinx - [under construction]

キ overwatch , ruben dawn , 35 , s/o: cole cassidy , trope: friends -> lovers , weapon: sword , family: mom , occupation: former blackwatch member, current ow member, frontliner

✰ other

✦ youtuber , (1st) geneviève eden silvestrè , 18 , s/o: n/a , trope: n/a family: evangeline & antonio silvestrè (parents) leo + angelina + dom (brothers & sister) / (2nd) imani eden monroe , 21 , s/o: berlin edmond , family: nilani monroe (mom) angelica & clementine (sisters)

◎ footballer , violet dupont , 21 , s/o: elisa de almeida , trope: teammates -> lovers , family: jamais dupont (dad) claude & blaise dupont (brothers) , team: psg feminines + women's french national

☆ actress , (1st) violette eden irl last name , 20 , s/o: drew starkey , trope: costars -> lovers , family: leila (mom) anastasia & june (sisters) , main roles: charlotte in obx + edith in despicable me + peyton in the game plan / (2nd) valerie eden auclair - [under construction]

𐙚 kpop , (1st) jenevieve eden levesque , 19 , s/o: christopher bang , trope: strangers -> friends -> lovers , year: 2020 , family: nilani levesque (mom) leo + angelina + dontai + alias + charlotte monroe (siblings :3) , groups: nct, nct 127, nct x / (2nd) - [under construction]

ᡣ𐭩 teen fame , genevieve eden morgan , 14 , s/o: elisa de almeida (15) , trope: friends -> lovers , family: jeffery dean morgan (dad) , main rolls - [under construction]

一 that's all ! if you have any same / similar dr's feel free to talk about them or dm me so we can !! (i desperately need to see satosugu happy if you can't tell)

❥ i didn't mention my waiting room cause that'll be another post, but it's basically a city shifting hub / giant waiting room for shifters from all different realities ! lemmie know if you wanna hear about it :)

[fousrires]

via instagram Bonjour mon prénom est Charlotte, je vis juste à côté de Paris en France. J'ai 67 ans, je suis à la retraite, j'étais rédactrice pour des magazines, et aussi auteur de livres de loisirs créatifs. J'ai un fils qui a 30 ans, et un compagnon depuis 16 ans que j'aime énormément. J'aime les animaux, et j'ai deux chats adorables. Je suis révoltée par beaucoup de choses qui se passent ici en France dans notre pays. Et aussi partout dans le monde. J'ai tendance à être optimiste et je veux croire qu'un jour proche, les traitres, les politiques véreux, les félons de toutes sortes qui se croient intouchables paieront... Pour redonner de l'espoir et une vie meilleure à nos enfants.

[diablademon]

I did a list of how long time there were between Charlotte siblings births.

This was made with the idea that Big Mom gave birth each and every year from she was 18 to 60 and never skipped a year. But keep in mind that she apparently gave birth 43 times in 42 years. So there was one year she gave birth two times.

First of Cracker and his sisters are only 5 months younger than Opera and his brothers. I read that children only have a chance of surving being premature birth if its been over 6 months. Because its at 6 months lungs and other organs are fully developed. But this is a show where a woman was pregnant for 22 months so everything goes in this world I guess.

Brûlée and Broyé have two different birthdays, twins being born on different dates arent that uncomman, but Broyé would have been born 9 months after Brûlée, 28 days before Nusstorte. Sounds more like Broyé would be apart of a Quadruplets with Nusstorte and his brothes than a twin of Brûlée. Most likely just a mistake on Odas part.

Perospero: March 14th 19 months

Compote: October 15th 12 months

Katakuri, Daifuku, Oven: November 25th 12 months

Mondée, Amande, Hachée, Effilée: December 10th 9 months

Opera, Counter Cadenza, Cabaletta, Gala: September 29th 5 months

Cracker, Custard, Angel: February 28th -

Zuccotto: - -

Brûlée, Broyé: March 6th and December 26th 10 months or 28 days

Nusstorte, Basskarte, Dosmarche: January 23rd 23 months

Noisette: December 15th 12 months

Moscato, Mash, Cornstarch - December 16th -

Compo, Laurin: - -

Mont-d'Or: April 23rd 20 months

Mozart, Marnier: - December 20th -

High-fat, Tablet: - -

Smoothie, Citron, Cinnamon - October 16th -

Saint-Marc, Basans: - -

Melise: - -

Dacquoise: - _

Galette, Poire: October 19th 12 months

Snack, Bavarois: October 29th 9 months

Prim, Paraline: July 22nd -

Kanten, Kato, Montb: - -

Chiboust: - -

Chiffon, Lola: January 27th 22 months

Mobile, Marble, Myukuru, Maple: November 17th -

Brownie: - -

Joconde: - -

Raisin: March 23rd -

Panna: - -

Mascarpone, Joscarpone: February 27th 19 months

Yuen: October 15th 13 months

Newichi, Newji, Newsan, Newshi, Newgo, Nutmeg, Akimeg, Allmeg, Harumeg, Fuyumeg: December 2nd -

Nougat: - -

Pudding: June 25th 7 months

Flampe: February 11th 20 months

Anglais: October 19th -

Wafers: - -

Wiro: - -

De-Chat: - -

Normande:- -

Doice, Dragée: Ferbruary 21st 14 months

Anana: April 17th

526 months total from start of being pregnant with perospero (Added 9 months to before his birth) to her giving birth to Anana. ~381 of those months she was pregnant (total of 31.75 years spent pregnant) and ~145 months (~12 years) between that being not pregnant. 72% of her prime was spent being pregnant. (46% of her entire life)

Other facts: -When Big mom was 24(?) she joined Rocks Pirates. same year she gave birth to Zuccoto. -Rocks got defeated when Big Mom was 30, the year Mont-d'Or was born. -At 35 Year old Big Mom created her own pirate crew, the year when Melise was born. And as it seems her children become officers in her crew when they turn 15 means Perospero, Compote, Katakuri, Daifuku and Oven all joind the crew as officers at the same time.

I find Big Moms pirates to be very interesting and I want to know more how the development happend. When did tottoland become a candy fantasy land? Did she have to wait untill her children ate devil fruits for that to happen? Or did Streusen turn things into food? Did she leave Rocks pirate to give birth or gave birth at the ship and then left back to tottoland to leave her newborns there? Katakuri and his brothers was apparently born on a ship, but such infomation isnt mentiond for Perospero or Compote. Katakuris flashback showed him and his sibling to grow up in a city, so Big Mom didnt keep them with her.

[nighttime-imagination-ifa]

Welcome to Hathmoore

Dear Wonderful Assistance,

Welcome to Hathmoore Children's Asylum, and thank you for volunteering for our societal exposure therapy for the children. We greatly appreciate the assistance in helping these children recover. Participation in this program is quite easy, all we ask is you chat with the children, and you may leave whenever you feel unsafe around them. We understand that not all are able to handle such troubled children, so we do appreciate your acceptance into this volunteer experience. Please just remember that these children are ill, so they may say things in which will disturb the public.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Signed, Dr. XXXXX

*an image of the children was also in the envelope, showing all the different kids in the asylum*

(From left to right)

{Sarah, Azalea, Charlotte, Momo, Annabelle, Anthony, Niccolo, Pete, Tommy, Edward, & Axel}

!!!!Rules Under Cut!!!!

Ask Blog Rules

1. All of the children are 16 or younger, NO NSFW ASKS! (keep it pg13)

2. The events of this ask blog take place in the late 1940/50's, so responses are set in a similar manner. (doesn't mean you can't tell them about the modern day)

3. All of the imaginary friends can be asked questions as well. (same for the nurses/doctors)

4. While I will try to stick closely to part of the lore, not all of the lore is canon in this. Please respect that this is MY AU.

5. This will contain sensitive topic!! (De**h, Murd**, Sui**de, Homo/Trans phobia, etc.). You CAN ask about related topics.

6. Do not be afraid to ask about your OCs interacting with the children here, I don't mind and it allows for fun asks!

7. Just have fun!!

[mew-ya]

charlotte-in-law

maren wears a little bead anklet that says "marrin." de-chat and normande made one for him as a gift and no one knows how to spell his name, not even himself

[anotherhumaninthisworld]

People being kept out of the Duplay house compilation

…It was necessary, in order to reach the eminent guest deigning to inhabit this humble little hole of a place, to pass through a long alley flanked with planks stacked there, the owner's stock-in-trade. This alley led to a little yard from seven to eight feet square, likewise full of planks. A little wooden staircase led to a room on the first floor. Prior to ascending it we perceived in the yard the daughter of the carpenter Duplay, the owner of the house. This girl allowed no one to take her place in ministering to Robespierre's needs. As women of this class in those days freely espoused the political ideas then prevalent, and as in her case they were of a most pronounced nature, Danton had surnamed Cornelie Copeau "the Cornelia who is not the mother of the Gracchi." Cornelie seemed to be finishing spreading linen to dry in the yard; in her hand were a pair of striped cotton stockings, in fashion at the time, and which were certainly similar to those we daily saw encasing the legs of Robespierre on his visits to the Convention. Opposite her sat Mother Duplay between a pail and a saladbasket, busily engaged in picking salad herbs. Two men in military garb, standing close to her in a respectful attitude, seemed to be taking part in the duties of the household, obligingly picking herbs, in order to be free to chat more unrestrainedly under the shelter of this familiar occupation. These two men, since famous in their respective positions, were, the one General Danican, who since then, on the 13th Vendemiaire, became impressed with the idea that he was a Royalist, and who perhaps still retains the belief because he is one of England's pensioners; the other was General, later on Marshal, Brune. Freron and I told Cornelie Copeau that we had called to see Robespierre. She began by informing us that he was not in the house, then asked whether he was expecting our visit. Fréron, who was familiar with the premises, advanced towards the staircase, while Mother Duplay shook her head in a negative fashion at her daughter. Both generals, smilingly enjoying what was passing through the two women's minds, told us plainly by their looks that he was at home, and to the women that he was not. Cornelie Copeau, on seeing that Freron, persisting in his purpose, had his foot on the third step, placed herself in front of him, exclaiming: ”Well, then, I will apprise him of your presence," and, tripping upstairs, she again called out, "It’s Fréron and his friend, whose name I do not know." Fréron thereupon said, "It’s Barras and Freron," as if announcing himself, entering the while Robespierre's room, the door of which had been opened by Cornelie Copeau, we following her closely.  Memoirs of Barras: member of the Directorate (1899) page 167-169, regarding a meeting he and Fréron tried to have with Robespierre following their return from Marseilles in March 1794.

Very little time before the cathostraphy where Camille Desmoulins was victim, Joseph Planche, the humanist, the old rhetorics professor at the Bourbon college, who was strongly tied to him, met him in the hooks around Rue de Tournon. Camille was concerned, and told him: ”I’m lost. I went to see Robespierre, and he refused to see me.” Historie de Robespierre et du coup d’état du 9 thermidor (1865) by Ernest Hame. According to J.M Thompson’s Robespierre (1935), Hamel obtained this anecdote from a friend of a friend of the mentioned Planche.

”…Try to see Maximilien, [said Charlotte Robespierre], you will be content; he was very glad that our younger brother saw you at Melun. On this occasion he spoke with interest of the exercises of your pupils and of the attention you had in entrusting him with presiding over them. I won’t introduce you to him, I would not succeed; I even advise you not to speak to him about me. You will be told he is out, don't believe it, insist on your visit.” The Robespierre family was housed on rue Saint-Honoré, near the Assomption chapel, the sister and younger brother at the front, the older brother at the back of the courtyard. Gaillard went to Maximilien’s apartment; a young man, looking at him with the most insolent air, said to him, barely having opened the door: “The representative isn’t home…” “He may not be there for those who come to talk to him about business, but that is not my doing; I will talk to him about his family that I know a lot, you have seen me come out of his sister's apartment who is involved in state affairs no more than I am... Bring my name to the representative, he will receive me, I’m sure of it.” The fellow did not dare refuse to carry a paper on which Gaillard had taken care to indicate himself in such a way as to be recognized, he immediately came back and gave the visitor his paper saying: “The representative does not know you,” and the door was violently slammed shut!… . The insolence of this brazen man whom Gaillard knew to be the secretary of Robespierre, son of Duplay, to whom the sister attributed the excesses of his brother, the sorrow he felt at losing the hope of saving the judges of Melun and to ensure his personal rest, all these thoughts made him very angry; he calls the young man a liar, insolent, he accuses him of deceiving Robespierre and of increasing the number of his enemies every day, all this in the loudest voice with the intention of being heard by Maximilien and lure him to one of the windows where, surely, he would have recognized him. New disappointment, no one appears and Gaillard goes back to tell Mlle Robespierre about his misadventure. “I prepared you for it, she told him. ”No one can approach my brother unless he is a friend of those Duplays, with whom we are lodging; these wretches have neither intelligence nor education, explain to me their ascendancy over Maximilien. […]” La Révolution, la Terreur, le Directoire 1791-1799: d’après les mémoires de Gaillard (1908) page 264-265. This anecdote gets described as taking place somewhere in May 1794.

4 prairial, year 2 of the French Republic, one and indivisible Nine o’clock in the evening a young girl presented herself at the house of citizen Duplaix [sic], asking to see Robespierre and saying that she had been looking for him for three hours. At the response made by citoyenne Duplaix [sic], the eldest daughter, that Robespierre wasn’t there, this young woman said that it was very surprising he was not at his house and showed a lot of impertinence and humor by saying that he was a public official and made to respond to all those who could come to his house; these threats obliged us to take her to the Committee of General Security. Signed: Chatelet. Note written by an agent May 23 1794. The ”young girl” in question is Cécile Renault. Cited in Histoire du tribunal révolutionnaire de Paris: avec le journal de ses actes (1881) by Henri Wallon, volume 4, page 5.

Those whom fate did not lead to the Duplay family presume that it was enough to be introduced to them to see Robespierre: they are wrong; I appeal to the testimony of all his former friends; not one could reach him: the entrance to his residence, similar to Tartarus, was constantly guarded by Cerberians who overshadowed everything... You, whom terror has compressed for so long, have you understood it well? No: to feel its full weight, compelling circumstances would often have had to drag you into its temple, where the sinister look of a Chalabre was sometimes equivalent to a death sentence; where once suspected your loss was sworn, which you accelerated even by no longer going there.  À Maximilien Robespierre aux Enfers (1794) by Paul-Auguste Taschereau-Fargues, page 11.

A young and pretty person aged 17 to 18, accompanied by her aunt, arrives one morning, by carriage, at Robespierre's door, to ask for her father's liberation. These two women speak to Mother Duplay, who they ask if Robespierre is avaliable. “No,” this she-cat replies abruptly. This initial reception intimidated the young person so much that, without daring to open her mouth, she sadly returned to her carriage. As she was about to climb into it, she said to herself that the way in which she had been received was perhaps the result of a lack of formality towards this woman whom, due to her dirty and disgusting attire, she took for the servant of the house. She therefore returns, the 25 livres assignat in hand, to try to make the female dragon yield. Femme Duplay eagerly runs to meet her, and, grabbing her by the arm, says to her: “Now that you are alone, you can go up. Citizen Robespierre really likes young people your age.” This innocent girl got so disturbed that she immediately went back to her aunt, whom she told, completely frightened, about her adventure. Notes et souvenirs de Courtois de l’Aube, député à la Convention nationale, cited in La Révolution française: revue d’histoire moderne et contemporaine (1887), volume 12, page 929-930.

[inkcap]

thanks to @cathartes-aurae for tagging me!

Rules: Put your On Repeat playlist on shuffle and post the first ten songs that show up.

Le chat du Café des Artistes - Charlotte Gainsbourg

Butchered Tongue - Hozier

You Are Not a Riot - The Coup

Road to Nowhere - Talking Heads

Teardrop - Massive Attack

Perception Check - Tom Cardy

Naked in Manhattan - Chappell Roan

Red Canyon Country - Junerise

Everything That Rises - Sufjan Stevens

Kill Your Masters - Run the Jewels

i am gonna tag @oatsmilk @myalgias @madmythandy @dickbaggins @pasteboard @alinnsurana @moshroom @dreamboyf @creaturebloom @canyonroads

[wolfselkey]

Je sais qu'ils ont des formes de chat plus officielles, mais j'aime le serval pour Frei, et Charlotte convient à un selkirk rex.

Aussi sur Twitter.

[roseaesynstylae]

I like the idea of Katakuri being close to the youngest members of the Charlotte Family. I mean, the youngest (Anglais, Wafers, Wiro, De-Chat, Normande, Dolce, Dragee, Anana) and I'm not counting Flampe. They climb all over him, play with him, and he dotes on them. When his mouth is revealed, they thinks it's cool (maybe a little too much so in Anana's case). In fact, I love Katakuri being nice and soft with children.

[empiredesimparte]

Philippe: Charlotte has left the Elysée Palace, she's on her way

Napoléon V: Thank you, Philippe. Philippe: How are you feeling? Napoléon V: Fine. I'm glad you're here. I don't think I realize it yet Laura: That's normal, Louis

Napoléon V: How was the party last night? Laura: Charlotte brought a Michelin-starred chef to the Elysée Palace

Napoléon V: Did you really stay so wise? No secrets!

Laura: Haven't you?

Joachim: And yet! If the wedding hadn't been so rushed, I'd have planned one hell of a weekend!

Philippe: You bet, if we'd had more time, I'd have organized the weekend, not you Jo'! Joachim: What?! But why?! Louis, is that true?

Napoléon V: I would have asked you to organize it together

⚜ Le Cabinet Noir | Palais des Tuileries, 21 Prairial An 230

Beginning ▬ Previous ▬ Next

Napoléon V awaits Charlotte's arrival at the Tuileries Palace. He chats with his cousin Philippe, and his friends Joachim and Laura.

⚜ Traduction française

Napoléon V attend l'arrivée de Charlotte au palais des Tuileries. Il discute avec son cousin Philippe, et ses amis Joachim et Laura.

Philippe : Charlotte a quitté le palais de l'Elysée, elle arrive

Napoléon V : Merci Philippe. Philippe : Comment te sens-tu ? Napoléon V : Bien. Je suis heureux que vous soyez là. Je crois que je ne réalise pas encore Laura : C'est normal Louis

Napoléon V : Comment était la soirée hier ? Laura : Charlotte a fait venir un chef étoilé au palais de l'Elysée, nous avons bien mangé

Napoléon V : Avez-vous vraiment été si sages, les filles ?

Laura : J'en déduis que ça ne fut pas votre cas !

Joachim : Et encore ! Le mariage n'aurait pas été si précipité, j'aurais mis au point un week-end d'enfer !

Philippe : Tu parles, si nous avions eu plus de temps, j'aurais organisé le week-end, pas toi Jo' Joachim : Quoi ?! Mais pourquoi ?! Louis, c'est vrai ?

Napoléon V : Je vous aurai demandé de l'organiser ensemble

[rfsak2]

So most of this has been written for a while. I planned on adding more to what would’ve been the third chapter, thereby making most of this a fourth chapter, but work has been ridiculous and I’m exhausted.

If you read this: thanks and sorry for the inconsistency.

Also I don’t speak Kouri Vini and this has been gleaned from language projects/dictionaries so I apologize if it’s truly awful.

Easy Target, pt. 3

They thought wrong. Severus/OC

Warnings: abusive language, abusive behavior, violence, mentions of past abuse/assault, bad language words.

MINORS DO NOT ENGAGE.

“Mô joli sær!”

Charlotte smiled broadly and hastened down the staircase toward the tall, strawberry blond man at the foot of the stairs, who bore the same wide smile as Charlotte, and slightly shorter but broader, black man standing next to him, wearing a smile that was no less broad.

“Mô bo fær! Mô bo bo-fær!”

Severus watched as she cleared the stairs in a near run and all but jumped into the two men’s arms. The men laughed and, as one, rocked her in a tight, affectionate hug.

They separated and chatted in the not-quite-French language he had heard Charlotte use a few times under her breath.

She looked up and caught Severus’ eyes. She paused as if waiting for him to turn away, indicate in some way that he was unwilling to meet these men.

He sighed and did no such thing. He chastised himself for not being able to even pretend to be uninterested.

She smiled brightly at him, blue eyes lined in kohl, making the color even more striking. The olive green dress she wore hugged distracting curves in an equally distracting way.

“Hello, Professor Snape!” She chirped and positioned herself amicably between Severus and the men. “This is my brother Augustus and his husband Ogun Dillioles. Brothers-mine this is our deputy headmaster and potions master, Severus Snape.”

Augustus de Vilierè smiled widely and reached out unhesitatingly with his hand. “Good t’meet you. I’ve read your work on the potion you crafted for Vold-“

Charlotte coughed lightly.

He cut him off and scratched at the back of his head, retracting his hand. “Sorry about that. I forgot that y’all still don’t like using his name.”

“It’s quite alright.” Severus dismissed his apology, offering his hand and shaking Augustus’ proffered counterpart firmly. “I was part of the group that defeated Voldemort. I try not to fear his name.”

Ogun smiled and offered his hand as well. “There y’go! I heard you managed to subvert a fortifying potion into a poison with no major differences.”

Severus smirked, shaking his hand as well. “Or minor ones.”

Augustus laughed in a crack, startlingly similar to the woman standing between them, who seemed to be studying him under her lashes. “For sure! That’s damn fascinating. Ogun said that it looked like you borrowed from other traditions to achieve it.”

“I’m fairly positive but,” Ogun nodded, “I thought I saw some African and Middle Eastern ingredients and preparations.”

Severus paused, caught off guard by their knowledge.

I know a couple of nice potions masters.

He slanted a look at Charlotte, who had a sly grin on her face. Obfuscating little minx. “Ah. Yes, the fortifying potion the Dark Lord asked me to make was of Arabic origin, to begin with.” He paused. “I tried to only tweak or replace what I could reasonably assume the Dark Lord wouldn’t have had much exposure too. The Dark Lord needed to believe that I was giving him what he ordered me to give him.”

They chatted amicably for another ten minutes or so, the other men's knowledge of Potions was refreshing and the conversation was shockingly easy.

When they left, Charlotte politely reminding them of their dinner plans, Severus watched them go. Charlotte turned over her shoulder and caught his eyes.

Then she winked.

**

“Yet again you have opted to not tell me the whole truth.”

Charlotte smiled and glanced up at him from her seat next to him.

Why he had decided to sit next to her rather than across from her, she didn’t know, but he had already spent the last few minutes glowering at Remus who had tried to call him on it.

“I don’t know what you mean.” She batted her eyes at him.

He snorted and leaned closer to her, voice dropping in volume and pitch. She fought not to shiver at his proximity or the sound of his voice.

“I know a couple of nice potions masters,” He mimicked her.

She hid a smile behind her hand. “Well, I do.”

His lips twisted wryly and she almost thought she would be graced with a rare smile.

“How many members of your family are potions masters?”

“Most of them.” She smiled against the rim of her coffee cup. “I’d have to count.”

“Oh, would you?” He huffed. “And why didn’t you say so?”

“Because you didn’t ask.”

“I have to ask specifically?” He cast a sideways glance at her.

“If it’s information you want.” She smiled. “I’m not a mind reader.”

“Semantics.” He turned in his seat to face her more fully.

“Or an accurate estimation of the worth of that information?” She shrugged. “Why would I assume you wanted a full accounting of my family’s professional history?”

“Because I have already asked you about the Potions Masters in your family.” He rubbed at his top lip with the tip of a long finger. “One would assume.”

She chuckled. “You know what they say about assuming…”

He slanted a baleful look at her. “Obfuscation.”

“Discretion.” She settled back in her seat and smiled.

“Omission.”

“I didn’t realize our conversations were investigative.” She sipped at her coffee. “Is there a reason why you are investigating my family’s history?”

He seemed to consider that, dark eyes heavy on her. “How interesting.”

She frowned, mind whirring to decipher his angle. “Hmm?”

He mimicked her casual shrug. “You pretend to be open and honest, but really you’re just as cagey as the rest of us.”

She scoffed. “I don't pretend to be anything. It’s just conceited to think that anyone gives a rat’s ass about my family history.”

“You told me the whole of New Orleans already knows everything about you.”

She huffed. “The history of my family is the history of New Orleans. I’d imagine it would take very little research on your part to get all the information you’d want.”

He made a pantomime of considering the point. “I suppose I want it from the horse’s mouth as it were…”

“But why? Why do you want that information? I don’t know that it would provide you any benefit?” She side-eyed him. “Don’t know why you care so much.”

That seemed to put him on the back foot. “I don’t. Why would you ass-“

She demurred, shrugging as she caught his eye. “I wouldn’t assume you did, but which is why I’m so puzzled.”

Severus grunted and turned back to his food, effectively ending the conversation.

Charlotte giggled.

**

“What’s the topic today?” Lupin settled in his chair and shot a look at Madame Hooch.

“Some French book about-“

“I’m saying that Dubois’ theory is primarily flawed.”

Charlotte made a noise in the back of her throat. “You would think so.”

Snape didn’t look at her directly, instead sending her a scathing look from the corner of his eye as he cut through his grilled tomato. “I do think so.”

“You’re full of shit and you know it.”

“Language, Professa.”

“Bloody bite me.”

“Tempting.”

Hooch smiled salaciously. “-transfiguration, I think.”

Lupin chuckled. “Who started it?”

“Snape brought it up. Out of the blue, too.” Hooch grinned. “He seems to enjoy riling her up for some reason.”

“Interesting.”

“Care to make a bet?” Hooch grinned toothily.

“On?”

Hooch sat back in her chair and watched the arguing pair. “This is all an elaborate mating ritual-”

“Everyone - except Snape and de Vilieré, it seems - knows that. They sit right next to each other and talk through every meal. All while maintaining the pretense that they despise each other. I’d give them a month tops before-”

“Ooh!” Charlotte set down her coffee cup with more force than was necessary. Students turned to gaze at the head table en masse. Glaring at him, she quieted, whispering. “You are so pigheaded.”

“I’m pigheaded? Me?” Snape sneered. “You just argued that potions-making-”

“Make that two weeks, before one of them has to sneak out of the other’s quarters every other morning.”

Hooch nodded. “I’ll take that bet. If it’s shorter or longer than two weeks, I win.”

Lupin shook his head, grinning. “No, that’s not the way this is going to work. I take…”

“Ooh! I swear you just brought this up to frustrate me!”

“‘Potions-making is just throwing some shit into a cauldron-” Snape’s ‘southern’ accent was getting better and better every time he mocked de Vilieré.

“Transfiguration is ‘foolish wand-waving that serves little to no purpose’.” Charlotte had likewise perfected Severus’ sneer.

Lupin grinned. “I take under two weeks.”

Hooch whistled, grimacing, but nodded. “Alright, I’ll take that bet.”

**

“Arithmancy absolutely has something to do with Potions.” Charlotte shot him a look, strolling next to him as the students rushed down the lane towards Hogsmeade.

“You can’t be serious.” Severus sighed.

“Why would it not?” She scoffed. “Why bother teaching it all? I understand it’s elective, but why teach it at all, if it has nothing to do with other “subjects?”

“Because we are required to do so.” He drawled.

“Really?” She scoffed. “Or maybe it’s important to at least have a rudimentary understanding of Arithmancy.”

“For what possible reason?”

She huffed. “Because Arithmancy informs the theory behind all magical practice. Why the proportion of one ingredient to another produces a magical reaction-“

“Chemical reaction. That is not Arithmancy, that is a chemical reaction.” He smirked at her small sound of frustration.

She cussed under her breath. “Now you’re just being obstinate.”

He suppressed a chuckle and stared down at the top of her head. Even in her ridiculous heeled shoes, she was barely chin-height to him. He took an absurd amount of pleasure in the fact. “Obstinate? You’re calling me obstinate.”

“Yes!” She nodded aggressively, turning flashing blue eyes up at him. “Obstinate. Arguing for the sake of it. Talking out your ass just ‘cause. You know damn well that the magic in potions isn’t-“

He smiled down at her, mimicking the sugar-snake smile she used when being especially sarcastic. Her jaw flexed and she discreetly made an obscene gesture at him.

He fought the urge to laugh and reveled in the thrill that raced down his spine when he succeeded in ruffling her. He met her eyes, anticipating her next reaction. “What I know is that you opted for soft science-”

“Soft science? I’ll be damned if-!” She stopped suddenly, keeping a weather eye on the group of likely gossiping seventh year Slytherin girls staring at them from across the lane. She gritted her teeth but forced a pleasant smile on her face. “Y’all move along now. You’re in Hogsmeade to have fun with each other, not stand here staring at your chaperones.”

“Yes, professor.��� One-Norris-hid a grin behind her hand.

“I swear to God you do like to make a spectacle.” She hissed at him.

He snorted. “Me? Fat chance.”

“Yes, you.” She rolled her eyes and gestured the girls along again. “All big, boomin’ voice and loomin’ over people-“

“I’m 6-foot-4. There’s not much to be done about that.”

“-makin’ children pickle brains for detention, eloquent turns of phrase that would make poets wilt. Drama.”

Harris smiled. “Where did you get your dress, Professor? It’s very pretty.”

Charlotte turned back to the girl, half forgetting the girls were still standing there. “The US.” She deadpanned. “Now, git.”

The girls walked off, giggling as they cast interested looks back at them.

“Get.” He drawled. “A git is a different thing.”

“Thank you for the information, Severus. I’ll add it to my lexicon of British terminology.” She fluffed her skirt and Severus caught himself tracing the demure amount of cleavage left visible by the unbuttoned neckline of her shirt dress.

She glanced up at him and he looked away. “I just thought you’d like to avoid being giggled at.”

“Oh…” She made a small moue at him, like he was a child, and meandered away. “Bless your heart.”

He huffed, feeling the tone of the conversation take a turn, and stepped forward, catching up with her easily. “What does that mean?”

“It means…” She trailed off, letting a group of students pass. “It means that you’re adorable.”

He sneered. “Adorable?”

She smiled. “Positively so.” She paused to touch a flower petal. “They are not giggling because I said the word git. They are seventeen-year-old girls. They consider themselves worldly and mature and far too intelligent to laugh at a funny word.”

Severus huffed and rolled his eyes. “Then, what, pray tell, are they giggling about?”

“Us.” She adjusted her watch. “They are giggling because their rather reclusive deputy headmaster, who, I’ve been told, never agrees to chaperone, has agreed to chaperone seemingly of his own free will.”

“Damn it all to hell.”

She giggled behind her hand. “‘And why now?’ they are likely to be wondering. Why all of a sudden? Now of all times, when the newest faculty member is female and your age.” She winked at him and dropped her voice like she was sharing a secret. “And, didn’t you know, that they spent the whole way to Hogsmeade in rapt conversation? They don’t even pretend to hate each other anymore.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose, grumbling under his breath.

She chuckled. “Didn’t think it through, did’ya, sweetheart?”

He glowered down his nose at her. “I’m glad you find mockery so amusing, Ms. de Vilieré.”

She paused, her steps stuttering, and mouthed ‘ouch’. “You know how to let a girl down easy, dontcha?”

He frowned again, this time more confused than irritated. “What do you mean by that?”

She shrugged and meandered further down the lane. “People think we’re flirting, not just now but pretty much any time we are within two feet of each other. It doesn’t bother me, but you seem offended by the insinuation.” She smiled, a wry, sad twist of her lips, and turned to look to the other side of the lane. “I mean I know I’m no catch, but mockery…”

He shook his head, still stupefied. She thought he was rejecting her? What an odd turn.

“That’s not it.” When she didn’t respond, still wandering along a flower lined hedge with sad eyes. He swallowed past the squeeze in his chest and called her softly enough to not attract too much attention. “Charlotte.”

She turned back to him, shocked by his use of her first name. He sighed, catching her eyes and trying to impress what he felt he couldn’t say directly. “I wouldn’t think you’d want to be connected to me in that way.”

“What? Why n-“ Her eyes skated over his shoulder and she blanched.

“What’s the matter?” He cast a look over his shoulder. He didn’t notice much.

“It’s… It’s nothing. Let’s keep goin’.”

Her voice was shaky and he frowned harder as he surveyed the area again, never-quite-dormant anxiety rearing its ugly head. “If a student-“

“It’s not a student. It’s nothing.” He could hear her shifting nervously. “Severus, please.”

He felt a soft touch on his forearm and turned back to her. “Are you quite alright?”

She nodded, eyes still fixed behind him. “I’m fine, ‘course.” She met his eyes and smiled, wobbly and not at all her normal cheeky grin. “I saw some fourth-years go into Zonko’s. Come on.”

She turned away, eyes still darting across the lane.

Severus frowned and followed, eyes following her line of sight and saw a man he had never seen in Hogsmeade.

It was clearly not nothing, so when he caught sight of her leaving for Hogsmeade later that day, he followed.

**

Triggering Stuff from this point on! Tw: violence, abuse

“Hello, Lottie.”

She sat stiffly in front of Beau. “Beau.”

“See you already found some asshole to fuck.” Beau smiled nastily, his fist clenched around his wand on the table. “Tell him you’re married?”

“I’m not married.” Her hand itched to grab her own wand but she didn’t, she couldn’t risk him taking her wand off of her. “And even if I was, I was never the unfaithful one and we both know that.”

He snickered and she felt his heavy-booted foot cover hers and press down. She bit her lip, thanking her lucky stars that she’d changed into a pair of sneakers.

“You know you ain’t ever getting rid of me, baby.” More pressure. “Let you have your time…” More pressure. She breathed deep. “Now it’s time to come on home.”

“No, I don’t think I will.”

He lifted his boot and brought the shape edge of the heel down on her toes.

She gasped and murmured a pain-killing charm under her breath.

“Come. On. Home.”

“No.”

Beau looked around and grinned when he decided no one was watching. He grinned as he spoke the disillusionment charm. “Alright, you stupid slut. You want to do this the hard way?”

“I don’t want to do this at all.”

He reached over and slapped her.

She gasped and he reached over and snatched her wand out of her jacket pocket. He smiled. “How long do you think it’ll take you to pack your shit without your wand?”

She resisted the urge to rub her jaw, sitting up straight, head held high on her neck. “An awful long time as I have no intention of doing it.”

As he raised his hand, she whispered, “Finite Incantatum.”

He back-handed her and every head swiveled in her direction. She felt blood well in her mouth and fought to breathe through her nose.

“You stupid bitch.” She felt a hand in her hair and Beau yanked her head up. “You think this fuckin’ matters? Like anyone here’s gonna help you-“

“I will kill you where you stand if you do not release Professor de Vilieré right now.”

She gasped and looked up at Severus. He met her eyes briefly as if checking on her and focused back on Beau.

“You really are fuckin’ him, aren’t you, ya’slut.” Beau chuckled. “Knight in shining armor, and all that.” Beau snorted. “Always did have weird taste…”

Snape ignored him. “Release Professor de Vilieré.”

Beau growled but didn’t move to obey, Severus’ wand pressed tight to his neck. “Professor Beauregard.”

“I said release her.” Severus stepped in closer. “I will not tell you again.”

“Fuck you.”

“Digitos wibbly.” Charlotte choked out and tore her hair away from Beau’s suddenly jelly-like fingers.

Snape wrapped a hand around her upper arm and gently pressed her back in Madame Rosmerta’s waiting arms. Beau made a move to stalk after her and Snape stepped between them.

“End this damn curse or I’ll kill you the minute this asshole leaves.” He gestured wildly with his useless hands. “Stupid Bitch.”

“How do you propose to do that?” Snape smirked. “Professor de Vilieré will be back at Hogwarts long before that curse wears off.” He turned over his shoulder at her. “Your facility with wandless magic, as ever, is impressive, de Vilieré.”

Charlotte snorted. “Thanks, Snape.”

Beau cursed under his breath. “Her last name is Beauregard.”

“Her last name is de Vilieré. You are divorced, if I’m not mistaken.”

“Not for long… Not if she’s as smart as everyone says she is.” Beau leered at her. “She ruined my fuckin life and career. She’s gonna fix it.”

“Fuck you, Beau.” Snape glanced back, watching Charlotte straighten her spine. She held out her hand and her wand shot out of Beau’s pocket and into her hand. “You ruined your career. It was in its death throes well before the divorce. A cocaine habit will do that to’ya.”

Beau growled, useless hands trying and failed to grasp the wand before it made it into her hand.

Severus was hit with the realization that, at least partially, she was so proficient with wandless and wordless magic because of the man standing in front of him.

He took her wand. Stopped her from doing magic. His hand tightened around his own wand.

“I’m never going to marry you again. Never.”

Beau stepped forward. “You’ll fuckin’ marry me if you know what’s good for you, bitch. You’ll fix all the shit you fucked up and we’ll be one big happy family again.”

Charlotte snorted. “Or what?”

“I won’t stop next time, if you catch my meaning.”

Charlotte blanched but stood firm.

Severus took a step toward. “Threaten her again and-“

Beau turned to him, a nasty snarl on a pretty face. “And what, asshole? You ain’t gonna kill me.”

“Aren’t, you neanderthal. And why wouldn’t I?” Snape advanced again and Beau, hands still incapable of holding his wand, backed away.

“You ain’t gonna to risk prison to kill me.”

Severus smiled nastily. “I wouldn’t be risking anything. Every person in this pub would testify to seeing you try to drag her from the room by her hair after she ended the disillusionment charm.”

“She won’t press charges. She knows she won’t get far without witnesses.” Beau chuckled nastily. “I can guaran-fuckin’-tee that.”

“I think you’ll find that I’m more than witness enough and magical law enforcement isn’t likely to take your word over mine.”

“Oh, really?” Beau cackled. “Who the fuck do you think you are, dude? Some jumped-up school-“

Severus arched an eyebrow. “You have no clue who I am.”

Beau shrugged. “The asshole fuckin’ my wife?”

Severus gathered himself to his full height, towering easily over the shorter man. “I’m Severus Snape. I’m a war hero, you complete fool. Do you really think they wouldn’t give me another medal for defending the defenseless?” Severus got a step closer. “I have looked into the eyes of the Dark Lord and stole his secrets. He may have been a failure and a madman, but he defecated scarier beings than a weak-willed, spineless, little man with less than two brain cells to his credit.”

“Fuck you, man.” Beau clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, rolling his eyes. “She’s pretty and shit, but no pussy is worth all this fuss. I’ll give you money, just get lost.”

Severus looked close to hexing Beau on principle alone, exasperated. “I don’t want your money, you fool, just like de Vilieré doesn’t want you.”

“This had nothing to do with what she wants,” Beau grinned. “It’s about her doing what she needs to do, what she has to do.”

Charlotte tossed her head. “I need to do nothin’, jackass. There is nothin’ you could say-“

“You’ll do or I'll sue for custody and this time I’ll make damn sure I’ll win.”

Charlotte set her jaw. “Over my dead-“

“Don’t tempt me, bitch.”

Severus pressed his wand tighter against his neck. “What did I say about threatening her?”

“Magical Law Enforcement!” Two wizards apparated directly into Madame Rosmerta’s and Severus grinned, stepping back, remaining in front of

Charlotte, physically blocking any last-ditch attack, hands raised.

“Professor, what happened?”

Severus shot a smug look at Beau and turned to consider the patroller. “Hello, Patrolman Jameson. This man-”

“Alton Beauregard.”

Snape nodded at Charlotte. “Alton Beauregard is a guest in our country, who came exclusively to harass and assault his ex-wife, Professor Charlotte de Vilieré, of Hogwarts, and apparently to coerce her into marrying him again. When it became clear that her life was in danger, the Professor broke the disillusionment charm Mr. Beauregard had cast, rather poorly I should mention. I then witnessed him hit her across the face and attempt to drag her from the room by her hair.”

“Is this true, Madame?”

“Before you say anything, think of the consequences.” Beau smiled nastily. “I can make it difficult for you-“

Charlotte made a noise of frustration. “Oh, just shut the fuck up already! We’re not in NOLA anymore, you dumbass. Nobody gives a shit about you or your family here.” Charlotte straightened her spine and turned back to the officers. “Yes, it is. He has a history of physical abuse. I have documentation if you need it.”

It took over an hour. Witness statements were signed, charges pressed, injuries noted and healed.

When it was done, Charlotte collapsed into a chair. Rosmerta patted her on the shoulder and pressed a mug of tea into her hands. “Here, dearie. Catch your breath.”

Charlotte nodded vaguely and whispered a faint, “Thank you.”

Severus sat stiffly in the chair opposite of her.

She stared down into her cup. “Thank you.” She sucked in a breath. “Not gonna lie, wish you hadn’t seen that, but thank you.”

He nodded and they fell silent, her staring into her tea and him staring at her.

“I don’t want…” she swallowed. “I don’t want to be pitied or for people to see me differently.” She glanced up and caught his eyes. “I don’t want you to see me differently.”

He held her eyes and nodded. “I won’t.”

“I don’t want to be treated with kid gloves or as some sort of fragile, broken piece of glass…” she trailed off, blinking rapidly.

“de Vilieré.” She looked up at him. “No one could see what I just saw and think you fragile or broken.”

She considered him quietly and swallowed. “How much did you see?”

“All of it.” He shrugged stiffly. “I knew you’d likely leave the castle after your reaction this morning. And I knew whatever- whoever- it was, terrified you. I wasn’t going to let you…” he trailed off, uncomfortable. “I didn’t know what I’d find but I wasn’t going to let it happen without at least being there when it happened.”

She looked down at her tea cup, running her finger over the brim with a wince. “Why?”

“Because we are colleagues.” He breathed deeply. “Because I have seen the look on your face before on other faces. I may not be the picture of chivalry, but I’m not the kind of man that would send a woman, let alone one of your stature, alone into the type of situation that would engender such fear.”

She nodded. They lapsed into silence again.

“What I don’t understand…” Severus drummed his fingers on the blackened, aged table, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting Beau to come storming through the doors again. “You are an intelligent woman-”

Charlotte snorted into her tea. “Thank you, Severus.”

He slanted a look at her that was verging on baleful, but lacking heat. “You are a reasonably intelligent woman. Why would you willingly go meet him knowing who he is? That was reckless.”

“I knew what he wanted and I know Beau.” She shrugged. “Beau is a dumb fuck, but he isn’t going to risk prison. I reckoned I could get him to leave easily enough.”

“He seemed ready to risk prison.”

“Seemed so, but he’s always been more bluster than balls.” She made a face, shrugging. “He is a coward and always has been. Besides,” she chuckled, “he barely graduated from the Convent. I’m a damn sight better at spellwork and now that no one’s stepping in to fight his battles for him, I figured I could take him if it came to that.”

“Regardless,” Severus shook his head, “It was foolish.”

“Maybe, but it was a risk I was willing to take.” She grinned, it was subdued, quieter than her usual cheeky grin. “I was kinda hoping he would try something so I could hex him into the next decade, but I thank you for your assistance either way.”

“Sorry to disappoint.” He huffed out a laugh. He was quiet a long moment. “Did you ever love him?”

“Beau?” She shook her head. “No, he’s never been my cup of tea.” She inclined the mug in her hand with a small ironic smile. “I have known him most of my life but never… he always scared me.”

“So then an arranged marriage?”

She nodded. “Yep. Duty to family n’all that. Doesn’t matter that he’s a fuckin’ idiot and surely wouldn’t be adding anything of value to the family. We were fortunate that Hadrien takes so strongly after my family. He’s the spittin’ image of my dad and my brother.”

Severus nodded. “I’ve heard that in some cases, one parent’s, typically the mother, intention is so strong as to almost override normal genetic inheritance.”

“We cited some studies to that effect when Beau dragged me to court the first time. He wasn’t willing to accept the results of the magical paternity test or the no-maj format.”

“He doubted paternity?”

She nodded. “He’s a dumbass. Despite the fact that I was very young when I had Hadrien and he resembled my family, not some rando out on the street-“

“And he was abusive and I doubt you would tempt fate in that matter.”

Charlotte made a face and shrugged. “No accounting for taste or intelligence.”

Severus looked off to the side and sighed. “Was he always this abusive? Or did it intensify over time?”

“Like most things, there were cycles. He was never kind, per say, but there were times when he spent more time out than in the house or when his abuse was more verbal or emotional rather than physical. Not that it makes it better, but I had no emotional connection to him and didn’t give a shit about his opinion, so it didn’t really matter.” She stared down into her mug. “I always tried to leave in those quiet moments, but it didn’t really seem to change the result. He would find out, beat the shit outta me. Rinse. Repeat.”

“And he regularly took your wand.”

“Yes… worked that out, did you? He kept it locked in a cabinet and regularly threatened to break it.” She smiled wryly. “I suppose that was actually helpful. I would never be so proficient without-“, she shrugged.

“There was nothing helpful about that man, Charlotte. You are lucky you are resilient and resourceful. You would not have survived otherwise.”

She smiled softly at him. “Thank you, Severus.”

Severus nodded. “Do you worry about your son living with that neanderthal?”

“Of course I worry for my son, but he doesn’t live with his father.” She smiled softly. “I was canny enough, and my father powerful enough, to have the judge declare his father's home unfit. After all, Beau is a busy politician. He’s often not home for days on end. Additionally, when he is in NOLA, he is often out socializing. Surely, a newly single father would not know what to do with the son he barely knows as it is. Hadrien lives with my father and my brother now. Which suits him well. He gets to flit between their labs and learn. How to prepare rare botanicals from my dad, herbalism and healing from my brother and his husband. He’s gonna be a hellova potions master.”

“I see now what you meant about ‘playing Solomon.’” Severus inclined his head, almost respectfully. “You would have made a fine Slytherin.”

She grinned. “I’ve come to that conclusion as well.”

His mouth quirked up at the corner. “How were you finally able to leave?”

“I was able to get a letter out to my father almost two years ago now, detailing all that had happened with the evidence that I had gathered, medical reports, pictures, witness statements, the lot.” She shrugged. “I hadn’t been able to get word to my father until that point anyways but things were escalating. Beau had imperio’d me a couple days prior after a particularly vicious day.”

Severus locked his jaw. “He imperio’d you?”

She nodded. “He had done it before, cher, don’t think too much about it. I wasn’t-“ she paused and sucked in a breath. “It’s not an excuse, of course, but I’m not the ideal woman by New Orleanian standards. I’m difficult and stubborn and opinionated. I have always been open about my dislike of his politics. While I was no longer able to speak openly about my political beliefs, one of his friends reminded him of things I said in school and in the early years of our marriage. He was on the campaign trail and was not amused.”

“So he imperio’d you?” Severus clenched his fist against the table. “I should’ve caused him more damage, more lasting damage.”

“Oh you did.” She grinned. “He’s in jail, Severus, British jail. He’s never been in any situation that he couldn’t weasel his way out of by virtue of his name alone. If nothing else, he’s very uncomfortable and he’s weak, spineless, enough that he will be damaged by this.”

He nodded. “Some comfort, I suppose. Continue. How did you leave this lump of fecal matter?”

She smiled and reached over to pat his hand. “As I said, things were escalating and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to keep myself and my son safe in that house much longer. He had never hit Hadrien but I could see that he was losing what little control he had. Hadrien stepped between us around that time and Beau pushed him out of the way. I think that was the first time Beau realized that Hadrien was bigger than him and there was fear there. I realized that the danger was very real and that I didn’t have as much control as I thought I did.” She paused, turning away to blink rapidly. “Hadrien was no longer safe and, even if he never laid a hand on him… I didn’t want my son finding my body.”

“My…” Severus swallowed. “My father beat my mother and I for most of my life until he died when I was eighteen.” Severus nodded. “I’m- not happy, but I don’t know how or if I would’ve been able to cope with finding my mother. I was at school when it happened. So I suppose I’m fortunate.”

“Your father-“

He nodded and she sucked in a breath. “I’m sorry that you had- I’ve just been vomiting all of this on you. I’m sorry, Severus.”

He shook his head, clearing his throat. “I chose to follow you here and I don’t regret it.”

Charlotte dabbed at fresh tears with her fingertips and nodded. “My father was livid. He told my brother and his husband and the rest is history. We waited until Beau ran for state attorney general and had started to do statewide campaign events, so he would be gone for long stretches at a time. I took my son and I moved back into my childhood home. I retained a lawyer, found the only judge who would listen and got a bullet-proof restraining order. I started collecting evidence and preparing my case. And now I’m here. I’ve been officially divorced for four months and some change.”

“So you moved here almost immediately after.”

“I stayed for two months. I didn’t want to leave my son but I couldn’t stay in New Orleans. I’m not demure enough to listen to people speak about things they knew nothing about without retaliating.” She blushed. “I jinxed an old school rival in broad daylight in the Quarter. Almost got arrested.” She shrugged when he arched a brow at her in askance. “She never did know when to mind her own business.”

He shot her a sly look. “What jinx?”

She gasped dramatically. “Severus!” She swatted at his arm. “Cantis. Since she likes the sound of her own voice so goddamn much.”

“Thank you for telling me this.” Snape paused, almost sympathetically. “I imagine that I may remind you of your husband. I’m sorry for that, Charlotte.”

She looked up and smiled. “You don’t remind me of Beau at all, Severus. Even in the beginning when you seemed determined to run me out of town, I… enjoyed our verbal sparring matches. I was never afraid of you. I felt engaged in a conversation for the first time in a very long time and I think you kept- keep me on my toes and I enjoy that. It’s refreshing.” She pulled one hand from around the mug and passed it over one of his hands briefly. “Also you’re taller.”

He snorted, releasing the breath he had been holding, and nodded, reaching for her mug of tea, which she relinquished with a small look of confusion. “Rosmerta doesn’t know that you don’t drink tea. It’s a shame to waste good tea.” After ordering her a cup of coffee, he reheated the tea silently and took a large, fortifying drink. “You mentioned that Beau was not your ‘cup of tea.’ Not blinded by a handsome face?”

She shook her head, smiling. “No. I prefer substance over style. Beau has always been a flash in the pan.”

“‘Substance over style’.” He drawled, eyes on her.

She nodded and shrugged, watching him from under her eyelashes. “I have always been attracted to intelligent men. Beau could talk his way out of almost anything, sure. He’s a politician. But he is all sound and fury-“

“Signifying nothing.” He drawled, looking down at his cup. “You mentioned earlier that everyone thinks we’re ‘flirting’…”

She sipped at her coffee and made a wordless noise of affirmation.

He caught her eyes. “Are we?”

She smiled. “Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m not not flirting.”

[oraclefreak]

char's ☆ intro !!

general info

argentinian 🇦🇷. english is my 2nd language (grammar mistakes are common). i go by ze/zir pronouns (if you don't support neopronouns; just use he/him or she/her to refer to me), i'm aroace, agender & genderqueer. i belong to a lot of fandoms.

fandoms i'll talk about / reblog

dead poets society, rrverse (mostly pjo/hoo/toa), twisted wonderland, countdown to countdown, hello charlotte, madcom, splatoon, pjsk, vkei (mostly malice mizer, jiluka because the other bands i like have no content)

<3

typology!! (mbti, enneagram, psychosophy & more). physics. history. marine creatures. listening to music. reading. writing poetry or fanfics. movies. cuarteto de nos. molotov (band).

the tags !

# grae yaps a lot = yapyap. don't take me seriously.

# grae blogging era = i pretend to be normal, in a tumblr blog.

# grae's old interests<3 = dps, twst, dhmis, hello charlotte, typology... i've had many interests, and i collect all my reblogs/posts about them in this tag.

# grae writes = the very rare writings compiled. these are mostly fanfics and sometimes poems.

my inbox is always open to chat, say random stuff, send prompts, ask questions, et cetera. i really don't think my blog has a sole purpose.