#cog & fleur

[cuppajj]

On the Beast Yeast theming thing again, my other hope is that Silent Salt and White Lily have Arthurian Legend/Celtic Folklore themes. Credit to my moot @/darkfluffydragon, they pointed out how there’s a lake in their territory (Kala Namak is a type of black salt) so it could be a Lady of the Lake situation, and personally there’s also ample room for parallels between SS being King Arthur and White Lily being Morgan Le Fey, just a reverse version of them. Outside of Morgan, Arthurian Legend has depictions fae involvement: for example the Lady of the Lake is depicted as either human or fae, and the Fae world has also been in tales with Gawain and Percival, two of his round table knights.

This is also just a hc/hope of mine but I also hope SS is themed after a/the Dullahan. They’re a headless rider who mounts a black horse, carrying their head in their hand and a spine whip in the other. They’re sometimes classified as being an Unseelie fae, which would fit nicely in theme with Lily imho, and on top of that, a common way I see the Dullahan drawn are with billowing flames or smoke coming from the stump of their neck. We have no idea if Salt has anything under their helmet, but with how smoke/flame pours out from behind their helmet like a ponytail/feathers, it could just be because the helmet contains the flames inside it right??

BUT then there is the question of where SS’s head would be, which yeah idk, but the Dullahan hc/theory is too fun to pass up imho. As someone who likes Celtic folklore and was ecstatic to see crk fae, I hope we get more references!

[cheaplolita]

[ax-reticule]

OC Profile -  Sister Adelaide Sonnier

General

-Name: Sister Adelaide Sonnier -Nickname(s)/Alias(es): Big Sis, AX Codename Reticule, Addy -Age: Twenty-seven -Gender: Female -Date of Birth: 3033 AD -Astrological Sign: Taurus -Birthplace: Franc Kingdom -Species/Race: Human -Language(s) spoken: French [Native], Italian, Latin, some Imperial -Occupation: Nun, AX Agent, Choir director -Sexual Orientation: Pansexual -Social Status: Ambivert -Relationship Status: Single -Status: Alive

Appearance

-Body Type: Ectomorph, long-limbed with slight muscular definition. -Height: 5′8′’ -Weight: 145 lbs. -Skin Color: Medium olive. -Hair/Fur Color: Light blonde. -Eye Color: N/A -Distinguishing Features: A pair of cybernetic pieces replace her organic eyes. There is heavy scarring around her eye sockets.  -Attire: A variation of the male cassocks. All black with silver and steels detailing. A short caplet that hangs midway between her shoulder to her elbow. Her boots reach up to the knee and buckle to the sides, a plate of steeled armor on each knee as well as her left shoulder.  -Accessories: A rosary hangs from her neck with her own cross; a silver fleur de lis cross with a cog and reticle set at the center. She keeps dark, round sunglasses on her person to wear in public to mask the full appearance of her “eyes”.

Health

-General health: Slightly above average. Adelaide likes to keep up her stamina and likes to run a lot and excels in agility courses. Unfortunately she has picked up on smoking in recent years and has noticed a small toll it’s had on her lung capacity, she’s taken to chewing gum to try to kick the habit.  -Any physical illnesses?: N/A -Any mental illnesses?: PTSD -Other: Adelaide was born blind. She gained the ability to see from her enhancements when she was sixteen. 

Mental/Emotional State

-Archetype: Innocent, Everyman, Outlaw -Alignment: Lawful Good -Thinking Type (Emotional or logical?): Emotional -Emotional-wise: Adelaide tries to keep a level-head and be logical in most situations. She needs a steady hand to pull the trigger in stressful situations. She comes off as emotionally detached and distant, she’s not the best at displaying expressions. Although a typically patient woman, there are certain things that can set off her temper; harming children, or being referred to as “robotic”. 

Traits

-Likes: Birds, bells, target practice, opera, sparkling water, whistling, parkour, children, people who aren’t frightened by her appearance, choir, heights, bubble gum. -Dislikes: Having maintenance done on her “eyes”, sour candies, dresses. -Hobbies: Bird watching, people watching, mimicking bird calls, shooting ranges, running, singing. -Habits: Popping or blowing bubbles with her gum, smoking, needing to physically map out of location. She will walk around a room to touch the furniture and mentally note the distances between objects.  -Strengths: Exceptional sight, can focus her optics to see clearly at distances eight times of the average human. Sniping is her preferred position or simply being used for recon. She has a great sense of proximity, being able to sense presences that are close even if they’re not within her range of sight. She’s fast on her feet and good at climbing to put distance between herself and an enemy.  -Weaknesses: Strong electromagnetic fields can temporarily shut down her optics. She’s not physically strong and would struggle in hand-to-hand combat.  -Skills/Abilities: Sniping from great distances with accuracy. Her optics have the ability to record, as well. They play back at her command as a projection.  -Secrets: She’s jealous of Tres. She doesn’t think it’s fair that he gets to look “more human” than she does. -Fears: Not being able to protect those in need, innocents being lost to war, large bodies of water, doctors, Methuselah.  -Goals: To fulfill her “divine” purpose and earn forgiveness. 

Favorites

-Food: Aligot -Color: Blue -Animal: Citril Finch -Holiday: All Saints’ Day -Season: Spring -Type of art: Neoclassical -Genre of music: Opera -Genre of literature: Fairytale -Genre of shows: N/A -Genre of movies: N/A

Personality Traits

Distant, moralistic, empathetic, persistent, reliable, stubborn, tactless, jealous, fair, faithful, selfless, dogmatic.

Relationships

TBD

Biography

Bishop Donadieu had a long history with the Vactican, originally joining their ranks out of college to join the Department of Inquisition to aid in their weaponry. While particularly skilled with electronics, he boasted a doctorate in biochemical engineering and sought to use lost technology to "better" human bodies. It was his belief that this was the key to surpassing the Methuselah. He was eventually dismissed of his position and he fled Rome to the far side of Franc, taking up the empty opening of a congregation needing a leader. His cover was working well and he was able to slowly instill his ideas within the people of their region. One morning, he found a newborn placed on the steps of his church. Born of an impoverished young couple of a farm from a neighboring village, Adelaide never got the opportunity to meet her biological family. Frightened of the expenses a child with total blindness would cost them, Adelaide was left in a basket with nothing but a blanket. It was Bishop Donadieu that gifted her name and built a place within the Church for her to stay. The event inspired him, leading to an addition to the building and more children brought underneath his wing. Kindred Hearts All Girl’s Orphan Home.    In her youthful years, Adelaide developed a keen ear for sound. Her favorite past times were climbing into the church rafters, despite the scolding of the Sisters watching over her, to hear the bells more closely. She taught herself to mimic the birds that she would often hear, memorizing each by sound, and eventually her fascination travels to the human voice. The young girl became involved with the choir. Papa, however, saw different potential in her. Her skills could be honed to make a soldier. When she wasn't looking after the girls and running the choir, her free time begins to dwindle away with more responsibilities and training.     On her sixteenth birthday Papa offered Adelaide a gift; a chance at sight and to become his first living test subject. Much to his surprise, Adelaide had rejected the proposition. She was content with her existence and saw no reason to change herself.     Negating her request, Papa carried on with the surgery regardless. It was, in his mind, a huge success. With the gift of sight also came a great resentment. Adelaide was furious about what he had done to her, but over time he eventually convinced her that her gift was all part of God’s plan. She had a purpose and a duty and he simply gave her the tools to carry it out.     Adelaide stayed with the Orphanage, even after she came of age she took on the role of a caretaker and an underling to Papa’s demands. The young nun had one request in exchange for her service: she would be his last project.      Years of servitude pass and all seems to be going well. For the sake of secrecy, Adelaide is kept hidden from most outsiders with the exceptions of Papa’s inner circle and the children that she cares for. She becomes more antiquated with her “gifts” and all their capabilities, and training herself to use them in a way that her Papa deems appropriate. Watching from the rooftops in the late hours of the night, Adelaide promises to be a protector of their home.      A string of disappearances of girls from the orphanage puts their home on high alert. Papa has convinced all that this is the beginning of the vampire’s invasions. This is when AX is sent to intervene and Adelaide makes her unfortunate discovery. All the missing girls had been located, suffering a fate similar to their dear sister Addy, but the outcome had not been so favorable for them.      Being convinced to not deal the killing blow to her former father figure, Adelaide agrees instead to testify against him. Left feeling defeated, she decides to take this as an opportunity to find a new purpose. She had a gift to use, however, it needed to be redirected. Sister Adelaide transfers to Rome and offers her services up to the Papal State Affairs Special Operations Section.

[slkimono]

furisode: Mizuki Factory sakura furisode 2014 pink tabi, geta: !1mm***   furisode2014 kawaii tabi.geta kanzashi, earrings: C&F Cherry Blossom Hair DooDad | C&F Emerald Blossom Hair Sticks (Left) | C&F Gold Emerald Blossom Earrings head: CATWA HEAD HDPRO Queen NonBentoEar v1.4 body: Tonic - Fine Beauty v7.1 hair: *barberyumyum*hairbase(Black) | TRUTH HAIR Sakura Hair (1 Side) skin: Cecilia Make50113b-face07-Sakura and sakura_Tattoo_LB | +OM+ Sakura freckles[Pink] eyes: (Enfer Sombre*) BoM Eyes - Blue {Black}

[liliths-den]

6 Eggs, & Spider Legs

Ready for Easter ?

If your answer is yes, come to Lilith’s Den, touch the poster for a basket (optional) and the HUD.

HUD as well optional, unless you want the goodies from 13 other stores *wink & smile* Just go around the store(s), find the 6 eggs and buy contents for 0L$ – That Easy!

And here is the kickass load of goodies I made for this – free, by the way – Easter Hunt Yup that’s a bit more…

[eveneechan]

Fantastic Beasts Pairs Myth & Symbolism Part 3: Jaqueenie (Rain)

For Jaqueenie Day 2021 event

******

1. Rain

Almost all of Jacob and Queenie's separate scenes have rain in it

FB1:

-the iconic umbrella rain kiss at New York

FB2:

-When they fought at London

-When Queenie search for Jacob at Paris

On poster:

There's umbrella rain symbol for Jacob and Queenie FB2 poster

Headcanon:

Rain symbolize "the storm" in their relationship. They are forbidden lovers of Witch and No-maj; A star-crossed lover.

Rain also symbolised the feeling of left-out and alone.

2. Augury/Augurey

Augurey, also known as the Irish Phoenix. The mournful cry of the Augurey is used to predict rainfall, and but it was once thought to foreshadow death.

In the ancient Roman, Augury is practise of foretelling the future by observing the flight patterns of birds. Today the word more generally means, "a sign of what will happen in the future; an omen."

On movie:

When Jacob get ready to go to Paris for Queenie, he have a little interaction with Augurey.

On poster:

There's Augurey symbol in Jaqueenie poster for FB2

Headcanon:

Augurey is another symbol of rain for Jaqueenie.

The interaction of Augurey with Jacob maybe symbolise "the storm" will coming in Jaqueenie relationship and it really happen in end of CoG

3. La Jacqueenie

La Jacqueenie est une fleur magique qui pousse sous la pluie. La Jacqueenie sent comme le pain fraîchement cuit et se nourrit des bonnes pensées.

La Jacqueenie is a magical flower that grows in the rain. It smells like freshly baked bread and feeds on good thoughts.

On movie: there's a store with name La Jacqueenie.

Jacqueenie/Jaqueenie is ship name for Jacob and Queenie, and turned out it is base on a flower name: La Jacqueenie

4. Moth

Moth is a symbol of two contrast meanings: faith and vulnerability. In some cultures, Moth also have been linked to dark side of magic; it was the darker side of the butterfly.

It also symbolise vigilance and determination, but also self-destructive tendencies of blind faith.

On film: Queenie wore a Moth pin on CoG as symbolism of her 'dark metamorphosis’. She got 'blinded' by grindelwald's offer because of her love for Jacob.

****

For Part 1: Newtina and Part 2: Goldstein sisters, check on the note for the link!

[tcnks]

WHO: @grcngernotes​​ WHERE: The Burrow, Ottery St Catchpole / The Twin’s (and Nigel’s) Residence, between Cog and Bell Clockmakers and Concordia and Plunkett Musical Instruments, Carkitt Market. WHEN: 21 March, 2003

Act One: The Dinner Party—

 If Tonks had learned anything about surviving interrogation (or as it was known around these parts as, dinner time), it was the necessity of misdirection. The average Weasley gathering was like an elaborate game of hot potato in which the potato was whatever secret you were trying to conceal — letting the topic of conversation turn to yourself (or the Weasley she’d somehow become responsible for accompanying to these occasions) for too long spelled disaster — and there was more than enough disaster nosediving into theirs and Charlie’s lives right now without Charlie’s family getting their imaginations involved. Fleur’s hawk-like stares and Molly’s nose for trouble had been strategically placed at either end of the table, a small relief given the levels of interrogation Tonks had already endured the day prior. 

Worse than all of these things and sawing at Tonks’ very last nerve, however, was the smug expression on Hermione Granger’s face whenever they locked eyes — like she knew something, or at the very least thought she did. Granger was not their favourite person. Hermione’s repeated stampeding through cases that she had no business involving herself in (if she wanted so badly to involve herself in criminal investigations she should go to the academy instead of blundering into other people’s departments thinking she knew better) had obliterated the chances of enough convictions that Tonks had come to associate her with an impending feeling of dread. That same dread had settled heavily over their section of the dinner table with each passing moment.

“Is there a problem?” They hadn’t meant to say it, but on catching Hermione’s smug expression as they batted away another question about any interesting cases lately, it slipped out before they could stop it. And if Tonks had already started there really was no reason to keep their mouth shut. Restraint wasn’t exactly their best quality lately. “You keep looking over here like you have something to say.”

[ultravi01ett]

+ Dreamcatcher + Aleksandra Vintage pose set by Ultravi01ett + Dreamcatcher Via Flickr: Exclusive for L'Elite Event 10-30th May maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Ecliptic/59/52/1502 Each set includes: 5 single classic poses and mirror for it, simple pose stend. Clatch, umbrella and bouqet NOT included. See the links in my blog ultraviolett-nn.blogspot.ru/2017/05/dreamcatcher-vintage-...

[pixigirl]

Feeling a little sleepy - Pt. 2

@ladynoirjuly2020 - days 13

A miraculous ladybug role play with 2 more parts coming. This is a typed version of an amazing role play I was part of in the Tumblr chat called Miraculous Ladybug Role play. Owner: @viperionx

Participants: @pixigirl and @fleur-de-jasmin-fdj

All fluff some angst.

Chapter name: Yes he did fall asleep 

Context: pre-reveal. Adrien had taken his lady back to his house so that she wouldn’t get a cold.

Marinette

Adrien

 (Adrien’s room)

*Mari starts waking up because yes Adrien fall asleep*

*Grabs her closer cause he noticed her moving while he was still sleeping*

Mmm where am I *slowly opens her eyes*

*internally* Oh no I fell asleep didn’t I. And who is this holding me??? *turns around*

*murmurs as he sleeps* mm ladybug…

*screams loudly and scrambles to the other side of the bed*

*wakes up* what happened? Akuma attack? *sees ladybug and jumps away*

A-adrien!!!

L-ladybug

*thinks: omg did I just sleep with Adrien…all night…in his bed*

*quickly looks down to check she is still LB* phew.

*thinks: did I just spend the night with love of my life*

Um what happened *trying to keep composure*

Uh.. You fell asleep?

*cogs start turning* n-no. I was on patrol with chat and then…

*Damn she will figure it out. Internal panic*

Chat Noir brought you here…cause… he doesn’t want you to get a cold!

Ok… *kind of believing it*

*sighs in relief*

What happened after that though. Wait did he just leave me!

N-no of course not *scoffs* He.. left to get breakfast!

Oh that’s so nice of him. But why are you here. I mean it is your house but…

*blushes* C-cause you me into the bed while you were asleep *scratches behind head*

I did what!

*blush deepens* Y-yeah

*I really did just spend the night with Adrien Agreste*

*shocked at her subconscious self. Wow I am needy*

*how will I explain that Chat Noir didn’t get breakfast soon*

Isn’t chat taking a while?

He will probably be here soon, it’s probably crowded. In the mean while I should go shower brb

*runs to bathroom, turns no water and transforms* *he goes to the bakery*

*softly to herself* this is a weird time to have a shower but okay. *begins to look around the room*

Ooh cool piano, basketball ring, climbing wall! Wow he really does have everything Nino was right.

*Marinette begins to sing and while she is chat returns and plays the piano along side her*

https://open.spotify.com/track/3iJya7m7trpGv570Ske30n?si=CPVrelObS7aptv2OqlMdXA

*the song ends*

Wow chat I never knew you played?

What can I say, I am a cat of many talents. I didn’t know you sang.

*blushes* Yeah. So breakfast?

I placed it on the table there *points towards his coffee table*

Yum! What is it? *opens bag*

Croissants from the Dupain-Cheng bakery

w-wait. Did you say Dupain-Cheng bakery?!

Yeah. If you haven’t tried it you probably should. They are the best in Paris.

Uh huh. What time is it?

Its noon.

*drops the bag* shoot shoot shoot!

What’s wrong?

I’m late, I’m late, late! *she says she shakes both her and chat*

*grabs her wrists* late for what?

Umm nothing I gotta go!

Take some croissants with you. Your probably hungry.

*starts breaking down* I don’t know what to do. What will they say. How will I tell them.

*hugs her* what’s wrong?

M-m-my parents they will be so worried, I didn’t come home last night.

*strokes her hair* It’s okay you will find a solution. They will be more worried if their daughter returned in tears.

Y-yeah I got to get it together.

*wipes her tears* You can do it, little bug. You probably left for patrol through the window so maybe return to it and go to bed and pretend your asleep?

It’s too late in the day. I sleep in, but not that much. *cries even more* what will I do

*hugs her tighter and rubs her back* shh shh it will be okay. Maybe call a friend to cover for you.

Y-yeah yeah. I’ll call Alya. You can do this Marinette.

*surprised* M-Marinette.

Yes? *wipes her tears*

It’s you *smiles and hugs her tightly*

Who else would it be *looks down at her costume* oh right.

Ahhhh why does the universe hate me!!! I’ve gotta call Alya. I can’t do this.

I am sure no one is capable of hating you.

Oooh I’m sure they can

Nah, no one can.

I beg to differ

*holder phone to her ear*

Bugaboo you can’t seriously believ-

Uh uh uh shhh *holds out find to signal he must wait*

Alya thank God. I need you to cover for me. I accidentally spent the night with Adrien. Explain later. My parents will be worried. Can you say I was at yours?

You love Alya and not me. Meowch I am hurt *pretends to be in pain*

Awww stop it. Mmmmhmmmm yep thanks again. Ok bye hun

No buginette you hate meeeee…. *whines*

You know that’s not true *cups his face*

So you do loooooooooooooove me?!

Your amazing chaton. Thank you for taking care of me back there. I really needed it. But I really gotta go. *starts heading for the window*

*grabs her wrist and spins her back towards him and kisses her*

*speechless* w-w-what was t-that for?

What? Can’t you knight have a goodbye kiss? 

My knight?

Of course, every princess needs her knight in shining leather to save her.

I think this princess can save herself. But seriously thank you.

Without any doubt and your welcome m’lady

Bug out *swings out window*

--end part 2--

[crimsonrae]

Across the Road, At the Brothel

Chapter Three

Summary: Jaskier fell in love any day that the sun rose in the East. It was a trifling, pleasurable experience for him. Even when he was jumping out a window to avoid cuckolded husbands. So what happens when his trifles start to become more significant? Jaskier/OC. Some Yennefer/Geralt

A/N: Jaskier is just too adorable not to write about. This is a relationship development story with an OC. There will be smut in later chapters and plenty of angst.

Rating: Mature

Dithering Darkness"You are a very hard person to track down."

Lyrra held in a huff of exasperation as an all too familiar voice greeted her. She had taken less than a step into the Rose and Pine before being accosted. Wearily, she turned around to see Jaskier lounging against the wall with a pint in hand. His expression smug as if he were a cat that had just caught the bird. It was as annoying as it was endearing. She arched a brow at him before continuing for the kitchens, "Apparently not hard enough."

Heavier footsteps followed her.

"Don't you want to know why I was looking for you?" Jaskier queried expectantly.

"Not really." Lyrra responded glibly and came to an abrupt stop, Jaskier barely kept himself from crashing into her as she turned to give him a pointed look. He blinked confused before realizing they were at the threshold for the tavern's kitchen. She smiled as he frowned at her, "I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyway."

She stepped over the threshold and immediately turned left passing through the curtained door of a small pantry. She left her spare clothes on a shelf near the bottom. Unconsciously, she began to undress before remembering her handsome stalker. She eyed the curtain warily before letting her dress drop to the floor. An audible inhale reached her ears and she bit the inside of her cheek but refused to acknowledge the thrill that tore through her veins at the sound, "I swear, Bard, if you're looking..."

"Oh relax. The curtain stops at your lovely calves which are covered by boots sadly. I simply wasn't expecting you to disrobe... Though, do you really have to wear that dreadful frock?"

Lyrra rolled her eyes, "Yes, I have only two dresses, Jaskier, and I do not want them ruined by sloshed ale or food remnants. Not to mention men don't seem to notice me as much in this frock."

Jaskier snorted faintly, "Trust me, you're still noticeable."

"You're impossible."

"Thank you."

Lyrra shook her head ruefully as she finished donning her dress and apron. This would be Jaskier's fourth night performing at the Rose and Pine and he had done wonders in bringing the locals and the few travelers Glynedol had inside for some entertainment. To be fair, the lack of merchants had most in the town starved for news and stories from other regions and the bard had those in spades it seemed. She had been kept busy by the crowds, but somehow, someway when she had a spare minute to breathe, Jaskier always managed to appear at her side. Much to her relief, he had stopped with his more flowery comments. Instead, she was partied to his more jocular observations, usually about the Rose's audience or the town, sometimes about his companion, almost never about himself. At least nothing personal that couldn't be gleaned by a few moments in his presence, but in fairness, he never asked her anything terribly personal either. She was grateful for that...

She snatched her scarf and began wrapping it around her head as she stepped out of the pantry. Jaskier watched her practiced movements with keen eyes, "Let me guess, my headscarf bothers you too."

He grinned impishly, "Everything you wear bothers me, but I doubt you'll alleviate my pain by disrobing again."

Lyrra flushed, knowing that was exactly what he had been hoping for by the way his eyes danced. Incorrigible flirt was what he was – and if he hadn't also shown signs of being astonishingly sweet then Lyrra wouldn't have put up with his attentions, "You know where the brothel is."

"And subject myself to Madam Hatchet." Jaskier replied with a raised brow, "No, thank you."

Lyrra sent him a disapproving look at the harsh description of the Le Fleur's owner, "Madam Tyssa is actually rather kind. Just because she hasn't aged well, doesn't mean she deserves those comments."

Far from being chastised, Jaskier gave her a pointed look as he recalled his one and only trip inside the brothel, "Oh yes, that's why you had to pay her to look after your drunken friend now, was it? Did that from the deep caverns of her heart, I'm sure."

Lyrra's grey orbs widened slightly, not realizing that Jaskier had seen the exchange of money – even if he was wrong about the cause for the payment, "That coin wasn't for Nigel, but for a different service. Is there -"

His finger shot up as he realized she was about to change the subject; an expression of pure curiosity painted his face. Lyrra nearly groaned as she saw the cogs turning in his head as he interrupted her, "Whoa -ho, hang on a minute. You are not honestly going to just glide past that particular comment. What services did you require from a brothel?"

"None of your business." Lyrra retorted lightly as she fought back a smile. His azure gaze outright gleamed with entertainment and it was hard not to be pulled in by his infectious emotions, "I have work to do."

"Oh please, tell me it was something utterly scandalous and naughty with one of those skimpily clad women." Jaskier pressed, not the least bit dissuaded as she walked away from him. "Don't tell me it was Madam Hatchet."

Lyrra shook her head in amusement, "Absolutely impossible. You're ridiculous."

"A man can dream and this one will." He sounded entirely too satisfied as he trailed after her.

It was early afternoon, far earlier than she usually came in and if Lyrra was being honest she had arrived early to see if Jaskier was about. As much as she didn't want to encourage him, her life was a little less dull when he was around. As it stood, there weren't many people to serve yet. Mirel, for once, was doing her job and serving the customers and Hillard was overseeing preparations in the kitchen. The only thing she could do was wipe down tables, "I thought you had something to tell me?"

Jaskier blinked for a moment before remembering his earlier words to her, "And I thought you didn't want to know."

Lyrra raised a disbelieving brow but refrained from comment as she grabbed a rag from behind the bar. It hadn't taken her long to figure out that Jaskier did not care for silences. He filled the void with words and songs, half of it was nonsense – but, she figured if Jaskier ever found himself in a position to be tortured, the torturer wouldn't need to do much, just remain silent and the bard would either spill everything or talk the man in circles. True to form, Jaskier fidgeted and began talking again, "Not so much something to tell you, but ask."

Lyrra paused in her movements. The old rag trapped between her hand and the bar as she turned an awaiting gaze in his direction. He fidgeted again, "I hear tell that sometimes you act as a laundress in this fair town for some extra coin."

There was a beat of silence.

"You want me to wash your clothes." She stated bluntly, but then took the time to actually study him. He was clean, hair swept to the side even as an errant tendril fell over his forehead. His doublet was a little mused, but not terribly dirty – then she noticed the lack of a white-collar that usually peaked out from his doublet. Surprisingly, he kept still under her evaluation– a sheepish smile twitching at the corners of his lips as she stated more than asked, "You're not wearing a shirt, are you?"

"Uh, well no..." Jaskier answered as he rocked back on his heels, "I haven't been able to find the innkeeper since taking my room, otherwise I'd ask him about such services. I'd pay you, of course."

Lyrra frowned briefly at the comment. Owain, the innkeeper, was a regular of the Rose and Pine, it was unlike him to neglect his guests. Actually, now that she thought of it, he hadn't been in for a few days. Concern churned her gut but she masked it with a faint smile, "If you have it all together, I can stop by your room after I'm done here tonight and pick it up and drop it by tomorrow once it's done."

Jaskier sighed in relief, "Thank the gods. You are a star in the dithering blackness. Your name-"

"It's still going to be four crowns, Jaskier." Lyrra cut his flattery tirade off dryly as she resumed wiping the bar.

"Four crowns! Now, hold on – the other barmaid said you charge two!" Jaskier protested, his mouth turning into an incredulous frown.

Lyrra shrugged and reached across the bar to tug at the sleeve of his doublet, "Most of the townsfolk wear light cottons and wools. Quick and easy to wash. You're wearing silks and velvets which require more care. Unless you want your clothes ruined then I can do a basic wash."

He didn't know that she usually charged the locals only a few coppers or an exchange of food for this service. Travelers were charged two crowns as Mirel had told him. She would charge three for the fancier fabrics, but she had seen the amount of coin that Jaskier had pulled and knew he could well afford more than four crowns.

"No..." He drawled sulkily as he eyed her suspiciously, "Highway robbery is what this is. Four crowns for a bloody washing, now who's being ridiculous."

Lyrra snickered quietly and bestowed him with a smug grin, "Still you."

»»————-　　————-««

It wasn't until Lyrra was standing outside the inn that she realized the mistake she had made. Jaskier had only performed a few songs that night, much preferring to mingle with a few of the new travelers, swapping stories and news from other regions. He had also spent a good deal of time by himself, scribbling in a little journal he carried. It was the only time she had seen him so... quiet. As a result, he had been by her side within moments after she had finished her rounds for the night. Hillard had promised to take care of the last few patrons hanging around the pub.

Now, she eyed the bard carefully as they made their way inside. He hadn't done more than give her a passing smile since they had left. No quips about coming to his room, or flirtatious comments about staying for a bit. She found it odd. After all, he hadn't really missed an opportunity the past few days to play the role of the charming scoundrel.

"Are you okay?" Lyrra questioned quietly, not sure if she wanted to disturb the unusual passivity she was observing.

Jaskier blinked for a moment, as if remembering she was there, before smiling reassuringly, "I'm fine. Just tired I suppose." He stopped before a door and drew a key from his pocket. He paused, "Wait here, I need to change."

She quirked a brow, once again struck by the lack of innuendo. He stepped inside, but just as the door was about to close, he caught it and flashed her a small grin, "Unless of course, you'd like to join me."

Lyrra nearly sighed in relief at that comment, even as she shook her head at him, "Jaskier."

"Didn't think so." He stated mournfully and let the door shut.

She covered her face as she snorted in amusement. He truly was ridiculous.

And quick.

Lyrra didn't have to wait long at all before, Jaskier was pulling the door open again. He had on a loose white linen shirt that looked a size too big for him and a pair of brown cotton breeches that had seen better days and strangely looked a little tight on him. She tilted her head curiously as she studied him, "Are those even your clothes?"

Jaskier glanced up at her as he sat on the edge of his bed. His hands were already tugging his boots back on as he shrugged, "The shirts not, but my trousers are. Why? Do they not look like something I'd wear? I know they're a little plainer than what you've seen me in -"

"They don't fit." Lyrra cut in as she purposefully kept her gaze on his face and not his too-tight breeches.

Jaskier paused in consideration before making a face that said, 'that's fair'. He finished lacing his boots and grabbed his knapsack filled with his dirty clothes. He had only discovered that morning how vastly disgusting his wardrobe had become. He nearly cursed the last laundress, before remembering it had been several weeks since he had last seen a laundress, "Alright, let's go."

"Go?" Lyrra intoned lowly as she held out a hand for his bag, "I do believe you're at your room – unless you intend to go back to the brothel in which case, by all means. Just pass me your bag first."

"Uh, no." It was a strange battle of wills as Jaskier crossed his arms and met her stare head-on. While she was becoming annoyed, he was amused, "It's late and I told your barkeep I would see you safely home tonight. Apparently, that's something he does quite often. Now, you wouldn't want to make me break my word, would you?"

Lyrra blinked, this was the second time he had alluded to asking after her and she wasn't sure how she felt about it. She frowned, "I won't tell, if you don't."

"I will. Bard, remember." He replied joyfully before snagging her still outstretched hand and pulling her out the door, "Now, where to?"

"Jaskier." Lyrra huffed exasperated and tried to reach up and pull the strap of his bag from his shoulder.

He dodged out of her way with a laugh, "No, that's my name, not a direction. Think of it this way, you now know where I'm staying – it's only fair I get to see where you live."

Lyrra rolled her eyes and turned to stomp away from, "Are you always this annoyingly stubborn?"

"Ha, that's a laugh coming from you. Pot and kettle, darling."

He was unscathed by the glower she sent in his direction. Despite her reluctant mien, if she had been truly aggrieved by his presence, he would have left her in Hillard's capable hands. Though, he had the feeling she wouldn't take too kindly to the implication that she needed protection. Most of their trip was spent bickering, it was only when they left the edges of Glynedol that Lyrra's pace began to slow and Jaskier took notice of their surroundings.

"I didn't realize you lived so far from town." Jaskier murmured as they approached a dirt path.

Lyrra hummed and gave him a pointed glance, "You've seen for yourself that Glynedol isn't exactly a bustling metropolis. Most of us live on the edges or on farms. My home is not too much further. Just to the end of this path."

Tall grassy fields lined either side of their walk and Jaskier could spot patches of yellow mustard flowers, even in the dark. Ahead a large oak tree caught his attention, Lyrra watched as he took in the rope dangling listlessly from the branches, "They haven't removed it from the last hanging."

Jaskier blanched and turned wide eyes on her, "What?"

"It was a real shame." She murmured quietly; her gaze solemn. Jaskier's mouth moved soundlessly as he tried to find what words he wanted to ask first. Lyrra turned to him, "If only he hadn't pestered the local barmaid so much."

Jaskier's gaze narrowed and Lyrra burst into a fit of laughter, unable to keep a straight face any longer, "It's just a swing, Jaskier."

As if to prove her words, she jogged forward and stepped onto the wooden plank that acted as a seat. He hadn't noticed it before, but now he dropped his sack against the tree trunk and gave the ropes a slight pull, casting her forward, "You are absolutely a terror. I bet you were a terror as a child."

She smiled impishly at him, "Could say the same of you, I bet."

"More like terrified, than terror." Jaskier muttered sardonically. He surprised her when the swing came towards him again and instead of giving a slight push to the ropes, he stepped onto the plank with her. His foot sandwiched between hers, his hands gripping the rope just above her fingers as they continued to swing lazily. He smiled roguishly, "Hello."

"Hello." Lyrra had muffled her gasp at having him so close and found her voice to be a little breathier than she had intended. Heat began to fill her cheeks and she tried to find the strength to let go of the rope and step away, but she was caught. Made immobile by curious sparkling blue eyes and a smile so gentle, that she wondered if he knew what she was thinking.

It didn't matter, as Jaskier leaned forward and tentatively brushed his lips against hers. When Lyrra didn't rebuke him, he pressed forward and claimed a true kiss. Her eyes fluttered shut and she hummed softly at the lush feel of his lips. This was good... it felt right and that surprised her enough to draw back slightly.

Jaskier didn't seem to notice her sudden hesitation as he rested his head against hers, "I have been waiting four days to do that."

Lyrra smiled even as she stated, "I'm not sleeping with you."

"Don't ruin the moment."

He wrapped an arm around her waist and stepped back to the ground. His other hand dove into her thick locks as soon as they were settled safely and he stole another kiss. This one deeper, more passionate and Lyrra found her hands smoothing a path across his taut stomach as she became lost in his touch. He tasted of ale and mint, and he felt solid and strong... safe.

She groaned as he pulled away and turned his attentions to her neck, "Jaskier, we should stop."

He pressed a lingering kiss at the corner of her jaw and eyed her carefully, "Hearing you moan my name like that is absolutely delicious. Now you just need to change the ones that follow..."

"Jaskier." She breathed a laugh.

"Yes, just like that." He grinned and claimed her lips again.

She wasn't sure how long they stood like that, simply kissing. It could have been a few minutes or an hour, she knew she didn't want to stop, even as a little voice in the back of her head reminded her of the late hour. Reluctantly, she pulled away from him and he sighed in acceptance.

She grabbed his bag before he had a chance to and turned with crossed arms. It was her barrier, feeble as it was, "It's probably best if I continue on from here and you head back."

"Hmm." He hummed, not inclined to agree as he mimicked her position, "Only if I can have one last taste of your sweet lips."

Lyrra hesitated, suspicious, "And you'll go?"

He nodded benignly.

Taking a breath, she stepped forward and pull his head down to meet hers – this time she was the one claiming the kiss as he pulled her into his body. Silky, her thoughts offered faintly as her fingers entwined his hair. Dimly, she was aware of the strap to his bag falling to her wrist as she clenched at his shirt. It only took a faint nip and a gasp on her part, before she realized that the strap hadn't so much as fallen, as Jaskier had maneuvered it onto his shoulder. She peered at him thru mockingly narrowed eyes, "Sneak."

He grinned smugly, "Well you did say, I had a future as a thief." He grabbed her hand before she had a chance to take the bag back and turned her back towards the path, "Lead on, Lyrra."

They hadn't made twenty steps when Lyrra broke away from him with a gasp, "Oh my..."

He frowned and followed her into the fields, not seeing what had her attention until he looked down. Lying on the ground was the large form of a wounded man. The undeniable shock of white hair was all Jaskier needed to see to know who he was staring at. Geralt lay face down, blood seeped from his neck and back. Lyrra quickly pulled her scarf from her pocket to try and stem the flow. She looked up panicked as Jaskier muttered, "Bollocks."

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[bookishable]

harry potter opinions

not all of these are unpopular

dumbledore should have been in slytherin

the only reason people ship dramione is because they think the actors are good looking, if the characters had been played by actors who aren’t conventionally attractive people wouldn’t ship them

draco and hermione are just not compatible at all

fred’s death was the worst one

the golden trio belong in gryffindor because they use the traits they have from other houses in order to be brave (harry has ambition to survive and a strong sense of self-preservation, ron’s loyalty helps him defend others “if you want to kill harry you’ll have to kill us too”, yeah thanks for ruining that movies, and hermione often uses her intelligence to find solutions and work a way out of a situation)

kreacher is more likeable than dobby

on balance the order of the phoenix is the worst film

i agree that the sorting system should be based on the traits you value most not the ones you have, and if this is canon then it should have been made clearer in the books

snape is not a good person but one of the best characters

it’s pointless to compare james and snape to figure out who is a worse person they had totally opposite lives

slughorn is a better example of a flawed but good character/person than snape

luna embodies ravenclaw house more than any other character

it sucks that ravenclaw has only luna as good character representation, we had cho who became a bigger character, but so many people in the fandom hate her and her relationship with harry ended badly from his pov

harry potter is the most underrated character in harry potter which is a crime

kreacher’s tale should have been in the films

percy, fred, george and ron could all have fitted in slytherin fight me

the best portrayed character in the films was snape

most of the hogwarts professors were also very accurate to the books and well acted, especially mcgonagall, sprout, lockhart, flitwick and madame pomfrey (although she should have had more lines from the books)

oh and also filch

daniel radcliffe looked most like harry potter in prisoner of azkaban

charlie and ginny fit in gryffindor the most out of all the weasleys

ravenclaws are probably the ones who procrastinate the most

peter pettigrew is such an interesting character

dean thomas needs more appreciation

ron and hermione are simultaneously the best couple and the most annoying couple

pettigrew should be viewed as a true marauder not just someone who tagged along with the other three because that’s what made his betrayal so terrible

regulus black deserved better

fleur delacour is underrated but i’m glad to see she’s starting to get more appreciation now

i could write a 300 page essay on how amazing harry and ron’s friendship is

it annoys me when people make harry potter as vines videos and just stick the name padfoot over any video of a dog even if it has no relation to sirius

most of harry’s escapes were due to luck and i love that he acknowledges that

but this doesn’t make him any less brave or skilled

the deathly hallows is the best book

the idea that mary poppins is a witch is more canon than hogwarts being a school (which isn’t saying much because honestly the only thing the students learnt there was that they lived in close proximity to several things that could kill them)

dumbledore is a better person than everyone makes him out to be

aberforth dumbledore is underrated

the best house pairing is slytherin and hufflepuff

harry should have named his children sirius, remus and ruby (rubeus), but i totally get why he used his parents and dumbledore’s names even though i can’t accept severus or luna

i still love harry and luna’s friendship and i guess since ginny was close friends with her too they both chose her name

jk rowling is not a bad person, yes she has done some controversial things, but people should be more appreciative of the world she created and how she encouraged generations of children to read

harry and hermione’s friendship is so precious

i love ron because he is a realistic character and a great guy

the crimes of grindelwald should have been named ‘the rise of grindelwald’

people need to stop complaining about characters being portrayed as poc in fan art, these artists dedicate their time to creating something and it’s their choice how they interpret the characters

also i’m sure lots of artists don’t design them this way just to encourage diversity, it can simply be a stylistic choice and some probably just prefer to draw them this way

not all slytherins are obsessed with the colour green omg

same applies to the other houses and their house colours, i just see the slytherin one more frequently

voldemort’s movie death is atrocious

but cool use of cgi i guess

ginny and ron were ruined by the films but not the actors

so was the entire weasley family a little

arthur and bill should have been in ravenclaw

molly should have been in hufflepuff

the whole “calmly“ thing doesn’t really annoy me, but i do think that dumbledore was too angry generally in the fourth film (maybe this was purposeful for the character i just prefer book dumbledore)

this leads to my conclusion that goblet of fire is the second worst film

i actually liked crimes of grindelwald, but i thought the first film was better because it was quite different to the harry potter series

however,, even though cog was very plot heavy, bear in mind that they are setting up for 3 more films. the first has to be simpler to set the scene and kick off the franchise, just like philosopher’s stone. the next film will naturally have more to it. it was dark because grindelwald played a bigger part. this is just like the chamber of secrets film (a lot of people dislike it) which was also plot heavy and had a different feel to it. people need to give it time, there’s 3 more films

jk rowling needs to write a new children’s book with a new universe to harry potter, and leave the harry potter franchise alone after fbawtft. it’s fine as it is. she still has the talent to create something great

the books are infinitely better than the films

even though i disagree that all the weasleys belong in gryffindor, i support the idea that they all have the same values and would probably choose to be sorted into gryffindor over the other houses

[imagitory]

Tory Ranks the HP Films! [review]

Hi everybody! So I was chatting with a good friend of mine the other day about our favorite films in the Harry Potter series, and...well, the whole discussion got me thinking, so I decided to jot down my personal rankings!

I’ll just discuss the eight films based on the original books for this, but if you want my thoughts on the Fantastic Beasts series so far, you can read this FB-centric response and this review for CoG! These rankings are unique to me, but will be affected both by how much I personally enjoy the movie as well as how well it adapted its respective book. Hope you enjoy -- if you want, feel free to like and reblog, and of course reply/reblog with your own thoughts about the HP films!

8) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

I’ll be honest, I was torn between this film and the one just before it as my personal worst, but in the end, I had to acknowledge that this one, out of all of the films, was just the least interesting of the lot, not just from a story perspective but also in the visuals and music. Everything was so gray and murky and dark: the only faintly creative visuals I really remember from this film were the inky effects in the Pensieve scenes (which didn’t match up with the established continuity of previous Pensive scenes) and the juxtaposition of a bird’s cage in the corner of a shot where Draco is walking down the hallway, and the only music track I remember liking at all was the choral piece In Noctem. Plus the plot itself was pretty tedious, as the filmmakers apparently decided that the book’s romantic side-stories were more worthy of focus than the main villain’s entire backstory. I mean, come on -- Harry making goo-goo eyes at Ginny and Ron being a complete idiot when it comes to the girls in his life is somehow more interesting than Dumbledore and Harry learning about the Gaunt family, Tom Riddle’s past as a neglected, but vindictive bully, and Riddle turning objects that meant something to him into Horcruxes, which sets up the Golden Trio’s quest to find them in the next book/movie? Good call on that one. Speaking of Riddle, the two new actors that were cast to portray him in this movie are also easily the worst performers in the entire series, and the completely unsubtle, black-and-white characterization of Riddle in the script didn’t do them any favors. After how much Voldemort was built up in the films, Riddle being so ridiculously obvious in how evil he is makes everyone around him (like Dumbledore and Slughorn) look like an idiot for not seeing he was bad news from the start. This film makes me a lot less angry than the #7 slot, partly because HBP is my least favorite of the books, but it also prompts just about no positive feelings either, and if there’s anything Harry Potter has never been, it’s “boring.”

7) Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

*dodges knives* LOOK. I know this is a lot of people’s favorite HP film, and I understand why. From a cinematography perspective, it’s easily one of the best. It’s very pretty to look at. The shot composition is excellent. The visuals are creative and striking. But all of that beauty is at the cost of the story and characters. Not only does Hermione become even more of an idealized Action Girl, losing even more of her wonderful, three-dimensional book characterization and flaws -- not only does the film break away from every bit of continuity established from the previous installments or even within its own film, from changing the layout of Hogwarts and the students’ uniforms to having Harry constantly light up his wand with magic no problem only ONE SCENE before getting punished for using magic outside of school -- not only does it make no sense unless you’ve read the book, given that the script just assumes that you’ll remember details like Lupin and Snape having seen the Marauder’s Map, which explains how they knew Sirius and the Golden Trio were in the Shrieking Shack -- not only does it add things that I don’t like and really don’t think fit in the established Wizarding World like the shrunken heads and a slide projector being used in Snape’s DADA class -- not only did this film depict its characters blatantly showing off their supposedly “secret” magical artifacts with no repercussions, such as Harry under his Invisibility Cloak stealing a lollypop from Neville and whamming through a crowd of people and Hermione not even trying to hide the Time Turner around her neck -- not only did Ron lose one of his best scenes in the entire series, where he stands on his broken leg yelling at Sirius that he’d have to kill him and Hermione to get to Harry, and was downgraded to the point that he pretty much became dead weight -- not only did Lupin’s werewolf form look more like a half-bald monkey than the hulking, terrifying mass I’d wanted to see -- not only did Lupin and Sirius talk to Harry about Lily almost exclusively and barely mention their best friend James -- not only was everything Crookshanks did except him chasing Scabbers left out -- not only did the script never explain that Lupin, Pettigrew, Sirius, and James were the Marauders and the reason behind the pen-names -- not only did the film originally MISSPELL “MOONY” WHEN IT WAS WRITTEN DOWN IN THE FRIGGIN’ BOOK -- but this film ruined the best part of the entire story. The descent into the Shrieking Shack and the revelation of who really betrayed the Potters took three whole chapters to unravel because of how much information was revealed and how many emotions were packed into it...yet the film decided to spend less than TEN MINUTES on that three-chapter-long plot twist. TEN. And most of the exposition dialogue was shouted haphazardly across the room in about five minutes of that time. It’s honestly little wonder to me that director Alfonso Cuaron originally hadn’t wanted to read the book before making the film and had to be convinced to do so -- he clearly was more interested in putting his own stamp on the story than respecting what was already there in the books or even in the previous films, and although yes, the darker tone and more unique visual style did help the series in the long run, I just wish that it hadn’t been done in the adaptation of my favorite book in the series. Azkaban deserved a more faithful adaptation than this.

6) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

In a way I almost feel bad for the filmmakers trying to adapt this book. GoF is the longest in the entire series and arguably has the most subplots and tiny important details casually slipped into the text out of all of them, which would be difficult to adapt in a three-act feature film. I can’t help but feel it should’ve gotten the halfsies treatment the way Hallows did, given that it would’ve been difficult to fit every little important thing into one movie, even a long one. That being said, though...yeah, this film really is incoherent unless you’ve read the books. How do you even try to tell Goblet’s story if you’re going to cut out all of the Crouch family’s backstory? Answer: by revealing the twist ending in the first ten minutes by showing Crouch, Jr. is alive and turning him into an uninteresting, one-dimensional character, I guess. David Tenant is a wonderful actor and he could’ve been a wonderful Crouch, Jr., but in this adaptation he had just about nothing to work with. Then of course they also cut out Winky, Dobby, Hermione’s SPEW movement, the Quidditch World Cup game, Bertha Jorkins, Ludo Bagman, Percy Weasley joining the Ministry, the Weasley twins and Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes, Rita Skeeter getting her comeuppance, and Crouch, Jr. getting Kissed by dementors before Fudge could hear his testimony about Voldemort’s return. I also wish they hadn’t turned Cedric, Viktor, and Fleur into such one-note, one-dimensional characters either -- Robert Pattinson got the most to work with out of the three actors, but the characters still seem very shallow compared to their book-originals, and considering Viktor and Fleur get no further development in later films, their characters pretty much start and end with the little material their actors get in this movie. Even Voldemort’s depiction I’m somewhat torn about: I like Ralph Fiennes as an actor, but I had sort of hoped he’d look a little scarier and that he’d have red eyes the way he had when he was attached to Quirrel’s head in Sorcerer/Philosopher and as described in the book. As much as I sympathize with how difficult the task was to adapt this story, Warner Bros. still could’ve made a longer movie and kept in more of the stuff needed to understand what was going on. Still, there are some good visuals in this film and I like a lot of the new music tracks, too.

5) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

The Hallows films overall I sort of just see as “okay,” mainly because they and Prince’s adaptation are so dark that at some points I think they forget what made the stories so likable in the first place -- namely, the characters. Sure, we can’t have as much humor here, but where’s the love? Where are the distinct personalities, where’s the friendship? And really, one of the few answers this film gave was in that OOC Harmione dance scene, which...yeah, not only did it have no romantic chemistry (which I suppose I should be glad of, as that would be even more OOC than the scene already is), but it also had very little friendship chemistry too. It was just awkward and stilted to watch. Even Ron’s return wasn’t as strong because the film adaptations went so far out of their way to marginalize Ron and not make him an important part of the trio...so yeah, contrasted to the book where Harry and Hermione mourned Ron’s absence, the awkward dance scene attempting joy and failing miserably just falls even more flat. There are some good moments, like Luna and Harry interacting at the wedding and the break-in at the Ministry, and there’s a lot less stuff cut from this film than in others, but there’s also a lot less that I can say I loved in this film than in others.

4) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Part 2 is pretty even with Part 1 for me, as it doesn’t cut as much out but also left a lot to be desired. Because of the lack of explanation about what things Voldemort would turn his Horcruxes into, Harry has to rely solely on deux-ex-machina visions to tell him what to do next, Harry breaking the Elder Wand felt like such a cop-out, and the Battle of Hogwarts, although not bad exactly, really never showed off the scale of the damage and loss the way it could’ve. Fred’s death isn’t even given its proper screen time! But at the same time, I found more memorable scenes in this movie -- the Room of Requirement confrontation, McGonagall taking charge before the Battle of Hogwarts, the ending at Platform 9 3/4 that actually used the Leaving Hogwarts track from the first movie the way I’d dreamed that they would when I first read the book -- and of course every moment of Alan Rickman as Severus Snape. Yes, Rickman portrayed Snape as a much more likable, much less gray character than he was in the books, but he was still wonderful to watch every second he was on screen.

3) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s/Philosopher’s Stone

I acknowledge nostalgia might play more of a role in my judgement of the first two films, given that I was a young teenager when they first came out...but I’m sorry, aesthetically, Columbus’s films were the most true to their source material. The darkness didn’t really start in the books until GoF, and since Cuaron jumped the gun on the darkness in Azkaban, we lost that gradual fading of the light from the original novels. And really, the Wizarding World was charming! It still is! And with the departure of Columbus, we kind of lost that charm in future films, even during the parts that were supposed to be less dark and gritty. We never got it back, and yes, one could see that as somewhat reminiscent of childhood innocence -- but I disagree, charm can be appreciated at any age. Even in my darkest days, I still could appreciate it. If anything, charm in the midst of despair and gloom became all the more precious. But regardless...Sorcerer/Philosopher is one of the most true to its subject matter -- it really does depict things almost exactly the way I’d imagined them while reading the book. The score John Williams wrote for the first two films in particular made everything feel just as magical as when I was first reading the first two books, and as the films went on, we lost that recurring score that favored the reuse of certain themes to instill various emotions: instead we just got individual themes for each film that were rarely used outside of that particular film. But I acknowledge Sorcerer/Philosopher doesn’t take nearly enough risks, the details cut so as to compress scenes sometimes create plot holes (like Snape protecting the Stone and supposedly bullying Quirrell to find out how to get past his defense, even though both their challenges were not included in the film), the CGI is pretty outdated, and a lot of the child actors were at the beginning of their learning curve. Really, the only stand-out performances among the child actors in my opinion were Tom Felton and Rupert Grint -- Dan had his moments, but Emma and a lot of the more minor actors like Devon Murray as Seamus at points sounded like they were acting in a school play. And when you placed those kids alongside great adult actors like Robbie Coltrane and Richard Harris, it could be a bit jarring. Still, I’d be lying if I said I don’t really enjoy watching this movie, almost as much as I did when I watched it as a kid so many times that after a while I could recite the entire script from memory.

2) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

I was fortunate enough to see this film opening night with my mum and best friend at the time, and really, Chamber just built on Sorcerer/Philosopher’s cheesy yet charming, book-loyal formula. Like the previous film, there are some important details cut and not that many risks taken from a visual or film-making perspective and the CGI often doesn’t look that great (Dobby in particular hasn’t aged that well), plus some of the scenes aren’t that well-directed (i.e. the fight between the Gryffindor and Slytherin Quidditch teams lacked any real anger or energy, and even the Dueling Club scene was oddly slow and lacked excitement)...but even so, I think the child performances are better here, and we got a lot more scenes with excellent adult actors like Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy, Julie Walters as Molly Weasley, and Kenneth Branagh as Lockhart. I also laugh a lot watching this one! Lockhart gets a lot of his great, funny lines from the book, but young Rupert Grint also shows a great talent for comedy that, I must be honest, is kind of lost after Chamber, as he becomes less of a distinct character who happens to say funny things and more of just a wimpy, tag-along sidekick who’s often made the butt of a joke. Even now, my mum and I smile at the memory of watching the film in theaters and laughing and cheering with the rest of the audience when Lockhart cries, “Amazing! This is just like MAGIC!”

1) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

This film adaptation is based off my second favorite book in the series, and as much as it cut from that book, I think it overall captured the spirit of the book the best out of the series while also making a visually distinctive film. Yes, it cut out Marietta Edgecombe and the moral grayness her inclusion represented, Sirius’s passive-aggressiveness, pettiness, and cruelty toward Kreacher and the depth that it gave him as a flawed father figure, Harry’s lashing out at Dumbledore and how real it made both Sirius’s loss and Harry’s grief, Percy’s alienation of his family and the exploration of the cost of standing by one’s ideals, Neville and his family at St. Mungo’s and the pathos and complexity it gave his character, Umbridge running Hagrid out of Hogwarts and McGonagall being injured and how much that cut Harry off from the Order, and Umbridge’s revelation that she’d sent the dementors after Harry and how neatly it tied up all the loose ends. But at the same time, I hated Umbridge in this film just as much as I did in the books. I felt the sorrow of Sirius’s loss just as much as I did in the books. I felt the satisfaction at seeing Neville grow through joining the D.A. and becoming a more three-dimensional, heroic character despite his shortcomings just as I did in the books. I felt for Trelawney when she was being forcibly evicted from Hogwarts just as much as I had in the books. I felt the triumph of the Weasley twins’ rebellion against Umbridge just as much as I did in the books. I felt the camaraderie of Dumbledore’s Army just as much as I did in the books. I felt the love that Harry had for his friends and believed in both his hopelessness and his desire to fight for them just as much as I did in the books. And yet there were also film-only additions that I really liked -- the emphasis on Harry’s friends being the reason he resists Voldemort’s control, the montage of Umbridge sinking her Inquisitorial claws into Hogwarts, the music written to accompany the scenes at the Ministry and featuring Umbridge, Sirius punching Lucius Malfoy in the face and calling Harry “James” by accident. Even in a visual sense, it wasn’t too dark and gritty, but not too rosy and colorful either. Yes, this film had dark moments, but it never lost sight of what the original book series was about -- not the doom and gloom, not the action and thrills, not the drama and intrigue, not even the flights of fancy, but the love. What even are our heroes fighting for, if not the ones and things they love? Why do we even care? Why would we even watch any of these films at all, if not because of the love? In Order, I never forgot what Harry was fighting for. It balanced out the doubt and fear with kinship and nobility, just as I felt the books always had and the films often didn’t. So as many important details are shaved off, it at least still felt like Harry Potter. Not perfect, but hey, what adaptation is?

[cheaplolita]

[dramiones]

idk if i’m missing something but why does everyone hate jkr so much? i feel like everyone says it all the time but i’ve no idea what’s gone on lol

*cracks knuckles* ok so! (this will have reciepts!) 

1. cultural appropriation in her ilvermorny houses. read more here. horned serpents, thunderbirds, and wampus are all found in the native american culture. the fact that she used them as the houses for a school that was founded by a white person was just wrong. if the school had been founded by a native american, that would be different. however, it was founded by a white Irish immigrant, which makes the house names very much culturally appropriated. 

2. the casting of johnny depp as grindelwald. this is problematic as johnny depp has been accused of physical and verbal abuse by his ex-wife amber heard. though he denies these accusations, there is physical proof of such. as producer of the fantastic beast films, she had direct authority on the casting of depp. she defended this casting choice. 

3. she has a habit of adding bits of representation AFTER the series has ended and when explicity asked by fans. example: dumbledore’s gayness, anthony goldstein’s jewishness, hermione’s blackness. all in tweets. all following the final installment of the harry potter series. 

4. (i’ve just read into this one) nagini, in the fbawtft: cog, is discovered to be a woman trapped in a snake’s body. basically, she is an animagus that cannot leave her form. it is especially troubling as she is played by an asian woman. essentially, she is a pet snake for a white man. this is a stereotype of a submissive asian woman as well, which is very obviously problematic. also one of her only two east asian characters is a animal for the majority of the series!!

jkr defended her casting, claiming that snakes were a part of indonesian culture and tradition. and while that is true, why did she cast a south-korean actress and not an indonesian one?

5. and, of course, her other east-asian character, cho chang has issues of her own. both “cho” and “chang” are korean surnames. cho is described as chinese. while some people have stated they can be considered two separate chinese names, they are not cohesive when put together, and it was EXTREMELY lazy on rowling’s part. her characterization can be considered iffy as well. she is described as the “weeping girlfriend” and many people believe that she was placed in ravenclaw to fufill the stereotype that eastern asians are geniuses. further promoted the view that has already gained much traction in western society. 

6. there are approximately 10 CANONICALLY POC characters in the entire universe! and all (considering hermione was never confirmed and was basically written as white) were minor characters. 

7. only 11 wizarding schools?? in the entire world! 3/11 are situated in Europe. about 742 million people live in Europe. 1.06 billion live in India and 1.31 billion live in China. yet, neither of those countries posess a school. Actually, the only wizarding school set in asia, which has 4.55 BILLION people is set in Japan. If fact, if using the same standards as Europe, Asia would need 18 wizarding schools to accurately suit its population. 18! Austrailia does not have one. the entirety of South America has one. Africa has 1. North America has 1. this is so unrealistic. and very, very, very whitewashed. do wizards only exist in Europe or something? 

8. all female characters, execpt for hermione (who is placed on a series-long pedestal) is degraded in some way. often, jkr wrote her personality to be “i’m not like other girls. i’m smart! i’m unique! my only friends are boys!” and while, 90% of the fandom adores hermione (like myself) there is a very obvious flaw in this characterization and a very bad message that is being sent to girls around the world. especially when harry and ron (no hate to them) fed her this concept for the duration of the series, calling her brilliant, etc, but commonly tore down other girls at hogwarts. not a good thing to teach kids. 

also, other female characters: ginny weasley: degraded for her romance life, fleur delacour: degraded for her sexuality/beauty, told that her worth came from her looks, lavender brown: clingy, whiny, boy-crazy, and constantly looked down upon by ron, luna lovegood: isolated for most of the series, called weird, looked down upon by hermione, pansy parkinson: cliche “mean” girl, though she was given no backstory or reasoning as to why she acted the way she did, cho chang: weeping girlfriend, villianized in the film version of ootp by ratting on the da, ETC, ETC. for someone who claims to be a feminist, she is sure a stranger to the concept of girls supporting girls and how internally misoginistic it is to base a girls personality on its face value! 

9. wrote this ableist tweet and said this about personality disorders. 

“J.K. Rowling: Well, I believe that almost anyone can redeem themselves… However, in some cases, as we know from reality – if a psychologist were ever able to get Voldemort in a room, pin him down and take his wand away, I think he would be classified as a psychopath (crowd laughs). So there are people, for whom, whatever you’re going to callit – personality disorder or an illness – for whom redemption is not possible. They’re rare.” 

THIS. IS. STIGMATIZING! For her to claim that people with personality disorders are inherently bad people and to regard it in such a careless manner is extremely problematic. 

10. Though she denied it, she liked a blantantly transphobic tweet. 

so that’s all that comes to mind! but i hope that helps clear up the confusion a little bit! while the harry potter fanbase adores her series, she is an extremely problematic person. so remember! enjoy hp all you want but please, please, please, acknowlegde that it has its problematic aspects! xx 

also, if you guys find anything to add to this, please do!

[rhodesmystery]

with the evening sun

It’s a quarter past five when there’s a telltale flicker of activity outside. Enough of an issue that Ron has to admit he looks over at his mother, briefly, as her eyes fall to the old clock that returned to its old space by the wall. Nothing quite out of the ordinary, clearly. Even though it had been months, nearly a full year, since everything, alarm shot through the room. 

Gripping his wand, Ron ushers Ginny back, trying to get her upstairs, before immediately buckling under the weight of her glare. A small ‘who was he kidding’ echoes in his mind, and he tries to make something apologetic out of the way he waves his hand. Whatever.

It’s only when his father trundles down the stairs, and notices that they were all on edge, that he seizes up too. “What?” Arthur whispers, fumbling with his robes as he tried to find his wand.

Molly points to the door, to the yard. And Ginny, she points to the clock. 

“It’s Charlie.”

Enough to cut through the tension, and have just about everyone stumble. How did they read that wrong? was the question on their lips. But no, Ginny was right. There was Charlie’s hand, positioned quite proudly over the word that read HOME. 

She’s first out the door too. Banging the screen against the counter, and Molly chased after her, Ron hot on his sister and mother’s heels. “Wait, Ginny—!” Not that the clock ever lied, but they hadn’t heard any voices. Just the shift. 

There wasn’t anyone in the front garden, nor in the shed. “Ginny, come on, Charlie normally sends an owl if he visits. Which he doesn’t,” Ron has to add, for emphasis. Really, Ron couldn’t remember the last time Charlie had been around for more than a few days at a time without something going horribly wrong.

Ginny doesn’t listen, even as their mother tries to talk now. But they both see the shake in her hands, and how she smooths down the front of her skirt. Trying not to get her hopes up. Bill had made himself more available and around after the war. But Charlie had just packed up and left once again. Like always.

So she runs off towards the pond, and Ron has to chase after her. Didn’t know where she got the sudden attitude from, really. Arthur calls after them, but it’s all white noise by the time they’re far enough from the house. Where the silence begins to buzz in Ron’s ears, coupled with the sound of his own breathing. 

“Come on, Ginny. You know as well as I do that he’s never here!”

A hand grabs him by the front, and yanks him into the scrub. Ron gives a yelp, that he would deny vehemently later, but Ginny shushes him immediately. “Look!”

Parting the growth just enough to see through, Ron had to admit he was a little surprised to actually see his older brother on their property. Okay, more than a little, considering everything. But he wasn’t alone, and the both of them recognised the second person immediately. 

“Huh,” is all Ron can get out. This was weird. They seemed to be arguing, but Ron couldn’t make out a word. 

Granted, Bill told him that all they ever did was argue, when he’d seen them at Shell Cottage last time. But that was also over a few shots of whiskey, and Charlie and Natasha certainly weren’t arguing then. 

“What do you think it’s about this time?” Ginny asks, furtively, as if the two of them would notice anything other than themselves.

“No clue, honestly. Why bring it here though?”

Why not stick to Romania? Far, far away, as they had been doing for the last few years. This was doing Ron’s head in. Too many questions, and no way for answers. Didn’t want to announce himself, because he could just imagine what Charlie would do to him if he found out he was being listened in on. And it was just him and Ginny at the Burrow anyway, everyone else off doing their own thing.

Ron wished Fred and George were here. They’d know how to sort those two out. Natasha always had a weirdly fond spot for them. 

“They’re getting closer!”

And Ginny was right, even if she didn’t have to tell him. Pushing themselves back into the scrub, it’s like their voices broke through a bubble. 

“We have to tell them.”

“Do we really though, I mean—”

“Nat, better late than never. You know that.”

“I don’t want to. I’d rather just go back to Romania…”

“I know. I know. But this involves me too. And my family.”

“Yours are going to be happy about it. Mine won’t be.” A long pause, before, “Merlin, I’m just like my bloody mother.”

Charlie laughs, and Ron barely makes out him putting an arm around Natasha. Turns his head enough to miss the next part, and sees Ginny had done the same. They had to get out of there, and back in the house, for whenever Charlie arrived as if to surprise them. 

It’s like Charlie had forgotten there was a clock in the house that announced arrivals. Ron grit his teeth, and told himself not to think like that. Not to do that. There had already been a few good weeks of moping around once people started to scatter back to their own homes, leaving the Burrow feel more and more empty. He didn’t have enough time for that.

Now they just had to focus on getting back to the Burrow, everyone none the wiser. For now, the best they could do was wait until Charlie and Natasha had removed themselves from earshot. Which would hopefully not take more than another minute, because Ron was this close to just standing up and ruining his great plan.

Okay, it takes another two. They’re whispering, and Ron makes a face at the tone, which Ginny just mimics back. He had seen more than enough of that at Shell Cottage, thank you. Between Bill and Fleur, and Charlie and Natasha, Ron knew exactly why he’d run out of there when he did (no, that was just talking it down, really, but it did help with his choice in the end). 

Just as the couple begin to move away, giving Ron and Ginny some breathing room, do the hairs on the back of Ron’s neck stand on end. Turns, damn near shoving his wand up his eldest brother’s nose in the process. Bill gives him nothing if not the filthiest look he’d ever done, and swears something that even gets Ginny to shut him up with a “Bill!”

“What are you doing here?” This was just getting weirder and weirder. What was next? Percy?

“What are you two doing here?” Bill counters, still rubbing at his nose. 

Ginny gives him another look, and a quick shot of eyes over the growth to notice that Charlie and Natasha were much further away now. “We saw the clock and assumed Charlie was by himself.”

Only then does Bill grin, with something that was vaguely suggestive of information far from them. “Not quite, obviously.”

“Obviously,” Ron drills back, rolling his eyes. “What’s going on, Bill, seriously?”

“Oh, you’ll find out soon enough.”

Ron does not comment on the wolfish smile, as he knew Bill often got more than one remark about it. Just how his brother was being purposely evasive, when he was supposed to be the good one out of the older two. Typical. Solidarity between Bill and Charlie only existed when it was to torment the rest of them. 

“You know something.”

“I know lots of somethings.”

“Bill—” Ginny tries this time, straining her voice just so. “Tell us! Come on…”

“You’ll find out soon enough.” For good measure, Bill stands, and rubs both of their heads, mussing their hair. “Assuming you get to the house fast enough.”

And with a bark of laughter, he disappears. 

“Prick.” Ron only gets one insult out, knowing that Bill was long gone, before he shares a nod with Ginny. Three, two, one. Pop!

Apparition sucked, and Ron would never let anyone tell him otherwise. Acutely aware of his arm once again, Ron at least doesn’t heave when the floor arrives under them. Ginny fared just a fraction better, and holds the door open for them.

“Well?” Ron hadn’t even noticed his parents had been hovering by the front window.

“Charlie and Natasha. They were talking out over there.” Ginny waves her hand past the tree. “Sounded kind of serious.”

Surprisingly, Arthur speaks up, eyes narrowing just a touch as he looks out over the garden. “Maybe they finally settled on a date.”

Molly positively shined at such a concept, but Ron can’t help the snort that leaves him.

“For the wedding? Yeah, right.” They couldn’t even decide when they were together or not. Sure, he’d been out of it for the most part, but he’d heard things. Been told things. Seen Charlie get emotional more than once about that sort of shit before he buggered off to the Sanctuary. Only then was it kept well away.

“Bill’s here too!” 

“Is he?” That gets both parents’ attention, a snap of the head. Ron can see the cogs whirring in their heads, as they tried to work out just what this all meant. Their guess was as good as any.

Ginny goes to say something again, but Molly cuts her off with a “they’re here!”

A mad dash to resume positions, as if they weren’t all acutely aware of the clock, with Bill’s hand pointed over HOME too now. Ron couldn’t even remember what he was doing, before they first noticed. Reading a magazine? Polishing his broom? Can’t stop twirling his wand around in his hand, setting off a flurry of sparks as he nearly drops it when there’s a knock at the door. 

Molly is up and off, a singsong “coming!” that was still far too strained to pass for being surprised. “Oh, Charlie dear! Bill! Natasha! We hadn’t been expecting you!”

Ron looks over the back of his chair, to see Bill practically roll his eyes at Charlie. “Yeah, right, mum.”

There’s an awkward laugh, and Arthur joins Molly in greeting everyone in the kitchen. Perhaps that was their cue, to stand and greet their brothers like they hadn’t been spying mere moments before. Like there weren’t grass stains on their knees, and a distinct smell of pond water in the air. 

When Ron turns to Natasha, she only smiles in that way she always did. Set him on edge immediately, and he has to focus on her shoulder as he awkwardly shakes her hand. She knew. Of course she did. Charlie and Bill had shared a few glasses one night, after the Cup. Laughing about Legilimency. Ron had listened in then, never quite getting it until much later. 

Ron knew about it, but every damn time he still managed to let shit slip. 

Ginny was more than pleased to see Natasha, and actually had the most passable display of surprise compared to the rest of them. Enough so that even Charlie seemed remarkably placated by Ginny’s attitude, shrugging out of his coat in the process. Ah, so it would be a stay then. Not just a drop by.

“Are you hungry, dears? We’re not quite ready for dinner, of course, but I can put something together for all of us.”

“Let me help you, Mrs Weasley.”

“Molly, dear, I keep telling you.”

And Natasha was smoother still, easily getting at least one half of the parental unit sidetracked. Ginny gave Ron a quick nod, highly suggestive of a plan he wasn’t aware of moving forward, and joined them further in the kitchen. Ron was nudged back in the direction of the lounge, Bill keeping a hand on his shoulder as he did so.

“Don’t say a word,” was muttered into his ear.

Whatever amusement on Bill’s face existed before, was long gone. Returned to that thin, pinched look he always sported since the attack. Wary eyes on Charlie, who settled into one of the armchairs with a sigh.

“Something wrong, Charlie?” Bless his father, truly, for trying. Completely and utterly unsubtle about it, as Arthur hadn’t even moved to take a seat. 

“Hm? Oh, nothing. Not really.”

Bill snorts from where he sat, near the fireplace. “Right.”

“Shut up.”

“Only when you tell everyone what’s going on.” There was no doubt that Bill was challenging Charlie on something, but the suspense was really starting to get to them. Ron could only look between his brothers, and how they stared at each other intently, having some sort of silent conversation no one else was privy too.

“What’s… going on?” Ron directs his question to Charlie, brow furrowed and words just a fraction loud enough for those in the kitchen.

For his part, Charlie sighed, breaking off his staring contest with Bill to shoot a look over towards the kitchen. Enough noise told them that dinner was well under way. “Fine, fine. Have it your way.” That was definitely directed towards Bill, who sat back with his arms crossed, rather smug. “We’re—I… Natasha’s…”

“Yes?” Their dad pressed, but there was a look on Arthur’s face that Ron couldn’t place. Something that said he knew, almost inherently, what was going to be said next. But Ron couldn’t tell if it was a positive look or not.

“Merlin’s beard… she’s pregnant.”

Ron was pretty sure his jaw met the ground, coupled with his incredulous “holy shit!” That just. Whoa. That was not what he was expecting. Not in a hundred years. Ron had to do a double take, because “holy shit!”

“Language, Ron! Charlie that’s, that’s wonderful! Isn’t it? It is, wonderful I mean?”

“Charlie’s going to pass out if you keep talking to him, dad.” Bill just laughs away.

Arthur gave Bill a classic withering look, before returning to Charlie. “This is good news, isn’t it?”

Something passes over Charlie’s face, something that looked rather out of place. Slapping his hands over his eyes, he groans out a “yes, it’s fantastic.”

“You don’t… sound happy.” Carefully picked words from Arthur, but never quite the level of tactful that Molly was. But it was true. Everything Charlie was saying, or, not exactly saying, wasn’t suggesting he was happy about it. If anything, Charlie looked ready to try to Apparate back to Romania without a backwards glance. Maybe somewhere else. Disappear once and for all.

“There’s a lot to figure out first.” His voice was odd. Like he was speaking from somewhere else. His mouth didn’t move, but the words were there. Ron didn’t know how to take it, didn’t know where to proceed next. What was the correct course of action when an older brother was having a breakdown over the pregnancy of his girlfriend-not-quite-wife-sometimes-off-sometimes-on-partner? Bill was being absolutely useless, happily smirking and not at all intervening. 

Clearly, Arthur wanted to press him further, except Molly walks into the room, wiping her hands on her apron. “I’ll need you to prepare the table, dear—what’s the matter?” She noticed the tension, clearly. And how Charlie still hadn’t uncovered his face. And how Bill was still chuckling to himself. 

Ginny peered around their mother then, eyes zeroing in on Ron in an instant. Did she hear? Did she know? Did Natasha tell her? Ron made a roll with his head towards their older brothers, and Ginny only smiled sweetly in the direction of Natasha. 

“I believe Natasha and Charlie have something to tell us.”

“Dad—” Charlie warns, removing his hands then. “Later.”

“What—what is it? Is everything okay?” Ron could see Molly immediately move to grab onto something, as if preparing herself for the worst. In his expert opinion, Ron knew that he should probably vacate his chair regardless, as the news would no doubt knock his mother over, good or bad.

“Everything’s fine, mum. More than fine. Damn cheery over here.”

“Bill, enough. Let Charlie talk.”

Natasha practically glides over to stand beside Charlie. Funny, Ron could say that Fleur had the habit of doing the same thing. But she stands, smiling rather pleasantly despite how several pairs of eyes fall to her stomach then, knowing full well what was going on. 

“It’s fine,” she says, to Charlie. Only to him, and he just nods. Sighs. Looks anywhere else but at her.

A wave of her wand, and the spell disperses. 

“Holy shit!”

“Language!”

Well, Charlie wasn’t kidding about her being pregnant. Ginny goes between a shout, and a burst of laughter, complete with clapping hands as she goes to hug Natasha. Arthur chokes, Molly falls into the recently empty chair, and even Bill manages to shut up. 

For half a second. “You look like you’re about to pop, Nat!” From the way he was looking, clearly Bill hadn’t expected her to be that pregnant.

Natasha just continued to smile, pleasantly so, one hand firmly on her belly. Charlie had sunk back into the chair, covering his face again. “Like I said, lots to work out.”

Ron remembers the conversation. About how Natasha had been the one to pull back, to argue against it. But the roles were reversed here. Charlie was on edge, unhappy at the attention. Natasha was absolutely angelic, as Molly threw any and all questions at her. Dates, times, places. Answered back in a completely civil, polite tone. She wanted to go back, and not tell anyone. Not Charlie.

“Can I—can I feel?” 

“Hm? Oh, yes, sweet. He’s kicking.”

“‘He’?”

Another round of everything. Ron looked over at Bill, who had now moved to put his hands on Natasha’s belly as well, and how Ginny was completely taken. Oh, he might as well. A few strides across the living room, and Ron drops to a crouch beside Charlie’s seat. He still wasn’t looking at Natasha, or the accompanying band of merryfolk.

And so Ron asks the question that never seemed to be worded right. “Are you okay, Charlie?”

Charlie moves, and Ron can see the lines then, in his face. The tightness around his eyes. How his older brother smiles softly, but it doesn’t light up his face. “Yeah.”

“Are you sure?”

He shifts, so he was a little more upright. “Yeah. This is the easy part.” A nudge of the head. “Her family won’t be.” Ron had never met Natasha’s family — and could easily say he’d never heard much about them either. But just the thought of them sent Charlie into a dark mood. 

“You don’t… seem happy.”

Making a face, Charlie seems to nod a little. “I know. I am, though. Promise.” 

Ron could only take his word, even if everything said otherwise. Even as Charlie seemed to realise he wasn’t exactly being the most positive presence, as he takes Natasha’s free hand. As he finally forces himself to stand beside her, arm tentatively finding a place around her shoulders. Charlie didn’t shake the look in his eyes, the sheer terror, and Ron notices then, too, that Natasha looked just as positively freaked out as he did.

She just hid it better.

Ginny moves next to him then, clearly done with cooing over Natasha. “What did you say to him?” she whispers aside, but continues to smile and nod as if they weren’t talking about present company.

“Later. What did Natasha tell you?”

Only at the very knowing smile Ginny takes on, does Ron balk. “Later. When everyone’s asleep.” 

Clearly, they had a lot to discuss. And a few letters to write. 

[dmitri-smerdyakov]

Female Characters in Harry Potter vs Fantastic Beasts

So I feel like my earlier post today regarding my criticism of the female characters of FBAWTFT wasn’t quite recieved how I intended, mostly because I worded it badly as I was in a rush to go to work. However, I want to address some points that people have brought up.

You can read the posts HERE and HERE for what I said about the female characters in Beasts.

To start, I’m NOT saying female characters cannot be in love.

That seems to be a common misunderstanding. I’m not critical of the fact Tina/Queenie have love interests - that’s wonderful - but what I’m critical of is the fact that they don’t seem to have any other storylines.

Take Hermione; her love interest is Ron, but that’s not the ONLY storyline that’s important to her character: there’s S.P.E.W., her intelligence, her grades etc. etc. Her relationship with Ron is NOT the only aspect of her character/her only storyline.

Next, Ginny: at first she was fawning over Harry because he was her “celeb crush”. However, she soon grows into her own character with her own interests/story; the fact she snuck out to practice Quidditch in secret, her Bat-Bogey Hex skills, her friendship with Hermione and Luna, being possessed by Voldemort. Her storyline with Harry is NOT her only storyline.

Nymphadora Tonks: yes, love interest is Lupin, and yes, she’s depressed over him etc. etc. But it’s not her ONLY character storyline; we know she’s an Auror, that she trained under Mad-Eye and was his apprentice, she’s close to Molly, she knows her aunt wants to kill her. Her whole Lupin storyline isn’t the only thing about her.

In comparison, from what we have seen/know so far, Queenie does NOT have any storyline outside “oh I’m so in love with Jacob”. Which, okay, cool. But that’s literally her only real storyline - and it includes coercing him with magic into leaving his home/business so they can get married. As I’ve said before, that is some serious messed up Merope Gaunt shit.

Do not get me wrong, I ship Newtina HARD and want them to get together more than anything because I think their relationship could end up being beautiful. Tina is at least slightly better thus far in that she seems to care about her job - but she’s willing to risk losing it AGAIN for a male character/Credence. He’s away from Mary Lou, he’s controlling his Obscurus - why does she need to risk being fired by chasing him? Her only other storyline in CoG is her being pissed at Newt for not writing her back - that’s it. 

As in my post above, I’ve discussed Leta/Maledictus/Bunty.

Second, I’m not saying that all characters have to be “hard/badass/fighting/not typical girly” etc. 

Eg. Molly Weasley. For the first 6 books - and most of the seventh - she’s a warm, home-orientated mother and wife. She doesn’t have a job other than keeping the house and raising the children. And that’s okay. When she DOES become a badass, it’s only because she’s lost one child and sees another nearly being killed by Bellatrix - it’s motherly protectiveness. Her storyline isn’t about men entirely, she’s a supportive matriarch to all of the characters in the series and a decently skilled witch.

Eg. Fleur Delacour. Hermione seems to dislike Fleur because she’s appearingly “vain” and “focused on beauty”. At first glance, Fleur does come across as vain and extremely focused just on the fact she’s beautiful. She doesn’t stand out much during the Triwizard Tournament, she has a romance with Bill and we don’t really see her fighting that much in the series. But she’s still a wonderful character because she loves her sister, because she loves Bill, because she develops from thinking of Harry as “dis leetle boy” to respecting him for saving Gabrielle. She doesn’t stop being feminine or beautiful, and she doesn’t suddenly kick ass - but she’s still wonderful.

I’m not saying that all of the female characters in Beasts have to kick ass or be non-feminine to be “good” characters. Queenie could be interesting, if they focused more on her Legilimency and how it affects her (because the vibe I seem to get during the first film is just a brushed over “meh I’m used to it”). Leta could be interesting, if they give her other storylines that don’t have anything to do with Theseus/Newt. Maledictus could be a tremendously interesting character if they give her a chance to have a character outside Credence - because judging from what we know, her role in the film is “Credence rescues her from the circus, they run away together, she tries to help him find his mother”, with perhaps a side of “oh yeah she’s got a blood curse btw”. 

I’m not criticising any of the female Beasts characters for being feminine, or for being representative of women in the 20s - my problem is that their storylines seem to focus on men more than anything else. That was literally all I meant. I’m not saying they’re BAD characters - but I am a little baffled and disappointed by how JKR is choosing to write them.

I could be wrong - the film hasn’t even come out yet - and I will happily admit I’m wrong in that case. But right now, this is how I personally feel.