#draco isn't brave

[whumpitlikeyoumeanit]

Teaching Moment

((Content warning: Beating, Control / Forced violence))

((Promptspiration: @week-of-whump 2023: October 11: Reluctant Whumper / "Hit them harder." ))

Whumpee: Draco // Lucius

Whumper: Lucius // Voldemort

Caretaker: --

Whump type: Beating / Domination / Psychological

Fic type: "Prisoners in Malfoy Manor" alternate history

((words: ~1600))

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"It seems the boy doesn't learn. Lucius?"

There was a sensation of laughter around the table of Death Eaters, although nothing quite audible, more of a smirk hanging in the air. Silently, he pushed himself to his feet. He saw Draco clench his jaw, but he didn't try to argue his way out of it. Maybe he actually was learning.

He quietly held out his hand for Narcissa's wand. She was resistant; she didn't want to contribute to Draco's torture. He couldn't blame her, but they both knew he had no choice. If he didn't, someone else would do something much worse. She did finally pull her wand from her sleeve after a delay that, hopefully, the others around the table didn't notice.

Their master interrupted. "That won't be necessary, Lucius."

He stopped with his hand just on her wand and looked up. "My lord...?"

"You won't need that." He tilted his head slightly toward the wand. "Punish him."

Lucius went still. Punish him. He meant 'hit him'.

"You're familiar, aren't you?" His voice was coldly amused. Privately amused; the Dark Lord and Narcissa were the only ones in the room who knew exactly how familiar he was with the concept. "Or do you need a reminder? Mulciber?" He glanced down the table toward their smirking Imperius specialist.

...It would be easier to be Imperiused. He wouldn't have to know what he was doing. Maybe he should let them...

But Mulciber had been a sadist with the Imperius even before he went to Azkaban for fifteen years; his creative tortures were what he was known for during the first war. Now, after giving Dementors fifteen years of his life, he was broken in some way, little more now than a vehicle for sadism. There was no telling what he might make him do if he had him under his control.

"No," he said, and stepped around the table.

Draco was controlling his reactions, but had still developed a little frown between his brows. He was an admittedly-spoiled boy from a good Pureblood family, sheltered and insulated from the dirty realities of a rougher life. He had seen and experienced terrible, bloody, even unforgivable curses... but physical violence? Even when he saw it, it was something that belonged to the Muggles and the brutes, not their kind. It was so far outside his reality he couldn't even comprehend. He didn't even really understand to be afraid.

Lucius wished that didn't have to change.

He stepped in front of Draco. Draco took a subtle breath and lifted his chin, trying to say he was ready. He didn't realise this would be easier for him if he didn't try to be strong.

He backhanded Draco across the face without giving him any more time to prepare.

Draco gasped sharply and held his face, turned away, while the others in the room cheered or jeered. Someone hooted, but Bellatrix called out "Weak!"

In a second, Draco recovered his wits and stood straight again; he sought his eyes again, but this time he seemed uncertain, seeking reassurance he only wished he could provide. There was a smear of blood and an uneven scratch on Draco's cheekbone; it seemed his ring, the same signet ring Draco wore, had caught into his cheek and cut him. It was unintentional, but maybe that blood would satisfy them...

"Well?" The Dark Lord behind him sounded almost bored.

Of course. Because he didn't mean 'hit him'. He meant 'hit him until I tell you to stop'.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, turning his ring around to face his palm in the only act of mercy he could provide.

It had to be real; there were enough of them there that would know if it were not. So he didn't hold back, much, when he punched Draco in the stomach. He caught him by the shoulder when he doubled over, wheezing, forced him back up and held him in place so he could punch him in the face. Now the Death Eaters were entertained.

It wasn't a fair contest. Even if Draco were fighting back -- even if Draco knew how to fight back -- he was smaller, weaker, softer. He might not be a child anymore, but he wasn't a man, either; he was just a boy taking his first exploratory steps into a life of violence he thought he wanted, without a real appreciation of what it meant. Stress had made him sickly, and, if it could be said Azkaban had done the same to his father, well, they hadn't been starting from the same place.

Draco twisted out of his hand, backing away a step, holding his stomach and ducking his head, trying to catch his breath. He kept one arm raised defensively, like he could hide behind it. Apparently they had already found the limit of his resolve.

"I get it," Draco panted. "I won't do it again." Behind them, one of the Lestranges laughed something about his endurance, and Draco flushed, but didn't look.

"What do you think, Lucius?" the Dark Lord asked languidly. "Has he learned his lesson?"

He watched Draco expressionlessly; Draco was looking at him furtively, like he didn't want to be seen watching. "I believe so, my lord," he said evenly.

"Do you?" He knew by the amused tone that that was the wrong answer. "I doubt it."

He didn't have to be directed to carry on. And Draco was smart enough to understand it. He stepped up to grab him, and Draco automatically tried to step back out of his reach, but he wasn't quick enough. He grabbed his arm and yanked him back into his fist. He tried to avoid his face, but when Draco doubled over to protect his ribs he didn't have much choice.

Their audience laughed and cheered. "Maybe the old Lucius is still in there," Rabastan commented. "Underneath all that domestication."

Draco managed to pull away from him, sporting a split lip and a livid red mark over the side of his face that would bruise spectacularly. "Stop!" he snapped, backing away, because his instinct when he couldn't handle something was to try to give orders. That was a bad instinct here.

His walking stick was flicked to him; he caught it by instinct, and then he stared at it in his hand. And so it was -- the transformation was complete. If he followed through with this silent command, the Dark Lord had fully turned him into his father.

Draco shook his head, pulling away. "Don't..." he begged quietly.

He would give anything to have a choice.

There was the slightest tremble in his hand holding the stick, until he willed it away. He had to focus not on that he couldn't be doing this, but that he must.

He brought the cane down across his ribs. Draco didn't have the experience or the instincts to properly protect himself; he kept leaving himself open, exposing vulnerable points that must occasionally be exploited. Finally, Draco fell to his knees and half sprawled on the floor under a final blow that clipped him in the side of the head.

Stay down, he pleaded mentally. Stay down and let this be over.

But he didn't. Draco slowly pushed himself up on his arms, breath shaking and keeping his face down, but still trying. He was too stubborn.

Or too dutiful... He thought that getting up again was what was expected of him. A strangling hand clenched around Lucius' heart.

The only thing he could think to do to keep him down, he stepped firmly on his hand, and at Draco's pained hiss, he brought the stick down across his side and back again. There was a wet crunch he felt more than heard; it had happened too quickly, he didn't know if it was his hand or his arm, but something had broken.

With a cry, Draco bowed tightly over his hand toward the floor, shielding his head, no longer trying.

The stick came down on the exposed back of his neck, for good measure.

"That will do, Lucius," the Dark Lord interrupted, tone light and amused. "We can't have you killing the boy." Bellatrix tittered amongst the other amused reactions; that sound in particular grated.

"As you wish, my lord." His voice sounded empty to his own ears. He stepped back. Draco didn't move. He was huddled on the floor, hiding his head, trying to be a small target -- he was learning after all. A few drops of blood were appearing on the floor in front of him.

There was no consideration of helping him, even to stand. Any hint of kindness toward his son would be weakness for them to exploit. Any, any emotion would give them a way in. He couldn't give them that. He couldn't show anything. All of the hatred, the rage, the dark memories, the disgust and shame and fear and looming despair that turned his blood to ice, he methodically isolated and packed away into a small corner of his mind where even the Dark Lord would have to try to find it, where he could hold it at bay and focus. Where they could not make his hands shake or make him sick or make him hit something far more deserving.

If they could be convinced that he did not care, they would have no reason to do it again.

Calling on thirty years of Occlumency and forty years of self-restraint, he calmly wiped blood from the serpent-handle of the cane and his ring which had worked its way back around at some point, and turned away from Draco.

His hands ached.

[blackcathjp]

ppl seem to like the idea of harry courting draco or harry doing big public displays of affection to ask him out (think promposals). but i feel like he'd be so awkward at dating. he doesn't quite know what to do with or show physical and emotional affection, the weasleys give him bad advice on romance, he's also oblivious when ppl are interested in him.

what he does have is earnestness and determination - he makes the first move on accident, just bursts out his feelings, brave and embarrassed.

draco knows all about courting and respects tradition, but he's not the type to make the first move (not anymore at least, not like when he was a kid, where running to his parents for safety and comfort was a luxurious option). he's calculating and weighs his options - what if he confesses but harry doesn't like him? what if he confesses and harry DOES like him? what if harry likes him, but doesn't like dating him? he's more hesitant and guarded with his feelings, but is more likely to show his affection towards loved ones.

harry asks him out in the middle of a conversation, just because he loves watching how passionate draco gets about something he loves. even after weeks of dating, draco insists on courting him the "proper way", showering him with gifts, writing letters that make harry blush, leaving loving post-its all over harry's home and work desk, delivering anonymous flowers, publicly asking if he can escort harry home (they're both embarrassed). he's touchy feely too, which harry isn't used to, but physical contact becomes easy and second nature now with draco. harry doesn't quite get the courting, yet still loves it.

harry: you already have me, draco 😊😆

draco: i still want to woo you though 🥹😤

[hollowed-theory-hall]

We don't talk enough about Ron's mean streak

Like, I saw a lot of people talk about how funny Ron is (which is true, he's genuinely one of the funnier characters in the series), how loyal he is when it counts, he's brave as hell, and he is really smart, just not book smart. But what I don't see talked about enough (maybe it's just me though), is Ron Weasley's mean streak.

I talked about how Harry most definitely has what it takes to be a Slytherin, can be scary, and is willing to kill when push comes to shove. I also mentioned Hermione's ruthlessness, but I didn't discuss Ron's mean streak which is a joy when I see it crop up in the book. When it comes up, it always reminds me of the twins, and I feel like that's where Ron got it from.

So I'm just going to bring up a few quotes I had in my notes showing Ron's mean streak, I'm sure I missed some from the earlier books, but I find it a fun aspect of his character.

Snape cried: “Expelliarmus!” There was a dazzling flash of scarlet light and Lockhart was blasted off his feet: He flew backward off the stage, smashed into the wall, and slid down it to sprawl on the floor. Malfoy and some of the other Slytherins cheered. Hermione was dancing on tiptoes. “Do you think he’s all right?” she squealed through her fingers. “Who cares?” said Harry and Ron together.

(CoS, 178)

This type of reaction is seen with Ron pretty often. He really doesn't care when someone he dislikes is hurt or injured and he is very vocal about it. He and Harry kinda share this trait, as seen above.

Later in the other quotes I bring up, I show that Hermione is the one usually playing morality police for Ron and Harry even if she herself isn't as innocent as she likes to act.

He raised Ron’s Spellotaped wand high over his head and yelled, “Obliviate!” The wand exploded with the force of a small bomb. Harry flung his arms over his head and ran, slipping over the coils of snake skin, out of the way of great chunks of tunnel ceiling that were thundering to the floor. Next moment, he was standing alone, gazing at a solid wall of broken rock. “Ron!” he shouted. “Are you okay? Ron!” “I’m here!” came Ron’s muffled voice from behind the rockfall. “I’m okay — this git’s not, though — he got blasted by the wand —” There was a dull thud and a loud “ow!” It sounded as though Ron had just kicked Lockhart in the shins.

(CoS, 280)

I love this, Lockhart explodes the cave, obliviates himself, and Ron's reaction is to kick him in the shins. I don't know, I just find it hilarious.

“Don’t talk to me,” Ron said quietly to Harry and Hermione as they sat down at the Gryffindor table a few minutes later, surrounded by excited talk on all sides about what had just happened. “Why not?” said Hermione in surprise. “Because I want to fix that in my memory forever,” said Ron, his eyes closed and an uplifted expression on his face. “Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret . . .” Harry and Hermione both laughed, and Hermione began doling beef casserole onto each of their plates. “He could have really hurt Malfoy, though,” she said. “It was good, really, that Professor McGonagall stopped it —” “Hermione!” said Ron furiously, his eyes snapping open again, “you’re ruining the best moment of my life!”

(GoF, 207)

Here you see Hermione the morality police crop up, but I'm talking about Ron here.

Hermione is definitely right in that Draco could've been seriously hurt, but Ron is just glad he saw Malfoy suffering. Actually, in the scene before it, Ron was the one who wanted to curse Malfoy and was held back by Harry and Hermione (as well as in the eat slugs situation in CoS), like, with as much as Harry calls Draco his nemesis, it really feels like Ron is the one that hates Draco and thinks of him as his nemesis.

“She’s an awful woman [Umbridge],” said Hermione in a small voice. “Awful. You know, I was just saying to Ron when you came in . . . we’ve got to do something about her.” “I suggested poison,” said Ron grimly.

(OotP, 324)

I love you, Ron.

This is one of my favorite quotes for him. Hermione shuts down the poison idea, but I think they should've given it a shot, I think it could've been fun.

It would've been cathartic for them at least.

“You take Remedial Potions?” asked Zacharias Smith superciliously, having cornered Harry in the entrance hall after lunch. “Good Lord, you must be terrible, Snape doesn’t usually give extra lessons, does he?” As Smith strode away in an annoyingly buoyant fashion, Ron glared after him. “Shall I jinx him? I can still get him from here,” he said, raising his wand and taking aim between Smith’s shoulder blades. “Forget it,” said Harry dismally. “It’s what everyone’s going to think, isn’t it? That I’m really stup —”

(OotP, 528)

I love how Ron always has Harry's back and is ready to fight anyone (including Sirius who he thought was a mass murderer when he was 13 with a broken leg) for Harry's sake. It's a real vibe the Golden Trio has that they're just ready to drop everything and curse out anyone for each other's sake. They are just so protective of each other and I love this for them, how they are all just each other's people, yk.

It's also another example of how Ron is the one of the trio that offers violence as the answer the most often.

“Reparo!” said Hermione quickly, mending Ron’s cup with a wave of her wand. “That’s all very well, but what if Montague’s permanently injured?” “Who cares?” said Ron irritably, while his teacup stood drunkenly again, trembling violently at the knees. “Montague shouldn’t have tried to take all those points from Gryffindor, should he? If you want to worry about anyone, Hermione, worry about me!”

(OotP, 679)

Again Ron doesn't care for the injury of people who he considers deserving.

“Madam Pomfrey says she’s just in shock,” whispered Hermione. “Sulking, more like,” said Ginny. “Yeah, she shows signs of life if you do this,” said Ron, and with his tongue he made soft clip-clopping noises. Umbridge sat bolt upright, looking wildly around.

(OotP, 849)

Like, regardless of whether Umbridge was SAed or not (for the record, I don't think she was) it's not a nice thing to do. Umbridge is awful, but this is Ron literally spreading salt on the wound. but like I mentioned above, she's in the "deserving it" category.

“will you stop pretending to be asleep when Lavender comes to see you? She’s driving me mad as well.” “Oh,” said Ron, looking sheepish. “Yeah. All right.” “If you don’t want to go out with her anymore, just tell her,” said Harry.

(HBP, 411)

That is honestly so mean. Like, I'm not Lavender's biggest fan, I find her annoying, but she's a teenage girl in her maybe first relationship and she did nothing really wrong. I feel truly sorry for her for how Ron treated her, it wasn't really her fault. It's just mean that he pretends to sleep instead of talking to her.

“Same as he wanted at Christmas,” shrugged Harry. “Wanted me to give him inside information on Dumbledore and be the Ministry’s new poster boy.” Ron seemed to struggle with himself for a moment, then he said loudly to Hermione, “Look, let me go back and hit Percy!” “No,” she said firmly, grabbing his arm. “It’ll make me feel better!”

(HBP, 650)

Like, this is peak sibling behavior, but as I mentioned earlier, Ron tends to want to resort to violence more often than Harry and Hermione do (especially in the earlier books, as Harry does grow angrier after Sirius' death). He is usually the one to bring violence up, and I find it an interesting aspect of his character.

And Ron is correct in the fact hitting Percy would make him feel better. Not saying if it's the right thing to do, but Ron really would experience it as satisfying because Percy would deserve it in his mind.

“What are we going to do with them?” Ron whispered to Harry through the dark; then, even more quietly, “Kill them? They’d kill us. They had a good go just now.” Hermione shuddered and took a step backward. Harry shook his head.

(DH, 167)

As I mentioned in one of the Harry posts, Harry is calling the shots, but Ron is the one who offered to kill the Death Eaters. He put that idea on the table. He was relieved when Harry said they shouldn't kill them, but if Harry said it'd be better if they killed them — Ron would've backed him up and done it, while Hermione might've preferred to pretend it wasn't happening.

“That treacherous old bleeder.” Ron panted, emerging from beneath the Invisibility Cloak and throwing it to Harry. “Hermione you’re a genius, a total genius. I can’t believe we got out of that.” “Cave Inimicum. . . Didn’t I say it was an Erumpent horn, didn’t I tell him? And now his house has been blown apart!” “Serves him right,” said Ron, examining his torn jeans and the cuts to his legs, “What’d you reckon they’ll do to him?” “Oh I hope they don’t kill him!” groaned Hermione, “That’s why I wanted the Death Eaters to get a glimpse of Harry before we left, so they knew Xenophilius hadn’t been lying!”

(DH, 424)

Again, Ron not caring/enjoying when people who deserve it suffer. Xenophilius wanted to help them, he tried to persuade them not to come into his home at first so he wouldn't give them in, he tried so hard even though the Death Eaters had his daughter! Harry rightly feels bad for Xenophilius and Luna, it's easy to understand why he did what he did.

Hermione and Harry hope he is fine, but Ron is the one who thinks he has it coming. That he deserves to have his house blown up for betraying them, regardless of his reasoning.

I think Ron is the most black-and-white in his thoughts about people among the trio. There are those who deserve anything that comes to them and those who don't. Specific circumstances and context don't really play a part in what bad people deserve coming to them.

I don't know, I just find this interesting.

Harry has the compassion to understand people, even ones who harmed him or the people he cares about, he is capable of forgiving Voldemort and never really hated Draco.

Hermione is pretty black-and-white in her view of people, having the people she trusts and those she doesn't. She trusts Snape because he's an authority figure trusted by Dumbledore (and Hermione is the one who is truly Dumbledore's woman true and true in the books). Her view on people has less to do with their actions, but who they are endorsed by. She is compassionate to Xenophilius because he's Luna's dad, and Luna is good, therefore, she wouldn't love someone who is bad.

Ron is black-and-white in how he sees people in a very different way than Hermione. He looks at actions, and if you do anything to try and harm him or people he cares about, you get on the shit list. Getting out of Ron's shit list is probably not easy, he doesn't strike me as one who forgives easily and readily the way Harry does, but he does forgive. Like actions can get you on his shit list, actions can get you out. But once a person is on the shit list, they deserve any harm that comes their way.

But Ron is really loyal, and there are people he loves who are basically immune from going on the shit list (like his family, yes, even Percy. While he wants to hit him, I don't believe Ron ever really wished death on Percy). And there is just something interesting about Ron, with his mean streak and everything, being the glue that holds the trio together. Like, in Deathly Hallows once he leaves, Harry and Hermione barely talk to each other, they are barely friends without Ron there.

I don't know, I just love Ron. I love how he is loyal, and friendship glue, but has just as much of a mean streak to him as Harry and Hermione can pull. I just feel like he's sometimes left out of the discussion of how ruthless Harry and Hermione could be. Like, it's true, both of them can be ruthless, but don't leave Ron out. He can be ruthless and actually offers violence as a solution more often than Harry or Hermione do.

[iamnmbr3]

I agree it sounds like harry and draco are attracted to each other, but what do you think each of them (especially harry) finds compelling about the other? and would that be a good basis for a relationship or is it more like insta-love where they're attracted because they just are?

I think they are initially just kind of drawn to each other because they have that indefinable spark of chemistry between them - even when they aren't getting along, even when they end up on opposite sides of the war. BUT I think it's also so much more than that and I think they are genuinely compatible people who could build a good relationship post-war.

They're both quick witted and sassy and I think post-war they'd come to really enjoy each other's snark and humor and derive a lot of enjoyment and entertainment from bantering with each other. (Tbh I think even during the series Draco always secretly thought Harry was very funny even though he'd never admit it. As for Harry, once Draco's humor isn't directed at him or his friends and no longer involves bigoted slurs against Muggleborns, he finds he appreciates it a lot more.) They also both understand each other at a very deep and intuitive level and can read each other really well; this is already the case in canon and becomes even more true once they actually start spending time with each other. And obviously that's an important aspect of building a relationship.

They both have similar traumas and life experiences - for example having had up-close and personal interactions with Voldemort and understanding what he was like more than most people who just kind of view him more as an abstract bogeyman. They both are protective of the people they care about. They both are clever and highly gifted in magic though in different, but complimentary ways which means they work really well together when it comes to solving problems. They both can be cunning and Draco is absolutely delighted by Harry's devious side. They both can be quite brave when they have to be (though neither fully realizes this, and Draco especially does not think of himself as brave in the least).

They even have little things in common like their enjoyment of Quidditch and their gift for flying. They are both excellent Seekers. Remember Draco is the only person who ever even came close to beating Harry, and that's even when Harry had a better broom. Harry's a teensy bit better but they are pretty evenly matched and definitely enjoy playing against each other. They're also not intimidated by each other and can hold their own against each other. (Draco is not only not phased by Harry's glares the way even Hermione sometimes is but also lowkey finds them a bit attractive though he'd never, ever admit it.) Furthermore, they are both absolutely the peak of each other's Type TM and each thinks the other is ridiculously fit.

[saintsenara]

I made up some ships and I wanna know your opinion on them, I don't know if they can be considered deranged but whatever 🤷‍♀️

Snape/Padma. I ship them in a one-sided way? like Padma has a crush on Snape and she's very embarrassed about it. Maybe she grows out of it and wonders "What did I even see on him in the first place?"

Neville/Barty Crouch Jr. I made it up while watching Goblet of Fire. I have no idea how that would even work.

thank you very much for the ask, anon!

padma patil/severus snape

in half-blood prince, snape describes ron as "so solid he cannot apparate half an inch across a room", which is an opinion padma - who has the worst time anyone has ever had [at least parvati manages to pull the boy from beauxbatons!] with ron at the yule ball - is bound to share.

so sure. the couple that hates together stays together.

barty crouch jr./neville longbottom

which got a shoutout from another anon:

i have long maintained that barty crouch jr. is the best villain in the series, and his absolutely horrifying treatment of neville is but one reason why.

the pre-twist narrative of goblet of fire presents "professor moody" as eccentric, but nonetheless principled, brave, and one of the good guys - which is unsurprising, since the narrative is written from harry's perspective, two people harry respects [arthur weasley and sirius] speak highly to him of moody, dumbledore also respects him, and moody dislikes both snape and draco malfoy.

while harry is - understandably - shaken and upset when the lesson on the unforgivable curses reaches the killing curse [when he learns for the first time what his parents were murdered with], this isn't the case for the first two curses "moody" demonstrates. which means that the narrative ends up slightly underselling [even after crouch is unmasked] the fact that neville is deliberately forced to relive his parents' torture by the torturer himself.

and is then swept up by crouch in the aftermath of this ordeal and manipulated into becoming an accessory to his plan to kidnap harry and resurrect voldemort.

for obvious reasons, the denouement of goblet of fire primarily focuses on crouch and harry. but there is plenty of implication in the book that crouch also seeks out neville - above and beyond the other people he uses to further his harry-related plan - simply for the fun of psychologically torturing him.

i think this isn't given as much attention as it could be by the fandom, largely because crouch is basically forgotten in order of the phoenix, when neville's focus - like harry's, sirius', and the rest of the order's - becomes bellatrix lestrange, who's presented in that book as the ringleader of the attack on frank and alice longbottom and the person on whom neville would love to get revenge.

and while i think that we are supposed to understand bellatrix as the ringleader of her little gang of four, this seems to have coalesced - in lots of fans' interpretation of canon - into the idea that rodolphus, rabastan, and barty don't really do anything of note during the attack, and that they should be seen as falling somewhere on a scale from more sophisticated and restrained in their violence [especially common in portrayals of rodolphus] to followers who do as they're told to smol beans who were just there by mistake [very, very common with fanon!barty].

but barty crouch jr. didn't slay for a full year - with a packed teaching load as well! - to be disrespected like this. he's a solid-gold villain, he was directly involved in the torture on the longbottoms, and he's having the time of his life in goblet of fire attempting to also torture their son.

which can - if an author is so inclined - be taken to some very dark teacher/student places...

[t1oui]

tastastastassss please would you share some percy weasley headcanons or thoughts about him in general

(just remembered he and oliver wood were in the same year and thus dorm... and percy gives me Massive twink energy, like a less dramatic francis abernathy)

HI YES i will indeed do this

so yeah in canon percy and oliver shared a dorm but in my mind there is no way percy weasley isn't in slytherin so my percy shares a dorm w marcus flint instead. anyways here are some headcanons

he's very bisexual and yes definitely a twink

he's also tall. probably one of if not the tallest guys in his year

good poker face but this man is a huge simp. for christmas, valentine's day, oliver's birthday, etc. he always panics on what to buy and gets oliver like 40 things including like 8 bouquets of flowers lol

penelope clearwater and marcus flint are his best friends other than oliver !! these four are chaotic. marauders vibes but they don't get caught

definitely a bit of a drama queen, but he hates when people (marcus) point it out b/c he does not see himself that way.

studies too hard for his own good and still has time for quidditch somehow (he's only playing to beat fred and george. he's a chaser btw)

actually very sensitive. like he will be stoic until something inconveniences him and then he will SOB

hates himself a little bit (sometimes a lot) because he's so different from his family

insecure about his freckles

takes younger slytherin students (like draco malfoy) under his wing because he knows what it's like to be part of the house everybody hates

fully despises dumbledore

always the first to notice when something's wrong (quirrell being sus, something being wrong with "moody"/crouch sr, etc) but alwasy the last person adults listen to

has been best friends with ginny since she was a little kid

does more for his siblings than they realize. cares about them so much, and his heart breaks every time they choose to fight with him or tease him instead of seeing how fucked up it is that he was shunned for being different

was almost put in gryffindor/is in gryffindor because he's extremely brave

was put in slytherin/almost put in slytherin because he will do anything for those he cares about, even if it's considered morally wrong

has and will use unforgivables; they're just spells to him, they're not anything scary or different

patronus is a crow

animagius form (i told you he and his friends were like the marauders lol) is a cat

if he notices two people pining for each other he will do everything in his power to make them date because he's quite the romantic. oliver helps.

has trained himself not to blush because he's so pale he just turns into a beet if he blushes at all (his friends, oliver especially, still make him go red occasionally)

cut off contact with arthur and molly for a little while after the war and was only really talking to ginny, occasionally charlie and bill

becomes head of the dmle

starts a petition after the war to get the atrium statue at the ministry - which shows a bunch of non-wizard creatures looking up to wizards like they're the superior beings - taken down. he does not shut up about this project until the statue is replaced, he hates it so much

that's all for now !! but feel free to send me more asks, ty for this one :)

[myriadparacosm]

I'm fond of the idea of Regulus working at a bakery, a quiet one that isn't too posh but also not overly modern, and he has his regulars. Narcissa, a cousin who was distant before stumbling in his bakery by chance for one of her cravings during her pregnancy, is one of his biggest customer and almost weekly order a cake for sunday afternoon. That's also how little Draco becomes a regular and sometimes even comes alone after school, waiting for his mother or father to pick him up.

This also brought one Harry Potter who has a big, embarrassing and obvious, cute crush on Draco so he learns about Regulus' bakery through Draco's chatter on how one of his uncle is just the best baker in the world and always prepares Draco's favourite.

They are only 10/11 years old but Harry is a brave boy and decides to stop at the bakery, running out of school before his dad or mum picks him up with the idea to buy one of Draco's favourite to offer it to him the next day. Except that he doesn't have much money so at first he visites, eyeing all the choices as he saves his pocket money.

Regulus easily notices Harry's crush on Draco, knowing perfectly that Draco shares the feeling, and offers him free stuff and lets him talk - without saying that he is Draco's uncle. Harry tells him all about Draco and how he is worried to scare him off despite liking him very much; plus Harry's mum has told him to not listen to his dad's advice about love and Harry fully knows that his dad took years before dating his mum, later on staying as friends even with Harry.

Harry wants a forever with Draco so clearly his dad's advices aren't helpful.

He tries to play wingman for them but Harry never comes when he spots Draco inside and apparently his dad has caught on that he slips out of school to disappear somewhere.

Naturally at some point Harry brings his dad, James Potter, with him after spilling the beans about where he goes and why. Regulus tries to act like he doesn't know him because he did see that Harry looks a lot like Regulus' crush from his youth but thought he was just delusional because Harry is a cute child.

Somehow this time James' flirting tips work in his favour even if it means buying tons of pastries and Harry quickly gets invested once he realises that Regulus becoming his dad will definitely give him an advantage to lure Draco.

[sitp-recs]

Wield Me by @tackytigerfic (E, 10k)

Drarry, pre-Tedrarry

Draco Malfoy, blacksmith, is renowned through the magical world for his skill and exquisite creations. He could quite easily spend the rest of his days making pretty trinkets for the fae court, and being handsomely rewarded for the privilege. But why take the easy route when instead he could get involved in a dangerous mission with Unspeakable Harry Potter (who also happens to be Draco's... well, he's something, isn't he?). A little story about learning to strike while the iron is hot.

“It’s deep magic, you know. It doesn’t recognize anything quite so specific as a particular location. It’s more conceptual, I suppose. You remember.” He knew they did, the long night of casting, Teddy carelessly throwing azaleas and yellow roses into the quench pool along with all the others; azaleas for homesickness and the desire to return to a place of safety, yellow roses for family. Not to mention all the runework they spent hours working on. Draco rolled his eyes at them. Othala. Harry had traced it over and over in the water, and then Draco had hammered the essence of it into the metal with his sweat and his fire. Homecoming. It would be enough.

Because one birthday rec wasn’t enough I am back, this time reccing the fic Tacky gifted me on my last birthday so we’re coming full circle with the love show :D it’s hard to put into words all the feelings this fic inspired in me. I could not believe my sneaky friend (who’s pretty monogamic about their Drarry btw) had crafted something so special bringing together my two OTPs! I remember reading this in a haze, too eager to unravel that delicious summary and get to the promised Teddy kissing, but also not ready for it to be over after 10k and dreading the emotional devastation that was sure to follow. I realize that Harry/Teddy is not everyone’s jam (yet 😏) and might discourage some people to check this out, so I thought I’d follow my previous rec format and list a few reasons why I loved this so much:

1. The world: I kid you not, 10k feels like 30k once you get introduced to this magical world Tacky so masterfully crafted - vibrant, intriguing, creative, a main character in itself. I was already losing my mind over buff blacksmith Draco in a leather tunic (🥵) but then his stance against weaponry and the magical theory behind his forgery?? What an unexpected (but very much welcome) turn on. I am fascinated by this verse and wanna learn all about Draco’s backstory, about this society, its power structure, about Harry and Teddy’s job and the gritty dangers that Teddy is about to face, and whether or not he’ll find his way back home - back to Harry - safe and sound. So many questions left unanswered and this thrill, an adventurous feeling about their quest that kept me engaged until the end. What a masterclass in world building!

2. The tenderness: as per their trademark, Tacky gives this fic a lot of emotional depth and nuance, showing how easily love can multiply when Harry is the recipient (seeing how wanted he is here makes me feral) while keeping this unmistakably a Drarry romance. 40yo fuck buddies who are so obviously into each other they make me giggle and kick my feet, plus a careful balance between all dynamics in play - Teddy’s crush on Harry and respect for Draco, Draco’s longing for Harry and understanding of Teddy, Harry’s trust in Draco and tenderness for Teddy, the overall affection and sexual tension fueling all those relationships making it impossible not to cheer for them. If you’re a Teddy fan like me you’re in for a treat: I adore his edgy personality, bold, brave, painfully young and so damn lovely, a perfect fit for Harry and Draco’s mellow and steady love.

3. The symbolism: this plays into the exquisite lore created within such elegant and contained writing, I just keep thinking about the possibilities, metaphors, the way recurrent themes like family and homecoming show up in Draco’s forgery work intertwining his, Harry’s and Teddy’s lives in such a definitive way you find yourself thinking “well it must be fate so it can’t be avoided, they gotta bang” 🤷🏻‍♀️ okay so maybe not everyone is horny for this triad as I am, but the implications behind the symbology go beyond lust, diving into something deeper and more meaningful like familial love. And because I’ve read everything else from Tacky’s (“Harry deserves roots” / “I’d be your mate” / “I like my choyse” / “Is tú mo Rogha” / “Queen Anne’s lace, it means sanctuary, home.”) and so on, I can’t help but get emotional here. Harry’s longing for a family is such a quintessential Tacky theme and seeing it expand to include my beloved Teddy in their sacred Drarry kingdom makes my heart sing.

TL;DR: I feel like I could spend days talking about this fic but then nobody would read it and I really, really want more people to fall in love with these clever, competent, brave and lovable characters and with the rich, fascinating world that makes you wish you could live inside it forever and see what happens next. So run don’t walk and go treat yourself today!

[ash-whimsicalfanfic]

The Scarlet Witch (CH 1)

Mattheo Riddle X Fem OC/Reader

Word Count: 958

Warnings: Mild language, violence, graphic content, blood, angst, fluff, smut…

Prompt: Y/n Maximoff, a witch who can perform wandless magic transfers to Hogwarts. She makes friends and foes, all the while love seems to be in the air even though she wasn’t expecting it. There is highs and lows in this love story, with unexpected twists and turns and maybe even heartbreak.

Faceclaim: Wanda Maximoff/Elizabeth Olsen/Scarlet Witch

3rd POV

The Great Hall was loud with chatter as the students laughed and ate food, some hurrying to hide food in their pockets. The teachers are amongst themselves, chatting quietly while keeping a watchful eye over the students.

The chatter slowly died out as students noticed the Sorting Hat was out. Professor Dumbledore stands, the room completely silencing.

"We have a student transferring here and I expect you all to help her settle in. Y/N Maximoff, please come on in." He announces.

The doors open and the students watch the girl with red hair and blue-green eyes, walk towards Professor Dumbledore. She silently takes a seat as Professor McGonagall grabs the Sorting Hat.

"Oh my! What a cunning one you are with witty remarks and a glass heart! Your ambition is unlike the others I've sorted. Mmm...so driven and so focused. Not to mention independent. What a ruthless girl you are to the ones who pose as an enemy! I wouldn't want to get on your bad side! Haha! So charming and bold, one with beauty and power! You are brave and strong for the battles you've witnessed, young girl...ooo! And you can perform wandless magic!" The Sorting Hat says

The students among the Great Hall collectively gasp, but Y/N's face remained passive as she stared ahead blankly, impatiently waiting for the hat to sort her into her house.

"Well?" Professor McGonagall questions.

"Slytherin!" The Sorting Hat shouts.

Y/N stands as the Slytherin table cheers and claps. She begins her way over to the table, sitting at one of the empty ones at the end. She stared at the table, her stomach far from hungry. 

She could hear the whispers about her and feel the eyes on her. It was a myth of those who could perform wandless magic. Or so everyone thought, but here stood Y/N.

She eagerly awaited to be dismissed, and she nervously played with her fingers. She tried her hardest to tune out all the whispers and she tried to ignore the stares. It was all so overwhelming though.

She looks up when a girl plops down across from her. She had long brown hair and pretty green eyes.

"I'm Pansy. Pansy Parkinson." She says, holding her hand out.

Y/N’s POV

I take it, shaking it as a group of boys sit around us. She gives me a kind smile.

"Y/N Maximoff." I say quietly.

"I'm Draco Malfoy." He says, throwing an arm over Pansy's shoulder.

They were a cute couple. That's for sure.

"I'm Blaise Zabini." He says.

"I'm Lorenzo Berkshire, love." He says, taking my hand and leaving a kiss on it.

When he looked away, I grimaced and wiped away the spot at my hand. He isn't as cute as he thinks he is. I look over and see the last one who seemed rather quiet. He was analyzing me. He had curly-ish brown hair and deep brown eyes.

Draco nudges him and he slowly looks over at Draco. I tense when something hits the back of my head. I turn around and it was Harry Potter. He laughs and I clench my jaw, letting my eyes go red. He quiets, looking fearful and I use my magic to lift the scone and throw it at his face hard. His glasses break and I roll my eyes, turning around.

I blink and let my eyes go back to the normal blue-green shade they always are. I ignore the impressed looks from my table.

"Honestly, he deserved that and more." Draco says, shrugging carelessly and I smile slightly.

"The dork beside Draco is Mattheo Riddle. He's a little quiet at first with new people. Just give him time." Pansy says.

"Alright." I say.

"Aren't you going to eat, love?" Lorenzo asks, brushing my hair over my shoulder.

I smack his hand away from me as the other guys laugh at his shocked face.

"No and stop calling me love. Your not as cute as you think you are." I snap and his jaw drops.

"That's the first." Mattheo mumbles.

"The first what? The first time a girl has slapped him or the first time a girl has turned down his advances and mediocre face?" I ask, quirking a brow at Mattheo.

Mattheo's lips slowly turn up into a grin as he studies me and Lorenzo pouts next to me.

"Both." Mattheo says before turning to his food.

"Way to bruise my ego." Lorenzo mutters.

"We can be friends, that's it. But don't expect anything more or you'll regret it. You aren't my type." I say.

"What's your type?" He asks.

"Not you." I say and he sighs as the guys laugh.

"Seriously, I get it. But, what's your type? I can set you up." He says.

Thankfully it was time to head to our dorms, so I stood and followed Pansy and the rest of the Slytherins towards the Slytherin dormitory's.

"Come on Y/N." Lorenzo whines.

"Your annoying me." I say.

"And?" He asks.

"It's something you don't want to do." I say.

He grins and I glare at him. I should have hit him. Pansy pulls me off in the direction that all the girls were heading.

“This will be our dormitory.” She says as she opens a door.

It was a big dormitory with two Queen sized beds on either side with matching green bedding. There was two wardrobes, a bathroom and several empty bookcases.

“This is my bed. Although, I will admit I’m not in here often. I’m typically at my boyfriends dorm.” She explains and I nod, taking the bed close to the window.

Oh what a year this will be.

[orchideous-nox]

Thoughts on the Black sisters??? < 3

I know you sent me this after a conversation (which was now like 2 weeks ago) where I said I would talk about them when I've got more opinions but goddammit Alex 😂

Bellatrix

I think Bella was very insecure during her Hogwarts years. She is the eldest of 3 daughters and gets a lot of pressure from their parents to be a certain way. Whilst they were all close, I think their parents put a lot of the weight of the Black family legacy on Bellatrix more than Narcissa and Andromeda and she kept a lot of that from her sisters to protect them. She sought validation a lot from her parents, which she rarely got, and relies heavily on Narcissa for emotional support as she gets older.

Her marriage to Rodulphus isn't a love match and I think she resents that a lot but doesn't resent him necessarily. They did what they had to do for their families, a lot of what Bella does is for the sake of her sisters. When she joined the death eaters to gain power and respect, she realised that fear was much more effective and this was her downward spiral. She'd spent years trying to do things right and properly, she'd gone through with a respectable marriage, she was the eldest daughter who did what was best for the family, but it wasn't enough for her. A lot of what she does is still routed in her loyalty to Narcissa, only made stronger after Andromeda leaves, and when she gets out of Azkaban she sees Draco and doesn't want him to be like Andromeda and to end up with no family.

I love seeing content about Quillkiller and, while it's not something I'd write myself, I think it's something that makes sense. With Bella having this strong sense of duty to the family that eventually shifts over to Voldemort, I feel like both her and Narcissa gave up one love for another, Bellatrix giving Rita up to marry Rodolphus and become a Death Eater, the final straw for Rita. There's potential that Bellatrix would resent her sister for still being able to marry for love, but this disappears over time, especially in Azkaban.

Narcissa

She's probably the sister I have the most thoughts on already. I've not really delved into this generation much because they're a bit older than the Marauders characters, but I kinda vibe with the idea of Nobleflower and Narcissa having to give that up to marry Lucius who she did come to genuinely love. I think Narcissa and Lucius are really lovely, they have genuine adoration for each other and it doesn't feel like the kind of marriage where Narcissa sticks with him because the family believe in duty over happiness. While yes, Narcissa appreciates the security of being married to Lucius, she cares deeply for him and their child and stands by him. She calms him and is with him during Death Eater meetings, she supports Lucius after he returns from Azkaban. Yes, she does ultimately put her own values above his sometimes, but she loves her family so much because they're hers.

I think she struggles with parenting Draco because of her own family and her upbringing. This gets worse after Bellatrix is sent to Azkaban and all eyes are on her and Lucius and their child, expected to be the future of both the Black family and the Malfoy family as everyone else is either dead, in Azkaban or disowned. Narcissa is so loyal, she protects her husband, her son and her sister for as long as she can. She's brave and isn't scared of lying to Voldemort by saying Harry's dead if it means protecting Draco and knowing he is okay.

Being the youngest, I think she looked up to Bellatrix massively and after Andromeda leaves and is disowned, they grow closer. She doesn't always agree with Bellatrix's ways but she can't lose her like she lost Andie and wants to help her in whatever way possible. However, I do think out of Bellatrix and Narcissa, the latter would be more likely to attempt amicable contact with Andromeda, I think motherhood would give her a new understanding. That being said, I don't think it would be an easy "you're forgiven", it would be a long road to even tolerating each other's presence.

Andromeda

I think the films do Andromeda so dirty, Sirius clearly saw a lot to love in his favourite cousin and seeing her marry Ted Tonks gave him the courage to leave home knowing it would be okay, and yet she's left out. We know that she looks a lot like Bella and I think there is so much that could be explored within that, no matter the distance she tries to put between them her older sister still follows her everywhere.

She's always been the most gentle of the sisters and I think Narcissa would go to her for comfort over Bella, but she certainly has a temper that makes Bellatrix roll her eyes whilst secretly being proud. I think she was quietly strong until her last year before being disowned when she became much more vocal, saying no to things she didn't want to do. Obviously, her parents didn't like this and neither did Bella because she took the brunt of their frustration when she'd hide away from them all. I can imagine Cissy knew where all her hiding spots were though even as a kid, and would hide with her or would bring her food or treats to coax her out.

In the same way that people think Narcissa and Regulus were close, Andromeda and Sirius were close. We know that they have a lot in common in terms of leaving the Black family and Sirius considers the Tonks' to be his family over his other two cousins, and I think Andromeda feels the same about him. She didn't believe he killed James and was probably heartbroken when she found out what had happened. People get angsty about Tonks being killed by someone who looks just like her mother, but Sirius was killed by someone who looked just like the only family he had left, and this would have broke her heart knowing her own sister did that.

[greenerteacups]

You've spoken about Narcissa before, and I always love to read your thoughts on her and the Black's. My question is technical/emotional: how do you refrain from softening her? She is so warm and loving, so witty and charming, and so brave - such a perfect, interesting, beloved character - how do you resist the temptation to have her let go of some of her rigidity and become the perfect mother? (I'm very glad that you HAVE resisted, but I don't think I could do it! You are made of sterner stuff).

Oh, that's the interesting stuff about her! The sharp edges of her character, especially as Draco starts seeing her outside of a purely domestic context, are what make her fun to write. There's very little to think about when a character fully embodies their virtues; what makes them real is the ways that they fail to perform what they believe, or succeed in performing a mistaken belief. That's where you get the contradictions and the pressure-points that arise in real life, and even the best mother you know has probably had at least one episode where she snapped and yelled at her kid, or lost patience, or forgot to practice a particular virtue of motherhood. That's what makes them real people. Watching an idol be good at something isn't all that impressive; it's the struggle against weakness and vice that makes a character recognizably human, and therefore lovable, when they triumph in the attempt.

[forestdeath1]

ur takes r so good but how can u like jily 😭😭 he bullied her bsf

I swear, a hundred years will pass and people will still be going on about how James bullied Snape and how poor Snape was.

I’m sorry, but read what nuance really means. Snape and James’s situation isn't just a nuance, it's a big fat stain that you somehow don't see.

They were both idiots at school. Both James and Snape.

Ok. Let's take a closer look at their relationship. Here's their first encounter:

‘Who wants to be in Slytherin? I think I’d leave, wouldn’t you?’  (Draco said the same thing, by the way)

Sirius did not smile. ‘My whole family have been in Slytherin,’ he said.

‘Blimey,’ said James, ‘and I thought you seemed all right!’ 

Sirius grinned.

‘Maybe I’ll break the tradition. Where are you heading, if you’ve got the choice?’

Notice that Sirius didn't even react to James's "I'd leave", even though he knew his whole family was from Slytherin, and he was likely to go there too.

James lifted an invisible sword.

‘“Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart!” Like my dad.’

Snape made a small, disparaging noise. James turned on him.

‘Got a problem with that?’

‘No,’ said Snape, though his slight sneer said otherwise. ‘If you’d rather be brawny than brainy –’

It was Snape who starts the confrontation on a personal level. James in his insults in this memory refers to moral qualities. "Who wants to be in Slytherin?" Only bad people. He is prejudiced against Slytherin because Slytherin is evil. Voldemort is gaining momentum. The first Muggle-born Minister was recently ousted. Attacks are happening here and there. Dark forces are growing. More and more of the pure-blood society talks about "Mudbloods" not belonging in this world. And "amazingly", they all turn out to be from Slytherin. James sees himself as a noble knight "James lifted an invisible sword", and he is against Slytherin not so much personally as against the moral component of Slytherin.

This doesn't mean James had the right to bully Snape. But come on, are we going to paint Snape as a poor little boy? He was the first to insult Gryffindor on a personal level. James was spot on saying, who wants to be in Slytherin? Voldemort was terrorizing the country and killing people. Think about it, what Slytherin was like back then. It's like if there was a house in some school dominated by Nazi ideals and all the main supporters of terror came from that house. Would you be all lenient about that house? Don't you get how bad things were in the wizarding world then? James expressed his preference that he didn't want to study there. Who would? It was Snape who started the confrontation, getting personal (‘If you’d rather be brawny than brainy –’). Why can't the younger generation of readers think on a bigger scale, rather than just personally? IT WAS SLYTHERINS WHO WERE KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE. What's there even to talk about?

Yeah, sure, James was pretty blunt and rude too. Although in my view, he had the right to openly disagree with Slytherin's views.

If you're looking for who actually started all this in this situation, here's the answer — Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin. Blame those two.

But don't tell me Snape wasn't backing Slytherin's ideas. He had a bias against Muggles even before school.

“Haven’t been spying,” said Snape, hot and uncomfortable and dirty-haired in the bright sunlight. “Wouldn’t spy on you, anyway,” he added spitefully, “you’re a Muggle.”

He already had a dislike for Muggles. You'll say it's because of his bad dad? But Harry also had a bad family. Having a tough time isn't an excuse for hating on the weaker ones (in this case, Muggles).

Does it make a difference, being Muggle-born?”

Snape hesitated. His black eyes, eager in the greenish gloom, moved over the pale face, the dark red hair.

“No,” he said. “It doesn’t make any difference.

And he knew full well what Slytherin was about and the difference between pure-bloods and Muggle-borns. And still wanted to be in Slytherin.

So she’s my sister!

“She’s only a—” He caught himself quickly; Lily, too busy try- ing to wipe her eyes without being noticed, did not hear him.

Yeah, she's "only a Muggle."

I don’t like some of the people you’re hanging round with! I’m sorry, but I detest Avery and Mulciber! Mulciber! What do you see in him, Sev, he’s creepy!

Snape's mates are creepy and the whole school's scared of them. But you'll say Snape needed someone to hang out with or that he was bullied in Slytherin, so he hung out with them? Then you really don't get Snape's character. He's up for a fight. If he really didn't want to, he wouldn't have hung around with them! Snape's got a backbone, and you're making him out to be a doormat. He's not. He did what he wanted.

D’you know what he tried to do to Mary MacDonald the other day?

That was nothing,” said Snape. “It was a laugh, that’s all—”

“It was Dark Magic, and if you think that’s funny… Mulciber’s and Avery’s idea of humor is just evil. Evil, Sev. I don’t understand how you can be friends with them."

After SWM:

You and your precious little Death Eater friends—you see, you don’t even deny it! You don’t even deny that’s what you’re all aiming to be! You can’t wait to join You-Know-Who, can you?

He opened his mouth, but closed it without speaking.

It's the fifth year. When you say Snape wasn't a Death Eater yet... yeah, he wasn't, but he already knew who he was likely to become and who his mates were definitely going to be.

But you call everyone of my birth Mudblood, Severus.

And Snape calls others Mudbloods. Like I said, James' bullying of Snape was "morally directed," James saw himself as a knight in shining armor. It's awful, and James had no right to it, and of course James's actions affected Snape. But that's also not an excuse for Snape.

Snape's always been fascinated by the Dark Arts, he was famous for it at school.

Plus, Snape was known for his fondness for the dark arts. Wonder where that reputation came from? Snape came up with powerful dark spells back in school. Snape was a wizard of great power.

And Snape was just this little oddball who was up to his eyes in the Dark Arts and James — whatever else he may have appeared to you, Harry — always hated the Dark Arts.

Here's the main conflict. Somehow Snape fans say James bullied Snape because Snape was poor and James was rich. Where did you read that? Lupin was his friend and wasn't rich. Pettigrew didn't seem to be rich either. Not everything in the world is measured in money. Not all pure-blood wizards are rich. Not all Death Eaters are rich. Slytherin isn't a rich kids' club. Pure-bloods aren't an aristocracy with vaults full of money. It's fanon, but it's not canon.

Snape was a special case. I mean, he never lost an opportunity to curse James, so you couldn’t really expect James to take that lying down, could you?”

And Snape attacked James too. By seventh year, Snape had one foot already in with the Death Eaters. If you don't get how HORRIBLE that is, then I don't know how to explain it to you.

Plus, he deliberately kept tabs on them, snooping around Lupin, wanting to rat him out.

“What’s Potter got to do with anything?” said Lily.

“They sneak out at night. There’s something weird about that Lupin. Where does he keep going?

He’s ill,” said Lily. “They say he’s ill—”

“Every month at the full moon?” said Snape.

I’m just trying to show you they’re not as wonderful as everyone seems to think they are.”

And by the way, even Snape admitted that the whole school saw the Marauders as "wonderful." It probably wasn't true, the Marauders were bullies, but it was likely because they stood up for Muggle-borns and were against Voldemort's ideas. That's why they weren't seen as "evil and creepy" like Snape and the Slytherins.

About how the Marauders were actually bullies — I wrote about it here. And they never really understood anything, even when they grew up.

But please stop justifying Snape by James's actions (why is everyone forgetting Sirius?) There is no excuse for either of them. And the fact that James bullied Snape...it has no bearing on how I feel about Jily. Snape wasn't a poor kid. James wasn't a golden retriever. James and Sirius were pretty cruel. Snape was too. They just ended up on different sides of the fence.

And I don't love Snape for who he was in school. I love him for what he did afterward — bravely and selflessly securing victory over the biggest evil in the WW at the cost of his entire life.

[buckysburnout]

so high ☆ mattheo riddle x f!reader

summary: you bet mattheo that you can out-smoke him at a slytherin party and he doesn’t believe you.

a/n: characters are 18+ also not proofread, so sorry if there's mistakes :)

warnings: suggestive flirting, making out, smut at the end, bets, smoking (obvs), reader smokes, dr*gs, drinking, swearing, general party theme lol

it was a saturday night, and throughout hogwarts castle, teachers slept, house elves cleaned the halls, and younger year students slept peacefully in their common rooms. all was quiet, except for the slytherin common room.

music blared from the enchanted speakers that enzo and pansy had gotten from hogsmeade earlier in the week, and firewhiskey shots were being passed around by the “bartender” who was really just adrian pucey sitting behind one of the tables in the room.

you watched from one of the plush couches as draco and blaise danced around each other, laughing and singing, already hammered off of a mix of weed and alcohol. theo was also with them, not nearly as hammered, but laughing at them and singing along to the song that was playing.

“and i thought these two couldn’t get any more ridiculous.” a voice said from behind you, and you didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.

“hi mattheo,” you smirked, not looking back at your best friend. “let them be, it’s your weed they’re zooted off of.”

his arms came to wrap around your shoulders as he leaned in behind you, lips tickling your ear as he whispered so only you could hear.

“i barely gave them any, they split a joint between them.”

finally, you turned around and gave the boy a smile.

“there’s no way that’s true matty, i’ve smoked your joints before and that is not what happens at all.”

he smirks at you and comes to sit down on the couch next to you. his arm goes back up around your shoulders as he leans closer to you.

“oh yeah? and what exactly happens when you smoke my joints love?” his tone is suggestive as he raises his eyebrows at you and gives you a teasing wink.

your cheeks redden, and you can tell he notices by the way his grin widens and he shuffles a little closer to you on the couch.

he’s challenging you, and you know it by the way he’s looking at you, his dark brown eyes boring into you, waiting for an answer.

two can play at this game.

mattheo may have been a flirt, but so were you.

he takes a sip of his drink as you shoot him a sweet smile, “oh you know, the usual, maybe a little spacey, a little relaxed, a little horny.”

you say the last part quietly so only he can hear you, and his eyes go wide as he chokes on his drink, coughing. you watch as it’s his turn to get flustered. he recovers quickly though, and before you know it he’s pulling out two joints from behind his ear.

“is that so?” he says, his tongue running against his bottom lip slowly as he looks at you.

“yeah, and you know what matty?” you start to slowly lean closer to him, your hand softly brushing up his arm.

his eyes flicker down to your lips and it's his turn to blush as he shifts slightly in his spot on the couch. flirting isn't uncommon in your relationship with the boy, but it's days like these when mattheo has already had a little bit to drink, and you're looking a little too good in your party outfit, that he thinks that maybe, just maybe, he'll be brave enough to make a move.

he lets out a breathy chuckle. "what darling?"

you lean even closer so that your lips are almost against his ear. "i bet you anything that i can out smoke you, right here, right now."

the hand that's still on his arm slides up to his left ear where two already rolled joints are resting. you snatch them up as he processes your words. you're already off the couch and laughing as he finally recovers and gives you a dark stare- not unkind, but something that you can't quite place.

"anything?" his voice is low, challenging you. "because i could think of a lot of things i want if i win."

"oh yeah? like what riddle?"

he gets off the couch and motions you to follow him through the common room doors. "come with me to the astronomy tower and we'll see who can really out smoke who." he looks back at you with a shit-eating grin. "and when i win, i get to ask you one question, and you have to answer truthfully. if you don't i'll know."

you laugh again at that. "ok matty, you're on. but if i win," you reach over to run a hand through his hair, your small hand finding his larger one in the darkness of the hallway. "you have to do my history of magic essay for me, and my potions notes."

mattheo shoots you a quick grin. "you're on princess."

the nickname makes your cheeks flush, and you thank merlin that the hallway is dark enough so he can't see how flustered he makes you.

it's around 12:30 by the time you arrive at the astronomy tower, and mattheo sparks the first joint with a quick incendio. your joint is between your lips and you're about to pull out your wand to light yours as well, but mattheo beats you to it.

"let me princess." he holds up his wand and lights yours up with ease. you flush again. that has to be one of the sexiest things he could have done. i might just let him win at this point.

"thanks matty." you say softly. he's leaning against the rail of the tower, and you step to join him. your arms are brushing against each others as you finish your first joints.

half an hour passes and you continue to try and out-smoke each other, giggling and becoming more chatty with each drag. by the time you're 2 joints in you have to call it quits. anymore you were going to green out, and you really didn't need to have a panic attack on top of one of the highest points in hogwarts.

"alright matty, you win, there's no way I'm having another one tonight." you have a genuine smile on your face as you tilt your head to look at him, joint still hanging off your pink lips. mattheo thinks you might be the prettiest girl he's ever seen. he looks away from you before you catch him staring, and sparks up another for himself.

"i knew you couldn't beat me darling, but you did get pretty close." he's looking at you with a smug smile and you just want to kiss it off his perfect face.

"shut up mattheo," you laugh good-naturedly at him. "i guess you get to ask me your question now. i promise to answer 100% truthfully."

you take a small step closer to him as you speak, and you are so close to each other now, that you can feel the heat radiating off of him.

"hmm let me think," he puts his hand on his chin in mock thought. truthfully, he knows exactly what he wants to ask you, but it's so fun to watch you squirm as you wait for him.

"ok here's my question,"

he pauses to flick the butt of the joint off the astronomy tower, and in one quick swoop, his arm is around your waist, pulling you flush against him. you look up at his brown eyes and see as confident as he looks, there's still a faint tint to his cheeks.

he speaks softly, "if i kissed you right now, would you kiss me back?"

your heartbeat speeds up and your arms come up to wrap around his shoulders. a loving smile spreads across your face as he awaits your answer.

"why don't you kiss me and find out?" you whisper leaning in.

a wide grin spreads across his face and he takes no time in pressing his soft lips to yours eagerly. you kiss him back with the same eagerness, and one of his hands stays on your waist as the other sinks down to caress your backside. the kiss gets deeper and more enthusiastic as you open your mouth a little to let his tongue slip in. you let out a soft moan and grab the back of his hair to give it a tug.

it's his turn to groan as he pushes you up against the railing of the tower. you and mattheo only pull away for the need of air. you're both panting as you pull away and smile at each other. the weed in your systems makes every touch seem so much more intimate, and you never want him to let go of you.

"if i knew you were going to kiss me like that, i would've dragged you up here sooner." you (half) joked as mattheo leaned into you to suck lovebites onto your neck.

his head was still buried in your skin as he answered you. "i don't think i'll ever be able to not kiss you again princess." his voice was needy, and you could feel the growing bulge in his pants. "i've wanted to do that for so long," he confessed quietly, pulling his lips away from your skin.

"me too baby."

the pet name made him drag you into another heated kiss, your hands finding their spot right on the top of his belt buckle. you could feel him against you, desperately searching for some relief.

"need a little help matty?"

he groans as he nods his head, leaning in to kiss you again. you waste no time in unbuckling his belt and watch as his pants fall down around his ankles. his hands are already reaching up your skirt, pulling your panties to the side as he slips two fingers into your awaiting heat.

"so wet for me princess, can't wait 'till my dick is in your perfect pussy."

his lewd words make you moan into his mouth, along with his expert fingers, pumping in and out of you. you can't wait anymore, and you pull down his boxers to let his dick spring free. you pull away from the kiss to look down at his throbbing member. he was the perfect size, tip flushing red as it leaked precum. your hand reached down to swipe it off, as your hand pumped him. his head was thrown back and his eyes rolled back into his skull, his voice heavy with lust when he spoke.

"gods princess i need to be inside of you right now." he pulled his fingers out of your soaked heat, looking at you for permission to enter.

you nodded at him and dragged him closer to your body. "fuck matty, i need you so bad."

he didn't need to be told twice, as his hand reached down around his cock, and pressed into you. you both moaned at the way he was stretching you out, the pleasure like nothing you've ever felt before.

"holy shit."

mattheo's swore as he thrust into you, moaning and whispering praises into your ear. "such a good girl for me princess, you feel so good."

"fuck mattheo, don't stop, i'm so close baby." you moaned. his cock was hitting the perfect spot, making your vision blurry.

"you take me so well baby, never gonna want anybody but you."

his thrust got harder as you clenched around him. the familiar heat in your stomach was white hot as you clenched even harder around his thick cock. "i'm coming matty, oh merlin." you moaned.

"yeah princess, come on my cock, i wanna see your pretty face when you do it."

his words were too much as you came around him. he groaned loudly as he felt you come, and his thrusts got sloppier and rougher. you could tell he was close.

"you fuck me so good matty," you panted. "come inside me baby, i wanna feel you."

that was enough to send him over the edge, and you could feel the thick ropes of cum release inside of you as he fucked you through his orgasm. you were both panting as you came down from your high together. he reluctantly pulled out of you and pulled his pants back on.

you smiled at him and leaned up to give him a quick kiss. "that was so good matty."

he still had a bit of a dazed look in his eyes as he stared at you.

"matty?" he was just staring at you, and you were getting nervous that he regretted it.

"can i be your boyfriend princess? i promise to treat you right." the genuine tone in his voice made you grin widely, as you kissed him again, this time with more passion.

"of course you can mattheo, as long as i can be your girl."

"you can be mine for as long as you want me to be princess, i love you." his hand caressed your cheek softly as you both smiled at each other.

"i love you too mattheo, more than you ever know. and who knows? maybe one day i'll actually out-smoke you."

he laughed and shook his head at your teasing. "i don't know darling, if i get to fuck you like that everytime, i'm definitely not letting you win."

"oh you're on riddle."

[hollowed-theory-hall]

what’s your opinion on draco x hermione as a couple? sorry if you’ve answered this before but i haven’t been able to find an answer 🤔

Hi, and no I don't believe I have spoken about Dramione before.

As with all shipping things, ship whatever you want these are just my opinion.

With that out of the way, I honestly, I have a little soft spot for Dramione. Now, do I think it makes sense in canon, not really, but I don't mind them as a side pairing. Like, you won't find me reading/writing fics specifically for Dramione, but I'm fine when they are there.

You see, Dramione hits a very particular spot for me. That spot is that I like both characters about the same amount (which is I think they're written alright for what they are, but I find them kinda annoying in the books). That places them as equals inside my head and makes shipping them with each other easier than shipping them with characters I like more than them. This is just how shipping works for me sometimes.

As for the character personalities themselves, I think Draco and Hermione have a surprising lot in common with each other.

Draco is implied to be a top student (he's in Potions NEWT class, for example), like Hermione, meaning he's also very academically inclined. But neither of them is some brilliant strategist and while they can come up with creative solutions, they don't think very far ahead with these solutions. They don't necessarily complete each other intellectually, but I think they're about equal to each other, I think. Both are brave when the situation calls for it. Hermione hangs out with Harry and Ron, who never really had money growing up, but her family goes on ski trips. She's the only daughter of two dentists. You just know she lives well and is used to comforts at home.

Both, while having very loving parents, feel isolated from their peers growing up. You can tell Hermione was likely bullied in her muggle primary school and while Draco hangs out with Crabbe and Goyle, he isn't actually close to any of them. Both of them also share the experience of loving their parents, and yet having a great divide between them and their parents. Hermione's parents love her, but they could never connect to the wizarding world fully. Lucius and Narcissa love Draco, but once Voldemort returns, I think Draco feels more and more distant from his parents because he isn't actually a blood purist. We see that when he's truly alone and seeking comfort and a friend in year 6 he talks to Moaning Myrtle, who is a muggleborn.

I think, like Myrtle, Hermione could appreciate that Draco is sensitive. This is something I feel might get on Harry's nerves on occasion considering how he hates Cho being all weepy, but I think Hermione would find it sweet.

I do like that Hermione is the more ruthless one between the two. Like, she is the more willing of the two of them to come up with some crazy idea that is most difficult illegal (like trapping Rita in a jar or setting Snape's robes on fire). Like Draco would be horrified at the thought of breaking into the ministry, Hermione would consider it a challenge. This dynamic could be really fun.

It's a dynamic that doesn't exist with Drarry or Dron in the same way since Harry and Ron, while both are more ruthless than Draco and also break into the ministry do so out of necessity and usually would try to avoid danger. Hermione, on the other hand, is more willing to go in headfirst into crazy dangerous shit like the Gryffindor she is. I think Hermione is less hinged than Ron, and Harry is what I'm saying, and it's one of my favorite aspects of her character. And while Hermione can be ruthless, and even violent, she's also weird about violence. She has a certain line she is terrified of crossing; that line is around killing and Unforgivable curses. I think terrified is the right word because I think she knows she could cross it and it scares her. We see Harry cast Unforgivables, and while I think Hermione could cast them if she was pushed to it, it wouldn't be something she tried on her own accord. I also think she'd be more horrified with herself for succeeding than Harry is. Draco is similar in that he can cast Unforgivables when pushed to, but he's disgusted with himself over it and feels sick. What I'm saying is that Hermione is softer in that respect (but also wackier in her plans), which I think would be very interesting when paired with Draco.

Both of them could be incredibly stubborn, which I think they'd both enjoy. Both Hermione and Draco are very verbal characters, they love talking and blabbering on and that would help them connect to each other because they would just start talking about something, and just, never really stop talking because both of them are like that. I think Draco would also enjoy bantering and arguing as a playful pastime the way Hermione and Ron do, which is also a point in Dramione's favor.

Hermione is less forgiving than Harry is, though, but she is capable of forgiving Draco, I don't think it's beyond her. Yes, slurs and all, I think it's in character for her to forgive him under the right circumstances.

So, like, while they're not a pairing I read all that much, they do compel me a bit. My main problem with Dramione is that often when they're paired up, both of them are too out of character for my liking.

[skeptiquewrites]

WIP Snip

I've been mostly writing for two fests, and otherwise feeling a little blocked creatively even for microfics. This is something I didn't quite let be a drabble, but isn't a full fic idea.

"Professor Emeritus Potter—"

"Just Harry will do, Tansy." It's unsettling about being in the presence of someone she's been studying for years. After all the research she’s read, the reality of his age sinks in. His face is deeply lined, and his hands shake slightly when he gestures for her to sit. She sinks into a plush armchair that smells faintly of crushed lavender. She doesn’t touch the steaming cup of tea he’s prepared for her. 

She side-steps his absurd offer to address him by name. “I would like to interview you as part of my study.”

“Yes, I assumed. Why?” Tansy has the distinct feeling that she’s being teased, but as it took several dozen persistent letters (and one Howler) to get this meeting, she barrels forward. Despite her hands leaving sweat stains on the black satin dress robes she borrowed from her older sister. 

When she meets his eyes, there's warm encouragement there, as if he's still teaching in a classroom. 

"Many books about you omit the context of the Post-War period.”

One bushy white brow raises. “They do. Come now. Be more specific.”

“The recession. And the trials. And the policies?” It’s not a question but her voice squeaks out of nerves.

“Yes, of course, but that’s not all you’re interested in, is it?” The chiding is so gentle, and his amusement so genuine that it makes her brave enough to blurt it out. 

“There’s also not much about your relationship with Grand Magister Malfoy.” 

"Draco," he corrects. “I suppose you’re right. How’s your Sonorus?”

“Sorry?” She almost spills her untouched cup out of surprise. 

“My husband has become a bit hard of hearing nowadays, but he won’t admit it. Stubborn. Always has been. Hermione spoke highly of you and your research. You should interview us both.”

Tagging @teledild0nix @boxboxlewis @wolfpants @tackytigerfic @mintawasalreadytaken. Thank you for tagging me in the last while and thinking of me.

[saintsenara]

❤️

So many options here! Therapised Sirius, endlessly kind Lupin, suave Draco, incel Snape, emotionally intuitive Hermione, villainous Dumbledore, boorish Ron, the list goes on.

thank you very much for the ask, anon! and you're so right that we have lots of potential options to use as answers to this question...

which character do you think is the most egregiously mischaracterized by the fandom?

but i'm going to go for my best girl, merope gaunt.

merope’s son is, in my opinion, the most interesting character in the series, and his relationship with his dead mother’s memory is one of the most fascinating things about him [and also an aspect of his characterisation which canon dwells on only lightly - dumbledore’s view that voldemort "despises" merope is never interrogated, despite the fact that harry clearly clocks the ways in which his grief about his motherlessness drives his decisions].

but i also think that merope is a fascinating character in her own right, not least for what she reveals to us about the complex threads which bind being a victim and being a perpetrator together, what she shows about how there are no perfect victims, and what she shows about how there are no irredeemable perpetrators. and i really dislike the fact that - even in fics which attempt to deeply get into voldemort's character from perspectives not found in the canon series - authors typically write her as an unambiguous villain, and take dumbledore's view - that merope chose to die [something which directly justifies voldemort's view of death as shameful, which isn't what the series thinks it's saying...] because she wasn't brave enough to live.

i hate this - because i hate anything which suggests that wizards and muggles are, essentially, different species. throughout the course of human history hundreds of thousands of women - who would have loved to have stayed alive for their babies - have bled to death in childbirth, because childbirth is dangerous. a lack of courage doesn't come into it.

but i also think that merope deserves to be treated as something other than a one-note villain outside of this.

she's a rapist. there's no need to handwave that away - even though canon does [love potions are treated as somewhat benign in the text, the canonical tom riddle sr. gets no sympathy whatsoever within the narrative, and he is blamed by both harry and dumbledore, even if this happens in ways which make sense for their characters, for "abandoning" his son].

but she's also someone who must meaningfully lack the capacity to understand what she does as rape. the implication of canon is that she's subjected to incestuous sexual violence at her father and/or brother’s hands [morfin’s jealousy over tom sr., and the fact that he tells tom jr. that merope "dishonoured" him by having a sexual relationship with another man, heavily suggests this], which the narrative once again considers vaguely amusing - and she's certainly subjected to physical violence by them. she's treated as little more than an object to display her father’s locket. this is a girl [she’s nineteen when she dies] who cannot have any idea what things like consent and bodily autonomy are, and who shows through this how this lack of safety and education in one person’s life can go on to beget horror in another’s.

and, alongside this, she also provides a particularly good insight into something which is often absent from the canon narrative - the failure of the wizarding state. it is extraordinary that, when morfin and marvolo are arrested, she's just left on her own. or that the state has made no prior effort to remove her from the home of two men with reputations for violence, or to make sure that she has an education, or to notice that she lives in grinding poverty. or that she's forced to sell her father’s locket for a pittance because the wizarding state makes no effort to help heavily pregnant women who have nowhere else to go.

this - the fact that evil is often banal proceduralism, and that the greatest harm is caused by state apparatus - is something which is largely absent from the canon narrative, which tends to locate good or evil within the individual. so too is the reality of gendered violence, or how poverty affects women specifically, or how the institutions praised in the series - hogwarts chief among them - maintain a social structure which is hugely oppressive. these things go on to affect voldemort too, but they originate with merope.