#druella finds it funny

[scaryspears]

Arcturus & Melania Headcanon

Arcturus and Melania were an odd couple that no one expected.

She was quiet and easily slipped by people, but also great at being diplomatic, and could've made a good lawyer or spy. That of course went hand in hand with Arcturus' aspiration to be a court judge in the ministry.

She had a kind heart, with a peculiar sense of humour, and just an overall warm person to be around. Arcturus was quite possessive of her, and got jealous easily, but he was covert about it. He didn't show her. A bit of a yandere, honestly. Any man he felt a little competition with? Critically injured, or never seen again.

Arcturus treated everyone he came across with respect, even mudbloods, which is why he was never suspected of being insane. He was recognised as one of the normal or civil Blacks.

Melania came from the Macmillan family, who were known for being a long line of Hufflepuffs. They were fairly middle class, but not to the same level as the Blacks.

The Black family didn't approve of Arcturus marrying her, but he stubbornly continued courting her, and they stayed together. It took 5 years for Melania to gain Sirius II approval, but it didn't stop the other family members from looking down at her. Out of all her inlaws, Lycoris was nicest to her, with Regulus I being second place. Being an unseen middle child, Lycoris understood what it's like to be visible when people wanted something from you, and confided in her. Regulus I was the baby of the family, and seen as harmless with the agonising need to prove himself. Melania couldn't help but see him the same way, and Regulus kind of hated her for it.

She didn't like playing favourites, but Lucretia was her favourite. Melania loved having a daughter to dote on and spend time with. She didn't love Orion any less, but found it hard to understand his interests.

Lucretia and Walburga didn't get along as children as they were constantly compared to each other: With Lucretia being the well behaved one, and Walburga being the spoiled brat. Melania would set up play dates for them whenever Violetta was unavailable to look after them, but Walburga hated visiting.

Orion inherited Melania's hardworking nature, and focused on his work, never thinking of dating. When Regulus I died, Arcturus started to worry and tried to match Orion with a suitress. Pollux took advantage of this, and convinced Arcturus to have Orion and Walburga wed. Melania was against it due to Walburga's beliefs on muggle hunting, and what that could mean for Orion's future children, but Arcturus' mind was set.

She was a very kind grandmother, and didn't voice disapproval over Sirius' ending up in Gryffindor. She tried to be a mediator surrounding Sirius' growing rebellion.

She occasionally volunteered to look after Bellatrix, Andromeda and Narcissa since Cygnus and Druella were still in school. Melania worried that Pollux and Irma would poison their minds, and she had been correct to find that it had been the case with Bellatrix.

The Prewetts were lower classed, and everyone was horrified to find out that Lucretia became engaged to one. Melania convinced Arcturus to give his blessing, reasoning that if they could marry for love then their daughter could. She used the fact that Orion was an heir against Arcturus, thus being the only one they should truly worry about. It's thanks to her that Lucretia wasn't burnt off, especially after Molly Prewett married into the Weasley family.

A lot of the family members believe that Melania cursed the bloodline, and that Arcturus was a fool to fall in love with her.

Edit: I assumed Lycoris was a boy's name and always thought he or she was male. I like the idea of Arcturus, Lycoris & Regulus being a trio of brothers. I thought it would be funny if there was a doppelganger trope within the family.

Callidora, Cedrella & Charis. Walburga, Alphard & Cygnus. Bellatrix, Andromeda & Narcissa. Arcturus, Lycoris & Regulus.

[breaniebree]

Third Times the Charm Sneak Peek

Chapter 2 -- The One Where Ron Gets A Shovel

Ron felt bad leaving Harry, but he knew that despite the circumstances of what was going on, he and Harry were only A1s, which meant that they weren’t capable of being partners on any investigations.  They needed someone higher up to help guide them and Ron had to admit, Eric Baxter was a great substitute.  The man was smart and funny.  Not to mention that he’d already taught Ron a lot more than he’d expected. 

When they left Sussex, Ron was only mildly surprised to see them arrive in Londonderry.  He followed Baxter through the main entrance of the Magical Intelligence Agency and into the Secret Intelligence Unit on the second floor otherwise known as the SIU.  They walked past a few desks in the bullpen before Baxter turned left and headed towards a smaller bullpen in the back where Ron recognized Sebastian Kane sitting with a tiny Korean woman who Ron remembered seeing at the Auror’s birthday party in the summer.

Sebastian’s eyebrow rose.  “Baxter, Ron, come to visit?”

“Unfortunately no,” Baxter said, making himself comfortable in one of the chairs.  “We need to track someone down.”

“Aw, and you need us because we’re better than you?”  the woman teased.

Ron snorted and her smile widened.

“I speak the truth, Red.”  She extended her hand.  “Auror Yeona Jin, but everyone calls me Auror J.”

“Ron Weasley.”

“He’s my A1 partner,” Baxter said.  “Fresh from the academy and doing well.  As to doing our job, I’d track this bitch down myself if it was within my bloody jurisdiction.”

Sebastian tilted his head.  “What do you need?”

“Druella Rosier Black,” Baxter said.  “Weasley?”

Ron cleared his throat.  “She’s um, the Lady Falmouth, technically.  She took off in ’93 to avoid the war and is now thought to be on a Mediterranean cruise somewhere.  We need her back in England so that she can answer some questions about her home in Sussex.”

Jin nodded.  “We can do that.  Any known family?

“She’s the last Rosier living,” Ron continued.  “Her brother Enzo and his wife, Alma were killed in the first war along with his son, Ezekiel.  Ezekiel had two children, Evan who was killed by Alastor Moody while resisting arrest in ’81 and his sister Aster who married Thaddeus Nott and was killed in ’84 in a claimed potions accident by her husband.  Black’s husband, Cygnus, died in ’92 of scrofungulus.  They had three daughters: Bellatrix Black Lestrange, Andromeda Black Tonks, and Narcissa Black Malfoy.  Bellatrix is the only daughter still alive.”

Jin wrinkled her nose.  “It’s always the insane ones who stick around.  Any information on her cruise?”

“No, but her grandson will know more, Draco Malfoy.”

Sebastian’s eyebrow rose slightly at the name.  “All right.  Give us twenty-four hours.  We’ll bring her back to England for questioning.”

“Thanks,” Baxter said.  “We think that she was letting known Death Eaters live in her home as recently as this morning.  Lestrange, Crouch, and Brambilla are at the top of our most wanted list.  If they have outside help, we need to know about it.”

“Agreed,” Sebastian said.  “We’ll bring her in.”

When they left, Ron snuck a look over at his partner.  “Bringing in the MIA was a good idea.”

Baxter’s lips curved.  “I’m full of those.  Atwell will tell you that I’m also full of shit, but don’t listen to her.”

Ron chuckled.  “Noted.”

“The Magical Intelligence Agency works on an international level,” Baxter explained.  “They are the Aurors we need to help us track criminals who leave the country.  They have jurisdiction in every country in the world and this means that they can do things that we aren’t able to, like go to the bloody Mediterranean Sea and try to find this witch.”

“Which leaves us where exactly?”  Ron asked.

Baxter stretched his arms up over his head.  “Let’s head back to Godric’s Hollow, Weasley.  There’s something about that graveyard that’s been bothering me.  I want to reinterview the witnesses who claim that they saw Brambilla there last week.  We’re missing something, Weasley, and until we find it, I think Zacarias is going to stay just out of our reach.”

That was what Ron was afraid of.

[bi-snape]

Pt.3 → Pt.2 that post has a link to the first post and again I do not own these drawing bases, I found them on Pinterest. Also it's possible that Druella may be Evan's aunt so this would make Veles (my oc) her brother.

What happens when Druella agrees to watch over her nieces and nephews. She and her husband keep forgetting how strong Lilith is.

Also Cygnus has learned not to insult his wife even in a joking manner, argue with her, or tell her what to do because he will get killed by his nieces and nephews. He learned that after speaking rudely to her one evening while they were visiting.

Cygnus: *says something rude to Druella*

Lilith, glaring at him: Watch your tone Black, just cause my Aunt took your last name doesn't mean you can speak to her that way *grabs an apple, walks up to him and crushes it with her hand* Killing you would simply purify our family, be happy she married you cause atleast then your children will have some intelligence *pulls out her wand* Do you understand?

Cygnus, terrified: *quickly nods*

Lilith, smiles happily: Alright, cool. Also Damien burned down the kitchen

He doesn't like when they visit, he's also simply afraid to say anything.

[thestrangestblack]

BELLATRIX LESTRANGE

Character name: Bellatrix Lestrange née Black

Birthday: January 2nd, 1951. Capricorn sun, Sagittarius moon & Geminis rising

Blood Status: pureblood

Gender & Pronouns: cis female, she/her

Occupation: Former Unspeakable in the Death Chamber, now full time Death Eater

Sided with: Death Eaters

Faceclaim: Anne Hathaway

School

School: Hogwarts

House: Slytherin

Extra curricular: Duelling club, Slug Club.

BIO

GROWING UP

The first born child of Cygnus and Druella Black, so wonderful, everyone was expectant, a future heir of The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. And yet, no boy was delivered that stormy night. Instead, Bellatrix Black came to this world as she lived her life: making it difficult for everyone.

Being a girl didn’t stop her from developing a strong personality. Bella was vivacious, witty and bold. Any boy would’ve been praised if they had an inch of her personality; but instead, Bella was always labeled as an eccentric kid. Too harsh, too opinionated, too loud, too assertive, not feminine enough, not docile enough, not silent enough. Even as a young girl, Bellatrix was constantly proving to everyone that she was just as good as any boy her age and yet, everyone treated her as if she was just funny.

In spite of all of that, Bella grew close to her father. He definitely appreciated her more than Druella did. Cygnus saw in Bella everything he wanted in a son, so he turned a blind eye to the fact that she was a girl and taught her plenty of things that were exclusively reserved for boys. For a moment, Bellatrix thought that everything was going to be okay. If her father saw her, if he saw how smart and capable she was, then maybe, things could change and she could get the full glory.

For nine blissful years, Bellatrix was confident that she would be the one. That the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black would do the inimaginable: they would have a heiress instead of an heir. Until one afternoon Druella gave her the news: Aunt Walburga and Uncle Orion gave birth to a son. A boy.

From the moment he was born, Bellatrix loathed her cousin Sirius with burning passion. That little usurper. Everyone was so excited about little Sirius, even her father seemed more interested in him than her, which only fueled her anger. So Bella began to act out, people mistook her jealousy and thought she was jealous of her new sister, but no, they were wrong. Her fury was directed to her cousin. Sirius was her competition and Bella knew that the odds were not in her favor, simply because she was a girl.

As a pureblood girl that belonged to the Sacred 28, she was raised with nothing but the best. Tutors, balls, luxury, and Bellatrix was smart enough to know when to follow the norms but also when it was safe (or borderline safe) to push the limits, like that time she “accidentally” set fire to Mrs. Bulstrode’s dress after hearing how she criticized her appearance.  

As a kid, Bellatrix hadn’t been blessed with beauty like her sisters, but she made it up with personality and wit. However, when puberty hit her, Bella blossomed to be a unique beauty. With her glorious black hair and seductive and mysterious features, the list of candidates skyrocketed. After all, she was a Black.

START OF THE WAR

Not a single soul was surprised when Bella was sorted into Slytherin. The sorting hat didn’t even touch her head. Academically wise, school was easy for Bella. However, socially, it was a big cultural shock. She was sharing the place with mudbloods and half bloods. She was a Black, not a commoner, for heaven’s sake. Bellatrix was never the friendly one, but she had Andromeda and did make some friends at school that would stick to her even after graduating.

Her relationship with Druella never improved, her mother was too concerned in finding her a husband and making her the perfect trophy wife while Bella had different plans for herself. She wanted to be someone, she wanted to prove her stupid family that she was just as good, if not better, than any mediocre man out there. After giving it a lot of thought, Bellatrix decided that she wanted to become an Unspeakable in the Death Chamber.

However, above all things, she wanted a seat on the Death Eaters table and the second she got out of Hogwarts she did exactly that. Bellatrix didn’t tell anyone she took the mark, she just did it a week after finishing her seventh year. She trained and she trained hard, day after day she would practice different spells and curses. For many years she was the only woman in the ranks, so she knew that everything would be harder for her, at least until she affirmed her position. And she did it sooner than expected.

Her thirst to prove herself was something that didn’t pass unnoticed to the Dark Lord; and he took advantage of it. Bella had always been unafraid and highly efficient. The men above her would send her to suicide missions and Bella would always return victorious and the more successful she was, the bloodthirstier she became. Soon enough, killing mudbloods and blood traitors became her favorite sport.

Less than two years after joining the Death Eaters, Bellatrix was already sitting next to the Dark Lord. She was young but hungry and lethal, and he became the first man to actually reward her for it. After five years of being an Unspeakable, Bellatrix decided to quit her job and devote herself fully to the cause.

PRESENT TIME

Bellatrix is still the Dark Lord’s most faithful servant, at least according to herself. Many years passed since she took the mark and now, she and her husband still sit next to the Dark Lord in the meetings and aid him with their advice whenever he asks. A few years ago, she quit her job in the Ministry to fully dedicate herself to the Death Eater’s cause.

Apart from that, Bellatrix is also enduring the pressures of her family. Thirty years old and no baby? She is married and she and Rodolphus need to fulfill their duties. But Bellatrix doesn’t want anything to do with it.

What will become of her if she has a child? The mere idea of being reduced to something as mundane as a mother makes her sick of her stomach. Going from being the Dark Lord’s right hand to holding crying babies? She would rather kill herself. Besides, she doesn’t like kids that much, she finds them annoying. She made the effort with Draco because he is her nephew, but that’s just it.

Wanted connections

Protegée: a fellow death eater that she took under her wing and mentored personally.

muggleborn obsession: aka someone she harass constantly

Fellow death eaters

Other

tw: death, animal death

Bellatrix is attracted to power, whether that comes from a man or a woman or a non-binary person, she doesn’t care.

The first time she took a life, she was nine years old and it was the family’s cat. The animal was sick and in pain so Bella took the animal and snapped its neck. Druella was horrified and Cygnus completely unfazed, if anything, a little bit proud.

Bella collects knives. She likes them, she finds them appealing and sometimes even arousing.

[wtfmalfoy]

I got a lucissa enemies to lovers prompt that I want to share here, it's based on pride and prejudice (and no, you can't prove to me that Narcissa and Lucius don't read Jane Austen in complete secret from everyone).

- they knew each other by sight, after all, they families are friends and everyone in the purist cycle is ‘colleagues’, but the age difference, even if little, never made them really close and they never look very much at each other (Lucius was closer to the older Black sisters, Andrômeda and Bellatrix).

- until one day Lucrécia and Abraxas, Lucius' parents, held a ball at the Malfoy mansion and called the Black family, of course.

- at this ball Lucius was in a bad mood and thought it would be ‘funny’ to make fun of the youngest of the Blacks for his stupid friends. he called her "a little, embarrassed little thing... people say that Narcissa, or whatever they call her, is beautiful and... well, that's all they say." because, you know, he can be a idiot when he wants to.

- she heard every word. and decided that from that day on she hated him completely. she was very cold every time they saw each other and were obliged to greet each other and Lucius, as time went by and back to school, did not understand why she seemed to be one of the few people completely oblivious and cold to his presence. he was the love or hate type. but Narcissa simply acted as if he didn't even exist.

- Abraxas began to pressure him to find wife options and Lucius found himself increasingly curious and feeling challenged by Narcissa and her coldness. he tried to get closer, she was sharply icy with every word. he decided that he needed her.

- over time, he managed to get close enough to get her attention. Narcissa hated to admit that he was smart and had similar tastes and was probably the only person who could be as arrogant, proud and unfairly handsome as she was. they became friends, friends who hated each other sometimes.

- they fought, argued, Narcissa said that the worst thing that happened to her was when Cygnus accepted the marriage agreement that Abraxas proposed, between her and Lucius. and every word was a lie. she was falling in love, just like him.

- it was very difficult for them, to have a friendship and to start a relationship, especially in an arranged marriage. they were raised to think that love was a weakness - Lucius was a child from a marriage without an ounce of love, his mother's heart belonged to another man and he knew it, while his father was cold, hateful and cruel. Narcissa came from a dysfunctional, insane family, Cygnus and Druella had a violent marriage and she was still broken by Andromeda's lost. they are both pride and full of prejudice, so it was a long way until they understand the good things they fell.

- eventually, both ended up falling for the love they felt. they look like a cold, distant couple, but are just masks that they use. Narcissa loves him. Lucius loves her. they would set the world on fire for each other and dance on the ashes - they hated each other before they loved each other, but sometimes that is necessary to discover how soul mades are born.

[lilana163]

Chapter 1: Reunited//James Potter

April 16, 1960, Druella Black gave birth to twin girls, one the spitting image of her mother. Sharing the same gold locks, down to their perfectly plumped lips. But her eyes, she had blazing stormy orbs.

She was no doubt a Black. The other twin was quite the opposite, she looked exactly like her father, sharing the same raven hair, eye shape, and nose. Though her eyes, she had her mother's eyes. Bright beautiful emerald eyes are what she had. Stunning, yet sad. For those emeralds, orbs would become the only thing truly connecting the young girl to her mother.

Druella Black was a fierce woman, she had the looks of an angel. Though don't underestimate her angel face for even that beauty couldn't resemble who she truly was. Ugly and cruel, served the blonde right. She was a woman who despised muggles, muggle-born, blood traitors, and half-bloods. This hatred was too forever boil up inside her, with no end.

She absolutely hated those outsides of the Sacred Twenty-eight, and Druella Black's hate is not to be underestimated.

Even though being such a cruel woman Druella knew how to love and that adoration shined when with her daughters, Druella would do anything for her little ones, she'd protect her children no matter the consequences.

Though despite being an overprotective mother, that didn't mean her daughters were safe from her grasp. If those girls dare step out of line, their mother wouldn't hesitate on sending a few curses, their way. For these girls had to be impeccable, the perfect pureblood princesses. That is what they had to be.

Perfect.

" Two girls," Cygnus said scrunching up his nose as he gazed at his wife who held his two newborn daughters.

" Yes two girls, are you daft?" Druella rolled her eyes at her husband. Not in the mood to be around the arrogant prat, she was drenched in sweat. Her blonde locks were tied up into a messy bun as few strands covered her face.

" I wanted boys," her husband stated pouting, he crossed his hands over his chest watching how Druella tensed up at his words.

" Girls are better, boys are stinky, annoying, moody, and boys always seem to be running on one brain cell, isn't that right my darling Aurora," Druella replied in her baby voice speaking every word to the newborn in her hands.

" Boys are intelligent, boys can continue the Black name, and boys are strong," Cygnus told his wife who finally turned her attention to her husband, she glared daggers at the man who had a cocky smirk which she so wanted to slap off.

" I've never met an intelligent boy let alone a man and don't underestimate girls hun, they could be just as strong as a boy," Druella smirked seeing Cygnus's smirk fall, he opened his mouth to reply but instead was interrupted by a loud squeal from the doorway.

" The twins are girls!" Walburga gave a thin lip smile seeing her only friend holding the two newest editions to the Black family. The dark-haired woman snatched the blonde baby out of her mother's grasp admiring the tiny human she carried.

" Don't steal her," Druella teased laughing at her friend's actions, she knew how her best friend wanted a girl but instead gave birth to a boy who was now six months old.

" I'll trade her for Sirius," Cygnus joked but the two women didn't find it funny, Druella gave her husband a look that said did he just really say that? while shifting away from the man holding her baby close to her chest.

" Are you sure, Sirius is already a handful," Walburga replies scoffing at the memory of her finding the boy playing with the toilet water.

" No trading kids," Druella commented looking over at the door where her two eldest daughters walked in with a loud six-month-old baby.

" You can take Andy aunt Walburga, she's a pain to all in this manor," Bellatrix grins seeing her younger sister sending a scowling look while playfully biting Sirius's hands making the six-month-old chuckle each time she nibbled lightly on his small fingers.

" Bellatrix," Druella gives her eldest daughter a warning look making her second eldest daughter smirk.

" Sorry Andy, but anyways let me hold my new sister," Bellatrix walked over to her mom gently taking the newborn with the help of her mother.

" What are their names?" Andromeda asks her parents while placing Sirius on her hip.

" The twin Bella is holding is Aurora and the other aunt Walburga has is Narcissa," Cygnus tells his daughter with a toothy grin happy that he took part in naming his daughters this time.

" Welcome to the Black family, Narcissa, and Aurora," Bellatrix grins looking down at the baby admiring the newborn baby smell.

2 years later:

Cygnus and Druella had been constantly arguing about taking the twins outside of the manor, Druella hadn't let anyone other than close family members be around her two youngest daughters, Cygnus couldn't be more annoyed with his wife, it was now time to send their two eldest daughters off to Hogwarts, Druella would love more than anything to accompany her daughters in shopping for school but the only thing stopping her were the twins, Cygnus was keen on Druella taking all daughters down to Diagonally but Druella would make accuse on her two youngest daughters being too young for the world outside the walls of their manor.

" But Cygnus, the twins are too young to be around others, what if we happen to be around half-bloods or muggle born? what then, I will not expose my youngest to that filthy alley where muggle-born and half-bloods roam!" yelled Druella while brushing her long gold locks, Cygnus pinched the bridge to his nose letting out a loud sigh. The man was tired of this conversation, it was what they talked about for months since they first started having children and Druella would use the same argument for each daughter of her on why they shouldn't leave the manor.

" You are taking all of the girls down to Diagonally tomorrow, take Kreacher and Mitzi with you they could help with all four. I am not discussing this any further, the girls need to have a life outside this manor, so quite being stubborn!" Cygnus pointed his finger at his wife who glared daggers at the man standing in front of her.

" They could get a disease," Druella mumbled under her breath yet it was loud enough for her husband to hear.

" Druella Black, you are to listen to me!" Cygnus exclaimed before stomping out of the room slamming the door shut.

As her husband left the room she threw across her sliver hairbrush at the mirror, the mirror that once showed her beautiful reflection was broken into pieces small pieces covering the floor. Druella left the room in fury calling out for Kreacher to supply her with a glass of fire whiskey, she stood in the study looking out at the beautiful field watching her four daughters who leaned on a tree as the three youngest listened to Bellatrix read a story to them.

" Mistress Black, your beverage," Kreacher bowed handing the blonde her drink.

" Kreacher, tomorrow you and Mitzi shall accompany me to Diagon Ally along with the girls, do you understand?" Druella told the house-elf while lighting up a cigarette she so needed, as she put the cigarette between her lips it instantly calmed her, all the anger she felt was now gone the only feeling that went through her body was warmth.

" Kreacher understands mistress Black, and Kreacher will inform Mitzi about mistress Blacks task," Kreacher responded before leaving the room with a pop.

Druella sighed running her long skinny fingers through her gold locks, her beauty seemed to outshine the dark circles and bags that formed in her eyes, the wrinkles she had from furrowing her brows, and her pale skinny figure that showed she hadn't been eating well.

She had been fighting with Cygnus for months now and she hadn't been taking it well, the thought of him wanting his daughters around half-bloods and mudbloods made her sick, coming from a pureblood supremacist family didn't help the thoughts that swam through her mind, she was stubborn and hadn't been willing to drop the topic of exposing the girls to a world beyond their own, it was terrifying to the blonde but she knew when to drop the matter since Cygnus raised his voice which was unusual for his calm persona.

Diagon Ally:

The Black family arrived at the ally by apparating, the blonde stood tall with a green silk dress that fitted her well, along with a black fur coat, she held onto Aurora and Narcissa hands who dressed in matching green dresses with a silver bow on their hair, on Aurora side stood Bellatrix with her outfit slightly similar to her mothers and on the opposite side was Andromeda who wore a green dress with black flats.

All of Diagonally went silent as they saw who appeared, it was rumored that Druella lost her twins during childbirth because no one other than her family had seen the two small girls, whispers were heard as the notorious pureblood family walked into Gringotts looking like they owned the place.

As the family finished the fitting for robes they all walked out hand in hand just like Druella demeaned from her daughters, they halted as a very confused man tapped the shoulder of the blonde woman, hearing loud steps from behind Druella called for Kreacher and Mitzi to take the hands of her youngest daughters, the mother pushed her two eldest in front of her along with the house elves who watched over the young ones. The woman swiftly pulled out a wand turning behind to see who dared to touch her.

" Those are the Blacks don-" Hagrid began but the unknown man had already caught the attention of Druella who scrunched up her nose eyeing the cheap muggle clothing.

" I was just wondering if you could point the direction to Ollivanders, it's I and my family first time in the wizarding world so we're quite lost," the kind man asked showing off his grin while looking at the women in awe of the mention of the wizarding world.

" Muggles? I presume," Druella said with disgust which didn't go unnoticed by Hagrid who ran over to the pair.

" Yes, I'm Jo-" but before the man could finish Druella sent a charm his way, Hagrid gasped at the words which came from the women's mouth.

" Diffindo!" Druella yelled cutting the man's stomach in half and leaving deep gashes on his face, the man was about to fall on the floor but Hagrid was able to catch the man, he stared with a horrified look.

Druella turned around to see her daughters with nothing but fear in their eyes, from behind you could hear Hagrid's loud cries for a healer but no witch would step up in fear that the which who caused such a mess will do worse. The mother ushered for the elves to apparate home with the twins which they did, Druella then took the hands of her two eldest apparating to the front steps of 12 Grimmauld place the dark manor in which all Black family members called home.

" Follow me, girls," Druella commanded Bellatrix and Andromeda followed behind their mother sharing scared glances walking into the drawing-room, they sat down on the couch which Druella stood in front of, she looked at her daughter who stared back at her she let out a sigh shaking her head walking over to the Black family tree.

" You two girls will be attending Hogwarts soon, there are four houses Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, as members of the Black family I expect you to get into Slytherin, not one of your ancestors have been sorted into anything else but Slytherin, I will not have my daughters besmirching the Black or Rosier name by getting sorted into any other house, there will be consequences if you don't wear the snake on your robes," Druella explained to her girls shooting both a stern look, the two girls nodded in understanding wanting to please their family by getting into the infamous house of Salazar.

" And girls, don't go engaging with half-bloods, blood traitors, and mudbloods. Don't make a mockery out of your blood, you girls are pureblood don't waste time with those who don't matter, and if you do engage with those filthy people who call themselves witches and wizards, mummy and daddy won't be happy, don't make a disappointment out of yourselves, it's easy disowning a family member for your accord," Druella spat with a look of disgust, she would hope that her daughters don't become what she hates the most.

[regulusblacksdiery]

Thursday 24th August 1972

Dear Diary,

Today we had a family meal.  By “family meal” I really mean family meal.  Our WHOLE family seemed to be there.  Me, Mother, Father, Sirius, Aunt Druella, Uncle Cygnus, Bellatrix, Rodolphus (that is Rabbit by the way I found out his real name), Narcissa and Luscious (I know he is not family but apparently he is alloud to join our dinner). 

It was the worst.  All the adults talked about was politics and Ministry things and about Death Eaters.  Narcissa and Luscious kept kissing and it was DISGUSTING.

Me and Sirius made up a game to see who could drink the most wine with out anybody noticing.  I know it was a bad idea but we were bored and it seemed like fun....

I got drunk.  Sirius did too.  It felt really funny and cool and weird.  We went up to Sirius’s room because we didn’t want our family to find out we were drunk and we were being stupid and we got Sirius’s mirror and I talked to Potter for the first time he said I was cool because I was doing a hand stand.  Sirius did a cart-wheel.  I tried to copy him but then I puked all over Sirius’s Gryffindor bed sheets and he got mad and then I quickly left because it was embarressing.

But on the bright side our parents never knew we got drunk.  They just think I felt sick after dinner.  It at least made the day more fun even if it had a bad beginning and bad ending.

-RAB

[emptysatellite]

the city's our until the fall

Ao3

Narcissa started smoking cigarettes the summer that Andromeda was kicked out, the summer between her sixth and seventh years at Hogwarts.

She would sit in the meadow near her family’s manor, grey smoke pouring from her parted lips as she took deep breaths out. Usually, hot tears would stream down her cheeks as she overheard her sister and parents’ fight, which would always result in cruel words and hexes towards Andromeda.

“I hate the way you treat people you think are lesser than you! It’s not right!”

“We don’t think they’re lesser than us, Andromeda, we know they’re lesser than us. We treat them the way they deserve to be treated!”

“No one deserves to be treated horribly!”

“Mudbloods do! They will be the downfall of the Wizarding World!”

“No!”

Finally, one evening after sunset, Narcissa had successfully climbed out of her window to light a cigarette or two in the meadow and returned to see everything changed.

Andromeda had stayed locked in her bedroom with no interruptions all day but, after supper, Cygnus and Druella threw open the door, demanding answers.

“I finally know what this defiance is about that stupid Mudblood boy from Hufflepuff!”

“No, no it’s not!”

“It must be. Bellatrix told your mother and I all about him.”

“No, that’s not true! There is no boy!”

“Don’t lie, Andromeda, what have we told you about lying?”

A little before midnight, Narcissa, who had surprisingly not heard any of the argument that evening, pulled herself up the stone wall and through her window. She landed on the wooden flooring with a thud, looking up to see her parents standing there, Druella tapping her heel impatiently.

“Where have you been?” her mother demanded, blue eyes cold.

“I ―” started Narcissa, scrambling to her feet.

“Never mind that,” Cygnus waved a hand dismissively, “we’ll deal with your sneaking about later. For now, we must talk about your sister.”

“Bellatrix?” the girl asked instinctively. Bellatrix was always her parents’ favorite; the perfect example of a pureblooded daughter, graduated with high grades at Hogwarts but destined to become Voldemort’s right-hand witch in the coming years.

“No,” Druella shook her head. “Andromeda.”

“You see, Flower,” explained Cygnus, using Narcissa’s childhood nickname, “Andromeda wasn’t always telling us the truth. She was―is―a Mudblood apologist and wants to marry one. She believes that they are the same as us and that Pureblood society should be abolished.”

Narcissa pretended to be shocked, although she already knew of Andromeda’s stance on Muggleborn rights. “I cannot believe her.”

“We can hardly wrap our heads around it, too,” said Druella. “Your father and I told your sister that she is no longer welcome in this household, unless she gives up this progressive nonsense. She chose to leave. And, because of that, you are not to try to contact her.

“We understand how close you and Andromeda were when you were young girls, but she’s changed since then, Flower. She’s not the same sister you knew. If you do contact her, and your father and I find out, you will be asked to make the same choice of her,” she finished. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, Mother, I understand,” nodded Narcissa.

“Good,” Cygnus kissed the forehead of his youngest daughter before turning on his heel and stalking out of the pink-painted bedroom.

“You’re a good girl, Flower. You’d never let a Mudblood into your heart,” said Druella, also kissing Narcissa’s head before leaving. “Don’t go to bed too late. The Malfoy’s are coming over for morning tea tomorrow.”

Silent tears fell from her eyes as her mother closed the mahogany door.

“But I already have let a Muggleborn into my heart,” Narcissa whispered to no one in particular, unable to say the offensive slur out loud.

Instead of going to bed as Druella asked, she crept back outside and down the wall to the meadow, where everything made sense, everything was real.

Narcissa laid in a patch of wildflower and thought about Lily Evans.

They’d met in first year, Severus introducing them. Lily and Severus had been close as children and Narcissa and Severus were fast friends since the Sorting ceremony.

Lily had been nervous around Narcissa at first, slightly cowering behind Severus every time they all hung out, in a very un-Gryffindor way. But by the beginning of second year, Lily was more comfortable around Narcissa, going out of her way to talk to her in between and during classes. Eventually, they’d grown closer to one another than they’d ever been with Severus, running off to the Forbidden Forest to explore the wide terrains when bored on the weekends.

“Is it hard being a Muggleborn, Lily?”

“Yeah, all the time. Other people like calling me names and jinxing me, but it’s not as bad having you and Severus as friends.”

“You’re my closest friend, Lily, do you know that?”

“Yeah, I know. You’re my closest friend too, Cissa.”

“Cissa?”

“I think it’s a cute nickname. What do you think?”

“I… like it. Thank you.”

At the end of fifth year, when Severus had called Lily that horrific word and she cut him out of her life, Narcissa followed suit.

“You can’t believe that I actually meant to call Lily a ‘Mudblood’. It was a heat of the moment thing that just slipped out!”

“How do you accidentally call someone that word, Severus! It’s absolutely disgusting!”

“She’s my best friend! And she was frustrating me―ow, Narcissa! You can’t just hit me!”

“You are to never go near her again, you hear? There are no excuses for what you’ve done; you know how she feels about this extremism you’re getting into and to call her that word because you were angry at her for calling out your shit.”

Narcissa comforted Lily the summer between their fifth and sixth years via letters sent by owls and, by the time they were back at school in September, their friendship was strengthened at a new level.

They told each other everything, from silly school gossip to family troubles. They read books to one another and told jokes and sang both Muggle and witchy songs alike.

Lily had been rambling about the rights of merpeople when Narcissa realized she liked Lily, no, loved Lily more than a best friend should. So, like any curious individual did, she pulled the redhead close, interlocking their lips.

Lily didn’t hesitate; she kissed Narcissa back immediately.

Narcissa sighed, taking a drag of her cigarette. Life was so much better at Hogwarts, where Lily was. Luckily, there were only a few more weeks of summer holiday…

***

“We’re going to be late to class.”

“Fuck class. This matters more than class.”

“ Narcissa Alexandria Black .”

Narcissa pulled away from her girlfriend, giving Lily a feigned expression of pain. “Full name? Ouch, darling, that stings.”

The redhead threw her head back in laughter. “You have a beautiful name, Cissa.”

“Everyone in my House called me a narcissist for my first three years at Hogwarts.”

“But can you really blame them for that horrible nickname? You were quite self-absorbed.”

“Oi,” Narcissa lightly slapped Lily’s shoulder.

“Hey, I said that you were self-absorbed. Past tense,” she reasoned. “You’re not anymore, of course. Now, you’re the perfect mix between confident and kind. The right amount of cockiness so no one thinks you're a bitch.”

“Aw, you’re the sweetest.”

“I try,” Lily grinned, bright eyes sparkling from joy. She hopped off the sink counter, brushing her skirt in a useless attempt to straighten it. “We really should start towards Slughorn’s class. It’ll take us at least five minutes to walk there and we still have to split up so no one sees us and―”

“Lily Juniper Evans,” Narcissa put her hands on Lily’s shoulders, towering over the shorter Gryffindor, although still making perfect eye contact. Crystal blue met jade green.

Despite Lily’s protests of ‘wow, look who’s using full names now!’ Narcissa continued on. “Don’t stress out,” she said, “we’ll get to Potions on time. Your reputation as the most wonderful Head Girl to ever grace Hogwarts’ hallowed halls will remain spiffy.”

“‘Spiffy,’” repeated Lily with a slight snort. “That’s a funny word, don’t you think? A real debutante would use that.”

She rolled her eyes. “I was a real debutante ― thank you very much ―and I was really fucking good at it.”

“How can someone be good at being a debutante?”

“I’m done with this chitter-chatter, Evans, let’s go to class or I’ll dock you points.”

“You’ll dock me? No way! I’ll dock you points.”

“Sure, you will, darling.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“Love you, Lils.”

“Love you more, Cissa.”

While on their way to Potions, the two decided that Lily would be the first one to walk into the classroom and that Narcissa would be five minutes late.

“Are you sure you don’t mind being late to class?” Lily stopped dead in her tracks, furrowing her eyebrows.

“I’m sure, I don’t mind,” replied Narcissa.

And she really didn’t; Slughorn had always been a good teacher, yes, and Narcissa had always been a good student in Potions. She just never had any interest and was all for missing part of class; Slughorn would never give one of his most talented students a detention, anyways.

“Come on, Evans, it's seventh year,” James whined, running a hand through his unruly curls, “just give me a chance. One date, that’s all I’m asking for.”

Lily looked up from the potion she was stirring, to examine her table partner with a raised eyebrow. She tilted her head and tapped her chin with her free hands, a sorry attempt to appear deep in thought. “No,” she said at last.

James groaned, hanging his head. “Why not?”

“Well, for starters, you’re much too desperate.”

His mouth hung open from shock. “Too desperate?” he demanded.

“Yes; you’ve asked me out, Merlin, how many times? At least ten times within the past two months. It’s a little obsessive, if you ask me,” explained Lily, calmly, flipping through pages in her N.E.W.T.-level Potions textbook. “And, secondly, you’re Head Boy. We already have a professional relationship; we couldn’t risk that by going out romantically.”

“So,” James replied, “are you telling me that you’d go out with me if I weren’t Head Boy? Because I’ll go to Dumbledore right now―”

“No, I’m not going out with you because you're desperate,” she said, looking up from her textbook. “The thing about Head Boy is just an added reason. Although, I would say it’s very valid. Besides, I’m already with someone else.”

James sputtered, at a complete loss for words. “But―I―who―what did you say?”

Lily’s gaze flickered towards Narcissa, who was working alongside Lucius Malfoy at the far end of the classroom, for a split second. She focused back on James. “You heard me right.”

“This has completely rocked my world,” he sat down on a stool, gripping the worktable for support.

“Sorry, mate,” Lily brushed a hand over his shoulder, teasingly, before moving it to pick up a knife. “But can you cut this root for me? Cheers.”

James took the knife and started dicing the roots, while Lily jotted notes down on a small page of parchment.

She glanced up for a brief moment to see Narcissa staring at her. Lily gave a soft smile, which Narcissa returned immediately, before turning her head towards Lucius, who had demanded very loudly for Narcissa to fetch some extra materials. Lily kept her eyes on her girlfriend, eyes following her body all the way to the material cabinets.

“Damn, if you’re gonna break my heart, Evans, you could at least help me with this potion,” James’ scratchy voice broke Lily’s trance.

She spun towards her potions partner, a fake smile plastered in place of her real one. “Of course,” she snapped, picking up the textbook to read off the direction for the rest of the potion.

***

Narcissa was smoking in an abandoned corridor, completely in the dark. She liked it that way, it reminded her of home. It was ten minutes after curfew and Lily passed by, her wand lighting the way forward to catch any students out of bed.

“That was quite a show Potter gave today,” she grabbed Lily’s wrist, pulling her close.

“Merlin, Cissy, you scared the shit out of me,” Lily dropped her wand in shock, moving her free hand to her chest in an attempt to slow her increasing heart rate.

“Sorry,” the Slytherin laughed, “but, still, Potter was acting more lovesick than usual.”

She groaned. “I know… it was so embarrassing.”

Narcissa hummed, brushing a stray lock of hair behind Lily’s ear. “I thought it was cute.”

“Cute? Potter?”

“No, not Potter,” she rolled her eyes. “Just how infatuated he is with you―”

“More like obsessed with me―”

“I understand where he’s coming from.”

Although Lily’s pale cheeks darkened with a rose-pink blush, she responded confidently, voice even. “Oh, really?”

“Uh-huh. Who wouldn’t be infatuated with you? You’re a beautiful person―inside and out―have a magnificent personality, and are so fucking witty and intelligent.”

Lily’s composure broke and she giggled, high pitched and nervous, cheeks turning an even darker, beet red shade. “Thank you,” she said at last.

“You don’t have to thank me, I was just pointing out the facts,” Narcissa cupped Lily’s face in her hands, fingers brushing softly over her lips.

Putting her hands on Narcissa’s waist, Lily lightly tugged the blonde closer to her, locking lips with a breath.

“You should stop smoking,” Lily whispered. “It’ll kill you.”

“I’ll quit,” said Narcissa, “just for you, my love.”

She quit because the taste of Lily’s lips on hers were softer, sweeter than anything Narcissa ever experienced; she quit smoking by the end of seventh year.

[mariekavanagh]

How do you think Walburga’s relationship is with Cygnus and Druella?

I imagine Walburga’s relationship with both of her brothers to be not as simple and loving as one might hope for between siblings. I believe it’s canon that Walburga is the eldest, but I like to think of Cygnus as the elder brother and middle child, and Alphard as the youngest. In such a patriarchal family and society, this causes some problems between the two elder siblings in my view.

I see Cygnus as someone not quite comfortable with his position, never as secure and confident in himself as he’d like, which leads to various issues and problems, including his relationship with his elder sister. He’s not as brainy and quick-witted as Walburga, something which adds to his already-present insecurities about being the eldest son but not the eldest sibling. Walburga is a naturally dominant and bossy personality, and I can see her and Cygnus squabbling as children and teenagers because of this. 

By Black standards, Walburga makes more of a success of her life than Cygnus. She marries highly, produces two sons (despite the years it took to achieve both) and is very proud and smug about her position at the top of the family pecking order and having produced two new male lines to the family. 

Cygnus, by comparison, has achieved neither. I headcanon his relationship with Druella to have been one of teenage flirtation and ill-judged sneaking about. The marriage between the two was hurriedly (and somewhat reluctantly by the Blacks) arranged after the pair were caught fooling around, in case of any unwanted outcomes. Druella is the youngest of four girls. Pretty to look at, but with no real outstanding qualities - not a girl with a particularly impressive dowry or son-bearing prospects, and not the girl Pollux would have arranged for his eldest son and heir to marry. But a less-than-ideal marriage is better than the scandal of a child born out of wedlock, even if everyone in their society knows full-well what a hurried marriage means. 

Nine months later, Bellatrix is born. Four years and two more daughters later, Cygnus has failed to produce a son of his own and his marriage with Druella is lukewarm at best. Now that the fun of their secret teenage affair is over, they’ve realised they’re not actually well-suited long-term. He is aware of how his marriage is viewed as a failure by the wider family on both these counts and by this point has basically given up even trying to be the ideal Black son and heir his father wishes he was. 

In the years before his sister married and his nephews were born, he could put up with all this. But now that she’s married to the future head of the family with two sons waiting to carry on their proud family line, Cygnus finds her insufferable. Even Druella is jealous of her sister-in-law’s two boys, not that she’d know what to do with them if she had any of her own. She knows better how to handle her girls, but no one can ignore the fact that their family will always be lacking without a son.

Side note: I find it hilarious to think of Cygnus’s lack of a son being something of a family joke. By the time Narcissa arrives, relatives are jokingly telling him to stop having girls, he’s going to bankrupt the family with all these dowries. Cygnus does not find this funny. 

To summarise what has somehow turned into a full-on biography: I see Walburga’s relationship with Cygnus and Druella to be less than idea, fuelled by jealously and irritation. What did you expect - a cosy happy family? These are the Blacks, after all! XD 

[heartscfvalor]

Introducing: Andromeda Tonks nee Black

Her hair was a light soft brown and her eyes were wider and kinder.

Andromeda Black is the second born daughter to Cygnus and Druella Black, younger sister to Bellatrix and older sister to Narcissa. In one of the oldest pureblooded elite families, Andromeda was extremely beautiful even as a child, sharing a striking resemblance to Bellatrix, to the point where, at first glance, she and her sister could be confused for twins. She was exceptionally close to her cousins, Sirius and Regulus Black, as well as one of her uncles, Alphard Black.

On the outside looking in, Andromeda came from a family of wealth and powerful, with influential parents who loved her and her sisters and only wanted the best for her. But in reality, Cygnus was incredibly cruel and abusive; humiliated for not being able to conceive sons, he took his anger out on his family when he was drunk, blaming his wife for nor bearing him male heirs, and beating and degrading his daughters at every opportunity. He controlled the girls with fear, resulting in Andromeda adopting a very quiet and demure personality in an effort to not put a target on her back. She was seen by many as a very obedient and graceful child, and when she eventually went to Hogwarts, she was Sorted into Slytherin House behind Bellatrix, where Narcissa joined them later.

At school, she was at her happiest. She could make friends, she charmed her teachers with her dedication to her studies, and she even was permitted to join the Hogwarts Choir. She was very proficient at Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Potions and Ancient Runes. But at the back of her mind, she always remembered that despite all of this, she would never be permitted to have a career; she was being raised to be nothing more than a house wife, for an eventual arranged marriage into another pureblood family, to produce heirs to continue the bloodline. Nothing but a pretty doll to do with what her family pleased.

It was during her fifth year when things changed. Despite being raised in a family of pureblood supremacists, despite being a desired prize for several boys from other pureblood elite families, it was Edward Tonks, a Muggleborn wizard from Hufflepuff, who won her heart. He was genuinely kind, effortlessly funny, and far more intelligent and capable than anyone in her family cared to think he was. Charming and sweet, he vied for her attention for weeks, with her brushing him off coldly, until her walls began to weaken, and by the end of their winter term, she found herself falling in love.

Andromeda kept her romance with Ted a deeply coveted secret. Trained in Occlumency, she could hide her thoughts around her parents successfully, and she never dared breathe a word to her sisters; Bellatrix was smitten with the mysterious Tom Riddle, who felt dangerous, and Narcissa was too good of a child to keep her secret. At the end of her seventh year, Ted proposed to her, knowing that if he did not, he would lose her forever. Within a week of graduation, Andromeda packed a bag in the dead of night and left the Black Manor to her lover’s side, vanishing into the shadows for the Muggle world. As a result, her name was struck from the family tree, her family disowned her, and she was cut off from her inheritance, but she didn’t care; she had escaped her dreadful family, and she wouldn’t look back.

Three years later, Andromeda gave birth to her only child, a beautiful little girl she named Nymphadora, not realizing immediately that her daughter was a metamorphmagus, until she checked on her child a few hours after the birth to find that her brown hair had turned a bright vibrant red. Raising Nymphadora was an adventure all by itself, as Nymphadora was a highly mischievous child with a deep love for pranks. During the girl’s school years, she got letters about Nymphadora making friends with a student who was hunting down the Cursed Vaults, and worried for her safety, until she could breathe easy when Nymphadora graduated, only to worry her mother again by joining the Aurors at once.

In both the First and Second Wizarding World, Andromeda was a member of the Order of the Phoenix, though in the second war she could not fight often. Nymphadora married Remus Lupin, a werewolf who, in Andromeda’s own private opinion, was a bit too old for her daughter, but he was a good man with a kind heart, and he made a good husband. When Nymphadora was pregnant, the Tonks women went into hiding together, while Ted went on the run when the Muggleborn Registration was revealed, with neither of them knowing that they would never see Ted again. News of his death devastated Andromeda, and was further moved when, in early April, Nymphadora named her newborn son Edward after her father. Just three weeks later, Nymphadora, as well as Remus, died in the Final Battle of Hogwarts. The war had ended, but Andromeda lost nearly all of her family, and she steeled herself to raise her grandson, with Harry Potter standing in as godfather, which nurtured a good relationship between them.

Andromeda is now available for anyone interested, in various different universes that we can plot out.

[decadentblood]

below the cut, there’s some information about my characters. i’m going to update this later because i can’t keep looking at it but annaleigh and evan are all completed for now ! 

𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘   

brave little foot soldier you have more courage than sense and i’m not quite sure what to make of you. kneel a wayward child and rise a hunter of artemis. glittering silver bow and quiver and arrows made of materials that only gods can think of. glittering circlet on your head identifies you as a favored champion. do not disappoint the one whose gifts keep you standing. 

annaleigh barrow has a particular prowess in archery and incredibly vision at night. at just twenty five, for the last hundred and fifty years, give or take, they have faithfully served the goddess artemis as one of her hunters. though only at the nemean lion for the last five years, they have taken a liking to this place and serve as one of artemis’ representatives. you can typically find them in the armory, working. 

on history

annaleigh has been twenty five for about a hundred and fifty years. 

they were born in 1838 and a middle child in a family of ten.

anna’s mama got pregnant by apollo after her fourth or fifth and anna was born ! totally not a surprise to anna’s mama that a result of an affair would join the family. 

they’d grown up watching their brothers help their father hunt for food but they were never allowed to join and relegated to the more feminine tasks.

when the war rolled around, they were living in the border state of virginia during the war, extremely close to the borderline with maryland. 

anna’s family chose the confederacy. anna chose the union. 

she abandoned her family for the war effort in 1862, joining with a group of women who had medical training as nurses to follow the union army as closely as they could for the preservation of life. anna, bolder than most, had a tendency to go with some soldiers into battle.

in 1863, a few months before their 25th birthday, anna laid their brother to rest and sent home a letter to their mother. to this day, she doesn’t know if they actually read the letter or burned it like they had with the others. 

1863 was an auspicious year for anna. it was the year they almost died. 

in a haze of pain and death and gore, artemis appeared to a bleeding out anna and promised respite. in exchange for their life, anna became one of artemis’ hunters. 

home had never felt real until they’d joined the hunters. 

once a child now a warrior grown, anna has excellent aim and control when it comes to utilizing the gifts of artemis and they only ever want to bring pride to the title of hunter.

they’re well known for getting women home safely and taking down their fair share of would be assaulters — most of them have a broken nose by the time they’ve been picked up by the cops.

anna has a particularly intimidating look to them and they like to keep most people at an arm’s length away. 

it feels easier that way than to lose people that they care about.

𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒍

i hear your mother in your infectious laughter and i see your father in your arms, strong and compassionate. i see your step mother in your quick tongue. she was your mother’s gift to your father, after you. she also did right by you, i know that by the way she gave you those little girls who comprise your world. son of aphrodite your blessings are numerous, her love for you present in your everyday. 

evan lowell has a stunning gift, if i do say so myself. mama gifted him the ability to petrify his enemies with a kiss. imagine how that went over the first time. it’s gotten better over the years, and he certainly does his mama proud, but he’s been at lowell longer than most, almost since it opened. maybe that’s why he’s notorious for being the first to chomp at the bit to go on missions ( well, until his baby girls arrived ). now he’s in his office, twin girls running around.

on history

evan lowell doesn’t have a lot of bad days. even the days where things seem like they’re world endingly bad, good always cropped up for him. 

he had a really good childhood, surrounded by little siblings. 

evan’s dad, aiden, met his now-wife, drew ( short for druella ), about ten months after evan was born. aiden and drew have had six kids together, making evan the oldest of seven. he has Always had that Tired Dad aesthetic going on, even though he’s only two years older than his nearest sibling in age. 

evan was always involved in what his little siblings were doing and how he could help his parents. 

he has incredibly fond memories of helping his mama around the house with the chores. by seven he was washing windows and vacuuming like a champ. he had a love for order in the chaos of their household and his desire for a close knit family started here, in these moments. 

drew also taught him how to cook. aiden couldn’t cook for shit and drew thought that at least one of the lowell men should get a grip and learn how to. she also taught him most of the other household skills he knows, from changing a lightbulb to fixing the weather stripping on doors. aiden also taught evan how to work with most tools. 

this close family dynamic set evan up well for his future and for how he treats his own children. but first, we should rewind a little bit. 

evan had Big Fuckboy Energy when he was in high school. he was a jock ( football in the fall, baseball in the spring ), he was voted homecoming and prom king his senior year, and everyone saw him with a revolving door of girls around him. 

this perception is extremely funny to evan, because he grew up incredibly respectful and desiring a relationship like his parents, one as loving and full of laughter. evan never had more than one partner at a time, and his gentle heart was broken pretty easily. high school isn’t the time to be seeking commitment but that’s pretty much what evan desired from the time he could stumble around on his little feet. 

skip forward to age 23. evan met caroline. 

he thought he was going to marry this girl, he was so in love with her. but some things ! they’re just not meant to be ! 

 but lmao he did get her pregnant so that worked out great. 

they’re actually on good terms and they have a court order in place, just in case. they don’t ,,, usually follow it. they co-parent effectively and he still spends most major holidays with her so that the girls don’t feel isolated from one parent or another.

caroline has a girlfriend now, her name is ismelda ! they’re very happy and evan really likes her. 

the twins aren’t totally fleshed out yet but in my defense they are four so they’re still working on developing into their own little people. their names are natalie and nicole. 

𝒌𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒎𝒄𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒓𝒆

modern day witch aesthetics don’t begin to cover this kind of power. rose quartz lined windowsills meet tarot readings at midnight and sing the song of a queen of water; that song is about yourself. the  desire to run defeated by roots you didn’t mean to lay.

katharine mcclure spends a lot of time training others in the gym, it’s something that she enjoys doing. she’s intertwined with the weave of her mother’s magic, a gift she shares with most of her siblings. this little girl sewed chaos everywhere she’s been and only changed her ways when she got here. perhaps it’s because she wanted somewhere to belong, wanted somewhere to god. 

on history

katharine mcclure grew up in solitude, not that she minded much. 

her magic manifested itself early and for that she’ll always be thankful. 

she may not have had the best intentions at all times but it’s fine. no one died. 

that she knows of. 

i’ll update this ,,,, more ,,, soon, ,, i promise.

𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝒐'𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒌𝒆 

a child born of love and hardship, living and dead, she is a melancholic kind of beauty. her eyes sparkle with knowledge long since forgotten and twinkle with life. the voices that trail through her mind aren’t always hers but she understands the desire of wanting to be heard, wanting to be loved, wanting to move on from where they feel trapped. so she helps them. maybe that’s why papa left at eight years old after dropping her off at the nemean lion. maybe that’s why she grew up so lonely. 

melissa o’rourke typically sits at the counter in the lobby as an attendant. there are spirits there who flit about and talk to her, thankful for the first time in years someone could understand them. she just smiles and listens and these things have made her kind. they’re also gossip fonts, those pesky spirits, and people tend to be surprised by the things she knows. she’s been here a long time, a fixture of this place.  

on history

soon

𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒆

in the name of the father, son, and holy spirit. i’m sorry that i press flowers between pages, i just want to preserve a beauty that is fleeting. i’m sorry violence comes from this act. i’m sorry because i don’t feel good enough, like i’m undeserving, like i’m not supposed to be here. is that because i’m the son of a man who holds open the gateway to death or is that because i’m the son of a woman who has never spent more than a week with me at a time? please let me skip to the part where i’m actually happy and not just pretending for the sake of pretending. amen. 

son of hades your bones sing a thousand songs and you don’t want to hear any of them. oliver henstridge grew up relatively well off, but you don’t come to the nemean lion at thirteen because your relationships with the mortal part of your family are all that great. he’ll leave for a week at a time every six to ten months to spend some time with his mother but usually he’s somewhere around the nl, being bothersome, making tiktoks, whatever he feels like doing in the moment. for a boy with the ability to manipulate shadows, to bend that piece of reality to his will and step through them like doors to the other side of the world, he certainly doesn’t take anything too seriously.

on history

soon

on wanted connections

soon

[apathbacktoyou]

"I don't want this." + Bellatrix

ok my heart fucking dropped reading that?

“I don’t want this.“ Words uttered so quietly she herself couldn’t even say if she meant for anyone to hear them at all.

Her mother appeared not to have heard, continuing to compare ear rings as if that were of utmost importance. The way Cissa’s head snapped up told her she had heard. But she quickly turned her attention back to fixing imaginery flaws on Bella’s veil, tugging it this way and that, until she gave her a small smile.”You look so beautiful, Bella.“

“Thank you,“she said. The words felt like a mockery. Of course she looked beautiful. First her mother then, once old enough, she herself had always taken great pains to ensure that. She had been told all her life that that was were her worth lay.

Her blood. Her family’s wealth. And most of all, how pretty she was. How much men wanted to gawk at her. How easy it would be to find her a nice (which meant rich, which meant influential, which meant pure) husband.

Well, she supposed she had fulfilled her purpose. Beautiful enough that the betrothal hadn’t been broken when Andromeda had run off and shamed them all. She had been almost disappointed, then, but relieved for Cissy’s sake. Abraxas Malfoy would surely have followed suit. And Narcissa wanted to marry his fool of a son.

She wondered if Meda had truly run to the mudblood, or just away from them. Away from the smile, dears, from the you can’ts and the you musts. Away from the,”You look so beautiful.“

Had anyone ever told her she was smart? Had anyone ever told her she was funny? Or strong, or ambitious, or anything else?

(She thought Slughorn must have called her smart, at some point. Surely he must have? McGonagall did, once, and she only sneered as if that was obvious, and then locked herself in the bathroom and cried.)

She felt the tears sting now, too. Narcissa squeezed her hand. It was hard to tell whose was the one that made the touch so clammy. If another of her sisters ran, Narcissa would be socially doomed.

Bellatrix liked to believe that was the reason she didn’t run. Not that she was too afraid and didn’t know where she might go. She wanted to go. She wanted to run and never stop. She wanted to be free. She didn’t have a clue how anyone made a want a reality.

(No, you can’t cut your hair. No, you can’t play Quidditch. No, duelling is for the boys. No, it doesn’t matter what you want.)

“Perfect,“Druella said as she pushed the tiara into place in Bella’s carefully smoothed out hair. She had wanted to keep her curls. Not that it had mattered.”Now, I’ll see if they’re ready for you.“

Bellatrix stared at the wide-eyed woman in the mirror, her shaking hands clenched into fists. The tears were clinging to her lashes, threatening to fall. She ripped her gaze from the bride.”I don’t want this.“

It was loud, this time, and Narcissa flinched. Druella stopped, hand already on the door knob. She sighed heavily. As she turned to look at her eldest daughter, her face was an emotionless mask, her eyes icy.”I heard you the first time, Bellatrix.“

[andromeda-blxck]

Ted Tonks was messy. Not just literally, which he was. His handwriting was horrid. His tie was always on the verge of coming undone. More often then not, breakfast crumbs needed to be brushed out of his sweater. Thank goodness Androemda had never visited his room, she may not have gotten out alive.

Ted Tonks was not just a literal mess but a big, giant metaphorical mess that was currently ruining everything she had planned out in life.

Andromed’s mission in life had been laid out for her before she was even born. As a female in their society, she would have an advantageous upbringing with the best tutors and opportunities that money would buy. She’d be presented to society and by her eighteenth birthday be courting, engaged or married to a man of equal or higher caliber (which would never happen since the Blacks were the creme de la creme of the pureblood world. Her mother had told her so).

And when Druella explained to her daughters how much better they were then muggleborns and half bloods. Andromeda just smiled and nodded despite that small nagging in her chest that didn’t quite understand how they could be better just because of who their family was. Wasn’t a wizard a wizard no matter where they came from? But she stayed quiet, nodding her head and smiling because it was unbecoming of a woman to ask too many questions.

And when Cygnus smoked his dessert cigars at the table after dinner and went on about the mudbloods ruining the world they had worked so hard to build. Andromeda held her tongue despite having read in the prophet that day that the Ministry was on the up and up and they might actually balance the budget for the first time in a century thanks to a muggleborn Minister of Finance. It was rude to question your father.

Andromeda even partook in it, using the word around her “friends” and sisters to describe their classmates because to use the term muggleborn was not the norm in the world she came from. The world she fought so hard to fit in to. Opinions that were not one of the crowd were kept to herself.

As far as her housemates were concerned, she was just another snake in the grass.

She finally thought she had it down too. That maybe she could find her place in their world. Be a daughter who made her parents proud.

Then Ted Tonks walked through that bloody potions class. With his white smile and kind eyes. From the minute she met him, she felt herself being pulled towards him. At first she was able to be cold and distant, taking plays out of Narcissa’s handbook on how to deal with those unworthy of your presence.

It didn’t last for long and before she knew it, she was laughing at his jokes and telling him funny stories in return. Wanting to be the one who made him laugh. They kissed. A lot. After a date where he literally carried her up a mountain, she began to wonder why anyone would ever think that someone like Ted Tonks did deserve the world. If anything, there should be more Ted Tonks in the world.

Suddenly she didn’t want to be around her sisters as much anymore. The constant talk of husbands and weddings were enough to drive her insane. Secretly, she had checked out a few books about becoming a healer to read when everyone had gone to bed.

Suddenly, Sirius’s position wasn’t so distressing. Instead Andromeda found herself jealous of her cousin. Who joked around with new friends at his table of red and gold. Sirius had an entire house to disappear to, away from the prying and judgmental eyes of their peers.

Suddenly, the only future she saw was one with Ted.

Then it all came crashing down. Deciding to go looking for Ted after he disappeared from the Quidditch party. Smiling to herself as she figured Ted was waiting for her. A romantic rendezvous underneath the Quidditch bleachers.

Instead she found his body, sprawled out on cobblestone floors after an obvious attack. She fell to her knees beside him, checked his pulse as her subconscious reminded her that this was all her fault.

She was reminded once again after she had gone for help. Indigo King pointing her wand at her, demanding answers. As if she could ever hurt Ted. Stubby just repeating what her brain could not let go of. This was all her fault.

Suddenly, the future she had been childishly envisioning for herself. One that included Ted and Narcissa and Bella, if she behaved that day. Because her sisters would come around eventually. They had to.

All of it came crumbling down.

Andromeda realized that night that she would have to choose, Ted or her family. That her presence in Ted’s life would only put a target on his back. She watched as Sirius’s friends turned against him because of his last name. That night, she came to the painful realization that she would never belong in Ted’s world, especially if someone like Sirius didn’t.

So she slept at Ted Tonk’s bedside, in an uncomfortable chair as she slept away. Every few hours she woke up and she’d memorize his face, remind her that she was doing this to protect him. She even said goodbye to him, planting a chaste kiss on his lips. The last one she’d ever share with him.

The next morning Ted woke up with a startle and Andromeda was sure her words did nothing to ease his pain. But she wasn’t doing this to make him feel better, she was doing this to protect him.

She walked out of that hospital wing. Wiping the tears from her eyes as she realized that she didn’t deserve Ted Tonks. So she returned her books on being a healer. She pushed away her silly dreams of a future that would never come to fruition as hard as she tried. She requested a new potions partner from Professor Slughorn.

Life would carry on like it always would. The painful memories of Ted would soon fade. She’d graduate and forget all about the messy blonde boy who’s handwriting she couldn’t read.

Maybe it was time to become like one of them. Just another snake in the grass.

[ofallherstars]

Ted + 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 31-42 omg.

1. How did they first kiss?

Their first kiss was at the policeman’s ball, the one Ted had been asking her to for years. Her mother would have been terribly ashamed (besides the fact that she was with Ted at a muggle ball and had given up her family name), for after years of ballroom dancing lessons Andromeda was a wreck. It was the nerves. She was entirely out of her comfort zone, meeting Ted’s family, and with Ted. What little grace she had was gone, and she was constantly apologizing for stepping on his toes. And then he had kissed her. She had known for awhile that perhaps they weren’t entirely platonic. But with that kiss she realized just how far gone she was.

3. How did the relationship start?

It began with a slipping grade. She wasn’t even all that far behind. It was the difference of an A and an O. Her mother, however, would not have seen it so generously and Andromeda would not risk Druella Black seeing that mark. When she had approached McGonagall, her only option had been being tutored by Ted. A muggleborn. First, he was a nuisance. Then she got to know him and realized he was wonderful. Time passed and he came to mean the world to her. Somewhere between then and now, the line between friendship and perhaps something deeper started to blur. It was as the muggle novel says: she was in the middle before she knew she had begun.

6. Do they get married (or equivalent)?

They do. Exactly how long they had been together is a subject for debate, given the gradual shift between friendship and romance. But it was after Hogwarts, while they shared an evening and talked about everything they hoped for the future, for each other. Who it was that said the words is up for debate, but it was one of them who finally said it. Let’s get married.

7. Do they have kids?

When Andromeda broke her engagement to Rabastan, she swore that she would never have children. The Black legacy should end with them, she had said. But truthfully, she was scared to death of becoming her mother. Scared that she would hurt the very person she loved so completely. It was meeting Ted’s mother that changed her mind. Ted’s mum showed Andromeda what family and motherhood could be, outside of what she had seen. After that, she loved the idea of having her own, of redeeming a little corner of her family by raising a child with the love and care that wasn’t given to her. When Ted and Andromeda had Nymphadora, it was very much planned and very much wanted.

9. Do they act different in public and at home?

Andromeda is more reserved and likely not naturally inclined to pda, something Ted likely tried to respect at first. Except, after years of not being able to show that she cared about him, Andromeda loved being able to show her affection in front of hers; always holding his hand, kissing his cheek, finding little casual ways to touch him. She is probably more affectionate in public than in private. At home, Ted is probably the more affectionate one. It was likely confusing for him, until Andromeda finally explained that she just never grew tired of being able to care about him publicly.

11. Sleeping habits?

Andromeda is a very clingy sleeper, which is probably a good thing since she is also a terrible blanket and bed hog. She grew up in massive and luxurious bed that were made for her by servants. She wasn’t used to having to share these things. On most nights, however, she ends up wrapped around Ted (but still with all the blankets).

31. What do they do when they’re away from each other?

Andromeda was never able to write to Ted in the summers that she lived at home - rightfully so, considering the time her mother had intercepted the letter she had tried to send to Sirius. So when she was at Hogwarts, Andromeda was absolutely terrible about sending him owls. Her poor owl certainly got its exercise, considering Andromeda would write to Ted with every inane thought and question that came to mind now that she finally could. This was in spite of the fact that she could always just wait until the next time they saw each other. After Hogwarts, the two kept up this habit. They regularly wrote letters to each other whether they were apart for a night or a few days. Very few days would pass when they would not write to each other, and if they couldn’t send owls they would give the letters to the other when they saw each other again.

32. Do they have nicknames or pet names for each other?

Ted calls her Dromeda, which is a habit left over from when they very young. Andromeda doesn’t like anyone else to use that name but him. She is not very much for pet names herself, but she has been known to call him love and sweetheart on occasion.

33. How do they refer to the other in public? how do other people refer to the other? (i.e. “my partner”, “ask your father”, ”dad and papa”, ”how’s your wife?”, etc)

They are that insanely irritating couple that is always talking about ‘my wife this’ or ‘my husband that’. Constantly. It gets to the point where Frank and Dorcas make fun of them for it. See this.

34. Who is more likely to pay for dinner?

Ted enjoys paying for dinner with Andromeda, loving being able to take her out publicly and being able to show people that she is with him. Andromeda, however, also loves to pay for their dinners. Mostly because she drained her bank accounts before she left her family, and she takes great pleasure in using her parents’ money to take Ted on dates.

35. How often do they go on dates?

They are definitely that couple that has a set date night - even though sometimes that date night has to be a little less adventurous, especially after Dora is born. But Kingsley certainly gets plenty of time with Dora, babysitting, while these two have their date nights.

36. Typical date night? out or at home?

Early on in their relationship, especially the first year or so after Hogwarts, they do have to have most of their dates at home - what with the whole ‘number of people who have sworn to kill them’ thing. This only becomes more of the case once Dora is born (albeit with a slightly decreased risk of murder). The two are very creative about planning dates at home that are still special, fun, or romantic. They’re the sort to have a picnic, to try to learn to paint, or to build a blanket fort in their living room.

37. Do they celebrate birthdays, valentine’s day, anniversaries?

Ted tends to make a bigger deal about birthdays and Valentine’s day, but both of them love celebrating their anniversary. Neither of them are at all the sort who would forget it, and definitely tend to get each other gifts that are personal to their story together.

38. What would they get each other for gifts?

They tend to have two kinds of gifts. The ‘I was doing other things and saw this ridiculous and entirely random thing that made me think of you’ gifts, and the more personal gifts that have real meaning to each other.

39. How do they spend christmas and new year’s (or equivalent family gatherings)?

Christmases are usually spent with Ted’s family, which amazed Andromeda at first because of how much fun Christmas at the Tonks is. New Years they tend to spend at home or with friends.

40. Who cusses more?

Neither of them are much for swearing, which they thought would translate to being great around Dora. This did not happen in reality. They still argue over who it was that 4 year old Dora learned ‘arse’ from.

41. What would they do if the other one was hurt?

Both of them are absolute wrecks about the other getting hurt, needing to see the other and see for themselves that they are okay. Absolutely terrible about hovering and caring for them until they’re better. Andromeda is the one, though, that would go more on the war path should someone hurt Ted.

42. What are little gestures they do for each other?

There are so many little gestures. The small touches they give to the other when they pass, the letters they give to each other, the letters they save, the funny little things they pick up while they’re out just because ‘they made me think of you’. Ted got into the habit of making the bed if he gets up last, because he knows Andromeda prefers a made bed. Andromeda bakes his favorite things before he gets back after being away, so the house smells nice and they’re waiting for him when he gets home. Their relationship is built on these little things.

[caveatmortumarchive]

headcanon oo2: / the basics

Name: Bellatrix Aurora Lestrange nee Black

Age: Twenty-Three

Birthday: June 12th, Gemini

Gender: Female.

Parents: Cygnus Black, Druella Black nee Rosier

Siblings: Andromeda Black , Narcissa Black

Hogwarts House: Slytherin House

Employment: Obliviator

Social Class/Community Status: Wealthy.

Language: English

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION–

Height: 5′9″

Weight: 118lbs

Hair: Brown Black

Eyes: Golden Brown

OTHER–

Boggart: This isn’t all that complicated, the body of both of her husbands. Her greatest fear is them leaving her behind on earth without them. She is aware of it, though she can’t yet find a way to make that at all funny she has been known to stand up to it. In school her Boggart took on the form of her father, she put him in a dress and made him dance poncy.  

Amortentia: Blood and Whiskey: The two scents mixing together has reminded her of Evan since they were younger. One of those smells that brings her piece when it should make her fear, Evan has always had a way of making Bellatrix associate things with him that used to bring her dread. Rodolphus’ Cologne: He’s worn the same scent since they were together at Hogwarts and she knows that smell anywhere. It reminds her of the first time she ever felt completely and utterly loved. She has always been able to feel him before she sees him, but when that smell wraps around her she knows she’s home. Roses: When she was fifteen Sabine Lestrange gave her some of her own hand made perfume from her roses. She has always associated the scent with her mother in law and it has now become synonymous with her as well.

Patronus: Bellatrix has managed the patronus charm a time or two in protection for her siblings. The idea you have to love someone to produce a Patronus is accurate and Bellatrix loves as deeply as she hates. Her Patronus when ever she has been able to conjure one has been that of a Wolf. The wolf is a bit of a darker and mysterious soul, with the strength of a fighter. A person with this patronus has had a lot happen in their life, and do to that they wear a mask over their emotions. They do, however, have a very big heart that is full of both passion and fire. They have a lot of emotion within them that they are willing to give, but only once they completely trust you, and since they have been made cynical over the years this can be difficult. .

Wand: 13″ Snappy Walnut wood: Highly intelligent witches and wizards ought to be offered a walnut wand for trial first, because in nine cases out of ten, the two will find in each other their ideal mate. Walnut wands are often found in the hands of magical innovators and inventors; this is a handsome wood possessed of unusual versatility and adaptability. A note of caution, however: while some woods are difficult to dominate, and may resist the performance of spells that are foreign to their natures, the walnut wand will, once subjugated, perform any task its owner desires, provided that the user is of sufficient brilliance. This makes for a truly lethal weapon in the hands of a witch or wizard of no conscience, for the wand and the wizard may feed from each other in a particularly unhealthy manner. Dragon heartstring core and Chimera Scale: As a rule, dragon heartstrings produce wands with the most power, and which are capable of the most flamboyant spells. Dragon wands tend to learn more quickly than other types. While they can change allegiance if won from their original master, they always bond strongly with the current owner. The dragon wand tends to be easiest to turn to the Dark Arts, though it will not incline that way of its own accord. It is also the most prone of the three cores to accidents, being somewhat temperamental Although chimera scales are magically powerful, they are extremely rare in modern wandcraft. This is not out of any concern for safety, as they are generally considered no more stubborn than hippogriff feathers, and are more stable than Erumpent hide. The fact of the matter is that there are more recorded basilisk slayings in the past fifty years than there are chimera slayings in all of recorded history. This one slaying occurred in Greece over two millenia ago, so what scales were harvested at that time have been degraded, broken, and dispersed. Today, they are only found as parts of heirloom cores, and even then, all such cores are a more common core (often dragon heartstring) with a tiny fragment of scale embedded. Chimera wands are most common in Greece and the Balkans, although as they were circulated through the Mediterranean and former Roman Empire they are found throughout Europe. These wands are prized for their raw power, although they are difficult to control.

[slytherin--king-blog]

Champions (Scar Tissue - Chapter 21)

Summary: (AU)  A few years ago, Draco’s life changed for the worst. Still, he could live with it, he could adapt. But when another werewolf comes in Hogwarts to teach the students, it starts to get dangerous.

Their absences and behavior towards each other raise some eyebrows and Draco is afraid that a curious mind might even end up seeing right through him.

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 9 - Part 10 - Part 11 - Part 12 - Part 13 - Part 14 - Part 15 - Part 16 - Part 17 - Part 18 - Part 19 - Part 20 | playlist | FF.net | AO3

Pairing: Draco MalfoyxHermione Granger, Lucius MalfoyxNarcissa Black Malfoy

Characters: (it’ll be updated every time a new character appears) Werewolf!Draco Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy, Dobby, unknown werewolf, the man Lucius is meeting (so much information wow), Severus Snape, Remus Lupin, Minerva McGonagall, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Albus Dumbeldore, Rubeus Hagrid (mentioned), Pansy Parkinson, Buckbeak (mentioned), Madam Pince, Gregory Goyle (mentioned), Vincent Crabbe (mentioned), Neville Longbottom (mentioned), Madam Pomfrey (mentioned), Dolores Umbridge (mentioned), Fred and George Weasley (mentioned), Sirius Black (mentioned), Luna Lovegood, Sybill Trelawney (mentioned), Ginny Weasley, Percy Weasley, Cornelius Fudge, Alastor Moody (mentioned), Blaise Zabini (mentioned), Theodore Nott (mentioned), Peter Pettigrew (mentioned), James Potter (mentioned), Andromeda Tonks (mentioned), Regulus Black (mentioned), Cygnus Black III (mentioned), Walburga Black (mentioned), Bellatrix Lestrange (mentioned), Rodolphus Lestrange (mentioned), Ted Tonks (mentioned), Druella Black (mentioned),  Abraxas Malfoy (mentionned), Abraxas’ wife (mentioned), Gilderoy Lockhart (mentioned), Viktor Krum (mentioned).

Word Count:   6,916

Warnings:

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

A/N: I hope you will like this chapter and be excited for what’s coming because soon, there will be the Yule Ball. Also, I hope you like those little moments with Luna, I love writing them talking together and I’ve planned some things already with them. 

The Werewolves Squad: @prayfordream @carry-on-you-wayward-winchesters​ @shit-happens-bitchachos @oceanblue-and-forestgreen​ @chelsea072498 @dracosmanor @lauralikenoone @mad–chill @wolfstar0scorbus @browntown630 @newtismyspiritanimal​ @havingmusicismylifeandworld @dreymain @sonyamd34​ @teamfreewill-girl @hearted-words @hei924​ @broitswinchester @sarahkate1116 @directionerpjab @criticalstardust @06132001pg @claclm @somethingabouttheway  @yandere-rat @morettigrg @grangermalfoylovechild @woundedtoaster​

It was the end of October and Draco had to say, the last two months had gone by pretty smoothly after what had happened with Moody and the conversation he had had with Potter. Mainly, he was trying to stay away from Weasley and him, he really wasn't in the mood to make fun of them. He wanted this year to be better than the last one and to do that, he wanted to focus on his school work to make his parents proud, on Hermione, with who he really didn't want to argue because of her stupid friends, and on Pansy. Maybe even on Snape. Like he had promised to Lupin, he would keep what was making him happy around him, and just avoid the rest.

Speaking of Lupin, he finally had to return to the Shrieking Shack back in September, like he had said they day he had given Hermione her birthday gift. They had quickly seen each other the day before because she really wanted to see him to know how he was holding up. He had been exhausted so instead of going inside the Clock Tower, they had met near the dungeons, in a desert hallway, long after the feast because most students were in their common room at the time. She didn't want Draco to climb all the way to the fourth floor to go to the library or up the Tower, so they hadn't been very careful. They had talked a little, laughed between kisses, held each other for the first time directly in the corridors. And then they had heard footsteps and they had to let some distance between them, breaking their kiss just before Luna arrived in the hallway. They were ready to act like they were arguing if they had to, really. They were ready to pretend, but Draco didn't say anything. He stared at Luna, looking a bit surprised. Hermione didn't know why Draco seemed to be uncomfortable, suddenly, and thought it was just because they had almost been caught.

"Hi, Draco," Luna said with a little smile as she stopped in her track. She looked at Hermione before she met Draco's eyes again. "How was your summer?" Draco cleared his throat.

"Good. It was good," he said, not asking about hers. Hermione kept looking at the girl, noticing her weird necklace. She also noticed her wand that she was keeping behind her left ear. She was holding a magazine close to her chest but she couldn't tell which one it was. Luna moved a strand of her dirty blonde hair behind her right hear as she kept staring at Draco.

"Mine was too. Me and Dad went to look for Crumple-Horned Snorkacks," she said, still smiling softly.

"C-Crumple- Did you manage to find any?" Draco asked as he hid his hands deep in his pockets, glancing at Hermione. He knew he probably just had to pretend to know what it was if he wanted her to leave at some point. Hermione had joined her hands behind her back, still embarrassed, leaning against the wall. She shared Draco's look and he gave her a strained and discreet smile, like he was apologizing.

"No," Luna sighed. "But we will eventually," she then said before she glanced at Hermione. It looked like she understood something, perhaps that she was interrupting something, and she looked at Draco again. "You should get some rest, you look tired," she said to him before she started to walk again, going past them.

Hermione and Draco stayed silent until she had left, and even a few seconds after, still feeling a bit unsettled.

"Who is she?" Hermione asked quietly. She didn't recall having ever met this girl. She was sure she wasn't a fourth year and she looked at Draco who shrugged as he approached her again.

"I've talked to her once last year, that's it. Her name's Luna Lovegood, she's a third year," he explained.

"She seems... nice," Hermione said, not knowing what to say about her.

"A bit weird, isn't she? But not so bad, I guess." Weird was the only word he thought was fitting her perfectly. "Everyone says she's crazy. They call her Loony Lovegood," he said and he looked at the end of the hallway again. "I already saw some of them laugh at her..."

Hermione kept looking at Draco for a few seconds before she looked at her hands as she played with the edges of his cloak.

"Did you ever make fun of her too?" Draco frowned a little, amused, as he looked at Hermione.

"What's this question? Why would I do that?" Hermione tilted her head with an expression clearly screaming "please".

"I saw you throwing snowballs at a first year with Crabbe and Goyle last year, just for the fun of it, so you tell me," she said and Draco smirked.

"That's when I was young and stupid."

"But you're a new man, now, aren't you? You wouldn't do that again, is that what you're saying?" She asked playfully and Draco tried not to laugh. He would do that again if he wanted to, it was funny.

"Who knows, I'm full of surprises," Draco replied and Hermione chuckled, shaking her head. "Besides, I wouldn't throw snowballs at her. Like I said, she's a nice girl, not mean with me..." He said more quietly. Hermione doubted Draco needed this kind of reason to bully other students. She was not ok with that but she had to accept the fact that she wouldn't be able to change this side of his personality like that. He was already making a lot of efforts, she thought, and it was enough for now. She didn't want him to become another person just because they were dating, even though there were things she wasn't agreeing with.

"Why would she be, besides the obvious reasons?" Draco smirked and poked his girlfriend in the ribs. She giggled as she got a bit closer and he passed his arms around her waist.

"She knows about me," he said and Hermione stopped laughing, raising her eyebrows. "Don't look at me like that, I didn't tell her!" Hermione smiled a little.

"I didn't say you did but... How do you know?"

"She told me. Very casually," Draco said, looking at the wall behind Hermione, lost in his head as he thought about the conversation they had had together near the Thestrals. "But she doesn't mind at all, so..."

"She won't tell anyone, right?" Hermione asked, passing her arms behind Draco's neck and he shook his head to answer.

"But, you know... I'm not sure she's got anyone to tell it to," he said.

And then, the next day, he had left the castle to go to the Shrieking Shack after having spent most of the day in the common room. He had gone to Snape's office for the potion, like he had done all week, and as he handed him the cup back, he had muttered a demand.

"Would you mind walking with me?"

He hadn't been able to stop himself and before he knew it, he was walking outside of the castle with his professor. They didn't really talk but they looked at each other before Draco entered the passage. They were both about to say something but it seemed like they had changed their mind and Draco went in, not looking behind him. He had walked in the long passage, tired. It seemed like it would never end, like he would never arrive at the house.

With Lupin, almost every cycle, it had seemed to be so much shorter. And finally, he went in. It had been really weird. Everything was the same, and at the same time, so different. He had sat on the mattress Lupin used to sleep on and he had looked around. He could make out some footprints that seemed to belong to a dog, some blood too. Lupin hadn't told him exactly what had happened the night they had fought, but he knew it was from that time. He also spotted a wrapper from one of Lupin's many chocolate bars. It was probably the worst thing.

Being back there, he could deal with it. But that wrapper was simply a proof that Lupin had been there with him for a while. That they had shared this place, shared things he wouldn't share with anyone else. And at the same time, he felt like he had shared way more about himself than Lupin had ever done. Maybe because he had been too focused on himself to care at the time, or maybe because of what Snape had told him, maybe because Lupin had explained that it was true, in his last letter. That Draco was right, but that it was true.

And he had felt like he had been missing on so many things, on so many conversations they could have had. Real conversation, not simple letters. And there, in the Shrieking Shack, he suddenly craved his presence. Way more than he had when Moody had made his entrance in the castle, way more than he had during the summer, way more than he had the day after Lupin had left. Because he had had the time to get used to his absence, he had had the time to get used to the feeling that had grown inside of him because of his absence. And realizing that he would probably always feel like that was worse than realizing he was alone in the hospital because his friend had left him.

But he didn't talk about it to Pansy, to Snape or to Hermione. He came back in class two days later, after having slept in the hospital most of the time and he had acted like everything was fine. And when Hermione had checked on him, he had told her that he was feeling fine. He had acted like the new injuries on his skin weren't existing and he had smiled at her. Because she didn't deserve to be worried all the time because of him, and he probably didn't deserve so much attention. He thought that she was better off worrying for her classes instead, because they had way more work than the year before.

And there he was again, at the end of October, waking up in that place, on the old mattress. He felt like staying there for a while. He didn't want to walk in the castle, hoping no one would cross his path. He didn't really want to go to the hospital wing to sleep during hours, to waste his time there because he was exhausted. He didn't want that smelly mixture on the wound he had on his chest and he didn't want to think about the night he would spend in the common room to catch up on his work. But he stood up anyway and he got dressed before he left the Shrieking Shack.

He emerged from the passage way later. The light coming from the sun made him close his eyes. He was used to the darkness of the passage and he blinked a few times before looking around. No one there. He slowly got out, wincing as he felt the cut on his chest burning him. But it wasn't as bad as the ones he had got in the Forest before the summer. He looked up at the castle. He just needed to walk a little bit more and he would be able to rest...

As he got closer, he could make out the front steps and, sitting on them, someone. He narrowed his eyes before he checked that his shirt was totally buttoned. He had his tie in his hands as well as his sweater and he didn't know if he should put it on. But the blood on his skin was dry and his shirt wasn't dirty, so he let it go as he recognized the blonde girl. He sighed.

She seemed to be busy with some small rocks. Draco raised an eyebrow and she looked up as he approached. She tilted her head.

"Good morning, Draco," she said. He nodded, not exactly in the mood to talk. "Long night?" And he shrugged as he glanced at her hands once in front of her. She was painting with a thin paintbrush. Some water was next to her in a small bowl, as well as her colors. "Why don't you sit down?" She asked, still staring at him. He met her eyes and cleared his throat before he glanced at the castle.

"What are you doing here this early?" He asked, still looking at the open doors.

"I'm painting," she simply said, stating the obvious, as she focused on her rocks again. Draco glanced at them. They were next to her, some were totally clean and some had different colors on them, but he couldn't tell what were the drawings just yet. So, he approached a bit more and felt like sitting was actually a good idea, his head was spinning because of the tiredness. He took one of the rocks she had painted and looked at it for a few seconds, recognizing a unicorn.

"It's... well done," he simply said as he placed the rock on the step again before she looked at the one she was actually painting. It was a dark sky with stars and, apparently, she was doing the moon.

"Thank you, that's very nice of you to say," she said and Draco smiled a little. She had paint all over her hands and she looked at what she was doing for a while. "You can try, if you want," she added as she took one of the clean rock and handed it to him.

"I'm not... really..." He said hesitantly, looking at the rock.

"It's alright, you don't have to. But here, keep it," she said and again, he smiled a little as he took the rock.

"You're everywhere I go, aren't you?" He then said.

"Maybe it's you," she said conversationally, "Maybe you are everywhere I go. But it's fine, I don't mind." Draco almost let out a "a chance you aren't, then" but he wondered if she would get the sarcasm. Instead, he chuckled and looked at his rock before he glanced at the colors next to him.

"Maybe it's me, yeah..."

And that was it for a moment. He didn't know what to tell her, because he wasn't sure he wanted to talk to her.

"Dad likes when I paint. He lets me paint everywhere in the house," she explained. "How is your house?"

Draco looked down at the rocks for a moment and wondered if there were as many colors as there was on those stones in her house. She was living in another world but had proven that she could understand him in a few different ways. Maybe that's why he was so uncomfortable when she was around.

"Big... Comfortable and big," he simply said after a few seconds of reflexion. There was a lot of windows, so there was a lot of light but at the same time, it often seemed like a dark place. Maybe because of the decoration. But Draco liked that.

"So there must be plenty of space to paint," Luna said dreamily and Draco smirked as he glanced at her. Then, he moved one of his hand, dipping his pinky finger in the black paint before he took care of his rock. "You should paint what you like. Our home always makes Dad and me smile."

"I can't paint on the walls of the Manor," he said, smiling a little at the thought. But he had done it already. But it hadn't been paint, and it wasn't visible for anyone but himself. Well, also for his parents, obviously, but they weren't talking about it. Still, one day, when he had gone down there, he had seen some drawings that had been added on the wall by someone else, near his own stupid little drawings. He had recognized his mother's drawings of the stars, the constellations, but he didn't know if she was the one who had put them there. The next day, when he had come in the dinning room, his father had looked curiously at him and he understood, and he had been touched. No, they never talked about it, they didn't need to, but it had made Draco feel good and he was sure his father knew that. "I can't really paint anyway, I don't have the talent."

"You can do whatever you want if it pleases you," she said and Draco looked at her before rinsing his finger in the water, turning his rock over. He wiped his finger on his trousers before taking a second paintbrush that was next to Luna and he chose another color. "As long as it makes you feel good, why shouldn't you be choosing what to do? Mom always told me it was important to do what I like, whatever people might think."

Draco stopped what he was doing, turning his head to look at Luna. He examined her face for almost a minute. She didn't mind, she didn't even show that she had noticed and she kept painting.

It was easy for her to say. They weren't coming from the same environment and were clearly not leading the same kind of life. But he thought about how nice it would be if people knew everything. If he was free to do whatever he wanted because he would have nothing to lose anymore and he wouldn't be caring about what people might think anymore. He probably wouldn't be able to do too much, though, since the other students would probably want him out of the school and he wouldn't be able to go everywhere he wanted to. Few people were accepting werewolves around. But he wouldn't have to care about hiding his relationship, because he wouldn't mind what the other Slytherins might think, say or do to him. He wouldn't care about the influence Potter and Weasley might have on Hermione. Because he was often thinking about it, and he was often telling himself that they might try to pressure her to make her dump him or something. But he couldn't face this kind of things just yet.

They had been dating for four months but he didn't feel like he was ready. It wasn't because, like Potter had said, he was ashamed of his actions. And at the time, Scarhead was only speaking about them talking together. If he knew the truth...

No, Draco wasn't ashamed of dating Hermione. If anything, he had to be proud. She was incredibly smart, pretty, nice, understanding, supportive, curious, passionate... She was making him feel better about himself and had stolen his heart with a few "civilized conversation" and a few smiles. He could talk about her qualities for hours. And he could say that he wasn't ashamed, at least in his head. But he was too cowardly to tell anyone. And even that, Hermione understood.

"You're nice, Luna," Draco said and the girl finally looked at him, giving him a smile. It was a bit different than the ones she had already given him and he knew that she was somehow touched. Maybe because she didn't have any friends. Maybe because she wasn't used to hear that.

"And you're nicer than the first time we talked," she said. Draco chuckled and nodded before he focused on his rock again. They didn't talk anymore, they stayed silent and painted. Draco only spoke again once he was done with his rock.

"I really should go get some rest. You're right, I'm tired," he said, referring to the moment she had spoken to him in front of Hermione, a month before.

"Yes, you do look terrible," she said without even looking at him, still painting. Again, he wanted to laugh but he only smiled weakly before he handed her the rock.

"Here, take it back," he said. She took the time to rinse her paintbrush and put it next to her before she looked at the stone. "You can keep it. It's for you."

She took it between her colored fingers and examined what Draco had painted. He had done the opposite of her. A bright blue sky with no clouds and a shining sun.

"It's really nice of you," she said, smiling at him before she handed him her own rock. "And I think this is for you." He looked at the night sky she had painted, stared at the moon for a second before he accepted the gift and he stood up. "We should do this more often," she added, still looking at the rock he had given him. He didn't answer, he simply climbed the steps to go in the castle. During this time, Luna turned the rock over to discover what he had done with the black paint. Only two dots and a curved line, like the rock had eyes and was smiling at her.

                                                                              ○

Draco opened his eyes, taking a long breath as he blinked. He could hear someone talking next to him, not minding how loud, like they wanted to wake him up on purpose. He moved a little under the covers and when he tried to pull them to cover his head, he realized that they were stuck. He frowned and slowly turned his body, realizing than Pansy was almost laying on his mattress, right next to him.

She had taken a pillow from another bed and had settled herself there, apparently talking alone.

"What the hell?" Draco mumbled as he straightened a little, feeling the cut on his chest stinging a little.

"Morning, Sunshine," Pansy said as she smiled at him. Draco frowned and turned his head, looking at the windows. It didn't seem to be the morning at all. "I know, it's the evening... Professor Snape told me to come and get you," she said.

"Come and get me?" This was too much information for his still asleep brain.

"The other schools are arriving today, don't you remember? Big event and stuff... We spent the entire month preparing for it... Surprising," she said as she met his eyes and he narrowed them, not liking the way she was teasing him. She knew he had to take his time to clear his mind when waking up. And it was coming back to him. The evening before, he had told Snape that he wanted to be there for the feast when he went in his office to take the potion. Even if he was tired, he really wanted to be there and, a bit reluctantly, Snape had agreed. They already had to miss half the Double Potions class they had at the end of the day and apparently, Snape had let Pansy skip the whole class to come and make sure Draco would be there.

"So, let me get this straight... You came here and started talking alone in order to wake me up?" He asked as he sat properly.

"Well, I tried to wake you up but you wouldn't open your eyes," she said, her eyes slowly going down on his chest. He had his pajamas on but she could see the bands under his shirt. "I thought that I might as well talk to somebody who's listening... Even Madam Pomfrey stopped trying to make me shut up..." She explained, speaking a bit lower. Embarrassed, Draco put his pillow behind his back before leaning against it.

"I guess that makes sense..." He said, staring at Pansy, barely aware of what she had told him. She stopped looking at his chest and met his eyes again.

"I'm sorry..." She almost whispered. "Does it hurt really bad?" He shrugged.

"I've had worse, you know it."

She pursed her lips and they kept looking at each other for a few seconds before she decided it was enough. She turned her head, taking something on the bedside table.

"Here," she said as she handed him chocolate. He couldn't help but chuckle. She had done the same the month before. As well as during the summer. She had come at the Manor a few times, it had become something usual since their second year, and she had brought him chocolate every time, just like she had said she would before the holidays.

He took the chocolate, removed a part of the wrapper and cut it in half, sharing with his friend. "So, when did you tell dear Severus that I knew?" She asked, trying to change the subject.

"Last night," Draco said before taking a bite of his chocolate. "I told him I wanted to be there for the feast, and not be stuck here... Can you imagine? He knows I've been waiting for this for months, since Father told me about the tournament. Didn't really want to let me out but I know how to make him agree," Draco said as he smirked. "So, anyway, I told him that maybe he could send you here, since he's giving Potions right now. Told him you knew, told him it was alright. Is there a problem with that?"

"Nah, not at all," Pansy said as she shrugged. "I was just curious. Does it mean you two are... Talking again?" Draco grimaced. Pansy had expected that. It was a rather sensitive subject.

"Kind of," Draco said as he shrugged again, clearly not wanting to talk about it too much. "We sorted a few things out, but I'm still mad. So he has to deal with it." 

"Alright, one last question," Pansy said and Draco sighed, looking at her as he bit in his chocolate again. "What the hell is this?"

He laughed again as he saw that she was taking the rock he had put on the bedside table.

"Don't touch that, it's a gift and it's mine," he said as he took it from her hands.

"From who? You don't have friends who would make you gifts like that," she said as she frowned a little. Draco raised an eyebrow.

"That's... Delicate, thank you," he said and Pansy chuckled.

"You know that's not what I mean. But... I don't see Crabbe or Goyle giving you this and you being so protective of it." Draco laughed quietly at the thought and he shook his head.

"I'm not telling," he said.

"Secret admirer, maybe? Don't tell me it's Granger?" Pansy said as she grimaced. Draco rolled his eyes.

"No, it's not Granger, Panse, why would she give me something like that? No, it's... kind of a new friend," he said.

"A new friend? And I don't know about this new friend?" Pansy asked, not liking being put aside. Draco was always telling her basically everything about everyone and the stuff that was happening in his life, even more since she knew his biggest secret.

"I said "kind of a new friend", I didn't say we were best pals, Panse. Don't worry, you're still number one in my heart. Don't get jealous over a rock," he said jokingly before he got up. He was still tired but definitely ready to see the other schools coming.

                                                                              ○

"Harry Potter."

They all looked at the boy. The Great Hall was silent, even if it had been filled by the cheers of the students a few seconds before.

Of course, he had to ruin it. He couldn't help it, could he? Pansy exchanged a disgusted look with Draco. They had had a really good time since the arrival of the other schools. The evening before, Durmstrang even sat with them and they both had the occasion to talk with Krum and some other students. Draco was very excited about it, after having seen him during the World Cup. And that day, as they were celebrating Halloween and discovering the name of the champions, Potter had to be chosen too. Obviously.

"He's a cheat," Pansy whispered as she shook her head and Draco kept staring at Potter. Next to him were Ron and Hermione, who were looking as taken aback as the rest of the school and Draco wondered if it was genuine. Surely, Potter would have talked about it to his best friends if he had planned on participating. A moment later, Hermione was pushing him to make him leave the table, Dumbledore calling him again. The celebrations didn't last as long as they should have, that night.

And during the next few days, Draco really tried hard not to make fun of him but he couldn't help it. He had to make some remarks, just to annoy him. He had noticed that he wasn't talking to Ron anymore and unfortunately, he was spending most of his time with Hermione because of that. Which meant Draco couldn't see her much anymore. Frustrated, he was taking it out on Harry. It was easy, natural, everyone was used to it. But he had to say, it was even funnier because everyone was sharing his opinion.

"Even Ron is ignoring him..." Hermione sighed after a few minutes already spent with Draco in the Clock Tower. "I can't believe it, he didn't ask for this."

"And still, he was chosen for the tournament. Seems like he really doesn't have any luck, does he?" Draco said sarcastically as he kept his eyes fixed on what he was doing. Hermione frowned a little.

"Come on, Draco. I know you think you are really funny when you mock him but don't tell me you truly believe he did this behind our backs?" Draco shrugged. "How could he possibly have done that? Dumbledore created the age line, he wouldn't have been able to put his name in the Goblet of Fire!"

"I don't know, maybe he found a way around it. He's apparently such a great wizard," he said, morose.

"I doubt it, frankly, even Fred and George couldn't."

"They tried with a stupid Aging Potion, of course it didn't work. You said yourself that it was stupid," Draco said as he rolled his eyes.

"What is it with you today?" Hermione asked. His mood was reminding her of the one he often had when a cycle was approaching but the thing was; the next full moon wasn't approaching yet. And she knew it wasn't just "today", he had been in a bad mood for quite some time now. And he wouldn't let her see what he was doing, she just knew he had bought a lot of badges and that he was working on them. He shrugged.

"There's nothing with me, it's just annoying, it's all."

"Is that all that there is, really?" Hermione asked, narrowing her eyes. He glanced at her and shrugged again.

"Yeah." This time, she raised an eyebrow.

"I can leave if I'm bothering you," she said shortly. Draco closed his eyes as he sighed before he leaned against the wall, shaking his head as he looked at the badge between his fingers.

"Nah, don't leave. I don't want you to. It's just... It's nothing... It's stupid."

"Why would it be?"

"Because you're going to make fun of me."

"Come on, I'm not going to make fun of you, why would I?" Hermione asked with a little smile. She was already reassured a little, in a way. It meant that she wasn't bothering him.

"It's... I can barely spend time with you because of all of this!" He finally let out, still staring at his badge as he felt his cheeks becoming a bit warmer. "It's unfair. Just because he doesn't have any friends... It doesn't mean he can keep you for himself..." He said, this time looking away. Hermione smiled a little and tried not to laugh. She didn't want to make fun of him, that wasn't the reason she was amused. "And when you're not with him, and that you're in the library, I can't even come and see you because we're never alone! When there's no other students, there's Krum and his fans. What's he doing there anyway? Doesn't seem like he reads a lot, that bloke... Even Potter's hanging out there with you now, because he doesn't want to be alone..." Draco mumbled. Hermione's smile became a bit bigger and it annoyed Draco when he glanced at her. "Don't-! It's not funny, I told you!"

"I don't think it’s funny, Draco!" Hermione said as she finally let out a little laugh. He frowned as he met her eyes, not convinced. Hermione smiled at him as she put her hand on his wrist. "I think it’s sweet, actually."

"There's nothing sweet about it, really," Draco said as he grimaced, looking away again. He couldn't even figure out exactly why he was so angry about all of this. He knew what jealousy was, of course, but he wasn't jealous of Potter, he was just really annoyed because he couldn't spend time with her. And in the end, maybe he was just angry at himself.

It was his fault if they were keeping their relationship secret. If he could bring himself to show everyone what he was feeling, it wouldn't have to be this way. But he wanted to put the blame on everything but himself. On Potter, because the only friend he got left was Hermione, on Viktor because he had all those students following him around and they were in the library every time Hermione was there. But he would never claim that it was because he was too cowardly.

"It's ridiculous."

"It's not, trust me... I've been wanting to spend more time with you too. It's difficult, I know, there's a lot going on..."

"Why don't you do your homework here with me?" He asked, looking at her again as he straightened up a little. "You're not forced to spend your time in the library, you could do it here. You told me that those girls were annoying anyway, because they make noise and they really are ridiculous. Come here instead... Come on," Draco said and Hermione couldn't help but slowly run her fingers trough his hair, near his ear, before moving her hand down on his cheek. Draco pouted and crossed his arms as he turned his head to make her stop. "I guess that's a no, then."

"Don't be like that... It will change, but I can't spend my time here... I'm trying to help Harry figure out what the first task will be and he needs to be prepared. It's dangerous, people died in this tournament."

"Yeah, well, if you want my opinion, he's not going to last more than ten minutes. And so my father thinks. Actually, he thinks he's not going to last five. Can't wait to see that happen," he mumbled.

"Draco..."

"I bet he's liking the attention... He's already in the paper," he kept on going, taking the newspaper that was next to him without even looking at it, letting it fall in front of Hermione.

"Stop that," Hermione said reproachfully. "I told you, he didn't ask for it." Draco rolled his eyes, still not looking at her. Hermione sighed. "I want to spend more time with you too, Draco, but... You know how it is. If you want it to stay secret, we will have to manage," she muttered. Draco looked down. Even if he was trying not to think about it, he knew that it was also a lot of pressure on Hermione's shoulders. She was lying to her friends, they were acting like nothing was going on, taking their friends for fools, and they were hiding. They couldn't even talk to each other in public, not look at each other or smile at each other.

"I hope they will get over it soon," he said quietly.

"You only say that for yourself, not because you care about their friendship," Hermione noted with a sad smile.

"Why would I care about them when I only care about you?" Draco let out without thinking, staring at the badge he was still making turn between his fingers. Hermione blinked and opened her mouth but he kept on going. "I don't need you to tell me I'm selfish," Draco said and Hermione pursed her lips. "I know I am," he added as he shrugged. Like his father had said, they were all selfish, in a way. "But I want that for us, not only for me, in the end. What is so wrong about that?"

He frowned, trying himself to find the right answer to this question in his head. Hermione didn't say anything but after a few seconds of silence, he felt her hand on his and he couldn't help but interlace their fingers, even if he was annoyed. They both pressed their hands to reassure each other and finally, Draco looked at her.

"I'm sorry... I'm just tired, I'm..." He said before he looked down. "You know I'm not ready for that yet. And I shouldn't complain because it's my fault..."

"It's fine, I guess, I'm used to hear people complaining. When it's not you, it's Harry and when it's not him, it's Ron." Draco grimaced, not liking the comparison. But she was right, they were all giving her a hard time. They stayed silent for a few seconds as Draco looked down again. He didn't really have the right to complain to her about that and he knew it, but he couldn't help it. "It's just... Harder than we thought it would be. But look at us... I know, you might say it's only been four months... And at the same time, yeah, it's been four months. And we're still here, and it's sad we're not able to see each other somewhere else but... We're still here, together."

Their eyes met again and Hermione gave him a sad smile. Draco didn't really react, he just looked at her for a moment before turning his head again.

"I'm sorry..." He repeated and Hermione smiled, sitting closer to him. She leaned against him, letting her head rest against his shoulder.

"It's alright. I understand, you know. I feel the same way..." She said more quietly. "I only have friendships at stake, if I think about it, but... Those are precious and I don't want to lose them. Even if you have more to lose... I understand." Draco sighed.

"Did you really need to choose me? Over all the students? Look at you now, hiding, lying to your friends, going out with the guy they hate... Must be so much pressure. I hide it to keep... privileges..." He almost whispered. Even if she hadn't said it, he wanted to say that she was right, that he was selfish. He didn't want to risk losing his friends, he didn't want to risk having almost his whole House hating him, he didn't want to be treated like Theodore was treated, like she had been treated in the past... by him.

He didn't feel like it was right. He felt like he was hurting her more than anything. Like Potter had said. Even if the cause of the problem wasn't shame, but cowardice, in the end, he was hurting her in the process. He wanted to apologize again but before he could, he heard her whisper.

"You really are an idiot," she said before she raised her head, looking at him. Draco turned his head and met her eyes, narrowing his own a little. "I didn't choose you. It doesn't work that way or... I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have chosen me." He felt her grip on his hand becoming a bit tighter but he didn't react, he kept staring. "It just happened. And... I'm glad it did, I'm glad it's still happening and I don't want it to stop... So what if we need to work hard to make it work? Isn't it worth it? I think it is."