#even though Ginny didn't need their help

[riddlesrizzler]

mattheo riddle x ravenclaw! reader

headcanons of mattheo with a ravenclaw! reader warnings: mattheo being a simp, mentions taking off clothing, smut, oral (male receiving), mentions of brattiness and brat taming.

love at first sight

𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵

Mattheo had been moving through the narrow hallway of the Hogwarts Express as he was in search of the snack cart, two gold galleons held tightly in his fist as he rolls his eyes at a group of second years that push by.

He was getting ready to give up on finding the cart that held the delicious treats. Convinced that it was too far down the train for him to go and venture to, but when he turned to head back to his compartment, he swears all time had stopped around him.

In the compartment in front of him held three people. One being Luna Lovegood who had The Qibbler sprawled out in front of her. Ginny Weasley, who was preoccupied with turning her hair back to normal after one of the Weasley twins had given her a chocolate frog that was infused with some sort of potion to change her hair from red to green.

And then, there was you. Pressed against the window that displayed the Scottish countryside, with the white, chunky sweater which made you look beautiful, and a large book of sorts settled in between your two delicate hands. Completely engrossed in whatever words were written in the parchment.

He had never felt this sort of attraction before. Mattheo knew he was good looking, despite his last name, girls did not hide the dreamy expressions when he walked by. But out of all of the pretty girls that he had ever encountered, none of them seemed to hold a candle to the witch who didn't even notice he was there.

It was only when Ginny saw that Mattheo was staring into the compartment, when he realized what he was doing. He couldn't hear what Ginny was saying, but based on the scowl on her face, he knew it couldn't be good.

But whatever it was, was enough to gain the attention from your book as you looked up to meet the gaze of the slytherin boy who stood outside of the train compartment. Ginny could have called him every bad word in the book, but he didn't care, all that he care about was that you saw him.

He had made it his mission to talk to you once he arrived to school. He was determined to find out every little detail about you without it seeming like he was stalking you. By the third week of classes, Mattheo had your schedule memorized, you seating placements documented, and the paths that you took engrained into his brain.

It had been a month at this point since Mattheo had first seen you on the train. It was now four o'clock on a Thursday, meaning you would be at your usual spot in the library. Probably curled up with another one of those large books you toted around or biting your lip as you worked on an assignment.

Mattheo held himself with determination, he was finally going to talk to you. He carefully made his way across the library, his footsteps purposeful yet quiet as though he was trying not to scare a baby deer. When he finally made it to your table, you didn't look up. Too engrossed in whatever you were reading, so he cleared his throat.

He had almost forgotten why he had come over here in the first place as you looked up at him with your big, curious eyes. Taking a moment to recompose himself before he made a fool of himself in front of this divine creature, he had made up some excuse that he needed a tutor.

"um, I was actually wondering if you could help me in Astronomy. I keep getting my constellations confused."

Mattheo didn't really need help in astronomy but he was knew it was your favorite subject (he had to thank blaise for asking luna). You were quiet with your answer, as if you words were a source that had limitations but yet you still said yes.

For your first tutoring session, Mattheo had shown up an hour early due to his nerves, but when you made your way through the opening of the astronomy tower adorned in a dark blue sweater, he felt his nerves start to steady. As if just your presence enough was to ground him back to earth.

Mattheo realized that you mainly kept to yourself. Your words were never an accident, every sentence was carefully thought out, every vowel had some sort of meaning. You words were a gift whenever you opened your soft lips, a gift that Mattheo would give anything to hear more of.

By the third session, you had started to open up a little more to the slytherin boy. Talking about your day as you lean close enough to him to where your shoulders touch, making sure your astronomy book was placed between both of you.

Mattheo was relishing on his progress every time you seemed to open up more. Every time that you smiled that sweet smile, or when you laugh at his stupid jokes, the ones that he spent all day preparing hoping they would make that angelic sound come from your mouth, he felt like he was getting to see the real you.

By the tenth session, Mattheo had finally decided to confess his feelings for you. He took it slow that night, moving closer to you as the two of you sat on the bench. Listening to you ramble about one of the constellations that he should have been paying attention to, but he was too captivated by the stars that sparkled in your eyes whenever you got excited. He placed his hand on your cheek to make you turn to look at him, a soft smile of adoration gracing his lips.

there's no one like you nova"

𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱

Throughout the relationship, the nickname, nova, stuck like glue. Mattheo claimed it was because you were brighter than any lame star in the sky.

Mattheo was sure to take the relationship thing slow with you after you had admitted that you had never been in a relationship before. Sure, you had kissed Ron Weasley during a game of spin the bottle your second year and you had lost your virginity to a fellow ravenclaw when you had decided that you wanted to get it over with, but you had never dated.

Mattheo wanted to prove how good a boyfriend he could be. He could be seen in the mornings carrying your books that you insisted you needed. Holding doors open for you, his hand around your waist, giving you a wink across the room when a professor would announce you had gotten the highest grade on an assignment.

"that's my smart girl, i'm so proud of you nova."

dates consisted of letting you read while he played with your hair for hours or taking you to the bookstore in Hogsmeade and letting you run loose through the aisles of old, enchanted texts that only you could love.

The longer the two of you dated, the more he found out about you as your walls seemed to disappear. He learned that you hated peas because they reminded you of fish eggs, or that your feet were always cold so that's why you wore fuzzy socks, or how you took your coffee with equal parts coffee and the other half creamer as you claim that it gives you an energy burst with the caffeine and sugar rush.

"i love you nova, but your coffee experiment is diabolical."

𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘹

Almost with how Mattheo had broken down your walls when it came to getting to know you, he realized he was going to have to take the same approach when it came to being intimate.

Every time his hands slipped under your shirt during a make out session or he started to kiss your neck, you would immediately shy away from his touch. He could see your brain overthinking every little step, the gears cranking behind your eyes.

He had made sure that you actually wanted to do this, and that you weren't doing this just to please him. You reassured him that you did want this but you didn't want to mess anything up. You were terrified that if you messed up, the one person who had gotten to see the real you would leave. Of course that would never happen, Mattheo would happily say wedding vows with you now, but besides the point, he wanted to make you feel comfortable.

The next time you and Mattheo had found yourselves in a steamy makeout session, he carefully laid you on the bed as he guided your hands over his to take off his clothes. When he was finally bare, you gave him a nod of approval for him to take your clothes off.

"let me see you nova, i want to see what a fallen star looks like."

The more you and Mattheo had sex, the more you opened up, just like he thought you would. Mattheo didn't rush you, he didn't need to as he felt like each moment he got with you was some sort of treasure.

Eventually, you found yourself being quite the brat. Growing more confident with your body and your words over time. Though Mattheo didn't mind the brat that came out of you every so often. Gods he thought it was the hottest thing in the world when you talked back, because not only did it mean that you felt comfortable and safe with him, it also meant that he could put you in your place, something you both enjoyed.

"not so bratty any more with my dick in your mouth, huh? that's it nova, such a good girl, even with your bad attitude."

Although you had captured Mattheo's heart from the moment that he saw you on that train ride, he had completely changed your life. Opening you up in ways that you could have never imagined (dirty and not dirty). You could not fathom life without the curly haired slytherin who still tells bad jokes, and he couldn't imagine his life without his star.

."every night, i look up at the sky and remember that no matter how dark the world gets, i have you- my nova, my brightest light. i don't just love you- i need you, i need you like the night needs its stars. without you, i'd be lost in the void."

[whoopsyeahokay]

October Sun

summary: a string of break-ins, Austin Baxter had told Sandra Nears, not that you'd been aware of that. in fact, you hadn't heard anything about it until the problem had been brought to your doorstep, so to speak.

pairing: Wally Clark x fem!reader

warnings: eventual smutty smut smut. and mad spoilers. and obvious Canon divergence. very involved, very dense plot.

bon reading, frens

___________________________💀

OCTOBER SUN pt.12

The pitter-patter of rain on your window roused you a few minutes ahead of your alarm. 6:15AM. It was lightening outside, though barely, daybreak greyed by the padding of stormclouds that swept the expanse of Split River sky.

You regretted telling Wally you'd meet him early, the nest of your comforter and pillows seducing you to stay five more minutes. But five would roll into ten would turn into twenty if you didn't do something about it, so, glumly, you tossed your covers to the side and dragged yourself out of bed.

Thirty minutes later—clean, dressed—you sat in the front porch swing and sipped a cup of decaf from an oversized mug that announced WEIRD MOMS BUILD CHARACTER. Sure they did, you thought sarcastically, and anger wasn't a trauma response.

You wanted to believe your mother was doing her best with what she'd been given but, when you really thought about it, you knew she could've done better. Had had the opportunities and the tools and the support to do better.

It was strange how you'd only noticed all those little inconsistencies and second-thought I love you to the moons in the last few days. Like you'd suddenly woken up from a dream. You'd suffered dissociation a lot since... Since. But this felt different enough that you could recognize it wasn't that.

Perhaps it was as simple as personal growth. Maddie's 'disappearance' had shaken a lot of things loose for a lot of people, not just her friend group, and you wouldn't have been surprised if it was also responsible for opening your eyes to things that'd been easier to stay blind to. Like your mother and her fake practice with her fake credentials and her fake sympathy.

You thought of Maddie's own mother—a drinker, your great-aunt had mentioned once—and how she'd failed to protect her daughter.

From a man everyone believed could be trusted, your brain reminded you. How could Maddie's mother have known, liquored up or not, when no one else had? Andrew trusted Mr. Anderson with his life.

Even you'd confided in Mr. Anderson with your struggles. After school, overwhelmed by assignments because your mother had roped you into helping her with a client. Just turn off the breaker at 12:01AM exactly, then you can go to bed. (Why the hell Ginny allowed your mother to pursue that shit, you'd never know.)

Maybe it wasn't as dark as you and Simon thought it was. Maybe Mr. Anderson had given Maddie the money to get away from her mother. Maybe someone else was to blame for Maddie's ghost being trapped in an In Between. If so, who?

You gently rocked the porch swing with your foot, the other tucked under you, staring into your now lukewarm coffee.

Not Simon, definitely. He seemed to be going insane trying to unearth what'd happened to Maddie. That opened another can of worms: Could he see Maddie's ghost? You'd tried to glean whether or not it was possible last night in the park. He'd said a couple of things that'd supported the idea, but, then again, it could've also been absolutely nothing.

Dead Grandpa John had even been on a stroll nearby and Simon hadn't looked at him once.

You needed a plan. Would ask Wally later if he was interested in a little experiment to see if Simon shared your abilities.

The murmur of a car's engine drew you into the present and you sat up straighter on the porch swing, maneuvering yourself so you could peer down the road. At barely 7AM, the neighborhood was the kind of quiet that lingers in the morning, making even the slightest noise much louder than it would've otherwise been.

When the police cruiser pulled into your nextdoor neighbor's driveway, you stood to lean against a post for a less obstructed view. The front door opened behind you, Aurora joining you on the porch with her mug of tea, the floral smell wafting up your nose and itching your nostrils.

"I don't know how you drink that stuff," You commented, giving the mug a disgusted side-eye.

Aurora scoffed, "Oh yeah, because you didn't drink this every morning," and slotted into place beside you, her eyes following the Sheriff as he hopped up your neighbor's stairs and rang the doorbell.

You pinched your lips and scowled at her, "I've evolved."

"Sure you have." Aurora's amusement transformed into a polite smile when she noticed the Sheriff waving at you and her.

"Good mornin'," He called across the expanse of yard between your house and your neighbor's.

"Morning!" You and Aurora sang back, shamelessly maintaining your overtly nosy position to watch the scene unfold.

Your neighbor, Darcy Behr, answered the door moments later. You couldn't see Darcy from where you stood, the woman tucked into her foyer, probably not yet put together for the day, but you heard the Sheriff introduce himself and apologize for the early hour.

"Just following up about the call you made last night. I need to ask you some questions if that's okay." The Sheriff said, donning his best customer service smile.

Darcy had obviously stepped aside in accord since the Sheriff disappeared into the house after telling you and Aurora to, "Say hi to your mom for me!"

"Okaaay~!" You both emphasized how were not going to do that by noisily slurping your drinks in unison until Darcy's door closed with a woody clap behind the Sheriff.

"Have you ever actually seen Darcy?" You asked, turning to lean against the porch banister. Searching your memory, you couldn't recall a single instance you'd seen your neighbor beyond a figure in a massively brimmed hat and an oversized feathery robe once two summers ago.

Aurora shrugged, "Yeah. I mean, I haven't spoken to her in awhile, but I see her before I leave for work sometimes." She gave you a studious look then, as if sizing you up. "You've been asking a lot of weird questions lately. Is everything okay?"

"You mean apart from my friend going missing and the police are treating it like a simple runaway case?" You gave Aurora a tight, plastic smile, "Oh yeah, everything's totally great."

"And you don't think it is a runaway case?"

You stayed silent for a moment, unsure if you should share even an opinion to the contrary. Obviously, you couldn't tell Aurora about Maddie being a ghost. Couldn't risk it getting to your mother or Ginny. So what was the point of sharing anything at all?

You shook your head, "I dunno what to think." You took a sip of your coffee and then asked, "Why's Austin at Darcy's anyway?"

"Probably following up about the break-in last night." Aurora guessed.

Your eyebrows shot up, "Break-in?"

"Yeah. It was a whole thing. Too bad you missed it..." Her expression turned that smarmy kind of superior; like she knew something about you that you hadn't wanted her to know.

"You didn't think to mention it at dinner?"

"You were in a mood!" Aurora defended, "Too busy angsting over having to leave your boyfriend." She put her wrist to her brow in a dramatic display, whining, "Where for art thou?"

She'd seen you and Simon on the swings last night; had shouted at you through an upstairs window to get your ass inside before your food got cold.

"Oh my god, Simon is not my boyfriend." You hated how petulant you sounded, but, seriously, big sisters had a way of bringing out the worst in their younger siblings.

Saying the word boyfriend aloud unintentionally summoned thoughts of Wally; his lopsided grin and warm brown eyes. How his hands had gripped your thighs, hips, waist, ass. The way he'd so easily manhandled you into his lap and ground you against him—

Aurora smirked and pressed her hand to your forehead as if checking for a fever. "Oooh, but you do have a boyfriend?" She chortled, "Feel you, oh my goodness! All gushy and pink and awkward, I am living!"

You shoved her hand away, "Shelve the empathy, please," and narrowed your eyes at her, "I hate it when you do that."

The front door creaked open again to reveal Dave, Aurora's newly minted husband. He stepped outside holding a cup of the same grandma's perfume tea and sidled up to her, exuding casual affection and sappy smiles, pecking her cheek before he bid you good morning.

You tipped your mug at him in salute and took a generous sip of your coffee to avoid having to say anything.

You didn't dislike Dave. He was a really nice guy. Like, stupidly nice. Ultra-polite and sympathetic and friendly. He used words like dagnabbit unironically, and wore chinos, and literally wouldn't hurt a fly. A spaniel of a man who fetched for Aurora before she even knew what it was she needed.

He was just...

so...

Dave.

Also, he was completely clueless about everything your family's rich, connected heritage. Before the wedding, he'd been fed a story that made your mother's hustle seem morally righteous. Everyone grieves differently, your mother had told him, hand on her heart, I just do what I can to ease the process.

He'd fallen for it hook, line, and sinker, believing your mother was a saint whose clients sought her out for unconventional therapy. Poor, dumb puppy.

You moved by Dave and Aurora to collect your phone from where you'd left it on the porch swing. Checked the time: 7:15AM. Time to go if you didn't want to be late. Your backpack was already in the passenger seat of your sister's car, but you still had to grab a jacket and the keys.

You stepped into the foyer and plucked the keys off one set of hooks, your jean jacket from another, then returned to the porch where you forced Aurora to take responsibility for your half-empty mug. She accepted it with a snide look.

"Thanks again, Rory!" You said, jingling the keys at her before skipping down the front steps.

Aurora sing-songed, "Say hi to your boyfriend for me!" For the sake of embarrassing you because sisters sucked like that, no matter how much older and more mature they were supposed to be.

You scoffed, rolled your eyes, and returned, "I don't have a boyfriend!"

"Try telling me that without smelling like vanilla blossom!"

"Smelling like what?" You heard Dave ask, to which Aurora patted his cheek and dismissed him completely.

"Nothing, sweetie."

Poor. Dumb. Puppy.

As you backed out of the driveway, you feigned almost hitting the mailbox just to see the horror on Aurora's face, gliding expertly into the road after she screamed murderous intent at you.

"That's what you get for being a bitch~!" You yelled and thrust your middle finger out of the sunroof, waving goodbye with it.

‗‗‗‗•‗‗‗‗

Wally strolled through the hall, muscles loose and hair still damp from the hot shower he'd just taken.

A very long, languid, private shower that had involved a slick-soapy fist and fantasies of you wearing nothing but his varsity jacket. Mouth gaped in pleasure, head thrown back, nails biting crescents into the meat of Wally's shoulders as you rode him. He thrusted into you, slow, deep, ironclad arm around your waist to keep you where he wanted you. The thumb of his other hand rubbed your clit, pressing in, dragging out, as you whimpered, "too much," oversensitized after he'd taken his time eating you out.

Fuck, he wanted you. Had spent last night dreaming it, and then spent this morning outlining all the ways he'd take you apart until you begged him to stop. But he'd keep going. He'd fuck you until you reeked of him, were covered in him, filled by him. A soft and pliant and beautiful mess.

Wally was definitely at risk of developing a problem, already addicted to the way you didn't look right through him. He couldn't wait for you to arrive, had been up late like a kid on Christmas, counting down the hours. The clock at the end of the hall indicated it was time he headed to the parking lot, and his heart skipped a beat.

As he walked, he noticed a flash of movement inside a classroom and stopped to inspect. Wally opened the door, peeked around the doorframe, his brow furrowing in confusion as he watched Maddie rifle through the contents on the lowest shelf of the supply closet.

She was dressed in her usual attire with the addition of the oversized black sweater she'd entered the metaphysical world in though didn't usually wear. Her hair was more disheveled, even a bit greasier, which...weird.

While he enjoyed the act of getting clean, showers weren't actually necessary for the dead. Their last image in life preserved for all eternity. Sure, they could change their appearance; had some autonomy over it throughout the day (once, he and Rhonda had tried stick-and-poke tattoos. It'd been painful and the results horrendous, but worth trying again).

They could run miles on the track, go into anaphylactic shock, beat each other bloody... It didn't matter. They never changed, their bodies doing a factory reset as soon as their attention drifted to something else.

"Hey." Wally greeted, stepping further into the room, watching in interest as Maddie went about whatever the hell she was doing. "You good?"

She paused briefly but didn't turn to face him, instead crouching to pull open the cabinets beneath the shelves. Wally couldn't be certain, but Maddie seemed off; her presence heavier somehow. A similar sensation as the one that nagged at him when the hall was packed with living students. Like he had to make room for them.

"Does she feel different to you at all?" Your words echoed in his mind. Was this what you'd meant?

Wally glanced at the clock hanging over the chalkboard and realized he had two minutes to get to the parking lot. He didn't want to waste time analyzing Maddie's weird energy and shifted back to the door.

"Alright, well, great chat. Good luck with all of...that," Wally said, "Can't wait to hear about it later." Because Maddie would explain in Group why she was snooping through a classroom. Or, at least, she'd ask a relevant question that forced her to explain herself, as had been the case up until now.

He shook off the feeling of not right that shivered through him and headed for the parking lot, quickening into a jog once he pushed through the front door.

‗‗‗‗•‗‗‗‗

The rain had stopped by the time you reached the school. The parking lot was practically deserted with only a handful of other cars stationed about. Most of those few in the reserved slots near the door. Teachers. Maybe Principal Hartman or Mr. South.

You pulled into a spot further from the building, preempting how packed the lot would be once classes were in session. As decent a driver as you were, trying to maneuver Aurora's boat of an SUV out of any tight space was a nightmare you wanted to avoid. Literally. Aurora's abilities extended to manipulating emotions and she'd have a trip making you believe the government or aliens or both were out to get you.

Although, honestly, with the anvil that had just been dropped on your head, you'd take a little high-key paranoia over the guilt that had inflated your stomach like a lead balloon.

Cutting the engine, you took a moment to sit with the text you'd received from Xavier on the way in. The text-to-speech had done little to dilute the gravity of what he'd sent, and it had spurred more unanswered questions about what had gone down last Friday.

"We found this in the woods near the school. There are more prints leading to a service road. We're getting somewhere, kiddo, I can feel it." The attached photo was of Maddie's ticket to Night of the Living Dead, stamped with a muddy boot print like it'd been dropped and trampled in a harrowing escape.

Your mind raced. Tried to connect the dots. Leads like red strings linked one fact to the next, the conspiracy board turned into a Robert Forman artwork, yarn-bombed to hell the more theories you added to it.

Slumping over the steering wheel, you rested your head in the cradle of your arms and clamped your eyes shut. A memory blotted across the back of your lids, ink on water, and the guilt in your gut worsened.

You walked with Hana and Eli, Mathilda several feet ahead of you as she barreled into the APEX. Night of the Living Dead was her favorite franchise, a diehard zombae from head to toe who had dressed the part of Barbara for the night's event. She'd bunched her hair under a blonde wig and had acquired vintage articles to piece together the perfect outfit.

Meanwhile, you and the others had gone for more of an homage. Faces painted sickly and pale, donned in matching white tees with the movie poster printed on the front. Yours had been three-of-yous too big, having left the order up to Eli, but you'd managed to tailor it into a decently fitted mini-dress. Threw on a pair of laddered, black tights and tall chelsea boots; and topped the ensemble off with your signature leather jacket. Saved it.

"Oh~ my god you guys are so slooowww!" Mathilda complained, rolling from her heels onto the balls of her feet impatiently.

You shook your head and cast about you, signaling to her how empty the concessions area was. "There are seven people here, Tilly, including us. I think we're fine."

Although Split River had a healthy population of horror fans, you didn't expect them all to swarm the APEX for the first of its seasonal specials. The crowds usually got crazier closer to Halloween.

"And they're assigned seats," Hana added with a snicker as she stole Mathilda's place in line and rocked up to the cashier, already spouting the group order.

"Is he coming in or what?" Eli asked, referring to Simon who you had left at the entrance to wait for Maddie and Xavier.

You watched Simon pace the length of the sidewalk outside the cinema's large windows, texting who you assumed was Maddie for the fourth time since you'd met up with him. When you'd suggested Maddie and Xavier might already be inside, Simon had scoffed, dismissing the notion as if you'd suggested the Earth was flat.

As far as you knew, Maddie had successfully invited Xavier to attend. Whatever was holding them up might've had to do with why Xavier had asked you to send another false text about band practice during Homeroom. You figured the receipts were for Xavier's father, the Sheriff determined to keep Xavier on a leash that had been shortening in recent weeks.

"Should we tell him we'll meet them in there?" Hana wondered, offloading on you one of the two massive barrels of buttery popcorn she'd ordered.

You gave Eli a pleading look, "You mind telling him? And text Zav while you're at it. Maybe Maddie's phone died."

"Got it." Eli cheerfully accepted his mission command, jogging to the entrance and out the door.

You lingered for a moment to watch the exchange. Thumbnail between his teeth and full attention on his phone, Simon hardly acknowledged Eli at all.

"The guy's obsessed," Hana commented, shifting uncomfortably as she followed the scene beside you. "Has he always been that unhealthy for her?"

You shrugged, asking yourself the same thing. You weren't super close to Simon and Maddie, and had no benchmark for what constituted as normal in their friendship, but the fact that Simon had called her repeatedly and refused to join your group until Maddie was in front of him raised a few red flags.

Eli caught up to you as you and the others herded into the theater, "He said it's fine." He reported, "Guess we'll catch up after the movie." Since your seats and Simon, Maddie, and Xavier's were several rows apart.

"And you texted Zav?" You asked, sidling along behind Hana and dropping into your seat.

"Yeah, but he hasn't texted back. Whatever," Eli grabbed a generous handful of popcorn off the top of the pile in your bucket and shoved half of it into his mouth, "Knowing our boy, he probably convinced Maddie to do something else."

But Xavier hadn't. And by the time you'd thought to ask him what had happened, Sheriff Baxter had already started investigating Maddie's 'disappearance'.

Simon had known something had been wrong and you'd dismissed it completely. Maybe, if you'd taken it seriously, you and Simon could've returned to the school, caught Mr. Anderson red-handed, and Maddie would be safe and sound.

There was a tap at your window. You didn't have to look to know it was Wally, the connection between you and him purring to life. In one swift movement, you climbed out of the car and flopped against Wally's chest, allowed him to take your weight in a physical act far too familiar for two people who'd essentially just met.

It is what it is, you ceded, lacking the mental fortitude to care very much. You could only handle one thing at a time right now. And besides, you'd had Wally's tongue down your throat and his hands on your ass, surely a cuddle wasn't going to offend.

After a minute of silence, "You okay?" Wally asked.

You leaned back on a disgruntled harrumph. Raised your arms in a childish request for uppies that Wally obliged instantly. He lifted you up, cradled you like a toddler, and dotted your head and the side of your face that was accessible to him in sweet, little kisses.

You relaxed into him, the stress of your earlier thoughts easing away. You wanted to spend the rest of the day like this; held, looked after, protected.

"You wanna talk about it?" Wally muttered quietly.

Immediately, you grumbled, "No," however, "I know I have to, though."

Wally's chuckle hummed through you where you were pressed against him.

"Alright, baby." He said, "Let's go," and he placed you delicately back on your feet. Just as you made to move away from the car, Wally stopped you with a gentle hand on your elbow, "Aren't you forgetting something?"

You looked at him inquisitively. He jerked his chin over your shoulder, grin simpering, and when you checked, you couldn't repress the groan of despair that charged out of you.

"God dammit, how am I getting worse at this?" You demanded to know, sliding back into the driver's seat and, subsequently, back into your body which was still folded over the steering wheel.

💀___________________________

PART ELEVEN - PART THIRTEEN

also available on AO3!

MASTERLIST

[emeritusemeritus]

hii! i love your work soo much, you are so talented. both weasley twins x reader, so like both the weasley twins getting jealous because reader has been spending so much time with her male best friend and one night she gets home late and they are mad. (smut and a bit of fluff at the end). so sorry if this is bad this is my first request

Hi my love! Thank you so much, not bad at all! I hope this is what you wanted (I need a very cold shower now) 🖤

Warnings: SMUT, graphic smut; threesomes, PIV, fingering, slightly cumplay, fingering, possessiveness, Dom!sub roles, dominant twins, jealousy, a bit of angst, beginnings of an argument. Swearing. Fluff and smut. Getting fucked in the kitchen. Sorry Dean, I’m sure you’re lovely.

Word count: 3k

Sense of belonging.

Summertime was upon you and as the days got longer and brighter, the temperature increasing, it brought along an endless stream of possibilities and fun.

The twins had been really busy lately, trying to stock up ahead of the impending return to Hogwarts for the students, the few weeks before term time being one of the busiest peaks of the year for them except for Christmas, April fools day and bonfire night. You really shouldn't complain, they were successful, bringing in a lot of money and still took great pleasure in their work. They were inventing all the time, wanting a new product to launch before school resumed and though you were happy for them, you felt like your hadn't truly seen them in weeks.

The days went by in a blur of waking up alone in bed, making yourself a cup of tea and some breakfast, showering alone and then trying to fill your days with work and meeting friends. Occasionally you'd help at the shop when they needed cover but you tended to stick behind the scenes working on the accounts and ordering, with the occasional potion brewing for the big restocks. Every night you'd cook dinner and set aside two plates, eating alone with the company of trashy muggle tv before you cleaned up the kitchen, put the two wrapped plates in the fridge and eventually drifted to bed. If it wasn't for occasionally needing the bathroom in the middle of the night and seeing your two husbands asleep either side of you, you could easily have believed that they never came back to the flat.

You'd tried to surprise them and take them lunch to try and steal some time together in the office but they were always too busy, too close to nailing their project so you stopped bothering. You tried waiting up late at night for them to show but they'd simply given you sleepy smiles and had fallen asleep on the sofa not twenty minutes later when you tried that. And sex? You could hardly remember what that felt like.

To say you were feeling a little neglected was an understatement. So when you ran into Dean Thomas in the Flourish and Botts Friday morning, you didn't hesitate to agree to a proper catch-up with him Saturday evening at the Leaky Cauldron. He'd extended the invitation to your husbands as well and you'd politely thanked him, telling him you'd ask them but in reality you knew there was a slim chance of that actually happening.

You hadn't seen either of your husbands that day from the moment you woke up til the moment you stepped out of the door, slightly dressed up and ready to meet Dean. You'd tried to catch them last night and then again around early morning when the shop was supposed to be quieter but they'd barely even acknowledged your presence. So you left them a note, telling them that you were going out and that you'd be home later.

You had a wonderful time; you'd actually run into Neville and Luna and they had joined you for dinner. You fell easily into conversation, just like the old days, with Dean of course asking about Ginny, your husbands and the shop. Neville and Luna were engaged and you were told all about their wedding plans which completely warmed your heart. You were on high as you walked back to the flat, a smile still on your face after catching up with good friends.

The smile disappeared pretty much as soon as you stepped through the flat, took off your jacket and shoes and found Fred and George sat at the kitchen table, your note placed between them. There’s a tension in the air that you can’t place. They don’t look mad, but they definitely don’t look happy either.

“Oh here she is,” George says, his voice dropping with sarcasm.

“Remembered that you have two husbands have you?” Fred says, his voice even harsher than George’s. You fire up with anger, biting your lip as you look between them with a glare, unable to push down your feelings anymore.

“That’s ironic coming from you two,” you mumble, walking over to the sink to get a glass of water.

“Care to elaborate princess?” Fred says blankly from behind you.

You snort, not believing that they’d really be getting into this now, the biggest hypocrites in all of Diagon Alley.

“Did you forget lately that you had a wife?” You ask, turning to them and looking between them. “She’s about yay high,” You say, gesturing to your height, “* colour hair, surname Weasley.” Your voice holds almost no humour to it now, feeling fired up.

“Yeah I’m looking at her,” Fred says with an equally unamused, expressionless glance.

“Doesn’t seem like her though, our wife’s normally a good girl,” George adds. There it is, that’s what the tension is.

A smirk slowly spreads across your face as you realise what the real issue is- they’re jealous.

You shrug dramatically, placing your glass into the sink, knowing just how to get them, “boys prefer bad girls.”

It’s instantaneous, both of them rising to their feet with the implication of your words.

“Is that right little slut?” George says, beginning to move closer. “Men, like us, prefer our good girl.”

“I reckon she’s forgotten who she belongs to mate,” Fred says, casting a glance at his brother, hanging back a little as a devilish twinkle begins to shine in his eyes.

“Yeah I reckon so,” George agrees, looking up and down your body.

“Have you forgotten sweetheart?” Fred asks teasingly, his bottom lip sticking out just a tad to mock you.

“Probably,” you say defiantly, knowing exactly what you were doing.

“Try again,” Fred says darkly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he advances on you, moving in step with his twin as they crowd you, towering over you. Their stares are dark, devilish and hungry have you flushed in seconds as their towering forms loom over you menacingly, both with smirks tugging at their lips as they notice your heaving chest and flushed face.

“Who do you belong to Angel? Hm?” George says, reaching out and pulling up your top over your head, seeing absolutely no resistance from you.

“Fred,” you say breathlessly, having to suck in your cheeks to stop yourself smiling as you watch George’s eyes widen in disbelief.

You gasp as your bra strap pings on your body, Fred’s fingers having purposefully let it go as a mild form of punishment for your act of defiance.

“And?” He pushes. Your eyes never faulted from George’s, allowing a hint of a smile to appear on your face that is a complete contrast to his thunderous glare.

“Bill?” You say innocently and within seconds you are turned around, pressed up against the kitchen counter and spanked, the loud thwack echoing through the kitchen.

Hands begin creeping up your legs and you’ve never been more thankful that you’d chosen a skirt, enjoying the feel of hands creeping up your bare skin under they stop just as they reach the lace of your panties. You feel long fingers begin to touch your pussy through the lace of your underwear and you throw your head back at the sensation, so close to where you need them but not close enough.

“Try again princess,” Fred says in your ear, body pressed against your back so you can feel the bulge of his erection against your bum.

“George, George,” you moan out, just as Fred finds your clit, rubbing it gently through the lace.

“See, told you you were our good girl,” Fred coos, pressing his erection against your bum harder now, giving the most delicious friction.

“Not quite,” George days darkly from the side and after a few seconds, Fred pulls away. Your bra is almost ripped from you leaving your breasts exposed and you’re mercilessly turned around by strong hands so they can see.

When both twins suddenly crouch down in front of you, their mouths instantly fixing upon your breasts, focusing on the pebbled nipples as their tongues dance around the sensitive peaks, you cry out, hands going into their hair to keep them just where you need them.

George’s hand traces up your leg and slips into your underwear, tracing his long fingers through your wet slit as you moan out, his fingers finding your sensitive little nub almost instantly.

“You do you belong to?” George says into the skin of your breast, pulling away to look up at you.

“You, fuck, you, both of you,” you moan out as George’s finger slips inside you at the same time, slowly thrusting as your hips cant trying to get him deeper.

“Good girl.”

“Who’s got you this wet sweetheart?” Fred says, his own fingers joining George’s as he rubs your clit whilst George stretches out out with his fingers, adding a second one slowly.

“You, geor, Fre,” you cry out, not even able to finish their names as they work together, hitting every pleasure point as Fred’s lips wrap around your nipple again and give a harsh suck.

“Not Dean?” George says, not holding back the jealousy.

“No, only you,” you cry out, beginning to feel your climax approaching.

“Not get Angel,” George says, suddenly pulling his hands away, as does Fred, leaving you whining and pouting at their actions.

“Bend over the table,” George instructs and you mindlessly follow his command, cringing as your naked breasts press against the cold wood of the table.

Your skirt is flipped up from behind you, exposing the little strip of lace you’d been wearing underneath until it’s unceremoniously ripped from your body at the side. You gasp, hips lifting up as your pussy is exposed to the air, to their eyes and in no time at all you can feel the head of a cock pressing against your wet lips.

“Tell me darling,” George says from behind you, “who do you belong to?”

“You Georgie!”

Your moan echoes throughout the apartment as the thick head of his cock slips inside you, the slight upward curve of his length making you gasp as it presses directly against your sweet spot inside.

“George!” You cry out as he immediately sets a rough and fast pace, your hands clawing at the table for purchase as your hips repeatedly knock into the side of the table.

“So fucking wet,” George growls from behind you as he fucks into you perfectly. “My fucking good girl, so fucking perfect for us.”

Your orgasm hits you out of nowhere, body already clearly worked up from being so expertly fingered earlier. He curses from behind you as your walls clench, squeezing his perfect cock tightly as you writhe and cry out with the ecstasy coursing through you. He lasts about three more thrusts as your pussy bares down on him and you moan out again as his thrusts get sloppy and sporadic as he cums, crying out your name in a whine.

“My little princess fucked out?” You hear from the side and your eyes widen as you realise that Fred had been watching all this time, waiting to pounce as he stands before you naked. George hadn’t even undressed, he’d simply bent you over, unbuttoned his work pants and fucked into you without any care.

“Think you can take me too sweet girl?” He asks, hand ghosting over your back as his twin slips out of you. You nod eagerly, already feeling empty as George’s cum begins leaking out of you and down the skin of your inner thighs.

Instead of getting behind you as you expected, he takes a seat on one of the wooden chairs beside you, beckoning you to join him as he pumps his cock in his hand. The sight has you near drooling, the sight of his long, big fingers wrapped around his thick cock, the wide shoulders and strong upper body so deliciously on display.

You back up from the table and remove your skirt and ripped panties that were clinging to one of your legs. He let’s go of his cock and it bobs back to hit his lower abdomen as he outstretches his hand to help you climb into him, both of you completely naked now.

You rest your legs on his and grab his wide shoulders for support as he grabs the base of his cock, allowing you to sink down on it. He’s slightly wider than George and you cry out at the feel of being stretched out again, your wetness and what’s left of George’s cum acting as lube to allow him to slip straight inside of you, reaching deeper and deeper until he was snugly pressed against your cervix. Your fingers paw at the flesh of his shoulders as he gives you time to adjust, sucking on your breasts in front of his face as you lift one hand and stroke back the hair from his face. He pulls away and looks up at you seating in his lap and there’s a moment that passes where you stare at each other with a smile, pausing to share a passionate kiss whilst his cock nestled deep inside you, your walls already clenching around his big member.

His hands fall to your bum as you slowly begin to lift yourself up until he was almost completely out of you before you quickly sink back down, his length filling you completely. Your loud moans are completely synchronised at the sensation of him fucking all the way into you and as you quickly begin to find a perfect rhythm, you begin to feel completely cock drunk.

Your hips buck on him as you chase the fire in your belly that’s beginning to ignite; feeling as if his cock was filling you completely. Your thighs burn at the exertion of bouncing on him and the sight alone of his scrunched up, pleasure filled face is enough to make you let out a string of moans that sound almost inhuman. You lean forward to kiss him again and the new angle hits something inside you that propels you right over the edge, crying out his name against his lips as you fall completely over the edge.

Your orgasms has nearly subsided but you can’t move anymore, legs burning and tired, as much as you want to keep riding him. He senses your slowing immediately and quickly grabs you by the ass and in a wicked feat of strength, he lifts you and him, keeping his cock deep inside as he placed you onto the edge of the table. You fall back, resting your head on the wood as he grabs your hips and snaps his own into yours, making your breasts bounce in time with his thrusts. He’s unable to look away, eyes dancing between your bouncing tits and your stretched out pussy, all on display for him. He begins to fuck you harder and harder, your cries getting louder as you grab hold of the edge of the table behind you, tits jiggling wildly as he bruises your hips.

“Gonna, fuck, oh fuck baby,” he whines as he watches your right hand snake down and rub circles around your clit, feeling like you could cum again.

“Let me,” you hear from the side and George’s fingers immediately take the place of yours, toying with your clit in the most deliciously sinful way. Fred cock slams into you as he starts to cum before he slams your hips down against his, cock buried right to the end of you as you feel his perfect length twitch and spurt inside of you, filling you with another load of hot cum. The sensation of being filled along with George’s sinful fingers has you reaching your peak again, calling out their names as you fight against Fred’s strong hold, unable to keep your hips still.

Your breathless and sweating, completely fucked out as you mumble their names over and over again. Fred slips out of you and pants as he throws himself back down onto the chair that would undoubtedly need cleaning in the morning.

“Come here Angel,” George says, grabbing your attention as he extends his hands for you to take, pulling you up. He stops and pulls you in for a sweet kiss that only increases your breathlessness as you pull away with half kisses eyes, tired and blissfully fucked out.

“Want a bath?” He says, much softer than he’d been when you entered. You shake your head with a smile, covering your slightly chilly body.

“Pee and bed,” you say, reaching for his hand but this time to entwine your fingers. He gives you a small, shy smile as he brings your entwined hands to his lips and kisses the back of your hand.

“Did you have a nice time?” He asks as you hop down from the table, cringing at the wetness you can see on the wood, knowing that you probably shouldn’t have fucked where you eat. You look at him questioningly, not wanting to start an argument but he gives you a little smile that tells you everything is okay.

It’s a little later and you’re cuddled up to Fred on the sofa, having been convinced to stay up with them a little while.

“We are sorry princess, never meant to pull away so much, we just needed to get the new products right snd it’s been none stop,” Fred says, stroking your leg as it rests across his lap.

“It’s okay, I understand,” you say, looking away from the terrible muggle tv show you were watching.

“It won’t happen again,” George says and you smile, reaching out to grab hold of his hand in understanding.

“Better not,” you say, the hint of a devious smirk crossing your face. “Or next time I go out to meet Dean I won’t wear any panties.”

“Bed.”

“Now.”

[hollowed-theory-hall]

"Where do you think Harry would live after the war? I personally think he would stay at the Burrow for a while, but I can also see him coming back to Grimmauld Place. I know Harry sees the Weasleys as family, but I doubt he'd want to live there long-term. Harry's an introvert, and the Burrow isn’t the best place for someone who needs time alone. But yeah, it’s my headcanon, so I’m curious about your opinion on this."

I really like the idea of Harry returning to Grimmauld Place, though, I don't think it'll be immediately.

The first night after Voldemort is dead, he sleeps in his bed in Gryffindor Tower:

he turned away from the painted portraits, thinking now only of the fourposter bead lying waiting for him in Gryffindor Tower and wondering whether Kreacher might bring him a sandwich there

(DH)

He might stay in Hogwarts for a bit to help out McGonagall and the others. While they're going through the bodies, preparing burials, until Mrs. Weasley insists it's bad for him, and he should come stay at the Burrow with them.

I actually think Harry would decline because I'm not sure how comfortable he'd feel there right after Fred died. How he could sit there, having died and came back, but Fred just died. He didn't come back. And, I don't think most of the Weasleys would really think it's Harry's fault, but, there will be some tension there. Like, I think Harry would feel really awkward about the whole thing and like when he's upset early in DH and in OotP, he'd want to be alone.

Harry tends to go quite and isolate himself when upset, so I see him finding himself back at Grimmauld with Kreacher, secluding himself from everyone for a bit and disassociating like early in OotP:

On the fourth night after Hedwig’s departure Harry was lying in one of his apathetic phases, staring at the ceiling, his exhausted mind quite blank, when his uncle entered his bedroom. Harry looked slowly around at him. Uncle Vernon was wearing his best suit and an expression of enormous smugness.

(OotP)

Or after Ron left in DH:

She [Hermione] threw herself into a chair, curled up, and started to cry. Harry felt dazed. He stooped, picked up the Horcrux, and placed it around his own neck. He dragged blankets off Ron’s bunk and threw them over Hermione. Then he climbed onto his own bed and stared up at the dark canvas roof, listening to the pounding of the rain.

(DH)

Hary, when upset and depressed, tends to just, shut down. So I can see him going into this state in Grimmauld Place for a bit early after the war. (Except for a few visits to Andromeda and Teddy, since I think he'd take his godfather role very seriously).

That is until Ron and Hermione drop by to drag him to dinner at the Burrow.

During this first time at the Burrow is when Ginny probably corners him about their relationship, how that goes depends on what AU/ship you're writing. But even in canon (with the epilogue), I'm not sure how quickly they get back together. I mean, Ginny still goes back to Hogwarts and Harry would try to find his footing in his life, so, it's up to the writer.

Anyway, I think Harry is more likely to stay most of the time at Grimmauld Place but stop by the Burrow often enough in the year after the end of the war (after that first lunch/dinner Ron and Hermione drag him to).

This guy is going to use Sirius' bedroom again (like in DH) like the traumatized mess that he is.

Now, the question is, where is Teddy in this time?

We know during the battle he's with Andromeda, and I think Harry is going to take his godfather responsibility super seriously, as I mentioned. Harry doesn't trust adults in general, so I think, initially, he wouldn't really know what to think of Andromeda, so I think he'd be more inclined to visit her and Teddy before going to the Burrow — he feels responsible for Teddy and guilty over Fred. And Andromeda I think would feel familiar to him. I think she has the same arrogance as Sirius, she carrys a similar pain to Harry — she, too, lost everyone. They both only have Teddy.

(Yes, Harry has the Weasleys, and as much as he loves them and appreciates how Molly tries to make him feel included, I don't think he really feels like he belongs, yk?

The aftermath of Fred's death shows this well:

The Great Hall seemed to fly away, become smaller, shrink, as Harry reeled backward from the doorway. He could not draw breath. He could not bear to look at any of the other bodies, to see who else had died for him. He could not bear to join the Weasleys, could not look into their eyes, when if he had given himself up in the first place, Fred might never have died. . .

(DH)

And after the war, he skips Ginny and Molly to get to Ron and Hermione:

He spotted Ginny two tables away; she was sitting with her head on her mother’s shoulder: There would be time to talk later, hours and days and maybe years in which to talk. [...] Everywhere he looked he saw families reunited, and finally, he saw the two whose company he craved most.

(DH)

Ron and Hermione are the closest to family for Harry, not all the Weasleys. When he wants to reunite with family, it's Ron and Hermione, not Ginny and the rest of the Weasleys. (And Luna earlier, but that's because she is comforting to him in general, but he doesn't see her the way he does Ron and Hermione))

Eventually, though, he'd probably move out of Grimmauld and to a different place of his own. With who and when is more up to personal headcanon and whether you consider the epilogue canon or not.

[luvvyouforever]

suddenly, neville {n.l. x reader}

↳ three times that neville is there for you when heartbreak strikes and the one time he decides to do something about it.

↳ content: sadness, feelings of self-doubt/insecurities, slander against almost every hogwarts boy, fluff, friends to lovers, pining, neville being a shy sweetie. word count: 1684

1.

"and then he," sniff, "he told me he never liked me. that him and dean were just joking." you wiped tears from your eyes violently and neville felt his heart tearing in two for you. "i thought they were nice! why would seamus lie like that?"

"i don't know," neville answered honestly. he knew that his friends were pranksters, sometimes taking jokes a step too far. but he had never expected his best friend to come to him crying over a stupid idea the two had devised. he felt angry with them. how could they have done that to someone as beautiful as you?

"i just don't get it! why does everyone else get to have crushes and first kisses?" you huffed frustratingly. neville's first thought was that he should have kissed you then but his second thought was much more controlled and much more him. he reached out, patting your back and trying to inject as much comfort into the touch as he could. you stayed like that for a few minutes as your tears subdued. one final sniff and you were rising from neville's bed. "i'm sorry for this. you're the first person i wanted to come to."

neville rose immediately after, coming to stand at your side. even at thirteen years old, he towered above you. "don't apologize," he said in a serious tone. "it's okay. i'm here for you. always-oof-"

neville's voice was cut off by your frame crashing into his, pulling him into a tight hug. he wasn't used to the touch or the affection and after immediately tensing, he relaxed and wrapped his own arms around you. something bloomed inside neville's chest and though he tried to push it down, you couldn't help but hear his heartbeat quicken.

2.

neville's experience at the yule ball wasn't as fun as he had hoped for. ginny was a great date and he danced through the entire night but something in his chest didn't feel right. you weren't there, enjoying the once-in-a-lifetime experience with him. he thought that, at first, you were just late or maybe he couldn't spot you among the crowd. but two hours into the night and he hadn't seen you once.

he left the ball eventually and his first and only mission was to seek you out. he slipped through the halls of the castle, narrowly avoiding snape's patrol, in search of you. his feet took him toward an empty stairwell which echoed with quiet sounds of crying.

"y/n?" he called out timidly. the sniff from further up the stairs told him all he needed to know and eventually, he was standing before you. your dress was beautiful, your hair was done in an intricate updo that he knew must've taken hours, and yet you were sobbing alone. "what's going on?"

"cormac...he stood me up. didn't show, didn't owl me. nothing," you said, voice barely above a whisper. he could tell that you had been crying in this very same stairwell for a while based on the puffiness of your eyes and the rasp in your throat. gingerly, he took a seat by your side.

without thinking, your head leaned on his shoulder and the pins in your hair poked his skin. something about his presence visibly eased your pain and he was so glad that he could offer you that.

really, neville wanted to be the one to take you to the yule ball. to be the one that watched you walk down the stairs in your dress. to be the one that danced with you all night long, breathless and laughing. but he was too nervous to do such a thing and instead asked ginny. neville silently reprimanded himself for not being more brave and said, "you look beautiful, you know?"

he could feel your smile against his shoulder. that was all he needed.

3.

"hey neville...did you hear that y/n broke up with zabini last night?" seamus whispered. "apparently it was a whole big scene."

neville didn't know about that actually and hearing it from seamus first hurt him more than he wanted to admit. instead of answering his friend, he poured his attention in to brewing his potion to hopefully get out of snape's class unscathed.

a few hours had passed until he entered the greenhouse for his advanced herbology practices class which he had begged you to take with him. and there you were, carefully plucking weeds out of a venomous tentacula pot. "hey!" he said, coming up behind you.

you turned and he saw the night's effects on your face. dark circles, puffy eyes, a warm sweater covering your body instead of your usual perfect uniform. something tugged at his heart and if he could, he would've wrapped you up and swept you away immediately.

"hey nev," you said with a forced smile. "i'm assuming you heard the news since you're looking at me like i'm a kicked puppy."

he didn't respond but nodded, pulling on his own gardening gloves to assist you in your task. he knew you'd tell him about it without him having to pull it out of you.

"he was nice and all...but he was really mean sometimes and his friends didn't like me. i figured i was too good to put up with more comments about my hair and my uniform and my house but now i'm not so sure." there was a crack in your voice that you cursed.

this time, neville didn't hesitate to pull you into his arms. he had gotten taller, stronger, braver. he was still a gangly mess of limbs but now he knew how to control them and how to offer the best hugs he could. his arms were tight around your shoulders and a few tears slipped from your eyes. his head leaned down and laid upon yours.

"you are too good for that, y/n. you're too good for all of them. i just wish you could see that," neville whispered against your hair. you took in his words, digested them one by one, and felt slightly better. you pulled away and looked at him with watery eyes. from that moment forward, neville knew he would do anything to preserve your happiness and bring a smile to your face. he knew that he was in love with his best friend of six years.

4.

"i don't know what you want from me, draco! i've tried to please you and make you happy a hundred times but it's never good enough!"

"no, it never is and it never will be! god, can't you see i stopped liking you weeks ago? with your nagging and neediness and crying, i don't think you'd ever be good enough for anyone."

neville stopped in his tracks outside the greenhouses. two voices yelled back and forth at each other and he easily distinguished them as y/n and presumably her now ex-boyfriend. neville's fist clenched at the words draco spat at his best friend.

suddenly, he heard stomping and draco flew by him in a rage. quickly, he rushed to where the voices were coming from and found you on the cold ground, upset but not crying. you didn't even look up when he came over and he took it upon himself to sit down next to you. no words were exchanged until-

"i don't know why i try. i don't know why nothing ever works for me. why i keep crying over boys, stupid boys. i don't know why i feel so worthless when those stupid boys break up with me. the worst thing, i think, is that i believe every word malfoy just said. that i won't be good enough for anyone. i will just graduate, work, live alone in a cottage, and watch everyone else fall in love around me but never with me," you rambled. words of self-doubt kept coming from your lips but you didn't know how to stop them. it was a ever-flowing stream of consciousness that neville bared for you. finally, your lips stopped moving and your mouth stopped producing sound. you took in a shaky breath and began to stand. neville's hand flew to your wrist and pulled you back down to the ground.

there, his eyes met yours with such an unwavering intensity that kept you planted. "listen to me, y/n," he started, "i have watched you cry over too many boys to deal with this any longer. not a single one of them deserved you or your love. you give so much and it crushes me that you get so little. do not believe draco, or zabini, or cormac when they make you feel like you're not good enough because you are. you're beautiful, so beautiful, and intelligent, kind, caring, witty, and anyone would be lucky to have you. i know because i have fallen so in love with you the past seven years and even in your ruined yule ball dress or your messy gardening clothes, i feel lucky to be by your side."

your eyes were wide at neville's confession but he didn't back down or take back his words. in fact, he felt relief knowing that his feelings were in the air now. after seven years of growing, he felt brave enough to admit things like that and do things like this.

"maybe the reason nothing ever worked is because i was always seeking you in everyone else," you finally whispered. neville's hand gravitated towards yours and like a moth drawn to an achingly beautiful flame, his lips found yours.

the kiss was everything you had been looking for. sweet, firm, passionate, but gentle. neville would never be mean to you, never degrade you, lie to you, stand you up, or do anything but offer peace and happiness as long as you live.

after a minute of pulling apart then reconnecting, neville leaned his forehead against yours. "i didn't know you had gotten so cliche, blossom." seven years of holding you had led to this and neville wouldn't change a single part of the journey.

[ginnyw-potter]

Ginny Weasley should die.

Thank you for the prompt anon! 😊 I hope you like it.

Death's cup

"Ginny Weasley should die."

Harry looked up from his newspaper and thought about his wife upstairs. 50 years old. Not quite in her quidditch years anymore but not old enough to die of natural causes, or so Harry would think. He did not want to let her go.

He looked at death. He seemed familiar. "Ah. Interesting that you tell me this. I thought you wielded your scythe on your own time, sir."

He stood up from the table and Death was yet still taller than him by almost more than a head.

Death moved uneasily. His face was hardly visible under his hood. "I do, but you... are the Master of Death and I will not take your wife away unannounced."

"I don't have the Elder Wand. The Stone is lost to time. The cloak belongs to James."

Death nodded. "You do not lose the title until someone else brings the items together. James is a special one. He hides from Death just as well as his father. There were some close calls under that cloak."

Though the thought of his son dying prickled as much as thinking about Ginny dying did, he only nodded. "He has no clue what it used to be like."

"He grew up safe thanks to the efforts of the generation before him," Death said. "I need to go and start on my day. I will be back in a few moments."

And just like that, Death walked out of his back door and soared straight up into the sky.

Harry had not even moved from his spot when James appeared by the same back door and knocked before entering.

"Morning dad, here's the cloak like you asked." His son put the cloak down on the table. "Mum still asleep?"

He nodded, dumbfounded but didn't reveal that he had never asked for the cloak. "Sleeping in."

"Alright. I'll see you two for dinner, yeah?"

Harry nodded again, trying not to think of the horrible possibility of Ginny not making it to dinner. "Of course," he said around the lump in his throat.

His son walked to the door again but Harry stopped him. James turned around to look at him.

"With or without that cloak, you're not invincible. Don't forget that," Harry said.

James offered him a lop-sided smile. "Is this another lesson from you where you take the cloak away from me to prove something?"

"No. Just a reminder."

"Because I am getting married soon and then I want to give you some of those grandkid-things mum dreams about." James hugged him.

Harry hugged him back. "Don't tell her that or she'll bug you about it until you bring her one."

"Merlin," his son let out with a chuckle. "I know it. I thought Al was going to beat me to it, to be fair." James released him and stepped back.

"He might still," Harry mused out loud.

James nodded in agreement. "Alright, see you tonight, dad!"

Harry waved absent-mindedly, his fingers of his other hand already wrapping around the cloak.

As soon as James had disapparated, he walked upstairs and into the master bed room. Ginny was sleeping soundly.

He tried not to think too hard about losing her but his arms shook as he draped the cloak over her. She did not stir.

"I love you, Gin," he said just in case and then he walked back downstairs.

He had just poured himself another cup of coffee when Death descended the stairs and walked back into the kitchen.

"The oddest thing just happened," Death said with an air of innocence, holding a list. "It says Ginny Weasley, bedroom, but I could not find her."

"That is odd," he agreed, the knot around his heart loosening a little. "Coffee?"

"Oh. Yes, thank you."

Harry poured Death a cup and handed it to him.

The skeletal hand wrapped around the ear of the cup. Both of them leaned against the counter as Death took a sip. A bit of steam escaped from the ear holes in his hood as he drank.

He seemed to leisurely read the list to see what was ahead for the day.

"Sir Barkington?" Harry inquired as he couldn't help but glance at the list.

"Yes," Death said. "Elderly dog. One of my favourites. It's such a joy to see them escape their old body with their achey joints and bad eyesight and see them chase around like a young puppy once more. It gets me every time."

Harry smiled. "That does sound rather nice." He looked at the name still at the top of his list. "Isn't it rather odd that my wife should be listed as 'Ginny Weasley' when she's been a Potter for thirty years?"

The cup of coffee hesitated in front of Death's mouth as his eyes slipped down. "That is odd."

"So?" Harry asked.

Death grumbled. "I wonder if the stupid fragmented souls messed with my list. Can't move on, can't go back. Trying to defy nature and now I have to pass those sorry excuses for a soul every morning on my commute!"

Harry's eyebrows rose. "If one was previously occupying a diary, it would know my wife's name rather well."

"Ah." Death's gaze fell on the list again. "That may very well be it. I'll need to investigate." He set the cup of coffee down on the counter and a quil appeared in his hand. He crossed Ginny's name off the list. "One way or another, consider her off the hook. I'll talk to her in another century or so." He rolled up the list and tucked it in the pocket of his cloak. "I'll see you soon."

Harry swallowed.

"Just kidding!" Death said, opening the door and stepping outside. "That never gets old! But you will. Live a long life, Harry. I will meet you again when it's time." He waved and then soared off once more.

Harry walked up the door and closed it. He returned to his coffee and took another sip.

"Why was the cloak on me?" She held it in her hands. She looked so very alive with tousled long hair and her night dress wrapped around her form.

"If I told you Death was looking for you, would you believe me?"

She snorted a laugh and picked up the cup of coffee from the counter. "No." She took a sip and promptly spat it out. "That tastes like death!"

"Told you he was here," Harry mumbled under his breath. "I'll get you a new one."

She playfully pushed him out of the way with her hip. "I'll make myself one. You clearly can't be trusted around the coffee machine anymore."

He laughed and took hold of her, kissing her eagerly.

"On second thought..." she said as she slipped her hand down his back. "Why don't you come back upstairs with me..."

"The counter is right there..." Harry offered.

She laughed. "I am not twenty anymore."

"No, you're not," he said happily, his hand caressing the curve of her hip. "But you get better every year."

"My joints don't," she said against his lips.

He pulled her up against him. "Oh, alright. And I'll make you a proper cup in a bit."

She dragged him upstairs, Death's cup forgotten.

[weasleyreidstyles]

Serendipity

chapter four

summary: it was only meant to be a purely transactional relationship. he would help her strengthen her abilities in return for her getting his friends out of his father's nasty path. he didn't mean to fall for her, but loving her was the easiest thing in his dark world.

no use of y/n, but your general nickname is Meadow. All characters are aged up to be over 18.

pairings: mattheo riddle x fem!ravenclaw reader; platonic!slytherins x fem!reader; platonic!golden trio x fem!reader

warning(s): fainting, hospitals, talk of dark magic and curses

series masterlist; previous part; next part

Mattheo guided you to an empty carriage with his palm gently grazing the small of your back. If you were in your right state of mind, you'd shove his hand away. Probably.

But at that moment, he was the only person holding you upright. You had no idea what was wrong with you, what this overwhelming feeling was.

It's just the adrenaline, tesoro. It'll pass. Theo had barely spoken to you since school started, not including the few nights you'd been on patrol with him late at night or in Ancient Runes and Transfiguration. Everytime you interacted with Mattheo he seemed to become agitated, as though it wasn't his idea to have his best friend teach you control.

You sat in the far corner of the carriage silently as they deliberated what to do about the necklace that was floating between you all, and for some reason you felt an odd tingling, cold sensation wash over you as it came closer to you.

"Should we take it to Snape? Or straight to Dumbledore?" Zabini asked as he used his wand to rotate the antique, looking at it with distaste. Theo and Mattheo seemed to debate this as Enzo nodded in agreement immediately.

"No we take it to Madame Pomfrey." Pansy injects. "She's going to need to see what cursed Katie. So she knows how to heal her."

"She could've died." you say quietly into the warmth of your scarf. They all turn to stare at you. "The necklace is famously doused with a death curse. Over a few dozen muggles supposedly died instantly when they touched it with their bare hands. Had she not had her gloves on, she would have died."

They look stricken, as if this had not occurred to them at all. The air in the carriage went frigid, suddenly. And not because of the chill.

"All the more reason to get it to Dumbledore." Zabini insists, but you vehemently disagreed.

"No, Pans is right. Madame Pomfrey needs to see the necklace. I doubt she'll be able to treat Katie here, Hogwarts won't have the necessary resources for this sort of thing."

Zabini seemed to think on this and in the end you all agreed; when you reached the Hospital Wing where Katie Bell was writhing helplessly in a bed, you all but collapsed into Mattheo's awaiting arms.

~∞~

You've discovered that fainting is an odd sensation. One moment you felt fine, fine enough to function normally at least, then the next minute everything is a hazy void of nothing.

You wake up in a bed in the hospital wing, Hermione next to you, reading a muggle novel with a furrowed brow. She jolts up when she sees that you're conscious.

"You're awake. I'll get Madame Pomfrey, hold on." And she's off down the aisle of warded beds, back seconds later with the matron in tow.

Madame Pomfrey fusses over you for a moment, asking you all the generic questions, that you answer only with half-truths, before leaving you alone with Hermione once again when you answered sufficiently enough.

"How do you really feel?" your best friend asked, her face full of worry. "Harry and Ron wanted to be here, Ginny too, but they have Quidditch practice."

"I feel like I got hit over the head with a hammer." you say, your voice rough and hoarse. "What even happened? The last thing I remember is walking into the Hospital Wing."

"Nott said you passed out when you came to hand the necklace in. Riddle got you settled into bed and let Madame Pomfrey do her work. But she hasn't said what is implicitly wrong with you." she explained and you stared up at her incredulously.

"But I only fainted? It's not that serious, is it?" your anxiety spikes and, not intentionally, you blocked out Hermione's voice in order to get some answers.

I hear helped me into bed? I could've sworn you don't have a nice bone in your body, guess I was wrong.

You're awake. He sounds surprised...relieved.

Obviously or I wouldn't be communicating with you right now, would I?

Funny. His voice is filled with mirth at your sarcastic response. How do you feel, sweetheart?

Do you want the lie I told so that I could leave the Hospital Wing quicker, or the real answer?

I'd hope that all the time we've spent in each other's presence would warrant the truth, Meadow.

I feel like shit, Mattheo. I don't even know what caused it, I felt fine when we were in the carriage.

Did you? He doesn't believe you.

I mean– I think so, I– My arm doesn't hurt as much. Do you think that has something to do with it?

Maybe. Is Granger still with you?

Yes, why?

No reason.

Mattheo?

He doesn't give you a response.

Hermione is snapping her fingers in your face and calling your name as if she'd been doing it for a hot minute.

"Are you sure you're alright?" she asks, concern written all over your face.

"You know, I feel a little fatigued, I might try and sleep it off." you feel like the worst person in the world for lying to your best friend, but you want answers, and Mattheo seemed like the only person who would be brutally honest with you.

"Alright. I'll come back tomorrow with the others if you're still here after lessons are over." she smiles at you and guilt eats away at your chest.

"Thank you for staying with me, Mione." She squeezes your hand affectionately before she stands up and leaves you alone.

~∞~

Half an hour later it's not Mattheo who comes to visit like you secretly hoped for (but you were denying this to yourself vehemently). Instead Professor Dumbledore walks into the Wing with his usual grace and grandure.

"Good evening, Miss Meadows." he says cheerily as he stands before you bed. "May I sit?"

Bewildered, you nod your head silently.

"There's no need for the confusion," he says, clearly using Occlimency on you. "I see you have a good grasp on your mind. When did you learn to do this?"

"I like to learn new things." you say, brows furrowing at him as he gets comfortable in the plush seat beside your bed. He hums at your answer, rubbing his chin with the fingers of his good hand.

"I believe you experienced something rather....odd this afternoon." he began, his usually twinkling eyes holding an emotion that you could not place. "Can you describe it to me?"

"Um...I guess it started when we got closer to Katie and Leanne-" you start before cutting yourself off. "Actually, how is she? Katie? What happened to her?"

Dumbledore sighs as he answers.

"She was taken to St. Mungo's for treatment. They have far better equipped staff for dealing with dark curses. Poppy does not do that sort of healing."

"But she'll be okay?" you ask.

"She'll live, miraculously." he says before he focuses on you again. "Now back to you, Miss Meadow."

"Right. We were walking down the lanes, behind them and then I think they had stopped walking while they were arguing and it felt like an eery shift in the air. I don't know how else to describe it but then Katie touched the necklace and went up into the air. When she started screaming that's when Matt– Riddle– that's when Riddle and his friends turned up behind us. Enzo and Blaise went to find Hagrid and Ron, Theo and Riddle helped pull her down. I tried to help but when I touched her, my arm started to burn." you can fell the sting like a phantom now that you think about the pain.

"Interesting." he says as he pulls an old signet ring from his deep robe pocket, holding it out for you to take. "Can you tell me what you feel when you touch this, please?"

You do as he says and take the ring into your hands. Twisting it around your fingers, allowing your magic begins to swirl around it before it burns your fingers. You drop it in an instant. That same cold, tingling feeling you felt when Blaise rotated the necklace washed over you right afterward.

"It's cursed?" you asked, looking up at the Headmaster for confirmation, who is staring at you with knowing, inquisitive eyes.

"Something like that, yes." he says, his decaying hand twitches in response.

"Is that why your hand is like...that?" you ask, motioning to the appendage.

"Yes, rather nasty isn't it?" he says, tucking his hand away from your prying eyes. "I'm not sure what it is cursed by, but that is why I have asked Harry to befriend Professor Slughorn. I believe it has something to do with Lord Voldemort and Horis is the key to everything.

He ignores the way you instinctively flinch at the name. But thats when you notice that the ring that is still on your bed, holds the Riddle insignia. Mattheo's family crest.

"Sir, what's wrong with me?" you croak, as you turn the ring in your hands once again, letting your magic wash over it and dropping it into your lap when it zaps you with another stinging burn.

Professor Dumbledore removes the ring from your possession as he answers carefully.

"You're an incredibly smart witch, Miss Meadows." he states. "Professor Snape tells me of your incredible non-verbal abilities, and am I correct in assuming that you are also talented with wandless magic?"

You flush at this. "Yes sir."

"It is no surpise to me that your magic picks up on things that other witches and wizards may not." he says, tilting his head at you. "I believe you would make a good Unspeakable in the future, my dear. Or perhaps a curse breaker."

"What?" you ask, completely muddled by how cryptic he seemed to become. "Why do you say that? Shouldn't I be worried that I can somehow detect dark magic?"

"On the contrary...I believe it will be the most important skill you learn in this life."

With that note, he stands and with a simple goodbye leaves you lying alone in the bed with a thousand thoughts running through your head.

None of them bringing you any closer to a solid answer to the biggest questions you have:

Why the hell can you sense dark magic? Why did it cause your skin to burn? Why did it cause you to lose your grasp on consciousness?

~∞~

aaand the plot thickens...🤭🤭🤭

this was quite short but there will be more mattheo and meadow moments to come in the next one i promise xxx

comment to be added to the taglist!

taglist:

(striked out users are ones that i couldn't tag)

@camille-1019 @lovelyygirl8 @xluansstuff @babeylover @thejadeazalea @undercover-smutlover @adhxmoony @dreamingofonceuponatime @thepassionatereader @urmomsgayforme5 @aphroditeisamilf @devotedlycrookeddonut @purplegirls-posts @nofacenonamelikekira

[dramioneasks]

Christmas Fics (2024) (Part 1):

Last Christmas by cleotheo - T, 8 chapters - When Ron, Lavender and Ginny get a chance to spend Christmas at the launch event of a fancy new hotel, there are festive surprises and shock reunions in store for the trio. Reunion style Christmas story.

All the Way by augustaoctavia - E, 12 chapters - Two Parents. One Toy. No Prisoners. When Draco Malfoy makes a promise to his son to buy him the holiday season's hottest toy, he didn't anticipate that every store in Wizarding Britain would be sold out. Worse still, the last thing he would have expected was becoming a reluctant ally to Hermione Granger in their mutual quest to do what ever it takes to give their sons a Merry Christmas.

Dramione Christmas Advent Calendar 2024 by Hyemi_28 - E - Hi everyone! ⭐ It’s December, and I’m thrilled to share my little Dramione Christmas Advent Calendar with you! 🎄 Every day until 24th December, we’ll open one door on the calendar, and behind each one, you’ll find a delightful Dramione drabble filled with festive magic, romance, and Christmas cheer. Whether it’s a cosy moment by the fire, a snowy adventure, or a romantic celebration, there’s a little something special waiting for you each day. 🎄Let’s celebrate this advent season together and count down to Christmas with our favourite pairing! 🎁 Wishing you a joyful Advent and a very Merry Christmas! Hyemi

The Binding Charm by yourstruly_quin - E, 6 chapters - Ginny grinned, eyes lighting up. “We made some plans tonight.” Hermione’s skepticism was evident on her face. “Plans?” “We won’t hear any excuses, Granger. Theo Nott opened a pub a few weeks ago. Very exclusive. He reserved a private area, just for us.” Pansy leaned in, a conspiratorial look on her face. “And we may have invited a few old friends. One of whom might be interested in… helping you move on.” Hermione narrowed her eyes. “Helping me move on?” Ginny placed a reassuring hand on her arm. “Just humor us for one night. If you hate it, you can leave.” Hermione pretended to consider for a few moments. In all honesty, she was ready to have a night of fun, to stop moping around feeling sorry for herself while Ron was out traipsing the world with his mistress. She could have just as much fun as him. “Fine,” she conceded. “But he better not be a Weasley—no offense Gin. Or a quidditch player.” Pansy and Ginny exchanged another look. “Maybe just… recreationally a quidditch player,” Ginny mumbled. Or a cutesy holiday special where Draco and Hermione agree to help each other move on.

Nott A Typical Slytherin Holiday by QuinnSnow37 - M, WIP - It's the holiday break and Hermione is dreading spending her eighth- and final Christmas at Hogwarts- alone, until Theodore Nott invites her on a ski trip to France with the Slytherins. This is a cozy fluffy smutty story about second chances and the magic of Christmas.

Charm Offensive by karma_cookie - G, one-shot - Draco Malfoy is having a bad week. His magic seems to be going out of its way to embarrass him in front of his boss, who he is still trying to impress, and who he's got more than just a little crush on.

gifts to be given by coldbrewcalico, virgo_puff - E, 6 chapters - Hermione convinces the gang to play Secret Santa for their first Christmas together after graduating from eighth year at Hogwarts. Everything does not go according to plan.

Cold Moon by maraudersaffair - E, WIP - It’s Christmastime, and Malfoy wants to court Hermione. In fact, he seems rather insistent about it, even though they are virtually strangers. What Hermione doesn’t know is that Malfoy is a werewolf in need of a mate. And the wolf chose her.

Dreomione christmas advent calendar or how Hermione survived living with two Slytherins by Nottromi - E, WIP - Hermione’s life was peaceful—until she started dating Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott. Now, chaos is her constant companion, with her friends inevitably dragged into the madness. Or how her boys are using their animagus skills to annoy her endlessly. [Draco x Hermione x Theo]

Under the Mistletoe by angeadhglas - E, WIP - At a Hogwarts Faculty Solstice Party, Draco and Hermione accidentally find themselves trapped under enchanted mistletoe. The spell only breaks when they kiss, but it leaves both of them wanting more than just one kiss.

Smaller Acts by Molivier - M, one-shot - “You know,” she says, her voice a little too tender, a little too honest, “I’ll allow you to be rude to me. Just once. Tell me how you really feel.” He hesitates, his gaze dropping to her lips and then back to her eyes. “I don’t think you’d like it.” “Try me.”

thread of silk by euphrasie_pont - E, one-shot - “You’re just…dating her,” Narcissa said slowly, her face contorting around the word as if she had never spoken it in her life. “That is…fine.” “But marriage isn’t, right?” Draco retorted. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. She seemed to catalog him with new eyes, as if she had never noticed all the tiny ways in which he had become a man. “Draco…is it really like that?” she asked quietly. Draco shrugged and glanced back to the tapestry, eyes unseeing as he recalled a memory of wayward curls blowing across Hermione’s face, her lips curving into an unrestrained laugh. “I love her,” he whispered plainly, feeling like he was revealing his most treasured secret. ~ Draco lives two discrete lives: the one in which he’s in love with Hermione Granger, and the one in which he’s his mother’s perfect son. He keeps them separate because he’s bone-shakingly afraid that if they ever meet, he’ll lose one or both of them. They end up meeting anyway.

Happy Christmas, Granger by allofthelights11  - E, one-shot - She nestles her head back in the pillows and resigns herself to being patient. She ought to have known this would be part of it – not the blindfold, which is a new element, but Draco making her wait. Wait for the surprise he told her about over a week ago, and wait for him to gradually work his way through it step by step. Her anticipation about what else he might make her wait for swells. She wouldn’t have initiated this herself, which Draco knows. He also knows exactly how to please her, if she just relaxes enough to let him show her. Draco prefers to show, not tell. He pulls her bra cup beneath one breast so he can tease the nipple with his finger, and surely he can see her heart beating, the skin of her chest rising and falling. Draco traces his fingers down her stomach, playing with the hemline of her knickers, which he’s left on her – for now. She’s thrumming with want, now, and she wrestles with a desire to spread her legs for him or let him manoeuvre her however he likes. Hermione breathes in deeply. Her breast meets his mouth and she’s never been good at being this patient.

[ginevrapng]

Please ignore this if you don’t write from him! But can we get some Harry content, where’s he’s frustrated and only the reader can relax him. Or just any content with him! Your work is beautiful 🩷🩷

i'm glad you like my work and i hope you like this! <;33

"harry, are you in?" you unlock the door to harry's flat with your key and go to find your boyfriend. you had loose plans today where he'll meet you after you've finished work and you'll go food shopping but he never turned up. when you find him he's sitting on the sofa, his shoulders are tense and he's hunched over. it seems like he hasn't heard you too caught up in his own thoughts.

you repeat yourself, trying to get harry's attention. harry jumps at your voice, looks at you and forces a smile. "hey, are you okay? you didn't come with me shopping," you say softly and concerned.

harry's body tenses up even more, "i'm so sorry, i completely forgot," he says quietly and sighs, turning back to the front and looking down at the desk.

you nod your head even though he's not looking at you anymore. you walk over to him so you're standing at the back of the sofa and peering other his shoulder. "what'cha looking at?"

"work," you hear him mumble but you catch the angry undertones.

you frown and your eyebrows furrow, you kiss the back of his head and start rubbing his shoulders, massaging them. "are they overworking you again?" you say and this time it's harry who can detect the annoyance directed at his bosses in your tone.

he makes a sound of conformation and then says, "ron and hermione have all been talking to me today about it and it's honestly it's just pissed me off. they kept saying they understand because they get overworked too but they don't the bosses love them and they get special treatment. i just kept getting more annoyed. to top it all off ginny messaged me about an hour asking if i was okay and if i needed anything let me know, i don't need anything, i can handle all of this on my own, i don't need any help, especially from my ex." he rushes out quickly in one breath frustrated and putting his head in his hands.

"harry love, look at me." you say gently and play with his hair. he keeps looking down with his head in his hands. "please," you whisper and he swivels around to look at you. his body warms up as he looks at you and he sees your expression, one of concern but mainly sadness from the situation. he doesn't detect any pity like he thinks all of his friends had, even if they didn't have that expression, he thinks they did.

"please don't overwork yourself, it really worries me. especially with how annoyed you sound with ron, hermione and ginny, they had good intentions baby." harry stays quiet listening to you speak. "i love you so much and i want you to be happy-"

this is where harry interrupts you, "i am happy, i have you."

"i want you to be happy AND healthy. you can't do that if you don't look after yourself."

harry relaxes slightly in your hold and you kiss his cheek. after you kiss his cheek he seems to get more comfortable and doesn't seem as stressed.

"i'm going to cook dinner baby, your favourite, and then we can have an early night." you tell him squeezing his shoulders and going to leave.

harry grabs hold of hand from behind before you can leave his grasp, "i really need to work." he sounds defeated at this point.

"no you don't love, you need food and then you can do what you need to do tomorrow," you say delicately but sounding more firm than you have been previously. "come help me cook," you pull his hand signalling that you want him to follow you into the kitchen.

harry watches you cooking and smiles to himself, you're humming a tune and occasionally look over to him and smiles back. he thinks about how lucky he is to have someone who cares about him so much. "i love you."

you stop what you were doing and go over to harry. you hug him and rest your head on his chest before looking up at him, "i love you too harry, so much." harry grins and he wraps his arms around your waist, perfectly content to be spending the night with you not thinking about work at all.

[unabashednightmarepizza]

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑀𝑎𝑑𝑒 𝑈𝑠, 𝑈𝑠

A/N: I'll be completely honest, I don't know what I have written... But it's wholesome( i think) and cute. Curse me and my inability to write something short.

Prompts Used: I'll stay for as long as you need from this, do you think we'll be in love forever from this.

Summers in the Burrow was absolute trash.

Now it wasn't because Charlie didn't like to come back home and perhaps finally rest a bit. He actually liked being back home, especially with you now that you two were finally dating, he often took you out with him for hours after you stashed food in your back, knowing you two would be gone for a long time doing...

Snogging? Making-out? Flying?

It all depended on the mood.

All in all, he loved his family, he loved you, and he loved how well you fit with his family and love them as your own, they loved you in exchange just as much, and loved being back home even if it meant the teasings of his brother Bill who was the one witnessing his puppy love to you would increase with their other siblings' help.

But sometimes, the teasing was just... too much. And the fact that you also took after his family didn't help.

His own lover was against him, and they obviously loved making him go all red!

As if it was hard to begin with...

"It seems you are so smitten by me that you always talk about me to your family, Charlie~" you teased your boyfriend lightly as your hand wrapped around his, squeezing three times to silently say I love you, even though you were just making fun of him for talking about you a lot to his family, as he looked at you with burning cheeks and a soft smile.

"No? Where did you get it from?" He tried to hide his rants about you in a cool manner, to save himself from the teasing he would face even though he would melt as soon as you started planting kisses on his cheek, but ultimately failed when Bill and his dad, who adored you already, stumbled into the living room and beamed visibly at the sight of you sitting with his son.

"Y/N! It's lovely to see you, dear! How are you?" Arthur immediately pushed his two eldest sons aside and came to hug you, landing kisses on each of your cheeks as he proudly looked at you. Even to this day, after almost four years of being Charlie's friend and two years of dating him, you never quite got used to the way they always welcomed you warmly.

Molly hugging you, smelling like those cookies she always made. Arthur's warm hugs as he pulled you to his artefact room to show all the new cool muggle things he found, Fred and George telling you the newest pranks they thought about, playing wizard chess with Percy, making Ginny's hair in different styles and teaching them to her as she did your make-up, telling Ron about the latest school drama...

Sometimes, with all their flaws and all, you even thought that they actually loved you more than their own sons.

"Yeah, there goes our privilege as soon as they see their daughter..." Bill groaned as he rubbed his arm to soothe the pain of his greatest betrayal, done by none other than his father. Still, Bill was someone who always found a way to tease you or mostly Charlie and this time wasn't any different as he saw how you both smiled shyly, quite cute in his eyes, as you both stumbled over your words, blushing madly.

"I-I'm not their daughter Bill, I think you are-"

"Yet, my friend, yet."

"Bill, stop teasing..." Charlie gritted out, hoping it was enough to make him back off but instead Bill laughed and merely brushed it off.

"You look like a squirrel when you are angry, Charlie~ Besides, by the amount of adoring talk you had been doing since your second year at Hogwarts, I thought you would have already used a promise ring type of commitment!"

Charlie's face was a tomato at this point, even his neck and probably his chest was all red from the embrassment he felt. He always told you that it was a bad idea to spend the summer with his family, solely for the reason that he knew they wouldn't stop teasing him, and often suggested the idea of spending it in Hogwarts, alone, with you in a flirty way.

In which you always replied, I don't want to be on the receiving end of one of Molly's angry Howlers, Charlie... We have to go, besides, what's the worst that could happen? They love me!

But, that was the point.

They loved you so much, even more than possibly their own children!

And they wouldn't dare to tease you, no.

They took greater satisfication from doing that to him. Especially since he accidently let it slip that he wanted to marry you after graduation.

"What? Don't tell me... Holy shit, you never told them about your affinity with them since the day school started?!" Bill dramatically screeched with a hand over his chest at his brother's state, Percy rolling his eyes at the three of you as you tilted your head confused.

"Wait... Really? He had been talking about me?"

"Of course! I don't think he stopped doing it even after you two started dating! If not, it increased even more!" Percy yelled from the other room, making Charlie look there angrily, not aware of the soft and loving eyes you were sending to his way.

"Yes, I remember him talking about you at every breakfast, so much so that both me and Molly knew what flower you liked and memorized your schedule!" Arthur added with a happy nod from the kitchen as he helped Molly with the plates. Charlie turned his head so swiftly that you were worried he hurt his neck as he was left staring with a gaped mouth at his father.

"Dad!"

"Oh, yes, I remember now! I wasn't very pleased to hear that Y/N thought gnomes were cute... but she accepted they could be dreadful too!" Molly came from the kitchen as she gave you her famous pancakes with a smile and affectionate pat on your head as her eyes found Arthur's playfully.

"I still remember how your dad came bursting in, yelling that he finally found someone who shared his fascination with Muggle world and even gave him a record player."

"I'm gonna go and de-gnome the garden, maybe that will-" Charlie suddenly got up and turned towards the door to get out and probably cool his flaming face, while you giggled uncontrollably alongside Ginny who was having the best time of her life at her brother's misery.

"We can send your precious, curse-breaking lover if you want!" A yell came from the other room.

"Fred!" Charlie turned angrily to scold his brother when he saw the disappointed eyes of his brother.

"I'm not Fred, seriously first mum and now you, Charlie?" George, actually Fred, came from the other room, looking sad and half-angry.

Which was all a ploy, and even you knew it at this point.

But Charlie never was able to tell which twin was which one, and this was no different. He huffed out angrily as he muttered a whatever, and walked right towards the garden as you and twins looked after him with straight eyes and then slowly smirked.

"You are never gonna get tired of tricking him, right?" You threw your head back on the couch and looked at the twins with a cheeky smile as they laughed and shook their heads.

"Never~"

"So... You know we," Fred pointed to all the other Weasley siblings, except Bill and Charlie, to a pouting Ginny and Ron, who were doing their best to use their puppy eyes. " are here for a reason, and that is-"

"To hear more of my adventures in any kind so that you could find a humiliating moment to tease Charlie later?" You quirked an eyebrow curiously as they all stared at you in wonder.

"That's why she is the best older sister possible..." Ron and Ginny exclaimed with amazement with breathless sighs, making you laugh as Fred and George nodded their heads impressed.

"She is finally a true Weasley. Understanding what we exactly want is of high value."

" Suck it up, guys, you made it very obvious! Besides, Charlie won't be happy about this!"

"Then why are you bringing snacks?" Percy stopped while bending over the table in the living room under everyone's curious and amused stares, mumbling to himself as he flushed.

"Because... I want to hear them too."

"Hell yeah, that's my brother! Now, Y/N, you have no other choice than telling us!" Fred exclaimed as he threw a proud arm around Percy's shoulder and ushered everyone to sit down so that you could finally start. You looked at all the kids sitting down in front of you, waiting for you to start with excited eyes. Seeing them so eager, even though it wasn't unusual for them whenever you came to the Burrow, and they had other motives, made you crack a smile and nod.

You could actually give what they want to them with this story, and watch as Charlie suffers from their hands on your behalf.

"Now, where should I begin... Perhaps the accident with Squawk is a good one."

Squawk was on loose, the reputation of the Dragon Club was at stake and there was no way you could find that little rascal in time.

Without help.

"I want Squawk back in our care just as much as you do, Y/N! I'll help you find him, you don't have to worry when you have me!"

As soon as the last part left his lips, Charlie already slapped his forehead mentally when he met Liz's questioning and "are you serious?" look. He couldn't help how he felt or what he did, especially when his crush came to ask for his help. He had been watching you as discreetly as possible, throwing himself in to help you whenever you ask and he always sat with you at lunch and cracked jokes in hopes that you would smile.

You did, every time, because how could you not? He was being extremely cute and adorable!

But to Liz, and pretty much every single one of your friends, all these longing stares and shy smiles was becoming a lot harder to bear.

"Hate to break the cute moment, but we have a mission to finish and an Incendio to cast! Pump the love brakes and do it now Y/N~"

Actually remembering where you were and with who you were, you flushed but did it anyways and set the fake eggs on fire to lure Squawk to where you three were waiting.

And soon, he showed up and circled around the eggs protectively, making all three of you to cheer.

"Nice one, mate!" Liz's eyes were as wide as saucers when the word mate left Charlie and he was left freaked out with his hand still up in the air.

No... No, I didn't just call my crush "mate"...

Your eyes were also wide open at what he said, but you tried not to show how it made you disappointed as you smiled and let out a hey, which didn't really had the usual hype.

Mate... That's all he is ever going to see me as.

But amongst that chaos and freaking out, and Charlie's yell, Squawk was already gone, having flought away in fright.

Charlie, since he was kind of the reason Squawk got away, had a sheepish yet half-horrified look on his face as he looked at you, expecting anything except the kind and happy smile you had given him.

"W-what... Are you not angry at me?"

"No? Why would I be?" You tilted your head with a small smile as Charlie gulped nervously.

Oops, you were actually angry but... somehow, it felt like it wasn't about this accident?

"Because Squawk is... gone?"

You sighed, rubbing the back of your neck. It was no use for you to hold grudge against him just because he called you his mate and you had to fall for him. "It's like you said, Charlie. As long as I have you, I have nothing to worry about... Besides I'm confident in where he might have flied off..."

The rest of your sentence was a blur as Charlie widened his eyes and his heart literally stopped at what you said. Yes, he was the one who actually said it but to hear your crush also agree on it...

You just said the sweetest thing possible to him and he... called you his mate.

Tonk was his mate, not you! What the hell was wrong with him?!

"It's rather sweet what you said about Charlie, Y/N but one, stop being all lovey-dovey since some of us are single," she walked away while groaning, leaving you two behind blushing madly as she soon turned back and looked over at her shoulder with a cheeky smile.

"And two, please have a date already after we catch Squawk. I have a bet going on with Andre and I intend to win it, if possible." With that, she left you two to yourself and went inside as you looked at Charlie nervously for him to say something, anything.

And even if his heart threatened to get out of his chest at how close you two were, he smiled and looked into your eyes that reflected all of your emotions.

And it made him blush even more, when he found the clear adoration in there.

"Should we get started then?" He extended his hand out shakily and smiled when you grabbed it thightly and made him run after you with a happy laugh, thinking to yourself as you both ran.

Unaware of how he was watching your hair dance in the wind.

He is lucky he is cute, or else I wouldn't be running after him...

Everyone was left shocked at how stupidly oblivious their older brother, whom they all loved and even idolized, could be. A silence settled after you finished the story and you anxiously looked at them since... they were just looking at you with open mouths, even Percy wasn't saying anything except gulping down the chips he was eating.

But soon, Ginny's screech cut the silence perfectly.

"Wait... MY BROTHER REALLY CALLED YOU 'MATE'?! Ughhh, boys are so stupid..." she rested her back against the table with a hmph, crossing her arms in front of her chest angrily. If the situation wasn't comedic, you could have pinched her cheeks and agree with her, even if you were dating that oblivious and stupid boy that was her brother.

"How many boys have you ever seen, Ginny?" Ron pushed her shoulder, in a way quite offended as she sticked her tongue out.

"I live with 6 of them, I think it's enough!"

"Pretending that our sister didn't just roast all of us," George pointedly said as he slowly pushed the two youngests away with a sheepish look, and looked at you with a smirk.

"Our brother really called his crush 'mate' huh? Interesting..." he rubbed his chin as if he had a long beard which made you snort and nod at him.

They were so going to use this against him.

"Yeah, he did. And according to our friends, he banged his head at every possible surface whenever he remembered that but... it was kind of cute, how he lost track of what he says around me." You cutely said, a stupid smile over your face as the boys made a disgusted face while Ginny let out an awe. You slapped the back of their heads softly as you snickered. "Don't make that face now! I will see you when you fall in love~"

"Wait, wait! Was there a confession? Was it romantic or stupid as he first acted with you?" Ginny suddenly asked excitedly, bouncing up and down with a wide smile as she hugged her legs closer to herself, waiting for your answer.

"Ughh girls and their obsession over romance..." Ron groaned, making a face as if he was disgusted but you knew deep down that he was also into them, especially the one you had with his brother.

He would rather die than accept it though.

"Well, there definetly was some, Ginny. But... At first it was just us complaining about the other to our best friends."

Your chest felt heavy remembering Rowan, how you two used to stay up late while giggling to yourselves. It was mostly them, making fun of you as you blushed and hid yourself under your pillow after you confessed your crush to them.

But what are best friends for? Making fun of you when you need their help, and then offer their biggest one.

"I don't even know what's going anymore, Rowan! I just can't get Charlie out of my mind, every time I look at him, my stomach feels weird, I start to sweat and my heart feels like it's gonna burst out and scream... That bitch and him making me feel like that."

Rowan giggled as she patted your back while you vented, offering their comfort while you laid over their lap. You were trully sick, sick of feeling like this, because deep down, you knew the reason.

You knew why it all happened around Charlie but refused to acknowledge them.

There was a difference between knowing and accepting it, right?

"And... And as if it's not enough, I saw him half-naked!" Rowan choked on the air as they looked down at you in fright.

"You didn't start big, right?!"

"What the hell?! No, of course not! Look at me Rowan! Do you see me as that kind of person? If I was, I wouldn't be patheatically venting to my best friend!"

You got up from their lap as Rowan nodded, saying a fair point, and watched you plop down sadly before you crawled next to them and put your head on their shoulder. Rowan knew what was exactly coming and sighed as they pulled one of the napkin from their nightsand and offered it to you with an "are you serious?" look.

"He was... just so hot, Rowan."

" I know, it's normal for you to say that."

"I can't believe I fell for a dragon boy, whose only interest would be them."

Now that got their attention. Because, there was no way in hell you didn't realize the obvious favouritism he had for you... Right?

But by the patheatic pouting on your face, yes you didn't realize a thing.

"You really don't realize, do you?" They chuckled amused as they pat your head while they fixed their glasses. You lifted your head curiously and frowned at their question. "Realize what?"

"Charlie literally only talks to you about his favourite things, you included, and you listen to him talk for hours about dragons. He gives you the Snitch whenever he catches it when you come to his matches, which is usually always, and even gave you his sweater when you were cold... THE Weasley sweater, if I may add. Everyone knows he and Bill cares about it a lot, Charlie more than Bill."

As they talked, every single interaction passed through your eyes.

Even the ones no one really knew about.

The picnics near the Black Lake, hanging out after curfew, exploring the castle together...

Watching the stars together as you rambled about them, not realizing how close you two were suddenly. His wood and pine smell, a result of him always hanging out in the forest, suddenly filling your insides as your flowery yet quite light and neutral smell dazed Charlie and made him lean down closer to your lips... Them being apart by just mere inches as you both felt the other's breath, a craving, a lust and want so deep that it made you both almost tumble down and dive deep in the feelings...

You were down bad.

"And then he falls asleep on you, you fall asleep on him, you read to him, you always bring something for him from back home and he blushes every time you do that, he brings you his mother's cookies that she made for you, under his request and begs... Friends to lovers trope at its best really."

"Rowan..."

"Hmm?" They turned their head to you after they stopped listing everything, hearing your disturbed and anxious voice brought them back to the moment and- Holy shit, were you scared?

"Y/N? Are you oka-"

"I'm in love with Charlie." You said breathless but it seemed Rowan didn't quite catch the heavy meaning of your words.

"Oh well, congrats for realiz- Wait, not even like?! Like love love?

A shy nod of confirmation, and then a happy squeal.

"Oh My Merlin, I'm so happy for you! Now, you just need to say it to him-and no trust me, he feels the same, if not even more! There is no giving up for us now!"

"Then of course, he confessed to me... After making me cry because I had a crush on him-" you shrugged your shoulders noncholantly after you told them how you came to conclusion that you loved Charlie, and at that point, they were all so invested in your story that they didn't realize their brother standing at the corner and watching, listening to them with both a stupid and sorry look.

A/N: You may read my other work "First Date Shenanigans" for some referances.

Until that is, Fred understood the end of your sentence first and an angry scowl came to his face, making him look scarier.

"HE MADE YOU CRY?! THAT FRICKING TWAT, PERCY BRING THE BAT-"

"ON IT!"

"NO, FRED, DON'T-It was a misunderstanding!" You stopped them hurriedly as Percy immediately stood up and almost made a run for it, both young boys looking at you with wide eyes as they slowly blinked.

"What? How could there be a misunderstanding?"

"I wasn't very open with who my crush was," you shyly smiled and helped them sit back down, chuckling at their cuteness and how protective they were of you.

It made you feel... like a part of the family.

"Since everyone was suddenly so interested in my love life, which was a result of them knowing your brother's big crush on me, I never told anything about who he was."

"Yeah, we remember that Snape Accident... Douchebag."

"Ginevra Weasley, language!" Both you and her giggled as he came closer to you and laid her head on your thigh, your hand finding her ginger hair as you slowly started making a little braid.

"Soooo... What did he do when he learnt you had a crush on 'someone else'?" Ron emphasised pointedly with his fingers and waited for an answer, with a look he hoped that didn't give his big curiosity.

"Well, before that happened, he literally offered to duel me to take my mind off things... Now, I'm thinking that he did it for himself."

"Look, I know we will chat, but what will we chat about? What if we run out of things to say? What if we can't find something to talk about?" You anxiously looked at Charlie and Tonks, who was there to help you out with your date and couldn't help but get even more nervous after Tonks asked what you would do with him.

You never thought about that one.

What were you supposed to talk with Charlie, who was unaware that he was helping you with your crush who was actually him, so that you wouldn't ridicule yourself?

That is, if he accepted of course... Which was a low chance.

Seeing you spiralling into anxiety made Charlie sighed annoyed at his friend and turned to her with a pointed look. "See what you did, Tonks? Asking all those questions..."

" What? I was trying to help!" He shook his head at her innocent exclaim and gripped the bridge of his nose.

"Don't let your nerves get to you, love. Fight them off by... I don't know... Duelling one of us?" Charlie was already having a hard time looking at you, knowing that you liked someone else and was wondering what to do for a boy that definetly didn't deserve you, your love and attention at all.

Should he come after you to see the boy and later jinx him? Perhaps not... But he wanted to.

"That... would be good, Charlie. I'd like to duel you though, if you are not scared~" you teased him softly as your heart skipped a beat at his surprised wide eyes.

But unknown to you, Charlie was grateful that you didn't have any powers such as super hearing.

"Okay... But I won't make it easy..." he winked and looked at you through his lashes, possibly looking at you like that for the last time. He hoped he didn't look stupid, since Bill told him that flirting was definetly not his strongest feature, but by the snicker of Tonks...

Yes, he made himself a stupid.

"I think he went easy on me..." was what left your mouth after the session ended, rubbing your neck awkwardly but feeling refreshed. Charlie looked at you fondly for a second as he chuckled at your pouting face, shaking his head.

"No, I didn't..."

It wasn't that he would rather take Crucio than to see you get hurt...

"Yes, you did! I watched the whole time!" Tonk exclaimed cheekily with wiggling her brows as Charlie pushed her away from himself, already feeling himself blush again.

"%90 per cent of the time he was with you, it seems our brother only blushed..." Ron mumbled disappointedly, wondering how a boy like him could be rendered to a blushing, shy mess.

"MY BROTHER WAS SHY?! CHARLIE?! Are we talking about the same boy who reeks confidence in almost everything he does?"

"Well, Ginny darling, whether you believe it or not, he was really shy and couldn't look into my eyes after our first kiss. It even made me feel bad as if I pushed him but... Later I learnt why!"

"Then why was it?"

"You would know when you grow up..."

You couldn't just tell them that their brother thought about snogging you every chance he gets, from the moment he kissed you.

It would taint their precious innocence... Though you were starting to think that there was none.

"Just know that he turned it around very soon, and he was the confident boy he was in a few days."

Before you two dated, Charlie's hand always itched as if he wanted to touch you. And he did, he wanted that more than anything. Talking to you, praising you or even touching your hand simply seemed hard for him.

But as soon as you accepted him, all the things he wanted to do with you was easy. He kissed your cheek every day, called you his lover without a care, he touched you and hugged you freely as his longing finally was erased.

So, in short, a huge weight was lifted from his shoulders.

Even though you were the one who stopped them in the end.

He would always kiss you in front of people, not afraid of showing his love( definetly not because he knew some certain people liked you) and he would say, "What a good way to start my morning..." breathless as he stared at you with soft and loving eyes. He didn't care much about public attention or what others would say that much anyways.

To him, showing you his love was the least of the things he could do.

Especially when you never made him feel like an oddball, defended him even when he wasn't there, whenever he came to you to get help treating his injuries, you slept with him, cuddled with him, always beamed at him at the first sight of him walking to you, supported his dreams just as he always supported you and loved him unconditionally.

But he couldn't lie... All his affections were also to see your blushing face and embrassed face as you tried to look at anything but him, especially in the early days.

Remembering all the happy times you had with him, and all the times you had to get treat his wound after one of his "funny adventures" made you giddy all so suddenly. Because they were real, you weren't dreaming about them again, you actually went with it and was now currently sitting with his family, bonding together to prepare the biggest achievement of your life: Get back at Charlie for all the times he teased you restlessly.

But... Why not add Bill into this as well? He also took great happiness from watching it.

"But Charlie wasn't the only one I had power over. There were even days I made Bill do what I want him to do!"

"Really? Our brother? Like what?" Now all of their heads were turned to you, their eyes wide with excitement as the same cheeky smile before pulled up your lips.

"Yes, such as putting up decorations, preparing the Great Hall for the Celestial Ball and help me find a-"

"HE HELPED WITH THE CELESTIAL BALL?!"

"You are a natural leader, Bill, and I'm tiny compared to you. Inexperienced too. In many ways actually. So, as the good senior you are, I think you should help this cute friend of yours~"

"Okay, fine... Don't think you can rope me to hang the decorations though. I'll help you, and my job will be done."

Spoiler alert, it actually wasn't the end of his job.

"But even if he was the one who often helped us around with our problems, I would like to think that I too helped him on some ways.

Such as the time he stood up to Emily Tyler in the Ball.

"I realized I made a mistake...Would you like to give us another chance, Bill?"

Please say no, please say no, you are not that stupid Bill...

" Emily..." Bill said as he walked closer to her and stood before her, her batting lashes at him as he looked down at her. Meanwhile you were behind him, a mouth hang open in shock. Out of all the ways you wanted him to man up and face her, this wasn't what you planned.

"No way in the fucking hell..."

" Even if you were the last witch on the world, it wouldn't happen. You have been too rude to my friends, my best friend, and my brother and to me."

"Okay, that was impressive really..."

Ginny rolled her eyes at her brother and pushed them away, turning to you with her wide eyes as she wanted to hear the "love part" of your story with her brother.

"Was there a time Charlie saved you? From anyone?"

"Hmm... He often protected and defended me against Merula-"

"Oh, that bitch-"

"GEORGE WEASLEY!"

I swear Molly somehow always hear us... Maybe it's mum ears?

"Hello, Charlie! What are you doing here? It's not the class time yet?" He turned to look at you in surprise as his hands clasped behind his back and he greeted you back, perhaps a little bit more enthusiastic than he wanted.

"You know me, love, when I'm not playing Quidditch or bickering with Bill, I'm out exploring... And I can ask you the same, what are you doing here?" Your heart fluttered at the term of endearment he used, flushing a bit as you giggled at him. He leant over the boxes that held food for the creatures, trying to be all cool but he was anything but "cool".

Because, today would be the day, he was so sure of it! He would ask you out on a date, ace it with flying colors and finally have you to himself, all to love and kiss!

" If it isn't the two losers of Hogwarts..."

But not all plans went according to plan.

Charlie, hearing Merula's venomous voice, pulled you behind him as he stood before her, blocking you from her. He knew how you can kick asses, you did on him many times, and he also knew you always won against Merula and she was angry about that too. Merula, contrary to popular belief, wasn't that bad.

She was bad just... Not that much.

But still, he couldn't let her either do something to you or ruin his day by stopping him from asking you out.

" What do you want Merula?"

"Why do you even care, Charlie? I thought she hated me? She probably came here to insult me again."

"You're right. I don't care what you think most of the time, Y/L/N." At her usual snarky comment, you just rolled your eyes at her and turned to look at Charlie. Your eyes widened at how thight his jaw was and how his eyes could actually throw fire at her if that was possible, and a sudden burst of love and want threatened you to turn into a puddle at his protective side.

" I don't want to argue with you right now, Merula... Let's go somewhere else Charlie."

Suddenly, as if your words lightened a bulb in her mind, Merula gripped your wrist thightly, making you slightly wince as you turned around with angry eyes. "Where do you think you are going when you are talking to me?"

"The hell is your problem? Get the hell away from them!" Charlie pushed Merula away from you, making her stumble back in shock at seeing the Charlie Weasley who was ever the kind boy turn aggressive when someone threatened... you.

She chuckled at noticing what everyone has been talking about for the past few months.

Charlie Weasley was never like this, never raised a hand, never used his wand to fight another student....

Maybe, she could change that.

"Oh, Charlie Weasley, the shadow of his brother coming to rescue the day... It must be hard going to Hogwarts at the same time as your older brother... Watching him take over the stage, always be the talk,"

He scoffed at her obvious attempt of setting him off, but Charlie knew her and he wasn't about to get into her trap.

Her sharp eyes soon turned to you with a smirk. "Not that Y/L/N would know anything about that. Their brother is missing, probably dead."

But bringing you into this? That was her first mistake.

And also the biggest one.

Her words hurt, remembering all the suffering you had beared, all the while having to hear all the insults people threw at your dear brother...

But you couldn't show her that her words affected you, you just... couldn't.

But Charlie? Oh, hell no... He was going to make her pay for what she said, for hurting you.

"You never quit, do you, Merula? Why are you so angry at them after all these years anyways? Why are you still lashing out at someone who never did something?"

"If you are really the best witch at Hogwarts, why do you feel threatened by them? Why worry about what they are doing?"

Merula was shocked at the amount of anger Charlie had put in his words, backing her until she was far away from where you were. You were stuck on where you were for a second, your mind being unable to catch up to what was happening. But as soon as you did, you ran after Charlie and grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Charlie, it's not worth it. Let go-"

"Careful with the words, Weasley or else-"

"You, be careful with your words, Merula. I won't have you insulting my... friend. Don't get me started on your family issues if you want?"

Telling all of your story to them had been fun, it certainly made you appreciate your time with him and then his family. They were all eagerly listening while Molly and Arthur stayed behind and watched their kids silently listen to you, obediently, without making a voice or doing anything.

"We need to make them come over more often." said Molly with jolly yet slightly tearful eyes. Seeing her kids so happy and well made her emotional, just like it would do to many mothers.

Arthur hugged her closer and nodded, definetly not having any problems with you being around more. "I agree, dear. They fit in well... And I'll have a new artefact in my hands soon, I'm sure they will like it!"

In the end, after everyone was finally gathered around the living room, you seated yourself next to Charlie and hugged his arm closer to yourself, your chin on his shoulder as his warmth almost lulled you to sleep. He was dead tired, and also flustered from earlier. Apart from de-gnoming the whole garden with Bill, he came inside to look for you and how you were doing since you were so anxious before coming here.

But instead was met with you telling your story to his siblings with clear adoration and even he stayed to listen to you and your captivating voice as his heart swelled with love and pride.

"I loved listening to you talk about us... to my siblings. It was lovely." He muttered softly to you, not caring if his family heard him or not.

"Even if they use it against you?" You mumbled into his shoulder sleepily, lifting your head slowly to look at his shining eyes. He chuckled at seeing your usual teasing eyes even if you were tired after talking all day.

He knew his siblings after all, they must have asked a lot of questions.

"Yeah, even if they do that... It made me reminisce about the past years, and seeing you so cozy and happy with them... I just feel so happy, so lucky to have you." He brought a finger to your cheek as he slowly rubbed it, smiling when you nuzzled closer to him.

Normally, it wasn't like him to be so carefree with PDA but right now, he really didn't care. He might feel insecure from time to time, which happened seldomly, but as he sat with you next to him, thighs touching each other as your hand clutched his arm thightly, he knew he had nothing to worry about.

Even if he was blushing and his heart pounded at your sleepy face.

Because he never thought he would actually fall in love, he never thought his life would go to that part. He never imagined himself with a partner, going all the adventures with them. All his life, he thought he would stay single and had to tolerate his mother complain about his choice and beg him to find a partner.

But now?

He had his person, the one for him right between his arms.

"Do you think we will be in love forever?"

"I'll stay for as long as you need, Charlie... Being there and loving you."

And if that didn't prove his point, his previous talk with Bill in the garden and her mother bringing the famous "Weasley Sweater" did.

His mother didn't knit one for everyone after all.

"About my comment earlier... How did the ring shopping go?"

"Surprisingly well, brother... I think I found the ring." He pat his pocket two times to show his point and Bill smiled in a brotherly way and hugged him thightly, proudly.

In two years, there would be another addition to the huge Weasley family.

[hptriadfest]

HP Triad Fest ANONYMOUS MASTERLIST!

Sit With Us [ART]

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Ship: Molly Weasley/Arthur Weasley/Lord Voldemort Rating: E Word Count: 3,346 Summary: After six boys, Molly and Arthur are desperate for just one girl – therefore, they call upon a demon to make a deal… Except that a denizen of Hell isn’t exactly who they end up summoning. It’s okay, though, because the Dark Lord is here to help!

Mother Dearest

Ship: Blaise Zabini/Pomona Sprout/Poppy Pomfrey Rating: G Word Count: 9,333 Summary: Blaise Zabini did not expect to end up in any sort of romantic partnership. Now that he has, he's noticing he might have some emotional issues.

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Ship: Minerva McGonagall/Poppy Pomfrey/Pomona Sprout Rating: G Word Count: 610 Summary: Voldemort has returned, of that Dumbledore is certain, but what does it mean for Minerva?

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Ship: Luna Lovegood/Ginny Weasley/Blaise Zabini Rating: E Word Count: 1,816 Summary: A freshly single Ginny Weasley discovers that having two fit as hell roommates is no burden.

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Bondage transcends dimensions

Ship: Charlie Weasley/Harry Potter/Cedric Diggory Rating: E Word Count: 8,942 Summary: Everyone had regrets, especially close to death. Harry was the lucky case and got to confess his feelings to his previously unrealisable crushes thanks to dimension travel. How would that affect the war and the prophecy? Harry didn't care. He was only there for a good time.

Welcome To The Family

Ship: Orion Black/Abraxas Malfoy/Severus Snape Rating: E Word Count: 1,758 Summary: To celebrate Severus joining the Death Eaters, Orion and Abraxas invite him over for drinks.

the moon loves how the flowers grow

Ship: Pansy Parkinson/Lavender Brown/Luna Lovegood Rating: T Word Count: 1,857 Summary: They’ve gone through this before. Three times, in fact. Nothing ever changed between them. Personalities might, but their love did not.

Lines That Make Our Heart

Ship: Harry Potter/Luna Lovegood/Draco Malfoy Rating: E Word Count: 10,737 Summary: Draco is still adjusting to their new arrangement—he's happy, mostly, but there are emotions he hasn't fully grasped, questions he's too afraid to ask. Luna wonders if she'll ever truly stop wandering and finally call somewhere home, everything is temporary, isn't it? Harry wants them both to stay, but how can he say it without sounding desperate and like the young boy who is just greedy for love?

Like a Tattoo

Ship: Sirius Black/Lavender Brown/Blaise Zabini Rating: T Word Count: 11,073 Summary: Lavender has gotten settled into the rhythm of her adult life. She is in charge of her own tattoo parlor, and has a steady stream of clients, some of whom she's grown quite close to. But just as Sirius Black has made himself a place in her familiar routine, a new visitor settles into her life, opening new possibilities.

Catalyst

Ship: Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy/Teddy Lupin Rating: E Word Count: 7,494 Summary: "Marriage isn't about getting everything you need," Harry said, words pouring like salt into the open, wounded space between them. "Have you ever thought that maybe it could be?" Or: Edward Lupin comes home.

Daddy Can We Keep Him, Please? [FIC+ART]

Ship: Harry Potter/Blaise Zabini/Draco Malfoy Rating: Mature Word Count: 575 Summary: “Look, Blaise”, Draco sniggered into Harry’s ear before nibbling on it, “It’s that map of his.” Blaise had to extract Harry’s other ear from between his teeth to respond but not before dropping a couple of soothing pecks on it. “No need for all that, Harry. We would have gladly”, Blaise raised his hand up from Harry’s thigh in a glide and then punctuated each of his next words with a slap on Harry’s clothed arse, “Given.” “You.” “An.” “Invite.”

Soulmates Paradox

Ship: Abraxas Malfoy/Hermione Granger/Cygnus Black Rating: E Word Count: 1,553 Summary: Hermione uses a spell to bring her soulmates forward in time.

Please don’t forget to leave our Mystery Author some love and turn on your notifications so you don't miss the Reveals!!!

HP Triad Fest is an anonymous fest celebrating triads — romantic relationships between three equal parties of any gender, binary and sexuality — within the Harry Potter universe by inviting participants to create prompt-based fanworks centred around them! It's hosted on Archive of Our Own and supported via Tumblr and Discord.

[notenoughdramaaa]

do you write songfics? if yes, could you please consider 'Annabelle's Homework' by Alec Benjamin with Wolfstar? Like, Sirius and Remus in 'Annabelle' and Alec's POVs respectively? just needed the angst-

You know what? I actually do. I have to confess, though: I’ve never listened to Anabelle’s Homework before, and back in high school, I didn’t even do my own homework, let alone someone else’s. So, it didn’t hit quite as hard, but I still gave it my best shot. This is my version of Christmas Day at Grimmauld Place in 1995.

P.S. I know the obvious choice was to go with the Marauders era, but I’m never one to take the easy route so... there you have it.

To you,

with love.

homework

The walls of Grimmauld Place had never been kind, and tonight was no exception. Cold clung to the corners of the halls like cobwebs, and despite the warmth pushed in through roaring fires and overworked charms, the house seemed determined to only tolerate the Christmas lights strung along its bones.

Still, they tried.

The air smelled of pine needles, roast goose, and cinnamon, (Molly’s effort no doubt) to give them something close to normal. Something that might help them forget, even for a night, the way Arthur Weasley had looked under the pale St. Mungo’s lights.

Fairy lights blinked dimly above Fred and George, who were balancing precariously on a ladder, draping golden ribbons across the cracked ceiling. They weren’t laughing quite as loudly as usual, but the effort was there.

Sirius sat on the bottom step of the staircase, levitating enchanted snowflakes mid-air with lazy, precise flicks of his wand.

In the kitchen, Molly was coaxing the potatoes to peel themselves with a gentler tone than usual. Her sleeves were rolled to the elbows, hair pinned hastily back, eyes shallowed, but she hummed as she worked, quietly, as if music might hold the walls together.

Even Walburga’s portrait had gone oddly silent. Sirius suspected it unsettled her to see her house invaded. He didn't mind, he actually counted the silence among tonight’s small blessings.

Soon Fred and George vanished to hang mistletoe that shrieked at anyone who passed under it alone. It was a joke, barely, but it earned a tired smile from Ginny, who was helping Molly in the kitchen with quiet, practiced hands.

Sirius flicked his wand again. A flurry of silver snowflakes danced over the staircase.

He glanced at the grandfather clock.

Remus had said he'd be there in thirty minutes.

It had been forty-two.

The fireplace was being lit when the front door creaked open.

Hermione stepped in, cheeks red from the cold and her hair damp with snow. She looked travel-worn but determined.

“Hello,” she said breathlessly, wiping her boots on the mat. “Sorry I’m late, the Knight Bus stopped five different times for someone who forgot their cauldron.”

Fred, passing through with an armful of wizard crackers, grinned. “Not the worst it’s done. Last year it took Dad to Kent instead of Ottery.”

“Sounds about right,” Hermione muttered.

She didn’t linger. After hugging Molly and giving Ron a pointed look, she turned to Sirius who promptly stood up from his place on the bottom of the stairs.

“Can I go up?”

Sirius nodded. “He hasn’t come out since St. Mungo’s.”

“I know,” she said quietly, and without another word, she disappeared up the stairs, her footsteps soft and swift.

Sirius listened until they were gone.

Sirius glanced at the watch one more time. Remus had said he’d be early, something about beating the storm.

But the snow had started falling three hours ago and hadn’t let up ever since.

Sirius leaned one shoulder against the wall and crossed his arms, staring at the front door like he could will it open.

Maybe he got held up...

A crack from the fireplace made him flinch. Fred shouted something and Molly scolded him.

Sirius closed his eyes briefly, his jaw tightened.

It wasn’t that he needed Remus there. It was just that everything would be easier once the man arrived.

Or at least, Sirius liked to believe that.

A sharp crack echoed through the hall, that unmistakable sound of Apparition and Sirius turned around in time to see as they appeared in the entryway: Remus, brushing snow from his shoulders, and behind him Tonks.

His cousin. His pink-haired, ever-cheerful cousin. And her hand was wrapped tightly in Remus’s.

Sirius didn’t move. His stomach twisted so fast it left him winded, like someone had struck him just beneath the ribs.

Remus looked… good. Better than he had in weeks. His face was flushed from the cold, lips pink, eyes shining. His coat was open, and beneath it...

The scarf.

That red scarf.

The same one Sirius had given him for Christmas on their sixth year, hand-knit and horrendously uneven. It still had the tiny hole near the fringe, the one he’d promised to fix and never did. Remus wore it now, wrapped loose around his neck.

Like it was nothing.

Like it was everything.

For half a second, Sirius’s chest warmed with something he didn’t dare name. Not again, not when he knew the consequences of naming that sparkle.

Then Remus turned slightly, speaking low to Tonks, and she laughed at whatever he said. Her shoulder bumping against his, her hand still clasped in his. She looked happy. Comfortable. Like she belonged there beside him.

Sirius’s breath caught. The warmth inside him begin to turned bitter and cold.

Remus stepped forward first, hand slipping from Tonks’s as he did.

“Sirius,” he said, smiling like nothing had changed. Like they hadn’t shared a quiet breakfasts alone in this same house together just hours ago. Like he hadn’t left that morning with only a rushed goodbye and come back holding someone else's hand.

Sirius forced a grin. It felt wrong on his face.

“Cutting it close, Moony,” he said, voice too light. “Dinner’s nearly ready.”

Remus smiled. “I told Tonks we’d be a bit late. There was a delay...”

He moved in for a hug, the same way he always did, but Sirius barely lifted his arms. He let Remus wrap around him, solid and warm, and didn’t let himself lean in. Didn’t let himself breathe.

When Remus pulled back, brow furrowed faintly, Sirius was already turning away.

“Molly’s in the kitchen, I'll go help her,” he said. “I'm sure she could use some help with the wine." He didn’t look back as he disappeared down the corridor, fists curling tighter than his smile ever had.

Sirius ducked into the kitchen and quickly grabbed a tea towel from the counter, rubbing at a clean plate like it owed him money.

Molly glanced over her shoulder, eyebrows raised. “That one’s already done, dear.”

He blinked down at the spotless porcelain. “Right.... I was.... Just making sure.”

She didn’t press. Instead, she handed him a bowl of spiced carrots and pointed toward the dining room. “Here, take this through. We’re nearly ready.” Sirius welcomed the distraction.

By the time they’d lit the candles and summoned everyone to the table, Sirius had managed to uncork the wine (though he wasn’t entirely sure where he’d put the cork) and pretended not to hear the low conversation between Remus and Tonks sitting in front of him.

When Harry finally emerged from upstairs, everyone quieted for a beat. His shoulders were tight, eyes shadowed, but he gave a nod when Sirius pulled out the chair beside him.

“There he is,” Sirius said softly, clapping Harry on the back. “Right on time to save me from having to carve the goose.”

Harry gave him a faint smile, one of the first in days, and Sirius held onto it like it meant something.

Conversation resumed in a low hum. Cutlery scraped. Glasses clinked.

Tonks knocked over a salt cellar with her elbow, and Remus caught it mid-tip, steady as always. Their hands brushed.

Sirius poured himself more wine.

Across the table, Fred and George were telling Hermione a story about a Doxy infestation gone wrong in the attic. Sirius tried to laugh at the right moments, but he couldn't concentrate, his eyes kept drifting. He kept watching as Remus leaned in to whisper something to Tonks. How she laughed, a short, delighted sound, and nudged his foot under the table.

Sirius’s fingers tightened around his glass and he poured himself some more wine.

“Bit heavy on the cloves, isn’t it?” he muttered.

Molly looked up, startled. “Oh. I thought it could use the warmth... Arthur always said...”

“No, it’s fine,” Sirius cut in, shaking his head. “Ignore me.”

Remus looked over at that. His expression was unreadable, so Sirius busied himself with his plate.

When the pudding came out, floating and flaming slightly at the edges, everyone cheered and Molly beamed.

Remus stood to help her serve. Tonks followed him, and Sirius poured himself some more wine.

He hated how domestic Lupin looked as he helped Tonks with the pudding, an almost perfect picture of the traditional British family, missing only the child. Sirius poured himself some more wine.

Across the table, Remus laughed at something Tonks said, his eyes creasing the way they always did when he was genuinely amused.

Sirius stared into the bottom of his glass and he poured himself some more wine. Jealousy curled low in his gut, loud, obvious and obnoxiously. An ache that sat on top of everything, like a bruise he kept pressing.

Then Fred, of course it had to be Fred, grinned over his pudding and said, “So, Tonks… you and Professor Lupin, huh? Is this serious, or just a bit of holiday fun?”

There was a brief silence, and Sirius fought the urge to roll his eyes.

Tonks blinked, surprised, but not flustered. She straightened her shoulders, eyes flicking once to Remus before she replied: “Can’t speak for Remus, but it feels pretty real on my end.”

Sirius’s breath caught wrong in his throat.

He choked, loudly. A cough burst from him, scraping at his chest.

Every eye turned to him. Including Remus’s.

“I’m fine,” Sirius said quickly, his voice hoarse. “Just I... Wrong pipe.”

He pushed back his chair. It scraped the floor too loud, and he winced at the sound.

“’Scuse me.”

He was already halfway down the hall before anyone could speak again. The air felt too thick. His boots scuffed against the floor as he stumbled, catching himself on the frame of the drawing room door. He leaned his weight on the wood. It helped. A bit.

Soon he heard a sound behind him. He didn’t have to turn to know who it was.

“Sirius?” Remus’s voice was quiet almost desperate, definitely tentative.

He didn’t answer.

Remus stepped closer. “Are you alright?”

Sirius let out a dry and humorless laugh. “What, choking in front of a full table doesn’t scream ‘fine’ to you?”

“I meant...”

“I know what you meant. I can assure you that I'm perfectly fine.”

A pause.

Sirius stared at the floor, hands gripping the edge of the sideboard like it might anchor him to the room.

He heard the soft creak of Remus’s steps getting closer.

“I didn’t know you’d...” Sirius began, then stopped. His voice felt too big for the hallway. “I didn’t know you and Tonks were…”

Remus didn’t fill the silence.

“You’re wearing the scarf I gave you.” Sirius turned then, half-smiling, but his eyes didn’t match it. “Did you get cold, or are you feeling sentimental?”

Remus’s brows drew in. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“That tone.”

Sirius tilted his head, smile sharpening. “What, this one? The one where I sound perfectly fine while my insides are tying themselves into knots?”

“I didn’t come out here to argue.”

“Right. You came out here to make sure I wasn’t going to pass out into the stuffing.”

“Sirius...”

“Are you serious about her?” The words came out before he could stop them. Rough. Sharpened on the edge of something old and aching.

Remus hesitated.

And Sirius hated how much that single pause felt like a blade. In truth, the whole scene cut deep, Remus standing just a few feet away, the red scarf Sirius had given him so long ago still looped neatly around his neck. It shouldn’t have mattered. But it did.

“I don’t know what you want me to say,” Remus said finally.

Sirius huffed, short and bitter. “Maybe just don’t parade her around in the house we...”

“We live in,” Remus finished. “Together, yes. But that doesn’t mean... Sirius, I didn’t think this would… upset you.”

“You didn’t think,” Sirius repeated, his voice low. “Of course you didn’t.”

Remus straightened, jaw tightening. “She likes me... And I like her.”

That knocked the breath out of Sirius more than he expected. He covered it with a scoff. “Well, congratulations. Go shag her in the pantry and call it a Christmas gift.”

Remus frowned, stepping forward. “Why are you like this?”

“Like what?” Sirius asked, sharp as flint.

“This bitter. This cruel.”

Sirius barked a laugh. “Oh, I’m sorry, would you prefer I toast to your blooming romance instead? Maybe charm up some mistletoe and host a bloody ball in your honor?”

“I’m not hiding anything, she knows what I am.” Remus said, voice tight. “This is real. It matters to me.”

Something twisted in Sirius’s stomach. “Right. So it’s serious, then.”

“It is.” Remus said quietly.

Sirius looked away.

For a second, neither of them moved. The silence buzzed, loud with everything Sirius wasn’t saying. Their eyes met for the first time in the night and Sirius hated how easily Remus could read him. Their eyes met for the first time that night, and Sirius hated how easily Remus could read him.

Remus let out a bitter breath, his voice low and trembling. “You don’t get to be angry about this. Not after everything. Not after you looked me in the eye and thought I was a traitor. I trusted you, always, and you were the first to turn your back on me. And now you think you have the right to feel hurt?” He shook his head, jaw tight. “You don’t get to play the wounded party now. Not after all the times you hurt me."

Sirius voice faltered when he admitted. “I thought you knew.”

Remus’s brows furrowed. “Knew what?”

Sirius opened his mouth. Closed it. He couldn’t say it. Not now. Not when Remus was standing there in that scarf and smelling like frost and warmth and someone else’s future.

“Forget it,” Sirius muttered.

“Sirius...”

“Just forget it,” he said again, already turning. “You’ve made your choice.”

He didn’t wait for a reply. His footsteps echoed hard against the staircase as he climbed, two steps at a time, until the shadows swallowed him whole.

Sirius stormed into his room, slamming the door shut with a thud that rattled the frame.

He paced once, twice, then sat hard on the edge of the bed, palms digging into his knees. His breath came fast, shallow. He wanted to scream, really scream, into the mattress or into the past, it didn’t matter. But he didn’t. Not here. Not now. He’d already made enough of a scene. He needed to compose himself and go back downstairs to pretend that nothing happened.

The room was cold and bare. With a flick of his wand and a murmured incantation, the fireplace sparked to life, flames licking at the darkness. He watched them catch and rise, hoping the warmth might chase away more than just the chill.

His hands curled into fists. He felt ridiculous. Exposed. Like he’d ripped open his chest in front of Remus and gotten exactly what he deserved in return: nothing. A flat line. A quiet rejection. A reminder that some bridges stay burned.

The knock on the door was soft.

He didn’t look up.

“Go away, Remus,” he said hoarsely. “I’m done.”

A pause. Then, gently: “It’s not Remus, dear. May I come in?”

Sirius blinked. Molly.

He sighed through his nose, dragging a hand through his hair. “Yeah. Sure. Come in.”

The door creaked open, and Molly Weasley stepped in, holding a chipped teacup in one hand. She looked smaller in the light of the flames. She didn’t say anything at first, just looked at him the way a mother might, quietly, as if trying to decide whether to scold or comfort. She looked at him in a way his mother never had and that was enough to make his walls begin to crumble.

“I brought you some tea,” she said softly. “It’s nothing fancy. I thought you might want something warm.”

Sirius nodded, swallowing around the lump in his throat. “Thank."

She crossed the room, set the cup down on the nightstand, then hesitated before sitting beside him on the bed.

“I take it dinner didn’t end quite how you hoped.”

That pulled a dry laugh out of him. “What gave it away? The dramatic exit or the yells at the drawing room?”

Molly smiled faintly. “Both, I think.”

Sirius leaned forward, elbows on his knees again, staring at the floor.

“I made a fool of myself,” he said.

“You didn’t,” she replied gently. “You were upset.”

“Yeah, well. I’ve been upset since 1981.”

Molly watched him for a long moment, arms folded gently, voice soft as she said, “That’s an awful long time to stay upset, dear.”

Sirius didn’t answer. He only stared at the fire, the flickering orange light painting the hollows beneath his eyes.

Her gaze drifted upward, toward the mantle. She stood up and walked towards it, then up closer she could see a single framed picture. Her fingers brushed lightly across the silver frame. “May I?” she asked, nodding toward the photo.

Sirius gave a small shake of his head. “I don’t mind.”

She picked it up. In the photo, two boys stood shoulder to shoulder: Sirius with his arm slung casually around Remus’s shoulder, both grinning in that unguarded, sun-drenched way teenagers do when they don’t yet know how much they’ll lose. Remus’s cheeks were flushed in the image Molly noticed.

She then turned to Sirius, photo still in hand. “You and Remus… were you really close?”

Sirius gave a ghost of a smile, the kind that doesn’t quite reach the eyes. “James was like a brother to me. We were loud. Reckless. Two sides of the same coin.” He paused. “But Remus… Remus was different.”

He walked towards where Molly was. He readhed for the photograph, and Molly handed it over wordlessly. He looked down at it as if it were something sacred, thumb tracing the curve of Remus’s laugh-frozen jaw.

“He was the best part of me,” Sirius said at last, voice quiet. “My sense. My patience. Every good thing I wanted to be.” His eyes flicked to hers. “And never was.”

Molly stepped slightly, studying him. “Do you like him?”

The room was silent except for the pop of the fire. Sirius stared down at the photograph. Lying would have been easier. Safer. But he was so very tired of hiding, of swallowing things that burned their way down.

So instead, he didn't. He didn’t look at her as he said it.

“I’ve loved him,” he said softly. “Since we were fourteen. Maybe longer. I don’t know when it started. Just that it never really stopped.”

Molly watched the way Sirius fingers tightened around the frame like it was all that tethered him here.

“It must be hard, then,” she said gently, “having Remus and Tonks around.”

Sirius let out a slow breath, as if trying to exhale something sharp from his lungs. “It is.” He paused. “I want to be happy for him. I swear I do.” His voice cracked, almost inaudible. “But I can’t. I’m too selfish.”

Molly tilted her head. “Then tell him that.”

Sirius gave a short, humorless laugh. “What would be the point? I don’t stand a chance.”

“Why not?”

He finally looked at her, eyes shadowed. “Did you notice that Remus is lefty?”

Molly blinked. “No, I… I hadn’t, actually.”

“Well, he is,” Sirius said, almost absently, like he was telling a story to no one. “After every full moon, he’d be too tired to hold a quill. Could barely stay upright, let alone write essays. So I taught myself to use my left hand. Took me 22 days to get it right. Spent hours copying his handwriting, perfecting the loops and slants until it was spot on.”

Molly didn’t say anything.

Sirius stared down at the photo again. “He never knew how hard it was. Just said thank you and gave me that soft little smile of his. Never asked why I did it. Never guessed it either.”

His voice dropped further, threadbare with memory. “ I never cared about school or bloody essays. But he did. So I cared, because he cared. Because his happiness… it meant something else to me... It meant everything to me.” He swallowed hard. “I lived for his smiles, Molly. The real ones. The ones that crinkled his eyes. I would’ve set myself on fire just to warm his fingers. And he…” Sirius hesitated. “He never looked at me like that. Not once. Not the way I looked at him.”

The fire cracked and settled, shadows dancing along the walls. Molly reached out and hugged him gently not speaking, just grounding him. Letting the silence reach deep where words couldn’t.

“I think,” Molly said softly against his shoulder, “you should tell him. Remus deserves to know someone loved him like that.”

Sirius let out a dry, hollow sound. Not quite a laugh. “What good would it do? I won’t be the last fool who gets hurt doing Remus Lupin’s homework.” He shook his head, something tired and ancient behind his eyes. “He’s happy now. That should be enough.”

Molly moved a little so she could look into Sirius eyes, she seemed like she wanted to argue, but instead she offered, “Do you want me to tell the others you’re feeling unwell? That you went to bed early?”

Sirius managed a small smile. “No. I’ll be down in a second. Just need a moment to... recompose myself.”

Molly gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Alright then. I’ll keep your seat warm.”

He watched her go, the door clicking softly shut behind her. The silence that followed was loud in its finality.

Sirius turned back to the fireplace. The photograph was still in his hand.He traced a finger over Remus’s young face, flushed and grinning like the world had never hurt him. Sirius swallowed. Leaned in. Pressed his lips to the photo, just once, a quiet farewell.

Then, without ceremony, he tossed it into the fire.

The flames caught quickly. Orange licked across their smiling faces. Remus’s grin curled into smoke.

It didn’t matter anymore. Not the essays. Not the glances. Not the red scarf or the thank yous or the way Remus had once said his name like it meant something.

Remus was happy. And Sirius, he wouldn’t live to see July come either way so why worry.

He stood for a long moment, watching the ashes spiral. Then he straightened his shoulders, set his jaw, and walked to the door.

Time to smile again.

[jilyydoe]

You guys.

I need an au harry-never-went-to-hogwarts

-age old argument between ron and ginny about her most recent (ex)boyfriend because some things never change

-"choose someone better next time"

-"if your such a love guru then why don't you pick someone for me and we'll see how that goes" (bonus points for a Hermione barb thrown in)

-ginny bringing up this non existent person to ron everytime they see each other trying to prove that his standards are so high they are unrealistic

-harry shows up unexpectedly to rons flat (when ginny is over) excited about a break through in the case they're working on (they're partners) and he couldn't wait to show ron because he's a big dork and gets too invested and Ron's feels more like a best friend than just a partner but Ron's suddenly shoving the files to the side and smiling at him broadly and clapping him on the back and pulling him to the dining room table because Ron's a genius and an excellent love guru if he does say so himself

-Ginny is fuming because ron is smiling smugly at her and she refuses to let him win even if harry is fit and smart and funny and brave and loves quidditch and no. No. No. No.

-harry is baffled because Ron keeps talking to him loudly about all the cases they've solved (but not about their current case) and how he's a holy head harpies fan (except he's a puddlemere united fan) and about a joke he once made (he's pretty sure that was actually Seamus finnegan)

-and the bushy haired brunette girl keeps glancing awkwardly between ron and his sister halfway between amused and nervous

-and the pretty redhead woman sitting next to him turning redder by the minute and glaring at ron but harry can't help but stare at her and how her freckles still managed to stand out against the pretty blush on her cheeks and how her eyes blazed with wickedness before she sent a clever retort back at ron and Harry marveled at how someone could simultaneously have such soft full lips while biting out a sharp witted remark

-and before he knew what was happening Ron was pushing him and ginny out the door with directions to the ice cream shop down the street claiming they forgot about dessert (even though harry could see the apple pie on the kitchen counter)

-and now it's too quiet in the hallway outside the flat and harry nervously ruffles his hair because he not quite sure what happened, what's happening now or what he's supposed to do..

- and ginny is rolling her eyes at the door and sending it once last glare (they're both sure rons just behind with his ear pressed against the wood) before turning to harry embarrassed and apologetic and tells him he's free to go about his evening without visiting the ice cream shop

-and even though two seconds ago harry wasn't sure what he was supposed to do he's also just as sure now that he's not quite ready to part with her yet so

-" well to be honest I'm not a big fan of ice cream anyway..."

-and there's a flash of something behind her eyes that was gone so fast he barely had time to register it

"But I do know a pub that makes a decent treacle tart...if you're up for it"

- and he almost regrets asking as he can sense the brief hesitation and her small smile seemed unsure and harry felt his heart sink before her smile smile broadened much like the one ron shared with him earlier (except rons smile didn't make his stomach flutter and his chest feel warm)

-they get to the pub and harry orders treacle tart for himself and she orders chocolate cake because cake is by far the most superior dessert and when he refuses to change his mind she quips that she should have known better about his preferences (after all he prefers puddlemere to harpies) and he willing sought out Ron For friendship

-and when he tells her he has excellent taste excuse me very much "I just happen to be partial to red heads"

"Unfortunately, Ron's heart is taken by Hermione even if he's too daft to realize it. Sorry, you'll just have to find someone else"

- and "I'm heartbroken, how will I ever find another smart, funny, quidditch loving gorgeous red head?"

-"I may just know someone who happens to check all those boxes you know"

-"Yeah? Think they'd be willing to go on a date with me?"

-"Well... if Fred isn't willing, then I've got 4 more brothers after him..."

[ticklygiggles]

Day 6 - Ginny's birthday Extravaganza

A/N: A volleyball coach and a literature sensei being cute together, I hope you enjoy precious babies my deeeear! @otomiya-tickles

Summary: Takeda-sensei refuses to give up on his volleyball practice, but his tenacity and stubbornness will be his downfall because his boyfriend, Ukai-kun, is really mean.

"You suck at this."

"I never- huff, huff- s-said I was, haaah, good at s-sports..."

How hilarious it was to see the always perfect Takeda-sensei so short of breath. His face was flushed, his glasses askew, and his forehead was covered in a layer of sweat. 

Ukai never thought that Takeda would actually agree to play volleyball with him after the boys quickly finished their practices, but stubborn and tenacious as always, Takeda had accepted without a second thought, and now he could barely form a coherent word between heavy breaths and gasps.

It was foolish of Ukai, though, to think his cute boyfriend would decline a challenge. That was just not his personality and Ukai couldn't help but fall a little deeper in love with him for that.

He chuckled to himself when Takeda failed to send the ball to the other side of the net where Ukai was ready to receive it. Maybe this little sensei had had enough.

"Okay, I think we should stop now, you're not doing this right," he teased him, smirking when Takeda glared at him, fixing his glasses. 

"If I give you," he gulped, taking a deep breath, "a literature- huff, test, you would fail it, but I won't fail this."

Ukai felt his heart flutter. He loved Takeda's determination, it was one of his favorite traits, but he also knew that Takeda wouldn't be a volleyball genius just because he wanted to, that is to say, he needed more practice than just Ukai throwing ball after ball at him. 

But he would amuse him just because he could, and Ukai would also amuse himself, of course.

"Okay, fine. Tell you what, if you manage to serve the ball properly this time…" Ukai had to fight the urge to laugh when Takeda frowned. "... Dinner's on me, but if you fail then I'll, hmm, oh! Then I'll tickle you for… five minutes."

Takeda's face, already red, flushed brightly, finally making Ukai finally laugh out loud. 

"That's stupid!" Takeda squeaked. "Why would you say that?! Now I'm too nervous!" 

"Are you going to try or are you not? Make it quick, I'm counting. One…"

"H-Hold on! I need to think- 

"Two!" 

"I'm telling you to wait, I-

"Three!

"Okay, fine! I'll do it, dammit!" Takeda grabbed the nearest ball and got himself ready. Ukai watched him amused, he could tell Takeda was trying to copy Kageyama's movements, but it was useless. "Here it goes, get ready! I'm gonna blow off your head!"

Ukai laughed again. "Why are you threatening me?!" 

Takeds took a deep breath and threw the ball up, he jumped and hit it and it… didn't even make it to the net. He watched with pure disbelief in his eyes as the ball was propelled just a few feet in front of him when he hit it. Ukai knew that Takeda had used all his strength to hit that ball, but he had already practiced a lot, there was not much energy inside his body now.

Ukai couldn't help but start laughing while Takeda's ears turned red.

"S-Stop! I- I was not ready, the ball was deflated so it didn't- no! D-Don't come any closer, I'll scream! Don't- ahahaha!" 

Ukai chuckled, his hands all over Takeda's body. "The ball was deflated you say? I see it pretty well inflated, though?" 

Ukai had wrestled Takeda to the floor, straddling him, as he tickled his sides, squeezing up and down and watching with a bright smile how Takeda broke into hysterical giggles. He was so adorably ticklish. 

"It's nahahat! Tihihickling is nohohot fahahair! Ahahahagh!"

"It is fair. You accepted the terms and conditions. I forgot to set the timer, though. I'll have to calculate the time myself," Ukai said, teasing his boyfriend with a wide smirk. 

Takeda shook his head. "Y-You ahahahare teheherrible ahahat mahahath, we wohohon't- AHAHAHA! I'm sohohohorry!" Takeda cackled, squirming and weakly pushing at Ukai's hands as they climbed up towards his ribs. 

"Now you're sorry after being a little shit, huh? I don't think so. I'm adding two more minutes to your punishment."

Takeda shrieked, kicking his legs behind Ukai. "Nahahaha! I sahahahaid I'm sohohohorry! Ahahaha, plehehease!" 

"How long do you think it's been? I estimate about 10 seconds at most?" Ukai said, his fingers crawling up Takeda's ribs, looking for the ticklish spots under his arms. "You still have a long way to go."

"You ahahahare the wohohohorst!" Takeda laughed, throwing his head back as he desperately tried to protect his underarms from Ukai's fingers. "I hahahahate yohohou!" 

Ukai gasped, "you hate me? Sensei, you hurt my feelings. That'll add two more minutes of tickling." 

"PLEHEHEASE, Ukahahai-kuhuhuhun!" 

Ukai laughed softly. His darling was already crying of laughter, would he really stand being tickled for more than five minutes?

The answer was no. 

"Maybe I'll stop if you invite me to dinner?" Takeda nodded, too busy laughing his head off as Ukai's fingers wiggled under his arms, tickling him like crazy. "You also have to clean the gym up before we leave."

"I'll do ahahahanythihihing, plehehease!" 

Ukai stopped at once, and he watched with great pleasure that lingering smile on Takeda's face and heard his adorable residual giggles. He looked so adorably flustered, Ukai couldn't help but lean down to press a tender kiss to his lips. 

"Let's get going," Ukai said, standing up and helping Takeda on his shaky legs. Once he was up, Ukai lovingly fixed his glasses and put a sweater around Takeda's shoulders before placing a water bottle between his shaky hands. "Let's make the kids clean tomorrow, I'm starving."

Takeda gulped on the water and when he caught his breath again, he nodded with a warm smile. "Okay. I'm starving too, it's all because of you though." He rolled his eyes playfully and giggled when Ukai poked his tummy. 

"Yes, yes, yes. Let's get going, sensei. Unless you want me to tickle you again?" 

Ukai laughed when Takeda pushed him out of the gym, urging them both to leave. Ah, he felt like a high schooler in love, but maybe that wasn't so bad at all!

[hollowed-theory-hall]

re.: the weasleys + parenting

what's always bugged me most abt percy's fight with arthur (especially in the fandom, where everyone's like 'oh, he turned his back on harry and betrayed his family to side w the ministry) is that. that's hardly what the fight is about at all. the fight is about the fact that percy, an 18yo kid who just got promoted to his dream job instead of straight up losing any chance at ever being Minister (because they tried to scapegoat him into taking the blame for the crouch business even though he managed to keep the whole department running while his boss wasn't even there), comes home all excited to tell his parents that "Hey, he's not unemployed and bereft of any and all hope for his biggest dream", but rather that his skills and competence got recognized by The Most Important Man In The Government, and molly and arthur look him straight in the face and go—"no you didn't."

there is no mention whatsoever that they even try to be gentle about it, that they congratulate him first and then bring it up later like "just be careful around Fudge, he's always looking for people to get information from and you are the best of both worlds, close to the action and actually good at the job he hired you for", nothing of the sort. they straight up don't even consider how any of those factors might've weighed in Fudge's decision to hire him.

and, perhaps worst of all, they have no faith in Percy. he tells them "I'm working for the minister", and not only do they not spare a second to be happy for him over this frankly momentous achievement (or at the very least concern for the position it puts him in), they jump straight to conjectures and accusations. "you only got this because of Harry" has got to crush Percy, who was raised to believe that good things come to honest, hard-working people and who has been working for this since he was a small child. and it digs the knife deeper when you realize that most of his siblings have basically replaced him with Harry. Harry, who also plays Quidditch and also keeps throwing himself into death-defying dangers and overalls fits much better into the family dynamic than Percy ever has.

and there's just this. crystal clear implication that they do believe Percy would spy on them. he's so Different and Other and Un-Weasley/Gryffindor-like and they've alienated themselves from him so absolutely that they can't see any reasons he wouldn't willingly and consciously jeopardize his parents' livelihood and Harry & his siblings safety just to stay in the Minister's good graces, when if anyone's actually at risk of losing their job for siding with Dumbledore is his father, who's still working there quite merrily and continues to so for a long time afterwards.

Percy, who runs into a freezing lake mid-February while attending an international event as Crouch's replacement to make sure Ron is alright, who pesters Ginny to eat and have a pepper-up potion most of her first year bc she doesnt look well, who tails Harry and Ron a lot of their second and third years bc there's something petrifying kids and then Dementors on the grounds and a mass murderer on the loose and they all just think he's being willfully bothersome like no you idiots he's worried.

of course he left. of course he left. what did he have to gain by staying at the Burrow, beyond fresh home cooked meals harassment and disagreements? why wouldn't he leave?

sorry I have a lot of feelings about this.

No need to apologize, this is brilliantly written!

I don't even feel like I need to add anything as you summed up the Percy situation perfectly.

But I can't help myself because I love discussing the Weasley family dynamics, so it's a bit more rumbley than my usual...

Percy cares so much for his family. When Voldemort is revealed and the war actually starts, he puts all his disagreements with his parents aside to come and help and make sure they're okay, because he cares. And still, he is being shunned and treated like an outsider.

Arthur and Molly Weasley are just really good at alienating their kids because it isn't just Percy.

Somehow all of them succeded in feeling like outsiders in a family of 9. Bill shows frustration with his parents and only returns to Britain because of the war, Charlie's in Romania for most of the series. Fred and George run away the moment they can and are treated like trouble by their parents most of the time (Molly and Arthur assume they are selling stolen goods from Mundungus when they hear they have money, not that they, idk, somehow earned it), Ron has a whole complex of low self-esteem and a tendency to blame himself for everything. Ginny is isolated from her brothers as the only girl and youngest...

And Percy cares and tries to be the best and most responsible sibling and gets scorned in turn.

Harry and Ron do acknowledge Arthur's and Molly's accusation towards Percy was awful and that he was right to respond negatively in OOTP. Ron is just sensitive about their family's financial state which soured Percy to him after Percy blew up at their dad (rightfully so, honestly, I'd say way worse to Arthur if it was me).

The thing is, Percy also gets scorned by his siblings, not just his parents (like Fred and George do). He gets grief for trying to be responsible and for wanting his siblings to do well in school and not get in trouble, Fred and George lock him in a pyramid...

That being said, do I think Percy is perfect? No, he is pretentious and overbearing at times, but he is a child in a large family who tries to find a place to fit himself in. According to child psychology, usually when it comes to siblings, the eldest would usually (at least in childhood) try to be everything the parents want (Bill), and then each next sibling will carve a different niche for themselves, and we see this with the Weasleys. I think the twins being born right after Percy and demanding a lot of attention from their parents from a young age as they were little troublemakers from the start is a big reason why Percy chose the niche of being bookish, ambitious, and responsible for himself. To contrast himself with them and his older brothers and get some attention from their parents.

I'm not a fan of the epilog (like everyone), but I find it hard to imagine Percy being close to his family post-books. I think he never fully got over the sting of not being seen as skilled and competent and that his parents believed he'd turn on them all without a second thought. Nor do I think he should just get over it.

Like, I'm really salty that Percy was the only one to apologize:

“I was a fool!” Percy roared, so loudly that Lupin nearly dropped his photograph. “I was an idiot, I was a pompous prat, I was a—a—” “Ministry-loving, family-disowning, power-hungry moron.” said Fred. Percy swallowed. “Yes, I was!” “Well, you can’t say fairer that that,” said Fred, holding out his hand to Percy. Mrs. Weasley burst into tears. She ran forward, pushed Fred aside, and pulled Percy into a strangling hug, while he patted her on the back, his eyes on his father. “I’m sorry, Dad.” Percy said.

(Deathly Hollows, pages 512-513)

Like, yes, it's great he was smart enough to realize the ministry is corrupt, but this demand only for him to apologize when Molly and Arthur Weasley were just as much in the wrong. Fred and George weren't beacons of sainthood here either. But none of them have apologies demanded of them. None of them are demanded to confess they are "morons". Just Percy.

Who even after his apology is still an outsider. Probably always will be one.

You said it best: "Why wouldn't he leave?"

And that's what we see him do (if temporarily).

[holdupjack]

Sick

——————

Pairing: Hermione Granger x Fem!Reader

WARNING: None

——————

Hermione's P.O.V:

7th Year

I wasn't surprised when my girlfriend didn't show up for breakfast, it happens many times due to her very bad sleeping habits.

So, I didn't think much of it as I studied for the test in an upcoming class and ate my toast.

After breakfast, my Friday morning went on normally as I zipped from class to class.

When lunch rolled around, I did find it immediately strange that Y/n was nowhere in sight when I entered the Great Hall.

"Hermione! There you are!" I hear, and I see Y/n's dorm mate walk up to me.

"I've been looking for you all morning! Y/n wanted me to tell you that she's not going to classes today" they say and I furrow my brows in confusion.

"The poor thing has caught that nasty chest flu that's been going around! She moved herself into the spare dorm so no one else would get sick" they say as their eyes seem to catch someone behind me.

"Tell Y/n I hope she feels better, bye!" They say as they disappear into the sea of students coming and going.

I bite my lip and walk over to the space between Harry and Ginny.

"You look anxious," Ginny says as I take a bowl and fill it with the daily soup that is made as a lunch option.

"I'm not anxious, it's just Y/n is sick with that dreaded chest flu," I say and Ron snickers like a little kid.

"You two have been dating for two years, yet you still get nervous about a simple cold" he laughs out and I roll my eyes as I grasp a small plate for myself.

"Pardon me, for caring about my partner," I say and he just continues to chuckle.

"That chest flu is rough though, Neville has it," Harry says and I hum sadly.

I know it's just a cold, but I can't help but feel bad for my Y/n.

"It should only last for a couple of days," Ginny says and I sigh softly.

"That's good, I'll see you guys next week then," I say and Ron furrows his eyebrows.

"What? Aren't you coming to our Quidditch match Sunday?" He asks and I roll my eyes again as I use a quick flick of my wand to have the dishes float and follow me.

"If Y/n feels better, then maybe," I say and he groans.

"She's seventeen Hermione, she's not a little kid that needs to be taken care of" he grumbles and I glare at him.

Ron quickly shuts down and pushes his food around with his fork.

I hum and bid the other two farewell as I walk out of the Great Hall, the food following me close behind.

It didn't take me long to get to the empty dormitory that Y/n was using. I could sadly hear her when I walked into the common room.

As I got closer to the room, a loud coughing fit erupts from behind the door, I wait patiently until she was done.

I can't help but grimace from how hard and airy her cough is.

When she was finally done, all I hear is a soft:

"ow"

I knock on the door and hear Y/n clear her throat.

"Come in"

I open the door and peek inside to find my Y/n laying on one of the beds and I frown.

"Hello my love," I say as the food floats past me and onto the side table next to her.

"You didn't have to bring me food," she says as her voice cracks and disappears throughout the sentence.

"Shush," I say as I close the door behind me and take a seat on the desk chair next to the bed.

"I don't want you to get sick" she mumbles, her eyes small and glossy as I lean down and peck her forehead.

Fever.

"I have a much better immune system than you, my lovely" I whisper back as I sit back up.

"No, you don't! I hate when you get sick, you get pinchy and bitey" she mumbles and I laugh.

"Bitey?" I ask as I hold the soup out for her to take, she sits up with a small groan.

"Yes, bitey! You kept chomping on my open skin when I was taking care of you during your strep throat episode! It was like fighting off a feral cat" she grumbles and I can't help but laugh.

"I'm sorry my lovely" I mumble as she takes the food from my hands.

"You know I love you, even with your sick-biting antics" she mumbles back and I chuckle.

"You can bite me back this weekend," I say without thinking, and Y/n smirks as she takes a spoonful of the soup.

"Don't threaten me with a good time" she sniffles out and I roll my eyes playfully.

"How are you feeling?" I ask as I place my bag, filled with my work and books, onto her desk.

"Like I got punched in the lungs and smacked with a steel pan on my head" Y/n coughs out as she covers her mouth and looks away from me.

I lean over and run a hand through her hair as I scoot the chair closer to the bed.

"I'm sorry you feel so crummy my dove" I mumble as she puts down her soup on the desk.

"You should eat," I say and she just hums, laying back down and letting my hand wander through her hair.

"Later" she whispers as her eyes shut immediately.

I smile as I lean down and kiss the top of her dozing head, letting it linger for a moment before sitting back up.

Time seemed to go by fast, as a few minutes turn into an hour, of me running my fingers against her scalp.

But, a part of me needed to do something. I can't just sit and stare at my girlfriend all day.

Even if it is my favorite activity.

After another moment of staring at her chest, to make sure she's still breathing, I stand up and begin to clean up around the bed.

Picking up tissues and a bottle of water she had probably dropped, I throw it all into the bin.

Taking a seat back on the desk chair, I take out some of my books and tried to work on something to pass the time.

Yet my eyes kept shifting over to Y/n's sleeping form as I eat a grape from the plate of food I grabbed for myself.

I flip through the pages I marked and scan the material.

Another hour must have gone by with my failed attempt at studying and my eyes continuously flicker back to Y/n.

Eventually, I did get sucked into the chapter.

Until I feel fingertips land on my thigh, which caused me to smile.

"Watch those hands Ms.Y/l/n" I chuckle out and she groans unhappily.

I laugh and slip my hand into hers, she immediately pulls it towards her face and rests her cheek on the back of my hand.

Trapping me in an uncomfortable sideways leaning position.

"My love?" I laugh and she just groans again as her other hand comes out from the blanket.

She grabs the bottom of the chair and pulls it right up against the bed, which at least saved me from begin hunched over any longer.

As I look over at my, now far away, studying material; I feel a sudden pain that causes me to hiss.

"Ow! Y/n! Did you just bite my hand?!" I ask in surprise and she laughs, into a hard cough obviously, and she turns away from me quickly.

I pull my hand away and rub the small bite mark on the side of my hand.

"You said I could!" She wheezes out between coughs and I roll my eyes.

"Not like a hungry carnivore," I say and she turns back to me with a grin.

"All have you know, you taste like hand sanitizer and that coco butter you put on your skin...which no carnivore is trying to eat" she mumbles and I laugh softly.

She lays back down and holds out her hand for me again, which I ignore.

"I'm not getting bit again, it hurt"

"How do you think I feel?"

"In my defense, I don't remember biting you," I say and Y/n rolls her eyes.

"Hermione, stop fighting the sick." She says and I hum softly, stupidity taking her hand.

"If you bite me again, I'm punching the sick," I say and she just laughs.

"Yada, Yada, Yada" she mumbles as my hand goes back to being trapped between her head and hand.

Y/n was quick to fall asleep again as I was figuring out how to use my one hand to move everything to the edge of the desk.

I sigh and mindlessly let my fingers rub the side of her head, as I try to study again.

Luckily, by the time dinner rolled around, I had somehow gotten free and was trying to wake her.

"Y/n? Dove? Are you hungry?" I ask as I stand up and grab my plate and the old cold soup from lunch.

She gives me a quiet 'no' and I frown.

"What if I got some of the elf's handmade crackers? And some juice? Then will you eat?" I ask and she just hums.

"I'll take that as a maybe" I whisper as I walk over to the door and look back at my girlfriend.

My heart squeezes lightly as I look at her poor body shaking under the mountain of blankets.

"I'll be back my lovely," I say, and I just get a small snore in return.

I quickly make my way out of the dorm.

——————

Y/n's P.O.V:

When I awoke, it was pitch black in the room.

"I've gone blind" I whisper in a panic, until I see a soft glow of the night sky shine as the curtains flap open for a moment.

"Never mind, I've gone even more stupid" I whisper as I sit up with a groan.

I rest my back on the headboard and sigh softly, my adjusting eyes scanning the room.

It's freezing in here.

Freezing like a winter snowstorm.

Snow turns into water.

Water goes back into the clouds.

Then it rains.

...

Now I have to pee.

"Damn my thought process"

With another groan, I swing my legs onto the side, and let my feet hit the cold floors.

"Here we go" I whisper as I push myself up into a standing position.

Only to fall back onto to bed just as quickly.

"I've aged sixty years" I sigh as I try again.

This time I find success!

My hand lands on the bedpost as I slowly make my way toward this dormitory bathroom.

Thank Merlin I thought about toiletries before moving myself in here.

As I make my way to the center of the room, my head gets lightheaded and my legs feel weak.

"Ope, going down" I whisper as I slowly lay my body on the ground.

I sigh as the cold floor feels nice against my burning skin.

Still cold though.

"Guess I'll lay here" I mumble as my eyes shut.

——————

When my consciousness awakes to the sound of a door opening.

"Bloody hell, Y/n? Love! Are you alright?!" I hear fast footsteps approach me and a hand checks my pulse.

"Not dead, dizzy" I mumble and a sigh of relief hits the back of my head as they lean down and kiss the top of my head multiple times.

"You're Hermione, right?" I question, the ringing in my ears causing me to be unsure.

"No, McGonagall"

Definitely Hermione.

I laugh softly as she presses one last kiss to my head as she rubs my back.

"Are you ready to get up?" She asks and I shake my head.

"Then, may I join you?" She asks, and I nod.

My throat hurts too much to talk.

It's like I deep-throated a pineapple.

Now that would be an impressive party trick.

I hear Hermione stand up and walk around the room for a minute or two.

A blanket is draped over me, soon she sneaks under the blanket and rests her head between my shoulder blades.

It's quiet as Hermione's fingertips trace the spot in front of her face. I almost fall asleep, until her voice rings in my ears.

"Get better, quicker" she mumbles and I chuckle.

"Getting tired of me already?" I whisper back.

"I like taking care of you my dear, I just don't like that you're not okay," she says as I hum.

"I love you" she whispers so quietly, that it almost seems like she was afraid that her words will make me worse.

"I love you too" I whisper back as her arm wraps over my back, and squeezes me.

"You know I'm not going to sleep, right?" She asks and I hum again.

"You know that I'm not going to stop breathing, randomly in my sleep?" I ask, and she just sighs.

"In my brain, I know that, but my heart and gut say otherwise" Hermione whispers as her lips reach up and kiss my neck, before going back to their original position.

"Thank you for caring," I say as my hand reaches down and rubs her back slowly.

"I'll always take care of you, my love," she says and I chuckle as I trace shapes softly on her back.

"Even if you are Minister of Magic?" I ask and a soft laugh comes from her lips.

"Do you think I'm just going to stop loving you if I ever get that position?" She asks and I laugh as well.

"Well I don't know, maybe you'll get it on with your secretary," I say and she snorts as her body vibrates against mine.

She laughs out a little and I could feel her smile form against me as she nuzzles her face against my back.

"Thank you for the laugh," she says and I hum.

"Will you promise to sleep?" I ask as my head pounds from the laughter.

"I'll try" she mumbles.

——————

No one's P.O.V:

She didn't.

Instead, Hermione counted how many breaths Y/n took and how many seconds were in between each one.

5,873 breaths (give or take some missed)

6-7 seconds in between.

Why did Hermione do this?

Who knows, all she knew is that it made her feel better.

Even though her girlfriend was just sick with a simple cold, it still calmed her to know Y/n was still breathing.

I guess it's just a common thing to do though, right?

When you love someone, you can't help but worry when they're sick.

People even go as far as watching, or hearing, to make sure the person they love is still breathing.

Hermione has done this multiple times also.

Her parents.

Harry and Ron.

Hell, even Crookshanks at one point.

But, she's NEVER stayed up and counted breaths.

Then again...

This is her girlfriend.

Her other half.

Her soulmate.

...

Even years later, still at each other's side, after fighting every kind of cold imaginable.

Hermione still counted breaths.

And Y/n still told her to go to bed and stop putting her death into the universe.

Hermione would just laugh and go about her night, taking care of her lover the best she could.

Y/n eventually caught on to her counting habits, and would just stay up with her.

As you can imagine, this didn't help with the cold.

And sleeping during the day, when Hermione was at work, freaked her out more than Y/n imagined it would.

So, Y/n didn't stay up again.

Instead, she let her wife take care of her the way she always had.

With nothing but love and care.

And a little bit of anxiety.

Even after all those years, Hermione loved her more than anything.

And Y/n couldn't help but smile when a cough or sniffle came from her body.

It meant that her wife would show her so much care, even though she was never awake to witness it.