#hphm out of context

[nocontext-hphm]

[defoozor]

MC is just instantly good at everything

[kneecoal-mooma]

This will forever be my favourite glitch in Hogwarts Mystery

[thekrazykeke]

So I accidentally moved onto Year 4 before I was really ready.

Curse my butterfingers!

I wanted my attributes to be 22/22/22 across the board. Instead, they're 21 Co/22 Em/21 Kn; currently in an 8-hour Flying class with like 100 points left before leveling up. At least I made sure to have Rowan and Penny's Friendship at 10 and I've just done the same for Bill's, so I'll finish his side quest and remain on chapter one of year four til my Knowledge attribute catches up.

[lifeofkaze]

Swept Away

A/N: This story was written as part of the @hphm-ship-week event. For Day 1, I picked the prompt 'Dance'. If this story feels weirdly familiar to you, it's because you've read it before from Lizzie's perspective, as to be perused in my story An Art of Balance here. (Also, if you want context lol.) Thanks for sticking with my rambling. Enjoy!

The crowd occupying the main room of The Three Broomsticks had become dense, and so it was only one moment after Penny Haywood had whisked away Lizzie that Orion lost sight of the two girls. He stared at the spot where they had disappeared, running over the conversation he’d just had with Lizzie - if one could even call it that - in his mind. He pulled a face. 

I’m good at catching things.

What a stupid thing to say. 

There was no triviality in the makings of the universe, every moment in it filled with sense that sometimes simply failed to show its meaning. Beyond self-consciousness, detached from any prejudice or assumption on how one wished to be perceived, lay the true freedom of being as one with the universe as he could possibly hope to be. And yet Orion was bewildered at how embarrassed his silly comment made him feel. It had not been a singular incident either; lately, he’d found himself saying a lot of stupid things when Lizzie was around. Whenever she was near, it was like he spoke without control.

He was broken from his thoughts by a group of students passing him by. He took a step backwards, the top of the counter hitting his back. The Weird Sisters were enticing so many people to flock to the dancefloor that even on the side of it, Orion was barely able to move. The crowd made him uncomfortable, and despite the people having a good time, he felt strangely isolated without a soul to talk to.

The group right in front of him moved, granting him a small glimpse of the dancefloor. Penny Haywood’s hair shone like a golden halo as she spun around her axis, a wide smile plastered to her face. Lizzie seemed to enjoy herself as well, jumping to the beat and singing along. The sight of her joy made the corners of Orion’s lips curl into a smile. For a fleeting moment, he considered joining her and Penny but abandoned the idea as quickly as it had arisen. Lizzie was like a butterfly on a blooming meadow, fluttering from flower to flower and spreading the beauty of her company. She could come to find him in her own time. And if she didn’t, who was he to demand her attention?

The music came to an end and the room before the makeshift stage cleared, allowing space for the couples Myron Wagtail was inviting to the dancefloor. Lizzie and Penny parted ways, and Orion’s heart lifted when Lizzie headed in his direction. She had already come halfway when, suddenly, she froze. Her head had turned to the side and, following her eyes, Orion saw why. Jason Everett - the new Beater of their Quidditch team - came pushing through the crowd towards her. 

Frowning, Orion watched him approach. His friend Murphy McNully had pointed out how Everett kept singling out Lizzie from her friends, and ever since, Orion had been unable to unsee it. Wherever she went, Everett was quick to follow; whenever there was a chance to catch her alone, he was sure to try and grab it.

He had almost reached Lizzie when she shook from her daze. Her eyes set on Orion, and with a couple of quick steps, she was by his side. Grabbing his arm, she pulled him towards the dancefloor. Equally as stunned as he was pleased, Orion followed without offering resistance. Still, he asked, “What are you doing?”

“Shamelessly using my knight in shining armour a second time, I’d say.” 

As Lizzie’s eyes switched from the spot Everett had stood in to Orion she tailed off, appearing as if she was unsure what to do next. Almost shyly, she glanced at the couples surrounding them. It was an emotion so uncharacteristic of her bright spirit that Orion extended his hand to her.

“If you dragged me here for whatever reason we could as well go with the flow.”

Lizzie blinked, staring at his hand before tentatively taking it. Their first moments dancing were awkward, both unattuned to the other’s rhythm. They had spent years together on the Quidditch pitch, however, and soon found their common ground. Once they had done so they moved effortlessly, lifted by the notes drifting from stage and the silent understanding between them. 

Orion’s hand was resting just beneath the small of her waist and he could feel her moving against his palm, her hand warm and relaxed in his. Her other hand was lying on his shoulder, and Orion was aware of every inch it moved about, of every time she let go to spin around. A tingling sensation spread from where she touched him in a most unsettling way, making him both want to be closer and step away to regain control. She stepped into him and rose to her tiptoes to say something he could barely make out over the noise. When her breath brushed over his cheek, he swore he could feel his heart skip a beat. 

Lizzie had begun to relax, her initial shyness as if eradicated. She laughed as she finished turning, stepping even closer to him than before. Unbidden, Orion’s mouth pulled into a smile that mirrored hers. Her good mood was compelling, impossible to resist, and found himself wanting more of it, wanting…

Something shifted as their eyes met. They did not stop moving and yet it felt like they were separated from the crowd, suspended in a moment so intense it was almost tangible. The music ceased to reach Orion’s ear, the only sound filling his head his rapidly beating heart. The moment could have lasted hours or less than a second; Orion didn’t know. Then Lizzie blinked, and he exhaled slowly as she dropped her eyes from his. She laughed nervously and let go of him to push away the hair that had fallen into her face. When she put her hand back into his, Orion didn’t fail to notice how she hesitated, even if only slightly.

They took up dancing again, more quietly than before. After a couple of steps, the strand of hair Lizzie had just tucked away fell back into its former place and she put it away again. Having done so a couple of times, she pulled a face and tossed her head but still her hair obscured her eyes.

When it fell across her features next, Orion raised his hand without thinking, gently taking hold of the curl and tucking it behind her ear. His fingers brushed the side of her temple as he did so and Lizzie became still, eyes flying to meet his. Orion didn’t think he’d ever noticed just how blue and clear they were, like the ocean pervaded by sunlight. There was a ring of deeper blue around her pupils, something he had never noticed before either. He wondered if her eyes were just like her, clear and bright to those who looked at the surface but with so much more underneath; things yet uncovered, things unknown to anyone who didn’t bother looking. He longed to know these things, he realised.

“I’m surprised you wear your hair like that,” he murmured, as much to put Lizzie at ease as himself. Like before, he winced at how ridiculous he sounded. “I thought you hated having it in your face.” 

“It wasn’t exactly my choice. Andre forced this mess on me.” “You should not let others dictate your appearance, especially if you don’t feel like yourself,” Orion frowned. Before he could stop himself, he added, “But for what it’s worth, I think you look beautiful.”

Lizzie blushed. Her cheeks burned such a vivid red that it was visible even over the dimmed lights. She dropped her eyes and bit her lip, and said no more. Again, Orion cursed himself for his unusual rashness. His mouth might have broken free from the control of his mind, and yet the intentions of both had been to put Lizzie at ease, not make her more uncomfortable. It made him miserable seeing her self-conscious like this, so entirely unlike the naturalness of spirit she usually commanded. He wished he had held his tongue.

They were released from the awkwardness of the situation by the song's coming to an end. Afraid Lizzie would drop his hand, Orion let go first, inclining his head with what was supposed to be an encouraging smile. He hoped Lizzie would read in what he wanted it to convey - that he didn’t want her to be uncomfortable on his behalf. That first and foremost, he was her friend and this had been nothing but - a moment between friends. A fun, beautiful, intoxicating moment that gave the spot on his shoulder where her hand had lain gravitas, and that still made his palm tingle where it had rested against her waist and…

Consciously pulling his thoughts away from the undue direction they were headed in, Orion gave Lizzie an almost imperceptible bow and turned, fleeing from the dancefloor and the crowd still pressing in on him as fast as he could without running. 

[slytherindisaster]

I have so many screens from HPHM that I'm considering making a "HPHM out of context" blog bc some of them are literally so funny

[missnight0wl]

something i dont quite understand, male mc getting bulied by merula. i know boys get bullied but other boys are the perpetrators, not girls. wouldn't have been better to have a male merula when the player chooses to play as a boy just like rowan?

Hm, I never really thought about it, but…

Well, first of all, I have to point out that while other boys might be the perpetrators in most cases when a boy is being bullied, it’s not a rule. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have male victims of domestic violence or sexual harassment. On top of that, even if it happens, it rarely is discussed, so it feels even more unfair to say that a boy being bullied by a girl is something that can’t happen, in my opinion. In a way, I’m kind of glad that HPHM chose this approach with Merula. Also, it’s actually sort of on-brand for them because we also have good Slytherins etc.

Another thing to consider here is that a big part of the HPHM audience is female. I have no data to support it now, but I believe that both HP fandom and mobile game players are dominated by girls/women. I think it’s actually reflected in the advertisement for the game too, for example. Notice that they usually use female MC. We had a girl in the very first teaser and now we often see a Hufflepuff girl being used in ads or on loading screens (her official name is Emma, if I’m not mistaken). Therefore, I suppose it’s possible the creators decided that the rivalry with Merula would be a female vs female kind for most players, and so they saw no need to introduce a male rival. Admittedly, I see your point comparing it to the situation with Rowan, but to be completely honest, I believe that Rowan matching MC’s gender was supposed to play a bigger role in the story. Perhaps it was originally planned to have some scenes in our dormitory or something like that, but those plans were abandoned due to the technical aspect. Of course, it’s just my guess, but with Rowan, I can at least imagine some situations where their gender would be relevant to the story. I don’t really see it with Merula though.

Finally, I suspect that Matt London’s bias played some role here. He was the one who created Merula. I’m pretty sure I even saw his post on Twitter calling Merula and Penny his “daughters”. Moreover, if I recall correctly, he admitted once that she was at least partially inspired by his ex-girlfriend (I think it was in the context of Merula’s scent we learnt in one of CoMC classes: “cloves, nail polish, and some other elusive scent”). So, I guess it’s pretty safe to say that he had a very specific vision in mind for her character – which might explain why he didn’t even consider creating a male version of Merula.

Overall, having a male version of Merula could be interesting, but at the same time, I understand why it’s not the case.

[a-more-delicious-happiness]

Merry Yule/Litha - The Once and Future Laird - Chapter update

Hello darlings and pals and comrades. It has been a long time since I have written anything new for my HPHM story, but here we are! Merry Yule/Litha everyone ^_^

It is my goal to hopefully finish the first chapter and upload my first post onto AO3 in the next month.

The Once and Future Laird

Overview: My story is about Merula Snyde (post-HPHM years at Hogwarts) and Catriona Astroza-Roxburgh (the older sister of HPHM MC Alajandra Astroza-Roxburgh). One to learn that always was ‘good’ to enough, and the other to learn that she is more than what she has become.

24 December 1990 - A flashback chapter

POV: Catriona Astroza-Roxburgh

Chapter X - Part 1

Chapter X - Part 2.1

Chapter X - Part 2.2

(Snippet from Part 2.2 for context)

The mahogany floorboards leading up to the Slytherin dormitories let out an accusatory creak at my approach. Hmm…I wonder if…three steps along the left edge, one to the right, two forward…and one, two, three…My boots reach the landing in front of the east wing without a single creak. I rest my hands on my hips and feel a satisfied grin stretch across my face. Yep, still got it.

“You good?” I spin around to meet a pair of violet eyes…determined, but less frantic than before. “Uh, uhh…yea, yep” I wipe my hands on my trousers, resetting myself. My eyes focus on a blood-red vial in Merula’s hands as she brushes past me. “Is that what I think it is?” Already half-way back to the main – followed by many-a-creak might I add – she throws over her shoulder, “we shall see”.

Uh fuck, here we go.

Stealing myself, I race to catch up, and spot a flash of green plaid veering left towards the training grounds. If my guess is correct, she is going to need room…and if her personality is anything to go by...a lot of it.  

(Part 2.3 - as at 25.12.22)

The training grounds are not ideal. In terms of privacy, there is the constant risk of faculty eyes peering down from the classrooms or the watchtowers to the north. But right now, there’s not enough time to reach the Quidditch Pitch or the grasslands of the Magical Creatures Reserve.

“Merlin, Morgana and Mordred”, I pant as I brace myself against the archway leading to the grounds. The thunder has already started, as well as the rain – turning the earlier flurry of ice and wind into whips of sleet against my cheeks…and...goodbye jellyrolls.

I rake my curls back to better squint across the field and clock Merula about 30 yards away, in the direction of the Cephei Tower. My boots squelch down into muddy green as I push myself forwards. Almost reaching her, the ball of my foot slips out from beneath me and I let out a definitely-more-feminine-than-usual squeal.

Crouched on her knees, Merula stares down at the bottle in her hands. Her eyes say resolve, steely and bright, but the way she bites down on her lower lip…I’m not sure...it says something else.

I start to pull my leg up, to move closer…to reassure, but she thrusts her hand out in my direction, “No. Don’t”.

Sensing my hesitancy, she meets my eyes and breathes, “It’s not safe”.

Another flash lights up the training grounds, snapping us out of our little war of wills. Shit, we don’t have long. With the time it took to get outside, we have moments, if that.

“Merula, we have to hurry. Are you ready?”

Merula blearily looks up through the rain. And just looks.

“Merula! Now! It has to be now!”

“I know, I KNOW!” She bursts. “It’s just…what if…what if I…become...”

Ah. The fear which plagues any would-be-animagi. We roll the dice, barter with the gods, and hope by Falco Aesalon we take the form of a creature we can live with, one which shows the best of us and not the worst. It is so much more than becoming a creature. It is facing the creature and accepting it.

//

[hogwartsmysteryravenclaw]

[nocontext-hphm]

[alexandros-deathwood]

I'm writing som something with Alexandros and Merula and well... I'm just gonna leave this here

[dat-silvers-girl]

"That traitor... Was me!"

Blood of Silvers: The Beginning of the End

WKKB - MM Keeravaani

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Yes, in this AU, Rakepick kills Sarahi.

I imagine that most of you have never watched the Baahubali movies and therefore have no context for WHY THE FUCK-

And that is funny to me so I will currently give no context for why this happened LMAO. I will tell you that Rakepick most definitely did this against her will.

This drawing is based on the ending of the first movie, Baahubali: The Beginning.

Blood of Silvers (part 1) - Adelaide and the baby

Not me who just drew the first minute of the movie and then bunny hopped to the last minute with nothing in between. Couldn't be me...

[struckbyelectriclove]

you ever think about an event in your canon and you’re like “yeah... that’s the Vibe......”

[no-context-hphm-discord]

She is out there...

cloens:

Helene Adler 👑 | Lee - @heleneplays

Sparkling bich✨ - @morningstarinwinter

Grinchy wife - @lgvalenzuela

Cristiano Ocacio | Chris ⭐ - @chrisception13

[gayandvibin]

Hello! I would love to see what you'd write for #8 “Words can’t describe how much I want to be with you.” for the prompt thing? I was thinking it'd be a good one for Rowan x MC during the terrible 'drifting apart' phase JC threw at us. (because I apparently love to be in pain lmao)

Hiya anon! I've just started year five so I'm not completely sure of the context of the mc and rowan drifting apart? I can definitely see that it's starting up, but I hope this still somewhat works! 💕

-

The roof tiles of the three broomstick press cool against their backs, a faint breeze catching at the hoods of their cloaks.

Robert is the first to break the silence hanging oppressive over their heads like the blanket heat of summer.

His laugh is pure vinegar,

"So you hate me, then."

Rowan frowns, knuckles pale against the curve of his glass, head bowed over it.

"I didnt say that, Robert."

Robert's own bottle clinks against the tile. Lukewarm butterbeer sloshes up against the neck.

"Well you haven't looked at me in weeks, so I figured it was implied. I mean fuck, I had to go through Penny to get you up here!"

"It's a two way street," Rowan huffs, head snapping up, "and you haven't exactly made it easy."

Robert scowls.

"I told you it would be difficult now that my parents know, I didn't say shit about abandoning you -"

"- I thought you wanted space! Time to think over things!"

"Think over what?"

Rowan's glass tips with his hand, as he moves it in a broad gesture,

"Us!"

Resting his face in his hands, the glass sits chipped at his side,

"I want you to be happy, Robert, not wasting your time on something with no future!

"I said I would handle it!" Robert's lips draw into a thin line, "So why bother ignoring me for a month? Just so you can prove a damn point?"

"Because I can't be the person to hold you back."

They breathe.

The shingles heave as feet pace closer to the outside edge of the rooftop. The air has stilled, and the melancholy of lone figures passing below them seeps into the cracks that fracture the tiles.

Robert sighs as he wraps an arm loosely around Rowan's shoulder, sitting up on his knees to find the height.

He runs his nails lightly over Rowan's back in vague circles.

"Words can't describe how much I want to be with you."

Rowan laughs,

"And if you can't?"

"I'll work something out."

Rowan's head moves from his neck, eyebrows still drawn,

"But you can't be sure, Robert. No one gets everything they want."

"Then my parents will find their heir somewhere else."

[heleneplays]

Angry Septimus for @brothergrimm71 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!