#i need to draw more scorbus

[freejanee]

Scorbus Fanfic recommendations?? Honestly I just want to yap

pt. 1? 🤔

Hide and Seek by ArdenCallaway,

Its not canon compliant and the rumor surrounding Scorpius has changed but its awesome!! It goes through their Hogwarts years, along with some of the other characters, then some of their adult years. It includes ocs that i’ve grown attached to. The Chimera club my beloved… It really makes you feel a lot of things, be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions if you read! And if you’re a marauders fan theres some nice hints to some of that fandoms popular fanfics i’ve heard. After this fanfic I had a tough time reading other fanfics because it just didn’t feel right… Also it’s incredibly long, it’ll last you a few if you really take your time with it, let it absorb into ur very skin AUGHHH. I think about this fanfic at least thrice a day, it really did leave a mark on me. Well every fanfic here left a mark on me, but this one definitely is more persistent. I think its because I just woke up everyday and read and read this fanfic whenever I could,, felt so empty after I finished it. Like dhmu…

A World of Darkness by KeybladeJediMaster & Yer_Erster,

This one just HURT ME 💔 Poor Albus, he really gets it in this one. Okay think dark alternative timeline BUT Albus doesn’t stop existing. Scorpius is really trying his best in this but i kept thinking he was an idiot(BUT NOT REALLY BC I LOVE SCORPIUS, never ever… im no traitor…)but really, if I was in his place I would freak out and try to immediately run away with my bestie, ending in us both being killed… yea…

So i think the way he went about it was more logical and better than I ever would be in that situation. I have NO IDEA how he was as chill as he was, if Umbridge was carrying away my best friend/lover I WOULD CRASH OUT.

This fic is technically finished? I think there might be more coming out but the latest chapter could read as the end.

It’s a Potter/Malfoy Thing by Asexual_Enjolras (They also have nice oneshots),

This one was what really cemented my hyperfixation with Scorbus, its so heart warming, WHY CANT LOVE BE REAL?! But also because it was some time ago I can’t really remember much of the details, im going based off some of my journal entrees in where I talk of it. This series honestly made my whole summer of last year (yes yes im very new here). Seeing Scorpius be accepted apart of the Potter family was so adorable, so was the second part with Draco. The scorbus in this made me SOO jealous, their bond is so special 😭💗

Building up like waves by dustyspines,

IM NOT GOING TO LIE, my memory has been getting worse and worse I think I’m going to have to reread all of these. But what I remember of this one was how I felt, its shorter than the other ones but really packs a punch. The yearning is just OVERLOAD and Albus is just the realest in this. The writing is incredible and I swear I was feeling what he was feeling. Its like poetry the whole time and is incredibly clever, it has BANGER lines 😭 Honestly whatever I say cant give it justice (with all of the other ones too), its just a masterpiece. Once I started reading I couldn’t stop, it really does lure you in entirely.

5) How To Avoid Bullies; A Series by QueenKatelynTheAristocrat,

Now I barely remember what happened in this because its been SO long, but it is in my favorite Scorbus fic list in my journal, as all these are… But its basically Scorpius and Albus making up a list of rules on how to avoid their bullies. Im going to reread this after I write this because GAWD ive been meaning to. Like I need some co dependent scorbus avoiding their bullies right now instead of being in MATH CLASS. Its not finished and is on the shorter side but I still recommend this 💗

Something worth taking the Time

(Not scorbus, but its focused on them and is incredibly good!), anonymous author

This one isn’t finished yet but so far its been soo promising!! This fanfic is like all i’ve been searching for and more, i’m so thankful I found it when I desperately needed more content of my bouys 😭 I regularly re read recent chapters because it gets me stimming and all happy, scorpius and albus being trapped in a past time period (Golden era or marauders era) is like my favorite genre (SHOULD BE A GENRE I HAVE A PETITION). I hope to eventually make art for it, as well as some other fanfics but i’m just a TOP TIER procrastinator. ITS GONNA HAPPEN THOUGH. It will… mark my words..

I also think about this fanfic like thrice a day. I read it while walking to school everyday too, really gives me the energy to get through the day. Seeing how Albus interacts with his father never fails to make me laugh, or ANYONE really, I swear its like he has a stick up his butt 24/7 I LOVE HIM. But the reason why he’s that way makes me cry, GAWD. Like he’s been acting like he’s in a war before he even came to this past time period and he never lets his guard down because of all the bullying he’s been through, but he’s slowly learning to trust people beyond Scorpius. It just breaks my heart its some people that died in the second wizarding war, LIKE THATS NOT RIGHT. I wonder constantly how he’s going to be in present time without them (yes im being vague, but its a simple process of elimination LMAO). I can continue but I think I might give it its own post at some point ;p

and i see black (while you see white) by inkwellhell

i really don’t remember, Im going to have to re read but I STILL RECOMMEND. Its on my faves list so im sure that it made me feel indescribable things, TRUST MY JUDGEMENT ON THIS even if its been a long time and can’t really say anything besides it being a short recount of hpcc from dark timeline onwards by Scorpius pov ^_^

The Tea Time series by ellizablue,

Not completely finished. I haven’t read the one that hasn’t been finished because I didn’t want to be heartbroken but I know i’ll eventually get to it, I’ve only heard good things of it! I loved Put Your Curse in Reverse, I just finished it, so this will probably be a little more detailed than the others. Honestly Iset was my favorite side character, she deserves SO much more. Everything in this fic just feels so… real?? Like god, everyone was so awesome and had amazing characterization. I wasn’t just looking forward to scorbus in this, everyone had their own stuff going on and it does a really good job at making you care. At some point I just kept waiting for Iset to appear, I WAS #1 FAN. I needed to know what was up with her. Her and Rose are so adorable too. Kills me that shes an oc, SHE NEEDS TO BE CANON NOW!! Sorry this became more of an Iset thing than a Scorbus thing, don’t worry their still very much the focus of this series!

Hope anyone who hasn’t read these who will read them because of this likes them c:

Plus im really desperate for people to discuss these fanfics, I WILL NEVER MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO YAP ABT MY FAVE FICS. Which is why this exists. Because I saw an opportunity. And I took it. (๑❛ᴗ❛๑) looks at you with my beady innocent eyes.

(this makes more sense because originally this was a reblog but I just decided to make it a post instead, but I don’t want to delete this part so wtv…)

OK SCHOOL OVER, TIME TO GO READ MORE FANFIC BYEEE

[clericallyinsane]

𝖨𝗇𝗍𝗋𝗈 𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗍:

First of all, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO STAY ALIVE. The following link has helplines for almost every place/situation that could be found. If you need help, PLEASE get it.

Oh and don't forget to click for Palestine:

Okay, now onto the actual intro.

𝖡𝖺𝗌𝗂𝖼𝗌: (copying from my wife)

My name's Ella, I use they/she pronouns and I'm a lesbian, more specifically for my girlfriend @noihavenosanitythanksforasking;

I'm in too many fandoms and this blog is not divided at all but my main fandom is Stranger Things, specifically the byler fandom, as well as ronance;

Secondary fandoms include:

Dead Boy Detectives

Good Omens

My Babysitter's a Vampire

Agatha All Along

The Black Phone

Cobra Kai

Scorbus (although i don't engage in it as much bc of we know who)

The Aristotle and Dante books

Spiderman

Other things I like:

Monster (2023) - favorite movie of all time

Kpop (ARTMS, StayC, Enhypen, TXT are my faves)

Chucky, Nightmare on Elm and other horror movies

The Muppets and Backyardigans (yeah ik)

80s/90s gay movies in general

Bottoms

I Saw The Tv Glow

Wicked

Kamikaze Girls

Saltburn

Fear Street

𝖧𝗈𝖻𝖻𝗂𝖾𝗌:

Language learning (spanish and korean rn)

Music producing/singing/playing guitar and piano

Studying film

Drawing/making art

𝖥𝗎𝗇 𝖿𝖺𝖼𝗍𝗌:

I am the creator of bald mike;

I write fanfics on ao3, both serious and unserious, w the username gaypaladinosaur

I love halloween!!!!!!!! and christmas!

I am one of the chaos causers of the byler fandom since 2021, including all my shitposts, bald mike and lobegate;

I think that's it ty bye i love making friends!!!!!!!!!!

[kidovna]

Sorry if it's been asked already (I always ask this to people with really cool artstyles so I mightve asked you myself already and straight up forgot LOL) but I was wondering, do you have any advice/tips/tutorials for drawing full bodies?

I just think you have a really cool artstyle and ive always struggled making fanart (other than semi-realistic screencap redraws) because I still have to learn how to stylise full bodies😅 (faces too but those im a bit better at).

Anyway, ive also been following u since your scorbus era and it's been so cool to see all the growth and different fandoms youve gone through! (I myself am a big byler🫡).

Sorry this is long, have a nice day/night🥰 and feel free to ignore this if you want, no worries!

answering both of this together because i feel like my answer is going to be similar to both of them:

keep live/quick sketching people and poses! it’s a fantastic way to practice anatomy and when you speed up your process, it helps you figure out how full bodies look in your style because it’s your immediate instinct to draw a certain way! you don’t even need a live model to pose for you. the internet is full of incredible images and stock photos that are always fun to sketch. If you’d like a place to start, Adorka Stock is a deviant art page full of stock references made for artists.

I’m always and forever an advocate for quick sketching because when I started doing live sketches about a year ago they looked like this:

And these are my sketches from a couple of months ago:

The difference may not be massive to most people but I feel like my grasp on anatomy AND my line weight has improved drastically since. I feel more confident going into a piece knowing what the poses are going to be like in my head.

Apart from that, it’s normally widely accepted to reference poses for your art as long as you’re not tracing over someone else’s work. my favourite thing to do is self reference with photos or a mirror because then i can get exactly the pose that i want.

I hope this helped!

[danpuff-ao3]

ship ask game!! if you're still taking them 👀 Fleur/Tonks!!! or better known as flonks

Oooh Flonks!!!! I do not, actually.

1.) Why don’t you ship it?

Idk, I just feel pretty lukewarm about them. Nothing wrong with them, just...eh feeling. No sparks for me. And I am a lady who loves the sparks!

2.) What would have made you like it?

Nada, probably.

3.) Despite not shipping it, do you have anything positive to say about it?

The idea of it is super cute. Your super pretty Veela lady and the Metamorphmagus! Fleur is super feisty and independent, and Tonks is so like charmingly goofy and clumsy. Fleur can come across as super serious and Tonks is all about the smiling and laughing. Like, the more serious side of Tonks probably draws Fleur in, her dedication to making the world a better place, and how fun Tonks is could be like a bonus to her. The sort of thing she didn't know she needed until she found it. Also the idea of classically beautifully Fleur with Tonks, who sort of challenges gender norms and societal expectation and is all about expression and independence.

The downside (personally) for a lot of Flonks fics I've read is how Fleur is characterized, and it feels as though that part of Tonks "rubs off" on Fleur, in a way. Which is not a bad thing, but I do prefer when Fleur stays that more classical beauty and femininity and embracing those things. And not really becoming more like Tonks, but the both of them accepting and appreciating each other as is.

And in fairness, since I don't really ship Flonks, I can't say I've read a ton of it, so I don't know how true that characterization and dynamic is across the board, but I do sort of prefer the idea that...Fleur stays her Veela self, and let Tonks be the more outrageous and rebellious one who explores a different facet of her/his/their self every day. With Fleur's support, without Fleur sort of following the same path.

They could be a really fun odd couple to play with, I think, with a lot to explore, especially with the treatment of Veela, and how Tonks' Metamorphmagi abilities play into how she's treated, and sort of comparing/contrasting them in a way. I dunno. They seem like a lot of fun even if they don't personally speak to me as a ship!

others answered: Dramione, Snarry, Jegulus, Jily, Dron, Starbucks, Riddledore, Snupin, Remadora, Fleurmione, Snack, Snumbledore, Scorbus, Jeddy, Moonchaser, Snamione, Ronmione, Tomarrymort, Snape/reader or OCs, AD/GG/TMR, Chaco, Flonks.

[drarryruinedme7]

kinktober, day 29. masturbation/getting caught

:D This is a personal fave, to be honest. I wrote my first Scorbus!!! And they’re 16, so there’s my warning. Also, thanks to the best @coriesocks for the beta. 😍

Albus never wanted any of this. It was his sixth year at Hogwarts and still, he couldn’t bear being sorted into Slytherin.

He hated everything about it.

Hated the way everyone looked at him with pity, as if they were sorry the Hat had got it so wrong with him. Hated the fact that both James and Lily had been sorted into Gryffindor, like his mother and father, for that matter. Hated that his fellow housemates snickered at him, made fun of him and generally avoided him for being Harry Potter’s son. 

Albus went as far as to hate the colour green, despite it being his eye colour. 

But above all, he hated Scorpius Malfoy. No, well. That wasn’t entirely correct. He hated the way Scorpius’ arse looked in his Quidditch leather; hated the way his much-loathed colour looked vibrant and joyful when Scorpius wore it; hated the way one of Scorpius’ smiles could make Albus’ guts twist.

Scorpius had meant well at first, Albus remembered. When he’d been freshly sorted into Slytherin, Scorpius had held out his hand and welcomed him with a big smile. Albus had been so sour he had just scowled and sat in the farthest possible seat from him. 

What an idiot. And now, of course, he couldn’t do anything but stare at the perfect curve of Scorpius’ lips, at the way he curled into a small ball every night when he read in the common room as if trying to conserve as much body heat as he could— all the while pretending to dislike him. He owed it to his father, lest people start saying Potters and Malfoys could get along.

Merlin, Albus seriously hated everything, these stupid prejudices and grudges too, but sometimes wondered if the Hat had been right about him, after all, judging by the cowardice that overpowered Albus every time he thought about trying to speak to Scorpius without sneering or cutting remarks. 

That was how Albus Severus Potter, age sixteen and hormones running wild, found himself wanking furiously every night to fantasies of Scorpius Malfoy, hating the way things turned out, hating the fucking green curtains of his bed.

Tonight was no different. Albus drew the hideous curtains closed around his bed, laid on the mattress and slipped a hand into his pyjama bottoms. He was already hard, images of perfect Scorpius Malfoy curling in on himself in front of the fireplace damning his mind.

He took his time, slowly rolling the skin down his glans, hissing when it brushed his frenulum, immediately bringing a finger to slide over his slit until beads of pre-come leaked, coating his fingers.

A moan escaped Albus’ lips and he gripped his cock, circling it tightly, finally conjuring lube. It was a spell that every bloke at Hogwarts learnt around their third year. He kept his teasing, wandering lower, massaging his sack in earnest. The vein that ran through Albus’ cock throbbed, making it twitch. 

Drops of perspiration started to form on Albus’ temples and anticipation made him clench his stomach: he quickly stripped from his trousers and pants, drawing his legs up to his chest, finally slipping a finger to his rim, pushing steadily until it went all the way in. 

Albus groaned, shifting on the sheets to adjust his position, arching his back at the burning feeling in his arse. He needed more, he wanted more, and just as he started fucking himself, his mind supplied him with glorious images of Scorpius flying, elegant and confident, scanning the sky.

“Fuck, Jesus.” Albus’ entire body was trembling now. He added a second finger, all teasing forgotten. He set a frantic rhythm, desperate to find the spot to his prostate. 

It was between his groans that a shock of blond hair appeared through the curtains, Scorpius’ face peeking in just as Albus found his prostate and started writhing with abandon.

“Salazar, Potter,” Scorpius murmured, quickly stepping into Albus’ personal space and closing the curtains behind himself.

Albus’ eyes flew to him, widening impossibly, but he didn’t remove his fingers from his arse. He was frozen. 

“I-I, s-sorry, but you were�� Albus, for fuck’s sake, you know how to cast silencing charms, yes?” Scorpius’ eyes were trained on his feet, his cheeks bright red.

The sight made Albus’ cock harden even more if that was possible. He couldn’t help the tiny moan that slipped past his lips and Scorpius’ eyes snapped to him. 

“I don’t care, Scorpius,” Albus said, panting. “Couldn’t you just cast it yourself from outside? I’m… busy.” Albus kept his eyes on Scorpius’ and pushed his fingers further in to prove his point.

Scorpius seemed frozen to the spot, clenching the curtains behind himself, eyes still fixed on Albus’. He swallowed thickly, Adam’s apple bouncing. 

“Fine,” Albus murmured. “Stay, then.” 

“I could...” Scorpius finally found his voice again and it was low, rough and it sent shivers down Albus’ spine. He cast a quick silencing charm, climbing into the bed with Albus. “...help you with that.”

Albus’ mouth opened in shock. “I thought Malfoys and Potters weren’t supposed to be… fraternising.” 

Scorpius smirked, tentatively brushing a hand down Albus’ chest. “You thought wrong,” he murmured, securing his hand around Albus’ shaft. 

[lumoshyperion]

i love the sound of this all so much! Astoria sounds like such a theatre badass 😎 Is Draco involved in theatre too like the rest of the family? And will Albus and Scorpius be dating? 👀 Sorry for asking so many questions I'm so intrigued! 🎭

Oh my gosh, thank you so much!!! 😭❤ You're so right about Astoria, she's such a theatre badass. And I feel like she'd be an amazing director! She's creative and compassionate, but she's also strong and assertive? She has so much love for storytelling and for the craft but she also has a fierce and bold streak that is exactly what you need to thrive in the industry. A lot of the way she's written is inspired by female directors I've worked with in the past, and they're all artists that I have so much respect for 🥺 Here's a little excerpt from the fic of a conversation between Astoria and Albus that I really love:

Astoria sat down in the back row and looked up at him. "Have you given any more thought to what we talked about earlier?"

"No. I mean - yes - but -" He stopped and sat down in the row in front of her, dragging a hand over his face. "I have. Given it some thought. And I'm still - undecided."

"That's alright," she said, with an easy smile. "Take all the time you need."

"Why would you want me to be Hamlet?" Albus asked, suddenly. "I mean, you have your pick of anyone. I'm sure Karl would have been a good Hamlet."

Astoria leaned forward and rested her arms on the back of a seat, staring down at the company on stage below them. Albus followed her gaze, watching Karl loudly telling a story as the others listened. Rose finally had her nose out of her show bible, and Scorpius was smiling and asking questions. Craig was scribbling in his sketchbook, but with his head tilted towards the conversation and a small smile on his face. Polly was lying down on the stage with her head in Yann's lap, giggling as Yann carded his fingers through her hair.

"He would have been a good Hamlet," Astoria agreed, still watching the scene onstage. "But he will be an incredible Laertes."

"Yeah," He sighed. "Yeah, he will."

"And I think you'd be an incredible Hamlet." Albus started to squirm in his seat and Astoria shifted, catching his attention. "No, I mean that. You've done more than just memorise the lines. You feel them. You make them sound fresh and immediate. And that's a pretty difficult feat, considering how beat to death this play is. Do you know how many Hamlets I've done?"

"Three. This is your third." Astoria raised an eyebrow and Albus smiled, shyly. "I saw you in Much Ado, when I was a kid. It - it's why I wanted to study here. Why I wanted to work in theatre," he said, watching as she sat back in her seat, and beamed at him. "You were amazing. I mean, everyone was, but you - you shone. I've never forgotten that."

"And that's why we do it. Why we make theatre," she paused and tilted her head at him. "But I don't need to tell you that."

"'And in this harsh world, draw thy breath in pain to tell my story'," he quoted, reveling in the expression on Astoria's face at his words.

"I think I want Horatio to see the audience after he hears that line," she said, gazing out across the seats. "Hamlet alone has spoken to them, but now he's let go of them. Now it's Horatio's turn."

"I'll do it." Astoria looked back at him. "I'll play Hamlet."

And I'm still undecided on those two points? I don't think Draco would be involved in theatre, I think I'll borrow his career from the Kiki's Delivery Service AU and have him work as an antiques dealer?

Scorpius isn't really involved in theatre either - he's done a bit of it before, mostly through his mother's work, but he's not actually a theatre student. I think I have him down as a linguistics major with a minor in something else, most likely STEM or some other similar field. It's going to be a running joke that no one is really sure what Scorpius is studying, they just know it's something very nerdy and very time consuming. No one knows how he makes time for the play.

And Scorpius is also new to the group, he hadn't met anyone before rehearsals started. Albus has known Craig for years, and met everyone else through their classes and meets Scorpius for the first time at rehearsals. I think it will eventually turn into a Scorbus fic, but I haven't decided yet! I'm mostly just seeing where the fic takes me! There isn't even a plot yet, it's just me writing scenes as they come to me 😂 It's a fun way to write ❤

Also please don't apologise for all the questions!!! I love talking about my writing, and I honestly always worry that I'm bothering people when I rant about my ideas, so your questions mean a lot to me 🥺❤ Thank you for asking them! ❤

[vias-words]

Ask Game For Fan Fiction Writers

Thank you @mygeeknessisa-quivering for tagging me!

1. What fandoms do you write for? 

Usually The Cursed Child but I’m starting to write for Julie and the Phantoms too. I used to be a big Marvel writer as well and I have one Miss Peregrine’s fic that I’m really proud of. Had a bunch of other fandoms that I wrote for when I was younger but these would be the main ones. 

2. What parings do you write for? 

Scorbus!! Then I used to write Stucky and Clintasha when I did Marvel fics

3. What is your most popular fanfic? 

Albus Potter and the Cursed Legacy on AO3 but my most popular of all time was a Stucky fic on Wattpad called Coming Back Home 

4. Do you write original stories as well? 

Yes! But none are published

5. What is a fandom you will never write for? 

Probably just ones that I’m not interested in or don’t know that much about. 

6. Which platform do you prefer? 

AO3 for sure

7. What are your favorite fanfics? 

There are so many amazing fics that I forgot to save but here are some of my favorites that I have book marked

Scorbus: Blood, Ice, Water ; Paper Dragons ; Beneath the Wisteria 

General Harry Potter: A Future Beyond 17

Jeddy/Scorbus: King and Lionheart

JATP: The Ghosts of My Past

8. How do you stay motivated to finish what you’ve started? 

Definitely getting feedback helps. And just staying invested in the story. I take breaks when needed so I don’t burn out. 

9. What’s your longest fanfic? 

Albus Potter and the Cursed legacy is almost 200,000 words which is absolutely insane to me but I love it dearly

10. Do you use sentence starters, writing prompts and/or fandom headcanons for your fanfics? 

Sometimes! Usually just for shorter fics. But I incorporate fandom headcanons into longer fics as well. Basically my fics are based on fanon most of the time anyway

11. Do you use/follow advice from writing blogs/posts? 

Sometimes!

12. What’s your shortest fanfic? 

Borderline is just under 4,000 words

13. Do you listen to music during your writing process? 

Yes, it helps me focus. I like atmospheric music to match the story. There’s a lot of great youtube videos for that but also instrumentals and movie scores on spotify are great.

14. What is your favorite writing prompt? 

Can’t say I have one

15. Can we get a list of all of your current available fanfics? 

Here is a link to my AO3! I have some reaaaallly old ones on Wattpad too if you want to see how 13-15 y.o. me wrote haha the user is via_words

16. Long chapters or short chapters?

Long. I notoriously write a lot.

17. How many WIPs (work-in-progress) do you’ve got? 

Too many...I’d say a solid 8 but a lot of started fic ideas that never took off

18. Do you take requests? 

I’m open to hearing them but I usually struggle to write someone else’s ideas 

19. What’s more difficult? Fanfics or original work? 

Original work for sure, which is very frustrating to me. I’ve written a novel length fic before I can even get halfway through an original. I think I just know fic characters and the world a whole lot better and I know my audience will too, so there’s not stress about making sure everything is clear.

20. How did you find the magical world of fanfics?

I can’t even remember. I think I got on Wattpad through word of mouth when I was 12 but didn’t start posting until I was like 13 or 14.

21. Do you partake in any fanfic/writing events? 

I try to! 

22. Does fanart of your fanfic exist? 

Yes!! Which is AMAZING! I’ve got a small folder of drawings people have made inspired by or for my fic. I even got a video edit and vine comp once which I could not stop watching and smiling. It’s honestly so incredible that people have done that for something I wrote and I’m so thankful.

23. Do fanfics of your fanfic exist? 

No I didn’t even realize that could be a thing. I’d say if you’re using someone’s OC’s or ideas, do be sure to ask them first.

24. What is your favorite sentence that you’ve used in a fanfic? 

Oh gosh this is hard. One that’s always stood out to my is this line from Draco in chapter 18 of the Cursed Legacy

"Do you really think I wanted to be evil? That I set out to achieve that goal? No, that was never my reasoning to join the Deatheaters. No, mainly I wanted to fit in--to be a part of something greater. And to a naive boy who faced nothing but pressure from his parents to conform to their ideals, this," He forced up the left sleeve of his cloak to reveal the faded scar of where his dark mark once branded him, "seemed like that answer.”

25. Where do you draw inspiration from? 

A lot of music or photos/art. Whatever get’s me in the right mood to delve deeper into these characters. 

26. Can we get a teaser for an upcoming chapter? 

Here’s the one I used in a recent ask game for the next chapter of the Cursed Legacy!

"I think we're all a little afraid of the unknown. But that's what makes life exciting, right?"

James eyed Albus up and down, "Who are you and where's the pessimistic Albus I know?"

Albus gave his brother a small shove but cracked a smile, "You're a git."

No tags for this one since I would probably end tagging people how have already been tagged. But feel free to do this as well if you want to and consider yourself tagged by me :)

[theprodigypenguin]

👀💚

A Slyther-heart, my first one!!! In honor of it, I’ll show you a WIP I was writing called “The Malfoy Lie”. Cursed Child Compliant and taking place the summer after Scorpius and Albus’ fourth year and all that mess with Delphini. It was my attempt to write about Drastoria, Scorbus, and explore Draco’s character and his relationship with Scorpius as well as his parents. NO this is NOT Dr@rry, I need that to be understood. I did intend to explore Harry and Draco slowly becoming legitimate friends, but there is NO ROMANCE. We good? Alright:

The Malfoy family was decidedly not sentimental or nostalgic. They didn’t normally dwell on memories, maybe because there were very few worth remembering, but ever since Scorpius had been born, some, at least, the majority in fact, had started to hold memories more closely.

The relationship between Draco and his parents was notably strained, and had been since he announced his intentions to marry Astoria; no, in fact, his relationship had been strained long before that. Back when they decided to open their home up to a monster. Lucius insisted, Lucius didn’t give his wife and son a choice in the matter, bowing and backing away as a dark form cloaked in black drifted across the floor like a phantom.

“Yes, this will do,” Draco remembered the voice perfectly, soft and silky and horrible. “An absolutely abysmal disgrace of a home, Lucius… but it will do.”

No surprise that he would insult the house Draco’s father was so proud of. A mansion, a manor, that had been in the Malfoy family for generations, millennia even for all he knew of it.

When he was small he used to love his home. It was big, the interior was like its own little town. He had vague memories of playing hide and seek with his mother, remembered she lost interest when he got a bit older so he made the house elf play with him instead, remembered he stopped once he started school. A lot stopped once he’d started school in fact.

Draco started to hate his home after his fifth year, when his father was arrested and sent to Azkaban. It became lonely, Draco remembered how scared he was, how he tried to look brave, how his mother cried with hands shaking, but placed a face of steel on her face, not letting anyone break through.

The memories of that time were contorted and poisoned into nightmares, sitting alone in his room hugging his knees to his chest, feeling like a child at seventeen and trying to remember how to breathe as he heard the screams of muggle borns enduring the torture of the Dark Lord.

Horrible, the laughter of his aunt, it contorted to something not as high pitched, morphed into a different voice, and the shrieking screams lowered in octave, into something distinctly male, distinctly familiar.

Delphini.

Scorpius. 

She was hurting him.

Draco woke with a start, jerking and gasping in the burning air around him, hands sweeping the bed unconsciously searching for Astoria, though he knew she wasn’t there. His night clothes were damp with sweat, his entire body shaking as he shoved away the covers and grabbed his wand from the bedside table, storming from the room and towards his son’s.

He tried to be as quiet as he could, hands shaking as he cracked open the door and slipped halfway inside, whispering lumos to light up the room in a dim glow, his heartbeat slowly starting to settle.

Scorpius was in bed, curled up and hugging his pillow, no creases to his face, peaceful. Draco leaned his back against the doorframe and drank in the air until his lungs had stopped hurting. Scorpius was fine, he was safe.

Draco wandered to the bed and reached down, pulling the covers higher over his son and sweeping his hair back, watching him burrow his face deeper into his pillow and murmur something incoherent. He was fine.

Draco, though, was not.

He ended up wandering the halls in a state of disturbed nostalgia, his night clothes sweat heavy and cold, drying in the hours he wandered and making him feel heavy and disgusting.

In the past when he had these kinds of nightmares, Astoria would be there to cradle his head and play with his hair, kissing his temple and promising he was safe, and so was Scorpius, and so was she. She was gone now, though. There was no one to help him through his nightmares, he certainly couldn’t expect his son to do anything about it. That was hardly his responsibility.

When Scorpius woke up that morning, Draco was in the drawing room at the mantle, staring somewhat blankly at the painting hanging above it, at the memorabilia and knick knacks sitting on the mantle, wand still in his hand and eyes heavy. He could see a different painting there, a hallucination from the past, one that Lucius and Bellatrix had hung, a profile of that… monster. He felt something sour in his mouth.

“Dad?” He jumped at least a foot in the air and spun around to look at Scorpius, who seemed puzzled, mostly awake with his hair a mess; it was getting longer, Draco realized. “You okay?”

Draco just blinked, but his son stayed in his place standing there, then nodded. “I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” Scorpius further questioned, and Draco felt a little bit of that pain lift.

He was so good, Scorpius was, so kind hearted. He was just like his mother.

Draco gave a nod, not wanting Scorpius to waste time worrying for him. “Hungry?”

“Oh, yea,” Scorpius answered, still looking very puzzled, and Draco put a hand on his shoulder in passing.

“Go sit down before me, I’ll join you in a bit.”

“Take your time,” Scorpius said. “I have a book to keep me company.” He grinned proudly, and it was contagious enough to bring a small, equally proud smile to Draco’s lips.

It was a task to wash away the nightmare from the previous night, more than once Draco had his face in his hands and something beastly in his throat, a scream he barely contained by reminding himself it was fine, Scorpius was safe, healthy, happy, sleeping peacefully and currently eating his fill.

When Draco stepped into the dining room, he felt a little more like himself, though he didn’t bother to do more with his hair than tie it away from his face, he was too tired to do much else with it.

Scorpius was sitting at one side of the table at the far end, closest to the window. He was leaning over the table eating with a fork held clumsily in his left hand, right hand holding open his book. He kept missing his mouth when he attempted to maneuver the forkful of food into it, stabbing himself in the cheek and chin but not appearing too terribly bothered by it.

Draco smiled, waving his wand to open the curtains further and bask morning light over Scorpius, who looked up and smiled in greeting.

“You look a little better,” he said, and Draco arched an eyebrow as he took a seat at the head of the table just next to Scorpius.

It was a huge table, meant for banquets, but most of it was never utilized. So many meals, Draco remembered either eating alone, or down the table from his parents, and feeling so isolated from them. He didn’t want Scorpius to feel that way, so he and Astoria made it a point to always sit close to their son.

With the light coming in from behind Scorpius, there was a white glow around him, particularly against his hair. He looked almost out of place, something so perfect stuck in a house so cursed.

“Did I not before?” Draco asked, taking a cup that seemed to fill quickly with black coffee; he didn’t particularly enjoy it, but he needed the caffeine.

Scorpius just shrugged, closing his book and taking his fork in his right hand. “You just looked really tired. Did you sleep last night?”

“No,” Draco lied with a straight face. “I was finishing a crossword puzzle.”

Scorpius made a face. “You were not!”

Draco had to grin, looking at the window when there was a tap. Scorpius was on his feet before Draco, opening the window and letting the owl swoop into the room, landing on the table with a small bundle of post that Draco accepted as Scorpius sat back down and offered the large owl pieces of his sausage, pouring water into a small goblet for the bird to have.

Draco flipped through the mail, brandishing the first letter into the air. “Something for you,” he said, and Scorpius lit up. 

“Really? Who from?”

But honestly who else could it have been from? Scorpius eagerly accepted the letter with a grin that seemed to light up the entire room, and Draco went back to the mail in his hands. There were several things addressed to him aside from the Daily Prophet that he was half dreading to go through. Some of the handwriting he recognized without opening, and he held three of the letters with a tight look on his face.

Why would three former schoolmates be writing to him, after having a falling out with each of them and getting cut off from them all for more than fifteen years? He set them down to go through later, feeling very suspicious, and lifted the letter that was clearly from his mother.

He already knew what it would be about when he got it open, Narcissa saying she and Lucius would be stopping by to see them. Draco couldn’t imagine why they would need to, even when she explained she’d heard from an acquaintance that Scorpius had gotten into some trouble at school and they were going to stop in to see what happened. That was literally the last thing Draco wanted, and he was half ready to tell them not to come.

For the first time since the delegation at the Ministry discussing Delphini and the strict hold on her existence, prohibiting the Prophet from disclosing little more than her being a dark witch, Draco was grateful. At first he was furious with the Ministry, and Hermione, for withholding information that could both warn the wizarding community of the presence of a new, powerful dark witch, and successfully stamp out the rumors that Scorpius was Voldemort’s son.

Now, though, he was glad. His parents didn’t need to know Voldemort had a child. Who knows what they would say or do? His father especially. Sometimes Draco got the aching suspicion that he was still hoping for redemption in the eyes of an evil wizard, to be brought back up to the height he was at before his arrest. Lucius was old now, and desperate. Draco worried about what he might do to get what he wanted. He didn’t want that man around Scorpius.

“Dad!” Scorpius was practically glowing. “Albus invited me over for the weekend! Can I? Please? He said they got an extra pass into the Scamander Center! The wizard zoo! We went there with mum once, ages ago, you remember? Can I go?”

Draco stared at him for a minute. In the past, whenever Ginny had written asking if Scorpius wanted to stay over with Albus, he’d bitterly told her no, because he didn’t trust her, he didn’t trust any of them, he was just too protective. Now… he was even more protective, especially after the events of the previous school year, but… if Narcissa and Lucius were really going to show up…

“Sure.” Scorpius absolutely glowed. “Write to him and let him know, finish eating first, I don’t want you going there already hungry, and prepare an overnight bag.”

“Yes, sir!” Scorpius spun and jumped up, scrambling over to a table near the window that held a menagerie of items like quills, ink wells, paper, books, and cups.

He quickly scribbled down a reply and enclosed it before writing Albus’ name on it and giving it to the owl, who flapped its wings experimentally and puffed its chest proudly before swooping out the window.

He then dropped back into his seat and started to eat, a bit too fast. Draco told him to slow down, but of course he didn’t, hiccuping and laughing into his cup as Draco chuckled with him. Seeing Scorpius so excited made him feel a little lighter, even though he knew he’d have to deal with his parents, and the letters from his old peers, as soon as Scorpius was safely out of the house.

Draco figured if they were quick enough, they could be at the Potter’s before his parents showed up, and how gleeful it would be to make them wait. Maybe Draco would linger and talk with Ginny and Harry, just to make them wait longer. He could almost see the affronted scowl on his father’s face when he’d returned. It made him feel quite happy.

Not as happy as Scorpius of course, who was bouncing on his heels as he scrambled around getting ready, throwing clothes into his bag, taking the fastest shower in history before hopping on one foot down the hall trying to yank on his shoe, tripping halfway to his room and falling on his face.

“Calm down, Albus isn’t going anywhere,” Draco said through a huge grin, but Scorpius just scrambled to his feet with wide eyes.

“I know!”

They were so close. Narcissa’s letter hadn’t given a time for when they’d be showing up, but Draco would only assume noon. No doubt his father couldn’t be bothered to come any sooner, not for something as unimportant as his own grandson. That’s what Draco had hoped for at least.

Until they got to the fireplace, Scorpius still bouncing in place as Draco reached for the floo powder on the mantle. “You told them we’d be coming by floo?”

“Yes!”

“Good, faster this way anyway,” but before he could even touch the powder, the fireplace erupted in green fire.

Draco backed away rapidly and stood in front of Scorpius, face twisted in irritation as his mother stepped out first. Her age was apparent in the lines of her face, but she wore it well, hair so neat and pinned up with silver clips, dressed pristinely and holding a small black hand purse. Lucius came next, exiting the fireplace with a single hand dusting ash from the shoulder of his black coat.

Draco felt himself steel in absolute indignation, keeping one arm down to keep Scorpius behind him, and Lucius tipped his head in both greeting and question.

“You won’t even greet your parents, Draco?”

“What’s the point in that? I know who you are, not like I’ve never seen you before.”

Scorpius gave a barely audible noise, something like a squeak, one hand clinging to the back of Draco’s coat. He wasn’t surprised. For all intensive purposes, Lucius Malfoy frightened him; and that was something Draco had never tolerated. 

He could never stand up to his father on his own before, but with the most important person in his life hiding behind him, Draco never felt braver.

“You’ll have to wait if you want to talk. We were just about to go out.”

“Out? When we’ve just arrived?” Lucius walked forward, still moving with a haunting elegance despite his age, sitting down on one of the couches and pointing to the one across from him with his walking stick. “Take a seat.”

“I’ll have to decline,” Draco said stiffly, his eyes set in a glare. “I’m taking Scorpius to a friend’s house. If you’re still here when I get back, I’d be happy to talk, but until then-”

"Sit down, Draco,” Lucius ordered in that familiar tone, and Draco knew if he wasn’t careful, this could end badly.

He didn’t want Scorpius exposed to this.

“… fine,” Draco relented, reaching back to wrap an arm around Scorpius, who was as stiff as a board, but had a brave look of defiance on his face that Draco felt extremely proud of.

He and Scorpius took the couch across from Narcissa and Lucius, and the coffee table separating them wasn’t nearly enough. Draco kept himself sitting as straight as he could, arms folded and hand lingering near the pocket of his coat where his wand was tucked away.

Scorpius was keeping the same posture, bag at his feet and hands clenched in his lap as he stared at the table top. For a long moment there was only silence. Draco was prepared to sit there until Harry realized they were late and came to investigate. Lucius would leave immediately if Harry Potter showed up; but not long after, Lucius finally spoke.

“Not even going to offer us a drink?”

“No,” Draco answered, and Lucius’ eye twitched a little. “Say what you want to say and get out.”

“Don’t be like that, Draco,” Narcissa chided him. “Did you not read my letter? We’re here for Scorpius.”

Scorpius glanced up through his eyelashes but didn’t raise his head as Draco spoke. “I read it. I just don’t care.”

“We were worried-”

"What did you hear? And from who?” Draco demanded.

Lucius was the one to answer him. “An old friend at the Daily Prophet,” he explained in a haughty voice, like he thought having newspaper friends made him so high and mighty. “He mentioned there being a bit of trouble at the school because of Scorpius and that…. Potter boy.”

Scorpius cringed, his face contorting in something like anger that he desperately hid by keeping his head bowed low, face shadowed. Draco was unsurprised. Of course he’d get angry that Lucius was spitting Albus’ name around like it was poison.

“What of it?”

“We only know vague details. One of the boys got hurt?” Narcissa asked this in a rather gentle voice, glancing at Scorpius, and Draco had to thank everything in existence she had a soft spot for her grandson, despite how he hadn’t been raised ‘correctly’.

“Albus broke his arm,” Draco answered.

“We heard someone was killed,” Lucius said, and Scorpius seemed to shiver. “It was left from the papers, the details of his death. A freak accident on the Quidditch pitch. Craig Bowker Junior.”

“That has nothing to do with Scorpius or Albus, and nothing to do with you.”

“Of course.” Lucius’ hands flexed around his walking stick. “It isn’t like Scorpius is our grandson or anything of the sort.”

“Since when did you care, father?”

“Do not patronize me,” Lucius snapped, but Draco had long since stopped caring about the bitterness in his tone. “I’m asking what happened out of the goodness of my heart.”

“Funny, I wasn’t aware you had one.”

By now, Astoria would be laughing so hard she’d be snorting, half trying to get Draco to stop riling his father up and half goading him on. Lucius’ face was growing redder and redder as his eyes bugged, even Narcissa looked utterly taken aback by Draco’s shortness and clear disinterest in discussing the situation. 

It was none of their business in the first place. He didn’t trust them enough to tell them the details, he would never risk his son like that, and… how truly sad it was that he didn’t think he could trust them.

“Al and I got into some trouble before we got to school,” Scorpius’ voice took Draco by surprise, and he turned to gape at him, and the look his son gave him. “It’s fine.”

“Scor-”

"Albus was trying to do something good, his heart was in the right place. The only thing that went wrong was who we trusted. We were manipulated by a witch who was falsely masquerading as the niece of an old wizard that Mister Potter knew from years ago.”

“Is that so?” Lucius eyed him with a deadly look in his cold eyes, Draco quickly put an arm around Scorpius and glared back at his father. “And you were foolish enough to follow along with her?”

That had Draco bristling, but Scorpius just twisted his fingers together. “She seemed genuinely nice at first. She helped us, she… even helped me with Albus, when we got in kind of a fight. We just… were too distracted.”

“She killed that boy?” Narcissa assessed easily, and Draco nodded to her. “What happened to her? Did she hurt Scorpius?”

Draco inhaled sharply, Scorpius winced and rubbed at his wrists; there was a slight discoloration around them, scarring left over from Delphini’s bindings. Draco didn’t have to answer his mother as she covered her mouth with a hand, but Lucius just squinted.

“Where is she now?”

“Where do you think?” Draco asked. “Azkaban, and she’ll stay there.”

“No trial?”

“She’s awaiting trial, but she killed a student, kidnapped two more, and tortured Scorpius. She utilized two of the three forbidden curses, either one would have set her down for Azkaban, and she used two. What more proof do you need to convict her?”

“What was her reasoning for manipulating the boys?” Lucius asked, and Draco started to feel increasingly confused, suspicious, on edge, at all the questions.

“What did you say your friend’s name was? The one at the Prophet?”

“You’re not going to answer me?”

“I-it was from a prophecy.” Scorpius looked at Draco anxiously. “Something her… her step father told her.”

“That’s enough.” Draco met his eye. “You don’t have to say anymore. No, I’m asking you not to. No more. They don’t need to know. It’s none of their business.”

Scorpius actually seemed to relax, nodding slowly, and Lucius scoffed. “Is our grandson’s health not our business, Draco?”

“You don’t give a damn about his health, or mine.” Draco stood up. “We’re done here, feel free to leave any time. I’m bringing Scorpius to his friend’s house.”

“Friend. That Potter.” Lucius spit the name again. “What a disgrace you are-”

“Lucius!”

“-allowing your son to fraternize with the likes of them.” Lucius got to his feet. "It’s Potter’s fault our family is in shambles, don’t forget.”

“No, father.” Draco looked him dead in the eye. “Our family is in shambles because you were stupid enough to welcome a murderer into our home and our lives. You’re the one who soiled the Malfoy name, father, by disgracing it with dark magic. Me, a disgrace for trying to fix the mess you made. I revel in that disgrace.”

Draco supposed he should have seen the hit coming, but it happened so suddenly, half of him was distracted by the burst of green from the fireplace that he only noticed because his head had been forced in that direction when Lucius swung the back of his hand and the silver snake head of the end of his walking stick straight into Draco’s face.

A ring rose in his ears and a burn spread across his cheek as he staggered, somehow managing to stay stubbornly on his feet as Scorpius yelled for him, jumping up to grab his arm to help him stay standing. Draco had his wand in his hand and pointed at Lucius an instant later, and was dizzily stunned at what he saw.

Narcissa on her feet with her own wand in hand, the tip stuck under Lucius’ chin and digging into his throat, eyes wild. Lucius had both his hands held out in a type of submissive manner, there was blood on the silver snake head topping his walking stick, and Draco could feel it on his cheek.

What really took him by surprise was Harry Potter, standing at the end of the coffee table with his wand out, pointed at Lucius, eyes wide in both shock and fury. Perfect timing as usual, to see Lucius sucker punching his own son. Brilliant, really.

“How dare you.” Narcissa hissed, very much like a snake, and Lucius stared down at her across the bridge of his nose.

He didn’t look scared though, he looked annoyed and inconvenienced, cold eyes snapping to Draco, then Harry, then back again to his son.

“This isn’t the end of the discussion,” he said simply, taking a step back to alleviate the pressure of the wand digging into his neck. “There’s much of the situation you don’t understand, Draco. For your sake, and your son’s, I recommend reassessing what side you’re really on.”

“I’m on whatever side you aren’t,” Draco snapped. “Get out.”

Lucius glared, then looked at his wife, who sneered in anger, something told Draco they would be having a chat later. Then Lucius disapparated with a pop. Narcissa slowly lowered her wand, so did Draco, returning it to the pocket in his coat before lifting the same hand to tentatively touch his cheek.

“What exactly did I walk in on?” Harry asked suddenly, and Narcissa turned to glance at him, then at Draco.

“Family reunion,” Draco said bitterly, turning to Scorpius, who was shaking furiously. 

He had a look of anger on his face, fear in his watery eyes, clinging to Draco with both hands, staring at the spot where his grandfather had been just moments ago.

“I’m sorry, Scorpius. I wanted you out of the house before they showed up.”

“Dad… dad your face.” Scorpius shook, his voice trembled, Draco tried to keep his cheek covered so Scorpius wouldn’t see.

“Just a scratch, can’t really feel it.” He looked over at Harry, who was watching him closely. "We’re late then, are we?”

“… Albus was getting anxious,” Harry admitted slowly. “Suppose he had a right…”

“I had it settled.”

“Of course.”

“Dad.”

“I’m fine Scorpius.”

“But-”

“You know what that man is like.”

“I’m sorry.”

“This was hardly your fault.” Draco wrapped an arm around his shoulders, tugging him close into a hug, hiding Scorpius’ face against his shoulder and pulling his hand from his face to squint at the blood before covering his cheek again.

“I’m sorry you had to see that,” he said, speaking to Harry, who had a wince on his face. “Would you mind taking him ahead? If your invitation still stands.”

Harry nodded. “It does. Albus is excited about it. This is the first time you’ve written back actually accepting a day out for them.”

“I like to think I’ve grown a bit more on that level this past year. The last thing I want to do is keep two good friends apart.” He arched an eyebrow and Harry rolled his eyes up in a sigh, turning.

"Come on, Scorpius.”

“But- dad-”

“I’ll stop by later,” Draco offered when Scorpius pulled back, running his hand into his blond hair to ruffle it. “After I’ve fixed myself up.”

“Do you want to come now?” Harry asked. “Ginny wouldn’t mind helping.”

“No, I think I still have some things to do here.” He glanced at his mother, who met his gaze with a painful one of her own. "I’ll come by floo later.”

“Fine.”

Scorpius still looked like he wanted to protest, torn between staying with Draco and going to see his friend. To alleviate the panic on his face, Draco squeezed his shoulder, shrugging.

“You have to admit, Scorp, that was pretty brave of your old man.” Scorpius’ lips twitched a little. “Think your mum would be proud of me?”

This made him smile, thankfully, and nod. “Yea, and mad you riled him enough to hit you. She’d probably call you an idiot.”

"That’s true.” He slid his hand down to Scorpius’ back and lead him towards the fireplace, picking up his son’s bag and handing it to him. "I’ll see you in a couple of hours, go enjoy yourself.”

“Okay…”

“No worrying about me.”

“Okay…”

Draco met Harry’s eye again, and in a few moments both he and his son were gone in a flare of green fire. When he turned to his mother, she had a strained look on her face, swallowing thickly and opening her mouth.

“Draco-”

“Wasn’t your doing.”

“No… we need to talk.”

“What about?”

“Your cousin,” Draco didn’t know what she was talking about, until she continued slowly, her voice low, like she was afraid Harry might still be around to hear her. “Delphini.”

[thatforgottenbasilisk]

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Kind Of A Rant (KOAR), Part 1: Characters & Their Situations (Not Including Magical Situations)

KOARs are a thing now I guess. I think that KOARs might end up happening more on my blog, because I have a lot of feelings about a lot of things. If there’s a bunch and you guys like them, I’ll Actually Organize them.

This is Part 1 of the Cursed Child KOAR. The other parts will be linked when I write them.

This is a character discussion, and as such I will not involve the “alternate” versions of characters.

Pros

The Scorbus ship

Scorpius Malfoy is a gift to this world and he should be treasured

Draco Malfoy has a wonderful redemption arc

There’s more stuff under the cut (a lot more. buckle up buckaroos)

Cons

Grindeldore (idk the ship name) is more canon than Scorbus.

Albus Severus Potter is written like Harry Potter but treated like Draco Malfoy for half the damn play and it gets kind of annoying. Albus is characterized like a Gryffindor through and through; he never displays any cunning or ambition, and all he ever does is try to take matters into his own hands and go charging into things that he doesn’t understand. He shows bravery, and a lot of it, but bravery doesn’t get you into Slytherin. I know that the “reason” that he’s in Slytherin is that he wants to be different, but this is entirely inconsistent with the characterization of him from the end of Deathly Hallows. I would like to draw attention to the fact that there was literally less than half of a chapter on his characterization, and yet it still got screwed up. Back to the point of being treated like Draco Malfoy, Albus ends up being, in essence, the Draco of Cursed Child in that he 1: is a disappointment to his father (we’ll get back to this point; I have many feelings on this, most of which can be summarized with this statement: Y’all did Harry dirty), 2: got dragged into political crap that he wants no part in (he hates being a Potter, because he has to live up to these expectations set upon him; great parallels to Draco, terrible execution of them), and 3: is a Slytherin scapegoat (Draco, in the main series, is popular; however, he’s a scapegoat from Harry’s perspective [Harry blames him for a whole lot of things, most of the time], and that’s the perspective that we, the audience, care about. Albus ends up being the opposite, because in-universe, he’s a “failure,” or a “disappointment,” but we, the audience, are supposed to be sympathetic. Once again, great parallels, terrible execution). This doesn’t work because Albus is being put in situations that expect or need to have him or other characters do things that are completely out of character for them and feel entirely unnatural (once again: Y’all did Harry dirty).

The Malfoys are the only actually sympathetic characters throughout the play; they’re the only ones that 1: have their characters left mostly intact, in the case of Draco, 2: show character development, and 3: get the audience’s sympathy and keep it. This wouldn’t be a bad thing, except they are the only two characters to do all of these, out of at least two dozen. That, ladies, gentlemen, and everyone else, is a Grade-A Problem.

Ron’s characterization is much closer to his character in the movies. The main criticism of Ron in the movies, if I may remind you, is that they took all of Book Ron’s good attributes and gave them to Harry and Hermione. In Cursed Child, this trend continues, making Ron appear goofy, incompetent, and overall the “sidekick” to Harry, when, in the previous books, he was important in his own right; he was an actual character.

Hermione becoming Minister of Magic is honestly such a flagrant disrespect for her actual character that it’s almost laughable. A quote perfectly describes it; this quote is from Deathly Hallows, Chapter 7, pages 123-124: “’Are you planning to follow a career in Magical Law, Miss Granger?’ asked Scrimgeour. ‘No, I’m not,’ retorted Hermione,’I’m hoping to do some good in the world!’” Hermione saying this and then going on to be the Minister of Magic is worse characterization than Natasha Romanoff, but she is a different topic for a different day. The point is, this kind of hypocrisy is not how the Hermione of the original books would act. Additionally, how Hermione hid the Time Turner (aka the Deus Ex Machina, the Inciting Object, the Plot Convenient Object, the Thing That Really Shouldn’t Exist, or the MacGuffin) is almost as if she completely forgot about the Philosopher’s/Sorcerer’s Stone and the riddle that she took less than ten minutes to solve, and she had that as her only defense for the only Time Turner of its kind, aka an extremely hazardous Magical Object that could destroy the fucking world in an instant if it gets in the wrong hands. At this point, Hermione Granger is not Hermione Granger, Brightest Witch of Her Age; she’s Hermione Granger, Stupid Adult Getting in the Way of Things. The whole Trio has been demoted and shunted to the side, and their IQs and EQs have dropped to zero.

Speaking of the Trio, I haven’t spoken about the last one: Harry. Of all of the characters to be screwed over by this monstrosity, Harry definitely took the brunt of the damage. He shows little to no respect to his son, and when he does, Albus acts incredibly ungrateful (the blanket incident, anyone?) and just as disrespectful as his father. Harry has been turned into an incompetent and overprotective adult, not unlike Cornelius Fudge. He does not trust his son, he attempts to have a fourteen-year-old boy constantly watched by the Headmistress (who has better things to do), and, all in all, is turned into a total jerk. If that wasn’t bad enough, he’s still Harry Potter, Protagonist Extraordinaire, so of course he’s shoved into the plot where he doesn’t need to be. This point will be elaborated upon in a future KOAR, but all you need to know is that Harry really doesn’t need to be the title character. Harry has effectively been Hermione’d as well; no longer Harry Potter, Savior of the Wizarding World, he’s Harry Potter, Stupid Adult Meddling Where he Shouldn’t be.

Delphi’s whole existence is wrong; she clearly wasn’t planned for story-wise, and it would be entirely outside of Voldemort’s character to have children, especially since he believed that his Horcruxes were safe and that he would live forever. Also, Bellatrix never had time to have kids; she was always seen without any kind of baby bump, and Cursed Child has Delphi being born during Deathly Hallows, which would be impossible, as it would have been very noticeable if she were pregnant at any point in the book. Delphi is a glorified plot device, and the story would have been better off without her; Neo-Death Eaters not related to Voldemort could have deepened the blood politics issue beyond just Wizard Hitler and his Death Nazis being products of a certain post-Grindelwald political climate, or other brands of villains altogether could have been much more interesting than “oh dang he had a kid, gotta kill Wizard Hitler Volume 2.″

Craig Bowker Jr. is a poorly developed attempt at literary parallels with Cedric. He’s unimportant, though the story treats his death with the same amount of emotion as Goblet of Fire did with Cedric, which is disrespectful to the well-developed Cedric, and makes his death feel even cheaper than if they’d toned it down even a little. Overall, Craig is completely forgettable, with absolutely no characterization, no development, no relationship with Albus or Scorpius, and is altogether a lazily written plot device thrown in at the last moment in a worthless attempt at literary parallels that did nothing for the story as a whole. 

I know that I said I wouldn’t say anything about “alternate” characters, but I’d like to say that they’re getting their own KOAR.

Interpersonal relationships also get their own KOAR, simply on the grounds that Scorbus was total queerbaiting and I am greatly disappointed.

So that’s it for Part 1, if you disagree with any of this, feel free to discuss in the notes. I’ll get around to Part 2 eventually, but probably not for a while.

[iluvharrypotter172]

1-51 for the asks

Fandom Questions

1. What was the first fandom you got involved in? Harry Potter

2. What is your latest fandom? Harry Potter

3. What is the best fandom you’ve ever been involved in? Harry Potter

4. Do you regret getting involved in any fandoms? Nope

5. Which fandoms have your written fanfiction for? Harry Potter

6. List your OTP from each fandom you’ve been involved in. Wolfstar, Scorbus, Free, Perciver and many more

7. List your NoTPs from each fandom you’ve been in. Snily, Snarry, basically any one with Snape and a lot more

8. How did you get involved in your latest fandom? By joining tumblr

9. What are the best things about your current fandom? The huge amount of fanfiction, the HP rp community and all the fan art too!

10.  Is there a fandom you read fic from but don’t write in? No

Ship Questions for your Current Fandom

11. Who is your current OTP? Wolfstar

12. Who is your current OT3? None

13. Any NoTPs? ⬆️

14. Go on, who are your BroTPs? Sirius and James, Harry And Ron, Remus and James + more

15. Is there an obscure ship which you love? Idk really 

16. Are their any popular ships in your fandom which you dislike? Are George x Angelina a popular ship? I don’t like them together.

17. Who was your first OTP and are they still your favourite? Wolfstar and I still love them.

18. What ship have you written the most about? Wolfstar 

19. Is there a ship which you wished you could get behind, but you just don’t feel them? Not that I can think of

20. Any ships which you surprised yourself by liking? Free and Perciver

Author Questions

21. What was the first fanfic you ever wrote? Something called ‘Amortentia’ that was a Wolfstar one shot.

22. Is there anything you regret writing? Not that I can think of

23. Name a fic you’ve written that you’re especially fond of & explain why you like it. The Greenhouse because I had writer’s block for so long, then pushed it aside and wrote it.

24. What fic do you desperately need to rewrite or edit? A current one shot in the works that I can’t tell you all about yet.

25. What’s your most popular fanfic? I’m not sure

26. How do you come up with your fanfic titles? From the main idea of the story

27. What do you hate more: Coming up with titles or writing summaries? Writing Summaries

28. If someone were to draw a piece of fanart for your story, which story would it be and what would the picture be of? Comfort and the part where Remus is reading with Sirius sleeping on his lap.

29. Do you have a beta reader? Why/Why not? No, idk why

30. What inspires you to write? Prompts or the idea that people want to read my writing.

31. What’s the nicest thing someone has ever said about your writing? Anything that anyone has ever said to me.

32. Do you listen to music when you write or does music inspire you? If so, which band or genre of music does it for you? I listen to anything from Queen to P!ATD. I love music.

33. Do you write oneshots, multi-chapter fics or huuuuuge epics? Oneshots but I might write multi-chapter fics later this year sometime.

34. What’s the word count on your longest fic? 754 words

35. Do you write drabbles? If so, what do you normally write them about? No

36. What’s your favourite genre to write? Fluff

37. First person or third person - what do you write in and why? Third person as I find it easier

38. Do you use established canon characters or do you create OCs? Both

39. What is you greatest strength as a writer? That I know the characters really well

40. What do you struggle the most with in your writing? Writer’s block

Fanfiction Questions

41. List and link to 5 fanfics you are currently reading: I’m not currently reading any

42. List and link to 5 fanfiction authors who are amazing: @lumosinlove @wolfstarisfxckingcanon @lupinscorner @jamesmydeer @themarauderstheoutsidersandpeggy and pretty much every other H.P fanfiction author

43. Is there anyone in your fandom who really inspires you? All of the HP rp community 

44. What ship do you feel needs more attention? Free! There is hardly any content on it.

45. What is your all time favourite fanfic? Too many to name

46. If someone was to read one of your fanfics, which fic would you recommend to them and why? Comfort because I think that’s the best one I’ve written

47. Archive Of Our Own, Fanfiction.net or Tumblr - where do you prefer to post and why? Tumblr because I don’t post on any other websites

48. Do you leave reviews when you read fanfiction? Why/Why not? Yes because pretty much every author really appreciates them

49. Do you care if people comment/reblog your writing? Why/why not? Yes! I know they like it this way.

50. How did you get into reading and/or writing fanfiction? By finding Wolfstar fanfiction and eventually joining Tumblr and Wattpad (which I don’t use much any more but if you want my account name feel free to ask me for it!)

51. Rant or Gush about one thing you love or hate in the world of fanfiction! Go! I love that people are given a whole new way to share their writing with people from all over the world.

[kidovna]

I need more scorbus in pyjamas... it’s so precious and wholesome! You capture the ship so well, my heart is just swelling~~ 🥰

Thank you!! And maybe I’ll draw them in PJs more haha!

[tdcatsblog]

Hi there, I’m looking for fanfics about Scorbus when they are first and second years and they are establishing their friendship. Very cute and sweet. Do you have any recommendations?

Hey Scorbus Anon, guess who’s avoiding writing herdissertation by finally, FINALLY answering your Ask – that would be me! (don’t let mx tdknow). Sorry for the delay, but this stumped me. I dug through my stack ofScorbus notes, but it was difficult to find fics that met your exact criteria. Ithink TCC has inspired writers to produce fix-it fics, as it seems like muchof the recent Scorbus has been set during or post-TCC. There are also a numberof fics that span multiple Hogwarts years. So apologies - none of the fics here areexactly what you are looking for, but they all have something to offer to satisfya Scorbus craving. If any readers can rec fics that fulfill this Anon’s request, please link as I would like to read them as well.

FirstTrain Home by @torestoreamends (3.4K) - Scorpius is starting schooltomorrow. He’s excited, but also terrified, because he’s never been away fromhis parents before. And of course there’s the biggest problem… How do you makea friend?

This fic is an adorable peekinto Scorpius’s POV prior to his first meeting with Albus on the HogwartsExpress. It’s TCC compliant, so there are some rumblings of the troublesplaguing the Malfoy family, but we mostly see the delight of lonely childmaking his first friend.

Finding the Words by @torestoreamends (8K) - Scorpius is being weird – moreweird than normal, that is. He’s spending longer than ever in the library, hehasn’t spoken to Albus in weeks, and he keeps forgetting to do his homework.Albus is determined to find out what’s wrong with him and help. That’s justwhat you have to do when your best friend is upset.

This takes place during the boys’ second year, and it fits the criterionof being more about platonic Scorbus than romantic Scorbus, but it’s atear-jerker. I don’t want to post any spoilers, but if you’re familiar with The Cursed Child, note the timing anddraw your own conclusions.

Expecto Patronum by @i-will-fong-you(2K) - The only other time Harry has seena Patronus that bright is when he first cast his, to protect himself andSirius.

Not precisely a first or second year fic, but pre-slash Scorbus.Dementors are attacking Albus and Scorpius, and Albus has to cast a patronusto call his father and omg Albus’s patronus is a scorpion! Sometimes I forget howbeautiful the concept of patronuses is in JKR’s world, and the power of loveis never more evident than in this fic.

Coevolution: Parts I, II, &III by @goaskalbus (7.8K) - Albus dreamsof twinkling stars, silver-blue eyes, and fame.

The age old storyof boy-meets-boy and boy falls in love with boy but doesn’t know it yet. Inother words, the story of how Albus and Scorpius met.

A multi-series Scorbus fic. This first installmentcovers the boys’ first year at Hogwarts. Albus’s voice is a littlesophisticated for an 11-year-old.

Unity by Lauren(notalwaysweak) (4.4K) - Next genfic. Scorpius feels more at home in his Animagus form than in human form. Allikes boys instead of girls. And Rosie’s more in love with knowledge than withpeople. Sometimes people don’t fit into the places expected of them.

This fic is sweet and clever. Albus, Scorpius, and Rose all have theirquirks, but they make it work somehow. The friendships and blossoming love justshine.

but he’s alli need by aftersh0cks (5.4K) -Five times Scorpius Malfoy saidhe could’ve kissed Albus Potter, and one time Albus Potter said it back

This is a 5+1 fic, and it’s TCC compliant/rewrite,so only part of the fic covers their first two years. It’s pure fluff, though,and the friends-to-lovers dynamic is just awwww.

And a bonus:

Fortune Telling by @pukingpastilles who draws magnificent Scorbus (and Drarry). It is impossible to read this comic without manga-style hearts popping out of your eyes.

[drarryandscorbustrash]

“I’ll go see what the noise was.” Scorbus ??? Thanks !

During the holidays away from Hogwarts, Albus Potter; the famous Harry Potter’s son and, Scorpius Malfoy; Draco Malfoy’s only son would always have sleep overs at each other’s places.

Scorpius wasn’t much like his father, personality wise.His features looked similar to Draco’s; pointy face, pale vampire-like skin, and almost platinum coloured hair, a distinct mole right under his right eye, although he has Astoria’s wavy hair.

Scorpius has a much bubbly and awkward character; he was the nerd of the family to say. He adores cuddles; affection in general.

Albus, he looked just like his father. Black-dark brown curly lengthy hair, bright green eyes, tanned skin; although he didn’t need glasses like his father.

Albus was also an awkward figure; which ended up was a great key with getting along with Scorpius. Albus is much more isolated with himself; his father’s fame places way too much pressure onto the family; even James struggles with it.

As it was said, during the holidays Scorpius and Albus had sleep overs at each other houses; usually taking turns.

It was their 4th year into Hogwarts; they only just announced their relationship a few months earlier.

{—-}

“Hey Al can we watch one of those muggle movies you have?? You said you would show me!” Scorp jumped on Albus’ bed filled with excitement; grinning adorably at him.

“Sure” Albus rolled his eyes, laughing. He scattered around his room to find the movies which was laying around; romcons (Albus you sap) and horror movies mostly. He placed the collection of movies down onto the bed, “Which one? They’re mostly romcons and horror/thriller though..”

Scorpius tilted his head, glancing at the movies; he flinched when he saw the horror movie title covers.“Those ones look pretty scary..” He gulped at them, as he pouted his red lips.

“They’re not scary at all- just a bunch of affects used to try to scare the audience” Albus shrugged at his worry, “Hmm, I’m sure you’ll be fine with them–”

“Okay.. If you say so” Scorpius bited his lips, fiddling his fingers awkwardly as he glanced around the room.

“This one is probably the least ‘scariest’ out of them” Albus sighed, cracking open the black-tar-coloured case, revealing the movie, 'Sinister’.

“Are you sure?” He muttered out, looking a little provoked by the title and cover.

“Yes, I’m sure- I’ve seen it multiple times” he assured, placing the disc in a dvd player which looked like it hasn’t been used in a while. They’re wizards after all; not exactly muggles.

“O-okay” he cracked out, he sneaked under the heavy sheets; waiting for Albus to come back.

Albus crawled under the sheets as the movie started to play, bringing Scorpius close to his chest; he knows there’s a chance that the movie will freak out Scorp.

And what he thought; was correct.Scorpius was extremely freaked and uncomfortable with the movie.He has at least hid his head against Albus’ chest five or six times during the duration of it. There was even one point where he looked like he was going to cry.

At the end of the movie, Scorpius looked much more paler than his normal pale skin; his body was in a complete shake.

“Wh-why Albus??” He shaked, clenching onto Albus’ shirt; he’s absolutely petrified.

“Sorry, darling- I thought at least this one you’ll be fine with…” Albus apologized. He calmly stroked his hand down Scorpius’ wavy blonde hair, “Nothing what you saw was real, just all affects, Darling..”

A croaked noise came from the side of Albus’ room; Scorpius jumped suddenly.

“..dO YOU THINK LILY GOT POSSESSED??– Oh GOD!–” Scorpius yelped loudly, holding his head with pure fear.

“Scorp.. Scorpius, calm down.. It’s probably just a mouse or something. They’re typical in households. Just– I’ll go see what the noise was” Albus stated, he lazily slid down off the cozy bed; lurking around to see if there was anything a noise would be coming from.

“Hmm, I don’t see anything..” He mumbled, scanning the wooden plank floors of his room. He trotted out of the room before quickly entering back, “James just dropped something heavy and now he’s in agony cause he dropped it on his toe” Albus laughed, hopping next to Scorpius.

“Ouch..” Scorp mumbled back to him, hugging at his stomach, “So Lily isn’t getting possessed?– no weird drawings or anything??”

“No, no weird drawings” Albus smiled at Scorp, pressing his lips against his pale forehead; brushing his thin away from his face.

“That’s good…” Scorpius grinned; although he’s not going to be sleeping tonight.

“I love you so much” he smothered him in butterfly kisses, leaving pecks on the cheeks.

“I love you too, darling..” Scorpius sighed contently, resting his head peacefully against Albus’ chest.

Sorry it took so long though.I never had the motivation cause I was on school holidays. :’))(Sorry for any grammatical errors as well) #scorbus

[vias-words]

Can we get directors commentary on forty years?

Ooh, I’m excited to talk about this one! It’s definitely one of my favorite fics I’ve written. I was up way past the time I normally go to sleep to write this because once I got on a roll with it, I didn’t want to stop! I have SO much to talk about so buckle up and let’s get started :)

Spoiler warning! I will be putting the commentary below the cut since it will give away the whole plot. But here is the link if anyone wants to read along!

Forty Years by Vias_words on AO3

The idea came to me when I was thinking about the quote  "Still, if I had to choose a companion to be at the return of eternal darkness with, I'd choose you." I’ll be honest, I’m not a huge fan of act 4 compared to the other acts. I think it’s got a little too much plot convenience in it which always irked me a bit as a writer. I totally understand why it’s done this way because it’s made for the stage and works on the stage (Forty Years definitely would not) but on paper I wasn’t thrilled. But, it does have some lovely quotes. So I started wondering about alternatives to act 4, specifically focusing on the Scorpius line about being companions and Albus’ line right before it:  "As pleasurable as it will be to hide in a hole with you for the next forty years...” 

What if Albus and Scorpius couldn’t find a way to send a message to Harry and Ginny? What if they were well and truly stuck in the past?

I could have taken this in the dark route that was intended by “the return of eternal darkness” but that would require the whole wizarding history to be changed and that was a little too ambitious. Plus, I really wanted to focus on the relationship between Albus and Scorpius over the years, specifically as “companions” both trapped in this weird world where the only other person they can really trust to understand their situation is each other. So I decided to go on a more domestic route with a mix of fluff and angst, which still required Delphi to be defeated.

I didn’t want Albus and Scorpius to kill her: they’re far too young and innocent to have to go through that. Not to mention, they don’t have their wands. So I needed a magicless alternative way for them to defeat her. Bathilda was specifically mentioned in the play and I thought that was a perfect opportunity for them to go to her to seek help. I also loved the idea of this little old lady straight-up murking Delphi for these two strange boys from the future. I think it would be hard to convince her at first because she’s a very smart witch and this sounds entirely crazy but I think seeing Albus and making the connection to James and Lily (she lived right next door and went to Harry’s first birthday party!) could convince her. Plus it was a nice call back to everyone comparing Harry to his parents. And Albus is able to accept the fact that he looks so much like his father and be able to use it for good for once, rather than hating the attention it brought him. We love a bit of sneaky character development!

After the threat of Delphi is gone, it really hits the boys that they are trapped in time. As far as they know, there is no other time tuner and there’s no way for their parents to know where they are. There would definitely be a long period of mourning before they could adjust which is why I thought that living with Bathilda would be the best option. No one else can know about their situation and I think she’d be very caring to the boys as if they were her own grandsons. But she’d eventually want them to go back to Hogwarts for a bit of a normal childhood and so they could learn more magic. I liked the idea of their new lives at Hogwarts feeling flipped from how it was back in their timeline. No one knows who they are so they aren’t bullied and are able to make more friends. It’s a small but impactful benefit in their new lives but still takes a toll on them because they can’t truly be themselves--they are Syrus and Alaric and have to stick to some weird made-up backstory.

From what they know about time travel as laid out by the place (not so much the rules in POA), one little misstep, like talking to Hermione at the first task or embarrassing Cedric, can make a huge impact on the future. They don’t want that to happen again. If they make too much of an impact on someone else’s life or in the world, they risk changing history for even which, at worst, could lead to their parent's lives being affected or to Albus or Scorpius not being born at all. Their goal is just to make it through life to get back to their parents in 2020 so they can explain what happened. They aren’t really able to see themselves having a normal life or future as much as they might want it.

That doesn’t stop them from trying, of course. Scorpius definitely wants to when he starts dating Elaine. Albus disapproves of this from the start. He justifies his feelings by saying it’s just because of the timeline but it’s actually rooted his feelings for Scorpius. He’d jealous that someone else--who, by all means technically shouldn’t know they exist--is getting the attention that he wants. 

The relationship and the general stress on the boys would definitely cause them to lash out at each other eventually. We see this at the train station. But even when they fight, they always come back around because, in the end, they are bound by their experiences. They are the only people they can be themselves around and are closer than anyone else. Their secrecy eventually leads to Elaine breaking up with Scorpius. He can’t open up to her, or introduce her to his family, and is obviously hiding something. I think Scorpius knew their breakup was inevitable, but it was nice to pretend to have a normal life for once and Elaine was that escape he needed. 

Albus is the opposite in a way, he seeks comfort from what he knows about his old life--thinking about reuniting with his family, looking back on his Hogwarts experience in his own timeline, and, of course, leaning of Scorpius for support. On the other hand, Scorpius tries to fit in more in his new life by making friends and being with Elaine--thinking of his own timeline I think upsets him more because he’s reminded that his father is all alone. But with their two viewpoints, they balance each other out. It switches sometimes, which is only natural, but there is always one of them acting as the voice of reason which is so desperately needed.

That being said, their future is still so unclear to them that it’s hard to judge just what is reasonable and what is the correct way to go about things--this has never really happened before and it’s not like they can get advice from anything. One line that sticks out to me from chapter 8 is Albus saying, "I don't know what's best anymore. No one does." Being confused and having their pent up mixed feelings about the world is such a huge thing in their lives. So when Scorpius kisses Albus, he immediately thinks it’s a mistake. We find out later why--he’s afraid that Albus will break up with him and he’ll be alone for real. But in the moment, he’s confused--is this the best choice or has he just messed everything up? He can’t lose Albus in the way he lost Elaine. Not to mention the different views in the 80′s (I considered mentioning the AIDs crisis but that seemed a bit too heavy and I wasn’t confident that I could do it justice, but it is an important thing to remember about this time).

As always Albus and Scorpius, can’t stay mad for long and still go on to live together after Hogwarts. I purposely put in a time gap, in between which Albus would likely hold some resentment towards that night when he got so close to having Scorpius share his feelings. But he can’t lose his best friend so they stay together with the lingering awkwardness between them. During that time, going to the muggle world seemed like the best option as they would be much less likely to affect anything in their parent's lives as they would be in the wizarding world. I wanted to give them jobs that they’d like but would also not make a huge impact on time. In the story, they don’t know about the other time turner but I wanted to make sure that once their parents are able to go back and rescue them, very few lives would be majorly impacted after the loss of “Syrus” and “Alaric” (ex. if Scorpius became a healer and helped cure people, if he was erased from the timeline, those people might end up never being helped). Librarian works for geeky Scorpius and bartender works for my headcanon of Albus being good at potions. During this time we get a peek at domestic Scorbus, their pining, and Albus’ jealousy when Scorpius gets attention from women. Although Scorpius wouldn’t date anyone because of the timeline (and his crush on Albus), the fact that he has the potential to date makes Albus upset because he doesn’t think he has the same chances. He blames it on the time they live in but really, I’m sure he could find a man, but he’s too stuck on his feelings for Scorpius to ever try.

For 1994, I opened with Albus describing himself as looking too much like his father. I think that would be something he struggles with because it reminds him of home and how long it’s been since he’s actually seen his father--but yet he still sees him every time he passes a mirror. (This drawing of adult Albus by Marisdrawings was stuck my head writing this)I took more time to describe how Albus looks/dresses here because I like to think the 90s would be his favorite decade in terms of style. I also wanted to show how he’s changed from an angsty insecure wizard to being much more confident in himself as an adult living as a muggle. But he’s still got that edge to him which I think never truly fades. And Scorpius loves that. I believe that he sees Albus as having more confidence that him--feeling more comfortable with his life and sexuality than Scorpius does. And that’s very attractive to him because it’s what he wants most in life--confidence and stability. It’s what they’ve both need and find in each other. But when Scorpius kisses him again he is reminded of all his insecurities and fears, especially when Albus gets angry again. Albus doesn’t want a repeat of last time and Scorpius thinks that, by acting on his feelings, Albus will eventually leave him. I just loved this chapter so much because this is where the floodgates finally break open and everything that’s been pent up finally spills out. They do love each other and always have and finally, they can accept it and come together.

I knew I wanted to write a chapter in 1998 because that’s a huge year in wizarding history, especially for their parents. That whole decade, they’ve been keeping up with the news, knowing their parents are out there living the lives they grew up hearing about. It would be a struggle, especially for Albus, to stay disconnected from that. He wishes he could witness more of his father’s life to understand him better or to give him some help--or just to see his family again. It’s tempting but they still have 20 years to go until they can see them again. There’s no alternative to the path they chose to take now--it’s just a waiting game. 

But, as much as Albus might wish he could be back in his own timeline, there’s so much he’s thankful for in his new life. He’s with Scorpius, living a life on his own, and he could never regret that. But he also sees the mistakes he made as a child and realizes he can’t just call up his father an apologize for their arguments and tell him he always loved him--he’s matured a lot since his father last saw him. There’s both good and bad in their lives and he just has to accept that and find happiness in what he has.

Fast forward to 2007. Scorpius is a plant dad, a dog dad, and now wants to be a real dad. He’s so caring and just wants to care for something else, especially as an adult seeing other people his age with kids. He wants that for him and Albus too--to have that bit of normalcy in their relationship and to give a child the love he’d lost after he got stuck in time. There is a possibility that they could have adopted a kid since, in their minds, they would never get their old lives back (and a muggle child wouldn’t affect his father’s life much if at all), buuuut as the writer, I knew what the ending would be. I couldn’t have a child lose their fathers when the timeline was repaired. If they had a kid, they never would have decided to be rescued back in 1981. The life of their child would matter more than fixing their own.

Going off of that, I remember someone commented about them considering having children before marriage which brings us to the proposal in 2014. As out of order as it may have seemed, gay marriage wasn’t legal until 2014 and the time they would most likely have kids would be between their 30s and 40s. By 2014, they are almost 50 and have basically already been husbands for years now--just not legally. If anything, the proposal is more of a gesture, since their relationship has already been as close as a married couple--their soulmates, together for life whether the government recognizes that or not. But I loved the idea of them going back to Godric’s Hollow since it’s their childhood home. A lot of bad happened there but a lot of good did too. It was the start of their story and this is their way of associating one of their happiest memories in a place that also contained their worst. Reclaiming it in a way, I guess.

And the lights in this scene--from the streetlamps to the colorful glow of the stained glass--also have meaning. Albus calls Scorpius his light, referencing back to the “eternal darkness” and, one of my favorite lines “light in the darkness.” It really emphasizes how they found the good, especially in each other, in the darkness of their lives. 

Finally, 2020...there’s a lot to unpack here but this is already such a long post that I will try to keep it short. This day would be so surreal to them--they’ve waited so long and pictured the day they could finally reunite with their families. But they also know that their understanding of the events would be completely different than their parents, who have only been missing their children for a few hours not years. In fact, Albus and Scorpius are more mature than their parents which is weird to think about--they are older and have lived a whole crazy life that their parents would never be able to fully understand. And their parents almost don’t even recognize them (I mean, if your 14-year-old son showed up on your doorstep suddenly 40 years older, would you?!). But, calling back to the first chapter, it’s Albus’ eyes that causes Ginny to be the first to accept their story. 

I like that they are able to joke about the situation a bit because it shows how they’ve accepted what became of their life. Sure, it’s a real shock to their parents but Albus and Scorpius have spent more time as Alaric and Syrus than they ever did as themselves in their own timeline. This became their new normal, despite all the years they wanted to reject the truth of the matter. 

Albus and Scorpius would have told them about their whole lives if there hadn’t been the second time turner. But it became more special, something to keep between them, once it was accepted that they would be rescued. They’d accepted their lives, yes, but they knew it wasn’t the life they were meant to live. They were happy with it enough to give it up--give them the chance to live again with their families, with a better chance of happiness and less hardship. And for their parents--who would miss out on the entire lives of their children if they hadn’t gone back. 

Harry, Ginny, and Draco would always remember the visit from the old Scorpius and Albus, so it was better that they didn’t know the whole of what took place in those 40 years--once they were rescued, that whole timeline would be extinct anyway. They wanted their families to have very little knowledge of what happened to them because it would leave them with little expectations of the boys--free to experience life alongside them with no preconceived notions or understandings of what might become of them. To see how time would play out on its own, with no influence from alternate versions of themselves. 

They are satisfied with what they have and accepted that this is where their current lives would effectively end, but they are willing to give that up for the prospect of an even better future. Deep down, I’m sure that they know they will be together no matter the timeline. Which is why only Ginny is told that (or, rather figures out that) they are married--Albus and Scorpius want to be able to get together and come out on their own without their parents already expecting them to be together and out of all the parents--that’s such a big and important moment for them that they want their younger selves to experience naturally. I think Ginny would be the best at keeping that secret. 

The scene when they are finally left alone, facing their pending fate was one I had in my head from the very start--what I’d originally written down when I came up with the idea. As I said, it’s bittersweet. But they are together, and that’s all that matters to them because they know that together they can face any challenge. In a way, it’s not Albus Potter and Scorpius Malfoy who are “dying”--it’s Alaric and Syrus Bagshot (and yes, Albus definitely took the name Bagshot when they got married to honor Bathilda.) So when they fade out of existence, they are satisfied with what they have and are looking forward to what their next life will bring--their real life. This is the eternal darkness they knew they’d have to face, it’s just forty years later than they expected. But this time, they are ready for it because the darkness isn’t all that bad.

Do I want to cry rereading this? Maybe...But I love it just the same.

And I almost left it there and made it an open ending. But I’m not that evil and thought there should be some closure, so I brought it full circle back to 1981. Albus is lamenting about the situation just long enough to feel an extreme amount of joy and relief when his parents show up. It will still be a lesson and experience they will never forget, but it’s far less traumatizing than what they went through in the other timeline. And I don’t think anyone will tell them about what happened until they are much older--perhaps Ginny will mention it shortly after their wedding day once everything comes together as they should.

---

WOW that was a whole ass essay, I’m sorry to just unload that on you when you probably only wanted something half this size!! I just really feel passionate about this story and could go on about it forever so I apologize for this rambling mess. I feel like an English teacher, picking out all the meaning and symbolism I didn’t even realize I’d written but there’s just so much that can be said. Anywayyysss hopefully I didn’t bore you to sleep, I just love my boys sm...

That concludes my TED talk. Thank you for this ask ❤

[staircasesymphony-blog]

promises - scorbus oneshot

I am not new to fanfic, but I am new to both tumblr fanfic and scorbus/cursed child!

1430 words. PG. Albus Severus Potter/Scorpius Malfoy. Mostly pre-slash (aka like the ENTIRE PLAY is.)

Synopsis: The worst thing, Albus thinks, about living with Malfoy the Unanxious in the aftermath of… whatever their fourth year was, is his increasing fondness for emotional warfare. 

Available @AO3 or under the cut.

“So, will you come?”

The worst thing, Albus thinks, about living with Malfoy the Unanxious in the aftermath of… whatever their fourth year was, is his increasing fondness for emotional warfare.

“I said I would, didn’t I?”

Albus has his face half buried in his trunk, aimlessly swiping past socks and t-shirts of dubious cleanliness, but Scorpius keeps appearing in his eye-line anyway, with his infuriatingly eager smile and his jumper with the slightly too short sleeves. Albus sits back on his knees, huffing a breath out and bracing his hands on the edge of the trunk, grateful for the dig of the wood into his palms.

“It’s just, it’s my first match, Albus. Big day. BIG day.”

“And your point is?”

Scorpius had lain his Quidditch kit out on his bed the moment he’d woken that morning. Hair still pillow fussed and pyjama top unbuttoned at the neck. Albus hadn’t failed to notice the way Scorpius’ eyes had been darting back to the display throughout the conversation. As if he was still worried it might all be a dream. As if Flint was going to come barging into the room to point, laugh, and tell him it had been a joke all along.

Albus knows Scorpius feels like that, because if it were him? Well. He would too.

“My point…” Scorpius falters, perching on the edge of the bed, his knee inches from Albus’ chin. “My point is that you don’t much like Quidditch, Albus. You’ve not been to any of my practice sessions…”

“Was I supposed to?”

Scorpius just looks at him.

“It would’ve been nice.”

Albus can think of a lot of things he’d call nice. His Dad’s soup, Christmas at the Weasley’s, the moment when you first slip into the covers after you’ve cast a warming charm… But watching Scorpius practice?

Well.

“Sorry?” He tries, because he’s learnt it goes a long way with Scorpius. A little admission of fault, a smidgen of regret…

Scorpius snorts, tapping his hands twice on his thighs before he stands up, adjusting his robes around him, pulled in tight.

“What a heartfelt apology. I truly am blessed.”

“You’re not mad are you?” Albus sighs, abandoning his search for the perfect pair of socks and pulling out the first his hand lands on. They’ve a hole in the toe and he’s fairly certain their James’, but they’ll do the job.

“No, not really.” Scorpius admits, already back to hovering over his kit, brushing imaginary lint of the front of his jersey. He levels a finger at Albus, smile creeping into his cheeks, lighting up his eyes. “But I will be if you’re not there this afternoon.”

“Should I swear an unbreakable vow, or will a pinky promise do?” Albus returns, trying to lean casually against the bed post, crossing his arms. It’s something he’s trying now. Cool, confident, Albus who doesn’t do things like trip over his feet in the common room. Minimal effort, maximum effect.

Scorpius sees right through it, of course.

“A pinky promise…” Scorpius grins. “…will suffice.”

He approaches with a little finger extended, catching Albus’ ankle in the process and entirely disrupting the suave scene he’d had in his head.

Scorpius snorts, then nods at Albus’ now flailing hands.

“Well?”

Albus sighs, brings their little fingers together. Tries not to think about the whisper of breath he can feel on his face when they’re this close. Tries not to think of how Scorpius has him crowded a little against the bedpost.

Tries not to think of the tingle he feels whenever they touch these days.

Because the new picture Albus has of them in his head? He thinks it might be a little different to the one Scorpius has.

“So, will you come?”

Albus snaps out of his reverie, ignoring the slightly curious look Scorpius is throwing in his direction. A smile. Soft and, he hopes, reassuring.

“Of course.”

***

The morning passes uneventfully. Albus encourages Scorpius to eat more porridge and Rose clucks at them as she passes their table, shaking her head like she knows something they don’t. One by one the members of the Slytherin team take their leave, their friends waving them off as if they were going to war, not down to the Quidditch pitch.

Albus thinks they all take it far too seriously, if he’s honest.

When Scorpius eventually rises from the table it’s without the refined grace the other players had displayed. He knocks over a pot of jam and nearly trips of a wayward black cat, which hisses loudly before bolting from the room.

If Malfoys could pale, Albus thinks Scorpius would.

“Fantastic.” He mutters. “An excellent omen for my day. Perhaps I should just…”

“Nope.” Albus smiles, grabbing at Scorpius’ arm in what he hopes is a reassuring manner. “Go and put your kit on Scorpius.”

“Right.” He nods, body shaking vigourously. “Right.”

Albus watches Scorpius’ retreating figure with a smile, and his breath only hitches a little when his friend looks back.

***

The Quidditch stands are cold and wet, and Albus wishes (not for the first time) that he was a little better at water repelling spells.

He’s managed to keep his hair dry, and his robes seem to be holding out, but there’s no hope for his shoes. He can feel the water level rising up his foot, and each time he shifts he hears a squelch.

“Thought I’d find you here. Is that a Quidditch jersey I see under there?”

Albus flushes as his brother takes the seat next to him, flashes of red in a sea of green.

“What are you doing here?”

“Thought you might need someone to explain the rules to you, mate.”

James’ grin is infuriating and infectious all at the same time, and Albus does his best to return it, wondering if his facial expression has landed at constipated or confused, and which is worse.

“Strangely enough I do know the rules, James. Might be something to do with it being all you ever t-.”

He’s cut off by the blaring fanfare erupting from the magically amplified speakers, drawing out even his thoughts.

“Are. You. Ready?!?” The announcer (a Gryffindor from his brother’s year with a grand collection of Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes paraphernalia) demands, as the teams begin to emerge from the tunnel leading to the changing rooms. “The first match of the season is FINALLY here, and Hufflepuff seem more than ready to ravage the fine fellows from the Slytherin team, with their captain…”

But Albus doesn’t hear anymore. His eyes are fixed on the blur of green and silver with a shock of blonde hair zipping around the perimeter of the pitch, and they don’t falter until well after the snitch is caught.

***

Albus’ ears are still ringing when Scorpius finally appears in their dormitory. The small room seems even quieter than usual in comparison to the roar of the stadium, and when he finally speaks the volume of his own voice surprises him.

“You were brilliant!”

It’s a squeak, if he’s honest. A very uncouth sound for a cool and casual 16 year old.

“You thought so?”

Scorpius smile manages to be shy and blazing all at once, and it takes Albus a moment to recover.

“Yes, and so did James!”

“James? Your brother?”

“Do you know another James?”

“No.” Scorpius smiles, setting down his kit bag next to his bed. “I suppose I don’t.”

His hair is wet - from the showers or the rain Albus can’t tell - and he seems to hold himself taller than he had that morning.

“I mean it though.” Albus grins, stepping forward to meet Scorpius, going a step further than he might’ve done without the adrenaline of the match coursing through his veins. “Really outstanding. Best Quidditch I’ve ever seen.”

Scorpius snorts.

“Only Quidditch you’ve ever seen.”

“Yes,” Albus smiles “that too.”

A crack of lightning snaps outside, illuminating them both in a watery glow. Albus swallows.

“Thank you for coming today, Albus.” Scorpius says, a hand coming up to squeeze his friend’s upper arm, strong fingers callused from his broom. His eyes are bright, and his cheeks a little flushed. “It meant a lot to me.”

He opens his mouth to reply, but doesn’t get past the first syllable before the door to their room is flung open, their dorm mates flying in, Slytherin Quidditch chants filling the room like a symphony.

The moment is broken, but Albus doesn’t mind.

The spot on his arm where Scorpius’ fingers gripped is still warm.

And it feels like a promise.

[madmazmind]

Cursed child recap 1/07/17

Sorry it has taken so long to finish this! I had my last deadline of the year yesterday!

I only managed to hold off for a week because I’m so excited about these actors. The talent is real, guys! So, lets talk about a few scenes in this one which are quite different from the originals but super innovative and ones to watch.

1) The blanket argument:

Theo’s Albus isn’t angry at the start of this scene, he just looks super lost when he’s sat on his bed on his own. He looks genuinely confused at the love potion (which I get, like, why is his uncle telling him he can’t find a partner without it?!) and allows his dad to sit on his bed and explain about the blanket. Jamie explains it calmly and during this Theo just looks like “what? Why?” He is GAGGING for his dad to understand him. “This invisibility cloak makes sense” line is really poignant because it’s just like him saying “you understand James and Lily, why can’t you understand me?” but Harry just doesn’t get it. It looks like Albus doesn’t want to get angry but is forced to because he clashes with his dad so much, which is a really new and intriguing take on the scene.

As previously mentioned, Jamie is a lot quieter and I REALLY loved the contrast when he finally go angry and shouted at Albus and it broke my heart when Albus shouted back.

2) The staircase ballet:

These are not my words (whoever’s words they are please credit yourself!): Sam and Anto were friend-soulmates, Samuel and Theo and pining will-be lovers. This is in the most adorable way. They HOLD eye contact at the bit where they stand at the top of the stairs and they rotate. It’s so adorable and looks like the boys are testing one another and the longing is absolutely perfect. It makes Harrys actions seem even harsher, because if he’d ever seen his son with Scorpius he would know how wrong he was keeping them apart. The sob in this scene too when they’re on stage separately, breaking 1,400 hearts no doubt!

3) The library argument

Well I did say this would be one to watch.

It really affected me and I couldn’t even see Theo’s face most of the time from my seat. Samuel is quiet and very emotion-driven. He does this amazing thing where he pauses before he talks about his mother like he’s psyching himself up to do it because its not something he’s comfortable with. It makes it seem like an intimate moment in a beautiful way. It also made me feel a bit voyeuristic- like it’s a very private moment between the two of them and that again, something new had passed between them. And Theo’s quiet, heartfelt and slightly taken aback reaction really fits. Samuels facial expressions and subtle but more than enough to make us see the pain he’s experiencing and he makes me believe, without doubt, that in that moment he is Scorpius and that this would be a story of a real boy.

Then Theo turned around so that I could see his face and it was just broken. I need to see this from the other side of the auditorium ASAP. He’s such a pleasure to watch. Honestly his understanding of Albus is so deep and new and wonderful. And he’s going to keep growing in that which is SO exciting!

4) Act 4, Scene 14

I’m going to start with saying that I LOVE where Helen takes Rose in this scene. You really see a lot of her personality in those few seconds. She is really sweet- I mean she looks sweet but her body language makes me believe she’s 14. After she says “ok, Scorpion King” she sort of giggle/snorts and mumbles “no” and runs off laughing. It’s brilliant because it works with Sameos scorbus. I know I ship it but they REALLY play them gayer than Samanto in a subtle, adorable way. It might be purely because Theo’s Albus is more affectionate but I’m not sure exactly what it is yet.

Oh and the lapsitting you’ve been seeing is Samuels answer of the flailing “draw me like one of your French girls” when Rose comes on. Because they deliver the previous lines physically much closer together she enters and he flails and sits more or less on Theo’s lap. Its adorable- like he’s subconsciously asking his friend for protection. Makes sense because I’m sure girls are terrifying to all 14 year old boys! Its really, really cute and I’m excited to see the three of them adding more quirks to the scene.

5) The torture scene

It’s really interesting to see Samuel and Theo have to be loud and emotional and they rise to it in a way that I think their versions of those characters actually would. Samuel screams and moves around like he’s actually in so much pain and Theo just looks helpless.

Annabel is actually terrifying in this. Like properly scary Theo may not even be acting very much. She’s dropped the face make-up too and she doesn’t need it at all to look like she’s got serious issues and be very powerful. She’s doing wandless magic and being really physical with Albus. Yes, she does slap him in the owlery and (I think but may be making up) just before she tortures Scorpius. She’s also making Albus watch Scorpius being tortured by pointing at him first. I can’t wait for her to push this scene.

Some other things….

I’m really enjoying Mark Theadore’s performance. He’s the swagger-sorting hat that I’m really appreciating. And his Hagrid is BIG. Like really big! From the front of the stalls you can really see how young Harry would be afraid at first. His accent is on point and he takes his time delivering the lines in the cot scene, which when you’re already upset, is the last, brilliant, straw.

Emma, Emma, Emma… I like her. The scene when they realise what the blanket says was fantastic and her chemistry with Jamie is there. I think I feel the same about her as the 2nd time I saw Theo- so close to there and I’m excited! She’s figuring out who her Ginny is and it’s different but valid. Really I liked her so much more.

Rakie and Thomas are still perfect and still growing. I think my next round-up will focus more on the 2nd timeline because they’re rocking that.

In the scene where the boys jump off the train, April and Rupert are at the back of the train (new James LL and Annabel) and are my new OTP. They just flirt the whole scene and she spends a lot of time covering her face with her scarf I love it.

Sarah Meile’s Polly Chapman is adorable and flirty and a great addition to the character.

We don’t deserve James Phoon. He is a gift to the fandom! Or April. Or Rupert. They’re so brilliant and lovely.

I live for Mackley’s 1st task shout-outs.