#katriona cassiopeia

[judediangelo75]

Day One: Quidditch

I said I was gonna attempt this challenge for @hphm-ship-week and by the corner of Jesus' pure white robe, I was gonna do it. I'm cutting it close with Day One and I might have gotten a *little* inspired to write this one.

I'm not gonna do a lot of yapping, I'm half-dead as is. Hope you guys enjoy this Kendrick Lives AU installment. (Might as well be my new main storyline).

Word Count: 8,316

Featured MCs: David Willows, Phoenix Lang ( @that-scouse-wizard ) and Katriona Cassiopeia ( @kc-and-co )

Main Pairing: Talbott Winger x Judith Harris (Talith)

Side Relationships: Merula Synde x David Willows (subtle), Murphy McNully x Katriona Cassiopeia (subtle), and plenty of friendship

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Whenever Quidditch season rolls around in the magical school called Hogwarts, you can expect a lot of excitement and hype. The students would crowd their section of the respective house with colored face paint or some Quidditch-afflicted gear to cheer on the players on the field. There was always a sense of friendly rivalry, with its occasional resentment when it comes to a reigning champion. But nothing comes from it. 

The Quidditch pitch is the last place you would ever expect a Ravenclaw loner to be.

Let alone amid the Hufflepuff House section. Wearing one of their player's jackets magically sized up to fit his frame. Next to a Slytherin witch wearing a matching jacket to the boot.

But that was before he started dating a Quidditch player.

Talbott would've gladly flown under the radar during his school years at Hogwarts. But fate decided that would be too boring for him. He was given two years of peace until his third year. Where two Hufflepuffs were searching for him, Hogwarts Curebreakers.

David Willows and Judith Harris. The latter is more infamously known as "Scarface". 

Granted, Talbott knew about these two Hufflepuffs... but Judith proved to make a bigger splash than her Housemate. From what Talbott understood, Judith had the habit of hiding the left side of her face with her hair for the first few months of their first year. It wasn't until a fateful day in October, that a group of Slytherins and Gryffindors found a new target. Judith tried escaping the group, only for one of the boys to grab her by the ponytail, causing her hairstyle to fall apart.

Revealing the most nastiest burn scar anyone has seen. On a child, nonetheless.

To make a long story short, those group of boys learned quickly not to piss off a girl—a Hufflepuff girl, at that.

After that day, rumors about her scar spread across the school like wildfire. And she was christened with her new nickname, Scarface.

But that day in the Great Hall was the first time Talbott properly saw the young witch face to face. Even Talbott's impeccable poker face couldn't hide the surprise upon seeing her face. The large scar covered about half of her face and went back to her ear. Surprisingly, her brow was present, but a bit spotty in some places. Her eye was forced into a permanent glare, he could barely make out the gold of her iris (even though that particular eye looked a bit paler than its twin).

But that wasn't the thing that stole Talbott's attention. It was the almost painfully shy look on her face. Her brows were drawn close together as her lips were pulled down in a timid frown. Her fingers were fiddling with the multiple solid plain rings she had on. Her eyes...

Talbott could see that she was nervous, but there was a particular warmth that seemed to be reserved for just for him. It was confusing but...

He couldn't help but secretly like it. Even though he wasn't ready to admit it.

Took a while for the Ravenclaw to properly acknowledge his feelings for the Hufflepuff witch. With the encouragement of Andre and David, he finally asked Judith out on a date. While it left a lot to be desired (*cough* Tonks *cough*), Talbott enjoyed being close to his date. Amid their growing closeness, that meant Talbott was slowly being sucked into the world of Quidditch. Granted, Andre has been trying to get him to come to a match and teach him the mechanics of the game since the start of their friendship, but Talbott turned him down almost every time. But now with Judith as his blatant love interest... Talbott couldn't help to be a little curious about the sport the wizarding world seem so crazy about.

Honestly when Talbott learned that Judith was the famous "Tigress", he was skeptical. Tigress is one of Hufflepuff's Beaters, one of their best Beaters in many years. With the few snippets of information, Andre tried forcing down his throat, Talbott knew that Beaters were strong. They had to be to beat back iron spheres formerly known as Blooders (Andre would be happy to know that he was learning something, at least). Tigress, like her fellow Beater Hound (who Talbott came to learn was David), was incredibly strong with a deadly aim. A lot of people say it was as if she could interpret the Bludgers movements, knowing when and where to strike. 

Talbott couldn't keep the suspicious look out of his eye for anything when Judith said that she was Tigress during their date. He never asked her about her scar but he had eyes. And he could see that her left eye left her a little impaired. It was the one time he made the girl feel subconscious about herself during their date, which he internally slapped himself for as she turned the left side of her face away from his view.

"I know it sounds hard to believe that I'm Tigress, but I have no reason to lie to you. After my... incident, it took some time to even learn to properly walk. My coordination and balance was terrible. Before, I could only see the vague shadows of shapes. After you helped me become an Animagus, it surprisingly helped my vision in my left eye, though not by much. The outline of shapes are a bit sharper if it's close enough to me and I can kinda see colors if it's bright enough, but there are times my vision will get a little blurry. My dad, along with my little brother and stepdad, spent a lot of time helping me adjust to my scar after I first got it. I was determined not to let it hinder me, though. Papa was the first to train me to be a Beater. I spent the entire summer before second year so I would have a chance to prove myself... to show that I won't be a liability if I was chosen."

Talbott felt like a bastard for doubting the girl, something that she probably felt for years. After stumbling over his apology, he asked if he could watch her play or at least practice if she was comfortable with that. He wanted to understand her and be there for her if she would let him.

And to his pleasant surprise, she readily agreed. 

During that time, Quidditch season was long over. Normally around that time of the year, Judith and David were trying to break the latest curse that befell the school in hopes of finding their brothers. But Judith was human.

A human who was very familiar with stress.

Beating dummies with Bludgers seemed to be one of her many stress relievers. The first time he was invited to watch her practice, he was silently surprised. It was slowly starting to warm up as winter turned to spring in Scotland. Judith was already stretching, seemingly counting the seconds in her mind before switching forms. A yellow sleeveless crop top molded to her upper body and a pair of black athletic tights hugged her legs with black running shoes adorned her feet, presumably for comfort. Her long locs were maneuvered into a low ponytail by a yellow silk ribbon. Granted, Talbott had only seen Judith outside of her usual class robes only a handful of times, but he had rarely seen her show so much of her body and skin until recently.

While being only 15, Judith had muscles a lot of guys in their year and possibly older wished had. But the muscles didn't make her seem like a boy, rather it added to the curves her body was slowly displaying as she matured into a young woman. The dress she wore to their date made him feel like he was hit with the Stupefy spell. Her workout outfit seemed to have a similar effect.

But watching her practice?

Nothing could get him to look away from her. She easily slipped into the familiar notion of her practice exercise. She had three Bludgers sent out, each coming towards her with terrifying speed. Talbott couldn't remember all the details of Quidditch but he can safely assume getting hit by one of those iron spheres meant an overnight stay in the Hospital Wing. But Judith stepped into her swings with the confidence and swagger of the best duelists or even a Quidditch pro. Confident, focused, and calculating. He did take note that she would duck on a rare occasion when she took a misstep and leaned into her left side.

Gods know how much time has passed until Judith whipped out her wand and froze the Bludgers, which dropped to the ground with a frightening thud.

'I would love to never know what it's like to smack with one of those...'

Judith grabbed a water bottle before walking around and sitting next to the awestruck Ravenclaw.

"So what do you think," she asked before taking a swing of her water. He watched as her throat worked around the deep gulps of water she was taking in.

"Is it possible I can come to more of your training sessions?" Judith capped her nearly empty water bottle with a quirked brow.

"You actually like seeing me train? Watching me beat a bunch of Bludgers into some dummies can't be that entertaining," she insisted. Talbott felt a blush work its way onto his cheeks.

"I beg to differ... so is that a no," he said with an embarrassed cough. Judith narrowed her good eye at him before giving him a nod.

"You can come. I don't mind."

It soon became a part of Talbott's routine to sit in on Judith's practices. Talbott finds that she does alternate her routine. And got to witness the relationships with her Quidditch mates. 

Sometimes it'll be just her and the dummies. 

Other times, David would be present to train with her as well. Talbott could see the playful energy between the two Hufflepuffs, almost as if they were siblings. Most times, they would practice beating a Bludger to each other, while others the dummies will be involved. There were plenty of jabs and playful ribbing in their conversations. Whenever they were done, they would join Talbott in the grass for a quick chat until Judith's eyes would get droopy and David would give her a piggyback ride back to their Common Room. 

'Hate to cut the conversation short, mate, but this one needs her rest. C'mon Little Tigress. Time for your cat nap.' Talbott watched in quiet amusement as David shifted on his knees so he could allow the girl to crawl on his back before standing. The young witch yawned, nuzzling the back of her best mate's neck with an annoyed grumble.

'Mmmm... I'm not little, you stubborn git. Later bird boy...' With a cute little wave to the Ravenclaw, Judith allowed herself to be toted away to their shared Common Room. (Talbott would deny blushing at that nickname if you asked him)

Maybe even one (or both) of her on-sight Beater teachers, the fierce Erika Rath or the mischievous Phoenix Lang, would be present. Which he found strangely interesting as Erika and Phoenix were both well-known Beaters of the Houses of Slytherin and Gryffindor respectively, prodigies in their own right. Erika seemed more of the stern one of the two, more in charge of her training exercises while Phoenix would fill in the gaps where she could. Those sessions tended to be more intense as Erika tried to push Judith into using her left side more, which frustrated the Hufflepuff Beater greatly. Talbott knew it wasn't his place to question her mentor's methods but he couldn't help but to worry how close Judith would be to getting hit by the magical sphere of iron. The hits she was able to get in weren't always perfect as far as accuracy and impact. There were times when Talbott would witness Judith would drop to her knees with tears in her eyes. The first time it happened shocked him to his core, his heart ached at the sight.

'I-I-I can't! I can't see well, Rath!' Pale green eyes narrowed briefly before letting out a soft sigh. With a brief spell, the Bludger in use fell to the ground as Erika walked up to her mentee. The older witch rested a hand on her shoulder, giving it a brief squeeze as she glanced over to where Talbott was seated.

'Talbott, was it? Can you stay with her while I find Phoenix? I... I'm not exactly good at "comforting" as I would like to be.' Talbott nodded replacing Erika by the crying girl's side as she disappeared into the castle. 

'Little bird...?' Watery gold eyes glanced at him before Judith roughly started wiping her face to get rid of the evidence of the tears that seemed neverending.

'I-I'm sorry, I... I was hoping you wouldn't have to s-see me like t-this. I promise I'm not this weak-' The girl's ramble was brought to a halt as Talbott grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into a hug, tucking her face against his neck. The soft gasp that escaped her tickled the sensitive skin there.

'I want you to breathe with me, little bird. Can you do that for me?' Judith remained still for a moment before giving a shaky nod. Talbott took a slow, deep inhale, feeling the girl do the same. They held it for a few seconds before slowly releasing it. They did it a handful of times before Talbott felt the faint tremor in the girl's body disappear. He gently pulled her away from his neck to look at her face. The tears were still there, but they seemed to have slowed significantly. Gentle hands cupped her face, thumbing away the tears and dried tear tracks that remained. Shaky hands wrapped around Talbott's wrists before Judith leaned into his touch. With one last caress to her scarred cheek, Talbott pulled away a bit only to be surprised by the ironclad grip on his wrists. Judith's eyes reminded him of a wounded Hippogriff, wild with an underlying hint of fear.

"D-don't go... please, don't go...' she whimpered. Talbott leaned in again, brushing a soft kiss to her sweaty brow.

'Shhh, darling. I promise I'm not leaving you. But it would be best if you rehydrated, little bird. Let me grab some water for you.' Judith blinked slowly, recognition flashing in her eyes. She gave a timid nod before letting go of his wrists. Silently deciding not to get up and leaving his little bird's time, Talbott got out his wand to use the Summoning Charm instead. Judith took the bottle with a small thanks before taking small sips. When Talbott was sure she was okay, he tilted her chin up so she could look him in the eye.

'I'm not sure where your head is, exactly. But I want you to know that you're not weak. You're one of the strongest people I know and even strong people can cry sometimes. They can get overwhelmed sometimes. And that's okay. I would never think less of you, and you shouldn't either. I won't let you. Do you understand me, little bird?' Talbott watched as her eyes widened, the scar tissue surrounding her left eye stretching a bit. Judith pursed her lips before giving a nod. That wasn't good enough for the Ravenclaw wizard.

'Words, Judith. I need to hear you say it.' The girl winced at the firm tone before letting out a shaky sigh.

'I-I understand, Talbott. I... I'll do my best to take it easy on myself in these moments.' Talbott gave her a small smile before placing a small kiss on her cheek.

Not even a few moments later, Phoenix came into view while Erika trailed a few paces behind. The Gryffindor Beater fell to her knees before the couple, cerulean blue eyes studying the Hufflepuff's face intensely.

'Judith! Erika told me what happened, are you okay?!' Judith blushed as Phoenix cupped her face, fussing over her. Erika sat down by her rival, silently watching her with a hint of worry. Judith cleared her throat, pulling away before resting against Talbott's chest.

"I-I'm fine now... I just got overwhelmed, b-but Talbott helped me calm down.' The eyes of the older Beaters were suddenly trained on their "guest", who blushed under their intense gaze.

'I... I'm not too familiar with what caused her anxiety, I just knew I couldn't stand there and watch her cry. Judith means a lot to me. Great players can have bad days and she's entitled to have those days...' Phoenix gave the boy a delighted grin while a glimmer of respect can be seen in Erika's eyes.

'I think I like this one for her, Rath. What do you think?' The Slytherin Beater gave an amused snort at the matching blushes that could be seen on the duo's faces.

'As long as I don't always have to find you whenever she gets overwhelmed, he can stay.'

'HEY! I resent that!' Erika let out a short laugh at Phoenix's disgruntlement. Deciding that her student/adopted little sister needed a well-deserved break, Phoenix dragged the girl to head to the Great Hall for some lunch. Just as Talbott was going to head to the Owlery, a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

'Wait.' The wizard turned to find Erika's eyes boring into him. And to his surprise, her stern gaze softened around the edges.

'I just wanted to say, thank you. Normally I don't care what people think of me, especially those who would just be stuck in the sidelines and nothing more. But I see that you care about her. I'm not trying to be a hardass on Judith for shits and giggles. We both are well aware that her left side is a weakness. I suffer from a blind spot, obviously not on the same level as Judith but you get the idea. If people are within that area, they're more than likely to get hurt. I don't want Judith to have to deal with that struggle, or even worse, have that blind spot used against her. I hope you understand.' Talbott's brows rose in silent surprise before nodding.

'I understand... you didn't have to explain your methods to me, but... I appreciate it either way. I'll do my best to be there for her whenever it gets too much for her.' Erika gave a firm nod, before turning on her heel back into the castle.'

Talbott had thought long and hard over what he had seen and what Erika had told him. He hated to see the haunted look in Judith's eyes as she broke down on not doing good enough. He was no Quidditch player so he wasn't sure how to help the girl. He went to the only other Quidditch player he knew for any advice. Granted, Talbott knew that Andre was no Beater, but he knew he had to try. Luckily for him, Andre knew two people who could help. Unluckily for him, Andre saw it fit to drag his ass out of bed on a late Saturday morning. The only day Talbott will grant himself the luxury of sleeping in. With no damn coffee.

'KC, McNully!' The two Ravenclaws, who seemed to be in the middle of a game of chess, looked up to find the Seeker Reserve dragging over one of their fellow Housemates who seemed to have rolled out of bed.

'Hey, Andre! What can we do for you?' the commentator asked with a bright grin. Andre gave a fond smile, clapping a hand on the disgruntled Ravenclaw's shoulder.

'Oh no, honestly, you've helped me enough mate. It's my friend here who could use your creative expertise on the matter of Quidditch.' Talbott shrugged Andre off with an embarrassed glare. The strawberry-blonde girl raised a cool brow, flustering Talbott further.

'My apologies. I asked Egwu for help on a Quidditch issue and this overexcited bloke dragged me out of bed before I had a drop of caffeine in my system.' KC let out a hearty laugh.

'A man after my own heart. Tell you what, I made a pot of coffee this morning. I grab you a mug and you tell us what you need...' Talbott quickly understood what the witch was subtly asking for.

'Talbott. Talbott Winger.' KC grinned, getting up from her comfortable seat to loop an arm around the wizard's arm.

'Katriona Cassiopeia, feel free to call me KC if you want. It's a pleasure to meet you, my fellow coffee fiend.' After Talbott had a bit of caffeine fix (and an introduction to one Murphy McNully), he felt more level-headed about broaching this topic.

'So, what seems to be the problem? Looking to join the Quidditch team? While I don't know you at all, I can see you being a Seeker for some reason.' KC pointedly ignored Andre's offended squawk in the background, eyes solely trained on Talbott.

'No, I'm not looking to join. I didn't get into Quidditch until recently...' Murphy raised a brow, curious.

'Because of our local Pride of Portree fanatic here?' Talbott gave an amused snort.

'He wishes. Egwu has been trying to teach me about the sport or at least drag me a game since we became friends.' KC blinked, confusion flashing in those bright blue eyes.

'So why the interest now?' Talbott coughed into his fist, slightly flustered.

'I'm kinda dating a Quidditch player. A Beater, to be exact.' Murphy gave a knowing smile.

'Is it Judith Harris?' Talbott was glad he didn't sip his coffee when the Quidditch announcer spoke because he was pretty sure he would've spit it out all over his chessboard. Either that or choke.

'Wha-?! Did Andre tell you?!' Andre waved his hands in alarm as Talbott rounded on him with a glare. Murphy laughed, waving off the outburst.

'Well, it's simple really. There are two Beaters to every team. It can't be Rising Star here, seeing how you just met her. And I doubt you know the other Beater on Ravenclaw's team seeing how you're coming to learn the sport and its players. Even if you heard more well-known players like Erika Rath and Phoenix Lang, more well-known as Rath and Fireball on the Pitch, they don't seem like your type per se. And again, you probably don't know the other Beaters on those two teams so that rules Slytherin and Gryffindor from the running. All that's left is Hufflepuff's Beaters, Tigress and Hound. Or as you normally know them as Judith Harris and David Willows. Both are well known enough outside of Quidditch and are in the same year and you and Style Wizard here. Plus, David seems more like a lady's man so that leaves just Judith. It's really simple when you think about it.' Talbott narrowed his eyes, slightly put off at how well someone he just met was able to pinpoint his crush with just one detail and how much he could talk without seemingly taking a breath.

'Yes, it's her...' KC chuckled, giving the boy a grin.

'I think it's cute. But one thing I'm not understanding is why she would need help. She's a phenomenal player. From what I hear, she has a bit of a religious training schedule to stay up to par with anyone on the field.' Talbott sighed, suddenly feeling unsure about exposing what he knew. Technically, Katriona and Judith were rivals. While he may not know much like the average Quidditch fan, he does know not to reveal secrets to potential rivals or enemies. 

But the memory of Judith crying flashes in his mind's eye. He didn't want her to continue to suffer from anxiety attacks if he knew he could find help for her.

'I haven't seen her play but I've seen her train. And she's earned every right to be known as a phenomenal player. But... she's not one without struggle. Can I trust you two with what I'm about to tell you?' KC and Murphy watched as those red eyes carefully studied them both, heavily guarded with a glint of worry beneath the surface. Andre wore down his bottom lip with his teeth at the intense silence. He placed a hand on Talbott's shoulder.

'Tal, mate. I wouldn't have brought you to them if I didn't believe they could help Judith. Let alone hurt her.' Talbott's hands curled into fists on his lap, his gaze stubbornly switching between the wizard and witch sitting across from him.

'I trust you, Egwu. But I need to hear it from them.' KC's eyes softened.

'Hey, Judith and I may be rivals on the Pitch but it's all friendly competition. I wouldn't actively try to hurt someone who pushes me to be a better player myself.' Murphy nodded.

'I wouldn't do anything malicious to harm the girl either. I met her father on the day she tried out for the open Beater position years ago. She's a force in her own right but it's not strange to have flaws. It's not unusual for players to come to me for advice. I do my best to be unbiased so I'm not spilling any secrets to other teams to give them an advantage. Talbott let out a small sigh.

'Thank you. I'm sure you're well aware of Judith's scar. The thing is... she's semi-blind in that eye. While she can see shapes and colors, it's only with certain exceptions. She's been training to strengthen that weakness but she still experiences some difficulties. Maybe she has days where that particular eye would cause everything to be more blurry and of course, that can be a danger to anyone, including her. It overwhelms her to the point she would experience an anxiety attack...' Talbott sighed, running a hand through his messy bedhead.

'I told her that it's okay to have bad days and she should take it easier on herself. But I feel like this cycle will continue if she doesn't find a more effective way of handling this... s-so, will you help?' KC and Murphy looked at each other for a few moments before turning back to the wizard with a nod.

'Of course, Talbott. It might take a little time for us to brainstorm something but we'll help you two. Besides, it would be nice to get to know Judith more outside of our matches.' Talbott let out a sigh of relief at KC's words, giving the pair a small smile.

'Thank you...' Murphy gave Talbott a nod.

'Of course! Once we're ready for you, we'll send you an owl for you to bring Judith to the Quidditch Pitch later on. Don't worry, Talbott. We'll help your girl out.' This time Talbott did end up choking on his next cup of coffee, much to the amusement of the three people surrounding him.

Much to Talbott's surprise, Talbott received an owl the next day from KC. He did find it odd that it said to come to the Quidditch Pitch at night, but he decided to trust his fellow Ravenclaw. Judith accepted his invitation to meet him at the Changing Tents just outside of the Pitch with a bit of wariness.

'Not that I don't like spending time with you Talbott, but why are we out here?' Talbott gave his little bird a small smile.

'I want to help you train. Especially with... your struggle area...' The Hufflepuff narrowed her eyes as they reached the entrance of the Pitch.

'How do you plan on doing that?' Talbott stopped in front of her, taking the time to grab her hand. Judith couldn't fight the blush that crept up to her cheeks as the boy laid her palm over his chest while looking into her eyes. She could feel his heart quicken but his face gave nothing away.

'Do you trust me, Judith?' The young witch didn't have to think about it.

'I do.' Talbott smiled, bringing her hand to his lips to place a soft kiss to her palm.

'Then trust me when I say that I'm looking out for you. Now come on.' Judith stumbled over her feet to follow her crush, fanning her face to cool down her intense blush. They continued to walk until they were in the middle of the field. When she finally got her blush under control, she looked up to find that they were not alone.

'Judith! Glad you could make it!' Murphy greeted with a grin. The witch next to him stepped up to offer a handshake.

'Hey there, Tigress. Nice to officially meet you outside of a match.' Judith took KC's handshake with a befuddled expression.

"McNully, Rising Star, it's... nice to see you too. But, what exactly is going on here?' Now it was KC's turn to give a smile.

'Your boy here came to McNully and I for some help. To help you matter of fact in regards to your blind spot.' Talbott glared at KC's small tease before looking at the surprised face of his little bird.

'You told them about my blindness?' Talbott bit his lip at the question. He couldn't decipher her tone for it gave nothing away. Her face even more so. Outside of the pinch of her brows that signifies her confusion, he wasn't sure how the girl felt about exposing her secret to one of her rivals.

'I did. I-I... I wanted to help you in some way. But I wasn't sure as to how. I know Rath is doing her best but maybe you needed a different approach. I'm not a Quidditch player, let alone a Beater so Andre led me to two people who possibly could provide that. Please, don't be mad, little bird. I know it's your secret to tell, but I couldn't stand to see you like that again. Frustrated and feeling hopelessly lost to yourself over something that you couldn't have helped. I'm sorry if I overstepped.' Judith stared at him for a few seconds longer before bringing him into a hug. Talbott looked down at the girl in surprise but didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her. 

'I'm not mad, bird brain. You have nothing to apologize for. I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me, and if you think that KC and McNully can help, I'm more than willing to hear them out.' Talbott squeezed her tighter, hiding his smile in the crown of her head.

'Great to hear that! Now, Talbott if you could remove yourself from my fellow Beater Babe's person, I want to show her what we came up with.' Talbott blushed, taking a stand by Murphy as KC looped her arm with Judith's to pull her to the crate with Beater Bats and a Bludger. There was a few metal practice dummies just a few yards away. Talbott turned to the handsome blonde commentator with a quirked brow.

'Care to share what you and Katriona came up with?' Murphy gave a smirk.

'Nope! For once, my lips are sealed this time. Just watch this lovely lady at work.' Talbott sighed, watching as the two witches converse with one another. He could spy Judith fiddling with her fingers, one of her nervous ticks, before grabbing a bat. KC already had the other one in hand, with her wand in her opposite hand.

'Now I'm gonna enchant the Bludger and we're gonna practice for a few minutes. Remember, don't be too hard on yourself and I'm right here with you so you don't have to experience so many close calls, alright?' Judith nodded, allowing herself to face forward with her left just as KC cast her spell. To Talbott's surprise, the Bludger began to glow a bright yellow, almost like a mini sun, zipping through the air before making its way towards the Hufflepuff Beater. Talbott watched with bated breath as he watched the familiar motion of Judith's swing and-

BANG! And-

CLANG!

Judith's smile was brighter than the glowing Bludger that night. And Talbott couldn't have been more happy to see the pure joy on his little bird's face.

While Judith was big on her training, both day and now night, that wasn't the only thing she did to improve. There were some instances where there were no bats and Bludgers involved. Those days were usually with her Captain, Orion Amari. Talbott found those practices a bit strange as the pair would be sitting on the ground meditating (something Judith would strong-arm him into doing as well), balancing on their brooms on a single leg, or being Inspired Broom Surfing. 

'Training is great to hone your skills, but a clear and steady mind can elevate one's game to substantial heights.' Talbott turned to find Orion standing beside him as he watched Judith surf on her broom. He regarded the older Badger with a raised brow, his silent question loud in the ears of the captain.

'I've known Judith since she was just a second-year student. Seen as a small, skinny, and shy Hufflepuff girl by many but I saw the fire in her eye. A spirit beaten down, but not broken. She wanted to prove herself. Something that is admirable but I could sense it was deeper than that. You saw it too, right?' Talbott froze as Judith's words flashed back to him.

'I promise I'm not this weak...'

'Yeah, I did...' Orion gave the young Eagle's shoulder a warm squeeze.

'You're good for her, you know? I noticed a shift in my Beater. She's not as hard on herself as she used to be. Her smile is brighter. And that only happened a little after you started coming around. And I greatly appreciate that...' Talbott swallowed around the emotional lump in his throat.

'I-It's nothing really. I would do anything for her...' Orion smiled, giving Talbott's shoulder another squeeze.

'The people who love her can see that. Trust me when I say that it means a lot to them and to her...' With that Orion hopped on his broom to surf alongside his student. Talbott watched as Judith gave her captain a bright smile, feeling one make his way on his own lips.

'She's so beautiful like this. In her element. Happy and healthy...'

Seeing her go through these different motions made him think of what she said on their date. How much she represents and values balance in her life. It just made her all the more intriguing and endearing to him.

It wouldn't be until their 5th year when he got to see her practice with her team. While they were real matches, Talbott always found them to be interesting and exciting. Seeing her play in action made him realize how good his little bird was and how well she and David worked together on the field. Even down to the Dobbleganger Defense, one of the most difficult plays for a Beater. The pride he would feel upon hearing the praise of her skill by the Quidditch commentator warmed his chest.

He couldn't wait for the girl's first game of the season.

Of course, he could've done without the pressure of meeting the girl's family. Talbott knew about her father through many sources. A former Beater-a Ravenclaw Beater at that, Talbott knew about her little brother, a Slytherin wizard in his third year if he remembers correctly, who he would see cling to her whenever he could get the chance. How he managed to avoid the little brother up until now is beyond him, but there was no avoiding it when the first fame of the season came around. It was Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw.

There was usually a pregame party happening in the Courtyard before each game but Talbott knew his little bird well enough that she wasn't always one for mingling with others, at least not often. The next best place she would be is the Quidditch Pitch. 

Flying to the pitch was much faster than walking, and Talbott wanted to spend every second with the Hufflepuff Beater before her match. It wasn't until he was flying overhead that he realized that she wasn't alone. Part of him wanted to turn around and transform back into his human form so he could walk into the stadium instead. But Judith, ever so keen with her surroundings, spotted him. She waved him down with a bright smile, while the two males with her looked up to find him circling in the sky.

"Come down, love! I want you to meet my family," she called. After hesitating for a few seconds, he swooped down to land in front of the trio. The man and young boy looked at the eagle with a well-timed head tilt, though Talbott could see the suspicion in the man's pale gold eyes while there was a youthful glint of curiosity in the boy's near-black eyes. He looked to his little bird who gave him an encouraging smile. With that, he allowed himself to transform back into his human form. The boy flinched back before staring at him in awe. The older male version of his little bird only smirked.

"Like mother, like son," her father chuckled. Talbott eyed the man suspiciously. 

"I'm sorry?" Gold eyes regarded him with a knowing glint.

"Ah, you don't recognize me, don't you son?" Talbott's brow furrowed, racking his mind.

Has he met Judith's dad before? There's no way-

'Talbott, this is Kendrick Harris. He's my best friend from when I went to school. And his daughter, Judith...'

Talbott's eyes lowered to find a familiar necklace. The cord was decorated with dark red beads with a tooth of an animal of some sort.

"You... you were my parents' best friend. You came to my house that one time with..." he whispered, eyes watering. He turned to the witch next to him, finding that same warm look from that day in the Great Hall. The same look he got as they sat in the grand old tree on his parents' old property when they were children. Judith gave him a tentative smile, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

"L-Little Bird?" He watched as her smile grew.

"Yeah, it's me Bird Boy." He didn't hesitate to bring her into the circle of his arms, hugging her with all the strength she could muster. He smiled the joyful laughter in his ear.

"Talbott! You're gonna squish me," Judith giggled, hugging him back despite this. 

"You're the powerhouse Beater, little bird. If anything I should be worried about you breaking my bones with your bear hugs," he hummed. Kendrick let out a laugh at that, bursting the bubble the two teens found themselves in.

"As strong as my little girl is, she has one of the gentlest souls on this Earth. You should know," he said, with a kind smile. Talbott blushed before nodding.

"And I have you to thank for siring such a soul, Mr. Harris." Kendrick chuckled, waving him off.

"Call me Kendrick, Talbott. I'm not that old... plus, from what I heard you've proved me right. That you'll be good to my daughter and earn the right to be with her." Talbott and Judith balked at the elder Harris with blushes staining their cheeks.

"PAPA!" Kendrick raised a brow at his daughter's outburst.

"What? I'm the more tame parent. Ava had tried planning you two's wedding when you guys were toddlers," he said with an amused smirk.

"W-With all due respect, K-Kendrick, we're not officially together," Talbott stuttered. The man chuckled.

"Not yet, anyway." Judith groaned.

"Papa Kendrick, quit it. I already have to share Juju with her friends, I'll probably never see her if she gets a boyfriend," Nuri whined, finally chiming into the conversation. Talbott noticed the genuine discontentment on the boy's face. Judith huffed, extracting herself from Talbott's arms to snatch up her little brother. She placed her hands on his cheeks so she could meet his eyes.

"You listen here, Riri. No one will keep me from seeing and spending time with you. You're my little brother and will always hold a special place in my heart, understand," she said sternly. Nuri gave his sister a shy smile, before hugging her back. 

"I understand, Juju..." Kendrick and Talbott smiled at the sight before the man cleared his throat.

"The stands should be filling up soon, best if you boys find some good seats. You go ahead and change, baby girl. And remember, I'm proud of you no matter the outcome." Judith smiled at her dad, giving him one quick bear hug before the man went to the commentator booth. The three of them stood ready to go their separate ways before Judith stopped her brother.

"Before I forget, here you go, Riri." Talbott watched as the Hufflepuff took off her jacket, casting the Enlarging Charm before handing it to Nuri. She pulled the younger boy down to kiss his forehead, before making her way over to Talbott's side to kiss his cheek.

"Hope to see you two in the stands," she said before jogging her way out of the Pitch. 

The two wizards made their way up to the stands. Talbott could see Nuri eyeing him from the corner of his eye.

"What is it?" Nuri flinched, a bit surprised to be caught before deciding to speak up.

"This way is the way to the Hufflepuff Stands. You're a Ravenclaw, shouldn't you be sitting with them instead?" Talbott turned to look at the Slytherin wizard with a cocked brow. The boy didn't sound dismissive or hostile, just... curious.

"I want to support Judith. She's the whole reason why I got into Quidditch in the first place. It doesn't matter to me if it looks like I'm going against my own House. I'm here for her, and will always be here for her." Nuri smiled at the wizard, handing him the jacket her sister was wearing. Talbott took it with uncertain hands.

"Why are you giving me this," he asked as they made their way up the stands. Nuri paused on his next step and gave a shy smile, long fingers messing with a ring on his right hand. The same nervous tick as his little bird.

"My sister always gave me her letterman jacket whenever she played as a way for me to be comfortable sitting in with the Hufflepuffs ever since I came to Hogwarts. I'm going to be honest, I'm pretty selfish when it comes to her, and having to share her has been difficult for me. But as I got to see her interact with others and see those people care and love her too, I began to loosen up. While this is my first time officially meeting you, I can see how you look at her. Like she's the sun. The center of your universe. Papa Kendrick seems to like you a lot and he doesn't like the idea of sharing her love with any boy. Consider this my way of showing you that I'm willing to give you a fair chance. People who love my sister tend to be my favorite people, and I think you could be one of them." Talbott felt a flush wash over his face but he couldn't help but return the smile Nuri was giving him.

"Thank you. That means a lot and I would like to get to know you better too, Riri." The Slytherin boy sent the older wizard a playful glare.

"Okay, that's a step too far. Only Juju can call me Riri. My real name is Nuri. Nuri Lockheart." Talbott laughed at the look, it reminded him so much of Judith so he knew this look well enough to know that the boy wasn't actually upset.

"Heh, got you. I'm Talbott." The two wizards shared a smile as they continued their way up and reached the top of the stands. Talbott took the time to study the jacket, a letterman jacket as Nuri called it.

It was mainly black, with two stitched designs on either side of the torso. There was a gold honey badger symbol on the left side with two Beater bats in an "X" formation on the right. The sleeves were white and a bit baggy, looking like they would fit over his wrists thanks to the yellow cuffs with black and white lines. The same cuffs outline the collar and the bottom of the jacket. It even had decently sized-pockets. He flipped it over to find the word "TIGRESS" stitched on the back, the word beautifully made with gold yarn in impressive calligraphy. Talbott slipped on the jacket and immediately smiled.

The scent of his little bird lingered on the piece of clothing and he felt as if he was being embraced by the girl himself.

'If I could get away with it, I would never take this off...'

The duo decided to sit in the center on the bottom bench, only to be surprised to find someone already there.

"Merula?" The girl's head snapped up to find the two wizards standing beside her. And it didn't escape Talbott's attention that she was wearing a matching letterman jacket as himself, only it was obvious the jacket was made for someone much bigger than her.

"What are you doing here? Ravenclaw is on the other side and Slytherin isn't playing today," she snarked. Nuri frowned at the clear dismissal but Talbott knew better.

"The same reason why you sitting in the Hufflepuff stands. We're here to support someone we care about," Talbott clapped back. The witch blushed, grumbling.

"Fine, whatever. It's not like these seats are taken..." Taking that as an obvious invitation to join her, Talbott sat down next to the self-proclaimed "The Powerful Witch of Hogwarts" while Nuri sat beside him. Within minutes, the stands were starting to fill with eager Quidditch fans and casual watchers for the game. Even though there were some weird looks from the Hufflepuffs at the two newcomers who sat in their section, no one said anything to them. There was a buzz in the air until the crowd quieted with the sound of Murphy's voice.

"Welcome Hogwarts to the first game of this Quidditch season! Are you ready for this year's competition?" The crowds roared with approval and to Talbott's personal surprise, he was right there with that.

Talbott had to admit, he was excellent at getting the crowd going as he introduced the two teams. Ravenclaw had already made their entrance and waited in the middle of the field. It was now Hufflepuff's turn. He watched as the Hufflepuff team flew in, zooming through the stadium. He watched with bated breath as the team briefly paused in front of their stand, to the joy of the students there. Judith found him and Nuri easily, her eyes reflecting her surprise at him wearing her jacket before giving them a large grin. He could see the two top canines of her teeth were capped in gold before they zoomed off to meet their opponents in the middle of the Pitch. Despite being in his own heart-melting moment, he did notice that David, who was beside his fellow Beater, gave Merula a grin of his own followed by a cheeky wink. Talbott pretended not to see the blush on the pale girl's face.

Madam Hooch made sure to set the rules between the two teams, the captains of each team gave a firm handshake, and soon the balls were in.

The game has begun.

Talbott had to admit, it was the most fun he had in a while. Despite not fully knowing what was happening (Talbott was so grateful that he befriended Nuri as he was able to explain the mechanics of the game to him), the energy was contagious. Even Merula was standing and cheering for the team. The players were fast, it was sometimes hard to keep up with the action, even with his 20/20 vision. Sometimes he opted to just watch his little bird, who was her own beautiful force of nature. He watched as her mind was constantly at work, deciphering the patterns of the Bludgers before deciding on a play. Often passing the iron sphere to David, who used it to scatter the Ravenclaw Chasers. Other times, taking out unsuspecting players with a hit of her own. His favorite moment was the well-executed Bludger Backbeat, seeing her use the scarred side to knock a Chaser off their broom while dropping the Quaffle for Orion to steal for a goal, putting points up on the Badger's board. He was so caught up in watching her, he almost missed a stray Bludger making its way to him-

"Talbott, get down-" Nuri tried to warn him, but before he could pull Talbott down, it was deflected to the Ravenclaw Seeker (whom Talbott was sure spitting out some colorful language as they were so close to catching the Snitch). Talbott could only stare in a daze as Judith hovered over him on her broom. 

"You okay, Talbott," she quietly asked. Talbott, still in shock, gave a mute nod. Judith chuckled, leaning in to kiss his cheek before flying back into the fray.

"Awww, what a sweet moment from Hufflepuff's fiercest hunter, Tigress. Saving her handsome beau from a Bludger gone rogue before comforting him with a kiss! And who said romance was dead?" Talbott buried his red face in his hands as the crowd around him cooed along with Murphy's sentiment. Before Talbott knew it, the Hufflepuff Seeker managed to catch the Snitch, signaling the end of the game.

"Give it up for the Hufflepuff team! They will move on to the next round to face off the winner of the Slytherin and Gryffindor match!"

The next hour was a blur. With the win, of course, everyone on the Hufflepuff team had to accept the congratulations from fans and their rivals alike. Speaking eagerly amongst each other and toasting with some Butterbeer. Judith spent some much-needed time with her brother and father before they had to leave.

But soon, the field was empty and it was just Talbott and Judith. The young witch didn't get a chance to say a word as she was swept up in Talbott's arms, sinking into his warmth.

"I'm so proud of you. You were amazing." She smiled.

"How can I not? I have my number one fan cheering me on, wearing my letterman jacket better than I ever could." Before Talbott could say anything, most likely to refute the claim judging by his blush, she placed a single finger to his lips.

"Seriously Talbott. You helped me in more ways than you could ever know, and I wanted to show you by playing my absolute best. Your support, whether on the sidelines during my practices or in the stands at one of my games, means everything to me. Thank you." The boy beamed as he kissed her forehead.

"Anything for my champion..."

[lifeofkaze]

Trick or Treat 🎃

I hope you had a Halloween as gorgeous as yourself! Can I interest you in a 3-sentence-horror-story?

Katriona Cassiopeia always thought she knew her friend Lizzie. There was nothing about her that she couldn't take. But going on a coffee date with Lizzie for the first time, the horror of the syrup counter would stay with KC forever.

[carewyncromwell]

“My father wasn’t around -- (My father wasn’t around) I swear that I’ll be around for you. I’ll do whatever it takes; I’ll make a million mistakes; I’ll make the world safe and sound for you... We’ll come of age with our young nation -- We’ll bleed and fight for you... We’ll make it right for you! If we lay a strong enough foundation, We’ll pass it on to you -- we'll give the world to you, And you'll blow us all away... Someday, someday...”

~“Dear Theodosia (cover)” by Regina Spektor and Ben Folds

x~x~x~x

partially inspired by a conversation with @dat-silvers-girl​​ // featuring a quick reference to Katriona Cassiopeia @kc-and-co​​ 💜

x~x~x~x

The summer of 1998 had felt warmer than it had in years. The warmth seemed to ripple from the outside in, given the immense relief that came with the death of Voldemort and with it the end of the Second Wizarding War. And even though yes, there was a lot of work still to do to restore balance to the world, right the wrongs committed during the War, and move forward toward a brighter future, everything still seemed to shine that touch brighter. 

Hope, it seems, can make even the most unremarkable rocks shine like diamonds.

It was in the summer, and right as Carewyn began what would be a long crusade to try and convict every ex-Death Eater for their crimes, that Carewyn received a letter from her old school friend and associate Orion Amari. He and his nearly two-year-old daughter Eos had recently returned to Montrose, Scotland, after being in hiding from the Death Eaters for several months. With the financial reimbursement he’d received from both the Ministry and the League as post-War damages, Orion had just managed to scrape together enough money to purchase a run-down old cottage in the woods outside of Montrose, which he was now working to fix up and obscure with the proper enchantments for himself and Eos to live in.

As much as I have never lamented living in a small one-room flat by myself, Orion’s letter explained, I realize that for a young child, such a place would lack stimulation and even less chance for freedom and exploration. Perhaps a home in such a quiet and green place, as opposed to the suburbs or in the country, could provide a sanctuary for Eos: one where she can experience many wonderful new things and experiment with her own magic away from prying eyes. And perhaps, on a more selfish note, being more physically removed from town could give me some cover from more overzealous members of the press, who I’ve only been able to keep at bay in the past by living alongside Muggles. 

Carewyn was touched by how much her old friend thought of his daughter’s happiness. She wished she’d had the freedom with her own job and income to consider moving into a larger space herself -- she loved her tiny flat in London, but recently she had had to make some layout changes, so as to give her new ward -- twelve-year-old Erik Apollo -- some space of his own. 

Mum came over to give me a hand with turning the hall closet into a second bedroom last week, Carewyn confided to Orion in a letter of her own at one point. She had to do the same thing for me when I was young, so she has plenty of experience with such magic -- but I was only a bit older than Eos, back then. Erik is set to start his first year at Hogwarts next month: he deserves some space of his own, and privacy at that, and he can’t have that in such a small room. Erik’s been referring to the new room as his “shoebox” as a joke -- even if he’s said multiple times that its size isn’t a problem and I know he means it, I still hope I can find a safe way to expand his room a bit more before he comes home for the holidays. 

In September, Carewyn brought Erik to Platform Nine and Three Quarters to start his first year at school. Despite the sticky, unpleasant heat clinging to the air, the curly blond-haired boy was dressed in a black turtleneck and jeans -- Erik didn’t like the looks he got from passerby for the magical burn scars around his neck, which had been inflicted on him by Death Eater Thorfinn Rowle. 

“Do you have everything you need?” Carewyn asked him. “Your trunk? Your wallet?”

“Everything and everyone,” said Erik with a wry smile, indicating the black-and-white tuxedo cat yowling in his carrier at his side.

Carewyn offered her ward’s new familiar a pitying smile as she brought a hand up to the bars of his cage, petting the top of his head with a single finger.

“Aww...it’s all right,” she said gently. “Erik can take you out on the train.”

“Only if he agrees not to claw anybody,” Erik said dryly. When the cat yowled unhappily again, he added, “Sorry, Han Solo, I don’t have enough to pay off the train conductor if you cause any permanent damage.”

Carewyn laughed softly behind her hand, which made Erik’s light blue eyes sparkle with that bit more satisfaction. 

“I’d best be off,” said Erik stridently. “Train’s leaving in ten.”

Carewyn nodded in agreement. She brought a hand onto his shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. 

“Send me an owl if you need anything,” she said seriously. “There’ll be plenty of owls in the owlery you can use to send me a letter...and even if you end up in Hufflepuff or Slytherin, there are collection trays where post can be delivered down to you, outside of mealtimes.”

Erik nodded. “Thanks, Ms. Cromwell.”

Carewyn gave him a brave smile. Then, opening her arms, she encircled the small boy in a full, warm hug -- Erik, even despite the straightness of his posture, accepted her hold and even gave her a light squeeze before releasing her and dashing up to the open train door, hoisting his trunk up after him. Then, with one last wave, he retreated into the train car to get settled for the trip to school. 

It was a strange, bereft kind of feeling, watching the train with Erik on board pull out of the station and out of sight. Even if the boy truly was only twelve years younger than her and was of an age more like a younger sibling than a child, Carewyn couldn’t help but wonder if her own mother felt like this, watching Jacob and her leave for school all those years ago.

Later that September, Carewyn received another letter from Orion. This one’s contents, however, surprised Carewyn more than any of the others they’d exchanged.

Carewyn,

I realize that for someone as enamored with plans and order as you, this request will be very abrupt -- but would you be able to visit Eos and me here in Scotland at all tomorrow evening? Any time around sunset would be suitable.

Please do not hesitate in your response. Even if it must be no, I will simply be happy to receive a letter from you so quickly.

Orion

Carewyn read the letter several times in slight confusion. The request was definitely a bit out of left field. Orion had come to see her several times, both as she helped him secure legal custody of Eos and when he came to the Ministry as a representative for the Quidditch League. Carewyn had even let Orion sleep on her couch overnight without planning ahead, simply because he had to report back to the Ministry right away the next morning. But Orion hadn’t ever asked her to come to his place before -- if nothing else, it was still very newly “his place,” as it was. Him suddenly inviting her over without explaining why...it signaled that his reason had to be important...

Carewyn’s eyes lingered on the last line as she took out some parchment and wrote out a quick response of her own.

Orion,

I should be able to finish up with my casework by 8:00. I could Floo from my office right over to you, if you’d like.

Let me know,

Carewyn

The Ministry lawyer folded the short note into thirds, closed it with a seal, and held it out to the owl so it could snatch it up in its beak and fly off, back out of her office and out of sight down the hall.

Orion’s response came mere hours later. It was even shorter, and its flowing, yet messy penmanship -- typical to Orion -- was a bit more slanted, as if it had been written very quickly.

8:00 is a lovely time to look forward to. While making your trip, simply ask to be brought to “Dawn’s Haven.”

Until tomorrow,

Orion

The following night Carewyn didn’t even bother changing out of the dress robes she was wearing into her spare Muggle clothes, as she did whenever she walked home from work. She instead headed straight for the closest Ministry fireplace, tossing some of the spare powder into the grate at her feet before clearly declaring Orion’s directions:

“Dawn’s Haven!”

The emerald green flames flared up around her, encompassing her vision as she was hurtled through space. About twenty seconds later, she found herself reaching another much less polished grate, out of which she exited. When she did, she had to brush aside a strange curtain of hanging green and violet beads just to climb up and out of the grate.

When Carewyn looked up and around, she found herself in a very small, but quaint little cottage. The walls were all made of stained oak and it was decorated eclectically, with a stylized sunflower-printed rug, several mandala floor pillows, a footstool shaped like a turtle, a tiered indoor water fountain, and hanging plants and Arabian-style glass lanterns attached to the beams overhead. There was even a star chart, enchanted with glowing stars and constellations, carved into the ceiling. The lighting was very dim, and yet as warm and colorful as sunlight through a stained glass window. The whole place also smelled of soothing incense -- lavender and sandalwood.

And standing right in front of Carewyn to meet her was Orion himself. He immediately took her hands and helped her straighten up, since she’d bent down to brush the soot from her robes.

“Carewyn,” he said. “How good it is to see you.”

The size and brightness of his smile startled Carewyn. She didn’t think she’d seen him look so happy since she’d agreed to rejoin his Quidditch team back in her sixth year.

“...It’s good to see you too,” she said, still slightly stunned.

She glanced around for Eos. She found the newly-two-year-old girl sitting on her knees at the window across the room, biting her lower lip as she smiled broadly at Carewyn too.

“Your shoulders appear very tense,” said Orion.

Carewyn glanced back awkwardly toward the small stone fireplace she’d just walked through. “Well, from your letter, I’d thought maybe something was wrong, but...”

She brought a hand through her ginger bangs, feeling a bit chagrined.

Orion’s expression softened.

“I see,” he said, his face becoming a bit sheepish despite himself. “Forgive me, Carewyn. It seems in my eagerness, I neglected to reassure you that this was merely a social visit, rather than a fire you had to put out...”

“I didn’t think that,” Carewyn said very quickly, “I just -- well, I just assumed that you had something serious on your mind -- that you needed my input on something...like about your custody of Eos, or the Quidditch League, or...”

“Carewyn.”

Carewyn paused when Orion gave the hand of hers he was still holding a light squeeze. She looked up, just as Orion quickly released her hand, bringing his hand up through his own unevenly cut hair to brush it out of his face.

“I realize you’re trying to reassure me,” he said, sounding rather self-effacing, “but...it’s not comforting, to know I have left you thinking that I would only ever summon you here to ask for your help. And for that, I am sorry.”

Guilt flooded through Carewyn. “No! I don’t think that! It’s just...well, everyone’s needed more help, these days. I’ve had to help a lot of people lately...”

“Me included,” said Orion with a small, sad smile.

“It’s nothing I’ve done unwillingly,” Carewyn said fiercely. “I like helping people, Orion -- it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do, to help those people I care about...those people who need my help.”

She couldn’t look him in the eye, so she settled for his shoulder instead.

“...I’ve liked helping you,” she murmured. “You and Eos. Seeing you with her...hearing about what you want for her future...I want to help you achieve that happiness, for her.”

Orion’s black eyes seemed to gleam with a strange, almost deeper glint. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could conjure up any response --

“Caywhen!”

Both Orion and Carewyn straightened up abruptly, and then immediately looked down. Eos had uneasily climbed down from the window ledge and toddled over across the room over to them -- and in that moment, the tiny girl flung out her arms and grabbed onto Carewyn’s right leg through her robes.

Carewyn stared, open-mouthed, from Eos to Orion, who looked just as surprised as she was.

“Did...did she just say my...?”

Eos’s black eyes, identical in color to her father’s, were shining like gems as she pointed urgently up at the window behind her with her pudgy little finger.

“Caywhen!” the little girl said again.

She gave a tug to Carewyn’s leg.

Still faintly stunned, Carewyn let the little girl lead her over to the window. Eos tried to hoist herself up onto the windowsill -- Carewyn helped her climb up, and Eos tapped the glass meaningfully.

Carewyn looked out, to see nothing but darkness. Through the glass, however, she could barely make out a strange sound -- an ethereal sound, echoing through the night...

Almost like music...

Moving the beaded curtain aside to reach the window latch, Carewyn undid it and opened the window so as to better hear.

Sure enough, it was music -- a beautiful, melodic, haunting song, played by instruments she almost thought she recognized: something like a harp, as well as something like a lute...

Carewyn was left mesmerized, just leaning over the window ledge with Eos and listening. The little girl was entranced, her mouth slightly open and her wide black eyes drifting around the window and over the dark woods. She’d clearly never heard anything like it before and could do nothing but just drink it in.

Orion was so quiet that Carewyn didn’t even realize he’d come up alongside her to stand over Eos until his muscular arm brushed up beside hers. When Carewyn looked up, his black eyes were locked on her face and his lips were spread in a gentle smile.

“It’s a turning of the seasons,” he said softly. “From what the previous tenant told me when I bought this house, the selkies that live near the shore like to mark the equinoxes. And now that autumn has officially begun in the eyes of the stars...so have the selkies returned to shore, to play music through the night in celebration.”

Carewyn’s eyes widened.

“Then...then this is why you invited me,” she said in understanding. “So I could hear the selkies’ music?”

Orion’s eyes trailed over Carewyn’s face with something fonder. “Of course. I knew if there was anyone on this Earth who would appreciate it, it would be you, Carewyn Cromwell.”

Carewyn felt her cheeks warm with a happy blush, unable to hold in how very touched she was by this.

“Caywhen?”

Carewyn looked down at Eos. The little girl had taken hold of her sleeve and given it a light tug as she looked back out the window. Carewyn could sense both awe and curiosity coming off Orion’s daughter through the eye contact they’d made, and it made her bright red lips spread into a smile.

“Those are selkies, Eos,” she said gently. “They’re playing music.”

Eos was listening to Carewyn with rapt attention, even as the two looked back out the open window.

“They sound pretty, don’t they?” said Carewyn.

Eos smiled and nodded, settling herself down on the sill on her stomach and resting her face in both hands so she could lean a bit out the window and listen.

Carewyn smiled fondly down at the little girl, looking back over her shoulder at Orion. Waves of undiluted pride and warmth rippled off of the Montrose Magpie as he gazed down at his daughter. When his eyes flitted up to Carewyn, that warmth seemed to settle slightly as he tried to compose himself, but it still seemed to flood out of Orion’s eyes, accompanied by flickers of memory -- cradling a newborn until she stopped crying -- covering her eyes to tell her to be quiet as they hid together in the shadows --

“Eos listens far more than she speaks,” Orion said very softly.

Carewyn smiled slightly. “Like her father?”

Orion smiled too, but only briefly. “Yes...but not for the same reason. She learned how to be silent at such a young age that, now, I fear she may be more comfortable being silent than in expressing herself openly. She does not mimic sounds others make. She does not experiment with forming words, as other children I’ve seen do. She doesn’t speak much at all, aside from very specific words. ‘Here.’ ‘No.’ ‘Help.’ ‘Dad.’”

Something strange flickered over Orion’s face -- was that shyness?

“...Even...other people’s names are quite rare. Just the ones she’s heard me say before, with some frequency. ‘Skye’ -- ‘Nully’ -- ‘KC’ -- ‘Wath’ -- ”

“And ‘Caywhen,’” Carewyn finished, unable to keep herself from smiling. She even felt her cheeks warming with a charmed blush.

Orion’s face seemed to flush a bit too despite himself. “Apparently so.”

Carewyn tilted her head at him in confusion.

“I was just as surprised to hear your name emerge from Eos’s mouth as you were,” Orion admitted, smiling through the flush in his cheeks. “...I suppose I didn’t realize just how often I’ve spoken of you, as of late...”

Carewyn smiled a bit more kindly. “Hmm...well, we have spent a lot of time together, these last few months.”

She reached out and gently took his hand.

“I’m glad I’ve been able to see you again,” she said, “instead of just writing letters. Even if the circumstances haven’t been exactly ideal.”

“...Indeed.”

Orion’s gaze drifted down at their hands. His thumb lightly slid along the back of her hand as he secured his hold.

“It’s...been a blessing, to reconnect with you after so long, Carewyn,” he said softly. “To...spend time with you like this...without any threat looming over us...nor any mantle of heroism thrust upon you.”

His eyes gained something a bit more solemn as he met her gaze. She could sense something soothing coming off of him -- something akin to a hand over hers, lowering her wand for her...

“As much as you have helped Eos and me...and as grateful as I shall always be for that,” Orion said softly, “I want you to know...that my wish to see you can be just about want, and not always about need. And that even when it is the second...you can always say no, with no regrets.”

Carewyn stared at Orion for a moment, a bit taken aback. She could practically see him as a young man again, asking her multiple times to rejoin his Quidditch team, only for Carewyn to have to regretfully decline the invitation, in the face of her pursuing the Cursed Vaults and saving Jacob.

The memory made Carewyn’s lips curl up in a bittersweet smile as she glanced away.

“...Thank you. But honestly...I’m just glad that I’m in the position now that I don’t have to say no.”

At Eos shifting slightly, Carewyn looked down, to see the little girl adjusting underneath her and Orion so that she was more comfortably nestled between them. His black eyes softening fondly, Orion extended his hand not holding Carewyn’s and rested it beside his daughter, creating an almost canopy over her as he rested his chin lightly on top of her head and looked out the window. Carewyn watched the father and daughter with fondness before she too looked back out the window, listening to the sounds of the selkies’ mystical, celebratory melodies echoing through the trees.

The three sat there by the window for a long while. As the night wore on, the music evolved and changed. Soon it’d gotten late enough that Eos was getting restless, so the three shifted over to the living space. Orion brewed himself and Carewyn some lavender tea and Eos some hot water and lemon, while Eos sat in the papasan chair with Carewyn and she told Eos about the different musical instruments she could pick out in the selkies’ music.

“You hear that high, clear, echoing sound? Ahhhh, ahhhh, ahhhh. That’s something glass -- like a glass armonica.”

Eos smiled whenever Carewyn sang along with the selkies’ playing. The sight made Orion’s eyes sparkle with warmth as he came back over with two mugs of tea and one of hot water and lemon.

“Come get your narwhal, Eos,” he said amusedly.

This statement made more sense when he held up Eos’s mug, which was shaped like a ceramic blue narwhal.

Eos bounced right out of her spot next to Carewyn so she could take her mug from her father. She then toddled over to the pile of pillows on the floor, where she plopped herself down on her stomach, pointedly blew on the hot water three times, and took a long sip from her mug.

Orion walked over to Carewyn and held out two mugs of tea with a wry smile -- one white with a black octopus printed on it and the other black printed with the white words “I’d Rather Be Playing Quidditch” on it. With a laugh, Carewyn reached out and took the one decorated with the octopus.

“Was that other one a present?” she asked.

Orion grinned. “They both were. From McNully and Skye, respectively."

“And the narwhal?” asked Carewyn.

“Adopted by Eos -- paid for by KC,” Orion said with a grin.

Carewyn covered her mouth as she laughed. “I was thinking of ‘adopting’ a mug for Erik too, at some point.”

“Does he also enjoy tea?”

“Not so much -- but I thought some hot chocolate or butterbeer would be appropriate around Christmas.”

“A reasonable thought. Hot apple cider could also be a nice alternative.”

Taking a sip of the lavender tea from the black mug, the Chaser settled himself down next to his daughter on the pillows. Eos snuggled up beside her father, and Carewyn smiled seeing how gently Orion’s black eyes shined as he lightly ruffled her bangs with one hand.

“Orion?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for this,” Carewyn said softly. “All of this...the tea, the company, but also...well, the music. It’s just...”

She shifted herself in the chair, her hands holding the mug of tea in her lap as she looked back over toward the window wistfully.

“...It’s so beautiful,” she murmured.

After such a long War, full of fear and fighting and work and worrying -- after focusing solely on helping as many people as she could, with what little power she had to try to make things right...sitting in a comfortable, lavender-and-sandlewood-scented cottage, listening to selkies celebrate the season through song, was medicinal to Carewyn’s spirit in a way she couldn’t put into words.

Orion was quiet for a very, very long moment as he watched Carewyn. At one point, he even caught his little daughter biting her lip as she grinned up at him and Carewyn, and he quickly averted his gaze, trying to bite back a self-conscious smile of his own.

“...You’re welcome.”

Always, he never said aloud, but he hoped dearly would still come across. You will always be welcome, here. ...Always...

[flareshin]

Merry Christmas @kc-and-co

I wish you merry merry Christmas 🎄🎁🎄🎁 lot of gifts, wonderful holidays and a relaxing time!!!! 💙❤️💚💛

Kate and McNully are helping Santa

[lifeofkaze]

Artemis is right. It really is better.

This story (as every word on the Rockstar AU or in general) makes everything better. Christmas is over and I got all the warm and fuzzy feelings back straight away.

It ain't no Christmas for me without the Rockstars and I loved this. So gorgeous. So Rock n' Roll

When Stars Ignite Christmas Special

HPHM ROCKSTAR AU

I think the title gives this one away. @kc-needs-coffee, thank you for your insane talent, your integrity, your incredible stories (both real and fictional), your wit, your wisdom, and your warmth. Oh, and your book/film/music/coffee/travel recommendations. This one’s for you. Merry Christmas, you filthy animal.

Note: This story takes place in the Rockstar AU, which as a rule, has a mature tone and subject matter. This specific chapter contains a reference to alcohol. All things considered, that is actually very tame for the Rockstar AU.

They’ve got cars big as bars, they’ve got rivers of gold, but the wind whips right through you, it’s no place for the old

When you first took my hand on that cold Christmas Eve, you promised me Broadway was waiting for me

You were handsome, you were pretty

Queen of New York City

When the band finished playing, they howled out for more…

~ The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York ~

The snow was no longer falling, but a thick sheet of it had settled over the park. Artemis pulled her coat tighter around her as she lit her cigarette, feeling its heat warm her as she inhaled. She blew the smoke out, but did not watch it unfurl through the air, instead paying attention to her surroundings: the tourists playing in the snow or riding in horse-drawn carriages, the thin ice layer covering the large pond and the trees dusted white with frost under the already setting sun. If it were not for the lights and the sounds of taxis and the skyscrapers behind her, she might not have known that she was in a city at all, let alone one of the greatest cities in the world.

Through the crowds of people, she made out a familiar-looking head of red hair in the distance, and a black leather-gloved hand raised to wave at her in greeting. Artemis smiled and stubbed out her cigarette before walking over to the person waving, a red-headed, blue-eyed woman dressed in a black wool coat and with a blanket-like scarf with a chess pattern reminiscent of a chessboard.

“Artemis! It’s great to see you,” said Katriona Cassiopeia, as Artemis approached her on the path.

“You too, KC,” Artemis replied. “Thanks again for inviting me.”

“Don’t be silly, it’s Christmas. The more the merrier. I’m just glad you decided to take us up on the offer.”

The offer had been this: KC and her husband Murphy McNully, Artemis’ bosses and friends, owned a flat to the west of Central Park, and had invited Artemis to stay with them over Christmas while Equinox’s stateside tour was on a short break between locations for the holidays. Considering that the first location on the next leg of the tour was New York City, KC had suggested that it may be the most logical thing to do, and for Artemis herself, it had not only saved her from spending the holidays alone, but had meant that she would be able to do something she had always longed to do: experience New York at Christmas.

“What do you think so far?” asked KC, as they strolled down a tree-lined boulevard together.

“So far, I feel like I’m in a movie. When Harry Met Sally or something.” They walked past a woman feeding pigeons, and Artemis grinned at the sight. “I’m really trying not to get my hopes up too much, though.”

“Why is that?”

“Oh, Charlie just said that I should lower my expectations. Apparently, New York wasn’t for him.”

“That’s because Charlie would rather spend Christmas in a wooden hut in the arse end of nowhere like a lumberjack,” KC rolled her eyes. “Expect away. Christmas in the city is every bit as magical as you’ve been led to believe, you’ll see. Come on.”

They walked around the edge of the pond and reached the edge of the park. KC walked towards an old lamppost, past which a plaza could be seen across the street, as if to leave. Artemis frowned.

“Are we not going to see Central Park?”

“Sure, just not right now. We’ll do that when it’s light,” KC told her. She smiled at Artemis. “Don’t worry, you won’t miss out on anything. I’ve made an itinerary.” She pulled out her phone and read aloud:

“So, tomorrow we have brunch at Sadelle’s, then shopping on Fifth and Madison, followed by Broadway in the evening. The day after that we can come back here to explore, then later I’ve got tickets to The Nutcracker at the Lincoln Centre.”

“As in the ballet?” Artemis wrinkled her nose.

“It’s festive. You’ll love it, trust me. Same goes for the Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular, which we will be seeing after dinner tonight, and baseball, obviously.”

“Obviously.”

“Look, if you’re going to be working backstage at Madison Square Gardens, you at least need to see a game there first. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Where were we?” KC returned to her phone. “Oh, yeah. On Christmas Eve, we’ll need to finish getting stuff ready, but we’ll go out in the evening, see some lights and find a bar in the Village where you can dance on the tables like you’re in the cast of Rent.”

“What’s Rent?”

KC sighed and shook her head before typing something on her phone. Artemis craned her neck to see what it was, and noticed that KC had added three words to her list of activities for Artemis’ stay:

Go see Rent.

“Okay,” said Artemis, nodding slowly. “So, that’s what we’ll be doing in the next few days. What about before dinner and the rocket thing? What’s first on the list?”

“First of all? Coffee.”

Artemis laughed. “Dirty and Irish, right?”

“Just the way I like it,” KC’s lips twitched. “And then… Well, how much do you like Christmas trees?”

Once they had coffees to warm their hands, the two of them made their way down Fifth Avenue, stopping to look at a fountain and making a quick detour to look at the illuminated, glittering shop window of Tiffany and Co. Opposite a large cathedral with a gothic frontage that did not match the buildings surrounding it, stood a complex of tall concrete buildings, their facades all lit up with bright Christmas lights.

“Wow,” said Artemis, her eyes wide. KC laughed, not unkindly.

“Oh, you’ve not seen anything yet.”

Together, they crossed the street and entered the complex via a narrow boulevard with a central row of flowerbeds lined with fairy light statues shaped like angels blowing golden horns. At the far end was an ice rink and a Christmas tree, and as they neared it, Artemis’ jaw dropped.

The Christmas tree was taller and bushier than any she had seen in her life, decorated with what looked like a million different baubles and tiny lights. Artemis stared at it in a stunned silence.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” said a voice, interrupting her awe, and Artemis stepped sideways to allow a man in a police uniform to pass her. She watched him join another policeman standing near by, and a moment later, a third joined them.

“How many of them are there?” she asked KC, as a fourth police officer entered the scene. “What are they-”

“Ladies and gentleman,” a fifth officer announced. “We are sorry to interrupt your evening. We are the New York City Police Department, and we’ve got a little surprise planned for you.” He looked around him, smiled, and began to sing:

“Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today…”

At his words, several more people, men and women, some in uniform, others not, some holding instruments, some not, all gathered in the centre of the plaza opposite the Christmas tree. With each line of the song, more instruments and voices joined the choir, including those of the crowd around them, all laughing, swaying, and filming the scene on their phones.

“I want to wake up in a city that never sleeps…”

KC leaned towards Artemis and said something that couldn’t be heard over the sound of the music.

“What?” Artemis shouted back to her.

“If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere…”

“I said,” KC repeated, also with her voice raised, “is this the sort of thing you were expecting?”

“It’s up to you…”

Artemis smiled and shook her head. “It’s better!”

“New York, New York!”

[slytherindisaster]

I heard that Reid Van de Lune wrote “Across the Pond” after eating his herbology homework. He’ll be outside the Ravenclaw common room serenading Tulip in a bit if you want a good reason to leave… or stay and watch this disaster.

How about a spell for long-term love?

-Katriona Cassiopeia ✨

I can believe the first part, but are we sure he is singing to Tulip and not the frog? Thanks for the heads up, now let's make this quick, so I have enough time to flee.

Tell me, Cassiopeia, how are your potion making skills? Hope they're decent enough to pull this off because I don't do refunds. May is still a few months away, but May Dew can be very useful for love spells and is also valued for its cosmetic and health-giving powers. Worth a shot if you ask me.

"Place a silver dish out overnight on May Eve (or any other night in the same month) and collect up all the dews on May morning. Place one drop of the liquid on your lips and say your love's name out loud.

Toss a few drops over your left shoulder and wish strongly for love to grow sweetly and happily between you.

Make up a love potion with some May flowers (pansies and early roses are usual) and a vanilla pod steeped in wine or champagne; add a few drops of the May dew at the end. Your love will grow bold and demonstrative in a way you have never witnessed before."

GIGI'S LOVE SPELLS

[alice-beaumont-ravenclaw]

If the Shoe Fits

A/N #1: It is now time for the first fic of my new series: the Quidditch series! One MC other than my own makes an appearance in this fic and it is none other than Katriona Cassiopeia, created by the lovely @kc-and-co!

“Ugh! Can you believe the amount of homework we already have?” said Alice, dragging her feet as she followed Rowan to the Great Hall. 

“It’s not that bad,” said Rowan, turning around.

“Not that bad? We have–” started saying Alice before being interrupted by the Ravenclaw Quidditch team slamming the door leading to the courtyard open.

Alice and Rowan observed them as they carried one of their teammates to the infirmary. Their friend Andre’s face was pale as he entered the infirmary with the others.

“What do you think happened?” asked Alice to Rowan.

Rowan shrugged. “By the looks of it, nothing good.”

“Andre did look pale,” pondered Alice.

“I guess we can ask him about it later. Come on, let’s go eat,” said Rowan as she pulled her friend toward the Great Hall.

As the two friends ate their meals, discussing the various essays they would have to start writing later, they saw Andre enter the Great Hall. Alice waved to him, and he quickly made his way to her, sitting next to his fashion muse.

“Is everything ok?” asked Alice as Andre placed some food on his plate. 

“One of my chasers got hit by a bludger during practice,” said Andre, sighing.

“Wait, you were practicing today? It’s like 3 degrees outside! Are you trying to torture your team?” exclaimed Alice.

“We don’t have a choice. Our match is in less than two weeks. Though with one less chaser, any practice feels futile, especially against Slytherin.”

“Don’t you have reserve players?” asked Rowan, pushing her glasses up her nose.

“Technically, yes, but unfortunately, most have joined other clubs and are busy with those. I guess I could ask the ones that aren’t busy, but none are chasers,” explained Andre, staring at the food on his plate.

“You could always hold tryouts?” suggested Alice.

“ Less than two weeks before the game? In Ravenclaw? Most people in our house are too busy to bother. I guess I can kiss goodbye to the cup this year,” said Andre, pushing a piece of carrot with his fork.

“Don’t be so defeatist. I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”

“But Andre is 91% right,” said a voice behind them.

Alice turned around to see a blond boy in a wheelchair.

“Oh, hey McNully,” said Andre at the new arrival. He noticed Alice and Rowan staring at Murphy, clearly not knowing who he was. “This is Murphy McNully,” he said to the girls. “He’s the Quidditch commentator. McNully, these are Rowan Khanna —”

“Pleasure to meet you,” interrupted Rowan. “It’s nice to finally put a face to the name. I do enjoy your thorough analysis of Quidditch.”

“Thank you,” replied McNully, beaming. He looked toward Alice, “And this must be Alice Beaumont, Hogwarts’ famed Curse-Breaker and the one who saved Charlie Weasley from breaking into a million pieces.”

“You know who I am?”

Rowan raised her eyes to the ceiling. “Alice, after defeating three Cursed Vaults, do you really think there’s someone in this school who doesn’t know you?”

“I would say around 89.3% of students know who you are. The others being the first years who might not have heard about your exploits yet,” said McNully.

“That’s awfully precise,” said Alice, staring at him.

“It’s his thing,” replied Andre.

“Yes, well, I think we should talk about what strategy to adopt to increase our chances to win against Slytherin. Or at least for the match to not be a complete massacre,” said McNully, pointing to a pile of leather notebooks resting on his knees.

“I guess we could do that now. I’m not hungry anyway,” said Andre as he got up. 

“We’re done eating, so I guess we’ll follow you out,” said Rowan as Alice took one last mouthful of cake.

As they followed the two boys out of the Great Hall, Alice whispered to Rowan, “Why did you say we were done eating? I was clearly not done with my cake.”

“I just thought we should start working on our homework,” she said, staring at the back of McNully’s head.

Alice looked in the direction Rowan was looking. Her lips formed a mischievous smile. “Oooh, I see. You have a thing for stats boy.”

“I just find his analysis interesting.”

“But I don’t think I ever saw you attend a Quidditch match.”

“He writes about the matches in the school’s paper.”

“I see… Wait, we have a school newspaper?”

“Honestly, Alice, sometimes I feel like you live under a rock.”

They bumped into a redhead as the small group entered the Entrance Hall. 

“Hey, KC,” said Andre.

“Hey, Captain. Already done eating?” asked KC.

Andre nodded as McNully said, “Yes. We are now off to see how the team can salvage your next match.”

KC smirked. “Aren’t you suppose to be impartial?”

“In the commentary box, yes. But as a member of the House of Ravenclaw, I want our team to crush Slytherin.”

“Fat chance of that,” scoffed a voice Alice knew all too well.

“Merula,” said Alice through gritted teeth, Rowan holding one of her arms to restrain her from going after the Slytherin pest.

“You have no chance to beat Slytherin with a missing chaser, not to mention you won’t be able to find a decent replacement in time,” continued Merula, oblivious to Alice.

“Nobody asked for your opinion,” grumbled Andre as he tried walking away.

“You know I’m right, Egwu. It’s written all over your face. Better forfeit now than face ridicule when Slytherin makes mincemeat out of Ravenclaw,” jeered Merula.

KC rolled her eyes before going inside the Great Hall, clearly not caring for Merula’s taunts. As for Andre, he did his best to ignore her, but his clenched fists betrayed the effect she was having on him.

“Just leave him alone, Merula. You’re not even on the Quidditch team, so what do you care,” said Alice, freeing her arm from Rowan’s grip.

“Because it’s about time you lot realize that Ravenclaw is a house of losers, just like you, Beaumont,” said Merula, laughing as she turned around, heading for the dungeons.

“I swear I will—” started saying Alice as she reached for her wand in her robe’s pocket, only to find it empty. She turned around to see Rowan holding her wand, pleading with her eyes for Alice not to do anything rash. 

Alice turned back to see Merula getting further away. Without thinking, she removed one of her shoes and, after a brief moment to take aim, threw it straight at Merula’s head.

“OW!” said Merula, rubbing the back of her head as she looked to the ground. “Is that all you have, Beaumont? A shoe? I’ll show you what the Most Powerful Witch at Hogwarts can do,” she said, taking out her wand.

Alice grabbed her wand from Rowan, and as she did, she saw Flitwick was heading their way. She accio’ed her shoe back to her and put it back on just in time for Flitwick to see Merula in a duelling stance and everyone else just staring at her.

“Miss Snyde, what are you doing?” asked Professor Flitwick, frowning.

“Beaumont threw a shoe at me!” exclaimed Merula, pointing at Alice with her wand.

Flitwick looked at Alice’s feet where both of her shoes were. He looked back at Merula, an eyebrow raised. “It seems like Miss Beaumont has both of her shoes on. Miss Snyde, I am afraid I will have to take 50 points from Slytherin for trying to start a duel outside of the club and without supervision.”

“But she—,” tried to interject Ismelda.

“Miss Murk, I think it would be best if you and Miss Snyde headed to your common room to avoid any more trouble,” sternly said Professor Flitwick.

Merula let out a grunt before turning back toward the dungeons with Ismelda.

“Miss Beaumont,” started Professor Flitwick, looking down at her shoes, “just a reminder that shoes are meant to be worn on feet and not used as projectiles.”

“Yes, Professor,” said Alice, eyes wide.

“And I shall suggest the same thing to you and Miss Khana that I suggested to Miss Snyde and Miss Murk.”

“Yes, Professor,” said Alice and Rowan in unison.

“I bid you good night then,” he said, walking away.

Rowan let out a sigh of relief once their Head of House was out of sight. “You were really lucky there, Alice.”

“Are you saying I can’t aim?”

“No! I was talking about Professor Flitwick letting you go! You shouldn’t have thrown that shoe in the first place!”

“Aw, come on! You can’t tell me seeing Merula get hit by a shoe wasn’t fun, right? It was sure fun doing it,” replied Alice, grinning.

Rowan shook her head, a small smile appearing. “I swear you’ll be the death of me, Alice. But fine, it was fun seeing that shoe land straight at the back of her head.”

“That’s the spirit. You okay, Andre?” asked Alice, who had nearly forgotten about her other friend. 

Andre simply nodded, mouth slightly ajar and eyes wide. 

“He kinda looks odd to me,” said Rowan, narrowing her eyes as she looked at him.

“He’s perfectly fine,” said McNully, tapping his friend’s back. “Just surprised you, uh, got away with it.”

Alice shrugged. “He should be used to it by now, but whatever. We’ll see you later in the common room,” she said, waving as she climbed up the Grand Staircase with Rowan.

Once they were gone, Andre turned to McNully. “Did you see that?”

“She has a pretty good aim; I’ll give her that. There’s a 75% chance she could make a decent chaser.”

“Our game against Slytherin may not be completely lost!” exclaimed Andre.

“Woah! Slowdown, Egwu. That 75% chance is if she had started to train in September or October, not less than two weeks before a match! If she started to train tomorrow, she’d have a 55.3% chance of being a decent chaser against Slytherin.”

“It’s still above 50%!”

“Maybe, but, as I said, it’s if she starts training tomorrow. You still have to convince her to play.”

“That shouldn’t be too hard.”

“Either you are joking, or you are delusional. Are you forgetting that Rakepick is already keeping her busy most of the time because of the portrait curse?”

“Oh, please. Every time I hear Alice mention her, it’s with contempt in her voice.”

“Maybe, but it’s the sister of one of her friends who is stuck there, so I am 100% certain that getting Beatrice Haywood out of there will remain her top priority. Then, there are the O.W.L.s’ exams, not to mention her detentions.”

“I forgot about those.”

“Yes, well, I’m 95% sure that even if she wanted to forget about them, Khanna would not let her. So between that and the Curse, I’m afraid Alice Beaumont has very little time for Quidditch.”

Andre stared at him, an eyebrow raised. “McNully, can I ask you something?”

“No, I am not making up these statistics.”

“Not what I wanted to ask. No, what I want to know is, what are our odds against Slytherin if one of our remaining reserve team players plays as a chaser?”

“Not great, since none were put on the reserve because of their chasing skills.”

“Are the odds better with a barely trained Alice?”

“Considering her raw potential, competitiveness, and dislike of a certain Slytherin, I would say yes. The last two qualities could be explosive when combined, which might lower the odds.”

“That’s all I need to know,” said Andre as he climbed up the stairs.

“But, Andre, I already told you….”

Andre abruptly turned around. “Look, I’m desperate. Our injured chaser won’t be able to play for the rest of the season. I need someone who can not only help us against Slytherin but also against Gryffindor. Alice might just be what we need against those Lions.”

“Gryffindor? What does Alice Beaumont have to do with the Gryffindor team?” shouted McNully after Andre, who was already gone.

McNully furrowed his eyebrows. 

Clearly, he was missing some stats about Gryffindor’s team and the Curse-Breaker.

A/N #2: Hope you enjoyed the first installment of my Quidditch series. As I have said in the past, even though this will be my main project, I will probably write fics unrelated to the series to keep my creativity flowing. Also, this series will include fics more about the 5th-year plot than about Quidditch, but Quidditch will always be somewhere in the background (especially as Alice befriends some members of her team).

[immagrosscandy]

candy draws mcs! pt 1

Carmilla Frank for @carmilla-the-bird

Cato Reese for @catohphm

Gwendolyn Gordon for @drinkyoursoupbitch

(i got to draw wendy again after a long time its like a redraw :'v)

Arjun Singh for @hogwarts9

Katriona Cassiopeia for @kc-needs-coffee

Madeline Orionswan for @madelineorionswan

[judediangelo75]

Til Next Summer, Little Fox

‘Til Next Summer, Little Fox

Amari McNully was many things.

And a quitter wasn’t one of them.

When he first got into Hogwarts, he had his heart set on becoming a Slytherin. To be a Quidditch champion in his own right, much like his mother did when she used to go to school. She and his father taught him all about the sport wizards and witches can come together and bond over.

His parents even created a camp, so already he was ahead of the pack.

All that was left to do was to be placed in his dream House and bring honor to his family name.

Only… it didn’t pan out that way.

When the Sorting Hat declared he was to be a Hufflepuff, he was crushed. Even more so when his twin sister got into the House he wanted and she had no desire to play Quidditch.

He could sit at the Hufflepuff table dejectedly as others around him laughed and chattered amongst themselves.

When he went home that Christmas, he spoken to his mother about his feelings about the entire thing. Talking to her always made him feel better.

Which it did.

Not only did he feel more at peace about the House he was placed in but also he made a little discovery.

An old mentor from his time at camp, a great friend to his parents, was a Hufflepuff alumni herself.

He always remembered the woman fondly.

Judith Winger. A witch with a strict training regime but with a heart of gold to match her eyes. She mainly trained with his team, the Freddie Foxes, which was the considered to produce the toughest team of Beaters.

She always applied pressure on them to hone their skills but was fair enough to stop and talk to someone if they were in a foul mood or they were pushing themselves too hard.

Amari always remembered little tidbits about herself she would share with him.

“My Papa used to be a Beater himself, teaching me some general basics while he was still alive.”

“I always used to meditate or go broom surfing in a quiet place before a match. A still and quiet mind can help in the long run.”

“You know if you asked your mom, she could probably show you the letterman jacket I designed for her when we were in school. I made one for her, Erika, Phoenix, and I with our house colors to wear around. Even with our nicknames inscribed on the back.”

“My gold fangs were a signature trade mark when I was school. My nickname was Tigress on the Quidditch Pitch.” “And you were Little Tigress outside of it!” “DAVID! FOR THE MILLIONTH TIME, I’M NOT LITTLE, YOU STUBBORN GIT!”

He enjoyed having Miss Judith as a mentor, and he could tell that she enjoyed having him as a mentee. She even gave him a pet name.

“Whatchu up to, little fox?”

“Can I help you little fox?”

“Aye, watch the sass there little fox before I made you run three laps around the track.”

One of Amari’s cherished items was a picture from when he was kid.

It was the last day at Camp Cassiopeia. The kids were free to do what they wished and Amari wanted to train with his favorite mentor before he leaves. Miss Judith was always down for some training.

Just as they were heading to store their bats, his mum appeared with a camera in hand, looking to capture some last minute memories of camp that year.

Not wanting to take a picture by himself. He looped his arm around the crook of Miss Judith’s elbow with a laugh.

“Come and take a picture with me, Miss Judith!” He remembered giggling as he said this. Giving a bright, happy expression to the camera lens, he gave his mother a peace sign before she took the picture. Katriona smiled at the pair as she snapped the picture before disappearing to make copies.

Before everyone left, his mum was able to print out the pictures. Before Judith could leave with her husband, Amari ran to find his favorite mentor.

“Ready to go, darling,” Talbott asked his wife, hugging her close while placing a soft kiss on her lips. Before she could reply, she heard a familiar voice calling out to her.

“Miss Judith, Miss Judith! Wait for a second!” Pale gold eyes glanced over to find a familiar styled mop of blonde hair hurdling up to her. Turning around with a smile, Judith stopped to see what the young McNully wanted.

“Hey there, little fox. How can I help you?” Amari stood in front her and her husband, panting to catch his breath before producing the photo of them, along with a pen.

“I-I was wondering if you can sign this before you go…” Judith took ahold of the physical evidence of her little fox catching her by surprise by having her take a picture with him.

The bright happiness that danced in his gray irises and the amused, confused shock reflecting in her own made her and Talbott smile. Tapping the pen against her cheek, she looked down at the young boy with careful thought before writing her message.

“Here you go, little fox.” Amari took back to the picture back to see what she wrote. He half expected to just see her name, but was pleasantly surprised to find a little message just for him.

‘Let people underestimate you… That gives you the chance to embarrass them! ‘Til next summer, little fox. - Judith Winger’

The young boy beamed at her before give her quick bear hug. Judith was happy to return it, ruffling his blonde locks before releasing him.

“Bye, Miss Judith and Mr. Talbott! See you next year!”

Amari forgot all about his little memento until after coming home from Christmas. When he discovered that his own teacher was a Hufflepuff herself. Going through his box filled with his old camp stuff, he found the photograph. It made him laugh a bit because she mainly wore her House colors, she couldn’t be more obvious if she tried.

Judith took pride that she was a Hufflepuff, and a fierce Beater to the boot. She wasn’t always a Quidditch champion but she was fantastic player to be remembered.

Before leaving to go back to Hogwarts, Amari made sure to keep the photo in his bag. While in the train ride back, he took out the picture and let her mentor’s words written in her neat handwriting sink it his mind.

“I will do just that, Miss Judith. I hope I make you proud…”

Whenever Amari felt down, or overlooked, he would take out the picture from that fateful summer and remember her words.

‘Let them underestimate you… That gives you the chance to embarrass them!’

Talk to Amari McNully nice, or you might lose with a resounding “Checkmate.”

————————

And she is back at it again with another one! I’m not 100% yet but I felt inspired to do another drawing with a quick short story.

I did an old drawing of this by hand awhile back but I wanted to do a better job this time. I just turned 22 and have a new program to work with, let’s see the growth, let’s see the improvement.

And now here we are.

I hope you like your surprise @kc-needs-coffee ! Also a short classic David and Judith interaction, even when they’re much older @that-scouse-wizard 🤣

[lifeofkaze]

A Search for Balance

CHAPTER 24: CROSS THE LINE

Find the masterlist with all chapters of this story here, the previous chapter here, and the next one here.

Tagging: @flareshogwarts

A/N: Katriona Cassiopeia belongs to my wonderful @kc-and-co

Orion had never minded being on his own, but with the prospect of spending Christmas with no one but his dismal thoughts for company, he had accepted his friends Murphy and Katriona’s invitation to their house in Kenmare gladly. 

Lizzie’s decision to return to Matthew had caught him unaware, to put it mildly. After her fight with Skye with Kenmare, she had picked up her bag and left without another word, and Orion had waited for her to come and talk to him in vain. When he had seen her next, she had been by Matthew’s side, his hand on her back and her engagement ring flashing on her hand. 

Katriona and Murphy were doing their best to distract him from his brooding thoughts, but Orion found it hard to share their festiveness, and kept mostly to himself. But giving his friends space was only part of the reason for his self-imposed solitude; every time he saw them stealing kisses under the mistletoe or cuddling up on the sofa, he was reminded of Lizzie and what he had foolishly thrown away, and every time, it hurt a little more. 

The end of the year came with rain and thunderstorms. Like most evenings, Orion was sitting on the ground in front of this window, listening to the heavy drops patter against the glass. It was a peaceful sound, and Orion was doing his best to capture the feeling, but in his head a storm matching the one outside was raging. He thought of the raindrops falling from the sky, how they were whipped about by the merciless winds. They had nothing to hold onto, to steady themselves. All they could do was fall. 

A knock on the door broke him from his gloomy thoughts. 

“Orion?” Katriona’s voice sounded from the other side. “Can I come in?”

The door opened and Katriona entered the room, a tray with two steaming mugs floating behind her. She cast a searching look around, shaking her head when she spotted Orion sitting on the floor. 

“I spent a fortune on the furniture, just so you know. Here,” she held a bronze, owl-shaped mug out to him, “everything’s better with some eggnog. Don’t worry, it’s vegan.”

Orion arched his eyebrows but accepted the mug anyway. “I wouldn’t exactly call eggnog vegan.”

“Just say thank you.”

The corners of Orion’s mouth twitched as he blew against his drink. “Thank you.” 

Katriona took the second cup - this one in the colours of the Caerphilly Catapults - and sat in the armchair next to the window. Both of them were quiet as they drank. A warm feeling soon spread through Orion’s body, and not only from the eggnog. Katriona’s presence calmed him; no matter how strong the storm was he was weathering, her friendship always was a fire to find shelter at. 

“Don’t think I didn’t notice you leaving night after night,” Katriona said after a while. “Do you want to tell me what’s bothering you?”

Orion contemplated her question, then shook his head. “I only wanted to give you and Murphy space to enjoy the Christmas you had planned.”

“Don’t worry, we’re enjoying it alright,” Katriona giggled, the slight flush on her cheeks telling Orion that this wasn’t her first eggnog of the night. Her chuckle faded as she set her cup aside. “Orion, I’ve known you for half my life. I can see that something’s wrong with you. More than usual, that is.”

Despite himself, her teasing made Orion laugh. “With the light of your friendship shining through the winter storm, how could there be anything wrong? I feel better just for knowing that you’re here.”

Katriona hummed in response. “But I’m not the one you wished were here right now, am I?”

Orion’s smile dropped. “No.”

“No?” Katriona said after waiting for him to continue. “That’s it, nothing more? You’re worse off than I thought.” She slid from her armchair and sat on the floor with him, gently touching his arm. “I’m here for you, you know that. Whatever it is, you can tell me. I’ll only judge you a little.”

This time, Orion didn’t laugh. 

“I made a terrible mistake,” he told Katriona quietly, before filling her in on everything that had happened since his return. How he had found out that Lizzie was engaged, and the surprising disappointment that had come with it; her warranted anger at him, and how they had rebuilt their friendship until Orion wasn’t so sure that friendship was what he wanted anymore. 

When Katriona heard about what Matthew had done to Lizzie after finding her keepsakes, her mouth dropped open in outrage, and she sighed deeply at the part that had come after. 

“It was foolish to hope, I know,” Orion finished his report, “but being with her felt like nothing had changed, and I genuinely thought she felt the same. I don’t know how I could be so wrong.”

Katriona was quiet, contemplating what she had heard. 

“I don’t think you were wrong at all,” she said eventually. “Lizzie changed after you were gone. We all thought fame had gotten to her head, but from how you describe it, it sounds like the old Lizzie is still in there somewhere.” 

Orion shook his head. “It’s not our place to judge who Lizzie has chosen to become. The only one she needs to be at peace with is herself. Only because the sun shines on us differently, doesn’t mean that she herself has changed.”

His voice had taken on a bitter ring. “The line I shouldn’t have crossed was plain for me to see, yet I did it anyway. I never stopped loving her, but by the time I realised it, it was too late for me to turn back. Asking for a second chance was gambling with fate, and here is what I got from it.” 

There was a short pause before Katriona snorted audibly. “Are you even listening to yourself? You’re sitting here in your room, whining about your fate over vegan eggnog as if there was nothing you could do about it.”

Orion frowned. “The universe -”

“Screw the universe,” Katriona said vehemently. “Love isn’t a Bludger you have to dodge. You’re a Chaser, so go and chase after what you want. If you want to be with Lizzie, you will need to fight for her.”

“It’s not me she wants.”

“Aren’t you?” Katriona asked. “Because from how I see it, it was you she came to when she didn’t know where to go. It was you who got her to be the Lizzie we all love again. And it’s definitely going to be you who will get whacked with my Beater’s Bat if you let her go without so much as trying. You two, you aren’t finished with each other, and don’t tell me otherwise.” The look on her face softened. “Trust me, Orion. The odds of finding love like yours are so small. You can’t just give it up like this.” 

“Easy for you to say.” 

Katriona’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“The love story between you and Murphy is one for the ages,” Orion explained, hating himself for the jealousy rising in his chest. “Your love burns so brightly that it eclipses everything. It always has, long before you even knew it. The moment you two met on the Quidditch pitch your stars aligned, and that never changed. Your story was always fated to be happy.”

Katriona set her mug down on the carpet with a heavy thump. 

“Listen here now, Mister,” she snapped. “I’ve sat and listened to your whining and convoluted nonsense for the better part of my evening, but now you’ve crossed another line. Don’t you dare act like Murphy and I didn’t have our own challenges to overcome, because we bloody well did. 

“So what if we never doubted each other? Knowing you don’t want to be with anybody else doesn’t make spending two years apart any easier. Do you think it was easy for Murphy to be impartial when his colleagues at the Daily Prophet were talking about me? Do you think it was easy for me to give up my dream of being a Quidditch player so Murphy could go and live his?” 

She paused to catch her breath. “For him, I would do it all again in a heartbeat, but you weren’t even here for all of this. So don’t you ever dare to go and tell me again that Murphy and I had it easy.” 

Feeling the truth of her words, Orion inclined his head in apology.  “Forgive me. Over my own misery, I have forgotten that there can’t be light without a shadow.”

Katriona seemed content with his answer. “Murphy and I worked hard for our luck. Nothing good in this world comes from politely asking for it. Luck is earned by the choices we make and the things we deem worth fighting for.” 

She rose to her feet, collected their empty mugs on the tray and walked to the door. As she was about to close it behind her, she turned to Orion once more. 

“You said the line you crossed was plain to see. Here’s a little wisdom for you, for a change - from my own experience, the exciting parts are always those that lie beyond.” 

[carewyncromwell]

“The love is gone... The love is gone... The sweetest dream that we had ever known... The love is gone... The love is gone. I wish you well, But I must leave you now, alone.”

~“When Love is Gone” from The Muppet Christmas Carol

x~x~x~x

This is my own submission to the Orion Fan Club, showcasing some of the unique elements of my personal Orion Amari...in this case, Orion post-Hogwarts joining the Montrose Magpies as their Star Chaser and becoming a single father to a baby daughter, Eos. For more background on Orion, Delilah, Eos, and how Carewyn fits into their narrative, you can read these three posts, but to put it very simply in case you just want to jump into reading this, Delilah and Orion originally dated with the expectation of not committing or “settling down,” only for Eos to pop into their lives and Orion to immediately take to parenthood and Delilah to...well, not. Add the knowledge that Voldemort has returned to the world and is growing more and more powerful by the day, and yeaaah, you don’t have a great situation. Oh, yes, and there is a tiny reference to Katriona Cassiopeia in there, because I wub you, @kc-and-co! (Also adding tags for other OFC members @lifeofkaze @anthamariemayfair @lgvalenzuela @smarti-at-smogwarts​ @thegoldenbuccaneer​ 😘)

Hope you guys like this! Please consider liking, reblogging, and/or commenting, and I hope your day is going well 💚

x~x~x~x

The first night immediately following the fracture was the hardest. The deafening silence, only broken by his daughter’s crying -- the way every step seemed to echo endlessly, as if Orion’s small flat had suddenly become ten times its original size -- it made it that much harder for Orion to keep his mind clear.

He’d sent ten letters by owl post in the last five hours. But there was no response. None at all. 

He tried to calm himself -- tell himself that she just needed time, to think everything over...to steady her courage, to realize that he’d...

Orion cradled Eos in his arms that entire night, trying to keep his own heartrate steady by focusing on Eos’s breathing. It was all he could do, after her mother had unceremoniously dropped her in his lap and left with no apparent interest in returning. 

Orion awoke the following morning on his couch, Eos still sleeping in his arms. Once he got up to put her down for a proper rest, he then went to the open window. The owl had returned -- but there was no post anywhere. She had not replied at all that night. 

The Star Chaser tried to reach her by Floo Powder, but from what he could see and hear from her flat, there was no one there. Worse still, it looked like things had been disturbed. His heart prickling with anxiety, he immediately pulled his head out of the fire and walked right through so as to look around the flat himself...but what he saw made his heart only chill further.

At first his thoughts had been racing with the worst case scenario -- that she’d been robbed, or attacked, or worse still the Death Eaters had gotten in. But instead, all of the disruptions were orderly -- closets suddenly devoid of everything but hangers; drawers pulled out and completely emptied; all valuables taken, with only broken or unimportant trinkets left behind. And when Orion followed up with her superintendent, he found that she’d given the woman 30 days notice, but no forwarding address.  

Delilah hadn’t left involuntarily. She had packed up everything and vanished, purposefully, deliberately, and without regret. 

Orion returned to Eos sleeping at home. She hadn’t woken up in those thirty minutes, mercifully -- but it only served to make the whole space seem so much emptier, devoid of life or light. 

She’d left them. She’d left him and Eos, abandoned her daughter...

No. She hadn’t abandoned her. Delilah was afraid -- naturally she’d be afraid; everyone was. She especially had reason to be afraid -- the Flint family was Pureblood, likely the sorts to agree with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named’s principles, if not the wizard himself...

But she’d never been like them! Delilah had never cared about Orion’s ancestry, that he didn’t know his family or what blood they might’ve had -- she’d left her family home because she’d wanted to fly free, the way he had -- that was what they’d first connected on in the first place: the fact that she hadn’t wanted the typical married home life with a huge family and a white-picket fence --

He hadn’t wanted that either, but...

“You’ve made your choice clear, Orion.”

Orion held his head in his hand, his eyes half-closed. His blood was pumping so loudly in his ears, it felt like he was having a migraine. Rocking precariously over to the threadbare sofa, he landed with a flump on one of the old cushions.

Balance...he’d never had so much trouble finding it before. It was like the whole world was upside down and he couldn’t see what way was up.

Delilah had never wanted children. Orion himself hadn’t really thought he wanted them either. After being raised an orphan, he grew very used to not having an actual family, and he loved his place with his real family -- the Montrose Magpies -- too much to even consider retiring and settling down. Marriage had always seemed like such an arcane and fascinatingly pointless ritual, to him: a day that was given way more importance than it seemingly should, in comparison to the rest of one’s life. But then Eos came into their lives, and...

The memory of holding his baby daughter in that Healer’s ward made Orion’s heart flare with something oddly raw.

She had been so tiny -- so small and fragile, like a baby bird -- and yet her eyes were so big and so bright and so full of tears and uncertainty and fear...needing comfort, after the trauma of being born...of being brought into a world so darkened by the shadow of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. And yet she had no clue how frightening things truly were -- could be comforted with even just the lightest rocking, the slightest gentle touch and word...looked up at him as if all she could see of the world was him, and that was enough, to comfort her and bring her joy...

How could he have not embraced that baby? How could he have not brought such an innocent, precious gift as Eos into his heart -- want to protect her and guard her, so that she’d never grow up afraid, the way he had? How could he have rejected her, dismissed her -- turned away from her? How could Delilah!?

The flare of emotion actually escaped out through Orion trying and failing to move a chair aside when he got up from the couch and actually kicking it out of his way. The loud clatter, however, seemed to bring him back down to earth -- his head shot up, the anger dissipating from his frame instantly as he stared at the overturned chair. 

After a long moment of breathing in and out, trying to steady his heartrate, Orion looked upon the chair with a much more unreadable, faintly melancholy expression and very slowly bent down beside it so he could stand it upright again. 

There had to be a way to make things right. There had to be some way he could restore balance, to this situation...make Delilah understand, make her see that things weren’t as hopeless as she thought -- that her financial troubles didn’t have to mean she’d have to give Eos up. That was what they’d been arguing about, in the first place -- or rather, Delilah was arguing, while Orion tried desperately to pacify her. Delilah had gotten into a lot of debt while living on her own with a newborn baby, and her job at the Magpies’ PR department wasn’t making ends meet. Orion had been helping out by taking Eos for half of every day and helping Delilah pay for Eos’s needs even though he and Delilah weren’t living together, but it seemed that Delilah was just in too deep of a hole and just didn’t know the best way to dig herself out of it. And the only people who had the financial means and motive to “rescue” her and provide her some protection in the midst of this darkening War was her family, the Flints...who never in a million years would’ve supported their daughter having a child out of wedlock with someone with mixed magical ancestry. And so if Delilah was going to move back in with her family, Eos would have to go to an orphanage. That was what Orion had been so desperately trying to talk Delilah out of.

“Delilah, please,” he pleaded with her, “a baby bird with no nest will struggle to fly. Even if they manage to learn how on their own, they will forever look at other nests and not understand them -- wish they could understand, and yet be afraid to, while knowing that such a nest was never meant for them. I know the life of a bird with no nest, with no stability or peace. Please...I couldn’t stand it, if my daughter ended up that way. Please...don’t subject Eos to that.”

There had to be something Orion could do -- there was nothing he wouldn’t do, if it would keep Eos from growing up in an orphanage, as he had. 

There...hadn’t been anything he wouldn’t have done...to keep Delilah and Eos in his life. He’d said as much to Delilah, in the first place.

“...Marry me. If...if it’ll help your finances, to move in with me -- to share my earnings, to -- pool what we have together...then marry me. We can be a family together here, in Montrose -- we can sell your flat, or mine, and take care of the other’s until we can save up enough to buy something bigger...like McNully and KC have, out in the country...”

Orion had felt nauseous suggesting any of this. He couldn’t bear the thought of putting his career on hold -- of traveling less and settling down permanently, of giving up his dream and freedom in favor of a “domestic ideal.” But instead of it softening Delilah’s expression at all, it only served to make her look paler than ever. 

“Then -- then we can keep her,” Orion had said through a weak smile. “We can raise Eos together -- she can live and grow happily and peacefully, with us...”

It was this sentiment that had made the light in Delilah’s eyes go out completely. 

“Since when have you wanted to marry and settle down, Orion?” she’d asked very softly. 

Orion’s weak attempt at a smile faded. His lack of response made Delilah get up and stroll over to the floor where she’d left Eos to crawl around. She bent down and scooped the infant up rather haphazardly -- Orion instinctively bolted forward, his hand up. 

“Her head -- !”

Eos’s head had been falling back, but Delilah fortunately ended up rocking her daughter’s head forward again when she’d hoisted herself back up onto her feet. Her brown eyes were very dull upon Orion’s face.

“You want her?” she said. “Here.”

Delilah nearly dropped Eos into Orion’s arms. Orion quickly adjusted his arms around the baby, holding her close to his chest and bringing a hand up quickly to support her head. The shift in gravity had made Eos start to cry, and Orion immediately tried to rock her gently up and down to comfort her. 

“Shhh...it’s all right, little Mooncalf...I’ve got you...”

Eos choked miserably as Orion rocked her. Delilah, however, merely stood back and watched her boyfriend holding their daughter, her pale face becoming that little bit more full of conviction and resignation.

“I can’t recall you ever being willing to sacrifice your freedom for me,” she said lowly. “I didn’t think it was in your nature to sacrifice it for anyone.” 

Orion looked up at Delilah, confused. 

“You’ve made your choice clear, Orion,” she said very matter-of-factly. “You won’t sacrifice her for my sake -- not even for your own sake, when all she’ll do is cry and put you in debt and make things harder for you to go into hiding, when the Death Eaters come knocking. But you’ll sacrifice for her anyway.”

Orion’s eyes widened. Before he could get any argument out, though, Delilah had already turned her back.

“I hope she’s worth it, to you,” she said, her voice almost callous in how cool it was. 

When Delilah reached the door, she headed out and closed it behind her without another word. 

Seeing the images of that night on the inside of his eyelids was very painful, for Orion. He sat by the little make-shift crib he’d made out of cushions for Eos on his bedroom floor for a long time, his eyes closed, his legs crossed, and his hands clasped in his lap as he tried to meditate. But rather than finding balance, all it felt like was that he was drowning deeper and deeper in a cold pool. 

The gravity of the situation was like a lead weight on Orion’s shoulders. He was alone now -- alone, to take care of this little baby, while playing Quidditch professionally, in the height of a Second Wizarding War that was getting darker by the day as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named grew stronger...

Orion was an orphan. He had never had parents or a childhood home to return to, or even a surname that he knew for sure was really his. What did he know about being a father? What did he know about family at all...?

A soft, choked sob seemed to tap at Orion’s temple, easing him out of his fog and back above water. Eos had woken up from a bad dream and was just starting to fuss. 

At once Orion scooped the infant up and began to rock her up and down, the way she seemed to like. He didn’t say anything at first, instead just looking down at her with very dark, unreadable eyes. 

He wanted to say everything was okay, but it sounded dishonest, in his own mind. He wanted to tell his daughter everything would be all right...but at that moment, his lack of balance and the anxiety it caused him made it difficult to assure her of that. It made it difficult for him to be certain of anything.

This little baby was solely relying on him now...but how could she hope to lean on him for support, when he was so off-balance? How could he help her fly, when he felt like he’d collided so sharply with the ground and didn’t know how to get back up?

The memory of being knocked right off his broom by one of Erika Rath’s Bludgers during the match against Ravenclaw in his sixth year rippled over Orion’s mind, as did the terrible, shaky feelings he’d had in the Hospital Wing and after, when he felt like he would never be able to fly again.

And yet, bizarrely, that horrible feeling made something brighten at the back of Orion’s eyes. Because that feeling, as horrible as it was...had brought about a lot of good, as well.

“Maybe you can’t believe in yourself yet…but I hope you know just how many people do believe in you.”

“You’re our Captain, Orion. And you’re my friend. For as much as you frustrate me sometimes, and as much as I know I must exhaust you at others...winning the Quidditch Cup won’t mean a damn thing, without you.”

“Your team is 100% better with you as Captain. And that’s not just my statistics saying this -- I know plenty of other people think it too.”

The memories of Carewyn sitting with him in the courtyard that evening, and then of his best friends, Skye and McNully, in the Quidditch tent with the rest of his team the following day, was like a soothing wave crashing over his heart, washing away the tension and freezing cold that had crystallized over it. It filled him with this clean, empowering feeling: like taking a full, deep breath of fresh air after being stuck indoors for years. His heart suddenly felt like it could slow down -- his blood seemed to quiet, his spirit relaxing...

All at once, it was like he’d found the ground under his feet again, after being in free fall -- and yet, also, like he wasn’t chained down to it. He rocked himself back and forth on his feet, taking several more deep, stabilizing breaths. 

Find your center...

In his mind, he was back on his broom, balancing on one leg at the Hogwarts Quidditch Pitch. On his left was Skye, and on his right, Carewyn, and surrounding him, the rest of his Quidditch family. Both Magpies and Slytherin Quidditch team members were there -- even other Quidditch friends like Andre Egwu, Oliver Wood, Erika Rath, and Katriona Cassiopeia were balancing there. And as they balanced, and Orion detached from everything like a bird simply enjoying flight, he could hear someone singing -- a phoenix-like voice that seemed to fill his heart with courage. 

“We can be heroes...just for one day...”

Orion opened his eyes, returning to earth and finding his daughter whimpering in his arms because he’d stopped rocking her. His lips curled up in a small, sad smile.

“I’m sorry, little Mooncalf,” he said softly. “It seems my mind drifted off without me.”

He began to rock her again in a leisurely movement that moved both up and down and back and forth like soothing ocean waves. The little baby blinked her big, watery eyes up at him, clearly still rather unsettled and upset -- Orion considered her for a moment as he rocked her. 

“Would a lullaby help, Mooncalf?” he asked his daughter serenely. 

The baby blinked up at him blankly. Orion smiled. 

“I assure you, the woman who first sang this for me has a much lovelier voice than I do...but I suppose, one hardly has to do something just because they are perfect at it...”

His black eyes softening, he adjusted Eos in his arms so that she was resting beside his chest and began to bob her very lightly up and down. 

“We're walking in the air -- We're floating in the moonlit sky... The people far below are sleeping as we fly... I'm holding very tight: I'm riding in the midnight blue... I'm finding I can fly so high above with you...”

And as Eos very slowly started to drift off to sleep, Orion realized how true the words really were.

He could fly, even with Eos with him. He would fly, somehow, and he’d teach her to fly, too...just like regular birds do. He’d hold on tight to her -- until one day, someday far, far away from this one...he’d be able to let go, so that she could fly on her own. And even then, they could still fly together, whenever she chose to fly back to him.

He’d made his choice. And as the years went by, more and more, Orion realized it was a choice he would’ve made a million more times over. 

[lifeofkaze]

The og Quidditch OTP. Santa can take a page out of their playbook when it comes to flying.

Everybody else can take a page out of your book on how to draw the cutest couple pictures.... ever?

Merry Christmas @kc-and-co

I wish you merry merry Christmas 🎄🎁🎄🎁 lot of gifts, wonderful holidays and a relaxing time!!!! 💙❤️💚💛

Kate and McNully are helping Santa

[that-scouse-wizard]

Through Thick and Thin

Day 4 of @cursebreakerfarrier‘s Back to School challenge (a day late I know 😂) Technically takes place before Hogwarts but this was too good not to use with these two. Characters mentioned here belong to @kc-and-co and @lifeofkaze 

Robin bounced excitedly in her seat as the car came to a crawl before stopping. To muggles, the castle in front of them would have looked ominous and decrepit, not a place any sane person would want to go exploring. For Robin however, the ancient structure was a place she had been excited about since her parents had first proposed the idea to her. Today was the day she and Nick would be attending Katriona Cassiopeia’s famous quidditch camp.

Though she was far more enthusiastic than her twin by a country mile, Nick seemed pleased to have finally arrived as well.

The family exited their vehicle, Robin practically launching herself towards the boot, where her rucksack was stored. “Excited?” David asked, chuckling as he opened it up for her, she snatched the bright yellow Wimbourne Wasps rucksack. Nick by contrast took his dark blue one out much more calmly.

“Right kids, remember. Everything you need is those rucksacks, write to us if you get homesick and most important, be careful. Yeah?” David asked, Robin nodding vigorously, whilst Nick did similar.

“With Rath and Cassiopeia around, I’m sure you’ll be in good hands, stay out of trouble you two.” Merula warned light-heartedly, with Robin due to meet up with Reva, chaos was bound to occur.

“Will do mum and dad, love you!” Robin called as she began sprinting for the castle, “I’ll race you Nick!”

“Hey that’s cheating!” Nick shouted after her, giving both of his parents a brief hug before taking off after his sister.

David and Merula beamed, his arm over her shoulder as they watched their children running for the camp, “You know that without us or the Amaris around Robin and Reva are going to be completely uncontrolled, right?” Merula asked.

“Oh yeah,” David nodded in agreement, “I gave Murph and KC the heads up, they’ll think of something for them.”

“I hope you’re right,” Merula laughed, finally turning her attention from the kids towards her husband, “In the meantime, we’re free to do whatever we want.” David smirked as Merula gave him a knowing look, they rarely had time away from the kids nowadays, they aimed to make the best of it.

Robin cheered triumphantly, entering the foyer where several other children who were first timers had gathered. Even going so far as to do a victory pirouette and bow, she had won the race against her brother. Nick came in shortly after, rolling his eyes at Robin’s showboating. Just as she was about to start jokingly gloating, a squeal of delight cut her off.

“Robin!” It was none other than Reva Amari, who immediately tackled her best friend, Robin happily returning the vice-like grip.

“Have you got the snacks?” Robin asked, Reva nodded.

“Have you got the drinks?” Reva asked in response, Robin returned the nod.

The two of them giggling at the thought of the epic midnight feast that would be sure to come about, chock full of sweets, salty snacks and soft drinks. After a long day of quidditch and causing chaos, such a banquet was the perfect way to celebrate as well as defy any trivial ‘lights out’ rule.

“Alright first-timers, settle down.” The announcement came from Murphy McNully, the crowd of children falling silent as he wheeled over to them, followed by an imposing Erika Rath, “Now as I’m sure you’re aware we have four teams for you to join up with, Rowan’s Ravens, Dora’s Dragons, Freddie’s Foxes and Llewelyn’s Lions. For those who already know what it is the teams do, feel free to choose. If not, Miss Rath hear can explain their functions. In the meantime, I would like to have a word with Reva Amari and Robin Willows.”

A few curious glances went the duo’s way but for the most part, no one but Nick knew who they were. Those who already knew what each house stood for rushed to boxes containing the jerseys. Others began queuing up for questions directed at Erika. In the middle of the chaos, Robin and Reva held each other’s hands so they wouldn’t lose each other.

As Murphy waved his wand to begin levitating his wheelchair up a set of stairs, the girls followed after him, giving them an overhead view of the others below. Robin seeing Nick now donning the pink of Dora’s Dragons, they were focused more on broom making, team management and playing the game at an introductory level. Something that Robin thought would be suited for Nick.

“Now then,” Murphy began as he lead the two of them into his office, “I hear the two of you have a certain talent for pranks.” Both girls grinned at that they did enjoy it, especially if the target was either Dylan or Nick.

“Judging by your smirks I’d say there’s an 89% chance of what your parents have told me being right. Which is perfect as I have a special assignment for the two of you,” Murphy’s statement peaked the girl’s interest, “I happen to believe I’m at least somewhat successful at picking out people with the potential to be great quidditch players, so far I’ve been proven right with David, Lizzie, Orion and even my darling wife. I believe the best way is to get them to hone their talents. However, in your case, I feel that we can channel your innate desire towards mischief-making for not just your own benefits but even the entire camp!”

Robin and Reva gave each other, and Murphy, a puzzled look. Where exactly was he going with this?

“That’s why, I want the two of you to start a prank war with each other.” There was a long pause as such a revelation stunned the two girls.

“You’re serious?” Robin asked, just the faintest hint of joy seeping into her tone. Reva was pinching herself to be sure it wasn’t a dream.

“Indeed,” Murphy grinned, “There are a few things to consider. For one, do nothing that would damage equipment, do not target staff members and above all else, do not tamper with my wife’s coffee.” Both girl’s nodded, shuddering at the last point, being fairly confident nothing would placate Katriona Cassiopeia’s rage if that were to happen.

“Excellent! Now, go fetch your jerseys, I’m sure you’d both make a fine addition to Llwelyn’s Lions.”

The two of them were positively giddy with excitement at being allowed almost free reign to do whatever they wanted as far as pranking went. Yet even so, they scrutinised each other, silently trying to come up with the best way to get ahead in the coming prank war. Even as they took on the Lion’s lavender colouration, they dared not turn their back on the other.

They both rounded a corner into the mess hall, all students from every house were gathered there, enjoying a banquet of sandwiches and cakes with juice and water as refreshments. At the centre piece was a beautifully baked Victoria sponge, somehow untouched and so perfect for smashing into someone’s face.

Robin and Reva looked at each other, they began slowly walking towards the cake, that became a light jog, then a run until finally it was a full on sprint. Robin had always been faster off the broom and reached the cake first. Yet, Reva slammed into her, planting Robin’s face into the cake. Robin was down briefly but far from out. She took a fistful of cake, cream and jam before smearing into Reva’s face.

With that declaration of war made, the food fight soon became a free for all. Something sure to go down in the history books as one of the greatest welcome’s to the quidditch camp.

[the-al-chemist]

Artemis Hexley and the Circle of Khanna

Chapter 21: Amends

A/N: Another year has come and gone at Hogwarts, but Artemis has some unfinished business to attend to before she can leave. Characters mentioned belong to @lifeofkaze, @thatravenpuffwitch, @that-scouse-wizard, @samshogwarts, and @kc-and-co. Warnings: alcohol consumption, mentions of sports related injury, references to canon typical discrimination, and mentions of death, grief, and loss.

Once the Aurors had left with Jacob and Rakepick, Professor Dumbledore sent the Circle of Khanna back to their dormitories.

“Except for you, Miss Hexley,” he said, and Artemis stopped walking with Tonks and Penny to face him. “There are things that I wish to discuss with you privately, if I may.”

Artemis had expected Dumbledore to take her back to his office, but instead, they walked straight past the gargoyle corridor in the direction of the hospital wing. The hospital wing itself was full of people and absent of statues.

“It worked!” Artemis said as she caught sight of Madam Pomfrey walking among her fellow victims of the statue curse. “They’ve all gone back to normal.”

“So it would appear,” said Dumbledore, bowing his head. He gestured to the staircase, and together he and Artemis descended the steps to walk out into the Clocktower Courtyard. Once they were standing outside, he raised his face to the heavens and chuckled gently. “I remember one starry night like this five years ago, I stood with a young girl who asked me about the Cursed Vaults. I distinctly recall telling her then - and several times since then, I might add - that she should leave the Vaults well alone.”

Artemis shrugged. “I’ve never been very good at doing what I’m told, Professor.”

“And for that, we should all be grateful. Thanks to the efforts of yourself and your friends, the school is safe. I should very much like to ask you, if you do not mind indulging my academic curiosity, what lay within the final Cursed Vault?”

“As in the power inside?” Artemis asked, and Dumbledore inclined his head. “I dunno, sir. We never got to opening the Vault properly, because it was protected by… something. It was horrible, we got these visions. Merula and Ben said they were all their worst memories, but I’m not sure. Some of the stuff I don’t remember seeing before, or if I have it was only in a dream, not in real life. It felt real, though, in the Vault. And it felt… awful. Like everything good had been sucked out of the world forever.”  Artemis shuddered. “The merpeople said it was an evil place. It was. We went out, and we were thinking about how to break through the protection when Rakepick arrived. She wanted to kill me, again.”

“As always, Patricia Rakepick proves herself to be highly determined in getting what she wants.”

“Yeah. I mean, she could’ve killed me before, that night in the forest when… I don’t know why she didn’t honestly. It would’ve been easy because we weren’t paying attention to her, not after Rowan... But anyway, by the time we captured her, we were all worried. So we sealed the Vault. Jacob said it would stop the curse, it just means that eventually someone will have to go back and break all of the curses once and for all. He said that we would do it, but then he…”

Artemis’ voice tailed off. Once again, Jacob’s actions had left her mystified. And Jacob had left her. Again. Not only that, he had told the Aurors that he was the one who killed Duncan, that he was a member of the cabal. It couldn’t be true, but if it was untrue, why had he said all those things to the Aurors?

“If my memory serves me correctly,” said Dumbledore quietly, “that night when we first talked, you asked me whether I believed your brother to be mad, bad, or dangerous.”

“Maybe. It was a long time ago.”

“Indeed it was. But I did not believe it then, and I do not believe it now.”

“Do you know why he handed himself to the Aurors?” Artemis asked, continuing without even giving Dumbledore a chance to answer, “Do you know if it’s true, what he said about being part of R and killing Duncan? You don’t believe that he killed Duncan, do you?”

“I cannot pretend to know what your brother thinks, however I would hazard a guess that he is suffering from a guilty conscience, one that he wishes to relieve by attempting to make amends.”

Artemis frowned, not sure if she entirely understood Dumbledore’s words.

“So, what’s going to happen now?” she asked him.

“I am certain that the Aurors and the Wizengamot will see to it that justice is served appropriately, to both your brother and Madam Rakepick.”

“And what about here, at Hogwarts? And the Cursed Vaults? And me?”

“The Cursed Vaults will remain a mystery, and shall lie dormant until someone next attempts to open them, sometime in the future. When exactly, only time will tell,” Dumbledore fixed his blue eyes on Artemis behind his half-moon spectacles. “As for you, Miss Hexley, you have another month and a half before term ends, and another year of education after that. I suggest you make the most of it.”

There was a finality in his tone that made it clear that Artemis was dismissed. As she walked towards the door of the clocktower to return to her dormitory, the bell chimed twelve times. Behind her she heard Professor Dumbledore call her name, and she looked back to see him smiling at her.

“I believe I should wish you a happy birthday, Miss Hexley.”

With all the plans about the Cursed Vault, Artemis had almost forgotten all about her birthday. Thankfully, her friends had not. After lessons ended for the day, Penny and Tonks practically dragged her to the Three Broomsticks, where Rosmerta had decorated the bar with paper chains and colourful floating bubbles, and all of the Circle of Khanna had gathered around a set of tables.

“You really didn’t have to go to all this effort, Ros,” said Artemis, as Rosmerta pressed a small parcel into her hands. 

“Nonsense, love. You’re seventeen. All grown up,” Ros smiled. “Now, are you going to use magic to open that present or not?”

Of course. Now that she was of age, Artemis was actually allowed to use magic outside of school. She grinned, and used her wand to vanish the wrapping paper off the gift. She had been expecting more Muggle music for the machine Ros had given her for Christmas the year before, but instead found herself holding an entirely different Muggle device. This one was small and square, with a dark glass circle in the centre, and a light glass square in one corner.

“Thanks, Ros,” Artemis smiled and frowned at the same time. “Um, what is this?”

“It’s a camera, love. It prints out photos as you take them,” Rosmerta informed her. “I thought that with you only having one year left at school, you would like a way to keep hold of as many nice memories as possible.”

“Yeah, I would. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, love. So, what do you want to have for your first drink as a grown woman?”

Artemis carried a small glass of a burgundy liquid that smelled like marzipan (“sloe gin, love”) and the Muggle camera over to her friends, and Penny showed her how it worked. By the time they left the inn and returned to the Hufflepuff dormitory, she had almost twenty photos of her and her friends and a niggling sensation in her head and heart. If only Rowan had been there. If only she had more photos of Rowan from when she had been there. Her first instinct was to push the thought away, but she stopped herself, and instead let the feeling sit there for a moment, closing her eyes, taking a deep breath, and picturing Rowan’s face, her doe-like brown eyes, the graceful curve of her nose, her smile. It was not a photograph, but it was something, at least.

“Are you alright, Artemis?” asked Alanza, sitting on the bed that used to be Rowan’s. Artemis smiled at her and nodded.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she said. “Just thinking, that’s all. Thanks, though. It was nice of you to ask.”

“You know what else is nice?” Penny said, and she nodded her head at Chiara, who had brought her bedding into the dormitory to join the girls in their festivities. “You being here, Chiara. You really should stay here all the time, you know.”

Chiara gave Penny a thin-lipped smile. “As I told you before, I don’t want to wake you all up taking medications and-”

“And, as I told you before, none of us would mind one bit. Would we, Tonks?”

“Nah, I’m a deep sleeper.”

“See? Artemis and Alanza don’t mind either, do you?”

“It does not matter if I mind or not,” Alanza shrugged. “I will not be here next year anyway. I go back to Brazil at the end of term.”

“Oh, you must be so excited to see your family and friends.”

“I am, yes. But I will miss my friends here at Hogwarts, too. And Charlie, of course. Hopefully he will be able to visit me sometime. You all can visit as well one day, I will miss you four very much, too.”

“We will all miss you too, Alanza,” said Artemis, realising for the first time that she meant it. She had grown to quite like Alanza after all.

“Thank you, Artemis. You know, Chiara, you can have my bed when I go home, if you like.”

Before Chiara could either accept or decline Alanza’s offer, the door of the dormitory swung open. In crashed a short and stocky girl with short blue hair.

“Sorry for crashing in like a roaster,” said Skye Parkin, her face flushing. “I just need to chat tae ye, Hexley.”

“Fine. What about?”

“Cordelia Costa had a messed up cure for boils tipped over her hands in Potions class this afternoon, and her hands have come up in the most massive boils ye have ever seen. Madam Pomfrey says they’ll take a month tae heal properly, so  she cannae play Quidditch next weekend. It means we’re down a Chaser. I’ve been tryin’ tae find a replacement but it’s slim pickings out there. Aw ma year are too busy revising for the N.E.W.T.s and the fifth years are aw flapping aboot the O.W.L.s. The fourth years are pure mince, and I’m already using my reserve player, so… Can you do it?”

Artemis frowned. “I’m not a Chaser, Skye.”

“That’s nae bother, Hopper will play Chaser. But that leaves us without a Seeker. She cannae play both, ken?” Skye sighed. “Look, Hexley, I ken that ye didnae want tae play anymore after what happened tae yer pal, but honestly, I’m desperate. Please? It’s the final, and I cannae go against Rath with no Seeker, those Ravenclaws will batter us.”

She looked at Artemis imploringly, and Artemis could see from the look in her green eyes that she meant it. So, Artemis nodded.

“Yeah. Yeah, I’ll do it.”

“Ye wee stoater, Hexley. Cheers, hen. See you oan the pitch at dawn, aye? We’re gaun tae need some emergency practice sessions tae get us aw back in shape. Rath won’t ken what’s hit her.”

Skye wandered off, muttering about Erika Rath under her breath.

“Well,” said Artemis. “Looks like I need to find my broomstick.”

She found her Comet 260 under her bed, next to the pair of matching burgundy notebooks she had intended to give Rowan for her seventeenth birthday, but had never got the opportunity to do so. She pushed them back, and pulled out the broomstick. It needed a good polish, but other than that it was ready to fly again. 

And so was she.

The final Quidditch match of the year was between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, and its result would decide the winner of the Cup.

Ravenclaw was in the lead, but - as Murphy McNully reliably informed Artemis - there was still a chance of Hufflepuff snatching a victory from the jaws of defeat, provided that they beat Ravenclaw with a wide margin, which Skye was confident that they would.

Unfortunately, it turned out not to be the case. 

The match was marginally less violent than the year before, with only two injuries: Abigail Adler, one of the Ravenclaw Chasers, sustained an injury during a manoeuvre Skye called “Parkin’s Pincer”, and Jean Bean the Hufflepuff Beater was knocked out of the sky by the combined force of both Rath and Cassiopeia using their bats to hit a Bludger at her simultaneously.

With one Beater out of the game, David Willows was having to work twice as hard to defend the players against Rath and Cassiopeia, leaving him unable to mount any form of powerful attack against the opposing team, and Andre Egwu and Hufflepuff’s Keeper Amelia Booth were equally matched as Keepers. Still, with Adler out of play, the Hufflepuff Chasers had the advantage. Skye, Lizzie, and Ellie worked well as a team, and over a few hours managed to rack up a score in Hufflepuff’s favour. 

The fate of the game rested with Artemis, whose job was fairly simple: keep the Ravenclaw Seeker busy, wait for the point lead to increase, then catch the Snitch. This was complicated by the opposing Seeker, Samantha O’Connell, who seemed to have caught on to - or perhaps had been told about - all of Artemis’ distraction techniques, for she didn’t fall for any of them and stayed consistently focussed on her own hunt for the Snitch. 

When Artemis finally saw the tiny golden ball, Hufflepuff still did not have enough of a lead to win the Cup. Unfortunately, she wasn’t the only one to have caught sight of the Snitch; O’Connell saw it too. 

She had no choice; if she didn’t catch the Snitch now, Hufflepuff would lose the match as well as the Cup. So, she leaned forward and accelerated with the opposing Seeker, taking a deep dive and overtaking her, the wind whistling in her ears and whipping her hair as she gained speed and drew closer and closer to…

“Hexley catches the Golden Snitch,” Murphy’s voice echoed across the pitch. “Hufflepuff win 220 to 60, but Ravenclaw take the Cup!”

“Och, dinnae fash yerself, hen,” said Skye, when Artemis stopped her at the post-match party to apologise for not waiting longer to catch the Snitch. “At least we won the match, aye?”

“Yeah, I guess,” Artemis shrugged. “Does that mean that I can come back to the team next term? I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed playing Quidditch, what with everything that happened this year.”

Skye laughed. “It’s nae ma decision. I’ll be graduating next month, ken?.”

“What are you going to do after you leave?”

“I’m joining a professional team. Ma family’s team actually, the Wigtown Wanderers. I told ye before that ma Pa is the manager, and ma older brothers are already playing.”

“Sounds fun.”

“Aye, but it’s a lot of pressure. Always has been. At home, it’s the only thing that matters, and I just want tae… Aye, never mind. Sorry for havering, Hexley.”

“That’s fine, I don’t mind,” Artemis told her. “I’m sorry for quitting earlier in the year. Hopefully whoever is Captain next year will let me back. Who is going to be Captain?”

“Dinnae ken yet. Jameson, Bean and I are aw aff, Willows does nae want the responsibility, the others have aw only been playing for a year. You dinnae want it, dae ye?”

“Not a chance,” Artemis laughed, and so did Skye. “I had a go at being the leader of a club this year and it’s really not my thing. Besides, I only played one match this year, and I don’t know enough about strategies and I’m no good at working out point margins and…” her voice tailed off as she had an idea. “Actually, Skye, I think I know who would be a great captain.”

“Who?”

Artemis looked across the Great Hall to where Murphy was sitting with Katriona Cassiopeia, the red-haired Ravenclaw Beater, on his lap. Skye frowned.

“McNully? He cannae fly, he’s in a wheelchair.”

“So what?” Artemis asked. “He knows more about Quidditch than anyone and it was his strategies that won us the Cup last year. And we’re Hufflepuffs. Aren’t we meant to believe in fair chances?”

“Aye,” Skye raised her eyebrows and nodded slowly. “Aye, it’s no a bad idea. I am gaun tae have words with him about getting quite so close to the Ravenclaw Beaters, though. Cannae have that from our Captain.”

“That’s a shame.”

“For why?”

“Oh, no reason,” Artemis grinned, her eyes finding those of Erika Rath, which were fixed on Skye, and were filled with an expression that was far softer than anger. “I just think that there might be a Ravenclaw Beater who wouldn’t mind getting a little closer to you.”

“Och, naw. She’s just still raging about those rumours I started last year about her and that missing broomstick.”

“Then maybe it’s time that you try making amends,” said Artemis, and she gave Skye a small but mischievous smirk as she walked away from her, leaving a clear path between the two girls who were - for now, at least - rival team captains.

Artemis’ return to the Quidditch team might have distracted Penny from nagging Chiara Lobosca to take Alanza’s empty bed in the girls’ dormitory, but Chiara’s respite was short-lived. On the final night of term, while Alanza was making the most of her final evening with Charlie and the other girls were busy packing up their belongings, Penny dragged Chiara across the hallway and into the dormitory.

“See, there would be plenty of room for you, especially with Alanza leaving. I don’t mind taking down the garlands if you don’t like them, and Tonks can always free the bat.”

“Excuse me?”

“The beds are really comfy in here,” Penny continued, ignoring the affronted look Tonks was giving her. “Come and sit on Alanza’s bed - she won’t mind - and you’ll see what I mean. Chiara. Sit.”

Chiara did as Penny said and sat down on Alanza’s bed, though she sighed softly as she did so.

“Penny, I-”

“There. Don’t you think it’s comfy?”

“It is, Penny, and I’m really touched that you want me to move in here with you three, but I can’t,” Chiara said, her voice gentle and firm, all at once. “I just can’t. I’m sorry.”

“But-”

“Leave it, Penny,” muttered Artemis, shoving Fergus’ toys into her trunk. “It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not fine!” Penny said shrilly. “Because once Alanza leaves it will just be the three of us again, and Chiara is all alone, and I hate that we will have an empty bed and Chiara will have an empty dormitory, and I hate that Rowan won’t get to be here for our final year and that if we’d known that we would have spent more time with her when she was here, and now it’s too late.”

“Penny, don’t be upset, I didn’t mean-”

“And we should have spent more time with you as well, Chiara, and soon it will be too late for that, too. But you could still move in here and we could make up for you not having been here before, if you let us,” Penny looked at Chiara imploringly with her tear-filled blue eyes. “Please, will you let us?”

Chiara stared at the floor and shook her head. “I can’t.”

“Penny’s right, Chiara,” said Tonks. “You should move in here with us. It’s rotten of us for not insisting before.”

“But-”

“We don’t give a hoot about you waking us up in the night, honestly.”

“That’s not what this is about, it’s… Well, I’m not… I’m…”

Artemis frowned. “Chiara, you really don’t have to-”

“No. It’s okay, Artemis,” Chiara smiled sadly. “You see, the truth is… Well, the illness I have, it’s not a bleeding curse. It’s lycanthropy.” 

Both Penny and Tonks fell silent, their lips parting and eyebrows furrowing.

“What?” Tonks asked eventually.

“I’m a werewolf. That’s why I have my own room, so I can take my Wolfsbane potion and transform without anyone being near me. I can’t move in here, because I don’t want to hurt you.”

Tonks pursed her lips. “But if you’re taking the Wolfsbane potion, you’re harmless, right?” 

“Well, yes, but-”

“Ah, then it’s fine. I mean, we’re used to this kind of thing; we’ve already got Artemis turning into a cat every five minutes-”

“It’s not that often!”

“- and if I’m being honest, I’ve always been more of a dog person anyway,” Tonks shrugged and turned to Penny, whose lips were thin and cheeks pale. “What do you think, Pen?”

Artemis held her breath, not sure how Penny would react. After what felt like an age, Penny lifted her gaze to Chiara’s, her front teeth grazing her lower lip. When she finally spoke, her voice held a slight tremor.

“Would you be able to teach me how to make a Wolfsbane Potion?” 

Chiara nodded, and a cackling Tonks ran across the room to jump on top of both her and Penny, knocking them backwards on the bed with a loud squeal and a giggle and pinning Chiara down.

“Artemis, help me! We can’t let her leave!”

Laughing, Artemis pulled out the camera Madam Rosmerta had given her and used it to print a photo of the others before joining them, Fergus watching from the windowsill with a look of disdain in his bottle-green eyes. They continued to laugh even as Chiara returned to her dormitory, promising to think about moving into Alanza’s empty bed next term.

“It’s going to be a bit weird without Alanza, isn’t it?” Tonks asked. 

“I know what you mean. I’ve kind of gotten used to having her around,” said Artemis, frowning at Alanza’s - or was it Chiara’s, now? - empty bed. “Where is she, anyway? She can’t still be with Charlie, surely?”

“Oh, well. I expect that they will be having a rather long conversation, if you know what I mean.”

“No, Penny. I haven’t got the foggiest what you mean.”

“Well,” Penny sighed, “I expect that they’re breaking up.”

“Why would they do that?”

“Because Alanza is going back to Brazil, and Charlie is staying here. It’s not like they’ll be able to see each other, is it? Just make sure that you’re nice to her when she comes back.”

“I’m always nice to her,” Artemis said, and Penny pursed her lips. “What? I am now.”

“Yes, I know, but remember, she will be just as upset as Charlie is. Try not to take his side over hers.”

Artemis’ eyebrows furrowed, and she returned to her half-packed trunk. If only there were something she could do to help. As she pulled out her last items from under her bed, she realised that maybe there was something she could do.

The following morning, when the other girls went into the Great Hall for their final breakfast together before the carriages departed for Hogsmeade station, Artemis lingered in the entrance hall, waiting for the Gryffindor boys to arrive. When they did, she grabbed Charlie by the arm and pulled him out into the courtyard outside.

“What’s up?” Charlie asked her, frowning deeply. “Are you alright?”

“Nothing, I’m fine. Are you alright?”

“Uh, I think so. Why?” Charlie’s frown deepened momentarily before he raised his eyebrows and nodded in recognition. “Oh, Alanza. Yeah, I’m… We’re going to see how it goes, so that’s… Well, we’ll see, won’t we?”

He gave Artemis a smile, though it was strained and forced. Artemis put her hand on his forearm.

“You’re upset,” she told him, and he shrugged.

“Yeah, sort of. I mean, I didn’t really want to break up, and I definitely didn’t want to upset her more than she already was, but I guess it’s just not very hopeful, is it? Brazil’s a really long way away. It’s not like I could afford to get Portkeys to visit her, and it would be too far for me to Apparate, even if I had passed my Apparition exam-”

“And you wouldn’t want a repeat of what happened in the exam. Alanza’s poor grandmother would be terrified.”

“Oi!” Charlie pushed Artemis gently. “I only got the destination a couple of miles wrong, and how was I supposed to know that poor old Muggle lady would be there?” He shook his head and added, “But you’re right, that probably wouldn’t make the best first impression.”

“Definitely not. What about writing? You could write to her, couldn’t you?”

“I could, but it would take ages for the letters to get there and back. I asked at the Owl Post Office last Hogsmeade weekend,” Charlie shrugged again. “It is what it is, I suppose.”

“But it doesn’t have to be,” Artemis told him, and she opened up her yellow rucksack, rummaged past her Muggle music machine, her camera, and an old cardigan to find what she was looking for, before handing Charlie two notebooks, both bound in wine-coloured leather. “Here. These are for you.”

“Thanks,” Charlie opened one and fanned through the blank pages. “Uh, no offence, but… Why?”

“Because you’re my friend, and I can see that you’re actually upset even though you’re just shrugging your shoulders and pretending that you’re ‘alright’,” Artemis gave Charlie a pointed look, and he half-laughed. She nodded her head at the two notebooks. “They’re a pair, when you write in one, the writing appears in the other so you can send messages to each other.”

Charlie’s eyebrows furrowed, and he tried to push the notebooks back towards Artemis. “No, I can’t take these.”

“Why not? They’re a present.”

“But they must have been expensive. Keep them.”

“I don’t want them,” Artemis said, completely honestly. “I bought them to give to Rowan for her seventeenth birthday, and… Well, she’s not going to use them, is she? You might as well have them.”

“Artie, I can’t-”

“If you don’t take them, I will throw them in the bin,” Artemis crossed her arms across her chest. “Besides, I thought I was your best friend.”

“You are.”

“Well then. It would be downright bloody rude of you not to accept my gift, wouldn’t it?”

“It would,” Charlie sighed. “Are you sure about this?”

“Positive.”

“Right. Then I’ll take them. Thank you. I mean it.”

“You’re welcome,” Artemis smiled as Charlie placed the notebooks in his satchel. She slung her rucksack over her shoulder and linked arms with him. “Come on, or they’ll run out of bacon.”

“That would be the real heartbreak in this situation.”

Thankfully, there was still bacon left at the Hufflepuff table, where the entirety of the Circle of Khanna had gathered to eat breakfast together before getting into the Thestral-drawn carriages.

Just as Artemis joined Penny, Chiara, and Tonks in their carriage, she paused to look closer at the Thestral, which blinked at her with its inky hooded eyes. She reached up and stroked its downy nose. It was softer than she had imagined it would be.

When their carriage reached Hogsmeade station, Artemis did not board the Hogwarts Express. Instead, she hugged her friends goodbye, making sure to hug Alanza twice (“Don’t forget, if you ever want to come to Brazil, you can stay with my family!”) before waving goodbye and watching the train pull away without her, Fergus miaowing dolefully at her side.

“What? You don’t really want to go back to Ma’s house, do you?” Artemis asked him, bending down to stroke him as he rubbed against her ankles. “I didn’t think so. We’ll have a much better time staying with Madam Rosmerta.”

A breeze ruffled through her hair and made her shiver, and she pulled the old cardigan of Rowan’s tighter around herself. In the corner of her eye, she noticed that the clock still read ten past ten. She smiled to herself, finally understanding what Rowan had meant when they had last stood here together; it was reassuring to know that some things would always remain the same, no matter how life changed.

“Expecto patronum.”

As she lifted her wand and whispered the words, a rush of silver light unfurled in the air in front of her, swirling into the lithe dappled form of a cheetah. The cheetah looked at her, and she nodded her head at it in recognition before following it down the length of the platform, letting it guide her to the place that, for this summer at least, she would call her home.

[alice-beaumont-ravenclaw]

Of Threats and Persuasions

A/N #1: Fic #2 of the Quidditch series is here! After reviewing it countless times, I think it is ready to come out into the world. (I'm sure I'll read it in a month and still spot a typo...) I hope you enjoy it!

KC belongs to @kc-and-co

As Alice lay asleep in her bed, she felt like someone was watching her. She turned on her side, but the sensation only increased. She slowly opened her eyes, noticing the only light in the room came from Rowan’s candle. The next thing she saw made her fall out of her bed with a yelp.

“Andre! What the bloomin’ hell are you doing here?” she exclaimed, getting up from the floor as her roommates jerked up from their slumber. 

“What is it?” asked Rowan as she tried to feel for her glasses on her nightstand.

“It’s Andre traumatizing Alice at an ungodly hour,” grumbled Tulip, letting her head fall back onto her pillow.

“I still don’t understand how he can access our dorm,” pondered Badeea.

“Never mind that! He was staring at me while I slept, like some sort of creep!” yelled Alice, throwing one of her slippers at Andre, who barely dodged it.

He looked at the thrown slipper land before turning back to Alice, beaming. “That’s exactly why I’m here!”

“Her slipper?” asked Rowan, looking at the slipper lying on the floor.

Alice glared at Andre. “What is it with you and my clothes?” 

“What? No! I’m not here about the slipper! I’m here because you threw that slipper at me and your shoe at Merula yesterday,” said Andre, raising his hands in self-defence.

“Are you here to tell me you plan to report me to Flitwick? At,” she looked at the clock on her nightstand, “5:05 AM?”

Tulip sat up in her bed. “If you woke us up just to tell us you plan on being a bloody snitch, I will put so many dungbombs in your trunk, you’ll never be able to remove the stench from your clothes.”

“Can you just listen to me for a second?” exclaimed Andre, sitting at the edge of Alice’s bed. “I just came up with an idea to save our house’s Quidditch team’s chances of winning the Cup.”

“The Quidditch cup? But what does that have to do with me?”

“You know one of our chasers got injured yesterday and won’t be able to play for the rest of the season, right?”

“Hum, yes.”

“Well, I want you to take his place. I want you to be our new chaser.”

Alice stares at Andre, blinking. “Say what now?” 

“You have a great throw and a great aim, as you just demonstrated.”

“That doesn’t mean I’d be a decent Chaser.”

“You’re also great on a broom. I saw you during our flying classes.”

“Yeah, about that….”

“And McNully thinks you have a good chance of becoming a pretty decent Chaser before our match against Slytherin.”

“Well, if McNully says it,” chimed in Rowan as Alice headed for the bathroom.

“I don’t care what McNully or anyone says. I’m not going to play Quidditch,” said Alice, slamming the bathroom door behind her.

Andre stared at the closed door as the three other girls just looked at him. 

“So…” started saying Tulip, “are you going to leave now? Or are you planning to watch us all go back to sleep?”

“Tulip!” exclaimed Badeea and Rowan.

“No, she’s right. I’ll go. Need to think of another strategy, anyway,” said Andre with a sigh as he headed for the door leading to the staircase.

“Do you really think you’ll be able to convince her?” asked Rowan, pushing her glasses up her nose.

“Honestly? I don’t know, but I won’t give up so easily,” he said before closing the door behind him.

Andre sat down in front of McNully and KC as they ate their breakfast.

“So, any luck convincing the Curse-Breaker to join our team?” asked McNully.

“Our?” replied KC with a smirk. “Again, aren’t you supposed to be impartial?”

“In the commenter’s box. Outside, I’m a loud and proud Ravenclaw.”

KC shook her head, smiling as she took a sip of her coffee.

“One thing we all know is that he’s not impartial to his Rising Star,” said Andre. “But to answer your question, no, I haven’t. She doesn’t seem at all that keen to play Quidditch.”

“Not that I have anything against Alice Beaumont,” started saying KC as she placed her cup down, “but why do you want her to join the team? I mean, maybe there’s someone better suited than her to play? Why not do tryouts?”

“We have less than two weeks to find a replacement and train them. Tryouts require time, which we don’t have. McNully said she has potential, and that’s good enough for me.”

“Wait, how can you know she has potential?” asked KC.

“She threw a shoe at Merula Snyde’s head and hit her target dead center,” explained McNully. “But I also said that she would need to get months of training to attain her full potential.”

“Can’t believe I missed that shoe hitting Snyde,” said KC, glancing toward the Slytherin table.

“Look, McNully, we would need months to train anyone. Our reserve players are not chasers—” started saying Andre.

“That’s an understatement. They’re crap at it,” chipped in KC.

“Yes, well, as I was saying, they’re not chasers. Holding tryouts also means we’re going to get a player that would need more training, all while not having the time since preparing a tryout—”

“Takes time, we know,” interrupted McNully. 

“Precisely. I know Alice; she has potential—”

“But she needs convincing,” said Penny as she sat down next to Andre.

“Exactly. Wait, how did you know?” 

“You think I wouldn’t know about you bursting inside the girls’ dorm at 5 in the morning?”

“Wait, you went inside the girls’ dorm at 5?! How would that convince anyone to join our team?” exclaimed KC, trying her best not to choke on her gulp of coffee.

“Well, if she had said yes, we could have started her training right then and there.” 

“You’ve never trained that early,” noted McNully.

“Yes, well, you said it yourself; she needs all the training she can get to be ready for the match.” 

“Yes, well, if I were you, I wouldn’t try that again. I’ve heard our favourite Prefect and Ravenclaw’s prankster-in-chief planning some sort of device to punish whoever would dare disturb their slumber. Knowing Tulip, it will involve dungbombs,” said Penny. 

Andre looked down the Ravenclaw table. He noticed Alice and Tulip in great conversation. “Well, looks like I’ll have to employ a new strategy,” he said with a shudder.

As she placed her things on one of the tables in the Charms classroom, Alice heard someone whisper her name behind her. She turned around to see Andre leaning dangerously over the table of the elevated section of the room, his knees on the bench. 

She stared at him for a moment. “No,” she said, turning back to her things.

“But I haven’t asked you anything yet,” protested Andre.

“If it’s about the same thing as this morning, my answer is still no.”

“But…” tried saying Andre, leaning a bit more forward.

“Mr. Egwu! Please sit properly before you hurt yourself. Class is about to begin,” said Flitwick, interrupting Andre’s second attempt at convincing Alice.

“Alice?” said Andre as he sat next to her in Astronomy.

“Nope,” said Alice, getting up and sitting in the only other available seat.

“What the hell, Beaumont?” said Merula as Alice sat next to her.

“Don’t ask.”

“Today, we will learn the Reducto Jinx,” said Rakepick to the class.

“Alice…” whispered Andre, turning around in his seat. 

Alice didn’t look up from her parchment. “If you say one more word, I will practice Reducto on your closet,” she said through gritted teeth.

Andre quickly turned back, staring blankly at Rakepick’s demonstration.

The following day, he sat once again in front of KC and McNully. 

“This has a feeling of déjà vu,” said KC, siping her coffee. 

“Still no luck?” enquired McNully.

“No. She’s been avoiding me to the point of preferring sitting next to Snyde. She even threatened to attack my closet,” said Andre with a sigh. 

“Hmm, looks like we might end up having to use someone on the reserve,” mused KC.

Andre rolled his sausage around his plate with his fork. “And wave goodbye to the cup.”

“Honestly, I’d rather Alice concentrate on freeing my sister from that portrait than help you get the cup,” said Penny as she sat next to him.

“Don’t you have a Hufflepuff table to sit at?” grumbled Andre.

“She does have a point. The cup does seem trivial compared to that poor kid stuck inside a portrait,” mused KC.

“A professor is on the case. Makes more sense for an adult to take care of it than a teenager. Statistically speaking, it’s quite surprising Beaumont has survived this long considering her knowledge of magic was basic when she started hunting for those vaults,” pointed out McNully.

Penny let out a sigh. “I don’t know. I know it’s technically better for a professor to take care of such matters, but Alice is so used to those Vaults….”

“But maybe if she thought of something other than those vaults, it would give her a new perspective on the case?” tried suggesting Andre.

“You sound like her when she was trying to convince me to head the Celestial Ball’s decorating committee.”

Andre perked up. “It worked. So, will you help me out with her?”

Penny looked at Andre for a moment. “Well, as I said, I’d much rather she concentrated on my sister’s predicament,” she started, making Andre lower his head. “But, I see what you mean. If she just concentrates on that, she might get tunnel vision. Not to mention spending time away from Rakepick might do her some good. So, I won’t stand in your way either. If she asks for my advice, I’ll just repeat what I just told you.”

Andre gave her a big hug. “Thank you! I’ll be sure to thank you in my speech when we win the cup!”

“Don’t be so sure you’ll win that cup. Hufflepuff is quite a team to be reckoned with,” said Penny as Andre released her. 

“A team we’ve already beaten,” said KC from behind her coffee cup.

“The season is not over,” said Penny with a grin as she resumed eating her breakfast.

Andre thought it best not to pester Alice during Potions. He tried tracking her down during their free period after lunchtime but couldn’t find her. He tried the Courtyard and the Library, but she was nowhere in sight. As he looked around the castle, he bumped into Charlie Weasley.

“Oi, watch where you're going,” exclaimed the Gryffindor captain. “Oh, it’s you, Andre.”

“You seem to be in a foul mood,” noticed Andre.

Charlie exhaled deeply. “It’s nothing, just Percy getting on my nerve about his stupid rat.”

“I see… Do you know where Alice is?”

“Training with Diego on the Training grounds, why?”

“I was looking for her—”

“To ask her to join your Quidditch team once again?”

“How did you—?”

“I think everyone knows by now.”

“This school is like a small village! Everyone knows everyone’s business,” exclaimed Andre. “Anyway, thanks for telling me, mate.”

As Andre started to walk away, Charlie grabbed his shoulder. “I wouldn’t go there if I were you. Do you want to get on her nerves while she’s practicing duelling spells?”

Andre stopped in his tracks. “You might be right. She threatened to destroy my closet yesterday.” 

“Anyway, why do you want her to join your team? Don’t you have players on the reserve team?”

“Yeah, but none with her aim.”

Charlie raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“She threw a shoe at Merula, and it landed straight at the back of her head. It was glorious!”

“Was she on a broom when she did that?”

“No, but I’ve seen her on a broom during flying class, and she’s good enough. Anyway, I guess I’ll go finish my Charms homework,” said Andre, briskly walking away.

As Charlie watched him disappear around a corner, he couldn’t help but shake his head. Alice might be fine on a broom… As long as she was holding it with both hands, looking straight ahead.

Unbeknownst to Andre, his prayers were about to be answered.

The next day, after their Defense Against the Dark Arts class, Alice stayed behind, needing to talk to her professor.

“Professor Rakepick?” said Alice as she approached her.

“Yes, Miss Beaumont?” asked Rakepick, surprised to see the young Ravenclaw still in her classroom. “Have you found the vault portrait?”

“Hum, no, not yet—”

“Miss Beaumont, time is of the essence. I suggest you concentrate on finding that portrait instead of wasting your time standing around here.”

“I did find something interesting, though: a note saying how you worked with my brother in uncovering the vaults all along.”

“What?” Rakepick frowned before smirking again. “Miss Beaumont, don’t tell me you believe such blatant lies.”

“What do you mean?” 

“Can’t you see that note was planted to discredit me and make you waste your time? Clearly, R doesn’t want us to find that Portrait vault. As I’ve said before, I never met your brother, only heard of him as he was looking for the Vaults.”

“I feel like there’s more. I feel like you’re hiding something…” said Alice, narrowing her eyes.

“I said everything I had to say, Miss Beaumont. I suggest you leave now and let this matter rest. Otherwise, things could get messy,” said Rakepick, stepping toward Alice.

“Professor, I won’t leave until you tell me everything I want to know,” replied Alice, taking a step forward herself. 

“Very brave of you, Miss Beaumont, to challenge me. Yet very foolish… Ready your wand,” ordered Rakepick.

“What?” said Alice, taken aback. 

“As I will not answer any more of your questions and you refuse to leave until I do, a duel is the only option that remains.”

“Wait, here? Now?”

“Unless you prefer to lose somewhere else at another time.”

“Ugh, fine,” said Alice, taking out her wand and standing in a duelling stance. “Alright, I’m rea—”

Before she had time to finish her sentence, Rakepick flicked her wand in her direction, her spell hitting Alice’s wand.

“My wand! You broke my wand!” shouted Alice, looking at her broken wand on the floor.

“I warned you. It could be worse; I could have hexed you.”

“I’d rather you have hexed me! At least Madam Pomfrey could have fixed me! What am I supposed to do with a broken wand?” said Alice as she picked up the pieces of wood that used to be her wand.

Rakepick shrugged. “We’ll go and get you a new one.”

“That’s it? No apologies?”

“I needed to teach you a lesson, Miss Beaumont.”

“What lesson? That you can break wands with a spell?”

Rakepick brought her face only inches away from Alice’s. “No, Miss Beaumont. The lesson was that challenging me is never a good idea.”

Alice gulped, taking a step back. “Fine. Lesson learned. Now, how am I supposed to get a new wand?”

“Have you already forgotten about the Floo Network?”

“Won’t you have to explain to Dumbledore why you need to use his office,”

“The headmaster is not currently at Hogwarts,” said Rakepick as she left the classroom. “Follow me, Miss Beaumont.” 

“Is Dumbledore ever at Hogwarts?” mumbled Alice as she walked behind Rakepick.

As Andre left the Great Hall to head to History of Magic, he saw Alice and Rakepick coming down the Grand Staircase. 

“Now, Miss Beaumont, I think we should all meet tomorrow to think of a way to find that portrait,” said Rakepick.

Alice rolled her eyes, clearly annoyed by her professor. Andre noticed that the wand she was holding seemed different than her own. Their eyes suddenly crossed. Alice smiled while Andre wondered why Alice suddenly looked so happy to see him. 

“I’m sorry, I won’t be able to join you, Professor,” said Alice, turning toward Rakepick.

“Why is that?” asked Rakepick, glaring at the young Ravenclaw.

“Haven’t you heard? I’ve recently joined Ravenclaw’s Quidditch team. My dear friend Andre was in such a pinch, I couldn’t say no, right, Andre?” said Alice, turning back toward her friend.

Andre looked between Alice and Rakepick. One looked like she was ready to hex him into oblivion, while the other was smiling but with pleading eyes. 

“Right,” he finally said, “Alice is our new Chaser, and we need to start her training as soon as possible since our next match is in a bit more than a week.”

“Miss Beaumont, I do not think—” started saying Rakepick.

“Merlin!” exclaimed Alice, looking at her watchless wrist. “Have you seen what time it is? Why, we’d better go if we don’t want to miss Professor Binn’s riveting lecture on the Giant Wars.” She quickly grabbed Andre’s arm and swiftly walked away from the woman who had destroyed her wand.

Andre had no idea what had changed Alice’s mind, but whatever it was, he was thanking Merlin for it. Alice, on the other hand, felt a pang of regret. Quidditch would prove to be quite a challenge for the young Curse-Breaker.

A/N #2: I hope you enjoyed the second installment of my Quidditch series. I'm already hard at work on part 3, but I still need to plan out this series a bit more.