#magorian

[carewyncromwell]

Torvus 🤝 Carewyn

The Wizarding World overall has always had a difficult relationship with all intelligent magical creatures that were not human. Goblins were denied wand use and could often only find stable employment in the Wizarding World through working in magical banks, since the Statute of Secrecy insisted they and other magical Beings stay out of Muggle view. Werewolves were treated as second-class citizens and chased out of most solid employment once their status came to light. Elves were often reduced down to mere slaves in the households of old Pureblood families despite having magic that easily outstripped wizards in regards to power. And the list went on.

Despite this, there were amazingly quite a few such non-human creatures that ultimately helped defeat the Dark Lord Voldemort, when he sought to take over the entirety of Wizarding Britain. At the Battle of Hogwarts in particular, the Order of the Phoenix's ranks included known werewolf Remus Lupin, and it was also backed up by reinforcements such as the school's house elves and (to everyone's surprise) the centaur herd that lived in the Forbidden Forest. One of the bravest members of the herd was one of its youngest warriors -- a stern dark-haired centaur with a tanned, young adult face and a dun-colored flank named Torvus -- and after the Battle, he was bestowed many honors by both the school's professors and his herd, all of which he accepted with very understated gratitude.

Imagine the herd's surprise, therefore, when their grim, stoic hero reacted with visible excitement, in response to a well-dressed, ginger-haired human with red lipstick coming to visit the Centaur Camp after the battle.

"Carewyn!"

Torvus's voice was very low and resonant, but echoed with great warmth as he galloped up to the human. He towered over her, to the point that she was encompassed in his shadow as he trotted quickly around her, looking her over. She was smiling just as broadly as he was, even with how wide her eyes were.

"Torvus!" said Carewyn, her wide eyes bright with delight. "Merlin -- Hagrid wasn't kidding, you have grown a lot!"

"Such is typical for us centaurs," Torvus said mildly, as he continued to look her over with something like muted amusement. "You, however, seem to have only become smaller, old friend."

Carewyn gave a light scoff. "I'm exactly the height I was before, thank you. If you were too, that'd be obvious -- "

"Torvus."

Torvus looked up at the herd's second-in-command, Bane, as he approached. The large black-flanked, bearded centaur glanced from Torvus to down at Carewyn with visible disgust and disapproval.

"What is the meaning of this?" he said, his muscular arms crossed over his chest. "Did my ears actually catch you calling this human your friend?"

Torvus shifted so as to stand right behind Carewyn, bending just enough so that he cast his shadow completely over her.

"Bane, this human is Carewyn Cromwell," Torvus said very lowly. His face had become much more stoic again. "She is an old friend of our herd. Hagrid has delivered gifts from her in the past, around the Winter Solstice -- "

"Hagrid has not been a friend of the herd in many a year," Bane said very sharply.

"A fact that only came about in large part because of his protection of me."

All of the centaurs turned, to make room for another kinder-voiced one as he approached. Despite the large hoof-shaped scar stamped into his chest and his immense height, this new arrival moved with both conviction and an almost deer-like grace.

Carewyn's eyes lit up.

"Firenze!" she said, delighted.

Firenze approached Carewyn at a much more leisurely trot, but was otherwise just as warm in his welcome as Torvus. He even opened his hands to take both of hers.

"Carewyn Cromwell," the part-time Divination professor greeted her with a fond smile. "I was very pleased to see your star's trajectory shifting back towards Hogwarts, if only temporarily."

"I'm so glad you're back home with your herd again," Carewyn said earnestly.

Firenze glanced back at Bane's counterpart -- the older, dark-haired leader of the herd called Magorian -- as he too clopped forward to get a better look at Carewyn. Magorian looked less condescending than Bane, but he still studied Carewyn very critically, his black eyes tiny sparkling pinpricks on his face with how narrowed they were.

"Remind me of these gifts Carewyn Cromwell has sent our herd, Torvus?" said Magorian.

Torvus moved that little bit closer to Carewyn so that his head was right over hers, as he stared down his herd's leader.

"Nine years prior," he said very stoically, "Carewyn secured the herd's blessing through gifting us a loaf of hand-baked banana bread, a batch of Hagrid's rock cakes, branches of fresh sage, and our most extensive star chart. She then brought me many other edible gifts throughout that year and the following year, and upon her graduation from the wizards' school, sent the herd other handmade goods through Hagrid. Most recently, three years ago, Hagrid passed along a box from her that contained what she called 'candied oranges.'"

"Magorian, if I may speak?" asked Firenze. Upon the leader giving a nod of consent, he pressed on, "I can testify to Carewyn's character. I was the one who first welcomed her into our herd -- "

Bane blustered through his nose and lips. "Hardly surprising -- you've always had a soft spot for humans, Firenze -- "

"I thought that you, like the rest of the herd, had come to see the rightness of us helping the humans in their fight against the Dark Lord," Firenze challenged him.

"That may be," Bane shot back, "but just because we had to ally ourselves with humans for our own self-preservation doesn't mean we have to befriend the creatures that have deemed the world we occupy theirs alone to control -- "

"Firenze, you said you wished to speak in regards to Carewyn Cromwell's character," Magorian cut off both of the younger centaurs, crossing his arms. "Was what you said truly all you wished to say?"

Firenze's eyes narrowed just a bit as he turned his focus back onto the leader.

"No. Prior to being welcomed to our camp, Carewyn helped with breaking the curse on the Vault placed in our Forest by the four Founders of Hogwarts school. In doing so, she brought peace to this forest."

"She also returned my lost arrowhead to me," Torvus interjected quickly.

"Torvus." Firenze shot the younger centaur a short, but still supportive look over his shoulder -- almost as if reminding him to let him do the talking. "...Carewyn's efforts likewise brought peace to our herd, as well, by helping Torvus reclaim his honor and bringing him back into the fold. Not to mention that her treats have always been quite tasty," Firenze added with a bit of a smile in his expression.

Magorian cocked his eyebrows at Firenze. He then glanced from Torvus to down at Carewyn still standing tall in his shadow.

"Do you agree with Firenze's assessment of your achievements, Carewyn Cromwell?" he asked.

Carewyn tried very hard not to look away or blink, however much she wanted to.

"Firenze is very kind," she said quietly. "But I can't take full credit for dealing with the Forest Vault -- I couldn't have done what I did without my friends. Hagrid and Torvus, included."

She shot a quick glance at Bane before returning her gaze to Magorian.

"...If I may, though," she said respectfully, though she didn't give any opening for Bane or otherwise to prevent her from speaking. "I understand if I'm no longer welcome in your home. However much I consider Torvus a friend, and I always will...I know how much he values his family. I would never want to come between him and you. And Bane's right -- witches and wizards have done you a lot of wrong. We still do, in a lot of ways. Even if you had to fight with humans to fight a greater evil, that hasn't changed. And even if I don't agree with how centaurs have been treated, that doesn't mean that it hasn't defined my world and the life I live in it. Nor does it mean I haven't found success in that world that overlooks or even demonizes Beasts and Beings that don't conform to Ministry standards...in part because I am able to conform to those standards."

Bane's face scrunched up completely, his eyes flashing with resentment. All of the other centaurs, though, seemed to react much less distrustfully -- most looked confused or curious, but Firenze and Torvus were both smiling, and even Magorian considered Carewyn with something almost intrigued.

"It's rare to hear a human be so critical of her own kind," the herd leader said levelly. "And rather eloquently so."

He straightened up slightly, his black eyes boring into her from above with a bit less suspicion.

"Very well. I shall uphold Firenze's initial judgment, Carewyn Cromwell. You are welcome, among our herd."

Both Carewyn and Torvus couldn't completely fight back large grins. Torvus quickly gave a respectful bow to the herd leader, before beckoning Carewyn further into the camp.

"Come, Carewyn," said Torvus, his stoic face once betraying that warmth from before that made him look considerably younger. "We can sit further in, and you can tell me of you and your brother's place in this War. Then I can tell you of the Battle waged at the castle."

Carewyn nodded and immediately followed Torvus away from the rest of the herd and deeper into the camp.

For the next few hours, Torvus and Carewyn sat by the roaring fire, catching up. Carewyn told Torvus of her and Jacob's covert assistance of the Order of the Phoenix, her having to stay undercover at the Ministry to sabotage the Death Eaters' efforts, and Jacob both hiding fugitives in his flat and at one point even dousing a dangerous strain of Fiendfyre set loose in Hogsmeade village by the Death Eaters at great risk to his own safety.

"I saw your brother, at the battle," said Torvus, "though we had no chance to speak during it. Your brother appeared to have suffered great losses, there."

Carewyn nodded sadly. The faces of Fred, Tonks, Lupin, and Snape all brushed over her mind.

"We all have," she murmured.

Torvus actually reached in to brush a loose hair off of Carewyn's shoulder, before bringing the rest of it behind her ear. Carewyn wasn't used to people being in her personal bubble like that, but she knew that centaurs in particular expressed affection through fixing and grooming each other's hair. She offered Torvus a weak smile, which Torvus returned with a stoic, but still gentle look.

"Our herd was lucky, to have no casualties," he said. "Though I believe that's because most of us did not join the battle until the second half. Only Firenze was brave enough to fight from the start...the rest of us were hesitant to oppose the will of the stars, even though Hagrid triggered our conscience. It was but when I pointed out the position of Sagittarius and the North Star in the heavens that any of the centaurs allowed themselves to hope that our efforts could turn the tide of battle."

"And you did," said Carewyn, beaming. "Hagrid said that you were particularly brave. He said you took down multiple Acromantula single-handed and saved several teachers' lives."

Torvus shook his head modestly. "Thank you. I am grateful for the praise I have received -- though I remain unsure how much of my efforts were built on my own talents, or if Fate and Potter's own magic had machinations to make my efforts so meaningful."

Carewyn frowned. "What do you mean?"

"When Potter went out to the Forest to give up his own life to the Dark Lord, his sacrifice -- although ultimately not resulting in his death -- still nonetheless sparked to life a powerful protective magic. All because the sacrifice was still so selfless and sincere."

Carewyn's eyes widened, lighting up with realization.

"Love," she breathed. "Potter was ready to sacrifice his life to try to protect Hogwarts."

Torvus nodded, his lips touched with the shadow of a smile. "Indeed. And that spell prevented the Dark Lord or his followers to land any permanent damage on the school or its occupants. So by fighting in the battle...my herd and I both ensured our own safety and were likely given additional strength, in helping to protect those others Potter meant to protect."

Carewyn smiled a bit more too. "Even so...you must not have known anything about that until the Battle was over. I'd say that still made what you did incredibly brave."

Torvus's black eyes softened. "Thank you, Carewyn. As were your words to Magorian -- I think he was impressed by your conviction, when you'd been received with little warmth or trust."

"Your herd had reason to not trust me," said Carewyn. "I am a human, and a witch as well -- and a lot of witches don't treat centaurs with respect. I had to work quite closely with one during the War, much to my displeasure," she added contemptuously.

Torvus cocked his eyebrows. "Ah yes -- the one called Dolores Umbridge, I believe you mean? Firenze has heard much of her exploits at your Ministry, through Minerva McGonagall. I was quite displeased to hear that she didn't learn her lesson, after the justice we bestowed upon her two years ago."

"What did you do to her?" Carewyn asked, cocking her eyebrows as well. "From what I heard, Umbridge was absolutely traumatized by that whole affair."

Torvus gave a light bluster through his lips. "Her trauma came about from her own flaws of character, more than anything we did. The pathetic creature was so disgusted of us merely touching her that we hardly needed to use our weapons -- merely dragging her through the forest, tossing her between us and taunting her the whole while, was enough to terrify her..."

"Well, admittedly, being carried up off the ground by complete strangers who are stronger than you with no chance at escape can be rather scary," Carewyn said coolly. "Especially for women of shorter stature."

"Believe me when I say we would never have treated you with such lack of care," said Torvus stiffly. "Least of all because you wouldn't have conjured ropes trying to strangle our leader or called us 'filthy half-breeds,' 'uncontrolled animals,' and 'creatures of near-human intelligence.'"

Carewyn looked disgusted, but not surprised.

"I never said I thought Umbridge didn't deserve what she got," she said primly. "I was very glad to put her under citizen's arrest the first moment I had."

Her red lips danced with a bit more mischief as she added, "And to forcibly clear out her office. I've always liked cats -- but Umbridge really has made it very difficult for me to like anything patterned with them."

When Carewyn finally left the Centaur Camp, Torvus, Firenze, and Magorian all sent her off with good wishes. Magorian reiterated the promise that she would be welcome to visit the Camp in the future, if she so desired, and that any gifts she were to send through Hagrid would be accepted with open arms. Firenze even gave Carewyn a parting gift of several branches of lavender, bound with twine.

"Lavender has protective properties," said the part-time Divination professor. "It can ward off negative energies that may surround the holder. And if I'm not mistaken, lavender is a scent you're attuned to," he added with a wryer smile, with a pointed twitch of his nose.

Carewyn covered her mouth to hold in a giggle. "I keep lavender sachets in my bureau. Thank you, Firenze."

Torvus himself walked Carewyn out of the Camp all the way to the perimeter of the Forest, and the two exchanged a hug before parting.

Carewyn sadly had much less chance to visit Hogwarts and Torvus by extension as much as she would've liked, around all the work she had to do for the Ministry...but through gifts and mutual friends, they stayed in touch, and whenever they did get the chance to collide again, the two stoic personalities would both light up when in each other's presence.

Friendship Drabble Prompt!

[hollowed-theory-hall]

Notes from my Deathly Hallows reread: Slughorn returns with the Slytherins

So, most of you probably saw or heard of that interview JKR gave back in the day about how Slughorn came back to the battle of Hogwarts with the Slytherin students:

JN: And how much is it that being sorted into Slytherin is, you know, sorted into good guys and bad guys here? JKR: Well, they’re not all bad, that would- I know I’ve said this before, (JN: Yeah, I remember.) and I think I said it to Emerson, they are not all bad, and, well, far from it. As we know, at the end, they may have (laughs) a slightly more highly developed sense of self-preservation then other people because… SU: Yeah, right. JN: Yeah. JKR: A part of the final battle that made me smile was Slughorn galloping back with Slytherins, (SU: Yes!) (JN laughs) but they’d gone off to get reinforcements first, you know what I’m saying? But yes, they came back, they came back to fight, so I mean- but I’m sure that many people would say “Well, that’s common sense, isn’t it? Isn’t that smart, to get out, get more people and come back with them?” JN: Yeah.

(From this interview)

And like most fans, I always kinda assumed it was her retconning things in the books again, because I just didn't remember it happening and she added a lot of little tidbits (some more contradictory than others) in the years after the books, so I don't tend to take them too seriously. But I was reading Deathly Hallows last night and she might've actually written that in:

And now there were more, even more people storming up the front steps, and Harry saw Charlie Weasley overtaking Horace Slughorn, who was still wearing his emerald pajamas. They seemed to have returned at the head of what looked like the families and friends of every Hogwarts student who had remained to fight, along with the shopkeepers and homeowners of Hogsmeade. The centaurs Ban, Ronan, and Magorian burst into the hall with a great clatter of hooves, as behind Harry the door that led to the kitchens was blasted off its hinges. The house-elves of Hogwarts swarmed into the entrance hall

(DH, 734) 619

Harry later mentions a horde of wizards, and we know Harry doesn't actually recognize all the students in his year, let alone all the students in Slytherin he doesn't interact with regularly. So, I wonder if she really meant by "they seemed to have returned" other Slytherins when she wrote it initially and how much of a retcon that interview really is.

Considering it was the middle of the night, the Slytherins likely were wearing pajamas, like Slughon, and maybe cloaks over them and not school robes, so it's possible Harry would have no way of knowing who's a student if he doesn't know them personally.

The only real issue I have with the canonicity of it is this statement from Voldemort:

"If your son is dead, Lucius, it is not my fault. He did not come and join me, like the rest of the Slytherins. Perhaps he has decided to befriend Harry Potter?" "No—never," whispered Malfoy.

(DH, 641)

But perhaps he's talking in hyperbole (or just being a shit to Lucius, as he does), since we know Crabbe and Goyle hadn't come back to join him either and he doesn't mention them.

Additionally, when the Golden Trio goes up to the headmaster's office Phineas Black says this:

and Phineas Nigellus called, in his high, reedy voice, “And let it be noted that Slytherin House played its part! Let our contribution not be forgotten!”

(DH, 747)

It doesn't sound like he's just talking about himself, Snape, and Slughorn, it sounds like he's talking about actual combatants, so...

JKR's statement about Slytherins fighting in the Battle of Hogwarts on Harry's side (besides Slughorn) is surprisingly, probably, canon.

The interview I mentioned was only 7 months after the book came out, so I wonder if she wrote a different version of that paragraph before editing and was thinking about that... It seems the intention might've been there even if she didn't write it all that clearly...

[book--brackets]

Summaries under the cut

Damar by Robin McKinley

This is the story of Corlath, golden-eyed king of the Free Hillfolk, son of the sons of the Lady Aerin.

And this is the story of Harry Crewe, the Homelander orphan girl who became Harimad-sol, King's Rider, and heir to the Blue Sword, Gonturan, that no woman had wielded since the Lady Aerin herself bore it into battle.

And this is the song of the kelar of the Hillfolk, the magic of the blood, the weaver of destinies...

The Railway Children by E. Nesbit

In this much-loved children's classic first published in 1906, the comfortable lives of three well-mannered siblings are greatly altered when, one evening, two men arrive at the house and take their father away. With the family's fortunes considerably reduced in his absence, the children and their mother are forced to live in a simple country cottage near a railway station. There the young trio—Roberta, Peter, and young Phyllis—befriend the porter and station master.

The youngsters' days are filled with adventure and excitement, including their successful attempt to avert a horrible train disaster; but the mysterious disappearance of their father continues to haunt them.

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George

Alone and lost—on the North Slope of Alaska

Miyax rebels against a home situation she finds intolerable. She runs away toward San Francisco, toward her pen pal, who calls her Julie. But soon Miyax is lost in the Alaskan wilderness, without food, without even a compass. Slowly she is accepted by a pack of Arctic wolves, and she comes to love them as though they were her brothers. With their help, and drawing on her father’s training, she struggles day by day to survive. In the process, she is forced to rethink her past, and to define for herself the traditional riches of Eskimo life: intelligence, fearlessness, and love.

The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall

The Penderwick sisters busily discover the summertime magic of Arundel estate’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. Best of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel’s owner, the perfect companion for their adventures. Icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is less pleased with the Penderwicks than Jeffrey, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. Is that any fun? For sure the summer will be unforgettable.

The Harper Hall of Pern by Anne McCaffrey

For centuries, the world of Pern has faced a destructive force known as Thread. But the number of magnificent dragons who have protected this world and the men and women who ride them are dwindling.

As fewer dragons ride the winds and destruction falls from the sky, Menolly has only one to sing, play, and weave the music that comes to her so easily—she wishes to become a Harper. But despite her great talents, her father believes that a young girl is unworthy of such a respected position and forbids her to pursue her dreams. So Menolly runs away, taking shelter in a cave by the sea. Miraculously, she happens upon nine fire lizards that could possibly save her world...and change her life forever.

Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch

Warning: this description has not been authorized by Pseudonymous Bosch.

As much as he'd love to sing the praises of his book (he is very vain), he wouldn't want you to hear about his brave 11-year old heroes, Cass and Max-Ernest. Or about how a mysterious box of vials, the Symphony of Smells, sends them on the trail of a magician who has vanished under strange (and stinky) circumstances. And he certainly wouldn't want you to know about the hair-raising adventures that follow and the nefarious villains they face. You see, not only is the name of this book secret, the story inside is, too. For it concerns a secret. A Big Secret.

Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein

Kyle Keeley is the class clown, popular with most kids, (if not the teachers), and an ardent fan of all games: board games, word games, and particularly video games. His hero, Luigi Lemoncello, the most notorious and creative gamemaker in the world, just so happens to be the genius behind the building of the new town library.

Lucky Kyle wins a coveted spot to be one of the first 12 kids in the library for an overnight of fun, food, and lots and lots of games. But when morning comes, the doors remain locked. Kyle and the other winners must solve every clue and every secret puzzle to find the hidden escape route. And the stakes are very high.

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink

Caddie Woodlawn is a real adventurer. She'd rather hunt than sew and plow than bake, and tries to beat her brother's dares every chance she gets. Caddie is friends with Indians, who scare most of the neighbors -- neighbors who, like her mother and sisters, don't understand her at all.

Caddie is brave, and her story is special because it's based on the life and memories of Carol Ryrie Brink's grandmother, the real Caddie Woodlawn.

Pendragon by D. J. MacHale

BOBBY PENDRAGON is a seemingly normal fourteen-year-old boy. He has a family, a home, and even Marley, his beloved dog. But there is something very special about Bobby.

He is going to save the world.

And not just Earth as we know it. Bobby is slowly starting to realize that life in the cosmos isn't quite what he thought it was. And before he can object, he is swept off to an alternate dimension known as Denduron, a territory inhabited by strange beings, ruled by a magical tyrant, and plagued by dangerous revolution.

If Bobby wants to see his family again, he's going to have to accept his role as savior, and accept it wholeheartedly. Because, as he is about to discover, Denduron is only the beginning....

Goodnight Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian

The gruff and surly Mr Thomas Oakley is less than pleased when he is landed with a scrawny little city boy as a guest, but because it is compulsory that each villager takes in an evacuee he reluctantly agrees. It soon becomes obvious to Mister Tom that young Willie Beech is hiding something, and as the pair begin to form an unlikely bond and Willie grows in stature and in confidence he begins to forget the past. But when he has to return to war-torn London to face his mother again he retreats into his shy and awkward ways once more.

[bensbooks]

TRCC Readathon - Day 5/7

Very late update, I was too tired to update here until now. As predicted, I did a good enough amount of reading yesterday but not as much as I wanted. I did fill in some gaps with my audiobook which made me feel better.

Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb - 31 pages.

Bosie: A Biography of Lord Alfred Douglas by Douglas Murray - 22 pages.

Foster Dade Explores the Cosmos by Nash Jenkins - 37 pages.

Catch Me When You Fall by Eileen Merriman - 95 pages, 4 stars.

Free Lunch by Rex Ogle - 134 pages, 4.5 stars.

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian - 53 pages.

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson - 82 minutes.

Running total over 5 days: 2427 pages, 136 minutes.

[blorger]

What's up with Firenze?

As in the centaur's name. All the other named centaurs (Bane, Ronan, Magorian) have old English/ Irish names, Firenze alone gets to be named after an Italian city (in the original Italian no less).

I understand giving him a thematically different name from the rest of his herd because his story arc is all about being Not Like Other Girls (quadruped version) but why this specific name?

It's got nothing to do with stars and divination (which the centaurs are big on), Firenze the city doesn't appear to have any significance in the magical world, hell, Italy as a whole gets skipped over in the HP universe world-building (if it wasn't for Firenze I'd have assumed jkr is not aware that Italy exists).

Were Firenze's parents big into travel (or as big into travel as one can get whilst in voluntary isolation)? Did some student drop a tourist guide at the edges of the forbidden forest and they just liked the sound of the word? Are centaurs big on geography and jkr just never felt like mentioning it?

But seriously: is there some UK-based pop culture/ literary reference I'm missing? The mind boggles...

[omgkatsudonplease]

The Whispers of Lady Polixenes: Hogwarts & London, 21 June 1996

“Enough!” Umbridge turned her wand on Harry. “I have had enough of your insubordination, Miss Granger! If you both refuse to confess—endangering this school and the students within, then perhaps the Cruciatus Curse will loosen one of your tongues!”  “No!” screamed several people at once. Hermione and Ron had yanked their Toadies forward; Ginny was trying to tread on her captor’s feet; Luna and Neville were both yelling incoherently against their gags. But it was Draco who had risen out of his chair to stand in front of Harry, blocking him from Umbridge’s view. “We—we haven’t got any time for this, Headmistress,” blustered Draco, pointing towards the mantle clock, which was now reading eight-ten. “We’ve got to reach the rendezvous point for the treaty signing.” Umbridge’s eyes narrowed at him. “What in Morgana’s green Avalon are you blathering about, Heir Malfoy? The treaty signing isn’t until sundown.” “Yes, but we’ve got to go, if we want to make it to the rendezvous point on time—” “We do not need an hour to walk to the Centaur camp,” cut in Umbridge flatly. “I…” Draco trailed off, his eyes darting between Umbridge’s wand and the clock. “Magorian sent a note earlier! I just forgot to tell you about it until now because of the effigy, but some—some stuff about the treaty meeting has changed, and we need to get going now!”  

Read HERE on AO3!

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1916 – Francis Sheehy-Skeffington was apprehended while trying to stop looting during the Easter Rising and was later murdered by the British without trial.

Francis Skeffington, writer and pacifist, was born in Bailieborough, Co Cavan on the 23 December 1878 to Joseph Bartholomew Skeffington and his wife Rose née Magorian. The family moved to Co Down shortly after his birth. He was educated by his father, a schools inspector and enrolled in University College Dublin (UCD) in 1896. While he studied at UCD he became close friends with James Joyce and…

[fictionalsimp09]

hiiii

15, 17, and 29 for the identity ask thing!!

15. five most influential books over your lifetime.

Ooh, this is interesting. I'd have to say Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, Solitaire by Alice Oseman, Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian, The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

17. would you say your tumblr is a fair representation of the “real you”?

No, I'm constantly reblogging shit and irl I'm too scared to talk to people, let alone about my interests (once I start talking, I don't stop and I don't want to annoy people). But I only reblog things I agree with, so it also kinda is

29. three songs that you connect with right now

Probably Bedroom Ceiling by Citizen Soldier, The Archer by Taylor Swift and the problem by Khya

[can-of-w0rmz]

hi! i just saw your post about your interest, and if i may ask, could you recommend me some musicals and books?

i love historical/gothic stuff, and i’m looking for some recs :]

have a nice day!

Sure, I could try! Although I’m not super certain which you’ve probably read already lmao

Books: Honestly pretty much just all the standard gothic shenanigans that you’ve probably already read? I guess Carmilla, La Morte Amoureuse and The Vampyre are slightly more niche (which I found out about back when I was getting into gothic literature by reference from my wonderful mutual @virtuous-vertebrae (they have absolutely flabbergasting wonderful art so absolutely go check them out if you already haven’t)) but yeah more or less on the gothic side of things most of the books I’m into are reasonably standard. Tell-tale Heart too I really like that I don’t think I ever posted about. I remember liking The Raven even though I haven’t read it in a couple years I think. (Those are the only two Edgar Allen Poe works I’ve ever read haha) And of course Dracula, Frankenstein, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, all the standard shenanigans

By way of NON gothic literature, Les Misérables 100%, and Goodnight Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian is probably up there for one of my favourite books, although I’m probably very biased because I read it in primary school when I was 11 and I have a lot of really good memories of reading it lmao. But I’d still 100% recommend it. Apart from that, yeah, kind of it?

Musicals, again, no clue what you’ve already listened to, but obviously, Les Misérables (10th anniversary cast recording supremacy, Philip Quast you’re an absolute genius), Phantom of the Opera of course (25th anniversary recording supremacy), Frankenstein A New Musical (Hunter Foster you ARE Victor Frankenstein to me), The Count of Monte Cristo musical is pretty good although I don’t think I’ve ever listened to the entire thing from start to finish? The Jekyll and Hyde musical I have mixed feelings on, obviously it isn’t remotely book accurate however the songs are absolute bangers so I’m including it. Not really gothic, but Ride the Cyclone is great, The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals is always great. The Sound of Music is bloody fantastic, adore it. Sweeny Todd, of course. I’m still known to listen to Hamilton on occasion💔 Yeah, more or less it.

[littleplasticrat]

Welcome!

I live in the bin. She/her, mid-30s, English. Call me Jade

I have very normal feelings about Baldur's Gate 3, Dragon Age and video games in general and I also sometimes share a meme or an animal pic

This blog is NSFW in that I would not advise looking at it while in your place of employment, unless you work for the same company as me (Mr Magorian's Whoredom Emporium)

Check out my BG3 male pin-up collection here, with colouring pages here!

Click here to see my art (some NSFW) and process pictures

I've written some smutty fanfics

Print shop (NSFW not currently available)

Commission info

[pseudowho]

HIHI I can’t remember if I already asked more questions but I’ma assume no cause my brain says no? SO HERE WE GOOOO

Favourite book? And most recommended book? (I’m asking for both because for me it’s different)

Planes, Ships, or Cars? Which is the worst and why?

What is the one song that could make you happy no matter how sad you were?

What is your party trick?

FUN FACT: Elmo and Cookie monster are ambush predators. For context: ambush predators and categorized by the placement of their eyes (on top of the head) some popular examples are: tarantulas, great white sharks, crocodiles, hippos, etc etc….

Hiiii! I've had trouble answering your asks, for some reason they just won't process? I'm not sure why. I answered your last one as a screenshot and post yesterday.

Let's see if this one works...

All time favourite book: Goodnight Mr.Tom by Michelle Magorian. It's one from my childhood that sticks with me. My most recommended book I, The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley

Planes; I am mostly deaf in one ear with significant internal scar tissue, that prevents my eardrum from popping. This makes the changing pressure caused by air travel agonisingly painful for me.

Accidentally in Love by Counting Crows

I can dislocate my thumbs

Retaliatory fun fact: although I can tolerate The Muppets and Sesame Street, I have a terrible puppet phobia. I dearly wish I loved classic movies like The Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, but I see the puppets in my nightmares.

Thanks for fucking up Elmo for me though

Love,

-- Haitch xxx

[book--brackets]

[bensbooks]

TRCC Readathon - Days 6/7

Turns out I'm just not good at doing regular updates! So this is the last two days combined.

Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb - 97 pages

Bosie: A Biography of Lord Alfred Douglas by Douglas Murray - 64 pages

Foster Dade Explores the Cosmos by Nash Jenkins - 61 pages

The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson - 28 minutes

Road Home by Rex Ogle - 117 pages

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian - 25 pages, DNFed

A Civil Contract by Georgette Heyer - 26 pages

Final number for the readathon: 2807 pages, 164 minutes.

Thanks @thereadingchallengechallenge for hosting the readathon!

[teeth317]

Just the centaur guys from hp. There’s literally no evidence that Firenze and Magorian are brothers but yk what this is my headcanon and no one can take it away from me

(I know no one cares about them but I do so)