#marcus booked him an extra therapy session right after this too

[hoperays-song]

Johnny’s On Twitter Concerning His Dad Again

[alindakb]

Letters to my Parents - Friday 1 April 1994 - by Alinda

Friday 1 April 1994

Dear mom and dad,

You won’t believe it. They’ve sentenced him to death. Buckbeak is sentenced to be executed. Hagrid is heartbroken and Draco is outraged. He’s sure his father has bribed or frightened the Committee into it. Hermione said there will still be an appeal, but she’s hopeless. We all know nothing will really be any different then. Draco’s dad will still be there and the Committee will still listen to him.

Draco and Hermione have started researching again to help Hagrid with his case. I wish I could help them more, but Miss Davis is giving me more and more homework for therapy. Even though I tell her time and time again that I’m fine and that I don’t need her anymore. She seems to think that having Black around is making me more unstable. It really sucks. I don’t want to go and do all the work she’s giving me. I want to help Draco and Hermione so we can save Buckbeak.

And the worst part of it all is that we can’t go and see Hagrid in the evenings because of all the extra safety precautions. The only change we ever get to see him is during Care of Magical Creatures lessons. It was hard to see him that first lesson. He was numb with shock and he blames himself. He says he got all tongue-tied. Draco told him to not give up, that they will help with the appeal. Only Hagrid said it was no good, that the Committee was in Lucius Malfoy’s pocket. And that just pisses Draco off, that his father would do this. He’s been ranting about it for days now. The only way I can shut him up is by kissing him.

There is also another mystery I’m trying to solve, and that is the mystery of Hermione disappearing in thin air. She thinks we didn’t notice that we were all walking to Charms together and that Draco and I were to only once to arrive. We did cheering charms by the way, which is really fun. But the crazy thing is, that Hermione was there one minute and gone the next.

When we went to find her after class she was in the library, fast asleep with her head resting on an open Arithmancy book. We woke her up and she was all confused at first. She thought she had forgotten to go to Charms, but that couldn’t have been the case, she was right behind us until we reached the door of the Charms classroom.

We tried to tell her that she was taking on too much with all the classes she’s taking, but she wouldn’t listen to us. She just said she made a mistake and that she had to go to see professor Flitwick to say sorry. And with she just left. Draco shook his head and took Hermione’s Arithmancy book that she had forgotten and we went to grab some lunch.

Sometime after that, we had Divination and things got really weird during that lesson. We’ve started crystal balls. First I was glad that we finished palmistry because it was getting very annoying to see Professor Trelawney flinch every time she looked at my hands. The lesson started out funny with Hermione dissing Professor Trelawney for making predictions about the exams she was setting herself. Then we had to stare into the ball and clear our minds. This was very hard, I kept thinking that it was stupid. I asked Draco if he saw anything yet, and he said he’d seen how we would be making out after Quidditch practice and how he would make sure I would be all relaxed before sleep. We both laughed and Hermione let out a shout, telling us she didn’t need to know what we do beneath the sheets.

Draco and I both burst into laughter because of that and Professor Trelawney turned to us and told us we were disturbing the clairvoyant vibrations. And then she looked into our bowl. I know what was coming, that she would predict something terrible happening to me again. And sure I was right. She was telling me how the Grimm was coming my way.

It was that moment that Hermione snapped. She said something like ‘not that ridiculous Grim again’. Professor Trelawney turned to Hermione and told her she had never seen a student whose mind was so hopelessly mundane. Hermione then got up and said she gave up and left the class. She hasn’t been back in Divination since then.

And the worst part was, Brown was all like: ‘Oh do you remember that Trelawney had said something about one of us leaving us forever around Easter’ and the entire class was all impressed. But I didn’t really think about that. I was worried about the prediction Trelawney was about to make. Did she really see the Grim? Because the last thing I need is another near-fatal accident with the Quidditch final just around the corner.

The final is at the end of this month. We are up against Gryffindor and I really hope we win. Marcus has us do extra training sessions on Saturdays. But that’s fine. I like being able to fly this much, and Draco is with me on the team so we get to spend all that time together.

I’m going now, it’s getting kind of late and Draco has already fallen asleep with his head on my shoulder. I’ll write again soon.

Love

Harry James Potter.

[preeshera]

If Love Be Blind

Angsty multi-chapter love square monstrosity (you have been warned)

I would be nowhere without my lovely Beta - Bell

Read on AO3

Chapter 1

“You realize I am a doctor too, right?!” the psychologist exclaimed, flushed with anger, as he fought a losing battle to maintain his composure.

“Whatever you say, Marcus,” scoffed a man in lab coat and stormed out of the office. The doctor closed his office door harshly to hide his embarrassment.

He marched back to his desk and sat down forcefully, knocking over his favorite picture frame and breaking it into pieces. Merde. Now this. He swept the shards off his work notepad, muttering angrily.

“Not a real doctor? NOT A REAL DOCTOR? That arrogant ass!”

They underestimate you, don’t they?

What? Had someone entered his office? He looked around but the door was still firmly shut.

They ridicule you, laugh at you.

He could feel his anger bubbling up again.

No more, I say! My name is Hawkmoth, and I can give you the power to take revenge. All I ask in return is two little trinkets…

What do you think of my offer – Dr. Mind Control?

A regular cloudy Parisian afternoon found the Collège Françoise Dupont as it usually was – busy and bustling with students.

“Come on, Marinette! We’ll be late!” Alya hollered, already halfway down the corridor from the homeroom class as Marinette was trying her best to catch up.

“But Alya, are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, I didn’t know you were so passionate about the environment…” Marinette smiled at her friend sheepishly, once she finally caught her.

Alya was clearly excited, what with her near jog and all the hand waving, but Marinette didn’t really understand. Sure, the big shipment of chemicals being delivered through Parisian streets was a big deal – there was a proper protest organized and everything – but Mayor Bourgeoise assured everyone that the security was of utmost priority. Besides, Marinette mused as she ran to keep up with her excited best friend, this just didn’t seem to be the kind of topic that would get Alya this heated up.

“Of course I am passionate!” Alya declared resolutely. “Why – wouldn’t the protest be a perfect opportunity for Ladybug and Chat Noir to make an appearance?”

Aha! Voila, there it was. The true motive! Marinette sighed, but then smiled indulgently at her friend.

“Okay, okay. I mean, what are best friends for, right?”

Alya grinned cheekily and hooked her elbows with Marinette.

“Right you are Mari!”

The girls made it just in time to see the procession of several large container trucks accompanied by a queue of police cars. The gathering of protestors along the main street was a bit loud, but Marinette noted gratefully that it looked peaceful, couple of rather rude placards aside, and didn’t think anyone looked angry enough to attract Hawkmoth’s attention.

She smiled at Alya, who was snapping pictures left and right and clearly in her element. Hopefully her friend won’t be too disappointed if Ladybug didn’t show…

A loud screeching sound tore Marinette out of her reverie. She turned around with growing dread.

Of-fucking -course. She just had to jinx it.

A man hovered above the line of trucks and police cars, flying in a throne-like office chair, dressed in an outfit that looked like a real-life optical illusion, and cackling manically.

Marinette sighed and stole a quick glance to Alya. Luckily, her friend was preoccupied by the commotion. She ducked into the nearest alley and dove behind a dumpster after a quick glance around the area. She opened her purse and hissed: “Tikki, we’ve got a problem!”

The tiny red kwami looked up at her with worried blue eyes.

“What is it Marinette? What’s wrong?”

“Akuma, Tikki. Quick, spots on!”

Her transformation flowed over her in a stream of pink light and Marinette let it take over, enjoying the pleasant rush that came with Tikki’s presence surrounding her.

Disguised as Ladybug she appeared from behind the dumpster fully suited and ran back towards the street, quickly dialing Chat’s number and leaving him a message to come as fast as he could.

The akuma was wreaking havoc, though Marinette couldn’t figure out exactly how at first. The formerly peaceful protest had turned into a full-blown riot in the short while she took to transform. Marinette just couldn’t understand it. It was only once she noticed the unnatural, blood red eyes on one of the protester’s faces that it hit her – they were all being controlled!

“Well, well, if it isn’t Paris’ favorite superheroine!” The akuma screeched as he turned his attention to her. She quickly shot her yo-yo at a nearby aerial and pulled herself up on a rooftop to get away from the frenzied crowd and behind a cooling unit on the rooftop to pull out the communicator screen of her yo-yo. Chat still wasn’t picking up.

“Where are you, Chaton?” Marinette whispered to herself.

“The famous Ladybug, hiding, while the citizens of Paris are in danger? I sense some confidence issues! Tut-tut. A therapy session or two, and you’ll be right as rain!” the akuma announced as he rounded the rooftop and came face to face with Marinette.

Ugh, the suit was painful to look at. Marinette had to avert her eyes – optical illusions always gave her a headache.

“I am Dr. Mind Control, give up your Miraculous Ladybug and no one will get hurt!”

Marinette groaned. Not this spiel again. She pushed down her uneasiness and glared at the akuma. The blood red irises that met her were extra freakish, but not as freakish as the book in his hands – a therapy notepad, but pitch black with a single glowing red eye on it.

That’s it! That must be where the butterfly is hiding.

“Give up your miraculous, Ladybug, or Paris will suffer!”

“I am afraid that’s impawsible,” came a cheeky reply. The akuma spun on his chair to glare at Mari’s very own smirking partner.

“Look what the cat dragged in,” Dr. Mind Control sneered, but Chat Noir’s grin didn’t waver.

“Need a helping paw, my Lady?”

“Chaton,” Marinette groaned, but she was glad to see her partner there. Fighting akumas on her own always made her a bit uneasy. “Stay focused! The akuma is in his notepad, we need to get to it – stat!”

“Last chance, Ladybug!” The akuma threatened, obviously not happy about being ignored.

Marinette hopped up onto the air conditioning unit she previously hid behind and threw her yo-yo at the akuma’s chair. Quickly pulling herself in, she tried to knock the notepad out of his hands, but he was expecting her.

“My Lady, no!” Chat screamed as the book glowed red, ready to pull Ladybug under the akuma’s control.

She dodged.

Plummeting to the ground, she barely managed to use her yoyo and veer quickly in opposite direction in time. By the skin of her neck the vibrating beam of the akuma’s power missed her and exploded against the building behind her.

Thank kwamis for all Ladybug’s luck.

She rolled onto a different rooftop and barely got to her feet before the akuma was shooting at her again. Dodging and swerving from rooftop to rooftop Mari Ladybug completely lost sight of her partner. Only when she dodged another one of the too-close-for-comfort attacks did she realize her companion was nowhere to be seen.

“Chat, a little help?” She cast her eyes wildly all around for the black of his suit. At last she spotted him on the street underneath. Only then did Marinette realize her partner had his hands more than full. While she was dancing around dodging Dr. Mind Control’s attacks, he had to deal with the raging crowd below. Ladybug’s stomach dropped at the sight of the mass of civilians bashing the large canisters full of chemicals that were towed on the trucks below her with whatever they could find.

Merde, merde, merde, MERDE!

“I’ve got my claws full, LB!” Chat yelped as Marinette just barely dodged another black beam. This wouldn’t do.

“Lucky Charm!” She threw her yo-yo up in the air, and air crackled with power.

A soft, silky scarf landed in her out-stretched hand. What the…?

She was just about to look around for clues when a resounding clamor from below drew her attention. Chat Noir was getting overwhelmed while the civilians were getting close to damaging the cistern. She had to get down there, but the akuma with his aerial advantage was proving way too tricky. Screw it, she really needed some time to figure out her Lucky charm!

Mari could hear sirens – police, or the fire service, or hopefully both, but they were too far away to help yet. She growled in frustration as she dove in between buildings and landed on the pavement next to Chat, knocking the mind-controlled civilians to the ground.

“Thanks for the assist, Bugaboo, things were getting a bit hairy down here.” Chat grinned.

“What did I tell you about calling me Bugaboo, you alley cat?”

“Meowch, my Lady, you wound me!” Chat exclaimed theatrically, throwing his clawed hands over his heart before waving them around again, laughing at his own antics.

The bubbling laugh transformed midway out of Marinette’s mouth into a gurgled gasp. You see, the akuma did not take kindly to being ignored, and he used their distraction to his advantage. In the split-second Mari wasn’t on high alert, a beam of black light shot right by her and hit Chat square in his chest.

The smile melted off his face as his eyes turned crimson.

“Chat, NO!” Marinette screamed, but to no avail. Her friend wasn’t there anymore.

“Now, now, Ladybug. Where were we? It’s rude to run out on your doctor!”

Chat hunched menacingly, and Mari took an instinctive step back. And as if all this wasn’t enough, the people she had knocked down were starting to stir and get back up on their feet. She shot out her yo-yo and quickly pulled herself up on one of the trucks. She needed to get to higher ground, fast.

With dread, Marinette realized Chat’s claws were doing a right number on the metallic containers beside her, and while she dodged away unscathed, the truck had started to sprout leaks. The pressure in the large container caused the chemical inside to shoot out forcefully through every small opening. Dr. Mind Control laughed manically as air filled with screams of civilians hurt by the leaking chemicals. The few remaining outside akuma’s control were trying to help, but it just wasn’t enough. Ladybug looked around frantically, trying to find something to aid her. The sound of sirens was getting closer, and she hoped against hope that the sorely needed help would arrive with it.

Her earing gave a warning beep and she looked down at the silk scarf, still clutched uselessly in her hand. She had to think of something!

“Get her, Chat Noir!” the akuma commanded, but Ladybug, distracted by looking around for clues, reacted too slow. The familiar arms of her partner, now harsh and unforgiving, circled her. In one swift move Chat brought her down to the ground with a heavy slam. One of his clawed hands circled her neck while the other posed to strike.

“Unmask her.” The akuma ordered coldly.

The black aura of cataclysm surrounded Chat’s hand and Marinette yelped, casting her gaze up helplessly to catch his unseeing blood red eyes. Please. Look at me. Snap out of it. She struggled underneath him but he was too strong.

“Chat, stop it! Chaton, please! It’s me, it’s your Lady!” she begged, tears welling in her eyes against her will, as she writhed against his crushing grip.

However, her Chat was not there. The last thing she saw was a streak of black on red as pain like lightning exploded in her head. His claws came down on her face, and a burning, horrible sensation spread from her eyelids where his cataclysm first made contact.

“Get away from her you monster!” a familiar voice screamed, and with a heavy wet whoosh Chat’s weight was lifted off her. She struggled to pry her eye open. Finally, her eyelids lifted heavily. Everything was blurry and hurting, her ears were ringing, and she was dripping wet for some reason. The sirens. It must be the firefighters. Of course, Marinette thought hazily, they brought out the power hose.

“Ladybug, can you hear me? Ladybug?” Alya, sweet, beautiful Alya was clutching her by the shoulders. “Ladybug, are you – are you okay? Are you hurt?”

Her vision swam, fluttery and unclear, her world a mass of swirling black spots and pounding excruciating pain. She couldn’t answer.

“Your suit…!” Alya whispered, voice quiet and horrified like Mari had never heard it before – and when her gaze dropped to her own trembling hands she could see her bare fingertips as the ladybug suit slowly crumbled. Tikki was losing her hold on the transformation.

“Please, please hold out. I will be back.” She tried to sound brave but her voice shook.

She had to run. Diving into the nearest alley she left the sounds of struggle behind, as the fire department waged a losing battle on an akuma and a corrupted superhero. They needed Ladybug, but she couldn’t help them. Crying, she fled.

Her suit crumbled of her feet and legs as she ran. She ran as fast as she could, ignoring the growing black spots in her sight, ignoring the pain, she ran to the only place she knew she could get help. Master Fu. Marinette could feel the shreds of the suit falling off her shoulders. Her time was almost up. The familiar weight of her mask disappeared just as she came up to the door of Master Fu’s shop. She saw a bright red dot drop lifelessly into her outstretched palm. She clutched her kwami to her chest as she banged on the door, streams of hot tears running down her face.  Her whole world narrowed down to a soft fluttery pulse in her palm. Her kwami, her companion, her Tikki.

“Marinette?” The look of surprise on Master Fu’s old face was lost on the girl. His eyes ran up and down her shaking frame and widened; she looked a sight – dripping wet, crying and bloody, with shreds of spotted armor still falling down around her. “Oh child, come in.”

“Master I can’t-” Marinette sobbed. “– I can’t see…”

----

TBC