#mine: prefect squad

[khaotunq]

One Year of The Eclipse: Prefect Squad in Every Episode

[it-happened-one-fic]

10 Seconds - Floyd

Author Notes: I'm not gonna lie, I had a lot of fun writing this. This fic was pretty much entirely inspired by a scene in chapter 111 in Akagami no Shirayukihime (Snow White with The Red Hair). After I found out that Floyd and Obi had the same voice actor, the temptation was to great for me to resist. As per usual, reader is gender-neutral. I hope you enjoy!

Type: Fluff/ flirtation/ romance/ kind of spoofy/ Reader does have a pushy admirer so be warned on that note

Word Count: 1890

There was something about persistent wanna-be lovers that made one nervous enough to look to even the most shady sources of help. Including Octaveinelle.

“So this young man has been bothering you for…?” Jade trailed off as he looked up from the glass he was currently polishing to where I sat, right in front of him, at the bar.

“A little over a month now, I think.” I frowned as I recounted the numerous times the Pomefiore junior in question had just ‘happened’ to be right where I would inevitably run into him.

 I would be trapped there, having to interact with him and dodging his advances until I was saved by some passerby or thought up a reasonable excuse to leave.

I could’ve gone to Vil for help, considering it was one of his dorm members. But I also didn’t entirely want to put my annoyingly persistent and considerably pushy admirer through quite that much sorrow.

I did, however, want this handled, and me turning him down numerous times as politely as possible simply wasn’t cutting it. Which was why I went to Octavinelle to seek the advice of the infamous tweels. After all, they handled a lot of Azul's issues. Surely they would have advice for handling one persistent admirer.

Floyd let out a low whistle from behind me, causing me to twist slightly to glance at the young man who ought to be sweeping but was now just propped up on the broom’s handle as he shook his head, “Stubborn guy.”

His eyes found mine as a grin crossed his face, and I realized very quickly that I didn’t want to know exactly what Floyd was thinking. That wasn’t really one of his nice grins….

“Come now, Floyd. We can’t exactly blame the poor fool for being quite so smitten with our darling little Prefect, can we?” I almost grimaced at Jade’s teasing tone as I turned in time to catch his mocking, sharp-toothed smile.

“Guys,” I didn’t even bother fighting the whine that slipped into my tone. “I just want some advice. I can’t get him to go away, and I’ve already tried being blunt.”

Jade smiled in an indulgent manner down at me before a frown crossed his face, “I suppose it is rather problematic and concerning if he’s been at it this long.”

He sat the glass down with a tiny clink on the bar as he continued to ponder my plight, “You said he’s a Pomefiore student?”

I nodded, wondering exactly what Jade was thinking as Floyd slipped up next to me, propping himself on the bar, “Should I just scare him off? That’d probably do it.” 

Floyd sounded perfectly willing to do just that as he looked at me with that sharp-toothed grin of his before looking towards his brother. 

But he was soon frowning in confusion as Jade started to shake his head with a slight frown, “No, if he’s as determined as I fear, then I doubt that would solve the problem for little more than three days.”

That mocking smile appeared on Jade’s face again, even though he wasn’t actually looking at either me or his brother, as he continued, “Besides. Those Pomefiore boys are the schooling sort. Always flitting about in a group. If we tried aggression, he’d just come back with his friends, and that would make things more difficult for you, wouldn’t it, Prefect?”

He looked towards me as he finished, and I nodded glumly, “A squad probably would make it tougher.”

Especially since Pomefiore squads were known to be aggressive. Turning him down in front of his posse could be risky at best.

A chuckle slipped from the vice-housewarden’s lips as he smiled at me, “Now, now. There’s no need to make such a face. The solution is really quite simple, isn’t it?”

I perked up at his words, looking at him hopefully before I frowned once I noticed his grin, “What’s it gonna cost?”

The twins laughed together, their voices joining in a strange harmony that made me tense ever-so-slightly. 

“Oh, it’ll be on the house this time. After all, this will be most amusing for both of us.” Jade’s words seemed to surprise Floyd as much as they did me.

Unperturbed by our obvious confusion, Jade leaned forward with an undoubtedly conspiratorial grin. Propping himself on his elbows as he gestured both of us closer with a single flick of his long fingers, “Listen closely…..”

And that was what had brought me to this moment, as I let out a quiet exhale before rounding the corner.

I didn’t even have to worry about setting the guy up. I knew exactly where he’d be.

Propped up on the wall in that careful pose he was always in when he was waiting for me to come and just ‘happen’ to bump into him.

And sure enough, there he was. Leaning against the wall with one arm raised so that he had me slightly caged in from the very second I rounded the corner.

“Prefect! What a surprise,” His perfectly white teeth flashed almost blindingly, and I fought not to gag at the raw amount of perfume he was wearing. 

It was a good thing he hadn’t brought his posse; I probably would’ve passed out from the raw amount of perfume that would’ve been in the air.

But I smiled. Pretending to be surprised and not at all frustrated by his persistent, unwanted affections as I carefully went back through the plan that Jade had laid out in my head.

Interact with him like everything was normal while waiting until reinforcements came, and then follow those very simple directions that Jade had given.

So I waited. Awkwardly exchanging pleasantries and smiling up at the young man who now leaned increasingly closer despite how much I would like him to say far away. He was no doubt about to drop some sort of new line that was intended to sweep me off my feet but would be far more likely to make me grimace.

And right as he opened his mouth with a grin that spoke of some very misplaced confidence, I heard the exact thing I’d been waiting for.

“Shrimpy~” Floyd’s sing-song call came from behind me, and I turned so fast that I almost missed the deep frown that appeared at impressive speeds on my admirer’s face.

“Floyd!” I didn’t have to fake my joy at seeing him, though I couldn’t say the same for him considering that Floyd himself looked entirely bored as he looked towards the Pomefiore junior that now stood stiffly silent. Already frustrated by the mere presence of Floyd.

For a brief moment, I was honestly worried about how well Jade’s scheme was going to go over until Floyd’s gaze shifted and his eyes met mine. Because then there was an entire change to his person.

His gaze softened ever so slightly, and his lips twitched up in an absentminded smile as he walked over, all but cooing at me affectionately, “There you are.”

He didn’t stop until he was right next to me, looking down at me, and then I knew the moment of truth was upon us.

I could hear Jade’s amused voice in my head as I braced myself, swallowing as I recalled his words: “Ten seconds. You will need to stare into each other’s eyes for ten seconds. But that’s all it will take.”

Floyd was far calmer than I was as he slipped off his blazer and draped it over my shoulders, blocking the cool breeze that came through the open window.

 His voice was quieter than usual, though still playful as he spoke, “There you go; can’t have you getting cold.” And that was my cue that we were beginning.

One.

My hand reached up to tug his oversized jacket a little closer around my body, and my hand brushed lightly against his fingers that lingered at my shoulders.

Two. Three. Four.

I twisted just a little bit more so that I could look at him better as his hand slid down my arm so that his arm was wrapped around my shoulders.

Five. 

It was already getting sort of awkward to keep staring for this long into Floyd’s mismatched eyes for this long. But now I was beginning to think more about the color of his irises than the actual situation we were in.

Six. Seven.

One was a yellow color. Not a sickly yellow, but rather it was a warmer color that made me feel oddly safe considering the young man I was looking up at. The other eye was a surprisingly gentle olive that was also welcomingly familiar and spoke of how, in certain moments, Floyd himself could actually be quite gentle.

Eight. Nine.

I could feel numerous people staring at us, and I was fairly certain that one of them was definitely Jade. He was probably utterly delighted by how uniquely embarrassing this really was. Because even though I’d been prepared to feel a little self-conscious, I hadn’t been expecting to be this flustered. Especially since it was just Floyd….

Ten.

Floyd’s smile grew by just a fraction, and then he blinked, “I reckon I’ll see you later. I know you can’t miss your class. Good little student that you are~” He let go of my arm with an affectionate squeeze as he continued to look down at me. But this time with amusement in his gaze and a teasing lilt to his voice.

I swallowed down my overwhelming shyness as I looked away, blinking as I attempted to force my recovery by focusing on his teasing. 

But even then, my voice wobbled as I quipped back, not quite able to look back up at him, “Unlike you, I actually have to study to keep my grades up.”

Out of my peripheral vision, I could tell he was fully grinning now, “Aww, if you ever need help, you can just ask. If you're nervous about Azul, I can help you out.”

He leaned down and into my line of sight so that he could wink at me, and I let out an exhale. Reminding myself that this was Floyd I was dealing with. Not some incredibly romantic male lead who was here to sweep me off my feet and actually be successful.

Which brought me back to my admirer, who was still standing there, staring in open-mouthed shock. 

“Ex- Excuse me, I lost track of time with Floyd and really do need to get to class now,” I  was still flustered enough that I stammered slightly before I flashed him an apologetic grin before I trotted off. 

As I fled the scene, I passed a chuckling Jade and mouthed a quick, ‘Thank you,’ before hurrying on. Attempting to outrun the oddly shy sensation I now felt at the thought of being near Floyd and entirely missing what happened behind me as I fled the scene.

“You haven’t gotten anywhere in a month, and it only took me ten seconds.” So saying, Floyd glanced down at the Pomefiore student, who almost immediately puffed up with indignance that quickly deflated as Floyd grinned in a way that perfectly displayed his too-sharp teeth.

“You might as well just try somewhere else, ‘cause you aren’t going to be stealing Shrimpy away from me anytime soon.”

[braveclementine]

Chapter 27

Warnings: Mentions of nudity

Copyright: I do not own any Wizarding World characters that J.K. Rowling wrote. I do however own Elizabeth Kane (main character) and Trang Nyguen (best friend). There should be no use of these two names without my permission. I also do not condone any copying of this.

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------------------By Order of-----------------

The Ministry of Magic Dolores Jane Umbridge (High Inquisitor) has replaced Albus Dumbledore as Head of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry . The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-nine. Signed: Cornelius Oswald Fudge MINISTER OF MAGIC

This was an insulting decree of course considering that Professor McGonagall- as deputy Headmistress- should have taken over.

"Dumbledore will be back before long." Ernie said as Ernie, Hannah, Susan, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and I were walking from Herbology. Harry had been recounting the story from his point of view which was a bit more descriptive than mine had been. I'd never been good with details. "They couldn't keep him away in our second year and they won't be able to to this time. The Fat Friar told me that Umbridge tried to get back into his office last night after they'd searched the castle and grounds for him. Couldn't get past the gargoyle. The Head's office has sealed itself against her. Apparently she had a right little tantrum. . ."

I laughed out loud. "Amazing!"

"Oh, I expect she really fancied herself sitting up there in the Head's office. Lording it over all the other teachers, the stupid puffed-up, power-crazy old-"

"Now, do you really want to finish that sentence, Granger?" Malfoy asked. "Afraid I'm going to have to dock a few points from Gryffindor and Hufflepuff." He drawled out, looking maliciously at me.

"It's only teachers that can dock points from Houses, Malfoy." Hermione said.

"Yeah, we're prefects too, remember?" Ron snarled.

"I know prefects can't dock points, Weasel King, but members of the Inquisitional Squad-"

"The what?" Hermione asked darkly.

"The Inquisitional Squad, Granger." Draco pointed to a second badge that was underneath his prefect one. It was silver with the letter I on it. "A select group of students who are supportive of the Ministry of Magic, hand-picked by Professor Umbridge. Anyway, members of the Inquisitorial Squad do have the power to dock points. . . So, Granger, I'll have five from you for being rude about our new headmistress, five for contradicting me as well. . . Five because I don't like you Potter. . . Weasley, your shirt's untucked, so I'll have another five for that. . . Macmillan, five for talking about our headmistress as well. . . oh yeah, I forgot, you're a Mudblood Granger, so ten for that. . . and Kane, your not expelled and your a werewolf brat so 15 points for that." He ignored Susan and Hannah whom he didn't seem to be able to find a punishment for.

Ron pulled out his wand, but Hermione pushed it away, whispering, "Don't!"

"Wise move, Granger. New Head, new times. . . Be good now, Potty. . . Weasel King. . ." Draco said and moved away with Crabbe and Goyle following him.

I snorted, "'Select group of students'. They're probably all Death Eaters."

"He was bluffing." Harry said, "He can't be allowed to dock points."

"It would completely undermine the prefect system." I agreed, "But look. . ." I pointed to where the house points were. Gryffindor and Ravenclaw had been tied for second this morning, Hufflepuff in first. Now, Hufflepuff had dropped to second, Ravenclaw in first, and Gryffindor in third.

"Noticed, have you?" Fred's voice said. We all looked over at him.

"Malfoy just docked us all about fifty points!" Harry said furiously.

"Yeah, Montague tried to do us during break." George said.

"What do you mean, 'tried'?" Ron asked quickly.

"He never managed to get all the words out due to the fact that we forced him headfirst into that Vanishing Cabinet on the first floor." Fred said and I laughed.

"But you'll get into terrible trouble!" Hermione gasped.

"Not until Montague reappears, and that could take weeks, I dunno where we sent him. . ." Fred said coolly. "Anyway. . . we've decided we don't care about getting into trouble anymore."

"Have you ever?" I asked with a grin.

"Course we have." George said. "Never been expelled, have we?"

"Good point." I muttered.

"We've always known where to draw the line." Fred agreed.

"We might have put a toe across it occasionally." George corrected.

"But we've always stopped short of causing real mayhem." Fred continued.

"But now?" Ron asked.

"Well now-" George said.

"- what with Dumbledore gone-" Fred continued.

"-we reckon a bit of mayhem-"

"- is exactly what our dear new Head deserves."

"You mustn't! You really mustn't! She'd love a reason to expel you." Hermione whispered, looking around.

"You don't get it, Hermione, do you? We don't care about staying anymore. We'd walk out right now if we weren't determined to do our bit for Dumbledore first. So anyway, phase one is about to begin. I'd get in the Great Hall for lunch if I were you, that way the teachers will see you can't have had anything to do with it." Fred said, smiling around at all of us.

"Anything to do with what?" Hermione asked anxiously.

"You'll see, run along now." George said.

He and Fred turned to walk away. I hesitated and then ran after them and called, "Fred!"

Fred turned and I said, "It's going to go great!"

Then I turned and ran back into the Great Hall. I sat down at the Gryffindor table and to my surprise, Susan and Hannah sat down with us. I saw Filch was taking Harry with him. "Where's Ernie?" I asked.

"He went to the library to do transfiguration homework." Susan said. "I think he wants to be as far away from whatever the Weasley twins are going to do."

"What are they going to do?" Hermione asked nervously.

I grinned mischievously. "Why would I spoil the surprise?"

We quickly bolted down lunch and then, there was a large BOOM. Many students in the Great Hall looked around but Hermione, Ron, Susan, Hannah, and I all jumped to our feet and sprinted out the door. I led them to the first floor and we stared in amazement. It was much better than the visions.

There were Dragons that were made up of green-and-gold sparks, flying up and down the corridors emitting fiery blasts. There were pink Catherine wheels five feet in diameters, whizzing around the corridors like saw blades. Rockets were bouncing off walls and sparklers were writing swearwords in midair. Firecrackers were sounding like mine explosions. Every so often, a firework raced after a student and they would run, screaming their heads off.

Umbridge showed up a moment later along with Filch and then Harry appeared behind her too. There were a handful of students that were observing the fireworks and I noted that some of them were escaping out into the rest of the rest of the school.

"Hurry, Filch, hurry! They'll be all over the school unless we do something- Stupefy!" Umbridge shouted as the dragons started down the door she'd just come through.

A jet of red light shot toward a firework which exploded with a much larger force, shaking dust from the ceiling.

"Don't stun them, Filch!" Umbridge shouted angrily as though Filch was the one who'd made the suggestion.

"Right you are, Headmistress!" Filch said and grabbed a broom to swat at them. The broom head caught on fire. Ron was roaring with laughter and even Hermione looked pleased.

"Try vanishing them!" I shouted towards Umbridge and then ducked behind a column. I supposed she tried just that because the fireworks suddenly multiplied by ten. "Come on." I said to the others. "We're going to be late for class."

We hurried away to our separate classes. We rushed into potions, nearly two minutes late. Professor Snape looked up as did the other students.

I sat down in my seat. Suddenly however, a bunch of firecrackers came hopping into the room, exploding. The students looked at Professor Snape, wondering how'd he react and also trying to keep their eyes on the firecrackers so they didn't explode near them.

"Right!" Professor Snape shouted over the bangs, "Firecrackers and Potions don't mix. Class dismissed."

The entire class rushed from the room as a firecracker exploded against a cauldron. I dove to the floor so that I didn't get in the way of the explosion. I felt Severus hands helping me to my feet and dragging me over to where his office was.

"And now-" He said, hungrily against my throat. "We have about an hour and a half together."

"Good." I murmured as he started unbuttoning the front of my shirt, his mouth moving from my lips to my neck. We didn't even make it to the bed.

Umbridge spent the entire day, running around to the summons of the other teachers who didn't seem to be able to get rid of the fireworks alone. And considering the fireworks were making such a distraction, it was hilarious that none of the teachers seemed to care about them.

Professor McGonagall for instance watched a dragon firework fly around her classroom and then said sardonically, "Dear, dear. Miss Brown, would you mind running along to the headmistress and informing her that we have an escaped firework in our classroom?"

Harry, Ron, Hermione, and I were walking up to Gryffindor Tower when we watched a tottering, sweaty-faced Professor Umbridge come out of Professor Flitwick's office.

"Thank you so much, Professor! I could have gotten rid of the sparklers myself, of course, but I wasn't sure whether I had the authority..." he said in his squeaky voice, and beaming, he slammed the door in her face. We quickly hurried passed her and then burst into laughter as we neared the portrait.

I congratulated Fred and George on their fireworks and wrote my name down on an order sheet and gave them 20 galleons for my order. I knew one day I was going to use it and it would be worth it.

Since I knew Umbridge was going to be exhausted from the long day, I headed back to Severus' office. He was already laying in bed, staring up at the ceiling and he smiled warmly when he saw me. "Couldn't get enough this afternoon?" He asked, jokingly.

I blushed, locking the door behind me on instinct. "I just wanted to spend the night with you." I climbed into bed and he wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead. It didn't take long for me to fall asleep.

I was dreaming about walking down a corridor, a plain black door at the end. I reached the door, opening it and stepped inside. I was now in a circular room lined with doors and I walked towards the one in front of me. It opened too. I was in a long, rectangular room full of an odd, mechanical clicking and there were dancing lights on the walls. There was another door at the end of this room too.

"Wake up!" A worried voice said. I bolted straight up. Severus had shaken me awake again. I felt pale and clammy and my clothes were sticking to me.

I gasped for breath and swung my legs out of the bed, standing up. I felt disgusting and I needed a shower.

"Are you alright?" He asked, still sitting on the bed.

"No." I protested, my cheeks going red. "I feel disgusting. I need to go take a shower."

He sighed, pulling me into his arms again. "The shower can wait for a few more hours."

"What time is it?" I asked, looking around for a clock.

"3:43." He whispered.

"At least let me change clothes." I mumbled back. "I feel disgusting in these sweaty clothes."

He let me up and I tore them off, still feeling clammy and sweaty. How embarrassing! It was just my luck that it had happened tonight! Severus was tapping the bed with his wand and then stood up, coming over to me and tapped me with his wand too. I immediately felt better, much cooler.

"You don't need clothes." He whispered and I laid back down in the bed. The sheets and comforter were much, much cooler. It felt so much better and I laid my head on his chest like a pillow.

"Thank you." I mumbled, holding myself to him for comfort. One of his hands wrapped around my waist, holding me to him.

"Anything for you." he said softly, stroking my hair and that was the last thing that I felt.

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𝖂𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝕴 𝖜𝖊𝖓𝖙 back the next night, he was absolutely livid. His face was white, his lips pulled back thin as Professor McGonagall's. I froze. "Er-" I racked my brain and then realized that Harry would have been here tonight. What had happened?

I tried to concentrate on the future and then found what I was looking for. So, tonight Harry had gone into the pensieve. Oh dear. I looked further into the memory and was able to see what he had seen. It was a memory of Snape as a boy. And Wormtail and Sirius were there too. Sirius was extremely handsome. Lupin and Dad were there too. I watched the memory through Harry's eyes as James flipped Severus upside down. And mum had come too, yelling at James to let him down, asking what Severus had ever done to him. All because Sirius had said he was bored. And Dad- Lupin- just sitting there under the tree, reading a book. And Severus calling mum a Mud-blood.

"Elizabeth?"

I looked up at Severus. I didn't know how long I'd been standing in the doorway but I realized that there were tears falling from my eyes. I quickly wiped them away, turning from him.

"Elizabeth, what's wrong?" He asked, turning me back to face him.

"I- I saw what Harry saw." I said reluctantly, watching his face turn white again. "The scene by the lake with dad and mum and Lupin. . . I. . . you were always right. . . dad was always arrogant. . ."

I felt horrible and I wished I'd never looked into that future bit. I sat down in the chair, looking at the floor. "And then Lupin was just sitting there. . . doing nothing. . . and I. . ."

Severus didn't say or do anything. He just watched me struggle, trying to accept the reality that my parents weren't. . . mum had been decent. How could dad have just sat there though? How could James have done that, just because Sirius was bored?

Finally, Severus sighed and then said, "That wasn't the only memory he saw."

I looked up, frowning, wiping the tears away. "But that was the only one-"

"Because he saw a memory about me and you." Severus said reluctantly now.

I froze. "Oh no."

Severus still looked extremely angry. "He didn't see much of it. . . though. . ."

I put my face in my hands. I'd been hoping for a nice night and now. . . well who knew what was going to happen now. "I'm gonna. . . I'm gonna go to bed, I think." I said weakly, standing up. Severus grabbed my arm.

"I'm sorry." he pleaded. "I don't want you to be-"

"I'm not mad at you or anything." I said softly, touching his hand. "I just. . . I didn't want you to be right about my dad. . . that's all. . . and I think I need to be alone to cope with that fact. . ."

I turned around and I walked back out of the room, leaving him behind, and headed to the Hufflepuff common room. I laid down on my bed for a long time, thinking.

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𝕴 𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖉 𝖙𝖔 talk to Harry. I wanted to converse about our parents and I couldn't. Every time I opened my mouth to tell him I was his sister, my throat closed up and I ended up saying something else. So I assumed now wasn't the right time to tell him.

Harry and I did, however, talk about the second vision- the one of Severus and me.

"He wouldn't tell me what you saw." I said, partially honest. "What'd you see?"

"Er- you two were just kissing really. I mean, it was weird to watch, obviously. It was at Grimmauld place." Harry said awkwardly.

I was much relieved to hear this. "Sorry you had to see that." I muttered. Then we looked at each other and burst out laughing.

But he was distracted too. I knew he was thinking about the other vision too. I overheard him muttering to himself the words, ". . .force her to marry him?"

I hated the idea that Dad might've forced mum to marry him. I didn't think that was it but at the same time. . .

But I had the memory from the dementors. Lily had been scared that James was going to die. So something must've happened so that they fell in love, right? And Severus had called her a Mudblood even though he loved her. . .

I groaned, slamming my head down on my book.

"You alright Eliza?" Ginny asked. I looked up, not having noticed her at first.

"No." I muttered.

"Harry, I'm talking to you, can you hear me?" Ginny asked, snapping her fingers under Harry's nose. Harry was sitting next to me? I'd definitely been lost in thought.

"Huh? Oh, hi."

"A package just arrived, it's only just got through Umbridge's new screening process. . ." Ginny said. She hoisted a brown box up on the table. A red note was scribbled across the top that said INSPECTED AND PASSED BY THE HOGWARTS HIGH INQUISTOR. "It's Easter eggs from Mum. There's one for you. . . there you go. . ." Ginny said, handing him a chocolate egg decorated with small iced snitches. She handed me over a milk chocolate egg with iced chicks on them. Apparently it contained sour gummy worms inside of it.

"Are you okay, Harry?" Ginny asked.

"Yeah. I'm fine." Harry said gruffly.

"You seem really down lately. You know, I'm sure if you just talked to Cho. . ." Ginny said.

"It's not Cho I want to talk to." Harry said and I nodded unconsciously.

"Who is it, then?" Ginny asked.

"I. . ."

"Dad." I whispered. "I want to talk to dad."

"Sirius." Harry said, putting a piece of chocolate in his mouth. I put a piece in my mouth too and felt better. Dad was right, chocolate was a healing agent.

"Well, If you really want to talk to Sirius, I expect we could think of a way to do it. . ." Ginny said.

"Come on, with Umbridge policing the fires and reading all our mail?" Harry asked dully.

"The thing about growing up with Fred and George, is that you sort of start thinking anything's possible if you've got enough nerve." Ginny said.

"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?" An angry voice shouted.

"Oh damn, I forgot." Ginny said, jumping to her feet. I shoved my things into my bag as Madam Pince swooped down on us.

"Chocolate in the library! Out- out- OUT!" Madam Pince said, wiping out her wand and making Harry's things chase us out of the library, hitting us over the head as we ran.

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𝕬 𝖈𝖔𝖚𝖕𝖑𝖊 𝖉𝖆𝖞𝖘 before Easter holiday ended, there were pamphlets and brochures that describe all the different possible jobs that could be done outside of Hogwarts. I briefly wondered why they didn't show these to us when we were choosing our classes in second-year because there were certain careers that required certain classes and if you hadn't signed up for the class before third-year. . . tough luck to you.

There was a notice on the board that read:

CAREER ADVICE All fifth years will be required to attend a short meeting with their Head of House during the first week of the Summer term, in which they will be given the opportunity to discuss their future careers. Times of individual appointments are listed below.

I looked and found myself in the middle of the list. I was supposed to meet Professor Sprout in her greenhouse office at 11:20 on Monday. This meant I would be missing Care of Magical Creatures but at this point, I was okay with not seeing Umbridge for a little bit.

"Well, I don't fancy healing." Ron said, perusing through the brochures. "It says here you need at least an E at N.E.W.T. level in Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. I mean. . . blimey. . . Don't want much, do they?"

"Well, it's a very responsible job, isn't it?" Hermione asked. "You don't seem to need many qualifications to liaise with Muggles. . . All they want is an O.W.L. in Muggle Studies 'Much more important is your enthusiasm, patience, and a good sense of fun!'" She read from one of her brochures.

"You'd need more than a good sense of fun to liaise with my uncle. Good sense of when to duck, more like. . . Listen to this." Harry said, "'Are you seeking a challenging career involving travel, adventure, and substantial, danger-related treasure bonuses? Then consider a position with Gringotts Wizarding Bank, who are currently recruiting Curse-Breakers for thrilling opportunities abroad. . .' They want Arithmancy though. . . you could do it, Hermione!"

"I don't much fancy banking." Hermione said.

"Hey" A quiet voice hissed. "Ginny's had a word with us about you. She says you need to talk to Sirius?"

It was Fred and George. George, keeping a lookout and Fred talking.

"What?" Hermione asked sharply.

"Yeah. . . yeah, I thought I'd like-" Harry said casually.

"Don't be so ridiculous." Hermione said and I avoided her eyes. "With Umbridge groping around in the fires and frisking all the owls?"

"Well, we think we can find a way around that. It's a simple matter of causing a diversion. Now, you might have noticed that we have been rather quiet on the mayhem front during the Easter holidays?" George asked.

"What was the point, we asked ourselves, of disrupting leisure time? No point at all, we answered ourselves." Fred continued and I giggled. "And of course, we'd have messed up people's studying too, which would be the very last thing we'd want to do." He nodded toward Hermione and put a hand on my shoulder.

"But it's business as usual from tomorrow. And if we're going to be causing a bit of uproar, why not do it so that Harry can have his chat with Sirius and Elizabeth with her dad?" Fred continued. I blushed, wishing he hadn't mentioned me.

"Yes, but still, even if you do cause a diversion, how is Harry supposed to talk to him?"

"Umbridge's office." I said promptly. "It'll be the only fire that isn't being watched."

"Are- you- insane?" Hermione asked in a hushed voice.

"I don't think so." Harry said, shrugging his shoulders.

"And how are you going to get in there in the first place?" Hermione asked, looking between Harry and I.

"Sirius's knife." Harry said.

"Excuse me?"

"Christmas before last Sirius gave me a knife that'll open any lock. So even if she's bewitched the door so Alohomora won't work, which I bet she has-" I said.

"What do you think about this?" Hermione demanded to Ron.

"I dunno." Ron said, looking uncomfortable. "If Harry wants to do it, it's up to him, isn't it? And Eliza?"

"Spoken like a true friend and Weasley." Fred said, clapping Ron so hard on the back the pamphlets went flying off Ron's lap. "Right, then. We're thinking of doing it tomorrow, just after lessons, because it should cause maximum impact if everybody's corridors- Harry, Eliza, we'll set it off in the east wing somewhere, draw her right away from her own office- I reckon we should be able to guarantee you, what, twenty minutes?" Fred finished, looking at George.

"Easy." George said.

"What sort of diversion?" Ron asked curiously.

"You'll see, little bro. At least, you will if you trot along to Gregory the Smarmy's corridor round about five o'clock tomorrow." Fred said with a wink.

My stomach twisted as I watched them go and a sick feeling filled my stomach. But I wanted to talk to Dad, didn't I? I wanted to ask him why he didn't stop James from messing with Severus. . .

But before I had time for the real nerves to set in, I was sitting in front of Professor Sprout the next day in the greenhouse office. I'd never been in here before. It looked a lot like the Hufflepuff common room. It was round rather than square or rectangular shaped. There were plants hanging everywhere and dirt was on the floors. It was like a garden office.

In the corner was Professor Umbridge with her stupid little clipboard, but both Professor Sprout and I were determinedly ignoring her.

"Well Elizabeth," Professor Sprout said in a cheerful manner, "this meeting is to talk over any career ideas you possibly are thinking about and I'm here to help you decide subjects that you should continue with in her sixth and seventh years. Have you any ideas about what you want to do?"

"Well. . ." I said slowly. "I've had a couple. I'm trying to decided between becoming an Auror, a Healer, or. . . or um. . . an experimental potioneer."

Professor Sprout looked a bit surprised. "Really?"

"Well an Auror would be a great career considering the times we're in." I explained. "but I also love helping people which I could do as a Healer and. . . well ever since I was a little kid I wanted to make a cure for. . . for werewolf bites. I know it'll be difficult but I think I really could do it."

Professor Umbridge made a very small cough and we both ignored her. Professor Sprout smiled, "I think those are all wonderful career options. Now, let's go through the careers one by one, we'll start with Auror. It is a difficult career path, of course, because you'll have to study once you leave school as well. I don't see that being a problem for you at all though."

Professor Umbridge coughed a little louder and Professor Sprout raised her voice a bit. "Of course, you'll need to take most of the main courses like Defense Against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Potions, and Charms-"

"Not Herbology?" I asked.

"No." She said, shaking her head. "It's an option, of course, but not a necessary one. However, if we move on to healing-"

Professor Umbridge coughed very loudly and Professor Sprout turned to her and said, "Are you quite alright Professor?"

"Oh yes, but I just wanted to inquire if you believe that Miss Kane here has the right er. . . temperament for becoming an Auror?"

"Oh yes." Professor Sprout said, nodding and still smiling. "Miss Kane is a sweet girl, very brave, extremely smart. No doubts at all that she will succeed no matter what career she goes into. Now," she turned back to me, "You'll have to take Herbology, Potions, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Charms for Healing. After all, it's an incredibly important job- one that should not be taken lightly as there can be consequences for inept healers."

"Like the healer who was supposed to be taking care of Bode." I said, nodding.

"Exactly. Now with the experimental potioneering, that's not really an official-" Professor Sprout was interrupted by an extremely loud cough. Her smile flickered, becoming extremely annoyed and said, "yes?"

"Well, experimental potioneering is a very dangerous job and I don't believe that Miss Kane here will be employed by the Ministry for the job."

I gritted my teeth. "I'm trying to create a cure for werewolves, of course they'll employ me."

"The Minister certainly will not." Professor Umbridge said, smiling.

"Well!" I said hotly. "Fudge isn't going to be Minister anymore by the end of the year."

Professor Umbridge jumped to her feet, "I knew it! I knew Dumbledore-"

"Dumbledore isn't going to be Minister either." I said bitingly. "Granted, the next Minister is going to be a bit better but nothing like Dumbledore."

Professor Umbridge looked a bit unnerved and Professor Sprout quickly claimed my attention back, "I think a cure for werewolves in a wonderful idea." She said sweetly. Professor Sprout's sweet voice was so much different from Professor Umbridge. "It'll give so many people their lives back. Do you have any questions?"

I shook my head, "I don't think so."

"Alright then. You may go back to class." Professor Sprout said, marking something down on a piece of parchment and stacking it onto of a small pile on her desk.

I stood up and left the room without looking back. Stupid Professor Umbridge.

I wanted to hear Harry's interview with Professor McGonagall and knew that I'd have to be there sometime around half-past two. I went back to Care of Magical Creatures where we were still working on Knarls. Bloody boring.

I went up to the castle for lunch and then sat through charms. Potions was after that.

Severus held me back after Potions though and I felt my anxiety increase. "Look, are you mad at me?" He asked quietly as Hannah left the room.

I looked at him blankly, "Mad at you? Why would I be mad at you?"

"I don't know!" He said, sounding a bit exasperated. "You haven't been down once in nearly a week and a half though."

"Sorry." I whispered. "I've been busy- which isn't an excuse, I know. . . I thought you'd be er- mad at me?"

"Why would I be mad at you?" He asked, bewildered.

"Well you were pissed at Harry. . ." I said quietly. "And I'm his sister and James was my dad and lily was my mum and. . ."

"Oh." Severus said, shoving his hands into the pockets of his robes. I wrapped my arms around him.

"I'll come back tonight, I promise." I got up on my tiptoes and kissed his lips. I turned to leave and found I couldn't.

He'd grabbed my tie and drew me back to him, pushing me down on the desk and kissing me fiercely. I forgot where I wanted to be at that moment and wrapped my arms around him. We heard footsteps outside the door and we pulled apart. I grabbed my bag and passed Draco on the way out.

I hurried to where Professor McGonagall's office was and listened outside the door.

"Yes." Harry was saying, "Defense Against the Darks Arts, I suppose?"

"Naturally." Professor McGonagall said in a crisp voice. "I would also advise-"

There was a cough and I knew that Umbridge was in the room too.

"I would also advise Transfiguration, because Aurors frequently need to Transfigure or Untransfigure in their work. And I ought to tell you now, Potter, that I do not accept students into my N.E.W.T. classes unless they have achieved 'Exceeds Expectations' or higher at Ordinary Wizarding Level. I'd say you're averaging 'Acceptable' at the moment, so you'll need to put in some good hard work before the exams to stand a chance of continuing. Then you ought to do Charms, always useful, and Potions. Yes, Potter, potions. Poisons and antidotes are essential study for Aurors. And I must tell you that Professor Snape absolutely refuses to take students who get anything other than 'Outstanding' in their O.W.L.s, so-"

Professor Umbridge coughed even louder.

"May I offer you a cough drop, Dolores?" Professor McGonagall asked curtly. I grinned, only able to imagine the look on her face.

"Oh no, thank you very much. I just wondered whether I could make the teensiest interruption, Minerva?" Professor Umbridge's voice was farthest from the door.

"I daresay you'll find you can." Professor McGonagall said through what sounded like gritted teeth.

"I was just wondering whether Mr. Potter has quite the temperament for an Auror?" She asked sweetly the way that she had in Professor Sprout's office a couple hours ago. I wondered if she was only sitting in mine and Harry's interviews.

"Were you? Well, Potter, if you are serious in this ambition, I would advise you to concentrate hard on bringing your Transfiguration and Potions up to scratch. I see Professor Flitwick has graded you between 'Acceptable' and 'Exceeds Expectations' for the last two years, so your Charms work seems satisfactory; as for Defense Against the Dark Arts, your marks have been generally high, Professor Lupin in particular thought you- are you quite sure you wouldn't like a cough drop, Dolores?"

Susan and Ernie came over. "What are you doing?" Susan mouthed. I put a finger to my lips, still listening. I was joyful too- Professor McGonagall had mentioned dad. I loved hearing people talk about dad- for good, of course

"Oh, no need, thank you, Minerva. I was just concerned that you might not have Harry's most recent Defense Against the Dark Arts marks in front of you. I'm quire sure I slipped in a note. . ."

"What, this thing?" Professor McGonagall asked sharply and Susan, Ernie, and I heard the sound of parchment rustling. "Yes, as I was saying, Potter, Professor Lupin thought you showed a pronounced aptitude for the subject, and obviously for an Auror-"

"Did you not understand my note, Minerva?" Professor Umbridge interrupted, forgetting to cough.

"Of course I understood it." Professor McGonagall's sounded muffled as though her teeth were glued together.

"Well, then, I am confused. . . I'm afraid I don't quite understand how you can give Mr. Potter false hope that-"

"False hope? He has achieved high marks in all his Defense Against the Dark Arts tests-"

"I'm terribly sorry to have to contradict you, Minerva, but as you will see from my note, Harry has been achieving very poor results in his classes with me-" Professor Umbridge interrupted.

"I should have made my meaning plainer. He has achieved high marks in all Defense Against the Dark Arts tests set by a competent teacher." Professor McGonagall said coldly.

Ernie and Susan dropped their mouths in shock and I grinned broadly. We all looked at each other.

"A werewolf is not a competent teacher!" Professor Umbridge said angrily.

"Well Professor Lupin was the most competent teacher that we ever had for the class so I must contradict you. Any questions, Potter?"

"Yes. What sort of character and aptitude tests do the Ministry do on you, if you get enough N.E.W.T.s?" Harry asked, sounding as though he was trying not to laugh.

"Well, you'll need to demonstrate the ability to react well to pressure and so forth, perseverance and dedication, because Auror training takes a further three years, not to mention very high skills in practical defense. It will mean a lot more study even after you've left school, so unless you're prepared to-" Professor McGonagall answered his question.

'I think you'll also find that the Ministry looks into the records of those applying to the Aurors. Their criminal records." Professor Umbridge said in a cold voice. Susan shook her head.

"-unless you're prepared to take even more exams after Hogwarts, you should really look at another-"

"-which means that this boy has as much chance of becoming an Auror as Dumbledore has of ever returning to this school!"

"A very good chance, then." Professor McGonagall said.

"Potter has a criminal record!" Professor Umbridge practically shouted.

"Potter has been cleared of all charges!" Professor McGonagall said even louder than the Umbitch.

"Potter has no chance, whatsoever, of becoming an Auror!"

"Potter." Professor McGonagall said in a ringing tone. "I will assist you to become an Auror if it is the last thing I do! If I have to coach you nightly I will make sure you achieve the required results!"

Susan, Ernie, and I looked at each other with raised eyebrows and shocked expressions.

"The Minister of Magic will never employ Harry Potter!" Umbridge said in a trembling voice.

"There may well be a new Minister of Magic by the time Potter is ready to join!" Professor McGonagall shouted so loudly, students passing by looked at us curiously.

"Aha! Yes! yes, yes, yes!" Professor Umbridge shouted and I motioned to Susan and Ernie that it was time to leave.

"Wow." Susan said in a shocked voice. "I would never have thought Professor McGonagall would say things like that."

"My Dad was a good teacher, wasn't he?" I asked, pleased, still basking in that memory.

"Professor Lupin was the best." Ernie assured me.

Harry bolted out of the office at that moment, rushing to whatever class he was supposed to be going to. Professor McGonagall and Professor Umbridge were now yelling at each other, the door still open. Students started to look up as they passed, some of them slowing to listen in.

"Let's get out of here." I muttered to them and we hurried off the library.

I finished up a majority of my homework and then said good-bye to Susan and Ernie and made my way stealthily to Umbridge's office. I waited around a corner until I heard footsteps and saw Harry. He threw the Invisibility cloak over us and unlocked the office door and we hurried inside.

Harry pulled off the cloak, grabbing floo powder and threw it into the fireplace. "Number twelve, Grimmauld Place." Harry said loudly. We both stuck our heads in at the same time. I'd never done this before. There was the familiar spinning sensation and then I was seeing the kitchen.

Dad was sitting at the table, bent over a piece of parchment.

"Sirius?" Harry asked.

Dad jumped and looked around. "Harry! Elizabeth! What are you- what's happened, is everything all right?"

"Yeah. I just wondered- I mean, I just fancied a- a chat with Sirius." Harry said awkwardly. I was looking down at the kitchen floor, unable to look dad in the face.

"I'll call him. He went upstairs to look for Kreacher, he seems to be hiding in the attic again. . ." Dad hurried from the room.

"He must've gone to the Malfoy manor." I muttered. "Sirius keeps telling him to get out."

"This is painful." Harry muttered and I knew what he was talking about. My knees were starting to seize up. Dad returned moments later, Sirius at his heels.

"What is it?" Sirius asked and I thought of how handsome he was and looked back down at the kitchen floor. "Are you all right? Do you need help?"

"No, it's nothing like that. . . I just wanted to talk. . . about my dad. . ." Harry said. He immediately launched into the story about Severus' pensive and what he saw inside of it- not talking about my part of course.

"I wouldn't want you to judge your father on what you saw there, Harry." Dad said and somehow, I knew he was including himself in that. "He was only fifteen-"

"I'm fifteen!" Harry and I said together in heated voices.

"Look, Harry. James and Snape hated each other from the moment they set eyes on each other, it was just one of those things, you can understand that, can't you? I think James was everything Severus wanted to be- he was popular, he was good at Quidditch, good at pretty much everything. And Snape was just this little oddball who was up to his eyes in the Dark Arts and James- whatever else he may have appeared to you, Harry- always hated the Dark Arts." Sirius said.

I gritted my teeth but said nothing.

"Yeah, but he just attacked Snape for no good reason, just because-"

"Because you said you were bored." I said, attempting to sound sorry for accusing Sirius but wasn't entirely capable of doing it. My voice was to tense, to angry, and both Dad and Sirius flinched slightly.

"I'm not proud of it." Sirius said quickly and I snorted.

"Look, Harry, what you've got to understand is that your father and Sirius were the best in the school at whatever they did- everyone thought they were the height of cool- if they sometimes got a bit carried away-" Dad said.

"If we were sometimes arrogant little berks, you mean." Sirius said.

Dad smiled.

"He kept messing up his hair." Harry said, sounding pained. Both dad and Sirius laughed.

"I'd forgotten he used to do that." Sirius said affectionately.

"Was he playing with the snitch?" Dad asked in an eager voice. I felt like I'd faded into the background but said nothing. Dad's attention didn't have to be on me 24-7 and James had been his friend too.

"Yeah. Well. . . I thought he was a bit of an idiot." Harry said, sounding like he couldn't comprehend why Sirius and Dad looked so reminiscent.

"Of course he was a bit of an idiot! We were all idiots! Well- not Moony so much, that's where Eilís gets her brains too."

Dad shook his head. "Did I ever tell you to lay off Snape? Did I ever have the guts to tell you I thought you were out of order?"

So dad hadn't stopped James because he believed he wasn't brave enough. I supposed that made sense. If Harry had done the same to Malfoy. . . would I have told Harry to lay off? Of course, Draco's dad had also tried kidnapping me so that was a bit of a different story. Ron wouldn't have said anything either- but Hermione. . .

"Yeah, well, you made us feel ashamed of ourselves sometimes. . . That was something. . ." Sirius said.

So dad had rebuked them, just not in Snape's memory. I felt properly ashamed of judging dad so harshly and I felt tears sting my eyes.

"And, he kept looking over at the girls by the lake, hoping they were watching him!" Harry exclaimed.

"Oh, well, he always made a fool of himself whenever Lily was around. He couldn't stop himself showing off whenever he got near her."

"How come she married him?" Harry asked in a miserable voice. "She hated him!"

"Nah, she didn't." Sirius said.

"She started going out with him in seventh year." Dad said.

"Once James had deflated his head a bit." Sirius said.

"And stopped hexing people just for the fun of it." Dad said.

"Even Snape?" Harry asked.

"Well, Snape was a special case. I mean, he never lost an opportunity to curse James, so you couldn't really expect James to take that lying down, could you?" Dad said in a very slow, cautious voice.

"And my mum was okay with that?" Harry asked and I snorted again.

"She didn't know too much about it, to tell you the truth. I mean, James didn't take Snape on dates with her and jinx him in front of her, did he?"

Harry looked unconvinced and I felt miserable. This talk wasn't helping at all, they were just defending their best friend.

"Look. Your father was the best friend I ever had, and he was a good person. A lot of people are idiots at the age of fifteen. He grew out of it." Sirius said.

"Yeah, okay. I just never thought I'd feel sorry for Snape." Harry said heavily.

"Now you mention it, how did Snape react when he found you'd seen all this?" Dad asked, frowning.

"He was so angry when I went to see him the same night." I whispered, "I'd never seen him so angry before."

Sirius face contorted.

"He told me he'd never teach me Occlumency again, like that's a big disappoint-" Harry said indifferently.

"He WHAT?" Sirius shouted and I jumped, smacked my head against the fireplace, and then inhaled ashes. I coughed spasmodically, tears in my eyes and then pulled my head out of the fireplace to find some water. I could hear Harry making noises in the fireplace but not the full context of words.

Once I'd drank a bit of water, I stuck my head back in.

"Harry, there is nothing so important as you learning Occlumency! Do you understand me? Nothing?" Dad asked sternly.

"Okay, okay." Harry said.

"Harry, Filch is coming." I said, my eyes half glazed over, "He just got an order to. . . to whip misbehaving students. . . oh that's just lovely."

"Stay out of detention Elizabeth." Dad said sternly.

"Yeah that's a bit difficult." I said and then pulled my head out to throw the Invisibility cloak over myself and Harry. I was still a bit annoyed with dad and was trying to push that feeling away.

We made it out of Umbridge's office, just as Filch came around the corner. We slipped past him and made our way to the Entrance hall. Harry threw the cloak off of us, tossing it into his bag.

Students were standing around the entrance hall just like the night of Professor Trelawney's sacking, some of them covered in some sort of substance. I could see ghosts and teachers scattered throughout the mix. Peeves was floating up close to the ceiling and Fred and George were standing in the middle, looking exceptionally pleased with themselves.

"So!" Umbridge said triumphantly. "So. . . you think it amused to turn a school corridor into a swamp, do you?"

"Pretty amusing, yeah." Fred said, catching my eye and winking.

'I've got the form, Headmistress !" Filch said, nearly crying with happiness and rushing towards Umbridge. 'I've got the form and I've got the whips waiting. . . Oh, let me do it now. . ."

"Very good, Argus. You two, are about to learn what happens to wrongdoers in my school."

"You know what?" Fred asked. "I don't think we are. George, I think we've outgrown full-time education."

"Yeah, I've been feeling that way myself." George said lightly.

"Time to test our talents in the real world, d'you reckon?" Fred said.

"Definitely." George said and as one, they lifted their wands and said "Accio Brooms!"

There was a crashing sound and Harry and I ducked along with a few other students as Fred and George's brooms- having broken through Umbridge's door the iron pegs and chain still attached- came hurtling towards them.

"We won't be seeing you." Fred said, swinging his leg over his broomstick. I grinned at him, catching his eye again, blowing him a kiss, and winking.

"Yeah, don't bother to keep in touch." George said.

Fred looked around and then said. "If anyone fancies buying a Portable Swamp, as demonstrated upstairs, come to number ninety-three, Diagon Alley- Weasleys' Wizarding Wheezes. Our new premises!"

"Special discounts to Hogwarts students who swear they're going to use our products to get rid of this old bat." George said, pointing at Umbridge.

"STOP THEM!" Umbridge screamed.

"Give her hell from us, Peeves." Fred said and Peeves swept his hat from his head and sprang to a salute as Fred and George flew out of the Entrance Hall.

Students ran out of the castle and down onto the lawn to watch them fly far away into the sunset.

⬅️➡️

[violet-stormbringer]

The Princess and The Thorne, Chapter Seven: Pep Assembly; The Birchmeier Society makes it’s move!

Night time. The carriages drew up outside Gallatin College, and the lights twinkled in the darkness. When Ras disembarked, the cold hit her like a ton of bricks. The prospectus had warned her that it’d be colder after Hearthlight, but gods if she didn’t underestimate it. Nothing quite like experiencing the cold through ones eyeballs, she supposed.

Hearthlight had lasted a month. A whole month, and in that time Ras had run away from home and made her way to Zaledo where she spent Hearthlight with Rosario and the Kings Mateo and Alejandro. A month since she’d worn her uniform.

It was still the same charcoal-colored trousers, stiff ivory shirt, and grey sweater, but now she was more familiar with it.

If anything, it was more Ras-like than most of her other clothes, the left sleeve tied permanently in a knot, and two pins added to the lapel, bearing the mark of Erdrick and the Thorne Family sigil both.

In addition, Ras had found Irwin’s Signet Ring, bearing the mark of the Westerlind-Zaledo Military Alliance, and she kept that on a thin gold necklace. Another keepsake of her Father.

Some of the students were grumbling about the cold, while just as many others were chattering about the holidays. There were some whispering about Ras and her disappearance, with many looking back at her with ominous expressions and murmuring about whether or not she was okay.

She seemed healthy enough, was the general consensus, though they still couldn’t help but wonder what happened; answers that would never come so long as they refused to approach her.

Suited her just fine.

Ras and the others were herded into the banquet hall and the warmth within, and Ras passed her wrappings to Karson at the door, offering her a smile. 

The banquet hall was bright and noisy after the dark outside, but when Lady Renaldt waved for silence, quiet descended straightaway. Hartmann and Isabelle Favre, the captain of the Lacross team, were standing at her side.

“I’m sure you had a wonderful Hearthlight,” she said. “Nothing delights me more than seeing you all back here to learn and grow. In particular, we are overjoyed to learn of the safety and health of one Master Thorne.”

Ras ducked her head, avoiding the expectant gazes of everybody as they looked at her. Lady Renaldt had singled her out, and the onslaught of attention was almost too much to bear. Thankfully, Lady Renaldt continued, a smile on her face.

“Head Prefect Hartmann and Team Captain Favre have a small announcement.”

Hartmann cleared her throat. Like Ras, she looked pristine and well-kept, and could’ve just stepped out of the college prospectus. “The lacrosse season is starting this term, and the Gallatin Swans are hoping to win the cup this year.”

“We’re going to win the cup this year,” Isabelle corrected her. “The pep assembly’s this weekend! Be there!”

Scattered applause from the students, mostly from the lacrosse team. Everybody else, however, looked bored and hungry. 

“Thank you, you two,” Lady Renaldt said, and then dinner was served.

Dinner consisted of oysters and lobster with chestnuts and sprouts, as well as hearty helpings of sourdough bread. Traditional springtime fare, though Ras really wishes for something warmer. A stew, of some kind.

With a wistful sigh, Ras soaked in her surroundings as she got familiar once again with Gallatin. She spotted Mr. Blanchard looking wistfully at the teachers’ table, working his way through his dinner without talking to anybody. Miss Dalca’s trilling laugh soared over the other diners, and even Mr. Griffith occasionally cracked a smile at whatever she was saying.

From the fifth-year table, Ras heard boasting.

“...so Blaise’s scarf’s officially mine, now, since she didn’t ask for it back.”

Ras frowned, trying to recall the woman’s name. Marguerite. She was one of Blaise’s old cronies. Part of the bully squad that tried to get her kicked out during her first week here. She was holding up an emerald-colored cashmere scarf, admiring it in the candlelight.

Ras got up from her table and carefully maneuvered her way to where Marguerite was sitting, sliding in next to her with ease and grace, like she belonged there the entire time.

“Say…” Ras spoke, her voice only audible to the table there, “have y’heard from Blaise since she left? If she didn’t say anything specific, might not be fair ‘ta keep th’scarf…”

Marguerite shifted uncomfortably. “I-I wrote to her asking for an address,” she protested. “And I didn’t hear back. So it’s practically like she gave it to me.”

Ras nodded, and Margeurite’s friends piped up to gossip more about Blaise and whether she’s on holiday. Ras stood up and returned to her table, turning her attention to her friends.

Max was sitting by herself, looking morose. Delacroix looked similar, wearing a stormy expression while Freddie tried to cheer her up. Closer to Ras, Gonzalez was talking at Hartmann about the pep assembly, asking about how it’d work and what the plans were, but Hartmann wasn’t quite in the mood for chatting.

"…so how will the prefects be involved?" Gonzalez asked. "I heard we were getting someone to come in to speak. Should the team write to them? Or—"

Hartmann's fingers clenched her fork, and she looked awfully close to attempting to snap the metal instrument in half. "Can you set up a meeting with the Prefect Committee?" she says through her teeth.

"Oh, yes," Gonzalez chattered away, ignoring Hartmann’s obvious signs of stress, "but I thought we could think about it in advance so it's properly organized."

Hartmann glowered at her plate as though the oysters had personally offended her, and Ras knew it was time to step in.

She slid right up next to Hartmann, wrapping her right arm around the other’s shoulders. “Hello hello hello, Hartmann and friend! I trust y’all had a wonderful Hearthlight?”

“Oh, sure!” Gonzalez nodded. “I was just asking Hartmann here about the pep assembly and–”

Ras shook her head, smiling. “Gonzalez! We just got back! Give her time ‘ta settle in, ask her how she’s feeling! Cop a feel if y’must, but give her a moment ‘ta breath!”

Gonzalez shook her head at that last suggestion, a wry smile on her lips. “I’ll pass. But you’re right, you’re right. I shouldn’t be bugging her about school stuff this soon into the night.”

Hartmann looked relieved, though a blush was on her face, still reeling from Ras’ suggestion. “Um, Ras?”

“Mmm?”

“Could you…” She looked pointedly to Ras’ hand.

“Oh! Sure thing.” She got the hint, pulling her arm away with a grin. “Sorry Hartmann, y’know how I am. Cain’t resist huggin’ a pal.”

Hartmann only offered a smile in return, still blushing from the obscenity of Ras’ suggestion. It wasn’t that she minded. It only caught her off guard.

Gonzalez and Hartmann eventually got on to talking about other things, mostly Hearthlight, and by the end of it, Hartmann seemed less frazzled. A win in Ras’ book.

While dessert was being cleared away, and younger students filing out of the banquet hall, a fifth-year separated from the pack and shyly sidled up to Gonzalez, clutching a piece of paper.

“This is you, isn’t it?” she asked, waving it at her. “Zuri Gonzalez? I wanted to say—second cousin’s at Archambault, and he read about you in the paper. My uncle wants to arrange an introduction!”

Gonzalez looked as though she wanted to bolt. “...Must be a different Zuri Gonzalez. It’s a common enough name.”

“No, no, it’s you! There’s a picture and everything!”

“Leave me alone!” Gonzalez surged to her feet, towering over the fifth-year. She grabbed the newspaper clipping and looked about ready to shove the poor girl.

To which Ras merely stood up and grabbed the fifth-year by her elbow, smiling.

“I think it’s time y’all got back to your fellows, yeah? Don’t wanna miss lights out…”

The fifth-year nodded, eyes widened. She sidled into the crowd of younger students before Gonzalez could say anything else. For her part, Gonzalez slipped out of the banquet hall and away from curious onlookers.

With the excitement, it took usual to finish up, and it was fully dark by the time Ras made her way towards the familiar shadow of Clemency Building.

As she crossed the darkened quad, she spotted Hartmann corralling a group of youngers into the Hope Building; she gave Ras a smile and broke off to meet with her.

“So much to do,” she said in a rushed tone. “Those Hope Building students are all over the place. B-But how was your Hearthlight? Besides the whole thing with your mother, I mean? Mine was wonderful! A pity I didn’t hear from Blaise, but there were so many others to talk to!”

Her eyes were a little wide, and her smile was too bright. Ras had a hard time believing Hartmann’s Hearthlight was as wonderful as she said.

“Hartmann.” Ras threw her arm around the other in a hug. “It would’ve been better with you around. I missed you.”

Hartmann returned the hug, sobbing into Ras’ shoulder. “I missed you too. I wish I had written to you, maybe we could’ve figured something out together.”

Ras shook her head as she pulled away, smiling. “Don’t worry about it. Th’fact that you and the others missed me so much means a lot, Hartmann. You’re a good friend.”

Hartmann smiled in return, and it was genuine this time. The pair shared another hug, and then Hartmann raced ahead of Ras and up the steps into the Clemancy Building.

As Ras entered and pass by the dimly-liy common room, she managed to spot Gonzalez lurking on one of the couches; she beckoned for Ras to join in. “Thanks for earlier,” she whispered. “That fifth-year and that stupid newspaper article…”

She trailed off.

“...I should’ve mentioned it before, really,” she said wretchedly. “But I didn’t know how to bring it up. It felt like bragging.”

She then went on to explain that during her trip to Zaledo, she rescued a child trapped on a sand dune with the approaching tide. Gonzalez’s family was delighted, a reporter got wind of it, and now Gonzalez was prime marriage material.

Many people would’ve loved to have such a problem, but apparently Gonzalez wouldn’t.

Ras waved her hand dismissively. “Please. Next time someone falls in th’lake, or drops their dinner, or hells, trips and lands on Lady Renaldt, everybody’ll forget about’cha.” She grinned. “I know it’s hard when it feels like everybody is lookin’ at’cha, but it’ll get better. Always does.”

Gonzalez gave a sympathetic grimace. “Shit…I suppose you’d know how it feels, hm? Even if this is technically a good thing…”

Silence stretched out between the pair for a few moments while Gonzalez scuffed her shoe on the carpet.

“The thing is,” she said, finally, “I don’t want to get married—not to anyone—or sleep with people. I’ve never been able to make myself interested in it. But this thing over Hearthlight—it just makes everyone put more pressure on me, and I hate it.”

Ras offered a smile. “I see. So that’s why you were so hesitant to, gods, how did I put it? ‘Cop a feel’ on Hartmann?”

Gonzalez let out a snort. “Exactly. Don’t get me wrong, she’s pretty, if you’re into that sort of thing. But I’m not. So…you know.”

Ras nodded. “Well, don’t sweat it! Really!”

Gonzalez raised an eyebrow.

“There are bound ‘ta be other people in your position, yeah? You’ll find ‘em, and you’ll work together on a solution that’ll find y’all happy ‘tagether.”

Gonzalez smiled, squeezing Ras’ shoulder. “That’s really sweet, Ras. Thank you.”

Footsteps, and Ras looked up to see Mr. Griffith knock pointedly at the door. “Lights-out in ten minutes!”

The pair nodded and got to their feet. They dragged themselves upstairs to the familiar crowd and bustle of the dorm. As soon as Ras’ head hit the pillow, she was out like a light.

Before the pep assembly arrived, Ras concentrated on catching up with her friends whenever she could. Her grades were fine enough to take the hit, and now she had plenty of people to write to next time she was stuck at home.

As the week of the assembly approached, all attention was on lacrosse, no matter how much Miss Dalca claimed it was a ridiculously aggressive sport and symbolic of cult mentality. The Birchmeier Society was the primary contingent of students entirely uninterested in lacrosse, but even they were excited when Hartmann broke the news that a special guest would attend.

“Beatrix Wahner,” Hartmann explained. “She was the team captain the last time the Swans won.”

Freddie squeaked, leaning against Ras and whispering. “She’s a paleontologist at Gessner University now! We have to talk to her!”

Lucien agreed. After a particularly strenuous study group meeting, he explained that he wanted to lure Beatrix from the assembly to talk to the Soceity about her work. “She’ll want to be known for her real skills, not throwing a ball around a field,” he said. “Ras. We need to set things up so we can have her speak to us. She was in the same year as Mr. Blanchard, so that might give us an in.”

Ras shook her head. She knew exactly what she had to do.

Ras strode into the room the Prefect Committee had just used as a meeting room, to find Hartmann sitting there, looking harassed and unusually ruffled; laden down with papers nearly piled to the ceiling.

“Ras,” she said. “What can I do for you?”

“I wanted to see if I could help!” She said, cheerfully. “I know you’ve got a lot going on right now, but I figured maybe there was something I could do. Maybe the seating plan?”

Hartmann looked like she wanted to argue, to refuse, but after staring at the piles of paperwork before her, she nodded.

The pair of them looked over the plans for the assembly, and with a few gentle pushes and very little coaxing on her part, Ras managed to convince Hartmann to convince herself that Ras should be sat next to Beatrix, centered around the pretext of showing her where she needed to go.

When it was done, and Ras relayed her progress to Lucien, he clasped her shoulder and expressed gratitude for the headway: they’d be in a prime position to talk to her.

And then, it was the night for the assembly.

The banquet hall, the corridors—even the front entrance—were all draped with Gallatin colors and coat of arms, as well as swan statues everywhere. Students had pinned swan-shaped badges to their lapels, and despite the strict dress code, none of the teachers seemed to care.

As for Ras, she was on high alert. Walking into the gymnasium with the rest of the Birchmeier Society, she spotted Beatrix talking to Hartmann as Freddie tugged on her sleeve and pointed. The blaring marching band mingled with the roar of excitement from the students, humming in Ras’ chest.

Beatrix was a broadly-built, round-faced woman with a strong, no-nonsense look that denoted her as a former team captain. As Ras approached, she gave a cheerful wave.

“As I was saying,” Hartmann said, “we need to go to the locker rooms to get ready.”

Ras took this as her chance, pushing the advantage she had now that she was directly in front of Beatrix.

“Ms. Wahner!” Ras exclaimed, grabbing Beatrix’s hand and shaking it vigorously, “I’m so happy you’re here! Can I say how excited the Society is? I think you’re goin’ ‘ta give us such a boost!”

Beatrix beamed. “Oh, I’m so pleased to hear it!”

“We would love to have more of a chat with you, given the chance. Do you think that could be arranged?”

“Of course!” Beatrix readily agreed, and Ras did her best to ignore the thunderous glare Hartmann was shooting at her.

“Excuse me,” she said, rather pointedly, “I think we’re ready for the speech.”

“Certainly.” Beatrix said comfortably, clapping Ras on the back with a grin. “I’ll see you later.”

Mr. Griffith beckoned Ras to her seat, where she took up beside a delighted looking Freddie. She whispered a quick congratulations before the marching badn struck up and the lacross team bounded out of the locker room.

The roar of applause and music was deafening. Freddie hunched in her seat, looking entirely unhappy with the noise. Led by Isabelle and Gonzalez, the team raced around the gymnasium floor while Beatrix gave a stirring speech about the Swans’ pas achievements and how she’s sure they’ll succeed this year.

In the middle of it all, however, Ras caught the scent of smoke. 

“Fire!” A student shouted, and all hell broke loose.

Panic broke out, with students clambering up in their seats and the bandmembers clutching their instruments with wild and wide eyes.

Mr. Griffith shouted to Miss Dalca across the gymnasium, but his voice was lost in the noise of the crowd. The lacrosse team was paralyzed with panic; Isabelle open-mouthed and immobile. Hartmann is talking furiously to the Prefects, but there was no sign of action. Around Ras, the Birchmeier Society standing in shock. Freddy grabbed Ras’ arm, her face pale as snow. “Ras, what should we do?”

Ras took a deep breath. “We need to take control. Nobody is thinking straight.”

Freddie nodded, grabbing Lucien by the elbow and rousing him from his panic. Ras brought her hand around her mouth and shouted, as loud as she could.

“EVERYONE, QUIET DOWN!”

Despite the rising smoke and the visible flames, the noise dipped. Students turned to stare at Ras, eyes widened with terror, yet they were silent.

“The fire hasn’t reached the front entrance yet, calmly make your way to safety!” Ras ordered.

“Those closest to the fire, hold tightly to each other and guide one another towards the exit, those with breathing problems should make themselves known and be priority! If a student collapses, call out, and a teacher will be with you for assistance! DO NOT TRY TO LIFT A PERSON BY YOURSELF.”

Ras’ voice carried well across the quiet gymnasium, and the evacuation went off without a hitch. The mass of students obeyed her instructions, and she, along with Hartmann, Freddie, and the Birchmeier Society, were among the last out of the gymnasium.

Ras, with the help of the Birchmeier Society, the Prefects, and the Swans, managed to corral the students into the quad, where a nurse had arrived. 

They were a jolly red-haired sort, named Vivien, going from student to student, checking their breathing and making sure everyone was healthy. When they were done with that, fear gave way to excitement, and the atmosphere grew more festive.

Mr. Griffith, however, yelled for silence, and quiet descended.

“This unfortunate incident,” he said, “doesn’t remove the fact that we’re extremely proud of our Gallatin Swans. But special thanks are due to the Birchmeier Society for their assistance, and to Master Thorne in particular for her quick thinking and concise orders under pressure.”

The applause was ragged at first, but it quickly grew more enthusiastic. Freddie beamed at the crowd, and Ras ducked behind her, not use to the praise. 

“Tonight’s plan,” Mr. Griffith continued, “was for the final years to have some recreation time at the lake, but obviously that’s not—”

Miss Dalca stepped forward and murmured something to Mr. Griffith, who frowned at the interruption. “But, Cezara, I hardly think—”

More murmuring. He sighed. “Allright,” he said. “Since it’s been such an upheaval. Final years, you may all have an hour at the lake. When said hour is up, however, curfew rules apply as usual. Take care.”

With that, the final-years headed to the lake. Their uniforms were reeking of smoke, especially in the clean air, but there was a jovial air about the place. Gonzalez and the Swans built a bonfire—officially sanctioned, of course—and soon the flames were burning merrily and people were enjoying themselves.

Beside the beer crate, Max was laughing wildly with her Starlings, and, bizarrely, Hartmann. 

Delacroix was picking at dry grass and throwing it into the fire with a morose expression. She wasn’t paying any attention to the scene.

Freddie had managed to rope Karson into hanging out with her and the Birchmeier Society. “It’s not a college event like the assembly was,” she said. “It’s an informal thing. Why shouldn’t you be allowed to relax?”

Karson looked surprise, and a bit stiff, but she perched beside Freddie nonetheless.

Ras took a deep breath and made her way to Gonzalez, who was waving at her from over at the edge of the lake. She was tying on her ice skates, and grinned. “You joinin’ me?”

Ras raised an eyebrow, eyeing the ice. What could possibly go wrong?

Ras didn’t have any skates, but she was balanced enough on her feet to twirl around with showmanship in her casual shoes, treating it like she was running or climbing; it was all about balance. Sure it was difficult, but she did her best.

From a short distance, Gonzalez cheered, shouting for more of the Swans to join as she continued to skate.

Then, she falls through the ice. She screamed, which brought Ras skidding to a halt. The ice had cracked, exposing black water beneath. Gonzalez was struggling in the water, choking for breath. A cluster of Swans and other students gathered around the edge of the lake, doing little to help.

The water was clearly freezing, and Ras knew Gonzalez had only a few minutes before she passed out. 

Heart pounding in her ears, vision narrowed, and time slowed to a near standstill, Ras realized she was the only one close enough to help Gonzalez, even as the others panicked at the edge of the water. Her friend was in danger.

With shaking hand and labored breathing, Ras observed the situation before her. Nothing around to grab, teachers too far away to help if she yelled…Then she spotted Karson, who caught her eye.

Karson nodded to Ras, and she knew exactly what she had to do.

Ras gripped her hand shut, willing herself to stop shaking, and she took a deep breath. Then, she plunged forward, leaping into the water and making her way to Gonzalez. The icy water struck her skin like needles piercing into every inch of her flesh and she could feel her blood cooling and congealing within her veins.

Gonzalez had stopped thrashing around long enough for Ras to grab hold of her, and without any words, Ras pushed Gonzalez towards the edge of the lake, swimming even as her muscles were screaming and her body was shouting at her to give up.

When they reached the edge, the Swans had finally gathered themselves and grabbed the pair, pulling them onto the shore with shouts of worry.

Karson cleared her throat. “You lot! We need to get the two of them to Nurse Vivien.”

Without any further prompting, the pair were brought to their feet and were walked carefully to the nurses office where Nurse Vivien was still checking over the worst of the students from the gymnasium.

As soon as they entered the room, Vivien took one look at the pair and gave a ‘tsk’ before ordering the two of them into another room to get out of their soaked and freezing clothes.

Eventually, the two emerged dressed in Gallatin pajamas and wrapped in heavy blankets; Nurse Vivien told them to sit and pushed cups of tea towards the two of them.

“You wouldn’t have seen Blaise Marechal doing this sort of thing at a party,” Vivien scolded.”Miss Gonzalez, you can be a lacrosse star without throwing yourself into the lake! And you, Master Thorne! Surely the Birchmeier Society should’ve taught you some common sense!”

Ras ducked her head, coughing. “S-Sorry, Nurse Vivien. I was just tryin ‘ta save Gonzalez here…”

Vivien shook their head. 

“Do you miss Blaise?” Ras frowned. “She did, y’know, try ‘ta get me kicked out…”

Nurse Vivien sighed. "Oh, all that," they say. "I know. I remember her when she was eleven, though, and it's such a shame."

They broke off, frowning at Gonzalez. “But let’s concentrate on the matter at hand.”

Gonzalez groaned. “I suppose you’ll have to tell my parents about this,” she said. “I just know they’re going to tell me off so badly for not being careful enough.”

“Of course we will,” Nurse Vivien said. “You could have died.”

Ras frowned. “W-Wait, tell parents?”

Nurse Vivien raised an eyebrow at Ras. “Is that a problem, Master Thorne?”

“Please don’t!” Ras’ heart was pounding, and she was about to begin panicking. The thought of Matilda knowing she’d returned to Gallatin, and being in reach of her Mother once more…it filled her with dread.

Nurse Vivien’s eyes narrowed. “Master Thorne, why are you so adamant about this?”

“Just, please! If you have to tell somebody, anybody, make sure word only gets to my Uncle Gerald. I…ran from home during Hearthlight, a-and I’m not ready to go back home. If you tell Mama, she’ll come get me and–”

Nurse Vivien sighed. “...I suppose I can keep this quiet. But you have to look after Gonzalez.”

Gonzalez gave a mournful sigh. Though her color had returned to normal, her dark hair hangs in hanks around her face, and she looked sorry for herself.

Ras nodded, then she looked over to Gonzalez. “It could’ve been worse…” She said, quietly, only for Gonzalez to bristle.

“I didn’t do it on purpose. I just wanted to have fun…” She muttered.

“Aw, don’t be like that. C’mon Gonzalez, next time, come to me! We’ll figure out some other fun!”

Nurse Vivien nodded. “Master Thorne is right, you know.”

Gonzalez sighed and sipped her tea. “I hope the next assembly’s this interesting,” she said. “Though I could’ve done without the fire.”

Nurse Vivien clicked their teeth. “Two life-threatening situations before the first game of the season, and you say it’s interesting! Well, I’ve heard it all now! What’ll be next—a tornado?”

“That’d definitely be exciting…” Ras said, causing Gonzalez to snort and Nurse Vivien to glare at her.

With that, it was time to retire for the night, and Ras found her thoughts drifting back to Rosario even as sleep took her.

[garricks4thwingqueen]

Little One Part 4

A/N: Sorry this next part took so long guys! I was debating about what route I wanted to go. There's a little surprise in here that I had thought about making a new Oc for and a new guy but finally decided Amber had the prefect background for that idea already!

Our girl is prepping for presentation and day and threshing and we will soon meet her very special dragon!

 Part 4 Amber POV

Word Count: 1150

      I sighed that was a big promise. “You know with our histories and my father that’s a huge promise.” “I know Amber and it’s not one that I make lightly.  “There’s something else you should know, Garrick.” I Sighed heavily. “Ok let me hear it.” he said, pulling me in closer to his chest. “Being my father’s only child he expects high things from me especially with his last name status.” Garrick nodded in response, letting me continue.  “One of those things that he told me when I was 16 after my mother passed is that he wants me to have an arranged marriage.” “Arranged marriage?” Garrick asked, taken aback slightly. I nod trying to hold my own tears back at the thought. “He told me I could date but never get too comfortable with anyone because he has my husband picked out for me.” “Don't get too comfortable huh? That may be a problem.” Garrick chuckled.  “I think it's going to be. But you needed to know Garrick before whatever this is gets to far-” 

        “Don’t even Amber.” “I’ll protect us no matter what.” “No matter what.” I repeated and nuzzled myself into his strong warm body. That was the first night I had fallen asleep in Garrick’s strong and warm arms and gods did feel like home.  

     It was the end of September which meant that it was presentation day. I sat with my squad breakfast aimlessly moving my food around my plate with the fork. “You should eat, Melgren.” Sawyer said, nudging my shoulder as I slightly cringed at the use of the last name even though I knew he was doing it in good fun. “Yeah I don’t think Tavy Tav would be happy if his girl showed up to the presentation on an empty stomach.” Ridoc chimed in. “Boys back off.” Rhiannon said. 

   “What's wrong Amber? Something is clearly bothering you.” Rhi asked. “I don’t know.” I sighed. “It’s my father I guess; it's just stuff like this. It just always jogs a nerve. It’s like his constantly breathing down my throat expecting me to go beyond whits and measures you know?” I felt violet place a soft hand on mine. She had been a best friend since day one and if anyone got where I was coming from it was her. 

    “I know, Amber. I know. But he's not here now and Garrick is.” She smiled at me. “I know.” I half smiled finally finishing my breakfast. 

     We walked out to the outskirts of the meadow; I was in between Violet and Rhiannon as we walked out to the field. We could see the dragons lined up several feet away from the path in a formation of their own. No this wasn’t my first time being around a dragon but with their heights averaging about 25 feet tall each it was always a sight to see. Being my fathers daughter I had been around dragons my entire life and I knew Violet was just as much if not more even though she spent a lot of her time training to be a scribe. 

   I was taken out of my thoughts by a “Let’s go second squad your up next.” I had almost forgotten that Garrick had told me he would be out here before I left his side for a breakfast that  I wish I hadn't eaten. “Into formation.” Garrick ordered in his leadership style voice that always seemed to come naturally to him. Gods he really was a gift from Amari you thought getting into formation as he spoke.  

   I end up near the back of our formation this time still between Rhi and Vi. I notice Vi and I both cringe as we hear a rushing sound of wind in the near distance that we both knew another soul had been deemed worthy to bond. Was it really that hard for people to pay attention in Professor Kaori’s class? Garrick’s hazel eyes skim over our squad, his eyes looking on mine as he started speaking again: “Hopefully Aetos has done his job and you know to walk in a straight line through the meadow. I’d recommend staying at least seven feet apart.” 

   “Incase one of us gets scorched.” Ridoc chimed in. Garrick rolled his eyes but still answered; “Correct Gamlyn. But if you want to cluster- just know that if a dragon disfavors one of you then they’ll likely burn the whole lot only to just weed out one of you.”  Garrick warns, still holding his gaze on me. “Also remember you're not here to approach them and if you do-.” 

   “You won't be making it out of the clearing.”  I finished for him. “Correct Melgren.” He answered, giving me a soft almost reassuring smile. “Can I ask a question?” someone asks from the front. Luca I recognized after he started talking. 

  “Third squad, tail section of fourth wing already went through and I talked to one of the cadets…” “That isn’t a question.” Garrick answered, lifting his eyebrows and I could tell he was getting annoyed.  “Right, it's just that they mentioned they saw a feathertail?” Luca finished nervously.  Vi and Rhi and I rolled our eyes at some of the comments as Sawyer stated “Professor Kaori never mentioned a feathertail. I know because I studied each available dragon.”   And that I had believed Sawyer as I know how badly he wanted to bond this time with this being his second threshing. “Well guess there is 101 now.” Garrick said, glancing his gaze away from mine and back towards the valley. He then added “Relax feathertails rarely bond to a rider. It’s probably just curious; I can’t even remember the last time one has been out of the Vale. You’re up, stay on the path, wait for the entire squad, you walk back down. It really can’t get simpler than that kids so if you can’t follow those instructions then you earn whatever happens to you in there.”  

    Garrick turns and heads towards the path telling a senior section leader I’ve seen a few times during battle brief; “They’re all yours.” God, why did I find his leadership style so sexy? I thought to myself as I fell into line between Violet and Rhiannon the instructed seven feet between each of us before we entered the clearing. 

   “Remember to talk to each other.” The senior section leader said as I thought hard to remember her name but couldn’t. “It helps just have natural conversation with each other as you would anywhere else, and you will do just fine second squad.” She said as I casted one more look towards Garrick before I line started walking, and I swear he almost mouthed a “Good luck.” with a smirk and a nod as my squad started to walk single file seven feet apart from each other into the meadow. 

A/N: The surprise was the arranged marriage! I knew it needed to have a strong last name presence for our oc my other idea was going to have her be another Sorrengail but I thought this idea fit Amber perfectly!

[athimas]

The One in Which Yuu Counts

My first work for Twisted Wonderland. 

TW: Pure angst, hurt no comfort. RIP to happiness but I’m not that writer. Undoubtably bad grammar. No beta, we live with the consequences of our actions.

WC: 1025

Fic under the cut

         Yuu collapsed into the dusty armchair without ceremony, splaying their limbs much like a starfish. A sigh, bone deep and heavy, rushed out of them. Finally, after a full day of chasing the trouble trio, Yuu could rest. Their eyes slipped closed. Yuu, luckily, had time between wrangling Grim and preventing catfights between Ace and Deuce to finish their homework. Homework, Yuu inwardly scoffed, like learning magical history and alchemical formulas was anything similar to algebra and biology worksheets. Like the professors lectured about anything that made sense. Like this whole situation wouldn’t be a fever dream back home. Home.

Yuu pried their eyes open, staring up into the murky darkness of their room; taking in the peeling wallpaper, which only became yellower with age, the warped furniture, an empty hearth filled with ash and probably a bat or two. It was a wonder how the mirror--hanging precariously by a single rusty nail--managed to stay intact. Even the windows, with their tattered curtains, had years of grime and littered fractures.  Grim’s snoring and occasional sleep talk filled the otherwise silent room. The barest slivers of moonlight were fighting against the windows, offering minimal light to drape the floor. Yuu sent a mournful glance to their bed, Grim’s little form faceplanted on their pillow. The bed was musty and lumpy, off kilter to the left and somehow too firm and too soft. Despite the droop of their body and the weariness they could feel pressing against every joint, Yuu spent most nights staring up at the cracked, withered ceiling until the sun replaced the moon and achieved only a milder form of success in breaching the film on the windows.

Bracing a hand on each armrest, Yuu pried themselves away from the chair, delegating to ignore the pull of the upholstery against their clothing. A walk sounded nice, any longer in this room and Yuu might implode. Grim was a notoriously heavy sleeper, but even then, Yuu took care to gently traverse the floor, sticking to the edge of the room to avoid all but the most stubborn of the creaking floorboards. Slipping downstairs and out the front door, Yuu welcomed the fresh air. Strikingly similar to their world, like the stars above and the grass below. Achingly familiar and completely foreign all the same.

Yuu took the overgrown garden path, breathing the night air in deeply, past the tightness in their chest. One breath, then two, then three. On and on until the pattern continues through, on through this night and the next. The courtyard, with its stone wall, had once been cozy, Yuu could tell that much. With winding flower beds and numerous trees, all dormant for an undetermined amount of time. Letting a hand run against the wall, Yuu meandered down the line, taking in what once would have been a place many students called home. Home.

Yuu started to count the stones under their hands. After the numbers started to blend and merge Yuu turned off the path, exiting the courtyard through a crumbing section of the wall and up the hill. Ramshackle dorm was far enough away from the usual traffic of campus to have moderate stretches of open field. The main college building loomed over Yuu’s head all the same. Yuu scanned the hill; the grass was overgrown, there were large rocks and plenty of dirt patches. It was perfect. Yuu flopped onto their back, turning their gaze away from the college and the dorm. Yuu didn’t know much about the astral bodies, but they searched the scattered lights all the same. Their eyes lingered on the curve of a cluster to a grouping placed neatly in a line. Yuu searched until their tailbone ached and their eyes burned.

Yuu pressed their palms into their eyes, trying to rub the bleariness away. Breathe in. One. Two. Three. Yuu had hoped. Even if it had been silly. At least. They had wanted it so bad. Because the fact of the matter was plain. It mocked them in the call of the birds and the stars above. This world. This Twisted Wonderland. Was nothing like their home. With its magic, and its people, and even the stupid stars millions of miles away. Yuu choked against the knot in their throat, swallowed despite the pain. They glared at the stars above, vision blurred and face hot. Yuu wanted to curse those stars, wanted to scream loud enough to shake them from their aloof perch high in the sky, above all of Yuu’s struggles and confusion. This wasn’t fair. It’s not fair. It's not fair and Yuu had to endure it anyway. Yuu had to sit everyday in a classroom full of impossible people and impossible things.

A stranger in a strange land.

Yuu hated it. They hated how other students looked at them. An oddity, at best. A magicless person in a magic world. Woefully inexperienced and unknowledgeable about even the simplest rules of this world. Yuu hated themself. They hated the tears that slid down their face, unbidden. They hated their lungs, gasping and gulping for air. They hated—

Yuu wanted to go home.

Forcing themselves up, Yuu hunched into themselves. Their body shook, they furiously swiped their hands across their face, doing everything and nothing all at once. Yuu pushed forward, standing on shaky legs. They began to walk, forcing each step further and further. One. Two. Three. Until the pattern continued. Past the stone wall and the dormant trees. Over forgotten flowerbeds and cracked cobblestone. Through the front door of the ramshackle dorm and up the stairs. Yuu continued until they stood over the bed. Grim had curled into a little ball, tucked haphazardly under the blanket Yuu had fished from the only closet free of water damage.

Yuu lowered themselves onto the bed, curling their body with an arm tucked under their head they stared out the nearly opaque windows. Yuu counted. One. Two. Three. Yuu counted after their breathing slowed. They counted after the tears turned into dried, sticky tracks. They counted. Until golden light brushed the window. Until the birds began to sing. Yuu counted.

[halfblood-princes-crown]

James Potter: Relentlessly bullied Severus for 7 years because he existed (his own words not mine). Sexually assaulted Severus in front of people. Threatened to hex a female (the girl he claimed to like) (“'LEAVE HIM ALONE!' Lily shouted. She had her own wand out now. James and Sirius eyed it warily. 'Ah, Evans, don't make me hex you,' said James earnestly.”). Tried to manipulate her into dating him (“'I will if you go out with me, Evans,' said James quickly. 'Go on ... go out with me and I'll never lay a wand on old Snivelly again.'”). When she finally agreed, he went behind her back and continued to be a bully. Bullied and hexed students “because they can”, used an illegal hex on a student, roamed around with a Dark Creature and endangered Villagers’ lives and laughed about the “near misses”

Sirius Black: He used Remus’ condition (werewolf) without his (Remus) knowledge as a weapon to almost kill Severus when they were 16. This could have resulted in two deaths (Remus and Severus). He choked Harry and broke Ron’s leg. He never tried to apologize or be civil with Severus in adult years (unlike Severus who actively tried to protect him (Sirius) in PoA)

Remus Lupin: Was a prefect and let his friends get away with hexing others, ignored his friends stripping, displaying, sexually assaulting, choking, publicly humiliating, traumatising, and torturing Severus, allowed his friends to free his Werewolf-self during the full moon and endangering Villagers’ lives, and then laugh about the “near misses” afterwards. He also was extremely irresponsible and didn’t take his wolfbane potion (that Severus made for him) which almost resulted in Severus, Harry, Ron, and Hermione being killed, possibly others if he wondered near the school.

Lily Evans: Ignores her duties as a Prefect and didn’t report the Marauders, flirts with her best friend’s bully right in front of him, abandons her best friend cause he fucked up once and left him to be stripped and traumatised for life, joins in on the bullying and mocks him for his poverty and insults him using a personal name his bullies used to mock him. Lets not forget about this gem of a scene from when Snape was being choked and hung upside down: “Lily, whose furious expression had twitched for an instant as though she was going to smile, said, 'Let him down!'”

Draco Malfoy: Do I even need to explain? Probably. Hurls slurs on a daily basis, abuses his power as a prefect and a member of The Inquisitorial Squad, joins Umbitch and helps her in torturing students, is blood-prejudiced.

Minerva: She was also a bitch to Neville. She sent him (Neville) into the Forbidden Forest full of man-eating Giant Spiders when he’s 11 and she traumatised him. He was even sobbing all night because of it. When Neville was 13, she forced him to stand outside in the corridor by the Fat Lady, for weeks, waiting for somebody to let him in... and when there’s a mass murderer on the loose who has been hanging around the Fat Lady with a great, big knife. She also tells him, in front of the entire class, not to let Durmstrang see how incredibly useless he is. She put the entire Slytherin house in cells despite the fact there were only three kids with the mark and the rest of the houses went back to fight in the final fight agaisnt Voldemort´s forces. She took WAY more points then Severus did and if anyone says otherwise, I have receipts.

[kiribaku-fics-whatever]

Harry Potter/Hogwarts AU

things small and precious by aloera

Star player Kirishima is threatened with being pulled off the Quidditch team unless he can get his Arithmancy grades up. Enter Bakugou Katsuki.

slow dancers by chonideno

In which Bakugou asks Camie to be his date for the Yule Ball and Kirishima, in spite of everything he stands for, runs away from the sight of his hands around her waist.

Failing is Not an Option by laurenamberly

Ashido stared at Kaminari like he’d grown several heads. “Merlin!” she cried. “You are a genius!”

“… huh?”

Ashido was all a-flutter, poking Kirishima and bouncing in her seat. “You don’t have to quit the team!” she said. “Tutoring will help!”

After a beat, Kaminari spoke up again. “Okay, so if that problem’s solved,” he said slowly, “does that mean I can tell him about the gay thing?”

"DENKI!"

~~~

Or, Kirishima Eijirou is the popular, friendly Gryffindor in need of a tutor - and Midoriya has just the grumpy Slytherin in mind.

light years away by lvgia

Katsuki doesn’t need a saviour, Eijirou’s more than sure of that. But he could probably appreciate someone more along the lines of a partner.

His left hand finds Katsuki’s right, and he laces their fingers together.

“I’m getting you out of here someday.”

Universe-hopping, in which the only constant is your hand in mine.

Shed Skins and Unbreakable Bones by Milligramme

Katsuki shouldn’t be here. The Slytherin common room is dark, damp and ugly, and full of manipulative idiots who think they’re better than everyone just because of their birth. They brag about their families and their connections, pretend to like each other and whisper nasty rumors about their “friends” as soon as they can’t hear… Katsuki hates this. He hates it! How could that stupid hat believe he belongs with these assholes? It’s been a month since the school year started, and Katsuki has never been more sure: he shouldn’t be in this stupid house.

At eleven, Bakugou is sure of one thing: he hates being a Slytherin. That is, until a curious and overly friendly little mer creeps into his life and leaves the door wide open for other people to come in. Follow Bakugou through his seven years at Hogwarts as he learns about friendship, love, and the woes of growing up.

Squad Up by tsumekakusu

“Have you ever seen Kiri get mad? Like, really mad?”

Quidditch by fairietailed

Their best defense was always performed when he and Kirishima were together, working in tandem, weaving through the air to simultaneously block all three standing hoops and (in Bakugou’s case) run off any chasers that attempt to get close enough to score.

No matter where he was on the pitch, Bakugou found himself drawn back to their goal, and back to Kirishima.

Together they were a force to be reckoned with.

The Second Task by rayshine_krbk

Bakugo's eyes widened. His breath caught in his throat. His limbs flashed white hot as his heart skipped a beat then thumped harder in his chest, and the cold he so loathed no longer registered.

/They couldn't-- they wouldn't-- surely--/

But even as he thought it, as he turned frantic eyes on the lake, he knew.

"Kirishima," he whispered.

/Shitty Hair./

They'd stolen Shitty Hair.

---

Harry Potter Triwizard Tournament AU

Bakugo is the Hogwarts Champion, of course. But what-- or rather, who-- have they stolen from him?

Lean for me and I'll Fall Back by bakudrgcn

Bakugou Katsuki, Hogwarts prodigy and Gryffindor prefect, was strolling down the halls of the castle after his classes ended on a perfectly normal school day.

A group of younger kids was walking towards the opposite direction, but they instantly quietened when they saw him.Their steps slowed and they spoke with hushed voices they must've thought he could not hear.

"...still a fucking mudblood…"

Well, it was another normal day. Before it all went to shit.

if you love me let me know by rain (meggowo)

It was a fear of wasted time, of moving on despite the excitement and yearn for change. A fear that, after this year, there would be no choice but to move forward, no way to look back and reminisce, a fear that friendships wouldn’t last past graduation regardless of how much they felt like family.

---

Or, seventh-year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Katsuki Bakugou is scared that he's running out of time and decides to confess to his best friend.

[chudleycanonficfest]

Lover

Day 8, Story #2 is by @adenei

Title: Lover (or, five times Lavender felt Ron slipping away, and the one time she didn't)

Author: adenei

Pairing: Ron Weasley x Lavender Brown, but also heavy insinuations on Ron x Hermione 

Prompt: 5+1

Rating: T (for fabricated insinuations)

TW: Teen heartbreak and all the drama that comes with it.

Author's note: While I am primarily a Romione writer, I could not get this idea out of my head. So, here's a little Lav redemption. After all, she was only a girl who fell for a boy and pursued a perfectly unattached boy.

******

9 November 1996

I think he knows his hands around a cold glass 

Make me wanna know that body like it’s mine.

-I Think He Knows

The Gryffindor common room was aglow in crimson and gold, filled to capacity for the celebration of today’s victory against Slytherin. Seamus and Dean managed to smuggle in a boatload of Butterbeer for everyone, which masked the two bottles of Firewhisky Seamus was passing around their inner circle. Parvati and Lavender were lounging in the same armchair on the far side of the room.

  Lavender’s never been one to pay close attention to a Quidditch match. Sure, she was all about the parties and house spirit following a match, and if Hogwarts had a cheer squad, she’d be the first person to sign up. But sitting in the stands, watching a match for an indeterminable amount of time? She could think of at least five other things to do that didn’t involve the wind claiming victim to her hair as players whizzed by on broomsticks.

  Now that they were inside and out of the crisp November air, she could enjoy the party with her friends. Though, it’d be much more enjoyable if a certain redhead would stop flashing a grin in her direction and just come over to talk to her instead.

  “You're staring again,” Parvati chided.

  Lavender sighed in response. She couldn’t help it. He’d filled out over the summer, and Quidditch training had been kind to his physique. Red hair wasn’t a feature she ever gravitated to in the past, but freckles and those bright blue eyes were her downfall. Not to mention his infectious smile and the way he was always able to make everyone around him laugh. Ron Weasley was a good guy, and Lavender wanted to get to know him better.

  “He’s single, right?” Her fingers twirled her curly blonde hair between her fingers as she watched him take a swig of Butterbeer from the cold glass in his hands.

  “As single as the last time you asked me,” Parvati responded with an air of nonchalance in her tone.

  Lavender wasn’t surprised by her bored tone. There was only so much they could talk about when it came to Ron, considering neither knew that much about him. She contemplated Parvati’s response, weighing the options of trying to pursue something. A voice in the back of Lavender’s mind was screaming at her to ask what her other roommate’s thoughts were on the matter concerning Lavender asking Ron out, but Hermione was nowhere to be found. 

  Besides, did it really matter what she thought? Hermione has had all the time in the world to make a move on Ron if she really wanted to. She had no claim on the redheaded Gryffindor. As far as Lavender knew, he was fair game, and at the rate Ron kept glancing in her direction, she was sure it meant something.

  So, Lavender swiped the bottle of Firewhisky from the space between Parvati’s legs and the arm of the chair, where she’d been keeping it hidden, and took a large swig. She’d need the liquid courage for what she’d just decided to do.

  “What are you—” Parvati started to ask before Lavender cut her off.

  “I’m going for it.”

  Without another thought, Lavender hopped off the chair and marched over to Ron, who had just set his empty glass down on the table behind him. She still hadn’t made up her mind about whether she was going to say anything or not and let the wide lopsided grin that erupted on his face decide for her when he saw her approaching.

  “Hey, Lavender! What’d you think of the—”

  Lavender didn’t wait to hear the rest of Ron’s question as she threw her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his lips. His eager response paired with his hands finding a home on her hips egged her on as she refused to break the kiss right away. It was sloppy, and he was inexperienced, but he didn’t pull away at her advances. 

  I can teach him a thing or two and whip him into boyfriend material in no time.

  When they finally did pull apart, it was to a chorus of catcalls around the room. A coy smile passed over her lips as she asked, “should we find someplace a little more private?”

  ♚

20 December 1996

  Kiss me once, cause I know you had a long night

Kiss me twice ‘cause it’s gonna be alright

Three times ‘cause you waited your whole life

~Paper Rings

  “So, what do you want to do tonight?” 

  Lavender bounced up and down on the sofa next to Ron. It was the last night before the Christmas hols, and she wanted to make the most of it since she wouldn’t get to kiss him for two weeks. But something was off. Ron seemed distracted, and he kept looking past her, which was beginning to grate on Lavender’s nerves.

  “Er, I don’t know. I’ve got a lot of packing to do still, so I’m not sure if we should really—”

  Lavender was taken aback as Ron threw himself at her, lips clashing together even though he was just in the middle of telling her he was too busy to do anything. Lavender cracked an eyelid open to see Hermione shoot them a disgusted look as she crossed the room and waited by the portrait hole. She clamped her eyes shut a moment later when she sensed Ron’s twitch.

  She wasn’t going to complain about snogging her boyfriend in the middle of the common room, but she kept her ears open.

  “Ah, Granger, looking delicious as ever.”

  Hermione was going to the party with Cormac? She must really be desperate to want to go with that sleazeball. 

  “Let’s get going,” Hermione responded in her usual clipped tone. “I’d rather not be in the vicinity of that much longer.”

  Lavender tried not to be offended by Hermione’s icy words. Ron didn’t deserve to be treated like rubbish, and neither did she. It’s not like Hermione had laid any claim on Ron. She tried to refocus her attention on the snog, but Ron pulled away as soon as the portrait hole closed.

  Huh, well, that was odd.

  “Well, I should go and get packed, then. I’ll see you in the morning?”

  What just happened? Is he really going upstairs after snogging me like that? 

  Lavender was thoroughly confused by Ron’s actions. Nothing seemed to match up tonight, and she didn’t want to leave things like this at the train station tomorrow. She needed to know what was going through his mind.

  “Won-Won, what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Doesn’t seem like ‘nothing'. Why’d you start snogging me when Hermione came down the stairs?”

  “What? I can’t snog my girlfriend? It had nothing to do with Hermione.”

  Ron sounded convincing, but Lavender was still hesitant to believe it.

  “Are you sure? 

  “Yes.”

  Lavender noticed how Ron’s ears turned a bright shade of pink and wondered if he was hiding something. Even if he was, he was her boyfriend, and she decided to trust him. Switching gears, Lavender asked him the other question that was weighing on her mind.

  “Not that I care who Hermione’s going to the Slug Club party with, but why McLaggen? Everyone in Gryffindor knows to stay away from him.”

  “Dunno. Why do you say that?”

  “You don’t know? McLaggen doesn’t like to be told ‘no’.”

  “He—what?” Ron groaned and rubbed the back of his neck while his nostrils flared in annoyance. Or was it anger?

  “I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

  “Yeah, well, she shouldn’t be going with him in the first place.”

  “Why?” Lavender peered intently at Ron, waiting for an answer.

  His cheeks were flushed as he shook his head, eyes darting to the boy’s staircase as if he was looking for an escape.

  “Er, no reason…”

  “Won-Won,” warned Lavender.

  “I—er, I think I was supposed to go with Hermione tonight.”

  “Excuse me?”

  Lavender sensed his immediate attempt to backpedal the conversation before he even spoke. He was already standing and moving around to the backside of the sofa. Even as he attempted an explanation, Lav gathered the impression that he was trying to convince himself more so than her.

  “Well, she never officially asked me! Besides, we got into a huge row, and now I’m with you, so it doesn’t matter. Look, Lav, I’m tired, and I’ve got a lot to do. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  Without another word, Ron disappeared up the boy’s staircase, which left Lavender on the sofa, reeling at his words. How had she not known that Hermione had asked him—or tried to ask him—to the party?  He wasn’t trying to get back at Hermione by using Lavender, was he?

  No, that’s ridiculous! He fancies you! You wouldn’t have spent a whole month together if he was trying to get back at your roommate. 

  Lavender pushed her discomfort over Ron’s actions to the back of her mind. She’d know if he wasn’t interested. He probably just misses his friend. It was really a shame Hermione couldn’t be happy for Ron, or Lavender for that matter. But Lav wasn’t going to do anything about it, not while she had Ron all to herself. Maybe she was being selfish, but Ron was her boyfriend, and she intended to keep it that way.

♚

5 January 1997

  Said I’m fine, but it wasn’t true

I don’t wanna keep secrets just to keep you

~Cruel Summer

  Lavender was chomping at the bit to spend time with Ron upon their return to Hogwarts the Sunday after New Years, but obligations kept getting in the way. Apparently, Ron was busy with rounds and Prefect meetings during the entire train ride back to the castle, and then Harry had scheduled a team meeting after dinner. She’d given up the hope of seeing him that evening and settled on waiting for him to go down to breakfast the next morning. 

  Lavender hoped Ron wasn’t embarrassed because he never bought her a Christmas gift. They were only together for a month, and there wasn’t a Hogsmeade weekend where he could have gone to buy her anything anyways. And since Harry was staying with the Weasleys, she assumed there were more safety wards in place, so the chances he could get to Diagon Alley to shop for her were slim too. 

  It’s not like she intended on getting him a gift, either, but when she saw the opportunity to get two lockets at buy one get one free, she couldn’t resist. She’d purchased one for Parvati’s gift, and her mother had always taught her to never pass up a deal, so she’d had the locket engraved with ‘Won-Won’ and sent it to him for Christmas.

  When Ron came barreling down the stairs the next morning, Lavender was so excited that she pounced on him, which caused him to flail backwards and almost topple over. 

  “Won-Won!” She left a sloppier than intended kiss on his cheek as he turned his face.

  “Hey, Lav. Er, sorry about yesterday.”

  “It’s fine, are you ready for breakfast?”

  He nodded as they exited the portrait hole. They were halfway to the Great Hall when Lavender attempted to engage him in conversation again. She knew he wasn’t a morning person, but she wasn’t willing to wait another few hours.

  “So, how were your holidays?”

  “Huh? Oh, they were good. Yours?”

  “Wonderful! I love going home for Christmas. My younger brother was so excited to see me. I picked out a toy broom for his gift this year, and he spent the whole two weeks riding on it! I was so sad to say goodbye to him again, but Easter will be here before we know it. Maybe you can come home and meet my family for Easter hols.”

  “Huh? Oh, yeah, sure.”

  Lavender could sense from Ron’s lackluster response that he wasn’t paying attention. So, she followed his gaze, and of course, there was Hermione, most likely darting off to the library or wherever she went to avoid her former best friend. Her blood boiled at the way she was treating Ron. At least that’s what she was telling herself. She certainly wasn’t jealous of the way Ron was watching her.

  Lavender reached up and gently turned his face back to focus on her. “Did you like your gift?”

  “Y-yeah, it’s great.”

  “Are you wearing it?” Her hand slid down to feel his chest. Maybe it was concealed under his uniform.

  “Er, no. I—uh—I’ve got it tucked away under my pillow for safekeeping.”

  “Why? You aren’t embarrassed of us, are you?”

  “N-no! I just like to—uh—keep it close when I’m sleeping so I can dream of you!”

  Lavender suppressed a laugh at his attempt to give an excuse to not wear it. It was sweet, no matter how ridiculous it sounded. She threw her arms around him and squealed in response to his reasoning. The last thing she wanted was to make him feel uncomfortable, so Lavender figured a positive reaction would make him feel better about the whole ordeal.

  “That’s so sweet, Won-Won! I’m glad you liked it!”

  His face turned a blotchy red as they entered the hall and found a seat at the Gryffindor table. Lavender chose not to press the issue anymore as she turned to her thoughts instead. Maybe the locket wasn’t the best idea to give a boyfriend of only a month. But she’d never felt this way before. Seamus had been a fun fling, but with Ron, she felt different. He made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside, and she hoped she hadn’t given him the wrong impression with the gift. 

  She’d just have to make it up to him in other ways. Yes, that was it. Lavender would make sure he knew how much she cared while also making sure his eye didn’t continue wandering toward her roommate and his former best friend.

  ♚

14 February 1997

  Can I go where you go?

Can we always be this close forever and ever?

~Lover

  Lavender sat alone in the empty classroom, waiting for Ron to show up after rounds. Rounds! Why did he have to have rounds today, of all days?  It was completely and utterly unfair. He promised her he’d meet her in the empty classroom near Gryffindor tower as soon as rounds were over, but it was already ten past eleven, and he was nowhere to be found.

  She hadn’t gotten him anything this time for fear it might embarrass him again, just like the locket. Oh yes, she’d heard Harry telling Neville about his Christmas present while she was searching for a book in the library, and she heard every excruciating detail of how mortified Ron was by it. Apparently, it wasn’t under his pillow after all. It was hidden in the bottom of his trunk. So, for Valentine’s Day, she opted to give him something he could hang onto in his mind instead. 

  At least, that’s what she planned. Lavender took to pacing the classroom for another ten minutes before resigning to the fact that Ron wasn’t coming. A pang of disappointment rippled out from her heart, and she tried to convince herself that maybe he’d forgotten. But ever since they’d returned from Christmas hols, she felt Ron pulling further and further away. Before the two week break, they’d gone off to spend time together every night, snogging in empty classrooms and broom closets, and sometimes even a late-night walk around the castle. Now, she was lucky if she could pry him away from his studies twice a week to spend some quality time together. 

  Sure, they ate meals together and sat next to each other in their shared classes, but it wasn’t like they ever talked that much. Come to think of it, every time she’d try to ask about his life, he’d always deflect to her. And of course, Lavender never had a problem finding something to talk about with her family because she wanted to share everything she could with Ron. Yet now, she was wondering if he actually cared or if he was just being polite.

  Thoughts consumed her mind as she walked silently back to Gryffindor tower. By the time she entered the common room, it was deserted. Part of her thought about checking to see if Ron was back in the dorms, but the other side told her it wasn’t worth it. It’d be his own fault if he got caught sneaking around after hours without her since he’d ditched her on what was supposed to be the most romantic night of the year. 

  The last thing she wanted to do was go up to her dorm and face Hermione’s smug look when she found out Ron ditched his girlfriend tonight, but she wasn’t about to hang around the common room like a rejected piece of garbage. 

  Ron is still yours. Not hers. Even if tonight didn’t go as planned, still make her remember that.

  So, when she entered the girl’s sixth-year dorm, Lavender plastered a smile on her face. Parvati was sitting on her bed while Hermione’s curtains were closed tight.

  “Hey! I was wondering when you were going to show up. Have a good night?”

  “Oh, it was the best!” Lavender gushed. “Ron was so sweet and romantic. He gave me some chocolate frogs, which I know are his favorite, and I gave him...well, you know.”

  She made her voice sound as suggestive as possible, and if Hermione was listening, then that was her own fault.

  “I need to freshen up now. I’m rather sweaty from all that we got up to. And then I should head to bed. We’ll talk more in the morning, Par, I promise. Ron thoroughly wore me out, I’m exhausted.”

  What neither girl realized, though, was that Lavender let out a good cry in the shower instead. Because her boyfriend ditched her on her favorite day of the year.

  ♚

2 March 1997

  Cause I can’t pretend it’s okay when it’s not

It’s death by a thousand cuts

~Death by a Thousand Cuts

  “I’m sure he’s just on a lot of potions, Lav. I wouldn’t think too much of it.”

  Parvati was attempting to comfort her best friend. Lavender had had a rotten weekend. Ron was poisoned yesterday, on his birthday of all days! Not that the day mattered. He was still poisoned, and he could have died!

  What did make it worse was that nobody thought to tell her until well into the afternoon. She’d burst into the Hospital Wing to find his best friend, sister, and her sitting vigil at his bedside. Lavender didn’t think she’d ever been so livid in her life. And then he’d croaked something out in his sleep that sounded like a name, but it was not hers.

  She felt the entire relationship slipping through her fingers. When did things start to take a turn for the worse? What went wrong? Surely he still fancied her because if he didn’t, then why hadn’t he called things off?

  Because he does still fancy you. Of course, he does! Don’t worry about her. She means nothing to him. 

  Lavender tried with all her might to believe it, but it was becoming harder and harder every day. And despite her best friend’s attempts to make her feel better, it wasn’t doing any good. Parvati wasn’t outside the Hospital Wing with Lav when she overheard Ron talking to Harry and asking for Quidditch magazines. There was no question that he was awake, but as soon as she walked in, Ron ‘magically’ appeared to be sleeping again. And Harry had the audacity to cover for him!

  She’d tried to go see him two more times that day, and both times he was ‘sleeping.’ Something happened, and he was avoiding her, and it hurt. But how could she call him out on it when he was ‘asleep’? 

  She thought about whether she should confide in Parvati or just internalize her feelings. Parvati had been there through everything, but Lavender decided she wasn’t ready to bring up her speculations until she had more proof. So instead, Lavender chose to keep her thoughts to herself.

  Did she want to break things off with Ron? No. Was she willing to do what it took to keep him around? Yes. So, Lavender resolved to do whatever it took to keep Ron interested. She’d back off, not be as needy, and keep things cool and breezy. They could make this work. She was sure of it.

   ♚

2 April 1997

  And I don’t want you to (go) I don’t really wanna (fight)

‘Cause nobody’s gonna (win) I just thought you should know

~Miss Americana and the Heart Break Prince

  Lavender entered the common room after Divination to see Ron sitting on the couch next to Harry. The two were furiously scribbling on parchment, and Lavender couldn't help but roll her eyes at what she assumed to be a last-minute attempt to finish one of his assignments. Even so, she figured she’d surprise him and see if he could be persuaded to take a break and go for a walk instead.

  She dropped her bag behind the sofa and covered Ron’s eyes with her hands. “Guess who!”

  “Oi!” Ron flung his arms back, sending ink droplets flying over his and Harry’s parchment, as well as the table and upholstery of the sofa in the process.

  Lavender ripped her hands off his eyes and apologized with a pout. “It’s only me, Won-Won. I just wanted to surprise you.”

  “Oh, er, sorry, Lav. I’m busy right now. I need to finish Snape’s Defense essay.” 

  The words sounded apologetic, but the lack of sympathy in Ron’s expression caused unease to bubble up in Lavender’s stomach. Usually, he’s better about hiding his disinterest in showing affection around his friends. But the way he’d acted just now made her feel like he was downright repulsed by an innocent touch.

  “But that essay isn’t due until tomorrow. I still have to put the final touches on mine as well. Maybe we could go for a walk now and work on it together after dinner?”

  Sure, the snogging was brilliant, but that’s all they ever seemed to do. She wanted to make things work between them, and after five months, she knew they’d never have a successful relationship if it stayed strictly physical. Besides, that clearly wasn’t working in an effort to keep him interested anymore.

  “Sorry, Lav, I can’t. I’ve got rounds tonight.”

  Another pang of hurt emanated in her chest at his rejection. “Oh, well, maybe I could work on it with you now, then?”

  She knew what his answer was going to be before he said anything. He was already packing up his things. 

  “Er, maybe on another assignment. I’ve got to hit the library before dinner and see if I can find one more source. I’ll meet up with you later, though, yeah?”

  Ron was already out of his seat and headed for the door without bothering to wait for a response, which further solidified Lavender’s suspicion that it was an offer he didn’t intend to follow through on. Ordinarily, she would have given him the benefit of the doubt, but it’d been three weeks of him avoiding her ever since he and Hermione had reconciled. With a heavy sigh, she picked up her bag and headed for the girl’s dormitory, where she passed Hermione on the stairwell.

  “Let me guess, Ron’s busy?” Parvati asked, saving Lavender from having to retell the excuse.

  “Yeah. He has rounds tonight, I guess.”

  “Huh.”

  “What?”

  “Hermione has rounds tonight, too. Padma said they switched back for the month.”

  Lavender felt as though a fifty-pound weight had been placed on her chest as her heart constricted at Parvati’s news. She knew this was coming but refused to believe it, choosing instead to turn a blind eye to all the signs. A tear escaped out of the corner of her eye as she tried to come to terms with the fact that no matter what she did, Hermione was going to win. Which led her to wonder whether Ron had ever truly been hers at all.

  Well, good. If Ron’s not interested anymore, then he can be a man and break things off. And if he’s too much of a coward to do it on his own, then I’ll do everything in my power to help push him along, all while reminding Hermione that he’s still mine in the process.

Maybe it was spiteful, but Lavender no longer cared. Deep down, she knew their relationship was probably doomed from the start, but that didn’t lessen the pain. Perhaps she never stood a chance, especially knowing his relationship with Hermione never was a typical friendship, but Ron could have told her no all those months ago if that was the case. Their fleeting relationship may have come to pass, but at least Lavender had the memories of time spent together to look back on when he had cared. Because he had cared once, right?

[forcebewitht]

Heads Will Roll For Your Insolence...And Maybe Some Hearts With It (Overblot!Riddle Rosehearts x Reader)

How had things gone wrong so fast? Why were you here to begin with?  What was the deal with some of these crazy people in this crazy world?! Were you going mad?! Regardless of the millions of questions that buzzed in your mind, all you could focus on was the bloodshot, redheaded boy, Riddle Rosehearts, who was completely flipping his lid. Your little ragtag group seemingly had pushed the male to his edge with your constant questioning of his rules- well, the rules of the Queen Of Hearts, that is. The Headmaster of Night Raven College, Dire Crowley, was already placing his hands onto his hips and allowing his eyes to widen in both worry and fear. "Mr. Rosehearts, you mustn't! You know what will happen! If you keep using magic, your Magic Crystal will be covered in Blot!"  Despite the Headmaster's desperate cries, Riddle placed his hand onto his chest, his eyebrows furrowing even further than they had before. "I am….I AM ABSOLUTELY…POSITIVELY….DEFINITELY CORRREEEECCCTTTT!"  Riddle's childhood friend, Trey, was now screaming right back at him in his own, dire moment of fear. "RIDDDDDDDDDLLLEEEEEEEEEE!" But despite the cries and warnings, it was already too late. An odd, black mud-like substance began to seep up and spread out from the ground itself, wrapping itself around Riddle. All your group could do now was to stand by and watch this horrifying transformation take place. 

A creature, oddly like the one you encountered with the Shared Brain Cell Squad in the Dwarves' Mines, appeared behind Riddle. The entire rose maze of the Heartslabyl Dorm seemed to come to life as Riddle began to laugh- no, cackle- at this new surge of power he felt. "Hehehehehe….HAHAHAHAHAHA! Those foolish enough to disobey me….they have no place in my world. I am the law in my world! I am the rules! No response other than, 'Yes, Lord Riddle!' Will be accepted! IT'S OFF THE HEADS WITH ANYONE WHO DISOBEYS ME! AHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAA!"  Crowley began to groan at the sight- both in worry and slight annoyance. "In all my years as Headmaster...to see a student Overblot right in front of me!" Grim was quick to vocalize your own concerns, his eyebrows raising and his eyes widening. "GGGHHHH- WHAT'S HAPPENING TO HIM?! THAT GUY HAS A DESPERATE AIR TO HIM NOW!" And you were very swift to join in. "He's completely losing it!"  Everyone near you began to pitch in and explain what Overblot was- a mixture of Boot buildup from too much magic use combined with negative energy. Crowley soon darted off, now evacuating the other students as quickly as he could from the dorm. Your friends boldly began to attack the now rampaging Prefect of Heartslabyl. Riddle turned his head, almost laughing at this pitiful display. Though, his initial reaction of laughter soon faded away with his bubbling rage. "This guy...that guy...I'LL TAKE YOUR HEADS OFF ALL AT ONCE!"  

Riddle charged, though not before he caught your gaze. You. This had all started when you arrived. Why, you had no business coming into his Unbirthday Party celebration on a mere rebellious freshman's behalf. And looking so cute in their uniform….should have been a crime. The split second your eyes met, Riddle sent a rather devilish smirk your way. He'd make a rule follower out of you, yet. Instead of going for the frontal attack he was originally planning, he spun around in a wide circle. The boys were sent flying off their feet, then smacked over into the nearby rose bushes by...whatever that monstrosity was behind Riddle. Cater, Deuce, and Grim were knocked out on impact. Ace and Trey struggled to stand, both gritting their teeth and fighting through the pain of some rose thorns now being lodged in their skin. Trey was the first one to speak up to you. "G-go on- run, [Y/n]! We'll handle him- get back to the school and gather the staff to help out!"  Ace joined right in with a nod. "Run and don't look back, you hear me?! We've got this little rugrat under control!" At their reassurances, you nod. You had no magic to begin with- what else could you possibly do? Riddle, however, wasn't going to let you go that easily…

Riddle simply stood completely still and watched you run off into the rose maze. The second you were out of his line of sight, he swiftly turned on his heels. Both of his arms swung back, making two heart-shaped rose trees soar back and knock out both Ace and Trey with the others. The King of Heartslabyl began to walk, albeit half angry and half amused. You were fiercely running, your heart practically pounding in your chest as you could hear his loud yet slow footsteps behind you. Like he was mocking you. As if to add on to this thought, Riddle called out. "Oh, Prefecccctttttt...don't make your new Lord Riddle wait on you...come back here and let us talk this out."  Riddle's voice held a dangerous growl to it, and you could practically hear the dark grin seeping from the male merely from his tone. This gave power to your mad dash even further, as you were now beginning to attempt to figure a way out of the maze. It seemed like you may collapse at any minute. Disaster soon struck as you turned another corner- and hit a dead end. "GAAAAHHHH! WHY IS THIS DORM SO BIG?!"  You couldn't help but to allow your hands to trail up into your locks in a stressed manner. Suddenly, you heard something begin to shuffle in the bushes. With a tiny shriek of panic, you leap back, watching in utter horror as Riddle seemed to pass straight through the rose Bush itself. His expression was rather blank until he met your gaze. Then, that smirk was back. "Finally got you~" 

You immediately put your hands up into a defensive position, ready to drop kick this boy if need be- or at least try. "Riddle, about what was said before, the words came off rather harshly and we are al-"  You were soon cut off by Riddle placing a finger into your lips. He then places one onto his own, sending a wink your way with a gentle shush. "You came into my dorm, ruined my  tea party with your little friends, and made me truly angry." Riddle's eyebrows had furrowed as he spoke. "And yet...even then...I cannot get you out of my head. Hehe." All you could do was drop your jaw in shock. Suddenly, Riddle began speaking some more- no, wait, was he partially singing?  "You are so mysterious….sealed with your kiss...my words so delirious...from the venom on your lips~" Riddle was beginning to creep towards you, that smirk now back upon his face. Your eyes dart from side to side. What was going on? "You're begging me to stay...I should just walk away. Take this sword from my heart, now I'm bleeding out~" Riddle's expression suddenly shifted to a more serious one for a moment. "I'm not a player in your game."  That smirk floated right back on, the boy now motioning to himself. "I'm the King of Hearts….the King of Hearts, my baby~" Riddle stalked towards you, making your figure begin to back up into the rose bush behind you. His finger shot out, now fiercely pointing at you as his expression seemed to shift to anger once more. "Don't you change the cards….you change the cards, my baby~"  Riddle then placed his hands upon his hips, allowing his head to tilt and a malicious grin to grace his lips now. "'Cause you tried, 'cause you tried, now you're moving onnn~"  Riddle placed a hand onto his heart directly, mad gaze now locking right onto your own. "And I love you, ohhhh I love you, though you did me wrong….'cause I'm the King of Hearts! The King of Hearts, my baby~" 

You attempt to turn around and dart back away past him- which you accomplish for a moment or so. But Riddle was already reemerging from behind another rose bush, making you jump in shock. "Never felt more and more alive...now that you're here~ you're the best I've ever had, yet you're asking where it all went wrong?" Your heart was racing so madly with confusion, it seemed like it may burst. Riddle stalked back towards you once more. He grabbed your wrist, now pulling you towards him. When you attempt to struggle, he simply smiles and allows a patch of a rose bush that was shaped like a tentacle to wrap around your waist instead. The tiny thorns held you in place as the scent of the roses themselves drifted up and into your nostrils. Riddle began to softly caress you, as though you in all your beauty were a rose yourself. His hands gently trailed up your waist, your arms, your neck… "I'm begging you to stay...I should just walk away. Take this sword from my heart, now I'm bleeding out~" Riddle allowed his hands to gently trail onto the back of your neck. Your pulse was quickening by the seconds given how close you were. Riddle's hands gently stroked the back of your neck. Soon, he leaned his head in towards your neck, softly smooching in a heart pattern. His eyes were still mad with a fiery anger yet a passion that you had never seen. "..I'm not the player in your game. I'm the King of Hearts...the King of Hearts, my baby~"  Riddle soon pulled away, now looking down into your eyes. He smirked upon spotting your bewildered expression. "'Cause I tried, oh I tried, but you're moving on~" Riddle's hands cupped your face and brought it towards his own. He allowed your head to settle itself against the side of his neck, the male releasing the tiniest of shudders at the sensation of your breath upon his neck. "..But I love you, ohhhhhhhh I love you, though you did me wrong...I'm the King of Hearts, my baby~" 

Riddle allowed a gloved finger to gently trail against your throat in a slow teasing manner- as though you were being beheaded. His singing soon stopped, his head tilting. "What's the matter, dear [Y/n]? Don't you enjoy your new Lord treating you with such gentleness? All are not as fortunate..ah, of course. You're a rule breaker. Allow me to nullify those urges." With that final growl, Riddle's lips met yours, his finger tilting your head up to him so he could achieve a better angle on you. His other hand cradled the back of your neck, his fingers gently stroking you adoringly. The Overblotted male's lips were rather hot in temperature, as though his prior anger and current passion had all shifted into them. They were also soft, though the kiss itself was a mixture of both gentleness with which you would smell the roses…but also with the ferocity of a King enforcing his will upon his subjects. Soon, Riddle separates, his eyes even more topsy turvy and filled with passion than before. 

"...Heads will indeed roll for your insolence...but maybe some hearts shall go along with it~"

((Hey hey! This is finally done! About as long as my Overblot!Leona x Reader piece! Lemme know if you wish to see a Part 2 to this one along with the Overblot!Jamil x Reader as well! Happy reading and possible simping💖 P.S. You get a cookie if you can guess the song which was referenced 👀

[thetwstwildcard]

I’m a new follower but I’ve been following your work for a while and I really like it :D I think your artstyle is very nice and very pretty! I hope it’s not too much for you but what do your ramshackle students think of my prefect Ellis! Thank you so much again aaaaa💖💗💞💝

Aww thank you so much, I'm honored 🥺🧡

Decided to do all my Ramshackle babes (aka Yuu Squad plus Des, Amias and Ezra) [just no Yua because story/lore wise it wouldn't work]

Yuuto Sakuraba

"Ellis?" He yawned "She likes to talk a lot about her stories, though I think I made her mad once when I fell asleep while she was talking." He frowned "Her voice was calming, I couldn't help it."

Pyxis/Nova

"Ah Miss Ellis, finally another thespian!" Pyxis sighed dramatically, putting his hand to his forehead before wincing. With a flick of the wrist he took off his mask and revealed his other eye "Great. Another one." Nova hissed

Lacie Reyes

"Oh El? Oh she's tons of fun!" Lacie bounced on the balls of her feet "Ha, these platforms help to make me taller so I've been able to spin her around a few times since she can dance!"

Aspen Cyfrin

"Miss Clawthone is quite the studious girl. Ha, she goes through romance books like I go through grimoires" he chuckled to himself "I've happened to flip through some of her books, they're ... Interesting. I can see why she likes them."

Kagero Shimizu

"So loud. Though the times when she quites down and joins me for tea as I work on new talismans are... pleasant. Then again... I never invited her. I suppose the smell of strawberry sweets drew her in." he chuckled softly

Makaio Keahi

"Miss Elli has joined me in swimming a few times, I always win but I guess it's because the water is on my side?" He grinned brightly "She's cute when she's grumbly at a loss."

Doll

"Her? Oh that other girl. I have left my books around a few times and unfortunately picked up some of her romance books." They sighed "Her sewing in interesting."

Des Carriedo

"Miss Clawthrone is another interesting new student." he smiled "she's stolen a few strawberries out of my ingredients, so I've been adding a few more to the recipe to even it out."

Amias Caritas

"Ah yes, the little girly. Finally another romantic in this dorm, as long as we don't fall for the same person things should go along swell." A darkness crossed his face for a moment as a smile crosses his lips before changing back.

Ezra Crowley

"Another poor soul bearing the weight of my father's "kindness"" he sighed, shaking his head "For all she's been put through she's quite strong. Since she lacks magic I'll be happy to lend mine to her service."

[khaotunq]

Akk, AKA the world's worst liar, and his very supportive besties

[twstarchives]

Beans Camo・Voice Lines

● Event: Happy Beans Day (April 27 - May 11, 2020) ● Exclusive Cards: Azul, Jack, Jade, Cater

Cater Diamond - R

Unlock Card “Something feels a teensy bit off... Maybe we should go patrol around.”

Groovy “Were you surprised to see how reliable I actually am? Just kidding!!”

Home Setting “Maybe I should show you a senior’s pride.”

Home Transitions “As your senior, I’ll tell you all about Happy Beans Day! Pay close attention, ‘kay~?”

“Prefect, I can’t remember—are you athletic? Maybe we should figure out our roles while we’ve got the time.”

“Just because this is your first school event doesn’t mean you need to be nervous! Remember it’s all a game. Let’s have fun~♪”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “This is nice! Feels like we’re all set, right? I’m counting on you, Prefect ♪”

Home Taps “This is our team emblem. It’s designed to look like the feathered hats of those peasants who struck down the monster.”

“I heard the magic harp in Happy Valley was shaped like a beautiful girl. I wish I could’ve seen it~!”

“Jade’s really level-headed, isn’t he? He’s got a super mature way of talking too. Doesn’t really feel like he’s my junior.”

“Don’t you think the popping colors on this uniform are just perfect for Magicam?”

“Are you curious which pocket I stashed my beans in? Let’s see, I wonder which one~”

Jade Leech - SR

Unlock Card “What do you say we work together? We are on the same Peasants Team, after all.”

Groovy “Bean shooters have an awful lot of power in them. Do take a look.”

Home Setting “My preparations are complete.”

Home Transitions “I would never normally wear clothes with a print this bold on them... I’m a little uncomfortable.”

“Cater will take any opportunity he can to post pictures onto Magicam. That’s a habit I don’t have.”

“Azul has been eager about this since this morning. I’m curious what sort of battle plan he’s come up with... Heheh.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “If you wouldn’t mind, could you come along with me? It’s rather lonely by myself.”

Home Transition (Groovy) “You’re really quite peculiar. I’ve started to realize you’re always playing a key role.”

Home Taps “Magic beans whose stalks reach the heavens... If they really exist, I’d like to try growing them as well. They seem like they’d get Floyd excited too.”

“To prevent bias in fighting power during Happy Beans Day, leaders and vices from the same dorms must be on separate teams.”

“Truth be told, I’ve genuinely been looking forward to Happy Beans Day. Is that a surprise to hear?”

“I take off my earring whenever I’m running around. With all this jumping and jostling... You never know if it might catch on something.”

“You seem to be troubled... I promise I’m not hiding anything. I am very much your ally. ...This time.”

Home Tap (Groovy) “You want to take a photo for the memories? Heheh, has Cater rubbed off on you? Alright, let’s take one.”

Jack Howl - SR

Unlock Card “This is the perfect chance to test your strength. I’m going to win this fight with no one’s power but mine!”

Groovy “I’ll get my revenge no matter what... Get ready!”

Home Setting “I’m gonna capture anyone standing in my path!”

Home Transitions “I’m not going to say that I want a fair match. I want to show off all this massive power I have!”

“Beastmen have a sharp sense of smell. So we’re really good at games like Happy Beans Day, where one of the main focuses is finding the enemy.”

“They said these are magic camouflage jackets, but can the enemy really not see them...? What does it look like to you?”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “You’re really pumped up about this. ...But us Monsters are gonna be the winners.”

Home Transition (Groovy) “Have you been keeping up with your fitness? In this game, the key is not just your speed, but also your endurance.”

Home Taps “Beastmen usually wear neckband headphones that clasp around our ears. ...What? It’s not that weird.”

“These uniforms are made with really sturdy material. Heh, so this game’s really that intense, huh?”

“Apparently the peasants that killed the monster didn’t have any special abilities at all. I guess when you’re up against a powerful foe, your tactics are more important than your own power.”

“Azul from Octavinelle... He’s really clever, but everything he says and does always seems to have a catch. I don’t trust him.”

“Oi, quit poking at me. I’m not hiding anything under here.”

Home Tap (Groovy) “I’m glad I ended up on the Monsters team. Precise work like aiming beans at a target isn’t really my thing.”

Azul Ashengrotto - SSR

Unlock Card “Happy Beans Day... I will be the one to take home this win.”

“I’ve been very much looking forward to this day. I don’t believe you have anything to lose being my ally.”

Groovy “You’d like to team up with me? I don’t mind. I’m the sort of man who’s very kind to my connections.”

Home Setting “Stay tuned for the battle plan I’ve come up with.”

Home Transitions “It’s refreshing to see me in outfits like this, isn’t it?”

“Running, jumping, throwing... Athletics on land is all just a game in the end.”

“Next Happy Beans Day, I’m thinking of... Huh? You think it’s too early to start getting ready? What are you saying? It almost feels too late.”

Home Transition (Login Greeting) “You can control your power with your wits. I’ll show you what that means.”

Home Transition (Groovy) “I hope we end up on the same team for Happy Beans Day next year. Having you here... seems like it’d come quite in handy.”

Home Taps “The camouflage pattern on our jackets depicts the club the monster was said to have used.”

“The monster that stole the harp possessed exceptional magic power. They say he could instantly transform between a giant and a fly.”

“Some theories suggest that the peasants who killed the monster were in a group of three. Three-man squads do seem to be rather efficient after all.”

“Have you finished all your stretches? You need to warm up before going into battle—er rather, before playing sports.”

“You think I have something in my pockets? Heheh... Some things are better left unknown.”

Home Tap (Groovy) “They don’t have Happy Beans Day where you come from? ...But there’s an event that’s sort of similar? Oh, how interesting.”

Duo Magic Azul: Jack, let’s put our plan into action. Jack: I’ve told you to stop bossin’ me around, Azul!

[tethys-the-aquatic-sea-godness]

Pansy Parkinson

"But, he's there! Potter's there! Someone grab him!"

[drjackandmissjo]

firewhisky on ice, sunset and vine

you’ve ruined my life by not being mine

Chapter 3 --- previous chapter --- next chapter

Harry Potter fics Masterlist

"Sorry, Blaise. Can't today." That had been the customary answer from none other than Draco Malfoy, prefect and general pain in Blaise's ass, despite still being one of his best friends. Since they had started their lectures, there had been an incredible array of excuses left and right, but enough was enough and all the brain abled Slytherins agreed it was time for an intervention.

Crossing his arms over his chest, Theo began protesting, in his usual disarmingly calm behaviour: "You've been saying that since the year started!" he all but yelled at the blonde, visibly losing his temper already.

"I'm busy okay, back off" came a defensive reply that left something to be expected, yet refused to lead on more.

"No, we're not backing off on this anymore" said Blaise, still seated down in front of his irritating Herbology textbook. He could also feel his temper rising, but managed to keep it contained, remembering the neat way the muscles of a certain Gryffindor boy pulled wherever he scribbled a tiny note on a piece of parchment and choosing to focus on that to remain calm. He was really grateful they didn't have a legilimens in their house, otherwise things would've been even more awkward that usual. "Is this because of your new fancy position?" he asked, mustering as little discomfort as possible in his words, although the mere idea bothered him infinitely.

Draco's face paled of all its blood, eyes darting to look behind them all and to asses that nobody was spying on their conversation. "You know very damn well I can't talk about it!"

"Draco, you shouldn't keep secrets, you'll get wrinkles!" said Pansy, gazing her perfectly manicured fingers as lazily as possible. Blaise had wondered for their entire first year if she truly did not care about anything in the world or if that was an act, but quickly discovered that she cared way too much on occasion and it was smothering to say the least.

But her nonchalant remark snapped Draco out of his mind, and he replied with a hissed "Shut the fuck up Parkinson or I'll hex you into next week."

Blaise and Theo both laughed at the attempted threat, doubling over themselves in laughter as Pansy snickered sprawled over her chair. "How, may I ask, do you suppose to do so?" she asked, her blood red lips gleaming from the light of the fireplace in front of her, "You haven't been paying attention to class as much as you used to. You spend all your time daydreaming or staring at Saint Potter's tush" she added in a matter of fact way, voicing the thought they all shared.

Whether Draco was distracted by whatever dirty deed the Death Eaters wanted him to do or by Saint Potter and his rather objectively well shaped backside, formed finely by years of riding a broom and training, he was still distracted nevertheless, and that wouldn't do well on their collective well-being.

The blonde moved abruptly back, yelling such a forced "I DO NOT" that nobody in their right state of mind would believe. It wasn't as if Draco was out and proud or had even remotely hinted anything, but merely from a muggle statistic point of view, a class which his mother had forced Blaise to attend during the summer and he was incredibly grateful for, it was most probable that he was some sort of queer than anything else. He spent way too much time preparing himself to even see Saint Potter in the hallways, messing his hair and slicking it back countless of times to just "show him and his loser group of friends that we're so much better!" , to be even remotely straight. All of them would still love and care for him either way, as they would for Blaise, but the young boy understood the blonde's reluctance to share that little piece of information.

"Yes, you do, you queer puff. Don't deny it" continued Pansy, not wanting to let the subject drop and inevitably side-tracking from their original battle plan. Many headaches of Blaise's were caused by Pansy's inability to follow a scheme and still the only cure he could think of was to remove her head from her shoulders and leave it on the fireplace. That would've lightened his tension for sure!

But Draco was having none of it: suddenly as red on his face as a Gryffindor robe, he stood up from the couch and began walking away towards the dormitory door, leaving their intervention unfulfilled and useless. Another reason behind Blaise's headaches was Draco's ability to ruin all his bloody plans and intentions.

"Enough with this bullshit" he called back, looking distraught and uneasy, "I don't need your help and surely you don't need mine so kindly fuck off all of you. Let me know when you drop all this crazy shit!"

Blaise followed suit, exiting through the portrait after his friend and catching him up once he was near the staircases. "The fuck you want now?" asked the blonde, ire and hatred lacing his words. Despite it all, Blaise couldn't help but notice how his roommate was shaking, fear deep in his eyes.

He knew he should've tried to comfort, he knew he should've been patient, yet he couldn't bring himself to: while it was true that Draco didn't want to get in those awful games the adults of his family played, he still swore to fulfil whatever duty was asked from him, without mentioning it to his best friends and closest allies. He had a choice and choose to cower before the Dark Lord, he gave in to the threats and the violence and the bloody stereotype that Slytherins were evil murderers.

So when he spoke finally, they weren't kind words those that came out of him: "I would've loved to spend some time with you, you stupid bitch, even if it was studying, cause we rarely even see each other anymore. You're so busy either stalking Potter or doing Salazar knows what on the fifth floor." He saw Draco's eyes widen, the fear turning into full panic and then blow away as if nothing had fazed him in usual Malfoy Manner. Another headache was coming and Blaise wondered if he could go to Madam Pomfrey and ask her " oh hello! Do you have anything to rid me of those terrible pains inflicted by my awful Death Eater roommate, along of those terrible housemates of mine? ". Now, that would surely be an interesting reaction.

"Shut up, Zabini, you don't even know what you're talking about!" Draco whispered violently, checking that nobody was eavesdropping in the empty corridor. "Well why don't you start explaining?" he fired back, standing his ground with his full height and towering over the blonde, who looked like he was about to pass out at any given moment.

" Merde " he said eventually, after having gathered his thoughts, "I cannot talk to anyone about this, okay? Not even you, no matter how hard you push. He'll kill my mum if I don't do it!" He sounded more exasperated than scared now, as if he had already rehearsed that same conversation, probably with himself.

Still, Blaise needed all the answers he could get, "You mean…?"

"Yeah."

" Porca puttana Eva ." He passed a hand over his face, going straight to his shortly cut hair as if to ground himself. He had had doubts, of course, anyone in their right mind would have them and he was really surprised nobody from Saint Potter's squad was onto him like a guard dog. But thinking is one thing, having those thoughts acknowledged and confirmed was another topic entirely. Blaise felt as if the ground would open up from the stone under their feet and swallow them both whole. "Worse ways to go " he thought blandly.

"Indeed. So all I can ask all of you to do is cover for me and have faith in what I'm doing."

He uttered a dry laugh, trying to hide the nervousness that conversation was suddenly giving him. "How can we do it if you don't even trust us?" he asked roughly, hurt and very pissed off.

Draco now looked in full disbelief, as if he had never enthralled the thought of someone not following him blindly before. He supposed it might be true, since in their previous years he was always eager to agree with the blonde. But after their fiasco with Umbridge, Blaise swore to took with a grain of salt everything. Including his friendships.

"How can I trust you lot? I'm marked. I swore an oath. When the time is right you'll be too and we'll take back what's rightfully ours."

"You talk like a madman, and hopefully I'll never have a seat at that table" he said, stumbling backwards. 'Rule number thirteen: men are easily lead and get foolish as soon as they get a taste for any type of power or violence. Do not become like one of those' his mother told him and he didn't plan on disappoint her anytime soon.

"I'm gonna go back and study for the quiz tomorrow, and I highly suggest you do to" he said dryly after a while, regarding his friend with as little interest and concern as he could. And he then turned around, ignoring Draco's feeble attempt to snatch his attention back. For a seeker, he was trash at his job.

As soon as he crossed the threshold of the portrait, he was flooded with questions from his fellow housemates, but they all immediately shut up at the thunderous look on his face. Theo seemed to catch on and simply raised an eyebrow at Blaise, who pointedly ignored his roommate and moved back to his Herbology textbook. There had been whispers among the Pureblood Slytherins, many parents having fallen back into old habits and already planning the coming of their children. Blaise had not truly acknowledged those words, choosing to ignore them, never revealing his disdain towards so many of his friends' families.

His father had been amongst those and had perished when his mother was still pregnant, and she and his grandparents had raised him to loathe that idiotic, medieval, misogynistic and racist behaviour. " White idiots think like that, and you are neither" had told him his mother the first time he had brought up the Dark Lord and his antics. He agreed.

Struggling to concentrate, he tried to remember if asphodel was considered by the ancient Greeks the food of the dead or of the nymphs, but his mind was full of worries.

He definitely needed to go to the infirmary for a headache remedy very soon.

Glossary:

"Merde" s French for "shit" cause we all know that Draco's pretentious ass swears in French "Porca puttana Eva" Is basically "Holy burning shit" literally is "that fucking bitch of Eve"

[wizardessheart-sideb]

“ZEUS, I AM GOING TO KILL YOU!” I struggled to hold Lucious back as he tried to charge Zeus. He was squirming in my arms and Alfonse hurried over to help me hold him back. Zeus just sat in his desk chair, looking as smug as ever.

“Why? All I did was buy you a stocking for our mantle since you're basically a part of the Prefect Squad,” Zeus said nonchalantly, but I could tell from the look in his eyes that he was totally making fun of Lucious.

“The stocking says 'Baby's First Christmas!'” Lucious retorted.

“This is your first Christmas. It's not like I'm wrong,” Zeus said. Caesar sighed.

“I mean, yes, it's his first Christmas so you aren't technically wrong, but he's not a baby,” he pointed out.

“He's the youngest our of all of us, so he's a baby.”

“I'm hundreds of years old! Have you finally gone crazy?!” Lucious demanded.

“You stopped aging at seventeen and we all know it. Besides, you're the most immature out of all of us,” Zeus smirked.

“You literally got into a fight with an ostrich at the zoo and got banned,” Hiro told him. Zeus glared at him.

“It was looking at me funny!” he defended himself.

“Whatever, I'm over it.” Lucious broke from mine and Alfonse's grasp and left the office. I gave Zeus a dirty look.

“That was a dick move and you know it, Zeus,” I said before hurrying after Lucious. He hadn't made it very far. “Hey, Lucious, wait!” He kept walking and I had to sprint a little to catch him. His cheeks were bright red. “Listen, I'm sorry for what Zeus did back there.”

“Why should you apologize for him? You have nothing to do with it, right?” he demanded.

“Of course not. But I'm one of the few people that can sorta keep him in line and I feel partly responsible for not figuring out his plan earlier,” I told him.

“It's not your fault,” he said quietly. “It's Zeus' and Zeus' alone.”

“I know, but still.” I paused. What could I say to make this better? He was obviously upset and I had no idea how to fix it. “I don't mind going into town and buying you a real stocking -”

“That's not the problem.” Lucious looked around as if checking for other people and then slumped against a wall. I joined him. “I get it. I'm immature and if we don't count the years in the Labyrinth, I'm the youngest out of the bunch. But that's not a good reason to treat me like trash.”

“It really isn't,” I agreed. “For what it's worth, I think it's very mature of you to point out you can be immature sometimes.” Lucious turned to me, raising an eyebrow.

“Did you really just say it was mature to say I'm immature?” he asked.

“Uh...” Lucious started laughing and I couldn't help but join in. He smiled at me and I could feel my heart race a bit.

“I'll take you up on that offer. Let's go into town and get some real Christmas decorations,” he said.

“Let's do it.” Smiling at each other, we grabbed hands and made our way out of the Night Class. It may have had a bumpy start, but this was going to be a good Christmas, I just knew it. With Lucious, how could it be anything but?