#my old comments are honestly gold some are very cringe but it still amuses me to see them upon rewatches of old videos

[blossoms-phan]

good to know I haven’t changed in 10 years

[beetlegoose01]

stolen whispers: chapter 1

AN: this fic isn’t a request, it’s a story i’ve been preparing for a lil while and I’m so excited to share this with you all <3

I’ll link it on my Archive if you prefer to read it there. Also warning, there’s quite a few OCs.

Time: 2028 (Scorbus have been married for two years)

Summary: When a new generation of Death Eaters kidnap Scorpius, Albus and Rose put aside their differences to rescue him.

TW: Kidnapping/Language/minor violence

~~~~

Two witches wearing shadowy black robes entered the tavern, finding a table near the back. They ordered their mead, waiting for their third partner impatiently. It was a crowded area, so thankfully there was a small chance they would be overheard.

"We don't want more mead." The first woman growled, tapping her long nails at the table. The bartender, a tall man with a mustache put the drinks down.

"I didn't think so." He lips curled into a grin as he morphed into a younger man with wild dusty brown hair, wearing matching robes. He was handsome, but had an eerie presence to him. Any reasonable person would have at least flinched at the transformation, though neither witch did. "Hello ladies." He grinned cheekily.

"Soren, enough playing games." The second woman said, though she was smirking.

Soren barked out a laugh. "It was funny, Mara. And you know it."

The first woman, Lilith narrowed her eyes. She pulled down her hood, revealing cascading inky black hair down her shoulders. A scar that showed no sign of mending was down her cheek. "Your skills are impressive, but useless if you don't use them for our own gain. Don't forget that." She pulled her hood back.

"Understood." He murmured, taking a seat.

"We have much to discuss," She continued, flicking her wand idly. "Our current plan in action. Our...act of revenge. It's been thirty years since The Tenebris was wrongfully killed. I am sick and tired of his name being tossed around in history like he was some monster. He was on the right side."

"Are you certain we want to call the Dark Lord that?" Mara asked suspiciously.

"Shh! You know if anyone hears us, they'll lock us up for good. For speaking our minds." Lilith said. "It's safer we call him by his code name."

Her companions nodded.

"Because of his loss, we have mudbloods in positions of power. Our siblings that fought for his cause are locked up. Or worse, dead."

Mara and Soren looked grim.

"If we had more allies, perhaps we would have had a chance." Soren noted. "We weren't even alive then but...I have a feeling if we were..."

"Just because we weren't alive then, doesn't mean we don't have opinions over the lives stolen!" Mara argued. "That damn Harry Potter."

"Correct. And Soren is right too. For once. If we had more allies, or better yet...certain allies didn't betray us. The Malfoys for instance." She took a sip of her drink.

"Are you suggesting something?" Mara asked.

"Of course I am, don't be so daft." Lilian said, deadly calm. "I want to make that family suffer for what they did. My uncle Vincent Crabbe died for their selfishness. Draco Malfoy had a chance to save him, and he refused like the coward he is. His mother Narcissa lied to Tenebris' face. They are backstabbing filth that besmirched the Sacred 28. No, it isn't just about their betrayal or avenging those we lost in the war. Think of the big picture. They have the capabilities to join our side. To...respawn a new generation of Death Eaters. But that's not all...

"The Malfoys have lots of gold." She drawled. "Surely, they'll spare a few for us in exchange for something important. Or rather...someone."

"Someone?" Soren paused. "What are you suggesting?"

"Regretfully, Astoria Malfoy has passed on." Mara didn't sound the least bit sympathetic, instead stated it blandly. "So using her as a ransom for Draco is a no go."

"Ah, but there is still someone left." Lillian said, removing a small photograph from her cloak, she slid it across the table.

A young man with platinum hair was pictured, beaming brightly in Healer Robes.

"Scorpius Malfoy."

Soren and Mara exchanged a look of satisfaction.

"Bring him to me."

~~~~~~~~~~

The best thing about mornings, at least to Albus, was waking up beside his husband. The sun's bright rays peaked through the window of their cream colored bedroom, slowly stirring them both awake. If it was up to him, he would stay in their warm bed, arms wrapped around Scorpius until noon.

Scorpius rolled over, so that they were facing each other. His eyes fluttered open, and Albus felt his heart melt at his sapphire eyes.

"Hi." He yawned. His voice was slightly croaky, no doubt from the morning.

Albus replied by nuzzling his nose, then kissed his cheek. "Hi honey."

Scorpius laughed lightly. "Let's get up then. Start the day? It's a Saturday. We have the whole weekend to spend together."

"I'd rather spend it here with you."

Bathilda mewed from the kitchen.

"But our child is hungry." Scorpius teased, stretching as he slid out of bed. Albus begrudgingly slumped after him, not eager to wake up before ten am. But his own stomach was growling too.

"Speaking of children," Albus said, starting to work on their breakfast as Scorpius poured Bathilda's food. "Iris is pregnant again. James told me through a Howler yesterday."

"Really?" Scorpius' eyes widened. "That's great news!"

"Yeah, not for my ears." He commented dryly, still traumatized by James' excited screeching in his ear. "Baby number three." He whistled. "Do you think they're trying to make an entire quidditch team? With Teddy and Vic's lot included, they're on their way."

Though he was joking, Scorpius noticed that Albus was glowing, happy for his brother and sister in law. That was one of the many reasons he loved Albus. His love for his siblings.

"Perhaps. When are they due?"

"September. Which means...that's where they scurried off to last Christmas party." Albus quipped. "To have a little fun."

"Albus!" Scorpius scolded. "Honestly, only you would make a beautiful moment gross."

"It's life, Scorp!" He chuckled. "You're a Healer, you should know these things."

"We'll have to visit. Maybe bring a gift basket to congratulate them." He mused, smiling fondly. "I can't wait to meet our new niece or nephew." There was a wistful look in his eye that Albus caught.

"You've got that look on your face." He noted, amused. He served the plates of bacon sandwiches on the table.

"What do you mean?"

"That Scorpius 'I want something but I'm not going to spell it out for you' face."

"Oh."

"Yes, oh." Albus said, forest green eyes brightening in amusement. "What's up?" He took a seat, tucking into breakfast.

"Well," Scorpius started, staring at his food. "I was thinking..." He stopped himself, hesitant to continue his train of thoughts.

"Yeah?" Albus nudged him gently.

"I want a child." He said, his voice quiet, but firm. "I love my nieces and nephews so much, but they aren't...ours. I want to start a family with you, Albus. Raise a little one of our own to be bright and wonderful and brave and..."

Albus' expression softened. "I do too. You know I do, Scorpius. It's just...difficult right now." He stared at his wedding band. "You know it's harder for us than any hetero couple." He waved his hand vaguely. "Adoption is hard, surrogacy is expensive. Maybe once we settled into our careers more, we can talk about it."

"I think we're ready to go beyond just talking about it, Al."

"We're still young. We've still got time. But...I definitely want to work it out. Somehow, we will. We always do."

Scorpius beamed, reaching to kiss Albus' knuckle. "Thank you." He sat up abruptly. "Oh, I almost forgot- it's the farmer's market today."

Albus snorted. "You're exactly like your dad, you know?"

"Yes yes yes, but we should go!" Scorpius said, levitating the plates to the sink and it automatically was clean due to the floating sponges.

"We? I've got some work to do. I'm not very fond of small talk with old people selling fruit."

"Al, it's really good fruit." Scorpius said seriously. "And it's not all old people. I've seen some of our old schoolmates there."

Albus cringed. "That's even worse."

"Don't be so dramatic. Are you still coming?"

"Mm, but I should really finish this article. Go on without me."

"If you're sure...do you want me to bring anything back?"

Albus thought for a moment. "Those strawberries Ms. Beaker sells. Please? Strawberries and cream sounds so good right now."

"Brilliant, I'm on it." Scorpius did a mock salute.

"Have fun." Al waved as Scorpius appatered, leaving the kitchen empty. Albus went straight to work on his article.

~•~

The market was lively and merry, despite the early hour. Scorpius had stopped by the strawberry stand first, in case he forgot.

Ever since they had moved two years ago, Scorpius had found himself drawn to the quaint farmer's market. Not because of the delicious, fresh food, but to socialize. He made quite a few friends with the muggles who lived around there...mostly old ladies. The early days of their marriage, Albus would join him. Before life got in the way, and work had to be done.

Not that he wasn't busy himself. He only had two days off as a Healer, sometimes less. He didn't know how they would manage childcare, but like Al had said, it was best not to dwell on the future.

"Scorpius? Is that you?"

He turned around, following the voice from behind him. "Polly ...Chapman?" He uttered blandly, praying he wasn't mistaken. He didn't have the best memory- even with old schoolmates who bullied him.

"Yep." Polly said, laughing lightly. "It's me. Been a while."

"It has." Scorpius shifted his weight. "How are things?"

"Great!" She smiled, swishing her blonde ponytail, the same air of confidence from when she was a teenager. "Yann and I are engaged."

"Oh! That's wonderful." Scorpius said, pretending to sound pleased. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you. I proposed to them last month. It was just as I had dreamed."

"How is...Yann?" Scorpius did not actually care how Yann was.

"They're good! Brilliant actually, since they passed Auror training." Polly looked genuinely proud of them, which he had to admit was adorable. "Are you and Albus still..."

"Yes, yes. We um, er- we've been married almost two years actually." He added.

"Aw, that's very sweet. You two were always very close, yeah?" Polly looked at him, and Scorpius nearly walked backwards, intimidated by her stance. She still was extremely scary, like a lioness but with a great sense of fashion. "I know...Yann, Karl and I weren't the best to you two but perhaps we could..." She trailed off. "I'd like you both to come. To the wedding. If you'd like."

That...wasn't what he was expecting. He half expected her to invite him to another Blood Ball.

"Pardon?" Scorpius asked, dumbfounded. "I mean- yeah, that sounds great! Fun! Yes. That sounds nice. I'll bring it up to Al."

Polly was glowing. "Brill! I've got to go, but we should all hang out sometime. Like old times."

Like old times? Scorpius thought. When did they ever hang out?

Nodding mutely, he walked away from Polly with a puzzled, but cheerful expression. He hadn't completely fucked up the conversation, which was always a plus. It still felt odd that Polly Chapman of all people was talking to him, let alone inviting him to her wedding. It was bizarre.

He passed the final vendor, and was surprised and amused to see a tiny girl, no more than seven standing behind it. She had a Brownie uniform on, bright rosy cheeks and pigtails included.

"Would you like a biscuit?" She squealed.

It had taken him a moment to respond, he was still thinking of Polly being kind to him "Oh erm- of course." It was impossible to say no to an adorable small child. He reached for some muggle money, handing her the pound notes. "Just the one box please."

"Okie dokie!" She said, handing him the box. She waited a moment, pouting. "Go on, try it." She urged.

"I really shouldn't I-"

"Please?" The little girl gave him the most pitiful expression. "It's for a good cause, mister. We're helping orphaned puppies find homes."

"Well, alright. For the puppies." He fumbled open the box, taking a polite bite out of the cookie. It was a classic lemon cookie with powdered sugar, one of his favorites. But the second he swallowed, he felt dizzy all of a sudden. "What..." He stumbled back. "Oh my," He gulped, the entire market swirling around him. Something wasn’t right. "is there something in..." 

He would be damned if he let this happen without some sort of fight. Throwing his basket aside, he collapsed, slipping into unconsciousness.

"We've got him."

[thathpheadcanongirl]

Secrets Chapter 3

Finding the Time to Think

It's been a long first day; the N.E.W.T. classes were all really intense, nothing like how it was in Sixth Year. Andromeda and her classmates suffered through a double Potions in the morning and now she was finishing up a double Herbology in the afternoon. With all of the notes and practices she was given today, she knew that it was going to be one hell of a term. She didn't want to imagine the severity of the lessons by exam season. The mere suggestion of it made her shiver.

"Now, I do not expect you all to remember every single thing we touched on this afternoon," said Professor Sprout. "But I do expect a two-foot essay about your opinion of The Gardener Effect by next week."

There were some groans, but Andromeda didn't mind. Two feet wasn't that bad, considering she had a four-foot Potions essay due the same day.

Professor Sprout chuckled. "You'll all be fine. Now, you may go-" people started to stand up, but she bellowed over them, "But you must clean up your stations! Thank you!"

Andromeda took out her wand to tidy up. Her magical ability has gotten noticeably better since she turned seventeen. She was able to practice freely at home during the Summer, which made her craft practically perfect.

Being one of the first people finished cleaning her station, she flung her bag over her shoulder. As she was leaving, she accidently bumped into Ted, who had a baby screechsnap plant in his hands.

"Sorry," Ted muttered.

Andromeda saw a small bit of parchment in the pot, and took it before she quickly said, "It's alright."

She awaited a note from Ted today, wondering how he would present it. Their notes consisted of simple words, usually "Quidditch" or "Food" or "Study" or "Class". Whatever word was written on the note indicated a location to sneak off to at night and do anything they wanted without repercussion. She missed him so much, and wanted nothing more than to talk to him and kiss him and just be in his presence.

She sat down at the Slytherin table, taking out her Herbology book to start her reading on The Gardener Effect. Steak and kidney pie appeared in front of her, and she gingerly plopped some on her plate. She felt a slender person sit down to her right.

"Look what Garrison Fink bought me," came Narcissa's excited voice. Andromeda glanced up to find her sister flourishing her wrist to show off a pearl bracelet. "Wonderful, isn't it?

Made with real dragon clam pearls from Sweden."

"If Garrison Fink had the money, he would have bought you a necklace," Andromeda mumbled.

Narcissa huffed. "You're just jealous that you don't get any special treatment anymore."

"Far from the truth, Cissy."

"Oh, how I can't wait for you to get married!" she sighed, carefully placing a slice of chicken breast on her plate. "Finding an elegant venue, organizing the seating charts, finding a string quartet, deciding on a main color," she gasped, grabbing Andromeda's forearm. "Buying the perfect dress!"

Andromeda took her arm back and continued looking at her book, but she couldn't focus anymore. "I haven't picked anyone yet, Cissy. You know that."

Narcissa ignored her and continued fawning over her preparations. "If I were you, I'd settle for a nice ball gown with small sleeves off the shoulder. Forest green dress robes with pale violet embroidery. It would hide your hips and match your complexion."

"I don't have wide hips," Andromeda said, insulted. "And, like I said, I'm not getting married anytime soon. I didn't pick a suitor."

"Well, it looks like all the good ones will have gone by the time you choose," Narcissa giggled. "You don't want to die an old maid, would you?"

"I will not die an old maid!"

"Good evening, ladies." The sisters looked up at a small Slytherin boy struggling to hold a huge parcel. "Package for you, Miss Black," he panted. Andromeda went to grab it from across the table, but the poor boy said, "For Narcissa."

Andromeda furrowed her brow at her sister's smirk. "You see? They have already forgotten about you."

"This is for you," he said, holding out a letter.

Feeling better about herself, Andromeda took the letter and saw that it was unmistakably from her mother. The handwriting and the Black family seal gave it away.

As the boy walked away, Andromeda witnessed Narcissa tear open the gift. She gasped and displayed a rather beautiful witch's hat. "Oh, it's gorgeous! Isn't it gorgeous, Andy?"

"Very," Andromeda admitted. The sheer black hat had a gold and purple sparkling swirl design that moved slowly around the rim. Narcissa placed it on her head, barely containing her excitement, and Andromeda asked, "Who is it from?"

"Who cares?" she smiled, eyes only for her new hat. "This is the hat socialite Francesca Reynolds wears in the latest Witch Weekly, and now it's on my head!"

Andromeda found a note in the box, and read out loud:

"Dearest Narcissa, I remembered you talking about this hat at the Ministry of Magic Committee Ball during the Summer. You are right, this hat would look quite beautiful atop your head. I'd consider it an honor if you wore this at your annual Christmas party. Truly Yours, Lucius Malfoy

"Well he moves fast," she commented. "Since when have you been talking to Lucius Malfoy?"

Narcissa didn't pay attention; she was still enthralled with her new hat. "I'm going to be the talk of the school!" She ran out of the Great Hall, most likely to find her friends and brag about her new favorite object.

She decided to open her note from Ted, which simply said "Food". She smiled, knowing that at midnight, Ted would be waiting for her in the Kitchens. But the letter she received made her feel anxious.

My Andromeda, I hope the first day of your last year is not as exhausting as it was for me. Unfortunately, I can't tell you it gets better. In all honesty, my Seventh Year did not add up to the expectation I had hoped for. Professor Dumbledore gave me a bad grade in Transfiguration as I accidentally changed his chair into a two-headed swan on examination day. But I trust you will exceed me in your own endeavors. As I hope you know, you must start thinking about your future. You've heard it from your teachers, from Bella, from your father, and now, from me. I can tell that this is not what you want to think about, but you must, for the family's wellbeing. I have compiled a list of great suitors and their addresses on the back of this letter. It is short because I know you deserve the best. Please, do acquaint yourself with at least one of these gentlemen, and let me know so I can tell your Aunt Walburga to invite him to the Christmas Party. I know this is difficult for you, Andromeda. It was tough for Bella, and it was tough for me. But, in time, you will find it easy to become friends. Don't worry, I will take care of any other suggestions that may come your way. Stick with this list, and I promise, you will have a happy life. All My Love, Mum

Lo and behold, four names were on the back. She cringed at the last one. Regulus? Her eleven-year-old cousin? Not even Sirius, his older brother, was on the list. She wouldn't choose either of them, but she found it rather curious that her mother completely skipped over the oldest. She turned to look at Regulus, who was stirring his soup, and smirking at a story his friend was animating.

None of the people on this list appealed to her. She couldn't choose any other them anyway; she could never leave Ted to make her family happy. But, that might just be her fate.

It was almost midnight. She made it to the Kitchens with only one Prefect almost spotting her and Filtch's cat, Mrs. Norris, at her heels. She tickled the pear in the Kitchens portrait just in time.

"Thought you got lost," said a familiar voice. All of Andromeda's fears about getting caught went away when she saw Ted's smiling face. She ran over to him and he held onto her tightly.

"I- missed- you- so- much," she confessed, kissing him between each word.

He kissed her just as passionately. "I couldn't stop thinking about you over the Summer. I had half a mind to write to you, but I knew that would be too much."

"I wouldn't have cared."

Ted took her by the hand and guided her to a table set for two.

"I thought we were doing the secret thing because of your family?"

He pulled the seat out for her and then sat down himself. Two House Elves placed two big cauldron cakes onto their table as Andromeda shrugged, "I feel different about it."

"You do?" He said, amused. She was fully aware that he didn't believe her. She honestly did this sort of thing a lot, so he got used to her almost exposing them. In their eyes, it was all good fun.

But she admitted something she has never put in their banter before. "I don't know. Maybe if my family sees how brilliant you are, they might see reason."

Ted chewed his cauldron cake slowly. He decided on making light of the situation. "Yeah, I can definitely see your family welcoming me with open arms and being totally okay with me shacking up with you."

She laughed. "Well, if you say that your 'shacking up' with me, then they might have a problem."

"Fine," he said, waving his hand in dismissal. "Shagging then. Better?"

"I prefer 'making love'," she said with dignity.

"Goodness, Dromeda, let me finish my cauldron cake first!"

Andromeda laughed at his stupid joke, like she always did. She loved how easy it was to just be herself around him. If anyone else made a joke like that, she would have pointed out how juvenile they were, ultimately making them uncomfortable for her own amusement. But there was something about simple Ted Tonks that made any stupid joke seem charming.

They talked about their Summer at length, not caring about the time. If they had it their way, they would spend more time with each other than they currently do. Most of their conversations are light and happy, but there is a staleness in the air that Andromeda had to address.

"…And then Mum drove right into the lake! Thank God I'm of age and was able to levitate the car back on land. It was a risk of exposure, but no one ever goes to Exmoor anymore-"

"Ted, are you alright?"

He stared at her, smile fading slightly. He knew her question wasn't about his story. "I'm fine." He didn't answer right away, and that worried Andromeda.

She went on anyway. "Well, I haven't been fine."

"Dromeda…?"

"I can't do it, Ted," she admitted suddenly. "I can't marry him."

Ted blinked, rather confused. "Are you getting married? Am I invited?" he said, still trying to lighten up the conversation.

"No," Andromeda went on. "My family wants me to choose sooner than I thought. And one of them is Regulus. Regulus!"

"Not even Sirius?"

"They're both my cousins, Ted!"

Ted took her hand. "I know we said we'd cross this bridge when we got to it. Maybe it's time we crossed that bridge."

Andromeda shook her head. "No, I still have time."

"From what you told me, you don't."

She squeezed his hand, and said softly, "We still have time."

Although she knew that their time together was coming to an end, she couldn't help but want to stay by his side forever. If she had it her way, they wouldn't have to sneak around. They loved each other; it came easy to them. She didn't want to find love with someone else when she already had it with Ted. He understood that this could perhaps be a fleeting romance, something long-forgotten. But Andromeda wanted more.

Someday, she would marry whoever her parents wanted her to marry. She would be a dutiful wife and loving mother. But she will always have Ted. No matter what, she will always have Ted.