#ootp missing moment

[rmwb-fanfics]

Harry was very aware of footsteps. He had to be.

He’d needed the skill to determine which of his relatives had come to wake him up every morning.

He’d needed to know if he’d receive dust coming down from the stairs as his cousin jumped up and down obnoxiously above.

Or perhaps the rapid knocking of his Aunt Petunia. Forever impatient with Harry’s groggy morning tendencies.

Or, worse still, Uncle Vernon’s lazy opening of the cupboard door. A mumbled “Get up,” as he shuffled off to the kitchen.

Harry had come to know Sirius’s steps as well. They were quiet. Years of sneaking around after hours and running from the Ministry had left him a master of going audibly unnoticed.

Though, when Harry caught it, it was always his heels that gave him away. Scraping on the floor as the man trudged down the many flights of stairs in his childhood home. His old prison regaining its title for caging the pride of Sirius Black.

That knowledge held within Harry’s mind was worthless now, however. Because as the June sun beat down on his tired skin, Harry knew that he’d never hear those footsteps again.

He’d never hear that lazy slide of a heel. Not from Sirius, anyway.

Because those footsteps were lost. Tumbling back behind a veil Harry no longer cared to understand.

It should’ve been Bellatrix, or Wormtail, or anyone other than the one man who had stood up for him. Who had reached through the darkness of Harry’s mind and pulled him to safer, warmer shores.

It wasn’t fair. None of this was. The prophecy, the war, the scars on the back of his hand.

It wasn’t fair to his friends, who had grown attached to a boy doomed to become a murderer, or die in his refusal to do so.

It wasn’t fair to his parents, who had sacrificed their lives for a chance at destroying a shell of a man too afraid to let the inevitable claim his wounded soul.

Harry’s eyes are closed. The light and colour of the world shuttered behind the impenetrable red glow of the back of his eyelids. His back pressed against a tree that had lost so much of its comfort in light of the memory of a boy tormenting his classmate. Of friends and future loves saying things only his nightmares could’ve imagined.

He didn’t care about that now, however. All he thought now was that Sirius had once sat here. His eyes alight with mischief and life. Something Harry had only seen glimpses of. Like a ghost at the end of an unending corridor.

The ebb and flow of the shallow waves from the lake kept his mind at bay. It’s murky depths maintaining his sanity. Letting them hold him up.

He hears footsteps, then. Grass getting pressed into the ground under determined steps. Twigs cracking and bending to the sheer will of whoever was coming.

Harry releases a pained sigh. The tranquility of the moment slipping away with each impending step.

They are neither graceful nor clumsy. Each fall is deliberate, understanding. They’re light, which means it isn’t one of the boys, unless Colin Creevey had come looking for an autograph.

It isn’t Hermione, who marched anywhere she went, while somehow managing to be delicate and hesitant.

Then, as the steps near his place, seated against a tree, they stop. He hears the rumple of robes, and the staticky sound of thousands of strands of grass being folded down under the weight of someone sitting down.

Harry’s irritation swells in his chest. He’d came here to be alone. To sink in his despair and let the world take hold of him. He’d made himself very clear without saying a word to his friends. They’d understood. He’d seen it in Ron’s eyes and Hermione’s frown.

He hears the creak of leather bindings, and the ruffle of pages. Then, the unfamiliar click of a muggle pen. A sound he hadn’t heard in years, really. Save for Mr. Weasley’s incessant questions on the things over the summer.

His throat dry, his voice harsh, Harry says, “I don’t want to talk,”

There’s no immediate response. Just the sound of someone scribbling away on parchment.

“I know,” his mysterious companion mumbled. Her voice like a song in the breeze. He shouldn’t be surprised now, after a year full of them, that it was Ginny Weasley.

She continues to write, and Harry keeps his eyes shut. He can feel the tickle of hair dancing on his right arm. The wind blowing it onto his bicep.

“What are you writing?” he asks as the dull scratching becomes a monotone ringing in his ears.

“I thought you said you didn’t want to talk?” Ginny’s writing stops, and Harry feels his lips quirk upward slightly.

He doesn’t respond. Instead choosing to shift his legs into a more comfortable position. Giving his knees a break and letting the blood move through them.

“I’m writing a story,” she explains after a long silence filled with the distant cheers of simpler lives and waves rolling up a gravelly shore.

“What’s it about?” Harry asks, his voice lighter this time.

Ginny huffs a quiet laugh. “You don’t get the details. You can read it once it’s finished,”

Harry unwinds his arms and let’s them fall comfortably into his lap. “Will I get a free copy?”

“Maybe,” is Ginny’s shrewd response.

Again a silence lapses between them. Harry’s chest rises and falls with every breath.

Every breath he is still here, on one side of a veil.

“It’s about a girl,” Ginny says eventually. He swears he can see her tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Her freckled nose twitching in the breeze. “She’s awake and she knows what she wants. She’s happy,”

Harry nods slowly, his eyes stay shut.

“I hope you let me read it some time,”

“Maybe,”

And for hours there was nothing but silent writing, and Harry’s thoughts strayed from Sirius, from the prophecy, and from his parents.

He wanted to know about the girl who knew what she wanted. Who was happy.

[tedwardremus]

Constant as the Northern Star

Fifteen-year-old Harry Potter sat at the warm dark kitchen table of Grimmauld Place. His elbows were on the table and his fingers pinched the bridge of his nose causing his round glasses to lay askew on his face. His astronomy homework was spread out in front of him. He was pretty sure it was mocking him.

"Use the knowledge of coordinate graphing and ordered pairs to create a map of the Summer Sky in the Northern Hemisphere."

The stars and planets on his parchment seem to refuse to align themselves into the neat patterns Professor Sinistra had described in class. Frustration gnawed at him, but he was determined to conquer the assignment, or at least finish the homework before Hermione nagged him again.

A door creaked open and Harry looked up to see his godfather, Sirius Black enter the room. His tall frame filled in the doorway as he observed Harry for a moment, taking the mess Harry had made of his kitchen table before he made his way to the table.

"Having some trouble with homework, Harry?" Sirius asked, pulling up a chair beside him and leaning back against the chair until the two front legs hovered above the ground.

Harry sighed, pushing his parchment away. "Yeah, astronomy. I can't seem to make sense of it. It's just a bunch of dots to me. I asked Lupin to help before he left this morning but he apologized and said he had slept through most of his astronomy classes"

Sirius let out a small chuckle as he picked up the sextant that Harry was using as a paperweight "Yeah, he was always fond of a nap. Always tired, the poor sod. Could never get him to a class before ten in the morning either."

Harry was reminded of the first time he met Lupin, sleeping on the Hogwarts Express. Hermione and Ron thought he was dead. Before Harry could share the memory Sirius gave Harry a surprising offer, "Well, I used to be quite good at Astronomy. Want me to help you out?"

Harry's green eyes narrowed as he looked at his closed textbook. As if trying to judge the seriousness of the question. "You would do that?"

"Of course," Sirius replied with a warm smile. "I always enjoyed stargazing. You know, it's not just about memorizing constellations; it's about understanding the origins of the universe and the evolution of life and matter. Especially when you get to the more theoretical stuff if you take NEWT level."

Harry silently nodded. The only time he could remember an adult offering to help with his homework was Florean Fortescue the summer before his third year.

Sirius began to explain the basics of charting the stars. He helped Harry renumber the coordinates on his parchment and shared a few facts about the stars they were charting as they worked their way along the map. Sirius enthusiastically discussed the differences between Hipparchus' and  Ptolemy's star catalogs and the importance of the Dunhuang Star map.

As Harry did his best to absorb the knowledge, he looked at Sirius with curiosity. "How did you become so good at Astronomy? Did you want to be an astronomer?"

Sirius's expression grew somber and gave a dark snort. "No, didn't really have time to think about a career before. Went straight into fighting a war and then, well you know what happened after."

It dawned on Harry for the first time how young Sirius and his parents were during the first war. That they didn't even have time to think about their careers before getting swept up in the last war.

"We didn't share many interests or beliefs," Sirius set down the quill he was holding and turned his body to face Harry while he spoke "But stargazing as a hobby was something that I always enjoyed doing with my father. It was an interest that we could share together." Sirius looked over Harry's shoulder and pushed a long strand of hair out of his face. Harry thought Sirius' eyes must be lingering on the Black Family crest on the wall behind him "Looking at the stars always brought me peace, Harry, even in the darkest of times."

Harry pondered this for a moment before asking, "Can you show me how to find London in the night sky? I'd like to know where you are while I'm at Hogwarts."

Sirius's eyes twinkled and he gave Harry a small smile. "Certainly, Harry. Let me show you some basics of celestial navigation."

Sirius picked up the quill again and emphasized how knowing the location of the North Star was crucial for navigation. He showed Harry tips on how to easily find the North Star and described the concept of Polaris as a constant guide in the night sky.

One summer later, locked up in Privet Drive, Harry looked out his tiny bedroom window and charted the stars the way his godfather had taught him and found the brightest star in the sky, Sirius, in the vast celestial expanse.

Though exhausted with grief, Harry felt a warmth that went beyond the summer sky and the boundaries of time and distance. In the darkest moments, Harry would look up at the stars, knowing that he could always find his way, guided not just by the north star but by the glow of the brightest star, by the love of a godfather who would always, in some way, be a part of his life.

[ginisbetterthanfirewhisky]

Written for @hinnymicrofic 's May prompt #8, Divination.

Word count: 469

This is bloody boring, thought Harry as he absently tapped his quill against his Dream Diary. He had to complete a month's worth of entries for the grading tomorrow, and he had only managed three entries so far. Hermione had gone off to bed hours ago, smugly telling him that he should have used his brains and dropped divination years ago. Ron, who had already completed his homework while Harry was off at yet another detention with Umbridge, had offered to help Harry, but the latter declined, telling Ron to go off to bed too.

This was how he found himself in the empty common room, sitting by the dying fire and desperately thinking of wild, gloomy dreams that Trelawney would love to eat up.

"Hem Hem."

He gave a start and widely looked around, expecting Umbridge to appear any moment, her toad-like face stretched into an ugly smile. To his relief, it was Ginny who plopped on the sofa beside him. She looked like she had arrived in a hurry— her flaming hair looked messy and her face was flushed.

"You almost gave me a heart attack! Don't do that again!"

Ginny merely grinned.

"What were you doing out past curfew anyway?" He asked her, eyes narrowed.

"Never you mind," she said casually as she rummaged around her robes for something. "Chocolate frog?"

"No, thanks," said Harry, getting back to his Dream Diary.

Ginny leaned over to look at his book and Harry caught a waft of a flowery sort of smell. "Divination?"

"Yeah. I have to complete a month's worth of Dream Diary entries."

"Freak Quidditch accident… charm gone horribly wrong… don't you think that's too cheerful for Trelawney?"

"What d'you mean?"

"You need to be more creative."

She took the quill from his hand and rubbed the feathery part on the tip of her nose, as if in deep thought. Then her eyes lit up and she started writing furiously. "Violently strangled by the Giant Squid after being thrown into the lake by a rogue Bludger. Mauled to death. Now that's better than a simple Quidditch accident," she said triumphantly.

Harry found himself grinning. "So I have to make them more graphic?"

"Obviously!"

He took his quill from her hand and poised it in front of his book. "Attempted to transfigure myself into a cactus. Ended up permanently blinding myself."

"Saw Umbridge's face first thing in the morning. Died of a heart attack."

Within fifteen minutes, they had completed the assignment, coming up with increasingly ridiculous dreams that included hexes, falling off cliffs, being eaten by grindylows and drowning in ashwinder venom.

"Thanks," he told her when they competed the 31st and final dream (falling into a nest of crumple horned snorkacks after being kicked by an angry hippogriff).

"Anytime," she said smiling back at him.

--

Note: I had initially planned to steal use the "ridiculous ways to die" from a 2005 post on a H/Hr site titled "1000 Ways to Kill Ginny Weasley". Unfortunately (but predictably), they were incredibly unfunny and bordered on slut-shamey, so I finally came up with my own.

[romione-trope-fest]

Thunderstorms

Title: Thunderstorms

Author: Mertronus

Tropes: OOTP Missing Moment & Cockblocker Harry

Summary: A thunderstorm shakes things up inside Number Twelve Grimmauld Place

Rated T

Word Count: 1190

No Trigger Warnings…unless thunderstorms aren’t your thing

A loud clap of thunder sounded throughout the house, and the room was momentarily illuminated by a flash of lightning. Hermione pulled the blanket closer around her as she tried her best to read through the storm, but the truth was, Number Twelve Grimmauld Place was dark, gloomy, and spooky on its own. Add a raging summer thunderstorm to the mix…

And it was downright awful.

Hermione threw her book onto her bed as another clap of thunder sounded. She looked over to the other bed where Ginny slept. Ginny could sleep through anything.

Much like your brother, Hermione thought with a sigh.

The thought of Ron had Hermione on her feet, wrapping her dressing gown around her and shoving her feet into her slippers. If a book couldn’t distract her, maybe Ron could.

Ron and Harry…

Yes, she would find the boys and they would keep her mind off the storm.

Hermione thought that the house was quiet given the amount of occupants in it…surely they weren’t all asleep already?

No, she knew that at the very least, Harry and Ron were awake. They never went to bed early.

She crept toward the stairs to head to the next floor where the boys’ bedroom was, but as she passed the drawing room, a flash of red hair caught her eye. She quickly redirected her steps and poked her head into the room.

Ron sat in the corner playing a solitary game of chess. When her feet hit a creaky floorboard, his head snapped up.

“Hey,” he called out quietly. “Y’alright?”

“Yeah,” Hermione said entering the room fully. “I’m fine. What are you doing in here alone?” She perched on the sofa closest to where Ron sat. “Where is everyone?”

Ron sat back in the chair and stretched. His too-short pajama shirt lifted a bit when his long arms stretched over his head, and Hermione caught a glimpse of her best friend’s pale, flat stomach. It was littered with freckles, as was every other part of Ron’s body that Hermione had seen, and she could just make out a thin, light trail of red hair leading down toward—

“Hermione?”

“Hm, what?” Hermione jumped and stared at Ron wide-eyed.

“I said Ginny’s asleep I suspect?”

“Yes,” she squeaked, then cleared her throat. “Yes, yes Ginny’s already asleep. In our room. Where I just was…in bed. My bed. Where did you say everyone was?”

Ron rolled his eyes. “Mum and Dad are in bed, Fred and George are doing Godric knows what in their room, and last I saw Harry he was with Buvkbeak and Sirius.”

“Oh?”

Ron nodded. “Yeah. I came down here to give them a moment. Felt like Harry might need some time with his Godfather before we head back to school.”

“Yeah,” Hermione sighed. The constant worry about Harry sometimes plagued her. At least here, at Grimmauld, not only was Harry safe, but there were so many others to worry over him as well.

“What about you?” Ron asked as he stood to join her on the small sofa. “Can’t sleep?”

Their legs brushed as he sat, and her breath caught. Even with all of the times she and Harry had touched or bumped into one another in some way, and yet she never felt the way she did when Ron was so much as a foot away from her. In the same room even.

“No,” Hermione said pulling her legs up onto the sofa and wrapping her arms around them. She rested her head on her knees and looked at Ron. “Can’t sleep.”

A roll of thunder sounded in the distance and Hermione watched the realization cross Ron’s eyes. “The storm.” Hermione nodded. “You’ve never liked storms.” Hermione shook her head. “I think it’s passing though,” Ron offered.

Hermione shrugged. “I think we’re still in for a long night.” As if to verify her thoughts, thunder sounded and it was much louder than it had been just a few moments before…closer. Hermione itched to move closer to Ron, but that would mean admitting that she was even more scared than she’d ever let on.

Ron shifted on the sofa, angling his body to face her. “Hermione if—”

Just then several claps of thunder rang out so loudly that the house seemed to shake from the sound alone. Hermione shrieked and jumped, then hid her face as she tried to calm herself from the fright.

It’s just a storm…nature…happens all the time…nothing to be afraid of. Pull yourself together Granger!

“Shhh, it’s alright,” a soft voice cooed in her ear. She buried her face in deeper and took a shaky breath.

It wasn’t until the smell of Ron invaded her senses that she registered where she was.

His hands were rubbing her back, his arms wrapped around her. Her face was buried in his chest as her hands grasped his shirt for dear life. His warm thighs were under her bum…

Hermione had literally lept into Ron’s lap.

With wide eyes, she raised her face to look up at Ron. She mentally prepared herself for the teasing, the jokes…but she was only met with a look of concern.

“Y’alright?” he asked, his voice low and gravelly.

“M’sorry,” she mumbled, moving to get herself off her lap.

Ron’s arms tightened around her. “It’s okay. But are you okay?”

Hermione gazed at Ron, his face no more than an inch from hers. Thunder sounded outside, but she never felt safer.

“I am now,” she whispered.

One side of Ron’s mouth quirked up in a lopsided grin, and Hermione’s eyes drifted down to his lips. She wondered how it would feel to press her lips to his…just once. She wasn’t sure if she was leaning into him, or if he was leaning into her.

Or if they were simply leaning into one another.

Time seemed to stop as their mouths seemed to be no more than a breath apart. She could smell the sweet chocolate on his breath. Another breath and—

“That was a loud one, wasn’t it?” Harry called as he entered the drawing room. Hermione jumped up at the first sound of his voice and turned to act as if she were looking out of the window. “You alright, Hermione?”

“Fine,” she breathed out as she tried her best to reign in every emotion that was coursing through her body.

“That last hit of thunder spooked Buckbeak so bad, Sirius and I had a rough time settling him.”

Hermione turned from the window and found that Harry had taken her place on the sofa beside a very red Ron.

“He’s alright now?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Harry answered, closing his eyes and resting his head back on the sofa. “Yeah, he’s fine now.”

“Good,” Hermione nodded. “Well, I’m going off to bed. You two need to do the same.”

Without another glance at Ron, Hermione hurried out of the room.

[tieitoffinlace]

confession as a harry girly i never got over my grudge w percy weasley after tgat note he sent ron shit talking him in ootp

like i know he was just worried about his brother but at the same time fuck that noise what was he being messy for 😭

[hpseeker99]

Ginny: So you’re telling me I’m supposed to squeeze this stress ball and not just throw it at whoever is stressing me out? Hermione: *putting an ice pack on Harry's eye* Yes!

[takeariskao3]

i saw your ask from the other day and finally got around to reading what we had become... i for one would like to say MORE JILYPAD PLEASE

the way you brought them together killed me. it was so good. i never knew i needed this throuple until now!!!

*holds back tears* bro

i was having a real bad day and this made it a little bit better <33 what i have isn't exactly jilypad but it's still something:

Sirius refilled both their goblets then slumped into a chair across from Remus. It was nearing midnight, the fire dying in the kitchen grate and just the two of them left awake. Harry, Hermione, and the rest of the Weasley kids were off to Hogwarts tomorrow, and while Sirius knew it was where Harry belonged, he couldn't shake the misery lingering around the edges of his awareness. He didn't like sending Harry off on his own. He didn't like Dumbledore's inaction regarding Fudge and the Prophet. He didn't like Snape teaching Harry Occulemency. He didn't like any of it. "So," Remus twirled his goblet absentmindedly. "When are you going to tell Harry?" Sirius tipped back his wine, downing half of it in one go. "Tell him what?" Remus gave him a flat look, like he was being deliberately dense. "Christ, Moony," Sirius spat. "We're trying to keep the kid alive, not give him an aneurysm." Keeping his gaze steady, Remus leaned forward to rest his elbows on the table. "He deserves to know." "Know what?" Sirius continued in the same tone. "That I fucked his mum, and his dad a fair amount too?" Remus rolled his eyes and hid a reluctant smile behind his goblet. Sirius couldn't help but press on. "That seems like it will go over well. Should I also tell him that I fucked his mum while his dad fucked me?" Remus choked on his drink, sputtering wine all down his front. "I rest my case," Sirius shook his head and leaned back in his chair. Summoning a tea towel from the kitchen counter, Remus mopped himself up then made a half-hearted attempt at a charm to keep his tie from staining. "I just meant," Remus began, regaining his composure. His calm assuredness annoyed Sirius to no end. "He deserves to know you loved them, and they loved you. More than you've let on, anyways." Agony sliced through Sirius' chest, the grief no less sharp even after fourteen years. "Yeah, well," he grumbled as hot moisture burned behind his eyes. "If I'd loved them better, they'd both still be here."

[hollowed-theory-hall]

We don't talk enough about Ron's mean streak

Like, I saw a lot of people talk about how funny Ron is (which is true, he's genuinely one of the funnier characters in the series), how loyal he is when it counts, he's brave as hell, and he is really smart, just not book smart. But what I don't see talked about enough (maybe it's just me though), is Ron Weasley's mean streak.

I talked about how Harry most definitely has what it takes to be a Slytherin, can be scary, and is willing to kill when push comes to shove. I also mentioned Hermione's ruthlessness, but I didn't discuss Ron's mean streak which is a joy when I see it crop up in the book. When it comes up, it always reminds me of the twins, and I feel like that's where Ron got it from.

So I'm just going to bring up a few quotes I had in my notes showing Ron's mean streak, I'm sure I missed some from the earlier books, but I find it a fun aspect of his character.

Snape cried: “Expelliarmus!” There was a dazzling flash of scarlet light and Lockhart was blasted off his feet: He flew backward off the stage, smashed into the wall, and slid down it to sprawl on the floor. Malfoy and some of the other Slytherins cheered. Hermione was dancing on tiptoes. “Do you think he’s all right?” she squealed through her fingers. “Who cares?” said Harry and Ron together.

(CoS, 178)

This type of reaction is seen with Ron pretty often. He really doesn't care when someone he dislikes is hurt or injured and he is very vocal about it. He and Harry kinda share this trait, as seen above.

Later in the other quotes I bring up, I show that Hermione is the one usually playing morality police for Ron and Harry even if she herself isn't as innocent as she likes to act.

He raised Ron’s Spellotaped wand high over his head and yelled, “Obliviate!” The wand exploded with the force of a small bomb. Harry flung his arms over his head and ran, slipping over the coils of snake skin, out of the way of great chunks of tunnel ceiling that were thundering to the floor. Next moment, he was standing alone, gazing at a solid wall of broken rock. “Ron!” he shouted. “Are you okay? Ron!” “I’m here!” came Ron’s muffled voice from behind the rockfall. “I’m okay — this git’s not, though — he got blasted by the wand —” There was a dull thud and a loud “ow!” It sounded as though Ron had just kicked Lockhart in the shins.

(CoS, 280)

I love this, Lockhart explodes the cave, obliviates himself, and Ron's reaction is to kick him in the shins. I don't know, I just find it hilarious.

“Don’t talk to me,” Ron said quietly to Harry and Hermione as they sat down at the Gryffindor table a few minutes later, surrounded by excited talk on all sides about what had just happened. “Why not?” said Hermione in surprise. “Because I want to fix that in my memory forever,” said Ron, his eyes closed and an uplifted expression on his face. “Draco Malfoy, the amazing bouncing ferret . . .” Harry and Hermione both laughed, and Hermione began doling beef casserole onto each of their plates. “He could have really hurt Malfoy, though,” she said. “It was good, really, that Professor McGonagall stopped it —” “Hermione!” said Ron furiously, his eyes snapping open again, “you’re ruining the best moment of my life!”

(GoF, 207)

Here you see Hermione the morality police crop up, but I'm talking about Ron here.

Hermione is definitely right in that Draco could've been seriously hurt, but Ron is just glad he saw Malfoy suffering. Actually, in the scene before it, Ron was the one who wanted to curse Malfoy and was held back by Harry and Hermione (as well as in the eat slugs situation in CoS), like, with as much as Harry calls Draco his nemesis, it really feels like Ron is the one that hates Draco and thinks of him as his nemesis.

“She’s an awful woman [Umbridge],” said Hermione in a small voice. “Awful. You know, I was just saying to Ron when you came in . . . we’ve got to do something about her.” “I suggested poison,” said Ron grimly.

(OotP, 324)

I love you, Ron.

This is one of my favorite quotes for him. Hermione shuts down the poison idea, but I think they should've given it a shot, I think it could've been fun.

It would've been cathartic for them at least.

“You take Remedial Potions?” asked Zacharias Smith superciliously, having cornered Harry in the entrance hall after lunch. “Good Lord, you must be terrible, Snape doesn’t usually give extra lessons, does he?” As Smith strode away in an annoyingly buoyant fashion, Ron glared after him. “Shall I jinx him? I can still get him from here,” he said, raising his wand and taking aim between Smith’s shoulder blades. “Forget it,” said Harry dismally. “It’s what everyone’s going to think, isn’t it? That I’m really stup —”

(OotP, 528)

I love how Ron always has Harry's back and is ready to fight anyone (including Sirius who he thought was a mass murderer when he was 13 with a broken leg) for Harry's sake. It's a real vibe the Golden Trio has that they're just ready to drop everything and curse out anyone for each other's sake. They are just so protective of each other and I love this for them, how they are all just each other's people, yk.

It's also another example of how Ron is the one of the trio that offers violence as the answer the most often.

“Reparo!” said Hermione quickly, mending Ron’s cup with a wave of her wand. “That’s all very well, but what if Montague’s permanently injured?” “Who cares?” said Ron irritably, while his teacup stood drunkenly again, trembling violently at the knees. “Montague shouldn’t have tried to take all those points from Gryffindor, should he? If you want to worry about anyone, Hermione, worry about me!”

(OotP, 679)

Again Ron doesn't care for the injury of people who he considers deserving.

“Madam Pomfrey says she’s just in shock,” whispered Hermione. “Sulking, more like,” said Ginny. “Yeah, she shows signs of life if you do this,” said Ron, and with his tongue he made soft clip-clopping noises. Umbridge sat bolt upright, looking wildly around.

(OotP, 849)

Like, regardless of whether Umbridge was SAed or not (for the record, I don't think she was) it's not a nice thing to do. Umbridge is awful, but this is Ron literally spreading salt on the wound. but like I mentioned above, she's in the "deserving it" category.

“will you stop pretending to be asleep when Lavender comes to see you? She’s driving me mad as well.” “Oh,” said Ron, looking sheepish. “Yeah. All right.” “If you don’t want to go out with her anymore, just tell her,” said Harry.

(HBP, 411)

That is honestly so mean. Like, I'm not Lavender's biggest fan, I find her annoying, but she's a teenage girl in her maybe first relationship and she did nothing really wrong. I feel truly sorry for her for how Ron treated her, it wasn't really her fault. It's just mean that he pretends to sleep instead of talking to her.

“Same as he wanted at Christmas,” shrugged Harry. “Wanted me to give him inside information on Dumbledore and be the Ministry’s new poster boy.” Ron seemed to struggle with himself for a moment, then he said loudly to Hermione, “Look, let me go back and hit Percy!” “No,” she said firmly, grabbing his arm. “It’ll make me feel better!”

(HBP, 650)

Like, this is peak sibling behavior, but as I mentioned earlier, Ron tends to want to resort to violence more often than Harry and Hermione do (especially in the earlier books, as Harry does grow angrier after Sirius' death). He is usually the one to bring violence up, and I find it an interesting aspect of his character.

And Ron is correct in the fact hitting Percy would make him feel better. Not saying if it's the right thing to do, but Ron really would experience it as satisfying because Percy would deserve it in his mind.

“What are we going to do with them?” Ron whispered to Harry through the dark; then, even more quietly, “Kill them? They’d kill us. They had a good go just now.” Hermione shuddered and took a step backward. Harry shook his head.

(DH, 167)

As I mentioned in one of the Harry posts, Harry is calling the shots, but Ron is the one who offered to kill the Death Eaters. He put that idea on the table. He was relieved when Harry said they shouldn't kill them, but if Harry said it'd be better if they killed them — Ron would've backed him up and done it, while Hermione might've preferred to pretend it wasn't happening.

“That treacherous old bleeder.” Ron panted, emerging from beneath the Invisibility Cloak and throwing it to Harry. “Hermione you’re a genius, a total genius. I can’t believe we got out of that.” “Cave Inimicum. . . Didn’t I say it was an Erumpent horn, didn’t I tell him? And now his house has been blown apart!” “Serves him right,” said Ron, examining his torn jeans and the cuts to his legs, “What’d you reckon they’ll do to him?” “Oh I hope they don’t kill him!” groaned Hermione, “That’s why I wanted the Death Eaters to get a glimpse of Harry before we left, so they knew Xenophilius hadn’t been lying!”

(DH, 424)

Again, Ron not caring/enjoying when people who deserve it suffer. Xenophilius wanted to help them, he tried to persuade them not to come into his home at first so he wouldn't give them in, he tried so hard even though the Death Eaters had his daughter! Harry rightly feels bad for Xenophilius and Luna, it's easy to understand why he did what he did.

Hermione and Harry hope he is fine, but Ron is the one who thinks he has it coming. That he deserves to have his house blown up for betraying them, regardless of his reasoning.

I think Ron is the most black-and-white in his thoughts about people among the trio. There are those who deserve anything that comes to them and those who don't. Specific circumstances and context don't really play a part in what bad people deserve coming to them.

I don't know, I just find this interesting.

Harry has the compassion to understand people, even ones who harmed him or the people he cares about, he is capable of forgiving Voldemort and never really hated Draco.

Hermione is pretty black-and-white in her view of people, having the people she trusts and those she doesn't. She trusts Snape because he's an authority figure trusted by Dumbledore (and Hermione is the one who is truly Dumbledore's woman true and true in the books). Her view on people has less to do with their actions, but who they are endorsed by. She is compassionate to Xenophilius because he's Luna's dad, and Luna is good, therefore, she wouldn't love someone who is bad.

Ron is black-and-white in how he sees people in a very different way than Hermione. He looks at actions, and if you do anything to try and harm him or people he cares about, you get on the shit list. Getting out of Ron's shit list is probably not easy, he doesn't strike me as one who forgives easily and readily the way Harry does, but he does forgive. Like actions can get you on his shit list, actions can get you out. But once a person is on the shit list, they deserve any harm that comes their way.

But Ron is really loyal, and there are people he loves who are basically immune from going on the shit list (like his family, yes, even Percy. While he wants to hit him, I don't believe Ron ever really wished death on Percy). And there is just something interesting about Ron, with his mean streak and everything, being the glue that holds the trio together. Like, in Deathly Hallows once he leaves, Harry and Hermione barely talk to each other, they are barely friends without Ron there.

I don't know, I just love Ron. I love how he is loyal, and friendship glue, but has just as much of a mean streak to him as Harry and Hermione can pull. I just feel like he's sometimes left out of the discussion of how ruthless Harry and Hermione could be. Like, it's true, both of them can be ruthless, but don't leave Ron out. He can be ruthless and actually offers violence as a solution more often than Harry or Hermione do.

[startanewdream]

can you write a fan fic on Sirius giving Harry advice on Ginny. I need Hinny fluff!

This was sent so many years months ago, hope you'll still read it, Anon!

godfatherly advice

Summary: Sirius and Remus discuss Harry's love life. Set during OotP. Around 1600 words.

“Do you remember a girl named Cho Chang?”

It is the sudden change in their talk — they had been exchanging stories of their favorite Christmas dinners at Hogwarts — that makes Remus blink, surprised. He turns to Sirius, but his friend is now looking at the far corner of the kitchen where Harry is playing Explosive Snap.

“What?”

“When you were teaching at Hogwarts,” Sirius answers, sounding impatient. “There was a girl called Cho Chang, right?”

“Right,” Remus agrees slowly. “Ah—she was in the Fourth Year. Ravenclaw. Bright girl. She wrote this essay about curses—”

Sirius waves him off. “Fourth Year,” he muses. “One year above Harry, then. Different houses. Not much in common.” He shifts his weight from one foot to another. “Pretty girl?”

He jumps. “I didn’t notice it! I was her professor—”

“Oh, get a grip.” Sirius rolls his eyes. “Think like a fifteen-year-old boy—never mind, you never mentioned your crushes back in school, I don’t think you were ever a teenager.”

Warmth floods Remus’ face, and he deviates his gaze. “Why are you asking, anyway?”

“Hum…” Sirius seems as embarrassed as he gets. “Rumour has it that Harry’s got a crush on this girl.”

“Rumour.” Remus glances at where Tonks and Hermione are talking with the Weasley twins. “I guess this rumour is friends with one of Harry’s best friends.”

“I am not discussing my sources with you. But if you can trust this particular rumour, and you can… Harry and this girl, Cho, got friendly before the end of the term.”

“Oh.” Remus watches Harry for a moment. With his overly large shirt and laughing freely as he plays Explosive Snap with Ginny Weasley, Harry doesn’t look his age. “I forgot he is old enough to have a girlfriend.”

There’s a grunt in answer. Sirius is frowning, displeased.

“What?”

“I don’t think she is his girlfriend. From what Ton—my source mentioned, it was just a snog or something like that. “

Remus raises his eyebrows. “Just a snog? That doesn’t sound like Harry.” Sure, Remus may have missed a few — a lot of — years staying away from Harry, but he got to know him during his time as a professor. And between Voldemort and the Triwizard Tournament, not to mention all the stress of this year, he doubts Harry has turned into some kind of Casanova since then. 

“No,” Sirius shakes his head. “But from what I got, Harry has had feelings for this girl for ages, but it is complicated—she was the girlfriend of the Diggory boy. The one who died in the Triwizard Tournament.”

Remus sighs. “Nothing is ever easy for Harry, is it?”

“Maybe,” Sirius mumbles, seemingly to himself. “But when Harry finally snogs the girl he’s been pinning for so long—you would think he might mention something to me.”

“Is that what’s bothering you?” Remus can’t help his smirk. “You know you owe him the talk, right?”

Sirius flushes slightly. “It’s not his silence that’s upsetting,” he says haughtily, clearly determined to ignore the second part of what Remus told him. “But rather—do you remember when James and Lily finally snogged?” That familiar jolt of pain hits Remus; his smile is wistful as he nods. “James kept smiling so much that it looked as if he had overdosed on an Euphoria Elixir.”

“And he couldn’t stop babbling about it—it was three in the morning, and he was still gushing.”

“Yeah.” Sirius looks older for a moment, his gaze far away before he nods towards Harry. “Does Harry look remotely like James did?”

“I don’t know. He seems quite happy now.” And as to prove his point, Harry’s laugh echoes in the kitchen for a moment. The cards have exploded, drawing everyone’s attention, though neither Harry and Ginny seem to mind. They are chuckling, and even though his own face is painted with soot, Harry jumps to smooth the small flames over the tips of Ginny’s hair. 

“Exactly!” Sirius beacons him to come closer, his eyes shining with mischief. “And not because of this Cho Chang girl, but rather…”

Sirius’ voice drifts away, conspiratorially. It takes Remus a few seconds — during which, impatient, Sirius glances meaningfully at the place where Harry and Ginny are — before he understands.

“Harry and Ginny? They are friends.”

“So were James and Lily.”

“Yeah, but aren’t you forgetting the part where James made a fool of himself whenever Lily Evans was around?”

Sirius shrugs. “Things never happen twice the same way. In fact, rumour has it that Ginny used to have a massive crush on Harry.”

“Hmmm.” Remus considers this for a moment, before deciding it is no big secret. “This one is true, when I was her teacher, I saw how she acted whenever Harry was around… but I thought it was because of that Chamber of Secrets incident.” He shakes his head. The things Harry faced at Hogwarts…

“Very romantic, I guess. The hero saves the girl… and usually gets the girl.”

“I think the hero was too young then to care about these things.”

“And now he is older, but he doesn’t seem to be caring for the right person.”

Remus blinks. “Aren’t you being too judgemental? You have just heard about this girl.”

“I am judgmental, but not of Cho Chang. I’m judging Harry.”

“Who is acting as a teenager for once?”

“I just mean… I thought they would make a good couple. Harry and Ginny. They share the same slightly twisted sense of humour and they seem good together.”

Remus sips from his goblet, allowing himself some time to consider it. Harry and Ginny have split up now; while Ginny is chatting excitedly with Tonks and Hermione, Harry has joined Ron, but now and then he glances at Ginny’s back — fondly, not exactly romantic, but maybe there is a spark there, a seed that could grow. There had been some storm over Harry’s head during that Christmas break, something related to the vision of Arthur being attacked; that storm is gone now, and though Remus has no idea of what exactly unfolded, somehow he thinks it was because of Ginny Weasley.

“They would match,” he agrees, and then, because this is Sirius he’s talking to, he adds carefully, “but you shouldn’t meddle with them.”

“I would never,” Sirius rebuffs at once, but there is a mischief spark in his eyes, so alive, that Remus knows this isn’t the end of it.

“Sirius—”

“Speaking about match-making, don’t you think my cousin looks splendid tonight?”

The inevitable flush that floods his cheeks is enough to make Remus change the subject.

He isn’t really surprised to find out, a couple hours later, that Sirius has cornered Harry as they clean up the last remains of supper. 

“How are things at Hogwarts? Any good news?”

Harry seems taken aback. “You know how things are,” he says, looking at Sirius as if he’s considering his godfather lost his mind. Remus winces, then unsuccessfully tries to get Sirius’ attention.

“I was thinking about things you might not mention in a letter or during a fireplace call, like… Maybe some romance in the air?”

Smoothness, Remus considers, was never Sirius’ strength. Harry flushes a deep red, all his attention in drying the dishes as if his life depends upon it.

“Er—okay. Not anything worth mentioning, just the same.”

“The same,” repeats Sirius slowly. Perhaps he senses that Harry is ready to run — his eyes have shifted to the door a couple times as if he is considering how many steps he needs to be away from there — because Sirius suddenly smiles. “You know, your father never had eyes for anyone but your mother.”

Harry’s eyes open. “Really?”

“Really.” Sirius looks only encouraged. “Now, James was a popular guy, a Quidditch hero, had a great sense of humor, and of course an amazing taste in his best friend, so there were girls chasing after him, but he never cared for anyone else. And he was right, because he and Lily… they were just perfect, destined to be together.”

There’s a dreamy expression on Harry’s face. Remus knows Harry is away thirsty for any information he might receive from his parents, so he may just be considering this new piece of the puzzle that are his parents. But as he drifts, destined or not, Harry’s gaze seems to fall on the corner where Ginny is now sitting by herself, playing with the cat.

And Sirius, bless him, notices it. He barely contains a grin.

“So, you get what I mean, right? When you find the one, you know you did. Someone with whom you really connect, someone who makes you laugh, who gets you. You don’t waste your time snogging anyone else…”

Harry blinks, suddenly pulled back to Earth. “Snogging?” His gaze is suspicious. “Who said anything about me… snogging?”

“No one. This is not the point, I just—”

“It’s late, I should get some sleep.” Harry glances helplessly at Remus, who nods.

“We’ll leave for St Mungo’s early tomorrow,” he agrees.

“Right.” Sirius looks as flustered as Harry does. “But Harry—you understood what I said? About the one—”

“Yes, yes.” Now Harry is almost at the door. “Good night!”

Remus gives him a few seconds before shaking his head at Sirius. “You should not have—”

“I just did what I am sure James and Lily would like me to do. They would adore Ginny.” The mischief is back on Sirius’ eyes. “Speaking of—I heard Ginny might be dating someone, I think she needs a piece of advice as well.”

“Fred and George have mentioned her Bat Bogey Hex—” But Sirius is not listening to him anymore, already crossing the room. Remus sighs as he sits to watch the scene; he supposes he could use a last laugh before going to bed.

[emeritusemeritus]

Hi love! Could I request a Fred Weasley x Sirius Black's daughter? Like low key goth, full of attitude, and overly confident reader, maybe they're in a meeting for the order and she's giving full attitude or something?? I just need more confident/bitchy reader bro T-T I'm tired of all the 'not like other girls' and shy readers like brother I speak my mind. anywho I love you and you're writing your amazing <3

Hello dear Anon! I hope it’s okay that I tweaked this just a little because I’ve been reading OOTP and it’s a crime that this scene wasn’t included because Fred vs Sirius?! I’d initially planned something much different but ended up 4k words deep here 😂 I love writing a fiery reader and would love to do more of this OC. Hope you enjoy! 🖤

Warnings: mentions of injury, Arthur’s attack, general unrest, drinking, brief mention of potential alcohol addiction, sadness and anger. Fred has big emotions. Mentions of Umbitch. Brief nod to the reader potentially being a seer? Secret relationship that gets revealed.

Word count: 4k words (I got sucked in)

The eye of the snake.

"But professor," you protested weakly, actually considering the implications of your actions for once.

"I hardly think now is the time for propriety Miss Black," Professor McGonagall says as she ushers you through the common room and up the stairs towards the boys dormitories, whilst she heads towards the girls to retrieve Ginny. An odd night all around, you thought.

With shaking hands you held your illuminated wand out in front of you as a beacon, though you hardly needed a guide having made this walk so many times before, though never this quickly and without watching out for every creaking floorboard. You reached out for the door handle and slid it open, trying to stay quiet as to not disturb Lee. George was snoring as usual, surprisingly in rhythm with Lee's slight nose whistle which briefly made you ponder how the hell Fred was able to sleep through this crescendo of noise.

You creep towards Fred's bed first, knowing that time was of the essence and gave him a quick shake on his shoulder whilst whispering his name. You felt almost guilty for waking him, seeing him so peaceful in his sleep, knowing that Dumbledore's immediately summoning of yourself and the Weasley children was an ominous and foreboding sign. He looked so handsome, so relaxed and for the briefest of moments you forgot your assignment, wanting nothing more than to just climb in and cuddle up to him, feeling his warmth and softness.

You'd felt it all night, sleep evading you and your eventual dreams disturbed, the sense of something bad occurring pulling at the edge of your mind like a summoning charm. You'd felt the unease, the disquiet all night but couldn't sense anything beyond that, with no details making theirselves known, no visions of what lay ahead beyond the general sense of impending doom.

"Freddie!" You say a little louder, giving him a harder shake, watching as he stirs and eventually opens his eyes, immediately squinting at the light your wand is emitting. "Get up, it's important." You hoped that your blunt tone was enough to drag him out of his slumber and shuffled off towards George's bed where to attempted to wake him too.

"George," you say, giving him a harsh nudge on his shoulder, knowing that he'd be sleeping much deeper than Fred ever did. "George wake up!"

He groans, throwing his arm over his face but you don't pay him any mind, reaching for his dressing gown on the chair beside him and throwing it directly at his face.

"What's happening?" Fred groans, voice deep and thick with sleep.

"Dumbledore's called for us, McGonagall's getting Ginny, somethings happened."

He was out of bed in a flash, recognising your tone of voice enough to know that you were far from joking. George took a bit more corralling but he was quickly roused as you walked out of their dorm, followed closely by both twins who were every inch as disheveled physically as you felt internally. You met Ginny and Professor McGonagall at the top of the stairs and walked quickly and silently behind her, allowing Ginny to walk ahead with her brothers.

"There's been an... incident," McGonagall says, her words carefully considered to give little away of the situation, another ominous sign. "Your father has been injured, though we don't know how serious it is at this time. Professor Dumbledore is doing all he can with Potter's guidance."

"Harry? What's he got to do with this?" Ginny asks quickly, naturally hanging on every word that the professor said. She looked frightened and you could hardly blame her, considering the news. The twins remained uncharacteristically quiet as you walked quickly through the corridors until you were outside the headmasters office.

"Fizzing whizbee."

McGonagall turns to Ginny, casting a glance to the rest of you out of curtesy as the spiralling staircase presents itself at the correct password.

"It appears Mr Potter saw the attack take place."

"We've located your father and he's been taken to St Mungo's Hospital for maladies and Injuries. I'll be sending you all to Sirius' house, it's much more convenient than the Burrow. You'll be meeting your mother there," Dumbledore explains. At the mention of your father, your eyes shoot up to Dumbledore and it suddenly becomes clear why you have been sent for in addition to the Weasley family. Your dad, the safe house, the order of the Phoenix. Arthur must have been injured during Order business.

"How are we going?" Fred asks, his voice sounding as sullen as his face. He sounds unnerved, shaken, and you fight the natural instinct to reach for his hand. "Floo powder?"

"No." Dumbledore says with a slightly shake of his head, "the Floo Network is being watched. You will be taking a Portkey,"

He indicates to an old kettle lying innocently on his desk, the inanimate object having missed your notice upon entering. "We are waiting for Phineas Nigellus to report back... I want to be sure that the coast is clear before sending you on your way."

His gaze slips to you upon mention of your great-great-great grandfather but you avert your eyes, hardly knowing your place in that moment. Usually you had no trouble expressing your opinion, regardless of the situation, but right now you felt the best thing was to stay quiet and offer a supportive presence.

You thought of your own father, the both of you having spent so long forced apart and of his current predicament, essentially forced under house arrest by the Order. It was safer that way, but your heart still ached for how lonely he would be. You felt conflicted and impossibly guilty at the slight excitement you felt at seeing your dad again in respect of what your boyfriend and the others would be feeling at their own father's fate. Mr Weasley had been a surrogate dad to you whilst your own father was locked away and had been a constant presence in your life, making you feel even guiltier for the hopeful feeling you had about your own dad.

Your eyes suddenly whip around to the flash of a flame from the centre of the office, watching as a golden feather emerges from the combustion, your eyes trailing it downwards as it floats right to the floor.

'"Fawkes's warning," Dumbledore half-explains, eyes flickering between the golden feather and then towards McGonagall.

"Professor Umbridge must know you're out of your beds. Minerva, go and head her off - tell her any story."

Professor McGonagall was gone within seconds, her messy braid whipping behind her as she exits the office in a flash.

"He says he'll be delighted," an all too familiar voice suddenly says in a grumbling, bored voice. Your eyes trail up to the portrait of your ancestor, the Slytherin banner proudly waving behind him, his face as sour as you remember.

"My great-great-grandson has always had an odd taste in house-guests," he adds with a particular distaste before his eyes meet yours for only a moment, recognising instantly who you are. "As does his daughter."

"What a lovely reunion," you snark, fighting back a roll of your eyes as the familiar anger simmers deep in your gut at his choice of words, not even bothering to conceal the archaic values of your ancestors that belong in the past with them.

"You have all used a Portkey before?" asks Dumbledore, waiting for confirmation from you all as you huddle around the old black teapot, each of you nervous for different reasons of what will be waiting for you on the other side.

"Good. On the count of three then... one... two..."

"Back again, the blood-traitor brats. Is it true their father's dying?" You barely had time to register the creaky voice, never mind distinguish his words as you recovered from the nausea of travelling by portkey. Your stomach still felt tingly, the pulling sensation behind your navel and the wind ringing past your ears as you trapsed through space and time was never a comfortable feeling, having ended up in your dad's gloomy kitchen only moments later.

"Mistress Black returns with her blood traitor friends." You're about to curse into the horrible little elf when you hear a second voice shout loudly from the sidelines, rendering you speechless.

'OUT!'

Fred from beside you helps you up, knowing even in his time of need that Portkey travel did not agree with you and gives you a little nudge towards where your dad leans on the doorframe awaiting your arrival.

"Dad!" You scrambled, running off to hug your father who welcomed you with open arms, chuckling heartily as you barged into him with a slam. You felt awful doing this in front of the Weasley children but you'd allow this for yourself now and apologise later. You looked over your dads shoulder through the wild brown ringlets of his hair and saw that a single place had been set at the table, with a single lit candle and the remains of a solitary supper that made your heart clench. He smelt like stale drink, your stomach roiling nervously at the thought. Was that how he was occupying himself?

You suddenly pulled away, knowing that it wasn't the right time for a long, drawn out reunion and stepped back in line, in between Fred and George.

"What's going on?" He asks, turning to look upon the Weasley siblings. "Phineas Nigellus said Arthur's been badly injured —"

"Ask Harry," says Fred, particularly bluntly, no doubt frustrated that he wasn't getting a solid answer. You watch as your dad turns to Harry, pulling him into a warm embrace, trying to get him to open up.

"Yeah, I want to hear this for myself," adds George.

"It was, I had a - a kind of - vision," he stutters, beginning to explain the vision in great detail. Throughout the retelling, you have to stop yourself for reaching out for Fred's hand multiple times, knowing that you can't in front of everyone.

"Is Mum here?" Fred asks, turning to your dad once Harry had explained everything. You watch as George's face fills with dread, apparently having not realised up to now that she wasn't present amongst you.

"She probably doesn't even know what's happened yet," explains your dad. "The important thing was to get you away before Umbridge could interfere. I expect Dumbledores letting Molly know now."

"We've got to go to St Mungo's," says Ginny with a sense of urgency. You watch as she pauses, looking around all of you who are still dressed in your nightwear having been ripped from your beds not an hour before. 'Sirius, can you lend us cloaks or anything? Y/n?"

"Hang on, you can't go tearing off to St Mungo's!" Your dad says suddenly, eyes ablaze as if he's personally affronted by the suggestion. Your mouth opens immediately to protest but Fred manages to find the words first, his face stern.

"Course we can go to St Mungo's if we want, he's our dad!'" You can see how physically tense he's gotten, not taking very well to being told no by someone he didn't see as an authoritative figure, even if it was his girlfriend's dad.

"And how are you going to explain how you knew Arthur was attacked before the hospital even let his wife know?"

"What does that matter?" Adds George hotly, clearly thinking along the same lines as Fred, outraged at your dad's block.

"It matters because we don't want to draw attention to the fact that Harry is having visions of things that are happening hundreds of miles away!" Your dad replies angrily. "Have you any idea what the Ministry would make of that information?"

You reach out suddenly for Fred's hand, trying to ground him. The physical contact seems to pull him back to earth, preventing him from saying something he'd inevitably regret... or maybe not knowing Fred.

Ginny instead tries to offer alternatives in a much more grounded way, "Somebody else could have told us... we could have heard it somewhere other than Harry."

"Like who?" Your dad says impatiently with a sigh. "Listen, your dad's been hurt while on duty for the Order and the circumstances are fishy enough without his children knowing about it seconds after it happened, you could seriously damage the Order's-"

"We don't care about the dumb Order!'" Fred shouts, breaking away from your grip, as if it was holding him back. You're suddenly acutely aware that you are stuck in this awkward position, trapped between your dad and your secret boyfriend, hardly able to say anything to diffuse the situation. Your mouth physically hurts as you bite the inside of your cheek, finding it near impossible to keep out of it.

"It's our dad dying we're talking about!" George yells, mere seconds later.

"Your father knew what he was getting into and he won't thank you for messing things up for the Order!" Your dad replies with as much force as he was receiving, "This is how it is - this is why you're not in the Order - you don't understand - there are things worth dying for!'

You're a second away from physically pulling Fred away, knowing that whatever the next words would be that came out of his mouth, they'd be harsh and venom-filled.

"Easy for you to say, stuck here!' bellows Fred. "I don't see you risking your neck!"

You watch in horror as your dad pales, the look in his eyes darkening and you know in that moment that he'd quite like to hit Fred, something you would not be allowing. You'd been quiet too long, allowed them both to get out their frustrations but you'd had enough of that. You wouldn't choose sides, wouldn't force either of them to comply or get along but for your sake you hoped they could at least be cordial. You'd take the brunt of their frustrations if you had to, just to diffuse the situation.

"Right that's enough," you say, finding the words escaping you before you could really think about what you're saying. "Dad get the kettle on," you say with a nod of your head, a small and very false smile playing on your lips. You turn to the twins, names Fred who looks positively mutinous, trying a much softer approach on them. You know if you reach for Fred right now he'll reject you and you couldn't deal with that so you fold your arms over your chest, looking up towards the towering twins.

"We need to wait for your mum, we'll all set up in the lounge to wait or Gin you can have my bedroom if you want," you offer, casting a glance at the youngest Weasley who looks sullen, shaking her head slightly, as you expected. "Just wait to hear from your mum and then we'll work out our next move okay?"

Fred doesn't relent as easy as George who nods after a few moments in understanding. Instead, Fred is still shooting daggers at your dad over your shoulder and you sigh, knowing he's stubborn as a mule. A few tense moments pass and you watch as his eyes suddenly flicker to yours and soften considerably before he nods in agreement.

"No milk," your dad says suddenly from behind, a look on his face somewhere between disgust and shame.

"Right, butterbeer it is then," you say, trying to redeem the situation, "it's in my bedroom." You shoot a look to your dad, knowing you can't do magic here and you were hardly ready to leave Fred and your dad alone again.

"Accio Butterbeer!" Your dad says, taking the lead. Immediately the bottles of butterbeer float across the room and your dad placed them into the table as you reach and distribute the drinks.

You all take your seats in the lounge surrounding the fire that had dwindled slightly since your arrival but with a single flick of his wand, your dad refreshes it.

Ginny takes the old armchair closest to the fire and curls herself up within it.

Harry and Ron take the two seater, the most uncomfortable seat you'd ever had the displeasure of experiencing and you watch with a barely concealed grin as Ron's face immediately conveys his regret as he takes a seat upon the torture device. You reach for a cushion and throw it towards him; hitting him square in the face but for once he doesn't care but instead smiles thankfully for the cushion, not that it would do much. George throws himself down into the sofa closest to Ginny's chair and Fred follows not far behind. You stay standing, feeling suddenly uncomfortable at intruding and begin to back away from the room until the fire suddenly crackles dangerously. There's a burst of light and you frown, hearing the round of gasps as a scroll of parchment flies out, accompanied by a familiar feather.

"Fawkes!" Your dad says, quickly marching into the room at the sudden disturbance, snatching up the parchment and pulling it close to his face. "That's not Dumbledore's writing - it must be a message from your mother - here."

He thrusts the letter into George's hand, who had jumped up anxiously at the sudden intrusion. George then ripped it open and read aloud for everyone to hear.

"Dad is still alive. I am setting out for St Mungo's now. Stay where you are. I will send news as soon as I can. Mum."

There's a dead silence that follows Molly's communication, each of you thinking the same thing.

"Still alive..." George says slowly. "But that makes it sound..."

Fred pulls the parchment out of George's hands and read it for himself, then looks up at Harry for a moment, before he looks back to the parchment.

"You should all go to bed and deal with it properly in the morning," your dad suggests and before you can deal with the inevitable onslaught from the Weasley kids, you pull your dad away back into the kitchen, feeling the hot stare of Fred burning a hole in your back.

"They're worried about their dad," you say, keeping your voice down so that they wouldn't hear you. "We'll just hole up in the lounge for the night."

"Y/n," your dad sighs but for some reason his attempt to disagree with you seems to anger you instantly.

"What would you do? Just go to bed and pretend nothings wrong?"

"Well I didn't care very much for my father," your dad begins to snark, forcing you to roll your eyes.

"Right, so maybe just pretend you can imagine what they're going through and just accept that they're hurting and need each other right now."

Your dad's eyes widen a little at your outburst but you don't back down, "you don't have to host us, go to bed if that's what you're concerned about, or back to your drink."

"Y/n Black!" Your father shouts but you don't flinch, knowing that you'd simply touched a nerve.

"I care about every single one of them in there, is it not just enough that I want them not to hurt? I care about Arthur too! Can you simply not understand that some people might actually be horrified at the thought of their father dying?"

His eye twitches at your words and you can tell he's considering the possible hidden meanings behind your words.

"Perhaps you care a little more for one of them," he snarks, unable to hold himself back. You see red immediately, only to be fuelled by your dad's following words. "Seems that you've absorbed his anger."

"He's not angry he's terrified!" You can't help it, the volume of your voice raising to match his. "Anyone would be in their situation! I'm sorry we're such a burden to you but the second we hear from Molly we'll be at St Mungo's out of your way."

"I didn't mean."

"No you never do," you say, averting your eyes and turning your body to walk back to the lounge.

"Y/n," your dad says, his tone suddenly back to normal if not sounding a little bit regretful. You sigh, tired and on edge, wanting nothing more than to just sit with your boyfriend and friends.

"You're a good friend to them," he says, trying to find words for the situation. Your nod slowly, the anger fading now as exhaustion washes over you.

"They're all I've had for a long time," you say, trying to avoid the sensitive topic of his imprisonment. "You're right about caring for them, and Fred above most. You're just seeing him on a bad night," you pause. "You know him and George stole the Marauders map from Filch's office in our first year?”

You watch as your dad's eyes light up in surprise, apparently never having been told this particular story.

"If you gave him a chance, on any normal day, I'm certain you'd love him."

"Do you?" Your dad asks gently, big brown eyes imploring your own. You frown, casting a look to the closed door that stood between you and the lounge, as if you'd see Fred through it.

You nod, getting more assured with every gentle movement of your head.

"I should get back," you say quietly, immediately feeling regret at the raised voices, not having expected your reunion to go like this.

When you step into the lounge, it's obvious that they had heard everything, though they all attempt to divert their eyes and look away to avoid making it too obvious but fail miserably. Fred's hand beckons you over and he pulls you into his lap, your head immediately resting on his shoulder, ignoring the shocked looks from Ron at the outward affection.

"Don't say anything," you whisper, looking at the flames of the fire instead of his face.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Fred says gently, making you look towards his face, seeing his tired eyes and the tiny hint of a smile upon his face.

"You're comfy," you say, pressing your head into the curve of his shoulder and you can feel the movement of his little chuckle. Arthur stays at the forefront of your mind and you're certain that there's not a moment he's forgotten amongst his children as you look at them throughout the night.

At some point Fred falls asleep, his breathing evening out as his head lolls onto your shoulder with the new position. His hand is entwined with yours, acting like an anchor so he wouldn't float away with his spiralling thoughts, your legs resting over his much longer ones. George is asleep the other side of Fred, emitting quiet snores and jerking every now and then. Ginny doesn't sleep, you can see the reflection of the flames in her eyes as she stares blankly into nothing and you're unable to tell if Ron is asleep due to his head being in his hands, slumped over. You settle down, snuggling into Fred as the tiredness overtakes you and you hope that when you wake there will be better news.

You don't see or hear your dad step into the room an hour later, pausing as he looks upon his daughter cuddling up to who he assumes is her boyfriend. Instead of being angry or protective as he expected to feel, he feels a sense of calm as seeing her look peaceful in her sleep. He may not have had the best interaction with the Weasley boy but he knows Arthur and Molly, they seemed incapable of raising a bad one

[dream-with-a-fever]

but i’m a fire and i’ll keep your brittle heart warm (snippet)

by dream-with-a-fever (me) / societysgot (ao3)

harry/ginny, oneshot, canon compliant, missing moments during OotP

“So, I take it that cave in the mountains outside Hogsmeade wouldn’t work as a meeting place with Sirius?” She said, bringing them back to their conversation in the library.

Harry shook his head. “Definitely not — how did you know about that?”

“I’m really into mountain hiking,” She replied, without missing a beat.

Harry gave her a quizzical look before her face broke out into a smile, and she laughed.

“I’m joking - I've never done it,” She said, with a snort, “Hermione mentioned doing it with her family once — no, Sirius told me about it over the summer, back at Grimmauld place.”

“You and Sirius talked?”

For some reason he hadn’t even considered the fact that the Weasleys had been staying there for several weeks before Harry’s arrival. Jealousy bubbled in him momentarily, at the thought of them all spending their summer together, while he was stuck in privet drive. They had probably shared meals, swapped stories, made jokes. He vaguely remembered the youngest Weasley holding court up one end of the table on a particular evening, chatting animatedly with Remus, Tonks and Sirius. She had almost seemed like one of the crew. He just hadn't given it much thought until now.

She gave him a quizzical look, and he realised he must’ve been silent for a beat too long.

“Yeah, is that… alright with you?”

He forced out a laugh. “Yeah- erm, of course. I just didn’t think — I don’t know.”

“Well, he’s cool. Got a great muggle music collection. You’d probably know some of ‘em? There’s one band — super good called The Beatle and—”

“The Beatles.”

“What?”

Harry suppressed a smile. “Never mind.”

“They're really good. But, he mainly talks about you, you know,” She said, after a beat, “Raves about you actually.”

Harry sighed, like this was a real inconvenience.

"Oh, I am sorry," said Harry, fighting back a grin.

"I told him, I said Sirius, I haven't got all day - but the man's relentless. Wanted to know everything."

“That must’ve been terribly boring.”

“Very," She hummed, noncommittally. "You know, Harry Potter — famously boring.”

“Glad you agree.”

“Well, we can’t have everyone inflating your ego now, can we?”

Harry spluttered for a moment, before she continued.

“Not that a bit more arrogance on your part would be bad. You could be a lot worse. Look at Percy.”

“Thanks, Ginny.”

“Very welcome,” She said, breezily before clapping her hands together, “Anyway — if the cave isn’t an option, and all the fires are being guarded…”

“Well…not all of them,” Harry said, a look of realisation crossing his face.

When he looked up she was grinning widely at him, eyebrows raised. It was then that he looked around, and realised they were outside the Gryffindor common room — the trek from the library was like muscle memory to him now, and still their arrival had come as a shock to him.

The fat lady was chatting animatedly with her friend Violet from another portrait when they approached; both shrieking with laughter like a couple of hyenas, passing a bottle back and forth of some kind of mead that most certainly was not from the fat lady’s portrait. They were completely obvious to the two students stood outside.

“I’m sorry for interrupting your study session,” Ginny suddenly said, scrunching up her nose, looking rather guilty, “I know you need all the time you can get, you know, with the OWLs coming up so soon.”

His eyebrows furrowed. “Have a lot of faith in my academic ability then, do you?”

She choked out a laugh, whipping her auburn hair out of her eyes. “Not what I meant and you know it. Though if you hanging around Ron every minute of every day is any indication of your intelligence…”

“Pretty sure you spend more time with him than me,” Harry replied, looking aghast.

“Yeah — because he’s my brother - I'm stuck with him, aren't I? But you voluntarily spend every waking moment with him. I mean, think of all the brain cells you must have lost already…”

“See, that’s—”

“But there’s still time to save yourself from ruin, I reckon. Just gotta get back to the books.”

“Well, that’ll be hard, seeing as you got me banned from going back into the library ever again…”

She elbowed him hard in the side, and Harry looked up, surprised at the contact. But Ginny seemed unfazed - like this was nothing out of the ordinary.

“I think I’ll take that chocolate egg back then,” She demanded, flicking a curtain of red hair behind her.

Harry scoffed. “Pretty sure you already ate most of it—”

And that earned him his second jab in the ribs. He glanced down at his feet, suppressing a grin.

Their slight cofuffle had caught the attention of the fat lady who now, having finally noticed their presence, began to complain at their frankly insulting dawdling (‘I don’t have all day, you two!’)

They parted ways in the common room; Crookshanks trotting over to the youngest Weasley the second she had stepped through the door; Harry making his way up to the boys’ dormitories.

He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

(Unbeknownst to Harry, it was the best sleep he had had in weeks.)

[artemisia-black]

How do you think Sirius reacted to Regulus’ death? Considering how he went into a full-blown murderous rage after the Potters’ deaths and Harry being taken from him (despite initially focusing on protecting Harry), do you think he would have kept his emotions about his brother locked away, or would hidden rage have surfaced? Not necessarily to the extent of hurting someone, but perhaps in a way where he might have lashed out in his grief, smashing things or losing control for a moment

So , I think Sirius hyper-focused on finding out what happened to Regulus and probably withdrew in the same way he does in OoTP. He is almost entirely correct about what happens he just missed out the bit about the horcrux (in that he correctly guesses that Regulus defected in some way) so I think he gave alot of quite obsessed thought to it. I also find the way he minimises Regulus’s involvement with the deatheaters (stupid idiot) to be an indication of some complex grief.

His reaction to Regulus’ death likely did involve deep, intense grief, which he probably hid from people.

Also I read Regulus as entirely suicidal when he went to the cave. In much the same way, I read Sirius’ pursuit of Peter as driven by a similar suicidal impulse. Both brothers were consumed by a need to go out in a blaze of glory when they felt they had nothing left to lose while also damaging their enemies in the process.

[dufferpuffer]

Dude, I need someone to simp over David Thewlis with and I have no one to go to. I have a feeling I know your opinion about David Thewlis as Remus Lupin (and I think it's a positive one? correct me if I'm wrong, I know some people don't think he did the character justice).

To be honest, I don't think the movies did his character justice, but I think David Thewlis was THE cast for him. The movies made him too soft, too gentle, too perfect. Book Remus is a lot more polarized than that. For every soft quality, he has a YIKES counterpart that is never shown in the movies. The only time we truly see this "yikes" counterpart is the Shrieking Shack scene when he smirks menacingly at Sirius and you think he's a villain. David pulled that off really good. I saw the movie before reading the book (I was a young kid at that time and PoA was too much to read for me) and I felt cheated, I suddenly didn't think I could trust him anymore.

The thing David Thewlis pulled off best, imo, is the fatherly quality of Remus. I know, Remus is a pathetic man with an avoidant personality, but we can't deny he is fatherly. And I feel that, no matter what movie I watch with David in it, the fatherly vibes just radiate from him. In a way I am glad it is like that in the movies because I use PoA as a coping mechanism in life. Stressed? PoA. Sad? PoA. Crisis? PoA. David absolutely nailed the comfy professor aura. Everything about him in PoA is inviting, it draws you in. His voice, his smile, the way he carries himself, his quiet strength. Who could've done it better? I love him.

Enjoy this young David Thewlis edit that I'm obsessed with. Cheers my tumblr friend <3

https://www.tiktok.com/@.dearlupin/video/7410813583577091334

David Threwlis is a fucking GEM and the PERFECT pick for the character in every aspect, yes. I can't think of how anyone could actually think otherwise. He looks perfect and acts perfect.

To the point where I would actually be happy if he played Remus AGAIN for the TV series or whatever - even though he looks so much older. Play up the fact he looks 'older than his age' or do some makeup, I dunno, I don't care. I would be alright with it.

I don't think any of the movies do anyone justice, TBH - ignoring the fact that of course things will have to be trimmed and simplified. I think most people agree though that the way they chose to do so was destructive and missed the point of the overarching story.

OotP and HBP were enjoyable as individual movies - but cut out so, so much that it damages the series as a whole. OotP especially should have been two movies, to REALLY get to know the Order Members, the adult world harry desperately wants to enter - revisit Lupin and Sirius, get attached to the real Moody - set up Tonks... maybe end the first one with Dumbledore leaving...?

But some actors pulled through wonderfully with the limited time they were given to portray their role, Alan Rickman of course being one - and I think David Threwlis is an underrated other. He did fucking BEAUTIFULLY and it made up for imo a half-assed performance from Gary Oldman as Sirius. He has perfect aesthetic and his fatherly moments with Harry were gorgeous... but most of the time he felt like his heart wasn't in it.

Remus, in the movies, HAD to be soft... but always carry a touch of coldness. A comfortable room but the heater isn't on. A cup of tea but you're asked to leave right after. Gentle eyes that pierce. Slightly odd expressions that feel kind, but also... off. He nailed that. Absolutely. That softness that makes you want to cozy up close, but a constant distance that makes you wonder why. Also the mustache was absolute genius. If only they gave him greys...

THIS LOOK? Underrated. SO MUCH PACKED INTO IT. Displeasure, surprise, 'oh shit im in danger' - but then forced innocence, a bit of weariness, a cheeky idea...

How he came out of the darkness, too - Snape specifically calling Lupin to show him the map was meaningful in the books, but Remus walking out of the pitch black was symbolic in the movies. It was a decent change. THIS is when I felt a 'Hm...' about Remus. (I saw it as an adult though, first time last year. I had no idea I'd love him so much.)

I LOVVEEEE going on and on about Remus being a wet tissue paper - because he is so often mischaracterized in so many different ways... but he IS good. He IS strong, compassionate, wise, clever... Fatherly. He will put himself aside to comfort someone in need. He just can't do that for himself. He will punish himself for the things he is gentle with in others.

"His voice, his smile, the way he carries himself, his quiet strength. Who could've done it better? I love him." YEAHYEAHYEAH David can pack layers of depth into every movement he makes. His little head bobbles, the ways his eyes pin on something and stare, his control of exactly how he smiles... ITS SO GOOD AHH

Normally a link to tiktok earns an instant vaporization but you get a pass aight I wont kill you God he's so wonky looking, look at him, he is delightful, I am going to spread him on toast with my vegemite

[lonelywitchv2]

Through the window

James and his friends find themselves receiving a nasty surprise the night his best friend gets home.

major AU where Regulus isn’t muggle-phobic/a blood supremacist, Regulus isn’t a death-eater (just stuck at home because he doesn’t know how to leave), Regulus is going to magically be the same age as the marauders and the reader (18), takes place after 7th year (all of the characters are 18+), the wizarding war isn’t mentioned in the story, and the marauders don’t automatically join the OOTP as soon as they graduate (explanation for why they’re just chilling at home after graduation). Also, James’ feelings could definitely be interpreted as him being jealous and liking the reader, although that wasn’t necessarily my intent so feel free to imagine them as super close best friends and James just letting his inner teenage boy get the better of him.

cw: unintentional (on regulus and the reader's part) forbidden romance, small mentions of abuse (Black family household), an allusion to smut with some not-entirely-explicit-leading-up details, kind of lied on the last one (brief mentions of some smut lol), me accidentally forgetting about Peter so he’s just at home/on vacation or whatever, the other 3 marauders being little creepers and lowkey pervs to the reader, making out, underage drinking, neglectful parents, she/her pronouns

internally crying a little bc there are so many aspects to the AU and cw

yeah so this is pretty dumb but i kinda just thought of the idea and rolled with it...

to my anon: i saw that you enjoyed the forbidden romance trope so here's another. albeit, this work is lighter on the trope and not necessarily romance (if u didn't catch that based on the description) but i might do a part 2 where it evolves into a romance. ig we'll see!! <3

join my taglist!

minors DNI!!!

James had known you his whole life. You were next-door neighbors and, although you and your family were muggles, you had grown up as childhood best friends. As far as you were concerned, James went to some fancy private school in Scotland while your parents, who were rather rich, sent you off to boarding school in France. James wasn’t the biggest fan of your parents if he was being honest. They never really cared about what you did, only sending you off to an entirely different country and forgetting you existed until you arrived home for the holidays. Even then, you would mostly end up spending the majority of your free days at the Potter house.

The moment you arrived home from France for your summer vacation, you sprinted out of your parents’ car (not that they cared) and ran to the home of the Potter family. Before you could even knock, James sprung open the door and engulfed you in a hug.

“I missed you,” James muttered into your shoulder, still squeezing you.

“I missed you too, Jamie,” You responded with a smile, ruffling his curly hair. You looked over James’ shoulder and spied the tall frame of Remus and the (slightly shorter) frame of Sirius.

“Is that Remus and Sirius I see?” You teased jokingly, pulling away from James’ hug, albeit not without some resistance from the boy, to hug the other two boys and place kisses on each of their cheeks.

“The French are rubbing off on you a bit too much, mademoiselle,” Sirius said charmingly.

“You can only resist the charm of the French for so long, Sirius, it’s harder than you’d think when the boys over there look as lovely as they do,” You said with a cheeky grin as you turned to Remus, “almost as charming as Mr. Lupin here.”

You pulled Remus into another hug, whispering in his ear as you squeezed his shoulders.

“Although you still have yet to beat the lovely ladies over there.”

Remus only chuckled as you stepped away from the embrace and sent him a wink.

James sent a questioning look to Remus, who only shook his head, before scooping you up and tossing you over his shoulder.

“My mother has been dying to see you, she’s brought you up in just about every conversation we’ve had since I arrived home,” James said, carrying you into the kitchen where Euphemia was arranging daisies from the field out back behind their house.

“Oh, darling- James put her down before you drop her on her head! If it isn’t my favorite child,” Euphemia said with a wide smile as she pulled you into a warm hug, “It feels as though it's been forever- you look as beautiful as ever.”

“Thank you, Euphemia, it’s so lovely to see you, I’ve missed you more than Jamie,” You responded teasingly, throwing a smile at the already pouting boy.

The five of them, soon joined by Fleamont, sat around the table enjoying pastries, which Euphemia had baked and you had brought from France, and tea as you told them all about France and James, Sirius, and Remus told everyone (muggle-friendly) stories about all the mischief they had gotten into at school.

Hours passed and the sun began to set as you said your goodbyes, promising to come back in the morning to enjoy breakfast with them.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay for dinner? You know there’s always an extra seat for you,” Euphemia asked, reminding you of the offer that has stood for years.

“Thank you, Euphemia, but I ought to head home, I still have to unpack and get settled back in. I’ll see you in the morning, thank you for having me over,” You called as James walked her to the door.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay? I mean are your parents even making dinner?” James asked, concern etched across his face.

“Yeah, I’ll be fine, I promise. I’ll see you in the morning, Jamie,” You thanked, pressing a kiss on each side of James’ frowning face, “I swear, it’s okay. Now go do some stupid shit with Remus and Sirius.”

James smiled, “Goodnight, love.”

“Goodnight, Jamie.”

Later that night, James, Sirius, and Remus observed the dark window leading to your room, which was directly across from James’.

“Do you think she’s asleep?” James asked.

“Dunno, mate, it seems a bit early,” Sirius muttered.

“She just got back from France, she’s probably exhausted, Sirius,” Remus pointed out.

The three boys sat in silence for a while, continuing to watch the manor, void of any light within the house. The darkness was soon broken when a taxi pulled up to the house, shining its headlights onto the street in front of it. They watched as you, looking rather drunk, climbed out of the cab, along with a dark figure whose face they couldn’t see, and paid the driver. You waved the car off and it drove away, leaving the only source of illumination to be the glow of two lights on either side of the door to the house. The boys watched as you grabbed the hand of the figure, walked up to the front door, unlocked the door, and entered the house.

After waiting for a few minutes, all of which were spent whispering about the situation to each other, a dim lamp in your room flickered on and the attention of the marauders was turned back to the house. They watched as you and the figure walked in view of the window, which, in turn, made the two of you visible to the boys, who sat huddled together as you grasped the collar of the mystery person and pulled their head down to meet your lips in a sensual, drunken kiss, your hands entangling themselves in the curly hair of the still unknown person as their hands traveled up and down your body, grazing over your shoulders, back, hips, and ass. Your hands moved down to lift the shirt off of the person, the two breaking their kiss and light finally shining onto the face of your hookup.

“Holy shit.”

“Sirius is that-”

“Regulus? I think so.”

“Oh my Godric,” James muttered, gagging slightly at the image of one of his best friends swapping spit with Regulus Black, of all people. He glanced back at the window to see you now topless and Regulus groping at your breasts eagerly.

“This is so wrong,” Remus muttered, glancing over at his two friends.

“Which part? That my best friend, since I was two, is making out with Sirius’ brother- a Slytherin- or the fact that we’re watching it?!” James exclaimed.

“Both- dear Godric, we look like fucking pervs,” Remus muttered, shamefully glancing back at the window as both of your nude bodies moved back until you fell onto your bed, Regulus underneath you and you straddling his hips.

“Look at us, Rem- we’re camped at James’ window watching two people, that we know, getting it on! Shut the curtains,” Sirius exclaimed.

James stood up, reaching for the curtains before sparing one last glance at your window, eyeing your naked body rocking on Regulus’ with your head tossed back and his hands on your waist.

“I can’t believe it,” James muttered slumping onto his bed.

“It’s so fucking nasty- if I could, I would pay my entire lost inheritance to get rid of that image- don’t get me wrong, and sorry Prongs, she’s smokin’ hot, but with Regulus? Hell no,” Sirius complained.

“Padfoot-“ James whined, turning to face his friend, a disgruntled look on his face.

“Imagine what the rest of the Black family would say if they knew Regulus was…-” Sirius interrupted, pausing in disgust as the thought sunk into his mind.

“Having sex?” Remus continued for him.

“With a muggle. He’d be disowned faster than me,” Sirius muttered as his dark hair, which was very similar to Regulus’, hung over his face.

“Can we stop talking about my best friend fucking your brother, Sirius? It’s grossing me out more than I already am from seeing it,” James groaned from his bed, which was right next to the window.

“Yeah. Yeah, whatever. I need to go to bed before I vomit,” Sirius responded, climbing into one of the beds Mr. And Mrs. Potter had set up in advance of him and Remus staying for the summer.

The three boys muttered goodnights to each other, the rustling of sheets settling into a summer night's silence.

It didn’t take long for Remus and Sirius to be passed out on their respective beds, however, James was unable to sleep and remained lying on his bed. As he stared at the ceiling fan, he felt the itch to peek through the window and see if Regulus had left. Climbing out of bed, James glanced over at the sleeping bodies of his friends before pulling back the curtains just enough to see into your window, where he observed your nude form lying on Regulus Black’s chest, your sleeping face barely visible with the light of the moon shining through your window.

Regulus definitely hadn’t left.

Shamefully, James shut the curtains once more and returned to his bed, allowing the darkness of sleep to claim his confused, perverted mind.

[romione-trope-fest]

3am

Fic Title: 3am

Author Name: Be11atrixthestrange

Selected Trope: OOTP Missing Moment

Brief Summary: Harry has some thoughts about his two besties in the common room late at night. 

Word Count: 1172

Rating: T

Any Trigger Warnings: Nah

  ***

3am

At three in the morning, Gryffindor common room was dark and quiet, save for the bright crackling flames of the fireplace. Harry sat in an armchair across from Ron and Hermione, who were sharing the sofa, a single blanket draped over their laps. 

Harry resisted the urge to close his eyes, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to prevent himself from falling asleep completely, and his History of Magic essay was due tomorrow. He glared at the illegible ink smears on his parchment. Hermione had agreed to look it over, but it was nowhere near finished, and she was still working on editing Ron’s. Between Occlumency lessons, Quidditch, and the stress of the magical world crumbling on top of his shoulders, a History of Magic essay seemed pointless and trivial, and there had been no time in his week to complete it. He narrowed his eyes at Ron’s essay in Hermione’s lap, and felt a twinge of annoyance in the back of his throat. Harry had legitimate excuses to procrastinate, but Ron could have finished that essay days ago. And of course Hermione was helping him before Harry. 

His best friends thought he was the most oblivious bloke in the entire castle, but he wasn’t. He noticed the change in them this year; he would have been blind not to. He didn’t particularly love it, but it was what it was. 

“Ron, this is looking really good,” said Hermione. “But I think you can expand the section connecting the goblin revolution of 1612 and the wand ban of 1638–“

“Hermione, it’s three in the morning,” groaned Ron. “I don’t want to expand anything.”

Hermione’s cheeks glowed pink and she rolled her eyes, but her tone was playful. “Then why did you give it to me to look over if you didn’t want feedback?”

“I just want your approval.”

“Well then, expand that section and I’ll give you my approval.” 

“Why can’t I just be good enough for you?” sighed Ron, his voice airy and dramatic.

Hermione lifted a hand and shoved his shoulder in jest, and Ron made an act of clutching his arm and cowering away. 

Harry cleared his throat as if to remind them he was still there. 

“Harry, how is your essay coming along?” asked Hermione a tad too quickly. “Are you ready for me to look it over?”

Harry cocked his head at the parchment on his lap. It was half the length necessary and so far didn’t include anything about goblin revolutions or wand bans. And honestly, he wouldn’t have thought to connect those two events either. 

“It’s coming along,” he lied.

Hermione nodded and turned back to Ron’s essay. 

Harry stole a glance at Ron, whose eyes were intent on Hermione beside him, watching as she scribbled notes in the margins. Harry hated it when she did that, because he could never read the notes anyway and it took ten times as long for him to edit them out. Ron used to hate that too, but he didn’t seem to mind anymore. He watched her with a lopsided grin that made him look like a complete idiot. His ears were bright red and his eyes almost glazed over. When Harry tracked Ron’s gaze, he realized he wasn’t even looking at the parchment in Hermione’s lap, but her hair. 

Harry’s stomach seemed to tie itself into knots. He could clearly remember that dazed feeling he got when he would spot Cho across the Great Hall and lose himself in a daydream, imagining talking to her, looking into her eyes, kissing her… did those intimate thoughts display as clearly on his face as they did on Ron’s? Or did he also look like a complete wanker?

If his utter failure at Occlumency lessons was any indication, then Harry was just as awful at hiding his innermost desires as his best friend, and the entire school knew how desperate he was to run his fingers through Cho Chang’s silky raven-colored hair.

As if reading his mind, Ron lifted a hand and brushed Hermione’s hair to the side. 

It was an unexpectedly bold move. Harry raised an eyebrow and awaited Hermione’s reaction, which would surely be more interesting than his History of Magic essay.

Hermione side-eyed Ron and looked just as confused as Harry. “What was that for?”

“You had something in your hair.”

No she fucking didn’t, thought Harry to himself.

“Oh. Thanks,” said Hermione. She grinned at him and a rosy color darkened her cheeks. “And here’s your essay. I left a few more notes for you.”

Ron took back his parchment and took a quick glance at her notes “Thank you, Hermione. Dunno what I’d do without you.”

Harry rolled his eyes. 

Hermione turned to Harry. “Ready?”

“No.”

She groaned. “Harry, I can’t stay up any later. Let me check it at breakfast tomorrow.”

“Fine.”

With that, Hermione removed the blanket and rose to her feet. “Okay, I’m going to bed.” 

“Night, Hermione,” said Ron.

“Night,” echoed Harry. 

She turned and made her way back toward the girls’ dormitory. Harry watched as Ron’s eyes followed her the entire way, the tips of his ears still burning red.

When she disappeared back up the stairs, Ron turned to find Harry still scowling at him. 

“What?” His tone was defensive, but the color spreading from his ears to his cheeks suggested he knew exactly what.

“You had something in your hair,” mocked Harry in a high pitched tone. 

“Well she did—“

“Sure, mate.”

“I don’t know what you’re on about.”

Harry laughed. “Yes you do.”

Ron shoved the remaining edge of the blanket off of his lap. “I’m also gonna go to bed,” he spluttered. “I’ll see you in the morning.” He rose to his feet and began scooping his things back into his bag. 

Harry didn’t miss the crack of a smile when Ron turned away from him, which all but confirmed his suspicions. 

“Okay then. Sweet dreams,” said Harry. “Not too sweet.”

“Shut up,” said a flustered Ron as he turned toward the dormitory. “And good luck finishing that essay.”

“Thanks,” said Harry, though Ron had just disappeared and probably couldn’t hear him. 

Harry turned back to his essay and squinted at the senseless scribbles of ink, but his thoughts were occupied by his two best friends. He’d been preparing for this shift since the Yule Ball fiasco the previous year. Maybe he’d prefer it if the pair just remained friends. It would be easier. He’d feel less like a third wheel and they’d avoid the risk of a falling out down the line. 

But there was something about the way Ron smiled at her and how she blushed when she caught him looking… 

They looked like total idiots, but they were happy. Isn’t that what mattered most?

Harry shook his head as if to dislodge the thought. Goblin Revolution. Focus on that. 

And Quidditch. Occlumency. Saving the magical world. Not dying. 

Honestly, he had bigger issues to worry about. And they’d figure it all out. Probably. 

[starlingflight]

Harry/Ginny

✧ Rebel, Rebel - Ginny & Sirius bonding moment (OotP, one-shot)

✧ Forgetting - Ginny deals with Harry forgetting about the Chamber. (OotP, one-shot)

✧ Duelling Partner - Missing Hinny D.A. moment (OotP, one-shot)

✧ All Right Now - Ginny helps Harry with his grief over Sirius (HBP, one-shot)

✧ Priorities - In the wake of Ginny's break-up with Dean, Harry walks her to breakfast (HBP, one-shot)

✧ Fallin' All In You - The week leading up to the Gryffindor Quidditch final leads to a rise in tensions... not just between the houses. (HBP, 51k words, Complete)

✧ Everything I Wanted - Harry & Ginny's relationship from the day after the common room kiss to the break-up at Dumbledore's funeral. (HBP, 63k words, complete)

✧ Amortentia - Ginny learns what Harry smelled in the amortentia, and smells it herself. (HBP & DH, one-shot)

✧ Remorse - Ginny deals guilt over her relationship with Dean. (HBP, one-shot)

✧ A Bit Of Both - Each of the Weasleys find out about Harry & Ginny. (HBP & DH, 19k words, complete)

✧ The Middle - Ron's POV of the hinny birthday kiss. (DH, one-shot)

✧ Heartlines - DH, Ginny's POV. (WIP, but very slow WIP)

✧ Those Left Behind - Ginny deals with grief over Fred with help from Molly. (Post-canon, one-shot)

✧ Ginevra - Harry calls Ginny by her full name. (HBP - post-canon, one-shot)

✧ All I Want For Christmas - Hinny's first Christmas together. (Post-canon, NSFW, one-shot)

✧ Harry decides to propose to Ginny. (Post-canon, drabble)

✧ Countdown - Teddy gets his first advent calendar. (Post-canon, one-shot)

✧ A Two Step Process - Harry buys a ring & proposes. (Post-canon, one-shot)

✧ Someone Else's Life - Harry & Ginny travel between a reality where they're happily married and one where they never got back together after Voldemort's defeat. But which is real and which is the dream? Oh, and there's the small matter of the murderer they need to catch. (60k words, complete)

✧ In Another Life - Sequel to Someone Else's Life. (WIP)

✧ Leaping Forward - James Sirius' first display of magic. (Post-canon, one-shot)

✧ Reunion - DA reunion, McGonagall's POV. (Post-canon, one-shot)

✧ Mortifying - Harry deals with Lily-Luna having a very Ginny-esque moment. (Post-canon, one-shot)

James/Lily

✧ Sands Of Time - James & Lily connect at a Slug Club party. (one-shot)

✧ Let It Linger - James tries to be Lily's friend, no matter how much it hurts. (One-shot)

✧Auld Lang Syne - Lily has a horrible New Year's Eve, and there's only one place - one person - she can think to go to. (One-shot)

✧ The Way Ahead - Harry & Neville tell McGonagall their career plans, and she wonders what their parents would think (one-shot)

Draco/Astoria

✧ Homecoming - Draco returns home after three years of exile. It's meant to be a temporary stay, but fate, and Astoria Greengrass, have other plans. (84k words, complete)

✧ The Array - missing moments from Homecoming.

✧ Wayfinding - Pivotal moments from the life of Draco & Astoria (WIP)

✧ The Malfoys meet the Potters at King's Cross (Drastoria & Hinny)

Other Couples & Gen One-shots

✧ End of the Road - The night Salazar leaves Hogwarts for good. (Slytherin/Gryffindor)

✧ Black - Bellatrix learns her sister's greatest secret. (Ted/Andromeda)

✧ Eight Days A Week - Molly has a secret, and so does Arthur. (Molly/Arthur)

✧ Because I Knew You - Four times Tonks tries to get Ginny out of the house, and one time Ginny returns the favour. (Ginny & Tonks gen)

✧ Charlie's Secret - Fleur discovers Charlie's biggest secret. (Charlie & Fleur gen)

✧ A Bad Idea - George & Angelina make some questionable decisions at Ron & Hermione's wedding. (George/Angelina)

✧I'll Be There - Ginny & Hermione's first time sharing a room. (Ginny & Hermione gen)