#penny pull out Flitwick

[callmesel]

I just feel that he would pull out the whole quidditch equipment

Oliver: And my last one...

Penny: If you are taking the hops again I swear Oliver...

Oliver: Don't be ridiculous Pen.

Percy: Yeah, probably going to be the snitch of something like that

Oliver: *Pulling out a picture of Percy and Charlie.* Charlie Weasley in his quidditch uniform in 1988 and Percy in the summer of 1991.

Percy: What the actual f-

Oliver hear me out cake is quidditch

No one is surprised

[calummss]

Thomas Shelby Hogwarts Professor Short Story

masterlist other chapters

Chapter 3: The Teacher

summary: realisation hits you at the start of the year’s feast

pairing: professor! thomas shelby x fem student! reader

words: 1.3k

‘Out of the way, Out of the way, make way for your superiors.’ Oliver called drily, strutting past a herd of first years in the Entrance Hall, after quickly abandoning Hogsmeade station.

‘You’re a dick.’ You nagged, following him.

Penny was smiling in amusement. ‘Cut them some slack.’ She slung her arm around your shoulder, pulling you into her embrace. ‘They haven’t even officially started yet and were already bombarded with some scary looking ghosts. If that were me, I would’ve departed back home.’

Oliver merely snorted in response, criticising her immediately for becoming too soft and continued to torment the newlings.

You still didn’t know what those things were but surely Professor Dumbledore would tell you soon enough. But the only thing you were thinking about was him. You had most likely met the new professor before you knew of his work, and long before you could realise how attracted you were to him. Out of all the people in the world you had to have eyes for your likely professor...great.

You made your way towards the Gryffindor table, sitting across the twins, Lee Jordan next to your sister’s trio. Your hands found themselves at Hermione’s head, thoroughly inspecting if she had suffered any injuries from the train ride.

‘Are you feeling alright?’ You asked, worry covering every word.

‘Yes, I’m fine.’ She smiled back at you with that weird look on her face. It was the face that said, I’m fine, shaken up but fine. It’s Harry I’m worried about.

You kissed her head, quickly hugging her before turning to Harry.

‘Are you alright, Harry?’ You asked, knowing that those ghosts must’ve affected him. He was the only student that was lying on the table. He looked exhausted.

The boy with round glasses, messy black hair, and the infamous scar on his head lifted himself up from the table. Everyone was staring at him, waiting for his response. Ron opened his mouth but was cut off before he could say anything.

‘I’m fine, Y/n. Thank you.’ His smile faded quickly. He looked pale and as if he hadn't slept for days.

‘Is the chocolate working?’ Hermione sat forward, clearly expressing concern.

Harry only nodded in response before falling into a vegetative-like state. Hermione and Ron then went on to explain what had happened in their compartment and how those so-called Dementors were from Azkaban Prison, looking for notorious serial killer, Sirius Black.

The last students that roamed the front Hall filled up the last remaining spots at their designated houses. It was then when the choir hurried to the front of the Hall, grabbing their toads and waiting for Professor Flitwick’s command.

You tediously awaited Professor Dumbledore’s speech once the choir had finished and hurried back to their seats.

‘Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! Now, I'd like to say a few words... before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First, I'm pleased to welcome Professor T.M. Shelby... who's kindly consented to fill the post...of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.’

Your eyes scanned the line-up of teachers at the front as you glanced up the podium and saw him again. The man that breathed down your neck only two days, telling you how he couldn’t keep his eyes off you is your professor..., neither could you. You kept looking at him until his eyes met yours. You immediately shifted your eyes back to Dumbledore. You could feel your cheeks get warm and your hands get clammy.

What is wrong with me?

‘Good luck, Professor.’

Professor Shelby sat back down, occasionally shifting in his seat, and occasionally you caught him looking at you. You tried your best to ignore it and engage in conversations around the table. But it was as if your mind was bewitched. Your eyes kept finding their way back to him, and to your surprise, his eyes seemed to wait for yours.

Caught by surprise when everyone clapped around you the food finally appeared on your tables. Everyone was desperate to pile up their plates high with delicious food that the house elves made.

Penny was stuffing her mouth with Cornish pasties and Oliver seemed to be engaged in conversation, but you couldn’t suffer alone.

‘Hey,’ You kicked Oliver under the table and nodged Penny. ‘Remember when I told you about the man I met in Diagon Alley?’ You whispered as the two of them came closer, understanding that this was strictly between yourselves.

‘Yes,’ Oliver almost choked as he tried to speak with a full mouth. ‘You were swooning over him.’

Penny giggled in agreement.

You gulped, eyes shifting from one face to the other. ‘Slight problem.’ You picked at your fingers, clearing your throat before breaking the news to them.

‘What’s the problem.’ Both of them stared at you, waiting for you to spit it out.

‘He’s,’ You started to whisper under your breath. ‘He’s sitting right up there...’

Before the two of them could turn their heads around you pulled them back in. At this point you must’ve looked ridiculous.

‘I urge you to turn around slowly and not noticeably.’ You rested your chin on your hand, drumming your fingers against the table impatiently as they scanned the room.

‘No way!’ Penny shook her head.

‘Are you serious?’ Oliver’s eyes grew wide, stuffing more of his dinner down his throat.

‘Why would I lie about such a thing.’ You snapped. your brain felt like it was about to explode and the chattering from everyone around me didn’t help.

‘The man that practically eye-fucked you is our new teacher?’

‘Apparently so,’ You grabbed an apple from the tray. ‘I’m not as ecstatic about it.’

The rest of the dinner was rather quiet. Penny and Oliver kept nagging you with questions and all you could do was steal glimpses every now and then. As soon as you finished supper you stood up and made your way to the common room.

‘Gryffindors follow me!’ You pitched your voice higher to piss off Percy who was right in front you, leading the first years towards Gryffindor Tower. It was fun to poke fun at Percy. And if it wasn’t you who did it, it was Oliver who had just as much fun.

When you finally arrived inside, the warm and welcoming fire (and the Fat Lady’s description of her entire summer), you decided to head straight to the rooms. Penny and you hugged Oliver good night and dragged your heavy bodies up the concrete stairs that never seemed to become easier to mount.

Opening the doors, you walked straight to your bed and plopped down face forward.

‘Ughhhh.’You groaned into your pillow.

Penelope closed the door before taking a seat on your bed.

‘Nothing happened between you two right?’ You felt her body fall on the bed, her head resting on your calves.

‘No,’ You sighed. ‘But there was a lot of tension.’

‘No kiss, n-‘

‘Nothing!’ You cut her off. ‘And yes, I would’ve had sex with him, Penny, but I obviously can’t anymore.’ You whined. You were extremely attracted to him and Merlin’s beard, this just had to happen to you.

‘I m-‘

You cut her off again. ‘Drop it, Pen,’ I sat up. ‘I can hear the others coming.’

Just as you finished your sentence, the door opened and Agatha, Diana, and Tillie entered the room, greeting you.

You got ready for bed and all, said your good nights and stayed quiet for the remaining night. But you couldn’t sleep. Instead you were sitting at the window staring into the landscape that was painted before your eyes. From a distance you could see Phillipe finally arrive. You spent most of the night in front of the window, talking to him. You couldn’t stop thinking about the Professor. You couldn’t for a matter of fact but you should. He was your teacher and there was no changing that.

[iliveiloveiwrite]

My Love, My Soulmate

Request: Hi there - I see your requests are open! Would you consider a Marauders era Sirius x reader for a Soulmates au? With Sirius resisting of course! Tattoos, colour, dreams - I don’t mind which you choose. Nice angsty/fluff mix with a tiny bit of zest?! 💕 - @fific7

A/N: Here’s your request! I hope you like and I hope it meets your expectations! There’s a little bit of fluff, little bit of angst and a little bit of zest. I’m unsure of whether my explanation of soulmates makes sense but I still like it nonetheless. Also, I 100% believe that the teachers at Hogwarts had like a bet on which students would end up together and that they thrived on gossip.

Pairing: Sirius Black x Reader

Warnings: swearing, making out, eludes to sex, angst. If there is anything I've missed, let me know and I’ll add it immediately.

Word count: 3.4k 

It starts as a burn. As if you’ve caught yourself on your curling wand. A short, sharp shock of pain and it’s over.

Pulling your wrist from your chest, you peek at the two letters now engrained onto your skin. A mark no bigger than the size of a muggle penny coin details your soulmate’s initials. There in magical black ink are the letters: S.B.

You lie back with a groan, pulling your pillow over your face to hide away the emotions. It seemed the fates were playing a sick game with you when they decided to make Sirius Black your soulmate.

The initials of your soulmate appears on your wrist on your seventeenth birthday. As far as you know, it is only a phenomenon that occurs within the wizarding community. Muggles, for the sake of their hearts, believe in soulmates but will spend their lives trying to find their perfect match. For wizards, the soulmate mark is the result of the countless hunts for witches and wizards across history. As society progressed and began to hunt those who did not seem to fit with the norms, the fates decided that every witch and wizard would find their soulmate at the age of seventeen as a way to protect the population. It would manifest in a bond between the soulmates; only felt between the two individuals.

As witches and wizards went underground and hid their identities, the soulmate mark and the subsequent bond became a thing of fairy tales told before bedtime. Little girls and boys lulled to sleep with the idea that somewhere in the big, wide world there was someone waiting for them.

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Sirius sees the initials on his wrist and knows immediately whose they are. Your face flashes in his mind and he groans as he falls back onto his pillow.

For so long, he has dreaded this day. He believed in soulmates, he did. His own parents were soulmates; their initials marking each of their wrists. But they were completely wrong for each other, and he slowly saw his mother become poisoned with his father’s vitriol. From a young age, Sirius had always questioned the magic behind soulmates. If they partnered someone as lovely as his mother with someone as mean as his father then he couldn’t put much stock in the whole institution.

He watches you that day; checking for any reaction for whether his initials had been marked onto your wrist. The day ends with him feeling disappointed; you either hadn’t got the marks yet or you were an exceptionally good actress. Your face gave nothing away the whole day other than curiosity when you caught his eyes on you for the third time.

You were the complete opposite to him. He loved heavy metal music; you preferred the crooning sounds of artists such as Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong. Sirius had heard you hum their songs under your breath enough that he was sure he knew the lyrics to them.

You think pranks are childish and they have the potential to be a real danger; he disagrees, he thinks that pranks can be a work of genius if the right amount of planning and preparation is put into it.

Sirius frowns; he didn’t think he paid you this much attention. You had never flowed in the same social circle; conversations between the two of you limited to classes where communication was only necessary if you were sat together. He found you attractive, that much he could not deny. But the fear of turning out like his parents loomed over him; prevented him from taking it any further.

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“He couldn’t be any more my polar opposite!” You moan to your friend, Jude.

It had been a month since Sirius’ initials had appeared on your wrist, and for all of your wondering, you could not figure out how Sirius worked out to be your soulmate. There was so little you had in common. The only things being your academic status and a love of books. It was rare to see Sirius with a book when he was in a crowd, but when it was him and the Marauders in the common room, he could be found with a leather-bound book open on his lap. His eyes would scan the pages so fast, you wondered if he was truly reading the words on the page.

Jude pats your head, “Yes, you’ve mentioned.”

“Jude… I need a little more sympathy here, please.”

She frowns, “It’s hard to dredge up more sympathy when all you’ve done is complain since you found his initials, my dear.”

You frown back at her, “You’re right. Of course, you’re right. I’ve been an arse about this – who knows? Don’t they say opposites attract?”

Jude smiles at you, “I do believe that is the saying.”

“Well let’s hope it’s true then.” You murmur, your eyes landing on the shaggy-haired Marauder sat further down the table from you. His friend, James, elbows him, pointing over to you when Sirius protests his elbow. Your heart starts to race the minute you lock eyes with Sirius; for a singular moment, everything else seems to fade away and your vision solely focuses on him.

The moment is broken when Sirius turns away with a scoff.

The hope that had begun to grow within you quickly dims. You let your head fall onto your arms, “I don’t think he likes me, Jude.”

Jude tuts, sending a glare down the table to where the Marauders sit, “Then he’s a prick.”

“That’s my soulmate you’re talking about.”

Jude shrugs, “He’s still a prick. If you were my soulmate, I’d be over the moon.”

“You’re too good to me, Jude.”

“I know.” She states, “Now, come on, we’ve got Charms first and I want to practice the Deletrius charm, I’m certain it’ll come up on the summer exams.”

You let her drag you out of the Great Hall by the hand, feeling Sirius’ eyes on you with every step you take.

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Filius Flitwick was an exceptional teacher and an interesting man – but he was also notorious for loving gossip. The staff room at Hogwarts was always rife with gossip when another pair of students had found their soulmate in each other. Professor McGonagall would always claim that she had known from the start; Flitwick was not one to argue with her. Besides, she was probably right.

The staff room was positively rioting when news hit of Sirius Black finding his soulmate in (Y/N) (Y/L/N). Professor Flitwick wanted to question the match given how at odds they were to each other, but he knew never to argue with the fates.

Professor Flitwick had changed the seating plan.

He changed the seating plan so Sirius would be sat next to (Y/N). The teachers at Hogwarts all promised to not intervene with soulmates, yet they all did. Professor McGonagall would be happy to hear of this prompting; she had been worrying over Sirius Black finding his soulmate for longer than she cared to admit.

Walking into Charms, you saw that the class was lined up against the back wall. You grumbled to yourself; the last thing needed was a new seating plan. You got on well with the Ravenclaw girl you were sitting next to, you didn’t want any more change.

Your stomach dropped to the floor when Professor Flitwick announced that your new place would be next to Sirius.

You felt as if you were in two minds. Since seeing his initials on your wrist, you were drawn to him – wanting nothing more to be in his orbit. Yet, the look on his face as he turned away from you in the Great Hall had dread unfurling in your stomach as you walked towards your new seating place.

“Sir, what was wrong with the old seating plan?” Sirius asks, refusing to take his seat next to you.

“Seating plans need to change to better fit the needs of the students, Mr Black. Please take your seat next to Miss (Y/L/N) so I can begin my lesson.”

Sirius grits his teeth as he slides into the seat next to yours. His entire body tense while he opens his parchment and prepares his quill and ink.

It doesn’t take long for the atmosphere to change between the two of you.

It’s like electricity, or so you think. The space between the two of you hums to life and you can feel the change. You gasp involuntarily, biting your lip as goose bumps break out across your skin at the mere notion of having Sirius this close to you. You know he hears your gasp and you know he feels the same as you; he shifts imperceptibly to try and stave off whatever he’s feeling but he’s finding it harder and harder to resist you.

It’s the bond between soulmates, you think to yourself. The bond was a living, breathing thing between the pair whether it was accepted or not.

The class drags on for what feels like hours. Sirius gives up trying to pay any attention to Professor Flitwick and instead, focuses on resisting the urge to drag you from the classroom.

He practically throws his things into his bag when Professor Flitwick dismisses the class at the sound of the bell.

“Sirius, I need to talk to you.” You call, following him from the classroom.

“I know what you want to talk about, and believe me, I was just as shocked as you were when I found your initials on my wrist.”

“But what do we do about it?” He can hear the hope in your voice and see the promises in your eyes.

It almost breaks him when he says, “Nothing. We do nothing.”

Your mouth drops open, “What? Why?”

“I didn’t choose you.”

“It isn’t a choice, Sirius. The fates decide soulmates, everyone knows that.”

“Still. I didn’t choose you.”

His words land this time; each one a blow to your heart. Tears prick at the corner of your eyes, but you refuse to let them fall, gritting your teeth to stop them. You would not show an ounce of weakness in front of him. Anger rises within you, turning your blood to flame.

You glare at the teenager in front of you, spitting the words, “I wouldn’t have picked you for me either, but the fates did Sirius and it’s something that we both have to live with.”

You turn away from him, leaving him there in the corridor. You barely make it to the common room before the tears start to fall and your breath falls short due to the sobs heaving from your chest. You blindly make your way to your room, pausing now and then to wipe the tears from your eyes and to berate yourself for crying over a silly boy.

But he isn’t a silly boy; he’s your soulmate and he rejected you. That lone thought has the tears beginning all over again as you hide yourself under your duvet, making sure to pull on all the curtains around your bed.

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His rejection of the bond did nothing for your feelings. If anything, they made them stronger, but you knew that you could not act on it. Sirius had made his feelings for you clear so you settled for loving him from the sidelines; watching as he hid his wrist whenever he started to flirt with other girls.

It destroyed you, but he had made his decision. You would not push him on this.

In such a short amount of time, you had gone from barely recognising Sirius as a friend to being his soulmate to being completely in love with him. Whenever you thought of your feelings for the Marauder, you felt dizzy because of how fast it had all happened. If this was the magic of soulmates, you felt whiplashed.

Jude remained your rock; handing you tissues and listening to your complaints. She had found her soulmate; a Slytherin named Poppy. And yet, Jude remained by your side through it all. Poppy joining her more often than not, and a close friendship developed between you both. You felt like a burden to them; ruining their happiness with your sadness but they assured you that they would have a lifetime to be happy. But they wanted you to be happy too – which you were working on.

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Sirius felt awful. Truthfully, he felt empty. And he had done since he said those words to you after Charms class.

He felt the idiot; he felt the fool. He could see how it was affecting you and knew that it was mirrored on his own face. He was just so scared of turning out like his parents; of fulfilling the cursed cycle all the couples in his family seem to take. First, loving each other passionately before turning to hate each other down the line. If that happened with you, he would never forgive himself.

He watches you from across the room. Your nose stuck in a book that he’s seen you read a thousand times over the last month; as if this particular book is a comfort read. He takes a deep breath before walking over to you.

“Can we talk?” He asks you, motioning to the stairs that lead to the boys dormitories – the only place in Gryffindor tower where there is privacy.

You nod, not trusting your voice around him. You wanted so badly to say no, that he has to earn that right but looking into his eyes, seeing the small light of hope there. You had to say yes. Your mind rebelled, throwing every logical reason at you, but your heart won out and you were following him up the stairs before your mind could catch up.

Sirius holds the door open for you. You duck inside, stopping in the middle of room. Tensing slightly as you hear the door shut.

“Can I be honest with you?” He asks, joining you in the middle of the room.

“Of course.”

“I didn’t want to reject the soulmate bond.”

“What?” A hot flash of anger pangs through your body – how dare he say that? How dare he say that after the pain you’ve been through watching him with other girls and keeping your mouth shut.

“I didn’t want to reject the soulmate bond.”

“Then why did you? Why have I sat by for a month with a broken heart?”

He voice is small when he replies, “I was scared.”

“Of what?”

“I don’t want us to be like my parents,” He confesses, “They’re soulmates yet entirely wrong for each other. It’s like that with every couple in my family, and I would never forgive myself that happened to us. So I pushed you away, told you I didn’t want the bond and then flirted with other girls to dig it in. It was a shitty move, and I am so sorry, but I can’t do it anymore. I don’t want to stay away from you, I want to be with you.”

“Sirius, I just spent the last month of my life wondering what was so wrong with me that you couldn’t possibly love me. I sat by and tried to be happy for my best friend who had found her soulmate, but I couldn’t because my heart was in pieces. I watched you flirt with other girls as if I was nothing to you and it broke me. And it was because you were scared? Sirius, you should have talked to me. I know that we didn’t socialise much before, but you should have told your fears when my initials showed up on your wrist. I am your soulmate; I am supposed to help you through it all.”

Sirius falls to his knees before you, pressing his face to your stomach, “I know, I know. You’re right, and if I need to I’ll stay on my knees and beg for your forgiveness even though I don’t deserve it. But we can do this right? We can be together?”

Your hands begin to card themselves through his hair without thinking, “Sirius…”

He shakes his head, “There aren’t enough words in the English language for me to tell you how sorry I am. I felt it too; I felt the heartbreak and the sadness. I shouldn’t have done it, but my fear outweighed my logic.”

“We aren’t going to be like your parents.”

“But how do you know?” He whispers, fear creeping into his voice.

Your hand cradles his cheek, “Because I’ll remind you… every single day if I need to. I’m not saying I forgive you immediately, but I want this to work. The fates gave me your initials for a reason; I felt our bond in Charms, we are destined to be together.”

Sirius presses his face into your hand, dropping a kiss to the palm, “I didn’t mean it, you know. If I had to pick anyone to be my soulmate, it would be you. I am honoured that it is you.”

“You mean it?”

“I do. You’re perfect for me, and I think I’ve already fallen in love with you.” He states, eyes shining with unshed tears.

You close your eyes, his words feeling like balm spread over the gaping wound of your heart, “Thank god, because I’ve fallen in love with you too. I didn’t mean it either, I would always pick you.”

You are in his arms in an instant; his mouth hot and insistent on yours. His hands roam over your body. Your hands in his hair, grabbing a handful to keep him pressed to you. At the feel of his touch, all previous reservations fly out of your mind – the only word running through your brain is his name being repeated like a prayer. His touch feels so right, and you simply give in to what your heart has wanted since the night you saw his initials.

He walks you back towards the bed, never once pulling his lips away from yours. He only pulls away when he lays you down on top of his covers; you lie underneath him happily, enjoying the feeling of his lips leaving open mouthed kisses down the expanse of your neck and collarbone. His hands undo the buttons to your shirt, and you shift so he can push your shirt from your shoulders. He latches his lips back to your collarbone, sucking a mark there that will surely be a dark bruise by morning.

Your hands shove the hem of his t-shirt up; he pulls away from your body for long enough to take the shirt off. The minute its gone; your hands run over the expanse of his stomach, savouring the feeling of his muscles contracting at your touch. You pull his face back to yours, desperate to feel him. Your lips glide together seamlessly; as if made for each other.

Sirius runs his hands down your sides; memorising every curve of your body, grinning into the kiss as you shiver underneath him. You bite down on bottom lip; a move that has him moaning into your mouth.

“I need to know…” He whispers into your mouth; the words barely heard as they’re swallowed by you.

“What?”

“Do you want to do this?” He asks, pulling away from your mouth to run his eyes over your face, checking for any hint of hesitation whilst simultaneously asking for permission.

Your eyes sting with the tears at his care for you. You kiss him sweetly, lovingly before looking into his eyes, “I want this. I want it to be with you.”

That’s all he needs to know before he’s casting a silencing charm on the room and locking the door.

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Sirius finds it hard to keep his hands off you after the acceptance of the bond. He has to be touching you at all times whether it’s a shoulder pressed against yours, his hand holding on tight to yours, or his arms around your waist. It keeps him grounded, it keeps him calm when the stresses of life begin to settle in.

He thinks back to the beginning of your relationship; how cruel he was, and he looks at you in awe because he still doesn’t understand how you could forgive him – let alone, love him. On the days where those thoughts plague his mind, he places kiss after kiss on the mark on your wrist where his initials sit.

You know the meaning behind these kisses, knowing he’s torturing himself internally. On these days, you draw his attention from your wrist to your mouth instead where you remind him of how much you love him and how you’ve forgiven him for those early days.

His fears are quashed and his love for you only grows. You’re his soulmate, he’s yours. It’s as simple as that.

*******

General (HP) taglist: @the-hufflefluffwriter @obsessedwithrandomthings @kalimagik @summer-writes @lupins-sweater @slytherinprincess03 @mischiefsemimanaged @soleil-amaryllis @masterofthedarkness @bforbroadway @chaotic-fae-queen @peachesandpinks @nebulablakemurphy @haphazardhufflepuff

Sirius Black taglist: @cheapglitter @fific7

[charlieweasleyxmc]

June 1991

Graduation

(Y/N) tweaked her graduation robes until they were situated correctly in place. And then, with a flurry of her wand for a finishing touch, she said, “Tactus aurum.”

A halo of light lifted around her and then fell, falling onto her sleeves and other parts of the draping cloth. When it settled on the black fabric, it turned into starlight sparkles of gold.

The final task of any Hogwarts student, picking the spell to bequeath to their graduation robes.

“You ready?” Chiara peeked her head inside, her own robes lined with silver, and if one looked closely enough…wolves.

“I like your robes,” (Y/N) smiled, reaching her silver haired friend.

Chiara gave her a grin that was almost more a baring of teeth and (Y/N) laughed. It felt like a mirthful laugh and she let herself feel it, let herself treasure it and lift her up.

The way down to the great hall was not clogged like it usually was. Indeed, all the younger students were reportedly already down there, in their places so that the seventh years, the graduates could arrive last.

As (Y/N) and Chiara approached the back hallways, the thin corridors that led to the back of the great hall and the room behind it, she caught sight of more than a few of her fellow classmates. Diego Caplan’s robes were a sunshine yellow. Tulip Karasu’s blue robes sported exploding fireworks actually exploding on the fabric, sucking in and then exploding again. Liz Tuttle’s robes were the simple graduate black, but had a tiny picture niffler running along the fabric so that one tried to keep track of him only to lose sight of him again.

Chiara broke off from (Y/N) to talk to them right outside the room while (Y/N) entered alone to the sight of even more of her seventh year friends.

Badeea Ali in robes of moving falling stars; Talbott Winger, with a full raven, wings spread wide, on the back of his; Merula and Barnaby in robes of emerald green, though Barnaby’s had tiny bowtruckles running all over it, Ismelda in robes somehow even blacker than the rest of them; Penny Haywood in light yellow robes with flowers drifting to land on the bottom, so that the flowers were slowly building up at her hem; and Ben Copper, a moving, roaring lion on the back of his robes.

(Y/N) smiled when three familiar figures approached her.

Jae wore scarlet robes with a golden sheen that (Y/N) swore looked like tiny galleons in the shifting light. Andre wore robes with more delicate spells than any of them, moving brooms around the collar and other hem lines, delicate and artful stitching in other places that he no doubt did himself, and delicate, but polished buttons. (Y/N) smiled when she saw Tonk’s robes.

Dora wore robes that faded from pink the color of her hair to the truest white at the bottom, and along the hems, wands and dragons.

(Y/N) felt her eyes well with tears at the homage to Charlie.

“What do you think they are gonna do?” Andre asked, shifting his robes so that they sat straighter on him.

(Y/N) shook her head, but it was Dora who answered.

“Whatever it is, it’s going to be memorable.”

(Y/N) smiled then, “things at Hogwarts always are.”

“Graduates!” Professor Flitwick whisper shouted from the front of the room, closest to the doors out into the Great Hall. “It’s time!”

Her peers hustled to get in line, those in the hallway called back in by other students and they all filed into one long single file line. She found herself, not by accident, right behind Nymphadora Tonks.

And suddenly the doors were opened, and the first person in line, Murphy was ushered out in his announcer inspired robes, followed shortly by Skye Parkin in quidditch robes.

The line shifted forward. (Y/N) felt herself shuffling forward, just focusing on keeping track of the end of Dora’s robes in front of her.

More people were called out. (Y/N) could hear mumbled speaking, mumbled cheers from the hallway, and one by one, her friends left the room stepping out into the Great Hall beyond.

She could just make out part of the doorway above the heads of the other graduates; all she could see through that little bit of window was the ceiling of the Great Hall.

Sunset, to match the time of day and no doubt what was happening outside the walls of this castle as the day turned to night, evening turned to dusk.

Another graduate, Badeea this time, left out into the hallway and (Y/N) watched her and then three others follow with baited breath.

Ben, then Barnaby, Ismelda then Merula, Diego, then Talbott and Tulip. Liz, then Chiara, and finally, Jae.

That’s when (Y/N) looked behind her and realized she was the last person in line.

She exhaled.

Andre left through the doors, leaving only her, Professor Flitwick, and Dora in the room when suddenly Dora turned around, stopping, and pulled her wand from her robes.

“May I?” she asked, gesturing to (Y/N)’s robes.

(Y/N) nodded and Dora reached out, waved the wand over her head.

And Dora spoke, her voice sure, but soft, softer than (Y/N) had ever heard it.

“Memini Doni.”

Golden stars fell before (Y/N)’s eyes, blurring her vision as they landed on her robes. She looked at her right cuff, where one of the golden stars landed amid the ones she had placed on her robes earlier, but this one exploded when it hit.

And it turned into a phoenix.

The phoenix flew off, across her robes and she watched as another star landed, this one exploding into a snitch.

She watched the snitch fly off as another star landed right beside it on her arm and a book exploded into the fabric, flapping like wings. As the stars landed, they all exploded; a thunderbird, then a cauldron, a broom, then a bowtruckle; a feather, then a scarf, a bubble then a puffskein, and a firework. Altgoether, the items soared across the fabric, manifesting in shades of gold.

The last star, the one yet to land, floated above (Y/N)’s nose before falling, landing and exploding somewhere on the bottom of her robes.

She saw a shifting of wings, and then the creature soared up, flying out of sight as it circled behind her back.

But it reappeared, launching itself right onto her right arm and curling up around it.

(Y/N) found herself reaching with her left hand to touch the dragon, the gold embossing on her robes shimmering with its scales.

She meant to thank Dora, but all that came out of her mouth was:

“I miss him.”

Dora laid her hand right over (Y/N)’s.

“Me too.”

She turned from her and stepped up the steps.

“Dora?!”

She turned back.

“Thank you.”

Dora turned back, glancing back just once , smiling, before she stepped out into the Great Hall to a roar of cheers.

(Y/N) felt a few tears fall from her face, landing on her robes and making the golden parts of the fabric shimmer even more.

“Whenever you’re ready, Miss (Y/LN),” Professor Flitwick spoke from where he stood right beside the door.

(Y/N) took a long pull of breath, looking up.

“I’m ready.”

The crowd cheered just as they had when the others had entered the hall, and altogether, the graduates stood together on the stage, holding hands, before they were permitted to move to their seats and their house tables, right in the front. Honors were announced then, as well as students who received varying academic awards for various subjects. (Y/N) barely heard they announced her award for defeating and finally breaking the curse on all the cursed vaults in the school.

But she did hear when they announced the awards for Care of Magical Creatures astounding N.E.W.T.S. and honors.

Lizard Tuttle, Barnaby Lee, (Y/N) (Y/LN), and finally, Charlie Weasley, for the award of most outstanding caretaker of all magical creatures, demonstrating the most bravery and compassion in any field.

(Y/N) smiled, touching the dragon on her arm as she watched Professor Dumbledore make his speech to the graduates. At the end, he spoke four words that she had never heard him say before.

“Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!”

The whole crowd cheered when the feast appeared before them, everyone found themselves filling themselves to their fullest, as well as traveling around the room to hug various other graduates, or in the younger students’ cases, hugging graduates that they would miss.

It was long after the sky overhead had turned to starlight, the candles floating in the air trying to reflect the light from the heavens that the heads of houses collected all the graduates, leading them out of the hall and through a side corridor first. They waited for a while, talking among themselves when Professor McGonagall finally let them all exit out a side door of the castle, into the starlight and out onto the grounds right before the Black Lake.

It was only then that (Y/N) realized what was going on when she saw the little boats on the shore, lanterns at their prows, and Hagrid standing on the sand before them.

She glanced back up at the castle, seeing the lights of dozens of lanterns and candles and the shapes of hundreds in front of the doors to the castle, notably among them, a candle lit a figure with long robes and a silver beard.

She could have sworn she saw him smile before she followed the others down to the beach and helped them all get into the boats.

“Forward!” Hagrid called and they all felt the boats lurch forward and they sailed across the Black Lake, under a sky of stars, and away from Hogwarts.

(Y/N) glanced back once more, glimpsing the sight of all the lights in the castle, the towers and turrets, and the crowd of people with lanterns and candles right before the doors, all of which she could only see the lights.

Then she turned back, gazing towards the other side of the lake and the train that she knew was there.

This is the end of Year 7! Stay tuned for more!Comment with the Hogwarts house you’re in and a description of your Mc!

[benscursedkid]

uhhh hi! if your valentines day reqs are still open could you do a jae kim x fem!reader and a former!penny haywood x fem!reader? like in the same fic, if not thats totally fine! thank you!

hello! thank you for requesting! i will try my best, but a lot of the circumstances here have been left unspecified so if this isn’t to your liking, you’re absolutely welcome to send in another one, as always! ((this got much longer than i planned))

happy valentine’s day! 💗✨

Okay, so in his defense, Jae hasn’t exactly had lots of experience with Valentine’s Day. Or, more accurately, having a valentine for Valentine’s Day.

He didn’t hate the holiday. On the contrary, the lovers’ holiday always brings in lots of customers for his little side business. When you can’t trust the staff to get you what you need, you must be forced to look elsewhere. Jae is elsewhere.

It’s rather easy actually. Enchant a howler to sing ballads instead of scream insults here, candles made out of amortentia, a few orders of multiplying chocolate roses there. Business is booming this time of year and he owes it all to the Day of Love. So, really, how could he possibly hate the holiday?

Let him tell you why.

He has no idea what to get you.

You’d think for someone with a stock like Jae’s, finding an appropriate gift would be easy. A piece of cake, right? Wrong. Every gift that he can possibly think of to give to you, he’s already sold to someone else at one point before. Flowers that change to the favorite color of the holder? Done before. Jewelry enchanted to fit only the wearer? Done. Doves entrusted with disappearing love poems? Done. Done. Done.

And Jae doesn’t want to give you just any gift. He wants it to be special. Many a buyer has claimed him a secret romantic, and while he has vehemently disagreed in the past, if ever a time came to prove them right it would most certainly be now.

But, unfortunately for him, it seems he’s pulled out all the stops for strangers. Not his best moment.

After about the entirety of his January was wasted in struggle, Jae eventually caved and turned to Ben for help. Being his roommate, the blonde’s innate knack for charms did not escape his notice and he figured if anyone were to help him out of his funk, it’d be him. Not to mention, being his best friend has its perks too.

It took only an hour for Jae to come up with his best idea yet. However, that said, it was a little ambitious for the two students and they enlisted the help of charming Professor Flitwick—who, much to Jae’s immense relief, seemed absolutely delighted to help, saying something about “finally putting his creativity to use”—to ensure his vision became a reality.

Finally, at seven pm on Love Day, after a whole morning and afternoon’s worth of quality time spent between giggles and stolen kisses, he is finally able to present you with his gift. Fortune favors the bold and all that, right? Or was it brave....?

Eh, he’s a Gryffindor. He’ll try his luck.

The two of you are slipping through the dark corridors, the only source of light granted by the quaint, alluring candles that dot the extensive hall. The glow casts an illusion of warmth across your face, catching on the color of your eyes so purposefully, so brilliantly that for a moment Jae forgets to breathe.

“Thank you for today,” You tell him, your fingers intertwined as you bring them up to kiss his knuckles affectionately. Jae blushes and doesn’t even attempt to hide it. “For a while there, I couldn’t have seen myself doing this with anyone but Penny. And I hate to bring it up, but...just know that today was all I could have asked for.”

You push up on your toes, smirking just slightly as you brush your lips against his in a whisper of a kiss. “And so much more.”

Usually, Jae detests when your very intimidating and long-lasting history with mutual friend—and your now ex—Penny Haywood is brought up. Jae knows what the two of you had was important to you, and he trusts you entirely, but sometimes when he watches as you both settle back into an easy friendship, his heart flips painfully in his chest. It is not a rare occurrence for him to wonder, If someone as pretty and popular and considerate as Penny couldn’t keep you, what chance does he stand?

Today though, he finds he can’t seem to muster up the energy to feel insecure when you’re looking at him like that and your smile threatens to cut so wide he knows your cheeks will hurt in the morning.

Jae chuckles, the sound a deeper rumble than usual as he pulls his gift out from his pocket. “Well, the day’s not over yet. I have one more surprise for you.”

Your eyebrow arches and your eyes light up in interest, mirth dancing in the small flames he finds reflected there. You grin. “And what might that be?”

Deciding that it’s now or never, he smirks and drops what looks to be nothing more than a common remembrall in your hand. Your reaction is expected.

“A remembrall?”

He shakes his head. “Not just any remembrall. A romantic remembrall.”

You snicker, but don’t disbelieve him. “Just because you add a word in front of it, doesn’t make it any different.”

“This one is different though. I had Ben and Flitty help me with it, so you might want to shoot them a thanks too when you see ‘em, but it took me two weeks to make.”

You tilt your head, a soft but curious smile on your face. “And what does it do?”

Jae points to where it’s currently filled with its usual crimson red smoke with a sly grin. “Well love, you see, unlike a regular old remembrall, this one will only light up if the person who gave it you is presently thinking of you.”

You stop, your eyes flicking down to peer at the smoke already swirling around inside. When you look back up at him, your eyes are filled with such strong emotion, Jae thinks he might melt on the spot.

“Jae...”

“If you carry it around with you, or even just leave it on your desk in your dorm, this way you will always know just how often you’re on my mind.”

For a brief second, you don’t say anything—too tongue-tied to find the right words. So instead, you wrap an arm around his neck and plant a happy kiss against his lips.

Jae smiles into it.

Just wait until next year.

[demig00ddess]

Sleeping Beauty

Charlie Weasley x MC

Warning: huge spoilers for Year 6 Chapter 18!

————————————————————

CHAPTER FOUR

THE CONSEQUENCES OF DEATH

    1989.     Middle of the first semester.     The quill in the hands creaked monotonously, writing words on the paper. Professor Binns’ voice and the stifling atmosphere of the office were slowly putting in the trance. Emma bit her cheek more painfully and continued to take notes on the lecture.     Behind the farthest desk, Binns’ rustling voice was hard to hear, so Emma regularly consulted the textbook. Two seats were empty in the first rows. One of them is next to Penny, there was always Rowan. The second — next to Charlie, he occupied it for Emma every lesson. Today Emma quietly slipped into the office just before the start of the lecture so as not to meet with her classmates.     Penny sat down next to Charlie and whispered something in his ear. For some reason, Emma felt as if she had swallowed the bubotuber pus. She shook her head, for sure it seemed to her because of fatigue. She was satisfied with the back seat, but the fact that someone else was sitting in her place next to Charlie was a little annoying. Charlie listened to Penny and nodded absently. He looked around uneasily, trying to see someone or something. Emma was glad that she was safely hidden from the front desks by the backs of her classmates.

    “… delegated authority to Wizn… Wesegn… to Wizengamot.” Emma stubbornly wrote down the professor’s words, despite the fact that her hands were shaking and big blots remained on the parchment.     She felt sleepy, but she could not afford to fall asleep. There was a bright flash of green light in front of closed eyes. The Dreamless Sleep Potion they had been brewing on Potions had run out. The dose from the hospital wing that Madame Pomfrey had advised not to overuse had ended too. But after such a sleep, she got up even more tired.     A flash of green and Rowan’s body falls right in front of her. The friend’s eyes are wide open in surprise, her mouth is slightly open in a silent scream. “Debt collected.” Emma could not bear it, she woke up with a cry and tears in her eyes. The silencing charms she put on her bed every night kept her from waking an already worried Liz. Whatever Merula said, the same charms were imposed on her bed, she could not afford to be considered weak by anyone, not even Izmelda.     Every time Emma closed her eyes, there was a green flash and the body of her best friend fell in front of her. At first, it was only memories of Rowan, but then a deadly beam hit Ben, and he fell dead in front of Emma. Merula died next, then Charlie, Penny, Barnaby, Bill, Tonks. Her friends threw themselves under a killing spell, and she could only watch their lifeless bodies fall to the ground. Emma tried to revive Jae and Badeya, begged Tulip to get up, but they were all dead.     Charlie turned around again and Emma looked away. There was her own cry in her ears when a green beam hit him when the red head hit the ground and her tears fell on the freckles on his still warm face.

    Emma doubled over to stifle the pulling pain and rumbling in her stomach. After eating, she felt sleepy, but she couldn’t sleep. After lights out, she would sit up in the Slytherin common room with her books and send especially curious juniors to the bedrooms.     Most of the teachers averted their eyes from her as if they didn’t want to disturb her. Snape gave her an incomprehensible look as she submitted an essay on the Draught of Living Death a foot longer than he demanded. And Flitwick freed her from homework, after, because of trembling hands, she conjured not a small fountain of water, but a real tsunami, flooding the office.     During the day, Emma wandered and loitered about the castle, avoiding familiar faces. She shunned talking, trying to hide in a niche or take refuge in some class. She felt that some part of her had died and now she could not exist normally. She wandered half-dead.

    An idea came to the head like lightning. Half-dead! Surely! How the thought didn’t occur to her at once. Emma jotted down hastily Binns’ last words.     “Professor! Professor Binns, please wait!” Emma made her way through classmates.     “Um, Underwood? Do you want anything?”     Emma hesitated a little, she didn’t think what exactly she would ask the teacher. The classroom was empty and she finally found the words.     “Professor, I wanted to know about Rowan, Rowan Khanna. She always said that she wanted to be the youngest professor at Hogwarts. Um — Couldn'tshestayherelikeyou?”     “Excuse me?”     “Couldn’t she become a ghost? I mean, you came back to teach students, she could come back too. She would have come up with everything, finish her studies, and then began to teach. I’m sure Professor Dumbledore would have let her! She could have stayed here! Haven’t you… haven’t you seen her?”     Emma blurted it all out in one breath, afraid that the professor would interrupt her. Binns adjusted his glasses and for the first time looked at Emma like that, with the keen, clear gaze that Emma often saw in Dumbledore.     “Miss Khanna was a gifted witch. And for all her love of teaching, she was drawn to explore and learn something new.” Emma stared at the old professor. “So rest assured, Miss Underwood, she went ahead.”     “Went ahead? Where did she go?”     “Unfortunately, I do not possess these facts. But you should know she’s not coming back. I’m sorry, this is a big loss for Hogwarts.” Binn turned and walked through the board.     “For Hogwarts,” Emma repeated. It seemed to her that Rowan had died a second time, again in front of her eyes. She had already seen her friend, ethereal, pearl-silver, but talking to her and laughing. But Rowan went ahead.     Emma stuffed a quill and blob-strewn lecture notes into her bag. She wanted to hide somewhere, in Moaning Myrtle’s toilet or a dark closet. She had no strength to return to the common room.

    At the exit from the class she was caught by someone’s strong hands, Emma jerked sharply, holding a wand to the attacker's neck. She could feel her heart pounding thumping deep in her head. “I have to defend myself.”     “Emma,” Charlie gently moved the trembling wand away from his neck. Emma freed herself from his grasp and dashed down the hallway.     “Emma! I want to talk! Please!”     “Not now, Charlie,” she wanted to hide quickly. Charlie caught up with her and gently turned her around. He didn’t insist but asked. There was not a drop of pity in his bright eyes, they were full of concern. He examined her carefully as if trying to see if she had done something bad to herself.     “You were right,” Emma turned her gaze into his boots. “You better stay away from me. Everyone should stay away from me.”     She turned and walked away. She had already lost one friend and couldn’t bear to lose someone else. Charlie caught up with her again and grabbed her into his arms.     “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I should never have said those words to you. You are my — You’re my best friend and I will be by your side. Whenever you need me, I’ll be there for you.”     Emma shook her head, pulling back.     “Your brothers — ”     “My brothers will support me,” Charlie interrupted her, he was confident in his words. His eyes said that he would not let anyone else hurt her. Emma felt her eyes fill with tears. The students scurried along the corridor and Emma again had a keen desire to hide.     “Come with me,” Charlie whispered in her ear.

    They walked and walked until they came to a sprawling tree near the lake, scaring several of the Hufflepuff freshmen out of there. Charlie hit the ground first, rummaged in his bag, pulled out the sandwiches wrapped in a napkin, and handed it to Emma.     “How long have you not eaten?”     “A couple of days, maybe more,” Emma sat down next to him and sniffed at the sandwiches. “How did you know?”     “Couldn’t find you in the Great Hall.”     Emma took a bite of her sandwich and put it aside, feeling nauseous. Charlie looked at her closely but said nothing. They sat in silence for a few minutes, Emma bit by bit on the sandwich to keep from getting sick.     “I spoke to Nearly Headless Nick. Also asked about… this.”     “What did he say?”     “The same as Binns.”     Emma felt a tear roll down her cheek.     “I saw Rowan’s parents yesterday, they came to pick up her things. I visited them every summer. They loved her so much…”     Emma burst out, talking and talking, ignoring the tears. Charlie just sat there and listened. When Emma finished and exhaled helplessly, he leaned her head on his shoulder and began to speak. He told her stories that he had heard from his mother as a child. He talked about the books he had read. Emma lay on his shoulder and listened, inhaling the scent of grass, honeysuckle, and something else very familiar. She didn’t notice as her eyes began to close, and Charlie’s voice seemed to ring out farther and farther.

    She didn’t get much sleep, Emma woke up from her own scream, she was tossing around, not knowing where she was. She was choking on tears and couldn’t breathe, it seemed that someone had sucked all the air out of her lungs.     “Shh. I’m here, everything is fine,” Charlie’s quiet and soft voice rang out over her ear. He put his arm around Emma, stroking her hair soothingly. She sobbed and grabbed his hand, afraid to let go.     “Do you want me to tell a tale about the fountain of Fair Fortune?” asked Charlie a few minutes later, when Emma calmed down. She nodded.     “Jacob used to tell me this story when I couldn’t sleep.”     “Now you need to sleep too. I’m not such a good storyteller, but I hope you like it. High on a hill in an enchanted garden, enclosed by tall walls and protected by strong magic, flowed the Fountain of Fair Fortune…”

    When Emma woke up, the sun was already setting, she was lying on Charlie’s lap, covered by his jacket. Charlie himself was reading a book, only wearing a sweater. Emma jumped awkwardly and blushed.     “Did you get some sleep?” Charlie pulled out a blade of grass tangled in her hair. The tips of his ears turned pink. Emma nodded in surprise, she slept for hours without nightmares. “You smiled in your sleep. I missed it, your smile I mean.”     Emma flushed and hastily turned away, pretending to straighten her clothes. She vaguely remembered what she had dreamed, but Charlie was definitely there. “Well, he’s your friend, the others must have been in the dream too,” she told herself.

    Charlie had already packed his things, got to his feet and gave her a hand. Emma got up, too, and handed him his jacket.     “Don’t,” Charlie threw the jacket over her shoulders. “You can freeze after sleep.”     “Are we going to the castle yet?” Emma tried to hide the disappointment in her voice.     “We’re in time for dinner. Sit down at the Gryffindor table, okay? You need to eat, and you're boycotting food.” Emma’s stomach purred in agreement. Charlie gave her a bribing look, “Penny also wanted to sit with us while we are allowed.”     “Oh,” at the mention of Penny, appetite disappeared.     “Oh?” Charlie asked. “Did you have a fight?”     “No, I didn’t mean that.” Emma said, not understanding why she was angry at Penny. She always supported Emma and wished only the best for her.     They walked in silence for a few minutes, lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Emma broke down.     “You and Penny have become very close, haven’t you?”     “Yes,” Charlie said simply. “Especially recently. We spend a lot of time together.”     “Oh,” Emma said again, and they both fell silent.

    An unpleasant weight filled Emma’s chest, making her difficult to breathe. She noticed this even during their trip to Romania, but then she wasn’t up to it, she was too keen on their adventure. But since… since the moment… Emma couldn’t bring herself to say what had happened even in her thoughts. For the last couple of weeks, Charlie and Penny have hardly ever parted, and for some reason it hurt her.     Emma was happy for her friends, she loved both Penny and Charlie, as friends, of course. And it was great that they got together. Something was still gnawing at her, but Emma brushed the thought away. She didn’t want to be selfish, and even more she didn’t want to interfere with the happiness of her best friends. Especially in these times.

    “Glad for you,” Emma said already at the castle.     “Sorry?” Charlie snapped out of his thoughts.     “I’m glad for you and Penny, that you’re getting close,” she explained, trying to avoid Charlie’s gaze.     “Thank you,” Charlie looked surprised, letting her into the Great Hall.     “I’ll eat at my table,” Emma said sullenly.     “But — ”     “I’ll eat, I promise. I just… want to eat at my usual place. Alone,” she added hastily, noticing that Charlie had something to say. He nodded and gave her a confused smile.     “Then I’ll see you later, right?”     They went in opposite directions, joining their classmates. A few minutes later, Penny entered the Great Hall and went straight to the Gryffindor table. Charlie said something to Penny, who was smiling contentedly. Emma poked at the broccoli with her fork and looked away from the chatting couple.

    After dinner, Emma hurried down to the dungeons, once again avoiding her friends, and began to write an essay on the Orion constellation. It wasn’t until she was getting ready for bed that she realized that she hadn’t given Charlie his jacket back. Already in bed, having applied a silencing charm, Emma picked up the jacket in her hands, pondered for a couple of seconds and wrapped herself in it, curling up on the bed. The familiar smells immediately enveloped her, and she closed her eyes.     “Cinnamon” flashed through her head in the dream. The smell that haunted her for a long time was the light scent of cinnamon. It smelled like that at home when, years ago, her dad made cinnamon rolls, according to grandmother’s recipe. Emma buried her nose in the jacket and fell asleep with a smile on her face.

    It was the second time in two weeks that she had no nightmares.

[judediangelo75]

Crushed

Okay, so I mentioned an a random post that I wanted to show the two halves that make, well her.

A painfully timid and skittish side (which mainly developed when she started living with her mother when she came to London. While she can hold her ground against her a bit more, she still fears her mother) and the coldhearted side (which developed at Hogwarts, where all the issues, tragedies and so on harden her).

I was on my Wattpad where I can a collection of Judith and Talbott stories (though there’s not much backstory or structure on there) and this story definitely would show that timid side of her. I tweaked it so it can be better than what I have posted over there.

Just to be clear: This side DOES exist. It’s her most vulnerable side of her. The reason it’s not shown is because Judith doesn’t like showing that side of her. Where she feels like a piece of glass that can break at any second.

She struggles with anxiety. She doesn’t like having too many eyes on her, she feels like people are constantly watching for any mistakes like her mother and exploit it. It gets pretty bad to where she gets anxiety attacks (she usually runs and hides out for awhile until it’s over. Like I said, she doesn’t like showing this side of her, and WILL NOT share this side unless you pry it out of her).

While she doesn’t show it often, she does talk peoples’ words to heart at times. Which doesn’t help her low self esteem.

She does her best to find coping mechanisms to help over the years and does build genuine confidence. But it takes time.

Alright there, you have a back of backstory of that side of her.

Just FYI, this is just to show that side of her (like if her more dominant side; because usually when you push her, that cold side would seep through a bit. You would hardly ever see her skittish)

Okay, I rambled on enough. ON WITH THE STORY!

(Judith Harris)

"There goes Demented Harris," I heard someone whispered to their friend before they broke out into snickers as I walked out of my Transfigurations class. I just kept my head down and walked past them. 

Sometimes I think that coming to Hogwarts was a mistake.

Ever since the incident with my brother years ago, everyone suspects that I'll be just like him. 

Become hellbent on finding the Cursed Vaults, getting expelled, and disappear. Never to be heard from again. 

I have broke a few curses since my second year but I stayed pretty sane. I’m a good student and sought to become a Healer when I graduate. I don’t plan on dropping off of the face of the Earth...

Even though I’m sure nobody would miss me if I did...

I sighed. I would’ve thought some people would at least be a bit grateful for what I’ve done for them, for the school, thus far. But like my mother always said, I’m asking for too much in life. 

It’s fine though. If I can't find love and appreciation in people, then I can in magical creatures at least. 

"Miss Harris?" I blinked, coming out of my thoughts to look down. Professor Flitwick smiled up at me once he saw he had my attention.

"Good day, Miss Harris," he greeted. I gave a shy smile and nodded, whispering a soft hello.

"If it’s not too much trouble, if you're free, I was wondering if you can assist me in a class for first years. One of my top students already agreed to help, but I would love one of my favorites to join in on the lesson," he said. My smile widen a bit before I nodded once more, following the small man to the Charms classroom.

There were times I wished I joined Ravenclaw. I enjoyed spending time with the ex-Dueling Champion. He was one of the few people who treated me with kindness. He didn’t see me as my brother, but for me.

I loved to help him, when it’s for tutoring, helping for the younger students or even for helping the Frog Choir whenever he needs extra help (he’s disappointed that I didn’t actually join, but settled for this arrangement).

I even spend my birthday, which was also his, with him. Something I haven’t done since Papa died.

I let out a mental sigh. But I wasn’t a Ravenclaw. Which might as well be a blessing, seeing how I have an easier time avoiding him.

"Ah, here we are!" I almost missed Mr. Flitwick's delightful cheer when we entered the classroom. All I could focus on what the feeling of my blood going cold when I saw who was the other teaching assistant. 

Talbott Winger...

I quickly ducked my head when he turned to look over in Mr. Flitwick and I's direction. How did that saying go?

Speak of the devil and he shall appear? Whoever said that was on something...

"I hope we didn't keep you waiting, Mr. Winger," Mr. Flitwick said as he hopped up on his tower of books. From the corner of my eye, I saw Talbott give him a small smile.

"Not at all Professor. What will we be helping you teach today," he asked. As Professor Flitwick explained today's lesson, I stood quietly a few feet away from Talbott, trying to make myself as invisible as possible. Flitwick pointed to the basket of feathers and had us place one at each seat. I remained silent as I handled my task from one side of the room.

I developed a crush on Talbott when he helped me become an Animagus. To this day, I don't know why he agreed to help me. Maybe because I have access and knew things that he didn't? 

Either way, I couldn't help but to fall for him.

He just seem so handsome to me. From his neat, slicked back hair to his beautiful red eyes. 

I appreciate the fine art of sarcasm, which he seems to be a master in (next to me of course). I find him hilarious whenever he’s feeling sassy or playful.

 Helping him find his mother's necklace made me realize that there is a beautiful heart and creative mind that he hides under that aloof and unapproachable exterior. 

Which made me fall faster. 

The smile that spread on his face when he said that we were friends just melted my heart in a helpless puddle of love...

But I wouldn't really go as far we were "buddy-buddy". More like acquaintances, hell I'll be lucky enough to call us that even. I would see him around, maybe give a wave. Half of the time he rarely sees it though, making me look awkward in the process...

I don't know why I try to get his attention. It doesn't matter because I know he doesn't feel the same way about me. I remember his reaction when I confessed to him, clear as day.

--------------------------------------------

Flashback

"Rather than erase pre-existing memory, it might be easier for you if you tell Mr. Winger a new piece of information. Something that he didn't know before and won't forget, then use the Memory Charm to erase that memory," Flitwick suggested. I heard Talbott made a noise of agreement. I turned to find him sizing me.

"I'm okay with that. If you're just gonna erase my memory of it, you might as well tell me an interesting secret, Judith," Talbott suggested, a hint of mischief dancing in those red eyes. I bit my lip and shyly glanced at the Ravenclaw boy. Maybe I can confess my feelings and see how he feels about me...

"Th-Then this might be a g-good opportunity to tell y-y-you that... I-I-I fancy you, Talbott..." Flitwick and Talbott looked at me in shock.

"Oh my!" Flitwick gasped. I felt my face burn with embarrassment and shame as Talbott looked anxiously at me.

"Wh-what? Are... are you serious," he exclaimed. I rubbed my arm sheepishly, waiting for him to say more.

"Why? I mean... er..." I felt a bit of dread build in the pit of my stomach. Was he surprised? Or was he uncertain on how to let me down gently?

"Thank you," he finally said, though it came out more like a question. I buried my burning face in my hands.

"This probably wasn't the right time..." Or any time for that matter. 

The boy rarely looked in my direction, why would I even think he would express some kind of interest in a witch like me?

"Ahem, perhaps now would be a good time to try casting Obliviate..." I never agreed with Professor Flitwick more. I quickly pulled out my wand, pointing it at Talbott.

For a moment, I could’ve sworn a look of protest in his red eyes, but didn’t want to dwell on it too much.

Talbott was not leaving this room with that memory, not if I can help it.

After casting the spell, Talbott looked lost then a little frustrated, like he was struggling to remember something.

"What do you remember, Talbott," I asked as I withdrew my wand. I needed to know if the spell worked or not so I determine if I should go into hiding for the rest of my time at Hogwarts...

"I remember you choosing to cast Obliviate on me, then... nothing," He replied. I let out a sigh of relief.

"That means Obliviate worked," I cheered. Talbott looked at me suspiciously.

"Now you've gotten me curious. What did you tell me," he asked. 

Ha! You're hilarious if you think I'm repeating that situation twice. I'd sooner jump into the Black Lake.

"I'll tell you later," I smirked. By later, I mean never. 

Like ever. 

He returned the smirk.

"I'm going to hold you to that..." Over my dead body, Winger...

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Ever since then, only two people know of my crush on Talbott. 

Professor Flitwick and Penny. 

I'm pretty sure he forgot about that whole situation and I'm more than grateful for it. I wasn't gonna confess again back then and I'm not looking to confess now.

Once the classroom was set up, the first years filed in and took their seats. Professor Flitwick introduced both of us to the class. As Flitwick went over the basics of the lesson, Talbott turned to look at me. I almost jumped out of my skin.

"How are you, Judith," he asked, a small smile tugging on his lips.

"I-I'm o-okay... and yourself," I stuttered. Judith, words! Use them!

"I'm doing good... I must admit, being here together brings back memories," he said. I fidgeted, already knowing what he was implying.

"O-oh," I asked, trying to play dumb. He looked me in my eyes.

"Yeah, where we came to Flitwick to learn the Memory Charm... I'm glad you talked me out of using it on Merula by the way," he admitted, his smile growing. I felt a blush blossom on my cheeks. 

Gods, why is he so handsome?

"It's not a problem, Talbott," I said softly, looking down so he wouldn’t see my red face. He hummed before saying,

"You know, you never told me what you said to me when you erased my memory.”.

"Miss Harris, do you think can come and demonstrate the proper stance and help the class correct their stance?" I darted away to help Professor Flitwick. The Gods are looking out for me today.

------------------------------------------------------

(Talbott Winger)

I frowned when the young Hufflepuff basically ran away from me to help Flitwick. 

Judith seems naturally shy, but never have I ever seen her outright run from something. She took on Cursed Vaults, but she runs from a simple question.

Ever since she erased my memory of whatever she told me, the situation would pass through my mind from time to time. I just wasn't sure how to approach the topic with her. Today seem like the perfect opportunity to broach the topic with the cute Hufflepuff.

Yes, I said cute. Because she is.

I admit I didn't like how she was so pressed to help me in the beginning but I slowly grew fond of the girl. 

Plus, she was very beautiful.

Ever since I hit my growth spurt, I towered over the Hufflepuff by at least a good 5 to 6 inches. She was a bit on the short side, but where I was standing, she seems small and it was adorable. 

Her sweet face was one of my favorite things to look at. Despite her shyness, her facial expressions usually spoke for her sometimes. The way her nose would scrunch up in distaste when she heard something unpleasant or she didn't like. The way her brow would crease in concentration when she's in class or studying. The way she would hide her flushed cheek behind her hand when she's embarrassed. The way her eyes would speak for her when she can't formulate words...

I normally wouldn't pay much attention to the opposite sex as far as physical appearance but I must admit, there was a time or so where I wondered what she looked like in more form fitting clothes, instead of her House robes or her trusted yellow hoodie.

Her shyness made her all more endearing. 

The way her gold eyes would widen slightly when someone focuses their attention on her. The way her sweet voice would sometimes stutter when she tries to talk. Sometimes hitting a higher octave when she feels insulted. How she would bring the bottom half of her hoodie to cover her face when she's blushing. How she fiddles with her dark brown hair when she's nervous.

She was cavity-inducing...

"Mr. Winger, can you come up with Miss Harris to cast today's spell?" I heard Professor Flitwick call. 

I smiled as I walked up to stand beside the suddenly flustered Hufflepuff. Together we were able to levitate our own feathers, flying them across the room. I peeked over at Judith, seeing a beautiful smile spread on her face. My heart fluttered at the sight. 

Such a shy and quiet beauty.

"Excellent, just excellent," Flitwick praised. Judith looked down, shuffling her feet. We soon went on the opposite sides of the room to help any students with the spell. I stole some glances at her, finding her smiling and laughing with the first years, applauding them when they successfully cast the spell. 

She looked so happy...

--------------------------------------------------

Once class was over and we finished cleaning the classroom, Judith was already gone before I could question her again. I softly cursed beneath my breath.

"Is something the matter, Mr. Winger," Professor Flitwick asked. I perked up a bit. Maybe he knows, he was there after all...

"I was wondering if you could help me with something... about Judith," I said softly. He nodded.

"Do you remember what Judith told me the day you taught us the Memory Charm?" He looked surprised and mused over what I said.

"So I'm assuming Miss Harris never told you what she said that day," he said. He shook his head.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Winger, but it is simply not my place to tell you," he sighed. I rubbed a hand over my face, suddenly tired. Will I ever know what that girl said?

"May I ask you something, Mr. Winger?" I looked up the the short man.

"Is it possible you fancy the girl? I've noticed how you looked at her during class," he asked. I felt a blush working its way up to my neck. 

Am I obvious?

"Of course not, Mr. Winger. But you are in my house, I take the time to learn my students throughout the years," Flitwick chuckled. I glared at the man's teasing.

"Yes... I started to grow fond of her and she is rather endearing," I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck. The professor smiled at me.

"Although I can't tell you what she said, I'm sure you can get your answer if you spend some more time with the girl," he offered. I frowned.

"But I rarely see her around, except for class and in passing," I said. The girl was extremely scarce, despite having her own friends. Flitwick looked thoughtful for a few moments before saying,

"Why not ask Hagrid for her whereabouts? I know she spends a decent amount of time with the man." Not a bad idea...

"I'll go do that now, thank you Professor and enjoy the rest of your day," I smiled, walking out.

Time to catch me a little Hufflepuff.

--------------------------------------------------------

"Hello, Hagrid," I said, approaching the giant man. Hagrid turned to me with a big smile.

"Hello there, Talbott! What can I do fer ya?" Fang barked and ran up to me. I chuckled and bent down to pet the dog.

"I was hoping if you could help me find someone," I said as I rubbed Fang's belly. The man laughed cheerfully.

"Why of course, m' boy! Who are you lookin' fer?," he asked.

"Judith, have you seen her," I asked, silently praying he'll agree to help. Hagrid looked taken aback at my request.

"I- er..." I rose a brow at him.

"I don't know Talbott... Judith made me promise not to tell anyone where she goes when she has free time," he said, looking a bit sad.

Here I thought I preferred being alone, but clearly she has me beat...

"Why is it that she wants to be alone so much," I asked. I was a bit upset that I couldn't find the girl as easily as I would like.

"There are some cruel kids in this ‘ere school, Talbott. The girl has a lot more weight on her shoulders than anybody realizes," Hagrid sighed. I frowned.

"What does that mean," I asked.

"Pay close attention to what people say when she's around," Hagrid simply said.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Taking the man's advice, I watched the girl as closely as possible the next few weeks. I must admit, it hurt me seeing the girl being pushed around.

Demented Harris.

Jinxed Judith.

Jamal #2.

The shoves.

The laughs.

The public humiliation.

Those hurt gold eyes, shimmering with unshed tears.

No wonder she's so quiet and hardly around. Any form of attention brought to her is negative. 

I miss seeing her smile...

Today I planned on confronting her, hopefully to provide some comfort. 

In my Animagus form, I silently followed the girl as she walked out of the castle in the direction of the Magical Creature Reserve. Perching myself in a tree nearby, I watched as she walked in a grassy field, carrying a bag of creature feed. 

As she approached a Niffler, Knarl, Porlock, Diricrawl, and Abraxan all perked up at the sight of her.

"Feeding time, my loves," she called, her voice sweet and full of affection. The creatures all bounded towards her. Her Niffler, bounded up her legs, torso to rest on her shoulders. The Knarl rolled around her feet before bumping into her left foot. The Porlock trotted up to nuzzle her right calf, it's tail waging. Her Diricrawl nuzzled her left leg, flapping its small wings. The Abraxan trotted around her, nuzzling her hair. 

The girl was giggling at her creatures’ enthusiasm.

"One at a time, everyone. You will all get your turn," she said. She looked so cute, surrounded by all these creatures. 

Once she fed them all, she and them all walked around the field and to my hiding place. The Abraxan looked directly at me and huffed. It turned and used its hide legs to kick the tree. I let out a surprised squawk and flew out before I could fall.

"Angel! What's gotten into you, it's just an eagle," Judith cried, running up to the winged horse to soothe it. I landed a few feet away and her Porlock stared at me warily. 

Can her creatures tell I'm not really just an eagle? The Porlock went up to me, sniffing me before letting out a soft huff of distrust. 

Yeah, they can...

Giving up the act, I transformed back into my human form. The Porlock let out a small startled cry and ran to Judith, hugging her leg.

"What's wrong, Baron-" Judith froze when she saw me standing there. I let out a bashful smile.

"Talbott! Wh-what are y-you..." she trailed off, looking down. I slowly walked towards her, doing my best not frighten her.

"I just wanted to see you, Judith," I said softly.

"Why," she asked firmly, turning to face me. I took in her full appearance and blushed a bit. 

She was wearing a floor length sundress, white on the top that gradients to a soft shade of yellow. It was form fitting, hugging her curves perfectly. Her full chest, small waist, her abs, her slowly rounding hips. 

Her hair was in twists. Most of it was pulled back in a low ponytail while the rest formed her bang that occasionally sweep over her right eye. 

Her face was free of makeup, save a gloss over her plump lips. Her skin was basically glowing...

I swallowed thickly. 

She was...uh... rather developed for someone was just 16. 

Oh boy...

"I want to spend some time with you," I said, reminding myself to breathe. Her pretty gold eyes widen and she shifted uncomfortably on each foot.

"S-spend time with m-me," she repeated, sounding lost. I nodded, getting closer. We were only less than a foot apart now and I could smell her perfume. I tried my best to keep my breathing even, even though I was to take in more of that pleasant smell. 

I held out my hand. She looked down, extremely confused.

"We could start with a walk around the Creature Reserve... if you'd like," I suggested, silently hoping that she'll say yes. 

A few moments past and I could feel my nerves starting to take over. Before I could pull back, Judith laid her small hand in mine, stepping close.

"Okay... but we're visiting the rest of my creatures in the meanwhile," she said, staring at my chest. Slowly, I grasped her chin to tilt upwards so she can meet my eyes. 

She had one of prettiest eye colors I've seen, I could get lost in them all day...

"Of course, anything for you," I said with a smile. Her eyes went wide and she abruptly buried her face in my chest. I felt my heart stutter at her unexpected closeness but didn't push her away. 

Gods, she was so cute...

"C'mon, what other creatures do you have," I chuckled, gently nudging her from her hiding place. She flustered at our proximity to one another and simply held my hand, leading me to other parts of the reserve.

The entire time, I couldn’t help but to notice the feeling of her hand in mine.

Her hand had a few callouses on her fingertips and a bit on her palm, assuming from all the writing and physical work that she does. But her hand felt soft overall. 

To me, it shows how strong she is, all while still having a gentle touch.

Perfectly her...

--------------------------------------------------

I made some decent progress with Judith the next few weeks. 

She was able to open up to me and allow me to help her take care of the creatures she adopted. It was nice to see her laugh and smile around me. 

There was moments of slight awkwardness, like some of her creatures pushing us closer together. The bigger creatures were especially known for this. One time, Griffin, her Hippogriff, purposefully picked up the girl and set her on his back, as if going on flight. He never gave her adequate time to properly hold on, so when he took off, she would fall over and I have to race to catch her. I always found myself holding her protectively against my chest, our faces just an inch or two apart. 

More than once, I've been tempted to kiss her. 

But I simply set her down while she shyly thanked me and scurried off.

We were sitting side by side each other, under the shade of a large tree. Another sundress hugged her frame, this time white and royal blue. Her Porlock, Baron, was cuddling up against her as she scratched behind his ears.

"Hey Judith," I called out softly. Her pretty gold eyes shyly glanced at me.

"Yes," she answered. Taking a deep breath, I brought up the question,

"Why wouldn't you tell me what happened in Charms class that day?" she stiffen a bit and Baron let out a soft huff of worry. I reached out for her hand, intertwining our fingers.

"Please don't shut me out, Judith. I just simply want to know," I said softly. I watched as she gave the young Porlock a final scratch behind his ears before sending him off.

“I-I... I’m scared to see your reaction again,” she quietly admitted. I gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

“Hey, we’re a bit older and mature now. I’m sure I can handle it better this time,” I told her. She peeked at me from her short curly lashes before looking away.

She mumbled something under her breath.

"What was that," I asked, scooting over closer. The sweet smell of coconuts and cocoa butter greeted my senses, and I wanted to close my eyes in bliss.

"I...Talbott," she said a bit louder. Growing bold, I gently grasp her chin to look so she can face me.

"One more time for me, Judith..." Tears welled up in her eyes, and she let out a soft whimper.

"I fancy you, Talbott," she quietly sobbed, trying to pull away from me. I froze. Judith likes me...?

She feels the same way.

My lack of response made things worse as her eyes grew wide and frantic.

"I-I-I'm sorry! I di-didn't- you-you don't ha-have to-" her ramblings with a soft gasp. I pulled the girl into my lap, hugging her. 

Judith went still, her nerves undoubtedly getting the best of her.

"There is nothing to be sorry for, little bird... I fancy you too," I whispered into her hair. She shyly met my eyes, hope shining brightly in those gold orbs.

"Y-Y-You do," she asked, trying to blink away any tears in her eyes. I gently wiped her tears away from my thumbs, she let out a soft breath at my touch.

"I do, Judith. And I want to prove it to you. Everyday... While at Hogwarts and beyond," I said softly. Feeling bold, I peppered kisses all over her face. Her eyes fluttered closed as I did this, her breathing slowly evening out. When I pulled back a little, she clenched at my robes with a whimper, pressing herself against me.

"T-Talbott, I-I-I..." Her expression was uncertain and fearful. I noticed how her gaze would land on my lips before darting back up to meet my gaze. 

Rubbing her back, I leaned in and pressed my lips against hers. 

She readjusted herself so she would be straddling my lap, her lips still moving shyly against mine. I groaned a little and squeezed her a bit closer. My hands followed the outline of her waist and hips, memorizing it. One of her hands was clenching at my robes and the other fisted in my hair. I groaned throatily. Gods, she's so perfect...

I pulled away, kissing the tip of her nose.

"You're so beautiful and perfect, darling," I cooed, nuzzling her cheek. I could partially feel the temperature rise and chuckled.

"And adorable," I added, pecking her lips. She pouted at me when I pulled away. I chuckled again.

"Don't give me that cute sad face," I told her. She grumbled but snugged against my chest. I sighed and ran my fingers through her hair.

"Talbott..." I hummed, letting her know I was listening.

"I like you," she said, kissing my cheek. I smiled and squeezed her tight.

"I like you too..."

[ellie-e-marcovitz]

Year 1, chapter 8

Part 3 - Persuasion

It took a few days before I could talk to Penny, finally managing to catch her the Friday after Easter, as she left the Charms study session Flitwick held. I hurried after her.

“Penny!” I called, weaving through several of the upper years to finally catch up with her. I came to a stop, stumbling a little, aware of the several other Hufflepuffs hovering nearby. “I was hoping you could help me…?”

“Is it something to do with the Sleeping Draught?” she asked, a small smile on her face.

“Funny enough, yes. It is.” I deadpanned, the best I could. “Snape won’t teach it to me since I missed it back in February. I was wondering if you could teach it to me?” I gave a tentative smile. “I think you’re the only person Snape wouldn’t object to teaching it to me.”

She seemed to contemplate her options for a moment, her expressions shifting across her face silently. I was finding her hard to read.

“By the way,” she started, breaking the silence. “Rowan said you needed someone to help with a secret mission?” she asked, and I nodded, startled. “Let’s talk tonight. I want to hear it all.”

“Talk at dinner, then?” I asked, eager to find Rowan and find out more on her end. Penny nodded.

“Of course,” she said. “Find me at the Hufflepuff table around 18.30. And we can talk about helping with the Sleeping Draught then.”

“Okay. Thanks, Penny!” I called, as she headed down, the other Hufflepuffs following her. She waved, and I hurried for the stairs, finding the stairs and way up to Gryffindor tower.

I found Rowan in the common room, pouring over a couple books. She looked up as I sat down next to her. Her expression was as unreadable as Penny’s as she asked, “So, how’d Penny respond?”

“We’re going to talk.”

The afternoon passed quietly, working on what essays we’d been set, and I kept an eye on the time. Just about time…

We’d also taken to checking the corridor whenever Filch took a break, and it seemed to be getting colder and colder. I noticed that ice even seemed to be forming at the edges of the door and starting to creep along the floor.

We never stayed longer than to glimpse some ice and confirm no one had entered, before skittering off before Filch or Mrs. Norris caught us.

Making our way down, I watched for familiar landmarks. Spotting the now-familiar landscape portrait, I moved towards the entrance of the corridor, Rowan not far behind. Being careful, we made our way to the doors near the end of the corridor.

Pulling it open, we poked our head inside. Growing ice, and no menacing caretaker (right now). The only difference being more ice, we pulled away, shutting the large door as softly as we could.

We hurried back up to Gryffindor tower, returning to our textbooks and essays. I gave up focusing on Charms and turned to my Astronomy textbook, getting lost in the black and white shots. I wished for more modern photos, however, the vivid colours much more soothing.

A prod at my shoulder pulled me from the page on supernovae, and I looked up.

“Dinner, Ellie,” Rowan said, before muttering, “it’s usually the other way ‘round…” I closed my book, stuffing it in my bag and we headed down.

A glance at my watch as we entered the Great Hall, and a glance around, told me Penny was already in the Great Hall. Chatter filled my ears, as I search for where exactly.

Spotting her near the end of the Hufflepuff table, I gestured to Rowan, who nodded. I went over, standing in front of the table.

“Oh, hello. Thanks for meeting me, Ellie,” she greeted, as I tentatively took a seat at the Hufflepuff table.

“Thanks for agreeing to this.”

“Of course, Ellie. Word around the school is that you need my help with the sleeping draught and your secret mission.”

I silently groaned. That had to be why Dumbledore wasn’t currently at Hogwarts more and more frequently. And if word had gotten to Dumbledore, then it had had to have reached Merula as well.

“You really do know all of the gossip!” I commented, surprised.

She tapped her fingers against the table, holding her fork. “The only thing I don’t know is,” she asked, “is why me?”

I fiddled with my robes. “You know your potions. I’m trying to get into a fairly dangerous place. It would really help to have someone who knows how to brew some potent potions, and knows how to deal with Snape.”

I shifted my bag wishing I’d grabbed something before coming over. A thought came to mind. “D’you have a stash of potions you can bring?” I didn’t think she did, even if she’d been acing potions all year, and seemed to be the only non-Slytherin Snape gave points to.

“No,” she started, now looking distracted. “But I’m brewing a strengthening solution as we speak. It’s difficult, even for fifth years…” I snorted softly. “I might have time for a wiggenweld potion…”

“You will.” I assured her.

“Here,” she added, pulling a sandwich half. “Eat this. I want to help. I just can’t commit until I know exactly what you’re planning.”

I took a bite, chewed, and nodded. “I’ll tell you everything,” I promised, swallowing. “Just- just don’t tell everyone.”

She still looked reluctant, and distracted, but nodded. “I won’t. I want to help.” I relaxed a little, but she continued. “But you’ll have to make me feel as confident about this plan as you feel… Convince me that this’ll work.”

“I’ll try my best.”

“It’s dangerous… you don’t know what could be behind that door…”

“That’s why we need your help. And not just for the potions.”

“But why do you believe in your plan?” she asked, clearly nervous.

“Because I believe in my friends. You and Rowan. And I put a lot of thought into it.”

“That’s fair. Thanks, Ellie. I’ve still got a few questions, but I would like to believe in your plan.”

“Of course. I’ll answer all of your questions.” If it means you’ll help…

“Well, what about Mrs. Norris?”

“She’s why we need a sleeping draught, and for you to teach it to me. And I’d rather not give Snape the satisfaction of failing potions my first year.” I replied, dryly, before taking a bite. For being a sandwich, it wasn’t bad.

“We could get caught…” she worried, looking terrified at the fact.

“We won’t, I promise.” I assured her. “If we do, I’ll take the blame.”

“How?” Her voice was sharp, startling me a little bit. I gave a shrug.

“We’ll cross that bridge if and when we reach it.”

“I think I’m starting to believe your plan, Ellie. Tell me more…”

“I know it sounds a little mad, but I think you’ll see it really can work.” I gave a tight smile, considering my mouthful.

“What about the cursed ice?” she asked, and my eyebrows shot up. That had to be what had spread through the rumour mill so quickly. It also had to be why Dumbledore was out, for whatever reason.

It took me a short minute to answer. “I- I think we can break the curse, whatever it is.” A pause. “Something tells me that no one should touch it.”

A few more bites in silence, as we mulled over our respective thoughts.

“I’m still not sure, Ellie…” Penny said, her voice quiet.

“We can do this, Penny. I know it’s risky, but I think it’ll work.” It needed to work, or I shuddered at what might happen.

Another moment, before,

“I’ll join you and Rowan, Ellie. Even if it’s a really ill-advised plan.” She relented, setting her fork down. “It sounds mad, but it might work if you do everything right.”

I shoved the last of the sandwich and chewed. “I know,” I responded, swallowing. “But this might be my only chance to find out what happened to my brother, and I don’t intend to screw it up.”

“It’s really dangerous…” she reminded me, seemingly stuck on this point.

“I know…”

“I love it!” she exclaimed, startling several of the other puffs nearby, and I felt my eyebrows jump.

“You do?!”

“Everyone always invites me to parties, but no one ever asks me to join them on death defying adventures!” She seemed thrilled by the fact.

I goggled a little, as she continued. “I’d better start brewing some particularly powerful potions…”

“So you’ll help me brew a sleeping draught, then?” I asked.

“Of course! Just let me get everything together, and we can work on it tomorrow!” Admittedly, her enthusiasm was infectious.

I smiled. “Thanks again, Penny. You won’t regret this. And thanks for the sandwich.”

“No problem. Go, go. Let Rowan know I’m on board.”

I nodded, before heading back over to the Gryffindor table, finding Rowan looking impatient. I couldn’t blame her.

“So,” I started, taking the spot across from her. “I think Penny’s in. And she’s going to teach me the sleeping draught Snape taught back in February.”

Potion Making

[official-weasley]

The Irreplaceable Charlie Weasley: Pt. 5, Ch. 8

PART 5: THE YEAR WHEN EVERYONE FIGHTS

Chapter 8 - Career Advice Match

Nova

It seemed like we were standing in the Forest, embraced, for hours. Neither of us indicated that we wanted to move. I certainly didn't mind. It didn't matter to me if we would stand there forever.

“It's getting late.” Charlie whispered in my ear. I looked up and noticed that it was almost nighttime.

“Yeah.” I chuckled but didn't let go of him.

“You know if we try really hard we can walk to the Castle like this.” He said gently. I pulled away but just a little bit.

“I think we are both too clumsy for that not to end in an accident.” He laughed and we slowly made our way back.

We didn't talk but I preferred it that way. I knew we would need a couple of days to process everything and go back to the way things were. I couldn't help to think that something changed with us in the Forest. I don't think things between us will ever be the same, but not in a bad way. We felt more grown-up.

We made our way to the Great Hall as we realized we just might catch dinner. I saw our friends sitting together and Penny spotted us at once. She nudged Tulip who nudged Tonks and they all turned to us.

“Please, tell us that this is all over and we can go back to being friends?” Tonks tried to decipher our faces.

“We're okay.” Charlie pulled me in a half hug, looked at me, and smiled.

“Oh, thank Merlin! I couldn't take any more of this.” Penny pressed her hand on her chest. Neither could I. I think we were all relieved that it was finally over.

“Sit down you two.” Bill frowned at us and we sat down immediately. “Now, I won't be here next year and I don't want to get any letters that you two are having problems again, got it?” We both nodded as if a parent was scolding us.

“Your friendship is too important for fights like this and I will make Penny, Tonks, and Tulip write to me if you are being stubborn again!” We nodded again.

“Good.” His face went from a serious one to a big grin. “Nice talk.” Tulip and Penny giggled.

“Did you yell at her, Charlie?” Tonks asked, frowning at me.

“No, Tonks. We forgave each other.” Charlie smiled. He was so calm and there was something different about him but I couldn't quite figure out what it was.

“Something you should've done 14 days ago.” Jae rolled his eyes.

“We know. We're sorry we had to put you through this.” I apologized and leaned on Charlie's shoulder. How good it was to do that again.

“Are you children ready for your O.W.L.s?” Bill grinned at us and Penny looked like she was about to cry.

“We still have time!” Tonks said, of course. We all laughed.

I missed my friends so much and I made a promise to myself that I will never take them for granted again or do anything as stupid. I loved our lot too much to make such a mistake again.

“I think we're going to do just fine.” I said.

—

As I predicted, things started to get back to normal after a week. I still wasn't able to play Quidditch because of my back and I was happy my Team, except Skye, understood that we would end up in the last place. To be honest, I didn't miss it much at all. I much rather hung out with my friends at the stands cheering for Charlie. I was sure he was going to become Captain next year, he was brilliant! Nobody was really surprised when they won the Quidditch House Cup for the third year in a row. Having Charlie as Seeker was the best decision they made in years.

Tulip and Jae started sneaking into the Kitchens, their favorite spot for studying as Penny still didn't know how to get inside. They also managed to convince Tonks to come with them and she actually studied something else than Herbology for a change.

Penny spent most of her time in the Library with Bill and Andre. Bill was doing much better with N.E.W.T.s than he was with his O.W.L.s. I think that internship with my dad calmed his nerves and helped him realize that grades aren't everything. Andre was doing so much better with Transfiguration that I had no doubt he will pass the examination.

Charlie and I were partners again in Care of Magical Creatures and we went back to sitting together in Transfiguration and History of Magic. I caught myself staring at him a couple of times in Professor Binns' class as he was snoozing, his head on his arms. He was cuter than a Crup puppy.

Our favorite place to study was down at the Lake. It was getting warmer and we couldn't resist catching some sun rays. We were doing good and I don't think I was so confident about my exams last year as I was about O.W.L.s.

When we weren't studying we were either reading books together, talked about our Career Advice Meeting which was fast approaching, or quizzed each other on animals. We also paid a visit to Hagrid a couple of times and apologized for not seeing him almost all year. Good as he is, he completely understood that we were too busy.

On the day of our Career Advice Meeting, we were all nervous. Penny was shaking at the Ravenclaw Table, while the rest of us were trying to eat some breakfast.

“Get off it Pen, did you ever see Sprout bite?” Tonks said. I think Penny was making her nervous.

“No, but her plants might.” She responded. Tulip and I chuckled.

“You want to be a Potioneer Penny and you have never gotten a lower grade than an O in that class.” I tried to calm her down.

“Out of all of us, you have least to worry about, don't you think.” Charlie said calmly. He was so calm lately like everything was right in the world and I couldn't help but agree with him. Now that we were back to normal, everything indeed was right in the world. I still couldn't believe what an idiot I was and even though my friends forgave me, I haven't forgiven myself for what I've done. Every time Charlie looks at me, I remind myself how lucky I am to have him in my life and I know I will never do anything to harm our relationship again.

After breakfast, I wished Jae and Charlie good luck as they made their way to McGonagall's office. Tulip and I hugged Tonks and Penny, who was still shaking, and went to Professor Flitwick's office while they made their way down to the Greenhouses.

“Miss Blackwood!” I heard Flitwick calling my name. I stood up and winked at Tulip.

“Sit, Miss Blackwood, sit!” He squeaked. I love his voice!

“So, let us see.” He looked at a piece of parchment in his hands. I think he had my grades on it. “Exceptional in Charms, Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures, Defense Against the Dark Art.” He lowered the parchment and beamed at me. “Do I need to go on?” That made me relax a bit.

“Thank you, professor.” I smiled.

“So, what are your plans for your career, Miss Blackwood?” He sat down on a big pile of books.

“I want to be a Magizoologist.” I grinned.

“Really?” He asked, bewildered. “Pardon me for saying so, but that would be a waste of your Transfiguration talent.”

“Oh, it's quite alright, Professor. I believe Professor McGonagall used the same exact words when I told her what I want to become.” I smiled. It didn't offend me. I knew I was good at Charms and Transfiguration but talent can't beat my love for animals.

“You see,” I cleared my throat, “I wanted to be the second Newt Scamander since I was 4. I discovered my secret talent for Transfiguration in my First Year here and as much as I love the subject nothing can stop me from following my dreams.” I said proudly.

“I agree with you on that.” He corrected his glasses. “In that case, you would have to get an O in Care of Magical Creatures. Outstanding would also be preferable In Defense Against the Dark Arts and Charms, depending what path you will take...” He looked from the list to me.

“Oh, I haven't figured that out yet, Professor. I was thinking of checking out my options next year.” I said quickly. Besides knowing exactly what I wanted to be, I had no idea where would I work or what branch of Magizoology would I like the most. I wasn't like Charlie who knew since he was 6 that he wanted to work in the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary.

“Very well.” Flitwick seemed disappointed. Not to brag but I knew I was one of his favorite students, but that's not going to change my mind. If my mum could come around to it, as she was hoping I would follow in her footsteps and become an Auror like her, then so can my teachers.

“I would then say that this is all. I have nothing to advise you, if you are so certain what you want to do, Miss Blackwood.” He smiled at me and stood up. “I can, however, ask Professor Kettleburn to give you some suggestions next year, if you'd like. It's unlikely that the students have the Career Advice Meeting with anyone other than their Head of House, but I would like to make an exception.” He winked.

“Thank you, Professor. I would appreciate that very much!” I shook his hand and exited his office.

“That was quick.” Tulip bit her lip. I knew she was nervous. Unlike me, she didn't know what she wanted to be at all. I think today was the first day that it actually hit her that we only have 2 more years to go.

“It's not a big deal. Perhaps, he would be able to advise you more than me.” I frowned.

“Was he disappointed that you didn't want to pursue anything with Charms?” Tulip giggled.

“And Transfiguration for that matter! He was not pleased at all.” I chuckled.

“Miss Karasu!” Flitwick called.

“Got to go! Meet you in the Great Hall?” I nodded and she went inside his office.

—

“Hi, Blackwood!” I grinned when I recognized the voice.

“William!” I exclaimed.

“You will never get over the fact that my full name is William, will you?” Bill rolled his eyes.

“WILL I?” I mocked and poked his ribs with my elbow. “What's your problem anyway, it's a nice name.”

“I prefer Bill.” He said after he thought about it for a second.

“True, it is sexier.” I winked at him. He stopped walking for a second and looked at me with his mouth open. I loved messing with him so much.

“I don't understand why you were so afraid of the Career Advice Meeting, Bill.” I changed the subject and he hurried to catch up with me. “It was a piece of cake.”

“I overreacted, okay?” He was still blushing from my earlier comment.

“You don't say.” I chuckled, put my arm around his shoulder and we entered the Great Hall.

“Guess what!” Tonks and Penny sat down on the opposite side of Bill, Jae, and me.

“What did you find out Tonks?” Her grin was unusually big.

“Hi, everyone.” Charlie sat down next to me. “That was the quickest meeting if I ever attended one.” He was beaming. Of course, he didn't have any problems. He had good grades and he needed O's in similar subjects than I did.

“Charlie, sorry to disturb your happy mo, but Tonks asked us to guess something.” I giggled. He blushed, realizing he disturbed us, and wrapped his hands around me, pulled me closer to him and nestled his chin against my shoulder, silent.

“If I continue with my grades as they are, I might get my dream job!” She lifted her hands in the air and left us all puzzled. I just realized that I had no idea what she wanted to do after school.

“And that would be?” Jae encouraged her to tell us more.

“I would need to do very good in Potions.” She looked at Penny, to indicate that she will need her help. “Defense Against the Dark Arts, which I am already quite good at. Transfiguration, which greatly improved since Nova's lectures and I am quite brilliant in Charms this year.” She beamed at us. I looked around the table. Everybody stared at her, bewildered.

“Hi, everyone.” Tulip finally joined us. “Why does everybody look like that?” She asked when she saw our faces.

“I just told them that Sprout told me I might be qualified for my dream job if I do well on my O.W.L.s!” Tonks explained.

“Really?” Squealed Tulip. “You'll be able to become an Auror?”

“An Auror?” Bill, Charlie, and I said in unison. Tonks wanted to become an Auror. I wouldn't have guessed in a million years.

“You didn't know she wants to be an Auror?” Tulip asked, puzzled. Apparently, she was the only one.

“I reckoned you knew.” Tonks scratched her nose. We all shook our heads as she rarely talked about anything else than things that can get you in trouble. Kind of ironic to think she wanted to become someone who is the exact opposite of that.

“Auror training is pretty demanding and you will have to spend a lot more time with your nose in the books rather than in Filch's Office, you know.” Penny said.

“I know, I know. I started studying and I am doing fine. Seriously, why are all of you so surprised?” She frowned.

“Well,” Charlie pulled away from me, “you always did so good in Herbology, we thought that maybe you would do something in that direction.” He scratched the back of his head.

“One of Nova's favorite subjects is Transfiguration and you don't see her applying for McGonagall's position.” She pointed at me.

“She's right, you know. Good for you, Tonks.” I gave her a thumbs up.

“I have you lot to thank. Wouldn't be able to do it without you!” Tonks grinned at us all and Tulip and Penny pulled her into a hug.

Penny then told us all about her meeting. There were no surprises there as a Potioneer she needed to do good in Potions which was the least of her concerns and it would also do her good to get an O in Herbology, for which she is confident won't be a problem.

Then we all looked at Tulip. I knew that she wouldn't want to work in her mum's coffee shop and she couldn't prank people for money. I knew she was smart and she loved Astronomy so perhaps she would like to pursue something in that direction. If I would have to guess I would see her as the next Minister of Magic. Wouldn't that be chaotic!

“I would rather not talk about mine.” She tried avoiding our eyes.

“C'mon Tulip, don't be shy.” Charlie encouraged her.

“Easy for you to say Mr. Weasley the Dragonologist. I have no idea what I want to do.” She frowned, worried.

“I don't either.” Jae grinned. “Perhaps we can work it out in the Kitchens.” He nodded his head towards the door and they stood up and left without saying another word.

“You reckon they're doing it?” Tonks asked innocently and completely out of the blue. Penny wanted to get up and leave but Tonks grabbed her arm and pushed her back down to sit. She even caught me off guard and I was pretty used to her asking blunt questions. This time, she left me speechless.

Bill was so stunned by the question that a piece of fries got stuck in his throat. Charlie, who was trying to act casual about the awkward situation but couldn't hide his red face, turned to Bill and saved his life with one slap on the back. Since when was Charlie so strong? I looked at his arms and I never noticed how muscular he has gotten in the last year or was he always like this and I didn't notice?

“Wha-?” Tonks asked.

“Don't you think, they went to talk about their careers?” Bill asked.

“Oh, William,” he frowned at me as I used his full name again, “you are too innocent.” Then I turned to Tonks. “And no, Tonks I don't reckon they're doing it. I do, however,” I leaned across the table to Penny and Tonks, “think he is going to ask her on a date.”

Penny gasped and Tonks looked disappointed.

“Ah, give it a year and you're going to answer with a yes to my question.” Tonks winked at us. Bill coughed again and I couldn't help but laugh. I will miss him next year.

[alice-beaumont-ravenclaw]

Feliz Ano Novo!

A/N #1: Finally! Fic #4 of my Brazil series! In this story, the gang celebrate New Year’s Eve in Rio. 

Brazil series: Hottest Spot South of Havana (Part 1) | Hottest Spot South of Havana (Part 2) | A Wonderful Surprise | História

Word count: 3688

Alice’s outfit | Playlist (The last songs (starting with Carioca) are mostly bossa nova, except for the very last ones, while the ones at the beginning have more of a samba beat)

“Have you seen Alice?” 

Andre had just barged into the boys’ suite, looking slightly panicked.

“Isn’t it more likely she would be in the girls’ room?” pointed out Diego.

“I come from there! I wouldn’t be here otherwise. Charlie, do you know where your girlfriend is?”

“Last I saw her, we were all by the pool this afternoon when the concierge called her over, and she said she had to go fetch something. Haven’t seen her since,” replied Charlie.

“Ugh! I’m supposed to get her ready for the reception this evening,” said Andre, raising his hand to his forehead in desperation.

“Alice needs help to get dressed? Is she sick?” asked Barnaby, raising an eyebrow as he looked toward Andre.

“What? No! It’s just that I am in charge of the way she looks, and if it’s not perfect, it will look bad on me. My reputation will be ruined!” exclaimed Andre, falling on a nearby sofa.

“Don’t you mean you made yourself in charge of the way I look?” asked a voice coming from the doorway. “Not to mention no one in Rio knows that you are in charge of my look.”

“Alice!” exclaimed all four boys when they saw the Ravenclaw standing there, her arms crossed as a smile played on her lips.

“I thought you had a deadly disease!” said Barnaby.

“Where were you?” asked Charlie, noticing the plastic bag she was holding.

“Will I have a dance with you this evening?” chimed in Diego, ignoring Charlie’s glare.

But before Alice could say anything, Andre took her arm and started pulling her toward the girls’ suite. “No time for that! You can answer them all later. Time to get you ready for the reception!” he said before his head popped back into the doorway. “That also goes for you, gentlemen. Stop messing about and get ready!”

As the boys started to get dressed in their room, the girls’ room looked as if a hurricane had passed through it. Clothes were all over the living room as if Tulip’s and Tonks’ luggage had exploded. Which, in fact, they had.

“What happened?” exclaimed Andre and Alice, looking at the scene before noticing Penny. She stood silent in a corner, her eyes wide.

“Tulip brought magical firecrackers with her, and they exploded,” said Tonks, pointing her finger at Tulip.

“Jae Kim is untrustworthy. He sold me defective firecrackers!” grumbled Tulip. 

“That does not explain why Tonks’ suitcase also seems to have exploded,” said Andre as he picked up a charred t-shirt, wrinkling his nose before letting it drop to the floor.

“I may have hidden some in her suitcase…” said Tulip, looking away, her lips pursed.

“My autographed Weird Sisters t-shirt!” exclaimed Tonks, holding up the remnants of a t-shirt.

“Why does Penny look shell-shocked?” whispered Andre.

“Exploding pillow incident?” wondered Alice, though she had her doubts. 

“No,” said Penny as she walked over to Alice and Andre. “It just hit me that my vacation would be way better without these two.”

“Come on… They’re not that bad,” said Alice just as Tonks turned Tulip’s hair purple.

“You were saying?” said Andre.

“Ugh… Alright. Andre, close the door,” said Alice as she dropped her bag on a chair and took out her wand. “Silencio!” she said, pointing her wand at both Tonks and Tulip. She then cast a spell on all the clothes in the room to put them back in the suitcase. “Good thing Flitwick taught us that packing charm two years ago,” she said as she watched the pieces of clothing neatly get inside the bags.

“I love watching that spell at work,” said Andre as he turned Tulip’s hair back to its bright red colour.

“Honestly, I’d rather if we didn’t have to use any of these spells. Can’t you two ever be quiet?” said Penny as she sat on the sofa, glaring at the currently mute girls.

“Well, they currently are…” pointed out Alice.

“That’s because you used the Silencing Charm on them. As soon as it wears off, Tonks will scream bloody murder about her Weird Sisters t-shirt. Tulip will just say how boring we are for preventing her from destroying the hotel,” said Penny, massaging her temples.

Alice turned to her two silent friends, who were both looking down at the floor. “Look… I know your definition of fun may differ from mine or Penny’s,” she started saying, “but I think we can find a way to compromise so that we can all enjoy our vacation. But first, let’s deal with the situation at hand. Tulip, if you have anything else that goes BOOM, let me know so that we can dispose of them without creating a mess. Tonks, I’m pretty sure we can repair your Weird Sisters t-shirt, and worst-case scenario, I’m pretty sure that getting another one won’t be too hard considering they are all still at Hogwarts. Now, apologize to Penny.”

“Alice… they can’t speak,” whispered Andre before making his way to the bedroom.

“Oops, sorry, forgot about that. Finite Incantatem,” said Alice, flicking her wand.

“Sorry, Penny,” said Tonks and Tulip.

“Great! Now that that’s over, time to get ready for the party. Alice, I placed your outfit on the bed. I’ll go back to my room to get changed and come back for your hair and makeup. Chop chop!” said Andre as he left the girls’ suite.

All four girls looked at the door closing behind Andre when Tulip turned towards Alice. “Alice Beaumont?” she asked. “Why is Andre Egwu always planning your outfits?”

“I… don’t know, actually. I think it all started with the Celestial Ball. I asked him to create an outfit for Rowan and Ben, and he then wanted to take care of my look.”

“Wait… he actually planned one of your outfits before that. Remember when we went to the Proms?” said Penny.

“You’re right! Either way, beats being thrown fashion magazines at,” said Alice, rubbing her head.

“And if we don’t want him to throw the magazines he brought for this trip at our heads, we should get ready before he comes back,” pointed out Tonks.

About 40 minutes later, the girls came out of their room, preceded by Andre. Tonks was wearing golden flared pants with a black off-the-shoulder top, along with sneakers, to Andre’s chagrin. Tulip wore a short halter-neck dark blue dress with a raven motif on it and bronze flat sandals. Penny had a yellow midi-length dress with a cowl neck that was a little form-fitting, paired with black sandals with stiletto heels. 

Finally came Alice in a green A-line dress made from layers of floaty silk organza with a draped bodice. Her feet wear adorned with a pair of high-heel golden sandals with a golden sequin rose on the side of the ankle. Her accessories remained simple, with a vintage gold necklace with a charm in the shape of a heart around her neck, a gold ring with a beautiful indigo blue quartz stone on her finger, and a golden headband of overlapping hoops in her softly curled hair. The look was completed by a small clutch embellished with golden mirrored beaded embroidery. 

“Are these… the colour of the Brazilian flag?” asked Alanza, who was waiting in the corridor with the other boys in a simple white dress and silver gladiator sandals.

“Oh, Merlin, you think it’s tacky, right? I told Andre…” started saying Alice, ready to head back in her room.

“What? Oh! No! It actually looks lovely! I mean, it’s usually reserved for football matches here; otherwise, we don’t really wear our flag’s colour, but it’s very subtle in your outfit,” tried reassuring Alanza.

Unfortunately, both Andre and Alice looked mortified and ready to crawl under a rock. 

“Alanza just said Alice looks great,” said Charlie, as he wrapped his arms around his girlfriend’s waist from behind. “So let’s go have some fun and celebrate New Year’s Eve before the party ends.”

“That’s what I wanted to hear! Let’s go have some fun!” exclaimed Tonks, running to the elevators.

“By the way, what’s the drinking age in Brazil?” asked Tulip.

“TULIP!” yelled all her Hogwarts friends before Alanza could answer.

As they entered the Copacabana Palace’s reception room, they were dazzled by the decor, fellow attendees, and the live music. After being shown to their table, the girls headed straight to the dance floor, attracted by the lively music. The boys chatted about various topics, until someone caught Diego’s attention.

“How is Tonks dancing?” asked Diego as he observed the girls.

Tonks was squatting, swaying her hips as she gyrated her fist above her head.

“She looks like she’s about to throw an invisible lasso,” said Andre. “And… yup, Tulip just decided to join her.”

“At least neither seem to care about the looks they are getting,” commented Diego.

“Alanza really seems to be enjoying herself,” remarked Barnaby.

“Indeed. She and Penny are really graceful on the dancefloor. As for Alice,” added Diego, glancing toward Charlie, “her dancing skills have really improved since I first taught you two how to waltz for the Celestial Ball.”

“I honestly never thought we’d get through that without falling flat on our faces,” said Charlie, sighing as he remembered that evening.

“I heard you two nearly kissed that night…” said Diego, smirking.

“Good thing they didn’t, or we might never have had that kiss on the Quidditch pitch. If it wasn’t for that kiss, I wouldn’t even be certain these two were dating,” said Andre.

“Don’t forget the glow they both had coming out of that field last summer,” said Penny as she sat down. “That’s more evidence they are an item.”

“Penny...” said Alice through gritted teeth, daggers shooting out of her eyes as the other girls sat down and Charlie’s face turned a bright shade of red.

“Sorry, sorry. But Andre’s right. It’s not like you two act like a couple around Hogwarts,” pointed out Penny.

“It’s called being discreet,” replied Alice.

“Jae Kim did tell me he once caught them asleep on a sofa in the Gryffindor common room,” said Tulip.

“Did he?” said Penny, a glimmer in her eyes as they fell on Alice and Charlie.

“Oh, look! Our food is coming!” exclaimed Alice, ignoring Penny as Charlie took a big gulp of his champagne.

As the waiters placed the plates in front of them, Penny’s gaze remained on Alice, the corner of her mouth quirking up.

As they started to eat, Penny cleared her throat, “So―”

“We were studying and fell asleep,” interrupted Alice, not looking up from her plate. “Nothing worth alerting the press. On the other hand, Beatrice mentioned something about you snogging a certain someone instead of helping him study potion.” Alice’s eyes looked in Diego’s direction before slowly looking up at Penny’s face.

Penny’s cheek turned a light shade of pink as she stared at Alice, ignoring everyone’s gaze on her. She wouldn’t, would she? Then again, when push comes to shove, Alice wasn’t the kind to necessarily take the high road. No one could know Diego Caplan had once successfully seduced her. “The food really is delicious,” she finally said. 

“Talk about a segue,” pointed out Tonks as she looked between Penny and Alice.

From then, the conversation took different direction, from Alanza’s time at Hogwarts to last summer’s Quidditch World Cup. Diego tried discussing samba techniques with Alanza, who revealed she had no idea how to dance a proper samba. She just danced to the beat of the music. Alanza seemed to enjoy listening to Barnaby talk about magical creatures. Andre was looking around at the other guests’ outfits, relieved they weren’t the only one in colourful clothes. Tulip and Tonks were whispering to one another, which made Penny down her champagne flute.

“By the way… How come we have a champagne bottle on our table? I thought Alanza said we had to be 18 to get alcohol,” said Alice, finally noticing the golden liquid in the flute next to her glass of water.

“Ah! I only said the legal drinking age was 18. But it’s not hard for teens to buy it,” corrected Alanza.

“Not to mention we do have someone who is 18 at our table,” said Andre, looking at Charlie.

“Oh! That’s right! Charlie Weasley is the oldest one here! Thanks for the booze, dear elder!” exclaimed Tulip from across the table, raising near-empty her glass.

“Don’t overdo it, Tulip. Champagne gets you drunk faster than you think, not to mention the hungover...” warned Alice.

“You got drunk on champagne?” asked Barnaby, taking a sip from his glass.

“No, it’s just something I heard my parents say,” Alice said, shrugging.

“Come to think of it… I never saw you drink alcohol. Not even firewhiskey at parties,” noted Tonks.

“That’s because she got sick as a kid because there was alcohol in a cake she ate,” explained Charlie.

Everyone stared at him.

“You… remembered that story I told you?” asked Alice, her hand over her chest, her eyes blinking quickly.

“How adorable!” said Penny, clapping her hands together before resting her cheek on them.

“It’s sickening,” said Tonks and Tulip.

Charlie’s face grew hotter as everyone was looking at him. Why was it so impressive that he remembered something Alice told him? He didn’t like everyone looking at him like he had discovered a new species of dragons when all he had done was remember a story. Taking Alice’s hand, he said, “Let’s go dance,” pulling her out of her chair.

“But… dessert?” said Alice as she followed him.

“Not really hungry anymore.”

As the couple made their way to the dance floor, everyone else at the table looked at them.

“They are so cute together,” gushed Penny.

“How long before he proposes?” asked Tonks, smirking.

“Well, according to Jae Kim, many have bet that―” started saying Tulip. She realized all eyes were on her and said eyes were all wide. “It was a rhetorical question, wasn’t it?”

Tonks nodded.

As everyone else shook their heads in dismay, Barnaby looked confused. “Who’s betting on what?”

“Come,” said Alanza, gently taking his hand, “let’s go dance.”

Back on the dance floor, Charlie and Alice were swaying to the bossa nova music playing. Alice’s mind seemed elsewhere, as she kept frowning as she looked at something over his shoulder.

“Is everything alright?” asked Charlie.

“Mmm? Oh! Yes! Sorry… It’s just that I’ve been thinking about what Alanza said,” replied Alice.

“What Alanza said?” echoed Charlie, his eyebrow quirking up.

“About my outfit’s… colour palette,” said Alice, looking back at whatever was behind Charlie.

“Alice, I already told you. You look amazing in your dress.”

“I know, but look around. I’m the only one wearing all the colours of the Brazilian flag.”

Charlie did as Alice asked. He noticed that many were wearing white like Alanza, while others were wearing various colours. Alice was right. She was the only one wearing the colours of the national flag. 

“Maybe if I removed the ring…” muttered Alice, removing her hand from Charlie’s shoulder.

“What ring?” asked Charlie, returning his attention to his girlfriend.

“That ring!” said Alice as she stopped dancing, trying to pull the ring off of her finger. When she finally did, she looked around. “Left my clutch at the table, be right back,” she said as she started to walk away.

Charlie grabbed her wrist. “Wait. I can put your ring in my pocket,” he said, pointing to his pocket.

“You don’t mind?”

“Of course not. Unless your ring weighs a ton, I’ll barely notice it.”

Alice chuckled and gave him the ring. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure,” he said, tucking the ring in his pocket before placing his hand back on the small of her back while the other took her hand. “You know I’ll always be there for you, right?”

Alice raised her brows. “It’s just a ring, Charlie.”

Charlie shook his head.“Yeah, no, I meant in general,” he said, looking into her green eyes, “I’ll stand by you, no matter what.”

Alice stared back at him, looking into his warm brown eyes. “Charlie…” She started to lean forward when―

“And I'll never desert you,” sang Tonks in a whisper as she stood next to them with Tulip. The couple hadn’t noticed them dancing nearby, too focused on one another.

“I’ll stand by you,” completed Tulip, before they ran off.

“Tonks! Tulip!” exclaimed Alice, ready to run after them, but Charlie pulled her closer to him.

“Let them. My own fault for sounding so cheesy,” said Charlie, a corner of his mouth quirking up as he rolled his eyes.

“It wasn’t―” started saying Alice, only to notice Charlie raising an eyebrow at her. “Ok, maybe it was a little, but most romantic things could be considered cheesy in some way.”

“You thought it was romantic?”

 Alice nodded. “I was actually about to kiss you when these two interrupted,” she said, her face becoming slightly red as she looked down.

Charlie let go of her hand and used his finger to gently lift her chin up. “Were you?” he said, leaning forward to close the distance between them.

As their lips were about to meet, Alanza arrived beside them, pulling Barnaby behind her. “Come on, you two! People are making their way to the beach for the countdown,” she said before disappearing into the crowd with Barnaby.

“And people wonder why they never saw us kiss in public,” grumbled Charlie as he took Alice’s hand.

“We keep getting interrupted,” said Alice with a little laugh escaping her lips as she took her clutch from the table.

They made their way through the crowd toward the doors that led outside. The horde was getting denser, and Alice could feel her pulse quicken and her shoulders getting tense. She needed to get out of that crowd. Now.

She let go of Charlie’s hand. “I… I think I forgot something in my room. Be right back,” she said before she started walking in the opposite direction.

Charlie looked at her silhouette disappear into the crowd, puzzled until he remembered her running out of the Celestial Ball. And her taking his hand after that concert. And at the Quidditch World Cup…

He spotted Andre and shouted, “I’ll just go back to the room with Alice. I think she’s not feeling well.” After Andre nodded to indicate he had heard him, Charlie made his way through the crowd to the elevators. 

There were a few people around the elevators, but Alice wasn’t there. She must already be upstairs, thought Charlie to himself. He got onto an elevator, and when he arrived at the Penthouse floor, he went straight to the door of her suite and knocked. No answers. He knocked again. Still nothing. Maybe she was on the balcony. He got into his room and made his way to the balcony. He turned to look over at the girls’ suite’s balcony. There she was, quietly sitting in a chair, looking down at the crowd on the beach.

“There you are,” said Charlie, smiling.

Alice looked up, her eyes wide. “Oh! Charlie? You startled me.”

“I’ll come and join you,” he said, making his way toward the balustrade that stood between their two balconies.

“I’ll go and open the―” started saying Alice as she got up from her chair.

“No need,” said Charlie, jumping over the railing. As he landed, they heard something metallic fall to the ground.

“What was that?” asked Alice, looking around.

“Your ring!” said Charlie, a look of realization in his eyes. “Don’t move. It probably didn’t fall too far.” He looked around until he saw something glint on the floor. “There it is!” he exclaimed, raising the ring from the floor.

His eyes suddenly widened as he realized the position he was in. He was on one knee with a ring in his hand while Alice was standing in front of him. He blushed, but the darkness of the evening prevented Alice from seeing it. She simply stared at him, blinking. Did she realize what this scene looked like? Charlie decided to try something.

“May I?” he asked, taking her left hand. He slid the ring on her ring finger before looking up to see her reaction.

Alice raised her hand, looking at the ring on her finger. “I think,” she started, staring at the ring,” I was wearing it on my right hand.”

“What?” said Charlie, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes… see, it’s a bit loose on that finger, but I think it fits snugly on the other hand. See, fingers are…” started explaining Alice.

Charlie couldn’t help but chuckle. Of course, Alice had not realized what the situation had looked like. Romantic gestures usually flew right over her head unless they were obvious. That was part of her charm, really. Lost in those thoughts, as Alice explained the difference between fingers, he suddenly realized the music on the beach had stopped and that the DJ was saying something that got the crowd excited.

“Alice,” he said, interrupting her monologue.

“Yes?”

“I think they are about to start the countdown.”

“You think?” she asked.

Before he could answer, they heard the crowd on the beach shout, “DEZ!”

“I think you're right,” said Alice as she walked to the railing to get a better view.

“NOVE!”

Charlie got up from the floor and walked over to Alice, hugging her from behind.

“OITO!”

Alice looked up at Charlie, smiling softly.

“SETE!”

“I love you,” she said.

“SEIS!”

Charlie looked down at her, his eyes wide with surprise. It was the first time she had ever said this to him.

“CINCO!”

Seeing the tenderness in her eyes, he smiled back.

“QUATRO!”

“I love you too,” he said.

“TRÊS!”

He leaned down.

“DOIS!”

She closed her eyes.

“UM!”

Their lips were about to touch.

“FELIZ ANO NOVO!”

“Happy New Year,” he whispered before his lips covered hers.

As he felt Alice melt into his kiss, Charlie couldn’t help to think back at that moment when he had slipped that ring on her finger and the warmth he felt as he did so.

A/N #2: I hope you enjoyed this fic! Next up: Ipanema!

[writingfortoomanyfandoms]

Penny For Your Thoughts (II)

Pairing: Young!Sirius Black x Reader

Series Summary: Y/N Y/L/N has lived in the Potter household since she was eight years old. Even amongst the Potters, whom she knew loved her, she has never felt truly accepted, never felt like anything other than a burden. Until she went to Hogwarts. For the first time she had friends who weren’t forced to act as such, she had a family who loved her by choice. There, she met Sirius, the first and only person to ever truly understand what she was going through, to listen to her and not judge.

Chapter Warnings: Ummm not sure - maybe swearing?

A/N: And here’s part two! I hope you enjoy - here you’ll meet some of my OCs created for the series, characters who I genuinely love a lot so I hope you also like them! Please let me know what you think - especially if you’re on the taglist, hearing your comments always inspires me to keep on writing, so please do let me know. If you wish to be added to the taglist send me an ASK, replies to the parts asking to be added onto it won’t be responded to

“I told you - I have the worst sense of direction!” Y/N groaned as herself and Beatrice managed to take another wrong turn on their way to the Great Hall for breakfast.

“I thought you were exaggerating or - or being modest!” Beatrice laughed, nudging into her gently with her elbow. Y/N pulled a face at her.

“That would be rather Hufflepuff of me, wouldn’t it?” 

“Hey - this looks familiar!” Beatrice exclaimed as they turned another corner and Y/N wrinkled her nose, taking in the painting of a fruit bowl that they had stumbled across.

“B?”

“Yeah?”

“We’re back by the kitchens - we’re back where we started.”

“What’re you two doing here?” They turned to face back down the hallway where the Hufflepuff common room was located hidden behind a pile of barrels. Liane, Jessica and Eric were approaching them, grinning at their obviously lost friends.

“Waiting for you?” Y/N suggested.

“Forget the way to the Great Hall?” Eric teased.

“Maybe a little,” Y/N agreed.  The group continued on, led by Jessica who regularly looked over her shoulder as though to check that her newfound friends were still following her, worried that they may disappear.

“It’s a good thing we left so early this morning,” Beatrice commented to Y/N. “Otherwise we might not have made it to breakfast in time.”

“Why did you leave so early?” Liane asked as they entered into the Great Hall, which was already at least half full with students eating their breakfast.

“I was aware I’d get lost - B just came along for the ride.” Beatrice nodded solemnly at those words as they found themselves seats at the Hufflepuff table.

“I was under the impression that she knew what she was doing,” she admitted. “And I’m ashamed to admit that.”

“You’ve known me less than twenty four hours!” Y/N protested. “For all you know, I could have planned all of that.”

“Why would you have planned getting lost on the way to breakfast?” Beatrice asked in bewilderment.

“Oh, yeah, I’ve known you for less than twenty four hours and you expect me to spill my master plan to you,” Y/N scoffed.

Eric was watching the two girls interact, his brow scrunched together in confusion but a twinkle in his eyes that showed he was more amused than anything else.

“You’re both rather strange.” 

“Well that’s just rude,” Beatrice huffed, pouring herself some juice as Y/N picked up the water pitcher. 

“Do you think the professors will be nice?” Jessica blurted out the words, cutting off their conversation. Two spots of pink appeared on her cheeks when all four of them turned to face her. “Sorry,” she muttered, looking down at her plate. 

“You remember what Mum said, Jess,” Eric said calmly. “When she was here she loved all the teachers - she was even taught by McGonagall and Flitwick.”

“Who are they?” Beatrice frowned and quickly added: “my parents didn’t much like talking about Hogwarts,” Y/N thought she saw a hint of embarrassment in her expression and she noted how Beatrice refused to meet any of their eyes.

“McGonagall teaches transfiguration and Flitwick teaches charms,” Liane explained, buttering a piece of toast. “My parents told me that McGonagall’s a complete hard-ass though,” she added and Y/N saw Jessica’s eyes widen.

“Really?” Beatrice asked, staring at Liane.

“Yeah - really strict, apparently,” she confirmed. “Especially if you’re not in her house.”

“That’s not true,” Eric sighed, shaking his head. “The teachers aren’t allowed to favour those in their house,” he insisted but Liane shook her head defiantly.

“None of the teachers stick to that! All the heads of house are lenient towards their own students!”

“So d’ya think Sprout’ll give us a load of house points for like… breathing?” Beatrice asked and she shared an amused look with Y/N.

“Alright - laugh all you want now, we’ll see who’s right,” Liane scoffed, but there was traces of laughter in her voice.

“What do you think we’ll have today?” Jessica asked in her quiet, soft voice, her nerves about their first day seeming to override the shyness that she had shown the previous evening.

“I hope we have Potions,” Liane said eagerly, her voice completely changing from her previous tone of disbelief.

“Do you think you’ll be good at it?” Beatrice asked interestedly.

“My Dad’s fantastic at brewing potions - Mum says that he’s been waiting for me to go to Hogwarts so that he can help me learn how to properly do them myself,” Liane explained through a bite of toast.

“I heard that it was a really hard subject,” Jessica worried.

“I’m sure you’ll be fine,” Y/N mustered up as much of a reassuring smile as she could manage. “What’re you looking forward to?” Jessica didn’t reply immediately, clearly thinking carefully about the question.

 “I think I’ll enjoy herbology,” she decided, nodding her head to confirm her thought. Beside Y/N, Beatrice completely lit up in delight.

“Really? I think I will too - I used to love gardening when I was at home!” She enthused. Jessica brightened at that and it wasn’t long before the two of them were talking excitedly about what they were most looking forward to studying - both of them, apparently, having already read through the text book that had been assigned for their year.

“What about you, then?”

“Care of Magical Creatures,” Y/N’s response to Liane’s question was immediate, the words out her mouth before she had a chance even to think about them.

“But… we can’t study that yet,” Liane pointed out, raising her eyebrows and Y/N let out a sad sigh, nodding her head.

“I know - sucks, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t think I’ll be taking it,” Liane admitted with a slight shiver. Y/N frowned at her, confused, and her new friend offered her an apologetic smile. “I’m not… great with animals. They make me nervous.”

“All animals?” Y/N questioned in disbelief.

“Pretty much - they don’t trust me, I think. And so I also don’t trust them. We’ve got a mutual understanding going on.”

“It’s okay, I’ll change that,” Y/N reassured her with a mischievous smile. “I’ve been told I can be rather persuasive.”

“Why does that sound like a threat?” Y/N ignored Liane’s sigh and looked over at Eric. 

“What about you?” She inquired, but Eric wasn’t listening and was instead looking at his sister and Beatrice with what was almost an expression of concern that Y/N didn’t quite understand. “Eric?”

“What, sorry?” He was snapped back into the present, trying his best to feign attentiveness as he returned to the conversation.

“What subject are you excited for?” Liane repeated, rolling her eyes a little and running a hand through her scarlet hair, pushing it away from her face.

“Well… everyone’s excited for Defence Against the Dark Arts, right?” He pointed out with a ‘duh’ expression. 

Their conversation speculating over their new classes carried them to the end of breakfast, the food disappearing from the platters in front of them, the heads of house descending from the professors table at the front of the hall all carrying piles of parchment. 

Professor Sprout was a squat woman with greying curly hair with a tattered wizards hat perched on top. Her fingernails had dirt underneath and the skin of her hands looked rough to Y/N’s eyes, presumably from the many hours she spent outside in the Greenhouses. Her eyes, despite being tired-looking, were warm and welcoming, smile lines beginning to be etched into the skin around them.

She practically beamed at Y/N and her fellow first years.

“I didn’t get to say it last night - but welcome all of you to Hufflepuff!” Her words caused quiet cheers and giggles from the first years surrounding them. A freckled boy that Y/N didn’t know the name off looked as though he was going to pass out from joy. “For anyone who doesn’t know - I’m Professor Sprout. Your head of House and also your Herbology teacher!” Jessica and Beatrice exchanged yet another excited look.

Sprout handed out the parchment, one to each student, asking each for their name, welcoming them to her house.

“And your name?”

“I’m Y/N, Professor, Y/N Y/L/N,” she smiled. Professor Sprout’s face fell just a little and she nodded, her warm eyes softening even further.

“It’s lovely to meet you - welcome to Hufflepuff,” she said, her voice more gentle than it had been when talking to the other first years.Y/N took her timetable from her, staring down at the little squares labelled with her lessons, not wanting to meet the inquiring gazes of her new friends who Y/N could tell had picked up on Sprout’s change in mood.

“Charms first,” Y/N muttered, reading the writing. “And then Herbology,” she looked at Beatrice who was watching her carefully. “Pretty ideal for you, huh?”

Beatrice cracked a smile and nodded her head.

“Alright - we should probably get going. With Y/N’s complete lack of any sense of direction at all it’ll take us a good fifteen to thirty minutes to find the classroom,” Beatrice declared, standing up and stretching her arms out, smirking at her new friend who rolled her eyes, standing up as well.

“Well Jess has a thestral’s sense of direction so I’m sure we can use her as a guide.”

“I don’t…. understand?” Jessica asked, looking at Y/N with an apprehensive expression.

“It was a compliment,” Y/N assured her as their little group of friends made their way out of the Great Hall, clutching at their timetables. Y/N’s heart was racing with nerves, though she didn’t want to admit it aloud.

They walked together to charms, speculating excitedly about what they thought the lesson could hold for them, what Flitwick had in store to teach them. 

Unsurprisingly, considering how early they had left from breakfast, they were the first ones to find the classroom and lined up outside it, Liane talking animatedly about the different charms that she had already read up about. 

“Who do we have it with, anyway?” Eric asked, leaning against the wall.

Y/N glanced down at the timetable still clutched in her hands and her heart leapt in her chest.

“The Gryffindors,” she relayed, beaming. 

“Why’re you so pleased?” Beatrice asked.

“I already know some of them!”

“You already have other friends?” Beatrice gasped in feigned offence.

“What can I say? People love me.”

“Hey Y/N,” Lily tapped Y/N on her shoulder, who whirled around to grin at her.

“Hi! How are you?” 

“Good thanks,” Lily grinned. “How was your first night?”

“It was fun! Oh!” Y/N turned back to her group of Hufflepuff friends. “This is Beatrice, Eric, Jessica and Liane.” They waved at the Gryffindor girl, whose smile seemed to become shyer with the introduction. “And this is Lily - we met on the platform yesterday and sat together on the train.”

“Nice to meet you,” Lily said, taking Beatrice’s hand.

“Who’re your friends?” Y/N whispered to Lily, looking over at the three other girls dressed in red-hooded robes that had arrived with Lily.

Lily giggled at Y/N’s lowered tone.

“That’s Marlene, next to her is Alice and then that’s Dorcas.” Lily introduced quietly, pointing at each girl in turn. Y/N nodded her head but didn’t get a chance to respond further as James’ booming voice rang out from down the corridor, where he had just turned the corner to the hallway where the charms class was located.

“Y/N! Hufflepuff! Mum called it! Have you written to tell her yet?”

Y/N let out a heavy sigh, removing herself from the company of her friends and walked towards James, who was accompanied by a group of boys - one of whom she recognised from the platform to be Frank Longbottom.

“I haven’t, no - did you write to let them know you’re in Gryffindor?” 

“As if they need the confirmation,” James scoffed. 

“Wait - what do you mean your mum called it?” Y/N’s brows furrowed together as she registered what else James had said. 

“Ages ago! When you first-” James caught himself, “when you first started to ask about the House system. She told me and Dad that she reckoned you’d be a Hufflepuff.”

“She never told me that,” Y/N frowned and James shrugged.

“Well she told me,” Y/N gave him a withering look.

“I figured,” she met Sirius’ eyes over James’ shoulder and he gave her the same cocky smirk that Y/N was beginning to realise was a near-permanent fixture for him.

“Hey,” he nodded at her.

“Gryffindor, huh?” Sirius’ smirk seemed to fall briefly, a slightly worried look on his face as he responded, though he tried to cover it with a poor substitute of his previous confidence.

“My Mum’ll be so proud.” James snickered, glancing at his new friend.

“These are our other dormmates, by the way,” James said, gesturing to the other three boys who had joined in with the conversation held by the other Hufflepuff boys who had turned up shortly after the Gryffindors. “That’s Remus, Peter and - you remember Dad talking about Frank?”

“Your dad was talking about me?” Frank asked, breaking out of the conversation to shoot a confused look at James and Y/N.

“Mine was telling us that he went to school with your Mum,” James explained cheerfully, no hint of the embarrassment that Y/N was feeling having been caught in such an odd conversation. 

“Right…” there was still an air of unsureness in Frank’s voice.

“How was your first night anyway? You doing okay?” James lowered his voice a little, clearly knowing that Y/N wouldn’t want for their classmates to overhear him checking up on her. “You sleep okay?” He added knowingly.

“It was fine, James - I’m fine, I promise,” Y/N said with a smile and gave a half shrug, glancing back to her new friends. “They all seem really lovely.”

“I’m glad,” James smiled, nudging her shoulder with his. “And last night - you didn't…?”

“No - not last night,” she confirmed. Y/N suddenly looked to Sirius, who she realised had been standing with them as they spoke, looking interested. “I snore,” was the first thing she could think of as an explanation. 

Sirius started to laugh and Y/N’s embarrassment washed over her, not that she had time to dwell on it when Beatrice grabbed her arm and tugged her towards the classroom that Professor Flitwick had just entered into.

“You’ll sit with me, right?”

They found a table together in the middle of the classroom, Y/N sliding into the chair nearest the window, Liane and Jessica sitting in the row in front of them, Eric joining a fellow Hufflepuff boy at the table beside them. It was no surprise at all to Y/N that James and his new friends took seats right at the back of the classroom.

“Who was that?” Beatrice whispered to her as Flitwick started his lecture.

“I’m trying to listen,” Y/N returned and Beatrice fell silent.

“No you’re not - you’re doodling!” Beatrice accused, her voice still too low to be heard by anyone other than Y/N.

“Relevant doodling?” Y/N offered and Beatrice gave her a withering look, not bothering to reply further than that. 

“Now it’s over to you to have a go! Remember - swish and flick!” Flitwick announced, clapping his hands cheerfully.

“Any chance you were actually paying proper attention?” Y/N asked Beatrice as Flitwick waved his wand and feathers flew across the room to land one in front of each student.

“The levitating charm,” Lily whispered from the table behind them. Y/N looked over her shoulder at the Gryffindor girl who was smiling. “You know - Wingardium Leviosa.”

“Thanks,” Y/N whispered in return. 

“But who is he?” Beatrice repeated again, the classroom filling with noise as the eager First Years began to cast their first spells. Y/N got her own out of her robes and shrugged nonchalantly.

“Just a guy I grew up with - our parents were friends.”

[futurewriter2000]

Convince me

A/N: This took me so long and no I won’t edit it because I just don’t want to read it again. I’m just gonna listen to my George Michael and chill at 2am.

PAIRING: Fred Weasley x reader

REQUEST: Could you do a Fred Weasley x Reader when their in their fourth year where they both are secretly in love with eachother. But one day George asks somethin like what do you like in a guy and since shes a few months older then them she jokingly says she likes older men. Later Percy asks her out she says no but Fred doesn't know that and thinks she said yes cause "she likes older men". And theres angst and stuff.

XX

 Sometimes you couldn’t describe what you felt. You knew exactly when you were angry; the gritting of your teeth, heart pumping faster, blood reaching your cheeks, nerves thinning, brain clouded... or when you were sad; usually feeling like your heart was in a dark pit, floating in a shallow sea of sorrow. 

But this feeling- this emotion- this whatever this is, you couldn’t describe it with words. You couldn’t even figure it out what this really was. It wasn’t just an affinity, nor attrection and desire but it wasn’t love either. So what was it? 

When your eyes meet, your heart stops for a second and it starts pounding in your chest. When his smile reaches his cheeks and is directed to you, your hands become clammy and feel yourself get sweaty. When he speaks with his voice, your stomach twists and starts doing rhythmic gymnastics but what happens when he’s close and his hand brushes against yours?- Combination of chaos, hormones and emotions. A mess to put it subtle.

“Hey, Cherry.” you snapped your head at the ginger boy, your eyes narrowing at him. 

Cherry. The nickname George and Fred thought of when they pulled a hair-colouring prank on you. Your hair was vibrant red, sticking out in every direction and because of the poor inovention, it kept letting red drops fall on the ground, turning them into cherries. It kept going on for three days. 

“Stop calling me that, George. If anyones hair is cherry, it’s yours.” you rolled your eyes at him. 

“George? What in the right mind made you think I am George and not Fred.” he scrunched his eyebrows together and crossed his arms over his chest as if he was offended. 

You could only wish it was Fred talking to you at the moment but he wasn’t. It was his brother. His taller brother whose nose was more crooked, eyes more round and brown, lips more thin yet more rosier, shoulders less broad, more brawny body and grin almost reflecting his brother’s yet with less mischief. Oh, and one more thing. You weren’t in love with George and the energy around was quite different than around Fred.

“Don’t bother, George.” you slightly pushed his shoulder so his arms uncrosed and fell down against his body. “You know it doesn’t work with me.”

He bent down, looking directly in your eyes and wondering. “You never cease to amaze me. From all the people that can tell us apart, you are the only one.” 

A blush crept on your cheeks, flattered by his words. “You make me swoon with your choice in words,George Weasley.” you crinckled your nose at him and started walking forward. 

Yet, he was more nervous when he walked. Tensed as even, You quirked an eyevrow at him and he smiled awkwardly. “Swoon, you say, I wouldn’t be surprised because, well...” he stopped in front of you, showing himself off. “Look at me.”

“I am.” you narrowed your eyes. “Can’t say I see much.” you joked and he let out a scoff.

“Oh, okay Mrs. Heartbreaker. What is much for you?” 

You laughed at his response, looking over his shoulder and seeing a 7th year Gryffindor Quidditch Keeper laugh with his roommate. “You see that Gryffindor over-there.” you nodded behind him and he turned around to see the 7th year. 

“Really? Oliver Wood?”

“Not just him. Your brother there isn’t so bad either. It’s like killing two birds with one stone- or more likely two birds killing one stone.” you winked and George laughed.

“Percy? As in my older brother Percy??” he kept looking at you with shock.

“How older exactly?” you continued to tease.

“Like too old for your picky arse- are you serious?” he still couldn’t believe his hearing. “Percy?”

“You know what the say; the older you get the more experianced you are.” you winked at him, walking away as his mouth fell agape. 

“Your dirty mind cannot compare to your innocent name, Cherry.” he spoke behind you.

“It’s always the most innoncent that are the wildest in bed.” you turned around with a grin, waved at him and left for your dorms.

And it was not all lie. You liked Percy even if he was a stuck up sometimes, he could really be sweet with you, caring even. You’ve never seen Percy Weasley rested nor relaxed. He was always trying to achieve something. His ambitions drove his mind almost to insanity.

Yet, you remembered this one day, back in your 2nd Year, he was sleeping in the library. His head was supported by his hand and his horn-rimmed glasses were on the pile of papers, his other hand on top of a few open books that were on top of some other closed books. And though at the time, you and Percy only exchanged a nodd or a simple “hi”, you decided to wake the Prefect up. 

‘ Your hand touched his shoulder and you rocked him gently. “Percy.” you spoke very quietly, trying not to frighten him. “Percy.” you tried again and he opened his eyes slowly. They were just like Fred’s, you noticed. When his mind awoke as well, he jumped up-straiht and started looking around. 

“Merlin! What time is it?!” he shouted and you shushed him.

“It’s late. That’s why I woke you up.” 

He looked up, calmed down and smiled softly. “You’re (y/n), right?”

You smiled and nodded. “Yes. That’s me.” you kept smiling. “I didn’t know you knew my real name due to your brothers always calling me Cherry.” 

“My brother’s can quite step over the limit but they don’t mean harm.” he smiled as well. It was as if you were looking a completely different side of him. “Sit.” he offered, gesturing his hand to the chair. “I hear you’re doing great in all of your classess except Charms. I could tutor you if you would like.” 

“YES!” you blurted out desperatly. “I mean...” you looked down with a blush and fumbled your fingers. “I’d love to.” ‘ 

Charms was always hell for you. Always. Since the first year and you could notice that Flitwick wasn’t very fond of you as well. Fred and George, as great as they were with Charms, were never much on school and tutoring after-school hours wasn’t their idea of living. So, Percy was the one who always helped you with your school work, especially Charms and since that night, you got to know a completely different side of him. He could be patient and sweet. He takes his time with explaining how to do a wand movement or how to figure out Arithmancy when you decided to take the class.  

Yes, you liked Percy Weasley but he wasn’t his brother. He wasn’t Fred. He wasn’t the one you felt a mess for.

---

It was odd though. The next time you saw Percy, he was a bit on edge. He kept playing with his fingers, his mouth kept being curved up into this awkward smile and his voice kept shaking- speaking far too quickly for your ears to catch his words.

“Percy.” you put your hand on his, looking into his eyes. “You keep bouncing your leg and that is really distracting. I can’t concentrate.”

He sat solid on that chair like a rock, watching you back before shaking his head and smiling softly.” Sorry. I’m just a bit nervous.”

“May I ask you why?” you smiled and dropped down your pen to listen.

“Uhm...” he chuckled awkwardly, avoiding your eyes. “Well, George told me you fancied me for a while and I sort of fancy you back but I never wanted to say anything because of the-” he stopped for a while, reading your expression that stayed just the same as he started telling you this.”-age thing.” he continued with caution. “But he said you actually prefer that so I thought, maybe. if you want, we can go to Hogsmeade together next week?” 

You stared, empty for words, confused at what he just said,- what? What just happened?

“Percy...” you started with a disappointing sigh, seeing as his shoulders dropped. 

“It’s alright. I knew-”

“No, Percy. I do like you and if I do go on the Hogsmeade date with you, what would happen after? After you grauate and leave. I still have 3 years of Hogwarts left and you have a carrier to think about.” you smiled and put your hand on top of his. You could see his mind clear up, the pieces coming together. “Plus...I know you are still in love with Penny and I- well, I’m also in love with somebody else.”

You could see him exhale the breath he was holding it. In a way, he expected to be disappointed but if he was honest with himself, he was actually relieved. 

“Does that someone else have to do with my brother?” he smirked at you and you felt your eyes widen at him. 

He knew!

“You knew!” 

“The puppy eyes, the obvious red stain on your cheeks. It doesn’t take a genious to figure out.” he chuckled and leaned back on the chair.

“Yeah, well obviously it takes your brother quite some time to figure it out.” you sighed and leaned back as well.

“Just tell him then.”

“You tell Penny.” you snapped back.

“Tell her what?”

“That you want her back.”

“I do not!” he denied but you knew he was lying through his front teeth. You fixiated your gaze on him and he smiled awkwardly. “Perhaps I do but like you said, my Hogwarts years are coming to an end and we’re both going seperate way. All I want to say to you is that don’t wait as long as I did.” 

---

The next time you saw Fred Weasley, he wasn’t in his best of moods. You walked in the Gryffindor common room and saw two red-heads together, whispering. 

You rolled your eyes and made your way to the armchair opposite. “Hey, there strangers.”

Their heads popped up. George smiled meanwhile Fred didn’t. “Hey.” they both said in unison and then started whispering again. 

You knitted your eyebrows together and moved closer to them, trying to start a conversation. “What are the two of you doing?” 

“Noone of your business, Cherry.” said Fred with a forced grin. 

You leaned back, amazed by the attitude Fred just gave you and looking at George who shared the same expression as you. 

“Okay.” you said and stood up. “Guess, I’ll leave you both alone.” 

“Come on, Ch-” George tried to speak but Fred cut him off.

“Yeah. I think you know where my brother’s dorm is but I don’t think he’s there.” 

You turned around. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing.” Fred mumbled and turned his eyes back on the paper he was working with his brother. 

You kept looking at him. Shocked? Furious? With the most horrible feeling in our stomach? - More or so. Furious. 

“Guess, I will. He seems to be far better of a company than the two of you.” and you stomped up to the boys dormitory, walking into Percy’s room and starting to rant. “Your brother is such a prick! I cannot believe I fell for him!” you sat down on the bed and then got up again, throwing your arms around nervously. “Firstly, he’s all flirty and touchy with me! Always Cherry this, Cherry that! I honestly thought he might like me back but noooo,, not Fred-right! NOT FRED! He’s just gonna make a girl feel more daft then she already feels!” you turned to point finger at Percy who was grinning at you, flicking his eyes to his right. 

You looked to your right side only to see Oliver Wood, sitting and grinning on his bed. 

You covered your lips with your hands, feeling more embarrased than you did with Fred. “I didn’t see you there.” you spoke shyly and he just laughed. 

“I’m glad you didn’t. Then I wouldn’t see this intimidating side of you.” he said and put his hands away from the books. “So I gather you fancy Fred?”

“What gives you that idea?” you joked.

“Just a guess.” he joked as well, getting up and stretching his arms. “It’s funny because Fred fancies you back, you know?” 

“No, he doesn’t.” you laughed in denial. 

“He does?” Percy sceptically looked at Oliver. 

“Yeah.”

“I don’t believe you.” you said, still laughing. 

“Want me to prove it?” he rolled his eyes.

“How?- actually no.” you shook your head, standing up. “I- Fred doesn’t like me. He just doesn’t and he just proved it. He would never act the way he did right now.” 

“(Y/n). That’s what guys do-”

“No, no.” you shook your head. “I am better than him. Better than planning schemes and trying to prove a point.” you said and walked through the doors. 

---

Well, you thought you were better than that. Fred’s been driving you insane all week. He kept teasing you, something about dating older guys and it didn’t bother you much because you only retorded something back but he crossed the line when he told other people you were shagging one of them.

You stormed into their room, red-stained, furious. “HOW?!” you clenched your fists and stared at his eyes, meanwhile Oliver just smiled.

“Just follow my lead.”

---

You never really knew what Oliver meant by following his lead but you did what he told you to do. You waited in the common room but since his Quidditch practice took a bit more longer than he told you it would, you decided to read a book. 

It was until the loud voices came echoing from the portrait hole and the whole Quidditch team reappeared. 

You looked up at Oliver and he smiled at you, meanwhile Fred behind them quirked an eyebrow. 

“Come on. Go.” Angelina pushed Oliver, meanwhile Fred shot his head to her. 

“What’s going on?” Fred asked, switching his gazes between Oliver, you and Angelina. 

It was until right that moment when Percy came from behind them and leaned on Fred’s shoulder. “Oh, so he’s finally going to ask her out.”

Fred now shot his head to him. “I thought you asked her out?”

“I did but she made me realize I still have feelings for Penny and that because of the age gap, it wouldn’t work out.” Percy said and Fred shot his eyes back to the laughing pair at the couch. 

“Then she’d say no to him as well.” he said more nervously. 

“Wouldn’t know. Wood can be pretty good with the ladies-” he said but Fred was already with the two of you. 

You continued to giggle, touching Oliver’s arm and not taking a second glance at the boy who stood above you. He cleared his throat and both of you looked up to him.

“Yes, Fred?” 

“What’s going on here?” 

“Just two people enjoying each other’s company...alone.” 

“Aren’t the two of you a bit too cosy?” he kept glaring.

“So what if we are?” you crossed your arms over your chest. Was he really getting jealous? 

“Why would you care, Freddie?” Wood grinned, leaning back and wrapping his arm around your shoulders. “It’s not like you like her. Do you?” 

He glared into Oliver’s eyes and felt his body shake. He wanted to punch him and tore that arm around you off him. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fist, red staining his cheeks. 

“Fred?” you asked and his eyes shot to yours who looked so innocently at his. “Do you?” 

Fred kept exchanging looks. He wanted to deny. To say no or something but the way you were looking at him, he just thought that maybe- just maybe you liked him back.

But that was impossible. 

“Uh-I-”

“Oh bloody hell this is torturing.” Oliver groaned. “Just admit it. You like her, she likes you- end of story.” he stood up and clasped his hands together. “Now go make out and thank me later.” he started walking away. “Preferably with those nice sour gummy worms.” and he was out of sight, leaving both you and Fred blushing and awkwardly standing alone. 

“Do- do you really like me?” he looked up in your eyes  and sat down next to you. 

“I mean there’s no point in hiding it anymore.” you laughed and tucked a strand of your hair behind your ear. 

“But I thought you liked older guys.” 

“Who told you that?” you smiled and felt the tension thinning.

“George said-”

“George?” you laughed. “All we ever do is joke around and make stupid sarcastic retords. Why would you ever believe George?” 

“I don’t know-” he smiled. “I just guess since I like you as well it felt serious at the time.”

A smile wiped itself from your lips.

It was true. Oliver and Percy were right. 

And then the biggest curve your lips could form appeared on our cheeks.”Really?”

“You don’t believe me?” he rolled his eyes, smiling. 

“I mean-”

His hand reached for your cheek and he pulled you into a kiss. A soft, short kiss just for the first taste. He pulled away, looking at your eyes and smiling. “Believe me now?” 

“I think I’ll need some more convincing.” 

[the-al-chemist]

Artemis Hexley and the Mystery at Hogwarts

Chapter 7: A Curious Corridor

A/N: Artemis and Merula make an interesting discovery during their detention. Warnings: A lot of unrelated talk about cheese and alcohol. For anyone who is interested, Yarg is a type of cheese made in Cornwall.

With two new friends, a pet kitten, and a new-found reputation for being an impressive dueller, Artemis’ second term at Hogwarts was shaping up to be much better than her first. The atmosphere in the dormitory had improved enormously since she and Rowan had become friends with Penny and Tonks, who turned out to be excellent company.

Penny was very kind and thoughtful, and it was easy to see why she had become the most popular girl in the year. She had joined every club available other than the Frog Choir (“I can’t sing for toffee!”) and the house Quidditch team (“I’d much rather watch!”), and knew not only every member of every club by name and face, but was able to remember any details they happened to give her about their lives. She had continued to encourage Artemis and Rowan to join some of the clubs with her, and although Artemis still wasn’t interested, History-loving Rowan had signed up for the Ancient Runes Club. Penny’s favourite of all her many hobbies was Potions Club, as she was a whizz when it came to potioneering. Artemis didn’t mind this at all; her marks in Potions class started to soar in the weeks following becoming Penny’s friend.

Tonks didn’t seem to care about her marks in any subject. She was much more interested in having fun. Her prank-pulling often put her in Jane Court’s bad books, and caused her to fall foul of Mr Filch the caretaker, who despised everything about Tonks, from her brightly coloured hair to her clumsiness. The cantankerous caretaker could often be found scowling at her, muttering under his breath about shackles and whipping to his red-eyed cat, Mrs Norris, who was never far from his side. Artemis thought that Tonks was the funniest person she had ever met, but Rowan and Ben had found her practical jokes and gentle teasing a bit daunting at first. As the weeks went on, however, they both warmed to Tonks, especially after she had her family’s owl deliver a whole bag of stink pellets to Merula Snyde over breakfast one morning.

Merula was still seething over her and Artemis’ duel, but it was more of a quiet rage. Perhaps it was being beaten so spectacularly, or maybe it was Professor McGonagall’s punishment, but she had definitely been less aggressive towards everyone since being disarmed in front of the whole year. Artemis knew that this armistice wouldn’t last long, but she was happy enjoying the peace and quiet while it lasted. She herself had been getting more attention than ever following the duel, and for a change, the comments she heard were mainly positive.

“Of course they are,” said Penny, prancing down the corridor at Artemis’ side as they walked between lessons. “No one has ever stood up to Merula like you did. You’re a hero!”

“I think that’s an overstatement, I only disarmed her and tickled her a bit.”

“Still, it was very brave of you,” Penny beamed, linking one arm with Artemis, and using the other to wave at the many various acquaintances she passed in the corridor, “and you know, the disarming spell is in the syllabus for second year, and the shield charm is O.W.L. level. It’s no wonder everyone is so impressed.”

Even the teachers seemed to have heard about and been impressed by Artemis and Merula’s duel. Artemis had been a bit worried about how Professor Flitwick would react to the news, but Professor McGonagall must have told him that she was not the instigator. He admonished her bad behaviour at the start of their next Charms class, but when the class ended and Artemis packed her bag to leave, she found a packet of Fizzing Whizzbees inside that definitely hadn’t been there before, and looking around the room she could have sworn that the tiny Professor gave her a barely perceptible wink.

Of course, the downside to her duelling was the detention it had earned her. As McGonagall had instructed, both Artemis and Merula were having to spend every Friday evening completing menial tasks under the watchful eye of Tonks’ nemesis, Mr Filch.

“If I had it my way,” he grumbled, as the two girls polished the Quidditch trophies, “you two would be chained from the ceiling, dangling by your wrists.”

Artemis and Merula briefly made eye contact, each seeing their own expression reflected in the other’s face, before both looking down at the trophies again, scrubbing them furiously. The two of them generally made a point of ignoring each other as they worked, and Artemis couldn’t tell who Merula despised more, her or Filch.

The last Friday of February was to be their final detention together, and Artemis couldn’t wait to be free of the caretaker, the chores, and, of course, Merula. They were to spend the evening scrubbing one of the flights of stairs that formed part of the Grand Staircase, down which Peeves the poltergeist had thrown a barrel of Butterbeer earlier in the day, leading to the steps becoming incredibly sticky.

“Waste of good Butterbeer, too,” one of the portraits, a portly lady in fuschia robes clutching a wheel of cheddar, sighed to Artemis as she scrubbed a step directly below her frame.

“I’ve never had Butterbeer,” Artemis said to the portrait. “Is it good?”

“You’d like it, it’s sweet,” said the lady in the portrait. “I’m more of a nettle wine girl, myself. Goes down very well with a cracker and a big slice of Yarg.”

“Less talking, more scrubbing,” Filch snapped, before Artemis had a chance to ask the lady in the portrait what Yarg was.

Artemis shrugged apologetically to the portrait, and continued to scrub the floor in silence. Soon, the staircase moved, carrying her away from the portrait of the cheese witch, who waved goodbye cheerfully with the hand that wasn’t holding the cheddar wheel.

Artemis carried on cleaning down the steps, taking care not to look Filch’s cat, Mrs Norris, in the eye. She had tried to make friends with the cat during the first Friday detention, and had received a nasty scratch on her forearm. By the time she and Merula had cleaned all the way to the bottom of the staircase, it was late, and her arms were aching.

“May we go now that we’ve finished?” Artemis asked the caretaker.

“You haven’t finished until I say you’ve finished,” growled Filch, examining the stairs closely, Mrs Norris following behind him. “Here, you’ve missed a spot.”

Merula groaned loudly. Artemis had to stop herself from doing the same. Filch was very picky about the quality of their cleaning. The week before, when they’d been litter-picking in the Quidditch stands in the freezing cold, he had made them go back and start all over again just when they thought they were done. Artemis’ fingers and toes had been blue by the time she had returned to the common room, and she’d had to sit by the fire for almost an hour to warm up properly before she could go to bed.

Fortunately, she and Merula were spared from having to re-scrub the staircase by the arrival of Professor McGonagall.

“Mr Filch,” she said, striding down the staircase towards them, “I require your assistance.”

“But -”

“This is a rather pressing matter,” said McGonagall firmly, and she turned to Artemis and Merula. “You two are dismissed. I hope you have both learnt your lesson.”

“Yes, Professor,” the girls chorused.

“Good,” Professor McGonagall ascended the staircase once more. “Follow me, Mr Filch.”

Artemis picked up her bucket and sponge and started to walk in the direction of the dungeons. She quickly realised that Merula wasn’t following her, and turned around to see what she was doing.

“Merula, your common room is that way.” Artemis said, seeing that Merula had started to walk up the stairs.

“I know that, dungbrain,” said Merula, “but I want to find out what this ‘pressing matter’ is. Obviously it’s something interesting.”

“So you’re going to follow them and eavesdrop?”

“Evidently, Hexley,” Merula rolled her eyes and continued walking, Artemis a few steps behind her. “You’re coming, too, are you?”

“I might as well. You’ll only keep telling me how you know something that I don’t know if I don’t come with you.”

“You could fill a book with things that I know that you don’t, Hexley,” Merula drawled. “I wouldn’t waste my breath on telling you about all of them.”

The two girls continued to bicker quietly as they followed Professor McGonagall and Mr Filch through the castle to the fifth floor, where the professor and the caretaker turned down a corridor and came to an abrupt stop.

Now silent, Merula grabbed Artemis by the arm and pulled her behind the corner of the wall, where they peered down the corridor to watch the McGonagall and Filch, who were stood in the corridor having a hushed and heated discussion with Professors Snape, Sprout, and Flitwick. The two girls frowned at each other, before straining to listen.

“Do you think any of the students have seen this?” Professor Flitwick was asking.

“I hope not, it may cause some concern,” Professor Sprout replied.

“Naturally we will have to alert the headmaster,” said Professor McGonagall.

“Have you tried cleaning it up?” Filch asked them all.

“Obviously,” said Professor Snape.

“Well, it must be enchanted, to not budge with the spells we’ve tried so far,” Flitwick said. “Powerfully enchanted, too.”

“I wouldn’t use the word enchanted,” Snape said. “I’d say it was cursed.”

“Cursed?” McGonagall’s eyebrows shot up.

“Severus,” Professor Sprout frowned at Snape, “surely you don’t mean to say that -”

“That is precisely what I mean to say. I think it is safe to assume that this is related to the Hexley situation.”

“I thought expelling the little devil was meant to put an end to this sort of nonsense,” growled Filch the caretaker.

“Unfortunately, it would appear not.”

“I think this is a matter to be best discussed with Professor Dumbledore,” said Professor McGonagall, “For now, we should make sure no students stumble across this. Perhaps send a message out via the prefects. Argus, I trust that you will be able to see off any stray students?”

“Of course,” Filch nodded. “I’ll keep the little cretins away, you can be sure of that.”

The discussion looked like it would soon be coming to a close, Artemis realised, and the Professors would then walk back down the corridor to where she and Merula had been standing.

“Come on, we should go,” she whispered, tugging on Merula’s sleeve.

Merula scowled at her, but nodded her head, and the two girls ran back to the grand staircase.

“What do you think they were looking at?” Artemis asked Merula as they reached the ground floor and started to make their way down to the dungeons.

“Merlin knows,” said Merula. “But it’s safe to say your mad brother was onto something after all.”

“What do you mean?”

“You aren’t half thick, you know,” Merula sneered. “Think about it. Something cursed, ‘the Hexley situation’...”

“The Cursed Vaults, maybe.”

“Maybe? Come on, Hexley. It’s definitely the Cursed Vaults, it has to be.”

*

It was so late by the time Artemis returned to her dormitory that Rowan, Penny and Tonks were already in their pyjamas.

“Oh no,” said Penny. “Did Mr Filch make you clean the staircase twice like he did the Quidditch stands?”

“No, he tried, but Professor McGonagall stopped him just in time,” Artemis replied.

“So what took you so long?” Rowan asked.

Artemis looked at the other three girls’ expectant faces and hesitated. She had the feeling that the less people knew about the mysterious corridor, the better, and although she liked Penny and Tonks, she still didn’t trust them as much as Rowan or Ben. Not because they weren’t her friends, but because Penny was always up to date with and keen to share gossip, and Tonks lacked any kind of filter whatsoever. If she told them what she and Merula had seen, surely the whole school would know about it before the week was out.

“Oh, the staircase Merula and I took to get back down to the dungeons changed as halfway we were halfway down it and we had to take a bit of a detour,” she lied. “You know how it is sometimes.”

“Poor you, having to spend even more time with Merula,” Tonks said, pulling a face.

As Artemis climbed into bed, she saw that Rowan was frowning at her, clearly unconvinced by her story.

“I’ll tell you tomorrow,” she mouthed at her, and Rowan nodded.

Artemis kept her promise. The next morning, over a game of Gobstones, she told not only Rowan, but Ben, about the meeting she and Merula had witnessed the teachers having in the fifth floor corridor.

“And they were definitely talking about your brother?” Rowan asked.

“Definitely,” Artemis said. “Snape said ‘The Hexley Problem’, and it was nothing to do with my duelling.”

“But what were they actually looking at?”

“No idea, but Merula reckons it’s to do with the Cursed Vaults.”

“The ones your brother was looking for?” Both Rowan and Ben’s eyes widened. “But I thought they were just a myth.”

“Maybe they aren’t,” Artemis frowned. “Maybe Jacob was right all along.”

“How cursed are these Cursed Vaults, exactly?” Ben asked, looking very nervous.

“I don’t know, Ben,” Artemis replied. “No one knows if they even exist.”

Ben looked a bit relieved by the possibility that there might not be such a thing as Cursed Vaults at all.

“There’s nothing about them at all in Hogwarts: A History,” said Rowan. “Surely if there really were a load of Cursed Vaults in the castle, people would know about them.”

“You’re probably right,” Artemis sighed. “All I know is that there’s something in that corridor the teachers don’t want us to see, and that it has something to do with my brother. Which means I have to find out what’s in there.”

Rowan and Ben shared a concerned look.

“Artemis,” Rowan said, looking as serious as Jane Court the prefect. “Do you really think you should go snooping around in some forbidden corridor? You’ve already gotten into trouble for duelling, and now you’re going to break more rules?”

“I know, I know,” Artemis nodded. “But it’s my brother, Rowan.”

“Your brother, who got expelled when he got involved with the Vaults.” Rowan pointed out.

“And is now missing,” Artemis added. “This might help me find him. If I can find out more about that corridor, that is. But I could do with some help. So, what do you think?”

“I don’t know, Artemis,” said Ben. “It might be dangerous. And Rowan’s right, we could get in trouble.”

“If we do, I’ll take one hundred percent of the blame,” Artemis promised.

“I suppose there’s nothing forbidden about going to the fifth floor,” Rowan said. “If we go there and get lost, and just happen to find ourselves in this corridor, surely no one could blame us. We’re only first years, after all.”

Artemis grinned at Rowan.

“I like your thinking. We can go at lunchtime, whilst everyone else is busy eating and before the teachers have a chance to tell us that the corridor is out of bounds,” she said, and Rowan nodded. “Ben, do you want to come with us?”

“Not really,” said Ben, shifting in his seat, “but I don’t want to be left out, either.”

At lunchtime, the three of them went up to the fifth floor. The corridor itself was unguarded, so they started to walk down it.

“Where were Snape and Filch looking, exactly?” Rowan asked.

“Well, Merula and I were stood back there by the wall, and we could hear them fairly well, even though they were a little way away. Maybe a bit further than we are now?”

“Artemis, Rowan, look,” Ben said. He was shivering slightly, but for once he didn’t look scared. “This door, it’s a different wood to the others.”

“It must be new!” Artemis said, and she and Rowan joined Ben to examine the door. She twisted the handle pushed against the door, which didn’t move. “It’s locked.”

“It must be so that students can’t get in,” Rowan said. “Do think this means that whatever the teachers were looking at was behind this door?”

“That must be it!”

“Artemis,” Ben said, tapping her arm and pointing. Artemis looked, and saw that Mrs Norris, Filch’s cat, was staring at them with her red eyes. She sighed. Wherever Mrs Norris was, Filch was never far behind.

“We’d better leave,” Artemis said to Rowan and Ben. “Quick, before Filch finds us.”

“What do you think is behind the door?” Rowan asked, as they walked away from the corridor.

“I don’t know,” Artemis said. A memory of her brother popped into her head, and she laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s just that my brother always used to say that there was nothing more interesting or exciting than a locked door. I never understood what he meant until now.”

“I understand completely,” Rowan nodded. “It’s a mystery we get to solve!”

“Exactly. Jacob always loved mysteries.”

“I hate mysteries,” said Ben. “Uncertainty makes me anxious. Although, if what’s behind the door is cursed, I think I’d maybe prefer not to know what it is at all.”

*

Artemis couldn’t have disagreed with Ben more. She was determined to find out what was hidden behind the door, and she wasn’t the only one. On Monday evening, Merula cornered her as she packed up her telescope after Astronomy class.

“Have you told anyone about it?” Merula said.

“I’m guessing you’re talking about what happened after detention on Friday.”

“Obviously that’s what I’m talking about, idiot,” Merula hissed. “So, did you tell anyone?”

“As a matter of fact, I did,” said Artemis. Merula wrinkled her nose. “Rowan and Ben are my two closest friends, of course I told them.”

“What about Tonks and Haywood?”

“Um, no. I didn’t want too many people knowing about it.”

“Good, because I don’t want anyone else finding out either.”

“Why not?”

“Because, Hexley,” said Merula, “I don’t want everyone getting in the way.”

“In the way? In the way of what?”

“Me.”

“You know, not everything is about you, Merula.”

“I know that,” Merula sneered. “I mean, this is clearly about your brother and those Cursed Vaults he was so obsessed with. I want to know what’s inside that makes them so special.”

“If they’re even real.”

“Of course they’re real. Why else would the teachers be so worried?”

Artemis was quiet. Why were the teachers so worried? What on Earth had Jacob been up to?

“Look, gnomehead,” Merula said, before Artemis had answered her question. “I’m going to find out what’s in those Vaults and break the curses. I don’t want anyone getting in my way, including you.”

“I’m not intending to get in your way, Merula. I just want to find out what happened to my brother.”

“Forget your brother, and forget about what you saw on Friday,” Merula snapped. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from the Cursed Vaults and leave them to me.”

Artemis opened her mouth to argue back, but before she could say anything, Merula had turned on her heel and stalked away, leaving her mystified.

[charlieweasleyxmc]

Inside Jokes

The second week of classes was nothing if not brutal for the sixth years. Assuming that they would be given a bit of a break after completely their O.W.L.s last year, they had not expected to be barraged with a new load of coursework right off the bat.

“You are now preparing for your N.E.W.Ts,” Professor Flitwick twittered to them, “and we need to get you going right away.”

(Y/N), who had chosen Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, and Defense Against the Dark Arts as just a few of her N.E.W.T. classes was already beginning to feel the strain.

“At least you don’t have to also captain a quidditch team,” Charlie said, groaning as he massaged his left shoulder with his right hand. “The new beaters have already got me running from bludgers and we are only two days into practice.”

(Y/N) nodded at him sympathetically, but it was Andre who truly understood Charlie’s pain.

“I’ve been made captain, too,” he said as they made their way to Transfiguration. “We have team tryouts this weekend so I won’t be able to go to our meeting.”

Charlie and (Y/N) acknowledged him, continuing their walk to Transfiguration in silence.

When Friday evening came around and they all collected around a library table, there weren’t very many of the sixth years who had been able to make it.

Only Talbott, Chiara and Jae—the last of which said he wouldn’t be caught dead studying instead of attending a cursed vault meeting—had joined Charlie and (Y/N) at their table.

(Y/N) hiccupped. She had been suffering from the infernal things all day after a spell in charms went turbulent and couldn’t figure out how to get rid of them. She remembered vaguely a potion that would stop them, but hadn’t seen Penny in order to ask her if she could get ahold of it.

The five of them poured over some books Rowan, despite not being able to attend, had insisted that could possibly contain the protections and guards for the final cursed vault.

The most disturbing of the suggestions was a book on basilisks.

“Spiders flee before it,” Chiara read, a disturbed expression on her face.

Even Charlie looked as though he might be sick at the thought of a dirty great snake in the castle.

(Y/N) hiccupped again.

“But that still doesn’t make sense,” Talbott said, glancing over at Chiara’s page. “Basilisks kill. They don’t turn people to stone.”

“Where’s Beatrice?” Chiara asked looking up from her book to meet (Y/N)’s eyes just as another hiccup let lose. “She was the first person who saw the frozen student.”

(Y/N) shook her head, hiccupping as she did, “Penny still hasn’t been able to speak to her. I’m not sure Beatrice would come even if I asked.”

“And Penny wouldn’t be so thrilled if you got her sister involved in all of this again,” Jae snorted.

“Chiara,” (Y/N) began slowly, “you don’t know of any other creature that could do this.” She made sure to put just enough softness in her tone, but she could have sworn that Chiara’s eyes flashed.

A shadow that looked suspiciously like a wolf crossed her irises…

“Arooooo!!!!!”

(Y/N) jumped what must have been a foot out of her chair and whipped around so quick, the roar right in her ear.

She smacked Tonks in the chest as she twisted before she caught sight of her.

Her other hand, which had been reaching for her wand, pulled back and she breathed a sigh of relief.

Tonks was laughing so hard and (Y/N) caught Charlie stifle a giggle behind his hand.

“What was that for?!” she called. “You sounded like a bloody werewolf!”

Two boys, (Y/N) recognized them as Charlie’s younger twin brothers, Fred and George, were holding their stomachs behind Tonks, laughing their heads off.

(Y/N) glared at them all, but that still couldn’t keep them from seeing the smile on her face.

“You looked as though you’d just seen Snape set on fire,” Tonks roared, still laughing.

“I would kiss the person who set Snape on fire,” Fred responded, laughing too.

They heard the tell-tale sound of Madam Pince clacking over to their table and immediately quieted.

“Your hiccups are gone, aren’t they?” Tonks asked wiping her eyes of tears and chuckling as she went to take one of the three open seats beside (Y/N). Fred and George took the other two.

“Yes,” (Y/N) replied, though only a little reluctantly. She leaned over Dora to look at Fred and George, “what are you two doing here?”

“Just wanted to visit our dear brother,” Fred said in a simpering tone.

“We really haven’t seen enough of him since we’ve been at Hogwarts,” George said, putting a fair bit of melodramatic somberness into his voice.

“Oh,” (Y/N) said, giving them both pitying looks. “I am so sorry. We’ve been monopolizing his time. I’m sure you two are so lonely and bored what with it being such a large castle. No way you could be watched at all moments. Plenty of other people to blame pranks on. Yes. I’m sure that’s just torture for you.”

She grinned at them.

Fred and George shared grins between each other and then her.

“I’m glad,” Fred said, “that somebody understands our pain.”

“Oh, I do,” Jae said from across the table, stretching out the words and smiling along with them as he leaned back in his chair.

“Found your brothers in the corridor trying to eavesdrop,” Dora said as a reply. “You should get some sort of wires like those muggle wires that stretches a great distance and lets you hear things on the other end.”

“Our Dad’s always talking about muggle stuff,” George said, “but they never seem to work as well as magic.”

“There’s a charm for that,” Talbott said suddenly, looking up from his book. “Some sort of an extendable charm. I’ve read about it.”

“When you were supposed to be studying for a class, no doubt,” (Y/N) said, her tone teasing.

Talbott shrugged, a small smirk on his face.

“Maybe,” he said.

(Y/N) missed Charlie looking between them.

“What were you guys studying?” Tonks asked.

“Actually,” (Y/N) said, a bit of hesitation in her voice as she glanced at Chiara, “magical creatures. We were wondering if a creature could be responsible with the petrification of the students,” she let out quickly.

Tonks glanced at Chiara.

“I don’t know,” Tonks said, “It could be some kind of jinx.”

Now Fred and George were also looking at Chiara, who was fixedly staring at her book without her eyes moving. When (Y/N) glanced at the others, Jae was peeking over his book, Talbott was hidden behind his, though she supposed he could still be listening, and Charlie, who was right beside her, had his book covering his face from everybody else except for (Y/N).

He was looking at the page and was reading, though his eyes were moving slowly as though he were trying to multi-task in listening to them and studying the context of the pages.

“Do you think it’s a creature, Charlie?” (Y/N) asked.

Charlie looked up at her and their eyes locked as the book fell slowly to rest on his lap between them.

His eyes were dark in the shadowed library and (Y/N) felt that they reminded her of a thunderbird’s eyes, all light and deepness within them.

“A werewolf cannot turn people to stone,” he said simply and she felt her heart fall as his eyes drifted away, falling back down to his book eventually, which he reopened and began to digest with a more intense look.

“So,” Tonks said, a slight mischievous tone entering into her voice, “who you all taking to the celestial ball then?”

Everyone, but Chiara dropped their books, the resounding clattering sending Madam Pince to come stomping over to berate them most severely.

Once she had finally left again, Tonks turned back to them, raising her eyebrows.

“First years can’t go,” Fred said, a little bit crestfallen, but also not looking entirely worried.

“Wish they could,” George said quietly.

Fred glanced at his brother. “Who would you take if we could, that Johnson girl? She’s the prettiest in our year,” Fred said conspiratorially to Tonks.

George’s cheeks turned slightly pink, but he looked down, “no, I wouldn’t take anyone,” he said, “just be a good place to set off some pranks, wouldn’t it?”

“That it would,” Tonks said wistfully, “if only McGonagall wasn’t on such alert at those kind of events.”

“Who you taking?” Fred said, leaning over Tonks to look at (Y/N). There was a strange note in his voice. Something (Y/N) couldn’t identify.

“I don’t know,” she said hedging, “I don’t know if it would be very smart to go to the ball right now what with everything going on.”

It was the truth and she knew from the way she said it that Charlie would have picked up on what she wasn’t saying.

The celestial ball was just another thing to have nerves and worries over, something she had plenty of with the cursed vaults constantly on her radar.

Fred looked disappointed.

“What?” (Y/N) asked, “Were you volunteering?”

Fred grinned, giving her his best charming smile, his teeth sparkling even in the low light of the library.

“Not saying no, am I?” he said, continuing to give her a cheeky smile.

She chuckled, shoving her hand into his face and pushing him back into his chair.

“I like much older men,” she said.

“Oh,” George said, a bit of mischievousness entering his tone as well, “but still with the red hair?”

(Y/N) blushed.

“Bill is a catch,” George simpered.

(Y/N) felt Charlie beside her and she could have sworn his arm tensed.

“I hadn’t thought about it,” she said, putting forced disinterest into her voice. Although, it wasn’t true. She had thought about it. Bill was very handsome by anyone’s standard. But he had been more of an older brother to her than a crush.

She knew Rowan felt differently about that though.

“Now,” she said, as the twins both opened their mouths to say something else. “Shall we get back on topic?”

It only lasted for a few minutes before Jae, Tonks, and the twins were back on the subject of the celestial ball and who was going with who. Even Chiara and Talbott were sucked into the conversation and finally, a little before nine, (Y/N) told them they better all get off to rest before bed if they weren’t going to do any studying or planning anyway.

The twins looked disappointed, but their moods seemed to cheer up almost immediately after a short, whispered conversation that left them disappearing out into the corridor at a run.

Madam Pince glared stoically after them.

Charlie went quickly out into the hall after them and (Y/N) knew he felt that it was his job to look after them.

“Bye, (Y/N),” Tonks said cheerily, moving to leave the library.

“Bye, Dora,” (Y/N) answered absently.

Chiara and Jae left soon after, which left only (Y/N) and Talbott.

“Well,” (Y/N) said, “I better be getting to bed.”

“It’s only a little after nine,” Talbott said, a hint of disbelieving in his voice.

(Y/N) shrugged. She had been going to bed earlier as it sometimes took her a while to fall asleep with all the concerns going through her head.

She didn’t tell Talbott this though.

“Yeah,” she said breezily, “I’ve been really tired.”

Talbott nodded, moving so that the table was no longer between them. Madam Pince was looking at them warily from across the library and Talbott glanced nervously at her before looking back to (Y/N).

“Listen, (Y/N),” he said, “about the ball.”

Her stomach dropped.

“I was just wondering if you already had a date?”

He had been looking at the floor, but once the words were out, he seemed to think he could look up again, and did, right into her pale face.

“Oh, you already do, don’t you?” a small breath leaving his mouth. “Alright. Well. Hope you enjoy it.”

He moved past her and left the library.

(Y/N) gazed after him, her skin tingling all over and she wasn’t sure if the sensation was pleasant or not.

Was Talbott about to ask her to the celestial ball? Of course, he was. At least she thought he was. But then he had left so quick before she could answer. Did she want to go with him? Had she even wanted to answer?

She swept her books into her bag quickly, rushing from the library with her head down.

“Is it true?”

(Y/N) jumped, almost dropping her book bag.

Charlie was leaning against the stone wall.

“Is what true?” she asked.

He walked forward, reaching out to lift the shoulder strap, that had fallen down, back onto her shoulder, his movements sure, and yet still gentle.

“That you have a date to the ball,” there was no accusation in his voice and he was waiting patiently for her reply.

She suddenly felt, knowing Charlie, that if she refused to answer and walked away, he would let it go.

But she wanted to answer him.

“No,” she said, “I don’t want to go to the ball. It would be too…too much,” she finally landed on, not knowing how else to explain it.

Charlie nodded, “Alright.”

He turned to go and she let him walk with her down the corridor and through the castle to the (Y/H) common room.

He stopped before she entered.

“You know,” he said, “If it would help you not to feel anxious, you could always tell people you were going with me.”

She stared.

“I mean, you wouldn’t have to feel anxious about the dance since you would just be attending it with me. And,” he continued, “you wouldn’t even have to actually go. I could say I got sick the day of and that would give you an excuse not to go, but also give you an easy reason to reply to all the invitations in the meantime.

“I know you don’t need a reason. But if you want one, feel free to use me,” he stopped with a smile, looking back into her eyes from the stones on the ground he had been glancing over.

He moved his hand to gesture her inside, not expecting an answer.

But she gave him one anyway.

“Yes,” she said.

He stopped, “what?”

“Yes,” she repeated, “you can go ahead and tell everyone we’re going together if you want too. That way they might not ask, although I’m not sure anybody else was going to ask anyway.”

“You’d be surprised,” he breathed. And for a moment, (Y/N) wondered if he had heard of others intending to ask her. For a minute they just looked at each other. It wasn’t quite comfortable, but it wasn’t awkward either, they just kind of let themselves look.

“Alright,” Charlie said, finally, “I don’t want to hold you up getting to bed,” he said gesturing at the entrance to (Y/H) house.

(Y/N) moved to enter, but before she did, she turned back…and flung her arms around Charlie.

He returned her hug almost immediately.

“Thank you, Charlie,” she said releasing him. “Thank you,” she said slower and more meaningfully.

He smiled, reaching a hand up to fidget with his ponytail.

“Anytime,” he moved away and she smiled before ducking into the common room.

...

Love these Cursed Vault Meeting artworks

[judediangelo75]

Day Three: Birthday

Fun fact: October 17th is my actual birthday, I don’t know if anyone else gave their MC the same birthday as them 😅 but I did. I didn’t realize that it was also Professor Flitwick’s birthday until last year. 

Which I found pretty cool. If my character was a Ravenclaw (I was gonna choose between Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw, that was her Hat Stall), she would’ve spent time in his office, eating cupcakes with him.

---------------

~1990~

Talbott bit his lip as he stared at the calendar in his dorm room.

Today was October 17th.

In previous years when he became a student at Hogwarts, he wouldn’t really bat an eye at this. 

He would normally would tell his Head of House happy birthday and spend some time in his office.

So what makes this day suddenly different?

It was Judith’s birthday as well.

His girlfriend’s birthday.

For all the years that he known her, never once did he know when was her birthday. Until their night at the greenhouse on Valentine’s Day.

He just missed her 16th birthday.

When she saw the look of sadness in his eyes, she immediately tried to console him, telling him not to worry about it.

“It’s been many years since I last cared about my birthday, Talbott. Don’t worry about it. It’s just another day to me.”

She never elaborated further, so he went to the next best source. Her dead father. 

With Penny’s help, he managed to sneak into the Hufflepuff Common Room and dormitories. Once in her room, he found the safe she showed him under her bed. Whispering the password, he was happy to find the signature shark tooth necklace the deceased man wore inside.

Touching the tooth, he stood face to face with the elder Harris.

After explaining why he was there, Kendrick looked down at the Ravenclaw youth with sad eyes.

“The year of Judith’s 9th birthday was a hard one on her, Talbott. Jamal ran away exactly two weeks afterwards. Not too long after that I contracted my heart virus and died with her in my arms. Her mother doesn’t really care for her, often forgetting her birthday entirely. That’s when she virtually stopped caring. If I could come back just one year to put a smile on my little girl’s face, I would...”

It made sense as to why his little bird didn’t celebrate it or even make it known to anyone.

Two of the people she expected to be there, to see her grow, were gone. With her brother’s disappearance, yet again, he wouldn’t be surprised if she truly didn’t give a damn about the day.

Especially this year.

He was more determined to make this year different.

He thought long and hard for the past few weeks for what he can do for her. What he could give her.

Judith wasn’t a person who expects anything. Let alone asks for anything.

He’s come to know his girlfriend well enough. 

The girl was both practical and sentimental. 

She prefers things that she knows she can use or something that has a hidden value.

He had a few ideas leading up to the day...

He just hoped that she’ll like them.

--------

Talbott was on a manhunt for his girlfriend. 

He barely saw her at breakfast and hasn’t seen her since he finished Herbology class for the day. He asked her Head of House if she seen her.

“Why, yes I have actually. She usually spends time with Professor Flitwick today. Since the two share the same birthday. And that she usually hides out from Miss Brown. I believe you can find them in the Charms classroom.” 

Thanking the older witch, he heard off to the Charms classroom. 

Standing in front of the door, Talbott took a deep breath and opened the door.

“Professor Flitwick,” he called. The short man in question was standing on top of his stack of books.

“Mr. Winger! What a lovely surprise,” his Head of House greeted with a smile.

“Happy birthday, Professor,” Talbott said with a small smile. The older wizard let out a laugh.

“Why thank you, my dear boy. To what do I owe to this visit?” Talbott blushed as he rubbed the back of his neck. It looks like Judith wasn’t here...

“I was wondering have you seen your birthday twin,” he shyly asked. Professor Flitwick paused and let out another laugh.

“Ah, so Miss Harris has told you? Well, it shouldn’t surprise me, you two are dating after all,” Flitwick smirked. Talbott felt a blush rising to his cheeks.

“Yes... but have you seen her?” Before the man could answer, something landed on Talbott’s shoulder, nuzzling against his cheek. 

A Black Sparrowhawk. 

Talbott smiled.

“Hello, little bird,” he said softly, scratching under his girlfriend chin. The bird preened and cooed before flying on ground and transforming back into the Hufflepuff witch he came to adore.

“Happy birthday, Judith,” Talbott smiled shyly at his little girlfriend. The girl’s lips spread into a smile.

“Thank you, love,” she said. Talbott glanced at his Head of House.

“Professor, do you think I can be alone with Judith for moment?” The former Dueling Champion smiled at the young couple before him. Just a few years old, Judith was confessing her feelings towards his student. And now the two were happily together.

“Of course, Mr. Winger. Good day, Miss Harris. And happy birthday.” The young witch and wizard thanked the man as he made his way out of the room.

‘Ah, young love...’ he mused quietly to himself.

Once Professor Flitwick was gone, Judith turned to her boyfriend with an arched brow.

“Something wrong, love,” she asked. Talbott shook his head, a blush staining his cheeks.

“You know how I am with people around...” Judith took note of his hand reaching into his pocket, pulling out a neatly folded sheet of paper.

“What’s that?” Talbott swallowed, hoping to calm his nerves.

“I wrote you a poem... for your birthday...” Judith’s brows shot up to her hairline. She remembered Talbott telling her that he wrote poetry back in their third year, when they were trying to find his necklace.

He wrote something for her?

“Would you like to hear it,” Talbott asked slowly as he unfolded the piece of paper. He never read any of his poems to anyone before. 

To say that he was nervous would the biggest understatement of century.

“Yes...” Judith didn’t understand why she felt breathless, but something felt different about this. This moment felt rather intimate...

Talbott cleared his throat and began to read.

“Your name is like the sweetest honey on my lips,

You radiate with confidence with each sway of your hips...

With a single look with those mystical gold eyes, I am lost,

With the warmth of your smile, my heart slowly defrosts...

I constantly long to be by your side,

Be the one who you would confide...

Your secrets, your troubles, your beautiful heart,

Allow me to learn your mind, heart, and body like a unique piece of art...

I want to be the one who kisses away your tears,

The one who protects you from your darkest fears...

I want to be the one who holds you close,

For the all the times you desire it the most...”

Talbott can feel her eyes burning into him as he read his poem, doing his best not to blush. 

Which failed tremendously as he went on to read the next part.

"Mystical gold eyes, you have charmed my heart to its knees,

Can't you see what you do to me?

Your beautiful dark curls resemble an ancient waterfall,

The way how you look flawlessly breathtaking, no matter where the strands fall...

You possess sunshine within your beautiful smile,

Its loving warmth and brilliance make me want to bask in it for a while...

Your dark skin resembles milk chocolate: smooth, delicate and sweet,

With my undeniable sweet tooth, you might be my new favorite treat...

I desire to hear your lovely voice next to me every morning,

Feel your kisses along the planes of my face, lazily exploring...

I yearn to turn over in the early hours to listen to the melody that is your heartbeat,

Knowing I can find peace in that gentle melody and fall back fall asleep...

I wish to learn every dip and curve your body,

Whether it's to simply hold you or to worship you like you were someone godly...

I always look forward to receiving your sweet kiss,

For I believe you have the lips of an angel and can bring my soul eternal bliss...

Judith faintly wondered if her face looked as red as Talbott’s as he read this part. She raised a hand to one of her enflamed cheeks.

Never had she ever heard someone bare their feelings to her like this. She knows that Talbott is a rather private person.

She knew how he felt about her, but he shows it through more quiet gestures.

This was... wow...

“Sweet little bird,

What is this sad song I heard?

So heartfelt but heartbroken,

You feel pain that never seems to stop growing...

Heartbreak resides in your mystical gold eyes,

The same eyes of your father who now resides somewhere in the skies.

Beloved, turn those eyes to the sky,

Listen to the voices of your wise grandmother and dear father and fly high...

When you begin to feel alone,

Feel my arms around you and take comfort in my cologne.

When tears fall down your cheeks,

I’ll be there with the comfort your wounded heart seeks.

When you feel like all love is gone,

Then let my love be your new dawn.

My dear Judith, I wish to forever call you mine,

Let us create a love more addicting than the sweetest wine...

Queen of my Heart,

I await for the day where we’ll come together in matrimony and never part...

Happy birthday, my dearest beloved,

Know that while I don’t say much, that you are forever loved...”

Talbott finally finished his poem with a beet red face and slightly shaky hands. He wasn’t prepared for the full body tackle of his girlfriend, causing both of them to fall to the floor.

“Jud-MHM?!” Burgundy painted lips silenced the confused Ravenclaw. Her hands cupped his face as she straddled his hips. 

Despite the intimate position and her sudden kiss, Talbott melted into her. The embrace was slow and passionate, the two unhurried as they explored each other’s secret spots.

A hand massaging her lower back.

Another caressing the delicate skin of her neck.

One hand toying with the hair on the nape of his neck.

It’s dancing along his abdomen. 

The demand of oxygen finally made itself known and the two separated.

“I love it, thank you for sharing this with me,” she whispered, looking into those red eyes she’s come to love.

“Of course, darling. Anything for you,” he said softly, pecking her sweet lips. The girl let out a small giggle as she got off him. 

The two stood at full height, readjusting their clothes so they looked presentable. Talbott picked up the paper that fell out of his hand and handed it to her. The girl took it with a blush on her cheeks.

“I still have more planned for today,” he told her with a kiss to her temple. 

Judith narrowed her eyes at him.

“What did I tell you about my birthday,” she asked. Talbott chuckled.

“I remember what you said. But you’re not gonna stop me from trying to make it special for you,” he said. He can the locket that he intends on giving her later on in evening.

She sighed.

“Fine,” she huffed. Talbott chuckled.

“Happy birthday, little bird. I love you.” A small smile tugged on the Hufflepuff’s lips defiantly.

“I love you too, bird boy. And thank you...”

[third-generation-female-warrior]

Is this Enough?

Hi friends and welcome back. So glad you’re here today, because you existing is enough to make the world, someone’s world, just a little better. So, the latest chapter had me emotional because, in my mind, sixth year, Alexus and Penny are in a relationship and my imagination took off. I’m going back to my roots, with writing about the original Alexus, my sweet, chaotic, bisexual Hufflepuff and her cottagecore lesbian gf, Penny. So, I wrote some cute little Penny x Alexus fic. I think it’s cute. It’s got some angst, something soft. Alexus had just one last thing to take care of before seeing Jacob. This is the Final Vault, after all. 1,260 words. T Rating.

The last thing Penny Haywood expected when she woke up on the morning of April 20th, 1990, was that she would spend much of the afternoon crying.

It was an ordinary Friday, with the promise of a good day as the students looked forward to the weekend. It was a comfortable, warm afternoon that had her dozing in her Charms class. Luckily, Flitwick was rather understanding when she accidentally casted the bubblehead charm on her book rather than her face.

She stretched her fingertips towards the ceiling as she walked straight from her last class to her Common Room, giving the occasional hello as she passed her fellow Hufflepuffs before making her way to her dorm. She expected it to be empty, but no.

It was a pleasant surprise to find her girlfriend, Alexus Johnson, alone in the dorm, her back turned to the door.

“Hello!” she greeted cheerfully, which prompted the curse-breaker to jump and whirl around, but then relax when she saw it was just Penny.

“Hi,” she returned, not as enthusiastically as normal.

“Is something wrong?” Penny asked, looking her girlfriend over. She had already changed out of her school robes, wearing a simple black t-shirt, blue jeans, and combat boots. A second glance over showed Penny the wand holster strapped to Alexus’s leg, the leather wand glove Jacob gave her for Christmas, and a certain necklace with a muggle charm of protection that Penny had only seen her wear when she was planning on doing something dangerous.

“Penny…” Alexus murmured, taking a step towards her.

Penny crossed the room and took Alexus’s hands into her own. “You’re going, aren’t you?”

Alexus hesitated to answer.

“To the final Vault, you’re going right now,” Penny continued, no longer questioning. She knew.

Alexus took a deep breath before answering. “Jae got the lyre. Merula, Ben, and Barnaby are all set to meet me at the shore, I just wanted… I needed to see you before I went.”

Penny kissed her head before pulling Alexus into a hug.

Alexus closed her eyes and wrapped her arms tightly around Penny, clutching the robes into her hands, breathing in deeply.

“Don’t say goodbye, you’re not allowed,” Penny whispered.

“I’m not going anywhere that you wouldn’t be able to follow. I promise, I swear to God, I promise,” Alexus swore, pulling away just enough to look Penny in the eyes.

“I will follow you into that goddamn lake if you do something stupid and get hurt again,” Penny warned, “And if I have to do that, ‘R’ will be the last of your worries.”

“Oh, since when have I been known to make my girlfriend mad?” Alexus returned with a smile.

“I could never be mad at you, but you have a rather nasty habit of making me worry about you. Why do you do that? Why do you have to make me so worried?” Penny asked.

Alexus cupped her face in her hands and leaned in, kissing her for a long second. When she pulled away, she had that sporting grin on her face, that upturned smirk with a certain confidence in her eyes that made Penny’s knees shake.

“Maybe you worry because you love me?” the curse-breaker guessed.

“I definitely worry because I love you,” Penny confirmed.

Alexus’s smile slowly faded. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I make you worry. I wish I could leave the Vaults, but I can’t. I want to leave them, but after Rowan-”

“I know,” Penny cut her off. “I know. For Rowan. For Jacob. Against ‘R’. You have too many good reasons to keep pursuing the Vaults. I will never stop you from going. But you can never stop me from worrying. Okay? I knew what I was getting into when I kept saying yes whenever you asked me to any dance, any date. I love you. I’m the luckiest witch at Hogwarts because I’m the witch that won your heart. And I wouldn’t trade that for anything.”

“I wish I could give up the vaults for you. I love you so much, that I would if you asked,” Alexus whispered.

“I know.” Penny started to lean down.

Alexus grinned again before standing on her toes to kiss Penny again.

This was not a simple peck or a prolonged second of happiness.

This kiss was a moment, where the simple pining and holding each other gradually turned into something more… desperate. The intensity increased, Alexus’s hands moved from Penny’s face to her hair, weaving her fingers through the blonde locks, being as close to each other as they possibly could, all for the sake of memorizing the feeling of this kiss, their most intense kiss in their most desperate moment. This was not a goodbye kiss, they did not want it to be a goodbye kiss. But even for their worth, their love, and their promises, they both knew but would never say that this could have very well been their goodbye kiss. Their last kiss. They held each other like it was their last kiss. They held each other for as long as they could until it was Alexus who pulled away first, breathless, eyes closed, mouth agape as she burned that feeling into her memory.

She opened her eyes and looked at Penny, slowly pulling her hands back out of her hair and cupping her face.

“Wear my jacket,” she whispered, as if it was forbidden to speak after such an intense kiss.

Penny must have looked confused or on the verge of laughing, but before she could react, Alexus continued.

“My letterman jacket. Wear it like armor. Wear it, and I’ll be safe, because then you’ll need to give it back to me.”

Alexus pulled away from their embrace and walked to her bed where the jacket in question was laid out. She picked it up and held it out to Penny.

The potioneer slowly took it and shrugged it on. It was warm, like a hug, and it fit her almost perfectly, the sleeves too big, covering her palms. For a second, Penny reflected on the fact that the jacket was always big on Alexus, encompassing her hands so that not even her fingertips were showing.

Alexus smiled and kissed her cheek. “I love you.”

Penny crossed her arms over her chest, pulling the jacket close to her. It smelled like Alexus. “I love you too.”

Alexus’s smile became… sadder, her eyes more weary. Her fingers played with the charm of her necklace.

She didn’t say anything else as she picked up her wand and holstered it. She didn’t need to say anything, satisfied with her last words. She moved to leave the dorm, but right at the exit, she stopped, turned back to Penny.

She smiled one last time, and that smile and her emerald green eyes said everything she never did. Everything she might never will. Penny understood that smile and everything that she didn’t say, never said, or ever will say, and the only thing she could do was smile back and hope that Alexus understood. Understand that she understood.

Alexus smiled for another second before turning around.

Then she was gone.

Penny was alone in the dorm.

She took a shuddering breath and buttoned the jacket up to the collar, letting it encompass her in its warmth and its scent.

It felt like a hug from Alexus.

She slowly slid to sit down on her bed, pressing the collar into her nose, the smell creating a sense of calm and a sense of dread.

That was when Penny Haywood started to cry.