#poppy x garreth

[cursedonyx]

Of Creatures and Cauldrons

(Part 2)

Part 1 found here

Natsai has an idea to set Poppy up with her mysterious crush, not knowing it's Garreth. Things don't go to plan when Garreth's crush turns up.

Word Count: 3.3k

Warnings: heavy angst, unrequited love, pining, no comfort (this chapter)

_.-~*~-.__.-~*~-.__.-~*~-.__.-~*~-.__.-~*~-.__.-~*~-._

“Come on, Poppy, you know it is a good idea!”

“It’s not!” Poppy protested, walking arm in arm with Natsai towards the Great Hall. “You’re only suggesting it so you find out who I like!”

“True,” she chuckled. “But you will learn who I like also, yes? He asked me out to Hogsmeade two days ago, and I think it would be a marvellous opportunity to have a… what is it called? A double date? This weekend, yes?”

Poppy scuffed her shoes over the stone, pouting at Natsai’s tenacity. “I don’t want to stop you seeing whoever it is,” she muttered. “But I can’t just ask him out! He’s too popular, too smart, and I know he doesn’t like me that way.”

“I am sure he will see your worth once you talk to him for a while,” Natty squeezed her arm. “Perhaps… I have had another idea.”

“You and your ideas,” Poppy sighed. “Alright. What is it?”

“I will see my date for a few hours in Hogsmeade, then I would like you to join us in the Three Broomsticks,” she said. “I will also invite our friends, Imelda, Leander, Garreth, Arthur, Sacharissa, Samantha, Amit…”

But Poppy’s ears had started ringing the moment Natty said Garreth’s name, because as though he’d been summoned, there he was, bouncing along the corridor towards the Great Hall, already boisterous and beaming for such an early hour, Leander trailing dutifully along in his wake. Her breath caught as she watched him bound past, his lovely hair flopping all about his head, his smile as wide and wonderful as a Thestral’s wingspan…

“Poppy?” Natty jostled her. “What do you think? I shall invite our friends to join us, and you invite your person as an extension of my invitation, yes? That way, I have no idea who he is, and you can spend time with him.”

“Yeah, great,” Poppy said. They parted as they headed for their respective tables, and Poppy was so preoccupied in watching Garreth wolfing down bacon that she put her elbow in the butter dish.

A date. A date with Garreth! Well, no, it wasn’t a date, not really, it was all of them getting together to share a few butterbeers. But she would be there, and Garreth would be there, and she might even get to sit next to him. She hadn’t heard Natty mention Dracaena or Ominis in her list of friends to invite, and if that was the case, then maybe, just maybe, she’d be able to get Garreth’s attention and hold it for a while.

Her mind ran off with wild, vivid daydreams about what might happen, the pair of them drinking butterbeer as the rest of their friends dispersed, the light low and warm as all sounds around them faded until it was just them, and his big, beautiful smiling face would come closer and closer and she could touch his amazing hair, and…

Poppy was late for class. She skidded into Charms, red-faced and stuttering apologies, her cheeks burning more as Garreth turned to look at her. Merlin, she must look such a state, all sweaty and pink and her hair all over the place, and… oh, hell, there was Augury poop on her shoulder, too!

Ronen waved her to her seat, taking five points from Hufflepuff for her tardiness, and she hurried over, trying to scourgify her robes without anyone noticing. But she needn’t have worried. After taking note of her arrival, Garreth had gone right back to staring at the back of Draccie’s head, throwing a dark look at Ominis as he whispered something that made her giggle.

Poppy lowered her gaze and tried to focus on the lesson, but she couldn’t help but let her mind drift to Hogsmeade and the Three Broomsticks, where in only two days’ time, she and Garreth would be sharing a butterbeer and chatting about nothing. Or something. Or everything. And maybe he’d hold her hand. Maybe he’d laugh at her jokes. Maybe he’d pay attention to her properly. Maybe… maybe they’d kiss.

It seemed too much to hope for. It seemed ridiculous. Poppy knew she was a five-foot-fuck-all weirdo with an obsession with magical beasts and few human friends. Garreth was a nearly-six-foot cauldron of charm and excitement. And the object of his interest was a bloody hero. All five-foot-seven of her, her hair like melted chocolate, her eyes like the emerald of her house, all curves and bosom and legs and a laugh like a cannon. Poppy sighed. If she wasn’t so enamoured with Garreth, she might have fallen for Draccie herself. Why, why did it have to be her that Garreth liked? Why someone so nice, so brave, so tough?

Why not her?

_.-~*~-._

By the time Saturday arrived, Poppy was a nervous wreck. She had barely slept a wink, and was up with the dawn, rushing down to the beast pens to play with the Kneazles, hoping their soft fur and rumbling purrs would soothe her nerves. She had hours to go yet, they weren’t due to go to Hogsmeade until four that afternoon, but she couldn’t help it. Natty had told her the night before she’d extended the promised invitations, and all the people she’d asked had accepted.

Vibrating at a frequency high enough to shatter glass, Poppy dashed to the Great Hall to wolf down some breakfast, knowing she wouldn’t see Garreth at this early an hour. He tended to sleep in until at least ten in the morning at the weekend, but it didn’t stop her hoping.

Back in the common room, she paced around her dorm, fumbling around in her closet for something nice to wear. Most of her clothes were her grandmother’s old things, way out of date and style, but comfortable and warm, more practical than pretty. Poppy whimpered softly, pawing through her jumpers and blouses. There was nothing that would be right for a date, nothing at all! She blinked back tears. Garreth would never look twice at her if she dressed like a little old granny who’s favourite pastime was gardening and chicken-keeping! She might as well wear wellington boots!

“Dear me,” came a snooty voice. “I thought it was I that should cry over the state of your wardrobe, Sweeting.”

Poppy spun to see Sacharissa Tugwood striding into their dorm, her pink-hued hair bouncing. Far from feeling slighted, Poppy bounded to her feet, an idea springing into her mind like a crup puppy.

“Sacharissa! I need your help!” she gabbled. “You’re going to the Three Broomsticks with us tonight, right?”

“I am,” Sacharissa flicked a non-existent bit of fluff from her pristine robes. “What of it?”

“I need a new outfit,” Poppy said. “For tonight. Help me.”

Sacharissa raised a brow.

“Please,” Poppy added. “I… you’re right, my clothes are terrible, I need to get better fashion sense, and…”

“I’d LOVE to!” Sacharissa cried, a wide grin on her face. “No time like the present, Sweeting! Let’s go, you’re going to need so much…”

“I only want the one-” Poppy began, but Sacharissa grabbed her hand and bolted for the barrel door, hurtling them both through the castle and out into sunshine.

In Hogsmeade, Sacharissa made a beeline for Gladrags, where Agustus Hill leapt out from behind the counter and embraced the Hufflepuff, air-kissing her cheeks.

“My dear girl, what a delight to see you again! We have a marvellous new selection in store today, and I have some samples for our upcoming Spring Collection, straight from Pairs!” he winked, grasping Sacharissa’s hands. “Would you like to give your thoughts? We always value your imput.”

“Perhaps another day,” she said, and waved a hand at Poppy, hovering by the door, glancing at the robes, blouses and dresses with significant apprehension. “My friend here is after a new wardrobe.”

“Outfit,” Poppy said, hurriedly, as Mr Hill dashed over to her. “I only need one for tonight, I’m going to the Three Broomsticks, and…”

“Ah, I see, I see,” Mr Hill said, taking out a tape measure and waving his wand. It began to measure her, head to toe, shoulder to wrist, eyebrow to ear. “Not to worry, we’ll start with the one, but they always come back for more, don’t they, Miss Tugwood?”

In what Poppy would later term as an exercise in pure humiliation, Mr Hill and Sacharissa dressed her in a seemingly endless parade of increasingly horrifying outfits. The predominant theme seemed to be pink and frilly, pleated skirts and ruffled blouses piling on the chair beside the privacy screen as she grew increasingly hot, sweaty and irritable as she tried on item after item. Each time she stood in front of the mirror, she turned away, growing increasingly distressed as her reflection looked more and more like one of her grandmother’s china dolls, all dressed up and painted and childlike.

She didn’t want to look like that. She didn’t want to look sweet and innocent. She wanted to be dramatic and daring, sultry and seductive, just like Draccie. If that’s what Garreth liked, then she had to be that. Tentatively, she spoke up.

“Maybe something darker? Something a bit… more daring?” she ventured.

Mr Hill blinked. “My dear girl, these are the finest items from our Spring-”

“You know Dracaena Hoctina, right?” she said. “The Hero of Hogwarts?”

“Oh, yes!” Mr Hill practically bounced. “Hardly see her, of course, but I remember as clear as day when she fought off that troll that came charging through our little village…”

“Yeah, I get it,” Poppy said, sullenly. “I want to look like her. Can you get me something like what she wears?”

Mr Hill blinked.

“Well…” he rubbed the back of his neck, and Sacharissa became very interested in a mannequin. “Of course. If that’s what you’d like. But if I may… these suit you so much better,” he indicated the pretty skirts and blouses. “They compliment your…”

“I don’t care,” Poppy pouted. “Make me look cool.”

She left Gladrags an hour later, a smile on her face, a bag in her hand, her new clothes folded neatly and boxed in tissue. She’d seen Sacharissa do her makeup enough for her to know what to do, and she’d agreed to let her borrow some.

Her smile broadened. Garreth better prepare himself. He had no idea what was waiting for him.

_.-~*~-._

She was early to the Three Broomsticks, and she sat at a large table in the corner, nursing a tankard of butterbeer, her heart doing a marvellous impression of a startled Fwooper and flapping against her ribs. She tried to quell it, reassuring herself that if the looks the other patrons had given her when she walked in were any indication, not to mention Sirona’s open-mouthed stare when she approached the bar, she looked as dashing and daring as Dracaena ever had.

Her blouse was coal-grey and spidered with ruby thread around the boddice, her skirt daringly short and ending just above the knee, her stocking matching her blouse. She’d swept her hair back from her face, pinning it in place, showing off her heavily-rouged cheeks and smoky eyes. Perhaps she’d been a little liberal with the khol, but Draccie had thick lashes, even without makeup, and it seemed to make her eyes almost luminous. Her own eyes were mud-brown, but with her heavy application of the khol, surely that’d have the same effect.

Poppy jittered her leg under the table, eyes on the door, until it opened, and Natty strolled in, arm-in-arm with…

Poppy blinked. Amit Thakkar?

They were both smiling, chattering about something as Poppy’s mouth dropped open. Out of everyone in Hogwarts, Amit was the last person she’d expect Natty to go on a date with, and for him to ask her? Goodness.

Her questions stilled as they gazed around the pub, seemingly passing over her, and she waved. Natty blinked, then her features cleared, and she hurried over, leaving Amit at the bar.

“Poppy?” she looked her up and down. “I did not recognise you.”

“I know,” Poppy grinned. “Don’t I look great?”

“You certainly look different,” Natty said, smiling as she took a seat beside her. “Perhaps…” her smile became a little strained. “Your eye makeup is running a little, may I fix it?”

Poppy blinked, and grabbed for the tiny mirror she’d borrowed from Sacharissa. She peered at her reflection.

“It’s fine,” she said, pursing her lips and admiring their scarlet colour. “It’s the same way I did it.”

Natty’s smile was still fixed. “Poppy, you look lovely as you are,” she said. “Perhaps, whoever it is you wish to impress would like to see the real you, and not see you hiding under this paint?”

Poppy pouted. “But this is what he likes,” she said. “He likes dramatic looking girls.”

“Dramatic?” Natty said, faintly. “Poppy, I do not wish to presume to tell you what you should wear, but…”

“Oh, do you like my outfit?” she spread her hands, puffing out her little chest. “I think the embroidery’s really nice, don’t you?”

“It is beautiful,” Natty agreed. “But I thought you would wear something you are comfortable in.”

“I am,” Poppy insisted. “Alright, it’s a little hard to move if I stretch, but that’s fine, right?”

Amit made his way over to the table before Natty could respond, bringing three tankards with him.

“Ah, Poppy, how nice to see you,” he said, with a genuine smile. His eyes lingered on her face a moment before he turned to Natty. “How many are we expecting?”

“A good ten or so others,” Natty replied, her smile softening. “It will be quite the evening.”

Poppy kept quiet as they chatted, preferring to stare at the door, occasionally shifting in her seat to try and find the right pose to show off her figure in her new clothes. They soon stopped trying to draw her into their conversation, and she nibbled her lip, tasting the cloying lipstick. It didn’t feel great, none of the makeup did, but that wasn’t the point. Garreth couldn’t miss her now!

And then there he was, striding into the Three Broomsticks with as much confidence as if he owned the place, Leander at his heels. His smile was wide and perfect, his hair flopping all about his head like a playful Kneazle kitten, his step bouncing. Poppy drew a quick breath, fumbling to sit up straight as she watched him pay for a pair of butterbeers, her heart racing faster with each step he took to their table.

He paused, his brows rising as he took her in. She batted her eyelashes the way she’d seen Draccie do, and gave him a wide, lipsticky smile.

“Hi, Garreth!” she said, a little breathlessly. “Leander,” she added, almost as an afterthought.

“Poppy…” he blinked a bit, then set the tankards on the table. Next to her. Her breath caught, just for a moment, then Leander slid into the seat next to her, half-blocking her view of the Gryffindor she wanted. “Nice to see you. You look… um. Great.”

Her heart soared, and Poppy thought she might take flight.

“Thanks!” she said, brightly, so focused on him that she didn’t notice Sacharissa, Arthur and Samantha join them. She heard Sacharissa’s light gasp, but tuned her out. “How’s your weekend going?”

“Great, thanks,” Garreth said, sipping his butterbeer. “Was looking forward to this.”

Was? Why past tense? Oh, Merlin, had she done something, said something to make him not enjoy it? Poppy’s mind scrambled, a light panic settling on her shoulders until Natty cleared her throat.

“We are mostly here, let us perhaps play some games,” she said, with a wide smile.

“Oh? Who else are we expecting?” Amit said.

“I expect Dracaena and Ominis will join us shortly,” Natty replied, and Poppy’s heart plummeted as Garreth sat up straight.

No… no, it couldn’t be! Natty hadn’t said they were coming! Why was she coming?

“I… didn’t know Draccie was joining us,” she said, meekly, glancing at Garreth. “I thought she had something else on.”

“No, I asked, she said she would,” Natty said, peering at her. “Do you not remember?”

“Oh, yeah,” Poppy said, lamely. “Sure.”

She stared down into her tankard, suddenly bereft. If Draccie was coming, she had no hope of keeping Garreth’s attention now.

And as if on cue, the doors opened, and in she walked, Ominis by her side, his wand out to guide him. Poppy’s heart nearly shattered as Garreth twisted so fast he cricked his neck. Her own shirt was coal grey, like Poppy’s, but the embroidery was emerald, her high-waisted trousers tight and tucked into knee-high boots, a dark cloak about her shoulders.

It was so simple, and so elegant. She wore not a lick of makeup, but somehow, her face was the most stunning in the taproom, the ease of her movement lending an almost ethereal quality to her. Poppy pouted, trying to tell herself that Draccie’s arse was too big, her thighs too thick, her nose turning up too much at the tip, but she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t lie about her friend. Draccie was stunning, to the point that even her blind best friend could clearly tell.

She swanned over to their table, butterbeer in hand, parking herself next to Natsai as Ominis drew her chair out for her.

“Evening all,” she said, her voice loud and cheerful. She blinked as she took in Poppy’s appearance, and suddenly, she realised how stupid she must look, how obvious her imitation must be, how pathetic her attempt to woo Garreth was.

“Damn, Pop,” she said. “I almost didn’t recognise you! You look amazing!”

Poppy froze. “What?”

“Look at you! So bold!” Draccie gazed at her, earnest admiration on her face. “Can I borrow that idea? I’d love my eyes to stand out like yours! And that blouse! I love the colour!”

“Yeah, she looks great!” Garreth said, in a rush. Poppy turned to him, a feeble hope lighting in her, though she knew as well as she knew Jobberknolls loved grubs that he was only saying it to impress Draccie. It was something, at least, to be noticed.

But all the same, as her friends chatted together, laughing and joking and growing more boisterous as the evening wore on, Poppy withdrew into herself, even slipping away to the bathroom to check her face. She almost wept as she took in her appearance, the black eyes and red slash of her mouth, her rouged cheeks standing out like a clown. She looked awful. She scourgified the makeup away, sniffling as she took her hair down, hoping she could slink away from this disaster of an evening.

But no such luck. Draccie was at the bar, and caught her.

“Help me take these over?” she asked, indicating several tankards. She peered a little closer. “You okay, Pop?”

“Fine,” she muttered. “I was just thinking of heading back.”

Dracaena frowned. “You sure? We’re going to play two truths and a lie, and I���ve got some mean lies to tell.”

“I’m sure.”

She couldn’t bear the thought of Garreth mooning over her for another instant. She gave a brave smile, hugged Draccie tightly around the middle, and hurried out, stepping into the cool air.

Only when she was sure there was no one around on the long walk back to the castle did Poppy step off the road and huddle by a tree, weeping softly. Tonight had been a disaster. She’d made herself look a fool in front of Garreth, and for what? She should have known Natty would have invited Draccie, she was the most popular student in the whole school. She should have known better than to draw attention to herself like that.

Poppy sighed, wiping her face. At least she had her beasts. They wouldn’t be stupid and ignore her. If she went and cuddled up with her Puffskeins, maybe she’d think of another way to get Garreth’s attention.

[choccy-milky]

⭐ HL x ghibli! ⭐

[slytherinsprincesss]

**MC staring longingly at Sebastian across the room being idiotic**

Poppy: So why aren’t you and Sebastian dating again?

MC: Because I’d destroy him…

Ominis: Trust me, he’d definitely be into that.

[5sospenguinqueen]

Professor Fig: I said you could invite one friend.

MC: Sir, they don't come separately.

Sebastian: Yeah, we're pack animals.

(Ominis, Poppy, Imelda, Natty, Garreth and Leander nod)

[girl-named-matty]

Accidental confession - Hogwarts Legacy Modern AU

You accidentally tell them you like them thinking you're texting your friend! Tags: Fluff, chaos, silliness, a lil unrealistic but yk Pairings: Sebastian x reader, Ominis x reader, Garreth x reader, Leander x reader, Amit x reader, Natty x reader, Imelda x reader, Poppy x reader, Anne x reader, Everrett x reader, Andrew x reader.

we have some new additions! 👀

hope you enjoyed! taglist in the comments!

[hufflefluff-stuff]

hi! i was wondering if you could write how HL characters would act when they are jealous

Yes! Also, I'll add how these characters wind up confessing to their crush! 👍

Characters: Sebastian, Garreth, Ominis, Poppy, & Leander

......

Sebastian Sallow

Let's be fr..this guy gets jealous INSANELY easily in canon, even when platonically speaking.

It's hard to pinpoint where he exactly started catching feelings for you, but he certainly fell for you fast after your adventure into the library's restricted section.

Unfortunately, because of your growing reputation as a "hero" around Hogwarts, Hogsmede, and other hamlets...you've have strangers and students alike often come up to you and interrupt your conversations with Sebastian.

They mean well, only showing up to compliment you or thank you for some favor you've done for them.

But still it puts him in an sour mood, especially if he's unable to do anything about it without coming off as a prissy Slytherin.

During classes, he feels 10x worse if he's not partnered with you and instead sees you with classmates he views as "competition"...like Garreth, Leander, or even Amit, scowling at them in envy and unable to focus unless the professor specifically calls him out on it.

The only exception is Ominis, since he's a trusted friend and damn well knew his crush on you (he has certainly used this as blackmail to stop him from doing stupid stuff) but Sebastian will still huff about how "close" you two are growing.

Sometimes his jealousy gets so bad he needs to go blow off some steam in the Undercroft, casting damage spells on whatever poor dummy, pillar, or knight armor happened to be in his way.

It's nothing that Repairo couldn't fix.

While your assistance in his quest to find a cure for Anne was extremely important to him, that's not the only reason he brings you along for the ride.

He genuinely enjoys your company, and it's his chance to actually be alone with you and talk without any rude interruptions.

Well...there's trolls, rankrok's loyalists, spiders, ashwinders, Inferi, etc....but none of them are annoying students who try to hog all your attention just to spite him.

Aside from Ominis, Anne keeps encouraging her twin brother to make some move if he's that jealous (which Sebastian repeatedly denies).

Sooner or later...he may lose that chance, and he fears this. But he never knew when the moment would come..

Then one night, you were both fighting poachers and their leader, an Animagus, insulted him so horribly that it made his confident expression drop for a moment--as did his Protego shield.

You didn't hear what she said exactly, but his devastated face told you enough and you were pissed.

So you rained down a torrent of ancient magic lightning before she can even think of transforming.

Sebastian could only watch as you smite her like some furious god unleashing your wrath on the world, finding you both badass and ethereal.

When it's all over, you rushed to his side and ask if he's okay--but he just kisses you right there and then, silencing you.

He's so sick of waiting.

Garreth Weasley

His jealousy is nowhere near as bad as Sebastian's...but it's still there. Just subtle.

He pouts a lot when somebody steals your attention away, and he tries way too hard to impress you with whatever brilliant potion concept he drafted up (and definitely didn't have approval to brew in class under any circumstances).

Speaking of which, you're his usual partner in potions class, so he'll be highly disappointed if Professor Sharp decides to pair you with somebody else that day.

Garreth feels this sting in his heart if he overhears you praising them for their perfect brew, while he stares into his bubbling cauldron and sulks, wondering what he could've done differently.

He didn't know how you truly felt about him, so he got the genius idea to cook up a love potion the day you had a substitute for class (he sat at the furthest station and had secretly gathered the ingredients beforehand).

Just as you were about to try it for yourself, he accidentally knocked an incompatible ingredient into the pot and caused its contents to explode, staining both of your robes in pink.

While everybody laughed, the sub made the stains vanish with some magic and decided to dismiss class early, making you two stay behind to clean up the mess.

Luckily only house points were deducted due to your actions, so you won't be getting detention for this.

Still...Garreth was quite upset and you could tell.

You reassure him you're not mad in the slightest, and that you knew exactly what he was trying to do (followed by a small wink before continuing your cleanup).

His face turned as red as a maxima potion, and when he returns to the Gryffindor common room for the night, he gets confused stares from his fellow housemates as they wonder what's gotten into him.

But he can't stop thinking about you.

Maybe you ingested droplets of the love potion after it exploded, since you did seem particularly flirtatious with him in that moment and knew his intentions.

Looks like he got his wish after all.

Now to ask you out properly..

Ominis Gaunt

He's not an easily jealous guy. He'll never get angry at other people for simply wanting to spend time with you or if you're partners with them in class.

You've made a name for yourself at Hogwarts, and while he doesn't always agree with the dangerous stuff you get involved with, he only expects people to look up to you and pull your attention away from him.

Though deep down, it kinda hurts...especially since quite a handful of students from other houses perceive him as someone you shouldn't be around (some Gryffindors with "holier than thou" personalities even had the guts to say you're better off without him when he's standing right there).

Being a Gaunt + a Slytherin had that effect, unfortunately...

But he's sick of hearing that all the time.

Anyone else would've snapped at whoever criticized them based on blood status or rudely interrupted a conversation they're clearly having with you.

Yet when he does it..suddenly he's the bad guy?

It never made sense.

So any jealous feelings Ominis has stem from his own insecurities, and they grow even worse the more he realizes he's in love with you..

Like Sebastian, he'd probably storm off to the Undercroft to calm down if he's feeling heavily upset.

Fortunately, you're quick to defend him and decline other people's advances, saying you'd much rather hang out with him.

When you nearly got into a wand duel/fistfight over something insulting they said about him, that's when he realizes you cared about him as more than a friend...

Though he wanted to test the waters, so to speak, before hyping himself up to confess to you.

So throughout the week, Ominis expressed subtle desires to be in closer proximity to you (which you were fine with despite being initially confused at his sudden change in behavior)

These are, but not limited to, linking arms while walking in the hallways, napping beside you while you were reading or petting a random cat, "accidentally" falling asleep on your shoulder in History of Magic, and letting you guide him through assignments in herbology and potions class so he took the correct measurements (his grades improved, which is always a plus).

It takes a little bit of encouragement from Sebastian, but by the week's end, he courts you in one of his favorite spots outside the castle, gathering flowers, candles, and everything.

You truly made him feel loved..and he was going to do his best to reciprocate that.

How he wishes he could see the looks on those Gryffindor preps' faces when they realize the "hero of Hogwarts" is his date.

Poppy Sweeting

Considering how little she spoke to other students, even ones from her own house, this Hufflepuff found it difficult to get close to you at first.

You being hailed as a "hero" made it especially challenging, as you seemed constantly busy and people were bugging you for attention/advice/help....all while Poppy was standing in the background, forcing a smile.

Of course, you always made time to help her rescue beasts. It became your passion, and she was happy about that. Your adventures together allowed you to connect on an emotional level.

The moment she knew she was in love was the night when you both observed a Mooncalf dance, trying to make sense of the pattern those sweet big-eyed creatures left behind.

No matter how many times you've seen them, their dances are spectacular--ever captivating.

But when Poppy asked for your opinion on the pattern she drew out, she stops after seeing your breathtaking smile, eyes practically sparkling in the glow of the moonlight..

And suddenly that's all she could focus on.

Suddenly that was the most beautiful thing in the world.

Since then, her jealousy around other students has increased tenfold...especially when one jerk who disrespected beasts bragged about their poacher parents and invited you to visit their camp.

You've never seen a girl Depulso another student so fast in your life, but Poppy acts like nothing ever happened.

Similar to Sebastian, her jealousy manifests in the form of glares and general scorn towards anyone trying to ask you out on a date (which you, fortunately, decline).

She 100% rambles to the beasts about you.

If Highwing and Lord of the Shore could talk, they'd tell her to just stfu and confess to you already bc the tension is killing them.

It only (finally) happens when you invite her to the Vivarium for the first time, and they both nudge you two together, not backing down until you finally kiss.

If any of yall know that scene in Pokémon Scarlet/Violet where the box legendary pushes Arven towards his friends...that's this exact situation.

Leander Prewett

There's not doubt that this Gryffindor was going to grow jealous of your rising popularity in Summoner's Court and Crossed Wands.

He's a sore loser, while you have generally good sportsmanship..but he secretly appreciates you encouraging him to keep practicing. He only keeps going because of your words alone.

Outside of classes and competitions, he tries to hang out with you but oftentimes your attention goes to other people--whether it's professors keeping you after class to go over extra assignments or a friend sending you an owl with an urgent request.

You don't mean to keep ditching him, but to him it feels like you're always "too busy" for him.

Leander just scowls at the owls while they stare back at him like "hey, don't shoot the messenger".

Yet even when you do manage to spend time together, he only ever asks about your recent escapades....and then refuses to believe them despite you explaining them in great detail.

To this day, he still isn't convinced you possess ancient magic.

But the truth is that he wants to believe you. He admires your bravery and is insanely in love with that aspect of you....though he doesn't know how to express that.

He wishes he can relate and have cool stories to tell, but when people bring up his name they only ever talk about his constant failures.

He doesn't feel any better when others rush to defend your acts of heroism, thinking he's being a jerk.

The truth is you actually loved him and his company despite your frequent banter, but believed him to be way out of your league.

At least until the day Professor Kogawa assigned you to help him after flying class, citing the lack of respect he's been showing to his broom and your good influence on classmates.

He saw this as his chance to impress you...and failed miserably as he was unable to focus and snapped at his broom in frustration, causing it to whack him in the face just as a group of Slytherins passed by.

They laughed and teased him relentlessly, but after scaring them off with a chomping cabbage...you realized Leander had disappeared.

But he didn't go far as you discover him sulking near the lake, hiding himself with the Disillusionment charm (which you cancelled with Revelio).

It's there he finally talks about his true feelings towards you, and you see a more vulnerable side to the typically uptight Gryffindor.

In the end, you decide to give him a chance.

[elinoracia]

⁑ Someone else flirts with you // Hogwarts legacy characters reactions x reader ⁑

~ Hogwarts Legacy headcanons ~

Warnings: Jealousy, fluff, f!reader, use of Y/N, not proofread, swearing (censored) Pairings: Sebastian x reader, Ominis x reader, Garreth x reader, Amit x reader, Poppy x reader, Natty x reader, Imelda x reader, Leander x reader.

Feel free to request anything!

→ [All characters are aged up to 18 y.o. or more (7th year)] ←

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

Context: Following the events that took place during the 5th year, you became more popular without really wanting it. A few people have started to take a closer interest in you. But you still only have eyes for one person since you arrived. However, a boy has started flirting with you and talking to you more and more often. His name is Spencer Rooks. Spencer is the captain of the Hufflepuff quidditch team, also in 7th year. His soft blue eyes, freckles and blond messy hair could make anyone feel flustered around him. But he only has his eyes on you and the person you like took notice of that. Today, Spencer passed you a note to meet him after class. You chose to accept his offer and listen what he had to say to you. Someone seems to not be too pleased by that... (pre-relashionship)

THEIR REACTION:

Sebastian:

Oh he's pissed. You're his! Well...not yet but you are his! He tolerated Spencer's flirting for way too long. He has to intervene.

"Spencer, leave her alone. Can't you see Y/N is not interested?"

All means are good if it makes him leave you alone. But if Spencer insists too much to talk to you, Sebastian will definitely raise his wand at him. He's not scared to be in detention again.

"Let's leave Y/N. He's not worth you time at all." He takes your hand and leads you somewhere else.

"What a prick! Touching you like that and flirting with you. Trust me, he's not good enough for you."

You ask him if he's jealous and you see him frown.

"I am not jealous, I would just prefer if he didn't exist near you! I-I mean...I know you can take care of yourself but- I just don't like others around you that can't respect you."

He'll cross his arms and will stare into your eyes.

"Next time, tell him you're mine. Tell him you're my girlfriend. And if he tries anything, I won't need my wand to hurt him. Besides, I bet he only likes you because you're Hogwarts hero or something like that...NO! I'm not jealous! I just think you deserve better!"

He will make sure that everyone knows you're his, even if you're not yet in a relationship with him.

He WILL be more affectionate and touchy in public.

He's very possessive and will remind you that you both were best friends before you saved Hogwarts and the wizzarding world in general.

"I liked and still like you for you, don't fall for guys like Spencer who only notice you for what you did. He's an opportunist! And you deserve someone who can see how wonderful you are."

Ominis:

Now he is more discreet about his feelings for you and how he handles jealousy. But when Spencer asked you to meet him after class, Ominis couldn't let that happen. He realises he was too slow to be the first to ask you out and he had to do something...quickly.

"Y/N, is that true that you planned to meet Spencer after class? Well...I advice you to reconsider. He does not seem like a very proper gentleman."

You ask him if he's jealous. You see his cheeks redden.

"Jealous? Why should I be jealous Y/N? You obviously are too good for him. And he does not seem like the type of individual you would be into...isn't he?"

He is worried you are into another boy but he tries to keep his composure.

"I heard a few people gossiping about him. Apparently, he has a new girlfriend every month. You deserve to feel special Y/N."

This might be the first time he pays attention to meaningless gossips. But he just has to convince you not to give Spencer a chance.

"Besides, I might need your help after class to prepare myself for our next potion exam. My concoctions are still utter rubbish and you seem to be the only one who actually make me improve my skills."

Any reason is a good reason if it makes you stay away from the Hufflepuff.

He will sit next to you in every class to make everyone understand you are with him, even if you're not his girlfriend yet...

He will frown everytime he hears you talking to another guy. And if Spencer dares to speak to you, he will drag you away and find an excuse to justify it.

"I hope he was not bothering you. I can make the Headmater expel him if he tries anything inappropriate. Just tell me if anything happens."

He didn't mind boys talking to you but when Spencer got a little to close to you for his liking, he became a bit more protective of you. He doesn't want to let that happen again.

Garreth:

He is not usually the jealous type because he knows you're not interested by the other boys/girls who are flirting with you on a daily basis. But Spencer seemed to have your attention for some reason... And when Garreth is jealous, he is not very classy about it.

"What is going on with Spencer and you? I heard you two whispering during class. Since when the both of you are that close?"

You explain to him you planned to meet up with Spencer after class because he had something to tell you. You hear the red-haired boy scoff.

"I bet he'll confess to you...that idiot. Hum...please tell me you don't reciprocate his feelings?"

He'll try to invite you somewhere else so you don't join Spencer after class. He thinks he is being sneaky about it.

"Please I can't find those ingredients without you, it's very urgent matters! Screw Spencer! Besides, you'd rather spend time with me than him...right?"

You're making the poor boy anxious. He is scared you might find Spencer better than him.

"I can also play quidditch you know? And I bet Spencer is not a talented potionist like I am! I'm just saying..."

You ask him if he's maybe...jealous? He left you no time to finish your last word that he quickly retorts.

"Me? Jealous? Please Y/N, you can't be serious. Why would I be jealous? We're...friends... and he is just some guy. I simply don't want you to shift your attention on him and forget about me, alright?"

You try to reassure him with some light-hearted teasing that he was your favorite flirt and that you couldn't possibly forget about him, even if you tried.

"Well...now I know. Could you maybe repeat the part where you said you could never forget me?"

Amit:

He is really not the jealous type because he understands why and how popular you became. But when he is jealous, he does not dare to talk about it to not seem possessive or selfish. But the way Spencer acts around you doesn't sit right with him...

"Y/N? I hope you don't mind if I bring up a rather...private subject. It's about you and Spencer. I noticed you two during class... Are you perhaps- please stop me if you do not feel comfortable sharing- b-but are you two...together?"

You ask him if he's just curious or maybe... jealous? You see him stiffen at your question.

"J-Jealous? I'm really not! I swear! I just think he might not be the right fit for you... You deserve someone who sees you for who you really are; the shiniest star in the sky. Nothing less..."

You reassure him by certifying that you were not in a relationship with Spencer. You then explain he just asked you to meet you up after class to tell you something. You see Amit slightly frown.

"I...I don't think you should meet with him."

He then instantly apologizes. His facial expression is a mix between confusion and fear. He's torn between telling you not to go or let you do what you want...

Out of the blue, he gently grabs your hand.

"What if I said I also... wanted to see you? Who would you choose?"

You can't help but let out a small chuckle. Of course you would choose Amit over him...over anyone actually. But he is so cute when he is jealous. But you finally give in to his request.

"R-really? You'd rather be with me? Then let's go to Honeydukes after class! I could also let you try the new lense of my telescope!"

Seeing him compete for you attention definitely made you feel really hot... He is so adorable.

Poppy:

She is way too obvious when she is jealous. She just can't hide it. This Spencer boy is seriously getting on her nerves...Why can't he just leave you alone? She's the only one who has the right to be glued to Y/N!

"Hum...Y/N...Are you and Spencer a thing? Because he seems really interested and you don't seem to mind it. I-I'm just curious, that's all! You know you can tell me anything."

She looks nervous and you can see it. She is twisting a strand of her hair between her fingers.

You tell her that Spencer actually asked you to meet him after class. Seeing the look on Poppy's face, you might have actually thought she saw a ghost. She was petrified.

"M-Meet him after class? Does he like you? Do you think he'll confess? Oh Merlin... Do you like this guy?"

She bombards you with questions. You're trying your best to reassure her but she doesn't seem to focus on what you're saying. You then take her hands into yours to calm her down.

"I-I'm sorry. But, as your friend... of course... I am just worried this guy is just not any good for you at all. He doesn't seem like the type to treat you right or anything. And you're worth so much better!"

"And who do I deserve then Poppy?" You asked with a playful giggle. You like to see her all flustered. It was so cute.

"W-Well...maybe someone who like you before all the stuff that happened during 5th year...A-Anyway! It's not about that, we are talking about Spencer here!"

She pouts at your light teasing. She is so terribly obvious about how she feels.

You have to reassure her and tell her that you don't feel anything for the Hufflepuff boy. She lets out a big sigh of relief.

"Good...So...does that mean you're free after class? Wanna do something with me?"

Natty:

Now Natty is very mature and can handle her jealousy very well...that's what she thought until Spencer grew a little too close to you. She usually doesn't mind your multiple admirers but this time it felt different. She has to do something...

"Y/N, I was wondering... Spencer seems quite persistent. Maybe you need help to tell him off?"

You explain to Natty he actually became a good friend and that he wanted to talk to you after class. She keeps a neutral face, not wanting her emotions to get the best of her.

"That is good to hear. I wonder what he has to say to you."

Natty knew exactly what Spencer wanted to talk to you about. But she felt selfish... She was biting her tongue to not say anything more.

"I hope he is not in love with you Y/N. I heard he was quite a flirtatious guys and that he treated his ex-girlfriends very poorly... Yes those are gossips but sometimes they are right! Well...maybe he is just pretending to be nice to you for now, you know how boys are."

She would let you meet Spencer after school but she would overthink about what your response to his confession would be.

"So? What did he say? Tell me everything!" She was trying to keep a smile on her face but she was really really anxious.

As you explained to her, you see her gently relaxing her shoulders. You don't share the same feelings as Spencer, to her delight.

"That's good. He was not right for you anyway." You then dare to ask her why she was so happy you didn't reciprocated his feelings. She was taken aback.

"P-please don't think I was jealous. I just know you well enough to assume he was not your type at all. You deserve someone who will treat you like a princess."

She has never been more relieved you rejected someone. She will keep a close eye on you the next time someone talks to you. She can't let that happen again.

Imelda:

When she is jealous, she usually just bullies you. She hates to see you with other people no matter who they are. So, you can be certain that she cannot stand Spencer being all flirty and chatty with you.

"He just can't leave you alone, can he? Always trying to get your attention. It's so pathetic. Don't give him the time of the day, he's a twat."

You tell her that Spencer asked you to meet him after class. You see her almost explode of rage in front of your very eyes.

"What the f*ck? Who does he think he is? I mean, please let him embarrass himself, I know he doesn't stand a chance...right? Don't tell me you like him? Oh good...not that I care or anything, you do you."

You ask her if she's jealous. She lets out the meanest laugh you've ever heard. Ouch...

"Me? Jealous of him? I can prove it to you that I am, in fact, better than him. I'm also a MUCH better quidditch player. Just saying... Don't look at me like that! I'm not jealous! Just stop hanging out with him, that's all!"

She might sound agressive but she really just needs to be reassured.

"And you promised me to be there at every one of my quidditch practices. And if he doesn't like it, I'm not afraid to punch him in the throat and break his precious broom."

You notice how agitated she is by the fact that Spencer might like you. You say nothing to preserve peace but...how cute it was that she wanted to fight someone for you.

"Forget about him. You deserve a much better contenders for your love. You also deserves someone that is as good as me on a broom. Spencer is way too slow. Why are you smiling at me like that? What did I say?"

She'll make sure you only look at her during practice and during other classes. She'll make sure to remind you that she is the best person to hang out with you.

Leander:

Now he will go about it the hard way to keep people who are interested in you away. He usually straight up lies and tells everyone you are actually his girlfriend so nobody will flirt with you. But Spencer just directly asked you...not fair. He has to do something about it... and now.

"What? He asked you to meet him after class? Well...just don't go? Or tell him you have a boyfriend? Oh come on, it's just a little white lie."

He tries to convince you not to go. But you still want to hear what Spencer has to say.

"Okay but only if I go with you. I can't leave you alone with that creep. Do we have a deal?"

When you wait for Spencer after class, Leander was waiting with you. Leander just couldn't hold back the urge to mark his territory and show that you were his...not officially but in his mind your were his.

"So, please tell us what you wanted to say. Don't be shy."

Leander is touching VERY inappropriately while Spencer tries to speak. He runs his hands down your back, around your shoulders and…on your hips.

You want to stop it but you can't. You...like it. It makes you feel all nervous and you feel your cheeks redden.

At the end, the poor Spencer just gave up and excused himself from the conversation.

"I think he got the message. You're not interested by him and you'll never be. I was helpful, see? "

You scold him gently, telling him how innapropriate that was. He just smirks and chuckles at you. He's so childish...

"Oh don't pretend you didn't like it Y/N. Maybe I should do it more often, that seems to keep the others away."

You stroked his ego unintentionally.

But...what if...nobody stopped you from going?

Spencer:

He waits for you after class. He looks so nonchalent, you almost refuse to think he might confess to you.

"You came! What a relief. I just wanted to tell you that...I know that we've not been friends for long but...hum...I like you. I almost lost my last quidditch match because you were the only thing on my mind."

You were just speechless. Your face was burning up and your cheeks were red. He took notice of that.

"Sorry, I just blurted it out but I'm really serious. I like you Y/N. And if you just let me one chance to prove that I'm worthy of your affection, you won't regret it! Does it sound too corny? I just really like you sorry, I'm letting my heart speak for me right now."

The Hufflepuff's face was also red. He looks so sincere. His blue eyes staring right into yours.

"Do you need time to think about it? I can give you some space. I just... I would give you the world if you ask me to. You're just...so wonderful. But I'll give you the time you want to think about it! Or maybe we could go on a date? Just to make sure I'm your type."

He lets out tiny nervous chuckles as he speaks. He is a blushing mess and he is trying his hardest to speak clearly and not be overwhelmed by his emtions.

Will you give him a chance?

[lavenderandturpentine]

Garreth: Would you fancy going on a date with me?

Seb: *passing by* Did I just hear you ask Ominis out on a date?

Ominis: He’s practicing so he can ask mc out tonight.

Seb: But I’m supposed to be asking mc out tonight…

Garreth & Seb: *both staring at each other in realization before taking off running towards the library*

Seb: I’m going to ask first!

Ominis: *sighs* You idiots are going to end up in detention tonight instead of on a date.

[thenerdykneazle]

Amorous Tension

Summary: Poppy is quite sure her best friend has feelings for our favourite heir of Slytherin. MC is quite sure she doesn't, despite abundant evidence to the contrary. When Ominis asks MC to help him study for an upcoming potions exam, she jumps at the chance. TL;DR: Two idiots in love brew amortentia together.

A collab with the lovely @darch7995, who created the audio version of this story. Listen to the first part here and the second here.

Ominis Gaunt x F!MC

Warnings: the mildest of hand kinks, kissing, a surprising amount of schoolwork, stressing about exams, failure to communicate

Word count: 4185

You tapped your quill anxiously on the edge of your parchment, forming an ever-growing blot of ink in the margin. You were re-reading a paragraph in Flesh-Eating Trees of the World on a South American anteater-eating shrub. The words made as little of an impression in your mind as they had the first time.

A hand settled on top of yours, startling you.

“You’re going to put a hole in the table if you keep that up. And I doubt Madam Scribner would be pleased,” Poppy said teasingly.

You sighed, setting down the quill before dropping your head onto the table. “I’m going to fail. I know nothing. Less than nothing, even. Garlick is going to laugh me out of the greenhouse,” you said hopelessly.

Poppy rubbed your back comfortingly. “No, she’s not,” she assured you.

You let out a frustrated groan. “I’m never learning the difference between Jacaranda muscipula and Delonix geogalinivorae. They’re both just bloodthirsty ferns.”

A smooth voice came from behind you. “Jacaranda muscipula is native to South America, and its diet consists largely of deer mice. Delonix geogalinivorae is found in Madagascar and feeds exclusively on tenrecs.”

Your head shot up off the table. “Ominis,” you said in a higher pitch than you’d intended. You twisted in your chair to see your aristocratic classmate standing there looking effortlessly flawless.

“Hello, MC, Poppy,” he said with a pleasant smile. “I take it you’re dreading Garlick’s exam as much as Sebastian is.”

You scrunched your nose. “More, probably,” you said dismally.

“Well, I had come to see if you might be able to help me study for Sharp’s exam on Monday,” he said. “I could help you with herbology after. Of course, I’d be happy to help even if you don’t have time for potions practice.”

You gaped at him. He was asking you for help? Amit and Sebastian both had top grades in potions. You’d taken to it quite well, but the two boys had several more years of experience than you did. Garreth knew every ingredient and recipe inside and out, though he almost never stuck to the instructions – you could see why Ominis wouldn’t have asked him for help.

Your stomach leapt at the idea of spending time at the bench – just you and Ominis, brushing elbows at the cosy workspace. It was always dizzying being in such close proximity – the effect of his expensive cologne, surely.

Poppy would probably argue differently. She’d just been pestering you just that morning about your alleged feelings for the sarcastic Slytherin.

“You’re the biggest flirt I’ve ever met, MC,” Poppy said, rolling her eyes as you walked to the Great Hall.

Garreth had just been talking to you out in the courtyard about needing to acquire Thornback Matriarch venom for a new potion he was working on. You had told him he’d probably be better equipped than you were at charming the ladies into giving him what he wanted.

“I think you’re jealous and just need to ask the Gryffindor out, already,” you argued, shooting her a quelling look. “I was just being funny.”

“Mhmm,” she replied sceptically. “Well, I think it’s funny how I’ve seen you flirt with Garreth, Leander, Sebastian, Amit, and even Imelda, but when a certain serpent with stormy eyes and chiselled cheekbones comes around, you turn into a frightened little puffskein. You go all ruddy-faced and start stammering.”

She was poorly suppressing a smirk as she looked at you.

You scoffed. “I do not stammer!”

“Yeah, and I don’t fancy Garreth,” she replied sarcastically. “Admit it, you’ve got a crush on Ominis.”

“That’s ridiculous,” you asserted, glaring at her.

She raised a hand to her lips to stifle a giggle. “Then why’s your face match Garreth’s luscious locks right now?”

“Oh, shut it!” you said, increasing your pace so that Poppy fell behind.

She just laughed at you. “You’re only proving my point, you know!” she called after you.

Poppy elbowed you sharply between your ribs. You’d gone far too long without replying. “Ow!” you hissed at her.

Ominis had a nervous look on his face. “Sorry?” he asked.

“Oh, no, that wasn’t at you,” you said quickly. “I mean, I’d love to study with you.”

His expression immediately brightened. “Wonderful! When are you free?” he said.

“How about now?” you suggested as you began to pack up your things.

“Oh, I don’t want to interrupt,” Ominis said.

“No, it’s fine,” you insisted. You shot Poppy a reproachful look. “I’m suddenly feeling unsafe here in the library.”

Poppy stuck her tongue out at you. “Yes, I need to go help Professor Howin feed the thestrals, anyway. You two have fun,” she said much too giddily.

You sent her one more glare as you slung your bag over your shoulder. “So, shall we use the Room of Requirement?” you asked Ominis.

“That sounds perfect!” he replied brightly.

You led Ominis out of the library and started the long climb up to the 7th floor of the astronomy tower. You were glad to stretch your legs after sitting in the library for so long.

“I don’t know how you can keep those carnivorous trees straight in your head,” you commented as you strode down a long corridor. “They look exactly the same to me when they’re not in bloom.”

“Do they?” he replied, sounding intrigued.

For a moment, you wanted to sink through the floor. Obviously, the fact that the two trees looked alike was of little consequence to him. “Sorry, I wasn’t even thinking.”

Ominis chuckled. “It’s all right,” he said, clearly amused. “It’s strange to think that they seem so similar to you. They feel quite different. The jacaranda tree has very rough bark, and the geogalinivore has waxy leaves. Plus, it has a sweet smell – sort of like oranges.”

“That’s actually very helpful. Thank you,” you said.

He smiled softly at you. You couldn’t help but notice how one of the beauty marks on his left cheek disappeared into his dimple when he smiled. “I’m glad to be of service,” he replied.

You could feel your face flush, though you had no reason to be blushing. You were relieved when you reached the 7th floor and the door to the Room of Requirement appeared. You cleared your throat. “Right, well, we’re h-here,” you said, cringing at yourself for tripping over the words.

Ominis held the door open for you as you entered the Room of Requirement. “I appreciate you helping me practice. Sharp’s class was hard enough when I knew what I’d be expected to brew. Having to prepare to make any one of four potions has been quite stressful.”

“It is a bit ridiculous,” you agreed as you started pulling ingredients out of your cabinet.

“Honestly! It’s hard enough keeping the ingredients for one potion straight – let alone for the Elixir to Induce Euphoria, Draught of Living Death, Veritaserum, and Amortentia,” he said.

“It is a lot,” you said. “Where should we start?”

“Hm…Well, I don’t think I would be very productive after testing potions for sleep or euphoria. We’d best leave those for later,” he replied. “What do you think? Amortentia or Veritaserum?”

“Amortentia’s easy enough to test. We can tell if it’s right just by how it looks and smells. Let’s start with that,” you suggested.

Ominis smirked. “You just don’t want me getting you to spill all your secrets,” he teased.

You chuckled. “You’re right; I don’t,” you agreed honestly. You weren’t exactly a secretive person ever since you didn’t have to hide your ancient magic anymore. However, the thought of not being ableto hide anything if you wanted to was terrifying.

“Amortentia it is, then!” Ominis said. “It’s the one I’m best at, anyway.”

He lit the flame to heat the cauldron before beginning to grind the moonstone with a mortar and pestle.

“So, what does Amortentia smell like to you?” he asked, chatting as he worked.

“I’m not sure,” you admitted as you leaned a hip against the bench.

“What do you mean you’re not sure? Were you holding your breath when we brewed it last week?” he teased. He cracked two ashwinder eggs into the cauldron before adding the powdered moonstone and stirring it together.

“No! I just…Well, I guess it’s that it doesn’t smell like anything to me,” you admitted.

“You must be joking. Surely you smelled something,” he replied incredulously.

“Just the usual musky dungeon,” you joked. “I thought I’d just brewed it wrong at first, but yours didn’t smell like anything to me, either.”

His brows drew together. “That is curious. I know I made mine right, because it…Well, it worked for me,” he said, his cheeks colouring a bit. “Do you just not find anyone attractive, then?” he added casually as he began cutting the thorns off of some rose stems.

“I don’t know. I mean, I used to think I did, but…now I’m not so sure,” you replied. “I don’t know what could be wrong with me to not smell anything if I did like someone.”

“I’m certain there’s nothing wrong with you, MC,” Ominis replied.

You sighed. “I hope not,” you replied before biting your bottom lip anxiously. “I thought maybe everyone was lying about smelling different things, and it’s really just an odourless potion. But I checked three different texts in the library, and they all said the same thing Professor Sharp did about the smell being unique to what each person finds attractive.”

“It’s definitely not odourless,” Ominis replied with a smirk. He shook his head as if to snap himself out of something before clearing his throat. He turned his attention back to the potion.

He added the thorns to the cauldron before beginning on the petals. You watched his hands as he plucked the petals off the stems, stacked them neatly, and rolled them together before slicing them into thin, even strips. He was quite skilled in his technique. Despite sharing a bench in potions all year, you’d never really noticed how fluidly he worked. There was an almost entrancing nature to the graceful movements.

“So, what does it smell like to you?” you inquired as you forced yourself to stop staring at the veins winding over his wrists and across the backs of his hands out to his slender fingers. You had always thought there was something nice about his hands.

“Oh, there is no way I’m admitting that,” he replied.

“But I told you when you asked,” you argued.

He rolled his eyes at you. “Nothing doesn’t count as an answer.”

“But it’s the truth! I can’t help that I didn’t smell anything,” you argued.

“I’m still not telling,” he insisted. He added the rose petals to the potion. His brow furrowed as his fingers skimmed over the fronts of several bottles. “Which is the pearl dust?”

“Third from the right,” you said before letting out a laugh as a realisation struck you.

“What?” he asked a bit defensively. “Did I grab the wrong one?” He shook the sealed bottle by his ear to listen to its contents shift within.

“No, that’s the pearl dust. I just…” You giggled again, and his scowl deepened. “I just realised that’s the last ingredient and the first thing I’ve helped you with. Seems like you barely need me here.”

He relaxed almost instantly, even laughing a bit himself. “Well, it’s much easier to brew here,” he explained. “I know which ingredients are which when they’re in my own containers – and even most of yours at this point – but almost all of Sharp’s bottles are identical. I have to figure out what’s in each one every time I pick it up. Sometimes it takes four or five tries to find what I’m looking for. It wastes so much time.”

“That sounds extremely frustrating,” you said sympathetically.

“It is,” he lamented as he added a spoonful of pearl dust to the cauldron. He stirred it clockwise three times before lowering the flame. “There! It should just need to simmer for a bit, and then we’ll see how it turned out.”

“I’m sure it’s perfect,” you said as you settled into a high-backed chair, kicking your feet up on the ottoman in front of it.

“I appreciate your confidence in me,” he said. “You know, I was even worse at potions when I was younger. I tried summoning the ingredients to myself in the early years, and it was usually a disaster. In first year, we had to brew a burn salve during our exams, and I simply could not find the dittany, even after sifting through all the ingredients on my bench three times. I gave up and summoned it, and it knocked over all the bottles in front of it on its way to me. They rolled all over the bench, and I had nearly plunged my hand straight into my cauldron trying to put them back in order. During another exam, I tried to summon flobberworm mucus, and all the bottles of the stuff came flying towards me at the same time.” He laughed. “It was all over me, my bench, the floor. Amit nearly slipped in it trying to come over and help. Professor Sharp was livid, but I think he felt too badly for me to give me detention.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, as well. “Oh, I’d have died on the spot!” you said.

“I nearly did. It was utterly horrifying,” he said. “I pretended to be sick for three days after that because I couldn’t stand the thought of facing everyone. I even had Sebastian bring me food so that I didn’t have to go out to the Great Hall. But I’ve learned to bounce back from my Blind Boy Moments quite quickly since.”

“Could Sharp not just label the ingredients for you?” you asked.

Ominis scoffed. “No, he insists that every good potions student should be able to identify the ingredients on their own,” he said, exasperated. “He wouldn’t even let me come in beforehand to label them myself because other students might see them. He also won’t let me use my own containers because it’s all got to be ‘standardised’ so it’s fair.”

“Well, that’s quite the opposite of fair! He’s putting you at a disadvantage,” you said. You could feel yourself getting angry on Ominis’s behalf.

“I am perfectly capable of identifying the ingredients. Just because I can’t see them doesn’t mean I’m incompetent,” he said bitterly.

You were taken aback as his ire turned toward you. “I wasn’t trying to imply that you are, Ominis, I swear!” you said earnestly. “It just seems unreasonable that he won’t accommodate you at all. It’s so frustrating. I have an uncle who’s blind. He wasn’t born that way – he had an accident. And he’s a Muggle. So…it’s a bit different, obviously. But he’s worked in kitchens all his life. When he first went blind, he couldn’t cook anymore. But his boss’s wife, Marjorie, was blind, too. She taught him how to navigate the kitchen again without being able to see. They made adjustments to things so he could keep working there.”

“You have a blind uncle?” he asked, seeming shocked.

“Almost all my life. He married my aunt when I was just a baby,” you explained. “He cooks even better than a house-elf, too! Don’t tell Feenky I said that, though. Or Deek, for that matter.”

“I can’t believe you have a blind uncle,” Ominis said, still stunned.

“Really?” you asked. “Why not?”

He shrugged. “I’ve never met another blind person,” he said.

“Never?” you said, surprised.

“Not once,” he confirmed. “My parents weren’t exactly looking to find me a support group. It’s exceptionally rare in the wizarding world, anyway. So, they sort of just kept me hidden away until school. They hadn’t even expected I’d get a letter even though I clearly had magic. It wasn’t until I figured out how to navigate by wand that they stopped treating me like a doll instead of a child. Even my Aunt Noctua was rather overbearing. No one ever believed I could do something myself until I showed them I could.”

“I can’t imagine how difficult it was going through all of that on your own,” you said.

Ominis gave a haughty huff. “Yes, well, I think I’ve done all right for myself,” he said firmly, crossing his arms protectively over his chest.

“You’ve done more than all right, I’d say,” you argued. “Which reminds me, you still have to tutor me in herbology after this.”

He chuckled. “Don’t worry; I haven’t forgotten,” he said.

“You’d better not have,” you said sternly. Your severe expression didn’t last, though. You couldn’t help but smile around him. “Wait, so, if you didn’t have anyone to help you figure things out, did you invent the spell that lets you read books?”

“Ah, well, I suppose I wasn’t entirely on my own. Sebastian found that spell in an old tome in the library. Some languorous 17th-century scholar grew weary of having to keep his eyes open whilst reading,” he replied. “It worked quite well in my favour.”

“If there’s one thing Sebastian excels at, it’s research,” you replied.

“Yes, and it’s been both a blessing and a curse in my life,” he said irritably.

“I feel the same,” you said wearily.

Ominis spun back toward the potions station. “It smells like the potion’s ready,” he announced.

You got up and walked over to inspect it. “Mother-of-pearl sheen. Perfect spirals of steam. Excellent work, indeed, Ominis.”

He blushed at your praise. “Any essence of musky dungeon emanating from it?” he joked.

You laughed. You leaned over the cauldron and breathed in deeply to play along. “Oh,” you said, caught off guard by the smell. “Yeah, actually. It…” You took in another breath. It was masked beneath the cologne Ominis was wearing, but you could distinctly smell the cool, earthy scent that permeated the lower levels of the castle. “It does.”

“Merlin, MC! You don’t have a crush on Professor Sharp, do you?” he asked, aghast.

“Gods, no!” you replied immediately. “It’s not the dungeons, anyway. It’s different. But…familiar.”

You tried to smell it again, but it was still too hard to tell. You hadn’t realised earlier just how strong Ominis’s cologne was that day. Usually, you found the scent rather pleasant, but, currently, it was making it extremely difficult to smell anything else. You grabbed a phial and poured some of the potion into it. “I can’t tell what it is. I need to smell it in fresh air.”

“Are you trying to tell me that I smell foul?” Ominis demanded as you walked away from him.

“No, not at all,” you said before taking another sniff of the potion. “It’s just that your–”

Your voice died in your throat as two realisations struck you simultaneously. The first was that the earthy scent you had identified was the exact smell of the Undercroft. The second was that you still smelled Ominis’s cologne just as strongly even though you were on the opposite side of the room from him. The phial slipped from your hand and shattered on the wood floor.

“Are you all right?” Ominis asked, rushing over to you in a panic. “Did the potion burn you? I heard glass break. Did you get cut?”

He took both of your hands in his to feel for any injuries. The tips of his fingers brushed gently over your skin, and it sent a shiver up your spine.

“Sorry, no, I’m fine. I just–I hadn’t realised…something,” you said. You heart felt like it was beating out of your chest. Poppy had been right. You did fancy Ominis.

Ominis released one of your hands to raise his to your cheek. “Are you certain that you’re okay, MC?” he asked.

Your skin burned hot under his touch. “Y-yes, of course. I was just surprised when I placed the smell,” you said.

He tilted his head in interest. “Oh? What is it?” he asked.

You bit into your lower lip, keeping yourself silent as you wavered on whether to confess. He did seem to be rather doting at the moment. You wondered if he might return your affections.

“Perhaps I should’ve brewed the Veritaserum first, after all,” Ominis joked. “Maybe then I could finally get you to tell me what you smell.”

You laughed. “That’s not necessary. I just…Well, I’m pretty sure it’s, um…the Undercroft,” you said. Your nerves increased with every word, but you felt a flood of relief after getting them all out.

“Oh,” Ominis said uncomfortably. His whole body went rigid before his hands dropped away from you. “I…I see.”

“Ominis, I…” you started, trying and failing to figure out how to take the words back. You imagined the mortification you were experiencing was similar to how he had felt standing covered in flobberworm mucus in front of his peers.

“Well, I suppose I should still tell you what I smell, since you told me what you do,” he said sombrely. “Though, I can’t imagine it will be all that surprising.” He took a steadying breath. “It smells like old parchment, like those dusty pages Professor Weasley had you collecting last year. And I smell the mallowsweet you always carry around with you. And your shampoo. I always smell it when you hug me or fall asleep with your head on my shoulder.” He cleared his throat. “So…there you have it.”

“Are you upset about this?” you asked, bewildered by his tense reaction.

He forced a laugh. “What? No, of course not!” he insisted, but it wasn’t quite convincing. “I’m happy for you.”

“Happy for me?” you repeated, even more confused.

“Both of you, I mean,” he clarified, giving you a pained smile. “Although I’ve never asked Sebastian about his feelings toward you, with the way he flirts with you, I’m sure he reciprocates.”

“You think I fancy Sebastian?” you asked.

“Well, he’s the one who showed you the Undercroft,” he replied simply.

“Ominis, you’re the one he learned about it from. You’re the one I hang out with there. It’s rosewood and jasmine from your cologne that I smell in that bloody potion!” you said.

His brows knit together in confusion. “I thought you just smelled the Undercroft?” he said.

“Well, that’s what I thought when I was standing next to you – and in class last week,” you said. “You were right there, so I didn’t realise the smell of you was coming from the cauldron instead of…you know…you.”

His features went slack. “Oh…” he said awkwardly.

“Yeah…” you replied similarly.

“I’m a massive idiot,” he said, shaking his head at himself.

You smiled. “Yeah,” you said. “We kind of both are, aren’t we?”

“It would appear so,” he agreed. He laughed as he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around your waist. “Well, this has certainly been an illuminating study session.”

You melted into him instantly. “Indeed, it has.”

“You smell wonderful, you know,” he said as he nuzzled his nose against yours.

You giggled in response. “You smell quite nice, as well,” you replied.

“I taste even better,” he said cheekily.

Your gaze immediately dropped to his lips. “Is that so?” you asked, your voice coming out husky.

“I can prove it if you’d like,” he said. His breath fanned over your lips as he spoke.

“Yes, I think you should,” you replied. “For…educational purposes.”

Ominis’s lips brushed against yours almost tentatively before he leaned in to interlock them. His heat sank into your body as he held you firmly against his chest. You snaked your arms up behind his neck as you kissed him back. Being held by Ominis – and kissed by him – felt right. You wanted to stay wrapped in his arms forever. If you could’ve, you would have fused into him so you never had to be apart again.

You didn’t know how long it was before Ominis broke the kiss, but you knew it was too soon. “I still have to return the favour for you helping me with potions,” he said.

“Yes, right. The herbology,” you replied, still breathless from the kiss. You had forgotten about those bloody shrubs altogether.

“Actually, I was thinking we should work on divination, instead,” he said innocently, but there was a hint of a smirk on his lips.

You arched a brow at him. “Oh?” you asked. “Are you even taking divination?”

“No. I can’t exactly read tea leaves or look in a crystal ball,” he stated. The smirk spread on his lips. “But if I could, I’d see me in your future.”

You laughed. “You’ve been spending too much time with Sebastian,” you chided. “His terrible jokes are rubbing off on you.”

“You’re absolutely right, darling!” he said with a false gravity to the words. “I’d like to fix that as soon as possible by spending more time with you, instead.”

“I’d like that,” you said, unable to stop beaming at him.

“Me, too. Especially if it involves kissing you again,” he said.

You blushed. “I think that could be arranged,” you replied.

[rypnami]

i saw this template and knew what i had to do

this is for kicks and giggles, please no serious ship-shaming! (also idk the credit for like any of these pics so if they’re yours and you’d like to be tagged pls let me know!)

[cursedonyx]

So I’ve had some brainrot about a little side-fic that goes along with my current main fic. A slow burn, multi-part PoppyxGarreth unrequited love thingamajig in which Garreth is completely and totally oblivious to the affections of a teeny little Hufflepuff.

As this is set in the same HC storyline as my main work (which is maaaaybe about halfway done) I can only post up to a certain point to avoid spoilers for the main fic (and let's face it, there will be some spoilers for the main one if you've not read it yet so be warned) but fuck it, it’s in my head and you all get to enjoy it. I hope.

This one begins halfway through everyone’s 6th year at Hogwarts.

Don’t forget to check out my main fic for context, found on Ao3 and Wattpad.

Of Creatures and Cauldrons

Part 1

Word Count – 1.5k

Warnings – Pining, I guess?

_.-*-.__.-*-.__.-*-.__.-*-.__.-*-.__.-*-.__.-*-.__.-*-.__.-*-.__.-*-.__.-*-._

If Poppy Sweeting had to pinpoint the moment she fell in love with something other than her beasts, she probably couldn’t tell you. There were lots of moments she could argue she fell in lust, or want, or interest, but love? Nope. That one was too big and too confusing, indeed too human to contemplate.

But, as she admired the back of Garreth Weasley’s head, the low morning sunlight shining through the windows of the Great Hall lighting on his wavy red hair and making it look like he was wearing a halo of fire, she had to admit, the curious twisting in her tummy probably wasn’t to do with the grubs she’d eaten earlier on to demonstrate to a clutch of baby Jobberknolls what they had to do.

Her tummy had started twisting whenever she looked at the tall, broad Gryffindor. Whenever she passed him in the corridor. And recently, whenever he crossed her mind, which was almost all the time. She felt her cheeks heat up and swung her chin-length brown hair forward to hide her face, peeping out through the strands to keep looking at Garreth as he laughed with his friends at the Gryffindor table.

Once she was sure he wasn’t going to spot her staring, Poppy propped her chin on her hand, sighing dreamily as she wondered if Garreth’s hair would be soft like a kneazle’s fur, or maybe a bit coarser, like the hindquarters of a hippogriff.

The bell rang, her breakfast only half-eaten before her. Poppy jerked out of her reverie and grabbed for the plate, tipping the crusts of toast, half-finished porridge and a few handfuls of spring berries into her bag for her beast friends.

Heading for her Defence Against the Dark Arts class, she spotted Garreth moving through the crowd, identifying him less by the fact he was a little taller than everyone, and his hair was amazing, but more by the fact his best friend, Leander, was striding beside him, head and shoulders above everyone else. Poppy picked up the pace, using her small size to weave and duck through the crowd and wind her way subtly closer. Maybe she could keep his attention for more than five minutes this time.

“Hi, Garreth!” she said, a little breathlessly, popping up beside him. Garreth blinked, looked around, then down. He smiled a little, and that tiny quirk of his lips aimed at her made her heart soar.

“Hi, Poppy,” he slowed down a little, and to Poppy, it was a subtle yet considerate gesture. His legs were much longer than hers, after all, and it was like he wanted to walk with her to class. This close, she noticed how her head was level with his chest. She wondered how it would feel to lay her head on it, like she did with so many beasts. Would his heart sound like theirs?

“Um…” she flushed, realising she was staring, and forced a grin onto her face. “So… Defence Against the Dark Arts this morning, huh?”

He nodded. “Yeah, same as every Wednesday.”

She flushed deeper. Stupid, stupid, stupid! What a stupid thing to say!

“Wonder what Hecat’s going to teach us?” she said, trying to steam over the wrinkle in the conversation. It had never been this hard to talk to him before!

“Some defence magic, I expect,” Garreth said, with a small laugh.

Poppy would have given anything for the floor to open up and swallow her whole. Stranger things had been known to happen in Hogwarts, and she crossed her fingers. Was he laughing at her? Maybe if she made him laugh at something she said instead, that would salvage this terrible mess she was making.

“So, I heard a funny story the other day,” she gabbled as they began to climb the stairs. “Apparently, Peeves dropped a whole bag of chalk in the middle of the third-years’ Charms class, and Ronen fell over on it!”

He chuckled politely.

“Yeah, that’s pretty fun…”

Garreth trailed off, his gaze rising over Poppy’s head and growing wistful. She didn’t have to turn to know what had caught his attention, but she did anyway.

Dracaena Hoctina was sauntering along the corridor, arm-in-arm with her best friend and fellow Slytherin, Ominis Gaunt. Her laughter soared over the heads of the students thronging the corridor, and Garreth stood on his toes as Leander rolled his eyes and shook his head, giving Poppy a can you believe this shit? kind of look.

Draccie was one of Poppy’s closest friends, and although she’d been somewhat afraid of Ominis over the years due to the fearsome reputation of his name and the rumours that surrounded him, Draccie had insisted he join her wherever she went this entire year. Poppy had warmed up to him quickly, discovering him to be a quick-witted, clever, if unendingly sarcastic young man; a capable wizard, despite his blindness. But he didn’t seem to be the only blind one.

If only Draccie could see the way Ominis smiled whenever she talked, the tiniest curve of his lips, the softening of his eyes, the way he turned unconsciously towards her whenever she laughed, the extra care he took in his movements around her. The way his face lit up when she touched his hand. Anyone with half a brain could see that, like most of the school, the elegant Slytherin was head over heels in love with the Hero of Hogwarts.

But then, that was the problem. Garreth was too.

Poppy sighed, watching as Draccie and Ominis settled at their usual desk, leaning together and giggling about something. Garreth took up his usual position, having snared the desk with the best view of Dracaena the classroom afforded him. Poppy, in turn, took up her usual station, where she could see his profile when he faced forward. If only he looked at her the way Ominis looked whenever he was near Draccie.

A lot of people were obsessed with Dracaena. It made sense, she was an extraordinary witch who had saved literally all of their lives from a mad goblin wielding a wand of all things, preventing an uprising and rebellion. Not to mention all the times she’d helped Poppy herself out with a gang of vicious poachers, and fought with Natty against the dangerous Rookwood and Harlow. They’d seen first-hand what Draccie was capable of doing, and her admiration was well-earned.

If it had been anyone else other than her friend who had unintentionally snared Garreth’s attraction, hero or not, Poppy might have considered some underhand, nefarious means to ensure the competition was eliminated. It probably would have involved some dragon dung. But Draccie was her friend. Draccie wasn’t interested in Garreth. Draccie wasn’t a threat.

She hoped.

Garreth was a very talented potioneer, despite the number of explosions during any of his Potions classes. Poppy had no doubt that, if push came to shove, he could whip up a love potion in his sleep and turn Dracaena’s affections towards him. That said, she got the feeling the main reason he hadn’t was because he was a lovely big soft teddy bear who wouldn’t dream of drugging someone just because he fancied them.

And Ominis would probably eat him.

She spent the morning’s class in a bit of a daze as Professor Hecat waxed lyrical about the benefits of the notoriously difficult Fianto Duri, which supposedly increased the protectiveness of shield charms, or something like that. Her notes weren’t very thorough, they were mostly doodles of her name and Garreth’s entwined together in various ways, surrounded by doodles of kneazle kittens, crup puppies and little hearts.

Natsai, sitting beside her, leaned over, and Poppy quicky scrunched her parchment.

“Poppy, you are distracted,” she whispered. “This may come up in our NEWTs. Is there something on your mind?”

“No,” Poppy said, quickly. Natsai raised a brow.

“You have been starry-eyed this last hour,” she said. “Is it a boy?”

Poppy felt her cheeks flush, and she squirmed in her seat. “It’s nothing,” she whispered back. “Never mind.”

But Natty’s smile was knowing. Perhaps, despite her regular protestations, she had a little more Seer in her blood than she thought.

“You know best,” she said with a low, rich chuckle. “But if it was a boy… I would not blame you for being distracted. My own thoughts are consumed by someone also.”

“Oh?” Poppy eyed her, slipping her crumpled parchment into her bag as Hecat cast their homework on the blackboard. “Who?”

Natty’s grin was wicked. “I will tell you if you tell me.”

Poppy nibbled her lip as the bell rang, watching as Draccie and Ominis hurried for the door, Garreth close behind, Leander bringing up the sullen rear. She sighed. Following him now would make it obvious, and that was the last thing she wanted.

Natty waited a moment longer, then began to pack her bag.

“Alright, you do not have to tell me. But why don’t you just ask this mysterious person out?”

Poppy had faced poachers set on murdering her. She’d stood up to her own parents and defied them at eleven years old before running away with only Highwing for company. She’d faced down a furious dragoness with abject glee. None of that made her knees shake as much as the idea of asking Garreth Weasley on a date.

[thatsoanjie]

When the wind settles

Sebastian Sallow x reader

Summary : After Ranrok was ended, a Goblin rebellion happened. This is 5 months after the rebellion, and everyone thought you were gone for good. Sebastian revisits Feldcroft in an attempt to find traces of you again, not knowing what's to come.

Word count : 1.5k

Notes : This one was a little heavier to write! Just had to get this one out of my mind.

TW : Mentions of su!c!dal ideation... read at your own discretion.

Read my disclaimer and fair use notice here

The ruins of Feldcroft lay still, a silent testament to the war that had ravaged the land. The village, once vibrant with life, was now a graveyard of memories, its cottages reduced to charred skeletons, its streets choked with debris. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and ashes, a grim reminder of all that had been lost. Snow had begun to fall again, soft and steady, as if the sky itself was mourning.

Sebastian Sallow stood in the center of what had once been his home, his heart as cold and lifeless as the stones scattered around him. It had been five months since the final battle of the Goblin Rebellion, five months since he had lost almost everything that mattered. Ominis and Anne were safe, and for that, he was grateful, but the knowledge did nothing to fill the void inside him.

Because you were gone.

The thought was a knife in his chest, a pain that had become as familiar as his own heartbeat. You had been his anchor, his hope, his everything. And now you were nothing more than a memory—a ghost that haunted his every waking moment. They had told him you were dead, that you had been lost in the chaos of the battle, your body never found. He had refused to believe it at first, had scoured the wreckage for any sign of you, but as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, the terrible truth had settled in.

You were gone. And there was nothing he could do to change that.

The guilt was a constant companion, a weight he could never shake. You had been the best of them, the light that had kept him going through the darkest times. And now that light was extinguished, leaving him to stumble through the shadows alone.

He had come back to Feldcroft because there was nowhere else to go. The world outside was trying to rebuild, to move on, but Sebastian was stuck in the past, trapped in a moment that he couldn’t escape. The ruins of Feldcroft were all that was left of his old life, a desolate reflection of the emptiness he carried inside him. 

He wandered through the village, his steps slow and heavy, his mind lost in the memories of what had once been. He could still see it, as if the echoes of the past were imprinted on the air—the laughter of children playing in the streets, the warm glow of lanterns in the windows, the scent of freshly baked bread wafting from the cottages. But those memories were like ghosts, insubstantial and fleeting, impossible to hold on to.

Just like you.

Sebastian’s breath hitched as he reached the edge of the village, where the land sloped down toward the river. This had been your favorite spot, the place where you had always come to find peace, to escape from the burdens of the world. He could almost see you there, standing by the water, your hair catching the light as you turned to smile at him.

But it was just a memory. Just another ghost.

He closed his eyes, the ache in his chest unbearable. He didn’t know how to keep going without you, didn’t want to keep going. The world was a darker place without you in it, and he was so tired of stumbling through the shadows, of trying to find his way in a world that no longer made sense.

But then, through the silence, he heard it—a sound so soft, so faint, that at first, he thought it was just the wind. But it came again, more distinct this time, a footstep crunching in the snow behind him.

His heart stopped, his breath catching in his throat. He turned slowly, afraid to look, afraid to hope. And then he saw you.

You were standing just a few feet away, your figure half-hidden by the falling snow, your eyes wide with shock and something else—something that mirrored the grief and yearning that had been eating away at him for so long.

For a moment, he couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. His mind struggled to process what he was seeing, to reconcile the image of you standing before him with the brutal reality he had been living in. It couldn’t be real. You were gone. You were a ghost.

“Sebastian,” you whispered, your voice trembling as if you, too, were afraid that this was just a dream, that you might wake up at any moment and find yourself alone again.

He shook his head, his eyes wide with disbelief. “You’re not real,” he said, his voice breaking as he took a step back, his hands trembling at his sides. “You can’t be real.”

“Sebastian, it’s me,” you insisted, your voice thick with emotion as you took a step toward him, your hand reaching out as if to reassure him, to prove that you were real, that you were here.

He flinched, his heart pounding in his chest as he stared at you, his mind screaming that this couldn’t be happening, that you were just a figment of his imagination, conjured by his grief and longing. “You’re dead,” he whispered, his voice raw with the pain that had been festering inside him for months. “They told me you were dead.”

“I almost was,” you admitted, your voice barely more than a breath. “I was hurt, Sebastian—badly. But I survived. I made it to one of the camps, and they healed me. After that, I helped wherever I could—healing, rebuilding, trying to make sense of everything that had happened. But my work there was done, I had nothing keeping me there. I had to find you.”

He stared at you, his heart breaking all over again at the sight of the tears in your eyes, the grief and love that shone in them. “I thought I’d lost you,” he whispered, his voice trembling with the weight of his emotions. “I thought you were gone, and I didn’t know how to keep going without you.”

You took another step closer, your hand brushing against his arm, warm and solid and so achingly real. “I’m here now,” you whispered, your voice filled with a quiet, unshakable determination. “We’re both here, Sebastian. We survived.”

He swallowed hard, his throat tight with the tears he had been holding back for so long. “It should’ve been me,” he choked out, the words slipping out before he could stop them. “You didn’t deserve this. You didn’t deserve to suffer like that. I should’ve been the one to die, not you.”

“No,” you said firmly, your voice laced with a fierce, desperate kind of love. “Don’t you ever say that, Sebastian. We both fought, we both survived. And now we’re here. Alive.”

He hesitated, his heart warring with his mind, his grief and guilt battling against the overwhelming relief of having you in his arms again. “I thought I’d lost you,” he repeated, his voice breaking as he finally let himself believe what he was seeing, let himself believe that you were really here, that this wasn’t just a cruel trick of his imagination.

You reached up, your hand cupping his cheek, your touch grounding him, anchoring him in the reality of the moment. “I’m right here,” you whispered, your voice trembling with the depth of your emotions. “And I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving you, Sebastian. Not now. Not ever.”

He couldn’t hold back any longer. With a broken sob, he pulled you into his arms, holding you as tightly as he could, as if he could somehow make up for all the lost time, for all the moments he had thought he would never have with you again. You clung to him just as fiercely, your tears soaking into his shirt as you buried your face in his chest, your breath coming in ragged gasps as you tried to steady yourself.

“I love you,” he whispered, the words spilling out of him in a rush, as if he had been holding them back for too long. “I love you. I should have told you before, but I was too scared, too afraid of what might happen. But I’m not going to make that mistake again.”

“I love you too,” you whispered, your voice trembling with the weight of the words. “I always have, Sebastian. And I’m not going to let you go. Not now. Not ever.”

He kissed you then, slow and deep, pouring all of his love, all of his grief, all of his yearning into that one kiss. It was a kiss filled with the promise of tomorrow, with the hope of a future that he had thought was lost. And as he held you in his arms, surrounded by the ruins of Feldcroft, the wind swirling around you like a shroud, he knew that he had found you again.

And that was enough.

***

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed. Requests are open.

[slytherinsprincesss]

*MC and Sebastian trying to sneak up on Ranrok Loyalist and find they’re path blocked*

Sebastian: Bombarda

Mc: Sebastian… we were trying to SNEAK up on the enemy.

Sebastian: Shit, you’re right. Well let’s hope they didn’t notice.

Mc: It was a big explosion, how could they not notice?!

[glimmer0fpink]

It's the day we met ✨️Sebastian Sallow✨️ ft my MC, Aurora

[girl-named-matty]

Texting your number after you're dead - Hogwarts Legacy Modern AU

Texting your number after your death Tags: Angst, angst, more angst, mentions of drinking and loss of life.

a/n: basically just get the tissues

sorry 🥲taglist in comments 👇

[oliver-quick-ens-my-pulse]

Hogwarts Legacy Fanfiction Masterlist

PLEASE DON'T REPOST MY WORK, YOU DO NOT HAVE PERMISSION. Reblogs and tagging my blog for credit are the only permissions for sharing my work. A/N - Tumblr yelled at me that my other masterlist was too big so this is solely my list for Hogwarts Legacy until it gets mad again I guess

🍄ANGST 🕸 NSFW 18+ 🍧FLUFFY

Hogwarts Legacy

Headcannons

Ominis Gaunt

🕸 True Colors 🍧🍄 Nearly Headless 🍄Sign of The Times 🕸🍧Room of Requirements 🕸🍄Love and Marriage 🍧You Can Always Learn 🕸🍧Just the Two of Us 🕸 Friendly 🍧A Lifetime 🕸 Never Too Busy 🍧Seeing Stars 🕸 Let Me Show You 🍧🍄You and Me 🍧🍄Changes 🕸 In the Library 🕸 Indecent 🍧Shy 🕸 Confession 🕸🍧Happy Accident

Sebastian Sallows

🕸 Lust 🕸🍄Emotions (sequel to Lust) 🍄Unforgiveable 🕸🍧 First For Everything 🍧🍄Moving On Together 🍧A Lifetime 🕸 Let Go 🍧It's Okay 🕸Jealousy 🕸Desperate 🕸🍄I Needed This 🍧🍄Changes 🕸 Unhinged 🕸🍧Locked In 🍧Mischief 🕸 In the Moment 🕸 Instinct 🍧Letting it Slide 🍄Is It Too Late 🕸 A Bad Idea 🕸 I Hate to Ask 🕸 Can You Handle It