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ganymedesclock · 2 years

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heyas! regarding Hollow Knight and forms of communication: I've seen you on Hallownest's forms of writing, and on Ghost's personality and business transactions; so in the vein of communication any thoughts on a general equivalent to sign language for bugs who all have different limb arrangements? Would it be movement based, scent based, full on charades, etc... What was it in the kingdom's heyday, and what is it in the present?

I think my biggest assumption on the matter would be that there isn't only one. Especially when, as you say, some bugs have very different limb configurations.

Just in the interest of designing hypotheticals, I like the thought that there's a (relatively) standardized form of voiceless language that may have found traction in Hallownest from their cautious dealings with the Mantis Tribe that is nonetheless primarily auditory-based- using claws or fingers, if you have them, to scratch at parts of your own chitin in different places to make different sound-gesture combinations.

The Mantises seem a very stoic folk and we only really hear the Lords vocalizing a little during their fights, so it's possible they have a language barrier with Hallownest, and also entirely possible many of them are perfectly capable of speaking Hallownest languages but most quite frankly don't bother.

PK definitely strikes me as the type who would have standardized a spoken and written language since one of the ways he seems to do well as a ruler was in the technologies used by people, although sometimes this is as much a drawback as a boon (the toll machines...) but it's likely considering how large a territory he was trying to command and how young-for-a-kingdom Hallownest was implied to be in its downfall, it's likely there were still a lot of dialects awkwardly assimilated into this kind of linguistic pax romana.

(I'm just saying much like the english language, I'm willing to bet the grammar and vocabulary rules are all over the place because PK path-of-least-resistanced it in as many places as possible)

Mantis striduation is probably not the only signed language in Hallownest and certainly not beyond.

As far as Ghost themselves, I kind of stick by the headcanon Ghost does not use signed languages much, even though their natural curiosity makes them extremely stubborn about wanting to know what other people are saying around them. They strike me as the type to willfully not like using words except on relatively rare occasions to themselves where their usage is efficient, unexpectedly refined for a young drifter, and makes things very clear.

People who spend a lot of time around them are able to pick up that Ghost uses and adheres to specific patterns of how and why and under what circumstances they gesture or motion, so while it's not really a language, they can carry a pretty decent conversation with intimations alone.

An example that comes to mind is the idea that their nail is extremely precious to them so they only ever take it out when one way or another, they mean business- them using it to gesture or indicate, even not at a particular person, suggests they're tense or angry. Since they're usually so finicky about keeping it on their back when not in use, the contrast stands out a lot, especially if they're using it for something they could have easily just done with their hands, like turning over a rock on the ground.

So someone like Quirrel who's spent a lot of time around Ghost would see their nail 'casually' in hand with calm-looking body language and be able to tell immediately something's up- but that doesn't have a specific meaning like a use of words, so without further observation or context clues he won't know if Ghost is expecting trouble and on-edge, or if they're deeply pissed and making a threat.

And this is probably for the most part how Ghost likes it; they're comfortable being not completely understood by people around them, even if they're more annoyed/contemptuous about being underestimated or ignored. They're fully capable of being more specific.

By contrast I feel like if Hollow was communicating with others they would mostly be ambiguous by accident, because they don't want to communicate anything they're not "supposed to" or have been given permission, even casually/conversationally by another. When they do feel at liberty to say something, though, I think they would work to communicate as perfectly and precisely as possible.

Not having the faculties to work the whisper-stones PK seems to use for note-taking probably bothers them more than they want to admit- I have this thought in my mind of Hollow wishing they could make Statements that inspire or reassure or unify others, because they felt they were supposed to be everyone's hero and didn't live up to it by failing in their duty.

I like the idea that pre-sealing Hollow was capable of beautiful calligraphy and one of their frustrations leaving the black egg temple is they have hand tremors and need to re-train fine motor skills. At the same time, though, that rougher work is gradually freed of a certain stipulation- because originally they only ever copied someone else's writing or style exactly and didn't dare synthesize new material or patterns, while post-Godmaster they actually start, very slowly, getting creative (even if at first all they want to do is repeat others' words that are given to them for transcription)

Also since @ruthlesslistener has been making good posts about Void Talk I'll say that a lot of my headcanons for the vessels and how they communicate is that individual units of void can resonate with one another as if they were touching. The Void is a Sea, and separating out pieces of it has the interesting property that it still acts like the larger whole- not that individuals made of void are not individuals, but a way you can think about it is that all vessels in proximity have a tactile sense of each other, as if they were all laying their hands on each other.

The communication between vessels thus is extremely hard to translate into verbal or written concepts; it's effectively transmitted "skin" to "skin" as the void swirls and shifts. Basically a form of extradimensional tactile signing you do without obviously moving on the 'outside'.

Non-vessels who are powerful or unusually attuned can pick up some of a sense of it, though they may experience it differently- in my original draft of Refuse and Regret, Hornet thinks she can sort of hear a 'noise' from Hollow.

(This very tactile, pelagic form of communication is also why in said draft, the vessels named and thought of each other in very motile ways- with "whisper" being an imperfect translation of something more like 'gentle current shallowly over the body')

I think if Ghost was going to 'speak an ordinary language' in any way they would probably gravitate towards a form of tactile sign.

#Hollow Knight #readmore

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thecarnivorousmuffinmeta · 3 years

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Hey! I love your meta’s, a little while ago you talked about The Order of the Phoenix as an organization could you talk about the Death Eaters?

The post anon is referencing.

TL;DR the Order is incompetently hilarious and Dumbledore is a man who trusts no one.

Oh, the Death Eaters, what to say about the Death Eaters...

In a World Without Voldemort, They'd Probably Be Arsonists

One of the things JKR implies in the series, and something fandom seems to take for granted, is that Tom Riddle is the ultimate corrupting influence.

Were it not for him, the Wizarding World would be a much better place, and people like Bellatrix LeStrange would be productive members of society.

As soon as he is killed, even, by Harry, the good guys win, their problems all presumably solved, and Harry tells his son Albus Severus that it's totally fine if he's put into Slytherin.

I don't believe that though.

To me, it's not so much that Tom Riddle corrupted these people, but that he gave them an organized cause. The people themselves, oh, they were itching for a fight.

In a world without Tom I think they'd be a loosely, poorly organized, group (probably with Bellatrix as the ring leader) where they commit acts of domestic terrorism probably involving burning offensive shops to the ground or attacking muggleborns, halfbloods, and blood traitors.

Voldemort, to me, is designed to pander to them (and not the other way around).

The Death Eaters' Beginnings

So, first off, I think Tom's goals are not what he says they are. What he represents to his followers is exactly what they want to hear, wrapped in a grandiose theatric bow that they just love.

But how did this all start?

First, I don't believe in the Knights of Walpurgis. Instead I think Tom came relatively out of nowhere in the 70's uses parseltongue to prove his heritage as the Heir of Slytherin and thus of purer blood than any of them.

He throws these exciting rallies/parties that the rebellious, angsty, teenage heirs all go to. There he says everything they wanted to hear in the most eloquent manner they've ever heard, promises them the action that their fathers have never delivered, promises them a role in the glorious revolution and a place in history, and probably offers them mounds of cocaine.

All the Death Eaters we see, or the core of them, appear to be in this age range where they'd be in Hogwarts or just out of it when Voldemort came knocking. I can imagine they're all whipped up with excitement, YEAH LET'S BLOW UP THE MUDBLOODS and for some that's great, for others... things don't go the way they expected.

October 31, 1981: It All Falls Apart

Regulus famously steals Tom's horcrux. I imagine it wasn't so much that he learned the error of his ways but that he saw what Tom Riddle was really after: the destruction of his very society.

Lucius is riding high until October 31, 1981 and he sees the complete destruction of the entire Black family. Lucius' priorities greatly shift and as he grows older he prays Voldemort never returns. Unfortunately, Tom does, and he charges interest.

Bellatrix absolutely loses her mind, refuses to accept reality, and tries to torture the Longbottoms for information they do not possess. She is imprisoned in Azkaban and never truly recovers from this.

Snape ends up the cause of death for Lily Evans and must forever live with the guilt and be tied to her prophesied son. He also becomes Dumbledore's lackey forever, which ultimately gets him killed.

Point being, no one's having a good time. Some because they figure out being a Death Eater wasn't all it was cracked up to be, and others because they had the Voldemort rug pulled out from under their feet when Tom Riddle disappears.

Pettigrew flees and lives as the Weasley rat for nearly fifteen years.

They're left making a mad scramble as they try to pick up the pieces of their lives.

Canon Catches Up

More than ten years go by and then suddenly, in a muggle graveyard, the surviving Death Eaters discover that they are bound to Voldemort for the rest of their lives.

Death cannot stop this man and he has branded them: there's no escape.

Some are still enthusiastic supporters of the cause: Bellatrix is vindicated that her lord has returned, he rescues her from hell on earth, and everything's finally coming up Bella. Barty is similar in actively working for Voldemort's resurrection.

Lucius, meanwhile, lives in constant terror. Karkaroff desperately flees the country and hopes Tom will not find him. Snape, is in fact, Dumbledore's agent. Pettigrew only returned in utter desperation and has now cut off his own hand.

They're not the young men they were, some of them have families, to some of the past ten years have been utterly miserable. They have to watch as their children make the same damn mistakes they did, be sucked into this same hell hole, and there's nothing they can do about it.

There is a notable reluctance for the cause, and yet, they have to try with the same vigor or this madman will kill them all.

And it's all worthless anyway: come 1998, Voldemort dies again (perhaps for real this time, who knows, Harry Potter seems to think so for whatever reason) and then they are imprisoned for their acts as Death Eaters.

And they just laugh, because how badly Lucius wishes he could go back in time and tell his eighteen-year-old self, "YOU DUMB FUCK, LEAVE NOW!"

But Do They Learn Anything?

No.

Just because we see some of them regret being Death Eaters doesn't mean they regret their beliefs. Their beliefs were fine, even blowing up people here and there, a bit gauche but fine.

But maybe following Voldemort blindly was a bad idea.

Are They More Competent Than the Order?

No.

Tom Riddle is terrifyingly competent in that he infiltrates the government with ease, has spies everywhere, and all but proclaims himself minister one day and nobody blinks.

He gains the full support of most of the wizarding world's wealthiest and prestigious families.

But he doesn't actually give these people anything to do. Because there's nothing for them to do, with them, Tom's won. He owns the Wizengamot, the Ministry, everything.

There's no need to fight. It's over, there never was a war. Society is primed to accept Tom Riddle as their ruler.

However, the likes of Bellatrix LeStrange thinks there's a glorious war on, so "uh, go out and blow up a few muggles, have fun." And the young Death Eaters (and the older ones), think they've committed this great, daring, brave, and very important act.

Tom only seems to hand out real assignments when in desperate straits or else when being particularly vindictive.

Lucius, after messing up with the diary, is told to retrieve a prophecy he is not allowed to touch in a department of the ministry he should have no access to. If he fails: Tom kills his entire family. When Lucius does fail, Tom assigns his son to assassinate an already dying Dumbledore. These aren't real tasks, though they do have the appearance of one, and consequences for failure.

Barty, Tom is forced to rely on, as he is trapped in this dying infant's body. And better Barty, someone who is truly loyal and seems fairly clever, than Peter Pettigrew who is a miserable scum bag who'd sell his grandmother for a bar of soap.

Barty, of course, fucks this up. Rather than just kidnap Harry Potter at any of the many easy points this could be done (Hogsmeade trip, lure Harry out to Hogsmeade with super secret serial information about Voldemort/Snape being a Death Eater, etc.), Barty is determined to make use of the Triwizard Tournament to destroy his father's legacy.

This means rather than a few weeks, it takes months to kidnap Harry, and even then they bring along an extra boy who then gets killed and provides some evidence that Tom Riddle has in fact returned. (Somebody murdered Cedric). It takes months and Barty actively ensuring Harry makes it through the tournament and does well, leaving open the possibility that he might get caught helping Harry cheat at any moment. And of course, Barty has to pretend to be Madeye Moody for months, keeping his man locked and drugged in his trunk.

Thankfully, Moody's such a paranoid wreck, no one even notices.

Quirrell, Tom is forced to rely on. Quirrell fucks up, though admittedly not as badly as Barty. Quirrell fails to steal the stone when it's in transit/in Gringotts. He fails to murder Harry Potter, an eleven year old boy in the world's most dangerous school. He rouses Snape's suspicion almost immediately. Then of course he doesn't get the stone. He at least gets to the room with the stone and nearly overpowers Harry and gets it had he not been mysteriously lit on fire by the power of love/Lily Evans.

The only one Tom ever really relies on by choice is Snape. Snape is charged with spying on Dumbledore and later running Hogwarts (which he fucks up).

There is only one competent man in Britain: Severus Snape. Which is, of course, why he's a double agent that Dumbledore and Tom both extensively rely on despite his being a double agent.

There's no one else.

Tom Riddle doesn't make use of the Death Eaters but given they prove themselves enthusiastically incompetent at every turn I don't blame him. Just pretend to give them something to do and hope it makes them feel important.

That's all I've got in general, you want anything else you'll have to ask for something more specific.

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theoriginalcarnivorousmuffin · 3 years

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Hey you said you don’t agree

as it is

For DE!McGonagall but you can make it work with some changes?

The post anon is referencing.

You take my words much too seriously. I really meant "as it is" as filler, though I suppose there is something to be said.

In the most tautological statement I can make: If I believed McGonagall was a Death Eater then I'd believe McGonagall was a Death Eater.

Given the source material we have, I don't.

But let's get into it.

Why Don't I Think McGonagall's a Death Eater?

The livejournal OP makes very valid arguments, cites canon very well, and makes a very convincing argument for why McGonagall is a Death Eater (and correctly predicts that Snape, in fact, was a double agent for Dumbledore).

However, there are other explanations for the arguments they cite.

Namely, the wizarding world is culturally full of assholes and the society itself, even characters meant to be 'good', is prejudiced against muggleborns and muggles.

That, and the Order itself is completely incompetent, not just McGonagall.

The Wizarding World is Not Supportive of Muggleborns or Muggles

The Wizarding World seems to be divided into three camps. Those who blow up muggleborns, those who quietly tolerate them, and then those who say they support them but wouldn't invite them over for dinner.

We see hints of rampant unemployment in the muggleborn population. We see near universal derision of muggles and muggleborns in general.

Most of the good characters, Harry's friends and associates, fall into this third category.

We have the Weasleys.

Arthur treats muggles much like white people treat black culture, he appropriates the aspects he finds neat and completely fails to understand muggles in the slightest. Molly turns on Hermione and accuses her of being a scarlet woman in a manner that feels very much like, if Hermione were not an uppity muggleborn, she would not be derided in such a manner.

Ron makes quite a few statements throughout the series about Harry's muggle relatives and that they're "the wrong sort of muggle" or just that they're being muggle in general makes them lesser.

Harry picks up on this and starts saying similar things himself. In trying to go to Hogsmeade he notes to McGonagall that his relatives are muggles, they just don't get it, you know?

My point being, Minerva says derisive things about muggles throughout the series. When Dumbledore leaves Harry on the Dursley's doorstep she's appalled, as she views them as "the worst kind of muggle" and heavily implies that she thinks any muggle is not suited to raising Harry Potter.

The OP argues that this is an odd thing for one of the "good" characters to say.

I argue that all the "good" characters say as much, at least, the ones who grew up or assimilated into the wizarding world culture. Minerva McGonagall is far from alone in her derision of muggles.

McGonagall Sure Does a Whole Lot of Nothing

OP argues that, for a character that's a part of the Order, McGonagall takes damningly little action throughout the series.

Snape is always the one acting on some order of Dumbledore. He interacts with Quirrell and saves Harry's life in first year, he gives Harry the occlumency lessons, and later he assists Dumbledore's suicide, aids Draco in infiltrating the castle, and does a whole bunch of behind the scenes work on Dumbledore's orders.

What the hell does McGonagall do?

She teaches her classes, is very upset about Umbridge for a while, and then in the Deathly Hallows enables the children's rebellion.

One explanation for this is that McGonagall is suspiciously incompetent. She is actively sabotaging Order operations while also maintaining her cover. McGonagall is a Death Eater spy.

However, once again, there are other explanations.

First, Dumbledore trusts no one. The reason Snape is the only one to do anything is because Snape is bound by oath and crippling guilt to Harry Potter (and thus Dumbledore himself).

If Dumbledore lets McGonagall peek behind the curtain, do any real task, then he loses control. McGonagall will likely be appalled at Harry Potter's inevitable fate and his ongoing child abuse. She could very well defect and leave the Order.

Dumbledore, ultimately, cannot trust Minerva just as he can't trust any Order member besides Severus Snape.

Minerva does no work because Dumbledore doesn't give her any.

Second, the Order in general is incompetent. None of them do any task of any middling importance ever. The most important thing most of them get up to is trying and failing to babysit a teenage Harry Potter.

Remember, Dumbledore did not sanction the raid on the Department of Mysteries, that was Sirius yelling "CHAAAAAARGE!"

Once again, McGonagall doesn't stand out. If McGonagall's a spy because she doesn't do anything then the entire Order works for Voldemort, with the exception of Snape. (That would actually be a hilarious AU).

As for Minerva's hands off teaching, remember that despite all appearances the Wizarding World is not a modern western nation, they have a different view of education than we do.

Among the staff, Minerva is not alone in being hands off, Slughorn alone is the one to interact with the children and take an extra step to prepare them for their futures.

If Harry's getting into fights in the hallways, is not prepared for his future, then that's Harry's problem. McGonagall's there to teach.

And as it is she does play favorites with Harry, in that she purchases him a broom, allows him to play quidditch early, and is often very fond of him, Ron, and Hermione.

Remember Lupin, he was Harry's favorite professor, and despite Harry's perception Lupin was extremely hands off.

She Wears Green

This one would actually convince me were it not for the others. JKR loves her color coded characters. Green is the color of limes, close to lemons, which we all know means EVIL.

McGonagall wearing green could very well have been JKR's hint she's not a good character.

However, after all's said and done, JKR also likes her villains very noticeable and obvious. Voldemort is flatly evil, she doesn't want you admiring him in the least, every villain is similarly unabashedly bad.

It's obvious who you should root for and who you should hate.

McGonagall, were she a Death Eater, would be far too nuanced. This nuance, after all, was what ultimately signaled that Snape was secretly good.

Deathly Hallows

And there's the fact that by the end of the series, the cat's out of the bag. Voldemort was fully in control, and while McGonagall could have been stationed in Hogwarts as a spy, she did a whole lot of nothing there.

She enabled the children rebelling against Voldemort and she does not report Snape's suspicious actions to Tom. (And Snape does take actions which a competent Minerva would note as suspicious).

And given she helps lead the battle against Voldemort, leading the school children at that, I think it's safe to say that there's maintaining your cover and then there's not having a cover at all because you're not a Death Eater.

TL;DR

Minerva McGonagall is not a Death Eater

But You Didn't Answer the Question!

Right, what would convince me she was.

Well, Deathly Hallows would have had to sell me on it. We'd either need an undeniable reveal, a la Snape, or we'd need something bad to happen to Snape much earlier (as McGonagall rats him out to Tom).

Of course, this would lead very AU places as Harry would never discover he's a horcrux. Or else, McGonagall would find out via Snape, tell Tom, and then we get into that whole AU.

Point being, Deathly Hallows would have had to be much different.

#ask #anon #harry potter #wizarding world

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buglife · 3 years

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Bend and Not Break - Ch 3: A Brand

Read here on AO3 :3

(please there is not nice stuff ahead with implied torture so be careful!)

Well, wasn’t this a predicament.

Monomon looked over her notes with a careful eye. It took three prisoners to get her even close to figuring out what was currently harming her son. It had taken hours and she was starting to get a little frustrated by her lack of progress.

So far, she figured out that what she had was a complex neurotoxin with trace elements of other toxic extracts. She identified hemlock and arsenic at the least, which tickled her since Quirrel used to eat those with no trouble. However, the delivery method was directly into the blood stream so there was no time for the digestive system to break down the toxins and neutralize them. So that just proves that they wanted her son dead and wanted him dead fast.

With that reasoning, she had no problems planning what she was going to do to the next prisoner on her list. There was going to be a fifth but sadly Tiso said she couldn’t have that one. Oh well, it made sense to keep at least one alive. She didn’t ask too many questions, she was too focused on her work to ask why. Ghost had sent a messenger to her every hour to update her on Quirrel’s condition and he had started to take a turn for the worse. The only thing she could do was send up advice on how to keep him comfortable and try to head off any permanent damage.

The last messenger had just departed from her makeshift lab and she slowly turned her head to look at the dragonfly strapped to the chair. He was shivering, his eyes wide as he watched her every movement. He had heard the screams and he most likely knew what was going to happen to him. It made her feel a little better that he was experiencing even an ounce of terror her son must be feeling. But it wasn’t enough, not for her.

Tiso had told her he had a lead on a possible antidote, but she wasn’t going to take any chances. Not when it’s her son on the line. She grimly put down her notes and grabbed a fresh syringe. It was time to get back to work.

She refused to fail her child, not now, not ever.

-----

Tiso and Xena had to nearly fight their way through the crowd gathered outside the palace. News on what had happened had reached most of the Kingdom by now, so a vigil had been set up that seemed to get bigger every-time he looked out the windows. Candles and flowers were all over the place as various bugs prayed or tried to comfort each other as they collectively hoped for the King's safety. He was glad that the people were so worried over the nerd, especially when he saw the effects it was having on the prisoner walking with them.

Her name turned out to be Lara, and she had wisely decided to talk. She kept her head down, antenna pinned back in discomfort as they picked their way around the crowd. Her hands and wings were bound under the cloak, hiding the fact she was a prisoner from view. Hopefully, she was beginning to see how wrong she was, but her redemption wasn’t Tiso’s problem right now.

“You should have let me take Pickles with us.” Xena complained. All three of them were wearing heavy cloaks over their armor and bindings in an effort to blend in. “We could have gotten through the crowd faster.”

“That would be the complete opposite of being stealthy, I think.” Tiso deadpanned, keeping a hand around the arm of the ladybug beside him. “We don’t want them to see us coming, and your beast is hard to miss.”

Xena huffed in response. They all finally were able to clear the crowd, leaving the vigil behind as the headed to the Capital. Lara was silent most of the way, seemingly stewing in guilt. When they finally arrived at a rather opulent mansion, she stopped the both of them.

“Here. Like I said. There’s private guards inside and more people like...like me.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “They are probably all there...celebrating.”

“Well it won’t be a fun time for them all for long.” Tiso looked around the street and Lara tried to follow his gaze.

“But...it’s just you two, right? Even being Knights…”

Xena shook her head and made a gesture with her hand as she looked into the darkness in the alleys. Then, several pairs of eyes glittered in the soft light, and they were everywhere. Lara could see dark shapes stealthily climb their way to just above each window and door. They must have called in all the guard for this raid, as Lara lost count as they took their positions. A few were hanging back, most likely there in case someone tried to escape.

“Welp, time to crash a party,” Tiso said, bringing his shield out from under his cloak. He flashed light off the shield three times, and then suddenly, everything went into motion. Guards smashed their way through windows and doors and the screaming started. Each scream was getting cut off one by one as both knights leisurely strolled right up to the front door.

A guard helpfully opened it up from the other side and both knights and prisoner quickly ran inside. Guards were throwing bugs to the floor, quickly shackling them up so they couldn’t escape. The ones that tried to fight back were quickly shown that that was a mistake to make.

“This is outrageous! I can’t believe you would break into my home with no ri-” A rather obnoxious and nasally voice was trying to argue, and was only succeeding at pissing off the guard trying to arrest them. Apparently, they got so frustrating that the guard simply tossed them through one of the large ornate windows inside, spraying glass everywhere. The bug being thrown was clearly someone of wealth and power, judging by the sheer amount of gold on their person. The round bug couldn’t stop themselves from rolling and they ended up right in front of Tiso, who helpfully stopped them with a boot.

“Well well well…” Tiso grinned as he turned over the bug to see their face. “If it isn’t the little grub that got himself banned from court and stripped of nobility for being a gigantic prick.”

Said bug was not a grub, but they started to sputter in anger, mandibles flinging spit as they tried to put words to their rage. If anything they proved they were just so. They were a Jewel beetle and figured himself to be hot shit among the rest of the upper class, and was known for his tantrums. No wonder why he got put in a perpetual time out. Tiso for the life of him, couldn’t remember his name, but sure remembered his annoying, grating voice.

“Unhand me this instant you peasant!” His limbs wiggled, but he was trapped on his back and unable to get up. “I did nothing wrong to warrant this harassment!”

“I would figure treason is a pretty good justification.” He rolled the angry bug to another guard, who began to shackle them up. “Take him to the dungeon and put him in the worst cell we have.”

“Right away sir.” Two guards managed to get the beetle on his feet and made their way to a caged cart waiting outside, already filling up with prisoners. As soon as they were gone, Tiso turned back to Lara, who was still boggling at what was going on around her.

“Hey.” He snapped his fingers in front of her face, shocking her back into reality. “Where do we get the antidote?”

She glanced around the room, before pointing. “Here,” she said, indicating a locked door to the side. “That’s where the make the poison, at least, I think they do. I wasn’t allowed to go down there, and I don’t have a key.”

“We don’t need a key.” Tiso hefted his shield over his shoulder.

“Be careful,” Lara said, looking to the door. “It’s stairs behind there, I think it goes to the basement.”

“Alright then.” Xena pointed to a pair of guards that seemed to be free for the moment. “Stay with them, and do not move. Cooperate with them and answer any questions they may have.” Her tone left no room for argument, and Lara nodded and did as she was told.

Tiso readied his shield, and then threw himself at the door. The door rattled on it’s hinges, the lock vibrating from the hit as Tiso readied himself again. It four solid bashes for the door to finally crack enough where the lock simply fell apart. Everyone paused, listening, but there was only silence.

He gestured to Xena and a few other guards to follow as they silently and carefully trudged down the stairs. Soon they could hear snippets of voices and the further down the went, the clearer the voices became.

“Please….please don’t! I don’t want this! Stop!” There was a voice, sounding feminine and high. They were sobbing, words forced out between the rare times where they could catch their breath. They sounded absolutely miserable.

“This is for the good of the people,” answered another voice. It was deeper and held a cold edge to it. “It wouldn’t be so hard for you if you just cooperated.”

“I won’t! I won’t!” There was a sharp, zapping noise and the sobbing voice screamed. A flash of light blinked from the crack under the door and the sobbing melted into soft weeping.

Tiso took position around the door, Xena to the other side. He held up his hand, and folded down a claw counting down from three. When he reached zero, they both turned and kicked down the door. It practically flew off its hinges and collided hard with someone on the other side. Judging by the shout, it was the deeper voice they hit. Both knights and their guards swarmed into the room.

What awaited them was a terrible sight.

A scorpion was chained to a chair, crying in pain, her tail and stinger stretched out behind her and strapped to a bench. One of her eyes was swollen shut and there were cracks in her chitin, deep blue bruising blooming under the softer skin-like parts of her belly and sides.

Xena gasped, glancing at her pincers, thin and long instead of the more common large variety. “Holy shit, that’s a deathstalker!”

“A what?” Tiso was standing on the door, pinning down whoever was underneath. Whoever it was, seemed to have been knocked for a loop. It was easy for him to grab the limbs poking out from under the door and putting cuffs on them.

“A deathstalker.” Xena sounded awed. “They have some of the deadliest venom among bug-kind. Incredibly rare and secretive as a people.”

The scorpion continued her crying. “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! I couldn’t stop them!”

“Stop wh-?” Tiso’s eyes landed on a few jars filled with yellow fluid sitting on what appeared to be a work table. There were other bottles and jars that were labeled, but his eyes were drawn to the jars of fluid. Then he looked down at the bug, a beetle it seemed, squished under the door. The jar they were holding had rolled away, also containing a small amount of the same fluid. He glanced to the stinger, strapped down and leaking slightly from the tip, some incredibly angry charged lumaflies in a jar beside it.

It didn’t take a genius to put two and two together.

“That’s...that’s fucking sick. I can’t…” The ant could barely think of a response to all of this. He heard a few guardsmen behind him, also boggling at the situation. He took a deep breath, and addressed them. “You know what to do, gather evidence and look everywhere. Someone send a message to Monomon and fast.”

The rest of the guard went about their duties, carefully checking cabinets and the walls, looking for anymore surprises. One waited around long enough for Xena to tell them exactly what the message should say, before they raced upstairs to deliver it. With that taken care of, Xena went about freeing the scorpion, who was still babbling, moving as carefully as she could to prevent anymore pain.

“I never wanted to hurt anyone! I’m so sorry! I’m sorry!”

“Shh, I know. You’ll be alright. I know this wasn’t your fault.” Xena was rarely the type to be gentle, but this was a situation that definitely required it. “We’ll get to you to a doctor and you’ll be okay. You’re safe now, they won’t be able to hurt you anymore.”

“But...but they said they were going to-” The scorpion wobbled and collapsed back into the chair, her limbs spasming and twitching. It seemed like she wasn’t going to be able to walk under her own power.

“You two! Get a stretcher!” Xena barked at some of the guards. As they went to fetch one, Xena knelt down and took her now freed pincer in her hand. “Everyone is okay, we’ll talk about that later. What’s your name?”

“Poppy.” She seemed to be calming down, but instead of outright sobbing she started to shiver. Xena took off her cloak and set it around Poppy’s shoulders. She knew what shock looked like and she didn’t want this poor arachnid to suffer anymore than she had too. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for a stretcher to appear and Xena helped her on.

Once Poppy was secure, she sent them back to the palace to be seen by Monomon. Until they can verify a doctor, the scientist will have to make due. She at least had extensive experience in patching up the wounded and could at least make the scorpion comfortable. She made sure to include in the message that she was a victim and not one of the collaborators. Making a note to check on Poppy later, and turned to look at Tiso.

She sighed.

Tiso had the beetle pinned to the floor, and was threatening them with a bottle of collected venom. “Where’s the antidote, asshole!”

“I...I-” They sputtered and tried to wiggle free.

“Wrong answer!” He started to unscrew the jar. “Lets give ya a taste of your own medicine!”

Xena sighed. “Tiso…”

“Yeah?” He inclined his head at her, ignoring the beetle freaking the hell out under his boot.

“Give the bastard time to answer.”

“Fine,” he pouted. He screwed the lid back on. “Tell me where the antidote is. And before you stagshit me, I know there’s one. Because nobody ever made any poison without one in case they fuck up and stab themselves with it. So. Where. Is. It.” He punctuated each word by poking the beetle in the face, hard.

The beetle coughed and moved an arm to point at the work table. “B—blue bottle,” he wheezed.

Xena walked over to pick up the bottle, scrutinizing it. “There’s no way we are just gonna use it without testing it first.”

“That’s what Monomon is for.” Tiso grabbed up the beetle and clicked their arms behind their back. “Let’s get this all packed together quickly and bring it over.”

“I told the messenger that that’s what we were going to do.” Xena grabbed a spare box sitting around, and began carefully packing up all the bottles and notes that were on the work table.

“I’m never gonna get to smooch my girlfriends at this rate.” Tiso sighed. “We’ll be in the dungeons forever processing all of this.”

“Cry me a river, I’m not gonna be able to smooch mine either.” Xena handed the now full box to a guard and sent them on their way. “Let’s just focus on our work, we got lives on the line after all.”

“Yeah I know, but I’m still allowed to whine about it.” The beetle found himself wincing as Tiso dragged him up the stairs, letting them hit every stone step on the way. “I’ll see you back there soon, I’m gonna take in the prisoners.”

Said beetle was now sorely starting to regret his current life decisions.

-----

Quirrel was quickly getting frustrated. He found himself in the archive library, nooks and crannies stretching as far as he could see. The various scrolls, books, and stone tablets were scatter haphazardly and he had to put things right. But he couldn’t read the words in order to sort them, or he’d pick up a tablet for it to change into a book. There was so much to do, and he couldn’t even get something as simple as reading correct! Mother would be home soon and she always expected her library to be put back in order. He was going to get a scolding for this, for sure.

Truly, this was a nightmare.

“You cannot read because this is a dream.” Came a voice from behind him, suddenly making the air less foggy and thick. Quirrel whirred around, startled into dropping the stack of books he was carrying. He didn’t notice them falling apart into motes of essence as he lost his focus, looking to the figure sitting in one of the armchairs instead. “Surely, the proclaimed ‘Scholar King’ would know such a thing.”

They were a tall, elegant bug dressed in reds and blacks. Quirrel wasn’t quite sure on the species, they looked like a blend between a moth and a firefly. They were lounging, watching Quirrel with bright red eyes. Then, with all the manners of a showman, they straightened up to smile at him, and gestured with a bow.

“We’ve met before, though I understand if you are having trouble, due to your circumstances.” Their voice was deep and smoky, with an undertone of mystery and confidence. It was very familiar.

“Come and sit,” they gestured to a chair that suddenly appeared next to theirs. “We have much to discuss, and not so much time to do so.” A small table with a teapot appeared before them, still steaming hot and smelling wonderful. Oddly enough, there was a strange glowing red jar next to the honey and tiny sandwiches. He didn’t quite know what to do, but he did know that this bug was not going to harm him, somehow. So he walked over to sit, watching as the archives twisted and melted, changing into a cozy room with a lit fireplace. Quirrel sat, glancing to the jar. It had a very ominous feeling that made his chitin itch and a primal dread well up in his belly.

“Don’t mind that, it’s for me.” The bug continued, they poured out some tea and handed Quirrel a cup. They opened the jar and plucked out a few red marbles and dropped it into theirs. They stirred it with a smile and took a sip.

“What was that?” Quirrel was now intrigued, watching the other bug take another sip before holding the cup elegantly in their claws.

“Nightmares, my friend. Your dear spouse prunes them from their kingdom and saves them for my child and I.”

“Wait...you eat nightmares?” Quirrel glanced to his own cup, antenna twitching in thought. Spouse? He had to think hard for a moment, and took a sip of tea. It tasted like happiness, and it helped to jog his memory as he felt the pain in his head lessen somewhat. Spouse...spouse...a tall bug, no, vessel appeared in his minds eye. They were once so little and they were now big and elegant. They were a...a…Ghost.

He suddenly could remember Ghost. The first time they met in the Temple of the Black Egg so long ago and how the years flew by and suddenly they were married. They were rulers. He took a moment to remember exactly what they did besides ruling, and it came to him.

Ghost did go into the dream realm and told him about clipping away the nightmares from their subjects. Some, they left, if the dreamer needed or deserved them. So this was….

“Grimm?” Quirrel hesitantly voiced, “The Nightmare King?”

“Correct.” Grimm smiled as he took another sip of tea. “There’s the intelligent bug that causes a certain god to swoon.”

“So that means….”

“You are in a nightmare, yes.”

“It doesn't feel so bad?” Quirrel pondered, his tea somehow staying warm. “How is this a nightmare?”

“Because you are very sick, my friend. Do you remember what happened?” Grimm set down their cup, folding their claws together to regard Quirrel with intense focus.

Quirrel closed his eyes and thought, digging deep down into his own mind. “I was...with Ghost. In public. There were flashes then...I don’t remember?”

“Flashes hrm? Do me a favor, and take a look at yourself.” Grimm pointed with a claw, and Quirrel followed his gaze.

There, on his abdomen, was a nice gash. Certainly not deep enough to kill him, that’s for sure. But there was something…strange about it. Looking past the blue of his own blood was...another color? It was...yellow? It mixed together, turning his blood green as it trickled down his side and on to the chair. It seemed to vanish as soon as it touched the fabric. He touched his wound and felt only a numbness in response. Now that he saw it, he remembered.

“Someone tried to kill us.”

“Indeed, they did. And you were poisoned.” Grimm tilted their head, seemingly pleased that Quirrel had remembered so quickly. “Thankfully, your assassins didn’t take your biology into account.”

“Pillbugs are resistant to poisons.” it dawned on Quirrel. He was poisoned, but he wasn’t dead. He was...in between?

“Yes. You, however, are quite sick, and your friends and family are worried for you. Especially, your spouse, and my friend.” Grimm snapped his fingers, and the wound vanished like it was never there.

Quirrel took a moment to think, mulling over the obvious question.

“Am I going to die?”

Grimm shook his head with a soft smile. “Not likely. Everyone is working hard to bring you back to the waking world. Until then, I am here.”

Quirrel leaned back. “So...are you here to just eat my nightmares? Why are you here? Not that I don’t mind the company, I am just curious. Surely you must have something more important to do.”

“I owe Ghost greatly. Because of them, my daughter thrives. They cared for them even before the beginning of new Hallownest. They have provided a way to be sure that they will always have the scarlet flames they need to grow, and a way for us to feed without resorting to parasitism.” Grimm sounded fond. “So, I decided to keep you company until you awaken once more. It’s the very least I can do.”

“That’s very kind of you, thank you.” Quirrel smiled. “Tell me, have you visited any interesting places outside of Hallownest?”

“I have, shall I tell you about them?”

“Please.” Quirrel sipped his tea and decided that perhaps, this wasn’t the worst way to pass the time. He needed to wake up, but that wasn’t in his control, he just hoped everyone would be alright until then.

-----

Ghost has yet to move from their husband’s side. Time seemed to come to a crawl, and they found themselves hanging on to every labored breath, every intake of air that Quirrel managed to take. There was always that split second of fear when they thought he had stopped breathing, only for him to thankfully, take another breath. It was exhausting and everything inside them ached for their beloved, helpless to do anything. Monomon of course, sent up advice. They had used cold water in an effort to bring down their fever. Made sure to keep their gills moist as a way to keep them hydrated. They dared not try to make him drink anything, not with their breathing so bad. They were trying so hard.

They found it ironic. All the power in the world but they couldn’t heal the ones they love the most. They could destroy all they want, but they couldn’t fix things this complicated.

They didn’t want to think about what would happen if things were to go terribly wrong.

They had nightmares before of losing Quirrel, back when they still slept like a normal bug. It had started during their journey through Hallownest before they defeated the radiance. Quirrel was one of the few positive experiences during that horrible time. Every time they saw him at some new place or another, they felt safe, and happy. It was like being offered a warm cup of cocoa when you were freezing to death, desperate to grasp onto any scrap of goodness you could find. Quirrel definitely fit the bill, and he and the others reminded them of what they were fighting to save.

Even when they finally got up on the growth they missed and took the throne, they still feared losing their best friend. Said best friend eventually turned into an awkward romantic interest and it was downhill right into the feelings from there.

They looked down at the bundled up pillbug and they could sense that he was dreaming. It was certainly better than being in agony, and he hoped that his dreams were of good things.

“Quirrel,” They crooned softly and rested their chin on his arm, afraid to place it on the usual spot on his chest in case it hindered his breathing. “I don’t know if you can hear me, but please don’t go. I love you.”

The only reply they got was Quirrel’s hand twitching as one of his nerves misfired.

The door opened softly and Ghost snapped their head up, alert for any type of danger. They had failed to protect Quirrel then...and they weren’t going to slip up again.

Thankfully, it was one of the few people they trusted with their life.

“My child,” Mato quietly shut the door behind him. “I came as quickly as I could.”

Ghost shook, feeling tears once again prickle in the corners of their eyes, threatening to spill over and stain everything again. “Father…”

The large bug crossed the room with scarcely a noise and pulled Ghost into a hug. They nuzzled into the warm fluff around his cloak and let their tears fall. “Father...I’m scared.”

“I know you are. It’s part of loving someone.” He rubbed small circles into their back, a way he learned that they liked to be comforted. “I know this is a very frightening situation for you, so I’m here to help.”

“I’ve been watching, and I h-”

“All day?” Mato let go to look into their eyes.

“Yes, and -”

“Did you eat? Sleep? Drink water?”

Ghost had to take a moment to think of an answer.

“Then you need to do both and you need to do it now. No butts, no excuses.” Mato turned them around and started to march them to the kitchenette in their apartment.

“I am a god, I don’t need to do those things.” Ghost knew better than to fight it, letting themselves be led to the icebox. Mato raided the inside, pulling out a bowl of leftover stew and pouring a glass of water.

“You may be a god, but I am still your father and I know that you need these things for your own sanity.” Mato passed over the stew, which quickly vanished into the void of their mouth. “You need to take a break, and take care of yourself or you will burn out and we’ll have two injured bugs on our hands.”

Ghost nodded mutely, accepting the glass of water and draining it as well. They didn’t know if they were imagining things or not, but it did make them feel a little better. Mato watched, nodding in approval.

“Good, now you rest, and I will keep watch over the both of you.” He had grabbed them again by the shoulders, and was leading them back to the nest.

“But you just got here, you must be tired too.”

“I can manage a few hours enough to let you rest up a bit. What kind of father would I be if I couldn’t give my child time to recover from a terrible ordeal?” Ghost was picked up and placed inside the nest next to Quirrel. They reflexively moved to hold them as Mato pulled the covers up around them. They started to purr, hoping that Quirrel could feel their love for him, even in the world of dreams.

Mato started humming, moving around to tidy up and starting a fire in the fireplace. It was the music of care and support that eventually lulled them into a state of peace. The stress of everything had taken a toll on them, and it didn’t take long for them to fall asleep, curled up next to their husband.

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isidar-mithrim · 5 years

Text

Exclamations in ‘Harry Potter’

So, the last couple of days I looked for the most common types of exclamation in the ‘Harry Potter’ saga (Book 1-7, US edition) and drew some hopefully helpful conclusions ^^

Let me know if there are words missing, and feel free to add your own considerations or to ask for specific quotes ;)

[Now in alphabetical order and with new exclamations: Crikey, Damn, Good Lord, Goodness, and ‘Implied exclamations’]

Blimey

This is the most used exclamation. Ron, Hagrid, Fred, George, Lee and Stan use it a lot. It is also used a couple of times by Harry (once in HBP, twice in DH) and Mundungus, and once by James, Neville, Moody, Amos Diggory and some random wizards.

It is worth mentioning that no witch uses it in the books.

Bloody

It is only used once, by Aberforth (‘bloody fools’); there is no mention of ‘bloody hell’.

Crikey

It is only used once, by Hagrid in PS (“Crikey, I’d like a dragon.”).

Damn

It is used by a variety of characters, including Ginny (who isn’t mentioned to say any of the other exclamations). Moody and Vernon seem to be the ones who use it the most. It is used as an exclamation on its own (‘Damn!); as an adjective (‘damn good’), especially by Moody; as an expression (‘he/she doesn’t give a damn’; ‘a damn sight + comparative adjective’)

Gargoyles and Gorgons

They are very sparingly used in expressions like ‘Galloping gargoyles’ (used three times), ‘Gallopin’ Gorgons’, ‘Gulpin’ gargoyles’ (both used only once by Hagrid).

They are used by adults, and their social status doesn’t seem to matter, since we have Hagrid, Fudge and Professor Tofty using ‘Galloping gargoyle’.

They are only used in PS and OotP.

God

Ron uses it a lot, mostly as ‘Thank God’; Draco, Fudge and Harry use it twice; Molly, Remus, Hermione and Ted once; it is also used by Muggles as Vernon and Tom Riddle’s senior love interest, Cecilia.

Notice that ‘God’ is not used in the first two books.

Good Lord

It is used by a variety of characters throughout all the books except PoA, but not even one student or generally young character uses it (except Tom Riddle senior, but he belongs to an older generation than Harry&co). Ludo Bagman is the only one to use it more than once: he uses it three times.

Goodness

It is mostly used by women, like Hermione and Molly (both use it several times) but also Minerva, Ginny, Fleur, Aunt Petunia, Aunt Muriel, Rosmerta. It is also used by Arthur (twice), Perkins, Neville, Lockhart, and even by the Sorting Hat.

It is used in all the books, on its own or in expressions like ‘(oh) thank goodness’ (the most used), ‘(oh) my goodness’, ‘goodness knows’, ‘goodness me’, ‘for goodness’ sake’.

Heaven(s)

Hermione, Molly and Minerva are clearly the ones that use expressions involving ‘heaven/heavens’ the most. We also see Madam Pomfrey and Fudge using it, plus other random characters as Quirrell. In general, it is mostly used by women and older men.

The most used expression is ‘(Oh) for heaven’s sake’, but we also have ‘good heavens’, ‘thank heavens’, ‘heaven knows’, ‘in the name of heaven’.

Implied exclamations

I looked for these keywords: swore; swear; curse; rude; gesture; finger (it turned out the word ‘finger’ is never used to describe a ‘rude hand gesture’, though).

The characters mentioned to swear/curse are Quirrell (only after revealing himself), Ron, Lee, Harry, Peeves, George (and the twins’ fireworks), Dean, Bagman, Mundungus, Vernon, Snape (as a student, in his worst memory), and Arthur.

Those mentioned to do ‘rude hand gestures’ are Ron, Peeves, the leprechauns (‘they formed a giant hand, which was making a very rude sign’) and even a couple of Headmaster/Headmistress from their portraits (to Fudge).

Merlin

It is only used in expression like ‘Merlin’s beard’ (the most used), ‘what in Merlin’s name’, ‘Merlin’s most baggy Y Fronts’, ‘Merlin’s saggy left –’, ‘Merlin’s pants’ and never on its own. It’s used by a large range of characters (but never before GoF, and not as often as blimey, for example): Ron and Arthur use it several times; Fudge and Slughorn use it twice; Hagrid, Moody (Crouch jr), Amos Diggory, Aunt Muriel and even Dumbledore and Hermione use it once.

Notice that Merlin as an exclamation is not used in the first three books.

I think it is worth mentioning that Fudge appears in four categories, and Ginny in none of them only in ‘damn’ and ‘goodness’.

#writing #writing tips #fanfiction #harry potter meta #meta #harry potter #blimey #merlin's beard #galloping gargoyles #for heaven's sake #thank god #bloody hell #Merlin’s most baggy Y Fronts #damn #good lord #crikey #exclamations

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rainydayhogwartsimagines · 4 years

Note

Hi okay so I was hoping you could do a headcanon where Fred has a crush( or is dating) a hufflepuff ( or just a really sweet and caring person) and honestly just so much fluff

I gotchu

Fred with a hufflepuff reader

Warnings: Gets deep as hell my dudes

Note: Set in non voldy au

You were this little spark of a person

You were so sweet and outgoing that even Draco didn't hate your ass

Oh you were sarcastic as hell

But you were adorably sweet

Even the portraits knew you by your first name and they loved seeing you

However you never really interacted with people until they interacted with you

So Fred and George had only heard of you

But they never actually talked to you

Well actually, George had talked to you numerous amounts of times

See he actually reads

So he goes to the library for more than a nap (Fred, that definitely was directed at you)

So when you’re there George does talk to you.

When George does talk to you his internal thoughts are “Oh. Oh Fred would love her.”

So he constantly brings him up to you.

Finally one day Fred had enough of listening to George say “Dude, I’ve met your best friend” and he walked over to the Hufflepuff table and asked who the hell you were.

You rose your hand and then pointed.

“You must be Fred!” You said.

Fred nodded. “So you’re the girl everyone seems to know.” He said, sitting next to you.

“Indeed. George talks about you all the time.” You said.

“When do you and George talk?” Fred asked.

“We see each other in the library alot, plus we have potions together.” You admitted.

“Oh--” “Y/n, Draco’s done it again.” A girl whined. “Another fight? You’ve got to be fucking joking.” You sighed before getting up.

Fred out of curiosity followed you and saw students fighting.

Cedric and Draco to be exact.

“I swear to God I’m going to beat your ass Malfoy--”

“Both of you, stop” You said standing between them.

“Move out the way--” “Not until you give me a reason to let this continue.” You said calmly.

“He called a fucking first year by a slur again!” Cedric said.

You turned to Draco who was glaring at him

“Draco. Side bar.” you said

You basically used psychology with Draco asking if it was “Internalized anger being used on others to get a result he wanted because he couldn’t do that himself” and Draco ended up having a mental breakdown because it got deep

Fred gaped and George walked over.

“She use psychology again?” George asked.

“Yeah and it worked?” Fred said confused.

“Wait did you just say AGAIN!?”

So funny thing.

This is a regular thing to do with you

You knew people, you knew how to talk to them and you saw how their mind worked

There were very few people you didn’t understand but you were almost like a little psychologist in the making as you talked people through their emotions in a healthy way.

If we’re being 100% honest here, you were the closest thing to a guidance councilor for students.

You understood people, you could understand their actions

Fred began to notice you more, you were always with other students when he did, talking them through things.

Then he caught wind of some strange bonding sleep over thing happening.

He went to it just to figure out what the fuck it was

and it was really strange what you were doing

It was like a group therapy session with cookies and games.

“Fred? What brings you here?” you asked.

“Wanted to know what was going on... And this is weird. Helpful clearly. But weird.” Fred said.

“Mmm. Makes people closer and limits the real fighting amongst the students. Why do you think Draco’s here?” You asked.

“Does Sprout know about this?” Fred asked.

“She made the cookies and cocoa.” You said.

“ARE THE HOUSE ELVES IN ON THIS TOO!?” Fred gaped.

“And the portraits.” You nodded.

“What the fuck?”

So he sat through this and my god it got DEEP

Neville admitted that sometimes he felt alone and often pondered what would happen if he just disappeared

Harry (Yes he also came to this shindig) admitted that he honestly hated being recognized easily for accomplishments and honestly doesn’t like that people see him as just that

Draco added onto that saying he honest to God hated it when people said his last name rather than his first because it makes him feel like he’s constantly living in his father’s shadow

House elves were listening and making notes of the students who might need the extra support while occasionally chiming in with their own personal issues

Then it got to Fred and he just sat there baffled by the vulnerability of everyone else spewing their darkest secrets.

“Fred? Want to say anything?” You asked

“Not... Particularly?” He said.

You nodded and talked people through things, validating all of them and making them feel safe

Lot of crying

A LOT of crying

“Y/n... Do you want to say anything?” Draco asked.

You shook your head. “Nope I’m good. My life is good.” You shrugged.

“Everyone has their problems no matter how big or small.” Neville quoted.

“Using my own words against me. Dick.” You teased making him smile.

You sighed though and finally spoke

“I feel the constant need to fix other people’s problems because I don’t want people to have to feel the same existential dread I do.” You admitted making Fred gape

“Wow... Y/n, are you okay?” Harry asked.

“Yeah I’m okay. I just get depressed sometimes. It takes a lot of energy carrying some of the things that I do.” You admitted.

“We’re all here for you... It’s literally the least you could so after helping us.” Neville said.

You smiled and looked at the students who nodded and agreed.

“Thanks guys.” You said.

“I feel like we need to do something to cheer us up or something.” Hermione said.

You looked over. “Hermione when did you come in?” you asked

“Like thirty minutes ago after Luna got finished.” Hermione admitted.

“Have anything you need to talk about?” “Nope I’m good.” She said giving you a thumbs up.

“Mmm. Fred, you’re the master at cheering people up, what should we do?” You asked.

He rose a brow. “Uhm... Well shit uhhhh.” He paused for a moment thinking

“Stress bake?” A student suggested.

“We did that last time” Another student said

“Ooh we could prank Filch’s office.” Someone said

Fred looked over at them

“Mm... How many of us have any problems with Filch?” You asked.

Nearly all hands went up.

“Yeesh.” You winced.

“The only other teacher we don’t like is friggin’ Gilderoy.”

“That’s Quirrell’s substitute right?”

“Yeah he’s an ass.” Harry snorted.

“Yeah, he’s a narcissist.” You agreed.

“Oh I have an idea!” Fred gasped.

“Hmm?” You asked.

“Who wants to help me sneak hair dye into Gilderoy’s shampoo?” Fred asked.

“I’m down.” You nodded.

“Good luck!” Luna said as both of you left

You grabbed hair dye from a chest in the Gryffindor common room

You ended up dying Lockhart’s hair blue because according to Fred he needed some “Ravenclaw pride”

You two were walking while Filch was on the other side of campus and talked

“So how often do you have these sleepovers?” Fred asked.

“Every Thursday night.” You said

“Wow.” Fred said.

“What?” you asked.

“Does it usually get that deep?” Fred asked.

“Oh yeah. But it helps because the house elves get to see who need extra support y’know. Like who needs cookies after exams, or who needs to hear ‘You’ve done a good job this week’” You said

“Smart.” Fred nodded.

“Y’know Ron and George have come to this before.” You said

“Really?” Fred asked.

“Both of them said you always know how to make people smile.” You said with a smile

“Huh.” Fred nodded mindlessly

“They also said you could be a pain in the ass at times.” You added before walking into the common room.

“Did you do it?” Draco asked

“The trap has been set. Who wants to paint shit?” you asked

“Yes please!”

So you all ended up painting and laughing with each other

Fred was beginning to understand why you were so loved by everyone

You all had fun that night and Fred was slowly beginning to actually like you

like... Like like you

Fred would smile and laugh with you when you sat with the Gryffindors

He was now going to the library

He told you not to tell anyone he was there because “it would ruin my reputation”

You would smile and laugh at that comment

He did come to the Thursday meetings and usually acted as the comedy relief for the night

btw your prank on Lockhart worked

He screamed like a little girl

P R I C E L E S S

even Snape almost laughed at seeing that fucker walk around with blue hair.

Fred loved seeing that smile, hearing you laugh or hell watching you breathe was mesmerizing to him

You loved seeing him interact with the students and actually act as another therapist type person in the group

If someone in the group had continuous harassment from another student and talking to that student didn’t help, Fred would prank their ass

When you went to Hogsmeade it was a blast

You and Fred seemed to get closer and George was realizing “Oh... Oh they totally like each other”

You met Harry’s Mother who was there for something: LILY LOVES YOU.

SHE THINKS YOU ARE THE PERFECT CHILD

She asked you to look out for Harry because he does look up to you and you nearly cried that you became that good of a role model.

So you got cold at one point and of course Fred bundled you up in his scarf

He wrapped it around you himself and smiled at you

Your heart did a thing and you were like “Oh. Oh fuck I like this guy”

So you started acting a little weird around him

Ten times more jumpier that’s for sure

He said hi behind you in your ear once and you literally threw your book and it hit George

You nearly fell in the lake because he flirted with you

You almost smacked Snape by accident after Fred implied you were gorgeous

During one of the Thursday meetings one of the others noticed you acting odd when Fred sat close to you.

“Y/n, are you okay?” Draco asked

“Yeah! I’m good, everything is alright here!” You squeaked out

Fred rose a brow and noticed you were bright red.

“Y/n, are you sure you look like you’re losing air or something.” Fred asked.

“I’m okay--”

Fred felt your forehead and noticed the redness get worse and it dawned on him what was going on

“Oh my God, YOU LIKE FRED!” Ron gasped

“Wha-- N-nooooo” You lied

“So you don’t?” Fred asked

“No I do-- Wait fuck!” you whined as you became a blushing mess

“I ship it” Cedric coughed out making Neville snort

“Shit shit shit shit shit-- this was not supposed to happen this way” You whined.

“Can we talk alone?” Fred asked.

“Oh God.” You whined as he helped you up.

You two went to the kitchens because you didn’t want Filch to find you.

“If you’re going to reject me please just say it now so I can promptly toss myself into the OVEN AND BURN” You begged

“I’m not rejecting you Princess.” He assured

“What?” “I’m saying I like you too.”

You gaped at him and pulled a stool to you before sitting.

“Are you good?” Fred asked.

“Holy. Shit.” You gaped.

“So... Do you want to date--” “Yes.” You nodded enthusiastically

Fred chuckled and you blushed looking away before Fred extended his hand to you.

“Shall we?” He asked.

You took his hand and he pressed a kiss to your hand making you nearly die

“By the way I am totally kissing you later, just so you know.” Fred added

You guys came back and the whole group was watching you two.

“Well?” Harry asked

Fred said nothing, pulling you to him and kissing you making the whole group go insane

You were a stuttering mess for the rest of the night

Fred was never seen away from you outside of his classes

He was always there with you, smiling and whispering sweet little things in your ear.

You would smile and kiss his cheek, telling him that you were so glad he chose you

You totally stayed with him during the summer

Molly loved you

fourth year started

Remus was now having to be a substitute for Quirrell because his dumbass got sick again

Remus FUCKING LOVED YOU

You were so smart and so kind it was awesome as hell

You were lowkey his favorite student though

you all had more people coming to you on Thursdays and it began to get kind of crowded

You went to Mcgonagall like “Can we just make this an official club or something that uses the Great hall at night”

To your surprise it went through and now on Thursday nights you slept in the Great Hall

You all would have a blast and plus you and Fred were ICONIC

You two were like the mom and dad of the group

Let someone talk shit

Let them

Fred would fuck their world up REAL QUICK if they didn’t listen to you

Now that Harry was able to go to Hogsmeade you got to meet his family when they met up with him

Lily was excited to see you again

Sirius LOVED you and Fred, Peter thought you were literally the greatest human who lived and James LOVED YOU TO PIECES

You absolutely loved them and actually spent Christmas with them

The meetings got super fun at times

Deep

but fun

You absolutely adored everyone in the group and Dumbledore did notice a drop in students fighting both verbally and physically

Remus sometimes supervised the meetings and noticed you always listened to the problems

Occasionally you’d ask Remus if he had anything he needed to talk about

He always said no

You slowly began to put together that he was a werewolf though

it became crystal clear after he had to intervene during the boggarts lesson and you saw his boggart

You waited till it was just you and him and you asked how he was feeling

He realized you knew and you assured him that you wouldn’t say anything

He admitted a lot to you to be honest

He told you how he was attacked as a child and he told you he was always terrified he’d hurt someone he loved

You became determined to help him or any student that might need it and uhm

Became an Animagus

Mcgonagall registered you don’t worry

You could turn into a dog btw, you were like Sirius except your fur was white

Fred was surprised that his girlfriend was this wizarding BADASS

You literally became known as the “white wolf” and it was kind of epic

You actually did help Remus out occasionally

You were kind of sad when Remus left but you and Fred ended up staying with the Potters for the summer

Remus was so excited to see his favorite person

Fun fact: because you could turn into a wolf the Marauders called you “Pup” and it was adorable

Fred loved seeing you geek out over books with Remus

In his head he just knew already you were the one

The triwizard tournament went down with Cedric being the champion for Hogwarts

Cedric admitted to the group that he was TERRIFIED of this competition so you were all cheering him on

The other school did have a couple of students who checked out the group

The Durmstrang students were not a fan of emotions so not many of them stayed

The Beauxbatons however had a ton of students who did stay

That’s when the group discovered Fred also spoke French?

According to Fred “There was a book, I was truly bored because Y/n wasn’t out of class yet and I wanted to know the hype over books”

To which Draco gaped and asked “So you learned FRENCH!?”

You teased him and said “Well shit, and you do that while I’m gone for like an hour, I wonder what would happen if I left you for a week”

he pulled you into his arms and said “DON’T YOU DARE”

You got really close to Fleur and Gabrielle especially though

You taught them how to speak better English and they taught you French

That fucking dance class came around and the group quickly discovered: YOU CANNOT DANCE

“It is not my fault my chicken legs have like zero coordination” you whined against Fred

“Wellllll technically--” “Shut it.”

Fred of course asked you to go to the Yule and your response was “Babe, I’m dating you, it’s implied that I was going with you but I appreciate the conformation”

You came downstairs that night and HOLY FUCK

Fred nearly dropped at the sight of you

He actually almost cried actually

You kissed him and told him he looked handsome

He was whispering adorable compliments all night to you

George and you danced at one point and he told you “Y’know, you and Fred might not be married but you are definitely like a sister to me”

You almost cried

Fred gave you a promise ring later when you were alone and you nearly broke down crying because you truly loved this boy

You two being inseparable after that

Cedric was fREAKING OUT later because of the last trial

you calming him down

You watching it with the last group

“Honestly this whole competition has just been the audience waiting except for the dragons... It’s quite boring.” Draco yawned

I mean... He wasn’t wrong

Cedric won

You were so happy for him and he was super hyped that he won

But he did something strange

He gave the money to Fred and George

“Cedric we can’t take this--” “I owe it to you guys, please just take the God damn check before I go all Hufflepuff on your ass”

You and Fred going to the Burrow for the summer and having the best time

You meeting Bill and him telling Fred “She’s the one for you man”

Charlie also meeting you and saying the exact same thing

Fred sitting down and talking to his parents saying “Look. After graduation I’m proposing to Y/n, any objections?”

Arthur and Molly being COMPLETELY ON BOARD

Going to school and having a good last year

The group having dance parties occasionally to get the feelings out

You did do a strangely cathartic exercise with them of taking cheap plates, writing your darkest secrets on them and then LAUNCHING IT AT THE WALLS

Everyone being kind of sad because you and Fred were leaving after this year and they weren’t ready for you to go

Placing Neville and Luna as the next two to take over the group after you two graduated

Molly mailing you Christmas sweaters before you came for the Christmas break

You waking up on Christmas morning and sitting in front of the fireplace with Fred while he had his arm around you

Dancing in the snow with him just because you feel like it

Accidentally calling Molly mum and her hugging you telling you to just call her that from now on

Lot of crying when you finally did graduate

lot of it.

You going back to the Burrow and Fred listening to you talk about how “The future’s in our hands now, we can literally do anything” and him doing something

He proposed

You cried

Said yes, but cried

You and Fred got married that summer and the group all went

Ron told you he was glad to have you as an older sister and you SOBBED

Ginny told you the same thing-- you also cried at that

You helped the boys open the joke store and worked there until you completed a psychology degree

You became Hogwarts’ guidance councilor

Then you found out you were pregnant after nearly puking on a student

Fred coming to the school because he heard you got sick

Damn it, he was taking care of his wife

“Baby, are you okay!?” He asked.

“Uhm... Yyeaahh about that”

You told him

He cried

He was kissing your face and telling you that he was so happy

You have a daughter: Adelaide Molly Weasley

She is a damn daddy’s girl that’s for sure

But my god does she love her uncle George

Taglist: @amhyeah @newtaholic-staygold @bbeauttyybbx @fleurho

#fred weasley x reader #fred weasley x you #fred weasley

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angeliccynthious · 4 years

Photo

Ah yes, more AU stuff for my children.. As winter approaches, or.. is already here, I just decided to put ‘seasons’ in Hallownest. I don’t know how exactly It’d work but yeah it gets cold. Winter in Hallownest! This is what this is about. I reasonably thought, would the bugs wear winter clothes? like, winter cloaks for the ones who wear cloaks.. I uh-- I think you guys get what I mean. For Lace of course she just wears something a bit warmer. She’s really the only one I’ve had an idea for for a winter outfit. Not much of a change, but still she’s lookin nice.

Once more, feedback is appreciated if you wish to s pe a k. I like hearing what people think about my silly rambles about the au. But, under this is where I ramble about the winter in Hallownest. Enjoy.

Okie dokie so basically, it gets really cold. Of course it does! and what happens when it gets cold? oh, it snows of course. Though, only in certain areas where it should snow. In any area exposed to the sky (Dirtmouth is a good example), there is snow. Much snow. The bugs underground are very lucky they don’t have to deal with snow. But they do have to deal with the cold. The Blue Lake freezes up at times, which means no rain in the City of Tears. But it does mean the puddles freeze and bugs often slip on them, and then fall on occasions. A certain someone, Lace, loves to watch people slip on puddles since it’s very very hilarious to her. Even when she herself slips, she laughs about it. The others... are concerned. Generally, bugs have to use fire to keep themselves warm. They don’t have air conditioning, duh. Or alternately, the bugs in Dirtmouth have Grimm! and.. Grimmchild but she’s usually elsewhere. The nightmare dream family (of course Grimm, Grimmchild, and Auntie Radi) radiate heat, the nightmare ones more so. Grimm and Grimmchild are very warm, no, not even warm, burning hot. It isn’t always like this, but they do it to keep themselves from getting cold. When it’s not so terribly cold, they just feel mildly hot. They are Dirtmouth’s heaters. Radi on the other hand, is not too keen on helping people stay warm, plus, she’s not as warm as her dear brother nor her niece. She doesn’t feel like helping others, she’d rather sip tea and talk to her ghost friends. Ghost is one exception because they don’t really...mind the weather? I mean, they’re always near Grimmchild so they get the heat that they need. But when she’s elsewhere they don’t really mind the cold. It’s as if they ignore it. The other vessels though, they aren’t alike Ghost and they do get cold. Other than that, here are some random things! Lace’s hands get sort of cold, and, Hollow tells her to wear gloves but she refuses because of her own reasoning that they may cause her pin to slip out of her hands in battle or something. Oh oh, and yeah, the other two knights wear cozy stuff like Lace does. They sorta.. match too. It’s kinda funny. Beryl for the most part refuses to wear winter clothes at times because they want to show how they can bear the cold. They can’t. Grimm is quite fine with being ‘Dirtmouth’s Heater’ because he can just sit down on the bench and let people stand around him as if he’s a fire. Grimm is a nice dude. It’s said that surprisingly, Hornet actually made the winter clothing that her knights wear, and Quirrel wears. I suppose she makes her own clothes? So, why not make clothes for others. The weavers that live in Hallownest once more do too make clothing for others, they’re all very nice spiders :> (This implies that Hornet made her knights clothes somewhat match on purpose lmao) I’m pretty sure all the fluff and fur is fake, or not?? I mean, I wouldn’t know where they get it from. The Nailmasters have fluff on their cloaks, so, why not others? Taria does approve of all the fluff she sees on other bugs clothing, she’s happy. Fluff is best.

#art stuff #au stuff #hollow knight #silksong #lace #I like how I drew the floof on Lace's coat #Lace is fun to draw anyways :>

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kinsey3furry300 · 3 years

Text

Harry Potter and the Order of the Cursed Watch-party

Watching "Order of the Phoenix" with my flatmates, over a watch party because half of them are locked in their room isolating due to COVID, and it just turned into an awful, debouched act of drinking and shouting weird or disturbing fan theories at each other through the ceiling separating us. So, first I hooked my laptop to the TV to use the big screen. Then we had to buy two versions of the film online to get the stupid watch party thing to work. Then I wedged my phone to the top of my laptop because the software only had text messaging, and not video, and so i couldn't have a video call and the watch party on my PC at the same time. Then my flatmate's laptop speaker died, so I had to toss my Bluetooth speaker through the door of the plauge-room like a grenade and run. Then a friend who is dropping off food for us while were in lockdown showed up with shopping. Then, while he was trying to pass shopping through the door, the pizza delivery arrived and startled us. Carnage: we're 1 min into the film and everything has gone wrong. Then we started drinking, and it all went downhill fast. Highlights of the watch party include: "How come the guy who literally has Voldemort growing off the back of his head is the third best Defence Against's the Dark arts teacher? How is Snape the second best?" "Well, to be honest, fake Mad-eye was only bad if you were Harry or Cedric: everyone else probably got good grades, so Quirrel is, like, fourth best." "We're putting Quirrel above Lockhart?""Yes, because fuck Lockhart. "If Quirrel has sex, can Voldermort feel it?" "On that subject, does shagging Quirrel count as a threesome?" "If you have oral sex with Quirrel, and acidentlay put a finger in Voldy's mouth while grabbing him, is that technally a spit-rost?" "Those quills that cut your hand, if used with ink, would be great for self tattooing." "I'd dress my house elf like sexy maid." "But then you've given them clothes, you've freed them." "Only according to the Law: Law or no law, sexy Kretcher is never getting out of that fucking cage." "Kretcher is every working class Tory." "House-Elf cage-dancing is a dark magic I'd never even considered." "Let's face it: in a school full of teenagers with shared dorms, the room of requirements is mostly just a private place to wank. It's probably full of soft core porn and house-elf strippers most days." "Fuck marry kill: Beatrix, Lucius, Voldy?" "Umbridge gives of some serious BDSM vibes." "Say what you like about Snape, that mind-penetration shit probably means he's dynamite in the sack, he'd know exactly what you want." "So we have a transphobic author, but she heavily implies Aberforth fucked a goat and everyone's just okay with that?" "Dumbledore's army is the most British of all underground resistance movements: it's founded in the back of a shady pub by underage day-drinkers and it achieves piss all." "The centaurs are less sexy in this film than In the previous ones." "They should have just cast a different actress as Nymphadora in every scene and never addressed it." "I, too, have no intention of coming quietly. Name of my sex tape." "Harry should just put the prophesy back on the shelf: what the fuck are the death-eaters going to do about it? Threaten Nevil and Luna? Nevil and Luna could take them." "Sirius calling Harry 'James' gives off strong 'slapping the wrong person's ass in Tesco's thinking it's your spouse' vibes" "I mean, if I did that, I'd be so embraced I'd want to die right away too, so that's a win for Sirius I guess." "To be honest, I could see Boris doing all the shit Fudge does, but worse." "If Voldemort's weakness is that he can never feel love, he should just try MDMA, play some music, and hug Lucian and Belaxtrix. Problem solved." "Well, unless he grows a nose, Cocaine is right out." "Okay, but if *Quirrel* does cocaine, can he-" "Oh shut up."

#harry potter #shitpost #real life shitpost #humor #sexy house elves came up way to often in conversation #watch party #i hope my flatemates get well soon #lockdown #pingdemic #In our defence we were quite drunk

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shostakobitchh · 4 years

Text

chapter 16: the rising deep sneak peek!

here’s a preview of the first part of the chapter! I will be on break starting Friday, and I hope to have it done in the early part of next week. enjoy!

Severus stared down at the pocket watch, making certain that it read Gryffindor Tower before placing it back into his trousers.

Dumbledore turned away from the window to gaze back at him, rain battering against it. The room was quiet, save for the fire crackling in the hearth and Fawkes’ gentle preening. Even the portraits were silent, grave expressions on their faces as they waited for the current Headmaster to offer his opinion on the matter. Severus had come to him after making sure Miss Evans had climbed through the Fat Lady’s portrait, and there had not yet been a single word exchanged between the two, only solemn stares that conveyed the seriousness of the situation. Severus didn’t know where to begin, really, and he supposed Dumbledore didn’t either.

Unspoken words hung in the air between them, like breath curling into mist. It took every mite of Severus’ strength not to break something, to force himself to believe that Dumbledore cared about the girl’s safety as much as he did, and that he wasn’t being purposefully obtuse. They both had too much to lose if something happened to her — the thought was incomprehensible. The old man’s silence, however, was only adding to Severus’ uneasiness as the seconds dragged by.

once I started I couldn’t stop

it’s been in my dreams it won’t leave me alone

you don’t care what I do or what happens

Severus stifled the urge to check the pocket watch again.

“Minerva is quite upset.” Dumbledore finally said, the grim expression on his face unwavering. “Rightfully so, but I’ve convinced her to hold off any punishment until morning.”

Severus kneaded his forehead with his thumbs, leaning heavily against the back of a chair. “That’s your concern right now?”

Dumbledore hummed a short, quick sound, like he wasn’t quite sure. Severus knew, though — he knew that he’d been disturbed at what Miss Evans had seen, what she’d heard, and what she had done. Severus knew, because he felt it, too. It hung high above their heads, just below the vaulted ceiling, where the whir of magic usually was. The office’s once comforting glow now seemed ominous — warning lights, a red sun rising at dawn.

“It is a good thing you found her when you did,” Dumbledore went on, his voice heavy.

He could still picture Granger flying into his office, the door slightly ajar since Severus had been preparing to leave for dinner. There was a frantic, fresh sort of panic that Severus had not seen since Evans had crashed into him on Halloween. Granger hadn’t even managed to say whatever she’d flown down to the dungeons to say. Severus had known it was Miss Evans, and he’d known that it wasn’t good.

Severus swallowed roughly. “She said it’s gaining more of a form, becoming more corporeal.”

Dumbledore lifted his eyes back towards the window, wind slamming the rain against the glass. “It spoke to her again, you said? Did it demand anything?”

“No, it just… told her to act on her impulses.”

Dumbledore made a new kind of sound, one that was strong and disapproving. “That type of behavior cannot be tolerated, Severus.”

“It wasn’t her doing,” he forced through gritted teeth. “surely you realize that.”

“On the contrary, it’s for that very reason I must insist Ariel be dealt with, and swiftly.” Dumbledore said, his eyes dark and intense, like the storm outside. “Resorting to violence, even when persuaded, must be discouraged. She cannot fall into the habit of using force when faced with adversity.”

Severus’ temple began to throb. “She’s eleven, for Merlin’s sake. The little beasts brawl like common Muggles until they learn to throw their first Hex.”

“Ariel will be tempted more than any of them,” Dumbledore said seriously.

“You never gave a damn when Potter and Black threw punches for far less.” he snapped.

Fawkes stopped his grooming to stare up at Severus, as if he understood that he had let something slip he hadn’t meant to, and wanted to make sure he knew this. Severus sent him a warning glare, and Fawkes chirped, cocking his head at him.

“Those were far different circumstances,” Dumbledore said, not unkindly. “James was not Marked for something no child should be subjected to.”

Severus threw himself off the chair, balling his fists at his sides. “This is pointless. You need to do something — or better yet, let me have my way with Quirrell, if you truly think he’s somehow involved.”

Dumbledore’s brow furrowed. “I cannot allow you to practice Dark Magic within this school.”

“Dark Magic can find whoever’s doing this!” Severus snarled.

“I forbid it, Severus.” Dumbledore's face was cold and unyielding. “Ariel cannot be exposed to such things, especially now.”

“She would not be exposed —”

“You are her father,” Dumbledore said, and Severus flinched. “if you were to fall into old patterns, she would inevitably make contact. She is too young and would not be able to resist the temptation.”

Like you, a voice whispered, you could not resist, and it cost you everything.

“It would keep her safe!” Severus shot back, but his voice wavered. He cursed himself for it.

Dumbledore’s eyes softened. “I know you worry for her —”

“Don’t mistake this for pity.” Severus hissed. “That girl is being hunted.”

He recalled her bloody knuckles, the way they shimmered in the pale light. Her thin face twisted in pain and misery, her black eyes shining with tears, and a childlike rage that Severus knew all too well. That rage would turn into hunger, and when it did, the girl would destroy herself from the inside out as Severus had, almost a decade ago. He’d spent so much time seeing Lily in the girl that he had forgotten that half of her was also Severus, and that she could be susceptible to the same darkness that had lured him in. The parts of Severus in their daughter could ruin her.

He would move Heaven and Earth to make sure that did not happen. He owed it to Lily.

“It cannot harm her, I promise you.” Dumbledore took a tentative step towards him, his robes trailing behind him. “I would not allow Ariel to stay here if I was not certain of this.”

Severus gave a humorless snort. “No, you’ll just allow it to torture the girl into insanity.”

“Which is why I am thankful that she is spending her evenings with you.” Dumbledore sighed, and it was a tired sound, one that Severus had never heard before.

He glared at him, wanting to rip that solemn look right off his face. “Detention isn’t going to keep that thing at bay for much longer.”

“No, but it will keep her under close watch. It hasn’t attacked her while she’s been with you, has it? I would suppose that’s for a very good reason.”

“Until it becomes desperate.” Severus said bitterly. “Then what would you have me do? I cannot fight an enemy I cannot see!”

Dumbledore ignored his question. Fawkes chirped happily at him as his brow deepened in thought, murmurs from the portraits amongst one another offering no possible insights. They’d insisted that they had never seen anything like this before inside of Hogwarts, but this was not news to Severus. There had never been someone like Miss Evans, either.

“Did Ariel mention what triggered this?” Dumbledore fell against the side of his desk, hands gripping the sides. There was a faraway look in his eyes, one that told Severus he knew more than he was letting on, but couldn’t decide if it was worth sharing.

“Draco was pining for her attention,” Severus muttered, rubbing a hand over his face. “unfortunately, it seems that Lucius forgot to teach the boy some tact. He has the subtlety of a freight train, and has been ruthless in his approach.”

“I assume you’ll be speaking with him?” Dumbledore’s eyes flashed in a way that told Severus this was not a suggestion.

“I won’t be able to do much, if that’s what you’re implying. Draco will grow bored eventually, but once Narcissa and Lucius hear what Miss Evans did to their precious baby boy… well, Lucius will be mortified, but Narcissa will likely want blood.”

“All the more reason that Ariel must understand the gravity of the situation.” Dumbledore said with a sigh. “She does not need more enemies, although Minerva has mentioned that Draco has been particularly vicious. Have you seen no cause to intervene?”

He hadn’t — what the little dunderheads did amongst themselves, Severus couldn’t have given less of a fuck about. As long as they weren’t causing bodily harm to one another (Miss Evans had checked that box off tonight), Severus didn’t bother… well, unless he found out that one of his Snakes was being harassed by another House. Then Severus took great pleasure in exercising his authority over the little shits.

“Miss Evans has appeared unaffected.” Severus said, nonplussed.

Dumbledore inclined his head. “I would beg to differ.”

“Obviously,” Severus snapped back. “I would think that the boy has learned enough of a lesson. The girl broke his damn nose.”

#sam speaks #aim and ignite #writing until my hands fall off

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