#since its a harry potter anniversary

[freohrweohnatakausta]

“Don’t look at your Ao3 stats, it’ll ruin blahblahblah”

I like looking at my Ao3 stats because it show THIS wonderful dichotomy of my fics:

[sitp-recs]

The Chocolate Cosmos has earned its place on the list of rare flowers of the world as it has been extinct in the wild for years. The Chocolate Cosmos is a rich reddish-brown in colour and gives off a rich chocolate fragrance when it blooms, hence its name. This red flower is native to Mexico, however they no longer exist in the wild. It does not produce any seeds and needs to be grown with the help of tissue culture or root division. Technically, only clones of the original flower survive today.

Happy Valentines Day! Did I go overboard with this long-ass list? Maybe so 🤣 a special thanks to everyone who participated on the V Day poll I did a while ago; rarepair romance was the most voted option so here we are! I let myself go wild with ships and tropes, the idea was to celebrate some peak romance and I hope this list reflects the nuanced complexities of love in its many forms. There are different kinds of love here: soft and tender, devastating and all-consuming, transgressive, comforting, damning, but in all cases poignant and true. This got a bit too long but I had lots of fun putting it together. I hope everyone will be able to find nice new ships and hidden gems. Happy readings!

Triads

Aim For My Heart by @tackytigerfic (M, 3.4k) - Harry/Draco/Ron

Harry's in love, Ron's in control, and Draco just wants a nice lunch.

Sanctuary by Lokifan (E, 3.8k) - Harry/Draco/Bill

When Harry goes to them, he isn’t running away from the bleak, lonely parts of life any more. He’s running towards something better.

Flood by holyfant (E, 4.7k) - Harry/Ron/Hermione

Hermione's idea, of course, this getaway. Away from prying eyes, no one else to focus on, see how they got on then with this new thing between them.

Love to Give by @kittycargo (E, 9.5k) - Harry/Draco/Neville

Neville and Harry are in a relationship when Draco moves back from Italy and needs a place to stay. Neville never knew how much love he had to give.

A Case of You by @ruinsplume (E, 10k) - Albus/James/Scorpius

James has been good: ever since Albus got together with Scorpius Malfoy, James has stayed far away from his brother.

Stopper & Reeve by @vdoshu (E, 10k) - Harry/Teddy/Draco

Teddy gets his very first knot stuck in his fleshlight. And somehow that’s not the worst part of his day.

Better Than by marguerite_26 (E, 11k) - Harry/Ginny/Draco

Ginny offers Harry something a little different for their anniversary.

Those that move by hippocrates460 (E, 17k) - Ron/Krum/Hermione

Based on the prompt "Hermione wants to make Ron's dream come true, a date and night together with Viktor Krum.

A Life Worth Remembering by @writcraft (E, 23k) - Harry/Draco/Snape

Severus Snape wakes in St Mungo’s, to discover that a potions accident has wiped the last forty years from his body and mind.

just call this what it is by queens_crown (M, 27k) - Harry/Draco/Theo

Upon returning to Hogwarts after the war, Harry can't sleep. He's not the only one.

Tiny Home by @wolfpants (E, 30k) - Harry/Draco/Ron

The last two people Draco expects to find chopping wood on his property are Ronald Weasley and Harry Potter. But there they are.

Licurici by @lou-isfake (E, 133k) - Harry/Draco/Charlie

Charlie wanted Harry, but he’d never planned on having him. He’d never planned on Draco Malfoy, either.

Bonus: Sardines by @shiftylinguini (E, 4k) - Albus/Scorpius + Teddy/James

It’s bad enough his cock is hard from listening to the impromptu midnight pornography of his brother getting off; Albus is not going to add seeing it to the list of reasons why he lost his mind, and presumably his eyesight, on the eve of his grandmother's seventieth.

MLM

Mischief Managed by @maesterchill (E, 1.7k) - Harry/Sirius

Nothing has been said, nothing solemnly sworn, but they both know what's going to happen.

Flare Up by Lokifan (E, 1.8k) - Draco/Ron

Draco is still afraid of fire sometimes. Ron helps.

Between the Houses by @thesleepiesthufflepuff (E, 2k) - Dean/Charlie

He paused on the doormat, taking out the ring that he’d stowed away several hours ago.

Coming Up for Air by @lqtraintracks (M, 2k) - Harry/Teddy

I could have died of it, your tenderness toward me. Instead I decided to live.

The Left and Leaving by @wolfpants (E, 3k) - Bill/Charlie

Deep in the woods, he finds him in the treehouse.

Slip Free of My Grasp by @lqtraintracks (E, 3.5k) - Harry/Sirius

I don't want to be bad for him. I want to do bad things and still be, somehow, inexplicably, good.

Surface Texture by @the-starryknight (E, 5.3k) - Harry/Teddy

I've drawn a hundred portraits, but none quite like Harry's. In the early hours of the morning, I lay him bare in charcoal and paper.

Pigment by @wynnefic (T, 5.7k) - Harry/Sirius

Sirius makes a promise to Harry during the war. Three years later, he keeps his word.

On the Same Side by rillalicious (M, 7.5k) - Teddy/Charlie

Teddy is heading to Romania to protest a proposed anti-dragon law. He finds an interesting ally there.

To Me You Are the Sea by marguerite_26 (E, 8.5k) - Harry/Scorpius

Scorpius dreaded attending Harry Potter's fiftieth birthday party for more reasons than he cared to admit.

Following The Wrong God Home by scoradh (M, 9k) - Harry/Ron

Ron isn't gay. But, feeling like he's losing his best friend, he sometimes wishes that he was.

Putting Charlie Right by mindabbles (E, 9k) - Teddy/Charlie

Teddy is very, very good at his job, and he’d be able to prove that fact if Charlie wasn’t bent on distracting him.

Settle by mindabbles (E, 9.3k) - Teddy/James

James has never wanted to settle down – or maybe he’s never wanted to settle.

Hopelessly Devoted To You by @writcraft (E, 10k) - Harry/George

Harry and George watch a lot of musicals and accidentally fall in love.

like the lost lyrics of a song suddenly remembered by @lqtraintracks (E, 11k) - Teddy/Bill, Teddy/James

Teddy Lupin, aging rockstar, is making a comeback after his life and career were nearly ruined by an illegal potions habit.

A Soft Spot for Lost Causes by Helenish (E, 13k) - Draco/Ron

"Remember at school? Weasel? You’re so poor and dirty?" Ron said encouragingly "You hated me." “I did," Draco said.

Sun Kissed by @static-abyss (M, 13k) - Harry/Ron

Harry notices the freckles the first time they meet, the light dusting across Ron's face as he stands there in his maroon knitted jumper with the yellow R in the centre.

Prelude and Fugue by shes_gone (E, 16k) - Harry/Ron

It took over an hour, from the time Harry arrived at work, for him to realise just how different today actually was.

Winter of '79 by @writcraft (E, 17.5k) - James/Sirius

Post-punk Britain is in the grip of another brutal winter, Thatcher is in power and Muggle gay bars keep getting raided for no reason at all.

Dreaming Skies by @sweet-s0rr0w and @tackytigerfic (E, 20k) - Draco/Ron

Draco's life is going nowhere, so when Charlie Weasley offers him a job out on his reserve, Draco doesn't think twice before booking a Portkey.

Brighter Than the Sun by @goldentruth813 (E, 24k) - Draco/James

James Sirius Potter is gorgeous. He's also half Draco's age. Getting emotionally involved with him would be a complete and utter disaster.

There’s Something About A Malfoy by mindabbles (E, 27k) - Harry/Scorpius, Draco/Charlie

Charlie has no room in his drawers for anyone else's skivvies, Harry wallows in moral agony for a bit, Draco wants to rebuild his life, and Scorpius just wants Harry to stop being an idiot.

The NottPott Chronicles by @amarillis39 and @missmrah (E, 33k) - Harry/Theo

A series of moments from Theo and Harry’s lives as they learn to navigate their relationship, deal with their demons or just simply revel in each other’s company.

The Beating of This Fragile Heart by @writcraft (E, 33k) - Harry/Snape

After the war, the last thing Severus Snape needs is the memory of a fleeting wartime kiss and a very persistent Harry Potter thwarting his plans to live a peaceful and solitary life.

Rapture by mia_ugly (2015, E, 48k) - Harry/Snape

Snape sees the man, for the first time, on his twenty-fifth birthday.

Is This It by MildredMost (E, 52k) - Draco/Ron

Ron Weasley and Draco Malfoy get trapped in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement during an attack drill.

Possibly, Maybe by Curlee_Cue (E, 72k) - Harry/Scorpius

“A hand carefully brushed Scorpius’ hair out of his eyes and turned his head to face his rescuer. And of course, who else would it be, but Harry Potter? Once just an abstract legend, now his very own personal saviour.”

WLW

Breaking wild roses (stings like love’s pain) by @teacup-tai (E, 1.3k) - Pansy/Hermione

I feel like a scream is stuck inside my chest, creeping up in the deep dark hollow of my throat. It’s a mix of pain and agony.

All Roads Lead To by pauraque (T, 2.5k) - Cho/Luna

After leaving Hogwarts, Cho isn't sure if there's a place for her anymore in the fight against Voldemort. Luna comes to convince her that there is.

Her Life in Dreams and Wakefulness by rillalicious (M, 4.2k) - Gabrielle/Luna

The first time she has the dream, Gabrielle is sixteen years old.

Independent Love Song by @writcraft (E, 6.2k) - Ginny/Millicent

Millicent Bulstrode is a tailor and Ginny is losing her mind over a woman in a tweed blazer and burgundy brogues.

Rogue Waves by @lqtraintracks (E, 6.5k) - Ginny/Pansy

A story of living with the trauma, fucking who you want, and maybe finding a little solace.

my heart beats slow by @candybarrnerd (T, 7k) - Ginny/Luna

Luna's been there for her through thick and thin. It's been the two of them as long as she can remember.

Single and Snacking in Phoenix, AZ by @violetclarity (E, 25k) - Ginny/Pansy, Harry/Luna

When she told her friends she was bringing a date to Harry and Luna’s wedding, Ginny had only wanted them to stop bothering her about her love life.

Passion, Patents, and Pen Pals at the Ministry by @violetclarity and yrfrndfrnkly (T, 32k) - Pansy/Hermione

After an extremely ill-timed lovers'-tiff-turned-food-fight at the Ministry leaves her less one boyfriend and suspended without pay for six months, Hermione pleads for some position–anything–to fill her days until her suspension is up.

Play Me Like A Love Song by @writcraft (E, 68k) - McGonagall/Grubbly-Plank

Minerva McGonagall doesn’t believe in love at first sight, which is why her instant attraction to drag king Wilhelmina ("Will") Grubbly-Plank is so unexpected.

Bonus: Mothering Sunday by pauraque (T, 3.6k) - Astoria & Narcissa

Narcissa always wanted a little girl of her own, and Astoria never really had a proper Mum. Together they build something that neither of them ever knew was possible.

HET

And Again by @fw00shy (M, 1.4k) - Teddy/Astoria

The graduate school boys who came up from uni; well, she may be near forty, but they never aged a day.

heart by @onbeinganangel (E, 1.6k) - Draco/Astoria

After their reluctant betrothal and consequent marriage, letting Astoria take over the Malfoy business and estate was a no-brainer.

Lightning Strikes Twice by torino10154 (E, 3.5k) - Ron/Pansy

Ron never sleeps with the same woman twice. Until he meets Pansy, that is.

Coda: Temperantia by @skeptiquewrites (E, 4.6k) - Pansy/Theo

Post-War, Pansy Parkinson is a disgrace to both the traditional and progressive Wizarding worlds and she can't blame them for leaving her behind.

The Secret Incantation by pauraque (E, 5k) - Hermione/Sirius

This is what she wants. This is what he needs.

Bare Naked by cupiscent (E, 7.7k) - Draco/Ginny

Aurors-in-training get paid shit and Ginny wants her independence.

testosterone (sounds like a spell) by pauraque (E, 7.7k) - Justin/Hannah

Justin never returned to Hogwarts after the Death Eaters came. He's found that the Muggle world offers other kinds of transfiguration — a body alchemy far more powerful than any magic spell.

Spring Street by rillalicious (T, 25k) - Harry/Pansy

Harry's been undercover for eight years, on a case that's going nowhere fast. Then Pansy Parkinson is kidnapped, and everything changes.

Straightaway Dangerous by @lol-zeitgeistic (E, 125k) - Draco/Hermione, Harry/Luna

During the final battle, an unexpected insult sends Fenrir Greyback on a rampage, changing 39 people into werewolves. He should've known better than to make Hermione one of that number.

Bonus: Rest Your Head Close to My Heart by pauraque (E, 3.5k) - Harry & Hermione

It's almost time to wean her last child, and Hermione is thinking about what she's losing. Meanwhile, Harry is thinking about what he never had.

[sweetandsalteddramione]

“What are you reading?” A voice snapped her back to reality and Hermione looked up. Draco Malfoy was now leaning over her table. Swaying slightly. She noticed a lock of his blonde slicked back hair had curled forward to fall over his eyes. A couple of hours passed since his entrance, so he must have been on his third or fourth drink. “A book.” Hermione snapped back. “I can see that,” Malfoy muttered, sliding into the booth opposite her. She fixed him with a glare and put her book down, carefully placing the bookmark in so she wouldn’t lose its place. “What kind of book?” He leaned in, peering at the title. “A Thousand Ships. Is it a nautical book?” “It’s about the Battle of Troy.” “The what?” “You won’t know it. It’s muggle fiction and muggle history.” She put the book back in her bag and crossed her arms. Another lock of hair broke free from Malfoy’s hair charm prison and sprung forward. It reminded her much of her own, never doing what it was told. Tonight she’d twisted it back and clipped it in a claw shaped hair grip, anything to keep it off her face. No magic. Malfoy smirked, “Don’t presume to know what I know. I might know about muggle history and fiction.” He was his usual pompous and arrogant self, at least. “Do you?” Hermione asked, genuinely curious. He paused. “No.”

Excerpt from Ten Years Chapter 1.

Draco Malfoy and Hermione Granger both take solace in the same muggle pub on the anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts. Somehow, an uneasy alliance is formed. One that involves espresso martinis, teal scarves, and reading lists. Soon Draco comes to live for the one night a year he gets to spend time with Hermione Granger.

WIP! 4/10 chapters published!

A light-hearted, sometimes angsty, rom-com style fanfic focused on the one day a year Hermione and Draco spend time together.

[boonesfarmsangria]

Mike Farrell Reflects on Captain B.J. Hunnicutt’s Ahead of ‘M*A*S*H’ TV Special

Scott Fishman, TV Insider Dec 21, 2023 Updated Dec 22, 2023 0

Mike Farrell knew he had a lot to live up to when he joined the 4077th Medical Corps and cast of M*A*S*H as Captain B.J. Hunnicutt. The well-versed actor already had an impressive career including a stint on Days of Our Lives. However, this was a completely different kind of pressure coming into season 4 of a highly successful series after the exit of Wayne Rogers, who played Captain “Trapper” John McIntyre.

He was up to the challenge with viewers connecting with the devoted family man and what would be a long-time bond with Alan Alda’s Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce. Viewers will ever forget the shot during the historic series finale where B.J. yells out that he left a note for Hawkeye. As he flies away in the helicopter, he soon notices that his good friend spelled out the word “Goodbye” with rocks on the ground.

It’s these types of iconic moments and characters that are celebrated during FOX’s upcoming M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television. Executive-produced by John Scheinfeld and Andy Kaplan, this two-special delves into the Emmy-winning run over 11 seasons through the perspective of the cast and visionaries behind the scenes.

Joining Farrell and Alda on the doc is Gary Burghoff (Cpl. Walter “Radar” O’Reilly), and Loretta Swit (Maj. Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan) to name a few, as well as series executive producers Gene Reynolds and Burt Metcalfe. Those who have since passed, including show creator Larry Gelbart, Rogers, Larry Linville (Maj. Frank Burns), Harry Morgan (Col. Sherman T. Potter), and McLean Stevenson (Lt. Col. Henry Blake) are spotlighted through archival photos and footage.

Here Farrell opens up about his emotional reaction to the special. The 84-year-old also describes what it’s like to see the beloved sitcom still resonate more than 40 years after it ended.

Michael Farrell

How often do you go back and watch the episodes back?

Mike Farrell: The popularity of the show continues to astonish me and thrill me, frankly. I get constant emails, and mail, calls to keep it fresh in my mind, and its extraordinary impact. I don’t make a point of looking for it on television, but sometimes it’s there. And when it’s there, I can’t stop looking at it and watching those people I love so much and care about. To see and remember who they were and what we did together. It’s something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I’m so thrilled to be a part of it that it’s hard to put into words.

I remember seeing Alan Alda share a photo of you two toasting to the 50th anniversary of the show’s premiere. How is it for you to still have these close connections after all these years?

For us, it’s a family situation. We enjoyed working together and having this kind of bond that continues to this day. We talk about how much we love each other and stay in touch regularly. It has been something that brings an ongoing extraordinary rush of gratitude and appreciation for all of us here…Then you see David Ogden Stiers, Harry Morgan, Larry Linville, and others on the special. There is that sense of longing for somebody who you knew, loved, and enjoyed working with. It’s piercing at the heart when you see that sometimes. For me, I’m overwhelmed with the warmth that comes back from seeing Harry, remembering the relationship we had not only during the show but afterward. Watching Alan and his incredible wit and hijinks. Some of those things stay with me today. When I tell stories, I can’t help but get misty about those memories. It’s an everlasting love affair for me.

It’s fun to think about what would have happened if social media had been around during M*A*S*H’s original run. For example, B.J.’s mustache would be a hot topic of conversation.

People often ask me, “What do you think of the mustache?” I will say my mother hated the mustache. The mustache was a fun thing. Alan called me at the beginning of one season and said, “They think we are too much alike. What do you think about growing a mustache?” I thought it was a great idea. We made a lot out of it, which was fun to do. I wore what started as a red long shirt. Through many washes, it came out pink. I thought it was hilarious to be wearing a pink shirt in the middle of all that. I get many comments from people in the gay community who tell me they loved my pink shirt and ask if that was a signal. I tell them no, but that I’m glad they noticed it.

One of the topics that gets tackled in the special is B.J.’s character and moment of infidelity with a nurse divorcee. After all this time, I even saw a Reddit thread asking if B.J. cheated on his wife Peg.

I remember when I first met with the guys and they were talking about the possibility of Wayne leaving. I told them the one thing I didn’t want to do as an actor was come in and step in the boots of “Trapper.” They understood. They had in mind a fellow who was married, not a womanizer like “Hawkeye” or “Trapper,” who had a child at home. And he is going to be true to his wife and family. You’re talking about modeling fidelity on television, I didn’t mind that at all. We laughed. It stayed that way. One year we did a show where Blythe Danner played the guest star. She and “Hawkeye had been having a love affair in medical school, and she was temporarily assigned to our station. She was married, but the affair popped up again.

There is a scene where “Hawkeye” asks B.J. if he has ever been unfaithful. I said never. He said, “You ever tempted?” I said, “Tempted is a different question.” He said, “So, you have been tempted?” I said, “No, it was a different question.” It was a good gag. Larry Gelbart, who wrote the scene was ont eh stage when we finished that shot. I said, “Larry, that was wonderful, but let me suggest the idea. The fact B.J. is a faithful husband is great by me, but to suggest a man was not tempted goes too far. I don’t think we need to paint in that pristine manner.” He said that was a good thought. A year later Gene remembers that conversation with Larry. He asked, “What do you feel about B.J. falling off the fidelity wagon?” I said, “It depends on how you resolve it.”

How do you feel it came out?

I loved the whole process that they cared enough to hear me out, and decided it was worth dealing with that question. I thought they resolved it in a classy way. B.J. was upset about what he had done. It was brief and a misstep. He was miserable about it. “Hawkeye” gave him hell because he was going to write home and tell Peg. He said, “Don’t do that to her. If you must confess for whatever the transgression, wait until you get home where you can be with her and talk to her. I thought it was great that they were willing to explore the kind of experience people are put through in these circumstances.

It was almost like it didn’t matter how far they went, but didn’t matter. He would feel the same way.

Exactly. But the idea of them spending the night together in a bed, under those circumstances, and didn’t go far sounds a little stretch to me.

When was the moment you felt how big a show M*A*S*H was?

I was in Southeast Asia during one of our breaks. After my second or third year there on the show when I went around, I was astonished at the no matter what part of the world, the show meant something to the.m. This one man said, “Your show constantly underscores for me the meaning of peace and the need for peace in this world.” I came back to set and Alan and I were sitting together during the first day of the season back. I said, “Are you hearing what I’m hearing out there?” He said, “Yeah, we need to be aware of the way the show is affecting people.

We decided on a regular meeting as a cast and talked through the issues of the day. Alan and I both made it a point that this show is having an impact that is beyond just being a popular television show. We need to be seriously committed to making sure we do the best work we can do. Everyone got it and agreed and rededicated ourselves to commit to doing meaningful work because of the audience’s respect and appreciation for the show.

What are your overall thoughts on the FOX special while screening it? 

I watched it with tears streaming down my face while laughter burst from my mouth. It was an extraordinary tribute. Not only to the show and people involved but the people involved behind the scenes. I’m glad they included the clip of Gene, Larry, and in particular Burt Metcalfe, the casting genius who brought many of the characters to the show; me included. He was a powerful force in maintaining the integrity of the show. It was deeply touching and I think the audience will love it. It shows the significance and the work of the characters and the way the show was built and what it became. I was thrilled when I saw it. 

How do you think the show would do in today’s TV landscape? 

I think it would remain a touchstone for people I can’t tell you how many veterans have contacted me. Even children of veterans. They would say. “My dad would never talk about his experience in the war until he saw your show. Then he would say, ‘That’s the way it was.”…That it has stayed relevant and meaningful to people for generations speaks volumes about the show. 

M*A*S*H: The Comedy That Changed Television premiere, January 1, 8/7c, FOX

@stroyent 🤝

[krikeymate]

5 years late AU maybe?

But, like, make it 7 or 8 years late cause that’s even worse. Tara‘s, like, 11 or 12 when Sam sees on the news that there have been Ghostface attacks in Woodsboro. It’s been 25 years since the first attacks, the reporter says. Sam doesn’t know the people who have been killed. It’s most likely unrelated to her. Just a movie fanatic who wanted to do something for the anniversary. Sam and Tara don’t live in Woodsboro, so she goes to bed that night with an unsettled feeling, but not completely freaked out.

Nothing happens for a while. Sam almost forgets about the attacks. She’s busy with a tiny tween Tara. (Tara’s the age Jenna was when she did Insidious, for reference. She still looks like a baby 🥺).

It’s an ordinary day. Nothing exciting happens. Sam picks Tara up from school after work, they do homework, have dinner, watch a movie and then it’s already bedtime. Sam calls some of her friends after Tara’s asleep, takes a shower and gets ready for bed too. Sam checks on Tara again, who’s sleeping in her room, nightlight on and some soft Studio Ghibli sleep music playing. They usually start out in their own beds on most nights and Tara comes crawling into Sam’s bad a few hours in. Tara is fast asleep. Sam turns off the music and the light and goes to bed. She falls asleep in no time.

Tara wakes up to the worst pain she’s ever felt in her life. She wants to scream, but she can’t. It hurts so much that she can’t move, can’t breathe, can’t do anything. She’s disoriented, can’t even tell what hurts. She only knows there’s pain. So much pain! Tears stream down her face, blurring her vision while she desperately tries to get some air into her lungs. She tries to reach for her nightlight but it’s too far away. When she turns her head, though, she sees a dark shadow in her door. It’s big. It’s all black but there’s some white where its face is supposed to be. Tara blinks some of the tears away, her heart racing, she so desperately wants to scream… the shadow in her doorway looks like it’s screaming but she can’t hear it. She can’t hear anything but the thumping of her own heart in her ears.

„Sam!“ she manages to whimper, gasping for air. She thinks she can feel where the pain is coming from now. It’s her belly. Tony from school recently went to the hospital because his app-… app-? She doesn’t remember what it’s called but it was in his belly and it apparently exploded, Tony said. He also said it wasn’t contagious, but maybe he lied because she definitely feels like something exploded in her belly.

Tara’s eyes are still fixed on the shadow in her door. She’s scared. She’s hurting. She wants Sammy! She’s still struggling to find her voice, though, gasping for air like a fish on land. Her inhaler is on her nightstand. She tries to reach it, but again, it’s too far away and she can’t move. It hurts so bad!

The shadow starts to move towards her. Tara tries to back away but her belly screams at her angrily. She can now see them a bit clearer, despite her tears. It’s not a shadow. It’s a monster In a black cape with a scary ghost mask. It reminds her of the dementors from Harry Potter. She didn’t like the movie with them and was so scared that Sam didn’t let her watch the rest of the movies.

The dementor bends down and Tara mentally prepares for it to suck her soul out. But instead she feels her inhaler being pressed to her lips. She opens her eyes, hoping that it was just a dream and that Sam was there. But it’s still the dementor with the ghost mask. If Tara were in less pain she might have noticed that it was a bit odd that they knew exactly how long to wait before they could give her a second puff. It was almost like they’d done it before.

When Tara can finally breathe again, she immediately starts to sob. She’s no longer sure if the cloaked figure is good or evil but she’s still scared and in so much pain. The dementor places the inhaler back on the nightstand and disappears.

„Sammy!“ Tara calls out finally, crying and sobbing like there’s no tomorrow. She can breathe again, but she’s still starting to feel a bit light-headed now.

Sam comes scrambling into Tara’s room only seconds after the dementor disappears, frantically calling out for Tara. It’s not the first time Tara woke up crying at night but she never sounded like this.

„What’s wrong, babygirl!?“ Sam asks, face pulled into a mask of deep concern. Tara’s face is all sweaty, hair sticking to her forehead.

„It hurts! Please make it stop!“ Tara sobs.

„What hurts, baby?“ Sam asks, softly placing a hand on Tara’s forehead.

„Belly,“ Tara whimpers. She’s pale. So very pale. She looks like she’s about to pass out.

Sam pulls back the blanket and almost screams. There’s blood! So much blood! It’s on the bedsheet, the blanket, Tara’s pyjamas… Sam pushes up Tara’s pyjama top carefully and swallows back bile. Blood‘s seeping out of a wound in her baby’s stomach.

😧 this is INCREDIBLE oh my god. I LOVE the story you've set out here. This is just... I wanna read more!!

Ok ok - Sam finds the diary, her father leaves her and her mother… and the newborn baby, only days old. Her parents are screaming at each other, and Sam runs from the room crying. She goes to comfort the wailing baby instead. Her world feels like it's falling apart, but she feels so grounded with her baby sister in her arms.

Sam clings to her sister in the following years - god knows her mother is out doing who knows what and coming home drunk, if she comes home at all. By the time Sam's 19, she's not sure Tara even knows what their mother looks like, she's so rarely around. She hears people talking about her mother, about her little sister. She doesn't like what she hears. Sam's 20 and ambushing her drunken mother as she stumbles home, she makes her sign some papers.

A few months later, Sam's strapping Tara into her car and they're driving away. Tara's a little sad when she learns she'll be going to a different school, that she'll have to leave her friends, but she's happy they won't have to deal with the scary angry lady anymore.

I'm imagining Tara calls Sam her Sammy, and she does know her mother is her mother (or at least that's what Sam says), but the woman scares her. She's always so angry and so rough and she gets so upset with Tara all the time when she can't do things or doesn't know stuff.

[theo-the-door]

What the first DW 60th special meant to me, a 19yo trans guy

I'm going to begin by first giving some context for things because I owe so much of who I am as a person and my plans for the future to Doctor Who. I grew up in England so naturally was exposed to Doctor who at a young age but wasn't allowed to watch it at first since my parents considered me to be too young, which was fair, they do aim to scare kids a lot which I think is great.

My first proper introduction to Doctor Who was through my year 5 teacher at school. I was very lucky to have year 5 align with the 50th anniversary since my year 5 teacher was a massive whovian. Our tables in the classroom we're labelled as different Doctor Who villains (I was on the Sontaran table). My wonderful wonderful teacher was also incredibly creative, and so we had a Doctor Who week at school and made lots of cool complex Doctor Who themed creations, including a lifesize dalek out of cardboard and gumstrip. It was awesome.

That week and that teacher got me into Doctor Who and from there I began devouring as much Doctor Who content as I could, including Doctor Who confidential. Doctor Who Confidential combined with the special features on the Harry Potter movies were the starting point to where I am now as a film student at university with the aims to be a professional actor (with far flung hopes of maybe one day being in doctor who).

Now to anyone who has been on the internet for the past couple years and has seen what JK Rowling has been doing with her place on it, you will see a point of contention there with Harry Potter and my earlier stated fact of being a trans man. Harry Potter was a big piece of my childhood but all of that has been taken away and Doctor Who has remained as somewhere that is mostly safe for me to turn to.

I say mostly due to the fact that the show, and in a more overt scene from its spin off, Torchwood, has from time to time made jest of trans people, however this was a reflection of the time in which those episodes were made, and at this stage I am used to media with trans people as the butt of the joke.

The long and short of it is that Doctor Who was a major part of my childhood, and has lead directly to where I am today as a film student. I have friends that I wouldn't have if it were not for our shared love of the show, even my first boyfriend was someone I first connected with through talking about Doctor Who.

I am now no longer a child, but not far from having been one, and the 60th anniversary has been something that I have been looking forward to greatly. When I saw that Yasmin Finney had been cast in the show for the 60th anniversary I was over the moon, but I never expected for the show to address her character being trans, especially as an integral part of the plot.

One of my favourite moments was the discussion between Donna and Sylvia about Rose in the kitchen. It was so real and accurate and well handled. I'm personally not in the same position as Rose with the acceptance from her family, but this has given me hope that things may change, that my parents will maybe start to actually deal with me being trans, and maybe even accept it.

This episode brought all of the classical style and flair and fun of Doctor Who, and addressed and celebrated something that is so integral to who I am as a person, I've been screaming about it to any and all of my friends who will listen.

This episode means so much to me because it celebrates transgender identities on an incredibly popular show, in an episode that is going to be one of the most viewed episodes of the show.

Thank you Doctor Who. Thank you for giving me hope.

[hwaetwegardena]

Last week marked the three-year anniversary of the completion of “The Otter and the Bear,” my first really substantive piece of multichapter fanfic. I wrote it in the thick of the ongoing pandemic while stranded in the (literal) desert, injured and disoriented and dousing everything I ate with green chile. By the time I finished the 404,729 words of the narrative and its epilogues, I had stumbled my way into a community I never otherwise would have found. And for that, I will always be grateful.

I could never come up with a title for the darned thing, so in the very hour before I started posting I went with something that sounded like a fairy tale, focusing on the patronus of each character. My own, according to Pottermore, is a marsh harrier, and I have long had an affection for birds of prey. But I have also been told by aura readers in real life that I am, in fact, a bunny – which, having owned a nervous, delicate, messy lionhead for many years, is very fair.

Whatever creature I may be – bunny or bird – I look back on the time spent writing and sharing this story with an extremely thankful heart.

(Effusive thanks are due as well to the lovely CeciliaOceanSkies for making me this graphic back then, especially with the fancast in that particular suit, because, I mean, really, I am naught but a simp.)

“The Otter and the Bear”

Rating: E

Hermione Granger/Antonin Dolohov

Summary: “In the years since the war, as a ministry employee and personage of some note in the wizarding community, Hermione Granger has put much of her energy towards fostering reconciliation and reform, helping those once under the thumb of Voldemort find redemption, and even growing close to a family she once despised. But how far will her forgiveness extend? When Antonin Dolohov somehow returns from the grave and, literally, waltzes back into her life at a Yule masquerade, bearing a new name, a new mission, and a new promise – to restore her parents’ memories, albeit with one extreme condition – she will have to ask herself how far she will go for her own blood, and how long she can avoid her rapidly changing feelings for the man she once thought a monster. But Antonin is not the only ghost at large, and the stakes get higher and higher as the two of them get closer, week by week, to success – and to each other.”

[crossposted from Instagram]

[lostdrarryfics]

THE BIG FIND 2023: Day 8

The Big Find is a 10-day long Drarry fic-finding marathon to celebrate the blog’s anniversary. Below is the Day 8 compilation of lost fics, both old and new, that we’ve been unable to find. Our aim is to get as much attention to these lost fics as possible, to help people finally find their missing fics! Anyone can participate by reblogging, reading through each list, providing additional fic details, and informing us the title, author, or link of a fic, and their respective number in the comment section. Happy finding!

8.1 Draco really liked Harry but Harry kinda liked Ron I guess. Draco guessed it by saying “You love him (Ron), don’t you?” to Harry and he said yes (I’m sorry if it’s not right). It’s TopDraco and BottomHarry. Harry only called when he wanted sex with Draco. Draco kinda got fed up so he asked why is he like that. Draco decided whatever between them has to stop but Harry disagreed. Angst, a lot of angst and written in Draco’s POV and still on going last time I checked on AO3.

8.2 This fic is not about church I think, and I could not find it on ao3 by the ‘church’ tag definitely, however, I remember that Harry is surprised that Draco went to church and he’s told that it was a pureblood thing - to go to church on Sunday, etc - and Neville told him that he went to the same church with Malfoy when they were children and that is how they knew each other. It is on ao3, though I am not fully sure, probably it is a tumblr fic

8.3 I’m not sure if it was posted on AO3 or just on Tumblr. It was before drarrymicrofic prompts started so I’d guess somewhere from 2015-2019 (2016 or 2017 is best guess), but probably under 1k words (2k would be the max). Fic has MCD and drug use. Written from Harry’s POV (likely 3rd person) with minimal dialogue. After the war, Draco and Harry are both struggling to adjust, turn to drugs, and end up spending time together at clubs/hooking up to escape their thoughts. The drug that they’re into could be fairy dust or something magical, but I’m not too sure. Somehow, Harry starts to get better, starts feeling hopeful about life, is ready to fight his addiction, and is excited about his future that might even include Draco since he’s grown fond. Harry goes to a club one night, ready to talk to Draco about getting better, and makes eye contact with him on the dance floor. Draco falls to the ground and ends up dying of an overdose. There’s a line at the end about Harry seeing the light leaving Draco’s eyes as he hit the floor that always stuck with me because the fic is about falling into a dark place, starting to see the light, and having the light abruptly turned off.

8.4 fic that i read on ao3 around 2021, that i can’t seem to find for the life of me. Its a post hogwarts fic where draco and harry are married and their kids are James, Albus, Scorpius, and Lily. The plot is Lucius comes to live with them after Narcissa dies and he hasn’t really met the kids before but they were close with Narcissa, and it’s from the perspective of the kids per chapter.

8.5 Harry is like a magical painter/designer and paints a room for Teddy/Scorpius? All I really remember are that the paintings moved and included mythical creatures. I also I feel like it had bottom harry in it, but who knows. I believe it was on ao3 but was possibly on FF. I read it mostly likely 3-5 years ago but could be longer. I think it was multi-chaptered and definitely longer than a one shot. I think Harry had painted rooms for Rose and Hugo previously as well as a playroom for teddy and maybe even rooms for Luna and Rolf’s kids? And Draco’s kid really liked the paintings all his friends had and asked his dad to get him one. Mystical creatures in the paintings included dragons, unicorns, flying snitches, etc.

8.6 I can’t remember much about the extension or if it had a second part, but it’s not totally drarry. It’s a fic I read on AO3, Albus’ POV. The Potters have a room (maybe?) at home and there you could play a fantasy. Albus discovers that Harry had an affair with Draco when they were young.

8.7 Harry wants to bring Sirius back from the veil, and Draco is an Unspeakable so Harry goes to him for help, and they eventually succeed (and fall for each other), but Sirius comes back as a baby that they end up raising together alongside Teddy?

8.8 i remember it was about snape and petunia helping harry run away/being on the run and sort of adopting him? i dont remember if snape/petunia was actually romantic in it tho. it was on ao3 and i remember hearing ab it from the author in the notes of another drarry fic (i thought perhaps it was by shanastoryteller but i cant find anything about it so either not them or perhaps it was deleted) it would probably be a wip and i remember wanting to start it last year when there was like 2 chapters out.

8.9 looking for a drarry fanfic from way back, like 2002. I remember the one with the scene where there was a party under the house and they had spin the bottle but there was a line that connected between their lips and don’t go away until they kiss. All I can remember about it was the intro of draco showing up at Harry’s place because his dad was going to kill him. There was the party with the games improved by the twins. Some significant rings were exchanged that had jewels in them that could tell if they were still alive. Also they used to climb into a portrait above their beds and it took them to a secret room so they couldn’t be killed in their sleep. Aka private room for gay sex.

8.10 fic I read a long time ago. It was on AO3 I think. Basically Harry and Draco has this long standing arrangement where they would set up trap/escape rooms to challenge each other. I believe they set it up at Gringotts. They don’t actually know who each other are, they just go by an alias. Harry sets up a room using some kind of instant darkness powder, one of the Weasley wheezes and finally defeats Draco. I believe Harry is an Auror while Draco is an unspeakable. This was a case fic too, and they were somehow put together on an international intrigue case. To resolve one of their issues Harry brought out the instant darkness powder and that was how Draco finally recognize him as the other challenger.

8.11 been trying to find this fic i read so long ago. i’ve been searching for soo long. it’s one where harry and ginny go to a masked ball thing where everyone just plays out their fantasies and harry meets this guy who he does it with. and the guy happens to be draco. also ginny gets double penetrated

8.12 looking for a non-magic au fic where Harry is a thief and he spends a long time scouting out this rich house (with Draco and his family living there) he wants to steal from. One day, he climbs up the side pillar when he thinks the house is empty to enter through a balcony. He sees that Draco’s actually there (they don’t know each other) - he’s beautiful but he hasn’t left his room or touched someone in years. Harry keeps revisiting despite himself and gets Draco to open up to him. They date.

8.13 I can’t remember if it’s an 8th year fic or a rewrite of sorts. But Draco is at hogwarts and befriends the golden trio + luna + Ginny and for some reason I have this memory that in the midst of it all they decide they want to become animagi? And that at some point they come to the conclusion that they’re avatars (for lack of a better word, I guess heirs) for the original founders of hogwarts.

8.14 The magical world is getting itself known to the muggle world, which causes problems and then when a representatives meeting between both sides was held, Harry was surprised to find Draco representing the muggle side after getting exiled from the magical world. I forgot if Draco lost his magic or not. I remember it being a very long one-shot. And I think its quite an old fanfic around 2012-2017s.

[dhr-ao3]

Not Even a Full Drop

Not Even a Full Drop https://ift.tt/clmJP05 by second_breakfast (SenpaiLorac) Theodore just wants what's best for Draco. Unfortunately, the prat is - well - a prat. So its his job, his DUTY, to give him a little push every now and again. This time around? A single drop, not even a full drop of Armorentia was just supposed to let him unwind and be less of a tosser for their friend's Anniversary. It had been a year since anyone had seen Draco out of his Manor. So on principal, is was for his own good. He just didn't realize it would be quite such a big deal. Especially since there had been seven years and a bloody war in between that teenage admission of Draco's small little fancy of the only female of the famous Golden Trio. Honestly, how was he supposed to know it had never just been a little crush? Words: 4260, Chapters: 1/4, Language: English Fandoms: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Categories: F/M Characters: Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger, Theodore Nott, Harry Potter Relationships: Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy Additional Tags: drugged, Drinking, Dancing, Developing Friendships, POV Multiple, POV Draco Malfoy, POV Hermione Granger, POV Theodore Nott, Amortentia Potion (Harry Potter), Amortentia Use, Draco Malfoy is Bad at Feelings, Hermione Granger is Bad at Feelings, Hermione Granger & Theodore Nott Friendship, maybe they fall in love, maybe they dont, No Beta, potential smut, No idea at this point, I wrote this cuz a Facebook Comment Section wanted it, My Typos Are My Own, Eventual Romance via AO3 works tagged 'Hermione Granger/Draco Malfoy' https://ift.tt/tcIamC2 November 09, 2024 at 04:13PM

[jmagnabo92]

GGSB Fest 2024 - Potter and Son's Motorbike Shop

@goodgodfathersiriusblack

Prompt - Motorbike

When Sirius returns, he's a little lost until Harry brings his motorbike back to work on together.

AO3

***

One of the best things about the end of the war was Sirius’ return. He came back on the anniversary of his death and it was exactly what Harry needed.  

His family returned.

Except, well, he was struggling. 

Suddenly a free man with a grown godson and the war officially over, he needed a new purpose in life.

Thus, Harry had taken it upon himself to get them a home together – one without any terrible memories holding them back.  Then, he started prying into what made Sirius happy back before all the nonsense and it was surprisingly Hagrid that reminded him – he always really loved his bike, it’s too bad it got beat up so bad in its last flight.  

And so, Harry got an idea.

“Come on, Sirius, I have something to show you,” Harry says, pulling on his arm.  “I think it’ll help give you a new mission in life.”

“I highly doubt that – and for the record, I don’t need a new mission, I’m doing just fine.”

Harry huffs.  “I’m the only person that you make any kind of effort for, and you keep bemoaning about not knowing what do with your life … well, I found something.”

Sirius rolls his eyes but follows after him into their garage where the door is open, and his bike is waiting.  

He stops in his tracks when he sees it.  “Is this my bike?”

“It is,” Harry states.  “It’s more than a little beat up, but I thought – you loved working on it and maybe you’d like to fix it up?  Maybe I could help.”

Sirius’ eyes light up.  “I’d love that, kid.  Let’s do it.”

“Fantastic.”

***

It takes days, weeks, months of tweaking various things on the bike before Sirius deems the project finished.  

Harry was thrilled with the light in Sirius’ eyes over the past few months and hopes that the end of the project won’t lead back to a hurt Sirius, again.  Especially because he’d changed his tune to take care of Harry ever since he had a new goal in life.  Being the good godfather that he’s known to be.  

“So, I was thinking – now that the bike is finished… you were such a great help and I really enjoyed spending time with you…”

“So did I,” Harry replies, grinning.

“… so what would you think about opening up a motorbike shop?  You and me?  We could work together, spend more time together…”

Harry brightens.  He’d used the motorbike as an excuse to defer his plans for his future, as well, so this was perfect.  “I love it.”

Sirius grins.  “Potter and Son’s Motorbike Shop?”

Harry grins.  “Love it even more.  You were destined to be a Potter.”

“Then, it’s a plan.”

“Brilliant.”

[hafanforever]

Hey everybody! It's my 10 year anniversary on Tumblr 😁😄🥳🎉🎊

I can't believe my Tumblr blog is now ten years old! I first created it mostly to reblog content from animated Disney movies I liked, mostly Brave, which was my current interest at the time. But I also knew that Frozen was coming to out that year, and I was hoping to begin reblogging content for that once it came out.

However, I didn't anticipate that I would end up loving Frozen so much more than I originally anticipated that I would be devoting my Tumblr blog primarily to that movie for years to come! 😁😁😁 I didn't begin writing analyses for it until six months after its release, and I didn't even begin making gifs for it by the time it had expanded to a franchise with its shorts of Frozen Fever and Olaf's Frozen Adventure.

But by the time the full length sequel Frozen II came out in 2019, I had established myself as one of the most prolific writers and gif makers within the Frozen fandom through my Tumblr, and had earned hundreds of followers and lots of friends who were also fans of this movie series. People have praised me for my writings, which has expanded to other Disney media, and others have said I have been a big inspiration to them. 😁😄😉

Unfortunately, I have been a lot less active for much of this year because I have been continuously trying to grow and expand my YouTube channel, which I created back in 2007, but had never used for posting videos, by making walkthroughs of my favorite childhood computer games, such as Nancy Drew, Carmen Sandiego, and Harry Potter. Still, I got a notice today that it is my tenth anniversary of my Tumblr, so I wanted to submit this to share it and my history of being on the site.

Thank you to all my friends on here who have enjoyed my works since I started my Tumblr, whether you were on Tumblr yourself or not. Happy ten years of my Tumblr! 😁😄🥳🎉🎊

[asoulwithadream]

analysis and theory with soul: doctor who 60th anniversary special trailer

"i've got a memory. after a very long time, something's coming back."

i think by this the doctor means the toymaker. the last official encounters between the toymaker and the doctor were in a comic during twelve, however i'm not exactly sure if that is the long time ago which he mentions, since the comics usually have little to no relevance to the televised canon. the last time we physically see the toymaker is during william hartnell's tenure as the first doctor, which explains the very long time (a minimum of 1715 ago years for him! possibly a lot more)

this thing. this furry little thing. i have a feeling that he will be a great cause of annoyance for a lot of the characters in the special and i thank him for it. look at his face. he's allowed to do whatever he wants.

anyways, i think that the toymaker may be after him, for whatever reason. perhaps he has a special power (kind of looks like the hybrid child of a house-elf and demiguise from harry potter— teleportation and future-telling? omg it's a tardis—)

i also maybe have a theory that the rocket which we can see in the trailer is what he arrived in. in the teaser, we can see it (and it looks like something the thing would arrive in) and we can see rose walking towards it. scared, he was carried back to the house in a shed by rose who wanted to help (the box in the teaser), and then she went a got her mum because she had no idea what to do next. however, thing successfully ran away when the external forces began to attack donna's house. rose went after it, and found it there next to the trash, finally getting an answer as to what he is scared of. this being the monsters, or the toymaker's creations.

these being the monsters, sent by the toymaker to collect it. however, the human government seems to also be aware of the thing, and has sent its own forces to go get it. while donna's mum and the doctor are having their little fistfight indoors, maybe-unit and these roach-like things they seem to be getting it on outside.

next point of interest: i think this shot comes first in this specific selection of moments. they seemed to have landed somewhere, with an obviously different lighting than the shots below, so perhaps this is the exterior portion of their environment, (maybe even physically outside) and they're trying to get in through the door behind them, which donna so badassly pushes the button to get through too

they seem to be after something, after something so inexplicably bad which has made the TARDIS run away out of fear, leaving them stranded wherever they are, which is probably the location of the thing they're after. furthermore, throughout the trailer it seems that the TARDIS has been malfunctioning for some reason (having to be carried away by helicopter, this). i think this very bad thing is the reason for both the doctor's distress in the following shots and donna's surrender in those after that.

what i think this place may be is the toymaker's new toyroom. there have been multiple instances of the toyroom breaking, and if we go back to the comic toymaker he was last seen: "a lonely god, drifting through time and space in his magical toy box". (a nice note to the doctor too) we don't know what happened to the toymaker's toyroom, and we don't know how big it can get. the last time the TARDIS was in the toyroom, it was given to the toymaker for an advantage to the doctor. maybe she doesn't want to go through that again, or maybe theres something else coming.

but can we take a moment to appreciate donna's absolute slay in this scene? "something so bad the tardis ran away? then. we go. and kick it's arse!"

i don't like it how these two shots appear to be in the same scene. i really don't like it. i very much really don't like it. it's pretty obvious— same clothing, same lighting, perhaps not in sequence but probably in the same general part of the special.

there is something which has made the doctor Devastated, capital d. and i don't like it. because we've seen that grief usually, rather than causing a temperamental explosion from the doctor with screaming and crying, he becomes resigned, maybe shedding tears but quiet, curling up into himself as if he wished he could collapse like a dying star.

but here he's visibly very upset. "why does it have to be like [this]". maybe its a reflection of his frustration with donna's condition— she can't remember him or else she dies, and maybe prior to this scene something related to that has happened, causing something else to happen to her. OR MAYBE, he's being more generally reflective, angry as to why everyone he holds dear suffers at one point or another, usually because of him.

these thoughts stem from this other shot, which seems to take place in the same general location (background + lighting) and maybe even in the same scene, before the shots above. something is in front of her, and she is scared— a robot? the toymaker? it must be an aggressive object, as she raises her hands in surrender.

additional notes:

the following words will be chaotic and difficult to understand or interpret: OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD WHY IS THE TRAILER SO GOOD OH MY GOD THEY DID IT SO PERFECTLY AND THEY HAD THE DRAMATIC MUSIC AND DEAR ME DONNA NOBLE HONEY LIGHT OF MY LIFE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH YOU ARE YOU ARLIGHT IF ANYTHING HAPPENS TO YOU I WILL EAT MY HAT I WANT TO CRY OMG NOVEMBER CAN'T COME FAST ENOUGH AAAAAAAAAAAH

[bopinion]

2023 / 06

Aperçu of the Week:

"We wanted the best, but it came as usual."

(Viktor Chernomyrdin, former Russian prime minister, in 1993)

Bad News of the Week:

The image of the "People's Democratic Republic" of North Korea is often described as Stone Age communism. While the majority of the population suffers from extreme poverty and, in some cases, famine, Kim Yong Un stages himself as a monarch and operates a strange cult of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles, which he sees as life insurance for his own despotic regime. All of this is done under the eyes of China, a protective power that is difficult to understand, and in distinction from the economically successful brother nation of South Korea.

For a long time, North Korea existed like a country on another planet. Hardly any information penetrated to the outside or the inside, the communicative isolation seemed perfect, the media control total. This still works internally, but in recent months it is the World Wide Web, of all places, on whose map the country is no longer a blank spot. On the one hand, North Korea operates extremely successful hacker cohorts who, in addition to various espionage and disinformation campaigns, also managed to collect at least $1.2 billion in cryptocurrency through online fraud and data extortion. In other words, a concretely lucrative business that flushes foreign currency into the state coffers.

What is unclear, however, is the objective of what is currently the second notable North Korean Internet phenomenon: an apparently broad-based social media offensive. In a series of channels, which according to CNN are new and have been astonishingly successful in a short time, the country is staging itself as a pleasant home for seemingly normal teenagers. Who speak perfect English with a British accent. Who, for example, enjoy popsicles and love to read Harry Potter. Only the former is hardly available and the latter is even officially banned. Why is this done? Good question.

The videos "look like a well-prepared play" scripted by the North Korean government, said Park Seong-cheol, a researcher at the Database Centre for North Korean Human Rights. The scenes shown from the alleged everyday life of youngsters are not completely fake, but staged. For example, there is a water park, a movie theater and an amusement park in Pyongyang. Only these facilities are reserved for an elite class of party officials, military officers and government employees. Like the Internet access these strange influencers use - just like the smartphones that aren't actually available. What's the point when, according to the CIA fact book, only 26% of the population even has electricity? It would be nice if the North Korean tourist office, which wants to open the country's borders to international tourism, were behind this.

More likely, however, it is a red herring. With which the regime wants to influence the current narrative: North Korea is not an isolated country that could attack its neighbors and the United States with nuclear weapons. But rather an ordinary East Asian country where ordinary people like you and me live ordinary lives. Combined with the recent spate of missile launch tests, the latest expansion of the Nyŏngbyŏn nuclear facility documented with satellite imagery, and a new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) unveiled just last Wednesday at the 75th anniversary of the founding of the armed forces, this leaves a queasy feeling.

Good News of the Week:

Probably the death toll of 28,000 from the earthquake in the Turkish-Syrian border region is out of date by the time I post this. The worst series of quakes since scientific records began has devastated an area where nearly 20 million people live. And as events unfold, a whole series of negative findings are coming to light.

The Turkish government is not implementing the regulations that actually apply to buildings in the latently earthquake-prone region. Neither Syria's ruler Bashar al-Assad nor the rebels in the north of the country are allowing solid disaster relief by foreign forces. Enemy nations cannot be stopped from attacking each other even in this situation. Even in the Near East, there are sub-zero temperatures at this time of year. And the Kurds remain constantly the biggest loosers of them all anyway.

Fortunately, many humanitarian highlights are also showing up in the face of adversity. For example, even Sweden, reviled by Erdogan, is sending aid workers to eastern Anatolia. So is the beleaguered Ukraine, which surely would have been admitted a different set of priorities. And those that don't have appropriately equipped aid workers, like the United Arab Emirates, are opening their wallets. And every day there are - still! - improbable miracles, such as the rescue of a heavily pregnant woman who was rescued yesterday after 115 hours under rubble.

What somehow makes one optimistic despite the terrible circumstances is humanity. When people stand by each other in times of need, even though the religion they believe in actually dictates enmity. When official requirements are suspended in order to allow family members who have become homeless to travel to their relatives in Germany, for example. Or when the international community thinks not only about the current rescue, but also about reconstruction afterwards - the EU has already announced a donor conference for those affected.

Even the self-proclaimed crown of creation, which likes to define itself in terms of greed, resentment, jealousy or hatred, is capable of empathy. It's nice that the term "humanity" still has a positive connotation. Even though we so often seem to go out of our way to change that. The heart is probably more than just a blood-pumping muscle after all. And conscience more than a transmission in the synapses of the brain.

Personal happy moment of the week:

I broke a bottle of red wine while shopping the other day. And moistened various purchases in the carrier bag. I noticed most of it and was able to clean and dry it. That the red wine also flowed into a box of cigarillos, I did not even notice. Not until I wanted to smoke one and had a damp, soft stem in my hand. So I put the box open on the heater in the office. And discovered two pleasant side effects of my mishap: the smell of red wine and tobacco at work has an comfortable calming effect. And the taste of the cigarillos gets a pleasant additional flavor. From that perspective, I was able to profitably recycle some of the spilled red wine.

I couldn't care less...

...whether the former head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Hans-Georg Maaßen, who is increasingly conspicuous for his racist and conspiracy-theory tones, can be officially expelled from the conservative CDU. Or whether the high good of freedom of speech also protects him within the party from accountability for his unspeakable statements. The fact that an obviously extreme right-winger could rise as a political official to become the head of the most important authority for upholding the state of lawfulness, of all things, weighs considerably more heavily and calls for more consequences than which membership card he carries around with him.

As I write this...

...I'm drinking a beer not even five hours after I got up today. A tough week in many ways takes its toll. And I tackle the challenge of relaxing Bavarian style.

Post Scriptum

In the German capital Berlin, the House of Representatives will be newly elected today - as a repeat election. This is because the regional election that took place in the fall of 2021 parallel to the federal election was declared invalid by the Administrative Court due to numerous mishaps - from ballots running hout to polling stations closing too late. Realpolitically less relevant, since no result of the election would change e.g. the majority conditions in the Bundesrat, is a look on Berlin nevertheless interesting. On the one hand, out of sarcasm, since this debacle also fits perfectly with the prejudice that simply nothing works in this city. On the other hand, out of curiosity, since in the end every conceivable party constellation is indeed possible. The extent of my tendency toward the former will depend on the first projection in less than an hour on the latter.

[hotarutranslations]

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child!!

Evening

The play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"

The other day, Kudou Haruka-chan invited me, to go see the play 🧙🧹

Before, I've talked about my love for Fruits Basket, I visited the studio for "AniRecoTV" and co-starred with,

Miyama Karen-san 🐭❤️

Also,

They've helped me a lot with Engeki Joshibu, and starred as Minister Kes in Pharaoh no Haka,

Ougi Kei-san 🌸✨️

We met!! Somehow!!

In the drama Duu-san is doing now, She is also co-starring with Miyama-san,

I was able to watch the episode they both appear in so, after it was over, we were able to meet--! Man, it was really really wonderful 😭😭

I'm happy we were able to meet......

The play, was supppeerrr amazing, in any case!

Finally,

Finally in Reiwa,

I had wondered if people with magical abilities would appear in real life lol

While thinking like that, with various things, the more that I understood it, it was a play where amazing things unfolded 🧙🧹

It was a private theater, Akasaka's ACT Theater, I've seen the outside of it a lot,

Its at such a large scale, that this theater is dedicated to it!!!

Eh~~~~~~~~~

Is it a stage, a movie, or reality, It was a strange feeling~~ It was so amazing~~

Also going and seeing it, Fujiwara Tatsuya-san played Harry Potter,

Even if he spoke faster and raised his voice, he had the strength to deliver all of his lines, it was kinda amazing to feel it...

I was moved 🫠🫠🫠

I'm glad~~~~~~

Since its a long-run performance, If you like Harry Potter, really, I strongly think you should definitely go see it!!

I'm not someone who grew up watching Harry Potter so, I watched the movies like buwaaa in order to go to this play, but it was super fun for me 🧙🧹

I also want to go to Toshimaen, and I've come to really want to go USJ too---!

✍️ Tokyo Sports note Series #117 "Morning Musume Best Selection ~The 25th Anniversary~" packed full of dreams, admirations and charms

see you ayumin <3

https://ameblo.jp/morningmusume-10ki/entry-12813669123.html

[konradnews]

USJ Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Harry Potter Opening. Hogwarts Castle Walk," a walking exploration of the magical castle, is revived and opens to the public for the first time inside!

Universal Studios Japan held a ceremony on July 15 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the popular “Wizarding World of Harry Potter” area. In conjunction with this event, “Hogwarts Castle Walk,” an attraction that allows visitors to explore the inside of Hogwarts Castle, will be revived for a limited time from today until December 31. The area, which celebrated exactly 10 years since its grand…

[owllovers]

Owl Plushes from Owl Lovers Store

An owl plush or any plush toys, in general, are usually not on top of our priority list because there seems to be much more important stuff to keep track of. However, with plushies from OWL LOVERS, you will eventually come around to the fact that they are more than something soft and comfortable to cuddle with or rest your back on!

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Owl Stuffed Animals For Babies Are Great Educational Fun

Babies are usually attached to their plushies because these toys are utterly adorable and soft. Adults don’t have to feel worried when children play with plushies, since they have no sharp edges or tiny fragments that can end up dangerous. Aside from developing a sense of touch, a colorful or snowy owl plush can easily encourage children to use their imagination and language to interact with their cute friends. Every activity will become ten times more interesting if babies have someone joining them!

It May Be A Perfect Gift For Your Beloved One

On anniversaries or other special occasions, these plushies will be a brilliant gift for your partner, family, or friends. For example, a Harry Potter owl plush would be perfect for a hardcore fan, and you can make it even better with a greeting card. The variety of sizes from pocket-fit to enlarged is another thing we are proud of. It makes the plushies extremely versatile for the user’s convenience!

It Creates Memories For Its Companion

When children grow up, they will have to face unimaginable but inevitable changes. The memories they shared with their cute Barn owl plush might be crucial to help them feel less nervous. Adults might enjoy the same benefits too, especially when the plushie is a gift from someone they cherish. It is a reminder of how loved they are and you will always be there for them.

Enjoy Your Shopping!

The comfort an owl plush can bring to a child also applies to adults, so you don’t have to be shy about keeping one to yourself or sending one to someone you love. With OWL LOVERS, you will have the best quality and price for your new plushies. Are you ready for the fluffiest shopping session ever?

Source: https://owl-lovers.com/product-category/owl-toys/owl-plushes/

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