#so now that's theon's job. as is most homework

[rising-phnx]

augh I have to do homework for three separate classes when we get home from the laundromat

[shazyloren]

The Room: Chapter 23 - Realising the Chances

Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/12710496/chapters/30386280

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Daenerys had not known how this room worked at first but she was thankful for it appearing to her almost three weeks ago. The room had showed itself to her at her lowest moment, during her mother's death and reminded her that when everything else feels like it's going to shit, Hogwarts cares and will always be there to welcome you home. At least that was how it had felt like.

Then, after some research, she'd discovered mentions of it in different textbooks popping up as a mixture of names.

The Room of hidden things, The place where everything is hidden, the room of requirement, the come and go room. All of them having some basis on needing a particular place to either hide something or yourself for a certain reason. Daenerys remembered reading about this room when learning about it in 'Modern wizarding history', a book on the events of the Second Wizarding War. Half of the school had been hidden in there when Voldemort had taken over Wizarding Britain.

The last account of it she'd found in books of recent memory was of it being burned during the Battle of Hogwarts some one hundred years ago, and yet, here it was appearing to her in the seventh floor corridor by the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy with just a single thought of 'I need to be safe'. The room had obviously got some form of magical containment and had managed to heal itself together as it did not look like any form of burned or charred. It did not even smell as such.

Instead, there were bookcases as high as those in the school library with all the books she could ever dream of reading piled high, general and restricted. Some of the books were falling apart from age but still held that wonderful book smell that she associated with reading late into the night. There were novels of distant lands and travels of successful wizards. There were tales of times past and historical figures, their achievements and their downfalls. There were non-fiction books that doubled up as perfect learning material, all the potions books she could ever need or want.

There was a sitting area for her to read these books, plush and squishy bean bags in pitch black and fire red like her own bedroom back at the family home. The colours of her family's name, colours she wore with more pride than that of the Slytherin green. There was several of them with embroidered pillows and fur blankets to match, all laid out by a roaring fireside which was decorated with detailed Dragons and dancing flowers. Daenerys loved it's black paint job with the gold leaf calligraphy; she wish she had this in her room at the Targaryen residence or in her Slytherin dorm room.

It certainly made her feel safe being squished in a bean bag with a thick blanket and radiating heat from a fireplace. Several times she'd fallen asleep already.

By the back of the room near a fake window letting in fake light was a large, rustic oak table with a black pewter cauldron in the middle surrounded by crystal vials and velvet bags of all sorts of ingredients. It was all rather dusty but had such a homey vibe. Daenerys thought of how she'd always wanted a potions room in whatever house she owned in the future, it was one of the ways she kept her head together. Making potions and discovering new ones, of course she hadn't done this in a while so this was why there was a lack of togetherness inside her.

There was also a desk by the bookcases, also oak and old, but sturdy. There was enough room for her parchment and quill and storage of up to a couple of books she would be using at any one time to complete homework. The walls were large stone brick, but it was draped with curtains and tapestries of all four houses. Greens and Silvers and Reds and Golds and Yellows and Blacks and Blues. They created a layer of warmth that added to the room, keeping heat in rather than losing it like the rest of the school was during winter time. It really was somewhere she could feel... safe.

Even if it was away from people.

But now, this being her sixth visit to this wonderful room since her first discovery of it, she was sitting in her favourite spot not thinking of all this, but thinking of Defence Against the Dark Arts. This was quickly becoming her favourite place in all of hogwarts. The black bean bag with the draped red throw on it by the fireplace was where she was located as she did some reading for her Defence lesson later on in the week, wondering just how much she was going to have to improve in a short amount of time. She had a clock thankfully in the room to keep an eye on the time for her. She was supposed to be meeting Missandei outside the barrels near the entrance of hufflepuff basement later on.

Missandei had been terrified when Daenerys was chosen to enter the tournament, it was the most vocal she'd ever been. She called her folly for retaliating to Joffrey's taunts and told her she should've left Jon to win the glory himself in this tournament. Daenerys had told her she was scared, but it was what it was now and all she could do was prepare and have constant vigilance of her surrounding throughout the tournament.

No one celebrated with her either, so that was why she came to the room most evenings. Even if it was terrifying to be a contestant in this dangerous game, she had faced worse from her brother for years. She'd hoped that at least one person would show support for her besides Missandei and the Sand Twins, but she had been wrong. Everyone was wearing 'Support Snow' badges around the halls and Daenerys was half sick of it. So she sulked most evening in this very room, swearing to herself to get better at Defence, to really show them who was going to win this tournament.

If they all really thought he'd do better than her because of him being better at Defence then they were going to be in for a shock. For one thing, it would be a test of general intelligence. There would be puzzle to solve and riddles to crack. And Daenerys had done her fair share of those. And if they knew what had happened to her the past four years, they wouldn't be calling her weak. They would be giving her the best odds for pure resilience to shit being thrown her way.

She was strong in so many more areas than he was her yet they were never going to give her a thought. Daenerys wondered if that might suit her better. She could be the underdog, quietly get through the tasks (depending on what they are) and come out the eventual win at the other end. While Jon hadn't done anything on their patrols to aggravate her, on the contrary he'd been lovely to walk the halls with, he'd been walking with a swagger that Daenerys only associated with being the cock of the walk. She'd seen it whenever Baratheon strutted into the common room or whenever Theon successfully got one of the teachers to drink liverworms.

But she'd soon make him walk like an insecure and scared child when she showed her prowess in the tournament. If she gets Defence down, then she'd have to be the favourite, the other competition wasn't anything special from first glance. She was exceedingly good in Potions, she'd have her vials of strength and pepper up potions with her hidden in her robes if her health were to decrease a little. She had mastered how to make her strength potions more potent with none of the negative side effects through the use of knox grass.

Daenerys was also extremely good in Care of Magical Creatures. She had a second sight almost with wild beasts and forest imps, she was able to bond with them all immediately. Whether it was getting a Bowtruckle to stay still for some sketchings or making a proud Hippogriff feel respected, Daenerys was able to achieve it all. She would be able to face all creatures, even dragons heaven forbid, if she was lucky enough. A Dragon was the one thing Daenerys would love to see in her lifetime, but she did not go into the wild or visit the sanctuary's in Romania and the like.

She was also a dab hand at Ancient Runes, there wasn't a symbol in Spellman's Syllabry that Daenery did not recognise in her sleep. If there was a rune to be translated in the tournament then for sure she'd be able to succeed in these areas. Daenerys even know of one's not in Spellman's Syllabry, which was few and far between. She'd known of the Deathly Hallows symbol from the second wizarding war and had researched other further, including fashioning her own symbol to sign letters.

Damn Defence being a pain in my arse, she angrily thought as she reread the same paragraph three times over.

Daenerys was re-reading about Boggarts, one of her many weaknesses when it came to Defence. Her Boggart had changed many forms over the years. Firstly, it had been her father, he had scared her loads as a child and she'd always been more afraid of him than anything. Secondly it had turned to the notion of rejection, this was around the time they moved to the UK. She'd been scared of the Wizarding population rejecting her family and not having a place to fit in. This it turned out, was nothing compared to what it turned into afterwards.

Since that fateful Christmas four years ago, all the Boggarts Daenerys had faced had taken the form of her brother. He would always look the same as that first time, in his Quidditch gear and covered in mud. If Daenerys stood frozen long enough, he would turn angry and stalk towards her, even if shakily she was able to turn him away with a small 'Riddikulus'. It always felt so real, brought about the same nausea as she felt the memories take over and relive the experience.

She hadn't thought on Viserys for a few days, even though she'd been inundated with letter from him that were all left unopened at the bottom of her school bag. Every morning without fail since the choosing of the champions his owl would show up with post and drop it onto her plate of egg and bacon. She would ceremoniously at this point, shove the letters in her bag without a second thought and continue with her day as if nothing had happened.

Perhaps she should read them, give them to Professor Lannister to pass onto the ministry as evidence in her case. It would only help, particularly if the contents was explicit and harmful. She did not miss reading those types of letter from him; ones where he laid out explicitly what he was going to do to her body when she got home off of the train for Christmas or for the summer. She used to read them in fear, but now, knowing his world would soon come crashing down on him when they arrested him for the horrendous acts he'd done to her, she was strong against the harm her words would cause him.

"Best get it over with" She grumbled to herself as her eyes flickered over tot he clock, she had an hour before Missandei would be finished with her study group for Arithmancy in the library. Yes, Missandei had gone to the Library on saturday with a study group. Daenerys had been so proud of her, even if she didn't say anything and just nodded and agreed with the others, it was a huge step for her in becoming more confident speaking to others.

Ripping the band aid off, she grabbed a letter and opened it with force. The Parchment ripped slightly but she did not care.

Dearest sister,

You've been busy, my little clam. Ignoring the only brother that actually cares for you, that holds you like no one else at your own mother's funeral and enter a tournament for a cash prize and glory. You've changed, I'm not sure I like the new Dany. She has forgotten her place as my property. My body misses our little excursions, even if you've done nothing but anger me since you've left. The way you left too, not letting me have one more good fuck with you before you left for the train.

Still, summer will come around before we both know it and once again your little cunt will be mine. I have tried to speed this up, but for reasons unknown Professor Lannister is stopping his students going home for Christmas, so it will be June before we see each other again.

Remember, you're mine.

Viserys III

Daenerys had to laugh or she may have caused a lot of property damage in her newly discovered room. The way he talked about her as if she was nothing more than a brainless oaf for him to fuck, to play with. How dare he, she thought as her blood fired up and her eyes began to sweat with rage. She loathed him, despised him, and not a single fibre in her body regretted telling Professor Lannister.

Daenerys was excited that Viserys did not know the fury she was going to unleash on him, she almost wanted to be there when he was arrested. What would be his defence? There was none, no defence he could cover his acts with.

Acting on this thought, she opened the rest of the letters and they were all of a similar manner, with one going into very graphic detail about how it felt for him to be inside his sweet sister that made Daenerys stomach turn. Feeling defiance wash over her she packed her back up and held the letters tightly in her hands as she left her sanctuary and began the long journey towards the Headmaster's tower.

There was only one place she was going to take these letters, to Professor Lannister to be put in as evidence.

Viserys was a vile human being and Daenerys was going to enjoy watching him crumble.

[ailelie]

santa claus or definitely not prefic for the thing that isn’t a fic

Theon never believed in Santa Claus. His older brothers and father had made certain of that. After he proudly proclaimed this in kindergarten with a sneer toward others' beliefs, little Robb Stark had grabbed his sleeve at recess and tugged him over by the broken see-saw and said, "I know Santa isn't real, too. But my sister is too little and likes Santa still. My dad says we can be Santa for other people. Like, here--" and he pulled Theon back into the school. Theon could have pulled away at any moment, but he hadn't really made a friend yet and sneaking back their classroom was kind of fun.

In the classroom, Robb quickly and quietly put all the books in the story corner back on the shelves and he motioned for Theon to put away the art supplies. When Robb thought he heard the teachers coming back, he and Theon ran into the kindergarten bathroom. When the teachers caught them, Theon pretended to have a bellyache and Robb, to his credit, immediately joined in and said he was helping.

The teachers made Theon and Robb go sit in the classroom, so they were there to hear the teachers' pleased surprise when they saw the classroom. Theon and Robb glanced at each other and grinned. And, from that point onward, they were friends.

Theon learned early on that he should not ask his father for anything. Greyjoys did not ask, they took. If Theon wanted something, he should just get it himself. So he stole from his older brothers and shoplifted school supplies until Robb caught him and made sad faces. He got little jobs here and there, often lying about his age just to get work and cash. When he was 12, the Starks hired him to babysit Sansa, Arya, and Bran while they were busy elsewhere in the house. Then, when he was 13, they started letting him, Robb, and Jon watch the younger three alone for a couple hours while they ran errands. Theon overcharged by a lot, but the Starks paid.

Even so, it wasn't enough for his archery tournament. He was 14 and his father hated his ribbons and trophies. No Greyjoy needed someone else telling them they were good enough, but Theon loved to compete. Theon had already resigned himself to missing the eighth grade field trip, but archery was so much more important. So he did the unthinkable; he asked his father for help.

Theon had not asked his father for anything since he was a baby and this would the last time he'd ask until he was on the cusp of graduating high school. He asked and his father ridiculed him. Greyjoys did not prance around and perform for trophies or praise! And then he told Theon that he wished Theon had died instead of his brothers.

Theon ran away and lived with Robb for a week until his sister came and dragged him back home. She also gave him the money for his tournament and told him he better win. When he took first place, he gave her his trophy in thanks.

Theon did not speak to his father for over a year. His father did not seem to care. And Theon hated him. He hated feeling like a ghost in his own house. He still babysat for the Starks, most often looking after just Arya, Bran, and Rickon, usually with Robb's help. He was banned from discussing religion, though. Cat had not been pleased by Arya's announcement that she was an atheist "like Theon." He slept over at least one night a week and nearly cried when Robb proudly showed him that the new couch in the basement was a pull-out.

Theon knew he didn't belong, but he had room to move in the Stark house. People paid attention to him. He helped Sansa with her math and science homework and Cat thanked him for it. Robb let him keep important things like a picture of his mom and his first blue ribbon in one of his drawers. Ned pointed out an unused closet in the basement and said Theon could store some clothes there.

Theon liked pretending people knew he mattered without him having to tell them. His father started talking about Theon taking over the barges. Theon dreamed of college.

When Theon was 19, he had an acceptance letter from the local university (he had not spent the money to apply anywhere else, besides, there was no way Robb would attend anywhere other than where his parents taught). He would continue living at home. He didn't need a meal plan. But the tuition was still high. 

He needed his father to co-sign a loan.

So Theon asked his father for help for the very last time. His father told him to leave and stay gone.

Private loans were an option, but he was going to need housing and food and his college dreams started to fade.

But the Starks offered him the basement. He refused. He was tired of hand-outs (that and so many more of his father's words still stung).

But then Robb stole his phone and called Asha. Asha who had her own apartment and an open room. She even refused to charge him rent.

The room wasn't much, but his old 8th grade archery trophy sat atop a beat-up dresser and so it was enough.

Later, Robb dragged him to the school's financial aid office and he's even got a couple scholarships now. He cares so much more than he lets on and he really isn't sure what to do with the thought that teaching physics would actually not be the worst. Robb's the only one who knows this and he knows better than to tease.

Theon never believed in Santa Claus, but he does believe a little bit in Robb Stark.