#the hcu

[girl-named-matty]

If evil why friend shaped 😦

[ps-cactus]

some fluff by @girl-named-matty 🥹💖

[acslytherpuff]

let‘s see how the HCU prepared christmas.. ✨

Matty helping Alvin baking some yummm pastries.

Alex using the „oh a mistletoe“ trick everytime he is alone with cassie.

Ale don‘t getting the chance to be Val‘s secret love santa this year.

Florence & James enjoying the winter speeds *whooossh*.

Damien and Sebastian building some snowman to entertain the little hogwarts students.

Ellie & freddie napping cuz exhausted from decorating.

Alyn enjoying some ✨christmas coffee and gossip gaunt ✨

Poppy getting her present early (and so do tori hihi)

Jo and silas are packing the presents for friends

~

Merry (belated) Christmas everyone! 🤍

matty & cal & silas by @girl-named-matty ; freddie by @freddiestheproblemchild ; ellie by @accio-bagel ; tori by @espressoristretto-patronum ; damien by @theladyofshalott1989 ; alyn by @ps-cactus ; ale & val by @savingsallow ; jo by @ravenwind-75 ; florence & jaimsen by @leaping-toadstool-caps

most christmas mods by zorya_moon

Poses not all mine!

[theladyofshalott1989]

"When Sledding Goes Wrong… or Very, Very Right?" // Sebastian Sallow x MC Hurt/Comfort

(Another HCU winter one-shot... because I can't be stopped. Apparently. 🤣)

*Note: This was meant to be more HCU-themed, but Sebastian wanted it to be about HIM, naturally, and, since he always gets his way...  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Summary: Sebastian has broken his arm, but is he going to tell anyone about it? ...Not unless there's kissing involved.

Word Count: 876

[ AO3 Link ]

Sebastian was fairly certain his arm was broken. Honestly, it wasn’t all that surprising—he and Damien had spent the entire morning sledding, and things had quickly escalated into increasingly risky stunts, especially after Florence, Jaimsen, Poppy, and Tori joined in. Between the sharp turns and wild spins, something like this was bound to happen. But was he going to mention it? Absolutely not.

 “One more run down the hill?” Damien said, the tip of his nose and the apples of his cheeks flushed a delightful pink from the frigid air. 

Sebastian hesitated. As much as he wanted to say yes, the dull throb in his arm made the decision for him. “I think I’ll sit this one out,” he said, dropping into the snow. He maneuvered his arm into what he hoped was a less excruciating position, all while forcing a grin to stay firmly plastered in place.

“Come on, Sebastian!” Poppy shouted from the top of the hill, cupping her hands around her mouth. Tori was beside her, placing the finishing touches on a rather impressive looking snowman. She’d gone so far as to give it a perfectly sculpted mustache. In the words of Tori, it was molto bene. “One more run!” Poppy continued. “Don’t be a coward.” Her grin turned mischievous as she whipped a snowball from behind her back and lobbed it straight at him.

The snowball struck Sebastian squarely in the chest, and he let out a strangled shout. The sudden jolt sent a fresh wave of agony through his arm; he tried and failed to stop his eyes from watering.

Damien noticed. Because of course he did. 

“Sebastian!” Damien called, abandoning his sled entirely. He sprinted down the hill, skidding to a halt only after sending a flurry of snow over Cal and Val, who had been making snow angels on the ground. They yelped indignantly. 

“Poppy, stop it! He’s hurt!” Damien yelled. 

Florence and Jaimsen paused in their climb up the hill as Poppy exclaimed, “Oh no! I didn’t know. I’m so sorry, Sebastian.” Sebastian could’ve sworn he heard Tori mutter under her breath, “He’s probably faking it,” but his arm hurt far too much to argue. 

Sebastian waved Damien off weakly with his good arm. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not,” Damien said, sinking to his knees beside him. His hands fluttered in the air uncertainly for a moment before settling on Sebastian’s shoulder. “I saw your face. You’re in pain.”

Sebastian groaned but didn’t resist as Damien’s fingers moved with practiced care, feeling for injuries. In fact, it felt rather nice. Not that Sebastian would every admit that aloud. When Damien gently touched the back of his head and made steady, piercing eye contact with him, Sebastian bit back a laugh. “Relax, I don’t have a concussion.”

“Where does it hurt?” Damien asked, clearly unamused.

Sebastian sighed. “My arm.”

Damien’s brow furrowed, and he leaned closer, inspecting the awkward angle at which Sebastian cradled his arm. “Why didn’t you say anything? You—”

“Because,” Sebastian cut in, “I didn’t want to ruin the fun.”

Damien tossed him an exasperated look. “You’re truly maddening the majority of the time.” He stood back up and glanced toward the others further up the hill. "Stay here,” he commanded. “I'll get a Wiggenweld from my satchel, then we can head to the infirmary."

Before Sebastian could argue, Damien was already marching back up the hill, pausing just long enough to fling a snowball of his own at Poppy. “That was for Bash!” he yelled. His throw must have been a force to be reckoned with for Poppy fell backward with a loud oof the instant it made contact with her petite body.  

Sebastian laughed despite himself, which dissolved into a groan as his arm protested. Trust Damien to fuss over him and still find time for revenge. How very typical. 

After a talking down from Tori, Damien returned with a small vial of Wiggenweld in hand. He knelt beside Sebastian, proffering it to him. "This will help," he said.

Sebastian downed the potion in one massive gulp. As the warmth spread from his mouth, down his throat, and finally to his arm, where it settled like a warm blanket, he smiled up at Damien. "Thanks," he murmured.

Damien brushed a stray curl away from Sebastian’s face, tucking it lovingly behind his ear. "Anytime. But," he leaned in, his lips just a breath away from Sebastian's, "next time, let me know sooner."

The pain in Sebastian’s arm was momentarily forgotten. "Are you going to kiss me now, or make me wait?"

Damien chuckled. "Hm, hard to say," he teased before finally planting a quick peck on Sebastian's lips.

Sebastian would have pulled him in for a deeper kiss, but Damien jumped away. "Infirmary first. Kissing later."

"Fine," Sebastian whinged, “but I’m holding you to that.” 

“As you should."

“Don’t you forget now.”

Damien mock gasped. “I’d never!”

Merlin, this boy. 

“You two haven’t left yet?” Tori shouted from the top of the hill. “Get a move on!”

“We’re going, we’re going,” Sebastian replied, as Damien helped him to his feet, a sly smile on his face.

Infirmary now, kissing later. It was a plan. Maybe breaking his arm wasn’t such a bad thing after all.  

MCs mentioned:

tori by @espressoristretto-patronum ; val by @savingsallow ; florence & jaimsen by @leaping-toadstool-caps ; cal by @girl-named-matty ; damien evans (my boy) <3

[leaping-toadstool-caps]

𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫

A/N: Just a lil piece I wrote AGES ago and I figured because it's getting close to the end of winter I'd post it :D

"No, no, I'm sure that Alyn was staying anyway. Anna definitely is, but I'm sure Alyn was too-"

"Students, may I have your attention please?"

James sat up quickly as Professor Weasley's voice rung through the Great Hall. He, Poppy, Alvin, Tori and Theo were digging into breakfast quickly so they could have some time in the snow before classes started.

"Fortunately, Headmaster Black has granted me permission to make this announcement." Professor Weasley continued. "For fear of pupils being unable to concentrate in lesson due to the cold weather, all classes will be postponed for all students for these last two days before the Christmas break. Do be careful out there, it is rather icy and we wouldn't want any students going home with broken bones."

The entire Hall erupted in a loud cheer. Tori whooped, punching James' shoulder.

"Snow day!" Poppy cheered, and Tori kissed her cheek.

"As usual, the quidditch pitch is open despite games being cancelled, if students so wish they may indulge in snow activities. However I must ask that you all please do use your wits and do not perform any stunts that I would class as dangerous."

"Alvin! Theo!" Matty rushed towards the Hufflepuff table looking flushed and excited. "Mum just gave me permission to stay in Hogwarts for Christmas break!"

"Yes!" James gave an excited air punch. "That's almost all of us, minus Cassie, Damien, ermm, Val, I think? Oscar's staying, I have no clue about Freddie, I think we're also missing a confirmed answer from Luci and Alyn. All we have to do is convince a few more adults and then we'll have the BEST Hogwarts Christmas ever!"

"Cassie's staying here." Alvin said quietly as Matty sat beside him. "Trouble at home." James gave Alvin's shoulder a squeeze to try and comfort him.

"Anyone got any news on Freddie?" Tori asked.

"His dad still refused to let him stay, but Freddie said he wouldn't get on that train home if his life depended on it." Jo said as she joined the conversation, sitting herself down. "I do hope he isn't punished for it. You know what his dad's like."

The rest of the group filed in. Val was grinning when she sat down, and she placed a sheet of parchment on the table.

"Professor Hecat herself wrote my parents a letter explaining why I have to stay. I have no clue what the letter says, but Hecat must've been persuasive because my mother let me stay in Hogwarts!"

Everyone cheered, and Matty hugged Val tight.

"Damien! Any news?" Luci asked with a smile.

"I'm allowed to stay" Damien said with a slight flush, though he didn't elaborate.

"Oh good! I had hoped so after-" Ellie cut off as Damien shot her a subtle death stare.

"What about Roan?" Damien asked quickly.

Roan raised a hand. "Easier for me to stay here, anyway"

"Gah, where the heck is Alyn?"

Jo replied, "I'm sure she woke up early, she wasn't in the dorm this morning"

"Alyn said she was gonna miss breakfast. Had something to take care of in the library. But I'm pretty sure she's staying" Luci furrowed her eyebrows.

Val nudged her, "d'ya think she's with-"

Luci quickly shushed her.

"I'm assuming Alex is staying if Alvin is" Val said casually. Cassie immediately perked up, sitting up a bit straighter. "What about the other set of twins?"

"Oscar's still checking things off his apology list. He's trying to make up for the damage he caused in fifth year" Cal explained, "Kiel is staying though. Him and Alvin are practicing for Quidditch"

"In this weather?" Jo furrowed her eyebrows. "I do hope they don't catch a flu."

"They'll be okay" James assured her.

"Jamie, where's Ren?" Cassie asked suddenly. Florence raised a hand from his seat at the end of the table. His nose was buried in a book as always, and he had a dark blue shawl wrapped around him, his pale nose pink from the cold.

"Before you ask, yes I'm staying here" Florence said sounding bored. "And yes, I've heard every word of your conversation. Reading doesn't make me deaf."

James grinned, moving to sit next to Ren. He threw his arm around his shoulder, and Ren shrugged him off pretended to ignore him, but everyone was certain the flush on his face was no longer from the cold.

"Is that everyone? Me, Ren, Cassie, the twins, the other twins, Poppy, Tori, Ellie, Luci, Val, Ale, Roan, Cal, Matty, Freddie, the triplets, Damien-"

James paused, eyes widening. "Damien? Is Sebastian staying?"

Damien flushed. "I... I did manage to convince him. I think he is."

James grinned knowingly. "I think that's all of us! Now, let's head outside because I've been itching to get my fingers on that frozen good-ness all morning"

[ravenwind-75]

AHHH TRACEY I LOVE THIS SO MUCH!

It’s good to see @diana-bluewolf Chris and @lil-grem-draws Will also!! Love them and hope they hang more.

The chaos is amazing! I summed it up.

So left to right we have Will Abbot, Chris Mongrel, Val, Ellie, Jo running away. And I guess that’s Cal or Ale yelling? One of them is in the smoke cloud 😂

I really think that’s Ale because the eyes kind of look like his sunglasses and also he’s defending Val and his bestie Cassie 💚

Then Damien yelling because Seb got conked out and then Alex yelling about Cassie. And poor shocked Alyn and Matty shielding herself.

Freddie is definitely on his way to save Ellie. ❤️‍🔥

Then we have Alvin with his cup, Tori, and Jaimsen. Glad Theo got out of there. Hahaha!

~~

Then we were discussing poor Seb 😂

@theladyofshalott1989 said when I asked what she thought happened to conk him out:

“Hahaha maybe NFY threw a plate or something when he was finished with it? Or a glass? Whichever is heavier… poor bash lol. But he’ll be happy when Damien fawns all over him to make sure he’s okay.”

Win win 😂

And then the hilarious @accio-bagel chimed in with

“Bashed”

~~

Thanks again Tracey we love you and have been talking about this all day! 💖

—

Featured MCs:

Jo @ravenwind-75

Ellie @accio-bagel

Alex, Alvin, and Cassie @acslytherpuff

Val and Ale @savingsallow

Cal and Matty @girl-named-matty

Jaimsen @leaping-toadstool-caps

Tori @espressoristretto-patronum

Alyn @ps-cactus

Damien @theladyofshalott1989

Chris @diana-bluewolf

Will @lil-grem-draws

And the NFY @traceyc-uk

„pweaaaaase! sit with us!“

cassie would try to win the new fifth year for the slytherin table hehe.🥹

(based on your comment at the munch munch scenario, i needed to do this!🤍)

I loved this munch munch post, how could he say no to that adorable pouty face 🥹 though I don’t know how much of a win it would be…

The other house tables would breath a sigh of relief once they see his terrible table manners

Only half exaggerating, he’s actually very well behaved

[ravenwind-75]

Hi everyone, welcome to my HL blog

Name: Raven or Jo like my main HL mc (most do)

She/ Her

Profiles:

Wattpad

ao3

Requests for writing: (closed)

I don’t take NSFW requests

Asks are open ……………

I am not a minor but I don’t mind interacting with them. Any age is free to enjoy my fanfics etc. I don’t write smut However, some parts can get dark, especially in upcoming fics so please be careful when reading them cuz ily. 

I love interacting with my fave moots but then I don’t really have favorites so feel free to comment, send asks, or dm to say hi whenever you want. I am currently in college so I may not get back to you as soon as I was able to this summer but I will get back to you when I can, I promise. I love making new friends. 

I play on PS4. I do have a Discord and I am part of some amazing servers so if you’re ever interested in a great 18+ one let me know and I’ll add you. Heads up: I don’t just accept friend requests, I have to get to know you a bit and interact on a server first :))

My MCs

Art <3

Johanna Newman (my main: All other stuff is under the tag it’s hard to keep adding lol) make sure to look it up under my blog or else you won’t see everything)

Ember Karlsson (main intro coming eventually)

Adelia Gray (as sus as her last name, intro not done)

Canon Relationship #jominis

Jominis intro

Writing:

MASTERLIST

Tag: ravenwindwrites

HEADCANONS:

Military Ominis

Fics ft. me?!: But Daddy I love Him. ( with a character inspired by me😭)

Things to remember:

- au’s I’m a part of #hayrosecinematicuniverse #hcu #thehcu

- Tags to remember: #ravenwindshares #ravenwindwrites #ravenwindwritinginfo #jominis

THE HCU

created by @acslytherpuff and @girl-named-matty

(featuring Jo)

Snow day ,Girl's Night Out ,Spin the Bottle , Carpe Diem , Sticking together

Text posts

Pt 1:

Her HCU AU bf Silas Evander belongs to @girl-named-matty

More coming about him soon 💚

[sillylotrpolls]

For those not familiar, a complete list of the definitely real and not just made up for a joke TCU films can be found here.

Since I obviously couldn't fit all 24 movies into the poll, I've left off any title with a Rotten Tomatoes score over 85% (The Grey Wizard, Shadow of War, etc), and of course the two movies that got Oscar noms (Aragorn, Shadow of Mordor).

Previous poll for TV series here.

[accio-bagel]

✧ Look what my friends made ✧

Everything other brilliant creators in the HL fandom have made of my MC, Ellie, all together in one place just because they make me happy 🥰

✧ Art ✧

Ellie and Eloise by @myokk

Ellie and other beautiful MCs by @lyworth

Ellie by @rypnami

by @theladyofshalott1989

✧ Edits ✧

Album cover, BG3 quotes, Whoops, by @ps-cactus

✧ Screenshots ✧

Slytherin Quidditch, Damien's Birthday, Girlies by @acslytherpuff

Group photo, Girlies, and HCU Christmas, Group Hug by @girl-named-matty

Animal Crossing AU by @rypnami

✧ MC x MC AU Ship ✧

[More to come on this during less busy times!] Ellie's academic rival, Frederick Harpis, belongs to @freddiestheproblemchild

Freddie & Ellie and Potions Class by @girl-named-matty

Kisses, Sleepy Christmas, Potions Class, and Ellie x Freddie by @acslytherpuff

✧ Fanfic Mentions ✧

✧ Girls' Night Out by @theladyofshalott1989

✧ Spin the Bottle by @leaping-toadstool-caps

✧ Just be Completely You by @ravenwind-75

✧ Quidditch AU Shenanigans by @rypnami

✧ A Yule Ball Date by @ravenwind-75

✧ Carpe Diem by @theladyofshalott1989

💚

Thank you again to everyone here! It's still wild to me that anyone outside my own head is remotely interested in her 🥹

[savingsallow]

— my fave childhood friends to lovers✨

Callan Gaunt belongs to bb @girl-named-matty ❤️‍🔥

amazing shots by the QUEEN: @acslytherpuff 👑

[freddiestheproblemchild]

Everything is okay, I'm fine, @acslytherpuff is just feeding my obsession over my boy Freddie 😭😭😭

[girl-named-matty]

Don't bring up the lack of Gryffindors 😂

She's a little sad about the lack of Gryffindors.😂 You can get away with teasing and poking but if you upset Matty, you're done for. Great going, Cal lol.

MC's used - Alex, Alvin, Cassie by @acslytherpuff, Ale & Val by @savingsallow, Freddie by @freddiestheproblemchild, Tori by @espressoristretto-patronum, James by @leaping-toadstool-caps, Ellie by @accio-bagel, Damien by @theladyofshalott1989, Jo by @ravenwind-75, & Alyn by @ps-cactus.

[ps-cactus]

Great Hall shots by @acslytherpuff ✨

Jo @ravenwind-75 Alyn @/me Ominis joke @accio-bagel 😆

Damien @theladyofshalott1989 Alex @acslytherpuff

[acslytherpuff]

⋆⁺₊❅ HCU Christmas: day one.

- alex & cassie

[theladyofshalott1989]

"Carpe Diem" (An HCU Winter One-Shot)

Summary: The HCU has returned to Hogwarts after their various holiday escapades. On a snowy day in January, they make up for lost time.

Word Count: 2,187

[ AO3 Link ]

4th January, 1893

// 5 AM //

“Why in Merlin’s ever loving name are we up this early?” Alvin asked Matty through a yawn. 

Matty, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, donned bright red antler ears despite the terrible hour. Naturally, she’d already perched a matching set on Alvin’s unsuspecting head. With a wide grin, she piped back, “Pastries, of course!”

“Right.” 

“They need to be done before everyone wakes up!” 

She was too perky. Too perky and then some. Though Alvin had to admit he found it rather endearing. But he was so tired, darn her!

“Remind me,” he continued. “Why are we baking Christmas pastries in January?”

“Because not all of our friends were here over the holidays, silly!” Matty leapt over to Alvin and dolloped his nose with a touch of flour. She giggled.

“Right.” Alvin waited for her to turn around before bringing his hand to his nose, touching it delicately, smiling, and then scrubbing away the evidence.

Just in time, too, as she swiveled around and said, “Now help me with the dough, please.”

“Anything for you, dear,” came Alvin’s playful reply. 

The day may have started early, but beginning it with Matty made it all worth it. 

// 6 AM //

“Get up! Get up! Get up, Sebastian!”

Sebastian jolted awake, scrambling up in bed with a speed that could rival a Hippogriff soaring over the Black Lake. “Damien! What is it?” he shouted, his heart suddenly pounding in his chest.

“Snow, Sebastian! Snow!”

Sebastian sighed. Ah yes, of course. How could he forget? Damien and snow were practically soulmates. “...And?” he asked, peeling the sheets off of his body. 

He squinted at Damien, who was bouncing up and down near the window. The sunrise streaming through the curtains cast a dull red glow on Damien’s dark blond hair, making him appear as if he’d been dipped in firelight. Thank Merlin Damien’s roommates were still away for the holidays. Otherwise, they’d surely be awake by now, thanks to Damien’s overflowing excitement.

“You promised me we’d make snowmen together!”

“...Now? It’s—” he groped for his pocket watch on the nightstand, squinting at the face before groaning, “6 AM. Can it wait?” 

“No,” Damien said, pouting. 

“Right. Fantastic.” The sarcasm was implied. Damien was lucky he had a pretty face. “But breakfast first. Please .” His stomach growled in agreement. 

Damien beamed back at him, too excited to be put out by Sebastian’s grumpiness. “Yes! Hurry, hurry,” he said, tossing Sebastian’s clothes onto the bed in a messy pile.

“I’m hurrying,” Sebastian grumbled.

It was shaping up to be a very long day indeed. But at least there was food first, and Damien, too, he supposed. Ugh, fine. 

// 7 AM //

“Wheeeeeeee!” Florence’s hair flopped into his face as he sped down the hill, his sled propelled by the hefty push James had given it mere moments before. 

James was surprisingly strong, wasn’t he? Quite impressive, really. 

“Again!” Florence called, catching sight of James at the top of the hill, grinning like he was king of the hill, or maybe just king of Florence’s heart. 

James cupped his hands around his mouth and hollered back, “It’s my turn though!”

“Alright, that’s fair.” Florence doubted James could hear him from this far away, but he leapt to his feet and began the trek back up the hill, his sled bumping along behind him. 

Today was going to be a great day.

// 8 AM //

Jo and Silas had kicked off the day early, determined to make sure everything was perfect. Later this morning, they planned to surprise their friends, all of whom had returned from their various Christmas holidays, with belated gifts—something they’d been scheming for weeks.

Well, perhaps ‘scheming’ wasn’t the best choice of word. It was, after all, a very kind gesture on their part.

Jo smiled, picking up her third gift box of the morning, checking its contents and then beginning the process of wrapping. 

“What’s in that one?” Silas asked, pointing at the present in her lap. As he did, his thigh brushed against hers, and Jo’s cheeks instantly flushed.

Stay calm, stay calm, she told herself. It’s just his thigh. Don’t panic.

“Erm, it’s a hat and scarf I knitted myself,” she somehow managed to eke out.

Silas’s eyes widened. “I didn’t know you knitted.”

Jo’s gaze dropped to her hands. “Oh, uh, there’s… there’s a lot you don’t know about me,” she mumbled, adding quietly, “but, uh, maybe you’ll find out more… eventually.” 

Smooth, Jo. Very smooth. 

Silas laughed. “You’re adorable, you know that?” 

Jo blinked. “Am I?” 

What was happening?

Silas picked up the closest present from the floor, hopped back onto the sofa, and settled with his back against her chest. Jo’s breath hitched, her heart fluttering. 

“Yes, you are,” he murmured, taking her hand in his and planting a soft, lingering kiss upon it.

Oh my.

If the events of the day thus far were any indication, Jo might just find herself getting used to this. 

// 9 AM //

“Why is it always so dark in here?” Tori muttered to herself as she stepped into the Three Broomsticks. The night before, Poppy had sent her an owl asking to meet here at 9 AM. For what, Tori hadn’t the foggiest idea. Still, Poppy could be trusted… except for that one time with the dragon. But Tori tried not to think about that. 

The inn was unusually quiet at this early hour; Sirona wasn’t even haunting her usual spot at the bar. 

“Surprise!” Poppy cried, popping out from behind a table with a grin. 

Tori placed a hand to her heart, feigning surprise—well, mostly feigning it. It had been a few weeks since she’d last seen Poppy, and in that moment, her beauty completely stole Tori’s breath away. Better to not let that show. 

Poppy smirked. “Happy to see me?”

“That depends,” Tori said, one eyebrow raised. 

“On?”

“Why we’re here.”

“Oh! You haven’t figured it out by now?” 

Tori only just noticed that Poppy was holding something behind her back. She had been too distracted by more important things, like Poppy’s entrancing, deep brown eyes. 

“I bought you something!” Poppy continued, holding out a giant red and green box with a massive ribbon that looked entirely too large.

Tori blanched. “For me? You didn’t have to—”

Poppy cut her off. “Oh, please. You deserve it.” 

Tori looked down at her feet, so she was startled when the present entered her field of vision. Poppy had shoved it into her chest. She grabbed it instinctively, her fingers brushing against Poppy’s for the briefest moment. 

“You’re too good to me,” Tori whispered, glancing down at Poppy shyly. 

Poppy’s eyes met hers. She smiled. “Maybe, but I think you’re worth it.” She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Tori’s cheek. 

Tori’s heart skipped a beat. She looked forward to finding out what was inside the box, but mostly she was just happy to have her Poppy back on this lovely January day. 

// 10 AM //

Ale was not in a good mood. He glowered at Val and Cal, who were all but wrapped around each other in the corner of the room, whispering and giggling like they were the only ones here.  Meanwhile, Jo and Silas were busy arranging Christmas presents to hand out to the group, their cheerful chatter doing nothing to lift Ale’s sour disposition. 

Damien and Sebastian were at the table with the pastries, which had been baked by Matty and Alvin in the wee hours of the morning, apparently. Damien, as always, was stuffing his face like he hadn’t eaten in days, while Sebastian looked on with a bemused smile. Across the room, Alyn and Ominis sat on a sofa sipping warm hot cocoa. They were laughing, probably at some bit of gossip that Ominis had just divulged. James and Florence were drying off by the door, clearly still buzzing from what seemed to have been a rousing morning in the snow. James's hair was soaking wet, and he shook his head like a wet dog, sending droplets of water flying in all directions, showering Florence in the process. Florence didn’t seem to mind.

The scene was chaotic, but Ale had grown used to it. He hadn’t grown used to seeing Val with Cal. 

And now they were kissing!

“Excuse me! There are other people present!” he growled. 

They kept kissing. It figured. 

Perhaps a change in subject would be amenable.

“Where are Alex and Cassie?” Ale said as Sebastian ambled over in his general direction. 

“No clue,” he replied. “I slept in Damien’s common room last night.” He said it so nonchalantly, like it was the most casual thing in the world. 

Ale hadn’t realized how lonely he was until now. 

“They’re probably still asleep,” Jo said, answering Ale’s question as she handed him his present. “How are you holding up?”

Ale narrowed his eyes. “Fine, thank you.” He didn’t need anyone’s pity. He was a Salvatori. Salvatoris didn’t need anyone. Especially not Valentine Black. 

Oh, Merlin. She was still kissing Cal. 

Today was the absolute worst. 

// 11 AM //

Alex and Cassie had slept in. In fact, they were still asleep. If someone had strolled by the Slytherin common room, they would have heard Alex’s snores through the heavy stone walls of the dungeon. 

They could very well sleep the day away, wrapped in the warmth of their blankets, lost to the world outside. 

// 12 PM //

Ellie and Freddie also appeared to be asleep on a sofa in Defense Against the Dark Arts Tower. They weren’t actually sleeping, though. They were “resting their eyes,” as Freddie put it.

Ellie, however, seemed to think that Freddie had an ulterior motive behind this so-called “rest.” It was only noon after all. Not that she minded. She was rather enjoying having his towhead cradled in her arms. She could feel his heartbeat through her hand, light and fast, like the flutter of butterfly wings. 

She was about to open her eyes when:

“Good morning, Ellie and Freddie!” someone shouted. Their voice was bright and far too cheerful, so it could only be Poppy.

Ellie tensed and her eyes burst open. Freddie startled to attention as well. They sprang to their feet in unison, caught in the act. No one yet knew they were together. Well, that was about to change. 

“Isn’t it afternoon?” Freddie said, ruffling his hair. 

“You’re right,” Tori said, looking at them apologetically. She was holding hands with Poppy. “Let’s leave them be, Poppy.”

“Oh!” Poppy’s face turned bright pink. “Right, yes. We’ll go.” 

“There’s no need…” Ellie began, but the two of them had already headed out the massive oak doors. 

Freddie let out a long sigh. “Well, it looks like we have some explaining to do.” 

“Later,” Ellie said, sinking back into the sofa and patting her lap, a silent invitation for Freddie to rejoin her. 

Today, maybe. But not yet.

// 1 PM //

“Oh! It’s just past one!” Alyn exclaimed.

Ominis blinked. Time tended to slip by when he was with Alyn; she had that effect on him. It was a bit unnerving. Welcome, but unnerving. 

They were still lounging on the sofa, lost in conversation, drinks long consumed, when Alex and Cassie made their extremely tardy entrance. 

“Are we late?” Alex said.

Cassie said through a yawn, “Where is everyone?”

“Hello,” Ominis said, waving in the direction of the sound of their voices, “we’re everyone.” 

“Har har,” Alex replied, but he must have been distracted by something because the tone and volume of his voice changed abruptly. He shouted, “Oooo, Cassie, look! Pastries!”

That explained that then. 

Though the pastries had more than likely gone cold by now, the muffled chewing and hum of satisfaction from Alex told Ominis all he needed to know.

Cassie plopped down onto the sofa next to Alyn. “So, what have you two been chatting about?”

“Everything,” Alyn said. There was a mischievous lilt in her tone that Ominis caught easily. “As you’d expect.” 

“Everything, hm?” Ominis raised an eyebrow. “I’m not so sure about that, but I do appreciate the vote of confidence in my conversational skills.” 

“Everyone knows you’re the person to come to for all Hogwarts-related gossip.”

“Is that so?” Ominis asked, keeping his tone casual. He knew it, of course, but it was always more fun to play coy when the topic came up. 

Before anyone could respond, Alex’s heavy footsteps came from behind, followed by a squeal, as he, presumably, grabbed Cassie from the sofa. 

Alyn burst into a fit of giggles. “I think that means you have to kiss him, Cass,” she said once she managed to stifle her laughter. 

Ah, Alex must have found some mistletoe, Ominis thought, tilting his head in amusement. 

Cassie said, “I don’t need mistletoe as an excuse to kiss you, my love.”

“Mmph,” Alex replied, the sound smothered as he was likely being kissed. 

Speaking of kissing, one day soon—perhaps even today—Ominis would muster up the courage to kiss Alyn.

You know what? Yes, today was going to be the day. What was that Muggle saying? Ah yes, carpe diem. Seize the day, indeed. 

MCs mentioned:

matty & cal & silas by @girl-named-matty ; freddie by @freddiestheproblemchild ; ellie by @accio-bagel ; tori by @espressoristretto-patronum ; alyn by @ps-cactus ; ale & val by @savingsallow ; jo by @ravenwind-75 ; alex & cassie by @acslytherpuff; florence & jaimsen by @leaping-toadstool-caps ; damien (mine) <3

[leaping-toadstool-caps]

Alvin: Damien! *shrieking as a snowball hits him square in the face* Alvin: watch where you're aiming those! Matty: Alvin, watch your nose! *crouched, scooping snowballs up in her bare hands* Alvin: Your fingers are going to freeze *taking his own hands out of his pockets and cupping them around Matty's, only to yelp and hide behind Tori as a snowball zooms past his ear* James: Take that, Tori! *Tori is hit square in the face by a large chunk of snow* Tori: *swearing in italian* *Jo distracting Damien by sneaking snow down the back of his jumper whilst Matty throws a snowball at him. It lands in his hair* Damien: *gasp* my beautiful golden locks!

Alvin: i need hot chocolate and sleep